J. J. Donelan is secretary, treasurer and manager of the Concordia Gas Company, the progress and development of which have largely depended upon his ability as an engineer and as a business executive.
The plant of the Concordia Gas Company was erected by the American Gas Construction Company. The Lowe-Tenny process of manufacture is used, and the company manufactures gas for lighting, heating and cooking purposes to the amount of about 16,000,000 cubic feet annually or 150,000 feet per day. They have storage capacity for 70,000 feet. The company now had fifteen miles of gas pipe about the city, with 675 service connections. The company was incorporated in December, 1913, with L. R. Eakin as president; H. L. Eaton, vice president; and J. J. Donelan as secretary, treasurer and manager.
Mr. Donelan is a man of original initiative and of thorough business training. He was born in Vinton, Benton County, Iowa, was liberally educated, and is well qualified both by experience and natural talent for the profession of gas building construction and engineering. He had followed that line practically all his life. In 1912 he came to Kansas, located in Manhattan, where he built the gas plant in that city, and he also built plants at Junction City, Abilene and one in Concordia. He is a thorough engineer in everything pertaining to gas plant construction, operation and maintenance. Fraternally he is a member of the Order of Elks.