Will County IL Archives Biographies.....ANTRAM, CALEB 
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Paula Winke-Martisek wranglerjack@comcast.net September 12, 2007, 10:01 pm

Author: GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

CALEB E. ANTRAM,  attorney-at-law, with office in the Barber building, Joliet, 

was born near Salem, Fayette County, Pa., February 12, 1865, a son of Robert 

and Sarah (Woodward) Antram.  His maternal grandfather, Joseph Woodward, was 

an influential farmer of Fayette County; and the paternal grandfather, Caleb, 

also spent his entire life upon a Pennsylvania farm. Wherever found the family 

has been prominent and its members have held positions of trust and honor.  

When twenty-three years of age Robert Antram began in business for himself by 

opening a grist and flour mill.  In 1869 he settled in LaSalle County, Ill., 

where he bought land and embarked in farming.   During subsequent years he 

became a large land holder; for, having been reared on a farm, he was familiar 

with the occupation and knew how to operate the farm successfully.  He was 

active in the local ranks of the Democratic party, held numerous local 

offices, and was a leader in affairs among his fellow citizens.  For many 

years he officiated as an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of 

which he was a strict member from childhood and to which he still belongs.  He 

is now practically retired from active labors, but is still hale and robust, 

and takes a warm interest in what is going on in the world.   Of his eight 

children Caleb is the oldest now living and the only one in Will County.  He 

received his primary education in the district schools of LaSalle County, 

where he laid the foundation of the broad information he has since acquired.  

His father was deeply interested in Lincoln University, a Cumberland 

Presbyterian institution at Lincoln, Ill., and so sent his son there, where he 

studied for some time. Later he spent one year at Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal 

School, and later taught school for one year.  He then entered the junior 

class of Knox College, from which he graduated in 1889 with the degree of B. 

S.  In the fall of the same year he matriculated in the law department of 

Northwestern College, from which he graduated in June, 1891, with the degree 

of Bachelor of Laws.  Coming to Joliet in September, 1891, Mr. Antram opened 

an office for the practice of law.  He was a total stranger here, but he soon, 

by his ability, won the attention of other attorneys.  His practice is general 

and he has done some successful work as a criminal lawyer.  The probate and 

real-estate departments of the law occupy most of his attention, and he has 

been particularly successful in them.  In 1896 he was commissioned by the 

family to go to the old country and attend to business matters in connection 

with the estate.  While abroad he visited various points of interest on the 

British Isles.  He had with him a personal letter from Secretary of State 

Olney to the foreign officials, which caused him to receive considerable 

attention in the various cities visited.  In politics he is independent, with 

Democratic proclivities, and, although not a politician in the usual 

acceptance of the term, he takes an active interest in public affairs.  For 

four years he efficiently filled a position as commissioner of special 

assessments.  Fraternally he is connected with Joliet Lodge No. 856, I. O. O. 

F., and is a charter member of the Knights of the White Cross.  He is an elder 

in the First Presbyterian Church of Joliet and a contributor to religious and 

benevolent movements. June 30, 1897, he was united in marriage with Lillian 

B., daughter of Rev. A. J. Van Wormer, of Albion, Mich. 


Additional comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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