My Genealogy Hound

FRANCIS GOLLON, one of the noted business men of the city of Chester, is a native of Prussia Poland, and was born January 26, 1839. His parents, Jacob and Barbara (Singer) Gollon, were also born in Prussia, and lived and died in that country. Our subject attended the schools of his native land, and when old enough commenced to cultivate a farm for his parents, at which he continued until reaching his eighteenth year, when he determined to emigrate to America. After landing in New York City, he made his way to Peoria, this state, and began to learn the trade of a baker, at which he worked for the following two years. At the expiration of that time he came to Chester to visit a brother who was residing here. It had been his intention to go farther south, but instead he engaged to work in the bakery of William Bruns, who was just starting a shop. After a time our subject was enabled to embark in business for himself, and continued in this until the latter part of 1860. The following year we find him working at his trade in New Orleans. Having an opportunity to engage as pastry cook on the steamer “Paytona,” plying from Louisville to New Orleans, he accepted the position, but a few months later, however, he resigned and commenced working in the last named city. After three months in that city he went to Cairo, and worked in the Government bakery there until just after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in 1862.

Mr. Gollon then joined the army stationed at the above city and baked for them. He subsequently visited many places, among which were Helena, Ark., and Vicksburg, and went with the regiment on Bank’s expedition on Red River. In the spring of 1864 our subject returned to New Orleans, and in June of that year made his way to Chester. He soon entered into partnership with Valentine Ritter, who was engaged in the retail liquor business. After a year thus spent he bought out his partner, and has since conducted the business alone. In addition to this he has been engaged in the hotel and restaurant business a great deal of the time, besides dealing extensively in ice and in wholesaling beer. Because of his straightforward manner and sagacity he is considered one of Chester’s solid business men and has gained the entire confidence and respect of the community. Politically Mr. Gollon is a stalwart Republican in principle, but in local affairs is rather conservative, voting for the best man, irrespective of party.

January 11, 1866, Miss Rosa Dushinksy, a daughter of Joseph and Julia (Gollon) Dushinksy, became the wife of our subject. The parents of Mrs. Gollon emigrated from Prussia in an early day, and spent the remainder of their lives in Chester. Fourteen children came to bless the union of our subject and his estimable wife, four of whom are deceased. The living are: Frank, who is married and makes his home in Chicago; Edward, who is engaged as a railway postal clerk; Louis, who is a jeweler; and Clem, John, Bertha, Rosa, Georgiana, Leon and James Blaine, all of whom are attending school. The last-named was born November 4, 1884, on the night of the defeat of James G. Blaine for President. Mr. and Mrs. Gollon, with their entire family, are devout members of the Roman Catholic Church.