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Residences & events in his life: Franklin Co, OH. From the county history: "William Lisle is a representative of one of the pioneer families ofFranklin County, and first opened his eyes to the light of day in thelittle log cabin which stood on the homestead farm in HamiltonTownship, Nov. 28, 1808...." "When a young man he went on foot to the Mississippi River, thence byboat to new Orleans, and from there returned north to Nauvoo, HancockCounty, Illinois. Purchasing a horse at that place he completed thehomeward journey on horseback. This extended trip was made with a viewto securing another location but he returned content to make theBuckey State his permanent home." "On his return home he married Miss Sarah McWilliams, and settled onrented land ten miles west of Columbus, meantime also tilling hisfather's farm. After some years spent as a renter, he purchasedproperty, and is now the owner of four farms. The home place consistsof over three hundred acres of valuable, well improved land, and isone fo the best estates in the county. In early life, whileassociated with his brother in the livestock business, he twicefailed, but since then has been very successful in that department ofagriculture." "Politically William Lisle is a democrat, and for twenty five yearsserved as Township Trustee. He is a believer in the Christainreligion, but is not a member of any church. He and his devoted wifehave shared each other's joys and lightened each other's sorrows foralmost a half century, and are now spending their declining days inquiet retirement." "Few of the residents of Franklin County have been witnesses of thedevelopment of this portion of the state through as long a period asMr. Lisle. He is now 92 years of age (actually 82 if death date iscorrect) and he can relate many interesting incidents of life on thefrontier, Ohio at that time being considered on the far borders ofcivilization. When a small boy his father would often have him takecare of his horses along the ponds and he would often see deer runningacross the prairies. He attended the subscription schools from theage of twelve years, but his educational privileges were somewhatmeager, as his father was in limited financial circumstances andneeded his assistance upon the farm. He began plowing when his headwas not as high as the plow handles. He continued to pursue hisstudies, however, through the winter seasons until sixteen years ofage, after which he had to work in order to support the youngerchildren of the family. He entered the employ of his uncle, RobertLisle, then one of the wealthy men of the County, and for his servicesour subject received from ten to twenty cents per day. When he wastwenty three years of age he and his brother John rented the Elliotfarm west of Alton and there cleared three hunderd sixty acres of landwhich they planted, raising good crops. Their lease was made out forfive years, but after four years they disposed of it to a Mr. Lathropwho took possession of the place." "After surrendering the lease Mr. Lisle worked at anything he couldget to do. He rented the Graham farm of one hundred sixty acres,which he operated for two years and on the expiration of that periodfound himself the owner of the greater part of the old homestead,having purchased the interests of the other heirs. One of hisbrothers in law, however, would not sell his share of the land, sothat it was appraised and the court gave Mr. Lisle the privilege oftaking possession of it at the appraisers price. He borrowed themoney, made the purchase and continued on the old homestead for twoyears after which he sold the property (back) to his brothers Robertand John Lisle. He then purchased the Henry Adams farm in thewestern part of Prairie Township, and later he purchased of GeorgeDugan 125 acres of land. He afterward became the owner of one hundredacres formerly the property of Mr. Sullivant, and of 18 1/2 acres ofthe Granner farm. At different times he added other small tracts.John Graham was a surveyor and found many unclaimed tracts which Mr.Lisle purchased. He also bought twenty-eight acres of the Wallacesurvey and a tract from Squire Cole which now forms the Lislehomestead. At the present time our subject owns three hundred andtwenty five aces, having disposed of a portion of his property. Mr.Lisle has ever been a shrewd, enterprising, and industriousbusniessman and his careful management and keen sagacity and energyhave brought to him creditable success." "The subject of this review has served as trustee of Prairie Twonshipfor twenty consecutive years. No higher testimony could be given tohis faithful service that the fact that he was retained so long inoffice. He was instrumental in having a township burying groundestablished, and has done much for the public welfare. He has longbeen a staunch democrat and was first elected against a usualrepublican majority of fifty. The same year his brother John wasappointed Clerk." 11/8/1849 William and Sarah sold 44 acres on the National Road toJohn L McWilliams for $380. 1850 Prairie Twp, Franklin Co, OH. At census time he was a 32 yearold farmer with property = $3000. He and Sarah had 2 small childrenand a 12 year old daughter, possibly from a first marriage. Alsoliving with them was brother Alexander at age 20, also a farmer. 1/25/1853 Alton, Franklin Co, OH He and Sarah bought lot 37 in townfrom a Lewis Postle and wife for $130. 3/1/1853 He bought 10 acres on the National Road for $650 from DavidP Cole and his wife. 5/11/1857 He bought another 100 acres from Michael L Sullivant andhis wife for $1500. 11/5/1857 For $750 he bought 50 acres adjacent to the previous 100acres plot, also from the Sullivants. 1860 Same place. The census taker recorded his family and propertyhad grown considerably. The property then = $14,000/1675. Livingwith him and Sarah, besides their own 7 children, were his agedmother, and possibly Sarah's relatives, Nancy McWilliams, age 12 butwith real and personal property of her own; John Fulton, age 14; andBluda Gray, age 40. 6/19/1866 He and Sarah paid $11,000 to Lewis Postle "in trust forSarah Lisle." In return she received unspecified real estate. 1880 Still there. By census time that year, only Zedoc, 25, a farmerand George, 20, were still at home with William and Sarah. |