A. Victor Donahey
Encyclopedia
Alvin Victor Donahey (July 7, 1873April 8, 1946) was a Democratic Party politician from Ohio
. Donahey was the 50th Governor of Ohio and a United States Senator
from Ohio
.
Donahey was born in Cadwallader, Tuscarawas County
, Ohio
. His parents were John C. Donahey and Catherine (Chaney) Donahey. After high school he attended the Cleveland Institute of Art
and graduated from there. Donahey married Mary Edith Harvey on January 5, 1897. They had ten children.
Donahey served as County Auditor from 1905 to 1909. After serving as a delegate to the 1912 Constitutional Convention, Donahey served as State Auditor from 19121921. He did not seek re-election in 1920, running instead for Governor. Donahey lost that election but won the position two years later, serving three terms from 1923 to 1929. He did not run for re-election in 1928. He won election to the United States Senate
in 1934, unseating Republican Simeon Fess by a wide margin (1,276,208 to 839,068) and served one term in the Senate
from 1935 until 1941, before retiring.
Donahey was president of Donahey Clay Products Company and a board member of Motorists Mutual Insurance Company. He was also a director of the Ohio National Bank of Columbus, Ohio
.
Donahey's son, John W. Donahey
, served a term as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
. His daughter-in-law, Gertrude Walton Donahey
served as Ohio State Treasurer
. His brother William Donahey
was the Chicago Tribune columnist and creator of the Teenie Weenies comic strip.
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Donahey was the 50th Governor of Ohio and a United States Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
Donahey was born in Cadwallader, Tuscarawas County
Tuscarawas County, Ohio
Tuscarawas County is a county located in the eastern part of the state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 92,582. Its county seat is New Philadelphia...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. His parents were John C. Donahey and Catherine (Chaney) Donahey. After high school he attended the Cleveland Institute of Art
Cleveland Institute of Art
The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private college of art and design located in University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio. It was founded in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. From 1891 until 1948 it was named Cleveland School of Art. During the Great Depression the school...
and graduated from there. Donahey married Mary Edith Harvey on January 5, 1897. They had ten children.
Donahey served as County Auditor from 1905 to 1909. After serving as a delegate to the 1912 Constitutional Convention, Donahey served as State Auditor from 19121921. He did not seek re-election in 1920, running instead for Governor. Donahey lost that election but won the position two years later, serving three terms from 1923 to 1929. He did not run for re-election in 1928. He won election to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 1934, unseating Republican Simeon Fess by a wide margin (1,276,208 to 839,068) and served one term in the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from 1935 until 1941, before retiring.
Donahey was president of Donahey Clay Products Company and a board member of Motorists Mutual Insurance Company. He was also a director of the Ohio National Bank of Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
.
Donahey's son, John W. Donahey
John W. Donahey
John William Donahey was an American politician of the Democratic party, who served as the 53rd Lieutenant Governor of Ohio from 1959 to 1963....
, served a term as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
The position of lieutenant governor of Ohio was established in 1852. The lieutenant governor becomes governor if the governor resigns, dies in office or is removed by impeachment. Before 1852, the president of the Ohio State Senate would serve as acting governor if a vacancy in the governorship...
. His daughter-in-law, Gertrude Walton Donahey
Gertrude Walton Donahey
Gertrude Walton Donahey was an American politician of the Democratic party who served as Ohio State Treasurer from 1971 to 1983....
served as Ohio State Treasurer
Ohio State Treasurer
-List of Ohio State Treasurers:...
. His brother William Donahey
William Donahey
William Donahey was a U.S. cartoonist and creator of The Teenie Weenies, a comic strip about two-inch tall people living under a rose bush....
was the Chicago Tribune columnist and creator of the Teenie Weenies comic strip.