David V. Donley, a successful businessman of Amwell Township, is a grandson of John Donley, a farmer, who, in 1897, came from Hagerstown, Md., and located in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn. He was married to Sarah Horner, and they had four children: John (deceased), James, Homer (deceased) and Sarah (Mrs. Weir). The father of this family died in West Bethlehem township in 1837. Homer Donley, son of John, was born in Maryland in 1897, and same year was brought by his parents to West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn. He received a common-school education, and when yet a mere boy the duty of caring for his parents devolved upon him. He engaged in the milling business, and at the end of seven years purchased a farm of 110 acres, where he followed agricultural pursuits during the rest of his life. In 1827 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of James and Sarah Wilson, of Somerset Township, Washington county, and their children were: Mrs. Mary Jane Young, David V., Wilson, Mrs. Margaret Young, and Hannah. At the time of his death Mr. Donley was worth $30,000. He was a prominent citizen of Somerset township, and a member of the Republican Party. David V. Donley was born February 8, 1842, in West Bethlehem township, Washington Co., Penn., and remained on the old home ten years, when the family moved to Somerset township, Washington, county. In 1808 he was united in marriage with Emma Whitely, daughter of Peter and Mary Whitely, of Somerset township, and three children have been born to them, viz.: Lizzie, Walter and Everett. Mr. Donley remained at home two years after his marriage, and then rented a farm in North Strabane township, same county, where he resided two years. In 1872 he moved to Amwell township, this county, and purchased the farm of 117 acres which he has since lived upon; he also owns a fine farm of 110 acres, situated near Smithville, also in this county, and has been very successful in business. He was in the Civil war three years, having enlisted in 1862, in Company F, Eighteenth P. V. C., and took part in the battles of Gettysburg and the Wilderness, besides many minor engagements. Mr. and Mrs. Donley and their daughter Lizzie are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 579 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by LuShelle Fletcher of Grand Island,NE as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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