Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-15
DOMAIN
THE OLDEST MEMBER OF PETERS
BuaG's BAR PASSES AWAY.
A Model Citizen and Good Christian
Justice. Right. Love His Guiding
Ideas-Followed His Brother.

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, VA, March 14.-Alexauder Don
nan. senior member OF the law firm OF Donnan
& Hamilton, and the Oldest member OF the re-
tersburg bar, died Of his residence, on Market
street, a few minutes after 1 O'Clock this morn
ing. The announcement OF his death was n
great surprise TO the community AT large and
the cause of sincere sorrow. Mr. Donnon haa
boon in gradually declining health lot somo
months past, and IL was very apparent 10 ms
family and his friends. as we'll az TO himself.
that he was growing more and more feeble Win
each succeeding week. Yet such was his won
derful vitality, both OF mind and body, and so
remarkable his energy and strength OF WILL
and 40 active had his life always been,
that It was found impossible TO persuade
him 10 surrender duty and take rest
even for short time. His life was essentially
busy one from the earliest period OF MS man
hood. and In the sphere OF business ne iOunu o.
version and pleasure AZ well as the MOTT emit
nent success. On Saturday he rode down 10 MS
Office. being too feeble 90 walk. aud ransactcd
his business as usual for ehort wbie, ana men
returned home. lie was greatly shocked by the
sudden death Of his brother, Captain ROBERT Z,
Donnan, on that day. and this shock IA Dehe'e1
10 have fastened his death. On Sunday he gre"
much weaker, and In the afternoon his conni-
ton was such as to foreshadow his emily demise,
and his family were 80 informed, and his chill
dren at distance were summoned 10 MS sue:
Shortly after o'clock this morning he passed
away as quietly and peacefully as an infant fail-
ing into gentle slumber. IT was case oil hesr'-
HIS BUSY LIFE.
Alexander Donnan was born in Gallowayshire.
Scotland, on May 81, 1878. the son OF DAVID ana
Mary tstewart) Donnan. Tho Same year his pa
rents came to America and made their nome IN
Petersburg. lie won't 20 school here 10 ionng
ID. Perkins,; 70 the public school then taught py
ham h
principal educator OF the youths OF that day;
then TO the University Of Virginia, session oil
1S39-'40. He studied law under DAVID MAY
brother OF Judge John Htzhugh May. ana IN
May, 1o40, commenced practice, whicn no io,,
lowed continuously 70 the day OF his death During
tho late war being member OF the CITY Councl.
ne performed local duty OF Petersburg. In 1893
he was elected 70 represent the city IN the
House OF Delegates, but resigned shortly after
wards. He served as "a member OF the Common
Council for some years. had been director oil
the Petersburg Savings ana Insurance. Ooll-
pany since 1873, and yice-presideht OF thal "a
stitntion since March. 1880, and as such practi-
crlly discharging tho duties OF president. lie
was also president Of the Matoaca Cotton Manu-
factory, and n director In other Important COM
panies. Mr.. Donnan was married n. "Iii,e"ls-
burg Va, December 4, 1850, to Miss Anna b.
daughter OF Daniel Will-on, a Amelia county,
who survives him. BY this union was born nine
children. six OF whom are living.
FRIEND INDEED.
Mr.. Donnan was q man OF unflinching honesty
and truth. His yea was yea ana hls nay my
No one Of the multitude who had business trans-
actions or social relations with him during ms
long life, ever had reason 70 dou bt his word OF 70
question hts acts. Ne was model man anu
Cbrgfian Thousands have received taNOrs AT
his hands. conferred with grace and cordially
that relieved such acts or oven tho FAVOR OF en
obligation. He was conscientious TO n lault, ana
the guiding IDEAS OF his life wore duty, iustlSe'
right and love. His charities were innumerapie,
and the poor OF the city lose a most gracious
beneiactor and friend. In religious iaith ar.
Donnan was Presbyterian. no was one Oh tns
most liberal members OF the iaDD,slree .
church aud one Of the most active In all oil lts
work. ...
Mr.. Donnan was not a criminal lawyer bnt ms
attention was devoted almost exclusively 10 clNli
business, Of which he did an immense amount:
In his death the bar OF Petersburg loses one oi
its wisest and most conservative members ana
tho city one Of its best and most hOnOred clil-
gems The bar will meet tomorrow morning 70
take suitable action In reference 70 ms ueaan,
and the funeral will take place from Iabb-Street
church at $3.50 p. NJ. Tomorrow. Inc SAC cylh-
cidence was presented this morning OF Two
brothers who died within thlrty.sl1 hourso vi eao
other, lying dead on the same street-AIe1anuer
DOnnon, aged "a, anu captain hoDVit ~ N""
nan, aged 60 years.
AN OFFICIAL VISIT.
Mr.. Thomas b. Ivoy, Of this city, who holds the
uositiou of deputy national councillor OF tue Ju-
nior Order United American Mechanics IN Nortn
Carolina, left last night for Winston. I0-night
he will visit the Winston councils Official anu
tomorrow morning will deliver public address
al High Point in the interest OF the order
SMALL FIRE.
small frame building belonging to ar. john
Norwood a fisherman. located on the Chester
feld bank Of the river opposite TINS city, was set
oare by some unknown person last night ana
destroyed, with its furniture and hshiag-nets
and tackle.
REV. MR.. CHEArHAN EXPLAINS.
After his sermon at the Marke,-Street Metho-
dist Episcopal church Sunday night, Rev. ii. C..
Cheatham made brief explanation In reference
10 some remarks made IN one or more OF bis
previous sermons about tho Petersburg CUB. In
sneaking about the club Mr.. Cheatham said that
"eomething had happened tfere which no woula
not and could not mention" The inference was
that something had happened at the cup WhIth
was not generally kneSn OF which ne had Know
ledge. This, explained the reverend gentleman,
was n mistake. He had only intended TO allu1c
10 the manner in which liquor was sold
nj the club. nothing moro: and That no couid
nor mention the detniis without beng personal
10 the living ana rejecting on the dead, Whlch
he did not intend TO do. IN closing his remarks
Ir Cheatbam said he would not withdraw any
thing he had spoken about the CLUB, nor had ne
changed his opinion about IT, But had he known
that the devil was 20 strong In petersburg as ne
has shown himself TO De, he would probably not
have said what he did. ,,,,.
have been made in response 10 a visit TO MN ny
n committeo OF the club. Probably no series OF
sermons delivered in Petersburg IN recent years
ms cansed 20 much feeling and comment as
,toso IataIv dcliVered nv MIR. Cheatham.