Born in Amsterdam, New York. Married to Stella Whittaker with two sons. He moved to Utica in 1908. Employed as a clerk in an insurance office, as a theater manager, and as owner of an amusement business at Oneida Lake, New York.

He retired from business in 1957 to become a full time paper money dealer. Founder and first president of the Mohawk Valley Coin Club in 1959. He was also president of the Empire State Numismatic Association. Conducted 12 auction sales 1971 to 1978. His office in Pompano Beach, Florida, was destroyed by fire February 1, 1961. No currency was damaged. The Donlon collection was sold at auction by A. Kosoff November 23-25, 1956. The sale realized $114,240.95.

Author of Price Catalog of United States Small Size Paper Money in 1964 sold at $1. In 1966 he received the Nathan Gold Memorial Award. Author of United States Large Size Paper Money 1861 to 1923 in 1968. In 2014 he was inducted into the SPMC Hall of Fame.

In 1972 he sold his business stock of small bank notes to Ben Dreiske and Kurt Eckstein in Pompano Beach, Florida. He retained his stock of large size notes. Remainders were sold at auction by Hickman and Oakes March 14, 1979. He died at home in Utica, New York.

profile: NN/WWH 7/24/73;

obit: CW 5/3/78; NNW 4/29/1978; NUM 91 Jun 1978 page 1192 DOB:SSDI