Macoupin County
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Biography - CHARLES WILLIAM YORK

Charles William York, who for the past five years has lived retired in Carlinville, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and is still the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land on sections 9 and 16, Honey Point township. His birth occurred in that township on the 1st of September, 1866, his parents being William and Mary (Wallace) York, who were natives of Tennessee and Illinois respectively. Joel York, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Tennessee and a farmer by occupation. He became a pioneer settler of Macoupin county, Illinois, and lived to attain a ripe old age. He married a Miss Jackson and unto them were born five sons and one daughter, namely: William C., Joseph, Wesley, Nimrod, James and Rebecca. The maternal grandparents of our subject, George W. and Rhoda (Powell) Wallace, had the following children: Robert, Jesse, Rebecca, Mary, Elizabeth and Sarah.

William York, the father of Charles W. York, followed farming throughout his entire business career and at the time of his demise owned two hundred and seventy acres of land in Honey Point township. He passed away on the 3d of September, 1873, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 31st of August of the same year. Mr. York held various township offices and at one time acted as deputy sheriff. Both he and his wife were Baptists in religious faith. Unto them were born nine children, four sons and five daughters. Two of the number grew to maturity, namely: Charles W., of this review; and Drucilla, the deceased wife of Daniel M. Hutton. Those deceased are Walter, Lloyd, Floyd, Flora, Dora, Laura and one who died in infancy.

Charles William York was reared on his father’s farm in Honey Point township and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education, also spending two winters at the Bunker Hill Academy. On attaining his majority he took up his abode on a farm of eighty acres which he had inherited from his father, devoting his attention to its further cultivation and improvement until November, 1906. By purchasing an additional tract of one hundred and twenty acres he extended the boundaries of his place to include two hundred acres of land, which still remains in his possession. Five years ago he put aside the active work of the fields and bought his present home in Carlinville, also owning block 7 in the northeast part of the town.

On the 20th of October, 1887, Mr. York was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Nimmons, a native of North Litchfield township, Montgomery county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Maria (Aiken) Nimmons, who were born in County Tyrone, Ireland. Charles and Ann (Veahey) Nimmons, the paternal grandparents of Mrs. York, came to America from the Emerald isle and passed away on the home place of their son John in Montgomery county, Illinois. They had four sons and one daughter, namely: John, Charles, William, Wilson and Ellen. The maternal grandparents, James and Mary (Dickson) Aiken, died in Ireland. Unto them were born six sons and two daughters. The parents of Mrs. York emigrated to America and took up their abode on a farm in North Litchfield township, Montgomery county, Illinois, where John Nimmons owned four hundred and ninety-five acres of land. He crossed the plains in 1849 and followed gold mining for about four years. After returning to this state he resumed his farming interests, residing on the old home place until called to his final rest in 1903, when seventy-two years of age. His wife still survives him. Unto them were born eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Mary E., John J., William H., Charles W., Robert T., Joseph E., Mabel E., Frank and George. Mr. and Mrs. York have three children: Mabel Clara, Ernest C. and John Oren.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. York has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He served as supervisor for two terms and held the office of town clerk for a similar period. In the county where his entire life has been spent he is well and favorably known, and a host of friends are not only willing but eager to testify to his sterling worth.


Extracted 17 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 575-576.


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