[1] McDonough was born on April 2, 1846, in Ingersoll, Canada West.
[2] On September 28, 1866, McDonough married Jennie Horan.
McDonough was a member of Order of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
After suffering from severe illness while visiting the Pacific coast,[3] he died on June 2, 1904.
In addition, McDonough was an alderman and member of the school board of Eau Claire.