Married first wife Harriett Hull who died 1842. They had a daughter Mary who died in infancy.
Married second wife Mary Diantha Walling
Children:
Henry Miles Coe b. 6/21/1848
Isaac Newton Coe b. 12/9/1852
Levi Walling Coe b. 9/21/1855
Jessie Fremont Coe b. 1/9/1857
Aurora Blanche Coe b. 4/8/1860
Simeon Maltby Coe b. 8/7/1863
Frederick William Coe b. 7/19/1866
Mary Rebecca Coe b. 3/11/1869
Simeon Miles Coe, a farmer in Whiteside County, "jumped" a claim on Section 33 in what is now Jordan Township, on the 10th of April, 1835, nine months prior to the separation of the county from Jo Daviess County. There were then three families resident within the limits of what is now Whiteside County, who had come here in 1834. At Dixon there was one double log house, owned by a man of that name who was engaged in farming on the site of the present beautiful city. Mr. Coe was guided in his selection by what he believed a necessity, his object being to secure timber land, which predomiinated where he located. The settlers who had come here from places where prairies were unknown did not believe the immense tracts of treeless acres would ever be settled, on the premise that it was impossible for humanity to endure the winter winds. The absence of landmarks on the sweeping expanse destitute of trees made them appalling.
Mr. Coe built a log cabin in the edge of the timber, and broke 20 acres of prairie, putting in grain and vegetables. He lived alone in bachelor freedom three years, and on the event of his marriage, in 1838, he built the best log cabin in the county for the reception of his bride, Harriet Hull, to whom he was joined in marriage in the winter of 1838, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., and she came in very early life with her parents to Illinois, who located at Buffalo Grove, Ogle County. She died in 1842. Mary, the only child born to her, died in infancy. June 22, 1847, Mr. Coe was married to Mary D., daughter of Levi and Mary (Kress) Walling. She was born March 27, 1824, in Barrington, Yates Co., N. Y. Her father was of German origin, and her mother was a descendant of one of the early Dutch settlers of the State of New York, whose second generation settled in New Jersey. Levi Walling held a commission in the war of 1812, and was by calling a farmer. He removed in 1846 to Sterling, Whiteside County. He died there in 1868, and was about 75 years of age. The mother of Mrs. Coe traced her ancestry to the earliest settlers in this country. They were Puritans and held to the most rigid regulations of the sect. The landed property of the grandfather is held by Isaac Kress, a descendant in direct line. Mrs. Coe was reared and educated in the State of New York, and was 22 years of age when she accompanied her parents to Illinois. A year later she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Coe, and they have had eight children, namely: Levi W. (2nd) died in infancy; Henry W., born June 21 1848, is married and lives in Lee Co., IL; Isaac N. was born Dec. 9, 1852, is married and lives at Ellendale, Dak.; Levi W. (2d) was born Sept. 21, 1855; Jesse F. was born Jan. 9, 1857, and lives in Iowa, Aurora B. was born April 8, 1860, and is teaching in Lee Co., Ill.; Simon M. was born Aug. 7,1863; Fred W., July 19, 1866; Mary R. July 11, 1869.
Mr. Coe was born March 12, 1810, in Paris Township, Oneida Co., N. Y. His father, Simeon M. Coe, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 29, 1784. His immediate ancestors descended from several brothers who came from England and were the founders of a lineage, where succeeding generations have continued in the vocation of their progenitors, who were farmers, and who have sustained the prestige of an honorable name. Simeon Coe and Joshua Miles, his grandfathers, were both soldiers of the Revolution, and the latter became a Captain in the command of General Putnam. The diffusion of generations have settled in New England, New York and Ohio. Simeon M. Coe, senior, descended from the New England branch of the family, and married, Sept. 1, 1807, Mary Miles, who was born in Connecticut. After their marriage they removed to Oneida Co., N. Y., and located near the city of Utica, which then had no existence. They were pioneers and Mr. Coe cleared and otherwise improved two farms. They had 13 children, all but one attaining mature age. Lucy M. married George Stull and is deceased. Mr. Coe of this sketch is next in order of birth. George A., Frederick W., Henry A. and Albert S. are not living. Jonathan F. and Decius O. succeeded them in birth. Adeline E. married Thomas Stevens and is deceased. Helen A. is a resident of Whiteside County, as are all the survivors. Marcus L. died in Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., Ill. Mortimer S. is the youngest.
When Mr. Coe of this sketch was a child of less than four years of age, his parents went, in the winter of 1814-15 to Monroe Co., N. Y., traveling on sleds drawn by ox teams. The family located in the dense forest of Monroe County, where the woods were so thick that in portions the light of day was softened to a mellow twilight, and at the bases of the huge trees grew the Indian pipe, a plant six inches in height, and in color and appearance like white wax. After a residence of more than 20 years, in the fall of 1838, the parents removed to Sterling Township, where the father died May 18, 1848:
The mother died in October, 1857. The former was a man of ability, and in 1840 was made a member of the County Commissioners Court, a tribunal which was succeeded in 1849 by the County Court. He was a Whig, and was always active in local political affairs. He and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Coe was reared to manhood in Monroe County, obtaining an excellent common-school education, which he made available as a teacher, and was engaged in that vocation four winters. He remained on his father's farm in the State of New York until he was 25 years of age, aiding in the improvement of the homestead. The family was large, and the high price of land rendered the prospects of advancement to young ambitions rather narrow. Mr. Cae inherited his proclivities for an agricultural life, and his chief incentive to his removal to Illinois was a desire to secure a broader opportunity for the life of effort which was the height of his ambition. He came West in company with Isaac Albertson and John Albertson, twin brothers, who had the same purposes in view. After looking about other parts of the State they went to Joliet, but Mr. Coe accepted the judgment of a man named Philip Townsend, and came to Whiteside County. One of the unique experiences of the bachelor life of Mr. Coe was his manufacture of a pair of pantaloons. He understood that it was necessary that the seams should be pressed, and he accomplished that accessory to fine tailoring, by the aid of an iron wedge. Mr. Coe's first purchase of land comprised 160 acres, and has made later purchases, until he is now the owner of 273 acres, all being under good tillage. The work of improvement has been done by his own hands and under his supervision, and the family occupy a frame house on section 34. The ruins of the first log cabin are still standing, and a tree which is growing up through it marks the first home of civilization in Jordan Township. The tree is two feet in diameter. On section 34 Mr. Coe set out an evergreen grove of various kinds of trees. In conformity with the recommendation of Horace Greeley, he set out a balsam tree as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln in 1865, which is now 30 feet in height.
Mr. Coe was a Whig when he first obtained the privileges of citizenship, but he had an admiration for the character of Andrew Jackson, for whom he cast his first Presidential vote. He is a Republican of positive stamp, and all the male members of the family to which he belongs support the issues of that political element. He has been unflinching in his local duties, and has held the office of Supervisor of his township seven years; he has also served several terms as Clerk, and has acted 16 years in the capacity of Treasurer. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Portrait & Biographical Pg 419
Married second wife Mary Diantha Walling
Children:
Henry Miles Coe b. 6/21/1848
Isaac Newton Coe b. 12/9/1852
Levi Walling Coe b. 9/21/1855
Jessie Fremont Coe b. 1/9/1857
Aurora Blanche Coe b. 4/8/1860
Simeon Maltby Coe b. 8/7/1863
Frederick William Coe b. 7/19/1866
Mary Rebecca Coe b. 3/11/1869
Simeon Miles Coe, a farmer in Whiteside County, "jumped" a claim on Section 33 in what is now Jordan Township, on the 10th of April, 1835, nine months prior to the separation of the county from Jo Daviess County. There were then three families resident within the limits of what is now Whiteside County, who had come here in 1834. At Dixon there was one double log house, owned by a man of that name who was engaged in farming on the site of the present beautiful city. Mr. Coe was guided in his selection by what he believed a necessity, his object being to secure timber land, which predomiinated where he located. The settlers who had come here from places where prairies were unknown did not believe the immense tracts of treeless acres would ever be settled, on the premise that it was impossible for humanity to endure the winter winds. The absence of landmarks on the sweeping expanse destitute of trees made them appalling.
Mr. Coe built a log cabin in the edge of the timber, and broke 20 acres of prairie, putting in grain and vegetables. He lived alone in bachelor freedom three years, and on the event of his marriage, in 1838, he built the best log cabin in the county for the reception of his bride, Harriet Hull, to whom he was joined in marriage in the winter of 1838, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., and she came in very early life with her parents to Illinois, who located at Buffalo Grove, Ogle County. She died in 1842. Mary, the only child born to her, died in infancy. June 22, 1847, Mr. Coe was married to Mary D., daughter of Levi and Mary (Kress) Walling. She was born March 27, 1824, in Barrington, Yates Co., N. Y. Her father was of German origin, and her mother was a descendant of one of the early Dutch settlers of the State of New York, whose second generation settled in New Jersey. Levi Walling held a commission in the war of 1812, and was by calling a farmer. He removed in 1846 to Sterling, Whiteside County. He died there in 1868, and was about 75 years of age. The mother of Mrs. Coe traced her ancestry to the earliest settlers in this country. They were Puritans and held to the most rigid regulations of the sect. The landed property of the grandfather is held by Isaac Kress, a descendant in direct line. Mrs. Coe was reared and educated in the State of New York, and was 22 years of age when she accompanied her parents to Illinois. A year later she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Coe, and they have had eight children, namely: Levi W. (2nd) died in infancy; Henry W., born June 21 1848, is married and lives in Lee Co., IL; Isaac N. was born Dec. 9, 1852, is married and lives at Ellendale, Dak.; Levi W. (2d) was born Sept. 21, 1855; Jesse F. was born Jan. 9, 1857, and lives in Iowa, Aurora B. was born April 8, 1860, and is teaching in Lee Co., Ill.; Simon M. was born Aug. 7,1863; Fred W., July 19, 1866; Mary R. July 11, 1869.
Mr. Coe was born March 12, 1810, in Paris Township, Oneida Co., N. Y. His father, Simeon M. Coe, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 29, 1784. His immediate ancestors descended from several brothers who came from England and were the founders of a lineage, where succeeding generations have continued in the vocation of their progenitors, who were farmers, and who have sustained the prestige of an honorable name. Simeon Coe and Joshua Miles, his grandfathers, were both soldiers of the Revolution, and the latter became a Captain in the command of General Putnam. The diffusion of generations have settled in New England, New York and Ohio. Simeon M. Coe, senior, descended from the New England branch of the family, and married, Sept. 1, 1807, Mary Miles, who was born in Connecticut. After their marriage they removed to Oneida Co., N. Y., and located near the city of Utica, which then had no existence. They were pioneers and Mr. Coe cleared and otherwise improved two farms. They had 13 children, all but one attaining mature age. Lucy M. married George Stull and is deceased. Mr. Coe of this sketch is next in order of birth. George A., Frederick W., Henry A. and Albert S. are not living. Jonathan F. and Decius O. succeeded them in birth. Adeline E. married Thomas Stevens and is deceased. Helen A. is a resident of Whiteside County, as are all the survivors. Marcus L. died in Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., Ill. Mortimer S. is the youngest.
When Mr. Coe of this sketch was a child of less than four years of age, his parents went, in the winter of 1814-15 to Monroe Co., N. Y., traveling on sleds drawn by ox teams. The family located in the dense forest of Monroe County, where the woods were so thick that in portions the light of day was softened to a mellow twilight, and at the bases of the huge trees grew the Indian pipe, a plant six inches in height, and in color and appearance like white wax. After a residence of more than 20 years, in the fall of 1838, the parents removed to Sterling Township, where the father died May 18, 1848:
The mother died in October, 1857. The former was a man of ability, and in 1840 was made a member of the County Commissioners Court, a tribunal which was succeeded in 1849 by the County Court. He was a Whig, and was always active in local political affairs. He and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Coe was reared to manhood in Monroe County, obtaining an excellent common-school education, which he made available as a teacher, and was engaged in that vocation four winters. He remained on his father's farm in the State of New York until he was 25 years of age, aiding in the improvement of the homestead. The family was large, and the high price of land rendered the prospects of advancement to young ambitions rather narrow. Mr. Cae inherited his proclivities for an agricultural life, and his chief incentive to his removal to Illinois was a desire to secure a broader opportunity for the life of effort which was the height of his ambition. He came West in company with Isaac Albertson and John Albertson, twin brothers, who had the same purposes in view. After looking about other parts of the State they went to Joliet, but Mr. Coe accepted the judgment of a man named Philip Townsend, and came to Whiteside County. One of the unique experiences of the bachelor life of Mr. Coe was his manufacture of a pair of pantaloons. He understood that it was necessary that the seams should be pressed, and he accomplished that accessory to fine tailoring, by the aid of an iron wedge. Mr. Coe's first purchase of land comprised 160 acres, and has made later purchases, until he is now the owner of 273 acres, all being under good tillage. The work of improvement has been done by his own hands and under his supervision, and the family occupy a frame house on section 34. The ruins of the first log cabin are still standing, and a tree which is growing up through it marks the first home of civilization in Jordan Township. The tree is two feet in diameter. On section 34 Mr. Coe set out an evergreen grove of various kinds of trees. In conformity with the recommendation of Horace Greeley, he set out a balsam tree as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln in 1865, which is now 30 feet in height.
Mr. Coe was a Whig when he first obtained the privileges of citizenship, but he had an admiration for the character of Andrew Jackson, for whom he cast his first Presidential vote. He is a Republican of positive stamp, and all the male members of the family to which he belongs support the issues of that political element. He has been unflinching in his local duties, and has held the office of Supervisor of his township seven years; he has also served several terms as Clerk, and has acted 16 years in the capacity of Treasurer. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Portrait & Biographical Pg 419
Married first wife Harriett Hull who died 1842. They had a daughter Mary who died in infancy.
Married second wife Mary Diantha Walling
Children:
Henry Miles Coe b. 6/21/1848
Isaac Newton Coe b. 12/9/1852
Levi Walling Coe b. 9/21/1855
Jessie Fremont Coe b. 1/9/1857
Aurora Blanche Coe b. 4/8/1860
Simeon Maltby Coe b. 8/7/1863
Frederick William Coe b. 7/19/1866
Mary Rebecca Coe b. 3/11/1869
Simeon Miles Coe, a farmer in Whiteside County, "jumped" a claim on Section 33 in what is now Jordan Township, on the 10th of April, 1835, nine months prior to the separation of the county from Jo Daviess County. There were then three families resident within the limits of what is now Whiteside County, who had come here in 1834. At Dixon there was one double log house, owned by a man of that name who was engaged in farming on the site of the present beautiful city. Mr. Coe was guided in his selection by what he believed a necessity, his object being to secure timber land, which predomiinated where he located. The settlers who had come here from places where prairies were unknown did not believe the immense tracts of treeless acres would ever be settled, on the premise that it was impossible for humanity to endure the winter winds. The absence of landmarks on the sweeping expanse destitute of trees made them appalling.
Mr. Coe built a log cabin in the edge of the timber, and broke 20 acres of prairie, putting in grain and vegetables. He lived alone in bachelor freedom three years, and on the event of his marriage, in 1838, he built the best log cabin in the county for the reception of his bride, Harriet Hull, to whom he was joined in marriage in the winter of 1838, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., and she came in very early life with her parents to Illinois, who located at Buffalo Grove, Ogle County. She died in 1842. Mary, the only child born to her, died in infancy. June 22, 1847, Mr. Coe was married to Mary D., daughter of Levi and Mary (Kress) Walling. She was born March 27, 1824, in Barrington, Yates Co., N. Y. Her father was of German origin, and her mother was a descendant of one of the early Dutch settlers of the State of New York, whose second generation settled in New Jersey. Levi Walling held a commission in the war of 1812, and was by calling a farmer. He removed in 1846 to Sterling, Whiteside County. He died there in 1868, and was about 75 years of age. The mother of Mrs. Coe traced her ancestry to the earliest settlers in this country. They were Puritans and held to the most rigid regulations of the sect. The landed property of the grandfather is held by Isaac Kress, a descendant in direct line. Mrs. Coe was reared and educated in the State of New York, and was 22 years of age when she accompanied her parents to Illinois. A year later she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Coe, and they have had eight children, namely: Levi W. (2nd) died in infancy; Henry W., born June 21 1848, is married and lives in Lee Co., IL; Isaac N. was born Dec. 9, 1852, is married and lives at Ellendale, Dak.; Levi W. (2d) was born Sept. 21, 1855; Jesse F. was born Jan. 9, 1857, and lives in Iowa, Aurora B. was born April 8, 1860, and is teaching in Lee Co., Ill.; Simon M. was born Aug. 7,1863; Fred W., July 19, 1866; Mary R. July 11, 1869.
Mr. Coe was born March 12, 1810, in Paris Township, Oneida Co., N. Y. His father, Simeon M. Coe, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 29, 1784. His immediate ancestors descended from several brothers who came from England and were the founders of a lineage, where succeeding generations have continued in the vocation of their progenitors, who were farmers, and who have sustained the prestige of an honorable name. Simeon Coe and Joshua Miles, his grandfathers, were both soldiers of the Revolution, and the latter became a Captain in the command of General Putnam. The diffusion of generations have settled in New England, New York and Ohio. Simeon M. Coe, senior, descended from the New England branch of the family, and married, Sept. 1, 1807, Mary Miles, who was born in Connecticut. After their marriage they removed to Oneida Co., N. Y., and located near the city of Utica, which then had no existence. They were pioneers and Mr. Coe cleared and otherwise improved two farms. They had 13 children, all but one attaining mature age. Lucy M. married George Stull and is deceased. Mr. Coe of this sketch is next in order of birth. George A., Frederick W., Henry A. and Albert S. are not living. Jonathan F. and Decius O. succeeded them in birth. Adeline E. married Thomas Stevens and is deceased. Helen A. is a resident of Whiteside County, as are all the survivors. Marcus L. died in Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., Ill. Mortimer S. is the youngest.
When Mr. Coe of this sketch was a child of less than four years of age, his parents went, in the winter of 1814-15 to Monroe Co., N. Y., traveling on sleds drawn by ox teams. The family located in the dense forest of Monroe County, where the woods were so thick that in portions the light of day was softened to a mellow twilight, and at the bases of the huge trees grew the Indian pipe, a plant six inches in height, and in color and appearance like white wax. After a residence of more than 20 years, in the fall of 1838, the parents removed to Sterling Township, where the father died May 18, 1848:
The mother died in October, 1857. The former was a man of ability, and in 1840 was made a member of the County Commissioners Court, a tribunal which was succeeded in 1849 by the County Court. He was a Whig, and was always active in local political affairs. He and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Coe was reared to manhood in Monroe County, obtaining an excellent common-school education, which he made available as a teacher, and was engaged in that vocation four winters. He remained on his father's farm in the State of New York until he was 25 years of age, aiding in the improvement of the homestead. The family was large, and the high price of land rendered the prospects of advancement to young ambitions rather narrow. Mr. Cae inherited his proclivities for an agricultural life, and his chief incentive to his removal to Illinois was a desire to secure a broader opportunity for the life of effort which was the height of his ambition. He came West in company with Isaac Albertson and John Albertson, twin brothers, who had the same purposes in view. After looking about other parts of the State they went to Joliet, but Mr. Coe accepted the judgment of a man named Philip Townsend, and came to Whiteside County. One of the unique experiences of the bachelor life of Mr. Coe was his manufacture of a pair of pantaloons. He understood that it was necessary that the seams should be pressed, and he accomplished that accessory to fine tailoring, by the aid of an iron wedge. Mr. Coe's first purchase of land comprised 160 acres, and has made later purchases, until he is now the owner of 273 acres, all being under good tillage. The work of improvement has been done by his own hands and under his supervision, and the family occupy a frame house on section 34. The ruins of the first log cabin are still standing, and a tree which is growing up through it marks the first home of civilization in Jordan Township. The tree is two feet in diameter. On section 34 Mr. Coe set out an evergreen grove of various kinds of trees. In conformity with the recommendation of Horace Greeley, he set out a balsam tree as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln in 1865, which is now 30 feet in height.
Mr. Coe was a Whig when he first obtained the privileges of citizenship, but he had an admiration for the character of Andrew Jackson, for whom he cast his first Presidential vote. He is a Republican of positive stamp, and all the male members of the family to which he belongs support the issues of that political element. He has been unflinching in his local duties, and has held the office of Supervisor of his township seven years; he has also served several terms as Clerk, and has acted 16 years in the capacity of Treasurer. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Portrait & Biographical Pg 419
Married second wife Mary Diantha Walling
Children:
Henry Miles Coe b. 6/21/1848
Isaac Newton Coe b. 12/9/1852
Levi Walling Coe b. 9/21/1855
Jessie Fremont Coe b. 1/9/1857
Aurora Blanche Coe b. 4/8/1860
Simeon Maltby Coe b. 8/7/1863
Frederick William Coe b. 7/19/1866
Mary Rebecca Coe b. 3/11/1869
Simeon Miles Coe, a farmer in Whiteside County, "jumped" a claim on Section 33 in what is now Jordan Township, on the 10th of April, 1835, nine months prior to the separation of the county from Jo Daviess County. There were then three families resident within the limits of what is now Whiteside County, who had come here in 1834. At Dixon there was one double log house, owned by a man of that name who was engaged in farming on the site of the present beautiful city. Mr. Coe was guided in his selection by what he believed a necessity, his object being to secure timber land, which predomiinated where he located. The settlers who had come here from places where prairies were unknown did not believe the immense tracts of treeless acres would ever be settled, on the premise that it was impossible for humanity to endure the winter winds. The absence of landmarks on the sweeping expanse destitute of trees made them appalling.
Mr. Coe built a log cabin in the edge of the timber, and broke 20 acres of prairie, putting in grain and vegetables. He lived alone in bachelor freedom three years, and on the event of his marriage, in 1838, he built the best log cabin in the county for the reception of his bride, Harriet Hull, to whom he was joined in marriage in the winter of 1838, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., and she came in very early life with her parents to Illinois, who located at Buffalo Grove, Ogle County. She died in 1842. Mary, the only child born to her, died in infancy. June 22, 1847, Mr. Coe was married to Mary D., daughter of Levi and Mary (Kress) Walling. She was born March 27, 1824, in Barrington, Yates Co., N. Y. Her father was of German origin, and her mother was a descendant of one of the early Dutch settlers of the State of New York, whose second generation settled in New Jersey. Levi Walling held a commission in the war of 1812, and was by calling a farmer. He removed in 1846 to Sterling, Whiteside County. He died there in 1868, and was about 75 years of age. The mother of Mrs. Coe traced her ancestry to the earliest settlers in this country. They were Puritans and held to the most rigid regulations of the sect. The landed property of the grandfather is held by Isaac Kress, a descendant in direct line. Mrs. Coe was reared and educated in the State of New York, and was 22 years of age when she accompanied her parents to Illinois. A year later she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Coe, and they have had eight children, namely: Levi W. (2nd) died in infancy; Henry W., born June 21 1848, is married and lives in Lee Co., IL; Isaac N. was born Dec. 9, 1852, is married and lives at Ellendale, Dak.; Levi W. (2d) was born Sept. 21, 1855; Jesse F. was born Jan. 9, 1857, and lives in Iowa, Aurora B. was born April 8, 1860, and is teaching in Lee Co., Ill.; Simon M. was born Aug. 7,1863; Fred W., July 19, 1866; Mary R. July 11, 1869.
Mr. Coe was born March 12, 1810, in Paris Township, Oneida Co., N. Y. His father, Simeon M. Coe, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 29, 1784. His immediate ancestors descended from several brothers who came from England and were the founders of a lineage, where succeeding generations have continued in the vocation of their progenitors, who were farmers, and who have sustained the prestige of an honorable name. Simeon Coe and Joshua Miles, his grandfathers, were both soldiers of the Revolution, and the latter became a Captain in the command of General Putnam. The diffusion of generations have settled in New England, New York and Ohio. Simeon M. Coe, senior, descended from the New England branch of the family, and married, Sept. 1, 1807, Mary Miles, who was born in Connecticut. After their marriage they removed to Oneida Co., N. Y., and located near the city of Utica, which then had no existence. They were pioneers and Mr. Coe cleared and otherwise improved two farms. They had 13 children, all but one attaining mature age. Lucy M. married George Stull and is deceased. Mr. Coe of this sketch is next in order of birth. George A., Frederick W., Henry A. and Albert S. are not living. Jonathan F. and Decius O. succeeded them in birth. Adeline E. married Thomas Stevens and is deceased. Helen A. is a resident of Whiteside County, as are all the survivors. Marcus L. died in Rock Falls, Whiteside Co., Ill. Mortimer S. is the youngest.
When Mr. Coe of this sketch was a child of less than four years of age, his parents went, in the winter of 1814-15 to Monroe Co., N. Y., traveling on sleds drawn by ox teams. The family located in the dense forest of Monroe County, where the woods were so thick that in portions the light of day was softened to a mellow twilight, and at the bases of the huge trees grew the Indian pipe, a plant six inches in height, and in color and appearance like white wax. After a residence of more than 20 years, in the fall of 1838, the parents removed to Sterling Township, where the father died May 18, 1848:
The mother died in October, 1857. The former was a man of ability, and in 1840 was made a member of the County Commissioners Court, a tribunal which was succeeded in 1849 by the County Court. He was a Whig, and was always active in local political affairs. He and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Coe was reared to manhood in Monroe County, obtaining an excellent common-school education, which he made available as a teacher, and was engaged in that vocation four winters. He remained on his father's farm in the State of New York until he was 25 years of age, aiding in the improvement of the homestead. The family was large, and the high price of land rendered the prospects of advancement to young ambitions rather narrow. Mr. Cae inherited his proclivities for an agricultural life, and his chief incentive to his removal to Illinois was a desire to secure a broader opportunity for the life of effort which was the height of his ambition. He came West in company with Isaac Albertson and John Albertson, twin brothers, who had the same purposes in view. After looking about other parts of the State they went to Joliet, but Mr. Coe accepted the judgment of a man named Philip Townsend, and came to Whiteside County. One of the unique experiences of the bachelor life of Mr. Coe was his manufacture of a pair of pantaloons. He understood that it was necessary that the seams should be pressed, and he accomplished that accessory to fine tailoring, by the aid of an iron wedge. Mr. Coe's first purchase of land comprised 160 acres, and has made later purchases, until he is now the owner of 273 acres, all being under good tillage. The work of improvement has been done by his own hands and under his supervision, and the family occupy a frame house on section 34. The ruins of the first log cabin are still standing, and a tree which is growing up through it marks the first home of civilization in Jordan Township. The tree is two feet in diameter. On section 34 Mr. Coe set out an evergreen grove of various kinds of trees. In conformity with the recommendation of Horace Greeley, he set out a balsam tree as a memorial to Abraham Lincoln in 1865, which is now 30 feet in height.
Mr. Coe was a Whig when he first obtained the privileges of citizenship, but he had an admiration for the character of Andrew Jackson, for whom he cast his first Presidential vote. He is a Republican of positive stamp, and all the male members of the family to which he belongs support the issues of that political element. He has been unflinching in his local duties, and has held the office of Supervisor of his township seven years; he has also served several terms as Clerk, and has acted 16 years in the capacity of Treasurer. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Portrait & Biographical Pg 419
Family Members
Siblings
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