Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Mack, John J ************************************************ 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 http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 28, 2008, 11:11 pm Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907 John J. Mack was one of the early residents of Joliet, having been brought to the city in his boyhood days. For a long period he was closely associated with its commercial history and through his entire business career was looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, his record standing as a splendid example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business integrity can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character. He was respected by the community at large and honored by his business associates. Mr. Mack was a native of Newark, New Jersey, born June 30, 1840, a son of Mr. and Mrs. George Mack. The mother died during the infancy of her son and the father afterward married again. He was a harness and saddle maker by trade and engaged in the manufacture of goods of that character in the east. Subsequently he removed to Laporte, Indiana, where he continued in the same line of business for several years. He then removed to the west, establishing his home at Breckenridge, Colorado, where he engaged in mining until his death. At the death of his mother John J. Mack was taken into the home of his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mack, who were then living in Pennsylvania, where the uncle was engaged in the manufacture of shoes. Soon afterward they removed to Illinois, settling in Joliet, where Joseph Mack became associated with a brother, Firman Mack, in a wholesale and retail shoe store, which they conducted for a number of years. Joseph Mack then lived retired until his death, and his wife also passed away in this city. John J. Mack was educated in the public schools of Joliet and began as a clerk in his uncle's shoe store, being thus employed for several years. Entering into partnership with John Georges, they purchased the shoe store of Mr. Mack's uncle and conducted a retail shoe trade with success for a number of years, their trade gradually increasing along substantial lines until their business had assumed large and profitable proportions. At length Mr. Mack decided to retire from active business and sold his interest to his partner. He afterward, however, engaged in engineering for a short time but eventually retired, and his last years were passed in comfort and ease, made possible by his former activity and enterprise in connection with commercial interests in the city. In 1864 Mr. Mack was united in marriage to Miss Voisa Brownson, a native of Joliet, born March 27, 1842, and a daughter of Dr. M. K. and Nancy Brownson, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of the south. Dr. Brownson was one of the pioneer physicians, locating here at an early epoch in the building of the city and engaging in practice for many years. During his latter years he often made visits to California and in that state he passed away. Mrs. Brownson died in Joliet at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jennings. The Doctor was for many years a prominent physician of the city, having a large practice, and his personal worth endeared him to the great majority of those with whom he came in contact either professionally or socially. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mack were born eight children: George M., a molder by trade, married Eva Sawyer and resides in Joliet. Jennie is the wife of Al Bateman, a resident of Canada. Dora is the wife of John Frantz, of Joliet. Charles M. wedded Gussie Weber, and since her death he makes his home with his mother in Joliet, where he is employed as a bookkeeper. John J. is a collector, residing with his mother. Catherine is the widow of Charles Jones and is also living at home. Frederick is a resident of Pueblo, Colorado. Arthur B. is engaged in railroad work at Hammond, Indiana. The death of the husband and father occurred on the 18th of March, 1905. In February of that year he became ill and four weeks later passed away. He was a member of the Odd Fellows society of Joliet and was a republican in politics. He was very successful in business and was widely known in this city. A man of strong domestic tastes, he found his greatest happiness with his family and always spent his evening hours in his own home with wife and children. He held friendship inviolable and the many excellent traits of his character gained for him the unqualified regard of all with whom he came in contact. His widow owns a nice residence at No. 209 Cagwin avenue, where she and her children reside and she also has other property in Joliet. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/mack2684nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb