Frederick Donnow
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: Oct 1836 - Bremen, Germany
Christening:
Death: 2 Nov 1926 - New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Burial: 4 Nov 1926 - St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Cause of Death:
Find A Grave ID: 131657231
Events
• Immigration: From Germany, 1852.
Spouses and Children
1. *Elizabeth Beakenheffer
Marriage: 10 Apr 1858 - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Children:
1. Elizabeth Donnow
2. Caroline Donnow
3. Frederick Donnow Jr. {FGID: 167070763}
4. Rosina Donnow
Notes
General:
Per 1900 US Census: 6/12/1900, 713 Montegut, 9th Ward, New Orleans, Orleans, LA
Frederick Donnow is the 63 year old white male head of household, born October 1836 in Germany, as were his parents. He immigrated in 1852, has lived in the states for 48 years and is a naturalized citizen. He is captain of a steam ship. He owns his home free of mortgage. His wife of 47 years is the 61 year old Elizabeth Donnow, also born in Germany, of German parents. She also immigrated in 1852 and has lived in the states for 48 years. She was born in November 1838, and has had 9 children, 5 still living.
Two of their children still live at home, both single, both born in Louisiana: Caroline Donnow is 29, born October 1870; Frederick Donnow Jr. is 27, born November 1872, working as a laborer at a cooperage.
Aticle in the Times-Picayune 4/12/1908
A GOLDEN WEDDING
Oldest Living Pilot and His Charitable Spouse
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Celebrate the Happy Anniversary Surrounded by Three Generations, Both Still Hale and Hearty
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Captain and Mrs. Frederick Donnow, two of the oldest residents of the Third District, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Friday night, surrounded by their sons and daughters and a host of friends, at their pretty little cottage, No. 713 Montegut Street.
Because of several coincidences the ceremonies took on special interest and significance. Rev. G. A. Wegener, Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, corner of St. Claude and Port Streets, in which Captain and Mrs. Donnow were married in 1858, by Rev. M. Behler, since deceased, reblessed the couple in a bower of bride roses and palms, while Peter Woods, the youngest pilot of the Crescent Louisiana Pilot's Association, of which Captain Donnow is the oldest living member, was a guest.
The home was beautifully decorated in varied colors, the red, white and blue being very prominent, with the red, white and black of the Fatherland intermingled. With merry music and dancing, and a big supper served at 10:30 o'clock, all of the guests spent a delightful evening.
Captain Donnow was born in Bremen seventy-three years ago, while his spouse was born in Hesse-Darmstadt sixty-nine years ago, but both appear more like people of the middle fifties, that Captain at present being an active pilot, while his wife is very prominent in church and charity work in the lower section of the city.
Ever since the war captain Donnow has been engaged in the river business, starting as a cabin boy on the tugboat Mary Kingsley and working his way up to that of pilot and Captain. Many a good ship has he brought safely to anchorage at the city's wharves from the harbor's mouth, where he works all the year round.
Four sons and three daughters, all living, were born to the couple -- Fred, and Mrs. A. Giovanna, Mrs. J. E. Guillot and Miss D. Donnow, with twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild, the group aided in making the festivities of Friday night merry.
The old couple received many handsome presents, and among the guests were: Captain and Mrs. Roy and family, Captain Morales and family, Mrs. Norburg and son, Mrs. Oerciksen, Mrs. Blerhorst, Mr. and Mrs. W. Schoen, Mrs. Bick N. Shoen and family, Mrs. William Terry and family, Mrs. O. Pott and family, Mr. and Mrs. W. Brown, Misses M. Skiro and C. Cannon, Mrs. J. Sudabaer and family, Miss Kate Tahl, Mrs. B. Tahj, Mr. and Mrs. J. Tahl and family, Mr. and Mrs. Hatton and family, Mr. and Mrs. G. Kenrick and family, Mr. E. J. Giovanna, Misses M. Marogini and J. Reilly, Messers J. Dautreeve, F. Sissung, Paul Skiro, B. Fisher, J. L. Frantz, H. Rumeel, Brunning, Hausenkamp, Prof. Nierman, Arnold, Anthony Clarke, Thomas Brown, Mrs. F. Schultz, Misses F. Schultz and Kate Clarke, Dr. E. Pollock, Captain Behrens and family and several others.
Per 1910 US Census: 4/16/1910, 711 Montegut, 9th Ward, New Orleans, Orleans, LA
Frederick Donnow is the 71 year old white male head of household, born in Germany, as were his parents. He immigrated in 1852 He is river pilot of a steamship. He owns his home free of mortgage. His wife of 52 years is the 72 year old Elizabeth Donnow, also born in Germany, of German parents. She immigrated in 1854. She has had 9 children, 5 still living.
One of their children still lives at home: Carrie Donnow is 35, born in Louisiana and still single.
Per Times-Picayune 6/9/1911
PILOT COMMITTEE ACQUITS DONNOW OF BLAME FOR SINKING RACHEL EMERY.
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Only Neglect Was in Failure to Blow Danger Signal -- Governor Advised to Warn Him, for General benefit.
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The first official finding in connection with the collision between the Italian steamship Delphine and the tug Mongah and her tow, the berkentine Rachel Emery, resulting in the sinking of the larkentine, is that of the standing committee of the port pilots licensed by the state, and their exonerate the pilot of the Delphine.
Under the state law which govers the pilot associations, where any pilot is charged with any offense the standing committee investigates and reports to the governor, who, in his judgement, determines whether it will be necessary to have a formal trial by the three members of the Pilots' Association and the three members of the Board of Port Commissioners, who, under the law, constitute the trial court in such cases.
The report to Governor Sanders is under date of June 1, and says that they heard from Pilot Frederick Donnow, who was on the Delphine, the captain, the chief officer, the assistant engineer and lookout on that ship. The pilot and officers of the tug Mongah refused to appear, on the advice of Rier and Montgomery, their counsel. The law does not give authority to compel attendance, so the investigation was held with those who appeared voluntarilly.
"Our unanimous finding," says the report, "is that Pilot Donnow was in correct position with his ship on the river; that his judgement in not wishing to pass between the Mongah and the east bank of the river was correct; that he did blow two whistles to indicate his desire to starboard his helm and cross the river, and that the Mongah replied to him with a cross signal of one whistle, and that his action in putting his ship immediately full speed astern was correct. We find that Pilot Donnow in all respects was correct and within the laws governing pilotage on the Mississippi River in everything we have alluded to. However, we are obliged to find, and do find, that as soon as the Mongah crossed his signal it was the duty of Pilot Donnow at the time that he reversed his engine to blow the danger signal. This he failed to do, and for this we must censure him. We desire to state to your excellency, however, that this fault was technical, and would not have avoided the collision which did occur.
"In Justice to Pilot Donnow, however, we feel that we should inform your excellency that the rules required the Mongah to blow the danger signal first, and Pilot Donnow to answer with a danger signal, and that a subsequent rule provides that in cases where danger of collision is imminent either pilot may be the first to blow the danger signal."
The report concluded with the statement that the extreme limit of punishment ever imposed by the Federal authorities for a similar delinquency was twenty days' suspension, so the committee does not feel justified in recommending that the governor order a formal trial with the Dock Board. They suggest, however, that the governor write a letter of warning to Pilot Donnow, "which would be of benefit not only to this pilot, but to the pilot service, in which we are all so much interested."
The Federal inspectors will probably submit their report to Captain Cotter to-day, who will pass upon it before it is publicy announced. The Federal inspectors heard both sides, having the power to compel attendance, and as there is a radical difference as to the contentions of those on the two vessels their report is awaited with keen interest.
Per New Orleans Item 6/10/1911
BLAME DONNOW FOR COLLISION
Captain T. Donnow, pilot of the steamship Delphine, which sunk the Rachel Emery two weeks ago, is blamed for the collision near the mouth of the river, by the United States local inspectors of steam vessels, who submitted a report to Supervisor Inspector Captain John A. Cotter Friday afternoon.
The inspectors say that Captain T. Donnow violated rules 1 and 5, which say that when steamers are approaching each other from opposite directions, the signals for passing shall be a short and distinct blast of the whistle to alter course to starboard so as to pass on the port side of the other, and two short and distinct blasts of the whistle to alter course to port so as to pass on the starboard side of the other. When two steamers are meeting end on or nearly end on so as to involve risk of collision, the helms of both shall be put to port so that each may pass on the port side of the other.
Rule V says: "That when a steamer is ascending and running close on a bar or shore, the pilot shall in no case attempt to cross the river when a descending steamer shall be so near that it would be possible for a collision to ensue therefrom."
No charges are preferred against the pilot of the Delphine because he was on a foreign ship, and is not acting within the authority of his license.
The report of the pilots' committee which reported on the collision of the two steamers rendered a favorable decision for the Delphine, but it is understood that their decision will have no weight in the matter whatsoever.
Per Times-Picayune 4/6/1912
DONNOW EXONERATED
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Pilot of Heredia Held Blameless for Collision With Packet.
The river pilot commissioners have rendered a decision in the case of Frederick Donnow, one of the oldest river pilots, who was in charge of the steamship Heredia when she collided with the gasoline packet Paul last January. They said, after reviewing the matter, that Dannow should be held blameless.
The decision was sent to Governor Sanders, as the commissioners are appointed by him to investigate charges of this character.
The report stated that it would be very detrimental to this port if a pilot would be forced to achor a ship because of a fog, providing, of course, it is possible for him to navigate the vessel. In the case of the Heredia, Donnow testified that he was able to go along, guided by the tops of trees and compass, and he was hugging the left bank, as is the custom of ships leaving the port. He said the master of the Paul knew this, and should have acted accordingly.
The evidence showed that the two crafts came together broadside, both trying to avoid any serious damage. The real loss to the smaller boat occurred when the larger one, acting in the name of humanity and guided by the cries of the people on the packet, went back to render assistance. Coming too close, she hit the packet.
The United Fruit Company, which has the steamship Heredia under Charter, had the packet raised and repaired for whom it may concern.
The commissioners who heard the case follow: R. C. Plant, Joseph P. Loga, William Short.
It was stated that an effort was made to have the persons connected with the packet Paul come to the hearing and give their version of the accident, but they refused.
Per Times-Picayune 6/27/1912
THE HEREDIA's STORY
An echo of the river collsion between the United Fruit Company's ship Heredia, and the powerboat Paul, in which the latter vessel was completely wrecked, was heard in the United States District Court yesterday afternoon, in an answer to the libel filed by Captain Paul Renaud, master and part owner of the ill-fated vessel. The answer, which was filed by the Tropical Fruit and Steamship Company, places an entirely new version upon the facts advanced in the original petition. The defendant claims that the steamship Heredia left her berth on the evening of January 27, 1912, bound for Colon, and proceeding down the river in charge of Frank Donnow, a qualified pilot, at a moderate speed, not exceeding twelve miles an hour. At about 7 o'clock, the petitioner states that a heavy fog set in, which caused the speed of the vessel to be reduced, and the vessell proceeded slowly, keeping a course south by east parallel to the east bank of the river, the proper course for all descending vessels, sounding her fog signals at intervals of every half-minute. A short distance from Poverty Point, the Paul was sighted, and the engines were put full speed astern and her helm put hard aport in order to allow the approaching vessel to pass to the starboard of the Heredia, as it was supposed she would do. Defendant states that instead of keeping her course, the approaching vessel ported her helm and the Heredia swung in broadside toward the east bank, striking the said boat a glancing blow amidship, forcing her towards the east bank; that the Heredia then went ahead and swung about in order to come alongside of the Paul to render assistance, the Heredia drifting with the current striking the Paul broadside and forcing her to the bank. Finding no one lost or injured and all offers of assistance being declined, the Heredia then went out in midstream and cast anchor until daylight. The defendant claims that the collsion was not due to any fault of the Heredia, but to the wanton recklessness of those in charge of the Paul in coming up the east bank of the river after rounding Poverty Point, when they should have crossed over to the west bank of the river about three miles below where the said collision took place.
Per New Orleans States 4/7/1918
Wedded 60 Years; Couple, 82 and 81
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Capt. and Mrs. Donnow To Celebrate Anniversary
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Sixty years of married life is an unusal record, but such is the one of Captain and Mrs. Fred Donnow of 715 Montegut street. On April 10 this old couple will celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary, and the celebration is expected to be quite a large affair for an addition to the rarity of such an event, they have many friends who will come to offer congratulations.
Captain Donnow has been a river pilot for the past 40 years and is now one of the oldest pilots on the river. He is 82 years old and his wife is 81.
Four children were born to Capt. and Mrs. Donnow, three daughters and one son. They are Mrs. C. A. Giovanna, Mrs. J. E. Guillot, Mrs. G. Alberts and Fred Donnow. Twelve grandchildren are living and one great grandchild. The friends of the couple and of the family are invited to visit them on Wednesday evening, April 10, when the anniversary will be celebrated in the residence on Montegut street.
Per Times-Picayune 4/15/1923
Married Sixty-five Years.
[Photo]
Captain and Mrs. Fred Donnow, aged respectively 87 and 86, who celebrated the sixty-fifth anniversary of the wedding at their home, 715 Montegut street, last week. Both are in excellent health, and the captain does not even wear glasses. He says he eats and does anything he pleases, although in moderation, and only gave up smoking because it became distasteful two years ago. Mrs. Donnow eats oftener but not as much at a time, and her invariable "special" for supper is a couple of hard-boiled eggs. At the anniversary celebration Pastor Wagner of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, repeated the marriage ceremony originally performed in that church. Four daughters - Mmes. C. A. Giovanni, J. E. Guillot, T. Alberts and J. Bauer - twelve grandchildren, and one great grandchild attended.
Per Times-Picayune 11/4/1926
CAPTAIN FRED DONNOW, who was also know as "Captain Storm," one of the oldest river pilots, is to be buried here today. He died Tuesday at the age of 91, after a career of 53 years on the river about New Orleans. [Photo]
Aged River Pilot Died at Home Here Tuesday Night
Funeral services for Captain Fred Donnow, affectionately known along the river as 'Captain Storm," because of his willingness to take ships out in stormy weather as well as fair, will be held at his home, 713 Montegut street, at 3 p. m. today.
Captain Donnow was 91 years old when he died Tuesday night. He was a Mississippi river pilot for fifty-three years, retiring eighteen years ago. He piloted thousands of ocean-going ships from New Orleans, and Baton Rouge to the mouth of the river, and early in his career, was also a bar pilot. He was a member of the Crescent City River Pilots' Association.
He is survived by three daughters, Mesdames C. Alberts, A. Giovanna and J. Guilliot, twelve grandchildren, five great-granchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Per Findagrave
Capt Frederick "Fred" Donnow
BIRTHunknown Germany
DEATH2 Nov 1926
BURIALSaint Vincent de Paul Cemetery #1 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, USA
MEMORIAL ID131657231
DONNOW
On Thursday November 2, 1926 at 4 o'clock pm, Captain Fred Donnow, beloved husband of the late Elizabeth Beakenheffer, age 91 years, a native of Germany, and a resident of this city for the past 72 years. Mr. Donnow is survived by 3 daughters, Mrs. L Giovanna, Mrs. C Alberts and Mrs. J B Guillot
The relatives and friends of the family, also members of the Crescent River Pilots' Association, Congregation of St Paul Lutheran Church, Bethlehem Orphan Asylum, Ladies Mission Assoc., Ladies Auxiliary Society, Crescent City Council # 3, Daughters of America, Patriotic Daughters of America Camp #3, Imperial Circle #9, U A O D, are Respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the residence of the deceased, 713 Montegut street, On Thursday November 4 at 3 o'clock pm.
Interment in St Vincent dePaul Cemetery
Arrangements by Terry Bros.
New Orleans Daily Picayune 11/2/1926 p 2 c8
Family Members
Spouse
Elizabeth Beakenheffer Donnow unknown\endash 1924
Children
Frederick Donnow 1872\endash 1921