WILLIAM E. GREENE, living on section 31, Rockbridge township, is one of the substantial farmers and stock-feeders of Greene county and, in fact, is one of the most extensive landowners, having one thousand and twenty-five acres all in one body. Upon this place are two sets of farming buildings and the land is valuable and highly improved. Mr. Greene is a native of this county, his birth having occurred in Kane township, May 24, 1824. His father, Hon. John Greene, was a native of Kentucky and when a young man came to Illinois, settling first in Madison county. In 1818 he removed to this county, where he entered land from the government and opened up a farm. He became the owner of several hundred acres of land and was numbered among the leading agriculturists at an early day. He was married here to Nancy Mains and his was one of the pleasant and hospitable pioneer homes of the county. Prominent in public affairs, Mr. Greene exercised considerable influence over public thought and action. He served for two terms as a member of the state legislature and died in Springfield during his second term, passing away in 1843. His wife survived him from several years.
William E. Greene was the fifth in order of birth in a family of fifteen children, of whom thirteen reached years of maturity, while two are yet living, namely: William E. and Elias. The first named was reared to manhood in this county and was largely self-educated, acquiring much of his knowledge after attaining man's estate. Following his father's death he remained at home with his mother until his marriage, which occurred in Greene county in 1850, the lady of his choice being Eliza Jane Enslow, a native of this county. They began their domestic life upon the old home farm, where they lived for several years, and later they removed to a farm belonging to Mrs. Greene while on the 11th of April, 1872, they took up their abode upon his first farm, where Mr. Greene continues to reside. He began here with eight hundred and eighty acres of land, but has since added to the property until he now has one thousand acres. He has made many substantial improvements upon the place and in connection with the cultivation of the soil he has long been engaged in the raising and feeding of stock, shipping from his farm about three carloads of fat cattle and a large number of hogs annually.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Greene were born nine children, of whom four are living: John J., who resides upon a farm in Greene county; George N., who is married and is with his father on the home place; Roy D., also upon the home farm; and Evans, a resident of Oklahoma. The others all died in early childhood, save one daughter, who married and afterward passed away. In 1899 Mr. Greene was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death occurred in the month of May of that year.
Politically Mr. Greene has been a lifelong Democrat but has never sought or desider office. He is a stockholder in the Greene County Fair Association and is a public-spirited citizen, interested in all that pertains to the general progress and improvement of his part of the state. He displays excellent business qualifications and his energy and labors have been the source of his very gratifying and desirable success.