#50 A. Victor Donahey

A. Victor Donahey

Born: July 7, 1873
Died: April 8, 1946
Political Party: Democrat
Term of Office: January 8, 1923 - January 14, 1929
Buried: East Avenue Cemetery New Philadelphia, Ohio
No.47 of 58

      Alvin Victor Donahey was born in West Chester, Ohio on July 7, 1873. "Vic" as he preferred to be called never graduated from High School. He left school in his Junior year to pursue a career as a newspaper editor. Within 3 years he would earn the rank of foreman. Over time he would come to own his own printing company, set up in New Philadelphia.

    Donahey entered politics while still in his 20's. Despite being a Democrat in a largely Republican area, he was elected to a number of local level offices including township clerk, county auditor and he was on the Board of Education for New Philadelphia school. These local offices helped him become a delegate at the 1912 Ohio Constitutional Convention. That some year he was elected Ohio State Auditor. Winning reelection in 1916, he served in that post for 8 years.

   Donahey took his first shot at the Governorship in 1920, but lost to the Republican candidate, former Cleveland Mayor Harry L Davis. In 1922, Donahey tried again and won. Donahey would go on to win reelection twice. In 1924, he beat former Governor Harry L. Davis, and in 1926, in beat future Governor Myers Y. Cooper.

   During Donahey's first 2 terms as Governor, he vetoed bills from the state legislature 117 times, earning him the nickname "Veto Vic". Governor Donahey was a Democrat at a time when the state legislature was predominately Republican. Which caused a lot of deadlock. Despite this Governor Donahey was able to reform the state's judicial system and improve the conditions of the state's roads.

   Donahey chose not to seek reelection in 1928, however his name was brought forward for consideration for President at the 1928 Democratic National Convention. He received 5 delegate votes, for the nomination ultimately went to Governor Al Smith of New York. Donahey retired from public life for awhile, but returned to politics in 1934 when he won a seat in the United States Senate. He served one 6 years term in the US Senate before retiring from politics for good in 1941.

  Governor Donahey died at his home in 1946. His son John William Donahey later served as Lt. Governor of Ohio from 1959-1963.

Donahey family gravesite

His name on his headstone simply says Vic Donahey

My kids and I at Governor Donahey's gravesite.

#44 Andrew Harris

Andrew Harris

Born: November 17, 1835
Died: September 13, 1915
Political Party: Republican
Term of Office: June 18, 1906-January 11, 1909
Buried: Mound Hill Union Cemetery Eaton, Ohio
No. 46 of 58

     

    Andrew Harris was born in Butler County Ohio in 1835. His family moved to Preble County when he was still just a couple of years old. Coming from modest beginnings, his father worked and a teacher and a farmer. He attended Miami University from 1857 to 1860. Upon graduation he returned home and began studying law at a local law firm -Thompson and Harris.

     In 1861, the Civil War broke out and Harris signed up to be a private. It didn't take long until he earned the rank of Colonel in the 75th Ohio Infantry. During his service in the Civil War, Colonel Harris was wounded twice and fought in 18 battles. Most notably, he fought in the Battle of Gettysburg where he led his men in the effort to hold Cemetery Hill, warding off several attacks from the enemy. In August 1864, he experienced an upsetting defeat at the Battle of Gainesville, in Florida. 5 months later he was "mustered out" of the Army. Best I can tell is that being "mustered out" was the equivalent of an honorable discharge. In 1866, after considering his exceptional dedication and service to his country during the war. Harris was awarded the post service rank of Brevet Brigadier General.

   Upon his return from the war, Harris began to study law again and was gained admittance to the Ohio Bar in April of 1865. 6 months later he married the daughter of a local farmer, Caroling Conger. The next year he opened up a law practice with Robert Miller in Eaton. The partnership lasted 10 years.

    Harris joined Republican politics in Ohio in 1866 by being elected to the Ohio State Senate, and later served as probate judge in Preble County. At which point he decided to retire from politics. Or so he thought.....

   In 1885, Harris returned to the State Legislature, this time in the Ohio House of Representatives. He raised in stature in Ohio Republican politics over the next few years. So much so that he was elected Lt. Governor in both 1891 and 1893 under future President, Governor William McKinley. Later on President McKinley appointed Harris to federal commission on trusts, a position that he held for 4 years. At which point Harris decided to retire from politcs again. Or so he thought....

   In 1905, Governors and Lt. Governors were elected separately, which made it possible to have a Governor and Lt. Governor of different parties. That year it was decided that the Governors would start being elected on even numbers years instead of odd numbered years. And so whoever would win the election of 1805 would win an unusual 3 year term until the next election in 1908. Harris was convinced to run for Lt. Governor again in 1905. He won the election and became Lt. Governor to the newly elected Democratic Governor John M. Pattison. Pattison was elected to the 3 year term, but sadly died about 5 months into office. At which point Harris became the 44th Governor of Ohio.

    Harris was Governor at the same time that Theodore Roosevelt was President. In this, Harris oversaw some serious reforms taking place. Ohio passed it's first food and drug laws, as well as banning corporations from influencing politics with money. Harris ran for reelection in 1909, but lost the election to Judson Harmon. Harris had previously indorsed Prohibition and made enough enemies with this stance that it cost his reelection bid.

      After his defeat he retired from politics, this time for good. He passed away from heart problems in 1915.

   I visited the final resting place of Governor Harris in June 2018. We were hitting a few sites along the Ohio Indiana line that day.

Governor Harris gravesite

Governor Harris and I