Personal history
Donnelly was born in Lebanon, Missouri in 1891, the son of Phil and Margaret (Halloran) Donnelly. Following his graduation from Lebanon High School in 1909 Donnelly attended St. Louis University, earning a law degree in 1913. Donnelly returned to his native Lebanon and entered private practice with J.W. Farris. In 1915 he wed Miss Juanita McFadden. They had one child, a son David, who himself became an attorney and joined his father's law practice.Political history
Soon after his passing of the Missouri Bar and return to Lebanon Donnelly expressed an interest in politics. His first office was that of Lebanon city attorney, followed by election to one term as Laclede County prosecutor. Phil Donnelly entered state politics in 1922 by being elected State Representative for the Laclede County area. After one term in the House he was elected to Missouri State Senate in 1924 and remained there for the next twenty years. Senator Donnelly became Governor Donnelly for the first time after winning the 1944 gubernatorial race. Highlights of his first term as governor included overseeing the implementation of a new Missouri state constitution in 1946, creation of the Missouri Department of Revenue, and welcoming international statesmanHonors
:*Honorary Doctor of Law degrees were bestowed on Governor Donnelly by Washington University in 1949 Westminster College, and William Jewell College. :*Donnelly Elementary School in Lebanon, Missouri is named for the late Governor. :*Donnelly Hall, formerly a residence hall (1961–2004) atReferences
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donnelly, Phil M. 1891 births 1961 deaths People from Lebanon, Missouri Democratic Party governors of Missouri Missouri lawyers Saint Louis University alumni 20th-century American politicians 20th-century American lawyers