William
P. Wall, who is prominently identified with financial circles of
Staunton and Macoupin county, was born at Staunton April 18, 1870, and
is a member of one of the best known families of this section. His
parents were Hon. Hampton W. and Isabella (Roseberry) Wall. The father
was for many years one of the most prominent men in the county and was
widely known on account of his remarkable business and social qualities.
He was born in this county, November 10, 1831, a son of Richard and
Lucinda (Camp) Wall. He was the younger of two sons, the name of his
brother being Phram. He attended the district schools but his education
was acquired principally by contact with the world, as he early was
thrown upon his own resources. He engaged in farming and became the
owner of a farm in Madison county and also of a general store at New
Hampton. At the time of the Civil war he purchased and shipped horses
and mules upon an extensive scale and in this business mainly acquired
the foundation of his fortune. After locating at Staunton he was
identified with the milling business and also for a number of years with
the implement business.
He entered into partnership with James
Taylor in the private banking- business under the title of Wall &
Taylor. On account of failing health Mr. Taylor withdrew and J. C.
Panhorst was admitted to partnership, this association continuing until
the death of the senior partner from a murderous assault, August 10,
1898. Mr. Wall was an active worker in behalf of the democratic party
and was twice elected to the lower house of the Illinois state
legislature and also served four years in the state senate. He filled
several local offices of honor and trust and at times appeared as
attorney in justices courts.
Mr. Wall was three times married.
His first wife was Ellen Roseberry, who died leaving a daughter, now
Mrs. Alice M. Ferris, of Missouri. The second wife of Mr. Wall was
Isabella Roseberry, a sister of his first wife. Six children were born
to this union, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Godfrey, of Staunton; Charles R.,
who is a member of the banking firm of Wall & Quade, of Staunton;
William P., of this review; Mrs. Harriet Campbell, of St. Louis,
Missouri; and two who died in infancy. After the death of the mother of
these children Mr. Wall was married to Martha E. Scroggins, who survives
her husband and is the mother of three children, Lillian M., Mabel E.
and Hampton Grover.
In the public schools of Staunton William P.
Wall received his preliminary education. At the age of seventeen he
entered Blackburn University at Carlinville, where he pursued a course
of study extending over a period of three years. He then returned to
Staunton and was employed for a few months by the Staunton Milling
Company, then becoming connected with the Consolidated Coal Company of
Staunton. After one year’s experience at the general office he was sent
to a branch office at Mount Olive, continuing there sixteen months. On
the 1st of March, 1894, he became associated with his father in the firm
of Wall & Panhorst and so continued until after the death of his father
when the firm was dissolved. On September 3, 1898, the business was
resumed upon a reorganized basis, Mr. Wall and his brother Charles R.
being in charge. On December 13, 1901, he purchased his brother s
interest and the title of the firm was changed to Wall & Company, Mr.
Wall being sole proprietor. On March 1, 1902, he admitted his
brother-in-law, Cornelius Godfrey, to partnership and has since been
president of the firm while Mr. Godfrey fills the office of cashier.
They also own a branch bank at Worden, Illinois, and both of the
institutions are in a flourishing condition. Mr. Wall had charge of his
father’s estate for three years, giving entire satisfaction to all
interested. He has shown special adaptability to the banking business
and occupies a position close to the front in financial affairs. A good
executive officer, he possesses the power of initiative so important in
meeting the demands in all departments of modern life, and each year
witnesses further development in his field of operations.
On
January 8, 1893, Mr. Wall was married to Miss Daisy D. Camp, who was
born March 8, 1873, in Montgomery county, Illinois, a daughter of
William E. and Mary E. (Shaffer) Camp. The father was born September 25,
1843, and the mother March 3, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Wall are the parents of
three children, Harriet Edith, Helen Isabella and Grace Elizabeth.
Although Mr. Wall is an earnest supporter of the democratic party he
has no desire for public office, preferring to devote his energies to
business rather than to politics. He is greatly interested in the
encouragement of enterprises that tend to advance the general welfare
and promote the permanent interests of his native county and state.
Through honorable effort he has gained a position of large
responsibility and possesses the unqualified respect and confidence of
those who know him. Fraternally he is connected with Staunton Lodge No.
177, A. F. & A. M.
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 628-632.
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