Mr. K. Verdaine Hooper wrote:
Another obit from one of the Fairfield papers from my grandmother's collection.

Death has removed one of the land marks of Jasper township, when it claimed, last Wednesday, August 31st, 1910, Mr. William N. Borah.  Mr. Borah was one of the honored and respected citizens of that township, and his style of citizenship was much to be admired by all who knew him.

Of a strong character and temperment, he was a man whom all could well go for counsel and wisdom.  A leader of men in his younger days, he left his impress upon a citizenship that will be felt for generations to come.  One of the oldest men, if not the oldest in the county, his life has marked a long span of the history of the settlement of that portion of Wayne county.  He was truly a Jasper township man, and was always proud to call it his home during the many years of his citizenship there.

The funeral took place Saturday afternoon, at 2:20 p. m. at Tom’s Prairie, and was conducted by Rev. J. W. Borah, of Burnt Prairie.

The following sketch of the deceased was prepared for publication.

Wm. N. Borah was born in Butler County, Ky., near Bowling Green,  March 7 1818.  When about two years old his parents moved to Illinois and located in Wayne county.  Here he grew to manhood and became a very prominent man in the affairs of the community and county.  He was elected a number of times to the county court, until he refused to accept the office any longer.  In his active days he was a man of wide acquaintance in the country and was universally known for his honesty and integrity and uprightness of character.  He was a man of very great natural ability, far more than the ordinary.  He was a great reader beside being posted in the current events of the day.  He was one of the very best historians--especially ancient history.  He was always a Bible student and a good theologian.  He was always deeply interested in his church and not only his church, but Christianity in general.

He was a man of deep convictions though charitable in his views toward others.  He has been a great force in the morals of this county.  This county owes its present moral standing as much to his influence as any man that has ever lived in it.

He was married to Eliza West in January 1847.  To them were born twelve children.  His wife and five of the children preceded him into the beyond; while seven of them are still liveng.  His oldest son, Walter, became a very successful doctor; Frank and Wm. E. studied law and became eminent in their profession -- Frank in Louisiana and Wm. E. is a distinguished  U. S. senator of the state of Idaho; Oliver a successful farmer in Jasper township; Mrs. Jacob Heidinger with whom he has made his home the past four years; Mrs. A. M. Lasley, of Chicago; Mrs. M. F. Mabry, St. Louis and Mrs. C. E. Rinard of Fairfield.