My Genealogy Hound

Otto B. Donaldson, of the general mercantile firm of Donaldson & Jackman, at Altus, Ark., was born at Fort Smith, Ark., June 4, 1842, and is a son of Thomas T. and Elizabeth Donaldson, who were born in Maryland, and at an early day removed to Ohio, thence to Fort Smith, Ark., where they build the first trading establishment in the town. They died when Otto B. was very young, and but little is known of the early history of the family. The father died about 1846 and the mother about 1853. They were quite wealthy, and at the time of their deaths owned considerable property, but their papers became lost or destroyed and their children were obliged to suffer the consequences. The mother was married a second time, and became the mother of one son, R. B. Morrow, who is a wealthy merchant of Greenwood, Ark. Her first union was blessed in the birth of five children, two of whom are living: Otto B., and Cornelia, wife of R. R. Lewis, of Sebastian County, Ark. At the death of his parents Otto B. Donaldson was left to fight the battle of life as best he could, and for a number of years had many hard battles with adversity. What money he could obtain was spent in acquiring an education, and when the war broke out he left his studies and work and enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Arkansas Infantry, Confederate States Army, and for three years served as third lieutenant, coming out at the close of the war as adjutant major, with the rank of first lieutenant. He was in the battles of Elkhorn and Corinth, and also participated in many skirmishes. He was at one time discharged for disability, but after some time regained his health and rejoined his command. He took up his abode near Clarksville, Ar., after the close of the war, and while there engaged in book-keeping for H. Hodges, with whom he remained for two years. He then rented a large farm for four years, but this enterprise was unfortunate, and what property he had acquired was sunk in the venture. He then came to Altus and began working as salesman, book-keeper and depot agent for J. M. Williamson, with whom he remained four years. He then formed a partnership with his employer, which connection lasted four years, and the three following years were occupied in the family grocery business. For the last two years he and Mr. Jackman have been running a mercantile establishment, and are doing an extensive and steadily increasing business. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace, and has held the office up to present time, and for two years was postmaster of Altus. His union with Sara J. Bateman was consummated in 1867, abut died four years later, leaving no issue. In 1874 Parthenia Hampton, a daughter of Taylor Hampton, of Cole Hill, Ark., became his wife. Her death occurred in 1880, at the age of twenty-four years. June 17, 1883, Mr. Donaldson married his third wife, Virginia, daughter of Lewis B. Phillips. She was born in Franklin County, Ark., November 14, 1861, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Having no children of his own Mr. Donaldson has reared five orphan children, the last one being still under his roof. He is one of the enterprising citizens of the town, and in his political views is a Democrat.