Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Ira R. MARSH, merchant, Braidwood; was born in Attica, N. Y., June 22, 1843, and is the son 
of J. Wells and Laura (SMITH) MARSH; his father was engaged in the mercantile business, and 
died when Mr. MARSH was but one year old. Mr. MARSH's first business in life was working, at 
bookbinding; then in the dentistry one and a half years; he then set out in learning 
photography, and was engaged at this business about one and a half years in Buffalo, N. 
Y, In 1862, he enlisted as private in Co. B, 112th N. Y. V. I. for three years or during 
the war; was with the Army of the James; participated in some of the hard-fought battles 
during the war - Cold Harbor, Fort Fisher and in the battle of New Market Heights; he 
received a wound in the, side which disabled him for about four months; he rejoined his 
regiment and served until the close of the war; mustered out June, 1865; in 1866, he came 
West to Illinois and settled at Keifersville; here he commenced the grocery business, 
this being the first store at the mines; he remained there about two years; returned East 
one year, and in 1869, came to Braidwood; here he commenced to clerk for Lawrence & Tinceler; 
he purchased an interest, and then the firm was L. Tinceler & Co.; today he is in business 
alone; owns one of the best boot and shoe stores in Braidwood, and ranks as one of the 
leading, merchants of this vicinity. Married in 1876, to Miss Annie WHITE; one child. 
Has held several offices of trust, City Clerk and Supervisor of Reed Township. Republican 
in politics.