Letter from John Lewis Allison, Jr., 1911
published in February 1983 issue of "Among the Coles", the newsletter of the Coles Co., IL, Genealogical Society; PO Box 225; Charleston, IL 61920
May 27, 1911- Notwithstanding an absence of over a quarter of a century and the frosts of time which have bleached and whitened my hair, I still have a warm feeling for old Mattoon. I know that she has kept in touch with our modern civilation and as a result many great changes have taken place within her borders since I last traversed her streets. No more are they paved with corn cobs from the Jennings elevator as was the case in the latter 1850's or early 60's.
It is with a feeling of sadness that the writer, as the oldest and only living representative of the first five boys who lived in Mattoon, contemplates the flight of time and realizes how few there are of the earliest settlers left on this side of the "Great Beyond" and of the very, very few he would recognize or know today in Mattoon, yet in the years agone he would know every man, woman, and child within her confines.
The first five boys consisted of the writer, who camped with ED COLEMAN of Dry Grove, where the city of Mattoon now stands, in the spring of 1854 and which is now practically the business center of the city. It abounded in the tall blue stemmed prairie grass which grew to the height of several feet. The nearest residence was that of UNCLE JAMES CUNNINGHAM, who resided a few miles down the old state road. The other four boys were the CARTMILL BOYS, and the fifth was JOHN S. ALLISON, now deceased, leaving the writer as the only one who has not answered to the final roll call.
Among the earliest settlers who are still living and have remained in Mattoon, the writer can call to mind none save, D.D. JAMES, G.E. COLSON, EBEN NOYES, HARVEY RIDDELL AND CHARLES FICKES, but there are quite a number that came at a later date. A. SUMERLIN among the number. There are many interesting early reminiscences which come to mind, but space forbids and I close in the hope of paying the old stamping ground one more visit before the final summons.
With best regards to old friends, I am, Respectfully, JOHN L. ALLISON
PLEASE NOTE: I stopped updating the web page around 2001, but I've continued to work on my project. My family history is now in Word document format, with the goal of publishing it once I consider it to be as complete as I'm going to get it. While I'm greatly indebted to those who have assisted me in my research, I'm finding that the demands of everyday life don't allow me to consistently respond to email inquiries. So, I'm offering my most up-to-date volume for sale, at a price of $19. For those interested, it is at 118 pages right now, printed by a laser printer on 8.5x11 32-lb./98 brightness paper, and wire bound. The table of contents, revision history, and index are available at the following links. To order a copy, please email me at ingramjay@hotmail.com, and I'll send it within 3 days of payment. If you indicate the family line you are interested in, I'll send you a new bound copy if and when I update my research for that line. Thanks,
Jay
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