John Francis Donovan, the capable fire chief of Meriden, can scarcely remember the time when he was not connected with the fire department, for even as a boy he used to go to fires with the men of the company stationed near his home. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the department and he has given the most careful study to all questions affecting the best methods of fighting fire and for organizing the department to the best advantage.

  Mr. Donovan was born in Meriden, February 14, 1861, a son of John and Margaret Donovan, and received his education in St. Rose’s parochial school, which he attended until he was thirteen years old. He then secured a job as devil in the newspaper office of the Republican and remained there for two years. Later he was for a time in the employ of the Bradley-Hubbard Company, after which he devoted three years to work at the harness maker’s trade. He next became connected with the Manning-Bowman Company and learned the spinning trade. He became a journeyman and for about twenty-five years was in the employ of that concern, his record indicating his efficiency and trustworthiness. During all this time, however, he was also connected with the fire department and from time to time was promoted to positions of larger responsibility. His connection with the department began inauspiciously when he was a boy of about fifteen years. He lived across the street from the Bixbee hose station and liked nothing better than to accompany the men when they were called out. On the 2d of December, 1882, when twenty-one years of age, he was appointed call man. At that time many of the men on the force did not devote their entire time to the work of the department but were subject to call and received pay only for the time actually spent in fighting fire. After serving for a period as call man Mr. Donovan became hoseman and clerk of Company No. 2, so remaining from 1885 to 1892. On the 7th of March, 1892, he was made captain of that company and a little more than twenty years later, or on the 30th of April, 1912, was appointed assistant chief and on the 31st of the following May was made chief, which position he still holds. His official connection with the department now covers thirty-five years and during this period he has seen great changes in the organization of the department as it has expanded to meet the needs of the growing city of Meriden. Since he has taken office as chief the department has been completely motorized and a pension fund has been organized, which in accordance with an amendment to a law secured largely through the instrumentality of Chief Donovan, now receives five per cent of all liquor licenses. During the present chief’s administration civil service has also been instituted throughout the department and further evidence of the high standards maintained is found in the fact that among the fire departments of the United States and Canada, Meriden ranks twenty-third for efficiency. In 1914 Meriden had the distinction of having the lowest loss per capita by fire in New England, which fact testifies to the energy, executive ability and hard work of Chief Donovan. During his many years as a fire fighter he has had several narrow escapes from death. On the 6th of May, 1886, at the  Bradley-Hubbard fire he was rendered unconscious, and Allen Butler, his mate, was killed. At the time of the O’Brien fire his arm and wrist were badly cut and when the Gate house on Cherry street burned a cord in one of his hands was ripped out, resulting in permanent injury. At the time of the gas house fire he was badly burned by an explosion of creosote and oil, and undoubtedly would have been killed but for his presence of mind and quick thinking. The biggest fires that have occurred since his connection with the department were the town hall and the old opera house.

  Chief Donovan was married on the 22d of June, 1898, to Miss Elizabeth Egan, of New Haven, and they have four children: Margaret Mary, who is eighteen years old and was educated in the Milford Academy; Mary A., who is sixteen years old and is a high school pupil; James P., also a high school student; and Daniel J., who is attending St. Rose’s parochial school.

  Chief Donovan is independent in his political belief and has been too busy to take an active part in public affairs aside from his connection with the fire department. He belongs to St. Rose’s Roman Catholic church and for thirty-five years has been connected with the Knights of Columbus. Few men in Meriden have a wider acquaintance, and the high esteem in which he is universally held is evidence of his genuine worth.