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.
Capt. William E. Adams, attorney at law, Charleston; was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., Oct. 15, 1830, being the son of John J. and Martha (Gammell) Adams, who came to Coles Co. in December, 1830, settling in what is now Pleasant Grove Tp., on the farm where his father still resides; he made his home at his father’s until about 1855, when he engaged in buying and herding stock, and driving it to Wisconsin; he continued in this business until 1860. He was married in August, 1859, to Miss Olive A. Holton, of Blue Mounds, Wis., and has a family … Read more
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.
Monroe White, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Charleston; owns 238 acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Aug. 9, 1844, and lived with his parents on the farm; engaged with his father in farming until 21 years of age. He was married to Mary E. Hall, Nov. 16, 1865; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Aug. 28, 1848; they have four children – Sarah F., Hannah A., Millie E. and Lucy E. Mr. White has held the office of School Director five years. Mr. White’s parents are natives of’ Ohio, and Mrs. White’s, natives of Kentucky.
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
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
John L. Balch, deceased, farmer and author; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch owned 120 acres of land, on Sec. 14; willed to the four sisters who now live on the same; he was born in Logan Co., Ky., Dec. 27, 1800, and died October 3, 1870. He lived with his parents on the farm until married, Nov. 10, 1829, to Melinda N. White; she was born in Sullivan Co., Ind., May 4, 1808, died Jan. 5, 1865. Mr. Balch came to this county in 1830, and settled on the farm where the four sisters now reside, and … Read more
Joshua Johns, farmer; P. O. Charleston; was born in Pendleton Co., Va., June 6, 1821. When he was 18 years of age, he went to Bath Co., Virginia, working on the farm of William Friel, whose daughter Isabel he married, Sept. 15,, 1840, and after living there for three years moved to Pleasant Grove Tp. in this county, remaining there for twelve years when he came to Hutton Tp., and after settling on Sec. 33 remained there fourteen years, and in March, 1867, came to his present farm on Sec. 9; he owns 692 acres; has held the office of … Read more
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
Isaac White, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Mattoon; owns 120 acres; was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Nov. 12, 1819; lived with his parents on the farm until 23 years of age. He married Mary Lay-bourn Nov. 5, 1843; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1825; they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, viz., Sarah E., William B., Frances F., Charles H., James P., Alice I. and Flora O., and Amos H., deceased. Mr. White was Township Trustee seven years, and School Director four years. His parents are natives of Ohio; Mrs. White’s father … Read more
James Jeffris, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Mattoon; owns 240 acres; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., March 17, 1821; moved to this county with his parents when 10 years of age, and lived with them until married to Matilda Jane Johnston, Oct. 6, 1842; she was born in Russell Co., Va., Nov. 28, 1822, and has had eleven children, six of whom are living, viz., Mary E., Martha, Johnston, Stephen D., Joanna and Kitty C.; deceased-G. D., Leah, S. M. and two infants. Mr. Jeffris was Constable four years, School Director five years and School Trustee twenty years; his … Read more
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
John Craig White, farmer and blacksmith, Sec. 15; P. O. Campbell; owns 120 acres; was born in Scott Co., Ky., Dec. 5, 1830, and lived with his parents on the farm until 19 years of age. He was married to Louisa Beckum Feb. 25, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Feb. 25, 1836; died Aug. 10, 1859; he then married Sarah Elizabeth Kemper May 8, 1862; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., Jan. 10, 1833, and has had eight children, viz., John I., Katie, Edward and Coleman; deceased-Ida F., Charles, George O., Sarah A. Mr. and Mrs. … Read more
John D. Farris, farmer and nurseryman, Sec. 2; P. O. Charleston; owns 900 acres; was born in Edgar Co., Ill., Sept. 30, 1827, and was engaged with his father in farming and nursery business until 29 years of age. Was married to Eliza J. Manfort Jan. 28, 1852; she was born in Henry Co., Ky., March 16,1833; the fruit of this marriage is eight children, viz., Caleb, Mattie M., John N., Olive, Israel J. (deceased), William, Anna and one infant. Mr. Farris’ father started the first mill to grind wheat and corn in this township; people came a great distance … Read more