Biography of William S. Donnelly
FROM OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A DESCRIPTIVE AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
PREPARED AND PUBLISHED UNDER THE
AUSPICES OF THE SARATOGIAN
THE BOSTON HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 1899
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Donnelly, William S., a successful young physician of Ketchum's Corners, who has been engaged in the practice
of medicine since 1883, is the youngest son of Arthur and Mary Fitzgerald Donnelly, and was born at Northumberland,
Saratoga county, December 25, 1859. His father was a native of Ireland and was born in 1814, and in 1836 left the
Emerald Isle and crossed the broad Atlantic, settling in Canada. There he married a Canadian girl, who died a short
time afterwards, and a few years later he removed to the United States, locating in Northumberland, where he resided
until his death on September 12, 1864, after an active life of half a century. He was a blacksmith by trade, having
learned his trade in the old country, and was employed in a large ship yard in Canada; after coming to Saratoga
county he successfully conducted the blacksmith business at Bacon Hill for many years. In connection with that
work he carried on wagon making and repairing. Politically he was a Democrat and in religion a member of the Catholic
church. In 1844 he married Mary, daughter of James Fitzgerald, and they had eight children: John, Daniel, Arthur,
James, Edward, Thomas, William S. and Susan, who married Daniel McCarty. Mrs. Donnelly was born in Ireland and
died July, 1891, aged sixtynine years. William S. was reared at Northumberland, educated in the public schools
and by private instructor. He studied medicine with Drs. John A. Moore of Saratoga Springs and A. Van Derveer of
Albany; he was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1883, with the degree of M.D., and soon after located
at Quaker Springs where he was engaged in a successful practice for two years. In 1885 he removed to Ketchum's
Corners where he has since been successfully engaged in professional work. Politically Mr. Donnelly is a staunch
Democrat and has been one of the local leaders of his party for several years. In the fail of 1892 he was a candidate
for State assemblymen on the Democratic ticket and made a good run, but found it impossible to overcome the' large
Republican majority; in 1898 he was elected supervisor of the town of Stillwater by a substantial majority. He
is a mem her of Montgomery Lodge No. 504, F. & A. M.; Montgomery Chapter No, 257, R. A. M., of Stillwater;
Washington Commandery No. 33, Knights Templar, of Saratoga Springs; and Oriental Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
of Troy; he is also prominently identified with the Patrons of Industry and in 1891 was elected president of the
State organization, and at present is the national president, which position he has held since 1895. Mr. Donnelly
married Clara B. Howland, daughter of David Howland, jr. of Ketchum's Corners, and they have one son, Charles C.
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