Biography - J Whitlock
SQUIRE J. W. WHITLOCK. Prominently engaged in the real-estate, loan and insurance business in this city is Squire J. W. Whitlock, who is well established, and who has earned a well-merited reputation for the conscientious and efficient manner with which he conducts all affairs entrusted to his care. Although our subject has only been established here since 1890, his business has already taken a very important hold upon the community, for in the very nature of things it was impossible that a man of such calibre as Mr. Whitlock could engage in any business without making an indelible impression upon the favorable opinion of the residents and business men of the locality. His business is far-reaching in its nature, and he has always on his list a number of very choice lots for investment. In insurance matters he is well to the front, is agent for some of the leading companies, and can always quote premiums at lowest rates.
Our subject was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, near Brookville, January 4, 1839, and was fifth in order of birth of seven children born to Elias and Mary (Johnston) Whitlock, the father a native of New Jersey, born in the year 1797, and the mother a native of Delaware, born in 1805. Our subject's grandfather, William Whitlock, came to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1810, when there was but one hotel in the city, and later located on a farm about twelve miles from the city, where he remained during the remainder of his life. Luke Johnston, the maternal grandfather of Squire Whitlock, was an early settler of Hamilton County, Ohio, locating there about 1810.
Elias Whitlock was reared in his native State, but came to Ohio with his father, and was married in that State, in 1827, to Miss Johnston, who was reared in Hamilton County, Ohio. Later, this ambitious young couple settled in Montgomery County, Ohio, on entered land, and there continued to make their home until 1870, when they moved to Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, and there passed the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1880, and the mother in 1886. Of the seven children born to them, six sons and one daughter, all reached mature years, married and became the heads of families. All are now living but one daughter, Sarah, who died in 1888. The other children are: Isaac J., at Piqua, Ohio; William, Professor of the Ohio University, of Delaware; Stephen H., pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Clinton, Ill.; John W., our subject; Arthur O., who resides four miles east of Coffeen and is a farmer; and Rev. Elias D., of Delaware, pastor of William Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
The youthful days of our subject were spent on the home place in his native county, and his first educational advantages were received in the district schools. Later, he attended the Normal School at Piqua, Ohio, and when eighteen years of age began learning the carpenter's trade. This he followed until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth United States Infantry, as a private. He was wounded in the battle of Shiloh, in 1862, by a canister-shot and was disabled from further duty. He was discharged in 1863, and returned to his home in the Buckeye State. In the year 1865, he was married to Miss Emma Fiet, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and remained in that State until 1872, when he decided to move to Montgomery County, Ill. After reaching the Prairie State, he located in Hillsboro, and there engaged in the carpenter's trade, which he followed for four years.
In 1876, Mr. Whitlock moved his family to Coffeen, where he now resides, and was engaged in his trade until 1890, when he embarked in the real-estate business. He is also connected with the Safety Loan Association, of St. Louis, and is carrying on a successful business. In politics, he is a Republican and an active worker for his party. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1890, and is also Notary Public. Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their union has been blessed by the birth of six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows: Lizzie H., wife of W. H. Snider, of Coffeen; Mary, deceased; Wesley W., of Coffeen; Maggie, deceased; Orvis B., of Coffeen; and Charley J., at home.
Extracted 29 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 137-138.
