Jacksonville Courier, Aug., 1901

William M. Hatfield, who died at his home near Concord recently, was born in Hamilton County, O., January 22, 1831, and died Aug. 13, 1901, at the age of 70 years, 6 months and 13 days. When he was a child three years of age he came with his parents to Meredosia, Ill., and had resided in Morgan County ever since. In November, 1851, he was married to Miss R. A. Valentine at Bethel, and to this union eight children were born, two of whom preceeded him in death. They were Jessie, who died in infancy, and Mrs. Eva G. Lemon, who died June 10, 1899. In his early life Mr. Hatfield became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, to which faith he steadfastly adhered until his death. He was a man who was conscientious in dealing with his fellow men and he was never known to have wilfully wronged or deceived anyone. H ewas generous and kind to all and always stood open to conviction, ready to forgive if forgiveness was asked and anxious to implore pardon it he felt as though he were in the wrong. He was one of the few men whose whole life was a continuous stretch of honesty, industry, sobriety, truthfulness, toil, love - in short, Christianity, and his reward can come from the King of Kings alone.