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.

Frank T. O'REILLY (OREILLEY), farmer; P.O. Braidwood; was born in Meath Co., Ireland, May 
1820, and is the son of Michael and Rose (TULLY) O'REILLY, of Ireland; his father was a 
blacksmith and a farmer; was raised on his father's farm; at the age of 14 years, he was 
engaged in driving a dray between Kells and Dublin, and engaged at this business until 
he emigrated to America, in 1847, with his mother and children; his father died when he 
was about 9 years of age; landed in New York City; they then went to Somerset Co., N. J.; 
here he was engaged in working in the copper-mines eighteen months; then to Newark, N. J., 
and worked in chemical factory about one year; then to the city of New York, where he was 
engaged in driving a team for a sugar refinery; at this business four years; then 
purchased a horse and dray, and was drayman in New York two years; then with the family 
they emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Will Co., Reed Twp., on the farm they now 
own, in July, 1855; first purchased 200 acres at $6 per acre, being among the first 
settlers of this township; made all improvements on the farm; country very wild, 
plenty of deer and prairie wolves. Married in 1853, to Miss Mary BRADLY, of Ireland, 
by whom they have had eight children, seven living. Has held several offices of 
public trust of Reed Twp. Democrat in politics, and a member of the Catholic Church. 
Thomas O'REILLY is a brother of Frank T. O'REILLY, and was born about 1817; have 
been with each other throughout life; both are highly respected farmers of Will Co.; 
they started in life poor boys; have worked hard-driving the dray to a successful 
farmer; own 530 acres of improved land.