- JOHN FATHERS, malster, born in Bath, England, Dec. 30, 1824;
died at Janesville, Wis., Oct.
- 12, 1882. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of
a large family of children. He left home for London when nine
years of age, and obtained employment with Downs & Co., malsters,
Richmond, Surry, where he remained five years. At fourteen years
of age he entered the employ of Daniel Light as foreman, and
took charge of that gentleman's extensive malthouse in London,
where he remained until Sept. 1, 1857, at which time he sailed
for America, coming direct to Chicago, and entering the employ
of Lill & Diversey, the great brewers of that city. In the
spring of 1858 Messrs. Lill & Diversey gave Mr. FATHERS charge
of their malthouse at Janesville, and hither he came with his
family, and continued to reside here until his death. On Jan.
14, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Ann HART, born
in London, March 6, 1828. This union was blessed with five children
- four sons and one daughter: William, born in London, England,
Oct. 28, 1851; Samuel, born in London, June 23, 1854, and died
in Janesville, Oct. 5, 1887; James A., born in Chicago, Ill.,
May 5, 1859; Nellie, born in Chicago, April 18, 1860; Georgie,
in Janesville, Aug. 2, 1861, who died when an infant. The widow
and surviving children are now residing in Janesville. The FATHERS
family have long been in the public service of Great Britain.
The father of the subject of this sketch served as a soldier
in the British army during the war with Egypt, and lost his eye-sight
on account of the desert sand. John FATHERS was a most exemplary
citizen, taking an active interest in all local affairs after
becoming a citizen of the United States. Honest and upright
in all his dealings with his fellow-men, he died greatly beloved,
not only by his own family but by a very large circle of friends.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 516-517.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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