Rardin, J. L.

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

J. L. Rardin, farmer and Justice of the Peace; P. O. Rardin; one of the early settlers of Morgan Tp.; born in the State of Indiana Dec. 12, 1814; his parents removed to Campbell County, Ky., when he was 4 years of age, where he was engaged in clearing land and farming, with the exception of five years in Ohio, until 28 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp., in the fall of 1842, upon the place where he has since continued to live during a period of nearly thirty-seven years; he first entered eighty acres of prairie land, which is now a part of his home farm, and eighty acres of timber upon the Embarrass River; at the time of his locating here, his capital consisted of one team and wagon, his provisions for the winter and $25 in money; his first log house and stable, which he built in 1842, was occupied by him until about the year 1853, when he erected his present house and, a few years later, built a frame barn; he now owns in his home farm 160 acres and upward of 300 acres in other parts of the township. Mr. Rardin has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion and education, having been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for upward of twenty years; of school and township offices, he has had his share, having held the offices of Supervisor, School Trustee and School Director several terms, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for upward of thirty years in succession. He married Feb. 1, 1838, to Sarah Rankin; she was born in Ohio Aug. 7, 1815; she died May 3, 1848, leaving two children now living, viz., David (born Jan. 27, 1839), Nancy (born Sept. 29, 1841). His marriage with Mary Ann Sousley was celebrated March 9, 1854; she was born in Fleming Co., Ky., Aug. 27, 1829; they have three children now living by this union, viz., George (born March 16, 1860), Ellen (March 18, 1862), Lucy (Aug. 18, 1873. Mr. Rardin located here when wolves were plenty, and to protect the sheep they built close pens at the side of the house, in which the sheep were nightly driven; game was also abundant, and to obtain a quail, wild turkeys, prairie chickens, wild geese, ducks or deer was the work of a few minutes. His milling was a work of four days' labor, driving oxen to Danville, Montezuma or Terre Haute, and sometimes he was obliged to wait from two to three days to get his grist ground.

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

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