Legislator Details
Portrait of John Donovan scanned from Men of Progress p.403.
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Sarah Isham of Kennedy, NY, 1874; see noteable facts.; married Margaret
Number of Children: 0
Background
Education:
Privately tutored and attended Youngstown HighSchool, NY.
Biographical Sketch:
Of Irish parentage, his father, Patrick Donovan, came to America at 19 from Cork, Ireland. His mother was Julia Scully, of Pittsburg, PA. His parents moved to Youngstown, NY during his infancy. At 15, he was apprenticed to a general mason and to make his practice consistent with his teaching, young Donovan was instructed in the art of carrying mortar and brick, breaking stone and mixing mortar, at a compensation of 17 cents per day. He became a sub-foreman for his father, but was bored with the work. He became principal of Youngstown H.S. for one year. He relocated to Michigan, 1865 and relocated to Flint, MI to become the superintendent of the High School building in 1870. He continued his occupation of contractor and builder there until 1879, but diversified his labors by teaching three years, 1876-79, in the parochial school at Flint. In 1879, he moved to West Bay City and built the Lumberman's Bank building, and a year later moved to Bay City, where he was an extensive contractor and builder. Losing candidate for Michigan Secretary of State, 1902. He was a member of the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and of the Knights of Columbus.
Notable Facts:
Men of Progress puts his wedding date as November 11, 1873. Death certificate says he was born in 1842.
Was only Democratic member of Michigan Legislature during the 1895-96 term.