In order to better preserve the history of one who bore a very important part in laying the solid foundation of Peoria’s prosperity, a brief record of the life work of John Birket is placed upon the pages of this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, dedicated to the citizens of Peoria County. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Peoria, and for many years was prominently identified with its growth; by his liberal contributions to aid all schemes for promoting the material, social and religious advancement of the city, he did much to bring it to its present standing as one of the foremost cities of the State.

Our subject was born in Lancashire, England, March 8, 1798. He early learned the trade of a carpenter, and in 1819, during the opening years of a stalwart manhood, emigrated to this country, landing in Philadelphia some time in the month of June. From there he went to Albany, N. Y., by sloop, and thence to Ferrysburg, Vt. He pursued his trade in the latter place some six years, and then started for the wild prairies of Illinois in the fall of 1824. He did not come directly here, however, but stopped in Plainsville, Ohio, until the spring of 1825, when he came to Peoria by wagon. He was engaged en route as a peddler, carrying tea, coffee, calicoes, etc., and arrived at the present site of Peoria on the 6th of January, 1826. At that time there were but six families in Peoria besides the Indians who still lived here.

On the day after he came Mr. Birket bought a claim comprising one hundred and fifty-four acres on the northeastern part of section 3, and then established himself at his trade, and in the spring planted the first nursery in Peoria from seed brought from Vermont in 1826. He was at one time called on as a guard to care for the first murderer of the region, and whilst performing that duty the Indians entered his home. Luckily he returned soon, as two of the Indians were still there, and after he had driven them off he found that they had stolen $200. At another time several Indians entered his house one night, and he awoke to find one of them reaching for his throat. He jumped from his bed, caught the Indian by the hip and demanded to know what they wanted. Upon answering “fire water,” he told them they could have it at sunrise.

At the time of the Black Hawk War all the inhabitants for miles along the Illinois entered Ft. Clark for protection. Mr. Birket, with characteristic coolness and courage, remained outside burying all his meats and valuables so that the Indians might not have the benefit of them if they came in that direction. Prior to that on one occasion when the Indians were molesting the whites, he was also the only one who remained at his home, and that was the first time that he ever locked his door, which was done with a chip.

During the first years of his residence in Peoria County, Mr. Birket was engaged in many pioneer enterprises, and planted the first orchard in what is now the corporate limits of the city of Peoria; from this he raised the first apples and other fruit in the county. About 1831 he sent about a half peck of apples to a former neighbor who was then living at Ft. Dearborn (Chicago). These apples were sent by a gentleman, who in order to secure a marriage license had come from that place to Peoria, then the county seat of the northeastern portion of the State. This illustrates the strong bond of friendship existing among the old settlers.

In 1839 Mr. Birket removed to Tazewell County, where he bought four hundred acres of land and engaged in manufacturing lumber. After ten years residence there he returned to Peoria and lived here until his death, October 16, 1874; thus was closed a life well rounded in years and filled with those deeds that make a man in the fullest sense of the word; this city, for which he did much, mourned the death of a revered citizen and still cherishes his memory as one of its most useful pioneers. His hand was felt in many enterprises that were inaugurated for the benefit of the community, and especially was he generous in his support of the church, his donations in that direction being quite considerable; among them were ten acres of land, which afterward became Gallagher’s Addition to Peoria, and he gave an acre of land to Jubilee College and substantial aid in behalf of St. Paul’s Church. He donated all of block No. 127, and half of block No. 116, to the Protestant Episcopal diocese of Illinois to be used as the site of a church. The land comprising Keighin’s Addition to Peoria once belonged to him, and he gave it all to a man for plastering his house, which goes to show either the small value of the land at that time, or the enormous cost of plastering.

In the accumulation of his property Mr. Birket received substantial aid from his wife, who preceded him in death many years, dying December 24, 1852. She was married to our subject August 17, 1831. Her maiden name was Marjory Thomas, and she was a daughter of Col. John Thomas, who was killed by the Indians at Chillicothe, Ohio. The widow of Col. Thomas died in Peoria, December 27, 1850.

John Charles Birket, the son of John Birket, of whom we have just written, was born in Peoria February 3, 1834, and was reared under the influences of pioneer life, receiving his education in private schools. He gave his attention to farming for a number of years, although he has always dealt in real estate more or less since he began life on his own account, and now makes it his principal business. Mr. Birket is very fond of his home, has never cared to travel, and has never been out of his native State. He is a firm Republican in politics.

The union of John C. Birket and Ann Jane Grundy in the holy bonds of matrimony was celebrated January 1, 1868, and has been blessed by the birth of five children, namely: Mary A. J., John Charles, Walter A. and William E. (twins), and Louisa Isabel. Mrs. Birket is the daughter of Edmund and Jane Grundy, natives of Bolton, England, where Mrs. Birket was born. They came to Peoria in 1849, and aided in the development of the county from its uncultivated condition to one of prosperity.

In connection with this sketch the reader will notice a lithographic portrait of the late John Birket, whose name is still held in loving remembrance though he has long since passed from earth.

Pages 277-278