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 418-419; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Marshall N. Willcoxen, the subject of our sketch, was born in
Estill County, Ky., September 5, 1827, being the son of Capt. Elijah
and Charlotte (Calloway) Willcoxen, natives of North Carolina, the
former being born July 24, 1789, in Roane County, and the latter April
2, 1792, in Ashe County. A sketch of these illustrious people and
of their ancestors, will be found in the sketch of George W. Ray, whose
wife was Miss Ann A. Willcoxen. From several generations back
they have held prominent places in public affairs, and been highly
respected in all communities where they have resided.
Our subject came to Liverpool Township with his father when he
was only three years of age, and passed his youth on the old homestead
attending the neighbor hood school through the winter season, and
assisting on the farm during the summer. He was especially useful
in helping to fence in the property. The country at that time was
very wild and the woods abounded with deer and turkeys, and several
times he killed deer near the homestead. Up to the time of his
marriage he lived at home. His marriage took place April 4, 1854,
the lady with whom he joined his lot being Miss Harriett (Lasswell),
who was born in Fulton County, March 26, 1836.
Mrs. Willcoxen’s father, Andrew Lasswell, was a native of
Virginia, and born in 1802. He was a farmer, and came to Fulton
County in 1825, where he purchased land near Cuba, and where he died in
1869. His wife, who previous to her marriage was Miss Barbara
Baughman, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, 1809, and died June 27,
1885, being at the time of her death a faithful member of the Christian
Church. To their marriage were born ten children, eight of whom
reached maturity.
Mr. and Mrs. Willcoxen have had thirteen children; the following
are living, viz: Calvin L., Ester A., Mrs. Willcoxen; Jerry C.,
Marshall N., Jr., Charlotte, Adaline, Mrs. Goodman; Nellie Florence,
Mrs. Kline; Margaret E., Mary Inez, George R., and Jessie E. Mr.
Willcoxen is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife belongs to
the Christian Church.
The subject of our sketch has shown great industry and
perseverance through life. When he took possession of his present
property, the land was not improved, and it was a very difficult matter
to clear away the heavy timber that covered it. He built a small
frame house the first thing, and after fencing in the property,
commenced to cultivate the soil. He has three hundred and twenty
acres in the home place, and owns several hundred acres of bottom land
near the Illinois River. Besides farming, he is also very much
interested in stock-raising. He built his present frame house in
1857 and added to it very much in 1868. He is a member of the
Democratic party, and has at different times served as Collector,
Commissioner of Highways, and School Treasurer for this Township.
