Michael K. Donovan (1837-1907) Alternate

BURKE, DONOVAN, MCGINLEY, MCGRATH

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:49

October 11, 1837 --- March 14, 1929

MAYOR DONOVAN ANSWERS CALL

After Struggle of Two Months Peacefully Breathes his Last at 2 o’clock a. m. March 14th

The deceased was born in Canada where he lived until 18 years of age when he went to Wisconsin and spent ten years in the pineries.

In l865 he was married to Miss Margaret McGuiley [McGinley], an acquaintance of his boyhood in Canada. After his marriage he farmed two years in Wisconsin, and then came to Franklin county this state, where he purchased a farm of about 400 acres upon which he lived until 1893 when he sold it and came to Wright county, buying the half section farm south of Eagle Grove.

While in Franklin county Mr. Donovan was Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and was at one time the democratic candidate for sheriff, receiving all the votes of his township except two. He lived upon his farm near this city until December 1896 when he leased the farm and became a resident ot Eagle Grove, the family moving into the present residence on Eastern Ave. which he built the preceding summer.

To Mr. and Mrs. Donovan ten children were born, five boys and five girls. Six children are now living, three sons, D. S., Don and Louie, and three daughters, Mary, Nellie and Alice. Two girls and one boy died in Franklin county with diphtheria, two in one week, and one son was killed in an accident at St. Louis about two years ago.

In 1900 Mr. Donovan was elected to the city council, and in 1902 was reelected, and in the spring of 1903 was elected mayor of the city, in which position he made an enviable record as a watchful and efficient executive and careful guardian of the city's interests.

He was always active and strong in politics, his first presidential vote was given to Stephen, A. Douglas. He has since affiliated with the democratic party and was the Wright county member of the 3rd district congressional committee. In politics as in all other matters he was a man resolute and positive in his convictions and fearless in their advocacy and following.

The funeral was held at Sacred Heart church of which he was a devoted member, Saturday March 16, at 10 a. m. The city officials formed part of the cortege to the church where they were seated in a body during the services. The floral tributes were many and beautiful, a large mat of roses being contributed by the city officials.

Rev. Father O'Brien was assisted in the services by Father Garland of Charles City, Father Murray of Clarion and Father Mclhenry of Belmond. The sermon was by Rev. Father Garland, until two years ago the priest of this parish. The Reverend Father eulogized the deceased for his many virtues as husband, parent, citizen, Catholic and friend, all finding a warm endorsement in every acquaintance present.

While the deceased was a man of radical character, determined will and strong individuality he was respected by all, and the large church was crowded with people anxious to pay this last tribute of esteem to his memory. So great was the gathering many were unable to gain entrance to the church.

The interment was in Gethsemane cemetery.

Those from abroad attending the funeral were the deceased's brother, James Donovan of Minneapolis; his sister, Mrs. J. K. Burt [Burke], of Waseca, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. McGrath of Mason City; Mr. and Mrs. McGrath of Ackley; and the three sons, D. S., M. D., and Louis of Butte, Mont. The bereaved wife and mother and surviving children have the warm sympathy of all in their great affliction.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
March 21, 1907

Times Gazette: Mayor M. K. Donovan is dead. He passed away after a short illness early Thursday morning. The end came peacefully, while the morning hours were just winging their way westward, and his valiant spirit was borne to that abode prepared for those who die with the knowledge to be at peace with all mankind. Altho Mayor Donovan's demise has been a question of but a short time, nevertheless his many friends and associates could hardly realize that no more would they be able to grasp the strong hand and hear the sound of his laughter. Mr. Donovan's life was one filled with many activities. Nature endowed him with a strong and healthy body, she granted him with more than the usual strength of mind and character. His nature was a rugged one. Born of Canadian parents, nevertheless he was an ardent and faithful citizen of the States. In both private and public life Mr. Donovan achieved considerable success and in his public career he was honored many times by his friends. At the time of his death he was just completing his second term as mayor of this city, and he laid aside the toga of this office as the candle light was extinguished.

Clarion Clipper --- Clarion, Iowa
March 22, 1907

BURY OUR MAGISTRATE

The Life and Work of M. K. Donovan.

DEAD, BUT IS ALIVE

A Long and Energetic Career Is Ended. All Mourn the Death of an Illustrious Citizen.

The funeral services of the late lamented M. K. Donovan, were held at the Sacred Heart church Saturday morning at ten o'clock, Solemn Requiem High Mass being celebrated, Rev. Father O'Brien, the pastor of the deceased, assisted by Fathers Murray, of Clarion, and Mclhenry, of Belmond, being the celebrant. Very Rev. Father Garland, of Charles City, who had been Mr. Donovan's pastor for sixteen years, preached a short funeral sermon, extolling a few of the many good qualities and generous characteristics of the deceased. The little church in which Mr. Donovan had paid his devotions to the faith in which he died was filled to overflowing with friends of all walks and stations of life who gathered to pay their respect to one whom they had honored and respected so highly, and to assist in the last sad rites. The following obituary was prepared by Frank Yeoman, of Logan, who was a life-long friend and comrade of the deceased, and his eloquent pen even has failed him at times in expressing his sorrow at our loss and in noting the good qualities of M. K. Donovan.

A notice of the recent death of Hon. M. K. Donovan, late Mayor of Eagle Grove, Iowa, has appeared in several papers of the state; but as one who knew him intimately enjoyed his friendship and fully appreciated his talents and his characters, I wish to pay this further tribute to his memory.

M. K. Donovan was born at St. Agatha, Canada, Oct. 11th, 1837 and died in Eagle Grove, Iowa, March 14, 1907, aged 69 years, 5 months and 3 days. His parents were both born in Ireland and came to Canada, when quite young. They were engaged in farming at the time of Michaels birth. He lived with his parents till he was 19 years of age when he went to Wisconsin near Fond du Lac and still pursued the occupation of a farmer.

In 1857 he declared his intention of becoming, a citizen of the United States and having been admitted to full citizenship in 1860, cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas, the nominee of the Democratic party for president. He affiliated with the Democracy during the remainder of his life, and was always a man of mark, and influence in its councils and conventions.

In 1865 he was married to Margaret McGarley [McGinley], who still lives to mourn the loss of her noble and loving husband.

To this union ten children were born of whom six survive, viz: M. D. and Louis P.; of Butte, Mont., B. S., of Anaconda, Mont., Alice, of Cedar Rapids, and Mary and Nellie, of Eagle Grove. All of the children and many of the immediate relatives were at his bedside when the end came. Mrs. Donovan was confined to her bed with a broken hip. Besides his wife and children he left two brothers James, of Minneapolis, and William, of Great Falls, Mont.; and three sisters, Mrs. J. K. Burke, of Waseca, Minn., and Sisters Frances and Lucy, of the Good Shepard [Sheperd] St. Paul, Minnesota.

In 1869 Mr. Donovan moved from Wisconsin to Iowa and settled near Ackley, but in Franklin county where he resided till 1893. While living there he was elected justice of peace and re-elected for six successive terms. His commanding presence, his judicial mind, his impartiality, sound judgment and discretion made him the arbiter in every dispute and endeared him to the hearts of all who know him; He was leader in every commendable enterprise and his stalwart form was a familiar figure in every gathering of importance.

In 1893 he moved from Franklin to Wright county and settled on a farm he purchased in Troy township south of Eagle Grove. Here he remained until 1896, when he retired from the active management of his farm, built a residence in Eagle Grove, to which place he moved and in which he was living at the time of his death.

Mr. Donovan was not permitted to remain inactive-in his new home. His fellow citizens recognized his ability, honesty and usefulness. They elected him alderman in 1900, an office he held till 1903, when he resigned, to accept the office of Mayor to which he had been elected. This office he held at the time of his death. No man ever held and office more worthily.

The prefix " Hon" to which his election as Mayor entitles him, conferred no additional distinction on him, nor did he and his fellow citizens so consider it; but it is not meaningless in his case, as in that of so many others, for it fittingly indicates the character of the man, manner of man, he was so manly man, an honorable man. He was a man of correct principles, manliness, honor, lofty ideals and the courage to avow his convictions were his prominent characteristics.

It is not the design of this article to follow his life thru all the years preceding his death. It is sufficient to say that he established a reputation for industry, thrift, honesty and fidelity to ever trust that followed him thru life in every community in which his residence was found. “His word was as good as his bond” and his enterprise helped others as well as himself.

He was happily married to her who ‘walked the earth' with him as his loved and loving wife for forty-two years, and who still survives him. To her love and helpfulness he owes his success.

The recollection of this loving husband and father who cherished them so tenderly, whose noble example was always before them, whose counsel guided them, whose strong arm protected them, whose every heart throb was for their last good is the best and most valuable inheritance he has left his wife and children.

But he is dead; and a few days ago, men said they buried him. They are mistaken, but they are not to be blamed for they merely used a common expression to show that the place on earth that once knew him, will know him no more. He is not dead. His body is dead, and it was his body, not M. K. Donovan, that they buried. He has simply passed on to another habitation. Buried M. K. Donovan? Not so. To have buried him you must have buried his birth place where he still is remembered, and where he laid the foundation for that beautiful superstructure of character which he erected for himself. You must have buried every enterprise in which he was ever engaged, and which still exists as evidence of his activity—of his skill and of his usefulness. You must bury the official record of the offices he has held, the homes he has built and every heart he has gladdened before you can be said to have buried him. No; such a man never dies—is never buried. He lives, for ever, but not here. True it is that the temporary shell that encloses the man, like a building in which we live, becomes impaired, decays, and drops back to mother earth; but the Man still lives, and it is a beautiful, a consoling thought that in another sphere his heart comes back to us, as ours goes out to him. That as we remember him, think of him, speak of him, and still love him, so also, in his new house, he remembers us, thinks of us, speaks of us, perhaps to those who have known us here, and loves us still. Let us believe this and be comforted.

Times Gazette --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
March 22, 1907