Crawford County IL Archives Biographies.....Steel, James H. 1823 - 1872
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Author: William Henry Perrin (1883)

  JAMES H. STEEL, whose portrait appears in this book, was born in the city of
Philadelphia, Penn., on the 23d day of June, 1823. His ancestors were of
English, Scotch and Irish blood. At an early day in his life, his father removed
to Terre Haute, Ind., taking him along. From that time forward until after he
was of age, most of his time was spent clerking in Western stores. About the
year 1849, he settled in the then small and new town of Robinson, having been
previously elected County Clerk of Crawford County. He held the county clerkship
about nine years, part of the time by appointment to fill the vacancy caused by
Hosea B. Jolly leaving this county and his office. Mr. Steel read law during the
time he was County Clerk, and on the 13th day of July, 1857, was licensed to
practice law. From that time he successfully pursued his profession until the
year 1865, when the Hon. Ethelbert Callahan and himself formed a partnership for
the practice of law in Robinson. That partnership continued about fourteen
months; then owing to the failing health of Mr. Steel it was dissolved. For two
or three years after the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Steel practiced alone,
taking only such cases as suited his inclination and strength, after which time
he entirely abandoned the law. Mr. Steel was one of the founders of the
Republican party in this part of Illinois, and he stood firmly by the Government
and the Union soldiers in the war for the preservation of the Union. He was a
man of good business capacity, honorable and generous in his dealings, enjoyed
the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and the people of the county. On the
4th day of February, 1847, Mr. Steel was married to Miss Emily J. Otey daughter
of James S. Otey, deceased, of this county. This lady was born in Palestine, of
this county, and nobly helped and sustained him through their married life. To
them were born six children. After a lingering illness, Mr. Steel departed this
life on the 2d day of December, 1872, leaving, surviving him, his wife and four
children-Mrs. William C. Jones, James O. Steel, Charles H. Steel and Frank O. Steel.

Additional Comments:
Extracted From:

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD AND CLARK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
EDITED BY WILLIAM HENRY PERRIN.

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO: O. L. BASKIN & CO., HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS,
LAKESIDE BUILDING.
1883.


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