USA > Illinois > White County > History of White County Illinois > Part 43
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HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
LIBERTY.
This nice little village was started into existence as early as 1818, and named by Jehiel H. Reeves. Frederick Williams opened the first farm at this point, builtthe first house, and opened the first store. He and his brother Jeremiah were natives of Scotland, were carpenters and millwrights, and built the first mill at Liberty, the first in the township.
The first wagon shop was started by Jack Russell; the first blacksmith shop, by Andrew Smith, Sr. He also built the first horse-mill in the township. The first shoemaker was Wm. Alli- son. The first physician was Dr. Alex. Stewart. Dr. Cutler was another physician here in early day. The first school-teacher was Philena Cook.
The first marriage near Liberty was that of Adam Files and Dicey Williams, who indulged in the romance of an " elopement." While attending a party one evening, she mounted a horse behind him, and away they went. Her father threatened to shoot her lover, but failed to find him.
James, son of Dr. Alex. Stewart, was the first white child born in Liberty.
The present status of Liberty is as follows:
Liberty Mills .- This is the first steam-mill built in the place. It is three stories high and basement, has the latest-improved machinery, and is complete in every part. The engine is of forty- five horse-power, has an iron tank and doctor for feed-water, and all the latest improvements belonging to a modern engine and boiler for flouring mill. There are two sets of thirty-six-inch burrs for wheat and one thirty-six-inch under-runner for corn; also a pony stone and steel rollers for new-process flour, a purifier of five sixteen-inch bolt reels and extra fine bolt chests, containing six reels, covered with the finest bolting cloth. The proprietors, Holmes & Young, manufacture three fine grades of flour, classed as " A," "B" and "C," all branded with crossed flags and the name " Liberty " underneath.
Stores .- The leading merchants are B. F. Davis, James Morri- son and John Haefele, all of whom keep a general store.
Mr. Davis was but one year old when he was brought by his parents to this county; was left an orphan, and is a self-made man. He established his present store in 1858. He started with small
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capital, but by close application to business and honest dealing he has been successful.
Mr. Morrison is from Scotland; first taught school in this county a number of terms. In 1857 he formed a partnership with Mr. Campbell, who died in 1864, since which time Mr. Morrison has conducted the business alone.
Mr. Haefele came from Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1852, and was the first cigar-manufacturer in town. There were then but three houses in the place. He beganwith acapital of only 5 and an honest face, but has made his way up to the top of success. He was Postmaster here 1871-'5, and since 1880 has been serving in the same capacity. His present store he started in 1859.
Paul R. Boyce is a rising young merchant of considerable merit. He has taken great interest in education, notwithstanding his early poverty. When young he used to go to school barefoot, even in winter. He has taught school, and done much to educate himself. He has the only exclusive grocery store in Liberty.
R. H. Puckett keeps a furniture manufactory and store. The hotel is kept by Mrs. Mary P. Vaught, a native of Wayne County, Ill., who married Wm. M. Vaught, deceased, an old settler. In 1866 they bought the present hotel, which has recently been re- fitted and furnished. It is pleasantly situated.
Physicians .- Dr. Wesley Phillips was born in Ohio County, Ky., came to White County in 1858, taught school, read medicine, attended various institutions in Kentucky and Illinois, and finally graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago. He was Assistant Surgeon of the Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the last war.
Dr. Pleasant J. Puckett came here from Tennessee in 1866. He is a graduate of the Physicians Medical School of Cincinnati. Has been a member of the Christian church forty-four years, and Elder twenty-four years.
Both these gentlemen are good physicians.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1820. David W. McLin was the first minister, and Wood Hamilton the second. The first funeral services in Liberty, were held in the church of this society, and were conducted by Rev. McLin.
Burnt Prairie Lodge, No. 668, A. F. & A. M., was organized Oct. 3, 1871, with the names of twelve members on the charter. The officers were: Dewitt C. Cregier, G. M .; James A. Hawley D. G. M .; George E. Lounsbury, S. G. W .; James C. Luckey,
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J. G. W .; Orlin H. Miner, G. Secretary. The present member- ship is thirty-three, all in peace and harmony. Officers are: J. R. Ennis, W. M .; R. H. Wheeler, S. W .; Wesley Phillips, J. W .; John Haefele, Treasurer; Isaac Cravens, Secretary.
SCHOOLS.
To show the progress of schools in this township since 1860, we compile the following from the county superintendent's report:
1860 .- Number of schools, eight; male teachers, nine; school- honses, eight, all log; number of pupils, 394; male pupils, 220; female, 174; number of persons under twenty-one years of age, 682; average number of months of school, six and one-half; high- est monthly wages paid to teachers, $35; lowest, $25; township fund, $1,207.21; State fund, $466.80; tax, $831.98.
1882 .- Number of males under twenty-one, 569; females, 533; total, 1,102; number of males over six years of age, 371; females, 357; number between twelve and twenty-one that can neither read nor write, two; number of ungraded schools, seven; graded, one; total number of months of school, seventy; average number of months, thirteen and three-fourths; number of pupils enrolled, 567; num- ber of male teachers, ten; female, tive; total days' attendance of pupils, 41,541; number frame school-houses, five; log, three; high- est monthly wages paid male teacher, $50; female, $30; lowest monthly wages paid any male teacher, $17.50; female, $20; amount earned by male teachers during the year, $2,025; female, $705; amount of district tax levied for the support of schools, $2,765; estimated value of school property, $5,670; amount of bonded school debt, $1,300; income of township fund received during the year, $78.59; received from county superintendent, $532.65; in- cidental expenses of treasurer and trustee, $2.90; paid for publish- ing annual statement, $5.45; compensation of treasurers, $50; amount distributed to districts reported in this county, $504.29; total amount received by township treasurer during the year end- ing June 30, 1882, $5,309.80; total expenditures for the year, $4,463.05.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS SINCE 1872.
Supervisors .- Ezekiel Hunsinger, 1873; George Randolph, 1874; George W. Staley, 1875; Thomas Randolph, 1877; William M. Funkhouser, 1878-'9; Joseph Hunsinger, 1880-'1; B. F. Reeves, 1882.
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Clerks .- Martin V. Hunsinger, 1873-14-'5; Ira Funkhouser, 1877; James E. Stuart, 1878; Adam M. Ward, 1879-'80; Philip Rebstock, 1881; A. M. Ward, 1882.
As8888078 .- Alfred W. Harlan, 1873; James Jones, 1874-'5-'6-'7; George Reeves, 1878-'9-'80; Lewis Hunsinger, 1881; William Funkhouser, 1882.
Collectors .- George Reeves, 1873; Francis Beck, 1874; Matthias Calkin, 1875; Augustus Vaught, 1877; Charles H. Wheeler, 1878- '9-'80; Preston Funkhouser, 1881-'2.
Commissioners of Highways .- Harden Hadden; 1873; Benjamin F. Reeves, 1874; Adam C. Hunsinger, 1875; I. F. Funkhouser, 1877; James Jones, 1878; A. R. Richman, 1879; Frederick Stein, 1880; Martin C. Beck, 1881; John Fulkerson, 1882.
Justices of the Peace .- William Vaught, 1873, 1877; Hugh Lucas, 1877; George Reeves and Mathias Calkin, 1881.
Constables. - Jonas J. Hon, 1873; Thomas Malone and Thomas Vaught, 1877; George T. Hunsinger and Samuel K. Staley, 1881.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
John G. Adams was born in Cluster District, S. C., Jan. 1, 1840. His parents were John and Mary (Brown) Adams, natives of South Carolina, and members of the Old School Presbyterian church. J. G. was the youngest of their four children. His parents died when he was between four and five years of age. He then lived with John Marlin, and when ten years of age, in 1850, came with him to White County, Ill. Mr. Adams lived with Mr. Marlin until twenty-two, when, in July, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-seventh Illinois Mounted Infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the war. Was in the battle of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., and all other engagements of his company. He returned home to White County at the close of the war. He mar- ried Rachael Adams Aug. 24, 1866. She was born in South Caro- lina and was a daughter of John and Nancy (Marlin) Adams. Mr. and Mrs. John G. Adams had five children, four living-Robert, Thomas, Lee, and Archie. The mother died Feb. 8, 1875. Mr. Adams married Mrs. Mary Jane (Malone) Ballard in May, 1876. She was born in Tennessee, and was a daughter of Thomas and Eliza Malone. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Adams owns a fine farm of 150 acres, 115 of which is under a high state of cultivation. In politics a Democrat.
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HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
John Appel was born in the city of Ulrichstun, Frankfort-on-the Main, Hesse, Germany, Feb. 11, 1843. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Repp) Appel. His ancestors have been black- smiths for several generations back. John was the youngest of seven children. He attended school until fourteen, when he learned the blacksmith's trade. When twenty he began to travel, working at his trade; he traveled in Switzerland and France five years, then returned home one year; then came alone to America, landing in New York City; was thirty-five days at sea. He re- mained in New York some six months, then shipped as blacksmith on a whaling ship, and went to the West Indies; thence to Green- land, and remained eighteen months on this ship; then returned to New York City. In the spring of 1871 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and worked three months; then went to La Crescent, Minn., and worked one year; then-to La Fayette, Ind., and remained five or six months; then to Mt. Carmel, Ill., and thence to Carmi; re- mained here until April, 1875, when he came to Centerville and opened a shop and worked here until the fall of 1877, when he made a trip to the old country and visited the home of his boy- hood, and in the spring of 1878 returned to Centerville. Sept. 26, 1878, he married Lucy E. Randolph, who was born Sept. 18, 1859, and was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Pace) Randolph. Mr. and Mrs. Appel have one son-Randolph, born Nov. 1, 1880. Mr. Appel is the only blacksmith in Centerville. He also owns a farm of 214 acres in Burnt Prairie and Phillips townships. Mrs. Appel is teaching the Mckinney School. Politically Mr. Appel is a Democrat.
Geo. W. Bain was born in Phillips Township, White Co., Ill., July 6, 1828. His parents were Daniel and Susannah (Dozier-Ary) Bain. His father was born in Virginia, of Scotch descent. When a boy of fourteen he enlisted in the Revolutionary war and served four years-until close of that war; was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was a member of the Old School Presbyterian church and died in 1838, aged 78. His mother was born in Virginia and was of German descent. She and her husband had both been mar- ried and had families of their own when they married; he had twelve and she six children, all living when they were married. They had a family of two sons and four daughters. Geo. W. was the second son and fifth child by this union. His father came to White County before Carmi was settled, in 1806. Geo. W. was about a year old when his father moved to Terre Haute, Ind., and
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remained nine years on a farm; then returned to Franklin County, Ill., where the father died. He then lived there until 1844, when his mother died. George then came to White County to his half brother's, John Ary, and followed farming with him one year, when he settled on his farm in Burnt Prairie Township, and two of his sisters kept house for him until his marriage to Adeline Madden, Jan. 5, 1851. She was born in Edwards County, Ill., Dec. 20, 1831, and was a daughter of Robert and Barbara (Thompson) Madden. Mr. Bain still resides on his farm in Burnt Prairie, where he owns sixty acres, forty-five in Burnt Prairie and fifteen in Mill Shoals Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bain have had seven children, four liv- ing-Mary E., born Sept. 3, 1851, died Dec. 25, 1876; Robert, born July 25, 1854, was drowned in the Skillet Fork River Aug. 6, 1877; Armita, born Jan. 2, 1858, died Jan. 23, 1858; Geo. W., born Sept. 7, 1859; John G., born Aug. 29, 1862; Clementine born Jan. 1, 1865; Charles T., born Sept. 15, 1869. They reside on the old homestead with their parents. Politically Mr. Bain is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
Jacob Barth was born in Baden, Germany, near Karlsruhe, capital of Baden, July 17, 1838. His parents were Marks and Anna E. (Zutavern) Barth. They were members of the Evangeli- cal church. Jacob was the second son and fourth child of their seven children. He attended school until nine years of age, when, in 1848, he came with his parents to America. They were forty- four days at sea, and landed in New Orleans, and came to Shaw- neetown up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and a few days after came to White County, and settled on the farm in Burnt Prairie Township where the father died Feb. 21, 1872. He was born in Baden, Germany, city of Heidelshein, March 8, 1798. His wife died here Dec. 31, 1867. She was born Dec. 31, 1802, dying the same day of the month she was born. Jacob Barth is now living on a part of the old homestead. He was married to Mary Appel, Feb. 22, 1866. She was born in Baden, Germany, Nov. 25, 1843, and was a daughter of George and Sophia (Frank) Appel. After Mr. and Mrs. Barth were married they settled on their present farm on sections 34 and 35, where he still resides, and where he owns a fine farm of 1164 acres, 95 acres under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Barth are members of the Evangelical church and have had nine children-George J., born Jan. 13, 1867; Anna E., born Sept. 13, 1868; Maria Sophia, born Sept. 18, 1870; Magdalena,
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born July 10, 1872; Katherine C., born July 1, 1874; Karl, born Dec. 5, 1876, died Dec. 26, 1878; Wilhelmena, born Dec. 10, 1878, died Dec. 24, 1878; Marks, born Feb. 25, 1880, died March 14, 1880; Louisa P., born April 15, 1881. Mr. Barth is one of the Township Trustees of his township and in. politics is a Democrat.
Karl F. Barth was born near Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany, May 2, 1841. His parents were Marks and Anna ( Zutavern ) Barth. They were members of the Evangelical church. Karl F. was the youngest son and sixth child of seven children. He was but seven years of age when he came with his parents to America, and a few days after his parents came to White County, Ill., where he is now living on a part of the same farm and in the same house that his father lived. Karl F. married Mrs. Elizabeth Wohlhueter April 23, 1867. She was born in Alsace, France, and was a daughter of George and Catherine (Reugel) Wohlhueter. After his marriage Mr. Barth settled on the same farm where he now resides and where he owns a farm of 160 acres, 100 under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Barth are both members of the Evangelical church. They had afamily of six children- Catherine E., born Jan. 23, 1868; 'Caroline, born Aug. 12, 1869; Marks F., born Jan. 7, 1871; Wilhelm C., born Sept. 3, 1873; Louise M., born July 31, 1875; Wilhelmena B., born Sept. 11, 1876. Mr. Barth has held the of- fice of School Director in his township. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat.
Francis Beck, farmer, section 1; Carmi Township, was born in Dayton O., Dec. 16, 1841. His parents were Martin and Marga- 'ret (Ditter) Beck, who came to Amnorica and landed in New York and went to Ohio, and in 1847 came to White County, Ill., and settled in Burnt Prairie Township. Francis was the eldest of a : family of eight children. He was but six years of age when he came to White County. He lived on the farm with his father un- til his marriage to Miss Mary Harpster, Nov. 10, 1860. She died . soon after. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry. He remained in. the service until the close of the war, when he returned to White County. He then bought a farm of 110 acres on sections 35 and 36, Burnt Prairie Township, which he still owns, and where he resided until the spring of 1882, when he moved on his farm on section 1, Carmi Township, where he has a farm of 100 acres. He also owns 240 acres in Hawthorne Township, making a fine farm of 450 acres, 280 under cultivation, and all of the 450 fenced. Mr. and Mrs. Beck are both members
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of the Evangelical church. They have nine. children-Frank D. William; Ella, Edward, Anna, George, Oscar, Julia and Lucy. Mr. Beck has held various local offices of trust in his township, and was Corporal in the army. He was Collector in Burnt Prairie Township two years. In ppolities he is a regular Old Hickory Democrat.
Martin C. Beck was born on the farm where he still resides, on sections 35 and 36, Burnt Prairie Township, April 26, 1856. His parents were Martin and Margaret (Detter) Beck. They were .natives of Germany. They came to America, landing in New York, and soon after came to White County, Ill., at an early day. They were members of . the Evangelical church. Martin is the youngest of their eight children. He was married to Miss Sally Wohlhueter, Oct. 5, 1876. She was born in Germany, and was a daughter of George and. Catherine Wohlhueter. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Beck are both members of the Evangelical church. They have two children-Amelia and .Noah W. Mr. Beck owns & farm of 200 acres, 140 under cultivation and well stocked. In politics he is a Democrat. He was elected Commissioner of Highways in April, 1881, and still holds that office.
William T. Bennett was born near New Harmony, Posey Co., Ind., Nov. 13, 1836. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth ( Bennett) Bennett, natives of South Carolina. They had a family of four children, two sons and two daughters, William T. being the youngest. His father died when William was an infant, and his mother married William Wilkinson. He remained on the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he married Martha E. Carter, Nov. 24, 1857. She was born in Posey County, Ind., and was a daughter of Rane and Madalena (Chasteen) Carter. After his marriage Mr. Bennett moved to Lawrence County, where he farmed until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, Sixty- second Illinois Infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the war. He returned home and then moved to Gibson County. Ind., and followed farming until 1872, when he came to White County, Ill., and purchased his present farm in Burnt Prairie Township, where he has since resided and where he owns a farm of eighty acres, sixty under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have had a family of four children-Mary E., born Aug. 21, 1858, died Jan. 15, 1873; Magdalena, born Jan. 24, 1860; Austin H., Feb. 16, 1862; William R., born March 22, 1869. They are mem- bers of the Christian church.
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Christopher Boehringer was born in Baden, Germany, Feb. 24, 1837. His parents were Christopher and Julia (Wagenick) Boehr inger. . They were members of the Lutheran church. Christian was the second of three children. He attended school until fourteen. He then worked at farming and at the linen-weaver's trade. When twenty years of age, in 1857, he came with his mother and sisters to America, landed in New York City after forty-two days at sea, and soon after came to White County. and joined his uncles in Burnt Prairie Township; followed farming and working at the coop- er's trade until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, Eighty-seventh Illinois Mounted Infantry Volunteers, and remained in the service till the close of the war. He then came back to Burnt Prairie. In 1865 he bought a farm in this township. He was married here to Sophia Reap, Oct. 23, 1865. She was born in Baden, Germany, and they were children together in the old country. She was a daughter of Louis and Sophia (Kauzman) Reap. About five years after Mr. Boehringer's marriage, he sold his farm and moved into Carmi, and opened a store of general merchandise; engaged in this business until 1875, when he sold out and bought a farm in Carmi Township, and farmed here until 1881, when he sold out and bought his present farm on section 36, Burnt Prairie Township, where he has since resided. He owns a fine farm of 104 acres, seventy acres under cultivation and well stocked. Mr. and Mrs. Boehringer are members of the Evangelical Associa- tion. They have a family of six children-Caroline, born Sept. 7, 1866; Katy, born Dec. 13, 1870;Lottie, born July 25, 1874; Christo- pher, born Aug.7, 1876; Johnnie, born Sept. 29, 1879; William, born Jan.26, 1882. In politics Mr. Boehringer is rather independent, and votes rather for the man than the party. He has held various local offices of trust in White County, where he has been identified for the past twenty-five years, since 1857.
David Bohlever was born in Vanderburg County, Ind., March 12, 1853. His parents were John and Barbara Bohlever, natives of Germany, and first settled in Ohio, then Indiana. They had twelve children, David being the sixth son. He married Anna Uhde. Feb. 26, 1877. She was born in Vanderburg County, Ind., and was a daughter of Andrew and Wilhelmena Uhde. After his marriage in 1877, Mr. Bohlever came to White County and bought his present farm of 120 acres in Burnt Prairie Township, White County, where he still resides. He and wife are members of the
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Presbyterian church. They have two children-Edward H. and William G. Mr. Bohlever is a Republican.
P. R. Boyce was born in Mill Shoals Township, White County, Aug. 11, 1858. His parents were James M. and Malissa (Haynes) Boyce. His father was born in Kentucky, and came to White County when a young man His mother was born in Tennessee. She is residing in Wayne County now, the wife of Newton Wilson. Mr. Boyce died in 1865. He enlisted in the Fifty-sixth Illinois Infan- try, and was lost on board a ship off Cape Hatteras, after being mustered out of the service. He and wife had a family of three children. P. R. was the second son and is the only child living. He was reared on a farm and attended school winters until nine- teen, when he began teaching school in Indian Prairie Township, Wayne Co., Ill .; taught here one winter, then one winter at Lib- erty, then in Wayne County, one winter, and in June, 1880, opened a furniture store in Liberty, and that fall opened a grocery store. In May, 1881, sold his furniture store and established his present business. This is the only exclusive grocery store in Liberty. Mr. Boyce is a practical, energetic young man, and deserves much credit for his success in life. He married Emma Morrison Nov. 28, 1879. She was born in Liberty, May 19, 1861, and was a daughter of Peter and Mary (Smith) Morrison. Mr. and Mrs. Boyce are mem- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. They have one son -- James G., born Jan. 7, 1881. Mr. Boyce owns two lots and a residence in the south part of Liberty.
Robert S. Coale was born in Franklin County, Pa., Feb. 2, 1822. His parents were Philip and Eliza A. (Walmsley) Coale, natives of Maryland. Robert was the oldest of six children, and lived on a farm with his father until sixteen, when he volunteered in the Florida war and served eight months, fighting the Indians under General Percival F. Smith. He crossed the Gulf twice. He was shot at night while he, with his company, was sitting around their camp-fire while out on a scout. Two men were killed and two or three wounded. Mr. Coale was shot with a bullet through the right ankle. He was taken care of in his company. At the close of the war he returned to New Orleans and clerked in a clothing store six months, then worked on the river; worked first as cabin- boy ,then second steward, and then promoted to second clerk; re- mained on the river two years, then returned home and worked ou the farm until his marriage to Susannah Holsapple, July 15, 1845. She was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., and was a dangh-
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ter of John Holsapple. Mr. and Mrs. Coale had three children, one living-William H. H., who married Martha Harris, and re- sides on a farm in Wayne County. Mrs. Coale died in Pittsburg, Pa., July 1, 1850, with cholera. Mr. Coale went to Ohio in 1850, and was married in Wellsville, Ohio, to Hannah Martin, October, 1852. She was born in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of George and Naomi (Taylor) Martin, the latter a niece of Zachariah Taylor. In October, 1852, Mr. Coale came to Grayville, White Co., Ill., where he purchased a farm. He farmed here, and worked at his trade of brick-layer and stone-mason. Mr. Coale lived at Grayville until 1857, when he sold out and went to Phillipstown, and had a grocery and provision store for six months; then rented a farm in Phillips Township for three years; then in August, 1862, enlisted in Company K, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and served three years, and was promoted to Sergeant; was in the siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jackson, in the Red River raid, and in the three days' battle at Pleasant Hill, La., and all the engagements of the regiment. At the close of the war he returned home and farmed in Phillips Township until 1867, when he came to Burnt Prairie Township and rented land four years; then bought his present farm on sections 34 and 35, where he owns 105 acres, all under cultivation except five or six acres timber land. Mr. Coale is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and she a member of the Christian church. Mr. and Mrs. Coale have had four chil- dren, one living-George W., born April 14, 1855, residing with his parents. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Clay for President of the United States. He is of English and Welsh descent. His grandfather, Samuel Coale, came from England and made cannon and arms for the Government during the Revolutionary war. The English burnt up his foundry and shop and took him prisoner.
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