Francis Owen Withrow

As printed in 1910

FRANCIS OWEN WITHROW.

Francis Owen Withrow, one of the substantial agriculturists of Phenix township, who has been making a specialty of feeding and raising stock, is conveniently located on section 30, where he owns two hundred and fifty-five acres of rich farm land. He and his son together successfully operate four hundred and fifty-five acres. He was born just across the line in Geneseo township, December 15, 1860, being a son of J. M. and Asvilla M. (Allen) Withrow. When he was only six weeks old his father removed into Phenix township, locating on the farm now owned by him. This had been bought a short time before and paid for with corn valued at nine cents per bushel. At that time the farm only consisted of eighty acres, upon which the father built a brick house, the brick being made in Phenix township. When Francis was eleven years old his father bought another eighty acre farm, which was in Hanna township, and our subject lived there with the family until his marriage.

On October 5, 1882, Mr. Withrow married Ella Eusaba Kerr, who was born in Hanna township, a daughter of Thomas W. and Amanda (Henninger) Kerr, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Buying one hundred and twenty acres, the young couple settled upon their farm. This was a portion of the land Mrs. Withrow's maternal grandfather had secured upon coming to Illinois. Here they lived for twelve years, when Mr. Withrow sold and bought his present farm, which is now very valuable. They had two children: Howard Hudson, born April 2, 1885; and Hattie Mildred, born May 26, 1898, who died at the age of five weeks.

Howard H. Withrow is a graduate of high school of the class of 1905, and remained at home until his marriage, on November 27, 1906, to Mabel E. Willkinson of Munson township, one of his classmates. For two years following his marriage the young man was assistant superintendent at the county infirmary and then returned to the farm, where he is working in conjunction with his father. He bought one hundred and fifteen acres in March, 1908, and has already materially increased its value.

Reared a republican Mr. Withrow voted for Blaine in 1884 and has taken an active part in politics ever since. While living in Hanna township he served as township clerk for four years. In 1900 he was elected supervisor of Phenix township and has held the office continuously since, making a remarkable record, for he has not missed a single meeting. He first served on the committee on township accounts for two years, then on that on roads and bridges, and while a member of it several new bridges were built. Both Mr. and Mrs. Withrow are members of the Methodist church and are active in its work. Fraternally he is a member of Geneseo Lodge, No. 72, I. O. O. F., filling all of the chairs; and of Geneseo Camp, No. 40, M. W. A. His wife belongs to the Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist church.

Mr. Withrow only received a common country school education and until he was twenty-one years old he worked for his father without remuneration, but he has succeeded in accumulating a desirable property and is regarded as one of the reliable and representative men of his community.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.