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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Portrait and Biographical Album of
Coles County, Ill.
containing
Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent
and Representative Citizens of the County
together with
Portraits and Biographies of all the Governors of Illinois, and
of the Presidents of the United States.
Published
Chicago:
Chapman Brothers.
1887
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1887 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
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MYRON J. FERGUSON, deceased.
The subject of the following narrative was a native of Bradford
County, Pa., born May 7, 1828, and the youngest son of Stephen
and Mary (Atwood) Ferguson, who were born in the same county.
He was reared on a farm and educated principally in the common
schools. When he was ten years of age his parents removed from
the Keystone State of Illinois, settling on a farm in Pleasant Grove
Township, this county, where they spent their declining years.
On subject was reared as a farmer's boy, and after
reaching his majority was seized with the California gold fever
which, in 1850, was attracting many young men from the East to the
Pacific Slope. Young Ferguson joined the caravan moving
westward, and after reaching California engaged in mining, in which
he was fairly successful.. After some years he recrossed the
Father of Waters, and engaged in farming on the old homestead.
The mountain air had greatly benefited his health, and he entered
with vigor upon the duties which lay before him, having in view the
establishment of a home and domestic ties. Soon after his
return he was married, Dec. 20, 1853, to Miss Martha G., the
youngest child of William L. and Catherine (Kellar) Williams.
Her parents were natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia, but
after their marriage took up their abode in Kentucky, whence they
removed to Illinois, locating in this county in the pioneer days.
Their daughter, Martha G., was born Apr. 24, 1835.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson
continued on the old homestead for a period of thirteen years, and
then Myron J. put up a dwelling for himself and family near
by, and practically breaking loose from the active labors of the
farm, began to deal in stock, and as a natural consequence required
additional land. At the end of fifteen years, during which he
had been remarkably prosperous, he found himself the owner of about
1,000 acres. This comprised a valuable and fertile tract and
the large fields were alive with the finest of stock, embracing
horses, cattle and hogs. In 1872, however, in order to carry
on the education of his children he retired from the farm and moved
to Mattoon. He had been already somewhat interested in
business there, but continued the supervision of his farm and dealt
in stock until failing health compelled him to set aside worldly
interests. His death occurred on the 24th of May, 1876.
He had purchased a fine residence property in Mattoon where his
widow now resides, and is remembered as a wide-awake and
enterprising citizen who contributed his full quota toward
developing the resources of his adopted county. His
straightforward business methods had secured him the esteem and
confidence of his fellow-citizens, and his genuine kindness of heart
drew around him a large circle of warm friends.
Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson,
three are still living. Catherine is the wife of
Joseph Glenn, an attorney of Mattoon; Oscar is a
practicing physician in the latter-named place; Cyphora is
the wife of Charles Lindley; Leroy died when four years of
age, and an infant died unnamed.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois -
Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers. 1887- Page 292 |
O. B. Ficklin |
ORLANDO
B. FICKLIN, one of the most prominent and useful citizens who
ever honored Coles County, and one who in many respects did more in
its behalf than any other man, was born Dec. 16, 1808. He was
the son of William and Elizabeth Kenner (Williams) Ficklin,
natives of Virginia, but who removed to Kentucky, where their son
Orlando was born. He received a practical education in the
schools of Kentucky and Missouri, whither his parents subsequently
removed, and passed on year in Princeton College, Caldwell Co., Ky.
He commenced the study of law at Potosi, Washington Co., Mo., and
during the winter of 1829 and 1830, prosecuted his legal studies in
Transylvania University, and in the law office of Gen. Robert
Farris, at St. Louis. In the spring of 1830 he was
admitted to the bar at Belleville, St. Clair Co., Ill., and
commenced the practice of law in Mt. Carmel, Wabash County.
In 1832 Mr. Ficklin entered Capt. Jordan's
company, and went to the black Hawk War, serving as Quarter master,
and in the following year he was elected Colonel of the militia of
Wabash County, and shortly afterward began his political career,
which was one of the most honorable and brilliant enjoyed by
any of his contemporaries. In August, 1834, he was elected to
the Lower House of the Legislature, and chosen by that body as
States Attorney for the Wasbash Circuit. In 1837 he removed to
Charleston, and the ensuing year represented Coles County in the
Legislature. In 1842 he was again elected to the Legislature,
and the following year was made the Member of Congress from the
Wabash District, and was re-elected in the years of 1844 and 1846.
At the close of this long public career he resumed the practice of
law in Charleston, but hsi services were considered too valuable to
the public to be permitted to lead a quiet life, and in 1850 he was
returned to Congress. In 1856 he was a member of the
Democratic Convention at Cincinnati, which nominated James
Buchanan for President, and in 1860 was a member of the National
Convention held at Charleston, S. C. In 1864 he was a delegate
to the National Convention held at Chicago, which nominated Gen.
George B. McClellan for President, and in 1869-70 represented
the counties of Coles, Moultrie and Douglas in the State
Constitutional Convention. In 1878 he was elected to the House
of Representatives in the State Legislature. He was Elector
for the State at large three terms; the last was when Cleveland
was elected President.
The Hon. O. B. Ficklin was faithful in the
discharge of his public duties, which were heaped upon him,, and
possessed the respect and esteem of his political constituents.
He devoted his time and talents to the service of the State, with a
rare spirit of devotion and unselfishness. After a long and
useful live, chequered by many national vicissitudes, he passed away
from the busy scenes of earth May 5, 1885. it is the pleasure
that the publishers place the portrait of this lamented and honored
citizen on an accompanying page, the first in the volume, a fitting
place for the man represented.
Mrs. O. B. Ficklin, Postmistress of Charleston,
and the widow of the late Orlando B. Ficklin, is the daughter
of W. T. and Nancy (Lane) Colquitt; the former a native of
Virginia, and the latter of Georgia. Her paternal
grandparents, Henry and Nancy (Holt) Colquitt, were natives
of Virginia and of English descent. They removed to Georgia
when her father was two years of age. Her maternal
grandparents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Hill) Lane; the
former was a native of North Carolina, and the latter of South
Carolina, and her great-grandfather, Richard Lane, was a
native of Virginia.
Henry Colquitt, who was a slave-holder under the
old regime, owned and extensive plantation in Virginia, as well as
one in Georgia after his removal to that State. A family of
three children was born to him, as follows: Sarah H.,
the wife of Edmond Randell, a resident of Georgia; W. T.
and John. W. T. Colquitt was born in 1807, and graduated
with honors from Princeton college before he attained his majority.
He subsequently studied law in Georgia, where he was admitted to the
bar. He was brilliant and successful in his profession and was
made Judge of the Circuit Court before reaching the age of
twenty-five. He was interested in all affairs of national
importance, and served several years as Member of Congress. He
was enterprising and successful in business, and became an extensive
land-owner. His death occurred in 1857, and his wife died in
1840. Only three children of their family are now living,
whose record is as follows: Alfred H., who was the
Governor of Georgia eight years, and is now United States Senator
from that State; Mrs. O. B. Ficklin, the subject of this
sketch; Emily L., the wife of Samuel Carter, a wealthy
Brigadier General in the Civil War, and was killed at Chattanooga.
Mrs. Ficklin has a family of three children now
living, whose record is as follows: Alfred C., an
attorney, residing at Tuscola, Douglas Co., Ill. and who married
Miss Emma Weiss, has three sons - Orlando B., Otto W. and
Walter C.; Joseph C., an attorney, residing at Paris, Edgar
Co., Ill., married to Miss Susan Thomas, of Chicago, and has
one son, James R.; Orlando B., an attorney, residing in
Charleston, married to Miss Mary Wright, has three children -
Joseph C., Marry C. and Samuel W. Mrs. Ficklin,
as the wife of a distinguished politician, has had much experience
in public affairs. She possesses tact, good judgment and rare
business ability, which render her well fitted for the position she
holds, which was one of the first appointments made by President
Cleveland in 1885. Mrs. Ficklin is a member of the
Episcopal Church, and an accomplished lady, and enjoys the highest
esteem of the entire community in which she lives, and of which she
is a very important factor.
(Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles County,
Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers. 1887 - pg. 187) |
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R. R. FULLER. Among the descendants of the early pioneers of
Coles County, the name of R. R. Fuller is worthy of an
honorable place. He is one of the partners in the firm of
Fuller Bros., dealers in lumber and manufacturers of wire and
slat fencing in Charleston Township. He was born Feb. 6, 1861,
in this county, and is the son of William N. and Phyneta M.
(Ellis) Fuller. The former is a native of Russell County,
Va., and the latter of Tennessee.
The grandparents of our subject were Hawkins and
Phoebe (Nash) Fuller, natives of Russell County, Va. They
were the descendants of Scotch and German ancestry, both of which
nationalities are noted for thrift and enterprise. Hawkins
Fuller was a farmer in Virginia and left his eastern home in
1834 to encounter the trials and privations of pioneer life on the
Western frontier. A tide of emigration was then beginning to
sweep in from the East, and the vast lonely stretches of prairie
were more frequently broken by human habitations than hitherto.
The very early settlers had usually located in or near the timber,
hardly expecting that the broad, wild prairies, covered with tall,
rank grass, over which the deer and wolves roamed undisturbed, would
ever wave with rich harvests of golden grain or become the safe
pasture land of vast herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. The
first necessity was to provide shelter for himself and family, which
was soon secured by erecting one of the primitive houses of the
early pioneer days, which, though rude in construction, were yet
made very comfortable. He first settled in North Okaw
Township, of this county. Settlers began rapidly to come in
from the Eastern States, and the prosperity of hte county was
greatly increased. He was the first Justice of hte Peace
elected in the county.
William N. Fuller, who was only three months old
when his father settled in North Okaw Township, was brought up on
the farm, assisting his father in subduing the wilderness and
attending the primitive school which the neighborhood afforded.
He acquired much practical knowledge of the details of farming, and
was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his life.
Besides carrying on an extensive farming business he was actively
interested in public affairs. He was County Commissioner,
Assessor, and at the time of his death was a candidate for Sheriff.
In politics he was a Democrat. His death occurred June 9,
1880. His widow still survives, and is a resident of
Charleston. They had a family of five children, three of whom
are now living - H. H. and R. R., of the firm of
Fuller Bros, and
Phœbe.
R. R. Fuller was brought up on
his father's farm, receiving a good common-school education in the
township. After his father's death he assumed the management
of the farm. In 1882 his brother, H. H., was elected
County Treasurer, and served in that office for four years, and
R. R. was Deputy County Treasurer. In 1886 the brothers
purchased the lumber business of W. S. Coon, now deceased, in
which they are carrying on a large and extensive business. In
1880 H. H. Fuller married Miss Belle Hitch, a native
of Coles County, and the daughter of Alexander and
Permelia Hitch. They have a family of three
children - Winnie W., Claude C. and Pearl. The
brothers of the Odd fellows' Society, and also of the K. of P.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois -
Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers. 1887- Page 497 |
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PETER FURRY, a
substantial farmer residing in Pleasant Grove Township, is one of
the pioneers of Coles County, his residence here dating from the
year 1839. He was born June 14, 1817, in York County, Pa., and
is the son of Peter and Barbara (Sherick) Furry. His
family is of French extraction, although its members have for
several generations have been residents of the United States.
Peter Furry was born in Adams County, Md., just adjoining the
State of Pennsylvania. His wife's family were remotely of
Swiss ancestry, and her parents were residents of Lancaster County,
Pa., where she was born. Mr. Furry's marriage took
place in Richland County, Ohio, where they were engaged in farming
until 1839, when he removed with his family to Illinois and settled
in Coles County. Mr. and Mrs. Furry were swept away by
the scourge of cholera, which prevailed in 1851, only four days
intervening between the death of each. They had a family of
nine children born to them, two of whom died in infancy, seven grew
to maturity, and three are now living - Peter, Polly and
George.
Peter Furry passed his boyhood and youth in the
States of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and accompanied his parents to
Illinois in 1839, settling in Coles County in the vicinity of his
present residence. In 1845 he purchased four yoke of oxen and
removed to Wisconsin, where he engaged in hauling goods between the
lead mines of that region and the city of Milwaukee. He passed
through Chicago, which was then a small village with grass growing
in the streets. He did not continue in this business long,
however, and after his return home was married, Jan. 27, 1850, to
Miss Alvira White. Mrs. Furry is the daughter of James
D. and Lucinda (Coldman) White. Her parents were among the
early settlers of Coles County and she was born here Jan. 27, 1833.
After his marriage Mr. Furry purchased land in Pleasant Grove
Township, and in 1860 located where he now resides. Since
making his first purchase he has given his attention exclusively to
farming, now owns 121 acres of valuable, well-improved land.
Mr. and Mrs. Furry have become the parents of
ten children, two of whom died in infancy. Their only son,
George, a promising young man, died Jan. 19, 1887, at the age of
eighteen. The record of the others is as follows:
Lucy Ann is the wife of Martin Brady; Amanda E. became
the wife of Warren C. Butler, and the mother of one son,
Byron; her husband served in the Civil War, and his death
occurred in 1882. Mary A. is the wife of John V.
Summer; Ellena E. was married to Charles James; Susan
Florence is the wife of D. Gray; Allie and Pearl E.
With his wife, Mr. Furry belongs
to the Baptist Church. He is not actively interested in
politics, and does not aspire to public office, but he always
sustains the Republican party, and has served as a member of the
School Board.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois -
Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers. 1887- Page 488
Sharon Wick's Note:
Peter's family is found in
1840 Census Coles Co., IL - Peter, Jacob & John Furrey families
1855, Jul. 3 Census - Coles Co., Twp. 11, IL - Peter Furry aged betw.
30 to 40 yrs. - Wife aged betw. 30 to 40 yrs. and 2 males under 10
yrs. and 1 female under 10 yrs. and 1 female betw. 20 to 30 yrs.
1850 Census Non-Population Schedule - Muddy Pct., Coles Co., IL -
Nov. 6, 1850 - Peter, Peter Jr., & Jacob Furry
1860 Census - Pleasant Grove Twp., Coles Co., IL aged 43 yrs.
1864, Apr. 30 - Tax List - Pleasant Grove Twp., Cole Co., IL - Peter
Furry
1865, Jun. Tax List - Div. 12, Dist. 7, State of IL - Pleasant Grove
- Peter Furry
1865 Census - Pleasant Grove Twp., IL - Peter Furry family - 1 male
betw 10 to 20 yrs.; 1 male betw. 40 to50 yrs. AND 3 females 10 yrs &
under ; 1 female 10 yrs & under 20 yrs.; female 30 yrs & under 40
yrs.
1880 Census - Pleasant Grove Twp. - Coles Co., IL - June 17, 1880 -
Peter aged 63, his wife Elvira T. aged 47, their children: Emma E.,
Susan F., George, Alla R., Perly E., and hired hand, R. A. Shors
ALSO John Fury aged 63 and wife Jane age 60 and children: Sarah J,
and Barby E. and hired hand, John Paterson.
1900 Census - Pleasant Grove Twp., Coles Co., IL aged 82 yrs
1904, Mar. 24 - Died & Buried in Janesville Cem., Charleston, Coles
Co., IL |
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