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W. H. Emerson
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History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with Sketches of its
Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious, Civil,
Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons and
Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 430 & 433, Astoria Township
W. H. Emerson, of the firm of Emerson & Tanksley, millers
and coal dealers, is a native of Cincinnati, O., where he was born in
1833. He is the second child of Joseph C. Emerson, who settled at
Cincinnati when it bore the primitive name of Ft. Washington.
Here he married Miss Mary A. Collard, who bore him 6 children.
Joseph C. moved to Indiana, entered upon a mercantile career and
succeeded well, and became a prominent citizen of the State. He
died in 1845. Mrs. E. is still living and resides near
Cincinnati. For a number of years the subject of this sketch was
identified with the milling and grain business of Cincinnati.
Considerable of his early life was spent upon the Pacific slope.
He there engaged in the furniture trade and was the pioneer dealer
north of San Francisco. In 1856 he returned to Cincinnati and
remained until the Rebellion broke out, when he entered the army as a
sutler and remained for three years. He was wounded and compelled
to resign, and soon settled near Dixon, Ill., and engaged in general
merchandising. In 1870 he located in Astoria, where in connection
with Mr. John Skinner he began to develop the coal interest of the
place. Messrs. Emerson & Skinner began prospecting and soon
sank two shafts which afford a superior quality of coal. They
ship to the States of Missouri and Iowa and over this State.
During the winter season 25 car-loads are shipped daily. He is
also partner in the White Oak Mills, built in 1878 and has four run of
burs. In 1856 he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Capt.
A. D. Wilson, one of the pioneers of the Western waters and the first
to run a steam-boat up the Muskingum river.
submitted by Carla Finley
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