Lewis Monroe, Charleston, of the firm of Monroe & Co., proprietors of the Coles County Mill, is a son of the late Dr. John Monroe; he was born in Charleston May 29, 1846; he received his education in the public schools, and, at the age of 18, began business, a partner in the dry goods house of Hutchinson, Monroe & Co.; he continued in this business seven years, when, his health failing, he retired to a. farm at Monroe Station, in La Fayette Tp.; four years later, he returned to town and resumed business, which he continued till 1877; in October, 1878, he engaged in running the Coles County Mill. For a number of years his interests have been divided between Charleston and La Fayette Tp., where he owns a farm of 800acres, and keeps about one hundred and twenty-five head of cattle, besides other stock; he has other real estate interests in Charleston and Coles Co. Mr. Monroe was married Nov. 29, 1865, to Miss Lydia Chilton, daughter of James Chilton, of Charleston, and has six children.
