Coles County IL

Biographical Sketch of Eli Huron

Eli Huron, dealer in books, stationery, musical instruments, toys, etc., Charleston; was born in Hendricks Co., Ind., Oct. 14, 1836; up to the breaking-out of the rebellion he remained on his father’s farm. In February, 1862, he entered the Union army as a member of Co. A, 53d Ind. V. I., serving in the Army of the Cumberland; he participated in the siege of Corinth, and was wounded at the second battle of Corinth, on the 5th of October, 1862, from which he lost his right arm. He spent the spring and summer of 1864 as a student in Bryant … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George F. Hackett

George F. Hackett, farmer, S. 18; P. O. Oakland; born in Scott Co., Ky., Aug. 27, 1827; he emigrated with his parents, in the fall of 1834, to Illinois, and located in Coles Co., where he attended school during the winter, and assisted his father farming during the summer, until 18 years of age, when he worked by the month during the summer driving cattle from Coles Co. to Wisconsin, and attending school during the winter for four years; in 1850, he drove an ox-team, overland, to California, going via the old Oregon route, by Fort Hall, arriving in Wearville, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Burgess

William Burgess, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Mattoon; was born in North Molton, Devonshire, Eng., Oct. 12, 1827; he emigrated to America in May, 1849; for two years after coming, he followed his trade in Syracuse, N. Y.; he subsequently lived at various points in New York, Cortland, Elmira, Tioga Point, Bath, Corwin, Addison, etc. In the spring of 1855, he returned to England remaining one year. In 1856, he returned to America, stopping for a season in New York; thence to Pennsylvania; thence back to New York. In June, 1857, he went to Canada, remained but a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. K. Donnell

J. K. Donnell, wholesale grocer, Mattoon; was born in Tyrone Co., Ireland, Oct. 14, 1835. At the age of 13, he entered the employ of John and James Graham, as clerk in their grocery establishment, in the town of Strabane; here he served an indentured apprenticeship for three years and four months, at which time he received a certificate of qualification as a practical business man. The family soon after came to America and settled in Philadelphia, where he was employed in various firms in the capacity of clerk. In 1857, he began business for himself in the retail grocery … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rice P. Hackett

Rice P. Hackett, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Charleston; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Nov. 28, 1838; he is a son of Levi Hackett, who came from Scott Co., Ky., and settled in Coles Co. in 1835, and now lives in Douglas Co., to which he removed in 1861. Mr. Hackett is the second of a family of eight children, five of whom are living. He was married Feb. 25, 1857, to Miss Ann M. Waltrip, of Hutton Tp., also a native of the county, and a daughter of John Waltrip, one of the early settlers of the county. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William E. McCrory

William E. McCrory, Cashier of the First National Bank, Charleston, is a son of James McCrory, who came from Harrison Co., Ky., to Coles Co. in 1837; was for two years engaged in business in Charleston, and was for a time Postmaster of this city; he returned to Kentucky in 1839, and remained there until 1850, when he removed permanently, with his family, to this county; he was for eight years County Clerk, and is now a prominent farmer in La Fayette Tp. William E. was born in Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Ky., March 20, 1839; after spending a year as … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Moore

George Moore, farming and stock; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Adams Co., Ohio, June 17, 1828. He married Miss Rebecca Ann McKee Jan. 30, 1851; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Oct: 20, 1833; they had eight children, seven living, viz., Joseph N., Jennie, John C., George W., Oscar F., Stanley B. and Jessie; he was born on his father’s farm and lived there until he was 26 years of age, when he was elected Treasurer of Adams Co., Ohio, and moved to West Union, the county seat; he served in this position … Read more

Biography of Hon. Orlando B. Ficklin

Hon. Orlando B. Ficklin, attorney at law, Charleston; he was born in Kentucky Dec. 16, 1808, being the son of William and Elizabeth Kenner (Williams) Ficklin, both of Virginia. His early education was obtained in country schools, in Kentucky and Missouri, except about one year, which he spent at Cumberland College, located at Princeton, Caldwell Co., Ky., under the auspices of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His parents having removed to Potosi, Washington Co., Mo., he commenced the study of law with Henry Shurlds of that place, who was afterward elected to the Circuit Court bench, and at a later period … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin McMorris

Benjamin McMorris, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., March 25, 1813; his parents moved to Frederick Co., Va., when he was a year old; his father died in the year 1818, and Mr. McMorris lived with his mother until he was 21 years of age, when they moved to Coshocton Co., Ohio; six years after, his mother returned to Virginia and died there in the year 1852. In the spring of 1836, Mr. McMorris married Rachel McLaughlin, and, three years afterward, moved to Coles Co., and settled in Sec. 9, Hutton Township, where he at present … Read more

Biographical Sketch of P. B. Linn

P. B. Linn, dealer in groceries, provisions and queensware, Mattoon. The subject of this sketch was born in Coles Co., Ill. Nov. 18, 1850; his father was one of the early pioneers of the county; his early life wad spent upon the farm; in addition to his common-school education, he attended Lee’s Academy two years; in 1871, he completed a business course in Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College at Cincinnati; the same year, he entered the employ of J. B. Hill & Co., at Charleston, as clerk; in 1873, he began clerking for Frank Kern, in Effingham, and, in 1874, … Read more

Biography of Capt. William E. Adams

Capt. William E. Adams, attorney at law, Charleston; was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., Oct. 15, 1830, being the son of John J. and Martha (Gammell) Adams, who came to Coles Co. in December, 1830, settling in what is now Pleasant Grove Tp., on the farm where his father still resides; he made his home at his father’s until about 1855, when he engaged in buying and herding stock, and driving it to Wisconsin; he continued in this business until 1860. He was married in August, 1859, to Miss Olive A. Holton, of Blue Mounds, Wis., and has a family … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Armstrong

Joseph Armstrong, farmer and stockdealer, Sec. 9; P. O. Charleston; was born in Pendleton Co., Va., Aug. 11, 1823; he lived with his parents, assisting his father on the farm until 23 years of age, when he married Elizabeth Leitch, Sept. 2, 1844; Mrs. Armstrong was born in Pendleton Co., Va., May 23, 1815; they have had four children, three living and one dead; their names are Charles E., Abel T. T., Margaret J., and Arametha L., who died. Mr. Armstrong has held the office of Township Collector one term, Road Commissioner one term, and School Director five years. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Edmon

Jacob Edmon, farmer; P. O. Charleston; was born in Highland Co., Va., June 17, 1851, and lived with his father; engaged in farming. He was married to Alwilda Armstrong Dec. 26, 1877; she was born in Highland Co., Va., Nov. 9, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Edmon’s parents were natives of Virginia; Mr. Edmon’s father was one of the early settlers in this county, coming here in an early day with but very little property. He now owns 168 acres of very fine farm land on Sec. 14 in this township.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas T. Threlkeld

Thomas T. Threlkeld, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; is a native of Coles Co.; he was born in La Fayette Tp. May 22, 1848; he is a son of Matthew P. Threlkeld, and a grandson of Thomas Threlkeld, one of the pioneers of this county, who came from Scott Co., Ky., in 1830; his grandfather was a Baptist minister, and a prominent citizen, being, in 1840, a member of the State Legislature; he entered a large farm in what is now La Fayette Tp., and resided there till his death, in 1863. Matthew P. Threlkeld, his son, and the … 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 John Foreman

John Foreman, farmer; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in the District of Columbia March 17, 1823. He married Miss Harriet E. Richardson Oct. 10, 1842; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, March 24, 1820; they have seven children, viz., William T., John R., Joseph, Isaac P., David B., Thomas N. and Edward P. He lived in the District of Columbia until he was 12 years of age; he then moved to Fayette Co., Ky., with his parents, who engaged in farming, and he remained until 1853, when he came to Illinois and settled in … Read more

Biography of L. C. Thornton

L. C. Thornton, farm implements, Postmaster, Oakland; one of the pioneers of Edgar Co., Ill.; born in Washington Co., Ind., Dec. 15, 1825; he removed with his parents in 1829, being then 4 years of age, and located in Edgar Co., Ill., where he attended school, and engaged in farming until Sept. 10, 1861, when he enlisted as private in Co. E, 66th I. V. I; this regiment was composed of picked men from the various Northwestern States, selected for their skill and accuracy in handling the rifle; the 66th was known in the army as the Western Sharp-shooters, and … 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 Patrick Bradley

Patrick Bradley, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Bradley; was born in Morgan Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1830, and moved to Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 12, 1866; is the owner of 110 acres of land, valued at or near $3,000; was Commissioner of Highways three years, also School Trustee a number of years. Was married to Elizabeth Stroble Feb. 26, 1854; names of children, boys-John C. F., born July 14, 1856; Zachary, born Aug. 24, 1862; James B., born July 1, 1866; girl-Estella, born Jan. 5, 1872. His father, Benjamin Bradley, was one of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Solomon Brandenburg

Solomon Brandenburg, farmer; P. O. Hutton; is the fifth son of Solomon B. Brandenburg, one of the early settlers of this county, and was born in Hutton Tp. Sept. 3, 1830; at the age of 19 he went to Wisconsin and engaged in hauling lead with his brothers C. P. and Wm. H., during the summer, for nine years; in the year 1858, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, on Sec. 13. He married Mrs. Sallie Smith (daughter of James Cox and widow of George Smith), Feb. 5, 1850; they had seven children, five living – Ford, … Read more