William M. Phence

 

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878

SURNAMES: BESORE, CONNER, PHENICIE

WILLIAM M. PHENICIE. Mr. Phenicie is one of the substantial farmers of Stanton township. He was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, February 26th, 1836. His grandfather on his father's side, was an Englishman, who emigrated to Pennsylvania, and settled in what is how Fulton county, of that state. In that county, Mr. Phenicie's father, Joseph PHENICIE was born; he married Susan CONNER, who was of German descent, and was born in what was then Franklin, now Fulton county, Pennsylvania. The fourth of eight children was William M. Phencie. He was raised on a farm in Franklin county. December 26th, 1861, he was married to Margaret A. BESORE, who was born in Franklin county, Penna., daughter of John BESORE.

For one year after his marriage, he worked in a tan yard in Franklin county, and then came to Illinois, arriving in Champaign county, January 1st, 1863. For some time he was farming on rented land, and in 1866 purchased forty acres, now part of his present farm in section 28, township 20, range 10. He now owns 120 acres of land. Stephen H., Susan D., George B., Emma M. and Eva F., are the names of his five children. He has been successful in business, taking into consideration the fact that he came to this state with only one hundred dollars in his possession. He purchased his land of the Illinois Central railroad company, at eight dollars an acre. He was first a Democrat in politics, and cast his vote for Douglas for president in 1860---the first vote for president he ever cast. He became convinced that the policy of the National Greenback party was the one best fitted to advance the interests of the farmers of the West, and in 1872 voted for Peter Cooper for president. Mr. Phenicie is one of the rising farmers of Stanton township.