Enoch S. M. Donaldson, son of John H. Donaldson, was born January 19, 1840, in Muskingum County, Ohio. When Enoch was two years of age his father moved to Morgan County, Ohio. He remained with his father until he was twenty-two years of age, during which time he worked on the farm and attended school. He was engaged in fanning until 1864, when he went to Venango County, Pennsylvania, where he worked for three years. During part of this time he was employed by an oil company, and a part of the time worked at the shoemaker’s trade. He also learned to be a practical engineer, and followed that profession for a while. In 1867 he went to Morgan County, Ohio, where he remained a few months, when he went to Caldwell County, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming for several years. After this he moved to Sheridan Township in Daviess County, Missouri, where he purchased a farm and engaged in farming.
In 1868 he was married to Miss Charity E. McGarvin. They have had six children: Eva, Emmet, Myrtle, Walter, Joseph and Ella O.