John W. Donahey

John W. Donahey
John W. Donahey in January 1961
53rd Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
In office
January 12, 1959 – January 14, 1963
GovernorMichael DiSalle
Preceded byPaul M. Herbert
Succeeded byJohn William Brown
Personal details
Born(1905-08-26)August 26, 1905
New Philadelphia, Ohio
DiedMarch 2, 1967(1967-03-02) (aged 61)
Columbus, Ohio
Resting placeEast Avenue Cemetery, New Philadelphia, Ohio
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseGertrude Walton (m.1930-1967, his death)
RelationsA. Victor Donahey (father)
William Donahey (uncle)[1]
Children1
EducationOhio State University (attended)
Cleveland College of Western Reserve University (attended)
ProfessionInsurance agent
Government official

John William Donahey (August 26, 1905 – March 2, 1967) was an American businessman, government official, and politician from Ohio. A Democrat, he was most notable for his service as the 53rd lieutenant governor of Ohio from 1959 to 1963.

A native of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and the son of Governor and U.S. Senator A. Victor Donahey, John Donahey attended Ohio State University and Cleveland College, and supplemented his education with professional development courses through the American Institute of Banking.

During his father's governorship, Donahey served as a clerk in the governor's office. In 1930, he married Gertrude Walton, who served as a senior staff member for U.S. Senator Stephen M. Young and as Ohio State Treasurer. From 1933 to 1951, Donahey was employed as a loan examiner with the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.

In 1952, Donahey was an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Senator. In 1954 and 1956, he ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer. In 1958, he was the successful Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor and he served from 1959 to 1963. In 1962, Donahey was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for state auditor. After leaving office, Donahey worked as the Small Business Administration's regional director for Ohio.

Donahey died at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, on March 5, 1967, after he suffered a heart attack while recovering from surgery. He was buried at East Avenue Cemetery in New Philadelphia.

  1. ^ Haverstock, Mary Sayre, ed. (2000). Artists in Ohio, 1787-1900: A Biographical Dictionary. Kent, OH: Kent State University Press. p. 234. ISBN 978-0-8733-8616-6 – via Google Books.