Hunt, Herbert and Floyd C. Kaylor. Washington: West of the Cascades. Vol. II. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1917. p. 612-613. HON. FRANCIS DONAHOE: It was in 1871 that Francis Donahoe came to the Pacific coast and he has since been actively identified with the development of western Washington. Although he was in limited circumstances on coming to this region he as steadily prospered as the years have gone by until he is now one of the substantial citizens of Chehalis and is now connected with the Coffman, Dobson and Company Bank at that place. Mr. Donahoe was born on a farm in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1847, and is the fourth in order of birth in a large family of twelve children, whose parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Hendricks) Donahoe, also natives of the old Keystone state. By occupation the father was a farmer and stock raiser, and he continued to reside upon his farm in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, until his death, which occurred about 1895. The mother had passed away in 1875. In the public schools of Pennsylvania Francis Donahoe obtained his education and he remained at home, assisting in the work of the farm, until twenty years of age. He was next employed in farm labor in Illinois and Nebraska for a time but in 1871 made his way to San Francisco, California, and from there came to Port Madison, Washington, where he obtained employment in the mill then owned and managed by the firm of Meigs and Gawley. At the end of five months he made a trip to Olympia and entered the service of the Northern Pacific Railroad, being connected with the grading of the road into Tacoma, where he made his headquarters until the fall of 1873, at which time he came to Chehalis. He purchased an unimproved tract of one hundred and sixty acres between that city and Centralia and later added to his property until he had four hundred and sixty acres, which he still owns. After living on his farm for sixteen years he removed to Chehalis in order to give his children better education advantages. In 1889 Mr. Donahoe became interested in the land and timber business in company with N. B. Coffman, Daniel C. Millett, John Dobson and William M. Urquhart, and he continued in his real estate operations for some time. The same company organized what is now known as the Coffman, Dobson and Company Bank though at first it was a national bank but is now a private corporation. They erected the building which they still occupy on Market street and having substantial and reliable business men at the head of the organizations the bank has steadily prospered and now ranks among the leading financial institutions of this part of the state. On the 6th of August, 1877, at the Catholic mission in Chehalis, Mr. Donahoe was married by Father Hylebos to Miss Mary McDonald, a native of Washington and a daughter of Malcolm McDonald. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, came to this country from Scotland and died here about 1900. To Mr. and Mrs. Donahoe have been born the following children: Thomas Malcolm, a farmer of Lewis county; Anabel, the wife of Ellis Curtley living in La Grande, Oregon; Paul, also a farmer of Lewis county, Washington; Catherine, the wife of Elisha Large of Eugene, Oregon; Olive, the wife of Gus Howard of Wallace, Idaho; and Ruth and Louise, both at home. The last named is a graduate of St. Joseph's College of Seattle. The family are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Donahoe is a democrat in politics. In the fall of 1899 he was elected by his party to the state senate, where he served for one term and took an active part in its proceedings. He was a member of a number of important committees and is the author of the bill which was passed by the senate, becoming what is known as the Donahoe road law. He was also one of the prime movers and workers for the Bearfoot school board bill. His advice on many subjects is sought and appreciated by his friends and acquaintances and he is today one of the most influential citizens of his community, prominent alike in business and public affairs, where his sound judgment and wise council are widely recognized. Donahoe Hendricks Coffman Millett Dobson Urquhart Hylebos McDonald Curtley Large Howard = Bedford-PA>San Francisco-CA>Lewis-WA