Bios

Oren W. ARNOLD, groceries and provisions, Joliet; firm of Arnold & Bowen; born in Orleans Co., N.Y., July 12, 1835, where he attended school until 10 years of age; he emigrated with his parents to Joliet in the winter of 1845; in the spring following, he removed with his parents to Iroquois Co., and engaged in farming for a period of seventeen years, when he removed to Troy Tp., Will Co., where he lived six years, being engaged in learning the trade of carpenter, and farming; he then went to Minnesota for his health, taking with him two droves of … Read more

James R. ASHLEY, Secretary Joliet Wire Fence Co., Joliet; was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., in February, 1825; in 1837, his father came West with his family and settled in Plainfield, Will Co., Ill. He was a minister in the Baptist Church: and labored many years for the churches in Plainfield, Naperville, Downer’s Grove, and organized the church in Joliet; he still resides in Plainfield, having almost completed his fourscore years. James enjoyed a good common-school education, and was at an early age introduced to business life; after his majority he began mercantile life in Plainfield, which he followed … Read more

Morgan ASHLEY, farmer; P. O. Lockport; was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1818; at the age of 17, he left the East and came West to Illinois, settling in Plainfield; here he remained two years, and then moved north of the village one mile, to a farm, remaining six years; he next moved to Dupage Twp., purchased a farm and remained there seven years; he next moved to Lockport Twp., and located where he at present resides. He was married Jan. 21, 1843, to Emily R. NORTON, a native of Ithaca, N. Y.; has seven children – … Read more

J. B. AUSTIN, farmer, Sec. 11; Gooding’s Grove, P. O.; was born in Ontario Co., N.Y., July 4, 1824; he lived with his parents up to the age of 14, when he came with his uncle, Ira AUSTIN, to this county in 1838, who settled near Gooding’s Grove P. O., and lived with him until 1851. He purchased the farm he now resides on in 1851. Has been Collector, Assessor, Constable and School Director. Mr. Austin was the Captain of the first canal-boat that went through the Illinois and Michigan Canal. His first wife was Laura SANDERS of N. Y. … Read more

E.D. AVERY, attorney at law, Joliet (firm of Fithian & Avery); was born in Oneida Co., N.Y., Feb. 2, 1846; the following year, 1847, his parents removed to Illinois, settling on a farm in Lisbon, Kendall Co.; his father is a well-known fruit-grower and nurseryman and to this business the son was raised; he attended the Newark Seminary, in his native county, several terms, and, on becoming of age, he with his brother started a nursery near Dwight, Livingston Co.; two years later, he sold his interest to his brother and engaged in dealing in stock; in 1871, he removed … Read more

William ANGUS, merchant, Peotone; general merchant, firm of Angus & Fell; born in Durham Co., England, March 18, 1830, where he lived and engaged in farming until 23 years of age, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York April 21, 1853, coming directly West and to Chicago; he was employed upon the Galena Division of the C. & N. W. R. R. for a period of five years, first as fireman, then as engineer; after leaving the C. & N. W. R. R., he located in Lombard, Du Page Co., and engaged in farming for a period of … Read more

William ANDREW, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Greengarden; one of our early settlers, was born in England; came to the United States with his father’s family in 1854, and to this State and settled in Will Co. in the same year; his farm consists of 200 acres, valued at $10,000. He was married March 26, 1854, to Miss Eliza FOSTER, who was born in England, they have two children – Charles and Emma A. Mr. ANDREW, since his residence in the township, has held the office of School Director several years. Source: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr … Read more

Alexander ANDREWS, grocery merchant, Joliet; was born in Meriden, New Haven co., Conn., Oct. 29, 1824; in early life he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner; he came West to Illinois in 1852, and settled in Peoria Co., where he engaged in carpentering for a number of years; in 1858, he purchased a farm in Knox Co., and followed agricultural pursuits till 1870; he then spent one or two years in traveling, and , in 1872, located in Joliet; here he worked at his trade until November, 1876, when he engaged in his present occupation. He was married in … Read more

Andrew AMEND, farming, Sec. 28; P. O. Joliet; was born in Germany in the spring of 1829. He married Miss Suzan ZIPH in 1848; she was born in Bavaria in 1816; they have one adopted daughter, viz., Suzan. He left Germany when quite young and came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Huron Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming; remained until 1850, when he went to Iowa and remained a few months, when he came to Will Co., IL, and settled in Plainfield; remained two years; thence to Sec. 1 of Joliet Twp., and lived there … Read more

Edmund ALLEN, proprietor of the Wilmington Butter and Cheese Factory, Wilmington; born in Broome Co., N. Y., May 21, 1814; removed to Illinois in the summer of 1835, locating at Joliet, where he engaged in mercantile business; Mr. ALLEN put up the first barrel of beef that was sent from Chicago to the New York market; the packing was done at the packing-house of G. W. DOLL, and the beef shipped by the old favorite steamer Illinois to Ralph Mead, New York City. Jan. 1, 1844, he removed to Wilmington, engaged in merchandising and milling, at the same time making … Read more