Donald.--The subject of this sketch, the Rev. Matthew B. Donald, was born in East Tennessee, and died January 24, 1886. He had been afflicted several years with paralysis and unable to preach. His mind was vigorous to the last, however, and his fireside talks were sermons to those who heard them, and they were not a few, for he had a large family, a great many relatives, and an extensive acquaintance. He came to eastern Texas in 1834; placed himself under the care of Bacon Presbytery in 1852, and was licensed by it about 1855. He then removed to Denton County in North Texas, in the bounds of what is now Guthrie Presbytery, by which he was soon ordained. He spent the remainder of a long and useful life with this Presbytery. At its last meeting a service was held in memory of Father Donald, one of the pioneer preachers of Texas. Within three or four hundred years of the family residence--where still lives his widow--stands a large and neat church-house, which, perhaps, is as much indebted for its existence to the liberality and energy of Father Donald as that of any other one man. He ate supper with his family, retired at his usual bed time, woke up at eleven o'clock, "fell on sleep" before one o'clock, and feasted with the King in glory next morning. "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth.            J. J. Moore.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, August 26, 1886, page 2]