My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM F. MARPLE, who follows farming in Woodson county, Owning and operating one hundred and sixty acres of land in Center township, was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, on the 26th, of June, 1833. His father, David Marple, was born in Frederick county Virginia, and was of English lineage, his ancestors, however, having resided in the Old Dominion through many generations. David Marple followed farming as a life occupation. He married Elizabeth Watkins, who is still living at the age of eighty-eight years, her home being in Bureau county, Illinois. In their family were eight children, five of whom are yet living, our subject being the eldest.

Upon a farm William F. Marple was reared, and through the summer season he worked in the fields while in the winter months he pursued his education in the district schools. He was in California from 1853 until 1856, crossing the plains from Omaha, Nebraska, but returning by the water route to New York. While on the Pacific coast he engaged in mining and had many interesting experiences but obtained little gold. In 1864 he went to Montana, where he engaged in prospecting, remaining there for eighteen months. With the exception of those two intervals passed in the west and northwest, he resided during the years of his manhood in Bureau county, Illinois, until his removal to Woodson county in 1872. He brought with him a team, wagon and a few cows, together with his household effects, and locating on a tract of land he began farming. During ten years of his residence in the county he engaged in the hardware business, chiefly in Yates Center, and in 1890 he took up his abode on section eight, township twenty-five, range fifteen, where he has since made his home. He has here one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is now under a high state of cultivation.

In 1859, in Bureau county, Illinois, Mr. Marple was married to Miss Sarah F. Dutro, a daughter of George Dutro, and their children are: Eva, wife of E. M. Kirkbridge, of Sedalia, Colorado; Annie, wife of Fred Shenk, of Yates Center; Emma, wife of F. E. Wharton, also of Yates Center; Frank, who is living in the same place; Joseph R.; Andrew G., and Edna, who are still with their parents. Mr. Marple has the home farm under a high state of cultivation. He is a very thrifty agriculturist, recognizing the fact that diligence is the foundation of all prosperity. In politics he has been a Republican since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and his faithful and capable manner of discharging his duties of citizenship renders him one of the valued residents of the community.