THE DONNELLY FAMILY

Tradition states that Irish people were sturdy, proud, and not afraid of work.

Michael Donnelly along with his four brothers migrated from Sandusky, Ohio, around 1871 to work on the Maumee Canal in Henry County. There were more opportunities here than in Sandusky.

The Donnelly brothers left their mark on Henry County as:

Michael studied law at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, and later became a judge in Henry County and later was a Judge of the Appeals Court at that time sitting in Toledo, Ohio.

James and Peter studied medicine at the old Toledo Medical College in Toledo, Ohio. At this time the Medical College was located at the corner of Page and Cherry Streets between Old Toledo Hospital situated at Cherry and Bancroft Streets and St. Vincent Hospital at its present site. James and Peter became prominent surgeons in Toledo and northwestern Ohio.

John and Patrick became farmers and lived in Liberty Township in an area called "Little Ireland."

Michael Donnelly married Mary McGurk and they had four sons. Cyril and Edwin C. became lawyers in Toledo and Justin M. became a doctor. His career came to an abrupt end in 1926. Gerald M. was a career employee with the Federal Government and served with the Veterans Administration.

Gerald M. Donnelly born in 1892 had the town of Gerald named after him. He was the last living son of the judge, and died February 15, 1973.

Judge Donnelly was a very influential man in Henry County. Tradition says that he gave part of the land where St. Augustine Cemetery is situated.

The Judge also owned the Telephone Company in Napoleon.

Judge Donnelly along with R. K. Detwiler, George K. Detwiler, W. L. Connolly, George D. Palmer, Jr., and James Donnelly founded the Donnelly Oil Company May 23, 1898 which was dissolved April 26, 1915. John E. Quinn was the Vice President of the Company. The firm was later sold to Harry Sinclair of the Sinclair Oil Company.

Judge Donnelly died in 1914 at the age of 58.

Gerald M. Donnelly, grandson of Judge Donnelly, was born in Napoleon, Ohio, July 12, 1920, married Ruth Ann Crawford of Harrison Township, in 1943, and returned to Henry County November 1, 1974, as the County Welfare Director. Three children were born. Gerald M. is employed in Toledo, Ohio; Timothy M., Perrysburg, Ohio, who is studying to be a missionary priest; and Moira Ann. Moira Ann will be enrolled in the fall term at St. Augustine grade school.

Submitted by: Gerald M. Donnelly