Coles County IL

Biography of E. R. Connely

E. R. Connely, farmer; P. O. Westfield; was born in Lawrence Co., Ind., March 6, 1829; his parents, Joel and Effie Connely, came to this county in the spring of 1832, and were among its earliest pioneers; having raised one crop, they returned to Indiana, and, in the fall of same year, brought out their family, consisting of six boys and five girls accompanied also by their grandfather and grandmother Pennington; they made the journey the whole distance in wagons, driving their stock, composed both of sheep and cattle, with them. His grandfather Pennington was a Baptist minister, and among … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Diehl

George Diehl, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 7; P. O. Mattoon; owns 278 acres; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Oct. 12, 1811, and lived with his parents on the farm in that State until the year 1837, when he came to Coles Co. He was married Feb. 23, 1842, to Mary E. Jeffries, who was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Feb. 23, 1824; died Nov. 27, 1849. Mr. Diehl was then married April 20, 1854, to Catharine Fuller, who was born in Virginia about the year 1821; died July 16, 1871. Mr. Diehl was then married Dec. 12, 1873, to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas J. Curry

Thomas J. Curry, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is a son of James and Polly Curry, of Coles Co., Ill.; was born in Lincoln Co., Tenn., Sept. 7, 1812; moved to Coles Co. with his folks Dec. 12, 1832. Is the owner of 250 acres of land valued at or near $10,000; was School Trustee and Director for a number of terms. Was married to first wife, Martha Langston, March 29, 1833; names of children – boys, James E., William L., (Thomas T., deceased); girls, Mary A., Stacy J., Penia N. Was married to his second wife, Debora Matthews, Dec. 8, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William B. Hawkins

William B. Hawkins, retired farmer; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch is one of the early settlers of this township; he was born in Boone Co., Ky., July 31, 121. He married Miss Abigail Morgan Feb. 20, 1843; she was born in Ohio, and died Oct. 8, 1846; they had two children, viz., Francis M. and Louisa A.; his present wife was Miss Nancy Danner; they were married Oct. 4, 1848; she was born in Rush Co., Ind., Oct. 11, 1823; he lived about two and a half years in Kentucky,. when, with his parents, he moved to … 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

Biographical Sketch of James P. White

James P. White, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Tennessee, March 5, 1841; came to this State in 1856, and to Coles Co., and settled in North Okaw Tp. in 1858; his farm consists of forty-nine and a third acres, valued at $1,500. He was married Nov. 23, 1865, to Miss Mary J. Wade, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., June 4, 1847; they have had six children, five of whom are living, viz., Mary A., Nancy E., Effa N., Minnie and James E.; deceased, Jessie. Since Mr. White’s residence in the township, he has held … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Carson Porter Reed Rodgers

Carson Porter Reed Rodgers, merchant, Farmington; P. O. Campbell; the subject of this sketch was born in Coles Co., Ill., Nov. 1, 1840, and lived with his parents until 26 years of age. He then married Catharine Winford Ridley Oct. 30, 1866, who was born in Gallatin Co., Ky., Oct. 30, 1847, and died April 14, 1869; he afterward married Martha Jane Veatch March 8, 1874, who was born in Washington Co., Ill., Oct. 26, 1837, and has had three children, two of whom are living, viz., Isaac Walter, Kate Winford; deceased–Martha H. Mr. Rodgers was Assessor one term, Township … Read more

Biography of William H. Reynolds

William H. Reynolds, far.; P. O. Oakland; born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, May 29, 1837, where he was brought up on a farm until about 18 years of age, when he emigrated to Clark Co., Ill., and located for one year; thence to Coles Co., where he hired as farm laborer for two years, when he rented land and farmed three years. He enlisted July 25, 1861, in Col. Oglesby’s regiment-the 8th I. V. I. going in camp at Cairo, where he remained about two months, during which time he was engaged in reconnoitering expeditions in Missouri; he then joined … Read more

Biography of Jeremiah Titus

Jeremiah Titus, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Oakland; born in Loudoun Co., Va., Sept. 13, 1810, where he remained with his father, Tunis Titus, and engaged in farming until he attained his majority, and, for the first few years, worked at $5 per month, after which he hired by the year for $100 per year, which was the highest wages he received until 30 years of age, at which time he rented land and engaged in farming until 1855, when he removed to Muskingum Co., Ohio, and rented land until 1860, when he came to Coles Co., Ill., by team … 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

Biography of Daniel H. Tremble

Daniel H. Tremble, Deputy County Treasurer, Charleston; was born in Harrison Co., Ind., Aug. 28, 1829; the following year, his father, Hiram M. Tremble, came with his family to this county, and, after spending a short time in what is now Mattoon Tp., went to Shelby Co., and there resided until 1833, -when he returned to Coles Co., arid is now a prominent farmer in Mattoon Tp. The subject of this sketch started for himself in 1851, as a teacher; he taught school two winters; in 1852, he engaged in farming, and, after gathering his first crop, came to Charleston, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Ernst

Jacob Ernst, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 30, 1839. He married Miss Julia Anna Joose Aug. 16, 1861 she was born in Baden, Germany, June 20, 1844; they had nine children, eight living, viz., George A., John M., Flora May, Mary A., Harry D., Willis E., Clarence and Jacob E.; Charlie died June 4, 1866. He lived in Germany about fifteen years, when he came to the United States and settled in Meadville, Penn., where he lived until 1855; he then moved to Owen Co., Ind.; thence to … Read more

Biography of Malden Jones

In touching upon the history of Douglas County for the past sixty years, none have been more prominently connected with its growth and industrial expansion than the Hon. Malden Jones. He endured all the hardships incident to the rough pioneer life and has passed through a most honorable and enviable career. He is a native of Lee County, Virginia, and was born February 8, 1818 when a child he went with his parents to Kentucky, where he was reared and where, at about the age of seventeen, he entered a store as clerk and remained three years. In 1840 he … Read more

Biography of Solomon Hendrix

Solomon Hendrix, stock dealer; P. O. Oakland; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, May 13, 1820, where he attended school during his youth until large enough to labor upon a farm, when he followed farming for his father until he attained his majority, when, in 1842, he located upon a farm of eighty-six acres, all heavy timber, where he lived seven years and succeeded in clearing and placing under cultivation upward of sixty acres, the first year by hard labor he raised eight acres of corn and potatoes enough for his family use during the winter. In the summer of 1850, … 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 W. D. Busbey

W. D. Busbey, farmer and harness-maker, Oakland; one of the pioneers of Coles Co.; born in Clark Co., Ohio, Dec. 28, 1820, where he engaged in farming until 19 years of age, when he emigrated West in 1839, and located in Coles Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming for a period of fifteen years; in 1860, he located in Oakland, and engaged in the harness and saddlery trade, which business he has since followed, in connection with firming; he owns his shop and eighty acres of land, upon which his residence stands, which he erected in 1854; he held … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James H. Busbey

James H. Busbey, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Oakland; one of the pioneers of Coles Co; born in Clark Co., Ohio, April 22, 1823, where he attended school and engaged in farming, until 16 years of age, when he emigrated to Coles Co., Ill., and located in what is now the south part of Douglas Co., in the fall of 1839. He is son of Hamilton Busbey, who was born July 5, 1792, in Virginia; he emigrated to Ohio about the year 1815, where he lived until he emigrated to Illinois, where he died Dec. 16, 1847; Mrs. Busbey, whose … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Andrew Gossett

Andrew Gossett, farmer; P.O. Hutton; was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio, Aug. 8, 1836; when he was 4 years of age, his parents, Luke and Jane, moved to Coles Co. and settled on Sec. 15, Hutton Tp., where they have resided ever since. Mr. Gossett married Miss Polly Kiser (daughter of William Kiser, of Hutton Tp.) Nov. 1, 1860. The March following, they moved to his farm on Sec. 23, where he now resides, upon which he has made all its present improvements; he has been School Director five years; he owns 190 acres of land. His wife was born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of L. M. Hudson

L. M. Hudson, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Oakland; born in Carter Co., Tenn., Sept. 5, 1809, where he engaged in farming until 24 years of age, when he removed to Jessamine Co., Ky., where he engaged in farming until 1851, when he removed to East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., Ill., and purchased 200 acres, upon which he has since continued to live, during a period of twenty-eight years; he has since added by purchase until he now owns 320 acres, upon which he has good buildings erected by himself; at the time of his locating here, corn was worth … Read more

Biography of Thomas O’Brien

Thomas O’Brien, farmer and stock raiser; P. O. Ashmore; was born in the city of Philadelphia Feb. 18, 1830; he is a son of John and Mary O’Brien; his father was born in Mt. Maleck, Queens Co., Ireland, in February, 1801; up to the age of 18 years, he worked in his father’s tailor-shop; he then went to London, Eng., and afterward to Leeds, spending seven years in the two cities; after paying a brief visit to his native place, he came to America at the age of 25; his first settlement was in Philadelphia, where he was married March … Read more