Union County, SD Biographies.....Main, William W. March 30, 1855 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 5, 2022, 1:27 am

Source: MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OIF Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota. (1897)
Author: Geo. Ogle & Co.

WILLIAM W. MAIN, county commissioner and farmer, is one of the most highly respected
and representative citizens of Union county. He is a resident of Elk Point township,
is widely known as a man of intelligence and influence, and may truly be said to be
one of the leading men of the county. Mr. Main has been a resident of Union county
since 1885, at which time he settled upon the place where he now lives. He was born
in Wilmington, Will Co., Ill., March 30, 1855. His parents were Chester and Tamor
(Coon) Main, both of whom were natives of New York. The father was of Scotch
descent, his father having emigrated from Scotland and was probably the founder of
the family in this country which bears his name. The Coon family were from Vermont.

The subject of this sketch received his education principally in the district
schools, supplementing this by a course of study at Evanston. In 1876 he was married
to Eva D. Franklin, and for some time carried on farming in Illinois. He then went
to Topeka, Kans., where he leased land and remained four years, returning at the
expiration of that time to the old homestead in Illinois, which he conducted and
managed for two years. In 1886 he came to Dakota territory and purchased two hundred
and ninety acres of partially improved land; this has since been his home and the
improvements and general condition of his place reflect much credit upon his good
judgment and taste. He has the place well stocked, having some splendid specimens of
Poland China hogs, short horn and Durham cattle, etc.

In this connection a few words in regard to Mr. Main's father will be of interest.
Chester Main, as stated above, was a native of New York. In 1843 with his family, he
left the Empire State and settled in the woods of Michigan, near where the thriving
city of Saginaw has since been built. He was a pioneer there and one of the earliest
settlers, and endured all the hardships and privations which are characteristic of
pioneer life. At that time that portion of Michigan was almost wholly undeveloped,
and wolves and other wild animals were plenty. In 1848 the family pushed on westward
and located near Wilmington, Will Co., Ill. Here they were again pioneers; they took
up government land upon which they located and made their home until 1890. They
still own the old homestead, but Chester Main has retired from active business cares
and now resides in Wilmington City. He is one of the most highly respected citizens
of the locality in which he lives, and is a man of sterling integrity. He is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Wm. W. Main, since his home has been in Union county, has taken an active and
prominent part in all matters of a public nature. He was elected county commissioner
in 1889, and has been re-elected for three successive terms; his popularity is
attested by the fact that his party (Republican) was largely in minority, and at one
time he was the only Republican official holding office in Union county. He is a
member of the A. O. U. W. and in many other ways takes an active interest in those
things in which his fellow citizens are interested. He possesses business acumen in
a large degree, and is a practical man of affairs, moving with that force and energy
that universally characterizes the successful man. In the conduct of his personal
affairs he has always displayed sound and mature judgment, his plans being the
result of deliberate thought and seldom miscarry. He is well informed upon current
topics, and he takes an active interest in all public questions and public affairs.
In the improvement of his home is to be seen the well developed taste and judgment
which marks his general business efforts. Arrangement and method exist in
everything, and his home is a beautiful one, efficiently presided over by his wife,
who is a lady of culture and refinement. In the conduct of public business and
county affairs Mr. Main has an enviable reputation for his intelligent handling of
public business, and he holds the confidence and esteem of all.

Mr. and Mrs. Main have been blest with two children, viz.: Cora and Chester. The
former was born in Kasnas, the latter in Illinois.


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