Source: "History of Kansas City" by Theo. S. Case - 1888 James LILLIS. Among the foremost of those men who contributed so much to the growth and development of Kansas City, was Mr. James LILLIS. He was born in the county of Clare, Ireland, in 1836, a county which has given birth to so many heroes and to so many true men. While he was yet a boy this man --- for he suddenly became a man --- faced the world. He made his own fight. He was everything that was true, noble and brave. He was self made. Such had been the stress of circumstances, and such had been the surrounding of his birth, that he was, while yet in his youth, cast upon his own resources. Ireland, which has given so many heroes and patriots to the world, is not lavish in her gifts to those who come to America. We give below a full and complete history of what Mr. James LILLIS has done in this country. Mr. LILLIS has built as many miles of railroad as any other individual living in the State of Missouri, and his experience covers over thirty years. He has been a contractor on the Burlington and Missouri River, K.C. M. and M. Missouri Pacific Lexington and Southern Chicago and Alton Railroads, and the Kansas City Elevated Steam Motor Road. And while he has met with disappointments in business, his courage has never been daunted. He has always made the best of his situation, and he is recognized throughout the State as entirely safe and responsible. He remained in La Fayette county until it became quite evident to him that Kansas City was to be the center of business in the West. He came to Kansas City when the city began its big boom, and since his coming he has thoroughly identified himself with its interest. His departure from Lexington, where he was so well known and highly esteemed, was a source of regret to all the citizens of that place. They felt they were loosing one of their truest and most popular men, and one whom they could not spare well at that time. In June, 1880, he laid the foundation of a most successful career in Kansas City, for since his first undertaking until the present day everything seemed to favor him. However, for the past four years he has used the most of his time and energy in constructing cable railway lines. He built the entire system of the Kansas City Cable Road now in operation, and is still employed by the owners of the road in their new enterprises. He has built other lines in the city, and when the projectors of a cable line in Omaha conceived the idea of constructing a road in that city, they looked to Kansas City for competent men to perform their work. They gave Mr. LILLIS charge of the construction of their entire road, knowing that they could find no more responsible and experienced person. Mr. LILLIS is now engaged in several enterprises, and his past record as a keen business man justifies the confidence placed in him and gives an assurance that his undertakings will terminate most successfully. In personal appearance, Mr. LILLIS is tall, portly built and well-formed, having a grand physique, an active temperament, and a very pleasant and agreeable countenance. He is noble-hearted, pure-minded, and generous, giving largely to charitable purposes, and many have grateful memories of his bounty. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a man of sound and accurate judgment in politics, as in everything else. In February, 1887, as a recognition of his fidelity to his party, and unsullied standing in the community, Governor MARMADUKE appointed him police commissioner of Kansas City, a position he still holds to the satisfaction of the citizens. In religion Mr. LILLIS is a member of the Catholic Church. He is the father of a large family --- eleven children being the fruit of his marriage, all living, and natives of this State. He has done for them all in a father's power, and his only happiness is to see them together enjoying themselves under his roof. He has made his home pleasant and attractive, and his wife, whose countenance bespeaks a true and noble soul, leaves nothing undone to promote the happiness of her husband and children. He has given all his children a sound and thorough Christian education. His eldest son, Thomas F., is a priest of the diocese of Kansas City, and at present administrator of St. Patrick's parish, in the city. The ordination of his son to the priesthood was a source of gratification to Mr. LILLIS and his family, and they feel honored in the reverend gentleman's vocation. Mr. LILLIS's friends can be numbered by the thousands, and those who know him intimately esteem him very highly for his many manly qualities and his general worth as a citizen and man. ==================================================== ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Preston" <> To: "John O'Brien" <JohnOBrien@kc.rr.com> Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 11:30 PM Subject: Re: > I saw on the internet there is a write up of James > Lillis the industrialist in several of the early > "HIstory of Kansas City" type books--have you seen > that before? >