Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 18 text:

JOHN J. DONOVAN C AML to Montana in 1882 as rodman for the Northern Pacific R. R., and con¬ tinued with them in Montana and Washington until 1888,— my most important work being Engineer in Charge of the heavy mountain work of the Cascade Division and Montana Branch Line. Removed to Washington in the latter part of 1888, and settled in Bellingham Bay, where 1 have since lived. There were 500 people here when I came; now there are 33,000. Have been Chief Engineer and Manager of various mining and electrical companies, all of which have done fairly well, and have contributed their share toward the growth of the city and country. Nine years ago I became interested in a lumber company, which has grown so rapidly that a year ago I resigned from other companies to give it all of my time. We operate 23 miles of rail¬ road, 3 logging camps, 5 mills with 600 men and over. Have been a member of the American Society of C. E. for many years, am on the council of the National Economic League, and take interest in social and economic questions. Was married in 1888 and have three children, seventeen, fifteen and thirteen years of age.