Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Donahoe, Edward ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 6, 2008, 3:58 am Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907 Edward Donahoe, living retired in a pleasant home in Wilmington, was for many years actively engaged in commercial pursuits in this village. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, January 7, 1848, and when a little lad was brought to this country on a sailing vessel by his parents, Timothy and Mary (Williams) Donahoe, both of whom were natives of the Emerald isle. They arrived in the United States in April, 1854, making their way at once to Joliet, Illinois. They were communicants of the Roman Catholic church and both passed away in this village, the former at the advanced age of eighty years. The son acquired his education in the public schools of Joliet and remained with his parents through the period of his boyhood and youth. In September, 1867, when a youth of nineteen years, he came to Wilmington and here engaged in business as a dealer in groceries, provisions, crockery, glass, wooden and willow ware. He applied himself diligently to his new business venture, and by his capable management and fair dealing soon demonstrated his ability to rank with the leading merchants of this community. In 1874 he established a branch store at Braidwood, which he afterward turned over to his brother, John T. Donahoe. Mr. Donahoe continued his business enterprise here until 1889, when he sold out, but the following year resumed business operations, conducting his store with gratifying success until 1895, when he turned the business over to his son and daughter, Timothy J. and Rita Donahoe, now continuing the business which was established by their father almost a half century ago, so that the name of Donahoe is a familiar one in commercial circles. Although leading a very active and busy life, Mr. Donahoe always found time for public interests, being a member of the city council in 1876-77, and his aid and support can always be counted upon in movements or measures which tend toward the advancement of his town or county. He is public spirited to a marked degree and is one of the leading citizens of this section of the county. During his active life he accumulated a comfortable competence, which now enables him to live in honorable retirement in a pleasant home, surrounded by his family and many warm friends. He is the owner of the Empire block in Wilmington, which he has remodeled and improved, making it an up-to-date building, now worth about twenty thousand dollars. The first floor is occupied by three stores and the Commercial National Bank; the second floor is used as an opera house and office rooms; and the third floor as lodge rooms. On the 1st of February, 1872, Mr. Donahoe was united in marriage to Miss Bridget Feehan, of Wilton township, who was born in Ireland and brought to the United States during her infancy. They became the parents of six children, of whom five are still living, namely: Mary J., now the wife of A. B. Towle, a resident of Wilmington; Mathew J., who is engaged in the hardware business at Wilmington; Rita; Frances; and Edward P., who in connection with his sister Rita is engaged in the grocery business in Wilmington. One son, Timothy J., died December 23, 1904. The family are prominent both in business and social circles in their home town. In religious faith they are communicants of the Catholic church, and Mr. Donahoe is identified with a number of fraternal orders, including the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 124; the Elks lodge, No. 296, of Joliet; and Division No. 4 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians at Joliet. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/donahoe2550nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb