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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of Orlistus R. GRADY 

Transcribed exactly according to the original complete text by Mary Moeller. 

SURNAMES: Grady, Jackson, Huffman, Murphy 

GRADY, Orlistus R., a well known and prosperous poultry dealer of Cuba, Fulton County, Ill., was born near Pleasant Plains, Sangamon County, Ill., on April 14, 1867, and received his early education in the public schools of the town which is now his home. He is a son of Robert M. and Olive (Jackson) Grady, natives of Menard County, Ill., and Dearborn County, Ind. The father followed farming in Sangamon County until 1880, when he moved with his family to Cuba, Fulton County. In 1881 he engaged in the poultry business, dressing the first poultry handled in that village. He also entered into the dairy business there, in which he continued three years. He is now living with his wife in retirement in Cuba. In 1890 O.R. Grady engaged in the poultry trade, which he carried on alone until 1895, when he entered into partnership with Samuel S. Huffman. The firm lasted until 1902 and built the present storehouse in 1898, the main building being forty by forty feet and the "L" twelve by twenty feet in dimensions. Since 1902 the firm has been known as O.R. Grady & Company, Mr. Grady's brother, Henry H. Grady, being associated with him. The concern uses three wagons on the road collecting poultry the year round and handles about 1,500 pounds per day. On December 22, 1892, Mr. Grady was married to Gertrude A. Murphy, a native of Cuba, Ill., who died September 1, 1905. In politics Mr. Grady is a Republican, serving as Township Collector in 1893 and 1894 and as Constable in 1896 and 1897. Fraternally he is a member of I.O.O.F. and the M. W. of A. Mr. Grady is one of the persevering, energetic and diligent class that always accomplish good results, being a man of keen business judgment and trustworthy character.