Obit: McGonigal, Matthew (1874 - 1936)

Contact:  Audrey Roedl

Surnames: MCGONIGAL GRAVES

----Sources: The Loyal Tribune 01 October 1936

McGonigal, Matthew (1874 - 20 SEP 1936)

Mathew McGonigal, better known to hundreds of friends and patients as Dr. M. McGonigal, was born sixty two years ago on a farm one-half mile from the village of Newboro, Ontario, Canada, and passed away September 20, 1936. He was the youngest child of Charles McGonigal and Margaret Moran McGonigal. He received his early education in the village of Newboro; finishing there he went to high school in Athens, Ontario, where he took a teaching course (Canadian high schools are much like normal schools) After finishing at Athens he taught in Newboro for two years and then taught for five years in the Catholic schools in the city of Kingston, Ontario. He then entered medical school of Queen’s University in Kingston and finished there in 1904 with the highest honors. Following graduation Doctor accepted a position in the International Nickel Company’s Hospital at Sudbury, Ontario and remained there about fourteen months. In the summer of 1906 he came to Wisconsin and took the State Board examination at the same time that Dr. Harry Vedder and Dr. James Vedder of Marshfield took them. About Christmas of the same year he came to Loyal upon the suggestion of his brother, James, who was already here. Dr. McGonigal and Dr. H. H. Christopherson practiced together for a short time; then Dr. McGonigal opened his own office.

Dr. McGonigal and Miss Blanche Graves were married August 27, 1910. At that time Doctor’s office was in the Allen building; later he and Mrs. McGonigal moved to the Lintner house, where Doctor maintained his office. About seventeen years ago Dr. and Mrs. McGonigal purchased the home just west of the Citizens State Bank and built an office on the house; Doctor had his office there until the time of his death, September 20, 1936.

Doctor had been ill health for several months prior to his death but his passing into the great beyond was a shock to the community. His ability as a practitioner of Medicine was well known and he leaves a host of friends among former patients and fellow doctors. He was a member of the American Medical Association.

Dr. McGonigal is survived by his wife, his brother James, his sisters, Nellie and Annie McGonigal, and his nephew Frank McGonigal, all residents of Loyal.

Rev. A. J. Aurit officiated at the funeral service which was held at St. Anthony’s Church Wednesday, September 23rd. Interment was made in the Catholic Cemetery north of Loyal.

Pall bearers at the funeral were Ray Prior, Albert Davel, Joe Wedl, Fred Cox, Jesse Raab and Charles Thums. Those from other cities who attended the funeral were: Dr. Esxton, Dr. Potter, Dr. James Vedder, Dr. Boeckman of Marshfield. Dr. and Mrs. Christopherson of Colby; Mrs. Amy Marsh of Marshfield. Mrs. B. C. Schultz and son of Wausau; and Mr. and Mrs. George Ostander of Princeton.