Irving M. Donaldson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 44-45 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				IRVING M. DONALDSON. 

	Irving M. Donaldson is a well known representative of business 
activity - at Custer, where in 1915 he purchased the Peterson meat 
market, which he has since conducted. In 1914 he opened a retail feed 
store and both lines of business are capably managed and are bringing 
to him growing success. He was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, 
November 8, 1854, a son of James P. and Sarah J. (Eckels) Donaldson, 
who were also natives of Mercer county, born January 1, 1816, and 
September 3, 1829, respectively. The father made farming his life work 
and in the year 1856 he removed westward with his family to Iowa, where 
he resided until his death, which occurred in Page county in 1883. His 
widow survived him for more than a quarter of a century, passing away 
in California in 1910. While devoting his life to agricultural 
pursuits, the father also held various township offices and was a 
public-spirited and progressive citizen. 

	Irving M. Donaldson is the eldest of seven children. He pursued 
his early education at College Springs, Iowa, where he attended the 
graded schools and later became a student in Amity College. He remained 
with his father until he reached the age of twenty-one years and then 
took up the profession of teaching, being placed in charge of a high 
school at College Springs. He taught in that locality for nine years 
and in the spring of 1885 came to South Dakota, settling in the eastern 
part of Custer county fifteen miles east of Hermosa. Upon the claim 
which he there secured he remained until the fall of 1887 and then went 
to Hermosa, where he was employed in the general store of John L. 
Buckingham until the fall of 1890. He was then elected to the office of 
register of deeds, in which position he served for four years, after 
which he was elected treasurer and acted in that capacity for a similar 
period. He next entered the employ of the M. J. Bailey Company of 
Custer, with which he continued for six years, at the end of which time 
the company dissolved. Mr. Donaldson then continued with W. F. Hanley 
for six years, after which he went to Washington and was engaged in 
general merchandising at Clarkston, that state, for one year. The 
succeeding year was passed at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, after which he 
returned to Custer and was in the employ of the McAdam Company for a 
year. At the end of that time he purchased the Peterson meat market, 
which he has since conducted with growing success. In the fall of 1914 
he opened a general retail feed store, which he still conducts in 
connection with his other business, and is now numbered among the 
active, energetic merchants of the town. 

	On the 3d of July, 1882, Mr. Donaldson was married to Miss 
Elizabeth McClelland, a native of Ohio, and they have become the 
parents of six children Walter A., born March 18, 1884, married Miss 
Emma Conrad and is engaged in the government forest service, making his 
home at White Sulphur Springs, Montana. Arvilla L., born April 12, 
1885, resides with her aunt near Ferdinand, Idaho. Della J., born 
November 2, 1889, is the wife of G. D. Reeder, living on the state game 
preserve in Custer county, being in the employ of the state. Homer J., 
born February 11, 1895, is assisting his father. Grace E. and Earl, 
twins, were born October 10, 1897. The former is at home, but the 
latter died at the age of four months. 

	Fraternally Mr. Donaldson is connected with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. He has passed through all of the chairs of the local 
lodge and was representative to the grand lodge in 1911 and 1914. He 
also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Modern 
Brotherhood of America. His political allegiance is given to the 
republican party and in addition to the offices already mentioned that 
he has filled, he is now serving as justice of the peace at Custer. His 
decisions are strictly fair and impartial and are winning for him. 
"golden opinions from all sorts of people." His is a record of a busy 
life fraught with successful accomplishment and characterized by 
honorable purpose.