James H. Busbey, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Oakland; one of the pioneers of Coles Co; born in Clark Co., Ohio, April 22, 1823, where he attended school and engaged in farming, until 16 years of age, when he emigrated to Coles Co., Ill., and located in what is now the south part of Douglas Co., in the fall of 1839. He is son of Hamilton Busbey, who was born July 5, 1792, in Virginia; he emigrated to Ohio about the year 1815, where he lived until he emigrated to Illinois, where he died Dec. 16, 1847; Mrs. Busbey, whose maiden name was Sophia Lewis, was born in Virginia, March 31, 1796; she died April 1, 1855, leaving eleven children now living – Thomas C., Susan M., Elmira M., William D., James H., Harriet E., Ann L., John H., Maria, George W., Henry C. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until their decease, which occurred as stated above; he remained upon the old farm until 1856, when he rented land, and engaged in farming until 1861, when he purchased his present place, where he has since continued to live; he owns upward of eighty acres of prairie and timber lands. He married, Oct. 12, 1856, to Sarah J. Naphew; she was born in Ohio Oct. 19, 1831; they have six children now living by this union, viz.: Nancy E., born June 29, 1858; Sophia R., born Jan. 21, 1860; Orrin U., born Nov. 16, 1861 ; James M., born Aug. 13, 1864; William H. H., born Dec. 25, 1866; Charles A., Aug. 11, 1870.
