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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
William E. Le Baron, Jr. & Co.
Chicago
1879
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF OUR PATRONS
SEVEN HICKORY TOWNSHIP.
GEO. W. BAKER, farmer; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Philadelphia, Penn., May 30, 1824. He married Miss Susan Bell Aug. 26, 1846; she was born in Floyd Co., Ind., March 12, 1830, and died March 9, 1863; they had six children, three living, viz., George B., Wm. A. and John v.; his present wife was Mrs. Shaw, formerly Miss Jane Hancock they were; married Oct. 19, 1863; she was born in Floyd Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1830 she had; by former marriage five children, two living, viz., Flora J. Shaw and Sarah E. Shaw. He lived in Philadelphia about fourteen years, when, with his parents, he moved to Floyd Co., Ind., where his father engaged at his trade of shoemaking; he lived there until 1859, when he went to Spencer Co., Ind., and engaged in farming, remaining six years; he then returned to Floyd Co., and, after remaining two years, he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has lived here since; he owns 308 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, Stephen and Mary Edwards Baker, were natives of Philadelphia and Maryland; they were married in Philadelphia; in 1837, they moved to Indiana and settled in Flood Co. where they died.

A. J. BRADFORD, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Hinesboro, Douglas Co.; the subject of this sketch was born in Greene Co., Penn., Nov. 12, 1832. He married Miss Susan S. Emory March 31, 1854; she was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Dec. 24, 1836; they had eight children, seven living, viz., Henry M., Mary J., B. Emory, Charles C, S. Edwin, John B. and Perrie; Lineous W. died Oct 10, 1865. He lived in Pennsylvania about sixteen years, when, with his brother-in-law, he went to Ohio and settled in Licking Co,, where he remained until 1857, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles (now Douglas) Co.; remained one year, when he came to his present place, building on the Coles Co. part of farm; in 1876, he came to his present residence; he owns 240 acres, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, Henry and Mrs. Hannah Morris Bradford, were natives of Pennsylvania; he died in 1839; she is living near the old homestead with a son.

BUSH BROS., farm and stock P. O.; Charleston; David, John and Nelson David was born in Northampton Co. Penn., March 1, 1832. He married Miss Elinor Stiff Jan. 28, 1864; she was born in Perry Co., Ohio; they have five children—four living, viz., Lillie D., John H., Eliza M. and Mary F.; he lived two years in Pennsylvania, when, with his parents, he moved to Ohio, and, in 1838, they came to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co., where they lived until 1849, when they came to Coles Co., and settled about two and a half miles west of Charleston, and in 1854, they came to Seven Hickory, and settled near the present place. John H. Bush was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1837. He married Miss Polly Ann Jarvis Oct. 27, 1874; she was born in Illinois; they have one child, viz., Loyal Nelson; in 1862, he enlisted in the 123d Ill. Inf.; was in the service three years; after one year’s service he was sent to the hospital, remaining six months; was then transferred to Invalid Corps, and acted as guard. Nelson Bush was born in Edgar Co., Ill., May 8, 1846, and in company with his brothers has always lived with his parents; their parents, Jonathan and Eliza Lee Bush, were natives of Pennsylvania; he died Oct. 6, 1856; she died in January, 1872.

COL. JOHN COFER, of Arcola Tp., Douglas Co., Ill.; the subject of this memoir was born near Cave Spring, Bullitt Co., Ky., July 9, 1804; his parents, Thomas and Mrs. Sarah Winn Griffin Cofer, were natives of Virginia and Maryland. Dec. 1, 1825, he married Miss Mary Eleanor Macgill, who was born in Annapolis, Md., Feb. 7, 1807; her parents, Robert and Mrs. Helen Stockett Macgill, daughter of Dr. Thomas Noble Stockett, of Annapolis, were residents of Maryland. The Colonel’s early education was limited, but his thirst for knowledge made him a good student, and he soon became a profound thinker, a logical reasoner and ready writer. He was a consistent Whig as long as that gallant party retained its organization; he represented Hardin Co. in the Lower House of the Legislature of Kentucky, in 1838, 1839, 1848 and 1841, and Hardin, Meade and La Rue Cos. in the Senate of that State from 1848 to 1850; being a farmer, he became the champion of the great interests of labor and production, an advocate of economy in public expenditures, a system of general education, internal improvements, and charitable institutions; as a member of the committee on internal improvements, he originated and aided in drafting and passing the charter of the Louisville & Nashville R. R. Co., now the most prosperous corporation in Kentucky; when railroad enterprises were untried in that State, he was sent as one of a committee to investigate the operations of such roads in the East and West, and made an able report thereon, which, with his earnest and eloquent appeals to the people along the line of the proposed road, contributed largely to induce them to vote subscriptions of stock which secured the building of the same. In 1854, he removed to Illinois, and became Postmaster at Rural Retreat, in Douglas Co., Elector on the Fillmore ticket in 1856, and on the Bell and Everett ticket in 1860, since which he has been Independent in politics, though generally acting with the Democratic party devoted to the Union of the States, he opposed, with manly firmness, nullification, secession and emancipation (unless gradual and accompanied by colonization); in 1871-72 he represented Douglas Co. in the General Assembly with his accustomed zeal and ability; through strictly temperate habits and indomitable energy, he has been successful in business, providing homes for all of his children, of whom six out of ten are living, viz., John S., who married Miss Mary K. Wyeth, and lives near Arcola, Ill.; Mary H., married Rev. D. T. Shirley, and lives in Cook Co., Texas; Thomas N., married Miss Rachel E. Combs, and lives in Coles Co., Ill.; William H. H., married Miss Maggie J. Daly, and lives in Cook Co., Texas; Henrietta M., married Mr. Thomas Midwinter, and lives in Arcola Tp., Douglas Co., Ill.; Susan A., married Mr. H. M. McCrory, and lives in Texas. The Colonel retains a competency for himself and wife in their old age. He has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church for more than fifty years, and has the proud satisfaction, while remembering that he has been the architect of his own fortune, to know that he has so lived as not only to win but also to deserve the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.

DANIEL S. CARNEY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, March 2, 1822. He married Miss Margaret Heminger March 27, 1843; she was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, Sept. 4, 1819; they had five children, four living, viz., Addie D., Jasper C, Sarah F. and Charles L. He lived in Ohio until 1864, when he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has lived here since; he owns 182 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management; his parents, Thomas and Sarah Lot Carney, were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married May 22, 1808; they moved to Ohio in 1816, and settled in Delaware Co., where they died April 15, 1862. and May 3, 1854.

THOMAS N. COFER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Arcola; the subject of this sketch was born in Hardin Co., Ky., July 20, 1839. He married Miss Rachel E. Combs Nov. 23, 1870; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., July 29, 1851; they have three children, viz., Thomas N., Jr., William E. and John C. He lived in Kentucky until the spring of 1854, when, with his parents he came to Illinois and settled in Coles (now Douglas) Co., at Rural Retreat, where they lived about three years; he then moved to a farm near by, where he remained until 1870, when he moved to his present place, and has lived here since. He owns 320 acres, which he has earned by his own labor and management; he is a son of Col. John Cofer, whose sketch will be found in this work.

JACOB K. COTTONHAM, farmer; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Floyd Co., Ind., Nov. 15, 1831. He married Miss Sallie Ann Fowler March 5, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., Dec. 13, 1843; they had seven children, six living, viz., William E., Margaret L., George A., Joseph U., Charles D. W. and Hervey F. He lived in Indiana until 1855, when he came to Illinois, and settled in Coles Co., near Charleston, and engaged in brickmaking, and continued in the business nearly eight years, when he engaged in farming; in 1874, he came to his present place, and has lived here since; he owns 120 acres here and 49 in Charleston Tp., which he has principally earned by his own labor. His parents, Andrew and Margaret Grant Cottonham, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia; they were married in Indiana; they came to Coles Co. in 1855; he died Aug. 29, 1869 she is living here with her son. His wife’s parents were James and Susan Ann Lumbrick Fowler; were natives of Tennessee and Coles Co., Ill. (probably), they being in this county at a very early date; they died in 1843 and 1848, respectively.

ANDREW J. CRAIG, farming and stock; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., Ill., Sept. 11, 1846. He married Miss Sarah I. Zink Sept. 27, 1872; she was born in Grand View Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., Aug. 9, 1848; they have three children, viz., Luther Z., Franklin H. and Arthur E. He was born on the farm and lived there until 1856, when, with his parents, he went to Sims Tp., in Edgar Co., and lived there until he was 21, when he came to his present place, and has lived here since, the place being wild land when he settled; he has 160 acres under cultivation and well-improved. His parents, Isaac N. and Elizabeth Blayer Craig, are spoken of at length elsewhere.

J. J. FOSTER, farming and stock; P. O. Arcola; the subject of this sketch was born in Lawrence Co., Ind., May 18, 1831. He married Miss Catharine Beggs Jan. 31 1859; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., May 10, 1838, and died May 14, 1866; they had three children, viz., Eugenia, Sarah M. and Dela J.; his present wife was Miss Melinda C. Beggs; they were married Dec. 18, 1867; she was a sister of his first wife; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., Sept. 3, 1839; they have three children, viz., Orestes, Claudius B. and Ida C. He was born on the farm and lived there for twenty-five years, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co. near his present place, where he engaged in farming, and remained for seven years; he then moved to his present place, and has lived here since. He has held the office of School Trustee for eleven years, and is now serving his third term as Supervisor of this township. He owns 310 acres of land in this township. His parents, William and Mrs. Sarah McCormick Foster, were natives of Virginia, where they were married; they moved to Clarke Co., Ind. and remained two years, when they moved to Lawrence Co., Ind., where they died; Mrs. Foster’s parents were James and Mrs. Matilda Drummond Beggs; they were natives of Clark Co., Ind., where he died; Mrs. Beggs is living there on the old homestead.

JOHN FOREMAN, farmer; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in the District of Columbia March 17, 1823. He married Miss Harriet E. Richardson Oct. 10, 1842; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, March 24, 1820; they have seven children, viz., William T., John R., Joseph, Isaac P., David B., Thomas N. and Edward P. He lived in the District of Columbia until he was 12 years of age; he then moved to Fayette Co., Ky., with his parents, who engaged in farming, and he remained until 1853, when he came to Illinois and settled in Charleston, where he lived two years while improving his farm; he then came on his present place, and has lived here since. In 1865, he was elected Supervisor of Seven Hickory Tp.; he was also one of the first two Justices of the Peace of this township, being elected in 1860, and served four years; he has also served as Commissioner of Highways and Township Trustee. He owns 260 acres in this county. His parents, Joseph and Mrs. Chloe Payne Foreman, were natives of England and Virginia; they were married in the District of Columbia; they moved to Fayette Co., Ky., in 1834, where his father died; his mother died in Lexington, Ky.

JACOB HARRY, farmer and stock; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Jan. 14, 1816; he married Miss Susannah Tobey, Aug. 1, 1839; she was born in Washington Co., Md., Dec. 15, 1819. They had eleven children, nine living, viz., Jefferson, Madison and Amanda, Hiram, Nathaniel, Franklin, Clinton, Stephen A. D. and Nelson. He lived in Ohio until 1855; he was raised on the farm and also learned the brickmason’s trade; he then went west, visited Kansas and finally settled in Callaway Co., Mo., near Jefferson City, where he engaged in farming, remaining one year; he then, in 1856, came to Coles Co., Ill., and settled in Humbolt Tp., where he farmed until 1865, when he came to his present place; in 1867, he was elected Supervisor of Seven Hickory Tp., and held the office for three terms; he owns 167 acres in the township; his parents, Jacob and Mrs. Mary Davis Harry, were natives of North Carolina, where they were married; they moved to Ohio in 1811, where both have since died.

GEORGE C. KEMP, farmer and stock; P. O. Arcola; the subject of this sketch was born in Ohio Co., Ind., Aug. 25, 1846. He married Miss Minerva D. Stone Oct. 14, 1866; she was born same place Dec. 6, 1845. They have three children, viz., Theodore, born April 16, 1869; Laura B., born Dec. 4, 1875, and Charles C, born Nov. 8, 1877. He lived in Indiana until September, 1868, when he came to his present place; he owns 349 acres in this township, which includes the original 200 acres given him by his father Ezra, who located it in quite a novel way—setting out from Indiana on horse, he stopped over Sunday with a farmer living in the timber about eight miles east of here, of whom he learned there was vacant land about eight miles west, but no one there to show it, and no marks to distinguish either land or distance; but they conceived the plan of putting the horse at a certain pace and keep him westward for a certain time, when he would be on the land, and in this way located the same; he (Ezra Kemp) married Miss Tryphena Scranton; both were natives of Ohio Co., Ind., where they were married; he died Feb. 1, 1870; she is living in Rising Sun, Ind.

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 a 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.

T. J. McMILLIN, firm and stock; P. O. Rural Retreat; the subject of this sketch was born in Clarke Co., Ind., April 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 P.; 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 has 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.

J. M. MOCK, farming; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Hocking Co., Ohio, April 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.

M. E. O’HAIR, farming and stock; P. O. Charleston; was born in Morgan Co., Ky., Feb. 22, 1829. He married Miss Catharine R. Zink June 6, 1856; she was born in Edgar Co., Ill., and died Dec. 7, 1873; they had six children, viz., Calvin L., Laura B., Nettie T., Harvey Z., Gladys V. and Alvaretta C. He married his present wife. Miss Sarah E. Bryant, Oct. 14, 1875; she was born in Edgar Co., Ill., July 29, 1852; they have two children, viz., Charles H. and Francina D. He lived in Kentucky until he was 13 years old, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois, and settled in Edgar Co., where he lived until he became of age, when he went to California, his object being to mine he remained two years, meeting with fair success; in 1852, he returned to his home in Edgar Co., and engaged in the stock business; in 1 853, he bought part of his present place, and settled and improved the same; in 1857, he removed to the village of Kansas, in Edgar Co., Ill., and engaged in the general merchandise business, which he continued about four years; in 1860, he moved to Paris, and served as Sheriff of Edgar Co. for two years; he was then appointed Deputy Sheriff, and served two years, and, in 1865, he returned to his present place; in 1871, he was elected Supervisor of Seven Hickory, and held the office four years; since which time he has held the office of Highway Commissioner. He owns 700 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, John and Mrs. Eliza Hardwick O’Hair, were natives of Kentucky, where they were married in in 1842, they came to Illinois, and settled in Edgar Co., where they now reside.

ISAAC PERISHO, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Monroe Co., Ind., May 2, 1818; he married Miss Sarah Zimerley Jan. 9, 1838; she was born in Washington Co., Va., Oct. 30, 1818, and died Dec. 25, 1842; they had three children, one living, viz., Jacob W.; his second wife was Miss Leoina Purlee; they were married June 27, 1843; she was born in Washington Co., Ind., July 27, 1818, and died Oct. 15, 1844; they had one child, viz., Hiram; his present wife was Mrs. Wells, formerly Miss Rosanna M. O’Hair; they were married June 12, 1845; she was born in Morgan, now Wolfe Co., Ky., June 9, 1811; they had five children, four living, viz., Emily J., John E., Mary E. and Rosanna S. The present Mrs. Perisho had six children by a former marriage two are living, viz., William W. Wells and Lucinda F. Wells. He lived in Indiana seven years, when, with his parents, he moved to Illinois, and settled in Grand View Tp., of Edgar Co., and engaged in farming; this was in 1825; he lived with his parents until 1838, when he moved to a farm near by, where he lived until 1840, when he went to Jasper Co., HI., and improved a farm, remaining three years; he then returned to Edgar Co. and engaged in farming, in what is now known as Sims Tp. he remained there until 1855, when he came to Coles Co., and settled on his present place. He is no office-seeker, his only office being connected with the school and road. He has owned about 400 acres in this county, but, having divided a large portion among his children, he retains but 160 acres as a competency for himself and wife. His parents, Joseph and Mrs. Barbara Zink Perisho, were natives of North Carolina and Virginia; they were married in Washington Co., Ind., and settled in Edgar Co., Ill., in 1825, where they died April 23, 1838, and Aug. 4, 1872, respectively.

GRANVILLE F. RAPER, farmer; P. O. Arcola; is a native of Owen Co., Ind., where he was born Jan. 28, 1836. He married Miss Mary H. Roberts Aug. 5, 1855; she was born in Greene Co., Ind., Sept. 13, 1832; they had nine children, six living, viz., James A., California J., Laura S., William O., Albert H. and Granville S. He lived twenty-one years in Indiana, when he moved to Hancock Co., Ill., and engaged in farming; remaining there three years, he returned to his old home in Indiana and lived there two years; he then came to Illinois and settled in Douglas Co., near Tuscola, where he remained three years; he then came to Coles Co. and settled in Humbolt Tp., and engaged in farming, which he continued for four years, when he moved to the village of Milton, now Humbolt, and engaged in the grocery business, remaining one year; he then came to Seven Hickory and settled on a farm near the plankroad, where he lived one year; he then came to his present place, and has lived here since he owns 160 acres, which he has earned entirely by his own labor and management. His parents were Berry and Mrs. Mary Evans Raper; they were natives of Indiana and Kentucky; they were married in Indiana, where his father died Jan. 20, 1837; his mother married Mr. Thomas Evans, who has since died; she is now living in Owen Co., Ind.

LEVI ROSEBROUGH, farm and stock; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch was born in Warren Co., Ind., April 3, 1832. He married Miss Frances Fisher Sept. 5, 1852; she was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Feb. 2, 1832; they had eight children, seven living, viz., William L, James B., Albert, Sarah E., Rhoda M., Eva and Eli. He lived in Indiana until he was 12 years of age, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., near his present place—this was in 1843—where he lived until he was 19; he then worked by the month until 1852, when, on being married, he rented his father’s place and farmed the same one year. In 1853, leaving his wife here, he went to California, going the overland route by oxen—object, mining—remaining two years; he met with fair success; in 1855, he returned via Panama and New York, to this county, renting a farm and farming the same until 1859, when be bought sixty acres, being a part of his present place; in 1867, he built his present residence, and has lived here since.In September, 1861, he enlisted in the 5th I. V. C, and was in service over three years; was in the battles of Vicksburg. Meridien, Jackson, and many minor engagements. He owns 120 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, John and Nancy White Rosebrough, were natives of Ohio; they were married there and moved to Indiana, where she died about 1842; he then married Miss Zemrudia Stewart, who was a native of Illinois they came to this county in 1843, where he died in 1856; Mrs. Rosebrough married again, and is now living in Kansas.

J. SPRINGER, farmer; P. O. Charleston. The subject of this sketch was born on the line between Fayette and Jessamine Counties, Ky., Feb. 13, 1808; he married Miss Lucy A. Payton on Easter Sunday, 1838; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., Sept., 7, 1814. They had six children, three living, viz., Angeline, Nannie J. and Mary M. He lived in Kentucky twenty-one years; he then went to Missouri and settled in Clay Co., where he engaged at his trade of wagon making, and remained seven or eight years; he then returned to Kentucky and followed his trade about twelve years, when he came to Illinois and followed his trade in Edgar Co., remaining four years. He then came to Coles Co. and engaged in the stock business with Mr. Peyton, in Morgan Tp., remaining four years; he then came to his present place, where the partnership was continued four years longer. In 1871, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served four years; he has been Commissioner of Highways two terms; he has divided considerable land among his children, and retains a competency for himself and wife; his children are all married and living in sight.

LILBURN SWINFORD, farm and stock; P. O. Charleston; was born in Harrison Co., Ky., Jan. 31, 1808; he married Miss Frances Hendricks in September, 1829; she was born in Pendleton Co., Ky., Dec. 19, 1809. They had eleven childi’en, eight living, viz., William H., Martha A., Mary E., Julia A., Lucy, Louisa, Josephine and Benjamin F. He lived in Kentucky until 1839, when he moved to Indiana and settled near Greencastle, where he remained until 1847; he then moved to Illinois and settled near Ashmore, in Coles Co., and in 1865 he came to his present place; he owns 200 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, James and Sarah Adams Swinford, were natives of South Carolina and Virginia they were married in Kentucky; both have died, she in Kentucky, he in Indiana.

JAMES WHEATLEY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Hinesboro; the subject of this sketch was born in Charleston, Clarke Co., Ind., Aug. 9, 1826; he married Miss Mary E. Work Jan. 10, 1850; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., Dec. 20, 1831; they had six children, five living, viz., Junius, Dessie, Carlos, Lucien and Ozeta he lived in Indiana about eight years, when, with his father, he went to Kentucky and lived in Lexington and Harrodsburg until his 18th year, when he returned to his birthplace in Indiana and engaged in farming until he was married; after his marriage, he removed to Southern Kentucky, and, in April, 1853, to Coles Co., and settled the farm on which he now resides; his parents, Walter and Catharine (Beggs) Wheatley, were natives of Maryland and Virginia; they were married in Clarke Co., Ind.; he was born July 12, 1791; in 1836, he went to Harrodsburg, and was appointed Postmaster of the place in 1843, which office he held until 1861, since which time he has not engaged in any business; he is now living with a son in West Virginia; his wife’s parents, John and Hannah (Thomas) Beggs, were natives of Augusta and Rockingham Cos., Va., and were born in January, 1766, and November, 1764, respectively; they were married in 1788, and moved to Kentucky in 1792 or 1793, and to Clarke Co., Ind., in 1799, and died on the farm which they settled, in April, 1845, and May, 1853, respectively; of their nine children two survive, viz., Mary Stilwell (of Jackson Co., Ind.) and Ruth Cole (of Douglas Co., Ill.) The present Mrs. Wheatley’s parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Henley) Work, were natives of Pennsylvania and North Carolina; he emigrated to Bear Grass, Ky., where his father died; the care of the family then fell to him, and they moved to Clarke Co., Ind., and engaged in farming, where he died on a form adjoining the old homestead; his wife’s parents, Jesse and Catharine Henley, were natives of North Carolina, where he had been a slaveholder, having some forty-odd slaves, who, owing to his political views (of the Abolition school) were freed; he moved to Clarke Co., Ind., about the year 1800, where he engaged in farming.
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© Wednesday, 19-Jun-2013 15:33:41 MDT by Coles County Administrator.