Edward Auten

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902
Transcribed by Diane Minor!

Banker; Princeville; born May 27, 1839 in Radnor Township on Section 30 by the spring near its northwest corner; moved to Princeville with his parents in spring of 1849; educated in public schools the Pendleton Seminary at Henry, Illinois, the Academy at Farmington, the old Princeville Academy; Union College, Schnectady, New York, A. B. 1862 A. M. 1865 Harvard Law School Cambridge, Massachusetts, LL.B. 1865; was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts in 1865 and continued study at Harvard Law School two years longer; was librarian of the law school during his last three years there. Began practice of law in Princeville. Was married in Akron Township May 6, 1869 to Martha L. Cutter. They have had nine children with birthdays as follows: Benjamine Cutter, April 20, 1870; Lydia Chapman, August 1, 1872; Nellie Mason, March 3, 1875; Peter, January 18, 1877; Sarah Russell October 1, 1879; Edward, September 18, 1881; Charles Howe and Lemuel, twins December 4, 1884 (Lemuel died in infancy); Hanford Louis, February 15, 1887. Lydia C. was married July 4, 1899 to J. E. Armstrong and they have one daughter Grace Wilda born February 28, 1901. All of the children except Louis attended Princeville Academy. Lydia graduated in 1891, Nellie and Peter in 1894, Sarah in 1898 and Edward in 1899. Benjamin graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts 1893 from Harvard College Cambridge Massachusetts 1898 and is now engaged in fruit farming at Carthage, Missouri. Lydia graduated from Wellesley College, Wellesley Massachusetts 1895 and taught in Princeville Academy and in Lacon (Ill.) High School. Nellie graduated from Wellesley College in 1898 received the degree of A. M. in Sociology at Chicago University in 1900 and has taught at Plano (Ill.) High School and Hillside (Wis.) “Home School”. Peter graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, 1895 attended Harvard College, 1895-1896 and 1898-1899 being engaged before and since his last year at college in the bank at Princeville and having held the office of Village Trustee continuously since May 1, 1898. Sarah is now in Wellesley College. Edward in Harvard College and Charles and Louis in Toulon (Ill.) Academy. All of the children have worked more or less in the bank and have studied music with their other school work. Mr. Auten entered the bank with his father, Peter Auten in 1872 and has remained in the same business with the firm name of Auten & Auten and with no change of partners to the present time. He also engaged in cattle raising quite extensively at one time. Mr. Auten was the first Village Clerk and has been at different times Trustee and President of the village of Princeville. He has held the township office of School Treasurer continuously since 1880. In National politics he is a Prohibitionist. Mr. and Mrs. Auten have long been members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Auten holding the office of Secretary and Treasurer at one time for several years. They have been active in temperance, missionary and education work. The second Princeville Academy was maintained largely by their efforts for as many years as the people seemed to appreciate it and desire its continuance. Mr. and Mrs. Auten have sought for their children the best to be had in education and have tried to do their share in making Princeville a wholesome and progressive town to live in.

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