Henderson County, Illinois - The whole text, 1882 (part 4 of 23)

The Central House was built for a residence by Oliver Ross, in 1856, and next year it was enlarged by G. J. Ross. At one time it Avas the Beasley House.

The Commercial House was erected in 1849 by Matthew R. Patterson, for a private residence. In 1850 he conveyed it to S. S. Phelps, ^nd then went to California, where he died. Seven years ago it was opened as a public house by the present proprietor, David N. "Wolfe. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, February 27, 1833, and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Yount) Wolfe. In 1852 he came to Mercer county, looking for a place for settlement. He soon returned to Indiana and made arrangements to remove and permanently inhabit this county, and in 1855 carried out this plan. His first location was in New Boston township, where he engaged in farming. In September, 1861, he enlisted in company G, 30th 111. Inf , and carried a gun in his country's service nearly four years. After his ""veteran" re-enlistment he was appointed second sergeant, but very soon was commissioned captain of his company by Gov. Yates. He was honorably mustered out of the army at Louisville. On his return he began doing a mercantile business, but in a little while was compelled by loss of eyesight to abandon it. lie went t(t Chicago for treatment, which resulted in partial recovery. Since 1875 he has been keeping the Commercial. On March 4, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary J., daughter of John and Sarah (Campbell) Willits. She was born in the same county that he himself was, October 17, 1833, and was brought to Mercer county in her infancy. Gertrude, Josephine and Sarah E. are their children.

The following list is believed to contain about all the tradesmen and mechanics whose length of residence or business importance entitles them to mention. The dates cover the term of their residence in the town ; while many of them are exact, some are only approximately so, and a very few may be found wider still of the correct mark :

The third addition to tlie town, called Mechanics addition was laid off June 10, 1854, by J. B. Stockton. A. B. Sheriff laid out another iN'ovember 5, 1855; Keith's third addition was i»latted May 21, 1861, and his fourth October 17, 1863 ; Ender and Stockton's October 26, 1863 ; and Ender's May 9, 1857. Upper Keithsburg, which is a mere hamlet, was surveyed on section 13 by C. S. Ricliey in the summer of 1857 for Johalon Tyler and T. B. Cabeen.

A man named Larue was the first blacksmith. James Heaton, who came in 1848, was the second. He burned his charcoal in ]Main street opposite Dennis Murto's present residence. Thomas Hendricks, O. C. Allen, and another by the name of Pierce were early smiths.

Wm. Brewer started the first cooper shop, and his place was taken by Phili]) Forward. Jacob Cooper had the next, and Kelson Green also worked some tim'e at the trade.

Owing to the reason that, with a single exception, files of Keiths- "burg newspapers have not been presen^ed, we are obliged to confess our inability to give a full account of the publishing business. As stated on a former page. Col. Patterson of the '"Oquawka Spectator" introduced into his paper a Keithsburg department under the title of "Observer." Tliis was begun October 16, 1850, and continued till the spring of 1856, when he was persuaded by the very liberal and confident promises of Mr. Keith and others to found the ''Keithsburg Observer." He went to Kew York and purchased a press and office material at an outlay of $1,300, and on April 23 issued the first number of his paper. Some five hundred patrons were enrolled on the subscription list - not more than half the number anticipated by the too sanguine Ijromoters 'of the enterprise. Business men were liberal in advertising jjatronage, and after a useful existence of over a year under Col. Patterson, the pa})er, cleverly avoiding during that time partisan j)()litics and religious dogmatisms, was sold by him to William li. Calhoon, the last issue under the original proprietorship being August 15, 1857. In the summer of 1S5S Calhoon changed the title of the paper to ^'Mercer County Democrat," and at the same time changed it from an independent to a democratic sheet. He was a good printer but bad financier, and tins transition was one ratlier of necessity than of inclination, for he was from this time simply the publisher while the editorial columns were exclusively under the control of a committee. The paper now ceased measurably (and during the political canvass of that year, when the intellectual gladiators, "Honest Abe" and the "Little Giant," went up and down the state discussing momentous issues, absolutely), to be a medium for communicating local news and discussing home topics, and was an organ only for disseminating the doctrines of a party.

Sometime in 1859 the paper suspended, and on December 28 Mr. Calhoon began the publication of the ' ' Northern Illinois Commercial " apparently, if not really, for a company which had furnished the funds for the establishment. This was short lived.

In June, 1860, "The Democratic Press" was started by Y. B. Shouf, who continued the publication till he went to the army about the beginning pf August 1861. The office was the property of the Hon. Thomas B. Cabeen.

Xear the close of the year J. A, J. Birdsall and George D. B. Birdsall came to Keithsburg, and in the tirst week in January, 1862, revived the ' ' Observer " without resurrecting the partisan features with which it went down. The former was the chief person, for we hear no more of his brother. Bating a constitutional want of steadiness and tenacity, Birdsall was above mediocrity in journalism, and he gave the new publication not only life and zest by infusing the spirit of his own energy and talent into it, but by his neutral coursecommanded the support of all classes, and his subscription list is said to have reached 1,200, the largest ever obtained by any Keithsburg paper. Unfortunately for his interests he was seized with the delusive ambition for office and engaged with his paper on the side of the democrats. For this service it is understood that he received his subsequent but fruitless nomination for the legislature. This swapping of a bird in the hand for two in the bush i-uined his business, and he departed from the place poor. A. G. Lucas, a man of clerical antecedents, now took the vacant place at the beginning of September, 1865, and the paper was under his management iintir the same month next year, and during that time was run as a republican organ. Col. Isaac McMjinus succeeded Lucas, and Ijiroughout the exciting congressional campaign of that year it was edited with refreshing spirit and logical power. McManus' energy no less than his industry was unbounded, and whatever he did was done with fervent might. From the knowledge this wi'iter had of his composition and character he is not surprised to learn that liis cohnnns were stamped with tlie rougli strength and active ability of his tireless brain. He was in control only six months when he sold his paper to Tlieodore Glancey, in whom there was a curious combination of youth and manhood, and who published what was regarded as a \'eiy s}»rightly ])aper. In March, 1870, he disposed of his office to an Iowa purchaser who moved it away ; but early in September, 1871, he resumed the business and issued the first number of the "West End Kerana," which was afterward called simply ''Kerana." He soon associated Henry Hurst wnth himself as })ai1:ner, but this not turning out to be a felicitous arrangement. Hurst parted with his interest to Edward Thomas. In the spring of 1873 they sold the office and it was moved to other parts.

Some allusion to Mr. Glancey's life and sad end cannot be omitted in this place. He was a native of Mercer county and reared in Abington township, where the survivors of his father's family yet reside. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted as a private in company I, 17th 111. Vol., and served till the expiration of his three years' term, and was mustered out as first lieutenant. Soon afterward, as already observed, he engaged in the newspaper business ; and after its final relinquishment in Keithsburg, went to California where, in March, 1874, he became managing editor of the "Placer Argus." In 1880, he became editor-in-chief of the "Los Angeles Press," a republican organ, and in September of that year Clarence Gray, alias Maginiss, a man of dissolute reputation, republican candidate for district attorney, feeling himself aggrieved at Glancey's strictures upon his character, foully assassinated him when he was unarmed, without giving opportunity for defense. He lived nineteen hours, at times in great sufll'ring, but conscious to the last and full of courage. His last words just before he expired were: "Tell my friends that I die like a man - die for principle; and that I would not go back on it now if I could." He was high-tempered, self-willed, pugnacious ; but earnest, courteous and generous. Strong but honest in bias, he uttered his convictions with great boldness. Whatever opinions were ever formed of his methods, his sincerity was always unquestioned. He was a good speaker, and as a wi-iter is said to have been one of the best on the country press.

About the first of Aj^i-il, 1874, W. C. Brown started the "Keithsburg Xews," but before the first year was up he sold to Taylor & Blackmail. The latter died in Sei)tember, 1876, and the folLnving spring William H. Heaton bought the office from the Hon. T. B. Cabeen and C. A. Frick, and issued his first number May 17. This is a live paper.

abounding in reliable news, crisp and pungent paragraphs and editorials, temperate and wholesome in their tone, and it receives from the public solid support. It has been a greenback pa])er since Mr. Heatoii became proprietor; and it is worthy of remark that he has been longer in the publishing business in Keithsburg than any other man who has attempted to conduct a paper in the place. Mr. Ileaton is an easy, rapid, oif-hand writer who culls from the mass of daily hap})enings with true journalistic care and judgment, and who brings to his aid in the profession a thoroughly practical knowledge of men and aftairs. To be racy and entertaining he does not believe it necessary to be a scavenger, nor to be always squinting at the immoral side of things which he has the sagacity to see is relished only by a loose and depraved sentiment. His taste is not in this direction, nor does it run toward public criticism of private character. But to uphold the welfare of the community according to his judgment, and to encourage and defend all that is worthy, engages on his part the closest interest. To do this work he does not want for spuit or independence. In May of this year (1882) his paper was enlarged from a seven to an eight-column sheet, which may be taken as evidence of its growing prosperity. He is efficiently assisted by his wife, who is a fine specimen of healthful womanhood and a lady of education and great good sense. Recently he has associated her name with his own as co-editor.

Mr. Ileaton was born November 13, 1828, on a farm in Clark county, Ohio, about ten miles east of Springfield. He was the second son of a family of twelve children, six boys and six gu'ls. Of the boys John Ileaton, of Red Bluft', California, and the subject of this notice are the only ones now living. The daughters are all married and mothers of children. AVilliam came with his father, James Heaton, to Illinois in 1836. He was given a good English education ; he attended a high school in Paris, Illinois, two years, and though he was the youngest pupil enrolled he was too far advanced for the district school of that day. He learned with facility but always preferred hard work to hard study, which agreed better with his rather delicate constitution. He labored on a farm, taught school in the winter, clerked in dry goods and grocery stores ; but these were not congenial to his love of out-door work, sport and exercise. In 1852, he and his father and brother George engaged in farming and buying raw prairie land in Henderson county. He broke prairie four years for himsel/ and his neighbors ; the two last years he worked twenty-eight head, or fourteen yoke of oxen, and used plows which cut a furrow thirty inches wide. In this way he paid for and im})r()ved a half section of land. He was married February 17, 1803, to Miss Millecent E. Davis, of Abingdon, Knox county, and lived on the tarin witli liis ycjuiig- wife five years. In 1868 he rented his farm and moved to Abingd(jn, and for two years was engaged in traveling for the Wier Plow Company, of Monmoutli. Getting tired of being away from his family, he was persuaded to buy a newspaper office, which he did in 1870, and started a democratic jtaper which he called the "Ivnox County Democrat." With this enteri)rise he was very successful, but at the end of six years sold the office at a large advance on the cost of the same when new. He made arrangements to go to his brother, who was then in Texas engaged on a large scale in tlie stock business, and by wliom he was advised that it was not safe to bring his chihh'en to that climate before the autumn season. He heeded this advice, and while waiting in the north was allui-ed into ])urchasing a half interest in the Hannibal, Missouri, " Clipper,''"' for which he paid $3,000 down. In this office he spent most of his money in trying to kee|) the business and his partner out of debt. In April, 1877, he and his wife visited his aged father and mother, at Keithsburg, and while here was induced to purchase the "Keithsburg Xews," which had been taken on a debt. He went fortlnvith to Hannibal and sold his interest in the ".Clipper" office to his partner, taking ])romissorv notes which he still holds. Under his management the "Xews" has been a successful venture; not a dollar is owing on the office, and the papcjr lias just been enlarged. Through the indefatigable energy of Mrs. Heaton, they have purchased a small farm a mile northeast of the town, on the Aledo road, and christened it "The Wilderness." Here they live in domestic enjoyment with then* six happy, sprightly and intelligent children, who read and work, and bless and enliven the lu^me of their parents. It gives us pleasure to say that no ha])])ier household exists in all the land. Mrs. Heaton keeps her husband's books and wi'ites most of his correspondence, and he holds that her help is invaluable. In his judgment every newspaper man ought to maiTv an intelligent wife and give her his entire confidence - a sentiment which does honor to both head and heart of its author.

The "Keithsburg Times," an independent weekly, was established by Eichard Wolfe and H. C. Cook, the first number being issued June 8, 1881. December 23d Mr. Cook withdrew, and the publication of the paper was continued by Mr. Wolfe until its suspension, April 12, 1882. The latter, son of Washington and Rebecca (Marlott) Wolfe, is a native of this county, was born in 1852, and reared a tiller of the soil. His parents emigrated from Wayne county, Indiana, to Mercer county subsequently to 1840. From 1801 to 1866 he lived in Keithsburg ; in 1872 he matriculated at Hedding College, where he was in attendance one year, and since that time he has taught school irregularly. In 1875 he began reading law in the office of B. C. Taliaferro and studied tlie requu'ed time, but has never been admitted.

R. S. Scudder brought the "Keithsburg Independent" here in March, 1880, and kept it alive about six months. It was printed by the - - Burlington Hawkeye. "

It was many years fi-om the fii'st settlement before any educational progress had been made. Settlers were few, everything was in a rough state, all improvements had to be supplied by slow and hard toil ; ground broken up, timber felled, cabins built, fences made ; so that rigid muscle was the fii'st demand, while little use was found for books, and pictures, and teachers.

But the schoolmaster came at last, and his dominion has grown more powei-ftil than church and more extensive than state. The beginnings were of the feeblest character. One term in a year was thought to be a good achievement, and indeed it was for the frontier ; but who would think of calling this the frontier as late as 1847 or 1848? Fifteen years had elapsed since the Black Hawk war. Children had passed the school age in that time. Does it not seem to our young Iriends that it must have been a gloomy era ? We dare say that it was not less joyous than the present. Wants were fewer then than now, and the greater number of to-day are not more easily satisfied. Then they were supplied without vexation, because they were mostly natural ; but now they are gratified with sensible, if not painful, effort, for the reason that they are largely artificial. Intellectual attainments cost something ; physical power is the gift of natm*e. In the former time hewers of wood and drawers of water were of the first station, economically, for tliey accomplished that which was the chief necessity - material development. Education was less valued when bone and sinew held sway, but mind has taken the throne of power, and skilled labor and intelligent machinery, to use a figure, have driven blind force into the rayless gloom beneath the feet of the majority. Acquirements which mean cost to the possessor, the world demands of him with all ease. Hence the multiplication of wants and the shai'per struggle.

At fii'st there was little public money, and schools were maintained by subscription. In this township the school section, number 16, was surveyed and classified with the swamp lands. It was but a fi'actional tract, and the trustees made a selection on section 9, but did not get the

The first school in Keithsburg was taught in a log cabin on the lot now occupied by C. S. Orth's house. Tliis was in the summer of 1846, and Tliomas Libby was the teacher. Isaac Bliss taught next in 1847 in a vacant cabin in Robert Keith's dooryard. The third pedagogue was John Heaton, who had a school in 1848 in a small frame house on the site of Dennis Murto's residence. He taught also in 1849. Mrs. Lucretia Freeman opened a small school in the summer of that year in the brick building belonging to Mrs. Isaac McManus.

Tlie fii-st school-house was a brick structure built in 1849 on lot 3, block 13, the site of the present Methodist parsonage. John C. Pepper, who had just arrived, and was preparing for the bar, was employed to teach. He filled three terms and yielded the post to Isaac N. Smith, who was at the head of the school througli the following winter, and was assisted by Mrs, Freeman. Harvey Senter was the principal from the fall of 1851 to 1855. He was an instructor of excellent capabilities, ingenious in resom-ce, practical in method, untiring in efi'ort. sharp in discipline, and a splendid arithmetician. He died in Aledo a few years ago. N. P. Brown took his place and taught the last term in the old. school-house. This building had been erected by private subscription on a lot donated to the public by Robert Keith so long as it should be used for school purposes. Tlie donor deferred the conveyance till suit was brought to compel such performance, but on his promise to execute a deed the action was withdrawn ; still he failed to carry out the agreement, and afterward sold the property to the Methodists.

The main part of the present building was erected, as near as we can learn, in 1856, and was dedicated by Warren Shedd, who was. i:)rincipal about two years. He served in the war of the rebellion ascolonel of the 30th reg. 111. Vol. Inf His death in Montana occurred in 1881. 'No records of this distant period can be found, and the recollections of men fail at this point.

Pliili}) "Weaver were teachers of good re])utation in the lower (lei)artments in the long ago, prior to the war. Rebecca Weaver and Josie L. Calhoun taught several years in succession at a later perirxl. Of the present teachers Miss J. Hannah Willits presides over the grannnar department, and has been connected with the school as teacher nearly twenty 3'ears. Miss Julia Willett is employed in the first intermediate, Miss Marv Thomson in the second, Miss Alice Sheriff in the tliird. and H. W. Kile in the primary. Mr. Kile commenced, in the school in 1865, and since 1870 has been continuously employed. He first began teaching in Ohio in 1816. In the spring of 1850 he emigrated to this town, and lias taught until the present time without intermission, excepting three years when he was fighting the battles of his country.

The school-house is a strong, two-story brick edifice, with low ceilings, but apartments that are models of neatness and taste. They are all seated with patent furniture and heated with Snead's school room heater and ventilator, and supplied with necessary charts and apparatus of approved kinds. The main part is 30x56 feet on the foundation, and the wing in the rear, built in 1875, is 26x36 feet in dimension. The location is on block 7, second addition. This is the best school building in Mercer county. Under its efficient management for several years past the school has taken a rank inferior to no other of similar grade an^-where.

In Keithsburg select schools .have flourished vrith no common success, and their number has not been small. As far back as the autumn of 1855 a Miss Mulky opened a female seminary in Apollo Hall. Slie retired fi'om the work at the close of the spring term of 1857. The Misses Todd immediately organized the Keithsljurg Seminary, but it is not known how long it was continued. The sessions were held in tlie Methodist church. The Rev. C. M. AVriglit started the Mercer Female College in 1863, in the Orth liouse, subsequently occupying the Masonic building. Late in 1861 the reverend educator was commissioned chaplain of the 102d 111. reg., on the request of the rank and file, and at once departed for his new field of labor. He was very ably assisted by the Misses Mary AV. Evans and Emily J. AVliitlock, fi'om Pennsylvania, and probably by Miss Louisa B. Gass. The first two ladies remained .in charge of tlie school after AVright's withdrawal, and the institution was kept up about three years. J. S. McMillan, another tutor of rare qualification, gave instruction tliere immediately after, and Miss Gass kept select scliools in the same ])lace. Mrs. Lou Kessel also taught several schools of the same class. Five or six years ago W. P. Allen luid a business school in A])ollo Hall. These do not comprise all, but are the principal ones. The veteran

Until recently this townshi]) was divided into but two districts. It now contains three, and will likely remain without important chan<i;c for a long time. District Xo. 2 extends from east to west across the north part of the township and is two miles wide north and south. No. 3 embraces sections 1-I-, 24, part of 23, including U})per Keithsburg, and all of 13, except the E. -J N. E. -^, which, with sections 25 and 3(3, is attached to Abington for school purposes. The rest of the township constitutes No. 1, having Keithsburg in the center. District No. 3 was formed from No. 1, after a long and determined contest. The lirst effort for a division was nuide about eight years ago. A vote had been taken on the question of authoiizing a bonded debt to enlarge the school-house in Keithsburg, and w^as adversely decided. As soon, as the movement for a division was begun the opportunity was seized by those favoring the extension (which was seriously needed) to obtain the necessary authority by election. As the law then stood a district with a bonded debt could not be dismembered. Before the inhabitants in the proposed district began the agitation, the want of more room in the school building was not apparent to the majority. As soon as a se})aration was seriously attem])ted it was instantly recognized wdtli swee])ing unanimit}'. The debt was made and the addition built. The matter slumbered some two years, then the petitioners revived it, on the technical failure of the board of trustees to follow the exact re(]uirements of the law concerning the registration of the bonds. The trustees denied their prayer, and the subject was allowed to rest. In the meantime the law was changed so as to permit a division of bonded districts and an apportionment of their liabilities. In ISSO the struggle was renewed. Some additions to the number of pujjdls had been made in the dissatisfied territory, and the bounds were now extended by the petitioners, enlarging the proposed district. They went to work this time with every advantage in their favor. The trustees again rejected their claims. Tlie case went to the county superintendent on appeal. The application was successful. But before proceedings could be taken upon the order of the superintendent, an injunction was served upon the trustees and treasurer, restraining them from any action in the premises until the question should come before the circuit court of Mercer county for review. Here the decision of the superintendent was sustained. An appeal was next carried to the a])pellate C(jurt. sitting in Ottawa, and on February 2S, ISSl, the judgment of the lower court was attirmed. This victory w'as followed by the election of directors for the new district on March 1!». These were II. S. Scott, David Pardee and

Religion

Preaching in Keithsburg was of irregular occurrence until near 1850. Several persons are mentioned as having held meetings before that time, but it was individual rather than organized work that was done. The Rev. Tail was probably the earliest Presbyterian, and the Rev. Crittenden was another who visited this locality at a somewhat later date. He was here in 1849, and very likely before and after. Tlie Rev. Gregg, Universalist, held early meetings. Yarious Methodist ministers came to lead the hearts of men, but the names of most of them, no doubt, are lost. The Rev. Kirkpatrick is remembered, and the local preachers, Thomas L. Doughty, of Xew Boston, and James Ross, a United Brethren, of this township. Tlie last two are best known, for they were a part of the people and their ministry covered longer periods. Services took place wherever a room could be found that would accommodate the small audiences. After 1845 AVillett's warehouse was used ; in 1849 the old brick school-house was built, and then resort was had to that ; and in 1851 the court-house was finished, when that also was occupied for the same purpose.

The first Sunday school in Keithsburg, except one as early as 1844, in the cooper shop on block 13, corner of Main and Seventh streets, was started in August, 1849, and was founded and taught by John Heaton and Mrs. Lucretia Freeman. About two dozen little boys and girls were regular attendants. After thirty years' improvement in Everything else, the editor of the "News" says "this was the best behaved school we were ever in, and was a complete success." They met from Sabbath to Sabbath on the lot where Dennis Murto's house is situated. In the spring of 1850 another school was organized in the brick school-house. Uncle John Kile was the superintendent, and W. II. Heaton secretary. At that day Mrs. Thomas Iliatt was the only Methodist living in the town, })ut a few months later the number was advanced to two by the arrival of Col. George S. Pierce. Within two miles of town were John Wilson, James Gibson, B. L. Hardin, John Kile and John Eckley, all Methodists. These could not always attend, so it became necessary to reorganize the school, and W. L. Mathews was chosen superintendent, and B. C. Cabeen taught the bible class. Of the ladies, Mrs. Mathews, Mrs. Freeman, and Mrs. Hiatt were active workers. The young ladies were: Maggie and Emma Ungles, Mary Jane Mount, Maria Heaton, INIarv Pie, and three by the name of Williamson. The singing, which J. W.

Doughty led in splendid style, was excellent, and, according to testimony, has not since been excelled in Keitlisburg. The present editor of the ''News," writing of this school, says: "-Uncle John Kile did the praying for the school when he was there. In his absence, the superintendent or secretary read from the scriptures, and a hymn was sung. "We had a committee on attendance, and if a scholar or teacher was not in his or her place, next Sunday he or she was called on, and a reason had to be given and reported for absence. . . . We will remark that this school, for two years, was not under the auspices any church, yet it embraced about all the children in the town."

The first circuit preaching was begun in the autumn of 1S4J) by the Rev. Pierce T. Rhodes, who was on the New Boston circuit and lield meetings every two weeks. He was a man of too much business energy and capacity .to fail to work up an interest favorable to the building of a meeting-house, and therefore we find that in the fall of 1851 a brick church was erected on the northwest corner of block 13, original i)lat, at a cost of some $1,600. It was not entirely finished and plastered till 1853. The Rev. Chandler, of Peoria, conducted the dedicatorial services. The Rev. C. M. AYright came shortly after, and superseded Rhodes. From this time to 1860 the history of the church is a blank. In that year Keithsburg, which had heretofore belonged to the New Boston circuit, was erected into a separate one. Mr. B. L. Ilardin furnishes a list of pastors from 1860, and we use it as it comes to our hands, although it does not complete the period by

O. W. Brown, one year ; J. Winser, one year ; S. Brink, three years ; A. R. Morgan, two years ; L. B. Dennis, one year ; J. Smith, two years ; Richard Haney, one year ; G. W. Martin, one year ; C. B. Couch, one year ; and the present minister, II. S. Humes, who came "upon this charge in the conference year 1881-2.

About 1856 the society i)urchased from Robert Keith the old brick school-house; the walls they partly tore d(^wn and ivbuilt for a parsonage on the original foundation.

The Rev. Stephen Brink conducted a great re%'ival in 1S71 and added over one hundred to the membership. He was a very popular preacher and successful revivalist, and taking the movement in the <;hurcli at its highest tide led the society at once into building their present imposing edifice. Tliis was done in the year 1872. The site was purchased from Bennett Hurst for $1,30<» and the old chui-ch was taken by him in i)ayment of ^100. John McH. Wilson, B. L. Hardin, Dr. C. S. Ilollingswortli, ZMerrick A. Weaver and William (4ayle were the building committee. The entire cost' was $10,000. Chaplain McCabe dedicated it on the 29th of October, and on this occasion $3,715 were subscribed. Over $550 were never collected; a loan of $300 had been obtained fi'om the chnrch extension fimd ; these amounts with interest brouglit the society in time into debt for $1,300. A new subscription was raised in 1880 and this was paid off. The church is a two-stoiy ft-ame 38 X 60 feet on the ground. Tliere are 140 members em'olled, and the condition of the society is good. The Sabbath school, with H. L. Long as superintendent almost consecutively for twelve years, has an average of over 100 scholars. Some of the oldest and most active members have been John McH. Wilson, John j^evius and B. L. Hardin. The tw^o first have gone to try the reality of the faith they professed.

The fu'st Presbvterian minister who settled and lived in Keithsburg was the Rev. Smith. This was before the church was linished. A number of persons of this faith having their membership in the Pope Ci'eek church in Ohio Grove township, in 1854 enclosed the house they now own, but were not able to hnish it for use until three years afterward. May 2, 1857, the present societ)' was organized with tvventy-eiiiiit members, and was named the ''First Presbyterian Church of Keithsburg." Joseph P. Wycoif and Paul Sheriif were elected ruling elders, and Dr. I. N. Anderson deacon. Two days after, Paul Sheriif, A. B. Sheriif and Harvey Senter were chosen trustees. The Rev. E. K. Lynn was the first to supply the church after the organization ; he preached half the time for one year. The Rev. Samuel Hart commenced his labors in the spring of 1858 and ministered to the church till September 2, 1862. During this period twenty-six members were added. The Rev. H. Hanson came as stated supply November 2d, and ended his pastorate ten years aftei-ward, ISTovember 1,"1872. The church was increased during this time by the reception of eightyfour members. From the last date until October 15, 1873, only occasional supplies filled the pulpit, but at this time the Rev. John L. Martyn commenced his ministrations as regular pastor. He was superseded October 15, 1876, by the Rev.* J. E. Williamson. The latter gave place, October 16, 1879, to the Rev. Thomas Hicklin, who remained one year. There was no stated supply again until the present occupant of the pulj^it, the Rev. R. IL Fulton, connnenced his labors in September, 1881. In December, 1859, Philip Gore was elected deacon. November 30, 1862, Dr. I. N. Anderson was elected, ordained and installed a ruling elder. He was removed by death January 22, 1863. Dr. Samuel Kelly was elected ruling elder March 13, 1869, and ordained next dav. Calvin S. Orth and W. S. Home were elected and ordained deacons on tlie same days. George S. Wolf was elected a ruling elder December 16, 1876, and was installed next day, the usual form of ordination being dispensed with as unnecessary for the reason that he had been an elder in the Reformed church. In 1866 an American church organ was placed in the church ; in the winter of 1S67-S a new bell was hung in the steeple ; October 25, 1871, the society paid $100 for five Gothic chairs and a marble-top communion table; March 15, 1872, a new communion service was purchased at an e::^pense of $65 ; and in 1875 the church was renovated at an outlay of $1,000. The building is 36x51 feet, built of brick, graceful without and tasteful within, where it is cheery and agreeable, without any of that air of the dungeon so common in houses of this description. The number of members is foity-five. An organized Sunday school is maintained.

St. Mary's Catholic church comprises in its membership not fewer than fifty families. Mass was celebrated in this place over thirty years ago, but the people had no regular pastor until Father Lorimer, of Monmouth, established stated ser\^ces in 1865. He continued in charge of the parisli until the Rev. R. P. O^Xeill came in 1867. Under the pastorate of the latter funds were raised, and in 1869 a house of worship was enclosed and subsequently finished. The Rev. Bowles came next after Father O'Xeill and remained until 1872, and was succeeded by Father Ilalpin, who was followed in 1875 by Father O'Farrell. The first priest to settle in the parish was the Rev. Weldon, who arrived in 1877, and in October began the erection of the parsonage. This stands on Thirteenth street, adjoining the church, and was finished the following spring and fornished at a total cost of $2,000. The Rev. C. F. O'Neill took charge of this society in 1879 and was replaced the same year by the Rev. William McKenna, who ministered until early in 1882, when the Rev. B. H. Corley took his place. The church is situated in the southeast part of the town, in Sherifi^s addition, on land one-half of which was donated by T. B. Cabeen. It is cruciform, 24x72 feet in the main part, with a transept 24X56, and was built at a cost of about $6,000. This property is vested in the bishop of the diocese, according to the custom and laws of this church. In the early history of the society services were held in the old courthouse and at the residence of Dennis Murto.

The Rev. Bernard II. Corley, present pastor, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, March 11, 1.S55, and is the son of Michael and Elizabeth (McCaron) Corley. llis father is a mixer of colors used in printing calicoes, and resides in Providence, where the mother of Father Corley died March 4, 1882. He was educated at the Jesuit college of St. Mary at Montreal, and at the Ottawa University, of -Canada, and finished his studies at the latter institution. His ordination took place at Peoria, Illinois, in June, 1879, and he at once became assistant pastor at Bloomington, where he remained one year. He was next called to the pastorate of Lewiston, from whence he went to Monmouth as assistant, and in the present year was settled over this parish.

A Christian society was organized here about 1856, but traveling preachers of this denomination stopped here and held services, beginning some years earlier. The Rev. Davidson, of Monmouth, was the main dependence of these people at first. Others well remembered "were the Shortridges, Revs. Wallace, Moses B. Warren and W. B. Fisk. The latter was here three or four years, and it was in his pastorate that the unused church standing in the east part of the town was built. This was done in 1866. The Rev. J. B. Royal occujiied the pulpit about ten years ago.

Farmers' Bank

This institution began business in Keithsburg in April. 1871, as the Farmers' National Bank, with a capital of §50,000, and was the second "bank ever organized in fiercer county, and the only one under the national banking act. Tlie stockholders are William Drury, F. P. Burgett, T. B. Cabeen, R. J. Cabeen, John Seaton, Hiram Burgett, 3. P. Frick, Thomas S. Flack, C. S. Orth, Mrs. Julia H. Frick, and

Mrs. Yashti Driiry- William Driirv, one of the wealthiest and most valued citizens of Mercer county, has been president from the beginning, and Hon. Thomas B. Cabeen, of Keithsburg, vice-]>resident. C. S. Orth was the first cashier. In 1874 the capital was doubled, -and the same year Mr. Orth resigned and was succeeded by F. P. Burgett, who had been connected with the bank from the first opening, as assistant cashier. On January 1. IS'^O, the charter was surrendered, and the bank became a private corporation. It passed through the crisis of 1873 without shock, and its integrity and reputation rest upon a firm basis.

Mr. Cabeen is of Irish lineage. His grandfather, Thomas Cabeen, had seven sons and two daughters bom and reared in Ireland, and who emigrated to this country at different times, and settled in various localities. His father, Samuel Cabeen, crossed the Atlantic in 1808 and had his home first in Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Elizabeth P. "Wright. In 1815 he removed to Muskingum countv, Ohio. In 1836 these parents with their five sons, Thomas, Joshua, Samuel, Pobert, and Pichard, removed to Mercer county and improved a home in Oliio Grove township. The father died at his residence, May 1, 1856, when sixty-eight years of age. He was a man of good talents and natural Irish wit and versatility ; his conversation was intelligent and sparkling and always enlivened with appropriate quotations fi-om his favorite poet Bums. Mr. Thomas B. Cabeen was bora December 15, 1815 ; he learned the carpenter's trade, and for the fii'st dozen years that he lived in Mercer county was employed at that useful occupation. In conjunction with Abram B. Sherift' he built the first fi-ame house south of Pope creek; in 1845 he did some of the first cai-penter w^rk in Keithsburg, and the next year the joiner work on the first brick house in the place, which was owned by Robert Keith. He and Mr. Sherift" built under contract the first court-house in Mercer county, for wliich they received about Sl.-lOO. It was begun March 6, 1839, and was -finished the same vear. This was situated at Millersburg: a two-story frame, still standing. During the time that Mr. Cabeen was chifiy engaged at his trade he also improved a farm of 160 acres in Ohio Grove to\^Tiship. He settled in Keithsburg in 1845, and from 1847 to 1848 he was a clerk for the firm of X-oble & Gavle ; in the latter year he gave up his position with that firm to accept the oftice of clerk of the circuit court, wliich he filled ^vith satisfaction until 1856. In 1862 he was elected by the democrats to the lower house of the general assembly to represent the counties of Mercer and Henderson. For over thirty years Mr. Cabeen has been a ]>rominent business man of his countv, and has been most of that time largelv interested in real estate transactions. He owns 2,000 acres of valuable land besides a. large amount of town property. He celebrated liis nuptials with Miss- Lucy, daughter of William and Sarah (McHerron) Wilson, on June 26, 1849. She was a native of Danville, Pennsylvania; and her father's family removed to Mercer county about 1837. Mr. Cabeen's children have been: AVilliam S., Sarah E., and Boyd "W. The last died in infancy. AVilliam was married in 1881 to Miss Lou Dempster, and Sarah is now the wife of Thomas A. Marshall. Mr. Cabeen's mother died December 6, 1874, ripe in years.

Mr. Frederick P. Burgett, cashier, was born in Hartland, Windsor county, Vermont, April 24, 1839, and is the oldest child of Hiram and Charlotte (Willard) Burgett. In 1851 he emigrated with his parents to Ellisville, Fulton county, Illinois, and lived there till 1859; in that year he went to JSTashville, Tennessee, and remained there till 1864, clerking in the principal hotels. In 1867 he came to Keithsburg and at once engaged in selling dry goods ; after two years he changed to lumber and was in that business the same length of time ; then in 1871 he assisted in organizing the Farmers' National Bank and became assistant cashier. Since 1875 Mr. Burgett has owned a well improved farm of 800 acres ten miles southeast of Keithsburg, mostly in pasture ^ and meadow, and devoted to stock-raising. He regards ample and comfortable shelter as indispensable to the profitable rearing of domestic animals, and purposes to improve his place with barns and sheds to furnish sufficient housing for all the stock that his large farm can support. He is introducing improved sti*ains of blood into his cattle ; and as a favorite scheme of breeding he is giving special attention to rearing a distinctive type of horses which shall combine the qualities of roadster and draft horse and produce a class useful, and even superior, for all purposes. Mr. Burgett is a Mason and a republican. In 1880 he was a delegate to the republican state convention at Springheld, and was elected a delegate under the unit rule to the republican national convention at Chicago ; but he and his associate appointees were not seated by the latter body. December 20, 1867, he was married to Miss Mary J., daughter of the late B. D. Ellett, Esq. Her father was an early settler in Mercer county, having begun a home in New Boston township in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Burgett have four children : Grace, Bessie, Louis ()., and Kate.

Mr. Cornelius O'Leary, book-keeper and assistant cashier, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, March 25, 1826. In 1848 he emigrated to this country, arriving in New York on the 19th of June. He came directly to Wisconsin and became employed in the pineries, transacting; business principally for Francis I>iron of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin^.

until 1S5S, in which year hu arrived at Keithsburg with a rati: of lumber. Having disposed of that he associated himself '^'ith B. D. Ellett in the lumber trade ; and excepting the time that he was absent in the army, he was in company with Mr. Ellett until 1869. Immediately on the first call of President Lincoln for troops, in April, 1861, he enlisted in company I. 17th reg. 111. Yol., and was appointed first sergeant. He fought' at Fredericktown, Missouri, at Fort Donelson, and at Shiloh, and in the last engagement commanded his company ; he was in the siege of Corinth, and after that returned with his regiment to Bolivar, Tennessee, where he was discharged October 29, 1862. In 1869 he built a store and a residence in Keithsburg, and was in the grocery trade a year; ft-om 1871 to 1876 he made several changes in business : was first manufacturing plows with W. C. Taliaferro, then wagons with H. Campbell ; a part of the time was in Wisconsin, and the last year and a half was running a steamer on the Missouri river. In May, 1876, he came into the Farmers' Bank as hook-keeper and assistant cashier, and has been steadily engaged in this position since November, 1880. He was united in marriage with Miss Roxanna De Haven April 29, 1869, and by this union three children have been born : Margaret, Arthur, and Eichard. !Mr. O'Leary has been town trustee three terms, and is now treasurer.

Robert Burns Lodge, Xo. 113, A.F.AM., was organized mider dispensation in 1850, and the first meeting was held on the 19th of November. Tliomas Freeman, was master ; A. C. Adams, senior warden ; W. J. Ungles, junior warden : James Gibson, senior deacon ; Wyman Parker, Daniel Winslow and Hiram Mills, from Kew Boston, completed the organization. Petitions were received from I. X. Anderson. H. (i. Calhoun, R. C, Cabeen, and Truman Lord. The charter was issued October 7, 1851, to Thomas Freeman, Alexander C. Adams. AVilford J. Ungles, and James Gibson. The lodge was constituted under the charter Xovember 21-, bv Gov. William McMurtrv, of Henderson, deputy grand master. In 1855 a two-story brick building, 20x50 feet, was erected by the lodge on Washington street at a cost of $1,9()0. The contractors and builders were John Dunn and Jahalon Tvler. The hall, which is-neatlv fimiished and decorated with emblematic charts, is one of the best in Mercer county. Communications are on Friday nights on or before the full moon of each month. The officers for the current vear (1882) are R. C. Humbert, W.M.; Ira Jay, S.W.; H. Pratt. J.AV.- W. H. Phares, T.-. A. F. Glover, S. ; Samuel Kelly, >C.; E. J. Glancv, S.D.; ^\. B. Phillips, J.D.; J. J. Hawkins, S.S.;

Illinois Chapter ]S"o. 17, A.F.A.M., was chartered in 18.54, Robert. Keith, Thomas D. Cabeen, and R. Cyrus Cabeen being granted powers to organize. The first meeting took place August 9, 1853, and the chapter was instituted by Harmon G. Re\Tiolds, acting as grand high priest. A steady career of ]jrosperity marks the whole history of this organization. Meetings are held on Wednesday night before the full moon of each month in the Masonic building. This chapter owns a one-third interest in that property. Present officers : C. A. Mertz, H.P.; T. II. Freeman, K.; J. J. Hawkins, S.; A. F. Glover, S. W. H. Phares, T.; R. C. Humbert, C.H.; H. G. Calhonn, P.S. T. B. Cabeen, R.A.C.; L. L. Mertz, M.T.Y.; C. A. Frick, M.S.V. W. Hadley, M.F.V. ; Benjamin Lloyd, T. An efficient working membership of 37.

Mercer Lodge, No. 210, LO.O.F., was instituted July 29, 1856, by W. B. Linel under dispensation issued by P. A. Armstrong, grand master. The first elective officers were M. J. CBrien, N.G. ; L. W. Thompson, Y.G.; J. Scott Pinkerton, R.S.; J. N. Shoemaker, P. S. ; Thomas Stephenson, T. When the organization took place applications for membership:) were received from William M. Glover, John Weidner, Erastus Thompson, and O. C. Richardson ; aU these were favorably rej^orted upon and elected, and the first two were initiated at this meeting. . October 17, 1856, a charter was. granted to M. J. O'Brien, Thomas Stephenson, M. P. Rippy, L. W. Thompson, J. S. Pinkerton, J. N. Shoemaker, and Ferdinand Davis. The number of initiates is 201, and 44 have been admitted by card, making a total of 245, including a present membership of 6S. The amount paid out for charity is $1,136. Meetings of the lodge are on Tuesday evenings at their pleasant and well-furnished hall on Main street. This building was purchased about 1871 for $1,000, and rebuilt in 1873 at a cost of $700. The present officers are W. A. Willard, KG.; Lemon Dewitt, V.G.; P. Q. Nestle, Sec; Thomas Souster, Treas. H. H. Pratt is the representative to the grand lodge.

are named in it: T. S. Cummins, W. II. Pliares, G. W. "Wliiting, J. H. T. Madden, Paul Q. Nestle, E. Ratliburn, G. W. Ditto, D. M. Halsted, M. G. Rice, C. S. Frick, H. Stancer, G. K. Beard, Jacob Abrahams, Joseph Venable, Fred. Nagle, T. J. JVIoffatt. The last nine of these were the earliest initiates, and were admitted at the first meeting. Present officers: T. S. Cummins, C.P. ; John Ilelwig; H.P.; J. S. Allen, S.W.; T. A. Marshall, J.W.; II. H. Pratt, Scribe : AY. II. Pliares, Treas. Both lodge and encampment are in a. highly satisfactory condition.

Mary Burns Chapter, No. 24, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized by D. AV. Thompson, and chartered July 31, 1872, with 30 members. Mrs. Pose A. Cumby was Worthy Matron ; W. P. Strong, Worthy Patron ; and F. B. Stout, Secretary. C. A. Mertz represented the chapter in the convention held in Chicago November 6, 1875, tcv institute a grand chapter of the order for Illinois, and he was elected deputy grand patron of the organization. The grand chapter having been formed, Mary Burns Chapter surrendered its original charter, number 118, and accepted the one under which it is now working. The organization has a healthy membership of nearly 60 persons, and holds its regular meetings in Masonic hall on every Thursday evening before the full moon. The present elective officers are C. A. Mertz, W.P.; Mrs. A. B. Mertz, W.M.; Mrs. Lillie Glancy, A.M.; Miss Sue Calhoun, C. ; Miss Hattie Jay, A.C. ; Mrs. Millecent Heaton, S., Miss Agnes Jay, T.

The Keithsburg Thespian Club, a dramatic association, was organized January 10, 1863, and has been in existence until the present time, though of late years it has not been before the public with regular performances. It has always been composed of some of the most respectable ladies and gentlemen of Keithsburg, and has given numerous entertainments abroad, consisting of both comedy and tragedy. The first president, or manager, was G. F. Gurley ; William H. Ungles was secretary at the same time, and C. S. Orth, treasurer. Besides these officers, the earlier members were : G. W. Whiting, M. J. O'Brien, C. O'Leary, J. O. Butler, C. C. Matlock, W. D. Smith and G. F. Parsons. The first ladies connected with the club were: Mrs. R. C. Cabeen, Mrs. Matlock, and the Misses Famiy M. Sheriff, Mary J. Holland, Rebecca Frick and Ivittie Ellett.

Among those who came into the organization afterward were: J. B. Holland, Joshua Willits, R. C. Humbert, Henry Mellinger, G. K. Beard, T. S. Cummins, F. P. Burgett, Dr. A. P. Willits, Mrs. J. O. Butler, Misses Emma AVillits and Emma Swezey, C. A. Frick,

After becoming thoroiiglilv organized, this troupe secured the assistance of four of the most popuhxr professionals on the boards. Melissa Breslau, Old Breslau, and Montgomery and Johnson made their residence here two years and took the tragic parts in the plays. The tovra trustees granted the use of the old court-house to this company with permission to fit it up to suit their purpose, and the building has ever since been used for an opera house, and now goes by that name. It is proper to add that this house was purchased of the county several years ago for the sum of $500.

The Keithsburg Reading and Conversational Club, having a membership of forty, young and old, was formed Dec. 4, 1S80, with a general view to social improvement, but for the particular object of studying the lives and characters of noted authors, and of becoming familiar with their writings. This end is sought to be accomplished by assigning a selected author to one or two persons who come to the next meeting with papers embodjdng their study of the subject, while others, also appointed, read selections from the same author's works. Weekly meetings take place at the private residences of members, and the club is under the government of a set of officers elected in pursuance of its constitution and by-laws. Mrs. Yisa Griffin and Miss Marie Hebbard were respectivel}^ the first president and secretary. The officers are chosen bi-monthly. The club has a free library of 120 volumes.

The Keithsburg Silver Band and Musical Association was chartered under the law of the state June 3, 1880, by Karl A. Range, G. C. Humbert, T. A. Marshall, II. P. Humbert, W. F. Kolkenbeck, Edward Ott and B. L. McKnight. W. B. Ellet, E. E. Humbert, W. S. Cabeen, Elmer Deterline, Fred Ellet, Louis Range, Charles Helwig, Robert Jackson and H. C. Cook complete the present membership. The first officers were George Beard, president ; W. S. Cabeen, vice-president ; G. C. Humbert, secretary; Dennis Merto, treasurer; and T. A. Marshall, contracting agent. Present officers : Edward Ott, ])resident ; W. S. Cabeen, vice-president ; K. A. Range, secretary ; II. P. Humbert, treasurer ; and T. A. Marshall, agent. This is one of the best instructed and most popular bands in this part of the west, and was engaged to accompany the Jim City on her first trip between St. Louis and St. Paul. It embraces a full orchestra.

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union, auxilliary to the organization of this name for the State of Illinois, was organized by the ladies of Keithsburg, January 31, 1880, under a call issued by Mrs. Kirkpatrick, president of the imion for the tenth congressional district. Mrs.

M. E. Slocnmb was the first president. The union is in a flourisliing condition, and is composed of sixty of the most earnest, active, zealous women of Keithsburg and vicinity. Temperance organizations of various kinds have been establislied here from the time the town has had a business history, and eacli lias lived the life of the awakened impulse which brought it forth. We cannot undertake an account of them, for the data are not accessible; nor would it be desirable, as this class of organizations go and come like the seasons, and are but the effects of a principle or power as fixed and sure as that which called the light day and the darkness night. It is enough to know that there has always existed in Keithsburg a strong, unwavering public sentiment in favor of improved social customs, and that every effort in this direction has been ennobled with the labors of good men and the chastening exertions of not less devoted and noble women. In the month of jNIarch, this year (1882), the professional temperance lecturers Ward and Hughes held a revival of one week and formed a red ribbon and a I)lue ribbon club, the two embracing several hundred members.

An event, the result of a movement started by the W. C. T. Union occurred in the spring of 1880, which is noted less for its local significance than the wide attention it attracted at the time. On the petition of over 300 men and women, the town board, in February, passed an ordinance permitting men twenty-one years of age and women eighteen years of age, having qualifications of residence, to vote for or against licensing the sale of intoxicating liquors, at the election for municipal on the fifth of April following, and annually thereafter. A separate ballot-box and election board had necessarily to be provided, and the ordinance made it mandatory on the board of trustees to appoint three persons to receive and canvass the votes, two of whom should act as judges and one as clerk. When the day came a number of female celebrities in the suffrage and temperance reform had gathered from distant parts of the country to assist the fair contestants to touch off' what Miss Frances E. Willard had christened "the Sumter Gun." The work of preparation began on Saturday afternoon, when the first meeting was held in the Presbyterian church. A mass meeting followed in the evening. On the Sabbath very solemn services took place at the churches, and the strangers from abroad were conspicuous in all the public exercises. Early on the morning of election day the women assembled for religious worship, after which a procession of forty-seven, headed by Mrs. E. G. Ilibben, of Peoria, president of the W. C. T. Union of Illinois, marched to the polls. Committees of women were on the street throughout the day laboring with active and effective zeal in the christian cause, under tlie incitement of a grave preparation and the first ilush of gratitude for their enlarged privileges. Twice in the day the band, with brazen horns, paraded Main street, discoursing awakening strains. Boys trooped in advance carrWngbanners with the legends, "Bad luck to whisky," "Down with license," etc. Xo opposition was made, and the poll stood 159 women and 98 men against license. A solitary man voted by mistake for license. The same thing was repeated the next year, but with less demonstration, and this time a license board was elected, when on the eighth of April the famous home protection ordinance, which had excited the liveliest interest and comment, and had brought letters of inquiry and gratulation from all" parts of the United States and from Europe, was rescinded.

The Keithsburg Building and Loan Association was organized early in. the present year (1882), by some of the leading citizens of the town, who were licensed on the sixth of February, by the secretary of state, to open books for subscriptions to the capital stock. The object aimed at is to assist members to procure and improve real estate. T. B. Cabeen is the president, and T. S. Cummins, secretary.

Green Mound Cemetery lies one mile east of Keithsburg, on ground donated by Paul Sheriff, in 1852, and laid out the same year. Some handsome monuments have been erected, but the enclosure has fallen into a state of sad neglect.

Reuben Williams, being assailed by James Fierman, in his defense killed him by accidentally breaking his neck. The men were shelling corn for William Gayle when the difficulty occurred. This was in the summer of 1851. Williams was forthwith arraigned at the September term of the circuit court, pleaded guilty to the indictment charging him with manslaughter, and was sentenced to the penitentiary for nine months, one day's solitary confinement and the remainder of the time at hard labor.

Mrs. Ungles, the aged mother of W. J. Tingles, was suffocated in her bed by the clothing taking fire from the stove. This occurred about 1855.

A little daughter of G. L. Dunn fell into a tub of hot water and was so badly scalded that she died after six days, April 22, 1859. Her age was four years.

Catharine, wife of James Geiger, and her infant child perished from a foolish attempt to fill a fluid lamp while burning. This was on September 1, 1860. Mrs. Geiger lived six hours in terrible suffering.

In the summer of 1860 Columbus Caufield shot and killed Jake Price in self-defense. Caufield was fully exonerated by the coroner's jury. At another time he killed a man in New Boston township and departed the country and has not since been seen.

Two years later Nathan Shockley, a Missouri secessionist and desperado, stabbed and killed North Fleming. Political malignity was the moving cause, though a trumped-up subterfuge was assigned and so efi'ectively used as to secure the murderer's acquittal. He was afterward fatally cut to pieces in Missouri by a butcher whom he was on the point of shooting down in cold blood.

On the third of November, 1864, Alexander Holland was thrown from his buggy by a runaway horse at the corner of Main and Second streets, and died in a few hours from his injuries.

A little nine-year old daughter of Joseph Wadsworth's caught her clothes on fire from the stove while the rest of the family w^ere out, and was so burned that she died in a few hours. This was in the autumn of 1864.

Hannah Jane Frazier, the handsone and intelligent daughter ot Andrew Frazier, lost her life in 1868 by the imprudent use of kerosene in kindling a fire. Her body was horribly burned and she lived only a few hours, but in excruciating agony and conscious to the last. She was about sixteen years of age and had a disposition of great sweetness.

The most considerable fire which ever took place in this town was on the night of July 4, 1870, and broke out in the livery stable belonging to H. N. Ives and situated on the west side of Fourth street, between Main and Jackson. The Nelson House adjoining was burned, as were also Mrs. Emily Wade's and Joseph Thompson's dwellings, and O. Holland's corn house. The total loss, after deducting $5,500 of insurance, was $13,000. The distressing feature of this sad misfortune was the loss of the two young boys, Frank Ives and Willie Dempster, who perished in the flames while sleeping in the livery stable. These lads were about fourteen years old. They suffocated, it is thought, before the fire reached their couch. Their cliarred bodies were removed and the burial took place from the Methodist church where most solemn and impressive funeral services were performed. The fire is believed to have been incendiarv.

John T. Calhoun was drowned in the river at the foot of Main street, on Sunday morning. May 12, 1872. He and his wife were in a skiff which was capsized by the current. She was insensible when rescued but recovered.

AVillie Pliares, son of W, H. Phares, a very beautiful and promising child of little less than four years, was left slee})ing in bed in the morning. The family being startled by his screams rushed to the room and found his night-clothes in flames. It is supposed that he set himself on fire with matches. This was on July 22, 1875. He survived until the next day.

M. Kelly, of this place, while on a trip to Canada for his health, committed suicide by drowning at Michigan City, Indiana, September 19, 1876.

Mrs. Julia Strong, a useful and respected woman fifty-six years of age, living in the country, was thrown from her buggy by an unmanageable team, and after being dragged some distance violently struck a tree on Main street, which fractured her skull and caused instant death. This melancholy accident happened iS^ovember 20, 1880.

Frederick Fry, a saloon-keeper on Black Hawk or AVillett's island, was shot and mortally wounded by AVilliam A. Gritfin, on the evening of February 28, 1881, when avoiding arrest \ipon a ca})ias in the hands of Thomas L. Pippey. These men were in pursuit of him upon the ice near the main land, and when within twenty yards of him he began shooting at Gritfin, who returned his fire with fatal efiect. He- lived twelve hours. Upon the inquest Gritfin was acquitted of blame.

About ten years ago some.bo^'s were pushiug a car on the track near the Rockford, Rock Island tfe St. Louis depot, when Frank Gotclialk, aged ten or twelve years, was crushed under the wheels.

Keithsburg Towxship

In the earlier history of this township the people went out to Glancy's mill to vote. Keithsbnrg was made a polling ])lace in 1S40, and on the third of August the first election was held. In the fall of 1853 Mercer coimty adopted townshij) organization, and the next spring the lirst officers were elected in Keithsbnrg. Below is a list of the principal ones from that time to the present date :

* These persons refused to qualify and serve, and the town board on the second of Jlay filled the vacancies with the following appointments : John Xevius for town clerk and Jacob Spangler for assessor.

The following citizens of the township have been elected to the office of justice of the peace: 1840, J. McH. Wilson, resigned in 1841; 1843, B. D. Ellett, Nicholas Edwards, John W. Nevius; 1847, James Ganier, Xathaniel B. Partridge, B. D. Ellett, John AV. Xevius ; 1849, O. C. Allen, James Garner ; 1852, Peter Eckly, X. B. Partridge ; 1854, H. G. Calhoun, P. W. Kile; 1855, John Dunn, vice Kile, resigned; 1858, John Xevius, Mark J. O'Brien; 1860, H. G. Calhoun, ^^ce O'Brien, resigned ; 1862, John Xevius, resigned in 1865 ; M. J. O'Brien, resigned in 1864; 1864, J. A. J. Birdsall ; 1865, O. C. Pichardson; 1866, Matthias "Wickiser, O. C. Pichardson; 1868, Jacob B. Spangler; 1870, Matthias Wickiser, resigned same year and J. B. Sj>angler elected to vacancy; A. F. Glover, resigned in 1873; 1873, T. S. Cummins, II. S. Scott\ 1877, T. S. Cummins, II. S. Scott; 1881, T. S. Cummins, Pichard Wolf; 1882, II. S. Scott, Wee Wolf, resigned.

Public Improvements

The first roads in this townsliip were opened by order of the county commissioners June 3, 1839. one havina; been surveyed from the bridsre on the Edwards river, on the New Boston and Knoxville state road, through Keithsburg to Gavitt's cabin (alias Cohimbia City) on to the county line, and the other from Keithsburg to Isaiah Willits', and from thence intersecting with the county road leading to the Ohio settlement on Pope' River. This is substantially the description given in the petitions which Robert Keith presented at the regular term, March 9, 1839. June 7, three dollars were deposited with each petition to pay the viewers, Lewis Xoble, Rezin Pratt and Joseph Leonard. For laying out these roads the follovtdng disbursements were made from the road fund: Lewis Noble, for three and a half days' viewing, $3.50; John Noble and Isaac Bates, for two days' chaining, $2 each ; and Paul Sheriff, for hauling stakes one and a half days, $3.

A railroad fi'om "Warsaw to Rockford having been projected to run through Keithsburg, November -1, 1855, the town unanimously voted to subscribe $20,000 to the capital stock of the company. The work of grading was commenced in 1856, B. P. Frick and J. C. Cabeen having the contract from Warsaw to Keithsburg, the former taking charge of the construction at this end of the route and the latter at the other. To settle all doubt as to the legality of the subscription and to make it available, an act of the legislature chartering the town was procured, with a special provision legalizing the subscription and authorizing the issue of bonds. This was approved February 16, 1857, and on the 4th of May following an ordinance was passed directing the presi" dent of the board of trustees to subscribe to the stock of the Warsaw & Rockford Railroad Company in the above-mentioned sum, and empowering that officer and the clerk to execute the bonds of the town, due in twenty years, with interest at the rate of ten per cent, payable semi-annually. They were to be delivered as work upon the road progressed, to pay the assessments upon the stock taken by the town, and on the 1st day of June eight bonds for $1,000 each were issued. On the 16tli four of them were passed over to B. P. Frick, and on the loth of July the remaining four were surrendered to the same person. In this last month the company failed, and work on the road was permanently suspended. No part of the route was finished. Below Sagetown some bridging was done, but as the contractors were never paid for the bridges these were afterward taken down.

The corporation paid the interest on the indebtedness made in aid of this railroad uritil the hardship prompted the town to resist further collection, and in 1863 suit was brous^ht in the circuit court of Mercer county and carried to the supreme court of tlie state, from which a writ of mandamus was procured, compelling the town to levy a tax to meet this obligation. In 1874 one of these bonds was paid and canceled, the second in 1876; and August 3, 1877, a corporation election was held to vote on the question of a new issue to retire the six then outstanding. A unanimous vote of forty-seven decided this in the affirmative, and on the lirst day of December the bonds were issued in denominations of $100. Next year ten of these were redeemed, leaving the presented bonded debt of the town So^OOO.

Hiram W. Thornton, last i)resident of the Warsaw & Rockford railroad, brought suit against the company for services and obtained judgment ; and when the road was sold under execution he bought the grading and has since disposed of it piecemeal at private sale. The Kockford, Rock Island tfe St. Louis railroad having been projected with the intention of running the line through Keithsburg, a part of the road-bed of the Warsaw ife Rockford was purchased by this company.

To preserve the continuitv of events it is necessarv to sav that in 1869, through the exertions of Col. Isaac McManus, state senator from the fourteenth district, a charter for the Dixon ife Quincy railroad was obtained, with the ulterior design, no doubt, of transferring it to the Chicago, Burlington 6z Quincy corporation. The Dixon & Quincy company was forthwith organized with Col. McManus as president, and on the 18th of May a special election was held in Keithsburg to decide whether the township should take $35,000 of stock in the road, the bonds covering the subscription not to be issued until thei'e should be a running connection by rail from Keithsburg to lines connecting with Chicago. This was favorably determined by a vote of 229 against 11. Abington township also voted to subscribe $10,000 to the ca])ital stock of the company.

Subsequent to these elections a meeting of the directors was held in Chicago, at which a very warm discussion took place regarding the transfer of the charter. A representative was present from each of the Chicago, Burlington <fe Quincy and the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis companies. McManus was still interested in behalf of the former, but w^ien the vote was taken his object was defeated, the rest of the board voting solidly to turn over the subscriptions to the other coi-jjoration on conditi(jn that it give to Keithsburg railway connection with Chicago by the way of Rockford.

To be certain that this proceeding was satisfactory to the people, the directors caused a special election to be called for the 4th of October, and submitted the proposition to recall the aid formerly voted to the Dixon 6z Quincy, and to grant the same amount to the Rockford,

Eock Island cV: St. Louis railroad. Tliis was understood bv the directors themselves to be simply informal and without legal consequence, as the charter invested the board with fidl power in the premises. Their action was endorsed by 197 against 5.

From the moment the assignment of the subscriptions was made, work on the Rockford, Rock Island tk St. Louis road was pushed north, from Sagetown (now Gladstone) with great vigor ; and December 14, 1869, the first locomotive ran into this town amidst the ringing of bells, the firing of an^'ils, and the blowing of steam whistles. Very little, if any, aid. except that guaranteed by these two townships, had been secured upon this route ; but about tliis time "Warren county tendered a liberal donation upon condition that the road should be built through Monmouth, and this had the effect to divert the line at Bushnell from the contenq^lated com'se, and to break off" consti'uction suddenly at this point. The grading had been done betw^een here and the American Central railway, but the iron was not down, and the bridge which had been erected over Pope creek was partly washed out, when the remainder was removed. The tenninal depot was built on the eastern verge of the town, and up to 1877 this was the river branch of the main line.

This action of the Rockford, Rock Island cVr St. Louis Company in changing their road left the Dixon & Quincy Company in a position tomake a new arrangement, and the matter slumbered until the summer of 1870, when it was revived by Theodore Glancy. The result of this fresh agitation was that the directors held a meeting and passed a resolution to open the books for new subscriptions. Gen. A. C. Harding, of Monmouth, appeared at this meeting and subscribed an amount sufficient to give him control of the affairs of the company ; and immediately a new board of directors was elected, of which Harding, by virtue of his power, became president, when he filled the other positions according to his own caprice. But the general refused to proceed with the consti'uction of the road until the bonds should be issued, and toward the close of the year 1 870 a citizens*' meeting was held at which H. S. Scott, AVilliam Willett and C. C. Matlock were appointed custodians to hold them in trust and to deliver them to- Harding when the road should be completed from Keithsburg to the American Central railroad. C. S. Orth, heading the opposition, sued out an injunction to restrain the issuance and delivery of the bonds, and before service could be had on Matlock, the supervisor, the latter, not^vith standing he had promised not to evade service of the wi'it, hastened off to Monmouth and turned them over to Harding, takingthe generaPs bond for $70,000, binding him to surrender them to the townshi}) in the event that the road sliouhl not be built between the points above-named by the first of Januarv, IS Tilt is said tliat it was never eonteniphited to build this road; that while the ostensible purjjose w^as to lav a track between the two cities named in the charter, the real object was to construct only the six-mile section from Keithsburg- to the Ameiican Central railway. AMiatever may have been the covert design, this was all that was done. The work was performed late in 187<> with the capital and by the construction comjjany of the Chicago Burlington 6z Quincy Railroad Company, the deception being kept u}) meantime until the Dixon & Quincy corporation could secure the township bonds, which were the great prize that at last fell into Harding's hands for disiJosal. It is alleged that all that was asked of the general by the Chicago Burlington ik: Quincy Railroad Company, was to obtain for that corporation the right of way, which he did for something less than $3,000.

Trains ran into Keithsburg over this short line on January 1, 1871. At the annual towmship election, in April of this year, Benijah Lloyd was elected to succeed C. C.Matlock as supervisor; on the 11th he qualified, and the following day demanded the books and ])apers belonging to the office. A few hours previous to this demand Matlock certified to the auditor of state that the towniship bonds issued to the Dixon iS: Quincy Railroad Company w^ere entitled to registration. These bonds, seventy in number, were for $500 each, bearing ten per cent interest, dated November 1, 1870, and payable January 1, 1891. The township regularly paid, by taxation, the aimual interest on these bonds up to and including the year ISSO, when a suit in equity was brought by the township in the circuit court of Mercer county, to declare them void. Tliey were supposed to be payable at the will of the people after five years, as this was one of the conditions on which the subscription was voted ; but no knowledge of their pro\asions could be obtained, and to pay so high a rate of interest had become unnecessary and impolitic. The people were willing to refimd at lower interest, but when no trace of the bonds could be discovered and the matter began to have the appearance of a design on the part of the liolders to thwart any endeavor to retire them, inquiry w^as excited and in^-estigation followed, when the numerous irregularities surrounding their issue and registration came to light, and it was decided to contest their validity. As a further defense of the people against the presumptions raised against them by the fact that for ten years they ])aid the interest without ])r()test, it is true that a lai-ge majority were not aware that a tax for this puri)ose was being levied and collected.

municipal indebtedness filed an answer to the complainant's bill ; and on his motion the case was removed to the district court of the United States for the northern disti-ict of Illinois, where it was heard bA' Judge Blodgett, who, on January 9, 1882, dismissed the suit. The case is now pending in the United States supreme court, where it has been taken on appeal.

When Gen. Harding obtained possession of these bonds it only remained for him to transfer the road to the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Company, which he did ; and during several succeeding years Keithsburg was the terminus of the Galva branch, the depot being situated where it now is, close to the river. Finally, the main line and branches of the Rockford, Eock Island & St. Louis railroad were absorbed by this company, and in the latter part of July. 1S7T, the right of way through the town between the two depots was procured, and in August the extremities of the two lines were brought into connection by a half mile of new track.

The Keithsburg, Lacon & Eastern Railroad Company was organized here, and a survey made for a standard gauge road from this point to Lacon in 1873, and a considerable amount of subscriptions was taken along the line, but the financial revulsion of that year caused the enterprise to be abandoned.

The Keithsburg 6z Eastern Railroad Company was organized under the law of the state providing for a general system of railroad incorporations, September 22, 1873, by the following incorporators : "W. D. Smith, T. B. Cabeen, C. A. Frick, E. L. Marshall, G. W. Whiting, B. C. Taliaferro, Harry Weaver, AVilliam Gayle, Theodore Glancy, J. P. Wycoft; A. B. Sheriff, R. J. Cabeen and'WiUiam Willett. The project was to construct a narrow gauge railroad from Keithsburg to the east line of the state in Kankakee or Iroquois county, with a branch to Chicago ; but it was never surveyed east beyond the Illinois river. Grading was begun at Keithsburg in the spring of 1874, and when the line had been extended eight miles it was decided to change the route either to Galesburg or Monmouth. Denny, in Warren county, distant twenty miles, being readied, work came to a standstill in 1875. Sub- 'sequently the road was sold in sections under execution, and finally the whole property was sold under mechanic's lien, but in each case it was purchased for D. M. Halstead and T. B. Cabeen. Halstead assigned his interest to George Seaton, R. J. Cabeen and T. B. Cabeen, who received a sherifi''s deed. Recently these owners have contracted with William Hanna and B. P. Phelps, of Monmouth, who represent the Peoria >k Farmington railroad, to convey to them for a consideration all their interest in the Keithsburg S: Eastern, if the former shall be completed to this point by February 22, 1884.

The subject of this sketch, Isaiah Willits, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, November 2, IS 12, where his boyhood, days were spent in rambling over the rocky bluffs and' helping his father on a small farm. In 1826 the family removed to Wa\Tie county, Indiana, where he was engaged in farming near Centerville, ten miles west of Kiehmond. In 1835 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, where he took a claim near Pope Mills, now known as the old Frick farm. lie went back to Indiana several times for cattle, driving them through on horseback, until 1838, when he permanently settled at Bald Bluff", Henderson county, erected a rude log cabin and endured all the hardships and privations known to the earlier settlers. It was in this year that the famous Black Hawk chieftain visited the Bluff", together with four hundred of his warriors. Mr. AVillits says tliat his courage was never questioned, but when he saw them all approaching under full gallop, he is willing to acknowledge that he felt somewhat "shaky." Thev were tribes of Sacs and Foxes, who were on their wav to their reservations on the Des Moines river, Iowa. April 4, 1839, Mr. "Willits was united in marriage to Elizabeth Peynolds, daughter of Caleb Reynolds, of Ohio, she too being one of the pioneers, having come to Mercer county among the first who settled here. They lived on their Henderson county farm till the year 1857, when they removed to Keithsburg, where he went into the mercantile business, continued in this pursuit for four years, sold out and purchased a farm south of town half a mile, where he resided till the spring of 1873, when he became so afflicted as to unfit him for active duties, and he moved again to Keithsburg, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Willits are parents of ten children, nine of whom are living. Joshua, the eldest, was born in Henderson county March 13, 1840, was raised on a farm with limited educational such as existed at the early settling of the country, yet by close ap]>lication and study at home he acquired a good practical education. He was married November 31, 1873, to Miss Clara Willits. They have two children : Norman, born December 6, 1875 ; and Harry, born July 5, 1879. His vocation is farming. His farm joins the old homestead place. Emily, the eldest daughter, bom in Henderson county, November 11, 184], obtained the rudiments of learning in a little log school house, subsequently attended graded school in Oquawka and Keithsburg, was married to Mr. A. B. Childs November 10, 1880. They have one son, Benny, born November 14, 1881. Leander, second son, born November 21, 1843, and Minerva, second daughter, born September 6, 1845, both unmarried, are living at home with their parents. Byron, born April 5, 1847, died

November 21, 1847, aged seven months. Jo. H. Wird, daughter, born August 26, 1848, received her education principally in the graded schools at Keithsburg, where she began teaching at the age of seventeen years, and has been constantly engaged in the work in this place for sixteen years, attending normal schools during the vacations. Last year (1881) she was at State Normal, at Bloomington, Illinois. AzYO p., born July 19, 1850, was educated in Keithsburg; read medicine with Dr. E. L. Marshall and attended two courses of lectures in Rush Medical college, Chicago; was a member of the graduating -class of 1877 ; received his diploma on examination before the Illinois State Board of Health, and is now (1S82) a practicing physician ; January 19, 1880, he was united in marriage with Lizzie F. Wliiting, of Keithsburg. "William A., born November 10, 1852; passed creditably through the high school at Keithsburg ; began his career as teacher in the State of Missouri, after which he came to his native county (Mercer) and taught three years in the district schools ; then took the principalship of the Keithsburg graded school, and is now (1882) occupying that position. Leone, fourth daughter, born August 11, 1855, is unmarried and living with her parents. Lydia A., youngest daughter, born January 12, 1859, was married to Heman N. Childs, November 16, 1881. They are living on their farm in Henderson county, live miles southeast of Keithsburg.

Benjamin D. Ellett (deceased) was born near Richmond, Virginia, February 2, 1813. He was reared partly on a farm, but early in life turned his attention to merchandizing in the dry goods line. In the spring of 1836 he emigrated to Illinois and settled in Henderson county, where he however remained but a short time, and removed to Mercer county, April 19, 1838. He was united in marriage with Miss Grace E., a daughter of Mr. Charles Jack, an early settler of Mercer county. She died in October, 1850, leaving three children, but one of whom is now (1882) living: Mrs. Mary J., wife of F. P. Burgett, banker, of Keithsburg. Mr. Ellett's second marriage was on September 8, 1851, with Miss Oq^ha B., daughter of Andrew and Mary (Lloyd) Myers. She was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, September 1, 1827, and came with her parents to Mercer county in 1836. Here she received such an education as was obtainable in the pioneer schools of this county's early history. At the time of his second marriage Mr. Ellett was filling the position of sherifl* of Mercer county. After the termination of his official term, he permanently located in Keithsburg and engaged in the lumber business, which he followed till the time of his death, which occurred October 29, 1880. By his last marriage he had borne to him nine children, as follows : Frank A. ;

Minnie, wife of Martin Rice; Nellie, wife of C. S. Frick ; AVilliam B., Harry B., Bettie, Ethvin M., Frederick D. and Thomas A. Mrs. Ellett and family are living in her comfortable home in Keithsburg.

Benijah Lloyd was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania March IT, 1825, and is the second son of Benijah and Elizabeth (Dunn) Lloyd, who were among the early settlers of Mercer county, coming here in September 1835. Mr. Lloyd settled in Millersburg township where he lived till the time of his death (1864). He was the father of six children, one of whom was killed by falling out of the wagon near Keithsburg while on their way to their pioneer home. Benijah, the subject of this notice, thus early became identified with the count}" and enjoyed only the means of pioneer school education. December 9, 1847 he was united in marriage with Miss Arrelda J., daughter of Dr. Mark Willits, an early settler of Mercer county. Tliey have reared a family ol' nine children, A-iz: Omer H., Ella J., ISTettie, Charles M., William W., George W., Maurice E, and Maude. After his marriage Mr. Lloyd engaged in farming which he successfully followed till the fall of 1856, when he was elected Sherift' of Mercer. He then located at Keithsburg, then county seat, where he remained till its removal to Aledo. At the expiration of his official term, in 1859, he returned to his farm but in 1860 came to Keithsburg where he has since resided enjoying the respect and esteem of his many friends who have almost continually kept him in some position of trust, as shown b}' the records of the township.

As early as 1836 there came one to Mercer county with limited means but hearty and industrious, and with a strong resolution to pro^^de for the present and procure plenty for the future. Such a character was Paul Sheriff, who was born in Columbia county Pennsylvania, February 16, 1810. He was married December 23, 1832, to Miss Mary daughter of John and Margaret Doak. Four years after their marriage they left their native state and came to Mercer county where they have resided ever since. Mr. Sheriff has always taken a lively interest in public enterprises and given largely to their benelit. He has been very successful in accumulating quite a large property. He has a large farm that comes to the corporation limits of Keithsburg, Politicaly Mr. Sheriff has always been a republican. Religiously he has been a member of the Presbyterian church for thirty years. In temperance movements he has always taken an active part and has tried to show men that liquor will ruin those who become its slaves. Mr. Sheriff' has always been engaged in farming. His father was born in Ireland, and emigrated to this country in the year 17!><> and settled in Pennsvlvania.

Thomas and Marv (Woodhain) Bridger emigrated fi'om Sussex, England to America in 1826, landing at New York. They then went direct to Troy where they lived until 1836, when they came west to Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in what is now Suez township, where he and his wife lived but one year when they both took sick and died about ten days apart. Mrs. Emma Doak, daughter of the above, was born Febraary 4, 1819, in Sussex England, and crossed the Atlantic when seven years of age. She remembers the trip well and many facts connected therewith. In May, 18'42, she was married to Dajstel F. Doak, second child of John and Margaret Doak. He was born August 5, 1810. After their marriage they first lived in Green township two miles north of Viola until 1850, when they sold out and removed to Perryton township where they li^'ed one year. They then removed to Keithsburg township where they have lived ever since. In 1864 they bought the S. W. J of Sec. 2, in Keithsburg township, whicli makes a very comfortable home for them. They have about one hundred acres in cultivation, the balance in pasture. Tliere have been ten children from this luiion, eight living, two dead. James T., Martha J., Mary A., Sarah E., Nancy M. (married to T. J. Hayes), Anna, Daniel W., Ida M., John, Fannie A. Mary A. and Ida M. are dead. Daniel (their father) died in September, 1869. Mrs. Doak is still li\ang but in poor health.

Benjamin F. Geuwell, was born in Greene count}', Ohio, November 22, 1808. In 1825 he removed with his parents, Jacob and Prudence (Dill) Gruwell, to "Wayne county, Indiana, where he lived at farming until 1837. He was mamed in Miami county, Ohio, to Miss Lucy Hurst, December 18, 1829. In the autunm of 1837 Mr. Gruwell, taking his wife, their two children, and his wife's sister, emigrated to this township, he driving a six-ox team and hauling the family effects, while Mrs* . Gruwell and the others kept company in a one-horse carriage. They arrived at the blufl:' on the 18th of October, and Mr. Gruwell bought out the claim of Jack Harris, a single man, to 80 acres on the N. AV. ^ of Sec. 1. Tlie time was short for making improvements before the biting blasts of winter, so a 10 X 12 foot cabin was hastily constructed from small ti-ees eight inches in diameter rived and stood upright, with one end in the ground. Sod fi-om the prairie formed a tight roof, and sticks and mud composed the chimney. The crevices were daubed in the usual way, and a quilt was hung up at the door to keep out snow and wind. The parents and two little children lived in this four months in great enjoyment. During the time many visitors came to their cabin. It was here that their .fourth child, Martha, was bom. Boxes in which they had brought their household goods were their bedstead that winter, and their "fall-leaf table was the only one that anybody had knowledij^e of in the country. There was just room enough for two to sit dowii to the table at once. They had hired help that winter, and when the hands had got their supper they went to their own homes to lodge. Tlie people then thought nothing of going ten miles to yisit ; all within a radius of that distance were neighbors ; and at that time most people knew everybody in the count}\ The family lived on this farm until they owned 300 acres of land. In 1850 Mr. Gruwell went across the plains to California, and returned by steamship the next year. In 1852 he disposed of his fai-m and moved to Keithsburg, where he bought the Calhoun House and kept hotel seven years. They have been the parents of seven children, as follows : Joseph, who died in infancy ; Melissa ; Francis Marion, who was killed in Keithsburg Xovember 24, 1859, by the bursting of a cannon while celebrating a victory at the polls ; Martha ; Erastus, who was killed at Fort Donelson February 13, 1862 ; Alice ; and Edna (dead). Martha was married February 21, 1856, to John Tliomson, a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a carpenter by trade, who came to Keithsburg in 1853 and worked here till the summer of 1862. At that time he enlisted in company 11, 84th reg. 111. Vol., and served upward of a year in the field. The hardships of the service completely shattered his health, and he has since been a confimied and helpless invalid. Of his eleven children eight are now living. One daughter, Miss Mary L., has lived with her grandmother Gruwell since the age of five. These two are commimicants in the Presbyterian church.