Coles County IL

Biographical Sketch of Daniel S. Carney

Daniel S. Carney, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, March 2, 1822. He married Miss Margaret Heminger March 27, 1843; she was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, Sept. 4, 1819; they had five children, four living, viz., Addie D. Jasper C., Sarah F. and Charles L. D., lived in Ohio until 1864, when he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has lived here since; he owns 182 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management; his parents, Thomas and … 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 G. T. Kilner

G. T. Kilner, druggist, Mattoon; was born in Manchester, Eng., Nov. 18, 1820; at the age of 15 years, he was left an orphan, and, in 1836, emigrated to America, and first settled in Waterbury, Conn.; here he engaged in the sale of drugs six years; he then moved to Newburgh, N. Y., where he engaged in the same business; in the spring of 1860, he came West and located in Mattoon, opened up his business here; his is the first drug store established in the city; he took a partial course in medicine and practiced some years in connection … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. L. F. Miller

J. L. F. Miller, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 9; P. O. Mattoon; owns 337 acres; was born in Trimble Co., Ky., Jan. 9, 1829, and engaged with his father in farming until 23 years of age. He was married to Rachel P. Gray Nov. 27, 1857; she was born in Tennessee April 19, 1829, died May 2, 1860; the fruit of this marriage was two children – George L. and Rachel E. Mr. Miller then married Mary J. Romine Feb. 25, 1866; she was born in Vigo Co., Ind., July 3, 1841; the fruit of this marriage is eight children … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Nock

John Nock, farmer; P. O. Charleston; born in Germany Feb. 20, 1835; he emigrated with his parents to America when 2 years of age; coming directly West, they located first in Ross, then Waverly Cu., Ohio, until 1849, when they located in Charleston, Coles Co., Ill., where he learned and worked at the carpenter trade until 1863, at which date he located upon his present place, where he has since continued to live; he owns upon his present place 165 acres, upon which he has good buildings, and which is mostly under cultivation. He married Aug. 5, 1863, to Mary … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry D. Jenkins, M. D.

Henry D. Jenkins, M. D., Arcola; one of the early settlers; was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Dec. 30, 1822; came to this State and settled in what was then Coles Co. in 1855; his farm, being now located in Douglas Co., where he first settled, and which was at the time of his settlement all Coles Co., consists of 310 acres. The Doctor is a graduate of the Transylvania University, located at Lexington, Ky.; since his residence in this county, he has practiced his profession as physician but very little; his pursuits have been that of a farmer and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Abram Hasbrouck

Abram Hasbrouck, City Mayor, and dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, Mattoon; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1825; his early life was passed upon the farm, and his education, such as was derived from the common schools; he remained on the homestead until about 25 years of age; in 1854, he came West and first settled in Michigan; here he engaged in operating a hotel; in 1857, he moved to Milwaukee, and conducted the “Walker House” two years; the winter of 1859 he spent in Chicago, not actively engaged in business; in 1860, he located in Mattoon, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James W. Craig

James W. Craig, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., Ill., June 29, 1844; his early life was that of a farmer’s son; his education was obtained in the common schools; in 1864, he began the study of law with Col. O. B. Ficklin, of Charleston; in the fall of 1865, he matriculated in the law department of the Michigan University, from which he graduated in March, 1867; in April, following, he was admitted to the State and Federal Courts; he began the practice of his profession in v, forming a copartnership with Col. Ficklin; in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. J. Bigelow

A. J. Bigelow, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Fuller’s Point; one of the early settlers; was born in Massachusetts Oct. 10, 1829; came to this State in 1852, and settled in Edgar Co.; he removed to Coles Co. in 1852, where he has since resided; his farm consists of 254 acres, valued at $7,000. He was married to Miss Ada Green, who was born in Massachusetts; they have two children – Levi and Charley E. Since his residence in the township, he has held the office of Supervisor one year and School Director ten years. He was a participant in … Read more

Biography of Lewis Corbin True, Col.

Col. Lewis C. True. Some interesting distinctions belong to this veteran soldier and lawyer who now lives retired at Kansas City, Kansas. He came to Kansas soon after leaving the army, and spent several years combating the hardships and plagues which afflicted the farmers in that period in Franklin County. Unable to make progress as a farmer, he took up the study of law, and in 1871 was admitted to practice in Cherokee County. He spent five years in general practice at Chetopa, and was then elected county attorney of Labette County. Kansas had just enacted its state wide prohibition … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William G. Wright

William G. Wright, of the firm of Wright, Hodgen & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in groceries and provisions, Charleston; was born in Washington Co., Penn., July 25, 1832; be was brought up to farming and his father’s trade, of a carpenter; he received an English education, and at the age of 18, began teaching school, which he continued three winters; in the spring of 1854, he came to Hitesville, Coles Co., and on the 24th of August, the same year, he married Miss Sarah Bane, whom he had known in Pennsylvania, and who had removed with her parents to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John White Rodgers

John White Rodgers, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Campbell; owns seventy acres; was born in Morgan Co., Ill., Feb. 10, 1831, and lived with his parents on the farm until 23 years of age. He was married to Margaret Elizabeth Gillinnater April 5, 1854; she was born in Effingham Co., Ill., Jan. 18, 1836; they have bad six children, five of whom are living, viz., James F., Mary L., William B., Hiram M. and Henry G.; deceased-Isaac E. Mr. Rodgers was Overseer of the Road one term and was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. His … Read more

Biography of E. T. Currens

E. T. Currens, farmer and fruit-grower; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Bracken Co., Ky., in 1816; his father was a farmer and tanner, and for fifty-five years conducted the two interests jointly, at Germantown, Ky.; E. T.’s early life was spent upon his father’s farm and in learning the tanning business; he entered Augusta College, Ky., in 1832, and graduated there from in 1836; he then engaged in mercantile life and farming till 1854, when he moved to Iowa and established the Kentucky settlement in Marshall Co.; in 1861, he returned to Maysville, Ky., and engaged in the hardware … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph L. Gibbs

(See Conrad)-Joseph Lewis Gibbs born April 29, 1864 in Mattoon, Illinois. Married August 20, 1891 Eliza Gourd born December 28, 1873 near Claremore. They are the parents of: Charles A. born January 9, 1894 and Joseph Scott Gibbs born May 6, 1896. Joseph L. Gibbs is the proprietor of one of the best curio stores of the southwest, with his ability he specializes in American made articles, coins and Navajo blankets. Mrs. Joseph L. Gibbs is the daughter of John R. and Artemissa (Beavert) Gourd. The former now deceased was born August 5, 1850 married in 1872 Artemassa Beavert born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of M. E. O’Hair

M. E. O’Hair, farming and stock; P. O. Charleston; was born in Morgan Co., Ky., Feb. 22, 1829. He married Miss Catharine R. Zink June 6, 1856; she was born in Edgar Co., Ill., and died Dec. 7, 1873; they had six children, viz., Calvin L., Laura B., Nettie T., Harvey Z., Gladys V. and Alvaretta C. He married his present wife, Miss Sarah E. Bryant, Oct. 14, 1875; she was born in Edgar Co., Ill., July 29, 1852; they have two children, viz., Charles H. and Francina D. He lived in Kentucky until he was 13 years old, when, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. W. Hill

J. W. Hill, farmer and stock-dealer, deceased; deceased owned 342 acres; was born in Washington Co., Va., May 7, 1814; died March 13, 1875; he lived with his parents on the farm until 20 years of age. He was married to Elizabeth Fudge Feb. 28, 1833; she was born in Washington Co., Va., Jan. 15, 1814; they had twelve children – Barbara A., Samuel H., Benjamin R., Noah W., Elizabeth, Zachariah T., Emma, Jonah, Napoleon and three infants, deceased; Jonah Hill was born in Coles Co., Ill., April 22, 1853, and lived with his father until 21 years of age. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas, farming; P. O. Mattoon; the subject of this sketch was born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, Great Britain, Dec. 18, 1832. He married Miss Sarah L. Worden Dec. 12, 1853; she was born in Fairfield Co., Conn., March 13, 1836; they had seven children, five living, viz., Robert A., Laura A., Annie May, Mary Alice and Lizzie. He lived in Wales about fifteen years, when he came to the United States with some relatives and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming, remaining about three years, when he moved to Fairfield Co., Conn., where he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lewis Monroe

Lewis Monroe, Charleston, of the firm of Monroe & Co., proprietors of the Coles County Mill, is a son of the late Dr. John Monroe; he was born in Charleston May 29, 1846; he received his education in the public schools, and, at the age of 18, began business, a partner in the dry goods house of Hutchinson, Monroe & Co.; he continued in this business seven years, when, his health failing, he retired to a. farm at Monroe Station, in La Fayette Tp.; four years later, he returned to town and resumed business, which he continued till 1877; in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Wright

Samuel Wright, Charleston; was born in Delaware Co., Penn., Feb. 29, 1808; when he was 9 years of age, he removed with his parents to Washington Co., in the same State, where he learned the trade of a carpenter and builder, and afterward taught school for seven years. He was married Aug. 20, 1829, to Miss Ruth Gordon, of Washington Co., Penn., and has four children living – William G. (of Charleston), Maria B. (wife of Dr. A. K. Spears, of Charleston), Matilda R. (Mrs. W. S. Minton, of Charleston), and Samuel H. (Corresponding Secretary of the National Surgical Institute, … Read more

Biography of Thomas B. Trower, M. D.

Thomas B. Trower, M. D., deceased, late of Charleston; was born in Albemarle Co., Va., Nov. 15, 1807, his parents removing to Kentucky a few years later; his father died in 1816, leaving a wife and nine children; he began the study of medicine when he was 19 years old, spending three years under the instruction of Drs. Beamiss and Merryfield, of Bloomfield, Ky., teaching school a portion of the time to obtain means to defray his expenses; he came to Illinois in 1830, and practiced medicine six years in Shelbyville; in 1836, he removed to Charleston and engaged in … Read more