Biography

Clinton MacDougall was born on September 14, 1839, in Kintyre, Scotland. In 1842, Clinton, along with his parents Dugald and Margaret MacKendrick McDougall, immigrated to Canada and later moved to Auburn, New York.

During the Civil War, Clinton served as the captain of the 75th NY Volunteer Infantry beginning in 1861. In 1862, Clinton was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 111th NY Volunteers and Colonel in 1863. Clinton’s years of military service were acknowledged by receiving the brevet of Brigadier General of the Volunteer Infantry. Clinton mustered out on June 4, 1865.

Post-Civil War, Clinton served as the Postmaster in Auburn, New York, from 1869 until 1873. Afterwards, he was appointed to Congress for two terms, from 1873 to 1877. From 1877 to 1885, Clinton was the U.S. Marshall of the Northern District of New York. He was again elected to this position in 1901 and held it until his retirement in 1911. In the interim, Clinton was a Presidential elector during the 1888 election.

Clinton was a friend and business partner of William Henry Seward, Jr. The men started a banking house in Auburn (William H. Seward & Company bank). However, on January 18, 1870, William wrote to his father that he must sever his partnership with Clinton, “McDougalls various speculation having so much involved him that I did not think it wise for us longer to continue as partners. I shall lose about $5,000 by him.”

Clinton married his first wife, Eva Sabine, in 1867. Eva died in 1875, and Clinton remarried Marianna Cook in 1878.

Clinton died on May 24, 1914, in Paris, France.