Hancock County IL Archives Biographies.....Coulson, James C. September 24, 1846 - 
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Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com December 22, 2009, 3:51 am

Source: McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois
Author: Unknown

JAMES C. COULSON, the popular and suc- 
cessful editor of the La Harper, which is pub- 
lished in La Harpe, Hancock County, is a 
well-known resident of this community. He is 
living in his native town, his birth having here 
occurred on the 24th of September, 1846. His 
father, George Coulson, was born in Virginia in 
1800. With a view to bettering his financial 
condition, he emigrated westward in 1835, and 
cast his lot among the early settlers of La Harpe. 
He was the first physician of this place, and was 
widely and favorably known throughout this sec- 
tion of the State. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Nancy A. Cossitt. She was born in 
Hartford, Conn., December 27, 1802, and was a
daughter of Silas Cossitt. They became the par- 
ents of nine children, five sons and four daugh- 
ters, namely: Sarah F., wife of E. M. Sanford, a 
resident of La Harpe; Henry C., who died in Vic- 
toria, Tex., in 1864; Mary E., wife of H. H. 
Barnes, of La Harpe; Nancy J., wife of J. R. R. 
Morford, who is living in this place; Epaphroditus 
C., who died in La Harpe in 1867; Caroline A., 
wife of D. D. Smalley, who is located in Raritan, 
Ill.; Thomas, who died in 1854; George, a hard- 
ware merchant of La Harpe; and our subject. 

James C. Coulson, the youngest member of the 
family, acquired his education in the public 
schools of his native city, and started out for him- 
self as a clerk in the general merchandise store of 
William Tharp, of Raritan. There he continued 
for two years, after which he accepted a position 
as salesman with C. H. Stansbury, of Raritan, 
with whom he remained for fourteen years, a 
trusted and faithful employe. 

During this time, Mr. Coulson was united in 
marriage with Miss Anna B., daughter of C. H. 
and Sidney E. (Humes) Stansbury. Their wed- 
ding was celebrated on the 25th of June, 1868, 
and was blessed with two children, Effie M. and 
Charles S., both of whom are at home. The 
mother died April 8, 1883, and her loss was 
mourned by many. On the 28th of October, 1885, 
Mr. Coulson was again married, his second union 
being with Mrs. Alice M. Corzatt, of Blandins- 
ville. Ill. Three children have been born unto 
them, a son and two daughters: Margie C., 
George and Edna. 

Mr. Coulson entered upon his newspaper ca- 
reer in Raritan in 1876, as editor of the Raritan 
Bulletin, of which the firm of Barnes & Butler 
were publishers. In 1878, he removed to La 
Harpe, and began the publication of the then de- 
funct La Harper. He has since been at its head 
and has made it one of the leading papers of the 
county. Although his office and its contents 
were destroyed by fire on the 15th of October. 
1893, he did not miss an issue of the paper, but 
with characteristic energy he made arrangements 
to continue the work without interruption. The 
paper is devoted to the interests of the community 
and to the publication of local and general news. 

Mr. Coulson is much interested in civic socie- 
ties and holds membership with various organiza- 
tions, including Bristol Lodge No. 656, I. O. O.F.; 
Hardin Lodge No 28, A. O. U. W.; La Harpe 
Camp No. 42S, M. W. A.; and the Independent 
Order of Mutual Aid. He has for eight terms 
served as representative to the Grand Lodge of the 
Odd Fellows' fraternity, and three terms to that 
of the Woodmen. In politics, he is a Democrat, 
but his paper is published independently. He 
served as Postmaster of La Harpe for four years, 
under President Cleveland, and as Assessor of 
La Harpe Township in 1890 and 1891. His life 
has been well and worthily passed, and he has the 
high regard of all.

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