My Genealogy Hound

DR. THOMAS DONEHOO, physician and surgeon. This gentleman came to Jasper county in May, 1867, with the intention of locating at Carthage, but through the influence of Mr. William Allison (the founder of Medoc), was influenced to come to Medoc. Soon after coming here in June, he opened a drug store in connection with his practice. Medoc at that time was second to no town in the county, and people would often come one hundred miles for mill privileges and also for drugs. The Doctor’s practice and business increased to such an extent that he was obliged to keep two assistants in the store. In 1875 he purchased of Holden & Son their entire stock of dry goods and groceries, and still continued the drug business. He is now doing a fine trade in both lines, in connection with the live-stock business, and has been an extensive shipper since 1870. The subject of this sketch is a native of Allegheny county, Penn., born in May, 1838, a son of John and Belle (McElhaney) Donehoo, his father a native of Ireland, and when ten years of age, with his parents, came to America and located in Pennsylvania, and his mother was a native of Virginia. They were married and settled in Pennsylvania, where they both died. Thomas, when sixteen years of age, with some friends, went to Platte county, Mo., locating at Weston. He soon became a great favorite with Drs. Bowers and Boniphant, leading physicians of Weston. They finally prevailed on him to read medicine, having free access to their library. In 1861 he graduated at the St. Louis Medical College; returned to Weston, and after a short lapse of time located at Easton, Leavenworth county, Kan. After many a hard struggle he commenced a fine practice, which he maintained until he came to Jasper county, Mo. While a resident of Kansas he was married to Miss Frances Creech, a native of Paris, Ill., but reared in Indiana, a daughter of Jonas Creech, who in an early day settled in Kansas, being an extensive merchant and did an extensive freighting business across the plains. Their family consists of two children: John J., the eldest, now learning the drug business, having been educated at Osage Mission, Kan.; and Dora A., a bright daughter of twelve.