Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Stalker, John 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 8:05 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Stalker, John - The coal deposits in Grundy County are valuable and the 
operation of the different mines by those who own them has brought wealth in 
many cases. While the quality of the coal here is not of the highest, it 
commands a ready sale and is not as difficult to mine as deposits in some 
other sections which are deeper down. One of the mine owners who is now 
operating upon a small scale is John Stalker, of Morris.  He was born in 
Sterlingshire, Scotland, February 12, 1868, son of William and Charlotte 
(Blair) Stalker. The father was a coal miner who brought his family to Morris 
in 1881, attracted hither by the mines in this locality. Finding ready 
employment at mining, he worked industriously and later became a coal 
operator. His death occurred in 1884, and the mother survived until January, 
1909.

John Stalker worked with his father until the latter's death, when John and a 
brother, William, took charge of the shaft and operated it together for one 
year. John Stalker then went to the mines at La Salle, but returned after a 
year to Morris and reentered the mines here. On December 7, 1908, he bought a 
shaft, two miles north of Morris, which has a 3-foot vein of coal.  During the 
winter he employs from eight to ten men and in the summer from three to four 
men. The product of his shaft is readily sold at the mines.

On August 3, 1891, Mr. Stalker was married to Jennie Drysdle, born in 
Sterlingshire, Scotland, where her parents both died. She came to this country 
with her brother, James, and spent six months at Washingtonville, Ohio, after 
which she went to North Dakota. Two years later, she came to Coal City, Grundy 
County, where she met and married Mr. Stalker. The following children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stalker: William, who married Anna Fissler; Emily 
May, who is at home; and Lilly F., Stella, and John James. Mr. Stalker belongs 
to the Baptist Church, and is earnest in promoting its good work. He is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias. A man who has always worked hard and known 
how to save, his present success has been achieved through his own individual 
efforts.

page 902

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

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