from reprint of “Clarke County Historical and Biographical Record” by Lewis Publishing, 1886. p.192

CHARLES DONNER, a prosperous and enterprising farm and stock-raiser, residing on section 5, Troy township, is a son of John DONNER, a native of Prussia, Germany. John DONNER immigrated to America in the year 1851, and the first two years of his residence in this country were spent near Jacksonville, Illinois. He came to Clarke County, Iowa, in 1853, and settled on section 7, Troy township, where he followed farming and stock-raising till his death. He was a hard-working citizen, and by his industry and strict economy he accumulated 640 acres of land in Clarke County, the result of years of toil, he having commenced life entirely without means.

He was married before leaving his native country to Mary Dunchen, by whom he had nine children, of whom only four are now living--John H., Charles, our subject, Anna, and Lizzie. The father died November 27, 1878, and the mother still lives on the old homestead in Troy Township. Charles DONNER, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Troy township, Clarke County, November 14, 1860, and received a common-school education in the schools of the county. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has always followed, and is classed among the most successful young farmers of Clarke County, where he owns 800 acres of choice land. He makes a specialty of raising cattle, in which he is eminently successful.