Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Killey, John 1825 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 2:28 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

JOHN KILLEY. In a county that contains so many finely improved farms and 
beautiful rural dwellings, it is hard to claim pre-eminence for any, but 
certainly any traveler through Wesley Township would at first glance decide 
that that of the subject of this sketch held a conspicuous place. The landed 
estate comprises two hundred and fifty-seven acres on section 6, all under 
careful tillage and supplied with excellent improvements. The fine residence 
was erected, in 1884, at a cost of $3,000, and with its attractive rural 
surroundings, is represented on another page. It is furnished with all the 
modern conveniences and gives evidence in its adornment and air of neatness 
and comfort that its interior is presided over by a capable and tasteful 
housewife. Mr. Killey began his residence in this township at a very early age 
and at a period which was antedated by few now living. For many years he has 
held an honored place among the citizens and proved himself worthy of their 
esteem. Going back a few generations in the paternal line we find James 
Killey, a farmer, and following him his son William Killey, a seaman. The next 
in the direct line was another William Killey, the father of our subject, who, 
like those before mentioned, was born on the Isle of Man, the date of his 
birth being 1793. He married Mary Cowley, who was born, in 1795, on the same 
island, then marriage rites being celebrated in 1818. The worthy couple 
continued to reside in the land of their nativity until 1827, when they 
emigrated to America, making their first settlement on a farm near Cleveland, 
Ohio. There they remained until 1839, at which time they removed to Will 
County, Ill., settling on the farm now occupied by our subject. There they 
both laid down the burdens of life, the mother breathing her last in 1861, and 
the father in 1873. Their family comprised nine children, three of whom are 
now living. Some of the paternal relatives resided in Boston, Mass., previous 
to the Revolutionary War, and one cousin belonged to the English Army twenty-
one years. The family is of Celtic origin. The subject of this biographical 
notice was the third in the parental family and was born April 2, 1825, on the 
Isle of Man. He was therefore still in his early childhood when America became 
the family home, and in this country he received a good common-school 
education. He remained with his parents, caring for them until their death, 
and having charge of the farm from eighteen years of age. Since the farm which 
he now occupies was purchased, he has never resided elsewhere. The first 
residence was a log house, built in 1834 by the man of whom the Killeys 
bought. The farm was a timbered one and had but ten acres cleared when they 
took possession. Mr. Killey has added nearly all the improvements which the 
place now bears. He still carries on the farm himself, devoting his attention 
to general farming, both crops and stock, being of good grades and sufficient 
in quantity and number to afford all the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
life. At the home of the bride, November 15, 1865, Mr. Killey was united in 
marriage with Miss Jane Schoonmaker, daughter of Peter and Harriet (Kortright) 
Schoonmaker. The parents of Mrs. Killey were natives of New York, and had six 
children, but one of whom is now living. The parents are now deceased. Mrs. 
Killey was born December 7, 1837, and died October 15, 1868, leaving one 
child, a son, George W. This son has attended select school at Wilmington, is 
well educated, and exhibits many of the sterling qualities which afford good 
ground for parental pride, and give the promise of extended usefulness. A 
second marriage was contracted by Mr. Killey, December 25, 1870, his bride 
being Mrs. Maria Singleton, nee Butler, a native of the Empire State and a 
woman of many virtues. This union has been blessed by the birth of one child, 
a daughter, Mary. The first newspaper ever read by Mr. Killey was the 
Cleveland Herald now numbered among the things of the past. He has always 
taken an active interest in politics and, having first been a Whig, almost as 
a matter of course became a member of the Republican party when the old 
organization was abandoned. His fellow-citizens have enjoyed the benefit of 
his intelligence and energy as Road Commissioner, and Director on the local 
School Board. He was baptized in the Episcopal Church, but his membership 
therein does not prevent him from taking a cordial interest in the good work 
which is being done by other religious bodies.

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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