CORNELIUS EVERETT CHRISTIANCE , railroad agent, at Buffalo, was born in Lee county, Illinois, in the town of Brooklyn, in 1835, and was the first white child born in the town. Abram V. Christiance, his father, married Caroline Barkydt. They were both natives of Schenectady, New York, and were the parents of sixteen children, of whom three sons and two daughters are living. They were the third family to settle in Brooklyn, Illinois. Cornelius started at railroading as a helper, in Buffalo, in 1860. In February, 1862, he entered the army as a member of Battery F, First Illinois Light Artillery. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and followed its fortunes under the command of Generals McPherson and Logan, successively. Mr. Christiance participated in all the battles of Sherman's army to Altoona. He was promoted from private to sergeant, and was acting orderly when mustered out, March 7, 1865. The first winter after retiring from the service he was employed as night operator at Bement, Illinois, and March 1, 1866, returned to Buffalo, where he was made station agent, and has filled the position to the present time. June 1, 1865, Mr. Christiance united in marriage with Miss Fannie W., daughter of Dr. William Hesser, of Jerseyville, Illinois. Three sons have been born to them, namely: Wilbur, aged thirteen years; Everett, aged eleven, and Harvey, six years old. Mr. C. was made a Mason in Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 299, in 1861; is also a member of the Dawson Chapter, No. 124.