Willam Bond

William Bond was born at Manchester, England, Feb. 4, 1841, and died at his home in Roberts Sunday morning, Jan. 5, 1908, aged 66 years, 11 months and 1 day. He left England and came to America in 1858 and settled in Livingston county. In 1863 he came to Ford county, where he has since resided. Mr. Bond was married three times. His second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth Smith. To this union two children were born, Clara, who died in childhood, and Eva, afterward Mrs. William Scott, who died about eight years ago. In 1873 he was united in marriage to Sarah Barnett. To this union nine children were born, four sons and five daughters -- Mrs. Lorena Miller, Mrs. Della Steinman, Mrs. Fannie Steinman, Arthur, Mrs. Irene Smith, Clarence, who died in infancy; Edwin, Jessie and Raymond. Besides the widow and children above mentioned, he leaves one brother, James of Chicago, and eight grandchildren.
Mr. Bond was an energetic worker and a good manager and thus made himself one of the financial pillars of our township. For several years he was in business in Roberts, a partner of William Hahn in the wagon shop, and also a partner with Dr. E. G. Reinhardt in the drug store. Afterward he sold these interests and devoted his whole attention to his farm until three years ago, when he once more returned to Roberts and retired from active management of the farm, but his nature was such that he could not sit idle without being occupied at something. He was always ready to assist a neighbor without thought of compensation but merely as an accommodation. We have known him to work for days helping a neighbor and when offered pay to insist that he was not working but merely looking on. He would sometimes recall the fact that when he and his brother, James arrived in New York they had their tickets to Streator and 50 cents between them.
In politics he was a republican and several times was elected to offices of trust and honor by his fellow citizens. He united with the M.E. church when Rev. R. L. Vivian was pastor of the church and of late has been an enthusiastic worker in a quiet but efficient way, never pressing his views upon the public but always standing for the right as he saw it. He was a man who will be missed not only by his family but by neighbors and friends, which means all who know him.
The funeral services were held at the M.E. church Tuesday, January 7, 1908, at 10:30 a.m., Rev. G. D. Hensell officiating, after which the remains were laid to rest in Lyman cemetery. --Roberts Herald.

--Paxton Daily Record.  11 January 1908.