Ford County, Illinois - The whole text, 1908 (part 2 of 9)

The general duties of the county treasurers throughout the various states is very similar. The county treasurer is the principal custodian of the funds belonging to the county. It is his duty to receive and safely keep the revenues and other public moneys of the county, and all funds authorized to be paid to him, and disburse the same pursuant to law. He is required to keep proper books of account, in which he must keep a regular, just and true account of all moneys, revenues and funds received by him, stating particularly the time, when, of whom and on what fund or account each particular sum was received; and also of all moneys, revenues and funds paid out by him according to law, stating particularly the time, when, to whom and on what fund payment is made from. The books of the county treasurer must always be subject to inspection of the county board, which, at stated intervals, examines his books and makes settlements with him. In some of the states the provisions of the law relating to county treasurer are very strict ; some of them provide for a county board of auditors, who are expected, several times a year, to examine the funds, accounts and vouchers of the treasury without previous notice to the treasurer, and in some it is provided that this board, or the county board, shall designate a bank (or banks) in which the treasurer is required to keep the county funds deposited - the banks being required to pay interest on daily or monthly balances and give bond to indemnify the county against loss. ' As a general rule the county treasurer is only authorized to pay out county funds on warrants or orders issued by the chairman of the county l^oard and attested by the clerk, or in certain cases on warrants or orders of the county auditing office. A complete record of these warrants or orders is kept, and the treasurer's accounts must balance therewith. In most of the states the law is very ex])licit in directing how the books and accoiuits of the county treasurer shall be kept.

In a few of the states the office of county recorder or register of deeds is merged with some other county office in counties where the population falls below a certain amount. A notable example of this is found in both the states of Illinois and IMissouri (and there are others) where it is merged with the office of circuit clerk in many counties. The title of the joint office is "circuit clerk and recorder," and the duties of both offices are looked after by one official.

The duties of the county recorder or register of deeds are very similar in the various states, although in some of the eastern and soutliern states tlie office is called by other names. The usual name, however, is county recorder or register of deeds. In Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, IMissouri, Ohio and many other states, it is called "county recorder." In Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and many more it is called "register of deeds." In all of the states this office is the repository wherein are kept all records relating to deeds, mortgages, transfers and contracts affecting lands within the county. It is the duty of the recorder or register, as soon as practical after the filing of any instrument in writing in his office entitled to be recorded, to record the same at length, in the order of the time of its reception, in liooks provided by the county for that purpose; and it is his duty to endorse on all instruments a certificate of the time when the same was filed. All of the states have some of the following provisions concerning the duties of the recorder, but these provisions are not common to all of the states, viz : The register or recorder is not allowed to record an instrument of any kind unless it is duly executed according to law ; he is not obliged to record any instrument unless his fees are paid in advance; as a rule, it is luilawful for him to record any map, plat or subdivision of land situated within any incorporated city, town or village until it is approved by the proper officers of the same. In many states he is forbidden to enter a deed on the records until it has been endorsed "taxes paid" by the proper official; he is required to exhibit, free of charge, all records, and allow copies to l)e made; he is authorized to adniiiiislei- oaths and take acknowledgments.

with which tlie office is connected. In some of the states, as has already been stated, th(^ office of clerk of court is merged with some other county office. This is the case in Illinois and IMissonri, where in many counties it is connected with the office of county recorder. In IMichiyan, one official under the name of "clerlv" handles the business which usually is given to the clerk of court and county clerk or auditor. In Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois and other states the name used is "circuit clerlv"; in Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and many others the office is called "clerk of district court"; while in many of the states, including Indiana, Ohio, Iowa and others, it is simply called "clerk" or "clerk of the court or courts."

The chief duty of this official is to act as clerk of the district or circuit court, and sometimes other courts of inferior jurisdiction. It is the clerk's duty to keep the seals and attend the sessions of their respective courts, preserve all the files and papers thereof, make, keep and preserve complete records of all the proceedings and determinations thereof, and carry out such other duties as nuiy be required by the rules and orders of their respective courts. They must enter of record all judgments, decrees and orders of the court as soon as possible after they are renderd; keep all indictments on file as a public record, have authority to administer oaths, take acknowledgements ; take and certify depositions, and are required to exhibit all records free of charge. In nearly all the states tlie law defines the character of the record books which the clerk of court nuist keep. Although there is no settled rule in this matter, the general provisions are that he shall i<eei) : First, a general docket or register of actions, in which is entered the title of each action in the order in which they are conunenced, and a description of each paper filed in the cause and all proceedings therein; second, a plaintiff's index and defendant's index; third, a judgment book and execution docket in which he enters the judgment in each action, time of issuing execution, satisfaction, etc., and such other books as the courts or tlie laws may prescribe.

Sheriff

In all of the states the office of sheriff is one of the most important of the countj^ offices. The term of office varies in different states, being usually either two or four years, and in several of the states one party cannot hold the office a second term consecutively. The general provisions (mtlining the duties pertaining to this office are very nuich alike in the various states, and the following resume of his duties may be said to apply to all of the various states except ill a few minor and unimportant details. The sheriff is charged with the duty of keeping and preserving peace in his county ; or, as has been written, "He is the conservator of peace," and it is his duty to keep the same, suppress riots, affrays, tighting, ])reaches of tlie peace and prevent crime, and may arrest offenders "on view" and cause them to be brought before the proper magistrate ; and to do this, or to execute any writ, warrant, process, order or decree, he may call to his aid when necessary any person or the "power of the county." It is the duty of the sheriff to serve and execute within his county, and return, all writs, warrants, process, orders and decrees of every description that may be legally directed and delivered to him. He is a court officer, and it is his tbit,v to attend, either in person or by deputy, all courts of record held in this county ; by virtue of his office he has custody of the jail. It is his duty to pursue and apprehend felons and persons charged with crime and has custody of prisoners. He is not allowed to purchase any property exposed for sale by him as sheriff.

County Superintendent Or Commissioner Of Schools

This is an office Avhich exists under one name or another in nearly every state in the Union. The title of the office in a great majority of the states is "county superintendent," but in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, New York, and possibly one or two other states, the office is termed "school commissioner," and in several of the states the laws provide for a board of county examiners or school commissioners, who are given considerable of the work th.it in most of the other states is handled by the county superintendent.

The name of this office implies the duties which devolve upon it. and ihey are very much alike in all of the states. The incumbent of this office is charged with a general supervision over the schools of the county, and must ])(' a fitting person as to education and moral character. As a rule it is his duty to examine the license teachers, but in a few of the states provision is made for a board of examiners. County superintendents are required to visit iiiid inspect the schools at regular intervals, and give such advice and instruction to teachers as may he deemed necessary and proper. They are required lo orgiinize and conduct institut-ions for the instruction of teachers if deemed necessary, and encourage teachers' associations. They introduce to the notice of teachers and the people the best modes of instruction, llie most approved ])laiis of l)uilding and ventilating school houses, etc., stimulate school officers to the prompt and proper discharge of their duties. They receive reports from the various school officers, and transmit an abstract of these reports to the state superintendent, adding a report of the condition of the schools under their charge. In nearl}^ all the states the^^ are forbidden having any interest in the sale of any school furniture, apparatus or books used in the schools. In many states they have authority to annul a teacher's certificate for proper cause, and in general to take such steps and enforce such methods as will elevate and make more efficient the schools under their control.

County, Prosecuting Or States Attorney

There is a great difference between the various states in the method of handling or attending to the legal business relating to county matters or growing from county affairs. In many of the states the official who attends to this line of work is known as the "count}^ attorney," in other states he is called the states attorney or prosecuting or district attorney. In a few of the states they divide the state into districts embracing a number of counties, and a district attorney is elected in each district, who in some cases attends to all the legal work of the various counties, and in others he assists the county attorneys in their most important duties and prosecutions. But whatever plan may be followed in the various states, and whatever title may be given to this office, the general duties of the office are very nuich the same throughout all the states. It is the duty of the county attorney to commence and prosecute all actions, suits, indictments, and prosecutions, civil and criminal, in any court of record in his county in which the "people of the state or county" may be concerned; to prosecute all forfeited bonds and recognizances, and all actions for the recovery of debts, revenues, moneys, fines, etc., accruing to his county ; to commence and prosecute all actions and proceedings brought by any county officer in his official capacity; to defend all actions and proceedings brought against his county, or against any county officer in his official capacity ; to give legal opinions and advice to the county board or other county officers in relation to their official duties; to attend, if possible, all preliminary examinations of criminals. When requested he is recpired to attend sessions of the grand jury, examine witnesses in their presence, give legal advice and see that proper subpoenas and processes are issued; draw up indictments and prosecute the same. The county attorney is required, when requested by the attorney general, to appear for the state in cases in his county in which the state is interested. The county attorney makes an annual report to his superior state officer of all the criminal cases prosecuted by him:

The method of handling' probate matters is not uniform throno-hout the vari(ms states. In many states the hiy-her eonrts are oiven jurisdiction over proliate matters, and in others they have created districts in wliich are hek] probate courts, whose jurisdiction extends over several counties and tak(\s in othtn- matters besides purely probate affairs. In a majority of the states, however, particularly the western and northern states, they elect a county or a probate judge, who holds court and handles the probate matters which arise within his county. The jurisdiction of these county or probate courts is not alwaj's confined exclusively to probate matters, and they generally include such matters as apprenticeship affairs, adoptions, minors, etc. In some of the states they have both a county judge and a probate judge, and in these cases the jurisdiction of the latter is confined to such matters as are in line with probate matters. In Missouri they have a prol)ate judge, and also a count}' court, comi)osed of county judges, in whom the corporate powers of the county are vested - as the official county board. In IMichigan they have a probate judge and a probate register. The probate judge is generally given original jurisdiction in all matters <ff probate, settlement of estates of deceased persons, appointment of guardians and conservators and settlement of their accounts. They take proof of wills, direct the administration of estates, grant and revoke letters testamentary and of administration, appoint and remove guardians, etc.

County Surveyor

This is an office which is common to nearly all of the states. It is the duty of the county surveyor to execute any survey wdiich may be ordered by any court, or upon application of any individual or corporation, and preserve a record of the surveys made by him. Nearly all of the states provide that certain records shall be kept l)y the county surveyor and provide penalties for his failure to place on record the surveys made ])y him. While he is the official surveyor, yet the surveys made by him are not conclusive, but may be reviewed by any competent tribunal, and llu! correctness thereof may be disputed.

County Coroner

This is another county office which exists in nearly all of the states. In the average county there is not much work for the coroner, hut in the counties in which large cities are located the office is a very important one. In general terms it may be stated that the coroner is re([uired to hold in(iuests of persons supi)osed to have met with violent or unnatural deaths. In most states he has power to empanel a jury to enquire into the cause of death; but in some of them this is not the case, and he is given power to act alone. He can subpoena witnesses; administer oaths; in certain cases provide for a decent burial, and can bind over to the proper court any person implicated in the killing of the deceased.

The county offices that have already been mentioned are the principal ones found in all of the states. There are, however, a few other county officials besides those mentioned which exist in many of the states, and which should be briefly mentioned in this connection. These are such offices as county physician, county assessor, county collector, county poor commissioner or superintendent of the county poorhouse, master in chancery or court commissioner, county examiners, board of equalization, board of review, etc. The names of these offices imply the duties. These offices do not exist in all of the states, but in nearly every state the law provides for one or more of these county officials.

County Board

The powers of every county as a body politic and corporate are vested in a county board. This official county board is generally termed the county "board of supervisors" or "board of commissioners," but there are some exceptions to this, like Missouri, where the county board is known as the "county court." There is considerable difference in the makeup of the county board in the various states. In some it is made up of one member from each township in the county. In others the counties are divided into districts, and one member of the county board is chosen from each district. No general description of this could be given that would be accurate, as some of the states follow both of these plans. For instance, in Illinois some of the counties are governed by a board of supervisors, which is made up of one member from eaoli township, while other counties in tlie same state are governed by a board of county commissioners, consisting of three or more members, each representing districts into which the counties in question are divided.

The general powers of the county board throughout all the states, is about the same, except in minor details. It represents the legislative and corporate powers of the county. One of their number is a'lways chosen as chairman or president, and acts as the presiding officer. The county board has general charge over the affairs of the county. It is their duty to provide county offices, provide desks, stationery, books, fuel, etc, ; examine, investigate and adjust claims against the county and have general care and custody of all the real and personal estate owned by the county. At regular intervals they settle with the county treasurer; examine accounts and vouchers. They locate county roads ; determine the amount of county tax, and regularly publish a statement of their proceedings; make statements of receipts, expenditures, etc.; and make all contracts, and do all other acts in relation to the property and concerns of the county necessary to exercise its corporate powers that are not especially delegated to any other county officials.

The method of township government throughout the different states varies so nnich that it is impossible to treat of it more than in a general way. In many of the states the townships are not organized as bodies corporate, and in other states in some counties they may have township organization, while in other counties in the same state it does not exist. In cases where there is no township organization the law provides that certain county officers shall attend to the local work, or that work which in other localities is assumed by the township officials. But even where they have township organization the plan of township government in the different states where it exists differs so widely that scarcely any two states may be said to be alike. About the only statements concerning the organized townships that coidd be made which would apply to nil fhe states are the following: Every organized township in its corporate capacity has power to sue and be sued ; to acquire by purchase, gift or devise, and hold property, both real and personal, for the use of its inhabitants, and again to sell and convey. the same; and to make all such contracts as may be necessary in the exercise of its powers as a township.

In a great many of the states the townsliip ofovernment is carried on after a plan very similar to the county and state governments, having various executive officers and a township board in which the corporate and legislative powers'of the township are vested. In other states they follow a plan whicli reserves to the people all corporate and legislative powers, and therefore have no need for a township ))oard. hut have various township officers to carry out the wishes and orders of the voters. Where this plan prevails they hold what it generally termed "town meetings," at which every legal voter of the township has a voice. At these meetings reports are had from the various township officials, and the necessary measures are adopted and directions given for carrjdng on the township business.

Still other states combine good features from both of the plans above mentioned, and besides the other usual toA^T^iship officials they maintain a township board, which is given certain restricted powers, such as those of a review or an auditing board, but they are not vested with the complete corporate and legislative powers of the township, this being reserved in a large measure to the voters, and a'll questions calling for the exercise of such authority are acted upon at the town meetings. In many of the states the township board just described is made up of three or more of the other township officers, who are ex officio members of the township board, and they meet at certain times, jxn-- forni the work required of them, and report to the town meetings.

- The principal officials in township organizations in nearly all the states are the following: "Supervisors, or trustees," "clerk," "treasurer," "assessor." "collector," "justices of the peace," "constables," "overseers," "supervisors or commissioners of highways," and "pound-masters," although as has been stated, many of the states do not have all of these officials.

The following is a list of the several townships composing the county of Ford, with the date of their organization, as a part of Ford county.

When the county was organized in June, 1859, it was divided into three townships: Patton, Stockton and Drummer Grove, and out of these three have been created the following:

The city of Paxton is hiid out in sections 7, 8. 17 and 18. in range 10 east, in the township of Patton. INIost of it lies in sections 7 and 8. Nearly all of the blocks, lots and streets are laid out parallel with the Illinois Central Railroad, or on an angle of about fifteen degrees. The original town consisting of thirty-five blocks, lying on both sides of the railroad, was laid off in the spring of 1857, by A. D. Southworth, deputy county surveyor of Vermilion county. The land was owned by AY. H. Pells, R. R. ]Murdo<'k, Leander Britt, Benjamin Stites and D. Donally. The next addition to tlie town was the railroad addition, laid out north of the original town, in the spring of 1858, for Joseph E. Austin. A. H. Reynolds, Hiram C. Todd, L. Britt. R. R. IMurdock and W. II. Pells. This addition consisted of fourteen whole blocks and twenty-one fractional blocks.

In 1867, W. II. Pells laid out Pells' addition west of the Illinois Central Railroad, consisting of twelve fractional blocks, ad.joining the original town on the west, and the same year James ]\Iix laid out forty-three blocks lying n(U'th and west of the railroad addition.

The next addition to Paxton was Pells' addition east of the Illinois Central Railroad, laid out in 1870, for William II. Pells, by II. J. Howe, connty surveyor. This addition joins the original town on the east, and contains nineteen blocks. A small addition was laid off by Surveyor Howe, in the fall of 1870 for J. E. Hall and George Schlosser, consisting of one block, of fourteen lots, known as Hall's addition.

In 1875, R. R. Murdock laid off twenty-nine lots, in the northeast ])art of the town known as Murdock's additioii. In IMarch, 1877, S. J. Ton' and A. C. Thompson, owners of lots 5 and 6 in Goodrich's subdivision caused a resurvey to be made, paying them off into four blocks of thirty-five lots, known as Toy & Thompson's addition.

The Name

Pnxton has not always been the name of this town. When orio-inally hiid ont, it was called Prospect City, and before tliat time it was known as Prairie City, wliich was also the name of the township before being changed to Patton. It continued to be called Prospect City until September, 1859, when a petition was presented to the county court, asking it to change the name of Prospect City to Paxton. The petition was granted, "and the place heretofore known as Prospect Citv shall hereafter be known l)v the name of Paxton."

It is authoritatively reported that Sir Richard Paxton, of England, was organizing a colony in that country to settle in Illinois, and it was thought that by naming this town Paxton, in honor of him, it might have some influence in inducing him to settle here.

The change of name did not have the desired effect, but as the authorities saw no good reason for changing the name in consequence of this failure the name is still Paxton, and down in history.

Early Comers To The City Prior To 1859 Paxton In The Past

The first house in Paxton was the house owned by William Goodrich, which was originally built on the west side of the railroad, about one hundred yards

In the s])riny of 185-1, this house was moved up to Ottawa street and oecuju'ed by Mr. Goodrich as a dwelling'. He afterward kept a store in the same building. This house was burned a])out 1877. Previous to this, however, a building had been erected by B. F. and J. N. Stites. on the present site of the Glen cemetery, this, properly speaking, was not in the limits of Prospect City as afterward laid out. In the fall of 1854, John ]\Iurphy built the later Stites' residence, and about the same time Stites Brothers put up a store building right opposite. Prospect City could not really be said to have any boom luitil 1857, the buildings erected previous to this date being those already mentioned, and I. W. Shilling's boarding-house adjacent to the Stites' residence on the east, afterward removed; the residence of Thomas Daniels within the same inclosure as the boarding-house, was used by Stites Brothers for a wagon-house. Directly opposite the Daniels' house stood the small octagon building which stood just across the road from the old cemetery. This building was occupied as a meeting place for the Spiritual Circle, their moving spirit being a certain Dr. Spencer. In 1856, the Stites Brothers sold out their store to Dryden Donally, who erected a residence between the store building and the one already mentioned as occupied by the Spiritualists. About this time Stacey Daniels built a house on the site that was occupied by Captain Shepardson's handsome residence.

In 1857 a small hotel was built on the southwest corner of block 13, original town, east of the railroad, and called the City Hotel. This building was afterward moved up near the depot, on the northeast corner of block 4, enlarged and christened the Bennett House. This hotel was destroyed by fire. Closely following those already mentioned came the store of Henry Barnhouse, Patton's block, and Abe IMartin's store building on the east side of the railroad; and on the west side was Cloyes Brothers' store, on lot 1, block 12, now Lundberg's drug store; R. Clark's house on block 4, and the nucleus of the old Occidental Hotel. Our space will not warrant us to enter into a more general detail. Suffice to say, that stores, residences and offices rapidly multiplied from that time forward.

First term of cii-< nit court was held at the City Hotel, afterward at Ilanley's Hall, in a building adjoining the Palton bloek on the west.

At an early date the postoffice was kept by Henry Barnhouse, at his store, nearly o])i)osite the residence of B. Q. Cherry, just west of Paxton on the

Ottawa road, and our best information is that upon his removal to Paxton, Mr. Barnhonse brought the postoffice with him. The name of the postoffiee was Ten ]\Iile Grove, and when he opened the office here it was changed to Prospect City. It is thought by some that before the latter name was adopted it was called Prairie City. The office was next kept in the store of Cloyes Brothers.

The first marriage license issued in Ford county was by Nathan Simons, the clerk, to Charles W. Searing and Miss Sarah Bowles. They were married July 3, 1859, by Rev. A. C. Edwards.

J. D. Wilson started a harness shop in 1865, in a building that was just north of the Occidental Hotel. A Mr. Seeley opened the first shop here.

In 1858, forty-two houses were standing in Prospect City, and during a heavy wind storm, twenty-two of them w^ere blown off their foundation and had to be repaired.

Municipal Affairs

The census of Ford county for 1860 reveals the fact that Paxton at that time had only two hundred and seventy-five inhabitants. As yet the little vil- lage had no corporate existence. l)ut in tlie spring of 1861. as the records show, "tlie citizens of Paxton convened, pnrsuant to notice, in Patton's Hall, for the pnrpose of electing five trustees for said town." At this election, which was held April 15, 1861, John P. Day, James G. Cloyes, L. II. Tabor, L. B. Farrar and Henry Barnhouse were elected trustees of the village.

At the first meeting of this board, John P. Day was elected president ; R. S. Buckland, clerk ; and Frederick Cloyes, treasurer. At a meeting held May 1, Samuel L. Blain was appointed street supervisor; Howard Case, assessor; John B. Buell, collector.

]\Iay 8 was enacted the first ordinance ever adopted by the board, and it was in relation to "Nuisances." This was followed at the same meeting by one on " ]\Iisdemeanors. "

November 21 a resolution was passed authorizing the tax collector "to take all money that is at par." This was before the days of greenbacks and national bank bills, and the various kinds of paper money then in circulation were not all worth their face.

April 24, 1863, the first license for a lirjuor saloon was granted, under regulations and restrictions already prescribed by ordinance, the license fee being fixed at one hundred dollars per year, payable in advance.

October 9, 1865, the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars was voted to Francis Price, a civil engineer of Vermilion county, "to aid him in j)ublishing a map of the town of Paxton," he to furnish the board twenty-five sheet maps arid two mounted maps.

August 4, 1866, the first prohibitory licpior ordinance was passed. At this time there were saloons in the town operating under license previously obtained, and the board ordered that these be permitted to run until the expirati(ui of the time for which their licenses were granted. From the time when this action was taken until the succeeding election, the saloon (|uestion attracted much attention and discussion, and became so prominent as an issue that the voters at the next election were given an opportunity to decide by ballot for or against granting saloon licenses.

At the first city election held September 5, 1872, -John Bodley was elected mayor; James S. Wilson, clerk; Ij. B. Farrar, attorney; W. Hoag, treasurer; and William Harper, George Wright, Samnel L. Day, N. Dahlgren, G. J. Sliepardson and B. F. INIason, aldermen.

At a meeting held December 16 was laid the foundation for the expenditure of several thousand dollars, that unfortunately proved a worthless investment. Mayor Bodley informed the council that he was in receipt of a letter from a party in Chicago proposing to bore an artesian well in the city of Paxton if the people so desired. This announcement brought out an enthusiastic discussion, that was indulged in by spectators as well as aldermen. The minutes of this meeting record the fact that "Mr. Dunlap, of Champaign, was present, and made some interesting remarks." His remarks were adverse to the project, advising the board that it was a hazardous venture, basing his opinion on the fact that Paxton was located on ground so high that flowing artesian water could not be obtained, and cited numerous instances of failure in neighboring counties where the ground was much lower. At the meeting January 6. 1873, a petition was read praying the council to appropriate eight thousand five hundred dollars "for the purpose of boring or sinking an artesian well." This petition was signed by two hundred and ten legal voters, which was a large majority of the voting population, there being at that time less than three hundred voters in the city. The prayer of this petition was granted, and an ordinance passed providing for the issue of bonds for that amount and for that purpose.

January 20, 1873, the artesian well cpiestion came up again, the finance committee reporting several proposals for sinking such a well, the highest bid being eight thousand dollars in cash, and the lowest seven thousand dollars in cash, or seven thousand four hundred dollars in bonds, at ninety-five cents on the dollar, all being for boring to the depth of sixteen hundred feet. The liid of seven thousand four hundred dollars on bonds at ninety-five cents was accepted, and a contract ordered to be drawn up ready for signatures at the next meeting.

February 4 was passed an ordinance providing for the issue of bonds known as funded debt bonds, to the amount of fifteen hundred dollars. These bonds were in sums of five hundred dollars each, bearing interest at ten per cent from March 1, 1874, and the remainder (five hundred dollars) falling due ]\Iarch 1, 1875. These bonds were sold by the finance committee at a discount of five per cent, and the proceeds applied to the redemption of the greater portion of the outstanding city orders. Of the bonds thus issued the first two (one thousand dollars) were paid June 1, 1874, ninety days after maturity, and the remaining bond for five hundred dollars was paid April 12, 1875, forty-two days after maturity.

October 20 a petition, signed by two hundred legal voters, was submitted, praying the council to appropriate an additional sum of seven thousand dollars in bonds for the purpose of continuing the work on the artesian well beyond the depth of sixteen hundred feet. This was granted by a unanimous vote, and an ordinance was passed embodying the action prayed for in the petition, and on the 19tli of November the contract was let to Spangler, ]\Iars & Company, and ratified January 5, the contractors to accept city bonds at ninetyfive cents on the dollar.

June 21 two thousand five hundred dollars of bonds were issued to continue the work on the well. When the previous appropriation of seven thousand dollars was made, it was estimated that this amount would carry the well to a depth of two thousand five hundred feet, but now it was found to have been insufficient.

July 6, the board adopted a resolution suspending the work on the well "until such time as the boring may be resvimed, " and a settlement was then made with the contractors. The well was down to the depth of two thousand four hundred and seventy-three and a half feet. In just two days after the passage of this resolution, a petition signed by one hundred and sixty-one legal voters was submitted to the council, praying that work on the well be resumed on conditions therein named, one of which was that a part of the expense be paid by private subscriptions. This proposition was laid over until an adjourned meeting held the next night, when it was voted to sink the well two hundred feet deeper, for which the remaining one thousand dollars of bonds not yet expended was pledged (being a part of the previous two thousand five hundred dollars appropriated) provided the citizens should raise whatever balance was necessary to satisfy the contractors. This was done, and the additional two hundred feet completed, making a total depth of two thousand six hundred and seventy-three and a half feet, and still no flowing water obtained. The project was then abandoned and has never been resumed.

At the annual election held April 17, 1883, George J. Shepardson war, elected mayor; George A. Hall, clerk; J. R. Patrick, attorney; Chai-les II. Langford, treasurer; John M. Hall, police magistrate; John White, alderman for the first ward; A. S. Hopkins for the second, and George Gove for the third. At a meeting of the council, April 24, an ordinance was passed consolidating the offices of city marshal and street superintendent, and on the 3()tli of this month George N. ^Miller was appointed under this ordinance to fulfill the duties of both offices. At the same meeting-, an ordinaiK e was passed providing for the appointment of a city pliysic-ian to advise and consult with the board of health, and on ]\Iay 8 Dr. Elmer L. Kelso was appointed to that office. The work on the artesian well was begun ^larch, 1873. The fii-st sixteen hundred feet was completed in November, 1874, and the final depth of two thousand six hundred and seventy-three and a half feet was reached in August, 1875, nearly two years and a half from the time of commencement. The work, however, was not actively progressing during all this time, as there were several intervals of rest resulting from various causes. In payment of this work, city bonds to the amount of eighteen thousand dollars were issued, in sinus of five hundred dollars each, all bearing ten per cent interest. On these bonds the city had already paid fourteen thousand sixty-six dollars and fourteen cents of interest, and there remained to be paid in yearly installments, up to 1896 inclusive, interest to the amount of nine thousand one hundred and sixty dollars, making the sum of twenty-three thousand two hundred and twenly-six dollars and fourteen cents of interest from 1873 to 1896. To this amount add eighteen thousand dollars of principal, and nine hundred and forty-five dollars and twenty-two cents of sundry incidental expenses, and the result is a grand total of forty-two thousand one hundred and seventy-one dollars and thirtysix cents, representing what the experiment would have cost when the last item of the debt was paid thirteen years afterward. At the date of the final abandonment of the well, there were outstanding bonds to the full amount of the appropriations, eighteen thousand dollars, of which eight thousand five hundred dollars were known as IMareh bonds, and the remaining nine thousand five hundred dollars as July bonds, indicating the months in which the principal and interest fell due. The principal of the March bonds began to mature March 1. 1879, and a portion of them each year thereafter up to 1883. In July, 1878, as already stated, the council provided for refunding the ]\Iarch bonds into July bonds, at a lower rate of interest and to run longer. The whole amount, however, was not refunded at that time, l)ut oidy the amount falling due IMarch 1, 1879, which was fifteen hundred dollars. This fifteen hundred dollars due March 1, 1880, and the fifteen hundred dollars due March 1, 1881, were not refunded. ])nt were paid by general taxation. The remaining March bonds, four thousand dollars were afterward refunded as they became due. The first three bonds, fifteen hundred dollars were exchanged for bonds drawing 8 per cent interest, and the remaining four thousand dollars for 6 per cent bonds. The first of the refunding bonds began to fall due July 1, 1893, which was one year beyond the date when the last of the original July bonds would fall due. All the March bonds having been refunded, all the obligations then outstanding were July bonds, the first of wliich matured July 1, 1884, at which time one thousand dollars of them would be due and payable, and a tax was levied to meet it. After that date, bonds to the amount of one thousand dollars matured each year until 1892, when fifteen hundred dollars became due, being the last of the ten per cent bonds. In July, 1893, the eight per cent bonds again matured in similar amounts, and lastly the six per cent bonds, a portion payable each year, until the last one matured, July 1, 1896. Of the March bonds a portion (three thousand dollars) had been paid as already noted, which left fifteen thousand dollars now outstanding, of which amount the original July bonds (nine thousand five hundred) bore ten per cent interest, while of the refunding bonds (fifteen hundred dollars) were at eight per cent and four thousand dollars at six per cent, and hence the interest paid in 188-4 was one thousand three hundred and ten dollars, but the annual interest thereafter, for several years, decreased one hundred dollars each succeeding year; if the bonds were paid, one thousand dollars yearly, as they became due, from 1884 to 1896.

Paxton Waterworks

The city of Paxton has a splendid waterworks system, built and put into operation in 1887, bonds being issued at that time to the amount of approximately eight thousand dollars. ]\Iains have been extended all over the city and the patronage is very satisfactory. The fire protection afforded is a guarantee to the citizens of reasonable safety, and lessens insurance rates to a marked degree.

Three deep wells, furnishing an abundant supply of pure soft water, have been drilled, and three electric motors are used, as the occasion demands, to fill a reservoir that has a capacity of one hundred and ninety thousand gallons, and a tower, with tank of sixty thousand capacity.

From year to year as the city has grown, mains have been laid and today, no city of its size in Illinois has a better waterworks system than Paxton.

Paved Streets

Paxton is proud of her paved streets and in lliat connection, it may be said, she has more paving tlian any city of like proportion in llie whole state of Illinois. The people of Pa.xlon liavc a lively sense of the beautiful. They love comfort and the niodeni ( onvciiicnccs of lire They en.jo\' the blessing of good health, and stop at no expense to attain these things. IIcik-c, no difficulty was met when the proposition was broached in the spring of 1903, that certain streets of the city shoulcl be paved. July 6 of that year, an ordinance was passed for the paving, with brick, of Center and Washington streets. The work was accomplished and the sum of twenty-seven thousand dollars was issiuul in bonds for the payment of the same. In 1904, an ordinance was passed for the paving of State and West streets. To pay for this, eighty-four hundred dollars in l)()nds were issued. Pells street came next, July 3, 1905, and bonds for fifteen thonsnnd tliree hundred dollars readily found a market and, April 2, 1906, an ordinance was passed for the paving of IMarket, Orleans and Patton streets, the cost of which came to twenty-nine thousand seven hundred dollars, making in the aggregate, since 1903, the outlay of eighty thousand four hundred dollars for street paving.

It may be said in passing, that tlie work has been well done and the added convenience and beauty to the city, not forgetting the sanitary aspect of the matter that might be taken, is full compensation for the money expended.

JMention in this connection should also be made that a system of sewage has been placed in the city, costing to date about twenty thousand dollars.

The City Hall

In 1889 a contract was let to N. P. Neilson, of Paxton, to build a city hall which, in the aggregate, cost six thousand dollars. The building was finished and dedicated in the spring of 1900. It is of modern architecture, exteriorally ; has a large and commodious council chamber, and fireproof vaults for the records of the city. Here is also the police department, and the hose wagons and other paraphernalia of the fire department. To the rear of the main floor is the waterworks station. The arrangement is an excellent one, both for convenience and an expense saving contrivance.

The Carnegie Library

E. B. Pitney is the father of the Carnegie library. It was his idea from the beginning, and when he broached the subject in public, he was put down as an ultra-enthusiast. It happened, however, that he was not only an enthusiast, but also was in possession of ideas practical. He happened to have a personal actiuaintance with Mr. Carnegie's private secretary, and he wrote him, in an inquiring way, and at once got a reply, in which he was given the assurance that Mr. Carnegie would give Paxton ten thousand dollars on condition

In February, 1903, the city council passed an ordinance for the levying of a two-mill tax (annual) for the maintenance of the Carnegie library. At a special meeting Mayor M. H. Cloud appointed as the first board of directors: II. C. Hall, J. B. Shaw, C. A. Larson, M. L. McQuiston, E. Given, 0. J. Baitnim. Fred Danielson, J. F. G. Ilelmer and E. B. Pitney

October 12, 1903, the corner stone of the beautiful structure was laiil on a lot seemingly designed for the purpose, on the corner of Market and Orleans streets. Mr. Pitney deposited a copper box therein, closely sealed, containing coin, newspapers of the county, a bar docket, and many other things of interest that will be looked upon Avith wonder by the generation seeing the last of the edifice.

Ffre Company

Paxton has a volunteer fire department with hook and ladder and wagon jiiid hose cart. Chief, Frank Corbett; assistant chief, George Turner; secretary, (ins Younggreen ; treasurer, Fred Labarn ; and the membership: Willi;nii Stites, John Prestin, Josei)h Corbett, John Corbett, Oscar Nelson, Gt>orge Pap])iii(';iii.

Grant Memorial Services

General U. S. Grant died elnly 28, 1885. Under the auspices of Paxton Post, No. 387, G. A. R., memorial services were held in Paxton, August 8. of the same year, in honor of the illustrious soldier and statesman.

Collegiate And Normal Institute

The collegiate institute was Paxton 's special pride. It owed its origin, gradual growth and high standing to the liberality and intelligence of the citizens of Paxton and vicinity. The first move made toward its establishment was to discard the public high school, and hold out inducements for the establishment of an academy.

In the autumn of 1878 Rev. C. Thompson Kellogg opened a school in the buildings formerly used by the Augustana College. At the beginning of the next year, the school was started by Charles M. Taylor, who was principal, and continued that year in the same buildings. During the summer of 1880, the corner stone of the magnificent brick structure which was occupied by the school, was laid. This was due to the enterprise of the principal and liberality of the community who contributed several hundred dollars toward taking out scholarships and tuition certificates to the amount of some four thousand dollars. With this aid, improvements were made, and the college was one of the finest in eastern Ilinois. The school had incorporated in its foundation, principles of economy and thoroughness, and systematically worked toward the accomplishment of both. There was, perhaps, not a school in the country where expenses were as low, and the standard of scholarship was rivaled at very few places. The moral atmosphere was exceptionally good. No person was allowed to remain in the institution who did not devote himself to school work. While the discipline was in a sense most rigid, it was purely democratic. The principal was not regarded a tyrant nor the faculty a set of despots; neither did the pupils take delight in tormenting, or in getting ahead of their teachers. Pupils were received as ladies and gentlemen, and when they showed themselves not so, they were dismissed. J'areiits coiieerned in the harmonious development of their children's physical, mental and moral condition could not have found a better place.

Business Interests

Paxton was never in a more solid and flourishing condition than at present. Its citizens are prosperous and manifest a great dea'I of interest in the prosperity of this town. A number of wealthy and substantial farmers have moved here from the adjacent country for the purpose of obtaining for their children the benefits of the schools. Paxton is conceded to have no superior as a town for the social and neighborly qualities of its citizens. The greatest harmony prevails and the interests of all converge to th.e welfare of this little city.

First National Bank

The first banking business was conducted by the Ford County and First National Banks. The Ford County Bank was the first and pioneer bank of the county, and was opened for business in the house owned by A. IMcElroy on Market street, on the 1st day of January, 1866, by S. J. Toy, who came from Champaign county. In the spring of 1867, he moved into Pells' block. On the 1st day of August, 1868, A. C. Thompson, but recently from Pennsylvania, joined Mr. Toy in the banking business, putting in an ('((ual amount of capital. In the spring of 1869 they broke ground for their new bank building, and in the autumn of that year moved into their new quarters, where they continued business together for about three years under the firm name of Toy & Thonqison. November 1, 1871, S. J. Toy, A. C. Thompson, Robert Blackstock, Edwin Rice and C. E. Henderson organized the First National Bank of Paxton, Illinois, with a caj)ital of fifty thousand dollai-s. A. C. Thoini)S()n was made president, and S. J. Toy, casliier. Mr. Toy held that position until tlie si)riiig of 1874, when he sold out his interest to J. M. Clevengei", and Robert Blackstock was made cashier. The l)ank continued business until the 10th of February, 1876, when they closed o\it by voluntary liciuidatioii. After which, A. C. Thompson, Robert Blackstock and W. M. Blackstock organized the Ford County Bank of Thompson, Blackstock & Compnay, successors to the First National Bank, which continued under their management until the 15th of April, 188:^, iit wliicli tiiiie Mr. Blackstock withdrew from the firm, and on the 3d of May following, Edwin Rice, a prominent and well known business man of Paxton, to(^k a third interest in the bank, which run under the same firm name. These gentlemen were well known for their obliging manners and financial responsibility. The First National Bank was organized in 1883, with S. P. Bushnell, president ; J. S. Wilson, vice president, and J. B. Shaw, cashier, and A. S. Bushnell, assistant cashier. They commenced business May 7, 1883, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, and have established a good reputation. In the fall of 1883, Mr. Wilson withdrew from the bank, and John P. Day was elected in his place as vice president. This bank is a successor of George Wright, who kept a private bank here for many years. This bank is doing a successful business, and enjoys the entire confidence of the people. Its present officers are J. B. Shaw, president ; E. A. Gardner, vice president ; William H. AVhite, cashier; and II. B. Shaw, assistant cashier. The capital and surplus of the bank, one hundred thousand dollars.

Paxton Bank

The Paxton Bank was organized in 1894 by W. A. Rankin, B. II. Dunham and W. J. Lateer. It is a private institution. Capital and surplus seventy-five thousand dollars. W. A. Rankin, the president, B. H. Dunham, vice president, W. J. Lateer, cashier, and 0. J. Egnall, assistant cashier.

The Paxton Building, Loan and Savings Association was organized January 29, 1883, with a capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each. The object of the association is to afford its members a safe and profitable investment for their weekly savings ; to facilitate their acquiring homesteads and to secure to them the advantages usually expected from savings and cooperative institutions. The duration of the corporation is twent>'-five years. The corporate powers are exercised by a board of directors. Its offices consist of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Each stockholder for each and every share of stock held by him, pavs to the secretarv everv Saturdav, the Aveeklv contribution of twelve and a lialf cents on each share he holds, until each share reaches a value of one hundred dollars, wdien such stockholder is entitled to one hundred dollars for each share owned by him. No member is entitled to more than fifty shares.

Any member can withdraw at any time l)y ^ivint^ tlue notice and be entitled to receive the amount paid in hy liim. and such interest thereon or proportion of profits thereon as the board of directors sliall prescribe, and not less than an amount equal to four per ceut interest on the amount of dues paid in for the average time.

P.Vxton Brick & Tile Company

The Paxton Brick & Tile Company was organized and incorporated April 1, 1882, with the following stockholders: Colonel Charles Bogardus, A. ]M. Daggett, F. L. Cook, J. P. Middlecotf, of Paxton, and P. Whitmer, of Bloomington. The factory is located on College Hill, within the corporate limits of Paxton, and on the highest point of land between Chicago and Cairo. They have a deposit of fine clay reaching to a depth of sixteen feet below the surface. The quality of this clay is not excelled for the purpose of the manufacture of brick.

The Paxton Buggy Company

In 1898, I. N. Cool, whose business as a buggy manufacturer liad outgrown his facilities at Logansport, Indiana, came to Paxton, by invitation of its citizens, and was installed in a large, three-story brick building, the gift of the business men and property owners of Paxton. In tliis modern factory building, Mr. Cool set up the latest improved machinery, which made the cost of the entire plant thirty thousand dollars.

The capacity of this concern was five thousand vehicles per year, and the output found a ready market. But, through the failure of the chief factor in the concern, the plant went into liquidation and passed into the hands of other parties, who gave it the name of The Paxton Buggy Company. It was only a short time when this company went out of business, and the factory building reverted to the donors, who have made arrangements to turn it over to the present occupants. The E. li. Stafford Furniture Company, when the latter shall have complied with certain conditions obligatory on their part to fulfill.

The Paxton C-Inning Factory

Through the efforts of J. P. Middlecoff, R. Cruzen and others, a company was formed in 1888, and the Paxton Canning Factory was built and started operations. This became one of the important industrial institutions of the county and today, when the season opens, gives employment to about t^vo hundred people. The chief products of the concern are red kidney beans and select sugar corn. Some years ago the concern ceased to be a stock company and went into the hands of R. Cruzen, his brother, J. E. Cruzen, and W. M. Wilson. The plant is a large one, the buildings of brick and the ground space covers a block. The equifiment is modern and the product finds a ready market.

Furniture Manufactory

The large building, formerly the home of the Paxton l^uggy Company, was installed with the machinery and material of the E. H. Stafford Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, in 1907. This concern is one of the largest of its kind in the country, and has its main factory at Albion, INIichigan. The products of the plant here are various kinds of furniture. About one hundred and fifty men are employed.

Paxton Broom Factory

The broom factory of Paxton has been in existence for many years, but not until recently has it been in cjuarters adequate for the business accomplished.

In the fall of 1907, S. H. Hill, the proprietor, through the efforts and assistance of the Retail Merchants' Association, was enabled to occupy a large and commodious new two-story brick building and now, with improved machinery, the concern is employing thirty people, and turning out an article that finds a ready market.

The Kramer Rotary Harrow Company

Paxton has a harrow manufactory which was established in 1906, by the E. ]\I. Kramer Company, which was induced to locate in the city by the Retail IMerchants' Association. This concern is occupying space in the Paxton Hardware Manufactory building, but has good prospects of having suitable cpiarters of its own. Thirty people are in the employ of this company.

The Middlecoff

The rapid growth of Paxton and the increase of her l)usiness establishments made it imperative that larger and better hotel facilities should be provided for the traveling commercial man and visitors to the ( ity. Several of the influential men of Paxton had long determined that a modern caravansary was none too good for the county seat and, in the fall of 1895, a meeting was called by J. P. Middlecoff, C. Bogarclus and others, and the Paxton Hotel Company was organized. A board of directors M^as chosen of the following personnel: J. P. Middlecofle, C. Bogardus, Geo. H. Proctor, J. B. Shaw. W. J. Lateer, F. E. Bonney and C. A. Larson. President, J. P. JMiddlecoff; vice president, AV. J. Lateer; secretary, F. p]. Bonney; treasurer, J. B. Shaw.

At the beginning of the next year the l)uilding was under course of construction. The plans had been drawn by 0. Moratz, of Bloomington, and contract let to N. P. Neilson, of Paxton. In the fall of 1896, the magnificent structure was completed, at a cost of thirty-six tliousand dollars, including the site.

The Middlecoff is modern in structure and its appointments. Is three stories in height and has a basement, which is given over to sample rooms for commercial travelers. The north and west fronts are of red pressed brick, trimmed in stone. The hostelry was opened by George A. Proctor. William Elder, formerly of the Paxton House, is the present landlord.

Paxton Hotel

The Paxton Hotel was formally opened January 21, 1886. About four hundred people were present at the banquet given on tlie occasion by Henry Weaver, the proprietor. Speeches were made of a congratulat(U\v nature. l)y A. C. Thompson of the Ford County Bank ; Judge A. Sample, Dr. R. N. Davies, Hon. 0. D. Sackett, B. F. Mason, Hon. J. P. Middlecoff, J. E. Lewis of Fairbury; and W. S. Richards of Kankakee. These were supplemented by addresses from Mesdames Garrett, Cook, Sample and G. E. Abbott. The liotel at th(^ time was considered one of the best in this section of the state and now, after being vacant some while, is again catering to the needs of the public.

On the evening of March 20, 1902, a meeting of importance 1o tlie city oi' Paxton, was held in its city hall, and the business men of the place evinced their interest in tlie purposes of the gathering by atteiuling. Paxton had, apparently, become inert; was not moving and keeping pace with her sister cities. The object of the meeting was to stir up the business men of the town and awaken them to the fact that a systematic effort should be put forth to induce outsiders seekino- a location to come to Paxton. At a subsequent. meeting the Retail Merchants' Association was organized and F. E. Bonney was made its president, Geo. R. llapp, vice president, F. M. Thompson, secretary. Since that time, Paxton has gone forward and has today, through the instrumentality of the association, industries that are beneficial to the community, and bid fair to being a good investment to the city. The members of the Retail Merchants' Association are men of energy, enterprise and of public spirit, and the association in its endeavors, is meeting with general approval and support from the public. Present officers : T. J. Vimont, president ; D. G. Bailey, vice president ; E. T. Froyd, treasurer and secretary.

Mount Olivet Commandery Block

The corner stone of the Masonic block, a large three-story building on the corner of Market and State streets, was laid with impressive rites on the evening of July 30, 1885. The dedication took place, followed by a banquet to eminent Sir Knights, October 21, 1886.

The Home Culture Club

An association of women, with the title as shown in the caption of this article, was formed in Paxton m 1894, and is today the only one of its kind in Ford county. Mrs. J. W. Reed and INIrs. William Happ, no longer residents of that city, were the promoters of the society, and with them were Mesdames S. M. Wylie, 0. H. Wylie, Ernest D. Given, A. Coomes and E. A. Gardner. Present officers: Mrs. E. A. Gardner, president; Mrs. D. P. McCracken, vice president; Mrs. E. L. Morgan, secretary; IMiss E. F. Meharry, corresponding secretary; Mrs. E. Thompson, treasurer; Mrs. A. F. Trams, critic.

The purposes of organization have been for higher literary culture and belle lettres. The association was, until 1896, an independent club, Init in that year it was federated with the state organization. There is now a membership of twenty-three.

Societies And Fraternities Of Paxton

Mt. Olivet Commandery, No. *38, K. T. May 9, 1870, Charles Edward Munger, grand commander, granted a dispensation for this commandery to the following named Sir Knights:

October 21, A. D., 1S70, Solomon Jacob Toy, E. C, conferred the orders on Jonathan T'enn IMiddlecoff, Norman Edmund Stevens. Ransom Reed IMurdock. Til I've S. Johnson. William Lewis. Finley I\IcClellan Hall.

Date of charter, October 26, A. D., 1870; constituted, January 25, A. D., 1871, by Eminent Sir Francis Granger Jaques acting as proxy for the grand commander of the Grand Commandery of the State of Illinois.

During the spring of 1885 the (juestion of building a Masonic tem])le was hi'ought before th<' coiiiiiiandei-y. A committee consisting of Sir Knights J. P. INIiddlecoff, C. M. Tayloi-. George Grove and J. Y. Cam{)bell were appointed to investigate aiul to report as to the cost of a suitable building. At a sul)se(iuent conclave they reported i)lans and estimates. It was voted 1o build and the comnn'ttee on estimate Avas constituted a l)uilding committee with powei- to make colli r'acts, sell hoiids, pay out iiioiiey, elc. in the name of the conunandery. In June, 1885, the ground was hi'oken and the building lU'ogressed as rapidly as possible and was finally c()mi)leted at a cost of about lwent\' Ihousaud dollars.

In 1889 tli<" coiiiiiiandery directed the ti'ustees to sell all of the building below the tliii-d stoi'\' resei'\'ing a perpetual right of ingress and egress to said

At this date th(^ asylum is owned by the eommandery, the commandery is free from indebtedness and has about two thousand dollars in the treasury and an income of about four hundred dollars per year from the rent of the asjdum rooms to the other JMasonie bodies in Paxton.

Paxton Lodge, No. 416, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons

Stated communications are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The first stated communication in June is the annual communication.

The records of the office of the grand secretary having been destroyed l)y fire in 1870 I can find nothing whatever about the dispensation, either when granted or its officers. The officers of the lodge in 1864 were as follows :

Ford Chapter, No. 113, Royal Arch Masons

On February 28, 1867, the Most Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois issued a dispensation to companions Solomon J. Toy, "William II. Bradley, L. T. Hewins, S. M. Newlin, Wilson Hoag, M. E. Wandell, Isaac Cross, J. C. Young, and A. Cross empowering said companions to form and open a chapter after the manner and form of Royal Arch IMasons to be known as Ford Chapter U. D. and to confer the degrees of the chapter.

The first convocation of Ford Chapter IJ. D. was held in Paxton on April 3, 1867. G. J. Shepardson, R. C. Christian and E. L. Clark were the first three to receive the Royal Arch degree.

Stated convocations are held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The first stated convocation in June is the annual convocation.

Paxton Lodge, No. 418, I. O. 0. F. Paxton Camp, No. 259, Ji. W. A.

First officers: Consul, M. li. Cloud,; worthy adviser, W. TI. Hunter; clerk, E. N. Stevens; banker, A. Coomes; escort, J. W. Reed; watchman, AV. Hopkins; sentry, C. F. Morgan.

Knights Op Pythias

In October, 1894, ]\Iayor C. E. Beach, then a young, inexperienced lawyer, who had recently moved to Paxton, finding that there was no lodge of Knights of Pythias in the city, and being a member himself, secured a dispensation of the grand lodge to secure names for the charter for a lodge at Paxton. A sufficient number of names was secured, some thirty odd, and Patton Lodge, No. 498, K. P., was organized and instituted on neceiiihci- 12, 1894, by Sanuiel L. Ilarnit, of Gibson (!ity, acting district deputy grand chancellor.

This lodge has had, since its institution, a steady, healthy growth, and it ranks now number the flower of the young manhood of Paxton and vicinity. Its past chancellors are as follows: C. E. Beach, J. II. Flora, M. E. Hunt, F. F. Newlin, W. L. Walton, D. B. Steward, A. AV. Gylander, C. E. Lewis, L. A. Crum, R. J. Atwood, J. W. INIcKown, E. I\I. Grayson, A. C. AVascher, Theodore Anderson, C. S. Schneider, S. AV. Stout, and E. M. Grayson has been again elected and is now chancellor e^^mmander of th(^ lodge; P. F. Newlin, vice chancellor; II. E. Duffield, keeper of records and s<'nls; V. E. Johnson, master of finance; Vennum Lateer, master of exchequer; Adolpli Eager, mas- ter at arms; 0. J. Baiiium, prelate; John Risser, inner guard, Edward Englimd, outer guard. The trustees are D. B. Steward, A. T. Flora and C. S. Schneider. Grand representative, D. B. Steward.

This lodge is now the ])ride of Paxton in tlie mattc^r of civie society. In conjunction with the lodge proper, it has a Uniform or Lily Rank Company, officered by William Risser, captain; C. S. Schneider, first lieutenant; Ray Flora, second lieutenant, and other non-commissioned officers. C. E. Beach of this company, is on the staff of Colonel Bertoni, of Bloomington, with the rank of first lieutenant.

The subordinate or lodge proper is noted all over tlie grand domain of Illinois as having one of the best rank teams for all three ranks, and is called to various towns of central location throughout the domain to confer the ranks, where lodges of other towns can congregate and see the work.

Its members, as such, were important factor'; in the retaining of the county seat at Paxton, during the county seat fight in 1906, and are alwa^^s in the van of everything progressive.

When this county was a part of Vermilion, it was called Prairie City township, whieh was organized from Middlefork township, February 16, 1856. This name was changed to Patton, September 15, 1857, on account of there being another Prairie City township in the state. In 1858, Drummer Grove township was organized, or set off from Patton, and included all of the territory in this county lying west of range 9 east, and in March, 1859, all of the Pan Handle was organized from Patton and called Stockton township. Patton township derived its name from Judge David II. Patton, its first sup(^i-- visor and the first county judge of Ford county.

In 1863, Button was set off from Patton, and in 1867 Wall was organized out of Patton township. This is the largest township in the county, being six miles north and south, and ten miles east and west.

The ]\Iiddle fork of the South Vermilion river enters the township in the nortliwest corner, and flows diagonally across it. passing out into Button near the southeast corner of the township. Along the line of this stream in this township is found about all of the timber there is in the county. At Ten

The southwest part of the township is settled principally by Swedes. They have a Lutheran church on the east side of secton 30, whch was constructed in 1872 by C. M. Johnson. This part of the township is familiarly known as Farmersville.

It is extremely difficult at this time to ascertain with any degree of certainty who the first settler was or when he came, but among the earliest were John Cooder, who entered the farm owned by William J. Trickel ; Joseph Coontz, who entered the farm owned by Frank Meharry; David IT. Patton. who settled on section 14, in 1849 ; a ]\Ir. Dunbar, who built the house owned by B. Q. Cherry, about 1850 ; Daniel C. Stoner, who entered the old homestead for his son, J. F. Stoner, in 1850; Daniel C. Stoner became a resident in 1851, and was the first treasurer of Ford county ; John Kitchen ; William Hackworth ; E. ITagin; David Crandall; John Cook; a Mr. Edwards; a Mr. Granger; William Newlin; James Hock; J. D. Hall and son Henry C. ; R. R. Murdock; the Day family; William Blanchard; William and Stacey Daniels; the Stites family; J. P. Middleeoff ; and Dr. Carpenter. These families came before 1857. During 1858-59, Henry Barnhouse, William Perdue, Dr. L. B. Farrar, William Grayson, Frank Meharry, Edward L. Gill, William Goodrich, the Ilanley family, Robert Blackstock, A. McElroy and a Mr. Tabor moved into the township. Remembrance Clark moved into Patton in 1860. lie came from Maine. John B. Shaw and J. C. Dunham came in 1861. George Fuoss came out here from Ohio and entered the school section.

There are many Swede settlers in Patton who came here about 1863 and later, and among the earliest may be mentioned C. M. Johnson, Peter Larson, Peter Hanson, John Nelson, C. F. Carlson, A. M. Hanson, E. Collins, N. P. Nelson, William Holmes, Ola Nelson, John Scogg, Gus Larson, C. A. Ostram, Peter Peterson, Andrew Nelson, J. P. Youngdahl, Swan Olson, N\'ls Olson, J. W. Swanson, John Telander, C. W. Lindstrom, C. and J. P. Swanson, and Peter Lundburg.

It is probable that William Trickel kept the first store in this township, if not in the county. The store was located on section 13. A blacksmith

The first school in this township w^as a log house at Ten ]\Iile Grove, and Judge Patton was the first teacher. A ]\Iiss Lewis came froi;i LaFayette and taught the school after the Judge finished teaching.

J. D. Hall was born in Ross county, Ohio, April 10, 1821. James Hall, father of J. D. Hall, was a native of Maryland, and died in Vinton county, Ohio, 1855. Mr. Hall emigrated from Ohio to Fountain county, Indiana, June, 1839, and to Warren county, Indiana, in 1843. He was married to Eliza Wieman in Fountain county, Indiana, in 1841. She was a native of Virginia. In Februar}^, 1852, Mr. Hall emigrated to Ford county, then Vermilion county, where he began to make improvements on section 33. Mr. and ]\Irs. Hall were blessed with four children. Mr. Hall built the first house north of the river, in what is now Ford county. The postoffice, when he first settled in this county, was eighteen miles from his farm, at Higginsville. Mr. Hall began the grain business with his son, Henry C. Hall, of Paxton, in 18G5. He had two hundred and eighty-five acres of excellent land in Patton, which he entered in 1854. He was the second sheriff of Ford county.

David Patton was born in Clark county, Kentucky, in 1806. His father was a farmer. When quite young he went to Montgomery county, Ohio, then to Preble county, Ohio. He was ambitious to become a lawyer and entered the law office of Oliver H. Smith, in Connersville, Indiana. One of his fellow students was Caleb B. Smith, who afterward was secretary of the interior. From Connereville, INIr. Patton went to LaFayette, Indiana, and began the jna,-- tice of law, where he remained about twenty years, and then moved to this township in 1849. He first located at Ten Mile Grove. He lived there until 1865 when he came to Paxton. This township was named after Judge Patton. He was the first teacher in this township and the first county judge of the county. He held the office for fifteen years.

The Day famil,v settled on section 13. They comprised Samuel Day, the father ; Peggy, the mother ; and children - John P., Samuel, N. B. Da,v, and Cordelia, wife of James Hock. Samuel Day was a native of Kentucky. He died in 1858. He married Peggy Purviance in 1821. She was also a native of Kentucky. They had nine children. They came from Preble county,

Ohio, to this state. Saimu'l i-anic here in 1854. He was twice married; first to Siisanah Swisher, who died in 1858. He married ]\Iiss Jennie Lyons ^^or his second wife in 1861. Sanuiel Day was the first eireuit t-lerk and recorder of Ford county. John P. Day was l)orn in 1824. He settled in Patton in 1857. In 1845 he married Malinda Swisher, a native of southern Indiana He served as county treasurer several terms. John P. and Samuel Day were engaged in the real-estate and loan business in Paxton. N. B. Day was born in I^reble county, Ohio, and settled in Patton in 1854. The Day family first lived on the farm that was afterward owned by B. Q. Cherr.y. N. B. Day married Barbara, daughter of Daniel C. Stoner, an old pioneer of this county. Mr. Day is now living in Paxton. Cordelia married ]\Ir. James Hock, who was a resident of Paxton, and one of the oldest settlers of the township. They were married in 1858. Mr. Hock was a farmer and stock-raiser, and came to what is now Ford county from Fountain county, Indiana, in 1852.

The Hanley Family

John Hanley was l^orn in Virginia in 1808. He was brought up a farmer. In 1829, he moved to Greene county, Ohio, where he lived until 1855, principally engaged in stock-raising. He then came to Patton township and established a lumberyard and grain office on the west side of the Illinois Central Kailroad. In 1862, he bought a farm at Ten Mile Grove, afterward owned by his son, John M. Hanley, where he lived until 1883, when he came to town and lived with his son, Jolni M. Hanley. He was married to IMargaret Alexander, a native of Virginia, in 1828. They had four children: Alexander H. Hanley; William A., who died in 1868 in Xenia, Ohio; Ella M., wife of Alexander McElroy, of Paxton; and John M., who was a leading hardware merchant in this city. The mother, IMargaret, died at Ten ]\Iile Grove in 1876. John M. Hanley was educated in Delaware College, Ohio, and was pi'incipal of the public schools in Paxton for six years.

The Stites Family

Benjamin Stites was born in Pennsylvania, in 1805. In 1882 he settled in (-incinnati and followed his trade of a mason, Ix'sides running a stone ([uarry. He remained in Cincinnati luitil 18157, when he mt)ved to Vermilion county, Illinois, and lived on a farm near Danville, until 1856, when he came to Paxton and sell led on tlie homestead. Benjamin Stites was twice married. Ills first wife, a iialive of P>utler county, Ohio, died in 1828. They liad two chiidi-en. His second wife was Susan E. Stuart, of Hamilton, Butler county, Oliio. This union was l)lesse(l with six children: Benjamin F., Hannah S., Phebe A., Margaret, William II. and Samuel S.

Stagey Daniels was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1825. His father, Staoey Daniels, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1821. He died in 1825. He married Lattia Carnahan, a native of Pennsylvania. She died in Cincinnati in 1877, at the age of eighty-one years. They had a family of four sons and two daughters that lived to grow up ; three others died in infancy. The subject of our sketch left Ohio in October, 1856, and settled in Prospect City in the spring of 1857. He built his hoase on the site that was occupied by G. J. Shepardson's house on College Hill. He was a mason by trade, and helped build many of the buildings in Paxton. In 1859 he went to California ; came back in 1862 ; and enlisted in the Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and was in the service until 1865. Mr. Daniels was thrice married - first to Margaret Rush, in 1819. She was a native of Germany and died in 1859. His second wife was i\Iary Williams, of Cincinnati, whom he married in July, 1865, and wdio died in 1867. His third wnfe was Miss Rebecca Kempton, a native of Hartford, Connecticut. They were married in June, 1868. They had two children: Emma, wife of Ed Field, deceased, of Elliott; and Albert, who engaged in the drug business at Ludlow, Illinois. ]\Ir. Daniels was one of the oldest settlers of Paxton.

John M. Hall was born in Washington county. New York, October, 1810. He was brought up on a farm. In 1882, he went to Fountain county, Indiana. He held various offices of trust, l)eing at one time county recorder. In 1860 he went to Kirksville, INIissouri, and engaged in the mercantile business for two years, when he came to Paxton in 1862. In 1838 he married IMiss Nanc^' Nichols, a native of Ohio. They had three children. Mr. Hall was supervisor of Patton township for several years and held the office of police magistrate for many years. He was well liked and enjoyed the confidence of the people.

John P. Middlecoff was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1838. His father, Daniel Middlecoff, was a native of Washington county, IMaryland, born in 1800. He came to this township in 1861 and died in 1866. John P. came to Illinois in 1857 and settled in Ludlow, Champaign county, and engaged in the general mercantile business. He moved from there to his farm in 1862, where he remained until 1867, when he came to Paxton and engaged in the hardware business. He continued in this for several years. He was elected supervisor of Patton township several times, being chairman of the board. In 1872 he was elected a member of the twenty-eighth general assembly. He was at one time president of the Paxton Brick & Tile Works. In 1863 he was married to JNFiss Mary Fox, of Cincinnati. Oliio. To them were l)()rn three children, all of whom died. Mr. and Mrs. ]\Iiddlecotf are still residents of Paxton.

A. Croft is from Clinton eonnty, Ohio, and settled here in 1877. lie owns a fine tract of land of four hundred acres lying adjacent to the city on the west. The buildings and improvements on this farm are of tlie best.

AV. W. Blanchard owned a well improved farm in section 20, range 10, about two and a half miles south of the city. INIr. Blanchard was a native of Windham county, Vermont, and settled in tliis township in 1856.

A. L. Clark is an extensive landowner, owning about nine hundred acres of excellent land, most of it lying in the southwest part of Button townshi}). ]Mr. Clark is a native of New Hampshire, settling in this county in 1864. He makes his home in Paxton.

C. M. Johnson, farmer, contractor and builder, and a native of Sweden, came to the United States in 1846, and settled in the county in 1863.

F. IMeiiarry came to Patton township from IMontgomery county. Indiana, in 1859. He bought a tract of land in section 10, where he erected buildings and improvements equal to any in the county.

Albert Keith, a native of Madison county, New York, settled in lliis county in 1866. He was at one time mayor of Paxton, and owiici- of a fine farm in Dix township.

Anotlier large and extensive farmer of Patton is William Perdue, a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania. He eame here in 1859. He owns about seven hundred acres of rich farming lands in Patton township. He resides in Paxton.

C. E. Henderson resided at Henderson Station, on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. He was a native of Loudoun, Virginia. He settled in this township in 1865. He had a beautiful home and a fine farm.

One of the oldest settlers of Patton was John F. Stoner, son of Daniel C. Stoner. John F. came here in 1851 and settled on section 9. He was a native of Indiana. His large farm was one of the best in the township.

G. F. Sandburg, carriage-maker, a native of Sweden, came here in 1868. E. L. Gill, auctioneer, a native of Jefferson county, Virginia, settled here

Drnnnner (Jrove township was organized and set otf from Patton township, September l-t, 1858, and comprised all of what now composes the townships of Drummer, Dix* Snllivant and Peach Orchard or all of Ford county lying west of range 9 east, and containing an area of one hundred and eighty s(iuare miles.

The township took its name from the little grov(> called Drummer Grove, which lies about a mile northwest of Gibson, and which was so called in honor of a noted hunting dog named Drummer, that became overheated in a deer chase and died and was buried in the grove. The only authentic history that has been preserved in regard to the life and character of the dog is that he was not a "yaller dog."

In 186-J: there must have been some congressional investigation or something discovered derogatory to the character of the dog, for a petition signed by a majority of the voters of the townshi}) was presented to the l)oard of supervisors asking to have the name of the township changed to Dix, in honor of General Dix, of New York, which was accordingly done, and the township was known hy that name until 186!), when upon the i'e((nisit(> petition l^MUg presented to the board of supervisors the territory comprised in towns 2'.i and south half of 24 north, range 7 east, was set off from Dix and rechristened Drummer Grove, thus dividing the honors of the territory ecpially between General Dix and the dog.

The first settler within the limit of Drummer township was Andrew Jordan, who was a native from Kentucky, where he was born October 28, 1828, and came to Illinois when twenty-one years of age, with a horse, saddle and bridle and fifteen dollars in money. He went to work by the month on a. farm in Cass county, where he remained for two years, and then came into this vicinity and bought a small farm near the timber in Champaign county. He lived there a year, then married Miss Amanda Devore, and moved on the prairie iu tlie fall of 1851. He added tract after tract of land to his farm until he owned eleven hundred acres of excellent land, all lying in one body. When ]\Ir. Jordan moved here. Ford county had not heen organized. His only neighbors were wolves and deer, \vhicli were excee/lingiy neighborly in their visits. His nearest milling accommodations were Danville, Illinois, or Covington, Indiana; the nearest blacksmith shop or place to get a plow sharpened was Mahomet, twenty-four miles.

About a year or so after he came here, the town of Pera, now Ludlow, was started, which was for many years his only market, a distance of seventeen miles. Corn was then worth ten cents per bushel and land from three to eight dollars per acre. Mr. Jordan improved all his land, having it thoroughly tiled with tile of his own manufacture, he having established on his farm one of the largest establishments for the manufacture of tile and brick in the county.

The next settler of the township was William Bridges, who came in 1853 and settled on a farm owned by J. A. Rockwood, of Gibson. During the same year, William Jordan, brother of Andrew Jordan, settled in an old house on section 13, afterward owned by Leonard Pierpont. Lindsey Corbly came next and settled on section 25, south of Andrew Jordan, on what is now known as the Weldon farm.

In 1855 Dr. J. E. Davis settled at Drummer Grove, where he pursued farming and the practice of his profession for many years, taking an active part in all the affairs of the county.

The next early settler was Samuel J. LeFevre, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, April 16, 1841, and settled with his j^arents on this farm in the year 1856, being then only fifteen years old. Ford county was not then organized, this territory being a part of Vermilion county, and all called Patton toAvnship, with Prospect City, now Paxton, as the only voting place in it. In 1862 Mr. LeFevre enlisted in the Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry and served until wounded at the battle of Vicksburg in the charge of Fort Blakely, April 9, 1865. His wonnd rendering him luifit for military service, he was honorably discharged, and returned to his farm again, where he remained until 1872, when he moved to Gibson and engaged in the lumber business. He was almost continually in the discharge of some official trust since the organization of the township, having been school treasurer four years, and trustee six years ; member of the village board three years and presid(>nt of the board one year; supervisor of the township three and a half years; and chairman of the county board two years.

In the same year, with ]\Ir. LeFevre's family, J. H. Diingan came and settled on the farm adjoining Mr. LeFevre on the south, and alike with his neighbors endured all the hardships incident to that new and wild state of the country. He remained here improving his farm and pursuing the peaceful life of an industrious farmer, until he saw the thriving town of Gibson springing up on the prairie near him, and then moved into town and engaged in the grain biLsiness. and was one of the most energetic men of the town.

Thomas Stephens came next and settled in the south part of the township, turning his attention principally to cattle-raising, accumulating by successive purchases a large tract of land on the Sangamon. He followed the business of stock-raising and farming until too old and feeble to manage his farm himself, when he divided it among his children and settled down with them to spend the remainder of his days in a quiet, peaceful way, freed from the care and anxiety of any kind of business.

Among other settlers wdio followed in a short time were Asa Canterbury, Caleb ]\IcKeever, B. H. McClure and family, John Pagel, William Reighley, Thomas Ilolloway and Lewis Weekman.

The tirst school taught in the township was at the residence of Dr. J. E. Davis, during the winter of 1863, taught by ]\Iiranda Holloway. In 1866 Drummer Grove schoolhouse was built, and a school taught there by INIary Ann George. Among other pioneer teachers of Drummer were Miss Arabella Davis, wife of Weaver White ; A. Forbes Irwin, of Peoria, and Weaver White.

The soil of Drummer township is the best in the county, although when surveyed by the government a great portion of it was returned as swamp land. Yet, by the system of drainage which has been regularly and steadily followed during the past fifty-four years, its value and productiveness cannot be excelled in the county.

Gibson City

Jonathan B. Lott was born at Graysville, Ohio, February 14, 1840. He came to Illinois when only eight years old, and located with his parents at Danvers, IMcLean county. His father died when he was fourteen, and he being the oldest son at home, took charge of the family. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, and served three years ; then reenlisted as a veteran, remaining until the close of the war, when he was discharged on account of wounds. He was twice wounded at the bat- tie of Spanish Fort. Louisiana. On his discharge from the army he returned to McLean county and entered Wesleyan University, where he remained one year.

January 1, 1867, he was united in marriage with ]\Iargaret A. Gibson, and in 1869 purchased from Jesse Whitehead, of Chicago, the town site of Gibson, and in February, 1869, built his house here. ]\Ir. Lott, by his energy and personal influence, secured such changes in the surveys of the different railroads that brought about their junction at the present location of Gibson. In 1870 he secured the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield, now Springfield Branch of the Illinois Central. The Lake Erie & Western was surveyed three miles south of this place, and the Chicago & Paducah, now Wabash, was projected and surveyed through Saybrook, but Mr. Lott succeeded in getting them to pass through this town.

Gibson owes its existence and prosperity to the untiring zeal and energy of J. B. Lott. The original town of Gibson was platted and laid out by J. B. Lott, the proprietor, on November 1, 1870, and was called Gibson in obedience to the Scriptural injunction, "Remember Lot's -\dfe," Mrs. Lott's maiden name being Gibson.

On making application for a postoffice of the same name, the department added the word "city" on account of the similarity of the name Avith Gilson, Illinois; hence the name of the town as platted is Gibson, and the postoffice is Gibson City.

The first commercial business done in the town was commenced by William Moyer, December 1, 1870. He opened a grain office, which business he followed for a number of years. Commencing with a very moderate capital, by attention to his business and the exercise of superior judgment and discretion in its management, he accumulated a fortune, which caused him to be recognized as the wealthiest man in Gibson.

Wilson Brothers next opened a general store in January, 1871. on the corner south of the opera hall. Next came II. J. Ring in the same month, and in April following liis partner, J. IT. Collier, and T. D. Spalding. The firm of Ring & Collier opened a hardware store, and Mr. Spalding operated a lumberyard near the crossing of the railroads. About the same time came W. D. Worrell, J. F. Hicks, James Garbett. J. E. Lewis and others followed in such rapid succession that to particularize would be very difficult.

The first single lady who settled in Gibson was Miss ]\Iary Thompson, a milliner. The first school in the town was taught by Miss Caroline Williams, and was taught in a public hall.

jMr. C. H. Yeomans was the first lawyer ; Dr. Anderson was the first physician; J. E. Cruzen was the first postmaster, and M. T. Burwell the first banker.

The first railroad through Gibson was the Oilman, Clinton & Springfield, now operated by the Illinois Central, which was built in 1871, and was followed the same year by the Lake Erie & Western, but no regular trains were run until the following spring. The Chicago & Paducah, now the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific, was built in 1874.

The first church edifice was erected by the Methodist denomination, and was followed by the Cumberland Presbyterian, the First Presbyterian, United Brethren and Catholics. There are quite a number of colored people in Gibson, who have built a church called the African Methodist Church.

The first death was that of a jeweler named Angel, which occurred in 1872, who committed suicide by cutting his throat in the rear of the New York store.

In the year 1871 the school accommodations being entirely inadequate to the wants of the rapidly increasing population of the town, the thoroughgoing enterprise of the citizens was shown in the erection of what was the finest public school building in the county. It is a two-story brick, with a full story basement, sixty by sixty, all finely furnished, and heated by furnace, with the most approved plan of ventilation. There are five departments in the building, with a capacity for accommodating three hundred pupils. The cost of this building was twelve thousand dollars. In 1882, this becoming too crowded for effective work, another building, forty by sixty, was erected at a cost of five thousand dollars, with a capacity for one hundred scholars.

January 29, 1883, the town was visited by a destructive fire, which swept away in the course of a few hours about fifty thousand dollars worth of property, not more than one-fourth of which was covered by insurance.

Here again the enterprising spirit of the citizens evinced itself, for in less than a month from the day of the fire, workmen were busy preparing the burnt district for rebiiikling. In six months' time there was erected twelve elegant brick stores (all two stories high, except two) from eighty to one hundred feet in length, all furnished with large plate glass fronts, as fine as are to be found in any city in the state outside of Chicago. The improvements made during those six months cost, in the aggregate, nearly eighty thousand dollars. Among them, and worthy of mention, is M. T. Burwell's opera hall, on the second floor of the block erected by M. T. Burwell; is fifty by one hundred feet, with eighteen foot ceiling, and a self-supporting truss roof, leaving no columns or central supports to mar its beauty or obstruct the view. The stage scenery is, probably, as elaborate and complete as is found in an,y city in the state, except Chicago. The building - hall, stage and footlights - is lighted by gas.

The following is a brief mention of some of the leading business men and prominent farmers who have lived and are still living in Drummer township :

Leonard Pierpont was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, October 28, 1819. He came to Illinois in 1858, and settled in this township. He was a good farmer, an honest, industrious citizen and treasurer of Ford county for four years. He died in April, 1874, leaving a large family. Three of his sons were killed in the war.

William H. Guthrie was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, in 1832. He settled in Drummer township in 1865. He purchased from time to time, until he owned a fine farm of nine hundred and sixty acres. He was married in 1868 to Miss Jennie Stewart. They had five children.

James B. Foley is a native of Adams county, Ohio, where he was born in 1847, and came to Putnam county, Illinois, with his parents when he was three years old. He lived there twenty-four years; then settled in this township on section 20. He w^as married to Miss Olive L. Skeel, December 24, 1874.

There is hardly a place in the southern part of Drummer that surpasses the fine home of Joseph T. Roberts, on section 35, coming from Tazewell county, Illinois. He was married in 1857 to Mary C. Bosserman, a native of De Witt county, Illinois.

Nathan L. Skeel was born in Putnam county, Illinois, August 19, 1848. He lived there until al)out twenty-f(mr years of age, assisting his father on a farm, when he settled in this township. In 1873, he married Mary Wallace.

Willard Proctor was born in Rutland, Vermont, in 1827, where he lived for about twenty-five years, then moved to Illinois. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Regiment, and served in the

Albert Gilmore was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1841. In 1861, he came here and bought sixteen hundred acres of land. In 1880, he married ]\Iiss Elizabeth A. Boundy, of Peoria county, Illinois. She was born in 1858.