Mr. Coe is a native of Monroe County, Ohio, and was born August 15, 1844. He is a son of David G. and Lucinda (Baldwin) Coe, with whom, in 1858, he came to Illinois. His father cast in his lot at first with the pioneers of this township, locating in the northern part, where he lived a short time. He then removed with his family to Knox County, and resided there some three years. He finally went to Iowa, and there the closing years of his useful and honorable life were passed. Of his large family of children but four survive, viz: William S. and James S., of Peoria County; Sarah J., wife of W. M. Lucas, of Hutchinson, Kan., and David G., of Mercer County, Ill.

James Coe was carefully trained by worthy parents to an upright, sturdy manhood. He was educated in the public schools and adopted the calling of a farmer, to which he had been bred. August 22, 1862, our subject patriotically threw aside his work and all his personal ambitions, to take part in the great war that was then waging between the North and South. He became a member of Company A, Seventy-Seventh Illinois Infantry, and from that time took part in various skirmishes, campaigns and battles, until the war was brought to a close. He was present in the first attack on Vicksburg, and subsequently fought at Arkansas Post. He then returned to take further part in the siege of Vicksburg, and remained at the spot until its fall. From there his regiment was sent to New Orleans, and for a time was under Gen. Banks, and accompanied him upon the Red River Expedition. At Sabine Cross Roads, in Louisiana, our subject was captured by the Confederates and suffered imprisonment for over thirteen months at Tyler, Tex. At the expiration of that time he was exchanged, and June 3, 1865, was honorably discharged.

After his hard experience of life on Southern battlefields and in Confederate prisons, our subject returned to the Prairie State, and quietly resumed farming, and has ever since been a useful citizen of Peoria County. He owns a farm of eighty acres on section 30, Brimfield Township, on which he located in the spring of 1877, and by assiduous toil he has brought it to a fine state of cultivation, and has provided it with all the necessary buildings and with good machinery, everything about the place betokening care and thrifty management on the part of the owner.

Mr. Coe and Miss Sarah J. Reid united their lives and fortunes February 16,1870, and the marriage then solemnized has proved of mutual benefit. Mrs. Coe is a daughter of George and Gatry M. Reid, highly respected residents of Peoria. Five children have born to Mr. and Mrs. Coe, namely: Herman, deceased; Frank E., Fred L., Hollis B. and James R. Our subject started out in life with no other capital than a clear brain, a willingness to work, and strong muscles, but they have sufficed to make him what he is to-day, and to bring to him a comfortable competence. His square dealings in all his transactions, his probity and genuine worth, have won for him the reputation of which he is justly proud, and placed him among the most desirable citizens of the township. He favors all things that will in any way elevate the community, socially, morally, or materially, and is one of the valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his wife. He is active in educational matters, being one of the School Directors of his district. Politically, he is a firm advocate of the principles of the Republican party.

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