Vic Donahey

Alvin Victor "Honest Vic" Donahey (July 7, 1873 – April 8, 1946) was an American progressive Democratic Party politician from Ohio. Donahey was the 50th governor of Ohio and a United States senator from Ohio.

Donahey left school early to become a printer; in addition to working as a newspaper editor, he owned his own printing company. After serving in local and county government as a school board member and county auditor in the early 1900s, in 1912 he won election as Ohio's state auditor, and he served until 1921. After an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1920, in 1922 Donahey won the governorship. He was reelected in 1924 and 1926, and served from 1923 to 1929. In 1934, Donahey won election to the U.S. Senate, and he served one term, 1935 to 1941.

After leaving office, Donahey resumed his business interests, including serving as president of the Donahey Clay Products Company, which made tiles for use in home construction. He died in Columbus in 1946, and was buried at East Avenue Cemetery in New Philadelphia.

Early life Donahey was born in Cadwallader, Ohio, the son of John C. Donahey and Catherine (Chaney) Donahey. He attended the public schools of Tuscarawas County, and left high school in his junior year to receive training as a printer; he worked at the New Philadelphia Times from 1893 to 1905, and advanced from journeyman to foreman to associate editor before becoming owner of his own printing company.

Career Donahey was elected clerk of the Goshen Township Board of Trustees in 1898, and served until 1903. He served as Tuscarawas County Auditor from 1905 to 1909 while at the same time serving on New Philadelphia, Ohio's Board of Education. After serving as a delegate to the 1912 Constitutional Convention, Donahey served as state auditor from 1912 to 1921. He did not seek re-election in 1920, but unsuccessfully sought the governorship.

Governor In 1922, Donahey won the governor's race. He received five delegate votes for the presidential nomination which went to Alfred E. Smith, but was not a candidate for the vice presidential nomination, which went to Joseph T. Robinson.

After leaving the governorship, Donahey returned to his business interests.

Donahey was president of the Donahey Clay Products Company. He was also a director of the Ohio National Bank of Columbus, Ohio.

Death and burial Donahey died at Grant Hospital in Columbus on April 8, 1946. He is buried in East Avenue Cemetery in New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Family life Donahey was married to Mary (Harvey) Donahey (1879–1953). His son, John W. Donahey, served a term as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. Another brother, James Harrison "Hal" Donahey, was the cartoonist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and designed the household tiles made by the Donahey Clay Products Company. Constructed in 1926, it was named for Donahey in 1977 after a previous building named for him, a horse barn, burned down in 1972.

Authored books