ANDREW B. DONALDSON. No man has been more closely identified with the best interests of Hanover township than this well-known gentleman, who is a lineal descendant of William Donaldson. William Donaldson was born in Ireland, where he was a farmer, and was married to Mary Mitchell. He emigrated to America, and located in Hanover township, at a very early date, settling on the same farm where Andrew B. is now living, there passing the remainder of his life. He was among the leading pioneers of his time, respected by all who knew him. His death occurred February 17, 1843, aged eighty-three, and on June 30, 1855, in the eighty-third year of her age, his wife was laid by his side in the Robinson Church cemetery, they having been consistent members of that church, in which he was also a ruling elder. The children of his family were Richard, John (who followed the Ohio river, and passed his later years in the South), Margaret, Jane (who was first married to Thomas Gormley, then to Jacob George), Susan (wife of Robert McClarren, of Finley township, Allegheny county), and Mary (who was never married). Richard Donaldson was born in 1801, in Hanover township, where his life was passed. In 1842 he married Mary A. Bigger, who was born in 1822. She is a daughter of Andrew Bigger, an early settler in Robinson township. To the union of Richard and Mary Donaldson the following children were born: Sarah (deceased wife of J. S. Culley), born March 31, 1843; William, born May 8, 1845; Mary E. (Mrs. J. D. Scott, of Hanover township), born March 19, 1848, and Andrew B., born October 1, 1851. The parents always lived on the home farm, where his life was devoted to agriculture and stock raising. In politics he was a Whig and then a Republican. They were both members of the U. P. Church of Robinson, to which he was a liberal contributor. Richard Donaldson died November 4, 1867, having been preceded by his wife, who died March 11, 1859, aged thirty-seven years. Their remains were interred in the Robinson cemetery. Andrew B. Donaldson, whose name opens this sketch, was born on the old home farm which has been in the possession of their family for nearly 100 years. After the death of his parents he assumed charge of the old place where he still resides, and upon which he has erected a new residence and barn, and made other improvements. Mr. Donaldson has been a prosperous agriculturist, but for several years has rented his place. Politically he has always been a Republican, taking an interest in the success of his party. In religion he is a member of Robinson U. P. Church. He has never married.

Text taken from page 876 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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