WILLIAM CATTON, deceased, was of English birth and breeding, but became a citizen of this country when in the vigor and prime of a stalwart, manly manhood, casting in his lot with the pioneers of this county. and in the years of hard work that followed, built up a home here and made a name and a place for himself in Brimfield Township, and when death called him hence left behind him an unblemished record. Mr. Catton was born in Lincolnshire, England, in October, 1829. He was a son of Thomas and Mary (Clarke) Catton, who were also natives of England, and he was reared to man’s estate on a farm in the land of his birth, and engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. His educational advantages were limited, but he had a bright observing mind and made up for early deficiencies in book learning later in life. In 1853, he took a most important step in his marriage with Ann Pacey, who had much to do with his after success. She was also born in Lincolnshire, January 16, 1829, being the date of his birth. Her parents, Thomas and Sarah (Kettleborough) Pacey, were likewise natives of England. They had a family of eight children, of whom Mrs. Catton and her brother John and sister Elizabeth are the only known survivors. In the spring of 1854, our subject and his wife, emigrated to this country, taking passage at Liverpool, April 5, in a sail vessel, and landing in New York City, after a voyage of three weeks and four days. They made their way to Sturgis, Mich., and a month later came from there to this county, where he found work on a farm and was thus enaged a short time. He subsequently rented a farm for a number of years, and finally be came a land holder in his own right, purchasing a farm in Brimfield Township, which is still in possession of his widow. In the small shanty that was on the place at the time he bought it, he and his family lived for a short time, and he afterward built a more commodious house. Year after year he was constantly engaged in the improvement of his farm and made it what it is to-day, one of the best cultivated and most desirable places in the neighborhood. At the time of his death it comprised three hundred and twenty acres of land, this property being the product of a life work of industry. In the fullness of time and in the ripeness of years, our subject was called from the scenes of his usefulness and “Cheerful he gave his being up and went to share the holy rest that waits a life well spent." The brief lines of this biography scarce indicate the worthiness of our subject whose reputation for unswerving rectitude in all his dealings, and for neighborly kindness, sympathy and helpfulness in his relations with those about him, was high and gave him the regard of the entire community. He was a representative pioneer of the township, a self-made man, and did his share in promoting the growth of this region. He had served with ability as a School Director for a number of years, and was a firm supporter of the Republican party. Mr. Catton, who was a kind and loving father and husband, was happy in his domestic relations, finding in his wife a true companion, and in his off spring filial, devoted children. His widow, who is now past three-score years, is still living on the old homestead which has been reduced to eighty acres, surrounded by her children and friends, and enjoying the fruits of a life spent in usefulness and well doing. She is classed among the pioneer women of this township, who have had a great share in its upbuilding in the assistance they have afforded their fathers, husbands and brothers, in the hard and constant toil necessitated in the work of developing a new country. Five of the ten children born of her wedded life with our subject are still living: Matilda, wife of Simpson Hall of Kansas; Ira, in Brimfield Township.; Charles, in Millbrook Township; Albert, in Brimfield Township; Flora, wife of Uly Grant of Millbrook Township. Those Deceased are Mary E., Sarah J., Elsie B., John and James.
~ Source: This Biography is from Portrait and Biographical Album of Peoria County, Illinois - Published 1890 - Page 424