Bagley, Tillman

The following data is extracted from Biographical Sketches, Coles County, Illinois - Charleston Township.

Tillman Bagley, horticulturist; Charleston; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., June 6, 1828; being left fatherless when but a child, he accompanied his mother, at the age of 9 years to Muskingum Co., Ohio, where they settled on a farm about twelve miles north of Zanesville; at 19, he left the farm to learn the trade of a marble-cutter, after completing which he worked as a journeyman until 1853; he then came to Charleston, and after working two years, started in the marble business for himself, in which he continued till 1869; at which time he purchased what is known as the True farm, in La Fayette Tp., and followed farming four years. Having a natural taste for horticultural pursuits he sold his farm and, returning to Charleston, purchased sixteen acres of returning lying within the corporation, which he began to improve; he built his residence and set his land to peaches, apples, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries; his aim was to secure the very earliest as well as the very latest varieties of fruit which it was possible to obtain, thus commanding the highest prices for his products. Mr. Bagley was married March 26, 1856, to Miss Ann Craig, a daughter of Elijah Craig, an early settler of Coles Co.; she was born in Boone Co., Ky., April 21, 1829, and came to Coles Co. in 1836; they have two children - Simeon E. and Allen C.

Source: Biographical Sketches, Coles County, Illinois - Charleston Township

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