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 76

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Blair, D. M
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron
Number of Pages: 688


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 76


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PARADISE TOWNSHIP.


have had one child, viz., Rebecca J. The farm of Mr. Turner consists of ninety-two acres, valued at $2,000; since his resi- dence in the township, he has held the offices of Assessor, Supervisor and Col- lector.


WILLIAM WRIGHTSELL, farmer ; P. O. Turner's Point ; was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Oct. 9, 1811; came to this State and settled in Coles Co., in 1856. He was married to Miss Permelia White Oct. 31, 1844; she was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Nov. 15, 1825 ; they have four children, viz., Sarah J., James M., Louisa E., and Margaret Ann. The farm of Mr. Wrightsell consists of sixty acres valued at $1,800. He was a participant in the Black Hawk war, and is quite an early settler in the western part of Coles Co.


JOHN WILSON, farmer, and Con- stable for Coles Co; P. O. Cook's Millss ; was born in Germany, March 8, 1840; came to the United States in 1857, and to this State in 1865 and to Coles Co. in


1871. He was married to Miss Sarah Ann Prince, who was born in Indiana Jan. 19, 1848 ; they have two children deceased, viz., Mary C. and Louisa. Mr. Wilson has served a term in the United States Regular Army ; he enlisted from New York City in Co. D, in 1861 ; he served all through the late rebellion, and at its close was discharged with honor.


JAMES P. WHITE, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. O. Mattoon ; was born in Ten- nessee, March 5, 1841 ; came to this State in 1856, and to Coles Co., and settled in North Okaw Tp. in 1858; his farm con- sists of forty-nine and a third acres, val- ued at $1,500. He was married Nov. 23, 1865, to Miss Mary J. Wade, who was born in Coles Co., Ill., June 4, 1847; they have had six children, five of whom are living, viz., Mary A., Nancy E., Effa N., Minnie and James E. ; deceased, Jes- sie. Since Mr. White's residence in the township, he has held the office of School Director six years.


PARADISE TOWNSHIP.


HENRY E. ALEXANDER, farmer ; P. O. Paradise ; is the son of Ebenezer and Dorcas Alexander ; was born in Tennessee, Obion Co., Sept. 2, 1827 ; moved with his parents to Coles Co. Dec. 20, 1828. Is the owner of 210 acres of land valued at or near $8.000 ; School Director two or three terms. Was married to Mary B. Curry, of Coles Co., June 10, 1852; names of children-boys-James E., William D., George O. (Edward F., deceased) ; girls, Mary D., Margaret J. (Nancy E., de- ceased) ; Edward F. died June 16, 1865 ; Nancy E., Aug. 1, 1878; his father, Ebe- nezer Alexander, died Jan. 8, 1857, at 64 years of age ; his mother died April 12, 1871 ; his father was one among thie oldest settlers in this county, and was Justice of the Peace until the time of his death.


WM. W. APPERSON, farmer ; P. O. Mattoon ; was born March 19, 1834, in Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Ill. Owns 240 acres of land all well improved but 40 acres, prob- able value $9,000 or $10,000 ; public offices held-Supervisor, one year, Commissioner of Highways, three years. Maiden name of


wife Barbara Ann Rhoads ; names of chil- dren-boys, George H., Frank B., William E., John J. and Charley B. ; girls, Sels- worth; Wm. N. Apperson is the son of Dr. John Apperson (deceased) ; was born in Culpeper Co., Va., Jan. 8, 1794; moved to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Oct. 14, 1829 ; died June 5, 1877 ; was father of Sidney, Thomas A., D. H., J. R., Wm. W., Margaret, Isabella E., Mary M. Apper- son. Dr. John Apperson was in the war of 1812; served as Sergeant Major.


CHARLES W. BISHOP, physician : P. O. Etna ; is the son of H. S. and Har- riet L. Bishop; was born in Litchfield, Ky., Dec. 15, 1846; moved to Coles Co. Jan. 12, 1869, and stayed ten months, and then moved to Missouri; from there to Wilson Co., Kan., then back to Kentucky, and commenced the practice of medicine in Litchfield, and practiced two and one- half years, then came back to Coles Co., Ill., and commenced the practice of medi- cine here, which he still continues ; was a graduate of Louisville Medical University Oct. 1, 1866. Is the owner of ninety


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acres of land, valued at $2,400. He was married to Emma E. Clark, of Coles Co .; the names of the children by this union are a boy, Francis E. Bishop, born Nov. 27, 1876. His father is still living in Litchfield, Ky .; his mother died Dec. 21, 1863, in the 39th year of her age.


GEORGE W. BENEFIEL, farmer ; P. O. Etna; is the son of Robert and Nancy Benefiel; was born in Lawrence Co., Ill., on the 1st day of July, 1817. He was married to Jane Ryker the 23d day of January, 1838, and moved to Coles Co. Oct. 19, 1855; names of children, boys-Robert N., James H., John S., Peter R., Francis M. ; girls-Sarah A., Amy A., Ida M. His wife, Jane Bene- fiel, died Sept. 7, 1867. His son John S. died in the army March 1, 1863, and his daughter Ida died Dec. 4, 1873. He served in the late war as Wagonmas- ter and Battalion Sergeant in Co. E, 5th I. V. C. He was married to his second wife, Diantha F. Smith, of Coles Co., Ill., Feb. 6, 1868. Mr. G. W. Benefiel is one of the oldest settlers of Lawrence Co., Illi- nois, and the second white child born in that county ; his father was one of the three first settlers of this State; was in Government service.


PATRICK BRADLEY, farmer; P. O. Mattoon ; is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Bradley ; was born in Morgan Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1830, and moved to Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 12, 1866; is the owner of 110 acres of land, valued at or near $3,000; was Commissioner of High- ways three years, also School Trustee a number of years. Was married to Elizabeth Stroble Feb. 26, 1854; names of chil- dren, boys-John C. F., born July 14, 1856; Zachary, born Aug. 24, 1862; James B., born July 1, 1866 ; girl- Estella, born Jan. 5, 1872. His father, Benjamin Bradley, was one of the oldest settlers of Morgan Co., Ind .; settled Nov. 12, 1829 ; died Nov. 11, 1865, in the 77th year of his age; his mother, Elizabeth Bradley, died March 24, 1862, in the 64th year of her age.


MRS. DIANTHA F. BENEFIEL, farmer; P O. Etna; is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Shores, of Bradford Co., Pa .; moved to Coles Co., Oct. 12, 1843; was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Sheshequin Tp., April 22, 1823; her


maiden name was Diantha F. Shores ; was married to her first husband, William N. Smith, March 31, 1844; names of children, boys-George W., Miren L., Julius E., William W. ; girls-Elizabeth H., Arloa N., Irena S. George W. died Jan. 24, 1871. Her husband, William W. Smith, died April 8, 1861; is the owner of 320 acres of land, also a large flour-mill at Kickapoo, also three offices and four stone houses in Mattoon ; is all valued at or near $30,000; was married to her second husband, Mr. George W. Benefiel, Feb. 6, 1868; has no children by her second husband; her first husband's parents' names were Jerrad and Clarinda Smith, of Coles Co., Ill .; Jerrad died Sept., 26, 1844; Clarinda died Sept. 18, 1850.


JAMES M. BRESEE, farmor ; P. O. Etna ; is the son of Dorous and Fanny Bresee ; was born in Cumberland Co., Ill., Jan. 30, 1847; moved to Coles Co. Feb. 12, 1870 ; is the owner of 120 acres of land valued at near five thousand dol- lars; was Road Overseer and School Di- rector for ten years or more; was mar- ried to Sarah J. Stowers, of Coles Co., April 5, 1868. Names of children-boys: Bird E., born Nov. 18, 1875; girls: Min- nie V., born Aug. 22, 1869; Lillie E., born Oct. 17, 1871; Hellen M., born March 1, 1873. Was in the late war, 156th I. V. I., Company A. His father, Dorous Bresee, died in California July 15, 1852. His mother is still living in Mat- toon; was born July 5, 1821.


JOSEPH CAVINS, farmer; P. O. Mattoon ; was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Jan. 24, 1838; moved to Coles Co., Para- dise Tp., Ill., in 1840; was married Dec. 25, 1862; maiden name of wife Melissa E. Ferguson. Names of children: Elmer W., Joseph O., Elzy C., William F., Stanley T., Lester B. Owns 80 acres of land worth about six thousand dollars. Public offices held: Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, School Trustee, Supervisor, and taught school nine terms in the same District ; was also in the late war. His father and mother, Joseph and Nancy Cavins, were born in Loudoun Co., Va .; moved to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Ill., in 1840. His father died about May 12, 1846 ; his mother Aug. 20, 1852, or there about. Names of their children- boys : John, James, Randolph, William,


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PARADISE TOWNSHIP.


Joseph and Thomas ; girls : Martha, Mary, and Sarah.


PHAON H. DORNBLASER, farmer ; P. O. Etna ; is the son of Felix and Eliza Dornblaser, of Lehigh Co., Penn .; was born in the same county and State April 20, 1838; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Ill., April 20, 1855 ; is the owner of 170 acres of land, proba- ble value, $7,000 ; was School Director six years, also Road Overseer one year. Was married to Mary E. Jeffries, of Coles Co., Dec. 29, 1860 ; was the daughter of James and Matilda Jeffries ; names of children, boys-French I., born Jan. 28, 1862; James A., born Feb. 6, 1868; Edward (deceased), born Nov. 18, 1869, died March 20, 1872 ; girl-Antoinette, born Nov. 28, 1864. His father, Felix Dorn- blaser, served his time, three years, in the late war; died on his way home on the boat, near St. Louis, August 12, 1864; 5th Cavalry Ill.


JOSEPH F. GOAR, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. O. Etna ; was born in Parke Co., Ind. Jan. 8, 1832 ; he is a son of Clemme and Elizabeth (Hart) Goar ; in 1836, his father came to Coles Co. and entered a large amount of Government land, return- ing for his family in 1837 ; he built the first steam mill in the county, and was a prominent citizen of Paradise Tp. until 1862, when he removed to Jacksonville, Ill., where he now resides ; his mother died in this county in 1855. Joseph F. was raised on the farm, and on the 2d of Oct., 1855, married Miss Mary L. Buckles, of Hardin Co., Ky .; they have three chil- dren-Robert C., Kate M. and Sarah E .; Mr. Goar resides on a farm of 220 acres, adjoining the old homestead ; he served six years as Constable, and resigned the office in August, 1862, to enter the Union army as a member of Co. D, 123d I. V. I., serving through the war ; among the en- gagements in which he participated may be mentioned the battles of Milton, Tenn., Hoover's Gap. Chickamauga, Farmington, Peach-Tree Creek, seige of Atlanta, bat- tles of Jonesboro and Selma. In 1867 he was elected Commissioner of Highways, and served three years ; in 1874, he was chosen Collector of his township, and on the 6th of Nov., 1877, was elected County Treasurer of Coles Co., which office he now holds.


WILLIAM B. FERGUSON, farmer ; P. O. Mattoon ; is the son of William and Nancy Ferguson ; was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Dec. 8, 1828; moved with his parents to Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 15, 1839; is the owner of 601 acres, val- ued at or near $18,000. Was married to Fanny M. Hart, of this county and town- ship; she is the daughter of Miles H. and Catherine Hart, and was born Dec. 13, 1837 ; married March 8, 1854; there are eight children by this union, viz., Ed, Thomas, James, George, Ella, Ann and Almira ; (deceased ) Mellissa, Deckard died Jan. 28, 1878. His father, William Fer- guson, was born in 1805, died in 1877, in the 73d year of his age; his mother was born in 1805, died in 1877, in the 73d year of her age. He has held the office of Super- visor two years, Assessor one year and School Trustee three years.


ADAM B. GREEN, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Ira and Mary Green, of Washington Co., Tenn .; was born in Green Co., Tenn., April 17, 1827 ; moved to Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Feb. 12, 1867. Was married to Caroline E. Peters May 5, 1866; they are the parents of six children, viz., James B., Dora D. and Laura (deceased), George W., Amanda M. and Ida M. Mr. Green is the owner of 163 acres of land, valued at $6,500. He was in the late war and served three years as Sergeant. His mother died April 12, 1861, and his father Aug. 20, 1848. Children deceased, George M., died May 27, 1870, aged 2 years 10 months and 19 days; girls, Amanda M., Oct. 21, 1869, aged 1 month and 15 days; Ida M., June 17, 1871, aged 2 months and 17 days ; children living, girls, Dora, born June 19, 1872; Laura, born Sept. 16, 1875; boy, born (James B.) April 27, 1878. Florence A. Green is a neice of A. B. Green, and makes her home with him ; aged 18; born Dec. 25, 1860.


R. GANNAWAY, farmer; P. O. Paradise; is the son of Wm. and Sallie Gannany ; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Oct. 23, 1810; moved with his folks to Coles Co., Ill., March 27, 1828; is the owner of 1313 acres of land, valued at or near $7,000. Was School Director, Road Overseer for several years. Was married to Elizabeth Gannaway, of Coles Co., Ill.,


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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:


Dec. 28, 1836 ; names of children-boys, Robert, Samuel, James W .; deceased, John W .; girls, Roda J., Susan ; deceased, Louisa. His father, William Gannaway, was in the war of 1812, served as Captain, came home and died Sept. 12, 1814. His mother is still living in Des Moines, Iowa, in the 91st year of her age.


ADAM W. HART, farmer; P. O. Mattoon ; is the son of Silas and Hannah Hart, of Davis Co., Ky .; was born in White Co., Ill., Jan. 3, 1823 ; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Jan. 3, 1827 ; is the owner of 475 acres, valued at $20,000. Was married to Naney D. Gannaway, of Coles Co., Dee. 28, 1843. Was Supervisor, School Trustee, Director, Treasurer and Road Commis- sioner. The names of their children are Amanda E., Elizabeth J., Hannah M., Polly A. and Mercena; deceased, Abraham D. and Thomas, who died in infancy ; Mary, Louisa and Adda and three infants not named. His father, Silas Hart, was the oldest settler of this township; died Oct. 12, 1848 ; his mother, Hannah Hart, died in this county and township Sept. 18, 1863, in the 68th year of her age.


AMBROSE Y. HART, JR., farmer ; P. O. Paradise ; is the son of Miles H. and Catharine C. Hart; was born in Effingham Co., Ill., Nov. 15, 1834; moved to Coles Co. Feb. 12, 1836 ; is the owner of fifty acres of land, valued at $2,000. Is Justice of the Peace, and has been for twelve years; also Town Clerk, School Treasurer and Commissioner of Highways. Was married to Nancy Sex- son of Coles Co. Jan. 22, 1857; the re- sult of this marriage is-David S., John M. ; deceased, Miles O., Willie A., Cath- arine C. and Ada. Mr. Hart was in the late war, serving as Corporal of Co. D, 123d Ill. Reg. His father, Miles H. Hart, died in Coles Co. Feb. 17, 1855, in the 59th year of his age; his mother, Cath- erine C. Hart, died in Coles Co. Nov. 12, 1872, in the 68th year of her age; they were one of the three first families who set- tled in this township.


JAMES L. HART, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of Oliver and Zorada Hart ; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., June 18, 1846; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 12, 1848; is the owner of seventy-six acres of land, valued


at near $3,500. Was Postmaster at Etna for one year. Was married to Elizabeth Smith, of Coles Co., Sept. 24, 1866. His father, Oliver Hart, was born in Grayson Co., Ky., March 31, 1825; died Jan. 25, 1867, in the 42d year of his age ; his mother, Zo- rada Hart, was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Oct. 26, 1823, and is now living in Cle- burne, Johnson Co., Texas ; his wife's folks are still living, Mr. and Mrs. George N. Benefiel, of this county, township and State. His father was the first man who built a house south of Etna, and one of the first settlers of this township.


THOMAS HART, farmer ; P. O. Para- dise ; is the son of Miles H. and Catharine C. Hart, of Coles Co. ; was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Sept. 5, 1824; moved to Coles Co. with his parents March 12, 1826 ; was Assessor, School Trustee, Overseer of the Poor and Road Overseer. Was married to Vianna Sexson, of Coles Co., March 2, 1851; names of children : Mary E., Hallie B. ; deceased-Annie Hart. His father, Miles H. Hart, was born in North Carolina July 24, 1796 ; was married to Catharine C. Yocum, of Kentucky, and moved to Wayne Co., Ill., and then to Coles Co. ; names of children-boys, Thom- as, Joseph B., John D., Ambrosa ; girls, Eliza A., Martha P., Mary H., Fanny M .; deceased, Joseph B. (died in Paradise, Coles Co., Jan. 26, 1874); all living in this county with the exception of Mary H., and she now lives in Harrison Co., Mo.


BENJAMIN D. HAMBLEN, farmer ; P. O. Etna; is the son of Franeis and Martha B. Hamblen ; was born in Mt. Pleasant, Hardin Co., Ky., March 17, 1840; moved with his parents Dec. 24, 1852, to Moultrie Co., and then to Coles Co., March 13, 1868 ; is the owner of 120 acres of land, valued at or near $5,000 ; was Justice of the Peace five years ; also School Director and Road Overseer. Was married to Sarah M. Newport, the daughter of Benjamin and Ellen Newport, of Coles Co., Ill .; names of children-boys, Henry F. (born Oct. 3, 1870) ; girls, Nellie M. (born Dec. 28, 1871), Rossa M. (born Dee. 6, 1873) ; deceased-boys, Claude (died Aug. 4, 1876). He was in the late war ; served as a Duty Sergeant of Co. C, 10th I. V. C. ; his father, Francis Hamblen, died Oct. 27, 1877 ; his mother died Nov. 12, 1865.


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PARADISE TOWNSHIP.


JOHN A. MOSS, farmer ; P. O. Etna; is the son of James H. and Catharine Moss. was born in Fleming Co., Ky., July 25, 1837 ; moved to Coles Co. March 12, 1878 ; is the owner of forty acres of land, valued at $1,000. Was married to his first wife, Mary Johnston, April 5, 1866, died Feb. 16, 1872; names of children deceased (boy) Willard S., died March 11, 1872; girls deceased, Dulta B., died Aug. 11, 1870; was married to his second wife, Phebe Eaton, of Rush Co., Ind., Dec. 21, 1873; names of children (living), girl, Bushna, born April 20, 1875; deceased girl infant, died Jan. 17, 1874. His father, James H. Moss, was born May 15, 1809, died Jan. 8, 1876, in the 67th year of his age ; his mother, Catharine Moss, was born April 15, 1810, died Sept. 12, 1866, in the 56th year of her age.


GEORGE W. PETERS, farmer ; P. O. Mattoon; was born in Green Co., Tenn., Sept. 14, 1814 ; is the son of Reuben and Elizabeth Peters, of the same county and State; is the owner of 163 acres of land, valued at $6,500 ; has held no public office. Was married to Harriet Rector March 22, 1838; the names of the chil- dren by this union are Alexander S., Reu- ben A., George W., Lewis B., John R., Caroline E .; deceased, Reuben A., died July 17, 1875, aged 34 years 6 months 16 days; living, Alexander S., born March 22, 1839; George W., May 3, 1843; Lewis B., Dec. 3, 1846 ; John R., May 3, 1856; Caroline E., born Jan. 2, 1852. Reuben and George served three years in the late war, in Co. I, 1st Tenn. V. C. A. S. is in Oakland, Oregon; George is in Sumner Co., Kan .; the rest are living here.


1


JOHN A. WILSON, farmer; P. O. Etna ; is the son of John A. and Eliza- beth Wilson, of Coles Co .; was born March 16, 1842; is the owner of ninety- two acres of land, valued at $2,500. Was married to Elizabeth Jones, of Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 3, 1868; the names of the children by this union, are William S., George N., John O., James M. (died Oct. 3, 1874), Mary E. and Effie G. Mr. Wilson served in the late war in Co. D, 123d Regiment I. V. I. His father, John A. Wilson, died Oct. 12, 1842, in St. Louis, and his mother, June 18, 1852; Mr. Wilson's father and mother were


among the first settlers of this town- ship.


BASIL C. WHEAT, Paradise; is the son of James O. and Margaret Wheat ; was born in Jackson, Miss., March 27, 1853; moved to Coles Co., Ill., March 12, 1863 ; is the owner of fifty- five acres of land, valued at $2,500. Was married to Mary D. Alexander, of this township, Sept. 25, 1870; the names of the children are James O., born Feb. 28, 1873 ; Margaret A., deceased ; Nora J., born Oct. 29, 1874; Cora M., born March 29, 1876; Henrietta, born Aug. 24, 1878. Mr. Wheat's father, James O. Wheat, is still living, and is practicing medicine in this township. Was in the late war as surgeon in 21st Kentucky Reg- iment. His mother, Margaret Wheat, died Sept. 12, 1861, in the 25th year of her age. His father was Legislator two terms in Kentucky.


GEORGE W. WILLSON, farmer ; P. O. Etna ; is the son of John and Elizabeth Willson ; was born in Maryland, Aug. 12, 1826 ; moved to Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 12, 1836 .; is the owner of 700 acres of land, valued at or near $21,000 ; was Justice of the Peace and Road Commissioner for a number of years. Was married to his first wife, July 12, 1836, Sarah Floyd ; names of children, boy, Nicholas P. ; girls, Lillia A., Rossy J .; was married to his second wife, Mary S. Myers, widow of Henry H. Tucher, April 13, 1868 ; names of boys living, Francis A., John A. (deceased), William (deceased) ; girl, Mag- gie E. ; the names of Mr. Henry Tucher's children, living-girls, Ada U., Eva B .; children dead-boy, Arthur S .; girl, Bell L. Henry H. Tucher died Aug. 25, 1866 ; was born Jan. 27, 1819.


JAMES H. WILLIAMS, farmer; P. O. Etna ; is the son of William and Elizabeth Williams, of Culpeper Co., Va .; was born June 12, 1826, in Culpeper Co., Va .; moved with his folks to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Ill., on Dec. 20, 1836; is the owner of 171 acres of land, valued at $4,500. Is Commissioner of Highways, and has been for seven years, also School Director for eight years, and is at the, present time. Never was married. His father, William Williams, was born in Culpeper Co., Va., Aug. 3, 1789, died Jan. 7, 1855, in the 67th year of his age; his mother (Eliza-


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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:


beth Williams, was born in Culpeper Co., Va., April 22, 1792, died Nov. 30, 1873, in the 84th year of her age. He served in


the late war three years, in Company D., 123d Volunteer Ill.


LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP.


G. B. DAVIS, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Loxa ; born in Hutton Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 12, 1836 ; was brought up a farmer ; re- ceived his education in a common school during the winter months. Mr. D. re- sided at home with his parents until he was 32 years of age, during which time he assisted on the farm and also taught school ; he taught school in Hutton Tp. and the dis- trict where he now resides 104 months in all. He was married to Elizabeth Atkins Aug. 12, 1869 ; she was born in Clark Co., this State, Sept. 3, 1844 ; have two children- Sarah Annie and Mattie L. Held office of Town Clerk one year, and Justice of the Peace eight years ; was a soldier in the late war; served in Co. C, 68th I. V. I .; held rank of Second Lieutenant; went from Charleston. He was in the expedi- tion that captured John Morgan at the time of his famous raid in Ohio. Mr. D. is a member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. D. belongs to the Church of United Breth- ren. His parents, John C. and Eliza- beth, were among the pioneer settlers of this county. Both are now deceased.


RICHARD J. HANCOCK, farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. O. Loxa ; owns 150 acres ; was born on the farm where he now resides, Oct. 20, 1838; was raised a farmer. Mar- ried Mary E. Snitt (daughter of John S. Snitt, Esq. ) Nov. 30, 1865 ; she was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, April 3, 1848 ; have six children-Nona, Anna, Nellie, John C., Carrie and Amanda S. Mr. H.'s father was born in North Carolina, March 13, 1797 ; went to Kentucky with his par- enrs when an infant. At the age of 10 years he went to Indiana, and then to this county in 1830. His death occurred Feb. 19, 1871, where the subject of this sketch now resides. His first settlement was on this farm ; here he raised a family of ten children. only two of whom are now liv- ing (the subject of this sketch and Mrs. Jones, of Loxa ). Mr. H.'s mother ( Keziah ) was born in Virginia, April 13, 1801 ; her


death occurred here April 4, 1876. Mr. H. had two brothers in the army during the late war-John F., killed at Perry- ville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, and William T., who died at home, Jan. 20, 1872. Both were members of the 123d I. V. I.


WILLIAM R. JONES, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Mattoon ; owns 726 acres ; born in Harrison Co., Ky., Aug. 14, 1808; came to this township in 1834 and made a crop ; then went to Kentucky and worked four years on his mother's farin, his father having died when he (the subject of this sketch) was 23 years old ; he then re- turned to this county in company with his mother and a sister, and settled where he now resides. He was married to Eliza P. Threlkeld (daughter of the late Rev. Thomas Threlkeld) Oct. 18, 1853; she died Dec. 31, 1856 ; had two children by this marriage-Thomas T. (born Oct. 12, 1854) and William (born Nov. 21, 1856) ; both are now living ; his second marriage was to Elizabeth Ewing, March 25, 1862 ; she was born Dec. 28, 1829; by this union they have one child-Sarah Louisa, born April 7, 1866. Mr. J. was the first Supervisor in the township and held that office three terms. Mr. J. was formerly a Henry Clay Whig, after which he became identified with the Republican party, the principles of which he is a strong supporter ; Mr. J. has never had but two homes-the place where he was born in Kentucky and his present home ; he is an extensive farmer and raises large quantities of stock and grain. Mr. J. was a warm friend of the soldiers during the late war ; a more kind and benevolent man to the poor probably does not exist in Coles Co.




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