La Fayette Illinois

Biography of Hon. John Monroe

Hon. John Monroe, deceased, late of Charleston; was born in Glasgow, Barren Co., Ky., Sept. 24, 1811; his boyhood was passed in the private schools of his native town; his father dying when he was but a boy, he entered the apothecary-shop of his uncle, Dr. George Rogers, a physician of Glasgow, and there became familiar with the compounding of medicines, and also studied medicine under his uncle’s instruction; he first began practice in Tennessee, and, in November, 1833, came to Illinois and engaged in the practice of his profession in Shelbyville, soon removing to Charleston, and, a few years … 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 Thomas T. Threlkeld

Thomas T. Threlkeld, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; is a native of Coles Co.; he was born in La Fayette Tp. May 22, 1848; he is a son of Matthew P. Threlkeld, and a grandson of Thomas Threlkeld, one of the pioneers of this county, who came from Scott Co., Ky., in 1830; his grandfather was a Baptist minister, and a prominent citizen, being, in 1840, a member of the State Legislature; he entered a large farm in what is now La Fayette Tp., and resided there till his death, in 1863. Matthew P. Threlkeld, his son, and the … 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 G. B. Davis

G. B. Davis, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Loxa; born in Hutton Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 12, 1836; was brought up a farmer; received his education in a common school during the winter months. Mr. D. resided at home with his parents until he was 32 years of age, during which time he assisted on the farm and also taught school; he taught school in Hutton Tp. and the district where he now resides 104 months in all. He was married to Elizabeth Atkins Aug. 12, 1869; she was born in Clark Co., this State, Sept. 3, 1844; have two … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William R. Jones

William R. Jones, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Mattoon; owns 726 acres; born in Harrison Co., Ky., Aug. 14, 1808; came to this township in 1834 and made a crop; then went to Kentucky and worked four years on his mother’s farm, his father having died when he (the subject of this sketch) was 23 years old; he then returned to this county in company with his mother and a sister, and settled where he now resides. He was married to Eliza P. Threlkeld (daughter of the late Rev. Thomas Threlkeld) Oct. 18, 1853; she died Dec. 31, 1856; had … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Tillman Bagley

Tillman Bagley, horticulturist; Charleston; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., June 6, 1828; being left fatherless when but a child, he accompanied his mother, at the age of 9 years to Muskingum Co., Ohio, where they settled on a farm about twelve miles north of Zanesville; at 19, he left the farm to learn the trade of a marble-cutter, after completing which he worked as a journeyman until 1853; he then came to Charleston, and after working two years, started in the marble business for himself, in which he continued till 1869; at which time he purchased what is known … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Leitch

William Leitch, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Mattoon; owns 115 acres; born in Highland (formerly Pendleton) Co., Va., Nov. 11, 1816; was raised a farmer; has also worked at blacksmithing and coopering; is also a millwright. Married Eunice Raines Nov. 18, 1841; she was also born in Highland Co., March 12, 1822 she died March 28, 1877 had ten children, eight of whom are now living – Andrew J., Huldah, Mary, Susan, Frank, Ingabo Ridley (Indian name), Irene and Charles; the names of the deceased were John Russell and Leva. Mr. L. holds the office of Justice of the Peace, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of B. B. Shinn

B. B. Shinn, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; owns 142 acres; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 10, 1824; was brought up a farmer. He married Margaret Barcalow Jan. 1, 1845; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio July 14, 1824; they have had three children; only one (G. B.) is now living; he was born in Bartholomew Co., Ind. Oct. 20, 1851. He married Cornelia M. Ricketts Feb. 11, 1872; she was born in Charleston March 19, 1853; is a daughter of Joshua Ricketts, Esq., of Ashmore Tp.; they have had three children, two of whom are now living … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Matthew P. Threlkeld

Matthew P. Threlkeld, Sec. 15, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; born in Harrison Co., Ky., Feb. 7, 1816; was raised a farmer; came with his parents to this county in 1830; was married Aug. 25, 1842, to Martha A. Gruelle; she was born in Harrison Co., Ky., Oct. 16, 1822; she came to this county with her parents in 1834; have had seven children, three of whom are now living – Thomas T., Martha E. and Susan E.; the names of the deceased were Nancy, Mary, Maria and Isaac. Martha E. was married Dec. 4, 1874, to W. J. Guthrie; he … 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 Richard J. Hancock

Richard J. Hancock, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Loxa; owns 150 acres; was born on the farm where he now resides, Oct. 20, 1838; was raised a farmer. Married Mary E. Snitt (daughter of John S. Snitt, Esq.) Nov. 30, 1865; she was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, April 3, 1848; have six children – Nona, Anna, Nellie, John C., Carrie and Amanda S. Mr. H.’s father was born in North Carolina, March 13, 1797; went to Kentucky with his parents when an infant. At the age of 10 years he went to Indiana, and then to this county in … Read more