Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Esgar, Mark 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 5:51 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Esgar, Mark – Among the old and honored residents of Grundy County, Ill., one 
who holds the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens by reason of the 
capable and faithful manner in which he has ever performed the duties assigned 
to him, whether in war or peace, is Mark Esgar, a veteran of the Civil War and 
substantial farmer of Vienna Township.  Mr. Esgar is a native of 
Somersetshire, England, where he was born January 20, 1840, a son of John F. 
and Louisa (Stevens) Esgar.

The early education of Mr. Esgar was somewhat limited, as when he was a lad of 
but nine years he entered the coal mines of Wales.  He was so employed until 
he reached the age of fourteen years, at which time he accompanied his parents 
to the United States, the parents settling first in New Jersey.  Later Mr. 
Esgar went to the coal mines of Pennsylvania, where he was employed for one 
and one-half years, but then returned to New Jersey.  In 1857, Mr. Esgar and a 
sister joined their parents in Kankakee County, Ill., where he became a farm 
hand, and was engaged in tilling the soil at the time of his enlistment, in 
August, 1862, in Company F, Eighty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, his 
regiment being assigned to the Army of the Ohio.  Later it was transferred to 
the Army of the Cumberland, and with this command Mr. Esgar fought until 
receiving his honorable discharge at the close of the hostilities, June 12, 
1865, at Nashville, Tenn.  A cheerful, gallant and reliable soldier, he won 
the admiration of his comrades and the respect of his officers, and left the 
service of his country with an excellent record.  Returning to his parent’s 
home in Kankakee County, he remained but a short time, then moving to 
Braceville Township, Grundy County.  There he was married, January 8, 1868, to 
Miss Elizabeth Ray, who was born in Germany, daughter of William and Johanetta 
(Stine) Ray, who came to the United States in 1851.  After his marriage, Mr. 
Esgar rented a farm in Braceville Township, but in 1871 disposed of his 
interests there and moved to Vienna Township, where he has since made his 
home.  He was industrious, energetic and persevering, and through good 
management accumulated 200 acres of land, which he developed into as fine a 
property as was to be found in this part of the State.  During recent years, 
however, he has lived somewhat retired, having given his son, William J., 120 
acres of his property, although he still superintends the operations on eighty 
acres, and is keenly interested in all that affects his community.  Mrs. Esgar 
passed away October 12, 1906, having been the mother of these children:  
Anetta Louisa, who married G. W. Johnson of Wauponsee Township; Fannie 
Lillian, who married Lyman Hough of Verona, Ill.; and William John, a farmer 
of Vienna Township.  Mr. Esgar is a Republican.  He has shown an interest in 
Grand Army work, and at the present time is a valued member of Darveau Post 
No. 329.

page 809

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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