Harrison County, West Virginia    Biography of James Thomas BRENNAN, M.D.

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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
Page 314

   JAMES THOMAS BRENNAN, M.D.  In the present century of expanding
horizons in medical science, of marvelous discoveries and undreamed of
surgical achievements, the profession seems almost to have reached a
point where its accomplishments are no less than miracles.  Among the
capable and well trained physicians and surgeons of the younger
generation engaged in practice at Clarksburg, one who is making rapid
strides in his calling is James Thomas Brennan, M.D.  Doctor Brennan is
a native of Clarksburg, and was born January 24, 1888, being a son of
Thomas P. and Annie C. (Clifford) Brennan, and a grandson of John J. and
Eleanor (Flanagan) Brennan.  The grandparents were born, reared and
married in Ireland, emigrating from County Mayo to the Untied States
soon after their marriage and settling at Clarksburg, where John J.
Brennan engaged in the shoe business as a merchant.  There he and his
worthy wife passed the remainder of their lives.  Thomas P. Brennan was
engaged in the coal business in early life, but later became the
proprietor of the old Hotel St. Charles of Clarksburg, where he was a
most genial and popular host.  This hostelry was well known to the
traveling public and under Mr. Brennan's able management became a
favorite stopping place.  Mr. Brennan died when only forty-nine years of
age.  His widow, who still survives him as a resident of Clarksburg, was
born in Harrison County, a daughter of James Clifford.  She and her
husband were the parents of three children;  Mary Rose, the wife of
Andrew J. Boyles; Dr. James Thomas, of this review; and Miss Bernadette,
a teacher of music.
   James Thomas Brennan was reared at Clarksburg, where he received his
primary education, and after attending the public schools completed his
literary education at Rock Hill College, near Baltimore.  He then
entered the medical school at Harvard University, from which he was
graduated in 1914, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and for
three years thereafter served as an intern at Carney Hospital.  When the
Untied States became involved in the world's war, he volunteered in
services in the Medical Corps of the United States Navy, and being
accepted, was commissioned junior lieutenant and sent to Washington,
District of Columbia, where he remained in the service until July,
1919.  He was promoted to the rank of senior lieutenant, and as such
received an honorable discharge after something more than a year spent
in the service.  At that time he returned to Clarksburg, where he
established himself in offices at 206 Empire Building, and since then
has been engaged in building up a desirable general practice.  Doctor
Brennan is a close student of his calling and keeps fully abreast of its
numerous advancements.  He is a member of the Harrison County and West
Virginia State Medical societies, the American Medical Association and
the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Navy.  In
politics he is a democrat, and his religious faith is that of the
Catholic Church.  Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus, in both of which
he has numerous friends.
   On October 21, 1918, Doctor Brennan was united in marriage with Miss
Irene Gertrude Little, of Boston, Massachusetts.