Champaign County, Illinois - The whole text, 1891 (part 5 of 7)

Pioneers Of Champaign Countt

He has been a stalwart republican since 1860 and lias never left his lirst love to follow after that trinity of false gods, viz: Greenbackisni,nuigwinn|jisni and St. Johnism. He served as justice of the peace ten years, in I^udlow to\vnshii>, and commissioner of highways six years; was elected and served on the lirst board of school directors in the village of Kantoul, and ten years as school director in Ludlow school district No. 2; he was, (luite a number of years, overseer of highways and census enumerator for the township in ISSO. In the same year visited his native country. He has, through life, cast his influence on the side of morality and virtue, has for more tlian forty years been an advocate of temperance, and has, both in Urbana and Kantoul, been identitied with Good Templars, Sons of Temperance, open temperance associations. Odd Fellowship and Free Masonry. He was a charter member of the Champaign Creamery association, the Kantoul Maplewood Cemetery association and the Illinois Reserve Fund Life Insurance association; also one of the originators and president of the North Champaign County Permanent Road Improvement association and Farmers' Club, North Champaign County Auxiliary Historical association, and has always been a highminded and enterprising citizen of our county.

James S. Gkrk. This early settler of Urbana was born in April, 1S17, in Genesee county, New York. His i)arents were John and Polly (Clark) Gere.

James S., the subject of this sketch, came to this county in the fall of is:^>, from Genf)see county. New York, and settled at Urbana. He came here in debt and was paying twelve and a half per cent, interest. He kept, for a number of years, the Champaign house and the stage stopped there for many years when that was the only means of travel through this section of country. During that time he formed a partnership with his brother, John Gere, and kept a general store for about ten years. He and his brother John bought 800 acres of timber in the grove near Urbana and about the same amount near Bourbon, Douglas county, Illinois, and they filled a contract for 200,000 ties and 15,000 cords of wood for the Illinois Central railroad. After the dissolution of the firm James S. furnished 60,000 ties for the Great Western (now Wabash) railroad. In February, 1857, he went to New Orleans and bought eleven tons ot sugar, which was sold out by the tirm of J. and J. S. Gere. lie had succeeded well in the mercantile business and he made about eleven thousand dollars out of his railroad contracts. This was a large sum of money in those days and he was what might be termed a rich man in the pioneer times of this county. He had a well-balanced mind and gave some attention to the law. For many years there were few cases tried here that he was not on either one side or the other. He held the office of justice of the peace for a long time and he was regarded as one of the ablest and fairest men who tilled that position.

He was married in the fall of 1839, in Clinton, Vermilion county, Indiana, to Miss Elizabeth Lee, who died in the winter of 18.55. Six children were born to them, as follows: Emma, who married iJurdette Wright, residing now at Arthur, Illinois; Mary, who married Newton I. Cooper ; Warren B., who married Miss Jennie Thompson and resides at Areola, Illinois; Addle M., who married George Lochrie antl resides at Murray, Iowa; Olive L., who married S. B. Kadebaugh, now postmaster at Urbana, and Nettie, who is now deceased.

Mr. Gere did not subscribe to the orthodox beliefs in reference to the future, but believed in the doctrines of the Universalists. He was a democrat in politics and had the ability to defend with force and effect both his political and religious faith.

Mr. S. P. Percival, of Champaign, relates an incident of interest as to Mr. Gere. He says that he (Percival), then a young man, was driving an ox team through Urbana and stopped on the street to listen to an auctioneer who was extolling the excellence of his goods. Mr. Gere approached him ( Percival) and said, "Young man. are you going to stop in this country?" Upon answering tliat he was, yir. Gere reniarl^ed, "Then you had better not be stopping around here, but go about your business, and you will make money." Mr. Percival obeyed the injunction and made the money ; he says he has thought of it all through life and believes it was the best advice he ever received.

Mr. Gere was a man of good judgment and seldom missed it in business calculations. It can safely be said that his social qualities and integrity were such that he had a friend in every citizen of the county.

Among the few pioneers left of Champaign county is "Fount" Busey, of Sidney township. lie was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, February 17th, 1817. lie was the son of Matthew and Sallie (Fible) Busey. His father died in 1864 at the advanced age of eighty-live years; his mother still survives and has reached the great age of ninety-five years.

The Busey family came to the county in the fall of 1829. They settled on the tract of land now owned by Sol. Knox. Later they moved to a place since owned by Paris Shepherd, in Urbana township. There the subject of this sketch married Mi.ss Maria Sliepherd in 1841. Timt union has resulted in the following named children: Matthew, who married Miss Jane Bowman; Jerusha, wife of Lon Wilson; James H., unmarried; Ann, wife of James Thompson; Simeon F., married

Miss Fannie Wilson; Mary and Luella. All of the children are residents of the countv. Mr. Busey was a boy of twelve years of age when his parents came to this county.

He remained beneath the parental roof until a short time before his marriage. The lirst land he owned was an eighty acre tract near Urbana, a part of which is no a^ owned by J. H. Morris. He entereil it and paid $1.25 per acre. He traded that for land on the Sangamon and in 1848 sold tliat and jiurchased the tract at Sidney, upon wh ich he has lived ever since. The village of Sidney had been laid out the year previous, but there was no store, or in fact anything, except a few stakes to indicate where the future town of Sidney was to be. The first merchant was James Whitconib and the tirst postmaster was Si. White.

The only house then between Sidney and Urbana was Penrose Stidham's. Mr. Busey recollects well tiie lirst store tiiat was opened in Urbana by T. R. Webber. It was on the day before the night on which the stars fell. Mr. B. states he was in town that day and went out home, east of Urbana, and in the night it absolutely rained stars, but he adds he was not "scared." His motiier and he took their tirst grist of corn (about a half bushel) to a Mr. Smith's, who had a hand mill, and had it ground for the family use. The tirst band mill was owned by Mr. Fielder. It was located on the old Roe place. The tirst water mill was operated by a Mr. Hempenstall. It was in the Big Grove, and was subsequently known as the Morris mill. It ground corn and sawed lumber. A Mr. Russell subsecpiently put up a mill near James Boyd's, that ground wheat, but the flour had to be bolted by hand.

Mr. B. also relates the incident of the grand hurrah and blow outafter the location of the county seat. It was agreed among the neighbors around Urbana and the Big Grove that when the county seat was located to have a big Fourth of July. Accordingly the brush was cut otf and cleared away where now stands the house of Joseph Park. A large floor was laid, the tiddler was called and they danced, sang and had a merry time, you may be suie.

Mr. B. has met with success in life and is the possessor of a competency. He has 500 acres of land all under line cultivation, well fenced and stocked. In addition he has given his children 300 acres. He also owns a

Pioneers Of Champa Ion Vounty

Politically, Mr. Busey comes from good old democratic stock, and is in lull comnnniion witii that jiarty. lie cast his tirst vote for Martin VanBuren tor president in 1840, and from tliat day to the last election he lias steadily followed the varying fortunes of that venerable itolitical organization.

Va., about tifty miles south from Harper's Ferry. His father, Henry llemier, was a native of Virginia, and was born in Fiederick county. May 6, 1796. His grandfather, Isaac Kenner, was of Pennsylvania stock. H.W's mother was Mary M. (Willey) Renner, daughter of Parson Willey, of Woodstock, Va. She was born June 29, 1800. Her father was a German Refoi'med Presbyterian minister and was born in Switzerland, coming to the new world as a missionary when he reached man's estate. Miss Willey was frail in body, but strong in mind and christian faitli and works, and her children "rise up to call her blessed." The grandmothers of Henry VV. were both of Huguenot blood and character. His parents were married April 18, 1826, and lived on a farm until 1840, when they moved to Woodstock, the county seat of Shenandoah county, where they resided twelve years, and removed to Licking county, Ohio. In 1869 they sold their farm and moved to Rantoul, in this county, the mother dying there Dec. 26, 1870. The father died there January 21, 1883, almost eighty-six years old.

Licking Co., Ohio, April 2nd isryl. He packed their effects in a wagon and after a two weeks' drive, settled May 25, 1857, on section four, in Newcomb townshiji, now Condit, where they resided for eight years, and then removed to section lour in Rantoul township, where Mr. Renner with his present family yet resides. Miss Williams was the eldest cliild, and having lost her mother at the tender age of thirteen years, all her single life was spent in filling a mother's lilace. She joined the Presbyterian church in Jersey, Ohio, in childhood and contiiuied an active worker in church, choir, and Sabbath school, until her marriage and removal to Illinois. To this union were born five children, to-wit: Enos Henry, Anna Lucinda (wife of William A. Rusk) and Sylvester Willey, all living in Champaign; Alary C. and Libbie S., twin Misses of sixteen, living at home. His first wife died November 26, 1873. Mr. R. was again married September 2sth, 1876, to Miss Julia Smith, eldest daughter of James D. Smith, Es(i., of Wayne, Pa. Miss Smith was born Dec. 7, 1840, entered the High school at VVaterforil in 1s.t6, studied and taugiit until 1863, entered Western Female Seminary at Oxford, 0., and graduated in 186.5. She taugiit three years in the Seminary, when admonished by failing health and the advice of her physicians, she returned to her native state, but continued to teach until her marriage, the last four years being spent in Titusville, Pa. Of this union was born Oct. 4, 1881, one son, Charles Ashley, who died April 5, 1882.

Mr. Renner seems cosmopolitan in his religion, being at home with all who hold the great central truths of tlie Ortliodox faith. He seldom tells to which division of the Grand Army he belongs. He was converted in childhood and united with the Presbyterian church in Woodstock and at once took a class in the Sabbatii school. At the age of seventeen he began going to out of the way places to teach, superintend or organize Sabbath schools, a work which he faithfully kept up until called to do similar work in connection with the Township and county Sabbath school association in this county. He was one of tlie original members of the Jersey Presbyterian church in Condit township, and held the position of trustee, secretiiry and ruling elder. In the First Congregational church of Rantoul, he was trustee, secretary and senior deacon. At present he is a member of the official board, of connnittee on church extension and church records and the district steward in the M. E. church at Rantoul. He is also a life member of the County Bible society.

Pionickrs Of Champaign Codnty

The Champaign County S. S. association was organized July 34 and 25, 18G6, and Mr. K. toolv part in the convention at Rantoul in the following September; he became president of the Hantoul S. S. A., July 4th. 1867, which position he still holds and is consequently the ablest vice president in the county association. He was elected a member of the Co. S. S. A. in 1872 and still holds that position; he was president of the association in 1878-9.

Mr. Kenner acted with the democratic party until the farmers movement in 1873 and when the greenback party was organized he joined it and voted for Peter Cooper in 1870 and for Weaver, in 1880. In 1884, liowever, he voted for the prohibition candidate John P. St. John. He is now chairman of the prohibition club in Rantoul. He has held the office of school trustee, commissioner of highways, supervisor from Condit, and has since served as assessor, collector and magistrate. Mr. Renner learned the trade of blacksmith in his father's shop in Woodstock, and the use of tools in the wagon shop; this has been of service to him on the

This distinguished New Englandcr and resident of Cliampaign was born iu North Brooklield, Mass., November 2;^, 1814. He worked on his father's farm til! he was seventeen yeais of age and clerked in a store for two years. He attended school from time to time and finally graduated from Amherst college in 1841, intending at the time to make teaching his profession in life. He paid the expenses of his school life from his own earnings, e.xcept small sums contributed by his father from time to time, to the amount of about one thousand dollars. Soon after his graduation, he married Miss Mary D. Batcheller, daughter of Deacon Tyler Batcheller, of North Brookfield, Mass., having prior to this marriage engageed to take charge of an Academy at Edwardsville, Illinois, and was to receive the full income for his salary. The board or trustees, however, concluded to place another teacher with him and thus divide the income. He said nothing of this change to his people, however, and married with the expectation of accepting even half the income in order to gain a foothold in the west. After starting for the west he concluded that the times were better in Kentucky than in Illinois, and with his young bride went to Shelby county. Kentucky. Here he found an intelligent peoitle, a good school and good pay, where his young wife could assist him. They were successful and were urged to stay by an offer of still better terms; but he thought it best to go where there was still more money and a larger population; he therefore, went to Lexington, Ky., in the heart of the Blue Grass region. Soon lie gained the recognition of some of the best families and got up a school for young ladies in which calling he wis eminently successful, but his health failed; although urged to continue by his wealthy i)atrons he concluded to change his occupation for one less injurious to his health. He then engaged in the shoo business, the first year his sales were :i?8,000, and the business increased regularly each year for nine years, when his annual sales amounted .54(),()()i) and he had accumulated a neat little capital for business or investment.

In June, 18.52, when the Illinois Central railroad had been surveyed and its construction had been connuenced he came to Danville, 111., for the i)nrpose of buying a small farm, at the government sales, for a friend ; he was struck with tlu^ itros])ects of the country and caught the land lever in its most malignant form. On his return to Lexington a buyer for his shoe business was found waiting and he sold it for S17,()(M), not witiumt giving the matter however, careful thought and sulunilting it to his wife for final decision. It wasgoi)ig toa free state, and this doubtless had much to do with tlie decision.

ville, 111., and bought nearly 3,000 acres of the rich prairie lands in McLean, Champaign and riatt counties, most of which, by using land warrants, he bought at about Sl.OO per acre. After coming to Illinois to reside he bought of private parties nearly 2,000 acres more, paying for these a higher price.

In February. lSo3, he removed to Bloomingt(m, 111., and after becoming settled, engaged again in the shoe business with Mr. O. Rugg as partner ; he had clerked for Mr. Harwood in Kentucky, and had married his (Harwood's) sister. While Mr. Rugg was managing this business, which was very successful, Mr. Ilarwood was imi)roving his over four thousand acres of lands. He built about forty miles of board fence, and placed up(m each farm a house costing about -'if.WO. December 8, 18.56, his wife died leaving to Mr. Harwood's sole care hve y(mng children. In June, 1858, he married Miss Isabtdla D. Boyd, whose family had the year before moved from Kentucky. She is still living affording companionship and cheer to her husband in the latter years of his lite. Mr. Ilai-wood is imi)ressed with the belief that his happiness and success in life is due to the instinctive counsel of woman.

His first wife bore him six children: Mary N., who married George W. Ilarwood, then of North Brooktield, Mass., and resides in Champaign; Emma L., who married William O. Cady, of Bloomington ; Ella A., who married John C. Stevenson, also of Bloomington; Ida E., who, when an infant, was taken into the family of Dr. T. F. Worrell, of Bloomington, where as one of her two homes, she has resided ever since; Martha Frances, who died in infancy, and Lueretia, who died in 1882. His present wife is the mother of five children, as follows: Isabella Susan, who married Mr. Calvin C. Staley, of Champaign ; Willscm Boyd, a promising boy, died at the age of ten years; Caroline Rebecca and Francis Abel died in infancy; the other also died before receiving any name.

In the spring of 18(36 the board fences on his lands in Cl)ami)aigu county, having been standing for ten years, he concluded to grow hedge fences to take their place. At the suggestion of his wile, who was desirous of having Mr. Harwood at home more, he moved to one of his farms in Newcomb township in this county, about four miles northwest of Mahomet. Here they remained four years, growing eleven miles of hedge and carrying on general fainiing and stock laising extensively at the same time. During this four years he cleared from the live hundred acres he thus improved, over S8,()00, although but a novice in farming operations; this we mention to show the productiveness of Champaign county lands.

In the spring of 1870, instead of returning from the farm to Bloomington, he removed to Champaign in order to be near his wife's people, who had removed to Areola. Here he purchased a pleasant residence and here he still resides. He has sold all his lands and is not now engaged in any mercantile or agricultural pursuit. Having a comfortable competency, made by a life of labor and by good judgment in investments, he finds, as he jocosely says, plenty to do, even now, in "minding his own business," and is firmly of the opinion that it will pay any man to do so whether on the farm, in the workshop, the store or in retirement at home.

Mr. Harwood's mother was a member of a Baptist church, and his father, while not a member, was in sympathy with lier views. His first wife's mother was a Baptist but her father was a prominent deacon in the Congregational church in North Brookfield, Mass., and afterwards in the old Park street church in Boston. The mother of his present wife was a Baptist while her father was an efficient elder of the Presbyterian church, most of his life. Mr. Harwood himself, both his wives and all his children that reached ten years of age became connected with some church, Presbyterian or Congregational, early in life. At present, all living are connected with some Presbyterian church. He has never held any church office but has been a member of some Sabbath school nearly all his life, either as scholar, teacher or superintendent. Mr. Harwood is grandly orthodox in his belief in the Divine inspiration of the Bible and in Jesus Christ as the son of God, and as the only name under Heaven whereby we must be saved, if saved at all.

In politics he is a republican, and casts his vote and uses his influence for pure primaries and a higher standard of political morals in the contests for i)referment. For two terms he was supervisor from Newcomb township; his second term he was chairman of the board. He was urged by both democrats and rei)ublicans to serve another term, but private business prevented, though he has never forgotten the kindly compliment paid him by their miitcd confidence, and has a warm place yet iu his heart for both the democrats and republicans of Newcomb.

He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1!^69 an«l 1870, that framed the present constitution of the state of Illinois, rei)resenting in that cfmvention the counties of Champaisn, Piatt, Moultrie and Macon. Mr. Harwood was an efiicient member ot that body of men, who made the chart which

Mr. Harwood has, by his own efforts, by a life of industry and honorable conduct, carved out a goodly fortune and has erected also a character as a hlghminded, christian gentleman, which should serve as a model for otliers to follow.

Dignilied in demeanor, courteous to all, faithful in every trust and relation in life, Mr. Harwood is passing his latter years, beloved by his family and friends, and respected and honored by all.

Daniel Kugg. This gentleman Vt^ho conducts, to-day, the second oldest business house in Champaign, was born May 30, 1830, in the good old town of Heath, Franklin county, Massachusetts, whicli county is said to liave as many steep hills to the square mile as any other in New England. The centeimial celebration of the town was held last year, 18S.5, with imposing ceremonies. The Archives of this town will show that the Rugg family were among its early and substantial settlers. The parents of Mr. Rugg, both now deceased, were Reuben Rugg and Sarah (Nims) Rugg. His father was recognized as the strongest man in his district, wliile his nu)ther was one of tiie tallest women. They were, as may be seen, stalwart in stature and blessed with physical perfection, a heritage which cannot be too highly valued, for of such parents come long lived and perfect men and women. They were as stalwart and strong in tlieir religious convictions as they were in physical structure. They were of Piu-itan stock and possessed those strict and orthodox attributes that have given the people of New England a reputation for rigid honesty and correct habits, that justittes the natural pride their prosterity feel in them. Their descendants have helped to people the great west with a race of broad-minded and enterprising citizens that have made it the wonder of the world for thrift and substantial progress. Mr. Rugg's parents, though living some live miles from their place of worship, were seldom absent and never late to church, either summer or winter.

Mr. Rugg spent the larger portion of his life on a farm, prior to his coming west. During the winters of hisboylu)oil he attended the coiuitry school until tar enough advanced to enter the Shelburn Falls Acuidemy wiieie he obtained a liberal English education. He afterwards taught the district school, boarding around as was the custom in those days; being needed at home, he for some years took the management of the old home farm, where he remained until lie came west.

March 8, 18.55, he was married to Miss Philena Dale Kallogg, in Shelburn, Mass. In the following summer, he and his young wife bid farewell to the scenes of their childhood, emigrated to Bloomington, 111., determined to carve their fortune in tlie then far west. There he engaged in the boot and shoe business, which he has successfully followed ever since. In December 18.58, he removed to Champaign, (then WestUrbana) and purchased the very desirable lot at the head of main street upon which now stands his large three story brick block called "The Metropolitan." It was erected in the summer of 1872 in coiuiection with those of David Bailey and Frank Walker adjoining. Since residing in Champaign, Mr. Rugg has been a leading member of the Congregational church; he was its treasurer many years and was a member of its board of trustees during the erection of two churclies, one of which was destroyed by lire shortly after it was completed.

In politics, Mr. Rugg has always been a republican and though not a politician, he can always be relied upon to further the best interests of the party. He has held the office of alderman several terms. October?, 1877, the iiap])y home circle was broken by the death of his wife, who was beloved by all who knew her. Six children were born to them, three ot whom are living; Fred D., the eldest, who since liis graduation at the University of Illinois in 1882, has been engaged in the business with his father ; Mary

E., who married C. Feiiton Hamilton, and Carrie A., attending scliool at iiome. He was happily married again February 22, 1SS3, to Maria Thatcher Fairbank, of North Brook Held, Massachusetts.

Mr. Kiigg was among tiie lirst business men of Champaign; he canu> there when a young man with limited capital, but by universal fair dealing, by keeping tlie most reliable goods an<l by the exercise of good business foresight, he has fairly earned the reputation of conductr ing the largest, most reliable and successful l)oot and shoe house in Central Illinois.

Kkzin BoI/Tin Was born in Dark county, Ohio, February 2Rth, isa;. He is the son of William and Dorcas (Johnson) Boltin, also natives of Ohio. In early life, while yet a resident of Ohio, Mr. Boltin learneil the cariienter's trade, and later the photographic art. As a carpenter he assisted in building a large inimber of the buildings in tlie village of Mahomet. He came west in September, 18r>4, and settled at Middletown, now Mahomet, and there he has made his home to the i)resent. When Mr. Boltin tirst went to that town theie were but two stores. One was kept by a man by the name of Hill and the other by a man by the name of Owens. He has lived there long enough to see the town grow up from a small, insignilicant village to one of nearly 1,0()U )iopulation. Mr. Boltin was tirst married to Polly Aim Brown, in Dark county, Ohio, October 27th, 1847. She died in Greenville, Ohio, in June 18.53. While a resident of (Jreenville, he married Mary Smith. The date of the marriage was October 5th, 18.54. She died in Mahomet in the fall of ISSi. He married his pres(;nt wife, Rebecca Sicklider, in Dark county, Ohio, February 21st, 1SS2. She is still living. He is the father of tiie following children: William Henry, married Mary Woodrow, and is a resident of Mahomet; James, married Hannah Swanson, also of Mahomet; Alice is the wife of William Tanner, of Mahomet; Elwain is single, Warren also; Mary married (iehart B. Tanner, and resides \n Mahomet, as does also Bezin, the youngest of the family. Mr. Boltin united with the Christian church about thirty-eight years ago and has always been an exemplary uu^mber. His political affiliations have always been with the republican party. He is now a justice of the peace. Mr. Boltin is numbered among the good moral citizens of Mahomet, and stands high in the estimation of the citizens of his community.

Among the excellent citizens of our county hailing from that land of stalwart men, Scotland, is Andrew Barr. He was born October 1st, 1835, at Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, of good Scotch parents, Andrew and Marian (Brownlee) Barr. Mr. Barr left his native land in 18.58 and came to Iro(iuois county this state. He farmed there until November, 1861, when he came to Urbana, and has since made this his home. He was married March 29th, 1S65, at Whitehead, Wisconsin, to Miss Elizabeth McBeath, a lady of line education and thorough culture. She was born in 1841, and is .still living.

Tlicy have seven ehiklreii, iiiiiii('<l .lames, Andrew. Mnnj^o, Helle, Marian, .Jolm and Susan. James is assisting his fatlier in tlie hrii'k and tile business, and the other ciiiidrcii are attending school. After he had been here some time lie built a planing and .saw mill, and continued in that l)usiuess u.itil in May lss'2, when, seeing the demand tliere was to be for brick, lie opened an extensive brick yard, with a capacity of 1.5,000 per day and removed his saw null to a large i)uilding in the yard. After getting the brick business well under way, he erected large tile works, with three kilns, one of them having a capacity of three of ordinary size. At these works he turns out about ;i"),0()0 tile per week and of the very best (|uality. He has a reputation for making the best tile that can be made and for using only the best material. Consequently he has a ready sale for all he can make, and ships largely in carload lots to different points over the state. He is prospering linely and has a pleasant residence in this city, and owns the twenty-four acres upon which his yards are situated. He went back to .Scotland in ISH.5, to visit the scenes of his boyhood. While there he purchased five splendid Clydesdale horses, since which time he keeps one or two at his stables. Mr. Barr is a staunch republican. He is an enterin-ising, solitl and tlirifty business man and posse.sses all those manly qualities that are characteristic of the hardy race from w iiich he springs.

and Mariah (Criswell) Mosier, who were married in Floyd county, Indiana. Mrs. Mosier, the mother, died before his father came to this county; he came to this county in 1854 and settled on a farm three miles south of Homer, which he improved from a wild prairie.

Philip, attended the common log cabin school about three months per year, somewhat irregularly between the age of ten and eighteen years, after which he taught school to get money with which to buy books in order to prosecute his studies further.

At the age of twenty he commenced reading medicine with Dr. Turner, of Jacksonville, Indiana, and at the end of one ye.ar changed to Drs. McNett and McKey, of Annapolis, Parke county, Indiana, and while keeping at his medical studies attended for two terms the Western Agricultural College, near Annapolis, which was under the control or management of the Quakers. He left this college the term before Mr. Cannon, our present member of congress entered it. After leaving college he taught for six months to raise money to purchase an "outfit" in the way of books, instruments and medicines, for the practice of medicine. He received the princely salary of one dollar a day and board himself, or if he perferred to "board around,'' he had that jirivilege. The prices of books and medicines were much higher than now. Quinine was $5.00 an ounce and opium .'H^S.OO per pound. Having procured the necessary supplies, he commenced the practice of medicine at Poolsville, twelve miles west of LaFayette, Indiana. He afterwards practiced at Newtown, 111., a short time, and in April, 1851, he located at Old Homer, in this county. At that time this was regarded as the most sickly jjortion of tlie state. Fever and Ague and other malarial diseases prevailed very generally and Dr. Mosier was thus engaged night and day in his practice. In the course of a few years of such arduous labors his health threatened to give way and he thought best to abandon the practice and seek some occui)ati()n which necessitated less exposure and loss of sleep and rest.

After eight years of disiiensing medicines in which he was very successful he engaged in farming, dealing in real estate and loaning money. He has served many years as assessor of his township and several terms on the board of supervisors. He has resided on his present farm for fifteen years, one and a half miles south of Homer, and has succeeded as a farmer admirably, while he has enjoyed better health, being better to-day than he has been for 40 years. While not a robust man he still shows the posse.s-

Dr. Hosier was married April ISol to Miss D. Jane Burton, of Fountain county, Indiana, who has been tlie constant and faithful companion of the Doctor, through all the years of his labors and still surrives. She is the daughter of Clement and Ann Burton, of Virginia. He is what is termed a Free-thinker and in some respects is of the Ingersollian persuasion ; he believes in a God but not in the inspiration of the scriptures.

Politically he was a democrat until 1856 at which time he became a republican and has remained a stauucli and active member of the party ever since, Doctor Mosier is a modest man and does not force his ideas upon any one, but is an interesting conversationalist and he soon convinces his auditors that he is a vigorous and independent thinker and must have a reason for any faith which he embraces. Honorable in business, i)leasant in manner and cautious in action, lie lias the high regard of all who know him.

Samuel Boyd Was born in Ireland, county Antrim,- August 2r)th, 1802. His parents were John Boyd and Agnes (Miller) Boyd. They were both Scotch and descended from a long line of Scotch people. Mr. Boyd was married in a I'resbyterian church, six miles from Belfast, Ireland, to Sarah Miller, in October, 1833. She died in 1848, at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. In 184.S, he, with his family, consisting of wife and his three eldest children, crossed the Atlantic and came tf) Lawrencel)urg, Indiana; there he wcnked in a Hour mill and distillery until 1851. He spent a short time at Kising Sun, Ind., and in 1851 crossed the jilains with a six mule team to California; there he hunted for the golden iiugirets witli some success, although subjected to the hardships and privations of mining life, initil 18.51), when he returned and married his second wife, Miss Elizabeth Stafford, of Aurora, Indiana, in 18.57. In same year he came to Champaign county, Illinois, and settled near St. Joseph. He had brought with him, from California, about §2,000 as the result of his California mining o|ierations. This he invested in land, and for twelve years successfully followed farming. His children by his first wife are John F., now in Missouri ; William, now in Nebraska; James M., who resides in Indianapolis and is a locomotive engineer; Mary Johnson, who resides south of Urbana, and Hugh, who resides near Lost Grove. James M. entered the army and served gallantly throughout the war for the Union, and stands high among the men of his calling as well as among his acquaintances everywhere. John F., Hugh and William, also served through the war in the Union army. By his second wife he had five children, two of whom aie now living, viz: Jeiniie, who is living at home, and Rosa, who married Peter Good, and resides north of Urbana. Mr. Boyd was raised a Presbyterian and through the greater part of his life was identified with that stalwart branch of the christian church. He and his present wife, however, are members of the Baptist church. He was forty-six years old before he was entitled to vote, but he allied himself with the whig party upon his arrival in America, and voted for Zachary Taylor for president, in 1848, for Gen. Scott in 18.52, and for Fremont and the succeeding republican candidates including James G. Blaine, in 1884. He is a hardy Scotchman of 84 years, and is as active and industrious as he has always been. He resides now about two miles northeast of this city, where, doubtless, his remaining years will be spent. He has lived to see his family grow up and engage in active business, and he calmly and conlidently awaits the summons which shall call him to a better world. Meantime he will perform the duties of a good citizen, as he has always done during a long and active life.

LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT.-PROCEEDINGS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.-COUNTY OFFICERS AND TERMS OF SERVICE. - SURPLUS REVENUES.--FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.-INTERESTING INCIDENTS, ETC.

May 0th, A. I). 1««, Isaac Busey, Jacob Bartley and George Akers liaving been elected as the first county commissioners, met at the house of Phillip Stanford and organized the first county connnissioners court for Champaign county. The tirst act the court did was to appoint Thomson K. Webber as clerk. The next was to appoint Garrett Moore as con.stable, then Moses Thomas assessor and treasurer of the county. The next meeting of the court was held June 3rd, at which time T. K. Webber was recommended to the governor to be appointed recorder, which was done, his commission dating July '2d, 1833. At this meeting Garrett Moore was appointed surveyor. At the same meeting ISIoses Thomas the assessor reported the revenue of the county to be .Sn.37.

The court divided the county into two election districts, calling one the Salt Fork precinct and appointed Moses Thomas, Kobert Prather, and Capt.Wm. Nox, jr.,as judges. The other precinct was called the Big Grove, and iSIatthew Busey, Joshua Trickle and John Whittaker were appointed judges. The court then adjourned to assemble at the call of the clerk, when the connnissioners, appointed by the act of the legislature to locate the county seat, should be ready to report.

On the 21st day of June, Stephen B. Shelledy and John F. Kichardson presented to the coiu-t a written report locating the county seat at Urbana. The court allowed tlicni the sums of SIO and iif^iO, respectively, for their services. Some interesting incidents comiected with the location of the county seat will be found in the article written by Judge Cunningham.

In September, is:«, a plat of a state road was liled, running from Pekin, in Ta/ewell county to the 40 mile post near the "Big (Jrove." This was located by the legislature.

The meetings of the court had been heretofore held at the house of Phillip Stanford, but at the September meeting it was onhM-ed that hereafter they be held at the house ot Matthew Busey. John Salisbury was apjjointed sheriff soon after the organization, and Septt'mber 2nd, 1S33, he was ordered to proceed and collect the revenue, amounting to S~1.37. As it w^as necessary to liave a source of revenue, November Tth, is:w. a license was granted to Isaac H. Alexander to retail goods, wares and merchamlise until the end of the next tenn of the court - the license being SS. Afterwards the time was extended worth. Soon after this the commissioners fixed the following rates of prices to be charged the public, viz: For keeping a man and horse one night, including supper, bed and horse feed, T5 cents; single meal, 18>^ cents; horse feed, 12)^ cents; one-half pint whiskey, GI4 cents; onehalf pint French brandy, is% cents; }4 pmt wine, 1S% cents; K pi"t gin, 12^ cents; X pint rum, 18% cents; 14 irint domestic brandy, 18% cents.

The tirst fiscal statement was made by T. K. Webber and showed county oiders unpaid, .'i?8.5.2.5; fees for surveying 84 lots in the town of Urbana, .'g21; recording plat, !i?3.8r); fees of connnissioners and for stationery, SIT.T."); making a total indebtedness of §127.36; deducting the revenue, $71.37. left S5.5.99; then deducting license of Alexander, S^.o.OO, left tlie indebtedness of tiie county, December 2, 18;«, at S.50.9i).

At a ineotinpof the county commissioners, lu'ld December 1, is:;4, it was ordered tliat lieieafter tiie court meet at tlie liouse of Isaac Busey, Tiio court appointed T. K. Webber, ai?ent, in July is:;."), to sell the lots in IJrbana, at t'olhnvini? prices: Corner hits on Main street, on public square at >?.S0 each; corner lots elsewhere, 520; back lots,

January ISSO, a temporary court house was ordered to be built on lot 25, to be of hewn lotcs, good size. The buildini: was to be 24x20 feet, one and one-half story, shingle roof, hewn joists and sleepers, one door and two windows on each side. The contract was let to John Craig, but the building was never linished to tlie satisfaction of the com- , missioners and court continued to be held in private houses until l^?u, when a frame com-t house 22x30 feet, with two rooms, was built by Moses and Willinms Ilarvey. This i)uilding was replaced in 1S49 by a brick building o()x40 feet, two stories, with ottices below and court and jury rooms above. In l^'>9 this building was torn down and the present court house erected at a cost of 840,000.

The following is a list of the commissioners, the tirst three already having been mentioned. In 1S?)4, John Brownheld, William Nox, Dnniel T. Torter; ISSG, Cyrus Strong, Hiram Johnson and Wm. Xox; 183^, James Clements was elected for one year, Daniel T. Porter for two and Jefferson Hiiss for three years. After this one was elected each year as follows: James Clements, 1H31), Daniel T. Porter, 1H40, Jefferson Ilnss, 1841, Janu'S Clements 1S42, Wni. Taylor, 1S43, John W. Swearingen, 1S44, Archa Campbell, 184.-), B. F. Harris, 184«, William Nox, 184T, James Clements, l!-'4^.

The probate Judges are as follows : Moses Thomas elected in ISSJi, and served until 1887, when John B. Thomas was elected. M. W. l?usey was elected in 1839, Joiiii Brown lield, 1841, Daniel T. Porter, 1843, who .served until 1848, when Archa Campbell was elected. In 1848 the new ccmstitution ( T. II. Webber being a member of the convention which adopted it) made a change, organizing a county court with one judge and associate judges. Under this law, in 1849 John B. Thomas was elected county judge; Jes.se W. Jaciuith and Mattliew Johnson, associates. 18.5:^, Elisha Harkness was elected judge and M. D. Colleen and Wm. Stewart, associates. In 18.57, Eilward Atev was tilected judge. Lewis Jones and John 1". Tenbrook, associates. In 18.59, Fielding li. Scott was elected in place of Jones.

The revenue increased in 18:^(5, to .S2.58.8.5, December 3, 1S:)0, Jonathan Osborne and Isaac Busey were appointed a committee to locate a state road from Urbana to HloomiuL'ton, to run by the house of John Bryan. Josei)h Stayton and Elias Thomas, on sanndate, were appointed to locate a road from Urbana to Paris. At the December term, 18:^(), a license was granted Wm. Osborn to keep a ferry on the Sangamon river at a point where the state road crosses it, leading from Moses Thomas' to Bloomington - Osborn to pay $2.00 license. The following ferry rates were established at tlie same vneeting, viz: Ferrying one man, dh cents; one horse, dM cents ; one-liorse wagon, 25 cents; two-horse wagon, :^7K cattle per head, 014 cents; sheep and hogs per head, 3 cents.

At the March meeting is.i~, it was ordered tiiat the otlice of assessor and treasurer be let to the lowest bidder; and Tliomas L. Freeman having bid the sum of 5^12.50 was appointed to thatoflice and qualitied as such.

In IS^T the liabilities of the county were $2l(j:My.\ and the revenue being §258.85, the county had money in the treasury for the first time, amounting to $ii2M}>i, to which add 5i4:>L5u, notes on sale of town lots in Urbana, and cash donations, unpaid, j>45, made the cash and resources of the county .1?4T(i.50.

March 18:^7, it was ordered that the following property be taxed one-half per cent., viz: Horses, mares, nudes, asses and neat cattle over the age of three years, clocks and watches with their appendages, antl pleasure carriages.

June, 1837, ordered that Matthew W, Busey have a writ of ad quod tlamnum, for condemnnig a mill seat on north end of Ey, S W}4 Sec. 8, 10, 9. Same year Green Atwood was allowed a license to keep a tavern at Homer. Also a license was granted to Isaac A. Brown to keep a tavern at Sidney, each to pay a license of $4.00.

September, 18:^7, a writ of ad quod dannuim was granted to Charles Haptonstall to build a mill. A like writ was granted at same meeting to A. H. Jose for a mill seat on Sangamon river, on lot 15, Sec. IG, T 30 R 7. At same meeting it was ordered thata bridge be constructed over the Salt Fork at Cyrus Strong's ferry anil that Major Nox attend to advertising tor bids and to insert an advertisement in the Danville Kiuiuirei-. The building of this bridge was let October, 1837. to \Vm. I. I'eters, for the sinu of $42() and he to have one year to build it.

The first county prison, to be completed by March, 18:'.'.), was arranged for January is;>i; it was to 1m! is led s(iuare, Tlie lower story to have two windows, one foot .square each. Building was to have a brick aiul log foundation and to be built of logs, and to be two stories. It was struck ott to C(tl. M. \V. Busey at the sum of $8.50.

June 18;i8, a license was granted Groeneiidyke & Cotfeen to retail goods at Homer, ami that they pay for same, S15. At the same meeting a county road was ordered from south end of Market street, in Urbana, to Sidney. December 18;i8 A. Bruer was granted a license to keep a tavern in Url)ana and that he pay $2.00 for same.

At the December term, 18:59, it was ordered the cleik convey to the officers of the Methodist Episcopal church, a lot to be selected by them, if they shall have erected a house of worship thereon in twelve months. And we also make to the Baptist society the same offer in all respects. The Methodist people raised the money and built a church which was afterwards known as Benner's livery stable. The Baptist people, however, did not comply at that time.

Col. M, VV. Busey having donated a three acre tract to the county, permission was given to erect a school liouse on same. December 18:^9, Col. Busey, Jacob Bradshaw and Elias Staniey were appointed a committee to select a suilahle s]n)t for said house.

June term, 1840, it was "ordered that we sell to Rev. A. Bradshaw-, lot 51 (where Hubbard's hardware store now stands) for the sum of $3, the same to be deeded to the Methodist society when it shall be shown that the society has a legal riglit to receive a deed. Also tliaiwe sell to David Cox, for Baptist church with same restricttion, lot 76, east of Kerr's tavern, for $2.00."

The salary of T. R. Webber, as clerk, .was not very heavy; he was allowed ?77.98 in full for his services as clerk for year ending June 7, 1841.

At the June term, 1842, M. D. Cotfeen represented that it was too far for the people of Homer to go to the house of James Copeland, in the Salt Folk iirecinct, to vote; he therefore presented a iietition that the name of the })recinct be changed to Homer precinct and the voting he done at the school house in Homer, which was ordered done.

June, 1844, on petition of citizens, an election precinct known as the Middlefork precinct, was ordered, and that the voting place be at house of Saiiuicl Swinford, and Samuel Swinford, Saniucl Kerr and James Kellor were appointed judges. At same meeting, Janu'S Orr, sr., Henry Swearingen and Elias Thomas were appointed jinlges of Homer, Marshall Cloyd, John Crabb and .buues Myers, of Urbana. and Jonathan

Tlie tax books for the year 1844 show that tiie taxable property is increasing, the amotnn returned being S3:^,873. The levy was as follows: 'iO cents on the :«;100 for state purposes, making «rifi8.75; 20 cents for county, Sf50S.75, and 10 cents for road making S!m37.

William 1). S(miers seems to have been tlie county physician in 1S44. At the December meeting of the county court it was "ordered that l')r. William D. Somers have an order on the treasury for the sum of $2M) in fnll for medical charge for attending Jiobert H. Newlon.

C-ol. M. W. Busey, county treasurer, made his report July 184<). He reports a balance on hand of .S561.37 as foll(»ws: i^S.S'J.OO in paper money; $15.5.52 in gold and .S7:i.s.5 in silver. The county seems to have been in good condition as Col. Busey was (nderedto loan the county funds at 0 per cent, interest, reserving a sufficient sum to pay outstanding orders, and tliat he take ample security in all cases and that he collect the interest in advance, that the notes be so drawn that a<lditional security may be required if it is deemed necessaiy by tlie treasurer or commissioners.

At the July term, Isis, Col. M. W. Busey was appointed a messenger to carry the vote of tiiis county, for senator, to Danville, for the purpose of being canvassed, and Williams Harvey was appointed a like messenger tf» Decatur, to carry the vote tor representative.

May 2, 1H49, the new court house having been completed, the old one was sold to the LIrbana sdiool district for 8105 on a credit of 12 months. At the J une meeting a bridge was ordered to be constructed at Homer, provided the cost did not exceed S400. June 20 the contract was struck off to M. D. Coffeen, James S. Wright, Harmon Stevens, John B. Tliomas, Solomon Dill, Samuel A. Harvey and W. S. Coe for «fi00; S400 to be pai<l by the county and the balance by jnnvate donations, - the bridge to be completed by the following December.

October, 1849, it was ordered that Clapp & Itus.sell have leave to renew their license to retail goods on sanu' terms as before. March term 18.50, Henry M. Uu.ssell having bought out A. O. Clapp was granted license for one year by paying .'?':J5.

The county court cut and carved the bills, in the olden time, very nuich as is done in later «iays. March, is.50, lienjaniin C. Morris presented a bill of $23.25 for services, board, medical attendance and funeral expenses of Daniel Wheat, a poor person. The court, after examining into the matter, decided tliat said Morris is justly entitled to pay for the coffin and shnmd and therefore allowed liim S7.25 and rejected the balance of his claim.

At the March term, 1851, it was decided to enclose the public square witii a fence which contract was let to Wm. Park and John Cantner for $80. At the July tern), 1851, on i)etition of Samuel Dean and David Cantner, permission was granted them to establish a ferry on the Sangamon river at the crossing of the state road leading from Urbana to Bloomington. The following rates were fixed as ferry charges : For man and horse, 10 cents; footman, 5 cents; wagon and one horse, 15 cents ; wagon and two horses or oxen, 20 cents ; each additional horse or ox, 5 cents; each head of cattle, 4 cents ; each hog or sheep, 2 cents.

At the October term, 1851, J. W. Jaquith, John Gere, Calvin Higgins, president and trustees of the town of Urbana, and William D. Somers, clerk, presented to the court a poll book of an election, whereby it appears that at an election held in the town of Urbana, September 8, 1851, for the purpose of voting for or against the incorporation of said town the following votes were cast in favor of same, viz: W. D. Somers, Geo. O. J'otter, Wilson Lewis, W. S. Garman, Joseph M. Harry, Elisha Harkness, Wm. Park, John Cantner, Calvin C. Higgins, Wm. Abel, Robert Logan, Wm. Waters, Lewis Higgins, John Black, Edward Ater, Asa Gere, Wm. Gill. Samuel M. Logan, Thomas J. Newport, Silas Chadwick, John C. Hankins. David M. Ireland, .J. W. Jaquith, Samuel Waters, George W. Toy, 25 Against, Thomson K. Webber. At the election Joseph M. Harry was the judge, and John Ireland, clerk.

The foregoing is a synopsis of the business transa(!ted in the county from 18:i3 to and including February term, 18.52. While some of the business might seem insignificant, yet it was entered of record by the clerk, T. R. Webber, in detail, and there was no mistaking the meaning of the persons doing the business for the people.

We have the record of two school houses in the county in 1832. One was on the west side of the Big Grove and was taught by (Maude Thompkins. The other was in the vicinity of the old Brumley place, near Urbana, the latter being the first school house, as far as we can learn, erected in the county.

It is a substantial structure. It will be noticed that the windows are small, and instead of window glass, greased paper was used. The light thus admitted might have answered all purposes on a bright day but no one suftered from its being too bright. The seats of this school house were hewn slabs and not hewn so very smooth either. As far as we can learn, the first teacher in the Big Grove was a lady who boarded at the house of Martin Ileinhart. In 1S32, Asahel Bruer taught school in the school house above described, in fact he taught eighteen months. Tlie first Christmas he treated the scholars, according to the custom, to one gallon of wliiskey and a bushel of apples, and everything passed ott' harmoniously. When the next Christmas came around, on arriving at the school house he found the door barred, and in answer to his request for admittance a note was handed him through the craclc between the logs aslving that he treat to a bushel of apples and one gallon of wliiskey and that he give the scholars a vacation for one week. He answered that he would not, and soon mounted the house. The clapboards being iield on the roof of tiie house by weight poles, he had no difliculty in taking out enough to cover the top of the chimney. As there was a laige tin; made from green wood, in the fire place below, the room was soon filled with smoke. James Kirby, one of the older scholars, took the poker, a piece of a pole, and by throwing it up the chimney knocked the boards off. They were soon replaced by Mr. liruer and on a second attempt to knock them olf Mr. Bruer caught the pol<er and threw it on the oidside and re-covered the chiumey. The house was then soon filled with smoke, almo.st to sutTocation. The smaller children began to cry and every one seemed to wish there was an end to the matter. About tiiis time William Trickle crawled into the garrett, pulled aside the boards and jumped out and down to the ground with Mr. Bruer after him. The boys seeing Mr. Hiiici-

The boys soon caught Mr. Bruer and began rolling him in the snow, and he said, pulling his hair. He protested that they had no right to do this, when the boys submitted the matter to Stephen Boyd and Mr. Bromley who decided that they had a right to bar him out of the scliool house but not to pull his luiir or roll him in the snow. As soon as Mr. Bruer was released he made a run for the school house, closely followed by James Kirby and tlie balance, but the old gentleman was first in the school house, where he was master of the situation for a short time, when the boys surrounded him and he surrendered saying, 'T just wanted to see if vou had any Kentucky blood in you." lie then told the boys where to lind a gallon of whiskey, ami a bushel of ai)()Ies, hid a short distanc(> from the school house, which wei'e soon ]iroduced and the afternoon spent in roasting a))ples and drinking apple toddy. James Kirb\' William and Ashford Trickle, James W. lioyd, Moses Deer, Mrs. Mary Ann Moore, "of Danville, Fount Busey. Sol Nox, .lames Boland, Susan Trickle, now Mr. Kirby's wife, were present and will long remember the circumstance aliove narrated. It is esi)ecially vivid in the mind of James Kirby, oue of "the early s«'ttlers who gave us these facts. Mr. Kirby, in speaking of the early weddings saiil, that uosi)ecial invitatif)ns were issued to attend, but every one attended who felt so inclined. Wliiskey was as free as water. At oue wedding he attended (the parties now living across the grove) nine gallons of wliiskey were used and not a man was drunk. The drinks they usetl those days were mint slinu's, black strop, tansy intters and egg-nog.

The local history of these two townships, and infa?t the early history of the county during the period to which I shall refer, wliich will be anterior to the period of history of others given here today, are practically one, for around the Big Grove, and upon territory embraced in botli townships, were made the first settlements of the county.

Indian Occupation

Our earliest historic accounts accord the territory in this part of Illinois to the ownership of the Kickapoo Indians, as Indian titles were tlien regarded. In the year 1819, at Edwardsville, Illinois, at a treaty between the Kickapoo nation and the United States government, represented by Ninian Edwards, a treaty was concluded by which that people relinriuished their rights here, and then passed west of the Mississippi. The Indian occupation spoken of here today, was subsequent to this date, and by bands of the Piittawotamies who hunted, and at times abode here. Tradition, supported by the testimony of many old settlers, some of whom are here to-day, says that the site of Urbana and along the Bone Yard Branch was tlie site of an Indian village of the Pottawotamies. The presence there of good water, fuel and an abundance of game, made it a favorite cami)ing ground with them. They also frequently camped at the Clements or Clay Bank ford, further down the creek. They buried their dead at Adkins' Point, near where John Thornburn now lives.

First White Occupancy

So far as I am informed the first white men to see tliis country, were the United States surveyors who divided the country into townships and sections. These townshii^s were surveyed in the summer of 1821 by Benjamin Franklin Messenger, under the autliority of the Federal government. Tliere doubtless were hunters, trappers and traders, and perhaps squatters here before that date, but tliey left no name. The earliest scpiatters known to us, were Runnel Fieldej-, wlio is said to have been the first white inhabitant of the county, who settled in 1822, near the nortli east corner of Sec. 11, Urbana, and built a cabin there, which I have often seen. Fielder entered no land until June 21, 1828, when he entered tlie WK NW Sec. 12, a part of the Roe farm now owned by Bate Smith, on which he planted an orchard, the first in either town ji not the first in the county. Some ot theVrees may be seen yet. Then there were Jolni Light who had a cabin where Tom Brownfield now lives; Gabriel Rice, who had his cabin on Sol Nox's place ; Phillip Stanford, who lived near where William Roberts now lives and afterwards entered part of tliat farm, and David Gabbert, wlio built liis cabin just north of this park. This cabin was the first home of the family of Col. M. W. Busey, who came here in 183(3. The Colonel had been here before, for he entered the 80 where we now are, in 1830. Besides these, there were Daggett, who settled on the west side of tlie grove, and Wm. Tompkins who built his cabin on the creek, near where Ilalberstadt's mill is, afterwards, in 1828, entering the land which he sold to Isaac Busey in 1830. Tompkins had a son living in a cabin near the Harvey cemetery, who was also a squatter for he never owned any land. In his cabin, it is said, was born the first white child in the county. Soon after 182S, permanent settlers began to come in. Thomas Holland, in 1828, Matthew Busey, in 1829, Isham Cook, in 1830, and soon thereafter, and in some cases before, came James T. Roe, John Brownfield, T. R. Webber, W. T. Webber, Jacob Smith, Jacob Heater, John G. Robertson, Isaac G. Beckley, Sample Cole and James Clements. Before many of these, perhaps, was Phillip M. Stanford, Sarah Coe, the Trickles, Robert and William, Elias Kirby, Mijamin Byers, the latter of whom was a justice of the peace for this part of Vermilion. They all settled about the Big Grove in these two townshijis and soon began to enter the lands. These names I love to recall as being the names of those who laid the foundation of our present greatness.

Fiiist Land Entries

The first entry in Urbana was made by Fielder, as above stated, in 1828, and tlie firiOn Somer was made by Sarah Coe, who, in 1829, entered the W^ SE^^ Sec. 27, now in William Roberts" farm. During the three years following, entries of lands now lying in both townships, were made by Mijamin Byers, Isaac Busey, John Whitaker, William Tompkins, Philip Stanford, Charles Busey, Martin Rhiiieheart, Walter Rhodes, John Light, John Brownfield, Robert Trickle and others.

Like all new countries, blessed with a soil hohiing the elements of wealth, this country, when first settled, and until by cultivation and artificial drainage facilities were afforded for the surface water to pass rapidly away, was the liome and nursery of malarious diseases. They appeared in the form of ague, chill fever, tlux, and other bowel complaints aiul were a great hindrance to tlie rapid settlement of tlie conntry. Tliese diseases were universal and tiie latter part of every summer and every fall people looked for a visitation from these diseases as much as they looked for tin* ripeiung of their crops. It was understootl that unless the work of the season was completed before the sickly season came on, it had to go over, for during that period all would be sick, or if some were spared, their time wfinld be monopolized in the care of their sick. Many times there were not well persons enough in a family or neighborhood to care for the sick. Physicians were few oV entirely wanting. Dr. Fithian, the veteran physician of Danville, was often called to til is county, while Dr. Stevens of Homer, and Dr. Somers of Urbana, who were early on the ground, had a wide range of practice in these diseases. The effect of these annual recurrences of miasmatic diseases upon the individual was to weaken and sap the constitution of the strongest. The death roll of the first thirty yeai's of our history, if it could be called, would startle iis even at this distance of time. Strong men and women gradually weakened and finally fell before the unseen foe, while little children, ague ridden from their birth, endured a dwarfish growth for a few years, and went shaking to their graves. While this is true of many, we yet have monuments of the olden time in many whitened heads all around us, which have reached or long since passed the allotted three score years and ten, and still linger as good specimens of well preserved manhood and womanhood, eiinal in healthful appearance to any found in our more favored localities - men and women who have here spent their thirty, forty, fifty, or even near sixty years. We may now congratulate ourselves that, drainage accomplished, we can compare with any country for healthfiilness.

Eaki.Y Deaths

So far as I can ascertain the first death among the white inhabitants of the county, was Isham Cook. In 1830 he entered land in section 5, north of l^rbana. In the fall of that year he died and was buried there. The farm is known as the Dean farm. In 1S31, a woman named Pugh, a member of a family traveling through, died at llhinelieart's, and was the first death in Somer townshi)). The wife of Isaac Busey <lied in ISM, and was the first to Ijc buried in the old cemetery in Urbana. In 1833, several members of the Moss family and others died of cholera, north of the grove. The deaths were startling and spread consternation among the people. T mention also others who died within a few years after coming here, as follows: James Browntield, brother of John, and fatlier of Robert. Thomas Holland, father of Mrs. Wm. I. Moore of Danville. Isaiah Corray, father of Elisha. John Truman, the ancestor of those remaining of that name. William Boyd, the grandfather of James Boyd. Isaac Busey, and his son John, and grand sou Isaac. David Shephard, father of Parris. William T. Webber, father of T. R. and W. II. Webber. James Brownfield, grandfather of William and Thomas. Jesse Tompkins, who was a squatter on the government lands. Samuel Brumlcy. father of Mrs. T. L. Truman. Jacob Bradshaw, Stephen Gulick, Charles Busey, and the list might be much extendeiV^ut space forbids. Two of the earlier deaths were of men who were veterans of the revolutionary war. One was Robert Brownfield, above noted, who died in 1S41. The other was William Hays who died since that date. Both are buried in Somer, and in innuarked graves. It would redound to the credit of the people to erect lasting monuments to mark the last resting places of these patriots, and to keep these spots in remembrance upon each recurring decoration day.

John Light, the squatter, probably taught the first scliool within the territory of these townships, in a cabin near where Frank Apperson now lives. James Boyd, who is with us to-day, was a puiiil of Light's and believes this to have been the first. It was taught in the winter of 1832-8. Charles Fiekler and Jolm B. Thomas, afterwards a lawyer and judge of the county court, also taught school in the settlement in the north jiart of the grove. Asahel Bruer, a veteran of the war of 1812, who died live years since, also taught early in the thirties, in the grove.

The first mill for grinding corn was brought by Robert Trickle from Butler's Point, in 1826. It consisted of a hollow log or "gum" in which were inserted the upper and the nether mill stimes. These stones were worked out from rough boulders and with the appliances for making the upper stone revolve served a very good purpose. Fielder in 1828 and .John Brownfield in 18:^), built horse mills which were improvements on the hand mill. Brownfield's mill was quite pretentious and was built iiy James Holmes, a preacher of the M. E. church. The frame of the building used still stands. The stones were subse(]uently removed to a water mill built on the creek in 1842 by Mr. Brownfield, which superseded the horse mill. These stones are still preserved by

Tom Brownfield as mementoes of other days. John Haptenstall built a saw mill on the creek below town about 1S40, and Jacob Mootz in 1842 built another on a site here in the park for Col. Busey. These mills were not attended with success and were superseded by the first steam saw and ^rist mill built in the county erected in Urbana in 1850 by William Park.

The first piiysician who located here was Dr. Fulkersou, who came in 1880 and boarded with Mrs. Coe, a widow lady who had improved land in Sec. 37 Somer. He did not remain long but moved on. Dr. Lyons stopped at John Shepherd's in Urbana towuship for a time, before locating permanently at Sidney. He subsequently represented the county in the legislature. Dr. John Saddler located in Urbana in 1839, leaving not long after and was followed by Drs. Winston and W. D. Somers in 1840 and 43. The former honored his profession until his death, in 1871, the latter soon entered the law i>ractiee as the first lawyer of the county.

One Mahurin, a Baptist, was the first minister to proclaim the gospel liere. He became chaplain of a regiment in the Black Hawk war and never returned. John Dunham, of the United Brethren churcli, early became noted as a religious leader all through this part. Alexander Holbrook, who lived where Capt Howell now lives, was a Methodist exhorter and often made the wfjods ring with his wild eloquence. William Phillips, known to the settlers as "Bub Phillips," and Rev. J. Holmes, who was a transient mill wright, were local preachers of the same persuasion and materially aided the moral work. Father John G. Robertson, who in 1830 entered land in Sec. 10, Urbana, and who, as a Bai)tist layman, was ever a zealous christian worker, is said to have held the first religious meetings in the then village of Urbana. He died at Mahomet a few years ago. The first Methodist class and the germ of the present society in Urbana, was organized in 18:36, at tlie house of Walter Rhodes, the first leader. The Baptist church of Urbana was organized in 1841, at the Brumley school house, two miles east. The Roes, Brnmleys, Trumans, Cooks, Coxes and Nancy Webber were among the constituent members. The officiating clergyman was Rev. Newell.

County Skat

On P'ebruary 20th, 183.3, John Reynolds, governor of Illinois, signed the act of the legislature creating the county of Champaign from the lands attached to Vermilion. The act appointed JohnF. Richardson, of Clark county, James P. Jones, of Coles county, and Stephen B. Shelledy, of Edgar county, connnissioners to locate Urbana, which it was declared should be the county seat. These men met, as required by law, at the house of Phillip M. Stanford and found various points contesting for the honor of being the capital of the new county. Stanford wanted it at his house, north of the grove, where the principal part of the population of the settlement was then located, in which his neighbors all joined him. At that time the only post office in this part of the county, known as VanBuren, was kept on the adjoining farm of Mathias Rhineheart. Isaac Busey and William T. Webber, owners respectively of the wK nw^i and e}4 neji of section 17, in Urbana, and Col. M. W.Busi^y who owned contiguous lands,were makinti liberal offers of land for county purposes. Tlie Stanford location was on the Ft. Clark road and was surrounded by a considerable population, while the latter site was covered by hazel brush and decidedly in the backwoods. It was thought that the commissioners had decided in favor of Stanford's, when Isaac Busey prevailed upon them to go home with him to stay all night before driving the stake that was to settle the controversy. They went, and before another sun rose, tradition informs us, the stake was driven in a patch of hazel brush where the court house now stands. The driving of that stake, although an unimportant circumstance at that time, has proved an eventful one upon many things happening since. Tliere are those who indulged in dark hints at the time of undue influences, the echo of which may be heard yet, but no doubt the commissioners acted from honest motives. Had Stanford's been accepted Somer would have been the site of the county seat instead of Urbana. The circumstances soon began to work necessary changes. Population began to gather on the south side of the grove; stores, limited however to a few articles only, were opened in Urbana. Courts were held here and roads were opened leading to other parts of the county. The postoffice had its name changed from Van Buren to Urbana, and T. R. Webber, in addition to the offiice of clerk of the circuit court, and perhaps other offices, became postmaster.

The location of the county so far from the Wabash and Illinois rivers and from Lake Michigan, the only public means of transportation, from necessity made its growth in population slow. It is probable that in 1S33, wiien this county came into existence, its population did not exr-eed 800. In 1H3.5,

My Own Obsekvation

In 1853, twenty years after this became a county, I first saw these beautiful landscapes, then almost in a state of nature, and determined to make this my future home. Except in the limited increase in population, the county had made but little advancement in twenty years. From two postoffices, Van Buren aud Luddiugton, .afterwards changed to Homer, the number had increased to Ave only. None of the streams were bridged except the S.alt Fork at Homer. The roads were little better than traces across the pi-airie aud through timber belts, with bat little improvement in the lanes in the way of grading and culverts. The settlements were confined to the groves and timber belts almost exclusively. I only remember a few farms opened a mile from the timber. The road from Urbana to Mahomet - from timber to timber - had perhaps not to exceed six farms opened upon it. Few could be found who were daring enough to assert that these prairies would ever be settled. Lands could be had at from a few cents per acre for government lands under the graduation law, to ^10 per acre, for choice improved locations. There were, perhaps, five or six cheap church buildings, one of which was in Urbana, and not to exceed a dozen school houses of all kinds. No railroad or other public means of conveyance touched the county, altiiough the Illinois Central, the pioneer railroad, was located and partly graded. Transportation to the county was conducted entirely by private conveyance, and mostly from the Wabash towns, to which merclianaise was brought from the eastern cities by canal and by river steamers. The county had advanced to its third court liouse, a fair looking two story brick structure. The public business was mostly transacted by T. R. Webber, Esq., then and for many years clerk of both courts aud master in cliancery. His office held all tlie records of the county, which were well and neatly kept. Tlie population of these two towns, not then as now divided into two towns, for not until long thereafter was township organization adopted, was confined exclusively to a little belt immediately about tlie Big Grove, there being no settler in the neighborhood more than a mile from the timber. Of tliose known as old settlers who have since removed or died, I knew and can name many: James and Asa Gere, Archa Gampbell, Edward Ater, M. P. Snelling, Robert Logan, T. R. Webber, James Porter, J. W. Jaquith, Penrose Stidham, Jacob Smith, Mathew Busey, Bartlett Elrodd, J oshua Taylor, John Shepherd, D. O. Brumiey,T. L. Truman, James T. Roe, John Gilliland, John, Robert,Benjamin,Joseph,Samuel and Joseph F. Brownfield, Jacob Heater, James and Waitmau T. Somers, Lewis Adkins, Mathias and Martin Rhineheart, James C. Young, William Adams, James Dean, John Cantner, Dr. Winston Somers, A. G. Carle, J. D. Wilson, Stephen Boyd, Elisha Harkness, Wilson Lewis, Asahel Bruer, C. M. Vanderveer, William and Z. E. Gill, JohnCrabb, James Myers, James Clements, John Sliepherd, John Campbell and Benjamin Childers.

There were few houses in the settlement of a character much above the pioneer cabin or block house and few permanent barns. The people were mostly from Indiana and the southern states, with a few from New York and the eastern states. From habit and taste hospitable, the stranger who came among them was kindly received and hospitably entertained. What they wanted most was emigrants to till up their magnificent country, and so the stranger was warmly welcomed. The principal business of tlie farmers was the raising and fattening of cattle and hogs for the market. Very little grain was raised for sale, other than to cattle feeders, owing to the want of transportation. Such was this county when in 1853 my eyes were gladened by what seemed to my enthusiastic gaze the most enchanting prospect under the sun.

The next year, 18.54, the trains of the Illi. nois Central railroad awoke the echoes on our prairies and in our groves and proved, in fact, the turning point in the history of this county. Population flowed in and capit al sought investment. Lands were greedily sought out and the echoless pi'airies became the home of civilization. Tlie pioneers became restless under tiie pressure and many of those above named sought broader fields in the far west. School houses, churches and railroads multiplied, our villages became cities and populous villages sprang up all over the county. The State University came and sat down in our midst, bringing with it culture, taste and refinement in the liberal arts, and the hamlet, which I iound in 1853, with but one little wooden church and no house fit to be called a school-house, has become a great seat of learning where our sons and our daughters may, if they choose, drink deeply from wisdom's fount. The population of less than 3000 has become 50,000 and the county holds a position in the political and educational affairs of the state second to few.

Pioneers Of Champaign Covnty

Loooking to the near future to be participated in by many of us we wonderingly ask, "What next." Withdrawing our gaze from what we may yet see and participate in, and looking to the far away future of our county and city, when we and tliose with us shall have been gathered to our fathers, we also naturally ask :

We all within our graves shall sleep A hundred years to come; No living soul for us shall weep, A hundred years to come. But other men our land will till And others then our streets will fill. And other words will sing as gay. And bright the sunshine as to-day, A hundred years to come.

By F. B. Sale

This township was formerly the east half of Newcomb and was organized into a township in 1867. The first settler was Ethan Newcomb, who settled in the county in 1828 at what is known as Newcomb's Ford on the road or trail from Big Grove to Cheney's Grove and Bloomington. The following are among the old settlers : Fielding Loyd, who settled in 1834; John Phillippe, in 1837; Steven Pusey, in 1839; Lewis Adkins, son of one of the oldest settlers of Big Grove and son-in-law of John Phillippe, in 1840; C. F. Columbia, in 1844; William and Dave Hawk, John and Abe Fisher and Wm. Morain, in 1847; the Cramers in 18.52; the Gulicks in 1850; B. Ham in 18.53; Alfred, Zack, Richard, Dock, John, Harrison W.and Deskin Gulick, with a widowed mother, all came from Virginia in the year mentioned; Hale A. Johnson, the Putnams, F. B. Sale, Wm. Lennington, Newark Lax and many others, came to the township in 18.56. Sale had been in the county since October, 18,53.

The first preaching place was at Phillippe's. The Methodist elder John Brittenham ; first preachers, Levi Pitner, A. Bradshaw, J. C. Long and Mr. Arnold.

The first postoffice was established in 18,57, F. B. Sale postmaster; it was called Newcomb and retained that name until the completion of the narrow gauge railroad in 1876, when the name was changed to Fisher and the office removed to that place.

The first supervisor was A. B. Condit, in honor of whom the township was named. The township now has eight school houses, three churches, has neither railroad, village, saloon, blacksmith shop nor manufactory of any kind, does not owe a cent, and has no dead beats. It is strictly an agricultural township.

Brown

Organized from East Bend in 1869. First settler one Wm. B. King, in 18;M, who was the only one for years in what is now Brown township. The first entry of land was in 1845 in Sec. 4. Wm. Brown was an early settler on Sec. 3. The town takes its name from him. Thomas Stevens, a wealthy cattle dealer, settled in the north part in 185,5, (now in Gibson), Ithaman Maroney in the extreme northwest corner about same time. He enlisted in tlie army in 1862 and did not return to this county. Wm. H. Groves, the oldest living settler, came in 1854, and still lives on section 34. Among the earliest settlers we mention Carl Dobson, C. C. Harris, now of Champaign. Wm. Peabody, now in Oregon, David Cooter, John Strauss, Lyman Smith, Adams, Steven Brown and

The Chicago branch of the Wabash R. R. cuts tlirough the northwest corner of the town and a flourishing village called Foos is the station. The H., R. & E. also runs through the south and on it Fisher is situated.

Newcomb, formerly couiposed of range 7 and 8, in town 21, divided in 1867. Sangamon river runs through east side. First settler is said to have been one Mitchell in 18.35 at Pancake's Point. He was a Kentuckian and did not remain long. Wm. Pancake and Jesse W. Pancake came in 18.37; Joseph T. Everett, 1841 ; Major Sam'l Houston, 1849 ; J. S. Hannah and J. J. Hannah, 18.57; Wm. Lane, Goo. Kimble, P. Hinton, Augustus Blacker, Sam'l Rhodes, Sam'l and Allen Hubbard, R. Lester, Banes Broderick, 18,53; Rector and Merrill E. Hollo way, J. H. Funston and Hiram Trotter, 1856. First school teacher. Miss Martha Newell, at Jesse Pancake's old house in 1851. First birth, Joseph Pancake, son of Wm. P. and wife. First preaching at J. S. Hannah's, Methodist Episcopal, by Rev. Parker. First postoffice, Shiloh Centre, ni 1874. Shiloh church built in 1865; U. B. church, section 3, built in 1874.

East Bend

EAST BEND Derives its name from the bend in the Sangamon river, which extends further east in this township than at any other point It and Brown township once had the name of Sodom, which was the name of the first postoffice. Thompson Dickson, t. M.

First Settlers : Franklin Dobson and Lot King in ISST : Nicholas Devore in 1S41, his sons. A. J. Devore and John Devore. still live in san^; Harvey Taylor. 1S45: Gardner Sweet, 1S4S: J. L. Cosner (still there). Thompson Dickson and Harmon Hilberry. 1S52: Ben Dolph and Richard Chism. 1S.54; Xoble Byers, John Stansberry and Isaiah Ferris, 1S56: Alfred Houston, Joshua Peckham. Phillip Hummel. Charles Knapp and John Hamit. 1S58.

The H., R & E. R. R. runs through the south part. The principal station is Dewey, about 100 inhabitants, mostly German. In the town are three stores, besides dne large implement warehouse, one blacksmith shop, one church, German Lutheran, school house. mill, and an extensive business is done in grain and produce. The principal operators are E. C Sale. John Heineman and J. H. Linebarger.

St. Joseph

Geographically, St Joseph township lies in the second tier of townships from the east coimty line, and is bounded ou the north by Stanton, ou the east by Ogden and Homer, on the south by Sidney, and on the west by Urbana. The original sursey was made in 1821 by Jacob Judy, then deputy surveyor-general, and it was made a political township when the county adopted township organization.

The Aboriginal history of St Joseph township is identical with that of the whole county. However, when the Red men roamed this country in search of a suitable burying ground for their dead braves, they chose the site where the present village of St Joseph stands. This fact is still evidenced by .several mounds which are yet visible, and from some of which have been exhumed the bones of human beings.

But when the Indian jielded the territory, and it was opened to settlement for the white man, such names as tlie Stajtons. the bwearingens, the Peters" and the Bartleys. came into prominence. The first settler in the town.ship was Nicholas Yount. who came in 1S2S, and built a log cabin on the farm where J no. M. Peters now lives. Two years later. Joseph Stayton. father of David B. Stayton, moved from Kentucky, and was the first permanent settler in the township. In the spring of 1S31 Yount sold his improvement to W. il. Peters, also from Kentucky, who for many years acted as justice of the peace, and whose descendants consist of the numerous families by that name who still reside in the township. The next fall. Jno. W. Swearingen, also from Kentucky settled near Hickory Grove. In the spring of 1S32 came the Bartleys, and soon afterward Caleb Shreve and Jno. H. Strong's father. Orange Strong, settled on the banks of the Salt Fork.

The first person ever buried In St. Joseph township was the mother of Nicholas Yount. and the first child ever bom in the township was a child of Joseph Staytou"s. which died in infancy. The first school was taught in 1S33 by Jno Ford, and the school house was the kitchen of Squire Peters* residence.

The first village in the township was the Old Town of St. Joseph, situated on the State Road at the Salt Fork crossing. At the height of its glor\-, this village could boast only of three stores, a post office, a tavern, a blacksmith shop and several dwellings. The naming of St Joseph is described by the following circumstance. It is related that at one time, when Joseph Kelley kept the tavern stand, a stranger came along and stopped with Mr. Kelley, and the two became quite agreeable friends and for several days had a jovial time together. When the stranger departed. Kelley. out of consideration for the good time they had had in company, refused to charge him anything, whereupon the mysterious stranger told the landlord, that he would "do something for him"' for his kindness. Soon afterward, the stranger, whom it seems was some politician of more than ordinary influence, and in some way connected with the administration, at Washington, secured the establishment of a post office, the need of which he had i>erhaps learned during his stay at Kelley's. Kelley was appointed post master, and in his honor it was called St. Joseph, from Kelley's first name.

The present thriving village of St. Joseph dates its existence from the building of the Indiana, Bloomington and Western railway in 1^*66. The earliest settler on the site of the town was Catharine Hoss. who entered 40 acres of land in 1839. The first, busines.s house was opened in 1870. in the west part of town by Wm. O. Shreve and Van B. Swearingen. These gentlemen have since been activelv identified with the busine.ss

Shortly after. A. K. Ralph moved np a store building from the old town, and opened the tirst business house in the east part of the \lllaffe.

In the early part of 1S80. the village was incorporated under the laws of the state, and at present comprises some twenty-live business firms, two public halls, two handsome churches and a large and well conducted graded school.

On the construction of the L, B. and W. Ry.. a station called ^layview was established in St. Joseph township about 4 miles west of the \-illage. and now consists of a store, post office, blacksmith shop, grain elevator and a handsome Methodist church.

St. Joseph township has held its place among the foremost townships, and in an early day. had much to do in the civU government of the county. The law establishing this county provided for the election of three commissioners, to be the highest in authority in the county. Jacob Bartley. of St Joseph, was a member of the first board. Six of the members of the first grand jury, and three of the first petit jury were from Sl Joseph. The first poor farm in the county was in St. Joseph township, the one now owned by Abe Hoy. The first bridge in the county spanned the Salt Fork where it is crossed by the State road in St. Joseph, and the first regular preacher in the county made St. Joseph one of his appointments. The first organized drainage district in the state under the new law. was in St. Joseph, and -.'.nder the head of public improvements, SL Joseph to^^-nship donated 825.000 for the constiuction of the L. B. and W. Ry. The first supenisor was S. S. Rankin, and the subsequent representatives in the county board have been Mahlon Glascock. V. B. Swearingen. H. W. Dmlltnger. G. W. Doyle, Jno. L. Smith. David B. Staylon, Abe Thompson, W. O. Shreve and the present incumbent. V. .J. Gallion.

Stanton township at one time formed a part of St. Joseph, but was cut off in 1S69 and in 187S it was reduced to its present limits by the incorporation of part of it into Ogden township. The first settler of whom we can learn was John Trimble, who entereil SO acres of land on the east side of the Spoon river, near the Vanfleet farm. But chief among the early settles was Levi Crayne. who settled on Salt Fork when the whole township was a vast prairie. He came from Ohio and lived longer in Stanton than anv other man. Frederick O. Frankenberg was the first man to settle in the west part of the township. The Whitzell brothers came soon after and Jonathan Hunt, who made a settlement there in IS-SS was one of the first justices of the peace. The Hayworths moved on the farm they now occupy in l^^il and are well known and respected citizens. E. W. Swisher has long held the oflSce of justice of the peace in the township, and Erastns J. Clark figured largely in political circles. Atthough Stanton township contains no village, the residents find excellent marketing facilities at St. Joseph, and to the industrious farmers of Stanton is the wonderful growth of that village largely due.

The first supervisor of Stanton was L. C. Melette. who was followed by Isaac Weaver. J. D. WhitzeU. E. T Johnson. L. H. White. E. M. RusseL Isaac L. Lefever, Jesse Mellette and David Maddocfc. the present supervisor.

OGDEN. Ogden township is situated in the extreme eastern part of the county, and is soaiewhat irregular in shape, being 10-^ miles long from north to soutii. and 3-i mUes wide from east to west The first survey was made in 1821 by James Thompson, deputy surveyor, and the organization of the township was effected in ISTS. The first settlement was made iu Hickory Grove by Hiram Rankin, who soon after moved to St. Joseph. The next settlement was made in Burr Oak Grove. Ln the northern part of the township. Garrett Moore, who was among the earliest men to make improvements in Ogden township was the first constable in Champaign county. The Richards, Freemans and the FLrebaughs are all familiar names among the old settlers. The first supervisor was E N. Miles. Eleazer Freeman is at present supervisor.

The country now known as Rantool was formerly known as Mink Grove, from the grove bearing that name near the present town of Rantoul, which was a general rendezvous for the Indians. The first white settler was Archa Campbell, who built a house in the township in the fall of 1S4S. The house was fourteen feet square, one story, and built ot split lo«rs, it was roofed with rough boards twelve or fourteen feet long-

Mr. Cainpbell's nearest neighbors were Franklin Dobson, on the Sangamon river, nine miles west, and Lewis Adkins, at nortli end of Big Grove, eight miles south. Mr. Campbell farmed until 18.58, when he sold out to Guy B. Chandler. It was througii the influence of Mr. Campbell that the Illinois Central railroad located the present station where it now is.

In 1852 Lewis L. Hicks entered a section of land two miles north-east and was followed by his brother-in-law and sister, Gilbert Martin and wife in 18.53. In 18.55 John W. Dodge came here from Twinsburg, Ohio, for the purpose of pre-empting land for the Ohio colony. He remained until November and by that time had caused to be erected no less than eigliteen cheap houses, on as many quarter sections, within a radius of six miles of the grove. He caused to be bought for himself and his friends 3,295 acres of land, costing, including commissions S3.09 per acre. John Penfield, one of the prominent men of the township removed here in 18.56. In 18.55 John Roughton started a blacksmith shop near the residence of A. Darnell. J. W. Dodge permanently located here May 9, 1856, soon after his brother-in-law, James T. Herrick, arrived, followed by James Smithers, John

J. J. Boiswas appointed agent of the I., C. It. R. May 1, 1857 and holds that position at present. He was also agent for the American express company until January 21, lb66, when he was succeeded by E. J. Udell, the incumbent, who discharges the duties of that office to the entire satisfaction of everyone. Mr. Udell has also been telegraph operator since September 1, 1864.

G. W. Carter settled in 1856, Abraham Cross in same year, John A. Benedict arrived November 1, 1856, he has since died, his biography and portrait appears on another page of this book, Wm. O. Bissell came in 18.55. Tlie town plat of Rantoul was platted in the summer of 18.56, by John and Guy D. Penheld, who have done much to build up the town since. Among the new comers to the town were Muns West,

The town is well supplied with stores, which are supported by a rich country. The growth of the townsiiip has been wonderful and it is not surpassed in improvements and energy of its citizens by any township in tiie county.

The Illinois Central R. R. was completed to Pera, now Ludlow, in 18,5:3, and a turn table put in there, which was moved to Champaign in 18.54. The first agent was John Lucas. He died in Ludlow in 18T0. The first school w^as taught by Miss Mary Wood, in the R. R. freight house, in 1858.

John W. Dodge, now of Rantoul, and others, known as the Ohio settlement, settled in the years 1855, 6 and 7; about the same time Uncle Sam'l Lewis, and his son Wm. and family, G. C. and W. H. Walker, with their father, now dead. Z. Genung, John Roughton, Sam'l Livingston and James and Patrick Malloy, a number of whom are still residents of the township have witnessed the growth of the county from raw prairie laud to a tine farming country. Squire Roughton's farm being now regarded as ihe best improved in the township. There was but little improvement from '.58 to '65, after which the township settled rapidly and is now very largely under cultivation.