WILLIAM M. GANSON
Page 576

WILLIAM M. GANSON. This prominent gentleman, who is Supervisor of Manito Township, Mason County, devotes his time and attention to agricultural pursuits and makes his home on section 2. His father was William H. Ganson, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., where his birth occurred in 1802. He was a wagon-maker by trade, to which in later life he added the vocation of a farmer. His wife, Mrs. Anulette (Toxey) Ganson was also born in the above county in 1817. The parents of our subject were married in the Keystone State, and in 1834 removed to Ohio, making their home at Urbana until their death, the mother passing away in 1847, and the father surviving until 1887. They reared a family of five children, of whom William M. was the eldest but one. Charles Henry married Jane Rawalt and makes his home in Urbana, Ohio; Benjamin Franklin married Mamie Ambrose and also lives in that city, as do the two other daughters: Anna Eliza, the widow of Horace Happersett; and Emma Josephine, the widow of Mathew Weaver. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Ganson were consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church, and the latter since the war voted the Republican ticket. He was scrupulously honest in all business transactions, public-spirited and enterprising, and was one of the county's much esteemed citizens. Our subject was born October 22, 1888, in Urbana, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He came west in 1858, and the next year located in this township, where he has made his permanent home. The lady to whom he was married October 2, 1859, was Miss Mary, daughter of Maj. Jonas Rawalt, a native of New York, who came to Illinois in 1832. He located in Fulton County in that year, and served as a member of the Illinois Legislature with Lincoln and Douglas. During the late war he was Major of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, and during his two years of enlistment rendered his country valuable service. He was a man of wide knowledge, and was one of the most prominent citizens of Fulton County. Mrs. Ganson was born in the above place in January, 1837, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of seven children, viz: Benjamin F., Charles, William, Edward, Jennie, Lizzie and Harmon. She is a devoted member of the Swedenborgian Church, and is active in all good works in her community. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and for eight years was Justice of the Peace. He served seven years as Supervisor, and is the present Chairman of the County Board. In 1873 he was elected County Clerk, which responsible office he held until 1890. Charles H. Ganson, a brother of our subject, was also born in Urbana, October 19, 1836, and like him was reared and educated there. He was engaged in farming in his native state until coming to Illinois in 1867, at which time he located upon raw land in this township, upon which he resided for ten years. At he expiration of that time he returned] to his native state, and is now engaged in the livery business at Urbana. He was married, in 1857, to a sister of our subject's wife, Miss Jane Rawalt, who was born in Fulton County in June 1834. Their family comprises two children, Emma, the wife of Theo W. Cook, of Cleveland; and Jonas R., who is married and also made his home in the Forest City. Another brother of our subject, Benjamin F. Ganson, served four years in the Civil War as Captain of Company B, Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry. He was wounded and captured, and as a prisoner was placed first in Libby, and latter in Salisbury Prison. Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Ganson are members of the Swedenborgian Church, and the former is Trustee of Urbana University, of which their son is a graduate. The daughter, however, completed her studies in the Cleveland Female Seminary. He is a Mason, and also belongs to the Knights of Honor, Legion of Honor and Knights of Pythias. He is a true-blue Republican in politics, and was elected on that ticket as Mayor of Urbana for fourteen years. He has held numerous other offices of great trust, and at present is serving as Director of the infirmary.

1894 Biography Index

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