Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 348 & 351; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
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.
