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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