One of the leading business houses of Mount Olive, Illinois,
is what is known as "Binney's Pharmacy," the foundations for which were
begun by the late Dr. John Binney, who was for many years one of the
prominent and successful physicians and most highly esteemed citizens of
Mount Olive. Dr. Binney was born in Macoupin County, Illinois, April 17,
1854, and was one in a family of 10 children, born to his parents, Walter
and Christina (Webster) Binney. The father is now a resident of Madison
County, Illinois.
The late Dr. Binney was reared on his father's
farm and attended the local schools. His medical reading was done as
occasion offered, and he prepared himself for entrance to the St. Louis
College of Medicine, where he was graduated in 1877, with high honors. He
located at Mount Olive, and immediately took a foremost place among the
medical practitioners of Macoupin County. Here he continued to live and
practice, taking a great interest in public affairs and developing
enterprises which served to benefit the community, until the time of his
decease, August 14, 1899. The plans he had made for the completion of a
beautiful, modern building to be used as a first class pharmacy were
followed out by his widow, and the business is now conducted by her in
association with her son-in-law, William H. Barrick. The latter is one of
the most enterprising young business men of Mount Olive and the pharmacy is
not only stocked with drugs, but carries also all the articles usually found
in a drug store of the present day and is a credit to the business life of
Mount Olive.
On April 17, 1879, Dr. Binney was married to Elizabeth
McMillan, who is a daughter of the late James McMillan. She still survives,
with two daughters: Lulu E., and Margaret C, the latter of whom is the wife
of William H. Barrick. Mr. and Mrs. Barrick have one child, Grace L., who
was born July 19, 1903.
In political sentiment, Dr. Binney was a
Republican, but he accepted no public honors, outside of being a central
committeeman, his time being fully occupied with his practice, and in
looking after his many investments and property interests. Fraternally he
was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United
Workmen and the Court of Honor. He was also a valued member of the Macoupin
County Medical Association.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 408-409.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022