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- [S1591] History of Macoupin County, Illinois, (Chicago, Illinois: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1911.), II: 279, 280. (Reliability: 3), 2 Sep 2018.
James E. Bycroft, junior member of the widely known milling firm of H. F. Bycroft & Son, was born in St. Louis, March 28, 1878. He is a son of Henry F. and Mary E. (Dillon) Bycroft, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He grew to maturity under the parental roof and up to thirteen years of age possessed advantages of education in the public schools of Litchfield.
In 1891 he came with his parents to Gillespie and attended school for one month in this city. He then became associated with the business of which his father is the head, beginning at the foot of the ladder as driver of a delivery wagon. After several years he entered the office of the firm and in 1900, having mastered the details of the business, was admitted to partnership under the title of H. F. Bycroft & Son. He has ever since had charge of the office, displaying a discrimination and ability that give bright promise as to his future.
On the 27th of April, 1909, Mr. Bycroft was married, at Gillespie, to Miss Alice M. Poivey, whose father, Modeste Poivey, was born in France. He was one of the early miners of this section and is now deceased. One child, James Fenwick, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bycroft.
p. 280
Politically Mr. Bycroft has followed in the footsteps of his father and adheres to the republican party. He served two terms as city treasurer, being elected in 1901 and reelected in 1905. He also filled the office of clerk of the school board from 1905 to 1908 and is at the present time chief of the volunteer fire department of Gillespie, a position which he has occupied most efiiciently for the past ten years. He is a member of Black Gum Camp, No. 959, M. W. A., and has served as clerk of the camp for eight years past, being also identified with Carlinville Council, No. 663, K. C. He and his estimable wife are valued members of the Catholic church. As is indicated by his many activities, Mr. Bycroft is an earnest and efiicent worker in anything he undertakes, and he is recognized as a man of unimpeachable character and sterling worth, who is willing to make any reasonable sacrifice in order to promote the comfort or happiness of those with whom he is associated.
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