William Reddick was an Irish-American businessman, farmer, lawman, politician, landowner and philanthropist. Immigrating to the United States with his family at the age of four, Reddick became one of the most prominent citizens of early Ottawa, Illinois. Having a lifelong interest in education, Reddick helped pave the way for the foundation of the University of Illinois, supported the creation of a public school system for the youth of Ottawa.
Early life
William was born in the town of Ballynahinch, County Down, Ireland on October 31, 1812 to James and Bessie Reddick. James and his family immigrated to New Jersey in 1816. Later that year the Reddicks moved to Zanesville, Ohio to pursue labor in the salt works. James Reddick died in 1821, survived by his wife and their five children, William, James, John, Joseph, David, and a daughter who would eventually be known as Mrs. James Stanley.
Apprenticeships and education
In 1825, the fourteen year old William Reddick served an apprenticeship as a glass blower in Wheeling, West Virginia, earning a sum of $4.00 per month. Two years later, William relocated to Brownsville, Pennsylvania and became an indentured apprentice to William R. Campbell to blow window glass. This second apprenticeship concluded after a period of 2 years 2 months and 2 days. The 18 year old William married Eliza Jane Collins of Brownsville in 1830. In 1832 the couple moved to Washington, D.C. William continued his trade as a glass blower for two years. During this time he saved up a then significant sum of $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 funds raised in his time as a glassblower, William purchased 400 acres of land in Bruce Township, LaSalle County, Illinois. He intended to become a farmer and moved to the Illinois with his wife.
Political career
In 1838, the county seat of LaSalle, Ottawa, Illinois was experiencing civil unrest. Workmen hired to construct the nearby Illinois and Michigan Canal were described in historical documents as "a gang of troublemakers." The citizenry met to select a county sheriff to restore order. Washington Armstrong, a local political leader, proposed that William Reddick should take up the post, as Reddick was described to be "big, powerful, and fearless." After some initial reservations, William accepted the offer to become sheriff and ran unopposed. After being elected by a majority vote, he and Eliza moved to Ottawa. Sworn statements made at the time suggest William enjoyed popular support for his efforts as an honest and effective tax collector and law enforcer. He was reelected to the position of sheriff for four consecutive two-year terms. William 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, William 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 fortunes. 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, William and Eliza Reddick sought to adopt a child. In 1852, Elizabeth Barrier Funk was adopted into the Reddick Family. In 1855 William Reddick hired architects William B. Olmstead and Peter A. Nicholson to build at large brick home in Ottawa Illinois. Construction occurred between 1855-1858 and cost $25,000. The brick and stone mansion is of the Italianate style. The house was completed in time for guests to view the first of the Lincoln–Douglas debates from the mansion's steps and balconies on August 21, 1858. A lifelong Democrat, Reddick supported incumbent senator Stephen A. Douglas. During the first of the famous debates, Reddick sat next to Douglas on the speaker's platform. Reddick Mansion is one of the largest surviving pre-Civil War homes in the state of Illinois. It currently exists as part of the Washington Park Historic District which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. As of April 2019, Heritage Restoration and Design Studio was hired to perform a large scale exterior restoration on the mansion's exterior. Roughly $1,200,000 has been devoted to restoring the nearly 162 year-old windows, facades, and Italianate cornices.
Due to his own lack of formal schooling, Reddick dedicated time and money to ensuring that the citizens of Ottawa had access education. In November 1851, William Reddick served as vice president of the Granville Convention of farmers. 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. In 1868 Reddick added Hugh B.J. Gillen into the firm as a partner. At the age of 60, Reddick sold his share in the store to Gillen and entered into retirement in 1873. The majority of William Reddick's fortune came from real estate holdings. He owned the land upon which several large farms operated in LaSalle County. Other business ventures Reddick conducted include the chartering of a hotel for Ottawa, the construction of toll bridges on the Fox and Illinois Rivers, and being a founder of the Ottawa Glass Works. Reddick also assisted in the building and governance of the Kankakee Insane Asylum.
By 1877, through his ownership of real estate and business ventures, William's personal fortune was estimated at $300,000. Eliza Collins Reddick, William's wife, 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.
