WILLIAM F. CONSTANT was born in Williams township, February 25, 1838, is the son of Nathan E. and Mary M. (Stewart) Constant; the former was born in Kentucky, the latter in New York, and had five children; William F., and Nathan E. the only ones now living. Mr. Constant has enjoyed good school advantages. After attending the common school in his district, became a student of Berean College, Jacksonville in 1856. He began to farm for himself at the age of nineteen, and has continued to do so. Mr. Constant was married in Sangamon county, October 15, 1861 to Elizabeth A. Lake, of Sangamon county, is the daughter of Thomas and Harriet (Dillen) Lake, natives of Virginia, to whom were born nine children, Ann E., Bayliss E., Susanna, James, John F., Elizabeth A., Agnes C., William B., and Mary M. Mr. and Mrs. Constant had one child, Mary E., who was born October 4, 1862, and died February 7, 1879. Mrs. Constant died August 7, 1881; she was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Constant owns two homesteads; one containing one hundred, the other two hundred acres. Both farms are well improved and under cultivation. Mr. Constant is a member of the Christian Church.