Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Christian, David L 1824 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 4, 2007, 10:29 pm Author: Portrait & Biographical Album, 1890 DAVID L. CHRISTIAN occupies a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 131 Peotone Township, which is sufficiently large to afford a comfortable maintenance. He has, however, obtained what is better than silver or gold, a good name and the respect of his fellow-men. He has been a leader on the side of morality when it took high moral courage to announce his beliefs and uplift the standard of right and justice in the community. Our subject was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., September 6, 1824, and is the oldest child of David and Jane (Wolverton) Christian. The father was born in 1795, and the mother April 26, 1804, both in the Empire State, where their marriage also took place, the date of that event being January 15, 1822. The wife breathed her last August 26, 1833, after having borne three children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. Two years after her death the father removed to Michigan, sojourning but four years ere settling in DuPage County, Ill., on a farm which he continued to occupy until overtaken by death, in 1845. He married for his second wife Mrs. Christianna Ketchum, nee Churchill, who still survives. This union was blest by the birth of two children. The gentleman of whom we write received a common-school education in New York and Michigan, his youthful days being passed in the ordinary manner of a farmer's son. Being the eldest child, he had charge of his father's business for a few years prior to the latter's death, and for a short time after. He took up the High School studies in the old Chicago Academy, fitted himself for teaching and found employment in the district schools of DuPage County, for three winters. In the intervals of his professional work he was employed on the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Central Railroad, from Kensington to Chicago. During a part of three seasons, in 1852-53-54, he was occupied under a contract for fencing the road, and some of the fence is still standing near Madison, after thirty-seven years. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Christian returned to the old home, remaining thereon until the spring of 1858, when he located in the village of Peotone, Will County. In the spring of 1867 he removed to the farm where he has since resided. It consisted of two hundred and forty acres of good land, wholly unimproved at the time of his purchase. He erected upon it, in 1867, a good residence, which cost $2,500, the accompanying barns and other outbuildings, and placed the entire acreage under good cultivation. When he began life for himself Mr. Christian was nearly empty-handed, $250 being his share of his father's estate. He has an interest in the old homestead in DuPage County. On October 23, 1851, Mr. Christian was united in marriage with Miss Clara, daughter of Samuel and Judith (Elliott) Page, natives of New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Page removed to Illinois in 1839, settling in Kane County, where the husband died in 1840, his widow surviving until 1863. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are now living, and Mrs. Christian was the fifth in order of birth. Her natal day was March 28, 1833, and her native State New Hampshire. She attended a select school in DuPage County, Ill., enriching her mind with useful knowledge and mental culture. A womanly woman, her quiet dignity is felt in every circle that she enters, and she has stood side by side with her husband in moral and Christian endeavors. To Mr. and Mrs. Christian six children have been born, as follows: Walter, September 22, 1852: Ella, February 27, 1854; Mary, October 1, 1856; David Warren, November 6, 1859; Sarah F., March 17, 1863; Clara Jenny, May 30, 1866. They have received more than common-school educations, and Warren and Clara have taught in this county. More than one of the family are especially gifted in intellect and possess musical and other talents. The three eldest children are deceased. Ella passed away November 11, 1879, leaving a host of friends to honor her memory. Her especial talent was for music, and she excelled in organ playing, also succeeding wonderfully as a teacher. With a strong intellect and a noble heart, she bore a share in the good works instituted throughout the vicinity, and became greatly loved. She was the leader of the music in the church where the family attended, and promoted its interests very largely. She was the wife of John H. Brayton. Two of the surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Christian are living in homes of their own. David W., a merchant in Kankakee, Ill., married Cora J. Palmer, and has one child, David Palmer. Sarah F. is the wife of H. Anson Harsh, of Normal Park, Cook County, and they have one child, Clara. Mr. Christian has been School Director in District No. 6, also Township Trustee of Schools, Township Treasurer of Schools, Supervisor of Peotone Township and Justice of the Peace. He has always taken an active interest in politics, and at the beginning of his political experience was a strong Abolitionist. For twenty-five years he has been identified with the Republican party, for which he has acted as Township Representative, in conventions, probably a greater number of times than any other man here. He has also been a delegate to State and Congressional conventions. Before the war he was connected with the "underground railroad" and during the war he was also a member of the Union League. For about five years Mr. Christian was the only man in the village of Peotone who would speak out in behalf of temperance, liquor being at that time sold there without license. So frank had he been in expressing his views, and so ardently had he labored against the liquor interest, that he was at one time threatened by mob violence, but good counsel finally prevailed and he was not molested. Both he and his wife formerly belonged to the Good Templars' organization and held office therein. The entire Christian family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active part in the work of the denomination, especially in the Sunday-school and music. The son Warren has ever been connected with the choir, his fine bass voice adding volume and depth to the lighter tones of his sisters and others. Mr. Christian took part in the initiatory steps to secure preaching of the Gospel, and a place of worship in the village of Peotone. He is Trustee, Steward and Class Leader; he has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school in Peotone twenty-three years continuously, and held the same position elsewhere. At present he teaches the Bible class. Mrs. Christian has had a class for about twenty-two years continuously, and the children have also been teachers. The influence exerted by such a father and mother is beyond calculation, and when extended by the sons and daughters the benefit to mankind is boundless, giving reason for the approval of all who feel an interest in the advancement of humanity. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/christia1304nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 7.7 Kb