Henry County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 30 of 31)

Fitch & Skinner, druggists, occupied the site of the present T. H. Phillips' brick house ; Joseph Montgomery, boot, shoe and clothing dealer; Mr. James S. Howard kept the first furniture store and a hardware store, which was built by Fred. Wild. When the town was laid out, the proprietors gave it the name of Berrien, in compliment of Col. Berrien, chief engineer of the railroad. He rather objected to this, however, and being asked to name the town suggested " Kewanee,'' an Indian name, supposed to signify "prairie-hen." This cognomen was readily accepted by the proprietors, and on Feb. 14, 1855, was legalized by a special act of the Legislature. The postoffice was established in 1854, and given the name of Kewanee. Col. Blish was appointed as incumbent of the office, and occupied a portion of the store of Otis & Pinney for the discharge of his duties. It will be remembered this building occupied the site of the Free-will Baptist church. In the fall of 1855 Col. Blish died, and Mr. R. A. Tenney, who among other enterprising acts erected the first brick residence in town, occupied by Dr. G. W. Fellows, succeeded him. Different administrations caused many changes to be made in this office. It is now held by N. H. Pratt, who has been in charge a long time. His assistant is his daughter Anna.

In 1884 the census was carefully taken, showing a "population of 3,700 souls. It was incorporated as a village by the session of the Legislature of 1866-7, and is modestly content to forego the more pretentious airs and expenses of becoming a city, although possessed of many more inhabitants than many other places that have long since put on the trappings of cities.

The Village Trustees are : J. H. Peirce, President ; P. B. Keller, James Porter, John Moore, A. W. Errett, Samuel Jones. E. E. Baker, City Clerk; A. W. Wood, Police Magistrate ; C. C. Wilson, Village Attorney.

The proprietors of the town of Kewanee were from the start keenly alive to the fact that factories and workshops were as essential to the prosperity of the place as were store-rooms, dwellings and other business houses. They were ready to offer inducements to institutions of this kind that came along looking for a place to locate. The result of this foresight is now plainly to be seen ; it is the busiest and thriftiest town in the county to-day, and is growing apace, while the average towns of Northern Illinois have for the past few years stood still, or lost population. From Galesburg to Aurora, on the line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, it ranks as the best business point, giving the road the largest trade in imports and exports between these two points.

In 1856 there were three dry-goods stores - Lang, Hardy & Co., Willard & Moss, and S. A. Smith; and there were two grocery stores - Davenport & Robinson, and Penny Bros. Now there are 6 dry-goods, 5 hardware, 7 grocery, 3 jewelry, 3 bakeries, 2 news stands, 3 clothing, 5 boots and shoes, 4 harness shops, 3 furniture stores, 2 lumber yards, 5 meat markets, a grain elevator, 2 banks, 3 hotels, besides numerous shops, and small places of business and trade. Many of these business houses are alone on a scale with, and do a business much greater than was done by, all the houses in the town 25 years ago. , The business men are of that class that have been quick to see the wants of the public about them, and have supplied them promptly and most efficiently.

The easy access to the fine quality of coal found here was another inducement for manufacturers that had its influence at an early day. As is mentioned elsewhere, a great deal of capital and employment to many miners is furnished by the coal mines. The Lathrop Coal & Mining Company, whose main office adjoins the First National Bank, when running full force, give employment to over 200 men. Coal in this mine is readied at about 100 feet, and is loaded on the cars by a very ingenious contrivance, and they ship large quantities along the line of the railroad. This company was organized in r86o. Some years ago H. H. Perkins started the Kewanee Manufacturing establishment. The O'Brien Manufactory was started into operation in 1858. This was re-

The present manufactories are the Haxtun Steam Heater Co., organized in 1875. I' ls incorporated with a capital stock of $500,000. It has eight acres of ground, adjoining the railroad, and has nearly four acres under roof, and has 550 employees, the large majority of whom are skilled mechanics and command the highest wages. The original capital was $50,000. The company succeeded the Anderson Steam Heating Company. The plant is located in the northeast part of the town. When this company became the owners of this business, only two buildings, 30x80 and 40x60 feet respectively, were used, and only 20 men weie employed. The pay-roll now is about $22,000 per month. There are twelve separate and distinct departments in this establishment, namely: the puddle mill, rolling mill, pipe mill, iron foundry,, brass foundry, machine shop, radiator shop, steam-fitting sIiod, brass-finishing department, boiler shop, pattern shop, and the gas manufacturing department, where they manufacture their own gas for use in the pipe-manufacturing department. These works are immediately adjoining the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, from which they have side-tracks, running not. only into their grounds, but into the buildings as well, which greatly facilitates the handling of the heavy goods.

Twelve engines, aggregating 1,300 horse- power, are required to propel the vast amount of machinery . necessary for their business. Each and every department is supplied with special machinery, gotten up and adapted for some special purpose. In fact, the greater part of their machinery, as weir as their engines, is manufactured by themselves, and is of no use other than for the particular purpose for which it was made.

With the exception of boiler iron, everything is bought in its crude shape - pig and scrap iron, copper and brass. They do their own puddling, rollingmill work, etc. A ton of iron will start in at the puddling department, and after being manipulated to the proper consistency, is passed to the rolling, mill, where it is converted into strips or bars of the right width and thickness. It is then conveyed to the pipe department, where it is made into pipe of any desired size. " The capacity in this department is forty tons per day.

At E. K. Hays' factory there is a large force of men busy at work making a great variety of implements, but their specialty now is a recently patented pump, of which they are turning out great quantities. This institution commenced' manufacturing plows and slioveling boards, and from this branched into nearly every implement the farmer wants, and have always done a large repairing business.

The Kewanee Wagon Company is another of the valuable and thriving institutions of the town. It manufactures all sorts of road wagons, carriages, buggies, etc., and is a successor to the O'Brien Manufacturing Company, which was organized in January, 1882, with a capital stock of $10,000. The incorporators, John Chisnall, Thomas F. Chisnall, William Howland, C. G. Taylor and August Grief, were all the old employes of the O'Brien Manufacturing Company, and each one of them fills his place under the new organization, not only as stockholder and officer, but as a mechanic, and in charge of some particular department of the works.

John Chisnall, the President of the company, is business . manager, book-keeper and head of the wood-working department ; William Howland, Vice- President, conducts the iron work ; C. G. Taylor, Secretary, wood-worker and in charge of the fine buggy and carriage department, while Thonias F. Chisnall, Treasurer, is superintendent of machinery. Each man has his wages paid him weekly, and the residue or net earning goes to the credit of the company. New machinery is being added from time to time, the capacity of the concern is being increased, and the undertaking as a whole is an assured success. (See biographical sketches of John Chisnall, William Howland and C. G. Taylor, this volume.)

These many and large factories, with their tall chimneys filled with eager fires, the din of the great and small hammers pounding and forging the iron into artful shapes, have made Kewanee the Birmingham of Northern Illinois, and promise it a great and prosperous future.

gational, whose organization was effected Aug. 7, 1855, in a school-house. During the winter previous meetings were held in the Kewanee House and at a few private residences. Flavel Bascom, D. D., presided at the meeting of organization. Forty-four persons united, many of whom had been members of the same Church at Wethersfkld. The church edifice was completed and dedicated March 1 r, 1858, having been built the year previous. It was very much enlarged and beautified in the year 187 1. The Rev. Charles H. Pierce was preaching to the congregation at the time of organization, and remained until January, 1858. He was succeeded, as the next Pastor, by Mr. Charles C. Salter, who was ordained and installed April 20, 1859, and was regularly dismissed March it, 1861. Rev. James M. Van Wagner was called to the pastorate of the Church in February, 1864, installed June 6. He remained until April 6, 1868. Rev. James Tompkins was called June 1, 1872, installed September 10. During the intervals between any of these pastorates the pulpit was filled by supplies. The congregation is now in a good condition. The present Pastor is A. N. Hitchcock. The membership is 300. The Sunday-school has an attendance of 400.

The Free- Will Baptist Church was organized April 29, 1865, in the Protestant Methodist Church, with eleven members. The following is a list of the original membership : Rev. William Bonar, Mrs. Mary Ann Bonar, A. B. Palmer, Mrs. Mary Ann Palmer, D. W. Payne, Henry Malone, Mary Malone, S. W. Warner, A. B. Gurney, Caroline E. Gurney and C. H. Gurney - eleven persons. Prior to the organization services were held in the Swedish Methodist Church, and next in the Protestant Methodist - now the Free Methodist Church. They worshiped in this latter place until November, 1865, when they removed to Cutter's Hall, where they remained until January, 1866, when they again removed, this time to the Christian Church. This building is now a dwelling. Here they met for religious exercises until Jan. 16, 1870, when they worshiped a few months again in Cutter's Hall. About May, 1869, they commenced the erection of a church building. It was completed June 1, 1870, when they immediately occupied it. It is a very comfortable structure, and cost, including the lot, $6,800.

The Free Methodist Church was organized in a private residence in Wethersfield about the year 1866 or 1867. Meetings had been held for some time previous in the residences of different persons, and in the Swedish Methodist house of worship; also in a store-room in Wethersfield. About the year 1870 they purchased their present church edifice of the Protestant Methodists, and have since occupied it. At the organization some five or six persons were admitted as members. They have, at different times, enjoyed good seasons of revival, and now number some 35 members. The first minister was Rev. Jonathan Dick ; next, William Cooley, whose wife occasionally officiated at divine service. He was followed by J. G. Terrell, during whose ministry the church was purchased, at a cost of $1,000. Next, George Coffee, followed by W. W. Kelley; he by John Whiting; he by James Thaxter, then Jarries Kelso took charge. The present Pastor is E. M. Smashy. The Sunday-school numbers about 25 pupils.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in the Baptist Church by the Rock Island Presbytery, March 26, 1872. A preliminary meeting had been held to invite the Presbytery to this action in the house of S. M. Hurd on February 2 1 previous. At the organization the following persons were received as members : Daniel and Mrs. Eunice Baldwin, William E. and Mrs. Sarah A. Haxtun, R. A. and Mrs. L. Little, Jacob W. and Mrs. Hannah Jones, S. M. and Mrs. Emily Hurd, N. H. and Mrs. Lura Blakely, Effie Blakely, Mrs. C. H. Graves, George H. Lincoln, George Kliner, Mrs. J. Powers, Mrs. P. Wright, Mrs. John Whiffen, Clark Bradish, William

During the summer the church was erected. Including the lot, it cost $5,000. The Rev. N. D. Graves was Pastor of the Church about three years. Rev. Josiah Milligan, of Princeton, preached for them for some time, when Rev. J. D. Howey was called. He occupied the pulpit over one year. The Church has no pastor at present. Thereare now 95 members, and a Sunday-school of 100 scholars.

decided by a vote of its members to remove their place of holding service to Kewanee. There were at that time over 100 members. They worshiped for some time in different halls, and in some -of the other churches. On Dec. 2r, 1865, a building committee was appointed, and steps taken towards the erection of a suitable church edifice. This was completed and occupied July 7, 1867, and cost, including the site, over $8,000. There are now about 235 members, and a Sunday-school of 115 scholars. The present Pastor is Rev. J. M. Titterington.

Among those serving as pastors are: Revs. S. P. Ives, H. B. Foskett, J. La Grange, A. D. Freeman, William Storrs, A. Jones, K. W. Benton, Carlos Swift, R. L. Col well and P. P. Shirley. The Church is now in a flourishing condition, and enjoying evident signs of prosperity.

The Methodist Episcopal Church. - This congregation at first met for some time in a school-house, about one mile east of Kewanee, in a hall over the store of J. D. Schriver, and in private houses. SomeT of the members had been connected with the same religious body in Wethersfield, but desirous of building up a Church in Kewanee, came here to worship. They organized a class of 30 persons, Dec. 15, T855, in the school-house referred to ; being then under the pastoral care of Rev. J. O. Gilbert. The principal members were A. Thornton, Wm. King, J. Shipley, Erastus Johnson, W. S. Oliver, William Bowen, W. C. Kent and John Schriver. The corner-stone of their church was laid Oct. 23, 1856.

This building becoming old and inadequate to the growing demands of the congregation, in the summer of r877 a new one was constructed, which cost $10,- 000. The parsonage was purchased in T856. June following the organization of the Church, a Sundayschool was organized. There were 60 pupils in attendance.

Among the Pastors who have served this Church are: Revs. J. O. Gilbert, John Chandler, E. Ransom, one year, J. S. Cummings, W. P. Graves, U. J. Giddings, W. J. Beck, Benjamin Applebee* John P. Brooks, M. P. Armstrong, G. W. Arnold, B. C. Dennis, M. Spurlock. The minister in charge at present is Rev. F. H. Gumming.

St. Johns (Protestant Episcopal) Church. - On Sunday, May 13, 1855, a Protestant Episcopal Sunday-school was organized in the Kewanee House.

This was the first religious organization in Kewanee, and the school met the following Sunday for the first time at Odd Fellows Hall. There were 20 scholars, and R. P. Parish was Superintendent, The first full Episcopal service, with' sermon, was in the summer following, by Rev. Porter, of Jubilee College. In October, Bishop Whitehouse made a visit, and held two services in the unfinished Methodist Protestant Church. During the summer and autumn of 1856, Rev. Philander Chase officiated occasionally in the same church. July 13, 1856, the Church was organized. The first Rector was Rev. George E. Peters, who commenced his labors in 1857, and remained two years. A church edifice was constructed in 1857, at a cost of about $5,000. The first church-bell of the town was rung from the belfry of St. JoWs.

The Primitive Methodist. - The organization of this Church was effected in 1865. The principal members then were Joseph Garland, John Bennison, John Bradbury, John Bamford, Moses Jones, William Bennison and J. ,Breckon. They met for a while prior to organization in Cutler's Hall and in the Methodist, Episcopal Church., The church edifice was erected in 1873, at a cost of $2,000. Among those serving as Pastors, are as follows:' Revs. J. Hewitt, Charles Dawson, Thomas Butterwick, William Jacks, Jr., Charles Dawson. Minister in charge is Rev. T. M. Harris. There are now 90 members and a Sunday-school of 87 scholars.

St. Paul's Church (German United Evangelical). - About 1866, some of the German people living in this vicinity and professing belief in the doctrines of this religious body, organized a Church. For a short time they met in a school-house, but at once commenced the erection of a church edifice. Nineteen persons united at the organization - the Pastor being Rev. Hilmer, who remained about one year. Their church cost some $2,500. The majority of the members, now about 75, live in the country. In 1875, another church was organized in the country, three miles northeast of Kewanee. It is for the accommodation of those living in that locality.

The Church of the Latter-Day Saints. - The first meetings were held at Amboy in T859. An organization was effected here of probably 100 members. From this place they were sent out to preach, and in 1862 effected the establishment of the Church here.

In 1868, they erected their present church edifice, it neatly one mile north of town. Regular services are maintained here, the membership being about ioo, with an attendance of about 50 in the Sunday-school. They are distinct in their faith and practices from the Utah Mormcns, and have no connection whatever with them.

Swedish Lutheran Church - Wag organized into a regular Church in 1869. Prior to that time they held meetings at private residences, and occasionally in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1870, they completed their church building, at a cost of $3,000. There were about 50 members, and a flourishing Sunday-school has been kept up from the first organization. The first minister in charge was Rev. Lendholm, followed by Rev. N. Neurgren; then the Rev. John Wingstrom.

The Swedish Methodist Church was organized at an early day. It was and is quite small and has not been able to sustain a local minister or build a house of worship.

St. Mary's (Catholic) Church, Father Lyons now in charge, first met at the house of Matthew Joyce, in 1854. There were 35 heads of families belonging to the Church, among them being Lawrence Hunt, Patrick Cavanaugh, Matthew Joyce, James Hunt (deceased), James Gallagher, Thomas Caton, Edward Hunt (deceased). In 1855, a small church was erected, - since much enlarged and remodeled. The first priest in charge was Father Lynch, then O'Gara, Powers, Dulhuntz, Duggan, Hannigan, Kilkerney, J. M. Ryan and John Ryan. It now has the largest membership in the town.

The first school in Kewanee was in a small frame building, built by George A. Morse and donated by him to educational purposes. It stood just north of the railroad track on Main Street. School was conducted here for nearly two years, when the structure was moved into the town proper, on the lot now the East School, and here used until it was moved again to make room for a better building. This little building was soon wholly inadequate to the town's growth, and the trustees rented rooms over Schriver's store and also of Austin Sykes. These were occupied until 1858. To this time these two commodious rooms it seems were room enough, and the old pioneer school-room, mentioned above, was sold, and became the printing-office of the Henry County Dial; it lived through the rough experience of the printer and his " devil," and again was transferred and became the Christian Church, and after faithful service here was again changed and became a private residence. Its varied experience and migrations remind one of "Japhat in search of a father." In 1861; the East School-room becoming wholly inadequate, steps were taken for the enlargement of the building, and the erection of two others. In 1866 the East building was enlarged to double its former capacity, and the two brick structures, known as the North and West Schools, were determined upon. They were built in 1867, and first occupied in January, 1868, each containing two rooms. The schools were thoroughly re -graded in 1866 by Superintendent S. M. Etter, afterwards State Superintendent of Public Schools. Mr. Etter was Principal of the. Kewanee school three years, and laid well the foundations of the excellent graded schools that have marked the history of the place. He was followed by Mr. W. H. Russell, who was, with short intervals, for about 1 1 years in charge of the schools. From Kewanee Mr. Russell went to Chicago, and was for some years in charge of the High School at the Slock Yards. He was succeeded by the present Superintendent, Mr. E. C. Rosseter, who is also County Superintendent of Schools.

The High School was established in 1856. It grew out of a general desire for a. higher grade of education than the village school of those days could give. Kewanee and Wethersfield joined hands in this commendable movement. At first each village struggled to have the school located within its limits. The matter was finally settled by locating it on or near the dividing line between the two towns. James Elliott donated two-and-one-half acres of ground for the location, and here the building was erected. For some time only the upper story was completed for school purposes, the lower one being used, for lectures, lyceums and a public hall. Here lectured Horace Greeley and John B. Gough, among many others of more or less note. Rev. Waldo was secured as the first Principal of the school, assisted by Miss Atwood. The first furnishing was somewhat prim- itive and rough. Tough pine desks and benches, running half across the room, with three aisles thus formed, is the picture of the school-room as remembered by those who first attended the school. Of those who were school-girls at this opening of the High School we learn, among others, are the following: Laura Pratt (Mrs. Northrop), Lillie Burns (Mrs. Raymond), Nellie Little (Mrs. Geo. Perkins), Libbie Cuttia, Helen and Lucy Lyle, Fanny Lay, Ella Way, Addie Cheany, Lottie Talcott (Mrs. T. P. Pierce).

At that time there were no side-walks by which the children could reach the school, and at times the way was practically impassable. A large wagon was often used to haul the children to and from the school-house.

Mr. Waldo, at the end of his second school-year, resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Blodgett, who was assisted by Miss Stocking. He determined on having better furniture, and got up an- exhibition, and thus raised a fund and re-furnishe'd the room. Mr. McPheran then was in charge, and he was succeeded by Mr. Bradford, and he by Mr. Tabor,- who made the first attempt to grade the school. He made the novel and daring experiment of arranging a course of study and had it printed. Mr. Beckington next succeeded, and he was followed by S. M. Etter, and he by Russell, and he by the present Mr. E. C. Rosseter. During Mr. Etter's term he arranged an exhibition, and raised $83 to found a library. It was a small beginning, but it was bravely invested as a start toward a library, until now, through the efforts of friends, the town and the successors of Mr. Etter, a fine library is a part of the High School. In Sept., 1870, the town of Kewanee purchased the interest of Wethersfield in the school, and has since had entire control. It was mentioned above that Mr. Russell was absent at certain intervals. He served about two years as principal of the schools at Moline, and during this time Mr. Gray was principal one year, and Mr. Carver for a term.

There are now six school buildings in the town, and it has arranged to construct another^next year. The High School has five rooms and five teachers : Prof. E. C. Rosseter, J. Williams, Principal of the High School ; Anna A. Schriver, Assistant ; Mrs. M. H. Keyes, Grammar; Miss Maggie G. Blish, Intermediate. East SchQol ; T.here are tfiree buildings on these grounds, These are to be replaced by one large new building, and the High School also is to be taken down and an elegant, large and commodious building to take its place next year. In the East School the teachers are Miss Jennie Chase, grammar ; Miss A. A. Johnson and Miss Anna Scott, intermediate; Miss H. Villa Card and Miss Franc- Otis, second department ; Miss -Escher Loomis and Miss Jennie Halline, primary. The West School is a brick building of two rooms. The teachers are Miss Ida Palmer, secondary ; Miss Hattie Maul, primary. The North School : Miss Anna Eack, secondary; Miss Franc Porter,- primary. The enrollment is 800 ; the average attendance, 710. School is taught nine months. Total school expenses, $9,000; of this sum $6,800 is paid teachers; $800 to janitors, and 'the remainder miscellaneous. Mr. Rosseter has been seven years with the Kewanee school; Miss Johnson has taught thirteen "years, Miss Halline, eight years, and Miss Loomis nine years. '

" Wabash Country," in Southern Illinois, in 1834, and halted in Warren County, just west of the Henry County line, in Richland Grove, which is divided by the county line. They reached their new home Sept. 1, 1834, having traveled many weary miles of the latter part of their journey without any trail or track of any kind. They came to the grove and were almost compelled to stop, as it was storming and raining furiously. The first day they built their house, of rails, and clapboards, and at early candle-light moved in. There were three persons in each family, and in this quickly-made pen they were safe to some extent from the pelting rain. Their fire was a log-heap near the front door, or rather the opening where some day a door might have been placed. They were busy at work the next day, and so continued, chopping; grubbing and preparing the ground for early crops the next season, and making hay and stacking it for their, kine. Fifty pounds pf flour to each family was the gujn total gf provisions for bread they brought with them. Their neighbors were at the distance of 13 miles to the south, 15 north, 32 west and 35 miles east. In Rock Island there was only the fort. It can readily be imagined how sparingly they used their flour, as it had to last them until a crop could be raised, the next year. They used mostly corn meal, which was made by pounding in a stump mortar, until a mill was built the next season, in Henderson's Grove, 15 miles away.

This was the way the Arrasmiths commenced keeping house in the desolate new country. It was the true pioneer fashion, and these people were real pioneers - brim full of pluck, industry and economy. Soon their rail house was a house of entertainment ; they had made a track - had blazed the way into the unknown land and the wilderness - and others seeing soon followed. These wandering nornads, it seemed, when they had passed the bounds of white settlements, generally followed wherever they could see that wagon-tracks had preceded them. In this way travelers in search of lands found their way to the Arrasmiths' hostelry, and were entertained, cared for, and often and- often paid their reckonings by telling these people the news from the civilized world. The Arrasmiths made the first road or trail from Richland Grove and vicinity to Rock Island. In the summer of 1836, 14 families had clustered around Richland Grove. J. W. Arrasmith was the first birth at the grove, born in 1835. Alvin says he had 25 cents in money when he landed at his new home, as there was nobody to sell to him and nothing to buy, it was too much money for one man to possess. He eventually discovered that it was a great mistake to bring so much solid cash with him, and he never did fully subscribe to Greeley's advice to all applicants for charity, "Take a half-dollar and go West, young man." The families had to do nearly entirely without groceries the first year. As a substitute for coffee, Alvin says, he often dug the red-root in the hard frozen ground. This decoction had something of the taste of chocolate.

In April, 1836, Alvin Jones sold his claim and moved a few rods east, and this brought him into Henry County. This was in April. His new hotel, log, 14 by 16, was, like his first place, a resort for travelers.

or, in other words, a settlement on township 15, range 1. Henry Peckenham was the next to follow Arrasmith into the county. Charles Norman came in June, Eben Townsend in July, Caleb Townsend in a few weeks after, and the next spring came William Smith.

Arrasmith planted some apple seed the first season. In six years afterwards one of his trees had 56 apples. This was an important event in the county's history. It was the first crop of apples ever gathered in Henry County.

Caleb Pillsbury put up the first frame house in this neighborhood, and, like the great apple-gathering this too was an event. The first school-house was not built until 1 85 1 . Mr. Jenks built a mill on Edwards River in 1846. This property passed into Guy Dailey's hands. In its earliest days it was a great institution, and deeply appreciated by the good people of the country for many miles in every direction. People of this age can have no appreciation of the old-time value of the first rude horse or water mills to crack the corn and send the unbolted coarse meal to the hungry families far and wide. In 1847 portions of the Andover Swede Colony settled in what afterwards became Lynn Township, and to this day there are many of the leading men in the township who came here in 1846-7 as portions of the Andover Colony.

George Henry Johnson came in 1849. George B. Pillsbury came in 1836. He married Elizabeth J. Greely, of New Hampshire, in 1846. He became one of the wealthiest farmers in the county. He held at one time and another nearly every official position in the township. John and C. J. Samuelson came in 1849. Joab Tracy came in 1851.

Henr Y 'County

HIS place never had quite ioo people in it, yet the rich country around it has furnished considerable business and trade for the railroad. One store, a grain elevator and lumber yard comprise the business interests. The Swedish Methodists have a Church so- : ciety here, and at stated times preaching. The I Lutherans have a Church organization here. It is a ' branch of the Andover Swedona Church, from which oint preachers hold services at stated times.

Opheim was first called Edwardsville, but when it was given a postoffice the name had to be changed, as there was already another postoffice of that name in the State.

ORAINE Township is a case of an attempt to give the place a French name, and a failure to spell it properly. Hence the -qg word is corrupted, and is neither English, f.*j French nor Choctaw. This style of naming townships has prevailed in nearly every county in the- State. The Commissioners who selected the names it seems generally went at it with a~hop-skipand-a-jump. Sometimes there was appropriateness, and often there was neither rhyme nor reason in the name chosen. If the counties of the State had taken

V would have been an appropriate chapter heading in ths county's history - a heading carrying a meaning and history of deep interest for posterity, there would have been some apparent comprehension of the fitness of things in such official action. B«t this corruption of names after foreign places, or the much worse corruption in Indian names, often afflicting otherwise beautiful localities with some unreadable, f unpronounceable name, has been much too freely in- '; dulged in all over the country. And everywhere % the stranger passing over the land encounters names ) that he does not attempt to pronounce lest he be laughed at, and when tripped off the tongue by some one who has learned by long application to give it the conventional sounds, it is without beauty and wholly meaningless. All translations from our language to another are simply corruptions - disfiguring the original, and deforming the translation. It is probably too late now to do much toward correcting this blunder, and posterity must endure the infliction as best it may.

The first settler in Loraine Township was Cornelius H. Kemmis who came in the early summer of T836. He was a typical pioneer of the times, a blunt, plain, honest and good citizen ; industrious and frugal, he soon was the contented possessor of a good farm and all the substantiate of life. He reared his family in habits of industry and sobriety. He died about 1876, on the place that he had improved, greatly respected by a wide- circle of friends. He was the father of a large family of children. His widow is now living on the place where he died, with her son Frank. There is a married daughter who some years ago went West.

The next in the order of coming was William T. Crozier, another good man and true. He died but a short time ago - the spring of 1 885 . He left quite a large family of children.

About the same time, possibly a little before Crozier, came David. Heller. He died in 1879, leaving a widow, who now is temporarily residing with a daughter in Sterling, 111. Mr. Heller was a man greatly respected by all who knew him. He was a very successful farmer, and an upright and ^worthy citizen.

Then came Rudolph Urich, who is. still among his old and many new friends, still watching with interest that wonderful tide of growth and improvements that have come about him since first he came here and selected his home. He has been a useful and good citizen, against whom no breath of evil has ever been breathed.

Then came Asa Blair, who died some years ago. He was a thrifty pioneer and a most excellent farmer. Three of his sons are living, two of whom reside on the old farm.

The next was the very numerous and important family of Arnetts. Phillip Arnett, the father, brought with him seven lusty boys , and . a daughter. This single family far exceeded in the number and value of its addition to the new settlements, some of the pretentious colonies that had been organized in the old States to populate the northwest territory. When the family came they were very poor, but their no-tire activity and shrewdness soon made amends for all this. And now the boys are all men in the prime of life, and more than the average financial success attends them. They are in the order of their ages: Jacob, William, George, Joseph, John, Anthony and Samuel.

Philip Sand is now one of the leading farmers in this part of the county. His farm improvements, and especially his elegant residence, is the best in the township. He is an old settler among old settlers. Has a large family of boys. No single individual was a more valuable acquisition to the county than was Mr. Sand. An estimable man in many respects, and reared a family universally respected.

Another early comer was Joseph Rink, who has now lived for more than forty years on the spot where he commenced his improvement. He is a plain, old-fashioned, honest farmer, making no pretensions, but has made a good farm.

Then there is Martin Roos, with his large and very much respected family, who have toiled together, and in their modest way, and have come to be among the best people in the township.

The first school-house was built on Mr. Heller's land, and for several years this was the church and the general meeting place on all public occasions. It was a modest, puncheon-floor log cabin, but fully served its intended purposes long and well.

HIS is the center township of the county, and very appropriately is she crowned ^ queen in beauty of landscape, deep, rich soil, splendid farms, and general agricultural wealth. When all are so good it might seem invidious to say any special one was the best ; possibly there can be no best among them, only in certain lines, and in this view of the case, certainly this township stands second to none. There is no town in it, yet on the assessor's books, but more especially to the traveler's eye in passing over this great, rich garden and viewing for the first time its broad, rich acres, well trimmed and better tilled farms, commodious and elegant farm houses and horses, and great barns, bursting with hay and grain, it presents an enchanting view of comfort, plenty, ease and content, that is one of the pleasant and wholesome sights in the wrangling, struggling world.

It was appropriately named after Merritt Munson, one of the county's prominent and most enterprising citizens, - an honor upon a worthy citizen of the county worthily bestowed. During the latter part of Mr. Munson's life he lived in Geneseo, and there, as we'll as in Munson Township, his memory will be kept green as long as history or tradition may recount the growth and glory of Henry County.

No railroad touches its boundries, but it finds easy market and shipping at Geneseo and Cambridge. It is well drained by Spring Creek, which rises in several branches in the southwest corner, and passes out at the northeast corner. It has no waste land and in a few years every quarter-section will be tile drained. There are seven commodious schoolhouses for the education of the young, and the pious and godly find convenient and comfortable places of worship in any part of the township. Here is located the County Farm, where the county's unfortunate find a welcome refuge, and a warm retreat from the bitter storms of a cold, and certainly to them a cheerless, world. A full account of this institution may be found in another chapter.

Many of the first settlers here moved to the line of the railroads when they began to build through the county. The majority of these going to Geneseo, of those who were content to remain, we note Elisha Atwater, who came in 1840 and improved section 19. He was a native of New Haven, Conn.; born Dec. 18, 1810. His farm contained 208 acres. He was in the service during the late war ; 2d Lieut. Co. H, 1 1 2th Reg. He was married to Miss Margaret Wright, at Harrisburg, Pa., May 18, 1838, where she was born, Feb. 28, 182 r. They had rr children.'

HE first symptons of the tremendous financial revulsion of 1837 were beginning to be felt in the city of New York as early as 1835. There was a crop failure, and prices began to climb toward high and impossible figures for many of the poor in the cities. Shrewd business men began to dimly forecast the se-

-a^grious outlook, and there were not a few who promptly began to furl their sails before the coming storm. Every movement- of this kind touched to the quick the sensitive nerves of the laboring people, and early in the spring of 1836 the cry of "Bread! Bread!! " rang out upon the streets of New York, and the mob gathered in front of the flour store of Eli Hart & Co., and gutted.the building from cellar to roof, because, as the hungry people said, they had bought up the flour of the country and were putting up the price to $ic and $12 a barrel, out of the possible reach and means of the poor. Fortunes began to topple, and many men, who' a short time before had supposed they were on the top wave of financial prosperity, suddenly saw but little else before them than pinching poverty."

It was largely the class of men who turned their eyes Westward, and gave to Northern Illinois that stream of immigration that marked so strangely the settlement of this portion of the State. They were intelligent, educated in the avenues of business, energetic, hopeful and determined upon the full realization of that sublime watch-word that has peopled this continent - " Homes for the homeless, land for all." This was the grand idea in American civilization. It bore rich fruits, especially in the Mississippi Valley - that garden and granary of the world,.

In the winter of 1835 a notice was published in the New york papers calling " a meeting of all persons interested " at Congress Hall, to organize a colony of those interested or desirous to emigrate to Illinois. So few people responded to this first call that a second notice was published, and at this meeting an organization called the "New York Colony" was formed, and between 40 and 50 members, were enrolled.

Charles Oakley, at one time Fund Commissioner of Illinois, was the prime leader in this movement. He had previously traveled West and had examined the Prairie State, and gave glowing descriptions of all that he had seen in this portion of Illinois. The members signed an agreement, and Charles Oakley and C. C. Wilcox were made Trustees and authorized to go to Illinois and locate for the Colony about a township of land, the general idea being to locate some where near the Illinois River. Oakley had in his mind when he started on his Western mission a point now in Bureau County, but when he reached this place he found it already taken up by the Providence Colony, and he pushed on West ; and to this fact the welfare of Henry County is indebted to .the Colony coming here, and the selection of the land in townships r6 and 17 north, ranges 1 and 2 east, covering at the time about 30 sections.

It would be very interesting to posterity could we procure and print a copy of the original agreement of the Colonists, but this remarkable document seems to be hopelessly lost. Substantially, the terms were : Each individual in the Colony bound himself to erect within two years a building to. cost abcut $200 on his tract of land. In case he failed to do so, then the land reverted to the Colony, with this unfortunate condition, - the Colony thus taking reverted lands was to pay therefor at the rate of $3 per acre, this tempting offer of 100 per cent, was enough to make a great many neglect to build and let their lands be forfeited. This and the fearful panic of 1837 overloaded the Colony, and it was wholly unable to comply with its agreements or pay anything for the forfeited lands, and hence the entire sales thus soon were made void and worthless.

Oakley and Wilcox were to receive for their services 25 cents an acre for locating and superintending the business; this was also to pay for the surveys and platting a town near the center of the Colony's land. The lands and town-lots were to be put up at auction, where members could bid for preference in selections. Eight lots went with each quarter-section of land. This distribution took place in the fall of 1836 (the lands were entered in June of that year). Between $7,000 and $8,000 were paid at the sale for preferences, some of the first choice quarter-sections ^selling as high as $400. This preference money was a fund. for the benefit of the Colony, as follows :

Only a few of the Colonists came in the summer of 1836. Charles Oakley and C. C. Wilcox jlid not remain long. Wilcox finally settled in Chicago and Oakley died some years ago. Arba Seymour surveyed the land. A log house was put up in Morristown ; afterwards a Colony house was erected by R. R. Stewart, of Geneseo. It was a large two-story building and was well finished, at the time the most pretentious building in the county. By mistake the building was on a lot belonging to Oakley, and by this error Oakley laid claim to the building, which he sold to Joel Wells. A mill was built on Green River. Joshua Harper, N. W. Washburne, Luke C. Sheldon, Charles W. Davenport and a Mr. Tompkins were the total of the Colonists who were here and in possession in the fall of 1836. In 1837 John Appleton and Charles W. Davenpoit, Sr., ond their families came, and with them the venerable Thomas Fitch, the father of Mrs. Davenport. He died at Morristown in a short time after, aged 80 years. For the next 14 years after the settlement of this Colony the families above named and a few others - in all 10 or 12 families - were all there were in the New York Colony or in this part of the county. These were widely scattered over Morristown Prairie ; and these pioneers worked their way in the wilderness, patiently await4ng the oncoming tide that the next wave of immigration would bring to them. Nothing really came until 1852, when 'commenced the memorable rush of people to this portion of the county.

Osco is almost exclusively a prairie township, less than one per cent, of its surface being originally covered with timber. Its surface is beautifully undulating, with just sufficient declination to make perfect drainage, and with no level, wet or marshy areas to mar its beauty or excellence. The soil is a rich, black alluvium, of marvelous fertility, and varying from i8[]inches to two feet in depth. In the early days of its settlement it was noted for the luxuriance of the grass and other vegetation that grew upon its broad prairies.

The first settlement within the limits of the town was made by Israel Crocker, who located on the north half of section 3, at a place which was known in' those days as Crocker's Grove. Here, according to the traditions' of the early settlers, the elder Crocker located in the year 1838, built a house of considerable size and enclosed with a sod fence about 160 acres of land, and imported and placed on his farm a large flock of sheep, out of which he intended to amass a fortune. Ill success attended the venture, and after eight or ten years' struggling with bad luck with his sheep and poor health in his family, he finally succumbed to adverse circumstances and sold out to Ben Graham, who continued the business so

After the settlement of Mr. Crocker, in 1838, no further attempt was made until the year 185 1, a lapse of 13 years. In May of that year, Albert Welton moved upon the Crocker Grove farm, which had been purchased by F. P. Brown; in June, Willis Hinman "settled in the south part of the township, and was soon followed by S. C. Welton and Benjamin Manning, Philip Emmert and John Weidlein. The next year came Francis Gerard and Hiram Woodward, and in a short time A. A. and E. M. Crane, Jared H. Smith and Lester C. Welton.

The first school district was formed May 24, 1852. The meeting was at the house of Willis Hinman. The first school-house was built in 1853, on the northeast quarter of section 26. This was long known as the Hinman School-house.

In 1854 the district was divided, and the north half became District No. 2. Two school-houses were built in this District, - one in the northeast corner, and known as the Van Order school-house, and one at Morristown, in the northwest corner.

1 LSEWHERE in the Album this place is Me fully spoken of. In 1852 Henry Selby built a store in the place. It soon became the chief trading and business place for the thriving farming country around it. At one time it had a postofifice, two stores, a church, a

^-«Jjf SCO was laid out by the County Surveyor, Patterson Holmes, in December, 1870, in the southeast part of the northeast quarter of section 29. The land belonged to Orion Page. It contained only 1 1 blocks. The first house was built by G. P. Woodworth and Samuel Smith, in July, 1871, a store and residence. Mr. Woodworth soon became the sole owner.

The next house was built by D. L. Purviance, for a grocery store and postoffice. He was the first Postmaster, is there yet, and is a Democrat that will probably stay where he has been so long, at least until after another Presidential election.

There are two grain dealers, two elevators, two general store and Purviance's grocery store, a blacksmith- shop, and a very good school, taught by Miss Anna Carson.

The Methodist Episcopal church building, that has been a long time at Osco Center (the center of the township), has just been 'moved to Osco. The preacher is Rev. M. Bliss.

N the winter of 1835-6, in New York city, a few citizens met in Congress Hall, corner of Bowery and Hester Street, and organized the " New York Colony." At this meeting some 60 families were represented, who became members, and appointed Colonel CHarles Oakley - who afterward was Fund Commissioner of the State of Illinois - and Charles C. Wilcox, " Trustees for the Colonists, with authority to proceed to Illinois, and locate lands for the Colony." The intention was to locate the lands in Tazewell County ; but the land they had in view had already been taken up by the " Tremont Colony." On learning this the Trustees went on to Bureau County, and from thence to Henry County and located in what is now Osco, Western, Edford and Colon a Townships, nearly 20,- 000 acres of land. In honor of Col. Morris, of New

This was in June, 1836; and iri the fall of that year Joshua Harper and Charles W. Davenport, Jr. (the latter a lad of 18 years), came to Henry County ; and boarded with Mrs. George Tyler, at Cleveland, on Rock River.

The lands had all been entered in the name of Oakley & Wilcox as " Trustees " for the Colony ; and in the fall of that year they were sold at auction, and the choice of the land sold to-the highest bidder, who by themselves or agents selected their lands. Some $7,000 was realized from the preference money. This fund, by the terms of organization, was set apart, 1st, to build a colony house, to accommo'date settlers until they could build for themselves ; 2d, tb build a saw-mill somewhere on Green River, and also a school-house. Col. Oakley had charge of this fund.

A town was laid out on a part of sections 24 and 25, 17 and 18, and, by the terms of the organization, 8 town lots were given with each quarter-section of land. R. R. Stewart, in ^38, contracted for building the colony house, and with the help of George - Brandenburg, a ,year or two later, the house was finished - a fine, large building uf two stories ; but it was never used by the Colonists, for reasons hereafter given. A saw-mill was erected on Green River by Col. Oakley, but on land the title of which was in his own name. By an unfortunate clause in the articles of organization, the Colonists bound themselves to settle and build a home on these lands within two years, costing $200. If they neglected so to do, then their land should revert to the Colonists ; but with this condition : That the Colonists had the privilege of paying $3 per acre, or double the cost of the land. The result was, that most of the Colonists, being city folks, concluded that the investment was good enough without settlement ; but at the end of two years there was no responsible party here to take these lands, and some of the owners, after paying taxes many years, sold them from 50 cents to $1 per acre.

The consequence was that out of some 60 families only a half dozen or so came to stay. Joshua Harper came on with Oakley and Wilcox, and was here when the lands were distributed, and was agent for many of his friends in New York, to bid in those

Joshua Harper was born in Fairfax- Co., Va., April 24, 1796, and died in Geneseo Feb. 23, 1882, aged 85 years. He served in the county in several offices of, public trust, as follows : In 1837 he was elected Recorder, the first duly elected in the county, and his early records are marvels of neatness and accuracy ; he was afterward County Judge of Probate, and was elected twice Representative and Senator in our State Legislature, and was also a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1848. He was a splendid man physically - tall, six feet high, straight as an arrow, and though afflicted with a slight tremor from a paralytic affection, dignified and easy in his manners. One who has known him for fifty years writes of him as follows : " Joshua Harper was a fine representative of that now almost extinct class, the ' first families of Virginia.' I never knew so perfect a gentleman." We doubt if the man can be found who ever heard him use an improper word. Strictly and scrupulously honest in all his dealings, just and kind to all his employees, humane and tender to man and beast. Another says : " I well recollect, when stopping temporarily with him, on his farm at Morristown, that he always insisted that his hired hands should not work in the rain, no matter what was on hand. He said it ' never paid' to let a man or horse be uncomfortable, and never did farmer in Henry County have sleeker horses, fatter cattle, or more happy and contented laborers than this noble-hearted gentleman on his prairie farm at Morristown. He was genial, pleasant and jovial, delighted in a good story, and could tell one with infinite zest - indeed an Israelite, in whom there was no guile." We ne'er shall look upon his like again.

But to return to our colony. The boy, C. W. Davenport, went to work in the winter of 1836-7, and, with the help of Jerome and Frank Brittain, got out timber on Rock River, and in the spring put up a double log house, the first house erected " out on the prairie," - a large, substantial, well built house, 16 x 44 feet, with three rooms, and probably at that time the best and most comfortable house in that section of the county. This was on sec. 31,17 north, range i, now owned and occupied by William Smith.

In June, 1837, Charles W. Davenport, Sr., moved out from New York city with the rest of his family and his wife's father, the venerable Thomas Fitch, who died in 1842, at the age of 80 years.

Joshua Harper also erected his log house on his farm on section 24, adjoining Morristown. Nathan W. Washburne came out the same year, 1836, and located on section 29, township 17, range 1. Nathan was a famous hunter, and one of the drollest specimens of a live " Connecticut Yankee " that ever came West, and there was always " music " when he was around. His daughter Mary was married to Alonzo Ayers, son of William Ayres, of Andover, now residing in Nebraska. Abisha Washburne, brother of N. W., came later.

Noah and Elijah Tompkins came the same year and located on section 33, but soon became dissatisfied and sold out and returned East. Luke C. Sheldon came and settled on section 30 the same year. John Appleton came in 1837 and built on his 80 acres on section 32, and in 1838 sold out to Captain Joseph B. Brush; and in 1839 James G. Bolmer located and built a house on the 80 acres adjoining. He afterwards removed to Rock Island, and died there. His brother, George Bolmer, in the same year, settled on section 32, adjoining Appleton 's, and died on his farm in 1840. Joseph Turner, a very eccentric, jolly fellow, and a good cook, kept house for Joshua Harper, who was a bachelor in those days, and is well remembered for the innumerable pranks he played on his good-natured employes and the neighbors. Joe afterwards bought a farm a few miles south, and from thence removed to Rock Island. These were all the settlers that were on the colony lands for several years. About this time Crocker entered several hundred acres of limber and prairie at Crocker's Grove, on sections 3 and 4, and made- one of the best farms in Henry County. This farm was afterwards owned by Ben Graham, who used it for a stock farm.

In 1838 a postoffice was established at Morristown and Joshua Harper was appointed Postmaster; ,but his house being off the regularly traveled road, the office was removed from Mr. Harper's, and C. W. Davenport was appointed Postmaster.

a Kentuckian, residing at Henderson Grove, Knox County. The route was in three sections - from Beardstown' to Knoxville, from Knoxville to Albany, on the Mississippi River, and from Albany to Galena. Uncle Billy carried the mail from Knoxville to Albany .and return once a week. The next year a horseback mail was carried from Morristown to Geneseo by, Captain J. B. Brush. This was the first mail route established in Henry County. Soon after a postoffice was established in Andover, and the mails became regular. There were no envelopes in those days, and the postage on letters was 25 cents, and it took about a week or ten days to get a letter from New York, and four or five days from Chicago.

In the fall of 1840 the county seat was located at Morristown, and Colonel Oakley, through Mr. Harper for the colony, donated the Colony House for the use of the Courts; also a quarter section (160 acres) of land, and $1,000 in cash for the county.

In 1841 the first County Court and in 1842 the first Circuit Court was held in the Colony House, which had been rented to Thomas W. Corey and George Brandenburg, who agreed to furnish rooms for the Courts of the county until the court-house, was built. They also, had contracted for the building of the court-house and jail, to be built within two years. This court-house to be 18 x 24 feet, one and a half stories high ; the jail to be similar to the one contracted for at Richmond. The court-house was built, and in 1844 was hauled to Cambridge across the prairie by a procession of some 35 yoke of oxen, amid the loud cheers and hurrahs of the boys from Sugar-Tree Grove.

The question has often arisen, What became of the fund of $7,000 belonging to the Morristown Colony? It was said that some $3,000 was put into the Colony House and improvements at Morristown. This was conveyed to the county for county purposes, and by the act removing the county seat to Cambridge it was ordered to be re-conveyed to the Colony. It seems that the house was sold by Colonel Oakley to Joel Wells. The saw-mill was built on lands of Colonel O. and also sold. The school-house was never built. We suppose very few of the Colonists who settled here ever saw Colonel Oakley. He has been dead many years. The only person who would be likely to know, Joshua Harper, is also dead. We do not suppose the question will ever be answered.

It is not supposed it will make any difference to any one now of the original settlers of Morristown Colony. It is believed all are dead except Captain Joseph B. Brush and Charles W. and T. F. Davenport. There is not one left on the Colony lands. After the removal of the county seat to Cambridge, in 1844, most of the lands remained unoccupied for some 12 or r5 years, until the projection of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad gave a new impetus to immigration, and after 1850 the Colony lands passed into new ownership. A number of thrifty Germans gathered around the- Davenport, Brush and Boimer farms and bought them all out, and these lands are now among the richest and most valuable farm's in the county.

S the S-Outhwest-cor.ier township in the county, its boundary lines for six miles on the south and an equal distance on the west, forming the county line. There were neither groves nor mounds to tempt the first comers to this part of the State to " stick stakes " and " hang out their banners on the outer wall " of civilization", inviting all the world to come and partake. The very first settlers looked upon its level, wet wastes, and no more supposed it would ever be covered with farms and fine improvements than would - the deep lakes or the rock cliffs where the eagle rests. When they saw their cattle grazing upon its nutritious grasses they began to realize it was not wholly worthless for all purposes, and slowly they settled, down to the conviction that for generations to come here would be free feeding grounds for their stock. The cattle made paths and these were washed by the rains into drainage ways for the surplus water, and in the course of time dry, solid ground appeared where before was the bog,- in many places of which a person could stand upon the tough grass sod and by jumping on it shake the ground for several feet about him.

wood, came with him. A. D. Underwood was born in the township Dec. 11, 1839, and until other pioneers-came in maybe called the township's first white squatter.

Anson Calkins, at one time Assessor of .the township, came here in 1841. He was born in Austerlitz, Columbia Co., N. Y., Nov. 14, 1818. His recollections are that there were very few if any permanent settlers in the township when he arrived. After fixing his first abode he has never changed it. He prospered from the first, having a farm of about 400 acres of very rich land. He reared five children, in their order as follows : Maria P., Mary E., James B., John F. and Winfield C. His wife was Miss H. Griffin, of Berkshire Co., Mass.

A. B. Cole was one of the settlers found here when Calkins came. He came and settled in Oxford Township in 1839. Cole says there were but six voters, counting himself, in the township at that time. His family consisted of a wife and four children; she was Augusta Briggs, of Worcester Co., Mass. Mr. Cole was County Commissioner one term ; also was Assessor of the township.

Robert M. Wilber came in 1849. He died on the place where he first settled, leaving a widow and 13 children. Two of his sons were killed in the late war.

HE village is nearly in the center of the township, at the crossing of the Galva & Keithsburg Branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Rock Island & St. Louis Railroads. It was laid out by Anson Calkins, June 1, 1872. It has never made any great splutter in the way of big booms, but has moved along quietly and surely, content to attend to its ever-growing shipping and business interests. It is one among the several favorable points of shipment in the county, having a north and south and an east and west connection with all the markets.

There are two dry-goods stores, a grocery store, a hardware store, two blacksmith shops and two hotels in the place. They have a nice school-house just completed, at a cost of $r,8oo.

The building of the railroads and the laying out of Alpha was practically the doom of the village of Oxford, which was a few miles to the southwest. This latter place was laid out in 1858 by Daniel and James Briggs, on section 30. The "main historical point that may perpetually preserve the history of this village was that it was the location of the wildcat bank in i860, known as the " Bank of the Mississippi Valley," whose assets were said to consist in its best days of an old rusty safe without a lock, one old-fashioned copper, part of a cheap lead pencil, rusty steel pen and a scribbled-over half-sheet of foolscap paper !

When Alpha was started the people of Oxford started too, and they took their houses with them, as a rule, and now the merry plowman whistles his tunes and turns the furrows over the once nestling home of the village.

HIS township nestles along the borders of Rock River, in the northwest part of the county, the natural places for those first pioneers to settle who formed those outer fringes of civilization, where the solitary pioneer piloted his lonely way. The second white family to settle in the county was Earl P. Aldrich's, who came in the summer of 1835, and in his little log cabin was born, on the 15th of the following December, the first white child in Henry County that with wide eyes looked out astounded, but not dumbfounded, upon this new and curious world.

A very full account of all these early settlers is given in other chapters, to which the reader is referred. Amariah Withrow landed in the township but a evry short time after the Aldriches. He was a native of White County, Illinois, born May 4, 1 831, and came with the large family of Withrows, of whom also is given a full account in another place. Amariah Withrow married Mary J. Huston, born in Licking County, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1832. They were married August 8, 1856. Had four children.

It properly should have been stated above that the families, the widows and children of the Aldriches are still living, and the aspirations and hopes of all for these two venerable old grand-mothers are that the quiet comfort of their declining years may be long in the land, with only a gradual flow and increase of temporal blessings to their departing hour.

David B. Bar£e, a native of Ohio, came in 1841. His fine farm contains 620 acres. He married Eliza M. Aldrich, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May 7, 1828.

class of people. Its history is largely included in that of the Bishop Hill Colony, which follows. James Withrow was the first settler in this part of the county. He located at the east end of Red Oak in 1836. He died on his farm in 1839, and his estate was the first probated in the county. There seems to have been few or no other settlers in this part of the county prior to 1853. Among those who came to this township were Lars Anderson; came in 1846, and died Nov. 16, 1869, leaving a son, Gilbert A. Andrew and Jonas Bergland came from Sweden to this county in 1846 ; John Bjork came to America, 1840, returned to Sweden and in 1847 settled in Bishop Hill; Peter O. Bloomberg came in 1846; Jacob Bricker came in 1851 ; John P. Chaiser came in 1850; Jonas Elblow came in 1846; Lars Ericson came with his parents in 1847 ;. Lars Forsberg came in 1847. John H. Grammar, born in Germany, came to the county 1847 ; William Grammar came in 1843; Hans M. Hollander came in 1847; Jacob Jacobson and wife came " on foot," 1847 ; John E. Lindbeck, 1849 ; Olof Moline came 1846; William L. Neuman, German, came 1846; Hans Nostrum, 1846; Eric Olson came with the Swede colony. He was rich in. the old country, but was made treasurer for the colonists and paid out for necessaries for others all he had in the world. Jonas Olson came at the same time and he also thus paid out his total fortune ; Olof Olson came 1847 5 Jonn Piatt came in 1840; he was one of the oldest settlers in Weller; Henry Poppy came 1847; J- E. Stoneberg in 1847; Olof Stoneberg in 1846; Andrew Stoneberg came in 1846.; Swan Swanson in 1846; Peter Wexell and Peter Wickblow in 1 847 .

^ bigotry. It is a singular fact in the history of mankind' that there is hardly an exception, no, not one, where a people, after much suffering for religion's sake, long and cruel persecutions, and many suffering death rather than renounce the right of freedom of opinions, and often great communities driven from their native land - -fleeing and skulking fugitives, or extirpated by the sword and fagot, yet when their religious ideas have taken hold and gathered converts and became strong, fearless and conquering, then those martyrs to the freedom of religious opinion invariably are ready to turn and inflict upon others who do not adopt their worship the same stern and cruel persecutions that they themselves had suffered from.

Martin Luther's rebellion against the Catholic Church took complete possession of Sweden, and the Holy Lutheran Church became the State religion ; and when once in power it ruled that country with an iron hand. The Church and State were one, and that one was the Church, - keen-eyed, vigilant and sleepless in the hunt of those who dared to think that they were not God's appointed guardians of all men's bodies and souls. Their entire idea of religious freedom of opinion was to present to every one the Church creed, and with the presentation there was no alternative except the manacles and the dungeon. Thus have worked out in the long time inevitable growths of Luther's religious rebellion. He fought religious intolerance, stood ready to die for the freedom of opinion, and the moment he was enabled to seize the power he was just as earnest and determined as had ever been the most bigoted Catholic to restrict all liberty of thought in the blind submission to his narrow creeds.

Eric Jansen was the founder of the sect that constituted the Bishop Hill Colony. In his native Sweden, when a young man, his mind began to find many and strong objections to the Lutheran Church. He abdicated the faith - preached a new doctrine ; was bitterly persecuted by the bishops, the ruling power in Sweden, and, like every new religion the world has ever known, " the blood of the martyr is the end of the Church; " he gathered rapidly about him converts and fellow sufferers. In three brief years after he had commenced proclaiming the new faith he had gathered over t,ioo followers. His first convert and ablest lieutenant was Mr. Hedine. Jansen and Hedine went to prison together, and many times had they been consigned to the gloomy dungeons, where they could only peep out upon the free air and distant sunshine through iron grates. Every visitation from the Church authorities became more and more severe, until finally Jansen became a fugitive from his native country and in disguise fled to America. When his converts found he had fled to this country, that here all men could enjoy freedom of conscience and speech, a colony was organized consisting of about 700 members, and they came as soon as they could to this country and selected their future homes in township 14, range 3. This point was fixed upon by'Olef Olson, who had come in advance and made the selection. These immigrants came to Henry County in 1847. They were very poor and for a long time lived in miserable tents and rude caves dug in the sides of the hills, with but scant and innutritious food ; they presented a scene of squalor and suffering. The majority of them were ignorant in their own country, belonging to the enslaved peasant class, and when suddenly dumped in such a great drove into a- new hemisphere - a new and strange world indeed to them - with even less of the necessities of life than they had in their old homes, it is not strange that here their sufferings were extremely severe. The few who had possessed property and were better trained to care for their physical wants, had precipitately fled from the land of oppression, leaving their property or selling at such sacrifices as soon made them as poor as their poor companions, and whose sufferings were intensified by the greater change in their lives. But one or two in the colony understood or could speak a word of English, and hence, as they knew nothing of the language of the country, the climate, soil or its agriculture, commerce, wants, or its diseases and remedies, they were as completely lost to all these things that are imperative to a people to know as if they had been suddenly transported to one of the distant planets.

In their favor was the fact that the Swedes are a people trained through generations to the practice of pinching frugality and untiring industry. They are docile, moral and law-abiding; accustomed to severe taskmasters, they plod in silence, and bow in humblest respect to those in authority. Their country of rigorous climate ; their long line of tyrants and cruel rulers have through many generations affected the whole people physically and mentally, and the sudden transplanting of a large body of such people to this genial climate and yet more gentle and genial government, with no previous preparation for the change, was like overfeeding the shipwrecked and starving when found ready to die of hunger and thirst. Therefore, of the great change, the squalor and ignorance of the colonists, came sickness and death, stalking the fold in horrid carnival.

This certainly is no overdrawn picture of the sad condition of the colonists when the cholera broke out among them in 1849. The scythe of death then literally mowed a fat harvest. Strong men and women were stricken, and in a few hours were in their coffinless graves. So swiftly did the grim reaper work, that no effort was made to procure coffins or boxes for the dead; relays of men were night and day digging shallow graves, in which the bodies, wrapped in a blanket or scanty cloth, were thrown and in solemn silence covered. A one-horse cart was the hearse that was used to gather the bod ies, singly and in numbers, and haul them to the graveyard. For many weeks this horse was not unhitched for a moment from his vehicle, night or day ; and it is a well authenticated fact that two men dug their own graves - working hard in the forenoon in the very graves in which they were sleeping peacefully and forever in the afternoon ! Here was the sad reality, the hideous carnival of death, surpassing in honors the imaginings of the painter, when with- a free hand he caused to stand out upon the canvas that startling and repulsive picture, "The Dance of Death."

Erkr Jansen was shot to death by John Root, in May, 1850. Eric Jansen, "the Prophet," was the founder of the new religion, the head of the Colony Church, and their supreme ruler in temporal as well as spiritual affairs. He was a man of courage and strong, convictions. He ruled his people absolutely, and he did not delegate or divide his power with any of Tiis subalterns. The designation of "Eric Johnson, the Prophet," is a key to his character as a leader - a religious enthusiast, stern, inflexible and bigoted. Had he lived in the days of the crusades he would have organzed his army, and led them, if necessary, into the jaws of death, and with his flashing sword have literally hewn his way to the Holy Sepulcher. One of the tenets of Jansen 's new faith was that all property should be held in common, and was subject always to the rule of the Church leader only, and that the Prophet should protect all the female of the order.

Root, the man who killed Jansen, came from Stockholm and joined the colony in 1848. He married a cousin of Eric Jansen. The key to the tragedy that followed this marriage is given by the solemn and curious marriage contract that Jansen had the parties enter into. It provided that if Root should ever leave the colony he should go alone, leaving the wife to enjoy in the colony all the rights and immunities of the church and colony. What would any intelligent man in this day and age think if his intended preacher presented him such a marriage-contract to sign? But to Jansen the first and supreme thing in temporal matters was to secure every right of his Church, and before these - the interests of his close church corporation - even the solemn and sacre,d rights of the marriage state must, give way. Thus, before Root and Jansen's cousin were married, there was a way provided for their separation. The command, "Whom God hath joined together, let no' man put asunder," was provisionally provided for, and under the cruel wo^ds of that contract - words that would eat, like the tightening irons into the victim's flesh, and become an endless torture that could only be cured by the sufferer belng-setfree and his marriage shackles stricken from him. It was thus this foolish . couple entered into the bonds of marriage. After a short time he tired of Jansen's religion, and his rigid 'iron rule, and Jansen .was as soon, probably, tired of Root's presence in the flock over which he kept guard. Jansen evidently regarded Root with disfavor, and this grew to be-mutual between the two men. Root abjured ithe faith and left the community. He returned in a short time and claimed his wife and newly born chikL The wife objected to going with him, and the Church peremptorily objected to her going. Root at one time got her into a wagon and was fleeing when he was overtaken, and the woman and child were taken from him by force and carried back to the colony. Again he got her away and took her to Chicago, and Jansen's men brought her back. Root talked to all who would listen to him, and told his story that Jansen had kidnapped 'his wife - had separated them. Root evidently brooded over the matter, and made up his mind to wreak a terrible revenge for his real or imagined wrongs, and he prep4red himself and came to Cambridge at the commencement of the May term of Court in 1850, and just as Court adjourned for noon, he walked up to Jansen and without a word shot him down, - firing two shots, but one taking effect, the first, and Jansen fell dead.

Root "was arrested, took a change of venue to Knox County, was there tried, convicted of- manslaughter and sentenced to the penitentiary for the term of two years. He was pardoned by the Governor and returned to the county, and went to Rock Island, and then to Chicago, where he died.

Jansen was an impracticable fanatic, very religtous and severe and unrelenting; and his death freed the the Colony from his rule and also from his Utopian ideas oi the rights of property and government.

Root was both a foolish and a vicious man, and the shot that killed Jansen wrecked his own life - wrecked it to that degree that the grave must have come to him in the prime of life as a welcome refuge from this breathing world.

We have told of this tragedy simply to indicate its great effects upon the Swedes who composed Jansen's Colony. Soon after Jansen 's death there was an improvement in the credit and standing of these people ; property no longer was held in common, and gradually the people became as other citizens, each practicing his chosen religion without let or hindrance, and the process of becoming real and valuable Americans characterized the whole membership of the Colony, until now their neighbors in the county willingly testify that they constitute a body of our best citizens and are noted for less of the baneful, clannish spirit than probably any other body of foreign people in the country.

The Colonists first settled along the south bank of the South Edwards Creek. The site was a beautiful one. It was covered sparsely with a small growth of oak timber. In 1849 they erected a fourstory brick, building, 100 X45 feet. This was a colony-house, and here the afflicted and helpless were more comfortably housed than they had been in the mud caves and ragged tents.

A large frame building was soon after erected for a church. Such was their religious zeal that a house of God was to be provided before they had made shelters for themselves.

To the credit of the people it must be stated that they established an English school as early as January, 1847, thus showing that they came to America to be Americans. A Presbyterian clergyman, Re v. Talbot, taught some 35 scholars in a mud cave from January to July. At times he was assisted by his daughter, Mrs. Pollock, afterwards the wife of Eric Jansen and now his widow. Talbot taught the second school, and Nelson Simons, M. D., was employed about one year as their third schoolmaster.

The progress of improvement was steady, and a grist-mill on a small scale was soon in operation on the Edwards Creek, at the Hill. Two saw-mills were also soon under way on the same stream. One of them they purchased. The construction of a steam grist-mill was commenced in r849, under the direction of Eric Jansen, but not completed till after his death.

The high moral conduct of these people soon convinced those living nearest them that nothing was to be apprehended from them, as their creed was essentially harmless to all outsiders. And in the hour of need the Colonists found fast friends in the majority of those near them. By the year 1 85 1 they had grown and strengthened, and had built a first-class steam flouring-mill, which turned out a large surplus of flour beyond the wants of the Colony.

From living in such poor habitations at first, and from being unaccustomed to the climate, great numbers sickened and died. Especially among the children was the mortality fearful.

From the terrible mortality caused by cholera and the leaving of those in fear of the disease, the Colony was at one time reduced to 414 souls. These survived the plague and had the hardihood to remain. At the time Mr. Jansen was murdered, in May, 1850 (an account of which is given elsewhere), they were suffering from sickness, desertion and death ; and the fact that these had the fortitude to remain amid such a multiplicity of discouragements, was proof conclusive of the earnestness of their conviction that they were called to suffer, and, if need be, to die in demonstrating the true methods- of Christian, fellowship. In erecting the large buildings for dwellings, in the manufacture of cloth, in the erection of large mills, in their frugal industry, and in their honest endeavors to promote their welfare, spiritually and temporally, during all these trials of poverty, sickness, death, desertion and strangers in a strange land, a lesson of commendable zeal may be learned and an example of fortitude which has few equals in the history of the country.

By the year 1853 or 54 affairs were brightening and prospects grew better. Other emigrants came, other buildings were erected and the hopes of the early Colonists began to be realized.

Brick buildings, capable of accommodating from eight to double that number of families, were erected. In these each family had one or more rooms. All worked together, and at meal time repaired to the large dining-rooms and partook of food provided for all. Each one was required to labor, and after receiving sufficient clothing and food from the products, the remainder was used to purchase more land or erect additional buildings. ' Human nature is the same in all ages and among all people, and here, as well as elsewhere, were those who would not perform their share of the labor or provide for the common good. By the year i860 it was found that the theories of Mr. Jansen would not prevail in practical life, and a division occurred.

By this year all the large brick buildings spoken of were erected. At this time they wer^ divided into two parties, known as the Johnson (Jansen) and Olson parties. The former being more numerous, obtained about two-thirds of the property ; the latter the remainder. No serious difficulties arose from this division, and the individual affairs were conducted on the same plan heretofore pursued.

The following year the .Olson party were divided into three diyisions or parts, and the Johnson party made an individual distriDution of their lands 'and town property.

It was soon found that it was better for all to be thrown upon an individual responsibility, and a distribution of all property belonging to this party was made. To every person, male or female, that had attained the age of 35 years, 22 acres of land, one timber lot (nearly two acres), one town lot, and an equal part in all barns, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, or 'other domestic ,animals, and all farming implements and household utensils were given. All under this age received a share corresponding in amount and value to the age of the individual, no discrimination being shown to either sex. The smallest share was about 8 acres of land, a correspondingly small town and timber lot, and part of the personal property.

The same year, in April, the town was laid out by the Trustees, Olef Johnson, Jonas Erickson, Swan Swanson, Jonas Olson, Jonas Kronberg, Olef Stenberg and Jacob Jacobson. In r86r the Olson party, being divided into three factions, continued to prosecute their labors under the colony system. One year's trial, however, convinced them of the results. These factions were known as Oison, Stoneberg and (Martin) Johnson divisions, which, at the close of the year r86i, divided their property to the individuals comprising each faction, on the basis adopted by the Johnson party in i860. The shares were, however, not quite so large. The large brick buildings are now principally owned by the old settlers. » room which could be utilized for that purpose. The school-room was therefore constantly changing, until the erection of the large frame building spoken of, when the upper room in it was occupied for a number of years. In 1858 or '59 a school-house was erected. It contains four rooms for school purposes and a library.

!HE village of Bishop Hill is a prosperous station on the Rock Island & Peofia.Rail- ^ road, occupied almost entirely by Swedes, foreign-born, and the younger generation- of , them born in this county. Here, among the old, you will hear only the Swede language, and among the young, a curious mixture of Swede and English. They are all,, however, educated in Eng^ lish, and it is bu{ a few years until'this will be practically the only language spoken among them. The town has a population of 350 souls, and excellent school and church buildings.

The Swede Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1864, with twenty members, the principal of whom were: Eric Bengtron, Jonas Engstrom, Eric Soder, Jons Watstrom, George Ericson. Meetings at first were held in the Bishop Hill Schoolhouse, and in private residences. Soon after the organization a wagon -shop was, bought for $400, and Church services were held in the second story of this building until i868j when a church building was erected, at a cost of $3,500. In their order the preachers were N. O. Westergreen, Peter. Chairman, A. J. Anderson, Eric Shogren, W. K. Eklund and J. E. Bergren.

There are over 200 in the congregation, with a flourishing Sunday-school. A few years ago several of the members of this Church, emigrated to Kansas, where they now reside.

Colony, which first settled in Western Town^ ship. The company, in July, 1839, through their authorized agents, Killbourne and Buel purchased- in townships 15 north, 1 east, and 16 fk about $7 ,000. Kilbourne and Buel were paid $25 for each quarter-section, and the premium money was then to build a hotel, a seminary and a slush fund, to lobby through the Legislature a charter for a seminary, and also procure a charter for a Beet- Root Sugar Company, as well as have a State road located and made from the mouth of Rock River to Hennepin. Mr. Kilbourne lobbied two seasons at the Legislature. These brilliant schemes came to naught. A wing of the great public house was put up in township 16 north, 1 east, in 1836. Afterwards it became the home of Mr. Denton. Some of the timbers of the main building (30 x 40), were got out and hauled to the ground from Richland Grove, a distance of seven miles, and they lay unused on the

(j ' grounds for a few years, and were finally sold to J. B. Trego, who used them in constructing a barn. The colonists were to come out, and each was to build on his piece of land. Alfred Buel built his house near the company's hotel, and some one erected another frame house, but never occupied it. These were the entire improvements of the new town, and in after years they were sold to the Bishop Hill Colony, of which a full account is given in another place.

In the fall of 1837 M. B. Lloyd purchased of the La Grange Company 240 acres, paying $3.33 per acre. He could have got thousands of acres in the county just as good for $1.50 per acre. He built the first house outside of the town, about two miles distant. Albert and Francis Wells bought of the company a half-section in 1838. They were from Sing Sing, N. Y. Francis Wells came out and brought a large lot of Berkshire hogs, and fenced his farm with a sod fence, and entered upon raising hogs for the New York market. He raised quite a crop of corn, and had to carry water to his hogs. They became diseased, many died, and a part he slaughtered, took to Knoxville, and sold at $1.50 per 100. He sunk about $4,000 in his hog speculation, and having a horse and $10 left he mounted and turned his horse to the East, and left the country. His abandoned house was divided out piece-meal among the neighbors, and when last heard from Francis was in California in the hot pursuit of wealth. He was a man of edu- cation, a lawyer by profession, but, like the majority of graduates who came West, with only the bright but superficial ideas of the school-room, are signal failures nearly always, the only exception being those young men who are enabled to throw off the education that has cost them so much time and money as thqpgh it was a loose-fitting cloak, and as quickly learn that practical education of life that adapts men to their surroundings.

William Blackfan removed from Pennsylvania and settled two miles west of La Grange in 1839. Dr. Alfred Trego soon followed, and two other families from Bucks Co., Pa., came in 1840. This last named was known as West La Grange. These constituted the settlements in this part of the county for ten years. Dr. Robert D. Foster bought 1,100 acres of th t company's land in 1847, and the next year sowed 200 acres in wheat. This crop and his improvements, and all his lands, he sold to the Bishop Hill Colony. Buel removed to Galena in 1844 and died there. Blackfan died on his farm in 1841. Dr. Trego removed to Mercer County.

fand most enterprising is Orion. It stands almost in the center of Western Township, is surrounded by magnificent farming country, has excellent railroad accommodation, and is looked upon by the people, for miles around, as an excellent-trading point. It is on the Rock Island Divisof the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, at the junction north of the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad, 18 miles south of Rock Island, and 12 miles from Cambridge.

Mahlon B. Lloyd, the first settler to locate in Western Township, came' as early as 1837. He was an enterprising business man, and did much to advance the interests of the township. His son Charles was the first white male child born in the township, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth K. Blackfan was the first female child born in the township. Dr. Alfred Trego came in 1840, and a year later the Blackfan family came in, and by 1852 there were but five families living in the township. These were M. B. Lloyd, H. B. Engle, Edward

Blackfan, George Anderson and Elizabeth Blackfan and her family. The latter was the widow of William Blackfan, who died in 1843. This lady, though so early left a widow with a large family upon her hands and in a new country, displayed rare business ability, and succeeded in gaining considerable property, as well as to prove an earnest worker for the moral growth of the place.

As early as 1850 a postoffice was established in thevtownship, called Orion. Mrs. Blackfan was appointed Postmistress, and held the position until it was moved to Orion in 1853. In JDecember of that year Charles W. Dean laid out Orion, which for some time was known as Deanington. In 1867 it was christened' its present name. Mr. Dean immediately erected a store-building, and embarked in the grocery business. But little growth, however, was attained until the completion of the railroad, which was in the autumn of 1870. The coming of the' iron horse awakened many new enterprises. Buildings went up on every hand, stores and shops were opened, and the business of the place soon quadrupled. There -are excellent schools at this point, three, prosperous churches, a bank, a weekly newspaper, and all the necessary appointments for a first-class town. x

In 1852, when there were but five families in the township as above mentioned, it was determined to' erect a school building, and a tax was therefore voted. The school-house was erected on Mr. Lloyd's farm, the site of which is at present almost within the corporation of Orion. Charles Dean erected the building, at a cost of $140. In 1854, it was moved to Orion, and the following year the first school at this place was opened by Charles Moon. Great progress has since been made in the facilities for accommodating the children in this place, and to-day Orion can justly boast of one of the best schools in the county.