USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 45
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In November, 1899, Mr. Chapman was married to Nettie S. Hunter of Taylorville, a sister of J. C. Hunter, and they became the parents of three children, namely: Eunice, Agnes and Hunter. In politics Mr. Chapman is a Republi- can, and he belongs to the Baptist Church.
CHAPMAN, Noyes B., now deceased, was one of the successful farmers ot Stonington and Mt. Auburn Townships, and one of the representa- tive men of Christian County. He was born in Stonington, Conn., May 25, 1828, but was brought to Christian County when ten years old, being one of the original colony that gave the name to Stonington. Until the death of his father, he resided on the family homestead, re- ceiving such educational training as the local schools afforded, until he went to Alton, Ill .. and took a course in Shurtleff College at that point.
In time he became the owner of 120 acres of land in Mt. Auburn Township, holding this land at the time of his death, whichi occurred Octo- ber 31, 1911. His first wife was Theresa White who bore him two children, namely : Francis O. and Americus V. On June 21, 1874, Mr. Chap- man was married (second) to Ellen A. (Hu- lett) Dean, and they had the following chil- dren : Arthur S. and Bertha C. Mr. Chapman died firm in the faith of the Methodist Church of which he was a member, although earlier in life he had been a Baptist. In later life he was a Republican and held a number of township offices, his character being such that his neigh- bors desired his services in caring for their pub- lic interests. For years he was a notary pub- lic and justice of the peace, and was called upon to settle many a local dispute. A man of more than ordinary education, during the winter seasons for a number of years, he taught the district schools, and some of the leading men of his section had him for an educator dur- ing the formative period of their lives, and they with all others who knew him, hold his memory in highest esteem.
CHAPMAN, Tyler, was one of the original founders of the Stonington colony in Christian County, from which the present city and town- ship take their name. Born near Stonington. Conn., May 16, 1817, he was a son of Andrew and Wealthy (Palmer) Chapman, both natives of Stonington. Conn., where the father was en- gaged in farming. Tyler Chapman was a school- teacher and a minister of the Baptist Church until he was thirty years old. At that time, in October, 1849, he came to Christian County, seek- ing a change of climate to better his health. He was one of the first surveyors of the county, and was a deputy surveyor under Charles Manners. Being better educated than many of his asso- ciates, it was but natural that he should teach school, which he did during the winter months, and in the summer conducted his 150-acre farm which he bought in Stonington Township. Here he continued to live until 1866 when the family moved to Prairieton Township, and he continued farming there for thirty-four years, dying in April, 1900. At the time of his death he owned 20 acres of land in Prairieton Township.
In February, 1853, Mr. Chapman was married to Lydia L. Sanders, of Stonington, a daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (Douglas) Sanders, and
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a sister of N. D. Sanders. Mr. and Mrs. Chap- man had the following children: C. T., of Ston- ington Township; Andrew, of Stonington Town- ship; Ella; Bird, of Taylorville; Ralph, de- ceased ; Fred, of Greenfield, Ill .; Ada, Mrs. Wil- liam White, of Sioux City, Iowa; Lillian A., of Chicago; and Robert, deceased. The mother survives and makes her home in Stonington. In politics Mr. Chapman was a Republican and served his township for many years as assessor. The Baptist Church held his membership, and he never lost his power as a preacher and exhorter, and was often called upon to minister to the people of his community. His influence was powerful and was directed toward inducing people to lead better lives and be guided by the principles of Christianity.
CHENEY, Harry, who is now living in com- fortable retirement at Taylorville, after years of successful activity as a farmer and dairy- man, and enjoying universal respect, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, November 30, 1842, a son of Abraham and Jenette (Evens) Cheney. His parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania who moved to Ohio in 1824, and there the father engaged in farming until 1843. In that year he moved to Springfield, Ill., where he farmed until 1870, when he retired and moved to Taylorville, and there he died September 22, 1887, in his ninetieth year. He was a Republican in politics. A strong Baptist, he was active in the work of that denomination wherever he lived. The mother died at Taylorville, Septem- ber 26, 1875.
Harry Cheney spent his boyhood at Spring- field, where he attended the public schools, and later a business college in St. Louis, Mo. Fol- lowing the completion of his commercial course, he entered the St. Louis postoffice, under the Buchanan administration, holding a clerkship in that office for four years. Mr. Cheney was then made deputy sheriff at the courthouse in St. Louis, and retained that position for three years. He then returned to Springfield, Ill., and for three years conducted a drug store, but desiring to engage in farming, he sold in 1870 and came to Christian County. Here he bought 160 acres of land adjoining the city of Taylor- ville, and his excellent judgment has been dem- onstrated in the wonderful advance in value of this property, a portion of which Mr. Cheney las subdivided into city lots. Realizing the profit in a well conducted dairying business, for a number of years Mr. Cheney conducted a milk route through Taylorville, selling the product of his dairy to the general public and to the cream- ery. Although he could have sold all of his property for city lots had he so desired, he has steadfastly refused to part with a certain por- tion of it, reserving it for public purposes so that the people of Taylorville are certain of ample space for out door entertainments, including circus grounds. Few men would prove so pub- lic-spirited, but Mr. Cheney takes pride in ren- dering this service to his fellow citizens.
On March 17, 1903, Mr. Cheney was married to Miss Ada Austin, a daughter of William and Josephine (Biovins) Austin, of Shelbyville, Ill., farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney have one child, Harry Bradford. Mr. Cheney is a Demo- crat, and cast his first presidential vote in 1864. He served two terms as supervisor of Taylorville Township, being elected in 1880. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias. A man of public spirit, kindly and genial, Mr. Cheney has many friends and stands very high in his community.
CLARK, William M., manager of the Farmers Elevator Company, of Palmer, Ill., is one of the men of Christian County who are fairly repre- sentative of its best interests. He was born in Johnson Township, near Clarksdale, December 18, 1853, a son of James L. and Margaret (Ger- nigan) Clark. Both parents were born in Chris- tian County, Ky. The father came with his par- ents to Bear Creek Township, Christian County, Ill., in 1844. His father, J. C. Clark, entered land from the government in Johnson Township, which he improved and lived upon until 1856 when he went to Texas. A year later he returned to Johnson Township and lived for a time, but died at Taylorville, Ill., at the home of his son- in-law, H. C. Johnson, in 1874, at the age of eighty-five years.
James L. Clark, the father of William M. Clark, attended the schools of Johnson Town- ship. He bought land which he sold in 1860, and bought another farm in Bear Creek Town- ship, conducting it until 1874, when he went to Texas, bought land and remained in that state until his death in 1914, aged eighty-two years. In Johnson Township he was married to Mar- garet Gernigan, who died in Bear Creek Town- ship in 1874, aged thirty-nine years. Her parents came to Illinois from Kentucky in 1840, locating in Bear Creek Township, where Mr. Gernigan operated land until 1866, in which year he died at Taylorville. Mrs. Gernigan died in Kentucky at the age of ninety-four years. Mr. Gernigan was a Democrat, and belonged to the Baptist faith. The paternal grandfather, J. C. Clark, served in the Kentucky legislature, while the maternal grandfather served in the Illinois legis- lature, and was the first sheriff of Christian County.
William M. Clark spent his boyhood in John- son and Bear Creek townships, and followed farming from boyhood. When he reached mna- turity he rented land and continued to farm until 1902, when he went to Palmer and went into a grain business, in which he has since con- tinued, his company doing a very large volume of business. In politics he is a Democrat, and for a number of years was supervisor from his township and was also committeeman from the Twenty-first District. His fraternal affiliations are with the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Moose.
In 1874 Mr. Clark was married to Miss Julia Leigh, of Bear Creek Township, a daughter of E. T. and Mary (Hill) Leigh, both of whom are
JAMES W. NEER
MRS. JAMES W. NEER
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
now deceased. Mr. Leigh was a farmer and large stock dealer. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have one child, Maud L., who married Edward Hammell of Bear Creek Township.
COBURN, Ira, formerly sheriff of Christian County, now living in honorable retirement at Pana, was for many years a forceful character in the history of this, section. He was born at Morgantown. W. Va., February 25, 1847, a son of Enos and Sarah (Pierpont) Coburn, the mother being a niece of Governor Pierpont of West Virginia. The family came to Illinois from West Virginia, and located at Nokomis in the fall of 1865. The following year they moved to Oconee, and until 1SSS Ira Coburn was en- gaged in farming in partnership with his father in the vicinity of Oconee, but in that year they sold the farm and moved to Pana. The father, following the settlement at Pana, lived in retire- ment.
For fourteen years Ira Coburn was an efficient member of the police force of Pana, and then was elected sheriff of Christian County, and during the ensuing four years proved one of the most fearless officials the county has ever pos- sessed. It was during his administration that Christian County had its big industrial strike and he proved his ability in handling the prob- Iems which arose during this disturbance. When his term expired, Mr. Coburn went to Oregon and spent six years, and since his return he has lived retired at Pana.
On September 30, 1870, Mr. Coburn was mar- ried ( first) to Ella Warner, and they had three children, namely : Emma A., Perry W .. and Frank W. Mrs. Coburn died in 1876. On Decem- ber 26, 1911, Mr. Coburn was married (second) to Mahala E. Miller. Mr. Coburn is a Methodist. His political convictions make him a Republican and he has been very active in his party. Frater- nally he is an Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias. A man who has always lived up to what he believed was right, Mr. Coburn has proved his worth as a citizen and a man.
COHEN, Henry Raphael .- The passing of very recent years has removed from among us not a few men who have been founders and builders of various institutions in Christian County of the present day. Without the influence these men exerted along lines of commercial growth, during the period of earlier economic development in their communities the firm foundation on which business in Christian County has expanded might never have been laid. The death of Henry Raphael Cohen, which occurred on January 10, 1914, marked the passing of a man whose busi- ness ability was beyond question, whose strict fairness and honesty were much admired, and a man who founded one of the substantial business houses of Taylorville.
Henry Raphael Cohen was born near Leipsic, Germany, May 14, 1843. Little of his very early life is known. When he was twelve years old he went to England where he was engaged for a short time; then, hearing stories of the fabulous
wealth of the gold mines of Australia, he went to that country. For a time Mr. Cohen was actively occupied in gold mining there; but, as has almost invariably proved the case, the cir- culating tales of the richness of the earth greatly exaggerated the actual possibilities and mining was successful only in a meagre degree. After some months, Mr. Cohen became connected with one of the larger English jewelry houses as sales- man and this work occupied him, in Australia, until the year 1871, when he decided to come to the United States. He first located in New York City, N. Y., and very soon established him- self in business there, opening a gentlemen's furnishing store at No. 86 Bowery. This store he conducted successfully for six years.
It was in 1877 that Mr. Cohen came to Taylor- ville, Ill., where the remainder of his useful life was to be spent. His first move was to open a clothing store on the north side of the Court- house square. Soon he formed a parnership with Henry Frisch and the store was moved into the Shumway building on the west side of the square. Thus the business continued until the year that fire destroyed the clothing store owned by Samuel Friend, on the south side of the square. Immediately following -the - fire, Mr. Cohen rented the space, restocked the store and founded H. Cohen & Company which has con- tinuously transacted business to the present time. For a short period Mr. Cohen was inter- ested in the operation of two stores in Taylor- ville, but in 1887 the partnership with Mr. Frisch was dissolved. Mr. Cohen's connection with business in Taylorville had always been fruitful, for a store conducted on the strictly progressive, strictly honorable basis he estab- lished not alone brought abundant returns to him but served the community well. That fact is appreciated. Mr. Cohen liked to speak of him- self as "the one price clothier." He was active in his business until his death. Eighteen years ago Mr. Cohen's son, Albert, came into the store with him, and the younger Cohen's association with the business has, in no small way, been accountable for its success. Since his father's death, Albert Cohen has assumed management of the store. He was likewise the administrator of his father's estate.
Henry Raphael Cohen was married to Hen- rietta Marblestone, and two children were born to them: Sadie (Mrs. A. Isaacs of New York City) and Albert. The mother died in 1882. On July 16, 1889, Mr. Cohen married Miss Hannah Jacobs of Kingston, N. Y., who survives him. Mr. Cohen was a devout adherent of the Jewish religion, yet one of the local newspapers says of him, "there was nothing clannish about his associations in a social or a business way." He was a member of the Masonic order and his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. Funeral serv- ices for Henry Raphael Cohen were held, with full Masonic rites, at two o'clock of the Sunday afternoon immediately following his death at his home No. 202 East Adams Street. The Reverend Trorsky of Springfield had the services in charge.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
It has well been said that memory of Mr. Cohen lingers, preserved by a wide-spread feeling of respect for him.
Albert Cohen was married on June 3, 1907, to Miss Daisy Nicodemus of Taylorville. Two chil- dren were born to them : Helen and Catherine.
COLE, Henderson V., a prosperous and repre- sentative retired farmer of Edinburg, was born near Vandalia, Fayette County, Ill., June 4, 1842, a son of John and Ruth (Connor) Cole. The parents were natives of North Carolina where the father was reared and educated, moving with his family to Tennessee, and later to Fayette County, Ill., the trips being made in both in- stances overland with wagons. The father took up government land in the vicinity of Vandalia, as did his parents in Tennessee where they died. For forty years after his coming to Fayette County, the father lived on his farm, and died at the age of sixty-four years. The father was a Democrat and a Methodist.
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Henderson V. Cole spent his boyhood in Fay- ette County, and remained with his father in that county until eighteen years of age, when he began working on a farm by the month. He then began renting land and conducted it for two years, when he bought forty acres of land, that he sold to his brother, after making improve- ments on it. With the money he secured, he bought seventy-two acres in Buckhart Township, Christian County, and added to the farm until he owned 427 acres, all in Buckhart Township, and this he conducted until 1894, when he bought his present residence, moved to Edinburg, and has since lived retired. The Democratic party has his support, and he is a member of the Baptist Church.
In 1863 Mr. Cole was married to Miss Mary J. Kelly, born in Sangamon County, Ill., March 29, 1840, a daughter of William R. and Lorela ( Hallford) Kelly, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, the former born in 1815, and the lat- ter in 1819. Mr. Kelly came to Springfield, Ill., when three years old, being brought by his parents, who made the trip overland in 1818, and located near the present site of the state house, taking up government land, that they later sold. and moved eight miles west of Springfield. There the grandfather lived until his death in 1823, and the grandmother passed away on this farm some time later. The homestead was in- herited by Mr. Kelly who lived with his uncle William Kelly until old enough to operate it. In 1854 he came to Christian County, and located one and one-half miles south of Edinburg, on a farm he bought, and on which he resided the balance of his life, he dying in 1895, while the mother died in 1885. Mr. Kelly was a Repub- lican. The grandfather built the first dwelling house in Springfield, which was a log cabin, tak- ing the contract for $37.50. He plowed the ground on which the present city of Springfield now stands. Mr. and Mrs. Cole became the parents of six children, namely : Albert Z., Marinda, Ruth, Jonathan M., Thomas O. and Ida Belle.
COLEGROVE, John B., president of the John B. Colegrove & Co. banking house, one of the or- ganizers of the Home Building and Loan Asso- ciation and its present treasurer, is one of the representative men of Taylorville where he is held in high esteem. He was born in Buckhart Township, this county, February 27, 1866, a son of John G. and Elizabeth (Mason) Colegrove, natives of New London and Mystic, Conn., re- spectiv ly. In 1859 the father came to Illinois, spending the years between then and 1861 at Galesburg, but in the latter year he moved to Christian County and bought a farm in Buck- hart Township which he operated until 1889, when he retired to Taylorville where he still resides. The mother died in November, 1907.
Until November, 1886, John B. Colegrove lived on the home farm, but at that time he came to Taylorville and read law with Frank P. Dren- nan. In 1889 he was elected a justice of the peace, and in 1893 he went into a real estate and abstract business. On April 6, 1908, he was one of the organizers of the bank which he has served as president ever since. He is a large owner of Taylorville realty, and treasurer of the Home Building and Loan Association which he assisted in organizing.
On April 24, 1891, Mr. Colegrove was married to Cornelia E. Lewis of Taylorville, a daughter of Alfred and Eliza J. (Abell) Lewis, old resi- dents of Christian County. Mrs. Colegrove died July 21, 1901, leaving three children, namely : Louis J., Loren B. and Cornelia Florence. Mr. Colegrove was married (second) to Annie L. Barbre of Taylorville, a daughter of John A. Barbre. For twelve years prior to her marriage, Mrs. Colegrove was county superintendent of schools of Christian County. Mr. Colegrove be- longs to the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, while his fraternal affiliations are with the Odd Fellow's.
CONNERLY, J. J., dealer in grain, coal and similar products, at Millersville, is one of the leading business men of this section, where he is held in high esteem. He was born near Rock- ville, Parke County, Ind., December 11, 1866, a son of Henry and Martha J. (Armstrong) Con- nerly, natives of Indiana and Kentucky, respec- tively. The father was a farmer, and they both died at Rockville, Ind. Of their family of ten children, J. J. Connerly is the seventh in order of birth.
Growing up on his father's farm, J. J. Connerly learned farming and attended tlie schools of the neighborhood. He remained at home until nearly twenty years old, when he came to Christian County, Ill., and, locating at Millersville, he entered the employ of S. J. Mil- ler, who was engaged in the grain business. After an association that continued for fifteen years, Mr. Connerly engaged with Mr. Miller's successor, B. A. Neal, for eight years, and then purchasing the business from Mr. Neal, contin- ued it ever since, handling hay, grain and coal,
C. M. PARKER
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
and since he took control in 1912 he has largely increased the volume of business.
On December 11, 1895, Mr. Connerly was mar- ried to Miss June Waddle, a daughter of B. E. and Mary E. Waddle of Christian County. Mr. Connerly has held the office of township asses- sor for several years, and other offices, and has been active in promoting public improvements. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Church and he has held an official position in it.
COONROD, Edmund G., a retired farmer of Assumption Township, who formerly was one of the most active farmers of Christian County, was born in Greene County, Ill., September 5, 1832, a son of Stephen and Candace (Lee) Coonrod, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, respect- ively, who were married in Kentucky in 1819, and then came overland to Illinois. They settled in Wayne County, where they were farmnig people for a time, all of that section then being in a wild state. Later they moved to Greene County, where conditions were much the same. Mr. Coonrod took up government land, built a log house, and improved 160 acres, doing all the clearing work with ox teams. There he died in the seventies, aged seventy-five years. His wife survived him until 1882, when she died at the age of eighty years. In politics Stephen Coonrod was a Democrat. For many years he was a Baptist minister, preaching on Sundays and farming during the week. There were ten chil- dren born to him and his wife, all of whom grew to maturity.
Growing up in his native county, Edmund G. Coonrod attended the little log schoolhouse. now historic, and learned farming from his father. When he was twenty-five years old, he came to Christian County, and took up eighty acres of land in Prairieton Township, from the govern- ment in 1855, to which he added by purchase from time to time until he had 320 acres, and remained on this farm until 1893, when he retired to Assumption, built a fine home, in which he has since resided. A Democrat, he has served as township supervisor, highway commissioner, school director and trustee, and has taken an active and intelligent part in the development of the county. The Baptist Church has in him a faithful member.
On February 7, 1861. Mr. Coonrod was married to Miss Nancy Doyle, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Coates) Doyle, natives of Kentucky, who came to Greene County, Ill., taking up govern- ment land, and there dying. Mrs. Coonrod was born in Greene County, Ill., March 3, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Coonrod became the parents of the following children : Edmund D., who died in 1910. married May Reading, had two children, Rena and Russell, both dead; Orson P., who died in 1911, married Maud Long, had three children, Hollis, who married Josephine Robinson, Helen and Leonore ; Rena, who died aged thirty-eight years, married Albert L. Moore, had two chil- dren, Lillian, who married Lloyd Moore, has one son, Albert L., and Lena, who married Carl Sim- cash, had three children, Marion, Virginia and
Lillian ; Annetta, who died aged two years; and Mary, who married George Lovering, who is deceased. They had two children, Glenn and Clara. A man of sound ideas and sterling char- acter, Mr. Coonrod is highly respected in his community, and his advice is often sought on matters of importance.
COOPER, Jacob P., a retired farmer of Edin- burg, was born in Mt. Auburn Township, Chris- tian County, Ill .. July 3, 1851, a son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Firey) Cooper. The father was born in Cooper Township Sangamon County, Ill., and the mother was born in Maryland. They had the following children : John H., Mary E. Smith, Laura B. Thomson, and Jacob P.
Until he attained his majority, Patrick Cooper remained with his father, and then he bought a farm in Mt. Auburn Township, Chris- tian County, to which he added until he had 400 acres of land, and lived on this property until his death in 1905. aged seventy-nine years. The mother survived him, but died February 21, 1906, aged eighty-three years. The father was a Democrat in politics, and he attended the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Cooper family came to Sangamon County at a very early day, making the trip overland with wagons, and took up government land, they having originated in Tennessee. During the trip a tragedy occurred, for during a storm at night in camp a tree was blown down on one of the children of the emigrant train, resulting in the child's death.
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