Matton Illinois

Biographical Sketch of R. M. Gray

R. M. Gray, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Pleasant Grove Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 27, 1848; his father, James C., was one of the early pioneers of this section; his early life was that of a. farmer’s son; in addition to his common school education, at the age of 19, he entered Westfield College, Clark Co., Ill., and remained one year; he next attended an academy in his native township, two years, under the supervision of Prof. T. J. Lee; in the fall of 1870, he entered the law department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in … Read more

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 J. I. Ayer

J. I. Ayer, book and music store, Mattoon; was born in Medford, Mass., Feb. 3, 1854. In 1866, the family moved to Elizabeth, N. J.; in addition to his common-school education, he enjoyed the advantages of a boarding-school at Nazareth, Penn.; this school was of a military character, and he here pursued a course in civil engineering; at the age of 15 years he entered the firm of Roberts & Co. (dealers in books and stationery), at Elizabeth, N. J., to take charge of his father’s interest, he being a member of the firm. In the fall of 1870, he … Read more

Biography of J. W. Dora, M. D.

J. W. Dora, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born near Augusta, Bracken Co., Ky., May 5, 1827; he enjoyed the advantages of select schools, and attended Augusta College a short time before its suspension; in 1847, he went to Cincinnati, and became a student in Bartlett’s Commercial College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1848; he then devoted himself to book-keeping for the firm of J. O. Prather & Co., about a year; in the winter of 1849, he began the study of medicine, under Dr. George R. Todd, of Cynthiana, Ky., a brother of Mrs. … 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 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 W. H. K. Pile

W. H. K. Pile, real estate, collecting and insurance agent, Mattoon; was born in Breckinridge Co., Ky., Feb. 17, 1819; he was reared on a farm, and learned his trade, that of a wagon-maker, during his minority; at the age of 20, he began life for himself, following his trade and that of a carpenter, till 25 years of age; he then engaged in farming for five years; in1855, he came West to Illinois, and settled south of Charleston, Coles Co.; in 1856, he came to Mattoon, and engaged in operating a hotel; in 1857, he was elected Police Magistrate … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. W. Hanna

J. W. Hanna, book and music store, Mattoon; was born in Freeport, Harrison Co., Ohio, Dec. 2, 1848; he derived his education from the common schools, and, at the age of 13 years, began clerking in his father’s general merchandising establishment at Deersville, Ohio; July 4,1866, he came West, stopping a short time at Preston, Minn., and, in September following, came to Mattoon, where he attended school six months; he then entered the employ of Finley & Richardson as clerk in their book store; in October, 1869, he and his brother James R., bought out the firm, and in May, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of the Kahn Brothers

Kahn Bros., dealers in clothing, Mattoon. Mark Kahn, senior member of the firm of Kahn Bros., was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Nov. 7, 1841; he emigrated to America in 1856, and first settled in Marshall Co., Ill., and engaged in peddling dry goods and clothing for eighteen months; during the summers of 1858, 1859 and 1860, he worked on a farm in Shelby Co., and during the winter season was employed in a store; in the fall of 1860, in connection with a Mr. Steiner and his brother Moses, he began the business of merchandising in Mattoon, under the firm … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Col. Robert H. McFadden

Col. Robert H. McFadden, Pension Attorney and Police Magistrate, Mattoon; was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1833; his father was a cabinet-maker by trade, and at the age of 13 years, he began the trade, working five years under instructions; at 18, he began life for himself, following his trade about fifteen years; in 1850, he came to Shelby Co., Ill., and remained three years; in 1853, he came to Coles Co., and located in the village of Paradise; in the summer of 1855, he came to Mattoon; he built the first dwelling in the city limits, on what is … 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 P. A. Kemper, M. D.

P. A. Kemper, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Culpeper Co., Va., Aug. 31, 1832; his early education was under the direct supervision of his mother, who was a well-qualified schoolmistress; his father was an artisan by profession, of whom he was bereft at the early age of 8 years; when about 16 years of age, he left home and came to Paris, Edgar Co., Ill.; in the fall of 1855, he began the study of his profession with Dr. D. O. McCord, remaining in his office two and a half years; during the winter of 1857 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Theodore Jonte

Theodore Jonte, dealer in harness and saddles, Mattoon; was born in Nashville, Tenn., April 4, 1839; his father was a wholesale confectioner; he received a good common-school education, and, at the age of 16 years, left home and came West, settling in Quincy, Ill., where he engaged in working at his trade; in the fall of 1861, he engaged in laboring for the U. S. Government in the making of cavalry equipments; the fall of 1862, he came to Paris, Edgar Co., and engaged in business with Wm. Legy; they operated a shop in Paris, and one in Grand View … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. G. Pickett, M. D.

A. G. Pickett, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Kenton Co., Ky., in 1826; his early life was spent for the most part in school; he completed a full course in Woodward College, Cincinnati, at which he graduated in 1844; he then entered the Ohio Medical College, and completed the course in 1847; he began the practice of his profession in Ohio, where he remained one year; he then came West to Illinois, and located near Quincy, where he remained till 1861, when he entered the U. S. service as Surgeon of the 50th Regiment I. V. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Father Crowe

Rev. Father Crowe, Pastor of the Catholic Church, Mattoon; was born in Oswego, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1851; his early life was passed in the public schools of his native city; here he completed a full course of instruction, passing regularly through the high school and normal department; at about the age of 18 years, he engaged in the profession of teaching, and was a member of the Faculty in the College at Tutopolis, and, at a later date, in that at Ruma, Ill.; having for some time directed his thoughts in the channel of the legal profession, and, at … Read more

Biography of Rev. J. W. Riley

Rev. J. W. Riley, Pastor Missionary Baptist Church, Mattoon; was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Nov. 9, 1823; his ancestral line, traced through five preceding generations have been ministers in the Baptist Church; his father’s family furnished six ministers to the society, himself and five sons. From an historical record gathered from time to time, it was ascertained that the family of near relatives have furnished thirteen ministers of the Gospel; ten of these are Baptists, two Methodists and one Christian. His father, Rev. J. W. Riley, Sr., founded the first Missionary Baptist Church in all this section; this was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Hunt

John Hunt, meat-market, Mattoon; was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1837; his father came West to Illinois and settled in Jasper Co. in 1845; his early life was that of a farmer’s boy, and his advantages for securing an education somewhat limited; most of his education he obtained in the schools of Xenia, Ohio, and as a student of Antioch College, after he had attained to manhood; he left home at the age or 18 years, and engaged in teaching school some four years; in 1860, he purchased a farm in Coles Co., and followed agricultural pursuits for … 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 Abram Hasbrouck

Abram Hasbrouck, City Mayor, and dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, Mattoon; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1825; his early life was passed upon the farm, and his education, such as was derived from the common schools; he remained on the homestead until about 25 years of age; in 1854, he came West and first settled in Michigan; here he engaged in operating a hotel; in 1857, he moved to Milwaukee, and conducted the “Walker House” two years; the winter of 1859 he spent in Chicago, not actively engaged in business; in 1860, he located in Mattoon, … Read more

Biography of James T. Cunningham

James T. Cunningham, deceased, Mattoon; the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Grayson Co., Ky., July 11, 1802; his early life was spent on the farm, and his education limited to a few months’ attendance upon the public or subscription schools of his native State; from a very early period in life, the support of the family mainly devolved upon him; in the fall of 1830, he came West to Illinois with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Yocum and her family, and settled in what is now Paradise Tp., Coles Co. He is mentioned in … Read more