William W. DEWEY, engaged in the grain trade, has been a resident of Henry since 1901 and operates at various points in this section of the state. A native of Vermont, he was born in Essex county on the 14th of July, 1851. His father, Harry H. DEWEY, was a native of the Green Mountain state and died in the year 1900. Coming to Illinois in 1863, he settled at Sheffield, Bureau county, where he resided for a few years and then removed to Van Buren county, Iowa. There he engaged in farming until he had reached the evening of life, when he returned to Sheffield, where he passed away at the venerable age of ninety years. He filled the office of justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Congregational church and his long life of usefulness and activity was crowned with the honor and respect which should ever be accorded so venerable a man. He wedded Mary Louise CUMMINGS, a native of Montpelier, Vermont, and she, too, has passed away. In their family were six children, of whom four sons and a daughter are yet living.
William W. DEWEY, leaving the Green Mountain state, accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois when a youth of twelve years and afterward went to Iowa. His early educational privileges, such as were afforded by the public schools of New England and of Bureau county, were supplemented by study in Iowa College and in the preparatory schools of that state. In early manhood he became connected with the coal trade, being employed on a salary by a coal company at Sheffield. The grain business, however, has been his principal life work and he has conducted operations in this line at Sheffield, Mineral and Henry, removing to the last named city in 1901. Here he has built up an excellent trade, his business proving a good market for the grain producers of the surrounding country. His purchases and shipments are now extensive and he is a leading representative of this line of business activity in Marshall county.
Mr. DEWEY was married in 1876 to Miss May WILLIAMS, of Sheffield, Illinois, the wedding being celebrated in Sheffield. Unto them have been born four children: Margaret L., now the wife of R. R. CURTIS, of Sheffield; Charles B., who is assistant in his father's office; Homer H., who was graduated from the University of Illinois in 1906; and William H., who is now a student in the high school of Henry. The parents and family attend and are members of the Unitarian church and in Henry they have a wide circle of acquaintance in those homes where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society. Mr. DEWEY gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as trustee of the schools and as alderman of the Third ward. His interest in community affairs has been manifest in the tangible support which he has given to many beneficial public measures and his position in trade circles is indicated by the confidence reposed in him by those who have had business dealings with him.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
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