WILLIAM M. MOUNT
William M. Mount, farmer and stockraiser, Dillon Township, Tazewell County, was born in the township named, April 18, 1858, being the son of Mathias and Eliza J. (Bennett) Mount. The father, who was born in Shelby County, Ky., August 7, 1810, died December 23, 1887; the mother was born in Hopedale Township, Tazewell County, September 16, 1831. The maternal grandparents were Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Manker) Bennett, and the maternal great-grandparents, Timothy and Lillian (Hoblett) Bennett. Mathias Mount, the grandfather of William M. (born March 11, 1767), was twice married—first, to Elizabeth Stevenson, and second to Ann Elliot, born June 23, 1778.
Mathias Mount, Jr., the father, came to Jacksonville, Ill., at an early day, and there enlisted in the Black Hawk War. In 1832 he entered Government land in Mackinaw Township, Tazewell County, which he sold in 1854, and, coming to Dillon Township, bought a farm In Section 25, where he spent the remainder of his life. For fourteen years he served the town as Supervisor, and at one time owned 700 acres of land.
William M. Mount began his independent life at the age of twenty-one years, having first secured a thorough education, which he completed at Lincoln University, and his business career has been attended with much prosperity. His farm comprises 600 acres, and, besides owning several fine-blooded horses of great value, deals very extensively in shorthorn cattle. For eight years he has served as Township Supervisor, and was Chairman of the Board for two years. At the present time he Is Treasurer of the School Board, and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. Mount was married March 6, 1819, to Miss Phoebe J. Orendorff, daughter of Darius W. and Mary J, (Walters) Orendorff, who was born in Hopedale Township. Her father was the first white child born in township named, his birth occurring March 31, 1828. His parents, Aaron and Martha (McDonnell) Orendorff, came from Kentucky at an early day.
To Mr. and Mrs. William M. Mount were born the following children: Francis D., April 29. 1880; Mathias J., June 2, 1882; Carl M., August 4, 1884; Darius O., July 23, 1889; Ernest E., August 22 1891; Green P., April 1, 1893, and Ruth, May 13, 1896. Mrs. Mount is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and politically Mr. Mount adheres to the Democratic party.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 1049