Biography - WILLIAM FEELY

The commercial fraternity of Scottville has long numbered among its mem> bers William Feely, who was born in Cole county, Missouri, on the 12th of March, 1849. His parents were Henry and Rebecca (Wade) Feely, the father, who was a farmer, passed away in Texas in 1911, while the mother died during the early childhood of our subject.

The country schools qualified William Feely educationally for the practical responsibilities of life, while his father’s farm gave him ample opportunity for acquiring a thorough knowledge of agriculture. In the early ’60s he came to Macoupin county and went to work on the farm of Sergeant Gobble, in whose employment he remained for three or four years. He subsequently withdrew from agricultural pursuits and went into a store with the intention of fitting himself for a mercantile career. After clerking for twelve years he decided to go into business for himself. He was associated in this venture first with F. G. Ogg, who later sold his interest to Albert Ogg. The latter after being identified with the enterprise for five or six years disposed of his share of the business to Mr. Feely, who now for more than twenty years has been the only person interested in the establishment. He has a very good stand being located about one block east of their original site, and conducts his business very similar to a general store, but his stock consists only of drugs, groceries, hardware, queensware and boots and shoes.

For his wife Mr. Feely chose Miss Delia Gobble, a daughter of Sergeant Gobble, and to them were born two children: O. W., who is in the Modesto bank; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Feely later married Miss Emma Jackson, a daughter of John Jackson of Scottsville, and they had two children: Lela, who died in infancy; and H. D., who married Jane Dowland, a daughter of W. Dowland, and is in the store with his father.

Mr. and Mrs. Feely affiliate with the Christian church, while fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, being a member of Scottville Lodge, No. 426, A. F. & A. M., and of the Order of the Eastern Star; he is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Scottville Camp, No. 506. He has been treasurer of the Masonic order for thirteen years and he is banker of the Woodmen. In matters politic Mr. Feely is a democrat, but his business has always absorbed too much of his time to enable him to participate in municipal activities further than to cast a ballot on election day. He is a registered pharmacist and so is able to maintain a prescription department in his store, of which he has sole charge. Mr. Feely is one of the self-made men of the county, having come here in his youth with practically no capital and through his own efforts has attained the position he holds today.

Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 479-480.