My Genealogy Hound

James J. Soule, of Edina, Mo., is a native of Hancock County Ill., and was born October 17, 1850. He is a son of Isaac and Eunice P. (Ricker) Soule. natives of Ohio and Maine. Our subject was reared to manhood, in his native State and county. He has been engaged in the railroad business since he became twenty-one years of age, and is a practical telegrapher. Prior to his coming to Edina, he was ticket agent for the Chicago & Alton Railroad, at Kansas City. He came to Edina in 1881, and has since been agent for the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad, at this place, and also agent for the Pacific Express Company. July 27, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Minne Coulson, daughter of the late Nathaniel B. Coulson, of this county. Mr. Soule has one child, Nathaniel Coulson, by this marriage, and also has a daughter, Katie V., by a former marriage. He is a Republican in politics, and a Master Mason. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Soule’s father, Nathaniel B., was a son of William Coulson, of English ancestry, and Lydia (Rogers) Coulson, a descendant of the Pennsylvania Quakers, and was born June 30, 1808 in Chester County, Penn., but removed with his parents to Belmont County, Ohio, in 1809, and from there to Rushville, Fairfield County, in 1821. Here he resided until 1855, becoming one of the most influential citizens of the town, which his father helped to found. His occupation was that of a dry goods merchant. He was also a successful farmer, and owned much land in and near Rushville. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in his early youth, and was an active and zealous worker in this church, as long as his health would permit. His house was the home of the pioneer preacher, and many members of the Ohio Conference still remember him. He was married to Mary Quinn, daughter of Rev. James Quinn, in 1830, but was left a widower in 1852, with six children. July 19, 1854, he was married to Delilah Linville, daughter of Joseph Linville, of Fairfield County, and a year later moved to Minnesota. He built the second house in the now thriving town of Northfield. The severity of the winters, and the close proximity of the Indians induced him to leave Minnesota, and he came to Edina, Mo., in 1857, at which place he resided until his death November 17, 1877. Mr. Coulson was one of the early citizens of Edina, and is well remembered by all of the older inhabitants of Knox County. He was with Bryant & Connelly, with the Brewington Bros., and afterward continued in business for himself, until his failing health compelled him to abandon all active pursuits. He was a great sufferer from lung and throat disease, and for several years before his death was a confirmed invalid. In politics he was a Whig, but later became a Republican. He was an Odd Fellow and a Royal Arch Mason. Mrs. Coulson lives in Edina, and the following children survive: James Quinn, of Texas; Lydia Eleanor, wife of David McBride, of Knox City, Mo.; Joseph Clark, of Kansas City, Mo.; Mary Teal, wife of S. G. Kaylor, of Newark, Mo., by his first marriage; and Minne, wife of James Soule, and Thomas Bruce, by his second marriage.