Nathan A. Petrie was a respected member of the banking firm Mills Petrie, known for his integrity in the business community. Born on November 14, 1843, in Parish, New York, he grew up in a family of seven children. After moving to Lee County, Illinois, at nineteen, he partnered with S. H. Mills in various businesses, eventually establishing the Ashton Bank in 1869. Petrie served as Supervisor of Ashton Township and as a Notary Public. He married Sarah E. Howard in 1880, and she was well-regarded in the community.
Nathan A. Petrie is a member of the banking firm of Mills & Petrie, and is a gentleman who enjoys the confidence of the business community, where his word is considered as good as his bond. Character must always tell in its effect upon those who meet it, and there is no such argument for intelligence and uprightness as an intelligent and upright life.
Nathan A. Petrie was born in Parish, Oswego County, New York, November 14, 1843, and is the son of Rudolph and Elizabeth (Vrooman) Petrie, the former being born in Herkimer County and the mother in Schoharie County, New York. Mr. Rudolph Petrie was an agriculturist by calling and cultivated his estate in such a manner as to bring him a handsome income. They both passed from this life in Parish, New York, after having become the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters.
Our subject was the youngest member of the household, and remained under the parental roof until reaching his nineteenth year, in the meantime receiving a good education in the schools of his neighborhood, and the knowledge of books gained therein has been supplemented by thorough and systematic reading until to-day he is a man of culture and education. When starting out in the world to battle with life for himself he was only nineteen years of age, but thinking that the advantages offered a young man in his circumstances were better in the Prairie State than in New York, he came West to Lee County. For the two years succeeding his advent into this county our young hero was in the employ of S. H. Mills in Ashton, engaged in his grain elevator and lumber yard, doing all the work given him to perform in such an admirable and conscientious manner that in a short time Mr. Mills took him in as his partner and they have since continued together in their various changes of business to the present time. That one fact alone speaks volumes for the character of our subject.
In 1865 the firm of Mills & Petrie engaged in the mercantile business in Ashton, carrying a complete stock of goods well fitted to supply the needs of the village and country household, and by their honest and courteous treatment of their customers did an extensive business. They continued as merchants in Ashton for four years, when in 1869, they sold out their store and engaged in the banking business, the bank being known throughout the State as the Ashton Bank, and which receives a flattering degree of patronage from the people of this section. The firm owns two farms in addition to their bank, which they rent.
Mr. Petrie of this sketch has been Supervisor of Ashton Township for two years, and was Notary Public for sixteen years. We are thus gratified to be able to place in the hands of our readers a sketch of Mr. Petrie, who is so well known and highly esteemed personally. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, always casting his vote and influence to the support of that body.
Miss Sarah E. Howard became Mrs. Petrie in 1880, their marriage being solemnized in Ashton. She was born in Port Clinton, Ohio, and was the daughter of William and Mary Howard, the latter of whom died in Jefferson County, Nebraska; the father is residing in that county. Mrs. Petrie is an estimable lady and is beloved by every one who has the pleasure of her acquaintance. She is well fitted to be the wife of a gentleman who is so thoroughly esteemed as is her worthy husband and the subject of this sketch.