My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

CHRISTIAN, JOHN, residence, Camp Point; is the son of John and Malinda (Bradley) Christian, of Virginia. He was born in that state, in 1839. His parents removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1840, and three years later to Van Buren county. The Indians were about them, and one of the earliest incidents he remembers, is a visit of a squaw to the house on baking day, and asking his mother in her broken accent, and by signs, to bake the dough she was preparing, and divide with her. After he became of age, he, with several young men, took a trip to Kansas, prospecting for homes. Being there when the War of the Rebellion broke out, he enlisted, on the 23d of April, 1863, in Co. A, 12th Regt. Kan. Inf., Col. Adams commanding. His regiment, was assigned to service in Kansas and Missouri. He, with ten comrades, witnessed the burning of Lawrence, and the massacre of its inhabitants at dawn, Aug. 16, 1863, by Quantrill’s guerrillas, they being on the opposite bank of the river at the time. Quantrill, whose real name was Charles Hart, had been a school teacher in the vicinity, and made his home at one of the hotels in Lawrence. The Lieutenant commanding their squad, having staid over in town the previous night, was surprised and captured, but effected his escape by leaping a high fence, with nothing on but the clothing in which he slept. Mr. C. being the first up in the morning, aroused his comrades, and by the use of their Enfield rifles, saved two residences from the incendiary’s torches. Mr. C. was discharged because of the loss of his eyesight, March 28, 1865. He returned to Iowa, where he married Mrs. Lizzie (Gibb) Bell, June 19, 1872. She was born in Montreal, Canada, March 28, 1837, and brought up in New York City. She first married Henry N. Bell, who died, leaving four children: Margaret J., Emma E., Walter S., and William N. Mr. and Mrs. C. have one child, John Lawrence, born May 12, 1878. They came to Camp Point in 1875. They own a house and lot in the village, and one in Iowa. They are members of the Christian church.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 1444 biographies included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Adams County, Illinois

View additional Adams County, Illinois family biographies here: Adams County, Illinois Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.