Paradise Illinois

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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