McDonough ILGenWeb

COMER, Joseph, who was formerly successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Eldorado Township, McDonough County, Ill., but is now living in comfortable retirement in Macomb, was born in the above-named township August 23, 1839, and there attended public school. He is a son of Robert and Nancy (Wilkinson) Comer, both natives of Ohio, the father having been born in the vicinity of Chillicothe. Jesse Comer, the grandfather, was a native of North Carolina. But one of Robert Comer's brothers and two sisters came to Illinois. All are now deceased. Robert Comer and his wife had ten children, his son Joseph being the fifth in order of birth. He remained on the farm with his parents until he was thirty-two years old, when he married and moved onto a tract of seventy acres of land in the same township, which his father had given him for services rendered. To this farm he added until he was the owner of 316 acres in one farm, which is still his property. It is all fine farming land, free from incumbrance, and nearly all tiled. While living there Mr. Comer was engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and for twenty years fed from one to two carloads of cattle per year. In September, 1902, he moved to Macomb, where he had bought a residence. Here in ease and contentment respected by all, he is enjoying the fruits of many years of toil.

Mr. Comer was married October 31, 1872, to Frances Craig, who was born and schooled in Industry Township. The children resulting from this union are as follows: Gilbert R., Mary L., Reta M., George W., Charles E. and Walter A. Politically, Mr. Comer is a Democrat. He was School Director of his township for fifteen years, and also served as Road Commissioner. In religious belief, he is a Presbyterian, and fraternally, is affiliated with the Masonic Order.

---

Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907.