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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 William B. POLHEMUS 

[Surnames: BROKAW, COX, DEMOTT, DITHRENS, POLHEMUS, VOORHEES] 

POLHEMUS, WILLIAM B. 

    
A son of Garrett V. and Jane V. (Brokaw) Polhemus, he was born in Fairview Twp., in 1857 where he has since lived on homestead farms, of which he still retains the management. He comes of sturdy pioneer stock, his grandparents, Daniel G. and Maria (Voorhees) Polhemus, were natives of New Jersey, the grandfather having been born Nov. 21, 1795 and his marriage with Maria Voorhees was solemnized Jan. 21, 1821. He was a farmer by occupation and received a common school education in New Jersey, coming to Illinois in 1837. 
    
Two years after he brought the family to Fulton County he became the owner of more than 500 acres in Fairview Twp. where he continued his farming operations until his death. 
    
The family consisted of four boys and six girls. He was a member of the Reformed Church. 
    
Garrett V. Polhemus, the father of William B., was educated in the common schools of New Jersey and at age sixteen came with his parents to Fulton County. He followed the same vocation as his father and was an agriculturalist until his death. At one time he owned 258 acres, a portion of which is in the present limits of the village of Fairview. He labored under the disadvantage of a lack of transportation and often hauled wheat to Chicago where he received only 50 cents a bushel. He was a veteran of the Civil War. 
    
Garrett V. Polhemus was married Dec. 7, 1848 to Jane V. Brokaw, a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of William and Helena (Dithrens) Brokaw. This union resulted in a family of five boys and three girls, of whom six are still living, namely: Henry, who resides at Aurora, IL, Helen (Mrs. Demott), of Crookston, Minn; John, of Norman, OK.; Emily, (Mrs. Cox) of Fairview, William, our subject; who occupies the homestead property; and Abraham I., who resides in Peoria. 
    
William who was born in 1857, always remained on the homestead farms, which he now rents and has charge of. His religious connection is with the Reformed Church. He has held the office of Supervisor for three years, and for fifteen years has served as School Director.