Chester Donaldson was the son of Calvin Danielson and Catherine McMaster. He was married three times: 1) Lavina Way, 2) Eveline Anvil Pier and 3) Almira Blakeley, widow of Almon Merwin. As an adult he lived on a portion of his father's original homestead in Otsego County, New York. In 1834 along with most of his relatives he changed the family surname from 'Danielson' to 'Donaldson,' believing 'Donaldson' to be the original family name back in 1600's Scotland.
Death notice from 'The Freeman's Journal,' Otsego County, NY, March 24, 1892, page 3:
"Was he the Oldest Man in Otsego County? From an interesting sketch published in the Gilbertsville Journal. On the 4th inst, passed from sight Chester Donaldson at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 4 days. He was born and always had his home on the farm where he died. In his childhood the vast forest, with only here and there a stumpy clearing, was the home of bears and wolves. All the domestic animals kept needed the constant protection of man. Even his pet dog, though exceedingly swift of foot, was entrapped and killed by wolves. Amidst the arduous labors of wresting from the wilderness and preparing the farm to bring forth sustenance for civilized man, he early prepared himself for teaching in the public schools. This profession he followed for many winters with such success as always...Temperate in his youth he refused to use or furnish alcoholic drinks in the performance of even the severer labors of farming or building, though at the time such a policy was a cause for reproach. He loved his country and was earnest in advocating what he thought was for his country's good. He loved his fellow men and scorned to take advantage of their ignorance or necessity. In 1857 a wonderful snowfall covered these hills around to the depth of five feet and many needed hay to keep their flocks and herds from starving. He had plenty for those in need at the usual low price, but none for speculators who came offering two or three times as much, that they might extract still more from their suffering neighbors. Humble, yet not subservient, he passed most of his days in the quiet of private life. Old age brought its infirmities, which he bore with patience, looking forward to a purer and nobler future."
Death notice from 'The Freeman's Journal,' Otsego County, NY, March 24, 1892, page 3:
"Was he the Oldest Man in Otsego County? From an interesting sketch published in the Gilbertsville Journal. On the 4th inst, passed from sight Chester Donaldson at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 4 days. He was born and always had his home on the farm where he died. In his childhood the vast forest, with only here and there a stumpy clearing, was the home of bears and wolves. All the domestic animals kept needed the constant protection of man. Even his pet dog, though exceedingly swift of foot, was entrapped and killed by wolves. Amidst the arduous labors of wresting from the wilderness and preparing the farm to bring forth sustenance for civilized man, he early prepared himself for teaching in the public schools. This profession he followed for many winters with such success as always...Temperate in his youth he refused to use or furnish alcoholic drinks in the performance of even the severer labors of farming or building, though at the time such a policy was a cause for reproach. He loved his country and was earnest in advocating what he thought was for his country's good. He loved his fellow men and scorned to take advantage of their ignorance or necessity. In 1857 a wonderful snowfall covered these hills around to the depth of five feet and many needed hay to keep their flocks and herds from starving. He had plenty for those in need at the usual low price, but none for speculators who came offering two or three times as much, that they might extract still more from their suffering neighbors. Humble, yet not subservient, he passed most of his days in the quiet of private life. Old age brought its infirmities, which he bore with patience, looking forward to a purer and nobler future."
Chester Donaldson was the son of Calvin Danielson and Catherine McMaster. He was married three times: 1) Lavina Way, 2) Eveline Anvil Pier and 3) Almira Blakeley, widow of Almon Merwin. As an adult he lived on a portion of his father's original homestead in Otsego County, New York. In 1834 along with most of his relatives he changed the family surname from 'Danielson' to 'Donaldson,' believing 'Donaldson' to be the original family name back in 1600's Scotland.
Death notice from 'The Freeman's Journal,' Otsego County, NY, March 24, 1892, page 3:
"Was he the Oldest Man in Otsego County? From an interesting sketch published in the Gilbertsville Journal. On the 4th inst, passed from sight Chester Donaldson at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 4 days. He was born and always had his home on the farm where he died. In his childhood the vast forest, with only here and there a stumpy clearing, was the home of bears and wolves. All the domestic animals kept needed the constant protection of man. Even his pet dog, though exceedingly swift of foot, was entrapped and killed by wolves. Amidst the arduous labors of wresting from the wilderness and preparing the farm to bring forth sustenance for civilized man, he early prepared himself for teaching in the public schools. This profession he followed for many winters with such success as always...Temperate in his youth he refused to use or furnish alcoholic drinks in the performance of even the severer labors of farming or building, though at the time such a policy was a cause for reproach. He loved his country and was earnest in advocating what he thought was for his country's good. He loved his fellow men and scorned to take advantage of their ignorance or necessity. In 1857 a wonderful snowfall covered these hills around to the depth of five feet and many needed hay to keep their flocks and herds from starving. He had plenty for those in need at the usual low price, but none for speculators who came offering two or three times as much, that they might extract still more from their suffering neighbors. Humble, yet not subservient, he passed most of his days in the quiet of private life. Old age brought its infirmities, which he bore with patience, looking forward to a purer and nobler future."
Death notice from 'The Freeman's Journal,' Otsego County, NY, March 24, 1892, page 3:
"Was he the Oldest Man in Otsego County? From an interesting sketch published in the Gilbertsville Journal. On the 4th inst, passed from sight Chester Donaldson at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 4 days. He was born and always had his home on the farm where he died. In his childhood the vast forest, with only here and there a stumpy clearing, was the home of bears and wolves. All the domestic animals kept needed the constant protection of man. Even his pet dog, though exceedingly swift of foot, was entrapped and killed by wolves. Amidst the arduous labors of wresting from the wilderness and preparing the farm to bring forth sustenance for civilized man, he early prepared himself for teaching in the public schools. This profession he followed for many winters with such success as always...Temperate in his youth he refused to use or furnish alcoholic drinks in the performance of even the severer labors of farming or building, though at the time such a policy was a cause for reproach. He loved his country and was earnest in advocating what he thought was for his country's good. He loved his fellow men and scorned to take advantage of their ignorance or necessity. In 1857 a wonderful snowfall covered these hills around to the depth of five feet and many needed hay to keep their flocks and herds from starving. He had plenty for those in need at the usual low price, but none for speculators who came offering two or three times as much, that they might extract still more from their suffering neighbors. Humble, yet not subservient, he passed most of his days in the quiet of private life. Old age brought its infirmities, which he bore with patience, looking forward to a purer and nobler future."
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