Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Reardon, Cornelius ************************************************ 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 May 13, 2006, 7:50 pm Author: History of Grundy County, 1914 REARDON, Cornelius.—A thorough and profound lawyer, whose connection with much important law business has made him more or less a familiar figure in the courts of Grundy County and the State, Cornelius Reardon typifies the best type of legal mind, and his high standing at the bar is the more creditable, in that it has been entirely self gained. Further, he is a stirring and stalwart citizen, a friend of progress and advancement, and, although Mr. Reardon would be the last to admit it, is a leader of the Democratic party in his part of the state. Mr. Reardon is one of Morris’ favorite native sons. Here he was born February 27, 1858. a son of James and Mary L. (Bagley) Reardon, natives of Ireland. The father came to the United States with an uncle, Patrick Ryan, and from the age of nine until he was fifteen years old made his home with Mr. Ryan at Chicago. He faced the world on his own account at that time, becoming a driver of canal boats on the Illinois and Michigan canal, an employment in which he was engaged for two years, and in October, 1852, came to Morris, where he took up the trade of a blacksmith and continued to follow that vocation until his death, June 11, 1907. The mother came to Morris when eleven years of age, to join an elder sister, with whom she lived until her marriage, and passed away many years prior to her husband’s demise, dying in 1872. Six children were born to James and Mary L. Reardon: Cornelius, the eldest; Margaret, who is now Mrs. Redmond and resides at Kansas City, Mo.; Edward P., who died at the age of thirty-three years; Mary, who is Mrs. Ludwig, of Morris; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. Bray, of El Paso, Tex.; and James W., who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, James Reardon married (second) Mary Kenrick, who was born in Grundy County, and they became the parents of two children: Edna, who became the wife of Thomas Connors; and Nettie, who lives at the old home. While Cornelius Reardon was given the advantages of attendance at the graded and high schools of Morris, the greater part of his early education was acquired in the schools of hard work and experience. He was taught the blacksmith trade by his father, but had aspirations for greater things, and, having set his heart upon a career in the law, displayed his characteristic assiduity in the gaining of an education in jurisprudence. A long, hard day in his father’s shop would he followed by hours of the utmost diligence in perfecting his knowledge of law, under the capable preceptorship of Judge Jordan, one of the early legists and jurists of Morris. When he was twenty years of age he gave up the blacksmith trade to work upon a farm, but during the next ten years he continued to apply himself to his legal studies, and his hard work and close application were eventually rewarded when he was admitted to the bar. From that time to the present his rise has been constant and steady, giving him prominence in his profession and the material rewards that such a position insures. While a general practitioner, he has made somewhat of a specialty of probate law, and in this difficult field has become known far and wide for the success he has attained in some important legal business. He has not ceased to be a scholar and his command of the law is comprehensive and in some sense remarkable. Among his fellow-practitioners he is recognized as an attorney who strictly adheres to the best ethics of an honored ca]ling. Mr. Reardon was married February 5, 1879, to Miss Kittie Higgins, who was born in La Salle County, Ill., and she died in April, 1884. On April 2, 1888, Mr. Reardon was married (second) to Miss Maggie Eagan, who was born in Grundy County, Ill., daughter of Thomas and Mary Eagan, natives of Ireland and early settlers of Grundy County. Three children have been born to Mr. Reardon, namely: May, who became Mrs. Edward Peacock, of Morris; Thomas J., who has taken up farming for his lifework; and Edward C., who died in 1908, at the age of fourteen years. On January 30, 1913, Thomas J. married Helen Noonan, and one daughter, Helen Margaret, was born to them, November 8, 1913. This little granddaughter is the pride and joy of her grandfather’s heart. Mr. Reardon has been long and prominently connected with Democratic politics, although more as a directing power than as a seeker after personal preferment. He stands for the best that may be found in Democracy, and at all times supports those men and measures whom he believes will best favor the interests of his community. A Roman Catholic in his religious belief, Mr. Reardon belongs to the congregation of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. His fraternal connections are with Lodge No. 845, Knights of Columbus; and Lodge No. 281, Modern Woodmen of America, both of Morris. Both as a professional man and as a citizen, Mr. Reardon has won a high place in the esteem of the community, and is eminently qualified to be accounted one of Grundy County’s representative men. pages 889-890 Additional Comments: Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 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