Homer H. Donaker
b. January 1870, d. 14 January 1943
Last Edited=30 Mar 2005

     Homer H. Donaker was born in January 1870 in Iowa County, Iowa, USA.¹ He was the son of Jacob E. Donaker and Margaret Catherine Hardesty. Homer, age 1, was enumerated in the household of his parents on the 1870 Federal Census in English Township, Iowa County, Iowa, USA.² Follow the link to see the census image. Homer has also been reported as being born on 24 January 1869 in Millersburg, Iowa County, Iowa, USA.³ Homer, age 11, was enumerated in the household of his parents on the 1880 Federal Census in Millersburg.⁴ Follow the link to see the census image. Between 1880 and 1885, Homer moved with his parents to Calhoun County, Iowa, USA.⁵ Homer, age 16, was enumerated in the household of his parents on the 1885 Iowa State Census at (Township 88, Range 33, Twin Lakes) in Rockwell, Calhoun County, USA.⁵
          Homer married Anna (--?--) circa 1895.¹ They had at least 1 child. This son was not living at the time of the 1900 census. Jon Donaker lists one infant born 30 Apr 1896, died 10 May 1910 but the 1910 date doesn't match other information. He was buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery in Jolley.³
          Homer, age 30, and Anna, age 28, were enumerated on the 1900 Federal Census in Jolley, Calhoun County, Iowa, USA. They are living in a rented house.¹ Homer worked as a merchant.¹ Follow the link to see the census image.
          Homer, age 40, and Anna, age 29, were enumerated on the 1910 Federal Census in Jolley. Also enumerated in this household were Harry (adopted son, age 2 years) and Mrs. Margaret Catherine (Hardesty) Donaker (Homer's mother, age 82). They rent their house.⁶ Homer worked as a clerk in the General Store.⁶ Follow the link to see the census image.
          Homer, age 49, and Anna, age 48, were enumerated on the 1920 Federal Census at 1003 Park Street in Perry City, Dallas County, Iowa, USA. Also enumerated in this household was their son, Harry, age 12.⁷ Homer worked as a merchant who owns a novelty shop.⁷ Follow the link to see the census image. Jon Donaker writes, "Homer was mentioned in the Jolley Centennial book as the first manager of the grain elevator cooperative in Jolley, IA. He probably worked with his father in the general store, which was named 'Ed Donaker and Sons.' He owned and operated a grocery store, along with his nephew Claude G. Baughman, and later had a chain of eight to ten stores in Minnesota."
          Circa 1921, Homer and Anna moved to Owatonna, Steele County, Minnesota, USA. His last residence was at 116 E. Pearl Street.³

1930 Census Found
Owatonna - Document #: Donaker-MN-0001. Homer died on 14 January 1943 in Owatonna.⁸ He was 73 old. He and Anna were buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Jolley, Calhoun County, Iowa, USA.³