William CHALCRAFT, a wide-awake,
progressive farmer residing on section 16,
Until attaining his majority, William
CHALCRAFT remained upon the home farm with his parents, in the
meantime securing a fair common-school education. On starting
out in life for himself he worked by the month for nine dollars,
and later his wages were increased to fourteen. With the money
he was able to save he purchased a horse, and in company with
his brother operated rented land. In 1853 his father died, and
two years later he took charge of the home place, where he
remained until 1857, when he went to
On the 18th of February, 1869, Mr.
CHALCRAFT was joined in wedlock with Miss May COLYER, a native
of Edwards county, and a daughter of Edward and Jane (THREAD)
COLYER, who were born in England, but both came to Illinois in
the spring of 1818, and were married before it became a state.
Mrs. CHALCRAFT was given excellent school privileges, completing
her education in a select school in
Mr. CHALCRAFT cast his first presidential ballot for James Buchanan, but has since been a republican in politics. Being endowed with a remarkable amount of energetic spirit and with good business tact, he has, since coming here, succeeded in achieving a fair amount of success. His place evinces, both in its culture and in the good and substantial buildings erected thereon, the diligence and thrift of the owner, and prosperity seems to wait upon his steps. He and his wife and daughters are all members of the Christian church, of which he is deacon. They are all extremely active in religious matters, giving largely of their time and means to the furtherance of the spread of the gospel, are Sunday school workers, and the daughters are prominent members of the Christian Endeavor society. They hold a high place in the estimation of all who know them, and certainly deserve honorable mention in this volume.
A patriotic, loyal citizen, Mr. CHALCRAFT
enlisted in 1864 in Company C, Eighth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, and was in the service for over a year, or until
hostilities had ceased. He was in the battles of Spanish Fort
and
Extracted May 2011 by Norma Hass from The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
| Bureau Putnam La Salle | |||
| Stark |
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| Peoria | Woodford | ||
