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         AMZI DONALDSON, a general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 15, Columbus City Township, was born in Madison, N. Y., April 25, 1830, and is a son of Erick and Philinda (Doolittle) Donaldson. The father was a native of Scotland, and leaving home when a young man, emigrated to America, locating in New York.

Amzi Donaldson was a pioneer of Iowa of 1839, and aided in laying out the great city of Burlington. He was the ninth in order of birth in a family of eleven children, of whom nine grew to man and womanhood, though only three are now living to perpetuate the name of the venturous young Scotchman who emigrated to America and founded the family in this country. The children yet living besides our subject are: Alonzo, who is living in Rochester, Minn., and Charles, who is residing in Leadville, Col., where he is overseer of the Small Hope Mines; he was formerly Sheriff of Davidson County, Tenn., of which Nashville is the county seat, for many years, and was there during the war. In 1860 Amzi came to this county with his father, and settled five miles north of Burlington on Flint Creek, where he began to develop a farm from the timber land of that section. In 1841 the father returned to Madison County, N. Y., on a visit, and while there was taken sick and died, his remains being interred in that county. The mother survived him until April, 1877. Four years prior to her death she lost her eyesight, but bore the affliction as a sincere Christian. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church. In 1842, after the death of the father, the family made a visit to Madison County, but in 1847 came to Louisa County, where our subject has since made his home. He had a sister living in this county, who induced the family to make it their home, so in 1847 the mother purchased forty acres of land on section 15, in Columbus City Township, where she resided until her death.

The primary education of Amzi was received in the common schools of Des Moines and Louisa Counties, and supplemented by a course in the graded schools of Burlington. He is now the owner of the old homestead, and the small log cabin, 16x18 feet, in which so many happy hours of his boyhood days were passed, is still standing, though now used as a barn. He has added to the original farm until he now owns 160 acres of land, which is highly improved and finely cultivated. The residence is a nice story and a half brick building, and all the out-buildings necessary for the care of his stock have been put up.

Mr. Donaldson was united in marriage with Miss Almira Ball, a native of Indiana, in 1849. The lady is a daughter of Davis and Rhoda (Woodcock) Ball, and of their union two children have been born: Jerusha, wife of Dr. James W. Morgan, of Columbus City, one of the leading physicians of Louisa County; and Charles M., who was born Feb. 4, 1864, and is a most successful teacher. He is a young man of more than ordinary ability, and . . .

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. . . one who will make his way in the world. He first attended the district school, then for two years attended the Columbus City schools, and afterward took a course in Iowa City. Mrs. Morgan also received a liberal education and engaged in teaching previous to her marriage. The family are members of the Baptist Church, and are honored members of society. Mr. Donaldson has served in various official positions in the township, and is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is active in the promotion of social, educational and religious interests, is upright and honest in all his dealings, and as a citizen none stands higher. For the past eight years Mrs. Donaldson has been an invalid, but her sufferings have been borne with patience and Christian fortitude. Socially, Mr. D. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. During the forty-eight years’ residence of this worthy couple in Louisa county they have won an enviable position in the hearts of the people of the community, and are well deserving of a prominent place in this volume.