Joseph A. McDonald (December 6, 1866 – July 15, 1930) was a significant figure in the development of the Northeastern U.S. steel industry. As superintendent of the Ohio Works of the Carnegie Steel Company, in Youngstown, Ohio, McDonald oversaw construction of one of the largest steel-production plants in the country.

Early years

McDonald was born in Braddock, Pennsylvania, to Patrick and Christiana McDonald. He became involved in the steel industry at an early age and rose quickly to positions of responsibility. After completing an apprenticeship in the Pittsburgh area, McDonald went on to gain further experience in Bellaire, Ohio.

Industrial management career

McDonald relocated from Bellaire to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1893, shortly after the opening of the Ohio Steel Company plant in that city. He initially worked as night foreman of the Bessemer plant but later rose to the position of department superintendent. He was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent when the Ohio Works became a steel corporation

subsidiary A subsidiary, subsidiary company or daughter company is a company owned or controlled by another company, which is called the parent company or holding company. Two or more subsidiaries that either belong to the same parent company or having a s ...

. When his brother, Thomas G. McDonald, became general manager of the Youngstown district of the Carnegie Steel Company, Joseph McDonald was elevated to the position of superintendent of the Ohio Works. During his tenure as superintendent, McDonald worked closely with Pittsburgh engineer B.R. Shover when he designed the Ohio Works' mammoth steel-production facilities. Meanwhile, McDonald oversaw the development of recreational facilities, athletic playing fields, and organized sports for Ohio Works employees. Along with his brother, Thomas, he co-founded a minor league baseball team, the

Youngstown Ohio Works The Youngstown Ohio Works baseball team was a minor league club that was known for winning the premier championship of the Ohio–Pennsylvania League in 1905, and for launching the professional career of pitcher Roy Castleton a year later. A tra ...

, which won the premier championship of the

Ohio–Pennsylvania League The Ohio–Pennsylvania League (1905–1912) was a Class C (baseball), Class C and Class D (baseball), Class D level minor league baseball league that featured franchises based in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The league was founded b ...

in 1905 and took the league pennant again in 1906. McDonald also sponsored the

Youngstown Champs The Youngstown Champs were a minor league baseball team that competed in the Ohio–Pennsylvania League in 1907 and 1908. The club won the league championship in 1907 but disbanded in the middle of the 1908 season.''Spalding's Official Athletic L ...

, which replaced the Ohio Works team and won the league championship in 1907.

Later years

In 1912, McDonald became superintendent of the

Cambria Steel Company The Cambria Iron Company of Johnstown, Pennsylvania was a major 19th-century industrial producer of iron and steel. Founded in 1852, it had the nation's largest steel foundry in the 1870s, and was renamed the Cambria Steel Company in 1898. The c ...

, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was later associated with the Jones & Laughlin Corporation. During World War I, he became involved with the Federal War Industries Board. He died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 1930 of complications from

Baker's Cyst A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a type of fluid collection behind the knee. Often there are no symptoms. If symptoms do occur these may include swelling and pain behind the knee, or knee stiffness. If the cyst breaks open, pain ...

, just three days after the death of his elder brother, Thomas McDonald, in Youngstown. Funeral services were held at the Orr Funeral Home, and McDonald's remains were interred at Oak Hill Cemetery, in Youngstown. In a eulogy prepared by Dr. W. E. Hammaker, pastor of Youngstown's Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, McDonald was described as a "great industrialist, a civic reformer, and a true philosopher".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:McDonald, Joseph A. American manufacturing businesspeople 1866 births 1930 deaths Businesspeople from Youngstown, Ohio People from Braddock, Pennsylvania