Dr. Archibald F. O’Donoghue

FAIRBURN, O’DONOGHUE, DOUGHERTY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/15/2015 at 23:17:47

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

Dr. Archibald F. O’Donoghue, a member of one of the pioneer families of Iowa, is a prominent surgeon of Sioux City and ably follows in the professional footsteps of his father. He was born in Correctionville, Woodbury County, in October, 1895, and is a son of Dr. James H. and Janet (Fairburn) O’Donoghue, also natives of the Hawkeye state. His father was long identified with educational affairs, serving for fourteen years as superintendent of the public schools of Correctionville, and was then called to Storm Lake, Iowa, where he filled a similar position until 1904. Meanwhile he had completed a course in medicine and for twenty-one years has successfully followed that profession at Storm Lake. His father was educated at the University of Dublin and in 1875 emigrated from Ireland to the United States. He was chosen superintendent of the schools of Lake City, Iowa, and also took up land at Twin Lakes, twenty miles distant. He walked to the latter place on a Monday during the winter of 1876 and while returning to Lake City four days later was caught in a blizzard, was blinded by the snow and perished in the Storm. His widow afterward became superintendent of schools of Calhoun County, Iowa and filled that position for many years, doing much to advance the standards of education in that district. She has reached the venerable age of eighty-four years and is now the wife of the Rev. J.B. Trimble, of Storm Lake. He was one of the founders of Morningside College and also gained prominence as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The public schools of Storm Lake afforded Dr. O’Donoghue his early educational advantages and he afterward completed a course in Buena Vista College. He next entered the State University of Iowa, from which he received the A.B. degree, and in 1918 won from that institution the degree of M.D. He spent two years in the University Hospital at Iowa City, working under Dr. Steindler, and during the World war was a member of the Reserve Officers Corps. In June, 1920, he located at Sioux City, where he has since resided, specializing in orthopedic surgery and fractures. He has acquired marked skill in this branch of the profession and enjoyed a large practice, to which he gives his undivided attention.

In June, 1920, Dr. O’Donoghue was united in marriage to Miss Helen Dougherty, a daughter of Dr. T.E. and Mary (Biggs) Dougherty, the latter born in Iowa. Dr. Dougherty is a native of Canada and for forty years has engaged in the practice of dentistry at Guthrie Center, Iowa, rendering valuable service to the residents of that locality. Dr. and Mrs. O’Donoghue have one child, Janet, born January 16, 1925. The Doctor is liberal in his political views, supporting the candidates whom he considers best qualified for office irrespective of party ties. He belongs to the American Legion and the Sioux City Country Club. He is affiliated with the Woodbury County, Iowa State and Sioux Valley Medical Societies, the American Medical Association, and the F.A.C.S., and is serving on the staffs of the Methodist Episcopal, Lutheran and St. Joseph’s Hospitals. Dr. O’Donoghue stands practically on the threshold of his career and his ambition, talent and devotion to duty insure his continuous progress in his chosen vocation.