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Josiah is mentioned in
biography of his brother in The History of Peoria County,
Illinois, Johnson & Co., 1880
Cratty, Thomas,
attorney and counsellor at law, of the firm of Cratty
Brothers, is a descendant of Irish parentage, his great
grandfather having emigrated from that country in 1760, and
settled in Pennsylvania. Mr. Cratty's grandfather was
born in Franklin Co., Penn., and fought in the war of the
Revolution. William Cratty, the father of Thomas, was
born in Butler Co., Penn., June 20, 1805, but removed to
Ohio in 1814. In April, 1826 he married Miss Candice
Bennett, who was born in Rhode Island, Dec. 25, 1805.
She was the mother of twelve children, four sons and eight
daughters, two of the former and five of the latter living.
Mrs. C. died in Elmwood, Peoria Co., Jan. 27, 1875.
Thomas was born in Delaware Co., O. His early
education was limited, chiefly to the Winter terms in the
district school, while the Summers were spent in labor on
the farm. He taught several years prior to 1854, made
a tour of the Southern States, and spent some time there in
teaching, returning to Illinois 1856; engaged in farming
four years, when financial reverses compelled a change of
avocation. Entered the Chicago Law School, from which
he graduated in 1861, and was immediately admitted to
practice. Poverty necessitated the most rigid economy
during his attendance at law school, and he was compelled to
give his note for tuition, payable from the first moneys
earned in practice. Mr. Cratty was one of four
graduates selected by the faculty to conduct a moot trial at
a public exhibition given as a graduating exercise. He
began practice in Elmwood with a meager outfit, and one law
book as a library. In the Fall of 1863 he formed a
partnership with W. W. O'Brien, then a prominent attorney of
Peoria, which lasted three years and yielded a prosperous
business. In January, 1872, the present law firm of
Cratty Brothers was created, by the admission of his only
brother, Josiah Cratty, to the profession. The
business of the firm has become so large as to require the
employment of several assistants, one a short hand reporter.
Their offices and consultation rooms are on the first floor
of their building facing the Court-house on S. Jefferson
street, and are among the finest and most ample in the West.
In journalism, Mr. C. in
company with Leslie Robison, published the
Peoria Review,
a Republican newspaper, with
daily, tri-weekly and weekly editions, in 1871, '72 and '73;
but finding it detracted too largely from professional
duties, they disposed of their office and outfit in the
latter year. He helped to organize the first Teacher's
Institute in Knox Co.; the Paper Manufacturing Co., of
Elmwood; the Chamber of Commerce Association of Peoria; the
Merchant's Exchange and the Peoria Mercantile Library, and
their success is due in no small degree to his judicious
counsel and material aid. For several years he
delivered weekly lectures before the students of Cole's
Commercial College. Mr. C. has never married.
Josiah Cratty is the youngest of the family; was born
in Delaware Co., O.; served as a cavalry soldier in the late
war, part of the time as Gen. Sheridan's body guard; married
Libbie M. Earing of Peoria in 1875, and has one son.
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