Dr. Alfonso Xavier Illinski

Dr. Alfonso Xavier Illinski - Cahokia's most notable citizen in the 19th century who was Polish - a medical doctor who had more patients than any doctor in the county. He was known to treat up to sixty patients a day. Dr. Illinski was the oldest practicing physician and surgeon in Illinois.

He was born in Poland in 1817. As a fourteen year old lad he entered the patriot army as a lancer and took active part in the November 1930 Upraising/Insurrection against Russia which occupied part of Poland. In 1834 he had a choice to be exiled to Russia or America. In 1834 he landed in Castle Garden, New York.

He completed his medical degree in St. Louis in 1840 and in 1841 he set up his practice in Cahokia, Illinois. For many years, he was the only doctor in the American Bottom, traveling miles on horseback, sometimes treating hundreds of patients every week. A medical innovator, he is thought to be the first doctor to use modern antiseptics in the area.

He spent a brief time in California (1849-1852) during the Gold Rush, but he soon returned to Cahokia to resume his practice. He retired in 1883 and died in Cahokia in 1897.