William COFIELD, farmer, P.O. MOORE'S Prairie, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., February 12, 1826, and is a son of Willis and Maria (THOMAS)COFIELD. The father was a native of Virginia, and the mother was born in Kentucky.  Subject was the second of five children, and was brought when a child of six years to this county, where the father  settled in Pendleton Precinct, about one mile east of Belle Rive. In the schools of that township, the subject received his education. It was but limited, and our subject is truly what might be called a self made man.

The father having died when subject was about sixteen years old, the latter together with his two brothers, took charge of the home place. There he remained until twenty, and then started out in life on a purchased farm, about two miles from his present place, and where Thomas SHIPLEY now lives. There he remained twelve months, and then returned to Pendleton township, and settled on the home farm. After living on that farm eighteen years, he again moved, and then settled on part of the tract of land that Belle Rive now occupies. In 1875 he left that farm and came to his present location, where he now owns a farm of 200 acres, situated in Sections 22, 23 and 27. He has about 190 acres in cultivation, and two acres in orchard.

Mr. COFIELD was married on June 22, 1848, to Brunetta WILKY, a daughter of Maxy and Jennie WILKY, one of the oldest families in this county. She was the mother of three children, one of whom is now living - Thomas, now in Clinton County, Ill. This lady died in January, 1854, and our subject was married the second time, to Nancy J. LAIRD, a native of Pendleton township and the daughter of David and Elizabeth (TUMBLESON) LAIRD. This marriage resulted in ten children, six of whom are now living - W.H. (in Ottawa, Kan.), Leaton, Ransom, Charles Hannibal, Isabelle and Charity.

He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a Republican.

Source: "History of Jefferson County, Illinois" Wm. Henry Perrin

Submitted by Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera Nov 6, 1997