CHRISTIAN FAMILY
of Carroll County Illinois
From Maryland to Illinois
Family Photos and History contributed by Paul Christian, Eric Christian & Donna Kneip

Ivory Horn found in an antique shop by Francesco Ongaro (no relation)

In 1838, Daniel Christian, Jr., his wife, five sons and four daughters arrived from Boonsboro, Maryland and purchased the land claims jointly owned by Messrs. Otis, Mathew, S.M. Hitt, Swaggert and Christian. These claims were made some time in 1836 and 1837, and Messrs. Otis and Mathew built a cabin near what subsequently became the Christian homestead before the partnership had been dissolved. In the Spring of 1838, Daniel Christian Jr., moved to the Otis and Mathew claim and built the old saw mill down the creek in a woodland location close to his home and adjacent to a spring of cool, refreshing watre. The Christian family thus became permanent residents of Mt. Carroll township and several of his sons farms originally were within the corporate limits of Mt. Carroll before the town was named and laid out into lots. Daniel Christian Sr., accompanied by several grand-children came in the early part of 1839 to join his son and family.

The Christian family constitutes eight generations without a break of representation in Mt. Carroll township. Seven generations have been eligible to voting privileges, and the eights, has not yet attained the voting age. During the ensuing years the members of the eight generations have been engaged in various enterprises including farming, industrial construction, watch making, medicine and drug dispensing, wood working and in the professions.

The saw mill operated by Daniel Christian Jr., asisted the early settlers to build substantial homes as evidenced by the growing community, later to become the town of Mt. Carroll. A flouring mill, hotel-tavern, and a score of native limestone, brick and frame buildings were soon erected from heavy timber of solid oak, walnut, pine and cedar, sawed and conditioned by the local saw mill.

Daniel Christian Jr., built the first two story frame home in the township which was occupied by the first four generations. The farm was sold by his son Joseph C. Christian in 1904, and the house eventually was torn down to meet the needs of the new owner. It was the birth-place of Fay F. Christian, and his father (this is an error - it should be "son"), the late Herbert Owen Christian, also the brothers and sisters of the latter.

After the close of the Black Hawk War, and the ultimate surrender of Black Hawk, a celebrated chief of the Sac Indians on August 27, 1832, settlers came into the new Illinois Territory in greater numbers. However, the newcomers were constantly threatened with crop destruction, horse-stealing, and possible arson or death by remaining savages who roved about in the wilderness.

Much folk lore surrounds the hardships, terror and early experiences of settlers with lawless redskins and white pirates of the prairies in remote and isolated areas. One day Christiann Christian, wife of Daniel Christian, Jr., while drawing water at the spring noticed the reflection of an Indian in the pool before her. He was standing behind her. If she was alarmed, she manifested neither surprise nor timidity. Upon confronting him he demanded, "Where White Man?" With great presence of mind she replied by holding both hands with fingers and thumbs extended in an upward position in the direction of the cabin. It was her purpose to indicate ten persons were there for her protection. The ruse was effective for the Indian quickly vanished into the dense timber and underbrush.

Daniel Christian Jr., was a veteran of the War of 1812, and his father, Daniel Christian Sr., was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War who enlisted while living at Reading, Pennsylvania. Both veterans are buried side by side in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mount Carroll.

From the Goodly Heritage

The following is an excerpt from the Mt. Carroll section of the Goodly Heritage, Pg 175 -

On Decoration Day, 1931 the legionnaires and people of Mt. Carroll paid tribute to their war dead and especially to Daniel Christian Sr., the only Revolutionary War soldier lying in Oak Hill Cemetery. Mrs. S.J. Campbell ex-regent of the D.A.R. in Carroll county delivered the tribute.

"In September 1776, fired with patriotic zeal at the early age of 14, Daniel Christian enlisted at Reading, Pa., as a drummer boy serving only a few months. He re-enlisted as a private in 1778 and again in 1781 serving almost until the close of the war. Later records show he applied for and was allowed a pension in 1833.

The photo at the right is Mrs. S.J. Campbell as she delivers the tribute to Daniel on Decoration Day 1931 in Oak Hill Cemetery. Herbert Christian, the great-great-great grandson of Daniel Christian is the Boy Scout in uniform of the monument.)

"And standing beside his grave are other men who have fought for the country he helped to found. Veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish American and the World War. In honoring Daniel Christian today, we do not honor him alone, but all men who sacrificed their lives for the principles of liberty, justice and equality for which he and the rest of our forefathers fought."

Fay Christian, great-great-grandson of Daniel Christian Sr., had a large boulder brought from near the spring on the old Christian homestead now owned by C.W. Moore, to be placed at the grave. This boulder was unveiled with appropriate ceremony.

Daniel Christian Sr. born 17 November 1762 in Bucks Co PA, while yet other sources show his birth in Berks Co PA in Nov. "1783", died 26 December 1847 Carroll Co IL. (It is not our objective here at Genealogy Genealogy Trails to determine his actual birth. We leave that to the family researchers) He married Elizabeth Nikerk/Neukirk in Berks Co PA 6 June 1786. She was born the daughter of Henry Nikirk, 1764 in Berks PA, died before 1840 in Washington Co MD. She married Daniel Christian probably in Berks Co PA about 1785. The known children of Daniel Sr.:

CATHARINE CHRISTIAN born 10 February 1781 Berks Co PA m John Etnyre

JACOB CHRISTIAN born 15 October (or 16 Sep) 1786 in Berks Co PA

DANIEL CHRISTIAN JR born 4 June 1788 in Washington Co MD

ELIZABETH CHRISTIAN born about 1791 in Washington Co MD

Daniel CHRISTIAN Jr. was born on 4 Jun 1788 in Washington Co. Md. He was christened on 13 Jul 1788 in Schwartzwald Luth, Exeter twp, Berks Co. He died on 14 Jan 1848 in Argo, Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., Il. and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetary, Mt. Carroll,Carroll Co.,Il. He married Christiana Anspiger on 3 May 1811 in Washington Co. Md. Christiana Arnsbarger/Earnsbarger was born on 12 Feb 1791 in Frederick Co (possibly Washington County) Md. She died on 9 Aug 1870 in Mt. Carroll,Carroll Co.,Il. She was buried in Oak Hill Cemetar,Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co.,Il. She married Daniel Christian Jr. on 3 May 1811 in Washington Co. Md. The cemetery book states Christiana's birth is 1781 but this is incorrect. She is living with her daughter Catherine Embrick in 1870 and is on the census at age 79, making her birth firmly in 1791.

The children of Daniel and Christiana were all born in Washington Co. MD and they are:


A.George W. Christian born 15 Dec 1812 died 9 Oct 1889 in TX.

He married Ellen Etnyre.

George W. Christian is said to have donated his lot of his father´s War of 1812 Land Grant for the site of the present Carroll Co. Court House/Sheriff´s dept.

George W. Christian, along with his brother, Daniel R. Christian both left the Carroll County IL area in the early 1840's. George finally settled in Milam Co TX near Austin, a center for German immigrants, and Daniel R. found his way to Eugene OR.

This photo of George and information contributed by Eric Christian


B.John B. Christian born 11 Nov 1813 died in 1880. First married Bolina Hamilton and Second married Ann Marie Pigeon.

Fishing Lure patented by John B. Christian
Contributed by John Lewellyn, Oshkosh, WI

C.Elizabeth Christian born 18 Oct. 1814 married Michael Nyman

D. Daniel R. Christian born 16 Jul 1817 died 17 Mar 1891 in Lane Co OR. He married Catherine Etnyre 18 Aug. 1839 in Ogle Co IL. Children were Mildred (3 Mar 1842 - 21 Aug 1849), Sarah Elizabeth and John.

E.Ann Louisa Christian born 22 Dec 1819 married William Carroll 26 March 1840 in Carroll Co IL. He was born 11 July 1807 in Fairfax VA the son of John & Malinda (Birch) Carroll, he died 8 August 1889 in Carroll County. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. William Carroll was a soldier in the Blackhawk War. The were parent of the following children - Emma M. Carroll 4 May 1842 born in Mt. Carroll married Rufus Field; James Luther Carroll 28 May 1843; Calvin Christian Carroll 25 Dec 1847, died in 1894; John Mathew Carroll 31 Dec 1851; William Albert Carroll and Eliza Carroll

F.Catherine Christian born 1821 married Daniel Embrick 5 December 1850.

G.Sophia Christian born 25 Jan 1823 married Abram Beeler 26 Nov. 1846 in Carroll Co.

H. Jacob Christian born 13 Feb. 1825, died 30 Aug 1904. He married Susan Hoover 9 Oct 1856, she was born
28 Jan. 1834 & died 16 Mar 1907. Their childen are -

William H. married Addie Fulrath on Dec. 25, 1889.
   (He was Superintendent of the Carroll County Poorhouse)
Ida May married Harry E. Buckmaster 5 Jan. 1892
Franklin H. born in Nov. 1863
Charles E. born in 1866
George G. born in Oct. 1873
Samuel

Jacob and Sarah are seated in this photo..

Their daughter Ida May is to the far left. We are assuming the others in the photo would be their sons.



I. Joseph C. Christian born 8 Apr 1827, died 23 Aug 1905 in Mt. Carroll. Joseph married Elizabeth Freed 8 May 1856 in Carroll County.

Elizabeth C. Freed was born on 28 Jan 1834 in Mt. Carroll, died on 31 May 1868 in Carroll Twp. See the Biography of Joseph C. Christian.

Their children were Seremda (10 Mar 1857-11 Mar 1861), Etha, Lizzie Belle, Lena, May, Herbert J., Ralph and Amy.

Lena Christiana Christian, daughter of Joseph & Elizabeth, was born 14 May 1861 in Carroll Co IL. She died 12 Jan. 1888 in Chicago, Cook Co IL and is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park IL.

Lena Christian married Clarence Gilbert Race 30 Sep 1883 in Cook Co. He was born 9 Jan 1860 in Cook Co. and died in 12 May 1916 and is also buried in Forest Park Cemetery.

Lena & Clarence had two children; Luteen Agnes Race b 17 Aug 1884 in Chicago her death occured 2 Dec 1949 in Milwaukee WI. Harold Clarence Race born 12 Nov 1886 married Kathryn Keating. he died 15 May 1975 in DuPage Co IL.





Upon the death of his wife Elizabeth, Joseph C. then married Mary Highbarger Marker and had three more children - Louvi, Hattie and Mary F. born 2 Aug 1879. Their son Herbert J. Christian married Mary Tipton, who in turn had a son named Fay Freed Christian who married Laura Estelle Giggogly.




Fay Freed Christian the grandson of Joseph C. Christina, son of Herbert & Mary (Tipton) Christian was born about 1886 in Carroll County IL.

He was married to Laura Estelle Gillogly who was born 10 January 1886 She was the daughter of Robert F. & Celia (Prufer) Gillogly.

Fay died 08 August 1987. Laura died 20 October 1974 in Carroll County. Both are buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.

The little boy in this photo is their son Herbert Owen Christian









Nettie, Laura, Grace & Fred Gillogly (Photo - 1905)
Children of Robert F. & Celia (Prufer) Gillogly

From Paul Christian (contributor of this photo) - Laura was a school teacher. She also taught me how to cook buckwheat pancakes. She was the great woman behind the good man








Early Carroll County History
Written by Fay Freed Christian
Son of Herbert J. & Mary (Tipton) Christian

Patents held by Fay Freed Christian

CHRISTIAN FAMILY HISTORY
Eight Generations

Joseph C. Christian Biography
Son of Daniel & Christiana (Arnsbarger) Christian Jr.

Kindergarten Days of Paul Fay Christian
Grandson of Fay Freed & Laura (Gillogly) Christian

Christian Family Lineage

Daniel Christian Sr Nov 1762 PA - 26 Dec 1847 IL / Elizabeth Nikirk
Daniel Christian Jr. 04 Jun 1788 MD - 14 Jan 1848 IL / Christiana Arnsbarger
Joseph C. Christian 08 Apr 1837 MD - 23 Aug 1905 IL / Elizabeth Freed
Herbert J. Christian 20 Jul 1862 IL - 23 Jul 1942 SD/ Mary Tipton
Fay Freed Christian 27 Jan 1886 IL - 08 Aug 1987 IL / Laura Estelle Giggogly
Herbert Owen Christian / 23 Sep 1914 IL - 28 Jun 1994 MN /
Paul Fay Christian 

I. Daniel Christian Sr. born 17 November 1762 in Bucks PA,  died 26 December 1847 Carroll Co IL.
He married  
   Elizabeth Nikerk in Berks Co PA 6 June 1786. She was born the daughter of Henry Nikirk, 1764 in 
   Berks PA,
   died before 1840 in Washington Co MD.  She married Daniel Christian probably in Berks Co PA 
   about 1785. 
   The known children of Daniel Sr:
   A. CATHARINE CHRISTIAN born 10 February 1781 Berks Co PA m John Etnyre
   B. JACOB CHRISTIAN born 15 October (or 16 Sep) 1786 in Berks Co PA 
   C. DANIEL CHRISTIAN JR born 4 June 1788 in Washingotn Co MD  He was christened on 13 Jul 1788 in            
      Schwartzwald Luth, Exeter twp, Berks Co.  He died on 14 Jan 1848 in Argo, Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., Il.
      and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetary, Mt. Carroll,Carroll Co.,Il. He married Christiana Anspiger on 3
      May 1811 in Washington Co. Md.   Christiana Arnsbarger/Earnsbarger  was born on 12 Feb 1791 in
      Frederick Co (possibly Washington County)  Md. She died on 9 Aug 1870 in Mt. Carroll,Carroll Co.,Il.
      She was buried in Oak Hill Cemetar,Mt. Carroll,Carroll Co.,Il. She married Daniel Christian Jr. on 3 
      May 1811 in Washington Co. Md.     The cemetery book states Christiana's birth is 1781 but this is
      incorrect.  She is living with her daughter Catherine Embrick in 1870 and is on the census at age 79,
      making her birth firmly in 1791.  The children of Daniel  and Christiana were all born in Washington Co 
	a. George W. Christian born 15 Dec 1812 died 9 Oct 1889 in TX. He married Ellen Etnyre
	b. John B. Christian born  11 Nov 1813 died in 1880 he married Bolina Hamilton & Ann Marie Pigeon
          Children with Anne Marie Pigeon
          1. Evana M. Christian b 1840 Carroll IL
          2. Edwin C. Christian b 1858 Carroll IL
          3. Emma B. Christian b about 1862 VA ?
	c. Elizabeth Christian born 18 Oct. 1814  married Michael Nyman
	d. Daniel R. Christian born 16 Jul 1817 died 17 Mar 1891 in Lane Co OR.  He married Catherine Etnyre 
	   18 Aug. 1839 in Ogle Co IL.  
          1. Ann C. Christian b 1840 Carroll IL
          2. Samuel H. Christian b 1843 Carroll IL
          3. Sarah Elizabeth Christian b 1849 Carroll Il 
          4. John Christian b ??
	e. Ann Louisa Christian born 22 Dec  1819 married William Carroll 26 March 1840 in Carroll Co IL.   He
	   was born 11 July 1807 in Fairfax VA the son of John & Malinda (Birch) Carroll, he  died 
	   8 August 1889 in Carroll County. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. William Carroll was a soldier 	   
	   in the Blackhawk War.  The were parent of the following children -
          1. Emma M. Carroll 4 May 1842 born in Mt. Carroll married Rufus Field; 
  	   2. James Luther Carroll 28 May 1843; Calvin Christian Carroll 25 Dec 1847, died in 1894; 
 	   3. John Mathew Carroll 31 Dec 1851; William Albert Carroll  and  Eliza Carroll
	f. Catherine Christian born 1821  married Daniel Embrick 5 December 1850. 
	g. Sophia Christian born 25 Jan 1823 married Abram Beeler 26 Nov. 1846 in Carroll Co.
	h. Jacob Christian born 13 Feb. 1825, died 30 Aug 1904. He married Susan Hoover 9 Oct 1856. Susan was 	  
	 born  28 Jan. 1834 & died 16 Mar 1907. Their childen are - 
	   1. William H. Christian married Addie Fulrath on Dec. 25, 1889
             AA. Vernon Christian b 1891 Carroll IL m Mae Kehl b 19 Sep 1889 d Apr 1979
             BB. Lulu M. Christian b 1895 Carroll IL
             CC. Frederick W. Christian b 1907 Carroll IL
	   2. Ida May Christian married Harry E. Buckmaster 5 Jan. 1892
	   3. Franklin H. Christian born in Nov. 1863
	   4. Charles E. Christian born in 1866
	   5. George G. Christian born in Oct. 1873
	   6. Samuel Christian
 	i. Joseph C. Christian born 8 Apr 1827, died  23 Aug 1905 in Mt. Carroll.  Joseph married Elizabeth 	  
	 Freed  8 May 1856 in Carroll County.  Elizabeth C. Freed was  born on 28 Jan 1834 in Mt. Carroll, 	   
	 died on 31 May 1868 in Carroll Twp. 
	   Children of Joseph C. & Elizabeth Freed Christian:
          1.Serenda Christian b 10 May 1857 d 11 Mar 1861 Carroll IL
          2. Etha V. Christian b 1858 Carroll IL 
          3. Lizzie Belle Christian b 1859 Carroll IL
          4. Lena Christiana Christian b 1861 - d 1888 m Clarence Gilbert Race ??-1916. After the death of 		
		  Lena Clarence married Nonnie Crowley but she died shortly after the marriage.
    	        AA. Harold Clarence Race  m Kathryn Keating
                 aa.  William J. Race m Ruth A. Johansen
                      1. Donna Jean Race m Kneip
                      2. Debra Joan Race d 1977
                      3. James W. Race
                  bb. Luteen Agnes Race 
          5. Eva May Christian
          6. Herbert J. Christian b abt 1862 married Mary Tipton
             AA. Fay Freed Christian m Laura Estelle Giggogly born 10 January 1886.  		  
			 She was the daughter of  Robert F. & Celia (Prufer) Gillogly.      Fay died 08 August 1987. 		  
			 Laura died 20 October 1974 in Carroll County. Both are buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.
                aa. Herbert Owen Christian 23 Sep 1914 Carroll IL m  Daisy Amanda
                    a. Paul Fay Christian 1959
                    b. Eric Christian
             BB. Jay H. Christian b Nov 1889 m Emma C. b 1889 IA  They lived in Butte Co SD 
                aa. Lyle Christian b 1912 Butte SD
                bb. Luverta Christian  b 1914 Butte SD
          7. Ralph Grant Christian b abt 1864
          8. Amy C. Christian b about 1868
          Upon the death of his wife Elizabeth, Joseph C. then  married Mary Highbarger Marker and had three
          more children:
          9. Louvie Christian b abt 1865 Carroll IL
         10. Harriet Christian b abt 1879 Carroll IL
         11. Mary F. Christian 2 Aug 1879 Carroll IL   
 D. ELIZABETH CHRISTIAN born about 1791  in Washington Co MD
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