pg 758
Levi Reed Auten, farmer, was born in McNairy County, Tenn., in 1844, the son of James L. B. and Joannah B. (Madry) Auten. The father, born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1818, of Irish stock, was a farmer and carpenter, married in his native county, and moved to Mc:Nairy County, Tenn. In 1856 he settled near Greenville, and during the war settled on eighty-five acres, now owned by his sons, L. R. and John H. In 1870 he moved to Hunt County, Tex., and for the past eight years has been in Coryell County, Tex. The mother, born in Giles County, Tenn., in 1815, died in 1878 in Texas. Their children are Margaret A., widow of R. Jones, Coryell County, Tex.; Nancy J.; wife of J. W. Vincent, Franklin County, Ill.; L. Reed; Leroy K., Scurvy County, Tex.; Wm. R., Chickasaw Lick, Indian Territory; John A., Coryell County, Tex., and also Richard. Educated in the common schools of McNairy County, Tenn., our subject came to Illinois when twelve, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, and was chiefly engaged in raiding and skirmishing. He was discharged June 5, 1865, at New Orleans. In December, 1866, he married Mary J. Sweet, a native of Wilson County, Tenn., born in 1845. Their children are Robert F. and Charles A. Except the year 1871 in Texas, our subject has lived in Franklin County. In
pg 759
1876 he bought his present farm of forty acres in Cane [Cave] Township. He now owns 120 acres, all acquired from a poor beginning. He is a Republican, first voting for Grant.