John Henry Donohue Jr. was born January 12, 1883 to John H. Donohue Sr. (1851-1940) and Mary Elizabeth Smith (1859-1883). His mother died eight months after he was born. He was a lifelong resident of St. Paul. With Charles R. Corning & John C. I. Corning he founded Corning-Donohue Brick and Tile Incorporated in 1916. John was the president of the company before becoming board chairman in 1955. He was also the president of Wunder, Klein & Donohue Incorporated of Minneapolis, a director of the C. H. Klein Brick Company of Chaska, Minnesota and a partner in the Fire Brick Supply Company of St Paul. John was also a member of the Serra Club, Kiwanis Club, Town & Country Club & the Minneapolis Athletic Club. John was married to Mary (Mame) McQuillan in 1910 the couple had 2 children, (Mary) Eileen Donohue DeLong and John Henry Donohue III. John Jr. died of a heart attack in his home on July 24, 1956.