Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 395-396; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William A. Gearhart, the son of a pioneer of Fulton
County, is industriously pursuing his occupation as a farmer on section
18, Orion Township, of which he is a valued citizen, and here he has
one of the coziest and happiest homes in all the community. He is a son
of John Gearhart who was born in Pennsylvania and migrated from the
Keystone State to this county forty-five years ago. William A., the
subject of this sketch married Lillian Ross in February, 1876.
Our subject was reared to a strong and energetic manhood in this
county and has since identified himself with the agricultural element
that is the main factor in promoting the prosperity of Orion Township.
He is a practical, clear-headed man and has good capabilities as a
farmer, has his place under admirable cultivation and supplied with
necessary buildings, and it is in good condition generally.
We should be doing but scant justice to our subject did we not
devote a part of this sketch to the good wife who is laboring so
faithfully by his side and is an important aid to him in his work. She
is an intelligent, amiable woman, is wise in counsel and a true friend
to those about her. She is a daughter of the late Isaac W. Ross, who
was a prominent merchant of Canton, and was also a very prominent
Mason, a member of the Grand Lodge of the A. F. & A. M., of the
State of Illinois. Mrs. Gearhart is a granddaughter of Gilbert Thorne,
who moved from Marion County, W. Va., to Illinois in 1827, and settled
in Orion Township.
Isaac W. Ross, Mrs. Gearhart's father, married Juliet Thorne, and his widow now resides in Canton.
Mr. Gearhart lives comfortably surrounded by a happy family, the
home circle of himself and wife being completed by their daughter
Edith, aged thirteen, and Jessie aged seven years. Mr. Gearhart is in
all respects a sincere minded, straightforward man, of excellent habits
and a kindly disposition, and he and his amiable wife stand well in the
community.
