JOHN W. D. MAYES, M.D., a reputable member of the medical profession in Illiopolis, was born in Mexico, Mo., October 25, 1852. His parents, Drury D. and Mary A. (Barnes) Mayes, went to Oregon in 1864 in a prairie schooner and out subject, then a lad of twelve years, got his first idea of the great world during that journey. Just as the long trip was over the father died. The mother settled in Salem, Oregon, where our subject enjoyed the advantages of superior schools, finishing his literary studies at the Wilamette University.
A taste for medical science seems to be a family trait and on leaving school he of whom we write came to Illiopolis and began the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. D. J. Mayes, a physician of note in this vicinity. After two years of close application the young man entered the St. Louis medical College in the fall of 1872 and took a course of lectures there, supplemented by a course in the clinical department of the hospital the following summer. He then engaged in the drug business in Mechanicsburg, this State, still continuing his medical studies. In the winter of 1875-76 he attended the Louisville, Ky., Medical College, from which he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the spring. Returning to this State he began the active practice of his profession at Illiopolis, where for four years he carried on his work conscientiously and efficiently.
At the expiration of that period the health of Dr. Mayes called for a change of climate and he went to Washington, opening an office at Goldendale, where he practiced two and a half years. While there he was honored by President Hayes with the appointment of Post Surgeon, but his private practice was so large that he resigned the position. He was elected to the City Council and displayed his manhood by instituting such a war on the whisky traffic that it was not only driven from the town, but was so far removed that there has not been a saloon in the county since.
At the earnest solicitation of a wealthy brother, Dr. Mayes returned to Missouri and engaged in banking in Vandalia, that State, but the love of his profession soon brought him into active practice again in Illiopolis. His labors are almost exclusively among the better class of patients and it is safe to say they are not exceeded in number by those of any other physician in the vicinity. He enjoys the unlimited confidence of his patrons, which has been won by his careful and conscientious work. He has been consulting physician in many difficult and dangerous operations and has acquitted himself with credit.
The wife of Dr. Mayes bore the maiden name of Belle Ishmael and is a native of St. Louis, Mo. She is well read, accomplished and gracious in manner, understanding the art of making a happy home and carefully consulting the comfort of her husband and children. The family includes Earl G., Erma S. and Carwin S.
Dr. Mayes belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity, Masonic Order and the society of Modern woodmen. In politics he is a Republican, now acting as central committeeman for the county and is President of the Young Men's Republican Club. He is a member of the School Board and of the Christian Church, and in his relations with each is thoughtful and earnest in discharging the duties which devolve upon him. He is an unremitting student and his office teems with the best books and periodicals of his profession, while his home contains what is best in general literature. The reader will be pleased to notice on another page a lithographic portrait of Dr. Mayes.