Bureau County, Illinois - Chapter 36: The Townships and Villaoks and Towns in the County - a Few Additional Items About the Settlers and Other Facts Given, Etc., «tc., Etc. - Hall Township, 1885

Chapter 36: The Townships and Villaoks and Towns in the County - a Few Additional Items About the Settlers and Other Facts Given, Etc., «tc., Etc. - Hall Township

THE TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAOKS AND TOWNS IN THE COUNTY - A FEW ADDITIONAL ITEMS ABOUT THE SETTLERS AND OTHER FACTS GIVEN, ETC., «TC., ETC. - HALL TOWNSHIP.

EC. HALL has made his township one - of the most noted farming localities in the State. His farm is on Section 21, and as it has taken so many premiums at county and State fairs, it has earned the wide reputation of Illinois' model farm. Its grand avenues leading to it of stately pines are inviting to the visitor. The orchard, the clean and smooth meadow, lawns and blue-grass pastures, and the elegant residence, standing nearly in the center of the tract of land, is truly a model of beauty, convenience and utility that is pleasant to the beholder, and leaves a picture upon the mind that will be slow to fade. This splendid property contains 200 acres, and now belongs to John Weber.

Edward C. Hall, son of Ransom Hall, like all that noted family, was one of our best citizens. A very full account of the Hall family may be found in another chapter.

The most prominent man of to-day^in Hall Township is Henry J. Miller. He is known far and wide for his enterprise, thrift and energy, and as one of the few valuable men upon whose broad and strong shoulders are carried those large enterprises that build up and keep in the advance the prosperity of large communities. To Mr. Miller is due the organization, development and future great promise of the Spring Valley Coal Company of this township. He organized the company a few years ago, and, as its agent, contracted for 5,000 acres of coal lands. Most of the original parties failed when the time came to make the final payment on these lands, and after much negotiation Mr. Miller, in company with Mr. A. Campbell, arranged and took the lands and paid for them. One splendid shaft, costing $30,000, is now in operation, and soon others will be opened. There is here the finest article of bituminous coal found in the West.

A railroad is contemplated in connection with these mines, called the Spring Valley & Northwestern Railroad. Its contemplated route is toward the northwest, and if Mr. Miller's life is spared a few years, he will be able to add one of the largest industries, not only to Bureau County, but to the great Northwest, yet given the country.

In the business life of Henry J. Miller are the evidences of the great value a single life may be to a people in bettering the condition of all, in advancing the general material interests, and at the same time so conducting his vast and generous enterprises that none are oppressed, none wronged, no one impoverished, but all are aided, assisted and advanced along the great struggling line of life. Always just, generous and liberal, there will come to those who have felt his good acts and impulses, no sting with his name or memory. Such a life is worth living. Its pathway here is, as will be its memory in the long future, lit up with the warm rays of sweetest sunshine.

Buf us L umry, a noted early preacher, of whom much is said elsewhere, settled in this township. He was drowned in Colorado. In 1844 he was a candidate of the Abolitionists, for the Legislature. It was Lumry who found the body of J. Dunlap at Lost Grove, in 1837. The Methodist Episcopal preachers who came after Lumry were Steven B. Beggs, John Sinclair and J. J. Cole. It was this township that furnished ready-made, Jadge William Hoskins, whose name figures so prominently in the general county history. Here also figured Curtis Williams, and William Hall and his two girls. He was killed, and his girls taken captive by the Indians. Season Hall settled on Section 34. afterward owned by J. Wasson, as early as 1828. Then in 1833 Henry Miller settled on Section 33, and William Miller on 27, and in the fall of the same year Edward Hall settled on 29, afterward occupied by H. W. Munson; William Swan on 19, where J. Whitehead afterward resided; Bobert Scott, A. Wixam, Alexander Holbrook and Martin Thompson. The two last made improvements on Section 36. These farms were afterward owned by the great Daniel Webster. Isam Wilhite settled on Section 18. C. W. Combs, Samuel J. Williams and Moses Tichenor were among the settlers here prior to 1840. Also Noah Sapp, Dr. Whitehead and James G. Swan were among the prominent early settlers.

James Murray, the geologist, lives in Hall Township. He is a native of Perthshire, Scotland, born January 23, 1820. He was educated in his native country, and trained to his father's business - flower gardening - and lived there with the Earls of Hopeton, Murray, and other distinguished families. He went from Scotland to England, and for six years lived with' Viscount Sidney, near London. He came to America in 1852, and married Sarah Olcott, September 11, 1864, of which union were five children.

Mr. Murray looked over the country and selected a place for a home that bad more interest for'a landscape gardener and geologist's eye than for a practical farmer, and for the past thirty years he has devoted himself to the study of the geology of northern Illinois, and the collection of rare and interesting geological specimens. As a consequence he is now th» possessor of one of the rarest and most extensive collection of specimens in the ^State. He has been much visited by scientific investigators of late years, and several attempts have been made to secure for the State his collection.

Lamoille. - Among the first settlers in the county were Aaron Gunn and Daniel Dimmick, who settled in this township. In 1830 came William Hall, and located where the village of Lamoille now stands. In 1834 Leonard Both and Dave Jones came; then Jonathan Holbrook and Moses A. Bowen - they purchased Gunn's claim. About the same time Enos Holbrook and B. and P. Argier, Joseph Knox and Greenbury Hall came. Timothy Perkins lived here a short time. In 1835 Benjamin Townsend, Bobert Masters and Joseph Frank came. In 1836 Wilson Dailey and Gilbert and Mitchell Clemens came and made farms west of the creek. The same year Zenas Church came. He built a sawmill on Big Bureau, Section 22. In the spring of 1836 Tracy Beeve and Dr. John Kendall came. They bought the Bowen farm and laid off on it the village of Lamoille. Mr. Bowen had previously made a survey of the land, but never perfected and recorded his town plat. In the list of early settlers and long prominent men in the county are Isaac H. Norris, Henry Holbrook, A. Blodgett, Jonathan Holbrook, E. M. Eastman, Ziba Dimmick, Enoch Pratt, Samuel and Abner Edwards, Solomon Koth, and E. M. Eastman. Elisha W. Fassett came in 1835, John Hetzler in 1834 Dailey settled near the ford on Bureau, and it was long known as Dailey's Ford. Zenas Church, O. M. Eastman Gilbert Clemens, Sol Williams all came in 1836. Dave Perkins, an old bachelor, came in 1834. Dave Jones, -we are informed by Matson, was a hard citizen. He went to Indiana and died an ignoble death. Joseph Search came from Kentucky, a native of Virginia. He improved a farm on Section 6, and in 1844 sold out and went to Texas. He lost every member of his family here except three sona They lie in the Lamoille Graveyard. Rev. John Hetzler came from Indiana in 1834. He purchased Timothy Perkins' claim, and improved the place and died here. His son, John, lived on the old place until 1884, when he went to Iowa. Hetzler was of the persuasion of the Free- Will Baptists. Brown sold to George Hammer, and he in turn sold to Aaron Stevenson, who was an Englishman and immigrated to this county from New York in his peddler's wagon. He died here having no descendants. A man named Bevans had a cabin near the center of Perkins' Grove. He dressed like an Indian, and looked more like one than he did like a white man. He and his family went West - "or to the demnition bow-wows," and "I don't care which," was the remark of an old settler in his account of the noble Bevans tribe. Robert and John Masters lived here as early as 1835. Robert went to Minnesota; John built a mill on Bureau Creek, Leepertown. A. N. Brown, or "Dogs-take it" Brown, was from New

Hampshire. He is mentioned above as having sold to George Hammer. Horace Bowen is remembered as a very odd character, more Indian than American in many of his characteristics. Timothy Edwards was of an old English family. He came to Bureau County in 1839, a harness-maker, but farmed here until he went to Wisconsin. He married Catharine Clapp. She died here August 24, 1850, the mother of five children. The most important manufactory in Lamoille is W. & J. J. McNeill's creamery, spoken of elsewhere. The capacity of this establishment is about 3,000 Ibs. per day. Dean's patent corn cutter is manufactured here.

Ohio. - This ranks among the best sections of the county. It is constantly growing in population and wealth, and the character of the improved farming now carried on bespeaks a bright future for its people. The town in the early times was noted for its large prairies, and as having less timber in it than any other township in the county. Dad Joe Grove was a noted spot, even before the early settlers began to come to the county. For years Dad Joe Smith kept a stage stand here when he only had one neighbor within twelve miles. In 1836 he sold to T. S. Elston. For sixteen years this was the only house in the township. In 1846 William Cleveland built the second house on Section 20, and soon F. G. Buchan built on Section 3. Charles Falvey, the noted early country petifogger of the county, and a rare character generally, was an early settler. In 1847 John and Andrew Ross settled on Sections 22 and 27, and from these two families are the worthy and many descendants who now live in the township. No family in the county has commanded a greater respect than this one, and their descendants are "noble sons of noble sires" (see biographies). In 1847 William Garton settled on Section 36,

Leonard Strong on 35, and Aaron Brokaw on 34. In 1848 John Kasbeer settled where he now lives. He was a most valuable man to the community. Intelligent and enterprising, he led the way in many new enterprises and great permanent improvements. His experiments in tree culture were the first to convince the people of the township that the wide prairies could thus be improved and beautified to an extraordinary degree, (see biography). Mitchell Shifflet and Isaac Brokaw settled on 33, in 1849, (see the biography of D. P. Smith). Among the early settlers were William Cowan and Stephen Wilson. The history of the early settlers and the civil history of this settlement is given fully in the general history.

Ohio Village - was laid out by Jacob Albrecht, in 1871, on his farm. He named at after himself, but prior to this there had been a postoffice near here, called Ohio, and everybody continued this name to the new village, and finally this became the legal name. J. T. Walter and William Wilson erected a building and opened the first store. The building of the branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad gave a tremendous impulse to the growth of the village, and in less than five years there were three hundred people, four dry goods stores, two grocery and two drug stores, one furniture store, two shoe shops, three blacksmiths, two wagon-shops, a hotel, two hardware stores, one agricultural store, barber shop, harness shop, two milliners, two physicians and three churches.

Macon. - This portion of the county was known in the early times as Walnut Grove. No settlement was made here until 1837, when William Bates built a hut at the east side of the Grove. July 4, 1838, Thomas Motherell settled on Section 20. In the same year James B. Aikin came here. There were no other additions for some years and then Lewis Holmes, John and Charles Wood set tied on the west side of the grove, and T. I. Horton and Charles Lee on Section 16. These were soon followed by Benjamin Stevens, L. Aikin, W. H. Mason, John and George Ziuk and Allen Horton.

Matson says a Rev. Mr. Williams was massacred by the Indians at this grove in 1812. He had been a missionary some years among the Indians. He says the reason the Indians killed him was because Gov. Edwards had destroyed Black Partridge's town at Peoria. Many think the story apochryphal. Motherwell, mentioned above, settled on Section 17. He moved away in 1857, going first to Iowa and then to Missouri. His wife was a sister of James B. Aikin. The latter was probably the first settler in Milo Township. The two men were from the same place in Pennsylvania and cameWest together. Aikin went to Iowa and for two years was engaged in Iowa City on the public works, when he returned to the county and remained here a short time before his death, which occurred in Buda in January, 1884. His widow and three sons and three daughters live in the county.

The first school in Macon, it is now said, was taught by Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, in 1857, and among the pupils were the children of Charles Wood, Samuel Maycock, Thomas Motherell, John Zink, Alien Horton and Lendis Holmes. A log schoolhouse was built in the fall of this year, and the school district included the whole township. One of the first School Directors was Lewis Holmes, and he has served continuously since to the present. The first election ever held was in 1850, when there were thirteen votes poled, as follows: Cyrus Sweet, John and George Zink, Charles Wood, James Motherell, Samuel Zink, William 'Baker, Thomas

Motherell, Henry Walker, William H. Mason, David Aikin, Allen Horton, Samuel Maycock. The candidates were: For Supervisor, Allen Horton (elected); Town Clerk, W. H. Mason; Assessor, Samuel Maycock; Highway Commissioners, Thomas Motherell, Henry Walker, Samuel Motherell; Justices, Cyrus Sweet and Samuel Maycock; Collector, Samuel Maycock; Constables, John Zink and James Motherell; Overseer Highways, Samuel Maycock.

Indiantown. - Sampson Cole made the first settlement in 1833, on what was afterward the Simon Kinney farm. Cole afterward built the first house in what is now Tiskilwa. This was the first house of entertainment Of course the next man was "Curt" Williams. Peter Bloom afterward owned the Williams place. In 1835 Martin Tompkins located on Section 12. Then the Kinneys came, and about the same time S. Wimple and Mr. Unrt.

The Providence Colony came in 1836. It was composed of members from Providence, R. I. There were seventy-two stockholders, and they sent a committee in advance to select and purchase land. The committee consisted of Com. Morris; Col. C. Oakley, Asa Barney, L. Scott, S. G. Wilson, Edward Bailey and Caleb Gushing. They laid off the village, and named it Providence. Asa Barney and Caleb Gushing remained till fall to put up buildings. They built the Colony House, which was intended in the end for a hotel. In the spring of 1837 about fifty members of the colony came. A full account of this settlement is given elsewhere.

Indian Prairie is a rich and beautiful portion of the county. In journeying From Princeton to Tiskilwa a most lovely and extended view is presented from the bluff hills this side of M. Kitterman's.

comes the name of Indiantown, was situated chiefly where Tiskilwa now stands. This is quite a properous town, is only six miles from Princeton, and an important point on the railroad. The town was founded by Dr. A. Langworthy in 1836, and called Windsor. That portion of the town in Arispe belonged to Dr. Langworthy. In March, 1836, J. W. Kinney laid off West Windsor. This part of the town lies in Indiantown, and it was soon called Indiantown. A strong rivalry sprang up between the two towns. In 1840 the two towns were consolidated and became one, and were called Tiskilwa (meaning "Gem of the Valley").

Tiskilwa was incorporated in 1856. The new Council were: Dr. William Kirkpatriok, President; Hon. B. N. Stevens, Clerk; William T. Swain, O. W. Battey and James T. Cook, Trustees. The officers in 1876 were: C. N. Stevens, President; J. H. Welsh, Clerk; Daniel Inhof, John Wytre and C. C. Slygh, Trustees. A good mill was put up here in 1845 by Mr. Simmons. The importance of this point is indicated by the fact that as early as 1876 it had fourteen stores, nine shops of different kinds, two elevators, one bank, and one of the best graded schools in the country.

Tiskilwa Library Association. - J.H.Welsh, President; H. W. Keigley, Treasurer; G. C. Kellogg, Secretary; J. F. Blake, Librarian. Nearly 500 volumes. Open from 2 to 9 P.M.

Morris Spalding came to Tiskilwa in 1836 ; commenced clerking for Col. Kinney. This was the first store in the town. Spalding clerked two years, then built a hotel, and ran it for sixteen years. He died in Tiskilwa, May 5, 1865, leaving two children - Adelaide D. (Cottell), and Isaac C., now in Princeton. T. K. Ferrell was from Massachusetts ; came in 1838. (See Ferrell's biography.)

Westfield. - Mason Dimmick staked out a claim for the whole of Lost Grove, in 1830. He partly built a cabin, where Arlington now stands, but never occupied it. He abandoned his claim after two years, and for several years after this the township remained wild and unsettled, and deer and wolves in great numbers were the only temptation for the chance visitors in the pursuit of game, and the destructive wolves. In the fall of 1834 a man named Hough completed Dimmick's cabin, and moved into it. He lived in lonely content for awhile, and then concluding he never would have any neighbors, tried to sell his claim, for which he asked $25. Col. Austin Bryant and Enoch Pratt examined the property, with a view of purchasing in the spring of 1835. After a careful examination they concluded that $25 was a goodly amount of money, and further, they thought there was not enough timber in the grove for two farms, and they did not buy. Hough then abandoned the property, and his improvements went to decay, and for the next five years no adventurous soul lived in the township. In 1835 two young men were contending for the claim to the grove; while contending about it Benjamin Briggs entered the land, and in 1840 he sold it to Michael Kennedy, Sr., who made a large farm here. In 1840 David Roth, then a contractor on the Illinois Central Railroad, built a house on Section 10. The next year he sold to Martin Corby. In 1843 Daniel Cahill made a farm on 26, and Daniel Lyon on 27. Afterward George W. Gilson built on Section 8, and sold to James Waugh. In 1847 Peter Cassaday made an improvement on Section 10, and Elijah Little on 17. In 1850 David Nichols and J. Aldrich settled on Section 4.

Arlington was laid out upon the building of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 1853, by James Waugh. Nathan Liaton kept the first store and was the first grain dealer in the place. J. C. Gibbons dealt in grain and lumber, on the south side of the track; he failed and went to Kansas. A. Linley bought out Linton and kept a general store in Gibbons' old stand, but he failed and went to Iowa. Luke Lawler and Charley "Westcate were the first blacksmiths. Dr. Pyronet was the first physician; he went to Missouri. The next physicians were Dr. Tattle and Dr. George. Vafl Law and Clint Robinson were among the first carpenters, and then Albert Morgan, who is yet hard at it. James Waugh was the first hotel keeper. An index to the libidinous capacity of some of the people in Arlington we give the fact that here no less than five different men have been killed by the trains, from either sitting on the track or walking on it. The first accident was to a young man named Rowen; he had been out to a charivari and was cut to pieces. A tailor named Burnside, then John Bell, and a peddler next, and then a German. Samuel Karney committed a shocking murder in the village, killing Mrs. Elizabeth Sheehan, nearly cutting her head off, after shooting her twice. He also shot her father through the thigh, and severely cut Mrs. Sheehan's mother. The wretch then cut his throat, and must have astonished the pit keeper by his early arrival at his permanent home. It is hardly necessary to explain that the wretch was desperately in love with Mrs. Sheehan.

Arlington Lodge, No. 418, I. O. O. F., was organized April 20, 1870, with the following charter members: J. T. Larkin, M. D. Palmer, Joseph Andrews, William Price and D. H. Hayner.

The following members were initiated the first night: Thomas McGann, T. A. Maul, James Waugh, Eobert Barrett, J. B. Grimes, Rev. W. H. Haight, C. H. Betz, I. H. Booth, I. C. Black. Present number of members about fourteen.

James Waugh was one of the liberalminded, large-hearted men of the early settlers. He lived on a great thoroughfare for immigrants, and was compelled to keep a house of entertainment. And here many a weary traveler found a haven of rest. The first postoffice in this part of the county was at his house, and his daughter, Catharine, was Postmistress. She continued in the office after the town of Arlington was laid off. Nathan Linton, son-in-law of Mr. Waugh, kept the first general store in the village.

Dover - has two towns, with a postoffice in each, namely: Dover and'Limerick. Dover is one of the oldest villages in the county, being laid out in 1837 by Eli Lapsley. It was at first called Livingston, but changed when made a postoffice. Isaac Delnow and Theodore Nichols put up a small building and opened the first store. O. Madison started a blacksmith shop. People and new enterprises were rapidly increasing, and soon it grew to be an important business point, commanding a wide trade. It was a point on the old Priuceton and Chicago road, and the railroad when built passed south of it. But when the road was built north of it, it cut off one of its most profitable sources of trade, and the town ceased to be so great as it once was.

February 7, 1857, a meeting of the citizens was called to consider the question of building the academy, which has so long been a conspicuous mark of the town. It was located on land donated by Charles C. Ingalls, Block 4, Ingalls' Addition. There were forty-one stockholders in the institution at first It was then called the Dover Institute. The first Trustees were Samuel Mohler, Joseph H. Brigham, John Bellangee, M. W. Abel and William C. Stacy. Abel, President; Brigham, Vice-President ; Ballangee Treasurer; Stacy, Secretary. Building coat $5,099.57. The report of the Board on its completion was made April 5, 1858. At the second election of Trustees, Rev. F. Bascom and A. Kellogg were chosen in place of Samuel Mohler and J. H. Brigham; D. F. Edwards, first Principal, commencing May 10, 1858. In the session of the Legislature of 1858-59 it was incorporated and called Dover Academy. Mr. Edwards, from ill-health, resigned in 1859, and started overland to California. He died on the way. Albert Ethridge was in charge from 1859 to 1861, when Rev. A. Ethridge, by contract, took charge of the school for five years. This contract was annulled in 1863 by mutual consent. From April 1, 1864 to 1867. D. E. Kurd had control. Mr. W. F. Yocum was then engaged one year; then George H. Wells a short time. The surrounding country had so improved the schools in other localities that the academy was nearly abandoned until 1876, when at an expense of $2,500 a public hall, three stories, was added to the building. Prof. J. W. Cook was then put in charge of a school in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was moved into the academy upon the completion of the new improvement He and his assistant, O. W. Carter, ran the institution two years. Rev. F. Keible kept two terms. In 1882 it was leased by the United Brethren Church, and W. H. Mason opened a school and taught till 1884, when F. L. Kenoyer was put in charge.

A meeting to incorporate the town of Dover was called May 2, 1870. The call was signed by J. K. Zearing, William Mercer, Robert Braden, A. C. Kellogg, and a vote thereon was had May 14. Twenty- one votes cast; nineteen for and two against. The voters were Phillip Terry, T. W. Nichols, Asahel Wood, S. R. Haggard, A. C. Kellogg, A. L. Steele, S. M. Pratt, M. R. Nichols, George Terry, R. L. Abor, J. R. Zearing, E. J. Major, James Ball, Robert Braden, C. C. Hubbard, William Mercer, John Zearing, Levi Sifferd, Anthony Stovin, William Robinson and John Taylor. May 21, 1870, six Trustees were elected as follows: William Mercer, A. C. Kellogg, W. H. Wood, J. R. Zearing, Robert Braden and A. L. Steele.

They entered upon the duties of office and proceeded to organize and start the, village machinery. William Mercer was made President, William H. \Vood, Clerk, and J. R. Zearing, Treasurer.

First meeting, boundaries of Dover declared as follows: Include southeast quarter of Section 24, and the northeast quarter of Section 25, Township 17, Range 9 south, and the south half of the southwest quarter and the west half of the north half of the southwest quarter of Section 19 and the northwest quarter of Section 30, Township 17, Range 10.

W. H. Wood elected corporation Collector, and A. Stovin, Street Commissioner. Present officers of the town of Dover: President, John Taylor; C. R. Norton, S. M. Webb, R. Braden, A. H. Nichols, R. S. Dean; Treasurer, R. Braden; Clerk, J. Hoyt; Street Commissioner, H. E. Hensel.

John L. Ament was the first settler in the township, in 1829, on Section 13, afterward occupied by G. C. Weibel. Then Sylvester Brigham made his claim, J. Hensel afterward occupying his place. In 1831 James Foristoll came; his place was occupied by James Coddington. George Hinsdale the same year made an improvement on Section 13, where J. Taylor afterward lived. James Garvin came here in 1833. Greenbury Hall and D. Ellis in the same year settled on Section 27. Abram Music started the first blacksmith shop. He lived on the J. T. Thomson farm. This was the second shop started in the county. John Elliott, Marshall Mason and James Wilson were the early settlers on the west Bureau timber, and Obadiah Britt, Thornton Wilson and Abner Boyle on the east side.

George Hinsdale reports that in the early days he and Foristoll traveled by land and water, the round trip 162 miles, to get a plow sharpened.

Limerick was laid out in 1857, by George Limerick. A small place, generally one store and a postoffice. Mr. Limerick put up the first store, and soon Levi Hansel and William Townsend blacksmith shops.

Berlin. - The account of the civil history and the early settlers of this township may be found in preceding chapters. The town is Maiden, and was platted in 1856 by B. L. Smith, who sold to Enos Smith and W. C. Stacy, and they laid off an addition north of the railroad. It was originally called Wiona, but when made a postoffice the name was changed. Joseph Bill opened the first store. The railroad built an elevator in 1855, and this has made this an important shipping point.

18. This was the farm occupied by James Foristoll for many years. Ament sold to Elijah Phillips, who was killed by the Indians shortly after. In 1834 Elias Isaacs opened the farm on which he lived. The same year Richard Masters settled on Section 6. Mr. Masters was noted for his enterprise in surveying and staking out roads as early as 1836. Thomas Cole came in 1835. J. W. and Israel Huffaker settled on ^Section 8. About this time John Wise came. In 1836 George Clark built a frame house on Section

19. This was about the first house built out in the prairie in the county. Enos and Sidney Smith made farms in East Bureau. Martin Zearing and Oden Smith made farms on Section 30. Among the early and prominent men in this section were D. Greeley, Benjamin Porter, George Backley, C. G. Reed, John Ballanger, I. Judd, W. E. Durham, Nathan and Peletiah Rackley, S. Mohler.

Elias Isaac, born February 20, 1804, in Randolph County, N. C. He was a son of John and Anna (Allen) Isaac, of North Carolina, who died in Indiana, leaving six children: Samuel, Polly, Allen, Elias, John and Elijah. The latter died in this county. Elias Isaac footed it from Washington, Ind., to Illinois in 1823. He stopped in Edgar County, where, February 20, 1825, he married Mary Black, who was born March 2, 1805. Elias and wife moved to Tazewell County in 1831, and the next year to Putnam County, and in February, 1834, crossed the river into Bureau County (see W. L. Isaac's biography).

Greenbury Hall, a nephew of the Hall killed on Indian Creek, was an early settler in this township. Rev. P. J. Strong was the earliest preacher.

As an evidence of the neighborly kindness existing in the early day, we give the following: Mr. Brookbank framed a barn for Mr. Isaac, and when it was raised every man except one was present to assist _in the raising from James Garvin's to Lamoille, and from Peru to Green River. Obediah Britt was an early settler in this section.

Walnut. - Walnut and Red Oak Groves are in this township and are about all the timbor land it has. Walnut Creek is the only stream in the limits of the county that runs west. This stream does until it passes iLito Greenville, when it turns southwest.

The Aments came and made a claim in this township at Red Oak Grove in 1828. Their improvement was afterward owned by O. Denham. Ament's house was one of entertainment when the Peoria and Galena stage road passed through the Grove. No other house after Ament's was built in the township for twelve years. In 1831 James Magby purchased the property and in 1833 he sold to James Claypoll. In 1836 Luther Denham became the possessor of it, and he resided here some years. A man made a claim immediately south of the grove and in 1837 Greenbury Triplett and A. H. Jaynes "jumped" his claim. They lived here some time and sold to Truman Culver. In 1843 Oliver Jaynes settled on the south side of Walnut Grove, Richard Brewer on the north side and Peter McNitt on the east side. In 1845 Richard Langford came here and soon Thomas Landers, E. Kelly, Thomas Fisher, and George Smith came in 1847. Richard Brewer, J. and P. Van Arman, L. D. Hodges, R. D. Axtell, Bohanen and the Wolfs were among the prominent early settlers. Deacon Jaynes is now a resident of Greenville Township, and

E. Kelly lives in Walnnt. Thomas Sanders was an early settler at the grove. Thomas Fisher settled at Red Oak Grove, in 1842, on the Denham place, and was for a while the only settler. Mr. Fisher was then only sixteen years of age. Finneus Wolfe started the first store on the east of Main Street in the village of Walnnt. Wolfe and Kelly formed a partnership, opened a small store, which is now owned by James Byers and used for a furniture store. In 1845 there were but six families in the village of Walnut: Richard Brewer, E. Kelly, Edward Triplett, Truman Culver, Thomas Sanders, Greenbury Triplett and James Bartlett. January 29, 1871, the Clinton Branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was completed to Walnut Grove. At that time there were three general stores and a grocery and drug store. Reeve, Phillip & Co. started a bank here in 1876. They sold to Ferris & Knight, who continued running a private bank until it was made a national bank in 1882, Marion Knight, President, N. L. Trimble, Cashier.

Richard Brewer platted the village and called it Brewervilla It was changed to Walnut when it was made a postoffice. Curtz & Williams ship more horses from Walnut than are shipped from any other point in'the county. As high as 300 car-loads have been shipped in a season.

Fairfield. - This township is in the extreme northwest part of the county. It is thirty-six full sections, and noted as the Green River swamps for a long time. When Green River is high it overflowed its banks on Section l,in this township, and passing through and along by Sodtown, nearly innundated the whole, and the waters passed down into Gold and entered the south branch of Green River. Some extensive ditches have been dug, commencing in the northeast part of the township, and passing down into Green River. A third ditch commences in Section 36, circles into 35, thence into Section 3, in Gold and on to the river. The swamp lands in Fairtield were surveyed in 1852. At that time much of the land had not been entered. The postoffice is Yorktown. The northwest part of the county remained without a single settler for years after the other portions were taken up and occupied. In 1838 Francis Adams and James D. Bingham made claims on Sections 23 and 24. The next year Samuel D. Brady settled on J4, and he was the oldest settler in the township when the surveys were made. In 1840 William Adams located on 12; in 1842 Jacob Sells, Elijah Olmstead, Daniel Davis, and Lewis H. Burroughs. Yorktown was commenced in 1846 by W. and S. Dow, R. H. and S. W. Sheldon, and the McKinzies. M. A. Myers, H. Hays, D. Baitz, W. H. Chase, Alden Booth and Henry Thackerberry were of the early settlers.

Greenville. - Like its immediate neighbors, Greenville has had a large amount of swamp lands. No less than 3,000 acres were subject to overflow. Walnut Creek runs from the northeast corner of the township to the southwest corner. Near the center of the town it simply spreads out into wide lagoons, lakes, and marshy lands, and the same is true of Green River, one branch of which rises nearly in the town's center and runs northwest to the north line of Section 6. There was no such thing as a flowing stream to these waters, except at New Bedford, where the high land on each side of the stream came closely together and created a perceptible flow in the waters passing out. Many years ago Jacob Galer built a mill where New Bedford now stands, but the dam caused an overflow of nearly all the lands above it.

the county, except at French and Coal Groves. In 1837 a State road was opened from Hennepin to Prophetstown, on Rock River. This crossed the river at New Bedford, and then Henry Thomas opened a ferry here. Cyrus Watson built a cabin here about this time, and was surprised to find he was south of the Indian line, and on land already entered. He then moved to Section 20, which was afterward owned by E. G. Jester. Mr. Watson was the first white man that ever settled on Green River. In 1839 William Hill, Daniel, James and Peter McDonald settled on Sections 20 and 29. In 1840 Joseph Heath, Joseph Caswell, Justus Hall and Thomas Hill settled in this vicinity. In 1841 Milton Cain made a farm south of the river, and Norman Hall, Joseph N. Rise and William Britt located on the north side. Three Frenchmen, Green, Battist and Charley Shane, lived for some time in Brash Grove. They were merely hunters and trappers. Caleb Rice afterward had their place. A. H. Jaynes. J. Eastlick, Richard Meek, S. Upson, J. M. Draper, J. S. Montgomery and P. Lanphier were the early settlers.

Clarion. - This is the northeast comer of the county. It is well watered, and a fine piece of land. Big Bureau and Pike Creek drain it. Perkins Grove postoffice was established here in 1842, but was discontinued years ago.

As fully related elsewhere, Timothy Perkins settled at the grove in 1833. John Hetzler occupied for years the first house built in the township. Solomon Perkins and Elijah Bevans were here soon after Timothy Perkins came. The place owned by A G. Porter was originally improved by Perkins. A large part of the first roof was deer skins. It was in this cabin the first wedding occurred, of which we have given a full account elsewhere. Stephen Perkins made his claim in

1835; Joseph Search in 1834. In 1835 Mr. Hart settled on the west side of the grove. In 1836 J. and A. R. Kendall made a farm on Section 4, on the old Stanard place. Joseph and Elisha Fassett settled on Sections 7 and 18. In 1837 John Clapp and Martin Hopp settled in this part of the county. In 1838 Hiram Johnson, Joseph Allen, Franklin Walker, Moses Dix, Winslow and W. R. Bruce, Harvey Chi Ids, C. L. Dayton and Solomon Williams settled here.

Mrs. Black, of Arlington, informs us that James Sampson, now of Amboy, passed through the northeast part of this county, which would probably be on the Picayune Grove trail, through Clarion, as long ago as 1821. He was boldly exploring the country, and making his way toward the lead mines probably. He returned by the same route, and stopped a short time at Picayune Grove in 1829. Mr. S. was certainly the first white man ever in that portion of the county. He is a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., born September 6, 1801.

Mrs. Hiram Gheer resides in Picayune Grove. It was at this grove the skeleton of the supposed murdered tailor was found many years ago. There was nothing to identify the man except that near the bleaching bones were found a tailor's thimble, thread, etc. A silver picayune (6^ cents) was also found near the skeleton, and from this fact the grove took its name.

Gold. - Except the southeast portion of this township it is also mostly swamp land. Green River runs through the north part of it, in a nearly east and west direction, and nearly 4,000 acres along this stream once would be covered by the high waters of the river. A ditch now starts in Section 14, passes south to the center of Section 22, and thence northwest to the river in Section 6. There was a large supply of timber in this part of the county. In addition to that along the streams Long Island Grove and Trading House Grove were fine bodies of timber. The latter received its name from a trading house being kept there in a very early day, occupied by Indian traders. After it was abandoned as a trading house the place was a camp for years for hunters and trappers. Eagle Grove was another good body of timber, though not very large. Among the Indian traders as early as 1829 that occupied this trading house was Thomas Hartzell. He was a Pennsylvanian, and in a letter to some of his home friends, published in 1829, and which received wide attention as a curious description of a wild, unknown country, among other things he said: Northeast of the trading house there is a lake, some miles in length, in which there are many islands, covered with a heavy growth of timber. Indians pass from one island to another in their canoes in search of game. In low water sage grass grows above its surface. Here muskrate build their houses, and wild geese make their nests on them. Many years ago where there are now rich farms it was a common sight in winter to see vast sheets of ice, covering miles of the country in all directions, and Green River could be only detected as a blue streak winding its turgid way through the center of it. An account in a previous chapter of the county's swamp land tells what has become of these great swamps.

Gold was not an organized township until 1852, and is therefore two years younger than the original twenty-three townships of the county. It was originally included in Fairfield Township, and there was nothing here to organize a township from in 1850. In 1850 Samuel Mathis settled on Section

12, and a few months afterward Milton Cain on Section 5, Jacob Walters on 26, James Limerick on 28, and James Neff on Section 20; in 1851 David Marple and George Detro on Section 27, and in 1852 Joseph Johnson on Section 26. Dr. Boyden was the first physician. The Farrensworth family, D. Alexander, David Watkins and Andrew Marple were the early settlers.

Manlius. - This town lies immediately east of Gold and is almost entirely unlike it in its topography, having little timber, and the large part of it is high and rolling, and sand knolls and prominent rocky boulders are found. Hickory Creek runs from the northeast to southwest of the township. Gooseberry Island, the latter the headwaters of Hickory Creek, is timbered land. Gooseberry Island is simply a great marsh, containing about 1,100 acres. A great number of gooseberries once grew in this marsh, and hence its name. A ditch has drained this land and it is being put under a high state of cultivation. Portions of this swamp and marsh land are peaty, and like all lands of this kind, contain too much ulmic acid to ever become rich in plant food.

This township was not organized until 1854; to that time it was apart of Greenville. Sylvester Barber was the first settler, 1847, on Section 5. Then near him settled D. Hill. In 1848 Allen Lathrop settled on 9. This was afterward the property of H. Hays. Charles McKune came next. The same year James Martin settled on the northeast quarter of Section 15. In 1850 W. N. Hewitt and Dr. Moore, on Section 14; the same year Townsend Fletcher, on Section 36, near Hickory Grove. In 1851 Thomas Rinehart and Henry Hooper, on Section 13; Jacob Seibel, Albert Thomas, Jesse Cain and Thomas Hope were the early settlers.

parts of the county. Henry Thomas, as related elsewhere, came here in 1828. It is all excellent land, rich prairie and originally very fine timber. C. C. Corss and George Hinsdale built one of the first sawmills on Section 33. The section on which Thomas settled was eventually occupied by Elias Carter. In 1830 Ezekiel Thomas and Abram Stratton settled near Henry Thomas. This year John Sherley made a claim on Section 13. This place afterward was occupied by Harrison Epperson; John M. Gay lived here in 1834. Sylvester Brigham and Peter Cutwright were early settlers. George Hinsdale improved his farm in 1832. In 1833 Eli Frankerberger bought the Sherley claim, and he sold to Bees Heaton. In 1834 C. C. Corss came. The same year George Bennett improved his place in Section 13. He was mistaken in his location, and when informed of his mistake moved his improvements to his own land, west of the grove, where Alva Stiles afterward resided. In 1837 Nicholas Smith made a settlement. The same year Samuel Fay, then William M. Matson, Isaac Heaton, Sylvester S. Newton, Thomas Tilson, Jesse Ballard, G. A. Mowry, James Morrison and J. N. Hill were the early settlers.

The first postoffice in the county, 1830, was the house of Henry Thomas - called Bureau. At that time, it is said, there was no other postofflce within a range of fifty miles.

Mineral - Hickory and Coal Creeks run parallel through parts of this town. They were so fraternal that when one was high the other would receive its overflow, and vice versa. Barren Grove was a large body of fine timber in the southwest. It originally

Matson says that J. G. Eeed built the first house in this town in 1836, on Section 24. From the old settlers now living we learn that G. S. Reed came here in 1834. Curtiss Williams, the ubiquitous "Uncle Curt," made a claim here and entered land in Section 35 at Barren Grove; the farm afterward occupied by William P. Buswell. Thomas Grattige came in 1838. He was a native of England, a large farmer. He died in Neponset, leaving only a daughter. The Halls - George, John, and Dr. Langley - were English. They came in 1840. John Hall was the first Postmaster. John Clark made a farm near Grattige's. In 1839 James Carroll and Gardner Mills and George Squires settled here; about the same time E. D. Kemp settled on Section 25. Kemp was a Pennsylvanian, and died on the place he improved. His descendants are still in this county. Enos Campbell came in 1843, and died on his farm. His descendants are in the township. David Beever, from Ohio, lived here, a renter for some years, and went to California, 1850. Nelson Wilkinson lived and died in this township. He left no descendants. William Mortherel came in 1843. He left and went to Kansas, where he died. Albert Bush came in 1849. He finally removed to near Aurora. After several years' residence, Jacob Abbott went to Iowa. A. H. Martin, widely known as "Yankee Martin," was from New York. His eccentricities were many, amusing and harmless. He went to Iowa. Martin Tompkins, of this town, is an old settler - came to the county in 1833 from Champaign County, to which point he came in 1829 from Carter County, Tenn. He first settled in the southeast part of the county, near the river; lived there two years and moved to Tiskilwa (this name, he says, means "Many Waters." In another place we give another rendering, "Gem of the Valley." The reader can choose for himself). Mr. Tompkins came to Mineral in 1864. Garner C. Mills, an old settler here, now lives in Sheffield. William Riley wan the first Postmaster in Mineral, and, as related elsewhere, the present Postmaster is Mrs. Elma F. Squires. The first child born in the township was Riley Squires, and the second G. T. Squires; though Matson states that W. S. Reed, son of J. G. Reed, was the first child born here, March 27, 1837. The record above shows that George Squires came here in 1839 - two years after W. S. Reed was born.

There are seven working coal shafts in this town. The following are the owners: W. H. Forrest, John Vanvelizer, Peter Duncan, James Sprague, Hauxwell & Loyd, Victor & Fleming, and The Sheffield Mining & Transportation Company. Having given an extended account in a previous chapter of the coal-bearing lands and mines in the county, it is not necessary to here mention them any further.

At the town meeting, April 2, 1850, to form the township, Enos Campbell was Moderator; E. Kent, a Justice fromBrawby Township, administered the oath of office. Thomas Grattige was chosen Supervisor and Treasurer; Orrin Hasard, Clerk; Enos Campbell, Collector.

Mineral Village - was surveyed and platted in 1857 by William Riley. Two ten-acre additions have been since added. The same year Mr. Riley erected a building and opened a store, Calvin Cooper built a dwelling and Mr. Lenhart a storehouse. John Reynolds, William Smith and others soon afterward put up buildings and settled in the place.

In 1865 another change came to the place, and prospects revived. Phillips Bros, opened a store, which was sold to Emerson, Burnett & Co. in 1868. This firm remained one year, and sold to M. G. Brainard & Bro., who remained until 1874, and sold to W. M. Crandall.

Conibear & Son opened a general store in 1866. In 1872 they commenced also the lumber trade, and this branch they sold to Abbott & Scott. An elevator was erected in 1868, and this added for a time materially to the business of the place.

On Section 22, three miles southeast of Mineral, was commenced the erection of a Union Church. The union and the church were both a failure, as its walls stood nearly four years without a cover, when it was given to the United Brethren Church and completed.

An Educational Association was formed in Mineral in 1883. It is in connection with the County School Association, and was the first town organization of the kind. The first officers: C. C. Pervier, President; M. G. Brainard, Vice-President; J. W. Boling, Secretary: F. G. Williams, Assistant Secretary; Ella B. Conibear, Chorist; A. M. Laird, Treasurer. At present the officers are: G. T. Squires, President; M. G. Brainard, Vice- President; Ella B. Conibear, Chorister and Secretary; A. M. Laird, Treasurer, and F. J. Williams, Assistant Secretary.

Concord. - The first settlement in this town was a temporary trading place with Indians at Devil's Grove, by Thomas Hartzell, in 1833. In 1834 Thornton Cummings made an improvement on the north side of French Grove. In 1835 Caleb Moore lived in the Hartzell cabin. Afterward he went to his improvement on Section 30, at Coal Grove. J. G. Reed settled near Moore's. The same year Paul Riley and James Loughrey settled on Section 30. G. W. Keed on 31, Abram Fry at Menominee Grove, and Sampson and Benjamin Cole at Bulbona Grove. In 1836 John Stevens, T. J. Stevens, Joseph Lyford, Judge Jesse Eoimerson and Moses Stevens settled at Bulbona Grove; in a short time came Peter Fifield, John Loughrey, James Carroll, Samuel Fitield, Joseph Foster, Amos Whittemore, John Mason, Benjamin and Elbridge Stevens, S. Brainard andC. P. Mason, the last now one of the most enterprising farmers in the county (see his biography).

In the fall of 1837 Elder Chenoweth married'Allen Tompkins and Mary Ann Loughrey, and on the same occasion G. C. Mills and Ellen Riley. Thus the tirst wedding was a double one, or twins, so to speak, or really two weddings at once.

John Stevens built the tirst saw-mill on Section 38, near the bead of the grove/ in 1840. This was the first saw mill ever built in the county on the prairie. The same year Riley and Kemp built on Section 30.

Buda - is in Section 34, and joins the south line of the township. It is among the neatest and thriftiest villages in the county. It is one of the results of building the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad through the county, and was only laid out in 1854. Prior to this Fre|i<*ii Grove Postoffice was a little trading and meeting point for the people. But the road run south of French Grove, and the result was when Buda started up

French Grove came down. So much was this a railroad town in its inception, it was named by the railroad authorities after Buda, Hungary. Judge Jesse Emmerson laid off on his land the plat of the town. James S. /ink laid out the land on the west, and on which the main or business part of the town is. Judge Emmerson's residence is on the part laid out by him.

Judge Eminerson made the first important improvements in the place; opened the first store, and erected shops for workmen who desired to locate here, even hiring blacksmiths and putting them to work on salary, in order to give the town the best possible start in life. He also similarly hired Peter J. Westervelt, a shoe-maker, and also a wagon- maker, named Louis Stety. It was thus, as it has before happened in the world, that the liberal enterprise of a single individual was the turning point in the history of the new place, that made this a prosperous town, full of business and business men, while other equally well located places apparently dwindled and nearly decayed.

The next man to erect a store house and open a store, was W. H. Bloom. In 1855 Dr. Holten, physician, located here. J. B. Stewart & Co. erected a large flouring-mill here in 1869. It had a capacity of 100 barrels a day. But 'the change in farming and the abandonment of wheat-raising in the county has induced them to arrange at this time to remove their mill to the wheatgrowing districts.

The branch railroad known originally as the Buda & Rushville Railroad, was built in 1869. The same year the Buda Manufacturing Company was organized by J. B. Stewart and Capt. Ford. It was a joint stock company. The shops were completed and started August 29, 1871; Capt. Rufus Ford, President; James W. Stewart, Treasurer. These parties ran it two years, first manufacturing reapers and mowers, and then they manufactured cultivators on a royalty, and introduced these valuable farm implements into use in this section of the country. They continued in this line for some time, and sold the factory to George F. Chalender & Co., who have owned and run the works since 1882. In 1881 Mr. Chalender, Superintendent of motive power of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, leased the works of Mason & Ford. In 1883 a charter was obtained and the name changed to Ford & Mason Company, with a ' paid up capital of $24,000; W. J. Watson, I Chicago, President; Charles C. Shepherd, i Secretary and Treasurer. The business now is the manufacturing of railway and mining supplies, architectural iron works, casting and forging of all kinds in iron, and also woodwork. The works employ an average of forty to fifty men.

Bourbonnais. - In March, 1864, John H. Robinson began sinking a shaft on his land, and soon afterward the village of Bourbon - nais was platted, and the year following a '- switch was built at the village, and it had a postoffice known as Lovejoy. The mining operations were continued till in the fall of 1881, when they were discontinued. Mr. Robinson after continuing the business for some years sold out to Charles Barney, who leased the coal interest except the last two years of their operating, when he continued the business himself. During Mr. Robinson's connection with the mines he was associated with different parties - first with Binks & Bradbury, of Eewanee, and afterward with Binks & Higman. Robinson was a farmer and not a miner, and so did not run it successfully; but some of the other parties were experienced miners and made money. Other parties also opened shafts in this vicinity - six shafts in all. Higman &

Akar opened two shafts, one on John Owen's land, and then on Elbridge Stevens' farm, and ran it four years. The depth to which they had to go was about seventy-five feet, and thus reached the second vein, which is about five feet thick. The most to contend against was the great abundance of water. About 1876 the postoffice was discontinued.

The business of the village was done by one store, which was first started by S. Parks and Robinson, and then Charles Shepard was in it for two or three years, when Binks, Higman & Co. bought him out, and then the firm of J. H. Morgan & Co. took charge of the store in 1874, and discontinued in 1877.

Sheffield. - It is a miner's town in a rich agricultural country. It was laid out by the Sheffield Mining & Transportation Company, in 1852. The company and town were named after Joseph E. Sheffield, of New Haven, Conn., who was one of the original owners of the tract of 1,000 acres of land purchased of John G-. Reed by the company. The other chief men in the original company were Ebenezer Cook, Henry Farnam, and Charles Atkinson. The original scheme was to develop the coal in their land. The company erected the Sheffield Hotel, and opened their first shaft " in Mineral Township, near the village of that name. They paid $10, - 000 for the land alone. The account of the mines as now operated is given in the preceding chapter.

In 1852 E. Smith opened a store in a building afterward occupied by B. M. Howard. Mr. Alex Rnthven was the first Secretary of the Mining Company. In 1855 the railroad put up the elevator. In 1860 A. Or. Scott erected another. H. C. Porter succeeded Ruthven in the coal company, and he is now remembered as one of the most public spirited men ever in the place. He left in 1875.

I. G. Reed was the first settler here. The Mining company put up a frame building in a very early time, and hauled the lumber for it on wagons from Chicago. This company certainly did a great work in developing the county's coal interests, and building up one of its most thriving towns.

Wyanet. - As fully told elsewhere, the very first settlement made in the county was at Bulbona Grove, by old Bulbona, and his Indian wife and half-breed children. Then John M. Gay settled on Section 4, on Bureau Creek. Gay sold to Abram Obrist and he to J. Allen. In 1831 Thomas Washburn made a claim in Section 23, just west of the County Farm, and here L. Triplett lived some years; he transferred his claim to Benjamin Lamb and he sold it to Jaioes Triplett in 1834. John Phillips settled on Section 10, in 1833, and about the same time E. Chilson on 35. This was afterward D. Herriott's farm. Thomas Finley settled on Section 21. George Coleman made the first improvement where the County Farm now is, and Edward Triplett just south of the farm. In 1834 Aquilla Trip- , lett came. In 1835 Solomon Sapp, Leumel and Eufus Carey settled here.

Ellis Mercer built a saw-mill in 1837 on Big Bureau, Section 33. He put up another mill on Section 27. Amos Leonard built the first flouring-mill on Section 35. In 1835 Amos Leonard built a mill south of this in Indian town.

Wyanet Village - was laid out in 1856, by Henry King. William Mofl'att put up the first house. Franklin Crittenden was the first man to establish a business in the place. He remained a number of years and now has a fruit commission house in Chicago. Hamlin Prunk engaged in business here a short time before Crittenden did, but remained only a short time and left. John Stubbs was the first blacksmith. Mr. Crittenden built the Wyanet Hotel in 1858. The railroad did not erect depot buildings until 1857. A warehouse was put up in 1855. William Moffatt shipped the first car-load of grain from here in 1854.

The village was regularly incorporated in 1857. Andrew Sapp, George Douglas, Isaac Dysinger, F. A. Robinson, L. F. Houghton were the additional early prominent men of the place.

Selby - is drained by Bureau, Brush and Negro Creeks, all running from the northeast to the southwest. The early settlers here made this a noted place. Amos and Daniel Dimmick were the first and they sold to John Hall. Then there was Judge Hoskins, the Seatons, Kellunis, and last but not least the Searles and Haslers. Extended accounts of all these people are given previously. The negro that settled on Negro Creek was said to be Enoch Love.

De Pue - originally called Trenton. It may be said to have been founded in 1835, as this year John Hall put up a large warehouse here, and then steamboats began to come to his landing. The boats would load here and go to St. Louis. In 1836 a company was formed and purchased land of John Clark and put up two large warehouses, and this became the great shipping point for all the country west of the river. Benjamin Newell purchased the property, and in April, 1853, laid out the town. The postoffice then was named Selby, but the town was called Trenton. But as the river men knew of Trenton, Miss., and not of Trenton in Bureau County, there soon grew confusion and trouble, and the people petitioned for a change of name, and in 1866 the name was changed to De Pue. The growth and pros- perity of the place were sadly affected by the building of railroads all over the country. It is now a great ice-packing point for one of the St. Louis breweries. The lake furnishes tine fishing.

Du Pue Lake is three miles long - a clear and placid body of water, and hence the ice crop here is very valuable. The name given the lake indicates a French origin, and was no doubt known to the early French discoverers. The now queer little dilapidated village looks like a strange exotic, grafted on the quiet and agricultural world about it.

Neponset - was originally Brawby, in consequence of many Englishmen residing there, who were from a locality of that name in England. The Board of Supervisors changed it to Neponset in 1866. This town is the southwest corner of the county. As there are four towns in the county that were within the bounds of the military bounty lands - a subject that at one time made much confusion, often disputes as to land titles, and materially delayed settlements here for years - it may be proper to give a short account of the subject. These lands, with others, were set apart by Congress for the soldiers of the war of 1812-15, and were designated on the early maps as military lands. The patents therefor were issued to soldiers, and were generally regarded as of little or no value. Parties generally neglected to pay taxes, even long after the county was settled up, and lawsuits about them, after they began to become valuable, were frequent. The Military District was a large scope of country, extending to the Mississippi River.

William Studley entered in Section 8, and made a farm in 1836. Soon William Norton came; U. P. Botteril settled on Section 6, George Norton on Section 15, and James Tibbetts on Section 19.

Neponset Village - was tbuilt after the railroad had made a depot here, and a postoffice established. M. H. Lee, the first station agent, and eighteen years in the position, built the first house in the place. The depot was erected in June, 1855. June 16, 1855, Caleb J. and Henry G. Little and Clark M. Carr filed the town plat for record. The railroad company wanted to compliment Mr. Lee in naming the place, and suggested "Leeponset;" but Mr. Lee named it Neponset, after a Massachusetts town.

The farmers here are mostly Englishmen, and they have succeeded most admirably in raising fine stock, especially French and English draft horses.

Arispe. - The first settler here was Amos Leonard, then Michael Kitterman and Dave Jones, then Cyrus Watson, Dr. A. Langworthy, Mr. Argrove, Alexander Holbrook, Ferrill Dunn, Joseph Beeler, Joseph Booker, Elijah Searle, Alanson Benson and Elder J. B. Chenoweth. A very complete account of all these early settlers will be found in proceeding pages.

Leepertown. - This town on its eastern border winds along the banks of the river and is therefore very irregularly shaped. It was named'after John Leeper, who built the first flouring-mill on the site of the Leepertown mills. A full account of Mr. Leeper appears elsewhere. The bottom and swamp lands in this town lie in front of Hennepin and ' when this was Putnam County these and the

Timothy Perkins was the earliest settler, then Leonard Both, A. Perkins, Henry George, David Nickerson, David S. Miller, Jesse Perkins, Charles Leeper, John McElwain, and William Shields were among the early settlers.

Bureau Junction - is the junction of the Bureau Valley and Rock Island Railroads. It is on the bottom lands. It was commenced in 1853, but the town was not laid out for some time. The company put up a large hotel for the accommodation of their travelers and those changing cars here. The place was laid out by Maj. William Shields.

West Hennepin. - Lewis Durley, A. S. Needham and G. T. Gorham laid off this place in 1836. From 1842 to 1852 it was quite a shipping point, and hence was a considerable pork and grain market. It had several large warehouses. The railroads destroyed the place.

Milo. - John Dixon was the first settler, and then his brother-in-law, Charles S. Boyd, succeeded him. The settlement was made at the famous Boyd's Grove. After Boyd left the grove it was in the possession of the Whipples for years. Boyd was alone here for ten years. In 1840 David Bryant settled on the south side of the grove, and about the name time Barney Hagan and Mr. Clark made improvements on the north side. In 1841 John A. GriswolJ came, and also Isaac Sutherland, on Section 22. The vear before Edwin Merrick and A. E. May settled on Sections 2 and 3. In 1842 J. W. Harris and J. V. Thompson settled on Sections 24 and 2. R. Steinhauer, C. R. Cook, H. Griswold,

A few years ago gas was found here escaping from certain springs, and also in sinking wells at many points, at about a depth of thirty-five feet. It would burn and roar with great violence from many wells, and often burn furiously. A company was organized in Marshall County to dig for coal oil. They went down several hundred feet, and of course found nothing, all of which a slight knowledge of geology would have told them, and saved them all their disappointments.

Wheatland - is a half congressional township, divided in the center north and south. The most noted spot in the county is Lone Tree. A full account of this is given elsewhere. The town was not organized until 1857, being attached to Milo. Lone Tree Postoffice was originally on Section 16, and was moved to Section 20, and the name changed to Petit, but afterward it was again changed back to Lone Tree.

Locust Spring, on Section 7. is another old noted spot. There was a lone locust tree near the spring. Here from time immemorial came the buffalo and game and the Indians to drink of these waters. Old, deep- cut trails ran out in nearly every direction from it. Buffalo bones in great profusion at one time were found about this locality and along the Senachwine. This spring was the last place in all these parts that the deer abandoned from the approaching white man.

The Andersons, many of whom are yet in the township, and S. Miller, G. W. Henry, Raleigh Rich, S. M. Clark, J. Merritt, E. and S. Hunter and J. Miller were the early settlers.

John and T. Kirkpatrick in 1841 built a mill on Crow Creek. This was the first settlement in the town. The same year J. Larkins settled on Section 16. Then came Nelson Ballman. AlpheusCook and Michael Jennett came in 1843.

The township was late in settling up, on account of being in the military tract, and as late as 1845 it was one almost unbroken stretch of prairie, except the fringe of Crow Creek timber on the south.

The town was first divided from Milo, and then placed back again in that township, and finally, as named above,' it was again made a separate town. It was named by Justus Stevens after Buchanan's home. But this did not influence the politics of the people, as they always give reliable Republican majorities. The State Road ran diagonally through this township, and this was about the only road the people had until 1856.

Biographical Sketches

JACOB B. ADAMS, Fair-field, was born January 19, 1837, in Dayton, Tippecanoe Co., Ind. He is a son of William and Isabell (Bushong) Adams - the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. They were the parents of five children, viz.: 3amuel, Mrs. Margaret J. Rinehart, Jacob B., our subject, Mrs. Catharine Meek. Mary M. (deceased), and Francis Adams. The parents came to Bureau County, 111., in the fall of 1840, and settled in Fairtield Township, Section 12. William Adams yet survives. Jacob B. Adams was reared in Bureau County, where he has made farming his occupation, and now owns a farm of eighty acres. Politically, he is connected with the Republican party. Mr. Adams was married March 28, 1872, to Nellie Olson, a native of Sweden. Mrs. Nellie Adams was a good wife, and the fond mother of four children, viz. : Annie I., born January 25, 1873; Almie M., born July 13, 1876; Fannie M., born October 8, 1879, and Minnie Grace, born June 13, 1881. Mrs. Nellie Adams died September 3, 1884.

DANIEL ALBEECHT, Arispe. The history of the Albrecht family in this county dates back to November, 1837. It was then that Christian and Elizabeth (Engel) Albrecht, with most of their children, came from Bavaria to the United States, and settled where their grandson, Daniel Albrecht, now resides. They died here, and are buried on the farm which they settled and improved. The names of their children are: Jacob, deceased; Peter, Johannes, Joseph, Christian, Mrs. Barbara loder, Mrs. Elizabeth Zeirlein, Mrs. Catharine Orendorff, the last three deceased, and Mrs. Magdalena Burkey, of Nebraska. Of the above, Joseph Albrecht was born March 19, 1817, in Bavaria. He came here with his parents, who entered 160 acres of land. He, like them, followed farming, and owns now a farm of 420 acres, which his son, Daniel, manages. Joseph Albrecht was married in 1841 to Barbara Gingery, born May 3, 1815, in Hessen Darmstadt. She died here June 25, 1883. Her parents were Johannes and Magdalena (Ackhart) Gingery. She was the mother of four children, viz. : Catharina, Joseph W., Daniel and William. Of the above, the oldest is at home. Joseph W. married Jennie Butler. They have one son - William W. Albrecht. Daniel, our subject, was born February 8, 1848. He is married to Lena Unzicker, born June 19, 1851, in Tazewell County, 111. She is the daughter of Jacob and Maria (Krabiel) Unzicker, and is the mother of Otto F. and Edward U. Albrecht William Albrecht was born April 18, 1850. He died December 17, 1877, at Brooklyn, in the prime of life. He was a graduate of the Lombard University. He traveled extensively in Europe, visited the Centennial, and then commenced the study of medicine at Long Island College, in Brooklyn, where he died. While traveling in Europe he visited Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and there studied its language at Giessen; then went to Switzerland, Italy, France and England, collecting many notes and mementoes, which are yet preserved in the family. Daniel Albrecht and family, and also his parents, are members of the Mennonite Church.

son of Christian and Elizabeth (Engel) Albrecht. (See biography of Daniel Albrecht.) John Albrecht was reared in Germany, where he entered the regular army at the age of twenty-one years and served six years in a cuirassier regiment. Unable, on account of military duties, to accompany his parents to America in 1837 he waited patiently till his time expired, when he borrowed $100 of a relative and in August, 1843, came to America. He was fifty-four days on the ocean and running out of money after landing, was obliged to borrow of a traveling companion with whom he came to St. Louis, Mo. He reached home in Bureau County, poor in purse but rich in strength of mind and body. He worked by the month for three years, paid what he owed and got married. He then rented land and farmed for four years, after which he bought eighty acres of prairie and forty acres of timber land at $5 per acre. From time to time he bought more land till now through his and his children's indomitable perseverance and industry he is in the possesion of 1, 192 acres of land. He was married in March, 1847, to Mary Ackerman, who was born in May, 1819, in Bavaria. She is a daughter of Henry Ackerman. She is the mother of the following children: Mrs. Catharine Stalter, Mrs. Mary Eopp, John A., Christian, and Henry V. Albrecht. Mrs. Mary Albrecht died January 27, 1875. The whole family are members of the Mennonite Church. Politically they are Democratic. Of the above children John A. Albrecht was born April 20, 1849. He is farming a place of 240 acres. He was married February 9, 1873, in Tazewell County, 111., to Elizabeth Burkey, who was born July 2, 1851. Her parents are Valentine and Elizabeth (Springer) Burkey, natives of Germany. Mrs. Elizabeth Albrecht is the mother of five children, viz. : Mary E., born January 18, 1874; Simon, February 18, 1876: Johannes born April 4, 1877, Bertha F., born August 17, 1878; and William D. born September 19, 1881. Christian Albrecht was born November 22. 1850. He is at home working the old homestead. He was married March 10, 1878, to Fannie Stecker, born July 2, 1856, in Ohio. She is a daughter of Nicholas and Magdalena (Eimer) Stecker. This union was blessed with one son,

Alvin Boy, who was born October 6, 3880. F. S. ALDEICH, Wyanet, is the son of Warner M. and Fidelia (Eddy) Aldrich, and was born June 1, 1824. His parents were natives of Rhode Island, but were among the earliest settlers in Stenben County, N. Y., where our subject was born. His early life was spent in his native county, farming in summer and lumbering in winter. In 1854 he immigrated to Bureau County and has since lived on his present farm of 190 acres, which was first settled by John Yearnshaw. Mr. Aldrich is one of the oldest settlers now living on the west of Bureau Creek. He was married December 3, 1851, at Thurston, N. Y., to Miss Martha Mowry, born March 5, 1829, a daughter of Kev. G'eorge Mowry. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich have nine children, viz.: Nancy C., born April 5, 1853; Charles E., born August 12, 1854; Jerome, born July

22, 1856; Eosetta F., born October 9, 1858; Adaline C., born November 2, 1860; Otis W., born February 5, 1863; Ora W., born February 2, 1865; M. Edith, born March 15, 1868, Mattie F., born July 7, 1870. In politics Mr. Aldrich has thus far been identified with the Republican party. For about twenty years he has been a member of the Masonic lodge of Wyanet.

JASHTJB W. ALDEICH, Arispe, was born July 30, 1850, in Bureau County, 111., to which his parents, Verry and Ruth (Mowrey) Aldrich, came in the fall of 1845. Verry Aldrich was born February 7, 1807, in Smith - field, Providence Co., E. I., where he was a farmer and carpenter till 1844, when he came to Hennepin, 111., and the following fall came to Arispe Township, this county, where he bought 160 acres of land in Section

23. He was a successful farmer and fine stock-raiser, and at the time of his death, April 1, 1882, he owned 300 acres of land. The grandparents of our subject were Amasa and Urania Aldrich. The former was born August 15, 1783, and died October 6, 1825. The latter was born June 21, 1785; she died May 10, 1845. They were the parents of nine children. The mother of our subject is yet living. She was born November 13, 1805, in Smithfield, E. I. She is the mother of ten children, viz.: Burgess; Susan, deceased; Nathan, deceased; Oliver; Mrs.