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- History of Vermilion County. H. W. Beckwith. Chicago, IL, H.H. Hill and Co., 1879. Chapter on Blount Township, pages 900-901. . John J. Cosat, Danville, minister of the gospel, section 13, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 13th of March, 1844, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He had but little opportunity of acquiring an early education, but by close study at home he succeeded in acquiring a sufficient education to enable him to teach school, which he continued for thirteen years. He commenced preparing for the ministry at the age of twenty-five. He was ordained in the Christian church in 1878, and has charge of two churches. He is also elder in the church. He was married on the 11th of July, 1868 to Emma Cline, who was born in Vermilion county, this state, on the 30th of September, 1851. They have six children, three living: Ernest H., born on the 15th of May, 1870; Pleasant, born on the 5th of May, 1872, died May 8th, 1872; Theodore W. , born on the 30th of September, 1873; John D., born on the 25th of October, 1875, died on the 14th of November, 1876; Lafayette, born on the 26th of August 1877, and died on the 2d of October, 1877; Everett M., born on the 25th of September , 1878. Mr. Cosat has held the office of town clerk one term, township assessor four years, justice of the peace two years, and this office he is still holding. He enlisted in the late war in 1864, in Co.I, 5th Wis. Inf., as corporal. He was one of the six men who captured Lieutenant Ewell. He served one year and was in the battles of Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Sailor Creek, and several other engagements. He is a republican in politics. His parents were natives of Kentucky. Mr. Cosat's father came to this state in 1831, hence was one of the early settlers of this county.
The Past and Present of Vermilion County, Illinois. Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Oo., 1903. Page 775-777.
Rev. John J . Cosat, who for many years has devoted his time and labors to the work of the ministry of the Christian church and who has also engaged to some extent in real estate dealing, was born six miles northwest of Danville in what is now Blount township, March 31, 1 844, and at the present time he makes his home in the County seat, From Scotland at an early day came his ancestors in the Cosat line and at the time of the Revolutionary war members of the family served with the continental army. General Macomb, one of the great-grandfathers of our subject, served in the war of 1812 with the rank indicated his title. David Cosat. the father of our subject, was born in Harrodsburg. Kentucky, and was married in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1833, to Nancy Truax, whose birth occurred near Lexington, Kentucky. He had come to Vermilion county in 1832. while the year 1826, witnessed her arrival. The father engaged in schooI teaching and in farmiing and continued to live in Blount township until his death, which occurred in 1886, while his wife had passed away thirty years before, in 1856. In early life he was associated with the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the Republican party, remaining one of its active supporters until his demise, while of the Christian church both he and his wife were prominent members. In their family were thirteen children, of whom five are now living Margaret, the widow of Thomas Myrick and a resident of Armstrong, Illinois; John J.; David, of Parsons, Kansas; Mrs. John S. Leave, who is residing near Danville ; and Emma, the wife of John Williams, whose home is near Snyder, Illinois. Rev. John J. Cosat began his education in the schools of Blount township and after attending the public schools of the county for a number of years he took up educational work and for twenty-nine terms, covering a period of twenty-five years, he was classed among the successful school teachers of Vermilion county. On the 11h of September, 1864. in Janesville. Wisconsin, he wedded Miss Frances II. Rosebaum, who died February 8. 1868. leaving one child. Eldora. who became the wife of J. H. Poulter, of Vermilion county, and died August 2. 1889, leaving two children : Amanda, who is a school teacher of Armstrong. Illinois; and Frank, who follows farming in this county. After the death of his first wife Elder Cosat was married July 15. 1869, in Danville, to Miss Emma Clinc, whose birth occurred in this city. November 30. 1851. a daughter of Nathaniel and Cynthia (Sanders) Cline. the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. The Cline family comes of German ancestry and the name was originally spelled Klein. The parents of Mrs. Cosat were married in Vermilion county, where Mr. Cline had located in 1826, doing gunsmith work for the Indians in early pioneer times. He was a Republican in politics and a member of the Baptist church and made his home in this county until his demise,
owning a large tract of land at Coal Hollow, which he entered from the government. He served as a fifer during the Civil war. being a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, commanded by Colonel Harmon, and he died near Nashville while in the service. In his family were eight children, six of whom are now living: Mary, the wife of John Barnett, who resides near Blount. Illinois; Benjamin, of Danville; Mrs. Cosat: Lewketty, the wife of Lafayette Saltz. of Danville; John V. and Charles, who are residents of this city. Unto Mr. Cosat and his second wife have been born thirteen children, of whom eight are living : Professor E. H. Cosat, who married Aliss Tessie Martin and is principal of the Collett school of Danville: Theodore W.. who is engaged in the real estate business in this city; Everett, who is agent ftir the New York Nursery Company in Danville and married Miss Ella Grition by whom he has one son, Olaf; Effie. the wife of Pearl Hastings, residing on Fairchild street of Danville, bv whom she has two children. Floyd and Aletha: Charles L.. a carriage painter of Danville: Nellie. Marion and Lowell, all attending
school. Elder Cosat was ordained a minister of the Christian church October 10. 1871. and his first charge embraced Union and Prairie Churchs of Vermilion county. He has successively been pastor of church No. 10 near Armstrong, Illinois, the church at Bismarck, at Stateline. at Walnut Corners, Church No.8 and also the church of his denomination at Fithiian, Oakwood. Maple Grove and other points. He was pastor of the church at Union, Illinois, where he has preached for the past twenty-one years and he is now pastor of the churches at Georgetown and at Janesburg, lllinois. Throughout the greater part of his life his attention has to some extent heen given to business interests and he has likewise been active in official service. For eleven years he was town clerk, was justice of the peace for nine years, was assessor for six years, supervisor for one year and overseer of the poor for one year, holding all of these offices in Blount township. In 1892 he removed to Danville and later spent a short time in Kansas, but returned to this city in 1895 and was here engaged in merchandising. He is now connected with his son in the real estate business. Prior to 1881 Mr. Cosat voted with the Republican party and since that time he has been a Prohiliitionist. In matters of citizenship he is interested and also in everything pertaining to the general good and actively co-operates in every measure for the promotion of progress, reform and improvement. He belongs to the United Order of the Golden Cross and was an active member of tlie Farmers Grange. At the time of the Civil war he was an earnest advocate of the Union cause and on the t4th of July, 1864. he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Wisconsin Vohinteer Infantry, under Captain Thomas Flint and Colonel E. A. .Mien, joining the army at Broadhead. Wisconsin. He was then ordered to the front and under Sheridan participated in the Shenandoah campaign and was present when Sheridan made his famous ride from Winchester to Cedar Creek. In the fall of 1864 the regiment was transferred to the Armv of the Potomac and operated with that great military division until 18O5. Mr. Cosat participated in the battie of Petersburg and in the sanguinary engagement at Sailors Run. Because of meritorious conduct and marked bravery he was recommended by General Grant for a commission. With his command he pursued General Lee to Appomattox, and was afterward at Burksville Junction, guarding stores until the following June, after which the troops marched to Danville on the North Carolina line. In the meantime General Johnston had surrendered to General Sherman and Mr. Cosat with his regiment returned to Burksville and afterward to Richmond, later going to Washington. while on Hall's Hill, on Ridge Point, he was mustered out. He then proceeded to Madison, Wisconsin. where in July he received an honorable discharge with the rank of corporal. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His military service was in keeping with the family record for loyalty, patriotism and bravery. His influence has ever been found on the side of progress, the truth and the right, for he believes that Christian faith should find its exemplification in the daily walks of life.
- Pension card. Name of soldier: John J. Cosat. Name of widow: Emma Cosat. Service: I. 5 Wis. Inf. Date of filing 10 July 1890: Class: Invalid. Application No. 796343, Certificate no. 682669. Date of filing 5 October 1918 Class: Widow. Application No.1129127. Certificate No. 862410.
Enlisted 21 Sept 1864, Albany Wi. Corporal. Company _____, 5 Wis Infantry. Discharged/mustered out 30 June 1865 Halls Hill, VA.
"At the time of the Civil war he was an earnest advocate of the Union cause and on the t4th of July, 1864. he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Thomas Flint and Colonel E. A. .Mien, joining the army at Broadhead. Wisconsin. He was then ordered to the front and under Sheridan participated in the Shenandoah campaign and was present when Sheridan made his famous ride from Winchester to Cedar Creek. In the fall of 1864 the regiment was transferred to the Army of the Potomac and operated with that great military division until 18O5. Mr. Cosat participated in the battle of Petersburg and in the sanguinary engagement at Sailors Run. Because of meritorious conduct and marked bravery he was recommended by General Grant for a commission. With his command he pursued General Lee to Appomattox, and was afterward at Burksville Junction, guarding stores until the following June, after which the troops marched to Danville on the North Carolina line. In the meantime General Johnston had surrendered to General Sherman and Mr. Cosat with his regiment returned to Burksville and afterward to Richmond, later going to Washington. while on Hall's Hill, on Ridge Point, he was mustered out. He then proceeded to Madison, Wisconsin. where in July he received an honorable discharge with the rank of corporal. "
- Danville's oldest minister is dead.
Rev. John J. Cosat, in ministry fifty-five years, passed away yesterday - born in country.
Rev. John J. Cosat, who devoted his time and labors for more than a half century to the ministry of the Christian church, and who was one of the oldest residents of Vermilion county, having been born on a farm in Blount township, about six miles northwest of the city, is dead following a long illness from paralysis and a complication of other diseases.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available. [9]
- Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles
Name John J Cosat
Enlistment Date 27 Aug 1864
Enlistment Rank Corporal
Muster Date 27 Aug 1864
Muster Place Wisconsin
Muster Company I
Muster Regiment 5th Infantry
Muster Regiment Type Infantry
Muster Information Enlisted
Rank Change Date 6 Apr 1865
Rank Change Rank Capt
Muster Out Date 20 Jun 1865
Muster Out Information Mustered Out
Side of War Union
Survived War? Yes
Was Officer? Yes
Residence Place Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin
Title Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers: War of the Rebellion
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