Clark-Walla Walla County WA Archives Biographies.....Donegan, Timothy 1859 - September 7, 1913
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Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com and   June 20, 2009, 2:58 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     TIMOTHY DONEGAN.  Few citizens of Vancouver have been held in higher 
general regard than was the late Timothy Donegan, whose death, on September 7, 
1913, was deeply regretted by all who knew him. His record stamped him as a 
man of more than ordinary ability, for he began his business career here on a 
modest scale, and by his persistent industry, close attention to his affairs 
and the exercise of sound judgment eventually attained a gratifying measure of 
success and was numbered among Vancouver's greatly esteemed merchants and 
highly respected citizens.

     Mr. Donegan was born in Ireland in 1859 and was a son of John and Anna 
(McCarthy) Donegan, also natives of that country. He attended the schools of 
his home neighborhood and at the age of sixteen years, in the hope of finding 
better opportunities for advancement, he emigrated to the United States. He 
located first in Boston, Massachusetts, where for a number of years he was 
employed in a glove tannery. He then enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment 
United States Infantry and during his service came to Vancouver. After five 
years of army life, he was honorably discharged and at once went to Walla 
Walla, Washington, where he remained about a year. Returning then to 
Vancouver, he engaged in the shoe business, establishing a small shop on Main 
street between Third and Fourth streets. This proved a successful venture and, 
requiring more room, he moved to the Wolf block, where he was located until he 
erected his own building at Seventh and Main streets, where he conducted a 
well stocked and up-to-date store and commanded a large and representative 
trade. He carried on his business personally until 1912, when his health 
failed and he spent a number of months in traveling in Europe, returning to 
his home in Vancouver before his death. The building which he erected is still 
owned by Mrs. Donegan.

     In 1889 Mr. Donegan was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. McDonnell, a 
native of California and a daughter of Columbus and Mary (McKilop) McDonnell, 
both of whom were born in Ireland. Her parents came to the Pacific coast 
during the great gold rush of 1849, making the long voyage around Cape Horn to 
San Francisco, and thence to Marin county, California, where Mr. McDonnell was 
engaged in farming for many years. In 1880 they came to Vancouver, buying a 
farm east of the city, and there spent their remaining days, the father dying 
in 1902 and the mother in 1918. This farm, which comprises one hundred and 
fifty-five acres of fertile and well improved land, is now owned by Mrs. 
Donegan. To Mr. and Mrs. Donegan was born a daughter, Marguerite, who attended 
the Vancouver public schools and was graduated from St. Mary's College in 
Portland. She is now the wife of Robert W. Schulz of Vancouver, and they have 
three children, Francis Dunning, Clair Marie and Flavia Marguerite.

     Mr. Donegan was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a man of 
sturdy integrity and consistent life, supporting those things which were 
calculated to advance the public welfare and the best interests of the city in 
which he lived. He was interested in public affairs but maintained an 
independent attitude in politics, voting for the men whom he considered best 
qualified for public office. Kind and generous in disposition, cordial and 
friendly in manner, and loyal and true in all of life's relations, he was well 
worthy of the confidence and respect which were accorded him by all who knew 
him.

Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 933-934

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