Matton Illinois

Biography of Tiffin P. Logan

Tiffin P. Logan, land and loan agent, Mattoon; was born in Trimble Co., Ky., March 28, 1844; his father was a man of prominence, a cousin to President Harrison, and was honored by the Democratic party with a seat in the Kentucky Legislature during the sessions of 1844-45; in the spring of 1858, removed with his family to Illinois, and located in Windsor, Shelby Co.; here he occupied the office of Justice of the Peace eleven years in succession; here Tiffin P. began life for himself; he lived with his brother-in-law till he attained the age of 15 years; at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John F. Scott

John F. Scott, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Geauga Co., Ohio, A. D. 1844; his early life was spent upon the farm, and his experiences those common to a farmer’s soil; at the age of 16, he became a student in the Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College), at that time presided over by Gen. J. A. Garfield; here he remained one year; returning home, he engaged in farming one year, and subsequently engaged in teaching; in 1866, he entered the Commercial College in Poughkeepsie, N.. Y., remaining eight months; he next engaged in the sale of territory for … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. F. Hughes

J. F. Hughes, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 17, 1839; his early life was that of a farmer’s son; in addition to his common-school education, he enjoyed the advantages of the Academy at Fredricksburg and Smithville, in his native county. April 19, 1861, he entered the U. S. service as a member of the 16th Ohio V. I., and served three months in West Virginia; in July, 1862, he re-enlisted in the 102d Regiment for three years; was 18t Sergeant of Co. F. In October, 1865, he entered the Law Department of Michigan University, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John W. Soules

John W. Soules, proprietor meat market, Mattoon; was born in Terre Haute, Ind., Nov. 10, 1828; his father was a farmer, and his early life was spent upon the farm; his education was limited entirely to the common school; he remained at home till his majority; at the age of 21 years, he engaged in the packing house of Ferrington & Williams, of Terre Haute, where he remained five years; he was next engaged in the same business with Jacob D. Early three years; in 1860, he came to Mattoon and took charge of a packing house for Messrs. Miller … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. J. Sanborn

A. J. Sanborn, master mechanic, I. & St. L. Shops, Mattoon; was born in Acton, York Co., Me., in 1826; having lost his mother when but 11 years of age, he left home, and, making his way to Boston, went on board a vessel, and was absent two years on a voyage; after coming into port, he made known to his father and family his adventures for the two years past; he served seven years on the sea, sailing as second mate on board the ship Vesta, of Boston, and the brig Yucatan, in the South American trade; at the … Read more

Biography of Rev. J. W. Woods, C. P.

Rev. J. W. Woods, C. P. minister, Mattoon; was born in the Territory of Indiana, Feb. 5, 1815. He is the son of Wm. G. and Rachel (Lester) Woods; his father was a farmer and his early boyhood days were spent upon the farm; his education was obtained mainly at Pilot Knob Academy, under the instruction of Prof. D. R. Harris; when 10 years of age, he came with his parents to Clark Co., Ill.; his father settling about four miles east of the present town of Marshall, his house became the resort for most business transactions in that part … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank Garthwait

Frank Garthwait, auction and commission merchant, Mattoon; was born in Terre Haute, Ind., Oct. 18, 1838; his father was a wholesale and retail grocery-man, and was one of the pioneers of the city; Frank obtained his education at the city schools, and at the age of 15, began the life of a printer’s devil in the Courier office; here he remained three years under charge of J. Canard, editor and proprietor of the paper; he next engaged in traveling and selling clocks for three years, and subsequently engaged in the sale of notions till 1861; he enlisted in the United … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ira B. Jackson

Ira B. Jackson, insurance agent, Mattoon; was born in Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind., Oct. 31, 1851; in 1855, his father removed with his family to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon Co., near Springfield; his early life was that of a farmer’s boy; he acquired a good common-school education; at the age of 18, he engaged in the business of photograph artist, which he followed two years; in 1872, he completed a business course in the Commercial College, at Terre Haute, Ind.; in 1874, he engaged in the grocery trade with Fallin Bros., under the firm name of Fallin Bros. & … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. M. Gibbs

J. M. Gibbs, livery and sale stable, Mattoon; was born near the South Kickapoo, in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 28, 1841; his grandfather, Elijah Gibbs, was one of the early pioneers of this section, having come from Virginia, in an early day, to Ohio, and thence to Illinois; his father, Homer Gibbs, was here almost as early as the formation of the county; his father was a carpenter by trade; J. M. passed his early life on the farm, near Sullivan, Moultrie Co.; his education was obtained in the common schools; at the age of 20 years, he began life … 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

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 O. W. Gogin

O. W. Gogin, Justice of the Peace, Mattoon; was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1820; his father came from New Jersey and settled in Cincinnati in 1800; the family was six months making the journey, coming by teams to Pittsburgh, Penn., and thence floating down the Ohio in a keelboat to the point of destination; here the family remained some twenty-odd years; in the spring of 1841, his father came West, and settled in Crawford Co., Ill., where he began the labor of opening up a farm in the woods; O. W. was the youngest of the family, and remained … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. A. Mulford

J. A. Mulford, wholesale dealer in hides, leather, findings, furs, pelts and tallow, Mattoon; was born in Newark, N. J., May 16, 1839; he completed a course in the high school, but did not enter upon a college course; at the age of 17, he began the trade of a jeweler, and worked under instructions till his majority; he followed his trade about five years; subsequently he was employed as accountant, and had charge of the wholesale department of Davis & Elcox, in Maiden Lane, New York, for some length of time; in the spring of 1867. he came West … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adolf Sumerlin

Adolf Sumerlin, editor and attorney at law, Mattoon; born in Keosauqua, Iowa, Aug. 24, 1851; moved with his parents, Rufus and I. A. Sumerlin, to a farm in Scotland Co., Mo., in 1859; his father having embarked in the newspaper business in Memphis in 1860, he commenced learning the printer’s trade; in 1865, he moved to Shelbyville, Ill.; in 1869, he conducted the reportorial department of the Shelby Leader, which his father had purchased in 1865; in. the same year, commenced reading law with Thornton & Wendling; moved with his parents to Springfield, Mo., in April, 1871, and after completing … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. B. Dunlap

W. B. Dunlap, Cashier First National Bank, Mattoon; was born in New Hampshire in 1840; he received a good, common-school education, and was fitted for college, but did not enter upon a college course. In 1861, he came west to Illinois, locating in Mattoon, where he was employed as book-keeper and clerk for the firm of Francis & Shaw. Jan. 1, 1863, he entered the banking house of Pilkington & Co., as Cashier; May 1, 1865, at which time the First National Bank was organized, he was chosen to the position of Teller; this he held until 1868, when he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Z. Robertson

Z. Robertson, farmer and mechanic, Mattoon; was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Oct. 22, 1830; he obtained his education in the common schools of Paris, Ky.; his early life was passed upon the farm; at the age of 22 years, he left Kentucky and moved to Greenfield, Ind.; here he followed the trade of plastering for about six years; in the winter of 1858, he came to Illinois, and settled in Mattoon, where for a number of years he continued his trade, and that of farming; in 1865, he purchased and improved a farm of eighty acres, near the city; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. B. Benefiel

J. B. Benefiel, proprietor Boss Meat Market, Mattoon; was born in Oaktown, Knox Co., Ind., April 22, 1847; his father was a physician and a man of far more than ordinary ability; J. B. passed his early life in attendance upon school; in 1861, his father came with his family to Mattoon, Ill.; here he entered upon the practice of his profession and succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice; young Benefiel entered the graded schools of the city, designing to complete the course, preparatory to entering the law department of Michigan University; his father having become involved … Read more

Biography of Ira James

Ira James, wholesale dealer in coal oil, Mattoon; was born in Dearborn (now Ohio) Co., Ind., May 24, 1826; his father was a cotton and woolen manufacturer; at. the age of 17, he left home and engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for a period of about ten years; he commanded during the time seven steamboats; his first boating was in the packet trade from Rising Sun to Cincinnati; afterward he entered the trade from New Orleans and Cincinnati; in 1853, he went to California and spent three years; engaged a portion of the time in milling … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. J. Beall

J. J. Beall, student at law, Mattoon; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Nov. 26, 1843; his father came with his family to Illinois in the fall of 1852, and settled in Wayne Co. Here he engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch passed his life upon the farm and obtained his education at the common schools. In February, 1862, he left home, and began the trade of saddle and harness maker; he worked under instruction three years; he then worked as journeyman at his trade till 1870; in December, 1870, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Coles Co., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. D. Cassell

J. D. Cassell, proprietor Cassell’s Restaurant, Mattoon; was born in Montgomery Co., Penn., A. D. 1827; until he was 17 or 18 years of age, he passed his life upon the farm, deriving his education mostly from the common schools; in 1854, he came West to Jennings Co., Ind., where he remained one year; he then went to Crawfordsville, Ind., and was a student in Wabash College a short time; he next engaged in the merchant tailoring business there for two or three years; leaving Crawfordsville, he next located in South Bend, remaining one year; in the fall of 1859, … Read more