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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ARTHUR E. CRISLER. It is a well known fact that circumstances in life may make or mar the prospects of man to a certain extent, but a determined spirit will bend even the force of circumstances to its will. The career of Mr. Crisler since his arrival on the stage of human action is abundant proof of this trite saying: That which is better than silver or gold, a good name, gains added luster in adverse circumstances, and the sterling qualities of character are strengthened in the combat of life.

Our subject, who is one of the prominent attorneys and Master in Chancery at Chester, is a native of this county, and was born August 11, 1861. He is a son of Thomas J. and Maria (Aidrich) Crisler, natives of this county. The grandfather of our subject, Abel Crisler, was one of the first settlers in Randolph County, while his great grandfather, Silas Crisler, hailed from Kentucky. The last-named gentleman came to this state in the year 1800, and followed the joint occupations of preacher and farmer. He was of German descent, and religiously a minister in the Hard Shell Baptist Church. The mother of our subject was the daughter of Amasa Aldrich, a native of Rhode Island, who came to Illinois, locating in this county in the year 1820. He was also a farmer, and was of English descent.

The subject of this sketch was the second child and eldest son in the parental family of eight children. He passed his boyhood on the home farm, and later going to Jackson County, completed his education in the state normal school. He next taught school for two years, and was thus enabled to carry out the ambition of his life, and took his initiative steps by reading law in the office of H. C. Horner, of this city. He was admitted to the Bar in 1890, at Mt. Vernon, this state, and on returning to Chester, immediately began the practice of his profession, in which he has been so successful, and is building up for himself a splendid clientage.

In 1888, Mr. Crisler and Miss Arletta Gant were united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of Alfred Gant, and was born in this county. In 1892, Mr. Crisler was appointed Master in Chancery, and in the spring of the following year was elected City Attorney on the Democratic ticket. He is courteous, gentlemanly and considerate in his dealings with all, and is classed among the best citizens of the county. Socially, he is a Knight of Pythias.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies

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