Mae Sefton

Mae Sefton was born on August 31, 1886, here in Palatine, the daughter of Andrew and Betsy Sefton. Her family was among the earliest settlers in the Palatine area. Her great-grandfather, John Slade, arrived here in 1838, with a set of carpenter’s tools and $10. That year he rented a log cabin from Ben Lincoln and traded with the Indians for corn to plant the following spring. Her grandfather, Joseph Slade, was born and raised in Palatine. He ran a grain and lumber business with three other partners. Mae’s mother was his daughter. Betsy met Andrew, a mason, when he secured a contract to plaster the school house. Mae grew up here in Palatine with 3 brothers and 2 sisters. She married Roy Harris in 1906. Roy’s mother gave them a house and lot in Arlington Heights as a wedding present. Roy was a member of the Chicago firm of Harris and Tinkham, varnish dealers, and at one time he managed the Bowling Alley Café. They had two sons, Marvin and Elroy. — Connie Rawa