Humbolt Illinois

Biographical Sketch of D. A. Bowman

D. A. Bowman, blacksmith and general jobber; P. O. Humbolt, Ill.; was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 5, 1845. He married Miss Sarah McCravy Oct. 1, 1867; she was born in East Tennessee; they had three children, two living, viz., Charles A. and Lydia L. He lived in Ohio three years, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois, and settled near Robinson; in 1860, he began to learn his trade with T. J. Sims, plow-manufacturer at that place, In 1864, he enlisted in the 135th III. Regt., he being Regimental Fifer; was discharged in November following, and began … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Johnson

John Johnson, farming and stock; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in County Fermana, Ireland, 1838; he married Miss Martha E. Smith Jan. 22, 1868; she was born in North Okaw Tp., Coles Co., Ill., April 3, 1843; they have four children, viz., William, Allie, John and Walter. He lived in Ireland until 1850, when, with his parents, he earned to the United States and settled in Moultrie Co., Ill., where they engaged in farming; he lived there until 1868, though, with his brothers, he helped carry on a farm in North Okaw Tp. since 1856; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Moore

John Moore, farming and stock; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Dec. 22, 1830. Be married Miss Eliza J. Grooms, July 11, 1852; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, June 18, 1834. They had eleven children, eight living, viz., Alfred F., Almira F., Newton B., S. A. Douglas, Ella R., Ludora J., Ida I. and John E. He was born on his father’s farm, and lived there for twenty-seven years; he then came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., on his present place; this was in 1857, and has lived … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William A. Poorman

William A. Poorman, farming and stock; P. O. Humbolt, Ill.; the subject of this sketch was born in Humbolt Tp., Coles Co., Ill., March 7, 1842. He married Miss Sarah Ann Wamsley April 9, 1866; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio; they have four children, viz., Curtis E., Oscar R., Sarah E. and Edward F. He was born on his father’s farm, probably the second child born in this township; he lived at home with his parents until 1866, when, on being married, he engaged in farming on his own account, working part of his father’s farm; in 1868, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. C. Doran

S. C. Doran, farming and stock; P. O. Mattoon; the subject of this sketch was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Dec. 12, 1827. He married Miss Eliza A. Wort-ham Nov. 5, 1850; she was born in the same place Nov. 18, 1830; they had ten children, seven living, viz., David W., Mary L., Edwin W., George M., Nannie A., Oscar J. and John H. He was born on his father’s farm, and moved to Hart Co., Ky., with his parents, in 1832, and lived there until 1854; he then went to Grayson Co., and engaged in farming; in 1860, he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Jarvis

John Jarvis, farming and stock; P. O. Arcola; the subject of this sketch was born in Madison Co., Ky., Dec. 25, 1809; he married Miss Polly Ray, Jan. 22, 1830; she was born, same place, Aug. 9, 1802; they had eight children, two living, viz., Robert and William. He lived in Kentucky until 1830, when he came to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co., near Paris, where he lived three years; he then moved to Kentucky, where he lived eleven years; he then moved again to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co., about fourteen miles west of Paris; he lived … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Ernst

Jacob Ernst, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 30, 1839. He married Miss Julia Anna Joose Aug. 16, 1861 she was born in Baden, Germany, June 20, 1844; they had nine children, eight living, viz., George A., John M., Flora May, Mary A., Harry D., Willis E., Clarence and Jacob E.; Charlie died June 4, 1866. He lived in Germany about fifteen years, when he came to the United States and settled in Meadville, Penn., where he lived until 1855; he then moved to Owen Co., Ind.; thence to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Capt. David McKinney

Capt. David McKinney, farmer; P. O. Arcola; the subject of this sketch was born in Butler Co., Ohio, March 22, 1837. He married Miss Catharine Rork Jan. 25, 1866; she was born same place; they have six children, viz., Ida May, Oron W., Charles N., Jessie, Otto and Ruey he lived in Ohio until he was 21, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles, now Douglas Co., near Arcola; in December, 1861, he enlisted in the 54th I. V. I., he being Orderly of Co. I, and after seven months’ service he was made Second Lieutenant, and after … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adam Whitmer

Adam Whitmer, farmer; P. O. Humbolt. The subject of this sketch was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 26,1832; he married Miss Olara Jane Bugh Nov. 1, 1864; she was born same place Jan 11, 1838; they have three children, viz., Laura, Elmo and Eva. He lived in Ohio until 1854, when he came to Illinois and settled in Crawford Co., where he lived one year; he then went to Dakota and engaged with a Government surveying party; he camped for two and a half years, where Yankton now stands; he lived in Dakota until 1859, when he went to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George H. Terry

George H. Terry, grocer, Humbolt; is a native of Hamilton Co., Ohio. In August, 1875, he came to Coles Co., and settled here in Humbolt and engaged in his present business; July 15, 1874, he married Miss Dolly Wells, of Humbolt, Ill.; they have one child, viz., Mary L. During his residence in Ohio, aside from obtaining his education, he was principally engaged in teaching school.

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 Granville F. Raper

Granville F. Raper, farmer; P. O. Arcola; is a native of Owen Co., Ind., where he was born Jan. 28, 1836. He married Miss Mary H. Roberts Aug. 5, 1855; she was born in Greene Co., Ind., Sept. 13, 1832; they had nine children, six living, viz., James A., California J., Laura S., William O., Albert H. and Granville S. He lived twenty-one years in Indiana, when he moved to Hancock Co., Ill., and engaged in farming; remaining there three years, he returned to his old home in Indiana and lived there two years; he then came to Illinois and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. R. C. Hill

Rev. R. C. Hill, farming and stock; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Sullivan Co., Ind., Dec. 11, 1817. He married Miss Mary A. Woods Dec. 10, 1839; she was born, in Sullivan Co., Ind., May 23, 1817; they had six children, four living, viz., Franklin P., John W., Martha J. and Elizabeth M.; he lived in Indiana twelve years, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in Clark Co., where they engaged in farming; in 1846, he came to Coles Co. and settled in La Fayette Tp., remaining one year; he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Harry

Jacob Harry, farmer and stock; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Jan. 14, 1816; he married Miss Susannah Tobey, Aug. 1, 1839; she was born in Washington Co., Md., Dec. 15, 1819. They had eleven children, nine living, viz., Jefferson, Madison and Amanda, Hiram, Nathaniel, Franklin, Clinton, Stephen A. D. and Nelson. He lived in Ohio until 1855; he was raised on the farm and also learned the brickmason’s trade; he then went west, visited Kansas and finally settled in Callaway Co., Mo., near Jefferson City, where he engaged in farming, remaining … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John W. Beavers

John W. Beavers, deceased; was born in Hampshire Co., Va., Sept. 3, 1814; he married Miss Mary A. Madden Sept. 10, 1840; she was born in Hampshire Co., Va., March 26, 1819; they had seven children, six living – Samuel M., John B., Richard R., George W., Marcellus S. and Mary E. He lived in Virginia until 1854, when he moved to Illinois, and settled about one-fourth of a mile west of the present village of Humbolt; in 1856, he moved to Iowa, and in 1857 he came to the present place; he was one of the first Road Commissioners … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William B. Hawkins

William B. Hawkins, retired farmer; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch is one of the early settlers of this township; he was born in Boone Co., Ky., July 31, 121. He married Miss Abigail Morgan Feb. 20, 1843; she was born in Ohio, and died Oct. 8, 1846; they had two children, viz., Francis M. and Louisa A.; his present wife was Miss Nancy Danner; they were married Oct. 4, 1848; she was born in Rush Co., Ind., Oct. 11, 1823; he lived about two and a half years in Kentucky,. when, with his parents, he moved to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John McBride

John McBride, farming and stock; P. O. Arcola; was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Jan. 10, 1840. He married Miss Annie P. Koymer Dec. 1, 1864; she was born same place, Dec. 1,1847; they have one child, viz., Minnie. He lived in New Jersey until he was 24 years old, when on being married he came to Illinois and settled in North Okaw Tp., of Coles Co.; in 1867, he moved to this township and settled near his present place, to which he came in 1874; he has been Collector in this township one term he owns eighty acres … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James M. Beale

James M. Beale, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Arcola; was born in Mason Co., W. Va., Jan. 1, 1825. He married Miss Jane R. Wylie in the fall of 1852; she was born in Brooke Co., W. Va.; they had six children – three living, viz., Ida M., J. Edwin and Florence; he lived in West Virginia until 1826, when, with his parents, he went to Kentucky, where he lived until 1833, when he went to Virginia, where he lived until 1857, when he came to Illinois and settled on his farm in Humbolt Tp., in Coles Co., where he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Shoemaker

James Shoemaker, farming and stock; P. O. Loxa; the subject of this sketch was born in Washington Co., Va., Feb. 19, 1825. He married Miss Tabitha Mason Sept. 3, 1863; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., Aug. 30, 1840; they had seven children, four living, viz., Mary E., William K., James S. and Franklin R. He lived in Virginia nearly ten years, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., one mile north of Charleston; this was in December, 1834; they lived there four years, then moved to La Fayette Township, on the Springfield … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. D. Moore

H. D. Moore, farming and stock; P. O. Mattoon; the subject of this sketch was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1840. He married Miss Elizabeth A. Bayliss October, 1861; she was born in the same place, and died in the fall of 1865. His present wife was Miss Sarah M. Thomas; they were married in April, 1867; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Nov. 15, 1846. They have eight children, viz., Minnie A., Florence A., Cora B., Eliza M., Laura R., Emmie, Alfred N. and Charles B. He lived in Ohio twenty-one years, and then, in 1861, … Read more