Guthrie Family Group 5 – Branch B
PRISCILLA ‘PRISCY’ GUTHRIE and JOHN HADLEY
of Kentucky and Illinois, USA

PRISCILLA GUTHRIE aka ‘PRISCY’
Parents: Levi Guthrie 1744VA – Aft.1816KY and Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Yamons c1745 – 1825IL
Birth: 27 August 1780
Location: Kentucky, USA
Marriage: John Hadley on 28 Nov 1800 in Green County, Kentucky, USA
Hadley Children: 8
Death: 4 June 1826 (age 45)
Location: Collinsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA
Burial: Unknown, presumably in Madison County, Illinois, USA

JOHN HADLEY
Parents: James Hadley
Birth: 1776
Location: Maryland, USA
Occupation:
Military Service: Unknown
Death: 1850 (age 73-74)
Location: Pleasant Ridge (north of Collinsville), Madison, Illinois, USA
Burial: Section F Lot 147, Glenwood Cemetery, Collinsville, Madison, Illinois, USA

Notes:
Priscilla Guthrie’s parents were married in Goochland, Virginia, but there is some indication that they lived in North Carolina during the Revolutionary War years prior to their move to Kentucky. According to 1880 census records of her son, Priscilla was born in Kentucky. This was most likely in Green County. The family was in Adair County, KY by 1803.

When she was 20 years old, Priscilla married John Hadley. He was the son of Rev. War Patriot Soldier Pvt. James Hadley. John was born in Maryland. HIs occupation is not documented in census records. Census records show the presence of eight boys and girls in the household inferred to be John and Priscilla’s children. The family moved to Collinsville township in Madison County, Illinois about 1817. Two of Priscy’s brothers had also made the move to Madison County, Illinois.

1800 Green County Kentucky Tax Lists – John Hadley

The 1810 Census of Columbia, Adair, Kentucky on 6 August 1810 – The John Hadley Household
1M 26-44, 1F 16-25, 3M and 2F under 10 – Total Household Members = 7

The 1820 Census of Goshen, Madison, Illinois on 7 August 1820 – The John Hadley Household
1M and 1F 26-44; 1F 16-25, 3M and 1F 10-15, 1M and 2F Under 10. – Total Household Members: 10

The 1830 Census of Madison, Illinois – The John Hadly Household
1M 50-59, 1F 15-19, 1M and 1F 10-14 – Total Household Members: 4

Priscilla died at 45 years old on 4 June 1826. Her husband survived her. John Hadley died at age 73 or 74 in 1850.

HADLEY CHILDREN: 8
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

CHILD 1: ELIZABETH HADLEY
Born 1801 KY – Died 1871 MO
Spouse: Enoch Jones m. 17 Oct 1820 in Madison County, IL

Elizabeth Hadley was born 4 Oct 1801 in Kentucky according to family trees. She was 19 at her marriage to Enoch Jones in Madison, IL on 17 Oct 1820. They lived between Macoupin and Apple Creeks in Greene County, Illinois during the 1850 census. They had moved to Missouri by 1860 when Enoch died. He is on the Mortality Census of 1860 for Gentry County. Elizabeth was living with her son, John W Jones and his wife Mary and son Albert during the 1860 census in Township 65, Gentry, Missouri. Their post office was at Grants Hill. John was a farmer with real estate valued at $1600 and personal estate at $1000.

The 1830 Census of Madison, IL – The Enoch Jones Household:
1M 30-39; 1F 20-29; 1F 5-9; 1M under 5

The 1840 Census – Enoch Jones not found as a Head of Household

The 1850 Census of Greene, IL (Bet. Macoupin and Apple Creeks) – The John W Jones Household
John W Jones 25 m Farmer born Illinois
Enoch Jones 56 m Carpenter born Virginia
Elizabeth Jones 49 f born Kentucky

Jones Children: 2
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) (Unidentified Daughter) Jones: Born abt. 1821-1825 IL – Died aft 1830
2.) John W Jones: born abt. 1825 IL – died 1880 AR (m.1852IL) Martha Jane Arnold +children

CHILD 2: REV. JAMES HADLEY
Born 1803 KY – Died 1875 MO
Spouse 1: Possible Unidentified First Wife m. about 1830
Spouse 2: Mrs. Abigail (MNU) Young m. 8 Oct 1840 in Madison County, IL
Spouse 3: Mrs Clementine Randall (Otwell) Gates m. 2 Apr 1850 in Madison County, IL
Spouse 4: Almira M Beauvois m. 16 Jul 1857 in Madison County, IL

James Hadley was born in Kentucky about February of 1803. His parents moved the family to Illinois and settled in Madison County. James was both a farmer and Methodist preacher. Area marriage and census records reveal he was probably married three to four times.

If she existed, the wife remains unidentified. There were two children born prior to 1840: Sarah Ann (1831) and John W (1834). The latter’s death certificate identifies his father as James Hadley. Another option would be that they are children of Mrs Abigail Young by her first marriage. The 1830 census lists the households of John Young Sr, John Young Jr and Andrew Young. The latter appears to be alive in 1840, while the other John Young household are not the right age to be the same person. Abigail had one known son with Rev. James Hadley, his namesake, James M Hadley, born 1841.

Abigail apparently died by 1849. Rev. James Hadley married again on 2 Apr 1850 in Madison, IL to Mrs. Clementine Randall (Otwell) Gates, the widow of Norman Edgar Gates with whom she had at least 2 sons, one unidentified and Joseph C Gates (1837).

The 1850 Census of Madison, IL:
James Hadley 47 m Farmer & Meth. Preacher, Real Estate Value 2660, Born KY
Clementina Hadley 35 f Born IL
Sarah Ann Hadley 19 f Born IN attended school
John W Hadley 17 m Born IL attended school
James Hadley 9 m Born IL attended school
Joseph C Gates 13 m Born IL attended school
Emory B Gillham 9 m Born IL attended school
Isaac Davis 22 22 m Born New Jersey

Clementine died on 1 Dec 1853 in Collinsville, Madison, IL. She is the most likely candidate to be the mother of Ann Hadley, listed as age 6 in the 1860 census.

Rev. James Hadley remarried on 16 July 1857 in Madison, IL to Almira Beauvois. Their marriage record lists her given name as Elmira, while her gravestone lists it as Almira. They had two children Florence and Alfred.

The 1860 census of Madison, IL confuses things a bit by listing James’ wife as Ann instead of Almira. The transcription also lists the surname as Hudley rather than Hadley
James Hadley 57 m Farmer RE 2500 PE 1500 born KY
Ann Hadley 40 f Housekeeper born NY
James M Hadley 19 m born IL attended school
Ann Hadley 6 f born IL attended school
Others

The family moved to Johnson County, Missouri. James’ eldest daughter, Sarah Ann (Hadley) Blake became a widow in 1869.

The 1870 Census of Washington, Johnson, Missouri (Post office: Warrensburg)
James Hadley 67 m w Farmer RE 6000, PE 1300, born KY
Almira Hadley 50 f w Keeping House born NY
Florence Hadley 9 f w born IL (no indication of attending school)
Alfred Hadley 7 m w born IL (no indication of attending school)
Sarah Blake 40 (Occupation: None), born IN
Julius Blake 9 m w School born IL attended school
Julia Blake 9 f w at School, born IL, attended school
Claud Blake 4 m w born MO
Charles Blake 2 m w born MO
Mary Pippis 18 f w (Occupation: None) born IL

James outlived his wife. Almira (Beauvois) Hadley died on 24 Feb 1874 at 54 years of age. James was 72 at his death the next year following on 20 Sep 1875. They are buried at Lea Cemetery in Johnson County, Missouri.

Hadley Children: 6
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) Sarah Ann Hadley: born abt. 1831 IN – died 1922 MO (m.1855IL) Charles W Blake +children
2.) John W Hadley: born abt. 1834 IL – died 1861 KY – Civil War Soldier (Union) – Unmarried
3.) James N W Hadley: born abt. 1841 IL – died aft. 1860 – Civil War Soldier (Union) – No Further Details
4.) Ann Hadley: born abt. 1853 IL – died aft. 1860 – No Further Details
5.) Florence Hadley: born abt. 1861 IL – died aft. 1870 – No Further Details
6.) Alfred Warren Hadley: born abt. 1863 IL – died 1901 WI (m.1896WI) Elizabeth Ida Sherwood +child

CHILD 3: NANCY HADLEY
Born 1804 KY – Died 1879 IL
Spouse: David Conway m. 25 Nov 1821 in Madison County, KY

Nancy Hadley appears to be one of the older children. Their names have been gathered from county records. Nancy was 16 years old at the time of her marriage to David Conway. He was about five years her elder and a farmer by occupation. They lived in Madison County, IL through the 1830 census when their household consisted of 1M 30-39, 1F 20-29, 2M 5-9 and 2M under 10.

By 1840, they were living in Wilmington, Greene, Illinois:
1M 40-49, 1F 30-39, 2M 15-19 (1821-1825), 1M10-14 (1826-1830), 2M and 1F 5-9 (1831-1835), 1M and 1F under 5 (1836-1840).

Their home in 1850 was documented “Between Macoupin and Apple Creeks, Greene, Illinois”
David Conway 51 m Farmer born KY
Nancy Conway 45 f born KY
Cyntha A Conway 17 f born Illinois
Dempsey M Conway 14 m born Illinois
Mary Jane Conway 12 f born Illinois
Margaret P Conway 9 f born Illinois
Alfred F Conway 6 m born Illinois
Silas L Conway 4 m born Illinois
Perry Conway 22 m born Illinois
James Conway 23 m born Illinois

They were still in Greene County, Illinois during the 1860 Census:
David Conway 65 m Farmer Real Estate: 5000, Personal Estate 2000 born in Kentucky
Nancy Conway 56 f born in Kentucky
Margarett Conway 19 f Domestic born in Illinois
Alfred F Conway 15 m born in Illinois attended school
Silas Conway 13 m born in Illinois attended school
The next household listed is:
Demsey M Conway 24 M Farmer Personal Estate 2000 born in Illinois

The Conway family moved from Greene County to Bement, Piatt County, Illinois between 1860 and 1870. They were listed on the census that year:
David Conway 70 m w Farmer Real Estate 4800 Personal Estate 800 born Kentucky
Nancy Conway 68 f w Keeping House born Kentucky
Demsey Conway 30 m w Farmer born Illinois
Silas Conway 28 m w Farmer born Illinois
Mary Conway 28 f w at home born Illinois
Colby Light 13 m w Farm Labor born Illinois

David Conway died on 13 Oct 1875. Nancy survived him by 4 years. Her death occurred on 5 Feb 1879. They are buried at Bement Cemetery in Bement, Piatt, Illinois.

Conway Children: 8
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) (Unidentified Son) Conway born 1822-1825 IL – no further details
2.) (Unidentified Son) Conway born 1826-1830 IL – no further details
3.) Cynthia Ann Conway born abt. 1833 – died aft. 1860 (m.1856IL) John Williams +children
4.) Dempsey Marion Conway born 1836IL – died 1924IL (m1.1866OH) Elizabeth Clarinda Mitchell; (m2.1878) Ellen Newman +children
5.) Mary Jane Conway born abt. 1838IL – died 1888IL (m.1854IL/div?) Valentine T Bradley; (m2.1873IL) Hardin Peak +children
6.) Margaret P Conway born abt. 1841IL – died 1872MO (m.1861IL) Samuel Thomas Brown +children
7.) Alfred F Conway born 1844 IL – died aft. 1900 (m.1874) Annie E Bigger +children
8.) Silas Dean Conway born 1847IL – died 1919IL (m.1870IL) Eliza J Thompson +children

CHILD 4: REV. WILLIAM HADLEY
Born 1806 KY – Died 1896 IL
Spouse: Diadema McKinney m. 16 Sep 1830 in Madison County, IL

William Hadley was born 28 Nov 1806 in Adair County, Kentucky. The family moved to Madison County, IL when he was still young. He worked as a farm laborer and a farmer, but was also a minister of the gospel who performed many local marriages. His own marriage to Diadema McKinney occurred on 16 Sep 1830. He was 23 and she was about 20. They lived in Collinsville, Madison, Illinois and had four children. Diadema died on 8 March 1863 at the age of 54. William outlived her by 33 years. His death came at the age of 89 on 4 November 1896. They are buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Collinsville.

Hadley Children: 4
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) Orsemeth Strange Hadley: Born 1832 IL – Died 1867 MO – laborer – unmarried
2.) Justina Penelope Hadley: Born abt. 1838 IL – Died Abt. 1860 (m.1858IL) J. Henry Servoss
3.) Wilbur Clay Hadley: Born 1842 IL – Died 1925 bank pres. (m.1866IL) Mary Sophronia Hadley +children
4.) William Flavius Lester Hadley: Born 1847IL – died 1901CA lawyer/US Congressman (m.1875IL) Mary Julia West +children

CHILD 5: BATHSHEBA D HADLEY
Born 1811-15 KY or IL – Died 1839-1840 IL
Spouse: David S Rankin m. 25 Dec 1838 in Madison County, IL

David S Rankin was born about 1814, so it is probably his wife was of similar age. Bathsheba D Hadley may have been the daughter in the 1811-15 age bracket. No further data has been found on Bathsheba, but it appears that she died about 1839 – 1840. David S Rankin married again in Coles County, Illinois on 14 Dec 1841 to Matilda Nicholson. The 1850 census shows the eldest of the household’s children to be born about 1842, so it is likely that David and Bathsheba had no surviving children.

Rankin Children: None Known
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: N/A – No Known Descendants

CHILD 6: DEMPSEY HADLEY
Born 1815 KY – Died 1863 IL
Spouse 1: Justina Clinton Otwell m. 24 March 1840 in Madison County, IL
Spouse 2: Martha Penney m. 22 Sep 1853 in Madison County, IL

Dempsey Hadley was born on 26 August 1815 in Kentucky. He was a young child when his parents moved to Madison County, Illinois and he would remain there throughout his life working as a farmer. Dempsey was married twice. His first wife was Justina Clinton Otwell whom he married in 1840. They had 5 sons and 2 daughters between 1841 and 1851. Justina died about 1852 in Collinsville, Madison, IL and was buried at Glenwood Cemetery.

With a household of young children, Dempsey remarried on 22 Sep 1853. His second wife was Martha Penney by whom he had 2 sons and a daughter. Dempsey died at only 47 years of age on 5 March 1863. Martha survived him by 13 years. Her death came in 1876 when she was 54.

Hadley Children: 10
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) Armenius M Hadley: Born abt. 1841 IL – Died 1888-1900 MO (m.1868IL) Amelia Voelker +children
2.) William C Hadley: Born abt. 1843 IL – Died Aft 1870 (m. 1866 IL) Mary E Slayback +children
3.) Francis C Hadley: Born abt. 1845 IL – Died Aft. 1860 – no further info
4.) Stith Mead Otwell Hadley: Born 1846IL – Died 1913MO (m.abt. 1871) Almira Brown +children
5.) Ellen Adelade Hadley: Born 1848IL – Died 1901MO (m.1882IL) James Bullock +children
6.) Theodore Edward Hadley: Born abt. 1850IL – Died bef. 1863 IL – no further details
7.) Eugene Young Hadley: Born 1851IL – Died 1932 IL (m.1876IL) Emilie Dawson +children
8.) Charles Wentworth Hadley: Born 1854IL – Died 1924MO (m1.1883) Mary Laurene Lemen +child, (m2.1900) Carrie L (Nolan) McPherson
9.) Justine Lauretta Hadley: Born 1856IL – Died 1938IL (m.1879IL) John J Myers +children
10.) John Justine Hadley: Born 1856IL – Died 1929 IL (m.1893IL) Lillie Crownover +child

CHILD 7: UNIDENTIFIED SON
Born 1816-20 KY or IL – Died Aft. 1830
Marital Status: Unknown

No personal information on this son other than he is enumerated in the 1830 census. Most likely died young.

CHILD 8: DOROTHY HADLEY
Born 1816-20 KY – Died 1850
Spouse: Lewellyn Brown Gillham m. 26 Jan 1842 in Madison County, IL

Dorotha/Dorothea/Dorothy appears to be the youngest of the daughters, born about 1820 according to the census. Although, it lists her birthplace as TN. This might be a red flag, but her son, Emory B Gillham is found living with brother James Hadley after both parents’ death during the 1860 census.

Dorothy married Lewellyn Brown Gillham on 26 Jan 1842 in Madison, IL. She was his second wife. He had previously married S M Johnson in 1838. The 1850 census is the only one listing them as a family:
Lew Allen B Gillham 34 m Farmer real estate: 2000 born IL
Dorotha Gillham 30 f born TN
Emory B Gillham 7 m born IL
Sarah G Gillham 1 f born IL

Llewellyn Brown Gillham died on 12 July 1850. His wife Dorothy reportedly died later the same month according to one family tree. William Hadley was assigned as the administrator of his brother-in-law’s estate. Documents mention the 2 children. Also payments for medical care for both L B Gillam and his wife. William Hadley was also noted to be the legal guardian of Sarah Lucretia Gillham.

Gillham Children: 2
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Descendant of a Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: NONE

1.) Emory Benson Gillham: born 1843 IL – died aft 1850 – No further details
2.) Sarah Lucretia Gillham: born 1848 IL – died 1902 IL (m.1869 IL) George Miley McCormick +children

READING and RESOURCES

DOCUMENTS: Green County Kentucky Deeds, 1793-1952. Digital Repository: Family Search
Indexes, v. 1 – 2 1793-1908 – FHL 007896965
Letter H Indexes begin Volume 1 Page 193 – IMG 102 of 675
No Hadley Entries Found thru 1840

DOCUMENTS: Green County Kentucky Land Entry Books. Digital Repository: Family Search
FHL 008272154 – Letter H Index – IMG 17 of 260
Hadley, John 168-3//4 A – Crocus Creek – p.118

Note that John Hadley’s property is located next to that of Dempsey Guthrie on Crocus Creek.

BOOK: Green County Marriage Records 1793-1836. Digital Repository: Family Search.
A 38
Hadley, John
Guthry, Prissa
M 18 Dec 1800 David Haggard

DOCUMENTS: Green County Kentucky Marriage Records 1793-1955
Vols. 1A-1C 1793-1861 – FHL 007721466
A 38

DOCUMENTS: Adair County, Kentucky – Deeds, 1802-1905. Digital Repository: Family Search.
Index, Grantor 1802-1938; Grantee, A-H 1802-1938 – FHL 007856524
Guthrie Grantor Index – IMG 254 of 1078

Guthrie Grantee Index – Starting IMG 1026 of 1078 thru IMG 1027 of 1078

Hadley Grantor Index – Starting IMG 258 of 1078 thru IMG 260 of 1078
Hadley Grantee Index – Starting IMG 1027 of 1078 thru IMG 1029 of 1078

DOCUMENTS: Madison County, Illinois – Real Estate Conveyances. Digital Repository: Family Search.
Book 1 – FHL – 008203966
Hadley, John to Henry Wellington – 309 – IMG 181 and 182
I John Hadley of Lexington in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, bricklayer, late a musician in the twenty first Regiment of the Infantry of the united States in consideration of $150 in hand paid by Henry Wellington in the County & commonwealth aforesaid, gentleman, … tract containing 160 acres being the NE quarter of Section 8 of Township 15 Northern Range 4 West in the tract appropriated in pursuance of the acts of Congress appropriating and granting land to the late army of the United States . . . Signed sealed & delivered in presence of us Samuel Adams, James Cutter Jr, Middlesex, 11 Aug 1818 …signed John Hadley. Recorded 7 Aug 1819.
(Probably not this John Hadley, but an interesting example of the kind of info you can find in these deeds.)

Hadley, Dempsey to F C Lindenburgh – 352
Dempsey Hadley and Justina C. his wife of Madison to Frederick Conrad Lindenburgh
Guthrie, Henry to David Marks – 38

GRANTOR INDEX
FHL 007901756 – Index – Grantor – Letter H – Begins IMG 320 of 830
IMG 332 – 1842: Hadley, William to Dempsey Hadley – Book 7 – Page 159 – Rec 23 – Page 351
IMG 332 – 1842: Hadley, Dempsey to J Bailey Hall – Book 7 – Page 160 – Rec 23 – Page 356
IMG 333 – 1843: Hadley, John to Dempsey Hadley – Book 7 – Page 239 – Rec 27 – Page 15
IMG 333 – 1843: Hadley, William to James Hadley – Book 7 – Page 286 – Rec 26 – Page 255
IMG 333 – 1843: Hadley, William to James Hadley – Book 7 – Page 286 – Rec 26 – Page 256
IMG 334 – 1845: Hadley, Dempsey to Carl W Krome – Book 8 – Page 15 – Rec 28 – Page 38
IMG 335 – 1847: Hadley, William to Amos Hill – Book 8 – Page 87 – Rec 28 – Page 428
IMG 337 – 1849: Hadley, William to Jones & Griffith – Book 9 – Page 30 – Rec 33 – Page 136
IMG 337 – 1849: Hadley, Dempsey to Levi Davis Com – Book 9 – Page 134 – Macoupin 60
IMG 342 – 1853: Hadley, William to James Mabee – Book 10 – Page 470 – Rec 45 – Page 110
IMG 342 – 1853: Hadley, William to Dempsey Hadley – Book 10 – Page 479 – Rec 45 – Page 118
IMG 346 – 1854: Hadley, William to Elisha Prickett – Book 11 – Page 280 – Rec 47 – Page 528
IMG 351 – 1859: Hadley, William to Joel W Collier – Book 12 – Page 382 – Rec 56 – Page 92
IMG 356 – 1859: Hadley, O.S. to H T Carter & HG Sewop – Book 13 – Page 249 – Rec 62 – Page 75
IMG 359 – 1861: Hadley, William to Trustee of Schools – Book 13 – Page 685 – Rec (smudged) 68? aft 153
Reviewed Thru IMG 363 of 830. Letter H Grantee Index continues thru IMG 392 of 830.

BOOK: Shelley, Jane and Wasser, Elsie M. (984). Madison County Illinois Marriage Records Index, 1813-1850 Volume One. (Plus Other Volumes) Digital Repository: Family Search
Note that J. Hadley and W. Hadley are listed as ministers of the gospel.
Guthrie and Hadley groom surnames are found beginning on p.27 (img 34 of 122).
Hadley, Dempsey — Justina C Otwell — 24 Mar 1840 — W. Hadley mg — 46-827
Hadley, James — Mrs Abigail Young — 8 Oct 1840 — W G McMurray mg — 48-901
Hadley, James — Mrs Clementine R Gates — 2 Apr 1850 — W C Ballard mg — 90-584
Hadley, William — Diadema McKinny — 18 Jun 1838 — S Peter mg — 20-798

Guthrie and Hadley bride surnames are found on p.87 (img 94 of 122)
Hadley, Bathesheba D. — David S Rankin — 25 Dec 1838 — J Hadley mg — 47-845
Hadley, Dorothy — Llewellyn B Gillham — 26 Jan 1842 — JH Benson mg — 53-103
Hadley, Elizabeth — Enoch Jones — no return — issued 17 Oct 1820 — 7-276
Hadley, Elizabeth J — Peter Barco — 4 Mar 1847 – W Hadley mg — 72-865
Hadley, Nancy — David Conoway — 25 Nov 1821 — M. Cox jp — 10-364
Note: Must review the groom pages for marriage details.

WEBSITE: Madison Historical – The Online Encyclopedia and Digital Archive for Madison County, Illinois.
“Wilbur Clay Hadley in 1921, Founder and President of The State Bank of Collinsville,” Madison Historical, accessed March 7, 2024, https://madison-historical.siue.edu/archive/items/show/594

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES for WILLIAM FLAVIUS LESTER HADLEY, US REPRESENTATIVE, ILLINOIS
William F. L. Hadley was the senior member of the law firm of Hadley & Burton of Edwardsville. He was born June 15, 1847, on a farm near Collinsville, Illinois to William and Didama [McKinney] Hadley. At the age of 16, he was sent to McKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois, where he graduated in June 1867. In the fall of 1870, he entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in 1871. He returned home in November 1871, and opened a law office in Edwardsville. In 1874 he formed a law partnership with Judge Krome, which continued until 1890, when the latter was elected County Judge. In 1892 he formed a partnership with Charles H. Burton. In 1886, Mr. Hadley was nominated by the Republican part for State Senator from the Forty-first District, receiving more than eleven hundred votes over his opponent. During the first session of his term, he was placed on several committees, and was Chairman of the Penal Reforms and Militia Committees. During the second session, he was made Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He was instrumental in securing the passage of a bill increasing the powers of the Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners, authorizing them to investigate the causes of accidents, and inspect the trestle work and bridges. Mr. Hadley was nominated for a second term during his absence from the state, but was obliged to decline the honor on account of sickness in the family.  William F. L. Hadley was married June 15, 1875 in Edwardsville, to Mary West, daughter of Edward M. and Julia [Atwater] West.  Mr. Hadley belonged to the Masonic, the Odd Fellow, and Knights of Pythias fraternities.

William Flavius Lester Hadley (June 15, 1847 – April 25, 1901) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.
Born near Collinsville, Illinois, Hadley attended the common schools. He was graduated from McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois, in June 1867, and from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1871. He was admitted to the bar in 1871 and commenced practice at Edwardsville, Illinois. He served as member of the State senate in 1886. He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1888.

Hadley was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Frederick Remann and served from December 2, 1895, to March 3, 1897. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1896. He engaged in banking. He died in Riverside, California, April 25, 1901. He was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery, Edwardsville, Illinois.

 HADLEY, William Flavius Lester, a Representative from Illinois; born near Collinsville, Madison County, Ill., June 15, 1847; attended the common schools; was graduated from McKendree College, Lebanon, Ill., in June 1867, and from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1871; was admitted to the bar in 1871 and commenced practice at Edwardsville, Ill.; member of the State senate in 1886; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1888; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Frederick Remann and served from December 2, 1895, to March 3, 1897; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1896; engaged in banking; died in Riverside, Calif., April 25, 1901; interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Edwardsville, Ill.

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