William Reddick (politician)

Reddick was born in Ballynahinch, County Down, Ireland on October 31, 1812, to James and Bessie Reddick. His father and his family immigrated to New Jersey in 1816. Later that year the Reddicks moved to Zanesville, Ohio to seek work in the salt works. James Reddick died in 1821, survived by his wife and their five children. == Apprenticeships and education ==

In 1825, aged fourteen, Reddick served an apprenticeship as a glass blower in Wheeling, West Virginia, earning $4.00 per month. This second apprenticeship concluded after a period of 2 years 2 months and 2 days. In 1832 the couple moved to Washington, D.C., Reddick continuing his trade as a glass blower. During this time he saved up $1000 U.S. dollars. While in Washington, Reddick devoted his free time to gaining an education by studying during both the evenings and during workplace break periods. By 1834, the Reddicks moved back to Brownsville. In 1835, using his savings, Reddick purchased 400 acres of land in Bruce Township, LaSalle County, Illinois intending to become a farmer. == Political career ==

In 1838, the county seat of LaSalle, Ottawa, Illinois was experiencing civil unrest. He was reelected to the position of sheriff for four consecutive two-year terms. Reddick's time as sheriff ended when he was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1846. He held that office until 1852. When he ran for the 1854 United States House of Representatives, Reddick lost by a margin of 147 votes. At this time the newly formed Republican Party in Illinois obtained the majority of the offices in the 1854 elections. Being a staunch Democrat, Reddick refused to join the new party and lost his political position. The 42-year-old Reddick would not hold another elected office for nearly two decades. Reddick successfully ran for a final two-year term as a state senator in 1870. In 1872 Reddick pushed for a temperance law to limit the sale of liquor products in Illinois. The bill was passed and became known as "Reddick’s Temperance Law." == Reddick Mansion ==

Having no children of their own, in 1852 the Reddicks adopted a child, Elizabeth Barrier Funk. The brick and stone mansion is in the Italianate style. In April 2019, Heritage Restoration and Design Studio was hired to perform a large scale restoration of the mansion's exterior. Some $1,200,000 has been budgeted to restore the windows, facades, and Italianate cornices. ==Support for public education==

Due to his own lack of formal schooling, Reddick dedicated time and money to ensuring that the citizens of Ottawa had access to education. This meeting laid the foundation for the University of Illinois system. In 1854 Reddick served on a nine-man committee that planned a free public school system in Ottawa. ==Business==

In 1854 Reddick opened a general goods store in Ottawa. ==Later life and death==

By 1877, through his ownership of real estate and business ventures, Reddick's personal fortune was estimated at $300,000. Eliza Collins Reddick died on July 5, 1883, and Reddick himself died less than two years later on March 8, 1885. In his will, Reddick left the City of Ottawa his mansion for use as a public library and gave $100,000 for its upkeep. He also bequeathed one hundred acres of farm land to LaSalle County for the support of the poor. ==References==