Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 450 & 453; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Thomas F. Barnard, M. D. This worthy representative of
respectable families was born in the city of St. Louis, Mo., January
28, 1844. He is the oldest living son of Charles and Susan (Davis)
Barnard, whose family consists of four sons and four daughters. The
father was a native of the Empire State and the mother of Pennsylvania.
Soon after their marriage they located in St. Louis, where they
remained many years, the father carrying on the business of a druggist.
Late in life he removed to this county where his demise took place in
1875. His widow is still living, making her home in Canton.
Grandfather Davis, the father of Mrs. Barnard, was a descendant
of a Welsh family, the old stock being of the Quaker faith. He was a
large property owner, having a farm of seven hundred acres near the
city of Philadelphia, and was a man of influence throughout the section
in which he lived.
Dr. Barnard passed his school days in his native city, attending
the public schools and then taking up the higher branches in the St.
Louis University. He first learned the drug business and then studied
medicine under Dr. A. S. Barnes, of St. Louis, a physician of high
repute for his theoretical knowledge and practical skill. In due time
Mr. Barnard entered the St. Louis Medical College from which he was
graduated in 1873, immediately beginning the practice of his chosen
profession in the same city. In 1876 he removed to Canton where he has
since been conducting a good practice and building up a fine reputation.
Dr. Barnard is regarded as one of those men of progressive ideas
who endeavor to keep pace with the latest investigations, to apply
every principle and new theory judiciously, and to weigh carefully the
merits of every proposed remedy. By those who believe in the
establishment of homes, Dr. Barnard may be considered as having failed
in one of his duties, being still unmarried. In other respects he is
honorably discharging his obligations as a citizen of the great
commonwealth, a member of a learned profession, and a private
individual. He affiliates with the Democratic party.
