McDonough ILGenWeb

HANKINS, Willis H., superintendent of the Macomb Pottery Company, Macomb, McDonough County, Ill., was born in Brown County, Ill., November 30, 1854, a son of Augustus and Elizabeth (O'Neal) Hankins, the former born in New Albany, Ind., and the latter in Brown County, Ill. Frederick Hankins, the paternal grandfather, was of German birth. The maternal grandparents, Willis H. and Mary (Hannah) O'Neal, were born, respectively, in the vicinity of Lexington, Ky., and in that city. Willis H. Hankins is the eldest of three children born to his parents, the others being sisters. In his youthful days he received a suitable education in the public and high schools of his native place, and at the age of eighteen years began work in the potteries at Ripley, Brown County, Ill. After working there ten years, he moved to Macomb, where he was employed by the Macomb Pottery Company, of which he was appointed Superintendent, September 1, 1902, to succeed Fred V. Maxwell. This company makes a larger variety of pottery goods than any other concern of its kind in this part of the country.

On May 19, 1878, Mr. Hankins was united in marriage with Belle Steadman, who was born and schooled in Schuyler County, Ill. The children resulting from this union are: Bertha Allyne, Harland H., and Ross S. Politically, Mr. Hankins is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the order of Mystic Workers and K. of P. The subject of this sketch is recognized as an expert in his industrial line, and renders most efficient service to his company.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 894, extracted 04 Jan 2019 by Norma Hass.