JOHN J. DONALDSON
Page 548
JOHN J. DONALDSON
Page 548
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JOHN J. DONALDSON, a capitalist and real estate owner of Havana, was born in New York in 1840, and is a son of James Donaldson, a native of Scotland, having been born in Haddington, October 20, 1811. On the 15th of May, 1830, the date of his marriage, he came to the United States, leaving his young wife in the land of Scotia. So well was he pleased with the prospects offered by the New World, that he returned for his wife, and in the spring of 1832 again crossed the ocean, the voyage consuming eighty days. Settling in New York, Mr. Donaldson there remained for a number of years, removing thence to LaSalle County, Ill., in 1845. During the following year he was employed on the canal, and subsequently ran a repairing boat for the state, employing from sixteen to twenty-five hands. In 1849, he bought forty-six acres of canal land at $4.50 per acre, and fifteen years afterward bought another eighty at $30 an acre. He opened a quarry on his farm, and for three years supplied sandstone for some of the best buildings in the county and for the bridges on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, at the same time carrying on his farm. In 1861 he moved to Utica, and there, until 1875, was engaged in the meat business, after which time he lived retired until his death, September 12, 1890. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Donaldson served as Justice of the Peace for five years, and as Highway Commissioner for six years. In educational matters he was especially interested, and served as superintendent in the erection of a large schoolhouse in Utica. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Caroling McKinzie, and who was born in Scotland, passed from earth January 16, 1885. Five children had been born to them, but two of the number died in infancy. The survivors are our subject and his two sisters, Frances, wife of Lewis Falrad, and Harriet, who married Clark Dickinson. At the age of six years the subject of this sketch accompanied his parents to LaSalle County, Ill., settling with them near Utica, where he received a common school education. In 1861 he enlisted as a member of Company K, Eleventh Illinois Infantry, commanded by Capt. H. H. Carter and Col. W. H. L. Wallace, assigned to the Seventeenth Army Corps. After having served for three years, he was mustered out at Vicksburg, Miss., August 9, 1864, and returned immediately to LaSalle County. In the spring of the following year, he came to Mason County, and purchasing land embarked in farming, which he has since conducted successfully. For some years he has engaged in the buying and shipping of stock, and has also transacted business in shipping grain. His landed possessions are large and valuable and require considerable attention on his part. While not at all partisan in his preferences, Mr. Donaldson entertains a pronounced sympathy for and belief in the principles of the Democratic party. Socially he is a member of Havana Lodge No. 88, F. & A. M., Chapter No. 86, R. A. M., and Damascus Commandery No. 42, K. T. On the 9th of December, 1864, he married Miss Margaret McHarry, who was born near Albany, in Floyd County, Ind., removing thence with her parents to Mason County, Ill., where she was reared. Her father, Hugh McHarry, was a native of the North of Ireland, and emigrated thence to the United States, settling in Indiana. From there, some time during the '40s, he came to Mason County, and on Quiver Creek built the first flour mill in the county. He always took an active interest in public affairs and built the new iron bridge at Havana. Hugh McHarry, about 1872, bought the wooden bridge that spanned the Illinois River at Havana, which at the time was out of repair, the draw having fallen into the river. He immediately replaced the draw by an iron draw, after which he made the entire bridge of iron. Mr. McHarry made a contract with the city of Havana, by which the bridge was to fall to the city at his death. The stipulation in the contract was, that the city was to pay his $100 per month during his life time, and then at his death this payment was to stop, and the city was to become owner of the bridge in fee simple. A successful business man, at the time of his death he was said to be the richest man in the entire county. In politics, he was a stanch Republican, always upholding the principles of that party with fidelity and enthusiasm. Prior to coming to Illinois, he made a brief sojourn in both Kentucky and Ohio. His wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Davis, was born in Pennsylvania, removed thence to Ohio, and died in Mason County September 28, 1869, at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. And Mrs. Donaldson were the parents of four children, as follows: Mellora L.; James H., deceased; Dollie L. and Margaret Caroline. |