Union County IL Archives Biographies.....Toler, John M. July 16, 1806 - 1893
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Laurel Baty laurelbaty@comcast.net August 6, 2008, 8:02 pm

Author: Perrin, William Henry

From History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, William 
Henry Perrin, 1883, p. 87 -88, Anna Precinct

JOHN M. TOLER, P. O. Anna, The gentleman whose name heads this biography is a 
native of Wayne County, N. C., born July 16, 1806. His father, Stephen Toler 
was born in the same State in 1762, and was a farmer during his life, which 
ended in 1818. His paternal ancestors emigrated, at an early date, to America 
from Ireland. Elizabeth Powell, the mother of our subject, was born in North 
Carolina in 1763, and was the daughter of Peter Powell, a native of Scotland. 
The union of Stephen and Elizabeth resulted in sixteen children, all of whom 
are deceased, save John M., whose school advantages were very limited. Such 
education as he did get was obtained within the log cabin, with slab seats and 
writing desks, etc. While yet in his minority, perhaps when about fifteen 
years old, he began “paddling his own canoe" as a laborer on a farm, at a 
small compensation. At the age of sixteen, he assumed the management of a 
store and fishery along the Neuse River for Silas Cox, from which he withdrew 
in 1829, and immediately came to what is now Stokes Township, where he 
remained until 1868, in the meantime entering 1,100 acres of land. Here he 
devoted his entire efforts and time to the labors of the ruralist, and was 
always well repaid for the same. In the year mentioned above, he removed to 
his present farm of 125 acres, lying a short distance from Anna, where he 
gives his attention to horticulture, especially in small fruits. In 1830, he 
married Mary Throgmorton, born November 15, 1812, in Kentucky, and who came to 
this county when quite young. She died in 1866. Her union with Mr. Toler gave 
her nine children, three of whom survive, viz.: Martha, the wife of Ezekiel 
Bishop ; L. H., born February 15, 1844 (married, March 22, 1868, Amanda Sivea, 
and has four of six children living, viz.: Ary, A. J., Charles L. and Ed L.); 
J. M., born July 18,1847 (married, October 13, 1867, Susan M. Helton, the 
result being ten children, seven of whom survive, viz.: Isa A., Preston E., 
Olive B., Ida A. Alice &., John A. and Clarence E.). Three of our subject's 
sons joined the patriots to defend their country, and lost their lives in the 
service. Dr. S. E. raised the Sixtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was 
commissioned General, but died before the time to take command. John W. was 
assigned the position as Quartermaster, and Josiah served as Lieutenant. June 
17, 1869, Mr. Toler was married to Mary Baker, a daughter of Charles and Celia 
(Clark) Baker, the former born March 25, 1794, in Alabama, where he died in 
1861, and the latter born in North Carolina November 10,1797, and died in 
Alabama in 1865. The present Mrs. Toler was born in Georgia November 6, 1824, 
and belongs to the Methodist Church. Mr. Toler was early identified with the 
Whig party, and is now a stanch Democrat. He served his township for several 
years as Treasurer and Trustee, and has held other small offices




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