John B. Auxier
1818-1857

In 1837, John B. Auxier and his brother, Eli, left Kentucky and joined a party from Ohio who made the trip into central Illinois to settle on the Salt Creek in Mason County. John made his home on a high bluff in the area known as Big Grove. In 1844 he married Eveline Lane, the daughter of John Y. Lane.

John B. Auxier was able to acquire a large tract of land by raising and feeding cattle. He was an avid stockman and loved working with horses. He bought ill or mistreated animals by promissory note with the provision that he would pay an agreed upon amount if he was able to nurse the horse back to health. During the winter of 1848, John and his neighbors drove hogs to Pekin, Illinois. John remained behind in Pekin until the hogs were slaughtered and weighed. In assisting in the slaughter he received a cut on the arm which bled profusely. Late in the afternoon he started home on foot. "While crossing the sand ridge, which in now High Street in Mason City, Illinois, wolves scented the blood, and immediately set up their characteristic howl which was well understood by the pioneer to 'mean blood' of some kind. This midnight declaration of war with no quarter served to quicken Mr. Auxier's steps and until he reached home on Salt Creek Bluff he could hear the yelps and howls of his bloodthirsty pursuers as they gained upon, but fortunately did not overtake him." History of Menard and Mason Counties
John B. Auxier died on penounia at the age of 38. He and Eveline were the parents of;
1. Daniel Jefferson Auxier who married Caroline Patterson.
2. William Engle Auxier who married Sarah Ann May.
3. Benjamin Franklin Auxier who married Mary Ellen May.
4. Mary E. Auxier who married Alvin Dowell.

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