COATS, RALPH J., born May 3, 1817, in Wyoming county, New York, came to Springfield Oct. 9, 1840. He was married in Livingston county, Michigan, May 14, 1845, to Amanda N. Wood, who was born in Wyoming county, New York, April 8, 1823. They returned to Springfield, Ill., where they had two children--

ABEL A., born August 4, 1846, in Springfield, enlisted May, 1864, in Co. E, 133d Ill. Inf., for one hundred days. He served full term and was honorably discharged with the regiment, Sept. 24, 1864. He was married in Springfield, Oct. 30, 1867, to Charlotte E. Gardnier, who was born April 30, 1850, in Carrolton, Green county, Ill. They have four children, all born in Springfield. NINA B., RALPH W., CHARLES A. and MERWIN W. Abel A. Coats is in the grocery business, with his father, and resides in Springfield.

PERSIS E., born Jan. 6, 1849, in Springfield, was married there, Nov. 19, 1868, to Charles D. Timothy, who was born Jan. 3, 1842, in Franklin Grove, Lee county, Ill. They have three children living, CLARA I., WARREN A. and NETTIE B. Mr. Timothy enlisted Feb. 3, 1864, in Co. G, 75th Ill. Inf. On arriving at Springfield he was detached under Gen. Oakes in the mustering in and out department, and was honorably discharged March, 1866. He was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors for 1875, and resides two and a half miles north of Springfield.

Ralph J. Coates was elected Alderman of Springfield in 1857, for three years, was re-elected in 1860, 1864 and 1871. He is now, and has been in the grocery business in Springfield, Ill., for eighteen years, and resides there.

R. J. Coates' father was a soldier in the war of 1812, for four months. He died in Springfield, Ill., August 9, 1874, at the age of eighty-seven years.