Donald W. Bain

Donald Bain, a native of Raleigh, might be called North Carolina's first finance professional to occupy the office of State Treasurer. He began a 35-year career in State service as the youngest clerk in the State Controller's office while he was still in his teens. In 1865, he accepted an appointment as chief clerk of the State Treasurer's office, a post he held almost 20 years.

Bain was elected Treasurer in 1884 and served from 1885 until his death in 1892. Bain was an honest, conscientious and devoted public servant. He was re-elected in the November 1892 general election to a third term but died nine days after the election. 1

1 William S. Powell, Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Vol. III (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1988), 86.

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