Capt. William S. Frost, born October 7, 1832, in Maine, was a notable landowner and farmer in Lee County, Illinois. A Civil War veteran, he served as Captain in the Seventy-fifth Illinois Regiment and fought in key battles, sustaining wounds at Atlanta. After the war, he returned to farming and livestock, becoming a respected community leader and local politician. Capt. Frost married Sophia E. Shaw in 1865, and they had five children. He actively participated in local governance, significantly contributing to drainage improvement projects in the area.
Capt. William S. Frost. This gentleman, who is an extensive landowner, and is also largely engaged in farming and stock-raising, is well known throughout the county, not only as an intelligent, enterprising business man, but as an old soldier who fought bravely during the War of the Rebellion, and who carries with him the marks of wounds received in the service. He resides on section 28, Bradford Township, Lee County, which he has made his home for many years.
Capt. Frost was born in Windsor, near Augusta, Maine, October 7, 1832. When five years of age he was brought by his parents to Illinois, spending the first winter in Morgan County, and in the spring of 1838 coming to Lee County and settling in what is now Amboy Township, near Lee Center. He remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to Mt. Morris, and was for two years a student in the seminary at that place. After finishing his schooling he went to California by way of the Isthmus, and was there engaged in mining and also in hotel keeping for the next six years, when he returned to Lee County. A short time afterward he purchased a lot of stock, and in 1859 drove them across the plains to California, there disposing of them to good advantage, and returning in the fall of 1861 to Lee County.
When the Civil War broke out, Capt. Frost entered the service of his country, and in the spring of 1862 enlisted in Company E, Seventy-fifth Illinois Regiment, of which he was commissioned Captain. He was mustered in June 14, 1862, and continued in command of the company until July 23, 1864, when he was severely wounded at Atlanta by a minie ball, after which he was unable to do active service. He was mustered out January 23, 1865. Capt. Frost took part in the following engagements: Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, Resaca, Lookout Mountain and Kennesaw Mountain. He was wounded at Perryville by a minie ball which passed through his thigh, and was confined in the hospital for two months. His record through the war was that of a brave soldier and one which he can look back upon with pride. After his discharge from the army he returned to Lee County, and engaged in farming, also feeding and shipping live stock, and has since followed that business. He owns a large and finely improved farm, on which he has a fine residence and excellent buildings.
Capt. Frost was married in Lee Center, October 25, 1865, to Miss Sophia E. Shaw. This lady was a daughter of the late Sherman Shaw, who with his wife, whose maiden name was Melinda DeWolf, was among the first settlers of Lee County. The father died April 25, 1891, and the mother is still living. Mrs. Frost was born in Niles, Michigan, March 31, 1837, and was but five months old when her parents came to Lee County, where she grew to womanhood. Our subject and his wife are the parents of five children, namely: Frank Eels, who married Martha Hurlbert; Melinda S., who is the wife of Andrew Aschenbrenner; S. Donald; William S., Jr., and Mary A.
Capt. Frost is a stanch Republican, and has always taken an active part in political affairs. His good counsel and judgment have been appreciated by his fellow citizens, who have bestowed some important local offices upon him. He has been Supervisor for Bradford Township for some fourteen or fifteen years, and for some time has held the office of Commissioner of Internal Improvement of the Drainage District. The commission has spent about $100,000 in draining that section. He is one of the prominent and influential men of his township, and his many friends will take pleasure in reading this brief sketch of his life.