W. H. MARSH, whose valuable farm of one hundred and ninety acres gives every evidence, in its neat and thrifty appearance, of the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner, was born February 28, 1851, in Patterson township, upon the farm which was his parents home. He is a son of John B. and Mary M. (Gourley) Marsh, and he was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He has never sought to change his occupation, being pleased with the opportunities offered on the farm, and his labors have brought to him a gratifying financial return. His landed possessions now embrace one hundred and ninety acres, of which eighty acres is devoted to general farming and produces good crops, for he is familiar with and follows the best methods of tilling the soil. Upon his place are substantial buildings and he has good grade of stock. In fact none of the modern equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century are there lacking.
On the 27th of September, 1887, Mr. Marsh married Mrs. Mary Owdom, a daughter of Adam and Katherine (Eppert) House, who still reside in Patterson township, her father having come to Illinois at an early day and assisted in the pioneer development of the state. Mrs. Marsh was first married in 1877 to Leonard Owdom, who died in 1884, leaving one daughter, Nellie, who was born in 1882 and was married March 10, 1901, to Stanley Roberts. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have been born four children: Hubert, born January 8, 1889; Alma, born March 23, 1892; Ethel, born May 5, 1894; and Floyd, born in August, 1897.
W. H. Marsh exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of Democracy and attends and supports the Baptist church, of which he is a member. He has always lived in this county and is therefore well known to many of its citizens, drawing his circle of friends from among the acquaintances of his youth as well as of later years - a fact which is an indication that he has always been worthy the public regard and confidence.