John W. Donley - Civil War Soldier Buried in Farmer Cemetery

Born in Indiana in December, 1848, John Wesley Donley was the son of William Donley and Malinda Fee.  When he was 16 or 17, he enlisted in the war, despite his young age.  He entered the 189th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company A, which was formed in Toledo in the early months of 1865.  

The 189th marched to Nashville, Tennessee from March 4 to March 9, 1865.  There they were assigned to guard the railroad and they also met with several skirmishes with the Confederates.  After a few months, they moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee and then into Alabama.  However, the war was over not long after the formation of the unit, so they were sent home by September, 1865.  In his obituary, it was mentioned that John Donley served in a prisoner exchange in Richmond, Virginia, but no information could be found on that.  His pension record would reveal more information.











 After the war, John W. married Blanch Yeagley on May 18, 1877.  Together they had seven children: Dale, Hugh, Paul, Alice, Ella, Ethel and Madge.  We know the family moved around because of the birthplaces reported for their children.  William "Hugh" was born in Michigan in January, 1880, but his next brother, John "Dale", was born in Ohio, according to the 1900 census.  Eva "Madge" and "Alice" Essie were born in Iowa in 1892 and 1895, respectively.  In 1900, the family lived in Cedar Township, Benton County, Iowa, but his occupation was not given.

By 1910, John and Blanche and some of the children were in Farmer, Ohio, where they would remain.  By that time, John and Blanche had been married 54 years and he was farming.  Dale was 22 and it was reported that he was married, but no wife was enumerated with him.  Madge, 17, and Alice, 14, were still at home.  Also living with them were their daughter Ella Tharp, 32, who was divorced, and her daughter, Miriam Tharp, 9.  Ella worked as a seamstress out of the home, John was farming and Dale and Madge were "working out."

On the left, John Donley and, on the right, William P. Bayes in front of the blacksmith shop, Farmer, OH

By 1920, just John and Blanch lived in the house, along with Dale, 31, married. A story must exist around this marriage of Dale's.  Blanche died on July 10, 1932, and John followed on February 20, 1940, living until he was 91 years, 2 months and 5 days old.

  An obituary for John W. Donley appeared in the Bryan Press on February 29, 1940:

"JOHN W. DONLEY

Fifth child of nine children of William and Malinda Fee Donley, Dec. 15, 1848, near Hamilton, Ind., died at his home in Farmer, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1940, aged 91 years, two months and five days.

Mr. Donley was married to Blanche Yeagley on May 18, 1877, and to this union were born three sons and four daughters, one son, Paul and one daughter, Madge Dumstrom, having preceded both himself and their mother in death.

Mrs. Donley was taken on July 10 (?), 1932, since which time he has remained in the home under care of housekeepers, and until five weeks ago has been able to get around and do small chores in and about the house.  

The children who remain to miss him and the broken home are Mrs. Ella Lee, Farmer; Mrs. Ethel Conkey, Stryker; Miss Alice Donley, San Francisco, Cal.; Hugh, (of) Vaughn, Washington and Dale of Morenci, Mich.  There are also 11 grandchildren, to whom they meant much.

He enlisted in the Civil War in 1864 at the age of 16, after trying twice before and being sent home.  His army record is that of several skirmishes and much guard duty.  He was a member of Lew Bowker Post in Farmer during its existence, and was taken in as an honorary member of Williams County Post 994, V. F. W. in 1932 with W. S. Tomlinson, who also lived to a ripe old age.

He is the first of four veterans in Defiance County to answer the last call since Memorial Day last year, this time for service in the ranks of those who have gone before.  This man who has so long lived among us will be missed by many, old and young, as he loved young people, and to many has been Grandfather Donley all their lives.  He was a good neighbor and friend.

Card of Thanks -

We desire to thank the neighbors who assisted us in our bereavement, the members of V.F.W. Posts from Montpelier, Bryan, Hicksville and Defiance for their fine service, Mrs. Inez Flightner and Ward C. Ensign for their songs and all others who have in any way assisted in the last rites or during the illness of our father, John W. Donley.  We sincerely appreciate your offers.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lee

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Conkey

Mr and Mrs Dale Donley

 John W Donley was Farmer's last Civil War veteran to pass away.