Coles County IL

Biography of William S. Childress

William S. Childress, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; was born in Knox Co., East Tenn., April 11, 1827; he is a son of Richard and Rebecca Childress. In 1831, his father removed to Edgar Co., and settled just on the line between Illinois and Indiana. In 1848, Mr. Childress came to Coles Co., being the first of the family to settle here, his father following in the spring of 1849; his father died about 1862; his mother still survives, and now resides in Farmington, in Coles Co., at the age of 75 years. Mr. C. was married April 30, … Read more

Biography of Capt. Charles D. Phelps

Capt. Charles D. Phelps, deceased, late of Ashmore Tp., one of the pioneers of Coles Co.; was born in Madison Co., Ky., Jan. 26, 1801; he was a son of Jarrot and Millie (Duncan) Phelps, both natives of Virginia. He was married March 3, 1825, to Miss Mary A. Coons, a daughter of John and Polly (Crosswhite) Coons; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., about eight miles from Lexington, July 29, 1809. In 1830, he removed to Coles Co., and settled on the farm now occupied by his widow and youngest son; he purchased and entered about 300 acres … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Francis M. Waters

Francis M. Waters, Ashmore; dealer in dry goods and notions, boots and shoes, hats, caps and clothing; was born in Ross Co., Ohio, March 16, 1838, and is a son of Baker and Mary Waters; in 1847, his parents removed to Coles Co., and settled in Charleston, where his father carried on the wagon and carriage. Making business about ten years; he then removed to a farm in Ashmore Tp., where he lived till his death, in 1875; Mr. Waters’ mother died the year before; the family consisted of eight sons and one daughter, all residents of Coles Co.; when … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Peters

George W. Peters, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Green Co., Tenn., Sept. 14, 1814; is the son of Reuben and Elizabeth Peters, of the same county and State; is the owner of 163 acres of land, valued at $6,500; has held no public office. Was married to Harriet Rector March 22, 1838; the names of the children by this union are Alexander S., Reuben A., George W., Lewis B., John R., Caroline E.; deceased, Reuben A., died July 17, 1875, aged 34 years 6 months 16 days; living, Alexander S., born March 22, 1839; George W., May 3, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of B. B. Shinn

B. B. Shinn, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; owns 142 acres; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 10, 1824; was brought up a farmer. He married Margaret Barcalow Jan. 1, 1845; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio July 14, 1824; they have had three children; only one (G. B.) is now living; he was born in Bartholomew Co., Ind. Oct. 20, 1851. He married Cornelia M. Ricketts Feb. 11, 1872; she was born in Charleston March 19, 1853; is a daughter of Joshua Ricketts, Esq., of Ashmore Tp.; they have had three children, two of whom are now living … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. W. Magee

H. W. Magee, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Coles Co., Ill., in October, 1847; his father came from Cynthiana, Ky., and settled in Coles Co., Ill., in 1832; here he engaged in farming; he relates that his father labored a whole year for Joseph VanDeren for $96; when H. W., was 2 years of age, his father moved to the western portion of Missouri, and was there during the border troubles; in the fall of 1857, he returned with his family to Coles Co., and settled in what is known as ” Dead Man’s Grove ;” in 1872, … Read more

Biography of B. J. Farris

B. J. Farris, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Westfield; was born in Edgar Co., Ill., March 24, 1831, being a son of James and Nancy Farris, who were among the earliest pioneers of that county. His father was born in Virginia, in the year 1785; received a liberal education, being designed for the Presbyterian ministry, and leaving home at the age of 18, he went to Warren Co., Ohio, where he married Miss Nancy Downs, a native of South Carolina, born in 1799, and lived there till he came to Edgar Co. He was a soldier of the war of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of G. W. Smith

G. W. Smith, farmer; P. O. Westfield; was born in Pulaski Co., Ky., April 17, 1813; when he was ten years of age his parents moved to Lawrence Co., Ind., and remained there about six years engaged in farming; from there they moved to Vigo Co., Ind., where his parents died. In 1839, Mr. Smith came to Coles Co., and first settled on Sec. 27, in this township, living there until 1863, when he moved to his present farm on Sec. 26, containing 87 acres. He held the office of School Director several terms. He married Miss Eliza Boland (her … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sames Tilford Gordon

Sames Tilford Gordon, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Larna; owns seventy acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 14, 1832, and lived with his parents until 21 years of age. He was married to Sarah Jane Rogers June 5, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., July 7, 1838; they have had nine children, viz., Mary M., Luella, Willie A., Sylvester, Lizzie, Laura M., Bundy and Maddora; deceased-H. A. Mr. Gordon has been School Director eight years, and Commissioner of Highways three years; his father is a native of Virginia and his mother of North Carolina; Mrs. Gordon’s … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Jeffries Diehl

Thomas Jeffries Diehl, farmer, Sec. (3; P. O. Mattoon; owns eighty acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 17, 1846, and lived with his parents on the farm in this township until 22 years of age. He was then married, Feb. 26, 1868, to Kittie Brunk Hankley, who was born in Grayson Co., Ky., June 2, 1847, and who has six children, viz., Anna Lee, Charles Redmond, Mary Alta, George Edmond, William Angus and Ermie. Mr. Diehl was School Director eight years, and Overseer of the Road one year. Mr. Diehl’s parents were natives of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Diehl’s of … 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.

Biographical Sketch of Frederick Frommel

Frederick Frommel, Charleston, of the firm of Weiss & Frommel, proprietors of the Charleston Woolen-Mill; was born in Ravensburg, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Dec. 5, 1825; at the . age of 14, he was apprenticed in a woolen-factory to learn the trade, and worked there until he came to this country in 1854; he spent several years in Philadelphia, New York and Connecticut; after which, he came West to Cincinnati, where he was engaged in traveling for two of the principal woolen houses in that city until 1869; he then removed to Charleston, and engaged with Henry Weiss, proprietor of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nelson W. Ames

Nelson W. Ames, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; one of the most prominent settlers; was born in Wayne Co., Penn., Feb. 9, 1817; he is the son of Mr. Joseph Ames, now deceased, who was born in Connecticut, and was one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Gertrude Schenck, and where Mr. N. W. Ames, the subject of this sketch, was born. He was married Jan. 9, 1840, to Miss Nancy Hoalley, who was born in Pennsylvania May 6, 1818, and who died Oct. 3, 1847. Mr. Ames removed from his native State to New … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James W. Crume

James W. Crume, farmer, See. 9; P. O. Mattoon; owns eighty acres; was born in Marion Co., Ky., March 17, 1830, and lived with his parents on the farm until 21 years of age. He was married to Emily J. Maine, Dec. 29, 1856, who was born in Dubois Co., Ind., Aug. 25, 1834, and died Sept. 21, 1862. He then married Mary E. Reynolds Dec. 31, 1864, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., March 29, 1834, and has had eight children, four of whom are living, viz., William R., Benjamin R., James H. and Emily O.; the deceased … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. W. Farrar

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 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Land

William Land, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Oakland; born in Cumberland Co., Ill., Jan. 19, 1839; at 7 years of age, his parents both died, their death occurring within a period of four days; at their decease, he came to Coles Co., Ill., and, until 15 years of age, worked at different places for his living when he worked for three years by the month; then rented land, and engaged in farming for himself for about four years, in Ashmore Tp., and in 1862, enlisted in the 123d regiment, I. V. I., in which he served his country until he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Harvey B. Ashmore

Harvey B. Ashmore, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; was born in this township Nov. 1, 1849, being a son of Hezekiah J. and Elizabeth Ashmore. When about 15 years old, he engaged in mercantile business in Ashmore, in which he continued about two years. He then engaged in dealing in stock, which he has followed ever since. In 1871, he settled on his present farm adjoining the village of Ashmore, containing 510 acres of land, with fine improvements. He also owns another farm of 80 acres two and a half miles northwest of the village. Mr. Ashmore is largely … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Linder

Jacob Linder, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Charleston. Among the pioneers of Coles Co. who settled here prior to the year 1830, was Jonathan Linder, who was born in West Virginia Aug. 8, 1808. He was the son of a farmer, and on becoming of age he came West, accompanied by his father’s family; they made the journey in wagons, and on arriving in Coles Co., they took up some land and purchased other land, and engaged in farming. After a few years, he revisited his native State, performing the journey there and back on horse-back. In 1834 or 1835, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of McCagha Phillips

McCagha Phillips, farmer; P. O. Fuller’s Point; one of the natives of Illinois; was born in Moultrie Co., Jan. 7, 1856; he is the son of Mr. Calvin Phillips, of Mattoon Tp., who is one of the early settlers of Coles Co.; his farm consists of 136 acres, valued at $4,500. He was married June 10, 1877, to Miss Mary A. Gilmer, who was born in Russell Co., Va., April 27, 1856; Leon is their only child.

Biographical Sketch of Jewell Davis, M. D.

Jewell Davis, M. D., physician and surgeon, Charleston; was born in Athens Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1811; he was raised on a farm, and followed that calling until about 1838, when he removed to Middleport, Meigs Co., Ohio, having a few years previously married Miss Cynthia Jones, of that place; they have three children – Mary V. (wife of E. L. Kelly), Curtis L., Teller of the First National Bank, and Reuben J., all of whom are residents of Coles Co. Dr. Davis followed coopering and carriage-making for a while in Middle-port; owing to illness in his family, he was … Read more