Biographical Sketches Coles County Illinois Collections – Page 18 of 25

Biographical Sketch of J. M. Gibbs

J. M. Gibbs, livery and sale stable, Mattoon; was born near the South Kickapoo, in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 28, 1841; his grandfather, Elijah Gibbs, was one of the early pioneers of this section, having come from Virginia, in an early day, to Ohio, and thence to Illinois; his father, Homer Gibbs, was here almost as early as the formation of the county; his father was a carpenter by trade; J. M. passed his early life on the farm, near Sullivan, Moultrie Co.; his education was obtained in the common schools; at the age of 20 years, he began life … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. L. Scott

J. L. Scott, dealer in groceries, queensware and glassware, Mattoon; was born in Henry Ky., in 1836; his early life was passed upon the farm, and his education was derived from the common schools; in 1856, he moved to Franklin, Ind., where he engaged in mercantile pursuits; in 1863, he returned to Kentucky, located in Louisville, and was employed in the United States Government Pay Department, under Gen. Thurston, Paymaster of the Army of the Cumberland; in the spring of 1865, he removed, with his parents to Coles Co., Ill., and purchased a farm of 160 acres northeast of Mattoon; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. L. F. Miller

J. L. F. Miller, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 9; P. O. Mattoon; owns 337 acres; was born in Trimble Co., Ky., Jan. 9, 1829, and engaged with his father in farming until 23 years of age. He was married to Rachel P. Gray Nov. 27, 1857; she was born in Tennessee April 19, 1829, died May 2, 1860; the fruit of this marriage was two children – George L. and Rachel E. Mr. Miller then married Mary J. Romine Feb. 25, 1866; she was born in Vigo Co., Ind., July 3, 1841; the fruit of this marriage is eight children … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. L. Aubert

J. L. Aubert, County Surveyor, Mattoon; was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1830; his father was a tiller of the soil, and his early life was that of a farmer’s son; at the age of 18, he began work at the carpenter’s trade, and worked under instruction three years. In 1854, he came West and settled in Moultrie Co., Ill., where he purchased land, farmed some, but for the most part followed his trade. In July, 1865, he located in Lebanon, St. Clair Co.; here he remained three years, during which time he contracted and built the public … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. K. Donnell

J. K. Donnell, wholesale grocer, Mattoon; was born in Tyrone Co., Ireland, Oct. 14, 1835. At the age of 13, he entered the employ of John and James Graham, as clerk in their grocery establishment, in the town of Strabane; here he served an indentured apprenticeship for three years and four months, at which time he received a certificate of qualification as a practical business man. The family soon after came to America and settled in Philadelphia, where he was employed in various firms in the capacity of clerk. In 1857, he began business for himself in the retail grocery … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. J. Pemberton

J. J. Pemberton, retired merchant, Oakland; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co.; born in Washington Co., Va., Dec. 5, 1814, where he attended school in winter, and assisted his father farming in summer, until 17 years of age, when he emigrated West and located in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., Ill., in 1831, in which township he has since lived, for a period of nearly half a century; from 1831 to 1838, he was engaged in farming, when he removed to Oakland and engaged in hotel-keeping four years, at the expiration of which time he engaged in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. J. Foster

J. J. Foster, farming and stock; P. O. Arcola; the subject of this sketch was born in Lawrence Co., Ind., May 18, 1831. He married Miss Catharine Beggs Jan. 31, 1859; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., May 10, 1838, and died May 14, 1866; they had three children, viz., Eugenia, Sarah M. and Dela J.; his present wife was Miss Melinda C. Beggs; they were married Dec. 18, 1867; she was a sister of his first wife; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., Sept. 3, 1839; they have three children, viz., Orestes, Claudius B. and Ida C. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. J. Beall

J. J. Beall, student at law, Mattoon; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Nov. 26, 1843; his father came with his family to Illinois in the fall of 1852, and settled in Wayne Co. Here he engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch passed his life upon the farm and obtained his education at the common schools. In February, 1862, he left home, and began the trade of saddle and harness maker; he worked under instruction three years; he then worked as journeyman at his trade till 1870; in December, 1870, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Coles Co., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. I. Ayer

J. I. Ayer, book and music store, Mattoon; was born in Medford, Mass., Feb. 3, 1854. In 1866, the family moved to Elizabeth, N. J.; in addition to his common-school education, he enjoyed the advantages of a boarding-school at Nazareth, Penn.; this school was of a military character, and he here pursued a course in civil engineering; at the age of 15 years he entered the firm of Roberts & Co. (dealers in books and stationery), at Elizabeth, N. J., to take charge of his father’s interest, he being a member of the firm. In the fall of 1870, he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. H. Green

J. H. Green, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1826; he is a son of James and Elizabeth (Heminway) Green, both of whom were natives of King and Queen Co., Va.; both removed to Kentucky when young, married and moved to Ohio; in 1840, his parents removed to Coles Co., but returned in a few years to Ohio; Mr. Green removed permanently to the county in the fall of 1855, and settled on his present farm; he purchased 120 acres of land, paying there for $18 an acre; he owed on this … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. H. Brannon

J. H. Brannon, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Oakland; born in Rockingham Co. Va., Sept. 1, 1836, where he engaged in farming until 19 years of age, when, in 1855, he emigrated to Missouri, where his father died soon after his arrival, when he returned to Virginia, remitting during the winter, and, in the spring of 1856, he returned to Illinois, and located in Oakland Tp., Coles Co., and engaged in farming, which business he has since successfully followed; he owns 200 acres of land, mostly under cultivation. His marriage with Sally A. Troxwell was celebrated Nov. 11, 1858; she … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. F. Hughes

J. F. Hughes, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 17, 1839; his early life was that of a farmer’s son; in addition to his common-school education, he enjoyed the advantages of the Academy at Fredricksburg and Smithville, in his native county. April 19, 1861, he entered the U. S. service as a member of the 16th Ohio V. I., and served three months in West Virginia; in July, 1862, he re-enlisted in the 102d Regiment for three years; was 18t Sergeant of Co. F. In October, 1865, he entered the Law Department of Michigan University, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. D. Cassell

J. D. Cassell, proprietor Cassell’s Restaurant, Mattoon; was born in Montgomery Co., Penn., A. D. 1827; until he was 17 or 18 years of age, he passed his life upon the farm, deriving his education mostly from the common schools; in 1854, he came West to Jennings Co., Ind., where he remained one year; he then went to Crawfordsville, Ind., and was a student in Wabash College a short time; he next engaged in the merchant tailoring business there for two or three years; leaving Crawfordsville, he next located in South Bend, remaining one year; in the fall of 1859, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. B. Moore

J. B. Moore, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, July 22, 1836; he is a son of William S. and Julia A. (Eddingfield) Moore; his father, an early settler of Butler Co., having come from his native State, New Jersey, at the age of 4 years; his mother was born in Ohio, her parents being from Pennsylvania. In 1862, his father removed West with his family, spending the summer in Vigo Co., Ind., and coming to Coles County in the fall; he resided in Ashmore until his death, Feb. 8, 1875; his father was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. B. Flenner

J. B. Flenner, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Westfield; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Nov. 18, 1829; up to the age of 24, he remained engaged in farming with his parents; in 1853, they started West, stopping in Clark Co. for five years, when they moved to Coles Co., reaching here in August, 1858, and settled on a farm in Sec. 30, Hutton Tp., near “Otterbein Cemetery,” where his mother died Aug. 1, 1859; shortly after, Mr. Flenner settled upon the farm where he now resides, his father, since the death of his mother, residing with him; his farm … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. B. Benefiel

J. B. Benefiel, proprietor Boss Meat Market, Mattoon; was born in Oaktown, Knox Co., Ind., April 22, 1847; his father was a physician and a man of far more than ordinary ability; J. B. passed his early life in attendance upon school; in 1861, his father came with his family to Mattoon, Ill.; here he entered upon the practice of his profession and succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice; young Benefiel entered the graded schools of the city, designing to complete the course, preparatory to entering the law department of Michigan University; his father having become involved … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. A. Mulford

J. A. Mulford, wholesale dealer in hides, leather, findings, furs, pelts and tallow, Mattoon; was born in Newark, N. J., May 16, 1839; he completed a course in the high school, but did not enter upon a college course; at the age of 17, he began the trade of a jeweler, and worked under instructions till his majority; he followed his trade about five years; subsequently he was employed as accountant, and had charge of the wholesale department of Davis & Elcox, in Maiden Lane, New York, for some length of time; in the spring of 1867. he came West … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. A. Brotherton

J. A. Brotherton, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Indiana Nov. 12, 1841; came to this State and settled in Coles Co. in 1860; his farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $2,400. He was married to Miss Catharine Earls, who was born in Illinois; they have seven children, viz., Sarah, Delia, William M., Lawrence, Lewis, Eva and Robert. Since Mr. B.’s residence in the township, he has held the office of School Director three years.

Biographical Sketch of Isaiah H. Johnston

Isaiah H. Johnston, President of the Second National Bank, Charleston; was born in Russell Co., Va., April 24, 1827; his father, Abner Johnston, came to this county in 1830, and settled in what is now Pleasant Grove Tp., and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1848. Mr. Johnston followed farming until he was 27 years old, and then engaged in merchandising, and, in 1857, removed to Mattoon, and continued in business there till 1860; he was then elected Sheriff, of Coles Co., and removed to Charleston; he served as Sheriff two years, and afterward served out the unexpired … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaac White

Isaac White, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Mattoon; owns 120 acres; was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Nov. 12, 1819; lived with his parents on the farm until 23 years of age. He married Mary Lay-bourn Nov. 5, 1843; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1825; they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, viz., Sarah E., William B., Frances F., Charles H., James P., Alice I. and Flora O., and Amos H., deceased. Mr. White was Township Trustee seven years, and School Director four years. His parents are natives of Ohio; Mrs. White’s father … Read more