The following has been submitted by the Logan County History Center:
By: Mary E. Mortimer
Governor’s Island at Indian Lake was named for Ohio Governor Alvin Victor “Vic” Donahey, who built a house on the island in 1929. Vic Donahey was the first governor of Ohio to serve three consecutive terms. He was a candidate for elective office eleven times and was defeated only once.
Vic Donahey was born on a farm between Cadwallader and West Chester in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on July 7, 1873. He left school during his junior year to learn the printing trade. In addition to working as a newspaper editor, he owned his own print shop. Shortly after his marriage to Mary Edith Harvey in 1897, Donahey began his public service when he was elected clerk of the Goshen Township Board of Trustees. In 1904, he was elected to the first of two terms as Tuscarawas County auditor.
In 1912, he served as a delegate to the Fourth Ohio Constitutional Convention, where he attracted the attention of Democratic Party leaders who nominated him for state auditor.
Donahey served two four-year terms as state auditor, becoming a household name throughout Ohio for his diligence in examining and inspecting the accounts and expenditures of public offices at all levels of government. Nominated for governor in 1920, Donahey suffered his only defeat at the polls, but he ran again in 1922 and was elected to the first of three consecutive terms as Ohio governor.
The Donaheys had ten children, and around 1925 they leased a cottage at Indian Lake on an island across the bay from the Lake Ridge Hotel as a summer home for the family. The cottage consisted of three one-story cottages joined together, with no electric lights or telephones. Mrs. Donahey furnished it with her collection of antique furniture, making it the perfect place for the governor to relax. The island soon became known as “Governor’s Island.” In 1928, Donahey purchased the property and built a year-round home. The next year, he retired from politics and spent his leisure time at his Indian Lake home fishing, whittling, and cooking.
His retirement at the lake lasted until 1934, when he decided to run for a seat in the United States Senate, which he won by a wide margin. Refusing to seek re-election in 1940, Donahey again retired to his island home. In addition to serving as governor and U.S. senator, Donahey founded and became president of the Motorists Mutual Insurance Company of Columbus. He also authored the book “The Beak and Claws of America” in 1931.
After several years of failing health, Vic Donahey died on April 8, 1946.
Visit the Logan County History Center to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History. The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.
