W. W. OWDOM was born in South Carolina, March 10, 1818, being a son of Willis and Betsey (Forest) Owdom, natives of South Carolina. He was there brought up to farm life, and in 1838, he came to Greene County, Ill., settling on section 24, in this township, where he purchased 40 acres of land, on which he still resides. In 1839, he was married to Mary Groce, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Groce, and by this union there were nine children, seven of whom are living - Melissa, wife of John Roberts, residing in Manchester; Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Drummonds, residing in Vernon county, Mo.; William D., married Jane Gurley, lives in Wilmington; John, whose sketch follows this; Ellis, Sarah and Emeline. Mrs. Owdom departed this life Oct. 17, 1852, and is buried at the Wilmington cemetery. Mr. Owdom has a farm of 240 acres, on sections 24 and 25, in Patterson township, on which he raises stock and grain. He is a member of the Baptist church, and is a highly respected citizen of that community.