Henry Fey came with his parents to America in 1849, and his mother died in Chicago shortly after they landed, due to an injury received while on board ship. His father died a few years later and he and a brother, Phillip, were left to make their way in the world. Phillip died of cholera in Chicago during the great epidemic. Henry came to Morris in 1852 and worked at anything he was able to do. He sold cakes at the Rock Island station when the first passenger train came through, and engaged in other occupations in order to gain a livelihood.
He didn't have much time for schooling, but whenever possible he studied and acquired an education for himself that was of great service to him. He attended the old Normal school that was utilized for the high school in those days.
When the civil war broke out he enlisted in his country's cause and went away for three months service with the Grundy Tigers. Then he re-enlisted when the three months were up, with Co. D 91st Illinois Volunteers. He served three years and three months, most of the service under Captain A. P. Stover and was in many battles but escaped being wounded. He received an honorable discharge at Mobile July 14, 1865, with the official title of first lieutenant and came back north.
He was married a year later to Miss Caroline Louise Lutz in Minooka, and they came to Morris to make their home.
Mr. Fey had saved $500 while he was in the army and when he came back he bought a half interest in a meat market on Washington street with J. Baker. Later he sold out his interest and went into partnership in the same business with William Jones under the firm name of Jones & Fey.
In 1880 he left the meat business and embarked for himself in the boot and shoe business. He prospered and nine years later purchased the Terry brick building. Prosperity followed him here also, and he was able to purchase the corner property and erect the handsome Fey block which stands as a memorial to the success of a self made man.
Of his marriage two sons were born, Frank and Fred, whom, in later years, he associated in business with himself and retired from active work. He also had a daughter Maime who died of Typhoid Fever in 1879.
He was a charter member of Darveau Post G. A. R. and one of its most enthusiastic supporters. He had filled every office in it from the time of organization. He was alderman from the third ward of Morris for eight years and was elected city treasurer for two terms, four years. He was also a member of the board of education for several years
Many thanks to Brian Smead for sponsoring this memorial!
He didn't have much time for schooling, but whenever possible he studied and acquired an education for himself that was of great service to him. He attended the old Normal school that was utilized for the high school in those days.
When the civil war broke out he enlisted in his country's cause and went away for three months service with the Grundy Tigers. Then he re-enlisted when the three months were up, with Co. D 91st Illinois Volunteers. He served three years and three months, most of the service under Captain A. P. Stover and was in many battles but escaped being wounded. He received an honorable discharge at Mobile July 14, 1865, with the official title of first lieutenant and came back north.
He was married a year later to Miss Caroline Louise Lutz in Minooka, and they came to Morris to make their home.
Mr. Fey had saved $500 while he was in the army and when he came back he bought a half interest in a meat market on Washington street with J. Baker. Later he sold out his interest and went into partnership in the same business with William Jones under the firm name of Jones & Fey.
In 1880 he left the meat business and embarked for himself in the boot and shoe business. He prospered and nine years later purchased the Terry brick building. Prosperity followed him here also, and he was able to purchase the corner property and erect the handsome Fey block which stands as a memorial to the success of a self made man.
Of his marriage two sons were born, Frank and Fred, whom, in later years, he associated in business with himself and retired from active work. He also had a daughter Maime who died of Typhoid Fever in 1879.
He was a charter member of Darveau Post G. A. R. and one of its most enthusiastic supporters. He had filled every office in it from the time of organization. He was alderman from the third ward of Morris for eight years and was elected city treasurer for two terms, four years. He was also a member of the board of education for several years
Many thanks to Brian Smead for sponsoring this memorial!
Henry Fey came with his parents to America in 1849, and his mother died in Chicago shortly after they landed, due to an injury received while on board ship. His father died a few years later and he and a brother, Phillip, were left to make their way in the world. Phillip died of cholera in Chicago during the great epidemic. Henry came to Morris in 1852 and worked at anything he was able to do. He sold cakes at the Rock Island station when the first passenger train came through, and engaged in other occupations in order to gain a livelihood.
He didn't have much time for schooling, but whenever possible he studied and acquired an education for himself that was of great service to him. He attended the old Normal school that was utilized for the high school in those days.
When the civil war broke out he enlisted in his country's cause and went away for three months service with the Grundy Tigers. Then he re-enlisted when the three months were up, with Co. D 91st Illinois Volunteers. He served three years and three months, most of the service under Captain A. P. Stover and was in many battles but escaped being wounded. He received an honorable discharge at Mobile July 14, 1865, with the official title of first lieutenant and came back north.
He was married a year later to Miss Caroline Louise Lutz in Minooka, and they came to Morris to make their home.
Mr. Fey had saved $500 while he was in the army and when he came back he bought a half interest in a meat market on Washington street with J. Baker. Later he sold out his interest and went into partnership in the same business with William Jones under the firm name of Jones & Fey.
In 1880 he left the meat business and embarked for himself in the boot and shoe business. He prospered and nine years later purchased the Terry brick building. Prosperity followed him here also, and he was able to purchase the corner property and erect the handsome Fey block which stands as a memorial to the success of a self made man.
Of his marriage two sons were born, Frank and Fred, whom, in later years, he associated in business with himself and retired from active work. He also had a daughter Maime who died of Typhoid Fever in 1879.
He was a charter member of Darveau Post G. A. R. and one of its most enthusiastic supporters. He had filled every office in it from the time of organization. He was alderman from the third ward of Morris for eight years and was elected city treasurer for two terms, four years. He was also a member of the board of education for several years
Many thanks to Brian Smead for sponsoring this memorial!
He didn't have much time for schooling, but whenever possible he studied and acquired an education for himself that was of great service to him. He attended the old Normal school that was utilized for the high school in those days.
When the civil war broke out he enlisted in his country's cause and went away for three months service with the Grundy Tigers. Then he re-enlisted when the three months were up, with Co. D 91st Illinois Volunteers. He served three years and three months, most of the service under Captain A. P. Stover and was in many battles but escaped being wounded. He received an honorable discharge at Mobile July 14, 1865, with the official title of first lieutenant and came back north.
He was married a year later to Miss Caroline Louise Lutz in Minooka, and they came to Morris to make their home.
Mr. Fey had saved $500 while he was in the army and when he came back he bought a half interest in a meat market on Washington street with J. Baker. Later he sold out his interest and went into partnership in the same business with William Jones under the firm name of Jones & Fey.
In 1880 he left the meat business and embarked for himself in the boot and shoe business. He prospered and nine years later purchased the Terry brick building. Prosperity followed him here also, and he was able to purchase the corner property and erect the handsome Fey block which stands as a memorial to the success of a self made man.
Of his marriage two sons were born, Frank and Fred, whom, in later years, he associated in business with himself and retired from active work. He also had a daughter Maime who died of Typhoid Fever in 1879.
He was a charter member of Darveau Post G. A. R. and one of its most enthusiastic supporters. He had filled every office in it from the time of organization. He was alderman from the third ward of Morris for eight years and was elected city treasurer for two terms, four years. He was also a member of the board of education for several years
Many thanks to Brian Smead for sponsoring this memorial!
