David W. Donaldson Biography

	This biography appears on pages 992-993 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	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.