Biography of Winfield S, Christner - Henry County, Illinois WINFIELD S. CHRISTNER Winfield S. Christner, one of the larger agriculturists of Geneseo Township, owning three hundred and twenty acres of land on Sections 1 and 2, was born on a farm near Indian Head, Salt Lick Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1854, and is a son of Samuel and Rachel (Berg) Christner. The parents were both of Pennsylvanian nativity, the father having been born in Somerset County, the mother in Fayette County, and were of German and Scotch ancestry. Though reared upon the farm and to the life of a farmer, it is but recently that Mr. Christner has joined the agricultural community of Geneseo Township, for he tried other vocations in different parts of the country before he finally settled here. He attended the common schools of his native home and then spent one term at the normal school of Donegal, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, looking forward to a career as a teacher. He changed his mind, however, and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he had worked with his father more or less ever since he was fifteen, and which he followed until twenty-five. At that age he and some business friends started a sawmill in Westmoreland County and conducted it together for about five years, when Mr. Christner decided to come west and try his fortunes in Illinois. He settled in Geneseo, where he opened a bakery and restaurant. It was a disastrous venture, however, for in two years he lost a considerable amount of money, and in the fall of 1888 he returned to Pennsylvania. There for a number of years he followed the carpenter's trade and then in 1901 returned to Illinois, locating on the farm on which he now lives. For several years he rented land but in 1906 purchased the place being satisfied as to its fertility and the opportunities it afforded for acquiring a comfortable income. The years have proved that he was not mistaken in his estimate. He has remodeled the house, thus making it thoroughly modern, and the land for which he paid seventy dollars an acre, is now worth fully one hundred and seventy-five dollars, and there is every reason to look forward to its increasing in value. Mr. Christner has been married twice. In his native county, September 20, 1877, he wedded Miss Sarah White, and to them was born a son Reuel, who is now living in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Christner died and June 10, 1884, he married Miss Emma Weimer. She was born in Atkinson Township, Henry County, and is a daughter of William and Susan (Heller) Weimer, a sketch of whom appears in another part of this volume. She attended the public schools of her native township and then spent some years in the high school in Geneseo. She met Mr. Christner while on a visit to friends in Pennsylvania. Five children have been born of this second union. Earl, born in Salt Lick Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1885, received a common-school education and is now at home with his parents. Edith was born in Bullskin Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1890. Elwyn was also born in Bullskin Township, on the 14th of February, 1892, and was graduated from the Geneseo Collegiate Institute with the class of 1909. Esther was born in Pennsylvania, June 2, 1898. Ewing, the youngest, was born in Pennsylvania, October 15, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Christner are members of the Brethren Church, but there is no organization of that denomination in their locality. Mr. Christner cast his first presidential ballot for Hayes at the election of 1876 and was always a stanch Republican until of late years, when he has given his support to the Prohibition Party. He has served as school director for a number of years, and his influence has always been exerted toward promoting better educational advantages. Source: History of Henry County Illinois, Volume II, Kiner, Henry, L., Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1910 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Alice Gless