Danos Joseph L.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Joseph L. Danos, M. D. There is no profession to which an individual may devote himself more dignified in its ethics or more reasonably helpful to the world than that of medicine. Similar claims are made by the church and by the law, but while essentially true enough, they are based on other foundations. The healing art demands of its followers that natural reverence for the dignity of the human body that commands the exercise of all the skill that years of study and training have brought to them to cure its ills, even when they know their services will receive no monetary reward. Where or when does a real physician refuse to give help, and to what other body of men does the world owe so much? It's scientific studies have not only eased the bed of former torture, but have found the cure for almost every bodily affliction. Justly is this noble profession in the forefront. Methods may differ, systems may not be quite alike, and personality counts for much, but the aim and principle remains the same. Among the members of the medical profession well known in Lafourche Parish is Dr. Joseph L. Danos, whose skill and faithfulness, together with his determined hopefulness and cheerfulness, have made his presence valuable in many households at Thibodaux.

Doctor Danos was born March 15, 1880, at Plaquemine, Iberville Parish, Louisiana, and is a son of Louis and Victoria (Berthelot) Danos. His father, who was born at Plaquemine, has been a resident of Iberville Parish all his life, and as a successful and extensive sugar planter is a prominent citizen of his community. He has not sought public office, but takes an interested part in the affairs of his parish, where he votes in support of the democratic candidates while in national affairs he leans toward the republican party. He belongs to the Roman Catholic Church and holds membership in the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Danos married Miss Victoria Berthelot, who was born in Louisiana, and to them there have been born five children: Dr. Joseph L., of this review; Noelie, who is the wife of James M. Kinberger, a wholesale and retail grocer of Plaquemine; Victor, who is fond of travel and never remains long in any one community; Albert, bookkeeper for a wholesale house at Louisville, Kentucky; and Arthur, an officer in the United States Army at Washington, District of Columbia.

Joseph L. Danos attended the parochial schools of his native community and then pursued a course at Springhill College, Mobile, Alabama, from which he was graduated in 1900 with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. In the same year he entered the medical department of Tulane University, New Orleans, being graduated in 1903 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and followed this with an interneship of one year at Charity Hospital, Shreveport, Louisiana. For the following three years he was engaged in the practice of his calling at Shreveport, and then gave up his medical work for the time being, applying himself to sugar planting in Iberville Parish and St. Mary Parish. The call of his profession would not be denied, however, and in 1921 Doctor Danos returned to Tulane University for one and one-half years of post graduate work. In May, 1923, he settled at Thibodaux, where he has since been busily engaged at his calling and has built up a large following in the general practice of medicine and surgery. His well-appointed offices are situated on St. Philip Street, where he has a large medical library and all modern appliances for the successful carrying on of his profession. A man of sympathy, he adds kind heartedness to highly trained ability, and the combination has proven an effective and desirable one. Doctor Danos holds membership in the Lafourche Valley Medical Society and the Louisiana State Medical Society. In politics he is a democrat, but takes only a good citizen's interest in public affairs. He is a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church and of Lafourche Council No. 1114, Knights of Columbus.

In December, 1904, in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, Doctor Danos was united in marriage with Miss Annie Grace Comeaux, daughter of Robert Gilbert and Catharine (Supple) Comeaux, the former of whom, a sugar planter, died in 1923, while the latter died November 1, 1924. Mrs. Danos, a woman of many intellectual gifts and accomplishments, had the advantage of attendance at the Louisiana State Normal College, Natchitoches, and Newcomb College, New Orleans. She and her husband are the parents of the following children: Arthur Louis, who is a student at Thibodaux College; Maurice James, a student in the same institution Julienne Ann, Cecile Mary, Jeanne Louise and Richard Supple, who are attending Mount Carmel Convent, Thibodaux; and Alice Elise and Robert Gilbert.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 323, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.