Randolph-Peoria-Alexander County IL Archives Biographies.....Gollon, Francis 1839 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 29, 2008, 11:51 pm

Author: Biographical Publishing Co. (1894)

FRANCIS GOLLON, one of the noted business men of the city of Chester, is a
native of Prussia Poland, and was born January 26, 1839. His parents, Jacob and
Barbara (Singer) Gollon, were also born in Prussia, and lived and died in that
country. Our subject attended the schools of his native land, and when old
enough commenced to cultivate a farm for his parents, at which he continued
until reaching his eighteenth year, when he determined to emigrate to America.
After landing in New York City, he made his way to Peoria, this state, and began
to learn the trade of a baker, at which he worked for the following two years.
At the expiration of that time he came to Chester to visit a brother who was
residing here. It had been his intention to go farther south, but instead he
engaged to work in the bakery of William Bruns, who was just starting a shop.
After a time our subject was enabled to embark in business for himself, and
continued in this until the latter part of 1860. The following year we find him
working at his trade in New Orleans. Having an opportunity to engage as pastry
cook on the steamer "Paytona," plying from Louisville to New Orleans, he
accepted the position, but a few months later, however, he resigned and
commenced working in the last named city. After three months in that city he
went to Cairo, and worked in the Government bakery there until just after the
battle of Pittsburg Landing, in 1862. Mr. Gollon then joined the army stationed
at the above city and baked for them. He subsequently visited many places, among
which were Helena, Ark., and Vicksburg, and went with the regiment on Bank's
expedition on Red River. In the spring of 1864 our subject returned to New
Orleans, and in June of that year made his way to Chester. He soon entered into
partnership with Valentine Ritter, who was engaged in the retail liquor
business. After a year thus spent he bought out his partner, and has since
conducted the business alone. In addition to this he has been engaged in the
hotel and restaurant business a great deal of the time, besides dealing
extensively in ice and in wholesaling beer. Because of his straightforward
manner and sagacity he is considered one of Chester's solid business men and has
gained the entire confidence and respect of the community. Politically Mr.
Gollon is a stalwart Republican in principle, but in local affairs is rather
conservative, voting for the best man, irrespective of party.

  January 11, 1866, Miss Rosa Dushinksy, a daughter of Joseph and Julia (Gollon)
Dushinksy, became the wife of our subject. The parents of Mrs. Gollon emigrated
from Prussia in an early day, and spent the remainder of their lives in Chester.
Fourteen children came to bless the union of our subject and his estimable wife,
four of whom are deceased. The living are: Frank, who is married and makes his
home in Chicago; Edward, who is engaged as a railway postal clerk; Louis, who is
a jeweler; and Clem, John, Bertha, Rosa, Georgiana, Leon and James Blaine, all
of whom are attending school. The last-named was born November 4, 1884, on the
night of the defeat of James G. Blaine for President. Mr. and Mrs. Gollon, with
their entire family, are devout members of the Roman Catholic Church.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe
Counties, Illinois
Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the
Counties
Together with Biographies and Portraits of All the Presidents of the United
States and the Governors of the State of Illinois

Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co.
1894


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