Biography - CHESTERFIELD FILES
Taking high rank among physicians of Edwards county, is he whose name appears above. Dr. Files was born in White county, July 24th, 1841, as was also his father, John, who was born August 12, 1818. His mother, whose maiden name was Jane Maracle, was a native of Virginia where she was born February 22d, 1822. Her parents were German people. The grandfather of the doctor, William E. Files, was a native of South Carolina, whence he came in an early day to Kentucky, thence to White county, Illinois in 1816. His father in turn was from England. Dr. Files obtained a good common school education, taught school alternating it with attendance in the Wesleyan University at Bloomington. Upon the breaking out of the war for the Union he enlisted as a private in Company D, 40th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, August 3d, 1861. He remained with his command eight months when he was discharged on account of disability; while at home he received an appointment from Gov. Richard Yates as Lieutenant of a company of home militia. In 1863, he again entered the service as a recruit in the 87th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, upon the disbandment of this regiment he was transferred to the 18th. Belonging as he did to the mounted militia he did much service scouting. In 1870, he entered the office of Dr. R. J. Puckett to engage in the study of medicine, a study he had entered upon during the interim in his terms of service. He next attended lectures in the Physio-Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he was graduated February 11th, 1873. He had already been engaged in practice six months in his old home, but upon graduating he selected Bone Gap as a place of residence, and here in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice he has since remained. He was united in marriage to Emeline Wilson, daughter of Newton Wilson, of Wayne county, Illinois, March 9th, 1867. By her he has five children living and three dead. He is a Republican. On his mother's side the family was noted for longevity. His grandfather died aged a hundred years. His parents yet live in the old home in White county. As a practitioner the doctor is held in high esteem; as a citizen he is loyal, progressive and ever awake to the best interests of his fellows.
Extracted 12 Aug 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 A Combined History of Edwards, Lawrence, and Wabash Counties, Illinois, page 220.
