Dade County History Book

JAMES DONNELLY

James Donnelly, physician, Trenton, is one of the rising members of the profession of Dade county. He was born in Louisville, Ky., the son of James Donnelly, a native of Queenstown, Ireland, who immigrated to the United States in 1846 and settled in New York City, where he married Teresa Fitzsimmons, a daughter of Patrick Fitzsimmons. By this union were born ten children, five of whom survived to attain maturity: Mary, deceased, who married Thomas E. Winnard, of Tennessee; James, Stephen, now of Florida; Teresa J., and Annie B. The father of Dr. Donnelly was a mechanic, and during many years resided in the metropolitan towns of the North and East. Previous to the war he settled with his family in Louisville, Ky., where he lived four years, moving to Nashville, TN, and later to Wilson County in that state. He died in DeKalb County, TN, Feb. 18, 1880. His widow still survives at Smithville. Dr. Donnelly was chiefly reared in Tennessee and received a good education in the schools of that state and at Purse Fountain College at Smithville. He learned the trade of a painter, which he followed for several years, but a laudable ambition led him to aspire to a place in the ranks of the medical profession, and he commenced the study medicine and surgery under Dr. J.P. Wannock, and later under Dr. J. J. Broyles of Chattanooga. In 1889 he entered the Chattanooga Medical College and pursued the regular course of study in that institution and graduated therefrom in 1894. On Jan. 9, 1895, he settled in Trenton, in Dade County and has become fully identified with the progress and prosperity of Georgia. He engaged in the practice or his profession, and from the outset has been remarkably successful. He has acquired a good practice in Dade and surrounding counties. He is justly popular and is trusted and respected as a citizen. He leads in the circle of young men now beginning to shape the social conduct and business progress of the present generation of Georgians, among whom he finds himself at home. On July 3, 1892, Dr. Donnelly was married to Miss Nannie Parker, daughter of the late Joseph Parker of Walker County, this state. They have two children, Lillian Beatrice and Stephen Milton. (Copied from the MEMORIES OF GEORGIA by George White, The Southern Historical Assoc., Atlanta, 1895)

As an added note: Dr. James Donnelly was born July 4, 1865. He died on December 9, 1902 while in Chattanooga, TN., where he had gone for treatment of an “internal rupture” substained over a year before. His brother, Steve Donnelly of Florida, and several other family members who were living in Chattanooga at the time, returned his body to his home in Trenton. The funeral was conducted at the Presbyterian Church by Rev. Faris, pastor of the Methodist Church. He was buried in Payne Cemetery under the auspices of the Odd Fellows of which he was a member, next to his infant child, born March 17, 1902; died  April 18 19 02.

Dr Donnelly also served as coroner of Dade County for a period of time.