|
AUGUST CAZALET, a retired merchant of Assumption, was born
in France on Christmas Day of 1828. He spent his youth and grew to manhood in his native country, where he received
fair school privileges. He then served an apprenticeship at the stone mason's trade, which he followed for some
years, after which he engaged in contracting and building for a few years.
Ere leaving the land of his birth, Mr. Cazalet was married
to Miss Julia Galliac, a most estimable young lady. Their union was celebrated in 1853, and for five years they
continued in France, our subject being engaged in contracting and building from that time until 1858, when with
his wife he emigrated to the New World, taking passage from Havre on a Westward-bound sailing-vessel, which at
length dropped anchor in the harbor of New York, in the month of December,
and the young couple found themselves in the New World.
Mr. Cazalet at once came to Illinois, and made a location
in Ottawa, La Salle County, where he established
a stoneyard and engaged in contracting and building for three years. On the expiration of that period, in 1862,
he removed to El Paso, Woodford County, where he engaged
in merchandising in connection with his brother, under the firm name of Cazalet Bros. They continued in the dry-goods
business at that place, enjoying a good trade, until 1865, when our subject sold out his interest and came to Assumption.
Here he built a storeroom and embarked in general merchandising. For about fifteen years he was actively engaged
in business and then sold out.
During that time he purchased land at various intervals and
opened up several farms. Since disposing of his mercantile interests, he has purchased more land from time to time
and now owns ten farms, one in Shelby County and the others in
Christian County. His landed possessions aggregate about one thousand acres, the greater part of which is under
a high state of cultivation and well improved. These properties yield to the owner a good income. Mr. Cazalet has
also done much toward improving the town of Assumption, and has built fourteen business houses in the place, five
of them being good brick structures. He has also built two residences. In 1881 he engaged in the grain and lumber
business, and was actively connected with that industry for ten years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cazalet have been born two children. Leona
is the wife of Joseph H. Stapleton, a prominent grain-dealer and business man of Assumption; and Leon is a leading
farmer, who is connected with his father as a dealer in fine imported horses.
In 1887 Mr. Cazalet made a trip to France and visited his
boyhood friends and the scenes of his youth, spending about three months in his native land. While on the way he
made a purchase of a number of and French Coach horses. The following year he again crossed the Atlantic to purchase
more horses, and he and his son have since been engaged in importing and dealing in live stock. In 1892 he made
a third trip, spending about three months.
Since his residence here, Mr. Cazalet has been one of the
most active, enterprising and successful business men, and probably has done more for the upbuilding of Assumption
than any other of her citizens. His aid is never solicited in vain for the promotion of worthy enterprises, and
his support and co-operation are heartily given for the benefit all public improvement.
|
