Biography - WILLIAM WILLSHIRE BRISTOW

During a period of thirty-six years William Willshire Bristow has been identified with various business activities of Girard. His birth occurred in Scottville, Macoupin county, on the 14th of March, 1848, his parents being William T. and Sarah (Sharp) Bristow, the father a native of Tennessee, and the mother of Kentucky, while he is a grandson of James P. Bristow of Virginia and Peter Sharp.

In 1855 William Willshire Bristow removed with his parents to Girard, in whose public schools he completed his education. He remained here, a member of the paternal household, for ten years, then went to Missouri where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1869. Returning to Macoupin county he obtained employment in the mill of Cain & Roach, where he worked for two years. In 1871 he went to St. Louis, obtaining a position with J. M. Johnson Company on the Merchants Exchange. After four years’ residence in the city, he again returned to this county, engaging in the milling business in Nilwood. Two years later he began dealing in hay in connection with his mill products, and in 1878 he became associated with J. W. Woodroof, under the firm name of Woodroof & Bristow, in the grain business. This partnership continued for two years, when Mr. Bristow and William Ross bought Mr. Woodroof’s interest, operating until 1881 under the name of Bristow & Ross, grain merchants. In the latter year Mr. Bristow purchased Mr. Ross’ interest and became sole proprietor. He had the misfortune to be burned out later but rebuilt, continuing the business until 1893. Bristow & Switzer engaged in the grain and hay business in Atwater also, the former continuing this enterprise after the dissolution of partnership until 1899. Disposing of his interests here he went to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he bought grain for the Little Rock Mill & Elevator for a year. In 1900 he once more took up his residence in Girard, again engaging in the grain business. A year later he became a member of the Flood & Lowe Lumber Company, with which he continues to be identified. In addition to this he is senior member of the firm of Bristow & Huff, which-company installed the telephone lines here. Mr. Bristow has been very successful in his business enterprises and besides his various interests here owns some farming land in Arkansas.

In St. Louis, Missouri, on the 12th of March, 1874, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bristow and Miss Fanny R. Dunklin of that city, and a daughter of John P. and Harriet (Jones) Dunklin, both natives of Missouri. Mrs. Bristow belongs to one of the pioneer families of St. Louis county, and is a granddaughter of Stephen Dunklin and General Augustus Jones, also of Missouri. Her maternal grandfather served as a drummer boy in the war of 1812, and as a general in both the Mexican and Civil wars. Mr. and Mrs. Bristow have six children: William R., of Mattoon, Illinois, who married Miss Pearl Cassel and has three children; John L., a resident of Macoupin county, who married Miss Ella Gillman and has one child; Harriet, the wife of Guy S. Barlow, of Darlington, Wisconsin, who has two children; James W., of Springfield, who married Miss Georgia Metcalf; Thomas R. and Sarah D.

Fraternally Mr. Bristow is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of Girard Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled all of the chairs, and he also belongs to Elmwood Commandery, No. 6, K. T., of Springfield, Illinois, and Girard Lodge, No. 131, I. O. O. F., having been treasurer of the latter organization for sixteen years. In addition to these he is identified with the Mutual Protective League. In politics Mr. Bristow is a republican. He takes an active interest in all municipal affairs and has been called to serve both his city and township in various public capacities. For two years he was assessor, and he has also been trustee of the village, alderman from the third ward, city treasurer, school director and clerk of the school board. In his official capacities Mr. Bristow has always evidenced the same ability and trustworthiness that has ever characterized his business relations and won for him the respect and esteem of those with whom he has had dealings.

Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 705-706.