Daniel F. Donovan was born to Patrick and Catherine (Murphy) Donovan on November 1, 1866 in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Donovan came to Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 16. On June 4, 1886, Donovan was appointed to the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department (KCFD) as a hoseman by Chief George Hale. Over the next several decades, due in large part to his extraordinary bravery, Donovan earned promotions to Driver, Captain, Third Assistant Chief, Second Assistant Chief, and First Assistant Chief. Then, on September 1, 1927, KCFD Director Lee Johnson appointed Donovan to the position of Chief. Under his leadership, the KCFD drastically reduced losses due to fire in the city; a training school was opened at 1420 Penn, which included a 65 foot training tower; and the fire department became fully motorized. He lived most of his life at 1412 Linwood Boulevard with three unmarried sisters: Margaret Donovan, Mary Donovan, and Theresa Donovan. Donovan died of stomach cancer on February 4, 1932.
His assignments were:
1. 1886 to 1887- Hoseman, Hose Co. No.2 at Headquarters 807 Walnut
2. 1887 to 1889- Driver, Hose Co.2 at Headquarters 807 Walnut
3. 1889 t0 1890- Captain, Chemical Eng. No.1 Station No.5, n.e.corner 11th & Troost
4. 1891 to 1900- Captain, Hook and Ladder No.3 Station No.5 n.e.corner 11th & Troost
5. June 21,1900 to April 21 1902 -Third Assistant Chief
6. April 22,1902 to May 18, 1918- Second Assistant Chief, Headquarters 807 Walnut
7. May 19,1918 to August 31,1927- First Assistant Chief, Headquarters 807 Walnut and 1020 Central
8. September 1, 1927 to February 4, 1932 Chief of the Kansas City Fire Dept.
Ray Elder, a historian for the Kansas City Fire Historical Society, contributed to this biography.
His assignments were:
1. 1886 to 1887- Hoseman, Hose Co. No.2 at Headquarters 807 Walnut
2. 1887 to 1889- Driver, Hose Co.2 at Headquarters 807 Walnut
3. 1889 t0 1890- Captain, Chemical Eng. No.1 Station No.5, n.e.corner 11th & Troost
4. 1891 to 1900- Captain, Hook and Ladder No.3 Station No.5 n.e.corner 11th & Troost
5. June 21,1900 to April 21 1902 -Third Assistant Chief
6. April 22,1902 to May 18, 1918- Second Assistant Chief, Headquarters 807 Walnut
7. May 19,1918 to August 31,1927- First Assistant Chief, Headquarters 807 Walnut and 1020 Central
8. September 1, 1927 to February 4, 1932 Chief of the Kansas City Fire Dept.
Ray Elder, a historian for the Kansas City Fire Historical Society, contributed to this biography.
Daniel F. Donovan was born to Patrick and Catherine (Murphy) Donovan on November 1, 1866 in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Donovan came to Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 16. On June 4, 1886, Donovan was appointed to the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department (KCFD) as a hoseman by Chief George Hale. Over the next several decades, due in large part to his extraordinary bravery, Donovan earned promotions to Driver, Captain, Third Assistant Chief, Second Assistant Chief, and First Assistant Chief. Then, on September 1, 1927, KCFD Director Lee Johnson appointed Donovan to the position of Chief. Under his leadership, the KCFD drastically reduced losses due to fire in the city; a training school was opened at 1420 Penn, which included a 65 foot training tower; and the fire department became fully motorized. He lived most of his life at 1412 Linwood Boulevard with three unmarried sisters: Margaret Donovan, Mary Donovan, and Theresa Donovan. Donovan died of stomach cancer on February 4, 1932.
His assignments were:
1. 1886 to 1887- Hoseman, Hose Co. No.2 at Headquarters 807 Walnut
2. 1887 to 1889- Driver, Hose Co.2 at Headquarters 807 Walnut
3. 1889 t0 1890- Captain, Chemical Eng. No.1 Station No.5, n.e.corner 11th & Troost
4. 1891 to 1900- Captain, Hook and Ladder No.3 Station No.5 n.e.corner 11th & Troost
5. June 21,1900 to April 21 1902 -Third Assistant Chief
6. April 22,1902 to May 18, 1918- Second Assistant Chief, Headquarters 807 Walnut
7. May 19,1918 to August 31,1927- First Assistant Chief, Headquarters 807 Walnut and 1020 Central
8. September 1, 1927 to February 4, 1932 Chief of the Kansas City Fire Dept.
Ray Elder, a historian for the Kansas City Fire Historical Society, contributed to this biography.
His assignments were:
1. 1886 to 1887- Hoseman, Hose Co. No.2 at Headquarters 807 Walnut
2. 1887 to 1889- Driver, Hose Co.2 at Headquarters 807 Walnut
3. 1889 t0 1890- Captain, Chemical Eng. No.1 Station No.5, n.e.corner 11th & Troost
4. 1891 to 1900- Captain, Hook and Ladder No.3 Station No.5 n.e.corner 11th & Troost
5. June 21,1900 to April 21 1902 -Third Assistant Chief
6. April 22,1902 to May 18, 1918- Second Assistant Chief, Headquarters 807 Walnut
7. May 19,1918 to August 31,1927- First Assistant Chief, Headquarters 807 Walnut and 1020 Central
8. September 1, 1927 to February 4, 1932 Chief of the Kansas City Fire Dept.
Ray Elder, a historian for the Kansas City Fire Historical Society, contributed to this biography.
Inscription
DANIEL F DONOVAN
1867-1932
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