Donohoe Kelly & Co.

The Donohoe, Kelly Banking Company, a large private banking company, established in 1861 by Joseph A. Donohoe, Eugene Kelly, and W. C. Ralston, flourished until 1929 when it transferred its business to the Bank of America of California.

Historical Note

The Donohoe, Kelly Banking Company was a large private banking company formed in the second half of the nineteenth century, and flourishing until 1929 when it transferred its business to the Bank of America of California, later the Bank of America, National Trust and Savings Association. The company was established in 1861 by Joseph A. Donohoe, Eugene Kelly and W.C. Ralston as Donohoe, Ralston and Company, and Eugene Kelly and Company was later organized to represent the company in the East.

In 1864 Ralston left the company and subsequently was instrumental in establishing the Bank of California, while Donohoe, Ralston and Company became Donohoe, Kelly and Company in the same year. John W. Flood and Howard Havens joined Donohoe and Kelly in 1876 with no alteration in the title. In 1891 this private banking firm was incorporated under the State laws of California as the Donohoe, Kelly Banking Company and remained so until 1929.