Douglas County, Illinois - Chapter 4: Township Historical Sketches, 1900 (part 2 of 2)

Pofiidation and coiiditi<in. - The ])opulation of the city in 1870 was placed at fifteen hundred; H. B. Evans was the enumerator. At the tenth census, 1880, the population was about the same; within that decade the city had not progressed much in the way of extending areas or erecting new buildings. While progress in this respect has not been observed, it is notable that Tuscola is one of the neatest and bestkept villages in the central part of the state. Fourteen miles of substantial sidewalk, a large part of which is eight and twelve feet wide, conduct the exploring stranger dry-shod to churches, school houses, etc., in fact, take him anywhere, except to a saloon. Careful and systematic attention has been given to sanitation, and breaches of the public peace are rare. The census of 1890 gives Tuscola eighteen hundred and ninety-seven and it has a present population of about three thousand.

Earl\< cz'cnts. - The first house which aj}- ]ieare(l in Tuscola was a part of the present dwelling of Thomas S. Sluss, at *he northwest corner of Main and Daggy streets. It was placed there by William Chandler, who hauled it from the close neighborhood of Bourbon. He occupied it awhile and sold it, building subse(|nently the dwelling now standing directly east.

The first house built was the store at the railroad, on the north side of Sale street, long since gone. Simon G. Bassett, lirother of Dr. II. J. Bassett, of Tuscola, was the first postmaster as well" as express and freight agent.

The third house built was the residence of Thomas W^iody, erected on the northwest corner of Central ax'cnue and Main street, whence it was remcned. Thomas Woody was the fa- tlier of A. M. Woody, who served as mayor of the city for tlie four years ending in April, 1883. Tliomas Woody was an active Methochst, and before the day of cliurches lie and his wife, with A. G. Wallace and wife, associated with Mrs. Dr. Bassett and Mrs. Kuhn, were the only church peojjle in the place who had any aptitude for conducting religious exercises. Class and jirayer meetings were held m Mr. Woody's house for several years after Mr. Woody's arrival. He died in Xoveniber, 1883, with full honors.

The tirst child born in the place was Miss May Wallace, daughter of A. G. Wallace. Mrs. Has. Moore, ncc May Chandler, daughter of William Chandler, moved here fr(im Bourbon at the age of si.\ years.

The first store was a grocery, built on the north side of the court house square liy B. F. Lewis, now a farmer northwest of town. The next was probably the drug store of Dr. J. W. Wright, which was located in the present oneand-a-half-story dwelling, now standing directly east of the old court house. These two proprietors were compelled to yield to the logic of events, both eventually inilling up stakes and moving down into tnwn. The Lewis store was removed bodily to State street. The stock was bought by J. M. Ephlin and A. M. Woody, and was the foundation of the large Woody & Russell grocery store. Dr. W'right built a store and dwelling combined on the southwest corner of Main street and Central avenue, where he had sole control of the drug business until 1865. He finall}- went to California, being succeeded in his business by Dr. J. A. Ficlil, who occupied the old st.ind for a while, and afterward remi>\ed to his brick at the southeast corner of Parke and Sale streets, which he built in 1882. H. C. Niles, who had been bred to the drug trade, opened a new drug store, in 1865 at the southeast corner of Avenue and .Main streets in company with E. C. Siler. The latter sold out to Niles, who joined C. .\. Davis on the north side of Sale street, in a Iniilding which was destroyed in one of the great fires, which occurred in October, 1881. The house stood the second door directly west of Gofif's marble works, which is the first establishment of the kind permanently located at this city. Mr. R. Gruelle was in the drug business for a few years; also E. L. Smith, who sold out to Benton, and he to Foster, who is yet in the business. E. L. .Smith, after leaving the drug business, began the ])ractice of law, and in 1878 he committed suicide l)y cutting his throat in his office, up stairs at the southeast corner of Parke and Sale streets. The real causes of his self "taking off" were ne\ er known, but were supposed to be business troubles and bodily disease.

William H. Russell and .A. M. Woody instituted, in 1859, the fir.st permanent grocery house in the place, succeeding J. M. Ephlin, beginning with scant means, on the nurth side of Sale street. The house was long and favorably known as "Woody & Russell," and the partnership remained undisturbed until November, 1874, a period of fifteen years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent and mutual good will. Air. Russell died in June, 1876; he was from North Carolina, whence he removed to Indiana, arriving at Tuscola in 1859. With the excei^tion of serving as school director and a term or two in the city council. Russell had ni)t been in ])ublic office. The ini|)ress of

S. G. Bassett, backed by Alonzo Lyons, began business on the north side of Sale street at the railroad in 1859, and about these days Elijah McCarty built quite a large two-story warehouse on the south side of the same street, also at the railroad. The former building is long since gone; the other remains as part of the large elevator of R. &. J. Ervin. The post office was here then, with W. T. French as postmaster. McCarty in those days was one of the largest farm operators, handling about four thousand acres of railroad land for a wealthy firm in Kentucky. He was largehearted, liberal and profuse, and controlled a great amount of money for years. The parties, however, disposed of the lands, and Mc- Carty, after becoming involved, went to St. Louis, and tlied much reduced in tinancial strength. He was once a candidate for congress in this district.

A. G. Wallace started the first regular real estate office, after leaving the circuit clerk's position. Others had been prominent in tlie line in connection with their current business. Mr. Wallace was succeeded by P. C. Slnan, also a former clerk and recorder, in which he was joined by A. A. McKee, but they are now dissolved in business.

The insurance business was not taken up as a regular occupation until 1865-66, when W. P. Cannon, who locally represented a large number of companies in connection with other business, sold out to A. P. Helton, who arrived from Bloomington, Indiana, in 1862. Mr. Helton kept a large hardware store on the south side of the avenue for a number of years, and sold to Lodge & Minturn, who kept store for a while in the stand now occupied by the Evans grocery. Mr. Helton's insurance business increased rapidly, and he became, perhaps, the leading insurance man in the central part of the state, representing a large number of companies, and well posted in all that pertains to this branch of the business. He helped to run the first brass band, like the others for amusement only, and was a cornet player of some distinction.

Incorporation. - October 11, 1S59, an election by the citizens was hekl for and against incorporation. The names of all the voters were: William Chandler, I. J. Halstead, Michael Noel, A. L. Otis. F. F. Nesbit, P. Noel, .\. J. Gorman, James 11. Harrison, James Davis, A. G. Wallace, John 'Chandler, A. Van Deren, Thomas Woody and Joseph G. Cannon. The vote for incorporation stood twelve; against, two; total fourteen. Mr. Harrison was a prominent sto\e and hardware man, first on Central avenue, in the store now occupied by Tyler in the same business; afterward in a two-story building which stood on the present site of Bye's shoe store. This building was removed to the north side of the avenue, to a place directly east of the present Opera block, and "went up" in the great fire of 1873. Mr. Harrison was a leading citizen, had much to do with the institutions of the place, and later was president of the National Bank at Farmer City. James Davis was of the firm of Davis & Finney, grain dealers, and served as mayor of the city. John Chandler lias a large farm east of town, was the first county clerk, and had an active and useful \)Ti\'*. in the formation of the new county. Maj. \'an Deren is yet a resident and a farmer. Mr.

City Charter. - The city charter is dated March !J, 1859. The first mayor was James H. Martin, with a council consisting of I. L. Jordan. E. Price, M. Pujjh and W. Taggart. .Mr. Jiird;i'i. tornierI\' a farmer in Garrett townsiii]). \\;'s sheriff of tiic county. I'rice, though a large land owner in the count}-, is now a nonresRicnt. Pugh, a wagon-maker, has lately removed, and Col. Taggart, after honorable service in the war of iS()i, and serving two terms as sheriff remains a citizen, under the firm name of Taggart & Williams, in the furniture business. In the war record in this volume will be found ;i moie jiarticular notice of those who served as soldiers. Mr. James H. Martin resigned the mayoralty in June, 1870, parth' because of ill health, and partly because of ineligibility: he lived outside the corporation, owning land just beyond the northeast corner of the town. With a view of correcting the matter, he had a small addition to the city made and recorded, which was situated in the southwest corner of section twenty-six. township 16, range eight, but no lots were sold, and it was finally dropped. Mr. Martin was from Indiana, resided in Tuscola for about six years in the practice of the law. He died November 15, 1871, and was buried ;it Camargo, with Masonic honors.

Tuscola is doubtless the first city in the state organized under the general incor|)oration act, which took effect July i, 1872. In 1870 Thomas S. Sluss presided as m:iyor: alclcrm.in present, J. C. Walker and J.inu-s Dilly; .\. 11.

Sluss, city clerk and attorney. August 15, 1870, the city attorney was ordered to dismiss the .suit of the city against Niles & Dryer, druggists, defendants jjaying attorneys' fees. This was a suit for not reporting sales of li(|uors f(pr the |)ast two mi>nths, the ordinance re(|uiring such rejjort, which was to contain the name of the purchaser, quantity sokl anil i)urpose u.sed for. The firm was not pro.secuted for selling li(|Uor. but for not reporting sales. At this meeting, J. C. Walker moved the remission of the fine, which was promjjtly .seconded by James Davis, and the resolution was carried. In 1865 the board was in session, contemplating serious restrictions upon the druggist liquor sales, and stirring speeches were made pro and con, the last of which was made by a druggist, who produced as his final argument a large bottle of old London Dock Gin. which, after placing on the table under the noses of the board, he gracefully retired, amid loud and continued applause. The proposed resolution was also laid on the table.

Hotels. - The first boarding house or hotel was kept by -A. Cj. \\'allace. This building w'as a large "story-and-a-half" house, situated just about where the bank now stands on the .Avenue. Mr. Wallace had arrixed in the county in 1841, and stojjped at a place, then witlely known as the "Wallace stand," west of Hickory Grove, in the southeast part of tin county. He removed to Camargo in 1854. and in 1856 to Tuscola, where he kept hotel as above for about two years. He was deeply interested in ;ind was one of the most active workers for the foundation of the new county. He was the lust justice of the ])eace elected in Tuscola, 1858, and in 1859 was electe<l the lirst circuit clerk and recorder. He was con- tinuously re-elected until he had served four consecutive terms of four years each. Upon retiring from the office, he conducted for several years a real estate and loan office, and was always an active and leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wallace died on the 27th of July, 1879.

The Beach House began an existence as a boarding house on the southeast corner of Ensey and Parke streets. It was then under the conduct of Henry Beach. He Iniilt the first Beach House on the site of the present hotel of the same name. Some time after his death, the first hotel was burned to the ground, about 1869. and rebuilt by Mrs. Beach in 1870. She was succeeded by her son-in-law. W. Kissel, who is just completing a very fine and commodious brick hotel.

The Hotel Douglas which was opened to the traveling public April 19, 1899, is by odds the best all around equipped hotel in Douglas county, and in by far the best location. The people of Tuscola and Douglas county owe a debt of gratitude as well as best wishes and their patronage to Mr. and Mrs. John \Miittaker for constructing this popular inn, for it is reasonably safe to say had they not built it Tuscola would be without a decent hotel totlay.

The first hotel was built on the northeast corner of Main antl Houghton streets, by the Town company. A large two-story frame, it was for a few years the only hotel and in court season a lively place. It was constructed by M. C. Elkin, who was an old resident. This hotel was burned in 1864, antl rebuilt by the insurance company. It was then called the "Tuscola House."

boards and was the "fair ground" of the firsr Douglas county fair. The old court house was used for a "floral hall." as it were, and a band and speakers' stand had been erected in the north side of the square. E. McCarty, Caleb Garrett and Ira J. Halstead, secretary, were the managers. The first dance was held in the room over northeast corner of Parke and Sale streets, where Mrs. John Madison danced the first set with Joseph G. Cannon. This old court house was, on its completion, hailed with joy by all who belie\ed in wholesale sociability. Parties, balls and dances were frequent and enjoyable. The first was the celebration of the finishing of the building by a well-attended dance. This was in 1861.

The first session of circuit court was held in the fall of 1859, in the then just finished depot building of the I. C. R. R., and the very first civil case on the docket was Button vs. Johnson,; default of defendant and judgment for $3.20. This was an appeal from Dr. J. T. Johnson, a magistrate in the village of Bourbon. Dr. Johnson was a well-known practicing physician and "Squire" in the west end, at ,the time of the formation of the new county, and along about 1865 went west. Circuit court was next held in the second story of the building now occupied by George Smith, the same place where J. M. Maris previously held forth as a grocer. This was the largest available room in the place at that time, and was used for all public meetings until the so-called court house was built in 1861. At this time A. G. Wallace, the circuit clerk, had his office in the same building on Sale street, and the county clerk occupied a room in the Tuscola House, the two-story hotel in Houghton street, heretofore mentioned.

The first school house erected in Tuscola was a one-stt)ry frame, which cost five hundred dollars, and was built in 1838. .Vniono^st the first school teachers, if nut the first, was Ira J. Haistead. This was succeeded by a \ery substantial two-story brick schoolhouse at a cost of six thousand dollars, erected on the site of the present imposing seminary, which is block Xo. _v, in Kell\'s adtliticin to Tuscola. This was a plain Irick building, erected under contract by John X. Mdler. He owned and occupicl tiie old one-story schoolhou.se after the new one was built. He was a queer old fellow, honest and reliable, but a little sour, and he always "wanted to know, you know," what we thought of a preaclier who would "call a man a liar?" and we could only answer, that it depended on \\lK'llier ijie ])reacher tnld tlic truth or not. The materials for this two-story seminary were purchased by the contractor when the present fine building was erected on the same site. The contractor antl Iniilder of the new and last building was L. Johnson; he married here a daughter of Ross, a carpenter and builder. Johnson was a man of notable integrity and honor in his contracts, and 1)uilt and finished the structure in the face of failure as to profit.

A corner stone was laid on the 26th of June, 1870, by the Masons and Odd Fellows, with the usual interesting ceremonies. The northeast corner stone contains the organization of Coles county; the partition of Douglas county, 1859; survey of original town of Tu.scola, 1857 ; accounts of the first dwelling ; 1857 ; first store. 1857: and first, second and third bricks built, 1863, etc.; first child born, 1857; burning of first hotel, and incidents; Illinois Central railroad; schoolhouses ; first church.

The school ImiMing is a substantial brick, of three stories and l)asement, a belfry containing a large town clock, which is a most excellent time keeper, and has four dials, facing respecti\ely the four cardinal points. The .school building has ample accommoilations for about i'wc hundred pupils, is in every possible respect a perfect edifice, and is. as it should be, the pride of Tuscola. The contract \)nct was originally thirty-two thousand dollars, but the amount was subsetpiently increased, so that the entire cost, when completed, became about forty thousand dollars. The building is heated by an excellent system of basement furnaces, ;nid the board em])loy an efticient janitor at a fixed salary. The original lot. Block 3, in Kelly's addition, contained about one acre of land : to this has been added, in the last few years, a strip sixty feet in width on the east side, which is Indiana street extended. The board also bought the block next north, block 4, same addition, and was presented by the city with that part of Wilson street extended which lies between said blocks 3 and 4. which also loaned them fifty feet of a street north of block 4.

The first bank was instituted by Wyeth, Cannon & Co.. and was in a frame building, which stood at the west end of the present 0])era block. This bank was afterward, in 1865, merged into the First National Bank of

Tuscola. Tlie firm also liad for a wliile hanking interests in .\rcola. In 1870, Mr. Wyeth was merchandising here among the first as a member of the firm of Wyeth, Craddock & Co.. occupying the two-story frame directly east of the drug store, now at the southeast corner of Sale and Parke streets. The building was roiiioved to the north side of the a\enue to .> point east of Opera block, and burnt in the great fire of 1873. The first cashier of the bank was \V. P. Cannon, who married a daughter of William Warmsley an old resident.

Whilst the Commercial Block and bank were burning, W. P. Cannon contracted with Coleman Bright for the second story of his brick building on the south side of the avenue, and removed to that location. The bank had a capital of $113,000. and a surplus of $25.- 000. Mr. H. T. Carraway, president; W. H. Lamb, cashier; A. W. Wallace, teller and bookkeeper at that time. The Douglas county bank was established September, 1870, \\ . H. Lamb, cashier, on Sale street; and another on the a\enue by Champaign parties ; both, however, were merged into other banks. The present banks are : The Fist National Bank. A. W. Wallace, president, and F. W. Hammett. cashier. This is one of the best, most substantiai and up-to-date banking houses in the state. Baughman, Bragg & Co. is the other banking firm.

The opera house of Tuscola, owned by the Harry Madison estate, is a very creditable affair. It has a seating capacity of about seven hundred and a very well sceneried stage, with mirrors on either side, and is very ornate.

No. 5, in Kelly's addition, at the southeast corner of Sale street and Niles a\-enue. It was built through the exertions of Mr. Thomas Woody, A. G. Wallace, O. C. Hackett and others. It was a neat gothic brick about forty feet by one hundred, with a graceful spire one hundred and ten feet high, and a belfry with a standard bell-metal bell of a weight of six hundred pounds. It alwavs commanded the largest congregations, and the)-, being of the superior class of citizens as to intelligence and standing, have always been able to command the best average talent of the conference. In 1895 the Methodists erected their present church edifice which is the finest church building in the county.

The Presbyterian church, situated on lots I and 2, block 32, in the original town, southwest corner of Wilson and Main streets. A Mr. Carnes was the builder. The leaders in the church were Mr. William H. Lamb, Judge Ammen, John J. Jones and others, with their families. This church is second only to the Methodist in point of numbers. The first pastor was George D. Miller, who came to Tuscola in August, i860, and was in charge up to 1864, when he resigned from ill health.

The Baptist church is the largest in the city with regard to seating capacity; in actual membership it is the smallest. It was erected in 1865. mainly throught the exertions and example of Elijah McCarty and Dr. I. N. Rynerson. Dr. Rynerson was a leading farmer in the northeast corner of Areola township. He was highly educated and one of the best stump speakers of his day, and was also a former practicing physician; he died in April. 1873.

a very large brick tower alimit ninety feet liigb. which liad, tlinnigli the mistake of the hnildcr. l)cen run up nearly square: il was liea\y and ungainly, anil topped <itl witli tnur corner spires or ornaments painted white. This was the most conspicuous object in the city, and was the landmark in the country for miles around. The intention had been to make a much lighter tower. Ton miu'li weight was ])Ul upun it l^r its foundation, and it began to show cracks in the masonry and settled. It was then rumored luisafe, ])eople getting the idea it would fall of its own weight. and some axnidcd the church. It was then fnrmally examined 1)\' exjiert ])uilders, and being pronounced good confidence was somewhat restored. Nevertheless, the tower was finally taken drnvn even with the roof. The congregation being (piite small, regular pastors have not always been in charge, though this church has commanded some of the best talent the church afforded. The building is situated at the mirtheast corner of Daggy and Court streets.

The Christian church is situated on the north side of Houghton street, east of Court street, lot 13, block 40, original town, is a good frame building, the second story being the auditorium, with first story reserved for Sunday school and bajjtistry. It was erected in 1868, mainly through the exertions of Mr. John Chandler, the first county clerk. The l)resent Christian church of Tuscola is a fine brick structure and is next to the Methodist church in cost.

The Roman Catholic church of the I'orty MartjTS is a frame building situated on the southeast corner f)f \'an .Allen and Center streets. It was erected in the summer of 1882, at a cost of $1,000.

The Episcopal church was erected on the northwest corner of Center and Houghton lloughton streets in 1882; was consecrated in July ol that _\car. by Right Rexerend Seymour, Bishop of Springfield, assisted liy several clergymen from the surrounding cities. The church was built through the exertions of the Rc\ . Ml". Peck, then in charge of the mission, .ind is known as St. Ste])hen"s. Regular services were held for about one year, but the removal of families most interested has so reduced numbers that the services are rare.

Siindiiy Schools. - The first Sunday school in Tuscola was instituted l)y Mrs. Archibald \'an Deren and others at the old Tuscola House, the erstwhile hotel. The first Sunday school was convened on the second Sabbath of September, in the year 1859. It was started at the instance of Mrs. \'an Deren, her coadjutors, among others, being Thomas Woody and his excellent daughters, Mesdames Tr)wnsell and Lindsay, who were the first scholars, and who have passed away. Dr. J. L. Reat, with us. Dr. Samuel Daggy and Mrs. Van Deren are the only sur\ivors. Dr. Reat is mentioned elsewhere. Dr. Daggy, a prominent Presbyterian, was an acknowledged leader in religion and indeed in all other matters bearing u]>on the general elevation of ])ublic sentiment from the beginning of Tuscola. After a twent\' years' useful residence here. he. with his family, moved to Philadel- ])hia, where he is engaged in real estate business.

ions matters, joint meetings and excliange oi pulpits lieing- the fre(|uent leading features that go far toward clipping the wings of those smart fellows, who, claiming the difference of creed as a sufficient excuse, would fly to glory unincumiiered l)y a church.

The Press. - Our first newspaper was the Tuscola Press. It was started in 1859. It was short lived, and the proprietor left between two days. M. \'aul ci inducted it a year or two, but it was not a success. Mr. Vaul was the first city clerk. The Sellers boys instituted the Douglas County Shield, from 1865 to 1867. A little fellow named Gregory established the Union, which was not a success. The newspaper business did nut seem to be solid until the present Journal and Douglas County Review were established. The Journal was first instituted by Siler & Lindsay in 1864. They were succeeded b_\' Williams in 1876, with Harry Johnson as paragraphist and general outside manager, and by (leorge Glassco in January, 1881. Afterward by "Tom" Williams and a ]\Ir. Glassco. It is now owned and conducted by A. C. Sluss, the present postmaster of Tuscola. (See sketch.)

Williams was an old Tuscola boy w Ikj mastered the printing liusiness and became a "jour," working in various places, and when in Connecticut met and marrieil a lady printer. He returned to Tuscola in 1876, and in connection with Capt. Parks, of the Review, did the typographical work of the centennial history of Douglas county, the only printed book ever issued in the county. Tom died suddenly while in the prime of his usefulness and manhood, at about thirtv vears of age, on the 29th day of July, 1881. He was a man of wit and humor; was for a time the assistant of "Martin," the assistant engineer of Danville, Tuscola & ^Veste^n railroad, and while a little "captious" in the view of the younger boys on the work, merited and received on the whole the best respect of his associates.

The Douglas County Review was instituted in 1875 by Converse & Parks, and was Democratic. It was first issued in the two-storjwooden building which now stands directly east of the J. M. Smith building, on the south side of Central avenue. The Review passed into the hands of Maj. Asa Miller in December, 1877. (See sketch of Charles W. Wilson, the present proprietor of the Review.)

The Tuscola Republican, now owned and edited by Fred L. Reat, is rapidly coming to the front as a newsy, clean and w'ell printed pajicr. It has a paid circulation of about one fhousand.

Centennial History. - The Congress of the United States, March 13. 1876, passed a resolution recommending that the people of the several states assemble in their se\'era! towns on the "centennial anni\-ersary" nf our national independence, and have read a historical sketch of said county or town from its formation, and that a copy of .said sketch be filed in l!i'? office of the Librarian of Congress, as well as in the clerk's office of said county.

April 25, 1876, this is followed by the proclamation of John L. Beveridge, the governor of the state of Illinois, to the same effect, urging a general obser\ance of the recommendation.

In May, 1876, at a special term of the board of supervisors, not, however, specially held for the purpose, the following resolution was adopted, which had been offered by the supervisor from Garrett, Mr. W'illiam Howe : ed to prepare a statistical and l>iographical liistory of Doiitjlas county, from its origin to tlie present time, and to have the same ready by the 4th of July next, provided the said work shall not cost to exceed one Iiundred dollars.

This work was prepared in manuscrijjt, read to tiie board of supervisors and approved ; an attempt tf) have it printed at the e.xpense of tiie county failed, and the author, assisted by 1). (). Rout, tiic then county clerk, had it printed in pamphlet form, to sa\c the matter. being eighty ])ages octavo, in paper covers. This history contained, in a perhaps too much condensed style, a history of the main facts pertaining to the county, with separate histories of townships, and was not much elaborated, the "fixed price" forbidding a thorough detail of the points touched u])on. It was dedicated "To the young men of Douglas county.

"In the hope that they may be reminded of the responsibility they are about to assume in taking charge of the destinies of little DouGL.\s, may they emulate the nolilest deeds of their fathers, .so that the blessings which they secured may descend upon them to posterity. In opening out the resources of the country, conxerting the rude land into cultivated fields, building cities where none existed before, and making possible the civilizing influences of churches, schools and railroads, their fathers have borne the brunt of the battle, and are now i^esigning into their hands the result of their labors, for they are passing away. "

This pamphlet was printed at the printing office of the Illinois Industrial L^niversity. at Urbana. The contract was taken by Converse & Parks, editors of the Review of Tuscola, and the "setting up" done by J. T. Williams, afterward proprietor of the Tuscola Journal.

Mr. Williams took great ])ride in the matter, and produced a specimen of i)rinting not sur- [lassed bj- any pam])hlet work extant. .\ copy of the work was duly forwarded to the Illinois state librarian, the congressional library, at Washington, the Historical Society of Chicago, and to various other points, either voluntarily, or on demand, and kindly acknowledgments were recei\ed in each case, and in some cases a return was i)romptl\- made of similar works.

I'hologniphy. - I'lioiography in its advanced artistic excellence was first instituted here by W. Boyce, who is succeeded l)y- his son David X. Having devoted his entire business time to the perfection of his work, making a study of all the latest improvements, he shows work which is not surpassed by that of the artists in the larger cities. D. X. Boyce is not only a first class artist but he is a gentleman in nature and instinct.

Illinois Light, Water, Heat and Power Company, recently established in Tuscola, is supplied w ith the very latest type of machinery and renders efficient service. The water power plant operated in connection is so complete, perfect and systematically arranged that the most energetic critic has failed to criticise.

Tuscola Society. - The moral and intellectual standard of the city is far above the average, with plenty of room for improvement. In main the citizens are a peaceable, law abiding and God fearing people. They ha\e good churches, good schools and are lovers of good books. Selfishness and bigotry in many instances are disguised here as true religion, as it is elsewhere throughout the world, and one of the most loved and commendable characteristic of the human heart, love one another, is is asleep in the beautiful little city of Tuscola.

Its retired farmer contingency of its population is wonderfully tired, unprogressi\e and in many instances is positive and painful hindrance to its future development. Where a citizen with money refuses to assist in needed impr(ivements of tlie town, to assist in caring for the worthy pocjr and needy under his nose, he is not only lacking in his religion, taught 1)}- tlie lowly Nazarene, hut he is lacking in his good citizenship. Tuscola has nothing worse to fear than to allow the management of its public administration to fall into the hands of the unprogressive, the dollar worshipers and the stingy. There are some so called worshipers of Christ and leading church memhers in Tuscola who should heed more the teachings of the Master and permit the dead, against whom they might have had a personal grievance without cause, to Rest, Rest, Rest III

The Name. - Before Douglas county had an existence, the city of Areola, from which the township derives its name, was called by the railroad company "Okaw," after the river of that name, which traverses the west part of the county. "Okaw" was a local name only, the true name of the river being Kaskaskia, from the French, and it has been claimed by knowing ones that the word "Okaw" is a corruption of Kaskaskia, which, in the vernacular, was "Kawkaw"( Indian : Crow River?) hence, by an easy transition, "Okaw." Col. John Cofer, who had represented the county of Coles in the state Legislature, was postmaster to accommodate the neighborhood at Rural Retreat (in the southeast quarter of section 10, township 1 4 north, range g east, since abolished).

from 1854 to 185S, and upon him, as being the nearest postmaser, devolved the duty of certifying the necessity of a new posloffice at Okaw, which had been petitioned for by Judge and Dr. Henrv, John Blackwell and others. In due course. Col. Cofer sent the papers to Washington, and they were returned, as is usual in such cases, with the information that there was already in the state of Illinois a postoffice with the same name as the one proposed. This made it necessary that a new name should be selected before the office could, under the law, b.e established. Mr. E. Hewitt, the first Illinois Central railroad agent at this point, after cudgeling his brains to no effect, observing a knot of citizens near, came out of his office at the depot, and in the presence of Judge James Ewing and others asked for suggestions, whereupon James Kearney said "Areola." The name took instantly, and was adopted. It appears to have been selected from its euphony rather than from any allusion or reference to a historical reminiscence, though one of Napoleon's greatest battles was fought ami gained over the Austrians in Italy at a place by that name. Both of the names terminating alike is food for rumination, but all attempts to connect the two as some relation have failed. John Blackwell was here prominent in all that pertains to good citizenship, and had much to do with the management of affairs. His residence dated from 1857. He was the first magistrate of Areola. He died in January, 1869. John Blackwell was a grandson of Col. Jacob Blackwell of the Revolution. The Colonel was the owner of Blackwell's Island and nearly all the eastern end of Long Island adjacent to New York, from Astoria to Brooklyn. This tract includes Astoria, Ravensw-ood, Long IsloS land City, Green Point and Williamsburg. He resided in the old mansion on Webster avenue, where he entertained (ien. Washington and in the grounds attached thereto repose llio Imncs of the Coliinel and his wife. Col. lil.'K'kwell was prominently identilicd w'nh the Revolutionary party, and was .i nienil)cr nf the Continental Congress. His ddnr. branded with the letter "R" ( rebel ) because of his opposition til the llritish trown. is still ke])t as a heirloom by s<Mne of his descendants.

Areola Precinct. - .\t the time of the formation of Douglas county, February, 1859, that ])ortion of its area now known as Areola township was called .\rcola precinct. It was bounded on the north by Tuscola township, but now e.xtends one mile further north. It contained a tier of six sections on the east, which are now included in Bowdre, and it also included eighteen sections of land, all of township 14 north, range 7 east, which were, on regular township organization in 1868, handed over to Bourbon.

This was an election precinct, and contained an area gf about seventy-one, which was, in 1868, cut down to fifty-three and eighttenths S(|uare luiles. being exactly, according to the government survey, 34,643.26 acres.

Townshii) organization was voted for in 1867, and the apportionment made in 1868, Dr Lucius McAllister being one of the commissioners a])])ciinted by the cminty Ixiard to make the partition. Calvin Jones was associate county judge. The township 15 north, of range 8 east, the congressional township laying between .\rcola and Tuscola, was surveyed in 1821. 'J'he Sdiuh line was established by John Messinger. deputy surveyor, and finished April 5 of that year. The subdividing of the t'nvnship into sections was finished by A. McK. I laiutranck, a deputy, June 9. 182:. The surveying was done nine vears before the lirsl settler struck the cmintN'. In tliis conuecti'in it m;iy be s.ud that no Douglas convitv surveyor has ever discovered in the interior I'f ills township .'i single original g()\ernme\it corner out of the se\enty-eight which the government surNcyor ceitilics he made, and perpetuated with mounds and stakes. Local surveying was done here first in 1850.

Land Entries. - The first of land within the iircsent bounds of this township was made December 24, 1832, by James Sh.iw. He entered several tracts at about the same time in Bourbon township, and subsequently other lands. His descendants are yet citizens of Bourbon, and one of his sons. W. X. Shaw, represented Bourbon as a supervisor for about six years consecutively, and died in 1882, while in office. Land was also entered in 1853 by the Geres and Maiden Jones and O. B. Ficklin.

Many large fanns on the prairie were started by men who, coming from a hilly or timbered location, seeing the beautiful rolling ))rairies for the first tiiue. ready for the pi iw without stump or stone to hinder, co\-eted the whole expanse, as far as the eye could reach, and nearly every one purchased too nuich for his capital. Smaller farms mean more ])eople, more real workers and more real owners. Time and again railroad lands were taken up by the whole section, a house and soiue fencing built, but. after a few years' experience, the load proved too hea\y. and the land was permitted to go back, or perhaps a small |)ortion was paid for, and retained.

l)y the Chicago brancli of the Ilhnois Central railroad, running about north and south, leaving two-thirds of the area to the east side of the road.

Areola township is also traversed from east to west by the Illinois Midland railway, now the Vandalia. This road was originally an enterprise of prominent citizens of the city and vicinity, and was first called the Paris & Decatur; upon the extension of the road to Terre Haute, the name of that city was prefixed, and finally it received its present name. The first train passed over this road October 25, 1872.

Areola and other township bonds were issued by a vote of the people, amounting in the aggregate to $165,000, the amount voted by this township being $100,000. These bonds were disposed of by the company, and finally found their wa\' into the hands of innocent parties as an investment. The legality of the procedure was made a question, both as to calling the election and voting the bonds, all of which were finally decided adversely; consequently the bonds have not l)een jiaiil by the township, though the railroad reaped the benefit of them.

The road enters the township at the northwest corner of section 6, township 14 north. range 8 east, runs in a southeasterly direction to the city of Areola, thence east along the mid line of the north tier of sections, and leaves ihe township at about the northeast corner of section 5, township 14 north, range 9 east, occupying a length of about eight miles. The proposed donation of the township bonds to the railroad was in consequence of a petition which suggested that they should draw ten ])er cent interest, payable semi-annually, the bonds not to be delivered until one mile of track had been graded and ironed in the township, and to be delivered in no greater amount per mile than six thousand dollars, through the county as far as it was practicable, to influence the other townships through which the road should pass, to similar action, the petitioners suggested that a meeting be held for the purpose on June 24, 1869. At this time D. Hitchcock was the supervisor and Thomas Todd, clerk. The petition was signed by C. E. Bosworth, I. G. Bowman, J. W. Douglas, J. B. A\'ard, H. D. Jenkins, J. R. Smitli, John Ray, James Matters, B. H. Burton, P. M. Monahan, J. W. Louthan, James Beggs and L. C. Rust. The election was held accordingly, and resulted for subscription 324 votes, against it one vote. On .August 16, 1870, John Ray was authorized to procure the blank bonds; they were made to bear ten per cent interest from May i, 1871, payable at the Security Bank in New York. Joiin J. Henry was appointed to act as trustee to recei\e, hold and pay out the bonds, and the signing of them was ratified by the town auditors on the 3d of .April, 1871.

This road was projected and put through by three or four residents of Areola City, who, prior to the beginning of the enterprise, were pursuing the even tenor of their way as (luiet and g(jod citizens, not remarkable aliove their fellows for any more financial ability than the average. They Iniilt the road and controlled the franchises until it was consolidated.

City Of Arcola

Areola City occupies all of section 4, west half of southwest quarter of section 3, and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 9, all in township No.

14. north of range 8. east of the third principal meridian. '"Okaw." tlie original town, was laid ofT by the Illinois Central Railroad Com- ])an\\ wpt'U its own lands in section .\o. 4, and occupied a tract of land lying on the west side of the southeast quarter of the section, about one-half mile long by about one-quarter mile wide, on either side of the railn)ad track; it was surveyed Iw John Meadows, Coles county surveyor, October 22, 1855, so that Areola antedates the county by about four years. The plat and survey were indorsed by J. N. A. Griswold. president of the company, and they reserved a strip of land one hundred feet wide on either side of the centre line of the track. North and south, across the whole of said plat, they also reserved the right to lay side tracks on both Chestnut and Oak streets, outside tht two hundred f(jot limit, and for warehouses, and it was specially stated, that "no right of crossing that part marked as reserve for Illinois Central railroad, at any ]xjint between Second South and Second North streets is granted to the public."

'i'he tirsl town was laid off ])arallel witli anil at right angles to the r.ailroad track, and consists of twenty blocks, the lots next to the railroail ha\ing a front of forty feet, the back lots being eighty; they all have a uniform tleptb of one hundred and sixty feet; the east and west streets are of ;i width of sc\enty feet ; those running parallel with the railroad alternate with widths of seveiUy and forty feet.

McCdint's first addilimt. - In .\pril, 1858, John McCann made the lirst addition, consisting of varied sizes of lots and blocks. It was surveyed by Ste])hen B. Moore, of Coles county. Mr. Moore al.so surveyed by Dr. F. B. Henry, August 2, 1858. It consists of ten blocks of fifty feet front, lieing one hundred and sixty feet deep. Dr. 1 Icnry caused the streets t() be contimied as lirst ])lanncd by the railroad.

Chandler & Bales' additions. - In Julv, 1X64, Messrs. John Chandler and Caleb liales laid out their addition on the south, and followed in June, 1865. with the second addition, all surveyed l)y K. C. Siler. These two additions occupy the ncjrth half of the northeast quarter of section 9, township 14 north, range 8 east, eighty acres.

Sheldon & Jaeque's addition, being the west half of the southwest quarter of section 3. township 14, range 8, was siu'veyed by Is.sachar Davis, August 6, 1868.

Council proceedings. - The first city council or board of trustees was convened in May, 1858; Mahlon Earnhardt was the ])resiilent. The city clerk was 1. S. Taylor. W. T. Sylvester and John J. Henry were of the board. City records ])rior to 1872 do not seem to be available. June 3, 187 J, a meeting was held. Mayor D. Tibbott, presiding, and the comicil consisted of James Matters, P. D. Ray, Byron Willis and J. M. Righter. George Klink was clerk.

October. 1872, ;i minute a])])ears which recites that "no huckster be allowed to sell produce t'or less that one dollar or more than i\\e dollars." (ieorge Klink, Democrat, was elected mayor in .\pril, 1S73, and re-elected .April 17. 1S77. In 1873 the first council consisted of James Jones, J. II. Magner, James E. Morris and H. M. McCrory. W. J. Calhoun was city clerk.

Incorporation. - A petition for incorporation was circulated in June, 1873, signed by one lumdred and twenty citizens. The election was held June 16, same year, and resulted for incorporation under the general law, two hundred and forty-four votes; contra, eleven; total, two hundred and sixty-five, and August 6, 1873, the city was incorporated under the general law for incorporating cities and villages, which was in force July i, 1872. W. H. Spencer, at or about this time, was made citv attorney, the salary being fixed at three hundred and seventy-five dollars per annum. Mr. Spencer was a member of the Douglas county bar, and later removed to Terre Haute. The city clerk's wage was one hundred and fifty dollars a year. Mr. Spencer was authorized to proceed to Springfield to endeavor to procure an amendment to the general incorporation law with reference to minority representation.

The press. - The Areola Record, the first newspaper to a])pear in the city, was inaugurated under the auspices of the Sellars Brothers of Tuscola in 1866 - the enterprise having been instituted by the subscription of liberalminded citizens, without regard to political affinities; it was an in<lependent paper until the plant was bought l)y John M. Gruelle, which occurred soon after it was fairly started. For about seventeen years Mr. Gruelle conducted it as an ad\ocate of Republican principles, during which time, by close attention to the business interests of the office, and a due regard for those of his adopted county and city, he merited and received a fair share of success. .He died in .Areola on the 2y\ of October, 1883, in the prime of life, after nearly a year's illness. The paper is continued under the management of Collins & Son.

Early business enterprises. - The first house ])ut up in the city was the Illinois Central station and depot, in the upper part of which E. Hewitt, the first railroad agent, had his residence and the post office; a very short distance northwest Barney Cunningham erected the first dwelling. Mr. Cunningham was the father of Frank Cunningham, who became sheriff of the county in 1872, removing to Tuscola, where he died. The freight house was burned in the great fire of 1881.

John Weber, a little, keen, wiry German, kept store here in 1857. first situated in a little shanty south of the southwest corner of First South street and Chestnut street, and afterward at the corner at Ewald's present location. This corner was twice burned, as a hotel first, and again in the great fire of 1881.

The first dry goods store was instituted by F. B. & J. J. Henry, and was afterward under the name of the latter. The building was located on the south side of First South street, east of the railroad, and was destroyed in the tornado of 1858. Mr. J. J. Henry was associate justice of the cuuntv in 1865. He died March 11, 1865, and was the father of Joseph P. Henry.

The drug business was started l)y W. T. Sylvester and Joseph P. Henry, the latter succeeding to the Inisiness at the southeast corner of First South and Oak streets, where he had maintained a profitable trade since 1858. His close attention to the requirements of the case and his popularity resulted eventualh- in amijle means. Mr. Henry died July 19, 1883, in the [>rime of his life and usefulness.

lished in 1867. By the way. tlie first officially rtcorcled survey made in Douglas county was for liis father. Mr. \\ . 1'. i'.Mvd, It was May ^1, 1859 - west half nf scctinn 5. townsiiip 14, range 8. half-mile west of city limits. W'ih son B. Boyd came to Douglas in 1859, and resided here until the time of his death, March 10, 1867.

The first banking house was instituted in March. 1868, by Messrs. Beggs & Clark, which bank, December <), 1875, became merged into the First Xatiun.-d Bank of Areola: ad inlcriin W'veth. Cannon \- Co.. of Tuscola, bought the business, and in August, 1870, Mr. Wickes, their Tuscola bookkeeper, removed to Areola, taking charge of their interests until they were relin(|uislK'd. 'i'lic bank had a capital of fifty thousantl dollars. James Beggs. president; G. L. Wickes. cashier.

.\t the first bank of W'yeth, Cannon & Co.. at Tuscola, a Pennsyl\ani;i Dutchman bought a draft for sixty-nine dollars from Cannon, and taking it home pasted it in with his receipts, and sat down at the sto\c with llic happy consciousness of having done his whole duty. In the course of time he was further pressed by his creditor for a .settlement, and jjitcbed into the bank for keeping his money.

St. John's Roman Catholic chm-ch w;is built on lot 8. block 7. Henry's addition, in 1874. the deed for the lot being dated January 13, 1871. and tirst made to the Archbishop of St. Louis, by him to Bishop Alton, and then to St. John's Roman Catholic churcli. The members of this church, though not generally oi the wealthier classes, show a devotion to their lessons and modes well worthy of imitation.

The Methodist church ;iC(|uired lot 4. block 16. in original town, April 13, 18O4. The church was built in 1865. This denomination in Areola was a little late in building. The Methodists generally build ;ihout the time the proposed city is laid out. riiey ;ue now' constructing a fine brick edifice at a cost of se\eral thousand dollars.

The Episcopalians. .\t a cost of aliont one thousand dollars an Episcopal church was erected on lots i, 2, 3 and 4. on the northeast corner of lilock 3, in the origin.al town. Rev. Wells was the first pastor. Among tho.se who are supporters of the church, through natural aftinity and education, .are the descendants of John Blackwell and the f.amilies of J. R. .Smith, L. C. Rust, J. C. Justice, X'ellum and others. The society has ttnly been able to secure occasional services.

Tlir f^(i.\ini(isfrrs. - Iv Hewitt, the r.ailroad agent, w;is the first ])ostmaster ( 1858), .and the office was in the first freight house, where he lived with his family. He afterward remcned to Tuscola, and was agent there for many years. Once upon ;i time a jjetition w:is circulated in

Galtoii ami Filsoii stations. - Galton is a point on the Illinois Central Railroad, three and a half miles north of the railroad crossing in Areola, and is situated in the southeast corner of section 16, township 15 north, range 8 east. It had been known as the Bourbon switch, or Tie switch, and was originally located as a point for the reception of cross ties during the construction of the road. It was made a flag station in 1882. Mr. J. P. Woolford is the only merchant and grain buyer here (see sketch).

Filson is a station and postoffice situated in the northwest part of section 5, township 14, range 9 east, on the line of the Illinois Midland Railway. It has a side track, and is a receiving point for considerable agricultural productions.

Newman township is nearly all prairie. The country rises toward the north and forms a narrow rise of land generally known as the "Ridge." Being all prairie, this township was one of the latest settled, the first comers seeming to prefer the timbered portions as a protection from the bleak winds and also as a means of procuring fuel, building material and fencing. Newman township occupies the northeast portion of Douglas county. In 1882 Murdock township was created out of Newman and Camargo townships.

Forty years ago Newman township was one vast unbroken level and it was not supposed at that time that it could ever be settled. Excepting after a rain, a drink of water could not be had between the Embarrass and the Little Vermillion rivers, for upon these boundless prairies no habitation was seen. Yet a few brave and far seeing pioneers ventured to establish homes here, realizing there was a fortune in the black and loamy soil when they could once get it into proper condition. Some of the land was very low and wet, but they persevered and cut open ditches first, until in course of time a steam dredge was employed which was capable of excavating a ditch ten feet deep and from any width to forty. This afforded an excellent outlet to the lateral tile ditches which the farmers soon had constructed through the low and wet places on their lands, anil these farms are among those least affected by drouth. The result of such draining has l)een to increase the value of land to such an extent that rents within the past five years have increased from three dollars up to as high as seven dollars per acre. What is now the I., D. & W. R. R. was completed through the township in 1872, the first train and engine passing through here July 9, 1873. To this road the township gave twelve thousand dollars. Before this was completed the people, especially in the northern ])art of the township, hauled their grain to Homer, in Champaign county, taking one entire day for the trip. There being no public highways across the prairies, no bridges were constructed and there were numerous sloughs to be avoided, causing an extra amount of travel. With a light load the sloughs could .safely be crossed. With the settling up of the country, farms were fenced off, roads laid out, sloughs and streams bridged anil the facilities for travel greatly improved. The development of the United States and es- pecially tlie great West, can be traced directly to the railroad system. The equipments njidn the road goinjj through this township are probably unsurpassed in the west, and wiicn tlie intended connections are made, it will be one of tlie largest i)as.senger, freight and mail routes in the west.

Newman tdwiiship contains some fine farms, amung which was that of C. M. fnlbertson, lying northwest of Newman, of over two thousand acres, which is the largest contiguous l)oily of land in the eastern end of the county. The view from the rolling ])rairie known as the "Kidge" in the north part of the tt)wnship is more extensive than can be obtained in any tnher i)art of the county. This is certainly the garden spot of Illinois. Those who tirst came here half a century ago, hoped to see the desert "blossom like the rose," and the reality has far surpassed their wildest dreams. Struggling settlements have developed mto splendid cities and towns, and no one now considers he is in the far west, but right in the heart and center of this great nation. The west of the present day is away towards the setting sun, beyond the Rockies.

One of the earliest settlers in the township was Enoch Howell, who was ont of the associate justices of the county at an early day. The Winklers and Hopkins' were also early settlers. Robt. HojAins was one of the first judges of Coles county in 1859, at the time of the separation of Douglas and Coles counties. He and his brothers, "Uncle Jimmy" and "Col." Hopkins, located here about 1841. Win. Hancock came in 1839, and in 1847 was made justice of the peace at Camargo. before the county was divitled, an office which he held for over thirty years. He was the first county treasurer and assessor in 1859. In 1867 he was a member of the state board for the ecpialization of assessments, and in 1868 was elected for four years. In 1872 (iovernor Palmer apjjointed him notary public. He was delegate to the st;ite convention that nominated (iov. Oglesby, and was also one of the charter members of the Masonic lodge of this city. Isaac aiul |ohn .Skinner came here in ii>^Y). isa;ic Skinner has now three hundred and eighty acres of land, ha\ing had nothing when he attained his majority. With one exception he is the oldest lixing resident in the township. Wm. Shute came here in 1852 and engaged in farming, antl was also an extensive contractor and builder. He built the Fairfield Cumberland Presbyterian church, the Pleasant Ridge Methodist Episco]3al and the Cumberland Presbyterian church and school building at Fairmonnt in Vermilion county. He has built in all nine school buildings and many business blocks, among them the large block in this city in which the Newman Bank and other prosperous business firms are located. He was born in 1817, and has been a member of the Methodist church for forty-two years. "Uncle" ,\ndrew .Ashmore settled on the ])rairie south of town in 1826, but moved in 1890 into Newman. His cousin. Major Sam Ashmore, settled on Brushy Fork in 1830, and was one of the leading spirits in getting the slaves of Bob Matterson started oft' for Liberia. Matterson, in 1840, brought fifteen slaves into the township from Kentucky. The abolitionists in the vicinity determined the "niggers" should be freed, as they had come into a "free" state. Two or three, however, returned to Kentucky with their master, though one old man named Wilmot remained here and was still in 1884 a resident of

Douglas county. Quite a notable trial grew out of the ease, in which Abe Lincoln and O. B. Ficklin were opposing counsel. In 1847 ^^ 1848 Jerry Coffey came to Brushy Fork with his parents. D. O. Root came in 1854 from Ohio, and has been prominently identitied with the interests of township and county ever since. VVm. Young, of the Ridge, was the earliest settler in that section, coming there in 1853, where he built the first house on these prairies. He died in 1869, leaving three hundred and twenty acres of land to his family. He gave six hundred dollars toward l)uilding the Fairfield Cumberland Presbyterian church, and lived long enough to see it erected, antl his funeral was the first preached in it. His wife's two brothers, James and John Coolley, came with hiiu and also took up land. When a young man in Indiana James split many a lot of rails at fifty cents per hundred. With a cousin of his he one winter split twenty-five thousand rails. His first vote for president was cast for Gen. Winfield Scott. From 1868 to 1872 he was justice of the peace and has been a life long elder of the Fairfield church. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land. John Coolley also started with nothing but has accumulated a fine propert)-. Rev. Jonathan Coolley, father of James and John, came here late in 1854 and organized the Fairfield Cumberland Presbyterian church in 1855, continuing its pastor until 1 87 J, when his mantel fell upon his son. Rev. C. P. Coolley, now the financial agent of Lincoln University. Josiah Daines came from Pennsylvania in 1854. He built a number of houses in the neighborhood. His aged wife, who is a sister of Jas. Gillogly, still survives him. I. N. Covert, James Gillogly, Joseph' Dawson, Moses Stickles and a inimber of others were among the early settlers in the township. David Todd came to the Ridge in an early day. He was supervisor of the township in 1870, finally moving to Newman, where he engaged in the hardware business. His youngest son is now station agent on the I., D. & W. at Tuscola. B. W. Hooe was supervisor of the township from 1868 to 1873. He died in 1875. His wife, who was the sister of Isaac Skinner, died in 1892. She had been a resident of Douglas county since 1839. Isaac Wyckoff came about 1858. He kept hotel in Camargo, finally moving to the Ritlge near his son-in-law, Jas. Coolley. He was postmaster for many years of Phoeni.x post office, which was in 1891 discontinued. Dr. Wm. A. Smith came to Newman in i860, where he was a successful physician for o\'er a quarter of a century. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, and one of the charter members of the Newman Masonic lodge and its first worshipful master. Jas. Mclntyre came from Canada in 1864. He was born in 1805, and died in 1892. Jonathan McCown came to Edgar county in 1852, Init his sons are residents of this township, where J. A. owns a fine farm, and was several years highway commissioner. Wm. Heaton, who was born in 1815, came to the Ridge some years before the Civil war. Thos. Hull was born in New York state in 1829, coming to Newman about 1866. James Morrow is another old settler, whose large farm lies just east of town, though he resides in this city. He also belongs to the G. A. R. and is a Mason.

The majority of the early settlers have passed to the great beyond, while a small majority still survive, whose strong hands bore the heat and burden of the day, and who now, in the evening of their life, are resting and en- joying the fruits of their early toil and labors. Many interesting facts relating to the personal historv of various ])roniincnt men will he found in tlie hiographii'aj ik-partnicnt.

The Citv Ok Nkwman

The Newman of to-dav is not the Newman of twenty or thirty years ago. A person returning here even after an ahsence of ten years would find hut few familiar scenes left. Such a wave of imjjrovement has swept over the town, its boundaries l)ecome so extended and the magical wand of enter])rise so tcjucbed our slothful industries and laggard capital that the progress made through these agencies has so changed the tipographical appearance of the place that old settlers returning on a visit after an absencepf some years can scarcely find their hearings. The old home has been replaced by a new Newman which has far outstripped the old one.

The city of Newman, consisting originally of about forty acres, was laid out about 1857 by B. Newman, one of the original proprietors, in honor of whom it was named. Mr. Newman was a Son-in-law of I'eter Cartu right, the celebrated Methodist itinerant preacher. The progress of the place from the beginning was very slow, the people waiting fifteen years for the railrcjad to he constructed through it. For very many \'ears it was hut a small village ciinsisting of one church, two stores, a school house, Masonic hall, blacksmith shop and a dozen or so small dwelling houses. "Uncle" Jiihn Stockton, who is the oldest inhabitant of the city and also the township, kept the first grocery store and was the first white man who slept within the limits of the village. The first dry goods store was ke])t by John Dicken. First dwelling house was built by llezekiah Howard, just east of where the Commercial Hotel now st;nids. no vestige of which remains. I lis w idow , irandnia" Howard, at the time of her death was the oldest person in the town, living long enough to see the fifth generation of her f.nnily in the jjcrson of the little daughter of tiic late Judge Moftit. In iSjj what is now known as the T., D. & W. ivailmad, after nearly sixteen years of pre]jaration, was coir,- pleted, which runs through the city connecting Indiana]!! ilis, one hun<lred miles east, with Decatur, fifty nfiles west, and the first train run thr(!Ugh here in Octol)er. 1873. Newman immediately showed the effects of the impetus thus given to business circles. Briik blocks went uj) like homemade magic. L. J. ami S. C. Cash, who for many years had been the sole dry goods firm here, built a fine two-story brick store. Two grain elevators have been erected, a fine flowing well - the e(|ual of an\' in this i)art of the state - an elegant two-story brick school buikling with tower, in which hangs the bell, and a new frame building for the jjrimary department, evidences the fact that the population is r:ipidl\- increasing. Two other churches have since been erected, a hank established, lumber yards, canning and electric light com- ])any, till mills, marble works, hay ])ress, broom factory, llonr mills and various other industries li.i\e been locate<l here. A fine Odd I-'ellows temple has lately been built and last year an elegant K. of 1'. hall. The Masonic hall at the time it was built, 1875, was the finest in this I)art of the st.ate. Other orders have also comfortable lodge rooms. Newman has rea.son to be proud of its public well, as an ever-flowing artesian well for the accommodation oi the pub-

The first school house, an ordinary building erected in 1858 at a cost of about five hundred dollars, stood in the center of the park. The upper story was used as a Masonic hall until, in 1875, when they moved to their new hall in the brick block over Finney & Goldman's store. The old school building was then removed and the park set out in shade trees, the pagoda erected and seats constructed beneath the trees for the accommodation of the pul)lic.

In 1874 C. V. Walls established the Newman Independent. It has changed hands occasionally, but has come to be, in the hands the present editor, the best local newspaper and the first all-home print established in the county, and Newman owes much of her prosperity to its untiring zeal in promoting the interests and welfare of the city.

The growth of the town was for a time seriously retarded by destructi\e fires. In 1876 Gillogly's Hotel, occupied by G. A. Fuller, was burned, and in 1S81 a large portion of Yates street was consumed, including Gwinn's Hotel and several stores. Another in 1885 destroyed the entire east side of North Broadway, including Gwinn's Hotel again, which he rebuilt, the post office, book store, Ed. Cole's music and jewelry store, groceries, restaurants, lawyer's offices, etc. The population has steadily increased until it ni)w numbers eighteen hundred. A new canning factory has been built. A new Methodist church is now being built. The town has grown so that building lots are at a premium. Geo. White, some few years ago, laid out an addition to the southern part of the city. Thomas Shaw's addition in the north part of the city, and Smith's addition in the southeast part are building up very rapidly. Wealthy farmers are renting their farms and moving into the city. A few years ago I. Streibich established an electric light plant here, patronized only by a few of the merchants, as the terms were exorbitant, and it was finally abandoned. There is to be a plant, however, established in connection with the caiming factory that will light the stores, dwellings and streets at more reasonable prices. Newman cemetery lies just west of town, consisting first of ten acres, to which has been added. A good side walk extends from the city to the cemetery.

Some of the leading men of the county and town were former residents of Newman. Newman has given three county clerks and three county superintendents of schools to the county, and has sent forth several ministers who are making their mark in the world. A number of young men, born and raised here, who have graduated from our schools, and later on from medical colleges, are now successful physicians in other fields. The railroad officials say more business is done in Newman with the I., D. & W. than in any other town on the road. This is a great grain center and also a temperance town, there having been no saloons here since 1875. In 1878 a license was granted to druggists to sell liquor for medical purposes. This possibly may have been abused, but there are no legalized licensed establishments for the retailing of spirituous drinks in the city. The first hotel was kept by Mrs. Susan Bell, a house comprising a portion of what is now the Maple Hotel, which is a good house in every respect. The City Hotel was built by Thos. Gwinn, after his being burned (nit in iwn fires. Situated close to the depot it is convenient to traveling men. who i)atronize it largely. K. Thomas has the largest tile factory in tlie county, its shipments re(|uiring a sjiecial railroad switch. The first postmaster of Newman was I-'rank Wells, who also iiad a grocery store in an early day. (i. W. Smith was his successor. The other "Nasby's" have been Hugh Cook. J. W. King, A. J. Hoover and T. M. Sidenstricker, the present incumbent.

The vast majority of the citizens of Newman own their homes and there is quite a deni.ind here for houses to rent. A number are erecting houses to be rented.

hnprovcmcnts. - The city of Newman has through the thrift and enterprise of such citizens as Culbertson, Roots and other good people, been placed far in advance of other towns of its size in the .state. Mr. Culbertson has taken dee]) interest in Newman city and Newman t(iwnshi|). The interest he took in the hnilihng iitn\x'r si.\ miles of concrete side walk in .\e\vnian and the business blocks he has erected attest his ])ul)lic s|)iritedness and the love he has for Newman and Newman people. Society. - I shall be easy on Newman people, for, as a rule, 1 fouml them warm hearted, hospitable, gentlemanly and womanly people. The)' seem to well understand that the world was not made entirely for their own special benefit, but for others as well. They are far supericjr in public improvement and in beautifying their city and homes to any other community in Douglas county. The village is full of first-class business and professional men, whose standing in church and society is, as the world goes, unimpeachable.