Biography - William Guthrie
WILLIAM H. GUTHRIE. "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women in it players." It matters not whether the figure that one presents on the stage is in central position, or whether it is but a tiny part that goes to make the whole perfect, if it is filled to the best of the player's ability he deserves as much credit as though he were the hero and central person of the play. Our subject disturbs himself but little over the game of chance called politics, and leaves to others whose researches in scientific fields have been more extended than his own to settle questions that belong to that line. He is content in doing the best he can in his own sphere; in being a good man, loyal to his country, a peace-loving and peace-making citizen.
Mr. Guthrie is a representative farmer and stockraiser of Harvel Township, Montgomery County, owning a fine farm on section 29. He is a native of Greene County, and was born October 3, 1840, being a son of Milton and Catherine (Fisher) Guthrie, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Milton Guthrie came to Illinois and located in Madison County with his father in boyhood, and there spent the major portion of his life. Our subject is the third son in his father's family, and of a large family the following five children survive: John, William H., Joshua, Mary and Dempsey. Mary is now the wife of John K. Moore. Mrs. Milton Guthrie still survives. She is now past eighty years of age, but retains her faculties to a remarkable degree.
The State was young when our subject came hither, and its main development has taken place under his close observation. From a wild and uncultivated prairie it has changed to a fruitful garden spot, worthy of the best cultivated places in Old England, and is possessed of a metropolis that rivals in many respects the great cities of the East and Europe. Our subject himself has been peacefully engaged all his life in the avocation of a farmer, his attention being directed chiefly to general farming, while he bestows much attention on his fine and well-selected stock. Like most of the youth of Illinois who grew up under pioneer auspices, his educational advantages were limited.
Our subject was married November 9, 1865, his bride being Miss Elizabeth Martin, a native of Greene County and a daughter of Josiah and Eliza Martin. Six children have filled to overflowing the couple's domestic happiness. They are, John O., Joseph M. (deceased), Luella, Laura B., Dennis E. and Lizzie M.
In the fall of 1861, our subject came to Montgomery County and settled in Raymond Township. He remained there for a number of years and then removed to Harvel Township, locating on his present farm. By his constant efforts he has metamorphosed the virgin prairie into its present highly productive state. He is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land which bear good improvements. He has a pleasant home that is comfortably furnished with all the necessities as well as some of the luxuries of modern life. Politically, our subject is a stanch adherent of the Republican doctrines. He has served his township as School Director and in other ways has proved himself a loyal citizen.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 156-157.
