FRANK DONAVAN
Page 580
FRANK DONAVAN
Page 580
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FRANK DONAVAN, an old settler and one of the wealthiest citizens of Mason County, makes his chief occupation that of farming and stock-raising. The wide-awake manner in which he has taken advantage of every method and idea tending toward enhancing the value of his property has had considerable to do with his success in life. In addition to being a successful agriculturist whose opinions on all matters pertaining to that industry carry with them much weight in the county, Mr. Donavan is a man of broad intelligence, and has given much attention to questions of public import. He is now the proprietor of eleven hundred and forty acres of land in this state, nine hundred of which lie in Mason City Township. Originally from the Buckeye State, our subject was born in Champaign County, May 1, 1833, and is sixth in order of birth of the eight children included in the family of Robert and Rachel (Cox) Donavan. He received his education in the schools of his native county, and remained in Ohio engaged in general farming until 1861, the date of his advent in this county. His stay here, however, was a short one, and two years later he returned to Champaign County and resided there until 1871, when he made a permanent location in this county, purchasing at that time the farm on which he is now residing, and a portion of which is located on section 36. Frank Donavan was married in 1880 to Miss Mary Paul, a native of Winchester, Ohio. She was the daughter of Eben and Ann (Elrod) Paul, who removed from Ohio to this state when she was only two years of age. The five children born to our subject and his wife are Frank, Marion Arthur, Joseph S., Paul and Ada I. Our subject had followed farm pursuits all his life, and has worked very hard, increasing his acreage as opportunity afforded until now he is the happy possessor of nine hundred acres in Mason City Township, and two hundred and forty acres in Menard County, joining his other estate. He has accumulated a handsome competence and has made for himself and family such a pleasant home that he can now rest from his hard manual labors and enjoy with ease the many comforts which surround him. In his political views our subject is a strong Democrat and is now serving as a member of the school Board. He is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word, as he came to this county a poor man, and by good management and foresight has worked his way up to the top round of the ladder of fortune. He is intelligent and well informed and his splendid character has placed him in the high regard of this fellow-men. |