H.W. Colwill Collection (Creston)

H.W. (Hap) Colwill was born in Dement Township, Illinois, on December 10, 1896, son of John Colwill and Jane (Tamlyn) Colwill. He was educated in rural schools of DeKalb County, and in 1911-1912 finished his schooling by taking a three month bookkeeping course. Until 1920 Colwill worked for the grain elevator and on local farms. In 1922 he became bookkeeper of the elevator as well as its operator and manager. On October 16, 1922, Colwill, in partnership with Ralph Lewis, purchased the grain elevator and coal business, and one year later added a lumber yard as well. In 1924 Colwill bought out his partner, Lewis, to become sole owner of the elevator operation. On February 1, 1936, Colwill and Grant Hendrickson started the Leader Oil Company to sell gasoline and fuel oil and one year later (March 1, 1937) Hendrickson sold out his share of the oil company. Colwill continued to operate both the elevator and the oil company as sole owner until 1977. Colwill married Agnes Dorothy Anderson on October 10, 1925. They had three children: Herbert William, Sally Ann (Chabucos), and John Arthur. Active in numerous civic affairs, Colwill served on the board of the Creston Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty years and spent eight years on the Ogle County School Board including a term as president (1960). Colwill was also appointed administrator of three estates. Among his fraternal memberships were Masonic Lodge 320, Royal Arch Mason Chapter 158, Rochelle, Knights Templar, Tebala Temple Shrine and B.P.O. Elks. Colwill also belonged to two professional groups, the Royal Order of Woodmen and the Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo.

Note written by