Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Fell, James 1826 - ************************************************ 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 ddhaines@gmail.com May 6, 2007, 2:36 pm Author: Portrait & Bios Album, 1890 JAMES FELL, Postmaster at Green Garden, is a substantial and enterprising farmer, whose estate on section 30, bears every mark careful and intelligent tillage and constant improvement. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of tillable land which is divided into convenient fields by well-kept hedge and other fencing, and which is supplied with a full set of farm buildings and a comfortable residence. The land is fertilized by living water and both grain and stock are raised to advantage. Probably the most noticeable feature of the estate is the garden in which the owner takes great delight and which is by far the finest and best kept in the township. It has proved the source of a considerable revenue since this branch of horticulture was undertaken by Mr. Fell. A fine, large orchard also adds to the value of the farm. Appleby, Lincolnshire, England, was the birthplace of our subject and also of his father, John Fell, who was a farm laborer. The latter was twice married, his second wife being Mary Houst, a native of the same shire and daughter of Jonathan Houst, a shoemaker in Ludington. The mother of our subject died in England and the father was brought to Canada by his son, breathing his last in the Dominion in 1860 when three-score and ten years old. Of the children born to this worthy couple he of whom we write is the only survivor. Jonathan, John and Mary A. are deceased. The natal day of James Fell was September 8, 1826. He was reared in his native village with but limited school advantages which consisted of an uncertain attendance during some three years. The English Testament was his reading book. When eight years old he began the labors of life by being employed to keep sparrows and other birds out of grain fields. He received seventy-five cents per week for his labor, and as he grew older took up farm pursuits, boarding at home until thirteen years old, when he hired out by the year. The opportunities afforded a farm laborer in England were not sufficient to satisfy the ambition of young Fell, and he determined to emigrate to America, hoping to better his condition. He was twenty-four years of age when, in April, 1851, he left Hull on the sailer "Meteor." Smallpox broke out on the vessel and upon reaching Quebec it was quarantined a week. Mr. Fell had had the disease, but in a very light form, and as soon as a landing could be made he was able to begin work. He labored at different occupations in Canada and in Rochester, N. Y., for some time, among his employments being that of a teamster for a store keeper. In 1853 he removed to Chatham, County Kent, on the shores of Lake Erie, where he operated a farm for eleven years. Following this were various means of gaining a livelihood until March 9, 1866, when he located near Joliet, Ill. There Mr. Fell operated a rented farm a year, after which he bought forty acres in Green Township, section 19, and putting up a small house made it his place of abode. He cultivated his own land and rented adjoining acres several years, finally purchasing eighty acres of his present estate. This was improved land to which he subsequently added eighty acres adjoining, bringing up his landed estate to two hundred acres, from which he subsequently sold forty. Six years since Mr. Fell received the appointment of Postmaster, and he is still the incumbent of the office. For three years he proved his efficiency as a School Director. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the ranks of the Democratic party he is ever found ready to cast his vote for its candidates. He has served on the grand and petit juries. As a citizen, interested in the true welfare of the community, as a farmer of energy and progressive ideas, and as a man of high principle, he is alike respected by those who enjoy his acquaintance. The lady who presides over the pleasant home of Mr. Fell was born in Gresby, Lincolnshire, May 11, 1829, and bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Ramthorp. The ceremony which made her Mrs. Fell was performed in England, January 21, 1851. The happy union has been blest by the birth of nine children, of whom we note the following: John and Robert each operate eighty acres of land in Manhattan Township, this county, the former making his home in the village; Thomas is farming at Blue Hill, Neb.; George is working out in the same State; James, Jr., is assistant Postmaster under his father; Edward resides at home and operates the farm; Mary A. married Cornelius Fennick, a farmer in Nebraska; Odessa is the wife of Dr. Goodrich, of Peotone; Ann still remains under the parental roof. 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 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/fell1328nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.4 Kb