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Obituaries
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John Donovan
Death of a pioneer
John Donovan of Dunham called to his reward
Llived to the ripe old age of 88 years - 60 of which were passed on his farm in dunham township
John Donovan one of Dunham’s oldest pioneers, died at his home in the township Monday, age 88 years. Death came
as a result of extreme age. The demise of this venerable old man closes the earthly career of one of the
county’s fist settlers as Mr. Donovan was a resident of Dunham for more than 60 years.
He was born in Ireland and when a young man came to the United States locating at Buffalo where he was married.
A few years after his marriage he and his wife left for the far west locating on a farm on the township line of
Dunham and Marengo, his home until his death, his wife Hanarah “Hannah” (Sweeney), having passed to the world beyond
13 years ago. He was a successful farmer and soon became the owner of 200 acres of valuable land. He was the father
of nine children, two of whom are dead. The living children are: Michael Francis Donovan (wife Catherine Gleason
Donovan) of Alden, Mrs. Catherine O’Brien (wife of John G. O’Brien) of Dunham, John Donovan (wife Jane Carey Donovan)
of Motley, Minnesota, Mrs. Edith Dwyer (wife of Michael Dwyer) of Chicago, Hannah Donovan, Fannie Donovan and Patrick
Donovan residing at home. The deceased members were: Mrs. Margaret O’Brien (wife of Michael O’Brien) of Dunham,
and Mrs. Mary Ann Callahan (wife of John Callahan) who died several years ago at Wauseca, Minnesota.
Mr. Donovan was highly esteemed by all that knew him. He was an honest citizen, a generous neighbor and a kind
father. The fact that he began his humble circumstances and managed thru honest toil to become the owner of a well
improved farm shows that he was industrious and ambitious. The army of pioneers of mchenry county are being
rapidly thinned and but few of them remain who saw the virgin soil before it was converted to a state of usefulness.
Mr. Donovan belonged to that band of hardy men who endured the fatigue and privations of pioneer days in mchenry
county. His life’s work is done and he has left behind a good name and unblemished character.
Besides the children he leaves behind many grandchildren, among the list:
"Al" Alfonse Michael Donovan, John Frances Donovan, Timothy V Donovan,
"Frank" Francis Daniel Donovan, Benedict "Benjamin" Donovan, Mary Elizabeth Donovan, "Willie"
William H Donovan, Raymond Donovan, Margaret "Ruth" Donovan, Herbert "James" Donovan, Gilbert
"Joseph" Donovan, Matthew Sylvester Donovan (CHILDREN OF SON MICHAEL & CATHERINE DONOVAN OF ALDEN),
Everett O'Brien, Margaret O'Brien, John O'Brien, Henry O'Brien, Martha O'Brien, Cornelus O'Brien (CHILDREN OF DAUGHTER
CATHERINE AND JOHN G. O’BRIEN OF DUNHAM), John Dwyer, James Dwyer (CHILDREN OF DAUGHTER EDITH & MICHAEL
F. DWYER OF CHICAGO), Edith Donovan, Harold "Harry" Donovan, Jennie May Donovan, John Francis Donovan
(CHILDREN OF SON JOHN & JANE DONOVAN OF MOTLEY, MINNESOTA), John J O'Brien, Albert W. O'Brien, William Alphouse
O'Brien, Margaret J. O'Brien, Honora Isabelle O'Brien, Catherine Dorothy O'Brien, Francis Cornelius O'Brien,
Henry Michael O'Brien (CHILDREN OF DAUGHTER MARGARET & MICHAEL O’BRIEN OF DUNHAM),
John Henry Callahan, Arthur D. Callahan, William J. Callahan, Joseph Callahan, Mabel Mary Callahan, Ann Callahan
(CHILDREN OF DAUGHTER MARY ANN & JOHN F. CALLAHAN OF WAUSECA, MINNESOTA)
As well as many daughter & son in laws.
[The Harvard Herald , January 28, 1904 - Contributed by Penny Dononvan]