Henderson County, Illinois - The whole text, 1882 (part 7 of 23)

Tlie Wilitts familv came from Pennsvlvania to Mercer coimty among its early settlers ; but at the present writing but few of the once large family resident remain. Thomas Wilitts was born in Columbia county, Tennessee, in 1804. His parents, Nathaniel and Sarah AVilitts, were natives of Pennsylvania, where they lived out their lives. His. mother lived to the ripe old age of 60 ; his father died ten years younger. His vocation was that of a shoemaker. Thomas came to Mercer county in 1854 and settled in Duncan township, where he now owns a farm, and lived there till the winter of 1881-2, Avhen he retired from active farm life and took up his abode in Millersburg. In 1828 he was married to Margaret Taylor, of his native state. She was boi-n in 1810, and is a daughter of Christopher Kahler, a native of Germany.

Tliey had twelve children, eight of whom are now living: William, To^^^lsend, practicing i»hysician in Philadelphia ; Horace, Charles, Korman, Thomas, Maggie, and Chester. His four sons, Xorman, Ohester, Charles, and Horace, were soldiers in the late war. The first served as quartermaster; the second, in the 102d reg. 111. Vol. Inf., was out three years, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea ; the third served eight months in the IHh 111. cavalry ; the fourth served six months in the 27tli reff. 111. Yol. Inf. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Millersburg. In politics he i& a straight out republican.

S. H. KiDDELL is a native of Clinton county, Ohio, born in IS-tO, and came to Mercer county with his parents, Humjdirey and Mary (Mori) Riddell, in 1855. His father was a native of Maryland, his mother of Pennsylvania. The former emigrated from his native state to Pennsylvania, where he was married, and emigrated to Ohio in 1836, where he remained till he came to Mercer county. He died in 1871, at the ripe age of seventy years. His wife now resides in Aledo and is sixty-four vears old. He was bv trade a slioemaker, bv vocation a farmer, and superintended the county farm for ten years. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The early literary training of S. H. Riddell was that of the common school. He began a collegiate course at Delaware, Ohio, but owing to his ill health it had to be abandoned. From the age of twelve he was reared on the farm, which business he fdlowed for himself only three years. In 1861 he was married to Sarah F. Yernon, boi-n in 181:3, daughter of James and Eliza Yernon, whose history will appear elsewhere. Mr. Riddell by this union has five children : Jennett, James (deceased), Frank A., Milo A., and Thomas Y. In 1865 he engaged in the mercantile business in Millersburo;, which he carried on till 1871. Since that time he has been employed as clerk, and is now engaged by W. W. Egbert. He now holds the offices of notary public and supervisor, and has filled most of the township offices. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge.

John Farax came to Millersburg in 1855, where he has since resided. He is by trade a plasterer, which trade he followed till 1879, when he engaged in the grocery business. In 1882 he bought the store of J. D. Strattan, and now is engaged in general merchandise. In connection with his store he keeps the postoffice. Mr. Faran is a native of Dearborn county, Indiana, born in 1832, sou of John and Stinche Faran. The former was a native of Ireland. He first located in Cincinnati, where he was married, and then came to Indiana and settled in Dearb(5rn county, where his son John was born. The wife of the Latter was a native of Ohio. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal chnrch. The former died in 1835, at the age of thiity-eight years. The latter tlien moved to Topeka, Kansas, where slie died in ISfiJ. Mr. Faran was married in 1857 to Harriet Riddell, dangliter of Humphrey and Mary Riddell, whose history will appear in the sketch of S. II. Riddell. By this marriage he has three children : Jeneva J., Ida, and Howard. Mr. Faran is one of the men now living in Millersburg who was instrumental in driving the saloons from the village and stopping the whisky traffic. He now has a good business, with an increasing trade.

Henry Huttman, farmer and stock-raiser, Aledo, was born in Pennsylvania in 1824, and is the son of Henry and Charity (Feazel) Huffman, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and resided in Washington county. Tlie former died in 1827, aged forty-iive years^ and the latter in 1845, aged fifty -two years. They were farmers and members of the Methodist Episcopal churcli, and were quiet, well-to-do and highly-respected people in their community. Henry Huffman came to Mercer County in the fjill of 1854, and located in Keithsburg, where he resided till the following spring, when he located on section 25, Millersburg township, where he has since lived. He was married in J.854 to Mary Witherspoon, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1S31, daughter of John and Margaret (Kennedy) Witherspoon. They weremembers of the Presbyterian church, kno^vn as Seceders. They were peaceable farmers and highly respected citizens. Mr. Huffman has six children : John (deceased), Maison B., Samuel I., Willie E. and Dora A. (twins), and George AY. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian churcli. He has a farm of 2<)8 acres of fine farming land, located one-half mile from the east line of Millersburg townsliip and four miles from the county seat. He keeps a good grade of all kinds of farm stock.

Among the business men of Millersburg is J. D. Strattan, native of Clinton county, Ohio, bc)rn in 1839. His parents were Da\ad and Harriet (Ilinman) Strattan ; the former of Lynchburg county, Virginia, the latter of Connecticut, near Xew Salem. Thev came to Mercer countv and located at Millersburg in 1855, then emigrated to West Liberty, Iowa, where the former died in 1807, aged seventy-four years. The latter then moved to Mt. Vernon. Illinois, where she died in 1880, at the age of seventy -three years. David Strattan was by profession a merchant and did business in Cincinnati as early as 1812-13. He sold goods both at Millersburg and West Liberty, Iowa, where he resided at the time of his death. David Strattan and wife were members of the

Ilic'ksite Friends. J. D.'a literary education was that' of tlie common school. lie learned the business of merchandise with his father. He began business for himself as a merchant in 1803, in Millersburg,. at which he continued till 1882, with the exception of one and a half years, during which time he engaged in farming. In 1881 he and Lunn established in Millersburg a creamery, to which he now giyes all his time and attention. He was married in 1862 to Fanny E. Merrimar, native of Maine, born in 1843, daughter of Thomas and Mary E. Merriman. who came to Illinois about 1844. ]>v this marrias:e he had six children, three of whom ^ire liying: Ora A., Frank P., and George C. The mother of these died in 188(7. He was married a second time to Adella V. Turner, natiye of Illinois, daughter of John H. and Mary J. Turner. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Millersburg.

William Valentdve is the son of Absalom and Susan Valentine, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio when a child, with his parents. The latter is a native of Ohio. Tliey emigrated to Mercer county in 1855, having spent the winter of 1854-5 in Lawrence county, Illinois. Tliey located in Mercer county, where Absalom Valentine died, in 1864, aged sixty-two years. His wife is now living w4th her son William, and is seventy-four years old. She is an old soldier of the cross in the Methodist Episcopal church, and holds her membership at Joy. William Valentine received but a meager literary education such as he was able to obtain during the winter months, in the district school of his neighborhood. He was reared to the vocation of farming, which he has followed. He was born in Ohio in 1837, and came with his parents to Mercer county in 1855, where he has since resided. He enlisted in the seiwice of his country in I8(i2, in company K, 102d 111. Vol., and served till the close of the war, and was mustered out June 6, 1865. He was in the battles of Resaca, Georgia, at the siege of Atlanta, and with Slierman, on his march to the sea, at Goldsborough, and Savannah, and from there to Richmond, and Washington. He was married in 1869 to Easter Bell, daughter of John and Margaret Bell. By this marriage he has one child, Benjamin II. He has a fai-m of 120 acres of tine land, and keeps a good grade of farm stock.

Wilson P. Zentaore's parents, David and Dianna (Minick) Zentmire, emigrated fi-om their native state, Ohio, where their son, Wilson P., was born, to Illinois, in 1855, and located in .Vbington township, Mercer county, where they resided nine years. They then moved to Millersburg township, where the former died in 187<>, aged sixty years, the latter in 18(U), aged forty-nine years. He was a carpenter and iaiTiier. The Zentmires family emigrated to America from GeiTuanv at an early time. Wilson P. came to Mercer county with his parents, when eight years old. His early education was such as the common schools of that time could fin-nish. He has given his entii'e time to farming. He was married in 1S6S. to Miss Xancv Kiddoo, daughter of Richard and Eliza (Tannatta ) Kiddoo. whose sketch will appear in the work. They have live chikb'en ; Harry, Hattie, Ray (^deceased), Tellv (deceased), and Tuse. He owns a tine stock farm of 160 acres, and keeps a good grade of fai-m stock. In 1881 he had his house on section 33. burned, loss $2,20Cr, $1,300 of which was covered by insmance. Politically he is a republican.

William M. Miller, tanner and teacher, is one of the early teachers in Millersburg. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 182V>. His earlv educational ti-ainins: was that of the common school of his home, and ten months at an academy. Five years pre^'ious to his coming to Illinois, which was in 1855, he began teaching in his native state, when he was in his nineteenth year, and has taught school eighteen years in ]Millersburg township, lodging at the same house all this time, making twenty-tlu-ee years he has spent in tlie profession. His parents, James and Mary (McCreary ) Miller, were natives of the Quaker state. The former died in 1881, aged seventy-seven years, the latter is yet living and is in her seventy-third year. His parents were well-to-do fanners, and members of the "VVestiield Presb"\'terian church. His father came from Ireland; his mother's family, the McCrearvs. emigi-ated to Pennsylvania in its early settlement. Mr. Miller was married in 1856 to ^liss Elizabeth Galaway. native of Ohio. She came with her parents to Mercer county in 1854 and located in Millersburg township. Her parents were natives of Ohio. They had pre%-iou8ly emigrated to Kansas. There the fathft- died in 18 Ti, aged sixty-three years. Tlie mother is still living:. Mr. Miller bv this marriao'e has a family of eight children : Mary J.. Laura B.. Eva S., Granville S., Jessie S., Jolm G.. Mattie R.. and Lizzie L. He and family, except the three youngest, are members of the Presb}i:erian faith. His present occupation is that of farming. He has a line farm of eighty acres, on which he keeps a good gi-ade of fann stock. In politics he is a republican.

A-VRox P. Shafer is a native of Xew York state, born in 1811, son of Adam and Hellena Shafer, both of Xew York. He was by occupation a farmer. For a number of years he held the office of colonel of the state militia. Both were members of the Baptist church. They were reared, educated and spent their lives witliout emigrating from their native state. Then* son, Aaron P., was reared on the farm with such educational advantages as the pioneer scliouls of his boyhood -couhi furnish, which were limited. He lived on the farm till he arrived at the age of twenty-three. He was then engaged for a time as clerk in a store, then began in the mercantile business in Xew York for himself, which he followed for a time when he sold out his business and bouirht a farm which he sold and came to Illinois in 1S56. and located in Millersburg. where he has since resided. Here he learned the wagonmaker's trade and has earned on a shop since 1856. He was mari-ied in 1S41 to Eliza Da^-ls, of Xew York, born in 1818, daughter -of John S. and Elizabeth Davis, both of Xew York. They were wellto-do tanners. Mr. Sliafer has by this mai-riage two children : Elizabeth, now ]\L'S. Felton. and Annie A. Their mother died in 18J:6. He has since remained unmarried. He is a member of the Baptist church, and a republican in politics.

William C. Buyd, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Indiana in 1847, and is the son of Dr. Joseph P. and Ellen (Commons) Boyd, whose history ^^'ill appear in the sketches of Millersburg township. "William C. came to Mercer county with his father when a mere boy. His educational training was that of the -s-illage school at Millersburg. During his boyhood his father was engaged more or less in stock raising, for which AVilliam C. formed a liking and has chosen for a livelihood. He lives one mile west of Millersburg. near the line between Millersburg and Duncan townships, on a j^art of the farm owned by his father, which consists of 64<> acres, and is yet undivided between his thi-ee children. "U^illiam C. Boyd was married in 1873 to Emma Longshore, native of Indiana, born in 1853. and came to Mercer with her parents. J. H. and Sally ( Hadley ) Longshore. Mr. Boyd has bv this marriaare two children : Archie L. and Edna. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Millersburg. La politics he is a republican.

Joseph A. Downey is 'the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Wilson) Downey, both of whom are natives of Ireland. He first located in Pennsylvania where he worked uj^on the railroad for several years, then came to Mercer count}- where he rented land for a while, and now o^vns a fine farm of 419 acres in Millersburg townshiji, where he resides. He was married in Philadelphia and has a family of eleven children: Joseph A.. John, Mary (deceased), William. Wilson, Andrew, Martha, Annie (deceased). Moses, George (deceased), and Harry. Josej)h. the eldest of his father's family, is a native of Mercer county, born in 1858. He M-as nuirried in l>>sl to Mary ]\Ic(Tinnis. of Mercer county, daughter of John J. McCiinnis now a resident of Duncan township. Mercer county. Joseph A. lives (^n the farm of his father and keeps a good grade of farm stock. His early educational training was tTiat of tlie common school. He was reared on the farm and thia business he has always followed.

James H. Longshore was formerly from Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He first emigrated from his native state to Ohio, Clinton county, where he remained till 1852, then he moved to Indiana, where he remained seven years, when he came to Mercer county and located in Millersburg, where he has since remained, pursuing the trade of his choosing for a livelihood. He was born in 1823. His parents, James and Sarah Longshore, remained in their native state all their lives. His father was a wagon builder by trade. The religion of his parents was that of the Hicksite Quakers. Mr. J. H. Longshore's earlv educational trainino; was such as the common schools of his time could fin-nish. When a boy he learned his trade with his father. In 1849 he was married to Sally Hadley, of Clinton county, Ohio, whosebirth dates to 1842. She is the daughter of William and Susanna Hadley, both of whom are natives of Virginia. They came to Ohio quite early, where they both departed this life, the former at the age of tifty years, the latter at eighty-seven years. Both were members of the orthodox Friend's church. By this marriage Mr. Longshore has four children: Alvin E., now in California, Emma B., Carrie, and Howard. In politics his principles are those advocated by the republican party. He was one of those men who came to Millersburg in tha zenith of its prospects of prosperity and yet remains, having secured a good run of trade in his line.

D. A. Davison was born in 1833, in the State of Pennsylvania. His parents were Moses and Elizabeth Davison, both of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Wells county, in 1843. There they died, the former in 1880, aged seventy-seven years ; the latter in 1864, aged iifty-seven years. The former was a farmer, miller and millwright. D. A. came fi'om Pennsylvania to Mercer county in 1859, and located in New Boston township, where he remained two years, then moved to Keithsburg two years. In 1866 he located in Millersburg township, where he now resides, near the south line. He was married in 1860 to E valine Wolfe, a native of Indiana, born in 1842, and daughter of Solomon and Evaline (Marlatt) Wolfe. They came to Illinois in 1846. They are both natives of Indiana, and are now" citizens of Abington township, Mercer county, and members of the Methodist Episcopal cluirch. Mr.. Davison has by this marriage twelve children : Ida (deceased). May, Cora, Ealpli, Walter, Edward (deceased). Albert, Clarence, Morgan, Grace, Rose, and Maud. Mi-. Davison enlisted in 1862 in the late war, in company G, 124th III. Vol. Inf, served three years, and was.

in the following encrag-ements: Fort Gibson, Brownsville, Jackson^ Champion Hills, Black river, siege of Yicksburg, nnmerons skirmishes, and at Spanish Fort. lie lives on a tine farm of 320 acres.

W. AV. Egijkrt is a native of Stark county, Illinois. His parents, James C. and Catharine (Swank) Egbert, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania, came with the early settlers to Stark county, where our subject was born in 1854. There his tatlier depai'ted this life in lSf>3, aged thirty-six years. W. W. Egbert recei\'ed a fair common school education and five tenns at Iledding college. He first began business for himself as druggist in j)artnership with Dr. D. J. Perry at AVest Jersey, Illinois. In 1870 he brought a stock of drugs to Millersburg and opened a store. In 1878 he engaged in general merchandise in which business he is at present. He has a good trade. In 1878 his store was burned; loss S2,00U, $1,000 of which was paid by the insurance company. He was married in 1877 to Miss Margaret M. Green, native of Illinois, daughter of AY. L. and Rebecca E. Green, both of Pennsylvania, and came to Alercer county in 185-I. The former was by ti'ade a carver and gilder. He held the office of justice of the peace for several years, was in the mercantile business with H. AY. Thornton, and was for a time postmaster at Millersburg. He enlisted in the army in 1861 in the 45th 111. A^ol. Inf., in company I, as second lieutenant. He was in the battle of Sliiloh, and died of wounds in 1862, while in the service. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. His widow now receives a pension and resides in Millersburg. She was at one time postmistress at Alillersburg for about fifteen years. AY. AV. Egbert has by this marriage two children : AYilliam C. and Frederick AV". He is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Millersburg. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Among the well-to-do citizens and farmers of Millersburg township is John Pubert, born in New York in 1838, and son of John and Magdalena (Chat) Pubert, the former a native of France, the latter of New York, and of German descent. John Jr.'s father died when he was an infant ; his mother died when he was fourteen years old, aged thirty-seven years. She came to Chicago in 1843, where she resided for a time, when she removed to Peoria county. John's parents were members of the Christian church. Mr. Pubert's early education was limited. He came t<j Mercer county in 1858 and located near New AA^indsor, where he remained till 1861, when he enlisted in the army in August of that year, in company A, 30th 111. Yol. Inf , and served till December, 1862. He was in the battle of Belmont and bombardment of Fort Henry. .Vt Fort Donelson he was taken prisoner, and taken first to Memphis where he remained six weeks, then to Mobile, then to Tuscaloosa, fi-om whence he was sent to parole camp at St. Louis, and discharged December, 1862. He returned home and located in Millersburg township in 1863, where he now resides. In 1863 he was married to Miss K. J. Hughes, of Pennsylvania, born in 1842, and daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Hughes, the former of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. Thev came to Mercer county in 1857 and located in Millersburg township,- where both now reside. He is a wagon maker b}' trade and carries on a shop in the village of Joy. Both are members of the Seventh Day Advent church at Marsh school-house. John Eubert has by this marriage three children : Bertha E. (deceased), Joseph B., John C, and Jennie E. He and wife are members of the Seventh Day Ad^'ent church. He o\yns a well-improved farm of eighty acres, fairly stocked with a good grade stock.

One of the early families yet resident in Millersburg towhship is the Dool family. Of that family now resident of this township is John Dool. His father, Robert Dool, was a native of Ireland (Antrim county), and came to America in 1819, landing in Pennsylvania, where he remained two years when he moved to Ohio, and died in 1829, aged forty-two years, leaving a wife and eight children to mourn his loss. His wife, Margaret (Spears) Dool, was a native of Ireland ; her parents were John and Mary (Hannah) Spears, who came to America in 1S2-1- and settled in Ohio, where they both died. Robert Dool's -children were named as follows: William S., Henry and Hannah (twins). Rosanna, Margaret, Mary, John, Thomas. Robert Dool and mfe were farmers both in Ireland and America, and were members of the Presbyterian church. His wife, who still survives, lives with her daughter on the farm of her son John, and is now eighty-eight years old. John Dool was born in 1826 in Harrison county, Ohio, where he remained till 1858, when he came to Mercer county with his mother and her eight children. Here he has since resided. He was married in 1.S63 to Sarah Havertield, daughter of James and Mary Ilaveriield, the former of Ohio, the latter of Ireland. The former died in 1862, aged sixty-two years, while in the service of the 9th 111. Vol. Inf The latter died in 1857. They were both members of the United Presbyterian church. By his marriao-e John Dool has four children : Anna L., James L, William H., and Robert B. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He has a farm of 120 acres of tine farming land, well improved and fairly stocked, and fifteen acres of timber. In politics he is a democrat.

oountv, Iivhuid, born in is?, 7, and came to America with liis parents, Daniel and Ellen Xoonan, both of Ti])[»erarv county, Ireland, in iSoD. Thev first located for a time in Massachusetts; then came to Mercer county. Both were members of the Ronnm Catholic church. The former died in 1878, aged ninety-live years ; the latter, his wife, lives in the village of ]\[illersbnrg, and is ninetv'-two years old, hale and hearty for one twenty years her junior. Timothy Noonan learned the trade of his father, which was that of shoemaker. He and his father carried on a shoe shop for a time in the village of Millersburg. In 1859 he made a trip to the Rocky Mountains, and was gone nearly one year, when he returned to Millersburg and opened a shoe sho]), but soon left the shop for the farm where he now resides, some three miles west of Aledo. He was married in 1860 to Sarah Mc(4innis. born in 1839, and daughter of Thomas and Mary McGinnis, both of Ireland. They first located in Pennsylvania ; \hen moved to Keithsburg, Mercer county, when their daughter Sarah was seven years old. The former died in 1863 ; the latter in 1872. Both were of the Roman Catholic faith. By this nuirriage Mr. Noonan has six children: Thomas F., William, John L., Eddy 11., Mary J., and an infant. He and wife are members of the same church as their parents. He has a fine farm of 240 acres, well improved and well stocked.

P. D. Shingledecker, Aledo, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1852, son of John and Sarah Shingledecker, both of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Mercer county in 1852, remained one year, and returned to their native state, where they spent the remainder of their days. The former died in 1858. at the age of fifty-two ; the latter in 1872, aged fifty-one years. They were members of tlie Presbyterian faith. P. D.'s early education was that of the common scho<fl. He came to Illinois in 1862, staid five years and returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained se\'en years, when he came again to Mercer county, where he now resides. He was married in 1872 to Racliel Richards, of Whitesides county, Illinois, born in 1858, daughter of George and Eliza Richards, both of Illinois. The latter died in 1864, and was a member of the Presbyterian church ; the former is now living in Colorado. Mr. Sliingledecker is a man of steady habits and industrious turn. He keeps a good grade of farm stock, but raises grain to sell rather than to feed.

John Bell, farmer and stock raiser, Aledo, was born in 1805, is a native of Ireland, and came to America in 1841. His ])arents were Benjamin and xVnn ]>ell, both of whom were Presbyterians. Mr. Bell first landed at Philadelphia, and proceeded to Ohio, where he remained till 1S63, when he came and settled in Millersburg township, on the farm of 360 acres where lie now resides. He was married to Margaret Gilford, native of L'eland, and daugliter of John and Mary Clifford, of Ireland, both of whom came to America in 1841. They were farmers and members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bell by this marriage has six children: Mary. John C, Easter, George, Aiui, and Jane. His wife is of the Presbyterian faith. In politics he is strictly a democrat. He keeps on his farm a good grade of farm stock. His farm is the result of his own labor, economy and business ability.

Zachariah Jewel, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Harrison countv. Ohio, born in 1824. He was reared on the farm in his native state, where he resided till 1873 when he came to Mercer county where he now resides. During the late war he was a member of the Harrison Countv Home Guards, and was called out to drive Morgan from the state. He was married in 1847 to Mary Dool, native of Ohio, daughter of Pobert and Margaret Dool. By this marriage he has seven children: Margaret A., Nancy E., James W., Rebecca J., Hannah L., Mary O., John W. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Peniel. Mr. Jewel's parents were James and Xancy (Spring) Jewel, both of whom came to Harrison county, Ohio, from their native state, Virginia. They were pioneer settlers of Harrison county, and still reside in Ohio. They are farmers and members of the Baptist church.

Dr. JdHN P. Chowning, Millersburg, was born January 21, 1843, in the town of Payson, Adams count}', Illinois. His parents, Thomas J. and Louisa (Holman) Chowning, -were nati^'es of Tennessee, of Scotch descent. They emigrated to Adams county in 1840, and located on a farm near Payson. In 1850 they removed to Adair county, Missouri, Jjut returned to Adams county, after an absence of tlu-ee years, where they remained till the close of the rebellion. They are at present living in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Chowning was the oldest of nine chiklren, eight of whom are still living. After completing the common school studies he spent two years in the academy of his native town. The rebellion having broken out he enlisted August 7, 1862, iu Company E, 84th 111. Vol., in which he served till the close of the second days' fight at Chickamauga, when lie was taken prisoner. He was taken to Kichmond, Virginia, and confined in what was known as ''Castle Pemberton." for one and one-half montlis, after which he was removed to Danville, A^irginia, where he remained four and onehalf months, from thence to Andersonville, Georgia, where for seven montlis he was subjected to scenes of cruelty and suffering that beggar description. On the night of October 1, 1864, while being transferred from Andersonville to Charleston, South Carolina, he escaped with one of his fellow prisoners, by jumping from the train while in motion. Keduced by starvation and disease to a mere skeleton, the tendons of of his limbs contracted till he was literally compelled to walk on ti}) toe by the aid of a "walking stick.'' After a perilous journey of eighteen days, through an enemy's country, subsisting on sweet potatoes and such other edibles as were obtainable, he at last reached the Union lines, then at Atlanta, Georgia. Through the kindness of Cien. Stanley he was at once detailed as a clerk in the di\ision hospital, where he remained till the close of the war. In the fall of 1S64 he entered tjie Iowa Wesley an University, from which he graduated in 1869, defraying his expenses by teaching during the mnter months and working at the car})enter's trade during the summer vacations. In the spring of 1870 he commenced the study of medicine, with Dr. E. L. Marshall, of Keithsburg, Illinois, as preceptor, lie continued his medical studies, teaching in the meantime ; was principal of the schools in Keithsburg and Barry, Illinois, respectively. During the winter of 1872-3 he attended lectures at Rush medical college. Locating at Millersburg, he practiced two j-ears and six months, when he again attended lectures at Bellvue hospital medical college. New York, from which he received the degree of ^M.D. Dr. Chowning was married to Florence, daughter of A. B. and Anna Sheriff, in 1871; her father a native of Pennsylvania, her mother of Ohio. By this marriage they have four children : Florence M., "William M., Josephine, and Eva. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The doctor is a member of the masonic fraternity ; is also a member of military tract medical society.

John Downing, Aledo, is a native of Belmont county, Ohio, born in 181:0, son of John and Ellen Downing; former, native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. They came to Mercai- county in 1864, and located one and a half miles east of where their son John now resides, and where they both died ; the former in 1873, at the age of seventy-two ; the latter in 1874, at the age of sixty-eight years. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and their remains repose in the cemetery of the Peniel church. John Downing came to Mercer county with his ])arents. He was married in 1863 to Rachel J. Cami)bell, native of Belmont county, Ohio, daughter of John and Jane Cani})bell, both of Ohio, and are now residents of their native state." Mr. Downing has by this union iive children: Jane E., Maggie L., Robert L.. Birdie S., and John 0. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He served in company K, 102d 111. Vol., was mustered into the service in 1862, served six months, and was discharged because of ill health. He moved upon the farm where he now lives in 1877. His farm con-

W. E. Lemon, Aledo, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1837, son of John and Eliza Lemon, both of Pennsylvania. They came to Mercer county in 1867, and located in Aledo, where they resided till 1871, when they moved upon a farm, where the latter died in 1874, at the age ol' fifty-seven years, when the foi-mer returned to Aledo, where he now resides. Having sold his farm he now lives a retired life. He and wife were Presbyterians. W. P. was reared on the farm. His educational training was such as he could get in the district school. During the war he was a member of the home guards in his native state, and was ordered out once. He was married in 1868 to Alice Lair, native of Indiana, and came to Mercer when she was a girl with her parents. She died in 1870, at the age of thirty years. He was married a second time to Julia A. Barcroft, of Ohio, daughter of AVilliam and Anna Barcroft, both of Ohio. By this last marriage he has three children : Frank, Lena, and Earl. Mr. Lemon has a fine stock farm of 120 acres, lying upon both sides of the railroad, three and a half miles west of Aledo. He keeps a high grade of cattle, sheep, hogs and horses, the latter of the Clidesdale and Norman stock. His sheep are of the Merino breed. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Aledo.

S. A. Oliver was born in 1855 in Henry county, Illinois, and is the son of Pobert P. and Mary E. Oliver, both of Ohio, now citizens of Henry county. By vocation they are farmers. S. A. was reared and educated to the farm, which pursuit he has always followed. His early educational training was such as the common schools of his neighborhood could ftirnish. He was married in 1874 to Maggie Lyle, native of Henry county, Dlinois^ born in 1855, daughter of William and Margaret Lyle, both of Scotland. They came to Henry county with its early settlers. By this nuirriage Mr. Oliver has two children, twins : Marian and Mary. He came to Mercer county and located in 1879, where he now resides. He has a fjirm of eighty acres, fairly improved and stocked with a good grade of cattle, sheep, hogs and horses.

G. W. PrcKUP, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Iowa, born in 1848, and came with his parents, John and Mary E. Pickup, to Burlington, Iowa. -They were natives of England, and emigrated to America in 1838. They both died during the cholera scourge of 1840, tlie former before (t. AV. was born. G. W.'s mother was a member of the Episcopal churcli. In isc.l he enlisted in company D, 7th 111. Vol., ninety days* men, tlieii le-enlisted in com]>any G, l(»th 111. Vol., and served till July 4, 1865. He was in tlie siege of New Madrid ; then went to Mempliis ; was in tlie ))attles of Shiloli and Corinth ; with (tgh. E. A. Payne, wlio was sent to reinforce Xasliville; in ls<;8 was phiced in Rosecrans' division; was in the battles of Stone nver, Chickamaui^a, and was witli Sherman's division in his marcli to the sea, at (toMsboroiigli, and tlien went to Richmond, Washiiifi^ton and Louisville, where he was mnstered out of the service July 4, 1S65. He was married in 1S71 to ]\[ary E. Grithth, of Mercer county, born in 1853, and daughter of Charles and !^^artha (ii-iffith; the former of Indiana, the latter of Ireland. They came with the early settlers to Mercer county, and located in ]\[illersburg township, where the former now resides, his wife having died in 1879, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Pickup by this marriage has one child, George A. He resides two miles south of Millersburg, on a farm of eighty acres, which is nicelv improved and well stocked. In politics lie is a republican.

This is No. 15, in range 5, of the fourth principal meridian. Rock Island county bounds it on the north, and the Mississi}»])i river on the west. A chain of irregular and abrupt bluffs extends from north to south, through the center of the township, from the south line of section 32 to the northern boundary line between Eliza townshij) and Rock Island connty, at the northwest corner of section 0. Three creeks run in a southwesterly direction through the town, the princii)al one of which is Eliza creek, whose source is in the N. E. J of Sec. 12, of Duncan township. Fed by small tributaries on botli sides, it runs southwest through that township, crossing the eastern boundary line between the two townships in the N. E. ^ of Sec. 24 ; runs southwest to the center of section 23; thence northwest to the north section line between sections 15 and 22 ; thence southwest, crossing the west section line between sections 21 and 22, through sections 21, 29, 30, 25, and 36, and em])tying into the head of lower Eliza lake. Winters- creek enters the township in the N. E. J of Sec. 25 ; flows southwest through sections 25 and 35. Glancy branch enters the townishi]) at the northern boundary line between Eliza township and Rock Island county, in section 5, and runs southwest through sections 5 and 7. These streams and theii- tributaries furnish am]de sui)plies of water for stock at all seasons of the year.

In the western part of the townslii]i, below the bluffs and between the river, are nestled numerous small lakes and ]>onds. The most ]>i-oininent of the lakes are U])])er Eliza, (Tlancv, and Swan, the largest being Swan, part of wliich extends south into Xew Boston township ; this lake is two and a half miles long and a half mile wide, and, like all the rest, the water in this lake is clear and from four to five feet in depth. Upper Eliza is one mile long and a quarter mile vnde, and from three to eight feet deep. Glancy extends north into Rock Island county, and is about two miles long, one-eighth mile in width, and i'rom five to twenty feet in depth. These lakes and tlieir tributaries are mostly skirted with timber and a species of willow commonly called buck brush. The timber consists of the various oaks, hickory, maple, sycamore, hockberry, buckeye, wild honey-locust, ash, walnut, and pecan, of which a fine young growth is now growing. Grape and other wild climbers also abound along the banks of creeks and lakes. These lakes and tributaries abound in game and fish of fine flavor, and the business of fishing is carried on to some extent by parties who lease the grounds for that purpose. Wild ducks and geese are also plentiful in seasons when they migrate Irom north to south, and vice versa.

The soil of Eliza township is admirably adapted to agricultural purposes. The land lying on the southeast side of Eliza creek is mostly prairie, and is composed of rich black loam, with yellow and brown clay subsoil in places, which produces heavy crops of corn and other agricultural staples. The land lying north of the creek is undulating, and, near the bluft', quite hilly ; is mostly covered with timber, and is used for pasture, for which it supplies a fine growth of blue grass.

The land on the bluft' and in the vicinity of the river seems to have been the favorite abode of the ancient mound builders, of which race of people we know but little at the present day. All along below and on the summit of these bluft's can be seen these mounds, the most noted of which are on sections 28 and 29, north of Jay Wilson's farm, Martin Bear place, on section 16, now occupied by Edwin Bishop's house, and on the east part of sections 1 9 and 30, the most prominent of which are (tn sections 19 and 3,0. All through the timber on these lands can be seen what appears to have been at one time a line of earth-works, thrown up for a defense, inside of which are hundreds of these mounds. Some of them measure fortv feet at the base, and on top large oak trees, four feet in diameter, have grown. Many of these mounds have been o])ened by scientific men and curiosity seekers. In some of them have been found S])ecimens of several grades of pottery, from the common clay to some artistically decorated and a]»])arcntly glazed. Some curiously shaped pi])es and axes have also been found, among which was a double edged one, having a round hole in the center for an eve. The most important thing found in these mounds was a skeleton measuring nine feet in lengtli. Tlie bones taken fi'om the mounds are all well preserved.

All that portion of land extending westward and nearest the river is of the finest quality, but owing to tlie exjiosure to ovei'ilow and the damp nature of the soil in seasons for y)lanting, is not farmed. It is covered with a heavy growth of tall coarse grass which makes line l>asture for cattle, hundreds of which are grazed upon it annuall}' and hundreds of tons of hay are made and stacked for winter use. The land nearer the bluff is of the finest grade, the soil being from five to ten feet deep, and susceptible of the highest state of cultivation, and in favorable seasons unaccom])anied by overfiow, has produced more corn })er acre than any other land in the country; but in seasons of extreme rtiiny weather in the northern states, it is subject to ovei-fiow, as was too truly the experience in that locality in the sj^ring and fall of 1881. After the farmers had planted their corn and it had grown a foot or more the land began to overfiow, and in the course of a few days crops were completely submerged in a vast sea of water extending from the blufi' to the Mississippi. Crops of all kinds were completely destroyed. Many cattle, horses and hogs were drowned and those only were saved that could be brought out on fiat-boats. The sudden and unexpected appearance of this fiood was without a parallel Xo the oldest inhabitants. The water reached a height equal to that of 1851, soon subsided and disappeared. The inhabitants were at first discouraged at the pros})ect for a crop that season, but they went to work re})laiiting their corn hoping to be favored by a long season to mature the second crop ; the second planting germinated and grew and so<jn looked better than the first. The season of 1881 being unfavorable for corn throughout the state, proved the best in this locality on account of the peculiar adaptability of the soil. The crop raised that season was the best in the county, but when harvest time came and the farmers were about to realize the results of their labor, with corn at sixty cents i)er bushel, a repetition of what had taken i)lace in the spring ensued ruining the crops and swee})ing away horses, cattle, hay and fences. No portion of land could be seen anywhere. Unlike the previous overfiow in the spring, the water was slow to pass ofi'and covered the land for two months, during which time, drawn there by the excellent feeding, the wild ducks swarmed in by the thousands, completely stripj)ing the corn that was standing out in the water. Sj)ortsmen came from all })arts of the state, the reports of whose guns sounded to the old soldier like a distant skirmish line. It has been estimated that during that season forty thousand ducks were killed and shi])ped from tluit ])lace to the large cities.

First Settlements

The lirst early settlers of Eliza, with but few exceptions, came from Indiana and, in most instances, brought their families with them, making the journey through the open prairie and enduring all the hardships incident to the times. There being at that time a few trading places at New Boston, that point was mostly aimed for on account of the freight and commercial advantages it then afforded. Another attraction was the timber along the bluff. The majority of these people having been raised in and adjacent to timber in the Ibrmer state, looked npon farming without the use of timber as impracticable, and without which they were unable to constrnct their rude log cabins and fence their farms.

J. H. Witter was the first settler in Eliza township. He came from Indiana to Eliza in the spring of 1833 and settled on Witter's creek, then named for him, but afterward changed to Winter, who was the next man to settle near the same place. Witter did not stay long in Eliza, but sold out and moved to Iowa.

In the fall of that year David Shaunce and family, accom])anied by his son, John Shaunce, arrived. They entered the E. ^ of the S. E. J of Sec. 29, but by mistake settled on a quarter of land in the W. -J- of the S. W. J of Sec. 29, soon after which William AVilson and John Hill came. AVilson was from Indiana and Hill from Kentucky. Hill took a claim and built the best house then in the to"«Tiship, on the E. ^ of the S. E. ^ of Sec. 29, which land by right belonged to Shaunce. As soon as the mistake was discovered a difficulty between the parties ensued, causing a bitter enmity in both men. After considerable quarreling" over the disputed land, Shaunce sold it to J\Ir. I). F. Noble on condition that he (Shaunce) should take possession of the l)lace. Shaunce first tried to get Hill off the place by legal process, but failing in that he then nndertook it by force, which was the cause of some heavy fist battles in the neighborhood. Hill, howcs'er, relinquished his right to the property by moving off the premises, of which Noble took possession. Hill then bought a piece of land on section 31, where he lived for a short time, and sold out to Sanuiel Elliott and moved to Iowa. Shaunce's name is familiarly remembered by all the old settlers of the ])resent time. His house was the radiating point. A traveler inquiring the way to a place was invariably told that the place inquired for was so far to or from Shaunce's. Shaunce was one of the first grand jurors chosen in the C(Minty, and also one of the first ]^arties in a law suit.

entered a piece of land, wliere he built a cabin and lived until he sold out to Daniel Noble, when he moved to liock Island county, town of Drury, which bears his name. lie then built a large mill on Co])])eras creek, familiarly known to all the old settlers as Drury's mill. Mr. Drury's lather, Charles Drury, and J. P. Reynolds did not remain long in Illinois, but took i)assage on board a steandjoat at New Boston on their way back to Indiana by way of Cincinnati. Reynolds returning the same season lived with Dr. Reynolds until the following spring of ls35, when he was married to Miss Ilettie Elliott, formerly from Morgan county, Indiana. This was the iirst marriage in the township, which event is distinctly remembered from the circumstance that followed. Reynolds died in just four weeks after the wedding day, and was buried in Eliza cemetery, Charles Drury, returning in the fall of 1S35, was also nuirried to Miss Nancy Prentice, who died eleven months after, lie then moved to Rock Island county and studied medicine with Dr. Revnolds, after which he married Mrs. Eliza McGreer, moved back and practiced medicine throughout the townshi}), living upon what is known as the E. W. Mardock farm. He quit the practice of medicine in 1851 and moved to Oregon.

In the fall of 183-4 Jesse Willits and family, also from Indiana, settled on section 32, the place now owned by Frank Willits. Willits was the first probate judge, and one of the first justices of the peace ; also one of the first grand jurors chosen in 1835. lie lived on the place where he first settled until the time of his death in 1S43. Dr. Miivk AVillits settled on the same piece of land \vitli Jesse Willits, on section 32, which he sold after li\ing upon the place one year. Dr. Mark Willits was also one of the first grand jurors chosen fi-om the township that year. Dr. Willits was a native of Indiana. ]\Iark Mullen and family arrived late in the fall of that year and settled on section 7, where he built a cabin and small blacksmith shop, near the bluff, which is still standing. Mullen was the first blacksmith in the township, and it is presumed he was not troubled much with com])etition, as the nearest shop to him was at North Henderson, some thirty miles distant. INIullen lived but a short time on the place where he settled, and selling his place to Samuel Elliott he moved to Iowa. Isaac Dawson and AVilliam Jackson came next. Dawson settled on land now the August Schrader place, which he sold to Martin A. Cook in ls.51, and moved to Iowa. Both men were from Montgomery county. Indiana. Jackson settled on Poj)e creek, near Keithsburg. Lewis Noble and family settled on section 32, where he built a house and im})roved a farm, which he afterward sold. :nid moved to Decatur countv, Iowa.

Tlie glowing accounts of the then far west sent back by those who had settled here, induced others to follow them, and the next one coming in the spring of 1S35 was John Drury and family. They settled on section 35, now known as the A. B. Childs place, on which he lived until the time of his death. Aaron Mannon then bought a piece of land on section 29, which is now owned by Harvey Mills. After Mannon bought the land he returned to Indiana for his family, leaving his son, who had come wdtli him, in charge of the place. During his father's absence he built a house on section 30, which land he had entered soon after his first arrival with his father. Ilis father returning in the following May, settled on section 30, land now owned by W. H. Mills. Abijah Wilson and Allen Wilson came in the summer of 1835 ; they took up land on section 33, which they afterward sold. Robert Childers settled on section 16, where he built a cabin, lived a short time, sold out and moved to Iowa. John and William Fisher came in the fall and settled on section 18, the Joseph Bush place. John also bought land in section 23. William settled on the Ira Noble place, at the foot of the bluff. Jesse L. Adams settled on section 19, from which place he moved to section 22, where he now resides. Rezin Pratt came from Indiana to Mercer county in 1836. He first bought in section 30, and subsequently bought land adjoining. He then returned to Indiana the same season for his family. Pratt was the fu'st postmaster in the township and had his office in the house in which he lived. He was also the first justice of the peace.

Daniel Noble and family, accompanied by his son, D. F. Xoble, and wife, came soon after Pratt. They rented land the first season of Jessie Willits, and the same year Daniel iSToble bought some land from Silas Drury, arid atthe^ame time entered on sections 30, 18' and 19. He built a house on the S. E. |- of Sec. 30 the same year. D. F. Noble fii"st entered land in sections 31 and 20, which he afterward sold ; he also bought eighty acres in section 29 at the same time, as did David Shaunce, where he first settled. He afterward bought land in section 30, near the bluff, u])on which there was a small house, in which he lived until 1881, at which time he built a fine new frame, near the site of the old one. Thomas Morgan, of Montgomery county, Indiana, settled with his family on section 22, on which place he died in 1S5»>. The place is now owned by Martin Bear, and occupied by his son Madrew. The first log cabin built upon the place is still standing in a good state of preservation. Morgan was buried in Eliza cemetery. Samuel Elliott bought the Mark Mullen ])lace in 1836, in section 7. George Moore came in the spring and settled on the S. W. ^ of Sec. 30, which he sold in the spnng to his brother John Moore, who came" during the j^revions winter, Moore started early in tlie winter to make the jonrney by boat, accompanied by liis wife and a small cliild. AVhen boarding the boat at Cincinnati he fell througli u liatchvvay and was severely injured. On arriving at Fort Madison they found that they could not proceed farther by boat, owing to the river being frozen over at that point. They left the river at that place and began the balance of the journey on foot, through a wilderness of prairie grass and howling wolves. The sufferings they endured on account of cold and hunger was intense, but after several days ])ainful travel, tired and foot sore they finally arrived at the house of Joseph Glancey, where they staved during the winter, and in the s[)ring settled in EHza on land bought of his brother George. John Moore seems to have been exceedingly unlucky, for in the s])ring of 1839, while in the timber s])litting rails, a tree fell u[)on him crippling him for life. But notwithstanding all the sufferings he had previously endured, he went to work and built a saw-mill on Eliza creek, the first of the kind in the triwnship, Martin and Jacob Bear came next. They started from Indiana about April 16, in company with John Thompson, and Abraham Piatt. Thomjoson and T^iatt were from Ohio, and settled in AYalnut Grove, in Knox county, Illinois. The Bears' outfit consisted of four yoke of oxen hitched to an old fashioned Virginia road wagon, heavily loaded, in consequence of which the journey was a slow and tedious one. Often the drivers had to unhitch their teams and carry their loads out of a slough on their backs, and often tills interesting performance was re])eated several times during each days' j<nu-ney. Many times they would hitch all the (^xen to one wagon to pull it through a slough, and when that failed* then the interesting process of wading throngh the mud was resorted to. Mr. Jacob Bear's ex])erience on the occasion as related by him must have been an exceedingly interesting one to him. Among the party there was a small child who was very fond of him, and when not in his company would continually cry for him, and as Mr, Bear's part of the programme was to drive the cattle, he was forced to strap the child to his back, in which manner they made the trip to Illinois together. The party arrived in Mercer county on the evening of May 10, 1836, having been twenty-four days on the road. Arriving at a point two miles below Pope creek, they went into camp for the night, on top of a high bluff. Tliey turned their cattle out to graze, built a fire and began })re}>arations for su])])ei-. A heavy storm that had been threatening for a few hours before suddenly broke with great violence upon the i>arty, ])utting out their fires and carrying away their tents, leaving them to sit all night in a drenching rain. As soon as daylight came, they moved foi-ward to

Mrs. William "Will its', where a breakfast was prepared for them, after which the}' continued their journey, reaching the place where they settled and still own. George and Isaac Dawson, learning of their arrival in the neighborhood, concluded to frighten them, and accordingly prepared their toilets in true Indian style, jjainted their faces with blood root, and, to give them a more hideous look, they bedaubed their hair with yellow clay, in which style they suddenly rushed upon the emigrant party. It is hardly necessary to add that the scheme had the desired effect upon the party. Martin Bear bought his land of Thomas Morgan, on section 22, upon which he lived until a few years since when he moved to Aledo. Jacob Bear still lives where he first settled, and has at different times since bought other lands adjoinmg. For the first few years after coming to the country, he lived with his brother Martin. He first broke ten acres the first season, and built a cabin near the site of which he has since built a large frame house. John Glancy settled in Eliza in 1837. He still lives where he first settled, on section 7. He bought the land of Samuel Elliott, and from time to time bouglit lands adjoining it, and now owns one of the largest farms in the county.

The Indians were plentiful here in the days of the first early settlers. They were peaceful, however, and disposed to ti'ade honorably with the whites. They belonged mostly to Black Hawk's tribe. Black Hawk himself was a frequent visitor to Mr. Silas Drury's cabin, where he was accustomed to stop to enjoy a night's rest on his cabin floor. , Among Black Hawk's tribe was one familiarily known to the old settlers as Slim Jim, who was noted for his cunning, and of whom many good stories are still told by the surviving settlers. Jim lived in the bottoms below the bluff', but was quite fond of lounging about the settlers' cabins, and especially at Mark Mullen's. One day Jim came up out of the bottom and reported to Mullen that he had found a bee tree in the timber below, which, after considerable bartering, he succeeded in buying Jim's right in the tree for one dollar in silver. Then Mullen and Jim started to hunt for the tree, which they found as Jim had stated. Mullen then set to work chopping the tree, which was a large one. Mr. D. F. Noble and John Pratt, being in the neighborhood, on hearing the noise went to where the parties were at work, and offered their assistance for a i)art of the honey. Thus reinforced the tree soon began to fall, and on its downward course fell against another near by, breaking off' a large limb, from the opening of which there fell out upon the snow a comb of honey, about the size of Jim's fist, which he quickly picked up and ate. Upon furtlier examination it was soon found that Jim had got all the honey the tree contained, besides a good joke on the parties present and a dollar in silver. Mullen concluded to keep cool about the matter and revenue himself in some other way. lie used to keej) li(|uor for sale at his cabin, an article that Jim had a ])cculiar liking for. One day, not long after the bee-tree transaction, Jim's thirst ibr fire water became so great as to force him to ])awn a line new blanket to him for a quart of the ardent, which, if he failed to redeem in a specitied time, was to be the i)roperty of ^lulleii. When redemi)tion day came around, Jim's cash account being short, he forfeited his right to the blanket. Jim took in the situation at once, but said nothing, and quietly walking away was not seen about the place for many days after, and wdiile the settlers were feeling alarmed lest some evil had befallen him he one day suddenly made his aj»])earance. with a large powder horn filled with lead ore, which he took into ^Mullen's cabin and began to mold bullets from. This excited Mullen's curiosity greatly to know where Jim had found the ore. Upon inquiry Jim pointed across the and by signs and gestures conveyed the impression that the place was quite a distance away. Mullen began at once to enter into negotiations with Jim to be conducted to the El Dorado. Mullen wished to start immediately for the place, but Jim, pointing to the ground, told Mullen that the place could not be reached in the winter season, but that they must wait until the grass grew in the spring, so the oxen could graze. This philoso])hical statement satisfied Mullen, and he took Jim and his squaw in the cabin with him, where they both enjoyed Mullen's hospitalities during the winter, but when spring came, and they were nearly ready to start for the promised land, Jim suddenly disappeared, and was not seen again for many years.

The first mill built in the township was by Rezin Pratt and John IL Mannon, about 1837. It was situated just above Daniel Noble's, and was built about 184-1-, or 1845. This was a grist mill, and disai)peared years ago. No other mill has since taken its jjlace, owing to an insufficient body of water of late years to run one. A saw mill, built by Rezin Pratt and E. Esley, stood on the same stream, a little below ^Ir. Koble's, and was built somewhat later; no remains of it can be seen there now. The mill was a large one and was well patronizetl at tlie time. For a long time after this mill ceased running there was no other mill in the township, until about 1864, when a steam saw mill was erected by Jesse Bogart. which, for the want of jtatronage, did not do much business. A steam grist mill for grinding feed was started on section IT. bv J. C Achisoii. Before the establishment of the first mill in the township, the inhabitants, having then to go as far as J^ortli Henderson and Monmouth, one man would generally do the business for several of his neighbors ; he was usually detained fi'oni six to ten days, according to the stage of water and the number of jjersons ahead awaiting their turn. They usually started with a supply of rations and feed for an emergency. The teams quartered about these mills gave the place the appearance of a camp-meeting ground.

The only town of importance in the township was started by Edwin Bishop, who settled there in 1S50. Being a blacksmith by trade, he there started a shop on the corners, and the place was then called Bishop's Corners until Mr. Bishop's appointment as postmaster ; the office having formerly been called Eliza, that name was substituted. The place is located near the center of section 16. On or about the year 1876 Dr. Thomas L. Edwards bought a house and moved to the place, where he followed his profession until a few years since, when he retired from practice on account of advanced age, and was succeeded by Dr. Reynolds, who is the only physician in the place. Harrison, son of Edward Bishop, built a large house in the place a few years ago, on the opposite corner from his father's, where he resides and follows the carpenter trade. The next, a building sixteen feet square, was built for a store by Isaiah Bishop in 1876, which was stocked and opened up for the first time on the morning of the annual town meeting of that year. His stock consisted of a barrel of kerosene and a few other light goods which he had carried on his back from Muscatine the day before. Not having a large stock, his business at first was slow and perplexing ; some of his customers greatly annoyed him by calling for such goods as they knew he did not have on hand. After a careful survey of his stock, one of his customers remarked that his was the only store he ever saw which he felt able to buy out. Bemembering the old adage, that from small acorns large trees grow, he continued in business, and by carefiil watching of the wants of his customers, has built up a large trade, and added an addition to his store-room, which is now well stocked with such merchandise as is usually needed by farmers. Before the establishment of this store, the trade of the township was divided between New Boston and Muscatine, Iowa. The place also contains a jeweler shop and the business is carried on by Mr. Taylor.

Soon after the organization of, and at the September term of the board of supervisors of ISo-l, on order was made by that body authorizing the issuing of a bond of $100,000 to the capital stock of the Warsaw & Rockford Railroad Company, to be paid in county bonds to nm twenty years with interest at six per cent, providing that the bonds should not be issued until a sufficient amount of available capital stock was subscribed to build the road ; and providing tliat the monev from the sale of the bonds should be expended within the limits of the county. In 1S55 Mr. Iliram Thornton, agent for said company, filed a petition asking a modilication of the terms of the bonds, and asking that the bonds be made unconditional and payable on demand of the company or its agents. The question of rescinding the former action was submitted to the voters of the several townships in the spring of 1856. Eliza township cast eight votes for rescinding the former vote, and twenty-eight against.

For a few years after the first settlement here the settlers were greatly annoyed by speculators and land grabbers, in consequence of which they were ever upon the lookout for intruders, who usually appeared in the guise of emigrants seeking homes, therefore all new comers were eyed with suspicion. Upon one occasi(m three strangers were noticed in the neighborhood whose actions aroused the 8usj)icions of Mr. Silas Drury, then sheriff of the county, as to the real nature of their business. After carefully examining several of the best pieces of land in that vicinity, they came to Drury and requested him to show them such lands as had not already been taken, saying that they were seeking places upon which to settle. Supposing that they were land sharks, he took them up on tojD of the bluff in a thickly timbered place where left them, knowing that they would get lost. Then returning to his cabin he mounted a swift horse and notified his neighbors of the threatening danger. They all met that night at a cabin at the foot of the bluff to determine the best course to pursue in the matter. Believing the parties to be sj)eculators, they began to realize the importance of quick action, and accordingly concluded to gather all the money in the neighborhood and start Mr. Drury to the land office to buy in their lands for them. Drury left that night in com[)any with a neighbor who was going a part of the way. They took a trail leading through Eock Island county, at which place it was their intention to have staid for the night, at a cabin owned by one Dunlap. On arriving they rode up to the cabin, and looking through a partly open door, saw the same parties whom Mr. Drury had left in the timber but a few hours before. Mr. Drury at oitce came to the conclusion that the parties were heading for the land office, and determined to get ahead of them if possible. Not wishing to proceed farther that night, the man accompanying Drury rode forward to the cabin and called Mr. Dunlap, who, being in sympathy witli the settlers, was confidentially told their business. A cabin a short distance away was pointed, out to tliem, where they were assured they could find quarters. Drurj started from that phice early the next morning, and reaching Andalusia just at sun up in the morning, was directed to cross the river at that point and take a trail made the day before, from Rock Island down the river by drawing a log through the snow, to allow the Indians to go there to trade. Arriving at Rock Island about noon, he stopped at a tavern kept by a man named Dixon, who was county clerk of the county. He was instructed by him as to the route to take, and also informed him that he should stop at Port Byron for the night, which if he passed he would not find another stopping place within forty miles. Soon after leaving Rock Island Mr. Drury looked back and saw a man on horseback, apparently in pursuit, which he supposed to be the speculator. On arriving at Fort Byron the man o^'ertook liim and remarked that Drury must have a fine horse as he had tried all the afternoon but had failed to overtake him. They left in the morning in company, but had not gone far until Drury noticed that the stranger's horse was a superior animal, which, not agreeing with the statement he had made the day before, caused Driu-y to fear that the man was following him for the purpose of waylaying him at the first opportunity. After a few hours' ride together he told Drury that he had just come from Eliza township, where the day before he had beaten a citizen doctor in a horse race and taken $500 from him. Drury also noticed by the actions of the man that he likewise -suspicioned him, and thus the two men rode along together in silence, the one watching the movements of the other. Presently the stranger asked Drury if he had any money about him. He replied that he had $2.50 and was hurrying to get to Galena to find work, and asked if he was acquainted there. The man said that he was, but that work was scarce. He ofiered to bet Drury that his money was counterfeit, and demanded an examination, after which he passed it back, and producing some of the same kind fi'om his own pocket, said that he was well acquainted with the parties in Galena, who made it. This statement aroused Drury's fears more than ever, and as it was now growing dark both parties watched closer than ever. They however reached Dubuque in safety, and Drury going straight to the land office was there informed that they were three weeks behind with their books and that he would have to await his turn to make the entries. Not satisfied he went Ijack and enlisted the co-operation of a friend and the tw(^ succeeded in making the entries that same night. The next morning just as Drury was preparing to start back the speculators made their appearance, and going to the office were told that the lands had all been entered the day before, at wliicli tliev broke out in a fit of rao;e and said the trick liad been played by that little sheriff of Mercer county, and if he conld be found they Avould cowhide him within an inch of his life. Instead of being settlers looking for homes, they turned out to be Virginia land agents.

The first road laid out in the township was one leading from the bluff to Rezin Pratt's mill, on Eliza creek. This road was located in 1850. In the same year a road was laid out from the blufi" to the old Bloomington road, at Bear's. Another road, commencing where the Millersburg and Muscatine road crossed the county line, running west in Mercer county, through II. Mardock's land, intersecting the county line at John Boruff's, then west into Rock Island county, was laid out in 1851. A road leading from George Scott's house in New Boston township to D. F. Noble's, was laid out in 1851.

The first town meeting was held at the house of Daniel Noble A])ril 2, 1854. J. P. Mannon was chosen moderator and Joseph Leonard clerk. The first election resulted in the choice of John Glancy, for supervisor ; L. AV. Noble, town clerk ; James M. Mannon, assessor ; AYilliam Irvin, M. A. Cook and D. W. Noble, commissioners of highways ; H. H. Randolph and G. W. Black, overseers of highways; Dudley AVillits, overseer of the poor; and Eli Mills, poundmaster. The whole number of votes cast was thirty. At an annual town meeting held at the school-house in district No. 2, twenty-five votes were cast for supervisor ; twenty for town clerk ; twenty-five for assessor ; twenty-three for commissioner of highways ; twenty-four for overseer of the poor, and five for pound-master. A vote was taken to decide the question of township organization, which received eight votes in favor, and twenty-three against it.

The Nobles at times held nearly all the ]3rincipal ofiices in the township. The Bishops have also held numerous ofiices, notably that of town clerk, which was filled by one or the other for ten consecutive years.

At the first breaking out of tlie late civil -svar, the question as to "my duty to go," was responded to affirmatively by many of Eliza's truest patriots, and from the beginning to the termination of the great struggle, they bravely answered ever}- call for troops ; father and son left the farm to offer their lives, if need be, that the nation might be perpetuated. And it was not until the town liad almost exhausted her resources that men were hired to fill the quota. Many from Eliza enlisted in Iowa regiments, among whom were P. Whaley, B. R. Whaley, Jasper Eeed, David j^oble, Mom-oe Leech, Eli Mills, Pyrhus Glancy, Isaiah Bishop, E. A. "Wood, S. S. Wood, Walter Keneday, John I. Reed, Alexander Irwin, Harrison Bishop, wounded. Those who enlisted in the 102d reg. III. Yol. Inf. were : J. G. Merritt (who entered company K as a private and was promoted to captain, and was wounded at Averysborough, North Carolina), Maclison Retherford, Jacob A. Reed, Thomas Beverlin, James A. Barlett, William Carr, Ezra Fuller, H. J. Frazier, Josiah Spicher, James R. Wood, Abram Fuller (died of disease February 8, 1862), James Collier (died of disease December 4, 1862), George Barlett (died May 18, 1864, of wounds received at Resaca), Noah Spicher (died of disease October IT, 1863), Otis Albee (discharged on account of wounds), Peter O. Pierce (died May IT, 1864), M. Biverlin, John H. Murfin, Franklin Ferguson, Daniel Knapp, Walter Smithers, Henry Smithers, Harvey J. Fisher (wounded at Averysborough, North Carolina), J. F. Essly (enlisted in company outside of the county), II. C. Esley, W. D. Maladay (who was killed at Stone River), and Van A. Noble (wounded at Chickamauga).

Burial Places

There are several burial places in the township, the most noted of which are Eliza and Leech's. Eliza cemetery is situated just east of Mr. D. F. Noble's house, on top of the bluff, on a beautiful site overlooking the Mississippi. More than a hundred have been buried here. The first person buried in this cemetery was Miss Elizabeth Pratt, who was also the first person to die in the township. Leech's cemetery is located in the northeast part of the township, just south of William Leech's house, and contains some fifty graves. There is also a burial ])lace on the old Miller farm, and one at John Clancy's.

Timber

TIMBER. At the time of the first settlement of the township, old timber, such as the various oaks and hickory, ash and elm, was found in abundance on the upper lands along the edge and on top of the bluffs and in the bottoms near the lakes, but young timber could not be found, having been destroyed by prairie fires started by the Indians to drive out the deer and other game to points where they could the more easily capture them. Noticing the destruction of the young timber by these fires, many of the settlers began plowing around the edges of the timber to protect it, which had the desired effect, and in a few years young saplings sprang uj), and where once only large trees could be seen the ground is now thickly dotted with a fine new growth of oaks and hickory large enough to convert into rails. Many of the large oaks now standing were here when the early settlers first came. On the land of Harrison Bishop, pc large white oak is standing, as straight as an arrow, three feet through at the base, and sixty feet to the first limb, xbiother, the largest tree in the county, is standing in tlie dooryard of J. Y. Merritt. It is an elm measuring 37^ feet in circumference at the ground, and 34 feet three feet fi-om the ground. It is 108 feet high and has a spread of top of 104 feet. Much notice has been taken of this tree by the j^ress throughout the country, and having several times been measured by competent surveyors is pronounced the largest in the county. It is said that Black Hawk used to hold council under the shade of its branches.

In the bottom lands west of the bluff and near the Mississippi river is nestled numerous small lakes, all linked together by a chain of tributaries extending from one to another from north to south, the currents in these outlets being strong in places. The lakes are all fed by the under drainage of the river and from numerous springs along the summit of the blufts, in consequence of which the water is fresh and clear. In many places the lakes are shaded by large trees, and the sun's silvery rays shining through the tree-tops on the face of the water gives it a picturesque beauty. Fish and wild game are plentiful, and the angler and hunter find enough to occupy them pleasantly for a short stay. Late in the summer season these lakes become thickly matted along the edges with a tall green moss growing from the bottom to the surface of the water. At the time of the first settlement here, these lakes, with the exception of Glancy lake, were much wider and deeper than at the present time, owing to the accumulation of decayed vegetation and continual washing from the blufi". Glancy, however, still maintains its usual depth, owing to a swift current passing through it from the river in seasons of high water. At the present time the depth of Glancy lake is from twenty to twenty -five feet in places; Eliza, three to five ; Swan, four to six. All along these lakes was the favorite hunting ground of the Indians.

Tlie first school-house in the township was built on top of the bluff, a short distance from where D. F. Noble now lives. The house was built of logs, and the first school tauglit in it was presided over by ]\Iiss Mary Ann Delabar, and afterward by Miss Emily Cawkins. The school was kept up for many years by subscription, until tlie legislature passed a law authorizing such townships as desired to levy a tax for the maintenance of schools, soon after which a meeting was called to discuss the merits and demerits of changing to that system. It being determined at that meeting to accept the provisions of that act, the schools have thus been kept u]) ever since. Before the change was made the township had but one district, whicli was composed of what is knowTi now as districts 1, 2, and 3, since whicli the town has been divided into six school districts, as follows : Center, No. 1; Boruff", No. 2; Glancy, No. 3; AVhite Eagle, No. 4; Eliza Creek, No. 5 ; Winter Creek, No. 6. The following, as shown by Mr. A. B. Swisher, present school treasurer, are the amounts received and disbursed by him for school purposes for the year 1880 :

Religious Meetings

Many of the early settlers here were church members, and religious meetings date from 1836. At the request of Mr. Daniel Noble, the first was held at his son's (D. F. Noble) house which, at the time, was the largest house in the neighborhood ; and afterward at David Shaunce's and other places in the township, until the first log cabin was built on the blufi', which was then used for all meetings, public and religious. The Methodists were the most numerous at that time, but the meetings were of a union character, and were participated in by members of all other religious sects. The Metliodists afterward became a regular organized body here, which has since been broken up owing to many of its members having joined churches located elsewhere outside of the townsliip. They, however, as well as the Baptists and Cln-istians, still continue to hold meetings at the several school-houses in various ])arts of the town. Neither denomination being strong enough to support a regular minister, the services are conducted 'by transient preachers. Asa McMerter and Samuel l^inkly were the first preachers, who were at tliat time termed exhorters. Soon after the first log cabin on the blufi* was built, a regular camp-Ill ooting ground m\is cstal)lislied near the site of it, wliere the peo])le of the whole neighbor! lood congregated to worship and talk to familiar friends and acquaintances.

In 1S42 a kiln of brick was burned in the township, on the premises of Samuel Strauss, from which several houses in the neighborhood were built the same season.

Maktin Be.ve, a retired farmer, now residing in Aledo, was born in Northumberland county, Catawissa township, Pennsylvania, April 6, 180S, and moved with his father at an early date, to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he was raised and educated at a common school, and resided till his marriage with Miss Catherine Dodson, September 8, 1831. In the same month thev were married thev emigrated to Covino-ton, Fountain countv, Indiana, and after a residence of four years there thev came to Mercer countv in 1836, arrivino; May 10th and settling near Eliza creek, in what is now Eliza tcnraship. Jacob Bear, his brother, then a single man, accompanied and settled near him. In 1835 Mr. Bear first came out to look at some land, and traveled pretty much all over northern and central Illinois, and bought a claim from Thomas Morgan. In 1836 he went to Galena and entered the tract, with some other pieces to which he had obtained the choice number. When Mr. Bear came out here in 1835, somewhere about the head of the Edwards river, night overtook him, and the darkness was not relieved by moon or stars. Xo house could be seen, so without anything to eat, he slipped the reins over his horse's head and sat down in the tall grass to hold his horse while he M-as grazing. He fell asleep, and in the morning when he awoke found that his horse had gotten away from him. After iinding his horse he journeyed on and the following night reached Major Lloyd's at Camp creek a little below Millersburii:. That was the onlv house around. ]\Ir. Bear felt at home here. The major was bragging about the fat of the land, which the good housewife illustrated with a very fat coon for supper, the first Mr. Bear had ever tasted. In early times Mr. Bear used to go to Spoon river to get his milling done, and to Knoxville to get his plows sharpened and general smithing done. When Mr. Bear first came here he found the following persons living in the neighborhood : Isaac Dawson, Esq., John Drury. Daniel Xoble, D. F, Noble, Aaron Mannon, Elisha Essley, John Shaunce, Isaac Drury, William Fisher, Jesse L. Adams, all from Indiana ; David Shaunce, from Carolina ; Abijah Wilson, from Connecticut ; John Shaunce and Thomas Morgan, from Ohio ;

Martin Fislier (father of "William Fislier), Jacob Bear and John Pratt, all from Indiana, in 1836. Thomas Miller came about 1837 ; William Eetherford, in 1840 ; James Larue, about 1812 ; J. J. Huston arrived about 1847 ; Edwin Bishop, in 1850 ; William Irvin, about 1849. A. B. Cliilas, still residing in the township, settled here June, 1838, at which time there were residing in the northern part of the township, John Glancey, William and John Fisher, Valentine Boruif (and his sons, Felty and John), Miles Boyd, and Martin Bear. In the northern part of the township was Daniel Strauss, who fell from a tree while gathering hickorj-nuts, and was partly devoured by hogs before found. John Shaunce lived near Boruif 's. Mr. Chilas was a blacksmith, and worked at his trade there ; was a smith in New Boston ; he sharpened plows and shod horses for twenty miles around.

Francis Laivibert was born in the southern part of Ireland, in 1816, and moved to America with his father's family in 1840, landing first at St. Johns, New Brunswick, where he resided for two ^^ears, and then went to New York, in which city he resided for ten years. Being of a roving dis^^osition, he next went to Pennsylvania, where he staid one year ; then went to Tazewell county, Illinois, where alter a short stay he started back to New York, but changed his mind when arriving at St. Louis, and started north for Galena, at which place he resided ten months. He then came to Pock Island, and from there to Buffalo, Iowa, and from there to Eliza, settling on section 10, where he made a farm and now resides. He was married in Iowa in 1844 to Miss Nancy Moore, who was a native of Ohio. Mr. Lambert was educated in this country, and has followed farming as an occupation. He began life poor, but by industry and close attention to business has attained an easier position in life. In politics Mr. Lambert is a democrat.

George Moore, of New Boston township, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, October 5, 1807. He moved with his parents while young, from that state to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1814, where he was educated at a common school and afterward worked at the carpenter and wheelwi'ight trades until his marriage, when he moved to Mercer county, settling in Eliza, near where D. F. Noble now lives. Since his residence in the county he has followed farming. In April, 1852, Mr. Moore crossed the plains to Oregon, and was five months making the journey, in company with other parties. They sto])ped first at Yam Hill county, Oregon, and went from there to the southern part, where they stayed until February 20, then went back to Yam Hill county, where tliey stayed until October 7, and then started for home. Leaving Port Louis, Oregon, on board a steamer they went by way of San Francisco and the Isthmus of Daricn to New York, then lip the Iliidsoii to ButJhlo, and froin thence to Chicago, reacliing home December 8, 1853. Geoi-fi^e Moore's great-grandfather was born on December 19, 1732. His grandmother was born February 24, 1706. Mrs. George Moore, wife of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ohio September 27, 1813. They have seven children, one of whom, Leslie G., died a soldier, at St. Louis, January 14, 1862. lie was a member of the 2d Iowa cavalry. Sarah Jane, Helen L., Araminta E., Cara, Robert C, are living. Ella Clarissa is deceased. In religion Mr. Moore is a Universalist, and in i^olitics a republican.

Edwin Bishop was born in New Jersey October 29, 1815. and moved with his parents to this state November 13, 1850. They made the journey through by canal and steamboat up the Mississippi river, landing first at Muscatine, Iowa, where he stayed until December 2, 1850, when he settled in Eliza. He received a common school education in the former state, and learned the blacksmith trade, which he has followed during his residence in Eliza. Lie was married in Pennsylvania August 31, 1837, to Miss Sallie Meeker, who was born in Crawford county, that state, in 1819. Mr. Bishop's father was an American and his mother Scotch. They left New Jersey in January, 1816, and moved to Pennsylvania. Mr. Bishop has from time to time filled all the various oftices in this town, and has served as justice of the peace for twenty-four years, and is at present postmaster. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His family of children consists of Delilah, Isaiah, Harrison, Barbara A., Levi A., and Sarah (deceased).

Silas Drury was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1808, and moved with his parents to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1811, and from Wayne county to Morgan county in 1820, where he received a common school education and was brought up to farming. His father was English and his mother AVelch. His grandfather was also English, and was born in London (Drury Lane, which bears the name of the familv), where he was educated for a lawver. After this he turned Quaker and moved to America, settling in Baltimore, Maryland, where he followed legal writing as a profession. Silas Drury, the subject of the sketch, came from Indiana to Mercer county in the spring of 1834, just after serving as a soldier in the Black Hawk war, which service he entered in 1832. He first settled in Eliza township, and was the first sheriff" elected in the county, April 6, 1836, after which he moved to Rock Island county, Illinois, where he now resides. He has, since his residence in that county, held the office of justice of he peace, assessor, and several minor oftices, for twenty-six consccuive vears. ^Ir. Drurv is a member of the masonic fraternitv, and a member of the Illinois Citj Lodge ; also a member of the Old Settlers' Association, of Eock Island county. In i)olitics he is a national. His business is farming and trading along the river. He was married in Ivock Island countv in 1843 to Miss Malinda Bentley, by which marriage they had four children : Silas, Sarah, Oscar, and Byron.

J. y. MERirr, the subject of this sketch, was boi-n in AVayne Indiana, January 5, 1828, and is the third child of a family of eight, all of whom are liying except Aaron J., who died a soldier at Bardstown, Kentucky. He was a member of the 36th reg. 111. Vol. Inf. Moses, a merchant, resides in Appanoose county, Iowa. Eliza, wife of A. C. Reynolds, whose husband is a farmer, also resides in that county. Mary, wife of Samuel Spangler, a farmer, resides in Whitesides county, Illinois, near Port Byron. Sarah Free also lives in that county. Mary M. Kirlin lives in Mercer county, Illinois. John, a farmer, lives in Wayne county, Indiana. J. Y. Meritt's mother's maiden name was Margaret Trindall, and of Scotch-Irish descent ; was raised in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. His father, E. J. Meritt, was born and raised in Belmont county, Ohio, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. J. Y. Meritt received a common school education in Indiana, and was there raised to farming. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1848, and for the first few years worked at the carpenters' trade, which he picked up after coming to the state. He bought the land where he now resides in 1856, and on December 25 of that year was married to Miss Mary Prine, and in 1858 moved upon the place. His residence is marked by a large elm tree, the largest tree in Mercer county. J. Y. Meritt enlisted in the three gears' service in the late war in 1862, as a private in company Iv., 102d 111. Vol. Inf., and was afterward jDromoted to the captaincy of the company, and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. He was wounded at Avery sborough, North Carolina, in March 1865. Unlike many who enlisted at that time, he served until the close of the war, in 1865, when he was mustered out of service after participating in the grand review at Washington, U.C. In politics Capt. Meritt is a republican.