Donaldson, Indiana

John E. Hoover, a well-known young man, is a native of West township, born in 1862. His father, John Hoover, was a preacher in the German Baptist church, but, like most of the ministers of that denomination, followed the occupation of farming. He was of German descent, but was a native of Altoona, Ontario, where his birth occurred in 1822. In 1859 he came to West township, where he bought land of the Pa. R. R. Co. and became a well-known farmer. His wife, Hettie Miller, was a native of Ohio, born about 1831. Their family consisted of four children, three of whom are living. Noah V. is a prominent merchant of Plymouth. Margaret is the wife of W. G. Cook; they live in South Dakota; Daniel (deceased), and J. E., the subject of this sketch. The latter was raised on the farm, received a good education in the public schools of Plymouth, and finished at Valparaiso. His education fitted him for the profession of teaching, which he began in 1S79, and followed for seven years. He was considered a successful instructor, being engaged four successive terms in the only graded school in West township. In 1886 Mr. Hoover engaged in mercantile business at Donaldson, where he soon became popular on account of his fair dealing, and earnest efforts to please his patrons. Since he became a citizen of Donaldson he has bren a very useful one, having erected several substantial buildings and otherwise aided in the improvement of the town. In 1888 he was put in nomination by the republican party, of which he is a member, for the office of township trustee, and, notwithstanding a strong democratic sentiment, his popularity was sufiicientto gain him a handsome majority. Mr. Hoover is one of the young men who are, as a class, bringing Marshall county into prominence as one of the leading counties of the state.

Passage source: History of Indiana : Containing a History of Indiana and Biographical Sketches of Governors and Other Leading Men. Also a Statement of the Growth and Prosperity of Marshall County, Together with a Personal and Family Histry of Many of Its Citizens, published 1890.

Among the younger citizens of Donaldson, but one of its leading business men, is Silas H. Joseph, a native of the state of Delaware, as were also his parents, who trace their ancestry back to the first settlers of that state. His early life was passed in Delaware, near the town of Smyrna, where he first saw the light of day. He received his education in the common schools of that state, and his first work was upon his father's farm. In 1878 the entire family came to Marshall county, where they still reside, having become well-known and substantial citizens. Three years after becoming a Hoosier by adoption, Mr. Joseph was married to Anna P. Hudson, also a native of Delaware, but a resident of Marshall county at the time of marriage. The young couple lived on a farm two years, when they removed to Donaldson, where Mr. Joseph purchas^^d a small general store. The business prospered, and the stock of goods increased in proportion to the demand of trade, so that in 1S87, Mr. Joseph erected a fine store room, the one now occupied by the Burgener Bros. He also built a large grain and ware house near the Pennsylvania railroad, and a substantial residence. In 1S8S he sold his store to the Burgener Bros., and purchased the one on the southeast corner, which he now occupies. Mr. Joseph has been a valuable addition to the population of Donaldson, always alive to the interests of the place. Politically he represents the young democracy, and is ever ready to use honorable means to promote his party's welfare. That his efforts are appreciated is evinced by the fact that, in the spring of 1S90, he was nominated for township trustee, and triumphantly elected. Mr. Joseph is a member of the United Brethren church, and lends his energy to church affairs, as he does to all that he undertakes. Personally, Mr. Joseph is quiet and earnest in his intercourse with his fellow citizens, and his business methods have been such as to gain the confidence and respect of the community in which he lives.

Passage source: History of Indiana : Containing a History of Indiana and Biographical Sketches of Governors and Other Leading Men. Also a Statement of the Growth and Prosperity of Marshall County, Together with a Personal and Family Histry of Many of Its Citizens, published 1890.

and J. C. are successful teachers; the others are still in youth and childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Warnes are both members of the United Brethren congregation, of Donaldson. Mr. Warnes is a republican, and is well known, politically, as an honest and faithful party leader in his township.

Passage source: History of Indiana : Containing a History of Indiana and Biographical Sketches of Governors and Other Leading Men. Also a Statement of the Growth and Prosperity of Marshall County, Together with a Personal and Family Histry of Many of Its Citizens, published 1890.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on West Township.