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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 Jeremiah F. WILLCOXEN 

[Surnames: CALLAWAY, HENDRICKSON, PHELPS, QUIGLEY, RYNER, TURNER, WILLCOXEN] 

WILLCOXEN, JEREMIAH F. 

    
Jeremiah F. Willcoxen has written his name upon the history of Fulton Co. Mr. Willcoxen's parents, Captain Elijah and Charlotte (CALLAWAY) Willcoxen came to Fulton County in 1830, being among the first to locate permanently in Liverpool Twp. Here, Jeremiah was born Feb. 17, 1833, and in a rude log cabin graduated from his still ruder cradle to the floor, and from the floor to the doorstep, thence to an increasing participation in the wilderness interests by which he was surrounded. The first school in the township was held iln a log cabin two miles north of his home, which served also as a meeting house for the Baptist congregation. All of the schools were of the subscription order, the parents paying so much per term for each child sent, and the teacher boarding around in the families of different patrons. 
    
He attended high school in Cuba, held in a brick building. After the death of his father, Mr. Willcoxen succeeded to the quarter-section comprising the old homestead, and kept adding to his inheritance,until he at one time owned 2,700 acres. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Lorinda RYNER, a native of Peoria Co. IL, and daughter of Peter and Margaret Ryner. Of this union there were three children:
Frank B., who lives with his father
Mary Adell, who lives at home
Charles L., who married Dale QUIGLEY, has a son, Kenneth Don, and lives on part of the old homestead. 
    
Mrs. Willcoxen died Mar 19, 1884, and in January 1890, Mr. Willcoxen married Mary C., daughter of Rev. Solomon HENDRICKSON, the latter an early circuit preacher who was killed on his way to church in West Virginia, by guerillas during the Civil War. 
    
Mr. Willcoxen was known as one of the most extensive stock- raisers in his township, and he derived a liberal income from sheep, cattle, horses, and hogs. He later drifted into the banking business as a large stock-holder and Vice President of the firm of TURNER, PHELPS & Company. When this institution failed in 1894, much of the land and collateral of Mr. Willcoxen was swept away, his total loss being about $90,000. Few farmers have so much to lose, and few take their financial losses as philosophically and wisely as did Mr. Willcoxen. His sons now own the original old homestead, and have taken from his shoulders much of the responsibility of his affairs. 
    
Since casting his first Presidential vote, Mr. Willcoxen has allied with the Democratic Party. 
    
He was Sheriff of Fulton County from 1862 to 1865, and since then has held practically all of the various offices in his township.