Biographical Sketches Coles County Illinois Collections – Page 24 of 25

Biographical Sketch of Allison M. Mitchell

Allison M. Mitchell, of the firm of Ashmore & Mitchell, dealers in boots and shoes, Charleston; is a native of Coles Co; he was born in Charleston Dec. 29, 1852, being the son of Rev. Robert A. and Ann E. Mitchell; his father was born in Washington Co., Tenn., and came to Coles Co. with his parents in 1833; he received a collegiate education, and after pursuing a theological course, located in Charleston as Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, of which he remained in charge for twenty years. Allison M. Mitchell, the son, was raised on a farm until he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alexander Perkins

Alexander Perkins, dealer in groceries, Charleston; is an early settler of the city, having emigrated from Marion Co., Ind., in September, 1836; he was born near Newcastle, Henry Co., Ky., Feb. 22, 1814;when quite young he accompanied his parents to Marion Co., Ind.; he was raised to agricultural pursuits; he was married Oct. 8, 1835, to Miss Jane Griffith, of New Bethel, Marion Co., Ind., and, in 1836, removed to Charleston; they had five children, two of whom are living – Amanda, wife of Daniel Curd, and Margaret L., now Mrs. John James, both residing in Charleston; two sons, William … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alexander Hitch

Alexander Hitch, farmer and stock-raiser P. O. Cook’s Mills one of the early settlers; was born in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 9, 1827; moved to Ohio with his parents when he was 1 year old; he was raised there, in Ross Co., and in 1850 he came from Ohio to this State and settled in Coles Co. He was married May 10, 1855, to Miss Permelia Ellis, who was born in Kentucky Oct. 13, 1833; they have had four children, three of whom are living, viz., Belle, Sarah L. and Melissa E.; deceased, Francis Marion. The farm of Mr. Hitch consists … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alexander C. Mitchell

Alexander C. Mitchell, dealer in books, stationery, toys, etc., Charleston; is a native of Coles Co., being a son of James M. and Esther (Collom) Mitchell, a sketch of whom is given above; he was born in Charleston Dec. 6, 1836; until 1860, he remained on the farm, receiving a common school education. He was married Dec. 27, 1859, to Mrs. Carrie Roberts, of Charleston. In 1860, he engaged in the boot and shoe business in Charleston, and continued in that two years; the next two years were spent in farming, after which he followed the grocery business until 1876; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Albert W. Flenner

Albert W. Flenner, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Kansas; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, March 17, 1850, being a son of Isaac and Rachel A. (Hughes) Flenner; in 1856, he came with his father’s family to Coles Co., his mother having died in 1852. He was raised on the farm, and on arriving at his majority, he purchased the farm of his uncle, M. B. Flenner, adjoining his father’s place, and containing 160 acres of land, and he still resides there. He was married Jan. 17, 1871, to Miss O’Kalla Breeding, the fifth daughter of Hutchinson and Elizabeth M. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Albert H. Odell

Albert H. Odell, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Mattoon; owns eighty acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Aug. 5, 1844, and lived with his parents on the farm in this county until married Sept. 9, 1874, to Louisa E. Miller, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 8, 1849; they have three children – Lola A., Milla M. and Gertrude. Mr. Odell was Township Collector two terms. He was also in the late war four months. Mr. Odell’s father was in the Black Hawk war, and also in the late war four months. Mr. Odell’s eldest brother was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Albert Compton

Albert Compton, retired, Charleston; one of the early settlers of Coles county; was born in Fairfax Co., Va., Sept. 24, 1812; in the fall of 1830, he left home and came to Vincennes, Ind., thence to Terre Haute, and from the latter place, in 1833, to Charleston, arriving on the 3d of March; he worked at his trade of a shoemaker for about two years, and then engaged as a clerk in the employ of Baker & Norfolk; in 1835, he was elected Constable and served two years; in August, 1838, he was chosen Sheriff of Coles County, which office … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adolf Sumerlin

Adolf Sumerlin, editor and attorney at law, Mattoon; born in Keosauqua, Iowa, Aug. 24, 1851; moved with his parents, Rufus and I. A. Sumerlin, to a farm in Scotland Co., Mo., in 1859; his father having embarked in the newspaper business in Memphis in 1860, he commenced learning the printer’s trade; in 1865, he moved to Shelbyville, Ill.; in 1869, he conducted the reportorial department of the Shelby Leader, which his father had purchased in 1865; in. the same year, commenced reading law with Thornton & Wendling; moved with his parents to Springfield, Mo., in April, 1871, and after completing … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adam Whitmer

Adam Whitmer, farmer; P. O. Humbolt. The subject of this sketch was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 26,1832; he married Miss Olara Jane Bugh Nov. 1, 1864; she was born same place Jan 11, 1838; they have three children, viz., Laura, Elmo and Eva. He lived in Ohio until 1854, when he came to Illinois and settled in Crawford Co., where he lived one year; he then went to Dakota and engaged with a Government surveying party; he camped for two and a half years, where Yankton now stands; he lived in Dakota until 1859, when he went to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adam W. Hart

Adam W. Hart, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Silas and Hannah Hart, of Davis Co., Ky.; was born in White Co., Ill., Jan. 3, 1823; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Jan. 3, 1827; is the owner of 475 acres, valued at $20,000. Was married to Nancy D. Gannaway, of Coles Co., Dec. 28, 1843. Was Supervisor, School Trustee, Director, Treasurer and Road Commissioner. The names of their children are Amanda E., Elizabeth J., Hannah M., Polly A. and Mercena; deceased, Abraham D. and Thomas, who died in infancy; Mary, Louisa and Adda and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adam Cox

Adam Cox, farmer; P. O. Westfield; was born in Hutton Tp. July 26, 1840. His father, Anthony, was one of the first settlers of this county, a native of Virginia; he was married twice, his first wife being Miss Gilbert, and his second wife Miss Eliza Fuqua; his father died when the subject of this sketch was quite an infant; his mother still lives near her son, between 65 and 70 years old; at the age of 21, Mr. Cox married Miss Mary Garrison (daughter of Peter Garrison, another of the early settlers), on Dec. 5, 1861, and soon after … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adam B. Green

Adam B. Green, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Ira and Mary Green, of Washington Co., Tenn.; was born in Green Co., Tenn., April 17, 1827; moved to Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Feb. 12, 1867. Was married to Caroline E. Peters May 5, 1866; they are the parents of six children, viz., James B., Dora D. and Laura (deceased), George W., Amanda M. and Ida M. Mr. Green is the owner of 163 acres of land, valued at $6,500. He was in the late war and served three years as Sergeant. His mother died April 12, 1861, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Abram Hasbrouck

Abram Hasbrouck, City Mayor, and dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, Mattoon; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1825; his early life was passed upon the farm, and his education, such as was derived from the common schools; he remained on the homestead until about 25 years of age; in 1854, he came West and first settled in Michigan; here he engaged in operating a hotel; in 1857, he moved to Milwaukee, and conducted the “Walker House” two years; the winter of 1859 he spent in Chicago, not actively engaged in business; in 1860, he located in Mattoon, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Abraham Bennett

Abraham Bennett, minister of United Brethren Church, Westfield; was born in Meade Co. Ky., Nov. 15, 1828; after remaining at home until the age of 18, he started out in life for himself, flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for some five or six years; in the year 1852, he commenced traveling in the ministry of the United Brethren Church, having from his youth been connected with that Church; in the same year, leaving his family in Kentucky, he traveled circuit for some six years in Indiana, when, having returned to Kentucky, was engaged in missionary work through that … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Aaron Ferguson, M. D.

Aaron Ferguson, M. D., deceased, late of Charleston; was born in Wilkes Co., N. C., Dec. 11, 1802; he was a son of Joel and Lydia (Chambers) Ferguson, and the oldest of a family of nine children; when he was quite young, his parents emigrated to Bloomington, Ind.; he obtained a collegiate education in the Bloomington College, after which, he studied medicine under Dr. Maxwell, of that place, and attended a course of medical lectures in Cincinnati; in 1830, he came to Charleston and entered upon the practice of his profession. He was married May 21, 1832, to Miss Susan … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. T. Steele, M. D.

A. T. Steele, M. D., physician and surgeon, Ashmore, is a native of Illinois; he was born in Clark Co. June 28, 1844; he is a son of Oliver P. Steele, a native of the city of Philadelphia, who came to Clark Co. in 1837, where he resided till his death, which occurred Oct. 2, 1872; his mother was Nancy K. Twilley, who was born in Kentucky, and came to Illinois with her in 1832. Dr. Steele was raised on the farm; in 1863, he enlisted in Co. C, 62d Ill. Vols., serving till Feb. 1865; he participated in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. Kitchens

A. Kitchens, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Cook’s Mills; one of the natives of Illinois; was born in Clark Co., Jan. 23, 1843; he is the son of Eli E. Kitchens, deceased, who was one of the early settlers of the State. His farm consists of 100 acres, valued at $2,000. He was married to Miss Nancy E. Hoskins, now deceased; they have had two children, viz., Maria E. and Susan L.

Biographical Sketch of A. J. Shulse

A. J. Shulse, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O., Kansas; was born in Nicholas Co., Ky., Oct. 17, 1827, being a son of Henry and Winnifred Shulse, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia. He was married Aug. 5, 1852, to Miss Martha J. Horn, a daughter of David and Anna Honn, of Nicholas County, Ky. She was born in that county May 9, 1826. In November, 1859, they removed to Coles County, and the following spring settled in their present home. Mr. and Mrs. Shulse are well pleased with the change from Kentucky to the prairies … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. J. Sanborn

A. J. Sanborn, master mechanic, I. & St. L. Shops, Mattoon; was born in Acton, York Co., Me., in 1826; having lost his mother when but 11 years of age, he left home, and, making his way to Boston, went on board a vessel, and was absent two years on a voyage; after coming into port, he made known to his father and family his adventures for the two years past; he served seven years on the sea, sailing as second mate on board the ship Vesta, of Boston, and the brig Yucatan, in the South American trade; at the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. J. Clark

A. J. Clark, farmer, Sec. 17: P. O. Charleston; born in Coles Co., Ill., April 22, 1834, within one-half a mile of where he has since lived; he is the youngest son of Benjamin and Sarah Clark, who emigrated from Kentucky and located in Coles Co., Ill., about the year 1829, where his father lived until his death, which occurred April 18, 1856, while on a visit to Indiana; he was born in Kentucky in the year 1798; his mother, who still lives within one-half mile of where she has lived for nearly one-half of a century, was born Jan. … Read more