Adams County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 11 of those read), 1879 (part 1 of 3)

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 11 of those read)

The township of Bev^erly is situated thirty-one miles southeast of the city of Quincj, in the soutlieast corner of Adams county, the county of Pike lying south and east. The first permanent settlement was made by Azeriah Mayfield, in 1S32, on section 21, and was the only settlement until 1834, when James Sykes, Jr. (now deceased) and John B. Robertson, with their families, from New York, settled here, and in 1835 James Richardson, Sr., Samuel Cutter, Wm. Raymond, Hon. Archibald Williams. Jacob Stafford, and others, and from that time the accessions to their population were more rapid. Tliese, mainly, entered Congress land, and soon it was mostly taken up, leaving nothing but the military land open for purchasers; but for lack of confidence in the titles it was not purchased until 1840, when it began to sell rapidly, and the best of it was early taken by those who still continued to come into the township. At the present time the population is about 1,300. Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Sykes died on the same section where they first located; Mr. Robinson and wife are still living on the same section, he aged 89 and she 81.

In this township are two small villages, Beverly and Kingston. Beverly derives its name from Beverly, Massachusetts; Kingston was named alter one of its founders, Mr. James King. Beverly village was laid out in 1836, on section 21, by an association composed of John B. Robertson, Wm. Raymond, Chas. W. Billington, Samuel Reynolds and Archibald Williams. It contains a large and commodious school-house, a Union Methodist and Congregational church, and also a Town Hall for holding elections and other respectable meetings. This Town Hall was built in 1850 for a church. The present church was built in 1864 by public subscription. The first school-house was built in 1237, and was destroyed by a tornado in 1844. The first teacher was Henry Benson, who taught two quarters, and was employed by the trustees at $23 per month, the citizens agreeing to pay one-third by subscription, the balance from the school fund. Beverly postoffice was established in 1837, and Mr. John B. Robertson appointed postmaster by President Martin Yan Buren. For thirty-four years Mr. Robertson kept the post-oftice at his house, and then six years in the village, and at the age of 86 resigned on account of deafness. The first mill was built in 1843, on section 20, by Wm. Raymond and Ben Kenney, and was run by ox-power. The first blacksmith shop was run by Edward L. Grosch.

The lirst store was kept by Thomas Thompson. The iirst preacher in the township was a Mr. Browninj^. In 1S4S Mr. James E. Frink began the manufacture of furniture, and is now compelled to substitute steam for horse-power to meet the demand. Blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers, harness-makers, coopers and other mechanics find ready employment.

The village of Kingston is situated very finely in the northwest corner of the township, has two churches - the Baptist and Methodist - one large school-house, and two stores - dry goods and groceries - kept by Thos. Polk and Mr. H. B, Apsley, the latter also being post-master. Kingston also has the finest Masonic hall in the county outside of Quincy, with a very respectable lodge of well-posted members. It also has a drug-store and harness shop kept by E. W. Ridgely. There is also a steam flouring mill successfully run by McYay & Bimson. This township is almost equally divided between timber and prairie, and is classed among the best townships in the county.

Richardson School-House District, No. 1, is situated in the northeast corner of the township. It was built about 1840, and has been replaced by a new one. The school is well regulated and in good repute. The present board of directors is. Perry Frame, Jerome Ferry, Evans Noyers, clerk. The Ic^st teacher was George Browning, The number of children on which tax is based is eighty-five.

Oah Grove District, No. 2, was organized in 1840, and a frame building put up which was used for a number of years, giving place to a new building which is now being replaced b}' the third, which is under headwa}', and will cost about $600. The district has seventy-eight children subject to taxation, wnth an average number of scholars per month of thirty. Present teacher is Elsa Hart; present board of directors is Henry Weber, Francis "VVells and John M. Browning.

Lone Oak District, No. 3, is located in the southwest corner of the township. The present school building is worth about $600, fully insured. The district has seventy-nine children subject to taxation, with an average school attendance of thirty-five. The present teacher is L. S. Climer, and the present board of directors is S. R. Hall, Matthew Orr, and Charles Morgan.

Mound District, No. 4, is situated near the southeast corner of the township, close to the "mound farm," known as the Archibald Williams place; it is the highest point in Adams county, over seventy-five feet above the average surface ot the township. The school is well patronized by the citizens of the township. The present board of directors is Geo. Stautfer, John Insley, John Leighty, and the number of children in tlie district is fifty-five. The present teacher. Miss Katie Robertson, is highly esteemed.

Kingston District, No. .5, is located in the village of Kingston. The school-house was erected at the same time the Masonic hall was built, and is a fine building. The present board of directors is Lloyd Kinney, Wm. F. Bacon, O. P. Bnffington. The school tax is levied on a basis of 115 scholars. The last teacher was E. C. Green.

Beverly township has also three Union Districts, two connecting Pike county, and one McKee township, which contain sixty-three children subject to taxation. This is a material help to the school fund of the township, as it draws proportionately from the State fund.

The first Sunday-school was formed in Beverly, May, 1850, and was the " John the Baptist" of the church. It was formed by the influence of Mrs. McCoy, mother of Robert McCoy, and was superintended seven years by G. W. Williams.

The C ongregational Church of Beverly was organized by Rev. G. W. Williams, December 13, 1859, composed of eighteen members; was recognized as such December 27, by a council from the following churches, viz: Quincy, Pay son, Hannibal, Mo., Macomb, Griggsville, and Barry, 111. Ministers present were Rev. S. N. Emery, Quincy; Rev. C. A. Leach, Payson; Rev. ^. P. Colvin, Griggsville, 111.; Rev. Z. R. Hawley, Macomb. Oflacers of the church; Rev. G.W.Williams, pastor; John F. Godfrey, Edward Williams, Geo. W. Robertson, deacons; Joseph P. Wood, clerk; Lewis Hubert, treasurer.

There was an Ecclesiastical society formed by members of both churches, and duly incorporated for the purpose of acquiring and holding property in order to build and hold a meeting house for the joint use of both churches. They have worshiped in the house ever since as peaceably as riiortals usually do. The Congregationalists have not had a pastor for several years, but unite with the Methodists in worship and the conduct of the Sunday-school.

Kingston Methodist Church. - John Piper was the first preacher tliat ever ministered in the township. He held meetings at the houses. In 1854 the present church was built, and used many j^ears as a Christian Church. After struggling a long time it declined to a small number of members, and in 1862 sold out to the Methodists for $350. They organized by electing the following board of trustees: Benjamin Fahs, Jacob Buffington and W. M. Eidson. The Rev. Mr. Dake, of Beverly Circuit, is now ministering to the society, and the church has now forty -five members.

The first white settler in Burton township was Elias Adams, a native of New York State, and a soldier of the war of 1812, in Capt. Forsythe's rifle company. After serving for five years, part of the time as an orderly sergeant, he was discharged, and coming to Illinois in 1824 or 1825, located on the land granted him by the Government for his services, being the northwest corner of section 28. Thaddeus Pond and family came to the township in 1829: located on the southwest corner of section 15.

John Wigle was living in the year 1831, on section 28, near where the town of New Liberty now stands, and had for his neighbor Joseph Ferguson, who resided about two miles west from him, near w^here the old Dunkard meeting-house stood. Dennis P. Meacham had located near the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 20. Abraham Hunsaker, Jno. Hughes, and Geo. Wolfe, with their families, were located along the west line of section 18. Lewis Simpson, Jacob Hunsaker, and Eli Littleton were located along the west line of section 19. Old Samuel Hunsaker on the northeast of section 30. Long Davis on the northwest of section 30. Joseph Rhodes and Andrew Hunsaker on the southwest of section 30. Jno. Mc- Bride on southwest of section 31, which is now the west part of LiV)erty township. As most of these settlers had large families quite a little settlement was formed. At about the same time Sam'l Ferguson had located near the southwest corner of section 2, in Burton township, Jacob Sharp, at the southwest corner of northwest of section 3, and Wm. Richards on northwest of section 7. Wm. Medford, the first school teacher in the township, andwho was also a Methodist preacher, was living on the southeast of section S. During the fall of the same year, Abram and Alvin Conger, with their mother, Joseph H. Childers, the widow Norton, Henry C. Davis, with their families, arrived from the State of Kentucky, and located on sections 5 and 8. Mr. Franks and family, who came with the same party, settled on the northwest of section 6, in Richfield township. Henry Oingingsmith and family, with his single brothers Daniel and John, and his brother-in-law, Jno. Strader, were located on section 18, near the Burton spring. Henry and John Doty, both single, were located on the southwest of section 17. Other settlers who came to the township ubout this time, including Layston, Ray, Reuben Wright, McNab, James and Elijah Thompson, from some cause or other soon pulled up stakes and journeyed to other lands, some to Texas, others to Iowa. Elijah Thompson returned from Texas in 1834, and settled on the southeast of section 13, where he resided until a few years as^o when he was gathered to his fathers, ihere were coal beds worked on sections 25 and 36, from forty to fifty years ago, by blacksmiths and others who hauled it to Quincy, but the construction of the C, B. & Q. railroad eft'ectually crushed the enterprise by furnishing cheaper transportation from the beds at Colchester.

In November, 1831, Laris Pulman and wife arrived in Burton township, from the State of JSTew York, having come the entire distance in a twohorse wagon, drawn by horses which were nearly old enough to vote, being each eighteen years old. Mr. Pulman located on the northwest of section 26, where he still resides.

The list below gives all the supervisors, town clerks, assessors, collectors, and justices of the peace since the first year the township was organized under the township organization act:

Supervisors. Town Clerks Burton Village

The village of Burton was laid out and located on the southwest quarter of section 7, by Elijah M. King, Escj., about the year 1836. Paris T. Judy kept the frst store, E. S. Beardsley the Urst tavern, and David Karnes the first blacksmith shop, which were located on section 18. The first wagon-maker was Samuel Cooper. Since its organization there has been one addition made to the town consisting of one tier of blocks south of Maine street, which is on the section line and the main road to Quincy, S. S. Meacham, who was justice of the peace and post-master for nearly twenty years, commenced keeping a general store in 1840, which he continued until his death, a period of about thirty-five years. After his death J. H. Pulman succeeded to the store and the office of justice of the peace.- The village contains about twenty-five buildings, and about one hundred and thirty inhabitants. It has two blacksmith shops, one hotel, a school house and one church.

Livingston School District^ No. 1. - Prior to the division in 1843-44, it comprised a piece of land two miles in width, lying on the north side of Burton township extending from the east to the west line, the school house being situated on section 3. The building surrendered to the fire-king (supposed to be the work of an incendiary) about the year 1845. In October, 1843, the district was re-organized, and now comprises nineteen quarter sections in the northeast corner of Burton township. The prime actors in succession were Joseph Leverett, John Mitchell, Parker Goding and A. M. Foster. The name Livingston was proposed by C. F. Foster, in honor of Edward Livingston, Prime Minister to the Court of France du'ing President A. Jackson's first administration, which name was unanimously adopted.

The first school was taught during the winter of 1843-44 by Otis Thompson in an upper room of Joseph Leverett's dwelling. The summer school following was taught by jVEiss Walton, now Mrs. A. M. Richards. The first school-house was built during the summer of 1844, near the center of the district on land appropriated by Joseph Leverett, said building being constructed by voluntary labor. It was a creditable building in its day, and was used as a place of worship for many years.

A new building was erected the following summer - one more credita- . ble to the district - under the judicious management of W. H. Tliompson, A. Slade, and E. B. Hughes. The geographical situation is somewhat remarkable, lying on thedividing waters of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, making its location one of the highest and most sightly in the county. From near the center, and especially during the winter season, a view may be had of the following towns and villages: Payson, Newtown, Liberty, Columbus, Coatsburg, Paloma, and Keokuk Junction. From one standpoint on section 1 the water falls to the four points of the compass, and the beholder can see at a glance thousands of acres of the most fertile lands in the county. At the present writing it contains a population of 140 souls, and is occupied by able and practical farmers who pride themselves in the advancement and the good morals of the community. A Sabbath- school has long flourished in this community, who feel that intelligence coupled with Christianity are more potent than the sword of Achilles, or the artillery of Napoleon, and are the sure safe-guards of our commonwealth. Present teacher, Miss Emma Lytle, has served the school with great satisfaction. Mr. Wm. H. Thompson is chairman of the board of school trustees.

School District^o. 4, section 29, known as Tandy school. The schoolhouse was first built in 1850, a small brick building, 25x30, in what was then considered very modern style - high ceilings, large windows, to lower or raise by weights and pulleys - a good, substantial, comfortable, and wellfurnished school-house; better than was usually seen in those days. Among the patrons of the school, and those who contributed largely to its support, were Wm. H. Tandy, Chas. M. Morton, Israel Morris, elohn Aten, Thomas Hughes, W. B. Wheeler, and M. W. Smith. It was named the ''Washington Hall" school-house.

The first school was taught by Franklin Richards, son of Wm. Richards, Esq., near the village of Burton. He taught the winter term of six months, and soon after married Miss Catharine V. Tandy, daughter of Mr. Wm. Tandy, and now resides in the old Tandy homestead, about a quarter of a mile from the school-house. In the spring of 185- Mr. Ambrose F. Newman, of Eastern birth and education, took charge of the school, and taught it with the best of success for over five years.

The next teacher was Mr. H. R. Lewis, a Presbyterian minister who then lived in Newtown, followed by Mr. Willard B. Spaulding, a graduate of Keene College, New Hampshire, a very intelligent, highly educated gentleman, of refined manners. He was succeeded by Chas. A. Kendall, now living neai- Barry, 111., a very successful teacher, Messrs. Whitney, Lionberger, Morris, Nesbitt, and Miss Hannah Hibner, Hattie Morton, Mrs. H. Kay, and many others. In 1865 the old brick was torn down and replaced by a large and commodious stone building which is now in good condition and largely attended. It is situated in a very pleasant neighborhood, and the patrons are mostly men of wealth and culture, who appreciate a good school and the advantages derived from it, and always try to secure the services of efficient teachers and pay them good wages, and now is called the "Tandy school-house."

Newton School District, No. 5, section 27, was first taught in the Presbyterian Church, by Miss Harriet Spencer, who taught several terms. The patrons of the school at that time were Josiah Read, Warren Miller William Wells, George Wells, Laris Pulman, James Ward, Roberts and

Elliot. Miss Ennis Kimball tanwht in 1842. Josiah'Read in 1843. He was a man of great intelligence, educated in JMorthfield College, Mass., also attended Chesterfield College. N. H., and was a very successful teacher for three or four terms. He still lives in section 26, where he first settled. Elizabeth Ballard taught in 1844, Elizabeth Wells in 1845, Wm. Y. Onslow in 1846, Sarah Wells in 1846 and 1847, followed by Amy Wells and .others.

About 1855 a new school-house was built, and Mr. Spencer A. Newman taught the first school in it, followed by Miss Lucy Alford, and E. M. Williams. R. P. Kendall assisted by Hattie A. Morton taught the winter terra of 1856-57. J. D. Duncan taught in 1858, Miss Hannah P. Eaton in 1859, Phoebe Ells in 1860, J. W. Morris, Susan Gabriel, O. M. Stone following. About 1862, the school having become so large that the schoolhouse could not accommodate so many, the old Presbyterian church was purchased and fitted up for a school-room by Messrs. Herbert Tandy, Nesbitt, Read, Tibbitts, and others. Miss Jennie Morton taught the primary in 1868; Miss Norris, the higher department in the hall over Tripp's store. In 1870 a new school-house was built in the northwest part of town, 40x50, with two rooms, at a cost of $4,000. William Kay, assisted by his wife, taught the first school in it. Rev. Mr. McKorcle taught three or four terms, assisted by his daughter, Mary, and by Miss Josephine Hughes. Mr. Chas. Read and Miss Elodie Richards taught in 1876-77, Charles Read and Mary Roe in 1877-78, Isaac Cutter and Mary Roe, the present teachers, in 1878-79. The school is well graded and classified, and numbers about 100 scholars. The present directors are Leonard Hoft'man, Levi Gettzs, and Granville Bookout.

Independence School. - The school-house was built in 1846. The patrons of tlie school, and those who helped to build the house and support the school were Garrett Stewart, John Felt, Jacob Sharp, John G. Lightfoot, Jacob Helm, and Jackson Norton. Of these, Garrett Stewart alone survives. The school -house is quite near his residence, which has ever been a home for the teachers. The first person who taught the school was Mr. Martin, a very strict, stern man, but a very good teacher. He was followed by Michael, then John Moore, Joseph Lummis, and Franklin Newman, who was a very superior teacher, well educated and well liked. His pupils remember him with affection. He died several years ago. Mr. Adrian Tandy taught the school in 1849, followed by. Thomas Brunton, who taught several terms, and was a very experienced teacher, having been engaged in teaching so long that some of his former pupils are grandfathers and grandmothers now. He was followed by David Wells, of Newtown (since deceased), Joseph Morton, who taught several terms, and Mr. Wm. B. Fisher, of Columbus, 111., Miss Hattie Morton, in 1856 (the school was very large at that time, well-attended, and a very interesting and advanced school), Mr. E. B. Dunwell, Mr. Sherben King, Miss Jennie Morton, Mr. Geo. King, a graduate of Yale College, Miss Drusilla Powell, Ann Taylor, and others; in 1869 Mr. E. P. Moore (he was proficient in elocution, and declamation at school exhibitions was then very much in vogue), Mr. John Murphy, Miss Margaret Best, Kate Buckingham, W. Landon, Geo. Richards, and Miss Eunice King, who now is teaching her second term. The school now averages about twenty scholars. About 1861 or 1862 the German Lutherans built a school-house in the same district, and more than half the children attend the German

Burton School No. 3. According to the records of 1847, the board of directors was Joseph H. Childers, Josiah Richards, and Granville Corbin, J. Richards being treasurer. J. P. Cadogan was the first teacher who ever taughl in the district, but owing to the defacing of the records it is impossible to state the amount of his salary or length of time taught. The^ school was held in the historical "log school-house," for several years, when the present building, a one-story frame, of one room, was built. The attendance is usually large, numbering about eighty, but is generally taught by one teacher. Among tliose who have served the district as directors was S. S. Meacham, Elijah M. King, Wm. Richards, Noah Swain, Henry Cooper, I. N. Enlow, and Dr. W. M. Landon, the last two mentioned serving man}' years at different times. The present board are Geo. Schafer, Geo. Able, Henry Mullenhouer, the former acting as clerk of the board. The school, though large, has generally been under good control, and many who now hold prominent positions in -life received their first lessons in Burton. Of the teachers w^ho have held positions in the school, with credit to themselves and profit to the district, may be mentioned Miss Sarah J. Underbill, a finely educated lady, Mr. J. A. Mc- Craynor, a man of superior disciplinary ability, whose merits were highly appreciated by the people of Burton, and whose infiuence will be of lasting benefit to the school; Mr. P. A. Sickal, a man who enjoys a good reputation as a teacher in Adams county. D. W. Landon, who received his education in Burton, held the position of teacher for a number of years, and is now an M. D. of great popularity in his native town. W. E. Enlow, also educated at Burton, taught the school very successfully a number of terms, and is at present town clerk. The present incumbent is W. C. Robinson, who is serving a nine-months contract. The names above mentioned are of those who have served in the latter years of the school, the names of but few of the former teachers having been recorded.

The first church was organized by Caleb Sewell, who was a Free AVill Baptist minister from Lowell, Mass. Subsequently the Methodists organized a church under the leadership of Daniel Hugiies.

The Methodists were the last to proclaim the Gospel in the old school building, and modestly retired to the new church known as Pleasant Grove Church. The building was repaired in 18C8, and was burned on the night of December 18, 1875.

Pleasant Grove Church was built in 1866, at a cost of $3,000. It was dedicated by Rev. Reuben Andrus, D. D., name, M. E. Church. The l)oard of trustees at the time of building the house was Garrett Stewart, Elijah Thompson, Daniel Hughes, Daniel H. Carlin, John S. Wilson and Jas. Shipman. The number of members then was twenty. The present board are H. J. Vickers, J. F. Hughes, G. R. Stewart, J. F. Sparks. Present number of members, sixteen. First pastor, Curtis Powell; Wm. R. Gooding, second; Robert Honnold, third; James Sinnock, fourth; G. S. Ferree, fifth; Samuel Shinn, sixth; Reuben Gregg, seventh; T. J. Bryant, eighth and present pastor. Among those who contributed largely to aid in building the church were Daniel Hughes, who moved to Payson, James

Shipman, who moved to Kansas, E. B. Hughes, J. F. Hughes, Garrett Stewart, and many others ; preaching every alternate Sabbath ; officers of this church amenable to the Quarterly Conference of the M. E. church on Columbus circuit; Miss Julia Slade, organist. A well attended and flourishing Sabbath-school is maintained.

The Baptist Church at Newtown was organized May 24, 1873 ; Elder R. Gibson, moderator, and H. L. Tandy, secretary. Charles M. Morton, Giles S. Lewis, and H. L. Tandy were chosen deacons; J. F. Richards, clerk; H. L. Tandy, treasurer. At the organization the church numbered thirtysix members. In the fall of 1873 a meeting-house was built and dedicated, -costing about $4,000. The first pastor was Elder Kelly, called March, 1ST4. He died while engaged in a protracted meeting in March, 1875. Elder H. Steele then became pastor of the church wlien his labors closed. Elder Yates, pastor of the Payson Baptist Church, preached every Sabbath evening for one year. In April, 1878, Elder Wm. Hawker accepted a call to become pastor, and is still preaching for the church. The church has a flourishing Sabbath-school, H. L. Tandy, superintendent, and at present numbers seventy-one members.

Preshyterian Church. - At a meeting held January 25, 1839, at Newtown, Adams county, Illinois, called for the purpose of taking into consideration the desirability of organizing a Presbyterian Church in that place, it was unanimously resolved by the persons present at the meeting to take the initiatory steps toward organization. Messrs. Wells, Roe, and Warren Miller were then appointed a committee to lay the subject before the Congregational Church in Payson, and ask the concurrence of that church in their action, and letters of dismissal for all persons desiring to identify themselves with the new organization. In due time the committee above named submitted the matter to the Payson church, which gave its unanimous approval, and granted to all ])ersons wishing to identify themselves with the new organization letters of dismissal and commendation. Matters being now in a fair way to perfect the organization of a Presbyterian Church, a meeting was called for the purpose and held Feb. 26, 1839, and upon invitation the following named were present: Revs. Thomas Cole, Warren and Nichols to assist in the organization. The following named persons then presented their certificates of dismissal from the Congregational Church of Payson: William Wells, Phoebe Wells, Lewis Roe, Caroline Roe, Warren Miller, Phoebe Ann Miller, Elizabeth J. Wells, Amy A. Wells, James Stober, Janette Stober, Eliza Stober, Desia Wells, Catherine Wells, Mary Wells, Alice Wells, Catherine Wells, 2d, Harriet E. Wells, and Samuel Reed, and were constituted the Presbyterian Church of Newtown. The minister first in charge of the church was the Rev. Thomas Cole, who resigned in 1841. The first ruling elders of the church were William Wells, Lewis Roe, and Warren Miller. May, 1841, the Rev. Lycurgus P. Kimball commenced his labors with the church, remaining with it till February, 1843. The pulpit of the church then remained vacant two years. In June, 1845, the Rev. H. C. Abernethy commenced a ministry which continued into 1850. Over three years now pass away before a regular minister is again obtained. During this period of the history of the church, difficulties arose among the members which led to a division, and the organization of the Newtown Congregational Church. From this division may be dated the decline of Presbyterianism at Newtown. In 1853 the Rev. G. F.

Davis cornraenced to labor with the church, remaining with it till 1855. Succeeding him was the Rev. William Herrit, wlio commenced his labors in 1857, and continued to discharge the duties of his office faithfullv till 1862. During Mr. Herrit's ministry preaching was transferred bj the advice of the Presbytery from Newtown to Independence, that a conflict of interests with the Congregational Church might be avoided. At this period and for about five years after, the church had to go through the deep waters of affliction, and, with the exception of a little supply preaching by Presbytery, and a short period of service on tlie part of the Rev. Mr. McCoy, it remained, as it seemed, unnoticed and uncared for. But better days were before the church. In this dark period of its history, G<mI in his providence so ordered it that that the Rev. Leslie Irwin, late Presbyterian minister of Allenstown, Pa., and then residing in Quincv. having learned that some of his old parishioners resided at Independence aii'l Ellington, visited both places, and undertook to preach to the people. In September, 1SG7, he entered upon his labors at Independence. In 1870 tlu' name, which the church still bore - Newtown - was dropped, and that "i Independence assumed. In 1871 a meeting was called at the house of Elder David Kemp, to consider a proposition to build a suitable Christian home. Only three persons, however, came together: Mr. Kemp, Mr. Thomas Smith, and Mr. Irwin; but thej^ were enough, for they determined that a churcli edifice should be erected, and that it should be located in the village of Burton, about two miles from the school-house, where the congregation till then had held their religious meetings, on condition that tlie Burton people would co-operate with them, which they did promptly:, hence. Burton, through its enterprise, has a church building that no towp need be ashamed to possess. Tbe building committee were D. Kemp, Thomas Smith, I. N. Enlow, and G. J. Shafer, to whom credit is due. The cost of the building was over $2,500. It was dedicated November. 1871. The Rev. Leslie Irwin remained connected with the church till his death in 1873. Mr. Irwin's successor was the Rev. James B. Crowe. Following him was the Rev. J. P. Dawson, whose successor was the Rev. Samuel D. Fulton. The present minister in charge is the Rev. Samuel Ollerenshaw. Tlie present officers of the church are Elders Frank ]\L Steele and James Wood; trustees: G. J. Shafer, James Wood, Thomas Smith, John Irwin, I. N. Enlow, and James jMcMeekin.

Lodge

Bu7'ton Lodge I. 0. O. F. was instituted and officers installed on the 8th day of August, 1877, by W. W. Stockwell, acting deputy G. M. P. M. of Qnincy, and W. Piggott, G. Y. G., James Benneson, G. Sec, Dr, Bonney, G. Marshall, and Bro. Bristol, G. Treasurer. The organization and institution of the lodge, notwithstanding the exceeding unfavorableness of the weather, was well attended by visiting brethren from Quincv and Liberty. The ceremonies were participated in by the following brethren from Liberty: J. W. Grimes, M. D., B. F. Grover, C. J. Korney. The 'first officers elected were: N. G., George J. Schafer; V. G., R. Cook; Secretary, P. R. Meyers; Treasurer, F. M. Stall; Warden, John H. Rumpf. Appointed officers: O. S. G., Henry Meise; Conductor, F. M. Stall. The charter members were, Geo, F. Schafer, R. Cook, F. M. Stall, J. H. Rumpf, P. R. Meyers, A. Michels, and A. Meise. The lodge is now in an active and prosperous condition.

Editor Camp Point Journal

Camp Point derived its name from a point of timber, now within the limits of the village, and known by the early settlers as " Indian Camp Point," being a land-mark for the early pioneers, and used in a still earlier day by Indians as camping grounds. Daniel Smith and James Lasley, brotherin-laws, were the first settlers in the township. Smith settled on the southeast quarter of section 29, and Lasley on the southwest quarter of section 28, in 1S2S In the fall of 1829 Lasley sold his improvements to Jezreel Shomaker. Pigley settled on the northeast quarter of section 27, in 1830. The same 3^ear an old sea captain named Calley, and his son-in-law, Pand, settled on the southeast quarter of section 10 and the northwest quarter ot section 15, same year Lock settled the northeast quarter of section 22, and Jonathan Brown the southwest quarter of section 2. Farrow Hamrick, the oldest settler now living in the township, settled on the southwest quarter of section 33, in 1832. In 1831 Lock sold his improvement to Wm. Wilkes, father of Daniel "Wilkes, who settled on the northeast quarter ot section 33, in 1832. In 1832 Samuel McAnulty, Lewis McFarland and Wm. McAnulty, settled on the north half of section 3. In the fall of 1835 came with their mother, Adam P. Wallace and Jas. A. Wallace, Rezin Downing and his sons, except John, who came the year before, Peter B. G-arrett and Pichard Seaton. The first school-house was built in 1836, on the southeast quarter of section 26, on land owned by Peter B. Garrett. Brewster was the first teacher. The second school-house was built on the southeast quarter of section 29' on land owned by Daniel Smith, in the spring of 1840. Thos. Bailey was the first teacher. The third school-house was built same year on the southwest quarter of section 12, and P. W. Leet was the first teacher. The first church was erected on the same quarter section in 1848, by the Methodists, and known as Hebron. The second church was built in 1849 by the citizens and Cumberland Presbyterians on the northwest quarter of section 28. The first store was opened by Thos. G. Stevens in 1850, who came from Columbus and rented a lot of ground from Benj. Booth, on which he erected a store and dwelling. In leasing the lot it was conditioned that he was not to sell whisky. It was believed that Stevens religiously adhered to the conditions of his contract for some two years, but probably realizing a small profit on a very small stock of goods, and having previously realized a large profit on a small stock of whisky, laid in a fine stock of the contraband material. The indications of the new order of things were soon apparent; signs of imbibing freely were becoming everyday more and more apparent. This then quiet community felt that their rights were invaded, with but little chance of redress by law. A meeting of the citizens was called at the school-house, then being erected in the now village of Camp Point, where the question was discussed in all its bearings, after which a resolution was passed that we bu}^ Stevens' whisky at wholesale price. The money was raised, and the company of about twenty proceeded to the place of sale. Of course Stevens didn't want to sell, but he was politely informed that sell he must. That he had been selling to others to the detriment of the community, and that now he must sell out and quit the business. The parley was a short one. The money was paid over, and about a barrel anda-half roiled out in front of the store and the heads knocked in, which was the first wholesale trade made in the town. The act created some talk, but no prosecution followed, and the further sale of whisky was discontinued for some years and only at intervals to the present day. The first mill was erected on the northwest quarter of section 5 by John Newland, in about 1S38, propelled by horse-power for the grinding of corn. The next mill was erected on the southeast quarter of section 25 by Peter B. Garrett, in 1844, who erected a carding machine. The next year attached a grist-mill, the whole machinery being propelled by oxen on an inclined wheel. This mill was known for miles around as " Garrett's Mill," and even after it became a prosperous village, our Clayton friends ]>ersisted in calling this town " Garrett's Mill," not willing to recognize the growth and prosperity of the town.

After some years Mr. Garrett, in order to meet the demands of business, removed the inclined wheel-power and attached steam, and erected a saw- mill, and for many years carried on a prosperous business. After the deatli of Mr. Garrett the mill passed into other hands, and is now owned by Wm. Scott & Son, known as the " Eagle Mills." In 1866 Messrs. Thos. and Silas Bailey, Wm. L. Oliver and O. IS^oble erected a merchant mill at a cost of $16,000. The mill is now owned by "Wm. L. Oliver, and known as '- Casco Mill," and has a wide reputation. The first post-office was established in the spring of 1847, and Peter B. Garrett was appointed postmaster. Benj. Booth was the first blacksmith. In 1846 Jas. H. Langdon came from Quincy, and started a blacksmith shop near Garrett's mill. In 1854 G. M. Hess opened a store near the same place; the year after sold to Bailey & Seaton. Late in the winter of 1855 the C, B. & Q. railroad reached Camp Point from Quincy, which was the initial step toward the laying out of the town of Camp Point the same spring by Garrett, Booth, Farlow, and Bailey. Lewis McFarland was the first justice of the peace in the township, being elected in 1838, and continuously holding the same until 1858. lie also started the first tannery in the township. The Cam]) Point Ente7'i)rise^ a weekly newspaper, was established by W. and P. Carr, and E. E. B. Sawyer, in 1867. It was printed in Augusta, Hancock county, the year before, and distributed to subscribers here by Carr. It was afterward published by Sawyer, then by Kirkpatricks. Then, upon the ruins of the Enterprise, Cyrus & Bailey established the Camj) Point Journal. Three years after Bailey disposed of his interest to Cyrus, who has successfully published the paper to the present time. Bailey ifc: Byers opened a private bank in 1868. At the end of the first year Byers retired. In 1875 Bailey took in as a partner Richard Seaton, under the firm name of Bailey & Seaton. In 1861 Reynolds and Koeller started the corn planter works. In 1863, their building and machinery burned down, when they associated with them, Thos. Btiiley, who erected the main building of the present works, and largely increased the business. At the end of the first year Mr. Bailey went out of the business, having accomplished all he had in view, that of starting the business. In 1871 the business was transferred to the Camp Point manufacturing company.

The business men of the town are: Scott & Son, millers; M. C. Chase, harness ; J. II. Garrett, boots and shoes; Fred Boger, groceries; Oliver & Son, dry goods, etc.; "W. L. Oliver, miller, stock, etc.; Bailey & Seaton, bankers; Patrons of Husbandry, George Rhea, supt, general store; Folckemer & Bro., tin-ware and stoves; R. W. Garrett, dry goods, etc.; George W. Cyrus, postmaster, stationary, and proprietor of Camp Point Journal^ J. F. Hagerty, dry goods and millinery; M. D. L. Craver, clothing and tailor; A. B. Kelley, jeweler and nursery; Lorentz Zeigler, grocei'v and eating house; George Gruny, boots and shoes; J. J. Lusk,

The Adams county agricultural society, in the spring of 1876, purchased grounds and established the county fair in the immediate vicinity of the village, on a prosperous basis, the coming year being the fourth annual fair. Philip S. Judy, president; Richard Seaton, secretary.

Philip S. Judy, Wm. A. Booth and Adam li. Wallace have spent much time to effect the healthy condition of the societ}^, and it is now believed that it rests on a permanent basis, and its success already assured.

Camp Point Guards were organized in 1877, and have erected an armory. Richard Seaton, Capt. ; Jos. P. Lasley, 1st Lieut.; Henry Folckemer, 2d Lieut.

There are five churches in Camp Point. The Presbyterian organized in 1856, and built a comfortable place for public worship in 1868. The Methodist organized at nearly the same time, and erected a very good church in 1858. The Baptist organized fend built a small but convenient church the same year. About 1860 the Catholics organized and built a pleasant church. The Christians organized and erected a very well arranged church in 1866. The Methodists, Christians, and Presbyterians are fairly prosperous.

The school-fund arising from the sale of the sixteenth section originally amounted to about fourteen hundred dollars, and was at an early date increased to twenty-two hundred, where it now remains.

Maplewood High School, Camp Point

The village of Camp Point showed some indications of a future as early as 1847, when the mill, the blacksmith shop, the store and the postoffice were followed by the school-house erected in 1853, which was probably the best finished and most comfortably arranged school-house in the county, and afforded sufficient facilities for school purposes for some two or three years, when, owing to the growth of the village, another school-house was demanded and was built in the west part of the village, which afforded school accommodations for a year or two more, when both houses became crowded, so that more school-room was found necessary.

In 1865 the question of a graded school was talked up by a number of the citizens, when in the spring ot 1866 it was decided by a vote of the district that a school-house should be erected, of such dimensions as not only to afford ample room, but so graded as to afford facilities for all to obtain an education, not only in the common, but in the higher, branches of study. During the summer a block of ground was purchased, and a brick building, QQ x 80 feet, three stories high, was erected, though not completed until the summer of 1867, the entire cost amounting to $25,000. The grounds were planted with maple-trees, from which fact was derived the well known name of " Maplewood."

Maplewood school was first organized in October, 1867, under the superintendency of Prof. S. F. Hall, a well-known educator from Princeton, 111. Seven assistant teachers were employed to take charge of the different grades, and the next year it was found necessary to employ another, Prof. Hall remaining in charge for five years, when he retired, going to Pay son, where he taught two years, when he again resumed his position as principal, which position he has continued to occupy until the present time. The average attendance of pupils has been about 500, of whom about one-fifth were from other parts of the county, attending Maplewood to obtain instruction in the higher branches not usually taught in the common schools, special advantages being offered at Maplewood for the study of higher arithmetic, algebra, geometry, philosophy, botany, Latin, rhetoric, etc. The regular school term lasts for eight months, and is followed by a Normal course lasting four weeks, for the special training of those who desire to teach, and the result has been highly gratifying to the friends of the school, and a flattering testimonial is shown in the fact that about one-half of the teachers of the district of Adams county have been members of the classes of Maplewood.

Benjamin Lodge, No. 297, A. F. and A. M., began work under a dispensation issued by Grand Master Harrison Dills to John R. Warren, John A. Roth, Wm. L. Oliver, Ormond Noble, Jesse L. Reed, Ansel "Warren and Joseph Keenan, during the summer of 1858. A new dispensation was issued to these brethren at the session of the Grand Lodge, October 6, 1858, and a charter was issued during the session held October 5, 1859. The lodge has had for master, John R. Warren, John A. Roth, W. L. Oliver, Samuel Mileham, M. D., M. P. Stewart, P. M. Herndon, Solomon Alspaugh, George W. Cyrus (five years), Thomas Bailey, John H. Francis, Richard Seaton and Joseph P. Lasley. It now numbers 52 members.

Camp Point Chapter No. 170, Royal Arch Masons, was organized under a dispensation issued to George W. Cyrus, Thomas Bailey, Richard Seaton, Thomas A. Lyon, James W. Colwell, John H. Francis, Martin L. Stewart, Samuel Curless, and Andrew Hughes, March 28, 1875. A charter was issued October 28. It numbers twenty- one members.

Point Camp Encamiyment No. 60, I. O, O. F, was organized by Thomas Bailey, Benjamin Cummins, Joseph Dickson, Jasper Asher, Richard Seaton, Jr., John S. Seaton, and George Gruny, under a charter issued Oct. 10, 1865.

This is one of the most beautiful and fertile townships in Adams count}', her lands consisting of rich pi-airies interspersed with groves of timber bordering on little Missouri creek, which has its source in the western portion of the township, and flows east, dividing it nearly in the center. It is one of the ricliest agricultural districts in the county, and bounded on the north by Northeast township, south by Concord township, west by Camp Point township, and east by Brown county. The soil is a dark vegetable loam, highly productive, and nearly all tillable except the narrow blufl" along the little Missouri. The farms are highly cultivated, and the improvements of a fine character. The staple cro])is Indian corn, while quite a large area is devoted to grass and grazing.

Keokuk branch leaves the main line and runs in a northwesterly direction. The Chicago, Burlino-ton & Quincy railway also touches the northwestern corner.

The first white settlement of this township was in 1829, made about two and a-half miles north of where the village of Clayton is now located hy Obediah Nicks, who settled with his family on the northwest corner of section 23. David M. Campbell, the second settler, came April 1830, and located on the southeast of section 21. He is the oldest living settler, and his son James still lives on this section. In the fall of 1830 Rev. John E. Curl settled on the southwest of section 31, where Wm. Curry now lives, and Jacob Pile, on section 23. In the fall of 1831 Daniel Pile settled on the farm now owned by John Logue on section 24. Mr. Pile was elected the first justice of the peace in the township. After 1833 settlers flocked in rapidly, and the public lands were soon converted into farms. In 1834 John Marrett, Eev. R. K. McCoy, Chas. McCoy and Edward Davis settled in the town.

The people early took an interest in educational matters, and as early as 1832 we find a school started in the township, which was taught by David M. Campbell, who was the first school teacher of the township, and had but one session a week, and that on Sunday, at the houses of the pioneers. At the present writing the township is divided into nine school districts with good school-houses, furnishing to at least nine hundred scholars a good English education. The township now has a population of about three thousand people, being in the neighborhood of an average of one family to each forty acres of land. The first marriage in the township was that of Josiah Gantz to Miss Curl. They were united in wedlock by Rev. David Wolf in the winter of 1830, on the farm now owned by Wuj. Curry. The first death was Sarah J., infant daughter of David M. Campbell, in August, 1832.

In Ihose early days hotels were " few and far between," and accomodations meager, but '' heart room, house room," was the prevailing motto with many of those noble men who came to make a home and fortune in the great "West.

Among that number were David M. Campbell and his kind-hearted spouse, whose hospitable natures never said no to the weary traveler seeking food or shelter. Though their cabin was but sixteen feet square they entertained and lodged as many as eleven of the aristocracy of Quincy at one time.

Village Of Clayton

The present village of Clayton now has a population of over one thousand, and was laid out in the year 1834 by Chas. McCoy, Rev. Reuben K. McCoy and John McCoy, three brothers, of whom but one, John, is now living.

The town was located on the northeast quarter of section 34. Charles McCoy being an ardent admirer of Henry Clay, named their infant town Clay-ton in honor of the great statesman. The Rev. R. K. McCoy was for thirty years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Clayton. He erected the first residence in the place during the summer of 1834, and died in the year 1874, after a long and useful life, beloved by all who knew him. Chas. McCoy built and opened the first store with a small stock of goods, and sold to Sidney Parker of Quincy, a few months after, who con- ducted the business for several years, then removed to Mt. Sterling, Brown County. Jason "Wallace opened a store of general merchandise about the close of 1836, and continued a number of years, serving as postmaster at the same time. David M.Campbell erected the first hotel during the summer of 1835, and kept it for five years, when he sold it to C. McMnrrv. In the mean time Mr. Campbell had built a larger two-story building on the same lot, which he moved out on to his farm, a mile and a-half northwest of Clayton, in time of a deep snow, with nineteen yoke of oxen, having fastened long timbers under the house to serve as runners. It was an exciting occasion, and the whole neighborhood turned out to witness it. The building still stands, and is the residence of Sam'l Newhouse.

It is related that Clayton had been partially settled, and not proving satisfactory to the projectors of the enterprise, the buildings were nearly all moved out to farms, and the town almost abandoned for some years, but finallj' began to revive when the railway was built. Several additions have been made to the original town plat of Clayton, so that it is now situated on parts of sections 27, 34 and 35, at the junction of the Keokuk branch with the main line of the Wabash railway . It has had a steady substantial growth, and now boasts five churches, two large fiouring mills, four hotels, two banks, a railroad machine shop, two large wagon manufactories, two marbleworks, several dry goods, groceries and millinery stores, two hardware stores, a harness shop, jewelry store, photograph gallery, restaurant, blacksmith and barber shop, meat market, etc., etc. It also has that indispensable accompaniment of every prosperous town, a newspaper printing establisliment. The Clayton Enterprise is a twenty-four-column paper owned and conducted by Rev . P. L . Turner & Son .

The first school-house was erected in the village in 1836. Amos Andrews taught in it. In 1877 the tine brick building, two-stories high, with seven rooms was built at a cost of sixty-five hundred dollars. Between the years 1836 and 37, several additions were made to the original building to supply the demands of the rapid growth of the vicinity, the last costing thirty-five hundred dollars. Early in 1877 it was destroyed by fire.

During this period many teachers were employed, the results of their good judgment and example is now clearly traceable in the high moral standard of the locality.

Of the many teachers who have been connected with this school, Amzi Black was among the first. Twenty-five pupils he commenced with, but the number rapidly increased as the town grew.

In 1849 the Clayton Academy was built by the First Presbyterian Church, and used for the High school. Mr. Edward Ilubery, a man of fine ability, taught successfully two years, and was succeded by W. P. Manister and Sarah M. McCoy.

The board of directors at the present time are Messrs. E. "W.Parker, Jacob Hazlett and H. R. Motter, who have proven themselves capable, and in their selection of teachers given satisfaction.

ized at Clayton in the year 1869, the first president being John McCoy. Annual re-nnious have been held at Clayton, excepting one year it was held at Mt. Sterling. From the proceedings of these meetings where they have talked over for two or three days at a time the struggles and history of the county, we have gathered much to make up our volume.

Presbyterian Church. - The Presbytery of Schuyler, at its spring meeting in 1836, appointed a committee to organize a Presbyterian Church in Clayton. That committee consisted of the Eev. K. B. Dobbins and the Eev. Cyrus Riggs and Elder Joseph G. Walker. These brethren met at the residence of the Rev. R. K. McCoy, in Clayton, to transact the business assigned them by the Presbytery, on the 9th day of April, 1836. After prayer they received certificates of church membership from the following persons who expressed the desire to become members of the Presbyterian Church then about to be organized, viz.:

The first minister, and under God the Father of the Church, was the veteran missionary, Rev. Reuben Kemper McCoy. He was among the standard bearers of the Presbyterian ministry in the west, a faithful and diligent servant, filled with the Spirit and consecrated to the work of his Master. At the session of Ebenezer Presbytery, in Paris, Kentucky, in October, 1833, Mr. McCoy received license to preach the Gospel. Shortly after his licensure he was married to Miss O. P. Hawkins, and entered on a missionary work in the southern part of Kentucky. He came to Illinois in April, 1834, and began at once the work to which he believed God had called him. One of his appointments was at the cabin of a Mr. Shields, near the site of the town of Camp Point. Here, after a few weeks labor, and with the assistance of Rev. Mr. Hardy, another pioneer preacher, he organized the Salem Presbyterian Church, with a membership of only eleven persons. In September, 1835, Mr. McCoy was ordained by the Presbytery of Schuyler, on the camp ground near Quincy. And now began his great life-work in the ministry of the Gospel, a work that closed only as his long day of life drew near and entered its quiet evening.

At the organization of the Presbyterian Church at Clayton, in 1836, Mr. McCoy became its faithful and efficient minister, and for twenty-nine years, the ripest and richest years of his life, he labored in the midst of this people. His longest absence from this church occurred in 1863, when for six months he was chaplain of the Third Regiment of Missouri Cavalry, whose colonel was our fellow-townsman, Dr. T. G. Black.

The second minister of this church was the Rev. William W. Whipple, who is now engaged in the duties of the Gospel ministry in the city of Janesville. His ministry in the church of Clayton hegan April 1, 1866, and closed April 1, 1875.

who rightly divides the word of truth, a wise master-builder on the foundation which is laid, which is Christ the Righteous. While in the midst of this people he exalted the Cross of Christ in his preaching, and in his life was an example to the flock of God which he fed.

The third minister of this church is its present pastor, Rev. Edwin J. Rice. He began his labors in this church while a licentiate of Schuyler Presbvterv, May 1, 1S75. He was ordained on April 5th, and installed on April'ae, 187©. "

Having now spoken of the ministers, it is necessary to speak of the elders connected with the session of Claj'ton church. There have belonged to this session thirteen elders. At the organization of the church three elders were elected, viz.: Mr. John McCoy, Mr. Oliver Howes, and Mr. Joseph M. Phillips. Elder Phillips was dismissed to the church of Mt. Sterling in 1837, and is now dead. Elder Howes died in Clayton, Illinois, in his 77tli year, February 24, 1876. He was a native of Massachusetts; settled in Illinois in the spring of 1831, and was an honored and eflicient ruling elder in this congregation for the space of forty years.

Of the thirteen ruling elders who have belonged to the session of this church, eight have died and one is an elder in a neighboring church. Four are yet engaged in the performance of their arduous duties in our midst, viz.: Mr. John McCoy, Mr. A. S. McDowell, Mr. Charles Ballow, and Mr. William Kendrick.

Of the little band of fifteen, the first members of this church, nine have gone across the Jordan, and six now lingei- on its margin. Of the brethren, J. M. Phillips, John McBratney, Solomon Montgomery, Charles K. McCoy, and Oliver Howes; and of the sisters, Nancy Phillips, Mary McCoy, Isabella Bush, and Sarah McCoy, have died. Sister Caroline Phillips, now Mrs. Malone, is a member of the Mt. Sterling church. Elder John McCoy, and sisters Xancy Howes, O. P. McCoy, Emeline McCoy, and Nancy McBratney, yet live in our midst.

The roll of the membership of this church shows 460 names. Ot these 460 members, eighty have died within our bounds; forty-two have been suspended for transgressing the rules of the church and the commands of the Scriptures; forty-five have removed from our bounds without a certificate of church membership, and 167 have been regularly dismissed by letter to other churches. The present membership of the church is 126.

Of the members of this church, six have entered the Gospel ministry. Their names are as follows: Abraham Yanstavoren, Samuel B. King, Daniel C. McCoy, William Paxton, John Leander King, and William Hendrickson. Of these six brethren, two have died, viz. : Mr. A. Yanstavoren and Mr. J. L. King. Mr. Yanstavoren was a graduate of Illinois College and of Lane Seminary. He entered the ministry at Montrose, Iowa, in 1S55, the year of his graduation at the seminary, lie died, after a term of five years of service in the ministry, at Kossuth, Iowa, in April, 1860. Mr. J. L. King was a graduate of Knox College and of Lane Seminary, where he completed his theological course of study in 1862. He preached first at Detroit, Michigan, whence he removed to Denver, Colorado, where he died in 1866.

For four years after its organization the church had no house of worship, their religious services being held in the District School building and wherever else the congregation could be assembled. Many of their

In 1839 three lots in Clayton, Nps. 63, 64 and 65 Washington street, were donated to the church by Elder McCoy. These lots were worth about $250. Here, on the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets, was erected in 1810 a brick church, at a cost of $3,000. In a few years afterward H tower and a bell were added. In 1865, the brick walls were removed and frame took their place. This frame building is still a comfortable and commodious house of worship, dedicated and set apart to the service of the livins^ and true God. Besides the church building; and the lots on which it is situated, the congregation possess a parsonage, No. 158 Jefterson street. This property was purchased of Mr. Thomas Lackey in 1870, at a cost of $1,700.

In accordance with the act of the Legislature of the State of Illinois, concerning corporations, approved April 18, 1872, tliis church, on the 4th day of January, 1873, became incorporated as the " First Presbyterian Church, of Clayton, Illinois," and on that day the following persons were chosen by the congregation as trustees for the terra of three years, viz.: Albert F. Swope, James C. Miller, Jacob Hazlett, Samuel N^. Black, Abel Lacky, Wm. M. Logue, and John H. Eatcliff.

On March 12, 1876, the term of three years, for which these trustees were elected, having expired, a new board of trustees was elected for a like term l»y the congregation. This present board of trustees is composed of the following named persons, viz.: A. F. Swope, Jacob Hazlett, John H. Eatcliff, Samuel N.. Black, James Hazlett, John W. Smith, and Abel Lacky.

As we trace the histoi'y of the past forty years, and recall the scenes of the sanctuary, the language of Jacob comes to our lips: "Surely the Lord is in this place. This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven."

The Clayton Christian Church was organized in 1855, Dr. T. G. Black and others being the original members. The first elders were Dr. Black and George Lacklen. The edifice in w^iich the society worship was erected in 1855, at a cost of $3,500. The present elders are Dr. T. G. Black and W. B. Smiih, while J. K. Smith, H. H. Curry, Wm. Staker, and H, H. Dodd are official deacons. The membership figures up at about one hundred and fifty, while seventy-five children attend the Sabbathschool. The present pastor is W. T. West.

The M. E. Church was organized about 1836. It was a part of Pulaski charge, and was afterward attached to the Columbus charge, and later to the Mt. Sterling circuit. The church services were held in school and private houses until 1850, when the first church edifice was erected on the site where the present edifice stands. The Board of Trustees at that time were Joseph Douglass, George McMurry, John C. IS'ewton, James D. Hurd and Robert R. Garner, now all dead. That church was used twentyfive years, when it became inadequate and was removed, and the present fine brick structure erected in 1875, at a cost of $7,000. The church lias been reasonably prosperous. The Sunday-school is also quite large. P. L. Turner is the present pastor; Abel Gray, Jas. Kirkpatrick, Q. Bnrgesser, Peter Omer, and W. R. Molter are the trustees, and Jas. Kirkpatrick, J. H. McMurry, Q. Burgesser, Wm. Miller, Wm. Montgomery, Peter Omer, W, H. Hollis, and John Mills are the stewards. The present membership is one hundred and forty-five and seventy-five attend the Sunday-school.

Like all other advanced sections we find here the Masonic order in a healthy condition, doing a good work in the organization of the Masonic Relief Association, that now has a membership of 1,208 during the short period of five years. We copy from its constitution, article two, object: "The business and object of this association shall be to secure financial aid and benefit to the widows, orphans, or the legal representatives of the deceased members." The best life-insurance a man can invest in.

The I. O. O. F., organized as early as 1852, with Dr. T. G. Black, N. G. It now has a list of about sixty-four members in good standing. The following ofiicers were elected for 1879:

Concord township was organized at the spring election in 1850. Edward Sharp was elected supervisor; Wm. Hobbs, clerk; David Hobbs, assessor, and Shannon Wallace, collector. The first settlements were made in 1832. John E. Wells settled on section 25, John Ausmus, on section 17, and O. H. Bennett, on section 9; soon after, the Wallaces and Hobbs's and Elijah Ellison. The first school-house was built on section 4, in 1835; the first teacher was Wm . Hobbs; the first ministers of the Gospel that preached in Concord township, were Granville Bond, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, J. B.Curl, of the Christian Church, and Harvey, of the regular

Baptist clnircli; William Hobbs, David Kobbs and John Aiismus, who were residents of the township, preached occasionally. The first marriage was Edgar Wells and Elizabeth Collins. The first birth was a child of Wm. and Mary Briscoe. It died soon after, and was the first death in the town. The first church was built in 1860, on section 30, by the Lutherans. The next and only other church building, was erected on section 23, by the people, for a Union church, but owned by the German Baptists or Diinkards.

The German Lutheran Church was organized in 1862 by the following members who established the church, and the following were made trustees: Henry Lessman, Christ Yolbracht and Frank Kestner. First minister of the church was B. Burfeind, who was the regular minister for six years, followed by W. Dahlk, who remained two years and was succeeded by C. Meyer, who was with the church only one year, when J. W. Steften came, who now is the regular minister for the congregation, which numbers twenty-five. The entire cost of the church, parsonage and four acres of land used as a cemetery was about $2,000. The Lutheran denomination have services in the church every Sunday, and Sunday-school in the afternoon. The church is in a neat and pleasant place, and among a good class of industrious and religious people. The minister of this church teaches school during the week, devoting one-half of the time to instruction in German, the balance in English. There is an average attendance in the school of twenty-three scholars.

Columbus township is situated about eighteen miles from Quincy in a northeasterly direction. The first settlement made in Columbus township was in J830, when James Thomas left Kentucky and settled on section 30. He was followed by Jacob Connor, Clements Wilks, George Johnson, Matthew Ray, Philip Ray, George Smith, William Roseberry, W. L. Wilmot, and Jas. Wisehart. The town of Cohimbus was laid out by County Surveyor Williams, under the direction of Willard Graves, in March, 1835. The first sale of lots took place in March, 1836, and nearly one hundred houses were erected that year. Francis Turner and John Robison also settled about 1836. Col. George Smith, who figured prominently in the township, settled on section 4, Oct. 20, 1836. Daniel Harrison and Abraham Jonas, the latter a prominent citizen, and whose son, B. F. Jonas, is now United States Senator from Louisiana, settled in Columbus village in 1836 and 1837. T. H. Castle, Frederick Collins, Clement Nance and many others soon followed. The original plan was to make Columbus the county seat of the county, and it was located at the nearest practicable point to the geographical center. The exact center was in Gilmer, about a mile west of the site of the town; but that tract was military land, and owned by parties in the East whose whereabouts were not known, and consequently it was not accessible. The village grew rapidly and prospered for several years. About 1840 the county seat contest between Columbus and Quincy began to be agitated, and grew hotter until 1841, during which time a newspaper called the Columhus Advocate, was established in the village by a man named E. Ferry, in the interest of Columbus. Mr. Abraham Jonas, above mentioned, being a writer of considerable ability, penned several articles upon the then all-absorbincr question, in favor of the Columbus interests, and sent them to the Qnincy papers for publication, but they were refused ; hence ths birth of the Advocate, to which he became the chief contributor. The county was tlioroughly canvassed by speakers of note on both sides, and an election was held to decide the contest in August, 1841. Columbus received a majority of nearly a hundred votes. The county commissioners met to arrange for removing the books and papers from Quincy to Columbus, and the majority opposed it, Wm. Richards and Eli Seehorn objecting, and Col. George Smith favoring the removal. A writ of mandamus was issued to compel them to act. A hearing was had with a verdict from the Circuit Court in favor of the removal. The Quincy people took an appeal to the Supreme Court, and pending the decision the Legislature met and passed an act dividing the county, the western portion remaining Adams, the eastern half, including Columbus, was named Marquette. The people refused to organize the new county, and at the following session of the Legislature, a little more territory was added to the new county and the name changed to Highland. The peoyjle still refused to organize, and the new county remained without officers, except judicial officers, the new county being attached to Adams county for all judicial purposes. The old magistrates held over and their acts were legalized by the Legislature after the difficulty was settled. The new county remained in that condition until the adoption of the State constitution in 1848, which provided for the reattachment of it to Adams county.

Religious exercises were held by the Presbyterian, Methodist and Christian societies at the private residences and school-houses in the township until 1836, when the Christian society erected a house of worship in the village. The Presbyterian society built a church in 1838 which still stands. The Methodist society erected their first church several years later. These are the only denominations ever represented by societies until very recently. The Presbyterian society has since been discontinued. The first school-house in the township was built on section 30 in 1834 or 1835; and in 1836 one was built in the village, and others followed as the needs of the settlers required. A Mr. Bartholomew and his sons Gilead and Samuel, erected the first steam mill on section 3 in 1835. It was a grist and saw mill. Later it fell into the hands of the Mormons, who contemplated strongly making a settlement and starting a town there, but when they were driven from Nauvoo they abandoned the idea, and some years later the mill was removed. The second steam mill was erected in the village about 1865, by Lock & Hendricks, and is still doing some business. Willard Graves erected a saw-mill on McKee's creek, on section 16, about 1838, which run several years and was finally abandoned.

Daniel Harrison was the first to commence merchandising; he after\vard associated with him Abraham Jonas. John F. Battell, L. Davis, F. Collins, A. Touzalin, Sen., and Clement I^ance were all engaged in merchandising. W. D. McCann established a cabinet shop and continued many years. Lytle Griffin was the first in the saddlery and harness business. Thomas Greenleaf and Sons manufactured wagons and buggies quite extensively. M. T. Greenleaf introduced the first machine lathe. Thomas Durant run a wool carding machine with animal power; afterwardthe business was enlarged and a steam engine added by H. H. Butler. Henry Pratt and others erected a mill and successfully for a time made linseed oil.

election of officers occurred in April of that year. Alexander M. Smith was elected supervisor; A. Touzalin, Jr., town clerk; John P. Nichols, assessor; Wm. Eoseberry, collector; Andrew Redmond and Jas. A. Bell, justices. During the war of the rebellion Columbus township put her shoulder to the wheel and demonstrated her loyalty by word and deed, coming up with her quota of men at every call of the government.

Columbus has had several tires. In 1847 Capt. A. Touzalin; Sr.'s store burned; soon after Nance & Castle's store, warehouse, etc., and Touzalin and Hutton's store were destroyed the same night, with all their contents; supposed to be the work of incendiaries. In 1863 A. Touzalin's store was burned, with all its contents; also in 1866, on the night of the 22d of June, the post-office with D. Whitlock's and A. Elliott's store were robbed and burned by an incendiary, who was convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary.

The followino- panther story is narrated by Orestes Ames : Samuel Furgeson lived near Columbus, and had two sons, who, in 1830, went into the woods to hunt for the cows. During their rambles they came to the trunk of a fallen tree, which lay a little up from the ground. They climbed on to the log, when a sight met their gaze which would have curdled the blood of less courageous boys. By the side of the log at their feet lay a mother panther with two cubs. They espied each other simultaneously. A little dog accompanying the boys began to bay at the panther, which at once put herself in an attitude for defense. One of the boys started for a cudgel to give battle. The panther made no effort to escape, but stood her ground to protect her family. While warding off the attacks of the dog, her tail slipped through the crevice under the log; and quick as thought one of the boys seized it with a firm grasp, and bracing himself against the log held on till his brother beat her to death with his club. They carried the young ones home, and months after sold one of them to a menagerie, the other escaped while on the way to Quincy, and was afterward killed.

The First Baptist Church of Columbus township was organized March 13, 1879, at the Independent school-house, on section 3, by Rev. Silas Odell and Rev. Mr. Wood, with fourteen constituent members, Elijah Marsh and wife and daughter >Nellie, Mrs. Margaret R. Demoss, Perry C. Edward^ America, Frances and Anna Demoss, Flora and Ella Demoss, John Demoss and wife. Rev. Silas Odell is the elder.

The M. E. Church. - In speaking of the Methodist Church and circuit of Columbus, a writer says: The circuit, when first organized, embraced the counties of Pike, Adams, Hancock, Schuyler and Brown. The following preachers have traveled the circuit: Carter, Hadly, Griggs, Hitclicock, Clampit, Oliver, William and Edward Rutlage, Piper, Cromwell, McMurry, Taylor, Kimber, Butler, Houts, Shim, Young, L^'on, Powell, Shunk, , Owens, Hutcheson, Gooding, Kabrick, Sinnock, Gregg, and Bryant.

German Methodist. - The brick church now owned and used by the German Methodists was built in 1842. The membership of the society at Columbus is eighty -two. A. A. McNeal is steward and class-leader; A. B. McNeal and Sylvester Truit are class-leaders, J. Cain exhorter, and D.

"Whitlock, Sunday-school superintendent. The class that has since resulted in the organization of the Mt. Pleasant and Pleasant Grove societies, and the building of churches at these points, was organized in 1832, at the house of John Yeargain, Sr., in township 1 south, range 7 west, section 31. The Mt. Pleasant society now has ninety members, the Pleasant Grove eighteen. At Mt. Pleasant E. A. Yeargain is steward, and M. M. Yeargain and J. Q. Lawless are class-leaders; at Pleasant Grove, H. Yickers is steward, and J. T. Sparks, class-leader.

TTie Paloma Society has eighty members, and has A. G. Lanino- - a local preacher on the circuit for a quarter of a century - as its pastor. The circuit is composed at the present (1879) of Columbus, Paloma, Mt, Pleasant and Pleasant Grove societies. It owns a very fine parsonage property, that cost the circuit $2,500, situated at Paloma. It was built under the administration of Pev. James Sinnock. The churches at Mt. Pleasant and Pleasant Grove were built in 1866, the centenary year of American Methodism, under administration of Rev, C. Powell.

Ellington is composed of a regular Congressional town, and a fraction, averaging about three miles in width, extending to the river. It is, therefore, nine miles by six, and contains an area of fifty-four square miles, being the largest township in Adams county. It lies north and east of Quincy, and orio-inally included that portion of the city north of Broadway. Ellington is bounded on the north by Ursa and Mendon, east by Gilmer, south by Melrose and the city limits, and west by the Mississippi river. The north line of the township is the base line of 40 degrees parallel of latitude, the same extending through Philadelphia, The surface is undulating, and in some parts quite broken, was originally half timber and half prairie. The rare fertility of its soil, which is composed nearly equally of mineral and vegetable properties, the superior drainage, so well adapting it to a great variety of crops, and diversity of seasons, and the superior class of improvements which dot its beautiful farms, have won for it the cognomen ot " Banner " township. Several creeks with their numerous branches checker its surface. Cedar, the largest of them, originates in a large spring a mile or two northeast of Quincy, and flows south of west to the river. Leonard's or Homan's creek has its source near the center of the township, in one of the largest and finest springs in the county, once owned by Capt. Leonard, from whom it and the creek take their names. Mill creek, along whose borders is the most broken and sterile portion of the township, flows across the northeast corner.

The bottom lands, of which there are a number of square miles, are chiefly in a wild, uncultivated state, but will eventually be reclaimed and made valuable.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Pailroad, also used by the Wabash Company, enters Ellington a mile south of the northwest corner, and extends diagonally to Quincy in the southwest corner, and the Quincy & Burlington Railroad leads up along the bluff", almost directly north.

The society of the township is cosmopolitan, made up of inhabitants of varied birth-place and nationality, although a majority of the pioneer settlers were natives of Kentucky. The first settlement was made in 1828, by Samuel Seward, on section 23, who was soon followed by Henry Jacobs and John S. Wood, who settled on section 17, and John M. Sterne and James Frasier, on section 5, in 1829. Isaac Sawin and Henrj Putman located on section 8, where thej erected a cabin; William Powell was also among the early settlers, as was Ebenezer Turner, and occupied it jointly for a time,

Henry Frasier, sou of James Frasier, was the first child born in the township, on section 5, in 1829. The first death was that of Mr. Cook, who died from over exertion, in hunting in the "deep snow," the winter of 1830-31. Grandfather J. M. Sterne, now 87 years of age, and the oldest man in the township, in speaking of that memorable snow-storm says : It began to fall on the night of Dec. 27, 1830, and was two and a-half feet deep outside and six inches deep iuside of his cabin the next morning. By severe effort he made a path to his spring, from which he carried water and saturated the snow on the roof, making a covering snow-proof and windproof for the rest of the winter. The snow continued to fall at intervals until Jan. 1, 1831, when it was four and a-half feet deep. The high winds drifted it, making " the rough ways smooth," and converting the prairie into one vast level sea of crystals.

The first school-house in Ellington was erected on Mr. Sterne's farm on section 5, in 1836. Alexander taught the first school in it that winter. There had been schools in vacant cabins, and several terms in Wesley Chapel, prior to that date. Wesley Chapel was the first house of worship, erected in 1831, on section 5, by the Methodists. Isaac Sawin was the contractor, and J. M. Sterne helped to hew the timbers. A very neat frame edifice now stands on the same lot, the property of the same society. John Kirkpatrick, a local minister of the M. E. church, preached the first discourse. Rev. Peter Cartright, remembered as the "Pioneer Itinerant," preached for them occasionally.

Those old pioneers better* understood transforming the wilderness into the productive farm and comfortable home than the technicality of law, as evidenced by the following true incident:

Henry Jacobs and John S, Wood purchased a quarter-section of land on section 17, jointly. Sometime after, wishing to divide it, instead of going to the trouble to quit-claim, they simply cut the patent in two in the middle, supposing that to be legal beyond question.

In the spring of 1850, the first election was held under the township organization law, at the house of Mrs. Jacobs, near the center of the township, and John P. Bobbins was elected supervisor ; William Powell, assessor; Erastus W. Chapman, town clerk. The first justices of the peace were Augustus E. Bowles and Wm. H. Cather.

Bloomfield Village

The village of Bloomfield, the only town of which Ellington can boast save Quincy, is situated ten miles northeast of the city, on the northeast quarter of section 3. It was laid out about 1837, by Ansel Clarkson. For some years it seemed a child of promise, Mr. Clarkson and Jesse Kirkpatrick erected buildings and put in stocks of general merchandise; another man also started a store; a post-office was located there; a wagon manufactory, employing a number of men, was established by Charles Thompson, Jesse Kirkpatrick and a Mr, Herndon, but a wagon manufactory conducted by farmers not proving a profitable enterprise it was abandoned after a few years, and now its only visible monument is a small blacksmith'shop. A. Y. Davis figured prominently among the Bloomfielders as a merchant and grain dealer for several years, about 1856. The religious proclivities of the village are chiefly Catholic, and the only house of worship in the place was erected by that denomination about 1862. From 1861 the village rapidly declined. It has now some twenty dwellings, chiefly farmers', and the only place of trade is kept up by a bachelor named J. G. Kappus, who has seen the star of its hope rise and set.

Ellington is densely populated b}'' a moral, intelligent and thrifty people, contains three substantial church edifices, a Methodist, a Presl)yterian and a Methodist Protestant, has the usual number of prosperous schools, and no more beautiful farms and cheery homes can be found in any part of the State.

This township derives its name from the creek of the same name, runing through it from east to west, the creek having been so named from a cascade, or waterfall of considerable size, in the stream. It is situated in the southwest corner of Adams county; is bounded on the north by Melrose, east by Payson, south by Pike county, and west by the Mississippi river. Fall Creek is a fractional town, being cut in an irregular form by the river; is seven miles wide on the north line, and less than five on the south line. Its surface is considerably diversified, the bluft' lands, comprising two-thirds of its area are quite rolling, traversed by several creeks and brooks which furnish abundant water supply and ample drainage. The largest of these is Mill creek, which was once the seat of the pioneer mill from which it derived its name, flowing diagonally across the northM'est corner, on whose banks the village of Millville is located. Ashlon creek heads about the north boundary of the township a mile and a-half west of the east line, and flows southwesterly emptying near the center of the west line. Fall creek enters the township a mile south of the northeast corner, its course is meandering, and its mouth a little north of the southwest corner. A luxuriant growth of timber covered three-fourths of the township, and the prairie grass the remainder. The soil is a dark sandj' loam, with a substratum of lighter color strongly impregnated with sand and gravel, and a subsoil of limestone. This composition admirably ada])ts it to the production of the cereals and fruits. Wheat, of which very large crops are grown, amounting in the aggregate to over 100,000 bushels in a single season, may be considered the staple crop, thouofh corn is extensively planted, and yields a rich harvest to the husbandmen. Much attention is given to fruit growing; indeed Fall Creek can boast of some of the largest and finest apple and peach orchards in the United States. One formerly the property of Clark Chatten (deceased) contains over 125 acres of the choicest varieties.

Limestone abounds everywhere along the bluffs, and many fine quarries are being profitably worked. At Millville six large patent kilns are in active operation, employing sixty-five men, and turning out large quantities of the finest lime, which finds a ready market in various parts of Illinois and other States.

The bottom lands, comprising the other third of the township, are inexhaustible in their productive resources; and only need some additional drainage and protection from the river to become some of the most magnificent and valuable farming lands in the world. Even now, with the threatening floods and malaria, man}^ laughing fields of waving grain greet the ej'e of the traveler at this time of the year - June - as he glides along the base of the bluff behind the iron horse or sails down the '- Father of "Waters " upon the back of an " Eagle."

The Quincy, Alton & St, Louis railroad cuts this town diagonally from northwest to southeast along the edge of the bottom, furnishing an outlet for the shipment of its abundant productions. There are three stations within its limits, Millville, the first south of Quincy, Bluff Falls and Fall Creek.. The latter, at the junction of the Hannibal branch, is quite a shipping point for live stock and farm produce. It is the seat of Fall Creek post-ofiice.

Millmlle, the only village in the township is about seven and a-half miles southeast of Quincy, and contains less than a hundred inhabitants. It was laid out in 1835 by Michael Mast, John Coffman and Stephen Thomas, in the center of section 6, taking a corner from land of each. For a time it gave promise of growth. Michael Mast erected a'large store and filled it with a stock of general merchandise, and for a time commanded considerable trade. In later years the business fell into the hands of Amos Beebe, and finally shrunk into the modest dimensions of a very small grocery, which is now the only mercantile establishment in the place. Early in its history the saw and grist mill on Mill creek did considerable business, and a large steam ferry plied between a point opposite Millville and Marion City - now extinct - on the Missouri side, furnishing a great thoroughfare for emigrant travel as late as 1850. The chief feature of importance at the place now is the half dozen large lime kilns and stone quarries, employing over sixty men. Marblehead is the post-ofiice.

Justice I. Perigo was the first white man who sought a home in Fall Creek. He settled south of the present site of Millville in 1821; but being a regular frontiersman he made little show at improvements. In June, 1823, John C. Thomas came to the township and moved on to the same farm where Perigo settled; Col. Headley and Mr. Slay ton, the father of Fernando Slayton, for many years a prominent citizen of Fall Creek, came the same year. Headly and Thomas settled on the bottom. Zephaniah Ames and Ebenezer Harkness came in April, 1824, the former settling on section 13, the latter on 17. Amos Beebe, Amos Bancroft, Mr. Crandall, Daniel Moore, Holman Bowles, Mr. Journe}^ and Thomas Carr were among the early pioneers, as was also William Thompson who came some later. Among the men who have been most prominent we may name Clark Chatten, Eli Seehorn, Ed. Seymore and Pobt. Rankin.

The first marriage was that of Amos Bancroft and Ardelia Ames, in the winter of 1824r-25. The first child born was Priscilla Crandall, afterwards the wife of Josiah Thomas, in 1825. The first death was old Mr. Slayton, of consumption, in 1825.

The first school-house was erected on section 16, in 1825, and Levi Wells taught the first school in it the following winter. The first sermon was preached hj an itinerent Methodist preacher named Medford in 1826. The first house of worship was erected by the Baptists in Josiah Thomas' woods in 1832. The first permanent church edifice was built by the Methodist Protestant society, on section 23, near the falls of Fall creek, in 184:4. A lady member worked the date in the curtains. The first Sunday-school was organized at the residence of Zephaniah Ames, in 1832, by Deacon Chatten and Elder Sweet. Amos Bancroft, Daniel Moore and Rial

Crandall built the first saw mill on Mill creek, late in 1824. In 1831 a grist mill was erected which supplied the surrounding country with breadstuffs.

Fall Creek township contains a population of nearly three thousand inhabitants; has six school-houses, four of stone, one brick and one frame; two church edifices, a Christian and a German Lutheran, It ranks among the first in the county in fertility of the soil and the character of its farm improvements.

Panther Stories

The following true anecdotes, related by Orestes Ames, show that the pioneers in this section of Illinois were confronted by other and even graver obstacles than those incident upon subduing the wilderness.

During the summer of 1827, an unusual disturbance was heard about the pig pen of '' Old John Thomas," in Fall Creek township. He owned two powerful and ferocious dogs; and his boys and the dogs immediately started on a tour of investigation. The dogs soon got scent of the porkseeker, and all hands gave chase. After pursuing the animal - which was supposed to be a wolf - some distance, the dogs overtook and caught it in a hazel thicket. A desperate combat at once ensued. The panther, for such be proved to be, threw himself on to his back as the best position for defense. The dogs attacked him from each side; partially protected by the thick brush, they fought, until finally enraged to desperation one of them sprang upon the panther and seized him by the throat; the other dog caught him by the hind leg, thus preventing the powerful beast from using his claws; they held on mitil he was strangled to death. He measured seven and a halt feet from tip to tip.

The next summer - 1828 - Stephen Robinson, an old frontier hunter, was coming up the bottom between Qaincy and Millville, accompanied by his two dogs, in search of a stray horse, when the dogs treed a full grown panther up a tall hickory. Mr. R. was in a quandary what to do; he had no gun, and he could not aftbrd to lose his game. He finally 4ecided to climb for it, so throwing aside the bridle and his coat, started u]) the tree. The panther, not feeling in a fighting mood, retreated before him nearly to the top and walked out upon a large branch, and, turning about, stood face to face with his plucky pursuer, who attempted to shake him off. Tiie animal now started toward him on the limb. Having no better weapon of defense, Mr. Robinson took off his old slouch hat, and as the panther approached struck it in tlie eyes with all his might. The blow caused it to lose its balance, it fell to tiie ground and was dispatched by the dogs.

Christian Church. - Among the early settlers of Fall Creek township were Holman Bowies, Alexander Fruit and John liickerson, wlio with their families were members of the Christian Church. They began to assemble together for worship in their cabins as early as 1831. Rev, Jesse Bowles preached for them occasionally, and the believers in the faith increased in number until in 1840, when they organized regularly. Revs. John B, Curl and John Rigdon officiating. Holman Bowles, Jesse Fruit and Albert Morris were elected elders, and John Featheringill and James Lowis chosen deacons. The society held services in school-houses until 1851. when it had attained sufficient strength in numbers and purse to erect a house of worship which they built that year. It is a substantial brick structure 40x50 feet in size located upon section 2. The church continued to crrow until in 1865 it contained over 200 members. It is the parent of the Payson Christian Church, and is the second oldest society of that denomination in Adams county. It now numbers a hundred members, and has a Sunday-school of fifty scholars. The society contributes $500 per annum for religious purposes. Rev. Thos. S. Newnon is the officiating pastor; George Ramsey, L. G. Carr and Samuel T. Carr are the elders; and George I. McNutt and Henry Bowles, deacons.

German Lutheran ChurcJi. - A considerable number of Germans havinar settled in Fall Creek township, they organized a Lutheran society, and erected a stone edifice in 1860, upon section 9. Their church numbers more than 100 members. They have regular preaching by a gentleman from Quincy. These are the only two houses of worship in the township. , There are quite a large number of Methodist people in Fall Creek who attend at Fall Creek chapel, just in the edge of Payson township.

The first settlers were George Wigle, who settled in 1829 on section 34 - he built a log cabin and made other improvements - Benjamin Walby, an Englishman by birth, Jacob Smith, John Thomas, Mr. Franks and Mr. Riddle. In November, 1831, John Yeargain and family came, and soon after Daniel Harrison and others. These men were good citizens, their occupation that of farming, tliey were poor and enjoyed but few of the luxuries of life, but they were cheerful, contented and hospitable.

The first sermon was preached at John Yeargain 's, by David Hobbs, in the year 1832. In the same year John Hunter, a preacher of the M. E. Church, preached at the same place. Soon after a class was organized consisting of the following persons: John Yeargain and wife, Jacob Sharp and wife, Weaver Potter and wife, George Kuntz and wife, Nancy G. Tate and W. T. Yeargain. Soon after this others were added. David Carter, who was the first circuit-rider, commenced his labors in the year 1832. The class continued to meet at John Yeargain's until thought best to move it elsewhere. Meetings were then held successively at Jacob Sharp's, Mr. Notson's, then at John Yeargain's, thence to a log school-house on what is now known as the old telegraph road. From there it moved to Mr. Brunton's, then after a short time to a school-house known as Mount Pleasant, and built in 1836, where meetings were held until 1865, when they built a church on section 27. During the year 1832 David Hobbs and John Curl preached at various times at the residence of John Yeiirgain, whose house was open with a welcome to preachers of all denominations. Also at other times John Kirkpatyick, Samuel Griggs and John Ham of the Methodist' Episcopal Church, John Wolf, a Dunkard, preached frequently at Daniel Harrison's, and Wm. Roberts, a Baptist, preached at various places. There are at present three Methodist Episcopal churches, one German Methodist Episcopal church, two Christian churches, one Lutheran and one Catholic church in Gilmer.

The first marriage was that of Mr. William Lamberth to Miss Nancy G. Tate, December, i832. The ceremony was performed by Judge James Ralston.

The first election was held at what was known as Mr. Pitts' schoolhouse, on section 15. April 2,1850. The first judges of election were John Rice, - Hobbs and Wm. B. Finley clerk; first supervisor was J. F. Bartell; first magistrate under township organization, was Paris T. Judy; first town clerk, Wm. Morrow; first assessor, Philip S. Judy; first overseer of poor, Jeremiah Ballard; first collector, David Chase; first commissioners of highways, Robert Breedlove, Charles Gilmer, and Jacob Smith, who afterward served one term in State Senate; first treasurer, John Lawless; second treasurer, Geo. W.Thompson; first trustees of school, Geo. W. Thompson, Eli Williams, Benj. Walby, and D. L. Pedow; second trustees of school, Thornton Gilmer, John Bartell, Abner Chase, and John Finch. The first school was taught bj' Miss Ellis, a missionary from the East, in 1833. At present there are in the township six schools.