Andrew Costley, one of the successful farmers of Macoupin
County, owning a farm of 90 acres situated in section 5, Polk township, and
10 acres in Western Mound township, was born in 1853, in Jersey County,
Illinois, and is a son of John and Nancy (Neeley) Costley.
John
Costley was born in Greene County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming
until his death, in 1853, at the age of 30 years, leaving a widow and two
children, our subject, then a babe of six months, and his older sister
Elizabeth, who married Richard Henson and now resides at East St. Louis,
Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Henson have five children, namely: Fanny, Emma, John,
Sarah and Bessie.
To his great-uncle, Joshua Neeley, Mr. Costley is
indebted for his rearing, education and the fine farm he owns. This uncle
never married, but gave a father's care to 21 children, belonging to his
relatives. At the age of 19 years he came to Illinois from North Carolina,
driving a four-horse team, and settled in Jersey County. Scarcely had he
located when he learned of the death of his brother, Richard Neeley, and
immediately the heads of his horses were turned in the direction of the Old
North State. The return journey was made with the seven fatherless children
of his brother, one of whom was the mother of our subject. When her son was
left fatherless, it was this kind uncle who again extended the helping hand
and reared him as one of his own. The death of Joshua Neeley took place
January 20, 1887, at which time he was one of the richest men in this part
of the State. He owned 2,004 acres of finely improved farm land located in
Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery counties, and land in the limits of
Jerseyville, estimated to be worth $80,000. Mr. Neeley not only provided a
home for his nephews and nieces, but made a will leaving his property to
them. It was slightly contested, but stood the test. He was a man of
sterling traits of character, of quiet, unobtrusive ways, and was well and
widely known through this section.
Mr. Costley received his farm of
100 acres from this kind and generous uncle, to whom he gave the assistance
and obedience of a son. Here he has been engaged in general and successful
farming ever since. He also devotes considerable attention to stock raising,
in which branch of agriculture he has met with much success.
In 1873
Mr. Costley was married to Fanny Cope, who is a daughter of Nathan Cope, of
English township, Jersey County, and to this marriage these children have
been born: Maggie, born November 26, 1877, who married Leonard Walton and
lives in Chesterfield — they have two children, Claude and Byron; Daisy,
born July 14, 1878, who married Frank Goodell, a farmer of Iowa, and they
have one child, Clarence; John M., born November 1, 1880, who is a school
teacher in Polk township; William Clay, born August 4, 1882, who follows the
barbering business; Ernest C., born April 13, 1884; Nathan Timothy, born
April 17, 1886, who lives in Iowa; Gladys, born March 26, 1888; Una, born
February 27, 1894; and George, born May 30, 1895.
Fraternally Mr.
Costley is a member of the Yeomen of America. In politics he is a Democrat.
In his religious connection he is a Baptist.
Extracted 2018 May 04 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 59-61.
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