JOHN DONOVAN, an early settler of this town, was born in June, 1820, in Tipperary county, Ireland, where he was engaged in farming until 1852. Then, coming to America, he resided on a farm, in Columbia county, New York. In May, 1857, after having spent one winter in Illinois, Mr. Donovan came to Minnesota, resided for seven years in Sherburne county, and came to this town, taking a timber farm and homestead. The following year, (1865), he brought his family to their new home, which is now one of the best improved farms in the town. Mr. Donovan was the first Justice of the Peace in the town, and in 1872, was elected County Commissioner, which office he held three years. On the 23d of October, 1856, he married Miss Bridget Doolan. They have two sons.

History of the Upper Mississippi Valley (1881) p. 354 [Gilmanton]