Biography - Morgan Costley
Morgan COSTLEY, farmer, P. O. Raymond, was born in Greene County, Ill., July 21, 1836, and received his education in his native county, where his early life was spent upon the homestead farm. He came to Montgomery County in 1856, and purchased 144 acres of wild prairie land, which he improved, and upon which he remained until 1873, when he removed to his present place of residence, where he has 200 acres of as well cultivated land as can be found in Raymond Township. He has accumulated a large amount of his world's good, and has at one time had in his possession about five hundred acres of land. The high state of cultivation under which he keeps his farm shows him to be a practical farmer, and well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by the community. He has also been a prominent dealer in and feeder of stock, chiefly cattle and hogs. Although he grows all the crops usually raised upon a well-regulated farm, he makes a specialty of grain. He was married in Montgomery County in 1859, to Miss Melvina McGOWN, who was born in Greene County to Alexander and Louisa (McNEAL) McGOWN. She has borne him six children, viz., William A., John P., Della, Charles, Alta L. and Perry, the latter of whom died in infancy. William COSTLEY, the father of Morgan, was a native of Kentucky, a farmer by occupation, and died in 1869. His wife, Elizabeth Mathis, was a native of Illinois; she died at Raymond in 1875. She was the mother of thirteen children, of whom Morgan was the fifth child. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 216.
