he was born in panmure island, the son of hugh macdonald, a scottish immigrant, and was educated in georgetown and charlottetown. macdonald married mary elizabeth, the daughter of john small macdonald, in 1865. he served as a captain in the militia. he represented 3rd kings in the legislative assembly of prince edward island from 1870 to 1873. he resigned his seat in 1873 to run for the federal seat. on june 2, 1915, macdonald was named lieutenant governor. he died in office in 1919.