Thomas Francis Doran, lawyer, of Topeka, is a native of Kansas, born on a farm in Morris county, Dec. 8, 1862. His father, Francis Doran, came to Kansas in 1859, in the early days of the history of the state, located in Morris county, and there acquired the title to 100 acres of land from the government. This farm has ever since been retained in his family, the original estate having been increased to 500 acres. Francis Doran and his wife, Mary Clark, were born in Ireland. The former was a native of County Carlow and the latter of County Antrim, and they were each fourteen years of age when they came to this country. They were married in New York State, Sept. 16, 1858, and the following year came west. In later life they removed from Morris county to Topeka and there made their home for the remainder of their lives. Their son, Thomas F. Doran, spent his boyhood on the old farm home in Morris county and later became a student in the University of Kansas and graduated there in 1888. During his attendance at the university he had given some attention to the study of law, and after finishing his college course entered the office of Hon. Joseph Ady, at Topeka, and under his tutelage acquired a thorough preparation for the successful legal career which followed after his admittance to the bar, in 1891. Since that date Mr. Doran has practiced law in Topeka, where he is regarded as one of the most capable members of his profession and is a prominent and influential citizen. In 1888, before his admittance to active practice, he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue, under Hon. Cyrus Leland, Jr., and served in that capacity until 1892. Mr. Doran is a member of Ferry, Doran & Dean, a leading law firm of Topeka, which is counsel for the Smith Automobile Company, the Topeka Street Railway Company, the Topeka Edison Company, the Continental Creamery Company, the Beatrice Creamery Company, the Jensen Manufacturing Company, and the Seymour Packing Company, and is also local attorney for the Illinois Traction Company, the Smith Truss Company, and other corporations. It occupies, in the New England Building, a handsome suite of offices, which are equipped with one of the most complete legal libraries in the state. Mr. Doran is a member of the Shawnee County Bar Association and the Kansas State Bar Association, and holds membership in the Commercial Club, the Topeka Club, and the Country Club. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the Knights and Ladies of Security, and the Elks.

His marriage to Miss Mary Woodward occurred Oct. 19, 1891. She is a daughter of B. W. Woodward, of Lawrence, Kan., a pioneer of the state, coming to Kansas from Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, and during his life was one of the best known and most prominent citizens of the state. Mr. Doran and his wife have one child, Josephine W., now nineteen years of age.