W. FLETCHER CORRELL - W. Fletcher Correll, of Illiopolis, is one of the substantial farmers and reliable business men of Sangamon county. He owns a valuable farming property adjoining the town in which he resides, and through an active business career he has so directed his efforts that he has realized a good return for his labors, and at the same time has won a place in public regard that is only accorded in recognition of an honorable career.
Mr. Correll was born in Mechanicsburg township, October 16, 1833, a son of Thomas and Sallie (McDaniel) Correll, natives of Harrison county, Kentucky, the former born January 18, 1808. The paternal grandfather, Levi Correll, was born in New Jersey, June 22, 1767, and when a young man removed to Bath county, Kentucky, where he was married November 6, 1794, to May Hicklin. The maternal grandfather, William McDaniel, was one of the pioneer settlers of Sangamon county, numbered among the "snow birds". The marriage of Thomas Correll and Sallie McDaniel was celebrated May 2, 1826, and soon afterward they came to Sangamon county, so they, too were living here at the time of the memorable snow. Mr. Correll entered land from the government and developed an excellent farm in Mechanicsburg township, on which he reared his family. He was long numbered among the honored early settlers of central Illinois, and he reached an advanced age, passing away October 27, 1895, at the age of eighty-eight years. He possessed many excellent traits of character that made him well worthy the regard so uniformly tendered him, and his wife shared with him in the esteem of many friends and neighbors. Her death occurred in 1894. In their family were eight children: Margaret, wife of Edward Tomlin of this county; W. Fletcher; D. S., of Illiopolis; W. H., of Pleasant Plains; Cornelius, of Vernon county, Missouri; John, of Mechanicsburg; L. S., a practicing physician of Chatham, Illinois; and Frances, wife of Isaac Funk, of Bloomington.
W. Fletcher Correll is indebted to the public school system of his native county for the early educational privileges he enjoyed, and in 1856 he became a student in Lebanon Academy. Later he engaged in teaching, spending one year in the work of the schoolroom in Fayette county and two years in Sangamon county.
Mr. Correll was married at Pleasant Plains, February 25, 1868, to Miss Frances E. Purvines, a daughter of Nathan S. Purvines, who was born in Sangamon county, March 3, 1829, a son of David Simpson Purvines, who was born in Cabarrus county, North Carolina, May 18, 1787, and married Elizabeth Weddington, who was born in that state, December 25, 1790. Three children were born to them in North Carolina, and then they removed to Illinois in 1820, settling in what is now Cartwright township, Sangamon county, where other children were added to the family. Nathan S. Purvines was married December 6, 1849, to Wealthy M. J. Harrison, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom one died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Correll settled upon a farm which he owned and which comprised five hundred acres lying partly in Sangamon and partly in Macon counties. The house, however, stood in the latter county, and there he lived from 1858 until 1883. He built a good residence and out buildings, made splendid improvements and developed a fine farm, which he still owns. On the 4th of July, 1883, he left the farm and took up his abode at his present home, buying a house which he has converted into a modern and comfortable residence. He also bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres just north of the town and gives to its operation his personal supervision. He was one of the founders of the Farmers State Bank of Illiopolis, in which he is a stockholder and the vice-president. His business affairs have ever been carefully managed, each step being made after thoughtful consideration, and his career has been characterized by continual advancement and broadening activity, bringing greater results.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Correll have been born three children: Frank, who was married September 9, 1897, and lives on the old home farm in Macon county, has two sons, Fletcher and Wilkie. Kate was married, December 31, 1891, to John Munce, a farmer of Illiopolis, and they have two daughters, Bernice and Francesl Pearl is the wife of William N. Sutton, of Springfield, their wedding taking place April 16, 1903. The parents are members of the Christian church and Mr. Correll is a Master Mason. Almost his entire life has been spent in this county, and he has been identified with the interests of the people and with the growth and development of this section of the state. He is one of the public-spirited citizens of Illiopolis, and has done much for the development of the town. He and his wife are people of social nature and their hospitable home is a favorite resort with all who know him.