Loxa, Illinois

When the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad was completed through this township, a stopping-place was made where Stockton now is, that point being nearly half-way between Mattoon and Charleston. For about seven years, the condition of things remained the same, only a platform being built and a switch made. Capt. B. F. Jones was mainly instrumental in getting even this much of an arrangement, and during all this time, was a constant shipper. He brought the frame building immediately south of the track here, and used it as a storehouse and warehouse for several years. In the fall of 1863, Capt. Jones, who owned the land on which the village is now situated, concluded to lay out a town, and for that purpose had J. J. Peterson, a surveyor, plat the original village. In casting about for a name, Mr. Thomas E. Woods, then connected with the Mattoon Journal, suggested Stockton, and, without waiting to see if there was any other town or post office in the State of that name, it was adopted. When the post office was established here, soon after, another village in Illinois was indeed found of that name, with an office, and the postal authorities refused to christen this one by the name given it. After one or two effiarts, the name Loxa for the post office was suggested and accepted. 'Ihe citizens have several times endeavored to get the railroad company to change the name of the station to correspond with that of the post office, but, so far, have been unable to do so.

Passage source: The History of Coles County, Illinois ... Map of Coles County; History of Illinois ... History of Northwest ... Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, &c., &c, published 1879.

G. B. DAVIS, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Loxa; b(irn in Flutton Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 12, Ibolj ; was brought up a farmer; received his education in a common school during the winter months. Mr. D. resided at home with his parents until he was 32 years of age, during which time he assisted on the farm and also taught school ; he taught school in Button Tp. and the district where he now resides 104 months in all. He was married to Elizabeth Atkins Aus. 12, 1869 ; she was born in Clark Co., this State, Sept. 3, 1844; have two children - Sarah Annie and Mattic L. Held office of Town Clerk one year, and Justice of the Peace eight years ; was a soldier in the late war ; served in Co. C, t)8th I. V. I. ; held rank of Second Lieutenant ; went j from Charleston. He was in the expedition that captured John Morgan at the time of his famous raid in Ohio. Mr. D. is a member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. D. belongs to the Church of United Brethren. His parents, John C. and Elizabeth, were among the pioneer settlers of this county. Both are now deceased.

Passage source: The History of Coles County, Illinois ... Map of Coles County; History of Illinois ... History of Northwest ... Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, &c., &c, published 1879.

RICHARD J. HANCOCK, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Loxa ; owns 150 acres ; was born on the farm where he now resides, Oct. 20, 1838; was raised a farmer. Married Mary E. Snitt (daughter of John S. Snitt, Esq.) Nov. 30, 1865; she was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, April 3, 1848 ; have six children - Nona, Anna, Nellie, John C, Carrie and Amanda S. Mr. H.'s father was born in North Carolina, March 13, 1797 ; went to Kentucky with his paren rs when an infant. At the age of 10 years he went to Indiana, and then to this county in 1830. His death occurred Feb. 19, 1871, where the subject of this s^ketch now resides. His first settlement was on this farm ; here he raised a family of ten children, only two of whom are now living ( the subject of this sketch and Mrs. Jones, of Loxa). Mr. H.'s mother (Keziah) , was born in Virginia, April 13, 1801 ; her death occurred here April 4, 1876. Mr. H. had two brothers in the army during the late war - John F., killed at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, and William T., who died at home, Jan. 20, 1872. Both were members of the 123d I. V. I.

Passage source: The History of Coles County, Illinois ... Map of Coles County; History of Illinois ... History of Northwest ... Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, &c., &c, published 1879.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Lafayette Township.