Robert Whiteley, Jr., a member of one of the well known families of
Macoupin county and actively connected with the business interests of
Carlinville, was born in Bird township December 8, 1869. He is a son of
Robert and Adelaide (Morris) Whiteley, the former of whom was born in
England and the latter at Chesterfield, Illinois. The father was reared
in his native country and received advantages of education in the common
schools. He emigrated to America in 1844 and landed at New Orleans where
he secured employment as a drayman. In the same year he came to Macoupin
county, Illinois, and worked by the month during the summer seasons,
spending his winters for several years at New Orleans. About 1850 he
located in Bird township, having acquired a farm of one hundred and
eighty-five acres which he greatly improved. He was very successful in
farming and stock-raising and acquired seven hundred and sixty-five
acres of land in this and adjoining counties. In 1896 he moved to
Carlinville where he is now living retired with his son Robert, having
reached the age of ninety-two years. His wife died in December, 1869,
when the son Robert was two weeks old. She was an Episcopalian as is
also Mr. Whiteley. While living upon his farm he held most of the
township offices including those of supervisor and road commissioner. He
was the father of ten children, three of whom are now living: Mary A.,
the widow of George C. Tunison, of White Hall, Illinois; Sarah Oello,
the wife of J. E. McAliney, of Donnellson, Illinois; and Robert, Jr.
In the district schools of Bird township Robert Whiteley, Jr.,
gained his first knowledge of books. He continued at home until he
reached his majority and then had charge of his father’s place for
several years, at the end of which time he farmed on his own account and
now owns about one hundred acres in South Palmyra and Carlinville
townships. In 1896 he rented his land and took up his residence in
Carlinville, engaging in the live-stock business for three years. He
then entered the implement business and in 1905 associated with A. F.
Weiss in the sale of implements and hardware. The firm is conducted
under the title of Weiss & Whiteley. They carry a large and well
selected stock and by honorable business methods have developed a
liberal patronage.
On the 25th of February, 1891, Mr. Whiteley
was married to Miss Laura Denby, a daughter of Peter L. Denby. Mrs.
Whiteley was born in South Palmyra township, her father having been born
on the same farm. Both parents were of English descent. The mother died
in 1876 but the father is still living and resides in Carlinville. They
had six children, namely: Mrs. T. P. Ross; Laura, the wife of our
subject; Charles; John; Walter; and Clara, the wife of E. B. Peebles.
Mr. Denby was again married, his second wife being Miss Clara Johnson,
and to this union two children were born: Zoe, who married S. W. Ayers;
and Fred L.
Mr. Whiteley has taken the interest of a patriotic
and wide-awake citizen in politics, local, state and national, and is in
hearty sympathy with the republican party. He served as collector of
Bird township in 1893 an d is now holding the office of alderman of the
first ward. He is a stanch believer in the principles of charity and
brotherhood as enunciated by the Knights of Pythias and is a member of
Orient Lodge, No. 95, of that order of Carlinville. A man of pleasing
address and marked business ability, he is greatly esteemed by many
friends who admire him for his generous and unselfish qualities.
Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 322-323.
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