William James Donahue, M. D., the leading physician and
surgeon of Hilyard township, Macoupin County, located in the village of
Plainview, is prominently identified in political, business and social
circles of his county, he was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 7,
1857, and is a son of James and Sarah (Boyle) Donahue.
James
Donahue, the father of our subject, was born in County Derry, Ireland,
August 1, 1829, and came to America in 1849, locating at Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Mr. Donahue now resides on his farm in Hilyard township,
Macoupin County, and holds a high position among the prominent
agriculturists of this county. He was married to Sarah Boyle, who was also a
native of County Derry, Ireland. Mrs. Donahue died here in 1888, having
reached the age of 57 years. She was survived by her husband and eight
children, the sons and daughters being named as follows: Mary (Maher), who
resides at Bunker Hill, Illinois; William J., whose name heads this brief
notice; Jennie (Morrison), a resident of Hilyard township; Sarah (Baird), of
Hilyard township; Fannie (Dey), a resident of Hilyard township; Martha
(Faragher), who resides in St. Louis, Missouri; Arthur B., who resides at
Pekin, Illinois, and who is employed in a distillery there; and Robert J.,
who is a school teacher in Hilyard township.
William James Donahue
was three years of age when his parents removed from his birthplace to
Boonton, New Jersey, where they lived two years, and then came to Macoupin
County, Illinois and here our subject has remained ever since. Dr. Donahue
spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, attending the common schools of
the district. Later he went to Valparaiso, Indiana, and attended the State
Normal School, graduating in 1882. Dr. Donahue then took up the study of
medicine in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, attending in
the years 1882 and 1883. Returning home, he engaged as a school teacher, and
continued in that occupation until 1893, after which he was engaged in farm
work for three years. Entering Barnes Medical College at St. Louis,
Missouri, after two years of study, he received his degree of M. D. in 1898.
After his graduation he located at Plainview and his since practiced his
chosen profession, enjoying a large and lucrative practice among the
citizens of his township. In fraternal circles. Dr. Donahue is a Mason,
being master of the lodge at Plainview and a member of the chapter at
Carlinville. He is also a member of the Court of Honor, Modern Woodmen of
America, Mutual Protective League, being examining physician for the three
mutual benefit insurance societies just named. He is a member of the
Macoupin County and Illinois State Medical Societies. Politically, Dr.
Donahue is a strong upholder of Republican principles, and takes an active
interest in the political affairs of his township, having held nearly all
the offices. At present he is serving as treasurer, a position he has held
for the past five years. He was chairman of the last Macoupin County
Republican Convention and secured the endorsement of the convention for his
nomination as minority Representative. Dr. Donahue is also a member of the
Macoupin County Republican Central Committee.
Dr. Donahue was
married June 19, 1888, to Emma Dey, a native of Hilyard township, and a
daughter of William and Susan Dey. They are the parents of three children,
namely: Jamie C., Edna and Earl. Dr. Donahue and family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 300-302.
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