Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Heggie, James G 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 7, 2007, 11:47 pm

Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record

JAMES G. HEGGIE, a well-known business man of Joliet, where he has resided 
since 1875, was born in Scone, Perthshire, Scotland, October 18, 1853.  His 
birthplace was the estate of Scone, now owned by the Earl of Mansfield, and 
renowned in history as the place where all the kings of Scotland were 
crowned.  His father was born in the county of Fife, and entered the employ of 
the Earl of Mansfield when a young man.  He was engaged in contracting, taking 
charge of the improvements on the place. As leases on the estate were always 
made for a term of nineteen years, at their renewal considerable work was 
necessary.  In religion he was connected with the Free Presbyterian Church. At 
the time of his death he was eighty-one years of age.

The wife of John Heggie was Margaret Smith, a devout woman, of great energy 
and firmness of character, who died at eighty-four years of age. She was a 
daughter of Sergeant Henry Smith, of the English army, and was born on the 
Island of Sicily (her father having been on military duty there at the time of 
her birth).  Her brothers were also military men.  One, John Smith, took part 
in the Crimean war, and another, Henry, died while on duty in India.  The 
children of John and Margaret Heggie were named as follows: Jessie, who is the 
wife of James Simpson, of Chicago; John, our subject's business partner; Mary, 
deceased; Isabelle, Mrs. Dixon, of Scotland; and James G.  The last-named was 
educated in schools connected with the free church in Scotland, supplemented 
by attendance at an academy.  For four years he worked in a lawyer's office.  
At the expiration of that time he entered the office of the surveyor of taxes, 
where he remained for a year, and until he came to America.

In 1873 Mr. Heggie crossed the ocean, going to Dekalb County, Ill., where he 
worked on a farm.  From there he came to Joliet, and, having a taste for 
mechanics, he secured employment with the Joliet Steel Company.  After two 
years in the boiler shop he was made foreman of that department.  He remained 
with the company for seventeen years, during which time he retained the 
fullest confidence of his employers.

Forming a partnership with his brother in 1892 Mr. Heggie opened a business of 
his own, having the largest boiler-manufacturing plant in the city.  In 1899 
they erected a still larger plant, located on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 
Railroad; this is one  of the largest and best appointed plants of its kind in 
the entire state. The success with which it has been conducted reflects the 
greatest credit upon its owners and speaks volumes for their ability and 
perseverance. The brothers have done a large amount of work for the 
contractors on the drainage canal, as well as the ofi&cers of the sanitary 
district, and their relations with all have been the most agreeable.

In national affairs Mr. Heggie is a Republican. He has never sought political 
preferment nor been active in politics.  For three terms he served as alderman 
from the first ward, to which he was twice elected on the Republican and once 
on the Democratic ticket.  Fraternally he is connected with Mount Joliet 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; in this he has held all the offices except that of 
master.  He is interested in some gold property near Deadwood and is vice-
president of the Hercules Gold Mining Company.  His residence at No. 906 
Irving street was erected in 1881, and is modern in all of its appointments.  
The residence adjoining was built by him at the same time. He owns several 
houses, most of which he built. For six years he was director of the People's 
Homestead & Loan Association.

December 31, 1878, in Chicago, Mr. Heggie married Kate, daughter of William 
Fraser, a native of Inverness-shire, Scotland; she was born in Hamilton, 
Ontario, but came to the States at an early age.  Mr. and Mrs. Heggie are the 
parents of eight children, namely: John Fraser, who is in his father's shop; 
Thomas Melbrun, who has a taste for mechanical engineering and is directing 
his studies toward that occupation; James Moir, who is in the shop; William 
Ross, Robert Bruce, Fred, Jeannette Marguerite and Gordon Alexander.


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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