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ANDREW J. LYERLY, M. D., physician and surgeon at Jonesboro, Illinois, is one of the eminent professional men of this part of the State, and his activities as doctor, civic official and public-spirited citizen have marked him as a representative of the best type of progressive American citizenship, and gained him the respect and esteem of his fellow-townsmen and the sincere confidence of a wide circle of warm, personal friends. Since locating in Jonesboro, in 1900, Dr. Lyerly has identified himself with various movements for the public
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welfare, his connection with which has caused his election to various positions of honor and trust, and in the discharge of his official duties he has displayed the same faithfulness and conscientiousness that have marked his professional career.
Dr. Lyerly was born in Union county in 1865, and after attending the district schools and teaching for one term, entered Ewing College, where he remained for four months. He then taught another term of school, and for some time was engaged in farming, in the meanwhile diligently pursuing his medical studies. On March 4, 1890, he was graduated from the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, and began practice at Wolf Lake, where he remained until November, 1900. In that year he came to Jonesboro, Where he has since built up a large patronage. Dr. Lyerly has been a close student, and is the possessor of a large and valuable medical library where he spends whatever time he can spare from his arduous duties. He has a well-appointed office, equipped with the latest inventions of his profession, and everything that will in any way add to the comfort and convenience of his patients. He belongs to the Union County Medical Society, of which he has served as vice-president, secretary and treasurer, and also holds membership in the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is connected with the Jonesboro Blue Lodge of Masons, No. 111, in which he has passed through the chairs, and with the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is at present clerk. Politically a Democrat, the Doctor served for four years as postmaster at Wolf Lake, while he was in practice there, during President Cleveland's second administration, and has been elected to the office of alderman of Jonesboro. He owns 320 acres of well-improved land in Union county, which is operated by tenants, and on which considerable fruit is grown.
In September, 1891, Dr. Lyerly was married to Mrs. Sarah Doty, and five children have been born to this union: Frances, Grover, Ruth, Esther and Electa, all at home. Dr. and Mrs. Lyerly are consistent members of the Baptist church, where he has been an active Sunday school worker, and of which he is now deacon. He is known over a large territory, has an extensive general practice, and enjoys the confidence of the people in a marked degree.