 |
 J. PINNELL, a retired farmer, and a
prominent resident of Charleston, first
opened his eyes to the light in the Blue
Grass regions, his birth taking place in
Old ham County, Ky., Jan. 14, 1821. He is the son
of Edward and Nancy (Ross) Pinnell, the former
a native of Culpeper County, Va., and the mother
born in the same county as our subject. The birth
of Edward Pinnell took place March 23, 1795, and
his youth and boyhood were passed amid the stern
scenes of conflict with the mother country, himself
engaged in the War of 1812, and receiving afterward for his services a pension for the balance of
his life. He was but twenty-one years of age when
he became a resident of Kentucky, and engaged
there in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1830.
He had in the meantime been married, and at this
date determining to try his fortunes in the West,
came to Edgar County, and commenced farming
on 260 acres in Kansas Township. He was a man
of great energy, and at the same time established a
store of general merchandise in connection with his
farm. Through his own efforts Edward Pinnell had become fairly well educated, and his deep piety constrained him to devote a part of his time to the spread of the Gospel. He commenced preaching in the Christian Church in 1832, and for a series of years rode through Edgar, Coles and Clark Counties, establishing societies, building up the faint- hearted, and in every sense of the word “doing good as he had opportunity.” His influence was also exerted in the establishment and maintenance of schools, and every other measure which had for its object the moral and intellectual welfare of the people. These traits he had inherited in a large measure from his father, John Pinnell, who descended from substantial Scotch ancestry, and who settled in Virginia at an early day, where John Pinnell was born and reared his family. The children of Edward and Nancy Pinnell were five in number, three only now living, viz.: Andrew J., of our sketch; Rachel M., the wife of J. K. Boyer, of Kansas, Ill., and Margaret M., Mrs. T. Atkins, of Dakota. The mother departed this life at the homestead in Edgar County, Nov. 19, 1864. Mr. P. survived his wife several years, dying March 16, 1879. Our subject came with his parents to Edgar County, Ill., when a boy nine years of age, and continued on the farm until reaching his majority. In the meantime he had pursued his primary studies in the common schools, and later returned to his native county, where, after a thorough course in the school near Brownsboro, Ky., he graduated in the common branches, and commenced teaching when nineteen years of age. Later he returned to Kansas Township, and followed teaching there for a year, after which he resumed farming with his father, receiving for his labors a part of the proceeds. Four years afterward he invested his savings in eighty acres of good land in Ashmore Township, this county, upon which he effected good improvements and occupied five years. Then, deciding to change his location he sold out, abandoned farming for the time, and engaged as clerk in the dry-goods store of J. K. and W. F. Boyer, with whom he remained until the fall of 1862. Resolving now to try country life once more Mr. Pinnell purchased a quarter section of land in Hickory Township, of which he took possession, and to which in due time he added 125 acres, devoting the whole to the raising of grain and stock. He retained possession of this farm until the fall of 1865, then sold out and purchased 220 acres in Charleston Township, two miles east of the city. After occupying this several years, and instituting good improvements, he engaged in merchandising, first as a clerk in Charleston, then on his own account, in connection with others, in Kansas, Edgar County, his stock consisting of hardware and agricultural implements, in which he built up a good trade and continued four years. He did not, however, feel entirely at ease until he once more came in possession of real estate in the country, and accordingly purchased back the old farm in Charleston Township, upon which he moved, and which he occupied until 1883. The flight of years had now admonished him that it was time to rest, and, as much perhaps through the influence of friends as his own inclinations, he rented his farm, purchased a fine house in Charleston, and repaired thither, where he has since remained. Adjoining his properly were two desirable houses and lots, of which he has secured possession, and from the rents of which he realizes a good income. The lady who has presided over the houshold affairs of our subject, and been his closest friend and counselor for a period of over thirty years, was formerly Miss Eliza A., the daughter of John Poulter, who located in Edgar County in 1830. Mr. P. was a native of Jefferson County, Ky., and passed his youth and boyhood in the Blue Grass regions, where he married, and whence he came with his young wife to this State. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pinnell only two survive: James H. married Miss Ella H. Clement, of White Hall, Greene Co., Ill., and is farming in Charleston Township; they have four children Lulu, Mary, Otto and George. Winfleld S. married Miss Sarah H. Whitney, of Charleston, and is engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement trade in Kansas, Edgar County; their three children are named respectively Flavie, Frederick and Bessie. While a resident of Hickory Grove Township Mr. Piunell represented his fellow-citizens on the County Board of Supervisors, and served as School Treasurer. Since becoming a resident of Charleston he has officiated as Assessor; he was Township Trustee while in Kansas. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Christian Church. Mr. P. is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Kansas, and in all respects has distinguished himself as one of the industrious and enterprising citizens to whom Coles County is indebted for its growth and prosperity. |
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