Montana labor news., 1950-08-10
IN MEMORIAM PHILIP 0'D0NNELL

Your Committee of tie Ba1 of Silver Bow County Mon
tsna. appointed to prepare and submit resolutions upon the
death OF Philip O'DonAsL who departed this life At Helena,
Montana, on June n, 1850, desiring to express in permanent
form their high appreciation Of his character and professional
service, respectfully submit the following Memorial and Reso-
,uoons and ak that they Be spread upon the records of the
Silver Bow County Bar Association and upon the records Of
the Second Judicial District ef the State Of Montana:
MEMORIAL AND RESOLUTION
Philip ODonncll was bora in ireland in 1893. where he at
tended the local schools and obtained his law degree a, the
Universt, OF Dublin. Later he received a graduate degree at the
University OF London and still later studied at the University
of New Zealand at Wellington He came to America from New
Zealand III the year 1917 and first was employed as a time
keeper at the local mines in Butte. Montana. In the year 1924
he was admitted to. the bar in the State Of Montana and entered
into the practice Of Law as a private. independent Attorney.
de- was Chief Deputy COUNTY A,torney tor Silver Bow
for Silver Bow County Attorney James Freebourn and Chief
Deputy County Attorney for Silver Bow County Attorney Frank
J Roe. In the year l949 he Joined the staff of Arnold Fl. Olsen.
Attorney General for the State OF Montana and remained. with
him until the day of his death.
The legal profession and the desire for freedom and indie.
pcndencc was a heritage OF Philip ODonnell. His father, Judge
James ODonnell, was a member OF Parliament, his brother.
William ODonnen. participated in the lols-lo revolution in
Ireland His father was sentenced by the British to hang. but
escaped from Jail William is a former comptroller general for
currency in Ireland. They believed in and fought for Irih free.
dom and independence.
On January p. 1920. he married Rosie Whalstrom and
they had two boys, Philip J ODonnelI. an Attorney at sacra-
nento' California who was 4 member OF the United States Air
Corps during World War II and saw more than a score OF
bombing missions over Europe during the war. An elder son.
James ODonnell. was a student at the law school at Stanford
and entered World War II in the United States Marines and
served as a Lieutenant i'll several of the battles in the Pacific
theatre OF War and was killed in action at Cape Gloucester
during World War II and buried at sea, leaving surviving in
addition to his parents and brother, a widow and infant son.
Philip Wells ODonnell.
Philip ODonnell loved friends and rejoyced in their society
and especially did he EMO, the friendship OF young men to
whom ne was always giving good advice aud encoura cement
and assisting them in many d The legal diiiicultie, which arose
during their practice OF Law.
His was a grand character ashus, sone,aoin shrdlu
His was a grand character as son. husband, father. lawyer
and citizen. whose modcty and dignity was equallcd b. his
manhood and whose friendship was cherished by all who knew
him.
No breath OF suspicion cer furnished his name and no
SANDER OF him ever found i listener.
With his keen, reflective and ana. tical mind he va de
lighted in the companionship d those who could discuss with
him, state, national and world affairs, politics and philosophy.
and yet he was a kindly, religious man. studious and thought
full and with deep affections and loved the quiet OF his domestic
circle beyond all other pleasures and found in a congcniai and
happy home his greatest jo,ment
As a lawyer he possessed honesty, integrity, ability and was
extremely industrious. He was endowed with grea, mentality.
with an Unsuitable thirst Tor knowledge, and was possessed Of
an analytical mind and one OF superior logic. In his lawsuits he
was extremely partisan and never ceased fighting for the rights
of his clients, but va also courteous, polite and thoughtful Of
the rights OF Others. He participated in many great cases and his
could be obtained. and no client could say he had not been
served faithfully and well He commanded the respec, love and
esteem OF all his clients, the courts. and the members Of the bar
AS an independent lawyer, financial gain was never consid-
cred BY him. The paramount issue was always right should con
quered over wrong With his great knowledge OF law and hs love
TOR his fellow man, ii was only natural that in many OF the cases
before our Supreme Court il which his fellow man sought t.,
better his living conditions that he represented him as n u his
attorneys.
He was a fine. lovabe man. His honesty, pleasing person
alip. learning and ability, combined with his modesty and in
iellect and his fairness and c~nsideration for Others. compelled
the respect Of all men and rndeared him to all member, al the
bar.
A fine man, a wonderful lawyer and a great citizen and
friend has gone from us and we do honor to his memory.
Your Committee moves that these resolutions be adopted
and spread upon the records . The minutes of the Silver Bow
County Bar Association and also be spread upon the minutes OF
the District Court Of Silver Bow County, Montana, and that a
copy OF them be delivered to his widow and other members Of
the family and to The press.
Frank J Roe. " 4 Rnterias, Alien r Mckenzie
T. f. Downey. John B. McCernan
ATTEST.
Mark J Doepker. Presiden,
Joseph y. Woodief, Secretary.
SILVER ROW COUNTY EAR ASSOr1ar,o<