Mattoon Township (part 3 of 3)

1,600 acres. He was one of the early Justices of the Peace, and one of the County Commissioners for a number of years. He died in 1872, leaving a numerous progeny in the county. William Austin was also from Tennessee, and came to Illinois in 1829. He settled where the village now stands, and, the ground occupied by this thriving little burg was the first land which he cultivated after settling in the neighborhood. His original log cabin is still standing, though its identity is nearly lost in the modern improvements made to it, since it first served to shelter a pioneer family from the inclemencies of the weather. It has been weather-boarded and otherwise improved, and is occupied by Mr. O'Brien. Mr. Austin has been dead a number of years, but has numerous descendants still residing in the county, to perpetuate an honored name. Christopher Sousely is another of the early settlers, and came to this township in 1828. He is still living, but has grown feeble as well as aged, and is waiting in patience for the summons to come. Joseph Henry and his son, Dr. A. M. Henry, Isaac Hill and a Mr. Forrest, were also early settlers, but of them not much could be learned. William Birch came from England, in 1833, and stopped in Pennsylvania, where he spent three years. He occupied an old house near Philadelphia, once the residence of William Penn. In 1836, he came to Illinois, and settled near Hitesville, in this township, and died in April, 1864. He has a son living near Charleston. Enos Barnes came from North Carolina, and settled two miles north of the village of Ashmore. He was a soldier of 1812, and was with Old Hickory, at the battle of New Orleans. He emigrated to Kentucky, where he remained until 1830, when he came to Illinois, as above. His original cabin stood until 1877. He died in 1872 ; his wife died in 1855, but one or two sons still live in the township. William H. Brown and Thomas W. Hallock were from New York; the latter settled in 1837, and Brown in 1839. Both are still living and are successful farmers.

John Mitchell was a native of the Palmetto State, but had lived successively in Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana, before immigrating to Illinois. He settled in Coles County, in 1828, in the edge of the Embarrass timber, in Ashmore Township, where he died some fifteen years afterward, and his wife a year later, leaving a family of eight children, only two of whom are now living, William B. Mitchell, in the State of Kansas, and Mrs. Galbraith, Avife of James Galbraith, in this township. The condition of the country at the time Mr. Mitchell settled here, is illustrated in the fact that one of his sons, Robert Mitchell, went to Darwin, on the Wabash River, a distance of forty miles, for a marriage license. Rev. S. J. Bovell is a son of one of the pioneer preachers of Illinois. He was born in Washington County, East Tennessee, and came to this county with his mother's family, in 1835. His father was a native of the Old Dominion, and a graduate of Washington College, and, in 1825, received a call to the Presbyterian Church at Paris, 111., but died in three months after taking charge. His widow removed to Coles, as above noted, and located southwest of Charleston. Mr. Bovell remained on the farm with his mother until he was twenty years of age, when, after completing his education, he taught in various States, and, in 1861, was licensed to preach, and, at present, is Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the village of Ashmore.

Elder Peter K. Honn came from Kentucky in 1835, and stopped for a short time in Edgar County, and from there went to Sangamon County, where he remained about six months, working at his trade (blacksmith), after which he came to Coles County and located at Hitesville, in this township, and opened a blacksmith-shop, which he continued for several years. In the mean time he purchased a quarter-section of land, which he improved in connection with his trade of a blacksmith. He eventually abandoned his shop and devoted his attention to his farm, until 1875, when, having accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods, he retired from active labor, and removed to the village of Ashmore, where he at present lives in the enjoyment of a well-earned competence. Some five years after coming to the county, he was ordained a minister of the Christian Church, and his experience as a pioneer preacher is vast and varied, sometimes bordering on the extremely ludicrous, as is but natural in a backwoods country. With no intentional disrespect to the Gospel (for of it we entertain the profoundest veneration), but as an illustration of the state of the country at that time, and by way of embellishment of dry historical facts, we give some of the experiences of the old soldier of the Cross, as related to us by himself. Upon a certain occasion, when this country was the very center of the backwoods, he and another preacher, whom he denominated Brother E., made a missionary or preaching tour, at the latter's special request, through Clark, Crawford, Jasper and Cumberland Counties, and through the southern part of Coles, to their homes. The stipulation was, that wherever they stopped they should preach alternately. After swinging around the circle into Jasper County, Brother E. informed him that they would stop at Brother So-and-So's to dinner, the leading man of the neighborhood, a pillar of the church in that section, and where, it seems, Brother E. had been before. He told Mr. Honn that they were good people, but not as tidy and neat as they might be, and he would have to harden up a little. Upon their arrival, Mr. Honn found that this nabob lived in a mansion composed of one room, which served all purposes a residence is usually subjected to, and very soon dinner was begun "for the preachers" by a grown-up daughter, while the lady of the mansion sat on one side of the fire-place smoking a cob-pipe, and the lord and master on the other side indulging in a like luxury, the preachers occupying seats in front of the fire, looking on, Mr, Honn admits, with some interest. After a while the girl lifted a pot off the fire, and opened it apparently to see the state of its contents, while the odor was quite strange to him, and he nudged Brother E. and asked him what it was, who replied that it was stewed coon. He at once thought of the hardening-up process, and being a little particular as to his food, was somewhat doubtful as to whether he should enjoy a very hearty dinner or not. He discovered eventually, however, that his stomach was not quite so sensitive as

Brother E.'s. After the coon was cooked to her satisfaction, she brought forth some side pork, very fat, placed it in a skillet and fried the grease all out of it, leaving a pint or so of lard in the skillet. Next she produced a " crock " full of buckwheat batter, which she poured into the skillet (not all at once), and he had noticed that a portion of the hem of some of her undergarments had been torn from its native place and was dangling within an inch or two of the floor, and as she would move about the fire, it would now and then draggle in the frying batter. Brother E. looked at him and he looked at Brother E., and he noticed that the latter had grown rather pale, so that when dinner was announced a little later, he could eat but a few mouthfuls. He kept his eye on Brother E. and, shortly after dinner was over, noticed that he appeared quite uneasy and looked very pale. Finally he rose rather hastily and left the room, and upon following him out, found him behind the house "calling New York" lustily. That evening he had to preach for Brother E.*

He was once called upon to perform a marriage ceremony at the house of one of the well-to-do pioneers. When he arrived at the cabin, he found the bride in waiting, dressed in all the glory of backwoods beauty and fashion, and the groom ditto. Among the "assembled guests" were two very large and ungainly curs, walking about the room with as much liberty as (to use a slang expression) blind dogs in a meat-house." After the marriage, all were" invited to a sumptuous dinner, the dogs included ; or, if the latter were not invited, they cheeked it, and went in on their own responsibility. When the repast was well under way, some one dropped a bone, or threw it down to the dogs for the purpose of creating a little excitement. If for the latter purpose, they succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations. They clinched in battle (the dogs) with savage ferocity, rolled under the table growling, biting and chawing each other generally. Said Mr. Honn ? " And what did the fair bride, faint ? Not much. But sprang on to a chair, and in a high state of excitement, clapping her delicate (?) hands, she yelled at the top of her voice, ' sick 'em ! sick "em ! sick 'em !' " After the guests succeeded in separating the dogs, dinner was finished in peace and quiet.

One other episode from Mr. Honn's pioneer experience, and we will pass on. A young man of the neighborhood, who was addicted to sowing wild oats with a profuse hand, finally concluded to marry and settle down, and to this end, succeeded in persuading a girl living some miles away, to unite her fortunes with his. The mother of the bridegroom elect, who was a highly respectable lady, thinking or at least hoping, that marriage would work a reformation in her wayward son, had exerted herself to bring about the union, and had prepared a wedding feast for the occasion. He had brought the girl to his mother's, where the marriage was to take place, and all things being in readiness, he posted off to Charleston for the documents that were to bind together

But at Charleston the devil tempted him, or perhaps he met with some of his old chums, got drunk, and finally got in jail, where he was detained two or three days in "durance vile." When set at liberty, he struck out for home, came by Mr. Honn's, and asked him to go to his mother's with him as he was going to be married, and wanted him to tie the nuptial knot. Thinking the fellow was jesting, he demurred, as it was then getting dusk, but he stoutly asserted that he was in earnest, so Mr. Honn said, "Well, you show me the marriage license and give me a dollar, and I will submit to being fooled, and will go with you. " To this he assented, paying over the last dollar he had, and Mr. Honn mounted his horse and away they went. Upon arriving, the house was dark, and everybody apparently abed. Mr. Honn told him that did not look much like a wedding, but he said it was all right. When they went in they found all abed, sure enough. A married daughter was living with the old ladv, and into the room where she Was in bed, he was conducted bv the young man, handed a chair and asked to take a seat. The expectant bridegroom inquired of his sister where the girl was, calling her by name, and was informed that she was sleeping in the next room. "I'll bring her out," said he, Mr. Honn sitting by all this time, taking in the ludicrous position in which he was placed. The young man went in where the girl was in bed, and for a long time he heard them in earnest conversation, he begging her to get up and be married, and she refusing. She told him he had "gone back on her," that she had sent her clothes home and had nothing to wear (unwittingly quoting Flora McFlimsey) but an old, dirty calico dress. But as it usually turns out, the stronger prevailed over the weaker vessel, and she agreed to "get up and get married." provided his sister would loan her a dress. This modest request being granted, she arose, arrayed herself in her si=ter-in-law's (as was soon to be) "good clothes,"" the knot was tied. The pair was spliced, and the officiating minister returned to his home, with a consciousness that, if he had earned his dollar, he had at least enjoyed the earning of it.

The Noble Red Man

In common with other portions of the country, this section was at one time in possession of the Indians, and these forests the hunting-grounds of "ye noble red men." They were plenty here long after the whites began settlements in the country. We have heard of no outrages committed by them in this immediate vicinity on the white people, but elsewhere in this history, is told how " war's fierce conflict raged," and battles are described that were fought on the " sacred soil " of Coles County, between the savages and their pale-faced enemies. But these events belong not to this chapter. Mr. J. W. Brown, mentioned among the early settlers of this township, gives us the following Indian experience: An Indian settlement, adjacent to his father's, was under the administration of a chief named Ka-Nee-Kuck, a fine-looking specimen of the "noble red man,"' somewhat intelligent and very religious. He sometimes tried to preach, would go into a trance and see visions, which he would detail to his people. In his tribe was a warrior whose mind had lost its balance, and he was at times dangerously crazy. On one occasion he was shown some pictures of Bible scenes, among them a serpent representing the devil. Upon looking at the frightful picture, a shudder appeared to thrill his entire frame, . and, seizing a rifle, he shot an Indian named Black Beaver dead in his tracks before he could be restrained, or before anv one seemed to realize his intention. The chief, Ka-Nee-Kuck, with a deputation, came to Mr. Brown's father, Jonathan W. Brown, for his opinion as to what ought to be done with a man under such circumstances. Mr. Brown explained to them that the man was not responsible for the deed, as he was insane and ignorant of the great crime he had committed, and they should properly secure him to prevent a repetition of the deed. They took him to a grove of timber and tied him to a tree, but with the inordinate cunning, common to crazy people, he succeeded in making his escape. Black Beaver, the man killed, was buried in Mr. Brown's pasture, but, in that early day, as well as in the present age of refinement, the graves of the dead were not always left in undisturbed repose, and the body of Black Beaver was resurrected (it was supposed by a medical student named Smith) to promote the cause of science. These Indian scenes are all long past, and the very existence of Indians in this country is almost forgotten. Very few are living who remember them from personal knowledge. They have faded away in the mists of the past, just as the pioneer's hut, with its yawning fire-place extending across one end, its puncheon floor, and its cracks chinked and daubed with mud, have passed away. These old relics of the by-gone days, and the ox-teams, the old barshare and Gary plows, the scythe and cradle, and the reaphook will soon be nothing more than fire-side tales. As we view the flying railroad train, the patent reapers and mowers, the plows now in use, the magnificent residences dotting the plain, and the beautiful villages scattered here and there, we are forced to acknowledge that the strides of invention and improvement of the past fifty years have far exceeded the wildest stretch of human calculation, and we turn from contemplating the world's progress, to muse on what the next half a century may produce.

Schools, Churches, Stores, Etc

The first schoolhouse in the township was built on che hill near " Pole Cat Bridge," about 1832-33, and was the usual type of the backwoods schoolhouse, viz., built of round logs, covered with clapboards, chinked and daubed with mud^ the fire-place taking up one end of the building, a puncheon floor - sometimes mother earth furnished the floor. This was the ordinary temple of learning in those days, and the school commonly consisted of a dozen or so dirty urchins, presided over by an old-fogy schoolmaster, as represented in the following lines :

" Then Anthony Blair, with mortified air, With his head down on his breast. Took his penitent seat, by the maiden sweet, That he loved, of all, the best.

" And Anthony Blair seemed whimpering there. But the rogue only made believe ; For he peeped at the girls with the beautiful curls. And ogled them over his sleeve." *

The first school taught in Ashmore Township was by a man named Foster, before building the schoolhouse above named. Who first taught in the house mentioned, our informant had forgotten. The educational facilities have increased, however, since the days of these old-time schools, in proportion to the increase and improvement in everything else. The town is advantageously laid out in school districts, elegant and comfortable houses erected, competent teachers employed and the cause of education liberally supported.

Kev. Isaac Hill is supposed to have preached the first sermon in Ashmore Township, He and his son, I. B. Hill, were among the early settlers of the county, and the elder Hill was a local preacher. Rev. John Steele was another of the early preachers, and is further alluded to in the history of Hitesville. Elder P. K. Honn is also one of the pioneer preachers of the town. The only church edifice in the township outside of the villages and hamlets, is Enon Missionary Baptist Church, in the southern part. It is quite an elegant brick edifice, and cost between §2,000 and $2,500, and was erected in 1875. It was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Riley (now of Paris) soon after its completion. The first Pastor was Rev. Mr. Thornton ; the present one is Rev. A. Jones, and the society numbers about fifty members. Its numbers have been considerably lessened by death and removals. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained during the summer, but is usually disbanded at the beginning of the winter season. Other church history is more fully given in that of the villages.

The first stores in the town will be mentioned in the history of the villages and hamlets, as will many other points generally occurring in the township histories. The first regular blacksmith in the town of Ashmore was Peter K. Honn, one of the early settlers, and who opened a shop at Hitesville soon after coming to the settlement. John Carter was a blacksmith, but did not follow it as a regular business, and Avhen Honn opened a shop, quit it altogether. The first death in the settlement it is supposed was a child of Adam Cox's, and occurred about 1831. It was buried in the grave-yard laid out near Mr. Wells', and was the first occupant of that little city of the dead. The first marriage and the first birth are alike forgotten, but that ''such have been," the present population stands as incontrovertible evidence.

Frances (Muller) Weber; he was born in Westfield, 111., May 31, 1854, and came with his parents to Charleston in 1866 ; he spent a part of his time on his father's farm in Button Tp., and a portion in the store in Charleston, and on the death of his father, in 1877, he, with his brother John, succeeded to the business. He was married April 29, 1878, to Miss Rosa Riegger, of Bloom ington. 111.

JOHN WEBER, the junior member of the firm of Weber Brothers, was also born in Westfield, Clark Co., HI., April 19, 1856, and came with the other members of the family to Charleston, at the age of 10 years.

GUNTHER WEISS, of the firm of Weiss & Frommel, proprietors of the Charleston Woolen-Mill, Charleston ; was born in Leutenberg, Sharzburg, Rudolstadt, Germany, July 6, 1823; he attended school till the age of 14, and was then apprenticed to learn the weaver's trade; in 1845, he came to the United States, landing in Galveston, Texas ; on the breaking-out of the war with Mexico,^ he volunteered in the 1st Tex. V. I., and served under Gen. Taylor ; in the spring of 1848, he went to Cincinnati, where he remained until 1852, when he went to Terre Haute, Ind., and began business as a grocery and provision merchant, which he continued for twenty-two years ; in 1874, he came to Charleston, and assumed an active part in the management of the Charleston Woolen-Mill, in which he bad been a partner since 1869. Mr. Weiss was married Nov. 17, 1853, to Miss Carrie Newhart, of Cincinnati, a native of Bavaria, Germany ; they have eight children - Otto P., Emma (wife of Alfred C. Ficklin, of Charleston), Louise, Aurora, Helena, Adolph G., Carrie and Maria.

M. ALSHULER, staple and fancy dry goods, Mattoon ; was born in Bavaria, Germany, A. D. 1836 ; his early life was spent in school ; having acquired a good education, in February, 1852, he immigrated to America, «ind first located in Danville, 111., where he engaged as clerk in a general dry goods store. In 1854, he went to Chicago, and was employed in a jewelry and fancy store, on Lake street ; he next located with the firm of P]dsall & Co., in Terre Haute, Ind., and remained with that firm seven years ; with another firm he remained three years longer, and, in 1865, came to Mattoon ; here the dry goods firm of Alshuler, Aaron & Co. was formed, and continued one year ; the firm of C. & M. Alshuler was next formed, and existed eleven years. In the spring of 1876, the firm of C. &. M. Alshuler was dissolved, and that of M. Alshuler & Co. formed. To Mr. Alshuler must be accorded, and justly, too, the honor of opening up the first exclusively dry goods establishment in the city ; prior to his example, merchandising in Mattoon had been conducted on the plan of "ye olden times," when each carried in stoek a line of dry goods, groceries, queeusware.

drugs, hardware, etc., etc. ; under hi healthful example, business soon became classified; by strict attention to business, fair dealing, and the establishment of a " one price " system, strictly adhered to, he has succeeded in building- up a large and remunerative business, and now operates the largest and most prosperous dry goods establishment in the city. He was married Sept. 13, 1871, to Fannie Frank, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio ; have two children - Cora and Damon T.

J. L. AUBERT, County Surveyor, Mattoon ; was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1830 ; his father was a tiller of the soil, and his early life was that of a farmer's son ; at the age of 18, he began work at the carpenter's trade, and worked under instruction three years. In 1854, became West and settled in Moultrie Co., 111., where he purchased land, farmed some, but for the most part followed his trade. In July, 1865, he located in Lebanon, St. Clair Co. ; here he remained three years, during which time he contracted and built the public school buildings and the M. E. Church. In 1868, he lived a short time in Shelbyville, and removed from there to-

Biographical Sketches

Jacksonville, 111., where he was engaged on the Court House, the East Centenary Church, and on improvements to the Christian Church ; he began the study of surveying many years ago, under the direction of J. R. Anderson, his brother-in-law, formerly County Surveyor in Ohio, and later of Moultrie Co., 111. Mr. Aubert was elected Surveyor of Coles Co. in November, 1875. He was married in 1858 to Minerva R. Morgan, a native of Licking Co., Ohio.

J. I. AYER, book and music store, Mattoon; was born in Medford, Mass., Feb. 3, 1854. In 1866, the family moved to Elizabeth, N. J.; in addition to his common-school education, he enjoyed the advantages of a boarding-school at Naaareth, Penn. ; this school was of a military character, and he here pursued a course in civil engineering ; at the age of 15 years he entered the firm of Roberts & Co. (dealers in books and stationery), at Elizabeth, N. J., to take charge of his father's interest, he being a member of the firm. In the fall of 1870, he came West to Illinois, and settled in Mattoon, and engaged in engineering on the Decatur, Mattoon & Sullivan and the Grayville & Mattoon Railroads ; he was thus employed about three years; in 1874, he was employed as book-keeper in the Essex House, and remained till March, 1878; in November, 1877, he purchased his present business, and since March, 1878, has given it his personal supervision. He was married in August, 1876, to Mary L. Cleveland, a native of Melrose, Mass. ; has one daughter - Mary L., born Aug. 20, 1878. Mr. Ayer is a relative of the world-renowned Dr. J. C. Ayer, of Lowell, Mass.

V. R. BRIDGES, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Rockingham Co., Va., June 4, 1832 ; his father settled in Ross Co., Ohio, near Chillicothe, in 1836; in 1841, he came to Illinois and settled in Newton, Jasper Co.; he was engaged in contracting on public works, both in Ohio and Illinois. Dr. Bridges acquired a good academic education, mainly through his own exertions, and at the age of 14, began life for himself At the age of 17, he taught his first school ; in 1851, he was employed in the drug store of Dr. H. H. Hayes, at Lawrenceville, 111., and began the study of medicine under him. He next came to Marshall, and completed his studies under Drs. Payne and Duncan. In the spring of 1854, he located in Salisbury, Coles Co., and began the practice of his profession. In 1860, he came to Mattoon, his present residence. He entered the U. S. service as Assistant Surgeon of the 62d Regiment, I. V. I ; in 1863, he was promoted to be Surgeon of the 126th Regiment, and was mustered out in 1865, after the close of the war ; soon after his discharge from the service, he was appointed Examining Surgeon for the Pension Bureau - a position he still holds. In 1876, he attended Rush Medical College, from which he graduated Feb. 27, 1877. He was married Jan. 8, 1856, to Mary E. Boyd, a native of Indiana ; four children have been the fruits of the union - Flora J. and Charles INI., living, Edward L. and Emma, deceased. Has been a member of the City Council a number of terms, and was President of the Board two terms.

WM. BURGESS, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Mattoon ; was born in North Molton, Devonshire, Eng., Oct. 12, 1827 ; he emigrated to America in May, 1849 ; for two years after coming, he followed his trade in Syracuse, N. Y.; he subsequently lived at various points in New York, Cortland, Elmira, Tioga Point, Bath, Corwin, Addison, etc. In the spring of 1855, he returned to Ens-land remaining one vear. In 1856, he returned to America, stopping for a season in New York ; thence to Pennsylvania ; thence back to New York. In June, 1857, he went to Canada, remained but a short time, and next went to Michigan ; thence to La Fayette, Ind., from there to Covington, Ind.; thence to Decatur, 111. During these years he followed his trade. In May, 1860, he came to Mattoon and opened up his present store. He is the oldest established boot and shoe merchant in the city. He was married in November, 1862, to AgnesEvans, a native of England ; three children have been born to them - Mary E., Emily F., living ; Jennie, deceased ; they have also an adopted son - Richard. Owns forty acres in Mattoon Tp. ; also two business houses and a residence in the city. Is at present a member of the City Council.

1843 ; his father came with his family to Illinois in the fall of 1852, and settled in Wayne Co. Here he engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch passed his lite upon the farm and obtained his education at tlie common schools. In February, 1862, he left home, and began the trade of saddle and harness maker ; he worked under instruction three years; he then worked as journeyman at his trade till 1870 ; in December, 1870, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Coles Co., under A. M. Brown, Sheriff. This position heheld two yeara. In 1873, he was elected Justice of the Peace in Mattoon Tp., and served tour years. In May, 1877, he began work again at his trade, and Jan. 28, 1878, entered the office of Craig & Craig as clerk and student. He was married Dec. 26, 1867, to Ellen McGuire, a native of Ireland. Has three children - James R., Julian E. and Louisa A. Owns real estate in the city. In 1874, he was chosen Assistant Supervisor of Mattoon Tp.; in January, 1878, he was appointed and commissioned by Gov. Cullom a Notary Public for Coles Co. for four years.

J. B. BENEFIBL, proprietor Boss Meat Market, Mattoon ; was born in Oaktown, Knox Co., Ind., April 22, 1847 ; his father was a physician and a man of far more than ordinary ability ; J. B. passed his early life in attendance upon school; in 1861, his father came with his family to Mattoon, 111. ; here he entered upon the practice of his profession and succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice; young Benefiel entered the graded schools of the city, designing to complete the course, preparatory to entering the law department of Michigan University ; his father having become involved in professional difficulty in 1867, precipitately fled the country, abandoning his family, and under an assumed name has lived in Craig, Mo., ever since ; very recently he has been discovered, and has partially made restitution to his family for past neglect ; on the desertion of his father, the cares of the family devolved upon the hands of J. B., the eldest of the children ; abandoning his studies, he applied himself to the support of his mother and the younger members of the family ; in August, 1867, he entered the employ of the Merchants' Union

Express Co., and, in the spring of 1868' that of the American Express Co ; he was thus employed about three years ; in 1871, he entered the employ of J. T. Southern in buying and shipping grain and in the sale of agricultural implements ; in the fall of 1873, he engaged in the manufacture of soap in company with J. P. Clark ; in 1875, he began his present business, and has since continued it. He was married Jan. 21, 1874, to Ellen F. Aldridge, a native of Arkansas ; has had one child - Roy M., born Nov. 26, 1874, died Feb. 15, 1877. Owns real estate in the city.

HON. HORACE S. CLARK, attorney at law, Mattoon ; was born in Huntsburg, Geauga Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1840; his father emigrated to Ohio from Vermont at an early day ; at the age of 1 5 years, with a fliir education, he left the old homestead and came West to Chicago, where he sought employment and labored a short time ; he soon left the city and going to Kane Co., engaged in farm work during the summer and attended school during the winter season, paying his way by manual labor before and after school-hours ; in the spring of 1856, he reached Iowa City, and made his home with an older brother while pursuing a student life in Iowa State University ; here he soon became a leader among his fellow-students as an orator and debater ; during vacations, he engaged in teaching school, and in the law office of Justice William E. Miller ; read with attention and profit the works of Blackstone and various other treatises on law during: the first year of his residence in Iowa City ; he returned to Kane Co., purchased ten cows, shipped them by rail to the city, and from the proceeds of the milk, pailed by his own hands, defrayed his current expenses; in the spring of 1858, with a capital of $200, he speculated in fruittrees, but failed to secure profitable returns ; subsequently he went to St. Louis, and, purchasing various books, traveled over the country in order to dispose of them to advantage and profit ; later we find him again in Ohio, resuming his studies in the legal firm of Smith & Page, in Circleville. He enlisted as a private in Co. E, 73d Ohio V. I. ; was afterward Orderly Sergeant, Second and First Lieutenant, in which last position he often commanded his company ; July 3, 1863, he was severly wounded in the battle of Gettysburg ; later, he was oftered Lieutenant-Colonelcy by Gov. Todd, of Ohio, but not being able to take the field, declined the appointment. He next removed to Nashville, Tenn.; when in business pursuits he met with deserved success ; in 1865, he came to Mattoon, 111.; in 1868, he was admitted to the bar ; has held the oflBce of City Police Magistrate, and was chosen Judge of the Common Pleas Court, filling out an unexpired term ; though comparatively a young man, he is recognized as a very skillful and successful practitioner.

JAMES W. CRAIG, attorney at law, Mattoon ; was born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., 111., June 29, 1844; his early life was that of a farmer's son ; his education was obtained in the common schools ; in 1864, he began the study of law with Col. O. B. Ficklin, of Charleston ; in the fall of 1865, he matriculated in the law department of the Michigan University, from which he graduated in March, 1867 ; in April, following, he was admitted to the State and Federal Courts ; he began the practice of his profession in Charleston, forming a copartnership with Col. Ficklin ; in May, 1868, he located in Mattoon, retaining his partnership with Col. Ficklin two years ; in

1872, he was chosen State's Attorney for Coles Co., and retained the office until 1876; the firm of Craig & Craig was formed in 1877. He was married in June, 1868, to Mary Chilton, a native of Scott Co., 111. ; has two children - Edward C. and Lizzie I. Owns eighty acres near the city, real estate in Mattoon and near Charleston.

ISAAC B. CRAIG, attorney at law, Mattoon ; was born in Coles Co., 111., April 28, 1854 ; he was brought up upon the farm, and his early experiences were those of a farmer's son ; with a good education acquired at the common schools, he began the study of his profession in March,

1873, with his brother and 0. B. Ficklin; in the foil of 1873, he entered the law department of the Michigan University; he graduated in the spring ot 1875, and, in June, 1875, was admitted to practice at Mt. Vernon, 111. ; he began the practice of his profession in Charleston ; in 1877, he came to Mattoon, and entered into partnership with his brother, and has since been engaged in the practice here.

S. A. CAMPBELL, surgeon dentist; Mattoon ; was born in Mercer Co., Penn., Aug. 16, 1848; his father came with his family in October, 1854, to Mercer Co., 111., and there settled on a farm ; six days after coming, he sickened and died ; at the age of 11 years. Dr. Campbell went into the office of Dr. E. B. Hamill, of Philadelphia, and at 12, began the study of dentistry ; here he remained under instruction about two and a half years ; he then entered the Baltimore Dental College, the oldest dental institution in the world ; in 1868, having completed the course he received the degree of D. D. S. ; he next located in Philadelphia, and entered upon the practice of his profession ; in May, 1870, be removed to Mattoon, 111. ; he is the oldest established dentist in the city, if not in the county. He was married in November, 1874, to Nellie FalHn, a native of Bracken Co., Ky.; has one daughter - Laura Bertha; he has a large practice, and is recognized as a skilled workman in his profession.

REV. FATHER CROWE, Pastor of the Catholic Church, Mattoon ; was born in Oswego, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1851 ; his early life was passed in the public schools of his native city; here he completed a full course of instruction, passing regularly through the high school and normal department; at about the age of 18 years, he engaged in the profession of teaching, and was a member of the Faculty in the College at Tutopolis, and, at a later date, in that at Ruma, 111. ; having for some time directed his thoughts in the channel of the legal profession, and, at a later date, to that of the medical profession, finally, in 1873, he entered the Grand Seminary, at Montreal, Canada, where for four years he pursued a course in theology ; he was ordained to the ministry Dec. 22, 1877 ; he then took chai'ge of a church at Flora, 111., for a short time, and, in March, 1878, came to Mattoon, his present residence; by virtue of his position, he is President of the schools connected with the Church, conducted by the Ursuline Sisters, from Springfield.

E. T. CURRENS, farmer and fruitgrower ; P. 0. Mattoon ; was born in Bracken Co., Ky., in 1816; his father was a farmer and tanner, and for fifty-five years conducted the two interests jointly, at Germantown, Ky. ; E. T.'s early life was spent upon his father's farm and in iearnina; the tanning business ; he entered Augusta College, Ky., in 1832, and graduated therefrom in 1836 ; he then engaged in mercantile life and farming till 1854, when he moved to Iowa and established the Kentucky settlement in Marshall Co.; in 1861, he returned to Maysville, Ky., and engaged in the hardware trade, in the firm of Carrens & Owens; in 1864, he came to Mattoon, 111., where he has since resided. Mr. Currens has thrice plighted himself at the nuptial altar ; his first marriage occurred in 1839, his second in 1849, and his last in 1859, each time choosing for his helpmeet one of Kentucky's fair daughters. His life has been one of marked activity ; he- has been an enterprising and liberal business man, and has always taken an active and leading part in introducing and rearing fine stock, in agricultural and horticultural exhibitions ; he was the first merchant to build a tobacco warehouse outside of the river towns, and to buy, price and ship the farmers' crops of Mason and Bracken Cos. ; he founded the Union Agricultural Company of these counties, and gave his woodlands for their first exhibitions, in 1854-55 ; he was a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Company so long as he remained a citizen of the State ; he was also a member of the Mason and Bracken Importing Co., and few men exerted more influence in the introduction of fine stock, machinery, or in the general improvement of his part of the State ; he organized the Marshall County, Iowa, Fair Co., and was President of that and the Central Iowa Fair Co., at the College Farm, up to the commencement of the war; both societies he left in great prosperity, and they are today leading associations for that great State ; during his administration, interesting exhibitions were held at the college farms at Newton, Marshalltown and Des Moines City, at each of which he took many premiums with individual animals and his fine herd of short-horns. Mr. Currens has taken an active interest in horticulture, fruit growing and gardening since he has been a citizen of Mattoon ; to his influence and activity Mattoon owes the existence of her Horticultural Society, and most of her advancement in the matter of ornamental shade-trees, fine fruits, berries, etc.; as a clever and enterprising citizen, he stands second to no man in his community.

J. D. CASSELL, proprietor Cassell's Restaurant, Mattoon ; was born in Montgomery Co., Penn., A. T>. 1827 ; until he was 17 or 18 years of age, he passed his life upon the farm, deriving his education mostly from the common schools ; in 1854, he came West to Jennings Co., Ind., where he remained one year ; he then went to Crawfordsville, Ind., and was a student in Wabash College a short time ; he next engaged in the merchant tailoring business there for two or three jears ; leaving Crawfordsville, he next located in South Bend, remaining one year ; in the fall of 1859, he moved to New Carlisle, Ind., and engaged in teaching school ; here he remained three and one-half years, most of the time engaged as a Professor in the Collegiate Institute ; in the spring of 1863, he moved to Rolling Prairie, taught one year, and, in the fall of 1864, engaged in the grocery trade ; in the spring of 1866, he was appointed and commissioned Postmaster, which position he held eight years ; in the fall of 1874, he came to Mattoon and engaged in his present occupation. He was first married in 1858, to Elizabeth Prance, a native of Ohio ; she died in

JAMBS T. CUNNINGHAM, deceased, Mattoon; the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Grayson Co., Ky., July 11, 1802 ; his early life was spent on the farm, and his education limited to a few mouths' attendance upon the public or subscription schools of his native State ; from a very early period in life, the support of the family mainly devolved upon him; in the fall of 1830, he came West to Illinois with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Yocum and her family, and settled in what is now Paradise Tp., Coles Co. He is mentioned in that township as being among the early settlers; when he came West he was possessed of but little means, but here he found a wide field for speculation ; he was uniformly successful in his various undertakings, and his gains, though great, were always honorably gotten ; he fcorned to do a mean act, and, though at his death, he left a large competency to his family, no one could justly say that one farthing had been gained by trickery or dishonest means. He took a deep and abiding interest in whatever tended to advance the interests of his State. Being a man of good native ability, he was at an early day chosen by his fellow-citizens of Ct)les Co. as their representative ; he served eight years in succession in the Lower House while the capital of the State was at Vandalia. His marriage to Elizabeth C. Yocum occurred Sept. 15, 1825; she died Sept. 3, 1849 ; for almost a quarter of a century, she was to him a faithful helpmeet ; he was married a second time, Feb. 3, 1853, to Mrs. Sarah E.Hendricks; from first wedlock five children were born - John, William, James, Mary J., James H. ; of these William and James are dead ; from the second marriage two daughters were given him - Nancy T. (deceased) and Elizabeth C. (now wife of Elder W. T. Mason). At his death, which occurred June 26, 1863. he left an estate valued (after the liquidation of all debts) at 8300,000. This legacy he left to his family as the reward of a faithful, industrious, honest, upright life - a life of strict sobriety, and full of earnest, manly effort.

J. W. DORA, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon ; was born near Augusta, Bracken Co., Ky., May 5, 1827 ; he enjoyed the advantages of select schools, and attended Augusta College a short time before its suspension ; in 1847, he went to Cincinnati, and became a student in Bartlett's Commercial College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1848 ; he then devoted himself to book-keeping for the firm of J. 0. Prather & Co., about a year; in the winter of 1849, he began the study of medicine, under Dr. George R. Todd, of Cynthiana, Ky., a brother of Mrs. A. Lincoln ; during the winter of 1850 and 1851, he attended the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and the following spring, engaged in the practice of his profession, at Buena Vista, Ky. ; the winter of 1851 and 1852, he was again a student in the College, and graduated in the spring following, when he again returned to his practice; in August, 1855, he came West to Illinois, and located in Mattoon ; during the winter of 1855 and 1856, he attended a course of lectures in the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati ; returning home he remained here in the practice until October, 1863, when he moved to Chicago ; during his residence of two years in Chicago, he received a degree from the Rush Medical College; in April, 1865, he returned to Mattoon, and has since resided here. He was married in the spring of 1850, to Martha E.Smith, a native of Harrison Co., Ky. ; she died March 27, 1872 ; Nov. 1.0, 1875, he was married to S. A. McQuown, a native of Kentucky ; has four children from first wedlock - Leoma C. (wife of F. D. Dole), Helen M., John W., Maggie E. He was first Mayor of the city, and for a number of years member of the City Council ; also held the office of City Treasurer a number of terms.

WILLIAM DOZIER, architect and builder, Mattoon ; was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Sept. 12, 1836 ; his grandfather came from Pennsylvania to Ohio as early as 1810, and settled in Muskingum Co., when that section of country was a wilderness ; his father was then a lad of some 8 or 9 summers ; through want of opportunity, the education of his father was not extended beyond spelling, he never having read a day in school ; he was a man, however, of good native ability, and, through his own exertions, obtained a fair education ; he served nine years as Justice of the Peace; he lost his life April 5, 1852, by drowning, William's early life was passed upon the farm, and he secured a good education in the common schools ; after the death of his father, he took charge of bis mother's interest, and that of eight younger members of the family, remaining at home till his majority ; at the age of 18 years, he began teaching, and taught four winters, farming or following the trade of carpenter during the remainder of the year; in 1858, he came West to Illinois, to prospect the country, and on the 1st day of April, landed in what is now the city of Mattoon, then a village of some 300 inhabitants ; here he engaged in working at his trade ; subsequently went te Cumberland Co., but soon returned to Mattoon ; in the fall of 1859, he returned to Ohio, and Oct. 11, 1859, was married to Maria

McCaslin. of Morgan Co., Ohio ; here he remained till August, 1861, when he again set his face westward, moving, in a twohorse wagon, his goods and eifects ; he came again to Mattoon; in 1865, he moved to Terre Haute, Ind., and during his residence of three and a half years, built six residences for himself, and also engaged in merchandising, a short time; in 1869, he returned to Mattoon ; since his residence he has built ten residences, six of which he now owns ; he also owns twenty acres in Okaw Tp., and four acres at his residence near the city limits. Has had two children - Wallace, living ; Cadmer, dead. In 1875, in company with his wife he visited England, Scotland and France, and contributed some interesting articles to the city papers on the manners and customs of the people, and on sight-seeing in London, Edinburgh and other noted nlaces.

W. B. DUNLAP, Cashier First National Bank, Mattoon ; was born in New Hampshire in 1840 ; he received a good, common-school education, and was fitted for college, but did not enter upon a college course. In 1861, he came West to Illinois, locating in Mattoon, where he was employed as book-keeper and clerk for the firm of Francis & Shaw. Jan. 1, 1863, he entered the banking house of Pilkington & Co., as Cashier; May 1, 1865, at which time the First National Bank was organized, he was chosen to the position of Teller ; this he held until 1868, when he was chosen Cashier; June 1, 1874, he resigned his office and organized the Mattoon National Bank, of which he was President till November, 1877, at which time he resigned the position to devote his attention to his real estate transactions. April 1, 1878, he was tendered the position of Cashier of the First National Bank a second time, and in May following that of President ; this, after mature deliberation, he declined, but consented to fill the office of (/ashier. The management of the bank, however, is almost wholly intrusted to his care. He was married in 1866, to Mary K. Woods, a native of Illinois. Has two children - Estelle and Katie. Owns 120 acres and a large amount of real estate in the city. In addition to his banking duties, he transacts a real estate business to the amount of from $60,000 to $70,000 per annum.

J. K. DONNELL, wholesale grocer,^ Mattoon ; was born in Tyrone Co., Ireland, Oct. 14, 1835. At the age of 13, he entered the employ of John and James Graham, as clerk in their grocery establishment, in the town of Strabane ; here he served an indentured apprenticeship for three years and four months, at which time he received a certificate of qualification as a practical business man. The family soon after came to America and settled in Philadelphia, where he was employed in various firms in the capacity of clerk. In 1857, he began business for himself in the retail grocery trade ; this he conducted ten years. In 1867, he came to Illinois and began the retail trade in Mattoon ; for the first four years he conducted a jobbing trade in connection with the retail department; in the fall of 1861, he leased his present place of business to operate exclusively a jobbing trade ; this he continued five years; in the fall of 1866, he leased an additional room, and again connected the retail trade with his business ; October, 1878, he abandoned the retail department and entered upon the wholesale business exclusively. .His is the pioneer wholesale establishment, being the first and only exclusively wholesale house in the city. In addition to his fine and growing business, ranging from $130,000 to $150,000 per annum, he own? a fine fruit farm of twenty acres within the corporate limits of the city, a number of residences and eightyfour acres in Cumberland Co., well improved. All this he has accumulated by honest industry and good management^ and while ill-timed adventure and unwise speculation has engulfed many in financial ruin, he feels grateful that his every obligation has been met, dollar for dollar ; and yet with his armor on, he boasts not as he may who has l^id it aside.

J. F. DRISH, dealer in general hardware and agricultural implements, Mattoon ; was bornin Leesburg, Loudoun Co., Va., May 8, 1833 ; his father came west to Illinois in 1836 or 1837, and first settled in Whitehall, Greene Co., where he engaged in the practice of his profession - that of a physician and surgeon ; at the age of 19, the subject of this sketch left home and crossed the plains to California ; here he engaged in speculating and contracting; in 1854, he returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City ; he next settled in Carlinville, and engaged in the dry goods and grocery trade till 1861. At the outbreaking of the civil war, he entered in the U. S. service in the 32d I. V. I., as Adjutant of the regiment; in April, 1862, he came home and assisted in raising and organizing the 1 2 2d I. V. I., and again entered the service as Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment ; he was mustered out of the service in 1865, having been actively engaged with the regiment during its entire term of service. In 1865, he settled in Mattoon and engaged in his present occupation. He was married, in 1856, to Rosella C. Keller, a native of Illinois ; they have two daughters - L. M. and Frankie. He has held the office of Supervisor two terms, and was Chairman of the Board during his last term ; he was chosen Mayor of the city in 1867, serving out a portion of the first Mayoralty under the new city charter ; he h;is held the office of President one term, and that of Secretary one term, of the Board of Education. He participated in the battles of Forts Henry, Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Parker's Cross Roads, Nashville, and many others ; he was wounded in the shoulder on the 9th day of April, 1865, in the assault on Fort Blakely, at Mobile ; this battle was fought after the war was virtually at an end.

R. L. EWINGr, retail grocer, Mattoon; was born in Coles Co., 111., Dec. 28, 1842; his father, William Ewing, familiarly known as 'Squire Ewing, came from Kentucky and settled upon the South Kickapoo, within the present limits of Coles Co., in the spring of 1 829 ; here he engaged in farming, and here the boyhood and early manhood of R. L. was passed upon the farm; his father died in 1866; he remained at home and had charge of the farm until 1873 ; he then purchased the homestead, and, the following year, sold out and came to Mattoon ; here he entered the employ of D. D. James, as clerk in his grain office, and, the following year, was in like employment for Hinkle & Kahn ; Nov. 1, 1876, he began his present business, with Thos. McCormiok as partner, under the firm name of McCormick & Ewing. He was married Dec. 31, 1863, to Sarah S. McDonald, a native of Illinois ; they have one child living - John W., and an infant son dead. He owns eighty acres of the old homestead ; is at present a member of the City Council.

MATTHIAS EVERHARTY, proprietor West Broadway Meat Market, Mattoon ; was born near Coblenz, Prussia, June 28, 1833 ; when he was but 4 years old, his parents emigrated to America, landing in Cincinnati July 4, 1837; here they settled, and his father was one of the earliest German gardeners that began the raising of vegetables for the Cincinnati market ; much of the land that he then cultivated in " garden sass " is now occupied with solid rows of substantial brick buildings. In 1849, young Everharty went to his trade - that of a butcher - at which he served as an apprentice three years ; he followed the business in Cincinnati till 1861, at which date he went out as butcher to the first German regiment, the 9th Ohio v. I., and was with various divisions of the army till 1863 ; on his return from the army, he remained a short time in Cincinnati, and, in November, 1863, he came to Mattoon and engaged in operating his present business. He was married, in 1854, to Elizabeth Horn, a native of France ; they have four children - Catharine, John J., Annie L. and Maggie. He owns real estate in the city - a residence, five acres of land and business property.

R. M. GRAY, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Pleasant Grove Tp., Coles Co., 111., Dec. 27, 1848 ; his father. James C, was one of the early pioneers of this section ; his early life was that of a farmer's sou ; in addition to his common school education, at the age of 19, he entered Westfield College, Clark Co., 111., and remained one year ; he next attended an academy in his native township, two years, under the supervision of Prof. T. J. Lee; in the fall of 1870, he entered the law department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in March, 1S73 ; he then entered the office of Maj. James A. Connolly, in Charleston, 111., and remained till the spring of 1875 ; he then came to Mattoon and entered upon the practice of his profession, in connection with H. W. Magee ; soon after locating, he was appointed City Attoraoy, and held the office one year; in 1877, he formed a co- partnership with Charles Bennett, which lasted one year; in 1876, he was elected State's Attorney for Coles Co., which position he now holds ; since the spring of 1878, he has been practicing his profession alone, and though comparatively young in the work, has already shown himself " a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. " 0. W. GOGIN, Justice of the Peace, Mattoon ; was born in Qincinnati, Ohio, in 1820 ; his father came from New Jersey and settled in Cincinnati in 1800 ; the family was six months making the journey, coming by teams to Pittsburgh, Penn., and thence floating down the Ohio in a keelboat to the point of destination ; here the family remained some twenty-odd years; in the spring of 1841, his father came West, and settled in Crawford Co., 111., where he began the labor of opening up a farm in the woods ; 0. W. was the youngest of the family, and remained at home till the death of his parents ; they lived to enjoy the companionship of each other through a half-century of wedded life, and were Consistent members of the M. E. Church for the same length of time. ^Squire Gogin moved to Mattoon in the fall of 18(3:^ ; here he engaged for some years in milling and in the fruit-growing business. He was married in 1842, to Eliza Eurle, a native of Virginia ; have four children - A. Dorr, Emma, Eola and Nellie. Has held the oflBce of Justice of the Peace, and transacts much business in the settlement of estates.

FRANK GARTHWAIT, auction and commission merchant, Mattoon ; was born in Terre Haute, lad., Oct. 18, 1838 ; his father was a wholesale and retail groceryman, and was one of the pioneers of the city ; Frank obtained his education at the city schools, and at the age of 15, began the life of a printer's devil in the Courier office ; here he remained three years under ! charge of J. Canard, editor and proprietor of the paper ; he next engaged in traveling and selling clocks for three years, and subsequently engaged in the sale of notions till 1861 ; he enlisted in the United States service in the fill of 1861, in Co. G, 43d Ind. V. I. ; in this he served three years ; he then raised a company, and served till the close of the war in the 149th E,egt. ; in this he went out as First Lieutenant, and was promoted to the Captaincy ; on his return, he engaged in the grocery trade in Terre Haute ; in the spring of 1871, he located in Springfield, and engaged in selling lightning-rods ; in October, 1871, he came to Mattoon, and engaged in the sale of pumps and lightning-rods; in the spring of 1872, he operated a marble- shop ; in January, 1874, he began his present line of business. He was married in 1865, to Ella Saunders, a native of Indiana ; she died in 1872 ; his second marriage, to Mrs. Laura Morgan, a native of Illinois, occurred in 1874 ; two children were born from first wedlock - Nettie, living, and Nellie, dead; one from second marriage - Daisy. He was chosen Mayor of the city in the spring of 1877 ; owns real estate in the city.

J. M. GIBBS, livery and sale stable, Mattoon ; was born near the South Kickapoo, in Coles Co., Ill, Jan. 28, 1841 ; his grandfather, Elijah Gibbs, was one of the early pioneers of this section, having come from Virginia, in an early day, to Ohio, and thence to Illinois ; his father. Homer Gibbs, was here_almost as early as the formation of the county ; his father was a carpenter by trade ; J. M. passed his early life on the farm, near Sullivan, Moultrie Co.; his education was obtained in the common schools ; at the age of 20 years, he began life for himself; in 1861, he began trading in horses and mules, and for three or four years, during the war, shipped to St. Louis stock purchased for the cavalry and artillery services ; after the close of the war, he engaged in shipping stock to the southern markets of New Orleans and Natchez ; this he continues to the present time; during the summer, he ships to Boston, Mass., though he has always bought and shipped in connection with I. N. Gibbs, his twin brother, yet they have never been in partnership. He was married Jan. 7, 1864, to Sallie Bridwell, a native of Louisville, Ky.; has five children - J. Emery, Carrie, Lewis, Martin W. and Isaac N.

ABRAM HASBROUCK, City Mayor, and dealer in hardware and agricultual implements, Mattoon ; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1825 ; his early life was passed upon the farm, and his education, such as was derived from the common schools ; he remained on the homestead uuabout 25 years of age ; in 1854, he came

West and first settled in Michigan ; here he engaged in operating a hotel ; in 1857, he moved to Milwaukee, and conducted the " Walker House " two years ; the winter of 1859 he spent in Chicago, not actively engaged in business; in 1860, he located in Mattoon, and opened his present business ; his is the pioneer hardware establishment of the city ; he was chosen Mayor of the city in the spring of 1878, and is deservedly popular as a city ofiicial and business man. He was married in 1855 to Louisa G. Smith, a native of Vermont; has one daughter - Helen S. Owns 140 acres in Coles Co., some fine business property in the city, and an eligible city residence.

J. F. HUGHES, attorney at law, Mattoon ; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 17, 1839 ; his early life was that of a farmer's son ; in addition to his commonschool education, he enjoyed the advantages of the Academy at Fredricksburg and Smithville, in his native county. April 19, 1861, he entered the U. S. service as a member of the 16th Ohio V. I., and served three months in West Virginia ; in July, 1862, he re- enlisted in the 102d Regiment for three years; was 1st Sergeant of Co. F. In October, 1865, he entered the Law Department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in the spring of 1867 ; he next associated himself with A. P. Green, and was engaged with him fifteen mouths in editing and publishing the Okaw Republican, at Sullivan ; in 1869, he was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his profession in Mattoon, in partnership with W. J. Henry, of Shelby ville; in 1872, the firm of Henry & Hughes was dissolved, aud in 1873, that of Steele & Hughes formed ; this was dissolved by the death of Mr. Steele, in July, 1877. He was married Sept. 17, 1874, to Julia Chrisman, a native of Jasper Co., 111.; has two children - Columbia and Arlington. Owns S5,000 worth of real estate.

J. W. HANNA, book and music store, Mattoon ; was born in Freeport, Harrison Co., Ohio, Dec. 2, 1848 ; he derived his education from the common schools, and, at the age of 13 years, began clerking in his father's general merchandising establishment at Deersville, Ohio; July 4, 1866, he came West, stopping a short time at

Preston, Minn., and, in September following, came to Mattoon, where he attended school rix months ; he then entered the employ of Finley & Richardson as clerk in their book store; in October, 1869, he and his brother James R., bought out the firm, and in May, 1871, sold out to a Mr. Decker; J. W. then formed a partnership with Geo. P. McDougal and opened a new" store; in 1872, McDougal retired, and the firm became that of Thieleus & Hanna ; in October, 1877, he sold out to Thieleus, and, Nov. 20 following, purchased his present business. He was married, July 25, to Mary E. Henderson, a native of Marion Co., Ohio ; four children have blessed their union - Gertrude, Ethel, William, living, Charles, deceased.

JOHN HUNT, meat-market, Mattoon; was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1837 ; his father came West to Illinois and settled in Jasper Co. in 1845; his early life was that of a farmer's boy, and his advantages for securing an education somewhat limited; most of his education he obtained in the schools of Xenia, Ohio, and as a student of Antioch College, after he had attained to manhood ; he left home at the age of 18 years, and engaged in teaching school some four years ; in 1860, he purchased a farm in Coles Co., and followed agricultural pursuits for ten years ; in 1870, he formed a partnership with J. L. Scntt, under the firm name of Hunt & Scott, and engaged in the grocery trade in Mattoon; in the spring of 1875, he retired from the firm, and for two years was engaged in buying and shipping horses and mules to the Southern market ; in 1876, he engaged in his present business. He was married in 1858 to Eliza J. Gowin, a native of North Carolina ; has two children - Alva and Orris. Has held the ofiice of Assessor for the past four years, and is also a member of the Board of Education on the East Side.

IRA JA]MES, wholesale dealer in coal oil, Mattoon ; was born in Dearborn (now Ohio) Co., Ind., May 24, 1826 ; Jiis father was a cotton and woolen manufacturer ; at the age of 17, he left home and engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mi-ssissippi Rivers for a period of about ten years ; he commanded during the time seven steamboats ; his first boating was in the packet trade from Rising Sun to Cincinnati ; aft- erward he entered the trade from New Orleans and Cincinnati; in 1853, he went to California and spent three years ; engaged a portion of the time in milling and the remainder in mining; in 1856, he returned to Rising Sun, Ind. ; he next made a tour through the Southern States of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, setting up machinery - cotton-screws, cottongins and steam machinery ; in November, 1857, he located in Mattoon Tp., and engaged in farming three years ; in 18G0,he moved to Mattoon, and, in 1861, was chosen Police Magistrate and served one year ; he next engaged in buying and shipping hay, and, in 1865, began dealing in grain ; in 1873, he retired from the grain trade and went to Southern Colorado, where he discovered the mines and laid out the town of Rosita ; here he spent most of two years ; in 1875, he returned to Mattoon, and, in connection with J. D. Herkimer, purchased the gas works, which he has since operated. He was married in 1859 to Cynthia A. Hendricks, a native of Illinois; she died Feb. 15, 1872; his second marriage to Jennie H. Crow, a native of Ohio, was celebrated Aug. 18, 1875; from first wedlock he has three sons - John Q., Frank P., Justin C. ; from second, two children - Harline and an infant daughter. Owns two-thirds of the gas works and 240 acres in Coles Co:; he does a large business in the wholesale oil trade, and is President of the Mattoon Gas- Light & Coke Co.

IRA B. JACKSON, insurance agent, Mattoon ; was born in Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind., Oct. 31, 1851 ; in 1855, his father removed with his family to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon Co., near Springfield ; his early life was that of a farmer's boy ; he acquired a good common-school education ; at the age of 1 8, he engaged in the business of photograph artist, which he followed two years ; in 1872, he completed a business course in the Commercial College, at Terre Haute, Ind. ; in 1874, he engaged in the grocery trade with Fallin Bros., under the firm name of Fallin Bros. & Jackson; in 1876, he retired from the firm and engaged in the fire insurance business; he at present represents one accident and sixteen leading fire insurance companies in Coles and Effingham Cos., aggregating in assets over $30,000,000 ; he also represents the Great Western Dispatch Co. He was married May 26, 1874, to Laura I. Carter, a native of Indiana ; has one child - Georgia. He is at present serving his second term of office as City and also Township Clerk.

THEO. JONTE, dealer in harness and saddles, Mattoon; was born in Nashville, Tenn., April 4, 1839; his father was a wholesale confectioner ; he received a good common-school education, and, at the age of 16 years, left home and came West, settling in Quincy, 111., where he engaged in working at his trade ; in the fall of 1861, he engaged in laboring for the U. S. Government in the making of cavalry equipments ; the

House. Watts, Charles, foreman . Wright, James, farmer. Weaver, J. W., farmer. Willingham, J. H., farmer. Waters, L. M., laborer. White, William H., farmer. Waters, George W., farmer. Weaver, Henry, farmer. Walker, Edward, horse-trader. Wissel, Peter, farmer. Wiley, Eli, attorney at law. Young, T. J., farmer. Young, C. M., sewing machines. Young, Robert, sewing machines.

man. Herber, Israel, carpenter. Hunt, John, butcher. Hoddy, Nelson, groceryman. Haskill, C. A., laborer. Holmes, George, carpenter. Hogue, John B., tile manufacturer. Howell, S. W., carpenter. Heath, N. P., minister M. E. (Uiurch. Hardy, Charles, engineer disp. Horn, Joseph, tailor. Harris, J. B., collector. Hodeger, George. Huston, J. B., laborer. Henly, L. C, attorney. Horn, George, tailor. Hunt, B. F., cooper. Hennessee, Pat., groceryman. Hodly, 0. E., groceryman. Handford, G. F., boot and shoe dealer. Hasbrook, A. V., hardware dealer. Hanna, John W., books and stationery. Hennessee, John, carpenter. Hayden, Mathew, laborer I. & St. L. R. R. Huffman, E., laborer. Handsucker, Joseph, laborer in railroad

St. L. R. R. Henry, A. M., Dr., physician. Hawes, J. S., saloon-keeper. Hoff, Joseph, shoemaker. Higdon, J. J., shoemaker. Heap, Harry, works in R. R. shops. Hightsman, Wm., works in R. R. shops. Hall, Jeff M., carpenter. Herman, Theodore, expressman. Herman, John, lal)orer. Hodgson, E., ice dealer. Harison, Bela, farmer. Heath, John, farmer. Harding, Harriet, Mrs. Handraham, Michael, Jr., laborer. Henly, James, laborer. Hamilton, Wm., laborer. Hortenstine, Jacob, laborer. Holland, Ambrose, laborer. Hyner, C. C, farmer. Hartenstine, John, farmer. Hunt, Philip O., farmer. Hays, B. F., drayman. Herkimer, J. D., farmer. Hinkle, W. S., wall-paper dealer Isaac, Samuel, clothier. Isgrigg, M., laborer. . Igo, B., watchman D. M.. & S. R. R. James, Ira, President gas company. Jones, Riley, painter. Jennings, J., grain-dealer. Jennings. E., grain-dealer. Joseph, H., jeweler. Jout, Theo., saddle and harness maker. Jones, W. H., laborer. Johnson, John T., cooper. Jones, Charles II., farmer. Jones, Henry, Col., barber. Jackson, Ira B., insurance agent.

Tax-Payers Of Coles County

Richmond, J., City Mill proprietor. Robb, Charles, laborer. Raw, George, laborer. Run, I., laljorer. Raw, Thomas, laborer. Rudy, J. O., real estate and life insu rane