Bureau County, Illinois - Chapter 7: Imci.kjloxs, 1906

Chapter 7: Imci.kjloxs

'J'hc Iransl'orniing i)o\vcr of tlic Ciiristian religion can not lie successfully denied even by the most skeptical. Our forefathers landed upon .the wild and l)arren siiores of this new continciit willi but little of this world's riches, but they ]mssessed that which was far more comforting and sustaining in the dark hours of solitude an^l peril which they were called to endure for thev bold within their breasts an uncompromising faitli in the directing power of the eternal God ai.d liie rfllicacy of the Christian religion, .\lthough their zeal and misguided judgment sometimes led them into paths of error and wrong yet out from urder those clouds of darkness and gloom there can.e i!ie Star of Hope and progress that finally le,I them into the full sunlight. A Christian character ihat ripened into the higher and broader life of the present time. It needs no argument to convince any fair minded person that the religion of the gospel of Christ has been the mo.st potent influence in bringing about our advanced civilization as a nation and a people. The civilization of the Oriental world whicli has been in being for centuries, under various forms of religion, has done but little to raise the people to a higher and more advanced standard of living. The same fashions and customs ])revail as in the days of Confucius. Ileatlieiidom is nne vast sc])ulchre of iniried hopes and opportunities; located as it is in one of the most productive regions of the globe under the golden sunlight of the temperate zone, threaded with rivers and studded with lakes, with forest of the most valuable timber and rich in minerals and yet with all these natural advantages she remains in her squalor and degradation, plowing with sharpened sticks, eating wilbout knives and forks and distorting the feet with wooden shoes, beside paying homage and offering prayers to hideous idols. Such is tiie condition of heathendom today and sucli it is likely to remain unless the seeds of Christianity can be sown within her borders and allowed to germinate until the little leaven shall leaven the whole peo])le. Contrast the above descriiied civilization with that of Christendom and draw your own conclusions. ;md especially wotdd wc invite you to consider the evolution of our own country. A little over four hundred years ago in a quiet harbor on the coast of Spain three small vessels were being fitted for an unknown voyage. Everything being in readiness the good-l>y('s were said, the vessels loosed from their moorings and the long and jierilous voyage of discovery was instituted. Their course lay across the broad expanse of ocean upon whose bosom no sail had ever floated, no keel had ever ploughed and no compass had ever directed, although trials, danger and distress followed in their pathway and at times almost overpowered them, they moveil on placing their trust in the ever living God and relying upon liim for gruidance and protection, until at last they laiuled \i]ion an unknown shore where the iirimeval landseape and a race of savage men were all that met their vision. Yet nothing daunted they raised the banner of their country and beside it the cross of the Christian's hope, and out of this beginning has emanated the grandeur of our present inheritance. For somewhat over a hundred years this country was left in its original solitude. But at last came the decisive hour of religious intolerance and with it came the thou/ibt that toward the setting sun there was a land which was free from the tvranny and oppression of the past, a land where mankind could ofier up their devotions to an All-wise Creator untrammeled by lust and unfettered by tradition and with this thought in view our forefathers came to our shores and here in the trackless wilderness, surrounded by savage beasts and more savage men, they built the lowly cabin and erected the altar of faith and prayer. Settlement after settlement came into existence and wherever they were planted the church and school house followed in quick succession and out of these small beginnings has come the grand civilization of today. Our seminaries, colleges, asylums and benevolent institutions are all the outgrowth of Christian fellowship. This being true it is but right and proper that we should take sufficient space in this volume to give a short history of some of the different churches of Bureau county. In doing so we do not expect to be able to gather all of the facts and experiences that would be interesting to the people, but what we do give we trust will be acceptable.

Congregational Church Of Princeton

The old Hampshire Colony church or First Congregational church of Princeton was organized in Northampton. Massachusetts, March 23, 1831. Rev. Ichabod S. Spencer preached the farewell sermon from the following text: '"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give 3'ou the kingdom."

At that time E. S. Phelps and wife, Amos G. Morse and wife, Elisha Wood and wife, Samuel Brown, Dr. Nathaniel Chamberlain. Levi Jones and wife, Alva Whitmarsh and wife, Elijah Smith. Sylvia Childs, Clarissa Childs, John, Leonard and Maria Lyman, became members. The parting of friends and the severing of home ties is always a period of sorrow and it was doubly so in this case, for the people really felt, at that early time, it was Imrying their friends alive to have them move to the western frontier; indeed, it was an undertaking of no small proportions. After a few w-eeks of visiting and farewell and ,good-by meetings, the colony started on May 7, 1831, for its western home. The colony was organized in 1830 and sent some of its members ahead to select a suitable location for them when they should arrive.

At Albany the colony took a canal boat to Buffalo, where they spent the first Sabbath. From Buffalo they went by steamer to Detroit, and from there they went with hired teams to Chicago, leaving Detroit ilay 25. From Chicago they went to Bailey's Point, which is located near the Vermillion river, about eight miles south of La Salle; here Mr. Jones, who had preceded them had built a double loghouse to receive them. They arrived on June 9, 1831, having been five weeks and two days on their journey. They remained there a few days to rest and recuperate, and finally they reached the cabin of James Foristal. one mile north of Dover, at sunset, July 4. They were now at the end of their journey and ready to face any formidable obstacles that might come up before them, and truly their experiences were such as would "try men's souls.'' Their first meeting was at the home of Elijah Smith, a little north of where Princeton now stands. At this meeting Dr. Nathaniel Chamberlain was elected clerk in place of Amos C. Morse, whom death had removed. Days of darkness and disappointment were in store for this little band of early Christians, who had so courageously left home and kindred to settle in this undeveloped country, bringing with them their Bible as a guide and their faith as an anchor to their hopes, yet with all of their fortitude and trust there were times when they felt like saying as did the psalmist of old, "Tearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me." Their numbers were reduced by death and removals until there were only four of their members left, and these were compelled to abandon their homes to escape the vengeance of the hostile savages. Such was the experience of this old Hamp- .shire Colony church, which was the only Congregational church in Illinois at that time, but :

In about two years the members began to return and new members joined, and in February, 1834, the first communion was held and the following named persons joined the church : Joel Doolittle and wife, Lazarus Reeve and wife, and Nathaniel Chamberlain, Sr., and wife. In the fall of 1833 Lucien Farnham became their pastor. In 1835 the new church was commenced which was located on a lot south of the courthouse square. It was thirty-two by forty-four feet and two stories high. The lower part was used for school purposes and was called the Princeton Academy. Mr. Alvin M. Dixon taught the first school in the summer of 1836. This church was occupied until 1848, when a new brick church on the present site was erected at a cost of about four thousaud dollars. In 1869 the church was repaired and added to at a cost of about eight thousand dollars, and was also supplied with a pipe organ. This church was used as a place of w^orship until the spring of 1905, when it was razed to the ground and the present modern and beautiful edifice was commenced and now nears completion. This building is one hundred and nine feet long and sixtysix feet wide, and borders on tlie Gothic style of architecture. It is beautifully finished with antique oak. The auditorium has a seating capacity of three hundred and the annex, which can be made a part of the uuiin audience room as occasion requires, will accommodate two hundred more. The seats face the southwest corner, where the pulpit is located. The new pipe organ witli fifteen stops, which was |iiirchased in 1899, is placed in an alcove on I be west and the choir stands in front of il. Tin' wliole structure is wcH arranged and i.-^ a credit lu tlic church aud city. In the basement may he found a spacious dining room, with a modern kitchen attached and with every facility tor doing tlie work easily and with dispatch. The church is built of cement blocks and with its stained windows makes both a pleasing and an imposing appeiirance. In its early history this church released twenty-four meml)ers at one time, who formed themselves into what is now the rre.«byterian iluireh of this city. In Marcii, 1838, seven meinijers were released to join the Congregational church of Dover. The pastors of this church have been men of more than average worth and ability. Some of them have possessed great personal as well as professional strength. Eev. Owen Lovejoy's life and character stands out before tiie world at once heroic and uni(juc, and he must ever be reckoned as one of the great men of his time. He saw the truth and fought for it. He was one of tlie few men of the world who had the courage of his convictions. His talents were not confined to the churcii alone, but upon the broad field of forensic strife his gleaming sword of logic and eloquence leaped from its scabbard and with its point toward the enemy stood unmoved and immovable in the cause of human rights and human liberty. Eev. Richard Edwards was also a man of great personal worth and his pastorate over this church was one calculated to give strength and vigor to all who came in contact with his true and genial manhood. Di'. Edwards was an educator, his whole life up to the time he took charge of tiiis church was spent along educational lines. He was president of the State Xormal school at Normal, Hlinois, for a period of fourteen years, and upon his resignation he immediately entered upon his pastorate here and when he left it was to take the ]iosition of superintendent of public instruction of Illinois. He now resides in Bloomington, this state. Many, in fact most of the old pillars of the church, have crossed the dark valley and now rest linm their labors and surely their works have followed them. We well remember the faithful lew whose seats were never vacant, unless sickness iiv unsurmounted obstacles prevented. Among this number we would name I\Ir. and Mrs. Chauncey Colton, Lazarus Eeeves and wife, John Walters, James Smith and wife. Hart ^lorris and wife, Mrs. Egbert Curtis, Mr. Curtis, Hinsdale Phelps and Eev. Edwin Smith, but space forbids further mention. All of these are now members of the church triumphant. Mrs. Egbert Norton is the oldest living member, having joined in 183C.

As early as 1832 Eev. Zaddock Hall organized what was called the Peoria Mission. In this county his appointments were met at the houses of Joseph Smitli, north of Princeton, on Bureau Creek; Samuel Williams in Hall town; John Hall Selby township ; and at Abraham Jones', two miles northwest of Princeton. The members at that time were James and Betsy Hayes, Abraham and Mary Jones, Barton and Susanna Jones, Eobert and Mrs. Clark, Joseph and Mrs. Smith, and Eliza Epperson. All of the above named early Christian pioneers have long since passed to the silent land. It will be seen by this that the Methodist church, with their usual energy and enterprise, was early on the ground of this new field of labor. In 1833 the Peoria Mission was divided and Bureau county was placed in the Northern division, called tlie Ottawa Mission, and Eev. William Eoyal became the preacher in charge. In 1834 the mission was again divided aud the west division became the Bureau Mission and was placed under the charge of Rev. S. E. Beggs. In this last named circnit there v.ere three appointments - at Abraham Jones', Princeton, Jolin Scott's, Tiskilwa, and John Hall's, Selby. According to Mr. Leeper's account in Bradsby's history Eev. Beggs collected seventy dollars from one hundred members during 1834. Sometime in the summer of 1836 Rev. Denning came to the Bureau Mission, where he remained about six years, when he joined the Eock Eiver Conference. During his stay with the mission ho was the class leader in the Princeton settleirients: these meetings were hold at the house of .Vbraham Jones until 1838. after that at Eev. Denning's. In 1836 a paper was circulated asking pledges to raise money to build a church, and (juite an amount had been pledged when unfortunately the brick that were to go into the new house were spoiled in Ijurning and other mishaps occurring, the matter was dropped. In 1837 I he early ijioneer ])reacher, Zaddock Hall, had charge of the I'riiu-eton circuit. In 1838 the first church building was commenced and was finished the next year. In 1840 Princeton was placed in the Eock River Conference. In 1845 a brick church was built; this building has been known for many years as Union Hall ; it is now used for a livery stable. The Union Hall church was used until the present commodious brick building was completed in January, 1864. This church originally cost about twelve tboaisand dollars. The corner stone was laid with Alasonic honors July 24, 186.3.

It was dedicated January 23, 1861 ; the services on this occasion were conducted by F. M. Eddy, D. D., assisted by Rev. J. M. Vincent. The church at present is large and prosperous. The day of small tilings has passed awav and they are now upon a solid foundation, both financially and spiritually. Mr. N. j\Iatson a few years ago presented this society with a fine toned bell costing five hundred dollars, and his widow, at her death, left them a ten thousand dollar legacy. In 1905 the auditorium was reseated and decorated anew and a fine twenty-five hundred dollar pipe organ was purchased and placed in position, so at the present time the church is modern and the architectural finish is pleasing to the view. The present membership of the church is: Sabhath school 300. men's club 77.

Presbyterian Church

On October 26, 1837, the Presbyterian cliurch of Princeton was organized at the residence of Rev. A. B. Church, with a membership of twentyfour. These first members were previously identified with the Hampshire Colony church, but for certain reasons had ceased to be connected with the mother society and organized for themselves what at that time was known as the Second Congregational church of Princeton. Of this number not one is now living. The first year the services of this churcli were held in the upper story of Epperson's store, when a frame church was erected about where the present church now stands. In 1844 they voted to change the name and to be known thereafter as the Presbyterian church of Princeton. The membership comprises many of our most substantial citizens, and its location is perhaps the most desirable that the city affords: the grounds are shaded and m'cII kept. The present brick house was built in 1856 at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars: a new pipe organ was placed in the church, and in 1901 the church was redecorated and reseated : this, with the annex to the auditorium, render^ it both pleasing and commodious. The ground-^ have recently been graded and cement walks laid to the street on the east and north, wliile tlie front has been parked to the street with cement boundaries. These improvements, together with its natural advantages, makes it artistic and attractive. The first board of elders were Daniel Eailnsou, Austin Bryant, Isaac Brokaw and Samuel Carey. The present membership numbers two hundred and ninety-five, Sabbath school 212, men's association 65. The pastorate of this church has, as a rule, been in the hands of able men; in fact, the membership of this society is of such a character that none other would be called. The first pastor was Eev. A. B. Church, who served seven years, and was followed by Eev. John Stoker, one year; Eev. William Perkins, two years and six months : Eev. Ithamer Pillsbury, seven years; Eev. Mr. Carson, a short time; Rev. I. C. Barr, eighteen months ; Rev. I. Milligan, fifteen years and six months ; Eev. I. C. Hill, eighteen months; Eev. D. G. Bradford, five years; Eev. Mead C. Williams, D. D., from December, 1880, to March, 1893 : Eev. Glenroie McQueen, D. D.. from June. 1892, to June, 1896; Eev. Geo. W. Smith, D. D., from December, 1896, to November. 1898 ; Eev. Harrv B. Allen, from July, 1899, to November, 1903 ; Eev. Harry M. Markley, called May, 1904, still pastor.

Enolish Lutheran

The English Lutheran church was organized February 27, 1858, in Bascom and White's hall. \t this time twenty-five persons became members. The first deacons were Lorenzo Kaar, J. S. Miller ; and George Kaar and J. Boyer were appointed elders. Their first church was built in 1864 and cost eighteen hundred dollars ; later a parsonage was purchased at a cost of twelve hundred dollars. The present church was erected in 1892 and cost ciglit thousand dollars. It is pleasantly located on ilain street, and the interior is well arranged and the grounds have recently been improved. The meinhorsliip nundiers 364; Sabbath school, 275: Christian Endeavor, 53; Men's club. 43. The following are the different pastors : S. Harbaugh, January, 1858, to August, 1858 ; A. A. Trimper. August, 1858, to Januarv, 1859 ; S. Eitz. May, 1861, to November, 1861 ; D. Harbaugh. November, 1861, to Januarv, 1863; D. S. Altman, Januarv, 1863 to March 1865; D. Harbaugh. March, 1865. to September, 1865; D. Harbaugh. June, 1866, to September, 1866; J. Elser, September, 1866, to March, 1S6S ; C. A. Gelwicks, August. 1868, to August, 1872; J. W. Elser, October, 1873, to July, 1877; W. Eemsberg. July. 1877. to May. 1882; A. J. B. Kast, October. 1882, to Octolier, 1884; D. P. Grosscup. May, 1885, to November, 1887; V. A. Tressler, April, 1888, to April, 1889; IT. M. Bannen, June 1890, to April, 1896 ; C. E. Derr, June. 1896, to August, 1898 ; J. W. Eichelberger. one year ; C. J. Keifer, March, 1900, to September, 1903; M. W. Horn. February. 1904.

[low, Jonathan and Eliza Ireland, Daniel Bryant, Clark and JIary Bennett, John M. Yearnshaw, Hachel and Juliett Radclill', Elraira Elston. Sarah ilinier, Mary Hayes, W. ^M. How and ^largaret McElwain were the original members of this church. Their meetings were first in what was called the Commissioners' House, near the court house. In 1846 they built a brick church on the side of the court house square. President Garfield preached there one Sabbath about the time of the commencement of the war in 1861. Their present house of worship was built in 1870. It is a fine brick church and is located on South Main street and cost eleven thousand dollars. Eev. Isaac Errett, of Cinr-innati, conducted the dedication ceremonies.

The earliest record of any preaching by Congregational ministers in Buda is of services held in an old log sehoolhouse in the edge of French Grove, by Wm. F. Vaill. And after this Mr. Lyman, of ShelTipld, preached occasionally for two years before the organization of the ibiircb ; and one year after that time, statedly.

In response to letters missive a council mot at the house of Joseph Foster, in Buda, October 17, 18.56, for the purpose; of organizing a Congregational church. The following memi)ers composed that counciJ :

December 31, 1861, the number of members being thirty, it was voted to erect a house of worship. It is quaintly stated that it was to "cost not less than fifteen hundred dollars." Rev; S. H. Kellogg was pastor at that time and inspired the little company with zeal and courage and the wurk was accomjilished. though it was at the opening of the civil war, when material was costly and help scarce.

From the Church Building Society - then the .Vmerican Congregational Union - two hundred and fifty dollars were borrowed and promptly repaid. A niinilicr were added to the church about this time.

I'he dedication of the new building was a .lovful occasion. It was expected tliat Jonathan Blanchard, D. D., would preach the sermon. He failed to arrive, the congregation were waiting. Rev. David Todd, of Providence, 111., was present and without time for pre]iaration took the place of the missing man and preached a sermon which bis hearers felt could not have been excelled. Beginning in 1871 the church united with Sheflicld in joint pastorate for ten years. Since that lime eight pastors have ministered to this church.

This church has always stood firmly and radically against all the evils of the day and has been a helpful factor in civic reform aiul in promoting and maintaining rcligi(nis and educational life.

During its entire history the church has contribuled liberallv to the various benevolent and missionary societies. The different departments of the local work are well sustained today. The church building luis been twice enlarged. In 1904 it was redecorated; in 1905 the basement was enlarged and cemented, thus completing a beautiful and well equipped edifice.

The origiiuil members have all passed awa}- and of those who were members at the time the church was erected only two remain with \is - Mrs. A. A. Beckwith and Mrs. M. J. Marlin.

Danish Lutheran Chcech, Sheffield

Motto : Justification by Faith.. Organized October 25, 1S69, by Rev. Clausen, St. Ansgar, Iowa, with thirty-three members. It is the oldest congregation of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran clnirch in America. From 1869 to 1873 services were held monthly by pastors from surrounding districts. The meetings were held in the Free Methodist church. In 1880 a church was built fifty-six feet long and thirtytwo wide, with a steeple seventy-five feet high. The parsonage was built in 1891. The church property is valued at four thousand dollars. From 1883 regular meetings have been held every Sunday. The church membership in 1883 was eightyeight. At the present time the membership is two hundred. Sunday school forty. Rev. Miller served eight years. Rev. Blishfield served two years. Rev. Jaygaard served two years. Rev. Rasmussen, present pastor, three years.

Neponset Congregational Church

"At a meeting of mendiers of different Congregational churches living in the town of Brawby, April 21, 1855, to consult the propriety of organizing a church in said town, it was moved by Mr. Ebenezer Kent that we proceed to organize a church, which motion was carried." Tlius read the first records of the Congregational church. They further state that on that date Ebenezer Kent and wife. B. C. Strout and Abbie, his wife. Hale G. Wright and j\Iargaret M., his wife, Elizabeth J. Wright, Charles Kent and Lucinda, his wife, united by letter, and :\rrs. W. W. Clark upon profession of faith. Tlic name clioscn for the church was the "First Orthodox Congregational Church of Neponset." Hale G. Wright and B. C. Strout were appointed deacons. Rev. Samuel G. Wright acted as moderator and Charles Kent as clerk. On the same date at the house of Ebenezer Kent the "First Orthodox Congregational Society of Neponset" was formed, with Ezenezer Kent. Charles Kent and Hale G. Wright as trustees. Within a few years the members of this society numbered forty-six men.

In 1857, upon motion of S. Dorr, it was voted to employ Rev. L. Bobbins for one year, provided he accept two hundred dollars from this society and rely upon the Illinois Home Missionarv Association for the remainder of his salary. Evidentlv the church prospered, for one year later Rev. C. H. Pierce was called to the pastorate with a salary of five hundred dollars. Mr. Pierce replied : "I herewith transmit my acceptance." The salary offered is under the circumstances very liberal and bespeaks a commendable generosity, especially as it indicates a purpose to subserve here the interests of morality and religion though sacrifice and self-denial be the cost "

In March, 1859, there is a record showing that the church was represented by pastor at the National Council of Congregational churches held at Cliicago, and six loyal members of the society contributed fifty cents to one dollar each "to defray his expenses." The record closes with a notice of "adjournment to the first Monday in April at early candle liglit." In this year Isaac B. Blake was elected deacon. For several years the church services were usually held in a school - house. At a meeting called in the spring of 1862 to consider the erection of a church building. Rev. C. M. Barnes, the third pastor, said among other things : "Congi-egationalism is essential to the true prosperity of a community," and moved "that we proceed immediately to build a church or meeting house." One man was selected from each school district to raise the funds. The building committee elected by ballot consisted of I. B. Blake, C. M. Barnes and Orin Hasard. Later Pastor Barnes resigned from this committee and Samuel Dorr was made a member in his place.

Saturday, July 19, 1862, it was decided "that the meeting house should be thirty-two by fifty feet, eighteen feet high, with a steep; that there should be one entry, twelve feet by eight feet; and that the pulpit be at the end opposite the door ; that the signers' seats be in front of the entry and that they be raised eight inches."

Dr. Helms, of lot selection committee, made a short report and it was resolved that we accept the two lots offered to the society by the Neponsei Town Company. There was considerable discussion whether tlu' cliurch should face the north or the west. Tlie house of worship was dedicated on March 2. 1864. The exercises were as follows: Introductory ])rayer. Rev. Lemuel Pomeroy, of Wethersfield ; sermon. Rev. Edward Beecher, of Galesburg; dedicatory prayer, Rev. Samuel G. Wright, of Galva.

At this service Rev. Flavel Bascom, of Dover, made an appeal to the people on 'the importance of removing the debt of one hundred and eighty dollars, and two hundred and fifty dollars was raised. Rev. Yan-Wagner, of Kewanee, and Rev. J. E. Roy. of Chicago, were present, and Brother Roy remained and held a four days' meeting.

Rev. S. Ordway became pastor about a year after the dedication of the church, and in 1866 Rev. S. G. Wright entered upon a five-year pastorate and Richard W. Tanner and William Stevenson wpre elected deacons and oi'dain^d (o ''hat office. The year following Wai-iTii 1 >. Whaples and Orren Hasard were elected aiul installed as deacons.

The pastorates of Kev. Victor Loba and Kev. W. E. Hoiyoke covered about three years eacli. During the remaining twenty-two years tlie church lias been served by seven pastors, namely : Rev. E. L. Hill, of Kan.^as City, Kansas, 1883-8.5 : Rev. 0. 0. Smith, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1886-91 ; Rev. F. G. Smith, of Chicago. 1891-94; Rev. H. M. ]?ichardson, of Boulder. Colorado, 189.5-99; Rev. S. A. Miller, of Reoria, 111., 1900-01 ; Rev. A. A. Robertson, of Rockwell, Iowa. 1901-03; and tho ])rtsent pastor. Rev. H. L. Ilartwell. Of the ex-pastors eight are still living.

The following persons now living have held membership in the Neponset Congregational church for over thirty-six years: Eliza J. Craig, united in 18G3 : William Stevenson. 1864; Joseph M. Stetson. 1866; Mary E. Whaples. 1866; Elizabeth Buswoll, 1867: Jane Gunning, 1SG7: Thomas .1. Gunning, 1868: Phoebe .V. Dorr, 1869.

The largest number of additions to membershi]) in any one year was forty-five in 1866. In all about three hundred and fifty have held membership. The present membership is one hundred ami nine.

Providence Church

Tlie Congregational Church of Providence in the township of Indiantown was organized on June 22, 1841, with fifteen members. The present meeting house was dedicated October 23. 1870. This church for some years was connected with Wyanct, but it soon became self-sustaming, and is now in a prosperous condition. Rev. David Todd was pastor of this church for twenty-five years. Tie was much attached to the good peojilo of his congregation, also they to him. Rev. Todd was a very conscientious and zealous worker in religious matters. Since 1893 the church and parsonage have been thoroughly repaired, new furnaces in both, also cement walks for both, and new slicds for horses, so tliat now everything ha^ an air of thrift. The ))resont membership is 117. From 1880 to 1882, Rev. Henry Wilson was ])astor.

Methodist Church. Neponset

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Neponset was organized a few miles north of corporation. The members were John Norton and wife, Mary Norton, George Norton. Mary Hall and others. The meetings were held in different houses, but after 1853 the home of George Norton was the meeting place until 1855, when a church was built in Neponset. In 1864, this house was remodeled and used for a parsonage and a new church was built in 1866, costing four thousand five hundred dollars. In 1841, when this church was organized, there were but two houses in the township, and they were William Studley's and William Norton's log cabins. The pastors who have ofliciated in this church are as follows : Commencing in 1840, Brothers Walter Wliitcomb, -Vnthony, W. C. Cummings, David Oliver, P. C, and B. F. Bestor, A. P.; H. J. Humphrev, P. C. and Brothers Day, A. P. : A. Wool'scraft, P. C: William Fidler, A. P.; Rev. J. M. Hinman. H. J. Humphrev, C. Lazenbv. P. C. ; William Brcmner, A. P. :"S. B. Smith," P. C. ; Robert Hoover. A. P.: W. J. Smith, P. C. : Fieldon Smitli. .\. P.: Rev. C. M. Wright. J. T. Whitson, J. S. Cummings, W. P. Graves. W. J. Giddings. J. D. Smith, G. W. Gue, Elijah Ransom. J. E. Rutledge. M. C. Bowling, Thomas Watson, J. J. Flehartz. William Woolev, M. V. B. White; T. J. Wood. 1880-81; D. T. Wilson, 1882-83: R. Barton. 1884-85: J. A. Northrup. 1886-88; David McLish. 1889-90: C. T. Cadv. 1891-92; J. Q. .Vdnins, 189.3-95; S. P. Archer. 1896-98; R. W. .\nics, 1899; J. D. Smitli, 1900-01: J. B. Bartie, 1902-1904: E. E. Shawl, 1905. In 1892 the Epworth League room was added to the church, also other repairs, with a total cost. $1,400: present membership, 115; Sunday school, 90.

Rev. Wm. M. ^lurtaugh, rector ; assistant priests : Father JIarion. Januarv, 1900-October, 1901 : Father P. J. Ahearn ; Rev. Wm. J. Durmmv. 1902-1904; Rev. Thos. J. Fitzgerald, 1904; Rev. Martin Gr'fEv, 1904-1905. Until July. 1905, the Sheffield Church supplied and had charge of the churches in Tiskilwa. Princeton and Wyanet. .\t this time a division was made in the parish, when Tiskilwa had a resident priest. l{ev. George Pierson, and included Princeton in the next jjarisli. Wyanet is still connected with the St. Patrick's parish, but is preparing to erect a building and maintain her own services. Although quite a large number of former residents of the ])arish are now living at Kewanee, Moline, Rock Island and Davenport and some at various lioints on the C. R. I. it P. railroad, the congregation has maintained a favorable <rrowth. due inenced Mr. North moved that the prisoner be released, as the men who held him captive were on trial themselves for disturbing the peace. This motion was being argued by the attorneys when one Tallet, who kept a low-down tavern in a building where Delano's store now stands, came into the court room and stated that he had aiithority to take the prisoner before another jiistice for trial. Sheriff Thompson ordered him to leave the room. Tallet refused to go and the sheriif stepped toward him, revolver in hand. As the sheriff st^arted toward Tallet the whole crowd in the coiirt room raised xvp and confusion was everywhere present, but amid it all several persons kept their heads and gave their attention to freeing the negro. M. J. Keith started for John's rescue at the same time Lovejoy, James H. Seaverns and Oliver Jaynes placed themselves beside the negro. Seaverns and Keith clutched the rope that bound the prisoner and pulled for dear life, while Lovejoy caught Bowen, who claimed he owned John, by the hair and crowded him back away from the others, while Oliver Jaynes cut the rope between the hand of Keith and Bowen and then cut the rope that fastened him to the other man. Keith and Seaverns then untangled the rope from John and an opening was made in the crowd and John darted out a free man, and Rev. Lovejoy without hat or coat followed closely hallooing at the top of his voice: "Go it, John! Go it. John!" and John went and not one of the crowd knew where but they did know that Mr. Bowen, tlie man who claimed to own John, went back to St. Louis without his man. Those men who so heroically released this colored man have, with the exception of M. J. Keith, passed to the other shore, but the remembrance of their good deeds remains on the tablets of time.

Chapter Yl

On the admission of Illinois into the union in 1818 she had but fifteen organized counties and most of the present Bureau county, at that time was in Bond covmty. Bond coimty comprised a strip of land about twenty-five miles wide from east to west and extending from Clinton county on the south to the Wisconsin line on the north, a distance of about two himdred and seventy miles. We remained in Bond county until 1821 when the State was redivided and all of the territory north and west of the Illinois River was organized as Pike county, comprising nearly one-third of the whole State. In 1833 Pike county was reduced nearly to its present size and Fulton county was organized, with little more than its present territory, north of the Illinois; that left all of the northern part of the State without county organization and it was attached to Fulton county. The present territory of Bureau remained attached to

Fulton county until 182.5 when Putnam county was organized and embraced all of the land north of the Illinois River as far south as the north line of the present limits of Peoria county and west to the eastern boundary of Knox county. The southern boundary of Putnam county followed the Illinois River to the south fork (Kankakee), thence up said fork to the Indiana state line, making nearly one-fifth of the State. In 1827 Jo Daviess county was organized and took in all the northwest part of the State as far south as the northern boundary of the military tract on the Mississippi River, thence east to the bend of the Illinois River, about where Bureau Junction is now located; thence north to the Wisconsin line. It will be seen by this description that most of the land in this county, at that time, was in Jo Daviess county. In 183i Putnam again suffered a loss of a large part of her territory. La Salle and Cook counties were formed at this time and all of the unorganized territory was attached to La Salle county, leaving in Putnam all of Bureau, most of Stark and nearly all of Marshall. From this time on Putnam county enjoyed undisturbed tranquility, so far as losing territory was concerned, until 1837 when Bureau county knocked at her door, not for admission, but for separation, and in 1839 Marshall and Stark were organized and Putnam, the proud imperial county with her ten thousand square miles was, like Sampson of old. shorn of her strength and became the smallest division of this great commonwealth with only 170 square miles left. From the foregoing statement it will be seen that Putnam county was formed in 1825 under the administration of Governor Coles and from this territory Bureau county was taken. By an act of the legislature, which was passed February 28, 1837, during the administration of Governor Duncan, Bureau county came into existence. The act provided that three commissioners should be appointed to locate the county seat and the legislature also fixed the day for the first county election. But the act further provided that the voters of Putnam county should iiave the opportunity to express by ballot their wish in regard to the formation of the new county before tlie act should take effect. The boundary of the county was the same as now with the exception of Milo and Wheatland, which were added iluring the administration of Governor Carlin in 1839. As might be expected, this was a time of great activity among the voters both east and west of the Illinois River. The act provided that an election should be held on the first ^londay in March. In view of this fact excitement ran high. The voters upon the east side of the river were determined, if possible, to make the vote a negative one and retain the territory that was to be known in the future as Bureau county under her jurisdiction. The voters upon the west side were equally in earnest in getting the people to support (he plan for organizing the new county.

Past And Present Of Bureau Cot'Xty

Prominent among this number were John H. Bryant, Cyrus Bryant, William Hoskins, J. H. Olds. John Anient, ("yrus Lanjrworthy, R. T. Templeton, Roland Moscloy, Robert Thompson, John Musgrovc. Butler Dunham and many others whom space forbids us to mention. The day of election at last arrived and the whole county was ablaze with excitement - those on the west side for and those on the east against the measure. Even women and children gave up the day to help their respective sides. It must be remembered at that time there were no closed carriages, automobiles or trolley lines to carry voters to and from the polls, but they came on horseback, in crude vehicles and on foot to cast their ballots. The returns were slow in coming in, but when the vote was canvassed it was found that the proposition had carried by about thirty majority. In Princeton the peo])lo were wild with excitement; houses were illuminated, guns fired, bonfires kindled, tin horns blown and almost ever conceivable kind of music and noise was made that the jubilant people could invent. Near the public square about where tlie house of D. H. Smith now stands a large coffee pot Vas filled with powder and buried about three feet deep, with a fuse attached, and at the appointed time the match was applied and from the explosion the very earth trembled and houses swayed as by an earthquake.

Hradsliy in his history tells of some convivial scenes that I will not mention, leaving the reader to draw from his imagination the picture of what those early days might have brought forth. Notwithstanding the votes showed tliat the measure had carried, the cry of illegal voting was raised by the people on the east side of the river and the authorities at Hennepin declared that there was no division and that the election would be contested. This threat had no terror for the stalwart pioneers of Bureau, for her course of action was being directed by men of courage and decision - men who dared to do what right and justice dictated. Accordingly the three commissioners who had iieeii a|i]iointed for the jnivpose of locating the county scat met in May and named Princeton as the place most suitable for its location. Thus briedy we liave described somc'of the incidents and scenes of that most important period in our count^s history. The men who figured in those exciting days have long since gone to their reward. More than two generations have passed since those worthy pionei'rs laid the foundation of this great and productive county. Only a few people now live here who were even children at that time. So all that we have now is the sacred memory of those heroic souls who left home, comforts, opportunities and friends to come into this new country and lirave the trials, hardships and privations incident to such a life and to rear upon her virgin soil a manhood that stands in the front ranks of this advanced age, but that memorv has

An election was held on the first .Monday in June to elect county officers, at which William Hoskins, Arthur Bryant and Robert Masters were elected county commissioners ; Cyrus Langworthy, sheriff; Thoi'iias ;Mercer. clerk; John II. Bryant, recorder; Jacoli Galer, coroner, and Robert Stewart, surveyor. Dan Stone being Judge of the fifth judicial district at that time ordered court to be iield in Princeton the following August and appointed Cyrus Bryant clerk. We find by the record that courts were held in "Hampshire Colony Church" until 1S45, at which time the new court house and jail were completed. The jail was built of hewed logs, was twelve feet square and lined with sheet iron, and prisoners were let down into it and taken from it through a trap door at the top, there being no doors at the sides. Sucli a building would be quite inadequate for modern criminals. Yet the ability to escape from <mr ])resent prisons and jails seems to have kept pace with the improvements in architecture. Bradsby tells us in his history and the writer of this volume has verified it. that at the time of the organization of this county that there were two prominent roads or thoroughfares within its borders. One of these was the great stage road from Peoria to Galena. This was the one which nearly all of the travelers took in going and coming from the celebrated lead mines. This was also the mail route. This road passed north and south through the county a few miles west of Princeton and was daily passed over each way by a fourhorse coach to accommodate the constant stream of passengers going to the lead mines of the north. The other was the trail of the Sac and Fox Indians, running east and west and was followed by many of the early emigrants on their way west. It is said to be the route taken by Scott's army on its march from Chicago in 1832. Wc know of but one place in Bureau county where this trail is now visible and that is in tie old burial ground at Dover. Mr. A. L. Steele called our attention to it. There was also an Indian thoroughfare over Indian Hill in the township of Mineral. At this early lime there were many bands of roving Indians and they frequently passed through this county. The first meeting of the county commissioners was held June 7, 1837. The records show that they were sworn in by John H. Bryant. Nathan Chamberlain was the first county school commissionei'. The first official act of commissioners according to the records was to appoint iX'grass Salisbury innnty treasurer, who gave a bond of $l.").(t(.)0 with Tlioiuas S. Elston and John H. Bryant as sureties. Nearly all of the north part of the county was included in the voting precinct of Greenfield, and Joseph Passett, John Kendall and J. T. Holbrook were made judges of election and the house of Tracy Reeve was the voting place. Brush Creek was outlined and Brown Searls, Job Searls and Harmon Kellums weru ai)pointed judges. The voting place was the house of "William Hoskins, which was located on what is now known as Searls' ridge in Selby township. In the spring of 1839 Dover precinct was formed, coming mostly from Greenfield territory. In September, 1838, Brush Creek precinct was changed, a part of it being taken to form the "Hall district. At the iirst meeting of the commissioners the Windsor district was also formed and ]\[orris Spaulding, Joseph Robinson and Amariah Robinson were made judges. The voting place was the house of Augustus Ijangworthy. At the same meeting Princeton precinct was set off with voting place at the house of Stephen Triplett. The judges were John Musgrove, Benjamin Smith and Elijah Smith. Also Coal Creek with voting place at Thornton Cummings near where Sheffield now stands and Sampson Cole, Thornton Cummings and ]\Ioses Stephens were judges. This is in brief the history of the first voting places in Bureau county. Reader, can you realize that within the space of one lifetime such a transformation has taken place as we see about us? From the wild and pathless prairie covered with its primeval dress of emerald green mingled with flowers of every hue; studded with lakes upon which no white man's boat ever rocked; threaded with rivers in which no white man's oar ever splashed ; and dotted with groves where the blow of the white man's axe was never heard, and across this vast expanse of undeveloped solitude there lived and roamed another race of men. A race whose past history is a sealed book. A race whose ancestral life has never been traced. But here they were with all their past blotted out, living only for the present, and believing in the most extravagant traditions of their fathers - and now as you pass over this same expanse you see the inm horse of commerce with its breath of steam, carrying its freight of human souls and burdened with the products that come from the hand of civilization. We ask tliis question for the purpose of directing the mind of the young reader to the debt of gratitude we i>\vo to the early pioneers of our State and county.

As before stated, the commissioners located the county seat on the "^Ofh of June, 183T. A tax of one-half of one per cent was ordered to be laid on all personal property in the county "'except meat cattle under three years old" : and a tax of onefourth of one per cent on all lands in the countv- i'or roads and bridges. It was also ordered that the Circuit Court should lie Jield in the "Congregational Church" in Princeton until a more permanent place could lie provided. John IT. Bryant was autliorizeil to procure a "table and pigeon box" for the recorder's office ; fifteen dollars was appropriatcil to purchase plank to cover the bridges across the sloughs on Main Bureau, near Elijah Smith's, and for this purpose Enos jMatson was appointed agent : fifty dollars was appropriated for the bridges near Robert C. blasters and near Simpson Huflaker's and James G. Foristals and Robert C. Masters were appointed to attend to the work. Arthur Bryant was authorized to expend five dollars on bridges in township IG, range 9 east, and William Hoskins was authorized to expend fifteen dollars on roads in township 16, range 11 east. The commissioners then selected the following names as the first grand jurors in the county: Jonathan S. Colton, Robert Scott, Moses Triehnor, John Hall, Stephen B. Fellows, David Nickerson, John Mc- I'^lwaiue, Tracy Reeve, Aaron Mercer, John Anient, Marshall Mason, Peter Ellis, George Bennett, Cornelius Corss, Elijah Smith, Thornton Cummings, James G. Everett, Roland Mosely, James Howe, Morris Spalding, Robert Clark, Austin Bryant and Amariah Watson. When the grand jury met Gilbert Kellums, Lyman Howe, J. H. Olds, Stephen Smith and a Mr. Spalding were placed on the jury to fill vacancies.

The following were selected as the first petit jury: Butler Dunham, James Smith, Brown Searle, Arthur Thornton, James G. Swan, James Seaton. Curtis Williams, Demarcus Ellis, Obediah Britt, James (j. Foristals, Henry Thomas, Simson Huffaker, Elias Isaacs, Joseph Fassett, Aquilla Triplett, W. H. Wells, Benjamin Newell, Sampson Cole, Enoch Pratt, Elijah Merritt, Joseph Beelor, Erastus Sherwin, Michael Kit^erman and Caleb Cook. The records show that the first order ever drawn upon the county treasurer was for making roads and constructing bridges. In June, 1837, a special court of the commissioners was called. Benjamin Mitchell and Peter Butler, the commissioners appointed to locate the county seat were sworn into office, taking an oath to faithfully consider the interest of the people and the situation of the settlements. On the day of taking the oath they made a written report as follows: "We have determined to select the public square in the town of Princeton, on the west side of said square, designated as lot No. 33, as near the center as practicable ; Provided, D. 6. Salisbury, Thomas S. Elston and J. H. Bryant shall execute a bond approved by the county commissioners for $7,500, and a bond to execute a deed for eight and onehalf acres of land, payable to said commissioners for the pur]ioso of erecting a court house and other public buildings." The records sliow that fifteen dollars was paid Benjamin ^fitehell and twenty to Peter Butler for services in locating the county scat. At the August term R. T. Templeton was appointed county treasurer. His bond was fixed at .$1.5,(1110 and Cyrus T.nngworthy, AV. O. Chamberlain, John M. Gay and Thomas Epperson were his sureties. On the 7th of .\ugust, 1837, an election was held and the following officers were elected : Degrass Salisbury, probate justice ; Robert T. Templeton, treasurer; Thomas Mercer, county clerk; also several justices of the peace and constables were elected. The record also sliows that Jonathan T. llolbrook gave bond to keep a hotel with David Holbrook as surety. At the August session of the county commissioners in 1837 the subject of roads was discussed and measures taken to provide tor tlie same so as to accommodate the diflerent settlements as far as possible and these roads were to l)e made not only to provide for the present inhabitants, but future needs were anticipated. Among the men appointed to look after the interest of the new roads to be made in the different parts of the county we noticed those of John H. Bryant. David Eobinson, Jonathan Colton. John Clark, Jesse Perkins and Robert Stuart. It will be seen by this that Bureau county early realized the necessity of good roads and we fully believe that the same idea prevails at the present time. At the election held in October, 1837, Benjamin Smith was elected county clerk. At a meeting of the commissioners an order was made allowing Slierill' Langworthy sixty-three dollars for expenses in prosecuting McBroom and Stuart charged with passing counterfeit money. They were two noted criminals in the early history of the county. The county at this time was divided into eighteen road districts and Asa Barney. Caleb Haskel, Daniel Radcliffe, .\mariah Watson. Jesse Perkins, William Mann, John Hall, John Clark, Chaunccy D. Colton. Stephen B. Fellows. William Cowan, Lewis Chilson. Thomas J. Stephens. Ezekiel Thomas, Toyman Stowcl, Peter Ellis, Nathan Rackley and Zenas Church were appointed as road supervisors, .\rthur Bryant was appointed in 1838 to direct the building of a bridge across Bureau Creek on the road from Princeton to French drove and one hundred dollars was appropriated for same. The county having no official seals Benjamin E. Smith was appointed to secure .same for the county clerk's office. which he did. although it took a trip to St. Louis to procure them. In March, 1838, the commissioners released the signers of the $7,500 bond before mentioned on the following conditions (which we copy from the record) : "Ordered that the per- .sons bound on a bond for seven thousand and five Inmdred dollars to the county commissioners of Bureau county and now on record, be released from the same ])rovided the following propositions are complied with, viz.: To build for the county a jail and jailer's home agreeable to the plan furnished by the county commissioners : to deed to the county the half acre of land on which the Congregational meeting house now stands, together with the hou.se thereon ; to deed for the use of the county one-lifth of a five acre lot owned by W. 0. Chamberlain : also thirty-four feet by fortytwo feet on lot No. thirty-one on the Public Square adjoining a lot owned by Fellows and Downing." The following officers were elected at the .\ugust election in 1838: Robert Qarton, recorder; Cyrus Langworthy, sheriff: David C. Scarle, coroner, and Robert Clark, William Hoskins and Tracy Reeve, commissioners. The law provided that at the first election of commissioners the length of term of each should be decided by a by lots." This resulted in giving Robert Clark three years, William Hoskins two years and Tracy Reeve one year. Many of the grand and petit jurors appointed by these commissioners wer^ men who in local affairs figured conspicuously at that early date and their children and children's children are among our best and most honored citizens at the present time, but space forbids naming them in this volume. In November of this year Stephen Smith was elected county surveyor and Asa Barney and John Long were apjiointed assessors. It seems that the county officers were in no hurry to qualify, as Cyrus Langworthy, who was elected in August, 1838, did not file his bond until June 5, 1839, giving Robert C. ^Masters and John Clark as sureties.

At the August election in 1839 D. G. Salisbury was elected Probate Justice; Oliver Bogle, recorder; R. T. Templeton, treasurer; Stephen Smith, surveyor; S. F. Deming, clerk: William Frankerberger, commissioner. The pay for the grand jury was fixed at seventy-five cents a day for active service in court. In 18-10 the office of county collector was established and Carlton Combs was appointed, giving a $4,000 bond, with Nathaniel .\pplegate and Degrass Salisbury as sureties. At the .\ugust election of 1840 the offices were lillcd as follows: Cyrus Langworthy, sheriff; Daniel Brvant, coroner; William Hoskins, county commissioner. In 1841 there seems to have been quite a contention among the people in regard to the Dover road. The road angled then the same as now and the land owners were anxious to have it go on section lines, while the people who hauled loads to and from Chicago and other places w-ere just as desirous that it should remain as it was, giving them a more direct and shorter route. The question was finally settled by an act of the legislature and most of the way the road was unchanged. .\t a meeting of the commissioners the county, which had previously been divided into two assessor's districts, was changed into one and Robert Garliu was appointed assessor. At the August election 1841 Thouuis ifcrcer was chosen school commissioner and at the September term Robert E. Thompson took the place of Robert Clark as one of the county commissioners and Carlton W. Combs gave his bond of $3,000 as collector and J. H. Bryant. James S. Everett. Cyrus Bryant and Oliver Bogle were his sureties. In the fall election of 181 '2 the following officers were elected: Enos Smith, county commij-sioner : Justin II. Olds, county collector: Stephen Smith, sheriff, and Henry Thomas, coroner. The bond of Justin H. Olds was fixed at $18,000. Some idea can be formed of the monetary condition at that time by the order passed at Countv Commissioners' Court June 7, 1843. which is as follows: "Ordered, that the county treasurer be and he is hereby authorized to sell and dispose of all Shawneetown money in the treas\iry for any sum not less than thirty-six cents on tiie dolhir." And also to sell and dispose of the certificates of the State Bank of Illinois at any sum not less than thirty cents on the dollar." ' At the election in August, 18-13, we find the offices filled by the following named persons: Degrass Salishury, probate justice; Oliver Bogle, recorder; Martin Ballon, treasurer; Justin H. Olds, surveyor; C. W. Combs, county clerk, and William Hoskins re-elected county commissioner. In ISll: Moses T. Greeley was elected county commissioner; Stephen Smith, sheriff; John Jlinipv. coroner, and George "W. Minier, surveyor.

In August, 1816, Jacob Sells was elected county commissioner to fill the place of William Hoskins. Stephen Smith was re-elected sheriff and James Chenoweth county judge, and Justin H. Olds was appointed overseer of the poor for the county.

In 1847 Stephen Smith was again re-elected .sheriff and A. T. Thompson county clerk. In 1848 J. V. Thompson was elected sheriff and J. T. Thompson county treasurer. We have now given the important changes in the principal offices and measures through the period when the county was under the management of county commissioners. The records are not as clear nor as full as those of more recent date, but wo think they arc sufficient to give one all of the facts he will care to know. We think perhaps it may be of interest to the reader to know that at the election held on Saturday, March 17, 18.38, to decide the question as to whether Princeton should be incorporated or not that there were twenty votes cast for incorporation and none against. The votes were oast by Andrew F. Smith, Stephen Wilson, W. H. AVells. Xoali Wiswall. Cyrus Longwortliy. .Tohn Long. Robert C. Masters, Samuel Triplett, John Walter. Butler Denham, John Vaughn, Oliver Bogle, E. II. Phelps, Joseph Houghton, Joseph Smith, Robert Stuart. -Tohn IT. Brvant, Justin H. Olds, Thomas S. Elston and Robert T. Templeton. These uic'ii. (ine by one, have joined the great majority who now rest from their labors in the '"bivouac of the dead." But the municipality which they instituted has lived and expanded, verifying the saying that "men die but institutions live." We have tried to eliminate from the recorded events of the early history of the county everything that would not be of general interest or of statistical value. Wc find a few special legislative acts that we believe will be of interest to the people, to-wit: March 2. 183!). Greenfield changed to La Moillc. March 6, 1812, county authorized to borrow $.5,000 to complete court house. Town of Gold created February 12, 1853. In 184!) by a large majority vote Bureau county adopted the township system. Instead of three commissioners legislating for the ccimty cacl) township elected a supervisor to look after tlie interest of their own township anil the general welfare of the county. Three county commissioners were appointed to designate the boundary lines and name the township. The county was divided into twenty-three townships about as they now are with the exception of two townships, to-wit, ilanlius and Wheatland ; the former being a part of Greenville unHl 18.J4; the latter is only one-half of a congressional township and was joined to Jlilo until 1857.

The first meeting of the supervisors was held on April 8, 1850. At this meeting the record shows that fifteen townships were represented at the organization of the board as follows : Richland (now Ohio), John Ross; Greenville, William .Martin; Dover, Enoch Lumery; Berlin, Enos Smith; Westfield, Michael Kennedy; Selby, William Hoslvins; Princeton, John H. Bryant; Concord, Thomas Stevens ; Brawby (now Neponset) , Thomas Gattridge; Jefferson (now Macon), Allen Horton; Indiantown, Timothy N. Ferrell; Arispie, George McJIanis; Leepertown, John Wherry; ililo, William B.' Whipple; Fairfield, Whicher Dow.

On the third ballot John II. Bryant was elected ciiairman. The record does not show that any further business was done that day. On April 10 the following additional members took their seats: John D. Pinnell, Bloom (now Hall) ; Edward M. Wilson, Center (now Wyanet) ; C. C, Corse, Bureau; Richard Brewer, AValnut; A. 6. Porter, Clarion ; R. B. Frary, La Moille ; Ebenezer Kent, Mineral. At this first meeting of the board the name of Jefferson was changed to Macon and Bloom to Hall and Richland to Ohio. So begai one of the history making epochs of this county. Not one of these men live to tell the story. Quite a number of them were active in county affairs for many years, but the scythe of time at last struck them down and they were gathered to their fathers. Thus one generation builds for another and passes off the stage of action and only the few realize that they have ever been.

Bureau county was among the first to adopt township organization and there are still a few counties left in tiie State that cling to the old commissioner system. Simon Kinney, Jacob T. Thompson and Tracy Reeve were the commissioners appointed to fix the boundary line of townships and to name the same. The proceedings of this first board were published in the Bureau County Advocate. The names of the men who have served on the board of supervisors from each township will be found following the short history given of the same. Among those who have had a long term of service on the lioai-d are: .\. G. Porter, Chirion; D. P. Smith and William Wilson, Ohio; 0. L. Bearss, Walnut; Lee Brown, Fairfield; Michael Skeflington, Westfield ; George Rackley and Enos Smith, Berlin ; Warren Poole, Dover ; A. B. Kinsman and Potter White, Manlius; Henry Snyder, Hall ; Anthonv Morassv, Gold ; E. P. Edwards. La j\Ioille ; A. W." Lawton', Concord ; T. J. Haley and Jacob Carper, ]\Iacoii ; John j\rcCull(nigh, Milo; .Tonas More and S. G. Soverhill, Indiantown; J. H. Welsh and Orrin Wilkinson, .Arispie; J. M.

Past And Present Of Bueeau Tounty

From 1837 to 1845 northern Illinois was the home of a large number of bandits who were roving through the country, stealing horses, entering houses and taking money and valuables, and waylaying travelers on the public highway, in fact, committing all kinds of depredations, but no clue could be obtained of the perpetrators of the crimes. This band of outlaws had a most perfect organization, which included men high up in social and political circles. The organization extended through Illinois, the southeast part of Iowa and all through Missouri. They had a more perfect -underground railroad than the anti-slavery people ever had. They had their confederates stationed all along the line and men. t(jo, who were abovisuspicion were their accomplices. Mr. Michael Kitterinan of this county lost a very valuable pair of horses and no trace of them was ever found. Two of this notorious gang, Fo.x and Birch, used to operate through Bureau county. Birch after his arrest told of the stealing of a pair of horses southwest of Princeton supposed to be the Kitterman team. This state of atl'airs culminated in the murder of Col. George Davenport on the island of Rock Island July 1, lS4o. The whole people became aroused and the murderers were run down and four men arrested, namely, Robert Birch, John and Aaron Long and Granville Young, and a man by the name of Fox escaped. Birch confessed to lieing accessory to the crime and was given a life .sentence, but afterwards escaped. John and Aaron Long and Granville Young were hung in Rock Island before a great concourse of people. At the banging when the drop fell John Long and Granville Young met death instantly, but the rope around the neck of Aaron Ijong broke and although be had previously denied any knowledge of the murder, he now confessed and was soon launched into eternity. This was the grand finale of (he great murder trial of IS-l."; and from tluit time on the country was freed from the nefarious work (if the b.-mditli.

M. B. Garten

M. B. Garten, one of the early settlers of this county, was born in Indiana in 1820 and came with his ])arents to Illinois in Is:!:!. They made the journey with a team and tollowerl the trail of the soldiers till they arrived at Fort Hennepin on the Illinois river. \t this jioint they found a postofTice and store in a block house and few settlers in Hennepin, which at that time was the only town within a radius of fifty miles. Mr. Garten and his father crossed the river ami juirchased a claim of Amos Leonard for $;UiO. This i)roperty now known as the Andrew Wise farm and is located about six miles southeast of Princeton. They remained there and improved their place, having for neighbors Indians and a few settlers.

nearly three-quarters of a century. He was one of the few early pioneers left. He died July 18, 189G, at the 'advanced a^e of 86. The following is a short accuunt of some of his experiences given liy himself:

"The squaws with their jjapooses came to call on us. The papoose, strapped to a board, was set up against the cabin while the mother came in to see what we had in our house. The old Indian warriors talked much of the big battles they had fought with other Indian tribes between Ottawa and Peoria. The old men also told of the big snow that fell sixty year.s before, about 1773. and remained so long that the buffalo and other large game neai'ly all perished, and when spring came the few survivors wended their way across the 'Father of Waters,' and this was the Inst seen of luiifalo in Illinois.

Tiskilwa. Ax Indian Town

"i rode over Princeton prairie before it was settled and even then quite frequently saw the larger butfalo bones and horns on the dry prairie. Tiskilwa, or Indiantown, as it was then called, was simply a large Indian camping ground to and from wliich many Indians came and went, and where many lived in wigwams almost continuously and raised corn. They erected no wooden structures, and when they left for a season their shelter and ])onies accompanied them. There were several old trails leading to other camping grounds and frontier settlements which in many places were worn down several inches in depth.

was not at the Indian council held at Indiantown in IS'-Vi, but I was subsequently on that council ground with a white man who was at the council and understood well all that the chiefs and great men said on that noted occasion. Black Hawk made the call for the council, and there were chiefs and great warriors from the Rocky mountain tribes in attendance. When they had all assendiled they built a great council fire around which all sav(> one were seated. Black Hawk stood erect in their midst and said : 'The white man is coming over our boundary lines. He is cutting down our trees to build his wigwam and is killing our game. If the Indian tribes will unite and send their warriors they will stand as thick as the trees in the grove, and they can drive the white man back to the rising sun. If we do not our papooses will cry with hunger, and we and our squaws will be driven back to the setting sun where there are no good hunting grounds and where we will die. and there will be no more Indians in these good hunting grounds where the Great Spirit has jdaeed us."

'"Then the Big Chief Senaehwine arose and said: 'I have been three times to see the great ihief of (he pale face, the president of the United States, at Washington. He has a big tribe and cares not to unite with other tribes as he has manv warriors to fight his battles. If our warriors would come and stand as thick as the trees in the grove the White Chief's warriors would gather about us as thick as the leaves on the trees and the pale face warriors could drive us where their Great Chief may bid us go.'

"The council soon saw tliat Senachwinc was right, but Black Hawk wanted a war and many of his warriors joined him. When they crossed the Mississippi on their way to attack the Illinois settlements the white man's friend, Shabboua, rose in his might to save them. He rode far and wide to tell the settlers that Black Hawk's warriors had crossed the 'Big River' and were on their way to the Illinois, and for them to flee to the fort at once. The timely warning of the faithful Shabbona were heeded by nearly all. The Hall family were killed and two of the girls, Rachel and Sylvia, were taken prisoners.

Dinner With Shabbona

"The last time that I saw Shabbona he and his squaw ate dinner at our house. They had been to see President Jackson about swapping a piece of land they had on the Mississippi river for a piece in Lee county. They said they ate dinner with President Jackson and Shabbona thought President Jackson a good and great man as he gave him a coat and wanted him to wear boots, liut said that he told Jackson, 'boots heap good for white man but no good for Indian.'

the Pottawotomies went to Chicago and the government paid them their last installment for the territory of Illinois and removed them in wagons to Council Bluffs the most of them rode their ponies, there being about 500 Indians in the procession. When the head of the cavalcade reached Princeton two or three of the whites had a barrel of whisky to sell to the Indians, who soon got to drinking and commenced the warwhoop.

"While there the young chief Shabbona and I went into Gay's store and he bought some ribbon for his young squaM'. When we came out of the store quite a large crowd was around the place where they were buying and drinking whisky, or as the Indians called it, "good water.' ]\Iatters wcrtj getting in 'high spirits" and I told young Shabbona to send one of his men back to inform the Indian agent as to the state of affairs.

"I assisted in hurying the traveler who was found dead on the trail about one mile south of Lost Grove and not far from the present site of Arlington. The body was discovered by Rev. Lumery. That nisht I with others rode around to the few scattering neighbors, requesting them to assemble the next morning at the point where the body was found. On the following day when the few people had assembled, my father, Robert Garten, summoned a jury and held an inquest over the body. They found that the man had been shot through the right arm and the skull was fractured. The body when found was entirely destitute of clothing and conditions pointed unmistakably toward robbery and cold blooded murder. A grave was dug, the body was wrapped in a sheet, which my mother had sent for and the body was placed in a box. My father offered a prayer and performed the burial services. We lowered the body to its final resting place and after filling up the grave, we rode over the prairie in hopes of discovering some further evidences of the crime and some possible clue of its perpetrators.

Discovers A Clue

''Dr. Chamberlain and I were riding up the trail when we discovered a bundle of clothing tied up in a handkerchief. We beckoned to some himters near by and they came to us. We opened the l)undle and Dr. Cliamberlain holding up a shirt which it contained, exclaimed, 'The damned murderer failed to shoot the shirt through the right arm as the dead man was shot.' Near tlie clothing was found a pocket bible, on the fly leaf of which was plainly written : 'Frederick Bunu and Thomas Dustus. Presented by Mrs. Gardner.'

"We then rode up to the grove and there found that some one had been lying in the high grass near the trail. We also found three other trails through the grass, all of which led to the point where the body was found. From these facts, all were of the opinion that the traveler was shot while riding on the trail near the grove, and falling or leaping from his horse, was pursued a mile l>efore being killed, as two large clubs were found near the l)ody.

Confession Oe The Crime

"Several years after the above related events, I was told that a man by the name of Green, sentenced to be hanged, confessed that he and another man killed a lone traveler on Indian trail near Lost Grove and secured $1,'200, a good horse, saddle and bridle and a good suit of clothes, but would not dividgo the name of his partner in the crime.

"I cast my first vote for President W. H. Harrison at Princeton in 1840, and my sixteenth vote for President Roosevelt in the same town in 1904. When I became of age I was elected constable and served as deputy sherift' during the regime of the noted 'Banditti of the Prairie,' during which Colonel Davenport of Rock Island \vas nmrdered, the Long brothers hanged, travelers found robbed and killed along the public highways and horses stolen on every hand.

Made State Detective

"Later I was api)ointed and commissioned by the governor as a state detective. On one occasion a man came to me about midnight witli the information that the noted outlaw, Sam Patch, was stopping over night in the neighborhood. Well mounted and armed I rode alone to the house designated by my informant, tied my horse in the edge of the grove and creeping cautiously to the house, was fortunate in finding my game sound asleep in bed. I made no delay in securing his clothing and grip. I then spoke to him. With a quick spring, his ej-es flashing like those of an enraged tiger, he met me face to face. Well covered by m\' trusty gun, he gave due heed to my reading a state warrant and realizing fully that I had the "drop on him' he accom])aniod me to l.ee county where lie was tried for horse stealing. In my business as detective I was frequently so long absent and unheard of that my father and friends would send a tracer after me, but fortunately I escaped all snares. My parents were both born, raised and educated in Virginia. My mother was tlie daughter of Flower Swift, of Graj-son Court House, Virginia, and to me seemed a remarkable woman. 1 have heard her say that when she was a girl at home, she with others remained up all night molding lead bullets and putting them in sacks to send to our soldiers in the war of 1812. It is quite probable that she had a lover in the army from the fact that in 1815 she and Robert Garten were married and removed to Lawrence county in 181G where they improved a farm and remained until 1833 when they removed with their family to Illinois.

The Farming Lands

"We remained on the claim some four or five miles northwest of Hennepin - now owned by Mr. Weise - until 1835. when my father sold it to Colonel Pitman, of Kentucky. When land became subject to entry in tliat section, we took a claim and bought another on Big Bureau creek one and one-hnlf miles northwest of the present site of Dover, where my father Ituilt the first twostory frame house built in this country."

Mr. Garten lived with his parents working on their home farm at the same time improving .a claim for himself, until 1845 when he returned to Lawrence where he married the daughter of Hon. ^L Ilclinei-. a prominent citizen and successful merchant of that county. Mrs. Helmer, a southern lady, was a cousin to President Polk. After a brief wedding tour they returned to the home of his wife where he clerked in her fathers store for one year, when they purchased the business whicli he continued quite successfully for thirtv-three rears.