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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
RICHARD CONNELL, M. D., needs
no introduction to the people of Odessa and the surrounding country.
In addition to his large medical practice, he owns a drug store as a necessary
accessory. He is also postmaster, having been appointed to that position,
January 7, 1891, and holding it continuously since that date.
R. Connell was born in Cattaraugus county,
New York, on April 5, 1856, being the son of Martin and Johannah Connell,
natives of Ireland. The father came to New York when a young man
and began his career as a laborer on a railroad. He rose to the position
of assistant road master and was a trusted official. Our subject
was educated in the common schools of Ohio and Nebraska, where he went
with his parents when a boy. It was 1888 when he entered the Kentucky
School of Medicine at Louisville, Kentucky. He here pursued the study
of medicine and graduated in 1889 receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Immediately subsequent to that he went to California and began practice.
In 1890, we find him in Tenino, this state, following his profession, and
later he was at Fairhaven, where he remained four years. After that
he went east and took a post graduate course, being determined to keep
thoroughly abreast with the rapidly advancing science of medicine.
After this, he returned to North Yakima in this state, and practiced there
for one year. Thence he removed to Spokane and practiced there until
1900, the year in which he located at Odessa. It is interesting to
note that Dr. Connell started in life without a dollar. He learned
telegraphy and used it as a stepping stone to his profession of medicine,
and by his own labors the entire expense of gaining his education was paid.
He has now a lucrative practice and has won the respect and confidence
of all.
In 1882, Dr. Connell married Miss Mary A.
Israel, a native of Iowa. She died in 1892, leaving three children,
Fred R., Hazel and Sarah, deceased. In 1897, Dr. Connell married
Miss Nina Hall, a native of Maine. They have an adopted son, Henry.
The Doctor has held various offices of trust in the places where he has
resided and is a progressive and well informed man. He is a member
of the I. O. O. F., of the Foresters and also of the Spokane Medical Society.
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