Christopher Guess Vaughn (born: January 8, 1821 Smith County, TN – died: December 26, 1894 Jefferson County, IL)

Christopher Guess VAUGHN, who is now residing in Mt. Vernon Township, IL, is one of the oldest settlers of Jefferson County, IL, having come here over sixty years ago. He was born in Smith County, TN in January 8, 1821, and was the fifth in order of birth of the twelve children born to John D. and Celia (WOOD) Vaughn, natives of Virginia and Tennessee respectively. The father immigrated to Tennessee in company with his father, Obediah Vaughn, when quite young.

The paternal grandfather (John D. Vaughn) 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 to Jefferson County, IL and located three-quarters of a mile southwest of Spring Garden TWP, where they passed the greater part of their lives. The father (John D. Vaughn) 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 Guess Vaughn, of this sketch, grew to manhood in this state and has made his home in Jefferson County, IL 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 his books by the light of the old home fireplace.

Our subject Christopher Guess Vaughn 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.

Children of Christopher Guess and Virginia J. Vaughn:

John E. Vaughn departed this life in November 8, 1892, leaving a large family of children, who make their home in Jefferson County, IL, Mary E. Vaughn married John C. Crawford, of McLeansboro, IL, Rosella V. Vaughn married R.P. Moyer, of Mt. Vernon, IL, James F. Vaughn is a farmer in Mt. Vernon Township, IL, Samuel M. Vaughn is also cultivating the soil of Mt. Vernon Township, IL, Cora L. Vaughn married John Burke, and Alice Vaughn 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 (Christopher Guess Vaughn) of this sketch has become widely and favorably known throughout this portion of Jefferson County, IL. While residing in Spring Garden Township, IL, 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, IL 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.

SOURCE PORTRAITS and Biographies Clinton, Washington, Marion, and Jefferson Counties Illinois
Chapman Publishing Co 1894