P. 1082

From PEOPLE

 WILLIAM A. PETTIT

The gradual acquirement of success manifest in the life of William A. Pettit shows him to be a man of persistence of purpose and well-directed energy. He is today the owner of a valuable farming property of two hundred and twenty acres on section 4, Prophetstown township, and in addition to the cultivation of the fields he is successfully engaged in dairying. the house which he now occupies was the first frame dwelling built on the Dixon and Rock Island stage road and was used at an early date as a tavern. It is one of the old historic landmarks of the county and if voice were given it could unfold many a tale of interest concerning the pioneer times.

Mr. Pettit was born in Saratoga county, New York, in February, 1863, his parents being Seth and Parmelia (Taylor) Pettit, who were natives of the Empire state and in 1865 came to Whiteside county, Illinois, where the father rented a farm for three years He then purchased a tract of land in Hume township and continued its further development and improvement until 1888, when he retired from agricultural pursuits and removed to Lyons, Iowa, where he made his home until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1896. He still survives and is now residing in Rock Island county. In his family were four children: George, deceased; William A., of this review; Martha J., the wife of Andrew Olson [sic], of Tampico, Illinois; and C. S.

William A. Pettit was only two years of age when brought by his parents to Illinois and not until he was ten years of age did he begin his education as a district-school student. When he was fourteen he started out in life on his own account and has since been dependent upon his own resources. He was variously employed at any work that would yield him an honest living until nineteen years of age, when he went to the home of his grandfather, with whom he remained until the latter's death, living on the same farm where he now resides. At the death of his grandfather he purchased the farm of eighty acres and has since cultivated it with growing success. As a result his crops have brought him a good return and he has added to his property from time to time until within its boundaries are now comprised two hundred and twenty acres of rich land on section 4, Propehtstown township. In connection with general farming he is successfully carrying on a dairy business, keeping a number of cows for this purpose. He is also engaged in manufacturing sorghum and cider during the proper seasons of the year.

In politics Mr. Pettit is independent, nor has he ever taken an active part in political work. His aunt, Mrs. Hannah Ann (Taylor) Miller, who is now a widow, is acting as his housekeeper. She is a native of the Empire state, and, coming to Illinois in1881, has since lived with Mr. Pettit. In his business life he has manifested determination and diligence which have enabled him to carry forward to successful completion what he has undertaken. there have been difficulties and obstacles in his path, but he has resolutely overcome these and is now a substantial agriculturist of Propehtstown township.