Hutton Twp. -
D. A. PARKER, farmer; P. O. Westfield, Clark Co.; is one of the pioneers of this county, and was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Apr. 27, 1815; in the year 1817, his parents moved to Crawford Co., Ill., ten miles south of Palestine, and, after remaining there eight years, moved to Hutton Tp., Coles Co. and settled on what was afterward known as "Parker Prairie," in the year 1825, where his parents died, his mother on the 11th day of December, 1830, and his father on the 18th day of March, 1862; they were among  the first settlers, and entered the first land in this county.  Mr. Parker remained with his parents until he was 21 years of age, when he went to farming for himself, and, on the 29th day of March, 1837, married Miss Mary J. Flint, daughter of Thomas Flint, of Kentucky; she was born in Virginia Mar. 30, 1819.  Mr. Parker settled on his present farm in the year 1840, having entered the land, and has resided there ever since, now containing sixty-four acres.  His family consisted of nine children, five living - two boys, GEorge W., born Feb. 8, 1839, and Allen D., born May 17, 1852, and one deceased - Leroy, born Apr. 19, 1850, died in 1854; six girls, three living - Sallie M. (now Mrs. J. B. Redmon, of Hutton Twp.), born Oct. 15, 1844; Ellen, Sept. 5, 1854, and Emma, born Mar. 20, 1860, and three deceased - Elizabeth, born July 8, 1841, died Aug. 11, 1852; Martha J., born May 27, 1846, died in the fall of 1855, and Francis A., born Sept. 20, 1856, and died May 20, 1860.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 618

Morgan Twp. -
F. M. PARKER, farmer; P. O. Rardin; born in Edgar Co., Ill., Mar. 18, 1849; he is the eldest son of Wm. M. Parker, who emigrated from Kentucky, and located in Edgar Co., Ill., in the year 1829; he died in Coles Co., Feb. 14, 1873; his mother was born in Kentucky, and emigrated with her parents, and located in Coles Co., in 1828; the subject of this sketch remained with his parents, and assisted in farming, until 20 years of age, when he was employed as a farm-laborer for about four years; he first commenced farming for himself in 1871, in Edgar Co., and the year following in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co.; he removed upon Sec. 5, Morgan Tp., in December, 1873, where he has since successfully followed farming.  He married Sept. 14, 1871 to Sarah J. Roberts; she was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Mar. 11, 1848; she is daughter of Thomas Roberts, whose biography appears in this work; they have four children by this union - Rhoda A., born June 30, 1872; James W., born May 1, 1874; Cara A., born May 21, 1876; Dora R., born Apr. 29, 1878.  Mr. Parker has held the office of Road Overseer for two years, and Collector of Morgan Tp. for 1878.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 628

Hutton Twp. -
JEPHTHAH PARKER, farmer; P O. Westfield, Clark Co.; was born in Crawford Co., Ill., Feb. 13, 1823; he was 3 years of age when he came with his parents to Coles Co., and remained with them until his marriage with Miss Sarah J. Green, daughter of James Green, of Ohio, on the 11th day of May, 1842; she was born in Miami Co., Ohio, July 3, 1818.  About nine months after their marriage, Mr. Parker moved to his farm on Sec. 6, the greater portion of which he improved, putting upon it its present buildings, and where he has ever since resided, containing 108 acres.  They have eight children —John G., born May 17, 1843, and married Miss Irena Bennett in September, 1864; Nathaniel L., born Oct. 8, 1845, and married Miss Emma Granger, of Waukesha, Wis., Oct. 26, 1873; William T., born Aug. 8, 1847, and married Miss Mary A. Thornton, Mar. 10, 1869; Charles L., born Sept. 8, 1849; Nelson R., born Jan. 12, 1851, and married Miss Alta A. White Jan. 28, 1875; Annie E., born Mar. 10, 1854; James A., born July 2, 1857, and married Miss Nevada Smith in February, 1877, and George C., born June 11, 1859. Of the sons, John G. and Nathaniel L. were in our late civil war, having both enlisted in Co. F, 123d Regt. I. V. I.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 618

East Oakland Twp. -
WILLIAM PARKER, deceased farmer; born in Staffordshire, England, 1802, where he engaged in farming until 1835, when he emigrated to America with his wife, landing in New York Feb. 2, of the same year, coming directly West; they located upon a farm four miles from Cincinnati, Ohio, where they followed farming until 1846, at which date they removed to Edgar Co., Ill., where they engaged in farming until 1855, when, on account of ill-health, Mr. Parker retired from active labor, and, selling his farm, removed to Oakland, Ill., where he lived until his dath, which occurred in the fall of 1862.  Their marriage was celebrated Nov. 17, 1834; Mrs. Parker's maiden name was Hannah Huslow she was born in Staffordshire, England, May 1, 1814; she still lives in the brick house built by her husband, and occupied by them during his life.  Mrs. Parker was quite well acquainted with President Harrison, he having dined with them upon several occasions previous to his election to the highest office of the nation.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 573

East Oakland Twp. -
WILLIAM R. PARKER, deceased farmer; born in Anderson Co., Ky., Mar. 27, 1823; he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in Edgar Co., in 1828 where he lived until 18 years of age, when he went to St. Clair Co., Ill., and engaged in farming two years, then to Minnesota, where he followed logging, rafting and milling for three years; returning to Illinois, he, with his brother, worked at blacksmithing one year, when, in 1848, he engaged in farming in Edgar Co., which business he followed until 1865, when he removed to Coles Co., and rented land, which he worked until he purchased the old homestead, where he located in 1865, and lived until his decease, which occurred Feb. 14, 1873, at which time he owned 165 acres, upon which he had good buildings, and which he had accumulated by his own hard labor,  in which he was nobly assisted by his wife, who survives him, and who continues to live upon the old farm with the most of the family; they have since added to the farm, until it now contains about two hundred and forty acres of prairie and timber land.  He married July 15, 1848, to Rebecca Clark; she was born in Kentucky Sept. 3, 1822; she emigrated with her parents and located in Coles Co. in 1828; they have seven children now living by this union - Francis M., Harvey B., John F., George W., Narcissa R., Charles j. and Mollie L.  Mrs. Parker remembers vividly when coming to Illinois; upon arriving at Grand view, the joy of the settlers at that point, was so great at the arrival of Mr. Parker and family, that they turned out and escorted them to where they first located, upon the farm which is now occupied by Mr. Thomas Roberts.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 573

Charleston Twp. -
W. R. PATTON, M. D., physician and surgeon, Charleston; is a native of Illinois; he was born in Palestine, Crawford Co., Oct. 14, 1836; he is a son of Dr. E. L. Patton, a prominent physician of Palestine, who came from Washington Co., East Tenn., to Crawford Co., about the year 1833 and practiced medicine there until his death, which occurred in December, 1864.  Dr. Patton was educated in the public schools, and at Hanover College, Ind., and, in 1858, began the study of medicine in his father's office.  In 1860, he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago; graduating in the spring of 1862.  He practiced two years in Palestine, and, in the winter of 1864, came to Charleston, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession ever since; he is a member of the Esculapian Society of the Wabash Valley.  He was married May 4, 1864, to Miss Hannah Decker, a daughter of Jacob K. Decker, a well known citizen and early settler of Charleston; they have two children - Fredrick Lieth and Jacob Allen.  Dr. Patton served two years on the Board of Aldermen, and is the present Mayor of Charleston, to which office he was elected in 1877.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 530

Mattoon Twp. -
W. H. PAUGH, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Lawrence Co., Ind., Mar. 13, 1838; his father was a physician and settled in Indiana as early as 1815; in addition to his common-school education, he attended the high school at Springville, Ind., and in subsequent years was Principal of the same.  He naturally grew up into a physician, and to fix a period at which he began the study of his profession would be a difficult task he practiced his profession many years before receiving a medical degree; he attended Rush Medical College one session; later, he attended the medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he graduated in 1876; in January, 1877, he located in Mattoon.  He was married Oct. 25th, 1868, to Lou E. Best, she died Oct. 26, 1878.  Has three children - Gertie, Phreborn G. and Lolo.  Owns 120 acres in Madison Co., Ill., and real estate in the city.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 553

Ashmore Twp. -
W. K. PAYNE, retired, Ashmore; although not an early settler of Coles Co., is one of the pioneers in the adjoining county of Edgar, where he was a prominent citizen for forty-six years.  He was born in Shelby Co., Ky., May 17, 1807, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Wright) Payne, both natives of Kentucky and descendants of old Virginia families.  His early education was limited to such as the schools of that region afforded.  In 1822, his father removed with his family to Owen Co., Ind.  In 1831, Mr. Payne came to Edgar Co., and engaged in the mercantile business in Grand View; he built a store in that place, and after his marriage occupied it both as a store and dwelling; he afterward erected a substantial store and a fine residence on the same spot; both of these were recently destroyed by fire.  Mr. Payne continued in the mercantile business in Grand View for thirty-five years, during which time he held the office of Postmaster for twelve years.  In 1866, he retired from active business, and in October, 1877, he removed to Ashmore, where he now lives in the quiet enjoyment of the results of a long and successful business life.  He was married Jan. 2, 1834, to Miss Matilda Wampler, was born in Steubenville, Jefferson Co., Ohio, July 22, 1815; she is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Stephens) Wampler, both natives of Baltimore, Md.; she came in 1831 to Illinois with her parents, who settled in Hickory Grove, Edgar Co.; her father, Rev. Joseph Wampler, was a well-known minister of the Methodist Church.  In his early life, he was a civil engineer, and in that capacity assisted in the survey of the State of Michigan.  Mr. Payne's family consists of two sons and two daughters - Joseph W., a merchant in Paris, Ill.; Sarah E., wife of Wm. S. Van Meer, of Neosho Co., Kan.; John W., of Oakland, Cal., and Mary E., wife of Joel S. Cary, of Ashmore Twp.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 603 

East Oakland Twp. -
W. J. PEAK, physician, surgeon and druggist, Oakland; born in Warsaw, Gallatin Co., Ky., Apr. 3, 1836, where he devoted his whole attention to his studies until he attained his majority, the last four yeas exclusively to the study of medicine, graduating from the St. Louis Medical College in the winter of 1860; he immediately commenced the practice of medicine at Warsaw, Ky., for a short time, when, at the spring of 1861, he located in Johnson Co., Mo.; during the summer, and in the fall of the same year, he went to Texas, where he was placed, from force of circumstances, in charge of the rebel hospitals at Ozark and St. Francisville, Ark., where he remained until the spring of 1862, when he was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the union Hospitals at Fayetteville, Ark., where he remained one year, when he received the appointment of Surgeon of the 14th Regiment, Kansas Cavalry, which position he held until the close of the war, being mustered out of the service at Lawrence, Kan., in the summer of 1865; he then returned to Johnson Co., Mo., where he remained a short time, when he removed to Coles Co., Ill., and located in Morgan Tp. in the winter of 1866, where he followed his profession until 1876, when he removed to Oakland, and engaged in the drug trade, still giving his whole time and attention to his very extensive practice which he has built up in this and adjoining counties, his drug store being in charge of a very careful druggist.  His marriage with Mary Burr was celebrated dec. 2 1869; she was born in Momence, Kankakee Co., Ill., Aug. 6, 1851; they have one child by this union - Maud, born Nov. 19, 1871.  Mr. Peake has taken a deep interest in the cause of education, having filled the office of School Director for director for several terms; contributes liberally to the churches, and is a member of the Wabash Valley Esculapian Society.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 572

East Oakland Twp. -
H. A. PEMBERTON, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Oakland; one of the pioneers of Coles' County; born in Washington Co., Va., Aug. 2, 1822; he emigrated with his parents when quite young, and located in Coles Co., Ill., in November 1831, upon the place where he has since lived during the a period of nearlly half a century; he is the youngest son of Stanton and Sarah Pemberton; his father died in 1838; seven years after his settlement here, and his mother died in 1850; after the death of his father, he and an older brother managed the place until 1860; at which time his brother died without family, and Mr. P. became possessor of the old homestead where he now lives.  He owns 240 acres of land mostly under a good state of cultivation, which he has assisted to reclaim from its wild prairie condition.  He married Nov. 14, 1850, to Elizabeth Hicks; she was born in Indiana June 21, 1830.  They have three children by this union - Sally S., Jackson J., Stanton C.; Mr. Pemberton has been School Director for upward of thirty years, and has held the office of Road Commissioner for the last three years in the Township in which he lives.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 574

East Oakland Twp. -
J. J. PEMBERTON, retired merchant, Oakland; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co.; born in Washington Co., Va., Dec. 5, 1814, where he attended school in winter, and assisted his father farming in summer, until 17 years of age, when he emigrated West and located in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., Ill., in 1831, in which township he has since lived, for a period of nearly half a century; from 1831 to 1838, he was engaged in farming, when he removed to Oakland and engaged in hotel-keeping four years, at the expiration of which time he engaged in the general merchandise trade, at Oakland, which business he followed until 1875, when he retired from the above business, at which time he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds.  He held the office of Postmaster at Oakland for several years; he was appointed assistant revenue officer for this district under the administration of President Lincoln, the position at the time being attended with much danger, from the feeling; manifested in some localities to resist the execution of the law taxing incomes; his friends, who were numerous, often cautioned and tried to dissuade him from attempting to execute the law in localities where the worst element prevailed, but he knew no fear where duty called him, and performed the same fearlessly until the expiration of his term.  He owns his residence, office and six acres of land in Oakland, with a large store, which is rented, also 500 acres of land under fence, and nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation.  His marriage with Clarinda Davis was celebrated Apr. 8, 1838; she was born near Norfolk, Va., Jan. 9, 1816.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 573

Seven Hickory Twp. -
ISAAC PERISHO, farmer and stockraiser; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Monroe Co., Ind., May 2, 1818; he married Miss Sarah Zimerly Jan. 9, 1838; she was born in Washington Co., Va., Oct. 30, 1818, and died Dec. 25, 1842; they had three children, one living, viz., Jacob W.; his second wife was Miss Leoina Purlee; they were married June 27, 1843; she was born in Washington Co., Ind., July 27, 1818, and died Oct. 15, 1844; they had one child, viz., Hiram; his present wife was Mrs. Wells, formerly Miss Rosanna M. O'Hair; they were married June 12, 1845; she was born in Morgan, now Wolfe Co., Ky., June 9, 1811; they had five children, four living, viz., William W. Wells and Lucinda F. Wells.  He lived in Indiana seven years, when, with his parents, he moved to Illinois, and settled in Grand View Tp., of Edgar Co., and engaged in farming; this was in 1825; he lived with his parents until 1838, when he moved to a farm near by, where he lived until 1840, when he went to Jasper Co., Ill., and improved a farm, remaining three years; he then returned to Edgar Co. and engaged in farming, in what is now known as Sims Twp.; he remained there until 1855, when he came to Coles Co., and settled on his present place.  He is no office seeker, his only office being connected with the school and road.  He has owned about 400 acres in this county, but, having divided a large portion among his children, he retains but 160 acres as a competency for himself and wife.  His parents, Joseph and Mrs. Barbara Zink Perisho, were natives of North Carolina and Virginia; they were married in Washington Co., Ind., and settled in Edgar Co., Ill., in 1825, where they died Apr. 23, 1838, and Aug. 4, 1872, respectively.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 644

Charleston Twp. -
ALEXANDER PERKINS, dealer in groceries, Charleston; is an early settler of the city, having emigrated from Marion Co., Ind., in Sept., 1836; he was born near Newcastle Henry Co., Ky., Feb. 22, 1814; when quite young he accompanied his parents to Marion Co., Ind.; he was raised to agricultural pursuits; he was married Oct. 8, 1835, to Miss Jane Griffith, of New Bethel, Marion Co., Ind., and, in 1836, removed to Charleston; they had five children, two of whom are living - Amanda, wife of David Curd, and Margaret L., now Mrs. John James, both residing in Charleston; two sons, William G. and Daniel A., lost their lives during the late war.  On arriving in Charleston, Mr. Perkins engaged in manufacturing brick, afterward followed the clothing business for a year, and then engaged in the grocery business which he still continues;  his wife died July 22, 1851, and on the 5th of February, 1852, he married Miss B. F. Curd, daughter of Daniel Curd, late of Charleston; they have five children - Kate, wife of W. W. Bishop, of Kansas, Edgar Co., Richard S., Daniel, Joseph and Minnie.  Mr. Perkins has served as Street Commissioner, and for several terms on the Board of Aldermen, and was a portion of the time President of the Board.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 530

Paradise Twp. -
GEORGE W. PETERS, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Green Co., Tenn., Sept. 14, 1814; is the son of Reuben and Elizabeth Peters, of the same county and State; is the owner of 163 acres of land, valued at $6,500; has held no public office.  Was married to Harriet Rector Mar. 22, 1838; the names of the children by this union are Alexander S., Reuben A., George W., Lewis B., John R., Caroline E.; deceased, Reuben A., died Jul. 17, 1875, aged 34 years 6 months 16 days; living, Alexander S., born Mar. 22, 1839; George W., May 3, 1843; Lewis B., Dec. 3, 1846; John R., May 3, 1856; Caroline E., born Jan. 2, 1852.  Reuben and George served three years in the late war, in Co. I, 1st Tenn. V. C.  A. S. is in Oakland, Oregon; George is in Sumner Co., Kan.; the rest are living here.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 653

Charleston Twp. -
JUDGE A. M. PETERSON, attorney at law, Charleston; was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Jan. 15, 1825; leaving there in 1845, he went to Canton, Ohio, and began the study of medicine, attending a course of lectures at the Cleveland Medical College.  He came to Illinois in 1849, and began practice as a physician in Edgar Co., and the following year removed to Newton, Jasper Co., Ill.  On the 18th of April, the same year, he married Miss Nancy Whalen, of Edgar Co., a native of Nelson Co., Ky.  The practice of medicine proving distasteful to him, and having a natural preference for the law, in 1853, he abandoned the former and engaged in the practice of the latter profession, which he continued till May, 1861.  He then entered the Union army, as Captain of Co. K, 21st I. V. I., of which Gen. Grant was then Colonel; he served until November, 1862, when, owing to ill health, he resigned.  In the spring of 1863 he located in Charleston, and resumed the practice of the law.  He was elected a member of the City Council in the spring of 1864, and again in the spring of 1866; the same year he was elected Mayor of Charleston, but the duties of the office being uncongenial, he soon afterward resigned.  In 1869, he was elected County Judge, and held that office four years, since which time he has confined his attention to the practice of his profession.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 529

Ashmore Twp. -
CAPT. CHARLES D. PHELPS, deceased, late of Ashmore Twp., one of the pioneers of Coles Co.; was born in Madison Co., Ky., Jan. 26, 1801; he was a son of Jarrot and Millie (Duncan) Phelps, both natives of Virginia.  He was married Mar. 3, 1825, to Miss Mary A. Coons, a daughter of John and Polly (Crosswhite) Coons; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., about eight miles from Lexington, July 29, 1809.  In 1830, he removed To Coles Co., and settled on the farm now occupied by his widow and youngest son; he purchased and entered about 300 acres of land, was an industrious and successful man, a leading member of the Christian Church, and led a life consistent with his professions.  Coming to Coles Co. before the Black Hawk war, they had the Kickapoos and Pottawatomies for their neighbors.  On the breaking-out of the Black Hawk war he volunteered as a soldier, was commissioned as Captain, and assisted in the capture of the Chief Black Hawk.  He died Dec. 2, 1864; of nine children eight were living at the time of his death, and six are living at the present time, viz., Josiah, now a resident of this township; Jarrot, of Shell City, Mo.; Mildred A., wife  of Addison Bowen, of Johnson Co., Kan.; Mary A., wife of Thomas Adair, of Johnson Co., Kan.; Samuel W., who served in the late war, and now lives in Schuyler Co., Mo., and Charles D., residing on the homestead; John C., a member of the 123d I. V. I., died at Nashville, Tenn., in February, 1863; Susan E., wife of William O'Brien, died Apr. 19, 1866; Fountain served in the late war, and died in 1871, in Schuyler Co., Mo.  Mrs. Phelps still resides on the old place, about two miles south of Ashmore; she has passed through many and severe hardships of those pioneer days, and is now hale and strong at nearly 70 years of age.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 602

North Okaw Twp. -
McCAGHA PHILLIPS, farmer, P. O. Fuller's Point; one of the natives of Illinois; was born in Moultrie Co., Jan. 7, 1856; he is the son of Mr. Calvin Phillips, of Mattoon Twp., who is one of the early settlers of Coles Co.; his farm consists of 136 acres, valued at $4,500.  He married June 10, 1877, to Miss Mary A. Gilmer, who was born in Russell Co., Va., Apr. 27, 1856; Leon is their only child.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 648

Mattoon Twp. -
A. G. PICKETT, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Kenton Co., Ky., in 1826; his early life was spent for the most part in school; he completed a full course in Woodward College, Cincinnati, at which he graduated in 1844; he then entered the Ohio Medical College and completed the course in 1847; he began the practice of his profession in Ohio, where he remained one year; he then came West to Illinois, and located near Quincy, where he remained till 1861, when he entered the U. S. service as Surgeon of the 50th Regiment I. V. I.; he remained in the service till November, 1853; on his return from the army, he located in Moultrie Co., and followed his profession till 1874, when he removed to Mattoon.  He was married in 1862 to Amanda S. Jenkins, a native of Kentucky; has four children - Alice S., Ada M., Willie A. and Lenore.  Dr. Pickett very naturally grew up into a physician; his father and many of his ancestors had been practitioners of the "Healing art," and the profession seemed to fall to him as a natural birth-right inheritance.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 554

East Oakland Twp.
JAMES H. PIERSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Oakland; born in Warren Co., Ohio, Apr. 6, 1847, where he engaged in farming until Feb. 15, 1863, when, at the age of 15 years, he enlisted as private in Co. A, 12th Ohio V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union; he was in many hard fought battles, among which were South Mountain Antietam 2d Bull Run, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Lynchburg and was with the 16th Army Corps under Gen. Hunter in front of Richmond; at the battle of Winchester, he was wounded and sent to the hospital for two months; at the battle of South Mountain a ball passed through his blouse; at the battle of Lynchburg, a shot struck and carried away his canteen; while scaling a stone wall upon the retreat of the Union army at the battle of Winchester, a solid shot struck the wall beneath him, which demolished the wall, beneath him, which demolished the wall, broke the stock of his gun into atoms, and stunned and bruised him badly by the falling stones; a companion seeing this incident and supposing him killed, so reported to his folks, under which impression they labored until his return at the close of the war; he was mustered out of service with his regiment in August, 1865, at Cleveland, Ohio.  After remaining in Ohio a short time he emigrated to Edgar Co., Ill., where he arrived with a capital of 75 cents; he immediately commenced work in a saw-mill at $1.25 per day, which business he followed for several years; he removed upon his present place in 1870, where he owns 160 acres of land under cultivation; 116 head of cattle, upward of 100 hogs, 120 head of sheep, and 18 head of horses and mules, which he has accumulated by hard labor, energy and industry, being nobly assisted by the aid of his wife, to whom he was married May 18, 1870; her maiden name was Susan S. Brodie; she was born in Arena, Wis., Jan. 6, 1848; they have four children now living by this union, viz., Ollie M., Flora B., Jackson and William S.; at the time of his marriage, he had neither money to procure the license nor defray the expense of the ceremony, the same being advanced by his employer, Mr. R. F. Larimer, a prominent merchant of Oakland, who has nobly rendered him assistance at different times, and of whom he speaks in terms of the highest praise.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 574

Mattoon Twp. -
W. H. K. PILE, real estate, collecting and insurance agent, Mattoon; was born in Breckinridge Co., Ky., Feb. 17, 1819; he was reared on a farm, and learned his trade, that of a wagon maker, during his minority; at the age of 20, he began life for himself, following his trade and that of a carpenter, till 25 years of age; he then engaged in farming for five years; in 1855, he came West to Illinois, and settled south of Charleston, Coles Co.; in 1856, he came to Mattoon, and engaged in operating a hotel; in 1857, he was elected Police Magistrate of the city; in 1858, he was chosen Associate Justice of Coles Co., with Judges Edwards and Leach; in 1859, he was elected School Commissioner of Coles Co., and served two years; in the winter of 1862, he removed to Charleston and operated a hotel, and, in 1863, located in Alton and engaged in the same business; in 1867, he returned to Mattoon, and engaged as traveling salesman for a firm in Louisville, Ky.; in 1869, he was again chosen Police Magistrate, and held the office four years; in 1873, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and remained in office four years; during the years of 1875, 1876 and 1877, he traveled for a firm, loaning money on real estate; for the past year he has devoted his time to the collection of claims the transaction of real estate business, and has recently added the insurance agency.  He was married in March, 18744, to Nancy J. Walkup, a native of Kentucky.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 553

Humbolt Twp. -
WILLIAM A. POORMAN, forming and stock; P. O. Humbolt, Ill.; the subject of this sketch was born in Humbolt Tp., Coles Co., Ill, Mar. 7, 1842.  He married Miss Sarah Ann Wamsley Apr. 9, 1866; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio; they have four children, viz., Curtis E., Oscar R., Sarah E. and Edward F.  He was born on his father's farm, probably the second child born in this township; he lived at home with his parents until 1866, when, on being married, he engaged in farming on his own account, working part of his father's farm; in 1868, he came to his present place, and has lived here since.  In 1864, he enlisted in the 143d Regt. I. V. I., but, owing to sickness, did not go out with the regiment.  He has held the office of Town Clerk, and has been School Director a number of years.  He owns 160 acres of land in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 638

Pleasant Grove Twp. -
FRANCIS POPHAM, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 10; P. O. Campbell; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, June 2, 1838; lived with his parents on the farm; engaged in farming until married to Sarah E. Babbs, Dec. 11, 1862; she was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Dec. 8, 1844; the fruit of their marriage has been four children - William C., Fred D., Minnie A. and Clarence E.  Mr. P. owns 100 acres of excellent river-bottom land, which he farms; he also deals largely in horses; he is a very liberal-hearted man, and respected by all who know him.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 590

East Oakland Twp. -
DANIEL B. POWERS, retired farmer; P. O. Oakland; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co.; born in Butler Co., Ohio, July 1, 1807, where he engaged in farming until 1836, when he emigrated West and located in Crawfordsville, Ind., where he engaged in the mercantile trade for about eighteen months, when he sold his interest in the store and removed to East Oakland Township in March, 1838, where he purchased 180 acres of land, where he has since lived during a period of forty years; he has upon his old farm upon which he lives, a fine brick residence, which he erected in 1846, making the brick himself upon his own farm.  He married September, 1828, to Maria Runnels; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio; she died Apr. 17, 1861, leaving four children - Jonathan W., Nancy, John and Levi his marriage with Phoebe Bates was celebrated Aug. 29, 1861; she was born in Ohio July 25, 1817; Mr. Powers has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years, and Town Collector two years in the Township in which he lives.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 574

Charleston Twp. -
A. H. PREVO, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Charleston; was born in Randolph Co., N. C., Jan. 5, 1833; he is the only son of Alson H. and Pheriba (Phelps) Prevo, both natives of that State, the former of whom died when the subject of this sketch was a child, and the latter of whom now resides with her son, at the age of 70 years.  At the age of 18 years he left the farm, and obtained employment in one of the lumber mills in the vicinity.  In 1854, he came West as far as Fountain Co., Ind., and there engaged in teaching school.  He was married Oct. 23, 1843, to Miss Mary E. Richmond, the only daughter of Henry and Sophia J. (Keller) Richmond, of that county; they have two children - Jennie and Alson H.  Mrs. Richmond, now 66 years of age, is a member of her daughter's family.  Removing to Coles Co. in 1856, Mr. Prevo hired out to drive oxen at $20 a month, and board himself, and after following that for two years, he worked in the mill for two years more, when, having accumulated a sufficient sum, he purchased the mill in which he was employed, which he ran for a number of years.  In 1867, he removed to Charleston and fitted up the Charleston Stave, Factory, with a new engine, and continued that business one year; the next year, he built the Prevo & Spence Elevator, into which he removed the engine and machinery of the stave-factory; after continuing the grain business one year, he engaged in the stock business, shipping horses and mules to the Southern States, which he followed three winters.  In 1869, he purchased a mill a few miles south of Charleston, which he ran for three years; then, after looking after the interests of his farm for a year, he, in 1873, purchased the mill which he still continues to own, and which he ran up to 1877; he then retired to his farm on Sec. 18, where he makes a specialty of fine stock, keeping from one hundred to two hundred Poland-China hogs, and from fifteen to twenty horses; he owns 325 acres in his home farm and 120 acres in Hutton Tp., all but 40 acres of which he improved himself, cutting off and sawing the timber in his mills.  Mr. Prevo served three years as School Director of his district, previous to his removal to Charleston in 1867, and while a resident of that city, served four years on the Board of Aldermen, two of which he was a member of the Water Works Board; he served on year on the Board of Supervisors, and three years on the Board of Education; he was one of the organizers of the Second National Bank, and for two years a Director in that institution.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 530

North Okaw Twp. -
MARTIN PRICE, farmer; P. O. Cook's Mills; one of the early settlers; was born in Alabama Mar. 4, 1827; came to this State in 1830, to Coles Co., in 1842, and settled in North Okaw.  He was married Feb. 15, 1849 to Miss Mary J. Hoskins, who was born in Illinois, Jan. 7, 1830; they have ten children, viz., Mary Ann, Margaret M., Martha J., Lucinda D., Joseph A., Nancy M., Lowery M., Ruth, Belle, William E., and James F.  Since Mr. Price's residence in the township he has held the office of Commissioner of Highways four years, School Director twenty years, and is at present Supervisor, this being his fourth term in that office.  His farm consists of sixty acres, valued at $2,000.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 648