The Donohue's of Brooklyn, NY:Information about Peter J Donohue
Peter J Donohue (b. June 10, 1828, d. March 21, 1908)
Notes for Peter J Donohue:
From my great grandfather's obituary which appeared in the March 23, 1908 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, the following came to light:He was born in Galway, Ireland June 24,1828 and was the son of Peter J.Donohue and Mary A. Nugent.He lived in Liverpool, England, from 1839-1849, where he learned the trade of boilermaking. In the last yearhe came to the United States where he entered the employ of Novelty Iron Work's in Manhattan and was with this concern as foreman for ten years.Later he was in the employ of Hubbard & Whittaker and then with Smith Brothers, both of Brooklyn.He started out on his own in the late seventies as head of the firm of Peter J.Donohue & Sons at Wallabout Street & Wythe Avenue. He was the originator of the United States Board of Boiler Inspectors at this harbor, and at the time it was abolished, about 1891, he was it's President. The Board was created under Secretary Folger mainly through Mr. Donohue's solicitation and under his advice. He had been before the Board was formed,an inspector of boilers for ten years,being first appointed under the Cleveland administration. He had been a resident of Williamsburgh since 1866 and was well known socially and in church circles.He was a charter member of the Hanover Club and retained his membership at his death. He was a consistent Democrat at all times and was one of the oldest members of the Thomas Jefferson Club of Manhattan.He also belonged to the Friendly Sons of St.Patrick and Loyola Council, Knights of Colunbus. He had been married to the former Bridget Mc Dermott who predeceased him.He was survived by three sons, Peter J., Joseph F. and George M., and a daughter, Mrs. William H. Masterson.He also left twenty-three grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
I am in possesion of an article found in the Irish World and Industrial Liberatorof Jan. 24th,1880 which states:
"Information--- The writer of this, Patrick Basby, is blind and destitute and an inmate of the poorhouse. He is very anxious to learn the whereabouts of any of his brothers and sisters, from whom he has been separated since 1848.He and they were born in the Parish of Athenry, County Galway.His two brothers , Henry, employed on steamboats, and Martin, a marble cutter, were in New York City, and his brother James in South Hartford, Conn., living with two cousins named Peter and Michael Furey, in 1846.His sister Catherine, married, lived in Staten Island, and his sister Sarah in New York City.He had also two first cousins, Peter and Joseph Donoghue, boilermakers, employed at the Novelty Iron Works, who lived in Ave. D and 11th Street.The address of those mentioned would be very gratefully received, and should be addressed to the care of Thomas McManus, Cook County Poorhouse, State of Illinois.
PATRICK BASBY."
[John Ridge came across this article while doing research at the library in Manhattan, and was kind enough to share it with me.]
More About Peter J Donohue and Bridget McDermott:
Marriage: November 26, 1856, N.Y. City,NY.
Children of Peter J Donohue and Bridget McDermott are:
- +Margaret Anne Donohue, b. November 04, 1856, NYC, d. 1934.
- +Peter Donohue, b. April 27, 1858, NYC.
- Mary Anne Donohue, b. 1860.
- +John Donohue, b. November 17, 1861, NYC, d. January 17, 1898, Brooklyn.
- +Joseph Martin Donohue, b. November 01, 1863, NYC.
- Emilly Donohue, b. September 07, 1865, NYC,d., Buried 1/7/1869 Calvary Cemetery.
- Sophia Donohue, b. March 31, 1867, NYC, NY, d. June 1870, Buried6/21/1870Calvary Cemetery.
- Mary Emma Donohue, b. 1869, N.Y. City,NY.
- +George F Donohue, b. 1871, Brooklyn,NY, d. April 01, 1923, Brooklyn,NY(Holy Cross)-Buried 4/4/23.
- Loretta Donohue, b. 1873, Brooklyn,NY, d. August 15, 1879, Calvary Cemetery.
- Agnes Donohue, b. 1876, Brooklyn,NY, d. April 29, 1887, Buried5/01/1887Calvary Cemetery.
- Teresa Donohue, b. 1880, Brooklyn,NY, d. August 21, 1880, Calvary Cemetery.