Pleasant Grove Illinois

Biographical Sketch of Albert H. Odell

Albert H. Odell, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Mattoon; owns eighty acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Aug. 5, 1844, and lived with his parents on the farm in this county until married Sept. 9, 1874, to Louisa E. Miller, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 8, 1849; they have three children – Lola A., Milla M. and Gertrude. Mr. Odell was Township Collector two terms. He was also in the late war four months. Mr. Odell’s father was in the Black Hawk war, and also in the late war four months. Mr. Odell’s eldest brother was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Gray Bovell

James Gray Bovell, farmer; P. O. Larna; owns 260 acres; was born in Washington Co., Tenn., June 1, 1825, and came to Edgar Co. with his parents when only 4 years old; he stayed there five years; then came to Coles Co., where he has since resided. He was married May 6, 1846, to Eliza Dryden, who was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., July 24, 1825, and has had four children, viz., Mary E. D., Nancy C., John W. and one infant; Mary E. D. is the only one living. Mr. and Mrs. Bovell’s parents were natives of Tennessee.

Biographical Sketch of David Beels Williams

David Beels Williams, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Johnstown; owns fifty-five acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill.. March 25, 1836, and lived with his parents on the farm until 21 years of age. He was married to Phoebe Landrus Nov. 13, 1856, who was born in Crawford Co., Ind., Feb. 14, 1837, who has had eight children, six of whom are living, viz., Lewis W., Christopher C., Flora E., Henry S., Emma F. and Edmond C.; deceased, L. W. and L. M. Mr. Williams was Overseer of the Road two terms, elected Constable two terms, Justice of the Peace … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Cecil

Henry Cecil, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Charleston; owns 215 acres worth $40 per acre; he was born in Mercer Co., Ky., Feb. 15, 1826; lived on the farm, engaged with his father in farming until 21 years of age. Was then married to Hannah E. Robinson Oct. 7, 1847; she was born in Shelby Co., Ky., July 23, 1827; they have had seven children – Keziah F., Margaret J., Henry H., Mary R. E., Adda, Daniel E., and John I., who is dead. Mr. Cecil held the office of School Director six years, and Constable three years; Mrs. Cecil’s … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Wily Matthews

Wily Matthews, farmer, Sec. 21; P. O. Johnstown; owns forty acres; was born in Morgan Co., Ind., June 27, 1842, and lived with his parents on the farm until the year 1859, when he came to this county and has resided here since. He was married Oct. 27, 1863, to Margaret Jackson; she was born in Owens Co., Ind., Oct. 17, 1844, died Jan. 1, 1871. He then married Eliza T. Balch Aug. 13, 1871; she was born in Madison Co., Miss., Jan. 15, 1857, and has had seven children, six of whom are living, viz., Oscar M., Lizzie, Cary, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Thomas Ewing

James Thomas Ewing, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Mattoon; owns 247 acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Nov. 13, 1835; lived with his parents until 22 years of age. Was married Sept. 10, 1862, to Rebecca Jane Walker, who was born in Coles Co., Ill. Feb. 11, 1842; moved on this farm in the fall of 1862, and has had six children, four of whom are living, viz., Nancy J., Samuel W., Gertrude and Charles M.; the deceased are Mary L. and an infant. Mr. Ewing was Township Collector of La Fayette Tp. in 1859 and 1860, and Assessor … 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 Andrew H. Allison

Andrew H. Allison, farmer, deceased, Sec. 8; P. O. Campbell; owned 300 acres of land, which was left to the heirs; was born in Mecklenburg Co., N. C., Sept. 20, 1823; came from Tennessee to this county when 13 years of age, where he resided until his death, which occurred Nov. 15, 1864. He was married to Eveline Dryden Dec. 30, 1845; she was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., June 7, 1822; they have had eight children – Mary Ann, Emily Frances, Thomas L., William D., Nancy C., John N., Henry C. and Andrew B. Mr. Allison was School Director … 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 Azariah Jeffris

Azariah Jeffris, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Mattoon; owns 660 acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., April 29, 1836, and lived with his parents on the farm in this county until 24 years of age. Was married March 10, 1860, to Ann M. Hackley, who was born in Grayson Co., Ky., March 2, 1841, and moved on the farm where he now resides. Mr. Jeffries has three children, viz., Zaraba, Shelton and Laura. Has been Commissioner of Highways three years in this township, School Trustee three years, School Director nine years, Representative of Coles Co., Ill., one term, Supervisor … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eli Perry Gordon

Eli Perry Gordon, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Campbell; owns eighty acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., March 30, 1839, and lived with his parents on the farm until married to Louisa Hays Nov. 28, 1859; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., April 26, 1841, and has had seven children, six of whom are living, viz., Charles W., Elme D., Byron R., Mary A., Clara B. and II. Clay; deceased-Cora E. Mr. Gordon was Collector in this township two terms, Pathmaster two terms and School Director six years. He was in Co. E, 5th I. V. I., and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Patrick Nicholson

Patrick Nicholson, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Charleston; owns 380 acres was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Nov. 6, 1809; resided with parents on farm, helping his father until 21 years of age; came to this State in November, 1830, to what is now Douglas Co.; Mr. N. made several thousand rails for $1 per hundred; worked six months for $8 per month; had nothing but one saddle-share; sold mare and saddle and bridle for $8. Was married to Elizabeth Ashmore, May 17, 1832; she was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., March 4, 1814; they are the parents of eleven … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. W. Hill

J. W. Hill, farmer and stock-dealer, deceased; deceased owned 342 acres; was born in Washington Co., Va., May 7, 1814; died March 13, 1875; he lived with his parents on the farm until 20 years of age. He was married to Elizabeth Fudge Feb. 28, 1833; she was born in Washington Co., Va., Jan. 15, 1814; they had twelve children – Barbara A., Samuel H., Benjamin R., Noah W., Elizabeth, Zachariah T., Emma, Jonah, Napoleon and three infants, deceased; Jonah Hill was born in Coles Co., Ill., April 22, 1853, and lived with his father until 21 years of age. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Armstrong

Joseph Armstrong, farmer and stockdealer, Sec. 9; P. O. Charleston; was born in Pendleton Co., Va., Aug. 11, 1823; he lived with his parents, assisting his father on the farm until 23 years of age, when he married Elizabeth Leitch, Sept. 2, 1844; Mrs. Armstrong was born in Pendleton Co., Va., May 23, 1815; they have had four children, three living and one dead; their names are Charles E., Abel T. T., Margaret J., and Arametha L., who died. Mr. Armstrong has held the office of Township Collector one term, Road Commissioner one term, and School Director five years. He … 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 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

Biography of George B. Balch

George B. Balch, farmer, Postmaster and agent G. & M. R. R.., Larna; born in Bedford Co., Tenn., Nov. 1, 1828; his father, Alfred M. Balch, was born in Logan Co., Ky., Jan. 23, 1798. He was married to Elizabeth Gammil July 1, 1819; she was born Jan. 1, 1800; they left Tennessee late in October, 1830, and settled in Pleasant Grove Tp.; their journey and settlement are fully noted in the history of that township; they remained here during their lives; Mrs. Balch died Dec. 29, 1855; Mr. Balch Dec. 2, 1856; the subject of this sketch, Geo. B., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Jeffries Diehl

Thomas Jeffries Diehl, farmer, Sec. (3; P. O. Mattoon; owns eighty acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 17, 1846, and lived with his parents on the farm in this township until 22 years of age. He was then married, Feb. 26, 1868, to Kittie Brunk Hankley, who was born in Grayson Co., Ky., June 2, 1847, and who has six children, viz., Anna Lee, Charles Redmond, Mary Alta, George Edmond, William Angus and Ermie. Mr. Diehl was School Director eight years, and Overseer of the Road one year. Mr. Diehl’s parents were natives of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Diehl’s of … 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 James Anderson

James Anderson, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Mattoon; owns 133 acres; was born in Monroe Co., Md. , Dec. 25, 1825, and lived with his parents on the farm in Maryland until 7 years of age; then went with them to Ohio, where he resided until the year 1846, when he went to the Mexican war, and returned in 1855. He was married to Lucinda Knight Dec. 29, 1847; she was born in Licking Co., Ohio, June 12, 1826; they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, viz., Mary Ann, Columbia, William H., Sarah P., Emma, Martha, Charles … Read more