Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Gridley, James G ************************************************ 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 http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 1:31 am Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885 James G. Gridley, one of the prominent land-holders in Union Grove Township, resident on section 12, became a citizen of Whiteside County in 1855. He located at Morrison, then in its first year of existence, and his genius as a mechanic was in immediate requisition to meet the demands of the throng of new comers to the incipient city. He was active in the work of incorporation, and was elected one of the first Trustees. He was a member of the Board for several successive years, and he was a resident there until 1861. He was the builder of the main part of the school building at Morrison, and the church edifice of the First Presbyterian Society. He built the second warehouse in Morrison, which is now occupied as a livery stable by M. G. Preston, and, in partnership with L. H. Robinson and J. V. Giles successively, engaged in the business of shipping grain and stock, and in the sale of lumber. On relinquishing his business at Morrison, he purchased a farm in the township of Ustick. He is now a resident of Union Grove Township, and is the owner of 500 acres of land in the county, which is all practically under excellent cultivation. Mr. Gridley was born Oct. 1, 1811, at Middleburgh, Schoharie Co., N. Y., and is the son of John and Margaret (Stopplebeen) Gridley. His parents were born in the State of New York and had nine children. Mr. Gridley is the third in successive order, and he grew to mans estate in the place where he was born. Previous to his removal to Whiteside County, he lived some years in the counties of Columbia and Otsego respectively. He has been thrice married. His first matrimonial alliance was formed with Jane E. Miller, in Columbia Co., N. Y., June 11, 1837, and they had three children,—Margaret, Stephen and Rachel. The oldest child is the wife of Joseph Sholes, of Nebraska. Rachel died at Moline, Ill., Oct. 15, 1877. Mrs. G. died Jan. 4, 1849, and Mr. Gridley was again married Oct. 15, 1850, to Sarah J. Duffin, in Otsego Co., N. Y., where she died, Nov. 8, 1854. He was a third time married, June 2, 1857, in Columbia Co., N. Y., to Sarah J. Hornfager, and they have three children, namely, John, Charles E. and Mary. The youngest daughter died Feb. 24, 1883, in Union Grove Township, when 17 years of age. Mrs. Gridley was born Oct. 3, 1822, in Columbia Co., N. Y. Mr. Gridley is a Democrat and he has held various local official positions. His portrait is presented on a page in proximity, with more than ordinary satisfaction, from the relations he has borne to the progress of Whiteside County. It is a copy of a likeness taken in 1885. 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. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/whiteside/bios/gridley2163nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb