Homer Donnan1

(April 14, 1895 - June 23, 1938)
Homer Donnan|b. Apr 14, 1895\nd. Jun 23, 1938|p80.htm|Edward C. Donnan|b. about Oct 14, 1855\nd. Nov 12, 1921|p1580.htm|Nora Mosely|b. Apr 13, 1873|p1581.htm|Samuel Donnan||p1582.htm|Helen|b. Feb 14, 1847\nd. Jun 10, 1891|p1583.htm|George H. Mosely|b. Feb 14, 1847|p1584.htm|Eliza Butters|b. Apr 20, 1854\nd. Jun 7, 1945|p1585.htm|
Charts on which this person appears:
Leeson Smith, Sr. Descendants Chart
Homer Donnan
     Homer Donnan was born on Sunday, April 14, 1895 in Norway, Benton County, Iowa, son of Edward C. Donnan and Nora Mosely.3

He appeared on the Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, census of February 23, 1920 living at home with his parents. He was 24 years old and single. He was recorded as a laborer in the bridge industry.4

At age 27, Homer married Grace Stella Smith on Wednesday, February 28, 1923 in Garber, Clayton County, Iowa. Grace was 23 years old. She was the daughter of John Smith and Sarah Louisa Minger.1

Homer appeared in the Millville Township US census of April 27, 1930 as head of household. He was 35 years old and actively farming in a general manner.. The household also included Grace, his wife. She was 30 years old. They had been married for about 6 years and were renting their home. Their two young daughters living with them were Lelia who was four years old and Myrna who was two. The family didn't own a radio set.5

Homer died on Thursday, June 23, 1938 in Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa, at age 43.6,7 He was laid to rest in the Goshen Church Cemetery on Pumpkin Ridge near Turkey River in Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa.6

His obituary in the Millville section of an unidentified newspaper (possibly from Guttenberg) reads -
Homer Donnan, 43, Millville Farmer, Dies Thursday

Homer Donnan, Millville farmer, died suddenly Thursday evening in Finley hospital, Dubuque.

Although he had been in ill health for some time, his passing was a shock to the entire community.

Mr. Donnan was 43 years old, having been born April 14, 1895, in Norway, Iowa. He was the son of Ed and Nora Mosely Donnan.

Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon in the Goshen church, with burial in Goshen cemetery.

Mr. Donnan married Miss Grace Smith on Feb. 28, 1923, and to them were born on son, Leonard and two daughters, Leila and Myrna.

Besides the children, he is survived by his wife, his mother, who lives in Hanover, Ill; two brothers, Earl of Hanover and Carl of Arona, Ill; four sisters, Mrs. Albert Crowarth of Hanover, Mrs. Frank Coyne of Savannah, Ill., Mrs. Earl Roath of Savannah, and Mrs. Robert Smith of Savannah; and one half-sister, Mrs. Ed Holton of Cedar Rapids.


Another unidentified newspaper clipping reads -
Homer Donnan of Millville Died in Finley Hospital at Dubuque Last Thursday

Millville: This community was saddened by the sudden death of Homer Donnan, Thursday evening at the Finley hospital in Dubuque. Although Mr. Donnan had been poorly for some time his death came as a shock to his relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at the Goshen church Saturday afternoon at two o'clock and burial was made in the Goshen cemetery. The family and relatives have the sympathy of the entire community.3

Children of Homer Donnan and Grace Stella Smith

Citations

  1. [S62] Grace Donnan, Myrna Eberhardt, Jerry Eberhardt, "Jerry Eberhardt's Compilation of Family History Notes", Three generations of researchers (Garnavillo, Iowa). Hereinafter cited as "Jerry Eberhardt's Family History Collection."
  2. [S204] Homer Donnan, 43, Millville Farmer, Dies Thursday - by Mrs. Bertha Thompson, Unidentified Newspaper, Millville, Iowa, (Hommer's Obit from Jerry Eberhardt's Family History Collection) DSC01325. Hereinafter cited as Obituary - Donnan, Homer.
  3. [S204] Homer Donnan, 43, Millville Farmer, Dies Thursday - by Mrs. Bertha Thompson, Unidentified Newspaper, Millville, Iowa, (Obit from Jerry Eberhardt's Family History Collection) DSC01325. Hereinafter cited as Obituary - Donnan, Homer.
  4. [S130] 1920 US Census, 1920 Iowa, Clayton, Millville Twp; Series: T625 Roll: 484 Page: 33.
  5. [S131] 1930 US Census, 1930 Iowa, Clayton, Millville; Series: T626 Roll: 649 Page: 205.
  6. [S205] John Smith, "Family Group Sheet - John Smith", 1983. Hereinafter cited as "FGS."
  7. [S62] Grace Donnan, Myrna Eberhardt, Jerry Eberhardt, "Jerry Eberhardt's Compilation of Family History Notes", Three generations of researchers (Garnavillo, Iowa). , DSC01318. Hereinafter cited as "Jerry Eberhardt's Family History Collection."
 


  • A family history
    leads to the satisfaction in really knowing who you are
    and from when you came.

  • "Nor long shall any name resound
    Beyond the grave, unless't be found
    In some clerk's book; it is the pen
    Gives immortality to men."

  • A good life lasts for several generations.

  • In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep,
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    and where we come from.

    — Alex Haley
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    — Chinese Proverb
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    Looking at people who belong to us,
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    We make discoveries about ourselves.

    — Gail Lumet Buckley
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    the family is a link to our past,
    a bridge to our future.

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    than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other
    in silent unspeakable memories.

    — George Eliot
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    Some stay forever.

  • We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,
    we borrow it from our children.

    — Native American Proverb
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    of those we hold so close.

    — Unknown
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    mostly sweet with a few nuts.

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  • Having a place to go – is a home.
    Having someone to love – is a family.
    Having both – is a blessing.

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  • Every man is his own ancestor,
    and every man is his own heir.
    He devises his own future,
    and he inherits his own past.

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