My Genealogy Hound

DONALDSON, J. P., farmer, section 9, P. O. College Springs; born January 1, 1861, in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, following both the occupation of a farmer and teacher. He came to Iowa, locating at College Springs April 11, 1856. Mr. Donaldson is one of the very oldest residents of Amity township. When he came to his present home College Springs existed only on paper, and with an entirely different name. He was the first settler in the colony, and built the first house ever built in Amity. Ida, his second child, was the first child born in Amity, which event occurred October 15, 1856. Mr. Donaldson was married to Miss Sarah J. Eckles, a native of Pennsylvania, September 11, 1853, by whom he is the father of six children living: Irving M., Ida T., Arthur F., Luella N., Annetta E., and James H. He owns a fine farm of 173 acres, 13 of which are timber. The rise and growth of his township have been carefully and gladly observed by Mr. Donaldson, who, having tested all that the word “pioneer” implied, welcomed civilization and progress when it came to his very door. An energetic, faithful man, he is eminently deserving of all the confidence his friends and neighbors unhesitatingly place in him.