George Donner
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George Donner (1784? – March 1847) was the leader of the Donner party.
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[edit] Birth
George Donner, born around 1784 in Salem, North Carolina, was the third child and eldest son of George Donner (c1752-1844) and his wife Mary (c1755-1842), whose maiden name was probably Huff. George had three sisters and three brothers, one of whom, Jacob (c1789-1846), accompanied him on his fateful journey to California.
[edit] Marriages
- Susannah Holloway on 12 December 1809 in Jessamine County, Kentucky. They had the following children: Mary Donner aka Polly; William Donner, Elizabeth Donner; Sarah Donner; Susannah M. Donner; and Lydia Donner.
- Mary Blue Tennant on 10 June 1829 in Sangamon County, Illinois. They had the following children: Elitha Cumi Donner; and Leanna Charity Donner.
- Tamzene Eustis on 24 May 1839 in Sangamon County, Illinois. They had the following children: Frances Eustis Donner; Georgia Ann Donner; and Eliza Poor Donner.
[edit] Donner party
George, a prosperous farmer, lived near Springfield, Illinois. On April 14, 1846, he, his brother Jacob, and James F. Reed, along with their families, set out for California in covered wagons. Three months later, at the Little Sandy River in western Wyoming, several wagon trains regrouped and George was elected to lead a newly formed company, which thereafter was known by his name: the Donner Party.
[edit] Death
George died in Alder Creek camp, Nevada County, California in March of 1847.
[edit] Descendants
- Elitha Cumi Donner (1832-1923). She married a Wilder and died on July 4, 1923; and was buried in Elk Grove Cemetery in Sacramento, California.
[edit] External links
- New Light on the Donner Party by Kristin Johnson, a recognized authority on the ill-fated wagon train; features accurate biographical information, a chronology, primary documents, and much more.
- The Donner Party Dan Rosen's website features a comprehensive chronology of the disaster and much additional material.
