W. T. FREEZE, lawyer, Mound City, is one of the most prominent of his profession in Pulaski County. He is of German descent, a native of Tennessee, born December 1, 1844. His father, John L. Freeze, is a native of same State, born in January, 1824, he came to Illinois in 1848, and settled in Union County, and was engaged as contractor for the stone work of the Illinois Central Railroad Company for five years. In 1870, he removed to Howell County, Mo., where he now resides. His wife, and mother of our subject, Mary E. (Campbell) Freeze, was also a native of Tennessee, she was born February 27, 1824; she was a daughter of William and Mary (Stone) Campbell, and was the mother of nine children, of whom five are now living. She died January 10, 1865. Our subject was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools of Union County; when a young man learned the carpenter trade of his father. August 19, 1862, at seventeen years of age, he enlisted in the late war, serving in Company H, of the Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out of the service at Little Rock, Ark., July 10, 1865, at the time was Hospital Steward, a position he had held for thirteen months. He was in the following battles: Parker's Cross Roads, where he was wounded in the leg, and still carries the bullet, was also in the battles of Mount Elbe and siege of Vicksburg. After the war, he attended for a short time the University of Michigan, and then engaged in farming in Union County on the old home farm. In 1870, he gave up farming, and began teaching schools during the winter seasons, and working at his trade in the summer. In 1866, he began the study of law, and in August, 1881, passed his examination before the Appellate Court of Mount Vernon, Ill., and was admitted to the bar. He had previously been Police Magistrate of Dongola, Ill., but resigned the office on being admitted to the bar. In September, 1881, he came to Mound City, and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he has followed in connection with duties as Deputy County Clerk. In 1867, on the 22d of October, he married Emma Hoffner, a native of Pulaski County, born July 26, 1845; she is a daughter of Judge Caleb and Melia (Knupp) Hoffner. He is a member of the Christian Church, and she of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is an active member of Masons, Villa Ridge Lodge, No. 250, and in politics is a Republican.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, pages 262-263.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
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Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
