William G. Donnan

William G. Donnan
Member of the Iowa Senate
In office 1868–1870
In office 1884–1886
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1875
Preceded by	William B. Allison
Succeeded by	Lucien Lester Ainsworth
Personal details
Born	William G. Donnan (1834-06-30)June 30, 1834 Charlton, New York, U.S.
Died	December 4, 1908(1908-12-04) (aged 74) Independence, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Union College
Profession	Politician, Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Rank	Private
Battles/wars	American Civil War

William G. Donnan (June 30, 1834 – December 4, 1908) was an American lawyer, Civil War officer, politician who served as a two-term Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district.

Early life and education

Born in West Charlton, a hamlet in Saratoga County, New York, Donnan attended the district schools and Cambridge Academy. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York, in 1856.

Career

He moved to Independence, Iowa, in 1856. After studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1856, and commenced practice at Independence in 1857. From 1857 to 1862, he was the treasurer and recorder of Buchanan County, Iowa.

In 1862, he entered the Union Army as a private in Company H, 27th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to the grade of first lieutenant and brevetted captain and major. He was adjutant on the staff of Gen. James Isham Gilbert. His hundred twenty-eight letters written to his wife Mary during the War are a valuable historical resource.

Following the war, he was elected to the Iowa Senate, initially serving in 1868 and 1870. He was largely instrumental in securing the establishment of the Mental Health Institute (formerly called the Iowa State Hospital for the Insane) at Independence.

In 1870, incumbent Republican Third District Congressman William B. Allison focused on winning election to the U.S. Senate, and thus declined to seek re-election to his House seat. Donnan was elected as a Republican to succeed him, serving in the 42nd United States Congress. Donnan was re-elected two years later (in 1872), to serve in the Forty-third Congress. He declined to be a candidate for reelection in 1874.

Later career

After his term ended, he resumed the practice of law at Independence, and remained active in politics. He was again elected to the Iowa Senate, serving from 1884 to 1886. He served as delegate-at-large to the 1884 Republican National Convention, and as chairman of the Republican State Central Committee from 1884 to 1886.

He later became president of the First National Bank of Independence.

Death

He died in Independence, on December 4, 1908. He was interred in Oakwood Cemetery. The now-disincorporated town of Donnan, Iowa, in Fayette County was named for him.

References

• United States Congress. "William G. Donnan (id: D000413)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress