Vespasian Warner Home Page

Vespasian Warner, our namesake, lived in the large brick house located directly across the alley from the library on the northeast corner of the block.  Born in Farmer City in 1842, Vespasian grew up in Clinton.  After serving in the Civil War,  he Lombard University and Harvard Law, but moved back to Clinton to practice law.  He eventually partnered with C.H. Moore and married Moore's daughter, Winifred, in 1868.  When Winifred passed away, she left the land that the house and the library stand on to husband, Vespasian.  Vespasian and his second wife, Minnie, hired architect Frank A. Carpenter from Rockford to design the Warner Home which was completed in 1912.  Vespasian was fond of the prairie style of architecture and Mr. Carpenter was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright.  Mr. Carpenter also designed the home located at 119 W. Macon Street, directly north of the library, across the green space.  Clinton residents will know this home as the Fine Arts Center.  Both Vespasian and Minnie died in the Warner Home and had their funerals in the living room in front of the fireplace.  Upon Minnie's death in 1942, the Warner Home was donated to the Presbyterian Church and became the Manse.  It was later sold and remains a private residence.