Pierce Downer
Pierce Downer was the founder and namesake of the Village of Downers Grove and Downers Grove Township. He was the first person chosen as Founder of the Year when the program […]
Biography
These pages show biographical information about notable people from Downers Grove’s past.
Charles Curtiss
Charles Curtiss served in the Illinois General Assembly and founded the Farmers and Merchant Bank. Charles was born in Royalton, Vermont on 3 November 1828. He came to Downers Grove
Samuel Curtiss
Samuel Curtiss donated the land for Main Street Cemetery, improved Maple Avenue, was active in the Underground Railroad, and was the first to subdivide his land. Samuel was born 1789,
James Henry Breasted
(1865-1935) Famous archeologist, Egyptologist, historian and founder of the Oriental Institute James Henry Breasted. He was born in Rockford in August of 1865. Breasted lived in Rockford until 1873 when
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Israel L Blackburn
Sergeant Israel L. Blackburn was born into slavery and for the first 48 years of his life he was the property of plantation owner John Bowman of Mercer County Kentucky.
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Gustav H. Bunge
Gustav Bunge was the developer and original owner of the Tivoli Theatre and Hotel building.
Tim Bodden
(1942-1967) On December 3, 1971, the Village of Downers Grove held Tim Bodden Day in honor of his service to his country in which he gave the ultimate sacrifice during
Israel Porter Blodgett
Israel Porter Blodgett was an early settler of Downers Grove and noted abolitionist. He was very active in the underground railroad. In 2023, his home was acknowledged as an official
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