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William Edgar Withrow (1809 - 1886)

William Edgar Withrow
Born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Father of , and
Died at age 76 in Sterling, Whiteside County, Illinois, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 19 Jul 2018
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Biography

William was born in 1809. He was the son of James Withrow and Leticia Edgar. He passed away in 1886.

Son of James & Leticia Edgar Withrow of Lewisburg, WV. He was married to first to Harriet Eliza Chase of Cornish, NH, mother of his three children. Upon her death he married Hannah Brown Chase, sister of his first wife who continued to lovingly raise her sister's children.

Macomb Daily Journal ANOTHER PIONEER GONE

Macomb, Illinois

Obituary - 11-17-1886 DEATH OF WILLIAM E. WITHROW

WILLIAM E. WITHROW died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah MacPherran, at Sterling, Illinois, on Monday November 15, 1886, in the 77th year of his age. His body was brought to this city on Tuesday and yesterday was buried in Oakwood Cemetery by the side of his wife who died some two years ago. William Edgar Withrow was born December 30, 1809, in Lewisburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). In this place he lived until 1829 when he entered the Ohio University. Two years at this place and he severed connections, entered Yale College from which in due time he graduated. Becoming somewhat impaired in health at school, he gave up the idea of a professional life and concluded to choose a business requiring activity of body as well as of mind. He came west in 1835, settled in Rushville where he went into the "general store" business which he carried on for 20 years. In Rushville he was associated in business with Charles M. Ray who with him afterwards moved to Macomb and died here some years ago.

Mr. Withrow was married at Macomb, Illinois Feb. 5, 1839 to Miss Harriet E. Chase, a sister of Harvey L. and James Chase, then well-known citizens of Macomb, and a cousin of Salmon P. Chase of Ohio. The fruits of this union were three children, all now living, CHASE WITHROW, of Central City, Colorado, Mrs. Sarah A. MacPherran of Stirling, Illinois, and James E. Withrow of St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Withrow died at Rushville August 4, 1843. He afterwards married Hannah B. Chase, a sister of his deceased wife.No children were born of this union. The last Mrs. Withrow died in this city January 9, 1885.

In the building of a railroad through Macomb, Mr. Withrow saw the supremacy of Rushville ended and realizing that Macomb was to be the important town of the two, the firm moved their stock here beginning business just about the time that the cars on the "Northern Cross Railroad" first ran into Macomb. The firm of "Ray and Withrow" at once took front rank among our merchants and held that position until it dissolved.

Since 1855 Macomb has been the home of the deceased, here his children grew to man and womanhood, and here his wife of long years of wedded life died and was buried. In all matters of public interest he took a prominent part. A man of thorough education was foremost in the elevation of our public schools, and the high standing of Macomb city schools today is no small part due to his enthusiasm, energy and guiding head and hand. For years he was a member of the board of education, and during that time of service as such was its president. He also held at various times the position of alderman, city clerk, justice of the peace and city police magistrate all of which offices he filled with credit to his city and himself. For years after the close of the war, indeed until his failing health forebade, he conducted a soldiers' claim and pension agency. In this he was most successful. An enthusiastic friend of the union soldiers and the cause for which they served, it was a pleasure to him to prosecute their just claims, or otherwise honest interests. During the time he spent in this business he pushed to success over 2,000 claims for pensions, bounty, back pay, etc. He seldom failed in a case he undertook. In politics Mr. Withrow was an ardent and active Whig as long as that party survived. He was a great admirer of Henry Clay, of Daniel Webster and other great expounders of the principles of that party.

When the Republican Party was organized, he was among its first members. Though born in the South and in the midst of the very aristocracy of slave holding, Mr. Withrow hated the idea of human bondship and ownership, and was quick to ally himself to that glorious party whose early motto was, "free speech, free homes and free men." He was personally acquainted with Abraham Lincoln and did yeoman service in assisting to bear the banner of that great man in triumph to the presidential chair. Through the war that followed Mr. Withrow was loyal to the core. By work and act he did everything in his power to uphold the hands of the administration and to encourage the soldiers in the field. "No peace short of an honorable peace," was his motto. He could give a reason for the faith in him, and in a way that could not be misunderstood.

In religion he held to the Presbyterian faith. He was a member of the church from early manhood, was as loyal to his religious opinion as he was to his political beliefs, and as outspoken upon the latter as the former. Though outspoken and prompt to act on all questions of religion, politics or business, his was not a nature that would be called "Combative," he rather chose to reach man's convictions through argument, and lead, instead of drive, them to his side of the question.

In all those qualities that go to make the upright man, W. E. Withrow was rounded out and full. A sincere and energetic friend of education and the advancement of the local interest of his community; a business man whose evenhanded dealing and accomodating disposition was a model worthy to pattern after; a politician and patriot of the most honorable type; a Christian of exemplary character; a neighbor respected and revered; a husband and parent, loving and indulgent; there is little or nothing lacking to make (as far as humanity can be) the perfect man. He has left an example worthy the emulation of the rising generation.

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Rejected matches › William Withrow (1765-abt.1836) › William Jefferson Withrow (abt.1804-aft.1890)

Featured National Park champion connections: William is 8 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 20 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 10 degrees from George Catlin, 15 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 17 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 13 degrees from George Grinnell, 23 degrees from Anton Kröller, 12 degrees from Stephen Mather, 21 degrees from Kara McKean, 15 degrees from John Muir, 17 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 20 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.

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