Morgan Illinois

Biographical Sketch of J. T. Montgomery

J. T. Montgomery, physician, P. O. Charleston; born in Cedar Co., Mo., Oct. 18, 1852. He emigrated with his parents and located in Alton, Ill., in 1861, for about six months, then Windsor for three years, where his father was located as minister of the C. P. Church. He located in Oakland, Coles Co., in March, 1867, when he attended school until 1871, where he worked as farm laborer during the summer and fall, in which way he obtained the means to attend the Mt. Zion Academy until he had exhausted the proceeds of his summer’s labor, when he engaged … 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

Biographical Sketch of Peter Taylor

Peter Taylor, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Oakland; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, April 25, 1820, where he lived until 1853; his father, John Taylor, died when he was 13 years of age, and, he being the oldest son, remained with his mother and managed the farm until 23 years of age, at which time he rented land and engaged in farming until the fall of 1853, when he emigrated to Illinois with his family and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp.; he then rented the A. B. Florer farm, where he lived for twelve years, the … 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

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 John T. Taylor

John T. Taylor, farmer; P. O. Rardin; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Dec. 24, 1843, where he lived until 9 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 1853, and where he has since continued to live within two and a half miles of his present location; he lived with his parents and engaged in farming until the spring of 1864, when he commenced farming upon his own account upon the place where he has since lived. He owns in his own farm … 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

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

Biographical Sketch of Andrew J. Craig

Andrew J. Craig, farming and stock; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 11, 1846. He married Miss Sarah I. Zink Sept. 27, 1872; she was born in Grand View Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., Aug. 9, 1848; they have three children, viz., Luther Z., Franklin H. and Arthur E. He was born on the farm and lived there until 1856, when, with his parents, he went to Sims Tp., in Edgar Co., and lived there until he was 21, when he came to his present place, and has lived here … 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

Biography of William Morgan

William Morgan, farmer; P. O. Rardin; born in Sullivan Co., Ind., Dec. 13, 1827; he emigrated with his parents when 8 years old and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp. in 1834, and before the organization of the township, which is named in honor of his father, David Morgan, who resided here from 1835 until his death, which occurred in October, 1860. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents and assisted in farming until 1850, when he engaged in farming for himself upon the place where he has since lived; he owns 320 acres in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jackson Gerard

Jackson Gerard, farmer; P. O. Hinesborough; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, June 28, 1828; his grandfather was one of the early settlers of Ohio, locating in the above county about the year 1784, where he lived until his decease, which occurred about the year 1838. The father of the subject of this sketch, William Gerard, was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in the year 1785, and lived there until his death, which occurred in the year 1836; he served through the war of 1812, with the Frontier Rangers, being stationed during the winter of 1813 near Vincennes, Ind., guarding … 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

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

Biography of Wesley Daugherty

Wesley Daugherty, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Charleston; born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 18, 1834; he is the youngest son of John B. Daugherty, who emigrated with his family from Indiana and located in Coles Co., Ill., about the year 1833, where he lived until his decease, which occurred July 10, 1857, being then 60 years of age. The subject of this sketch remained with his father and assisted in farming until 19 years of age, when he was employed as farm laborer for about four years, when he engaged in farming upon rented land, which he followed two … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John B. Jones

John B. Jones, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Rardin; born in Franklin Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1829; he removed with his parents when quite young to Whitehall, Washington Co., where he attended school and engaged in farming until 15 years of age, when he learned and worked at the ship-carpenter’s trade for three years; then for two years followed sailing on the lakes, and his trade; after which time he located at Astoria, L. I., where he engaged at his trade until 1857, when he emigrated to Illinois, and located in Ashmore Tp., Coles Co., March 1, of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. Springer

J. Springer, farmer; P. O. Charleston. The subject of this sketch was born on the line between Fayette and Jessamine Counties, Ky., Feb. 13, 1808; he married Miss Lucy A. Payton on Easter Sunday, 1838; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., Sept. 7, 1814. They had six children, three Sept., viz., Angeline, Nannie J. and Mary M. He lived in Kentucky twenty-one years; he then went to Missouri and settled in Clay Co., where he engaged at his trade of wagon making, and remained seven or eight years; he then returned to Kentucky and followed his trade about twelve … 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 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