Submitted by: John and Cindy McCachern
William Henry Perrin, Orville Wilhoit from History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois (Chicago O. L. Basken and Co., Historical Publishers Lakeside Buildings, 188?)
Orville Wilhoit, farmer, P. O. Westfield. Among the old pioneers of this township is Mr. Wilhoit, who is one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He was born February 9, 1816, in Oldham County, Ky., and removed when very young to Jefferson County, Ky. His father's name was Julius Wilhoit, who was a Virginian, son of John Wilhoit. His mother's maiden name was Lucy Lewell, born in Virginia, daughter of James Lewell. Subject's father removed from Virginia to Oldham County, Ky., in the beginning of the year 1800. Subject removed with his parents to Edgar County in 1830. Here his father died in August, three years after. His wife survived him until 1879. they raised a family of seven children, Orville being the eldest--Lorel, John R., Nancy, Elizabeth, Roley E., and Julius. John R. resides near homestead in Edgar County; Nancy married Jacob Stoneburner; Elizabeth is the wife of Prosper Leseure; Roley is in California; Julius died in Andersonville Prison, being a soldier of the late war. Orville remained at home until January 6, 1836, when he married Elizabeth Evinger, born in Jefferson County, Ky., in the year 1819, daughter of D. Eveinger, Sr. After he married, he came to this township and located on 80 acres in the northwestern part of the township. He began comparatively poor, but has been a hard-working man and has been successful, and has now over 700 acres in all. He had about 1,000 before dividing out among his children. He has now six children, all of whom lived to be grown--James, David, John, Lucy Ann, Mary E., Robert C.; David died after being grown. James served three years in One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Illinois volunteer Infanty, and now resides in mcPherson County, Kan.; John resides in Charleston, Coles County; Lucy is the wife of David Swick, and now resides in Greenup, Cumberland County; Mary E. resides in Charleson, Coles County, wife of Tilford T. Shoot; Robert C. resides in Coles County. Mr. Wilhoit has given his life to farming and stock-raising. Member of the United Brethren Church, and politically is a Republican.