| Biography |
- Biography of Charles COMLY (father of Abraham L.)
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 266-267
Charles COMLY was born in Milton, Northumberland County, PA, 22 Oct 1814. He is a son of Thomas and Catherine (HUNTER) COMLY, the former of whom was born 17 Aug 1789, in Chester County, PA. He was the son of Ezra and Hannah (IREDELL) COMLY, and a descendant of one Henry COMLY, who came to this country from England in company with William PENN, in 1682. Henry COMLY was married 17 Aug 1695 to Miss Agnes HEATON.
Thomas IREDELL emigrated from England to the U. S. in 1700 and was married 09 Apr 1705 to Rebecca WILLIAMS. The mother of our subject was born 06 Jul 1796, in Northumberland County, PA, and spent her last days in Lycoming County, PA, her decease occurring when 76 years of age. Ezra COMLY was a lumber merchant and died in Northumberland County, PA, when 80 years of age, his wife's decease [p 267] occurring at the same place in her 84th year. The grandfather of our subject was a son of Henry and Agnes (HEATON) COMLY.
The mother of our subject was the daughter of David and Isabella (PATTERSON) HUNTER, the former of whom was a native of Ireland and died when 68 years of age in Lycoming County, PA, leaving a wife and seven children. The mother, Isabella HUNTER, was a native of the Keystone State [PA], and her demise occurred in Lycoming County at the age of 76 years. The PATTERSONs were of Scotch-Irish descent, while the COMLYs are among old and prominent families of the U. S.
Charles COMLY of this sketch remained at home until 22 years of age, when on 08 Dec 1856 he was married in Union County, PA, to Miss LUDWIG. His wife was born in Berks County, PA, 05 Jan 1816, and is the daughter of Abram and Hannah (BOWER) LUDWIG, natives of PA, whose decease occurred in LaPorte County, IN, at the respective ages of 78 and 80 years. The parents of Mrs. COMLY were of German descent and old residents of PA.
After his marriage our subject worked by the month for four years, and then rented for three years, when he was enabled to purchase 64 acres of good land in PA, which he cultivated and resided upon until 1854. Then disposing of his acreage, Mr. COMLY came to Winnebago County and located on his present farm of 135 acres, which was partially improved at the time it came into his possession. As before stated, the excellent buildings on the farm have been the work of his enterprise, and in every sense of the word he maybe considered a model and modern farmer.
To Mr. and Mrs. COMLY have been born 10 children, one of whom [Lucy] is deceased. [Note the 1905 biography of Abraham L. COMLY, presented below, lists 11 children.] Those living are (1) Isabella [Isabella P. in the biography that follows], who was born 01 Aug 1840, and is married and the mother of five children; (2) Caroline, born 23 May 1842, is married and has seven children; (3) Hanna M. [Hannah in the biography that follows below], who was born 23 Dec 1844, is married and has a family of four children; (4) Catherine, born 18 Nov 1845, is married and has one child; (5) Mary [Mary E. in the biography below], born 09 Sep 1847, is married and the mother of five children; (6) Thomas, who was born 22 Apr 1849, is single; (7) Abraham L., born 18 Sep 1852, is the father of two children; (8) Charles H. [Charles Hunter in the biography below], born 27 Jan 1856, is a physician and resides in IA; (9) Edwin D., born 14 May 1863, married Miss Jennie LINCOLN, and is the father of a son and daughter. His wife was born 28 May 1867, and is a daughter of William and Lucy LINCOLN. Our subject and his wife have four great grandchildren. The family are prominent citizens of the county and were originally Quakers. Mr. COMLY has a nephew who was a soldier in the late war and who carried a ball over 22 years.
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1814 - Yes, date unknown
