The Illinois death index lists Enoch Foley, age 89, born 30 Apr 1838 in Bath Co., Ky, died 26 Jan 1928 in Decatur, Macon Co., Illinois, father John Foley, born in Va, mother’s maiden name Hulda, married, husband of Eliza Engram, burial in Oakland, Coles Co., Illinois.

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The Oakland Messenger

Oakland, Coles County, Illinois, Thursday, February 2, 1928

TAPS FOR OLD VET

Enoch Foley is Called at Age of 89 Years.

The remains of Enoch Foley, who passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Jacobs, in Decatur, Thursday afternoon, were brought to this city Friday and taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. F. Digby, from whose home funeral services were held Saturday afternoon.

Enoch Foley, son of John and Hulda Foley was born in Bath Co. Kentucky, April 30, 1838. His parents were both natives of Virginia. He passed away at the home of his daughter Mrs. Frank Jacobs in Decatur, Ill., Jan 26th, 1928. The father was a farmer and moved to Kentucky at an early day, settling in Bath County where he carried on farming until his death at the age of 84 years, his wife having died some time previous. There were three children in the family, now all deceased.

The boyhood of Enoch Foley was spent on a farm and he was educated in his native county. Upon reaching manhood he began farming on his own account, secured land and raised wheat and tobacco. In 1866 he moved to Rockville, Ind., and worked in a woolen mill and carried on farming in that locality. He remained there five years, then moved to Harrison County, Ky., where for sixteen years he carried on farming, and at the end of that period settled on a farm in Coles County, Ill., where he lived ten years. From there he moved to Lewis County, Mo., and operated a farm for five years. In 1900 he went to Illiopolis, and for some time conducted a dairy, but devoted most of his attention to his mill. He was energetic and prosperous, and had the respect and confidence of the community.

Mr. Foley enlisted in 1862, from Mt. Sterling, Ky., in Company B., Fourteenth Kentucky Calvary, and served twelve months, then worked a year for the Government after which he reenlisted in Company C., Fifty-third Mounted Infantry, being Commissary Sergeant. He served creditably and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., September 15, 1865, having taken part in many battles and minor skirmishes. He was a member of Morgan Post No. 208, G. A. R. of Illiopolis.

Mr. Foley was married in Kentucky, November 5, 1857, to Eliza Ingram, born in Kentucky, of which State her parents were also natives. Mr. Ingram was killed in the Civil War and his widow died in Kentucky. Mrs. Foley died Jan 28th, 1920, at Oakland. Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Foley, the following who survive him: James, of Sullivan; William, of Beaumont, Texas; Joseph, of Lewiston, Mo.; John, of Kewanee, Ill.; Phillip, of St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Mattie Dance, Lewiston, Mo.; Mrs. Mande Huff, of Bushnell, Ill.; Mrs. Josie Jacobs, of Decatur, Ill.; Mrs Harriett Martin, Mrs. Mary Digby, of Oakland; and Thomas, Jasper and Katherine who preceeded him. He is also survived by forty-two grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

Mr. Foley cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has always been a Republican in political views. He also belonged to the Christian Church.

Thus another of the few remaining lives has ended that bind us to the years of 61-65, the days when the life of this Republic was threatened with dissolution. Mr. Foley was from the southland where families were divided and neighbors parted and marched away, one to join the ranks of the blue and the other to the ranks of gray. Let us pause here, all of we friends and relatives, who have enjoyed the wonderful peace and blessings of this land since the war of the sixties and these younger ones who are just entering into these greater opportunities where our Republic carries the beacon light of progress to lead the world. Let us pause and remember that to such heroes as this aged veteran we owe the preservation of this republic, the abolition of human slavery, the reconstruction of a war torn land.

What a precious heritage these men have left us. How carefully should we guard these blood bought institutions. What lives of noble character and sacrifice we should live, that such as he should not have lived in vain. May God give us the vision, the courage, and the unfaltering faith to do and dare for love and liberty and law.

Funeral services were conducted from the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. F. Digby, on East Main street, Saturday afternoon, Jan 28, at 2:30, Rev. O. Ross Keran officiating, following which the remains were laid to rest in the Oakland Cemetery.

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A briefer syndicated obituary the day after his death listed his surviving children as James Foley, Sullivan; Philip Foley, St. Louis; William Foley, Phillipine Islands; John Foley, Kewanee; Joseph Foley, Lewiston, Mo.; Mrs. Frank Digbee, Oakland; Mrs. Frank Jacobs, Decatur; Mrs. Charles Huff, Taylorville; Mrs. Mattie Dance, Lewiston, Mo.

The Illinois deaths database lists Eliza Foley, age 77, born 15 Sep 1842 in Kentucky, died 28 Jan 1920 in Oakland, Coles Co., Illinois, married, father James Ingram, mother’s maiden name Jackson.

The reported birthdate is probably inaccurate; she was recorded as age 13 in the 1850 census. But she seems to have reported herself as younger starting with her marriage.

Bath Co., Ky marriage book 3, p. 4, records the marriage on 5 Nov 1857 of Enoch Foley and Elizabeth Ingram.

1860 census of Bath Co., Ky, Owingsville P.O., enumerated 7 Aug, lists on p. 199 as family #1441:
Enoch Foley, 21, farmer; Eliza, 18; Thomas, 1; not named (female), 2/12. All born in Kentucky.

The following household is that of Eliza’s brother George and Enoch’s sister Eliza.

1870 census of Parke Co., Indiana, Wabash township, Armesburg P.O., enumerated 15 Sep, lists on p. 14 as family #108/107:
Foley, Enos, 32, farm laborer; Eliza, 30; Thomas, 11; Mary, 10; James, 9; William, 7; Philip, 4, b. Ind; John, 2, b. Ind. All others born in Kentucky.

1880 census of Coles Co., Illinois, village of Oakland, enumerated 30 June, lists on p. 1 as family #2:
Folley, Enoch, 41, teamster, b. Ky Ky Va; Eliza, 38, wife, b. Ky Ky Ky; Thomas, son, 22; Mollie D., dau, 20; James Wesley, 18, son; William C., 16, son; Philip, 13, son; John, 12, son; Harriet, 9, dau; Joseph E., 7, son; Josephine, 5, dau; Kate K., 3, dau; Mattie, 1, dau; Jasper, 1, son. All the children are recorded as born in Kentucky, although that is inconsistent with other records.

Mattie and Jasper are bracketed and noted in the left margin as twins, but Jasper’s line is crossed out in heavy pencil or black crayon wih “Dead” in the notes/health column.

1900 census of Sangamon Co., Illinois, Illiopolis township, enumerated 1 June, lists on pp. 10B & 11B as family #23:
Foley, Enoch, 62, b. Dec 1838, Ky Ky Ky; Eliza J., wife, 58, b. Nov 1842, Ky Ky Ky, married 42 years, mother of 14 children, 11 living; Maude M., dau, 17, b. Aug 1882, Illinois Ky Ky.

(The pages are filled out of order. Enoch and Eliza are on the bottom of page 10B, Maud is at the top of page 11B, and page 11A is filled with the people that follow the end of page 11B.)

1910 census of Sangamon Co., Illinois, Illiopolis township, enumerated 19 April, lists on p. 2B as family #49:
Foley, Enoch, 71, b. Ky Ky Ky; Eliza, wife, 68, married 51 years, mother of 14 children, 11 living; Gould, Sibble, grandchild, 8, b. Illinois Illinois Illinois.