The Benneson Brothers, Nathaniel, Thomas, Robert and William were born in Newcastle County, Delaware. Both parents came from Ireland in 1800. All of these brothers became prosperous citizens of Quincy. In their youth, all learned the carpenter’s trade, except William, who was the youngest. They came to Quincy in 1837. The carpenters worked at their trade as journeymen until they accumulated funds that enabled them to become contractors, in which Thomas continued until his death in 1870. Nathaniel and Robert became successful lumber merchants. Robert retired from the lumber business in 1872 and devoted himself to buying and improving real estate, in which he was also successful. Many of the most imposing and durable buildings in the city were erected and owned by Robert Benneson. He filled many positions of trust and honor. He served as alderman and as mayor, and for several years preceding his death was president of the school board. He was president of the gas company, which he helped to organize; was a director in numerous corporations, among them the First National Bank, the Gas Company and the Quincy, Alton and St. Louis Railroad. He was a zealous and generous supporter of the moral, social and commercial growth of the city, and none ranked higher in public esteem. He died at the age of eighty-five years. [Illustration: HON. JOHN J. MEE, Judge of Probate, Woonsocket, R. I. A Member of the Society. ] William Benneson was a lawyer. His first partner was Stephen A. Douglas. Theirs was the first law office in Quincy. Mr. Benneson had served as clerk of the circuit court. After Mr. Douglas went on the bench, Mr. Benneson was identified with several of the leading lawyers of Illinois. When the civil war broke out he was made Colonel of the Seventy-eighth Illinois. After the war, he resumed his practice. He was made postmaster of Quincy by President Johnston. He died in 1899 at the age of eighty-one years. Like his brothers, Colonel Benneson was a man of the strictest integrity. The Brothers, David and Dennis Higgins, came to Quincy before 1840. Both were successful contractors in railroad building and street grading and became property holders. David died several years ago at a ripe age, leaving sons and daughters. Dennis died in 1904 at the age of ninety-two, and although married he had no children. Both brothers were devout Catholics. David was a staunch Democrat and Dennis equally as staunch a Republican. They were good citizens. James Fisher was born in 1811 near Londonderry, Ireland, and with two sisters came to Quincy in 1833. They were strict Presbyterians. Mr. Fisher was a successful dry goods merchant and died wealthy while attending to his business at his store in 1898, at the age of eighty-eight. He had three sons, who are now doing business at Kansas City and other places in the West. Mr. Fisher’s sisters never married. Both are now dead.