John Grieves
Mr. Grieves comes from Selkirk, Scotland, where he was born in 1826 and obtained his education in the schools of the place. He was early put to work in the mills and obtained a thorough knowledge of the woolen manufacture in all its details. He set out to master the details and fit himself for something better than a mere laborer and succeeded. Finding there was little opportunity to rise in the profession in the overcrowded manufacturing cities of the old world, he determined to emigrate and came to the United States in 1848, finding employment in Lawrence, Mass. In 1851 he was offered the superintendency of a new mill at New Edinborough, Canada.
Remained till 1858, when he went to Utica in charge of a department in the celebrated Globe Mills. From there he went to West Troy and assumed charge of James Roy & Co.’s Shawl Mills. About this time the Lacon Woolen Manufacturing Co. was organized, in which Mr. Grieves became a stockholder, furnished the plans for the mill and purchased most of the machinery. He was its first superintendent and continued there until about 1870 when he went to Beloit, Wis., and to Peoria in 1872, returning to Lacon in 1876, and assumed his present situation as superintendent and manager of the Lacon Woolen Manuf. Co. In 1848 he married Elizabeth Heart and to them were given, George Isabelia, Jessie, John, Oliver and Christine. He has two children by a former marriage – Elizabeth and Mary. Two daughters are married and live in Peoria and one – Jessie, who was a very promising young lady, is buried in the Lacon cemetery.
[Source: Record of Olden Times or 50 years on the Prairie, 1880, Page 682-683 Lacon Township. Transcribed by Nancy Piper ]
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John Grieves, senior member of the firm of John Grieves & Sons, woolen manufacturers of Lacon, has been identified with the business interests of the city for thirty years. He is the pioneer in the manufacture of woolen goods in this section of the country.
The woolen industry in Lacon was the outgrowth of an article in the Chicago Tribune about the close of the war from the pen of Spencer Ellsworth, which attracted the attention of Samuel Saque and John Grieves. Correspondence between these gentlemen and Mr. Ellsworth lead to a meeting of a few of the representative citizens of Lacon and the appointment of William F. Fisher and Mr. Ellsworth a committee to confer with Saque and Grieves with reference to the establishment of a manufactory at this point for the production of woolen goods. A favorable report being made, a company was organized with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, which was later increased to one hundred and twenty-three thousand. The first board of directors were Archibald Riddell, John Grieves, William F. Fisher, Spencer Ellsworth, Dr. Thomas, Alonzo Roberts and P. Stevens.
The company known as the Lacon Woolen Manufacturing company, after being duly incorporated commenced operations, having elected John Grieves as superintendent. It was in January 1866, when Mr. Grieves, and all the machinery bought by him.
There were many difficulties to be overcome in the establishment of such an enterprise in the west, and it required boldness in any one to come in competition with the old and well established houses of the east. The company was fortunate in the selection of Mr. Grieves as superintendent and general manager. A thorough master of his trade, and, with good business instinct and tact, he took hold of the enterprise with a determination to make it win.
The erection and equipment of the mill with necessary machinery exhausted the capital of the company, leaving it without a dollar with which to purchase necessary supplies. Nothing daunted, Mr. Grieves went to Chicago, and stating his case to dealers, secured he dyes and other material needed, and work was commenced. The first output of the mill was fancy cassimeres. A fine fabric was made, comparing favorably with those of any eastern mill. The product was put with the commission houses of Chicago, but with ill success. Mr. Grieves then went to that city, and with samples of cloth visited the trade, and after many disappointments succeeded in selling the goods.
After a trial Mr. Grieves and the directors of the company were convinced that a change would have to be made in the manufacture of goods, as such prices for cassimeres and flannels could not be obtained as could justify the making. It was then agreed to engage in the manufacture of shawls, being the first mill, in the west to engage in that line. For five years Mr. Grieves continued in charge of the mill, when her resigned his position and removed to Peoria, where he also engaged in woolen manufacture.
During the succeeding five years the Lacon woolen mill made no progress, and Mr. Grieves was persuaded to return and occupy his old position as superintendent and manager. From 1876 to 1894 he filled those positions and during that time dividends on the stock were made and paid, save for the years 1892 and 1893. In the spring of 1894, the directors of the mill took charge, and until November of that year were engaged in cleaning out all stock on hand. In the spring of 1895 the mill was rented to John Grieves and Sons, who are stilloperating it with success, turning out about seventy-five thousand dollars worth of products annually. Employment is given about seventy-five hands.
In 1883, Grieves, Halsey & Company erected the Ettrick mill at Lacon at a cost of thirty-four thousand dollars. It first engaged in the manufacture of hosiery yarn and continued in that line until it became unprofitable in consequence of the low prices prevailing. The looms were then changed and the manufacture of shawls were commenced, and later another change was made to dress goods. John W. Grieves, the son of our subject, succeeded Mr. Halsey, and the present firm was started, that of John Grieves and Son. This mill, which is run night and day, also gives employment to about seventy persons and the combined pay roll is about four thousand five hundred dollars per month. The products of these mills are mainly disposed of in Chicago, though selling in all of the principal cities.
Our subject was born in Selkirk, Scotland, November 9, 1826, and there grew to manhood. At the age of ten years he entered a woolen mill in his native city, learning the trade in all its departments, and remaining there until after attaining his majority. In 1848 he came to America and secured a position as a weaver of shawls at Lawrence, Massachusetts, being thoroughly conversant with that line of business. After two years he took charge of a weaver's room in a mill near Boston, remained tow and a half years, then went to New Edinburg, Candada, and became superintendent of a cassimere mill.
Returning to Massachusetts, he was in charge of a weaver's room at Andover for three years, and again went to Canada for one year. He next went to North Andover, Massachusetts, then to Utica, New York, as boss weaver. From Utica, he went to the mill of James Roy & Co., West Troy, New York, having charge of the shawl mill of that firm. From Troy he came to Lacon in 1866. John Grieves and Isabel Heart were united in marriage, April 17, 1848. Their two sons, John W. and George H., are associated with their father in the business. John is a designer and makes all the patterns used by the firm. George H., is superintendent of the Ettrick mill. Each of the firm understands the business thoroughly, and the product of their mills always gives the best satisfaction.
Transcribed and Donated by Nancy Piper
Taken From The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties,
Illinois., Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1896, Page 49-50
John Grieves
Page 681-682 Lacon Township
This gentleman, member of the firm of Stire & Gell, merchants and clothiers of Lacon, is a native of England, born in Huntingdon in 1818. Before coming to this country he received the business training of a ten years experience in the grocery business in the city of London. In 1851 he came to the United States, and located in Lacon, remaining here about seven years. He then moved on a farm in Steuben township, where he remained one year, lived in La Prairie five years, and then returned to Lacon, being connected with Fisher's flouring mill about four years. At the expiration of this connection he formed a partnership with Felix Kahn in the clothing business in Sparland which lasted seven years, when he again returned to Lacon and formed his present business partnership with Mr. Store. October 18, 1846 he married in London England, Mary A. Wood, a native of that city. They have one child living, Maria Nancy (now Mrs. Martin, residing in Tazewell county), and have lost one child by death. They are member of the Baptist church. A few years ago Mr. Gell visited his old home in the city of London, and has consequently three times crossed the broad Atlantic. He is an estimable citizen, a man of sturdy integrity, honest, upright and straightforward in all his dealings, and enjoys in a high degree the confidence and esteem of his fellows. . -
Record of Olden Times or 50 years on the Prairie, 1880, Page 681-682 Lacon Township. Transcribed by Nancy Piper
Mr. Gapen is a resident of Lacon engaged in the manufacture of saddles and harness. He was born in Scioto county, Ohio, in 1833, but was raised in Lacon, his parents moving here when he was but one year old. In 1857 he married Elizabeth Boyles, a native of Adams county, Ohio. They have six children - Charles, Mollie, Sallie, William, Emma Dell and Frank. He is a member of the I.O.O.F.; has been in business for himself since April, 1866. -
Record of Olden Times or 50 years on the Prairie, 1880, Page 682 Lacon Township. Transcribed by Nancy Piper
Mrs. Gage was born in North Wolfeboro, N.H., and is a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Bickford) Roberts. The family came originally from England, and in the days of the colonies settled at Dover and became farmers. Mr. Roberts, senior, was born and labored on a farm when a boy, afterward removing to this place, where he died after a long a busy life. He followed merchandising here, amassing a large property, which was equitably divided among his descendants. Here his children were born and grown up, the sons assisting in the store and gaining a thorough knowledge of the business. Five sons and daughters were born to them, viz., Susan Abigail (Mrs. Blake), Alonzo and Porter D., living in Chicago, Mary B.G. (deceased), and Carrie C., the subject of this sketch. She married in 1854, Fred. Gage, and moved immedieately to Kenosha, Wis., where they lived two years, and went to Manitowoc, where he engaged in business. Here he made the acquaintance of Phineas Stevens, and in 1860, along with him and A. and P. D. Roberts, removed to Lacon, and under the firm of Stevens, Gage, Roberts & Co., embarked in merchandising, the lumber and grain trade. They did a very extensive business for a number of years and were quite successful. Mr. Gage retired from the firm about 1870, and purchasing a large farm west of Lacon, turned his attention to improving it. He also opened an exchange and loan office in Sparland. He had a first class aptitude for business, his investments were always safe, and he accumulated a large property. His married life was happy, and to them two children were born - a son that died in infancy, and a daughter - Maria Theress, born March 6, 1873. -
Record of Olden Times or 50 years on the Prairie, 1880, Page 682 Lacon Township. Transcribed by Nancy Piper
F. C. Gale, Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Gale was born in Windham county, Vermont in 1840 and comes from an old family that has given many eminent men to the country. His father was a farm and gave him a good education, after which he studied medicine and after receiving his diploma entered the United States navy as assistant surgeon in 1861, serving on board the U.S. steamer Potowaka, engaged in the blockade of southern ports and the pursuit of rebel cruisers, also in which capacity he visited the different West India Islands, the Caribbean Sea, crossed the Atlantic and entered the Mediterranean Sea, visiting most of the consular states on the way. He was in the expedition of Com. Goldsboro that captured Hilton Had and the Carolina coast, also in Burnside’s expedition and in a great storm off Hatteras. Saw several vessels with all on board go down. The service was exciting and laborious, now chasing rebel armed cruisers, now capturing peaceful traders, and again having sharp encounters with rebel batteries and iron clads. Occasionally they would chase a noted rebel cruiser like the Florida, the Sumpter, the Nashville, and four times he was wounded but never seriously. At the close of the war he was mustered out and returned home. In 1865 he married Fannie Taft, daughter of the Hon. Geo. W. Taft, of Vermont. She died in 1870, leaving two children – George Taft and Orpha M. His present wife was Jennie Handwork, whom he married at Morris, Ill., February, 1874. He came to Lacon in 1875 and has built up a large and lucrative practice.
Source: Record of Olden Times or 50 years on the Prairie, 1880, Page 683 Lacon Township. Transcribed by Nancy Piper
The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois,
Published in Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. 1896. - Marshall
county Biographical extractions pages 100-199
Transcribed March 2011 by Norma Hass
William H. GERMAN, residing on a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 15, Hopewell township, and who is also the owner of another farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 14, of the same township, while making no pretension of great ability in any particular manner, is yet a man who has drawn around him many friends who admire his honesty of heart and such qualities that go to make up the trustful man. His father, John GERMAN, was a native of Zanesville, Ohio, born in 1797, and was a son of Moses and Caroline GERMAN, natives of Pennsylvania, but of German descent.
John GERMAN grew to manhood on his father's farm near Zanesville, Ohio, and there married Cassandra SMITH, a native of Ohio. In 1831 they moved to Putnam county, Illinois, and settled near Magnolia. After a year he went back to Ohio, but returning to Putnam county for a time, rented farms in Magnolia township. They were the parents of eight children: Samuel, who left home many years ago, and was never afterward heard from; Moses, who lives in Iowa; Rachel, wife of Calvin SHIELDS, of Putnam county, Illinois; Susan, who first married Henry HANNUM, and on his death married Thomas JOHNSON, now lives in Henry, Illinois; Elizabeth, now the wife of Y. A. GLENN, of Putnam county; Gilla, who married Daniel HARNEY, both of whom are now deceased; William H., our subject, and Maria, who died at the age of sixteen years. The mother of these children dying, the father married Elizabeth MORRIS, who is now deceased, and by this marriage were three children - Joseph, now living in Iowa; Eleanor, now the wife of T. W. STONER, of Hopewell township, and Melissa, now the wife of William FETTER, residing in Iowa. John GERMAN was for many years a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in the faith. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war.
The subject of this sketch was born March 12, 1840, on Ox Bow Prairie, near Magnolia, Putnam county, Illinois, and there grew to manhood. His father being in limited circumstances, was unable to give him the education he desired and therefore his school days were but few in number and he may be said to be a self-educated man. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, seventy-seventh Illinois volunteer infantry, and went with his regiment to the front. After a short term of service he was taken sick with the measles at Covington, Kentucky, and lost his voice for a period of three months, for which cause he was honorably discharged.
Returning home, Mr. GERMAN resumed his occupation of farming, and November 12, 1863, married Miss Ada E. STEWART, a native of Hennepin, Illinois, and a daughter of John E. and Sophia H. (CHAPLIN) STEWART, the former a native of Ohio, born in 1814, and the latter of North Carolina, born in 1817. John E. STEWART was a son of John I. STEWART, who came from Scotland. His father was a well educated man, a surveyor by profession, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. The father of Mrs. GERMAN came to Hennepin in 1832, and there engaged in his trade of tailoring, in which line he continued until 1845, then removed to a farm. Mr. and Mrs. STEWART were the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to maturity - Mary Jane, now the wife of I. A. GLENN, of Putnam county; Nancy W., now the wife of E. S. FOSTER, living in La Salle county, Illinois; Mrs. GERMAN; Lucinda W., now the wife of John McCLOSKEY, living in Roberts township, Marshall county; Kelp S., who married Rosa Belle GRAVES, now deceased, lives in Washington county, Kansas; Elizabeth Frances, who is now deceased and Ellen, now the wife of W. A. STONER, of Englewood, Illinois. Mrs. STEWART, who was a member of the Baptist church, died April 8, 1892. Mr. STEWART resided in La Salle county, Illinois, up to the date of his death, which occurred January 30, 1896.
To Mrs. And Mrs. GERMAN eight children have been born, three of whom are now living - Charles Stewart, Moses Samuel and Edwin Schon. Immediately after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. GERMAN commenced their domestic life upon a farm in Putnam county, and there rented land until 1866. He then purchased a small farm on Clear creek, in Hennepin township, Putnam county, which was then unimproved timber land. He at once commenced its improvement and after remaining there until 1881 sold out and removed to his present location in Hopewell township, Marshall county, where he has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, all of which is well improved. Mr. GERMAN is engaged in general farming, confining himself to no particular branch, and has been quite successful during the fifteen years of his residence in Marshall county. He has lately remodeled his large barn and built a fine dwelling, in which the family now reside.
While engaged in hunting on the 23d of August, 1873, Mr. GERMAN accidentally shot himself in the left arm, necessitating its amputation above the elbow. Notwithstanding this unfortunate occurrence, he seems to get along as well as most men who have the use of both hands and arms. Fraternally he is a member of Lookout Mountain post, No. 94, G. A. R., and politically he is independent, voting for such men and measures as he thinks will best advance the interests of his town and country. He has been assessor of Hopewell township six years; road commissioner three years, and has also served as school director for a number of years.
Mrs. GERMAN, who was born January 15, 1844, was reared on the farm and received a good education in the district schools, preparing herself as a teacher, and for several terms taught in the public schools of Putnam county, Illinois. She is a kind-hearted, intelligent woman, and has a host of friends throughout Marshall and Putnam counties. The same can also be said of Mr. GERMAN.