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WILLIAM V.
CRONK, who is engaged in farming on section 10, Watson Township, Effingham
County, has the honor of being a native of Illinois. He was born in Shelby
County, January 5, 1832, and is a son of Harmon
and Elizabeth (Loy) Cronk. His father was a native of the Empire
State and was of German descent. The family numbered
seven children, as follows: Mary, who is now deceased; William, of this sketch; American, who follows farming in
Watson Township; James, a resident of Effingham; Washington, now a resident of Clinton County; Rachel, who is now
deceased; and one child who died in infancy.
The father of this family followed farming throughout his entire life. He removed from the Empire
State to Illinois, making the journey by team, and located
in Shelby County. In 1832 he removed to Effingham
County, locating near Ewington. He purchased timber
and bottom land from the Government, and clearing those tracts developed a farm, on which he resided until about
1837. He then became a resident of Watson Township and purchased one hundred acres of Government
land on section 10. There he erected a log cabin, which is still standing, one of the few landmarks that yet remain
to show the progress that has since been made. Upon the farm which he there improved, Mr. Cronk resided until his
death, which occurred September 19, 1872. His remains were interred in the Loy
Cemetery. He was quite a prominent and influential
citizen and in an early day served his township as Assessor for two terms. Both he and his wife were members of
the Methodist Church. She, too, has passed away, dying October
14, 1877, and lies buried in Loy Cemetery.
The subject of this sketch was only six months old when his parents came to Effingham
County, and was a lad of about five summers when
his father removed to Watson Township. At the age of nine he drove a yoke of
oxen for his father to haul rails all around twenty acres of land. His educational privileges were quite limited.
He, however, attended the subscription schools for a short time. Under the parental roof he remained until he had
attained his majority and then started out in life for himself. The first work he did was to cut ties and he walked
to and from his work, a distance of two miles. In this way he made $50. He then went to Vandalia and purchased
a soldier's warrant for forty acres of land on section 14, Watson
Township, a tract of prairie. After spending about
a year on that farm, he went to Effingham and engaged in clerking in a store for a short time. Later he returned
to his father's farm, where he remained until 1872. In that year he purchased forty acres of partially improved
land on section 10, where he has since resided. The boundaries of his farm, however, he has since extended, until
it now comprises one hundred and twenty-eight acres, under a high state of cultivation and well improved.
Mr. Cronk was married December 29, 1862, to Miss Lizzie Wiley, daughter of James and Sarah (Foultz) Wiley. She
was born in December, 1849, in Alabama. By their union our subject and his wife
have a family of seven children, namely: Ulysses, born July 31, 1868; Sidney, August 4, 1871; Viola, August 24,
1875; Sarah E., June 27, 1879; William R., July 5, 1882; Ida, August 27, 1886; and Martha, August 26, 1889.
In
his political affiliations, Mr. Cronk is a Republican and has held the office of Township Collector for two terms.
He has also served as School Trustee, and takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding
of the community. He and his wife hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church and do much for its advancement
and progress. Mr. Cronk is recognized as a public-spirited and progressive citizen and a man of sterling worth.
His property represents his industry, good management and economy and is as a monument to his labors.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and
Richland Counties Illinois, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Governors
of the State, and the Presidents of the United States. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), p. 218. Transcribed by
Judy Rosella Edwards.
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