The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-10-16
LONG PROMINENT IN KENOSHA
Mar Prominent in Many Lines of Work
Died at the Kenosha Hospital One
Hour After He Was Injured-Active
in the Advancement of the City.

John 0'Donnell, prominent coal deal
er and one of the best known men of
the city, died at the Kenosha hospital
just before i've O'Clock Thursday af-
ternoon as a result of injuries receiv-
ed an hour earlier when he fell from
beam on the coal barge Montezuma.
In the fall Mr. O'Donnen had fractur-
ed his skull at the base.
The accident which resulted in the
fatal injury of Mr.. O'Donnell occurred
just before four o clock. The big coal
barge which had come in several days
ago was being unloaded and few
minutes before his injury Mr.. 0 'Don-
nell had gone aboard the boat. He
took a broom and was walking along
one of the beams sweeping off pieces
Of the coal A number of men were
at work short distance from the
place and they noticed Mr.. O'Donnen
at work but paid no attention to the
fact as he had been accustomed to aid
in cleaning up the boat, Suddenly
they saw him fall from the beam to
the bottom of the boat When they
reached him he was unconscious. AS
soon as possible an ambulance was
called and he was removed to the Ke-
nosha hospital and taken at once to
the operating room. Physicians found
that his skull was fractured and that
nothing could be done to save his life.
Members of the O'Donnell family were
called to the hospital before the end
came and they were Frustrated as re-
suit of the fatal accident.
The tragic death of John O'DonneH
marks the passing of one of the men
who had done much to build up the
business interests of the city. Few
men. in Kenosha had been more active
in business than Mr.. O'Donnell. He
was sixty-nine years of age and ma
tive of Ireland, where he was born on
June q, 1914. He was a son Of Pat
rick O'Donnell, one of the pioneers of
the city. He came to Kenosha as a
boy and in early life learned the busi
ness Of railway telegraph operator.
His first position was at the North
western station il Kenosha. AS
young man he went west and followed
his trade in several states. He be-
came interested in mining during his
stay in the west and it proved a profit
able venture for him. He returned to
Kenosha between twenty-five and
thirty years ago and went into the
coal business He was connected with
the business from that time until his
death. Few men in the business in
Southern Wisconsin had been better
known than Mr.. O'Donnell
TIE death of Mr.. O'Donnell is dis
tinct loss to the entire city. He was
one OF the men who stood for and fos-
tered efficient citizenship and it was
always his highest aim to meet every
demand of citizenship upon him.
Jealous for the advancement of the
city he took great interest in every
movement for the promotion of the
city's welfare Mr. O'DonnelI had not
been noted as an office holder He
served the city in the capacity of city
treasurer but his political activities
were directed along the lines of adj
yancing the interests of others rather
than his own and the men to whom he
gave his independent support were all
ways men who were broad-minded and
honest in their public life.
He was one of the strong supporters
of the movement to secure commission
form of government for Kenosha He
had made an active study of this form
of government and was convinced that
it would prove a great benefit to
the city
A man with a keen interest in pub
lie affairs Mr.. O'Donnell was great
reader. he loved the best things in
books and literature and there were
fer men in the city who spent more
time in their Libraries.
He was connected with many or
CARNATIONS in the city. One OF the /
charter members Of the Kenosha Ii
brary Association, he took a great in
terest in the growth of the Gilbert NJ.
Simmons Library and for many years
he served as member of the
board of commissioners He had been
re-appointed to this Office only a short
time ago. lie was director IN the
Kenosha Hospital Association and was