Following is one of the Biographies and Stories which where gathered by Charles Sumner McKamy in the 1950s for publication in a Crawford County History Book. Unfortunately he passed away before the book was published.
Elmer C. Wesner, son of Alexander and Martha (Goodwin) Wesner, was born in Crawford County, Illinois on a Lamott Township farm near the Montgomery Township line December 27, 1882 and died January 21, 1955 at his home in Robinson, Illinois.
He married Bertha O. Scott September 24, 1911, they had one daughter, Martha Olive, who married George F. Baker of Robinson, Ill. In early life he was a school teacher. Later he was Deputy County Clerk of Crawford County. Having a strong desire to practice law, and after acquiring his B.S. degree from Valparaiso, Indiana, he entered the University of Michigan Law School receiving his degree and being admitted to practice Law in Michigan June 1913 and to the Bar in Illinois in October of that same year.
Politically he was a Republican and was active in County and State Politics for many years. He was Senatorial Committeeman from Crawford County in the 48th Senatorial District. In 1928 was an Elector in the Electoral College. He lent his energies to the benefit of his community, and among other activities served as President of the Carnegie Library Board from 1926 until his death. He was a member of the Selective Service Board, Robinson Rotary Club, the Presbyterian Church, Robinson Lodge #250 A.F.&A.M. and the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of both the Illinois State Bar Association and the Crawford County Bar Association and the Past President of the Second Judicial Bar Association.
Wesner, William A.: son of Alexander and Martha (Goodwin) Wesner; was born in Crawford County, Illinois on May 22, 1868; he attended Richwoods and Centennial Schools and thereafter was a teacher in the public schools of Crawford County for several years, teaching in Palestine, Hutsonville and Oblong Schools. He attended Danville, Indiana Normal School and later attended the University of Illinois Law School at Champaign, Illinois. He was admitted to practice law in October, 1901 and was active in the practice of law the rest of his life. He was married December 26, 1901 to Miss Esther Everingham of Hutsonville, Illinois. To this marriage was born the following children:
- Wesner, Charles A.: born February 20, 1903 and attended Robinson Elementary and High Schools and the University of Illinois. Now resides and is engaged in the practice of law in Abingdon, Illinois. Served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was married to Sylvia McC___, they having no children.
- Wesner, Harold R.: born October 30, 1904. Attended Robinson Elementary and High Schools and the University of Illinois. He taught school a few years in Landes, Illinois. Presently resides in Moline, Illinois. He was married to Helen Bliss and has two children, namely, William Wesner and George Wesner.
- Wesner, Ray E.: born December 1, 1906. Attended Robinson Elementary and High Schools and the University of Illinois. Now resides in and is engaged in the practice of law at Robinson, Illinois. Served as County Judge of Crawford County, Illinois from December, 1934 to December, 1950. Served with the United States Air Force during World War II. He was married to Thelma Thompson on November 24, 1934. The following children were born of said marriage: Anne Wesner, Joseph W. Wesner and Earl Marcus Wesner.
- Wesner, Lawrence E.: born May 7, 1908. Attended Robinson Elementary and High Schools and the University of Illinois. Later attended University of Maryland Law School at Baltimore, Maryland and was admitted to the Bar in Maryland. He served with the United States Army during World War II. He presently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was married to Mildred Mountoin and has the following children: Robert Wesner and Lawrence Wesner.
- Pifer, Lois M. (Wesner): born December 14, 1921. Attended Robinson Elementary and High Schools. She was married to James E. Pifer in 1944 and resides at R.R. Palestine, Illinois. The following children were born of said marriage: Susie Ellen Pifer, Richard Pifer, Janice Lynn Pifer, Steven Pifer and Douglas Pifer.