Coles County IL

Biographical Sketch of James Edgar

James Edgar, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Suffolk Co., England, March 21, 1838. He married Miss Margaret Hilligoss May 8, 1862 she was born in Rush Co., Ind., Sept. 15, 1845; they had seven children, five living, viz., John P.. William T., Ora May, James Rue and Leroy. He lived in England fifteen years; he then moved to Scotland, where he lived two years and returned to England; remained there until he was 19, when he came to the United States, arriving at Chicago, and, in 1857, he came to Coles … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Godfrey Weber

Godfrey Weber, deceased, late of Charleston; born in Oberslingen, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Dec. 24, 1820: his father was a vineyardist, and his early years were passed among the vine-clad hills and sunny slopes of his native land. He was married in August, 1848, to Miss Frances Muller, who was born in Wisgoldingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, May 27, 1824; they immediately emigrated to America, and settled near Louisville, Ky., and engaged in gardening and wine-growing; two years later, he removed to Clark Co., Ill., and located on a farm near Westfield, to which town he afterward removed, and worked in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William R. Cox

William R. Cox, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Bedford Co., Virginia, Feb. 25, 1832; when he was 16 years of age, his parents, Joel and Margaret Cox, moved to Ross Co., Ohio, living there eight years; they came to Coles Co. in 1856, and, three years afterward moved to Independence, Warren Co., where they died, his mother in 1874, and his father in March, 1876. While living in Ohio, Mr. Cox married Miss Hannah C. Thompson, April 28, 1853; she was a daughter of Nathan Thompson, who was a native of Virginia, and moved to Ross Co., Ohio, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Jefferson Wilson

Thomas Jefferson Wilson was born in. Barren Co., Ky., on Nov. 22, 1825, and moved to Greensburg, Green Co., Ky., in 1847, where, on June 8, 1848, he was married to Lucy Ann Hutchason; he was a wagon-maker by trade; Lucy Ann Hutchason was born in Greensburg, Ky., on June 27, 1826; in April, 1857, Mr. Wilson removed with his family to Charleston, Ill., where he went into the employ of L. R. & B. M. Hutchason, his brothers-in-law, who were in the dry goods trade. On Jan. 12, 1859, his wife died in Charleston. In 1860, he began business … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob K. Cottonham

Jacob K. Cottonham, farmer; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Floyd Co., Ind., Nov. 15, 1831. He married Miss Sallie Ann Fowler March 5, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Dec. 13, 1843 they had seven children, six living viz., William E., Margaret L., George A., Joseph U., Charles D. W. and Hervey F. He lived in Indiana until 1855, when he came to Illinois, and settled in Coles Co. near Charleston, and engaged in brickmaking, and continued in the business nearly eight years, when he engaged in farming; in 1874, he came … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Cecil

Henry Cecil, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Charleston; owns 215 acres worth $40 per acre; he was born in Mercer Co., Ky., Feb. 15, 1826; lived on the farm, engaged with his father in farming until 21 years of age. Was then married to Hannah E. Robinson Oct. 7, 1847; she was born in Shelby Co., Ky., July 23, 1827; they have had seven children – Keziah F., Margaret J., Henry H., Mary R. E., Adda, Daniel E., and John I., who is dead. Mr. Cecil held the office of School Director six years, and Constable three years; Mrs. Cecil’s … Read more

Biographical Sketch of T. L. Endsley

T. L. Endsley, merchant, Salisbury; was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio, Nov. 21, 1842; his parents, Thomas and Matilda, were natives of Harrison Co., Ohio; his father was born in August, 1801, and is still living in Coshocton Co., Ohio, having lost his eyesight in the year 1876; his mother died about the year 1854; the subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he was 25 years of age, when he came to Hutton Tp. in the fall of 1866, and, the first winter, taught school; in the spring of 1867, he went to Westfield, Clark Co., Ill., … Read more

Biography of Rev. J. W. Riley

Rev. J. W. Riley, Pastor Missionary Baptist Church, Mattoon; was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Nov. 9, 1823; his ancestral line, traced through five preceding generations have been ministers in the Baptist Church; his father’s family furnished six ministers to the society, himself and five sons. From an historical record gathered from time to time, it was ascertained that the family of near relatives have furnished thirteen ministers of the Gospel; ten of these are Baptists, two Methodists and one Christian. His father, Rev. J. W. Riley, Sr., founded the first Missionary Baptist Church in all this section; this was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Wrightsell

William Wrightsell, farmer; P. O. Turner’s Point; was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Oct. 9, 1811; came to this State and settled in Coles Co., in 1856. He was married to Miss Permelia White Oct. 31, 1844; she was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Nov. 15, 1825; they have four children, viz., Sarah J., James M., Louisa E., and Margaret Ann. The farm of Mr. Wrightsell consists of sixty acres valued at $1,800. He was a participant in the Black Hawk war, and is quite an early settler in the western part of Coles Co.

Biographical Sketch of James Anderson

James Anderson, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Mattoon; owns 133 acres; was born in Monroe Co., Md. , Dec. 25, 1825, and lived with his parents on the farm in Maryland until 7 years of age; then went with them to Ohio, where he resided until the year 1846, when he went to the Mexican war, and returned in 1855. He was married to Lucinda Knight Dec. 29, 1847; she was born in Licking Co., Ohio, June 12, 1826; they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, viz., Mary Ann, Columbia, William H., Sarah P., Emma, Martha, Charles … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. G. Pickett, M. D.

A. G. Pickett, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Kenton Co., Ky., in 1826; his early life was spent for the most part in school; he completed a full course in Woodward College, Cincinnati, at which he graduated in 1844; he then entered the Ohio Medical College, and completed the course in 1847; he began the practice of his profession in Ohio, where he remained one year; he then came West to Illinois, and located near Quincy, where he remained till 1861, when he entered the U. S. service as Surgeon of the 50th Regiment I. V. … Read more

Biography of R. F. Larimer

R. F. Larimer, merchant, Oakland; born in Scioto Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1838, where he engaged in farming until 16 years of age, when, coming West, he located in Embarrass Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., and engaged in farming until 1856, when he went to Kansas for six months; returning to Edgar Co., he purchased one-half interest in a saw and flour mill, which he ran until Sept. 10, 1861, when he enlisted as private for three years in the 66th I. V. I.; this regiment was composed of picked men from the various Northwestern States, for their skill and accuracy … Read more

Biography of Ira James

Ira James, wholesale dealer in coal oil, Mattoon; was born in Dearborn (now Ohio) Co., Ind., May 24, 1826; his father was a cotton and woolen manufacturer; at. the age of 17, he left home and engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for a period of about ten years; he commanded during the time seven steamboats; his first boating was in the packet trade from Rising Sun to Cincinnati; afterward he entered the trade from New Orleans and Cincinnati; in 1853, he went to California and spent three years; engaged a portion of the time in milling … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Johnson

William Johnson, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Cook’s Mills; one of the early settlers; was born March 22, 1822; came to this State in 1850, and to this county and settled in North Okaw Tp. in 1857. He was married to Miss Mary J. Miller, who was born July 22, 1834; they have four children, viz., Robert M., Anna A., Sarah J. and Franklin. The farm of Mr. Johnson consists of 240 acres, valued at $7,000. Since his residence in the township he has held the office of School Trustee and Director several years.

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 William Beavers

William Beavers, farmer; P. O. Hutton; is one of the pioneers of this county, and was born in Loudoun Co., Va., on 23d day of July, 1797; at the age of 17, he left home, driving a team to Barren Co., Ky., remaining there for four or five years. In the year 1818, he married Miss Nancy Bradenburg (daughter of Henry Bradenburg), and after remaining at the home of her parents one year, rented a farm for one year, and, in 1820, went to Clay Co., Ind., remaining there for seven years; in 1827, he came to Clark Co., Ill., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Orlando F. Ashmore

Orlando F. Ashmore, son of Hezekiah and Elizabeth Ashmore, was born about two and a half miles northwest of the village of Ashmore, June 10, 1845. He was raised on the farm until he was of age, and then engaged in the grocery business in Ashmore, and has been engaged alternately in the grocery and dry goods business until a short time ago. He was married Oct. 12, 1865, to Miss Margaret J. Barnett, a daughter of James Barnett of Lincoln Co., Ky. She was born near Stanford, in that county, Nov. 27, 1842. They have had five children, three … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel B. Powers

Daniel B. Powers, retired farmer; P. O. Oakland; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co; born in Butler Co., Ohio, July 1, 1807, where he engaged in farming until 1836, when he emigrated West and located in Crawfordsville, Ind., where he engaged in the mercantile trade for about eighteen months, when he sold his interest in the store and removed to East Oakland Township in March, 1838, where he purchased 180 acres of land, where he has since lived during a period of forty years; he has upon his old farm upon which he lives, a fine brick residence, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William B. Ferguson

William B. Ferguson, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of William and Nancy Ferguson; was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Dec. 8, 1828; moved with his parents to Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 15, 1839; is the owner of 601 acres, valued at or near $18,000. Was married to Fanny M. Hart, of this county and township; she is the daughter of Miles H. and Catherine Hart, and was born Dec. 13, 1837; married March 8, 1854; there are eight children by this union, viz., Ed, Thomas, James, George, Ella, Ann and Almira; (deceased) Mellissa, Deckard died Jan. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel Diehl

Daniel Diehl, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Johnstown; owns eighty acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 1., 1848, and lived with his parents until 21 years of age. He was married to Martha M. Odell Dec. 21, 1868; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 9, 1849, and has had five children, three of whom are living, viz., Frank E., Albert L. and Mary E.; deceased, two infants. Mr. Diehl’s parents are natives of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Diehl’s, of Tennessee.