Biography
Christopher Vaughn
Jefferson County,Illinois
Submitted by Misty Flannigan

Christopher G. Vaughn, who is now residing in Mt. Vernon
Township, is one of the oldest settlers of Jefferson County,
having come here over sixty years ago.

He was born in Smith County, TN in January, 1831, and was
the fifth in order of birth of the twelve children born to John D.
and Celia (Wood) Vaughn, natives of Virginia and TN respectively.
The father emigrated to Tn in company with his father,Obediah
Vaughn, when quite young. The paternal grandfather of our
subject was a blacksmith by trade, which vocation he followed in
Tennessee when locating there among the Indians.

Mr. And Mrs. John D. Vaughn went to Madison Co., Il in 1828,
and in 1832 came toJefferson County and located three-quarters
of a mile southwest of Spring Garden, where they passed the
greater part of their lives. The father took great interest in military
affairs, and although not a soldier was called "Captain" Vaughn.
He was a devoted member of the Christian Church, with which
body his family was also connected.Christian G., of this sketch,
grew to manhood in this state and has made his home inJefferson
County for more than sixty years.

As may be imagined, he had few advantages for acquiring a
good education but availed himself to the utmost of every
opportunity of improving his mind, and when not permitted to
attend the house of learning, studied hisbooks by the light of
the old home fireplace.

Our subject was married in 1841 to Miss Salma McCann, by
whom he became the father of one child, who followed his mother
to the grave when quite young.

Mr. Vaughn chose as his second companion Miss Virginia J.
Houston and to them was born a family of ten children, eight
of whom grew to mature years.

John E. departed this life in November, 1892, leaving a large
family of children, who make their home in Jefferson County;
Mary E. married John C. Crawford, of McLeansboro; Rosella
V. Married R.P. Moyer, of Mt. Vernon; James F. is a farmer in
Mt. Vernon Township; Samuel M. is also cultivating the soil
of that township; Cora L. married John Burke; and Alice is
the wife of W. H. Hutchison.

All of the daughters are deceased with the exception of the last
named.

Through his connection with public affairs the subject of this
sketch has become widely and favorably known throughout this
portion of the county. While residing in Spring Garden Township,
he filled the position of Justice of The Peace for six years.

In the fall of 1860 he was elected Sheriff, and after serving one
term filled the position of Deputy Sheriff for the same length of
time. In 1866, however, he was re-elected as Sheriff, and during
the one term of which he was the incumbent of that office was
robbed of thousands of dollars.

Mr. Vaughn is a conscientious Christian man.Thoroughly honest,
and with his wife has been a member of the primitive Baptist
Church for many years. He has filled many of the official positions
in that denomination and has aided very greatly in the progress
of the good work in this vicinity. He has been a stanch Democrat
all his life, casting his first vote in 1840 for Martin Van Buren.
He has been a leading man in this community, with which he
has been identified for so many years, and in mt. Vernon Township
has been an unceasing contributor to its development. Since residing
in this county he has served as justice of the Peace for eight years
and has been constable twelve years.

He is now residing in Mt. Vernon Township,and as the result of
his labors he is now surrounded by all the comforts of life, and in
the history of his adopted county he well deserves representation.
 
 

Linda_Welden@Vaughan-Vaughn.org

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