Historical Stories and Biographies: January 2024

1880

KINGSLEY CHARLES M, farmer, Sec. 8, P. O. Edwards Station, son of George O. and Fanny Kingsley, nee Earns, was born in this township, Dec. 9, 1843, where he was raised and educated as a farmer's son. In August of 1862 he enlisted in Co. K, 77th Illinois, and served until the close of the war. He participated in a number of engagements, a full account of which will be found in the regimental history elsewhere published. He was mustered out of the service at Alabama, July 10, 1865, and arrived at home on the 29th, since when he has engaged as above. On the 22nd of January 1868, he united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua and Mary Jane Brown (King), who was born in Rosefield township, July 22, 1852. They have had six children, Eli Chester, born Jan. 30, 1869; Charles W., Dec. 14, 1871; Cynthia, Nov. 5, 1873; Lillian, Jan. 1, 1875; George O., Nov. 20, 1877, died June 12, 1878; Fannie, born Jun. 27, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. K. are of protestant faith. Politically he is a Democrat, true and steadfast. He was elected town assessor in the spring of 1876 but did not qualify in consequence of sickness. He owns 338 acres of land, valued at $30 an acre. [History of Peoria County, Illinois Chicago - Johnson & Company 1880]

1922

C. E. Kingsley, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Liberty Township, Daviess County, was born Jan. 30, 1869, in Peoria , Ill . , the son of Charles and Elizabeth ( Brown) Kingsley . Charles Kingsley was born in Peoria, Ill., and was a farmer during his entire life. During the Civil War, Mr. Kingsley enlisted in the 77th Illinois Infantry. After the war he returned to Illinois where he farmed until his death in 1910. He is buried at Pottstown, Ill. Elizabeth (Brown) Kingsley was born in Illinois in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley were the parents of seven children , as follows : C. E. , the subject of this sketch ; William , married Rosie Stear , Peoria , Ill .; Cynthia , the wife of Charles Doubet , Peoria County , Illinois ; Lillian , the wife of George Bontz , Peoria , Ill .; Daisy , the wife of R. Bruniga , Peoria, Ill .; Lizzie , the wife of William Slautter , Peoria, Ill .; Lucy , the wife of William Hauk , Peoria, Ill . C. E. Kingsley was reared in Illinois and received his education in the district schools. He then became engaged in general stock raising and moved to Missouri in 1901, settling on a farm in Monroe Township, Daviess County. He farmed there for two years, when he removed to his present location in Liberty Township. He has made extensive improvements on his land and is a prominent breeder of high-grade cattle. Mr. Kingsley owns 160 acres in Liberty Township, and his wife owns 80 acres in Kickapoo Township, Peoria County, Ill . , which she rents . Mr. Kingsley was married to Hannah Kirkman in Hanna City, Ill. To this union one child has been born, Mary, the wife of C. R. Vipond, residing in Liberty Township. [1922 History of Daviess and Gentry Counties, Missouri]

* Prior to 1851 there was a schoolhouse some distance west of Hale's Mill, known as the Kingsley School House; but it is not known when or by whom it was built. In 1851 Miss Sarah Smith taught the first school at Hale's Mill, occupying a cooper shop for a schoolhouse. The schoolhouse, now located at Pottstown, is known as No. 4. [From Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, edited by David McCulloch, Vol. II; Chicago and Peoria: Munsell Publishing Company, Publishers, 1902]

Military:

77^th Infantry Company K

August 11, 1862; mustered out June 17, 1865.

Charles Kingsley, Kickapoo.

Soldiers:

Number Of Soldiers:174

Most Common Residence:

Rosefield Township, Peoria, Illinois Dec 31, 1861 (68 Servicepersons)

Casualties:

Died In Unit:15 (9%)

Died In War:20 (11%)

Wounded:3 (2%)