Person:William Willmore (3)

from Waterloo County History

William T. Willmore is a native of Waterloo Township, Jackson County, Michigan, born December 22, 1874. His parents were Johanan and Eliza (Barker) Willmore, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Michigan. Thomas Willmore, the paternal grandfather of the subject, came to Michigan among the early pioneers and located near Dexter in Washtenaw County. Later he purchased 80 acres of land in Waterloo Township, a part of Section 4, to which he moved his family and established a home thereon. The first residence of the family was a primitive log house. Through industry the tract was cleared, improved, and put under cultivation, and by the exercise of economy the size of the farm steadily increased, until it expanded to 550 acres and the family was one of the most prosperous in the locality. In 1873 Thomas Willmore, admonished by advancing years, decided it was time for him to retire from active labor and business cares. He moved to the city of Jackson and there enjoyed a life of ease and comfort until his death, which occurred in 1897. Seven children were born to him and his wife, viz: Sarah, Johanan, Joseph, Esther, Victoria Q., Anna and Fannie. Johanan is the father of the subject and Joseph is dead. Those living are all useful, industrious citizens and blessed with abundance.

from A History of Jackson County, Michigan

In his native township of Waterloo the greater part of the life of William T. Willmore has been spent. He resided for a time in the village of Stockbridge, when his father was in business there, but returned to his native haunts before he attained his majority. His education was not neglected, all the learning that the district schools afforded being imparted to him before he reached his twentieth year. Careful, prudent, and painstaking in all that he did, he was recognized by all as a man, even before he ceased to be a boy. In 1804 he became the possessor of 294 acres of land and as if that were not enough for the exercise of his talents and industry, he rented 53 acres more from a relative. This he has managed with all the skill and energy of the most experienced agriculturist in the state. He carries on what is termed mixed farming, raises crops of all kinds of grain, and breeds, raises and feeds horses, cattle and hogs, besides giving a good deal of attention to dairying. The home on the farm is a pleasant, well-furnished edifice, connected with the outside world by telephone and regularly supplied with the family mail by rural free delivery. In 1901 he erected a substantial and commodious barn on the premises.

March 8, 1899, William T. Willmore was united in marriage to Miss Emma Springman, a native of Ingham County, born in August, 1875. Her parents were John and Catharine Springman, natives of Germany, who came to Washtenaw County in an early day. John Springman is one of the most successful farmers in the south part of Ingham County. Immediately after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Willmore went to reside on their extensive Waterloo Township farm. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Stockbridge and in politics is a Republican.

From A Corner of Ingham - Stockbridge

J.C. Willmore (John Charles, William's son) built the store building just south of the Kellogg store and had a clothing store there for many years. This is now the Spadafore store. Mr. and Mrs. Willmore were prominent in the Episcopal Church. They owned a farm [the family homestead farm] just over the Jackson county line on No. 106. A grandson, John Willmore, was for many years a partner in the A.W. Brown Company drug store. [J.C. was Stockbridge Township Supervisor in 1899.]

In 1972 there were less than 300 households in the United States with the Willmore surname.

From The Stockbridge Brief 1899

Willie Willmore and Miss Emma Springman were married yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Springman, west of the village. All join with us in wishing the young couple a long and happy life.

From The Stockbridge Brief Sun, 14 Mar 1924

Sunday, March 9, relatives to the number of 25 gathered at the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Willmore to remind them that they had been married 25 years. It was a complete surprise, but it did not take them long to collect their thoughts and give the company a most cordial welcome.

Regrets were received from Lansing, Pontiac, Battle Creek, Grand Ledge, Coldwater, Mason and Stockbridge.

A delicious pot-luck dinner was served after with Mrs. Eliza Willmore, mother of the groom, in behalf of the relatives, presented them with on dozen silver knives and forks for which the bride and groom responded in their usual pleasant manner.

In the late afternoon the guests departed for their several homes wishing Mr. and Mrs. Willmore another 25 years of happy wedded life...