My Genealogy Hound

JOHN M. CRISLER was for many years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Randolph County, and his fine farm, located on section 36, township 6, range 7, is supplied with substantial improvements, including neat and commodious buildings, and is in every respect well improved and well managed.

Our subject was born near Chester, this county, January 6, 1823, and is a son of Silas and Mary (Shafer) Crisler. The parents were natives of Boone County, Ky., and came to Illinois after marriage, remaining here the rest of their days. Our subject enjoyed only limited opportunities for an education, but studied in the subscription schools of his native township. Aiding his father in the care of the home farm until his death, he then carried it on alone. When he was twenty-nine years old, he bought land of his own, which he carried on from then until his death, which occurred on the 22d of December, 1885. His fine farm was made up of two hundred and twenty acres, which is a well improved tract, bearing a complete line of substantial buildings. The fertile acreage yields various grains and is a source of a sufficient income to surround the family with the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

On the 22d of August, 1855, John M. Crisler was married to Eliza (Dean) Cowan, a daughter of Obediah and Martha (Van Buren) Dean, natives of Maine and New York, respectively. To our subject and his wife four children were born. Cecelia, who married John A. Maxwell, lives in this county; Effie and Inez (twins) are next in order. The former was struck with palsy when a child and has been a cripple ever since. Inez is the wife of Joseph Harris and lives near Chester. Gelo, the only son, is yet at home. The good mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is now seventy-one years of age. She is hale and hearty and bids fair to live for many years. She was the widow of John Cowan when she became the wife of our subject, and by that marriage bore her husband two children: Charles Dean, who married Florence Fowler, and Sarah, who is the wife of Robert McNabney.

In politics Mr. Crisler was always in favor of the Republican platform. He was a quiet, unassuming man, who by his correct mode of living gained the respect of all with whom he had to do. At the time of his death he had accumulated a goodly portion of this world’s goods and was enabled to leave his widow and children a comfortable home.