Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 238

William Annan, miller, located in Unionville, was born Nov. 2, 1848, in Scotland and is the oldest son of William and Elizabeth (Murray) Annan, who were natives of the same country and of Scotch descent through a long line of ancestors. They came directly from the “land of heather” to Whiteside County, and fixed their residence soon after in Unionville, where the former died, Jan. 11, 1882. The mother is still living, as are three of the four children,--Barbara, William, Catherine and James. The last named is deceased.

Mr. Annan was scarcely a year old when his parents came, with two children, to the United States. He obtained a good common-school education at Unionville, and afterwards attended the commercial college at Davenport, Iowa. His father, associated with John A. Robertson, built a grist-mill on Rock Creek in 1859-60, and in the intervals of school he assisted in its management, continuing to act in some capacity connected therewith until the decease of his father, when he assumed charge of the establishment and has since conducted its business. Its producing capacity is 75 barrels of flour daily, and the trade is chiefly custom work.

In political affiliation Mr. Annan is a Republican. He was united in marriage with Marian Ely, at Cortland, De Kalb Co., Ill., May 16, 1878, and to them three children have been born, who are named Frank W., George and Floyd J.

Mrs. Annan was born in the State of New York, and is the daughter of C.F. and Lydia M. Ely.