Paradise Illinois

Biographical Sketch of James H. Williams

James H. Williams, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of William and Elizabeth Williams, of Culpeper Co., Va.; was born June 12, 1826, in Culpeper Co., Va.; moved with his folks to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Ill., on Dec. 20, 1836; is the owner of 171 acres of land, valued at $4,500. Is Commissioner of Highways, and has been for seven years, also School Director for eight years, and is at the, present time. Never was married. His father, William Williams, was born in Culpeper Co., Va., Aug. 3, 1789, died Jan. 7, 1855, in the 67th year of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Basil C. Wheat

Basil C. Wheat, Paradise; is the son of James O. and Margaret Wheat; was born in Jackson, Miss., March 27, 1853; moved to Coles Co., Ill., March 12, 1863; is the owner of fifty-five acres of land, valued at $2,500. Was married to Mary D. Alexander, of this township, Sept. 25, 1870; the names of the children are James O., born Feb. 28, 1873; Margaret A., deceased; Nora J., born Oct. 29, 1874; Cora M., born March 29, 1876; Henrietta, born Aug. 24, 1878. Mr. Wheat’s father, James O. Wheat, is still living, and is practicing medicine in this township. … 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 John A. Moss

John A. Moss, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of James H. and Catharine Moss, was born in Fleming Co., Ky., July 25, 1837; moved to Coles Co. March 12, 1878; is the owner of forty acres of land, valued at $1,000. Was married to his first wife, Mary Johnston, April 5, 1866, died Feb. 16, 1872; names of children deceased (boy) Willard S., died March 11, 1872; girls deceased, Dulta B., died Aug. 11, 1870 was married to his second wife, Phebe Eaton, of Rush Co., Ind., Dec. 21, 1873; names of children (living), girl, Bushna, born April … 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 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 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 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 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

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 Henry E. Alexander

Henry E. Alexander, farmer; P. O. Paradise; is the son of Ebenezer and Dorcas Alexander; was born in Tennessee, Obion Co., Sept. 2, 1827; moved with his parents to Coles Co. Dec. 20, 1828. Is the owner of 210 acres of land valued at or near $8.000; School Director two or three terms. Was married to Mary B. Curry, of Coles Co., June 10, 1852; names of children – boys-James E., William D., George O. (Edward F., deceased); girls, Mary D., Margaret J. (Nancy E., deceased); Edward F. died June 16, 1865; Nancy E., Aug. 1, 1878; his father, Ebenezer … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adam B. Green

Adam B. Green, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Ira and Mary Green, of Washington Co., Tenn.; was born in Green Co., Tenn., April 17, 1827; moved to Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Feb. 12, 1867. Was married to Caroline E. Peters May 5, 1866; they are the parents of six children, viz., James B., Dora D. and Laura (deceased), George W., Amanda M. and Ida M. Mr. Green is the owner of 163 acres of land, valued at $6,500. He was in the late war and served three years as Sergeant. His mother died April 12, 1861, … 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 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 Phaon H. Dornblaser

Phaon H. Dornblaser, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of Felix and Eliza Dornblaser, of Lehigh Co., Penn.; was born in the same county and State April 20, 1838; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Ill., April 20, 1855; is the owner of 170 acres of land, probable value, $7,000; was School Director six years, also Road Overseer one year. Was married to Mary E. Jeffries, of Coles Co., Dec. 29, 1860; was the daughter of James and Matilda Jeffries; names of children, boys-French I., born Jan. 28, 1862; James A., born Feb. 6, 1868; Edward … 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 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 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

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin D. Hamblen

Benjamin D. Hamblen, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of Francis and Martha B. Hamblen; was born in Mt. Pleasant, Hardin Co., Ky., March 17, 1840; moved with his parents Dec. 24, 1852, to Moultrie Co., and then to Coles Co., March 13, 1868; is the owner of 120 acres of land, valued at or near $5,000; was Justice of the Peace five years; also School Director and Road Overseer. Was married to Sarah M. Newport, the daughter of Benjamin and Ellen Newport, of Coles Co., Ill.; names of children – boys, Henry F. (born Oct. 3, 1870); girls, … 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