DONNELLY, JOHN, a useful and public spirited citizen of Springfield, Ill., and a veteran of the Civil War, has been a resident of the State since 1852. He was born in Augusta, Me., July 4, 1846, son of Francis Donnelly and his wife, both natives of the United States. The father was a merchant and importer of New Orleans for many years, and the parents were both living in New Orleans the last John Donnelly heard from them. Francis Donnelly served through the Mexican War, being a member of Major Ringold's Regiment. The family lived some time in Illinois and there John Donnelly received his education in the subscription schools. Upon leaving school he became engaged in farming.

In 1861 John Donnelly enlisted in Company M, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, which later was under command of Colonel Grierson in Richard Yates' Legion. This regiment participated in the famous Grierson Raid. The first battle in which he took part was at Olive Branch, Miss., where the regiment came in contact with Stonewall Jackson. Their next battle was at Hernando, Miss., and they operated in this vicinity for several months. They had an engagement at Florence, Ala., and fought continuously for sixty-three days at one time. Mr. Donnelly became Sergeant of his company and won a commendable record as a soldier. At the close of the war he returned home and took up the affairs of civil life, and has been an industrious, enterprising citizen. He is a member of Stephenson Post, G.A.R.

Mr. Donnelly came to Illinois in 1852 and has since that date resided in the state. In 1876 he began working at the Old North Shaft, Springfield, remaining there one year, after which he worked fourteen years as hoisting engineer at the New North Shaft, leaving this position to accept one with the Springfield Water Works, where he worked twelve years and became chief engineer. He is skilled at his trade and is a life member of the National Engineers of America. He is now employed by the Citizens Coal Company.

Mr. Donnelly was married December 24, 1868, to Mrs. (Ing) Johnson, who was born July 2, 1837, daughter of Christopoher and Philemon Ing, the former born in 1811 and the latter in 1815. Her parents settled in Hamilton County, Ill., at an early day, coming from Tennessee, and died in Illinois, the father July 8, 1897, and the mother March 29, 1891. Their daughter had married (first) Aaron Johnson, who was killed August 4, 1864, in front of Atlanta, and was buried at Marietta, Ga. Mr. Johnson and wife had one daughter, Louisa, deceased. Three children, one son and two daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly, namely: Frank, manager of the Galveston (Tex.) Baseball League, was for two years Manager of the Springfield Team, coming from Rock Island, Tenn., to Springfield; Ella D. Williams, living at home; Pernina, wife of John Mountz, a painter and paper hanger living in Peoria. Mr. Donnelly and his wife have three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Samuel Hoskinson, living in Arkansas. Mr. Donnelly owns a beautiful home near the northeast corner of the Fair Grounds, where he has two acres of land with 150 feet frontage. He is a member of the Methodist Church and for the past eight years has been affiliated with McCormick Lodge No. 4, Loyal Americans. In politics he is a Republican.