George W. Noble
From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing
biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co. GEORGE W. NOBLE, who resides on section 14, township 12 north, range 4 west, is
one of the honored pioneers of Henderson County. Few, if any, have longer resided in this county than he, for he
dates his arrival from 1836. When he came to the West, the land was wild and uncultivated, much of it still being
in possession of the Government. There were very few settlements, and many of the now thriving towns and villages
were unmarked by even a single building. In the transformation which has placed Henderson County among the best in
the State, he has borne his part, and well deserves mention. A native of Virginia, Mr. Noble was born in
Chesterfield County on the 6th of May, 1815, and is of English descent. His parents were John and Mary (Walthall)
Noble. Their family numbered seven children, but James, John, Thomas, Mark, Jefferson and Baker are all deceased.
Our subject is now the only living representative of the family. He acquired his education in the Mrs. Falkner
School of his native county, and during the days of vacation worked upon the home farm, thus receiving a good
physical and mental training. On attaining his majority he left the State of his nativity and started westward for
Illinois. He began the journey on the 12th of September, 1836, and after eleven weeks of travel across the country
by team he reached Henderson County on the 27th of November. Since that time he has always made his home here. Wild
game of all kinds was plentiful, including deer, which frequently roamed over the prairie. Mr. Noble began life in
the West with a cash capital of only fifty cents, but he possessed a young man's bright hope of the future and a
determination to succeed, and soon began work as a farm hand. In this way he made a start in life, and soon, as the
result of his industry, perseverance and economy, he had accumulated enough capital to purchase eighty acres of
land. After a time he sold that tract and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, in 1864. The following year he
located thereon and has since made that farm his home. With characteristic energy he began its development, and in
the course of time the richly cultivated fields yielded to him abundant harvests, and he thereby secured a good
income. On the 13th of July, 1842, Mr. Noble and Miss Julia A. Morehead were united in marriage, the lady being a
daughter of William A. and Lucretia ( Spires ) Morehead. Six children were born of their union: Mary L, now
deceased; Cyrus O., of Holton, Kan.; James, who is living in Henderson County; George, who resides in Bridgeport,
Cal.; Thomas, deceased; and Alice, who com- pletes the family. Mr. Noble cast his first Presidential vote for James
K. Polk, and has since supported the men and measures of the Democracy. He has served as Supervisor, but has never
been a politician in the sense of office-seeking. With the Baptist Church he holds membership, and, in harmony with
his profession, his life has been an honorable and upright one. Although he has attained the age of seventy-nine
years, he is still hale and hearty, and bids fair to live for some time to come. In the work of developing the
county he has ever borne his part, and has aided in its progress and advancement. He has ever taken a commendable
interest in the general welfare, and gives his support to all enterprises calculated to prove of public
benefit.
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