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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Levy McVEIGH DONNELLY 

Pages 348 & 351, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: BEERS, DONNELLY, JACKSON, JENKINS, LEAMAN, McVEIGH, MOREY] 

    
LEVY McVEIGH DONNELLY, who is ably managing the large Leaman estate in Harris Township, is a prominent citizen of this part of the county, and is widely known as one of its leading politicians. Mr. Donnelly is a native of Ohio, the place of his birth in Licking County, and the date thereof August 27, 1841. His parents were James and Evaline (Jenkins) Donnelly. His mother was a daughter of Levy and Mary Jenkins, of Ohio. She died when he was three weeks old, and he was reared by his uncle John McVeigh. He lived in Ohio until he was thirteen years old, when, in 1854, his uncle moved to Fulton County, Ill., and settled six miles west of Canton, where now is the station of Civer. In 1856, he removed to Lee Township, where he resided until 1858, when he bought a farm three miles from Marietta. 
    
Mr. Donnelly grew to manhood on that farm, and when his uncle and aunt became so feeble from old age that they could not care for themselves, he cared for them until they died, his aunt dying February 10, 1862, and his uncle August 4, 1864. They were very kind to him, and he never knew what it was to lack a mother's love, or a father's care. Indeed, he knew no other father than his uncle, as his own had remarried after his mother's death, and moving to Kansas, had died there. Our subject chose to follow the occupation to which he had been reared, and has become one of the most practical and substantial citizens of Harris Township. After marriage he lived in Marietta from the fall of 1868 until the fall of 1883. During that time he started a store there, which he soon sold out, and for eleven years was Constable of the town. He was first elected Justice of the peace in 1879, and has held that office continuously since that time. In 1883 he removed to his present place of residence on the R. F. Leaman estate, which comprises some seven hundred acres of land, on which is a valuable stone quarry of fine sandstone for building purposes. Mr. Donnelly, is managing this quarry for the widow of Mr. Leaman, who resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, and to whom he makes monthly reports. Under his able and energetic management, the quarry is turning out a great quantity of sandstone that is bringing in a handsome income to its owner, who gives our subject a fine salary in repayment for his services which she appreciates. 
    
At the age of twenty, Mr. Donnelly was married to Miss Ann Maria Morey, a daughter of Zenas J. and Anna Morey. Her father came from New York, and her mother from her birthplace in Ohio, and they were married here in pioneer times. Mrs. Donnelly is a native of Fulton County, and is in every respect worthy of the regard with which she inspires her neighbors and friends. Her marriage with our subject, has been blessed by the birth of six daughters and one son, and one daughter and the son are now deceased, both dying in infancy, Anna Eveline at the age of eighteen months. Those living are Ida Alleatha, who lives at home, and is one of the finest educated, and best teachers in the township, and now presides over the school in her father's district; Tillie B., who is the wife of Joseph M. Jackson, of Peoria, who is an employee on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad, and they have one boy, Earl D.; Carrie May, who is the wife of Leroy Beers, a farmer of Webster City, Iowa, and they have one boy, Ezra D.; Nora Maria is a miss at home attending school; and Nellie Luella, the youngest of the family, also at home. Miss Ida and her two sisters next to her are very find penmen. 
    
Mr. Donnelly is gifted with the shrewdness, keenness, tact and decisive energy, that amply fit him for the important office of Sheriff, for which his fellow Democrats have nominated him, and there is no doubt that if he is elected he will discharge the duties devolving upon him with masterly ability, promptness and impartiality. In his nomination for this office, although there were five other prominent candidates, he received a majority over all at the primary meeting held by his party August 2, which shows his good standing with his fellow Democrats. He has been up before for this office, but having failed of nomination in the caucus, with hearty good will, he would give his support to the fortunate candidate. He is a man of agreeable and affable manners, and is popular with his associates. In his political views he is a decided Democrat. He is one of the most active politicians, and has always voted for the good of his party. He has been a delegate to almost every county convention for the last twenty years. Mr. Donnelly was reared in the Christian Church, and has never departed from its faith, its high principles early instilled into his mind, having always guided his life work. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Good Faith Lodge no. 752, Cuba, Ill.