Dr. Ruth Tunnicliff's Legacy Celebrated with New Marker in Macomb

By: Kathy Nichols of WIU Archives & Special Collections

Photo taken by Illinois State Historical Society Executive Director William Furry

The new historical marker at 423 East Washington Street—the home where immunologist Ruth Tunnicliff was born and raised—was dedicated last Saturday, October 26.

The event was sponsored by the McDonough County Historical Society, the City of Macomb, and the Illinois State Historical Society. It was well attended.

The program featured opening comments by Larry Zigler, the current president of the McDonough County Historical Society, which included his expression of thanks to Charles and Marietta Dean Weston, who now own the historic home, built in 1857. Next, he thanked the many Macomb-area donors who helped to fund the marker.

John Hallwas, our very well-known area historian, who has written in the past about Ruth Tunnicliff and who initiated this effort, then gave a short overview of Tunnicliff’s remarkable life and achievements. Also, Mayor Inman spoke on the importance of opportunities such as this for recalling and celebrating the past of Macomb. Illinois State Historical Society William Furry addressed the crowd, indicating the importance of the long-overdue marker. Last, Mr. Furry, Dr. Hallwas, and Mr. Zigler unveiled the marker. Mr. Zigler read the following text:

Home of Dr. Ruth Tunnicliff

Noted immunologist Ruth Tunnicliff (1876-1946) was born and raised in this home, built in 1857. Her father, Damon G. Tunnicliff, was a well-known lawyer and judge. Ruth received an A.B. degree from Vassar College in 1895 and an M.D. From Rush Medical College in 1903. Working at the McCormick Institute for Infectious Diseases in Chicago, she did studies on the causes of diphtheria, influenza, scarlet fever, and other diseases. Most notably, she discovered the causative diplococcus of measles (which infected millions of people and killed thousands every year), and she developed the first serum for it in 1927. By then, she was president of the Chicago Pathological Society and was a groundbreaking female leader in disease prevention. She is buried at Macomb’s historic Oakwood Cemetery.

This marker, recognizing Ruth Tunnicliff, whose research on measles saved countless lives around the globe, reminds us of the need to preserve the past of our community, and, in a purpose-driven way, to pass it on to future generations.