Molony, Richard S.

Born: 1811-06-28 New Hampshire

Died: 1891-12-14 Nebraska

Flourished: Belvidere, Illinois

Alternate name: Maloney, Malony

Born in Northfield, New Hampshire, Richard S. Molony was a physician, postmaster, congressman, civil servant, and farmer. He studied medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, graduated in 1838, and began practicing medicine in Belvidere, Illinois. In June 1839, he married Emma Nicholas. Together they had at least two children. In July 1844, he received appointment as postmaster for Belvidere. In 1850, he owned $3,000 in real estate. He was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives that year, and served one term. In 1853, he received appointment as register for the U.S. General Land Office in Danville, Illinois, despite being a member of the Free-Soil wing of the Democratic Party by that time. In 1858 he served as a delegate to the pro-James Buchanan Illinois Democratic convention. By 1860, he was working as a physician in Belvidere, and owned $28,000 in real and personal property. He later relocated to Humboldt in the Nebraska Territory and became a farmer. Although he died in Humboldt, his remains were returned to Belvidere for burial.

Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1996 (Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, 1997), 1537; Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Boone County, 28 June 1839, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971, NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls, Records of the Post Office Department, RG 28, 1845-1855, 18:8, National Archives Building, Washington, DC; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Belvidere, Boone County, IL, 2; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1853 (Washington, DC: Robert Armstrong, 1853), 138; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 22 April 1858, 2:4; Chicago Daily Tribune (IL), 15 September 1854, 2:4; U.S. Census Office, Eighth Census of the United States (1860), Belvidere, Boone County, IL, 120; Gravestone, Belvidere Cemetery, Belvidere, IL.