COIL, ALBERT STOUT , one of the dominant factors in politics in Cass County, and a dealer in realty on an extensive scale, is one of the representative men who have established and maintained the prestige of Beardstown. He was born in Lincoln County, Mo., October 24, 1860, a son of Jacob Y. and Victoria O. (Young) Coil, natives of Kentucky and Ohio. the grandfather went to Ohio in young manhood and died when his son, Jacob Y., was a child. the grandmother married (second) a man named Hall, in Missouri. Jacob Y. Coil and his wife were married in Ohio, and then went down the Ohio River, and up the Mississippi to Lincoln County, Mo., settling on a farm, where he died in 1872. In the following year the mother and her six children moved to Adrian County, Mo., and located on a farm.

In 1877, Albert S. Coil came to Pike County, Ill., and worked first in a livery stable and drove a stage for a year, after which he was employed in a flour mill. In 1880 he reached Virginia, Ill., and started as an apprentice to the printing trade. On February 16, 1888, he moved to Beardstown and bought the Enterprise printing establishment, but in December, 1894, sold a half interest to Charles A. Schoffer, they remaining together until January, 1914. they issued a weekly paper until 1893, when it was made a tri-weekly, and in March, 1901, a morning daily, which they published until January 3, 1914. On that date the Enterprise and Illinoisan-Star offices were consolidated. The morning Enterprise and weekly Star were discontinued but the Evening Star and weekly Enterprise were continued. Mr. Coil in the meantime had been dealing in real estate, and his business along this line assumed such proportions that in 1914 he found it expedient to withdraw from the newspaper, and devote all of his attention to real estate. He has been very active in politics. In 1893 he was appointed postmaster of Beardstown, by President Cleveland, and acted as such until 1897. In 1899 he was elected county assessor and treasurer, and held these offices for four years. Since 1903 he has served as a member of the board of education, and has always been an active worker in Democratic circles. He has been a delegate to nearly all of the Cass County Democratic conventions, as well as others for many years. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Court of honor, and Independent Order of Foresters.

In August, 1880, Mr. Coil was married to Dora Brandom, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., who died in 1894. their children were: Mable, who is Mrs. C. F. Noeker of Virginia, Ill.; Grace, who is Mrs. Richard R. Jokisch, of Bluff Springs, Ill.; Arthur L., who is of Beardstown; Harry; Bessie, who is Mrs. George Colvin. Mr. Colvin being a grocer of Beardstown; Ruth, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Verna, who is Mrs. Martin B. Sands of Springfield, Ill. Mr. Coil married (second) Mable C. Eggleston of Lake Charles, La., born in New York state, a daughter of Col. J. W. Eggleston, who now resides at Shreveport, La. Their two children are: Alberta, aged six years, and Dorothy, aged five years.