JOHN A. MAJOR, deceased, was born Dec. 28, 1823, in Davis County, Ind.  He was the son of Robert D. and Susan (Allan) Major.  The father of our subject was a successful farmer living near Cincinnati, where by dint of industry and energy he accumulated a large amount of property.  They were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters.
     John A. Major was reared on the farm, receiving a common-school education, and obtaining a practical knowledge of farming pursuits.  May 8, 1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. McAdams, daughter of John and Sarah (McCoy) McAdams, who were of Scotch ancestry.  Mrs. Major was born July 20, 1825, in Jefferson County, Ohio, and by her marriage with our subject became the mother of ten children, only eight of whom are now living. Their record is as follows:  Anna, the wife of A. B. Craycroft; William L., Alice, May, John and Jennie (twins); the latter is the wife of George Gibler; Mattie and Grace.
     In 1854, Mr. Major with his family, three yoke of cattle and two horses, made the long journey from Indiana to Keokuk County, Iowa, where he purchased 160 acres of land near Sigourney, which he improved and cultivated until 1856, when tiring of farm life, he bought property in Sigourney, upon which he built a large hotel, also dealt in real estate, which investment proved very successful,  but in the depression of business which afterward followed, he suffered great financial loss.  In 1860 he returned with his family to Indiana.  The war then broke out, and he was obliged to dispose of his property at a great sacrifice.  HE then purchased a small, but pleasant and comfortable home in Indiana, where he resided until 1868.  He then came to Illinois, locating upon a farm in Coles County, remaining there until 1871, at which time he removed into the city of Mattoon, where he remained until his death, which occurred Apr. 7, 1875.
     Mr. Major possessed an upright Christian character, and for many years was a devoted member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a faithful attendant of its prayer-meetings and Sabbath-school, endeavoring in every way to advance the cause of Christ.  He was a kind husband, an affectionate father and loyal citizen.
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GEORGE L. MILLER is a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 23, North Okaw township.  He was born in Pleasant Grove Township in this county, Oct. 27, 1852, and is eldest child of James L. F. and Rachel E. (Gray) Miller, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Illinois.  His paternal grandparents, George and Elizabeth (Antle) Miller, were natives of Kentucky, and removed at a very early day to Illinois, where they were engaged in farming and stock-raising.  His maternal grandparents were Richard and Rachel (Pugh) Gray, who were like wise natives of Kentucky and pioneers of this state,.
     James Miller was a child when his parents moved to Illinois, and grew up with the country in the pioneer days.  After his marriage be settled on Pleasant Grove Township, where he now resides on the same estate which he then purchased, and carries on an extensive business in farming and stock-raising.
     George L. Miller received a good education at the common schools, and attended Lee's Academy at Loxa for two years.  He remained at home engaged in farming, associated with his father and brothers, until he reached the age of twenty-six, when his marriage to Miss Mary Isabel Smith took place, Oct. 31, 1878.  Mrs. Miller was born Feb. 15, 1850, in this county, in one of the first log houses in North Okaw Township, and is the daughter of William H. and Mary (Osborn) Smith.  Her parents were among the pioneers of this county.  After his marriage Mr. Miller settled on a tract of almost wild land located on section 23, North Okaw Township, and by industry, and close application to work has succeeded in bringing his farm, which contains 240 acres, to a high state of cultivation.  His cottage residence, a view of which is given in connection with this sketch, is one of the finest in the county, and his other farm buildings are correspondingly appropriate and well appointed.  He also owns forty acres of timber land.
     Mr. and Mrs. Miller had a family of five children born to them - Allie, James Walter and Harrison S. (twins), E. Howard, and one who died in infancy;  Harrison S. is also dead.  Mrs. Miller is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mattoon.   Mr. Miller is one of the rising young men of the county.  He is a warm supporter of the Democratic party, but does not seek political preferment and has never held office.
Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles County, Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 451
Note:  If anyone is related to George L. Miller, please contact me, Sharon Wick as I am a descendant of his Grandfather George Miller.

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Lafayette Twp. -
ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY, deceased. The name which heads this sketch is worthy of honorable mention among the self-made men of whole the State of Illinois may well be proud. Mr. Montgomery was born May 5, 1808, near Huntsville, Ala. When a young man his parents removed to Indiana, and settled near Rockville. He accompanied them, and remained there until 1829, and then removed to Coles County, Ill. where he first settled near Charleston, but subsequently changed his location to Lafayette, Township. He commenced life a poor man, and when he came to Illinois his wife and himself rode on the same horse, which was their only possession. However, he was possessed of excellent business qualifications, and engaged in stock-dealing, which enterprise proved very successful. He purchased cattle and drove them to the Terre Haut market, and began building up his fortune on this foundation. He made money rapidly, and became the owner of about 700 acres of land, all of which was well improved and cultivated, with the exception of 100 acres of timber.
     In 1871, Mr. Montgomery moved with his family to Texas, in order to afford his children the advantages for advancement in life, which were very promising in that State. While there he resided three years near Sherman and two years in the vicinity of Denison. He was successful in business and became the owner of 2,000 acres of land in that State. At the expiration of five years he returned to Coles County, having retained his property here, but unknown to himself his life was fast drawing to a close, and the mysterious curtain of death was very soon to be drawn over the last scene of his busy, useful life. He died in 1877, the year following his return home. Mr. Montgomery became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the age of eighteen, and continued his relation with that religious body throughout life. In politics he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic Party.
     Mr. Montgomery was thrice married, his first marriage to Miss Margaret McCollister taking place in Indiana. She died leaving three children, two of whom are now living - Eliza J., now Mrs. Ewing, and Margaret, the wife of W. W. Puriton. Both are residents of Texas. His second wife was Miss Martha Ann Glass, who died leaving one child, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Cochran, who is also a resident of Texas. His third wife, Mrs. Lucinda (Miller) Abbott, was born in Kentucky in 1812, and died two months prior to the death of Mr. Montgomery. A family of six children were born to them, whose names are Mary E., Leander Franklin, Mattie M., Robert D., William M. and Benton. Mary E. became the wife of C. P. Sites, and resides in Texas; Leander is a resident of El Dorado, Kan.; William M. married Alice P. McPheron and resides on the old home place, and owns 300 acres of land and Benton died in infancy. By her former husband Mrs. Montgomery had one child, Nancy, who married Fletcher Miller and resides in Mattoon.
     Robert D. was born in Coles County, May 6, 1850, and now represents the family here. He was reared on his father's farm, and accompanied the family to Texas when they removed to that State, remaining there six years. Like his father he has been prosperous in business, and is the owner of a fine estate containing 300 acres of land. His sister Mattie resides with him, and has an interest in the property. In politics Mr. Montgomery is a Democrat.
(Source: HISTORY OF COLES CO., ILL. - Published 1887 - Printed by The Print Shop, Dixon, IL, Historical Div.)
(Great Great Grandfather of Sharon Wick, owner of Ohio Genealogy Express website & Genealogy Express - Sharon Wick)

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