J. E. COONS, farmer and stock-raiser, post office, New Berlin; was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, November 21, 1818; son of Martin and Margaret (Grimsly) Coons, natives of Kentucky. They had five sons and three daughters, five of whom are living. In the fall of 1826, his father became dissatisfied with the institution of slavery, and left Kentucky with his family for the far west; came with a spike team, camping out on the way, and arrived in Morgan county about the first of December, locating eight miles north of Jacksonville, on Indian creek. He moved into a log cabin, twelve by fourteen feet, where they remained one year. There were ten in the family. He made a claim, and afterwards sold out and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, made a home and remained until his death, which occurred in 1863. In an early day he used to go to St. Louis for his groceries, taking grain which he exchanged for his goods. Mr. C. came to this country in limited circumstances, having but $17 in his pocket, with a large family, and in a strange country; but with a strong arm and good constitution, he pulled through, and accumulated a fine property at his death. In 1844, J. E. married Miss Lucy Hays, daughter of John Hays, of Ohio; they had two children, John M., and Lucinda. Mrs. Coons died in May, 1847. For his second wife, Mr. C. married Miss Clarissa McDaughlin, who was born in Kentucky, December 18, 1828. There are six children: Mary E., Susan C., Henrietta, William G., David and Edward. In 1847, Mr. Coons came to this county where he rented for one year, then purchased his present home, where they have resided since; has two hundred acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $60 per acre.