Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Peart, Joseph ************************************************ 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 November 10, 2007, 3:45 am Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County JOSEPH PEART. Those who are reared in mining districts almost invariably follow the occupation of the people around them. Mr. Peart has been no exception to this rule. A miner's son, and born in the mining regions of County Durham, England, April 15, 1830, he was employed in boyhood as a digger in the coal mines of his native place. September 25, 1854, he landed in Boston, and from there proceeded to Zanesville, Ohio, where he was employed in mines for eighteen months. The year 1856 found him in Illinois. For two years he worked in the leading mines of La Salle County. He then went to Felix Township, Grundy County, and secured work in the mines there. When he came to Will County, in 1868, he decided to enter a different occupation, and so purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Wilmington Township and embarked in farming and stock-raising. However, after eight years of farm life he sold his place and came to Braid wood, which was then a new and small mining camp. From that time until 1887 he was connected with the mines of the Chicago & Wilmington Coal Company, a part of the time acting as foreman of the gang. After fifty years, that were almost wholly devoted to mining pursuits, he retired from active labors in 1887. He had entered the mines of England, a child of seven years, in a very humble position. He left the mines of Braidwood, a man of fifty-seven years, after having worked his way to a responsible and remunerative position. He had early in life showed a determination to make his way in the world; and, although his education was limited and his advantages few, he acquired valuable information in the school of experience and became a well-informed man. During these long years of labor he gained a competency, and in 1883 he built a two-story residence on Roundhouse avenue, where he is now enjoying a rest from his former cares. Those who are acquainted with Mr. Peart thoroughly understand his political views. He is known to be a decided Republican, stanch in his allegiance to party. For four years he was an alderman, and for three terms, of two years each, held office as mayor of Braidwood. During his service as mayor many improvements were introduced, and he was one of the first to champion the cinder sidewalks. For six years he served as a school director. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen; Braidwood Lodge No. 704, A. F. & A. M.; Wilmington Chapter, R. A. M., and Joliet Commandery, K. T. In 1859 Mr. Peart married Ellen Baxter, who was born in this county. They have one daughter, Mary Ada, now the wife of Henry A. Foster, of Pontiac, Ill. Mrs. Peart is a member of the Eastern Star, and takes an active part in its work. Her father, William Baxter, a native of Scotland, immigrated to America about 1830 and settled at Mount Savage, Allegany County, Md. He was a practical miner and civil engineer, and surveyed many an acre of coal land in Allegany County. In 1848 he came west, settling in Will County, and afterward engaging in surveying on the Illinois and Michigan canal. He made an estimate of the cost of building the entire canal, and it later developed that his estimate was very close to the actual cost. On completing his surveying he settled on a farm in Florence Township, and in 1852 he died on that place. His wife, like himself, a native of Scotland, bore the maiden name of Ellen Somerville. She died in Florence Township in 1866, at sixty-three years of age. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living, namely: William, Mrs. Peart, Andrew, John C., and Mary, wife of Dr. Cook, of Hastings, Neb. 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 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/peart1804nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb