Taylor Donovon
Taylor Donovan, a substantial citizen and self-made man of Delaware County, Ohio, who owns and operates a farm of 184 acres in Marlborough Township, was born November 24, 1850, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Wagonseller) Donovon, natives of Pennsylvania.
In 1859 Taylor Donovon was brought by his parents from his native place to Delaware County, Ohio, where his father established himself in the butchering business, an occupation which he followed until a short time prior to his death in 1865. Taylor Donovon learned the butchering business with his father, and in 1873 engaged therein on Main Street, Delaware, where he remained until 1880, and in that year removed to Montgomery County, Iowa, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for twelve years. Mr. Donovon then removed to Sunbury, Ohio, where he spent nearly twelve years, and in 1903 he removed to his present property, one of Marlborough Townships best farms. Mr. Donovon engages in a general line of farming and stockraising. His efforts have met with success and he is placed with the solid, substantial men of his township.
On December 25, 1881, Mr. Donovon was married to Ida C. Mason, who was born March 19, 1861, in Montgomery County, Iowa, and is a daughter of Parley J. and Susan C. (Bean) Mason, who were natives of New Hampshire and early settlers of Montgomery County, lowa. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Donovon: James, residing in Marlborough Township; George, residing at Sunbury, Ohio; Nellie M., Blanche and Joseph. Mr. Donovon is a Democrat in his political views, and while a resident of Sunbury served as a member of the Town Council. He has always been interested in educational movements, and has been found in the front rank of all enterprises calculated to be of benefit to his township.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908