CLINCH, WALTER A.; Banker: was born in Peoria County, Illinois, September 24, 1856. His father, Thomas Clinch, was a native of Kent County, England, and emigrated to Peoria County in 1849. His mother Sarah A. (Bohanan) Clinch, came with her parents from the State of New York, and they were among the first settlers
of the county. He received such school advantages as the common schools of the county afforded until the age of fifteen years, when he vas given an opportunity for better school facilities. He then attended .the High School at Elmwood for two years, and from there took a partial course at the Wesleyan College, Bloomington, Illinois. At the close of his term at school he engaged in teaching, but followed that profession for only one year. In 1876 he entered the law office of James & Jack, of Peoria, as a law student, and after having pursued a regular course
of law studies was admitted to the bar two years later. For about four years he was engaged in the practice of law in Peoria with success and profit. Failing in health, however, he abandoned the law and took up farming on his father's land, that he might recover his health in the outdoor work and open air. This change brought him health and, at the end of two years on the farm an opportunity was presented him of entering into the business of banking at Elmwood. Mr. Clinch entered the Elmwood Bank in November, 1886. The proprietors of the bank at that time were Thomas Clinch, his father, who had associated with him Mr. W. H. Lett in the business. The active management of the bank was intrusted to W. A. Clinch, and he has, from the beginning .to the present time, had the affairs of the bank largely under his supervision. Mr. Clinch's associates in the management of the .bank's business are Henry Schenck, Marshall T. Lott and Harry Schenck. It is recognized as one of the conservative financial institutions of the county. Mr. Clinch was married to Miss Bessie Miller, daughter of Rev. John Miller of Peoria, September 24, 1884. They have two sons: Charles E., born July 2, 1885, and Paul C., born April 10, 1888. Their home in Elmwood is one among the most pleasant and attractive in the city.