Adams County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 11 of those read), 1879 (part 2 of 3)

An incident in the history of Gilmer township which occurred as early as 1832, is remembered by the citizens of the county who have survived that period. It was in the month of April a snake hunt was participated in by the citizens generally, on the North and South mill creeks ; several hundred snakes were killed in a day. During the hunt a cave since known as the " Burton Cave," was discovered by Tilford Hogan and Perry Klingingsmith. The genuine accounts of the startling numbers to which these snakes existed at that period would lend a very material aid to the imagination of a Dante. The only survivors of Gilmer township, who lived there in 1831, are Wm. T. Yeargain and his brothers John P., M. M., and E. A. Yeargain.

The first goods were sold in 1832, by Daniel Harrison, who kept a store on section 30. In the year 1835 he moved his house and goods to Columbus, where he took as partner in the dry goods and pork-packing business Abraham Jonas, who was a member of the legislature. Columbus was laid ofiPby Wm. Graves, in the year 1835.

The poor-house and farm are in Gilmer, the present overseer is Madison Doran. There are thi-ee miles of the C, B. & Q. railroad in Gilmer township. The land of this township consists of about two-thirds prairie and one-third timber; it is productive. It is settled hy an intelligent class of people. Its church and school privileges are excellent.

The Evangelical Lutheran St. PauVs Church.^ of Fowler, was organized September 1, 1862, by Rev. A. Fismer, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, near Burton, who had the charge until the summer of 1864. The congregation held their meetings in a school-house near Cliola Station. At Christmas, 1864, the Congregational pastor. Rev. Carl E. Conrad, of Quiiicy, took the charge till Pentecost, 1872. Under bis auspices the congregation built a cliurch in Fowler, in the fall of 1S6S, dedicated June 20, 1869, and accepted a congregational constitution, and changed her name to "Evangelical Church." From November, 1S72. Rev. P. Kleinlein, of Keokuk Junction, took care of the congregation until Rev. Theodor Braeuer was called, who came January, 1873. as the first settled pastor, under whose auspices a Lutheran constitution was again accepted, Feb. 5, 1873. From February, 1876, the present pastor, Heinrich Decker, has been in charge. Tlie congregation consists of twenty-five families, and has a parochial school, taught by the minister, of about twenty-five to thirty children. The pastor has also the charge of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Petri Church, in Coatsburg (about twenty families), and of a little congregation near Columbus (eight families).

It will be seen by reading the following, that Houston is not a very ex tensive township, but still possessing a name, and many prominent men, who have long been residents. Most of the business of that locality is transacted in Quincy. The post-office of this township is located at I'ork Neck. Among the first settlers, however, were Horace Reynolds, David Strickler, Henry A. Cyrus, Samuel Woods and Mr. Willard. A town site was laid out on the southwest quarter of section 34, in 1S39, by Henry A. Cyrus and Levi T. Benton, and named Houston, in honor of General Sam Houston, of Texas. The town was a complete failure except in giving the township a name when afterwards organized. The population of the township at present is nearly 1,500. There is a railroad station on the east side, called Chatten, in honor of B. I. Chatten, of Quincy. The station comprises one store owned by Joseph W. Strickler, and the residence of James E. McDavitt, Esq., late supervisor. The location of Houston is 2 north of the base line, and range 6 west of the 4th principal meridian. It is tw^enty-live miles from Quincy in a northeast direction on the west side of the township. Some of the most prominent citizens of Houston are E. H. Bennett, Samuel Woods, Martin Sherrick, Wesley Strickler, J. E. McDavitt, R. H. Downing, Wm. M. McFarland, Wm. Willard, Horace Reynolds, Stephen Groves, Bradley Stewart. The land is nearly equally divided between timber and prairie. The soil is good and produces excellent crops. Fine farms and wealthy farmers are common, and taking the township as a whole it will compare favorably with any in the county.

This portion of the county, tradition informs us, received its name from a creek, which the early pioneers called ''Honey Creek," on account of the very large number of "bee trees," found along its banks by them. The stream and township, thus aptly termed, has continued to bear the name. Among the first settlers were the Whites, Jabez Lovejoy, Gooding, Byler, Fletcher and others. The settlers were pleased on account of the large supply of timber adjacent to the prairie. The first settlement made in the township was made at Walnut point. For many years a New York and Boston land company held possession of many of the best sections in the county, and for that reason many emigrants were detained from settling in the township. The first Justice of the Peace was Jabez Lovejoy, Esq., who was also the first supervisor. John Byler held the position of Justice for many years. "Froggy Prairie," since 'Squire Byler's advent into the township, presents quite" a different aspect. This township is well-watered, and the prairie and timber being crossed by many streams, it has great advantages for stock purposes. The C, B. & Q. railroad crosses the southwestern portion of the township, and has two stations - Paloma and the town of Coatsburg; the latter of which is quite a flourishing village, having become historical and famous as the competitor of the city of Quincy in the last county seat contest, which is so fresh in the memory of the citizens of this county.

Coatsburg was surveyed and platted by R. P. Coats, in January, 1855, and derives its name from him. It is on the C, B. &Q. raih'oad, seventeen miles northeast of Quincy, and is surrounded by a fine farming country. It has three churches - Baptist, Methodist and Lutheran, three dry-goods and grocery stores, one drug and hardware store, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, one shoe-shop, one tinshop, a public hall, a good flouring mill, owned and operated by P. S. Judy & Co., which is doing a fine business; also a lumber yard. It has a graded school, of which MV. R. P. Gray is principal, a young man of much ability. The school is well advanced, and does credit to its management. Coatsburg is an excellent shipping point, and its business is steadily and surely increasing.

The St. Petri church, of Coatsburg, was organized July 15th, 1S62, by the Rev. A. Fismer, who had charge until some time in 1S65, when he was succeeded by the Lutheran Ministers, Revs. Kornbaum, Stockmeyer, and Kleinlein. Since lS73the Lutheran minister of Fowler has had charge of the church, August 11, 1S78, the church was reorganized, and afterwards built a new church, which was dedicated on the ITtli day of November, of the same year.

This township consists of fine prairies interspersed with belts of timber. The first settlement of this township dates back to about the year 1834, when the pioneer commenced the culture of its soil, and the us6 of its valuable timber, which have been a rich source of revenue to the community. The township throughout is well watered, and this fact alone would make it valuable as a stock-raising section. South Fork, Thurman Creek, Middle Fork and Big Neck Creek are the principal streams of the township.

Loraine is an outgrowth of the Carthage Branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad. The town was laid out by Messrs. Woods and Leinberger in December, ISYO, during the time the railroad was in progress. Jam^s H. Wade built a store-house and did a (general merchandising business in the winter of 1870; in 1871 James H. Wade was appointed postmaster. Christopher Seals, in the spring of 1871, built a store-house and dwelling, and did a general merchandise business, and also kept a hotel known as the "Traveler's Rest." S. P. Hatton, in the summer of 1871, built a blacksmith shop and dwelling. Dr. James S. Akins, in the summer of 1871, built a dwelling and oftice and practised medicine. James A. Wade, in the spring of 1872, built a dwelling and wagon shop. James H. Wade, in the spring of 1872, built a store-house, which was occupied by D. P. Lowary, who does a general merchandising business. George A. Yeuter, in the spring of 1872, built a dwelling and grain house, bought and shipped grain, and also bought and shipped live-stock. P. S. Cavilee, in the spring of 1873, built a drug-store. E. J. Selleck, in the summer of 1873, built a grist mill, which, before its completion, he sold to George Jackson and son. Rust and Barniber, in the spring of 1874, built a blacksmith shop. Drs. Cofiield and Akins, in the spring of 1875, built a drug-store and oflice, and did a general drug business and also practised medicine, and ia August of the same year Dr. Akins was appointed post-master, and remained in oflSce until January, 1878, after which James Cofiield was appointed to the position. George A. Yenter, in the winter of 1875, bought the building occupied by P. S. Cavilee for a drug-store, and laid in a stock of dry-goods, groceries, and a general stock of merchandise. John J. Banks is also engaged in merchandising and the railroad business. Drs. Cotfield and Aikens are doing a fair business in drugs, and also have a good medical practice. G. A. Yenter is engaged in the stock and grain business. D. P. Lowery is doing an agricultural business, and is also a dealer in railroad ties, and an insurance agent. S. P. Hatton is carrying on the blacksmith business. Frank Rettig is carrying on wagon making and blacksmithing, and doing a good business. In fact, all seem to be prosperous. The town is well situated and is calculated to do and maintain a good business. Its tie and wood trade is a great source of revenue to the business of the town. Christopher Seals, in the spring of 1876, enlarged his store-room by building a two-story addition, the upper story of which was fitted up for an Odd Fellows' hall. D. P. Lowary also built a two-story house; the first floor was fitted up for agricultural implements, and the second floor for church purposes. Henry Goodnow, in 1876, built a large two-story building; the first floor was fitted up for a store-room, and in the spring of 1877 it was occupied by G. A. Yenter, who did a general merchandise, grain and live stock business, until in the fall of 1878 he sold out his entire stock of merchandise to Banks & Guyman. The upper floor of this building was fitted up for a town hall, and has been used principally for a dance hall. Mr. Goodnow also built a large blacksmith shop and wagon shop in the summer of 1877, which was occupied by Ryan and Walters during 1877 and 1878; and now, in the spring of 1879 all businesses are represented. C. Seals is doing a good, thriving business merchandising and dealing in railroad ties.

Loraine LodgelS<o. 641, I. O. O. F., was instituted under dispensation June 20, 1877, by District Deputy James A. Benneson, of Robert Brooker Lodge No. 406, of Quincy, in the hall fitted up for the purpose over the st(ii-e of Cliristopher Seals - David Andrews, John Pollock, Frank Seals, James M. Curless, Christopher Seals, James M. Seals and James Cofiield being the charter members. The first officers elected were, Christopher Seals, N. G.; James Cofiield, Y. G. ; James W. Curless, Secretary; James M. Seals, Treasurer. A number of members have been initiated since the organization, and at present the Lodge is in a flourishing condition.

The M . E . Church was organized in Keene Township in 1860, under the name of "Union Society." They erected a frame church building on section 24. The officers were Granville Bond, pastor; Samuel Curless, class-leader, and Ezekiel Walters, steward. There was at the organization fifteen members. The church prospered during the war. Afterwards, a great many took letters and moved away, besides several deaths. There are thirty-eight members at present. The old church is now being repaired by the old Union Society, which consists of the M. E., Baptist and Presbyterian. The present officers are Rev. Mr. Huff'man, John Curless and William Taylor.

From most authentic sources of information, the first settlement of this township is fixed in the year 1833, and from a recent publication the following interesting sketch is obtained:

" Lima is a beautiful little village of three hundred inhabitants, situated eighteen miles north, and one mile east of Quincy, one mile and a halt south of the Hancock county line.

'- It contains six stores, that may be denominated variety stores, as they contain all that is generally found in stores situated in small towns. There are three blacksmith and wagon making establishments, two cooper shops. two boot and shoe shops, two harness shops, tliree tailoring and dressmaking establishments, one chair factory, two hotels. There is a Masonic Lodge, with about twenty-three members, also a Good Templars and Odd Fellows Lodge. The school-house is a fine, substantial, two-story brick building, that would do honor to any village, situated in a beautiful yard, with the city hall, in about the center of the town.

'' In 1833, Dr. Joseph Orr built the first store in Lima, and at that early day, every store that was situated at some distance from other stores, had to be dignified with the title of a town. In obtaining a name for this town, the doctor, who was of a poetical turn of mind, was assisted by a Peruvian, who was staying with him. The Peruvian declared that he had traveled through many countries, but in none had he found such beautiful women as there were in the capital of his native country, except here, and therefore he called it Lima. Thus the town obtained its name from the charms ot the fair sex that inhabited the surrouViding country. If at that day it laid claims to so much beauty, at the present it can not be surpassed.

"Situated in the center of the township, the town has advantages unsurpassed by any town in the county, excepting Quincy. One mile east of the town is White Oak Branch, which circles around, about that distance from the town, until it gets to the southwest, where it runs directly southwest, and empties into Bear Creek. To the east of this branch the country is rough and broken, and is generally known as Pea Ridge. This country, as rough as it is, is a source of wealth that can not be neglected. The timber upon it is the best quality of white oak, suitable for manufacturing purposes. Where this timber is cut off, the lands produce wheat of the best quality, which meets with a ready sale at Shaw's Mill, which turns out the finest article of flour, and besides, has good sawing and carding machinery attached. Wheat is nqt the greatest source of wealth on the ' Ridge,' the sturdy Germans who settled there, in imitation of their life in the ' Yaterland,' on the romantic banks of the Rhine, have concluded to

" Let the vine luxuriant roll Its blushing tendrils round the bowl, While many a rose-lipp'd bacchant maid Is culling clusters in thfir shade.

" Already many of the hills in autumn are decked with purple parterres, that roll streams of wealth into the capacious coffers of their industrious owners. Lying west of White Oak Branch, south of Petit Branch, and east of Lima Lake, is some of the richest land in the State, which turns out a vast store of corn, wheat, oats, apples, and other staple products. In the center of this plateau is the town.

"Two miles west of the town is Lima Lake, a beautiful expanse of about seven miles in length by four in breadth. West of this lake, and also north and south of it, there lie large tracts of land, which are annually overflown, but still produce immense quantities of grass and weeds, suitable for grazing purposes. The lake itself, and its sloughs, afford some of the finest fishing and hunting grounds in the north-west. The largest draws are owned by Mr. James Ellis, a gentleman of untiring energy, who was born and raised there. In early settlements the people frequently met together to hunt the wild animals that infest the wilderness, for either amusement, or to rid themselves of pests. During one of these hunts, in 1833, a snake den was discovered on Buel's Branch, with one hundred and and eighty serpanfes of all kinds twisted together.

"The first house built in this township was erected by Mr. Joseph Harness, whose descendants and himself still resi<^e in the neighborhood. Mr. Ilslimael Dazj, John C. Wood, James Wood, Sampson Archer, James Ellis, William Orr, Robert Conover, Jonah Conov-er, Lewis Selby, Milton Selby - who taught the first school in town - James Selby, Thomas Killum, and Dr. Orr, are the gentlemen who first settled this town and township; all but two or three of them are still left, to see the wilderness ]>looming like the ro^e, while their children have grown up to take their places, prosperous and happy."

This township lies about twenty miles east, southeast, of Quincy. The first settlers of the township were A. H. D. Buttz and D. P. Meacham. Mr. Buttz, who is at present living in the village of Liberty, has, in the history of that village, served many years as its post-master. Mr. Buttz opened the first store ever kept in the village, or, in fact, the township, and the first house built was erected by Daniel Lile. The first marriage celebrated in this township was the marriage of Jacob Wigle to l^ancy Hunsaker, solemnized by Elder George Wolf. The first sermon was preached by George Wolf, of the Dunkard denomination, in the year 1829, and the first church organization eflFected was in 1831, which was the establishment of a Dunkard church.

The post-ofilce was first established at Liberty in the year 1834, and Jolm Norton was the first post-master. The village of Liberty was laid out by Paris T. Judy, and now contains about 400 population. The first steam" mill was built by Xander & Horkney. The first doctor to locate in Liberty was J. H. Hart - since, they have been abundant.

The business houses of Liberty at this time are now kept by B. F. Grover and Samuel Naylor, general stores, T. X. Frey and L. W. Sparks, druggists.

Presbyterian, which has no pastor at the present time; Lutheran, V\,q,y . E. G. Linker pastor; Dunkard, W. R. Lierle pastor; Christian, E; M. Bray pastor, and the Catholic, which is a large and influential parish composed of many of the leading citizens of the township.

A.F. and A J/. - Present ofiicers: B. F. Grover, W. M.; Samuel Mc- Bride, S. W.; John Treadway, J; W.; A. J. Linn, Treasurer; Joseph Roote, Secretary; Ed. Klarner, Tyler.

west of tlie south fork of Bear creek, was oricjinally known as the Bear ' Creek country. Embracing an area equal to about three Congressional i townships, it was divided into two or more voting precincts. On tlie adop- ; tion of township organization by Adams county about the year 1S50, nearly all this territory was organized into one township called Ursa. The large ; size of this township rendered it inconvenient and unsatisfactory, and after : some efforts for a division, a special act of the Legislature was obtained in , 1853, creating Mendon township by striking off* four tiers of sections from | the east side of Congressional township, 1 north 8 west, and also four tiers of sections from east side of so much of township 2 north S west, as lies south of the south fork of Bear creek, making the township four miles wide from east to west, and about nine miles long from north to south. It now contains a ]iopulation of at least 2,500.

A large proportion of the land in this township was originally prairie, interspersed with sufficient timber for all necessary purposes; it is sufficiently rolling for good drainage, and the average quality of the soil for agricultural purposes is equal to that of any other township in Adams county. It is nearly all in a high state of cultivation. , The quality of the improvements, such as houses, barns, fences, roads and bridges, is of superior character.

The village of Mendon was first laid out by Col. John B. Chittenden, in 1S33; various additions have since been made from time to time by different parties. By a special act of the Legislature, in 186Y, it was incor- porated as a town, its limits embracing a territory one mile square. It is i located near the center of the township, on probably the highest point of \ land in tlie county, and has a very commanding view of the surrounding I country. Its affairs are managed by a board of five trustees, one of whom ' is president of the board. Its streets and alleys are of liberal width, kept j in good repair, and almost uniformly bordered by shade trees. It has an , extensive system of sidewalks, built in a permanent manner and kept in i excellent order. The general appearance of the town is a subject of com- mendation by all who visit it, and a matter of just pride to all its citizens. Its population is about 1,000. Mendon is the religious, political, commercial, and social center of the township. Its two most important material advantages are iis line of railroad and the extensive and excellent flouring mill of S. H. Bradley. Ithas a full complement of ministers, physicians ana mechanics, some of them of rare skill. It, up to this time, has managed to exist in a comparatively healthy state without a resident lawyer. Mendon is also celebrated for its large and varied stocks of merchandise; the amount and value of goods in Mendon is more than double that of any town in the county except Quincy. Its public buildings and private residences are of a superior order and almost universally kept in neat repair. " Chittenden Park," originally dedicated to the public as a park by Col. Joim B. Chittenden, is a beautifiTl plat of ground well set with grass and ornamental trees, and surrounded by a neat and substantial fence. In the spring of 1876, a row of sugar maple trees was set out around the park as a "Centennial " memorial, every one of which is flourishing. The public school-house is a tasteful and substantial brick building of sufiicient capacity to accommodate 250 to 300 pupils. It was built about eight years ago, at a cost, including the grounds (5 acres\and the furniture, heating apparatus, etc., of about §20,000 all of which is fully paid. The character and reputation of the school has been such as to induce a liberal attendance from abroad.

The original settlers of Meiidoii were chiefly from New England, but in later years very many from Pennsylvania and other places have settled here. The town has ever been noted for the quiet character of its citizens. It has never had within its limits a licensed saloon or drinking house. Its public schools have always been a leading idea in the minds of its people, and have kept pace with the growth of the village and the requirements of the age. It probably offers now as great inducements, either as a pleasant home or a location for establishing a manufacturing establishment of some kind, as any other point in the county. The town has ever retained much of the New England sentiment and the New England principle; at any rate the Kentucky neighbors brand it a Yankee town. Mendon has the honor of establishing the Urst Congregational church in Illinois, mainly through the efforts of Col. John B. Chittenden, thus securing a favorite New England Christian society among New England settlers. There are now four churches in this place, viz: Congregational, -Methodist, Lutheran and Episcopalian, all in a flourishing condition. There is also a Masonic Lodge, No. 449, in good working condition, established in 1865. Among its ; original founders were Col. J. B. Chittenden, Col. Berry Baldwin, and Daniel Benton.

Mendon is surrounded by a rolling prairie, now under most excellent and thorough cultivation, bringing rich returns to the farmers; as a conse- - quence, our farmers are becoming forehanded, some quite wealthy. The I view from the towm and some of the more elevated parts of the prairie is extremely pleasant; the formation of Honey and Bear creeks into one 1 stream, nearly to the east of Mendon, which then winds around to the ' northwest and west, being heavily skirted with trees, gives an appear- I ance of a huge semi-circle, giving in summer a very beautiful landscape, ' which, together with numerous fine residences of the farmers, surrounded I by groves of trees, is really attractive, and has often been so remarked by I strangers visiting the town.

Something more might be said about the early settlement of Mendon ; Prairie. If we mistake not Col. Martin Shuey was the first settler on the I prairie; he built the first cabin in the spring of 1829, when it was a comi plete wilderness, and the country abounded with wild beasts and Indians. I The privations in that early day, as in every new country, were verj- great; I Col. Shuey came west with an ox team, traveling from the eastern part of j the State of Indiana. He came with a large family of children and was j obliged to camp out while building their house; that certainly showed I great capacity for endurance, after so tedious a journey. In that early day j flouring mills were very scarce, the nearest being on Crooked creek, a dis- I tance of thirty miles; just think of going thirty miles to mill with an ox I team, with a prospect of waiting two or three days for his grist; it generj ally consumed a whole week's time under thejmost favorable circumstances. j Early settlers well rememljer a great nuisance in the green-head fly, which would breed on the prairie grass, and on a summer day would attack horses I and cattle. in such numbers as made it impossible to use them. Col. Shuey I said they were obliged to work their cattle nights and rainy days, while I making: their first improvements. Col. Shuey often spoke of a remarkable j ox he had, that would work single, which not only plowed his corn, but could be hitched to a wagon. He often said the ox drew his family to meeting, going a distance of several miles ; the ox was guided by lines attached to the horns. Of course it attracted grreat attention. We rather

Old settlers well remember the great snow storm that fell about Christmas time, 1830. The snow was about five feet on a level; many ravines were entirely filled up; some of the snow remained on the ground until May the following year.

Salem Evangelical Ltitlieran Ckurch, of Mendon. - The society was organized April 10, 1853, by Kev. James H. Harkey, in the town hall, at which time also a constitution was regularly adopted. First oflicers: Elders, Andrew Wibleand John Felgar; deacons, Wm. Wells and H. Zimmerman; trustees, Peter "Wible and John McGibbons; numberoforigvnal members, twenty-five; the present building was erected in 1S54, and cost $4,000; parsonage built in 1862, with an addition in 1874, at acost of some $1,200. Present officers are: Elders, Hamilton Smith and M. L. Henderson; deacons, D. P. Shambaugh, F. W. Battell, F. Dickerman and Dr. J. £. Tressler; trustees, Christopher Shupe, Benjamin Simpson, Henry Zimmerman and John McCormick. Number of present membership, 135; amo.it annually contributed for all purposes (for last five years), $1,250; the Sunday school was organized in June, 1853; present Sunday-school enrollment, 160. Present pastor. Rev. G. F. Behringer. The society has always been self-sustaining, never receiving home missionary aid, and is now in a very prosperous condition.

Melrose township lies immediately east and south of the city of Quincy. Indeed, it includes that portion of the city south of Broadway, and embraces an area of about forty-five square miles, most of which had to be subdued by the woodman's ax. It is bounded on the north by Ellington and the city of Quincy, east by Burton, south by Fall Creek, and west by the Mississippi river. Four-fifths of the township is comprised in table or blufl:' lands, which are abundantly watered, and considerably broken by Mill Creek and its branches. Tliis stream enters the eastern border of Melrose a little more than two miles from the south line, and pursues a serpentine course west and south, flowing across into Fall creek near the declivity of the bluffs, about two miles from the river. Its principal branch. Little Mill creek, flows into the township, from Ellington, near its northeast corner, and bears a southwesterly course, emptying into Mill creek before it crosses the south township. line. Melrose, like the other river townships, has a sub-stratum of limestone, and many fine working quarries abound, furnishing building rock and lime in great quanntities.

Melrose township was one of the earliest settled in Adams county; outside of the city of Quincy there were only two white families living in the county - those of Daniel Lile and Justus J. Perigo in Fall Creek, when i Asa Tyrer brought his family from Louisiana, 111., and settled on the 1 southwest quarter of section 12, 2 south, 9 west, in the spring of 1821, I where he resided until his death in 1873. His wife survived him and still ! lives in Quincy at the advanc'ed age of eighty-eight years this July. Mr. j Tyrer first visited the site of Quincy in 1821, on a tour of investigation; he having purchased soldiers' warrants for two quarter sections of land on | 12, he came up to locate it and see what prospects it ofiered for a home. | So he was one of the first white men, if not the first, who ever trod its soil, i

Being charmed with the beauty of the country, he returned to bring his family; but his wife could not brook the idea of forsaking every trace of civilization, and settling in this howling wilderness with no companionship but with wild beasts and wilder Indians. So the removal was postponed till two years later. In the meantime ex-Governor John Wood, Willard Keyes, and Jeremiah Kose and family had settled in Quincy. David Shaw purchased the northwest quarter of section 18, and settled on it in 1828. Perry Alexander now owns and lives on the same farm. In 1829 Obadiah Waddell settled on section 35, on the farm now owned by Wm. Schnellbecker; and the same year Jacob Wagner settled on the southeast quarter of section 29, where he still resides. Dr. Baker settled on section 14 as early as 1827, David Hughes, David and William Beeder, and Joseph Hank settled on section 26 in September, 1828; Abigal Parsons and Nathaniel Sommers settled in the township about 1830. Mr. Sommers married Mr. Parsons' daughter, which was, perhaps, the first wedding, and in 1832 a daughter was born to them, which was one of the first births in Melrose. She now lives in Quincy. Benjamin Alexander, Jonathan Crow, Wm. B Goodwin and George Lacy came to the township prior to 1830. Peter Felt and family settled in Quincy in 1830, and removed to the township in 1832, settling on the north half of section 13,2 south, 9 west. His old house still stands, and is used as a summer kitchen. Perry Alexander, whose father, Samuel, settled in Quincy in 1832, was the first boy to sell papers on the streets of the city. In the spring of 1835 he sold the Illinois Bounty Land Register. The first death in Melrose is said to have been a daughter of Joseph Hanks.

More than two-thirds of the citizens of Melrose are of German nationality, who are noted for being careful and thrifty farmers. Although this township is somewhat broken in some parts, it has some among the most beautiful and productive agricultural lands in the county under a high state of cultivation. The staple productions are wheat and Indian corn.

The first Sunday-school was organized by Theresa Alexander and Annie Crow, in the summer of 1829, and was held at their residences. Some rude young men of the neighborhood scoifed at the idea, and by starting an opposition "school," as they termed it, thought to break it up, but within a very short time thereafter those young men became zealous members of the church, and the Sunday-school still lives and prospers, though the founders have been laid in their final resting places. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Bogard, at the residence of Jonathan Crow. The first religious society organized was the Melrose Methodist Episcopal Church, at the house of Samuel Griggs, on Little Mill creek, in 1833. In 1835 this society erected the first house for public worship, a little log structure near " Dyer's Springs. " The first school-house was built in the summer of 1833, on section 35, and James Walker taught the first school in it in that year. Lacy and Stone erected and ran the first mill for grinding grain in 1838, though there had been a pestle mill for crushing corn for several years prior. The first justice of the peace was Wm. B. Goodwin. At the first election under the township organization law, held in April, 1850, Stephen Safiord was elected supervisor; Cornelius L. Demaree, assessor; Nathaniel Pease, town clerk; Jeremiah Parsons, collector; Gilead Bartholomew and Amos Bancroft, justices of the peace; Albert A, Humphrey, overseer of the poor; and John J. Beeder and Oliver Waddell, constables.

Meirose contains three church edifices: Melrose Chapel - Methodist Episcopal, St. Antonius - Catholic, and Zion's chapel - German Methodist Episcopal,

Melrose Methodist Ejnscopal Church. - This society was organized at the House of Rev. Samuel Griggs, on North Mill creek, in 1833, under the ministrations of the celebrated ''Western Itinerant," Peter Cartwright. and Rev. David B. Carter, who had for some time previous labored as a missionary among the pioneers of Adams county. Ten charter member.- composed this first class, named as follows: Rev. Samuel Griggs - leader - and Rachael Griggs, Benjamin Alexander and Theresa Alexander, Jonathan Crow and Annie Crow, Sydney McClaughlin, Cynthia McDaniel, Mary 'Clanton and Elizabeth Griggs. Mr. Griggs, who was a licensed local preacher, held the position of leader and also of steward for many years, rreaching was held in his house in winter and in his barn in summer fiir two years. Rev. David B. Carter was their first pastor, or " circuit rider," as they were termed in those days, and Peter Cartwright conducted the first quarterly meeting in 183-i. One of the first sermons preached in that vicinity was b}' Rev . Mr. Carter on the occasion of the funeral of Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, whose is said to have been the first death in Adams county. In 1835 the church built the little log house near Dyers' springs, and held their meetings in it a number of years; then at the residence of Joseph Hanks some years, until the brick school-house was erected in 1850, on section 19, after which services were held in it for four years, until Melrose chapel, a neat frame edifice, still in use, was erected on section 19, 2 south, 8 west, in 1854. The first religious revival enjo,yed by this society was conducted by Rev. Moses Clampett in 1839, which resulted in a large accession to the church. Many of the old members having died or changed location, the church now only numbers sixty communicants. The present ofticers are Joseph Hanks, J. H. Bishop, and E. F. Humphreys, stewards ; Wm. and John J. Reeder, leaders. The annual contributions aggregate $350. Their Sunday-school is prosperous, and has sixty-five members enrolled. Yalue of church property, $2,000.

St. Antonius^ Church. - In 1859 Messrs. Anton Hoebing, William Wellman, John Schneider, the Widow Brinkman, Mr. Altro, and John Mast, citizens of Melrose township, and zealous Roman Catholics, concluded, after mature deliberation, to build a church. Mr. Anton Bordewig, also an influential German Roman Catholic, donated ten acres of land, which should be used for the church, school-house and cemetery. The first building erected was of frame, 35x60 feet, in which Father Ferdinand first officiated after its consecration. A school-house was built, and Mr. Ignats Lear became the teacher of its scholars. In 1861 Father Mauricius took charge of the spirit ual'afi'airs of the church and school, and remained until 1864, when, under direction of Father Ferdinand, the present brick building, 45x70 feet, was erected at a cost of $12,000. The frame church was renovated into a school-room and Mr. Gottleib Jacoby took charge as teacher, continuing to the present time. Father Paulus being now in charge of the church. Seventy families are at present members. After much hard work by its members in its infancy, St. Antonius' church is now in a flourishing condition, the debt created being nearly paid. All the inside work has been done by contribution, Mr. Wellman making all the pews, and several others, whose names we have been unable to ascertain, assisting in working on the communion rail, cliancel, and confessional. The altar is nearly finished, and is a beautiful piece of architecture. The choir is well instructed, the sacred music being given with proper pathos. The iirst marriages celebrated were those of Frank Me_yer with Miss Carolina Mast, Franz Wellman with Miss Lutcie Hurller, Bernard Hersbesmeyer with Miss Lena Dreier, The first burial in the cemetery was that of the Widow Brinkman.

The German Methodist Episcopal Church was oi'ganized in 1845. For several years the society held their services at the homes of the members until 1850, when they erected their present church edifice, " Zion's Chapel," on the northeast quarter of section 22. The society numbers at present about forty-five members, and has a prosperous Sunday-school with some fifty members. They have preaching semi-monthly.

The first settlement was made in 1838, on section 4, by "Wm. Hogan, John Covert, Calvin Brandy, John H. Keller and Dudley Perigo. In 1840 there were a number more came in, Francis Amro, Philip Amro, Jacob Hover, Justice Perigo, Cyrus Sims, and Reuben Childers.

Jacob Hughes and family moved from Gilmer Township in 1847, and located on section 14, among the hills on the brink of one of the bluffs of McKee Creek, and died on this farm many years after. Nearly all of the members of Mr. Hughes' family still reside in the county. His son George stands in the front ranks with the best citizens of the township. Quite a number of the oldest citizens have moved away but are not forgotten; others have died, leaving; a good example. A few are still living who have weathered the cold blast of many winters, and enjoy talking over old scenes and incidents. Among them are Cyrus Sims, Peuben Childers, J. H. Keller, and Samuel Massee. The township, although largely composed of hills and valleys, was soon quite thickly settled, and upon the top of many of these hills could be seen the houses of the pioneers, and from the valley just beyond came the smoke curling up from the home of another of the sturdy frontiersmen.

A. H. D. Butz, with a keen eye to business, built the first mill in 1845, on section 6, using the water power of McKee creek, for sawing and grinding purposes. It is still in running order. Mr. Smith of Quincy started the first store in the township, and John Huffman the second, on section 7. He still continues in the business, the only store in the town, which, with a blacksmith shop, and several houses, compose the town, named Bowling Green, many years ago by Wm. Bowling. Mr. Bowling now lives in Concord township. In 1853 " Old Slab Town " received the new name of Spring Yalley, and struggled hard for existence with her carding, grist and saw-mill, in charge of Wm. Wells and John W. Wardell. Harvey Bogley was store keeper, and P. M. Forgey the blacksmith. Early in the civil war the millers enlisted, leaving business for our country's service, and in their absence the town fell to ruins, with only the blacksmith's shop to mark the spot.

An attempt to murder one of the citizens on Christmas eve, in the year 1858, proved a failure, we believe, though it created such a sensation as to be handed down among the records.

Within the past two years a fine school-house has been built near the site of the old town. It is used for school and church purposes and all town meetings. The almost obliterated town of Bagnolia was started by William Hart and Dan Higbe, in 1865, for three years. They conducted a dry goods, grocery and whiskey store; the latter department became the principal business, and ruined tlie town.

Mr. Payton, in 1869, started Hickory Corner and Post Office Payton, which since has been changed to Ivellerville, a prosperous and pleasant town, with large trade; two stores kept by Anthony Gruber & Co. and P. H. & PI. H. Hoftuian; Mrs. Rhea supplies the millinery, and two physicians heal the sick; the buildings are in good repair, and the town looks bright and thrifty. A fine suspension bridge crosses McKee creek at this point; we find also a saw and grist mill operated by Patterson & Co., on section 33; the German Methodists have their church on section 31, the only one in the village.

McKee creek runs through the township in a southeasterly direction, and forms in many places deep ravines. George W. Query, now living in Indiana, made the discovery of a furnace, in 1S49, in one of the blufts near the creek, which formed some foundation for the old story that, during the French war with the Indians, a small party of French, having with them a large amount of silver, were overpowered by a band of Indians, and before capture bnried their treasure. They were then burned in the furnace - all save one who escaped, wounded, and on his death bed very minutely described this locality as the one where the treasure had been concealed. After the discovery of the furnace for several years many adventurers, guided by difierent fortune-tellers, came from St. Louis and other points in search of the money, which has not yet been discovered.

In politics the Democrats have the majority. The first suj^ervisor was John W. Wardwell; town clerk, A. J. Durbin, in the year 1851. The present supervisor is Mr. E. W. Leisley. The first school-house was built on the farm of Rube F. Smith, on section 3.

It is gratifying to state that the citizens of McKee township have been very accommodating and friendly in giving us facts from which we have been enabled to write the foregoing history.

German Methodist ChurcTi^ Fairweather, McKee township. This church was Organized in the year 18-17, and for twenty-six years worshiped in a log cabin. Mr. George Fless acted as class-leader for twenty years. During this time the number of members has increased to twenty-five, and the church flourished. In 1873 the old house was torn down, and a substantial one erected at a cost of $1,000. Mr. Wm. Hofmeister at this time became class-leader, and has since acted in that capacity. Many of the early members have died. Among the number who have passed away but are not forgotten, are Geo. Hess and wife, John Deal, A. Lentz and wife, John Harss and wife, and John Winder. Rev. Mr. Bowers was the first regular minister, and began his work with the organization. Rev. John Smith succeeded him in 1849, and many others have tilled the position since ; some of them are still living in the county. Rev. H. Zeigler is the present pastor. The Sunday-school is an interesting one, and well attended every Sabbath.

United Brethren Churchy Spring Valle}'^, McKee township, was organized in an early day, but was entirely broken up by neglect of church duties, etc. In 1S67 it was reorganized by Joseph DiendoriF, with the assistance of Morris Bennett and John Padgett, and has the names of twenty members now on its chnrch-book. The officers of the church at present are as follows : Joseph Diendorfl', minister; Morris Bennett, class-leader; John Padgett, steward. The organization now holds its regular meetings at the Spring Valley school-house on every alternate Sabbath.

Washington Grove School District, No. 1, was organized in 1857, and a building erected at a cost of about $400; it has since been remodeled and is kept in good repair. There are now one hundred and twenty scholars in the district, and an average attendance of thirty-six, the highest in rank in the township. The first board of directors was composed of James Parker, Wiley Veach and W. G. Smith, who employed Mr. Guhrrie as teacher. The present directors are Wm. McConnell, Henry Boss, and John H. Jones, clerk. The last teacher was John Jameson; the salary $56 per month.

North Rock School District, No. 2. - The present school building was completed in 1864 - ^a substantial structure well furnished, with an average attendance of thirty. In the district there are 102 scholars. Directors for the present year are Morris Bennit, John Gigei, and Alex. Hoffman, clerk. Mr. E. D. Roe is now teacher; salary per month, $35.

South Rock School District, No. 3. - The building of stone, was erected in 1862. 126 scholars in the district. Of this number forty attend school regularly. Directors at present time Daniel Balzar, William Kuntz, and Christian Hess, clerk; teacher, Aneline Junison; salary, $33.33 per month.

Green Wood School, No. 4. - The building meets the requirements of the district, and is valued at about $200; seventy scholars in the district; average daily attendance, thirty; board of directors, J. W. Leichtenthaler, Geo. F. Cvrle, John Campbell, clerk; teacher, Solomon Belmyer; salary, $31.25 per" month.

Spring Valley School District, No. 5. - T. P. and E. Patten erected the building in 1877, at a cost of $600. The district has seventy-five scholars; average daily attendance twenty-five; directors, John Padgett, Jacob Womelsdorf and A. J. Durbin; P. C. Hinckley, teacher; salary $30 per month.

Vanier School District, No. 6. - The building is of log and comfortable; there are sixty-eight scholars living in the district; average attendance, thirty; directors, Abraham Hulse, John Britt and J. B. Moore; teacher, G. W. Miller; salary $35 per month.

Wiland School District, No. 7, has a substantial building; ninetyfour scholars in the district, and an average attendance of thirty-seven; directors, John M. Bowen, James Gallaher, and Samuel Gallaher, clerk; teacher, Isaac Dana; salary $45 per month.

Rappy Holloio School District, No. 8. - The building of logs is picturesquely situated in a valley at the foot of high bluffs, and, according to the old legend, th^ "hidden treasure" is in this vicinity. There are fortyeight scholars in the district; average attendance, twenty-three; directors,

The first settlement of this township was made on section 2, in 1S20, bj Alexander Oliver. He came to the township from the State of Ohio, with a wife and ten children - five sons and live daughters - built a log cabin and made the first improvements ; two of his sons entered the ministry of the Methodist church. Mr. Oliver and his family resided in this township during the Black Hawk war, also during the winter of the deep snow, and sufi:ered many and great privations and hardships incident to those times, much owing to the limited circumstances of the early settlers. The next in tlie order of time, as we learn from the old residents who settled in the township, were Harmon and Alfred Marlow, Mr, Bates and Mrs. Smith and their families, from Indiana; Hiram Elliston, John Hiber, Levi Conover and Elliott Condes were the next to settle. The last three families came from the State of Kentucky and settled in the year 1831. The first white child born was a son of Hanson Marlow, in the year 1831, and the first death was that of Mrs. Smith in the year 1832. Benjamin Gould and a Miss Janes were the first parties married. The ceremony was performed by Christopher C. Yates, a justice of the peace, in the year 1833. The first sermon was preached by the Rev. W. H. Ralstin, at the log cabin of Mr. John Hiber, a minister of the Methodist church, in the year 1833, The first school-house was a log cabin built on section 4, in the year 1833, and Miss Janes taught the first school. The first church building was erected by the Presbyterians on section 36, and Rev. Wm. Grain was their first minister. The minister is still living, and is probably the oldest minister in the count3^ This township is mostly prairie, well skirted with fine timber, and is settled by a prosperous and intelligent people.

The township of Northeast was organized in the year 1850, when an election was held. The first supervisor was Benjamin Gould; the first town clerk, William Burke; the first assessor, William Ketchum; first collector, J. J. Graham; first overseer of the poor, B. N, Galliher; first justices of the peace were Mitchell Alexander and James J. Graham; the first constables, Robert B. Combs and William F. Grain; commissioners of highways, E. B. Hough, Elliott Combs and Clements Robbins.

Keokuk Junction

Some time in the year 1862 the Wabash railway corporation having located their branch from Clayton to Keokuk so as to pass across this particular part of the prairie, Mr. J. H. Wendell built a small saloon between the Wabash and C, B. & Q. railways, some rods south of the junction, he having occupied, for a short time, a part of a small building previously erected on the east side of the railway tracks for depot purposes. This building although long since destroyed by a violent wind, appears to have been the first attempt towards a permanent building of the town as the said Wendell continued to reside here for eight or ten years, and during the time erected a number of much more permanent edifices which are still standing and are ornaments to the place. Other buildings quickly followed and in the early part of the year 1864 Mr. L. A. Albers erected a house where Philip Cain, Esq., resides and commenced store keeping in cue room of it. Mr. G. H. Bnss the same year built and staked a large store on the east side of the C, B. & Q. railway a few rods south of the present crossing of Smith street.

In the spring of 1867 the late Mr. Herman Miller erected the brick store on southeast corner of Smith and East Trout streets and in partnership with Mr. J. G. Klosterman commenced a trade which finally merged with the stock of Mr. Buss into the stock of goods now owned and located by Onki Shuen, southwest corner of Smith and West Front streets.

In 1866 Col. Wm. Hanna rented the store of Mr. J. H. Wendell (now owned and occupied by the Messrs. Selby) and occupied it as a store until he erected in 1868 the house now standing on the northwest corner of Wendell and West Front streets, fitting up the first fioor as a first class store, in which he has transacted basiness continuously to the present time, being not only the first American merchant to locate here but the only merchant who has continued in business here so long a time, and yet pursues the even tenor of his way.

The year following - 1867 - Mr. H. E. Selby with Mr. John J. Weidenhammer purchased the interest of Mr. G. H. Buss and continued the trade at Buss' stand for one year when, Mr. Weidenhammer withdrawing, the firm of Albers, Lyle & Selby was formed, who occupied the store now occupied and owned by Messrs. H. E. & S. Selby, a firm which commenced business in 1S69, Buss & Weiens at the same time occupying Buss' old stand.

The late ll^ehemiah Bushnell, attorney of Quincy, having, as agent of the owners of this portion of the prairie, had a survey and plat of this village made and recorded, and sold the lots, a petition of the citizens was laid before the Legislature of 1867, for the act of incorporation necessary for a town government, by the name of Keokuk Junction. Such an act was granted early in the session, and confirmed on March 5th, granting the settlement power to act in the election and qualification of ofiicers for self government. On the first diiy of April, 1S67, the first meeting was held for election of ofiicers, when Mr. John Lyle was elected the first justice of the peace (an oflice held by him continuously with one very short interruption until the spring of 1878), Mr. John H. Wendell, constable and Messrs. Libbe IT. Albers, Geo. W. Myers, Andreas M. Fruhling and Wm. Hanna as a board of trustees. On the seventeenth of the same month a full organization was perfected with Mr. L. U. Albers as clerk. This organization gave the town very good authority for police regulations, which ifad become a matter of necessity for the health and safety of all lawabiding citizens, and the town soon showed the benefit of such a course, in the gradual but steady improvement of the moral attitude of the yjopulation.

This form of government continued m force until March, 1873, when the board of trustees called an election to vote upon the new state law, authorizing the town to relinquish their special organization acts and to adopt the general method of organization of cities and villages. The result of the election was a unanimous vote to adopt such a change. On the fifteenth of April following, an election was held according to the new plan adopted, and the newly elected board of trustees proceeded to organize and execute the village government according to the new state "Tillage Organization Laws," which course is still in full effect. The result of such early and thorough organization has been visible to the most casual observer and culminated at the annual election of Aoril, 1879, in the election of an entire anti-license crovernment by an overwhelming majority. The village government as at present organized consists of Messrs. Seneca Selby, presi dent; Samnel II. Tipton. Cornelius Ilennirk, Milton Patton, Franklin M. Ilntl' andWm. T. Selby, the board of trustees, L. A. Martin, village clerk; Col. Wm. Hanna, police magistrate; Gerd. G. Franklin, treasurer; Geo. E. Ross, police constable and Herre Herrn. street commissioner.

While the moral aspect of the village has so vastly improved the physical has not been neglected. Previously to the building of the railroads, the middle of the village was actually the middle of a vast malarial pool - the fit home of the frog and the serpent - so wet and miry in fact in the early summer that even persons on horseback were obliged to avoid this portion when passing from side to side of the prairie. Now a system of thorough drainage added to a fair degree of sanitary regulations, affords the resident population a greater immunity from pestilence than is afforded to any of our sister towns.

The cause of the settlement of an important mercantile community in such a seemingly unfavorable spot being the location of two very long and powerful railroad lines, it is naturally a matter of interest, to turn a few moments to the local operation iiand management of those roads. On the fourth day of September, 1S63, an entry was made of the first freight received at this station, then under the management of Mr. John P. Harlow, agent. On the twenty-first day of November following the first telegram passed from this station. From that time to the present, a period of a little over fifteen years, immense stocks of merchandise of all descriptions have been received at this station for sale or transhipment, while in the same time large quantities of grain and live stock have been shipped from this depot to be scattered through all the marts of our own and probably many foreign countries.

Mr. Harlow ^vas superseded on the first of April, 1864, by L. U. Albei-s, who held the position until the first of October, 1868, when John M. Graham took charge and held it until April 1st, 1872, when Cornelius Hennirk, of Pennsylvania, the very pleasant and gentlemanly agent of today was placed in charge. Mr. Hennirk is assisted by Wm. T. Selby as baggage master and John H. Potter as night operator, all very agreeable and satisfactory ofticials.

In connection with railroading may be noticed the post-office depai-tment. L. U. Albers, the agent of the railroad companies, about the commencement of the year 1864, received the apjiointnient as post-master and administei-ed the afl'airs o the office in the de]x»t building until, in the year 1868, he was removed, afnd Wm. O'Harra received the a])pointment and located the office at the hotel of which he was ]>ro])rietor. In the autumn of the sameyeai' Col.Wm. Hanna, our present worthy j)ost-master, received the appointtnent and at once removed the office to his new store, where it has since remained.

In autumn, 1872, Mr. Jas. Stone purchased filestore he now occupies, which was b uilt by the late firm of Whitford & Beckett in 1869, and opened a first class drug store. Quite a stock of drugs were kept for a short time previous to this by the Messrs. Selby, in connection with their general merchandising, but no specific drug store had been opened here previous to the arrival of AFr. Stone. His stand has been kept as a drug store, uninterruptedly, and with the exception of one year by himself.

depot (which was erected in 1864) alternately by Methodists and Presbyterians until the autumn of 1869, when, the school-house being finished, it was used as a house of worship instead of the depot. A Union Sundayschool had been organized in the depot, which was also removed to the school-house at the same time. It continued there until the Methodists erected their present house of worship on Albers street, in 1872, when they organized a Methodist Sunday-school which destroyed the Union school. The Germans (a large and influential part of the population) residing here attended worship at" the " Prairie Church," about four miles southeast of the town, until the spring of 1869, when the Grerman Lutheran church on the west side of Congress street was finished, and the Rev. Mr. Tjardin, of Quincy, was called to preside, wlio remained only a year. The Rev. Peter Kleinlein, of Iowa, was called, who still presides over that church.

About 1874 a portion of the members of that church drew oif from the parent organization and founded the " Trinity " Lutheran church, which held services in a building south of South street (now occupied by Mr. Wm. H. Staats as a furniture factory and warehouse) until their present elegant church on the north side of Hayes street was consecrated in December, 1877. Rev. Richard Scheie was called to the pastorate and remained until March, 1879. The pulpit of that church is now vacant. The Rev. Mr. Ash, of the Methodist conference, who came to this circuit in the autumn of 1878, officiates at " Simpson" Methodist chapel at the present time.

The cause of education has received marked attention from the first. Perhaps few towns, in proportion to population, can produce as many permanent residents who have been school teachers, as this. As a consequence the public attention was early called to the need of instruction for youth. The village growing up suddenly in a distant corner of the district, it was arranged to form a new district of the village part and it was organized as such in 1S69, and the present commodious edifice erected at an expense of over $3,000. Schools have been 'held each school year since by various teachers, the present very successful principal. Prof. M. F. McCord, being near the close of his first year of instruction. Besides our public schools each Lutheran church has a parish school in connection with the church, so the youth of the village have ample opportunity to meet the very sensible requirements of the newly enacted state school law.

Hand in hand with the advance of education, and as a fitting sequel to the Master's work, came temperance reform. As far back in the local annals as 1869, the late Wm. Beckett, a merchant, then president of the board of trustees, exerted his influence in efforts to promote the cause of temperance to such a degree that the mob spirit of King Alcohol aroused his minions in rebellion, and surrounding the residence of Mr. Beckett at night threatened personal violence. The spirit arose to such a pitch that finally the calmer element of society became aroused in favor of order and safety and the mob spirit quietly subsided. But it has shown its power and venom in repeated instances since. Although the spirit of temperance was steadily working, no decided and actual advance was made until the noted " Murphy " excitement began to pervade the country and that sentiment of the community began to take form and brought the believers in the cause to the front and a well organized association is the result. Commencing its public organization late in the year 1877. it has been the means of checking many young people in a downward course and of doing much other good. It still has very attractive gatherings, bi-monthly, l)y lectures and literary performances, notable among which is a well edited inonthly paper. Its present officers are Cornelius Ilennirk, president; Messrs. Seneca Selb}'^ and Milton Patton, vice presidents; Scott Taylor, secretary, and Laban Cain, treasurer.

The medical fraternity is well represented in this village at the present time. Dr. L. A. Martin, of Kliode Island, came herein the spring of 1869 and has followed his profession without interruption to the present time. Dr. Milton Patton, of Ohio, came here in the autumn of 1870 and with the exception of a short residence in Bowensburgh, has remained here permanently. Dr. J. T. Cushenburg came in the spring of 1878, from Paloma and has taken np his residence -with ns. A half dozen other representatives of medicine have at times stoj^ped with us a short period.

In 1874 a movement was made toward the organization of a military company, and a number were induced to meet for drill under the guidaiice of Col. William Hanna, who, in October, 1875, was commissioned captain, and proceeded at once to perfect the organization and drill of the compau}-. In February, 1876, Capt. Ilanna was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment, and Lieut. H. E. Sslby to be captain of the company. In July, 1877, Capt. Selby having resigned the command of the company, and Col. Hanna that of the regiment. Col. Ilanna was re-elected to and accepted of the command of the company, which he held until the reorganization of the regiment in September, 1877, under the present State militia law, when Capt. Ilanna was again elected and commissioned colonel of the 8tli Regiment, and Lieut. C. Ilennirk was elected and commissioned captain of the company. During the short period of the life of this company its record has been good, once winning the second prize and three times the first prize at annual fairs, besides earning a first-class record in the expedition to East St. Louis during the memorable strikes of 1877.

One hotel serves to meet the requirements of public travel. This was erected in 1864, by Messrs. Browning and Underwood, and passing through various proprietorships finally came into the possession of its present worthy landlord, Mr. William A. Strikler, in 1874. Little need be said of it more than that it is well kept as a first-class house, and is pronounced by the mercantile traveling agents, alias "Drummers" (than whom none are more critical in such matters), as well as by the traveling public generally as one of the best kept houses on these railroads.

The present occupations of our population comprise the following: The " Prairie Mills " is a very large and powerful windmill, with two runs of burrs and all the latest improved preparatory and bolting machinery for grinding and finishing corn, rye and buckwheat, under the successful management of Mr. Hiram H. Emmenga, and noted far and near for the superior quality of its products. The second windmill, but a little interior to the power and capacity of the first, and in no appreciable degree inferior in quality of products, is under the management of Mr. Cobus Franzen. Also a cheese factory, of about a daily capacity of 800 pounds, under the charge of Mr. John Poppe; one small mill for wood turning by wind power; one lumber yard, well stocked; two large shipping granaries, for all varieties of grain, botli of which do an extensive business; four stores for general merchandising, which have large and well selected stocks of goods; four firms, or individuals, who deal largely in farming implements; two drug stores, supplied with the usual requisites ibr prescription as well as general trade; one firm of harness makers; one dealer in lime, cement, etc.; one cabinet maker and dealer in furniture, whose manufacture received the highest premium at the last county fair; two dealers in millinery and ladies' furnishing goods, two dealers in stoves and tinware, two livery stables, two saloons, one lirni of shoemakers, two of house carpenters, two firms of blacksmiths, one wagonmaker, one mason, one barber, three tailors, etc.

The village of La Prairie is on the C, B. & Q. R. R., thirty miles from Quincy, laid out and platted by H. Dills, A. C. Marsh, O. L. Skinner, H. T. J. Ricker, Hiram Rogers, Benjamin Bacon and Obediah Gibbs. It has two general stores, owned by R. H. Bacon & Co. and Col. J. M. A. Drake; one wagon shop, one shoe shop, two harness shops, two churches, one drugstore and a graded school. In the year 1878 there were shipped 176 carloads of stock and 32 car loads of hay.

United Brethren in Clvnst. - This church had its origin in the year 1774. William Otterbein, of Baltimore, Md., organized a congregation in Baltimore, May 4, 1774. The church is Armenian in faith, and itinerant in supply of its people with the gospel. In the government of the church the people rule. The delegates to the general conference are elected by the laity. The general conference meets every four years. The bishops are elected every foui- years ; and the presiding elders every year by the annual conference; the leaders and stewards, by the class. The church has fortythree conferences, and 150,000 members. The church has a prosperous mission in West Africa.

The Centennial Church was built in the j-ear 1875, and dedicated by Bishop J. Dickson, of Decatur, Ills. The church or class was first organized at the Union Church, west of the Centennial, in the year 1863, by Rev. N. A. Walker. The class now numbers about one hundred members. The present pastor is Rev. J. H. Snyder; presiding elder, N. A. Walker.

Za Prairie Class was organized March, 1879, by the election of John Prather, leader, and ]^. Robbins, steward. The class has a membership of thirty-six members. The society is making eiforts to purchase the church house of worship of the Missionary Baptists in the town of La Prairie. The appointment was first taken up by Rev. J. B. King, and then filled by N. A. Walker; and the present pastor, Rev. J. H. Snyder, held a meeting during the latter part of February and earl}^ part of March of the present year, assisted by Rev. IST. A. Walker and Rev. I. Valentine. Forty conversions and thirty-six accessions to the church is the result of the efforts.

The village of Payson is situated fifteen miles southeast of Quincy, Ills., and ten miles from Hannibal, Mo., on a beautiful rolling prairie. In the year 1833 the land upon which Payson now stands was entered at the

General Land Office by Hon. John Wood, E. B. Kimball, and Bracket Pottle. In the fall of '34 Deacon Albiofence Scarborough, of West Hartford, Conn., came into the township and purchased the land of the above named parties, and in the spring of '35 he laid out the village of Payson. He had associated with himself in the laying-out of the village and the sale of the lots, P. E. Thompson and James C. Bernard. The village was named by Deacon Scarborough after the Rev. Dr. Payson. of Portland, Maine, who was a great favorite of Deacon Scarborough, and from which the township afterwards derived its name. In the yearlS35 Deacon David Prince, Jasper Whiteoinb and others, came to the place. In '36 Deacon Scarborough, Deacon Prince, and Captain John Burns, commenced the building of the wind-mill, which was completed about three years afterward, at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars, and this put an end, for a time, to the importation of flour. The first sale of town lots took place on the seventh day of August, 1S36, and the major part of the lots that were sold were purchased by the citizens themselves, very few being sold to outside speculators, and thus the curse which has weighed so heavily on other Western villages was avoided. Twenty per cent, of the purchase money of the lots sold was donated by the founders, by previous agreement, for the purpose of building a seminary, and also four acres of beautiful land to erect the said building upon. That probably gave the impetus to the educational interest of Paj'son that has been kept up to the present time; and, no doubt, too much credit can not be given to Deacon Scarborough for his liberality in donating the beautiful town lot, for, if we are rightfully informed, that was donated by him individually. There is a district school-house erected on the said lot that cost, when built, about twelve thousand dollars. This building will accommodate three hundred scholars.

In the year 1835, Deacon Prince arrived with a stock of goods from New York, and opened the first store. A year or two afterward, J. C. Bernard and Joseph Norwood established themselves as merchants. Joseph E. Norwood was the first Payson postmaster. The Congregational Church was organized May 6, 1836. Those forming the church were A. Perry and wife, J. J. Fielding and wife, A. Scarborough and wife, Thomas Kond and wife, J. Boger and wife, B. Pottle and wife, D. Prince and wife, D. E. Scarborough, Mrs. Ellen Gustavus, Miss L. Pond, Miss Emily Scarborough; Mr. Cole, of Kentucky, was their first pastor. We have been unable to find any record of the members of the Methodist Church to show when the church was organized, but it was at an early date. Rev. J. Montgomery, minister in charge. The Christian Church was organized Fel)ruary 1.5, 1868, with twenty-six members. The churches all have good houses of worship. There is one Masonic Lodge with a large membership; they own a fine hall, worth about four thousand dollars. There is also a Chapter organized.

In 1833 Robert G. Kay and Wyman Whitcomb, with their families, settled in the township. After the township organization in 1850, R. G. Kay was elected the first supervisor; he served two years. Wyman Whitcomb was elected on the third year after the organization. Prominent among the residents of Payson and vicinity are J. K. Scarborough, B. Pottle, R. G. Kay, AVyman Whitcomb, Jasper Whitcomb, J. O. Bernard, A. T. Cook, W. D. Perry, Dr. Shepherd and others, but the want of space prevents further mention.

called Plainville, or more improperly called Sliakerag, and by all appearances quite a business ]>lace. There are two stores dointj^ a very lucrative business. The name of the post-office is Stone's Prairie, Tliere are blacksmith and wagon shops, and all such business is carried on in order to accommodate the farming community, without going off to larger places to get small jobs done. John Delaplain and A. Y. Yining appear to be the founders of the burg, Wm. Shinn is one of the prominent men and early settlers. There is a yjrosperous Methodist Episcopal Church in the southwest part of the township, known as the Fall Creek Church.

The town of Payson has won a deservedly high reputation for its choice fruits. Of all the towns in Adams county, it is admitted, in this regard, to have the pre-eminence. Indeed, it is questionable whether any locality in the State surpasses that of Payson in the quality, variety, and amount of fruit grown. Any reference to the history and early developments of this interest, however brief and imperfect, can not therefore fail to interest our readers. The first apple orchard, worthy of the name, which has come to our knowledge, in the town of Payson, was planted by that pioneer and advocate of all true progress. Deacon A, Scarborough, in the spring of 1838, His stock consisted of one year old trees, purchased in St. Louis, but raised in Ohio.

In 1838 Deacon Scarborough also purchased of Mr. John Anderson, ot Pike county, one bushel of peaches, consisting of choice varieties grown by Mr. Anderson on trees he had procured in the State of J^ew Jersey. Mr. Scarborough paid one dollar for this bushel of selected fruit, when the ordinary selling price at the time, scarce as peaches then were, was but twenty-five cents per bushel. Some of the trees produced from this fruit have l3orne as fine peaches as have been grown in the county. Three of those early trees are still standing, and doing well, though he, by whose diligent hands they were so carefully planted and nurtured, has gone from the scenes of earth. The attention of other early settlers was devoted more or less to the important subject of fruit-growing, about the same time. But of them we cannot here speak in particular. The development of the fruit interest in the town of Payson, and indeed of all the region I'ound about, is indebted, more than to an}- other individual, to that indefatigable excelsior in horticulture, Mr. William Stewart. The nursery and fruit business was ever after the great specialty of his life.

In laying out Payson, am])le pains were taken to secure good educational facilities for future generations, as the lot on which the present school is situated was reserved for an academy. In addition to this, 20 per cent, of the sales of the first one hundred lots were saved as a fund with which to build the proposed academy. The money was finally used to ei'ect a school-house which served the township for many years. The present school building was 'erected in 1868, at a cost of $10,000, while other improvements augment the total to $12,240,

The Payson Farmers' Mutual Insurance Com2Mny M'as organized ISTovember 22, 1873, It commenced business immediately. In July, 1874, business amounted to $60,000, The first officers elected were A, T. Cook, president; J, O. Barnard, secretary, and H. L. Tandy, treasurer. January 1, 1879, the company had $294,390 insurance in force, which is limited to detached property, over one hundred feet from other buildings. The directors are L, G. Carr, Poliert Rankins, Alfred Seehorn, J. O. Barnard, John Aten, II. L. Tandy, S. D, Lewis, A, T, Cook, S, S. I^esbitt,

The Free Will Baptist Church was first organized in this townshiji at what is now known as Hinchlej's school house, on the 26th da}' of October, 1850, with a raerabershij3 of nine persons, and assumed the name of the Payson Free Will Baptist Church, with Elder C. M. Sewall as pastor, under whose charge and efficient labors the church grew prosperous. In the year 1862, a house of worship was erected in the village of Plainville, and in June, 1862, the church was removed to Plainville, with a membership of 38, and assumed the name of the Fairview Free Will Baptist Church, The new house of worship was dedicated June the 1st, Elder S. D. Millay preached the dedication sermon. Present pastor, Elder D. C. Miller.

The Congregational Church of Payson was organized May 6, 1836. The following were received as original members of the church: Albigence Scarborough and his wife. Electa; Joseph Fielding and his wife, Clarissa; Brackett Pottle and his wife, Mary; D. E. Scarborough, Charles Whitman, Mrs. Nancy Scarborough, Mrs. Eliza Files, Abner Perry and his wife. Adeline; Thomas Rand, and his wife, Mary S. ; Joseph Bodger and his wife, Frances; David Prince and'his wife, Sophia; and Miss Lov\isa Pond. David Prince was elected deacon . On the 29th of the followingS eptember the articles of faith and covenant which the church now have were adopted. Rev. Mr. Hubbard remained till the close of the year. Rev. Wm. Cole, from Kentucky, succeeded him, beginning his pastoral labors May 1, 1837. Rules for church advancement were adopted the 23d of that month. Rev. Z. K. Hawley succeeded Mr. Cole in 1841. In 1842 their church building, which had been built a short time before, was burned; the members were obliged to worship in school-houses and cabins. In 1843 a wagon shop was fitted up for a church, and Rev. J. H. Prentiss became the pastor. The Rev Z. K. Hawley followed next, who in 1856 was succeeded b}' Rev. C. A. Leach, who continued until 1866. In 1863 steps were taken toward the erection of a new church, which culminated in the completion and dedication, on September 28, 1865, of their present beautiful edifice.

The M. E. Church. - The first class in this church in Payson was organized in 1835. All meetings for worship were held in private houses until the winter of 1842. On March 18, 1840, the society met for the purpose of electing trustees and becoming incorporated according to the laws of Illinois. At this meeting Charles Pope, Wm. Thompson, W. B. Gooding, Harvey Brown and Y. W. Bernard, were elected trustees. The lot on which the present church building stands was obtained and the erection of a building begun in the spring of 1841, but the building was not completed until the iall of 1842. Its size is 26x36; its cost $1^150. At the Illinois annual conference, held in 1847, Payson circuit was formed of territory previously constituting part of Columbus circuit, and A. Don Oarlos was appointed preacher in charge. The first quarterly conference for Payson circuit was held in Payson, November 13, 1847, A. L. Risley, presiding elder. Peter Cartwright was the first elder on this district, and the first quarterly conference held within the present bounds of Payson circuit (then part of Columbus circuit), met in a log house which is still standing, a mile and a half southwest of Payson. The old church building being too small to accommodate the congregation, it was removed and a new one erected in 1854; size, 35x55; cost, $3,550; trustees, George Sin- nock, George Hewes, George Baker, James Shinn, William R. Gabriel, A. U. Thompson, William Crewdson, William Thompson, and T. W. McFall. This building was removed in 1878, and the present one erected; size 40x70; cost $5,350. The present pastor, H. 0. Adams, receives $900 salary and parsonage free. The parsonage is owned by the church, conveniently located, and cost, with the lot, $1,750 in 1870. The present membership of the church is 154. The nnmber enrolled in the Sunday-school is 160; George Sinnock, superintendent. The amount contributed by the Sundayschool for missions in 1878, was $88. The amount given by the church and school for the various benevolent objects of the church, $208.50. The present officers of the church are: Stewards H. Long, S. E. Hewes, IS^. Rouse, W. A. Mitchell; leaders, A. Lehman, George Sinnock, Jas. Inman, George Murphy, and Daniel Hughes.

Baptist Church. - The organization of this church in Payson took place on the 8th of March, 1834, before the town of Payson was ever platted. The meeting for the purpose of organizing was held at the residence of W. H. Tandy, about three miles north of the present site of Payson. The original members were Robert G. Kay and wife, Gabriel Kay and wife, W. H. Tandy and wife, and Charles M. Morton. The new organization took the name of the Bethany Baptist Church of which the Rev. Jolm Clark became the pastor. The meetings were held in the dwellings of members, alternating from one to the other. The scattered settlers in this country then came long distances to attend these religious meetings. Early in the summer of the next year (1835), for the better accommodation of the increasing congregation, they erected a log meeting house in a grove a short distance north and east of Gabriel Kay's residence. The first religious meeting was held in this new house of worship the first Sunday in July of tha^ year. As soon as the town of Payson became a reality they abandoned their place of meeting and removed to Payson. At the first sale of lots in Payson, which took place in April, 1837, they purchased a site for a house of worship, and soon after commenced erecting a frame building upon it, the members doing the principal part of the work with their own hands. They completed and dedicated this new house in 1838, and soon after changed their name to correspond with the name of the town, and have been since known as the Payson Baptist church. This second house was the home of the church for the following twenty-seven years, when in 1865 it gave place to the better and more commodious one they now occupy; this last building costing about $6,000.

Fall Creek Chapel Society. - The church was built in the summer of 1852, by George Folkvod, of Quincy, and was completed in time to be dedicated on Christmas of the same year, by the Rev. J. L. Crane, of the Bllinois conference, and the 5tli street charge Quincy. There were two class-leaders, James Shinn and Thomas Crocker. At that time the oldest and most prominent members were these two class-leaders, Hugh A. Taylor, Martha Taylor, S. A. Edmonds, R. Wilton, Joseph Crocker, Robert Llankin, Jane Rankin, Washington Taylor, H. S. Taylor, Jesse Rankin, Amada Rankin, and a number of others whom we are not able to name, and who have passed to their final rest. R. L. Edmonds, who is now a resident of Payson township, was a prominent member of this church when the meetings were held at the Fall Creek school-house. There are now only six of the original members of this church living, two of them have moved away, leaving only four now in active membership. R. M. Davis was tlie preacher in charge when the church was dedicated. The society had paid for the church and every debt incurred in its building, and has never been in debt since. The lot on which the church stands was donated by S. A. Edmonds, at the time the church Was built. The society is now in a prosperous condition, and has connected with it a large and flourishing Sunday-school, which is doing great good in the moral training of the young people growing up in the neighborhood. This church has educated a number of ministers, while the Sunday-school has about 140 pupils. It has given over $5,000 for home and foreign missions, and one of its members, Mrs. Anna Scott, has devoted her life to missionary work in India. The following are the pastors who have officiated in the church: John Clark, Ezra Fisher, Jesse EUdge, Thonuis II. Ford, JN'^orman Parks, Calvin Greenleaf, William Hawker, Hamilton Kobb, Charles Sparry, J. O. Metcalf, Jonathan Merriam, D. Mattock, S. W. Ferguson, L, Osborn, P. P. Shirley, ^'iles Kinne, Robert L. Gibson. H, C. Yates, and G. W. Huntley.

Is situated south of Liberty, west of Beverly, and east of Payson, and its southern boundary is the county of Pike. Three years after the organization of Adams county the first settlement of this township was made, having been first settled by Jacob Franks and A. X. Penrod, in the fall of 182S. On December 6th David Lock and Joseph Linthecum came, in 1831; Dixon Tungate, X. D. Harris, in 1832; Aberdeen Mallet, in 1S33. These all brought their families, and soon the township began to be filled up by a class of good and industrious people, among whom were Goldsbury Childers, John B. Atherton, Sanford Harris, Solomon Cusic, Henry C. Holmbock, Henry Cleveland, James and Jeflferson Long, Nttthan Harris, I. Hunsacker, and others. The first child born in the township was a daughter to David Lock ; hers also was the first death. The first mill was built about 1840, on McCrary Creek. It is still in good running order under the supervision of Allen Lewton, does a great amount of grinding and makes first-class fiour. In 1843 the first saw mill was built but is now moved away. The first school-house was built on section 19, in 1839. The first school was taught in 183G, in a private house, by Mr* Frampton, who followed the Mormons to Utah. The first J. P. was Jesse Evans, who also was the first supervisor. A. H, Pellet and Ira Tyler were supervisors for many years, the latter now filling the otfice. The first church was built by Samuel Lock, in .1853, a Methodist Episcopal church, on section 30. The first store was built in 1845, by Nahma Tyler, who came to the township in 1840, and located on section 16, and was engaged in merchandizing until his death, which occurred in 1858. His widow, who afterwards married Mr. P. Howard, still runs the store, which is in the town of Richfield. It is a small place, located on the line of sections S and 17; it contains quite a number of small dwellings, an M. E. Church, blacksmith and wagon shop, two stores. It has a daily mail, which is a great advantage over many surrounding towns. The township has seven school-houses, most of them good substantial buildings. Richfield township contains four churches, one Baptist and three Methodist Episcopal. The township is filled up by a good class of people, intelligent, industrious, who have made homes for themselves and desirable farms. The surface of the countr}' is quite rolling and somewhat broken. It was originally about three-fourths timber. Much of the soil is rich and productive, and the farmers have nice looking residences - in fact, the writer mnst say that he found a good' kind-hearted set of people, who took pleasure in furnishing all items and dates contained in this description of the township. Many thanks to them for their kindness, and long may they live to enjoy their beautiful homes and the luxuries of an independent and easy life.

Aher's School District No. 7, is a rock building constructed in 1871, at a cost of $1,000. The present board of directors are James Hendricks, S. Fruitt and M. Doran, and the first teacher was Mr. Cram. The school district has forty schools subject to taxation, and the last teacher was H. W. Forgy.

Richfield Distinct No. 1, situated in the northeast corner of the township, is an excellent school; the building is frame and well furnished. The number of children in the district is seventy-five, and the present board of directors are J. Bennett, J. Hendricks, J. W. Moore, and the present teacher is Sarah Jamieson.

Pin Oak District. - The building, like a good many of the school " houses," is nearly ready to be replaced by a new one. The school-house is well furnished, and the school was conducted under the care of Mr. E. Sellers, who is a young man of excellent ability as a teacher. The present board of directors are James F. Young, Yincent Ridgley and A. Hull.

Wagy School. - First building was built in 1845, and used for a good many years. The new building was built in 1861, and Wm. McKee taught the first school in the new building. The district has about sixty scholars subject to taxation. The present board of directors are Wm. Fusselman, Jacob Wagy, Clayton Carbaugh, and the present teacher is Mrs. McLain.

Morgan School formerly was a log building, and used for many years. The new building was built in 1873, at a cost of $800. The distiict has about seventy children, and the school averages twenty eight scholars. The present board of directors are John Callaway, George Morgan and Thomas Gilkie; present teacher, Carolin-e Beltz.

Rose Hill District No. 8. - The district once had an old frame building, located half a mile south of the present school-house; it was built in 1855, and in 1875 the new stone building was built at a cost of $800; is unexcelled by any house in the township; is nicely furnished, and they have an excellent school, w^ell I'egulated and under a good state of discipline; and the teacher, A. B. Call, who taught their winter school, will not soon be forgotten by the pupils. The present board of directors are Hugh H. Morrison, Samuel McLain and Cornelius Bradley.

Richfield Chapel is located in the town of Kichfield; it is a fine building, put up at a cost of $1,000, and is conducted under the care of Charles Cleavland Morgan, Tyler Rice, and others; it has a large membership, and has had some excellent ministers. Rev. W. McKendrey is present minister.

Shiloh Chapel, situated on section 30, was built in 1853, by Samuel Lock, at a cost of $1,000. The first preacher was the Rev. Mr. Northcott. At the time of the organization the board of trustees was Wm. Goding,

Joseph Lintliecum, Henry Lyle, "Wm. Holcombe, Jacob Baker and Benjamin Falls. The church has a g-ood many members, and has had a good jr many different ministers; among them was Rev. Sauford Bond, who is now i^) deceased. He was an excellent minister, and long will be remembered. The church has had many changes. Quite a number of the old members have died. The present board of trustees are Philip Fahs, John Callaway, Pembroke Lock and Joseph Smiley. There is excellent Sabbath-school, under the superintendency of Philip Fahs.

Nortlicott Cha2)el was built in 1S54, at a cost of S500, and dedicated by Harden Wallace, June, 1854, for the Methodist denomination. The board of trustees were, at the time of organization : Thomas Orr, Simeon Fitch, and John Havard. At the time of the orgaTiization the church numbered about fifty members, and Thomas Orr was class-leader, John Havard and Simeon Fitch stewards. Benj. Northcott was the first regular preacher, and presided over the church for two years; then Rev. Mr. Chapman one year. James Dimmett had charge of the church for two years, he was an excellent minister and left behind him a good many friends. Rev. R. W. Read had charge two years, Rev. Mr. Taylor one year, Rev. Mr. Evans one year, Rev. Curtis Powell two years, Rev. James Cabrie two years, Rev. C. Atkinson one year. Rev. Wingate Newman three years, then Rev. G. M. Spencer took charge of the church and stayed the full time allowed by the conference. It would be hard to say where to commence to eulogize him, for his whole life was devoted to the cause of Christ and his brethren. He died February 3, 1879, at Lima, Adams county, 111. Rev. Mr. Drok is the present minister. He is well liked and labors hard for his church and the good he can do for the cause of Christ. At the present writing only a few of its old members are living. Among them are Thomas Orr and wife, Mrs. Havard, Simeon Fitch and wife, and Elder Orr and wife. Among a few of the dead are "Wm. Orr, John Havard, Mrs. McKinney, and Mrs. Bonham. The present board of trustees are Thomas Orr, W. R. Spink, M. F. Behiraer, Miles Forgey, B. L. Bonham, J. M. Doran, John Gager, Mr. Beard, and Wm. Likes. The class-leaders are F. M. Behimer, Miles Forgey, W. R. Spink, and Wm. Likes.

Ursa Towxship

This is one of the river-bordering townships, lying south of Lima, west of Mendon and north of Ellington. It is considerably larger than the regular Congressional size, and embraces part of 1 north, 8 west, and 1 north, 9 west, having an area of about fifty square miles. The west line follows the irregularities of the Mississippi, and the north line the meanderings of Bear creek. It was originall}" nearly all a timbered country, and is composed of table or blufi" and bottom lands, in the proportion of twothirds of the former to one-third of the latter. The uplands are beautifully undulating, and are among the very finest farming lands in Illinois. Several creeks and numerous springs supply an abundance of water. The principal creeks are: Rock, which fiows across the township from the east, a mile or so from its south line; LTrsa, which rises in Mendon and flows M'est through the center; and Bear, which forms the north boundary line. The bottom lands of Ursa are large, above high water mark, and much of them are under cultivationj and include some of tlie valuable farms of the county.

The Carthage branch of the C, B. & Q. E. R. extends through the township near the eastern border, with a station at Ursa village, thus furnishing the TJrsaites a thoroughfare of communication with Quincy and the great outside world.