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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of W. C. TORRANCE 

Pages 825-826, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin 

[Surnames: BLACKABY, CALHOUN, CLINE, FORREST, FRYE, JOHNSON, SANDERS, THOMPSON, TORRANCE] 

    
W. C. TORRANCE, dealer in agricultural implements in Canton, is generally conceded to be a number one business man, and is held in the highest possible regard both in his immediate circle of friends and by all with whom he is associated in business. He has climbed diversified paths toward success, but by his persistent efforts and unstinted energy has reached the goal. While advancing his own interests he has not forgotten those of the city in which he lives, but has done much for Canton in aiding progressive public enterprises. Such is his faith in the future of the place that he has invested all his money here. 
    
Mr. Torrance was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., January 26, 1847, and is a son of Samuel G. and Kate Ann (Cline) Torrance, natives of the Keystone State. Indeed, the family may be said to belong entirely to that State, the grandparents having lived and died there. The parents, with their family, removed to Birmingham, Iowa, in the fall of 1851, and they continue to reside there. The father was born in 1819 and the mother in 1821, and they are therefore growing old. To them have been born seven children--F. G., residing in Birmingham; Mary, deceased; W. C.; Margaret J., wife of W. A. Johnson, of Norton County, Kan.; Martha M., wife of Robert Thompson, of Topeka, Kan.; Sarah H., now Mrs. John Frye, of Fairfield, Iowa; and Hugh, deceased. The father is a cabinet-maker by trade. 
    
Our subject lived at home until he attained his seventeenth year, at that time enlisting from Keokuk, Iowa, in Company I, Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry, as a private soldier. He has an interesting war record, as have many of his kinsmen. So great was his enthusiasm that when an older brother enlisted he tried hard to get permission to serve also, although then but fourteen years old. He followed the troops as far as possible, but was forced to content himself with peaceful occupations a few years longer until he could gain strength and stature sufficient to entitle him to a place among enlisted men. He did garrison duty in various cities, among them Memphis, Tenn., where he was when Gen. Forrest made his raid, and where he saw the famous cavalryman. He lost his hearing while in the service, and after his discharge was in the hospital for some time before returning home. 
    
The brother enlisted in the First Iowa Cavalry, in a company commanded by his uncle, William Torrance, who had been a soldier in the Mexican War when he was a boy. He was promoted to the Colonelcy of the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, and met his death at the head of his regiment. He was a teacher of good repute, and the Torrance School in Keokuk is named in his honor. A cousin of our subject, D. K. Calhoun, was in the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, and having been taken prisoner, was confined in Libby Prison eleven months. Among those who enlisted from his section he is the only one who survives. 
    
After his discharge Mr. Torrance learned the trade of a blacksmith in Ottumwa, Iowa, remaining there two years and then working at other towns in the State until 1870, when he came to Illinois, making his first home in Hancock County. Eight years later we find him in Canton opening a shop, which he carried on successfully until 1886, at which time he moved out to Civer and engaged in a general merchandise business, discharging the duties of Postmaster also. Later he bought grain extensively, but in 1887 returned to Canton and resumed his trade. In October, 1889, he entered into a partnership with his father-in-law for the building of what is known as the Blackaby and Torrance Block, one of the handsomest in the city. In this building he has for some time been engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, giving much attention, however, to the blacksmith shop that he still owns and manages. 
    
Believing the words of holy Writ--"It is not good for a man to live alone"--Mr. Torrance won for his wife a lady belonging to one of the first families of this county, and one who in her own person combines many graces of true womanhood. She bore the maiden name of Angeline Blackaby, and is a daughter of the Hon. I. Blackaby and his wife, Julia (Sanders) Blackaby, and was born in this county. The marriage rites were solemnized in Lewistown on April 6, 1879. The home of Mr. And Mrs. Torrance is supplied with the material comforts of life and is the center of domestic and social pleasures.