Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Waters, John 
************************************************
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, 5:10 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

JOHN WATERS.

The purpose of a biographical history is to set forth the accurate record of 
the lives of those men who have taken an appreciable part in the agricultural, 
commercial, literary or religious development of the community. Macaulay has 
said that "the history of a nation is best told in the lives of its people," 
and it is this fact that has led us to determine upon the publishing of the 
records of the leading citizens of Grundy county, showing in what way they 
have taken part in the substantial growth and development of this portion of 
the state. Mr. Waters, of this review, was one of the pioneer settlers of 
Maine township and since his arrival here has ever borne his part in the work 
of progress and improvement, so that he is to-day numbered among the valued 
residents of the county.

Mr. Waters' family is of English lineage. William Waters, the grandfather of 
our subject, was a stone-mason by trade and reared a number of children, which 
included. Joseph and William, both of whom came to America; Elizabeth, wife of 
Mr. Sargeant; and Ann, who became the wife of Mr. Atkins. The daughters also 
crossed the Atlantic to the New World. The father of our subject was born in 
London, England, and received such educational advantages as the common 
schools of the time afforded. He learned the stone-mason's trade of his 
father, and was married in England to Miss Ann James, whose birth occurred in 
that land. They became the parents of William, Mary Ann, Elijah, John, James 
and Robert Waters, air of whom were born in the mother country with the 
exception of James and Robert, whose birth occurred in the city of Joliet, 
Illinois. In March, 1825, the father came to the New World, sailing from 
Liverpool to New York, where he arrived after a voyage of six weeks. Later his 
wife came to the United States, and her last days were spent in the home of 
one of the children in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Waters went direct to Cleveland, 
Ohio, where he worked at the stone-mason's trade for about seven years, when 
he removed to Athens, Illinois, becoming a contractor on the Illinois and 
Michigan canal. He afterward built roads at Joliet, and while thus engaged his 
death occurred, about the year 1850. He was an industrious, enterprising man, 
respected by all, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the 
Presbyterian church. He passed away when about fifty-five years of age.

John Waters, whose name introduces this review, was born in London, England, 
May 1, 1822, and was nearly three years of age when he came with his parents 
to America. He obtained a common-school education, and in early life worked at 
the stone-mason's trade. In 1849 he came to Grundy county and purchased forty 
acres of land of Robert Gibson, who had purchased the same from the United 
States government. The tract was located in what was then Braceville township, 
but is now Maine township. As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he 
chose Barbara Misner, and they were married in 1852. The lady was born July 
19, 1833, in Rush county, Indiana, a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Barber) 
Misner. Her father was of German descent and was born in Dearborn county, 
Indiana, December 16, 1804. His father, Henry Misner, was a. pioneer of that 
locality and one of the heroes of the Revolution. (See sketch of John H. 
Misner.) He was buried at Millington, Illinois, where a monument has recently 
been erected to his memory by the Society of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution. His children were Henry Fletcher, Christopher, Lewis, John, 
Harrison, Elijah, Elisha, Betsy and Serena. Christopher Misner, the father of 
Mrs. Waters, wedded Mary Barber in Rush county, Indiana, October 4, 1830. She 
was born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, October 15, 1806, and belonged to one 
of the old colonial families. Mr. and Mrs. Misner located in Rush county, 
Indiana, and after the birth of two of their children they removed to Wabash 
county, Illinois. A few years later, however, they returned to Rush county, 
but in a short time took up their abode in LaSalle county, Illinois, in that 
portion which is now included within Mazon township, Grundy county. About 1850 
he removed to the old homestead in what is now Maine township, there securing 
forty acres of land, which he developed into a good farm. His death occurred 
May 7, 1857, when he had attained the age of fifty-three years. He was a 
member of the Protestant Methodist church and took an active part in its work 
and served as one of the class-leaders. His wife reached the venerable age of 
eighty-two years and died at the home of our subject. In their family were 
seven children: Sarah Ann, Barbara F., Simeon, Merritt, Zama, Murray and 
Zachariah.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Waters located upon the farm, which has 
since been his home. By their marriage they had five children: Mary R, born 
March 4, 1854; Malinda, February 25, 1855; Ella F., March 4, 1857; William C, 
December 28, 1859; and Merritt F., September 23, 1861. The mother died March 
24, 1862, and on the 21st of September of that year Mr. Waters married Zama 
Misner, a sister of his first wife. Their children are Arnold E., born May 20, 
1863; Cynthia, who was born August 12, 1866, and died December 3, 1879; Eva 
M., born May 6, 1868; Lora M., born May 27, 1871; and Martha B., born March 
15, 1874.

Mr. Waters is a stalwart Jacksonian Democrat, unswerving in his support of the 
principles of the party. For ten or twelve years he served as highway 
commissioner and his long continuance in the office well indicates his 
fidelity to duty. He is a man of straightforward independence of character and 
an honored pioneer. For half a century he has resided in Grundy county, and 
has not only witnessed its growth and development, but has borne his part in 
the work of substantial improvement. His business efforts have been crowned 
with a fair degree of success, so that he is now the possessor of a 
comfortable competence.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p654-656

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/waters43gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

File size: 6.7 Kb