William was born in 1819 in Walsoken, Norfolk, England. He was a market gardener. His first wife, Susan, died in 1853. William married Emily Attwood in 1854. They were the parents of two children, Arthur William and Emily Louisa. The family emigrated to America in 1864. Within six months, both parents had died. Their children were raised by John Attwood, the uncle of Emily, on his farm in Downers Grove.
