Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 228

HON. AZARIAH JEFFRIS, a prominent citizen of Coles County, is an extensive farmer, stock-raiser and dealer, residing in Pleasant Grove Township.  He is the son of Thomas and Patsey (Shelton) Jeffries, and was born Apr. 29, 1836, on the farm he now owns.  Thomas Jeffris was born in 1796, in Hanover County, Va., and was of Scotch parentage.  In his infancy his family removed to Grayson County, Ky., where his father engaged in farming, and made his permanent home.  Thomas  was reared on the farm, and passed his early life in that State, where his marriage to Miss Patsey Shelton took place.  She was born in 1794, in Tennessee.  After his marriage, Mr. Jeffris with his young wife left his home in Kentucky, and in the autumn of 1830 came to Coles County.  He purchased forty acres of land in Pleasant Grove Township, and at the same time entered a tract of Government land.  Brave hearts and willing hands were required to face the perils and hardships of pioneer life in Illinois at that early day,, but, aided by his devoted wife, he successfully encountered and overcame the difficulties and obstacles incidental to the settlement of a new country.  Mr. Jeffris was a poor man when he came to the county, and by his industry and enterprise acquired a fine estate, containing about 400 acres of valuable land, where he carried on an extensive business in general farming.  As soon as he had acquired sufficient means, he erected a pleasant residence, with excellent, well appointed farm buildings, requiring so many of the latter to accommodate the various branches of his extensive business, that his place wore the appearance of a small village.
     Thomas Jeffris possessed remarkable executive ability and a rare knowledge of human nature.  During his residence in Kentucky he served as Justice of the Peace, and after coming to Illinois was elected to that office in 1831.  After serving twenty-seven years, he declined to hold that position any longer, the duties of which had been arduous.  At that time Cumberland and Douglas Counties were included in Coles County, necessarily throwing a large amount of legal work within the jurisdiction of the latter place.  In judicial affairs he was always inclined to promote a peaceful solution of vexed questions, wherever such an adjustment could be made, and frequently succeeded in effecting a reconciliation between adverse parties, without resorting to a lawsuit.  He was a Democrat in politics, and never allowed business engagements to interfere with his attendance at the polls to cast his vote.
     Mr. Jeffris was a member of the Old-School Baptist Church, and his daily life bore witness to the sincerity of his Christian faith.  For many years he was an Elder in the Church, and no matter how unfavorable the weather, through rain and snow, summer's heat and winter's cold, he was never known to the absent from the service.  He was kind and generous in his home, and devoted to the interests of his children, giving them as good an education as it was possible to obtain at that time, and also assisting each one to start in life.  After a long life of usefulness, he died Aug. 4, 1866.  His widow survived him a number of years, her death occurring in 1875.  They had a family of nine children, whose record is as follows:  Sallie married Blaine Matthews, and after his death became the wife of George Diehl; George lived to be seventeen years old; James married Matilda Johnston and lives in this township; Mary, deceased, was the first wife of George Diehl; Ann was the wife of Jacob Dornblazer, but is now deceased; Harriet, deceased, was the first wife of I. H. Johnston; John married Mary F. Vandeveer; Isaac, deceased, and Azariah of this sketch.
     Azariah Jeffris was a boy of unusual intelligence, possessing ready powers of observation, combined with good judgment.  He was reared on his father's farm, and received the foundation of his education at the subscription school, which was the only system of instruction the pioneer days afforded.  He did not lay aside his books, however, upon leaving school, but continued his studies, and by close application acquired a practical business education.  March 10, 1860, he was married to Miss Ann Mary Hackley.  Mrs. Jeffris is the daughter of John and Susan (Thomas) Hackley and was born in Grayson County, Ky., Mar. 2, 1841.  After his marriage, Mr. Jeffris and his wife commenced housekeeping at once.
     Our subject commenced business for himself with 180 acres of land, but has increased his property until he now owns a a fine estate containing 600 acres.  In conducting his farm he gives special attention to stock-raising, and has for several years past also been engaged in stock-dealing.  Like his father, in politics he is a stanch Democrat, and has served as Supervisor and held all the minor offices of the township.  In 1870, in recognition of his superior ability in the management of public affairs, he was chosen to represent the Twenty-seventh District in the General Assembly.
     Mr. and Mrs. Jeffris had a family of three children— Zavala, Shelton and Laura.  Shelton died at the age of eighteen, and his death, just on the verge of manhood, was a crushing blow to his parents.  Mrs. Jeffris is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but Mr. Jeffris has never connected himself with any religious body or secret society, but is not opposed to them; on the contrary he has given liberally of his means toward all religious denominations of this community.
Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 338

RALPH JEFFRIES, a resident of Pleasant Grove, is one of the rising young men of Coles County, and the son of one of its pioneers.  He was born Jan. 30, 1860, in Coles County, and is the son of John and Mary (Vandeveer) Jeffries.  John Jeffris was born in Coles County, Jan. 6, 1831, and is the son of Thomas and Patsey (Shelton) Jeffris.  He was reared on his father's farm, enjoying such privileges as the pioneer days offered, and in the spring of 1859. was united in marriage with Miss Mary Vandeveer.  She was born Mar. 1, 1836, in Orange County, Ind., and is the daughter of Lovel and Mary Vandeveer.
     After his marriage, Mr. Jeffris settled on the place where he now resides, on section 10, Pleasant Grove Township.  His estate contains over 820 acres of valuable land all of which is well improved.  He carries on an extensive farming business, giving special attention to stock-raising.  Mr. and Mrs. John Jeffris have a family of five children: Ralph; Bell, the wife of William Walker; Herschel, Isaac and Abbie; Isaac married Miss Alice McCartney, and lives in Kansas. Mr. Jeffris is a Democrat in politics, and has served as School Director.
     Ralph Jeffris passed his boyhood and youth at home, receiving in the meantime, an excellent education at the common schools and at Lee's Academy.  Jan. 17, 1882, he was married to Miss Martha E. Anderson.  She is the daughter of James and Lucinda
Anderson, and was born in Coles County, Jan. 28, 1863.  After his marriage, he located on section 15, Pleasant Grove Township, where he now resides. His estate contains 100 acres of valuable land.
     Mr. Jeffris is an active, enterprising young man, being interested in the public affairs of the community, and has already served as Supervisor, Collector and School Treasurer.  His wife and himself are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  They have two beautiful children—Stella and Roscoe.  In politics, Mr. J. is a Republican.
Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 348

Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 528

Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 362

Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 308

Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 450

Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 353

WILLIAM JOHNSON, farmer and stock-raiser, section 28, North Okaw Township, was born, reared and educated in County Fermanagh, Ireland.  He was born Mar. 22, 1822, and remained there until twenty-eight years of age, when he came to the United States.
     The parents of our subject, John and Annie (Bell) Johnson, were born and married in County Fermanagh, and after the birth of nine children started with their family for the United States.  Their subsequent history is briefly given in a sketch of John Johnson, which will be found elsewhere in this volume.  William Johnson, with his parents, after a voyage of thirteen weeks on a sailing-vessel, landed in New York City, whence they started after a few days for Moultrie County, Ill.  Circumstances, however, detained them for a while in Peru, and our subject took a contract for burning a kiln of lime for which he was to receive $44.  After his work was completed, however, he was enabled to collect but $9 for his labor, on account of a worthless employer.  They went on to Moultrie County, where the father rented a tract of land, which became his by purchase the year following.  William, in common with his brothers, assisted in the building up of the homestead, and in February, 1851, was united in marriage with Mrs. Nancy (Curry) Ellis.  After becoming the mother of one child, a son, whom they named John W., she departed this life in December, 1853.  Her little son died when three years and six months old.
     The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married Apr. 1, 1856, was formerly Mrs. Mary J. (Miller) Drake.  She was born in Lafayette Township, this county, July 22, 1834, and is the daughter of Robert and Mary A. (Price) Miller, natives respectively of Ireland and Pennsylvania.  They were married in Ohio and emigrated to this county in 1827, settling in Lafayette Township.  Mr. Miller entered a tract of land, and with his family endured all the hardships and vicissitudes of pioneer life, and was remarkably prosperous in the cultivation of the soil, becoming in time the owner of 500 acres.  The mother departed this life in April, 1846.  Mr. Miller survived until March, 1862.  The remains of both were buried in Bethel Churchyard, and they are remembered as people worthy of the highest esteem.  Their seven children were named respectively: William, now deceased; Peter; Sarah; Samuel, deceased; Henry, Mary J., and Robert, the last mentioned also deceased.  After the death of his first wife, Mr. Miller was married, in 1846, to Mrs. Elizabeth (Bates) Martin.  This lady is still living with her son, Charles Martin, in Lafayette Township.  Of her marriage with Mr. Miller there were born three children: Thomas, Rachael, and Scott, the latter being the only one living.  Her parents were members of the Baptist Church, the father acting as Deacon for forty years.  He was a man of great enterprise and energy, and during the latter years of his life occupied himself largely in the raising of live stock, and was the first man to introduce the better grades of the domestic animals into Coles County.  He at onetime owned a Cherokee stallion for which he paid $1,500.  He purchased the first Durham introduced into the county and in various other ways was the leader in the development of its most important interests.  He served as Justice of the Peace for several years and was also School Director and Trustee.
     The parents of our subject were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  His house was the home of the ministers, in which they were always made welcome.  In 1858 our subject purchased the land which constitutes his present homestead, and on which he has resided continuously for nearly thirty years.  He has for a number of years served as School Director and Trustee.  With his excellent wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as Steward for fifteen years and Trustee for twelve years.
     The children of William and Mary J. Johnson, seven in number, are recorded as follows: Robert, born Jan. 22, 1857, died Aug. 11, 1859; John, born June 29, 1859, died Sept. 19, 1866; Robert M., born June 3, 1861, was married Aug. 14, 1883, to Miss Ella Crumm, and has charge of his father's farm; Anna was born Mar. 14, 1863; Jennie, Apr. 4, 1865, and Franklin A., Dec. 29, 1868; an infant daughter, born Oct. 10, 1873, died Oct, 17, 1873.
     The first husband of Mrs. Johnson was John Drake, a native of Kentucky, and they became the parents of one child, a son, John T., who was born Feb. 24, 1853, and died Oct. 28, 1858, William Miller, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. J., was a native of Ireland, and was married in his native county to Miss Rachael Art.  He emigrated to the United States and settled first in Pennsylvania, whence he removed after a few years to Ohio, taking up his abode on the Miami River, where he spent the remainder of his days.  His widow and children afterward came to Illinois and located in Lawrence County, where Grandmother Miller died in 1857, aged about one hundred years.  Both she and her husband were members of the Presbyterian Church.  Their seven children were named respectively, Robert, John, Rachael, Elizabeth, Thomas Samuel and Belinda.
     From 1850 until about 1865 William Johnson and his brothers, James, Irvin, John and Frederick, operated together on a large tract of land, being owners of nearly 1,000 acres and engaged largely in stock-raising. Irvin was the first to withdraw and selected for his portion the farm which he owns on section 24.  In 1882 our subject withdrew, and was also given his choice of the land left, which he now occupies.  Since the death of James, John and Frederick have operated together.  This is a remarkable instance of a family of brothers who worked together harmoniously for many years, and of whom all are living with the exception of James, who was accidentally killed by the explosion of a boiler.  They have done much toward the building up of North Okaw Township, and their names will be long remembered after they are gathered to their fathers.
Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 502

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Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 307