Person:William Garner (21)

"William S. Garner, farmer; P. O. Virginia; was born in this county, Dec. 16, 1837. Subject received his education in the common school, and remained with his father until the death of the latter; then began farming on his own account, and has now a farm of 120 acres, on which he built a fine house in 1877. He was licensed to preach by the M. E. Church in 1876 and has since been a local preacher. In this county, Sept. 30, 1858, he married Nancy M. Crews, born in Sangamon County, Ills., Oct. 7, 1837, daughter of Jesse and Susan Crews, natives of Kentucky; he died in 1878; she, still living; from this union eight children have been born, viz.: Hanson A., Nellie, James H., L. E., Jessie, Bell, Gerie and Pearl. The first ploughing that Mr. Garner saw done, was with a wooden moldboard, and he was quite a large boy before he saw a team driven with lines; he saw the first threshing machine in this county, which was brought here by a Mr. Yaples. Mr. Garner is a Methodist; has been an Odd Fellow; he is a Republican." {History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William Henry Perrin.1882, Cass Co. Illinois Rootsweb Archives, <http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcass/Perrin/biographies/garner.ws.txt>, 18 Oct 2003}

 "Rev. William S. Garner was born in what is now Cass county, Illinois, December 16, 1837...The subject of our sketch received his education in the primitive schools of his native county. As soon as he was old enough he began to assist his father on the farm, and remained with his parents till their death. He was converted at the age of nineteen, joined the church, and a few years later was licensed to preach. All his life he has been true to the cause he espoused in his youth, ever showing by example as well as precept that he is a true follower of the Lord. In 1870 he moved from the old homestead to his present farm of 120 acres. Besides this he owns other land, making in all 210 acres. Mr. Garner was married in 1858, September 30, to Nancy M. Crews, a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, and a daughter of Jesse and Susan (Sneed) Crews, natives of Kentucky and pioneers of the county. Their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, namely: Hanson A., Nellie May, James H., Lena U., Belle, Jesse, Gertie and Pearl. Nellie May married Charles A. Schaeffer... Lena U. is the wife of LaFayette Shankland." {Biographies, History Of Greene & Jersey Counties, Illinois, 1885; <http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmaga/cass/1892bios/garner_wms.html>}
 In the 1860 census for Lancaster, Cass Co., Illinois, William Garner [indexed as Garmes or Garmer] is 22 from Illinois, with Nancy J. 22 and Anson A. 1 male -- all born Illinois. Next door is his father James Garner 67 from South Carolina, and Elizabeth 65 from Kentucky. On the other side is his brother John W. 28 famer; with (Malinda?) A. (20?); William 7; and Caroline (1 month?). Next to him is their brother James (30?) with Margaret 26; Mary C. 9; Sarah 7; Charles 5; and Henry Beggs 14 -- all born Illinois. {p. 113}
 In the 1870 census for Richmond, Cass Co., Illinois, William Garner is 31, farmer; with wife Nancy 31; Henson 11; Ellen 9; Harley 5; and Lenna 1 -- all born Illinois. {p. 2 / 426, roll 192 HeritageQuest}
 In the 1880 census for township 18 n., Range 9 W [later Chandlerville], Cass Co., Illinois, William Garner is a farmer age 42 from Illinois (father Indiana, mother Illinois).  His wife Nancy is 42 from Illinois (parents Kentucky).  Their children are Nellie, 19; James H., 15; Lenna, 10; Jesse, son, 8; Belle, 6; and Gertrude, 4 -- all born in Illinois.  {p.671c, NARA T9 0178}  
 His two daughters Lenna and Bell married Shankland brothers.
 In the 1900 census for Oregon, Cass Co., Illinois, William G. Garner is 62 born Dec 1838 in Illinois (father Kentucky, mother Indiana), 'farmer', married 33 years; wife Nancy is 62 born Dec 1838? in Illinois (father KY, mother Virginia), with 8 of 8 children living; children are Gertrude 24 born Oct 1875; Pearl born Dec 1879 'school teacher'; son Jesse C. b. Aug 1870 'blacksmith', widowed; and [his son?] grandchild Claude 4 -- all born Illinois (parents same). Son James is next door with his wife and child. {ed 11, sh 29? a, p. 111, roll 240 HeritageQuest}
 In the 1910 census for Chandlerville, Cass co., Illinois, William Garner is 72, Nancy is 72 with 8 of 8 children living; and niece E. Hannah (Wolf? Wolk? Nolf?) is 72, widowed, 0 of 2 children living -- all born Illinois.

 According to a web site, William and Nancy had 8 children: Lenna U, Hanson Arthur 1858-1935, Nellie M. 1860-1941, James H. 1864-, Jesse C. 1871-1919, Lora B., Anna Gertrude 1875- m. Theron C. Alcorn, and Pearl 1880-1973 m. George R. Cline.  {Eric & Laura's Family, by Eric and Laura VanGilder; <http://www.geocities.com/ericvangilder/data/dat66.htm#15>}, also {My Genealogy, by Lawrence Hamilton, <http://kairoscomputers.com/~notlimaH/gen_pages/pafg205.htm#6722>, no longer online as of Feb 2009}