**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Hon. William N. CLINE, M. D. Pages 213-214, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins [Surnames: ALBRIGHT, CLINE, KINGSBURY, MERRILL, PENCE, SPENCER, TALCOTT, WEBSTER] HON. WILLIAM N. CLINE, M. D. Success in any profession can only be attained through industry and study, and the good physician must necessarily be the hardest of workers and best of students. Fulton County is proud to number among her physicians the one with whose name we will introduce this sketch. His career presents a remarkable example of what may be accomplished by assiduous application and unremitting toil. A most conscientious man, whatever he undertakes is done thoroughly. In one respect he differs from the majority of the human race, in that age mellows and softens his nature, instead of the reverse, as is often the case. With every onward movement made in the science to which he has devoted his life, he is familiar, and time has served only to enlarge his views and broaden his ideas. In Rockingham County, Va., Dr. Cline was born December 20, 1820, to Joseph and Isabella (Pence) Cline, both of whom were natives of the Old Dominion. The father was of German, and the mother of Scotch-Irish descent. They were married in Virginia, where for many years afterward they continued to reside, removing thence to Ohio, where the mother died. The father removed to Illinois in 1855, and died in 1868. To them were born seven children, four of whom are living at this writing, namely: Mrs. Albright, of Rockford, Ill.; Joseph C., George W., and William N. The father and mother were worthy people who gave to their children all the advantages possible, and reared them to worthy manhood and womanhood. Their honorable and upright lives were not the least of the heritage which they transmitted to their children. In the parental family, our subject was the eldest child, and until fifteen years of age, resided at the old homestead in Virginia. The father was a man of great prominence, having represented his district in the Legislature of Virginia for a long period of years, and being besides connected with public works of the State, and a magistrate of the County Court. William N. accompanied his father to Ohio, and in 1840, having determined upon a professional career, became a student in the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; he had previously received a thorough training in a private school in Virginia, as well as in the schools of Ohio. Thus, bu thorough application and close study, he laid the foundation for his future success. In 1842 the Doctor came West, locating in what was then Centerville, but now Cuba, Ill., and beginning the practice of medicine at once. His thorough training and previous experience in Ohio made it comparatively easy for him to win the confidence of the people, and his success was assured from the start. His practice increased rapidly each year, and his long experience now renders his opinions and decisions valuable. By means of his energy, tact, and liberality, he is able to materially advance the interests of the community where he resides. Dr. Cline has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Lois, daughter of Martin and Susan Webster, the father a wealthy agriculturalist of Lewistown Township, this county. Mrs. Cline was born in the State of New York, near Chautauqua, and received an excellent education, of which, prior to her marriage, she made use in teaching. Her union with our subject took place May 30, 1844, and they had a family of five children, two of whom are deceased. The three now living, are: Mrs. F. E. Kingsbury, of Des Moines, Iowa; Clara L., (Mrs. Merrill), who lives in Rialto, Cal., and Ross C., who is City Ticket Agent for the Wabash Railroad at Toledo, Ohio. Mrs. Cline died in 1866. The second union of our subject was celebrated December 21, 1869, when Mrs. Jane S. Talcott, of East Hartford, Conn., became his bride. She was a native of Connecticut, where she received a good education, and was at one time a teacher in the seminary at Manchester. She is a most intellectual and cultivated lady, and wins friends wherever she goes. She comes of illustrious ancestry, being a member of one of the most highly respected families in Connecticut, and who were of aristocratic Puritan origin. Her parents, Solomon and Phebe Spencer, were natives of Connecticut, and are now deceased. In whatever community Dr. Cline has resided, he has always held important offices, and has taken a prominent part in the management of public affairs. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and a strong advocate of temperance. On the adoption of township organization he was for a number of years a member of the Board of Supervisors from Putman Township, later was for one term School Commissioner of Fulton County. He represented the county in the State Legislature in 1855-56, and in 1857 was elected President of the Mississippi & Wabash Railway (now that portion of the Toledo, Peoria & Western, between Peoria, Ill., and Keokuk, Iowa) then in process of construction. At the commencement of the war, railroad buildings ceased, and Dr. Cline accepted the Presidency of the Farmers' and Merchants' Insurance Company, Quincy, Ill., which position he held six years; he then resigned as President of that company to accept the same position with the Fulton County Coal Company in Cuba. In 1877 he again resumed the practice of his profession, which he still continues. He is now, and has been since its organization, President of the Cuba Library Association, an institution of which he is very proud. He is now, and has for several years been President of the Cuba Improvement Association, and o f Cuba Building and Loan Association, the latter organization being one of great benefit to the county. It will thus be seen that for forty years he has held positions of trust, responsibility and honor, conferred upon him by his fellow-citizens or associates in business. Gifted by nature with high endowments, he has cultivated these to the utmost, and his indefatigable labor has brought to him the esteem of his fellow-men.