Macdonald was a Liberal party member of the House of Commons of Canada.
Macdonald was educated to secondary school level.
In 1903, he became clerk and treasurer for Lancaster Township.
Macdonald unsuccessfully campaigned for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario during the 1919 provincial election.
After completing his second term, the 16th Canadian Parliament, Macdonald left federal politics and did not seek re-election in the 1930 vote.