Will County ILGenWeb

Benjamin Franklin ALLEN, physician, Joliet; was born of New England parentage, in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Dec. 12, 1815; when about 4 years of age, his parents removed to St. Lawrence Co., where he passed his early years on a farm situated on the banks of the river St. Lawrence, attending the district school during the winter seasons; soon after attaining his majority, he went back to Watertown, his native place, and there spent six years, first as a student at the Black River Literary and Religious Institute, a part of the time teaching school, and later pursuing his … Read more

F. ALFRICK, blacksmith, Joliet: born in Germany Feb. 20, 1837, where he lived and attended school constantly until 15 years of age, when he engaged in farming three years; he emigrated to America when 18 years of age, landing in New York Nov. 27, 1854; from there he went to Picton, C. W., where he learned the blacksmith trade, working at the same for a period of ten years; he emigrated to Joliet, Ill., in November, 1865, and engaged at his trade, which business he has since successfully followed; he owns his place of business and other real estate upon … Read more

James L. ALEXANDER, farmer, P. O. Lockport; was born in New Marlboro, Mass., Aug. 22, 1805. He was married to Betsy HEALY, of Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., May 17, 1834; after marriage, he lived three years in Sodus, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming; in 1837, he came West and settled near Lockport, taking contracts on the I. & M. Canal on the section at Kankakee, and subsequently on Secs. 62 and 45; after the completion of the canal, he purchased a farm in the present limits of Dupage Twp., and occupied it in 1841; in … Read more

George ALEXANDER, farm and stock, Sec. 15; P. O. Channahon; the subject of this sketch was born in this country on Hickory Creek, Oct. 27,1837. He married Miss Emma BEDFORD Feb. 14, 1860; she was born in New Jersey Nov. 11, 1841; they had seven children, five living, viz. Janet, Hattie, Mary, John and Jessie. He has always lived in this county; he has been Road Commissioner ten years and Collector, several terms during the past twenty years; he has been dealing largely in stock; he bought an interest in a, creamery during the past year, and since that time … Read more

E. H. AKIN, dealer in real estate, Joliet; was born in Johnstown, Fulton Co., N.Y., July 3, 1815; at the age of 17, he went to Onondaga Co., and in 1847, to Berrien Co., Mich.; followed the mercantile business there one year; removing thence to Chicago; in 1849, he came to Lockport, and shortly afterward went to California, where he followed mining until 1851; returning, he engaged in farming near Lockport, and , in 1854, removed to Joliet; here he followed his trade of cooper, for a short time, and then engaged in manufaccturing staves, which he continued until 1860; … Read more

George W. AHRENS, cabinet-maker; P. O. Crete, was born in Hessen, Germany, Feb. 22, 1836, and is the son of William AHRENS, of Germany, who was a shoemaker by trade. Mr. AHRENS commenced to learn the cabinet-making trade when a young man in Germany, and served an apprenticeship of four years; after learning his trade, he was engaged in working in different parts of Germany, and, in 1858, with his brother John, emigrated to America; landed in New York City; came direct to Chicago; here he started, in a small way, in making chairs; this he followed about one year, … Read more

P.P. ADLER, dealer in live stock and proprietor of Adler’s wholesale and retail market, Joliet; was born in Joliet Oct. 7, 1842; he is a son of Michael ADLER, who came to Will Co. over forty years ago and is now living in Joliet at the age of 75 years; Mr. ADLER received an English education in the Joliet public schools, and then learned the shoemaker’s trade, which he followed for four years; at the age of 21, he began business for himself and has followed various kinds of business to the present time. He was married in 1865, to … Read more

Jacob ADLER stock dealer, Joliet; born in Prussia, Germany, March 17, 1836; he emigrated with his parent to America when 2 years of age, landing in New York, coming directly West and remaining in Chicago for a few months, then a short time in Indiana, then a short time at Sag Bridge, Will Co., when he removed to New Lenox, where he went to school one year, then to Joliet in 1843, where he attended school in the old log schoolhouse, the first school house in the township; he remained with his father upon the farm until 22 years of … Read more

Peter ADELMANN, dealer in general merchandise, Joliet; was born in Lockport, Will Co., Il., Jan. 5, 1852. He is the son of Christopher ADELMANN, who coming from Bomberich Biern, Germany, settled in Lockport in 1846, and is still a respected and substantial citizen of that city. The son, Peter Adehmann, received his education in the Lockport public schools, and in Bryant & Stratton’s Business College in Chicago; he then went to Iowa and engaged in clerking in a leather and shoe-finding house in Council Bluffs, from which city, at the age of 18 years, he came to Joliet, and started … Read more

C. ADELMANN, farmer; P. O. Lockport; was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 1, 1817; he immigrated to America in August, 1846, and settled in Lockport, Will Co., IL., where he has resided ever since, excepting a temporary absence of about six months on the Au Sable; he was a stone cutter by trade, and has erected a number of fine buildings in Lockport, and now owns some of the best and most eligibly situated business houses in town; this he followed about twenty years and then bought and operated the tannery located in the south part of the village; Jan. … Read more