Martin Root
Martin Root was born in Massachusetts in 1784. He moved to Benson, Vermont where he met Abigail Stearns. They married in 1814. By 1821 they had six children, Emily, Maria, […]
Biography
These pages show biographical information about notable people from Downers Grove’s past.
Abigail Stearns Root
Abigail Stearns Root was a pioneer wife and mother. She and her husband, Martin Root, made Downers Grove their home in the 1840s. Her father, Asa Stearns, served as a
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Lottie Holman O’Neill
Lottie Made History 100 Years Ago One hundred years ago one of the most colorful political figures in Illinois history was elected to the Illinois State Legislature. A major achievement for
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Allen Wheeler
Allen Wheeler was Civil War veteran and early landowner in Downers Grove. Allen was born in Syracuse, New York and came to Illinois in 1844 when he was just 4
John Manning “Daddy” Wells
John Manning Wells was chosen as the 2022 Founder of the Year. As part of the Downers Grove Founders Day activities, his selection was celebrated at a ceremony at the Downers Grove
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Pauline Wandschneider
Pauline Wandschneider was a noted local historian, and founder of the Downers Grove Historical Society. Pauline Wandschneider moved to Downers Grove in 1936 with her husband Fritz and two daughters.
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Carol Wandschneider
Carol Wandschneider was a local Downers Grove historian, tireless researcher, and former board member of the Downers Grove Historical Society. Daughter of Fritz and Pauline Wandschneider, Carol was raised in
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Montrew Dunham
Montrew Dunham was a local historian and co-author of Downers Grove (1832-1982) and the author of Downers Grove Revisited. She was the first Historian of the Year in 2013. Montrew Dunham
Arthur C. Ducat
Inspector General of the Union Army and early landowner on the west side of Downers Grove.
