John H. Boyer, M. D., a prominent medical practitioner of
Macoupin County, whose professional skill has made him widely known, is one
of the most highly considered citizens of Virden. He was born in 1850 in
Germany, and is a son of Michael Boyer.
The father of Dr. Boyer was
born in Prussia, Germany, and by trade was a shoemaker. Prior to coming to
America, he resided with his family for three years in Paris, France, coming
then to Illinois by way of New Orleans. He opened a shoe store at Virden,
which he conducted until within a few years of his death, in 1892.
Dr. Boyer was educated first in the public schools at Virden and began
reading medicine at the age of 17 years, and is a graduate of the
Homeopathic Institute at St. Louis, Missouri, where he received his medical
degree in 1876, since which year he has been established at Virden, with the
exception of four years spent with Dr. King at the Passavant Memorial
Hospital, at Jacksonville, Illinois. His practice covers a wide extent of
country, his calls coming frequently from adjoining counties. His laboratory
is well supplied with the preparations used in his medical school, and his
commodious offices are equipped with all appliances needful in his practice,
and with one of the finest medical libraries in this section of the State.
He is a man of much scholarship, and converses fluently in three languages.
On May 12, 1892, Dr. Boyer was married to Margaret M. Meacham, a
most estimable lady and a valued member of the Methodist Church of Virden.
Dr. Boyer was reared in the Baptist Church, but his tolerance and his
liberality extend to all religious bodies.
Fraternally he belongs to
both Masonic and Odd Fellow organizations. He has had much to do with the
development of Virden along educational lines and is valued both as citizen
and physician. In politics a Democrat, the Doctor has been central
committeeman of Virden township for the past 17 years and has been president
of the Board of Education for the past five terms.
The Doctor has a
thoroughly musical education and is known throughout the State for his
beautiful tenor voice. He helped to organize the first band in Virden and
continued a member for 20 years.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 493-494.
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