Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Donhost, Lewis 1849 - 1893
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 24, 2007, 1:26 pm

Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

HON. LEWIS DONHOST.

   Throughout his entire life Lewis Donhost lived in Bartholomew county and
became well known, his excellent traits of character winning him the regard of
many friends. He was a man of strong force of character, marked intellectuality
and of sound judgment In his relations with his fellow men he was very sincere
and straightforward and was accorded recognition for his sterling traits by
election to a number of public offices.

   Mr. Donhost was born on the 10th of November, 1849, his parents being Henry
and Mary Donhost. The father was a native of Germany and was a farmer by
occupation. In early life he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and,
attracted by the possibilities of the then far west, he came to Indiana,
establishing his home in Wayne township, in Bartholomew county, where he spent
his remaining days, his death occurring on the 7th of September, 1891. He was
the father of four children: William, who is now living in Columbus; Lewis, of
this review; Christopher, deceased; and John, who is living in Seymour, Indiana.

   Upon the home farm Lewis Donhost was reared. He worked in the fields through
the summer and in the winter seasons attended the public schools. He acquired
therein a good education, to which he constantly added by reading and
observation, thus becoming a well informed man. March 2, 1876, he was married,
the lady of his choice being Miss Melinda Welmer, daughter of Albert and Hannah
Welmer, both of whom were natives of Germany, the father born in 1817 and the
mother in 1819. They were among the pioneer settlers of Bartholomew county. In
their family were five children: Lizzie, who is the wife of Eli Marquette, a
farmer by occupation; Caroline, the wife of William Spray, also, an
agriculturist; Mrs. Donhost; William, who wedded Mollie Bockhoff and is engaged
in farming, and George, who follows the same pursuit and who wedded Emma Meyer.
Mr. Welmer always carried on farming and became the owner of three hundred and
sixty-five acres of valuable land in Bartholomew county. He did a great deal of
clearing in the early days, thus preparing the land for the plow and carrying on
the work of improvement in a manner that added to the advancement of the county
as well as to his individual prosperity. In his political views he was a
Republican and in religious faith was a Lutheran, long holding membership with
one of the churches of that denomination. He died in 1871 and was survived for
many years by his wife, who passed away on the 14th of February, 1899. They were
people of the highest respectability and wherever they went, they gained the
confidence and good will of those with whom they were associated. Mr. and Mrs.
Don-host have six children: Lydia, who is with her mother; Harry, a mail carrier
at Jonesville; Clara, wife of William Achenbach, railroad agent at Jonesville;
George, Albert and Mollie.

   At the time of his marriage Mr. Donhost took his bride to a farm and
throughout his business career carried on agricultural pursuits. He followed
mixed farming and in his work displayed industry and perseverance, qualities
which form the basic elements for success. His widow is the owner of fifty acres
of good land in Wayne township. Like her husband she is held in high esteem and
the circle of her acquaintances in Bartholomew county is an extensive one. In
matters of citizenship Mr. Donhost was public spirited and progressive and gave
his co-operation to many movements for the general good. He voted with the
Democracy and upon that ticket was elected to a number of positions of public
trust. He served as county auditor for four years. He also filled the position
of justice of the peace, holding that office at his death. In 1885 he was a
member of the state legislature. Over the record of his official career there
falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. Such, in brief, is the life
record of Lewis Donhost, who died February 1, 1893. In whatever relation of life
he was found—the government service, in political circles, in business or social
relations—he was always the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth
well merited the high regard which was universally given him.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
INDIANA

INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA

ILLUSTRATED

1904

B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER


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