Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-10-17
ANDREW DONALDSON DEAD.
Passing of One of the County-s Venerable
and Prominent Residents.

Passing of One of the COunty-s Venerable
and Prominent Residents.
( Uncle Andy Donaldson is dead.
The end, sudden and unexpected,
came at his home in Rural township
al O'Clock yesterday morning, the
sad and shocking news being con-
veyed by telephone to Rock Island TO
/ the deceased's nephew, L. a Donald
SON. Uncle Andy, as the venera-
/ bic gentleman was affectionately and
Familiarity known, served as foreman
of the September grand jury. and
while he complained of a slight indis-
/ position, it was farthest from the
! thoughts of his friends and relatives
/ that the attack. which was in the
nature of stomach ailment. was to
prove even serious. much less fatal
! In the death of Andrew Donaldson is
removed from the county one of its
most broad-minded. noble and gener-
ous-hearted men. He was not only
one of the best known of Rock ISL
and countv's citizens. but one of the
best. He was an earnest. unfalter-
ing demOcrot. and was prominent in
the councils of his party. ut the hands
of which he repeatedly refused high
honors. The announcement of his
| death will carry grief deep and sin
cere TO all parts of the county. An
drew Donaldson was native of Wash
ington county. Pa. and was born
near Midway. March ,, 1881. His
parents, Richard and Catharine
(Ritchie) Donaldson, were also natives
OF the keystone state. James Don
aldson, the paternal grandfather, and
Andrew Ritchie, the maternal grand
father. were also natives of Pennsvl-
vania- Several of the latter's
brothers aided in the defense of their
country in the revolutionary war. in
which Richard Donaldson, n brother
of james, also served. In the dis
trict schools of his native county
Andrew Donaldson conned his lessons,
the building being of the most print
tive character. Until he had reached
manhood he remained on his fathers
farm, but in 1851 his brother James
came to Rock Island county, and Sc
lected couple of farms in Rural
township, which the father purchased.
They comprised $50 acres, which were
divided equally between James and
Andrew. The latter retained
his portion until death, togeth-
er with a tract of so acres
of timber, making in all $40 acres
of valuable land. BY persistent and
well directed labors he placed it under
a high state of cultivation, made
many excellent Improvements, includ-
ing an elegant residence, barns and
granaries. and had successfully en-
gagged in both farming and stock rails
ing. July 1. 1865. Mr.. Donaldson
was married TO Miss Ellen Tittering-
ton. and to them were born two sons
and six daughters, Mary T., Clara T.,
Annie F., Richard, Susan, Andrew,
Maudie p, who died in 1890. and
Catharine II. Those living are all Mt
home with the exception of Mary T..
who is the wife of Il. W. Battersby, of
Whatcome, Wash. Mr.. Donaldson
served as supervisor for Il nu mbeP OF
terms, beginning as early as 1862.
He was also assessor, and for 30 years
had been a member of the school
board of his township. He had seen
almost the complete development of
this region. having made his home
here since 1858. Industrious, progress
sive and public spirited, Mr.. Donald
son had been an important factor in
bringing about the wonderful trans
formation that has since taken place.
aiding in converting the wild land
into valuable and productive farms.
As strong democrat Mr.. Donaldson
believed that the free coinage of silver
would materially benefit the country,
and was opposed to the principles of
protection as advocated by politicians.
He was well informed on the current
l. 4
gently on all questions. He was a
genial, hospitable gentleman, who
had the love and esteem of all
who knew him, and probably there
is not a child in this section of
the county who has not at least
heard of Uncle Andy Donald
son. He was a member of Coal Val
lev lodge No. 547. y. f. & A. NJ,
and leaves 4 large estate. The funeral
services viii be held at the residence
Wednesday morning at 10 O'Clock,
and interment will be made in Beulah
cemetery. which, with the church, is
located on Mr.. Donaldson's farm.
L. ID. Eagal died at his home. 2507
Eighth avenue, at > n. IN. yesterday,
of heart trouble. aged 43 years. He
had only been sick a day or two. He
is survived by wife and one son,
Harry. who resides at home. Besides
these he leaves his father and two
sisters. at Blue Island, and two broth
ers at Davenport. Deceased, who was
formerly a well known C., r. l. & 2.
engineer. had of late conducted sa-
loon ut 207 Twentieth street. He was
a member of the Retail Liquor Deal
ers' association and the l. o. r NJ.
under the auspices of which latter
society the funeral will be held from
the late residence At O'Clock tomor-
row afternoon.
That joyful Feeling