William SCOON, a representative of the farming interests of La Prairie township, his home being on section 12, was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, May 6, 1846. His father, Robert SCOON, also a native of that district, was born in 1812 and came to the United States in 1853. He lived for one year in New York and then removed to Michigan, where he resided for five years. In 1859 he brought his family to Marshall county, Illinois, and for many years after was identified with its agricultural interests, continuing to make his home here until his death, which occurred in December, 1886, when he was seventy-four years of age. He was married in 1837 to Miss Mary NICHOL, who was also a native of Roxburghshire, Scotland, and who died March 20, 1880. They were both devoted members of the United Presbyterian church. The family numbered ten children: Margaret, Jane, John, Jessie, James, William, Charlie, Minnie, Elizabeth and Robert. The last named, born in Scotland in 1848, was married in January, 1875, to Jennie MENNOCK, who was born in Peoria county, Illinois, in 1856, a daughter of Jesse and Nancy (SNYDER) MENNOCK, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Robert SCOON resides upon a farm adjoining his brother William’s place, and, like him, is one of the enterprising and well known agriculturists of the community. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church and are highly esteemed people. His political support is given the republican party, and for five years he has served as township assessor.
William SCOON, whose name introduces this review, was a lad of seven years when he left his native country and accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. He was with them on their various removals and became a student in the Smith school in La Prairie township. Like his brothers, he assisted in the work of the home farm until about 1870, when he started out in life on his own account, then having one hundred acres of good land in La Prairie township, to which he has since added until he now owns tow hundred and eighty acres of valuable farming land in that township, together with one hundred and sixty acres near Winnipeg. His life has always been devoted to farm work, and his present extensive possessions are an indication of the thrift and enterprise which he has always displayed in his business interests.
In 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. SCOON and Miss Jennie W. HALL, a daughter of William HALL, who is now living in Scotland at the venerable age of eighty-four years. He has crossed the Atlantic ten different times, being a great traveler. His daughter, Mrs. SCOON, was born in 1853 in Scotland and was there reared, coming to the United States when twenty-five years of age. In 1905 our subject and his wife returned on a visit to the land of hills and heather, spending many pleasant hours in looking again upon the scenes amid which their early childhood was passed and in renewing the acquaintances of former years. They have four children: Charles R., who was a student in Sparland high school and is now attending Brown’s Business College at Peoria; Mary and Willie, twins, now nineteen years of age, who are students in the Sparland high school; and Alice, who is attending the high school at Lacon. Mr. SCOON is a stalwart republican and has frequently been solicited to accept office but has always refused. He and his wife hold membership in the United Presbyterian church and are interested in its work and upbuilding. In his life he has displayed many of the sterling characteristics which mark the Scottish race, including the industry and perseverance which have made the Scotchman successful wherever he has gone, together with the unfaltering honesty which is one of the dominant traits of the sons of “bonnie Scotland.”
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
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La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
