| Portrait and biographical record of Christian County, Illinois : containing biographical
sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies of all the Governors of the
state, and of the Presidents of the United States. Chicago, Ill. : Lake City Pub. Co., 1893.
Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards, 2007. |
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WILLIS H. SKELTON, the efficient and
well-known agent of the Wabash Railroad at Taylorville, has occupied his
present position since the spring of 1887, and has been connected with railroad work throughout his entire business
career. His life record is as follows: A native of West Virginia, he was born in Parkersburg on the 25th of September, 1856, and is a son of William M. Skelton,
who was born in the same State.
His mother bore the maiden name of Ellen
S. Douglas. His parents remained in the South until 1866, when, with their family, they emigrated to Illinois,
taking up their residence in Litchfield. As will be seen, our subject spent the first ten years of his boyhood
in the city of his birth. In the public schools he acquired his education, and at the age of fourteen he started
out to make his own way in the world. Since that time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources.
At that time he secured a position as
telegraph messenger in the Western Union Telegraph office at Litchfield, on the Big Four Railroad, where he remained two years. When a youth
of sixteen he began braking for that road, with which he continued his connection until 1885. During the last year
he served as conductor. On leaving the old company, he entered the employ of the Wabash Road [ed., probably the
Wabash Railroad], with which he
continued as conductor for two years, his run being between St. Louis and Decatur. On account of meritorious
and faithful service, he was placed in charge of the office in Taylorville in September, 1887, and has since filled that responsible position.
He now has five employees under his care.
An important event in the life of Mr.
Skelton occurred on the 25th of March, 1883, when was celebrated his marriage with Miss Clara Yates, of Gillespie, Ill. Their union has
been blessed with three children, a son and two daughters: Anna, Earl and Lottie. The parents are highly respected
citizens, and although their residence here is of comparatively short duration, they have already won many friends.
In politics, Mr. Skelton is a supporter
of Republican principles, but has
never been an aspirant for office. Socially, he is connected with Mystic Lodge No. 64, K. P. He is a trusted and
faithful employee of the Wabash Company, and the interests of his employers will never suffer at his hands.
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