Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Drew, James 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 1:16 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

James Drew, one of the proprietors of the Economy Mill, Sterling, was born in 
the Dominion of Canada, Dec. 3, 1832, his parents being Elisha and Anna (Dart) 
Drew. His father was by trade a carpenter, and in 1852 came to Stephenson 
County, this State, engaging in agriculture; but he is at present a resident 
of Lena, having retired from active business. James, the eldest in his 
father's family of nine children, remained at home until 21 years of age, 
assisting his father at his trade and on the farm and receiving a common-
school education. He left Canada in 1851, came to Stephenson Co., Ill., worked 
at the carpenter's trade and assisted his father on his farm until of age. 
Then he went to Lena and worked at the carpenter's trade till the fall of 
1855, when he came to Sterling and followed his vocation until, in 1861, he 
commenced as a miller for a man named Ross; the mill changed proprietors at 
the end of a year, and Mr. Drew continued in his capacity as miller several 
years longer, for the new firm. He next entered the employment of J. McKenney 
in the Sterling Mills, working for him several years, then four years for 
Church & Patterson. In 1880 he purchased a third interest in the Economy Mill, 
in company with Dillon & Harris ; in 1881, in company with Harris, he 
purchased Mr. Dillon's interest; and he bought out Mr. Harris in 1883. In 1884 
he sold a half interest to D. R. Denison. They bought the building lot and 
water power, and have since conducted the establishment as a merchant and 
custom mill, with acceptability to their patrons. Mr. D. owns his fine 
residence on Pine and Sixth Streets. In his political views, Mr. Drew is a 
Republican, and in his religious connections a member of the Presbyterian 
Church at Sterling, of which body Mrs. Drew is also a member. He is also a 
member of the Masonic Order. June 4, 1856, Mr. Drew was married to Melinda 
Olinghouse, a native of Ohio, and they have had three children, namely, 
Florence E., Laura F. and Charles E.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

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