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. Miller

John W. Miller, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 1; P. O. Charleston; owns 800 acres, worth $40 per acre; he was born in Trimble Co., Ky., March 13, 1825; he lived in Kentucky until 12 years of age; then emigrated to Coles Co., Ill.. where he lived with his father on the farm; engaged in farming until he married Rebecca A. Tremble, June 26, 1851; she was born in Harrison Co., Ind., July 15, 1828; the fruit of this marriage was eight children, five living and three dead; the names of the living are Cephas, Horana, Armantha, John and James; the … 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 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 James R. P. Cassaday

James R. P. Cassaday, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Campbell; was born in Edgar Co., Ill., Aug. 22, 1845; lived with his parents until 14 years of age, when they died, leaving him to shift for himself. He was married to Catharine Edmond Oct. 17, 1867; she was born in Virginia Feb. 8, 1844; died Aug. 13, 1877; they had six children – four dead, two living; the names of the living are Mary E., William H.; the names of the deceased are Jemima, Joanna, Sarah E. and one infant. Mr. C. was then married to Mary M. Neal July … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaac Taylor

Isaac Taylor, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Campbell; was born in Rutherford Co., Tenn., March 16, 1829, and lived with his father on the farm, engaged with his parents in farming until married to Eliza J. Erwin April 12, 1860; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 5, 1841; they have eight children, viz., Marian W., Willie E., Oscar E., Margaret E., Perry S., Isaac V., Balas B. and Cary A. Mr. Taylor was School Director fifteen years and has held the office of Assessor one term. He is a Primitive Baptist. Mr. Taylor is liked by all who … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse Beals

Jesse Beals, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Mattoon; owns 250 acres; was born in Crawford Co., Ind., April 26, 1826; lived with his father until 1836, and then lived with his mother until he married, Dec. 12, 1844, to Mary Ann Horton, who was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Dec. 4, 1818; they have had five children, four of whom are now living, viz., Amand M., Emma H., Nevada and Frank W.; deceased-Cary. Mr. Beals was School Director five years, Township Supervisor of this township one term, in 1866, and was elected Justice of the Peace, in 1877, which office … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James W. Crume

James W. Crume, farmer, See. 9; P. O. Mattoon; owns eighty acres; was born in Marion Co., Ky., March 17, 1830, and lived with his parents on the farm until 21 years of age. He was married to Emily J. Maine, Dec. 29, 1856, who was born in Dubois Co., Ind., Aug. 25, 1834, and died Sept. 21, 1862. He then married Mary E. Reynolds Dec. 31, 1864, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., March 29, 1834, and has had eight children, four of whom are living, viz., William R., Benjamin R., James H. and Emily O.; the deceased … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jonathan Wilson Walker

Jonathan Wilson Walker, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 21; P. O. Mattoon; owns 400 acres; was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., July 26, 1828; lived with his parents on the farm until 27 years of age. Married April 3, 1857, to Mary Sell; she was born in Preble Co., Ohio, March 8, 1831, and has had six children, five of whom are living – Joseph W., James A., Emma O., Mary I. and Sarah E. Mr. Walker has been School Director ten years and School Trustee five years. His father is a native of North Carolina and his mother of Virginia; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James M. Anderson

James M. Anderson, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Charleston; owns 140 acres; was born in Lewis Co., Va., Jan. 27, 1835; engaged in farming until 22 years of age. He was married to Dorothy A. Leitch Dec. 27, 1860; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., April 16, 1842; Mr. Anderson has five children living and one dead; the living are named Sumner, Victoria, Wesley, Emma J. and Fannie B.; deceased, infant. Mr. Anderson has held the office of school director eight years, and Road Commissioner two years. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson’s parents are natives of Virginia.

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 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 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 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 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

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Edmon

Jacob Edmon, farmer; P. O. Charleston; was born in Highland Co., Va., June 17, 1851, and lived with his father; engaged in farming. He was married to Alwilda Armstrong Dec. 26, 1877; she was born in Highland Co., Va., Nov. 9, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Edmon’s parents were natives of Virginia; Mr. Edmon’s father was one of the early settlers in this county, coming here in an early day with but very little property. He now owns 168 acres of very fine farm land on Sec. 14 in this township.

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 Francis Popham

Francis Popham, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 10; P. O. Campbell; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, June 2,1838; lived with his parents on the farm; engaged in farming until married to Sarah E. Babbs, Dec. 11, 1862; she was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Dec. 8, 1844; the fruit of their marriage has been four children – William C., Fred D., Minnie A. and Clarence E. Mr. P. owns 100 acres of excellent river-bottom land, which he farms; he also deals largely in horses; he is a very liberal-hearted man, and respected by all who know him.

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 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