Coles County IL

Biography of Jobe W. Brown

Jobe W. Brown, retired, Ashmore; this gentleman was born in Chatham, Middlesex Co., Conn., July 15, 1809; his father was Jonathan W. Brown, and his mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Aiken, the former being a native of Connecticut, and the latter of the island of Nantucket; when he was but a child, his parents removed to Oneida Co., N. Y., thence to Milton, Ky., and in 1822 to Lawrence Co., Ill.; in January, 1825, they removed to Walnut Grove in Edgar Co., then on the very outskirts of civilization; at that time there was not a single white inhabitant in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Henton

John Henton, farmer and stock-raiser; P. Coles Station; one of the most prominent settlers; was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Jan. 11, 1826; came to this State with his father’s family, and settled in Moultrie Co. in 1847, and in 1879, he removed to Coles Co., and settled in North Okaw Tp.; his farm consists of 410½ acres, valued at $8,000. He was married to Miss Pheba Staley, who was born in White Co., Ill.; they have six children, viz., Alvaretta, George W., Olly, Melvin, Emma and Pheba L. During Mr. Henton’s residence in Moultrie Co., he has held the … Read more

Biography of A. N. Bain

A. N. Bain, proprietor of the Charleston Foundry, Charleston; was born in Erie Co., Ohio, April 3, 1828; his father was a ship-carpenter, with a family of nine children; at the age of 14, Mr. Bain began working on a farm, which he continued until the spring of 1845, when he entered the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad shop at Sandusky, Ohio, as an apprentice, remaining there until 1852, and thoroughly mastering the machinist’s trade. He then went to New Albany, Ind., where he was married, Feb. 3, 1853, to Miss Catharine Caldwell, of that city, who was born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dudley Hopper

Dudley Hopper, farmer; P. Q. Mattoon; one of the first settlers of Coles Co.; was born in Knox Co., Ky., Aug. 18, 1826; came to this State with his father’s family in 1837, when he was but a boy. He was married to Miss Jane Dixon, now deceased; they have had four children, viz., Felitha, George, Harvey and Matilda. Mr. Hopper was married the second time to Miss Margaret Easter. His farm consists of 330 acres, valued at $9,900; since his residence in the township, he has held the office of Commissioner three years. He was a participant in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Tarlton C. Miles

Tarlton C. Miles, Charleston, is a native of Franklin Co., Ky.; he was born near Frankfort, on the 18t of May, 1825; he is a son of Dr. James I. Miles, a physician of that county; his early life was spent in the subscription schools in his neighborhood; in 1845, he came to Coles Co. He was married Oct. 3, 1848, to Miss Sophia 0. Van Deren, a daughter of Joseph Van Deren, of Coles Co.; she was born in Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Ky., Jan. 18, 1829, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1835; they have six children … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaac B. Craig

Isaac B. Craig, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Coles Co., Ill., April 28, 1854; he was brought up upon the farm, and his early experiences were those of a farmer’s son; with a good education acquired at the common schools, he began the study of his profession in March, 1873, with his brother and O. B. Ficklin; in the fall of 1873, he entered the law department of the Michigan University; he graduated in the spring of 1875, and, in June, 1875, was admitted to practice at Mt. Vernon, Ill.; he began the practice of his profession in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sherman W. Roberts

Sherman W. Roberts, farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Jan. 11, 1852; he attended school here until 9 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., in September, 1860 (his father at that time purchasing upward of two hundred acres upon Sec. 6, where he still resides); he attended school here during the winter and assisted his father farming in the summer, until he attained his majority; he then engaged in farming a part of his father’s farm on shares for three years, when he bought … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. W. Neal, M. D.

J. W. Neal, M. D., physician and surgeon, Charleston; was born July 22, 1851, in what is now Cumberland Co., but then a part of Coles Co.; his father. William Neal, is a prominent and wealthy farmer and stock-raiser, who came to the State fifty-five years ago, at the age of years, from Bourbon Co., Ky.; Dr. Neal remained at home on the farm till he was 19 years old, then entered Lee’s Academy, in this county, graduating in 1871, and at once began the study of medicine with Dr. T. B. Dora, of Mattoon. The winter of 1872-73 he … Read more

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 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 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

Biographical Sketch of John Gaunt Jeffris

John Gaunt Jeffris, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Johnstown; owns ninety-three acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., March 10, 1836, and lived with his parents on the farm until 30 years of age. He was married Aug. 12, 1866, to Rachel Ellen Miller, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 18, 1849. They have had seven children, viz., Margaret E., Mary B., Anna L., Robert W., Henry S., Oscar M. and Mattie B. Mr. Jeffris has been School Director one term. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffris’ parents are natives of Kentucky.

Biography of Jeremiah J. Wood

JEREMIAH J. WOOD. Our subject is an intelligent farmer and stockraiser who keeps abreast of the times in the improvements and progress made in his calling. He is a successful farmer, using the best methods of fertilizing the soil and improving the land, and his enterprise has made him a man of note in his section. He owes his nativity to the Hoosier State, born in Martin County in 1837, and is seventh in order of birth of nine children born to James and Sarah (Pifer) Wood. The father was born in Kentucky, but when a young man went to … 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 Monroe White

Monroe White, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Charleston; owns 238 acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Aug. 9, 1844, and lived with his parents on the farm; engaged with his father in farming until 21 years of age. He was married to Mary E. Hall, Nov. 16, 1865; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Aug. 28, 1848; they have four children – Sarah F., Hannah A., Millie E. and Lucy E. Mr. White has held the office of School Director five years. Mr. White’s parents are natives of’ Ohio, and Mrs. White’s, natives of Kentucky.

Biography of Arthur C. Shriver

Arthur C. Shriver, of the firm of A. C. Shriver & Sons, dealers in stoves, tinware and house-furnishing goods, Charleston; was born in Fleming Co., Ky., Jan. 30, 1813; when he was about 10 years old, his parents removed to Adams Co., Ohio; at the age of 18, he went to Hillsboro, in Highland Co., Ohio, to learn the tinner’s trade; after which, he worked as a journeyman in Ohio and Kentucky for a number of years; in 1836, he began business for himself in Augusta, Ky., removing a few years later to Felicity, Clermont Co., Ohio, and there carried … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Matthias Beavers

Matthias Beavers, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Meade Co., Ky., June 6, 1823; his parents, William and Nancy, came to Clay Co., Ind., while he was an infant, and settled near Bowling Green, and after remaining there some six or seven years, came to Clark Co., and lived in the ” Rich Woods,” near Westfield, and about the year 1833, came to Coles Co. Mr. Beavers remained with his parents up to the age of 21, when he married Miss Elizabeth Endsley, daughter of Andrew Endsley, of Hutton Tp., on Jan. 2, 1845; shortly after, he came to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George A. Whitney

George A. Whitney, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Mattoon; owns thirty-six acres; was born in the State of Wisconsin Sept. 4, 1854; lived with his parents on the farm until 20 years of age. Was then married to Emma D. Hill, May 10, 1874; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., June 7, 1852. Mr. Whitney’s parents are natives of York State, and Mrs. Whitney’s, natives of Virginia. Mr. Whitney’s father was one of the early settlers of this county, and one of the men who helped to change this country from a wilderness to its present condition of prosperity. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Father Crowe

Rev. Father Crowe, Pastor of the Catholic Church, Mattoon; was born in Oswego, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1851; his early life was passed in the public schools of his native city; here he completed a full course of instruction, passing regularly through the high school and normal department; at about the age of 18 years, he engaged in the profession of teaching, and was a member of the Faculty in the College at Tutopolis, and, at a later date, in that at Ruma, Ill.; having for some time directed his thoughts in the channel of the legal profession, and, at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of T. S. Coffin

T. S. Coffin, merchant, Oakland; born in Cornville, Somerset Co., Me., Oct. 7, 1832, where he was engaged in farming and attending school in winter until 18 years of age, when, after finishing his academic studies, he engaged in school-teaching for two years, then as clerk in dry goods store four years; he then engaged in the dry goods business for two years, when, in 1858, he went to California, where he resided about nine years, mining and speculating in mines, making and losing several fortunes, but finally was successful, and in the fall of 1867, he spent the winter … Read more