Henderson County, Illinois - The whole text, 1882 (part 3 of 23)

John Fkatt, butcher, was born in Union county, Indiana, in 1829. He is the oldest son of Begin and Mary (Long) Pratt. His parents came to Mercer county in 1836, and are therefore among the earliest settlers of the county. He was engaged in farming and carpentering until 1876, since which time he has been engaged in the butcher's trade. In 1869 he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which body he has been a member ever since. He has held numerous offices in his lodge at various times. In politics he is a democrat. His father lived in Mercer county until June 6, 1880, when he was called away to a better land. His mother is still living at the age of seventy-five, and maintains good health.

Of the representative men of Mercer county the name of none occupies a more honorable ]>lace in the list than that of Dr. Thomas- "WiLLrrs, of New Boston. He was a pioneer in his profession as well as a pioneer settler, and has been a practitioner fifty^six years. His nativitv was in Pickawav countv, Ohio, in 1S(I5. It was there his parents, James and Amy (Allison) Willits, wlio had emigrated from Penns}-lvania, were married. At the age of twenty he started out from home with the design of going to St. Louis, but stopped at Montezuma, Parke county, Indiana, where lie began the practice of medicine. In three or four years he returned to his father's home, which had meantime been removed to Richmond, Indiana. He remained there till 1837, and then came west and settled in AVarren, now Henderson, county, this state, on the line between that and INIercer. There he entered 500 acres of land, which property is now known as the Mickey farm. Having enclosed a large tract, he gave his attention for a few years to raising stock for market ; but after hauling to Xew Boston he could obtain only $1-50 per hundred for the hind quarters of neat animals and $1 for fore quarters, while pork brought but $1.25, all in store pay, and corn could not be sold at any price. N^ot pleased with this state of things, in 184-0 he decided to quit farming, and moved ta New "Boston and continued his practice.^ In 1850 he was elected a representative to the legislature from Mercer county and served one term. While a member of that body the charter for the Illinois Central railroad was passed, and he made a strenuous but futile eifort to fix the percentage which the company should be obliged to pay into the state treasury at ten per cent of their gross earnings, instead of seven. The doctor \'oted first for president for John Quincy Adams, but fell into line with the opposite party in the Jackson cam- })aign of 1828, and since that time has been an old school democrat. In controversy he has upheld the principles of his party, but never with hope of office or aspiration for it. With the exception of a division of the Sons of Temperance, which he organized in Kew Boston, he has not been connected with any of the secret orders which are now so common. To the extent that his example could give force to his convictions, he has encouraged the temperance cause, and under no circumstances could he ever have fallen to such depths of humiliation as to countenance or tolerate drunkenness or any patronage of the rum traffic. Dr. Willits was married in early life to Mrs. Catherine Libby, formerly Miss' Ainsworth, and five children were the fruits of this union. The eldest, Ehnira, died in infancy; Leroy lives in New Boston township; Viola, who was the wife of Russell Scudder, died over twenty years ago ; Celeste is now Mrs. William A. Anderson, of Chicago ; and Kate is the wife of Thomas Manning of the same city. We regret our inability to give a more extendi^d notice of one who has figured so largely in the useful aft'airs of this locality, and who, by universal consent, has been of so much service and benefit to the public at large as Dr. Willits. A man of liberal education and correct understanding, whose

Icnowledge covers a wide range, Mercer county has never liad a better tvpe of the old school practitioner and gentleman than he. As a conversationalist he is fluent, entertaining and instructive, with ]>leasing powei's of description.

Jacob II. Swoffokd was born in llenrv county, Indiana. A])ril 8, 1829. His ])arents were born in North Carf)lina. lie came to Mercer county, Illinois, August 10, 1837. He was a common laborer for a time, and then learned the ])rinting business, which he followed for ten years. Since leaving oft' the ])rinting business he has engaged in various avocations. He was married November 16, 1854, to Annie, daugliter of John and Mary Shuft". They are the parents of -eleven children, eight of whom are living. The family have resided in the villa":e of New Boston for manv vears.

IIarley I^'ES, farmer, was born in Connecticut, January 15, 1803. He is the third child of Caleb and Sarah (Booth) Ives. He came overland, and settled near Oquawka, in Henderson county, in 1836, where he lived two years, when he moved to Mercer county, and settled one mile east of New Boston, where he has lived ever since. During the early part of his life he was engaged in farming, and working at the cooper trade, being the first cooper in the county. In 1827 he was married to Miss Ruth Ives, daughter of Gideon and Charlotte (Hall) Ives. They have had five children born to them : Gilbert II., who is man-ied to Miss Mary A Scudder. a daugliter of Ennis Scudder ; Martha AV., dead ; Gideon, at home with his parents; Emery K., married to Miss Marv E. Hartsock ; Caroline, married to John AV. Histed. Mrs. Ives has always been a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Ives has always been an active temperance man. In politics he is a democrat. At present, Mr. Ives is seventy-nine years of age and in splendid health and ver}" active. Financially he is in good circumstances.

Thomas Alyea, druggist, was born at Miamitown, Ohio, Se]>tember 21, 1821. His fathei-, Joseph Alyea, from New Jersey, was tliree times married. By his first wife he had two children ; by his second, Margaret Love, mother of our subject, four were born ; and by the last, eight : three sons and five daughters. The family moved from Mr. Alyea's birthplace to Fairfield, Franklin county, Indiana, where his mother died when he was eight years old. In 1838 a second removal broujrht them to New Boston where Mr. Alvea has resided continuously until the present time. In 1845 he went to Mount Morris Seminary in Ogle county and attended school there one year. He was the second vender of drags in New Boston, and oj^ened in 1853 the first exclusive drug store, which he has conducted since. From 1847 lo 1853 he was selling dry goods, and from 1854 till now he has been engaged in the ice business. On the 28tli of June, 1849, he was mar-^ ried to Miss Sarali A., daughter of John and Amelia C. Signor. Thesame year he was elected county surveyor, and hekl that office one term of two years. He still devotes a little attention to surveying, and has in his possession the old field notes procured by Judge Gilmore nearly fifty years ago. He was the first town clerk after the adoption of township organization, and has filled the same position in the town of New Boston. A leading member of the Methodist church for many years, he has held official connection in the responsible positions of trustee thirty years, class-leader twenty-five years, and sexton, recording steward and Sunday school superintendent, also, for long periods. He was the first treasurer of the American Bible Society in this county. He has shown himself active and useful in the temperance movement, and has belonged to about all the organizations in New Boston. He was bred politically in the whig party, and cast his first vote for Henry Clay in 1844. He has maintained his fidelity to the republican party since its organization. Mr. and Mrs. Alyea have been the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are dead. The survivors are : Thomas Edmund, a physician, living at Princeville ; Willard Henry, Florence Luella, and Lily Belle.

Sidney Chidster, farmer, was born in Trumbull county, Oliio^ April 1, 1816. He is the fourtli child of Hezekiah and Lyda Chidster. He worked with his father at the carpenter's trade until twenty-two years of age, when he came west and settled in Mercer county, where he has lived ever since. Being one of the early settlers of the county, he had to endure all the hardships connected with pioneer life. His education was limited to a common school course. In politics Mr. -Chidster had always been a republican until 1875, when he joined the party known as the greenback party, of which he has since been a member. He was elected school trustee in 1845, and served twenty-five years consecutively. In 1847 he was elected justice of the peace, and served three years. In 1840 he was elected county associate justice for the term of three years. He was the first supervisor of New Boston township, and served as chairman of that board. In later years, he has served ten years as township collector. He has always been an active temperance man. In Mai-ch, 1842, he was married to Miss Rachel Stewart, daugliter of William and Nancy Stewart. She was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, August 10, 1823. They have had three children : William and Lyda, who are at home, and Bachel, who is married to Milton F. Weeden. August 10, 1853, Mr. Chidster was called to mourn the loss of his beloved wife.

August 11, 1819. He is nest to the youngest child of James and Elizabeth Roberts, who came to America in 1828, landing at Boston, ]\[assachusetts, where they lived until 1836. Mr. Roberts lived in Indiana two years before coming to Mercer county. He built a carding machine in New Boston township, which was the first in the county. This he ran for two years, M'hen he removed to P^liza townshi]), entered 120 acres of land and bought eighty acres more, and went to farming. He remained in this business until 185P), when he went to New Boston and built a large three-story brick carriage and wagon factory in partnership \dth Joe Graham, forming the Unn of Graham & Roberts. They continued business until 1860, when Mr. Roberts bought Graham out. In 1S61 Mr. Roberts went back to his farm, and farmed until 1865, when he went to Monmouth. Illinois, and started a sash, door and blind factory and planing-mill, which he ran until 1869, when his mill was burned down. Returning to New Boston, he refitted the building he had formerly occupied as a factory, for a hotel, the Roberts House, wdiicli he ran until 1875, since which time he has been engaged in the lumber trade. On March 20, 1845, he was married to Miss Mary Baker, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Baker. She was born December 7, 1826, and died June 16, 1858. He was mari-ied again September 29, 1859, to Miss Maria J. Dunn, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Dunn. By his first marriage he had six children : Elizabeth H. (married to Albert Denison), Marshall, Albert (dead), Harriet (dead), Clarence (dead). Charles S. (dead). By his last marriage he has two children : Richard II. and Ernest. Morally speaking, he has always been an active temperance man. Politically he was a republican until 1872, when he joined the greenback party, to which party he has ever since strictlv adhered.

^ Mary D. Willits was. born in Butler county, Ohio, May 31, 1823. She is the sixth child of Joseph and Margretta (Love) Alyea. She -came wdth her parents to Franklin county, Indiana, where they lived until 1838, when they came to Mercer county, settling in the town of New Boston. Her father was one of the first to start in business. She was married to William Danford September 13, 1845. i\Ir. Danford was born March 21, 1807. He was the third child of Enoch and Mary Danford. They had four children : William B., married to Alice Kesler; Melville C, to Dora Noble; Joseph A., to Famiie Strong; Mozart, to Clara Mannon. William B. was born June 29, 1846 ; Melville C, September 22, 1847; Joseph A., Decembers, 1848; Mozart, March 16, 1850. AVilliam Danford, Sr., died July 27, 1850. Mrs. Danford married again March 10, 1852, to William Willits, who was the seventh child of Jesse and Susannah Willits. He was bom sionally as far as Preemption. He was always present at the annual cam|>meetings at Sugar Grove, where he worked incessantly, arduously and willingly in the grand cause. He would frequently start from home early on the Sabbath, preach at 11 a.m. at one point, at 4 P.M. at another, and at early candle-light at a third, driWng home, twelve or fifteen miles, at the close of the latter serWce, and all from a love for the work, with no thought of reward in this life. He was very frequently called uj)on to perform the marriage ceremony and to preach funeral sermons, often riding fifteen to twenty miles in response to these calls, and recei\'ing only the thanks of interested parties as payment for liis serWces and loss of time. In the spring of 1850 his second wife went to her reward, closing a life of earnest, active and efficient christian work, loved and mourned by all who knew her, yet lea^dng the memory of her pm-e nature to be fondly cherished b}' all. In October, 1851, he was again married, his wife being Mrs. Rachael SahTU, of Warren county. On the night of his return to Isevf^ Boston with his bride liis residence was burned to the ground, and as it was bis all, he removed what little was saved fi*om the flames to the farm of his wife, lying in the northwest corner of Warren and the northeast comer of Henderson counties, adjoining the Mercer county line. Here he continued his pastoral labors, having regular aj^pointments at Sunbeam, Bald Bluff, Little York, Pleasant Green and other points. For three years he rode the Camden circuit. Rock Island county, as a "supply," and for one or more he supplied the Oquawka circuit, Henderson county. He organized what is now known as Belmont Church, in the latter county, and it was largely tlii'ough his influence that the church building was erected. In the winter of 1865, after a life of earnest work and usefulness, he passed ' ' over the river " to meet the Master whom he had so faithfully and conscientiously served, well assured of the welcome, "Well done, good and faithftil servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." His remains were interred at Belmont, but in 1872 were removed to the New Boston cemetery, where a small but appropriate stone marks his grave. His wife died in 1872. !Kot one of the early settlers of the county was more widely known, more highly respected, or more sincerely mourned than Father Doughty. Politically Father Doughty was identified with the democratic party, particularly the Douglas wing, until the breaking out of the rebellion, after which he voted with the republicans. His sympathies were all with the Union, and the enlistment of his youngest son, Lucien B., and two stepsons, F. J. and Benjamin Sarvin, deepened his interest and solicitude in the movements of the Union army. In answer to a letter announcing the enlistment of his son, he wrote :

" AVliile I sluill always feel an anxiety for your safety, and all the more keenly that I realize in part the dangers to which you will be exposed, I have no word of regret for your course. G<jd bless you and ])reserve you, and grant a sj.)eedy victory to our noble army." And again, when that son wrote that he had re-enlisted as a veteran, he writes : "I had hoped that you would return after your three years' service. It would seem that you had certainly pert'ormed your whole duty in that time, and that some one might take your place. But perhaps I am getting selfish, as it seems so long since I have seen you. Your iirst duty is to your country, and I will only say what I said when you first enlisted : *Do your duty, and may God protect and keep you.'" Who will say that the prayers of such a true christian were not answered in the return of that son unharmed after over four years of active service. His educational advantages were limited, but the Bible was his constant companion and study. Without the rhetorical flourish and orat(jrical display of the modern preacher, his sermons were delivered with a force and earnestness peculiar to the early itineracy, and with a power for good that would to-day seem phenominal. Of this power lie v. Richard Haney, still li^'ing, tells the following/ "I remember one scene at an early campmeeting at Sugar Grove. I had charge of the services for the day. Two sermons had been delivered, and in the afternoon Father Doughty occupied the stand. I never listened to such earnest appeals to the sinner, nor did I ever witness such an immediate answer to the prayers. Tlie large audience were completely carried away by the sermon, and the shouting, and praying, and crying soon drowned the voice of the preacher, who, with his gray locks flying m the wind, and the tears rolling down his cheeks, was vainly tr}4ng to make himself heard. Turning to me he asked, ' what shall I do V and I could only say, ' let them alone. Father Doughty ; the Lord has taken this meeting out of your hands. Let them alone ; He will take care of it now ;' and he sank exhausted to his seat. I repeat it : I never heard a sennon of more power, nor ever witnessed such an outijouring of the s])irit.'' With an early-day marriage at which he ofliciated, we will close this sketch. Driving along the "Blutt"' road one summer day, he was hailed by a man plowing cor", who, leaving his plow, invited Father D. into the house of his employer " on urgent business." Here was the daughter of the house, a comely maiden, engaged in mixing bread. After a whispered word from the plowman she wiped the flour from her hands, rolled down her sleeves, and the pair presented themselves for marriage, he in his shirtsleeves, she with a big apron on. The ceremony was promj)tly per- formed, the bride returned to her bread, the groom to his plow, and the minister proceeded on his jom-ney, all as if nothing unusual had happened.

The ancestors of John L. Hartson, of IS^ew Boston, came from England and settled at Haverhill, Massachusetts, and took an active part in the struggle for American indej)endence. Andrew Hartson, grandfather of J. L., who was bom April 6, 1756, was under twentj jears of age when serving under Gen. Washington at Dorchester Heights, etc. He was mariied to Miss Elizabeth Baldwin, November 28, 1780, in Connecticut, where he subsequently made his home, following the occupation of a mechanic, excelling in the manufacture of augurs. He invented the screw augur, although the credit has since heen claimed by another. His family consisted of three sons : Jesse, the eldest, who died in early childhood; Ebeuezer, still li^dng (February 11, 1882), at the advanced age of ninety-six years ; and John, the father of John L. John was born September 3, 1790 ; was married in March, 1810, to Miss Alice Utley, by whom he had three sons, named in the order of then- ages : Andrew, Lester and John Lyman, "born December 29, 1814. His father died March 5, 1816, when John X. was but little past fourteen months old. He remained with his mother until about ten years old, when he started out to make his own way in the world. The first two or three years he worked on a farm in summer, and went to school in winter, doing chores for his board. lie thus received the rudiments of an English education, and acquired £i love of reading, by which means he has stored uj) a large fund of useful knowledge and general intelligence. He next worked in a Tvoolen factory a year or two, but not liking that business aj)preuticed liimself to learn the trade of scythe-making ; but his employer being an intemperate man failed in business, and John L. was thus thrown out of employment before he had served his time. It was at this time, seeing the e\"il eifects of strong drink, he became a firm advocate of total abstinence, and has always been strictly temperate, using neither spu-ituous liquors, wine nor tobacco. He soon after found employment in an augur factory in Ashford, Windham c(mnty, where he remained until he was twenty-one years old, becoming a very skillful workman. He went to Ilumphreysville (now Seymour), New Haven county, in January, 1836, where he worked as journeyman at augurmaking. He was married April 24, 1836, to Miss Mary J. Hartshorn, by whom he had three children : one daughter, Alice A., and two sons, Lyman L. and John S., all of whom died under three years of age. In January, 1843, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was an active and exempUiry member. In March, 1843, he was initiated into tlie Housatonic Lodg^e, No. 6, I.O.O.F., at Birmingluini, and in September, ls4<), he withdrew from tliat lodge in order to organize one in llmnplireysville, his ])lace ot' residence, and accordingly was a charter member of Mechanics Lodge, No. 73, and was the second N.G. (^f that lodge. In 1848 he purchased an interest in the manufactory where he had been employed since 1836. In 1850 he bought the whole establishment, which he carried on very successfully for a number of years. In 1852 he was elected re})resentative to the state legislature, which office he tilled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In 1854, having met with a considerable loss by indorsing for others, he sold out and came west, landing in New Boston November 8th of that year, where he i)urchased the N. W. ^ of Sec. 29, T. 14, R. 5, which he commenced improving the following s])ring. Soon after his settlement in New Boston. J. L. Hartson, Mark^ J. O'Brien, J. C. Bell, C. II. Bell, D. Ilhies and others, became charter members of the New Boston Lodge, I.O.O.F., which was the tirst organized in the county. Mr. Hartson was the lirst N.G. and the first representative to the state Grand Lodge from this town and county. He remained on his farm about four years, when he bought a drug store in New Boston, which he carried on a little over two years ; during that time his wife Mary died. On January 8, 1860, he was married to his present wife, who was Mrs. Fanny M. Campbell, nee Mead. In April of 1863, having sold his town property, he returned to his farm, where he is still enjoying the quiet of rural life in his home, surrounded by a few congenial friends who know him best and love him most.

William Lewis was born in Wayne county, Indiana, April 25, 1832. His parents were formerly from Greene county, Virginia. He received a common school education, and in 1854 came to Mercer county and settled in New Boston township, where he has since resided. He was married October 30, 1850, to Sarah Jane, daughter of Pettis and Maria J. Finch. They have one child : Levi. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been since 1862. He is an extensive farmer, owning 620 acres of land. He has very fine buildings on his farm, and is engaged largely in stock raising and shipping. Politically he is a republican.

William T. Murray was born in Frederick county, ^laryland, April 16, 1820. He is tlie oldest son of William and Susan (Jackson) Murray. William T. left his native state in 1840, and aftei- traveling over the states of Indiana and Ohio, he settled in Wayne county, Indiana, where he lived several years. In 1856 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, where he has resided ever since. During his early life he was formed, the bride returned to lier bread, the groom to his plow, and the minister proceeded on his journey, all as if nothing unusual had liappened.

The ancestoi-s of John L. Hartson, of JSTew Boston, came from England and settled at Haverhill, Massachusetts, and took an active part in the struggle for American indej^endence. Andrew Hartson, grandfather of J. L., who was bom Apiil 6, 1756, was under twenty years of age when serving under Gen. Washington at Dorchester Heights, etc. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Baldwin, November 28, 1780, in Connecticut, where he subsequently made his home, following the occupation of a mechanic, excelling in the manufacture of augurs. He invented the screw augur, although the credit has since "been claimed by another. His family consisted of three sons : Jesse, the eldest, who died in early childhood; Ebenezer, still living (February 11, 1882), at the advanced age of ninety-six years ; and John, the father of John L, John was born September 3, 1790 ; was married in March, 1810, to Miss Alice Utley, by whom he had three sons, named in the order of theii* ages : Andrew, Lester and John Lyman, Tjorn December 29, 1814. His father died March 5, 1816, when John L. was but little past fourteen months old. He remained with his mother until about ten years old, when he stai-ted out to make his own way in the world. The first two or three years he worked on a farm in summer, and went to school in winter, doing chores for his board. He tlnis received the rudiments of an English education, and acquired a love of reading, by which means he has stored up a large fund of "useful knowledge and general intelligence. He next worked in a "woolen factory a yeai* or two, but not liking that business apprenticed liimself to learn the trade of scythe-making ; but his employer being an intemperate man failed in business, and John L. was thus tlii'own out of employment before he had served his time. It was at this time, seeing the evil efiects of strong drink, he became a firm advocate of total abstinence, and has always been strictly temperate, using neither spirituous liquors, wine nor tobacco. He soon after found em})loyment in an augur factory in Ashford, AVindham county, where he remained until he was twenty-one years old, becoming a veiy skillful workman. He went to Humphreysville (now Seymour), I^ew Haven county, in January, 1836, where he worked as journeyman at augurmaking. He was married April 24, 1836, to Miss Mary J. Hartshorn, by whom he had three children : one daughter, Alice A., and two sons, Lyman L. and John S., all of whom died under three years of age. In January, 1843, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was an active and exemplary member. In March, 1843, he was initiate(l into the Ilousatoiiic Lodge, Xo. 6, I.O.O.F,, at Birmingliam, and in September, 184<>, lie withdrew from that lodge in order to organize one in lluniphreysville, his place of residence, and accordingly was a charter member of Mechanics Lodge, No. 73, and was the second N.G. of that lodge. In 1848 he purchased an interest in the manufactory where he had been em])loyed since 1836. In 1850 he bought the whole establishment, which he carried on very successfully for a number of years. In 18.52 he was elected rejM-esentative to the state legislature, which office he tilled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In lSo4, having met with a considerable loss by indorsing for others, he sold out and came west, landing in New Boston November 8th of that year, where he purchased the N. W. ^ of Sec. 29, T. 14, R. 5, which he commenced improving the following s])ring. Soon after his settlement in New Boston, J. L. Hartson, Mark J. O'Brien, J. C. Bell, C. H. Bell, D. Hines and others, became charter members of the New Boston Lodge, I.O.O.F., which was the tirst organized in the county. Mr. Llartson was the first N.G. and the first representative to the state Grand Lodge from this town and countv. He remained on his farm about four vears, when he bought a drug store in New Boston, which he carried on a little over two years ; during that time his wife Mary died. On January 8", 1860, he was married to his present wife, who was Mrs. Fanny M. Campbell, nee Mead. In Ai)ril of 1863, having sold his town property, he returned to his farm, where he is still enjoying the quiet of rural life in his home, surrounded by a few congenial friends who know him best and love him most.

WiLLiAJM Lewis was born in Wayne county, Indiana, April 25, 1832. His parents were formerly from Greene county, Virginia. He received a common school education, and in 1854 came to Mercer county and settled in New Boston township, where he has since resided. He was married October 30, 1856, to Sarah Jane, daughter of Pettis and Maria J. Finch. Thev have one child : Levd. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been since 1862. He is an extensive farmer, owning 620 acres of land. He has very fine buildings on his farm, and is engaged largely in stock raising and shipping. Politically he is a republican.

WiLLiA]^! T. Murray was born in Frederick county, ^larvland, April 16, 1820. He is the oldest son of William and Susan (Jackson) Murray. William T. left his native state in 1840, and after tra\'eling over the states of Indiana and Ohio, he settled in Wayne county, Indiana, where he lived several years. In 1856 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, where he has resided ever since. During his early life he was engaged in tlie butchering business. Since coming to Mercer county he lias been cliiefly engaged in fanning and stock raisting. In 1877- he again engaged in the butcherhig bus-iness in New Boston. Pohtically he has been a republican since 1860, but previous to that time he was a democrat. He has been a member of the Methodist church since 1854, and has always advocated the temj^erance cause. In August, 1843, he was married to Miss Mary Jackson, daugliter of Amor and Debbv Jackson, of Wavne countv, Indiana. Althouii:h her maiden name is the same as his mother's, tliey are not related. They have reared three children: "William H., who is married to Miss Amna^ Essley ; Alice, married to Thomas Murphey ; and Gertrude, who remains at home with her parents.

Jacob Loozer, farmer, was born March 10, 1834, in Switzerland, and emigrated to this country in 1854, and after working one year in Michigan came to Mercer county, where he has since resided. Mr. Loozer came, hearty and industrious, and with nothing to aid himself in this distant land but a willing pair of hands. Although he did not come until much later than some, he ranks among the wealthiest men in the county. After he came to the county he labored for four years on the farm for William Drury. Living very economically, at the end of four years he found he had money enough to purchase eighty acres of land, which he did. He has added to it at different times, until he has at present 640 acres. He was married March 10, 1859, to Miss Barbary Sloan. They have four children, all of whom are living. Mr. Loozer was the first man in the county to put up a wind pump. He is also agent for the Halladay's wind-mill, which is one of the best mills manufactured. He has always been an active republican. Mr. Loozer farms on a very large scale. He generally puts in 250 acres of corn.

John Seastone, wagomnaker and blacksmith, was born in Sweden, August 3, 1834. He came to this country in 1858, landing at Quebec August 21. From Quebec he went to Minnesota, where he stayed until 1859, when he came on to New Boston townshi}), where he has lived ever since. He worked at the blacksmith trade about four years at the "brick yard," which is five miles northeast of New Boston. From this point he removed to New Boston, where he has been largely engaged in wagonmaking, blacksmithing, and selling machinery of all kinds. He does a very large business, especially in the way of selling machinery. May 23, 1860, he was married to ]\Iiss Eva S. Hilmore. They have had seven children: Mary, Dora, Kate, JolmE., Charles V., Emma, Charlotte. They are all single, and live at home with their parents. Mr. Seastone is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, at Swedona, Mercer county, Illinois. He is also a

T. II. DouGHTi', police magistrate and book-keeper, was bom in Centerville, "Wayne county. Indiana, in 1831, and was the fourth child in a family of eleven children by Thomas L. and Mary J. (Kibbey) Doughty. In 1842 he emigrated to New Boston with his parents. He was a pu})il of Simeon P. Smith, and under his tuition obtained a useful education. When a boy he worked in his father's shop and learned the saddler's trade ; but most of the time since he became of age he has been a book-keeper. He was married in 1850 to ^liss Hattie M. Doughty, b}' whom he has had seven children : Willie (dead), Kate (now Mrs. P. E. Tovey), Harry (dead), Josie (dead), Jim E., Sue, and an unnamed infant. Mr. Doughty has been active among his townsmen in promoting temperance work, and the interests of the republican organization. He is a member of the Indei)endent Order of Mutual Aid, and has held several local ottices. He was the Urst mayor of New Boston, and is at present town clerk and police magistrate.

Gideon Ivks, merchant, was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, in 1825, and was the youngest son of Gideon and Charlotte (Hall) Ives. He received an academic education in his native town, and in 1843 came west and settled in New Boston, where he at once began clerking for the tirm of Denison & Ives. As early as 1846 he embarked in general merchandising in partnership with Elmer J. Denison, and kept up this connection until about 1865. At that date Mr. Ives withdrew from the firm and was out of trade till 1881, when he formed a partnership with Frank Ives (his son) and C. II. Ballard (his son-in-law), under the style of Ives, Ballard tt Co. Mr. Ives was originally a whig, and voted first for president for Gen. Taylor in 1848. He has been a steadfast republican since his party came into existence. He has always been squarely identified with the tem})erance work. In 1853 he was united in marriage with ]\Iiss Rachel, daughter of John Dniry, by whom he has had seven children, as follows : Frank, who married Miss Lizzie Moll ; Jennie, wife of C. H. Ballard; Flora, Fred, Nellie (died in infancy), Hattie and Paul.

CiiAKLEs W. Bras, lawyer and collector, was born in Lake county, Ohio, May 16, 1828, and is the fourth child of Thomas and Ann (Norton) Bras. He came west with his parents in 1S3T, settling in Louisa county, Iowa, wiiere he worked with his father until of age. He then learned the mason's trade and was engaged in this until when he went overland to California, enduring all the hardshij)s connected with an overland trip across hundreds of miles of a wilderness, where rain never falls, and vegetation does not exist. After arriving irr. California lie clerked in a store one year, after which he was engaged in mining and running a pack-train. He returned to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1853, and was in business there until 1868, when he came to- New Boston, where he opened up a law office, and has been in business' ever since. During the late rebellion he enlisted in the '45th reg. Iowa Vol., and served six months, and was discharged. He received sl common school education, and being a close student he has acquired a good education. In September, 1853, he was married to Miss Hannah. M. Dennott. They have four children : Clarence C, Harry L., Ralph C, Charlotte E., all of whom are living. He has served eleven yearsas justice of the peace, and has been a Mason over sixteen years. In pohtics he is a republican.

R. S. Cramer, farmer, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, Se])- tember 5, 1825, being the first child of William and Sarah (Shute) Cramer. AYilliani was tlie first son of Adam Cramer, an early settler of Kentucky, being a near neighbor of the noted Daniel Boone of early Kentucky fame. R. S. was married to Mrs. Charlotte B. Hams in the fall of 1847 ; she was born in Miami countv, Ohio, in the vear of 1831. They emigrated to Knox county in the fall of 1855. His wife was feeble at the time, and died in Julv, 1856. Two children were born of this union, but they both died while quite young. Mr. Cramer came to this county in the fall of 1856 to make this his permanent home. He remembers of passing along the Air Line raih-oad (surveyed) over the site where now stands Aledo. It was tlien (1855) nothing but a bleak j^rairie, relieved only by the stakes for the raih-oad. He made his home with James M. Manon, of Eliza township (afterward elected sheriff and circuit clerk of this county, and who was, during the late war, colonel of the 102d 111. Vol.), until he married the Widow Cole in February, 1857. She was a sister of the colonel and daugher of Aaron Manon of the same township. The Widow Cole (his present wife) was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1820, and emigrated to this county with her father's family in 1836, and settled in Eliza township. There has been no children by this marriage. Immediately after his marriage he settled two and a half miles north of New Boston, where he has lived for more than twenty-five years. Mr. Ci'amer was brought up in ' a neighborhood where almost everybody belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. He joined at fifteen years of' age and remained a member of the same some fifteen years. He always indulged in much reading and refiection. The result was he became heterodox in his theological opinions, and to-day is well known as a spiritualist. In politics he early became convinced of the great wrongs infiicted upon the slaves. He gave his lirst vote for Sahnon P. Chase for governor of Oliio, because of his anti-slavery proclivities. From that time till the formation of the republican party he gave his votes where he thought they would promote the anti-slavery interest. He voted for Fremont, in 1856 and continued to act with the republican party until Grant wascandidate for president the second time; and although he was a great admirer of Greeley he refrained fi'om voting at all until Peter Cooper run on the greenback ticket for president. From that time to the present he has been an ardent greenbacker and anti-mono}>olist. He is serving at this time (1882) as chairman of the central committee for the greenback labor party of this county. Mr, Cramer was a very enthusiastic supporter of the late war, having full coniidence that it would result in the fi'eedom of the slaves. He wrote the first articles (published in the "New Boston Herald" and the "Aledo Record") that were ever published in this county advocating the policy as well as the justice of giving the negro the right to vote.

We think it proper to mention here the name of Stephen Randall as one of the well to do farmers of New Boston township. He came to the northeastern part of the township, where he has resided ever since, having accumulated considerable property. He was born in Rensselaer county, New York, November 8, 1813. He is the oldest child of Stephen and Nancy (Cutler) Randall. He came with his parents to Mercer county in the year 1843. He was married February 13, 1844, to Miss Rachel Trumbull of Rensselaer county, New York. She was born September 29th, 1827, and is the sixth child of William and Pauley Trumbull. They have had eleven children (three of whom are dead): Nancy A., married to Joseph Tomelson; William M., to Lueinda Uterback; Lucy M., to Calvin C. Wyatt; Pauley E., to John Fulerton; Celia M., to James AV. Scott; Stephen, Cilvia and Aaron are dead ; Minnie, Alonzo and Tlieron are at home with their parents. Rachel, his wife, died November 15, 1864. He was married again June 14, 1875, to Mrs. M. J. Jones. She was born June 29, 1833, in Rensselaer county. New York, and is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Brooks) Bradt. Mr. Randall received only a common school education. In politics he is a republican. He has at present 434 acres of land in section 10 of New Boston township, and also 160 acres in Iowa.

Tlie subject of this sketch, O. C. Lutz, was born in Mercer county, Illinois, March 14, 1845, and is next to the youngest child of Isaac and Lydia (Light) Lutz. His father came to Mercer county in 1836 and settled in New Boston township, where he resided until his death, which took place in October, 1879. His mother died Sei>tember, 1879, at the age of seventy-four. His father was seventy-eight years of age at his death. O. C.'s father built the iirst grist mill in the county about 1838. In 1858 he built a large and commodious mill near the site of the old one. O. C. Lutz started out in life with limited means. He has gradually worked his way u]) until he now owns considerable property. The first real estate he owned was eighty acres in Eliza township. This he sold in 1873 and went to York county, Nebraska, "where he became the owner of 480 acres of land, which yields him an annual income of $700. In March, 1881, he bought the mill estate of his father's in Mercer county, Illinois, and returned in October of the same year, and has refitted the mill and is now prepared to compete with any other mill in the country. Xovember 1, 1871, he was married to Miss Permelia, daughter of Henry and Permelia Hempton. She was born October 12, 1854. They have had two children. In connection with his mill property he owns 167 acres of land. - Mr. Lutz is a republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln.

Thomas Willitt, farmer, was born August 22, 1846, in Mercer county, Illinois. His parents were Kentuckians. He was married September 18, 1871. His wife was the daughter of David and Xancy Brought. She was born in Hancock county, Ohio, December 9, 1848. In 1862 Mr. Willitt enlisted in the 30th reg. 111. Yol. He served his country until the close of the war, and then returned to his home and engaged in agriculture. He received a common school education. He makes a living for himself and family by honest toil.

LviiAN H. ScuDDER was born in Cattaraugus countv, Xew York, October 29, 1829. In the year 1847 he came to jS^ew Boston, where he resided until the spring of 1852, when he started with an ox team for California, and arrived in Placerville in September of that year. He was engaged in mining and farming until the summer of 1855, when he returned to iS^ew Boston. He then ene-a^ed in the liverv business, which he followed until the summer of 1862. In July of that year he enlisted, and on the tenth day of September he was mustered into the service of the United States as captain of company G, 124th reg. 111. Yol. Inf. His regiment became a part of the third Division of the 17th Ai'iny Corps, which was then engaged in pre})aring for the capture efYicksburg, Miss. He i)articipated in several skirmishes and battles, in one of which (Champion Hills, Miss.) he was wounded, and in July, 1864, owing to ill health, he resigned his commission and returned to his home. He has been a resident of New Boston ever since. The subject of this sketch has been twice married. May 13, 1861, he was nuirried to Miss Fanny E. Ives, of Oquawka, Illinois, who died in May, 1865, leaving one son. February 11. I>i66, he was inarried to !Miss Helen L. Moore, daughter of George and Jemima Moore, of New Boston. She was born in EHza township, four miles from her ])resent residence, on May 10, 1837. She has a just claim to be called one of the early settlers. In politics Captain Scudder is 'republican, having voted and advocated the principles of that party ever since its organization. For the past sixteen years he has resided on a farm three miles north of New Boston and has taken considerable interest in a])ianan pursuits.

The subject of the following sketch is not identified with the history of Mercer county for so long a period as some others, as he did not come until 1S48. Mr. Isom Jackson was born in Hancock county, Indiana, A})ril 4, 1839, and consequently was nine years of age when he came to this county with his parents. He is the youngest child of Dempsy and Mary Jackson. His parents are still living at the age of seventy-five" each. As a tiller of the soil Mr. Jackson has worked at it all his life. By grasping the few advantages afforded in early times he obtained a common school education. He was married May 29, 1864, to Miss Salinda, daughter of John and Rachel Fisher. Mr. Jackson was always a democrat nntil 1876, when he joined the greenback party, of which he has been a member ever since. They have had six children, all of whom are living: they are Ed., John, Homer, Thomas, Bert and Edney. Mr. Jackson has been very successful in accumulating property. At present he has 240 acres of land, 200 of which is in New Boston township and 40 in Eliza. In response to his country's call he enlisted in the 124tli regiment, and after serving eleven months, was wounded in the left hand and right arm, from which he has been a cripple ever since.

Among the well-to-do farmers of New Boston townshi]) may be mentioned Thomas J. Jackson, who was born in Hancock county, Indiana, July 24, 1837. He is next to the youngest child of Demsy and Mary Jackson. When eleven years of age he came with his parents to Mercer county, Illinois, settling in New Boston township, where he has resided ever since. His parents are still living at the age of seventy-five each, and in good health. Mr. Jackson worked with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he commenced farming for himself, in which business he has been engaged ever since with the exception of two years spent in California, where he went in 1862, staying two years. He went by the way of New York, down the Atlantic, across the Isthmus of Panama, and up the Pacific ocean to San Francisco, and returned in 1864. Received a common school education. He was marrie<l to Miss Samantha Drew, daughter of Harrison and Eliza Drew, ]\Iarch, 1860. They had one child, which died April, 1862, His wife died March, 1863. He was married again- August 12, 1868, to Miss Louisa, daughter of David and Eliza Honeyman. They had one child : Gid, who was born April 23, 1875. Mr. Jackson owns the northeast quarter of section 8, in New Boston township, 80 acres of which he bought in 1873 and 80 in 1875.

Marshall Fleming, farmer, was born in Henry county, Indiana, September 8, 1831, and is the oldest child of John W. and Angeline (Cellars) Fleming. He came with his parents to Mercer county, Illinois, in the year of 1819. Two years later he commenced farming for himself. His father was born in Fairmont county. West Virginia, April 20, 1809, and departed this life February 26, 1854. His remains rest in the New Boston cemetery. His mother was born in 1812, in Brown county, Ohio, and is still living at the age of seventy years. Marshall was married to Miss Nancy Kader August 20, 1853. She is the daughter of Abraham G. and Catharine Rader. Her pareiits were among the early settlers of the county, coming in the year 1838. She was born September 27, 1836, in Henry county, Indiana. The young couple started out in life with nothing but a two-year-old colt. For their household goods and one horse they went in debt. This horse and his two-year-old colt made his teauL Thus he went on adding a little each year to his capital, until he has acquired a good, wellimproved farm, having twice taken the first premium. His farm is situated two miles northeast of New Boston. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist church since 1 872. In politics he is a republican. They have had two children : Josephine, born November 27, 1858 ; Elsie, iDorn January 29, 1862, and died October 8, 1863.

G. W. Bridger, farmer, was born January 13, 1858, in Mercer county, Illinois, and is the oldest son of Charles H. and Martha F. Bridger. He was married February 3, 1881, to Miss Josephine Fleming, daughter of Marshall and Nancy Fleming. He lived with his father and worked on the farm until nineteen years of age, when he determined to have at least a common school education. Working in summer he earned enough to send him to the village school of Viola during the fall and winter. This he followed up for three years, working summers and attending school fall and winter. He then taught school for a number of terms. At present he is engaged in farming.

James P. Powley, farmer, was born in Hancock county, Indiana,. September 4, 1832. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1849. He was married February 22, 1854, to Sarah J., daughter of Andrew and Jane Malady. He has been in Mason since 1861. He owns a farm of 140 acres, well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Powley have had born to them two children.

George H. Signor, grocer, was born in New York in 1835. He was the oldest son. His parents, John and Araminta C. (Lawi-ence)- Signor, had eleven children, and in 1839 they removed with them to Ross conntv, Ohio. In 1845 the family emigrated still farther west, settling in Columbus City, Louisa county, Iowa. Living there a year, they next came to Oquawka, where his father shortly after died, aged about forty-six years. In 1853 Mr. Signor settled in New Boston, where he was married and has since had his home. His mother is still living at the age of seventy-three. It is a curious fact that the ages of her nine living brothers and sisters average her own age. His marriage on January 1, 1857, was with Miss Maria Alyea, of New Boston, daughter of Josei)li Alyfea, one of the tirst settlers and business men in the place. Mr. Signor was employed by him as a clerk when he iirst came. Both he and his wife are communicants in the Methodist church, of New Boston, of which he is steward. He takes a lively interest in the temperance cause, and has always taken a leading part in organizations of that nature. He has filled the highest position in three Good Templar lodges and is an Odd-Fellow of twenty-five years' standing. Raised a whig, he voted first for Fremont, and has since trained strictly with the republicans. In 1880 he started in the grocery trade.

George Gore, banker, was born in Maryland in 1837, and was the only son of Philip and Susannah (Baugliman) Gore. He had six sisters. In 1841 his parents moved west and settled in Columbus City, Louisa county, Iowa, where his mother died the next year at the age of forty-two. In 1846 his father married again, this time Mrs. Margaret Alexander, and in 1854 moved with his family to Keithsburg, where he engaged in merchandising. He had been previously selling goods in Columbus City. Mr. Gore remained with his father at Keithsburg until 1864, when he went to Montana for the benefit of his health. Being restored, he returned at the end of nine months and settled in New Boston, and during the succeeding eight years was in the service of Wells Willits as book-keeper. In 1873 he embarked in trade on his own account, and was in partnership the first two years with C. H. Bell. Impaired health caused him to sell out in 1880, and with his family he went to Florida, spending seven months there. Returning somewhat improved, he engaged in banking in the autumn of 1881. Mr. Gore has been a Mason since 1874, and has held the office of alderman and mayor. He was mayor of New Boston in 1879, and as a firm sui)porter of the tem])erance programme and principles was chosen to that place to further the interests of the conmninity from that standpoint. Always a democrat in politics, he stood with tliose who gave hearty encouragement to the Union cause throughout the war. In h)cal elections he votes for whomsoever is, in his judgment, the best man. He was married in July, 1861, to Miss Emily C. Hubbell, step-daughter of H. G. Calhoun. Their only son, Clair, is nine years old.

This is township) 13, range 5, embracing fifteen full and four fractional sections. The soil is generally sandy, particularly so along the river which is skirted above Keithsburg by a narrow belt of timber. It lies upon the elevated bottom lands below the blutf, which once confined a mightier and more majestic flood than the "Father of Waters," whose headstrong tide washes its western boundary in easy and graceful curves.

The first settler was John Vannatta. He came alone from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, arriving here about the first of May, 1827, and ojjened a supply yard for wooding steamboats. A year oV two afterward his brother Benjamin followed him, and the two carried on together the peaceful employment of cutting and selling wood, until interrupted in 1831 by disquieting rumors of the uneasy disposition of the Indians and their pre])arations for war. Their neighbors at the Upper Yellow Banks, the Denisons, left their home for two months, and it is probable that these families also went away until security was assured. Next year the Black Hawk war broke out - a war in which the excitement was more disproportion ed to the danger than in any other of which we read. But the danger was real and imminent in this region. Yet these white families remained busy at their toil, unmoved by the warnings and entreaties of their dusky friends, tarrying in the face of peril, refusing to depart. How was it hundreds of miles away ? The people, alarmed by exaggerated reports, had loaded their wagons for possible flight, and regularly laid down to their slumbers with barricaded doors and in feverish anxiety. On the day that the Denisons came down on their way to Pence's fort, so-called, the Yannattas gathered up their goods, and with their families went out and stayed all night in a low place on the j)rairie. The following day they reached Pence's, where the inhabitants had collected from the surrounding country. This i)lace and Monmouth were the rallying points for a large section during the war. Pence's stockade was made of logs split once in two, stood upright and close together with one end in the ground, forming a palisade not less than twelve feef high and

Keithsbirg Toavnship

About the montli of August, 1833, John Bates settled on the N. W. ^ of Sec. 33, and made a small farm which was occu})ied some three years afterward by Isom Lakey, who continued to reside in this township with his family up to 1860 or 1861. The next settler was Erastus S. Denison, who came down from the Upper Yellow Banks- (New Boston) in 1835, and made a claim npon the N. E. ^ of Sec. 1. Samuel Vannatta joined his brothers about the spring of 1835. In the fall of that year they sold out their claims to Robert Keith, a Scotchman, who had emigrated to America the year before, and who took possession the following spring, when the Vannattas all removed to the vicinity of Muscatine (then called Bloomington), Iowa.

As the founder of Keithsburg Robert Keith is entitled to more than incidental notice. He was reared in Belfrone, Scotland, where he received a liberal education.

After his second mamage in that country in 1821, he lived two years in London, and was a traveling salesman for a book establishment. He then went to Dublin, where he had control of a similar house, and whence he embarked for this countrv. He left New York and came direct to Quincy, Illinois, in the spring of 1835, and in the autumn following made his selection for a permanent home at this place, which became known as Keith's Landing.

In the spring of 1836 Abner Martin settled on the southwest quarter of section 13, and in the same year sold out to John McH. AVilson, who occupied the premises the following year and lived in the same place until his death in 1879. He was one of the most respectable citizens of the township.

The same spring William Sheriif and Paul Sheriff settled on the west half of section 24, and on the southwest quarter of the same section the latter is still a resident and prosperous farmer. In 1837 William Sheriff erected a saw-mill on Pope creek on the northeast quarter of section 23, and expended a large amount of money upon a dam which was a total loss, owing to quicksand in the bed of the stream, rendering the structure unserviceable. The mill rotted down, but at low-water mark some of the spiles in the bottom of the creek on which the dam rested may still be seen. J. McH. Wilson, Paul Sheriff, A. B. Sheriif and T. B. Cabeen were employed as laborers, and did many hard days' work ui)on this mill and dam, and all except Wilson are still living in the t<jwnship. This was the only attempt ever made to erect a dam on Pope creek in this township. A. B. Sheriff

In 1836 Daniel Justice began to improve a farm on tlie southwest quarter of section 1, where he made a fine home and resided until the summer of 1851, when he sold to John Doak and moved to Polk countv, Iowa. William "Wilson, formerlv of Dam-ille, Pennsylvania, then of Chicago, Illinois, settled also in 1836 on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 13, where he improved a good farm and where his wife died in 18M, and he himself about two years later. John McH. Wilson was his son. His daughters, Hannah Ne^-ius and Xucy Cabeen, are still residents of this township. About the year 1838 Joel A. Hall, the mill-wright who had charge of the work on William Sheriff^s mill, entered and settled on the northwest quarter of section 13, but resided there only a year or two, when he sold out and west. Near the same time Bennett Hurst settled on the northeast quarter of section 2 and made his home in that place up to 1850, when he disposed of his farm and bought other property in the township, and has been a citizen here till a recent date. Benjamin F. Gruwell moved from Indiana and took up a farm in November, 1837, on the northwest quarter of section 1 ; in 1852 he sold out and came to Keithsburg, where he \e^t hotel a number of years and has since resided. In 1837 or 1838 John W. Nevius began a home in the township. He lived here till his death in 1875, Joseph J. AYordin emigrated from Ohio and landed at New Boston in 1837. The following spring he became a resident of this township, and has had his iome in Keithsburg nearly ever since. His wife died here in 1873.

Robert Keith laid out the town in 1837, and between that date and 1846 not more than half a dozen families, including Mr. Wordin's, came to reside in the place. The Rev. James Ross, a local preacher of the United Brethren church, arrived with his family about 1841, and was the first minister to take up his residence here. Both he and his wife died in this township some five years afterward, and many of their descendants can yet be found in this vicinity. In 1841 B. L. Hardin began a home on the S. E. ^, Sec. 11, where he still resides and has "become one of the solid farmers of the neighborhood. About 1842 James Garner came to Keithsburg with a few trifling articles of trade and a barrel of whisky, and made the first attempt at merchandising in the township. The business was unremunerative, and he sold out to David Bowen, who had come in 1839, and moved on to the N. E. J, Sec. 25. In 1847 he left that place and came again to Keithsburg and this time went to keeping hotel. In the same year, and again in 1849, lie was elected justice of the peace, and at one time was sheriff of the

'County two years. I^ot long after his first election as magistrate he presided in a jury trial, with C. M. Harris, of Oquawka, and John Mitchell, of Monmouth, as opposing attorneys. The former was a man of admirable physical resources, while the latter would scarcely weigh a hundred pounds, and, besides, was disabled in the left arm from a wound received in the Mexican war, Harris stated the case to the jury and sat down. Mitchell arose and had proceeded but a little way with his statement when Harris in bullying tones said, "That is a lie!" A glance from Mitchell was all the attention that this sally received. A few moments elapsed and again Harris interposed, saying, "That is another lie !" Mitchell turned to him with gleaming eye .and warned him not to repeat that insult or he would strike him, and then went on. A minute or two more and Harris broke in: "And that is an infernal lie ! " The words were not more than uttered before Mitchell delivered a stunning blow between his eyes which sent him over backward to the floor. Some one interfered to separate them, while the justice was standing and looking over his table in bewilderment to see the light go on. All of a sudden, as soon as it was over, he involuntarily brought his finger-tips down upon the board with a thud, exclaiming, in blank astonishment: "Well, I'll be d - d!" but instantly recovering himself and his dignity he called out to the offenders : ' ' Gentlemen, I fine each of you $10, by ! "

A small chapter of such court incidents could be written, but this furnishes fully enough at one view of the manners of the period. Many years ago Mr. Garner removed to Millersburg where he still lives, holding on to life by feeble tenure.

Soon after purchasing Garner's mercantile stand Bowen closed up the business and moved to Rock Island, of which city he is still a resident. His son George was born on election day, August 3, 1840, and this is supposed to have been the first birth in Keithsburg. This election is said to have been the first held in the place. "A quart cup of whisky was kept standing on the judges' table all day for an hour glass," writes Mr. Bowen. About 1843 an old Frenchman by the name of Bochelle landed here in a small boat, bringing with him a few goods with which he started a country store. Shortly after a family named Omy came to the settlement, and it has always been reported that the young men made an excursion down the river one fine day in an open boat, accompanied by Rochelle, who suspiciously failed to return, and that his companions approjjriated his effects.

In 1842 Zephaniah Wade made a claim to the N. W. ^, Sec, 14 ; he died in a few years, but his widow survived until a few months since, when she jjassed away in Keithsburg among her decendants.

In 1843 Nicliolas Edwards settled on section 5, at the moutli of the Edwards river, where he and "William Willett and Isaiah Brown had the year before erected a saw-mill. This year AYillett sold his interest to Brown. After doing a successful business for sometime Edwards removed to his farm in Mercer townshi]) and is now a resident of Aledo. Brown went to California, where he died.

Another settler, who was less conspicuous for the term of his residence than for his ambition to become the builder of a town, was a man named Gavitt who made a claim about a mile below the landing, wdiere in 1837 he laid off a town and designated it Columbia city. It occupied a high plateau which bore signs of having been formerly an Indian encampment. There was the held where the squaws had raised their corn ; the pits in which it had been buried ; and the places where their fires had burned were yet visible ; and poles still standing in the ground showed where their lodges had stood. Gavitt's i)lat was not recorded, and he was not long in this vicinity. Alexander Davis bouo-ht his claim and entered the land.

"VVe borrow the following sketch of "What Grandmother Said," which gives a very fair idea of the methods and resources of every day life in the pioneer period: "We came here in October, 1832. We lived the first winter in a log cabin made of hickory. We had a door made of clapboards, and a crack between the logs for a window. Our bedstead was made in the corner with one leg drove into the ground (we had no floor) and slabs laid across. The straw would freeze to the slabs. We had two chairs, brought with us from Kentucky ; grandfather made stools for the children. We built our fire on the ground, and our chimney was made of sticks and daubed with mud. We baked our bread in a skillet, and made our own coftee by scorching meal and pouring boiling water on it. We had no table, so we ate on a goods box. We bored holes in the logs and put pins in and made our cupboard. I swept our floor with a bunch of hazel brush or a hay broom. In those days we never had to scrub or mop. Wlien we butchered we made a scafibld on one side of the chimney and laid our meat up there, so the dogs and wolves could not get it. When I washed I went down to the spring, a quarter of a mile from the house, and carried the clothes. I had neither tub, board, nor boiler, but washed on my hands, in a large bucket, and did the boiling in an iron kettle. I have the kettle yet.

"' This is the way we lived the first winter, and we were glad to get so good a house. I lived hapj)ier then than I do now in a fine house. There were two or three log cabins and a log court-house in Monmouth. . . . The mail carrier carried the mail from Oquawka to

Monmouth in the top of his hat. We had to go to Rock Island to mill. We lived here one year without cows, sheep or chickens. We had one horse and two yoke of oxen that we moved here with, and a few hogs. In the fell of 1834 my husband died and left me with five little children. That fall the Indians burned our flax and wheat. When the children saw the flax burning they said : ' Oh ! mother, what are we to do for clothes ? our flax is burning up ! ' I j^aid my children's schooling, and my store bill, and my expenses for one year, with $15. My taxes on half a section of prairie land and eighty acres of timber were two or three dollars."

PoRtoffice. - The ''Bluft'" postotflce, the pioneer in this vicinity, was established some time about 1837 at the house of Frederick Frick, in Abington towniship, Ave miles northeast of Keithsburg. As late as 1846 the people of the village, yet inconsiderable in numbers, went away out there to post their letters and to bring back their own and their neighbors' mail.

First Schools. - The first school in Keithsburg township, as we learn from Mrs. Samuel Scott, who was one of the pupils, was kept by Mrs. William Sherift', in the summer of 1841 or 1842, in one room of her double log house, situated close to the site of the present farm house of James AVilson, northeast of Upper Keithsburg. The next was in John McH. Wilson's cabinet shop, in the summer of 1845, and Miss Lucy Wilson, noW' Mrs. T. B. Cabeen, was the teacher. The third school was in Keithsburg ; but we shall defer the account of this and others imtil we come to the history of the town.

Early Preaching. - The earliest preaching was by the Rev. John Montgomery, who settled in Preemption township in the S]M"ing of 1836. He w^as a Presbyteiian and held services throughout the country in difterent places, and usually in these parts once in two weeks, sometimes at William Sherifl''s in this township, at other times at Frederick Frick's in Abington, or at Thomas Candor's in Ohio Grove, lie died over thirty years ago.

The first Methodist minister of wdiom we have heard any account was the Rev. Asa McMurtry, who preached at the house of John Nevius in 1838. Religious services for some years after, no less than at this period, W'ere irregular and only occasional. Tiie Revs. Frank Smith and Sanuiel P. P>urr came among the people soon after McMurtry.

Gregg, who came fi-om Galesburg and occupied the church at the bluff in New Boston township, and whejti passing through Keithsburg to and from his charge, held services in the place.

The outward evidence was that the Master's kingdom did not more than hold its own. B. L. Hardin, who came in the sprmg of 1841, was here three montlis, he says, before he discovered a professing cliristian, though like Diogenes he hunted the bailiwick over, but not with the same c^niical philosophy. The first meeting he attended was four miles north of his home, in New Boston township, at a Mr. Rader's, where the congregation numbered just six persons, including Mr. Rader's family. The Rev. Wiley was the itinerant. Preaching followed at that place every four weeks during the summer, and has been kept up in that neighborhood nearly ever since.

In the autumn of the same year services were begun at Mr. Hardin's house, and the first sermon was by the Rev. Burr, who had a charge in New Boston township. When the appointment was given out Mr. Hardin set himself to making benches out of common slabs to seat the crowd that he could see with the eye of faith would come to the meeting. He labored with zeal and the pile of benches grew. Unwittingly though done, it was successful advertising, rivaling the subtlest conception of the down-east Yankee. Curiosity and inquiry were the result, and as Noah when building the ark was the butt of questioners and doubters, so Mr. Plardin was beset with questions and skeptical objections, and if he was ridiculed a little it was all the same ; the work went on. The preacher was early at hand, and as the hour for service approached, the door was thrown open to surjDrise the waiting minister with the inspiring sight of people swarming from every direction. He said the house would not hold the people, and it would not but for their standing up in a densely packed throng. The benches and the Christian perseverance of Brother Hardin had done holy work, iMit the former were now as useless as the open roof of the Arkansas traveler. However, they had subsequent use. This meeting showed that souls were hungry. Either an influx of orthodox Christians had come into the settlement between spring and fall, or the Universalists had turned out like boys to a circus.

The appointment was regularly continued at this place, and in the autumn of 1843 the first class ever organized in the township was formed at Mr. Hardin's house. The original members were James Gibson and his wife Polly, John Nevius and his wife Hannah, B. L. Hardin and his wife Minerva, and James Nevius, Jr. Mr .Kellogg joined at the next meeting. In the summer of 1846 preaching was begun at John McII. Wilson's by the Revs. Whitman and

Geddings, circuit riders, and services were kept up liere one year. In warai Aveatlicr day nieetinfi;s were held in tlie grove ; and at night in Mr. Wilson's cabinet shop. Other preaching points in the country were at John Nevius' and James Gibson's; and all four places were used until about 1850, when Keithsburg became the center where the people came together for worship.

Tlie Vannattas made the beginning here. As early as 1834 Rousy Bowen was living in a little house on the bank of the river, and chopping wood for these men. By the next year Jesse Mount had come to the settlement, and the same season Robert Keith bought Benjamin Vannatta's claim, which embraced the site of the present town, and in the spring of 1836 took possession of his purchase. He continued keeping the wood-yard which his predecessors had started, and henceforth the place was called Keith's Landing. It was in this same year that the insane policy of internal improvement inaugurated an era of the wildest speculation ever witnessed in this country. It is next to incredible that men could have been capable of so \asionary schemes. In the absence of epidemic excitement, half-grown boys would have shown more reason. But as it was, towns were planted everywhere by being laid off, as this was cheaply done ; for the pro])netors imagined they saw in it the source of sudden wealth. Although Father Keith could not have escaped the ruling influence of the times, it is ])lain that he did not reckon without some judgment, and that he was not mistaken as to the right place for the town, but it was witli several years of patient suspense that he waited for the fruition of his. hopes and plans.

The original survey was made by Hiram Hardie, deputy county surveyor, on July 29, 1837, and the plat was acknowledged before Abraham Miller, Jr., county clerk, by Mr. Keith, on November IS. The location is on Sec. 23, T. 13, R. 5. Two principal streets, Main and Washington, were laid out east and west, and these were crossed by seven others designated as First, Second, etc., beginning next the river. The plat com})rised thirteen blocks. The first sale of lots took place in July, the same year, and several of them were bought at prices varying fi*om $20 to $60. Subsequeiitly a few families came here to settle, and prominent among the number was Joseph J. Wordin, the first wheelwright, who still resides in the town. But the place lingered along in discouraging inactivity until 1845. We refrain from calling it a town at this date, for its actual towjihood has alwaysbeen reckoned by the citizens from 1847, when it succeeded to the dignity of county-town. When emigration had brought to the back country a moderate but sturdy population, a convenient ship]ting })oint.

was of the first necessity. Even yet eai)ital was scarce, and the times had not ahogether abated their stringency, and business men did not stand ready then to invest in town })roperty in a new country, in advance of the real demands of trade. So an association of farmers, living mostly in Abington and Ohio Grove townships, undertook, in 1844, to erect a warehouse in Keithsburg for storing and handling then- grain. To encourage the project, Robert Keith gave lots six and iseven, in block three, on which the building was begun, facing north at the foot of Main street ; and when the fi'ame was up, title to the property passed to William Willett. The evident prospect of future business brought Col. J. B. Patterson, of Oquawka, here, and he secured an equal interest in the warehouse on condition of finishing it. Keith had put up a small building for a business stand, and he persuaded Patterson to fill it with a stock of goods. "The Colonel put Spence Record into the new warehouse to receive grain, while he and Roothe Nettleton sold -dry goods and groceries over on Washington street."

Writing afterward of the small beginnings of the place. Col. Patterson said: "At this time, 1845, we visited Keithsburg with a view of making it a trading point ; to sell goods and buy produce. The improvements consisted of one frame house (which we had fitted up for a store), one log house, and three cabins. The trade of that season amounted to 3,690 bushels of wheat, 512 barrels of flour and 2,250 bushels of corn. At the close of the season we retu*ed, leaving the work we had begun in the good hands and stout hearts of Messrs. Noble & Gayle; and Nohly have they kept the banner we entrusted to them waving in the Gayle until many a Doughty champion has risen up to proclaim the glories of a town which, though a wilderness a few years ago, is now Rife with business (the Spice or life we may say of prosperous progress), and ranks high among her sister towns. "

Noble & Gayle, young and enterprising business men, erected a one-story frame store on lot 1, block 2, corner of Main and Second streets, and a warehouse on lot 10. In 1848, thev built a brick packing house, which stood on lot 0. In the same year that Noble & Gayle began business, McConaha & Rife started a saloon, called in those days a grocery. The next store was ojjened the following year by Jonathan Judah, a Jew, and occupied lot 7, block 4. The old building is still standing. In 1848 Wilford J. Ungles arrived with his family and began trading at the foot of Washington street, where, in 1855, he erected a large warehouse, which is yet in use. Wilson Redmon began the erection this year of the brick building on Main street now owned and occupied by Mrs. McManus. AVhile in process of building lie sold it to Dr. A. ]]. Campbell, who finished it. In the spring of 1849, McConaha tfc Rife dissolved partnership, and the latter embarked in the grocery trade, afterward adding dry goods, first occupying the Camj)bell building until he erected, the same year, the brick house adjoining it on the west. The brick store on the northeast corner (»f ^fain and Second streets was built by T. B. Cabeen, in 1S48. On the second and third floors lie fitted up a suit of rooms which were occupied by his family, while the business part of the house was filled the next year with a stock of goods by Mrs, E. Smith. In 1851, R. H. Spicer *k Co., Mrs. Smith being the other member of the firm, started in trade in the same place.

In 1847 a series of elections liaving taken place, the ultimate choice for the county seat fell to Keithsburg, Donations from the citizens in and around the place were nearly, if not fully, sufficient to build the court-house. Keith gave half of the fractional tract known as Keith's first addition, which was shortly after laid out (January 12, 1848), and then the division of blocks was made by alternate choice. Those falling to the county were subdivided into lots, which were sold and the proceeds ajiplied to the erection of the court-house ; but Keith did not commence the sale of his for some years. The first term, and several subsequent ones of the circuit court, after the removal of the seat of justice, were held in AVillett's warehouse, which use in various ways became a public convenience. The coui't-house was built on the secluded campus covering four-fifths of block 7, and all that part lying within the addition. It was finished at the end of the summer of 1851, and was considered a building that the county might be proud of in its infancy, though its squat a])pearance called out the malicious remark that it might be mistaken for a church. It is a one-story brick, 40 X 50 feet on the foundation.

Col. Patterson having wound up his business here in 1846, William Willett, who emigrated in 1838 and had just settled in the town this year, started up in the grain trade in the warehouse in which he and Patterson held joint ownership. When the latter transferred his interest to Burr P. McConaha, in 1849, the two formed a short-lived partnership, the last-named withdrawing early in 1850 and joining the emigration to California. Willett then leased the building foi- one year to Willits & Doughty and accepted a situation in their service. Next year Willits, who was tlie heavy member of the firm, and had stocked the house and sent Df)ughty down from New Boston, where both lived, to manage the business, sold out to A. B. Sherifi", William Willett and J. W. Doughty, and these men carried on business together a few years, Doughty fiiuilly selling to his partners. The partnership of Sheiiff & "Willett lasted till 1864, when the latter retired just in time to save himself fi-om the prodigious decline in prices following the close of the war, which overtook his partner and swamped him, as had been the issue with nearly all of the tradesmen in the crisis of 1857. The building was used for grain storage till about 1875, and from that time as a liver j until January 20, 1879, at wdiich date it was burned down. Thus disappeared the original landmark in which the real business history of Keithsburg had birth. Phelps tfe Brewer occuj^ied it, but the loss, reaching $1,000, fell upon Willett.

Dropping back to 1850, we find trade and industry in lively growth and activity, and the other attributes of townhood multiplying in social, benevolent and literary organizations. Before railroads came into use produce was hauled to the Illinois and Mississippi rivers ; and prior to the construction of the Illinois & Michigan canal farmers went all the way to Chicago from this and adjoining counties with ox and horse teams to sell a little grain and pork, and to bring back a few store goods. Some of the pioneers who toiled in this manner are still living, and we have heard them say that the expenses of a trip were sometimes greater than the receipts. In point of business Oquawka was the senior of Keithsburg by a number of years, but now she had a spirited rival which was diverting a generous share of her hitherto large trade.

October 16th Col. Patterson published in Oquawka the first number of the ' ' Oquawka Spectator and Keithsburg Observer, " this title being confined to the inside of the sheet, and the ''Observer" department to the third page. The Keithsburg editor was James "W. Doughty, of the mercantile firm of Doughty & Willits.

At this time there were two places of public entertainment : the Calhoun House, built by John Moore in 1850, and kept by H. G. -Calhoun ; and the Keithsburg House, with J. B. McConaha as landlord.

A division of the Sons of Temperance was in a fiourishing state, and in the early spring of 1852 "Star Union" of the Daughters of Temperance came to its support in the same beneficent work.

Late in the season a debating society was formed by some of the leading men for mental culture and entertainment during the winter, the most active being Robert Keith, John C. Pepper, B. C. Taliaferro, N. C. Adams, R. C.^Cabeen, O. C. Allen and Dr. E. L. Marshall.

At the opening of the packing season James A. ISToble put in operation his large, new slaughter-house, and about the same time Gayle finished an additional warehouse. Next spring Noble began selling the first drugs.

Keitiisburg Towxsiiii'

A little later occurred the remarkable flood of 1851. Tlie water began rising near the end of May, and on the 2^th was encroaching upon the streets ; it continued to spread until it reached nearly to Fifth street, when it was standing over the lower part of the town from four to seven feet in depth, according to the inequalities of the surface. In the main quarter the ground has since been raised four feet by filling. The river kept u]i,at its highest stage until the 11th of June, when it commenced falling slowly. The "Observer" of that date said: "Our town is flooded. Goods and household furniture on platforms and second floors. We share the fate of our neighbors." It adds that the Mississippi covers the country from seven to ten miles in width 1,800 miles above its mouth. Rafts circulated in the streets in the course of business ; and the row and sail boats Kate and Fawn went about the town by moonlight, bearing ' ' lovely women and brave men," in pleasuring and serenading parties. The river was not within its banks again till after the 20th. This rise was compared to those of 1844 and 1828, and it is said sui-passed them.

The high water of October, 1881, rose within a few inches of the same mark. Half a mile of the railroad track was submerged ; and skifl^'s tied up on Second street. There was a notable freshet the previous June, and also one the preceding year.

July 15, 1852, by a vote of the citizens, Keithsburg became a corporate town under the general incorporation law ; and on Monday, the 26th, the first board of trustees was elected, consisting of AVilliam Willett, J. J. Wordin, T. B. Cabeen, Alexander Davis and X. B. Partridge.

The same year William Gayle built a steam saw mill on Pope -creek, where the railroad bridge crosses, and sold it to John H. Marshall & Co., by whom, in 1856, it was converted into a flouring mill. Subsequently it was known as the Ogden mill, and was burned after a few years. Tlie second saw mill was built by Ender & Eckly at the foot of Van Buren street. This was burned down, and they immediately built another, which was run unsuccessfully some three years, when, being abandoned to creditors, it was bought b}' William D. Smith, who moved it to Jackson street, between Eighth and Ninth, where it was used for planing and sawing out dimension and hardwood lumber. Tlie next saw mill was removed in 1857, or the year after, to the foot of Jackson street, by Alexander Frick, it having been flrst put up on John E. Willit's land to saw ties and timbers for the Warsaw & Rockford railroad. It was leveled by fire in 1859.

by Smitli c% Hersey. It was the largest mill in the county when biiilty and was run with profit, employing some thirty-iive men, till 1872, since which time it has not been operated, except in a small way, James C. Stevens erected a grist mill on Eighth street, between Main and AVashington, about 1864. This was never a success, and was dismantled between 1877 and 1879. The Elevator Flour Mills were put into the Eife warehouse on Second street, at the foot of Washington, by W, D. Smith, in 1868. This building was consumed January 1, 1878.

About 1855 a distillery was erected on the river, in Mechanics'^ addition, by W. L. Matthews and O. C. Richardson. After operating it a year they sold it to AVilliam Gayle. Through his failure it passed out of his hands in 1857, and was idle till Benjamin Phelps became the o-vvner. He ran it very successfully three years and sold it to Pickering. Stewart and Colvin each owned it afterward, a^id finally Mason & Crosby, of Chicago, who refitted it at large expense, when it was burned down in 1872, before they had put it in operation. It wa& insured for the sum of $10,000. This distillery was not exempt fi-om certain infirmities of transaction which was common to the distiller's business after the war had induced the high tax on spirits.

In 1880 C. A. & L. L. Mertz erected a saw and planing mill at the base of the sand bluif in Keith's first addition, which they are now operating in conjunction with their lumber trade.

In July, 1853, the ferry boat Dove, owned- by Seth H. Redmon, began making daily trips between Keithsburg and Huron and Prairie Point. The same proprietor was "running the swift, staunch and capacious steam ferry boat Iowa," three years later.

Mr. Gayle erects a large two-story packing house in 1853. Keithsburg is in the middle of the period of its greatest growth, which extended from 1850 to 1856, and two more additions are laid out: Keith's seconfl, April 1, and Sheriff & Cabeen's, June 3. The country for thirty-five miles back was tributary to this point, which was becoming, and soon became, the leading produce market above St. Louis. Trade got to be immense for a town of so moderate size. One "big day" in February, 1854, 250 teams were counted in the town, and it was believed that 300 had been in from the country. Of this number eighty remained over night. Gayle & Co. and Noble & Bro. were the packers at this date. In the following autumn the firstnamed firm erected a slaughter house near the steam mill. It might be well to say that the first packing done in the place was by Noble & Cxavle in the winter of 1846-7. Gore ife Gamble beffan business in the spring of 1854. The latter retired at the end of two years and Miv Gore remained in trade till after the war.

At this period goods were sold on long credit, a year's time. After a day of large sales hardly money enough could be found in the drawer to take the salesmen to a show. At the end of the year debtors settled their accounts by note. Many of these ran one, two and three years, and some are running yet. For ten years from 1850, when the ])opulation of the county was 5,300, the country east of Keithsburg, like all parts of the west, settled up rapidly. The settlers were generally men of small means, who depended upon the heavy dealers for money to make payments on their land, expecting and engaging to discharge tliese second obligations with their crops. It was the custom of Messrs. Gayle and Rife to advance large sums in this way, and tliey oflen took* the risk of cri])])ling their own credit by these accommodations. Tlie necessities of trade also required that the more extensive tradesmen should buy their patrons' grain and hogs, and these two kinds of business, dissevered now, naturally iitted together then as parts of the same system. Accordingly the heavy merchants combined a warehouse and slaught.ering business with merchandising.

A few statistics will show the gi'owth and amount of business better than any other form of statement. From the first of October, 1850, to the iirst of October, 1851, the shipments of grain purchased here amounted to 169,366 bushels of wheat, corn and oats, besides some meat and other products. In the same time tliere were received 407-|- tons of merchandise. Februaiy 24, 1852, 3,176 bushels of grain were taken in, "this being no inore than an average day for the last ten. The receipts for the week ending the 2Stli exceeded 20,000 bushels."

Between May 10 and June 14, 1856, there were shipped 48,231 pieces of bulk pork, 374 barrels of pork, 75 casks of hams, 344 sacks of hair and 250 sacks of potatoes. From May 10 to October 11 the aggregate amount of grain taken on board here (in addition to heavy shipments in April) reached 108,291 sacks, or 27tN727 bushels. During the two weeks ending October 11 the shipments by the various firmswere as follows: William Gayle & Co., 16.162 sacks; A. Rife, 10,284; B. P. Frick 6z Co., 3,536; W. II. Ungles, 7,018; and Slieriff & Willett, 2,054.

Tlie largest single shipment ever made was 33,000 bushels of corn Id J William Orayle, in April of the present year (1882). The total receipts at this market between the opening of navigation in 1881 and the same time this rear were 550,000 bushels.

The first shipment ever made from here was by Thomas B. Cabeen, March 25, 1842, and consisted of about 1,400 bushels of wheat in 437 barrels. The grain was raised by himself and his father in Ohio Grove township, and was transported by the steamer Hunts ville, which was a week making the passage to St. Louis.

In 1855 Mr. Gayle erected the three-story brick structure, now the Larue House, on the corner of Main and Second streets, for a store, and the next year put up the addition on the west. The same year B. F. Gruwell built a three-story brick addition to his hotel on the -corner of Main and Third streets where Wliiting's store stands. The -main part was also brick, and from September, 1850, until it became the property of Mr. Gruwell in 1852,. it was conducted by H. G. Calhoun. The entire establishment was destoyed by lire in February, 1860.

Among the earlier and better residences we note as landmarks the first brick building in the place, the small house put up by Robert Keith in 1846, on Fourth street, adjoining the Commercial Hou§e ; the wing of C. S. Ortli's liouse by J. A. Noble in 1849, and the two-story front subsequently added by him ; Gayle's in 1850-51 ; EUett's in 1853 ; T. B. Cabeen's in 1854 ; Rife's in 1855, and Keith's new brick in 1856.