Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Massey, George 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com October 4, 2007, 9:31 pm

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County 

GEORGE MASSEY, president of the Massey Stone Company, has been prominently 
identified of recent years with the development of the quarry interests in 
this county. His connection with the quarry of which he is now the proprietor 
began in 1892, when the Kirkpatrick, Howk & Massey Stone Company was organized,
with himself as president and owner of one-half interest. The company opened a 
quarry on Mill road, near Richards street, at once beginning to operate the 
same. After three years Mr. Massey purchased the interest of his partners, 
since which time he has been alone. He is the owner of eighteen acres of 
quarry, which is connected by a switch with the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 
Railroad, and is provided with a complete equipment of derricks, steam drills, 
etc. The products of the quarry are shipped to various parts of the country, 
and, the quality being very desirable, bring a fair return to the owner.

A son of William and Ellen (Cleary) Massey, the subject of this sketch was 
born on the home farm in County Limerick, Ireland, and descended from one of 
the oldest families of Ballylander. Of seven children, he and three other sons 
survive, John being in Chicago, William at Lake Geneva, Wis., and Charles in 
South Chicago. When a boy he studied in the national schools of Ireland. In 
1861, accompanied by his mother, he crossed the ocean from Liverpool to New 
York, the journey on a sailing vessel, the "North America," taking forty days. 
He at once joined his three brothers and two sisters at Lake Geneva, Wis., and 
for two years worked on a farm near that place. Next he went to Racine, Wis., 
and for a year was employed in J. I. Case's machine shop. Going from there to 
Chicago he worked in the Northwestern Railroad shops. In 1871 he engaged in  
general contracting in the same city, but two years later established his home 
in Joliet, where he has since resided. He carried on contracting and a real-
estate business in this city until 1892, since which time he has been 
identified with the stone industry. He has bought and sold considerable 
property, and built the house which he now occupies on Collins street. Here he 
owns six fine buildings that pay a good rental and are among the best 
investments on the street. He also owns five acres of quarry land two miles  
west of his old quarry, which is also a good, investment and will prove a 
heritage to his descendants.

In his political views Mr. Massey is independent, never having mingled in 
public affairs to any extent, but preferring to devote himself exclusively to 
his business interests. He was reared in the Roman Catholic faith and is now
a member of St. Mary's Church. In this city he married Miss Lizzie Kelley,  
who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, a daughter of William Kelley, at one 
time a resident of Joliet, but who died in Chicago at eighty-four years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Massey are the parents of five children: Nella T. and Catherine 
V., who are graduates of St. Mary's Academy; William E., who is taking a 
business course; Lizzie G. and George.

Mr. Massey deserves much credit for his success in life. Starting almost 
without a dollar, but being endowed with a great amount of energy and 
perseverance, he was determined to succeed. His life is a study to the 
historian of this country and an example to the younger generation. His
reputation for honest dealing is proverbial and his jolly greetings and hearty 
ways will long be remembered by the citizens of Joliet.

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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