HOMER BURTON GROMMON FAMILY

Homer Burton Grommon came to live on the Mungo Patterson farm, located on Book Road, 7 miles south of Naperville, when just a young boy. He was described as a thin, pale city boy who could outrun anyone in school. Mungo Patterson started farming on this prairie land in 1845.

Homer attended the country school and proved to be an apt pupil and was well liked by his peers and the Patterson Family.

When he was 21 years old he married Agnes Clow Patterson, youngest daughter of Mungo Patterson and took over the operation of the farm. Mr. Patterson had retired from active participation some years before. Three children were born: Sarah Lucia Grommon—unmarried, Frank P. and Agnes Clow Grommon (Mrs. Frank Boughton). His wife died giving birth to Agnes. Later he married Nellie Agnes Wightman. One daughter; Helen W Grommon was born. She married Frederick F. Webster Helen is a retired schoolteacher. They had three children: Sarah Webster (Mrs. Franz Wassermann) Frederick G. Webster and John F. Webster, Helen, still living, resides with her son Frederick, in Xenia, Ohio.

Mr. Grommon proved to be a good farmer and astute businessman—always looking for better ways to do things. He planned and installed a drainage system that made the slough on the 80 acres at the N.W corner of Book Road and 104th Street useable farmland. He first plowed the virgin prairie on those 80 acres. He and a brother-in-law, John Patterson, who had drained his own farm in Indiana, were called upon to direct another project in the county (The Lile Casche).

His interest in business extended beyond farming—for years he belonged to an organization of businessmen interested in developing better means of transportation. His interest centered on transporting farm products, from cattle to carrots.

He was on the board of directors of at least one company and for years was President of the National Grain Dealers Association.

His civic duties included many years on the Will County Board as Supervisor of Wheatland Township and Chairman of the Draft Board in World War I.

He later served as chairman of a Citizens Committee investigating corruption in County Government. He received much criticism for his integrity, which did not permit leniency toward those of his political persuasion.

He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of DuPage- serving as trustee and chairman of the building committee when the sanctuary was built in 1908.

Upon his retirement from farming, his son Frank P. Grommon took over the farming operation. When Frank P married Grace Lambert they moved on the adjoining farm to the east on 104th Street, that was formerly owned by Adam and Fannie Patterson. They had four children: Homer L, Mary (Mrs. Harold Schrader), George W and Sarah, who died at age 9.

Frank Boughton and wife Agnes later operated the original Patterson-Grommon Farm. They had no children. Homer Burton resided on this farm with his daughter Sarah, until his death in 1940. The farm was later sold to Walter Boughton who in turn sold it to the Fry Bros. for subdivision. Homer’s great-grandson Richard L, son of George, lives with his family in this subdivision on the corner of Grommon Road and Roberts Drive.

Frank P, son of Homer; now carried on the farming operation with the help of his two sons. In 1936 Homer L married Mary Boughton and started farming on his own on the Avery Lambert farm. Three children were born: Sandra (Mrs. Don Korach) Larry L and Dennis G. Grommon. After his wife’s death Homer L. married the 2nd time, Margaret Williams. Homer L now is retired and his son Larry is carrying on the farming tradition.

A few years after son George married Henrietta Lipscomb, Frank retired from active farm participation but remained active in the cattle purchasing department. He now turned the farm operation over to George, with he and Grace living in the farm home until his death in 1969. Upon his death, Grace moved to Naperville to live with her daughter Mary, until her death in 1977. The farm home since then has been rented out. Mary and Harold Schrader have two children: Carol Lee (Mrs. Dave Cole) and Robert F. Schrader.

George W. still operates the family farm on 104th Street. He and Henrietta have three children: Dona (Mrs. James Stewart), Gary G., and Richard L.Grommon. Upon completion of service in the army Richard and Gary both joined their father in farming and a partnership was formed being known as the G.R.G. Grommon Farms. They expanded their partnership by renting more farmland along with the family farm now owned by Homer L, Mary and George. At the end of 1982 George retired from active participation and his sons continue the G.RG. Grommon partnership.

A fifth generation of Grommon farmers is coming up. Barry, son of Larry and grandson of Homer L spends as much time as possible on the farm with his dad learning the traits of farming. Mark, son of Gary and grandson of George, works with the partnership when work availability is there. Richard’s son Kenneth, age 6, insists he is going to be a farmer. Who knows, perhaps the three younger Gromon boys will continue in their ancestors’ footsteps and keep the farming occupation alive. We all hope so.