WILLIAM S. NASH is a representative of a prominent pioneer family of Jo Daviess County, and is himself well-known as a member of the legal profession, a successful attorney of Stockton, having a law office, loan, insurance and collection agency on Hudson street. Mr. Nash won an enviable military record in the late war for bravery and coolness in the heat of battle, and for brave and efficient service in camp and field.

Mr. Nash was born in Chenango County, N. Y., near the town of Granby, July 30, 1844. His father, the late Nathan N. Nash, a native of Oswego County, N. Y., was a pioneer of this country, bringing his family here in 1845 and settling in Pleasant Valley Township, where he bought a farm. His wife, whose maiden name was Betsy E. Williams, was also a native of New York, born near Granby Centre. They had eight children, five of whom are living: Nathan S., Phoebe (Mrs. Buss), William, Darius A., and Anson H.

The subject of this sketch was reared to man’s estate amid the pioneer surroundings of the parental home in Pleasant Valley. His school advantages were limited, he being the next to the eldest in the family, and his elder brother leaving home when quite young; he may be regarded as a self-educated man, for having scholarly tastes and studious habits, he has managed to secure a liberal education. He was but sixteen years of age when the war broke out, but he watched its course with intense interest, and, fired with youthful ardor and patriotism, two years later he enlisted in defense of the dear old flag, becoming a member of Company F, 96th Illinois Infantry, and for three years did gallant service on many a hotly contested battlefield in the South. He was present at the battles of Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain, and at the latter place was so severely wounded that he was disabled from Nov. 24, 1863, until April 1, 1864. That suffering did not, however, dampen his enthusiasm in the cause for which he fought, and as soon as able he promptly took his place in his regiment and was on hand for the Atlanta Campaign. In that celebrated expedition he accompanied his comrades as far as Rocky Face Ridge, (or Tunnel Hill) where he was again disabled, having received a sunstroke that came near proving fatal, and he was forced to leave the ranks until July, 1864. He then resumed his place among his fellow soldiers, and on July 22 took part in the battle in front of Atlanta, in which the brave McPherson was killed, and our subject was in all the other engagements at that point, and was also present at Love Joy Station in its rear, where the Confederates and Union soldiers had a sharp battle. Our subject took an active part in the engagements at Franklin, Tenn., which was one of the hardest fights of the war, and with the other members of his regiment was placed in the front, where the brave men held their position in spite of the repeated attacks of the enemy, and in the face of a hot fire from the rebel guns.

After the war Nr. Nash farmed for awhile in Jo Daviess County, but his health, which had been very much impaired by exposure on Southern battle-fields and by wounds, would not permit him to labor, and he was obliged to abandon that calling for awhile. After recuperating sufficiently he went to Union County, Iowa, in 1869, and was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits there for two or three years. He then turned his attention to the real-estate business, and, having studied law, was admitted to the bar, and established himself as an attorney, pleading his first case in the circuit court. He worked too assiduously, and, on his return to this county in 1874, was sick for some time. After his recovery he established himself in his present business, in Morseville, this township. We will relate in this connection how the joke of a fun-loving friend was turned to his advantage; was the means of his securing a client, and started him on his successful career in the legal profession in this county. One day a gentleman with whom he was joking introduced him to a mutual friend as the “Attorney from Iowa.” Our subject shook hands with the gentleman to whom he was thus introduced in as dignified and courteous manner as if the introduction were to a perfect stranger. Whereupon a gentleman unknown to them stepped up to Mr. Nash, and tapping him on the shoulder, said: “I wish to speak to you;” and taking him to one side said: “I am looking for an attorney, and hearing the gentleman introduce you, I stepped right up to engage you, as I am in a hurry.” Our subject, after hearing what he wished, and the circumstances of his case, went with him to court, plead his cause and won it for him, and by that means secured a good reputation and a practice.

Mr. Nash was united in marriage to Rachel Vandelinder, Oct. 9, 1866. She was a daughter of William B. and Catharine (Gilchriest) Vandelinder, natives of New York. The father is deceased; the mother is now Mrs. Eli Thomas, and resides in Iowa. She was born Oct. 9, 1844. The wedded life of our subject and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of seven children: Ida B., Frances A., Katie L., W. Rosa, Iona J., Bessie E., and Laura E. Ida married Edward Wolfe, of Wymore, Neb., and they have two children – Lulu E. and Alfa. Mrs. Nash is a member of the Church of God at Morseville, and is in all respects a sincere Christian and a true lady. Mr. Nash was identified with the Evangelical Association in Iowa.

Mr. Nash is a man of dignified presence, and of a resolute, uncompromising nature, tempered, withal, with affability and a kindly bearing toward all with whom he comes in contact. His career in the legal profession has marked him as a man of keen intelligence, of good perception and vigorous thought, and he has won a fine reputation for sagacity and honesty. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R.; and politically, is a firm Republican, being one of the stanchest supporters of his party in the county.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois Pg 384-385 (1889)