GEORGE FIRESTEIN FAMILY

George Firestein was the son of Charles & Mary Daniels Firestein.Charles, at 19 years of age, in 1855, sailed to America from Alsace-Lorraine, crossing the ocean in a sailboat. The voyage took 3 weeks. It is believed that Charles decided to come to the United States because he conscientiously objected to service in the Army of Napoleon III when the Second Empire was flexing military muscle in support of the British in the Crimea in protection of Christians in Palestine and in behalf of Italian emancipation.

Upon emigration to America, for whatever reason, he settled in DuPage Township, Will County, Illinois, just 6 miles south of Naperville, 1 mile west of the DuPage Presbyterian Church, where he resided, excepting for 1 year at nearby Wheaton, for 73 years. At Wheaton, he met Mary Daniels and married her on Christmas Day, 1861. Two years later he was naturalized as an American citizen. Mary Daniels was the daughter of William Daniels, who had been a gardener for the Queen of England. The Daniels family had sailed to America in 1849, moving to a 60-acre farm near Winfield, that is now a part of Cantigny farm owned by the late Col. Robert McCormick.

Charles and Mary Firestein had 9 children. Mary died in 1894. Charles farmed for more than 50 years, retiring from active work in 1902, but continued to live on the farm. He died August 29, 1928, at 93 years of age.

George Firestein bought 90 acres of his father Charles’ farm and settled down to farming there all of his adult life. He married Hattie Crouch of Plainfield, Illinois, who had taught at the local school. He was born in 1870 and died on March 28,1961, at 91 years of age. Hattie was born May 9, 1875, and died March 13, 1942. They had two children: Lloyd Firestein, who still lives on 5 acres of his father’s farm-the rest having been sold. The Charles Firestein farm is still actively being farmed; having been sold after his death. Lloyd is now 80 years old this year. His sister; Helen Firestein Woolley, resides in Naperville, Ill.

The Firestein families were life-time members of the DuPage Presbyterian Church and held various church offices and participated in the workings of the church to a great extent.