McDonough ILGenWeb

FISHER, Archibald. — Except on Sundays and holidays, the metallic hum of industry has been heard in the foundry of Archibald Fisher, at Macomb, ever since the establishment of the business in 1868. Thirty-seven years have brought about enlargement of its capacity, and resulted in a corresponding prestige among other concerns of the kind in the county, and it is doubtful if any of the business landmarks of the town can lay claim to greater usefulness, or pay more forceful tribute to the value of concentration, perseverance and expert workmanship. After various stages of specializing, the foundry now manufactures castings for school furniture, and its products are sold over a large area of the central West. Whereas, the owner at first was glad of the help of one assistant, he now steadily employs fifty, and at certain seasons of the year is obliged to depend upon temporary reinforcements.

Mr. Fisher, who is of Scotch-German descent, was born in Wheeling, W. Va., January 24, 1848, a son of John Fisher, and grandson of John Fisher, Sr., both natives of Scotland, the former born in Glasgow. His mother, whose maiden name was Susanna Trudley, was a native of Chester County, Pa., and daughter of Frederick Trudley, of Wurtemburg, Germany. John Fisher, Jr., worked in his father's publishing house in Glasgow for a few years, and while there helped to set up the first edition published of the poems of Robert Burns. He emigrated to Wheeling, Va., in 1825, and engaged in the manufacture of plantation machinery, an enterprise which eventually developed into a great success. He had two sons and three daughters, of whom Archibald, the older son, and one daughter survive.

As a boy Archibald Fisher worked in his father's machine shop, and from him inherited the mechanical ingenuity upon which rests the success of his life work. He was only twenty years old when he came to Macomb, bringing with him few visible assets, but a nature rich in determination, and forceful in expression. In April, 1872, he was united in marriage to Helen M. Warren, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Fisher is a Democrat in politics, and in religion, a member of the St. George's Episcopal Church. Fraternally, he is connected with the Masons. He is an agreeable and confidence inspiring gentleman, a thorough master of his calling, and besides being a popular and considerate employer, is able to secure from his subordinates the best work of which they are capable.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 877-878, extracted 04 Jan 2019 by Norma Hass.