Ashmore Twp. -
WILLIAM H. MACK, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; was born in Kentucky Apr. 11, 1828, and came to Illinois when he was 5 years old, with the family of his father, William Mack; after spending one winter in Coles Co., his father settled in Clark Co., where he died about eight years ago; Mr. Mack lived in Clark Co., until he became of age, and then came to Coles Co.; he began life by working out by the month, and, after accumulating some money, he purchased 120 acres of land, on which he settled in the fall of 1853; he now owns 790 acres in his home farm, and 100 acres in Clark Co.; his farm is one of the best in the county, is well fenced, under good cultivation, and improved with a fine two-story dwelling, barns, outbuildings, etc., costing not less than $6,000; his residence occupies a beautiful eminence, and from it can be plainly seen the village of Kansas, in Edgar Co., while the church-spires of Westfield, in Clark Co., and of Ashmore, in Coles Co., are visible.  Mr. Mack has given considerable attention to the raising of stock, keeping from 50 to 150 head of cattle; having no leisure nor inclination for official life, he has never sought nor held public office, but has devoted himself exclusively to the management of his large farm.  He was married Dec. 19, 1850, to Miss Elvira Anderson, a daughter of Robert Anderson, one of the early settlers of Edgar Co.; she was born in that county  Feb. 25, 1832, and removed with her parents to Coles Co. when about 8 years old; they have five children - Joseph A., William A., Catherine P., Oscar A. and Charles A.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 601

Mattoon Twp. -
H. W. MAGEE, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Coles Co., Ill., in October, 1847; his father came from Cynthiana, Ky., and settled in Coles Co., Ill., in 1832; here he engaged in farming; he relates that his father labored a whole year for Joseph VanDeren for $96; when H. W., was 2 years of age, his father moved to the western portion of Missouri, and was there during the border troubles; in the fall of 1857, he returned with his family to Coles Co., and settled in what is known as the "Dead Man's Grove;" in 1872, he moved to Louisa Co., Iowa, where he at present resides; having obtained a good common-school education, at the age of 20 years, H. W. entered the office of the Circuit Clerk, at Charleston, as Deputy; here he remained about two and a half years in the winter of 1869, he entered the law department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in the spring of 1872; at that date, he was admitted to practice in the courts of Michigan, and, the summer of 1872, was admitted to the courts of Illinois; he began the practice of his profession in Mattoon, his present residence.  He was married in the spring of 1873 to Ellen J. Barnes, a native of Indianapolis; has one child—Gracie.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 552

Charleston Twp. -
T. J. MARCH, Sr., dealer in furniture, Charleston; was born in Baltimore, Md., Mar. 22, 1807; he is the only son of John and Eliza March; losing his father in early childhood, he was very early in life thrown upon his own resources; at the age of 8 years, he was placed in a tailor shop, where he was put to ripping up old clothes, after which he worked successively for a tobacconist in stripping tobacco, in a chair-factory, learning to bottom chairs, and in a sieve-factory.  In his 15th year he began learning the house-joiner's trade, and on becoming of age, went to Philadelphia, where he followed his trade up to 1835, two years of which time he spent in the employ of Stephen Girard, and helped to build a large and elegant structures composing Girard's Square.  He was married Mar. 22, 1831, to Miss Rosina D. Creighton, of Philadelphia; she was born in that city Nov. 1, 1810; they have had nine children, five of whom are living - Thomas J. (of Charleston), Lizzie I. (wife of J. M. Ashmore, of Charleston), George A. (of Downey, Los Angeles Co., Cal. ), Robert A. (of Charleston) and Rosina D. (now Mrs. H. E. Brooks, of Charleston).  On the 4th  of July, 1835, Mr. March left Philadelphia and removed to Louisville, Ky., and in March, 1836, came to Coles Co.; he put up a rail cabin ten feet square in what is now Morgan Tp., and there lived with his family for three months, when they removed to Charleston; after following his trade of a house joiner for a number of years; he engaged in cabinet-making and the undertaking business, and for the past fifteen years or more, has been in the furniture business.  Mr. March built the first iron front store in Charleston on the east side of the square, in 1858; besides this, he has erected two other substantial brick buildings and three dwellings, not to mention the large number he has built for other parties; his enterprise has been rewarded with success, he having accumulated a comfortable property, owning nine buildings in the city, including the fine brick store in March's Block.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 525

Charleston Twp. -
COL. THOMAS A. MARSHALL, deceased, late of Charleston; was a son of Hon. Thos. A. Marshall, a prominent lawyer, and for more than twenty years Judge of the Court of Appeals of Kentucky; he was born in Frankfort, Ky., Nov. 4, 1817; in early childhood, he removed with his parents to Paris, Bourbon Co., Ky.; his opportunities for obtaining an education were excellent and were appreciated and improved by him; he early became a student in Transylvania University, and, in about 1833, entered Kenyon College, but near the close of the Junior year, he left College, and was employed for a few months on the survey of the Louisville & Lexington Railroad; after reading law and attending a course of lectures in the law department of Transylvania University, in Lexington, Ky., his father being then a law professor in that institution, he was admitted to the bar, and, in 1837, began practice in Vicksburg, Miss., where he enjoyed a very successful law practice until his removal to Illinois.  He was married Sept. 4, 1838, to Miss Ellen I. Miles, daughter of Dr. James I. Miles of Frankfort, Ky.; in November, 1839, he removed to Coles Co., where he had previously purchased a tract of 800 acres of land, known as Dead Man's Grove; he removed to Charleston two years afterward and resumed the practice of his profession; turning his attention to politics he became a leading politician, and was associated with Abraham Lincoln, Lyman Trumbull, David Davis, John M. Palmer, N. B. Judd and others in the organization of the Republican party in 1856, previously to which time he had been an Old line Whig; in 1847, he had been a member of the State Constitutional Convention, and, in 1856, was a member of the Republican State Convention, and the same year, at the earnest personal solicitation of Mr. Lincoln, he became a candidate for the State Senate on the Republican ticket, and was elected by a large majority.  He was subsequently in 1860, elected to the same office on the Presidential ticket which elected Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States; it should be mentioned that in 1853 he became Cashier of the Farmers' and Traders' Bank in Charleston and continued as such during the existence of the same.  In July, 1861, he became Colonel of the 1st I. V. C., and served his country gallantly and faithfully until the muster-out of his regiment in the fall of 1862.  In July, 1863, he was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Utah, but shortly afterward resigned his position; in 1864,  he was appointed Postmaster at Vicksburg, Miss., holding that office until July, 1865; he was President of the bank of T. A. Marshall & Co. until its reorganization as the Second National Bank, when, owning to ill health, he retired to his farm, where he resided until his death on the 11th of November, 1873; he left a family of six children - William S. (now in business in Denver, Colo.), Eliza M. (Mrs. J. W. True, of Louisa Co., Iowa), James M. (now a Captain in the Quartermaster's Department of the regular army and stationed in Baltimore), Thomas A. (of Denver, Colo.), Charles T. and John H.; Mrs. Marshall and the youngest two members of his family reside in Charleston.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 526

Seven Hickory Twp. -
JOB W. MASSEY, farming and stock; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Cheshire, England, June 28, 1822.  He married Miss Sarah Gould Dec. 4, 1847; she was born in North Molton, Devonshire, England, Feb. 23, 1827, and died Aug. 8, 1877.  They had six children, viz., William H., now living; Job Francis died at the age of 17, child died in infancy, Nannie now living, George E. died at 18 months of age and Joseph Charles died in his 18th year, from the kick of a horse.  He lived in England about six years, when, with his parents, he came to the United States and settled in New Jersey, at Bellville, where his father engaged at his business of contracting machinist, he contracting to furnish machinery for some large calico print works located there; he also took extensive contracts for cotton-mill machinery in Tennessee.  In 1835, they moved to Wappinger's Falls, Dutchess Co., N.Y., where he lived eighteen years, except one year (1844), when he traveled in England with his brother, who was an invalid.  His parents died during his residence at the Falls.  In 1853, he went to Newburg, and engaged in model making, remaining three years, though part of the time he worked in New York City.  In 1856 he and his brother, Henry, came West, looking for a location for a general merchandise business.  After visiting several points, Dubuque, Iowa, was selected, but owing to the death of his brother, the business was not opened, and he determined to go into the farming and stock business, and after looking around, he located on his present place in 1857, and has lived here since, though from 1861 to 1871, he principally carried on model-making in Chicago, his family residing here.  He has been Assessor four terms, School director some eight to ten years, also Justice of the Peace for seven years.  He owns 120 acres in this township, well improved and stocked, which he has earned by his own labor and management.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 642

Pleasant Grove Twp. -
WILY MATTHEWS, farmer, Sec. 21; P. O. Johnstown; owns forty acres; was born in Morgan Co., Ind., June 27 1842, and lived with his parents on the farm until the year 1859, when he came to this county and has resided here since.  He was married Oct. 27, 1863, to Margaret Jackson; she was born in Owens Co., Ind., Oct. 17, 1844, died Jan. 1, 1871.  He then married Eliza T. Balch, Aug. 13, 1871; she was born in Madison Co., Miss., Jan. 15, 1857, and has had seven children, six of whom are living, viz., Oscar M., Lizzie, Cary, Esther M., Gertrude and Mary A.  Mr. Matthews has been Assessor in this township two terms.  He was in the late war three years, and subsequently in the hundred-day service.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 589

Morgan Twp. -
DANIEL R. McALISTER, farmer, deceased; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co.  The subject of this sketch was born in Alabama May 29, 1821; he emigrated to Illinois at 10 years of age, and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp., in the year 1831, where he lived until his death, which occurred Nov 9, 1867; he was one of the most industrious and hardworking men of Morgan Tp., and by his industry and good management had accumulated a good property at the time of his death.  His marriage was celebrated Feb. 11, 1844; six children were the fruit of this union, three of whom are deceased; the living are Martha J. (now Mrs. J. B. Williams), Clara B. (now Mrs. Dunlap) McGhey and Margaret R. (now Mrs. G. E. Johnson).  Mrs. McAlister makes her home with her oldest daughter, Mrs. J. B. Williams, and although in her 63d year, is in possession of all her faculties, and daily assists in the various faculties, and daily assists in the various household duties.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 626

Charleston Twp. -
JOHN A. McCONNELL, editor of the Charleston Plaindealer, Charleston; was born in Cadiz, Ohio, Dec. 26, 1826; he began, at 12 years of age, to learn his father's business of chairmaking; his inclinations were, however, toward literary or professional pursuits, but he was prevented from carrying out his intentions in that direction by a weakness of the eyes; at the age of 17 he began teaching school, and taught during the winters for four years; in 1859, he engaged in the grocery business in Cadiz, in which he continued until 1871, when he embarked in the tanning business, and followed this until the spring of 1878; he then came to Charleston and assumed editorial charge of the Charleston Plaindealer, a Republican newspaper, the oldest in the county.  He was married Jan. 3, 1861, to Miss Mary Quest, of Cadiz, Ohio, a native of Indiana Co., Penn.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 524

Charleston Twp. -
WM. M. McCONNELL, Charleston, of the firm of M. A. McConnell & Co., publishers of the Charleston Plaindealer, was born on the 28th of August, 1855, in Cadiz, Harrison Co., Ohio; he is a son of James McConnell, of that city; he attended the public schools of his native town, graduating from the high school in 1872; he at once entered the office of the Cadiz Republican, to learn the printer's trade, and, after completing his apprenticeship, remained in the office as a journeyman until he came to Charleston, in the spring of 1878, as one of the proprietors of the Plaindealer.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 525

Charleston Twp. -
WM. E. McCRORY, Cashier of the First National Bank, Charleston, is a son of James McCrory, who came from Harrison Co., Ky., to Coles Co. in 1837; was for two years engaged in business in Charleston, and was for a time Postmaster of this city; he returned to Kentucky in 1839, and remained there until 1850, when he removed permanently, with his family, to this county; he was for eight years County Clerk, and is now a prominent farmer in La Fayette Tp.  William E. was born in Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Ky., Mar. 20, 1839; after spending a year as a clerk in the County Clerk's office, under his father, he became Cashier, at the age of about 17 years, of the Farmers' and Trader's Bank, where he remained until 1860, when that bank, in common with the other State banks - being based upon Southern bonds, went down, after which Marshall & McCrory continued the banking business for about a year; he then served for a time as Deputy County Clerk, under Jacob I. Brown; then clerked for a while for R. M. & H. S. Parcels, after which he resumed the banking business, as Cashier for Coles County Bank of T. G. Chambers & Co., and, on the consolidation of that bank with the First National Bank, in 1868, he became Cashier of the latter institution, which position he still retains; he served one year as Town Clerk.  He was married Mar. 20, 1860, to Miss Kate Parcels, a daughter of the late John F. Parcels, an early and highly respected citizen of Charleston; they have one son living - Walter P.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 526

Mattoon Twp. -
COL. ROBERT H. McFADDEN, Pension Attorney and Police Magistrate, Mattoon; was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1833; his father was a cabinet-maker by trade, and at the age of 13 years, he began the trade, working five years under instructions; at 18, he began life for himself, following his trade about fifteen years; in 1850, he came to Shelby Co., Ill., and remained three years; in 1853, he came to Coles Co., and located in the village of Paradise; in the summer of 1855, he came to Mattoon; he built the first dwelling in the city limits, on what is now known as Charleston avenue, between East First and Union streets.  He was married Sept. 28, 1855, to Sarah A. Norvell, by Elder Isaac Hart; theirs was the first wedding that occurred in Mattoon; at the first election held in Mattoon Tp., in 1857, he was chosen a Justice of the Peace; Apr. 19, 1861, he entered the United States service as Second Lieutenant, in the 7th Regt. I. V. I.; he served as First Lieutenant, Captain and Major in the 41st Regt., and Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel in the 53d; July 22, 1865, he was mustered out of the service, and, on his return, followed his trade some three years; in 1871, he was elected Mayor of the city, having served one term as Alderman; in 1873, he was chosen Police Magistrate, and from reelection, has held the office since.  Has four children—May I., John A., Eddie D. and Lizzie A.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 551

Morgan Twp. -
ALEXANDER McGREGOR, farmer; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Perthshire, Scotland, July 1, 1807, where he attended the common schools in his youth and assisted his father in farming until upward of 21 years of age ,when he located in Glasgow as clerk and salesman in the wholesale store of Robert & John Henderson with whom he remained until 1842, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York in April, of the same year, coming directly West; he lived in East Oakland Tp. until the spring of 1843, when he located forty acres of land in Morgan Tp., upon which he settled and, about 1845, entered forty more and afterward added by purchase until he had 535 acres, which he made  by his own hard labor; he has always been one of the most industrious and hard-working men of Morgan Tp., and is held in high esteem as a citizen; he has always taken a deep interest in the cause, of religion and education, having been an active member of the Presbyterian Church for upward of half a century; on Jan. 9, 1872, he was stricken with palsy, and upon the 13th of the same month received his second shock, since which time he has been confined to the house, and is nearly in a helpless condition, which affliction he has borne with Christian fortitude.  His marriage with Margaret Dollar was celebrated June 11, 1833; she was born in Perthshire, Scotland, Nov. 18, 1811; five children were the fruit of this union, three of which are deceased; the names of the living are William and John. Mr. McGregor was a strong Union man during the war of the rebellion, two of his sons serving in the Union Army, Alexander being killed at the battle of Perryville; Mrs. McGregor died Apr. 27, 1876; Mr. McGregor continues to live upon the old homestead with his younger son, John, was born in the old homestead Feb. 1, 1848, where he has always lived; he married Apr. 12, 1877, and Rosanic C. Craig; she was the daughter of James W. Craig one of the early settlers of Coles Co., they have one child by this union - Margaret J., born Dec. 15, 1878.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 626

Humbolt Twp. -
CAPT. DAVID McKINNEY, farmer; P. O. Areola; the subject of this sketch was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Mar. 22, 1837.  He married Miss Catharine Rork Jan. 25, 1866; she was born same place; they have six children, viz., Ida May, Oron W., Charles N., Jessie, Otto and Ruey; he lived in Ohio until he was 21, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles, now Douglas Co., near Areola; in December, 1861, he enlisted in the 54th I. V. I., he being Orderly of Co. I, and after seven months' service he was made Second Lieutenant, and after serving one year in this office, he was elected and promoted to Captain of Co. I; he was in the service four years, or during; the war, and was in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Helena, Little Rock, Ashley Station, where he was taken prisoner and was paroled after nineteen days' captivity; then being exchanged, he resumed his command and took part in the other battles of the regiment. After returning from the army, he came to Areola and lived there until 1871; he then came to his present place and has lived here since; he has held the office of Highway Commissioner and School Director, and is at present School Trustee; he owns 120 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 636

Morgan Twp. -
W. C. McLAIN, farmer; P. O. Charleston; one of the very oldest settlers of Coles Co., Jan. 12, 1829; his father, Matthew McLain, emigrated from Indiana in the year 1828, and located in the above township, at the above date, where he lived until 1846, when he removed to Wisconsin, and the year following both he and his wife died.  The subject of this sketch emigrated to Wisconsin with his parents, and after their decease returned to Coles Co. and was employed as farm laborer until 1851, when he rented land and farmed one year, and on Mar. 28, 1852, started with three other ox-teams overland to California, going via St. Joe, Mo., Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie, crossing the Rocky Mountains via the Sweetwater Gap, arriving at Placerville, Cal., Aug. 16, of the same year, being nearly five months upon the road; here he engaged in freighting for several months from Sacramento City to Placerville, a distance of forty-five miles, and late in the fall engaged in mining upon Weber Creek until the spring of 1853, when he went to the North Yuba River, and engaged in mining during the summer of 1853, when he and his company, among which were two of his brothers, opened a mine, sinking a shaft 140 feet, which they named Galena Hill, and which has since proved to be one of the best deep diggings in California; working this mine until the dry season set in, when they worked seven months and flumed the North Yuba River, after taking the water out of the river and working one-half day in the bed of the river, in which they obtained $2,800, the flume burst in, and their seven months' labor was lost; he then returned to Galena Hill where he engaged in mining until Mar. 15, 1855, when he sailed from San Francisco, via Panama and New York, arriving in Ashmore Tp. April 11 following; he then rented and engaged in farming one year, when he removed to Morgan Tp., where he has since engaged in farming; ho located upon his present place in February 1866, where he has since continued to live; he owns sixty acres in his home farm, upon which he has good improvements, mostly made by his own labor.  He married Aug. 8, 1850, to Mary A. Galbreath; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 18, 1834; she died April 11, 1866, leaving two children—Philena and Mary A. His marriage with Mahala Mitchell, daughter of John Galbreath, was celebrated April 14, 1867; she was born in Coles Co., III., Feb. 18, 1840; her parents were among the early pioneers of Coles Co., who located about 1830.  Mrs. McLain has two children by her previous, W. R. Mitchell a viz., John H. Daughterty.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illino is - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 625

Seven Hickory Twp. -
T. J. McMILLIN, farm and stock; P. O. Rural Retreat; the subject of this sketch was born in Clarke Co., Ind., Apr. 6, 1840.  He married Miss Margaret J. Combs, Dec. 16, 1862; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., June 17, 1841; they had three children - two living, viz., Rosella and Maggie F., he lived in Indiana twenty-years; he then moved to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., near the Humbolt line, where he engaged in farming, and remained until 1863, when he came to his present place, and has lived here since.  He owns 240 acres in this township, which he earned by his own labor and management; his parents, William and Mrs. Jane Chambers McMillin were natives of Kentucky; when they were married, they moved to Indiana, where his mother died in 1853; his father is living in Clarke Co., Ind., on the old homestead.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 643

Hutton Twp. -
BENJAMIN McMORRIS, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., Mar. 25, 1813; his parents moved to Frederick Co., Va., when he was a year old; his father died in the year 1818, and Mr. McMorris lived with his mother until he was 21 years of age, when they moved to Coshocton Co., Ohio, six years after, his mother returned to Virginia and died there in the year 1852.  In the spring of 1836, Mr. McMorris married Rachel McLaughlin, and, three years afterward, moved to Coles Co., and settled in Sec. 9, Hutton Township, where he at present resides.  His wife died Dec. 17, 1851, leaving six children, all living - Nancy (born Aug. 14, 1837), Margaret (July 7, 1839), Benjamin F. (May 16, 1842), Mary J. Nov. 11, 1847), William H. (Aug. 18, 1849), and Rachel (Dec. 5, 1851).  He married his second wife, Miss Sarah J. Johns, daughter of James and Jane Johns, in February, 1852; she was born in Virginia, Pendleton Co., Aug. 11, 1825, and was a widow of Wm. Cartright; they had eight children, six living - Elizabeth J. (born Nov. 26, 1854 - now Mr. David T. French, at present residing in Kansas; married Nov. 14, 1870), John V. (born Oct. 15, 1856), Martha A. (now Mrs. John Thornton; born July 10, 1860; married Oct. 16, 1878), Russell J. (born Sept. 29, 1862), Jenette (Aug. 27, 1864), and Joseph L. (born Mar. 9, 1867); two deceased - Thomas J. and David A.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 617

Mattoon Twp. -
  ISAAC N. McPHERON, farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of Alexander and Sarah McPheron, of Alabama; was born November 20, 1825, in Alabama; moved to Coles Co., Paradise Twp., Jan. 15, 1877.  Is the owner of 89 acres of land valued at or near $3,500; held no public office in this township.  Was married to Matilda Shook February, 11, in Parke Co., Indiana on February 11, 1847*; names of children - boys, Samuel B., John A., Oscar P., Allen, Logan; (deceased, boy, Leuellen); girls, Carrie A. (Aye), Alice, Flora T.; deceased, girls (Roxanna and Henrietta R.); his father is dead; died in Mattoon Jan. 26, 1873, in the 72d year of his age; his mother died in Montezuma, Ind., May 3, 1847, in the 50th year of her age. 
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 656
* marriage date found at the Indiana State Library database (Great Great Grandfather of Sharon Wick, owner of Genealogy Express websites)
NOTE:  Photo is from Family Files given to me by Miriam Ireland (who has since deceased).

Mattoon Twp. -
DANIEL MESSER, proprietor Essex House, Mattoon; was born in Piermont, Grafton Co., N. H., A. D. 1829; his father was a farmer, and his early life was that of a farmer's son; in addition to his common-school education, he attended for some time a seminary of a high grade, in Bradford, Vt.; at his majority he left home, and began life for himself; his first employment was that of overseeing a force of workmen on the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad; he subsequently contracted on the Buffalo, Corning & New York Railroad; in 1853, he came West, and contracted on the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad, and on the completion of the road, was appointed Roadmaster from Terre Haute to Pana, which position he held from 1855 to 1860 or 1861; on leaving the road, he next operated the Messer House, in Charleston, till 1867; from 1867 to 1869, he owned and operated a planing-mill, at Charleston; in 1869, he leased the Essex House, at Mattoon, and has operated it for the past ten years; with a house first-class in all its appointments, and himself possessed of all those necessary qualifications that go to make a successful landlord, he has met with deserved success, and is to-day regarded one of the financially solid men of the city; he is at  present a Director in the First National Bank.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 553

Charleston Twp. -
TARLTON C. MILES, Charleston, is a native of Franklin Co., Ky.; he was born near Frankfort, on the 1st of May, 1825; he is a son of Dr. James I. Miles a physician of that county; his early life was spent in the subscription schools in his neighborhood; in 1845, he came to Coles Co.  He was married Oct. 3, 1848, to Miss Sophia O. Van Deren a daughter of Joseph Van Deren, of Coles Co.; she was born in Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Ky., Jan. 18, 1829, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1835; they have six children living - Isaac J., William V., Ella M., Ida T., May R. and Tarlton V.  Mr. Miles first engaged in farming in La Fayette Tp., owning a large quantity of land in the county; in 1855, he removed and began business as a general merchant, in which business he continued for about three years; in 1858, he removed with his family to Texas, with a view to engaging largely in stock-raising, but in 1860, it being apparent that a war between the two sections was inevitable and was fast approaching, he returned North, and engaged in the lumber business and in running a saw-mill near Milton Station; he continued his farming and stock operations until about five years ago.  Mr. Miles is now in England, where he has been since September, 1878; owing to this, the for-going sketch is far from complete, on account of a lack of detailed information.  He has served the public in various offices of trust and responsibility, and always with entire satisfaction.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 527

Pleasant Grove Twp. -
CEPHAS MILLER, farmer, Sec. 3, P. O. Mattoon; was born in Coles Co., Ill., Nov. 6, 1852; engaged with his father in farming, until he married Alice Denman, Feb. 19, 1873; she was born in Jasper Co., Ill., Dec. 19, 1852; they have had three children, viz: Santa Clara, she was born Jan. 7, 1874; Denman, was born Jul. 16, 1875, died Nov. 20, 1877; Katie, b. Dec. 3, 1877.  Mrs. Miller’s father was in the late war; enlisted in the 97^th I. V. C.; served three months.  Mr. Miller’s father, J. W. Miller, is one of the largest landholders in the township.  Mrs. Miller’s father, J. B. Denman, was killed in the city of Charleston by a horse running away.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879

GEORGE L. MILLER is a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 23, North Okaw township.  He was born in Pleasant Grove Township in this county, Oct. 27, 1852, and is eldest child of James L. F. and Rachel E. (Gray) Miller, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Illinois.  His paternal grandparents, George and Elizabeth (Antle) Miller, were natives of Kentucky, and removed at a very early day to Illinois, where they were engaged in farming and stock-raising.  His maternal grandparents were Richard and Rachel (Pugh) Gray, who were like wise natives of Kentucky and pioneers of this state,.
     James Miller was a child when his parents moved to Illinois, and grew up with the country in the pioneer days.  After his marriage be settled on Pleasant Grove Township, where he now resides on the same estate which he then purchased, and carries on an extensive business in farming and stock-raising.
     George L. Miller received a good education at the common schools, and attended Lee's Academy at Loxa for two years.  He remained at home engaged in farming, associated with his father and brothers, until he reached the age of twenty-six, when his marriage to Miss Mary Isabel Smith took place, Oct. 31, 1878.  Mrs. Miller was born Feb. 15, 1850, in this county, in one of the first log houses in North Okaw Township, and is the daughter of William H. and Mary (Osborn) Smith.  Her parents were among the pioneers of this county.  After his marriage Mr. Miller settled on a tract of almost wild land located on section 23, North Okaw Township, and by industry, and close application to work has succeeded in bringing his farm, which contains 240 acres, to a high state of cultivation.  His cottage residence, a view of which is given in connection with this sketch, is one of the finest in the county, and his other farm buildings are correspondingly appropriate and well appointed.  He also owns forty acres of timber land.
     Mr. and Mrs. Miller had a family of five children born to them - Allie, James Walter and Harrison S. (twins), E. Howard, and one who died in infancy;  Harrison S. is also dead.  Mrs. Miller is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mattoon.   Mr. Miller is one of the rising young men of the county.  He is a warm supporter of the Democratic party, but does not seek political preferment and has never held office.
Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles County, Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - pg. 451)
Note:  If anyone is related to George L. Miller, please contact me, Sharon Wick as I am a descendant of his Grandfather George Miller.

Pleasant Grove Twp. -
J. L. F. MILLER, farmer and stockdealer, Sec. 9; P.O. Mattoon; owns 337 acres; was born in Trimble Co., Ky., Jan. 9, 1829, and engaged with his father in farming until 23 years of age.   He was married to Rachel P. Gray, Nov. 27, 1857; she was born in Tennessee April 19, 1829; died May 2, 1860; the fruit of this marriage was two children – George L. and Rachel E.  Mr. Miller then married to Mary J. Romine Feb. 25, 1866; she was born in Vigo Co., Ind., Jul. 3, 1841; the fruit of this marriage is eight children – Lola, Mattie, Clara, Mary T., Bertha, Katie and Clinton, and one infant deceased.  Mr. Miller commenced with but little property and by his honesty, industry and economy has accumulated considerable property.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879
Note:  If anyone is related to George L. Miller, please contact me, Sharon Wick as I am a descendant of his father George Miller.

Charleston Twp. -
JAMES M. MILLER, dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing and furnishing goods, Charleston; has been a citizen and merchant of Charleston for more than forty years, being the oldest merchant now doing business in the city; he was born in Spencer Co., Ky., Aug. 29, 1814; he is a son of John H. and Jane Miller, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylvania; he was raised on a farm and followed the occupation of farming until 1838, when he came to Charleston and engaged in general merchandising, having visited the State and purchased land in Bond Co. two years before; he has continued in the mercantile business  to the present time, with the exception of one year which he spent in the cattle business in Wisconsin; although Mr. Miller has passed through several seasons of financial depression, and has himself suffered some reverses of fortune, his mercantile career has, upon the whole, been a prosperous one; he has always paid dollar for dollar and has a comfortable competency remaining; he has done much to improve the city, having built several stores and dwellings, expending no less than $30,000 in improvements; he was the first of the Charleston merchants to purchase goods in New York City, which he did for the first time in 1844.  He has served two terms in the City Council.  He was married Apr. 7, 1842, to Helen E. Walker of Charleston, a native of Kentucky; she died July 24, 1851, leaving one daughter - Mary F. (now Mrs. A. C. Stallard, of Shelby Co., Ky.).  Mr. Miller was married again Aug. 3, 1852, to Nancy S. Harris, of Cortland Co., N. Y.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 526

Pleasant Grove Twp. -
JOHN W. MILLER, farmer and stockdealer, Sec. 1; P. O. Charleston; owns 800 acres, worth $40 per acre; he was born in Trimble Co., Ky., March 13, 1825; he lived in Kentucky until 12 years of age; then emigrated to Coles Co., Ill. Where he lived with his father on the farm;  engaged in farming until he married Rebecca A. Tremble, Jun. 26, 1851; she was born in Harrison Co., Ind., Jul. 15, 1828; the fruit of this marriage was eight children, five living and three dead; the names of the living are Cephas, Horana, Armantha, John and James; the names of the deceased are George, Elizabeth and Quitman.  Mr. Miller went to California in 1849, returning in 1851; he also went to Pike’s Peak; he is highly respected in his neighborhood.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879
Note:  If anyone is related to George L. Miller, please contact me, Sharon Wick as I am a descendant of his father George Miller.

East Oakland Twp. -
GIDEON MINOR, farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Brown Co., Ohio, Aug. 16, 1818; he emigrated with his parents to Kentucky at 4 years of age, where he attended school and engaged in farming until 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 daughter of D. B. Powers, one of the early settlers of this county, and whose biography appears in this work; they have one child by this union—George A. Minor, born Apr. 3, 1849.  Mr. Minor has held various township offices, and at present holds the office of Township Collector.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 572

Charleston Twp. -
W. S. MINTON, of the farm of Minton, Alvey & Van Meter, proprietors of the City Mills, Charleston; was born in Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 10, 1828; at the age of 12 years, he began to work in his father's mill, and there became familiar with every branch of the milling business; he continued that for eight years and, in 1848, started with his father in the dry goods business; six years later - 1854 - he came to Illinois, bringing with him a thousand head of sheep, and engaged in sheep-raising in Vermilion Co.; he soon after removed to Edgar Co., when he traded his sheep for Western lands, and coming to Coles Co., settled on a farm near Charleston; after farming five years, he engaged in merchandising in Kansas, Edgar Co.; in 1864, he removed to Charleston, and with W. G. Wright and A. K. Spears, started in the grocery trade; since then, he has been engaged in the hardware and lumber business, the grocery business and the boot and shoe trade; in 1877, the firm of Minton, Alvey & Van Meter erected the City Mills, a fine brick structure, costing $15,000, containing four runs of stone, and fitted up with the latest improved machinery for manufacturing flour by the patent process.  Mr. Minton was married Oct. 14, 1853, to Miss Matilda R. Wright, the daughter of Samuel Wright, now of Charleston, and has two children - Clarence H. and Evangeline St. Clair.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 528

Charleston Twp. -
ALEXANDER C. MITCHELL, dealer in books, stationery, toys, etc., Charleston; is a native of Coles Co., being a son of James M. and Esther (Collom) Mitchell, a sketch of whom is given above; he was born in Charleston Dec. 6, 1836; until 1860, he remained on the farm, receiving a common school education.  He was married Dec. 27, 1859, to Mrs. Carrie Roberts, of Charleston.  In 1860, he engaged in the boot and shoe business in Charleston, and continued in that two years; the next two years were spent in farming, after which he followed the grocery business until 1876; he was engaged for a short time in the drug business, after which he entered upon his present business; he has two sons - Walter G. and Wirt A.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 524

Charleston Twp. -
ALLISON M. MITCHELL, of the firm of Ashmore & Mitchell, dealers in boots and shoes, Charleston; is a native of Coles Co.; he was born in Charleston Dec. 29, 1852, being the son of Rev. Robert A. and Ann E. Mitchell; his father was born in Washington Co., Tenn., and came to Coles Co. with his parents in 1833; he received a collegiate education, and after pursuing a theological course, located in Charleston as Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, of which he remained in charge for twenty years.  Allison M. Mitchell, the son, was raised on a farm until he was 19 years old, and then entered the grocery store of his uncle, I. B. Mitchell, where he remained for three years, after which he spent about two years in the employ of W. M. & E. A. Jenkins; on the 1st of January, 1878, in company with W. J. Ashmore, he purchased the boot and shoe business of B. M. Payne, in which he has since continued.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page

Charleston Twp -
GEN. G. M. MITCHELL, Postmaster, Charleston, was born in Warren Co., Ky., Oct. 5, 1835.  His father, Bedford Mitchell, came to Coles Co. in 1851 and settled in Paradise Township, where he died in 1856.  In 1852, the subject of this sketch, then a lad of 17, entered a store in Paradise, as clerk for Cunningham & Son, where he remained six years.  He then followed merchandising for himself until 1859, when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Malden Jones, and served until May, 1860.  On the 1st of May, 1860, he married Miss Kate Miles, daughter of John Miles, of Charleston, and has seven children.  Removing to Mattoon, he formed a partnership with John Cunningham, under the firm name of Mitchel & Cunningham, and continued in general merchandise business until the breaking out of the rebellion.  In June, 1861, he entered the army as Captain of Co. C 1st I. V. C. - the first three years regiment to leave the State.  He served with that regiment till February, 1862, when he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the 54th I. V. I.  In October, 1863, was promoted to Colonel.  In 1864, he re-enlisted with his regiment as a veteran, and in the fall of the same year was brevetted Brigadier General, and was mustered out of the service Nov. 3, 1865, having served actively and continuously for nearly five years; he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Parker's Cross Roads, Tenn., and was with Gen. Steel in all his campaigns in Arkansas.  Returning from the war, he was elected Sheriff of Coles Co., holding the office two years.  He was appointed Postmaster at Charles in April, 1877.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 523

Charleston Twp. -
ISAAC B. MITCHELL, dealer in groceries and provisions, Charleston; is the youngest son of James A. and Esther Mitchell; he was born in Charleston, Ill., Jan. 6, 1841; he remained on the farm until the age of 15 years; the next four years he spent in the Charleston Academy, where he prepared for the Sophomore class in college, intending to pursue a college course; but, in 1861, owing to circumstances, he abandoned the idea and engaged in farming.  In April, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 68th I. V. I., for three months.  He continued farming until 1865, teaching school during the winters; in 1865, he engaged in mercantile business in Charleston.  He was married Dec. 11, 1866, to Miss Florida A. Miles, a daughter of John A. Miles, of Charleston, and has four children - John M., Charles B., Richard R. and Paul.  He continued merchandising until 1867, and then farmed for one year, starting in his present business in 1868.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 523

Charleston Twp. -
JAMES A. MITCHELL  (deceased); one of the early pioneers of Coles Co., was born in Washington Co., E. Tenn., Aug. 27, 1797; he was a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Allison) Mitchell; his father was a native of North Carolina and emigrated to Tennessee in an early day.  He passed his early life on his father's farm near Jonesboro, Tenn., and after obtaining a thorough preparatory education entered Washington College, in his native State, but, after a time, left college and engaged in merchandising.  He was married May 12, 1818 to Miss Esther Collom, of his native county; she was born Oct. 28,1 799.  He came to Coles Co. in 1833, and entered a large quantity of Government land, and engaged in farming, dealing in stock, etc.  For a number of years, he resided in Charleston, but afterward retired to a farm near town, on which he resided till his death.  He was a prominent citizen and a prosperous business man.  He was for several years School Commissioner of Coles Co. He died Oct. 14, 1843, while on a visit to his old home in Tennessee, leaving a wife and nine children - Robert A., for twenty years Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Charleston, and now of Kansas, Ill.; Jonathan C., now a farmer in Missouri; John D., a physician of Terre Haute, Ind., Sarah E., wife of Thomas Cheeseman, of Missouri; Samuel, who died in 1873; Luther and James A., farmers in Coles Co., Alexander C. and Isaac B., merchants in Charleston.  His widow, now Mrs. Lumbrick, still resides in Charleston.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 524

Charleston Twp. -
LUTHER C. MITCHELL, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Charleston; a son of James A. and Esther (Collom) Mitchell; was born in Washington Co., Tenn., June 2, 1830; in 1833, his father's family removed to Charleston; he was raised on the farm, and at 19, started for himself; after farming two years, he made the trip to California, where he spent eight months in mining; going thence to Australia; there he remained seven years, and, returning in 1860, he resumed farming and dairying; he removed in 1871 to his present farm on Sec. 19, where he owns eighty acres of land.  He was married Mar. 5, 1861, to Miss H. A. Waddle, of Coles Co.; they have seven children living - Kittie B., William A., Rhoda H., Ella, Alice, James and Emily E.  Mr. Mitchell has served six years as School Director.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 524

Seven Hickory Twp. -
J. M. MOCK, farming; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Hocking Co., Ohio, Apr. 1, 1839.  He married Miss Catharine J. Zimmerman Nov. 22, 1866; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., near Ashmore, June 17, 1843; they had six children - four living, viz., Sarah C., Edward W., Oscar B. and Florence I.; he lived in Ohio until he was 15 years old, when, with his parents he moved to Coles Co., Ill., and settled near Oakland; this was in 1854; they engaged in farming, where he lived until 1860; they then moved to Lafayette Tp., remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the 21st Ill., Inft., and remained in the service over four years; he was made Corporal during the third year's service, and was made Captain after his re-enlistment; he was in the battles of Stone River, Resaca, Chickamauga and Atlanta campaign, also Franklin, where he was wounded.  HE owns 160 acres in this county; his parents, James T. and Sarah Honnold Mock, were natives of Virginia and Ohio; he died Sept. 21, 1873; she has since married Mr. John Hurst, and is living in Lafayette Tp.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 617

East Oakland Twp. -
THOMAS J. MOCK, farmer and Constable, Sec. 25; P. O. Oakland; born in Hocking Co., Ohio, Mar. 22, 1845, where he lived until 1854, when he removed with his parents to Coles Co., Ill., 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 engaged in the battle of Perryville Oct. 8; then to Mumfordsville, where, being prostrated 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 volunteered in a convalescent regiment, and went out guarding bridges, etc.; returning to Louisville, he was forwarded to his regiment 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 advance 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 destroying their railroad depots and cars and tearing up the railroad, etc., returned to help the Union army to win the battle; they then went across the mountains to Chattanooga, where they were engaged for nineteen 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 Cliickamauga, 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 unconsciously 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 regiment 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 Kilpatriik, 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 severely, 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, Tenn., and received his discharge at Springfield, Ill., July 10, 1865, having been in the Union army nearly three years; returning 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 removed 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, Nancy J. Dollar; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Mar. 31, 1850; they have three children now living by this union—John T., Sarah E., and Ralph; Mrs. Mock is a daughter of John Dollar, whose biography appears in this work, is one of the settlers of Coles Co.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879~ Page 570

Ashmore Twp. -
ELIAS MONROE, Postmaster and dealer in dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, etc. (firm of Zimmerman & Monroe), Ashmore; was born in Shelby Co., Ill., Feb. 7, 1842, but removed in childhood to Moultrie Co., where he lived until 1861; his mother then removed with her family (the father having died years before) to Hitesville, Coles Co.  In December, 1863, he entered the Union army as a member of Co. H, 59th I. V. I.; he participated among other engagements, in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca (where he received a slight wound), Peach-Tree Creek, Marietta, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Big Shanty, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, where he was severely wounded in the right leg during the first day's fight, Dec. 15, 1864, necessitating the amputation of his leg in the field hospital; he was mustered out in June, 1865; recovering from his wound, in 1867, he entered the Soldiers' College, in Fulton, Ill., where he remained two years, and then came to Ashmore, and was appointed Postmaster in August, 1869.  In October, 1877, he became a member of the firm of Zimmerman & Monroe.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 ~ Page 601

Charleston Twp. -
HON. JOHN MONROE, deceased, late of Charleston; was born in Glasgow, Barren Co., Ky., Sept. 24, 1811; his boyhood was passed in the private schools of his native town; his father dying when he was but a boy, he entered the apothecary shop of his uncle, Dr. George Rogers, a physician of Glasgow, and there became familiar with the compounding of medicines, and also studied medicine under his uncle's instruction; he first began practice of his profession in Shelbyville, soon removing to Charleston, and, a few years later, he engaged in business as a dry goods merchant.  Returning to Kentucky, he was married, Apr. 4, 1840, to Mrs. Martha Ferrish a widow lady of Greensburg, in that State, and came again to Charleston; they had six children, two of whom are still living - Mrs. Stanley Walker and Lewis Monroe, of Charleston.  His wife died May 14, 1854, and, on the 6th of November, 1854, he married Miss Hannah Chambers, a daughter of James and Sally Chambers, of Cynthiana, Ky., who came to Coles Co. with her parents in 1851; of five children of this marriage, three are now living - Emma (wife of Thomas T. Threlkeld, of Charleston), Virginia and Henrietta.  Dr. Monroe continued in the dry goods trade in Charleston until 1858, when he moved to Lafayette Tp., where he owned a farm of 1,700 acres.  He laid out the village of Stockton, building the switch and a warehouse and store at that place; he still, however, retained his interest in business in Charleston, and, in 1865, returned to that city.  He was an enterprising, successful business man, genial in manner, and, although carrying on a variety of important enterprises, he never allowed the cares of business to weigh upon him; he had great faith in human nature, of which he was an excellent judge; he trusted largely to others, although he kept his business well in hand, and, happily, his confidence was never betrayed; he took special pleasure in assisting worthy young men in business, and numerous instances can be found of men, now prosperous, who owe their start in life to Dr. Monroe.  He owned, at his death, a fine farm of 800 acres, besides eight business houses and two dwellings in Charleston.  He was an active Democrat, but never an office-seeker; he was, however, for a number of years one of the Supervisors of the county, and one of the most efficient members ever on that Board; he also represented this county at one time in the State Legislature.  He died July 29, 1877.  Mrs. Monroe still resides in Charleston, surrounded by an interesting family and in the enjoyment of an ample fortune.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 ~ Page 527

Charleston Twp. -
LEWIS MONROE, Charleston, of the firm of Monroe & Co., proprietors of the Coles County Mill, is a son of the late Dr. John Monroe; he was born in Charleston May 29,1 846; he received his education in the public schools, and, at the age of 18, began business, a partner in the dry goods house of Hutchinson, Monroe & Co.; he continued in this business seven years, when, his health failing, he retired to a farm at Monroe Station, in La Fayette Tp.; four years later, he returned to town and resumed business, which he continued till 1877; in October, 1878, he engaged in running the Coles County Mill.  For a number of years his interests have been divided between Charleston and La Fayette Tp., where he owns a farm of 800 acres, and keeps about one hundred and twenty-five head of cattle, besides other stock; he has other real estate interests in Charleston and Coles Co.  Mr. Monroe was married Nov. 29, 1865, to Miss Lydia Chilton, daughter of James Chilton, of Charleston, and has six children.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879

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

Morgan Twp. -
J. T. MONTGOMERY, physician, P. O. Charleston; born in Cedar Co., Mo., Oct. 18, 1852.  He emigrated with his parents and located in Alton, Ill., in 1861, for about six months, then Windsor for three years, where his father was located as minister of the C. P. Church.  He located in Oakland, Coles Co., in March, 1867, when he attended school until 1871, where he worked as farm laborer during the summer and fall, in which way he obtained the means to attend the Mt. Zion Academy until he had exhausted the proceeds of his summer's labor, when he engaged as clerk in the dry goods store of Wilcox & Burroughs, at Fairmount, Ill., where he remained until winter, when he taught school for six months, and having laid up sufficient means to defray his expenses in further educating himself, he went to the Normal School, at Normal Ill., for six months; he continued in this manner, teaching, then expending his savings in schooling himself until he received his education, graduating from the Chicago Medical College in the Centennial Class of 1876, having devoted four years to the study of medicine; he then engaged in partnership with Dr. W. J. Peak, at Oakland, under the firm name of Peak & Montgomery.  He located upon his present place in August, 1876, since which time he has successfully followed the practice of medicine, having a large and extensive practice, which is yearly increasing.  He married Oct. 12, 1876, to Mary A. Gerard, daughter of Jackson Gerard, whose biography appears in this work; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Feb. 18, 1856.  They have one child by this union - Sarah Emily, born July 8, 1877.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 626

Humbolt Twp. -
H. D. MOORE, farming and stock; P. O. Mattoon; the subject of this sketch was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1840.  He married Miss Elizabeth A. Bayliss Oct., 1861; she was born in the same place, and died in the fall of 1865.  His present wife was Miss Sarah M. Thomas; they were married in April, 1867; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Nov. 15, 1846.  They have eight children, viz., Minnie A., Florence A., Cora B., Eliza M., Laura R., Emmie, Alfred N. and Charles B.  He lived in Ohio twenty-one years, and then, in 1861, he enlisted in the 70th Ohio V. I.; was in the service three years, and was in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta campaign, etc., etc.  From the army he returned to his home in Ohio, and remaining there about one month, he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has lived here since.  He owns 240 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 637

Humbolt Twp. -
GEORGE MOORE, farming and stock; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Adams Co., Ohio, June 17, 1828. He married Miss Rebecca Ann McKee Jan. 30, 1851; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1833; they had eight children, seven living, viz., Joseph N., Jennie. John C., George W., Oscar F., Stanley B. and Jessie; he was born on his father's farm and lived there until he was 26 years of age, when he was elected Treasurer of Adams Co., Ohio, and moved to West Union, the county seat; he served in this position four years, when he engaged in the general merchandise business at same place, continuing the business for six years, when, in 1864, he sold out his business and came to his present place, and has lived here since; though not one of the early settlers, he has had an active interest in the affairs of the county; in 1868, he served as Collector, and, in 1871, he was elected Supervisor of Humbolt Tp.; the latter office he resigned the fall following his election, he being elected Treasurer of Coles Co., in which office he served two years, and in 1874 he was elected Sheriff of the county, serving two years. He owns 320 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management, and has the satisfaction to know that he has so lived as not only to win but also to deserve the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 637

Ashmore Twp. -
J. B. MOORE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, July 22, 1836; he is a son of William S. and Julia A. (Eddingfield) Moore; his father, an early settler of Butler Co., having come from his native State, New Jersey, at the age of 4 years; his mother was born in Ohio, her parents being from Pennsylvania.  In 1862, his father removed West with his family, spending the summer in Vigo Co., Ind., and coming to Coles County in the fall; he resided in Ashmore until his death, Feb. 8, 1875; his father was a Universalist, and his mother a Baptist, and both led blameless Christian lives, and were highly respected by all who knew them; his father was especially noted for his generous, charitable course toward the poor, and all in distress; his mother now lives in Ohio, to which State she returned two yeas ago.  There are four of the family living, viz., Lucinda C. (wife of A. K. Miner, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa), James B., Martha J. (wife of John Mell, of Ashmore), and William T.  James B. Moore, the subject of this sketch, was married Nov. 4, 1869, to Miss Martha J. Lane, a daughter of George W. and Sarah Lane; she was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Oct. 1, 1842; they five children as follows: Della May, Mary Lela, Ora Leslie, Halla Florence and Francis Burrell.  Mr. Moore owns a farm of 130 acres, located one mile east of Ashmore village.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 599

Mattoon Twp. -
J. W. MOORE, lumber merchant, Mattoon; was born in Kent Co., England, in June, 1832; when 10 years of age, he lost his father;  in 1850, his mother, with her family, immigrated to America and settled in Chicago, where they remained about two and one-half years; they then removed to Cook Co., where himself and an older brother engaged in farming and operating a country store, his mother managing largely the interests of her family; in 1865, the subject of this sketch moved to Monee, Will Co., and, in company with a Mr. Dickson, under the firm name of Dickson & Moore, engaged in the sale of lumber and agricultural implements; in 1874, he came to Mattoon and opened up his present business.  He was married in July, 1865, to Cordelia Sisson, a native of Illinois; they have three children—Ernest S., Charles H. and Augusta E.  He is a member of the School Board on the West Side.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page

Humbolt Twp. -
JOHN MOORE, farming and stock; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Dec. 22, 1830.  He married Miss Eliza J. Grooms, July 11, 1852; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, June 18, 1834.  They had eleven children, eight living, viz., Alfred F., Almira F., Newton B., S. A. Douglas, Ella R., Ludora J., Ida I. and John E.  He was born on his father's farm, and lived therefor twenty-seven years; he then came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., on his present place; this was in 1857, and has lived here since; he has always been engaged as a farmer; he has held the school offices, and has held the office of of Supervisor of Humbolt Tp. one term.  He owns 909 acres of land in this county—principally in this township — which he has earned entirely by his own labor and management.  His parents, Newton and Rebecca Burkitt Moore, were natives of Ohio, and were both born and raised on the farm they now reside on (the present farm formerly being two).  Both are now living on the old homestead.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 637

Mattoon Twp. -
L. F. MORSE, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Canterbury, H. N. Feb. 5, 1839; his father was a farmer, and his early life was that of a farmer's son; at the age of 14, he went to live with an uncle; in the winter of 1860, he began the study of medicine, under the supervision of Dr. L. T. Weeks, of Canterbury; after an extended course of reading, he attended a course of lectures in the Burlington Medical College, at Burlington, Vt.; in June, 1862, he was engaged in the Government hospital at Washington, as Contract Surgeon; here he remained one year; in 1863, he attended a course of lectures in Dartmouth Medical College, from which he graduated in November, 1863; he then entered the U. S. Navy, as Assistant Surgeon, and was stationed on the west coast of Florida; Dec. 7, 1865, he was discharged from the U. S. service; he next attended a course of lectures in the Homeopathic College of New York, from which he graduated in March, 1866; he first located in Biddeford, Me., and entered upon the practice of his profession; in September, 1867, he came West to see, and located in Pekin, Tazewell Co.; in May, 1868, he came to Mattoon, his present residence.  He was married Apr. _4, 1869, to Harriet F. Chamberlain, a native of Indiana  has three children—Helen L., Bertha L. and Clifford L.  Mr. M. at present holds the office of School Director, and is Secretary of the Board.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 552

East Oakland Twp. -
NALLIE R. MOORE, druggist, Oakland; born in Morgan Co., Ind., Aug. 4, 1854, where he attended school until 11 years of age, when he removed to Mattoon, 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 higher 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 engaged in the drug business at Oakland, under the firm name of Duer & Moore continuing the same until March, 1878, when he brought his partner's interest and associated with his father, which business he has since continued under the firm name of C. Moore & Son; having been thoroughly 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 business will be found in the business directory of Oakland in another part of this work.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 572

Morgan Twp. -
JAMES MORGAN, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Oakland; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co.; born in Vermilion Co., Ind., Apr. 20, 1830; he was the youngest son of David Morgan, who was born in Washington Co., Ky., Nov. 18, 1797; he emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana with his family, where he lived until he emigrated to Coles Co., Ill., where he located Apr. 20, 1834, in what is now Morgan Tp., the township being named in honor of David Morgan.  He married Oct. 7, 1818, to Jane Rodman; she was born in Kentucky, June 9, 1799; six children were the fruit of this union, five of whom emigrated to Illinois with the family at the above date, one having died in infancy; the names of the living were Sarah, Catherine J., Mary E., William and James; Mr. Morgan died Sept. 10, 1860; Mrs. Morgan died Jan. 31, 1832.  The subject of this sketch was 4 years of age when he emigrated to Coles Co., Ill., in 1834; he lived with his parents until 19 years of age, when he managed the farm until the decease of his father, since which time he has continued to live upon the old homestead, where he has lived for a period of forty-five years; he owns upon his home farm 112 acres, and 8 acres of timer in Oakland Tp.; when Mr. Morgan came here, Indian camps were along the river, wolves and game were plenty, and Mr. Morgan remembers his first labor in his boyhood as watching and protecting the sheep from destruction by the wolves during the day, the sheep being driven in close pens for protection during the night; his trips to mill consumed from four to six days, either to Perryville, Eugene, or Terre Haute, the distance being sixty miles.  His marriage with Clarissa J. West was celebrated Oct. 12, 1849; she was born in Vermilion Co., Ind., Oct. 6, 1831; they have five children by this union, viz.: Robert, born Oct. 9, 1850; Leonard C., June 2, 1853; William J., Feb. 21, 1855; Melvin, June 8, 1858, and David, Aug. 23, 1869.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 627

Morgan Twp. -
WM. MORGAN, farmer; P. O. Rardin; born in Sullivan Co., Ind., Dec. 13, 1827; he emigrated with his parents when 8 years old and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp. in 1834, and before the organization of the township, which is named in honor of his father, David Morgan, who resided here from 1835 until his death, which occurred in October, 1860.  The subject of this sketch lived with his parents and assisted in farming until 1850, when he engaged in farming for himself upon the place where he has since lived; he owns 320 acres in his home farm and 320 acres in other parts of the township; when Mr. Morgan first located in this township, it was inhabited by Indians, whose camps were along the river, their chief camps being along Brush Creek, where the mounds may be seen to this day ; wolves were plenty, and to obtain quail, prairie chickens, turkeys or deer, it was hardly necessary to step outside of the door-yard; his trips to mill consumed four days, and the distance was fifty miles, either to Eugene on the Wabash, or to Terre Haute; at that early date, he had only two neighbors, and from his location at the north part of what is now Morgan Tp. to within a half mile from Charleston, a distance of twelve miles, there was not a single habitation; for roads, to avoid getting lost, a single furrow would be plowed from point to point; this was the way the road was laid out to Charleston and other parts.  His schooling was obtained under disadvantages, in an old log school house, whose fire-place was the whole of one end of the building; the scholars were obliged to gather their wood from the stump, take it to the schoolhouse, chop it and take it in.  His marriage with Margaret Shirre was celebrated Sept. 6, 1850; she was born in Glasgow, Scotland, May 28, 1835; they have four children, now living, by this union—William David, now attending the Chicago Medical College his third term; Ralph D., Alexander J. and Josie Clay.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 627

Pleasant Grove Twp. -
SAMUEL L. MORRIS, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 8; P. O. Mattoon; owns eighty acres; was born in Logan Co., Ohio, Apr. 3, 1855, and lived with his parents on the farm until he married Phoebe C. Lucas, Feb. 12, 1875; she was born in Logan Co., Ill., Oct. 16, 1857; they have one child - Rosetta.  His parents are natives of Ohio; Mrs. Morris's father is a native of Ohio.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 589

Paradise Twp. -
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. Mar. 12, 1878; is the owner of forty acres of land, valued at $1,000.  Was married to his first wife, Mary Johnston, Apr. 5, 1866, died Feb. 16, 1872; names of children deceased (boy) Willard S., died Mar. 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 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 Apr. 15,1810, died Sept. 12, 1866, in the 56th year of her age.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page

Mattoon Twp. -
J. A. MULFORD, wholesale dealer in hides, leather, findings, furs, pelts and tallow, Mattoon; was born in Newark, N. J., May 16, 1839; he completed a course in the high school, but did not enter upon a college course; at the age of 17, he began the trade of a jeweler, and worked under instructions till his majority; he followed his trade about five years; subsequently he was employed as accountant, and had charge of the wholesale department of Davis & Elcox, in Maiden Lane, New York, for some length of time; in the spring of 1867. he came West to Illinois and located in Mattoon, and began operating in hides for the Chicago markets; afterward, he operated for the Eastern markets; to-day, he operates over a territory extending west to St. Louis and east to Terre Haute; by an admirable system of book-keeping, peculiarly his own. he is enabled at any hour to know the exact status of his business.  He was married Sept. 10, 1863, to Sarah E. Pruden, a native of New Jersey; they have three children—E. Ross, Jennie and Herbert.  Mr. Mulford is recognized as a man of fine business qualifications, and well worthy the success that has crowned his efforts.
Source:  History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron, Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 552