Untitled Document

Alex W. Albro

Alex W. Albro , residing at Galva, was born Nov. 22, 1824 , in Warren Co., N. Y., and is a son of Samuel and Polly (green) Albro, natives of Rhode Island and New York , Respectively. They were married in the latter State, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. He was also a soldier in the War of 1812. They came to Medina Co., Ohio , about 1833, and remained there until November, 1835, when they removed to Fort Clark , now Peoria , of this State, where they remained about a short time. The next spring they came to near where Wyoming , in Stark Co., this State, is located. They erected a dwelling that fall, and in the autumn of 1836 moved to Lynn Township , Knox County , where he entered 160 acres of land with a soldier’s warrant. The land was located on Walnut Creek , and comprised both timber and prairie. They located on the land mentioned, and engaged actively and energetically in its cultivation, and continued to reside there until their deaths. Their family comprised eight children, namely; James, Phebe, Stephen G., Benjamin, John, Alex W., subject of this notice., Deb orah and Eliza. Of these children, John, Mrs. Eliza Rounds and our subject are the only survivors.

Alex W. Albro, on account of the newness of the country at the time in which his parents settled in it, and the necessity which compelled him to assist in the labors of the farm and the maintenance of the family, only received three months’ schooling, which was in Knox County . He was reared on the farm, and at the date of his father’s death, being 17 years of age, was apprenticed to learn the wagon-maker’s trade, at which he worked for about ten years. He then again engaged in farming, and followed that occupation five years. In June, 1855, about the time the town started, he came to Galva to live, having previous to this time worked on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, grading track. He was then in the mercantile business, from 1855 until 1862, and was also engaged in buying grain during the same period.

In August, 1862, Mr. Albro enlisted in the 112 th Ill. Vol. Inf., Co. G., as private, and was afterward elected Captain. He served his country until April, 1863. He was stationed part of the time at Lexington , Ky. , on provost duty. After returning from the war he again went to Galva, where he engaged in the hotel and livery business, owning what is known as the “Baker House” for many years, and which he conducted for four year. He then leased it for five years, but at the expiration of two years sold it to Brewer & Baker. While the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad was being built, Mr. Albro took a contract for the building of ten miles of its track northwest of Galva, which contract he successfully completed. Having traded his Galva property for Nebraska lands, he has spent the last years of his life principally in attending to his western property.

Mr. Albro has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Esther Wilcox, who died in Knox County and was again married to Emily Spalding, daughter of Dr. Spalding, deceased, and a well known pioneer and surgeon of the noted 112 th Ill. Vo., Inf., and also a gentleman high in the Masonic Order. Mrs. Albro was born in 1827, in New York City , and has borne her husband six children Of these, Mrs. Esther Babbitt and Hattie H., are yet living; the four others, Charles O., Florence J., Ella D. and infant daughter, are deceased. Mr. Albro has been a very active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and filled numerous minor offices in the gift of the people of the county, having been Deputy Sheriff on two separate occasions, and having held other minor offices. He was one of the incorporators of the First National Bank at Galva, and was a director of the same. From 1868 to 1872, he was Deputy United States Revenue Assessor for Henry County , serving in that capacity for more than four years.

1885 Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry Co., Illinois page 461

Transcribed by Jan Roggy

Illinois Ancestors