Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Walsh, James 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 1:10 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

JAMES WALSH, a retired farmer residing in Spencer, New Lenox Township, was 
born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1838. At twenty-one years of age he came 
to the United States, landing in New York City, and for a short time working 
as a hired hand on farms, afterward engaging in agricultural pursuits on his 
own account. In 1851 he came to Illinois and settled in Joliet, which at that 
time had only one business street. He was employed on the Rock Island Railroad 
during its construction, after which he rented a farm. In 1855 he bought 
property on section 27, New Lenox Township, where he began independent 
farming. At different times he bought other farm land, until he now owns five 
hundred acres of as fine land as may be found in the entire county, besides a 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Livingston County, Ill. Besides 
raising cereals, he gave considerable attention to the raising of stock, and 
in both departments of agriculture met with gratifying success. He continued 
to make his home on the farm until 1891, when he rented the place and 
purchased a home in Spencer. It is his intention to spend the remainder of his 
life in this village, retired from active labors, and in the enjoyment of the 
comforts his industry has rendered possible. Having been a hard-working man, 
he well deserves the rest he now enjoys. The platform of the Democratic party 
represents the political views of Mr. Walsh, who has been a steadfast 
supporter of its men and measures and has shown considerable interest in town 
affairs. For a number of years he served as school director. He and his family 
are members of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. His life shows what it 
is possible for a man to accomplish in this world, when he is industrious and 
has the aid of a good wife. In the early days of his residence here he was 
compelled to work almost ceaselessly, and often the hour of midnight found him 
still in the field. Equally hard-working was his wife, who frequently bound 
grain all night, working in the field by his side both night and day. Prior to 
her marriage, in New York City, in 1851, Mrs. Walsh bore the maiden name of 
Margaret Delaney; she was a daughter of William Delaney, who came to this 
country from Ireland in 1849. The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Walsh are named 
as follows: Annie, wife of James Carroll; John and Martin, farmers of this 
county; Michael and James, of Campus, Livingston County; and Patrick, a 
teacher in the schools of this county. Mr. Walsh and his wife also adopted a 
child of six years from the New York St. Joseph's orphan asylum. They gave her 
the name of Annie Walsh, and she still remains with them, finding a happy home 
with her adopted parents.

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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