Biography taken from the book "Memorial and Biographical Record - An Illustrated Compendium of Biography, Containing a Compendium of Local Biography, Including Biographical Sketches of Hundreds of Prominent Old Settlers and Representative Citizens of South Dakota With a Review of Their Life Work. Also a Compendium of National Biography", pages 1047-1048 published by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1898:
David W. Donaldson is an energetic and public spirited agriculturist who resides on section 14, Spirit Lake Township, Kingsbury County, South Dakota. Mr. Donaldson was born April 1, 1826, in Orange County, New York. His parents were James and Mary (Waugh) Donaldson, both natives of Ireland. They settled in Orange County, New York at an early date and remained there until David was three years old, when they removed to New York City. David was the fourth child in a family of six - but two of whom survive, our subject and his sister, who is now Mrs. Emilie Clements and resides in Illinois. David spent nearly all of his early life in the great metropolis where he secured his education. At the age of twenty-two he went west, settling first in Michigan and later in Wisconsin and finally in Iowa, where he worked in the Dubuque mines. Not long afterward he purchased three hundred and sixty acres of good Iowa land, which he cultivated for eight years. In 1855 he removed to Minnesota and located in Mower County, where he operated a two hundred and forty acre farm until the outbreak of the war. In the year 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth United States Infantry and served for three years, during which time he participated in many sanguinary engagements, among which may be mentioned: Fredericksburg, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Mine Run and the Wilderness. Mr. Donaldson was honorably discharged on the 7th of May, 1865, with the rank of corporal. He then returned to his Minnesota home, where he carried on farming until 1882, at which time he sold his interests there and moved to Kingsbury County, Dakota. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 14, Spirit Lake Township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and has improved it with good residence and other buildings. Mr. Donaldson is a Republican politically, and is also a well-known member of the G. A. R., being enrolled in Harvey Post at De Smet.
In 1848 Mr. Donaldson married Miss Mary Clark, who was born on the 3rd of December 1832 and is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Babb) Clark, of Allegany County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are the parents of nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Clara I., May 6, 1850; James, June 29, 1852; Eliza, February 3, 1855; Sarah J., February 6, 1857; Emily, April 11, 1859; Mary, January 23, 1861; Frances E., January 16, 1863; Ella, August 24, 1866 and Georgia E., June 25, 1870. Two of the daughters, Clara and Frances E., are deceased. The former died May 4, 1875 and the latter September 22, 1863.
David Waugh Donaldson and Mary Clarke were married on September 29, 1849 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin by Rev. Noble.
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Bio from "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904), pp 992-993.
DAVID W. DONALDSON, an old and respected farmer and public-spirited citizen now living in honorable retirement in section 14 Spirit Lake township, Kingsbury county, was born April 1, 1826, in Orange county, New York, the son of James and Mary (Waugh) Donaldson, natives of Ireland. These parents came to America in an early day and after living in the state of New York until about 1829, they removed to New York city, where their son David W. spent the greater part of his early life and received his education. He is the fourth of six children, only one besides himself living at the present time, a sister, Mrs. Emile Clements, whose home is in Illinois. At the age of twenty-two, David W. went to Michigan; thence to Wisconsin and from the latter state to Iowa, locating at Dubuque, where he worked for some time as a miner. Leaving that city, he purchased a half section of fine Iowa land which he cultivated for eight years, and at the expiration of that time, in 1855 moved to Minnesota where he continued to till the soil until the second year of the Civil war. On May 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth United States Infantry, with which he served three years, during which time he participated in a number of sanguinary battles and minor engagements, including, among others, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Mine Run, and the bloody actions in the Wilderness. At Antietam the drum of his right ear was ruptured by the concussion of heavy artillery, causing partial deafness from which he has never recovered, and for years he has been obliged to use an ear trumpet to assist his sense of hearing. Mr. Donaldson was honorably discharged in 1865 with the rank of corporal, after which he returned to his Minnesota home and there carried on farming very successfully until 1882, when he disposed of his interests in that state and came to Kingsbury county, South Dakota, taking up a homestead in section 14, Spirit Lake township. He soon reduced his land to a high state of tillage; erected a fine residence and made many other substantial improvements, until his farm is now considered one of the best in the county of Kingsbury. He followed agriculture and stock raising very profitably until a few years ago when, by reason of the comfortable competence in his possession and the infirmities incident to advancing age, he rented his land and has since lived a retired life. Mr. Donaldson has always been a great reader, and takes much pleasure in his books and periodicals, his acquaintance with literature and his information relative to current, public and political questions being general and profound. He has always been a stanch Republican, remained true to his party when Populism threatened its disruption and has contributed greatly to its success in his township and county. He served a number of years as school treasurer, resigning the office in 1902, and was for six years clerk of the school board in the township of his residence. He is a charter member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at DeSmet, takes an active interest in all of its deliberations and has filled various official positions in the same from time to time.
Mr. Donaldson, in 1848, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Clark, who was born in Allegany county, New York, December 3, 1832, being the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Bable) Clark, of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson have been married fifty-five years and are still hale, hearty and happy and seem to enjoy life much more than the majority of people. Their home is noted for its hospitality and all who know the excellent old couple esteem them for their many amiable qualities and sterling worth. They have nine children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Clara I., May 6, 1850; James, June 29, 1852; Elizabeth, February 3, 1855; Sarah J., February 6, 1857; Emily, April 11, 1859; Mary, January 23, 1861; Frances E., January 16, 1863; Ella, August 24, 1866, and George E., who was born June 23, 1870 all living but Clara and Frances, the former dying May 4, 1875, the latter on September 22, 1863.
David W. Donaldson is an energetic and public spirited agriculturist who resides on section 14, Spirit Lake Township, Kingsbury County, South Dakota. Mr. Donaldson was born April 1, 1826, in Orange County, New York. His parents were James and Mary (Waugh) Donaldson, both natives of Ireland. They settled in Orange County, New York at an early date and remained there until David was three years old, when they removed to New York City. David was the fourth child in a family of six - but two of whom survive, our subject and his sister, who is now Mrs. Emilie Clements and resides in Illinois. David spent nearly all of his early life in the great metropolis where he secured his education. At the age of twenty-two he went west, settling first in Michigan and later in Wisconsin and finally in Iowa, where he worked in the Dubuque mines. Not long afterward he purchased three hundred and sixty acres of good Iowa land, which he cultivated for eight years. In 1855 he removed to Minnesota and located in Mower County, where he operated a two hundred and forty acre farm until the outbreak of the war. In the year 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth United States Infantry and served for three years, during which time he participated in many sanguinary engagements, among which may be mentioned: Fredericksburg, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Mine Run and the Wilderness. Mr. Donaldson was honorably discharged on the 7th of May, 1865, with the rank of corporal. He then returned to his Minnesota home, where he carried on farming until 1882, at which time he sold his interests there and moved to Kingsbury County, Dakota. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 14, Spirit Lake Township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and has improved it with good residence and other buildings. Mr. Donaldson is a Republican politically, and is also a well-known member of the G. A. R., being enrolled in Harvey Post at De Smet.
In 1848 Mr. Donaldson married Miss Mary Clark, who was born on the 3rd of December 1832 and is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Babb) Clark, of Allegany County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are the parents of nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Clara I., May 6, 1850; James, June 29, 1852; Eliza, February 3, 1855; Sarah J., February 6, 1857; Emily, April 11, 1859; Mary, January 23, 1861; Frances E., January 16, 1863; Ella, August 24, 1866 and Georgia E., June 25, 1870. Two of the daughters, Clara and Frances E., are deceased. The former died May 4, 1875 and the latter September 22, 1863.
David Waugh Donaldson and Mary Clarke were married on September 29, 1849 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin by Rev. Noble.
------------------------------------------------
Bio from "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904), pp 992-993.
DAVID W. DONALDSON, an old and respected farmer and public-spirited citizen now living in honorable retirement in section 14 Spirit Lake township, Kingsbury county, was born April 1, 1826, in Orange county, New York, the son of James and Mary (Waugh) Donaldson, natives of Ireland. These parents came to America in an early day and after living in the state of New York until about 1829, they removed to New York city, where their son David W. spent the greater part of his early life and received his education. He is the fourth of six children, only one besides himself living at the present time, a sister, Mrs. Emile Clements, whose home is in Illinois. At the age of twenty-two, David W. went to Michigan; thence to Wisconsin and from the latter state to Iowa, locating at Dubuque, where he worked for some time as a miner. Leaving that city, he purchased a half section of fine Iowa land which he cultivated for eight years, and at the expiration of that time, in 1855 moved to Minnesota where he continued to till the soil until the second year of the Civil war. On May 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth United States Infantry, with which he served three years, during which time he participated in a number of sanguinary battles and minor engagements, including, among others, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Mine Run, and the bloody actions in the Wilderness. At Antietam the drum of his right ear was ruptured by the concussion of heavy artillery, causing partial deafness from which he has never recovered, and for years he has been obliged to use an ear trumpet to assist his sense of hearing. Mr. Donaldson was honorably discharged in 1865 with the rank of corporal, after which he returned to his Minnesota home and there carried on farming very successfully until 1882, when he disposed of his interests in that state and came to Kingsbury county, South Dakota, taking up a homestead in section 14, Spirit Lake township. He soon reduced his land to a high state of tillage; erected a fine residence and made many other substantial improvements, until his farm is now considered one of the best in the county of Kingsbury. He followed agriculture and stock raising very profitably until a few years ago when, by reason of the comfortable competence in his possession and the infirmities incident to advancing age, he rented his land and has since lived a retired life. Mr. Donaldson has always been a great reader, and takes much pleasure in his books and periodicals, his acquaintance with literature and his information relative to current, public and political questions being general and profound. He has always been a stanch Republican, remained true to his party when Populism threatened its disruption and has contributed greatly to its success in his township and county. He served a number of years as school treasurer, resigning the office in 1902, and was for six years clerk of the school board in the township of his residence. He is a charter member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at DeSmet, takes an active interest in all of its deliberations and has filled various official positions in the same from time to time.
Mr. Donaldson, in 1848, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Clark, who was born in Allegany county, New York, December 3, 1832, being the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Bable) Clark, of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson have been married fifty-five years and are still hale, hearty and happy and seem to enjoy life much more than the majority of people. Their home is noted for its hospitality and all who know the excellent old couple esteem them for their many amiable qualities and sterling worth. They have nine children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Clara I., May 6, 1850; James, June 29, 1852; Elizabeth, February 3, 1855; Sarah J., February 6, 1857; Emily, April 11, 1859; Mary, January 23, 1861; Frances E., January 16, 1863; Ella, August 24, 1866, and George E., who was born June 23, 1870 all living but Clara and Frances, the former dying May 4, 1875, the latter on September 22, 1863.
Biography taken from the book "Memorial and Biographical Record - An Illustrated Compendium of Biography, Containing a Compendium of Local Biography, Including Biographical Sketches of Hundreds of Prominent Old Settlers and Representative Citizens of South Dakota With a Review of Their Life Work. Also a Compendium of National Biography", pages 1047-1048 published by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1898:
David W. Donaldson is an energetic and public spirited agriculturist who resides on section 14, Spirit Lake Township, Kingsbury County, South Dakota. Mr. Donaldson was born April 1, 1826, in Orange County, New York. His parents were James and Mary (Waugh) Donaldson, both natives of Ireland. They settled in Orange County, New York at an early date and remained there until David was three years old, when they removed to New York City. David was the fourth child in a family of six - but two of whom survive, our subject and his sister, who is now Mrs. Emilie Clements and resides in Illinois. David spent nearly all of his early life in the great metropolis where he secured his education. At the age of twenty-two he went west, settling first in Michigan and later in Wisconsin and finally in Iowa, where he worked in the Dubuque mines. Not long afterward he purchased three hundred and sixty acres of good Iowa land, which he cultivated for eight years. In 1855 he removed to Minnesota and located in Mower County, where he operated a two hundred and forty acre farm until the outbreak of the war. In the year 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth United States Infantry and served for three years, during which time he participated in many sanguinary engagements, among which may be mentioned: Fredericksburg, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Mine Run and the Wilderness. Mr. Donaldson was honorably discharged on the 7th of May, 1865, with the rank of corporal. He then returned to his Minnesota home, where he carried on farming until 1882, at which time he sold his interests there and moved to Kingsbury County, Dakota. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 14, Spirit Lake Township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and has improved it with good residence and other buildings. Mr. Donaldson is a Republican politically, and is also a well-known member of the G. A. R., being enrolled in Harvey Post at De Smet.
In 1848 Mr. Donaldson married Miss Mary Clark, who was born on the 3rd of December 1832 and is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Babb) Clark, of Allegany County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are the parents of nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Clara I., May 6, 1850; James, June 29, 1852; Eliza, February 3, 1855; Sarah J., February 6, 1857; Emily, April 11, 1859; Mary, January 23, 1861; Frances E., January 16, 1863; Ella, August 24, 1866 and Georgia E., June 25, 1870. Two of the daughters, Clara and Frances E., are deceased. The former died May 4, 1875 and the latter September 22, 1863.
David Waugh Donaldson and Mary Clarke were married on September 29, 1849 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin by Rev. Noble.
------------------------------------------------
Bio from "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904), pp 992-993.
DAVID W. DONALDSON, an old and respected farmer and public-spirited citizen now living in honorable retirement in section 14 Spirit Lake township, Kingsbury county, was born April 1, 1826, in Orange county, New York, the son of James and Mary (Waugh) Donaldson, natives of Ireland. These parents came to America in an early day and after living in the state of New York until about 1829, they removed to New York city, where their son David W. spent the greater part of his early life and received his education. He is the fourth of six children, only one besides himself living at the present time, a sister, Mrs. Emile Clements, whose home is in Illinois. At the age of twenty-two, David W. went to Michigan; thence to Wisconsin and from the latter state to Iowa, locating at Dubuque, where he worked for some time as a miner. Leaving that city, he purchased a half section of fine Iowa land which he cultivated for eight years, and at the expiration of that time, in 1855 moved to Minnesota where he continued to till the soil until the second year of the Civil war. On May 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth United States Infantry, with which he served three years, during which time he participated in a number of sanguinary battles and minor engagements, including, among others, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Mine Run, and the bloody actions in the Wilderness. At Antietam the drum of his right ear was ruptured by the concussion of heavy artillery, causing partial deafness from which he has never recovered, and for years he has been obliged to use an ear trumpet to assist his sense of hearing. Mr. Donaldson was honorably discharged in 1865 with the rank of corporal, after which he returned to his Minnesota home and there carried on farming very successfully until 1882, when he disposed of his interests in that state and came to Kingsbury county, South Dakota, taking up a homestead in section 14, Spirit Lake township. He soon reduced his land to a high state of tillage; erected a fine residence and made many other substantial improvements, until his farm is now considered one of the best in the county of Kingsbury. He followed agriculture and stock raising very profitably until a few years ago when, by reason of the comfortable competence in his possession and the infirmities incident to advancing age, he rented his land and has since lived a retired life. Mr. Donaldson has always been a great reader, and takes much pleasure in his books and periodicals, his acquaintance with literature and his information relative to current, public and political questions being general and profound. He has always been a stanch Republican, remained true to his party when Populism threatened its disruption and has contributed greatly to its success in his township and county. He served a number of years as school treasurer, resigning the office in 1902, and was for six years clerk of the school board in the township of his residence. He is a charter member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at DeSmet, takes an active interest in all of its deliberations and has filled various official positions in the same from time to time.
Mr. Donaldson, in 1848, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Clark, who was born in Allegany county, New York, December 3, 1832, being the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Bable) Clark, of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson have been married fifty-five years and are still hale, hearty and happy and seem to enjoy life much more than the majority of people. Their home is noted for its hospitality and all who know the excellent old couple esteem them for their many amiable qualities and sterling worth. They have nine children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Clara I., May 6, 1850; James, June 29, 1852; Elizabeth, February 3, 1855; Sarah J., February 6, 1857; Emily, April 11, 1859; Mary, January 23, 1861; Frances E., January 16, 1863; Ella, August 24, 1866, and George E., who was born June 23, 1870 all living but Clara and Frances, the former dying May 4, 1875, the latter on September 22, 1863.
David W. Donaldson is an energetic and public spirited agriculturist who resides on section 14, Spirit Lake Township, Kingsbury County, South Dakota. Mr. Donaldson was born April 1, 1826, in Orange County, New York. His parents were James and Mary (Waugh) Donaldson, both natives of Ireland. They settled in Orange County, New York at an early date and remained there until David was three years old, when they removed to New York City. David was the fourth child in a family of six - but two of whom survive, our subject and his sister, who is now Mrs. Emilie Clements and resides in Illinois. David spent nearly all of his early life in the great metropolis where he secured his education. At the age of twenty-two he went west, settling first in Michigan and later in Wisconsin and finally in Iowa, where he worked in the Dubuque mines. Not long afterward he purchased three hundred and sixty acres of good Iowa land, which he cultivated for eight years. In 1855 he removed to Minnesota and located in Mower County, where he operated a two hundred and forty acre farm until the outbreak of the war. In the year 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth United States Infantry and served for three years, during which time he participated in many sanguinary engagements, among which may be mentioned: Fredericksburg, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Mine Run and the Wilderness. Mr. Donaldson was honorably discharged on the 7th of May, 1865, with the rank of corporal. He then returned to his Minnesota home, where he carried on farming until 1882, at which time he sold his interests there and moved to Kingsbury County, Dakota. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 14, Spirit Lake Township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and has improved it with good residence and other buildings. Mr. Donaldson is a Republican politically, and is also a well-known member of the G. A. R., being enrolled in Harvey Post at De Smet.
In 1848 Mr. Donaldson married Miss Mary Clark, who was born on the 3rd of December 1832 and is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Babb) Clark, of Allegany County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are the parents of nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Clara I., May 6, 1850; James, June 29, 1852; Eliza, February 3, 1855; Sarah J., February 6, 1857; Emily, April 11, 1859; Mary, January 23, 1861; Frances E., January 16, 1863; Ella, August 24, 1866 and Georgia E., June 25, 1870. Two of the daughters, Clara and Frances E., are deceased. The former died May 4, 1875 and the latter September 22, 1863.
David Waugh Donaldson and Mary Clarke were married on September 29, 1849 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin by Rev. Noble.
------------------------------------------------
Bio from "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904), pp 992-993.
DAVID W. DONALDSON, an old and respected farmer and public-spirited citizen now living in honorable retirement in section 14 Spirit Lake township, Kingsbury county, was born April 1, 1826, in Orange county, New York, the son of James and Mary (Waugh) Donaldson, natives of Ireland. These parents came to America in an early day and after living in the state of New York until about 1829, they removed to New York city, where their son David W. spent the greater part of his early life and received his education. He is the fourth of six children, only one besides himself living at the present time, a sister, Mrs. Emile Clements, whose home is in Illinois. At the age of twenty-two, David W. went to Michigan; thence to Wisconsin and from the latter state to Iowa, locating at Dubuque, where he worked for some time as a miner. Leaving that city, he purchased a half section of fine Iowa land which he cultivated for eight years, and at the expiration of that time, in 1855 moved to Minnesota where he continued to till the soil until the second year of the Civil war. On May 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth United States Infantry, with which he served three years, during which time he participated in a number of sanguinary battles and minor engagements, including, among others, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Mine Run, and the bloody actions in the Wilderness. At Antietam the drum of his right ear was ruptured by the concussion of heavy artillery, causing partial deafness from which he has never recovered, and for years he has been obliged to use an ear trumpet to assist his sense of hearing. Mr. Donaldson was honorably discharged in 1865 with the rank of corporal, after which he returned to his Minnesota home and there carried on farming very successfully until 1882, when he disposed of his interests in that state and came to Kingsbury county, South Dakota, taking up a homestead in section 14, Spirit Lake township. He soon reduced his land to a high state of tillage; erected a fine residence and made many other substantial improvements, until his farm is now considered one of the best in the county of Kingsbury. He followed agriculture and stock raising very profitably until a few years ago when, by reason of the comfortable competence in his possession and the infirmities incident to advancing age, he rented his land and has since lived a retired life. Mr. Donaldson has always been a great reader, and takes much pleasure in his books and periodicals, his acquaintance with literature and his information relative to current, public and political questions being general and profound. He has always been a stanch Republican, remained true to his party when Populism threatened its disruption and has contributed greatly to its success in his township and county. He served a number of years as school treasurer, resigning the office in 1902, and was for six years clerk of the school board in the township of his residence. He is a charter member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at DeSmet, takes an active interest in all of its deliberations and has filled various official positions in the same from time to time.
Mr. Donaldson, in 1848, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Clark, who was born in Allegany county, New York, December 3, 1832, being the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Bable) Clark, of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson have been married fifty-five years and are still hale, hearty and happy and seem to enjoy life much more than the majority of people. Their home is noted for its hospitality and all who know the excellent old couple esteem them for their many amiable qualities and sterling worth. They have nine children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Clara I., May 6, 1850; James, June 29, 1852; Elizabeth, February 3, 1855; Sarah J., February 6, 1857; Emily, April 11, 1859; Mary, January 23, 1861; Frances E., January 16, 1863; Ella, August 24, 1866, and George E., who was born June 23, 1870 all living but Clara and Frances, the former dying May 4, 1875, the latter on September 22, 1863.
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