Biography - William Brewer
WILLIAM
H. BREWER, Vice-president of the Hillsboro National Bank, has been closely
identified with all the active interests of this city for more than half a
century. He was born in Trigg County, Ky., January 4, 1826. His paternal
grandfather, William Brewer, and his father, the Hon. William Brewer, were
natives of North Carolina. Grandfather Brewer was reared in the old Tar
State, where after his marriage he settled with his wife on a farm, and in
that home a son was born in 1803, and named William.
About 1807 the family removed to Kentucky. Father, mother and children, together with a few household effects, were slowly but safely transported by wagon to their destination. William Brewer, the son, was an adept in the daily lessons of pioneer life and grew up a fearless, self-made man, well deserving the positions of trust accorded to him in later years. In those early days every ambitious boy desired a trade; William Brewer learned that of a saddle and harness maker, and it is safe to say that he did his work faithfully and well. In Cadiz, Trigg County, he married Delia, daughter of Samuel Hough, a native Virginian, but an early settler of Ohio. The mother of our subject was born in Virginia in 1807.
William Brewer and his young wife lived for a time in Elkton, Todd County, Ky., but in 1834 removed to Crawford County, Ill., whence they later came to Hillsboro and settled permanently in Montgomery County in 1839. Mr. Brewer bought a general store, in which he conducted business for nine years, selling out at that time to his son, William H., who had shortly before attained his majority.
Although retired from mercantile pursuits, Mr. Brewer, Sr., led a busy life. He was an ardent Republican and took an active interest in politics. He served as Justice of the Peace, was a County Representative, and also filled the responsible position of Probate Judge with honor and integrity. He and his wife were both members of the Methodist Church, and active in its good work. Mrs. Brewer died in 1859. Judge Brewer survived her many years, entering into rest in 1883. Three of his children lived to adult age, viz.: Sarah E., wife of A. A. K. Sawyer, of Hillsboro; Mary, who married S. M. Grubbs, of Litchfield; and William H., the subject of our sketch. The last-named finished his studies in Hillsboro Academy, and soon after attaining his majority became proprietor of the general store in which he transacted business twelve years. At the expiration of that time, he disposed of his store and gave his attention to farming and stock-raising, making the handling of Short-horn cattle a specialty for a time.
The first wife of our subject was a sister of Judge Phillips. She was united in marriage with Mr. Brewer November 17, 1857, and died in 1867. She was the mother of four children, all of whom are deceased. Mr. Brewer's second marriage took place July 14, 1875. His bride was the daughter of G. V. Brookman and the widow of W. W. Brown. This estimable lady is a native of Hillsboro and has two children by her first marriage: Ellen, wife of Otto Walter, of Omaha; and J. T. Brown, a resident of Hillsboro. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer have one daughter, Mary.
Our subject owns five valuable farms, much of the land being under a high state of cultivation. Three hundred and sixty-four acres are located on section 14, Hillsboro Township; three hundred and twenty in East Fork Township; eighty on section 26, Irving Township; about one hundred and twenty on section 5, Hillsboro Township; and eighty on section 34, Hillsboro Township. Besides these extensive farming properties, Mr. Brewer owns a valuable business block and other city real estate. Following in the footsteps of his honored father, he is a Republican in politics. He is a worthy member and Trustee of the Methodist Church, one of the oldest religious organizations in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer are foremost in social and church enterprises, and active in all good works.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 154-156.
