Christian farmed 60 acres in Coffin's Grove
Township, Delaware County, Iowa. Christian was over 30 when the War of 1812
broke out. He heard the news from a cousin. Then leaving the farm he joined
serving on the Niagara Frontier. He was with Col. Miller's successful assault on
Queens town Heights. Christian witnessed Perry's victory in the battle of Fort
Erie. He ended his career at Sackett's Harbor. Christian lost
his discharge papers and received no pension. He then returned
to Pennsylvania to farm. Christian ran a line boat on the Erie
Canal for several years after it opened. Previously he
operated a small boat on the Schvlkill River when Philadelphia
was only a few thousand. Reading was a small town, and
Pittsburgh had two stores and a boarding house. Christian
started West in 1850 to McHenry County, Illinois. He purchased
640 acres and farmed on an extensive scale. There was a
Prairie fire in 1856. He then sold out and went to Colony
Township, Delaware County, Iowa. Christian drank freely until
around the age of 100. He used tobacco since age 16. Christian
heard Washington make a speech. Saw LaFayette and Stephen
Girard and others. He went to Illinois in 1841, then back to
Colesburg, Iowa. Then moved to Coffins Grove Township in 1856.
He was a strong and ardent supporter of Grover Cleveland. He
sold pictures of himself for 25 cents and signed them with a
cross because he shook to much at 95 to write. He enjoyed
running away.