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William L. Eskew, lumber dealer, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., February 9, 1837, the son of Alfred and Newranry (Lane) Eskew, natives of North Carolina. Our subject was reared and educated in his native State, came to Illinois in 1869, and followed carpentering and cabinet making. In 1879 he established a lumber and building material business, the first in Benton, and has since built up the leading trade of the kind in the county. His present large warehouse was built in the spring of 1884. November 1, 1860, he married Sarah L. Goldston, of Tennessee. Their only child is Madeline H. He is a Democrat politically,

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and has held various local offices since his residence here. He is a member of the Christian Church, and one of Benton's most reliable men.