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PAST AND PRESENT OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AND SANGAMON COUNTY ILLINOIS
By Joseph Wallace, M. A.
of the Springfield Bar
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL
1904



JAMES J. DRURY. - James J. Drury, deceased, was a well known tailor of Springfield who began business here in 1879 in the Leland Hotel. He was a native of Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland, born in August, 1853. His parents, Patrick and Elizabeth Drury, spent their entire lives on the Emerald Isle, where the father also followed the tailor's trade. Their son acquired a good education in the pay schools of his native country and in his youth began to learn the tailor's trade with his father, with whom he worked until nineteen years of age. He then came to America, landing in New York city, where he secured a position as clothing cutter. He served in that capacity for a number of years and immediately after his marriage, which occurred in October, 1879, he came west to Springfield. Here he again accepted a position as clothing cutter, but afterward began business as a general tailor with rooms in the basement of the Leland Hotel. His patronage soon increased, however, and he sought more commodious quarters on Sixth street, where he maintained his business until the spring of 1891. At that time he was taken ill with la grippe and this brought on heart trouble, which caused his sudden death on the 14th of May, 1891. In business circles he had made for himself an enviable name because of his excellent workmanship and his integrity which was above question. He was strictly honorable in all business transactions and he enjoyed a large patronage. He certainly deserved his success, for it came to him as the outcome of persistency of purpose and careful management. As the years passed by he accumulated a handsome competency and was thus enabled to leave his family in comfortable circumstances.

In 1879 Mr. Drury was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Boyle, a native of Manchester, England, born May 4, 1854, and a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Goss) Boyle, both of whom were born in Ireland, but removed to Manchester, England, in early life. Her father was a tailor by trade and in 1857 he came to the United States settling in New York city, where he followed his chosen pursuit until a few years ago. He then retired from business life, but is still living in New York at the age of seventy years. His wife died at the age of forty-two years. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Drury: James J.; Eva, who died in infancy; Frances; Charles; and Elizabeth.

Mr. Drury's study of the political issues and questions affecting American interests led to his hearty support of the Republican party. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Modern Woodmen, all of Springfield. Both he and his wife were members of the Catholic church and gained many friends during their residence here. Mrs. Drury has dealt in property to some extent since her husband's death, but has recently sold most of her realty possessions. In 1903 she built her present residence at No. 1359 Whittier avenue in the Hawthorne addition to Springfield, where she and her children now reside.



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