History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with
Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious,
Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons
and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 458-459, Astoria Township
William H. Scripps, banker and leading merchant, is not only a
well-known business man of Fulton Co., but of the entire State. He is a
quiet, unassuming gentleman, whose fortune has by no means dampened a
gentle, warm-hearted nature. June 6, 1876, he organized a private
banking house. He was then, as now, transacting a large business as
merchant, and for a number of years had carried on his banking business
in his store. In 1877 he erected a substantial banking building and
fitted it up in becoming style. In a work of this nature we deem it due
to the people of Fulton Co. that more than a passing notice be given to
one of their fellow citizens, who has been so successful in his
business career, and yet by his honesty, gentleness and integrity his
name has become a household word, and is used as a synonym for those
noble traits by thousands. In 1840 he came from Rushville to Astoria,
then a very small village, and embarked in business as a merchant,
dealing in a general line of goods. Here he transacted a remarkable
business; his conduct, characterized by most scrupulous uprightness,
gained for him the confidence of the community, which he has ever
retained. Shortly afterwards he turned his attention to the grain
trade, buying large quantities. About this time he also engaged
extensively in pork-packing, in which he met with flattering success.
In 1877 he laid out Scripps Addition to Astoria, which is composed of
over 100 lots.
submitted by Carla Finley
