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Below is a family biography included in The History of Obion County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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R. A. Donnell, M. D., a resident and practitioner of the Twelfth District of Obion County, Tenn., was born on the 1st of August, 1831, in Middle Tennessee, Marshall County. His father, Archibald Donnell, was a native of North Carolina, born January 17, 1784. He came to Tennessee at an early day and died in this State in 1841. The mother’s maiden name was Martha Russell. She was born in North Carolina, February 23, 1788, and died January 15, 1873, in Obion County. After finishing his education, Dr. Donnell began teaching school and followed that calling about eight years. In January, 1864, he began the study of medicine under Dr. L. J. Rice, of Marshall County, and entered on the practice of his profession in the county in January, 1868, continuing very successfully up to the present date. Susan Mary Kirk became his wife February 28, 1868. She is a daughter of Anderson and Julia Kirk and is the mother of four children: Thomas Jefferson, Victoria, Clara and Lillie. The Doctor has made his own way in life and may be considered one of the self-made men of the county. He is a stanch Democrat in politics.

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This family biography is one of 179 biographies included in The History of Obion County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Obion County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee

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