Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Cronin, Brothers 1851 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 3:54 pm Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900 Cronin Brothers Thomas M. and Daniel J. Cronin are twin brothers, and were born on the old homestead in Saratoga township, Grundy county, Illinois, November 25, 1851, their parents being James and Ellen (nee Donaven) Cronin, both of whom were natives of county Cork, Ireland, the father born in 1793 and the mother in 1813. They came to Prescott, Canada, where they resided for more than a year, and next removed to Florida later to New Orleans, and thence by way of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to LaSalle, Illinois, and on to Ottawa, which latter place they reached in 1844 and here they resided for a short time. The father secured a contract for constructing a section of the Illinois and Michigan canal immediately west of Morris, and on the completion of the work he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in what is now Saratoga township, Grundy county, the same being secured from the land commissioners and known as canal land. James Cronin located upon that tract and engaged in farming and made his home there until his death. He did not live many years to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred in October, 1855, when he had arrived at the age of sixty- two years. He left a widow and six children, the latter being: Mary, now Mrs. Dunn, of South Dakota; James, also of South Dakota; Ellen, now Mrs. Wilder, of Iowa; Lizzie, now Mrs. Curren, of Indian Territory; Thomas M. and Daniel J. The mother long survived her husband and from 1867 until her death in 1894 was a resident of Morris, residing with her sons, Thomas and Daniel. Many of the older citizens of Morris hold her in affectionate remembrance. She was a devoted Catholic and reared her children in the faith of that church. Thomas M. and Daniel J. Cronin were born and reared upon the old homestead in Saratoga township, which property they still own. Their education was obtained in the Morris public schools at winter terms. During the summer months they worked early and late on their mother’s farm. Their natures being identical in many ways, ambition and honesty prevailing, they early determined to hew their way to more than the life of a farmer, and in 1867 Daniel chose the trade of carriage-painting, in which, applying himself diligently, he soon became an expert, working in the meantime in the larger shops of Chicago and other cities throughout the Union. Thomas the same year, 1867, started to learn the trade of tinner, at which he worked many years, becoming a skillful workman. By frugality the brothers in time had accumulated a few hundred dollars, and in September of 1882 they established their present business in Morris. They opened a hardware store on the corner of Liberty and Jefferson streets, in a small room and with a small stock. But they applied themselves closely to their work, selling goods as recommended, and doing all jobbing work in a first-class manner. Their trade began to increase little by little; the shelves became the receptacles of more and a better class of goods, and the list of customers became larger. Their store-room became too small for their trade, and a happy thought dawned upon them. L. Gebhard was erecting an elegant three-story business block, and they leased the middle store-room, and now, with a small beginning in 1882, they have succeeded so admirably as to possess one of the finest equipped and best stocked hardware stores in the state. They carry a full line of hardware, farm implements and carriages, and transact a large volume of business. True merit wins every time, and here is an apt illustration of the fact. Whatever you buy of the Cronin Brothers, you may feel confident will be as recommended by them. The brothers are both supporters of the Democratic party, but only Thomas has given much attention to political work. He served for five years as an alderman, and in 1889 was appointed the mayor of Morris to fill an unexpired term. In 1890 he was elected for the full term and in 1892 was re-elected, filling the position altogether for five consecutive years. His administration was progressive and he conducted the affairs of the city on business-like principles and was careful to suppress all movements that might prove detrimental and advanced all measures calculated to enhance the public good. Daniel Cronin is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Both brothers are widely and favorably known throughout Grundy county. They bear such strong resemblance to each other that even friends of many years standing often find it difficult to distinguish them. Their business interests have ever been conducted with the utmost harmony and they certainly deserve great credit for the success which has been achieved by their own efforts. Their honorable methods have won them an unassailable reputation, and as representative business men of Morris they certainly deserve mention in this volume. Additional Comments: Source: Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, pages 524-526 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/cronin580nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.6 Kb