Biographical Sketches Coles County Illinois Collections – Page 10 of 25

Biographical Sketch of Samuel A. Annin

Samuel A. Annin, farmer, S. 23; P. O. Oakland; born in Somerset Co., N. J., Nov. 8, 1836, where he attended school until 1850, when he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in Wyoming Tp., Lee Co., where he assisted his father in farming until January, 1852, when he located in East Oakland Tp., and engaged in farming, which business he has since followed, living upon the old homestead where his father first located in 1852, during a period of nearly thirty years; he, with his younger brother, owns some 400 acres of land, which is will improved, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sames Tilford Gordon

Sames Tilford Gordon, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Larna; owns seventy acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 14, 1832, and lived with his parents until 21 years of age. He was married to Sarah Jane Rogers June 5, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., July 7, 1838; they have had nine children, viz., Mary M., Luella, Willie A., Sylvester, Lizzie, Laura M., Bundy and Maddora; deceased-H. A. Mr. Gordon has been School Director eight years, and Commissioner of Highways three years; his father is a native of Virginia and his mother of North Carolina; Mrs. Gordon’s … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. H. Ashmore

S. H. Ashmore, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. Kansas; born in Butler Co., Ky., Jan. 29, 1822; he emigrated with his parents when quite young and located in Clark Co., Ill., about the year 1826, where he lived until about 1828, when he removed to Coles Co., and located before the organization of the township in what is now known as Ashmore Tp., where he lived until 1836, when he located in East Oakland Tp., where he has since lived. He lived with his parents until 23 years of age, at which time he married, and renting a farm, commenced farming … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. E. Ray

S. E. Ray, dealer in dry and fancy goods, boots and shoes, etc., Charleston; was born near Montpelier, Vt., Aug. 5, 1833; in early childhood, he accompanied his parents to Geauga Co. (now Lake), Ohio; there, his father resided until his death, and his mother still resides there; at about the age of 20 years, Mr. Ray went to La Fayette, Ind., and engaged as a traveling salesman for Luce Brothers in the stationery business; and, after remaining with them four years, went to Chicago, and for about six years traveled for the well-known stationery house of Culver, Page, Hoyne … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. C. Doran

S. C. Doran, farming and stock; P. O. Mattoon; the subject of this sketch was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Dec. 12, 1827. He married Miss Eliza A. Wort-ham Nov. 5, 1850; she was born in the same place Nov. 18, 1830; they had ten children, seven living, viz., David W., Mary L., Edwin W., George M., Nannie A., Oscar J. and John H. He was born on his father’s farm, and moved to Hart Co., Ky., with his parents, in 1832, and lived there until 1854; he then went to Grayson Co., and engaged in farming; in 1860, he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. A. Campbell

S. A. Campbell, surgeon dentist; Mattoon; was born in Mercer Co., Penn., Aug. 16, 1848; his father came with his family in October, 1854, to Mercer Co., Ill., and there settled on a farm; six days after coining, he sickened and died; at the age of 11 years, Dr. Campbell went into the office of Dr. E. B. Hamill, of Philadelphia, and at 12, began the study of dentistry; here he remained under instruction about two and a half years; he then entered the Baltimore Dental College, the oldest dental institution in the world; in 1868, having completed the course … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas, farming; P. O. Mattoon; the subject of this sketch was born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, Great Britain, Dec. 18, 1832. He married Miss Sarah L. Worden Dec. 12, 1853; she was born in Fairfield Co., Conn., March 13, 1836; they had seven children, five living, viz., Robert A., Laura A., Annie May, Mary Alice and Lizzie. He lived in Wales about fifteen years, when he came to the United States with some relatives and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming, remaining about three years, when he moved to Fairfield Co., Conn., where he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard J. Hancock

Richard J. Hancock, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Loxa; owns 150 acres; was born on the farm where he now resides, Oct. 20, 1838; was raised a farmer. Married Mary E. Snitt (daughter of John S. Snitt, Esq.) Nov. 30, 1865; she was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, April 3, 1848; have six children – Nona, Anna, Nellie, John C., Carrie and Amanda S. Mr. H.’s father was born in North Carolina, March 13, 1797; went to Kentucky with his parents when an infant. At the age of 10 years he went to Indiana, and then to this county in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Cole

Richard Cole, farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Putnam Co., Ind., Dec. 8, 1835, where he attended school during winter and engaged in farming until 1871, when he emigrated to Illinois and located upon his present place, where he has since continued to live. Upon his arrival here, he purchased 160 acres of land, mostly prairie, where he has since successfully followed farming. He married Catharine A. Swinford April 13, 1858; they have three children now living by this union-James P., born Feb. 25,1861; Mary E., born Jan. 23, 1863; Lucy A., born March 2, 1868. Mr. Cole has held … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Avey

Richard Avey, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Arcola; the subject of this sketch was born in Suffolk Co., Eng., Aug. 19, 1837. He married Miss Celia Oakland May 31, 1858; she was born in Norway, Feb. 7, 1841; they had eight children – seven living, viz., Mary J., William T., John L., Maud I., Richard G. N., Martha C. and Oscar L.; Leander R. died Sept. 25, 1866; he lived in England about eighteen years, when he came to the United States, and settled in LaSalle Co., Ill., where he lived about two years; he then came to Coles Co; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rice P. Hackett

Rice P. Hackett, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Charleston; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Nov. 28, 1838; he is a son of Levi Hackett, who came from Scott Co., Ky., and settled in Coles Co. in 1835, and now lives in Douglas Co., to which he removed in 1861. Mr. Hackett is the second of a family of eight children, five of whom are living. He was married Feb. 25, 1857, to Miss Ann M. Waltrip, of Hutton Tp., also a native of the county, and a daughter of John Waltrip, one of the early settlers of the county. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. R. C. Hill

Rev. R. C. Hill, farming and stock; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Sullivan Co., Ind., Dec. 11, 1817. He married Miss Mary A. Woods Dec. 10, 1839; she was born, in Sullivan Co., Ind., May 23, 1817; they had six children, four living, viz., Franklin P., John W., Martha J. and Elizabeth M.; he lived in Indiana twelve years, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in Clark Co., where they engaged in farming; in 1846, he came to Coles Co. and settled in La Fayette Tp., remaining one year; he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. J. P. Campbell

Rev. J. P. Campbell, minister and editor of Oakland Herald, Oakland; born in Macoupin Co., Ill., June 9, 1842; when 2 years of age, he removed with his parents to Clinton Co., where, after living five years he removed to Kentucky, where he attended the common schools until 19 years old, when he entered the Beuleyville Academy, and, after attending several mouths, enlisted as private in the 3d Kentucky Cavalry, serving six months, when, on account of physical disability, he was discharged; after remaining at home three months, he re-enlisted for twelve months in the 52d Kentucky Mounted Infantry, serving … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Father Crowe

Rev. Father Crowe, Pastor of the Catholic Church, Mattoon; was born in Oswego, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1851; his early life was passed in the public schools of his native city; here he completed a full course of instruction, passing regularly through the high school and normal department; at about the age of 18 years, he engaged in the profession of teaching, and was a member of the Faculty in the College at Tutopolis, and, at a later date, in that at Ruma, Ill.; having for some time directed his thoughts in the channel of the legal profession, and, at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Randall Alexander

Randall Alexander, breeder and shipper of Poland-China swine, Charleston; about ten years ago this gentleman, in company with S. M. Shepard, made his first start in the introduction and breeding of thorough-bred swine in Coles Co. After having experimented thoroughly with the various breeds of hogs, they became convinced that the Poland-China possessed all the requisites of size, docility, fertility, early maturity, aptitude for taking on flesh, and great constitutional vigor, necessary to render it pre-eminently the hog for the farmer. From a small beginning, the business has grown to its present proportions. Mr. Alexander is now one of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. M. Gray

R. M. Gray, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Pleasant Grove Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 27, 1848; his father, James C., was one of the early pioneers of this section; his early life was that of a. farmer’s son; in addition to his common school education, at the age of 19, he entered Westfield College, Clark Co., Ill., and remained one year; he next attended an academy in his native township, two years, under the supervision of Prof. T. J. Lee; in the fall of 1870, he entered the law department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. L. Ewing

R. L. Ewing, retail grocer, Mattoon was born in Coles Co., Ill., Dec. 28, 1842; his father, William Ewing, familiarly known as ‘Squire Ewing, came from Kentucky and settled upon the South Kickapoo, within the present limits of Coles Co., in the spring of 1829; here he engaged in farming, and here the boyhood and early manhood of R. L. was passed upon the farm; his father died in 1866; he remained at home and had charge of the farm until 1873; he then purchased the homestead, and, the following year, sold out and came to Mattoon; here he entered … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. Gannaway

R. Gannaway, farmer; P. O. Paradise; is the son of Wm. and Sallie Gannaway; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Oct. 23, 1810; moved with his folks to Coles Co., Ill., March 27, 1828; is the owner of 131 acres of land, valued at or near $7,000., Was School Director, Road Overseer for several years. Was married to Elizabeth Gannaway, of Coles Co., Ill., Dec. 28, 1836; names of children – boys, Robert, Samuel, James W.; deceased, John W.; girls, Roda J., Susan; deceased, Louisa. His father, William Gannaway, was in the war of 1812, served as Captain, came home … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. B. Clarke

R. B. Clarke, merchant, Oakland; born in Madison Co., N. Y., Oct. 3, 1814, where he was engaged in farming until he attained his majority, when he emigrated to Ohio, where he engaged in the merchandise trade and distilling whisky for eighteen years; in 1852, he came to Illinois, and, in 1854, located in Oakland, and, with C. Clement, erected the first flour, feed and saw mill built in this town; he followed this business for upward of twelve years, when he sold his mill; in 1868, he engaged in the grocery and hardware trade, which he has since successfully … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Phaon H. Dornblaser

Phaon H. Dornblaser, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of Felix and Eliza Dornblaser, of Lehigh Co., Penn.; was born in the same county and State April 20, 1838; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Ill., April 20, 1855; is the owner of 170 acres of land, probable value, $7,000; was School Director six years, also Road Overseer one year. Was married to Mary E. Jeffries, of Coles Co., Dec. 29, 1860; was the daughter of James and Matilda Jeffries; names of children, boys-French I., born Jan. 28, 1862; James A., born Feb. 6, 1868; Edward … Read more