Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 681.
 
HON. R. N. DONNELLY

     is properly called the father of Wheeler county. He is a wealthy and
enterprising stockman residing at Richmond and was born in Johnson county,
Tennessee, on October 3, 1855.  His father, Richard H. Donnelly, was a native of
Johnson county, Tennessee, also, and followed farming and merchandising. He was
prominent and wealthy and held many offices of public trust in his native state.
His father, Richard Donnelly, the grandfather of our subject, was a veteran of
the War of 1812. Richard H. Donnelly married Miss Eliza Moore, also a native of
Johnson county, Tennessee, and descended from a prominent and representative
family. After completing the common schools, our subject finished his studies at
the Finley high school of Lenore, North Carolina. Then he turned his attention
to the work of the educator and for a number of years was a faithful laborer in
that field in the state of Tennessee. It was 1880 when Mr. Donnelly decided to
come west, making Oregon the objective point of his journeys. Upon arriving in
this portion of the state he began work for wages. Soon thereafter he took
government land and has added to it by purchase at various times since until he
has a large and excellent estate. He has a beautiful home, good improvements and
much property. He handles stock and is much on the range.
     In November, 1881, Mr. Donnelly married Miss Jane R. Keys, a native of
Johnson county, Tennessee. She had come to Oregon with her parents in 1888.
David L. Keys, Mrs. Donnelly's father, was also born in Tennessee and came to
Oregon by way of the isthmus and settled in Benton county. He married Susan J.
Ward, also a native of the Big Bend State. To Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly, four
children have been born, William A., Edgar W., H.,Keys and George.
     Mr. Donnelly has always taken great interest in the development and
progress of the community, being an enterprising man, and in political matters
is influential and leading. In 1898 his name appeared on the Republican ticket
as candidate for the state legislature and he was promptly elected. This was
from the Grant and Harney county district and during that term he introduced the
bill organizing Wheeler county and proposed the name, Wheeler, on account of the
aged frontiersman of whom mention has been made in another portion of this work.
Mr. Donnelly was successful in piloting the bill to passage and Wheeler county
was formed. Perhaps to his efforts, more than to any other one man, is due the
organization of this now prosperous division. After his term expired Mr.
Donnelly gave his attention to stock raising and six years later was elected
again to represent his district in the state legislature.
     Mr. Donnelly is a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. P., and is popular in
fraternal circles. The Donnelly family in Tennessee were prominent union people
during the war and had to withstand much opposition; being so near the
confederate sympathizers. A. T. Donnelly, an uncle of our subject, was a captain
in the union army.  Mr. Donnelly has shown in all his long public service a
faithfulness to his constituents that has endeared him to the people and
bespeaks him a man of sound principles and stability.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.