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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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DYER COLAW, farmer; P. O. Downs; one of the old settlers of McLean Co.; born in Highland Co., Va., Feb. 20, 1846. He is the son of William Colaw, who emigrated from Virginia and located in McLean Co. in 1854. His biography appears among the biographical sketches of Downs Township in this work. The subject of this sketch emigrated with his parents when 9 years of age, and located in McLean Co. He attended the common school until 19 years of age, during which time he was engaged in farming in summer. He remained with his father until he attained his majority, when, upon the 15th of September, 1867, he was united in marriage with Mary J. Garr; she was born in McLean Co. Dec. 31, 1841. They have two children — Alpha, born Sept. 19, 1868; Lillie, May 21, 1872. Upon the marriage of Mr. Colaw, he engaged in farming two years in McLean Co. and three years in De Witt Co., and located upon Sec. 34 in Old Town Township, where he has since lived. He is engaged in farming some 150 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Colaw have been members of the M. E. Church for a period of fifteen years. Mrs. C. is a daughter of Joseph Garr, one of the early settlers, who emigrated from Kentucky and located upon Sec. 34, in Old Town Township, McLean Co., in 1836, where he lived until his decease, which occurred March 15, 1844. He married in Kentucky, in 1820, Margaret Galloway; she was born in Kentucky, and died in McLean Co. March 9, 1876, aged 76 years.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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