My Genealogy Hound

JOHN McMENOMY, M. D. Widely known and universally esteemed, Dr. McMenomy, as a citizen and honored physician, commands the esteem and confidence of his fellow-townsmen and the general public. He formerly resided in Chester, where he was for a time County Physician, but recently removed to Percy. He was born in New York City, July 6, 1847, to Patrick and Annie (Hoe) McMenomy. The parents were born in Ireland, and emigrated to America in an early day, spending their last days in New York City.

The early education of our subject was received in the common schools of his native city, but when a lad of nine years he was deprived of the care of both parents. At this time he went to live with a man named Brown, who came to Randolph County and located on a farm near Sparta. On this place our subject at once set to work to help bring it to a fine state of cultivation, and so continued until 1863, when he concluded to serve his country in defending the Old Flag.

In the year 1863 the name of John McMenomy was enrolled in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois Infantry, in the one hundred days’ service, and at the expiration of that time he re-enlisted. This time he joined the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Infantry, and served gallantly until the close of hostilities, when he was honorably discharged as Second Corporal of Company F. He was always at his post of duty, and took part in many prominent engagements with his regiment.

After the establishment of peace, in the winter of 1865, the subject of this sketch returned to his home and attended school in Sparta. The following spring he began clerking in the drug store of Dr. Gersage, where he remained for three years, learning the business thoroughly. The next year was spent in a drug store at Coulterville, whence he went to Chicago soon after the great fire in that city, and there spent the winter. Being desirous of becoming a physician, he then commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Booth, of Sparta, and in the winter of 1873-74 attended the medical college at Louisville, Ky. In the spring of the last named year, Dr. McMenomy commenced the practice of his profession in Preston, Ill., carrying on a lucrative business for two years. Then removing to Baldwin, this state, he remained there for the next decade, whence he journeyed to Evansville. After two years’ practice in the above place, he spent the winter in California, but deciding to return to Evansville, again took up his practice in that city, where he remained until December 2, 1891. At this time Dr. McMenomy became a citizen of Chester, where he resumed the practical duties of a physician. He constantly endeavors to improve his conception of the needs of the human system, to keep himself acquainted with the latest investigations of anatomists and chemists, and to use judiciously the remedies that are already known, as well as the new combinations that prove worthy of acceptance.

In September, 1878, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Loretta Wiltshire, a daughter of Charles H. and Lucy (Hill) Wiltshire. Mrs. McMenomy is a native of Illinois, and is a highly educated and cultured lady. One son has been born of this union, who bears the name of Albert, and who is attending school at Chester.

The Doctor was elected to the honored position of County Physician of Randolph County in the fall of 1893, and has not only filled the office with satisfaction to the people, but with credit to himself. Dr. McMenomy is quite interested in social orders, as is evinced by his membership in Lodge No. 248, F. & A. M., of Red Bud, the Egypt Star Lodge No. 285, I. O. O. F., of Red Bud, and the Hercules Lodge, K. of P., at Chester. He is a Republican from conviction, and an active worker for the party policy, not only supporting it by his ballot, but by his influence and presentation of its principles to his acquaintances.