- JAMES A. FATHERS has for six years filled the office of city
treasurer of Janesville, Rock
- County, alike with fidelity to his important trust and satisfaction
to the people.
- Mr. FATHERS' parents, John and Ann (HART) FATHERS, were both
natives of England,
- where they were married, and where they resided until 1857.
John FATHERS was one of three sons of a government official.
By trade he was a malster, and he was for many years in the employ
of Bass & Co., the famous English brewers. So capable was
he in his calling, and so well established was his reputation,
that in the year named, the Lill & Diversey Brewing Co.,
of Chicago, sent for him to come to America and enter their service.
He remained in that city for two years, and in 1859 was sent
by the concern to Janesville. The firm's losses in the fire of
October, 1871, necessitated a suspension of business, and from
that time until his death - in 1882, at the age of fifty-seven
- Mr. FATHERS led a life of retirement and ease. Both he and
his wife were members of the Church of England. She still survives
him, at an advanced age. Their family consisted of five children,
three of whom are yet living: William, whose home is in Harmony
township, Rock County; James A.; and Nellie, wife of William
GREEN, of Janesville.
- James A. FATHERS was born in Chicago May 5, 1859, and was
but an infant when his parents
- removed to Janesville. He attended the public schools until
he was fourteen years old, when he entered the woolen mills of
WHEELER & Sons, intending to learn the trade of a carder.
Not liking the pursuit he abandoned it, and subsequently acquired
the harness making trade in the establishment of C. H. PAYNE.
After working four years as a journeyman he bought out Mr. PAYNE,
and successfully conducted the business until 1889, when ill
health compelled his retirement from active labor. For about
three years he conducted a meat market, but abandoned this enterprise
upon his election to the city treasurership, in 1894. This office
he has held continuously up to the present time, by successive
re-elections. To the discharge of his official duties he brought
a large fund of common sense, a considerable knowledge of public
affairs, and unswerving integrity, which qualities, joined to
gentleness of disposition and urbanity of manner, admirably qualify
him for a post of grave responsibility, whose occupant is daily
called upon to do business with "all sorts and conditions
of man." The year 1894, however, did not mark "Mr.
FATHERS' debut in the arena of public life. At the age of twenty-two
he was chosen, on the Republican ticket, to represent the Third
ward upon the board of aldermen. He occupied a seat in that body
for four years, and for three years served as president of the
council. He is universally popular, and is regarded as one of
Janesville's most influential citizens. He is a stockholder in
the Bower City Bank. Mr. FATHERS belongs to both the Masonic
and Odd Fellows fraternities, being a member of Janesville Lodge,
No. 55, A.F.& A.M., and high priest of Janesville Chapter,
No. 5, R.A.M. He belongs to Janesville City Lodge, No. 90, I.O.O.F.,
has filled all the chairs in the encampment, and was chosen grand
representative for 1893-94. Some fifteen years ago he bought
his present pleasant home, at No. 259 South Main street.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c)1901, pp. 771-772.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|