Pleasant Grove Illinois

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 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 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 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

Biographical Sketch of Joshua Johns

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

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 Faris

James Faris, farmer and nurseryman, Sec. 1; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Feb. 22, 1808; engaged with his father in farming and nursery business until 30 years of age. He was then married to Rachel E. McGahan Aug. 17, 1843; she was born in Orange Co., Ind., Jan. 4, 1826; they have had ten children, four living and six dead; the names of the living are Thomas C., John D., Mary E. and Charles H.; the names of the dead are William E., Sarah I., William W., George W. and Martha A. and one infant. Mr. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nelson S. Freeman, M. D.

Nelson S. Freeman, M. D., practicing physician in Farmington; P. O. Campbell; was born in Orange Co., Ind., Feb. 17, 1833, and lived with his parents until 19 years of age. He was married to Mary F. Carman Sept. 29, 1851; she was born in Tioga Co., Penn., April 2,1832; they have had six children – Caroline M., Charles K, Lizzie A., William F., Frank F. and Matthew S., deceased. Dr. Freeman has been practicing medicine twenty-three years; his practice has been quite extensive and attended with good success. Dr. Freeman was Assistant Surgeon in the 63d I. V. I. … 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

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 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 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 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 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 Monroe White

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.

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

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 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 James L. Hackley

James L. Hackley, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Mattoon; owns seventy-four acres; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Nov. 25, 1842, and lived with his parents on the farm until 1855, when he came with parents to this county in 1856, where he has since resided. He was married Feb. 14, 1867, to Martha Jeffries; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 28, 1847, and has five children – Katie, Emma, Olga, Harden, Oren; Mr. Hackley has been School Director six years, and Overseer of roads two years in this township; Mr. Hackley’s parents were natives of Kentucky; Mrs. … 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