John G. Coberly
John G. Coberly, farmer and stock-raiser, P.O. Walnut Run, was born on his present farm January 1, 1818. Thomas Coberly, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio about 1810. He came to Madison County, purchasing 100 acres of land, in Paint Township, where he resided till death. He was a pioneer citizen of this part of Madison County, and an industrious man through life. He reared a family of three daughters and four sons—William, Job, Andrew, James, Eva (wife of William Watson), Polly (wife of James Sutton), and Hannah (wife of William Sutton). One son, William, the father of John G, was born in Virginia, and after coming to this county served in the American Army during the war of 1812. He was a farmer and trader and followed those occupations through life. He was joined in marriage to Amantha Green, a native of Virginia, who presented him with five children, all living—John G.; James, a resident of Missouri; Betsey, wife of John Berry, of Newport; Hannah, wife of Augustus Watson, of Bates County, Mo.; and William, residing at Georgesville, Franklin Co., Ohio. Mrs. Coberly departed this life in 1822, and Mr. C. married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah (Miller) Hamilton, widow of Thomas Hamilton. Of the nine children born to this latter union, five survive—Catherine (wife of Jackson Willoughby, of London), Andrew Jackson (in charge of the Newport saw-mill), Samuel (a farmer, residing in Newport), Thomas (same occupation and residence), Sarah (wife of James Crawford, of Paint Township), and Mary (wife of John Murl, of Chester Township, Clinton Co., Ohio. Mr. Coberly died in June, 1865. John G. Coberly grew to manhood on the old homestead, his educational facilities being rather limited. He remained with his father until thirty-three years of age, when he purchased 130 acres of land, located between his present farm and the Madison & Fayette pike. He resided there six years and then rented the "Job Plowman farm," now owned by Richard Florence, ex-Treasurer of Madison County, where he farmed for one year. He then removed to the home farm, and a year later built his present residence. From 1862 to 1865, he lived on John Dunn's farm, in Deer Creek Township, and subsequently on land owned by John Houston, in the same locality. He then came to his present farm of fifty acres, having previously sold his first purchase. Mr. Coberly is a member of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office. He was married, in 1851, to Eliza, daughter of Thomas Hamilton. Five children were born to these parents—Winlield, Serepta, Perry (residing at Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio), Robert B. and Rodney. Mrs. Coberly was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and departed this life in December, 1880.
From History of Madison County - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]