Biography - WILLIAM E. DENBY

William E. Denby is one of the representative citizens of Carlinville township and is well known in this section, having passed almost his entire life in Macoupin county. He was born in Carlinville township February 26, 1869, a son of William A. and Naomi (Solomon) Denby, both of whom were born in Illinois. The father grew to manhood under his parents’ guidance, after which he rented land from his father for a short time, and subsequently purchased a farm from the latter, which he cultivated until 1903. He then retired from active labor and removed to Carlinville, where he now lives, having arrived at the age of seventy-three years. His wife died in June, 1890.

Mr. Denby of this sketch possessed advantages of education in the district schools and also attended college at Valparaiso, Indiana, for one term. Having prepared himself for the active duties of life, he assisted his father on the home farm until after arriving at twenty-one years of age. He worked for wages among the farmers of the neighborhood for one year and was then married, subsequently cultivating one of his father’s farms. In January, 1900, he went to southern Illinois and made his home in Jefiferson county for three years, at the close of which period he returned to Macoupin county and rented a farm of his father for two years. He then moved to the old home place where he has ever since resided, engaging quite extensively in agriculture and stock-raising. He keeps forty or fifty cattle, about two hundred and twenty head of sheep, one hundred and twenty-five head of hogs and about ten head of horses. He is an excellent judge of live stock and, as he gives careful attention to all the details of his business, he has met with merited success.

In March, 1893, Mr. Denby was married to Miss Sarah E. Brown, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Williams) Brown. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother of Illinois. Mr. Brown began farming in Macoupin county many years ago. He bought, land which he cleared and improved, developing it into good producing property. He continued upon his home farm until his death, in 1897, his wife having been called away twelve years before. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Denby, namely: William Cecil, who is sixteen years of age; and Arthur Franklin, aged fourteen.

Religiously Mr. Denby and his family affiliate with the Methodist church and politically he gives his support to the democratic party, the principles of which appeal to him as well adapted to preserve the institutions of a free government. He has never sought the honors of public office, but for nine years has filled the position of school director, in the course of which time he has assisted materially in advancing the permanent welfare of the schools by the employment of competent teachers. He is a valued member of the Court of Honor and can also claim many friends outside of this order, as he is well worthy of the esteem of his fellow-men.

Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 105-106.