REES, WILLIAM M. , farmer and stockman, residing on Section 27, Township 14 North, Range 9 West, Morgan County, Ill., was born in this county March 28, 1862, and in infancy became the legally adopted son of E. M. and Julia (Snow) Rees. Mr. Rees was a native of Kentucky, who came to Morgan County in 1838, and later moved to Texas, returning to the Illinois county in 1849, and there purchasing 320 acres of land. In the latter year he was seized with the gold fever, and went overland to California, there made some money and in 1858 returned after an absence of nine years, by way of Panama and New York. After his return to Morgan County he resumed work on the land which he had bought in 1849, built a good residence in 1874 and planted an excellent grove, which is a monument to his memory to-day. In fact, he thoroughly improved his valuable farm and continued an agriculturist until his death, which occurred August 9, 1892. He was married to Julia Snow November 18, 1858, and their union being childless, they legally adopted from infancy the son, William M., and became the foster parents of a daughter, Susan Jane (Rees) Wilson.

William M. Rees always resided on the home farm, while his mother, Mrs. Julia (Snow) Rees, lives retired in the village of Franklin. The homestead estate is managed by him, and will, in the natural course of events, become his property by inheritance. Mr. Rees has served his district as Road Commissioner and upon the School Board, and during the 1897-99 held the office of County Commissioner. He also served as delegate to State and County Conventions, and at the present time is a member of the County Central Committee, President of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company for his township, and one of the Directors of the Springfield Cyclone Insurance Company. He belongs to the Masonic Order, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Elks, Modern Woodmen, Knights of the Maccabees and Protective League.

Mr. Rees was married to Harriet Dalton, of Nevada City, Mo., and the following named children have been born to them: Ruby, a graduate of the Franklin High School and the Jacksonville Business College; Nellie J., a graduate of Franklin High School; Birdie, a student in the Woman's College, Jacksonville; and William Milford, Jr.