WILLIAM DORNAN, Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan

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History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan, with Illustrations and 
Biographical Sketches of their Prominent Men and Pioneers.
Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co.  1880.  Press of J. B. Lippincott & 
Co., Philadelphia.

The life of William Dornan presents a conspicuous example of the power 
of industry to overcome obstacles.  He was born in Columbiana Co., 
Ohio, March 30, 1820, his father, a native of Pennsylvania, having 
moved from the State of Ohio a short time previous to William's birth. 
 The subject of our sketch was afflicted with the loss of his mother at 
an early age, her death occurring in 1830, and soon after William 
drifted from the parental roof and became, as soon as possible, 
independant of other aid than that afforded by his own hands.  His 
father's death occurred in Indiana in 1845 or '46.
  In the fall of 1847, William was married to Miss Nancy McClurg, a 
former resident of his native town, her parents having removed to Ohio 
from Pennsylvania in the fall of 1844.  Mr. Dornan visited Michigan on 
a prospecting tour previously, but did not remove his family thither 
until 1851.  He then located on section 20 in Ganges township, clearing 
up the farm of eighty acres first purchased, and, selling that, bought 
one hundred and sixty acres on sections 20 and 29, which he still owns, 
and where he lived until within a short time, now living on section 7, 
having recently purchased a fruit-farm of thirty-seven acres, a sketch 
of which can be seen upon another page.  Mr. Dornan was severely 
afflicted by the loss of his wife in 1870, who left a family of six 
boys and two girls, all of whom are, with the exception of the 
youngest, still living.  He was a second time married, to Mrs. Simpson, 
Nov. 23, 1873, who was a native of Pennsylvania, her maiden name being 
Mary Jane Riheldaffar; she came to Michigan with her first husband in 
1858.
  Mr. Dornan is an advocate of the priciples of the Greenback party, 
being formerly a Democrat, though but little interested in political 
matters, being wholly absorbed in his farming and business interests, 
although spared much of the responsibility of the farm management by 
the ability and judgement of his sons, who have been remarkably 
successful in all the departments of agriculture to which their 
attention has been directed, his crop of wheat last year of thirty 
acres averaging over forty bushels per acre, some going as high as 
fifty-five.
  In common with many of the pioneers of the State, Mr. Dornan's 
advantages for education were limited, and he has experienced many of 
the privations of pioneer life, but the inherent quality of 
self-reliance he possesses in an eminent degree has enabled him to 
overcome every obstacle; and, although he has had his share of bad 
luck, among which was the loss of nearly everything by fire some 
fifteen years ago, and by which he was compelled to begin again almost 
at the bottom round of the ladder, yet he is now comaratively 
independant.
  In religious convictions he is in fellowship with the Methodist 
Church, of which he is a member.