Dr. M.C. HENNESSY, 56, Council Bluffs surgeon and past president of the Iowa State Medical Society, died early Friday at University Hospital, Iowa City. He died of complications, following a prolonged illness. With the exception of overseas service during World War I, Dr. Hennessy practiced medicine in Council Bluffs continuously since 1914. A graduate of the Illinois College of Medicine, he had served as president of the Mercy Hospital staff, and the Pottawattamie County Medical society.

He was a member of the staff of St. Bernard's Hospital; a fellow of the American College of Surgeons; vice regent of the Seventh District of the International College of Surgeons and a member of the American Medical Association and the Iowa Clinical Surgical Society. He was a member of St. Francis Church. From 1932 to 1937 he served as instructor of clinical surgery at Creighton University, and served a term as a member of the Council Bluffs Board of Education. He was an associate member of Jennie Edmundson Hospital; a member of American Legion Post 2; and a councilor since 1932 in the Iowa State Medical Society.

Born at Iowa City, Dr. Hennessy attended Iowa City schools and the University of Iowa prior to his medical career. Moving to Council Bluffs in 1914, his practice was interrupted temporarily by is service in the medical corps during the war. In December 1918, he transferred from the 9th Aero Squadron to help organize the ARC Military Hospital, Liverpool, England, and he served as a member of the disability board with the AEF. During World War II, Dr. Hennessy served as chairman of procurement and assignment of doctors for the armed services in the Eleventh Councilor district, and was head of the state cancer committee for three years. He also served on the medical examining board for selected service.