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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of Christian KREIDER 

[Surnames: COWPERTHWAIT, GILBERT, KREIDER, MILLIGAN] 

KREIDER, CHRISTIAN (deceased) 

    
Christian Kreider was descended from that stock of Pennsylvania Germans whose habits of industry and morality have done so much to found new communities on an enduring basis. 
    
His parents were John and Margaret (Gilbert) Kreider, both born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania where his father was engaged in farming for many years before coming to Illinois. The subject of our sketch was educated in the common schools of Lebanon where he was born on 5 May 1822. He was reared on the family farm and accompanied his parents to Lee Twp., Fulton County when they established their home there in 1846. In the succeeding years the father greatly improved the property and at his death it passed into possession of his son Christian. Christian Kreider continued in his career of well-earned prosperity and like a worthy citizen was willing to devote a portion of his time to public affairs. He served as School Director for some years, and was Post Master at various times. At the time of his death on 27 Dec 1899, he had become owner of 151 acres. He was a Methodist in religious faith, and a Democrat in politics. On 18 Dec 1867, he married in Macomb, IL to Lavina Milligan, a native of Scott Co Ohio. He married secondly to Mary Cowperthwait who was born in Canton, IL on 5 May 1843, and she still survives. They had 11 children: George M., Lucy, Sarah E., William P., Martha J., Howard C., Lena L., Musetta, Samuel J., Henry L., and Ralph C.