Absolom's parents were Michael and Lavina "Bryant" Donahoo. At the age of 22 (1849) Absolom traveled from Iowa by land to California with some of his brothers but he decided to return to Iowa. He came back by way of Panama and across, going first to New Orleans and then up the Mississippi River. Upon arriving in Linn County, Iowa, he purchased 2 heavily wooded parcels of land in 1850 and 1852. While there he experimented with raising fruit trees. In 1853, he moved to Fremont County, Iowa where his brother William lived. William's neighbor, Eleanor Wade lived there with her own 4 children and her 2nd husbands 3 children. Mr. Wade was deceased. Absolom married Eleanors daughter Mary Etta Morrison. Absolom and Mary moved to Nebraska City in 1854 where they resided 4 miles South of town. Two of their children died of Diptheria in 1864. In September of 1871 Absolom along with 10 other men, one of which was J. Sterling Morton, organized the Otoe County Horticulture Society. Absolom operated a nursery at his home and advertised in the Nebraska City News. In 1878 his ad stated with a declaration that his Apple tree stock is Large and embraces all the varieties adapted to this climate. He had Peach trees, Currants, Gooseberries, Evergreens with prices low and all stock warrented as represented. His business was small but very successful. In 1878 Absolom signed his name in a record book of the Old Settler's Association, an organization recognizing persons who settled in Otoe County prior to January 1, 1856. In 1880 his 22 year old son Morrison became ill with pheumonia and on prescribed medication, became violent. He took a revolver and shot one of their 3 horses. Absolom tried to console his son and took the revolver from him but was then stabbed 4 times with a pocket knife and died from his wounds. Morrison was declared guilty and insane by the coroner's jury and sentenced to the State Asylum in Lincoln. He was later released to live with his mother. In 1885 a servant by the name of H. Henry Heer lived with them. Allen died January 11, 1887 and is buried in Wyuka cemetery in the family plot.
Absolom's parents were Michael and Lavina "Bryant" Donahoo. At the age of 22 (1849) Absolom traveled from Iowa by land to California with some of his brothers but he decided to return to Iowa. He came back by way of Panama and across, going first to New Orleans and then up the Mississippi River. Upon arriving in Linn County, Iowa, he purchased 2 heavily wooded parcels of land in 1850 and 1852. While there he experimented with raising fruit trees. In 1853, he moved to Fremont County, Iowa where his brother William lived. William's neighbor, Eleanor Wade lived there with her own 4 children and her 2nd husbands 3 children. Mr. Wade was deceased. Absolom married Eleanors daughter Mary Etta Morrison. Absolom and Mary moved to Nebraska City in 1854 where they resided 4 miles South of town. Two of their children died of Diptheria in 1864. In September of 1871 Absolom along with 10 other men, one of which was J. Sterling Morton, organized the Otoe County Horticulture Society. Absolom operated a nursery at his home and advertised in the Nebraska City News. In 1878 his ad stated with a declaration that his Apple tree stock is Large and embraces all the varieties adapted to this climate. He had Peach trees, Currants, Gooseberries, Evergreens with prices low and all stock warrented as represented. His business was small but very successful. In 1878 Absolom signed his name in a record book of the Old Settler's Association, an organization recognizing persons who settled in Otoe County prior to January 1, 1856. In 1880 his 22 year old son Morrison became ill with pheumonia and on prescribed medication, became violent. He took a revolver and shot one of their 3 horses. Absolom tried to console his son and took the revolver from him but was then stabbed 4 times with a pocket knife and died from his wounds. Morrison was declared guilty and insane by the coroner's jury and sentenced to the State Asylum in Lincoln. He was later released to live with his mother. In 1885 a servant by the name of H. Henry Heer lived with them. Allen died January 11, 1887 and is buried in Wyuka cemetery in the family plot.
Family Members
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