PROMINENT CITIZEN IS SUMMONED

Mrs. W. B. Donaldson dies today after brief illness

City Mourns Passing of Woman Who Devoted Life to Useful Service--Leader in Church, Clubs and Social Life of Community

Death early today claimed one of Steubenville's oldest and most highly esteemed citizens, Mrs. Emelda Junkin Donaldson, widow of the late William B. Donaldson, entering into rest at her residence, Fourth and Dock streets, at 3 a. m., Tuesday, March 7, 1922, following a brief illness.

She was in the 82nd year and her death brought to a close a long and useful life, one that was devoted to helpful, unselfish service in the religious, educational and patriotic work of the community. She was prominent in church, club and social circles of the city and actively associated with numerous organizations until her last illness.

Mrs. Donaldson was taken ill about ten days ago but her condition was not regarded as serious until Saturday and she grew weaker daily and early this morning slept peacefully away. Her death is attributed to a physical breakdown, incident to her advanced age.

Deceased was born in Steubenville on the nineteenth day November, 1840, the daughter of Matthew Oliver and Rebecca Buchanan Junkin, pioneer residents of this section. She was a direct descendant of Revolutionary stock, being a real granddaughter of the American Revolution on both her father's and mother's side. She received her education at the Steubenville Seminary and with the exception of seven years residence in New York City after her marriage, was a life long resident here.

On Christmas night of 1861, she was united in marriage with William B. Donaldson, being one of the war brides of that period. The ceremony was performed in the Old United Presbyterian church at Fifth and North streets. The marriage shortly preceded the entrance of her husband into military service with the Union forces and benefiting the wife of a soldier, she became actively engaged with the Soldiers' Aid Society which performed a noble service during the conflict and which was later merged with the Women's Relief Corps, the local organization of which she was a moving spirit and one of the charter members.

Having united early in life with the United Presbyterian church, Mrs. Donaldson became associated with religious activities and throughout her life devoted herself zealously and faithfully to the advancement of Christ's Kingdom. She later united with the old Second Presbyterian church, now the Westminster and at the time of her death she was a Deaconess; superintendent of the Sunday School Cradle Roll, in which capacity she had served for many years and also honorary treasurer of the Home and Foreign Missionary societies, she having been treasurer for a period of thirty-five years. She was a familiar figure in all branches of church work and her influence and guidance in these circles will be sadly missed.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Chaplain of the Steubenville Chapter which was organized here recently, she being one of the organizing members. She was also president of the Alumni Association of the Steubenville Seminary and in that capacity presided over many happy reunions of the students of this popular schools of early days. At the time of her death she was planning for another meeting of the association which was to have been held here.

As president of the Steubenville Bible Society, Mrs. Donaldson performed a noteworthy service, the function of this organization being to supply the public schools, various fraternal and societies and hotels with Bibles. During the World War she became acquainted and endeared herself to hundreds of the young men of the city and county who were called into military service, presenting personally, as far as possible, every soldier and sailor from this community with an autographed Bible.

Mrs. Donaldson was one of the organizers and had the honor of being the first president of the Womans' Club which was formed here about twenty years ago. She was a woman of keen intellect and remarkable memory, a speaker and writer of ability and was the author of many papers, not only of interest to the members of the club before which she so often appeared, but of great educational and historical value. Her praiseworthy skill in the literary field was exemplified. In her history of the Woman's Club, written and published in recent years. Mrs. Donaldson rarely missed a meeting of the society and was active in its affairs, despite her advanced years, until stricken with her last illness.

Deceased was also a member of the W. C. T. U. and a faithful steadfast soldier in the campaigns waged by that organization, covering a period of many years.

While best known and esteemed for the service she rendered through the channels of various organizations, many of them charitable and philanthropic, Mrs. Donaldson enjoyed a beautiful home life. Blessed with a charming personality and kindly grace of the old school, she was an admirable hostess, radiating hospitality to all that sought the shelter of her home. She was a successful wife and mother and the many years of happiness with William B. Donaldson was broken only six years ago when he preceded her to the Great Beyond.

Of her immediate family she is survived by two daughters, Mrs. D. J. Sinclair and Mrs. H. H. Henderson. She is also survived by the following grand-children, Mrs. Garry B. LeVan, who is now in France; Frank, Dohrman, Jr., and Katherine Sinclair, Katherine and Harriet Henderson, also two great grandchildren, Garret B. LeVan, Jr., of this city and Dohrman Sinclair Grant of Franklin, Pa.

Beloved by all with whom she came in contact, admired and respected in all walks of life, Mrs. Donaldson's memory will long be cherished in the community in which she lived and labored for the best for all, for so many years.
*****The Steubenville Herald Star, Tuesday, March 7, 1922