My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS DOLAN. Prominent among the members of the legal fraternity, Joplin, is the subject of this sketch, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 8, 1860. His father, Michael Dolan, was a native of Ireland, and his mother, Catharine (Fitsgerald) Dolan, of Missouri. When about two years of age he was taken with his parents to New Orleans, La., where his father engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business, and remained there until 1868; then moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where, shortly after, his mother died. In 1870 he moved to Keokuk, and about one year thereafter to Monmouth, Ill., where he attended school. He came to Joplin in the summer of 1873, and continued for a time in school. In the spring of 1876 he engaged as salesman to Jesse Gulley, proprietor of a meat market, and continued with him until 1880. In June previous he had commenced the study of law, and after quitting his position devoted his entire time to preparation for his chosen profession. In February, 1880, he went into the office of Messrs. Cunningham & Montgomery, of this city, and was admitted to the bar in March of that year, and at once commenced to practice. Mr. D. was married in Joplin, Feb. 17, 1883, to Miss Lizzie May, daughter of John and Serilda (Norton) Crawford. Mrs. Dolan was born in Buffalo, Dallas county, Mo. They are very pleasantly located on Pearl Street, between Eighth and Ninth. In the fall of 1881 the subject was elected attorney for the city of Joplin, and has since held that position, having been re-elected in October, 1882. He also occupies the chair of medical jurisprudence in the Joplin College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was appointed in March, 1881, by T. B. Haughawout, county prosecuting attorney, to appear for him in state cases in his absence.