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J. W. FARRAR, farmer
and stock; P. O. Mattoon; the subject of this sketch was born in
South Carolina, near Charleston, March 4, 1827. He married
Miss Ann M. Talbot Oct. 12, 1851; she was born in Henderson Co.,
Ky., Oct. 9, 1832; they had eight children, two living, viz.,
Joseph F. and Lizzie A. He lived about eighteen
months in South Carolina, when, with his parents, he moved to Perry
Co., Mo., where he engaged in the warehouse and wood business; he
lived here with his parents about six months, when, with his
grandparents, he went to Illinois and settled at Lebanon, in St.
Clair Co., where he lived until he was 8 years of age; while here
his grandfather died, and his grandmother and he went to Mount
Vernon, Ind., where they lived with her son; he lived here three
yeas; he then went to New Harmony and engaged on a farm, where he
worked two years; he then went to Stewartsville and apprenticed to
the tanning business, remaining three and a half years; he then
returned to Perry Co., Mo., and engaged in tanning, following his
trade some four years; he then engaged in shipping fowls to New
Orleans, and followed the business about four years; he then
followed his trade for about four years; he then went to Posey Co.,
Ind., and engaged in farming, remaining until 1861, when he came to
Illinois and settled in Coles Co., about four miles east of his
present place, and then in 1864 he came to his present place and has
lived here since. He has held the office of Road Commissioner
three years, that of School Trustee some four years - also Director
for a number of years. He owns 310 acres of land in this
county, which he has earned by his own labor and management.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 |
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Ashmore Twp. -
B. J. FARRIS, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O.
Westfield; was born in Edgar Co., Ill., Mar. 24, 1831, being a son
of James and Nancy Farris, who were among the earliest pioneers of
that county. His father was born in Virginia, in the year
1785; received a liberal education, being designed for the
Presbyterian ministry, and leaving home at the age of 18, he went to
Warren Co., Ohio, where he married Miss Nancy Downs, a native
of South Carolina, born in 1799, and lived there till he came to
Edgar Co. He was a soldier of the war of 1812; fought at
Lundy's Lane and Chippewa, and was a witness of Perry's victory on
Lake Erie. Arriving in Illinois he took up 640 acres of land
in Edgar, Coles and Clark Counties. He was a man of the
strictest integrity, and dealt honestly with every man. He had
a powerful constitution and was a hard worker. Although the
son of a wealthy Virginia family, he never owned slaves; was a Whig
in politics and joined the Republican party on its
organization. He was a stanch Union man during our late war,
and the defeat of the Union army at the battle of Bull Run, which
occurred during his last illness, greatly affected him. He
died Sept. 27, 1861, leaving eight children; his widow died Dec. 9,
1877. the subject of this sketch continued to reside in Edgar
Co. until he was married, Aug. 12, 1852, to Miss Mary J. Bishop,
a daughter of John W. Bishop; she was born in Rush Co., Ind.,
Sept. 18, 1832, and first came to Clark Co., Ill., when 5 years of
age. They have eight children: James, Sarah A., John W.,
Florence, George Grant, Albert, Benjamin F. and Ida.
The year of his marriage, Mr. Farris removed to Coles Co.,
where he lived till March, 1876, and then removed to Nebraska.
At the end of three months, however, he returned to Coles Co., and
in 1877, purchased the farm of 120 acres where he now resides.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 597 |
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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 thepractice 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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WILLIAM B. FERGUSON,
farmer; P. O. Mattoon; is the son of William and Nancy Ferguson;
was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Dec. 8, 1828; moved with his
parents to Paradise Twp., Coles Co., Ill., Oct. 15, 1839; is the
owner of 601 acres, valued at or near $18,000. Was married to
Fanny M. Hart, of this county and township; she is the
daughter of Miles H. and Catherine Hart, and was born Dec.
13, 1837; married March 8, 1854; there are eight children by this
union, viz., Ed, Thomas, James, George, Ella, Ann and
Almira; (deceased) Mellissa, Deckard died Jan. 28, 1878.
His father, William Ferguson, was born in 1805, died in 1877,
in the 73d year of his age; his mother was born in 1805, died in
1877, in the 73d year of her age. He has held the office of
Supervisor two years, Assessor one year and School Trustee three
years. |
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Ashmore
Twp. -
ALBERT W. FLENNER, farmer and
stock-raiser; P. O. Kansas; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Mar. 17,
1850, being a son of Isaac and Rachel A. (Hughes) Flenner; in
1856, he came with his father's family to Coles Co., his mother
having died in 1852. He was raised on the farm, and on
arriving at his majority, he purchased the farm of his uncle, M.
B. Flenner, adjoining his father's place, and containing 160
acres of land, and he still resides there. He was married Jan.
17, 1871, to Miss O'Kalla Breeding, the fifth daughter of
Hutchinson and Elizabeth M. Breeding; she was born in Edgar Co.,
Ill., Mar. 16, 1850; her parents came to Edgar Co. about thirty-six
years ago; her father died there in 1866, and after his death her
mother removed with her family to Ashmore, and there lived till
1876, when she returned to Edgar Co. where she now resides.
They have two children - Rachel Annie and Isaac B.
Mr. Flenner has been a member and Clerk of the Baord of School
Directors for the past three years.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 598 |
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Ashmore
Twp. -
ISAAC FLENNER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O.
Kansas; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Feb. 25, 1825; his father,
Daniel Flenner, was among the pioneers of that State, coming
from Maryland in 1809. He was a soldier in the war of 1812,
and was a prominent citizen, holding many offices of trust in his
county. His mother, Hannah (Andrew) Flenner, was a
native of Ohio, and a descendant of an old Pennsylvania family.
Mr. Flenner removed to Coles Co., in 1856; his father
removing to Clark Co., Ill., at the same time; he purchased 200
acres of land and engaged in farming and stock-raising, and during
the past five years has devoted his attention to fine stock, having,
at present writing, thirty-nine head of thorough-bred short-horn
cattle. He also makes a specialty of the breeding of Berkshire
hogs, of which he has seventy-five now on hand. He is one of
the most thorough and successful farmers in the township. From
the railroad, which passes a short distance in front of his
residence, the view is most beautiful. His fine buildings,
with the large yard set to evergreens and shrubbery, the orchards of
fruit of all kinds, the rolling prairie "Stretching in billowy
undulations far away," present a sight not surpassed in this
part of the country. Mr. Flenner was married Sept. 30,
1847, to Miss Rachel A. Hughes, who was a native of Maryland,
but removed in early childhood to Butler Co., Ohio. She died
in 1852, leaving two children, one of whom is living - Albert W.
Flenner. Mr. Flenner was married a second time Jan. 12,
1858, to Miss Hopy A. Hollingsworth, a daughter of Jacob
Hollingsworth. Her father came to Illinois in 1830 and
resided in Coles Co. till his death in 1875. They have one son
living - Martin Flenner.
Source: History of Coles County, Illinois - Chicago - Wm. LeBaron,
Jr., & Co. - 1879 - Page 597 |
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THOMAS FURNESS,
farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Buller's Point; one of the early
settlers; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1825; came to
this State and settled in Coles Co. in 1856, and with the exception
of five years' residence in Moultrie Co., his home has been in Coles
Co.; his farm, which is located in both counties, consists of 240
acres, valued at $7,200. He was married Dec. 25, 1848, to
Miss Mary Kepler, who was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 9,
1829; they have ten children, seven of whom are living, viz.,
Louisa, Francis and Johnny, deceased; Theodore, James,
Cornelia, Willie, Laura, Georgie, and Walter. |
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