Founder of the city of Elgin, Illinois. In 1835 James Gifford, with his brother Hezekiah, left upstate New York and settled on land along the Fox River at a spot where the Army Trail between Chicago and the lead mines in Galena had already established a crossing.
Hezekiah set to farming and James built a flour mill, powered by the river, and established a town site. To insure the growth and prosperity of his new town James would work to bring in stage lines, postal routes, and eventually the railroad.
As the city did grow, and new residents came in he would donate land for schools, churches, parks and a cemetery.
Over the years he would serve as Postmaster and Justice of the peace.
-------------
James married Laura Raymond, the daughter of Newcomb and Mabel Raymond. She was born 26 Nov 1800 in Sherburne, Chenango, New York and died 5 Aug 1872, in Elgin. She is likely buried in this cemetery.
Hezekiah set to farming and James built a flour mill, powered by the river, and established a town site. To insure the growth and prosperity of his new town James would work to bring in stage lines, postal routes, and eventually the railroad.
As the city did grow, and new residents came in he would donate land for schools, churches, parks and a cemetery.
Over the years he would serve as Postmaster and Justice of the peace.
-------------
James married Laura Raymond, the daughter of Newcomb and Mabel Raymond. She was born 26 Nov 1800 in Sherburne, Chenango, New York and died 5 Aug 1872, in Elgin. She is likely buried in this cemetery.
Founder of the city of Elgin, Illinois. In 1835 James Gifford, with his brother Hezekiah, left upstate New York and settled on land along the Fox River at a spot where the Army Trail between Chicago and the lead mines in Galena had already established a crossing.
Hezekiah set to farming and James built a flour mill, powered by the river, and established a town site. To insure the growth and prosperity of his new town James would work to bring in stage lines, postal routes, and eventually the railroad.
As the city did grow, and new residents came in he would donate land for schools, churches, parks and a cemetery.
Over the years he would serve as Postmaster and Justice of the peace.
-------------
James married Laura Raymond, the daughter of Newcomb and Mabel Raymond. She was born 26 Nov 1800 in Sherburne, Chenango, New York and died 5 Aug 1872, in Elgin. She is likely buried in this cemetery.
Hezekiah set to farming and James built a flour mill, powered by the river, and established a town site. To insure the growth and prosperity of his new town James would work to bring in stage lines, postal routes, and eventually the railroad.
As the city did grow, and new residents came in he would donate land for schools, churches, parks and a cemetery.
Over the years he would serve as Postmaster and Justice of the peace.
-------------
James married Laura Raymond, the daughter of Newcomb and Mabel Raymond. She was born 26 Nov 1800 in Sherburne, Chenango, New York and died 5 Aug 1872, in Elgin. She is likely buried in this cemetery.
Inscription
Westward Ho!
Founder of Elgin 1835
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
