Hennessy, Felix A. M.D. 1882 - 1961
HENNESSY, CULLEN
Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 10/23/2004 at 20:11:19
Taken from History of Winneshiek County Vol.II
The career of Dr. Felix A. Hennessy is another proof of a young man's success. Although he is barely thirty-one years of age, he has already made his name known in medical circles in Winneshiek county and has built up a practice in Calmar, where he has been located since June, 1908, which is of gratifying proportions, extending beyond the limits of the city far into the surrounding country districts. Born in Putnam township, Fayette county, this state, July 22, 1882, he is a son of John and Anna (Cullen) Hennessy, natives of the Emerald isle. Both were brought to this country when children by their respective parents, locating in Connecticut. John Hennessy, the father, subsequently came to Delaware county, Iowa, in about 1865, purchasing an improved farm, which he operated for about five years, when he made removal to Fayette county, where he bought land which he cultivated for a like period, selling out in order to remove to Clayton county, where he again possessed himself of agricultural property, which he successfully cultivated until 1903, when he retired from the active work of the farm, though he is still making his home thereon. The place is located near Strawberry Point and comprises four hundred acres of the most valuable land in Fayette county. The father has attained the advanced age of eighty years and the mother is also living, both enjoying good health and being mentally active, still showing deep interest in the affairs of the world. Both are highly honored and respected in their district, where their high qualities of mind and character have won them many friends.
Felix A. Hennessy was reared under the parental roof and early grounded in the old-fashioned virtues of honesty and industry by his parents, receiving his education in Clayton county, where he attended the district school, and graduating from Strawberry Point high school with the class of 1900. He then imparted the knowledge which he had received to others by teaching in the local district schools for two years and for one year at Masonville, this state. Dr. Hennessy then entered the State University of Iowa City, taking up a course in medicine and graduating with the class of 1907, receiving the degree of M.D. He then entered the service of Conn Brothers, who conducted a hospital at Ida Grove, Iowa, remaining until June, 1908, when he came to Calmar, establishing himself in the practice of medicine. Ever since he has made his home here he has built up a practice which assures him gratifying financial returns. Capable, energetic and conscientious, he is careful in diagnosis, but after having reached a decision quick to act upon his judgment, and there are many in his locality who are indebted to him for restoration to halth and the alleviation of those human afflications which can be relieved through medical skill. More than that, Dr. Hennessy is not only physician but friend of his patients, and it is the humane side in his character which has won him that confidence which is so necessary for a physician to have in order to successfully combat disease. He maintains modernly equipped offices in the Winneshiek County Bank building, which are well equipped to handle ordinary and emergency cases. The position of Dr. Hennessy is now quite assured and the beginning of his career so conspicuously successful that the most prosperous future may be predicted for him.
Dr. Hennesesy has always kept in touch with the latest methods and discoveries in the world of medical science in this country and the old world, keeping well informed on all new processes of procedure brought out by the eminent savants of the profession, and on that account can be trusted to handle the most intricate and involved case according to the latest methods. He meets the members of the profession through the mediums of the American Medical Association and the Northeastern Iowa, the Iowa State and the Winneshiek County Medical Societies, exchanging with this colleagues views and data in order to mutually improve themselves and gain a greater outlook and experience. A progressive young man of modern ideas, he has chosen that standard for his political faith, believing in the ideals embodied in the platform of the new party and that their realization will bring about generally improved conditions for the nation at large. As his fathers did before him, he gives his allegiance to the Catholic church. Anything that brings nearer to man the key of that complex mystery which we call life is interesting to him, and as his reading is broad and comprehensive his knowledge and efficiency are continually advancing.
Note: His gravestone shows year of birth as 1883
St. Aloysius Cemetery gravestone
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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