Christopher R. Aden, for many years identified with the agricultural
interests of Macoupin county, but now engaged in the grain business in
Carlinville, was born in St Francois county, Missouri, on the 25th of
June, 1849. His parents were Christopher and Elizabeth (Philips) Aden,
natives of North Carolina, but in the paternal line he is of German
extraction, his grandfather having emigrated to the United States from
the fatherland in colonial days. He located on a farm in North Carolina,
ever proving a loyal citizen to the country of his adoption whose
interests he defended during the Revolutionary war. Christopher Aden
came to Missouri from his native state in the pioneer days, settling on
a farm in the vicinity of Farmington, St. Francois county, where for
many years he was identified with agricultural pursuits. There the
mother passed away about 1871, at the age of fifty years, the father,
however, survived until 1908, his demise occurring after he had passed
the ninetieth milestone on life’s journey. Both were earnest members of
the Baptist church and he was prominently connected with the political
life of the township and held various minor offices. He took up arms in
defense of his country in the second war with Great Britain, at which
time he was still a resident of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Aden
were born five children, two of whom survive: John, who is a resident of
Chadwick, Missouri; and Christopher, our subject. The mother was a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Philips, the latter, prior to her marriage
having been a Miss Parks, both of whom passed their latter days in St.
Francois county. He was a veteran of the war of 1812.
Until he
had attained the age of fifteen years Christopher R. Aden was a member
of the parental household, attending the district schools of the
vicinity in the acquirement of his education, at the same time giving
much assistance in the cultivation of the home farm. In 1864 he left
home and coming to Illinois obtained employment on a farm north of
Greenfield. He became a resident of this state in the month of March and
for several years thereafter worked as a farm hand, during which time he
managed to save enough from his meager salary to enable him to buy forty
acres of land in Western Mound township, which he improved and
cultivated with excellent success. As time passed he was able to extend
the boundaries of his farm until he owned one hundred and sixty-four
acres of productive land, all in a high state of cultivation. He
continued to reside there until 1892 when he disposed of his holdings
and removed to Carlinville, following business of teaming for a time. In
1904 he embarked in the grain business with which he has ever since been
identified. His efforts have been rewarded in a most substantial manner
and in addition to his home and elevator, he owns one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Bird township.
In 1870 was solemnized the
marriage of Mr. Aden and Miss Susan Chisam, a daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Johnson) Chisam. Of this union there were born two children,
Arthur and Myrtle. The son, who chose for his wife Miss Emma Riefenberg,
is engaged in business with his father, while the daughter became the
wife of Ellsworth Williams. Mrs. Aden was born in Macoupin county, but
her parents were natives of Tennessee, whence they came in the pioneer
days to Illinois, both spending their latter days in this county, where
the paternal grandfather, James Chisam located in 1831. Both the Johnson
and the Chisam families were early settlers of Macoupin county, Mrs.
Aden’s grandparents all having located here, continuing to make it their
home until they passed away.
The Christian church holds the
membership of Mr. and Mrs. Alden, and politically he is a republican.
His interest in municipal affairs has always been active and helpful,
and for twelve years he was justice of the peace and a school director
for sixteen, while he once served as highway commissioner. Mr. Aden has
always invested his time and energy in the best possible manner and as
the result he is now one of the prosperous and affluent citizens of
Carlinville, which fact brings him the greater satisfaction because of
the realization that his means have all been acquired through his own
independent and intelligently directed efforts.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 480-481.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022