Laura Cecile DONALD, Lexington, Virginia, 1877 - 1964
Laura Cecile DONALD was my great-grandmother. She was the daughter of James Calvin DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE
James Calvin DONALD was the son John DONALD and Nancy Machette
John DONALD was the son of James DONALD and Jennie MCCORKLE. He was the great-grandson of Matthew DONALD and Eliabeth LYLE who are members of families that originally settled in Rockbridge, Virginia
I have been able to piece together a lot of the DONALD and LYLE family tree from a book published in 1912 about the LYLE's in early Virginia.
From: Lyle Family: The Ancestry and Posterity of Matthew, John, Daniel and Samuel Lyle, Pioneer Settlers in Virginia
Facts and Timeline for DONALD Laura Cecile
Dec 1864
Birth
Rockbridge County, Virginia
James H DONALD was born in Rockbridge County, son of James Calvin DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE.
James Calvin DONALD was being held a prisoner of war at Camp Chase, Ohio, a Yankee prison camp, when his oldest son was born.
Donald, J. Dec 1864 [WMA] Rockbridge Co.; Ella A & James C DONALD (farmer, Rockbridge Co.) reported by John Donald/ grandfather
15 Jul 1865
Birth
Amherst, Virginia
Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE was born in Amherst, Virginia, son of Jeremiah GILLESPIE and Mary Elizabeth GILLESPIE. He was the youngest of six children, five who survived until adulthood.
7 Nov 1869
Birth
Rockbridge County, Virginia
Aurelia Douglas DONALD was born in Rockbridge, Virginia, the oldest daughter of James Calvin DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE.
Donald, Aurelia, B. 7 Nov 1869 [WFA] Rockbridge Co.; Elizabeth & James Donald (farmer, Rockbridge Co.) reported by mother.
27 Dec 1872
Birth
Rockbridge County, Virginia
John Charlton DONALD was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, son of James Calvin DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE.
I assume he was named for both of his grandfathers: Charlton WALLACE and John DONALD.
Donald J. Dec 1864 [WMA] Rockbridge Co.; Lizzie J. & James C. Donald (cooper, Rockbridge Co.) reported by mother
13 Feb 1877
Birth
Rockbridge, Virginia
Laura Cecile DONALD was born in Rockbridge, Virginia, daughter of James Calvin DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE.
Apr 1880
Birth
Rockbridge, Virginia
Andrew M DONALD was born in Rockbridge, Virginia, son of James Calvin DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE. The Lyle Family tells us we know he died young. He does not appear in 1900 census, so we know he died before then, but I assume he died before 1885.
1881
Birth
Rockbridge, Virginia
William D DONALD was born in Rockbridge, Virginia, son of James Calvin DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE. From the Lyle Family we know he died young, but I am guessing at the date.
29 Sep 1885
Marriage
Buffalo Forge, Virginia
Aurelia Douglas DONALD, age 17, daughter of James Calvin DONALD and Elizabeth jane WALLACE, of Rockbridge, Virginia marries James BROGRAN, age 23, son of James Edward BROGAN and Cynthia Jane Walton, of Botetourt, Virginia. They are married in Buffalo Forge, Virginia.
29 Sep 1885 Jas. E. Brogan, 23 S, b/Botetourt, Farmer, son of Edwd. Brogran & J. Brogran, married Amelia (sic) D. Donald, 17, S, b/Rockbridge, daughter of Jas. C. Donald & Elizabeth Donald, A.P. Bonde officiating.
24 Jan 1894
Marriage
Buffalo Forge, Rockbridge, Virginia
Laura Cecile DONALD, age 17, daughter of James Calvin DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE, married Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE, age 29, son of Jeremiah GILLESPIE and Mary Elizabeth GILLESPIE, of Amherst, Virginia. They are married in Lexington, Buffalo Forge, Virginia.
29 Jan 1897
Birth
Lexington, Virginia
Minnie Maude GILLESPIE was born in Lexington, Virginia, daughter of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD
21 Jun 1898
Birth
Lexington, Virginia
Ashby Paul GILLESPIE was born in Lexington, Virginia, son of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD
20 Jun 1899
Death
Lexington, Virginia
James Calvin DONALD, age 63, son of John DONALD and Nancy MATCHETT, dies in Lexington, Virginia. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth and children James H, Aurelia, John Charlton, and Laura.
1900
Census
Lexington, Virginia
Wyatt, age 34, and Laura, age 23, are living in Lexington, Rockbridge, Virginia in a house that they are renting.
In 1900, they have two children: Minnie, age 3, and Ashby, age 1
Wyatt works as a Carpenter, as was unemployed for two months of the past year.
Both Wyatt and Laura, can read and write.
15 Jul 1901
Birth
Lexington, Virginia
Eva Dold GILLESPIE was born in Lexington, Virginia, daughter of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD
5 Jan 1904
Birth
Lexington, Virginia
Clinton Clifton GILLESPIE was born in Lexington, Virginia, son of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD.
7 Nov 1907
Land Purchase
Lexington, Virginia
Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD purchased the property at 108 Houston St from J. A. CAMP for the sum of $400.00
10 Dec 1907
Birth
Lexington, Virginia
Louise Graham GILLESPIE was born in Lexington, Virginia, daughter of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD
9 Jun 1910
Birth
Lexington, Virginia
Fred Douglas GILLESPIE was born in Lexington, Virginia, son of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD.
1910
Census
Lexington, Virginia
Wyatt, age 44, and Laura, age 33, live at 108 Houston Street, in Lexington, Rockbridge, Virginia in a house that they own.
The house is listed as being owned without a mortage. And it is listed as a home and not a farm.
Wyatt is working as a Carpenter, working mainly on houses; he has been employed for the last 12 months.
They have five children in in 1910: Minnie, age 13, Ashby, age 11, Eva, age 8, Clinton, age 5, and Louise, age 3.
Everyone, except for Clinton and Louise, are listed as being able to read and write, and Minnie, Ashby, and Eva all attended school within the year.
20 Mar 1914
Birth
Lexington, Virginia
Gilbert McClung GILLESPIE was born in Lexington, Virginia, son of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE, age 48, and Laura Cecile DONALD, age 37. He is their seventh child and their fourth son.
1 Nov 1918
Birth
Lexington, Virginia
Helen Mae GILLESPIE was born in Lexington, Virginia, daughter of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD.
1920
Census
Lexington, Virginia
In 1920, all eight children are living with Wyatt,age 54, and Laura, age 43, as well as Wyatt's older sister Harriet, age 69.
The house is at 108 Houston Street
Wyatt is listed as both a Carpenter and a farmer.
Minnie is working as a salesladdy in a dry goods store and Ashby is working as an Electrician in a Power Plant.
Eva, Clinton, Louise, and Fred have all attended school withing the year.
1930
Census
Lexington, Virginia
In 1930, Minnie, Louise, Fred, Gilbert and Helen are all living at home with their parents Wyatt, age 65, and Laura, age 53.
The house is at 108 Houston Street, and is worth about $2,000.
Wyatt is working as a Carpenter, doing odd jobs; Laura has no occupation.
Minnie is working as saleslady in a dry goods store, Eva and Louise as teachers. Fred has no occupation listed and Gilbert is working as a salesman in a dry good store. Helen is not working.
Fred, Gilbert, and Helen had all attended school within the last year.
The stock market had crashed in September of 1929, which is probably why jobs were not as steady for the family at this point. Wyatt is listed as being unemployed and number 29 on the unemployment schedule.
The family is listed as being number 3 on the farm schedule.
This census page is District 6, Lexington, Rockbridge, Virginia, 1930; sheeat No. 10A. Enumeration District 82-6; Supervisor's District No. 3. The enumerator was James H Fitch and he recorded this information on April 9, 1930.
14 Jun 1935
Marriage
unknown
Gilbert McClung GILLESPIE, age 21, son of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD, marries Ann "Judy" Irene FEAZELL, age 18, daughter of Adam Franklin FEAZELL and Clara Ellen HASH
19 Feb 1941
Death
Lexington, Virginia
Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE, age 75, son of Jeremiah GILLESPIE and Mary Elizabeth GILLESPIE dies in Lexington, Virginia
17 Aug 1949
Marriage
Lexington, Virginia
Helen Mae GILLESPIE, age 31, of Lexington, Virginia, daughter of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD, married John Calvin Keezel, age 35, son of Charles KEEZEL and Anna Louise AKCER, in Lexington, Virginia
Clinton Clifton GILLESPIE, age 48, son of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD, marries Ernestine CONNER, age 44.
1 Apr 1958
Death
Lexington, Virginia
Minnie Maude GILLESPIE, age 61, daughter of Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE and Laura Cecile DONALD dies in Lexington, Virginia. Minnie was never married.
23 Aug 1964
Death
Lexington, Virginia
Laura Cecile DONALD dies in Rockbridge, Virginia. She was survived by her children, Ashby, Eva, Clinton, Louise, Fred, Gilbert, and Helen