Paradise Illinois

Biographical Sketch of William B. Ferguson

William B. Ferguson, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of William and Nancy Ferguson; was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Dec. 8, 1828; moved with his parents to Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 15, 1839; is the owner of 601 acres, valued at or near $18,000. Was married to Fanny M. Hart, of this county and township; she is the daughter of Miles H. and Catherine Hart, and was born Dec. 13, 1837; married March 8, 1854; there are eight children by this union, viz., Ed, Thomas, James, George, Ella, Ann and Almira; (deceased) Mellissa, Deckard died Jan. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Peters

George W. Peters, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Green Co., Tenn., Sept. 14, 1814; is the son of Reuben and Elizabeth Peters, of the same county and State; is the owner of 163 acres of land, valued at $6,500; has held no public office. Was married to Harriet Rector March 22, 1838; the names of the children by this union are Alexander S., Reuben A., George W., Lewis B., John R., Caroline E.; deceased, Reuben A., died July 17, 1875, aged 34 years 6 months 16 days; living, Alexander S., born March 22, 1839; George W., May 3, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Cavins

Joseph Cavins, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Jan. 24, 1838; moved to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., in 1840; was married Dec. 25, 1862; maiden name of wife Melissa E. Ferguson. Names of children: Elmer W., Joseph O., Elzy C., William F., Stanley T., Lester B. Owns 80 acres of land worth about six thousand dollars. Public offices held: Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, School Trustee, Supervisor, and taught school nine terms in the same District; was also in the late war. His father and mother, Joseph and Nancy Cavins, were born in Loudoun Co., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adam W. Hart

Adam W. Hart, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Silas and Hannah Hart, of Davis Co., Ky.; was born in White Co., Ill., Jan. 3, 1823; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Jan. 3, 1827; is the owner of 475 acres, valued at $20,000. Was married to Nancy D. Gannaway, of Coles Co., Dec. 28, 1843. Was Supervisor, School Trustee, Director, Treasurer and Road Commissioner. The names of their children are Amanda E., Elizabeth J., Hannah M., Polly A. and Mercena; deceased, Abraham D. and Thomas, who died in infancy; Mary, Louisa and Adda and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James L. Hart

James L. Hart, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of Oliver and Zorada Hart; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., June 18, 1846; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 12, 1848; is the owner of seventy-six acres of land, valued at near $3,500. Was Postmaster at Etna for one year. Was married to Elizabeth Smith, of Coles Co., Sept. 24, 1866. His father, Oliver Hart, was born in Grayson Co., Ky., March 31, 1825; died Jan. 25, 1867, in the 42d year of his age; his mother, Zorada Hart, was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Oct. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John A. Wilson

John A. Wilson, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of John A. and Elizabeth Wilson, of Coles Co.; was born March 16, 1842; is the owner of ninety-two acres of land, valued at $2,500. Was married to Elizabeth Jones, of Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 3, 1868; the names of the children by this union, are William S., George N., John O., James M. (died Oct. 3, 1874), Mary E. and Effie G. Mr. Wilson served in the late war in Co. D, 123d Regiment I. V. I. His father, John A. Wilson, died Oct. 12, 1842, in St. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William W. Apperson

William W. Apperson, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; was born March 19, 1834, in Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Ill. Owns 240 acres of land all well improved but 40 acres, probable value $9,000 or $10,000; public offices held-Supervisor, one year, Commissioner of Highways, three years. Maiden name of wife Barbara Ann Rhoads; names of children – boys, George H., Frank B., William E., John J. and Charley B.; girls, Selsworth; Wm. N. Apperson is the son of Dr. John Apperson (deceased); was born in Culpeper Co., Va., Jan. 8, 1794; moved to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Oct. 14, 1829; died June … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Patrick Bradley

Patrick Bradley, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Bradley; was born in Morgan Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1830, and moved to Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 12, 1866; is the owner of 110 acres of land, valued at or near $3,000; was Commissioner of Highways three years, also School Trustee a number of years. Was married to Elizabeth Stroble Feb. 26, 1854; names of children, boys-John C. F., born July 14, 1856; Zachary, born Aug. 24, 1862; James B., born July 1, 1866; girl-Estella, born Jan. 5, 1872. His father, Benjamin Bradley, was one of the … 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 Mrs. Diantha F. Benefiel

Mrs. Diantha F. Benefiel, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Shores, of Bradford Co., Pa.; moved to Coles Co., Oct. 12, 1843; was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Sheshequin Tp., April 22, 1823; her maiden name was Diantha F. Shores ;. was married to her first husband, William N. Smith, March 31, 1844; names of children, boys-George W., Miren L., Julius E., William W.; girls-Elizabeth H., Arloa N., Irena S. George W. died Jan. 24, 1871. Her husband, William W. Smith, died April 8, 1861; is the owner of 320 acres of’ land, also a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. Gannaway

R. Gannaway, farmer; P. O. Paradise; is the son of Wm. and Sallie Gannaway; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Oct. 23, 1810; moved with his folks to Coles Co., Ill., March 27, 1828; is the owner of 131 acres of land, valued at or near $7,000., Was School Director, Road Overseer for several years. Was married to Elizabeth Gannaway, of Coles Co., Ill., Dec. 28, 1836; names of children – boys, Robert, Samuel, James W.; deceased, John W.; girls, Roda J., Susan; deceased, Louisa. His father, William Gannaway, was in the war of 1812, served as Captain, came home … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Turner

John Turner, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Fuller’s Point; one of the first settlers and pioneers, was born in Virginia Dec. 16, 1812; came to this State and settled in Coles Co. in 1830; his first settlement was in what is now the township of Paradise; he cannot tell now that the township at that time had a name, and through it there was no mail-route; in 1835, he removed to North Okaw; this section of country was at that time all called Okaw; it derives its name from the two streams running through it; Mr. Turner is now the … 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

Biographical Sketch of Isaac N. McPheron

Isaac N. McPheron, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Alexander and Sarah McPheron, of Alabama; was born Nov. 20, 1825, in Alabama; moved to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Jan. 15, 1877. Is the owner of 89 acres of land valued at or near $3,500; held no public office in this township. Was married to Matilda Shook Feb. 11, 1846; names of children – boys, Samuel B., John A., Oscar P., Allen, Logan; (deceased, boy, Leuellen); girls, Carrie A., Alice, Flora T.; deceased, girls. (Roxanna and Henrietta R.); his father is dead; died in Mattoon Jan. 26, 1873, in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James M. Bresee

James M. Bresee, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of Dorous and Fanny Bresee; was born in Cumberland Co., Ill., Jan. 30, 1847; moved to Coles Co. Feb. 12, 1870; is the owner of 120 acres of land valued at near five thousand dollars; was Road Overseer and School Director for ten years or more; was married to Sarah J. Stowers, of Coles Co., April 5, 1868. Names of children – boys: Bird E., born Nov. 18, 1875; girls: Minnie V., born Aug. 22, 1869; Lillie E., born Oct. 17, 1871; Hellen M., born March 1, 1873. Was in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph F. Goar

Joseph F. Goar, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Etna; was born in Parke Co., Ind. Jan. 8, 1832; he is a son of Clemme and Elizabeth (Hart) Goar; in 1836, his father came to Coles Co. and entered a large amount of Government land, returning for his family in 1837; he built the first steam mill in the county, and was a prominent citizen of Paradise Tp. until 1862, when he removed to Jacksonville, Ill., where he now resides; his mother died in this county in 1855. Joseph F. was raised on the farm, and on the 2d of Oct., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Benefiel

George W. Benefiel, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of Robert and Nancy Benefiel; was born in Lawrence Co., Ill., on the 18t day of July, 1817. He was married to Jane Ryker the 23d day of January, 1838, and moved to Coles Co. Oct. 19, 1855; names of children, boys-Robert N., James H., John S., Peter R., Francis M.; girls-Sarah A., Amy A., Ida M. His wife, Jane Benefiel, died Sept. 7, 1867. His son John S. died in the army March 1, 1863, and his daughter Ida died Dec. 4, 1873. He served in the late war … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles W. Bishop

Charles W. Bishop, physician; P. O. Etna; is the son of H. S. and Harriet L. Bishop; was born in Litchfield, Ky., Dec. 15, 1846; moved to Coles Co. Jan. 12, 1869. and stayed ten months, and then moved to Missouri; from there to Wilson Co., Kan., then back to Kentucky, and commenced the practice of medicine in Litchfield, and practiced two and one-half years, then came back to Coles Co., Ill., and commenced the practice of medicine here, which he still continues; was a graduate of Louisville Medical University Oct. 1, 1866. Is the owner of ninety acres of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Willson

George W. Willson, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of John and Elizabeth Willson; was born in Maryland, Aug. 12, 1826; moved to Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 12, 1836.; is the owner of 700 acres of land, valued at or near $21,000; was Justice of the Peace and Road Commissioner for a number of years. Was married to his first wife, July 12, 1836, Sarah Floyd; names of children, boy, Nicholas P.; girls, Lillia A., Rossy J.; was married to his second wife, Mary S. Myers, widow of Henry H. Tucher, April 13, 1868; names of boys living, Francis … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ambrose Y. Hart, Jr.

Ambrose Y. Hart, Jr., farmer; P. O. Paradise; is the son of Miles H. and Catharine C. Hart; was born in Effingham Co., Ill., Nov. 15, 1834; moved to Coles Co. Feb. 12, 1836; is the owner of fifty acres of land, valued at $2,000. Is Justice of the Peace, and has been for twelve years; also Town Clerk, School Treasurer and Commissioner of Highways. Was married to Nancy Sexson of Coles Co. Jan. 22, 1857; the result of this marriage is -David S., John M.; deceased, Miles O., Willie A., Catharine C. and Ada. Mr. Hart was in the … Read more