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William R. Carle was
born in Wellsburg, West Virginia, March 24th, 1832. His
parents were John Carle and Rebecca Carle, (nee Miller)
natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Ephraim P. Carle,
who lived in New Jersey, was a Hollander, his wife, Nancy
Clark, was of Scotch origin William R., was the eighth in
order of birth in a family of nine children. His father was
a carpenter by trade but forsook its following for the more
lucrative business of manufacturing cotton cloth. He erected
a factory in Williamsburg, and in company with others opened
a store in connection therewith. In 1857 the company failed,
so that William, whose advantages bad been good for the
acquisition of knowledge found himself confronting a cold
world , penniless.
Although poor in means
he was rich in energy, in tact and talent. He left his
native home for the west; reaching St. Louis he found
cholera rearing its harvest of death, and so made his way
north-ward to Bloomington. Here he took charge of a public
school just outside the limits of the city. For this work
his attainments, commanding presence and excellent judgment
well fitted him. His success is attested by many patrons,
and further by the fact that his services were in demand. He
taught in Major's Grove without interruption, summer and
winter for three years, when having saved some means he
formed a Co-partnership with David S. Hord, in the grain
business. The new firm bought a warehouse just being
constructed, and had the misfortune to lose it by fire when
it was ready for occupancy. With commendable energy they
built upon its ruins and within thirty days were in
occupation. In 1859 he disposed of his interest to his
partner.
As indicative of the
fact that his a-b-c's in the grain trade was dearly bought
experience, he found himself barely square with the world
financially upon closing out his share in the business. In
April, 1859, he formed a co-partnership with Sabin Taylor,
to prosecute the grain trade in Clinton. Disposed of
his interest in July, and in August located in Wapella,
where he worked for an old Englishman named Dixon, for $1.25
per day. At the expiration of two months service Dixon
proposed a partnership if he would raise one hundred
dollars. He at once went to Bloomington, where he was well
known, and borrowed the amount on thirty days time. This
business move, proved eminently successful and though its
means was laid the foundation of a competency enjoyed by the
subject of this sketch. Mr. Carle continued in the grain
trade until the fall of 1862, when he disposed of it to E.
Kent & Co., and bought a stock of general merchandise.
In the dry goods trade
he continued until 1865, when he again entered the grain
trade, combining with it, dealing in lumber, this time in
connection with E. B. Harrold. This arrangement was
continued a year when he pursued the business alone until
1869, when he went to California on account of failing
health, returned after a single seasons sojourn in the
Golden State, and resumed the general merchandise business
here. In the fall of 1870, he was elected a member of the
27th General Assembly, by a majority of two hundred and
forty votes. As a member, the mine business tact, integrity
and earnestness that have ever followed him through life,
gave him a reputation as an able legislator. The same year,
1870, he was elected President of the Clinton National Bank,
a position he held for three years. Mr. Carle has continued
in the grain trade since his return from his California
trip, and also for part of the time in general
merchandising.
Politically Mr. Carle is
an active outspoken Democrat, as undeviating in his devotion
as the needle to the pole. In religion he is just as firm
and faithful to the Disciple's faith, contending earnestly
for the restoration of the primitive order of things.
Possessed of rare social qualities, unquestioned integrity
of character, he enjoys the respect and esteem of hosts of
friends. His tall, athletic figure, being six feet four
inches in height, and proportionally built, commands
attention among his fellows. His business career, so
uniformly successful since he gained his first foothold in
1869, calls for admiration and emulation.
History of DeWitt County,
Illinois: with illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and
biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and
pioneers. Philadelphia, PA.: W. R. Brink & Co., 1882.
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