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BENJAMIN L. AUXIER, who is engaged in farming on section 35, Rochester Township is well known throughout the county. The family to which he belongs was an early Virginian family and in that State his father, Samuel Auxier, was born. He married Ellen Harris, and they emigrated westward, locating in Hamilton County, Ill., whence they removed to Shelby County, where the death of the wife and mother occurred.

Benjamin L. was the youngest of the family. He was born in Shelby County, Ill., May 10, 1839, and at the age of seven years left home, going to Christian County. He lived with a man by the name of Martin Hanon, who was one of the early settlers of that county, remaining with him until twenty years of age, during which time he worked at farm labor. It was not until the autumn of 1861, that he left Christian County and came to Sangamon County, but the following fall, laying aside all business interests, he responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting on the 11th of August, 1862. He became a member of Company E, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Regiment and served three years. At the battle of Vicksburg May 22, 1863, he was wounded in the head, which necessitated his release from duty for three months. Unless detained by sickness or injury he was ever found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the old flag which now floats so proudly over our united nation. After three years spent on the Southern battlefields, when the war was brought to a close, he was honorably discharged at Springfield on the 3d of August, 1865.

Mr. Auxier then settled on a farm on section 35, Rochester Township, which has since been his home with the exception of eighteen months when he was a resident of Edinburg, being employed during that time in carrying the mail from Edinburg to Mechanicsburg, Ill. He also carried on a livery stable with a partner, and in that line of business was quite successful. He is a lover of horses and has given not a little attention to their breeding. His farm comprises one hundred acres of rich land, well cultivated and improved and supplied with all the necessary buildings. He has prospered in his business interests and by his fair dealing in all things has won the confidence and goodwill of those with whom he has been brought in contact. In political sentiment he is a pronounced Republican and an ardent supporter of the party principles, doing all in his power to secure their adoption. For about two years he served as Postmaster of South Fork, the office being at his residence. Mr. Auxier was the first Republican Postmaster in this vicinity. Socially he is a member of Stevenson Post, No. 30, G.A.R. of Springfield, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian Church. They are earnest workers in the Master's vineyard, give liberally to the support of the cause and take an active part in Sunday school work.

Mr. Auxier has been twice married. In Taylorville, Christian County, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Adams and unto them was born one child who died in infancy. The wife died in November, 1861, and on the 7th of November, 1865, in Rochester Township, Mr. Auxier wedded Mrs. Almarinda (Bell) Galloway, daughter of Robert and Susanna (Baker) Bell, and a widow of Sanford Galloway. Her parents, now deceased, are numbered among the early settlers of Rochester Township. Mrs. Auxier was born in that township, September 25, 1832, and was one of the younger members in a family of eleven children. In March, 1850, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Galloway and their union was blessed with four children - William N., who married Miss Emma Hamlin and is now engaged in farming in Christian County; Robert E., who died at the age of one year; Lizzie Alice, wife of Leonard Matthews; and Emma who died at the age of seven years. The death of Mr. Galloway occurred September 14, 1861.

Mr. and Mrs. Auxier have spent their entire married life in Rochester Township and are not only widely known throughout the community but are held in high regard by their many friends. For almost thirty years his life has here been spent and he has been a witness of the growth and progress of the county, watching with interest its development and the advancement which it has made along the many lines of civilization.