William Skene, the subject of this sketch is one of the thrifty and prosperous farmers of Jo Daviess County, owning 500 acres of land in Derinda Township, of which 400 are fully improved. He is of Scotch birth and ancestry, and possesses in a marked degree the characteristics of sturdy honesty, absolute integrity, energy and enterprise which characterize the sons of Scotia.

The father of our subject, William Skene, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1816, and made his home there until 1857. when he decided to come to America and determine for himself the probabilities of bettering his fortunes in the New World. He spent several months in this country, and then returned to his Scottish home, coming back here the year following with his entire family. On his first trip here he had been greatly pleased with the soil and climate of Illinois, and determined to make his home in this State. On landing he came with his family direct to Jo Daviess County, and purchased a farm of 120 acres, which was partly improved, and there he spent the remainder of his days. The elder Skene was a man of unimpeachable integrity, of great energy and industry, and during his residence here acquired the confidence and respect of all his neighbors. He was married in his native country to Margaret Mollison, also a native of Scotland, born in 1819, and who is passing the evening of her life on the home farm in this comity.

This worthy couple were the parents of eight children, of whom six are living at the present time, and were named as follows: The eldest was George, who died in the army in the spring of 186*2; and Charlotte who died in 1876, and who was married to Calvin Rawlins, who survives her. James, the third son, is married to Nancy Wolcut, of this county, and is a farmer in Stockton Township. Robert is married to Wllda Cannon, a native of Wisconsin, and is also farming in Stockton. Margaret is the wife of Francis Boden, a farmer in Woodbine Township in this county. John has for several years past been a resident of California. Alexander P. is married to Dora Rankin, of Woodbine Township, and is farming in Derinda. The other survivor of this family is the subject of this sketch.

William Skene, of whom we write, was a native of Konkernshire, Scotland, and was born Nov. 23, 1844. His chances for education in his native country were limited, but close attention to affairs of the day, and the reading of the best journals, together with his shrewd native sense, have made him a well-informed man. He was in his fourteenth year when he came with his parents to America, and took his full share of all the hard work necessary to bring the parental home to a high state of cultivation. There he acquired the practical knowledge of agriculture which has since stood him in such good stead.

Mr. Skeene was married Dec. 19, 1865. to Miss Caroline Hendershott, a daughter of Jonathan and Clarissa (Brazzle) Hendershott, who was born in 1842 and is the oldest living white child born in Derinda Township. Her parents were among the early settlers of the county, and her father was the first Supervisor of Derinda Township, and his cabin was among the first erected in Derinda Township. Mrs. Skene was one of a family of four; two brothers reside in Missouri and a sister is dead. The latter was the first white child born in Derinda The union of our subject and wife has been blessed to them by the birth of three children. The eldest of the family is named Mary, born October 7, 1866, who was married February 1. 1887 to Frederick Shuller, a native of Bavaria. The next born was George, whose birthday was November 4, 1867, and who is now a student of Monmouth College. The youngest is Jonathan, born March 9, 1873, and also attending school.

Beginning in a comparatively humble way, by the exercise of those sterling qualities inherited from his ancestors, Mr. Skene has become the owner of one of the finest farms in the township, consisting of 500 acres, on which he has a fine residence, good buildings, and all the appliances necessary to the successful prosecution of his chosen vocation. Besides general farming and grain raising, he rallies and deals largely in stock, and was the first man in the count}' to successfully try the experiment of maturing cattle for market when one year old. That part of his business has been a specialty with him, and one in which he has met with much success. Mr. Skene was the first citizen of Jo Daviess County to put the siphon in practical use for watering stock, and for other purposes, drawing water from a well 450 feet distant. Though never a seeker for office. Mr. Skene has with great satisfaction, held many of the township offices, when his services were needed by his fellow citizens, who have always reposed great confidence in his judgment and integrity. Though not a member of any denomination, he has always been regarded as a man of the strictest morality and of unimpeachable integrity, and no citizen of the township is more entitled to representation in this volume than is William Skene. He votes the Democratic ticket for the reason that he is opposed to a protective tariff.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)