McDonough ILGenWeb

WHITTLESEY, W. H., former Superintendent of the City Water Works, of Bushnell, McDonough County, Ill., is a native of New Hampshire, where he was born in 1840. Mr. Whittlesey settled in Fulton County, Ill., in 1859, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1880. In 1893 he took charge of the Bushnell Water Works as Superintendent. These works were established in 1889, and are owned by the city. The system was organized for the purpose of supplying the city with water for domestic and fire-extinguishing uses. It includes three wells, each 100 feet deep; one well, 1,351 deep; two reservoirs, with a capacity of 36,000 gallons each, and a 40,000-gallon standpipe. The water comes through sandstone. Two pressure pumps are used, having a capacity of 400 gallons per minute, with two boilers of sixty-horse power each. There are from three and one-half to four miles of main, and fifty hydrants for fire protection. The works pump 150,000 gallons per day, and the operating expenses are $100 per month. Mr. Whittlesey resigned his position as Superintendent of the Water Works in the spring of 1906, and the City Council adopted the following preambles and resolution as an evidence of the public sentiment regarding him and his official labors:

"Whereas, Mr. W. H. Whittlesey has served the City of Bushnell for nearly thirteen years in the official capacity of Superintendent of Water Works, to the entire satisfaction of the City Council and citizens of the city, but is now determined to retire; and,

"Whereas, This city is justly proud of its system of Water Works, the efficiency of which depended largely upon the watchful care of the Superintendent; and,

"Whereas, The said task has been very arduous, involving service all days during the year, besides many night calls on account of fires; therefore, be it

"Resolved. That this council, in accepting the resignation of Mr. W. H. Whittlesey, hereby tender him a vote of thanks and respect for his long, faithful service in the capacity of Superintendent of Water Works."

Mr. Whittlesey married Abbie J. Hersey, who was born in McDonough County, and the children (all sons) resulting from their union are: Abdellah, Ward and William.

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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, pages 1044-1045, extracted 26 Oct 2020 by Norma Hass.