Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 277

William Alldritt is a farmer of prominence on section 29, Clyde Township, and was born Oct. 6, 1823, in Bradley, Staffordshire, England. His parents, Thomas and Ann (Jackson) Alldritt, were natives of the same country and of unmixed English descent, and his father was engaged in active business life in his own country until 1824, when he left England to found a home in the New World.

Mr. Alldritt is the seventh son and was less than a year old when the family emigrated to America. He was too young to walk alone, but he learned while on ship-board, and made his first trip on foot across the cabin of the captain. They made port in Boston harbor, and went from that city, after a short residence, to Lowell, in the same State. In that place Mr. Alldritt grew to a suitable size and age to attend school. His father died there in February, 1831, and when he was 12 years of age his mother removed to a farm in the country. The family remained there until 1845.

In May of that year the mother, with four children, came to Whiteside County, whither Richard, an elder son, had come previous. They located on a farm which included 180 acres situated on sections 20, 29 and 33, and bought by the mother and her son Richard.

 William Alldritt was an inmate of his mother’s home until his first marriage, which occurred Jan. 24, 1855, to Mary C. Griffin. She was born in 1827 in Methuen, Mass., and her parents were of New England origin. They have been dead some years. After their decease she came to the township of Clyde with an elder brother, and she was there married to Mr. Alldritt. She died Dec. 25, 1855, surviving her marriage but about one year. She was a lady of prominent Christian character, and was highly respected.

Mr. Alldritt was a second time married March 4, 1860, in Clyde Township, to Julia A., daughter of Leonard and Mary (Sparr) Hiner. Her parents were born in Pennsylvania of German ancestors, and were among the earliest settlers of the Keystone State. The daughter was born Jan. 2, 1841, in Wayne Co., Ohio, whither her parents had removed several years before her birth. When she was seven years of age her parents went to Mercer Co., Ohio, remaining there seven years. The family came to Illinois in 1855 and located in the east part of Whiteside County. Later they settled in Clyde Township, where the mother died in the fall of 1878, aged nearly 71 years. The father is yet living.

Mr. and Mrs. Alldritt have had six children: Charles J., born May 11, 1864; William R., June 4, 1866; Benjamin F., Aug. 10, 1868; Nathan G., July 31, 1870; William was born Feb. 2, 1861 and died July 19, 1863; Minnie M. was born Aug. 15, 1862, and died July 13, 1863. But six days intervened between their deaths.

At the date of his second marriage, Mr. Alldritt became a resident on the homestead in Clyde Township, which he has since occupied. It contains 145 acres, all under cultivation, except ten acres, which is in timber. The buildings on the place are creditable to its proprietor and a great addition to the general appearance. His stock is valuable, and includes excellent grades. He is a practical apiculturist, and has about 30 stands of bees in his yard on an average.

He is a Republican of liberal views, and has officiated in various town offices.