ROBERT DONAVAN
Page 464
ROBERT DONAVAN
Page 464
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ROBERT DONAVAN. Prominent among the citizens of Mason County who have materially contributed to its prosperity is the subject of this sketch, who is one of the ablest farmers and stock-raisers in this section. He is the proprietor of one of the largest and best equipped farms in Mason City Township, and here he and his family have one of the best appointed and most attractive homes within its limits. His landed estate comprises eight hundred and sixty-seven acres, and the greater part of it is under the best methods of cultivation. His residence is located on section 16. Our subject was born near Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, October 21, 1822, while his father, who also bore the name of Robert, was born in Franklin County, Pa. He was a farmer by occupation and a tanner by trade, and when a young man removed to Champaign County, Ohio, where his decease occurred when sixty-eight years of age. His father, whose surname was likewise Robert, came from Ireland to America when a lad of nineteen years and located in the Keystone State. During the Revolutionary War he served three years as a private in the Continental Army. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Rachel Cox; she was born in October, 1789, in Pennsylvania and was of Irish descent. She reared a family of six sons, trained them to occupy honorable positions in life and departed this life in February, 1872. Robert of this sketch was the third in order of birth and was reared to manhood in his native county, where he attended school in a log cabin with primitive furnishings. He remained under the parental roof until September, 1848, when he came to this county and made location in what is now Mason City Township. For the first few years he rented land, and in 1852 was enabled to purchase property of his own. When coming here there were only a few families in the township and the county roundabout was little more than a wilderness, over which roamed many wild animals. Mr. Donavan was married in 1856 to Miss Caroline Laughery. Prior to this event, however, he kept bachelor's hall in a little log cabin with puncheon floor, clapboard roof and chimney built of sticks and mud. Mrs. Donavan was born in 1832, in Logan County, this state, of which section her parents were very early settlers. The latter were natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Ohio and later to Illinois. The wife of our subject was of Scotch descent and departed this life March 19, 1873, having reared a family of four sons: Francis E., Christopher C., Robert O. and Samuel C. The lady whom our subject chose as his second wife and to whom he was married February 22, 1877, was Miss Mary Colon, a native of Columbia County, N. Y. She was ten years of age when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Livingston County, this state, where they became well-to-do farmers. To Mr. and Mrs. Donavan has been born a son, John, who resides under the parental roof. He whose name heads this sketch engages in general farming, and that he had profited greatly in his undertakings is evidenced by the fact that he came to the county poor in this world's goods and now owns eight hundred and sixty-seven broad acres, and as a tiller of the soil and stock-raiser is second to none in the state. He occupies an assured position among the business men of the county, having the confidence of his associates and the regard of all his friends. He always votes with the Democratic party and gives his aid to all public measures having for their object the promotion of the welfare of the people. Mr. Donavan still has the management of his estate thought he does but little work himself and is living in peace and contentment, enjoying the fruits of his former labors. |