Senniger, George
George Senniger, hardware merchant, Auburn. Illinois. Among the principal business interests of Auburn we are pleased to mention Mr. George Senniger, who embarked in business in 1874. as the firm of Buck and Senniger. The following year. Captain W. H. Hummel bought the interest of Mr. Buck and continued in business up to 1878. when he bought his interest, and is at present sole proprietor. He carried a full line of shelf goods, stoves and everything else that is usually kept in a fust class store. He manufactures all his tin-ware, roofing, and spouting. Mr. S. is located on the northwest comer of the square, in a large and commodious building twenty by sixty, two-story frame building, and carries a stock of $3,000. Mr. Senniger was born in Dauphin comity. Pennsylvania, December 28. 1837. When seventeen years old he was apprenticed, where he remained four years. In 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, nine months men, and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chandlerville. Previous to entering the army in 1861, he married Miss Mary DeBaugh. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1841. The fruits of this marriage was nine children, eight of whom are living. Mary F., George J., David V., Allie. Julia. John. Louis, and Charles. Mr. S. is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic Order. Ark and Anchor Lodge No. 354, Auburn Chapter and Commandery. ["History of Auburn" by the Auburn Historical Society, unknown date, though it is noted that the biography is "as of" 1881 - Sub. by K.T.]

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Stephenson, Dr. Benjamin Franklin
A physician and soldier, was born in Wayne County, Ill., Oct. 30, 1822, and accompanied his parents, in 1825, to Sangamon County, where the family settled. His early educational advantages were meager, and he did not study his profession (medicine) until after reaching his majority, graduating from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1850. He began practice at Petersburg, but, in April, 1862, was mustered into the volunteer army as Surgeon of the Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. After a little over two years service he was mustered out in June, 1864, when he took up his residence in Springfield, and, for a year, was engaged in the drug business there. In 1865 he resumed professional practice. He lacked tenacity of purpose, however, was indifferent to money, and always willing to give his own services and orders for medicine to the poor. Hence, his practice was not lucrative. He was one of the leaders in the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic in connection with which he is most widely known; but his services in its cause failed to receive, during his lifetime, the recognition which they deserved, nor did the organization promptly flourish, as he had hoped. He finally returned with his family to Petersburg. Died, at Rock Creek, Menard County, Ill., August 30, 1871. [Unknown source]