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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Charles Smith ALDEN 

Pages 696-697, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: ALDEN, AMES, BARKER, RUNYAN] 

    
C. S. ALDEN, a farmer, the center of whose agricultural work is on sectin 18, Lee Township, has lived in this county since he was about two years old. He was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., December 4, 1840, and is the oldest son of Smith D. and Sarah E. (Runyan) Alden, of whom further mention is made in the sketch of H. Alden, on another page of this Album. He received his schooling in the township of which he is now a respected resident and assisted his father on the farm. Here he has remained, improving the place in many ways, keeping it under thorough cultivation and well stocked with all that goes to make up a well-regulated estate. Mr. Alden has found time to serve his fellow citizens in various positions of responsibility. He had been Township Clerk, School Director and Highway Commissioner. He votes the Republican ticket, but takes no active part in political affairs, and socially, has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. 
    
The lady who shares the joys and sorrows of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary L. Barker. She was born in Grundy County, July 30, 1852, and is the only surviving child of George and Johanna (Amos) Barker. Her father, who is believed to have been born in Kentucky, died January 15, 1853. Her mother, a native of Indiana, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Alden are the parents of eight children, of whom the following survive: George, born September 21, 1873; William, July 29, 1875; Cora, September 17, 1877; Milton, October 17, 1879; Daisy, October 9, 1881, and Clinton, June 27, 1888. 

Note: Tim O'Shea, great-great grandson of Charles Smith ALDEN, provided us with C. S. ALDEN's full name and with a link to a photo and another biography of Charles Smith ALDEN, on ILGenWeb's Civil War Photos website (http://civilwar.ilgenweb.net/photos/aldenchas.html).

Tim says that Smith David ALDEN, the father of Charles Smith ALDEN and John Harvey ALDEN, was born about 1812, and died March 9, 1871 in Virgil, Fulton Co., Illinois. His wife Sarah E. RUNYON was born 1808 in Rhode Island, and died July 29, 1887 in Virgil, fulton Co., Illinois. Smith moved from Cattaraugus Co., NY to Illinois in October, 1842. He farmed in Fulton Co., Lee Township. Smith and Sarah are buried in Virgil Cemetery. Smith and Sarah had the following children:
i. Harriet S. ALDEN, b. 1837, MA; d. September 02, 1879, Mt. Union, Iowa.
ii. Charles Smith ALDEN, b. December 04, 1839, Cattaraugus Co., NY; d. June 02, 1926, Bushnell, Illinois.
iii. John Harvey ALDEN, b. October 25, 1842, Fulton Co., Illinois; d. January 07, 1912, Virgil, Fulton Co., Illinois.
iv. George ALDEN, b. 1850; d. May 10, 1851.