Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Willard, Judge David 1818 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 5, 2007, 6:18 pm

Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890

JUDGE DAVID WILLARD. Years after a stone alone remains to tell the story of 
their lives, the memories of some will be cherished by the generations who 
follow them, and upon whose lives their efforts have left a lasting impress. 
There is none so humble but that he exerts some control over those about him, 
and the influence of a man of great mental and physical activity can only be 
measured when time shall be no more. One of the landmarks of Will County, and 
one who during his prime has taken a very prominent part in local affairs, is 
the subject of this review, who has now practically retired to his farm on 
section 4, Wesley Township. The gentleman of whom we write was born June 13, 
1818, in Alleghany County, N. Y., being the second child of Daniel and 
Elizabeth (Sanders) Willard, from whom he inherited sturdy qualities. His 
father was born in the old Bay State, in 1787, becoming a resident of 
Washington County, N. Y., when a young man. There, in 1815, he married a 
native of Ft. Edwards, the young couple removing during the same year to 
Alleghany County. Daniel Willard was a farmer, and during the War of 1812 had 
taken up arms in his country's defense. He lived to the advanced age of ninety 
years, one month and nine days, breathing his last October 21, 1877. His 
faithful companion survived him a few months, dying July 26, 1878. She also 
was of ripe age, having been born April 22, 1794. Our subject was the 
fortunate recipient of good educational advantages, and made a specialty of 
algebra and field surveying. Being reared on a farm he took some part in 
agricultural labors, and during his early years taught school in the winter 
season. Before he had attained his majority he was put on the ticket as School 
Inspector, but was not elected until the following year, when he was a second 
time nominated. He was afterward elected Constable and Town Collector for 
three successive years, and still later was the successful candidate for 
Justice of the Peace, leaving home, however, before the term of office began. 
When twenty-one years old Mr. Willard at odd times engaged in the lumber 
business on the Allegany River. His first experience was as a raftsman, a 
position which required a keen eye, quick wit and physical activity. He 
frequently walked from Pittsburg, Pa., to his home, a distance of two hundred 
miles, there being no means of transit other than this. In the spring of 1844 
Mr. Willard took a companion, with whom he came at once to Illinois, settling 
on a tract of unimproved land. It comprised the eighty acres on which he is 
now passing his day in peace and pleasantness. He built a small house which, 
in 1857, was replaced by the present cozy home, and which was gradually 
surrounded with the various improvements which a good farmer considers 
necessary for the successful prosecution of his work, and the comfort of 
himself and family. The vocation to which he turned his attention as a means 
of support was not allowed to engross the attention of Mr. Willard, whose 
fitness for office was soon recognized by his fellow-citizens, who demanded 
his services. In 1846 he was given the position of Township School Treasurer, 
and continued therein for years. Two years later he was elected Justice of the 
Peace, and in this office he served until 1865. As Township Supervisor and 
Chairman of the Board he also officiated for years, his service in the latter 
capacity having extended over the period of the Civil War. He had to assess 
the citizens for the first money raised to send the township quota for 
defraying expenses of the army, and many friends were lost by this action. His 
personal feelings, however, did not deter him from the exercise of his 
judgment, and the integrity with which he managed the affair was afterward 
overwhelmingly endorsed. In 1865 Mr. Willard was elected Judge of the County 
Court for a term of four years, and being re-elected, in 1869, he continued to 
serve until 1873. He removed his family to Joliet and made that city his home 
during his second term. His strict honor, acute judgment of character, and 
decisive opinions regarding right and justice, were called into play while 
seated upon the bench, and the record which he made is one upon which he can 
look back with pride, knowing that his worst enemy can find no just ground for 
condemnation of his course. Judge Willard was first identified with the Whig 
party, and after its disintegration enlisted in the Republican ranks. His 
first Presidential ballot was cast for Gen. W. H. Harrison, and his last for 
Gen. Benjamin Harrison, the descendant of the hero of Tippecanoe. Judge 
Willard is descended in the seventh generation from Maj. Simon Willard, who 
emigrated from Kent County, England, to Massachusetts, in 1634. The father of 
Maj. Willard was Richard Willard, who held a large landed estate in the mother 
country. The Major was a member of the General Court in the Massachusetts 
Colony, and a participant in King Phillip's war. He had nine sons, from the 
youngest of whom Judge Willard is descended. The estimable woman who for many 
years has been the cherished companion of Judge Willard, bore the maiden name 
of Hodah Axtell. She is a native of the Empire State, born October 27, 1822, 
and is the oldest of three surviving children in a family of twelve. She 
attended the common schools in her native State, acquiring all the knowledge 
which an apt pupil could, and at her home was instructed in housewifely arts 
and the principles of right living, which have made her honored and useful in 
her home and among her neighbors. Her union with Judge Willard was celebrated 
May 9, 1844, and has been blessed by the birth of six children. The fond 
parents have been called upon to part with four of their loved ones. The 
survivors are: Lois, wife of Albert H. Mapps, of Joliet, and the mother of one 
child; Reuel, who also lives in Joliet, is now filling the office of County 
Surveyor, and who took for his wife Miss Cora Sibert; Alice died at the age of 
three years, from typhoid fever, which was a sad affliction to the bereaved 
parents. Three children died in infancy unnamed. It will not be amiss to 
devote a few lines to the ancestry of Mrs. Willard. Her father, Chauncey 
Axtell, was born at Cronman's Patent, N. Y., in 1786, and her mother, Betsey 
(Morse) Axtell, in Otsego County, in 1796. They resided in the Empire State 
during the life of Mrs. Axtell, who passed away in January, 1852. The same 
year the bereaved widower removed to Illinois, locating one mile west of the 
present home of Judge Willard. There he remained until death, the date of his 
decease being August, 1864. He was a farmer and lumberman, and respected by 
all who knew him. Besides Mrs. Willard the surviving members of his family are 
Axie E. and Betsey M.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 
 


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