BIO: Willis, Edward - Jessamine Co., KY -------------------------------------------- Contributed for use in USGENWEB Archives by: Diana Flynn Date: 9 Jul 1998 -------------------------------------------- **************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net. ***************************************************************************** WILLIS, ALSMAN, SHAKE "HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884. SULLIVAN CO., INDIANA HADDON TWP. PAGE 763 EDWARD WILLIS, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, was born in Jessamine County, Ky., January 10, 1827, one of ten children born to Richard and Sarah (Alsman) Willis, who came to Sullivan County in 1831, remaining residents of Haddon Township till their death, he in 1863, and she in 1865. Our subject was raised to a life of farming, and attended school but little, he not being permitted to do so except in stormy weather when he could not work. When he was only nine years of age, he tended ten acres of corn all alone. He remained at home until he was twenty-one, and then for two years was engaged in cutting wood and rafting in the South. November 15, 1849, he was married to Parmelia Shake, and twelve children blessed their union, ten of whom are living--John W., born September 5, 1850; James, November 19, 1851; David, January 9, 1853; Richard T., July 17, 1854; Lemuel H., December 18, 1855; William D., September 9, 1857; Fannie, May 17, 1861; George B., August 15, 1864; Minnie, June 6, 1868; Artie M., April 12, 1869. Mr. Willis began life with almost nothing, but by strict economy, industry and excellent management, has become one of the largest tax-payers of Sullivan County, owning seven hundred and eighty acres of finely improved land. He has also raised considerable stock. He is an A. F. & A. M., both Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter; also an I. O. O. F. Is a Democrat and takes a lively interest in all public matters.