W. J. WILLARD, fruit-grower, surveyor and apiarian, P. O. Jonesboro, was born August 8, 1850, in Jonesboro. He is a son of Willis Willard, whose history appears in the general history of this work. Our subject inherited many of his father's sterling qualities. He was educated in Detroit, Mich., and at the Pennsylvania State College. In early life he followed merchandising in Jonesboro, in his father's store, till 1872, when he commenced to work on his farm, where he raises principally fruit and honey; to the latter, especially, he devotes a great deal of his personal attention. His farm consists of 120 acres. He is a Knight of Honor, Jonesboro Lodge, No. 1891. In 1875, he was appointed Deputy Surveyor, and yet devotes a great deal of time, in the winter, to surveying. In politics, he is identified with the Democratic party. Our subject was joined in matrimony December 23, 1873, at the Pennsylvania State College, to Miss Nannie A. Chambers, who was born August 11, 1851, near Scottsville, Va. She is a daughter of Elijah and Mariamne (Staples) Chambers, who were of English descent. Elijah Chambers was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Willard is the mother of two children now living, viz.: Josephine C., born September 10, 1880, and Willis W., born December 25, 1882.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, page 117.
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