Henderson County, Illinois - The whole text, 1882 (part 14 of 23)

Andrew J. Douglass was born in Bath county, Yii-ginia, May 18, 1825. He is the son of Andrew J. and Nancy A. (Fox) Douglass. "Wlien our subject was about ten years old his parents removed to Highland county, Ohio, where young Douglass grew to young manhood. He then turned his face westward and made his first halt in Edgar county, Illinois, where he remained one year, and then moved onward toward the setting sun. This move brought him to Mercer county where he has since resided, a period of nearly forty years. It may not be amiss here to mention that the lady who has been Mrs. Douglass for thirty-four years, came with her parents to Mercer county a year previous to Mr. Douglass' turning his steps westward ; and when we call to mind the fact that an acquaintance had existed between the two parties in the stafe of Ohio, it is not difficult to divine the guiding star that directed the feet of Mr. Douglass to the vast, unbroken prairies of the "Far West." Mr. Douglass came west without any capital, save his willing hands and unimpeachable character, and for a number of years he occupied only rented land. He then ])urchased the place on which he now lives and improved it ; and he now has a grand farm of 500 acres under a good state of cultivation, well supplied with good buildings of every sort demanded on a farm, and well stocked with cattle, horses, etc. Mr. Douglass has a passion for fine horses, and he can boast of some fine specimens in this line. Mr. Douglas was married April 6, 1848, to Mary J. Mclntire, daughter of John and Elizabeth Mclntire. ' Mr. and Mrs. Douglass have been blessed with eight children : Frances E., Mary E., "William E., George E., Isaiah H., Charles I., Miua I., and Andrew J. Frances E., the eldest, was married to George W. Braucht, March 21, 1867, and died July 21, 1869, leaving an infant son, Frederick E. ; Mary E. is married to James M. Greer. ; William R., to Mary E. Walker, and Isaiah IL, to Ida M. Jones. Mr. Douglass is a greenbacker, politically. He and Mrs. Douglass are Sabbatarians, or Seventh Day Adventists.

William Riley Main was born in Crawford county, Indiana, September 3, 1835. He is the son of Riley and Martha Main. He received a fair common school education in the schools of Indiana and Illinois. He came with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1852. He was married October 15, 1857, to Sarah M. Fleming. Eleven children have been born to them : Floyd, Olive E., Cora M., John T., Walker B., Alta L, George S., Maud E., Lulu J., Oscar R., and Orin W. Mr. Main is a farmer and stock-raiser, and owns one of the many beautiful farms that "blossom as the rose" in western lUi- nois. llis farm consists of 500 acres under a good state of cultivation. He lias good buildings on his place. He pavs a good deal of attention to heavy stock business. Mr. and Mrs. Main are members of the United Brethren church, Politicallj Mr. Main is a republican. Mr. Main and his family are blessed with an abundance of the world's comforts ; or, in other words, are in excellent circumstances.

Minerva A. Greer was born in Wajne county, Indiana, December 29, 1829. She is the daughter of Reuben and Mary (Harris) Willits. Her parents both died in the spring of 183-1, of milk sickness ; the mother dying in the evening and the father the following morning. Mrs. Greer came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1836, with her uncle, Thomas Moore, who settled in New Boston township. The subject of our sketch was married April 15, 1847, to Thomas Greer, a farmer. There were fourteen children born to them: Reuben H., James M., Mary J., Thomas F., Alice A., John E., Samuel I., Arthur, Lewis W., Albert C, Ella F., Dora E., Robert F., and a daughter who died when an infant and before she was named. Three of the other children are dead: Arthur, Dora E., and Lewis. Thomas Greer, the husband of our immediate subject, was born June 10, 1818, in the state of Ohio. He removed to Mercer county, Illinois, as early as 1836, and settled in Abington township, where he resided until his death. He devoted his time to farming and stock raising, and by industry and economy accumulated a large amount of property. Since the death of the husband and father, the property has been divided among the heirs, Mrs. Greer retaining the homestead, which consists of 200 acres of land under a good state of cultivation with good buildings and all the necessary improvements to a complete country home. Seven of the children are married and all living within a radius of two and a half miles of the old homestead. Mrs. Greer is a Seventh Day Adventist.

Samuel Pollock was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, April 26, 1823. He is the son of Samuel and Margaret (Caldwell) Pollock. Our subject removed to Peoria county, Illinois, in 1852, and removed to Abington township, Mercer county, Illinois, October, 1854, and settled on the farm on which he now resides. He has a farm of 600 acres all improved, with good buildings and other modern improvements. Mr. Pollock is an extensive dealer in stock, especially in cattle. INIr. Pollock's success in life is an index to what industry, economy and genuine pluck will do. He started out in life a poor boy, and now stands in the front rank as a business man and an honorable gentleman. Mr. Pollock was married February 23, 1863, to Mary A. Kinney. They have three children: John K., Maggie A., and Mary I. Mr. Pollock is a member of the old school Presbyterian church. Politically he is a rej^ublican.

John "W. Landers was born in Fountain county, Indiana, January 3, 1830. He is the son of liobert H. and Hannah (Stewart) Landers. Mr. Landers learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner and worked at the business for seven years. At the end of that i)ei-iod he engaged in farming and has made it the main business of his life. He was married March 2-1, 1853, to Miss Mary, daughter of Emanuel and Frances Humbert. They removed from Indiana to Mercer county, Illinois, in October, 1S5T, and settled in Abington townshi]). In 1874 they removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where they remained for three years, they then returned to Mercer county, and again became citizens of Abington township. Tliey have had seven chikh'en, four of whom are living. They are: James II., William H., (Charlie B., and Mary E. Mr. Landers was formerly a democrat, but of late years he has been an active, aggressive greenbacker. He has held some minor offices, and at present is a justice of the peace. Religiously he is a liberal. Tlie family have recently sustained a severe loss by the burning of their residence, which was a substantial brick.

James Kellogg, son of David and Ruth (Miller) Kellogg, was bom in Granville, Hampden county, Massachusetts, August 12, 1819. His father's family removed from Massachusetts to Portage county, Ohio, when the subject of this sketch was ten years old. After a residence of nine years in Ohio the family removed to Crawford county. Pennsylvania. Mr. Kelh^gg was married in 181:6 to Martha A., daughter of James and Orpha (Alexander) Lafferty. Mr. Kellogg removed with his family to Mercer county, Illinois, in the fall of 1852, and settled on section 27, in Ohio Grove township, where they remained until 1867, when they removed to Abington township and settled on the farm on which they now reside. Mr. Kellogg owns an excellent farm of 160 acres, well supplied with living water, and it is in every way a well arranged home, being supplied with good out-buildings, groves and shrubbery ; and their residence is one of the very best. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg have had five children, three of them now living: James A., Mary M., and AVilliam E. Mr. Kellogg was formerly a whig, and when that party died he became a democrat ; but of late years he has been an enthusiastic greenbacker. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are both Presbyterians. William E., the youngest son, has a good farm of eighty acres, but being yet in the enjoyment of single blessedness, makes his home under the paternal roof. He received a common school education only, but enjoys some reputation as a newspaj)er wi-iter, confining himself in this direction mostly to the local press. He is an Odd-Fellow, and a greenbacker.

Henrj, was born August 23, 1845, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. He came to Mei'cer county, Illinois, with bis father's family when he was six years of age, and has been a resident of Abington most of the time since he came to Elinois, He makes farming his business, and has no other tliought than to earn his bread by honest toih He was married, September 11, 1873, to Lucetta, daughter of William and Margaret Stephenson. They have four children: William A., Margaret C, George S., and Orvnlle S. Mr. Henry is a democrat, and says it was born and bred in him.

John W. Ditto, farmer and stock raiser, is the son of Andrew and Margaret (Wyland) Ditto, and was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, June 25, 1815. His lather removed with his family to Slielby county, Ohio, when John was a babe, where he was reared to the age of near twenty years, when he came to Mercer county, Illinois, making the entire trip alone on horseback. He rode a thoroughbred horse and led a fine mare. He rode many miles without seeing a living soul, and the great prairies stretched out all around him like a great plain unknown except to the savage and beasts of prey. AVhen Mr. Ditto reached Mercer county he settled in Xew Boston township, on government land. He settled in Abington township,. in the spring of 1838, on the farm where he now lives in section 13. Mr. Ditto carried the mail two winters from Monmouth to New Boston and Bock Island. He can relate some incidents of the early settlement of the country that are both painful and amusing. Mr. Ditto has the oldest deed in Mercer county. He was married, November IT, 1842, in Knox county, Illinois, to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and MargareJ^ Redman. They had ten children: Mary D., James W., Henry B., John W., Ellen A., Andrew M., Benjamin F., Samuel D., Margaret E., and Mack. Mary D., the first born, was burned to death when she was three months old. The mother tied the child in a high chair, and while she was busy outside the room, the child slipped out of the chair into the fii'e and was burned to death. James D., the second child, was killed in the battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 23, 1863. Ellen A., the fifth child, was married to John H. Farber, and died July 11, 1878, in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, leaving two children: John W. and Arthur. Mrs. Ditto died March 9, 1873, and Mr. Ditto was again married, November 11, 1873, to Mrs. Olive Crook, widow of Galen Crook. Mr. Ditto has a farm of 479 acres in Abington township, and he also owns 847 acres of cheaper pasture lands in Henderson county. He pays a great deal of attention to sheep husbandry, and has at present almost a thousand head of sheep. Mr. Ditto belongs to the Advent or Sabbatarian church. He formerly

WiLLiA>[ M. WiLLrrs, farmer, son of John and Sarah (Campbell) Willits, was born December 4, 1835, in New Boston township, Mercer county, Illinois. "When he was two years old his father's family settled in Abington township, where the subject of our sketch has since resided. Mr, Willits has a good farm of eighty acres in a good state of cultivation. He served as a union soldier in the 30th Keg. 111. Inf., as a coi-j^oral. Indorsed on his discharge is the following splendid record as a soldier : " Said soldier was engaged in the following battles : Fort Donelson, Tennessee, February 15, 1S62 ; Britton's Lane, Tennessee, September 1, 18132 ; Raymond, Mississippi, May 12, 1863 ; Champion Hill, Mississippi, May 16, 1863 ; took an active part in the siege of Vicksburg ; was in the battle of Ivenesaw mountain, June 27, 1864 ; battle near Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864, and took an active part in the Georgia campaigns, resulting in the ca])ture of Savannah, and has done duty up to the present time ; and he is highly esteemed in his company and regiment as a gentleman and soldier. John P. Davis, capt. commanding 30th 111. Inf." Mr. Willits was married February 12, 1872, to Frances J. daughter of James and Martha (McEachron) Gilchrist. They have three children : Mary E., John E., and Lena M. Mr. Willits was formerly a democrat, but of late years has acted with the greenback part3^

Milton M. Jones is the son of Franklin and Elizabeth (Farwell) Jones. He was born in Preemption township, Mercer county, Illinois, September 27, 1844. When he was ten years of age his father's family removed to Abington township. Milton spent his boyhood days on the farm and in the country school-house. In the winter of 1868-9 he graduated at the Western Business College, of Galesburg, Illinois. Soon after his college course he was engaged as a salesman in a large retail grocery store, but at the end of a year he went to farming and stock-raising. He has a good farm of 120 acres, and has paid special attention to the breeding of high-class hogs, in which business he has been very successful. He was married September 22, 1870, to Miss Sarah E. daughter of John and Sarah (Campbell) Willits. They have one child, Milton Willits. Mr. Jones has held the office of town clerk two terms. He is a member of the Christian (Campbellite) church. Politically he is a republican. He served six months as a soldier, in the 140tli reg. 111. Vol. He received three wounds in engagements ; one severe one in the shoulder, for which he gets a small pension.

He is the son of John and Isabel (McDonaki) Seaton. He received a common school education, and came to the United States of America in 1843. He sailed on the sliip Lnconia, and on reaching America settled in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, wliere he remained about two years. From there he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and remained three years, when he took a trip to California by overland with an ox-team. After an absence of about two years he returned to Illinois, and settled in Abington township, Mercer county, where he now resides on a beautiful farm of 230 acres. Mr. Seaton was married in 1860 to Miss Martha E., daughter of Sanniel and Eebecca (Bogle) Criswell. They have had twelve children, live of whom are deceased. The living are : Mary, David, Margaret E., Ann, Martha L., Harry, and Angus. Mr. Seaton is a member of the old school Presbyterian church. He is a greenbacker politically.

Ja>ies Vance, farmer, son of William and Rachel Vance, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1825. He removed with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1833, and settled in Keithsburg township, where the village of Keithsburg now stands. After remaining here one year the family removed to Rock Island county, Illinois, and at the end of a twelve-month returned to Keithsburg township, where they made farming their business. In 1847 the subject of this sketch was married to Sarah, daughter of Mark L. and Mary (Steward) Pearson. Mr. Vance removed with his wife soon after their marriage to Davis count}^, Iowa, where they remained six years. They then removed to New Boston township, Mercer county, Illinois, where they resided three years. From there they went to Abington township, where Mr. Vance bought the farm on which they now live. The farm contains 170 acres of excellent land, and Mr. Vance and his family of boys have devoted most of their time to tilling the soil. Mr. and Mrs. Vance have had born to them twelve children : William R., Robert L., Josiah W., Elijah A., Nerva A., John W., Marion E., Gershan H., James B., Forbes N., Mary V., and Martha E. ; the latter deceased. Politically Mr. Vance is a greenbacker, and religiously he is a moralist. Of late years he has had rather poor health, and took a trip last summer to California, ( )regon and some of the western territories, from which he received much benefit. Mr. Vance can relate many incidents in the early settlement of the country of much interest. He saw the distinguished Indian chief, Black Hawk, and six hundred of his dusky warriors.

John J. Seaton was bom in Perthshire, Scotland, February 6, 1831. He is the son of John and Christian Seaton. He came to the United States of America in 1843, going by steamship from Glasgow to Liverpool, and sailed from the latter ])lace to New Yoi-k in the shij) Luconia. lie settled in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and remained there mitil 1845, when he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and has lived here most of the time since. He received a common school education in Scotland and America. In 1854 he located in .V])ingt(jn township, where he now owns 350 acres of excellent agricultural land under a good state of cultivation, with good buildings and all necessary appurtenances to a com})lete rural home. He was married November, 1855, to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and May (Douglass) Seaton. They have had nine children, live of whom are dead. The living are : Margery, John H., George D., and Lizzie. Their daughter, Christie Ann, who is among the deceased, was married to Mr. George Sponsler, and died at the age of about twenty-three years, leaving one child. Mr. Seaton is a republican, and a member of the old school Presbyterian church.

John Henry, fai-mer, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, May 3, 1840. He is the son of Henry A. and Catherine A. (Shurtz) Henry. His father^s family refnoved from Hunterdon county to Warren county. New Jersey, when John was a small boy, and in 1851 the family came to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in Ohio Grove township where they i-emained four years, and then removed to Abington townshi]). In October, 1870, John was married to Martha E., daughter of John B. and Mary (May) Jameson. They have six children: Mina, Charles, Frank B., Bessie, Lois, and Byrtel Eugene. Mr. Henry has a well cultivated farm of ninety acres, and confines himself almost exclusively to grain raising. He has just entered on his fourth term as road commissioner, and has held other township offices. Mr. Henry enlisted in the union ai-my as a private soldier, August, 1862, and served in company G, 102d 111. Vol., until the following January, when he was discharo;ed because of disabilitv. ^Fr. Henry is a democrat.

Hon. IloHERT J. Cabeen, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wright) Cabeen, was born in IMuskingum county, Ohio, April 25, 1822. He removed with his father's family from Ohio to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1836. The family settled in Ohio Grove township, and in 1850 Robert went to California, where he remained two years and then returned to Mercer county. He was married A})ril 22, 185!>, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Violet (Scott) Pinkerton. After his nuirriage, Mr. Cabeen settled in Abington townshi}), where he now resides. He has a farm of 575 acres of magnificent land in one body and ninetyfive acres in another piece. His home place is under a high state of cultivation and his residence is one of the largest and most costly in the county, which is fornished in a complete style, making a country home of a most charming character. Mr. Cabeen is an extensive stock raiser, and ships a great many cattle to Chicago. He held the office of township supervisor for ten years and served as a member of the State Board of eqalization one term. Mr. and Mrs. Cabeen have had eight children. Samuel (deceased), Joseph, McClellan, Mary, Violet, Hattie E., Eobert J. (centennial son), and Edith May. Politically Mr. Cabeen was formerly a democrat, but for a good many years he has been an active member of the greenback party. Eeligiously he is a liberal or freethinker.

"W. A. Winchester, farmer, was born in Genesee county, New York, January 2, 1S2-1:. His father's family removed to Geauga county, Ohio, when the subject of our sketch was seven years old. In 18^9, Mr. Winchester settled in Adams county, Illinois, where he followed teaching school and farming for fourteen years, when he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in Abington township, on the farm where he now resides, which embraces 300 acres of excellent land. Mr. Winchester has fine buildings on his farm, and raises a great deal of stock. He is a model farmer, and while he is very retiring in his nature, his popularity among his neighbors has forced him to serve them in the capacity of supervisor for four terms in succession. May 29, 1866, he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Eliza Musser, of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. They have no children. Religiously Mr. Winchester is a freethinker. Politically he is a greenbacker.

Thomas Whitehall was born in North Carolina, July 31, 1828. He is the son of A. X. and Elizabeth Whitehall. His father removed with his family to Fountain county, Indiana, in 1832. In 1850 Mr. AYhitehall was married to Nancy, daughter of William and Sarah Stephens. He removed to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1856, and settled in Abington township. In 1865 he removed with his family to Fountain county, Indiana, and remained there until 1871, when they returned to Illinois and located in Mercer county again. Their home is now in Abington township and consists Of .a pretty farm of 1H(I acres, with most all the ap])urtances necessary to a desirable country home. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehall have had nine children, all living but Alice ()., their youngest, who departed this life when quite young. Their living are : Alva A., Pliebe E., William L., Mary E. and Sarah E. (twins), James M., Newton, Fruzy IT,, and Martha A. Mr. A\^liitehall is a greenbacher politically, and is what might be termed an independent thinker t)n almost every subject. He has his own peculiar notions on the subjects of medicine, religion, science, etc.

Lewis F. Ogle is the son of James C. and Elizabeth (Smith) Oi>-le. He was born in Fountain eoimtv, Indiana, in 1849. His father's family removed from Indiana to Illinois about 1853. They settled in Mercer county, and i^-ave their attention to farming. When Lewis F., or "Frank," as he is familiarly called, grew to manhood, he continued to make agricultural pursuits his chief business, and he now owns a good farm of 182 acres within four miles of Keithsburg, He was married November 2, 1879, to Miss Izziedora, daughter of Levi and Mary J. (James) Hall. They have had but one child, Eddie, whom they had the misfortune to lose by death while he was yet a babe. Mr. Ogle is rejDublican, politically, and is independent in his religious views.

Lewis Waldo Brewer, is the son of Gilbert and Elizabeth (Mills) Brewer. He was born August 28, 1834, in Wayne county, Indiana. When our subject was two years old his father moved with his family to Mercer county, Illinois. He received a common school education, and then learned the milling business, and has been engaged in the work for twenty-eight years. He owns a half interest in Pope mill, situated on Pope creek, live miles northeast of Keithsburg, where he resides and conducts the business of custom milling almost exclusively. Mr. Brewer was married in 1857 to Miss Mary Huff. One child was born to them. Mrs. Brewer died in 1860. The child is also deceased. Mr. Brewer was again married May 23, 1866, to liosetta, daughter of Homer and Lucia Beenier. They have had seven children, three of whom are deceased. The living are : Amanda, Fred and Ida (twins), and Walter. Mr. Brewer belongs to the masonic order, and he and his wife both belong to the Eastern Star chaptef. Politically Mr. Brewer is a republican. His views on religious matters are of the liberal type. It would make no difference what views he might entertain ; all who know him would be quick to admit the fact that "Wall " Brewer is strictly conscientious, both in his religion and his ])()litic8.

Mrs. Sarah G. Willits, generally known as "Aunt Sally AVillits," was born in Pennsylvania, in September, 1810. She is the daughter of John and Polly (Blue) Campbell. Her parents died when she was quite young, and she went with a sister to Wayne county, Indiana, from Lebanon, Ohio, about 1825, having gone to the latter place when six years of age. She was married in 1830 to John AVillits, and they removed to Mercer county, Illinois, about 1834, and settled in Abington towhsliip. Mrs. Willits received but a limited education, and when she went to school the i)rincipal text-books were the s})elling-book and the New Testament. Her husband was quite an extensive landowner and stock-breeder and dealer. He died in 18r»4. Thev had nine cliildren : Josiah G., Eliza E,, James W., and Martha G., are deceased. The living are : Marj J., William N., Linnaeus H., Thomas W. and Sarah E. Thomas W., who occupies the mother's part of the estate, and with whom she makes her home a majority of the time, was born in Abington township, April 7, 1847, where he still resides. His youth was spent on the farm with his parents, and he could only avail himself of a common school education. Like the sons and daughters of most pioneers, he learned more of hard, physical toil than of science and art ; he was more familiar with the Held and the wild j)rairies than with school-houses and art galleries. Mr. AYillits was united in marriage February 13, 1873, to Miss Alice Main. They had one child, Carrie E. Mr. W. is a greenbacker, politically.

Jasper Ogle was born in Adams county, Ohio, January 12, 1834. He is a son of James C. and Elizabeth Ogle. The family removed from Ohio to Fountain county, Indiana, when Jasper was six months old. In 1853 the family removed to Mercer county, Illinois. Our subject was married February 22, 1855, to Miss Angeline, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Allison. Tliey had seven children, all of whom are living. They are : Lena L. , James E. , Yan, Mary E. , Allie, Emma E. and Clarence E. Mr. Ogle removed to California in 1860, and remained there until 1870. While in the "golden state" he followed farming. He returned to Illinois only to continue his chosen occupation. He owns nearly 500 acres of land and has a very tine rural home. Mr. Ogle had the misfortune to lose his wife January 31, 1879. Politically Mr. Ogle is a republican, and religiously he is an Adventist or Sabbatarian. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. He has traveled over the entire length of the great Union Pacific railroad live times.

Joseph D. Ogle, farmer, is the son of James C. and Elizabeth Ogle, and was born in Fountain county, Indiana, November 28, 1850. When Joseph was but three years old the family came to Mercer county, Illinois. He was married December 23, 1875, to Miss Kate C, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Elrick. They have two children: Yan L. and Lela Fay. Mr. Ogle devotes his time wholly to agriculture. He owns a beautiful farm of 216 acres, on which are good buildings. Politically he is a pronounced republican, and thinks some remarkable change will have to come over the spirit of his dream if he is ever anything else in the way of politics.

Warren B. McClure was born in Meigs county, Ohio, November 5, 1848. He is the son of James and Jane (Ogle) McClure. He received a common school education, and on March 27, 1864, enlisted as a private soldier in the 13th Ohio cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was in several engagements and came out of tliem all unscathed. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Ohio where he remained until 1S68, when he went to Clarke county, Missouri. He came from Missouri to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1871, and settled in Abington township, where he now lives, in 1876. He was married Sej)tember 29, 1875, to Miss Leanna, daughter of Solomon and Evaline (Marlatt) Wolfe. Mr. and Mrs. McClure have three children : Clyde, Lula B., and Rose. Mr. McClure was formerly a re])ublican, but has been for a number of years an aggressive greenbacker. He is at present townshi]) assessor, being on his second term, and has served one tei*m as township collector. He has an excellent farm and gives most of his attention to agriculture, just mixing enough in politics to give farm life a respectable seasoning.

The life of John V. Bullock reminds us that people are prone to look upon stately mansions as the abodes of happiness because such homes indicate wealth and luxury. But alas ! how often is contention, discontent and unhappiness found within those stately walls. On the other hand happiness supreme often reigns* in the cabin and in the cottage. A snug cottage, nestled among evergreens, maples and beautiful flowers is an inviting rural retreat, where the happy birds make melody sweet, and the new-made hay perfumes the air like an incense ; where the green corn rustles in the breeze like the whisper of fairies, and the crystal dewdrops glisten in the sun like costly pearls, is a home to be envied by the tired, over-tiisked millionaire. Such an inviting place as this is the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Y. Bullock. Mr. Bullock was born in Crawford county, Indiana, November 17, 1840, and came to Mercer county, Illinois, as early as 1852, with his father's family. He was married December 29, 18H8. Mr. and Mrs. Bullock have three children. Their names are: William C, Guy B., and Earl K. This makes a complete picture in the mind of every one who, in the great race of life believes in the pursuit of legitimate happiness. A lovely country home, a devoted wife, and three promising children ! What more could be desired.

Dr. Jacob Russell Baker, of Keithsburg, to whom we are indebted for notes on Abington township, and other valuable information, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, March 19, 18-10, and is the son of Henry D. and Eve(Switzer) Baker. He removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana, in 1857, and studied medicine with Dr. T. Davenport, of AVarsaw, Indiana. He practiced ten years, but, disliking the profession, and the exposure necessary in its practice disagreeing with his health, he abandoned it. He was born and reared a Methodist and for several years was a member of that denomination and was a class- leader of the society. He contemplated entering the ministry of that denomination ; but some of the tenets of orthodoxy seeming imreasonable, after careful thought and study on the question, he became a Universalist and entered the ministry of that denomination. He preached one year at Kirks ville, Missouri, and two years in Clarinda, Iowa. The more he investigated the subject the more skeptical he became, and, at the end of his three years as a Universalist preacher, became a pronounced freethinker and left the pulpit forever. He believes all religions man-made, and that of humanity the only true religion. Since leaving the pulpit he has often lectured on the freethought platform. He was married March 26, 1865, to Barbara JS^olin, of Leesburg, Indiana. His wife died September 24, 1872. He had no children by his first wife. He was married again January, 1874, to Ella L. Lawton, of South Whitley, Indiana. They have three children : Bessie S., Estelle R., and Kalph Ingersoll. He is an enthusiastic apiarist, and devotes much of his time to agriculture. He writes regularly for several papers and magazines on d liferent rural topics, especially on bees and fine poultry, and pet stock fancy ; also on religious topics. He is a political stump speaker; in politics a greenbacker, and takes active part on the ''stump" in every political campaign. Dr. Baker has gained considerable reputation as an orator in this county where he has resided for the past six years. From an oration delivered at Keithsburg on the death of General Garfield, we have room for but a few extracts. He s&id : " The humblest individual in our country has the same indisputable right to call to account a public servant, or a candidate for the post of duty and hon(n', or to apply a critical test to questions of right and wrong, as has the most favored and exalted citizen of our republic. The American people well understand that a liberty less great than this would be an infringement upon a fundamental principle of popular government. Our motto is : Let truth and falsehood grapple ; let error and right contend, for we do injustice to right and truth if we doubt their ability to cope with their enemies." In closing lie said: "To say that Gen. Garfield possessed no faults, that he committed no errors, would be to say that he was more than human. But whatever his faults may have been in life, we will bury them with his body in death. Whatever errors he may have committed in his busy life, as a citizen, a soldier and a statesman, we freel}^ tbrgive and forget ; and with bowed head and aching hearts, consign his mortal remains to their narrow house in the city of the dead. And whiU^ all that is mortal of the distinguished soldier and statesman will crumble back to dust, his noble deeds as a son, a husband, a father, a teacher, a warrior and a statesman will live forever.

And now, tliat life's flitting dream is gone forever from onr honored president, we will write his name in golden characters, as indelible as the fixed stars in the blue canop}^ above us, bv the side of that of the immortal Washington, the great Jefferson, the hero Jackson, the martyr Lincoln, the patriot Douglass, the j^hilanthropist Greeley, and the noble, scholarly Sumner. And when the people of the American republic shall so far forget the principles of justice and republican government as to cease to love and reverence these illustrious dead, let the sun hide his burning face; the pale moon cease to kiss the earth with her soft, golden beams ; the stars fall from their places, and all the elements clash to cme common center."

Mercer township includes all the congressional township known as 14 N., R. 3 west of the 4th P. M. The soil is generally black and rich, with some clay along the brakes and water courses. It is well watered, Edwards river traversing the north tier of sections, from east to west, and Pope creek crossing the southeast corner and following west near the south line, in Ohio Grove township. These, with their numerous runs, as feeders, furnish an ample supply of water for stock and irrigation. Along the creeks the land is broken, but there is very little so steep that it cannot be cultivated. On the "divide," as it is called, between Pope and Edwards, the land is level, and until brought under cultivation, much of it was of a swamp}- nature. Over this prairie in early times there was scarcely a track that rose to the dignity of a road, as travel was not frequent enough to keep down the luxui-iant growth of grass, which often grew so high that a man on horseback could see but a short distance. Woe then to the luckless traveler who undertook to cross the prairie in a wet time with wagon and team. Suddenly his oxen would sink in the mud, knee deep, the wagon go down to the hub, and there was nothing to do but to unload, and then perhaps "-double teams," if perchance tliei-e was some one to double with, or if not, go two or three miles to secure assistance. But cultivation and judicious draining have so changed the nature of the soil in this respect that it is difficult to convince our farmer boys of to-day that the most productive parts of their farms were at one time little better than impassable swampr-i.

Much of the township is underlaid with coal of a good quality, but there have, as yet, been but few banks opened, as it generally lies too deep to work with profit. Banks in the northeast part of the township have been run for many years, but seldom at a great profit. Within a few years mines have been opened near Aledo and are still run on a small scale.

The water courses are lined witli timber, oak, hickory, elm, maple, and linn predominating, while hazel covers the hill sides, and willows are plenty near the water. There are a few walnut trees, of good size and quality, and also some ash and hackberry, with })erliaps a few other kinds. Wild plums, wild cherries, crab-apples and blackberries formerly grew in abundance, but with the exception of the two latter, they are now rare. Strawberi-ies were also plenty on the uplands.

In the days of the first settlers deer were plenty on these prairies, as were also the prairie wolf, whose wild bowlings are still among the most vivid, if not the most pleasing, recollections of the pioneers. Game of other kinds also abounded, and the early settlers dined sumptuously on wild turkey, prairie chicken, venison, rabbit, duck or goose, according to the season.

Prairie fires were of yearly occurrence. The luxuriant growth of grass, scorched by the summer's heat, by early fall was as dry as tinder, and a spark from a careless hunter's pipe, or sometimes the wad from his gun would start a conflagration which soon became at once grand and terrible. IS^one who have once seen it can ever forget the majestic sweep of the wall of fire as it sped before the ever increasing wind, stretching out its arms farthei" and farther on either side, rivaling in speed the horse or deer, and gathering up and devouring all within its reach. Such was the prairie fire of early days, and fortunate was it for him who, caught in the track of the fast-coming Hames, understood the pioneer's way of fighting fire with fire. Without this knowledge a severe scorching, if nothing worse, most surely awaited him.

The first entry of land made in the township was on August 21, 1837, when John and Abraham Miller entered the northeast quarter of section 4. In this and the two following years, the Miller family entered over 800 acres of land in sections 3, 4, and 16. They were the first settlers in the township ; but as a full historj^ of the family, and their coming to, and r>Taking a home in, Sugar Grove is given in connection with the history of Perryton township, we will not rejjeat it here, merely noting that they Uiilt the first mill and the first schoolhouse in this township. Most of the land in this township lies in what is known as the ''military tract," and was patented in 1818. A portion of the lands entered by the Miller-* were school lands, and were patented to them by the governor of Illinois, who also issued a patent to Benjamin Clark, to the W. ^ of the 8. E. ^ of Sec. 16, on September 4, 1837.

Sugar Grove is situated on tlie north of Edwards river, including in its limits parts of sections 3, 4, i>, and 10. It received its name from the large number of sugar maple trees there growing, from which, until very recently, large quantities of nui])le sugar were manufactui'ed yearly ; but at ])resent the quantity is very small. It obtained a wide celebrity in early times as the place for holding the yearly camp-meetings of the Methodist church for the district then known as the Kock Kiver district, embracing, we believe, full half the state. Here gathered, each succeeding fall, the hardy pioneers, coming fifty, and even one hundred, miles to spend a week or more in their chosen mode of worship. Here they would listen to the soul-stirring appeals of Giddings, Cartwright, Haney, Morey, Doughty, and the many others whose memory is revered by hundreds still living. When the first cam]>meeting was held here we cannot definitely state ; certainly as early as 1845, and we think before that, and they were only discontinued in 1873, when the district, now less than one-fourth as large as then, purchased grounds of its own in Rock Island county. The grounds, however, are still occasionally used, the primitive Methodists and the Seventh Day Baptists having each held one or more meetings there within the past few years ; but as a ' ' permanent campground," their glory has departed.

Early in 1837 Messrs. Benj. Clark, John J. Charles, Timothy Condit, and William Mackey conceived the idea that a town should be built near the centre of the county, and they accordingly employed Judge E. Gilmore, then county surveyor, to make the plat. The judge left l^ew Boston, with his instruments and assistants, and on foot they wended their way for fifteen long miles eastward, the day being bright and warm. Unfortunately a storm came up in the night, the thermometer rapidly fell, and the next morning broke clear and cold, with the ground covered with snow. The chain-bearers refused to work, and the judge, facing a cold west wind, made his way back to New Boston, arriving worn out and chilled to the bone, the trip resulting in a serious illness. A second attempt was more successful, and on March 30, 1837, the lines were run and the stakes driven that marked the town of Mercer, situated on the N. E. ^ of Sec. 21, T. 14 N., R 3 W. of the 4th P. M.

But the expectations of the proprietors were never realized. But one house was erected, and the only inhabitant of this, so far as known, was a large white owl, who held for years undisputed ])ossession of the lonely tenement. The house rotted down, and in 1S51 we crossed the town site, the only remaining mark of the existence of the town being a portion of the roof of this lonely cabin, which had not as vet quite rotted and blown away. The town site lias long been under cultivation, and few of the residents of the township remember that it was ever laid out ; indeed, many of them will perhaps first learn this fact from a perusal of these pages.

In 1842 or 1843 Samuel McKee, John H. McBnde; and William Carnahan, all young men of this vicinity, each took a load of wheat to Chicago, with ox teams, with three or four yoke of oxen to the wagon. They sold their wheat for forty-two cents per bushel, and brought back salt, and other necessaries. Samuel McKee gave one barrel of salt from his load for the use of a wagon for the trip. The party were gone three weeks, and they wasted no time, either in Chicago or on the road.

Among the early settlers of the township but few are now li^^ng, and still fewer are those who yet reside within its limits. Among them we may mention Mr. N. Edwards, who opened a farm on section 18, in 1849 ; Mr. L. F. Jobusch, who settled here in 1851, and Mr. E. C. Bartlitt, who opened a farm the same year ; Henry Lee, William McKee, Isaac Aitz, and R. H. Wirger, still residing here, came about, or j^rior to, the latter date. Joseph, William and Mary Ann McKee, all children of John McKee, are the only persons now living in the township who were here in 1841.

Township organization was adopted in this county in 1853, and the first election of township oflicers, of which a record is found in the town records, was held at the house of John McKee, April 4, 1854. John McKee served as chairman, Isaac Jones as moderator, and E. C. Bartlitt as clerk. At this election twenty-seven votes were cast, and the following is a list of officers elected : supervisor, David Braucht ; town clerk, E. C. Bartlitt ; assessor, John S. Moore ; collector, John Ashbaugh ; overseer of poor, John Artz ; commissioners of highways, L. F. Jobusch, Jacob Sprecher, R. H. Winger; justices of the peace, John McKee, John L. Candor; constables, William McKee, Israel Artz ; overseers of highways, Edward Cliflbrd, George Smith.

At the general election in the fall of the same year but sixteen votes were cast. At this time a vote was taken "for or against the county of Mercer taking one hundred thousand dollars stock in the Warsaw & Rockford Railroad," resulting nine for and five against. James E. Willett, John McKee, and Henry Lee were judges at this election, and E. C. Bartlitt and R. H. Winger clerks.

to build a poor-house for the county, when sixteen of the seventeen votes polled were against the levy- In 1855 the Great Western Air Line railway was laid out, and the line divided Mercer county almost in the center from east to west, and a town laid out in the following spring on the S. E. ^ of Sec. 17, and named Aledo, a history of which will be found elsewhere.

August 8, 1857, an election was held ''for or against the removal of the county seat from Keithsburg to Aledo,'' at which 231 votes were polled, each and all of which were very naturally "for" removal.

May 5, 1859, a special town meeting was held to vote for or against the township subscribing for stock of the American Central Railway Company (the Air Line under a new name), resulting for subscription, 132 ; against, 50 votes. Although this vote appears decidedly in favor of the subscription, w^e can lind no record of the issue of any bonds to the company at this time ; but on May 29, 1868, Elisha Miles, Matthew Maffitt, C. S. Richey, Hiram Parkman, James M. Macy, and J. F. Woods filed a petition with the town clerk, asking that "an election be called for the purpose of voting for or against the subscription by said township to the capital stock of the American Central railway to the amount of li?13,-100," etc., and on the 9th of June said election was held, resulting 142 votes for subscription, four votes against it, and eleven votes "no tax."

In pursuance of the authority granted by this vote, bonds were issued for the above amount, March 23, 1869, in sums of $100 each, payable ten years after date, and bearing ten per cent interest, payable annually ; the bonds "to be delivered to the company wlien the iron was laid from Galva to Aledo, provided said iron was laid on or before July 1, 1869."

Some of these bonds were paid otf by the township before they became due, and at the April meeting in 1879 the su])ervisor and town clerk were instructed to issue new bonds to the amount of those yet outstanding, at as low a rate of interest as possible, not to exceed the legal rate of eight per cent, and with the proceeds pay off the old bonds. The expense, however, of issuing the new bonds was avoided by an agreement with the holders to extend the time of payment at eight per cent. There are yet outstanding $4,800, due as follows: $2,000, May 12, 1883; $1,000, March 23, 1884; and $1,800, May 23, 1884. Ample provision has been made for paying them when due, and they would be i)aid oft' at once if the holders would give them up, which they decline to do.

the education is progressive and keeping fidl pace with the demands of the times. Care is exercised in the selection of school officers, and they in turn look well into the merits and qualifications of the teachers they employ. As a rule the wages paid are above the average in the state, although seldom equal to what the same talent would command in other professions.

There is little or no vacant land in the township. "What can not be tilled with profit is utilized as stock pasture, or for the growth of young timber, the latter an industry that does not receive the attention its importance demands. Our farmers are^for the most part in comfortable circumstances, and what little land is leased out commands from twofifths to one-half the crop, or a rental of $4 to $.5 per acre per annum, in advance. Corn and stock-raising are the leading agricultural interests, although grain of all kinds is raised and commands good prices in our market. While comparativeh" little fruit is raised for market, each farm has an orchard of well selected trees, from which the family is expected to be supplied, with perhaps a small surplus to sell. Apples and cherries generally do well, but peaches and pears seldom bear a fair crop, or come to maturity. Most of the orchards are supplied with home-grown trees from the extensive nursery of Mr. Tyler McWhorter, one-half mile south of Aledo. Grapes and berries are grown largely, anji in a fair season our markets are overstocked.

Our population is at present about 2,550; our people are industrious, energetic, wealthy and well educated. Our farmers have good, and many of them very fine residences, with large and well filled barns and granaries ; implements and machinery of the best and most laborsaving kinds ; horses, cattle and hogs of the finest breeds. Roads and bridges are generally ke])t in good repair, but such a thing as a good road at all seasons is impracticable with our soil and will never be attained here without large expense for gravel, or some substitute of the same nature.

The present town officers, elected April -i, 18S2, are as follows: supervisor, II. R. Morrison (who was elected in 1878 and has held the position ever since, and who is now chairman of the county board) ; town clerk, L. B. Doughty, elected first in 1879; assessor, J. A. Marquis, second year ; collector, F. T. Owen, second year ; commissioners of highways, R. -C. Morrison, W. K. Fulton, John C. Dool ; justices of the peace, M. L. Marsh, elected first in 1862, and has held continually ever since, and M. S. Boice, elected in 1882, to fill vacancy ; constables, Joseph McDougal, elected in 1870, and held ever since, and Geo. A. Smith, elected in 1881 ; school trustees, W. C. Galloway, Henry Lee and W. J. Brown ; school treasurer, Joseph McCoy.

The equalized valuation of real estate, personal, and railroad })ro|> erty in Mercer township in 1881, as sliown on assessor's book, was $979,837. These tigures, however, rejjresent less than one-third of the actual wealth of the township, which, at a fair cash rating, must considerably exceed $3,000,000.

The census report of 1880 showed a population of 2,454 ; a gain of 507 over the report of 1870. The same average increase, which we think has been fully maintained during the i)ast two years, would make our population now about 2,550, as given above.

In noting the products of the townshi]), we made no mention of the hay crop, which is one of present and constantly growing importance ; nor of sorghum, which is grown and nuinufactured in (puintities to meet the home demand. Vegetables of all kinds are raised in abundance and sold in large quantities to dealers and shippers. Potatoes are generally a good crop, 1881 being an exce])tionally poor year for them, and one of the verv few in which our "-rowers have failed to raise enough to supply the home demand.

The survey and location of the Great "Western Air Line railroad through the county, opened a wide field for s})eculation in the establishment of new towTis ; and the result of one of these was the location and platting of a town on section 17, in Mercer township, in the fall of 1855, which was christened De Soto by its founders, Messrs. Willits and Thompson, Finding that there was already a village bearing that name in this state, a new one was deemed necessary, and from a number suggested, the choice fell upon Aledo. On March 20, 1856, a public sale of lots was held on the site of the proposed town. This sale was attended by what was then considered a large crowd, and the bidding was spirited and at times exciting, when what was considered a choice location was offered. 112 lots were sold at a fraction over $103 each, aggregating $11,580. The first two lots offered brought $240 each; the highest price ])aid for any lot was $255, while two went as low as $35 each. Among the purchasers were Judge E. Gilni<^re and M. L. Marsh, Esq., who still reside in Aledo. The proprietors had decided to donate the proceeds of the sale of the first fifty lots to the establishment of a college or seminary, and the amount realized for that purpose was $5,780. The first building erected was put up by the proprietors of the town, on the north side of Seventh street, near INIaple, during the early summer of 1856 ; and as soon as it could be occupied, a hotel was opened, with J. E. Ilarroun as landlord. The carpenters, while building it, boarded with a farmer living neai' the town site. The building is still standing, and is used as a business house below and residence above. The business rooms are occupied by M. S. Boice, with, a china store, and W. J. Stuart with a barber shop, while a recent addition is used as a cigar manufactory by C. L. Brankamp. The building is now owned by Capt. L. B. Morey.

The first business house erected was on College avenue, south of the railroad, and was occupied bv John S. Moore and O. C. Allen, under name of Moore & Allen, with a general stock of dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc. Dr. S. Macy started the first drug store, and was the first dentist in the new village. Thomas Maddox opened the first hardware store and tin shop. He is still a resident, although long since retired from business. J. E. Harroun was the first postmaster, and it is said he carried the mail in his hat, and delivered it whenever or wherever he should happen to meet the fortunate recipient of a letter or newspaper. Judge John S. Thompson built what was then considered a very fine residence, and moved into it in the fall of 1857 ; and right here we will say something of the proprietors of the town. Judge T. was one of the early lawyers of the county, and had attained a fair prominence ,in his profession in the district. He was subsequently elected circuit judge and filled the position acceptably. During what was termed the ''Johnson campaign," he was a candidate for congress on the Johnson, or fusion, ticket, but was defeated. He was, moreover, a man of energy and push, and whatever he understood he generally pushed to completion. Failing in his })olitical aspirations, he turned his attention to securing the completion of the railroad so long promised, but as yet without prospect of completion. Largely through his eftbrts the company was reorganized under the name of the American Central ; new subscriptions were secured from towaiships, villages, and private individuals. He was indefatigable in his efibrts, and would doubtless have pushed the road through to completion under the organization of which he was president, had he not secured an advantageous arrangement with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Kailroad Company, whereby the lattei* was to complete the road from Galva to Keithsburg for the consideration of a lease thereof for ninet}^- nine years. .Under this arrangement the road was completed in 1869, and has since been operated under the charter of the American Central, but is known as the Galva and Keithsburg branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. This lease, however, was distasteful to the people, who, while paying their subscriptions to the railroad, did not relish the idea that the funds went into the pockets of the judge and his associates, and many were the anathemas showered upon his head. This, we believe, was all wrong ; the judge had secured the completion of the road, which litis proven worth more to one and all than was ever ho])ed for, and it matters little wliether it was built and operated by the Amercan Central or the Chicago, Burlington tfc Quincy. It may have been to a certain extent a "sell out" on the subscribers, but it was much better to be ''sold out'' with the road than without it. The advantages conferred and secured by the road certainly far outweigh the disadvantages under which we miglit still be laboring but for the energy and tact of Judge John S. Thompson.

Shortly after the comjJetion of the road, Judge T. removed to San Jose, California, where he followed his profession of the law, and entered into politics to some extent ; but having had some experience in railroad building, he has again entered into that pursuit, and is at present president of a new company known as the Rock Island & Southwestern, which proposes to build a road from Rock Island to Xew Boston, where it will cross the river and connect with ex-senator Harlan's road to Kansas City. Surveys have been made, and etlbrts are now in progress for securing the right of way and the estalJishment of the line. The surveys run through I^uncan, Eliza, and New Boston townships, and if built will open u[> a rich section now having poor facilities for reaching market. The headquarters of the company are in (^hicago, where the judge at present resides.

Levi Willits, his partner, was one of the early settlers of Xew Boston, and he and AVilliam Drury were among the first business men of that place, where for many years they conducted a general store, and by judicious investments in real estate, both laid the foundaton for wealth. Mr. Willits was a thorough and far-seeing business man, and so open-handed and liberal in his dealing that he won the regard of all with whom he came in contact, and at his death in ISoS, he was truly mourned by all who knew him.

In 1857 the Barton house, on the corner of College avenue and Seventh street, was erected and opened by D. N. Barton. It was a large four-story brick building, one of the largest at that time in the military tract, and has ever since ranked as a leading hotel of the place. It changed hands a number of times, until the ownership fell to Mr. Schuyler Button ; but a short time after he took ])Ossessioii it caught tire and was destroyed, the walls being so badly damaged that they were taken down. The fire occurred on November 10, 1867, and the loss was $10,000, the heaviest ever experienced before or since wnthin the village. The building was at once rebuilt, and is at present occupied by John S. Button, a son of the gentlennm last mentioned.

James M. Wilson, lawyer, established a furniture store in 1857 ; was subsequently elected circuit clerk ; read law, and lias for years been a member of tlie firm of Pepper & Wilson. I. K. Bassett, of the law firm of Bassett & Wharton, has practiced here continuously since 1857. C. F. Cunningham has been in business here since the spring of the same year, first as a painter, and afterwjfi'd starting and still running a carriage shop. His brother, Frank C, learned the j^ainting trade with him, and is still following it. M. L. Marsh opened an ofiice as notary public in 1857 ; was afterward elected justice of the peace, in which office he is now serving his fifth consecutive term. Horace Bigelow, one of the founders of the " Eecord," in June of 1857, is still one of its publishers, having now been connected with it for a quarter of a century. ]!s^. Edwards came here in 1857 or 1858, and has been in business of some kind ever since. George McEowen started a wagon-shop in 1857, and still does a little repairing at the old stand. John Kainey has resided in the same house twenty-five years. Joseph McCoy, T. H. Day, J. H. Abercrombie, H. R. Morrison, C. S. Richey, and J. M.Warwick were among the first residents, and are -still here. D. Y. Reed, now deceased, -was another, and his wife lives adjoining town. Capt. J. Y. Merritt, now of Eliza township, came to the town site with the first load of lumber.

The great event, however, of 1857, was the removal of the county seat from Keithsburg to Aledo, which was decided by a vote of the people on August 3d of that year. The result was a majority in favor of removal, of 930 out of a total vote of 2,028. Below we give the figures from ofticial returns :

Mercer Tom'Nship

The majority was of a decisive character as an expression of the will of the people, and we remember of a sort of a jollification in xiledo after the returns were received, but we can find no account of it in the "Record''' of that week ; whether the editor tliou<i;ht the affair of too small importance to mention, or was too mapianimoiis to liarrass his Keithsburg readers with the account, we cannot now conjecture. But the citizens had a good time, at any rate, and fired anvils, burned turpentine balls, and shouted to their hearts' content.

Aledo citizens had donated a block of ground for a court-house, and had subscribed between S<^nOOO and ^^7,000 toward its construction. A biick building had been erected, suitable for use as county offices, and as soon as possible after the decision the officers and records were brought to Aledo. The building now used for a court-house was erected foi* a school-house, but the lower story was fitted up so that it could be used for a court-room, and it was in this that the first term of court was held.

One of the attorneys at this term was Charles M. Harris of Oquawka, but who has since removed to Chicago, and for one term represented that district in congress. Mr. Harris was a very hirge, heavy man, and somewhat pompous withal. Aledo had no sidewalks in those days, and in wet weather mud abounded everywhere. One day Mr. Harris, while returning from the court-room to the hotel, got stuck fast in tlie mud in the middle of the street. He wore very low shoes or slippers, and they would pull off at every effort he made to extricate himself. The few who witnessed his efforts were much amused. Finally Mr. Jacob Cool procured a team and some assistance, backed the wagon u}) to Mr. Harris, and by hard work those in the wagon pulled him out of his shoes and drove him to his hotel, where a boy was found ready to earn a dime by fishing up and cleaning the lost brogans. Mr. Cool still lives in Aledo, and we who witnessed the fun often have a laugh as we speak of "-Charley Harris stuck in the mud."

The first school taught in Aledo was the pre])aratory department of the Mercer Collegiate Institute, by the Eev. William Townley, in a building erected in the southwest part of the town, long since remodeled and turned into a residence. The Mercer CoHegiate Institute was designed to be a college of the first class, under the auspices of the Presbyterian church. They built a large brick building on what is now known as south addition, and started a school therein, but it was not supported in a manner to secure success. The idea of the college was at last abandoned, and as the building was deemed unsafe, owing to the use of poor stone in its foundation, it was sold and pulled down, the material being disposed of at retail for what it would bring.

The Methodists also proposed to ibund a college here, and the Rev. H. J. Humphrey was sent here to superintend its construction. Ground was secured, a most beautiful site, on the apex of a mound about half a mile west of town, now in the center of the farm of John C. Dool. Foundations were laid for a large and expensive structure, a commodious residence built for President Humphrey (now owned by I. ]S^. Bassett, Esq.), and suddenly the enterprise collai)sed, for want of funds to carry it further. The Methodist Episcopal college was a failure.

Later Mr. J. II. Wylie established the Aledo academy, which is still running, it having received a living, if not a liberal support. The course of study is that usually taught in academies, and Mr. Wylie is a thorough and competent teacher. While the school is not strictly sectarian, Prof. Wylie is a strong United Presbyterian, and his school is largely supported by the membership of that church. The academy building is beautifully located on a block in the south part of the town, is not large, but is well arranged, and sufficient in size to accommodate more students than haye yet been brought togetlier within its walls. It is a good school and worthy of support, but with the present advanced course of study in our public schools it can never hope for a very liberal support, the public schools litting students for admission to our best colleges, or for a place among the ranks of teachers, which is all thatcan be expected of an academy.

Aledo has been singularly fortunate in regard to fires. . The iirst of importance was the burning of the residence and drug-store of Dr. S. Macy in October, 1S66, entailing a loss of about $1,000 over and above insurance. The Button house was burned in 1868, and in June, 1871, the large livery barn of Smith & McBride was burned, the loss being from $'2,000 to $3,000. The next hre occurred on July 2, 1876, when the tine residence of Joseph Plarvey on Seventh street was totall}- destro^^ed, just as it was completed and before it was ready for occupancy. The loss was about $2,000 above insurance. The last was the burning of the residence of Edward James in. the southwest part of the town, his loss being about $700. There have been numerous alarms and frecpient inci^jient blazes, but fortunately those enumerated are all that have caused much damage. The village has a small but efficient volunteer tire company, well equipi)ed with one large and a number of small chemical engines, hose and ladder wagon, buckets, etc., and

Two severe wind storms liave visited Aledo, each doing considerable damage. The first was in the early years of its history, and tlie most serious damage was removing the frame of the Methodist E})iscopal church (then in course of erection) partially off of its foundation. The second came in June, 1876, and unroofed barns, leveled fences and trees, damaged a number of buildings, and blew down the spire and a part of the south end of the United Presbyterian church, which had but recently been built and was yet partially unfinished. The congregation had it at once rebuilt and the lower story fitted for occupancy, and have worshiped in it ever since, having only just commenced the work of finishing the upper story.

Aledo has seven churches, but as these have been written up elsewhere we will only name them. They are the Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Episcopal, Swedish Lutheran, and Baptist. The pulpits of the Congregationalists and Baptists are now vacant, and that of the Lutherans is occu})ied but half the time.

The growth of the village has been at times spasmodic ; at times steady and substantial. It has now passed the spasmodic period ; brick is more and more used, and some of her business houses would do honor to much larger places.

The first business houses were opened south of the railroad, and for a number of years that part of town was the business center ; but this gradually worked northward, and at present College avenue, north from the railroad, and Seventh street, east of the avenue, are the main business localities.

The population of Aledo in 1880, within the corporate limits, was 1,500 ; but this included none of the additions to the village outside the corporation lines. Counting these, the number reached about 2,000, which has been since slightly increased ; 2,100 would be a fair estimate at present.

The equalized valuation of property, as returned by the assessor for 1881, was as follows: lots, $160,847; personal, $323,365; railroad, $13,527; total, $497,739; say in round numbers, $500,000. Taking into account the manner of assessing, at one-half, one-third, and often one-fifth of the actual value of property, and $2,000,000 is a low figure for the wealth here represented.

The town was incorporated in 1863, under the general laws, an election being held August 15 of that year, resulting forty-eight \-otes for incorporation and five against. The first election for trustees was held Septembers, 1853, at which the following were chosen : Simeon Macy, president j E. Gilmore, George Turner. William McK. Young, and John R. Bassett, The latter served as village clerk, and N. P. Brown was appointed treasurer.

In September, 1872, village organization was adopted, under the provisions of the laws of that year; the election, November 11, resulting forty-four votes for, and five against village organization.

Under the law now in force one half of the above were to hold two years and one half but one. It was decided by lot, and the three trustees last mentioned drew the long term.

Aledo has ever been noted for the strong temperance views of its citizens, and since the spring of 1876 no saloon has been allowed within its limits. There is now in force an ordinance which prohibits the sale of spirituous liquors, even \)\ druggists, for any purpose whatsoever, except under restricticuis so severe that none of tlie druggists have asked for a permit. It makes it a misdemeanor for a ])hysician to prescribe liquor "except where good j)ractice demands it," but fails to detine what "good ]jractice'" is. As a consequence, physicians ]M-escriptions must be taken to other towns if licjuor is one of the ingredients.

The Aledo cemetery is beantifullv located, adjoining the town on the southeast. A part of it was donated, and the ^-ilhige has witliin a few years purchased a large addition. It is kept in fair condition and is partially set to evergreens. Some very fine monuments mark the resting place of departed friends.

Business

L. F. Jobusch has occupied the same stand in the grocery business for over twenty years. J. H. Abercrombie has carried on the harness business most of the time since the town was started. H. E. Morrison has been continually in the furniture trade for twenty years or more. Samuel Marquis started the livery business at his present stand during the war. James Galloway <fe Son, started a grocery in 1869, and are the oldest firm in that business in town, in which there has been no change. C. S. Richey and John Shafer have been longer in the dry goods trade than other firms in town, but each have belonged to two or three difterent fii-ms. Fred. Davis still occupies the blacksmith shop he built over twenty-five years ago.

The banks, as the moneyed institutions of the town, deserve more than a passing notice. The first bank started was by Bailey tfe Byers, in February, 1879, in a frame building that then stood on Seventh street, opposite and west of Button house, and was the only one then in the county. In the fall of that year Judge E. Gilmore purchased the interest of Bailey, and the firm was known as A. M. Byers & Co. In 1870, the large brick building on southeast corner of College avenue and Seventh street was erected, the corner room being fitted for a bank, and the remainder as business rooms. It is now occupied by the Aledo bank ; J. F. McBride and Mrs. A. M. Young on first fioor, while the second is used as attorneys'' offices and masonic lodge room. In April, 1874, A. M. Byers sold his interest to John McKinney, Sr., and agreed to do nothing in the banking business for one year. At the end of the year he organized a joint stock company and started a bank known as A. M. Byers ct Co.'s Farmers Bank, opening it in the brick building on northeast corner of Seventh street and College avenue, which was purchased and fitted up for tliat purpose. The capital is over sixty thousand dollars and cannot be increased or diminished until 1885. The stockholders are business men of Aledo and wealthy farmers scattered throughout the county, and the business is manao-ed by A. M. Bvers and a finance committee.

A. M. Byers was born and brought up on a farm near llamsburg, Pennsylvania, and commenced his business career as clerk in a general store. In 1855, when about twenty years of ao-e, he decided to attend a commercial college, but finally changed his mind, and after visiting Chicago and the west, he engaged in traveling for a wliolesale grocery house in Goshen, Indiana. The next year he clerked for (^ol. John Williams, the pioneer mei-chant of Springfield, Illinois, and the next in a store at Rushville, Illinois. For the next few years he made his home at Beardstown, Illinois, but s])ent mucli of his time in Richardson county, Nebraska, where he engaged largely in land speculations, and still owns some 2,000 acres of land on the Kansas and Nebraska line, some of it purchased in 1S58. During these years he made an extended trij) south, visiting all of the southern States exce])t Florida.

March 13, 1801, he was married to ]Vriss May F. Tull, at Beardstown, Illinois, and after a season of travel and siglit-seeing, they settled in Adams countv, Illinois, where Mr. B. eniJ^ai^ed extensivelv in farming and dealing in live stock, until about the close of the war, when, in connection with Thomas Bailey, of Camp Point, Illinois, he engaged in banking in that town, which is^ situated on the Chicago, P>urlington and Quincy railroad, twenty-five miles east of (:^uincy. This they conducted profitably until 18H9, when they opened the Aledo bank, but 80(m dissolved partnership, Mr. Bailey taking the Camp Point bank, and Mr. Byers remaining here and entering into partnership with E. Gilmore.

Mr. Byers has been uniformly successful in his business enterprises and has found his ventures in Aledo highly satisfactorj', so nuich so that when he sold out his interest in the Aledo bank, he decided to continue in the business here, after spending some months in search of a more promising location. lie thoroughly understands his business, and has the entire confidence of the business community and of his associate stockholders in the bank. He owns a commodious and handsome residence, the interior of which is a model of neatness and comfort, a home in every sense of the word.

His family consists of himself, wife, daughter Olive and sf)n Edward. To the daughter he has given every educational advantage, and she is a graduate of Monticello seminary. Her musical talent is of a su|)erior order and she ranks among tlie best in Aledo as a ])ianist and vocalist.

Upon the organization of tlie Farmers' Bank, ('a])t. L. B. Morey was associated with ]\lr. Byers in its management for the first two years, when, finding the business too confining, lie retired. Capt. Morey was almost raised in Mercer countv. He served with distinction during the w^ar as a lieutenant in company A, 37th reg. IlL A'ol. Inf., rising to the rank of ca})tain. He was for a long time on the staff of Gen. F. .1. Ilerron, during his ojjerations in Arkansas and

On the retirement of Ca])t. Morey from the bank, Mr. William N. Graham was engaged as cashier, a position in which he is now serving his fifth year, during all of which time he has faithfully discharged his duties. Mr. Graham came to Aledo over twenty years ago, engaged in the plastering business for awhile witli his brother H. P., taught school, clerked for Poage & Senter and Harvey Senter, was in the dry goods business with his brother George P. for awhile, with J. S. Paxton in the grocery business, and served one term as county treasurer, prior to entering the bank. He has always proven himself a good business man.

Such is a brief history of the banking business in Aledo, so far as Mr. Byers has been connected with it. The Farmers^ Bank is on a sound iinancial basis, has an ample capital, and is backed by men of wealtli and inliuence. It is an institution tluit has added largely to the growth and prosperity of Aledo, and deserves what it has ever received, the support and patronage of the citizens of our county.

The Aledo Bank is also one of the stjlid institutions of the county. Mr. John McKinney, Sr., bought the interest of A. M. Byers in Ajjril of 1874, and the lirm name became McKinney, Gil more & Co., the "Co.'^ being L. C. Gilmore, son of the judge. This iirm continued until April of the present year, when Mr. McKinney purchased the interest of the Gilmores, and associated with himself liis son James, under the name of McKinney & Co. Mr. John E. Gilmore, who was for some years in the employ of the old iirm, still occupies the teller's desk. The bank has an ample capital to meet all demands of its patrons.

Mr. John McKinney, Sr., was one of the early business men of Oquawka, where he for many years conducted a large and eminently successful dry goods business. Tiring of this he retired, and for a number of years did a large business in loaning money in that place and vicinity. "When he entered the Aledo Bank he purchased the fine residence of Judge John S. Thompson, and has transacted an extensive business in the way of loans, in addition to the regular banking business, having much more capital at his command than could be profitably used in tlie latter.

In 1881 he erected a large brick building adjoining the bank proi> erty and known as McKinney block. It is one of the best arranged and most commodious business blocks in town, and the only one having a phite-glass front. One room is occupied by J. H. Pamsey with his fine jewelry stock, and O. A. Wallen with boots and shoes. The other is used for the postoffice, having been built and arranged for that special purpose. The boxes, general deli\'ery, etc., are equal to those found in large cities, and wh-en fully com])leted the Aledo postoffice will be one of the best and most conveniently arranged of any in "Western Illinois. John McKinney, Jr., is postmaster, and John, senior, takes a pardonable ])ride in making the room a credit to the owner and to the village. The upper floor of the building is divided into commodious and well arranged office rooms. Mr. Mclvinney has recently })urchased the property adjoining the bank building on the south, and contem])lates building a substantial brick building thereon at an early day.

The Aledo Bank enjoys the confidence and receives the patronage of the community at large, and is known to stand A 1 in the large commercial centers. Its business is large and renumerative, and it reflects credit and adds dignity and standing to the town whose name it bears. James McKinney, the junior member of the fii-m, has for a number of years assisted his father in his loan and real estate business, and is well qualified, by education and training, for the position of cashier, which he now fills. Archie McKinney, a younger brother, has taken his place in the loan department. The latter is a young man of fine attainments, having received a thorough college training, and graduated with honor, lie read law with the firm of Pepper ct A¥ilson, and was last year admitted to the bar. He has spent several months in Chicago where he expected to remain until recalled to take his present ]K)sition. John E. Gilmore is a grandson of Judge E. Gilmore, and since the death of his father, some years ago, made his home with his grandparents. He has received a liberal education, and has a thorough business training in the bank in which he is now engaged, and his connection therewith cannot fail t(j prove advantageous to the business. The safe used is one of the best manufactured ; is made of five plates of solid steel, with solid corners, built from the outside inward, and is fire as well as burglar ])roof. It is provided with the Yale time lock, and the most approved combination locks on inner and outer doors. It weiglis three tons, and stands in a fire proof vault of rock and brick. With its large capital, and such perfect vault and safe, unlimited security is offered to depositors. The safe is as good as any in the state, and its equal cannot perhaps be found outside of Chicago. L. C. Gilmore is also still connected with the bank. Few towns in our state can boast of two such banks, and the fact that there is business enough for both speaks well for the wealth and business enterprise of Aledo and Mercer county.

all who know of the business enterprise of her citizens. The latter are enterprising, progressive and public spirited in an unusual degree. Her business houses are mostly of brick ; large and well filled with inviting and salable goods. She can boast of more and better sidewalks than any village of the same size in the state ; indeed, some of the cities will not compare favorably with her in this regard. Her churches are numerous, large and well attended. Her public schools are amono; the best in the state. Her streets are well lighted and well kept. There are an unusually large number of tine residences and comfortable homes. She is surrounded by a wealthy and prosperous farming community, and lies in the center of as rich and productive a section as can anywhere be found. While her past has been one o steady advancement, her future is promising ; there is scarcely a possibility, and no probability of a loss of prestige, or a declilie in wealth, prosperity or business enterprise.

The Aledo Weekly Record

Intimately associated with the history of Aledo is that of the "Record," established in 1857, the initial number appearing on July 14 of that year, by James H. Reed and Horace Bigelow, under the firm name of Reed & Bigelow. These gentlemen had been publishing the Oquawka "Plain Dealer," but had sold the office in May, 1857, to Magie & Mitchell. The material for the " Record " office was purchased in Chicago, shipped to Rock Island by rail, and thence transported to Aledo on wagons.

Established during the heat of the canvass for the removal of the county seat from Keithsburgto Aledo, the " Record " heartily espoused the cause of its native town, and though the time was short, contributed much toward insuring the success which in August crowned the efforts of those interested in the removal.

J. II. Reed was a man of good education, a vigorous and aggressive writer, quick and keen at repartee, and an editor of rare ability ; a good friend, but an untiring and relentless enemy in political contests. He was a man of fair business qualilications, but was not a practical printer. He died in Monmouth, Illinois.

Horace Bigelow served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade in the office of the Oquawka " Spectator,"' under Col. J. B. Patterson. In March, 1855, he purchased a one-half interest in the Oquawka "Plain Dealer," of F. A. Dallam, and was probably at that time the youngest publisher in the state, being but twenty years of age. Dal- liiiii subsequently sold to Reed, and when the firm sold the office Mr. B. spent some time in the large job ])rinting establishment of S. P. Rounds, in Chicago, increasing his knowledge of that brancli of the art. lie has the reputation of being a lirst-class business man, and has by honest industry and energy, and careful and judicious management, secured for himself and family a good home and a fair competence, owning a tine farm of 150 acres north of Aledo, adjoining tlie corporation, upon wdiich he resides and which he works to advantage and prolit, independent of his interest in the "Record " office.

In June, 1857, tlie material arrived and the office was opened in a large double building on College avenue, almost directly opposite the building now occupied. The other half of the building was occupied by Dr. S. Macy, as a dental room and drug-store, who afterward purchased and remodeled the building only to lose it by lire. A much better building now stands on the old site.

Se]jtember 1, 1S62, Mr. Reed retired from the firm, Mr. Bigelow purchasing his interest. He conducted the business alone for four years, employing Mr. John Porter as both typo and editor. September 1, 1S66, Mr. Porter purchased a one-half interest, and the firm has since been known as Porter ifc Bigelow\

John Porter, who has been political editor of the "Record" for twenty years, is perhaps one of the best read men, so far as the political history of our nation is concerned, to be found in w^estern Illinois. His life has been almost passed in a printing office, he commencing to learn the trade January 4, 1834, in the office of the Richmond "Examiner,'' in Jefferson county, Ohio, and he has stood at the case during all of these forty-eight years. He has always been a close student of political history, and possessing a memory which is almost phenomenal, he can readily call to mind men, measures and dates of the long ago"^vliich to others are but dim scraps of forgotten history. A forcible w^-iter. a wary, but not aggressive antagonist, he seeks no (puirrel, but when assailed he patientl}^ awaits his opportunity and then deals a strong and generally successful blow.

Established as a republican paper, when the republican party was in its infancy, the "Record" has remained ever loyal to the principles of the party, and has taken an active part in every campaign, whether national, state or count}^ and its utterences have been of no unceitain sound. It was one of the first newspapers to suggest the name of Abraham Lincoln as a candidate for the presidency, and one of his most earnest supporters, not only during the canvass, but throughout his administration, and also for his re-election. During the war it was loyal to the core, and its colunms were the popular medium of coiiiinunication between the Mercer bovs in the army and their friends at home, it having a correspondent in nearly every regiment in which the coimty was represented.

But while striking valiant blows for the union and for tlie cause of its party, it has kept itself singularly clear of what is termed "mud slinging ;" the rule having ever been to make no charges against opposing candidates that were not easily susceptible of proof, or at least believed to be so at the time of ^publication.

Another rule of the office, and one strictly adhered to, is that no foreign advertising will be received for less than home patrons are charged for same time and space. Consequently but few "patent medicine '^ advertisements, and others of like nature have ever appeared in its columns.

In 1 873, L. B. Doughty was employed in the office as foreman and job printer, but having had considerable exjDerience as a local wi'iter, he was soon relieved of most of the work in the composing room, and for the past eight years has had charge of the local department of the paper, which has constantly gi'own in popularity, and has been one cause of a steady increase on the subscription list, which has reached the comfortable ligure of 1,300 weekly, and is still growing.

The job department of the office is deservedly popular, and is liberally pao'onized, especially in the line of commercial work. The circulation ha^-ing grown beyond the capacity of the press which has done faithful duty for the past twenty-five years, a new Cottrell press has recently been purchased. And now, after a quarter of a century the proprietors can boast that in all that time they have never missed an issue, have never used a "patent inside," and have never failed to appear promptly on time on publication day, except in a few instances when the paper was purposely held back for important news.

As a prominent factor in the growth of village and county, as a popular means of promoting the educational interests, as well as a disseminater of reliable news, the "Kecord" has proven itself worthy of the high esteem in which it is held by those familiar with its pages ; and it has accomplished much for the moral as well as the temporal interests of the county.

The Democratic Press In Aledo

Mercer county has been politically a republican county ever since the organization of that party. Issues have occcasionally been made on men or measures by means of which republicans have been defeated, and democrats or other opponents have been elected by the people ; but these instances, however frequent, were still only excep- tional, and the continued ascendency of the republican party has been maintained and augmented greatly by the fact that as soon as the county seat was settled at Aledo, a party organ was promptly provided, the official i)atronage of the county bestowed on it, and the people, especially of the dominant party, slowly but surely educated to contribute to the material support of their newspaper.

The democratic party, in the minority numerically and without men of capital, or hopes of othcial patronage, and destitute of ambitious leaders, made no attempt to establish a party organ for nearly a dozen years after.

In the summer of 1866, circumstances conspired to make the time favorable for starting a democratic newsi)aper in Aledo, something to be made a rallving center for the democrats of the countv and those displeased with the action of the majority in congress at that time. President Lincoln had been assasinated the year before, and vicepresident Johnson, becoming acting president, projected an administrative policy to which a majority of his i)arty in congress was opposed. Hostile feeling and action arose between the acting president and the congress, and many removals and appointments to office were being made, favorable to the policy of the administration and generally favorable to the democrats. Appearances were that a change might be made in the political complexion of the whole country, and that, with the aid of what were called the liberal republicans, Mercer county even might be revolutionized. The reconstruction measures were then being enacted. Many of the republicans thought these measures too radical, if not wholly unauthorized by the organic law, while the democrats, in addition, felt exasperated at the political disadvantage at which the party was placed by the disfranchisement of so manv southern states.

One of these disart'ected republicans, Judge John S. Thompson, of Aledo, an able lawyer and shrewd organizer, was put up for congress against the republican candidate. Gen. Harding. The district was then perhaps 200 miles long, extending from Port Byron to Keokuk along the Mississippi river, and Charles Harris, of Oquawka, a straight democrat, had been able to be elected to congress not many years l>ri<)r to this election. Hope was entertained of success under the leadership of Judge Thompson, and the democrats, in this sanguine mood of mind, some time in the month of August had an informal assembly of some of its more prominent members at the Barton house in Aledo, now the Button house.

a simple personal agreement without articles of incorporation. Tlie shares were $10, and each member of the company was entitled to as man}' votes for officers as he held shares.

A considerrble amount was subscribed at this meeting, and three or four papers were prepared and put into the hands of canvassers, by means of which about $1,400 was in a short time pledged.

Before the Barton house meeting closed its sittings and put its papers in hand, it was necessary to name the paper. Several titles were proposed, of more or less partisan import ; but that fatal timidity and spirit of boundless concession that has so long been an element of weakness in the democratic party, prevailed on this occasion, and the proposed paper took the neutral meaningless title of "The Mercer County Press."

J. A. J. Birdsall, a piquant, versatile writer, and good collector of local news, who had had some experience in publishing a democratic paper in Keithsburg, was chosen as editor and publisher ; and with $1:75, advanced by Hon. T. B. Cabeen, Birdsall went to Chicago and laid in a press and materials for printing the paper, taking some credit ; and some time in the month of September the first number of the "Press" was issued.

The pledge for the payment of stock subscriptions ran in this way: "We, the undersigned, agree to pay to the publishers of 'The Mercer County Press' the sums set opposite our names, for the purpose of publishing a democratic paper in the county of Mercer and state of Illinois, whenever called for, or in a reasonable time."