Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Spears, William E 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 4:04 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

WILLIAM E. SPEARS, who has been one of the well-known contractors and builders 
in Joliet, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, March 7, 1831. When seven years of 
age he was taken by an uncle to Belfast, Ireland, and there spent the next ten 
years. In July, 1849, he landed in New York City, after a voyage of nine weeks 
and three days on the "John Carr," and for five years he was employed in that 
city, meantime learning the trade of carpentering and boxmaking. In the spring 
of 1854 he came to Joliet, and for ten years followed his trade in this city. 
In 1864 he became a member of the contracting firm of Switzer, Spears & 
Blaser, which continued in business for eighteen years, meantime operating on 
an extensive scale both in the city and surrounding country, and having the 
contracts for the building of many bridges and important structures. Since the 
partnership was dissolved Mr. Spears has continued in the same business 
independently. He had the contract for Hyde's large elevator in this city, as 
well as other elevators, and put up three bridges in Troy Township across the 
Dupage River, also the Red mill and the segments for Hickory Creek bridge on 
Chicago street. July 12, 1859, Mr. Spears married Miss Mary Furlong, who was 
born in County Wexford, Ireland. They became the parents of eight children. 
Mary Agnes, the eldest, married David Curtis, a merchant of Joliet; Hugh E. is 
deceased; Samuel C., a contractor in Springfield, had the contract for the Tin 
Plate and Spring mills in Joliet; William James is a carpenter in Chicago; 
John Wallace, a talented musician, is now taking a two years' course of study 
in Berlin; Charles R. is janitor of the Joliet schools; George Richard is a 
contractor in this city; and Robert B., the youngest of the family, is a 
partner of his brother George. Mrs. Spears, who was born in 1836, was thirteen 
at the time of crossing the ocean to America, and sixteen when she came to 
Joliet. When younger in years Mr. Spears took a part in local politics and was 
a leading Republican, serving as a delegate to county conventions, and aiding 
the work of the party. For one term he served as an alderman, and he also was 
judge of elections. Fraternally he is a member of Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & 
A. M., with which he has been connected since 1861; and he is also a member of 
Joliet Chapter No. 27, R. A. M. In religion he is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church.

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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