WILLIAM BARTLESON, farmer, P. O. New Grand Chain, was born in Stark County, Ohio, March 31, 1829, a twin brother to Robert. He received his first schooling in Morgan County, Ohio, where his parents had removed when he was small. With them he came to what is now Pulaski County, in 1843. and started out for himself some time afterward as a farmer. He was united in marriage in 1851, to Elizabeth Hale, a daughter of Richard and Drusilla (Matthews) Hale. Her mother was akin to the old Matthews families in Mississippi, including Gov. Matthews and others who were prominent in the early history of that State. She died in March, 1882, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Bartleson are the parents of eight children, four of whom survive — Amanda C., Jennie, Cora and William. In 1857, Mr. Bartleson sold out his property here and removed to Texas, where he was engaged in farming and general work. He returned two years later, but in the spring of 1860 moved to Duquoin, Ill., where he resided for nine years. Here he enlisted in Company A, Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. M. K. Lawler. They did heavy fighting at Fort Donelson, and were afterward at Pittsburg Landing and Vicksburg. At Fort Donelson he received a slight wound, a ball passing through his right ear from the front, making a narrow escape for himself. He served out his three years of enlistment, and was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., in July, 1864, and returned to Duquoin. In 1870, he removed back to Pulaski County, and purchased his present place, which is situated on the banks of the Ohio River, a stretch of several miles of which is visible from his residence. He belongs to the A., F. & A. M., and also K. & L. of H. In politics he votes the Republican ticket.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, page 300.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
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Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
