Biography - Lewis Whitaker
Lewis WHITAKER, Litchfield, was born in Deerfield Township, Cumberland County, N. J., September 2, 1835, and obtained his education in his native State. At the age of seventeen years, in 1852, he came to Carlinville, Ill., where he began learning the carpenter's trade, continuing one year, when he removed to Alton, Ill., there completing his trade. He spent the winter of 1854-55 in Mississippi and Louisiana. He came to Litchfield, Ill., on October 8, 1855, and, after spending six weeks at his trade here, he went to his old home in New Jersey, where he spent the winter of 1855-56. In July, 1856, he returned to Litchfield, and worked as contractor and builder two years, when he went into the furniture and undertaking business, at which he continued about fifteen years, meeting with and meriting excellent success. His first furniture store was located where Boepple's bakery now is, and he afterward did business on the lot now occupied by Mr. ENNIGER. He next built the block where the Regulator is at present. In January, 1874, he retired from the furniture business, and in April of the same year he was elected City Marshal, which office he held one year. He then became a member of the firm of Whitaker & Rogers, in the milling business, continuing about two years. He next leased the Boxberger Mill, and took in as a partner Mr. ROTH, for two years continuing in the milling and grain business, with very excellent success. Mr. WHITAKER is a member of the McWilliams Oil and Mining Company, which began operations in this county in January, 1882. He has been a member of the City Council. On December 25, 1861, he married Mary E. SHORE, sister of Tilman SHORE. Mr. WHITAKER is at present a member of the Litchfield Board of Education. In politics, he is a Republican.
Extracted 19 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 185.
