Mr. and Mrs. Peter Auten started soon after they were married on a trip by sailing vessel from New York City to Cuba and thence to New Orleans and then up the Mississippi River by boat to the mouth of the Arkansas. From Arkansas City they traveled as far as they could by coach and after that on horseback to the Choctaw Indian Mission. They made the trip overland with great difficulty and danger. They were often stuck in the mud and had to leave their baggage and send back for it. The settlers implored them not to go farther fearing the dangers of the wilderness and of the Indians and it was only a fabulous prices that horse and men could be obtained for the journey.

Finally reaching the Choctaw Mission Mr. Auten taught among the Indians for two years. There were three divisions of the Choctaw nation one of which had never consented to allow Government schools in its territory. Mr. Auten was employed by the United States Government to negotiate a treaty with the Chief of this division looking to the establishment of schools. In this others had failed. Mr. Auten was successful partly perhaps wholly on account of the high personal regard in which he was held by the Chief. The Chief was very grateful for medical aid given his wife. He took up with the idea of the schools, honored Mr. Auten at the Indian “Pole Pullings” and other public occasions often protected him and the Indians made a pet baby of Lemuel. They would borrow the baby take him away and bring him back dressed in the Indian baby clothes and decorated with beads. The Government sent Mr. Auten $500 as evidence of special appreciation of his services.

Unable to endure the climate after a serious illness, Mr. Auten left with his wife and came to Radnor Township Peoria County in 1838 or early 1839. He moved to Princeville, teaching school the winter of 1840-1841. He lived in a log cabin just southwest of the southwest corner of the original village plat (between N.E. Adams’ and the Misses Edwards’ present residence); the school house was the old log one so famous in early Princeville history. Moving back to Radnor Township he farmed there until 1849 when he again took up his residence in Princeville to continue until the present time (June 1902). He bought the Samuel Alexander house believed to be the second oldest frame dwelling in the village (on the northeast corner of Block 13, facing west side of the public square) which he occupied until 1887 then moving diagonally across the street to his present residence on the southwest corner of Block 8 fronting the north side of the square.

In Radnor Township he was School Treasurer 1842-1850 opening the first set of Treasurer’s books. In Princeville Township he was Commissioner of Highways 1851-1953; Moderator of town meetings 1852, ’53 and ’56; Justice of the Peace 1854-1858; Overseer of Road District 1857-58 and 1859-61; Town Clerk 1859-63. he was one of the committee of five appointed at town meeting April 2, 1867 to circulate a petition to raise money to refund to soldiers their taxes paid toward the bounty fund.

For a number of years after moving to Princeville Mr. Auten was actively engaged in farming on land one or two miles out from town. He always did a great deal of writing for other people especially during and after war times.

In 1872 at an age when many men consider themselves old he started in the banking business to remain in it actively for twenty-five years and still to be able to walk to and from the bank after a period of thirty years. His first partner George W. Alter was fast failing in health before the close of the year 1872 and the firm name of Auten & Alter was changed to Auten & Auten. Mr. Auten’s son Edward was the new partner in place of Mr. Alter and the partnership and firm name have remained the same ever since. The business has grown and a branch bank was established at Monica in 1893 which is conducted by Mr. Auten’s other surviving son Lemuel.

Beginning with his first school in New York State continuing through his year with the Indians and all through his later life Mr. Auten has been of a decide missionary and philanthropic character. When teaching his first school he got nearly the entire district to sign the temperance pledge something difficult in those days and was instrumental in having seventy of his pupils and young people join the church. It was as a missionary teacher of the American Board that he went to the Indians. Until his eightieth year he enjoyed singing hymns in the Choctaw language. He has always been active in temperance and in church and Sunday school work both in the village and going out into the country. Mrs. Auten was always his equal helper. They both assisted their neighbors in spiritual, intellectual and material ways. Mrs. Auten at times taught school in her own home and she is remembered by many even yet for her kind deeds. She died April 11, 1891 ages 84 years, 1 month and 7 days having been born March 4, 1807.

Mr. Auten was in many ways the mainstay of his family; that is of all his uncles and cousins who came West as well as his mother and sister. He was liberal to them as he has also been to his own children and grandchildren. He has not only favored the right and just but has fought for right and justice at all times. He has been a part of the building up of Princeville; many strong men of the community often speak of him as one to whom they owe their success. He has been a helper and adviser of many people.

On June 1, 1902 he was 91 years and 8 months old still clear in mind. Although feeble and soon fatigued he persists in taking exercise by walking about at home and occasionally going to the business part of town. He is the oldest citizen in the township. His pure white hair is an indication of his clean life and noble character. His though is of Heaven and when time is heavy he sings of Heave the hymns that he learned in his youth. His interest in the soul’s welfare and his dignity and kindliness are an inspiration to his children and grandchildren and to others.

History of Peoria County 1902, biography on pages 779-780, photo on 776