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.
~ Page 601 |
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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.
* marriage date found at the Indiana State Library database
(Great Great Grandfather of
Sharon Wick, owner of Ohio
Genealogy Express website & U. S. Genealogy Express) |
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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 97th 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 |
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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 his 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. Miler 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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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ALEXANDER
MONTGOMERY (LAFAYETTE TWP.), 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 Haut 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 Ohio
Genealogy Express website & U. S. Genealogy Express) |
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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 |
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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 |
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JOHN A.
MOSS (PARADISE TWP.), 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 |
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