Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887- Page 472

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887- Page 410

RANDOLPH C. BARNES, a farmer and stock-grower, residing on section 25, Ashmore Township, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of the county, and was born in the township of which he now lives, Aug. 9, 1836.  He is the son of Enos and Nancy (Collett) Barnes, and his parents were natives of Kentucky and North Carolina Respectively.  Enos Barnes was of Scotch and Irish extraction, born in 1785, and inherited the enterprise and courage charactistic of both nationalities.  Previous to his marriage, which occurred in 1830, he removed to Indiana and subsequently to Coles County, Ill., where he entered Government land, and engaged in farming.  He bravely encountered the difficulties and privations of pioneer life, cultivated and improved his land, and made a comfortable home for his family on the western frontier.  The wife who had shared his trials through many years, died in 1855, at the age of fifty.  He survived her seventeen years, his death occurring in 1872.  A family of nine children was born to them and the record is as follows:  Roann Maria, deceased, was formerly the wife of L. F. Smith; Temple Ann, deceased, was formerly the wife of W. S. Childress; Granville A. married Miss Sarah Welch, and both are deceased; Milton W. was twice married; his first wife was Mary S. Goodnight, and after her death he married Miss Mattie Hoffman.  Fountain H. married Miss Mary Sackett; Elizabeth is the wife of John B. Zimmerman; Randolph C. is the subject of this sketch; Emeline is the wife of Arthur Welch; Huston M. died of fever while serving in the Civil War, at Alexandria, Va.
     Randolph Barnes was married, Oct. 19, 1870, to Miss Louisa Ashmore.  Mrs. Barnes is the daughter of Robert and Mary (McClure) Ashmore.  Her parents were natives of Tennessee and are both deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have two interesting children: Callie J., born May 19, 1874, and Alvin M., Jan. 23, 1877.
     In response to the call of his country, Mr. Barnes enlisted as a private in Co. F, 1st Minn. Vol. Inf.  He served three years in the Army of the Potomac and fought in the battle of Bull Run, Fair Oak, and in the deadly conflict at Antietam, where the slain were numbered by thousands.  He also took part in many other minor engagements, and was but slightly wounded during his entire service.  After the close of the war he engaged in farming, and owns a fine tract of well-cultivated land containing 140 acres.  Mr. Barnes possesses good business qualifications, and is a highly esteemed citizen of his township.  He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  In politics he votes for the success of the Republican party.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887- Page 191

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887- Page 206

WILLIAM M. BARR, deceased, was a native of Loudoun County, Va., born Aug. 17, 1829, and was the son of Lot and Nancy Ann (Chin) Barr.  His parents removed from the Old Dominion to Janesville, Ohio, when he was but six months old.
     William M. Barr was a painter by trade and followed his occupation in Ohio until his removal therefrom, in the spring of 1850.  Then, accompanied by two brothers, he migrated to Terre Haute, Ind., where he worked at his trade successfully for a number of years.  There also he met and married Miss Sarah Ann, youngest child of Enoch and Harriet (Dexter) Dole, who settled in Terre Haute at a very early day.  The young people continued their residence in that city, and there the death of William M. Barr occurred May 11, 1876.
     During the progress of the late war Mr. Barr enlisted in Co. I, 16th Ind. Vol. Inf., serving until the close and being promoted Orderly Sergeant.  In 1863 he was mounted at New Orleans and from that time on served in the Mounted Infantry.  He passed through the Vicksburg and Red River campaigns, escaping injury although participating in some of the hardest fought battles of those campaigns.  After the surrender of the confederate army he was mustered out with his comrades, and returning to Terre Haute took no part in public affairs, otherwise than to perform the duties of an American citizen at the polls.  Mrs. Barr, after the death of her husband, came to Illinois and purchased 120 acres of improved land in Mattoon Township, this county, upon which she located, with her family of nine children.  These were Charles H., Joseph L., Harriett A., Frank D., Fannie M., Chattie D., Sarah, Carrie G. and Edith W.  All are living and are at home with their mother.  Her three sons, who are carrying on the farm, are principally engaged in grain-raising.  The homestead thus built up is one of the most comfortable in Mattoon Township, and the family are held in the highest respect.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Barr identified themselves with the Universalist Church years ago.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887- Page 190

JOHN B. BEAVERS and his twin brother, Samuel M., were the eldest children of John W. and Mary A. (Madden) Beavers a sketch of whose lives appears e4lsewhere in this ALBUM.  The brothers were born in Hampshire County, Va., Nov. 3, 1842, and have continued to live together since that time.
     During his childhood and youth our subject with his brother, attended the district schools, and as soon as his services could be made available they were utilized on the farm.  His limited education was completed in Washington, Iowa, where he attended the public schools six months, and continued to reside on the home farm until thirty-four years of age.  On the 4th of March, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine J. Bruce, who was born in Fulton County, Ohio, in 1845, and was the youngest child of James and Elizabeth (King) Bruce, natives of Ireland.  Mr. Beavers after his marriage, continued two years on the old homestead and then purchased eighty acres of land on section 27, Humbolt Township, which he occupied two years, when he sold out and purchased another eighty acres on section 2.  Four years later he removed to the house of his brother on section 35, renting his own land.  On the 5th of July, 1879, his wife, Catharine, after having been his companion but a little over two short years, passed away, leaving him with two children - Frederick and Blanche.  Mrs. Beavers was a lady greatly esteemed by her friends and acquaintances, and had been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church from childhood.  Her parents were of Scotch-Irish ancestry and the descendants in a direct line from the family of Sir Robert Bruce of Scotland.  Mrs. Beavers was proud of her ancestry as she had a right to be, and her father's family included some of the most worthy representatives of the great patriot, and King of Scotland.  Mr. Beavers is a highly respected citizen, unobtrusive in his character and mostly engaged with his own concerns.  Although never taking any active part in politics and especially declining to become an office-holder, he keeps himself well posted upon current events and is an earnest supporter Democratic principles.
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JOHN H. BLEVINS came to this State in 1840, when a youth of eighteen years, and to this county in 1854, locating in Oakland Township.  He has been engaged in farming the greater part of his life, but is now retired from active labor and is living in the village in ease and comfort, upon the competency which he accumulated by years of industry and a wise investment of his savings.  Mr. Blevins was born in Knox County, Ind., Oct. 2, 1822, and is the son of John and Sarah (Hunt) Blevins, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana.  John Blevins, Sr., was born in 1766, and upon becoming a young man learned the trade of a shoemaker.  He left his native State after his marriage, in 1819, and located for a time in Knox County, then in 1842 removed to Vermillion County, Ind., where his death took place in 1856.  He was a man of much force of character, and greatly respected for his integrity and high moral character.  The mother, who was born in 1772, came to Indiana with her husband's decease, in 1857.  She was of German descent, a devoted wife and mother, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  The nine children of the parental household were:  Elizabeth, James, Henry, William, Mahala, Matilda, Cynthia, Amelia and John H.
     The youth and childhood of Mr. Blevins were passed under the parental roof, and on coming to this State he located in Edgar County, and commenced working on a farm.  Afterward he spent three years in Shelby County, and upon coming to Coles County purchased 187 acres of land in East Oakland Township, where he carried on farming, and lived until retiring from active labor, in 1885.  He has a fine residence in the village, is surrounded by hosts of friends, and is one of the pillars of the Christian Church, in which he has officiated as Deacon, and occupied other important positions for a period of twelve years.  His connection with this church dates from the spring of 1851.
     Our subject before reaching his twentieth year, was united in marriage with Miss Harriett, daughter of Samuel and Amelia (Groff) Blevins, their wedding taking place Feb. 9, 1841.  Mrs. B. was born in Jefferson County, Ky., Jan. 2, 1825, and by her union with our subject became the mother of fifteen children, ten now living.  These were named respectively, Thomas W., Francis J., Isabel, Louisa E., Amelia, James G., Martha K., John S., Sarah E., Mahala and George (twins), Berry, Marion and Hamilton (twins), and Maggie E.  Thomas W., the eldest son, was killed in an engagement at Atlanta, Ga.  He was a soldier in Co. H, 79th Ill. Vol. Inf.
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HARRIET BUCKLER, the widow of John Buckler, who was formerly one of the prominent farmers and stock-growers of East Oakland Township, resides on her late husband's estate on section 4.  She was born Dec. 15, 1842, in Clark County, Ill., and was the daughter of Thomas and Clarinda (Craig) Davis.  Her father was born Dec. 30, 1817, in Kentucky.  He was a farmer possessed of excellent business qualifications and had acquired considerable wealth.  During his life he was interested in promoting the welfare of the Baptist Church, of which he was a member.  His first marriage took place in 1841, and his death occurred Mar. 11, 1872.  His wife was born in 1826, and died in 1848.  By the first marriage there were born three children: Harriet; Eliza J., who married Mr. D. Campbell, and Isabell, who died in 1848.  Thomas Davis was united in marriage second time, to Miss Elizabeth Lamb.  Of this marriage there were seven children born - Martha E., George R., Julia A., Emma F., Susan C., Evalin and James W.
     Harriet, the subject of this biography, was married to John T. Buckler, Apr. 6, 1862.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. John Shields, pastor of the Baptist Church.  Her husband, Mr. Buckler, was born June 22, 1838, in Marion County, Ky., and died Feb. 26, 1883, after an Illness of about six weeks.  He was brought up on his father's farm in Kentucky, and attended the common school there until he removed to Illinois, and first located in Edgar County.  He was active and energetic, and worked so successfully by the month until his marriage, that he was then able to purchase eighty acres of land.  He afterward sold this property and purchased the estate of 200 acres where his widow now resides, and where he became one of the leading men of the township until his death.  He was interested in educational affairs and held the office of School Director.  For thirty years prior to his death, he had been a member of the Baptist Church, and was in every respect a true Christian gentleman, a kind and affectionate husband, beloved by his neighbors and respected by the entire community.  In politics he was a Democrat.  He left a family of five children to mourn their loss namely: Rosana, born May 8, 1863, married William Hanner; Richard T., born Oct. 27, 1865; Emily J., Sept. 18, 1869; Lorenzo D., Dec. 29 1871, and Nettie V., May 27, 1878.
     Mrs. Harriet Buckler is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.  She is a member of the Baptist Church, in which she is actively interested.  Her eldest son, who now represents the head of the family, assists his mother in the management of the farm.  He is a Democrat.
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CONRAD BURGNER is a well-known and wealthy citizen of Lafayette Township, who was born Dec. 13, 1822, in Lebanon County, Pa.  He is the son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Shaffer) Burgner, who were likewise natives of Pennsylvania.  When Mr. Burgner was about six years of age his family removed to Ohio, and located in Fairfield County, where they were among the early settlers.  He passed his childhood and youth with his parents there, and was taught the carpenter's trade.
     On the 5th of March, 1846, Mr. Burgner was married to Miss Nancy Whitesel.  Mrs. Burgner is the daughter of George and Mary (Sidener) Whitesel, and was born Oct. 2, 1822, in Pickaway County, Ohio.  After his marriage, Mr. Burgner worked at the carpenter's trade several years, and then engaged in farming.  In the autumn of 1854 he removed with his young family to Illinois, and the following spring settled in Lafayette Township, Coles County.  With a capital of about $5,000 he invested in and, first purchasing 200 acres, and subsequently adding to this he became the owner of 1,200 acres of valuable land.  He gave his attention exclusively to farming, in which he has been very successful.
      Mr. Burgner is a man of great activity and energy, and applied himself so closely to business that his health began to fail, and he has recently been obliged to relinquish it altogether.  His farm is supplied with all the modern improvements, a commodious brick residence, and appropriate farm buildings.  He has for many years been an active member of the Methodist Church, giving liberally of his means to its support.  He is generous, both in public and private life, and has given each of his children about 160 acres of land.  Mr. and Mrs. Burgner had a family of seven children born to them, five of whom are now living.  Their names are as follows:  Allen G., George F., Louisa J., the wife of Thornton Ashbrook; J. Morris, and Rhoda L., the wife of Alfred S. Newby.  It is with pleasure that we present the portrait of Mr. Burgner in this connection as being that of a worthy and honored resident of Lafayette Township, and a representative citizen of the county.
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