Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Plant, Francis W, A M 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 7, 2008, 12:44 am

Author: Past and Present Will County IL; 1907

FRANCIS W. PLANT, A. M. The name of Francis W. Plant has figured prominently 
in the history of commercial and industrial interests in Joliet and the spirit 
of enterprise which has actuated him in all that he has undertaken has gained 
him a gratif}dng measure of prosperity. He was born in Utica, New York, on the 
13th of September, 1843, his parents being James and Hannah A. (Mason) Plant. 
On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to John Plant, of Branford, 
Connecticut, who was among the volunteers in the Narragansett war and received 
a tract of land as bounty for military service. The next in line of descent 
was John Plant, Jr., of Branford, who was born in 1678 and died in 1752. He 
married Hannah Whedon, who was born in 1685 and died in 1754. Their son 
Benjamin was born in 1732 and died in 1808. He married Lorana Beckwith and 
lived in Branford, Connecticut. Benjamin Plant, Jr., of Utica, New York, was 
born in Connecticut in 1763 and died in 1812. He married Lucinda Potter, a 
daughter of Stephen Potter, who held a commission as captain in the war of 
1812. Their son, James Plant, was the father of our subject. He was born in 
Utica, New York, June 17, 1798, and married Hannah Angel Mason, who traced her 
ancestry back to Sampson and Mary (Butterworth) Mason, of Rehoboth, Rhode 
Island, the former of whom died in 1676 and the latter in 1714. The next in 
descent were Isaac and Hannah Mason, of Rehoboth. Isaac Mason was born in 1667 
and died in 1742. His son, Nathan Mason, of Cheshire, Massachusetts, was born 
in 1705 and died in 1758, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lillis 
Hale, died in 1797. Their son, Levi Mason, of Cheshire, Massachusetts, was 
born in 1750 and died in 1844. He married Amy Tilson, who was born in 1753 and 
died in 1844. Their son, Arnold Mason, of New Hartford, New York, was born in 
1777 and died in 1812, while his wife, Mercy Coman, was born in 1776 and died 
in 1850. This worthy couple were the parents of Mrs. Plant, the mother of our 
subject. After entering business life, James Plant followed farming near that 
city until its growth enabled him to plat his land and sell town lots, which 
are now in the center of the city. He died January 5, 1860, while his wife, 
who was born May 19, 1812, passed away August 1, 1890. In their family were 
two children: Helen, the wife of T. D. Catlin, of Ottawa, Illinois; and 
Francis W., of this review. The latter was provided with liberal educational 
privileges. He supplemented his early training by study in Utica Academy, from 
which he was graduated in the class of 1860 and from Hamilton College, at 
Clinton, New York, in 1864, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Subsequently 
his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He was a 
classmate of Elihu Root, afterward secretary of war and governor general of 
the Philippines. His collegiate course completed, Mr. Plant spent two years in 
connection with a bank at Utica, after which he engaged in the book and 
stationery business as a member of the firm of Davis, Gilbert & Plant. 
Thinking to enjoy still better business opportunities in the middle west, he 
removed from Utica to Joliet in 1869 and joined T. A. Mason and H. B. Plant in 
the lumber business. Later the firm became F. W. & H. B. Plant, and they 
engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds and also built up an 
extensive planing-mill business. This became one of the important industrial 
concerns of the city with a large and growing trade, the success of the 
enterprise being attributable in no small degree to the executive force and 
business discernment of Frank W. Plant. For years he was also president of the 
Peoples Building & Loan Association, and he is now connected with the Chicago 
Telephone Company as solicitor. In Brooklyn, New York, on the 16th of October, 
1866, Mr. Plant was married to Miss Elizabeth Merle, who was born in New York 
city, November 17, 1845, and died April 23, 1889, at Joliet. They were the 
parents of five children, Helen Merle, Laura Merle, Grace Merle, James Merle, 
and Anna Merle. For many years Mr. Plant was a member of the vestry of Christ 
Episcopal church and served on the building committee at the time of the 
erection of the house of worship in Joliet. His political allegiance has long 
been given to the republican party. Since his removal to the middle west he 
has been an active factor in business life here and his enterprise and 
activity have been of utilitarian value in promoting the growth and upbuilding 
of the city, while at the same time they have proven a source of individual 
prosperity. 

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

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