Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1211

FAGAN, William G., who owns and operates an excellent farm four miles northwest of Springfield, Ill., has spent his entire life in Sangamon County, where he was born, January 22, 1852. His paternal ancestors were from Kentucky, and he is a son of George and Ruth (Smith) Fagan, both natives of Bourbon County, Ky. The parents moved from Kentucky and settled in Buffalo Hart Township, Sangamon County, in 1818, at which time the Indians were the only residents there. Mr. Fagan lived four years on that place, then moved to Springfield and came to the farm now occupied by his son William. He and his wife were parents of five sons and three daughters, the only two of these children surviving being William G. and his brother, John F., who lives on Monument Avenue, Springfield, and is engaged in the feed business. The father died on his farm near Springfield.

The childhood of William G. Fagan was spent on a farm and he attended the early schools of Sangamon County, being for some time a student of the old McKinney school. As he grew to manhood he worked on the father's farm, which he has never left since. He is an enterprising and successful farmer and owns 188 acres of land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He was married in Springfield, April 24, 1878, to Miss Anna M. Huntley, who was born in Franklin, N. H., September 9, 1858, of English parentage. Her father and mother came to America in 1856, landing in Boston, having spent seven weeks on the sailing vessel, on which they embarked June 1, and arrived July 11, 1856. Mrs. Huntley was a weaver in England and Mr. Huntley for many years followed the trade of shoemaker in Franklin. The family spent eleven years in there a short time, after which they settled on Franklin, then moved to Quincy, Ill., and lived on a farm six miles northwest of Springfield, where the father died two years later, in 1869. Mrs. Huntley lives with her daughter, Mrs. Fagan.

Five sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fagan, of whom one son died in infancy. The others are: George H., born August 20, 1884; Elmer H., born October 25, 1888; W. Lester, born August 13, 1891; and J. Hally, born December 10, 1894, all living at home; and Ruth, deceased. Mr. Fagan belongs to Elliott Avenue Baptist Church and is an advocate of Temperance and many other good causes. He votes the Prohibition ticket. He is a member of Capital Tent of Maccabees and the Anti-Horse Thief Association, and his wife is a member of Douglas M. E. Church at Springfield. He has the full confidence and esteem of his neighbors and is well acquainted in Sangamon County, where the family was one of the first. They endured the hardships and privations of pioneer life and helped pave the way for a higher civilization. They have always been ready to advance the cause of education and have done their share towards promoting the general welfare.