William M Donnell

DONNELL WILSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/19/2010 at 23:09:31

Woodbury County History 1984

William M Donnel
By Diane Graham

William M Donnel was born August 16, 1826, in Ohio. Sarah Ann Wilson was born December 15, 1833, in Kentucky. Her parents were Amy Harrison and Hiugh Wilson. Their marriage date was May 5, 1853.

They lived in Otley, Marion County, Iowa, and had ten children: Harriet J, born July 15, 1855; Amy Isabelle, born September 8, 1858; Hugh Wilson, born November 3, 1850; John C, born February 18, 1863; Henry Thomas, born November 13, 1864; Nancy Ethel, born April 26, 1867; twins Albert Franklin and Alice Frances, born April 25, 1870; Lillie May, born February 13, 1873; and Charles Rufus, born September 25, 1875.

William and Sarah came to Woodbury County, to a farm near Climbing Hill, in 1881. Most of their children also settled in this area – some permanently.

Henry Thomas Donnell worked in Sioux City as a stenographer in the office of Joy, Call & Joy. HE later was a court reporter for Judge Evans and Norris of Northeastern Nebraska. He was an author of poetry and had several works published.

Henry married Nora May Crawford, daughter of Dr Ralph B and Hannah Crawford of Wayne, Nebraska, in November of 1891. They had two daughters, Marie, born June 13, 1893, and Gladys Henrietta, born April 16, 1897. Henry’s poor health sent the family to travel in the Southwestfor a few years until he died in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on December 31, 1900. His wife, Nora, and daughters lived in Wayne for a time before coming to Sioux City to live in about 1906.

Nora worked as a stenographer for Herbert Quick, a cousin of her father’s, who was Mayor of Sioux City. Marie and Gladys continued to live with their mother (and stepfather, Faye Payne) until each married – Marie to Axel Larson on June of 1913, and Gladys to Paul Warner.

Marie and Axel lived their entire lives in Sioux City, and had one son, Duane Donnell Larson.

Duane married Marilynn Louise White on July 24, 1937, and they have three daughters: Diane Carol, born December 13, 1938; Judy Lynne, born March 23, 1943; and Barbara Marie, born September 27, 1951. All reside in Sioux City, and there are eight grandchildren.

Diane married George Thomas Graham, Jr, on November 27, 1957, and has three children: Thomas Daniel, born January 15, 1959; Mary Lynn, born January 25, 1964; and Christopher Thomas, born August 18, 1965.

Judy has three children: Dawn Marilynn, born June 28, 1966; Theresa Lynne, born February 23, 1968; and Sarah Louise, born September 5, 1975. Judy has married and divorced.

Barbara married Maurice Uhl, Jr on July 31, 1971, and they have two children, Jason Eugene, born August 17, 1974 and Ryan Andrew, born May 16, 1977.

After the leaving the farm, William and Sarah seem to have stayed with various family members in Sioux Citry. William died in Sioux Ciry, December 17, 1902. Sarah remarried a man named Joseph T Rockwell in 1906. They operated a grocery store on Correctionville Road in Sioux City. Sarah died at the home of her daughter, Alice, on August 16, 1918, near Climbing Hill. Both Sarah and William are buried at the West Fork Township Cemetery.