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. 1023. JOHN I. DONNELL a farmer and stock raiser residing fourteen miles northwest from Bonanza near the head of Alkali valley, was born on January 15, 1844, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His father, Moses D., was also a native of the same county and followed blacksmithing. He remained there until his death in 1862, being then sixty-two years of age. He had married Miss Sockman who was also born in that county. She died in 1866, aged sixty-two. Our subject was the youngest child in the family, the others being named as follows: Mrs. Margaret Neville, of Dayton, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Susan Gormin of Burr Oak, Kansas; Charlotte, deceased; William, who served in the Civil War and is now deceased; Thomas, of Madison county, Arkansas, who served three years in the Civil War. Our subject grew up in his native county and in addition to receiving a good education from the common schools, learned the blacksmith trade from his father. In September, 1861, he enlisted for three years in the Union Army being in Company C, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was transferred from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Washington, D. C., then was sent to the Army of the Potomac under General George B. McClelland. His first fight was in the Seven Day Battle of Richmond, then he was at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, after which he participated in the awful struggle at Gettysburg. He was in the battle of the wilderness, of Spottsylvania and took part in the struggle of Petersburg. He was in much other fighting and in all was in fifty-two battles. He was in constant service and although in the hottest of the fights where scores of men were shot down around him, he never received a wound. His clothing was frequently pierced by bullets and he was, as it would seem, at the very cannon's mouth, but providence decreed that he should escape uninjured. He had two horses shot down under him and he was in many, many trying places. He never was in the hospital and although sometimes sick, he never was so disabled but that he always reported for duty. The result was that Mr. Donnell experienced a terrible and trying time, during the years of his military career. His cup of hardship and arduous service was filled to the brim but he showed himself a staunch and capable man and a brave soldier, whose actions in defense of his country, gained him a higher command. After being mustered out, he returned to his home in Pennsylvania then traveled around for several years and finally, in 1870, located in Jewel county, Kansas, where he engaged at his trade. In 1883, he came to Ogden with wagon train, whence he journeyed, by cars to San Francisco and shipped to Coos Bay, Oregon. He worked at his trade for the Coos Bay Coal Company until the fall of 1885, when he came to Dairy, in the Alkali valley. He operated a shop for a time there, then sold out and opened a general merchandise store. After this, he was appointed postmaster which place he held for about twelve years. Then he removed to his ranch and engaged in farming and stock raising. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and raises mostly hay for his stock. He has a fine barn, residence and other improvements while his place is especially well provided with water. Mr. Donnell is a member of the A. 0. U. W. On March 31, 1871, Mr. Donnell married Harriet B. Harrell, born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was living in Ralls county, Missouri, at the time of her marriage. She died on May 22, 1902. Seven children have been born to this union, three of whom died in Kansas. The others the Blanch, the wife of Loren Bailey, of Lakeview, Oregon; John H.; Myrtle L., and Cora M. Mr. Donnell is a reliable and substantial man and is one of the good citizens of Klamath county. Since the above was written Mr. Donnell died at his home near Dairy, January 11, 1905, and was buried at Bonanza cemetery. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.