EMERSON, Hon. William H.—In his evolution from cabin boy on an Ohio River pilot boat to the presidency of the People's Bank of Astoria and member of the Illinois Legislature, Hon. William H. Emerson supplies an inspiring example of the compelling power of high ideals and the worth of homely, sterling virtues. The eldest of the five sons and one daughter of Joseph Crane and Mary A. (Collard) Emerson, Mr. Emerson was born among the humblest of surroundings in New Richmond, Clermont County, Ohio, and on both sides of his family is descended from the pioneers of American civilization. While New York, as New Amsterdam, was still under Dutch rule members of the Collard family pursued their avocations within its quaint boundaries, and in Water Street, New York, was born Isaac Brainard Collard, an uncle of Mr. Emerson and son of a ship blacksmith. From his father Isaac Brainard learned the blacksmith trade, and when Robert Fulton, of steamboat fame, returned from Paris to America in 1806 and built and launched the Clermont, which made a successful trip on the Hudson from New York to Albany on August 11, 1807, it was the strong right arm of Isaac Collard that fashioned the bunk bottoms of this pioneer steam craft. The life of the waterways appealed no less strongly to the successors of that progenitor of the Emerson family who landed on bleak New England shores in 1637, and who subsequently lived in and near Boston. In this richly interesting part of New England was born John Emerson, grandfather of William h., in 1773, and here also was born Joseph Crane Emerson, father of the latter, in 1808.
Joseph Crane Emerson invaded the wilderness of Ohio while that region still was a Territory, settling on Government land near the city of Cincinnati. As settlers began to arrive and the region yielded of its stored fertility, the market of New Orleans beckoned invitingly, and he engaged in freighting down the Ohio River between Cincinnati and the Southern port with a flat-bottomed boat. He became an expert pilot and developed that absorbing interest in his occupation which characterizes all true toilers of the deep. At an advanced age his death occurred at Point Coupee, La., and his wife died in Cincinnati. Of his children Emma (deceased) was the wife of Vinton A. Mathews, of Madison, Ind., and Samuel W., Joseph C. and John are business men of Cincinnati.
The youth of William H. Emerson was almost destitute of educational advantages and the influences of his environment prevailing, he began at an early age to follow the river as cabin boy and later as a cook. At the age of sixteen he went to Cincinnati, where in 1852 he joined the Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Captain Lemis, and with them proceeded to Mexico, and from there to California. He remained four years in the latter State, much of the time engaged in gold mining, and in 1856 returned to New Richmond, Ohio, where, August 27, 1856, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Paul Wilson. Mrs. Emerson, who was born in New Richmond, December 14, 1834, five miles from the birthplace of General Grant, is a daughter of Andrew D. and Amelia D. (Downing) Wilson, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, and in religious faith members of the Society of Friends.
In 1864 Mr. Emerson left Ohio and located at Ashton, Lee County, Ill., and in 1870 came to Astoria and established the coal-mining firm of Emerson & Skinner. His industry, application and thorough knowledge of a great State's resources produced gratifying results, and in 1889 he opened up the mines at Dunfermline, Fulton County, which since have proved exceedingly productive. In connection with mining Mr. Emerson has conducted a general merchandise store, and has had moneyed interests in many of the upbuilding enterprises of both town and country. In 899 he was elected President of the People's State Bank, which has become one of the leading and influential monetary institutions of Fulton County. From time to time Mr. Emerson has given substantial support to politics, and among other offices was elected to the General Assembly in 1883 and again in 1906. A profound student of men and events, he has warmly supported the wisest measures before the House, and evinces practical insight into the needs of the district which he represents.
Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson, William W. was born November 15, 1858; Katie E. was born May 12, 1861, and on December 20, 1885, married Lewis David, of Ipava; Taylor W. was born June 5, 1864; Collard Downing was born at Ashton, Ill., October 16, 1867, died July 8, 1870; Colla E., born March 18, 1871, is the wife of H. B. Kosta, a druggist in Astoria; E. Paul was born January 25, 1873, and is a physician in Astoria, and Lizzie was born March 7, 1877. For many years Mr. Emerson has been an active Mason, and is a member of the Star Chapter, Master Masons and Commandery. The industry, purpose and ideals of Mr. Emerson have tended to the most substantial in commercial, industrial and business life, as well as to the most elevating in ethical, educational and civic growth. He belongs to the constructive class of men, and to the non-visionary conservatives who hold fast to old truths until the excellence of new truths has been demonstrated.
Historical Encyclopedia and History of Fulton County
William Emerson
Page 865-866
Lisa Ruble, 05/02/2019
Joseph Crane Emerson invaded the wilderness of Ohio while that region still was a Territory, settling on Government land near the city of Cincinnati. As settlers began to arrive and the region yielded of its stored fertility, the market of New Orleans beckoned invitingly, and he engaged in freighting down the Ohio River between Cincinnati and the Southern port with a flat-bottomed boat. He became an expert pilot and developed that absorbing interest in his occupation which characterizes all true toilers of the deep. At an advanced age his death occurred at Point Coupee, La., and his wife died in Cincinnati. Of his children Emma (deceased) was the wife of Vinton A. Mathews, of Madison, Ind., and Samuel W., Joseph C. and John are business men of Cincinnati.
The youth of William H. Emerson was almost destitute of educational advantages and the influences of his environment prevailing, he began at an early age to follow the river as cabin boy and later as a cook. At the age of sixteen he went to Cincinnati, where in 1852 he joined the Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Captain Lemis, and with them proceeded to Mexico, and from there to California. He remained four years in the latter State, much of the time engaged in gold mining, and in 1856 returned to New Richmond, Ohio, where, August 27, 1856, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Paul Wilson. Mrs. Emerson, who was born in New Richmond, December 14, 1834, five miles from the birthplace of General Grant, is a daughter of Andrew D. and Amelia D. (Downing) Wilson, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, and in religious faith members of the Society of Friends.
In 1864 Mr. Emerson left Ohio and located at Ashton, Lee County, Ill., and in 1870 came to Astoria and established the coal-mining firm of Emerson & Skinner. His industry, application and thorough knowledge of a great State's resources produced gratifying results, and in 1889 he opened up the mines at Dunfermline, Fulton County, which since have proved exceedingly productive. In connection with mining Mr. Emerson has conducted a general merchandise store, and has had moneyed interests in many of the upbuilding enterprises of both town and country. In 899 he was elected President of the People's State Bank, which has become one of the leading and influential monetary institutions of Fulton County. From time to time Mr. Emerson has given substantial support to politics, and among other offices was elected to the General Assembly in 1883 and again in 1906. A profound student of men and events, he has warmly supported the wisest measures before the House, and evinces practical insight into the needs of the district which he represents.
Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson, William W. was born November 15, 1858; Katie E. was born May 12, 1861, and on December 20, 1885, married Lewis David, of Ipava; Taylor W. was born June 5, 1864; Collard Downing was born at Ashton, Ill., October 16, 1867, died July 8, 1870; Colla E., born March 18, 1871, is the wife of H. B. Kosta, a druggist in Astoria; E. Paul was born January 25, 1873, and is a physician in Astoria, and Lizzie was born March 7, 1877. For many years Mr. Emerson has been an active Mason, and is a member of the Star Chapter, Master Masons and Commandery. The industry, purpose and ideals of Mr. Emerson have tended to the most substantial in commercial, industrial and business life, as well as to the most elevating in ethical, educational and civic growth. He belongs to the constructive class of men, and to the non-visionary conservatives who hold fast to old truths until the excellence of new truths has been demonstrated.
Historical Encyclopedia and History of Fulton County
William Emerson
Page 865-866
Lisa Ruble, 05/02/2019
EMERSON, Hon. William H.—In his evolution from cabin boy on an Ohio River pilot boat to the presidency of the People's Bank of Astoria and member of the Illinois Legislature, Hon. William H. Emerson supplies an inspiring example of the compelling power of high ideals and the worth of homely, sterling virtues. The eldest of the five sons and one daughter of Joseph Crane and Mary A. (Collard) Emerson, Mr. Emerson was born among the humblest of surroundings in New Richmond, Clermont County, Ohio, and on both sides of his family is descended from the pioneers of American civilization. While New York, as New Amsterdam, was still under Dutch rule members of the Collard family pursued their avocations within its quaint boundaries, and in Water Street, New York, was born Isaac Brainard Collard, an uncle of Mr. Emerson and son of a ship blacksmith. From his father Isaac Brainard learned the blacksmith trade, and when Robert Fulton, of steamboat fame, returned from Paris to America in 1806 and built and launched the Clermont, which made a successful trip on the Hudson from New York to Albany on August 11, 1807, it was the strong right arm of Isaac Collard that fashioned the bunk bottoms of this pioneer steam craft. The life of the waterways appealed no less strongly to the successors of that progenitor of the Emerson family who landed on bleak New England shores in 1637, and who subsequently lived in and near Boston. In this richly interesting part of New England was born John Emerson, grandfather of William h., in 1773, and here also was born Joseph Crane Emerson, father of the latter, in 1808.
Joseph Crane Emerson invaded the wilderness of Ohio while that region still was a Territory, settling on Government land near the city of Cincinnati. As settlers began to arrive and the region yielded of its stored fertility, the market of New Orleans beckoned invitingly, and he engaged in freighting down the Ohio River between Cincinnati and the Southern port with a flat-bottomed boat. He became an expert pilot and developed that absorbing interest in his occupation which characterizes all true toilers of the deep. At an advanced age his death occurred at Point Coupee, La., and his wife died in Cincinnati. Of his children Emma (deceased) was the wife of Vinton A. Mathews, of Madison, Ind., and Samuel W., Joseph C. and John are business men of Cincinnati.
The youth of William H. Emerson was almost destitute of educational advantages and the influences of his environment prevailing, he began at an early age to follow the river as cabin boy and later as a cook. At the age of sixteen he went to Cincinnati, where in 1852 he joined the Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Captain Lemis, and with them proceeded to Mexico, and from there to California. He remained four years in the latter State, much of the time engaged in gold mining, and in 1856 returned to New Richmond, Ohio, where, August 27, 1856, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Paul Wilson. Mrs. Emerson, who was born in New Richmond, December 14, 1834, five miles from the birthplace of General Grant, is a daughter of Andrew D. and Amelia D. (Downing) Wilson, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, and in religious faith members of the Society of Friends.
In 1864 Mr. Emerson left Ohio and located at Ashton, Lee County, Ill., and in 1870 came to Astoria and established the coal-mining firm of Emerson & Skinner. His industry, application and thorough knowledge of a great State's resources produced gratifying results, and in 1889 he opened up the mines at Dunfermline, Fulton County, which since have proved exceedingly productive. In connection with mining Mr. Emerson has conducted a general merchandise store, and has had moneyed interests in many of the upbuilding enterprises of both town and country. In 899 he was elected President of the People's State Bank, which has become one of the leading and influential monetary institutions of Fulton County. From time to time Mr. Emerson has given substantial support to politics, and among other offices was elected to the General Assembly in 1883 and again in 1906. A profound student of men and events, he has warmly supported the wisest measures before the House, and evinces practical insight into the needs of the district which he represents.
Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson, William W. was born November 15, 1858; Katie E. was born May 12, 1861, and on December 20, 1885, married Lewis David, of Ipava; Taylor W. was born June 5, 1864; Collard Downing was born at Ashton, Ill., October 16, 1867, died July 8, 1870; Colla E., born March 18, 1871, is the wife of H. B. Kosta, a druggist in Astoria; E. Paul was born January 25, 1873, and is a physician in Astoria, and Lizzie was born March 7, 1877. For many years Mr. Emerson has been an active Mason, and is a member of the Star Chapter, Master Masons and Commandery. The industry, purpose and ideals of Mr. Emerson have tended to the most substantial in commercial, industrial and business life, as well as to the most elevating in ethical, educational and civic growth. He belongs to the constructive class of men, and to the non-visionary conservatives who hold fast to old truths until the excellence of new truths has been demonstrated.
Historical Encyclopedia and History of Fulton County
William Emerson
Page 865-866
Lisa Ruble, 05/02/2019
Joseph Crane Emerson invaded the wilderness of Ohio while that region still was a Territory, settling on Government land near the city of Cincinnati. As settlers began to arrive and the region yielded of its stored fertility, the market of New Orleans beckoned invitingly, and he engaged in freighting down the Ohio River between Cincinnati and the Southern port with a flat-bottomed boat. He became an expert pilot and developed that absorbing interest in his occupation which characterizes all true toilers of the deep. At an advanced age his death occurred at Point Coupee, La., and his wife died in Cincinnati. Of his children Emma (deceased) was the wife of Vinton A. Mathews, of Madison, Ind., and Samuel W., Joseph C. and John are business men of Cincinnati.
The youth of William H. Emerson was almost destitute of educational advantages and the influences of his environment prevailing, he began at an early age to follow the river as cabin boy and later as a cook. At the age of sixteen he went to Cincinnati, where in 1852 he joined the Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Captain Lemis, and with them proceeded to Mexico, and from there to California. He remained four years in the latter State, much of the time engaged in gold mining, and in 1856 returned to New Richmond, Ohio, where, August 27, 1856, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Paul Wilson. Mrs. Emerson, who was born in New Richmond, December 14, 1834, five miles from the birthplace of General Grant, is a daughter of Andrew D. and Amelia D. (Downing) Wilson, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, and in religious faith members of the Society of Friends.
In 1864 Mr. Emerson left Ohio and located at Ashton, Lee County, Ill., and in 1870 came to Astoria and established the coal-mining firm of Emerson & Skinner. His industry, application and thorough knowledge of a great State's resources produced gratifying results, and in 1889 he opened up the mines at Dunfermline, Fulton County, which since have proved exceedingly productive. In connection with mining Mr. Emerson has conducted a general merchandise store, and has had moneyed interests in many of the upbuilding enterprises of both town and country. In 899 he was elected President of the People's State Bank, which has become one of the leading and influential monetary institutions of Fulton County. From time to time Mr. Emerson has given substantial support to politics, and among other offices was elected to the General Assembly in 1883 and again in 1906. A profound student of men and events, he has warmly supported the wisest measures before the House, and evinces practical insight into the needs of the district which he represents.
Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson, William W. was born November 15, 1858; Katie E. was born May 12, 1861, and on December 20, 1885, married Lewis David, of Ipava; Taylor W. was born June 5, 1864; Collard Downing was born at Ashton, Ill., October 16, 1867, died July 8, 1870; Colla E., born March 18, 1871, is the wife of H. B. Kosta, a druggist in Astoria; E. Paul was born January 25, 1873, and is a physician in Astoria, and Lizzie was born March 7, 1877. For many years Mr. Emerson has been an active Mason, and is a member of the Star Chapter, Master Masons and Commandery. The industry, purpose and ideals of Mr. Emerson have tended to the most substantial in commercial, industrial and business life, as well as to the most elevating in ethical, educational and civic growth. He belongs to the constructive class of men, and to the non-visionary conservatives who hold fast to old truths until the excellence of new truths has been demonstrated.
Historical Encyclopedia and History of Fulton County
William Emerson
Page 865-866
Lisa Ruble, 05/02/2019
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