John Alexander McDonald (September 24, 1889 – April 16, 1962) was a farmer and political figure in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...

, Canada. He represented King's County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly

Nova Scotia House of Assembly

The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...

 from 1920 to 1925 as a Liberal

Liberal Party of Nova Scotia

The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia is a political party in Nova Scotia, Canada.-Origins:The party is descended from the pre-Confederation Reformers in Nova Scotia who coalesced around Joseph Howe demanding the institution of responsible government...

 member. McDonald sat for King's division in the Senate of Canada from 1945 to 1962.

He was born in Upper Dyke Village, Nova Scotia, the son of Andrew S. McDonald and Clara Kidston. McDonald was educated at the Kentville Academy and Acadia University

Acadia University

Acadia University is a predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level...

. In 1912, he married Marguerite Taylor. McDonald was minister without portfolio

Minister without Portfolio

A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...

from 1923 to 1925 and Minister of Agriculture from 1933 to 1945 in the province's Executive Council. He was defeated when he ran for reelection to the provincial assembly in 1925. McDonald died in office at the age of 72.