Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Colegrove, Lester G 1818 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 12:24 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

LESTER G. COLEGROVE has been identified with the agricultural development of 
Will County since the early days of its settlement, and is a fine 
representative of the sturdy, intelligent, enterprising pioneers who came to 
this State half a century or more ago, and have since improved valuable and 
highly productive farms from the wild prairies. For many years he has made his 
home in Plainfield Township, and is closely associated with its material 
prosperity and its social and religious welfare. He was born in the town of 
Fairfax, Franklin County, Vt., April 23, 1818. His father, Clark T. Colegrove, 
was, it is thought, born in Connecticut, and his grandfather was Nathan 
Colegrove, who was one of the early pioneers of Franklin County, making the 
removal to that part of Vermont with a team. He bought a tract of timber land, 
and from the primeval forest hewed out a farm on which he lived till death 
closed his mortal career. The father of our subject was bred to agricultural 
pursuits, but he never owned a farm of his own, being employed by others. He 
resided in Vermont until 1846, when he came to Illinois, and for some years 
lived in the town of Wheatland. He subsequently removed to Blue Island in Cook 
County, where both he and his wife died of cholera in the same week. The 
maiden name of the mother of our subject was Nellie Ingersoll, and she was of 
New England birth. Lester Colegrove was reared on a farm in his native town, 
receiving the advantages of an education in the local schools, and at the age 
of sixteen commenced to work out by the month. He was thus employed until 
1838. He was ambitious to improve his condition and make something more of 
himself than he could in the sleepy little New England town where he resided, 
so he determined to start westward, and in the year mentioned we find him on 
his way to Illinois with but $5 in his pocket, but in his strong muscles, his 
determined will and high courage, he had better capital. He procured a ride to 
Berlinton and there took passage on a steamer for Whitehall, whence he went on 
the Champlain and Erie Canals to Buffalo, working to pay the expenses of the 
trip. At Buffalo he embarked on a steamer, having agreed to work for his 
passage to Chicago. From the latter city he started for Lockport on foot, and 
as the canal was then in process of construction, he labored on that for one 
month and was then taken sick. He was ill for two weeks and then came to 
Plainfield, and in 1839 worked a farm on shares. The country round about was 
still in a wild and unsettled condition, there being no railroads or canals 
here, and Chicago, thirty-six miles away, was the nearest market. At that time 
deer, wolves and other kinds of game abounded. In 1841, Mr. Colegrove bought a 
tract of wild prairie land in Pekin Township, and at once with characteristic 
energy, entered upon its improvement. He built a small frame house, riving the 
shingles by hand, and in the years that followed erected more substantial 
buildings and placed the land under good tillage. He resided on that farm 
until 1875 and then rented it, having purchased the farm on which he now 
resides. He has added to the dwelling-house and made it into a commodious and 
tastefully fitted-up abode, and he has otherwise beautified the place, planted 
shade and ornamental trees, besides making other valuable improvements. He 
still owns the farm which he bought in 1841, and has added to his first 
purchase, until it now comprises two hundred and twenty-one acres of highly 
cultivated land. In the month of January, 1842, Mr. Colegrove was united in 
marriage with Miss Lucretia Ingersoll, a native of Vermont. Her father, 
Chester Ingersoll, was a native of Massachusetts and was one of the first 
settlers of Will County. He bought the land from the Government in the village 
of Plainfield which is platted on his farm. He built for Esquire Walker, the 
first sawmill that was ever erected here, hewing all the timber himself. Mr. 
Ingersoll resided here until 1847 and then went to California where his death 
occurred in 1849. The maiden name of his wife was Polly Burdick, and she spent 
her last years in Plainfield. Mr. and Mrs. Colegrove have four children 
living, namely: Marada, wife of G. W. Flagg, of whom see sketch; Flavilla, 
wife of Joseph Buffum, of Calhoun County, Iowa; Ida, wife of Wheeler Green, of 
Plainfield; Dell, wife of Calvin Hice, of Chicago. Coming to this county more 
than half a century ago to identify himself with its pioneers, our subject has 
been of invaluable aid in developing its resources, and, as we have seen, has 
placed himself among its well-to-do citizens, as his natural endowments have 
enabled him to manage his affairs at a good advantage. He and his wife are 
well known for their kindness of heart and thoughtfulness towards others and 
they occupy a warm place in the hearts of the people about them. Both are 
sincerely religious and are constant attendants of the Baptist Church of which 
they are consistent members.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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