Crawford County IL Archives Biographies.....Colliflower, W. J. 1833 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 21, 2007, 11:56 am

Author: William Henry Perrin (1883)

  CAPT. W. J. COLLIFLOWER, farmer, P. O. Hutsonville, was born in Washington
County, Md., September 18, 1833. He was the oldest of six children born to Peter
and Mary (Markett) Colliflower, and passed his youth with his father on the
farm, where he acquired a robust constitution, which fitted him for the active
duties of subsequent years. His early education was somewhat limited, owing to
the indifferent schools of that day, but by mingling in society, and coming in
contact with all classes of men, he has since acquired a practical knowledge not
to be derived from books. When our subject was but thirteen years of age, his
father died, leaving him to fight his own way in life and make his own
livelihood. He first found employment on a farm where he was compelled to work
early and late for the meager sum of $3 per month, a sum which in his eyes at
that time appeared princely. In the fall of 1847, he accompanied his
brother-in-law, Samuel Sowders, to Columbus, Ohio, and in the spring following
moved near Dayton, in the same State, where he remained for four years working
as a farm hand. In the year 1851, he changed his occupation, and engaged in the
huckster business for Levi Lemon, and one year later for himself. He continued
huckstering but a short time; afterward engaged as a clerk in a dry goods and
grocery store, in which business he developed rare business qualities and won
the esteem of his employer. In the spring of 1853, in company with a number of
persons as restless as himself, he made an overland trip to California, for the
purpose of engaging in the mining business. He remained in California until
July, 1854, when, becoming dissatisfied with the country, he returned to his
home in Ohio, but only to remain a short time, for in September, 1855, we find
him again on his way to the Golden State, but this time by water. From
California he made a trip to Van Couver's Island, in company with several
prospectors, where they built a boat for the purpose of exploring the Frazer
River and country adjacent, in the hope of discovering new mines. The little
company toiled for many weary days and ascended the stream for a distance of 200
miles, but met with no success in their mining venture. In the spring of 1859,
he again returned to California, where he spent the summer, and found himself
back with his friends in Ohio the following winter. One year later, he embarked
in another business venture, with Texas as his objective point, but being
favorably impressed with Southwest Missouri, he stopped there and engaged in the
fruit tree business. He also bought furs of the Indians while here, which he
took back East and disposed of at a handsome profit. In August, 1862, he
enlisted in the Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, Company I. He went out as Captain of
his company, and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was
engaged. He was mustered out in August, 1864, and immediately thereafter came to
Illinois and purchased his present farm in Crawford County, where he has since
remained, one of the prominent citizens of the community. He has added to his
original purchase, and is at the present time owner of 265 acres of choice land.
In June, 1861, near Dayton, Ohio, he married Miss Sarah A. Horning, she being
born May 19, 1838. They are the parents of eight children, viz.: Minnie H., John
S., William P., Lawrence G., Estella M., Myrtle M., Roscoe and Ralph. In
politics, Mr. Colliflower is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. The
father of our subject was born in Washington County, Md., in the year 1780, and
passed his life as a farmer, dying in January, 1846. The mother was born 1802,
and is still living near Dayton, Ohio.

Additional Comments:
Extracted From:

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD AND CLARK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
EDITED BY WILLIAM HENRY PERRIN.

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO: O. L. BASKIN & CO., HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS,
LAKESIDE BUILDING.
1883.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/crawford/bios/colliflo650gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

File size: 4.5 Kb