Biographies

William H. Coleman – Biography

WILLIAM H. COLEMAN, general farmer and stock-raiser, running the large cattle farm of 320 acres, and also owner of nearly 600 acres in the precinct of Philadelphia, all in Cass County, has lived in the county for thirty-two years, has always been engaged as a farmer and has always been quite successful. He began here as a poor man and worked for $10 a month for the first four years, and after that began to farm on the Calef farm, which he has since run as a renter. Out of his savings, he has purchased the large farm of 600 … Read more

John F. Robinson- Biography

  JohnF. Robinson  JOHNF. ROBINSON, County Clerk of Cass county, is one of the prominent and influentialmen of the county. He is eminently a self-made man. Beginning life a poorboy, he has worked his way up to his present position of wealth and influence,being now classed with the leading citizens of his county. A review ofhis life gives the following facts: JohnF. Robinson was born in Crawford county, Ohio, May 31, 1851. His father,Andrew D. Robinson, was a native of the same State, and a son of JamesRobinson, one of the pioneers of Ohio. Andrew D. was quite young when … Read more

Thomas Ryan Biography

 ThomasRyan  THOMAS RYAN, Supervisorof Buena Vista township, resides on section 20, Schuyler county, Illinois.He was born October 20, 1845, and raised in this county. His parents wereCharles and Margaret (Strong) Ryan. His father was born in Ohio, but removedwith his parents to Frederick, Illinois, where he married, and settledin Buena Vista township in 1833. He was a brickmaker, and burnt the firstbrick ever made in Rushville. He also worked at the shoemaker’s trade.He finally located on land in section 21, where he improved this farm of120 acres, besides which he owned 320 acres more. He erected good substantialbuildings on this … Read more