Pleasant Grove Illinois

Biographical Sketch of Julius E. Smith

Julius E. Smith, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Etna; owns the undivided fourth of eighty acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 10, 1852, and lived with his parents on the farm until 20 years of age, when he married Louisa Woolery Oct. 2, 1872; she was born in Putnam Co., Ind., July 19, 1856; they have three children -Mina L., Edna O. and George M. Mr. Smith has been School Director two years. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Smith’s of Indiana.

Biographical Sketch of John W. Baker

John W. Baker, farmer; P. O. Campbell; owns 135 acres in Sec. 19; was born in Morgan Co., Ill., Feb. 17, 1840; lived with his parents until the age of 6, when they died, leaving him to shift for himself; he emigrated to this State in 1861, settling in Coles Co. Was married to Susan D. Rodgers April 5, 1866; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Feb. 9, 1851; the fruit of this marriage is three children – Effie M., Mary A. and Isaac W. Mr. B. has held the office of School Director six years, and Commissioner of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel L. Morris

Samuel L. Morris, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. R; P. O. Mattoon; owns eighty acres; was born in Logan Co., Ohio, April 3, 1855, and lived with his parents on the farm until he married Phoebe C. Lucas, Feb. 12, 1875 she was born in Logan Co. Ill., Oct. 16, 1857; they have one Child-Rosetta. His parents are natives of Ohio; Mrs. Morris’s father is a native of Ohio.

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin G. Glenn

Benjamin G. Glenn, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Mattoon; owns sixty acres; was born in Lawrence Co., Ill., June 10, 1832, and lived with his parents until 23 years of age. He was married to Elizabeth Jeffries March 22, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., in 1834; died Feb. 19, 1862. He was then married to Elizabeth Wheatstone March 19, 1869; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., and has had six children, viz., Margaret E., Ethel L., Joseph J.; three infants (deceased). Mr. Glenn was Justice of the Peace two years, Supervisor one term, and School Director … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Chowning

Samuel Chowning, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Campbell; owns 109 acres; was born in Fayette Co., Ky., June 4, 1827; came with his parents to the county when only 4 years old, and lived with his parents until 18 years of age. He was married to Polly Ann McCann, in February, 1849; she was born in Logan Co., Ky., July 25, 1824, and has had nine children, viz: Nancy I., Rebecca D., Laura A., Mary L., Robert P., Rachel C., deceased, John B., Charles P., and one infant; Mr. Chowning’s father was in the Black Hawk war, and Mrs. Chowning’s … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Jeffris

John Jeffris, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Mattoon; owns 340 acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 26, 1831, and lived with his parents on the farm in this township until 21 years of age; then went to California, returned and was married to Mary Vandierer, March 22, 1859; she was born in Indiana March 1, 1836. They have five children, viz., Ralph, Bell, Hershel, Isaac and Abba. Mr. Jeffries was School Director for nine years. His parents were natives of Virginia and Mrs. Jeffries parents’ natives of Kentucky.

Biographical Sketch of George A. Whitney

George A. Whitney, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Mattoon; owns thirty-six acres; was born in the State of Wisconsin Sept. 4, 1854; lived with his parents on the farm until 20 years of age. Was then married to Emma D. Hill, May 10, 1874; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., June 7, 1852. Mr. Whitney’s parents are natives of York State, and Mrs. Whitney’s, natives of Virginia. Mr. Whitney’s father was one of the early settlers of this county, and one of the men who helped to change this country from a wilderness to its present condition of prosperity. … Read more

Biography of P. A. Kemper, M. D.

P. A. Kemper, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Culpeper Co., Va., Aug. 31, 1832; his early education was under the direct supervision of his mother, who was a well-qualified schoolmistress; his father was an artisan by profession, of whom he was bereft at the early age of 8 years; when about 16 years of age, he left home and came to Paris, Edgar Co., Ill.; in the fall of 1855, he began the study of his profession with Dr. D. O. McCord, remaining in his office two and a half years; during the winter of 1857 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Amzi Alexander Walker

Amzi Alexander Walker, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Larna; owns 240 acres; he was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., May 2, 1830, and lived with his mother on the farm until 23 years of age. He married Elizabeth Johnston April 21, 1853, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 29, 1823, and moved on to the farm where he now resides; they have had five children, three of whom are living, viz., Nancy M., William I. and Mail E.; deceased-I. C. and one infant. Mr. Walker was elected Justice of the Peace one term, when he resigned and was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William F. Horton

William F. Horton, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Mattoon; owns 231½ acres; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Jan. 31, 1824; moved to this county with his parents in 1837; went to Cumberland Co., in 1838, and returned to Coles Co. in November, 1861, where he has since resided. He was married to Emeline Dryden Feb. 1, 1849; she was born in Tennessee Sept. 15, 1821, and has had seven children, two of whom are living, viz., Mary E. and William D.; deceased are R. H., Alice, Amarintha and two infants not named. Mr. Horton has been School Director and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James C. Gray

James C. Gray, farmer, deceased, Larna; was born in Washington Co., Tenn., Nov. 18, 1818; lived with his parents on the farm until 30 years of age, engaging with his father in farming until he married Mary A. Mitchell Nov. 9, 1848; she was born in Marshall County, Tenn., May 30, 1828; they have had nine children – Robert M., David L., Mary, Alexander D., William N., John H., Lizzie J., Naomi R., and Charles. Mr. Gray held the office of Road Commissioner two terms, was Constable two years and Town Clerk one term. Mr. Robert Gray is County Attorney, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Thomas Rodgers

George Thomas Rodgers, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Campbell; owns 114 acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 13, 1849, and lived on the farm with his parents until married to Mary Ella Brunk Wright Nov. 25, 1876; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 11, 1856; they have one child-Mary Blanche. Mr. Rodgers’ father is a native of Tennessee, and his mother of Indiana. Mrs. Rodgers’ father is a native of New York, and her mother of Tennessee. Mr. Rodgers’ father made the first brick ever laid in the city of Charleston, Coles Co., Ill.

Biographical Sketch of Sames Tilford Gordon

Sames Tilford Gordon, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Larna; owns seventy acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 14, 1832, and lived with his parents until 21 years of age. He was married to Sarah Jane Rogers June 5, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., July 7, 1838; they have had nine children, viz., Mary M., Luella, Willie A., Sylvester, Lizzie, Laura M., Bundy and Maddora; deceased-H. A. Mr. Gordon has been School Director eight years, and Commissioner of Highways three years; his father is a native of Virginia and his mother of North Carolina; Mrs. Gordon’s … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. L. F. Miller

J. L. F. Miller, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 9; P. O. Mattoon; owns 337 acres; was born in Trimble Co., Ky., Jan. 9, 1829, and engaged with his father in farming until 23 years of age. He was married to Rachel P. Gray Nov. 27, 1857; she was born in Tennessee April 19, 1829, died May 2, 1860; the fruit of this marriage was two children – George L. and Rachel E. Mr. Miller then married Mary J. Romine Feb. 25, 1866; she was born in Vigo Co., Ind., July 3, 1841; the fruit of this marriage is eight children … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Halbrooks, M. D.

George Halbrooks, M. D., physician, Sec. 23, Larna; owns 160 acres; was born in Gibson Co., Ind., Feb. 14, 1814, and lived with his parents on the farm until 24 years of age; was then married to Eliza Ann Beels Feb. 22, 1838; she was born in Gibson Co., Ind., Aug. 18, 1817, and has had nine children, viz., Sylvester, William H., Nancy E., Thomas, Samuel and George A.; deceased, Columbus, Catharine and George L. Dr. Halbrooks was Surgeon for six months in the late war; he commenced the study of medicine in 1842, and has been practicing ever since; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. M. Gray

R. M. Gray, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Pleasant Grove Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 27, 1848; his father, James C., was one of the early pioneers of this section; his early life was that of a. farmer’s son; in addition to his common school education, at the age of 19, he entered Westfield College, Clark Co., Ill., and remained one year; he next attended an academy in his native township, two years, under the supervision of Prof. T. J. Lee; in the fall of 1870, he entered the law department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Diehl

George Diehl, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 7; P. O. Mattoon; owns 278 acres; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Oct. 12, 1811, and lived with his parents on the farm in that State until the year 1837, when he came to Coles Co. He was married Feb. 23, 1842, to Mary E. Jeffries, who was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Feb. 23, 1824; died Nov. 27, 1849. Mr. Diehl was then married April 20, 1854, to Catharine Fuller, who was born in Virginia about the year 1821; died July 16, 1871. Mr. Diehl was then married Dec. 12, 1873, to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Carson Porter Reed Rodgers

Carson Porter Reed Rodgers, merchant, Farmington; P. O. Campbell; the subject of this sketch was born in Coles Co., Ill., Nov. 1, 1840, and lived with his parents until 26 years of age. He then married Catharine Winford Ridley Oct. 30, 1866, who was born in Gallatin Co., Ky., Oct. 30, 1847, and died April 14, 1869; he afterward married Martha Jane Veatch March 8, 1874, who was born in Washington Co., Ill., Oct. 26, 1837, and has had three children, two of whom are living, viz., Isaac Walter, Kate Winford; deceased–Martha H. Mr. Rodgers was Assessor one term, Township … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel Diehl

Daniel Diehl, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Johnstown; owns eighty acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 1., 1848, and lived with his parents until 21 years of age. He was married to Martha M. Odell Dec. 21, 1868; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 9, 1849, and has had five children, three of whom are living, viz., Frank E., Albert L. and Mary E.; deceased, two infants. Mr. Diehl’s parents are natives of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Diehl’s, of Tennessee.

Biographical Sketch of Larb Kelly

Larb Kelly, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Charleston; owns 300 acres. Mr. Kelly lived with his parents, engaging with his father in farming until 20 years of age. Mr. Kelly was married to Mary L. Sullivan about the year 1848; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., in 1830; died in 1858. The fruit of this marriage was two children Lura A. and Sarah E., deceased. He was then married to Sarah F. Sullivan, in 1860; she was born in Coles Co., Ill. The fruit of this marriage was six children -Susan, Elso J. and Larbia deceased, Mary M., Samuel … Read more