W. C. LENCE, physician, Jonesboro. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, represents one of our old settler families, who came here when the settlements were few, when the whistle of the steam monster on railroad or river was unknown, but in its stead the child of the forest plied his birch canoe on the Father of Waters. W. C Lence was born September 30, 1844, in Union County, Ill. He is a grandson of John Lence, a farmer by occupation, born in North Carolina, where he was married to Sallie Mull, who was born in North Carolina, and died in this county in 1880. She was the mother of a large family, whose descendants are numerous, and are living principally in Southern Illinois. John Lence died in Union County. His son John J. was born here in 1818. He was married to Elizabeth Sifford, who was the mother of Sarah Jane Lentz and William Carol. Mrs. E. Lence died September 30, 1844. Mr. Lence was a farmer in early life, and was married a second time to Millie Lingle, who was the mother of Mary Ann Treece. Mrs. Lence died a year after she was married. In 1850, he, in company with others from Union County, went to California, where he worked at gold mining, returning to this county in 1857, where he was married a third time to Eliza Dilday, who was the mother of two children now living — John and Helen. Mr. John Lence bought a mill in 1860 in Jonesboro, which he ran till 1870, when he sold out and spent his last days on a farm, where he died in 1876. His memory is cherished by those who knew him. Our subject received a common school education in this county, and then taught school here for two years, and then attended the college of Notre Dame, near South Bend, Ind. He returned to Jonesboro in 1878, where he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. G. W. Schuchardt. In the fall of 1879, he went to Louisville, Ky., and studied in the Medical Department the University of Louisville, graduating in March, 1872, after which he returned to Jonesboro, where he has followed his profession ever since. The Doctor was joined in matrimony, December 31, 1872, in Cairo. Ill., to Miss Luella Mulkey, born June 10, 1852, in Jonesboro. She is the daughter of Judge John H. Mulkey. She is the mother of two children — Maggie L., born September 21, 1873, and John H., born April 1, 1881. Mrs. Lence is a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Lence is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Jonesboro Lodge, No. 111, and the Knights of Honor. Jonesboro Lodge. No. 1,891. In politics, the Doctor is identified with the Democratic party.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 104-105.
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