PawPaw McDonald's Daddy
I remember seeing the pictures of this enormously tall man towering over a small petite woman. I saw this man often in other family photos kept in the front bedroom of my grandparents home. "Who is that?" I asked my grandmother knowing he had to be someone important due to all the photos of him. "Thats your PawPaw McDonald's Daddy." Her grandfather. I knew I had to know more about him, just his photo was enough to send shivers down your spine. This man was tough, anyone could see that. What I found out about Joe McDonald was no surprise in that he used that massive body frame to his advantage.
"Most people thought PawPaw was mean as a snake" my grandmother had told me about her grandfather "but the truth was, he wanted people to think that and definitely played the part but he really did have a good heart, it was just mighty hard to see it at times."
Joe McDonald was a no nonesense kind of man. Most folks made sure to place themselves on his good side for fear what the bad side might bring. He had a reputation for having a short temper (unforunately, a gift some of his offspring inheriated.) and a hard punch, but most importantly he was also smart enough to never have to throw that punch.. To my knowledge, he never actually hurt anyone but the threat was enough. It was obvious he could cause damage if he wanted to.
If his massive structure wasn't enough, he also had the reputation of being one of the best gunman in Talladega County. It was a talent that his many sons enjoyed. The boys would take turns holding objects in their hands for him to shoot. When my PawPaw McDonald came up with the idea of placing the apple in his mouth, he was disappointed when his father told him that he refused to try that, deeming it as "Just too dangerous." It was said that another one of his tricks was being able to shoot and break a strand of sewing thread. The boys would pull it across the yard and hold it, while PawPaw Joe shot clean through it from the porch. My father still has PawPaw Joe's gun, I plan to photograph it soon.
But Joe, did have a rather soft side too. He was known for crowding all his grandchildren around (and he had alot too since he had 12 sons!) and tell them stories. Stories that are still being told today to his descendants. We love you, PawPaw!
I remember seeing the pictures of this enormously tall man towering over a small petite woman. I saw this man often in other family photos kept in the front bedroom of my grandparents home. "Who is that?" I asked my grandmother knowing he had to be someone important due to all the photos of him. "Thats your PawPaw McDonald's Daddy." Her grandfather. I knew I had to know more about him, just his photo was enough to send shivers down your spine. This man was tough, anyone could see that. What I found out about Joe McDonald was no surprise in that he used that massive body frame to his advantage.
"Most people thought PawPaw was mean as a snake" my grandmother had told me about her grandfather "but the truth was, he wanted people to think that and definitely played the part but he really did have a good heart, it was just mighty hard to see it at times."
Joe McDonald was a no nonesense kind of man. Most folks made sure to place themselves on his good side for fear what the bad side might bring. He had a reputation for having a short temper (unforunately, a gift some of his offspring inheriated.) and a hard punch, but most importantly he was also smart enough to never have to throw that punch.. To my knowledge, he never actually hurt anyone but the threat was enough. It was obvious he could cause damage if he wanted to.
If his massive structure wasn't enough, he also had the reputation of being one of the best gunman in Talladega County. It was a talent that his many sons enjoyed. The boys would take turns holding objects in their hands for him to shoot. When my PawPaw McDonald came up with the idea of placing the apple in his mouth, he was disappointed when his father told him that he refused to try that, deeming it as "Just too dangerous." It was said that another one of his tricks was being able to shoot and break a strand of sewing thread. The boys would pull it across the yard and hold it, while PawPaw Joe shot clean through it from the porch. My father still has PawPaw Joe's gun, I plan to photograph it soon.
But Joe, did have a rather soft side too. He was known for crowding all his grandchildren around (and he had alot too since he had 12 sons!) and tell them stories. Stories that are still being told today to his descendants. We love you, PawPaw!
PawPaw McDonald's Daddy
I remember seeing the pictures of this enormously tall man towering over a small petite woman. I saw this man often in other family photos kept in the front bedroom of my grandparents home. "Who is that?" I asked my grandmother knowing he had to be someone important due to all the photos of him. "Thats your PawPaw McDonald's Daddy." Her grandfather. I knew I had to know more about him, just his photo was enough to send shivers down your spine. This man was tough, anyone could see that. What I found out about Joe McDonald was no surprise in that he used that massive body frame to his advantage.
"Most people thought PawPaw was mean as a snake" my grandmother had told me about her grandfather "but the truth was, he wanted people to think that and definitely played the part but he really did have a good heart, it was just mighty hard to see it at times."
Joe McDonald was a no nonesense kind of man. Most folks made sure to place themselves on his good side for fear what the bad side might bring. He had a reputation for having a short temper (unforunately, a gift some of his offspring inheriated.) and a hard punch, but most importantly he was also smart enough to never have to throw that punch.. To my knowledge, he never actually hurt anyone but the threat was enough. It was obvious he could cause damage if he wanted to.
If his massive structure wasn't enough, he also had the reputation of being one of the best gunman in Talladega County. It was a talent that his many sons enjoyed. The boys would take turns holding objects in their hands for him to shoot. When my PawPaw McDonald came up with the idea of placing the apple in his mouth, he was disappointed when his father told him that he refused to try that, deeming it as "Just too dangerous." It was said that another one of his tricks was being able to shoot and break a strand of sewing thread. The boys would pull it across the yard and hold it, while PawPaw Joe shot clean through it from the porch. My father still has PawPaw Joe's gun, I plan to photograph it soon.
But Joe, did have a rather soft side too. He was known for crowding all his grandchildren around (and he had alot too since he had 12 sons!) and tell them stories. Stories that are still being told today to his descendants. We love you, PawPaw!
I remember seeing the pictures of this enormously tall man towering over a small petite woman. I saw this man often in other family photos kept in the front bedroom of my grandparents home. "Who is that?" I asked my grandmother knowing he had to be someone important due to all the photos of him. "Thats your PawPaw McDonald's Daddy." Her grandfather. I knew I had to know more about him, just his photo was enough to send shivers down your spine. This man was tough, anyone could see that. What I found out about Joe McDonald was no surprise in that he used that massive body frame to his advantage.
"Most people thought PawPaw was mean as a snake" my grandmother had told me about her grandfather "but the truth was, he wanted people to think that and definitely played the part but he really did have a good heart, it was just mighty hard to see it at times."
Joe McDonald was a no nonesense kind of man. Most folks made sure to place themselves on his good side for fear what the bad side might bring. He had a reputation for having a short temper (unforunately, a gift some of his offspring inheriated.) and a hard punch, but most importantly he was also smart enough to never have to throw that punch.. To my knowledge, he never actually hurt anyone but the threat was enough. It was obvious he could cause damage if he wanted to.
If his massive structure wasn't enough, he also had the reputation of being one of the best gunman in Talladega County. It was a talent that his many sons enjoyed. The boys would take turns holding objects in their hands for him to shoot. When my PawPaw McDonald came up with the idea of placing the apple in his mouth, he was disappointed when his father told him that he refused to try that, deeming it as "Just too dangerous." It was said that another one of his tricks was being able to shoot and break a strand of sewing thread. The boys would pull it across the yard and hold it, while PawPaw Joe shot clean through it from the porch. My father still has PawPaw Joe's gun, I plan to photograph it soon.
But Joe, did have a rather soft side too. He was known for crowding all his grandchildren around (and he had alot too since he had 12 sons!) and tell them stories. Stories that are still being told today to his descendants. We love you, PawPaw!
Family Members
Parents
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
