McDonald, William C.

McDonald, William C.

(1858–1918) cattle baron, governor; born in Jordanville, N.Y. He taught school and studied law in New York before moving to Kansas (1880) and then New Mexico (1881). He was a U.S. deputy mineral surveyor (1881–90) and then entered the cattle business. A strong Democrat, he was pushed to accept his party's nomination and was elected as the first governor of New Mexico (1912–17). He took no campaign contributions and owed nothing to any factions. He retired to his ranch near Carrizozo, N.M.