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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co.
1879
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1879 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
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Charleston Twp. -
TILLMAN BAGLEY,
horticulturist; Charleston; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., June 6,
1828; being left fatherless when but a child, he accompanied his
mother, at the age of 9 years to Muskingum Co., Ohio, where they
settled on a farm about twelve miles north of Zanesville; at 19, he
left the farm to learn the trade of a marble-cutter, after
completing which he worked as a journeyman until 1853; he then came
to Charleston, and after working two years, started in the marble
business for himself, in which he continued till 1869; at which time
he purchased what is known as the True farm, in La Fayette Tp., and
followed farming four years. Having a natural taste for
horticultural pursuits he sold his farm and, returning to
Charleston, purchased sixteen acres of land lying within the
corporation, which he began to improve; he built his residence and
set his land to peaches, apples, raspberries, blackberries and
strawberries; his aim was to secure the very earliest as well as the
very latest varieties of fruit which it was possible to obtain, thus
commanding the highest prices for his products. Mr. Bagley
was married March 26, 1856, to Miss Ann Craig,
a daughter of Elijah Craig, an early settler of Coles
Co.; she was born in Boone Co., Ky., April 21, 1829, and came to
Coles Co. in 1836; they have two children—Simeon E. and Allen C.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 514 |
Charleston Twp. -
A. N. BAIN, proprietor of
the Charleston Foundry, Charleston; was born in Erie Co., Ohio,
April 3, 1828; his father was a ship-carpenter, with a family of
nine children; at the age of 14, Mr. Bain began
working on a farm, which he continued until the spring of 1845, when
he entered the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad shop at Sandusky,
Ohio, as an apprentice, remaining there until 1852, and thoroughly
mastering the machinist's trade. He then went to New Albany, Ind.,
where he was married, Feb. 3, 1853, to Miss Catharine
Caldwell, of that city, who was born in Appomattox Co., Va.,
Feb. 8, 1832. While in New Albany, he worked as a mechanic in the
shops of the New Albany & Salem Railroad; in April, 1853, he
removed to Terre Haute, Ind., and entered the foundry of Grover
& Madison, and remained in their employ until April 1, 1857; he then came to Charleston, and, with his brother, William
Bain, and George O. Carr, erected a small building, 25x50
feet in size; Mr. Carr soon retired from the firm; they ran a general repair foundry till 1863, when they made their
first stove, and enlarged their buildings, which now cover four town
lots, while their trade extends from Indianapolis on the east, to
the Rocky Mountains on the west; in 1869, Mr. Bain
engaged in the stove, tin, and house-furnishing business, and built
up a very large and successful trade; in 1874, he sold out and
returned to the management of the foundry; his brother died in
June, 1875; in addition to his foundry business, he owns a farm of
220 acres in Seven Hickory Tp., where he is largely engaged in
stock-raising, keeping about two hundred and fifty head, including
cattle, hogs, horses and mules; he also owns a farm of 170 acres in
Douglas Co.; Mr. Bain was President of the Board of
Trustees of Charleston two years. He has five children—Emma
(a graduate of the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, and
now a teacher in the Charleston public schools), Fannie, Charles
R, Katie and Nannie. Politically, Mr. Bain
has been an active advocate of the principles of the Republican
party since its organization, previous to which he was a Whig. He is
outspoken and fearless in maintaining his opinions; as a business
man, his success is due entirely to his own industry, perseverance
and good management.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 513 |
Seven Hickory Twp.
GEO. W. BAKER, farmer; P. O. Charleston; the
subject of this sketch was born in Philadelphia, Penn., May 30,
1824. He married Miss Susan Bell Aug. 26, 1846; she was
born in Floyd Co., Ind., Mar. 12, 1830, and died Mar. 9, 1863; they
had six children, three living, viz., George B., Wm. A. and
John V.; his present wife was Mrs. Shaw, formerly
Miss Jane Hancock; they were married Oct. 19, 1863; she was born
in Floyd Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1830; she had by former marriage five
children, two living, viz., Flora J. Shaw and Sarah E.
Shaw. He lived in Philadelphia about fourteen years, when,
with his parents, he moved to Floyd Co., Ind., where his father
engaged at his trade of shoemaking; he lived there until 1859, when
he went to Spencer Co., Ind., and engaged in farming, remaining six
years; he then returned to Floyd Co., and, after remaining two
years, he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has
lived here since; he owns 308 acres in this county, which he has
earned by his own labor and management. His parents,
Stephen and Mary Edwards Baker, were natives of Philadelphia and
Maryland; they were married in Philadelphia; in 1837, they moved to
Indiana and settled in Flood Co., where they died.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 639 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
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 1851,
settling in Coles Co. Was married to Susan D. Rodgers,
Apr. 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. Was in the late rebellion; enlisted in
1861, Co. B, 7th I. V. I.; served three months; re-enlisted Sept.
25, 1861, in Co. E, 5th I. V. C., and served four months in that
regiment; was in the battle of Vicksburg, and several other battles
and skirmishes. Mrs. Bakers grandfather on her mother's
side was in the Black Hawk war.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 583 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
GEO. 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., grew to maturity here, receiving only a moderate
education. He was married Mar. 19, 1851, to Margaret S.
Walker, who was born in Tennessee, Oct. 1, 1832; they became the
parents of eleven children, all of whom are now living; Mrs.
Balch died Nov. 4, 1875, leaving her daughters to fill her
place; the names and births of the children are as follows:
Samuel W. (born Jan. 28, 1852; married Nov. 25, 1875),
Elizabeth J. (born Sept. 18, 1853; married Apr. 21, 1875),
Ann Minerva (born Aug. 10 1855), Thomas W. and Nancy
M. (born Oct. 8,1858), Esther R. (born June 20, 1861),
Ellen D. (born Jan. 31, 1863), Minnie B. (born Mar. 30,
1865) Eliza J. (born June 25, 1868), Robert E. (Mar.
26, 1871), Margaret L. (July 3, 1873). Mr. Balch
has just established the post office and station of Larna, both of
which offices he fills; it is the intention to erect necessary
buildings, open a store and shop or two here, and start a town; it
is a good point.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 584 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
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 Oct. 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 remained until his death; he was the father of eight
children, six of whom are living, viz., Alfred B., Albina, Mary
M., William, Martha and Angeline E.; deceased,
Alexander H. and James. Mr. Balch was a
school-teacher in this township in an early day, and was an author
of considerable note; some of his writings were published on the
slavery question. He was a Republican.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 583 |
Humbolt Twp -
JAMES M. BEALE,
farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Arcola; was born in Mason Co., W.
Va., Jan. 1, 1825. He married Miss Jane R. Wylie is the
fall of 1852; she was born in Brooke Co., W. Va.; they had six
children - three living, viz., Ida M., J. Edwin and
Florence; he lived in West Virginia until 1826, when with his
parents, he went to Kentucky, where he lived until 1833, when he
went to Virginia, where he lived until 1857, when he came to
Illinois and settled on his farm in Humbolt Twp., in Coles Co.,
where he lived until 1870, when he moved to the village of Humbolt
and lived there until 1876, when he moved to Arcola; and, though his
residence is in Arcola, he spends the most of his time on his farm
in Humbolt. He is no office-seeker, and has taken no part in
township affairs, except connected with the schools. He owns
280 acres in Humbolt Twp., which he has earned by his own labor and
management; his parents, Richard and Hannah Willson Beale,
were natives of Virginia; she died in Kentucky and he died in Nachez,
Miss.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 633 |
Mattoon Twp. -
J. J. BEALL, student at
law, Mattoon; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Nov. 26, 1843; his father
came with his family to Illinois in the fall of 1852, and settled in
Wayne Co. Here he engaged in farming. The subject of
this sketch passed his life upon the farm and obtained his education
at the common schools. In February, 1862, he left home, and
began the trade of saddle and harness maker; he worked under
instruction three years; he then worked as a journeyman at his trade
till 1870; in December, 1870, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of
Coles Co., under A. M. Brown, Sheriff. This position he
held two years. In 1873 he was elected Justice of the Peace in
Mattoon Twp., and served four years. In May, 1877, he began
work again at his trade, and Jan. 28, 1878, entered the office of
Craig & Craig as clerk and student. He was married Dec.
26, 1867, to Ellen McGuire, a native of Ireland. Has
three children - James R., Julian E. and Louisa A.
Owns real estate in the city. In 1874, he was chosen
Assistant Supervisor of Mattoon Twp; in January, 1878, he was
appointed and commissioned by Gov. Cullom a Notary Public for
Coles Co. for four years.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 540 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
JESSE BEALS, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Mattoon; owns 250 acres;
was born in Crawford Co., Ind., Apr. 26, 1826; lived with his father
until 1836, and then 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 he now holds. Mr.
Beals is a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and
has had charge of the Good Hope Church, in this township, for a
number of years; he has had several discussions on questions of
theology, and has had one debate with the Rev. Rolly Martin,
of Danville, Vermilion Co., Ill., one with Rev. Clark Braden,
President of Carbondale University, and several other ministers of
considerable note; Mr. Beals' parents are native of
Pennsylvania.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 584 |
North Okaw Twp. -
GEORGE BEATTY,
farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; was born in the West Riding
of Yorkshire, England, April 6, 1810; came to the United States in
1830, to this State, and settled in Coles Co. in 1865. He was
married April 13, 1834, to Miss Anne Clegg, now deceased; she
was born in Derbyshire, England, October, 1812, and died Jan. 15,
1873; Elizabeth is the only child they have had. The farm of
Mr. Beatty consists of eighty acres, valued at $3,000.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 646 |
Humbolt Twp. -
JOHN W. BEAVERS,
deceased; was born in Hampshire Co., Va., Sept. 3, 1814; he married
Miss Mary A. Madden Sept. 10, 1840; she was born in
Hampshire Co., Va., March 26, 1819; they had seven children, six
living - Samuel M., John B., Richard R., George W., Marcellus S.
and Mary E. He lived in Virginia until 1854, when he
moved to Illinois, and settled about one-fourth of a mile west of
the present village of Humbolt; in 1856, he moved to Iowa, and in
1857 he came to the present place; he was one of the first Road
Commissioners in this township under organization; he also held the
office of Supervisor for a number of years; he lived on the present
place until his death, April 14, 1875. Mrs. Beavers and
family all live here on the old homestead. All the children
are single except Marcellus S., who married Miss Sallie A.
Nicholson, of Humbolt Twp., Feb. 23, 1879.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 633 |
Hutton Twp. -
MATTHIAS BEAVERS,
farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Meade Co., Ky., June 6, 1823; his
parents, William and Nancy, came to Clay Co., Ind., while he
was an infant, and settled near Bowling Green, and after remaining
there some six or seven years, came to Clark Co., and lived in the
"Rich Woods," near Westfield, and about the year 1833, came to Coles
Co. Mr. Beavers remained with his parents up to the age
of 21, when he married Miss Elizabeth Endsley, daughter of
Andrew Endsley of Hutton Tp., on Jan. 2, 1845; shortly after, he
came to his present farm on Sec. 13, where he at present resides; he
owns 180 acres, mostly improved. Mr. Beavers remembers
well when the Indians were encamped near the cabins of the settlers,
and was present when they took up their march at the call of Black
Hawk. His wife was born Oct. 8, 1820; they had nine children,
six living - Albert, born Oct. 15, 1845; Matilda J. (now
Mrs. R. Bennet, of Clark Co.), born Sept. 7, 1848;
Isabel (now Mrs. Andrew Lee, of Clark Co.), born Aug. 28,
1850; Nancy E., born April 24, 1854; Sarah C. (now
Mrs. Owen Lee, of Hutton Tp.), born Oct. 15, 1856, and
Lewis R., born May 1, 1860, and three boys, who died in
infancy. His son Albert enlisted in the 54th Regt. Ill.
Vols. and was discharged on account of disability.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 633 |
Hutton Twp. -
WILLIAM BEAVERS,
farmer; P. O. Hutton; is one of the pioneers of this county, and was
born in Loudoun Co., Va., on 23d day of July, 1797; at the age of
17, he left home, driving a team to Barren Co., Ky., remaining there
for four or five years. In the year 1818, he married Miss
Nancy Bradenburg (daughter of Henry Bradenburg), and
after remaining at the home of her parents one year, rented a farm
for one year, and, in 1820, went to Clay Co., Ind., remaining there
for seven years; in 1827, he came to Clark Co., Ill., near
Westfield, and lived there for three years, and, in the year 1830,
entered and moved upon the land upon which he now resides, on Sec.
10, near the village of Salisbury; he owns eighty acres.
Mr. Beavers first built a log cabin, with a "puncheon floor."
The Kickapoo Indians at that time owned this land and lived all
around him; while cutting some "bee-trees" in Long Point, this
county, he saw the "runners" that had been sent by Black Hawk
calling the Indians together. Mr. Beavers is remarkably
active at his time of life, now being in his 82d year; his
mother died in Virginia while he was an infant, and his father in
Locust Grove, Adams Co., Ohio, where he had moved some years before.
His wife was born in the year 1803; they had seventeen children,
seven boys living - Matthias, Henry, Solomon, William, Barnett,
John and Joseph; three girls - Sallie Ann
(now Mrs. William Ashby), Nancy (now Mrs. Joseph
Dyer) and Martha J. (now Mrs. Andrew Strader); seven deceased - Rebecca M., J. Calvin, Polly, Elizabeth and
Fannie, and two who died in infancy.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 608 |
Hutton Twp. -
HENRY BELL, farmer; P.
O. Hutton; was born in Randolph Co., N. C., in the year 1819; his
parents Pierce and Rebecca moved to Preble Co., Ohio, in the
year 1820, and after remaining about fifteen years, moved to Rush
Co., Ind., where they lived for about fifteen or twenty years; in
1850, they came to Coles Co. and settled on Sec. 16, where his
father died at the age of 88, his mother dying the year afterward.
Mr. Bell moved to his present farm on Sec. 15, Feb. 15, 1856,
containing 80 acres. In 1843, he married in Indiana Miss
Sarah Cox (daughter of Isaac Cox, of North Carolina); she
died in the year 1853; they had five children; one living, Mary
(now Mrs. N. Dunbar, of Charleston), born March, 1866;
and four died - Jane E., Sarah E., Eli and one that died in
infancy. He married his second wife Mrs. Nancy Brewer
(widow of Jesse Bell), Feb. 12, 1853; she died Aug. 5, 1875;
they had eleven children, all living - Jonas V., born Nov.
10, 1854; Jesse B., Nov. 19, 1856; Lucretia, March 17,
1858; William H., June 10, 1859; Alman, Oct. 14, 1860;
Louisa, June 23, 1862; John, Oct... 22, 1863;
Margaret D., May 14, 1865; Charles M., Oct. 28, 1866;
Susanna, August 23, 1868, and James E., born March 4,
1871.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 609 |
Paradise Twp. -
MRS. DIANTHA F.
BENEFIEL, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the daughter
of James and Elizabeth Shores of Bradford Co., Pa.;
moved to Coles Co., Oct. 12, 1843; was born in Bradford Co., Penn.,
Sheshequin Twp. Apr. 22, 1823; her maiden name was Diantha F.
Shores; was married to her first husband, William N. Smith,
Mar. 31, 1844; names of children, boys - George W., Miren L.,
Julius E., William W.; girls - Elizabeth H., Arloa N., Irena
S. George W. died Jan. 24, 1871. Her husband,
William W. Smith, died Apr. 8, 1861; is the owner of 320 acres
of land, also a large four-mill at Kickapoo, also three offices and
four stone houses in Mattoon; is all valued at or near $30,000; was
married to her second husband, Mr. George W. Benefiel, Fed.
6, 1868; has no children by her second husband; her first husband's
parents' names were Jerrad and Clarinda Smith, of Coles Co.,
Ill. Jerrad died Sep., 26, 1844; Clarinda died
Sept. 18, 1850.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 650 |
Paradise Twp. -
GEORGE W. BENEFIEL, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of Robert and
Nancy Benefiel; was born in Lawrence Co., Ill., on the 1st day
of July, 1817. He was married to Jane Ryker the 23d day
of Jan., 1838, and moved to Coles Co. Oct. 19, 1855; names of
children, boys - Robert N., James H., John S., Peter R., Francis
M.; girls - Sarah A., Amy A., Ida M. His son
John S. died in the army Mar. 1, 1863, and his daughter
Ida died Dec. 4, 1873. He served in the late war as
Wagonmaster and Battalion Sergeant in Co. #, 5th I. V. C. He
was married to his second wife, Diantha F. Smith, of Coles
Co., Ill., Feb. 6, 1868. Mr. G. W. Benefiel is one of
the oldest settlers of Lawrence Co., Illinois, and the second white
child born in that county; his father was one of the three first
settlers of this State; was in Government service.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 650 |
Mattoon Twp. -
J. B. BENEFIEL, proprietor Boss Meat Market,
Mattoon; was born in Oaktown, Knox Co., Ind., Apr. 22, 1847; his
father was a physician and a man of far more than ordinary ability;
J. B. passed his early life in attendance upon school;
in 1851, his father came to Mattoon, Ill.; here he entered upon the
practice of his profession and succeeded in building up a large and
lucrative practice; young Beneficial entered the graded
schools of this city, designing to complete the course, preparatory
to entering the law department of Michigan University; his father
having became involved in professional difficulty in 1867,
precipitately fled the country, abandoning his family, and under an
assumed name has lived in Craig, Mo., ever since; very recently he
has been discovered, and has partially made restitution to his
family for past neglect; on the desertion of his father, the cares
of the family devolved upon the hands of J. B., the eldest of
the children; abandoning his studies, he applied himself to
the support of his mother and the younger members of the family; in
August, 1867, he entered the employ of the Merchants' Union Express
Co., and, in the spring of 1868' that of the "American Express Co.;
he was thus employed about three years; in 1871, he entered the
employ of J. T. Southern in buying and shipping grain and in
the sale of agricultural implements; in the fall of 1873, he
engaged in the manufacture of soap in company with J. P. Clark;
in 1875, he began his present business, and has since continued it.
He was married Jan. 21, 1874, to Ellen F. Aldridge, a native
of Arkansas; has had one child - Roy M., born Nov. 26, 1874,
died Feb. 15, 1877. Owns real estate in the city.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 541 |
Hutton Twp. -
ABRAHAM BENNETT, minister of United Brethren Church,
Westfield; was born in Meade Co. Ky., Nov. 15, 1828; after remaining
at home until the age of 18, he started out in life for himself,
flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for some five or sis
years; in the year 1852, he commenced traveling in the ministry of
the United Brethren Church, having from his youth been connected
with that Church; in the same year, leaving his family in Kentucky,
he traveled circuit for some six years in Indiana, when, having
returned to Kentucky, was engaged in missionary work through that
State for three successive years; having sold his farm, he moved his
family to Harrison Co., Ind., in what is widely known as the
"Rippidan Valley," and continued traveling circuit up to the fall of
1864, when he moved to Hutton Tp., Coles Co., and settled upon his
present farm when it was a dense wood; at first, before the
establishment of a circuit in Hutton Tp., Mr. Bennett engaged
in missionary work until it became a circuit, when he filled the
position of a local minister, and was greatly instrumental in
building the "West Liberty Chapel" of the U. B. Church, and also "Weaver
Chapel" on the edge of "Park Prairie." He married Miss
Martha Jane Chism (daughter of John Chism,
of Meade Co., Ky.), on July 4, 1850; she was born Jan. 5, 1831; they
had eight children, four boys, three living—John J., James
Hand, David S.; one died—George W.; and four
girls, two living—Laura A. and Martha J., and two
died—Mary E. and Purva C.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 610 |
Hutton Twp. -
GEORGE BIDLE, farmer and stockraiser; P. O.
Westfield; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Sept. 25, 1833; he
remained there until he was 17 years of age; his parents having died
in Germany Mr. Bidle emigrated to the United States, landing
in New York City in April, 1852, and first went to New Jersey,
remaining there four months working upon a farm, after which he went
to Louisville, Ky., and worked at the wagon-maker's trade for two
years, when he came to Westfield, Clark Co., Ill., and from there,
in the fall of 1865, moved to Coles Co., and settled upon the farm
upon which he now resides, farming 250 acres, all but twenty acres
inclosed; has been Justice of the Peace for nine years, and at
present School Director. He married Christiana Airey,
of Penny Co., Ohio, in Hutton Tp. of this county, Jan. 17, 18156;
they have three children - Henry, born Apr. 22, 1857;
Richard A., Sept. 2, 1858; and Charles, Oct. 20, 1860.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 610 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
GOTTLIEB F. BIDLE, farmer and blacksmith, Sec.
16; P. O. Campbell; owns 230 acres; was born in Essling Co.,
Germany, Jan. 21, 1835; his parents died when he was quite young; he
came to this country when 17 years of age, and located in Coles Co.,
Ill., June 18, 1855, and was married to Sophrona Walker Oct.
30, 1856, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 13, 1839; they have
had ten children, nine of whom are living, viz., Albert F., James
H., Mary E., David, George, Louisa C., Joseph, Julia and
Richard; deceased - John C. Mr. Bidle has been
School Director nine years, Pathmaster one term, and is Justice of
the Peace at the present time. He was in the late war as
blacksmith for the 123d I. V. I. (afterward mounted).
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 584 |
North Okaw Twp. -
A. J. BIGELOW, farmer
and stock-raiser; P. O. Fullers Point; one of the early settlers;
was born in Massachusetts, Oct. 10, 1829; came to this State in
1852, and settled in Edgar Co.; he removed to Coles Co. in 1852,
where he has since resided; his farm consists of 254 acres, valued
at $7,000. He was married to Miss Ada Green, who was
born in Massachusetts; they have two children - Levi and
Charley E. Sine his residence in the township, he has held
the office of Supervisor one year and School Director ten years.
He was a participant in the late war, having enlisted in the 79th I.
V. I.; after volunteering, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant,
and later was promoted to First Lieutenant, and as such served
faithfully for several months, when he was promoted to Captain; he
served in the war about three years, and was discharged with honor
at its close.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 646 |
Charleston Twp. -
GEORGE BIRCH,
farmer; P. O. Charleston; was born near Shrewsbury, Shropshire,
England, March 25,1815; he is a son of William Birch,
a farmer who, in 1S33, came to America with his family, and lived
for three years near Philadelphia, occupying an old house, once the
residence of William Penn, on the bank of the
Schuylkill, near Fairmount Park; in 1836, they removed to Illinois,
and settled near Hitesville, Coles Co., where his father died April
15, 1864, at the age of 88 years; Mr. Birch spent the
first few years of his residence in this county in working at farm
labor; he has worked for 50 cents a day and waited until Christmas
for his pay. He was married on his twenty-sixth birthday,
March 25, 1841, to Miss Catherine Jones,
a daughter of William Jones; she was born in Jefferson
Co., Ky., March 19, 1820, and came with her parents to Coles Co.
about 1831; in 1844, they settled on a farm near Hitesville, where
they resided for more than thirty-three years, and, in 1878, removed
to Charleston, where they now reside; Mr. Birch, in
1842, hauled wheat to Chicago, a distance of 180 miles, and there
sold it for 62½ cents per
bushel; he has driven hogs to Clinton, Ind., and sold them for $1.25
to $2 per hundred, ' net weight; Mrs. Birch, when a
girl, has dropped corn for 25 cents a day; and, after her marriage,
worked in the field until near noon, and would then go to the house
and &et dinner. Mr. Birch is an example of a
substantial, successful farmer, and feels a pardonable pride in
recalling to mind the hardships of the early days in Coles Co.; he
has recently purchased the Glassco farm of 300 acres, two miles west
of the Court House, and still retains 40 acres of land in Ashmore Tp.;
he has served as School Director and School Treasurer. They have had
twelve children, eight of whom are living—William, a
resident of Ashmore Tp., Jacob, of St. Clair Co., Mo., Martha J.
(now Mrs. Lafayette Connelly, of Henry Co., Mo.) George
and Jonathan (both now of Henry Co., Mo.), Lizzie E.,
Frank and Marv S.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 514 |
Paradise Twp. -
CHARLES
W. BISHOP, physician; P. O. Etna; is the son
of H. S. & Harriet L. Bishop; was born in Litchfield, Ky.,
Dec. 15, 1846; moved to Coles Co. Jan. 12, 1869, and stayed ten
months, and then moved to Missouri; from there to Wilson Co., Kan.,
then back to Kentucky, and commenced the practice of medicine in
Litchfield, and practiced two and one-half years, then came back to
Coles Co., Ill., and commenced the practice of medicine here, which
he still continues; was a graduate of Louisville Medical University
Oct. 1, 1866. In the owner of ninety acres of land,
valued at $2,400. He was married to Emma E. Clark, of
Coles Co.; the names of the children by this union are a boy,
Francis E. Bishop, born Nov. 27, 1876. His father
is still living in Litchfield, Ky.; his mother died Dec. 21, 1863,
in the 39th year of her age.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 649 |
Charleston Twp. -
FRANK L. BISHOP,
proprietor of the Bee-Hive store, dealer in dry goods and notions,
boots and shoes, etc., Charleston; was born in Mt. Vernon, Knox
Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1846; he is a son of Stephen and
Joanna (Bane) Bishop, and came with his
father's family to Coles Co., as above stated; he was engaged as a
clerk for Mathews, Alexander & Co., in Charleston, for three years,
after which he spent three years in La Fayette, Ind; he then engaged
in general merchandising in Lovington, Ill., the firm being Dickson
& Bishop; after remaining there three years, he returned to
Charleston and established his present business in September, 1876.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 515 |
Charleston Twp. -
STEPHEN BISHOP,
farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Charleston; was born near Providence,
R. I., May 30, 1815; when he was but 2 years old, his parents
emigrated to the then Far West, and located in Knox Co.. Ohio, where
his father entered land from the Government, and engaged in farming,
being among the pioneers in that part of the State; Knox Co. was
then comparatively a wilderness; Mt. Vernon, the county seat—now a
city of about 10,000 inhabitants—containing at that time but half a
dozen houses; Mr. Bishop remained at home on the farm
until he was 20 years of age, and then learned the trade of a
blacksmith, and going to Mt. Vernon, carried on the carriage-making
business there until 1858, when he removed to Illinois, and settled
on a farm lying mostly in Coles. Co., his house, however, being
situated just over the line in Clark Co.; in the spring of 1863, he
removed to a farm in Seven Hickory Tp., containing 248 acres, on
which he continued to reside until September, 1876, when he removed
to Charleston, still retaining his farm in Seven Hickory Tp., and
twenty acres of timber in Charleston Tp.; Mr. Bishop
served one term as Justice of the Peace. He was married Feb. 25,
1841, to Miss Joanna Bane, of Knox Co., Ohio,
who was born in Washington Co., Penn, Oct. 8, 1822; they have seven
children—Jasper N., now of Lovington, Ill.; Frank
L., of Charleston; Anna A., wife of G. H. Harvey,
of Newark, Ohio; Minnie M., Lizzie C, Charles E. and
Willie B.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 515 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
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.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 584 |
Ashmore Twp. -
REV. STEPHEN J. BOVELL,
Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Ashmore; was born in Washington
Co., East Tenn., May 27, 1827. His father, Rev. J. V.
Bovell, was a native of Virginia; removed to Tennessee at an
early age: graduated at Washington College at the age of 20 years,
and when 26 years old, became president of that institution, and
occupied the position three years. In June, 1829, he received
a call to the Presbyterian Church, in Paris, Ill., and removed to
that place, where he died but a few months afterward, leaving a wife
and four children; Mr. Bovell's mother, Christiana Gray
Bovell, was a native of Tennessee, and now resides with her son;
in 1835, the mother, with her family, removed to Coles Co., near
Charleston; Mr. Bovell remained on the farm until the age of
20, then, in 1847, returned to Paris, where he spent two years as a
student in the Edgar Academy, then under the control of Rev. H.
R. Venable. In 1849, he entered Hanover College, where he
graduated in 1852; he then went to Mississippi and engaged in
teaching, but at the end of one year, he received an attack of
paralysis, which disabled him from work for a year and a half; in
the fall of 1854, he entered the New Albany Theological Seminary,
where he spent one year, when, owning to a relapse of his former
paralysis, he was obliged to discontinue his studies; recovering
partially in the spring of 1856, he engaged, by the advice of his
physician, in farming, which he continued two years; he then went to
Palestine, Ill., where he taught for eight years, pursuing his
theological studies in the mean time; he was licensed
to preach in April, 1861, and ordained in April, 1865; he came to
Ashmore the same year, and, in 189, was elected Superintendent of
Schools of Coles Co., holding that office four years. He was
married March 6, 1856, to Miss Martha J. Howe, of
Flemingsburg, Ky., and has two children living - Henry P. and
Luella.
(Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 593) |
Humbolt Twp. -
D. A.
BOWMAN, blacksmith and general jobber; P. O. Humbolt, Ill.;
was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 5, 1845. He married Miss
Sarah McCravy Oct. 1, 1867; she was born in East Tennessee; they
had three children, two living, viz., Charles A. and Lydia L.
He lived in Ohio three years, when, with his parents, he came to
Illinois, and settled near Robinson; in 1860, he began to learn his
trade with T. J. Sims, plow-manufacturer at that place.
In 1864, he enlisted in the 135th Ill. Regt., he being Regimental
Fifer; was discharged in November following, and began work at his
trade with Mr. Stifle, of Stiflesville; next
worked at Oblong City with Mr. Zugler; next with Mr.
Sentney, in Humbolt; then with Miller & Miller,
of Mattoon, and, in August, 1866, he began work in Areola for Mr.
Jacobs, and, in June, 1867, he worked in Humbolt for Mr.
Sentney, and, in October, after his marriage, he went in
partnership with Mr. Jacobs, of Areola; in 1868, he
worked for Mr. Garrett, in Windsor, and, in 1869, he
opened a shop of his own in Areola; in the fall of the same year, he
came to Humbolt and carried on wagon and carriage making and
blacksmithing; in 1874, he sold his wagon business and rented out
his blacksmith-shop and took a position at Homer in the carriage
factory of Mr. Cusick; in 1875, he returned to Humbolt
and resumed business in his former stand, and, as will be seen, his
nineteen years' experience has been such as to specially adapt him
to his specialties of horse-shoeing and plow-work.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm.
LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 634 |
Seven Hickory Twp -
A. J. BRADFORD, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O.
Hinesboro, Douglas Co.; the subject of this sketch was born in
Greene Co., Penn., Nov. 12, 1832. He married Miss Susan S.
Emory Mar. 31, 1854; she was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Dec. 24,
1836; they had eight children, seven living, viz., Henry M., Mary
J., B. Emory, Charles C., S. Edwin, John B., and Perrie;
Lineous W., died Oct. 10, 1865. He lived in
Pennsylvania about sixteen years, when, with his brother-in-law, he
went to Ohio and settled in Licking Co., where he remained until
1857, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles (now Douglas)
Co.; remained one year, when he came to his present place, building
on the Coles Co. part of farm; in 1876, he came to his present
residence; he owns 240 acres, which he has earned by his own labor
and management. His parents, Henry and Mrs. Hannah Morris
Bradford, were natives of Pennsylvania; he died in 1839; she is
living near the old homestead with a son.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 639 |
Paradise Twp. -
PATRICK BRADLEY, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Benjamin
and Elizabeth Bradley; was born in Morgan Co., Ind., Jan. 17,
1830, and moved to Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 12, 1866; is the owner of
110 acres of land, valued at or near $3,000; was Commissioner of
Highways three years, also School Trustee a number of years.
Was married to Elizabeth Stroble Feb. 26, 1854; names of
children, boys - John C. F., born July 14, 1856; Zachary,
born Aug. 24, 1862; James B., born July 1, 1866; girl -
Estella, born Jan. 5, 1872. His father, Benjamin
Bradley, was one of the oldest settlers of Morgan Co., Ind.;
settled Nov. 12, 1829; died Nov. 11, 1865, in the 77th year of his
age; his mother, Elizabeth Bradley, died Mar. 24, 1862, in
the 64th year of her age.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 650 |
Hutton Twp. -
C. P. BRANDENBURG, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Clay
Co., Ind., Aug. 24, 1828; his parents, Solomon O. and Alezan,
were among the first settlers of this county, having settled in the
year 1829, on Sec. 14, of Hutton Tp.; his father died in 1861, and
his mother went to reside with his brother William H., and
died in May, 1875; Mr. Brandenburg lived with his parents up
to the age of 17, when he went to Wisconsin and engaged in hauling
lead during the summer for eleven seasons, returning to his father's
during the winter months; his journey back and forth was through a
total wilderness, where for miles not a farmhouse was to be seen,
encamping at night; in 1856, he settled on Sec. 14, in this
township, having purchased a farm and improved it, there being only
a log cabin upon it, which is still standing, now occupied by
John Jenkins, on Sec. 14; he owns 210 acres of land. He
married his first wife, Miss Mary Cox, of Hutton Tp., on Feb.
28, 1850; she died July 5, 1875; they had twelve children, seven
living - Almorinda, born Sept. 11, 1856; Charles P.,
born Jan. 13, 1858; Theodore, Nov. 25, 1860; William N.,
Aug. 25, 1862; George E., Jan. 11, 1864; Clayborn,
Dec. 13, 1866, and Edward, born Oct. 13, 1872, and five
deceased - John, born July 8, 1855, died Oct. 16, 1855;
Thomas J., born July 29, 1852, died Oct. 8, 1870, and three died
in infancy. He married his second wife, Miss Nancy J. Baker,
of Hutton Tp., July 22, 1877; she was born in April, 1845; they have
one child - Henry, born Feb. 18, 1878.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 610 |
Hutton Twp. -
JAMES BRANDENBURG, farmer; P. O. Diona; was born in Harden
Co., Ky., Apr. 20, 1820; when he was about 3 years of age, his
parents moved to Clay Co., Ind., and from there, in the year 1829,
came to this county. Mr. Brandenburg lived at home,
working in the neighborhood, until he was 18 years of age, when he
went to Wisconsin and was engaged in teaming for two years; in 1844,
he settled southeast of Salisbury, in this township, and lived there
for twelve or thirteen years, when he purchased a farm on Sec. 32,
and after being there thirteen years moved to his present farm on
Sec. 7, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Brandenburg
is the eldest son of Solomon Brandenburg. He married
Jan. 29, 1843, Miss Neety Cooper, daughter of Jeremiah
Cooper, a native of North Carolina, who settled in Coles Co. in
the year 1839; they had seven children; four living - William,
born Jan. 22, 1847, who married Miss Angeline Buley in 1865;
Lucinda (now Mrs. Isaiah Murphy), born June 19, 1849;
Henry L., born Nov. 13, 1854, who married Miss Amanda
Gilbert July, 1877; Neety (now Mrs. Wm. H. Goodman),
born Sept. 26, 1857; three deceased - Milton, born Dec. 2,
1844, died Jan. 8, 1848; Nancy, born Oct. 10, 1851, died Apr.
2, 1852, and Amanda, born Feb. 9, 1853, died Mar. 2, 1853.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 609 |
Hutton Twp. -
SOLOMON BRANDENBURG, farmer; P. O. Hutton; is the fifth son
of Solomon B. Brandenburg, one of the early settlers of this
county, and was born in Hutton Tp. Sept. 3, 1830; at the age of 19
he went to Wisconsin and engaged in hauling lead with his brothers
C. P. and Wm. H., during the summer, for nine years; in
the year 1858, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides on
Sec. 13. He married Mrs. Sallie Smith (daughter of
James Cox and widow of George Smith), Feb. 5, 1850; they
had seven children, five lliving - Ford, born Dec. 27, 1850;
Polly, June 23, 1855; Hester A., Aug. 26, 1860;
Ulysses G., Nov. 2, 1863, and Rose, born June 30, 1866,
and two deceased - James and Barthena. His son
Ford married Miss Louisa A. Cooper Nov. 17, 1873; he
has two children - Marion O., born Oct. 11, 1874, and
Sallie M., born Jan. 4, 1876.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 609 |
Hutton Twp. -
WILLIAM H. BRANDENBURG, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in
Clay Co., Ind., Oct. 19, 1824, and came to this county with his
parents at 4 years of age, and remained with them up to the age of
17, when he went to Wisconsin, working upon a farm for two
years, then returned to his parents' home, and, making up a tam,
returned to Wisconsin, and was engaged in hauling lead for nine
years; in 1852, he returned to Hutton Tp. and worked out for two
years, when he settled upon the farm on Sec. 13, which he had
purchased; he owns 150 acres of land. He enlisted in Co. H,
10th I. V. C., and served until the close of our late civil war,
being mustered out at San Antonio, Tex. He married Miss
Elizabeth J. Tucker, of Indiana, in July, 1849; she was born in
1828; they had nine children six living - Sarah J., (now
Mrs. John Jenkins, of Hutton Tp.); Mary Ann (now Mrs.
Irvin Morris, of Cumberland Co., Ill.), born June 14, 1850;
Zobeda a. (now Mrs. Charles Franklin, of Cumberland Co.,
Ill.), born Mar. 10, 1853; Williard A., July 12, 1858;
Amanda M., Aug. 30, 1861; Almorinda, Apr. 7, 1858; three
dead - Lydia E., John W. and Alazan.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 609 |
East Oakland Twp. -
J. H. BRANNON, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Oakland;
born in Rockingham Co., Va., Sept. 1, 1836, where he engaged in
farming until 19 years of age, when, in 1855, he emigrated to
Missouri, where ha father died soon after his arrival, when he
returned to Virginia, remaining during the winter, and, in the
spring of 1856, he returned to Illinois, and located in Oakland Tp.,
Coles Co., and engaged in farming, which business he has since
successfully followed; he owns 200 acres of land, mostly under
cultivation. His marriage with Sally A. Troxwell was
celebrated Nov. 11, 1858; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., her
parents being among the early pioneers of this county, settling here
at an early day; they have eight children by this union -
Winfield, Edward, Clara, Semantha H., John W., Hiram L., Franklin
and Minnie L.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm.
LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 559 |
Paradise Twp. -
JAMES
M. BRESEE, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of
Dorcus and Fanny Bresee; was born in Cumberland Co., Ill.,
Jan. 30, 1847; moved to Coles Co., Feb. 12, 1870; is the owner of
120 acres of land valued at near five thousand dollars; was Road
Overseer and School Director for ten years or more; was married to
Sarah J. Stowers, of Coles Co., Apr. 5, 1868. Names of
children - boys: Bird E., born Nov. 18, 1875; girls:
Minnie V., born Aug. 22, 1869; Lillie E., born Oct. 17,
1871; Hellen M., born Mar. 1, 1873. Was in the late
war, 156th I. V. I., Company A. His father, Dorous Bresee,
died in California July 15, 1852. His mother is still living
in Mattoon; was born July 5, 1821.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 650 |
Mattoon Twp. -
V. R.
BRIDGES, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in
Rockingham Co., Va., Jun. 4, 1832; his father settled in Ross Co.,
Ohio, near Chillicothe, in 1836; in 1841, he came to Illinois and
settled in Newton, Jasper Co.; he was engaged in contracting on
public works, both in Ohio and Illinois. Dr. Bridges
acquired a good academic education, mainly through his own
exertions, and at the age of 14, began life for himself. At
the age of 17, he taught his first school; in 1851, he was employed
in the drug store of Dr. H. H. Hayes, at Lawrenceville, Ill.,
and began the study of medicine under him. He next came to
Marshall, and completed his studies under Drs. Payne and
Duncan. In the spring of 1854, he located in Salisbury,
Coles Co., and began the practice of his profession. In 1860,
he came to Mattoon, his present residence. He entered the U.
S. service as Assistant Surgeon of the 62d Regiment, I. V. I.; in
1863, he was promoted to be Surgeon of the 126th Regiment, and was
mustered out in 1865, after the close of the war; soon after his
discharge from the service, he was appointed Examining Surgeon for
the Pension Bureau - a position he still holds. In 1876, he
attended Rush Medical College, from which he graduated Feb. 27,
1877. He was married Jan. 8, 1856, to Mary E. Boyd, a
native of Indiana; four children have been the fruits of the union -
Flora J. and Charles M., living, Edward L. and
Emma, deceased. Has been a member of the City Council a
number of terms, and was President of the Board two terms.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 540 |
Charleston Twp. -
CHARLES R. BRIGGS,
portrait painter, Charleston; was born in Washington Co. N. Y., Jan.
5, 1816; his | father was a farmer and carriage manufacturer in
Easton; at the age of 17 years, he left home, and going to Troy,
apprenticed himself to the trade of a coach-painter; he remained
there four years and helped to paint the first passenger-coaches on
the Albany & Schenectady Railroad; thence he went to Buffalo, N. Y.,
and entered the employ of Benjamin Rathbone, the great
contractor of that city; about a year later, he went to New York
City, and thence, shortly afterward, came West; this was in 1839;
after spending a few months in St. Louis, he located in Coles Co.,
and, after farming one year, engaged in carriage, house and sign
painting in Charleston. He early turned his attention to portrait
painting, for which he had a decided talent, and for the past few
years has made a specialty of the painting of fine stock, a branch
of the art in which he is excelled by none in the State; he started
the first livery-stable in Charleston about 1843, with one horse,
and continued it about a dozen years, running it up to forty-two
horses; in 1848, he opened a farm of 363 acres in the timber
adjoining the city, fencing it in eastern style, mostly in ten-acre
lots, and followed farming for several years. He was married in
September, 1842, to Miss Harriet Stoddert, of
Charleston; they have five children living— Lyzink (wife of
Charles Cleary, of Charleston), Helen, Walter M.,
Charles S. and May; their oldest daughter, Loretta,
died in 1859; Mary died at about 2 years of age, and one son,
Jerome, died in 1873.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 514 |
|
North Okaw Twp. -
J. A. BROTHERTON,
farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Indiana Nov.
12, 1841; came to this State and settled in Coles Co. in 1860; his
farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $2,400. He was
married to Miss Catharine Earls, who was born in Illinois;
they have seven children, viz., Sarah, Delia, William M.,
Lawrence, Lewis, Eva and Robert. Sine Mr. B.'s
residence in the township, he has held the office of School
Director three years.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 646 |
Humbolt Twp. -
BROWN BROS, RICHARD AND
DANIEL, farming, stock and road grading and ditching; P. O.
Humbolt; are natives of Nelson and Hardin Cos., Ky.; they were born
Dec. 22, 1826, and July 22, 1832, respectively. They were born
on the farm, and having always followed farming; they lived in
Kentucky until the fall of 1854, when they came to Illinois, and
settled about ten miles south of Charleston, where they lived about
three months; they then moved on the Springfield road, in Douglas
Co., where they lived one year, when, in 1856, they came to the
present place, and have lived here since. With the exception
of a term as Assessor by Richard, they have held no office,
except connected with the school and road. Richard Brown
married Miss Elizabeth Morrison, of Kentucky, Sept. 23, 1852;
she died Nov. 7, 1860. They had five children, two living,
vi., Sally Ann and Mary Jane. His present wife
was Mrs. O'Bannon, formerly Miss Elizabeth Ann Bridwell;
they were married Feb. 16, 1862; they have two children, viz.,
Ida B. and Richard Alonzo. He owns over 200 acre in
this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management.
Daniel Brown married Miss Mary Morrison, of Kentucky,
Dec. 3, 1853. They had seven children, five living, viz.,
John P., William A. Susan T., James H. and
Alburtis R. He owns over 200 acres in this township, which
he has earned by his own labor and management. Brown Bros.,
Humbolt, Ill.; all kinds of grading and ditching done; estimates
furnished.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 633 |
Ashmore Twp. -
GEORGE A. BROWN, dealer in
hardware, lumber, furniture, etc. (firm of Austin, Brown &
Kimball), Ashmore; was born at the Walnut Grove, in Edgar
Co., Ill., Oct. 17, 1837; he came with his parents, Job W.
and Martha R. Brown, to Coles Co. in 1840; he remained on
the farm until the age of 23 years, receiving his education in the
little lot schoolhouse in the neighborhood; after arriving at age,
he taught school one winter; at 23, he engaged in contracting and
building in Ashmore, building most of the village, including the
Methodist Church and many of the business house and private
dwellings; also helped to build the Presbyterian Church. Among
the business houses may be mentioned those of Austin, Brown
& Kimball, F. M. Waters, Thomas O'Brien, Dr. Robertson, Joshua
Ricketts, A. J. & R. Waters & Co. etc.; in
1872, he engaged in the lumber business, Mr. W. F. Austin
afterward becoming a partner; they added hardware, undertaking,
furniture, etc.; in 1875, Mr. W. C. Kimball became
a member of the firm. Mr. Brown has been a
member and President of the Board of Trustees and the Board of
Education a number of years; he is at present Treasurer of the Board
of Trustees. He was married Jan. 25, 1861, to Miss
Arden O'Brien, a daughter of the late John O'Brien
of Ashmore; they have three children - Walter M., Owen E.
and Job W.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 594 |
|
Ashmore Twp. -
JOBE W. BROWN,
tired, Ashmore; this gentleman was born in Chatham, Middlesex Co.,
Conn., July 15, 1809; his father was Jonathan W. Brown, and
his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Aiken, the
former being a native of Connecticut, and the latter of the island
of Nantucket; when he was but a child, his parents removed to Oneida
Co., N. Y., thence to Milton, Ky., and in 1822 to Lawrence Co.,
Ill.; in Jan., 1825, they removed to Walnut Grove in Edgar Co., then
on the very outskirts of civilization; at that time there was not a
single white inhabitant in the present limits of Coles Co.; his
father resided there until his death June 17, 1867, at the age of 79
years. In 1840, Mr. Brown removed to Ashmore Twp.,
where he had entered eighty acres of land, borrowing for that
purpose $100; to illustrate the struggles of those early days, we
may mention that Mr. Brown was thirteen years in taking up
this first note; he has hauled wheat to Chicago, taking his
provisions and horse feed along with him, and sleeping in his wagon
at night; the journey occupied sixteen days, and on arriving there,
has sold his wheat at 50 cents a bushel. In 1838, he, with his
father and brother, took a contract to build two sections of the old
Terre Haute & Alton R. R., which they completed in 1840.
Mr. Brown added to his farm until he owned at one time 400
acres, a part of which he still retains; in January, 1877, he
removed to the village of Ashmore, where he now lives in the quiet
enjoyment of the fruits of his yeas of toil. He was married
Jan. 1, 1833; to Miss Martha R. Archer, who was born in
Bourbon Co., Ky., Mar. 4, 1808, and was raised in Bloomington, Ind.;
of twelve children, eleven grew to adult age, viz. - Warren E.,
Mary E., wife of Nelson Green; Eliza J., now
Mrs. Wm. P. Green; George A., Jerome A., Lucy A., now deceased;
Sarah R., wife of James Wiley; Caroline A.,
wife of A. J. Waters; Melissa E., wife of Robert Mayfield;
Henrietta M., wife of Richard Waters; Susan M.,
now Mrs. Thomas Sublet; of the ten now living, all are
residents of Coles Co., except Warren E., who is a physician
in Andrew Co., Mo. Mr. Brown has served seven years as
Justice of the Peace, and one year as Supervisor; he was an officer
of the Coles County Agricultural Society for several years.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 594 |
|
Charleston Twp. -
JACOB I. BROWN,
Justice of the Peace, Charleston; a son of John and Rachel Brown;
was born Oct. 12, 1819, near Jonesboro, Washington Co., Tenn.; his
parents afterward removed to Wayne Co., Ind., but soon returned to
Tennessee; their next move was to the White Water River, where his
father and eight brothers and sisters died of yellow fever inside of
a few months. His mother soon afterward removed with her remaining
children, consisting of three sons and one daughter, to Bloomington,
Ind. In 1832 or 1833, he went to learn the printing business, and
worked for different parties till 1840, when he came on foot to
Paris, Ill., and bought the Illinois Statesman printing-office, and
began the publication of a Democratic newspaper; in 1844, he moved
the office to Charleston, and started a paper called the
Investigator, in connection with which he published a religious
periodical edited by Rev. Richard Newport. In 1845, he was
elected Assessor for the county. He was married June 24, 1845, to
Miss Ann E. Javins, who was born near Alexandria, Va., and after
the death of her father, removed with her mother to Vincennes, Ind.,
and after her mother's death, came to Charleston, and resided in the
family of her uncle, Albert Compton. In 1846 or 1847, in company
with W. D. Latshaw, he began the publication of the Illinois
Globe, a Democratic paper, continuing it seven or eight years in the
mean time, he was appointed Postmaster, and held the office under
Presidents Polk, Pierce and Buchanan. He
was also engaged with various partners in the grocery and drug
business till the spring of 1861; in the fall of that year, he was
elected County Clerk, and held that office four years, after which
he engaged in the mercantile business. On the 2d of May, 1868, he
was commissioned Justice of the Peace by Gov. R. J. Oglesby,
and re-elected to the same office in 1872, and has served as such
ever since; he has been several times a member of the City Council,
and served twice on the Board of Education, and is now a member of
the School Board for the township.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 512 |
|
Ashmore Twp. -
WM.
H. BROWN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; was born in
Oneida Co., N.Y., Mar. 23, 1813, being a son of Jonathan W.
and Elizabeth (Aiken) Brown, and
accompanied his parents in their removal to Milton, Ky., to Lawrence
Co., Ill., and to the Walnut Grove, Edgar Co., in Jan., 1825.
He remained at home until he was nearly 21, when he began working on
a farm; he worked at various employments in different places until
he was married, Nov. 4, 1835, to Miss Elizabeth McGhan,
of Clark Co.; he then settled on a farm in Clark Co. During
the summer of 1838, he was associated with his father and brother in
grading a portion of the old Terre Haute & Alton Railroad. His
wife died Sept. 14, 1838, leaving one son, William W.,
who, in the late war was Orderly Sergeant of Co. H, 10th I. V. C.,
and was killed at the capture of Little Rock, Ark. In the
spring of 1839, Mr. Brown came to Coles Co. and on
the 13th of June, 1839, married Mrs. Emily Buck, a
daughter of John T. Olmsted, and old pioneer of
Edgar Co. Of nine children of this marriage, six are now
living - John O. (now a resident of Charleston,
Harriet, wife of James Bull, of Edgar
Co.), Frederick, James H., Edwin W.
and Francis A.; their eldest daughter, Mary
Elizabeth, died April 19, 1849, at the age of 7½
years; Emma A. died Nov. 18, 1870, at nearly 20
years of age; George W. died Mar. 15, 1862, at 16
years of age. Mr. Brown settled on his
present farm in January, 1842, where he owns 336 acres of land well
improved; he began live a poor man, and by his industry, economy and
good management has acquired a comfortable fortune, and is
considered one of the most substantial citizens of Coles Co.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 595 |
Hutton Twp. -
MRS. SARAH ANN BRYANT, P. O. Westfield, Clark Co.; was the
daughter of Samuel Jack, of Ohio, who was a native of
Virginia; she came to Coles Co. with her parents when she was 19
years of age, where they both died. She married James
Parker May 26, 1842; he was the son of George Parker,
and died May 7, 1864; they had ten children, two only living —
Matilda J., now Mrs. John Anderson, of Hutton Tp.;
Harriet R., now Mrs. Wm. Mars, of Johnson Co., Mo.; eight
deceased—
Jonathan, who enlisted in Co. "F," 123d Regt. Ill. Vols., was
killed at the battle of Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862; William J.,
Jeptha, Samuel, Emeline, Sarah (who married Ashbury Lemaster, of
Jasper Co., Ill., January, 1869), Melissa A., and one that
died in infancy. She married her second husband, Mr.
John Bryant, of Indiana, August, 1806; he died Dec. 9, 1869.
Mr. Parker was a Deacon of Good Hope Baptist Church
for many years; Mr. Bryant was a Methodist and Mrs.
Bryant a Baptist.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 610 |
|
Charleston Twp. -
EUGENE B. BUCK,
editor and proprietor of the Charleston Courier, Charleston; was
born in Fayette Co., Ind., Oct. 12, 1834; when he was about five
years old, his father's family removed to McLean Co., Ill.; he
served his apprenticeship to the printer's trade in Bloomington; in
1852, he went to Peoria, Ill., and, in 1855, was connected with the
publication of the Pekin Plaindealer; in 1856, he was associated
with four other journeymen printers in running a co-operative daily
paper in Peoria; in 1857, he conducted the Washington Advertiser, in
Franklin Co., Mo. in 1859, he edited the Daily Enterprise, in
Decatur, Ill., and, in 1861 and 1862, the Magnet in that city; in
1864, he run the Constitution, a campaign paper, in Pontiac,
Livingston Co., Ill., and, the next year—1865—he started the
Bloomington Journal; in 1868, he be came connected with the
Charleston Courier, a live weekly newspaper and a vigorous advocate
of the principles of the Democratic party, and, in 1874, became sole
proprietor and editor the esteem in which Mr. Buck is
held by the editorial profession is manifest from the fact that, in
1865, he was chosen President of the Illinois Press Association, a
member of the Executive Board in 1877, and is at present a Vice
President of that body; he is a Director of the Second National
Bank; in 1876, he received the nomination as Representative to the
State Legislature, but, owing to disaffection, withdrew from the
contest; for nine years, he has been a member of the Board of
Supervisors, and was for seven years Chairman of the Board; he has
also been a member of the Board of Education of this city. He was
married Feb. 11, 1860, to Miss Mary C. Jones, of Decatur,
Ill., and has four children—Ida May, Katie Florence,
Willie Clarence and Eugene Clifford.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 513 |
East Oakland Twp.
JOHN BUCKLER, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O.
Oakland; born in Marion Co., Ky., June 22, 1838, where he was
engaged farming until 16 years of age, when he removed to Illinois
and located in Edgar Co., in 1854, where he was employed as farm
laborer until 1862, at which time he rented and farmed until 1874,
when he purchased eighty acres, which he worked four years; then
sold out, and, after living in Douglas Co. eight months, purchased
his present place of 160 acres, where he now lives, on Sec. 4, East
Oakland Tp. He married April 7, 1862, to Harriet
Davis; she was born in Clark Co., Ill.; they have five
children by this union, viz., Rosannah, Richard T., Emma
Jane, Lorenzo Dow, Nettie V.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 ~ Page 560 |
Mattoon Twp. -
WM. BURGESS,
manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Mattoon; was born in
North Molton, Devonshire, Eng., Oct. 12, 1827; he emigrated to
America in May, 1849; for two years after coming, he followed his
trade in Syracuse, N. Y.; he subsequently lived at various points in
New York, Cortland, Elmira, Tioga Point, Bath, Corwin, Addison, etc.
In the spring of 1855, he returned to England remaining one year.
In 1856 he returned to America, stopping for a season in New York;
thence to Pennsylvania; thence back to New York, In June, 1857 he
went to Canada, remained but a short time, and next went to
Michigan; thence to La Fayette, Ind., from there to Covington, Ind.;
thence to Decatur, Ill. During these years he followed his
trade. In May 1860, he came to Mattoon and opened up his
present store. He is the oldest established boot and shoe
merchant in the city. He was married in November, 1862, to
Agness Evans, a native of England; three children have been born
to them. - Mary E., Emily F., living; Jennie,
deceased; they have also an adopted son - Richard. Owns
forty acres in Mattoon Twp.; also two business houses and a
residence in the city. Is at present a member of the City
Council.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 540 |
East Oakland Twp. -
JOHN BURWELL, retired farmer; P. O.
Oakland; born in Morris Co., N. J., Feb. 1, 1813, where he engaged
in the manufacture of wrought iron until 19 yeas of age, when he
emigrated West and engaged at his trade in the Sates of Kentucky,
Tennessee and Ohio, until 1840, when he abandoned his trade and
located upon his farm in Delaware Co., Ohio, where he lived until
1851, when, selling his farm, he emigrated West and located in
Embarrass Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., purchasing a farm of 480 acres,
which he worked until the spring of 1856, when he removed to
Oakland, where he has since continued to live, with the exception of
two years which he spent upon his farm; he owns 310 acres of prairie
and timber land in Coles Co., Ill., and 320 acres in Henry Co., near
Newton, Kan. He married Sept. 19, 1833, to Missouri
Thorp; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio; she died in
1853, leaving five children - Amos, Mary, Moses, John, Alice.
His marriage with Lucy Ann Terhune was celebrated
Sept. 19, 1853; she was born in Johnson Co., Ind.; she died in 1856,
leaving one child, since deceased. He married Apr. 18, 1857,
for his third wife, Nannie McCrum; she was born in
Huntingdon Co., Penn., Oct. 3, 1820; one child was the fruit of this
union - Frank P., born Dec. 31, 1859.
Mr. Burwell followed milling in Oakland from 1856 until
1875, when he rented his flour and feed mill and retired from active
labor.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 560 |
Morgan Twp. -
JAMES H. BUSBEY, farmer, Sec. 22;
P. O. Oakland; one of the pioneers of Coles Co.; born in Clark Co.,
Ohio, Apr. 22, 1823, where he attended school and engaged in
farming, until 16 years of age, when he emigrated to Coles Co.,
Ill., and located in what is now the south part of Douglas Co., in
the fall of 1839. He is son of Hamilton Busbey,
who was born July 5, 1792, in Virginia; he emigrated to Ohio about
the year 1815, where he lived until he emigrated to Illinois, where
he died Dec. 16, 1847; Mrs. Busbey, whose maiden
name was Sophia Lewis, was born in Virginia, Mar.
31, 1796; she died Apr. 1, 1855, leaving eleven children now living
- Thomas C., Susan M., Elmira M., William D., James H.,
Harriet E., Ann L., John H., Maria, George W., Henry C.
The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until their
decrease, which occurred as stated above; he remained upon the old
farm until 1856, when he rented land, and engaged in farming, until
1861, when he purchased his present place, where he has since
continued to live; he owns upward of eighty acres of prairie and
timber lands. He married, Oct. 12, 1856, to Sarah J.
Naphew; she was born in Ohio Oct. 19, 1831; they have six
children now living by this union, viz.: Nancy E.,
born June 29, 1858; Sophia R., born Jan. 21, 1860;
Orrin U., born Nov. 16, 1861; James M.,
born Aug. 13, 1864; William H. H., born Dec. 25,
1866; Charles A., Aug. 11, 1870.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879~ Page 520
NOTE: For Thomas C. Busbey in Ohio, go to
www.ohiogenealogyexpress.com/clark and click on biographies. |
East Oakland Twp. -
JOSIAH H. BUSBEY, book-keeper,
Oakland; born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 6, 1847, where he engaged in
farming and attended school until Feb. 24, 1864, when he enlisted in
the 66th I. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union; the
66th was composed of picked men from the various Northwestern
States, elected for their skill and accuracy in handling the rifle,
and in the army was known as the Western Sharpshooters; they always
led the advance and in important battles were detailed in squads to
silence rebel batteries, which duty they often accomplished by their
unerring aim, and many a Union soldier to-day owes his existence to
the skill and bravery of the gallant 66th; he was with Sherman on
his march and to at the siege and capture of Atlanta; at Lay's
Ferry, being in the advance, they fought their way, step by step,
for eight miles, losing heavily in killed and wounded; in the
battles of Rome Cross Roads, Dallas and Kenesaw Mountain, they
suffered severely; he was with Sherman on his march through Georgia
to the sea, arriving in Savannah to spend the Christmas of 1864; he
then marched with his regiment north through North and South
Carolina, being engaged in many battles until reaching Morrisville
Station, N. C., when the 66th again had their position in the
advance of Sherman, not to deadly conflict as they had many times
been before, but, to receive the surrender of Johnston and his army;
he then marched to Richmond, Va., then to Washington, where, after
the review of the army, he went to Louisville, Ky., where he was
mustered out of the service July 7, 1865; in 1864, while coming
North upon a furlough, he was made prisoner, but paroled, and at the
expiration of his furlough, again joined his regiment, and remained
until the close of the war. After being mustered out of
service, he returned to Oakland, and worked at harness making for
two years, when he went to Kansas, where he clerked eight months,
returning to Illinois, he worked at his trade for six months, which
he then abandoned on account of ill-health, and, in 1870, engaged as
a book-keeper and head clerk in the dry goods house of L. S.
& S. M. Cash, which position he has since held, with the
exception of three years, which he spent in Virginia, on account of
the ill-health of his wife. He married Nov. 18, 1869,
Mary B. Cash, daughter of Cary J. Cash,
and niece of L. S. & S. M. Cash; she was born in
Amherst Co., Va., July 15, 1851; one child was the fruit of the
union - Ollie May, deceased.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879~ Page 560 |
East Oakland Twp. -
W. D. BUSBEY, farmer and
harness-maker, Oakland; one of the pioneers of Coles Co.; born in
Clark Co., Ohio, Dec. 28, 1820, where he engaged in farming until 19
years of age, when he emigrated West in 1839, and located in Coles
Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming for a period of fifteen
years; in 1860, he located in Oakland, and engaged in the harness
and saddlery trade, which business he has since followed, in
connection with farming; he owns his shop and eighty acres of land,
upon which his residence stands, which he erected in 1854; he held
the office of Justice of the Peace for upward of sixteen years in
the township in which he lives. He married in April, 1845, to
Letitia Black; she was born in Indiana in 1824; she
died May 1, 1855, leaving three children - Josiah, Milton
and William. His marriage with
Margaret A. Newman, was celebrated Feb. 23, 1860; she was
born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Dec. 18, 1826; they have one child now
living by this union - Frankie. Her parents
were pioneer settlers of Coles Co., locating here in 1834.
Mr. Busbey has been a resident of Oakland since
1845, a period of upward of thirty-three years.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879~ Page 561
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:
William D. Busby married L. A. Black on Apr.
5, 1846 by Samuel C. Ashmore, JP in Coles Co., Illinois.
ALSO:
In 1860 Census, East Oakland Tp, Coles Co., Illinois - dated June
12, 1860 - Film Series M653 Roll: 171 Page: 13, is as follows:
Dwelling# 92 Family #92
William D. Busby 38 M Farm Tenant
RE $(blank) Pers$500 b. Ohio
Margaret "
33 F b. Tennessee
Josiah H. " 13 M
b. Illinois
Milton _? " 11 M b. "
William H. " 5 M b. "
Millholand,
Louisa? 5 F b. " |
Seven Hickory Twp. -
BUSH BROS., farm and stock; P. O. Charleston;
David, John and Nelson; David was born in Northampton
Co., Penn., Mar. 1, 1832. He married Miss Elinor Stiff
Jan. 28, 1864; she was born in Perry Co., Ohio; they have five
children - four living, viz., Lillie D., John H., Eliza M.
and Mary F.; he lived two years in Pennsylvania, when, with
his parents, he moved to Ohio, and, in 1838, they came to Illinois
and settled in Edgar Co., where they lived until 1849, when they
came to Coles Co., and settled about two and a half miles west of
Charleston, and in 1854, they came to Seven Hickory, and settled
near the present place. John H. Bush was born in Perry
Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1837. HE married Miss Polly Ann Jarvis
Oct. 27, 1874; she was born in Illinois; they have one child, viz.,
Loyal Nelson in 1862, he enlisted in the 123d Ill. Inf.; was
in the service he was sent to the hospital, remaining six months;
was then transferred to Invalid Corps, and acted as guard.
Nelson Bush was born in Edgar Co., Ill., May 8, 1846, and in
company with his brothers has always lived with his parents; their
parents, Jonathan and Eliza Lee Bush, were natives of
Pennsylvania; he died Oct. 6, 1856; she died in January, 1872.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 639 |
. |
