Macoupin county can claim a worthy representative in L. C. Reilly, a
leading insurance man of Mount Olive, who served for four years as
justice of the peace and for twelve years past has filled the office of
notary public. He is a native of Illinois, born at Alton, June 20, 1857,
a son of John K. and Eleanor (Doran) Reilly. The parents were both born
in County Wexford, Ireland, and were married in their native country,
two of their children having been born there. They left Ireland late in
1850, having decided to cast their lot in the new world, and landed at
New Orleans early in 1851. Coming up the Mississippi river in a boat,
they landed at Alton, where the family resided for fourteen years, the
father being engaged in various pursuits. He served as night market
master of Alton when the market was located where the postoffice now
stands. The office of market master was at that time of considerable
importance, its holder being an authorized officer of the city and he
also had charge of the jail while on duty. After giving up this position
Mr. Reilly served as yardmaster for the Chicago & Alton Railway. He came
to Macoupin county on the 5th of October, 1865, and located on a farm in
Cahokia township, where he resided until his death which occurred
February 17, 1890, the beloved wife and mother passing away April 29,
1877. They were both devout members of the Catholic church and were
greatly esteemed by all who knew them. Mr. Reilly was a remarkably well
informed man but on account of his modesty and retiring disposition
never received the recognition that his merits deserved. He read law
under a Mr. Flannagan, a noted barrister of Temple Moor, at Tipperary,
Ireland, but never practiced the profession, his attention being
attracted in other directions after his arrival in this country. He was
a lifelong student and observer, and a brilliant conversationalist,
being able to talk, even with those who were best informed, on all
subjects pertaining to science, religion, politics or topics pertaining
to the day. He was a radical democrat but was never a seeker for public
office.
Mr. Reilly of this review was reared under highly
favorable circumstances in a happy home. He was educated almost entirely
under his father’s tutelage and his attendance at the public schools was
limited to three months. Under competent direction he acquired a love
for books which has been an important element in shaping his life. He
continued at home until twenty-four years of age and then began working
in the coal mines at Mount Olive, where he was employed for about twelve
years. In 1885 he removed to Litchfield and for about a year was
identified with the Litchfield car shops. He then returned to Mount
Olive and resumed work in the mines. In 1889 he was appointed car
builder for the St. Louis & Peoria Railway and had charge of the rolling
stock of the road for three years and seven months. He was then placed
in charge of the construction of the dam at the Mount Olive reservoir, a
responsibility which required his attention for about five months. About
the time this work was completed he was tendered the position of
weighmaster at No. 10 Mine by the district superintendent of the
Consolidated Coal Company, a position which he accepted and filled to
the complete satisfaction of his employers. In the spring of 1892 John
Homer, a brother-in-law of Mr. Reilly and a prominent abstracter and
insurance man, and justice of the peace, removed from Mount Olive to
Carlinville, having been elected clerk of the circuit court. Mr. Reilly
resigned his position with the coal company to take charge of the
business left by Mr. Homer and has ever since devoted his attention
largely to the insurance business, being also very prominent in public
affairs. He is an active member of the Retail Dealers’ Association of
Mount Olive and is one of the foremost workers in behalf of all
movements seeking to promote the interests of his adopted town.
On the 28th of January, 1885, at Mount Olive, Mr. Reilly was married to
Miss Fannie Reagan, a daughter of Patrick Reagan, recently deceased.
Eight children have been born to this union: Frank, who is an electrical
engineer in the employ of the municipal plant at Mount Olive; Nellie, a
teacher in the Mount Olive high school; Alice, who is engaged in
teaching in the district schools; and Una, Bernice, Agnes, William and
Thomas. All of the children reside at home.
Politically Mr.
Reilly follows in the footsteps of his father and gives his undivided
support to the democratic party. In addition to serving as justice of
the peace, he has filled the office of supervisor of the township and
was for eight years deputy sheriff of Macoupin county. The confidence in
which he is held by the community is indicated by the fact that he is
now serving as assessor of Mount Olive. He is a member of the Catholic
church in which he fills the office of trustee, being also identified
with the Western Catholic Union and the Knights of Columbus. Always
diligent in his business, attentive to his duties as head of a large and
promising family and faithful in the discharge of public
responsibilities, he is justly entitled to the high regard in which he
is held by his neighbors and friends. He owes much of his success to the
example and teachings of his father and the encouragement of a faithful
wife who has been to him a constant inspiration.
Extracted 20 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 233-235.
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