Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 268

Henry C. Donaldson, M.D., of Morrison, one of the pioneer physicians of Whiteside County of 1847, was born in Guildford, Chenango Co., N.Y., April 19, 1825, and is the son of the Rev. Asa and Delia (Allen) Donaldson. His father was born at Munson, Hampshire Co., Mass., Sept. 4, 1788, was a Presbyterian clergyman and died at Chariton, Iowa, Feb. 3, 1876, aged 88 years. His mother died at Malden, Ill., July 4, 1862, aged 61 years.

Henry C. went to Tioga Co., Pa., in 1831, with his parents, and from there to Bureau Co., Ill., in 1839. He was educated at Princeton Academy, and entered Rush Medical College in 1846, took a regular course and graduated in the class of 1849-50. He began practice in Whiteside County in 1847, and has pursued it continuously to this date, covering a period of 38 years, and has made his home at Morrison since 1863. He is a member of the State Medical Association, and also of the County Medical Society, of which he has been President several years. During the existence of the Rock River Medical Association he was a member of that society and for some time its Secretary. He was elected Coroner of Whiteside County in 1881, and has held that office continuously since.

Dr. Donaldson was married in Prophetstown, Ill, Jan. 14, 1849, to Miss Bethiah Ellithorp, daughter of Sampson and Eliza (Wight) Ellithorp. Mrs. Donaldson was born in Saratoga Co., N.Y. They have had four children: Ira B. married Ella Smith and lives in Exeter, Neb.; Evelyn E. was the wife of Dr. W.L. Duffin, and died aged 25 years; Lizzie married Dr. W. L. Duffin, the husband of her deceased sister, and resides in Guttenburg, Iowa; Earl S. is a physician in practice at Hudson, Iowa. Dr. Donaldson, wife and children are members of the Congregational Church. The Doctor has served as Deacon of the Church since 1864. He is a member of Dunlap Lodge, A.F. & A.M., No. 321, and votes the Republican ticket.