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 OBERT I. COLEY is a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 1, East Oakland
Township. He is the son of William and
Elizabeth (McClain) Coley, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, and was born
Nov. 30, 1825, in Mason County, Ky. His father
served as a private in the War of 1812, and was
stationed at Norfolk, Va. He was a carpenter by
trade and also engaged to some extent in farming.
He moved from Kentucky to Greencastle, Ind., in
about the year 1831, where he followed his trade
for one year. He then entered a tract of land and
turned his attention more exclusively to farming.
He remained in Indiana until 1851, when he removed to Pike County, Ill., settling near Pittsfield,
where he spent the last days of his life. His death
occurred Aug. 5, 1874. He was born in 1799, and
was married in about the year 1823. For many
years he was a Deacon in the Christian Church, and
was actively engaged in promoting its interests.
His wife was born Oct. 10, 1802, and died Nov. 16,
1878. She also was a member and earnest worker
in the Church of Christ. The following is the record of their family of twelve children: Three died in infancy; Robert I.; Nancy A. married William Brown, and is now deceased ; Albert G. married Miss Southerland, and resides in Pike County, Ill.; Lewis J. married Miss Rooks, and is deceased; Eliza E. married Jesse Crow; Thomas H. married Martha Goodin; he was formerly a well-known teacher, and in 1868 was elected County Treasurer of Pike County, Ill. John L. married Miss Mary Weaver; Ann E. is the wife of William Duffleld; Mary F. married William Goodin, and is now deceased. Robert I. Coley, the subject of this biography, was married Nov. 25, 1851. in Hendricks County, Ind., to Miss Elizabeth R. Kennedy, the ceremony being performed by Rev. John Edwards, Pastor of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Coley was born Oct. 13, 1829, in Hendricks County, Ind., and is the daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Dodson) Kennedy. Her father, Jesse Kennedy, was a native of Virginia, where he was born in 1792. In 1853 he moved to Newtown, Iowa, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring Sept. 27, 1874. He was married three times; the first time in March, 1817; the second, April 29, 1841, and the third Jan. 1, 1855. His children were all by his first wife, and the following is the record: Maria, born March 27, 1818, was married to Isaac Kelly, in 1836; Mary, born Feb. 18, 1820; Stockton D., Dec. 25, 1821 ; Catherine A. Dec. 18, 1823; Leonard D., Dec. 28, 1825; Olive J., Sept. 4, 1827; Elizabeth R., Oct. 13, 1829; Jessie R., June 9, 1831; Thomas T., Dec. 8, 1834; Solomon E., born May 21, 1836, is deceased; Simeon, born Dec. 25, 1837, deceased; Joseph C., born March 19, 1839. Robert I. Coley came with his family to this township in October, 1858, where he first purchased eighty acres of land. He has constantly added to this until he now has a fine estate of 114 acres. He was brought up to the printer’s trade, in which he was very successful during the early part of his life, but since his removal to this township he has given his attention more exclusively to farming and stock-raising. In the latter pursuit he gives special attention to the breeding of Poland-China hogs. The family of our subject and wife comprises nine children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Laura E., born Dec. 30, 1852, is the wife of James W. Leitch; Origen V., born Sept. 5, 1854; Henry C., May 4, 1856; Horace B., March 7, 1858; Charles D., May 6, 1860; May J., Feb. 8, 1862; Carrie E., April 21, 1866; Jessie F., June 21, 1870; Albert L., Feb. 28, 1872. Mr. Coley is a Deacon in the Christian Church, in which organization himself and wife have been active members for many years. In politics he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. His property is mostly invested in his farm and stock. His family has long been well known and highly respected in the community, and six of his children are or have been school teachers. |
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