Allyn, Walter H., M.D., and Allyn, Paul, M.D., physicians and surgeons, Waverly, Morgan county, Illinois It is not often that the biographer has the pleasing task of writing the lives of two brothers, who, while not born twins, are so similar in characteristics and tendencies as to lead almost identical lives. R. T. and E. E. (Henderson) Allyn, parents of the brothers mentioned, were originally of Scotch descent, although natives of Illinois. Of their children, Walter H. and Paul early showed inclinations for a professional life, and, what is rather unusual in similar cases, both selected the field of medicine. Walter H. Allyn was born in Modesto, Macoupin County, Illinois, July 16, 1876, and Paul, on April 10, 1879.
The education of both was along similar lines. Walter graduated from the High School near his home in 1891, after which for two years he attended the school at Waverly. Later he spent four years in the college at Eureka, Illinois, obtaining the degree of A.B. in 1899, and thereafter entering Barnes University, at St. Louis, Mo., from which institution he was graduated in 1902. He was so fortunate as to secure the position of interne in a city hospital for twelve months, a position which because of the varied experience it furnishes, is eagerly sought by medical students. In the spring of 1903 Dr. Allyn came to Waverly, and a year later was joined by his brother who became the junior member of the firm, whose practice is large and continually increasing. Dr. Allyn is a member of the I.O.O.F., the Elks, K.P., Modern Woodmen, M.P.L., A.F. & A.M., Loyal Americans and D.A.K.K. fraternities.
Paul Allyn’s education, as has been suggested, was very similar to that enjoyed by his senior brother. He graduated at Waverly High School, and later attended Eureka College. He also graduated from Barnes University, at St. Louis. In 1902, and for eighteen months in the Centenary and City Hospitals, had all the advantages of an interns experiences, after which he removed to Waverly and became connected with the firm of Drs. Allyn & Allyn. Dr. Paul Allyn has recently taken a post graduate course at Chicago. He does not belong to the order of Elks nor to the Masonic fraternity, but is connected with the Court of Honor; otherwise he is affiliated with all the organizations with which his brother is associated, while both belong to the City Hospital Alumni Medical Society, and to the American Medical Association.