Jeremiah Donovan Explained

Jeremiah Donovan
Birth Date:18 October 1857[1]
Birth Place:Ridgefield, Connecticut, US
Death Place:Norwalk, Connecticut, US
Restingplace:St John's Cemetery
Norwalk, Connecticut, US
Office:Mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut
Term Start:1917
Term End:1921
Order:17th
Predecessor:Carl Harstrom
Successor:Calvin Barton
Office2:Member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut's 4th District
Term Start2:March 4, 1913
Term End2:March 3, 1915
Predecessor2:Ebenezer J. Hill
Successor2:Ebenezer J. Hill
Office3:Member of the Connecticut Senate from the 26th District
Term Start3:1905
Term End3:1909
Predecessor3:District Established
Successor3:Joseph F. Silliman
Term Start4:1911
Term End4:1913
Predecessor4:Joseph F. Silliman
Successor4:Hanford Weed
Office5:Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
Term Start5:1903
Term End5:1904
Alongside5:Wallace Dann
Predecessor5:Elbert Adams,
John H. Light
Successor5:Mortimer M. Lee
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:Ridgefield Academy
Occupation:Tavern owner

Jeremiah Donovan (October 18, 1857 – April 22, 1935) was a saloon owner and Democratic politician in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1903 and 1904. He served in the Connecticut Senate representing the 26th District from 1905 to 1909, and from 1911 to 1913. He served in the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut's 4th congressional district from 1913 to 1915. He was the 17th mayor of the city of Norwalk, Connecticut from 1917 to 1921.

Early life

He was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut[1] where he attended the public schools and was graduated from Ridgefield Academy. He moved to South Norwalk in 1870. He engaged in the retail liquor business until 1898 when he retired. His saloon at the corner of Washington and Water streets is still in business, now named Donovan's and Mackenzie's.

Political career

Donovan was a member of the Norwalk city council and also served as deputy sheriff. Donovan was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from 1896 to 1916. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1903 and 1904 and served in the Connecticut Senate 1905-1909. He was elected to the Sixty-third Congress from March 4, 1913 to March 3, 1915, but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1914 to the Sixty-fourth Congress. He was the mayor of the city of Norwalk, Connecticut 1917-1921. He retired before dying in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1935. He was buried at St. John's Cemetery.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress - Retro Member details. bioguideretro.congress.gov.