Donnelly, William - Hon.

HON. WILLIAM DONNELLY.

John Donnelly, a gentleman of fine scholarship and culture, emigrated from County Armagh, Ireland, in 1798, and settled in York County, Pa. He remained here but a short time, and then removed to Berlin, Somerset Co., Pa., where he married Margaret Atchison. They remained in Somerset County until 1816 when they removed to a farm in Perry township, Westmoreland Co., where they spent the remainder of their lives. John died Dec. 29, 1826, and Margaret died in September, 1853. They had seven children, viz., John, Thomas, Mary, James, Isabella, Sarah, and William, who was born Aug. 5, 1817. He received his early education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood, and afterwards attended select schools, in which he studied land surveying and kindred subjects.

He learned the carpentry trade, but never followed it, and has since been engaged in the various callings of school-teaching, boating, farming, salt-making, hotel-keeping, oil-producing, and milling. Money getting or keeping has not been the sole object in life with him, and he has been satisfied with a comfortable living, honestly earned. His private life has been one of industry, integrity, and economy. These admirable qualities have characterized his public life. He has served six years as secretary of the school board of Derry township, and the intelligent manner in which he has discharged his duties has convinced his neighbors that they and the great cause which is so dear to them have in Hon. William Donnelly a true friend. He was elected to the State Legislature by the Democratic party, and served in the sessions of 1877 and 1878. True to the primitive doctrines of his party as expounded by Jefferson, and his own convictions, his constituents found in him a faithful representative, who voted intelligently and for their best interests upon every act brought before the body, of which he was one of the most honored and useful members. The bill "extending the jurisdiction of justices of the peace" received his earnest support. He introduced two important bills, one, and the first of the kind ever introduced in a Pennsylvania Legislature, was "to equalize freight and passenger rates, and forbade free passes on railroads." Corporation influences were too strong, and it was defeated in committee. The other was "to pay county officers a salary instead of the fees then charged, etc." It met a like fate in committee. Public-spirited, he is ever ready to favor with voice and pen whatever his judgment approves, or oppose what he deems incompatible with the public weal.

He was married to Susan, daughter of Daniel H. and Mary Barr, of Blairsville, Sept. 27, 1853. To them were born seven children, viz., Mary G., John H., Margaret I., William A., Pauline F., Daniel B., and Hugh J.