Donahugh, Elizabeth (Smith) 1826 - 1911

DONAHUGH, SMITH, HARBINSON, OCONNOR, MCCANN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:25

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Dec. 8, 1911, LP, C5

Mrs. J. T. Donahugh passed away Tuesday night after a short illness due to a breaking down from old age, being about 85 years old. Her funeral took place yesterday morning at the Church of the Assumption, with interment in St. Joseph’s cemetery.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Dec. 12, 1911, LP, C7

Several of the relatives of Mrs. J. T. Donahugh were called to Cresco to attend her funeral on Thursday last. Margaret and Ray O’Malley returned to St. Paul and Mrs. Jennie Ballou to Minneapolis Friday afternoon; Hugh O’Neill and Chas. O’Malley to Chicago, Thursday evening, and Robert Tripp of Beardsley, Minn., and Mrs. M. J. Shannon of Chicago were also in attendance.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Jan. 9, 1912, P-2, C-3

DONAHUGH.
On the 5th day of December, A. D., 1911, Mrs. John T. Donahugh died after a short illness and on the 4th day of January, A. D., 1912, her devoted husband Captain John T. Donahugh after a short sickness followed her in death. For more than forty-six years they were residents of Howard county and were well and favorably known.
Mrs. Donahugh was the daughter of Leslie Smith and Frances Smith, (nee Harbinson) and was born April 8, 1826 at Ronalstown, County Antrim, Ireland. Both the Smiths and Harbinsons were well known families in the north of Ireland. Her father’s family moved to Montreal where one of her brothers, Robert Smith, became a wholesale and retail merchant doing a large export and import business. Two other brothers became well known merchants and a fourth brother Leslie Smith became a colonel in the United States Regular Army. Her brother Col. Smith, head of the Commissariat Department at Washington, D C., had the unique distinction of having his government find that he honestly accounted for every dollar that passed through his hands as head of his department. Mrs. Donahugh had in a high degree this same characteristic of integrity.
Mrs. Donahugh, while still a child, moved with her family to Heckston, Canada, and she afterwards went to Ogdensburg, N. Y., where she showed marked business ability as the head of a millinery business. While in Ogdensburg, she resided with her sister, Mrs. Frances O’Connor. John T. Donahugh, then a well known railroad contractor, first met his prospective wife at Ogdensburg in 1861 and were married at St. Patrick's Church, Chicago, October 23, 1865.
Captain John T. Donahugh was born at Moneymore, County Derry, Ireland, in July 1827. Several of his ancestors on the parental side were distinguished military men, and when the Civil War broke out the martial spirit of the family soon asserted itself and he joined the Union Army. On Nov. 18, 1861, he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the 14th Michigan Infantry. On the 8th day of August, 1863, he was commissioned Captain Company A, 14th Michigan. On August 8, 1863, he was made construction officer, Morton’s Staff Engineer Corps, Army of the Cumberland. He was mustered out with honor at the close of the war. He fought bravely at Chickamaugua, Stone River, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and many other fierce fought battles, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. On several occasions he was distinguished for bravery, and was respected by his superior officers and loved by his men. His company presented him with a jewel hilted sword as a mark of appreciation. He was the first man to recognize the ability of Thomas Edison and procured for him his first position, and the bond of friendship remained unbroken and only recently he received a personal momentum from Edison.
After the war was over, Captain Donahugh and his bride moved to New Oregon and afterwards to Cresco where they were respected and honored members of this community. Captain and Mrs. Donahugh traveled much and in 1889 they made a European trip. The Captain’s last tap has been sounded, but his name will live long in the memory of his many friends.
Mrs. Donahugh is survived by an older sister, Mrs. Catherine McCann, living in Kemptville, Canada.

Transcriber's Note: Iowa Gravestone Photos show Mrs. Donahugh was Elizabeth.

Calvary Cresco Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen