From the 1906 Souvenir of Blandinsville, Illinois book. William Plowright, our enterprising grain dealer, comes to us from the Mother country, having been born of English parents in Wrangler, Lincolnshire, England, April 18, 1862. His father, James Plowright, was the manager of a large estate belonging to one of the nobles of England. William was raised a farmer and continued to live at the family home until nineteen years of age, when he emigrated to Canada, landing at Quebec, August 6, 1881. He at once went to work, laboring as a farm hand. Here he stayed for two and one-half years, when he decided to go farther west. He had heard much of the great United States, and from the flowing description given the country by those who knew something of what it takes to make a happy and prosperous nation, he thought it must be the place for him, so hither he bent his steps, landing at Hillsdale County, Michigan. He remained here only one year and November 22, 1884, came to Blandinsville, which place has been his residence ever since, with the exception of nine months spent in New Mexico. Previous to 1900, the greater part of Mr. Plowright’s life was spent on the farm, but in the spring of that year, he entered the employ of Frank Sharp, who was then engaged in the grain business. He continued to work in this capacity for three years. May 1, 1903, a partnership was formed between himself and Mr. Sharp which lasted almost three years, Mr. Sharp then retiring and Mr. Plowright becoming sole owner of the business. January 27, 1897, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Ebba I. Benson of Chicago. Mrs. Plowright is of Swedish birth and received her early education in the public schools of her native country, but coming to America at an early age her education was finished in the schools of Chicago. She is a most estimable woman and has been in every way a worthy helpmate to her husband. They are the parents of five children. Mr. Plowright is a member of the Methodist church. Politically he is associated with the democratic party, and while he is no prattling politician, he never forgets his party when he goes to cast his vote. He is a member of the M.W.A. and I.O.O.F. fraternities, having passed all the chairs in the later. There is no business man in our community that stands higher in the standards of honesty and straight forward business dealing than Mr. Plowright. No small or under-mining work can be traced to his credit, or rather we may say to his discredit, and it is these strong characteristics which are building up for him and enviable reputation in the grain business.