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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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Mattoon Twp. -
IRA B. JACKSON, insurance agent, Mattoon; was
born in Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind., Oct. 31, 1851; in 1855, his
father removed with his family to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon
Co., near Springfield; his early life was that of a farmer's boy; he
acquired a good common-school education; at the age of 18, he
engaged in the business of Photograph artist, which he followed two
years; in 1872, he completed a business course in the Commercial
College, at Terre Haute, Ind.; in 1874, he engaged in the grocery
trade with Fallin Bros., under the firm name of
Fallin Bros. & Jackson; in 1876, he retired from the firm and
engaged in the fire insurance business; he at present represents one
accident and sixteen leading fire insurance companies in Coles and
Effingham Cos., aggregating in assets over $30,000,000; he also
represents the Great Western Dispatch Co. He was married May
26, 1874, to Laura I. Carter, a native of Indiana; has one
child - Georgia. He is a present serving his second
term of office as City and also Township Clerk.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 548 |
Mattoon Twp. -
IRA JAMES, wholesale dealer in coal oil,
Mattoon; was born in Dearborn (now Ohio) Co., Ind., May 24, 1826;
his father was cotton and woolen manufacturer; at the age of 17, he
left home and engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers
for a period of about ten years; he commanded during the time seven
steamboats; his first boating was in the packet trade from Rising
Sun to Cincinnati; afterward he entered the trade from New Orleans
and Cincinnati; in 1853, he went to California and spent three
years; engaged a portion of the time in milling and the remainder in
mining; in 1856, he returned to Rising Sun, Ind.; he next made a
tour through the Southern States of Arkansas, Louisiana and
Mississippi, setting up machinery - cotton-screws, cotton-gins and
steam machinery; in November, 1857, he located in Mattoon Tp., and
engaged in farming three years; in 1860, he moved to Mattoon, and,
in 1861, was chosen Police Magistrate and served one year; he next
engaged in buying and shipping hay, and, in 1865, began dealing in
grain; in 1873, he retired from the grain trade and went to Southern
Colorado, where he discovered the mines and laid out the town of
Rosita; here he spent most of two years; in 1875, he returned to
Mattoon, and, in connection with J. D. Herkimer, purchased
the gas works, which he has since operated. He was married in
1859 to Cynthia A. Hendricks, a native of Illinois; she died
Feb. 15, 1872; his second marriage to Jennie H. Crow, a
native of Ohio, was celebrated Aug. 18, 1875; from first wedlock he
has three sons - John Q., Frank P., Justin C.; an infant
daughter. Owns two thirds of the gas works and 240 acres in
Coles Co.; he does a large business in the wholesale oil trade and
is President of the Mattoon Gas Light & Coke Co.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 548 |
Humbolt Twp. -
JOHN JARVIS, farming and stock; P. O. Areola; the subject of
this sketch was born in Madison Co., Ky., Dec. 25, 1809; he married
Miss Polly Ray, Jan. 22, 1830; she was born, same place, Aug.
9, 1802; they had eight children, two living, viz., Robert
and William. He lived in Kentucky until 1830, when he
came to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co., near Paris, where he
lived three years; he then moved to Kentucky, where he lived eleven
years; he then moved again to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co.,
about fourteen miles west of Paris; he lived there about nine years;
he then moved to Coles Co. and settled on the Embarrass; while here
his wife died; he then married Mrs. Rodman (formerly Miss
Rachel Flora); she was a native of Kentucky. In 1865,
they moved to the present place; in March, 1868, he lost his second
wife; they had no children. June 16, 1868, he married Miss
Mary Hedges; she was born in Fountain Co., Ind., Nov. 3, 1848;
they have three children, viz., James E., Melissa C.
and Loyal. He is no office seeker, having all he can do
to attend his private business. In 1874, he moved to Nebraska
and lived there three years, when he returned to his present place;
he owns 287 acres in this county and 240 in Nebraska, which he has
earned by his own labor and management.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 636 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
AZARIAH JEFFRIES, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Mattoon; owns 660 acres;
was born in Coles Co., Ill., April 29, 1836, and lived with his
parents on the farm in this county until 24 years of age. Was
married Mar. 10, 1860, to Ann M. Hackley who was born in
Grayson Co,. Ky., Mar. 2, 1841, and moved on the farm where he now
resides. Mr. Jeffries has three children, viz.,
Zaraba, Shelton and Laura. Has been Commissioner
of Highways three eyars in this township, School Trustee three years,
School Director nine years, Representative of Coles Co., Ill., one
term, Supervisor of this townhsip two terms in 1875, 1876, 1878, and
1879, and was foreman of the grand jury two sessions. His
father was a native jury two sessions. His father was a native
of Virginia and his mother of Tennessee.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 588 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
JAMES JEFFRIS,
farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Mattoon; owns 240 acres; was born in Grayson
Co., Ky., Mar. 17, 1821; moved to this county with his parents when
10 years of age, and lived with them until married to Matilda
Jane Johnston, Oct. 6, 1842; she was born in Russell Co., Va.,
Nov. 28, 1822, and has had eleven children, six of whom are living,
viz., Mary E. Martha, Johnston, Stephen D., Joanna and
Kitty C.; deceased - G. D., Leah, S. M. and two
infants. Mr. Jeffris was Constable four years, School
Director five years and School Trustee twenty years; his father is a
native of Virginia and his mother of Tennessee; Mrs. Jeffris'
parents are natives of Virginia.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 588 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
JOHN JEFFRIES, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Mattoon;
owns 340 acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 26, 1831, and
lived with his parents on the farm in this township until 21 years
of age; then went to California, returned and was married to Mary
Vandierer Mar. 22, 1859; she was born in Indiana Mar. 1, 1836.
They have five children, viz., Ralph, Bell, Hershel, Isaac
and Abba. Mr. Jeffries was School Director for nine
years. His parents were natives of Virginia and Mrs.
Jeffries; parents natives of Kentucky.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 588 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
JOHN GAUNT JEFFRIS, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O.
Johnstown; owns ninety-three acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill.,
Mar. 10, 1836 and lived with his parents on the farm until 30 years
of age. He was married Aug. 12, 1866 to Racel Ellen Miller
who was born in Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 1849. They have had
seven children , viz., Margaret E., Mary B., Anna L.,
Robert W., Henry S., Oscar M. and Mattie B. Mr. Jeffris
has been School Director one term. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries'
parents are natives of Kentucky.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 588 |
HENRY D.
JENKINS, M. D.,
Arcola; one of the early settlers; was born in Bourbon Co., Ky.,
Dec. 30, 1822; came to this State and settled in what was then Coles
Co., in 1855; his farm, being now located in Douglas Co., where he
first settled, and which was at the time of his settlement all Coles
Co., consists of 310 acres. The Doctor is a graduate of the
Transylvania University, located at Lexington, Ky.; since his
residence in this county, he has practiced his profession as
physician but very little; his pursuits have been that of a farmer
an stock-raiser, which seems to be his natural proclivity. In
1866, he married Miss Mary F. Blackwell,
who was born in North Carolina Dec. 26, 1841; they have two
children, viz., John B. and Elisa D.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page |
Hutton Twp. -
FRANKLIN JOHNS, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born
in Pendleton Co., Va., June 6, 1828; when he was 7 years old, his
parents moved to Gallia Co., Ohio, and remained there three years,
and in the
year 1838, came to Coles Co., and the first winter settled on Sec.
33, where they lived up to the time of their death, his mother dying
May 2, 1854, and his father but three days after. The subject
of this sketch was married Nov. 22, 1849, to Miss Nancy Connely,
daughter of John Connely, of Hutton Tp., on the homestead,
and a few days afterward removed to his present farm, where he has
ever since resided, now containing 140 acres. He has held the
office of Supervisor of the County for one year. He had a
family of ten children, six boys, five living—Edmund R., Jeremiah
S., James W., Joseph M. and Emery A., and one deceased—Silas
L.; and four girls—Sarah J., Armilda, Mary E. and
Harriet Ann. Mr. Johns' father was one of
the pioneers of this county, and endured the many hardships and
privations of that early day.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 616 |
Hutton Twp. -
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 Supervisor one term, and School Director for
many years, and is so at the present time. His wife was born
Aug. 19, 1824; they had fourteen children— seven boys, four living —
George A., born Mar. 19, 1848; James H., July 13,
1851; Leander, Dec. 21, 1853, and Edwin S., born Sept.
23, 1867; three deceased— James W., born Jan. 27, 1844, died
Sept. 28, 1846; Seton, born Oct. 11, 1858, died Nov. 28,
1859, and one that died in infancy; and seven girls, five living—Jemima
(now Mrs. Wm. Bishop), born Apr. 12, 1855; Virginia,
(now Mrs. Frederick Thompson), born Aug. 27, 1857; Sarah
Ann, born Sept. 13, 1860; Mary E., Dec. 19, 1863; and
Emily A., born Nov. 18, 1869, and two deceased—Martha E.,
born June 16, 1841, died Mar. 10, 1865; Minerva, born Apr.
27, 1849, died Sept. 28, 1849. Mr. Johns'
parents, James and Jane, came to Coles Co., in November,
1844, and settled on Sec. 33 in this township, where they both died,
his father, Mar. 24, 1859, his mother, Sept. 13, 1872; they had
three sons—James and William, deceased, and Joshua,
the subject of this sketch.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 616 |
Hutton Twp. -
SETON JOHNS, farmer; P. O. Charleston; was
born in Augusta Co. Va., Nov. 22, 1832; he is the second son, and
came with his parents to Gallia Co., Ohio, when he was 2 years of
age, and from there to Hutton Tp. in the year 1838, and lived with
them up to the time of their death, which occurred in May, 1854, his
parents dying within three days of each other. The same fall
Mr. Johns married Miss Armilda Rennels
(daughter of Wm. Rennels, of Hutton Tp.), and immediately
after moved to his farm, one-fourth mile east of his present
location, moving to his present h^me on Sec. 33 in the year 1858,
where he has resided ever since; his farm contains 160 acres, all
but 40 of which are improved. He has held the office of
Assessor one term. His wife was born Apr. 9, 1837; they had
eleven children, nine living; two boys, one living—Philip S.
— and one that died in infancy; nine girls, eight living—Martha
E. (now Mrs. C. H. Gwin, of Hutton Tp.), Elizabeth,
Delilah, Mary J., Alberta, Lilian B.,
and Nora and Flora, twins; one deceased - Rebecca
J. His family are members of the United Brethren Church.
His brother, Silas Johns, was the youngest of the three boys,
being born Aug.18, 1834, and came also with his father's family to
Coles Co.; in 1855, he went to Kansas and Missouri, living there
three years; being taken sick, his brother Seton went to
Kansas and brought him back to Hutton Tp., where died he of
consumption in the year 1860, and lies buried in Whetstone Creek
Cemetery, in Hutton Tp.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 617 |
Charleston Twp. -
ISAIAH H. JOHNSTON, President of the Second
National Bank; Charleston; was born in Russell Co., Va., Apr. 24,
1827; his father, Abner Johnston, came to this county in
1830, and settled in what is now Pleasant Grove Twp., and lived
there until his death, which occurred in 1848. Mr. Johnston
followed farming until he was 127 years old, and then engaged in
merchandising, and, in 1857, removed to Mattoon, and continued in
business there till 1860; he was then elected Sheriff, of Coles Co.,
and removed to Charleston; he served as Sheriff two years, and
afterward served out the unexpired term of John H. O'Hair.
He afterward followed the dry goods trade one year, and during this
time was engaged also in farming and dealing in stock. In
1869, he built the first pork-packing house in the city, and the
same year, in company with T. A. Marshall and John W. True
he established the banking house of T. A> Marshall & Co.,
which was superseded by the Second National Bank two years later.
In 1871, he, with John B. Hill and Thomas Stoddert,
erected the Charleston Pork-Packing Houses, and he continued in the
packing business until 1873, when he became President of the Second
National Bank; he has served two terms as member of the Board of
Supervisors. Mr. Johnson was first married Feb. 10,
1848, to Miss Harriet Jeffries, daughter of the late
Thomas Jeffries, one of the early settlers of Coles Co.; she
died Apr. 14, 1853, leaving two children - Felix, now in the
Second National Bank, and Emily now the wife of Charles E.
Wilson, of Charleston; Mr. Johnston was married again
Aug. 10, 1855, to Miss Sarah A. Gray, of this county; they
have three children, living - Mattie E., Bertha and Hugh.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 522 |
Humbolt Twp. -
JOHN JOHNSON, farming and stock; P. O. Humbolt; the subject
of this sketch was born in County Permana, Ireland, 1838; he married
Miss Martha E. Smith Jan. 22, 1868; she was born in North
Okaw Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Apr. 3, 1843; they have four children,
viz., William, Allie, John and Walter.
He lived in Ireland until 1850, when, with his parents, he earned to
the United States and settled in Moultrie Co., Ill., where they
engaged in farming; he lived there until 1868, though, with his
brothers, he helped carry on a farm in North Okaw Tp. since 1856; in
1868, he moved to the same, and in 1877 he came to his present
place. He is no office-seeker, and has held no office except
connected with the schools; he is in partnership with his brothers,
William, James and Frederick; they own 1441
acres in this county, and are the largest stock raisers in this part
of the county. His parents, John and Ann Bell Johnson, were
natives of Fermana Co., Ireland, where they were married; in 1850,
they came to the United States.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 636 |
Morgan Twp. -
JOHN H. JOHNSON
(deceased), farmer and minister; born in Washington Co., Penn., Dc.
12, 1812, where he attended school in his youth - the last few years
at the college at Waynesburg, Penn.; after which he was licensed as
a minister of the . P. Church, officiating as circuit preacher until
his removal to Ohio, where he was settled as local preacher
for three years, until his removal to Coles Co., Ill., about the
year 1854, where he first settled as Pastor of the C. P. Church in
Ashmore Tp. for several years; then in Morgan Tp. until 1868; at the
above date, he emigrated to Jasper Co., Mo., where he purchased
ninety acres of land, upon which he labored while not engaged in
ministerial labors, until the fall of 1877, when he removed to
Carthage, Mo., after renting his farm, that he might have better
facilities for the education of his daughter; here he lived until
his decease, which occurred Jan. 31, 1878, after an illness of ten
days; his remains were brought back to Coles Co., Ill., and buried
in the beautiful cemetery near St. Omer, Ashmore Tp., by the side of
his first wife, to who he was married in Pennsylvania; her maiden
name was Lucinda Hamson; she emigrated to Illinois with him,
and died during his ministerial labors in Ashmore Tp.; his marriage
with Nancy (Rardin) Gollady was celebrated Feb. 13, 1856; she
was a sister of John and Jacob l. Rardin; born in Campbell
Co., Ky., April 22, 1824, and emigrated with her parents, Samuel
and Catharine Rardin, to Morgan Tp. in the fall of 1842; her
first marriage with George Gollady was celebrated Apr. 22,
1852; he was born Apr. 23, 1819, and emigrated from Virginia about
the year 1836, and located in Morgan Tp., where he lived until his
decease, which occurred Feb. 3, 1854; Mrs. Johnson has one
daughter by her last marriage, viz., Teresa C., born in Coles
Co., Ill., Mar. 13, 1859; Mrs. Johnson, with her daughter,
returned in the fall of 1878, and again located upon her farm in
Morgan Tp. where she resided previous to her removal to Missouri.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 624 |
North Okaw Twp. -
WILLIAM JOHNSON,
farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Cook's Mills; one of the early
settlers; was born Mar. 22, 1822; came to this State in 1850, and to
this county and settled in North Okaw Twp., in 1857. He was
married to Miss Mary J. Miller, who was born July
22, 1834; they have four children, viz., Robert M., Anna A.,
Sarah J. and Franklin. The farm of
Mr. Johnson consists of 240 acres valued at $7,000.
Since his residence in the township he has held the office of School
Trustee and Director several years.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 648 |
Morgan Twp. -
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 same year; here he purchased
land and engaged in farming until 1870, when he located upon his
present place, where he has since continued to live, and where he
has eighty-nine acres, upon which he erected his residence in 1871;
here he located in the timber and has, during the last eight years,
cleared and placed under cultivation upward of fifty acres of land
by his own hard labor. His marriage with Sarah Smith
was celebrated Dec. 24, 1856; she was born in Queens Co., N. Y., May
13, 1839; they have three children now living by this union, viz.,
John Paul, born Nov. 8, 1857; Stephen B., born Feb. 8,
1865, and Isaac P., born May 11, 1868; the names of the
deceased are George W. and William H.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 625 |
LaFayette Twp. -
WILLIAM
R. JONES, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Mattoon;
owns 726 acres; born in Harrison Co., Ky., Aug. 14, 1808; came to
this township in 1834 and made a crop; then went to Kentucky and
worked for years on his mother's farm, his father having died when
he (the subject of this sketch) was 23 years old; he then returned
to this county in company with his mother and a sister, and settled
where he now resides. He was married to Eliza P. Threlkeld
(daughter of the late Rev. Thomas Trelkeld) Oct. 18,
1853; she died Dec. 31, 1856; had two children by this marriage -
Thomas T. (born Oct. 12, 1854) and William (born Nov. 21,
1856); both are now living; his second marriage was to Elizabeth
Ewing, Mar. 25, 1862; she was born Dec. 28, 1829; by this first
Supervisor in the township and held that office three terms. Mr.
J. was first Supervisor in the township and held that office
three terms. Mr. J. was formerly a Henry Clay
whig, after which he became identified with the Republican party,
the principles of which he is a strong supporter; Mr. J.
has never had but two homes - the place where he was born in
Kentucky and his present home; he is an extensive farmer and raises
large quantities of stock and grain. Mr. J. was a warm friend
of the soldiers during the late war; a more kind and benevolent man
to the poor probably does not exist in Coles Co.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 654 |
Mattoon Twp. -
THEO. JONTE, dealer in harness and saddles,
Mattoon; was born in Nashville, Tenn., Apr. 4, 1839; his father was
a wholesale confectioner; he received a good common-school
education, and, at the age of 16 years, left home and came West,
settling in Quincy, Ill., where he engaged in working at his trade;
in the fall of 1861, he engaged in laboring for the U. S. Government
in the making of cavalry equipments; the fall of 1862, he came to
Paris, Edgar Co., and engaged in business with Wm. Legy; they
operated a shop in Paris, and one in Grand View at the same time;
Mr. Jonte had charge of the latter, in the fall of 1864, he
removed to Mattoon, and opened up his present business; his is the
only first class establishment in the city. He was married in
1865 to Anna Stoneburner, a native of Grand View, Ill.; has
one child - Alberta. Owns considerable real estate in
this city. In 1876, he was chosen City Mayor; is at present
Assistant Supervisor of Mattoon Tp.; also a member of the Board of
Education, West Side.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 549 |
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