(NOTE: William S. Coon probably never sat for a portrait before his entering the service during the Civil War, but he spent almost 10 months with the 86th in the Nashville, Tennessee area, during which time most of the members of the 86th took the opportunity to sit for portraits to send back home to their loved that they missed so much. Most of the boys didn't stop at making just one or two copies of those pictures, which were printed in the form of what was called a "tin type" or, more often, in the from of what was called a CDV, which was a paper picture glued to a heavier card board stock about the size of a modern day baseball card. They made a dozen copies or more, sometimes, so that they could swap pictures with the friends, tentmates and messmates within their respective companies as well as to send home to family and friends.
Then, William S. Coon, as did his brother, Isaac, survived the war and lived well into the 20th Century. During this time, William and Isaac must had their pictures taken many more times. I would love to see copies of those CDV's of William and Isaac in uniform added to their sites, but at this point, I would just love to see ANY pictures of William and Isaac added to their FAG sites, even ones of them as 50, 60 or 70 year old man. Can anyone help me with this? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Baxter)

Private WILLIAM SPENCER COON, Co. F, 86th Illinois

William Spencer Coon was born c. March 4, 1834 at or near Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, one of at least seven children known to have been born to John Coon, who was born in 1810 in Canada, and Chloe (Cox) Coon, who was born in 1816 in Canada, the daughter of Spencer and Elizabeth (Bens) Cox. William Spencer Coon's obituary, seen on this site states that he, too, was born in Canada, but, by 1834, the Coon family is believed to be residing in the residing in Cuhahoga County, Ohio near Cleveland. The obit also gives his year of birth as 1825, which is definately an error.
The children born to John Coon and Chloe (Cox) Coon include;
1. William Spencer Coon, born March 4, 1834 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. See his biography below.

2. George A. Coon, born c. 1836/37 in Ohio. George A. Coon is found in the 1850 census at the age of 13, living with his parents in Jefferson Township, Madison County, Ohio. The family is known to have moved to Illinois before 1853, but can not be located in the 1860 census. George is not found with the family in the 1870 census. He may be married by this time and out on his own. He may have died as well. Nothing is known about George after that 1850 census.

3. David John Coon, born 23 Jul 1840 in Madison County, Ohio. David J. Coon died from an ailment incurred while in the service of his country on 30 Jun 1863 in Knox County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Uniontown Cemetery in Uniontown, Knox County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #28154307 for more information about him.

4. Isaac J Coon, born 12 Mar 1843 in Madison County, Ohio. Isaac died on 7 Dec 1908 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska and his mortal remains were laid in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. See his Find A Grave Memorial #24068161 for more information about him, his service and his family.

5. Sidney C. Coon (Son), born c. 1843/44 in Ohio. Sydney C. Coon is found in the 1850 census at the age of 6, living with his parents in Jefferson Township, Madison County, Ohio. The family is known to have moved to Illinois before 1853, but can not be located in the 1860 census. Sidney is not found with the family in the 1870 census. He may be married by this time and out on his own. He may have died as well. Nothing is known about Sidney after that 1850 census.

6. Jacob H. Coon, born c. 1846/47 in Ohio. Jacob H. Coon is found in the 1850 census at the age of 3, living with his parents in Jefferson Township, Madison County, Ohio. The family is known to have moved to Illinois before 1853, but can not be located in the 1860 census. Jacob is not found with the family in the 1870 census. He may be married by this time and out on his own. He may have died as well. Nothing is known about Jacob after that 1850 census.

7. Luther A. Coon, born August __, 1852 in Illinois. Luther is found with the family in the 1870 census in Salem Township, Knox County, Illinois. Luther was married to Louise ____________ c. 1873 in ___________ County, ____________. Two children were born to Luther and Louise;
A. ____________ Coon, born c. 18__.

B. ____________ Coon, born c. 18__.

Luther and Louise can not be located in the 1880 census. However, at the time of the 1900 census, Luther and Louise are found living at what is identified as 718 North 16th Street in Ward 8 of the city of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska;
Luther Coon IL 47 Aug 1852 Expressman 26
Louise Coon Germany 47 Jul 1852 26 2 2

At the time of the 1920 census, Luther and Louise are found residing at what is then identified as 1612 Bunt Street in Ward 3 of the city of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska;
Luther Coon 70 Illinois
Louise Coon 70 Ohio

Luther A. Coon died on ____________ __, 19__ and his mortal remains were laid in the _______________ Cemetery in ____________, ___________ County, _____________.

Now to continue with what we known about John Coon and his family;
By 1840, the Coon family has moved to Madison County, Ohio and at the time of the 1850 census, the family is found in Jefferson Township, Madison County, Ohio;
John Coon 39 Farmer Canada
Chloe Coon 34 Canada
William S. Coon 16 Farmer Ohio
George A. Coon 13 Ohio
David J. Coon

In the 1850's the family has moved on west, where they have settled near Maquon, Illinois in Knox County. At the time of the 1860 census, the family must be in Illinois, but I have been unable to locate them.
At the time of the 1870 census the Coon family is found in Salem Township, Knox County, Illinois;
John Coon 60 Works on R. Road Canada
Chloe Coon 53 Keeps House Canada
Luther A. Coon 17 Works on R. R. IL
Amanda F. Coon 14 At home IL
Chloe A Coon 12 At school IL
John M. Coon 8 At School IL

John Coon died in the 1870's, probably there in Knox County, Illinois. However, Chloe is known to have moved to Nebraska in the 1870's and there is always the possibility that John and Chloe both moved to Nebraska and then he died there. It is, of course, not known where his mortal remains were laid.
At the time of the 1880 census, Chloe (Cox) Coon is found living with her son, Issac J. Coon, and his family in the city of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska;
Isaac J. Coon 37 Ohio Head Raftsman Ohio
M. E. Coon 29 Wife Indiana
J. E. Coon 10 Son Iowa
N. A. Coon 6 Dau. Iowa
Chloe Coon 62 Mother Canada
Spencer Coon 1/12 Apr 1880 Neb. Son Nebraska

At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Chloe (Cox) Coon is found residing with her grandaughter, Amanda (Coon) Myer, and her family in Fort Calhoun Township, Washington County, Nebraska;
Carl Myer __ Head Farmer Hanover
Amanda Myer 30 Wife Keeping House Illinois
Chloe Coon 68 Grandmother Canada
Francis Myer 10 Son Nebraska

Chloe (Cox) Coon died on 26 Feb 1886 in Douglas County, Nebraska and her mortal remains were laid in the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial #30015414.

Now to continue with the biography of William Spencer Coon;
On July 29, 1862, William's younger brother, David John Coon volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a well known local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burkhalter for service in the Union Army. On August 6, another brother, Isaac J. Coon signed the volunteer rolls for Burkhalter's growing company. On the last day of recruiting, August 11, 1862, William Spencer Coon signed his name to the rolls. At the time they volunteered, David and Isaac state that they are farming for a living, while William states that he is working as a miner.

Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Detail Report
from the Illinois State Archives;
Name COON, WILLIAM S Rank PVT
Company F Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL
Age 27 Height 5' 8 Hair BLACK Eyes HAZEL
Complexion FAIR Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation MINER
Nativity CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA CO, OH

Service Record
Joined When AUG 11, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _____ Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC
Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS

By the evening of the 11th day of August, 1862, Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers. The following day, Burkhalter led the Maquon company on a long march into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
During those first few months in the field, the poor diet and living conditions took a great toll on the green troops in the field. Even before the 86th left Camp Joe Holt, many of the troops were ill. Many more became ill before the 86th arrived in Nashville. Many of these troops were left behind in Army Hospitals in Louisville, Kentucky when the 86th left for Perryville or were sent back to the Army Hospitals in Louisville after the Battle of Perryville. One of these troops that was either left behind or sent back to the Army Hospitals before the 86th got too far into Tennessee was Private David John Coon, the first member of the Coon family to volunteer. At the hospital, whatever his ailment, his condition did not improve. Finally on October 31, 1862, the Army Doctors thought it best to let David out of the service and let him return to his family in hopes that with the help of family and home cooking his condition would improve. So on October 31, 1862, Private David John Coon was discharged from the service for disability and he returned to his home and family in Knox County. Whatever his ailment, David continued to struggle with health issues on through the winter and spring of 1862/63 and on June 30, 1863, Private David John Coon died. He is believed to have died at Yates City, Illinois and his earthly remains were laid to rest in the Uniontown Cemetery in Knox County, Illinois, not far from Farmington, Illinois.
During the next two and a half years, Privates William Spencer Coon and Isaac J. Coon and the men of the 86th served in on with the 86th in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, they were witness to and participants in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; to name a few and they marched with Sherman to the Sea. They were still there in May of 1865 in Washington City (now D.C.) on the second day of the Grand Review as Sherman's boys marched down Pennsylvania Avenue. On June 6, 1865, when they were mustered out of the service, Private Isaac J. Coon and Private William S. Coon were among the last 40 men who still remained with Co. F. Shortly afterward they were on a train bound for Chicago and shortly after arriving in Chicago, they were headed for home and family in Knox County.

William Spencer Coon was married to Rachel E Davis on August 1, 1855 in Knox County, Illinois. Rachel was born in 1837 in Illinois and died in 1862 in Illinois. They had four children before she died in childbirth. They are;
1. Amanda F. Coon, born c. 1855/56 in Illinois. Amanda was married to Carl Myer in the 1870's. At least one son was born to Amanda and Carl Myer;
A. Francis Myer, born c. 1874/75 in Nebraska.

At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Chloe (Cox) Coon is found residing with her daughter, Amanda (Coon) Myer, and her family in Fort Calhoun Township, Washington County, Nebraska;
Carl Myer __ Head Farmer Hanover
Amanda Myer 30 Wife Keeping House Illinois
Chloe Coon 68 Grandmother Canada
Francis Myer 10 Son Nebraska

Nothing more is known of Amanda and her family at this time. Amanda F. (Coon) Myer died on ____________ 19__ in ___________ County, _____________ and her mortal remains were laid in the _______________ Cemetery in ____________, ____________.

2. Chloe A. Coon, born c. 1857/58 in Illinois. Chloe is found living with her Coon grandparents in Knox County, Illinois in 1870, but, nothing more is known of her after this.

3. Cynthia J. Coon, born December 25, 1860 in Illinois. Cynthia may have died before 1870 as she is not found with her siblings, who are all living with their grandmother and grandfather Coon at the time of the 1870 census.

4. John M. Coon, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois. John M. Coon is found living with his Coon grandparents at the time of the 1870 census, but, nothing more is known of him after this.

After their mother died, the four children went to live with their Coon grandparents.
William Spencer Coon was married 2nd to Esther Lopeman on June 27, 1865, in Lewiston, Fulton, Illinois. She was born January 16, 1831, in Pennsylvania and died in 1905 in Seiling, Dewey, Oklahoma. Two children are known to have been born to them. They are;
5. Cora Hazel Coon, born Aug 4, 1869 in Kansas; died January 1937.

6. John Richard Coon, born January 25, 1871 in Kansas; died February 17, 1954 in Colorado; buried in the Brumfield Cemetery.

At the time of the 1880 census, William, Esther and the two children are found residing in Towanda Township, Phillips County, Kansas near Logan, Kansas, where William is farming for a living. In 1____, the Coon family moved on west, where they settled in Dewey County, Oklahoma, where they settled near Seiling, Oklahoma. William and Esther would remain there the remainder of their lives.
Private William Spencer Coon died on February 11, 1915 in Dewey County, Oklahoma. Their earthly remains were laid to rest in the Brumfield Cemetery in Seiling, Dewey County, Oklahoma.

by Baxter Fite and Fran Denny

(Baxter and Fran would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants, who might be able to add further to the biographies of Private William Spencer Coon and the Coon family. Baxter and Fran would also love to get copies of any pictures of William Spencer Coon which may have survived the years, especially any of him in uniform from his days in the 86th, for his Find A Grave site and for the local Historical Societies.)