Biographies from "History of Alexander, Union & Pulaski Counties", Illinois, edited by Wm. H. Perrin, published by Baskin, Chicago, 1883. ======== Page 130 L. T. HARDIN, farmer, P. O. Cobden, was born in Limestone County, Ala., December 9, 1828, to Erasmus and Abashaba (Hodges) Hardin. Erasmus Hardin was born near Augusta, Ga., in 1785, died on the present farm of our subject in 1859. Abashaba Hodges was born in Tennessee, and died in this county in 1857. They were the parents of ten children, four of whom are still living. By a previous marriage he had two children, one of whom is now living in Texas. His occupation was that of a farmer. He was engaged in the Indian war in Florida with the Seminoles. In 1830 they moved to Union County, and made it their home until time of death. Our subject remained on the farm until he was 21 years of age, then sowed his wild oats. In 1853 he went to California, where he remained for two years, then sold out and went to Texas and began in stock-raising. With the exception of one or two visits home, he remained in Texas until 1860, and then war troubles began in Texas. He and his brother James had in partnership a herd of about 300 cattle, besides horses, but they lost all through the war. April 3, 1861, he was married in this county to Elizabeth Ferrill, daughter of Henry and Polly Ferrill. They were natives of Tennessee. Mr. Ferrill died in this county; his widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Hardin have ten children, all living but one - Lucetta (deceased), Olive, A. J., Mary, Charles, Emma, Ellen, L. T., Laura and Herbert S. Mr. Hardin's farm contains 160 acres, about 100 of which are in cultivation. On this he does general farming, and meets with deserving success. He and wife are members of the Christian order. In politics, he favors the Democratic party. [Transcriber's Note: A Hardin family group sheet indicates Lewis T. and Sarah Elizabeth "Betsy" (Ferrill) Hardin had an eleventh child, Mabelle P. Hardin, born Jan 1884. It lists A. J. as Andrew J. and L. T. as Louis T. Hardin.] ============= Pages 130-131 JOHN F. HOFFMAN, farmer and fruit-grower, was born in Augusta, Ga., December 12, 1842, to Charles F. and Charlotta (Gunther) Hoffman. They were natives of Baltimore. Our subject's grandfather Hoffman, however, came from Hanover to America and settled in Baltimore. Mr. Charles F. Hoffman was engaged in the millinery and dry goods business at Baltimore, but, his healthy failing, he desired a warmer climate so moved to Augusta, Ga., where our subject was born. In 1849 he moved to New Orleans and was bookkeeper for an English cotton commission house. He only lived for about eight years after moving to New Orleans. His widow still resides in the suburbs of that city, and is 74 years old. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living, two sons and three daughters, our subject and Charles F. being the sons. Charles F. is in the banking business in New Orleans, also agent for Brown Bros. & Co. of New York. One daughter, Mrs Rosalie Avery, is in Nebraska. The other two daughters are in New Orleans - one Mrs. W. Bourdette, whose son is cashier in above bank, and a maiden daughter at home. (Our) subject was educated in the high schools of the city of New Orleans, and after leaving school he began clerking in the house of Samuel Nicholson & Co. He afterward engaged in the exchange brokerage business. Mr. Hoffman was in the city of New Orleans at the time of its capture, but left immediately after for New York, where he had a position offered him with the same house for which he had been at work in New Orleans. He remained in New York for three years and then returned to New Orleans and remained there until 1869, when, his health failing, he desired more of an outdoor life. A friend gave him a letter of introduction to Daniel Davie of this county. Mr. H. came here and, liking the country, decided to remain, so the first year he stayed with Mr. E. N. Clark and learned more of the fruit business, and in 1870 bought his present farm of 80 acres, and has been engaged in farming and fruit-raising since. On his farm he has a peach orchard of 15 acres, an apple orchard of 12 acres, besides small fruits, and also meadow land. The West Fork of Drury Creek flows through his farm, and when he came to it there were undrained flats, causing malaria; but these he has drained and made into meadow land, and thereby made them profitable and added to the healthfulness. He has found that the climate has had the desired effect on his health. On his farm he has splendid springs of running water, and also has found outcroppings of black marble. In 1874 he was married in this county to Miss Ellen Tweedy, daughter of James M. Tweedy. The result of this union was four children, three of whom are now living - Carrie, Charles T. and Maggie. She died in March, 1881, and August 31, 1882, he was again married to Miss Nora A. Smith. She was born in this county, on Hutchins Creek, daughter of Alexander Smith. He is one of the charter members of Cobden Lodge, Knights of Honor, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Cobden. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, but voted for Grant for his first term. ======== Page 131 DANIEL KIMMEL, farmer, P. O. Cobden, was born June 7, 1827, to George and Elizabeth (Christy) Kimmel. George Kimmel was born in Somerset County, Penn., in 1793, and died in Union County March 29, 1868. His wife was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1803; she is still living. His occupation during life was that of a farmer and stock dealer. They came to Union County when our subject was but five years of age. He was married three times, and by his first wife had two sons; no child by the second; by his third wife, the mother of our subject, seven sons and five daughters. In religious belief, he and his wife were of the Dunkard faith; with politics he had but little to do, but was a Douglas Democrat and strongly opposed to the war of the rebellion. He was a man successful in business, and did a good part by his children, giving to each a farm, and about $1,500 in money. Our subject's opportunity for an education was very limited, and when he began life for himself at the age of 21, it was with nothing but a pair of strong hands and an unconquerable determination to make a success. For six years he rented a farm and kept bachelor's hall, but at the end of that time he had 80 acres of land paid for, and money besides. July 13, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Green, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Smith) Green. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel have the following children, viz.: Elizabeth Alice, Johana, Eliza, Mary Ann, Carrie Belle, Rolley D., Walter G., David G., Minnie May and Laura Lee; also three children who died in infancy. After marriage, he settled on his present farm of 225 acres, which is one of the best farms in Cobden Precinct. His wife also has 76 acres of land in her own right. Mr. Kimmel does general farming - raising of grain, stock and fruits, and in trading in stock. During the war he enlisted in Company C, 109th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was chosen lieutenant. He was captured at Holly Springs by Van Dorn's command and paroled. He then reported to Col. Fry at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. While there the 109th was consolidated with the 11th and he returned home, and again engaged in farming. In politics he is Republican. Is a member of the A.F.&A.M. of Cobden, being one of the charter members. Mrs. K. is a member of the Cobden Baptist Church. Taken from the Agricultural Report of Illinois for 1856-57, we find that a bushel of white wheat raised by Mr. Kimmel took the first premium in the Illinois State Fair held at Alton, and again at the Mississippi Valley Fair held at St. Louis, and the report goes further to state that he was considered the best wheat-raiser in the West, if not in the world. ======== Page 132 AUG. KOHLER, fruit-grower, P. O. Cobden, was born at Wyhl, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, August 25, 1833. From the age of six years till he was 14 he attended school without an intermission. He then began in the government employ on the River Rhine. There he remained till 1851, and then learned the miller's trade, but on account of disease he had to give up milling in 1856. December 22 of the same year he started for America, and landed in New York City March 18, 1857, but went soon afterward to Cincinnati, Ohio, then to Freeport, Ill., June 22 of the same year, he came to Jonesboro. January 2, 1858, he was married at Jonesboro, Ill., by Judge Hileman to Karolina Rethe. They remained at Jonesboro until 1862, then sold out and bought a place in Anna, where they lived till September, 1866. Selling out there they bought a little farm on the east of Cobden. From 1859 till 1881 he was employed at the stonemason's trade, but since that time has given his entire attention to the raising of fruit, i.e., strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Kohler have three children living, viz.: Henry William, 19 years of age; Charles August, 12 years of age; and Maria Anna, seven years of age. Our subject is the son of Anton and Maria Anna Kohler. They were born in Vogelbach, Germany. In February, 1858, they came direct from the old country to Jonesboro, and in 1863 to one mile below Cobden, where she died August 29, 1868, at the age of 56 years; he at the residence of our subject June 20, 1870, at the age of 66 years. ============ Page 132-133 LOUIS KOHLER, liveryman, Cobden, was born in Wyhl, Baden, Germany, September 1, 1845, brother of August Kohler (see sketch). He was educated in the schools of his native country, attending until only 12 years of age. Came to this county in 1857, and this has been his home since, but in early life he was for some time in the western States and territories. He learned the trade of coopering, and followed it for some years. Was married on Easter Sunday, 1871, to Elizabeth Kerzenmacher. She was born in the same town and street as our subject, November 19, 1846; came to America with her sister's family about a year previous to marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Kohler have four children living - William, born October 3, 1875; Fanny, his twin sister, died April 27, 1877; Josephine and Paulina, twins, born June 30, 1879; and Freddie Anton, born September 2, 1882. When first married, our subject kept tollgate on the Jonesboro and Willard's Landing road for one year. Then on account of sickness he left and came near Cobden and bought his father's old farm, but after two years sold out and went to the Mississippi River bottom, into farming and stock-raising. There he lost everything by fire. In the winter of 1874-75 he moved to Cobden and has been here ever since. He engaged in his present business of livery stable January 15, 1879, buying out O. P. Hill. Spring of 1882 he bought the lot and built his present stable, 30x50 feet, with shed 12 feet in width on one side. He keeps rigs and riding horses to supply the demand of the town; also does hauling. In religion, he and his wife are Catholics. He is Democratic in politics. ============================================================================ ============