COHOON, Orville S.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago:
Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 1207-1208
Orville S. COHOON, a well known and enterprising farmer of Boone County [IL], residing in
Flora Township, section 12, is a native of PA, born in Green Township, Erie County, 29 Oct
1833. His father, John COHOON, was born in the town of Milo, Yates County, NY, 20
Mar 1812, and passed the first eight years of his life in his father's home on the banks
of Seneca Lake, whence he removed with his parents to Erie County, PA.
The paternal grandparents of our subject, Steward and Charity (CULVER) COHOON, were
natives respectively of CT and England. The grandfather moved from his birthplace to
the State of NY at an early day, and was an officer in the War of 1812. He married
Miss Charity CULVER for his second wife, and in March 1820 removed from Yates County, NY,
with ox teams and sleds, and settled with his large family in Erie County, PA, becoming
one of the pioneers of the highlands and dense forests of that county. He remained
there until his death, which occurred at Gospel Hill about 1840. His wife died in
Columbia County, WI, 10 Jan 1855, at the advanced age of 87. The paternal great
grandfather of our subject, Nathaniel COHOON, was born in CT, and tradition says that his
parents were Hollanders. He died and was buried in Mill Creek Township, Erie County,
PA, in Jan 1827.
John COHOON, father of our subject, was married 10 Feb 1831 to Miss Fanny WAIT, and their
three children are all living at this date (1892): Orville S., Justina M., and
Arlington R. Mrs. Fanny COHOON was born was born 26 Jul 1806, and died 02 Oct 1876.
She was a faithful, devoted wife and a true and loving mother. Her family and
domestic cares were the pleasure of her life, and she won the regard of all whom she met.
Her life was that of a practical Christian, and during her more than 70 years of
life she never attended a theatre or circus.
The first born of the family is the subject of this sketch, who is only a little more than
21 years younger than his father. His early education was acquired under some
difficulties, for in those early days the enforcement of the Schoolrate Bill threw the
payment of the teacher's salary almost entirely upon the man who had a large family.
He remembers the scenes of pioneer life and the hardships of existence amid
primitive surroundings. Postage of 25 cents was charged on letters, which were
folded instead of being placed in envelopes. At the age of 18 he taught one term of
school in Erie County, PA, and then in 1852, with his father, removed to Porter County,
IN, where he resided one year and taught school one term.
On 17 Jun 1853 Mr. COHOON arrived in Belvidere, Boone County, IL, and embarked in business
as a merchant, continuing thus engaged for about two years. In the summer of 1855 he
engaged in the carpenter's and builder's work, during which time he erected several houses
in South Belvidere. He built the first house, with the exception of one buiding
known as the old Otis CASWELL farm house, and one car shanty standing on the present site
of the South Baptist Church, east of Pearl Street and south of Logan Avenue, and which was
located on the corner of Whitney and Second Streets. In the spring of 1856 he took a
course in Bacon's Mercantile College at Madiosn [Dane County], WI, which was among the
pioneer business institutions in the country. During the remainder of that year he
was engaged in closing up a large amount of property interests for his father.
The marriage of Orville S. COHOON, 26 Mar 1857, united him with Miss Juliett R. WOOSTER,
of Beloit [Rock County], WI, and the young couple located on the farm he now owns and
occupies on 08 Apr following [08 Apr 1857]. Mrs. Juliettt COHOON died 04 Apr 1864,
and was buried at Beloit, WI. our subject continued thereafter in agricultural
pursuits, which had previously occupied his attention, and [p 1208] followed literally the
injunction given by Solomon that after you have taken hold of the plow, never look back.
He divided and subdivided his farm into fields of convenient size, suitable for the
pasturage of stock and the raising of grain, and also aided in opening roads and building
bridges and embellished his farm with substantial barns and a neat residence, and notably
with trees and shrubery.
In all his labors our subject has received the efficient aid of his devoted wife, to whom
he was married 26 Jan 1865. She was formerly Miss Anna H. FIELD, of Whitmore Lake,
MI, and was born at Niagara Falls [Niagara County], NY, 09 Oct 1829. Having no
children of their own, they have reared two children, a boy and a girl, who are now
married and have families of their own. Their farm and home is their paradise, and
they have ever retained their faith in the great Master Spirit of the Universe as the
Master of the situation, in whose hands they rest their care with perfect assurance that
after the acts of this life have been played, the next will be on a grander scale, filled
with opportunities that all may reach, and that on the shores of eternity there will be no
friction of mind and heart, but all will be peace and happiness forever more.
Submitted by Cathy Kubly.