WM. H. O'DONNELL

(1891 • 1945)

O'Donnell, 54, of Hotel Manitowoc Dies Here Today

William H. O'Donnell, 54, manager of the Hotel Manitowoc since it was opened here in 1927, and active in the hotel and restaurant field in Wisconsin for many years, died at noon today at the Holy Family hospital.

Mr. O'Donnell had been seriously ill several months ago but had apparently recovered and was about the hotel until a few days ago, when he was stricken again and moved to the hospital.

A native of Ironwood, Mich., where he was born in 1891, he took up the hotel business at an early age, when he became clerk at the Vivian House in Antigo. Later he was at the Butterfield in the same city and from there moved to Fond du Lac where he was chief clerk at the Palmer House in that city.

Came Here in 1927

The old Williams House in this city, the St. Charles in Milwaukee, the Grand and the Mayers Janesville are included in the hotels served by Mr. O'Donnell who later returned to Milwaukee to take over management of the Martin hotel in that city. After 11 years in charge of that hostelry, he came to this city in 1927 to become identified with plans for building a new and modern hotel in Manitowoc. He remained during the construction of the hotel at North Eighth and York streets and became president and manager of the hotel.

For years Mr. O'Donnell was active in national and state hotel circles. In 1937 he was elected president of the Wisconsin State Hotel association, after serving as a director and vice-president for several years. He headed the association for two terms.

Was State Polio Head

In March, 1939, he was appointed to the directors' board of the Midwest Hotel association, also an honorary member of the New York State Hotel show. Mr. O'Donnell served as state chairman for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis in 1937, in charge of raising funds for this worthy cause. Last August he was named a member of the Green Bay district restaurant council, which had charge of the observance of rationing rules among hotels and restaurants in this area.

Mr. O'Donnell's affiliations included membership in the American Hotel association, Wisconsin State Hotel association, Midwest Hotel association, Lakeside Country club, Manitowoc lodge of Elks, Rotary club, Milwaukee Athletic club and the Milwaukee Hotel association.

Married at Milwaukee

Twenty-seven years ago at Milwaukee Mr. O'Donnell married Miss Pearl Mueller. She survives with three sisters, Mrs. Louis Jordan of Antigo, Mrs. George Smith of Eland Junction, and Mrs. Fred Brooks, of Portland, Oregon.

Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced Thursday.

Manitowoc Herald Times, Wis., February 14, 1945 P. 2

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