William Warters
SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: COOPER, CUNDILL, DARLEY, HODGSON, HUDSON, MILLER, ROBSON, WARTERS
WILLIAM WARTERS, who for the space of twenty-two years has occupied the pulpit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was also ordained Deacon in 1873, in addition to his ministerial duties, has still found time to engage in the occupation which he has always loved, namely, agriculture. One of the best regulated farms in Ayers Township belongs to him, and consists of 160 acres on section 21. Here for thirteen years past he has watched the seasons come and go, and has taken satisfaction in tilling the soil and viewing the result of his labors. Of late years he has been giving much attention to sheep-growing, an industry which is too apt to be neglected in this State. Having a good understanding of the care and treatment of this particular stock, he has succeeded admirably, and is in possession of a very fine flock of high-grade Shropshire, to which each year is added a score or more, and from whose fleece he realizes a handsome sum annually.
The boyhood and youth of Mr. Warters were spent principally in Yorkshire, England, where his birth took place Dec. 2, 1823. His parents, Joseph and Jane (ROBSON) WARTERS, were natives of the same country. His father was born in 1793, was a farmer by occupation, and died in his native shire in 1864. The mother, born in 1803, died in Auburn, Ill., in December, 1866. Joseph Warters was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and the mother of the primitive Methodist Episcopal Church. The household circle included fourteen children, of whom five came to America. While a resident of England, our subject was married to Miss Hannah COOPER (who was born there) March 16, 1850. Mrs. W. is the daughter of John and Ann (CUNDILL) COOPER, both now deceased. Her father, who was born in 1785, attained the patriarchical age of ninety-three years. The mother, born in 1800, died in 1843. The children of this household were Ann, Mary and Mason (twins), Baker, Hannah, Walker, Richard, William, Grace, Harriett, William M. and Jane.
After their marriage our subject and his wife first located in Morgan County, Ill., and in 1874 took possession of their present homestead. The household circle has been completed by the birth of eleven children, of whom the record is as follows: Jane A., the eldest daughter, married John HODGSON, of Morgan County, Ill.; Mary became the wife of William D. DARLEY; Joseph married Miss Sarah E. HUDSON; Maria H. is unmarried, and at home with her parents; John C. married Miss Annie MILLER; James H. remains under the parental roof; Sarah H. married William HODGSON; Grace R. died when four years of age; William M., Thomas B. and Mathew. The latter died in infancy.
Mr. Warters has been prosperous in his farming operations, while devoting a large share of his time to his pious offices. He has performed the marriage ceremony for quite a number of persons, and officiates as teacher in the Sunday-school whenever his services are required. He is of that temperament which appreciates everything taking much enjoyment in life while striving to fulfill its duties in a faithful and worthy manner.