The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1901-01-03

tractive farm at Ninn3ng near Hastings,
MINI. apd there he spent q great deal
Of time with his books, and 1t was there
he was able to forge. many Of the un-
rather eccentric and changeable man Of
politics. His residence at Ninninger
brought him the com monty applied name
OF ''the Sage Of Ninainger," and it was
by that cognomen that he was known
throughout the state, and the Northwest.
for that matter.
WROTE IN sECLUSsON.
While Mr.. Donnelly was enjoying the Sc
clusion OF his study at Ninninger he pro-
duced things that have given him place
In literature's enduring galaxy. As an au-
thor he is known chiefly for the eccentric
geological theories propounded in AT
lsntis," which he produced in 1882, and
"Rodanok," which he produced the year
following, and from his very widely circu-
discovered a word cipher in Shakespeare 3
plays which transferred their authorship to
Frances Bacon.
Mr.. Donnelly served many times in the
S Legislature, both senator and represen-
tative. He was an Industrious solon, and
many things now on the statute books are
Of his authorship. Possibly his most con-
spicuous term in the state senate was 10
years ago, and when his ability in debate,
his great sarcasm and his invective were
made apparent in the course of series of
very animated debate with Senator John
the contest in pretty fair shape and not
terribly worsted. was regarded as a great
thing for the Minneapolis lawyer.
Mr.. Donnelly of lase years has spent
a good deal Of time in Minneapolis. In fact
his residence was divided quite equally
between this city and his country retreat
at Ninninger. He had formed many friend
ships, personal and political in Mime
apolis, and the "life iznd cheer of Minne-
apolis was enough to. do poor mortal
much good,' as he frequently declared.
AS A JOURNALIST.
Mr.. Donnelly took kindly to Journalism.
There was much in II which he dearly
loved. While man sDf quiet demeanOr,
personally modest and sometimes appear
ing to be retiring, he loved excitement
and therefore journalism.
He was responsible for number of jour-
nalistfc ventures, most OF them of a pOliti-
cal character. He and other associates in
the camp of the Mid load Populists, estab-
lished The Representative In Minneapolis
tion is still in existence. and its columns
this week will contain tbs production OF
Mr.. Donnel1y's facile ovl work done only
few hours before he was stri5sen,
WAS TWICE MARnNIEn III nv II - $50
Mr. Donrelly was in,no (1se i money
maker. His books, thpao bdpced IN 1881
and 1883, had very e4tt .siye salass hi
the author did not
from them. In business affairs Mr.. DON
nelly was not practical. He was one OF
those geniuses who was continually produce
ing something which the reader admired.
Yet he possessed so little business capacity
as not to profit by his work. and it is
therefore not surprising that after all
these years of literary and other effort he
should die a poor man.
Mr.. Donnelly married in the East.
Through that marriage there were a num-
Der of children. Two of these children sur
vive him-Stan Donnelly a practicing at
torney Of st. Paul, and Ignatius Donnelly,
Jr, practcing physician of st. Paul.
Mr.. Donnelly was married early in 1897
to Miss Hanson, daughter of Martin Han
son, at whose home his death occucrred
last evening.
Mr.. Donnelly while Christian, was not
actively identified in any religious organiza-
ton.
He was, whatever his critics may say, a
gentleman, refined, agreeable, accommodate
ing and courteous.