WILLIAM FLEMING
William Fleming, retired farmer, Delavan, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, October 30, 1839, the son of Abner and Mary Ann (Spriggs) Fleming, and grandson of Abner and Lydia Fleming. William and Sarah (Spriggs) Fleming, his mother’s parents, were born in Virginia and in England, respectively. His father, Abner Fleming, was born in Ohio, December 24, 1805, and his mother in Virginia August 19, 18O8.
Our subject acquired his education in the public schools and early began work as a farm laborer. He came to Tazewell County in 1856, and was employed by the month at the breaking out of the Civil War, soon afterward enlisting in Company H, One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His regiment being attached to the Army of the Cumberland, he served in the command of Generals Sherman, Thomas and Rosecrans, and participated in many of the great battles that marked the history of that army.
At the end of the war Mr. Fleming returned to his labors upon the farm. As an agriculturist he has since been very successful, being now retired with a good home in Delavan. While on the farm he served as School Director twelve years, and at Delavan belongs to Post 115, G. A. R.
Mr. Fleming has been twice married, his first wife having been Margaret B. Patterson, daughter of Joseph A. and Henrietta (Johnson) Patterson, to whom he was married August 12, 1861. Both her parents were early settlers in Tazewell County, but are now deceased.
Mrs. Margaret Fleming was born in Ohio, came to this county at the age of three years, but died young, being survived by three children: Mary Angeline, Fannie H., and Charles
W. She was married to Mr. Fleming August 12, 1861.
The second marriage of Mr. Fleming occurred in Tremont, April 12, 1879, when Miss Anna Trimble, born March 6, 1856, became his wife. They have three living children: Clarence E., Grace and Ethel Pearl. Her parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Cacaw) Trimble, the father a native of Ireland, and the mother, of Scotland. They came to the United States when quite young, and were married in New York. When they located in Tazewell County they engaged in farming, which avocation they followed until his death. Mr. Fleming served as Commissioner of the Highways while on the farm, and exerted much influence in his community.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 1001