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AUXIER, DANIEL JEFFERSON (deceased), for several years a resident of Springfield, was born near Mason City, Mason County, Ill., in 1844. His father, John Auxier, was a Kentuckian, moved to Illinois at an early day, and became owner of a large tract of land in Mason County, including the present site of Mason City. He was an extensive dealer in land and stock, and became a stockholder in the first railroad built in that section of the State. He was a thorough and able business man and successful in his enterprises. He died suddenly at his home near Mason City. He married Eveline Lane, of a good Southern family, who went to live with her son William, at Bismarck, and died there. Children as follows were born to this union: Daniel J.; William; Benjamin, went to Missouri to live; Mary, Mrs. Alvin Dowell, of Saint Marys, Kan.
Daniel J. Auxier was about ten or twelve years of age when his father died and he lived with his widowed mother until going West, after his marriage. He received an ordinary education and his father was preparing to send his children to college when his own death occurred. Daniel J. continued to carry on the home farm for many years. He was married, in Springfield, October 3, 1870, to Miss Caroline Lucinda Patterson, of Springfield, daughter of Isaac D. and Sarah (Hall) Patterson, the former of whom is deceased. Mr. Auxier lived on the home farm four years after his marriage, then moved to Cass County, Iowa, where he bought a farm of 160 acres. At the end of four years he sold his Iowa farm and located in Springfield, becoming foreman in a rolling mill, and later worked fifteen years in a lumber yard, where he was employed until his death. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a strictly temperate, good man. He was honest and upright in all his dealings and had a large number of friends. In politics he was a Democrat. Mrs. Auxier is a member of the Christian Church.
Children as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Auxier: Ella Vern, was married October 10, 1900, to Sylvester Dillard, and they have one child, William J.; Sadie Evelyn married William White, of Springfield. Mr. Dillard was born at the old Dillard homestead, four and one-half miles northwest of Springfield, in January, 1874.