Willbourne E. Paddock, a resident of Ashton, was an esteemed and enterprising citizen known for his contributions to the community. He was born in Ogle County on November 8, 1842, and engaged in the mercantile business from 1865 to 1882, often in partnership with J. B. Williams. Paddock owned seven hundred acres of well-improved land in Iowa and was respected for his business acumen. He descended from Riley Paddock, an influential figure who advocated for education and church development. Willbourne’s legacy was built upon a strong family background and his commitment to public service.
Willbourne E. Paddock. This gentleman is a resident of Ashton, which he has made his home for a number of years, and is highly esteemed as a public-spirited and enterprising citizen. He comes of an excellent family and a short sketch of his father, the late Riley Paddock, whose portrait is presented here, will not be out of place in this connection.
Riley Paddock was born in Clarke County, Ohio, February 8, 1810. When he was nine years old he went with his father, Col. Ebenezer Paddock, to Vigo County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. When he was about twenty-one years old, he engaged in the mercantile business in Middletown, that county, which he pursued for some five or six years, being the only merchant at that time in that section of country, he was obliged to haul most of his goods from Louisville, Kentucky, there being no public means of transportation.
In 1837 Mr. Paddock sold out his stock, and removing to Washington Grove, Ogle County, Illinois, there purchased a tract of land, comprising some five hundred acres. He devoted himself to farming on this place until 1866, when he removed to Ashton and lived retired, not being actively engaged in any business from that time until his death, which occurred April 28, 1887. He was a man who took an active interest in public affairs, being a warm advocate of education and the promotion of churches and schools. He was for two years President of what is now the First National Bank of Rochelle. He was an active member of the Christian Church, of which he was a liberal supporter, and also contributed most generously toward the erection of churches and the seminaries at Mt. Morris and at Wheaton. His influence was cast for good wherever he resided, and his memory will long be cherished by his fellow-townsmen and associates.
The wife of Riley Paddock, to whom he was married in Vigo County, Indiana, March 8, 1836, was Miss Eliza Snoddy, who was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, August 31, 1810. Her parents were Fergus and Elizabeth (McNeal) Snoddy, the latter of whom was born in Virginia of Scotch parentage. They died in Vigo County, Indiana, where they settled on coming from Kentucky in 1825. Mrs. Paddock was an intelligent and refined woman and a devoted wife and mother. Mr. Paddock, at the time of his death, was the owner of one-half section of well-improved land in Cherokee County, Iowa, and two hundred and sixty acres in this county.
To this worthy couple were born four children as follows: Burella, who is the wife of Moses D. Martin; Mary E., widow of the late J. B. Williams; Victoria N., the wife of Capt. W. S. Miller, and Wilbourne E., our subject, whose birth took place in Ogle County, November 8, 1842. From 1865 until 1882 Mr. Paddock was engaged in the mercantile business in Ashton, being in partnership during that time with the late J. B. Williams, with the exception of the last five years when he conducted the business alone. He deals in general merchandise, and is looked upon as an enterprising and successful business man. He owns seven hundred acres of land in Cherokee and Lyon Counties, Iowa, all of which is well improved. He has a comfortable residence in Ashton, and is highly respected by his fellow-citizens.