War of 1812 vet gets grave marker

LERNA — Richard Easton was a veteran of the War of 1812, and his remains share a grave yard with Abraham Lincoln's father. But for more than 150 years his grave didn't include a marker.

That changed with the dedication of a tall, black stone in Thomas Lincoln Cemetery just outside Lerna. The tiny community about 50 miles south of Champaign is the location of Thomas Lincoln's farm.

Kenneth Easton lives in Joliet. He told the Mattoon Journal-Gazette (http://bit.ly/pDDG3E ) that it had been a longtime ambition to see his ancestor's grave marked.

Richard Easton was born in 1782 to Scottish immigrants in Virginia and died in 1854. He's one of many Eastons buried in the cemetery and knew the Lincoln family.

Saturday's ceremony included a military ceremony by local veterans.