Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Whittier, George 1830 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 12:06 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

GEORGE WHITTIER. Of the enterprising citizens of Joliet who have been called 
from the active scenes of life, none have been better known perhaps or more 
sincerely mourned than Mr. Whittier. His portrait, which we are pleased to 
present on the opposite page, represents a gentleman whose long and successful 
business career in the city of Joliet gained for him the reputation of being 
honest, public spirited and generous. His business qualifications were fine, 
while as a neighbor and friend it was universally conceded that he held the 
good will of the community in which he lived, always assisting those in need 
and ever having a kind word for those around him. A marked trait of his 
character was, that whenever he pledged himself to any obligation or the 
performance of any task, he never failed to redeem his pledge. This gentleman 
was born in Sommersworth, N. H., November 27, 1830, his parents being Joseph 
and Nancy (Locke) Whittier. When he was six years of age his parents moved 
from that State to the land of Penn, locating in Philadelphia, Pa., but with 
that restlessness which characterizes Americans as a rule, before many years 
had passed, they made another change of residence. For a time they resided in 
Penobscot, Me., whence the father came to Illinois in 1859, and established 
himself in the lime business. Hither the son, our subject, came two years 
later and joined his father in the enterprise, in which success crowned their 
efforts. After a worthy and honorable life the father was called hence, August 
12, 1889, at the advanced age of ninety-five years, eight months and eleven 
days. He had thus almost rounded out a full century, and his life was filled 
with good deeds and worthy actions. Starting in life poor, he seemed to have 
taken for his motto, "Either I will find a way or make one." In his honorable 
endeavors he was successful and prosperous. Joseph Whittier was a cousin of 
the far-famed poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, whom Americans delight to honor 
and whose fame has penetrated distant lands. Unto Joseph and Nancy Whittier 
were born the following children, besides George, our subject: Samuel, now a 
resident of New Brunswick; Joseph, who is engaged in the lumber trade in East 
Saginaw, Mich.; Mrs. Adeline Buffom, deceased; Mrs. Lydia Jones, whose husband 
is an attorney in Bangor, Me.; Charles, of San Jose, Cal.; Mrs. Eliza 
Walworth, wife of a Universalist minister in Baltimore, Md.; and Mrs. Ellen 
Smith, of SanDiego, Cal. A few months after the death of the father, our 
subject also passed to rest November 10, 1889, and now lies buried in Oakwood 
Cemetery, Joliet. He left a widow and three children, daughters, to mourn 
their loss. Many friends also had been made during the years of his residence 
in Joliet. He had, politically, been a stanch Democrat, and socially, was 
welcomed in the best circles of the city. His wife bore the maiden name of 
Sarah M. Lindsay, and their wedding ceremony was celebrated at the home of the 
bride's parents, James and Eliza (Purrington) Lindsay, February 10, 1854. 
James Lindsay followed the occupation of a cooper and farmer, and unto him and 
his wife were born the following children: Henry H., now a resident of 
Lincoln, Me.; Mrs. Eliza E. Hasey, in Joliet; Mrs. Lucy Severance, also of 
Lincoln, Me.; and Mrs. Whittier. The latter was born in the Pine Tree State, 
in the town of Chester, January 16, 1832. Her marriage with our subject was 
blessed by the birth of three children—Mrs. Angeline Stedman, of Oak Park, now 
a part of Chicago; Mrs. Lucy M. Wayman, of Chicago, and Miss Claire, who is 
yet with her mother. The widow and daughter occupy the homestead, where they 
enjoy the fruits of a life that was spent in providing for their welfare. 
Their home is one of culture and refinement, and they are held in high esteem 
by those to whom their characters and attainments are known.

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

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