Jacob E. Donaker
b. 15 September 1830, d. 7 February 1904
Last Edited=6 Apr 2005

     Jacob E. Donaker was born on 15 September 1830 in Muskingum County, Ohio, USA.² He was the son of Jacob Donaker and Elizabeth Potts.¹ He may have been enumerated on the 1840 census for Frazeyburg, Muskingum County, Ohio, USA in the household of his father as a male aged five to ten years old.³ Follow the link to see the census image.
          Jacob married Margaret Catherine Hardesty, daughter of Henry Hardesty and Catherine Meeks, in 1852 in Bedford, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA.¹ Jacob and Margaret had six children. These children are Homer H., Alice Viola, Harriet Iota, William Edgar, Mon I. and Mary.⁴ He was known to have worked for a while as a blacksmith (dates not known) and a harness maker.¹
          In 1855, Jacob and Margaret moved to Iowa County, Iowa, USA. The family stayed there until 1881 when they moved to Rockwell City.¹
          Jacob, age 28, and Margaret, age 27, were enumerated on the 1860 Federal Census in English Township, Iowa County, Iowa, USA. Also enumerated in this household were their children: William E (age 6), Mon. L (age 3), and Viola (age 1 month). Nancy and Mary and her suspected daughter, an unknown person , are also living in this household. I do not know what the relationship is between the Higgins and the Donakers. Jacob's real estate was valued at $1000 and his personal estate was valued at $400.⁵ Jacob worked as a farmer.⁵ Follow the link to see the census image.
          Jacob, age 39, and Margaret, age 39, were enumerated on the 1870 Federal Census in English Township. Also enumerated in this household were their children: Edward (should be Edgar, age 16), Ida (enumerated in 1860 as Mon L., age 14), Viola (age 12), Hattie (age 9), Mary (age 6), Homer (age 1). Jacob's real estate was valued at $2000 and his personal estate was $778.⁶ Jacob worked as a harness maker.⁶ Follow the link to see the census image.
          Jacob, age 50, and Margaret, age 51, were enumerated on the 1880 Federal Census in Millersburg, Iowa County, Iowa, USA. Also enumerated in this household were their children, Viola (age 20), Hattie (age 17), and Homer (age 11).⁷ Jacob worked as a dry good merchant.⁷ Follow the link to see the census image.
          Jacob and Margaret moved with their children (Viola, Hattie, and Homer - it is not known if William moved with them) to Calhoun County, Iowa, USA sometime between 1880 and 1885.⁸
          Jacob, age 54, and Margaret, age 56, were enumerated on the 1885 Iowa State Census at (Township 88, Range 33, Twin Lakes) in Rockwell, Calhoun County, USA. Also enumerated in this household were their children: Hattie (age 22), Homer (age 16), and Viola (age 24) with her husband, George Wharton Wilson (age 27). Mary Snyder, relationship unknown, is also living with this family. She has not been entered into this database. Jacob is entitled to vote; no other boxes have been marked.⁸ He operated the Rockwell Hotel until 1888. He then bought "320 acres of land near Jolley." He farmed there until he retired in 1892. He later lived in the town of Jolley.¹
          Jacob, age 69, and Margaret, age 70, were enumerated on the 1900 Federal Census in Jolley, Calhoun County, Iowa, USA. They own their house without a mortgage. Their grandson, Glenn Wickard Donaker, lives next door.⁹ Follow the link to see the census image.
          Jacob died on 7 February 1904 at his residence in Manson, Calhoun County, Iowa, USA.² He was 73 old.² He and Margaret were buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rockwell Center, Calhoun County, Iowa, USA.²