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 220-221; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William T. Gentile. There is not a more successful resident
of Fairview Township than is the subject of our sketch who is widely
known as the successful owner of fine Shropshire sheep. His
estate is peculiarly well adapted to stock-raising, and he has been in
that business during the years intervening between boyhood and the
present date. At this writing he has on hand about three hundred
thoroughbreds and high grades. He received his start from George
Allen, of Allerton, Ill.
Mr. Gentle was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, about four miles
from Cincinnati. His parents came to this State in 1855, settling
in Farmington Township. The father died in 1879, at the age of
fifty-five; the mother is still living and makes her home with our
subject, being now sixty-three years of age. To them were born
four children, viz: William T.; John W., who resides in Iowa,
married Miss Lou Terwilliger of London Mills, Ill.; Hester A., who
married L. C. Johnson, died at her home in Iowa, leaving three
children; Thomas E. makes his home in Prescott, Iowa.
Our subject’s parents and all the children with the exception
William T. moved to Creston, Iowa in 1876 and there the father died in
1879. The(n) the mother returned to live with our subject.
The birth of Mr. Gentle took place September 24, 1846, and he was only
nine years of age when he came to Illinois. His education was
received partly in this State and partly in Ohio, and he reached man’s
estate on his father’s farm in Farmington Township. In 1869 Mr.
Gentle married Miss America A. Smith, the sixth child of Jonathan
Smith, deceased, one of the wealthiest citizens who ever resided in
Fairview Township. Her brother, Foster G. Smith, is represented
in another part of this Album. Her birth occurred in Fairview
Township where the most of her birth was passed. She attended
school at Yates City. Of their union have been born three
children, viz: Lacie O., Minnie A. and Mattie F. Misses
Lacie and Minnie A. are students at the State Normal at Bloomington,
thus fitting themselves to enjoy the wealth and comforts of their
beautiful home in the highest possible manner, and to add sunshine to
an already happy home.
The subject of this sketch is the owner of one hundred and
ninety acres of valuable land on section 26. He is a member of
the Independent Order Odd of Fellows lodge at Fairview and has been
through the chairs in same, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen
lodge. Mrs. Gentle and her two eldest daughters are members of
the Daughters of Rebecca lodge in Fairview Township, and Mrs. Gentle is
holding the Noble Grand Chair for the second term. Both our
subject and his wife are members of the Providence Chapel, Methodist
Episcopal Church, and the former is Trustee. The entire family
are active workers of the Sunday-school and other worthy cause that
benefit and advance the interests of humanity. He believes in
protection to American industries. Mr. Gentle has had possession
of his present farm for three years and it is one of the finest in the
surrounding country. His fame and popularity have extended much
beyond the limits of the township and his genial, cordial manners have
gained him the friendship of all who have been associated with him
either in commercial or social circles.
