Emigrated to Canada in 1830 and to the U.S. in 1833 where he located at Trenton, Oneida, NY. In 1837 he moved to Joliet, Will, IL for about six months and then to Five Mile Grove, Manhattan Twp, Will, IL. While there he rented land from a Mr. Perkin. This area was very sparsely populated so William moved to New Lenox Twp., Will, IL where he eventually entered into a partnership with Asa McDonald, husband of Olive Rudd. He remained there for three years and then sold his share to Asa and returned to Five Mile Grove where he lived until March 1860 when he moved to Wilmington, Will, IL. He served as Supervisor of Trenton (now Manhattan Twp.) and as assessor to Trenton and Florence, Will, IL as late as 1878.