J. W. Farrar, farmer and stock; P. O. Mattoon; the subject of this sketch was born in South Carolina, near Charleston, March 4, 1827. He married Miss Ann M. Talbot Oct. 12, 1851; she was born in Henderson Co., Ky., Oct. 9, 1832; they had eight children, two living, viz., Joseph F. and Lizzie A. He lived about eighteen months in South Carolina, when, with his parents, he moved to Perry Co., Mo., where he engaged in the warehouse and wood business; he lived here with his parents about six months, when, with his grandparents, he went to Illinois and settled at Lebanon, in St. Clair Co., where he lived until he was 8 years of age; while here his grandfather died, and his grandmother and he went to Mount Vernon, Ind., where they lived with her son; he lived here three years; he then went to New Harmony and engaged on a farm, where he worked two years; he then went to Stewartsville and apprenticed to the tanning business, remaining three and a half years; he then returned to Perry Co., Mo., and engaged in tanning, following his trade some four years; he then engaged in shipping fowls to New Orleans, and followed the business about four years; he then followed his trade for about four years; he then went to Posey Co., Ind., and engaged in farming, remaining until 1861, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., about four miles east of his present place, and in 1864 he came to his present place and has lived here since. He has held the office of Road Commissioner three years, that of School Trustee some four years-also Director for a number of years. He owns 310 acres of land in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management.
