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, …
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., …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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, …
Thomas Hart, farmer; P. O. Paradise is the son of Miles H. and Catharine C. Hart, of Coles Co.; was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Sept. 5, 1824; moved to Coles Co. with his parents March 12, 1826; was Assessor, School Trustee, Overseer of the Poor and Road Overseer. Was married to Vianna Sexson, of …
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., …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 – …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
