Bio: McDonough, Frank (1846 - 1904)
Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org.

Surnames: McDonough, McSloy, Horan 

----Source: History of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin (1914) pages 787-788 

Frank McDonough, deceased, was one of that worthy class of sturdy men who wrought faithfully and well, and to whose work the county of Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley owe much to their development. Coming to Eau Claire in 1863 without means, he worked his way to the top of the ladder, eventually realizing the fulfillment of his brightest hopes. His parents, Dennis and Rose (McSloy) McDonough, who were natives of the North of Ireland, came to Canada in an early day where they established the family home and where at Ingersoll, Frank McDonough was born on April 2, 1846. His education was received in the common schools of his native country, and at the age of fifteen years, he was apprenticed to learn both the blacksmith and carpenter trade. For several years after his arrival in Eau Claire, he followed the occupation of millwright and finally became identified with the Eau Claire Lumber Company, of which he was superintendent for many years, and in 1880 became a stockholder and director in the company. 

Mr. McDonough was in the best sense a thorough and practical business man whose clear-cut, honorable methods, skillful management of affairs and sterling manliness in all his varied relations, made him a leader among his associates and a force for good in the community and city in which he lived. His life was clean, his motives pure, and no one could come within the range and sphere of his influence without recognizing the force of his strong personality and inherent manliness, elements of character which had much to do in securing to him the high place he held in business and commercial circles, as well as in his social and other relations. On January 1, 1888, he incorporated what became known as the McDonough Manufacturing Company. The factory was enlarged from time to time until it assumed large proportions, and the company manufactured all kinds of mill machinery. The demand for its well known goods came from all parts of the northwest, west and south. The success of the institution was largely due to his untiring efforts to build up this large establishment which employed many skilled workmen and was a benefit to the entire Chippewa Valley. He was its president and treasurer and the moving spirit in the concern. He was also a stockholder in the Chippewa Lumber and Boom Company, and the Eau Claire Street Railway Company. He was in truth a captain of industry and when times were adverse and misfortune seemed ready to crush him, his strong will and determination piloted him through the dangerous places and put him on a solid foundation. His memory is cherished and kept in grateful remembrance for the important part he played in the commercial and material growth and development both of the institution with which he was so closely connected, and the city in which he lived. 

Mr. McDonough married, September 28, 1866, Miss Jennie Horan, daughter of Thomas Horan, a resident of Canada. They had five children, as follows: Frank T., Catherine, Gilbert J., Mary and Violet. Politically Mr. McDonough affiliated with the Republican party. He was a member of the Eau Claire common council for many years, was a member of several business men's associations and belonged to a number of benevolent and fraternal orders including the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He represented his district in the general assembly of the state, and at the time of his death, which occurred June 4, 1904, was serving as state senator from the 24th senatorial district.