John Joseph Donovan | |
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| Born | September 8, 1858 |
| Died | January 9, 1937 (aged 78) |
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| Alma mater | Worcester Polytechnic Institute[2] |
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| Years active | 1888 – c. 1935 |
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| Known for | A Washington State pioneer and one of the key founders and developers of Bellingham, Washington who played a key role in the merger of Fairhaven and Whatcom, Washington. He was an active citizen, businessman, and political figure on city, county, and state levels. He established, developed, and directed lumber mills, coal mines, and small railroads. |
| Political party | Republican[9] |
| Spouse | Clara Isabel Nichols (married 1888 – 1936)[3] |
| Children | 3[8] |
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John Joseph Donovan (September 8, 1858 – January 9, 1937) was a Washington State pioneer and the president of the state Chamber of Commerce, as well as one of the key founders of the City Council of Bellingham, Washington. During his life, Donovan actively participated in political, industrial, and commercial activity on city, county, and state levels. Several historic landmarks exist in Bellingham honoring J. J. Donovan, including his house, which was added to the National Historic Register, and a bronze statue installed in Fairhaven, Washington.
One of Donovan's influential achievements as councilman was the merger of Fairhaven and Whatcom, the two towns that formed the city of Bellingham. He played a key role in organizing the city's sewage system and building its first hospital, and served as the vice president of the First National Bank of Bellingham. He designed and built the first ocean dock on the bay and developed the first hydraulic power plant in Whatcom County.
On the state level, he actively lobbied the building of trunk highways. As an industrial businessman, Donovan founded, developed, or directed a number of companies, including railroads, lumber mills, and coal mines. Under his supervision as the general superintendent and chief engineer of the Bellingham Bay & British Columbia Railroad, the railroad line to Spokane was extended. Later, Donovan also connected Bellingham with Canada by railroad. He contributed to the lumber and coal mining businesses of the state by establishing the Blue Canyon Coal Mining Company and co-founding the Bloedel Donovan Lumber Mills company, which operated a number of sawmills and shingle mills across the state and employed 600 men.
In politics, Donovan was a strong Republican and actively opposed KKK activities in the state of Washington.
- ^ a b Successful Americans 1917, p. 204.
- ^ a b c Centralia Daily Chronicle; Jan 11, 1937.
- ^ a b Griffin 2015.
- ^ fairhaven.com 2020.
- ^ Prosser 1903, v.I, p. 289.
- ^ Snowden 1909, v.V, p. 371.
- ^ Pacific Builder and Engineer; Jun 22, 1912, p. 527.
- ^ a b Hunt & Kaylor 1917, v.II, p. 8.
- ^ Hunt & Kaylor 1917, v.II, p. 9.