This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Grubb, Stevens, Shields, Wizer, Wike, Whipple, Sallee, Nations Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kg.2ADI/1561 Message Board Post: Barry Adage, Barry, Pike Co. IL, Friday, August 16, 1889, in part: "The subject of this sketch, Jon Perry Grubb, son of Jonas and Sarah (Wizer) Grubb, was born four miles from Harrisburg, near Mechanicsburg, in Cumberland county, Pa., Oct. 7, 1815, and died at his home near the Barry woolen mills, August 9, 1889. He was one of twelve children, eight boys and four girls, seven of whom are still living. His father was a stone mason by trade, though the family resided on a farm, which the boys worked, till 1833, when all removed to Saegerstown, in Crawford county. Jon soon went to Meadville, seven or eight miles away, where he worked one year in a woolen mill. The next year, in company with Geo. Wike, he went to Erie, Pa., and there finished learning his trade, that of a woolen manufacturer. In 1838 he came to Quincy, Ill, where George Wike was at work at their trade for Col. Dan Whipple, one of Quincy's pioneers. Within a few weeks he went to Palmyra, Mo., and there ope! rated a roll card for the owner, John Sallee. The motive power for the "carding machine," as it was called, was furnished by horses in a treadmill. The next winter he returned to Saegerstown, and the following spring (1839) the whole family removed by wagon to Adams county, Ill., and settled on a farm near Liberty, where the five living brothers still reside. The subject of this sketch immediately went to work for Col. Whipple, and remained in his employ, carding and spinning, till 1842, when he assisted George Wike in establishing the Barry woolen mills at the present site, where were already in operation a saw mill and an old French burr for grinding corn, the power being furnished by water from the spring which issues from the cave in the hillside above the mills. He returned to work for Col. Whipple and remained till 1844 when he entered the employ of Capt. Garrett, at Camp Point, and worked one year. He then returned to the Barry woolen mills and entered into partnership with George, Joe and Dave Wike in the business of carding rolls, (which was large in those days) manufacturing woolen goods and grinding corn and sawing lumber. The weaving was then all done on hand looms, and when they afterwards sent to Pittsburg and bought a power loom it became one of the wonders of that infant industry. However, to show how expert some hand loom weavers had become, it might be here stated that Dave Wike, on a wager, wove in one day on a hand loom fifty yards of cloth, while his brother George was weaving fifty-two yards on "Old Pittsburg" as they called the power loom. The deceased was married to Harriet Stevens, May 9, 1849. Three children Jon W., Emeline and Eva R., were born to them. His wife died March 5, 1866, and Eva (then the wife of John M. Shields) Oct. 25, 1883. He afterwards married Beulah M. Nations, war widow of John Nations, and she, with three children, George, Hattie and Ollie, survive him. He sold his interest in the woolen mill a few years ago and then devoted his whole time to the interests of his little farm. He was an earnest and faithful member of the Universalist church, and was a prominent figure in the work of erecting, in 1858, the church here, now known as the town hall (opera house). He was a generous neighbor, a kind husband and a loving father, devoting the last years of his life to his family in their farm life. As a man and a citizen Mr. Grubb was held in the highest esteem. No person knew him but to respect him. Politically he was a Democrat. He was also a great admirer of Free Masonry, was one of the first members admitted to Barry lodge, No. 34, after its organization, and one of its best officials. For years he was a sufferer from stone in the bladder (known since the autopsy), his condition being rendered almost unendurable from enlargement of the spleen during the last year or two, though he bore it all with scarcely a complaint. He died as he had lived, peacefully, full of faith, and ready to obey the call of the great Death angel. The funeral was held at 1:30 pm on Sunday at the family residence, and was probably the largest ever seen in this place. The Masonic lodge turned out in force and led the procession on foot, headed by the band, and followed by the members of the Order of the Eastern Star in carriages, and a long line of carriages containing relatives and friends. Rev. T.G. McLean officiated at the residence, and Mr. W.B. Grimes, of Pittsfield, conducted the Masonic ceremony at the grave. The pallbearers were (?) Digby, G.H. Watson, J.W. Eckes, Jas. Watson, S. Kirtright and J.S. Phenneger"