Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

W. H. NEVENS, Principal of the Crete school, Crete; was born in Lewiston, Me., March 9, 
1845, and is the son of Charles H. and Mariah (PETTENGILL) NEVENS. Father was a farmer; 
here Mr. NEVENS was brought up on his father's farm, and engaged in farming; in the winter 
months attending school; in 1862 and 1863, he taught his first school in Maine. In 1864, 
he enlisted in the 32d Maine V. I., and participated in the late war; was wounded at the 
battle of Cold Harbor June 3, 1864; was honorably discharged at the close of the war; 
returned to his home in Maine. Here he was engaged in going to school in 1866 - 67; then 
entered, Bates College of Lewiston, Maine; here he received a full classical education; 
in August, 1869, came West to Illinois; taught school in Will Twp., Will Co., fifteen 
months; May, 1871, he came to Crete, and commenced teaching here; he has been ever 
since, excepting one year. The Crete school is conducted in a superior manner, 
showing conclusively the great advantages to be attained in employing a principal 
of the scholarly attainments and practical experience possessed by Mr. NEVENS.