Biographical Sketches Coles County Illinois Collections – Page 15 of 25

Biographical Sketch of John B. Jones

John B. Jones, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Rardin; born in Franklin Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1829; he removed with his parents when quite young to Whitehall, Washington Co., where he attended school and engaged in farming until 15 years of age, when he learned and worked at the ship-carpenter’s trade for three years; then for two years followed sailing on the lakes, and his trade; after which time he located at Astoria, L. I., where he engaged at his trade until 1857, when he emigrated to Illinois, and located in Ashmore Tp., Coles Co., March 1, of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John A. Wilson

John A. Wilson, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of John A. and Elizabeth Wilson, of Coles Co.; was born March 16, 1842; is the owner of ninety-two acres of land, valued at $2,500. Was married to Elizabeth Jones, of Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 3, 1868; the names of the children by this union, are William S., George N., John O., James M. (died Oct. 3, 1874), Mary E. and Effie G. Mr. Wilson served in the late war in Co. D, 123d Regiment I. V. I. His father, John A. Wilson, died Oct. 12, 1842, in St. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John A. Moss

John A. Moss, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of James H. and Catharine Moss, was born in Fleming Co., Ky., July 25, 1837; moved to Coles Co. March 12, 1878; is the owner of forty acres of land, valued at $1,000. Was married to his first wife, Mary Johnston, April 5, 1866, died Feb. 16, 1872; names of children deceased (boy) Willard S., died March 11, 1872; girls deceased, Dulta B., died Aug. 11, 1870 was married to his second wife, Phebe Eaton, of Rush Co., Ind., Dec. 21, 1873; names of children (living), girl, Bushna, born April … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John A. McConnell

John A. McConnell, editor of the Charleston Plaindealer, Charleston; was born in Cadiz, Ohio, Dec. 26, 1826; he began, at 12 years of age, to learn his father’s business of chairmaking; his inclinations were, however, toward literary or professional pursuits, but he was prevented from carrying out his intentions in that direction by a weakness of the eyes; at the age of 17, he began teaching school, and taught during the winters for four years; in 1859, he engaged in the grocery business in Cadiz, in which he continued until 1871, when he embarked in the tanning business, and followed … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jewell Davis, M. D.

Jewell Davis, M. D., physician and surgeon, Charleston; was born in Athens Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1811; he was raised on a farm, and followed that calling until about 1838, when he removed to Middleport, Meigs Co., Ohio, having a few years previously married Miss Cynthia Jones, of that place; they have three children – Mary V. (wife of E. L. Kelly), Curtis L., Teller of the First National Bank, and Reuben J., all of whom are residents of Coles Co. Dr. Davis followed coopering and carriage-making for a while in Middle-port; owing to illness in his family, he was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse Hudson

Jesse Hudson, farmer and Justice of the Peace; P. O. Charleston; born in Jessamine Co., Ky., June 27, 1840, where he attended school until 11 years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in East Oakland Tp. in October, 1851; here he remained and assisted his father in farming until upward of 20 years of age, when he raised one crop upon his father’s farm, of which he gave one-third for the use of the land; the following year he farmed upon rented land, and in 1864, he removed to Morgan Tp., where he rented land four years, … 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 Jeremiah Lane

Jeremiah Lane, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Jan. 17, 1844; his father, George W. Lane, was a pioneer, coming from his native State, Maryland, at the age of 13; his mother, Sarah Lane, was a native of Ohio, and a descendant of a Maryland family; his parents both died in Ohio; Mr. Lane was raised on the farm, and has followed that avocation all his life; he came to Coles Co.. in 1873, and settled on his present farm, one mile east of the village of Ashmore, where he owns 134 acres of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jeremiah C. Cooper

Jeremiah C. Cooper, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Franklin Co., N. C., April 25, 1786, being now 93 years of age, hale and hearty; he remained with his parents up to the age of 21, working upon farms in the neighborhood, when he purchased a farm in Randolph Co., N. C., and lived there until 1841, when he came to Coles Co., and on April 22 of same year purchased the farm on Sec. 24, upon which he has ever since resided. While living in Randolph Co. he was elected Sergeant of the 18t Regt. of North Carolina … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jephthah Parker

Jephthah Parker, farmer; P.O. Westfield, Clark Co.; was born in Crawford Co., Ill., Feb. 13, 1823; he was 3 years of age when he came with his parents to Coles Co., and remained with them until his marriage with Miss Sarah J. Green, daughter of James Green, of Ohio, on the 11th day of May, 1842; she was born in Miami Co., Ohio, July 3, 1818. About nine months after their marriage, Mr. Parker moved to his farm on Sec. 6, the greater portion of which he improved, putting upon it its present buildings, and where he has ever since … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jay F. Neal

Jay F. Neal, dealer in groceries and provisions, Charleston; was born in Tuftonborough, Carroll Co., N. H., June 24, 1835; he is a son of Nathaniel Neal, a farmer of that town; his early life was passed in farm labor among the granite hills, but at the age of 19 years he went to Great Falls, and engaged in teaching just across the river in New Berwick Me.; he continued teaching during a portion of the year for twelve years. He graduated at the New Hampshire Conference Seminary at Tilton, N. H., in 1859, and entered the Sophomore class of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Zimmerman

James Zimmerman, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; a son of Martin and Sarah Zimmerman; was born in Augusta Co., Dec. 8, 1827, and came to the State of Illinois with his parents in 1837, at the age of 10 years; his father, after spending one year in Edgar Co., removed to Coles Co., in 183S, and settled on a farm in the edge of Oakland Tp.; this farm is now owned and occupied by John B. Zimmerman, one of his sons. On the 12th of January, 1854, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Mary A. McDavitt, … 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 James W. Craig

James W. Craig, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., Ill., June 29, 1844; his early life was that of a farmer’s son; his education was obtained in the common schools; in 1864, he began the study of law with Col. O. B. Ficklin, of Charleston; in the fall of 1865, he matriculated in the law department of the Michigan University, from which he graduated in March, 1867; in April, following, he was admitted to the State and Federal Courts; he began the practice of his profession in v, forming a copartnership with Col. Ficklin; in … 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 James T. Edson

James T. Edson, Oakland, purchasing agent for Illinois of Win. B. Dickson & Co., Indianapolis, Ind.; born in Iredell Co., N. C., Jan. 15, 1841; his parents removed to Ohio when he was quite young, where he attended school during the winter, and worked upon the farm during the summer, until 1861, when he enlisted in the 14th Ohio V. L for three months, after which he enlisted for three years in the 38th Ohio V. I., where he served nearly three years, when he re-enlisted in the 38th Ohio Veteran Regiment, in which he served during the war; he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Shoemaker

James Shoemaker, farming and stock; P. O. Loxa; the subject of this sketch was born in Washington Co., Va., Feb. 19, 1825. He married Miss Tabitha Mason Sept. 3, 1863; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., Aug. 30, 1840; they had seven children, four living, viz., Mary E., William K., James S. and Franklin R. He lived in Virginia nearly ten years, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., one mile north of Charleston; this was in December, 1834; they lived there four years, then moved to La Fayette Township, on the Springfield … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Rennels

James Rennels, farmer; P. O. Charleston; one of the pioneers of this county; was born in Madison Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 1807; when he was 17 years of age, his parents moved to Lawrence Co., Ind., within ten miles of Little Orleans. While living there the subject of this sketch married Nov. 17, 1825, Miss Polly Connely (daughter of Joel Connely, of North Carolina); she was born Feb. 14, 1807; her parents were early settlers of this county, having moved from Lawrence Co., Ind., to Coles Co. in the year 1832. In 1832, Mr. Rennels came to Coles Co. and … 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 P. White

James P. White, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Tennessee, March 5, 1841; came to this State in 1856, and to Coles Co., and settled in North Okaw Tp. in 1858; his farm consists of forty-nine and a third acres, valued at $1,500. He was married Nov. 23, 1865, to Miss Mary J. Wade, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., June 4, 1847; they have had six children, five of whom are living, viz., Mary A., Nancy E., Effa N., Minnie and James E.; deceased, Jessie. Since Mr. White’s residence in the township, he has held … Read more