William H Lennington was born on April 17, 1825 in Madison, New Jersey to James Lennington and Sarah Bonnell.  He had at least three siblings–twin brothers Thomas and Nathaniel and a sister Martha.  In the mid-1830s the family began their journey westward and settled in Ohio.

At the age of 26, William married Julia Condit on 28 April 1851.  He supported his family as a merchant.  Their first two children, John and Helen, were both born in Ohio.  After Helen’s birth in 1856, William moved his family across Indiana to settle in Champaign, Illinois, where their son Grant was born in late 1857.  In 1859, Julia, along with several others in the area, were stricken ill and died.

Living in a rural settlement, William took to farming to support his two living children.  He married a second time in 1861 to Lucinda French Pearson.  Over the next decade, William and Lucinda added four sons to their family–Wade, James, Charles and Allan.  William continued to support his family as a farmer throughout the years.  As he grew older, his focus shifted to one of real estate and leasing property to others.

Shortly after the beginning of the 20th Century, Lucinda passed away at approximately 70 years of age.  William continued on another decade or so, passing to the afterlife on January 17, 1913.

William Lennington is my 3rd cousin 6x removed on my father’s side.

REFERENCES:

• United States Census – 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910
• Illinois, Compiled Marriages
• North America, Family Histories 1500-2000