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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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Morgan Twp. -
JOHN G. SAILER, farmer; P. O. Rardin; born in
Wurtemberg, Germany, Oct. 18, 1823, where he attended school and
engaged in farming until 21 years of age, when he was drafted in the
2d Regt. of cavalry, where he served two years, when he received a
furlough, subject to the call of the King, and, at the expiration of
about four months, war being declared between Germany and Denmark,
he was called into service and served during the year, which
continued for a period of two years, at the close of which, the
German rebellion breaking out, in which he served until the same was
subdued, which was about twelve months; he then engaged in farming
until 1853, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York Nov.
10, of the same year; he then went to Pennsylvania, where he worked
upon a farm for six months, at $8 per month; he then went to
Indiana, where he worked as farm laborer for two years, at $16 per
month ; he then located near Charleston, Coles Co., Ill., where he
was employed by Jacob P. Decker eight months, when he removed
to Morgan Tp. and located upon Sec. 9, in the spring of 1857, where
he has since lived; he owns upward of one hundred acres, upon which
he has good buildings; he erected his house in 1869. His
marriage with Melissa Gillaspie was celebrated Mar.
18, 1857; she was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Jan. 19, 1838; they
have two children now living by this union, viz., Rosa C.,
born Dec. 15, 1860, and Nancy C., born Dec. 29, 1862; Mrs.
Sailer was the oldest daughter of Augustus Gillaspie her
mother being a sister of John H. and Jacob L. Rardin,
whose biography appear in this work; her parents were among the
early pioneers of Coles Co., making the journey with teams from
Ohio, in company of John H. and Jacob Rardin, and
locating in this township in the fall of 1842. Mr. Sailer
was reared from childhood James E. Archer, who was born in
Oakland Feb. 11, 1856; his father died when he was 9 months old, and
Mr. Sailer has educated him and treated him as one of his own
children since his adoption.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 630 |
Mattoon Twp. -
A. J. SANBORN, master mechanic, I. & St. L.
Shops, Mattoon; was born in Acton, York Co., Me., in 1826;
having lost his mother when but 11 years of age, he left home, and,
making his way to Boston, went on board a vessel, and was absent two
years on a voyage; after coming into port, he made known to his
father and family his adventures for the two years past; he served
seven years on the sea, sailing as second mate on board the ship Vesta, of Boston, and the brig Yucatan, in the South American trade;
at the age of 21 years, he began his trade in the Lowell
Machine-Shops, at Lowell, Mass; here he remained two years; he next
went to Boston and worked in the locomotive-shops of Hinckley
& Drury for eighteen months; thence to Lawrence, Mass., to
the Essex shops, one year; in 1858, or 1859, he came west to East
St. Louis, and took charge of the erecting department of the O. & M.
R. R; in 1867, he took charge of the machinery on the Vandalia R.
R., and, in 1873, he took charge of the works for the I. & St. L. R.
R. at Mattoon; Mr. Sanborn is truly a self-made man;
his education has been derived in the school of experience, and,
whatever he undertakes to perform, he executes with an experienced
and skillful hand.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 556 |
Hutton Twp. -
JOHN SARGENT, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born
in this township Mar. 20, 1845; his father, Stephen, was born
in Candia, N. H., July 1, 1797, and at the age of 13 went to New
Jersey, remaining there three years, and from there traveled on foot
to Ohio, working one year upon a far in that State; he then went to
Kentucky, near the city of Louisville, working at the trade of
stone-mason, and while there made a trip upon a flatboat from
Louisville to New Orleans and back. In the year 1836, he came
to New Richmond (now Westfield), Clark Co., and carried on a general
merchandise store, and two years afterward purchased and moved upon
a farm in Sec. 11, in this county, where he remained up to the time
of his death, Nov. 30, 1878. is farm contained over 600 acres.
He married Miss Nancy Chenoweth, widow of Jacob Harlan,
Oct. 18, 1842; she is still living on the homestead, and was born
Mar. 25, 1805. They had two children - the subject of this
sketch and Maggie (now Mrs. Charles H. Rice, of
Vermont), born June 22, 1844, and now living in Denver, Colo.
They have four children - Carrie E., Harry C., Benjamin P.
and Genevieve. Mr. Sargent's mother was born in
Kentucky, and journeyed on a pack-saddle to Vincennes, Ind., with
her parents, who afterward came to Clark Co., where she resided
after her first marriage and death of her husband, Jacob Harlan.
The subject of this sketch was born on the homestead, where he has
resided ever since the death of his father, At the age of 15, he
enlisted in Co. C, 68th Reg. Ill. Vol. for three months. He
married Maria A. Turner (daughter of Samuel Turner, of
Kentucky), Mr. 24, 1870. They have four children
Maggie P., born Jan. 28, 1871; Jesse R., Apr. 23, 1872;
Ada O., Sept. 15, 1875, and Carl, born Jan. 25, 1878.
Mr. Sargent owns 400 acres of land.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 619 |
Mattoon Twp. -
J. L. SCOTT, dealer in groceries, queensware
and glassware, Mattoon; was born in Henry Co., Ky., in 1836; his
early life was passed upon the farm, and his education was derived
from the common schools; in 1856, he moved to Franklin, Ind., where
he engaged in mercantile pursuits; in 1863, he returned to Kentucky,
located in Louisville, and was employed in the United States
Government Pay Department, under Gen. Thurston, Paymaster of
the Army of the Cumberland; in the spring of 1865, he removed with
his parents to Coles Co., Ill., and purchased a farm of 160 acres
northeast of Mattoon; in 1871, having disposed of his farm, he came
to Mattoon, purchased a stock of groceries, and has since resided
here. He was married Dec. 10, 1861, to Catharine J. Runyon,
a native of Vernon, Jennings Co., Ind.; has four children -
William H., Mary F. Gracie and Charlie.
Has held the office of Supervisor of Humboldt Tp.; is at present
Worshipful master of Mattoon Lodge, No. 260, A., F. & A. M.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 555 |
Mattoon Twp. -
JOHN F. SCOTT, attorney at law, Mattoon; was
born in Geauga Co., Ohio, A. D. 1844; his early life was spent upon
the farm, and his experiences those common to a farmer's son; at the
age of 16, he became a student in the Eclectic Institute (now Hiram
College), at that time presided over by Gen. J. A. Garfield;
here he remained one year; returning home, he engaged in farming one
year, and subsequently engaged in teaching; in 1866, he entered the
Commercial College in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., remaining eight months;
he next engaged in the sale of territory for patent rights; in 1868,
he again engaged in farming; in March, 1868, he again engaged in
farming; in March, 1869, he came West to Illinois, located in
Mattoon, and was engaged in life, fire and accident insurance till
1874; he then came into the office of H. S. Clark, and
resumed his legal studies; in April, 1875, he entered the graduating
class of the Ohio State and Union Law College, of Cleveland, from
which he graduated in July, following; on his return, the legal firm
of Clark & Scott was formed, and he has since devoted himself
to his profession. He was married in 1858, to Sophia E.
Clark a native of Ohio; has two children - Earl C. and
Montague W. In 1872, he was chosen Mayor of the city, and,
by re-election, held the office three times in succession; in 1876,
1877 and 1878, he was chosen Supervisor of Mattoon Tp., and
ex-officio Treasurer; he is at present Chairman of the Board.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 555 |
Humbolt Twp. -
JOHN W. SEAMAN, farming and stock; P. O. Humbolt; was born in
Adams Co., Ohio, May 28, 1837. He married Miss Mary Ann
Ellison Feb. 15,1859; she was born in the same place Sept. 1,
1840; they have ten children, viz., Emma J., James H., Franklin
A., Fred J., Charlie, Harry, Lizzie S., Thomas E., Wm. E.
and Maggie. He lived in Ohio until 1862; he was born on
the farm and has always followed farming; in 1862, he came to
Illinois and settled in North Okaw Tp., where he lived three years;
he then moved to Humbolt Tp., and leased the Blue Grass Grove farm,
and, in 1869, he came to his present place and has lived here since.
He owns 360 acres in this township, which he has earned entirely by
his own labor and management and principally during the short time
he has lived in this township.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 638 |
North Okaw Twp. -
THOMAS
SENTENEY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Cook's Mills; one of
the early settlers of the county, was born in Kentucky May 16, 1819;
came to this State in 1842, Coles Co. in 1853, and settled in North
Okaw Twp.; his farm consists of 104 acres, valued at $3,000, and
since his residence in the township he has held the office of
Assessor one term, School Trustee and Director twelve years.
He was married to Miss Anne Flemming, who was born
in Indiana; they have had seven children, viz., John T.,
Sarah, Mark, James L., Mary J., Samuel A. and Emma.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 648 |
|
Ashmore Twp. -
JONATHAN SHAVER, farmer and stock-raiser; P.
O. Ashmore; the above named gentleman was born in Ladoga, Montgomery
Co., Ind., July 22, 1836; his father, Jonathan Shaver, is a
native of Virginia, was an early settler in Montgomery Co., having
come there about the year 1830, his mother, Susan Shaver,
being also a native of Virginia; Mr. Shaver was raised
on a farm. He was married Sept. 30, 1856, to Miss Mary J.
Stratton, of Green Co., Ohio; she died Jan. 8, 1860, leaving two
children - Rosela and Emma J. Mr. Shaver
was then poor; he worked at the time of the war for $12 per month
during half of the hear and the balance of the year for his board;
to illustrate the habits of economy which he practiced, after
supporting his two children, he had something left. He was
married again Aug. 1, 1865, to Miss Sarah A. Tickey, a
daughter of George W. and Hannah Trickey; she was born in
Boone Co., Ind., Sept. 5, 1842; they have five children - Laura
V., John E., Herbert I., Gracie M. and Ralph. In
1867, he removed to Coles Co., and settled on his present farm; he
has worked hard, and now owns 140 acres of land under a good state
of cultivation, a barn costing nearly a thousand dollars, and no
encumbrance on any of it. He is a man of the strictest
integrity, and a prosperous citizen.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 605 |
Charleston Twp. -
A. F. SHAW, Police Magistrate, Charleston; is
a native of Illinois; he was born in Paris, Edgar Co., Feb. 10,
1824; he is a son of Smith and Elizabeth Shaw; his father was
born in North Carolina; was raised in South Carolina, and when a
young man, emigrated to Tennessee, and from there to Kentucky; he
was one of the pioneers of Missouri, from which State he was several
times driven by the Indians; he afterward came to Illinois, long
prior to its admission as a State, and finally, in 1822, settled in
Paris, where he died about sixteen years later; Mr. Shaw
learned the saddler's trade at the age of 15, and followed it till
the breaking-out of the Mexican war; he then volunteered in Col.
Baker's 4th I. V. I., and was elected 2d Lieutenant of Co. H.;
he marched with Gen. Taylor's army through Mexico, from
Metamoras to Tampico, and afterward participated in the siege of
Vera Cruz and the battle of Cerro Gordo; returning at the end of a
year's service, he engaged in business in Paris. In 1850, he
crossed the plains to California, and engaged in mining; on his
return, three years later, he went to Carthage, Hancock Co., Ill.,
where he carried on the saddlery business till 1856. He was
married in May, 1854, to Miss Lucy A. Bunnell, a daughter of
William Bunnell, of Charleston; in 1856, he removed to
Charleston, and after a short time returned to Paris, where he
resided till 1869, since which time he has been a resident of
Charleston; he kept the Union House till 1874, when he was chosen
Police Magistrate. He has three children living - Franklin
F., Oro E., and Bessie N.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 531 |
Lafayette Twp.
B. B.
SHINN, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; owns 142 acres;
was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Mar. 10, 1824; was brought up a
farmer. He married Margaret Barcalow Jan. 1, 1845; she
was born in Butler Co., Ohio, July 14, 1824; they had three
children; only one (G. B.) is now living; he was born in Bartholomew
Co., Ind., Oct. 20, 1851. He married Cornelia M. Ricketts
Feb. 11, 1872; she was born in Charleston Mar. 19, 1853; is a
daughter of Joshua Ricketts, Esq., of Ashmore Twp.; they have
had three children, two of whom are now living - Nellie and
O. Morton; Katie is the name of the deceased.
The subject of this sketch had two other children - James,
who died at the age of 22 years; a twin to the latter died in
infancy. Mr. S. has held the office of Justice of the
Peace, Supervisor and Town Clerk. He, in company with his
wife, spent five months at the Centennial Exhibition in
Philadelphia, in 1876. He was appointed by the Governor of
this State as Assistant Commissioner at that exhibition; he
purchased a county right for a patent farm-gate, while at that
Exhibition, that is worth the attention of every farmer; it is
simple and cheap, and a person does not have to alight from a load
of hay or a wagon to open it; it costs no more than a common gate;
the inventor was a Canadian, and, of course, it is constructed so
that deep snows are no hindrance to its being opened or shut at any
time without the trouble of shoveling snow; it will pay any person
to travel a long distance to see this gate; there is no doubt but
what they will come in general use just as fast as the people find
out that there is such a simple device in existence.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 655 |
Humboldt Twp. -
JAMES SHOEMAKER, farming and stock; P. O.
Loxa; the subject of this sketch was born in Washington Co., Va.,
Feb. 19, 1825. He married Miss Tabitha Mason
Sept. 3, 1863; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., Aug. 30, 1840; they
had seven children, four living, viz., Mary E., William K., James
S. and Franklin R. He lived in Virginia nearly ten
years, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in
Coles Co., one mile north of Charleston; this was in December, 1834;
they lived there four years, then moved to La Fayette Township, on
the Springfield road, five miles west of Charleston; while there,
his father died; in 1850, he came to his present place, he being the
first settler in this part of the township. In 1862, he
enlisted in the 123d I. V. I., which, after four months' service,
was mounted; he held the position of First Lieutenant; he remained
in the service nearly one year, and took part in the battles of
Perryville and Milton, and also the minor engagements of the
regiment. He has held the office of Assessor two years, and
was Supervisor of Humbolt Tp. for the years 1865 and 1866. He
owns 382 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor
and management. His parents, John and Annie Brown Shoemaker,
were natives of North Carolina, where they were married; both died
in this county, he in 1843, and she in 1856.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 638 |
Charleston Twp. -
ARTHUR C. SHRIVER, of the firm of A. C.
Shriver & Sons, dealers in stoves, tinware and house-furnishing
goods, Charleston; was born in Fleming Co., Ky., Jan. 30, 1813; when
he was about 10 years old, his parents removed to Adams Co., Ohio;
at the age of 18, he went to the Hillsboro, in Highland Co., Ohio,
to learn the tinner's trade; after which, he worked as a journeyman
in Ohio and Kentucky for a number of years; in 1836, he began
business for himself in Augusta, Ky., removing a few years later to
Felicity, Clermont, Ohio, and there carried on the stove and tinware
business for nearly twenty years with the exception of a short time
when he was in the same business in Cincinnati; in 1858, he removed
to Charleston, and engaged in business, Dr. Boyd Monroe being
his first Western partner; since then, many changes have occurred,
but Mr. Shriver has remained the leader in his line of
business during all the changes of the past twenty years; the firm
now consists of himself and two sons - George A. Shriver and
Charles W. Shriver; they do the largest business in their
line of any house in the smaller towns of Illinois, carrying a well
selected stock of stoves, tinware, queensware, glassware, silverware
and cutlery; they keep everything of the kind that any one could
want, are polite to their customers, and make it a point to sell
lower than any one else. Mr. Shriver was married May 4,
1837, to Miss Nancy Maffett, who was born Jan. 17, 1815.
We give the following sketch of their children: William F.
Shriver was born Nov. 14, 1839, and married June 10, 1862, to
Miss Mary F. Hanks, a niece of President Lincoln, Mrs.
Lincoln giving her own name as Mary; they have two sons;
Ann Eliza Shriver was born Feb. 11, 1842, and died May 31,
1843; Albena Shriver was born July 11, 1845 and married O.
B. Murray, a navy banker and claim agent of Baltimore, Md., Jan.
3, 1865; he died in Chicago, Aug. 10, 1870, leaving one daughter
Alice, born in Baltimore, Md.; Mrs. Murray married R.
B. Anderson, of Charleston, in 1873, and moved to Little Rock,
Ark., in 1876; George A. Shriver was born in Felicity, Ohio,
Dec. 10, 1847, and married Miss Julia Hamlin, in 1871; he
learned the tinner's trade when quite young, and as a workman and
salesman is very successful; he is a book-keeper of the firm of
A. C. Shriver & Sons, of which he is a member; Charles W.
Shriver was born in Felicity, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1851, he is a
member of the firm, is an expert in his business, and honorable in
his dealings; he was married in September, 1876, to Miss Ida V.
Ramsey, of McConnellsville, Ohio; they have one son, Arthur
C., born Mar. 31, 1878; Callie Shriver was born Apr. 6,
1854; was married Jan. 31, 1872, to Joseph Landers, of
Charleston; they have had one daughter Katie, who died about
a year ago, age 3 years of age.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 533 |
Ashmore Twp. -
A. J. SHULSE, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O.
Kansas; was born in Nicholas Co., Ky., Oct 17, 1827, being a son of
Henry and Winnifred Shulse, the former a native of Kentucky,
and the latter of Virginia. He was married Aug. 5, 1852, to
Miss Martha J. Honn, daughter of David and Anna Honn, of
Nicholas County, Ky. She was born in that county May 9, 1826.
In November, 1859, they removed to Coles County, and the following
spring settled in their present home. Mr. and Mrs. Shulse
are well pleased with the change from Kentucky to the prairies of
Illinois. For nearly three years past, they have been
traveling in the West, visiting the States of Missouri, Kansas and
Colorado, spending over a year in the Rocky Mountains, and although
well pleased with the Western country, have returned fully satisfied
with their present home. Mr. Shulse owns a fine
farm, improved with good buildings, shrubbery, orchards and miles of
Osage hedge, which in summer time presents a most beautiful
appearance. It occupies a commanding location, affording a
fine view of the surrounding country. Mr. Shulse has
devoted his attention exclusively to his business of farming, in
which he has been very successful. His aim has been to farm in
a thorough manner rather tan to acquire large quantities of land,
and the result fully demonstrates the wisdom of his course.
His home farm contains 80 acres, besides which he has 20 acres of
timber. In 1868, he was ordained an Elder in the Christian
Church, since which time he has served in that capacity.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 604 |
Charleston Twp. -
L. L. SILVERTHORN, M. D., physician and
surgeon, Charleston; was born in Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Penn.,
Oct. 21, 1830; his early life was passed upon a farm; he was the
youngest of a family of twelve children, and his father being in
moderate circumstances, he was thrown upon his own resources, and
obtained only such an education as the common schools afforded; in
1850, he began teaching school, which he continued at intervals for
three years; in 1852, he entered upon the study of medicine, in Fond
du Lac, Wis.; in 1854, he came to Charleston and continued his
studies under the instruction of Dr. T. B. Trower; in
September, 1855, he went to Philadelphia, and attended in course of
lectures in the Jefferson Medical College, in that city; returning
to Charleston, he began the practice of his profession, which he has
continued for twenty-two years; he is a member of the
Æsculapian Society of the Wabash
Valley, of which he has been Vice President, and also of the
American Medical Association. He was married Oct. 8, 1856, to
Miss Amerial Trower, a daughter of the late Dr. T. B.
Trower, of Charleston, and has two children - John T. and
Clara M.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 532 |
Hutton Twp. -
G. W. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Westfield; was born in Pulaski
Co., Ky., Apr. 17, 1813; when he was ten years of age his parents
moved to Lawrence Co., Ind., and remained there about six eyars
engaged in farming; from there they moved to Vigo Co., Ind., where
his parents died. In 1839, Mr. Smith came to Coles Co.,
and first settled on Sec. 27, in this township, living there until
1863, when he moved to his present farm on Sec. 26, containing 87
acres. He held the office of School Director several terms.
He married Miss Eliza Boland (her parents being natives of
Virginia), in Vigo Co., Ind., Aug. 1840; they had nine children, six
girls and three boys, five girls living - Sarah Jane (now
Mrs. Preston Walker of Texas), Leanner, Louisa, Polly
(now Mrs. Samuel Merritt, of Charleston, Coles Co., Ill.),
and Rosetta (now Mrs. Cornelius King of Clark Co.,
Ill.), and one deceased, Filinda, and two boys living,
George W. and Benjamin T., one deceased, David.
The brother of Mr. Smith, Anthony, was born in the same
county in the year 1815, and came with his parents also to Vigo Co.,
Ind., and engaged in farming up to the time of his death, 1857.
He was married to Miss Hannah Sparks, of Ind., who died in
the year 1855; he left three sons, two living, one of whom
William R., Mr. G. W. Smith brought with him to Coles Co. when
only 4 years old, who has made his home with him ever since.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 619 |
Pleasant Grove Twp. -
JULIUS E. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Etna;
owns the undivided fourth of eighty acres; was born in Coles Co.,
Ill., Jan. 10, 1852, and lived with his parents on the farm until 20
years of age, when he married Louisa Woolery Oct. 2, 1872;
she was born in Putnam Co., Ind., July 19, 1856; they ahve three
children - Mina L., Edna O. and George M. Mr.
Smith has been School Director two years. His parents were
natives of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Smith's of Indiana.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 591 |
East Oakland Twp. -
N. P. SMITH,
dealer in books stationery, etc., Oakland; born in Delaware Co.,
Ohio, Jan. 6, 1847, where he attended school until 16 years of age,
when he removed from Pickaway Co., where he attended school one
year; he then attended at Delaware City, where he entered the
Wesleyan University, where he remained eighteen months; in 1866, he
located in Shelby Co., Ill., and for five years engaged from four to
six months during the fall and winter in teaching school, and the
balance of the season farming and dealing in farm implements and
machinery; he then engaged in the book and stationery trade at
Shelbyville with T. E. Laphamb for a short time, when, in
1873, he located at Oakland in the above business, under the firm
name of Lapham & Smith, continuing the same for six months,
when he purchased the interest of his partner, since which time he
has continued the business alone; his business card will be found in
the business directory of Oakland, and another part of his work.
His marriage with Minerva Gollogher was celebrated Sept. 30,
1859; she was born in Shelby Co., Ill., Sept. 9, 1847; they have
four children now living by this union, viz., Orrin L., Jennie,
Edith and Lucy.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 578 |
North Okaw Twp. -
THOMAS SMITH,
farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Coles Co., Ill.,
Oct. 19, 1853; he is the son of Mr. W. H.
Smith, deceased, and Mary A. Smith,
deceased, who was formerly Miss Mary A. Osborn.
The estate being unsettled, he is one of seven heirs to the
homestead; it contains 680 acres, valued at $20,400; the balance of
the heirs, who are brothers and sisters of Mr. Smith,
are Isabel, Martha, Delphine,
Alice, Willis and Joseph.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 648 |
East Oakland Twp. -
W. O. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser also
proprietor and superintendent of Smith's flour, feed and saw
mills; P. O. Oakland; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Oct. 8, 1824,
where he followed farming until 25 years of age, when in 1849 he
removed West, and located in Coles Co., Ill., purchasing 140 acres
of land, where he lived until 1869, when he removed to Oakland and
purchased the steam flour and saw mill, which business he has since
followed; he owns his mill and four houses and lots in Oakland
besides upward of 700 acres of land in Coles and Douglas Counties,
mostly under cultivation. He married Aug. 3, 1843, Kezia
Chance; she was born Oct. 19, 1821; she died July 9, 1872, at
Oakland, leaving four children now living - John P., Benjamin F.,
Mary E., Theresa; his marriage with Mrs. Mary E. Ashmore
was celebrated Jan. 6, 1876; she was the widow of George W.
Ashmore, one of the early pioneers of Coles Co.; she has one son
by her former husband, she has one son by her former husband,
Charles C.; Mrs. Smith was born in Ohio, Mar. 30, 1830.
Mr. Smith has filled the office of School Director for fourteen
years in succession.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 578 |
|
Mattoon Twp. -
JOHN W. SOULES, proprietor meat market,
Mattoon; was born in Terre Haute, Ind., Nov. 10, 1828; his father
was a farmer, and his early life was spent upon the farm; his
education was limited entirely to the common school; he remained at
home till his majority; at the age of 21 years, he engaged in the
packing house of Ferrington & Williams, of Terre
Haute, where he remained five years; he was next engaged in the same
business with Jacob D. Early three years; in 1860, he
came to Mattoon and took charge of a packing-house for Messrs.
Miller & Johnson, and remained with them four years; in 1864, he
took charge of a similar establishment for P. H. Flarity,
remaining nine years; he next engaged in his present business.
He was married Oct. 20, 1849, to Eveline Bailey, a
native of Indiana; has had six children—Mary E., Laura L.,
William H., Emma, Charles L., living; Ocalla, deceased.
Owns city property. He superintended the construction of the
reservoir designed to supply the city with water.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 556 |
|
Seven Hickory Twp. -
J. SPRINGER, farmer; P. O. Charleston.
The subject of this sketch was born on the line between Fayette and
Jessamine Counties, Ky., Feb. 13, 1808; he married Miss Lucy A.
Payton on Easter Sunday, 1838; she was born in Fayette Co. ,Ky.,
Sept. 7, 1814. They had six children, three living, viz.,
Angeline, Nannie J. and Mary M. He lived in
Kentucky twenty-one years; he then went to Missouri and settled in
Clay Co., where he engaged at his trade of wagon making, and
remained seven or eight years; he then returned to Kentucky and
followed his trade about twelve years, when he came to Illinois and
followed his trade in Edgar Co., remaining four years. He then
came to Coles Co. and engaged in the stock business with Mr.
Payton, in Morgan Tp., remaining four years; he then came to his
present place, where the partnership was continued four years
longer. In 1871, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and
served four years; he has been Commissioner of Highways two terms;
he has divided considerable land among his children, and retains a
competency for himself and wife; his children are all married and
living in sight.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 645 |
|
Ashmore Twp. -
A. T. STEELE, M.D., physician and surgeon,
Ashmore, is a native of Illinois; he was born in Clark Co. June 28,
1844; he is a son of Oliver P. Steele, a native of the city
of Philadelphia, who came to Clark Co. in 1837, where he resided
till his death, which occurred Oct. 2, 1872; his mother was Nancy
K. Twilley, who was born in Kentucky, and came to Illinois with
her in 1832. Dr. Steele was raised on the farm; in
1863, he enlisted in Co. C, 62d Ill. Vols, serving till Feb. 185; he
participated in the battles of Little Rock, Pine Bluffs and Fort
Smith, Ark., and Fort Gibson, Indian Territory; returning from the
war, he spent one year in farming, and, in 1867, entered Westfield
College, where he remained two years; during the winter of 1869-70,
he attended lectures in Rush Medical College, Chicago, reading
medicine the following summer in the office of Dr. Van Dyke,
in Ashmore; in the fall of 1871, he returned to the college in
Chicago, but the buildings of that institution being destroyed in
the great fire in that city, he went to the University of Michigan
in An Arbor, and there pursued his second course in medicine; he
began practice as a physician in Ashmore, in 1872, and, in the fall
of 1874, returned to Rush Medical College, where he graduated and
received the degree of M. D. in February 1875; as a physician, he
has been successful, having a large and steadily-increasing
practice. He was married May 14, 1872, to Miss Anna M.
Duncan, of Westfield, Ill., and has three children - Perry L.,
Binnie A. and Clifford B.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 605 |
|
Charleston Twp. -
GEORGE STEIGMAN, Charleston, of the firm of
Steigman, Wilson & Co., proprietor of the Charleston
Pork-Packing Houses; was born in Dimboch, County of Weinsberg,
Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Aug. 5, 1827; he was raised on a
farm, and, in 1853, came to the United States, spent one year in
Meadville, Crawford Co., Penn., and coming thence to Owen Co., Ind.,
where he followed farming one year; in 1855, he came to Charleston
and engaged in farming, which he continued eight years; he then kept
a meat-market until 1871, when he revisited his native country,
spending eight months; returning, he followed the hardware and
lumber business four years; in August, 1878, he became one of ht
proprietors of the Charleston Pork-Packing Houses, a full
description of which will be found in the historical part of this
work. Mr. Steigman has been prosperous in business, and
is one of the solid men of the community, owning two farms in the
county besides his property in town; he has served three terms as a
member of the City Council, and has been City Treasurer for the past
three years. He was married Feb. 26, 1854, to Miss Rosina
Ernst, of Wurtemberg, Germany; they have had one child - John
C., born Dec. 3, 1854, and died Mar. 22, 1856.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 534 |
|
Charleston Twp. -
RICHARD STODDERT, far, stock-dealer and
merchant, Charleston; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Mar. 28, 1812;
his early life was passed on his father's farm, and when quite
young, he was apprenticed to learn the tanner's trade; about the
year 1831, he went to Madisonville, Hopkins Co., Ky., where he
remained until 1838, when he came to Charleston; he engaged in the
tanning business with his brother, Thomas Stoddert, the firm
being R. & T. Stoddert, the partnership continuing for about
thirty years in tanning, merchandising, farming and dealing in
stock; they had at one time about 800 acres of land in the county;
in 1870, Mr. Stoddert began the hardware and lumber business
with W. S. Minton, who afterward disposed of his interest to
George Steigman; since 1876, the firm has been R. Stoddert
& Sons; Mr. Stoddert still continues his faring and stock
operations, having a farm of nearly five hundred acres in Charleston
and Hickory Tps. His first county office was that of Treasurer
of Coles Co., to which he was elected in 1839, serving two terms,
after which he was for two years Sheriff of the county; he has
served as Commissioner of Highways, School Trustee and two terms on
the Board of Supervisors; in 1873, he was elected County Clerk and
held that office four years. He was first married Dec. 25,
1844, to Miss Catharine Rizor, of Charleston; she died in
February, 1872, leaving five children- Benjamin (who was born
in Charleston Feb. 4, 1846, and is now in the hardware and lumber
business with his father), Harry (who was born Dec. 8, 1847;
educated in the public schools and at Westfield College, Ill.;
married Nov. 12, 1873, to Miss Zulima Pinatel, daughter of
Charles Pinatel, of Charleston, and has two children -
Charles Richard and Catharine; he is of the firm of R.
Stoddert & Sons), Thomas(a law student in Charleston),
Frank and Fremont. Mr. Stoddert was married a
second time, Apr. 27, 1875, to Mrs. G. H. Robinson, of
Madisonville, Ky.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 532 |
|
Charleston Twp. -
THOMAS STODDERT, merchant, farmer and
stock-dealer, Charleston; among the early settlers of Coles Co. was
the Stoddert family, consisting of the mother, Mrs. Mary
Stoddert, and nine children, who came from Grayson Co., Ky., at
different times from 1836 to 1838; they are descended from the old
Massachusetts family of Stodderts, being a Major in the
Revolutionary war, and was wounded at the battle of Brandywine; he
was afterward the second Secretary of the United States Navy;
Gen. Ewell, of the Confederate army in the war of the rebellion,
was a cousin; their father, Benjamin Stoddert, removed to
Kentucky about 1810, and died about 1833; of the nine children who
came to Coles Co., as above stated, Richard and Thomas reside
in Charleston; Benjamin, William and Campbell are
deceased; Sarah is living in Covington, Ind.; Harriet
lives in Charleston, the wife of C. R. Briggs; Elizabeth
is the wife of Dr. A. M. Henry, of Mattoon, Susan, (Mrs.
Glover) resides in Ottawa, Kan., and the youngest, Artimisia,
died in Charleston; their mother died in Charleston some ten years
ago; Thomas Stoddert was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Feb. 28,
1815; he was the first of the family to come to Coles Co.; he came
in 1836, and engaged in tanning, continuing in that business till
1851; in 1849, he droe an ox-team across the plains to California,
returning the following year, and engaging in merchandising; in
1854, he went into stock-raising and farming; which he continued
till 1875; he then resumed mercantile business, the firm being T.
Stoddert & Son; he is now engaged n farming and stock business,
in connection with his merchandising, owning a farm of 363 acres
adjoining the city; he also owns considerable town property; in
1871, he, with John B. Hill and I. H. Johnson, built
the Charleston Pork-Packing Houses. Mr. Stoddert was
married Dec. 25, 1850, to Miss Melissa Olmstead, of Coles Co.
and has three children living - William (now in business with
his father), Mary and Thomas.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 533 |
Mattoon Twp. -
ADOLF SUMERLIN, editor and attorney at law,
Mattoon; born in Keosauqua, Iowa, Aug. 24, 1851; moved with his
parents, Rufus and I. A. Sumerlin, to a farm in Scotland Co.,
Mo., in 1859; his father having embarked in the newspaper business
in Memphis in 1860, he commenced learning the printer's trade; in
1865, he moved to Shelbyville, Ill.; in 1869, he conducted the
reportorial department of the Shelby Leader, which his
father had purchased in 1865; in the same year, commenced reading
law with Thornton & Wendling; moved with his parents
to Springfield, Mo., in April, 1871, and after completing his law
studies in Phelps & McAbel's office, was admitted to
practice in the courts of Missouri in October, 1871; moved to
Mattoon, Ill., in September, 1872, and with his father purchased the
Mattoon Commercial; they continued to run the paper together until
August, 1876, when the paper was purchased by the Mattoon Commercial
Printing Co., who appointed A. Sumerlin editor; at present,
is editor of the Commercial and practicing law.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 556 |
Seven Hickory Twp. -
LILBURN
SWINFORD, farm and stock; P. O. Charleston; was born in
Harrison C., Ky., Jan. 31, 1808; he married Miss Francis
Hendricks in September, 1829; she was born in Pendleton Co.,
Ky., Dec. 19, 1809. They had eleven children, eight living,
viz, William H., Martha A., Mary E., Julia A., Lucy, Louisa,
Josephine and Benjamin F. He lived in Kentucky
until 1839, when he moved to Indiana and settled near Greencastle,
where he remained until 1847; he then moved to Illinois and settled
near Ashmore, in Coles Co., and in 1865 he came to his present
place; he owns 200 acres in this county, which he has earned by his
own labor and management. His parents, James and Sarah
Adams, Swinford, were natives of South Carolina and Virginia;
they were married in Kentucky; both have died, she in Kentucky, he
in Indiana.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 645 |
East Oakland Twp. -
S. C.
SWINFORD, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 7, P. O. Oakland;
born in Harrison Co., Ky., Oct. 4, 1825, where he attended school
until 13 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Putnam
Co., Ind., where he engaged upon his father's farm for two years
farming on shares and early in the winter of 1847, employed a team
to transport himself, family and such goods as he was possessed of
to Illinois, where he arrived upon the 17th of February, 1847,
having paid out his last dollar to defray expenses on the trip, his
only capital then being an old blind horse and two colts; with this
capital he commenced farming, renting of Robert Graham what
land he could work with one team, in what is now known as Ashmore
Twp.; in the spring, he walked back to Indiana, and obtained of his
father the loan of a wild horse, which he worked to get in his crop,
when he returned the same well broke, and for four years was obliged
to splice teams to put in his crop; the second year, he rented a
farm in what is now known as Oakland Twp., near where he now
lives, and in this neighborhood rented land until 1855, since which
time he has had all the land of his own he could work; in 1852, he
purchased thirty acres of prairie land, upon which he then removed,
and where he has since continued to live during a period of
twenty-seven years; he has added to the same by purchase as he has
been able, until his home farm now contains 200 acres, upon which he
has erected 600 acres in other parts of the county; upon commencing
housekeeping, he had neither a table, chairs nor bedstead; his
household goods consisted of a feather bed and some dishes; his
first bedstead, for which he paid twenty-five cents, being carried
home, a distance of one mile, upon his back. He married Dec.
2, 1844 to Mary A. Rush; she was born in Tennessee Oct. 31,
1824; they have eight children now living, having lost three by
death; the names of the living are Coleman T., Francis M.,
Henry, James M., John W., George R., Sarah E. and Thomas J.
Mr. Swinford was first Assessor of East Oakland Twp.,
which office he has filled for several terms, as well as the office
of School Director and Trustee.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 577 |
East Oakland Twp. -
W. H.
SWINFORD, farmer; P. O. Oakland, born in Putnam Co., Ind.,
Aug. 20, 1844, where he followed farming until 1871, when he removed
to Illinois and located in Hickory Twp. where he engaged in farming
until 1875, when he purchased sixty acres of prairie land in East
Oakland Twp., upon which he settled, and where he has since lived;
he also owns forty acres in Hickory Twp., upon which he has erected
good, comfortable farm buildings. He married Nov. 10, 1867, to
Mary A. Cole; she was born in Putnam Co., Ind., Jan. 12,
1846; she is a sister of Richard Cole, whose biography
appears in this work; they have three children now living by this
union, viz., Arthur D., James Matthew and William
Theodore.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 578 |
. |
