USA > Illinois > Coles County > The History of Coles County, Illinois map of Coles County; history of Illinois history of Northwest Constitution of the United States, miscellaneous matters, &c., &c > Part 62
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has a fine residence, and removed to Oak- land, where he has since continued to live ; he also owns 613 acres of land in Douglas Co., which he has rented. He married Jan. 22, 1867, Elizabeth J. Sargent ; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., March 22, 1839 ; her parents were among the early pioneers of Coles Co., locating in 1830; they have four children by this union- Snowden S., Gennella C., Lora E. and Florence M.
WILLIAM HOLLIS, retired farmer ; P. O. Oakland ; born in Essex Co., Del., Jan. 18, 1800, where he engaged in farm- ing until 25 years of age, when he emi- grated West, and located in Pickaway Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming until 1845, when he came to Illinois and located in Edgar Co., where he followed farming for a period of thirty years ; in 1875, he pur- chased his present residence in Oakland, where he has since lived, with the excep- tion of a short time, which he lived upon his farm ; he also owns a farm of 160 acres, upon which are good buildings, the same being now managed by his son George. His marriage with Elizabeth Lane was cele- brated April 28, 1825 ; she was born in Essex Co., Del., Aug. 28, 1800; they have five children now living, having lost the same number by death ; the names of the living are George, Catharine, Henry, Erastus and Mary Ann. Mr. and Mrs. Hol- lis are the oldest couple now living in Oak- land, Mr. H. being 79 years of age and Mrs. H. lacking but a few months of the same age; their marriage was celebrated fifty-four years ago.
GEORGE F. HACKETT, farmer. S. 18; P. O. Oakland; born in Scott Co., Ky., Aug. 27, 1827; he emi- grated with his parents, in the fall of 1834, to Illinois, and located in Coles Co., where he attended school during the winter, and assisted his father farming during the summer, until 18 years of age, when he worked by the month during the summer driving cattle from Coles Co. to Wisconsin, and attending school during the winter for four years; in 1850, he he drove an ox-team, overland, to Califor- nia, going via the old Oregon route, by Fort Hall, arriving in Wearville, Aug. 26, of the same year, being on the road six months and twelve days, leaving St. Joe, Mo., May 14; he traveled 2,200 miles
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without seeing a house or habitation, save three forts, which were occupied by United States soldiers ; he then went directly to the mines, where he followed mining, meeting with fair success, for two and a half years ; when he came home, by steam- er, via New York, arriving at Oakland, April 16, 1853, having been gone for up- ward of three years ; he then engaged in farming five miles from Oakland, which he followed until 1858, when he purchased his present place, where he has since lived for a period of upward of twenty years. He married March 9, 1854, to Edna Pem- berton ; she was born in Virginia Feb. 8, 1826; they have four children now living- Fred S., Anzonett M., William E. and George W. Mrs. Hackett is the youngest daughter of Stanton Pemberton, one of the pioneers of Coles Co., locating here in 1831. L. M. HUDSON, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. 'Oakland ; born in Carter Co., Tenn., Sept. 5, 1809, where he engaged in farm- ing until 24 years of age, when he re- moved to Jessamine Co., Ky., where he engaged in farming until 1851, when he removed to East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., Ill., and purchased 200 acres, upon which he has since continued to live, during a period of twenty-cight years; he has since added by purchase until he now owns 320 acres, upon which he has good buildings erected by himself; at the time of his locat- ing here, corn was worth but six cents per bushel and pork $2 per hundred. He was married Oct. 23, 1833, to Sophia Rader ; she was born in Virginia July 22, 1808 ; she died Feb. 13, 1866, leaving five children now living-Lemuel, Minervia, Jesse, John and Mary Jane. His mar- riage with Delilah J. Rutherford was cele- brate! Sept. 15, 1866 ; she was born in Dubois Co., Ind., Dec. 6, 1836; they have no children by this union. Mr. Hudson has filled the office of School Director four years in his district, and Road Commissioner the same length of time.
WM. HENDERSON, blacksmith, Oak- land; born in Gurnsey Co., Ohio, Sept 25, 1831, where he learned and worked at the blacksmith trade until the fall of 1858, when he emigrated West and located in Lawrence Co., Ill., where he followed his trade until 1862, when he enlisted as a private in the 60th I. V. I., and went for- ward to battle for the Union ; he served
with his regiment one year, when he was detailed as blacksmith in the Quartermas- ter's Department at Chattanooga, Tenn., where he remained until the fall of 1865, when he returned and worked at his trade at Marion, Ill., and Terre Haute, Ind., until August, 1866, when he located in Charleston and worked at his trade until June, 1872, when he removed to Oakland, where he has since lived. He is President of the National Christian Temperance Union, and is held in high esteem for the noble stand he has taken in the cause of temperance ; he was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Oakland at the last municipal election, which office he now holds. His marriage with Ellen Eaglan was celebrated March 27, 1871; she was born in Virginia June 2, 1835 ; they have four children now living by this union, viz., Francis, John, Edward and William.
LEWIS KEES, merchant, Oakland ; born in Preble Co., Ohio, April 10, 1843, where he attended school until 16 years of age, when he emigrated West and located in Embarrass Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming until July, 1862, when he enlisted in the 70th I. V. I. for three months; he was sent to Camp But- ler, Springfield, where he remained two months guarding prisoners, then to Alton for two months performing the same duty ; he was in the service four months and was mustered out with his regiment in November, 1862. He then returned to his farm, which he worked until 1874, when he engaged in the grocery trade at Isabel one year, when his store and stock being consumed by fire, he met with a loss of nearly $2,000, upon which he had no in- surance ; he then purchased a farm of 160 acres, which he worked until May 1, 1878, when he exchanged a portion of the same for a stock of goods at Oakland, since which time he has added largely to the same, until he now has a full and com - plete stock of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, notions, etc .; his business card will be found in the business directory of Oakland, in another part of this work. He married Aug. 29, 1863, Mary Ann Housel; she was born in Edgar Co. Sept. 20, 1845; her parents were among the early pioneers of Edgar Co .; she died Jan. 28, 1868, leaving one child, -Sarah J., born July 4, 1865.
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R. F. LARIMER, merchant, Oakland; born in Scioto Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1838, where he engaged in farming until 16 years ofage, when, coming West, he located in Embarrass Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., and engaged in farming until 1856, when he went to Kansas for six months; returning to Edgar Co., he purchased one-half inter- est in a saw and flour mill, which he ran until Sept. 10, 1861, when he enlisted as private for three years in the 66th I. V. I .; this regiment was composed of picked men from the various Northwestern States, for their skill and accuracy in handling the rifle; while this regiment was credited to Illinois, it was known in the army as the Western Sharpshooters; in the marches they always led the advance, and when engaged in battle, were detailed in squads to pick off rebel gunners, and many a rebel battery has been silenced by the unerring aim of this regiment; he was in many se- vere battles, among which was Mt. Zion, Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Resaca, Lay's Ferry, where the regiment, being in the advance, fought its way for eight miles, the regiment suffering severely in killed and wounded; he was next engaged at Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, at which place among the killed was a younger brother; he was with the army during the siege and capture of Atlanta, after which, having served one month above his term of enlistment, he was mustered out of service ; he then returned to Edgar Co., Ill., where he bought a saw and flour mill, which he ran until 1868, when, selling his mill, he purchased one- half interest in a saw-mill near Charleston, which he ran until 1872, when he sold out and located at Oakland in the drug trade, which he followed until 1876; in 1877, he engaged in his present business, which he has since successfully followed. While looking after the wounded at the battle of Corinth, he was made prisoner by a squad of six rebels, and, while they were taking him to their camp, a squad of union calvary came upon them and captured his captors, taking them back to the Union camp.
JOHN R.LAWSON, lumber and build- ing materials, Oakland ; born in Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio, June 3, 1847, where he attended school constantly until 21 years of age, the last five years at the Ports- inouth Normal School ; at the above age,
he engaged in book-keeping for the Ports- mouth Foundry Co., which position he filled for two years ; then, in 1871, he came West and engaged in book-keeping for Lawson & Burt, at Tuscola, Douglas Co., for two years, at the expiration of which time, he came to Oakland, Coles Co., and engaged in the lumber trade, dealing in lumber of all kinds, paints, coal, lime, cement, plaster, sash, doors and blinds, etc., etc. His marriage with Alice M. Cash was celebrated April 16, 1874; she was born in Oakland Dec. 31, 1854; she was the daughter of S. M. Cash, one of the pioneer merchants of Oakland, Coles Co., Ill. Mr. Lawson holds the office of Town Trustee.
WM. LAND, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Oakland ; born in Cumberland Co., Ill., Jan. 19, 1839 ; at 7 years of age, his par- ents both died, their death occurring within a period of four days; at their decease, he came to Coles Co., Ill., and, until 15 years of age, worked at different places for his living; when he worked for three years by the month ; then rented land, and engaged in farming for himself for about four years, in Ashmore Tp., and in 1862, enlisted in the 123d regiment, I. V. I., in which he served his country until he received his discharge in May, 1865, a large part of which time he was detailed to do post duty, the last two years being at Nashville, Tenn .; after his dis- charge, he went to Missouri, where he re- mained one winter, when he returned to Coles Co., Ill., and, again renting land, continued farming until 1876, when he purchased his present place of eighty acres, upon which he removed, and where he has since lived. He married in Sep- tember, 1859, to Emily Sublette ; she died December, 1865, leaving two children, viz. -Peter B. and Lucinda. His marriage with Lucinda Milner was celebrated Sept. 22, 1868; she was born in Vermilion Co., Ill., Dec. 17, 1843; they have three children now living by this union, viz., Rebecca A., born Dee. 5, 1869; Malinda M., Dec. 19, 1870; Charles W., June 23, 1878, and one deccased.
THOMAS J. MOCK, farmer and Con- stable, See. 25; P. O. Oakland; born in Hocking Co., Ohio, March 22, 1845, where he lived until 1854, when he re- moved with his parents to Coles Co., Ill.,
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where he lived until Aug. 1, 1862, when he enlisted at the age of 17 years in Co. A, 123d I. V. I., and at once went into camp at Mattoon, where they remained until Sept. 6, when they were mustered in and at once sent to the front, going to Louisville, they joined the army of Gen. Buell, which had been defeated and driven to that point by the army under the rebel Gen. Bragg ; marching South, he was en- gaged in the battle of Perryville Oct. 8; then to Mumfordsville, where, being pros- trated by sickness, he was sent to the hospital at Louisville, remaining four weeks, at which time, Morgan having got in the rear of the Union army, he volun- teered in a convalescent regiment, and went out guarding bridges, etc .; returning to Louisville, he was forwarded to his regi- ment at Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he arrived January, 1863, and performed scout duty until spring, being in many severe engagements; they were then formed into a cavalry regiment, armed with Spencer seven-shooter rifles, and attached to Wilder's Brigade, which was afterward noted for the good fighting qualities, daring and courage of its officers and men, being nearly always in advance upon any important engagements of the Army of the Tennessee ; in the spring, they led the ad- vance in the two-days fight at Hoover's Gap, where, after getting the rebels fairly engaged, made their way to the rear of the rebel army, and, after cutting off their supplies and communications and destroy- ing their railroad depots and cars and tear- ing up the railroad, etc., returned to help the Union army to win the battle ; they then went across the mountains to Chat- tanooga, where they were engaged for nine- teen days skirmishing with the rebels, previous to the arrival of the balance of the Union army, and upon its arrival, the above place was captured without a battle ; following this, was the battle of Chick- amauga, in which the brigade suffered severely in killed, wounded and prisoners, and, after the defeat, covered the retreat of the Union army to Chattanooga; Mr. Mock expressed himself to the writer as its being the first time he had even un- consciously been whipped ; they were then placed on duty guarding fords, etc. ; while performing this duty, the rebel Gen. Wheeler crossed above them to destroy
their communications, when they followed. them for two weeks, fighting continually, and, upon reaching Farmington, had a severe fight, in which his regiment suffered severely in killed and wounded, among the former being their Colonel ; after this, he went to Maysville, Ala., where his regi- ment was detailed in squads as scouts, which duty he performed until the close of the war; he expressed himself as being pleased with this arduous and dangerous duty, preferring it to the monotony of camp life ; after being engaged in the seige and capture of Atlanta, their horses were turned over to Kilpatrick, and they went to Louisville, drew fresh horses, and, early in the winter of 1864, went to Graverly Springs, Ala., where they were organized in a corps of cavalry under Gen. Wilson ; going South, skirmishing daily, until reaching Selma, at which place, after the 4th United States Regulars had made a. charge and been driven back, this brigade were dismounted and made the charge, when, after severe fighting, they captured the fortifications, in which they suffered se- verely, some of their men being killed upon the breastworks; they continued south until reaching Macon, which place they captured ; when hearing of the surrender of Johnson and his army, he was detailed in command of a force and sent out to. capture Jeff Davis, traveling day and night for four days ; he heard of the capture of the rebel chief when within less than thirty miles of his camp ; he then returned to Macon, where he was again detailed with one other to learn the location of a. band of rebels, who were collecting horses, mules, wagons and other articles to take further south ; he made their camp, took supper with them, and, after satisfying them he was no spy by his papers as paroled prisoner of a rebel guerrilla force,. he made his way back to camp, and at daylight the whole force was captured ; he was mustered out of service at Nashville, T'enn., and received his discharge at Spring- field, Ill., July 10, 1865, having been in the Union army nearly three years ; re- turning home, when he followed farming until 1867, when he again engaged in the United States service, going with the army through some of the Western Territories as far as Ft. Union, New Mexico, having charge of Government stores. He re-
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moved upon his present place in 1871, where he has since continued to live, with the exception of a few months' prospecting in Nebraska during the year of 1873. He married Dec. 1, 1868, Naney J. Dol- lar ; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., March 31, 1850; they have three children now living by this union-John T., Sarah R. and Ralph ; Mrs. Mock is a daughter of John Dollar. whose biography appears in this work, is one of the settlers of Coles Co.
NALLIE R. MOORE, druggist, Oak- land ; born in Morgan Co., Ind., Aug. 4, 1854, where he attended school until 11 years of age, when he removed to Mat- toon, Coles Co., Ill., where he attended school until 20 years of age, the last three years devoting his time to the study of geometry, physiology, and the other high- er branches of education ; having devoted his spare time when out of school for the last eight years in his father's drug store, he now engaged in the same, where he was employed, compounding drugs, preparing prescriptions, etc., until May, 1876, when he associated with N. R. Duer, and en- gaged in the drug business at Oakland, un- der the firm name of Duer & Moore, con- tinuing the same until March, 1878, when he bought his partner's interest and asso- ciated with his father, which business he has since continued under the firm name of C. Moore & Son; having been thor- oughly educated in the drug trade, parties having prescriptions to be filled, may feel assured that the same, when prepared by Mr. Moore, will be put up by a competent and careful druggist. A card of his busi- ness will be found in the business directory of Oakland in another part of this work.
GIDEON MINOR, farmer; P. O. Oak- land; born in Brown Co., Ohio, Aug. 16, 1818; he emigrated with his parents to Kentucky at 4 years of age, where he at- tended school and engaged in farming un- til 14 years of age, when he emigrated to East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., in May, 1832; his father purchased 120 acres of land in the timber, and after clearing the timber during the summer, died in the following fall ; the duty of managing the farm then fell upon the subject of this sketch, who worked it until 1844, when his mother disposed of the above and purchased eighty acres of prairie, and the following
year her decease occurred; Mr. Minor purchased his present place in the spring of 1864, which contains 160 acres, and where he has since lived. His marriage with Nancy Powers was celebrated Nov. 25, 1847; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Aug. 30, 1830; she was the daugh- ter of D. B. Powers, one of the early set- tlers of this county, and whose biography appears in this work ; they have one child by this union-George A. Minor, born April 3, 1849. Mr. Minor has held va- rious township offices, and at present holds the office of Township Collector.
W. J. PEAK, physician, surgeon and druggist, Oakland; born in Warsaw, Gal- latin Co., Ky., April 3, 1836, where he devoted his whole attention to his studies until he attained his majority, the last four years exclusively to the study of medicine, graduating from the St. Louis Medical College in the winter of 1860; he imme- diately commenced the practice of medi- cine at Warsaw, Ky., for a short time, when, in the spring of 1861, he located in Johnson Co., Mo .; during the summer, and in the fall of the same year, he went to Texas, where he was placed, from force of circumstances, in charge of the rebel hospitals at Ozark and St. Francisville, Ark., where he remained until the spring of 1862, when he was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Union hospitals at Fayette- ville, Ark., where he remained one year, when he received the appointment of Sur- geon of the 14th Regiment, Kansas Cav- alry, which position he held until the close of the war, being mustered out of the service at Lawrence, Kan., in the sum- mer of 1865 ; he then returned to Johnson Co., Mo., where he remained a short time, when he removed to Coles Co., Ill., and located in Morgan Tp. in the winter of 1866. where he followed his profession until 1876, when he removed to Oakland, and engaged in the drug trade, still giving his whole time and attention to his very ex- tensive practice which he has built up in this and adjoining counties, his drug store be- ing in charge of a very careful druggist. His marriage with Mary Burr was cele- brated Dec. 2, 1869 ; she was born in Mo- mence, Kankakee Co., Ill., Aug. 6, 1852; they have one child by this union-Maud, born Nov. 19, 1871. Mr. Peake has tak- en a deep interest in the cause of educa-
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tion, having filled the office of School Di- rector for several terms; contributes lib- erally to the churches, and is a meiuber of the Wabash Valley Esculapian Society.
WILLIAM PARKER, deceased farm- er ; born in Staffordshire, England, 1802, where he engaged in farming until 1835, when he emigrated to America with his wife, landing in New York Feb. 2, of the same year, coming directly West; they lo- cated upon a farm four miles from Cincin- nati, Ohio, where they followed farming until 1840, at which date they removed to Edgar Co., Ill., where they engaged in farming until 1855, when, on account of ill-health, Mr. Parker retired from active labor, and, selling his farm, removed to Oakland, Ill., where he lived until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1862. Their marriage was celebrated Nov. 17, 1834; Mrs. Parker's maiden name was Hannah Huslow ; she was born in Staf- fordshire, England, May 1, 1814; she still lives in the brick house built by her husband, and occupied by them during his life. Mrs. Parker was quite well acquainted with President Harrison, he having dined with them upon several occasions previous to his election to the highest office of the nation.
WILLIAM R. PARKER, deceased farmer ; born in Anderson Co., Ky., March 27, 1823 ; he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in Edgar Co., in 1828, where he lived until 18 years of age, when he went to St. Clair, Co., Ill., and engaged in farming two years, then to Minnesota, where he followed logging, rafting and milling for three years ; return- ing to Illinois, he, with his brother, worked at blacksmithing one year, when, in 1848, he engaged in farming in Edgar Co., which business lie followed until 1854, when he removed to Coles Co., and rented land, which he worked until he purchased the old homestead, where he located in 1865, and lived until his deeease, which occurred Feb. 14, 1873, at which time he owned 165 acres, upon which he had good buildings, and which he had accumulated by his own hard labor, in which he was nobly assisted by his wife, who survives him, and who continues to live upon the old farm with the most of the family ; they have since added to the farm, until it now contains about two hundred and forty acres of prairie and timber land.
He married July 15, 1848, to Rebecca Clark ; she was born in Kentucky Sept. 3, 1822 ; she emigrated with her parents and located in Coles Co. in 1828; they have seven children now living by this union- Francis M., Harvey B., John F., George W., Narcissa R., Charles J. and Mollie L. Mrs. Parker remembers vividly when coming to Illinois ; upon arriving at Grand View, the joy of the settlers at that point, was so great at the arrival of Mr. Parker and family, that they turned out and es- corted them to where they first located, upon the farm which is now occupied by Mr. Thomas Roberts.
J. J. PEMBERTON, retired merchant, Oakland ; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co. ; born in Washington Co., Va., Dec. 5, 1814, where he attended school in winter, and assisted his father farming in summer, until 17 years of age, when he emigrated West and located in East Oak- land Tp., Coles Co., Ill., in 1831, in which township he has since lived, for a period of nearly half a century; from 1831 to 1838, he was engaged in farming, when he removed to Oakland and engaged in hotel-keeping four years, at the expira- tion of which time he engaged in the gen- eral merchandise trade, at Oakland, which business he followed until 1875, when he retired from the above business, at which time he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. He held the office of Postmaster at Oakland for several years ; he was appointed assistant revenue officer for this district under the adminis- tration of President Lincoln, the position at the time being attended with much danger, from the feeling manifested in some localities to resist the execution of the law taxing incomes ; his friends, who were numerous, often cautioned and tried to dissuade him from attempting to exe- cute the law in localities where the worst element prevailed, but he knew no fear where duty called him, and performed the same fearlessly until the expiration of his term. He owns his residence, office and six acres of land in Oakland, with a large store, which is rented, also 500 acres of land under fence, and nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation. His marriage with Clarinda Davis was cele- brated April 8, 1838; she was born near Norfolk, Va., Jan. 9, 1816.
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