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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of Wilford BABBITT 

Transcribed exactly according to the original complete text by Anne Marie Willis. 

[Surnames: BABBITT, HESTON, RANDALL] 

[Page 774] 

    
BABBITT, Wilford, the proprietor of the Sunnyside Farm and a farmer and citizen of substantial standing, still in the prime of a useful life, is a native of Union Township, Fulton County, where his position of honor has been earned by years of labor and intelligently directed industry. The subject of this sketch was born February 22, 1856, the son of James and Mary (Randall) Babbitt, the father born in Washington County, Pa., in the year 1815, and the mother, in the State of New York, in 1820. The elder Babbitt, who was a farmer, came to Union Township at an early day, and became one of the land owners of that section of the county. 
    
Wilford Babbitt, who spent his childhood with his parents on the family homestead in Union Township, where he has always resided, was educated in its district schools, and mastered his lifelong vocation by years of unremitting labor and experience. The enviable result is seen in his success as a general farmer and stock-raiser, Sunnyside Farm being considered one of the model estates of the county. As his own affairs were so fortunately and intelligently managed, his fellow citizens have, at various times, called upon him to give attention to public affairs, with the result that five years' service have been given as Road Commissioner and seven years as School Director, in a satisfactory manner. 
    
Mr. Babbitt was married, in Union Township, on November 14, 1880, to Hattie Heston, who was born in Warren County, Ill., in April, 1860, and their marriage has resulted in three children: Viola, Nina B., and Mildred Irene. Mr. Babbitt is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Christian Church.