DR. WILLIAM A. HUTCHINS, one of the youngest members of the medical profession in the northeastern part of this county, received his diploma from Rush Medical College at Chicago, on the 17th of February, 1885. After attending the Commencement exercises and the banquet given by the Faculty at the Palmer House, he came directly to Orangeville, where he hung out his shingle February 20, and was immediately called upon to exercise his professional skill. Since that time he has steadily gained ground in the confidence of the people of this section, and a bright career is predicted for him in the future.

Dr. Hutchins was born near Hanover in Jo Daviess County, this State, Jan. 23, 1860. His father, Samuel S. Hutchins, was born near Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1831. His paternal grandfather was a native of Vermont, who emigrated to the Buckeye State during its early settlement, and was one of the pioneers of Ashtabula County, locating there in 1814. He brought under cultivation a fine farm from the wilderness, and there spent the remainder of his days. The Hutchins family is of English descent, as were also the parents of the mother of our subject, who was before her marriage Miss Amanda Southward.

S. S. Huntchins, the father of Dr. William A. Hutchins, lived with his parents in Ohio until a youth fifteen years of age, and then went to work in a steam sawmill. Afterward he went to the town of Ashtabula, where he engaged in the lumber business. Early in the fifties he came by lake to Chicago and thence overland to Illinois in search of a location. He found what he thought would suit him, and returning to Ohio for the purpose of securing a companion and helpmeet, was married and returned to Jo Daviess County, locating in Hanover, first upon rented land. With the proceeds of his labor he purchased a farm in Carroll County, to which he removed, and lived there until March, 1859.

In 1859 the father of our subject sold out all his property in Carroll County, and started for California. This proved a disastrous enterprise, as he lost all his money and personal effects. He took passage on a ferry to cross the Missouri River. As the wagon struck the boat the lines gave way, precipitating the horses and occupants into twenty feet of water. Fortunately there was a good swimmer on board in the person of Mr. Hubbard, a brother-in-law of Mr. Hutchins, who dove down and rescued the drowning individuals, but the horses and merchandise sank to rise no more. Mr. Hutchins was, of course, compelled to return, and upon reaching Hanover, Ill., had barely enough money left to buy a cow and a barrel of flour. Then he traded his property there for a farm west of Oneco. To this farm he removed, and remained there until retiring from active labor, when he took up his residence in Orangeville, where he still resides. Mr. Hutchins retains possession of his farm property, and is largely interested in the breeding of Short-horn cattle, some of which are in Clay County, Iowa, where he has also large property interests.

The parental family of our subject included four children: William A., in common with his brothers and sisters received his early education in the district school, and early in life selected his future vocation; his sister Helen became the wife of W. L. Hunter, who owns and operates a good farm in Clay County, Iowa, and in company with his father-in-law is engaged in stock-raising; Olive and Louis are at home with their parents; William A., after leaving the district school entered the office of Dr. Cutter, of Winslow, Ill., under whose instruction he studied for two years, and then entered upon a course of lectures at Chicago.

Dr. W. A. Hutchins was married, June 3, 1886, to Miss Linda R. Krape, daughter of William and Catherine Krape, of Orangeville, Ill. (A sketch of the Krape family will be found on another page of this volume.) The paternal grandfather of our subject was a peculiar man in many respects, and possessed great physical strength, and mental force of character. After several years spent in Ohio, he decided to visit his old home in Vermont, and setting out on foot walked every step of the way there and back, often distancing teams on the way. Horses were scarce in the pioneer days, and those in possession of the farmers were utilized in clearing the land and transporting the crops to market. Grandfather Hutchins used a compass for his guide in making this trip, as his route lay through a new and practically untraveled country. This feat made him quite famous, as it excited the wonder and admiration of the country around. The resolute pedestrian was in no way overcome by the fatigues of this journey. His descendants delight to relate of him that he cradled wheat in the harvest field when eighty years old. He died at the age of ninety-four years. The Southward family, through the generations, were noted for their physical strength and longevity. The maternal great-grandparents each lived to be over one hundred years of age.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 350