Lived Here For Over Half A Century

LIVED HERE FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY

Patrick Donovan Serious Ill at His Home

Was a Member of the School Board for Twenty-Five Years -- Is Now 90 Years Old

Patrick Donovan, one of the oldest, most respected and prominent citizens of Ann Arbor, lies ill at his home, 935 Maiden Lane, suffering from a general break down due to old age, he having passed the 90th mile-stone.

Mr. Donovan was born in Ireland in 1812. He came to this country and settled in New York when only 16 years old. At the age of 21, he applied for his naturalization papers and was obliged to take out only one set. While still in New York, Mr. Donovan bought in Ann Arbor the little place of business where Henry Lodholz now conducts a grocery store. Soon after purchasing this property Mr. Donovan removed to Ann Arbor with his wife, whom he met and married in New York and whose maiden name was Katherine O'Hara.

For about 40 years Mr. Donovan conducted a grocery and dry goods store in this place, selling out during the war He then purchased the corner store where Will Lodholz is now located and afterward sold this out also, and removed to the store at 1006 Broadway, where he has conducted a notion store ever since. The store is at least 75 years old and its fixtures, although not so old, are all landmarks, even to its proprietor, who has been a resident of Ann Arbor 58 years, being in business here all that time.

A remarkable incident in connection with Mr. Donovan's life is the fact that in his ninety years of existence he has never had a physical until this last illness. He was around superintending the store until last Thursday and during these last days he was as punctual in his habits as when 40 years ago he was in the prime of life.

Mr. Donovan has served on the school board of Ann Arbor many years, probably twenty-five, and resigned several years ago owing to his advancing age. He was on the committee on buildings and repairs and was very conscientious, attending every meeting at which he was needed. It is said that he was so regular in his habits that when he attended one of these meetings he would make up the time spent the night previous by retiring that much earlier the next evening.

Mr. Donovan is the father of eight children, a son, Daniel, being dead about sixteen years. They are John Donovan, Philadelphia; James, Ann Arbor; William. Lansing; Margaret, Ann Arbor; Cornelius, chief engineer of the government works at Port Eads, Louisiana; Edward, Philadelphia; George, Plattsmouth, Neb., and Charles, Sioux City, Iowa.