Editing Chrisman, Illinois (section)

== History ==
Chrisman was founded on land originally owned by a man named Abraham Smith, who moved to Ross Township in 1840. In 1851, Smith sold his farmland to John Chrisman who then built his home on the land where the Nazarene Church currently stands. Chrisman lived in this house until his death in 1870. Upon his death, the property, including the 800 acres of farmland, was inherited by his son, Mathias Chrisman. It is believed that at this time, around 20 other families were also living in the area.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofedgarco00unse/page/440/mode/2up?q=chrisman |title=The History of Edgar County, Illinois, containing a history of the county--its cities, towns, &c. : directory of its tax-payers; war records of its volunteers in the late rebellion portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics; map of Edgar County; history of Illinois, illustrated; history of the northwest, illustrated; constitution of the United States, miscellaneous matters, &c., &c. Illustrated |date=1879 |publisher=Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr. |others=Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center}}</ref> 

Two years later, a county surveyor visited the area looking to identify a location for a new town. John Chrisman along with Charles Caraway and William Kenton assisted the surveyor. Kenton suggested that the new town should be named “Chrisman” in honor of the current landowner. The town was established on 100 acres of land and, for a few months, was known as “Dolly Varden”.  Ultimately, it was renamed to Chrisman and has remained that way ever since.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Prairie Progress: A History of Edgar County 1880-1975 |collaboration=Edgar County Historical Society |publisher=Taylor Publishing Company |year=1776 |editor-last=Adams |editor-first=Carol |location=Dallas Texas |publication-date=1776 |page=260 |editor-last2=Breneman |editor-first2=Edith}}</ref>