Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Straight, Willis A 1859 - ************************************************ 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 May 5, 2007, 6:26 pm Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890 WILLIS A. STRAIGHT, proprietor of the tile mill at Manhattan, is numbered among the most enterprising members of the community. He is doing an excellent business in the sale of drain tile, manufacturing all sizes from three to eighteen inches, and shipping to all stations along the Wabash Railroads, and selling to home trade. He keeps eighteen or twenty men constantly employed, and getting out seven or eight thousand tile per day. He has large dry-houses, and four kilns, at least three of which are taxed to their full capacity each week. Grandfather Straight was a farmer in New York, whence he removed to Livingston County, Ill., at an early day, continuing his former occupation. His career has been a successful one and he at one time owned two farms. He is now living in Fairbury and he and his trusted companion are the only inmates of their home, being able to do their own work, although the one is eighty- seven and the other eighty-five years old. In the family of the couple above mentioned was a son, Rufus C., who was born in the Empire State and who came to Will County, Ill., from the East. For two years he was engaged in the service of his uncle, Daniel Cropsy, of Plainfield, after which he bought land in McLean County and devoted a few years to agricultural pursuits there. Selling his estate he bought other farm lands near Fairbury, Livingston County, and was so successful as to acquire some eight hundred acres from a beginning that was made with $150. He first engaged in farming and stock- raising, and then embarked in the tile business which proved successful. From 1877 until 1883 he ran a tile mill and also bought and shipped stock. In politics he is a Republican. He has been a member of the School Board for years. He is now occupying a fine residence in Fairbury and at the age of fifty-seven years is able to enjoy the comforts of ease and plenty, secured by his former industry. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Miss Fransina Abbey. She was born in Cora, Pa., and is the daughter of a farmer who died in the Keystone State. She is a noble woman, a member of the Presbyterian Church, a devoted wife and mother and a kindly neighbor. She has borne her husband eight children, namely: Willis A., Lee S., Lizzie, Nellie M., Guy H., Stella, who are now living; Lena, who died at the age of ten years and an infant who died unnamed. All the living members of the family are at home except our subject and Lee, who is in the tile business at El Paso. The subject of this brief biographical notice was born in McLean County, near the large and noted Sullivan farm, August 5, 1859. He was reared in Livingston County, obtaining his fundamental instruction in the district schools and further having the excellent advantages furnished by the Fairbury High School. Like most lads whose home is in the country, he was early set to work on the farm and acquired an understanding of agriculture. He remained at home until of age and then began life for himself by going to Chicago and finding employment in the paint and oil store of B. F. Fitch. After remaining there some eighteen months he returned to Livingston County and with his brother Lee carried on the large tile factory at home for a year, their labors proving quite successful. On January 1, 1883, the brothers came to Manhattan, purchased twenty acres of land and set about the construction of a tile mill, preparatory to embarking in manufacturing here. It required $10,000 to start their business, which they carried on in partnership until 1886, when our subject bought out his brother's interest and the latter opened a similar establishment in El Paso. Our subject has since continued the business alone and such has been his enterprise and business tact that he has increased the capacity of the establishment, which now makes from three to eighteen inch tiles, which was not formerly done. Besides his town property, Mr. Straight owns eighty acres of improved land in Livingston County, which is rented. On October 25, 1885, the interesting ceremony was performed which transformed Miss Nellie M. Jones into Mrs. W. A. Straight. The bride was born in Buchanan County, Mo., July 6, 1864, and was educated at Mokena and Normal Park, this State, becoming a highly intelligent and cultured woman. Her father W. D. Jones, was formerly engaged in farming in Frankfort Township, this county, but is now living in Wetmore, Kan. He is an old Californian miner and was also at one time engaged in the lumber and sawmill business. To Mr. and Mrs. Straight one child has been born, an interesting little maiden called Natalie. Mr. Straight was President of the Village Board of Trustees one year, and with the exception of a twelvemonth has been a member of that body since the incorporation of the village. His political adherence is given to the Republican party. He is looked upon with respect by his fellow-men, as an honorable citizen and kindly man, while the loveable disposition and pleasing manners of his wife win many friends. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/straight528gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb