Background
Marquis, Albert Nelson was born on January 10, 1855 in Brown Company, Ohio, United States.
Marquis, Albert Nelson was born on January 10, 1855 in Brown Company, Ohio, United States.
Student, public and private schools, Brown County, Ohio. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Monmouth College, Illinois, 1928.
Began business career in grandfather's general store, Hamersville, Ohio. After death of his grandfather he ran the general store for his family, 1873-1876. Moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1876 where he engaged in the publishing business.
After a few years he started his own publishing and advertising firm which he named Anugrah Narayan Marquis & Company. Moved to Chicago in 1884 where he refounded Anugrah Narayan Marquis & Company. That same year he published the Marquis' Hand-Book of Chicago: A Complete History, Reference Book and Guide to the City.
In the next fifteen years, Marquis edited and published guidebooks, directories and other reference works for the Chicago area and other cities. Some of these works include The Marie Burroughs Art Portfolio of Stage Celebrities, Tales of the Klondike, and Brehm's Life of Animals. Founded Who's Who in America, 1898, 1st edition published in 1899, he served as editor-in-chief from 1899-1940 and editor emeritus from 1940-1943.
Was sole owner until the incorporation on May 1, 1926 of the Anugrah Narayan Marquis Company of which he was president, 1926-1937.
Member Chicago History Society, Western Economic Society, Anti-Tobacco League Chicago. (former president), Archeological Institute America, Ohio Society of Chicago (president 1920-1921) English-Speaking Union (first president Chicago branch, 1921-1923, director national organization, 1922-1936). Clubs: Union League Club Chicago., Ashland Club (secretary, director 1890-1892, president, 1893-1894), University (Evanston), Illinois Club (trustee, 1904, vice president, 1905, president 1906-1907), Hamilton Club (director 1905-1906, 1911-1912, president 1919).
Director Central Howard Association, Kobe College Corporation.
Son of Cyrenus G. and Elizabeth (Redmon) Marquis. Left an orphan in early childhood. Reared by his maternal grandparents James and Jane Redmon.
Married Harriette Roseanna (Gettemy) Morgan, of Monmouth, Illinois, June 11, 1910 (died January 6, 1936).