Kentucky: A History of the State, Perrin, Battle, Kniffin, 4th ed., 1887,
Green County.

JAMES T. CLOSE was born April 28, 1832, where he now resides, on the
waters of Brush Creek, and is the eldest of three sons and eight daughters,
born to Grayson and Lethe (Bloid) Close.  Grayson Close was born in 1809,
between the waters of Brush Creek and Lynn Camp.  In an early day he made
several trips to New Orleans on flatboats; was a substantial farmer, was
also a wagon-maker, was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in May,
1886.  He was a son of John Close, of English descent, who first settled
at the mouth of Beargrass, but thence moved to Green County in its early
settlement.  He was once offered a large tract of land where Louisville
now stands for an ordinary horse.  About 1825 he moved with his family to
Menard County, Ill., where he became extensively engaged in farming.  Mrs.
Lethe Close was born in Green County, and is a daughter of Stephen Bloid,
who married Nancy McCubbins, both natives of Kentucky.  Mr. Close was
raised on a farm in his native county of Green, and received a limited
English education.  At twenty-one he started in life on his own account.
March 28, 1861, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bale, a daughter of
John and Demmie (Lewis) Bale.  Mr. and Mrs. Close had born to them four
children: R. T., C. L., John G. and Laura L.  He and wife are members of
the Separate Baptist Church.  With the exception of a short time in
Illinois, Mr. Close has always lived where he now resides.  He first
purchased fifty acres, but now owns 155 acres, 130 acres cleared and in a
good state of cultivation.  He also works at the carpenter's and
blacksmith's trades.  In politics he is independent, and cast his first
presidential vote for James Buchanan.

Close Blois McCubbins Lewis Bale
=
Menard-IL

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/green/close.jt.txt