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 325-326; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William Temple Toler, M. D., deceased, was for many years
one of the most prominent physicians of Fulton County, and at his death
his profession was deprived of one of its noblest representatives, and
the citizenship of the community suffered a sad loss. He was a resident
of Astoria during nearly the whole of his professional life, and had
built up in this village one of its most beautiful and attractive homes.
Dr. Toler was a native of Virginia, born near the city of
Richmond, November 27, 1827. For the history of his parents, Thomas and
Mary (Hunton) Toler, see biography of Dr. B. C. Toler, which may be
found on another page of this volume [page 455]. Our subject laid a
solid foundation for his medical education under the tuition of his
father, who trained him carefully in the English branches and in the
classics. He commenced to study for his profession under the
instruction of Dr. O'Neal, of Bath, Ill., and subsequently entered the
Louisville, Ky., Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1851.
He began his career as a physician at Otto, this county, whence he came
three years later to Astoria. For nearly thirty years he actively
pursued his high calling here, having a large practice, extending even
beyond the limits of the county. He became noted for his rare skill in
the treatment of difficult cases, and was considered the finest
physician in this section of the country, standing at the head of his
profession.
In the month of September, 1882, Dr. Toler's great, warm heart
was stilled forever, and his weary brain and over-taxed body found rest
in death. He was mourned by many far beyond his sorrowing home circle,
as he was the beloved physician and cherished friend in many a
household where his presence had brought healing, or had soothed the
last hours of the dying. He was rarely adapted to his profession by
nature and temperament, possessing, as he did, refined, sympathetic
feelings, a high sense of honor, a clear brain, steady nerve, and other
essentials of the true physician. His daily intercourse with others was
marked by a genial, courteous temper and considerate kindness. Though
he was a quiet and unassuming man, he was an influence for much good in
the community where so much of his life was passed, as his every deed
and act were guided by the highest principles of truth, integrity and
morality. He was a Christian man in every sense of the term, and his
place in the Christian Church of Astoria, where his name was the
synonym of love and charity, can never be filled. He was one of its
leading members, was foremost in its every good work, and for years was
an Elder of the church. We cannot think that such a life can come to
naught, but we reverently believe that he has now entered "upon broader
fields of action and duty, where nobler struggles shall task the
strength and more precious crowns award the victor, where the hopes and
dreams of earth shall be turned to sight, and the broken circles of
life be rounded to the prefect orb."
Dr. Toler and Miss Sarah A. Morrow were married in the month of
April, 1857. Mrs. Toler was born in North Carolina May 14, 1831. Her
father, Arthur Morrow, was a native of either North Carolina or
Virginia. He married Jane Campbell, who was born in the former State.
They lived in North Carolina until about 1832, and then came to
Illinois, making the removal thither with teams, cooking and camping by
the way at night. They first settled in Greene County, and subsequently
took up their residence in Mason County, of which they were pioneers.
In 1851 Mr. Morrow came to Fulton County with his family, and after
living a number of years in Waterford Township he came to Astoria and
spent the remainder of his life here. His wife died in Mason County.
They reared eight children, two sons and six daughters.
Mrs. Toler was very young when her parents brought her to
Illinois, and she remained with them until her marriage, receiving a
careful training in household duties that eminently fitted her to
preside over a home of her own. She is a true, generous-hearted,
womanly woman, and holds a warm place in the affections of those about
her. She is one of the valued members of the same church with which her
husband's name is indissolubly connected. Three of the children born of
her marriage with our subject are now living - Temple E., Alice E. and
John C. Temple, a merchant of Astoria, married Miss Emma McHue, and
they have two children - Mabel and William; Alice married George Rice, a
merchant of Astoria, and they have two children - Bessie and Hattie,
John C., a druggist at Galesburg, Ill., has been twice married. He was
first wedded to Miss Dolla Kost, who died, leaving one child, Mildred.
He was subsequently married to Mrs. Eva (Kost) Merrill, a sister of his
former wife.
Dr. and Mrs. Toler in the kindness of their hearts adopted their
niece, Miss Lizzie Morrow, when she was an infant, and reared her as
tenderly as if she were their own daughter. She married Charles Home, a
resident of San Diego, Cal.
Dr. Toler was a man of much practical business talent and
financial ability, and by the judicious investment of his money
acquired a valuable property, and became one of the wealthy men of
Astoria. He was prominent in social circles as a member of Astoria
Lodge, No. 100, A. F. & A. M.
