Morgan Illinois

Biography of John H. Rardin

John H. Rardin, farmer; P. O. Rardin; one of the early pioneers of Morgan Tp.; born in the State of Indiana, Feb. 24, 1818; he removed with his parents when 3 months old to Campbell Co., Ky., where he lived until 25 years of age, where he was engaged in farming until he emigrated to Illinois and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp. in the fall of 1842, living within one mile of his present place since that date, a period of nearly thirty-seven years; at the time of locating here, his capital consisted of one team, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Shep Florer

Shep Florer, farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Newport, Vermilion Co., Ind., March 29, 1839; he was the son of Alexander B. Florer, of the early pioneers of that county, and who was elected Second County Clerk, which office he held fourteen years; was elected Recorder of the county several times, which office he held for many years; he was also an eminent lawyer of that part of the State of Indiana until his death, which occurred Aug. 9, 1863; Shep Florer was raised in the above county at the age of 14, he commenced clerking for Jones, Culbertson & … Read more

Biography of Watson Collins

Watson Collins, farmer deceased; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co.; born in North Carolina May 12, 1813, where he was raised to farming until 1831, when he emigrated with his father, Aaron Collins, and located upon Greasy Creek, Morgan Tp.; like most pioneers, the family were poor, and the subject of this sketch turned his attention to do what was in his power to the support of his father’s family; one occupation was getting out fence-rails at 25 cents per hundred; one season he worked at Vincennes, Ind., at $6 per month, the earnings being used for the … Read more

Biography of William H. Reynolds

William H. Reynolds, far.; P. O. Oakland; born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, May 29, 1837, where he was brought up on a farm until about 18 years of age, when he emigrated to Clark Co., Ill., and located for one year; thence to Coles Co., where he hired as farm laborer for two years, when he rented land and farmed three years. He enlisted July 25, 1861, in Col. Oglesby’s regiment-the 8th I. V. I. going in camp at Cairo, where he remained about two months, during which time he was engaged in reconnoitering expeditions in Missouri; he then joined … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Andrew Walton

Andrew Walton, farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Coles Co., III., Oct. 20, 1850; he was the son of George L. Walton, who emigrated to Coles Co. in 1844, and located in Morgan Tp.; he died in 1857. Mrs. Walton died in 1870; the children are all deceased with the exception of the subject of this sketch, who is the only surviving member of the family. After the decease of his father he worked as farm laborer until 1878, five years of which was with J. B. Williams, and four years with Watson Collins, feeding stock, etc. His marriage with … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel R. McAlister

Daniel R. McAlister, farmer, deceased; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co. The subject of this sketch was born in Alabama May 29, 1821; he emigrated to Illinois at 10 years of age, and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp., in the year 1831, where he lived until his death, which occurred Nov. 9, 1867; he was one of the most industrious and hardworking men of Morgan Tp., and by his industry and good management had accumulated a good property at the time of his death. His marriage was celebrated Feb. 11,1844; six children were the … Read more

Biography of J. L. Rardin

J. L. Rardin, farmer and Justice of the Peace; P. O. Rardin; one of the early settlers of Morgan Tp.; born in the State of Indiana Dec. 12, 1814; his parents removed to Campbell County, Ky., when he was 4 years of age, where he was engaged in clearing land and farming, with the exception of five years in Ohio, until 28 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp., in the fall of 1842, upon the place where he has since continued to live during a … Read more

Biography of W. C. McLain

W. C. McLain, farmer; P. O. Charleston; one of the very oldest settlers of Coles Co., Ill., being born in Ashmore Tp., Coles Co., Jan. 12, 1829; his father, Matthew McLain, emigrated from Indiana in the year 1828, and located in the above township, at the above date, where he lived until 1846, when he removed to Wisconsin, and the year following both he and his wife died. The subject of this sketch emigrated to Wisconsin with his parents, and after their decease returned to Coles Co. and was employed as farm laborer until 1851, when he rented land and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William E. Worsham

William E. Worsham, farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Kosciusko Co., Ind., Feb. 19, 1850; here he attended the common schools until 15 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Coles Co., Ill., Feb. 7, 1865; here his father, William Worsham, died May 12, 1877, and his mother died Jan. 19, 1879. Upon locating here, Mr. W. assisted his father in farming until 19 years of age, when he engaged in school-teaching during the fall and winter, and following farming in summer until 1873, when he located upon his present place, which contains 150 acres of prairie … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas H. Crispin

Thomas H. Crispin, farmer; P. O. Rardin; born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, May 5, 1833, where he attended school and assisted his father in the mason trade until 14 years of age, when he went to Bellefontaine, Logan Co., where he learned and worked at the trade of mason and plasterer until 1852, when he emigrated to Carlinville, Ill., and followed his trade for six years; he located in Coles Co. in the spring of 1859, on Sec. 30, Morgan Tp., where he engaged in farming one year, then six years upon Sec 9; he located upon his present place … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eli Gerrard

Eli Gerrard, farmer; P.O. Charleston; born in Butler Co., Ohio, July 4, 1854, where he attended school and engaged in farming until he emigrated West and located in Coles Co., in the fall of 1874; here he engaged in farming with his father until the spring of 1876, when he removed upon his present place, where he has since lived. He is the oldest son of Jackson Gerard, whose biography appears in this work. His marriage with Laura B. Smith was celebrated Aug. 31, 1875; she was born in Ohio Oct. 10, 1856; they have two children now living by … Read more

Biography of James Morgan

James Morgan, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Oakland; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co.; born in Vermilion Co., Ind., April 20, 1830; he was the youngest son of David Morgan, who was born in Washington Co., Ky., Nov. 18, 1797; he emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana with his family, where he lived until he emigrated to Coles Co., Ill., where he located April 20, 1834, in what is now Morgan Tp., the township being named in honor of David Morgan. He married Oct. 7, 1818, to Jane Rodman she was born in Kentucky, June 9, 1799; six children … 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

Biographical Sketch of John Woodfall

John Woodfall deceased, farmer. The subject of this sketch was born in England about the year 1807; he emigrated to America while quite a young man and located in Louisville, Ky., where he worked in a foundry and machine shop for about fifteen years, when he located in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., Ill., in January , 1857, when he purchased 200 acres of land in Sec. 31, where he lived until his death, which occurred June 14, 1857, being instantly killed by lightning while planting corn, leaving a widow and seven children. His marriage with Jane Stinson was celebrated in … Read more

Biography of Lafayette Craig

Lafayette Craig, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Charleston; born in Clark Co., Ill., Mar. 27, 1832; he emigrated with his parents when 3 years of age, and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp., in December, 1835, in which township he has since continued to live for a period of upward of forty-three years; he is a son of Isaac N. Craig, and with his father is one of the earliest pioneers of Morgan Tp.; the subject of this sketch was employed in his early days in watching sheep during the day to protect them from the wolves, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. J. Clark

A. J. Clark, farmer, Sec. 17: P. O. Charleston; born in Coles Co., Ill., April 22, 1834, within one-half a mile of where he has since lived; he is the youngest son of Benjamin and Sarah Clark, who emigrated from Kentucky and located in Coles Co., Ill., about the year 1829, where his father lived until his death, which occurred April 18, 1856, while on a visit to Indiana; he was born in Kentucky in the year 1798; his mother, who still lives within one-half mile of where she has lived for nearly one-half of a century, was born Jan. … Read more

Biography of John H. Johnson

John H. Johnson (deceased), farmer and minister; born in Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 12, 1812, where he attended school in his youth-the last few years at the college at Waynesburg, Penn.; after which he was licensed as a minister of the C. P. Church, officiating as circuit preacher until his removal to Ohio, where he was settled as local preacher for three years, until his removal to Coles Co., Ill., about the year 1854, where he first settled as Pastor of the C. P. Church in Ashmore Tp. for several years; then in Morgan Tp. until 1868; at the above … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James H. Busbey

James H. Busbey, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Oakland; one of the pioneers of Coles Co; born in Clark Co., Ohio, April 22, 1823, where he attended school and engaged in farming, until 16 years of age, when he emigrated to Coles Co., Ill., and located in what is now the south part of Douglas Co., in the fall of 1839. He is son of Hamilton Busbey, who was born July 5, 1792, in Virginia; he emigrated to Ohio about the year 1815, where he lived until he emigrated to Illinois, where he died Dec. 16, 1847; Mrs. Busbey, whose … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Rardin

Samuel Rardin, merchant and Postmaster, Rardin; born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 2, 1850, where he attended the common schools until 1872, when he entered the Westfield College at Westfield, Clark Co., Ill., which he attended during the years 1872 and 1873, when he returned home and assisted his father in farming until the year 1875, when he was appointed, under the administration of President Grant, as Postmaster at Rardin, which office he now holds, and which is the only post office in Morgan Tp.; upon receiving the above appointment, he erected a store, and purchased a stock … Read more

Biography of John G. Sailer

John G. Sailer, farmer; P. 0 Rardin; born in Wurtemberg, Germany,. Oct. 18, 1823, where he attended school and engaged in farming until 21 years of age, when he was drafted in the 2d Regt. of. cavalry, where he served two years, when he received a furlough, subject to the call of the King, and, at the expiration of about four months, war being declared between Germany and Denmark, he was called into service and served during the war, which continued for a period of two years, at the close of which, the German rebellion breaking out, in which he … Read more