In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1906) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1842, Shawnee Township
From History of Allen County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; hist (1885), History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1906)
WILLIAM R. COON, farmer, P. O. Conant, was born in Shawnee Township, this county, January 27, 1842; son of George J. and Julietta (Decoursey) Coon, natives of New England, and who came to Allen County at an early date. Eight of their thirteen children are living, of whom our subject is the eldest. He obtained a common school education, and having been raised a farmer has made farming the principal occupation of his life. He is virtually self-made, having entered upon the battle of life a poor man, and has accumulated his property through industry and economy. He is worthy of the reputation he sustains of being a practical farmer and a thorough business man. Mr. Coon was married November 8, 1866, to Jane, daughter of James Place. She was born in Missouri, February 22, 1842. By this union were born nine children: Lenora, Susan, Jane, William, Elmer, Belvy L., Hattie (deceased), Alpheus (deceased) and Mercy (deceased). Mr. Coon has twice been a servant of the people of his township, having served as trustee and justice of the peace. In February 1862, he volunteered his services to his country, and was with Sherman, till the close of the war. He is a consistent member of the Christian Church. In politics he is independent.
STEPHEN D. CRExMEAN, farmer, P. O. Allentown, was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 10, 1827; son of Smith and Mary (Dillen) Cremean, natives of Maryland, who settled in Ross County, Ohio, about 1805. They were parents of ten children, of whom our subject is the seventh. In 1830 they removed to Allen County, and located in German Township, where Stephen D. grew to maturity fully acquainted with pioneer life. The father died in about 1859, the mother in February,
1880, aged about ninety years. Our subject obtained a limited common school education, and having been raised a farmer has made that occupation the principle one of his life. For about two years, however, he engaged in mercantile business at Elida and Cridersville, Auglaize Co., Ohio. In the fall of 1848 he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Amanda Township, this county, where he still resides, and which he continued to add to. at intervals, until his farm now consists of 275 acres of choice land, all more or less highly cultivated; and in connection with his farming interests has dealt in stock, more extensively in buying and selling hogs. Mr. Cremean was united in marriage, November 5, 1848, with Tamsey John, born in Ross County, Ohio, April 23, 1829, by whom he has two children: Mary Jane and Curtis. They have, however, raised five other children: Annie Strawbridge, Jessie Carr, Maria Roush, James and Amanda Stalter. Mr. Cremean has tilled the office of justice of the peace one term, and is now serving his fifth term as township treasurer. For about ten years he has been a consistent member of the Christian Union Church. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. He is a self-made man having accumulated his property by his own efforts.
As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; hist (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ILLIAM R. COON, whose valuable farm of 180 acres is situated in section 34, in a most desirable part of Amanda township, belongs to one of the old families of pioneer settlers in this part of Ohio. Mr. Coon was born January 27, 1843, is a son of George J. and Juliet (Decoursey) Coon.
George S. Coon, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1783, and died in Allen County in 1873. He married Christiana Moore, of Kentucky. They moved into Ohio at a very early day and settled first at Bellefontaine. In 1832 they moved to Shawnee township, Allen County, and located in section 4, on Hog Creek, securing the land from the government. The country was still wild and practically unsettled, Indians still roaming over the country in search of game. George S. Coon and wife had 1 1 children, George J., the father of our subject, being the third in order of birth. These worthy pioneers lived into old age, the grandfather attaining 90 years. They were buried in Shawnee township.
George J. Coon was born in 1820 and his wife in 1825. In their deaths they were not long separated, both passing away in 1885. They
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FRANK COLUCCI reared a large family, those who reached maturity being: William- R. Mrs. Margaret
Jane Jones, of Kansas; D. F,, of California; Caroline O., a widow; and Rachel A., Charles A., Joshua S. and Mrs. Calista Cowdry, who reside in Kansas, all being married except Joshua S.
William R. Coon was eight years old,\vhen his parents moved from Shawnee to Amanda township. At that time trading was done at Piqua, As far as school opportunities were afforded, Mr. Coon had very little chance, and since the age of 12 years he has depended upon his own resources. He worked with the tools and agricultural machinery of his day and locality, the old-time axe, cradle, and hoe, and in young manhood was able to split rails and chop cord-wood as effectively as any of his companions. In February, 1864, at the age of 21 years, he enlisted in the 74th "Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in the Army of the Tennessee, and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged. at Louisville, Kentucky. He served with Sherman, through the Carolinas to the sea, and was at the Grand Review at Washington. He then returned home and farmer his father’s land for two years.
In 1867 Mr. Coon settled on a tract of land, right in the woods, in Amanda township, on which his son William resides, just south of his own comfortable farm residence. This land has all been cleared through his own industry, and he has assisted in every possible way in developing the resources of Amanda township. Great changes have been brought about since he first settled here. He has served two terms as township trustee, has been a justice of the peace for three terms, has been school director and is one of the reliable and substantial men of his locality, whose word and opinion bear weight.
Mr. Coon was married first to Jane Place, a daughter of James Place, who at the age of 90 years resides in Oklahoma Territory. She died in 1884. Her children were: William, who married Effa Hutchinson; Lenora, wife of Solomon Moorman, whose daughter Grace married Ira Hillyard and has two children; Susan, who married Julius Fetter and has one child; Jane, who married Charles Hover and has one child; Elmer, who married Dora Sawmiller and has two children; Belva, wife of Richard Ward; and Alma, who married John Lowry, of Spencerville, and has one child. Mr. Coon was married, second, to Lucinda Brandyberry. In religious belief Mr. Coon is a Christian Scientist, a zealous followed of Mrs., Eddy.
As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1885. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.