Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Pettit, Joseph Higgins 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 7:41 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Pettit, Joseph Higgins - Since earliest boyhood the life of Joseph Higgins 
Pettit has been one of tireless industry, strict integrity and eventual 
notable accomplishment. Losing his father when he was still a child, he was 
handicapped in youth by the lack of extended educational advantages, but his 
subsequent career furnished him with experience that not only made up for this 
early loss, but gave him a broad outlook on life and its complexities. Today, 
while retired from the cares and struggles of the business arena, he is known 
as one of his city’s most highly esteemed citizens, and the reputation he 
gained during his long and useful career still makes his name much respected 
in commercial circles. Joseph Higgins Pettit was born February 6, 1842, in 
Hunterdon County, N. J., and is a son of Mahlon and Amanda (Higgins) Pettit. 
Mahlon Pettit died in 1849, and in 1856 his widow brought her only son to 
Illinois, where, in 1858, she was married to Henry T. Mallory.

Joseph H. Pettit secured his education in private schools in New Jersey, and 
on coming to Illinois started work at an early age as a clerk in a store of 
general merchandise. In 1859 he returned to his native State, and while there, 
in April, 1861, enlisted in Company H, Third Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer 
Infantry. Three months later he was discharged at the expiration of his term 
of service, and returned to Morris, Ill., entered employment with a former 
employer, remained with him until in December, 1864, when he again became 
connected with the Union forces as a clerk in the Quartermaster’s department, 
with Gen. Sherman’s army. In August, 1865, when the Quartermaster received his 
discharge, Mr. Pettit returned to the occupations of peace, and came to 
Morris, Ill., where he re-entered the employ of L. B. Ray, with whom he 
continued until 1869. At that time Mr. Pettit entered the Grundy County 
National Bank, where his enterprise and faithful service won for him the 
position of cashier, but on October 1, 1871, he resigned his position and went 
to Chicago, there becoming receiving teller of the Cook County National Bank, 
and was connected with that institution until March 1, 1872. Mr. Pettit then 
decided to enter active commercial life, and in company with Leander Irons 
purchased the hardware stock of E. R. Field and Company, at Morris, this 
association being continued for four years. He then sold his interest to 
George Riddle, and for the following two years was employed in an attorney’s 
office, then securing a position in the county clerk’s office, where he 
remained until being appointed clerk of the Circuit Court, December 5, 1878. 
Mr. Pettit was subsequently succeeded by Gideon R. Taxis, and for nine years 
acted as deputy circuit clerk, and in 1888 was elected to the office of 
circuit clerk, acting in that capacity for two years. He was then succeeded by 
Fred S. Johnson, the present incumbent of the office, and acted as his deputy 
until 1897, when he again entered the business arena as the proprietor of an 
abstract and real estate business. This was successfully continued until 1908, 
since which time he has lived retired.

On January 30, 1873, Mr. Pettit was married to Myra S. Massey, who was born in 
LaSalle County, Ill., daughter of Jonathan W. and Nancy B. (Dow) Massey, 
natives of New Hampshire. Mrs. Pettit died January 15, 1911, having been the 
mother of two children: Muriel, who is now the wife of Herbert A. Munson, of 
Tacoma, Wash.; and Raymond J., who died at the age of six years.

Mr. Pettit is a popular comrade of Darveau Post No. 329, Grand Army of the 
Republic, and holds membership in Cedar Lodge No. 124, A. F. & A. M., Orient 
Chapter No. 31, R. A. M., and Blaney Commandery No. 5, at Morris. Politically 
he is a Republican and is known as one of the strong party men of his 
community. His religious connection is with the Congregational Church.

pages 883-884

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

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