Jasper County IL

Biographical Sketch of Judge A. M. Peterson

Judge A. M. Peterson, attorney at law, Charleston; was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Jan. 15, 1825; leaving there in 1845, he went to Canton, Ohio, and began the study of medicine, attending a course of lectures at the Cleveland Medical College. He came to Illinois in 1849, and began practice as a physician in Edgar Co., and the following year removed to Newton, Jasper Co., Ill. On the 18th of April, the same year, he married Miss Nancy Whalen, of Edgar Co., a native of Nelson Co., Ky. The practice of medicine proving distasteful to him, and having a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Giles Davis

Giles Davis, deceased, late of Charleston; although not one of the early settlers, was yet a citizen and business man who enjoyed in so large a measure the confidence of his fellow-men and was held in such universal and high esteem by the entire community, that it is with pleasure that we give a brief sketch of his life; he was born in Union Co., Ind., Nov. 7, 1824; he was the son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Shafer) Davis, both of whom were natives of Ohio; his youth was spent in the usual manner of farmers’ sons. On the 18t … Read more

Biography of Isaac Perisho

Isaac Perisho, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Monroe Co., Ind., May 2, 1818; he married Miss Sarah Zimerley Jan. 9, 1838; she was born in Washington Co., Va., Oct. 30, 1818, and died Dec. 25, 1842; they had three children, one living, viz., Jacob W.; his second wife was Miss Leoina Purlee; they were married June 27, 1843; she was born in Washington Co., Ind., July 27, 1818, and died Oct. 15, 1844; they had one child, viz., Hiram; his present wife was Mrs. Wells, formerly Miss Rosanna M. O’Hair; they … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel Gosnell

Daniel Gosnell was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1816. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Ohio, where he was reared on a farm, and has made agriculture his business through life. At the age of twenty-one years he settled in Edgar county, Illinois; in 1840 removed to Jasper county, in the same State, and in 1855 came to this county, and settled upon the spot where he now lives. He owns a farm of 235 acres, well improved, and has given his attention chiefly to stock-raising since he settled in Missouri. Mr. Gosnell was … Read more

Biography of John Welker

John Welker, a prominent notary of Billings, has made his home in that town for over ten years, and his career presents an example of industry, perseverance and good management rewarded by substantial results. Like other representative men of the county, he is a native of the Buckeye State, being born in Stark County May 8, 1838. He has inherited his push and energy from his German ancestors. He is a son of John and Mary (Eply) Welker, and grandson of John Welker, who was born in Pennsylvania of old German stock. The father of our subject was also a … Read more

Biography of Charles M. Eagleton

Charles M. Eagleton is one of the best known men of Champaign, where he has lived for over thirty years. His father died while in the service of the Union. Government during the Civil War, and the son was thus early thrown upon his own resources. He has made good in the work and responsibilities that destiny has assigned him, and his name is spoken with respect throughout a large community of this rich and prosperous section of Illinois. Mr. Eagleton was born in Jasper County, Illinois, October 24, 1858, a son of Alexander M. and Mary J. (Fair) Eagleton. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. P. H. Harrah

J. P. H. Harrah, attorney at law, Charleston; is a native of Putnam Co., Ind.; he was born near Greencastle June 4, 18485 and is a son of Daniel F. Harrah; in 1858, he removed with his father’s family to Jasper Co., Ill., where he remained on the farm until 1867; he then engaged in teaching school in Jasper Co.; in August, 1868, he entered Westfield College, Ill., and remained as a student in that institution two years; returning home in 1870, he began reading law, and, in the fall of 1871, went to Newton, the county seat of Jasper … Read more

Biographical Sketch of V. R. Bridges, M. D.

V. R. Bridges, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Rockingham Co., Va., June 4, 1832; his father settled in Ross Co., Ohio, near Chillicothe, in 1836; in 1841, he came to Illinois and settled in Newton, Jasper Co.; he was engaged in contracting on public works, both in Ohio and Illinois. Dr. Bridges acquired a good academic education, mainly through his own exertions, and at the age of 14, began life for himself. At the age of 17, he taught his first school; in 1851, he was employed in the drug store of Dr. H. H. Hayes, … Read more