Douglas County IL

Biography of Glassco Kimball

Kimball Glassco was born November 19, 1819, in Hardin County, Kentucky, three miles from the birthplace of Lincoln. His father, Enoch Glassco, a farmer, moved to Coles County, Illinois, in 1828, and there died in 1835 ; his wife was Rachel Carlton. The family of Enoch Glassco was the sixth that settled in Coles County, and located there while yet the Indians were quite numerous and wolves present by the thousand, and to reach a mill they had to go twenty-eight miles. Kimball Glassco had no school advantages for four years after coming to Illinois; then, with but few books, … Read more

Biography of Alexander Hance

Alexander Hance, who is one of the ideal farmers of Douglas County, came to Newman Township in 1871 and engaged as an ordinary farm hand, at which he continued for some seven or eight years. His career is a fine example of what a man can do with a determined purpose in life. From the ordinary walks of life he has gradually risen to the front rank as a farmer, stock-raiser and a business man. Mr. Hance was born in Washington County, Tennessee, February 19, 1850, and there he remained until he came to Douglas County. He purchased his first … Read more

Biography of William A. Coolley

William A. Coolley. Of the financial institutions of the smaller communities of Champaign County, which, by reason of the character of their officials and the manner in which their business has been conducted, have acquired and held in greater or less degree the confidence of the public, one of the best and most favorably known is that operating as the Bank of Broadlands, a house which has been built upon an honorable policy and maintained along straight-forward lines. Much of the success that has attended this institution has been brought about through the splendid business and financial ability of William … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Brian Sr.

William Brian, Sr., was born May 6, 18o6, in Ross County, Ohio, and in 1837 he came to Coles, now Douglas, County ; he entered about one thousand acres of land when coming here, and has owned as high as three thousand acres. He had learned the blacksmith’s trade in Ohio, and followed it about twenty years here. On one occasion, when shoeing a Methodist preacher’s horse, he nailed the shoes on with the toe-corks behind. The preacher remonstrated with him for doing so; his reply was, “The devil takes, after these Methodist preachers, and I thought I would make … Read more

Cutsinger, Zua McQueen – Obituary

Cutsinger, Zua McQueen Douglas Co., IL Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 o’clock at the Christian Church in Newman for Mrs. Zua Cutsinger, 78, who died Saturday [June 16, 1945] at the home of her brother, A. N. McQueen, and Mrs. McQueen.  Rev. J. L. Coleman officiated with interment in Newman Cemetery. Mrs. Cutsinger was born March 3, 1867 at Clifford, Indiana, daughter of William R. T. and Ellen McQueen.  She is survived by three children, Mrs. Hazel Alice Wilson of Gary, Indiana; W. E. Cutsinger of Lyons; and Lois N. Cutsinger of Newman.  She also leaves three brothers; … Read more

Biography of Col. John Cofer

Col. John Cofer, of Arcola Tp., Douglas Co., Ill.; the subject of this memoir was born near Cave Spring, Bullitt Co., Ky., July 9, 1804; his parents, Thomas and Mrs. Sarah Winn Griffin Cofer, were natives of Virginia and Maryland. Dec. 1, 1825, he married Miss Mary Eleanor Macgill, who was born in Annapolis, Md.. Feb. 7, 1807; her parents, Robert and Mrs. Helen Stockett Macgill, daughter of Dr. Thomas Noble Stockett, of Annapolis, were residents of Maryland. The Colonel’s early education was limited, but his thirst for knowledge made him a good student, and he soon became a profound … Read more

McQueen, Minnie Corrinne Smith – Obituary

Mrs. Minnie Corrinne McQueen, age 79, a lifelong resident of the Tuscola vicinity, died at her home here [March 9 1947] at 3:45 p.m. Sunday. She had broken a hip in a fall at her home October 23, and had been bedfast since that time. Funeral services were held at the Mt. Gilead Church at 2.30 p.m. Tuesday. Rev. Guy Holmes of Peoria was in charge assisted by the pastor of the church, Rev. Harry Stewhart. Burial was in Broadus Cemetery. Mrs. McQueen was born four miles south of Tuscola, July 10, 1867, daughter of Leander and Sarah Simonton Smith. … Read more

Biography of I. W. Burgett

I. W. Burgett, deceased, was, during his residence in Douglas County, one of its leading and most successful farmers. From the time he was ten years old he spent the whole of his eventful life in Sargent Township. He is a descendant of English and German ancestors, who were among the early residents of Ohio. His grandfather was in the war of 1812. His father, Abraham Burgett, lived in Pickaway County and there married Eliza Wells, a native of Ohio. He and his wife continued to live in that County, and there Isaac W. Burgett was born. The family shortly … Read more

Biography of Spephen S. Henson

Stephen S. Henson, a highly respected citizen, belonging to the old school of gentlemen, and who is probably as well and favorably known as any man in the County, was born near Cynthiana, Harrison County, Kentucky, in October, 1827, and is a son of Gideon and Nancy Shumate. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Kentucky. The former emigrated from Kentucky to Vermillion County, near Indianola, in 1834, and, with his wife and children, located in the vicinity of Villa Grove, where he entered a large tract of land. His children were: George W. (see sketch), … Read more

Biographical Sketch of C. D. Greve

C. D. Greve, one of the successful young business men of the County and the leading grain buyer at Garrett, was born one mile west of the village September 27. 1868, and is a son of Thomas Greve, who emigrated to this country from Germany at the age of twenty-one and settled in Garrett Township. His wife ‘w as Catherine Ritz. Thomas Greve has lived in Garrett Township for forty years, engaged in farming, and at present owns four hundred and fifty acres of land. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church. C. D. Greve was … Read more

Biography of Jacob R. Moore

Jacob Rice Moore, who recently died was one of the best known and most generally respected farmers in the County. His illness lingered and lasted for two long years before death relieved him. There were probably but few people in the neighborhood of Arcola and its surroundings that were aware that Mr. Moore at the time of his death was one of the oldest residents of the County. He was born within sight of the place on which he died and the same section of rich Illinois soil which claims the honor of his birth witnessed his rise to manhood … Read more

Biography of Edward W. Calvin

Edward W. Calvin, the leading druggist and owner of both livery stables of Newman, was born in Wayne County, Illinois, December 21, 1860. He is a son of Dr. J. W. Calvin, who was born in Kentucky in 1829, and he the son of Hiram Calvin, who was a native of Virginia. His father was a graduate of Rush Medical College. He married Sarah Brown, of New Buffalo, Michigan, whose death occurred some twenty years ago. He has practiced at various places, was at Newman one year and is at present in active and successful practice at Toledo, Ohio. E. … 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 John J. Jones

John J. Jones was many years previous to his death most prominently identified with the affairs of Douglas County. He was born in. Virginia in about the year 1835 and died in Chicago in July, 1893. In early life he came to Illinois as a penniless orphan and located at Georgetown, in Vermilion County, where he resided with two of his cousins and with whom he remained until he was about grown, when he came and located in Camargo. Here he be-came a clerk for Alonzo Lyons, remaining with him for some time, when he, in partner-ship with Coleman Bright, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel B. Logan

Samuel B. Logan, one of the very oldest of the pioneers now living in Douglas County, and the first sheriff, was born near the village of Washington, Mason County, Kentucky, April 30, 1816. He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Morris) Logan. The former was a native of Mason County and the latter of the state of New Jersey. John Logan (grand-father) was one of the early settlers from Pennsylvania, and after his arrival in Kentucky he lived in a fort. Joseph Logan (father) was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was in the battle of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John R. Lawson

John R. Lawson, lumber and building materials, Oakland; born in Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio, June 3, 1847, where he attended school constantly until 21 years of age, the last five years at the Portsmouth Normal School; at the above age, he engaged in book-keeping for the Portsmouth Foundry Co., which position he filled for two years; then, in 1871, he came West and engaged in book-keeping for Lawson & Burt, at Tuscola, Douglas Co., for two years, at the expiration of which time, he came to Oakland, Coles Co., and engaged in the lumber trade, dealing in lumber of all … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John C. Hostetler

John C. Hostetler, who is engaged in the agricultural implement business, including buggies and wagons, and recently elected alderman from the third ward in Tuscola, was born in Douglas County, August 27, 1866, and is a son of D. C. and L. M. Hostetler, natives of Indiana. The father settled in Bowdre Township some time in the ‘fifties, and died in Tuscola, in 1895, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. His mother is still living. Mr. Hostetler was married in 1889 to Miss Laura A., daughter of H. C. Jones, whose sketch is found on another page. They have … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Brock

George W. Brock, one of the reliable and representative farmers of Newman Township, residing within the corporate limits of the city of Newman, was born twelve miles southwest of Crawfordsville, Indiana, September S, 1846. His father, Seth Brock, was a native of Warren County, Ohio. He was a carpenter by trade and farmed also, owning farms in Wayne and Montgomery counties: he later removed to Mason County, Illinois. He was a strong pro-slavery man, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; was born in 1813 and died in 1873. He wedded Mary A. Palmer, who was a daughter of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James H. Howe

James H. Howe was born June 1, 1832, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. April 5, 1838, he came with his mother to Vermilion County, Illinois; he was reared and educated in Vermilion and Champaign counties. In his youthful days he traveled considerably, and, in 1854, came to Douglas County; two years later he bought the Williams farm, which lie improved and afterward sold. He was largely engaged in the live stock business, handling as high as one hundred thousand dollars in a year. In the spring of 1882 he was elected justice of the peace and was also highway commissioner. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James R. Hammett

James R. Hammett, named for his father, whose full history and plate is on another page, was born in Camargo Township, Douglas County, Illinois, December 26, A. D. 1870. He was principally educated in the North-western University at Evanston, Illinois, where he remained three years. In 1897 he married Miss Conchita Kelley, of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. They have two lovely babies : Helen and Blanche. Jimmie and his family live happily in their beautiful home, which constitutes a part of the old homestead.