Henderson County, Illinois - The whole text, 1882 (part 2 of 23)

In another record, Mr. Miller makes a further disjilay of his skill in the use of the brush. The law required that the owners of stock shc^uld mark the same by a cut of some kind in one of the ears of the animal. Some chose as their mark a slit in the right, some a crop from the left ear, and the crops, slits and quarters of either ear were varied to suit the taste of the owner. To make these distinctions legal, it was necessary to have a description of the same recorded in a book used for the "recording of marks of animals." Tlie common method with recorders is to write the description, appending the name of the owner, with date of entry, but Mr. Miller, finding this a good opportunity for the dis})lay of his genius, paints in the margin of the record the whole animal, with the particular ear, minus the crop, pointing directly to the name of the man who mutilated it.

The iirst business transacted at this term of court was the granting of a license to Eli Reynolds to vend gi'oceries in New Boston, for which privilege he had to pay into the treasury of the county 87^ cents. The iirst road established by authority of the county was ordered at this term. The road was from New Boston toward Rock Island, and was designated by stakes driven in the prairie and trees blazed through the timber. The road was viewed by Ephraim Gilmore, Harrison W. Riggs and Lewis Noble, for which services they received in the aggregate the sum of $8. Of course it is not a profane pun, but simply a coincidence of euphony, that at this meeting the board ordered that a writ of ad quod dam-num be granted to Silas B. Hubbard to enquire and ascertain what d^images may be sustained by building a mill and dam on Edwards river. An ad quod da7n-n\un was also granted to Charles Jack in regard to dama,ges for a mill dajn on same river.

Tlie county at this session was laid oft' into two justice districts. Tlie New Boston district embraced all that part of the county lying west of the middle of township 4, and the balance of the county embraced the Sugar Grove disti-ict.

For a number of terms the most of the business of the court consisted in authorizing roads, and the sm'veyor was the ofticer of greatest importance.

The regular election of county officers occurred August 3, 1835. At this election William Drury was elected recorder, Ephriam Gilmore, surveyor, E. Creswell and Abner Arrasmith were elected justices of the peace, and John Miller and Wesley Arrasmith, constables. The election of justices and constables was found to be illegal, and a special election was held October 5, for the purpose of electing two justices and two constables for New Boston and one justice and one constable for Sugar Grove precinct. To these offices Joshua Willits and Lewis Noble .were elected justices, and Newton I. Willits and William B. Wilson constables, for New Boston, and Abraham Miller, Jun., and John INIiller were elected justice and constable, respectively, for Sugar Grove.

An idea of some of the difficulties that our primitive officers had to contend with in administering justice, may be easily gained fi-om the following, in Mr. Abraham Miller's own words: "'The iirst lawsuit ever instituted in the Sugar Grove precinct was by an old Yankee plaintiff (B. Lloyd), who from that time onward kept his neighbors warmed up to more than fever heat with vexatious lawsuits, as far as his neighborhood dealings or business transactions were extended. An excuse for a lawsuit was a sufficient warrant for a 'pitch in.' Sometimes they were civil, sometimes criminal, and sometimes for a supposed trespass. This first suit was the first ever tried before me, and the court was without practice, precedent or law. There was then but one copy of the statutes of Illinois in Mercer county, and that was in the hands of the county clerk (Wm. Drury) at New Boston, and could not be loaned. The justice begged time to get up the papers till law could be procured, but our plaintiff* was so rampant for litigation that but little or no time could be given. The poor justice was therefore doomed to saddle 'old gray,' throw a bed cpiiit around him, and ride some twelve miles over the prairie on a cold, snowy day, with a bleak northwest wind on the side of the court's face, to Dan Edgingtoii's, a justice of the peace in Rock Island county, to borrow a statute. Tlie loan of thia conld only be procured for tliree days, and it would be needless to say that tlie honiestretcli of that day"'s travel was s])eedily ])erfomied. For the three days' grace allowed in the loan, this backwoods justice, now a law-student, ])lied all his ])owers, manual and mental. Day and night were spent in poring over this precious volume to discover the duties enjoined upon a justice of the peace, and short notes were taken for ftiture reference. Being rather ex]3ert with the ])en, a summary statute of Abe's own was comjnled, published and issued from the press (not, bless you, reader, from a printing press, but from the compulsory press of necessity), and tit for use in the short space of three days and nights. This backwoods edition, comprised of the general duties of justice and constable, was destined to become as useful and familiar as household words in a family. During the night part of his labor, the second or third night, the court, becoming very drowsy, upset an inkstand, emptying its sable contents upon a good part of a page of the borrowed statutes. Seizing the book, the obliterated part was saved from entire ruin by licking the ink from the same with the tongue. The book was returned within the specified time, with many baclcM'oods thanks and humble apologies for the accident of the old ink liorn, all of which were most courteously accej)ted by Dan, who was every inch of him a backM'oods gentleman, and a full pardon granted and graciously accepted." It is needless to add tliat the Yankee plaintiff got ample justice, as did many others who brought their grievances to this court; for, whatever may have been his peculiarities, he is not accused of any of the peculiar methods that obtain in some high and low courts of a later day.

August 1, 1836, the first election for members of congress and legislature in which the voters of Mercer county took part was held. Of the sixty-seven votes cast for congi-essman, John T. Stuart received fifty-three and William L. May fourteen. Elijah Cliarles and James Craig received the highest number of votes for re])resentatives in the state legislature. At that election James IT. Bane, Iliram llardie and James Burleigh were elected county commissioners, and Daniel Pinckley sherift'.

As we have seen, the county was divided into two precincts, or districts, but soon settlements made in the eastern part of the county, far up the Edwards river, called for fiirther division. At the regular meeting of the newly elected commissioners, September 5, 1836, that p<^)rtion of the countv^ east of a line running due north and south, one mile east of the line dividing ranges two and three west, was erected into a new precinct. Tliis, it will be seen, embraced all of what are now known as Richland Grove, Rivoli and North Henderson town- ships, and nearly all of Preemption, Green and Suez. The name of Kichland was given to this district. One of the commissioners, Hiram Hardie, was a citizen of the district. Besides him there were about one dozen voters.

A year later, September 5, 1837, Richland precinct was divided, forming a new election and justice's district out of all that portion of Richland lying south of the line, separating townships 14 and 15, and leaving Richland with a little less than two congressional townsliips. The settlements to be provided for were mostly those along Pope creek and the new precinct was called by that name.

Pope creek was now setthng rapidly. A year later a new district was found necessary in the southern middle part of the county, and so at the meeting of the board, March 9, 1838, it was ordered that all that part of Sugar Grove lying south of an east and west line equally diA'iding township 14 be organized and called Ohio precinct. Edwards precinct was formed March 9, 1839, from what are now all of Preemption, the north half of Green, the northeast quarter of Mercer, and the east half of Perryton. At the same meeting Eliza precinct was established, and was composed of the territory which now lies within Eliza township. Keithsburg precinct was formed by the commissioners June 1, 1840, and comprised the territory now embraced in Abington and Keithsburg tovniships. This pro^'ided, as was supposed, all parts of the county \vith convenient polling places, and with local offices for the government of the different neighborhoods, and these divisions thus remained intact until the adoption of township organization, after which each congressional township, with the exception of the fractional townships of the western portions of Eliza and Xew Boston, were organized separately. The convenience of this method is apparent. Congressional townships, by act of congress, are separate school townships, and cannot be changed to suit any other boundaries by any state or local enactment.

Prior to the passage of what is known as the '' Kansas and Nebraska Act of 1854," Mercer county was a whig county in politics. The democratic party was in a minority of some two or three hundred.

Tlie anti-slavery feeling was strong in both of the old parties, and there were quite a number of A'oters who were abolitionists or freesoilers, and who would vote for the abolition or fi-ee-soil candidates when an o])p()rtunity occurred ; but the most of these, in all except presidential elections, voted and acted with the other political parties.

it created such an excitement and alarm, that a large number of the people, of both of the old parties, were ready to unite with the freesoil ers and abolitionists in the fonnation of a new party, to resist the aggressive policy of the pro-slavery party, which controlled the two political parties of the United States. Meetings were called as early as June 9, 1854, in two at least of the townships of the county, and resolutions passed in opposition to the ^ ' Kansas-Nebraska Act, " and calling for a united effort of all persons oj)posed to the extension of slavery in the territories, to fonn a political party to stay the aggressive pro-slavery legislation.

Leading citizens of the county conferred with each other ; and a convention of all persons in the county, of all political parties, wlu» were opposed to the "Kansas-Kebraska Act'' and the extension of slavery in the territories, to meet at Millersbm-g for the pm'pose of organizing a new political anti-slavery party.

Tlie convention assembled in Millersburg pursuant to the call, in the summer of 1854, and was represented by delegates from all parts of the county, and from all of the old political parties. John Collins, an old settler, and life-long democrat, was elected president of the convention. A committee of nine was appointed to draft resolutions and articles of organization. Tlie committee was composed of Judge E. Gilmore, a whig and old resident of the county, who had tilled many important offices, and who is now (1882) residing in Aledo ; James H. Reed, a whig, who was afterward successively editor of the ''Oquawka Plaindealer," the ''Aledo Weekly Record" and the "Monmouth Atlas,""' and who died in Monmouth ; L. W. Myers, an abolitionist, then a young man, who is now and has been for a number of years, editor of the " Wappello Republican," Iowa ; Isaac N. Bassett, a whig, who is still liWng, a lawyer in Aledo ; John W. Miles, a whig, afterward quartermaster of the 17th reg. 111. Vol. Inf., who died in 1863 ; Harvey S. Senter, a whig, who tilled various offices in the county, and has since died in Aledo ; Tyler McWhorter, a democrat, now resident near Aledo ; Samuel Miller, an abolitionist, who has been dead several years ; J. R. Whitham, abolitionist, now residing near Aledo.

There was an animated controversy in the committee room, and at -one time it seemed impossible for the committee to agree ; but tinally resolutions and a platform were agreed upon that was satisfactory to all, and a unanimous report made to the convention, which was adopted, and the organization of the republican party of Mercer county was completed. The exact date of this convention cannot now be ascertained, but it is believ^ed to have been the iirst county convention of the kind held in the state.

There had not at least been any convention called for a similar purpose in any of the adjoining counties, and Mercer county is properly entitled to the credit of being the pioneer county in the formation of the republican party. Tlie gi*eater part of the whigs in the county approved of the platform, and at once became active members of the new party. Some of the political leaders in the whig party, however, approved the formation of the new party. John S. Tliompson and Lewis W. Thompson (both lawyers, and one clerk of the county court in Keith sburg), were at first violently opposed to the new party organization, but another year gave the party such recognition throughout the state and United States that they, with other opponents, ceased their opposition, and became warm supporters of the party.

Tlie abolitionists and ii-ee-soilers, with a considerable number of the democrats, were incorporated into the new party, which was, fi'om the commencement, strong in numbers. In the presidential election ia 1856, Fremont received 1,141 votes ; Buchanan, 769 ; and Filmore, 140. Tlie Filmore vote doubtless represented the whigs who refused to act with the re'publican party. In 1860, Lincoln received 1,808 votes, and all the democratic candidates received 1,193 votes, the majority being 615, and the majority has never been less than that since, at any presidential election. I. N. Bassett.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad

As stated on another page, the first settlements of this region weremade along the water-courses, and nan-ow belts of timber skirting the same, and to the fact of the existence of these natural features can be traced nearly every improvement in the whole State of Illinois prior toabout 1850. Even as early as 1840 almost all the timber tracts were occupied by sattlers, and it was then supposed by many, that further development of the country, if made at all, would be by a poorer class of herdsmen and other employes of the more fortunate inhabitants of better favored portions of the country. Tlie Mississippi was of course the great thorouglifare of business and travel on the west, and the Illinois river on the east, and between these was a barren, trackless waste. Whole townships, and indeed almost whole counties, were without a single inhabitant, and though the soil was known to be excellent, everybody supposed that a century would elapse before it could be made available for any purpose. Indeed, it was difficult to see that with the lack of fuel and building timber it could ever be more than a grand herding ground for stock owned by those wlio had been so foi-tunate a& to secure homes and strips of woodland along the courses of the streams, of water.

It will not do to sav that railroads, which eventually redeemed the best country that lay under the sun from absolute uselessness, had not been dreamed of, for from 1835 until 1840 they had been the dream of politicians, speculators and emigrants, but, as all supposed, they had all been awakened by a crash in financial matters in 1838^0 to the reality that such enterprises were a luxury not to be enjoyed by this portion of the world. For now they began to argue that the country was about settled up, and the small trathc that would come to such an enterprise would not be sufficient to sustain it, and that population must necessarily precede such improvement. The more modern idea of such roads as the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy is, to make the improvement first, and the population and the traffic immediately follow, and it is now well understood that nothing in the natural features of the country have ever tended so much to its development as the opening up of these means of travel and commerce.

At the risk of seeming to write in the interest of railroads, or for the purpose of manufacturing sentiment, we venture the remark that, as far as can now be seen, the opinions of the early settlers that the great prairies of this section, only for the advent of the railroad, were sound, and that improvement -of Illinois to-day would have been but little in advance of what might have been seen in 1850. The watercourses had exerted all their influence in settling and developing the country, and as has been noted, that infiuence extended back but a few miles, and now the railroads begin and complete their work where the other left it unfinished.

It is interesting to note the changes that have come to this portion of the country since the advent of the railroad system which now prevails so universally, and while it is not claimed that railroads have done everything, it is doubtless true that much of the present prosperity and greatness of the country are due to their influence.

The railroads have brought better prices for grain, and reliable markets for it ; consequently, these surplus profits in agriculture have brought to the farmer hundreds of comforts of which the pioneers knew but little by experience, and scarcely hoped to make their own. The railroads themselves have been a miracle of growth and improvement. A notable example of this is to be found in the Cliicago, Burlington &- Quincy, which passes through the entire length of both Mercer and Henderson counties. From a small, unimportant line of thirteen miles, a little more than twenty-five years ago, it has grown to include in its. organization lines amounting to 3,500 miles, its facilities for transit in tlie meantime increasing in proportion.

Aurora to a point now known as Turner Junction, thirteen miles nearly nortl least. Aurora was a small village then, and the other end of the line was nothing, so it will be seen how insignificant this beginning was. However, a charter had been granted to what was known as the Aurora Branch company for a line from Aurora to Mendota, a distance of fifty-eight miles. These two lines were consolidated under tlie name of the Chicago tfe Aurora railroad, their connection with Chicago being by way of the Galena branch from Turner Junction. Another charter had been granted to what was styled the Central Military Tract road, extending from Mendota to Galesburg, in about the center of the northern part of the Bounty lands. On July 9, 1856, this last named, with the Chicago ct Aurora road, consolidated under the name of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, thus giving a line of 151 miles. The comi)any had taken a lease of the Peoria & Oquawka road and had advanced considerable money to aid in completing the line from Galesburg to Burlington. Tliis gave them a through line to the last named place. The Peoria & Oquawka company failed to pay the indebtedness, the mortgage secui'ing the money loaned was foreclosed, and thus another line was added to the already fast growing enterprise. 'Tlie company then built a track of their own from Aurora to Chicago and made rumiing arrangements with a line then in operation ti-om Galesburg to Quincy, 100 miles distant. In 1864 the Quincy road came into possession of the company, thus making the three termini indicated in the name of the corjioration. From that time to the present, branches have been built or bought in quick succession, until a map of the same looks like a ])icture of a great occiput, with its long arms stretching out in all directions over the vast plains of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. By the time this will be in print a direct line will have been completed to Denver in Colorado. When we take into consideration the wondeiful groM^h of these states, and the ^reat probability of still greater development, we are led to wonder what the tiiture of this enterprise is to be.

The branch that most interests our readers, however, is that now known as the Galva and Keithsburg extension, from Galva to Gladstone. Originally this was three distinct enterprises, the main one from Galva to New Boston being called the American (^entral railroad. This road was built by the company named, but equi])i)ed by the Chicago, Burlington ik Quincy, and finally passed, with the short branches between Gladstone and Keithsburg and New Boston and Keithsburg, into the possession of the present owners.

Rock Isi.And And Mercer County Railroad

Mercer and Millersburg, and tlien deflecting somewliat toward the sontlu it reaches the town of New Boston, in the soutliwest c(jrner of the township by the same name. From thence it follows the course of the Mississippi river south, tlirough the towaiships of Keithsburg, Bald Bluff and Oquawka. tf) Oquawka, finally reaching the main line at Gladstone. Tlie main line passes through the townshij)S of Biggsville, South Henderson and Warren, in a westerly direction. The direct branch from P>urlington to Quincy ])asse8 througli three townships of Henderson: "Warren, Honey Creek and Dallas. The local enterj)ri8es complete and in prospect will be noticed on anotlier page.

A line of railroad of a good deal of local imjxtrtiince is the one indicated by the above title, extending from Rock Island in a southerly direction to the town of Cable, in Richland township. The road is twenty-six miles in length, including a run of four miles of the C'hicago & Rock Island road, from Milan to Rock Island. The line was projected by R. R. Cable (vice president of the Chicag(% Rock Island & Pacific), P. L. and Ben. T. Cable, for the purpose of reaching the great coal fields of Richland township, and by these gentlemen built and made ready for the use of tlie coal comjjany organized and owned by the same paities. The cost of the road, including grading, ties, iron, etc., was about $18,000 per mile, or about ,$3(>(»,000.

The coal com])any mentioned has fiirnished the rolling stock and put the line in operation, not only for carrying coal but for the transportation of merchandise and grain from and to the little towns that have since sprung up all along the line. Passenger coaches are attached to all the trains for the accommodation of the ti-aveling public. Tlie mails and express matter are also sent over this line, so that this enteii^rise has not only been the means of bringing the coal deposits to market, but has also given a considerable section of country through which it lies postal, commercial, telegraphic and traveling facilities.

The road passes tln-ough the town of Preemption, and nearly througli that of Richland Grove, in this county, and is highly appreciated by the citizens of the northeastern part of the county.

Tlie coal company, of which an extended notice is given in the history of Richland township, mines and transports from 90,000 to 100,000 tons of coal yearly.

This society was organized in Aledo February 19, 1878, under the name of Mercer County Scientific Association. At this meeting were present Tyler McWhorter, W. J. Pepper, J. H. Connell, I. N. Bassett, J. V. Frazier and W. A. Marsh. Mr. McWhorter presided, and Mr. Connell served as secretary. A constitution and by-laws were adopted; a number of invitations issued to others to attend the next meeting, and adjourned to March 5, 1878, to which time election of officers was postponed.

DiflPerent individuals of our county were more or less interested in scientific investigation, but were isolated from each other, and had few opportunities for interviews, or to profit by each other's study, or line of thought.

The native flora and fauna of our county ; the carboniferous fossils, in connection with our seams of coal ; the implements and relics found in connection with the numerous ancient mounds in various parts of the county; these, and other kindred subjects had elicited the attention of many of our citizens. Already many j^rivate collections of scientific interest had been made by difterent individuals of the county, and it was thought that persons whose minds are directed to scientific investigation should associate themselves together, so as to have an interchange of ideas, and enjoy the advantages of each other's research. It was believed that, with such an organization, a more gen eral interest might be elicited to investigate and attain to a higher comprehension of nature.

While we have social organizations, with large expenditures, in support of our various churches, it would seem that we should also have some organizations to encourage thought and stimulate investigation in those important questions of science that are so directly related to the progress of the present age. It was for these reasons that many of our citizens felt that many advantages might be enjoyed by banding themselves together in such a society. Another purpose of the society was to make up a cabinet, or scientific collection, of such specimens relating to the natural sciences as might be contributed by its members, or others.

Tlie presidents of the society to date, each holding one year, are as follows : Dr. J . Y. Frazier, Yiola ; I. jS^. Bassett, Aledo ; E. L. Larkin, New Windsor ; Tyler McWlioiter, Aledo ; and John Geiger, now serving in that capacity.

The cabinet of the society is very interesting, and includes several hundred specimens - geological, fossil, mineral, etc. The largest donations were made by the following persons: geological, etc., by Tyler McWhorter; shells, by W. A. Marsh; mineral, etc., by J. IT. Connell; miscellaneous, by J. C. Pepi)er and W. J. Pepper ; birds, by W. B. Crapnell.

The followiug papers have been read before the association : Climatic Changes and their Resultant Periods, Dr. J. Y. Frazier ; Metric System of Weights and Measures, J. R. Wylie ; The Domain of Scientific Investigation and Thought, I. N. Bassett ; The Mississippi River: Its Geological History, Tyler McWhorter; Future Punishment; from Etlmical Scripture, E. L. Larkin ; Probable Origin of Life on the Globe, John Geiger ; Shall we Impo^'erisll the Fertility of the Earth, T. McWliorter ; Utility of the Stars, W. J. Pepper ; Antiquity of Man, T. McWhorter ; Crystalography, J. R. W} lie ; Electricity, R. H. Spicer, Sr. ; Conchology, W. A. Marsh ; Inclination of the Earth's Axis, T. McWhorter ; Force, E. L. Larkin ; Flesh Eating. John Geiger ; Flesh Eating, Joseph McCoy ; Population and its Distribution, C. Y. Shove ; Motion, E. L. Larkin ; The Birds and Animals we are Losing and Gaining, W. B. Crapnell ; Hygiene of Soil Waters, Dr. J. Y. Frazier ; Embryology, J. R. Wylie ; Axial Rotation, John Geiger ; People of North America, E. L. Larkin ; Biology, T. McWhorter ; The Surface or Economic of our Prairies, Graham Lee ; Imj^erfections of Human Knowledge, Tyler McWhorter ; The Planet Yenus, J. C. Pepper ; The Coming Man, Tyler McWhorter; Conscience Man's True Guide, J. Geiger ; Progress in Science, I. N. Bassett ; Some Observations on the Rocky Mountains, J. H. Connell; Silver Coinage, John Geiger; Protoplasm and Life, I. N. Bassett ; Scientific Instruments, E. L. Larkin ;

In December, 1879, the name was changed to the "Mercer County Scientific and Historical Society," the object being to gather up noteson the liistory of Mercer county. John Geiger, I. N. Bassett, Graham Lee and C. S. Richey were appointed a committee to receive all that had been prepared. May 1, 1880, the committee reported that they had received a considerable amount of historic matter from diflferent sources, which was given into the custody of the society. In 1882 the society turned all papers in their hands over to Prof. H. H. Hill, to be embodied in this book.

Such is the history, objects and membership of this societ)% which has already accomplished a work of which its members may feel ]3roud, and has but laid the foundation of a grand and most commendable effort in the advancement of scientific research. And from the progressive character of the men composing its membership we may safely predict for the society a glorious future, and a name that will be knoAvn wherever science is made a special study.

Notes On The Natural History Of Mercer And Henderson Counties, Illinois, By William A. Marsh

Paloiontology. - The ])rincipal geological formations that occur in Mercer and Henderson counties which contain fossils are, the coal measures and the St. Louis group, Keokuk limestone, Burlington lime- stone, and Kinderhook group, of tlie lower carboniferous system. Tlie number of s])ecies of fossil flora found within the limits of these two counties is very small compared with other sections, but our fossil fauna will compare favorably with any section of the state, at least as far as the number of species is concerned, although they are not found in as good a state of preservation as might be desired. The whole number of fossil species that have come under my observation, in collecting among the different fonnations of the two counties, is about 400 species, divided as follows : coal measure flora, twenty-five species ; coal measure fauna, 250 species; lower carboniferous, 125 species. The most remarkable and interesting forms are the crinoiden of the lower carboniferous, and the different fonns of the genus Productus, belonging to the Brachiopoda.

Miirnmals. - The mammalian fauna of these two counties is almost the exact counterpart of all prairie sections. Tlie time was wlien the larger forms of life abounded ; when the deer, elk, bufi'alo, beaA'er, etc., made the prairies their home. The coming of the white man, attended by all the circumstances of progress, has driven these larger fonns fi-om the country, and now the smaller kinds alone retain a footing. They are American buffalo, beaver, red deer, gray wolf, prairie wolf, gray fox, otter, mink, weasel, skunk, Nvild cat, opossum, raccoon, fox Squirrel, gray squirrel, black squirrel, flying squirrel, chipmunk, gray prairie squirrel, striped prairie squirrel, woodchuck, striped badger, rabbit, brown rat (introduced), white-footed wood mrmse, whitefooted prairie mouse, long-tailed jumping mouse, prairie meadow mouse, wood meadow mouse, long-haii*ed meadow mouse, shrew mole, star nose mole, muskrat, house mouse (introduced), long-eared bat.

The number of species of birds, as far as I have been able to identify them, ^vill reach about 180 species, embracing forty-one families. This includes those that remain with us the year round, those that are known to visit us through the spring and summer season, and those that tariy with us a short time during tlieir migrations through the country from north to south.

The number of fish species thus far identified as occurring in the Mississip])! river, its lakes and sloughs, and the small sti'eams flo\vnng into it, through the counties of Mercer and Henderson, is about seventy-seven species. Besides the fish used for food, this list includes the dog fish, the eel, the gar pike, the alligator gar, the spoon-bill, the spotted sturgeon, and the leech lamprey.

Tlie Batrachians are : frogs, four species ; tree frogs, three species ; toads, one species ; salamanders, seven species ; lizards, four species ; turtles, ten s])ecies.

The molluscan tauna of Mercer and Henderson numbers 137 acknowledged species. Seven years of careful studj and collecting in this particular branch leads me to believe that very few, if any, new forms will be likely to be found. They may be classed as follows: unionidae, sixty-eight species ; corbiculadae, twelve species ; ^'iviparida3, seven species ; vulvatidae, one species ; strepomatidse, one species ; rissoidae, six species ; helicidse, twenty-five species ; limnaeidre, fourteen species ; ancylinse, three species. It will be observed that the per cent of land shells is very small in comparison to the water shells. The absence of timber, the frequent overflowing of our water-courses, and the great number of swine running in the timbered sections, has had a tendency to nearl}^ destroy this interesting class of mollusks.

The flora of Mercer and Henderson counties presents a study of very great interest to the botanist. Over 800 sj)ecies have been identified, including indigenous and introduced species, as existing in the two counties. The woody plants, including the trees, shrubs and woody climbers, number about 120 species. The filices or ferns, twelve species. The grasses, including the juncacese or rush family, and the C}^erace8e or sedge grass family, number 180 species. Among the ti'ue grasses may be found some of the most valuable and interesting species found in the United States, and a few of the most obnoxious kinds. It would be a pleasant task to present lists of some of the most interesting orders of our plants, but as the number is so great, it would be almost imi)ossible to list them in a brief report like this.

Tlie township of New Boston embraces congressional to-^aiship 14 north, and ranges 5 and 6 west, extending to the Mississippi river. The eastern part is undulating and contains a depth and richness of soil unexcelled in the county. The westeiTi part of the township is level, containing a narrow strip of sandy soil, in some places almost destitute of vegetation ; between this strip and the undulating region of the east the bottom land is extremely fertile and })roduces heavy crops.

river. The drainage is excellent. Tlie swamp lands so common to some localities are almost wholly wanting here. The Edwards river flows through the townshij), entering on section 1 and })assing out on section 33. In the western part are several small lakes, of which Bald Eagle, Eliza and ISwan lakes are the principal ones. The township is well supplied with timber in the eastern part and along the river bottom, the kinds being oak, maple, walnut, sycamore, and similar deciduous trees.

The township has a somewhat interesting railroad history, to which we shall refer more fully farther on. The Galva and Keithsburg branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy enters the township on section 2-i and takes a diagonal course to the to\vn of New Boston, a branch running to Keithsburg from a point on section 27, thereby giving a southern outlet and southern connections.

This, in brief, is a description of the tow^l today, ^vith its happy, independent, self-reliant people. Let us tuiTi back to earlier days and trace the work of the hardy pioneers, who bravely struggled to reclaim the land trom its native wikhiess, and plant here the institutions of the more favored east.

To Mr. William Denison and his son John W. belong the honor of planting the first settlement in the township, as well as in the county. They were Pennsylvanians, and came directly fi-om Wa}Tie county, Indiana, ha%nng previously lived for a short time in Ohio. They settled near the site of the present town of New Boston in ] 827, and there lived in close and friendly relations with the Indians who at that time frequented the place. The \'icinity offered many attractions to the Indians in the shape of hunting and fishing ; and, indeed, at the present time it has more than a local celebrity in this respect.

H. W. Denison, a son of John W. Denison, born in 1832, was the first white child born in Mercer county. He is still a resident of New Boston, as is also his mother.

Let the reader pause here a moment and call to aid his imagination in picturing a settlement of this kind. On the one hand a boundless waste of prairie, covered with tall waving grass, which sinks and rises with a billow}- motion, as far as the eye can reach. On the other lumd the great Father of "Waters, spread out in silent majesty, or lashed to fiiry by the untrammeled winds which sometimes sweep over the ])lains from the west. Here was to be found the savage in his native wildness. Here he smoked his pipe of peace or hallooed his wnld war-dance. And here was started the first settlement of what was to be, at a tuture time, one of the myriads of fair towns that dot the broad State of Blinois.

ed above. Among them were Erastns, James, Joseph, Ezra, Xewton and Ehner. . The family of Denisons, individually and collectively, (»ecn])ied the greater portion of the region bordering on the river, including what is now the to^^^l of Xew Boston.

During the Black Hawk war of 1832, the Denisons left the county, but returned after the close of hostilities. Tlieir being enabled to leave the county iminjured was due wholly to the warning of friendly Indians. Tlie tirst of these warnings were not heeded, but at last those Indians with whom they were friendly came and told them that, as they seemed determined to stay and be killed, it was thought best to let the friendly Indians kill them decently. The ftimily concluded that they would take an excursion in preference to staying at home, even though the staying would secure "decent" killing by their friends. The story is told that, after they had left, their Indian friends gathered up all the articles that had been left in the hurrv and excitement of the occasion and placed them in the deserted cabin, marking the spot with such signs as would deter other marauding parties from committing any depredations. These articles were found on the return of tlie family, all in good order and nothing missing. A detailed account of the dangers and narrow escapes is given elsewhere.

Mr. Denison's recollections of the manners, customs and traits of the Indians in tliis vicinity, are curious and interesting. Though exceedingly cruel after the actual commencement of hostilities, they invariablv abstained from anv preliminarv bloodsheddinff, Wlien

Black llawk was passing his warriors up the Mississippi, previous to the last campaign of 1832, he came ashore, stopped at Mr. Denison's house, partook of tlieir hospitality, and guarded the house until the last canoe had passed up the river. They were capable of the strongest sentiments of friendship, and held in lasting remembrance any act of kindness, rewarding the same, sometimes, after the lapse of 3'ears. They were strictly honest with those whom they considered honest, and though the Denison family lived among them for years they never suifered a loss from theft or other depredation committed by them.

Immediately after the death of an Indian, the family and friends went into mourning for a length of time proportioned to the dignity of the deceased, which continued day aud night until the appointed time had expired. When the sick became conscious of approaching death, they usually selected their own burial place, which was located generally on some commanding eminence, thus enabling the spirit to have a commanding view of the surrounding country, with its more or less busy scenes of wartare or friendly intercourse. In burying the dead, a small amount of food was deposited with the body to last the spirit a year. This was repeated until the rehitioii oY body and spirit was 8ui>- posed to be tf)tally severed ; nsnally till about tlie third year. A stranger was disposed of by beinpc \n'aj)ped in bark and hoisted among the branches of some comnumding tree. From this fact doubtless arose the supposition that this style was a mode of burial among some of the tribes.

Black IFawk is described as a short, thick-set indiWdual, wlio was the war chief, wliile his associate, Keokuk, was a peace chief Although knowing the su]>erior power of the whites, lie made war relying on the help of the Great Spirit to sustain the right. He was taught by bitter experience, as many another has been, the time when ''right shall trium])h over might '' is still in the future.

From Mrs. Margaret Denison, widow of John W. Denison, who was one of the original settlers at the Upper Yellow Banks, we have derived the follo^ving information, here given almost in her own words:

William Denison, and his son John W. Denison, with their tamilies, came from Conners^-ille, Ind., to Springfield. 111., in lS2<i. In 1827 both families came to this county, arriving on the 2oth of A])ril, and made settlement at New Boston. They were the first white settlers in Mercer count v. A week afterward John Vannatta arri^-ed and located his home on the present site of Keithsburg. His brother Benjamin came two or three years later to the same place. The Denisons pitched their home on the river bank, half a mile below New Boston, where they started and kept a wood yard for supplying steamboats. They lived opposite the old graveyard. William Denison made a claim in that place, and John Denison took the ])resent site of New Boston. Until the Black Hawk war they planted their garden close to where Dr. Willits' house stands, in rear of the Union hotel. The soil was a rich mold on which vegetables flourished ; but it was blown ofl" by the winds, and is now only a bleak sand ridge.

The Indians called this locality "Upper Yellow Banks." From the time of their settlement here till the spring of 1831. the Denisons lived in perfect peace with the Sacs and Foxes. Only occasionally did a Winnebago Indian show himself in these parts. The men of this tribe were large, tall, broad-shouldered, and superior in stature to the Sacs and Foxes, and spoke a difl'erent dialect. The Indians dwelt here in great numbers.

In the s])ring of 1831 the friendly Indians, who l)i'Ionged to Keokuk's band, told the whites at the Upper "i'ellow Banks that there was going to be war, and urged them to dej)ai't to a place of safety among their own people, or to go with them and they would secure them from hann. Keokuk was livhig on the Iowa river; he said he was going to build a town, and tried to persuade them to come to his settlement, promising to give them ftill protection, but they declined to go, feelingthat, if they must leave their homes, it would be better to be among their kindred race.

Tlie only settlers at this place at that time were the Denisons, and Daniel S. Witter and Avife, and his hired man, named Twist. A captain coming down the river ti'om Rock Island brought word that an outbreak was imminent, and all these persons were taken on board his steamer and carried to Nauvoo. Aiter a sojourn there of two months tliey returned, but found their com, which was up large enough to be cultivated when they went away, all destroyed, and not an ear was raised that year. Witter and Twist never came back. The latter had taken a claim and was cutting wood.

Concerning the troubles of this year, it is recorded in the Atlas Map of Mercer county, that after the whites "had been moved to Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, the ti'iendly or 'pet' Indians assembled on the deserted premises, gathered up all the articles of their friends that had been left in tlie hurry and excitement of the occasion, stored them safely away in the loft of the house, closed the doors securely, and put a mark upon them well understood by the tribes. When the family returned home not an article was missing."

Against this recreation of fancy stands the ti'ustworthy statement of old Mother Denison, that they left behind a part of their movable effects, as dishes, books, soap, chairs, chickens, and that such goods as tliey could they buried ; but the despoilers carried off everything. Her lady's saddle was found with the plush covering taken ofl' and the skirts cut into strips. Mrs. Denison complained to Keokuk of the loss of this, and when he went to St. Louis, he bought another and gave her.

At that time there was not business enough on the upper Mississippi to call for a special class of boats. The furnishing of wood to these boats was a considerable business. About $3 per cord was paid.

The Denisons all conversed readily in the Indian language, having learned it after their settlement on the river. The Indians could talk but little in English.

Early in 1S32 a council of war was held at New Boston. This was attended by Black Hawk, Keokuk, and some 3,000 followers. Black Hawk came down the Mississi])pi, and Keokuk down the Iowa river, on which he was living. New Boston was a central point, and the general rendezvous on grave or mirthful occasions. The council was held on the site of the town, beneath some scattering trees. The Denisona were present and heard the speeches of the two chiefs. Keokuk spoke first. His counsel was jjacific. He told his people that a war with the wliites would be wasteful, hopeless, disastrous ; that they were as numerous as the trees of the Mississippi valley, and could not be conquered. Black Hawk sullenly closed his ears with his fingers, and refused to hear what was said. He followed in a speech" for war. He said the whites had stolen his land; that his father was buried at Rock Island, and his desire was to be laid among his ancestors.

These two men were strikingly dissimilar in personal appearance. Keokuk was large, of fine person, noble bearing, neat in dress, and went appareled like a white man, in fine blue broadcloth. Black Hawk was a heavy set man, not tidy like Keokuk, and wrapped his muscular form in his blanket, though sometimes he was seen to wear a coat.

Once more the Denisons were urged by their red friends to abandon their home. They were told that war was decided upon, and that to remain was to court cei-tain death. They were on familiar and friendly terms with the savages, and their experiences of the year before did not make them hasty subjects of fright. AVhen they asked why the war was not begun when threatened the first time, the Indians replied that they were not ready then ; that they submitted to the situation to gain time ; but that they were now fully prepared for war.

The Denisons hesitated about departing three or four days, and all the while the Indians showed a truly anxious interest in their safety and did not relax their exertions to induce them to go away to a white settlement. Keokuk, who was employing all his infiuence to prevent his followers from joining the war party, promised them protection if they would come and live with him. Appearing still to be determined not to forsake their homes, an Indian calling himself Captain Pepo, who seemed to have a solemn concern about their respectable extermination, came to them and with all the fidelity of a friend urged them to go, telling them that the young warriors who would come would roughly insult and barbarously murder and mutilate them, and that to save them from so painful and humiliating treatment, it they would not leave for a place of safety, "he would come and kill them decently .^" After this, discovering moccasin tracks among their garden-beds, they concluded that the savages were prowling around, and thought it no longer safe to tarry in the neighborhood. They were living about iialt a mile down the river, where the woody ard was, and opposite where the graveyard now is. Taking most of their goods, they began their removal one morning, and went down to Pence's Fort, which consisted of some block-houses, and was situated four miles northeast of Oquawka.

A Frenclnnan b}' the name of Pentacosa, who called himself Coty, had a trading house at ]^^ew Boston, and that evening the young Denisons went up to stay with him. In the night the Indians surrounded the premises and assaulted the building ; the three inmates escaped by the back way, and gliding swiftly but cautiously down to the edge of the nver, followed along precipitately under the bank, tlie Indians coming behind and whooping with vengeance. The fleeing men waded the Edwards at the mouth, and then struck for Pope creek, at a point where it was spanned by a foot-log, Ave miles distant. At this point a dog in pursuit closed up with them and Erastus Denison shot him. The Indians were last heard here, about a quarter of a mile back, and it is supposed they threw up the chase at the creek. The party continued their flight apprehensive of pursuit until * * Coty *" ga^'e out and was secreted by his companions in the tall grass, in a sink or basin. Tlie two men now went forward as rapidly as the darkness of night would allow, and arrived at Pence's at two in the morning, having accomplished the flight of sixteen miles since nightfall. At daylight the men at the stockade turned out to go for the Frenchman, and when he had been safely brought in they went up the river together in boats to the Upper Yellow Banks, and brought away all his goods from the trading post. Two squaws were found sitting in the house, having been stationed there to take care of the place and prevent its being despoiled.

After peace was made and the families returned, the Indians affected to have much sport in telling the Denison boys that in their flight they made the brush crack as if they had been bucks.

Not being satistied with their confinement at the fort, the Denisons, a week later, went to Monmouth to stay. John Denison bouglit a house and a small piece of ground, and lived there through the summer. In the fall they came back to New Boston in time to put up hay for winter. AVilliam Denison returned to his old place on the river, but John went back two miles, where he made a farm. Mrs. Denison had three small children, and that fall she stayed alone with the children in her house a week, while her husband went back to Monmouth to get his com and potatoes. Mother Denison was a brave woman and felt no alarm, though she heard the guns of the Indian hunters as they were fowling, and her husband's absence was prolonged several days beyond expectation.

Just before hostilities ended a party of seven Indians i)enetrated the country as far as Little York, and creeping uj) on a young num named Martin, who was mowing on the prairie, all fired ujjon him at once and shot him dead. They aftei*ward said that they could have killed many more, but being acquainted with them, and having been fed and warmed by them, they were deterred from taking their lives. Uufortunately, Martin was a stranger who had never had the privilege of bestowing a favor. A company of rangers was raised that summer at Monmouth, and this command scoured the country between Oquawka, New Boston and Monmouth. A detachment of these was sent out after this prowling band and pursued them so close that they threw away everything in their flight, and escaped across the Mississippi.

When Black Hawk returned from his tour to Washington, he had the candor to tell his people that Keokuk was right in his estimate of the strength and number of the whites, and assured them that instead of being as mnnerous as the trees of the Mississippi valley they were as numberless as the trees and the leaves together, -

William Denison had a very handsome daughter by the name of Julia, about lifteen years old, for whom the savages conceived a great fancy and to buy whom they exhausted every means. Mother Denison cannot remember the offers that were made by her savage admirers, but thinks that they at one tune brought thirty ponies. They came several times to urge a bargain. That young lady is now the wife of Judge E])liraim Gilmore, of Aledo. -

Nancy Denison, daughter of John Denison (now Mrs. William Willett, of Keithsburg), was another white child whom the savages were bent on possessing, and several times attempted to kidnap. The squaws would pick her up and wi'ap her in a blanket, but before they could get away the vigilant watch dog would discover their movements, and assailing them funously, compel them to leave her. They were often at the house, and by making much of her, and giving her presents, had artfully won her childish confidence so that she was greatly pleased at the prospect of going with them. She learned to converse in the Indian as early as in her own tongue.

All the Indians drank whisky. When they went on a spree two or more kept sober to take care of the others. When any got troublesome and ungovernable, these would bind them till they recovered themselves.

the bluffs. At the first glance he felt convinced he had found "God's country, " and he has never felt that he made a mistake in so estimating it. At that time there were but four distinct white families in the township.

VerN' soon after this, as the richness of the soil became tested, settlers began to come in rapidly. At about the same time land speculators from the east also turned their attention to this locality. The^ inordinate cupiditN' of these speculators often involved them in bitter contests with the settlers. As soon as the lands were surveyed and came into market, the settlers, in order to compete more successftiUy with the speculators, were in the habit of forming a ring around the land office, and endeavoring to keep out the " land sharks, " as they were called, by physical strength. Nearly all the land sold in this locality, was sold from the government land office in Galena. The settlers usually appointed some one person to attend the land sale and bid otF the several lots upon which they had made claims. The settlements mere made principally along the river, the settlement of the upland country being regarded as an absurdity.

In 1834 Wm. AVilson made a settlement. During this year tlie^ number of settlers increased so rapidly as to cause great inconvenience in some parts of the country on account of the great extent of territoryembraced in the jurisdiction of AVarren county.

In September of this year, 1834, the town of New Boston was laid out (the first of any in the county). The land, as has been previously stated, was owned originally by Wm. Denison. He sold out his claim, or two-thirds of it, to Elijah lies, of Springfield, and Edward Burrail, of Massachusetts. An honor attaches to it of more than usual importance fi'om the fact that the surveying was done by Abraham Lincoln, the Mart}T President of the United States. The site possessed peculiar natural advantages, and had been known as the upper Yellow Banks, the Lower Yellow Banks being located at Oquawka. To say that site was more favorable for a city than any other point for miles either way is certainly no discredit to the larger cities that have since been founded and hold populations largely in excess of New Boston. Situated opposite the mouth of the Iowa river, which is a navigable stream for some distance ; located on high banks, without the inconvenience of bluffs in the roar ; with Sturgeon Bay as a safe and commodious harbor ; a rich agricultural ccjuntry surrounding it, and no large city within a great distance ; what more natural than to suppose it simply a question of time when it should be the city of the west ! The thoughtful reader will undoubtedly satisfv himself why these expectations were not fulfilled as he peruses the subsequent history.

In 1835 the legislature passed an act erecting the new county of Mercer, and ap})ointing New Boston as the tempoary county seat. By the ])rovisions of the act an election was directed to be held on the first Monday in April, 1835, in tlie town of New Boston at the house of Eli Reynolds. Thirty seven votes were deposited for county officers!

S. V. Prentiss located here during this year, as did also Mr. Ed. Drury and M. L. Willits. They are all living in the township at present and have been since their settlement here.

About 1835 a school was organized at the bluff about four miles east of New Boston. This was also the first school-house in Mercer county. The first school teacher was the Hon. Geo. W. Julian, since that time almost countless numbers of teachers have been engaged in the work in the town ; but perhaps the most prominent and deserving of mentic)n is the name of Simeon P. Smith. Hardly a man now living in the vicinity but knows personally or by hearsay of his good work as an educator. Of him Dr. Thomas AVillitts says : "Among the aims and interests of human life, opening wide the avenues to independent thought and efficient intellectuality is paramount, and he who has been successful as an educator, is most tiiily a benefactor.

Having lived long, and been an interested observer of human progress in many of its phases, I can most conscienciously say that no other instance has come under my notice in which so much was achieved in common schools in the same time (short or longf as was done by my friend Simeon L. Smith in the town of New Boston and vicinity (begining about forty years since), in awakening the latent possibilities of the infant mind.

The causes and reasons for his singular and marked success in school were no doubt many ; perhaps some that were peculiar and purely intellectual.

But he seemed to form a clear and correct judgment quickly of the^ capacity of each pupil, and of their home discipline, and was so intensely earnest himself that his feeling and action seemed contagious. He seemed to know just what a jmpil could do, or should do. and was careful to know that it was done, or to require a suitable reason why it was not. If one in a class failed, he seemed to know whether idleness or inability was the cause, and promptly used the appropriate remedy. Evenings, mornings. Satin-days ; indeed, any unoccupied time the class, or the pupil, or any number that he deemed required awakening aid, were called to the residence of some employer, his boarding place, or the schoolhouse, where the appropriate exercises, instructions or questions were presented. Prompt and absolute obedience of evefy scholar seemed a prerequisite, and understanding every principle in the branches- taught himself, knew the cause of faihire or embarrassment, and lifted or led the pupil so gentlv into the light that he was impressed that he had found it himself. Scholars thus energized went on and up to greater and more successful effoi-ts, opening wider the way to greater attainments in the more advanced and progressive series of scholarly developements. Every pupil under his teaching for a few years is now easily distinguished from the mass in this, that they are good spellers, good readers, and prompt, ready and accurate mathematicians, all achieved by a thorough, clear, and logical mental analysis of the problem, ever making their own rules, and never committing those of another. Of his religious sentiments I can say that he was an admirer of puritanic rigidity in the observances of an ideal straight edge, as a guide in religious and moral duties. If not an apologist for its bigotry of the inspirational claim for or of the bible, he said or cared little, but ever obsen'ed, applauded and advocated the clearly marked moral duties as expressed by the life and precepts of Jesus, with little or no respect for the ceremonies and formalities of the churches, regarding them as figments ot that the world would be the better for losing.

Johnson Koble settled in the township in this year, 1835. Mr. Ephraim Gilmore was the first assessor and treasurer, appointed April 13, 1835. He was also the first surveyor and first postmaster.

The following settlements were -made in 1836. John "VV. Ditto, who settled on S. E. ^ Sec. 27, having previously made the claim in March of the same year. His was the only house out on the prairie except Joseph Denison\s on the S. W. ^ Sec. 34, which was built the same spring. John Denison was living in the timber out on the Edward's Elats, liaving settled there on his return after the Black Hawk war in the autumn of 1832. John Pratt, Milton L. Willits, Isaac Lutz, James M. Mannon, Gilbert Ives, and Harley Ives, also made settlements in this year.

During this year a somewhat animated discussion arose in regard to the removal of the county seat. ISTew Boston being situated at the extreme west of the county lacked a central location, an item of great importance in the days of horseback conveyances, and this fact was strongly urged as sufiicient grounds for the removal of the county offices to a more accessible point. Those who favored its retention did so on the grounds that as New Boston was the town of the county, and always destined to be, so far as could be ascertained at tliat time, nothing be more aj)propriate than to let the county seat remain.

In 1837 the legislature enacted a law by which Win. Mc.Murty, ot Knox county ; Thomas Spragins, of Jo. Da^-iess ; and John S. Stei)henson, of Ogle, were appointed a commission to locate a permanent seat of justice. The provisions of the act required that the proprietors of the place selected should donate to the county lots equal to at least twenty acres, the proceeds of the sale of which should be used in the erection of public buildings. The commissioners fixed the site at Millersburg on the N. E. i Sec. 3, T. 14, K. 4.

Dissatisfaction still existing, the question of its removal was agitated still further, until the legislature, in 1839, authorized an election to be held in April of that year, to decide its location by vote ; providing, how^ever, that, if it resulted in locating it at New Boston, the'propnetors "should donate not less than two acres of land and the sum of four thousand dollars in money,"- the money to be paid in four semi-annual instalhnents. The effort was unsuccessful. The matter did not stop ; but, as the topic is a matter of county history, we we will return to our settlements of tlie year 1836 and 1837.

Lots in New Boston were held at high figures in these earlier times, prices ranging from $20(1 to $7U0. The lot where the old "Drury Warehouse" stands brought $900. James S. Thompson settled and commenced business in New Boston in 1836, and from that time until his death, 1868, was closely connected in public and private life with the welfare of the community. In 1837 John Roberts, J. C. Sloan, N. N. Larrance and John Davis settled in the township.

In 1838 Isaac Lutz came to this township, and began the erection of a grist mill on Edwards river, on section 1. This mill has been kept up ever since, and is still running and doing good work. It belongs to some of the heirs of Isaac Lutz.

Elias Pullen, E. A. Crapnell and Joseph Alyea, with their families, settled in the towhship in this year. Elias Pullen settled on section 9, E. A. Crapnell on section 14, and Joseph Alyea in town, which at that time contained twelve or fifteen buildings. This was four years after the survey and plat of the town was made ; and, although the town was laid out, only a small portion had been subdivided into lots. Tliis, together with the lact that the majority of the proprietors were non-residents and held their property at high figures, ijartially accounts for the slow growth of the town.

In 1839 Jacob Beard settled on section 9, and Charles and Christian Rader settled on section 27. The settlements up to this time had been located mostly along the rivers Mississippi and Edwards ; but from this time forward the settlements increased rapidly in number and take a wider range.

a wide and extensive practice almost continually during his long sojourn in the county. *Drs. Hereld, Shiner and Howej were early physicians.

In 184.5 the first newspaper in tlie county was established at New Boston, under the name of the "New Boston Advertiser." The name and management were changed several times, being successively "The Yeoman of the Prairie Land," the "New Boston Broadhorn," "The Golden Age," ''The New Boston Nonpareil," "The New Boston Eepoiter," and lastly, the "New Boston Herald," the last number of the latter being published in 1872, C. A. Ballard, editor.

The township was organized in 1852 ; and the first super^^sor from New Boston was I. N. Bassett ; the first town clerk, Thomas Alyea ; the first justice, G. W. Warner.

The following have been supervisors for the township : I. N. Bassett, one year ; Sidney Chidester, one year ; Amos Prouty, one year ; William Drury, one year; John Boberts, five years; D. J. Noble, two years ; Thomas Martin, four years ; Walter Pryne, one year ; William

The village of New Boston is situated on a part of sections 31 and 32. It received an addition, known as Turner's Addition, in 1856, and in 1859 was incorporated under a special charter, lia\dng at that time about TOO inhabitants.

At the breaking out of the war in 1861, New Boston responded promptly to the call, and was always ready to aid the cause with men or money. To say there were none who sympathized with the South, would, of course, be an exaggeration ; but the town may justly feel proud of her war record. We give elsewhere a detailed history of company "G," 27th regiment. The whole interest of the town, during the four years of this bloody struggle, seemed centered in the welfare of her "boys in blue" and the success of the Union forces.

to vote for or against a subscription of $ IS, 000 to aid in the construction of the Western Air Line railway. The bonds were voted, but the road was never completed. In June, 1868, another election was held to vote for or against a subscription of $18,000 to aid in the construction of the American Central Kailway Company. One hundred and eighty-four (184) votes were polled for the subscription and three (3) against. The township bonds were to run ten years, bearing ten per cent interest. In June, 1879, the unpaid bonds were refunded at a lower rate of interest, and there now remains but $5,500 indebtedness against the townshi]), a mere trifle when her magnificent resources are taken into consideration.'

The village of New Boston voted bonds to the amount of $30,000, running twenty years and bearmg se^'en per cent interest, for the same purpose. All these bonds were voted -with the understanding that the road was to be extended to Fort Wayne, thus making connections with the eastern seaboard lines, and westward to Council Bluffs. The reaction in railroad speculation set in before the road was completed, and the company soon found themselves in want of capital, being finally compelled to sell the road to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, by which company it is now owned and operated. Had the road been completed as projected, crossing the Mississippi at its present western terminus, there is hardly a doubt that New Boston would to-day have been one of the most thriving cities in the west. At the present time a new road is surveyed from Rock Island southward, crossing the Mississippi at or near New Boston, and making connections through to Kansas City. Should this road be completed, the future prospects of the town are indeed bright.

The first school was held in a log cabin out at the blutt", and presided over by the Hon. George W. Julian, in 1834 or 1835. The township was finally divided into eight districts, each supporting school for six or more months each year. The only graded school is the New Boston public school, it being divided into five departments. Tlie first school-house built in the city district still stands in a rather dilapidated condition on lot 1, block 3.

The religious sentiment of the people is quite diversified, a large number being in opposition to the ortliodox church. Of the three or more church organizations, but one, the Methodist, supports a resident pastor.

Emily Burleigh - 7. New Boston at that time was in what was called the Mercer Mission. There were so many appointments that the preacher was comi)elled to preach almost daily, having but two or three rest days in a month.

Tlie tirst resident preacher was George Smith, who was pastor over the society. The first meetings of the class were held at the residence of Emily Burleigh, but after Joseph Al^-ea had built his house in the toAMi of Xew Boston, the meetings were moved to that point. Mr. Smith remained with the church but one year, and but little is remembered concerning him. Henry Summers was the presiding elder at the time of organization. The next year Tliomas M. Kirkpatrick was the preacher in charge. This was about the year 1839. The preacher in those times had to be economical. He was allowed for that year, $75 for table expenses, and $100 salary, and a trifle for traveling expenses. He also remained a year,, and accomplished a good work. He was followed by Brothers McMurtry, Wilson and Burr. Brothers Doughty and Ross at this time were local preachers, and as the circuit was very large, most of the work devolved upon them.

In 1866 the society built the parsonage on lots 7, 8 and 9, block 4, in Thompson's addition. It cost about $1,500. The church building, in which the congregation has since worshiped, was erected in 1876, on lots 2, 3 and 4, block 13, in Thompson's addition. At the time of its erection it was the best in the county, and it still remains one of the best. Its cost was nearly $6,000. The present board of trustees consists of T. H. Bras, J. T. Bell, E. Stevens, John Stevens, W. A. Wilson,. Eli Ci-aft and Thomas Alyea. The last named has been trustee, with the exception of one year, since 1845, and class leader thirty-four years. Tln-ee of the members of the first class, Emily Burleigh, Mary Willits and Thomas Alyea, are yet alive and members of the church, having been engaged in the good work forty-four years.

The present pastor of the church is Rev. G. B. Snedecker. The church, like most organizations of such long existence, has had its ups and downs, sometimes in the valley of humiliation and sometimes on the mountain's top, as on the mount of transfiguration ; but always has its course been forward, and the good it has accomplished cannot be comi)ared with anything in this world. Only eternity will reveal the amount of treasure gathered on earth and stored in the Master's gran-

Hon. Frederick Pr I Ck Baptist Society

The Ba})tist society was organized in 1844 by Elder Hovey, with the following members, viz : William Denison and wife, James Denison and wife, Harrison Smith and wife, M. Poffenbarger and wife, E. A. Crapnell and wife, William Crapnell, William Xoble and wife, Mr. and Mrs. McChesney, and Miss Williamson. In 1845 a church buihiing was commenced on lot 5, block 13, and completed in 1848.

Elder Hovey is described as a man of great mental powers, and one thoroughly in earnest in his work. Although a man well advanced in years at the time he began his labors in the place, he remained as resident pastor for five years after its organization.

The building being situated on sandy foundation, was at length completely undermined by the action of the wind, and fell down about 1859. The last resident pastor was Elder Brimhall, who remained a year or two. The society has had no resident pastor since 1851, but has kept up the organization, and also a Sunday school, holding meetings at present in the town hall. It is hoped at some future time to see the scciety in a flourishing condition;

Presbyterian Society

This society was organized in February, 1857, ^\^th the following members, viz : Mrs. Eva Nevius, Mrs. Joseph Kane, Mrs. M. J. Edwards, Mrs. Sarah Poffenbarger, Mrs. M. J. McLaughlin, Mr. G. W. Crabb. The first and only church building the sogiety has had was begun about 1868. It is a large, commodious structure, and cost, when completed, $6,620.17. The first pastor was Eev. S. G. Hair. The church has had no resident pastor for some years, the last one being the Rev. William Gay.

At the present writing, no meetings are held, but the society still keeps up its organization, and the few members left hope at some future time to see the church resume its old position.

Independent Order Of Odd -Fellows

In the latter part of the year 1855 a few members of the society of Odd-Fellows determined to establish a working lodge of the order in New Boston, and the following facts have been presented by M. Chamberlin, D.D.G.M. : The mystic number (five) made a]>plication for a dispensation. Tlie Grand Master, by authority of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Illinois, issued a charter dated October 12, a.d.

1855, granting tlie dispensation. Monday evening, November 20, A.I). 1855, a meeting was held with District Deputv Grand Master Kelley in the chair, Past Grand Sweeny acting as grand marshal. By order of Grand Master Kelley, the grand marshal presented Charles H. Bell, M. M, Prentiss, John L. Hartson, Mark J. O'Brien and W. T. Power, who were duly obligated, and the grand master declared the lodge duly instituted under the name and title of "JS^ew Boston Lodge, No. 188, I.O.O.F.

After election and installment of officers. Brothers J. C. Bell and Daniel Ilines were admitted by card, H. W. Denison and B. Milliken were initiated, and J. S. Thompson petitioned for membership. The meeting was regularly held on Monday evening of each week.

During the late rebellion the membership was reduced very nearly to the magic number, several brothers being enlisted as soldiers. The form of one now lies moldering away to kindred dust in southern soil - a tear to his memory. All credit is due to the few members who held their meetings, paid the capitation tax, and held their representation in the Grand Lodge. Several lodges in the state became defunct during the war.

After peace was again restored No. 188 increased in membership, and in October, 1865, the brothers were very arduous in their endeavors to secure a home for themselves. Clieerfully each brother donated to the building fund, and on the evening of May 21, 1866, the lodge met in their new hall, size 27x-iO feet, lodge room cai-peted and well furnished, and no one regrets the extra effort to secure a home, but with honest pride they can feel that they are beneath ''the shadow of their own vine." The membership enrolled from organization up to April 1, 1882, is 178. The number of brothers buried by the lodge has been nine. The amount of relief paid, $1,456.^0 (this amount was paid by the lodge and the members by individual donation). Charity abideth in the heart of every good and true Odd-Fellow. It is within tlie knowledge of members of our order that the relief extended by them, under their teachings, has been the means, under providence, of bringing within the church many who to-day would have been aliens from the household of faith. Many of the brothers cheerfully donated in honor to the "Wiley monumeut fund ; also to the Lincoln monument fund, not forgetting our worthy and honorable G.R.S. ; to his memory, we have a name in the Ridgley Monument Fund. Of the members at the organization of our lodge, only one. Brother Daniel Hiixes, now holds a membership.

This is the liome of the patriarch, the evergreen retreat of Odd- Fellowship, supported bv the three ])iilars of Faith, Hope and Charity, and here we have the tables of law, likewise the lesson as taught in the golden rule. A weary pilgrim can here find rest, eat at our table and drink of our pure water. IIosj)itality to the stranger is a pure principle within the heart of every true patriarch encampment.

No. 70 was instituted December, 1866. The number of patriarchs enrolled up to April 1, 1SS2, was eighty-two. Several of the patriarchs instituted a new encampment, others changed their residence, and like our subordinate lodge, the time came when there were but one or two more members than the original number ; but like the ancient Patriarch Abraham, the father of the faithful, our trust was in God, and to-day our tent is enlarged for the increase of membership.

A dispensation and charter were issued to New Boston Lodge No. 59, in the latter part of 1848. Tlie history from that time to 1853 is somewhat obscure, owing to the fact that in 1851 the records were burned ; also, all books, paj^ers, furniture, etc.

The lodge has had a prosjjerous existence, and to-day is one of the strongest and most efficient in the state. The misfortune of losing the records by fii'e is more to be deplored, fi*om the fact that the Grand ' Lodge of the state has also lost the records covering about the same facts.

Something over 200 members have been admitted since the reorganization, and at present the membership is sixty-seven, with the following corps of officers : George Lytle, W.M. ; Ed. L. Willits,

Henry ^V. Dexisox was born in Mercer county, Illinois, IMarcli 16, 1832, being the first Avhite child bora in the county. His father, John AV., together with his grandfather, William, formed the first settlement in the county, which was in the year 1827. He is the youngest child of John AY, and Margaret (Swatford) Denison. His folks came overland with teams from AA^ayne county, Indiana, with Indians on all sides of them, reaching Mercer county without losing any of their family. They ever afterward lived on friendly terms with the Indians. One of the Indian warriors once remarked that if they killed them they would do it easy, which meant that they would never do anything more than whij) them. He has been mostly engaged in farmmg and stockraising. His chances for obtaining an education were limited to what he could obtain from Simeon P. Smith, who taught his first school in Henry's father's kitchen. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows since the first organization of that society in New Boston. He was either the first or second one taken into the lodge. He does not know whether he or B. Milliken, of A^iola, was first, as the}'' both came in at the first meeting. He has held all the oflices in Iiis lodge at various times. He was always a democrat until 1872. From that time to the present he has been a "greenbacker.''' He was married to Miss Turana C. Moore, daughter of John S. and Hannah Moore. Mrs. Denison was born February 17th, 1814. They have had six children, in the following order : Carrie (dead). Sail}' (married to Herbert Good), Alice (married to -John Fuller), Maggie (dead), "Willie (dead), and Freddie.

Stanton V. Prentiss, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, May 10, 1826, and is the fifth child of Stanton and Susannah (Brookheart) Prentiss. His parents came west and settled at AVarsaw, in Hancock county, where they remained until 1833. AVhile living at that pr)int, they were often compelled to leave their farm, and flee to Fort Edwards for safety from the Indians, as this was at the time when Black Hawk was making his raids up and down the Mississippi. In 1833 they came to Mercer county, where they have lived ever since, with the exception of a short time in Rock Island county, and two years spent in California. He has always been engaged in farming and raising stock, the latter very extensively. During the period between 1852 and 1857, he also ran a dry goods and grocery store. His means of attaining an education were very limited ; however, he managed to get a common school education between the intervals of farming. He owns l,l»o<i acres of land on Bay Island, all in one body and under fence, forming the largest pasture in the county, and the largest body owned by any one person. In })olitics he has always been, a rei)ublican. He was married to Miss Hannah E. Creveston in May^ 1865. They have two children: Park and Don. They are both living arid at home with their parents. Mr. Prentiss' m(»ther died in 1852 at New Boston, and his father in 1875.

William Drury, the subject of this sketch, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, September 17, 1809, and removed to Wayne county in 1811, with his parents, where Mr. Drury remained until he attained the age of manhood. The family were subject to all the ]>rivations of pioneer life as well as the alarms of savage warfare, and during the troubles in 1812 they often had to retreat to the block-houses for protection. Mr. Drurv's education was limited to a common school, but he attained education enough to teach several terms of school before he came west. In 1833 Mr. Drury came to Illinois to look at the country, and for the tii'st time saw real prairie land - quite a curiosity to one who has been reared in a wooded country. Mr. Drury <letermined to make this his home, made a selection, and in 1834 returned and made a claim, and settled down at the foot of the bluffs, near where he now resides. Through his influence several families came with him. So' disgusted wnth things were they, that they threatened a dissolution of friendship with him if he did not desist in S})eaking in praise of the country. In 184(» Mr. Drury returned to Indiana, and was married, July 1, to Miss Vashti Lewis, daughter of Caleb and Polly (Willits) Lewis. Mrs. Drury's father served as a member of the legislature a number of times. Immediately after the organization of Mercer county in 1835, Mr. Drury was elected to fill .the office of countj recorder a number of consecutive years. In 183(1 he was elected county clerk, in conjunction with the former office. While holding these offices Mr. Drury furnished all his own stationery and met his office expenses out of liis own private means. In 1836 he commenced a small trade in dry goods and groceries in partnership with Levi Willits, under the firm name of Drur}' <fe AVillits. They furnished the people with all necessaries that were required. They bought pork, grain and other products, and shipj>ed them to St. Louis. They did the first pork packing in the county. They continued business until 1848, when they sold out to Courtney Drury and James S. Thompson, who formed a partnership under the name of Thompson tk Drury. Mr. Drury spent about a year, after the sale ttf liis interest, in settling up his business, when, in 1850, he started a small cash store, whicii he conducted until 1853, when, on account of failing liealth, be sold out his interest, and has since given his attention to the management of his large estate, and to the importation and raising of fine stock, and the banking business. In 1871, in ])artnership with other wealthy men of the county, he assisted in organizing a Farmer's Xational Bank, at Keithsburg, of which he is a large stockholder and president. Mr. Drurj says he has made it a j)ractice all his life, that at the end of each year his income shall be greater than his expenses. He thinks this accounts for his large estate, and not to an}- mental gift. This he would recommend to all young men staiting in life. Mr.. Drury was among the first settlers of the county. lie was well acquainted with Black Hawk and Ivet)kuk, the two noted Indian chiefs.

Courtney Druky was born in WajTie county, Indiana, November 23, 1820. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, with William Willits and family, in the fall of 1834. He remained witli them for some time, and then sold goods for the firm of Drury it Willits. In 1842 he returned to his old home in Indiana, and went to school that fall and winter. He was married April 12, 1842, to Ruth Willits, and removed to Mercer county, Illinois, in the fall of the same year. That winter he bought eighty acres of land, partly improved. He sold his farm in the winter of 1845, and the following spring moved to the village of Kew Boston. Mr. Drury lost his wife February, 1847. He then returned to the State of Indiana, and spent the most of that summer there ; then returned to Kew Boston, and, with James S. Thompson, purchased the mercantile establishment of Drury & AVillits. The new fii-m conducted the trade of this house for eight years, at the end of which time they sold out, and Mr. Drury benight land near the village of New Boston, which he improved, and has engaged in farming and stock raising ever since. Mr. Drury has made a specialty of breeding fine horses, and has had some of the best stock ever kept or owned in Mercer county. He has a passion for a fine horse, and gratifies it.

William A. Wilson, farmer, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, August 18, 1831. Tlie family removed to Mercer county in the fall of 1834, and settled in Eliza to%ynship. Mr. W^ilson's education was limited to a common school, as in those early times the advantages were few and rude ; however, he acquired considerable of a business education, especially in arithmetic, as that was a favorite «tudy of his. When twenty-two years of age he commenced farming for himself on a small scale. His father wanted liim to take a horse when starting out, but he refused to do so ; but by persuasion he accepted a ten dollar biJ]. He rented three years, when he found he liad money enough to buy eighty acres of land lying in New Boston township. lie lived with his brother-in-law, Tiiehard Shields, and tilled his small farm until 1857, when he was married to Miss Kate "Woodward, daughter of Joel and Keziah Woodward. A year after his marriage he sold his farm for $2,5(>(J, and bought another in Mercer township for $3,500, wiiere he lived until 1S61. Mr. Wilson has always dealt considerably in live stock while farming. In 1861, in response to the country's call for troops, Mr. Wilson enlisted in the 102d Vol. Inf., and was elected second lieutenant of Company K, and before going into active service was promoted to tirst lieutenant. His first engagement the enemy was at Gallatin, Tennessee, after which he was elected captain of his company by a unanimous vote. Returning home from the war in 1864, he sold his - farm in Mercer township for $7,000, and again bought a farm of 120 acres in New Boston township, which he has increased to 420 acres in New Boston township, and 402 acres in Eliza. They have had eleven children : Jay, Ed., Dick, Ressa, Gen. Phil. Sheridan, John S., Harvey, Louie, Grace, Bert. M. and Frank M. Grace and Louie are deceased. The rest are in good health and at home with their parents. Mr. Wilson's mother still at the age of eighty-seven, and is in good health. D. J. Noble is the ninth child of a family of twelve children. He was born May 1, 1818, in Fayette county, Indiana. His parents, Lewis and Elizabeth (Burgess) Xoble, came to Mercer county, lUinois, in 1835, and settled on Sec. 16, in New Boston townsldp, where they lived until their death. His father gave D. J. seventy acres of Sec. 16, and to this he added the N. W. i of Sec. 22 and the N. E. i of Sec. 21. He has a large and commodious residence and is comfortably situated. Besides making a competency for himself he has helped each of his sons to a good home. He has the benefits of only a common school education, owing to the many disadvantages aft'orded in youth. He has been engaged in farming from boyhood up. He has always taken an active part in temperance, and has been a member of the ]\Iethodist church since 1840. He has held all the offices in his church at various times. In politics he has always been a republican. He was married July 5, 1840, to Miss Sally liadei-, daughter of Abraham and Catharine Bader. She was born March 4, 1818. They have had ten children, nine of whom are living : Melissa, married to Frederick Fleming; John N., married to Mary Hill, and lives in Dakota; Leroy, married to Miss Rachel Ilollingsworth ; David L., dead ; Harvey, married t<j Miss Luella Bowden ; Nathan, married to ]Miss Alida Pryne ; Sarah E., married to J. A. Coding; Dora, married to Melvill Danford ; Robert, married to Miss lola Ilolingsworth, ami James, who lives at home vArith his parents.

Milton L. Willits, farmer, son of Reuben and Mary Willits, wa& bom in Wavne conntv, Indiana, Kovember 13, 1826. He came west with his gi-andfather, Isaac AVillits, in the spring of 1836, and settled in New Boston township, where he has lived ever since, with the exception of three years spent in California. He crossed the plains in the summer of 1850, and returned in the spring of 1853 to Isew Boston, and started a lumber yard in partnership with Anderson Kirlin. They continued business until fall, when they dissolved, and Mr, Willits started a grocery store, which he continued till the spring of 1854, when he traded his grocery in part payment on seventy-six acres of land "five miles northeast of New Boston, where he has been engaged in farming ever since. He was married October 25, 185-1, to Miss Sarah J. Kirlin. They have had ten children : Horace G., born July 31, 1855 ; Mary L., December 23, 1856 ; Homer C, January 8, 1858; Lavina H., March 25, 1859; Elias M., December 13, 1860; William R., September 23, 1862; Minnie D., March 3, 1864; Frederick, June 22, 1866 ; Ruth, November 6, 1867 ; Sarah J., February 8, 1869. His wife died February 13, 1869 ; Mary L., October 31, 1857; Sarah J., March 17, 1869 ; Ruth, August 26, 1869 ; Frederick, January 5, 1873 ; William R., October 25, 1879. His oldest son, Horace G., mamed Miss Ida McGrew ; Clinton, to Miss Adda Kiddoo ; Lavina. to Levi Lewis. The other two remain at home with their father. Mr, Willits' education was liriiited in youth but improved by study in later life. He was one of the pupils of Simeon P. Smith, one of the first and best teachers of the county. His early youth was spent in farming until eighteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for six years. He has always been an active temperance man. In politics he is a reijublican. He has at present 513 acres of Mercer county's best land situated in New Boston township.

We cannot expect in a short sketch to do justice to one who has resided in the county near foi*ty six years, but glean a few facts in which the readers of this work will feel a deep interest. Such a person is James M. Mannon, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, September 16, 1823. He resided in his native state until thirteen years of age and then came west to Mercer county, and with his parents settled in Eliza township, where he lived until he attained the days of manhood. He took such chances as were offered in those early times for acquiring a common school education. By much reading and general study he has become well infoniied on all the leading questions of the da}^ April 6, 1849, he was married to Miss Rebecca daughter of Patrick Sliirkey. After being married some nine years, his companion was called away to the silent tomb, September 5, 1857. He married his present wife, Sarah J. ^Nfoore, January 6, 1859. She is a daughter of George and Jemima Moore, of New Boston townsliij). Their ehihh-en are Bertha B., George M., James M., Levi E., and Charles N. Mrs. Mamion's grandfather, liobeit Moore, served in the war of 1776 - ^^and he and his two sons, Thomas and James, served in the war of 1812. CVjlonel ^[annon started out in life as tiller of the soil which business he followed some fifteen years, when he was elected sheriff of ]\Iercer county on the republican ticket. In 1858, after serving his term as sherift', he was elected circuit clerk and county recorder, w4iich positions he held for two years. In response to the call of the government for troops to put down the rebellion of the southern states, he enlisted in the 102d 111. Yt)l. Inf., and was elected captain of company K, afterward major, and latei-, lieutenant colonel. He was in all of the fighting in Sherman's march to the sea coast, until the siege of Atlanta, when pressed by home interests he resigned and came home. Soon after joining his family he commenced mercantile business in New Boston in partnership with Anthony Burdick under the firm name of Burdick and Mannon. They did a large business for some tjiree years when Mr. Mannon purchased the interest of Mr. Burdick and continued the business two years longer. He then sold off his stock of goods and bought a fann five miles northeast of New Boston, where he resides at present, comfortably situated. He commenced his business life vrith only eighty dollars. Mr. Mannon has always been an active republican and taken considerable interest in advocating its principles, and carrying into effect the doctrines advocated by that party.