William Jesse Cullom was the oldest of three known children of Thomas B. Cullom and Martha Mariah Akers. Jesse was around 6 years old when his father was reportedly killed in California. His mother remarried in 1855 to Samuel Malone. This created a large blended family. According to his obituary, Jesse was "born near Pekin, Tazewell County, December 6, 1843, and was a a second cousin of Senator Shelby M. Cullom, who is a native of the same county. His parents were early settlers of that county." Jesse was educated in the district schools and graduated from Eureka College. He taught in the district schools of Livingston County for many years. On July 4, 1871, Jesse married Martha Josephine Pemberton, daughter of Hiram Pemberton. Jesse and Josephine had two daughters, Louise (Louie) and Maude, before Josephine died in 1883. Jesse married Ella Hall in 1884 and had four additional children: Leora J., Charles H., Frank H., and Raymond Elbert Cullom, before they reportedly divorced around 1910. After moving to Pontiac, Jesse had engaged in various lines of business, was a consistent member of the Christian Church and served as deacon and also superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1901 he was reportedly chosen as tax collector for Pontiac township.
Note: Family letters survive written shortly before his death and on the day of his funeral that describe Jesse's final wishes for his funeral and burial. Jesse was indicated to have had a plot and stone in the same cemetery as his first wife, Josephine.
Note: Family letters survive written shortly before his death and on the day of his funeral that describe Jesse's final wishes for his funeral and burial. Jesse was indicated to have had a plot and stone in the same cemetery as his first wife, Josephine.
William Jesse Cullom was the oldest of three known children of Thomas B. Cullom and Martha Mariah Akers. Jesse was around 6 years old when his father was reportedly killed in California. His mother remarried in 1855 to Samuel Malone. This created a large blended family. According to his obituary, Jesse was "born near Pekin, Tazewell County, December 6, 1843, and was a a second cousin of Senator Shelby M. Cullom, who is a native of the same county. His parents were early settlers of that county." Jesse was educated in the district schools and graduated from Eureka College. He taught in the district schools of Livingston County for many years. On July 4, 1871, Jesse married Martha Josephine Pemberton, daughter of Hiram Pemberton. Jesse and Josephine had two daughters, Louise (Louie) and Maude, before Josephine died in 1883. Jesse married Ella Hall in 1884 and had four additional children: Leora J., Charles H., Frank H., and Raymond Elbert Cullom, before they reportedly divorced around 1910. After moving to Pontiac, Jesse had engaged in various lines of business, was a consistent member of the Christian Church and served as deacon and also superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1901 he was reportedly chosen as tax collector for Pontiac township.
Note: Family letters survive written shortly before his death and on the day of his funeral that describe Jesse's final wishes for his funeral and burial. Jesse was indicated to have had a plot and stone in the same cemetery as his first wife, Josephine.
Note: Family letters survive written shortly before his death and on the day of his funeral that describe Jesse's final wishes for his funeral and burial. Jesse was indicated to have had a plot and stone in the same cemetery as his first wife, Josephine.
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