James F. Donaldson was born November 11th, 1845 in South Carolina his family would come to Arkansas just in time for the outbreak of the Civil War. James had no want in joining to fight in the war but in June of 1864, he would be conscripted to fight in the Civil war. He would serve under Col. Coffee’s Confederate Cavalry. In two official records, we get two different accounts of how his service ended. His report while at the Confederate home in Little Rock states his service ceased when the company disbanded further his record also states he was not captured, or wounded. But Confederate army records for James say in November “he deserted and ran to the enemy and took the oath”.   After the war he would return home and move to Boone County Arkansas where he would meet his spouse Margaret and get married in February of 1871, they would raise 6 children together in their marriage. Sometime prior to 1900 James and Margaret would move to Carroll County Arkansas on Long Creek. Mr. Donaldson would work as a farmer most of his life before moving to Green Forest. He would live on the first street and have his own blacksmithing shop in town at the age of 74. On February 5th, 1924 James would wake up in the morning with his wife Margaret to turn and find she had passed away in her sleep during the night. Mrs. Donaldson would be Buried in the Glenwood Cemetery in Green Forest. In 1927 James would file for his Confederate pension.  James would get remarried to Tennessee Harbert in 1928 it seems as though the marriage did not last more than two years James stated Divorced in the 1930 census while being a boarder with Dorcas Fancher and 5 other boarders. On Aug 14th, 1933 Mr. Donaldson would file to be sent to the Little Rock Confederate home. Official Records state “Mr. J.F. Donaldson a Confederate Veteran is living in Green Forest, Arkansas and since his pension has stopped, he is destitute and unable to perform labor, therefore, it is thought best to get him in the soldier’s home. Signed H. G. Luther.” Mr. Donaldson was admitted to the Sweet Home Confederate home in 1935. While in the home he would take regular trips back to Green Forest to see his son Henry and Charles. The home was just like the army and would give furloughs to the old veterans to go see family and loved ones. The home was set up with a reduced military style of living allowing the Old Southern Soldiers to reminisce on the days gone by. When visiting family James would ride the bus back to Green Forest and it was something that he really enjoyed doing according to correspondents from the home. James was very active in his elderly age always moving and going places until 1940. On January 20th, 1940 a letter was sent on behalf of James health to his son Henry stating “Your father, Mr. J.F. Donaldson has not been very well for several days, in fact, he was taken with a cold, and doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I am sure you understand that when a person reaches the age of Mr. Donaldson, it is impossible to know just what the outcome will be. While I do not think there is any reason for alarm, today, over his condition, but wanted to let you know that he is not well. Perhaps a message from you would cheer him up and would make him feel better. Signed J. M. Sadler Confederate Home”. Henry would write a letter back thanking him for letting him know but would like regular updates on his father James' physical and mental health and to wish his father to get to feeling better for when they come to visit soon. The superintendent responded on February 6th, 1940 with “Your letter was received, I will say that he is much better than he was a few weeks ago. During his sickness, he took nourishment in the way of liquids and milk especially, which helped him wonderfully. An to his physical condition of course he is better, but not yet able to get around much and is on the bed most of the time. As to his mental Condition, it seems at times his mind is clear and at other times he is lost in a mystified condition. I hope when you visit him, his mental condition will be better. Yours very truly, J. M. Sadler Superintendent”. This was the last correspondence between the family on record. It is unknown to my research whether the family made it down to see him one last time prior to his passing. James F. Donaldson would pass away at the Little Rock Confederate home on July 1st, 1940 he was the oldest and last Confederate Veteran to be buried in Carroll County. His final resting place is in Glenwood Cemetery in Green Forest next to his first wife Margaret.

 

 

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