Moultrie Co, IL, was where he lived most of his adult life.
9/12/1895 His description was recorded by the county registrar'soffic e: tall, slender build, blue eyes, and light hair.
6/2/1900 E Nelson Twp, Moultrie Co, IL. In the census he was a 33year o ld farmer, wife "Gennie" was 28. They had 3 children under theage of 6 , Grace, 6, Orval, 4, and Ralph, 2. Robert Wright, 21,laborer, was li ving with the family. Two doors down was Robert Ginnand sisters and i n the other direction was the James Bracken family,all relatives.
5/21/1910 Same place. That census recorded William at age 43,married 1 7 years to Eugenia M, 38, who had birthed 3 children: EnoleG, 16, Orv al W, 14, and Ralph C, 12. Two hired hands were countedthere, Harry N ichols and Clarence Winkler, both 19. William was ageneral farmer.
?/9/1920 Still there. That year at census time William M was 52years o ld, still a general farmer, Eugenie was 48. Their childrenwere adults b ut still at home: Grace, 25, Orville, 23, schoolteacher, and Ralph, 2 1, farmer. Also living there was orphaned nieceEmogene Duncan, 12.
5/2/1930 Same place. William, 63, had married for the first time ata ge 26 to "Ugenio" M, 58, who was 21 at the time. The couple livedalon e that year, William was then a grain farmer, owned their homeand had a r adio.
1/6/1943 He had an auction to sell off the farm equipment, 5 head ofc attle, 3 horses, and some hay.
1952 was the date one source said he retired from farming after 55 yrsi n the Jonathan Creek community. However, he sold everything in 1943so m ore than likely that was the date of retirement.
7/1953 Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL. He moved into town just 10 monthsb efore his death.
His death occurred following an illness of several months.
The funeral was held at Jonathan Creek Christian Church, Rev WB Hopperc onducting. Pallbearers were all relatives: Merle R, Denzel,Hubert, D uane, Richard, and Merle Powell.
