Macoupin County
ILGenWeb

Biography - H. H. WILLOUGHBY

The legal profession is most creditably represented at Staunton by H. H. Willoughby who has engaged in practice in Illinois for fourteen years and has gained a splendid reputation as a safe counselor and successful advocate. He is a native of this state and was born in St. Clair county on a farm four miles north of Summerfield, February 10, 1868, a son of A. L. and Mary (Ensminger) Willoughby. The father was born at Felton, Kent county, Delaware, in 1821 and came west in 1834. He lived for a while at Springfield, Illinois, and later engaged in farming near Caseyville and also near Troy. In 1875 he moved to Montgomery county where he continued until his death, in 1886. The mother was born in Madison county, Illinois, and was married to Mr. Willoughby in that county. She is now living with her daughter at Piasa. In the family of Mr. and .Mrs. Willoughby were five children: Lester, a farmer of St. Paul, Nebraska; Millard, of Alton, Kansas; H. H., of this review; Charles, a barber of Edwardsville; and Alice, who married Elbert Wagoner, of Piasa, Illinois.

H. H. Willoughby possessed advantages of education in the public schools, but at eighteen years of age, on account of the death of his father, was thrown upon his own resources. Being determined to carry his studies further, he worked for his board and continued his attendance at school. His uncle finally advanced the money necessary for paying his expenses for a three years’ course at the Central Normal College, of Danville, Indiana. After leaving college Mr. Willoughby taught school for two years at Nokomis, Montgomery county, Illinois, and had entered upon his third year as a teacher when he resigned in order to accept a position as deputy sheriff of Hillsboro, in which office he continued for four years. While teaching school he began the study of law under Thomas Jett, of Nokomis. Mr. Jett moved to Hillsboro and Mr. Willoughby there continued his studies under the same preceptorship, being admitted to the bar in 1897. He practiced at Hillsboro for one year and then went to Granite City, being the first lawyer to open an office in that place. After twelve years in Granite City, feeling the importance of larger opportunities, he took up his residence in Staunton where he has been actively engaged in practice since 1910. He has shown marked capacity for his profession and is accorded an extensive clientage. Professionally he is identified with the Illinois Bar Association. He owns one of the finest residences in the city and is also extensively interested in real estate.

In 1897 Mr. Willoughby was married to Miss Ruth Sharp and to this union one son, Harold S., was born. The mother died in 1901 and in 1907 Mr. Willoughby was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Hattie Bird of Staunton.

In politics he is a stanch adherent of the republican party. He has never served in any office except that of corporation counsel of Granite City, a position which he filled most acceptably for four years. His religious belief is indicated by membership in the Baptist church and he is also a valued member of the Knights of Pythias of Granite City. His life has been directed along constructive and optimistic lines and the success he has achieved is the result of an inborn energy and perseverance which have enabled him to overcome many difficulties. Progressive, tolerant and receptive to the truth from whatsoever source it may come, he is always to be depended upon to assist in movements aiming to promote the best interests of the community. His life has been replete with good deeds-and kind acts and although he is still comparatively a young man, he has won the confidence and approbation of his fellows and may look forward to many years of increasing responsibility.


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 271-272.


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This page was last updated 07/01/2022