Iroquois County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1880 (part 5 of 20)

Henry H. Alter, city clerk, Watseka, was born in Beaver, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1840, and is the son of Henry R. and Elizabeth (Weirich) Alter, who were born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. His father was engaged in farming, and his mother died when he was a young lad. He was then placed in the hands of his grandmother Weirich, who lived in Washington, Pennsylvania. Here Mr. Alter received his principal education. He began the study of medicine, in which profession he was engaged at the breaking out of the late civil war. In 1861 he enlisted at the first call for one hundred days, in Co. E, 12th reg. Penn. Yol. Inf., as private. He served full time, and was honorably mustered out in 1862. In 1863 and 1864 he was studying medicine, and was a student in the Medical School of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1864 he was appointed assistant-surgeon of the 52d reg. Yol. Inf., and served with this regiment for one year. This regiment participated in a number of skirmishes, and was at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. In 1865 Mr. Alter returned to Pennsylvania, and the same year he came west. He was visiting in Iowa, and in 1866 he came to Watseka, where he has been a resident ever since. In 1870 he entered the book business. Mr. Alter has held several offices of public trust since he has been a resident of Watseka, - township clerk of Middleport, and city clerk of Watseka, - and has in each given entire satisfaction. Mr. Alter was married to Miss M. Roff, daughter of A. B. Roff, who was among the early settlers of Watseka. By this union they have one child, a daughter.

John M. Burton, county surveyor, Watseka, was born in Monroe county, March 16, 1838, and is the son of Henry W. and Martha (McDaniel) Burton ; mother of North Carolina and father of Kentucky. When Mr. Burton was about eleven years of age, with his parents, he moved to Illinois, and located in Crete, Will county, where Mr. B. remained about seven years, and then moved to Kankakee city. In 1867 he moved to Iroquois county, on a farm in Papineau township, where he has been engaged in fanning ever since. In 1871

Mr. Burton received the nomination and was elected to the office of county surveyor by the republican party. In 1875, becoming so popular and giving such satisfaction to all, he received the nomination from both parties, and was reflected to the office without any opposition. Mr. Burton participated in the late civil war. He enlisted, in 1865, in Co. A, 156th reg. 111. Yol. Inf., which regiment did duty in Tennessee. He was discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Burton is a republican in politics.

Elmore Brimhall, Watseka, was born in McHenry county, Illinois, September 25, 1846, and is the son of the Rev. Samuel Brimhall, a Baptist preacher who was born in New York, and, when he became of age, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. He was married, in Indiana, to Miss Caroline A. Mills, of Ohio. They moved to Henderson county, Illinois, where he was licensed to preach. They then went to New Boston, where he was regularly ordained as a preacher, and followed this for a number of years, preaching in different parts of Illinois. Mr. Brimhall remained with his father until the death of his mother, which occurred when he was almost thirteen years old. Afterwards he lived with his uncle, where he could school himself. This he did for a number of years. In 1865 he was engaged at work in a nursery, and in the same year went to Knoxville, Knox county, and entered a printing office, and began to learn the trade. At the end of the year he was the leading printer in the office of the "Knox Republican." From here he went to Peoria, where he worked at his trade in the " Peoria Democrat " office. He subsequently went west, and remained a short time. He returned to the office of the " Peoria Democrat," where he worked some six months more, when he received a letter offering him work in the office of the " Iroquois County Republican." So in 1867 he came to Watseka, and worked in that office for two years, when he went to St. Paul, and was engaged on state work some six months. From there he removed to Buffalo, and afterward entered the employ of the Lakeside Printing Company, of Chicago, where he remained some two years. He then commenced the job printing business, the firm being Brimhall & Smith, and doing business at No. 45 South Canal Street, where he remained about one year. In 1873, in company with Alex. L. Whitehall, he purchased the " Iroquois County Republican," and began the publication of that paper. In August, 1876, he purchased Mr. Whitehall's interest, and in August, 1877, he sold out his business in the newspaper, and at present is engaged in buying and selling real estate. Mr. Brimhall was married, in 1876, to Miss Dora Fenton.

Judge John Chamberlain, of "Watseka, deceased, was born in Charleston, New Hampshire, October 24, 1803, and was the son of John C. Chamberlain, a leading practitioner at the New Hampshire bar. The subject of this memoir graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1823. On July 16, 1830, he was admitted to the bar in New York, and commenced practice at Albion, Orleans county. He rapidly rose to distinction, and from that time held high rank among the legal talent of the state'. In the anti-Mason excitement of that period he went with his party friends - the democrats - spared their feelings, and was at a time their chief adviser, and gave efficient and distinguished aid in opposing the anti-Masons as a political party. Following this he served several terms in the New York general assembly. Through the failure of friends to whom he had loaned his credit for a large sum, he was induced to come west. In 1844 or 1845 he located at Bunkum, in this county, where he engaged largely in the stock and real estate business. In 1847 he was an unsuccessful candidate, against Judge Jesse O. Norton, of Joliet, for delegate to the constitutional convention from the counties of Iroquois and Will. In 1849 he was elected the first county judge of Iroquois county, for four years, which office he filled three consecutive terms. In 1853 he moved to the town of Middleport, then the county seat of Iroquois county. He was married, in 1856, to Mrs. O. L. Hood, who was born in Byron, Genesee county, New York, June 2, 1822. Three children, two daughters and a son, were the issue of this union, but only one, Orra N., the oldest child, survives him ; the other two died in infancy. Judge Chamberlain died in Watseka, December 16, 1866, universally regretted.

Dr. W. S. Browne, physician, Woodland, was born in Madison county, Indiana, March 2, 1844, and is the son of L. D. and Nancy (Harland) Browne. His father, a farmer, was a native of Virginia, and moved to Indiana at an early day. Here, on the farm, our subject worked during the summer, and in the winter months attended the district schools, receiving a good common-school education, and fitting himself for the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here he attended a ' medical course, and also at Cincinnati and at the Rush Medical College, of .Chicago. Dr. Browne received two diplomas. In 1868 he went to Watseka and began the practice of medicine, where he remained but a short time; when he went to Anderson, Indiana, and there was engaged in the drug business in connection with his practice. In 1872 he came to Woodland, where he has been meeting with good success in his chosen profession.

in the firm of Messrs. Rosenburg & Zemple, prominent business men of Woodland, who do a general hardware and grain business. They are both also connected with the grain firm of S. Williams & Co., of Woodland, who are extensive grain dealers. Mr. Zemple was born in Prussia, Germany, and moving to America, in 1868, first located in Iroquois county, where he remained about one year ; he then went to Chicago, where he remained some seven years, and again returned to Iroquois county and located in Papineau, where he was engaged in clerking and in the commission business. In 1876 he came to Woodland and has since remained here.

Ben R. South, restaurateur and confectioner, Watseka, was born in New Albany, Indiana, October 8, 1843, where he remained until 1856, when he came with his parents and located in Iroquois county on a farm. Here he was engaged in farming until 1862, when he enlisted in the late civil war, in Co. K, 76th 111. Yol. Inf., as private for three years or during the war. He remained with the 76th until 1863, when he was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, and thence to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was taken sick with the small-pox ; in 1863 he was transferred to the Yeteran Reserve corps, and then sent to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he served as orderly until July, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He returned to the old homestead in Iroquois county, where he remained until 1868, engaged in farming. He then came to Watseka, and was made deputy sheriff under his brother, A. H. South. In 1869 Mr. South went to Missouri, where he was engaged in farming until 1872, when he returned to Watseka, which has been his home ever since. In April, 1878, he began the restaurant and confectionery business, in which business he is at present engaged. At his establishment everything is in neat order; he is located south of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw depot. Mr. South was assistant marshal of Watseka for several years. He is a republican in politics.

John T. Pierson, sheriff of Iroquois county, Watseka, was born in Marion county, Ohio, September 25, 1850, and is the son of Thomas and Margaret Ann (Fickle) Pierson, both natives of the Buckeye state. His father, Thomas Pierson, was a farmer and stock raiser in Ohio. In 1868, with family, he came to Iroquois county, and located on a farm in Artesia township. Here he followed farming. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of Iroquois county, and he appointed as deputy his son, Joftn T., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Pierson served two years as sheriff of Iroquois county. He is now engaged in the stock business at the Union Stock Yards, Chicago. In 1876 Jacob Shear was elected sheriff of the county, with Mr. John T. Pierson as deputy sheriff. In filling the office of deputy sheriff for four years Mr. Pierson gave entire satisfaction, having proven himself a man of acknowledged ability. He won a host of friends, and in 1878 was nominated and elected to the office of sheriff of Iroquois county by the greenback party. This office he now fills. Mr. Pierson's first vote was cast for U. S. Grant for president. Since then he has been liberal in his politics. In 1877 Mr. Pierson was constable of Watseka.

Charles G. Culver, merchant, Watseka', is one of the best known and most highly respected business men of Watseka. He was born in Washington county, New York, October 8, 1840. His parents are Nathan and Eliza (Gilmore) Culver, both natives of New York. His father was a farmer. On the farm Mr. Culver remained until he was about sixteen years of age. In 1857 he took Horace Greeley's advice and came west. He located first in Sandwich, DeKalb county, Illinois, and there entered one of the leading dry-goods houses as clerk. At the breaking out of the late civil war, when Fort Sumter was fired upon, he enlisted in Co. H, 7th 111. Yol. Inf. This company was the first company that reported for duty at Chicago, in Illinois. The 7th was commanded by Col. Dick Oglesby. This regiment was ordered to Cairo, Illinois, where it did duty for three months. Being a threemonths regiment, it was then mustered out. Mr. Culver then reenlisted for three years in Co. H, 105th 111. Yol. Inf., as orderly-sergeant. He participated in some of the most severe battles of the war: Resaca, Atlanta (known as the one-hnndred-day fight), Peach Tree Creek, with Sherman's march to the sea, through the swamps of the Carolinas, on to Washington, where he participated in the grand parade at Washington, D. C. Mr. Culver entered Co. H as orderly-sergeant ; from that he was appointed to second lieutenant, then first lieutenant, and when he was transferred from Co. H to Co. C, he was made captain, which office he filled some eighteen months. He was a brave soldier. He never lost a day from duty, served full time, and was honorably mustered out at Washington in 1865 at the close of the war. He returned to Sandwich, Illinois, and entered the general merchandising business. In 1869 he came to Watseka and commenced his present business. In. 1878 Mr. Culver was elected supervisor of Middleport township, which office he filled with marked ability. He is a republican in politics, being a member of the republican state central committee. Mr. Culver was married in Sandwich, DeKalb county, Illinois, to Miss Maria Barnes, of New York. They have one child, a son.

Eoberts. Mr. Koberts moved with his parents to Indiana when he was very young ; and moved with his father and family on the circuit through Indiana, his father being a preacher. In 1862, during the late civil war, he enlisted from Kokomo, Indiana, in Co. I, 21st Ind. Yol. Inf., which was transferred to Co. L, 1st Ind. Artillery; he enlisted for three years. This artillery did service at New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana ; he was honorably discharged on account of sickness. Dr. Roberts commenced the study of dentistry in 1858 ; he practiced at Valparaiso, Indiana, and Fairmount, Illinois. In 1869 he came to Watseka and began the practice of his profession. He is meeting with very good success ; his office is located over C. G. Culver's store.

J. J. Carlock, merchant, "Watseka, was born in McLean county, Illinois, November 24, 1829, and is the son of Reuben and Amy (Jones) Carlock, who immigrated to Illinois, and located in Dry Grove, McLean county, in 1827. His father, who was born in 1795, died in 1856; he was a .soldier of two wars, - the war of 1812, and the Black Hawk war of 1832. His wife, Amy (Jones) Carlock, is still living, in Woodford county, at the good old age of eighty-two years ; she is a pensioner of the war of 1812. Mr. Carlock remained on the farm in McLean and Woodford counties, engaged in farming and stock dealing, until 1869, when he moved to Iroquois county and located in Belmont township ; here he remained until 1876, when he moved to Watseka. He has been engaged in the lumber business. He was married, in Woodford county, to Miss Susan Allen, of Blooming Grove, daughter of Isaac Allen, who was an early settler of Mc- Lean county ; they have four children.

Judge Manliff B. Wright, county judge, Watseka, whose portrait appears in this work, is one of the leading and prominent men of Iroquois county ; and, while speaking of some of the old settlers and prominent men of Iroquois county, a short sketch of his life is most appropriate as one of the latter. He is a native of the province of Ontario, Canada - Kemptville, Greenville county, being his native town, where he was born April 6, 1839 ; and is the son of Frederick and Sarah (Parkinson) Wright, both natives of Canada. Th'e early part of the judge's life was spent at his native place. In 1856 he came west and located in the town of Henry, Marshall county, Illinois. At Sparland in that county, from 1862 to 1866, he was engaged in the mercantile trade. Turning his attention, however, to the study of law he, in 1868, was admitted to practice at the Illinois bar; and in 1869 he removed to Iroquois county and located at Watseka, where he has since resided. At the Iroquois county bar his natural talent and ability soon won for him respect and distinction. In 1873 he was nominated and elected by the independents to the office of county judge, receiving a majority of 1,250 votes; in 1877 he was reflected to the same office by the greenback party, with a majority of 906 votes; in 1879 he was the nominee of the democrat and greenback party for the circuit judgeship, but was defeated by the republican nominee, Franklin Blades. In the discharge of his duties as a public officer Judge Wright has been and is both honorable and conscientious, allowing neither political nor personal prejudice to warp his judgment or sway his decision when the liberty or property of another is at stake : but being governed by a high sense of honor, his decisions have been just ; by this course he has only increased his already enviable reputation. In 1874 he was was married, in Chatsworth, Livingston county, Illinois, to Miss Helen E. Hoyt, formerly of Henry, Illinois. They have three children, two daughters and one son.

Burlew & Smith, wagon and carriage makers, Watseka, compose one of the leading firms engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages. Mr. J. E. Burlew was born in Pennsylvania, where he learned the trade of a blacksmith. He came west and was engaged at his trade at Plainfield, Will county. Some ten years ago he came to Middleport and engaged in the blacksmith business with Mr. C. W. Smith. He then came to Watseka and was engaged in business in the shop in the rear of Wade's hardware store. In 1876 he came to his present shop. Mr. L. N. Smith is a native of New Jersey. He learned the trade of a wagon-maker in Rockaway, New Jersey. In 1872 he came west, and was for a short time working in Danville and Indianapolis, and finally came to Watseka. These gentlemen occupy a building, size 20 X 30 feet, two stories high. They are doing a good business and employ three hands.

Henry Upsall, jeweler, Watseka, is the oldest watchmaker and jeweler of Watseka. He first came here in 1870. Ever since that date he has held a leading though unostentatious position as a business man of the city, and done a gradually increasing business, until to-day there is hardly a man, woman or child within many miles but knows Henry Upsall. He is a practical and thoroughly educated watchmaker and jeweler, and no doubt this has contributed largely to the success he has attained. He has had practical experience in his business for over thirty years, learning his trade in England, and makes a specialty of repairing fine time pieces, large numbers of which the public have confidence in entrusting in his hands. Henry Upsall was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 25. 1830, and is the son of Henry Upsall, who was a fisherman. At fifteen years of age lie commenced to learn his trade with his uncle in Boston, England. He served as an apprentice for five and a half years. In 1857 he sailed for America and landed in New York city. He came directly west to Indiana and located in Koscinsko county and worked at his trade. He saved sufficient money to purchase a farm, on which he remained until 1863, when he enlisted in the late civil war in the 23d Ind. Art. for three years, but, on account of disability, he was honorably discharged. He returned to Indiana, where he worked at his trade in Leesburgh and Warsaw until 1870, when he came to Watseka and commenced to work for "W. P. Stephens at $18 per week. In 1872 he commenced business for himself, and since then he has been meeting with good success. Today he owns a large, well stocked jewelry store that would be a credit to a large city. Mr. Upsall is a fine scholar in astrology, and is known as such throughout America. He is the owner of some old works on astrology, one published in 1652 and restored by William Ramsey. Mr. Upsall's father and mother, Henry and Maria (Wallhead) Upsall, are both living in England. His father's age is eighty-eight years ; his mother's seventy-six. He has one brother and one sister in Australia; one brother and two sisters in England. Plis brother John, who came with him to America, died a soldier, in 1863, at Cairo, Illinois, during the late civil war.

Alexander Gillfillan, merchant, is one of the leading business men of Watseka. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 12, 1850. In 1854, with his parents, he moved on a farm in Madison county, Indiana. Here he remained until 1870, working on the farm. From Madison county he came to Watseka, and entered the store of Daniel Fry as clerk. He then occupied the position of clerk with C. G. Culver. In 1878 he entered the mercantile business for himself, and to-day is doing a good business, occupying a large room 20x80 feet, located next to Arnold's drug store.

Z. Hockett, tile and flower-pot manufacturer, Watseka, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1820. His first experience in the manufacture of tile began in his native county, where he made the first ever manufactured in Clinton county. When he first began business his tile factory was the only one in the county, but after remaining in business for seven years there were fourteen there. In 1871 Mr. Hockett came to Iroquois county and located in Ash Grove, where he commenced the drug business, which he followed until 1875, when he came to Middleport. In 1875 he commenced his present business. He has one tile machine of the latest pattern, patented by his brother, A. Hockett. The factory has one kiln, size 13x16. The drying-shed is 132x22. The dirt is near the factory in abundance, and of a superior quality. He receives orders from the immediate vicinity, and ships quite an amount. He makes all the standard sizes, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Mr. Hockett is also engaged very extensively in manufacturing flowerpots. This firm is Z. Hockett & Son, and their flower-pots are pronounced the best quality in the market. They get their clay from the Iroquois river and cart it to their factory, where it is well mixed, and then molded into pots of from one and a half to seventeen inches inside. These goods are of a bright cream color, and are easily disposed of in the leading markets, Bloomington, La Fayette, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, their orders amounting to as high as 10,000 flower-pots at a time. Mr. Z. Hockett was alderman from his district one term. He married Lucinda Bandy, of Ohio, and they have nine children. Mr. Hockett has three sons working in the factory. He had one son. in the late war, Lewis, who enlisted in the 79th Ohio, and did good service for three years and was honorably mustered out.

Held Bros., butchers, Watseka, own one of the neatest, best arranged and most attractive meat-markets in Iroquois county. They are practical butchers of life-long experience, and have the reputation of exposing for sale the finest quality of all kinds of meats, through which, and their fairness of prices and strict probity in business transactions, they have secured there a paying trade. They have for their use a large ice-box, which cost them $300, for the storing of their meats. John Held was born in Germany, April 11, 1844. Lewis Held was born in Germany, March 30, 1850. They emigrated to America and landed in New York city in 1865, and came direct to Illinois and located in Chicago ; here they were engaged in the butcher business and remained until 1871, when they came to Watseka, where they have been engaged ever since in the butcher business, and to-day are the oldest butchers doing business in Watseka. Their parents are Chris, and Mary Margaret Held, both natives of Germany.

John Fagan, Watseka, is the pioneer harness-maker of Iroquois county. He was born March 29, 1822, in Greene county, Ohio. He commenced to learn the trade of a harness-maker when fourteen years of age, in Xenia, Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship of six years. He wrorked at his trade in Xenia until 1847, when he went to La Fayette, Indiana, where he worked at his trade, and remained there until 1848, when he returned to Xenia. He then went to Williamsport, then to Attica, and subsequently to Danville, Illinois, where he worked at his trade until 1849. He then came to Middleport, Iroquois county, and commenced the harness business, being the first harness-maker to establish in business in Iroquois county. At Middleport and Watseka he has been engaged in business ever since, with the exceptions of 1868, 1869 and 1870, when he was in business in Champaign county, Illinois. In 1877 he moved to his present stand, which is located on the corner next to the First National Bank building. When Mr. Fagan first commenced business in Middleport his customers came from far and wide. He did work for people as far away as Joliet, Will county, and also in neighboring counties. Mr. Fagan was married in Middleport, in 1852, to Miss Caroline Hogle, of Vermont, and they have two children.

W. A. Mott, confectioner and restaurant-keeper, Watseka, was born in Kankakee county, Illinois, June 4, 1851, and is the son of Gardner Mott, who was born in Canada, and at an early day moved to Illinois, where he was engaged at the carpenter's trade. He came to Kankakee city and helped to build the first frame house in that place. In Kankakee city the subject of this sketch remained a short time, and then, with his parents, moved to Momence, where his mother died when he was about three years of age. From Momence he went to Champaign county, where he remained until he was about ten years of age, when he went to Berrien county, Michigan. He returned to Momence, and in 1871 he came to Watseka, where he entered Doyle's wagon-shop and learned the painter's trade. This he followed until 1875, when he embarked in the mercantile business. Mr. Mott was married, in 1878, to Miss Mary Weston, of England, who came to America when very young.

T. B. Harris, state's attorney, Watseka, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, February 28, 1844, and is the son of Sidney W. and Mary (Bronson) Harris. His mother was born in Ohio, and his father in Yermont. Sidney Harris was a lawyer, who graduated from the Cincinnati Law School. He practiced law at Cincinnati, and in 1855, with his family, moved to Illinois and located in Morris, Grundy county. He became one of the leading attorneys of that vicinity. He was elected judge of the then eleventh judicial circuit, which office he held about five years. He died in Morris, September, 1876, at sixty-one years of age. Mr. Harris, the subject of this sketch, in 1855, came west with his parents, to Morris, Illinois. In August, 1862, during the late civil war, Mr. Harris enlisted in Co. D, 91st 111. Vol. Inf. He was immediately appointed sergeant-major, which position he filled until December 5, 1864, when he was made adjutant of the 91st, in which he served until July, 1865. Mr. Harris participated in several severe engagements : at the siege and capture of Mobile ; in the capture of the Blakeley batteries - this was the last battle fought during the war. Lee surrendered his army April 9, at ten o'clock. The battle at the capture of the Blakeley batteries was fought the same day, which was, perhaps, the most severe fought battle of the war. It lasted ten minutes, and during that time the Union forces lost 600 men. They captured 3,000 prisoners, the Blakeley batteries and the city of Mobile. Mr. Harris was captured by the notorious guerilla, John Morgan, and remained a paroled prisoner about five months. He was finally exchanged at the close of the war. Mr. Harris returned to Morris, where he began the study of law with his father. He was a student in the Wayland University, of Michigan. In 1867 he was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of law at Morris, where he remained until 1872, at which date he came to Watseka, where he has been engaged in the practice of law ever since, and to-day he ranks among the leading attorneys of the Iroquois county bar. In 1876 he was elected by the democrats and green backers to the office of state's attorney of Iroquois county. He was elected by 75 majority, being tjie only one elected on that ticket. In this office Mr. Harris is giving entire satisfaction. He is a democrat in politics. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Hettie L. Roseman, of Ohio, and they have two children.

Free P. Morris, attorney-at-law, Watseka, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1853, and is the son oY Charles arid Sarah (Thomas) Morris, both natives of the Keystone State. Mr. Morris' father was engaged in the coal business in Pennsylvania, and in 1863 came west with his family and located in Cook county, Illinois. From there he moved to Chicago, thence to Iroquois, Iroquois county. Mr. Free P. Morris came west with his parents to Cook county, Illinois, and at the Northwestern University at Evanston he received his principal education. He graduated from that school [n 1872, having attended a course of law lectures while a student there. He then went to Chicago and began the reading of law in the office of T. S. McClelland, Esq., a prominent attorney of the Cook county bar. In 1874 Mr. Morris was admitted to practice law at the Illinois state bar. He then came to Watseka and began the practice of law, where he has remained ever since. Mr. Morris is a democrat in politics.

Dr. D. E. Sabin, druggist, Woodland, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, near Zanesville, in 1834. He came west to Illinois in 1856, and began the drug business in Piper city, where he remained for a number of years, doing a leading business in the drug line. In February, 1877, Dr. Sabin came to Woodland and purchased the drug store of Brown & Endicott, which business he is now carrying on, owning one ot the neatest and best stocks of drugs in the vicinity. Dr. Sabin commenced the practice of medicine in 1867, and attended lecture courses at the Eclectic College of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Pennsylvania, March 16, 1848, and is the son of Robert E. Near, a cabinet-maker by trade, but now engaged in farming in Lee county, Illinois. When three years of age, Dr. Near came to Ohio and received his principal education at Akron Seminary. In 1865 he came to Illinois, and located in Joliet, and began the study of medicine in 1871 under Dr. C. W. Williams, a leading physician of Joliet. In 1876 he graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, one of the leading medical colleges of the Northwest. Dr. Near began practice at Joliet, and from there he went to Frankfort Station, where he remained until 1878, and then came to Watseka, where he is meeting with good success in the practice of medicine.

Hockett Brothers, furniture dealers, Watseka, have been in business in Watseka, since November, 1878, during which time they have exhibited an amount of caution and care in their business transactions, that to-day they rank among the solid men of Watseka. Their store is located on the main business street, and has a front of twenty-five feet and a depth of about fifty-five feet. Their salesrooms are nicely arranged, and in them are goods to suit all tastes and purses. These gentlemen buy their furniture mostly in the white; they buy from the best manufacturers in the country, and goods can be bought from them as cheap as in large cities. The firm of Hockett Brothers is composed of L. C. Hockett, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, August 13, 1846. He has had a number of years' experience in the furniture business in Ohio. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. F, 88th Ohio Yol. Inf., as corporal, and served until the close of the late war. He participated in the battles of Dutch Gap and the siege of Richmond, Yirginia. He was a brave soldier and did good duty, and was honorably mustered out in 1865. J. B. Hockett was also born in Clinton county, Ohio.

Milford, meaning Ford-at-the-mill, is one of the oldest settled townships in Iroquois county. For this reason its settlement is historically interesting. At the time of its settlement it formed a part of Vermilion county, and was the only settlement, except Bunkum (now Iroquois), between North Fork and Chicago.

Milford is situated in the southeastern part of Iroquois county, and is bounded on the north by Belrnont, on the east by Stockland, on the south by Lovejoy, and on the west by Ash Grove. It is described in the original survey as town 25 north, range 12 west of the 2d principal meridian. The north tier of sections in this township is each about two and a half miles long. Owing to the bungling manner in which the first survey was made, many irregularities occur in the section lines of this and adjoining townships. On the south side a discrepancy of about fifty-seven steps exists between the section lines of townships 24 and 25. These irregularities in Iroquois county are found principally south of the north line of the tier of townships numbered 25. So irremediable were these blunders, and to prevent their continuation, an arbitrary line was established, constituting the north line of this tier of townships, and forming a new base line from whence the surveys to the north were measured. The strip of land south of this line was included in the north tier of sections, hence their unusual length, the northeast and northwest quarters being respectively divided into eight lots of about eighty acres each, and numbered accordingly.

The earliest settlement in Milford, of which any account can be obtained, was made in the timber on the banks of Sugar creek, in the spring of 1830. Some traces of an earlier settlement were found, but by whom made, or at what time, it is impossible to ascertain. Indeed, some of the information given by the few old settlers still living is somewhat obscure and uncertain, but it is believed that the statements here given can be relied upon as generally correct.

Early in the year 1830, Samuel Rush, Eobert Hill and Elisha Miles emigrated from Indiana and settled upon land in the northern part of the township. Mr. Rush, indeed, claimed that he was the first white settler, and it is said that he was here in the fall of 1829. However this may be, it is nearly certain that these families came into the town at nearly the same time. Mr. Rush settled on the west side of the creek, in section 4 ; Hill established himself on the east side, in section 3, and Miles located in the same belt of timber, not far from Hill. During this year other settlers moved into the township. Daniel Barbee settled on what was afterward called Barbee's Run, near where Henry Fanning now lives. Two others are mentioned : Thomas J. Mountz and Joseph Cox. These settlers, however, together with Miles and Hill, did not remain many years, but sold their claims to others who came into the county, of whom mention will presently be made. James Singleton, an Indian trader and trapper, an unmarried man of a taciturn disposition, is mentioned as living with the Indians in this township when the first permanent settlers came; but he, together with Abram Miller and Joseph Reading, departed in a year or two, and no trace of them remains.

Stanley, the father, entered a claim and built a cabin on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 15, on the east side of a spring branch. William Stanley, who was married, made a claim on the southwest part of section 10, near the bank of Sugar creek, and erected a log house, but deeming the location to be an unhealthy one, sold out his claim to William Cox, who arrived the next spring. He then took up a claim covering a portion of the ground where the village now stands, and built a cabin just south of the present schoolhouse. John Stanley, another married son, located some distance west of his father's place and also commenced opening a farm. It must be remembered that the land in this township was not yet subject to entry. The unmarried children of Anthony Stanley were Micajah, Isaac, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Micajah was married some time later, and built a cabin on a hillock west of his father's house, on the place now occupied by John Hollander. Rebecca married John Gray, a son of William Gray, who in 1833 built a cabin on section 14, just east of Milford village ; John Gray opened a farm on the northeast quarter of section 24. Elizabeth married a Mr. Chamberlain, who located on section 23. Isaac did not live many years after coming into the township. With the Stanleys came William Pickerel, who located on the noj'th side of the creek, near where the mill now stands ; he was a blacksmith, and his shop stood near the spot now occupied by Wingfield Cooper's stable. Reuben Gardner at the same time settled on the south side of the creek. All these settlers were Quakers. Singleton and Reading, before mentioned, had built a cabin on the north side of the creek, southwest of Stanley's house. Miller also built a cabin on the south side. The parents of Singleton, an aged and infirm couple, lived in his cabin in 1831 ; no one seemed to know anything about them.

In the spring of 1831 other settlers began to arrive. Many of these were from Ohio and Indiana. Prominent among them were Asa Thomas and family, William Thomas, and William and Lemuel Johns. Mr. Thomas was a native of Maryland. Ho had at an early age removed to Kentucky, where he learned the trade of brick and stone mason. He afterward came to Ohio. Here he married and remained several years. Mr. Thomas and his brother William both served in the war of 1812, and were at Hull's surrender. In the spring of 1830 they moved to Indiana and raised a crop of corn. In the winter following the two brothers, Asa and William, together with the Johns brothers, came to Milford and built two log cabins on section 14. Returning to their families, they all made preparations to move, which was accomplished with ox-teams in the spring of 1831. Asa Thomas had a numerous family of children. He remained on this claim for nearly two years, and when the land came into market he was ''entered out" by an " enterprising settler." He then removed south of Sugar creek, and located on the Mud, a tributary of Sugar creek. It may seem strange that none of the early settlers located on the prairie, but at that time it was believed that the prairie was unfit for cultivation. This opinion was, however, soon exploded, .and large tracts of prairie land were entered. Lemuel and William Johns settled further up the creek, near the east side of section 14. Here Mrs. Johns discovered an excellent spring. This is now known as the " Cleaver Place." They came from Adams county, Ohio. William Johns broke and fenced 80 acres, and then sold to ISTathan Cleaver. He next entered a tract of 120 acres of timber in section 4, which was afterward sold to Col. Thomas "Vennum. Both the brothers afterward moved into Belmont, where Lemuel died. Mention is also made of John and Hiram Miles as well as of several others, who came during this year ; but no reliable information can be obtained regarding them, and it is presumed that they remained but a short time and then, anticipating Horace Greeley's advice, " went west."

Another actor in this work of pioneering was Charicey Webster. Mr. Webster located in the edge of the timber, north of Johns,*on land now owned by Elijah Bunnell. He afterward settled on lot 5 in the N.E. ^ of Sec. 4. Here he constructed a dam in the bend of the creek, and erected a small saw and grist mill which was soon after burnt. His daughter married Richard Scott. Mr. Webster was a zealous Methodist, and occasionally preached. He was among the earliest to interest himself in the religious work of the community. Other settlers are also deserving of notice. Among them were Samuel McFall and a Mrs. Parker. McFall sold 200 acres of land in 1842 to Richard Scott, who still occupies the same. Mrs. Parker came from Indiana with her children, her husband being dead, and settled on land to the west of McFall and nearer the creek. She seems to have been a woman of great energy and business capacity, for to farming she added the business of dealing in live-stock. She it was who, on hearing the report of hostile Indians, sent her son to warn the settlers living above her along Sugar creek. -

The period between the years 1831 and 1833 was indeed one of peculiar trial and hardship to the settlers. The country swarmed with Indians, who, although quite friendly and generally peaceable, were often too socially inclined, and constantly begging or wanting to barter for sugar, meat, flour or meal, supplies with which the settlers at the best were scantily provided. Besides, their uncouth manners and for- bidding appearance were calculated to keep up a constant state of apprehension. No wonder, then, that when, in 1832, during the Indian war, an alarm was raised that the Sauk Indians were actually advancing southward from the Fox river, murdering all within their reach, the settlers were ready to take counsel of their fears and fly before an imaginary foe. One or two families on Fox river had actually been murdered, and two girls carried, into captivity. The accounts given of the cause of this famous " scare " are somewhat conflicting, yet the fact remains that to the settlers, in their unprotected condition, it was a " fearful reality." The time is not clearly indicated, but it was evidently about " planting time" in the year 1832, and in the latter part of the day, when the report spread with wonderful rapidity along Sugar creek : " The Indians ! The Indians ! Fly for your lives ! " At the Thomas settlement it was added : " They have killed everybody north of us." The Stanleys were planting corn in a field where now is the village. The Thomases were also at work distant from their house. Mrs. Stanley was at home, and on hearing the report from Mrs. Parker's son, immediately started for the field to notify the others. William Stanley had just driven his team to his house (south of the present school-house). Hastily throwing some blankets and provisions into tine wagon, Mr. Stanley, with the women and children, immediately started for Walnut Grove, driving the entire night and reaching the grove by morning. Micajah and Isaac returned from the field to their home, and, turning loose the stock, Micajah mounted a horse and pushed after the fugitives, Isaac going up to Pickerel's house. The Stanleys had better means for flight than most of the others. The Thomases, with others, started for Parrish Grove, which they also reached by morning. In this company there was but one horse, and this Mrs. Thomas, who was a corpulent woman, was obliged to ride; the others were obliged to walk. There were no roads, and these weary fugitives could only guess at their route. All through the night the shouts and cries of the frightened people from the different settlements could be heard, as they made their way across the trackless prairie amid the gloom and darkness. It was indeed a dreadful night ; women and children, young and old, most of them on foot, with insufficient clothing, hurrying from what they believed to be a dreadful fate. Those who were young then are old now, yet the memory of that fearful night can never be effaced from their minds. Of course the alarm was a false one, and many a laugh is indulged as the scenes of the flight are vividly recalled. The settlers soon returned, but to many the consequences were serious, and doubtless some never entirely recovered from the fright. There were two families who did not leave - Miles and Moore. These men had been engaged in many Indian fights in the war of 1812, and they could not be induced to go, although their families begged hard for them to do so. Micajah Stanley nearly lost his life. After leaving the house, as he came out on the prairie, he met a peddler, who had reached William Stanley's house after the family had left. Hearing the report, he had mounted his horse and was pushing after the fugitives when he saw Micajah, and in the gloom supposed him to be an Indian ; he was on the point of shooting him when he discovered who he was. The route taken by William Stanley led to a ford two or three miles above Milford. As he was driving up the opposite bank, he thought he saw two Indians, who seemed to slip back into the brush as his wagon came into view. He had already considered the probability of the Indians waylaying the fugitives at this point, and, seeing these, he imagined that his surmise was correct. Much alarmed, his father and brother immediately jumped from the wagon and commenced a search. The supposed Indians turned out to be Pickerel and Isaac Stanley, who, having fled by a different way, had met them at this point. In the Thomas party a mother and child nearly perished before they could be rescued from a sink-hole filled with water into which they had fallen. When this party reached Parrish Grove, about daylight, they saw some soldiers who were encamped there, and this caused another alarm, for many supposed them to be Indians. The Thomas boys and some others here first heard the sound of a fife and drum. It is said that all this alarm and flight was caused by a man who saw a party of friendly Indians riding rapidly out of a grove near Bunkum, and imagining them to be hostiles, had rushed away and spread the alarm. Another story was that a mail-carrier had been chased by some Indians. Soon after this stampede, in consequence of the many rumors of Indian depredations, and to provide against further trouble on that account, Gen. Brown came down into the Wabash country and raised a company of mounted men. They came to Milford on their way northward, and encamped on the bottom between Anthony Stanley's house and the creek. The troops remained until next day, Gen. Brown staying at Stanley's house, when they left for Fort Dearborn.

Many incidents connected with the Indians living on Sugar creek are related by the settlers. These Indians were principally Pottawatomies. Several hundred Kickapoos were also encamped at Crab Apple Grove, now in Stockland. The Indians never gave the settlers any serious trouble, nor were they given to stealing; yet they were very fond of whisky, and whenever a supply could be obtained, would " go on a spree." The "Blue Ribbon " movement had not been heard of ; still, it was not an easy matter for them to get whisk}', as those who kept it were very careful in this matter. There was, however, a small grocery in the neighborhood, and to this the Indians usually resorted when they wanted a supply. On occasions of this kind, i.e. "going on a drunk," the squaws invariably took away all knives and other weapons, and carefully hid them, so that no serious mischief could arise from that source - a practice that might be profitably imitated at the present time.

As illustrative of the "manners and customs" of the "olden time" this incident is related : A party of Indians, somewhat the worse for liquor, were collected together at a cabin with a few whites. A general frolic ensued. The Indians had been dancing and insisted that the white men should dance also, at the same time leading them " unto the floor." While there, the Indians sent to the grocery for more whisky. As soon as it was received they repaired to an unoccupied cabin that was partially inclosed, and seating themselves on the ground within, one of the number who had been detailed to " keep sober" proceeded to "pass around the drinks," and soon everything wras going

As the fun was getting "fast and furious," the sober Indian said to the whites, * " Schomokoman better go home - wigwam. Inge get highcok-koo-sie - no good ; maybe kill Schomokoman." The whites, who had also drank some whisky, did not heed this warning until it had been repeated several times. As they went out one of them observed a bed of live coals glowing in the darkness. Finding a clap-board, he gathered up a large quantity, and going to the rear of the cabin, which was partially open, threw the coals over the crowd within. A fearful howl was the response, and the whites scattered. The next morning a negro who lived with the Indians, and was named " John," came to William Johns' house and said that the Indians were very angry at the trick played upon them, and had threatened to kill the white men- The settlers in the neighborhood were much alarmed at this threat, but Johns told the negro to say to the Indians, " Schomokoman was high-cok-koo-sie - no good," and invited them to attend a shootingmatch at his house the next day. The Indians were thus led to believe that the whole affair was done in a drunken frolic, and were easily pacified. The following day several Indians repaired to Johns' house, and with William and Lemuel Johns, spent the entire day in shooting, the target being a large stump. Mrs. Johns provided an excellent dinner for them. At the close of the day, they agreed to "shoot for the lead," i.e. who should have the lead that had been fired into the stump. The Indians were permitted to win, whereat they were greatly pleased and went away in excellent humor. Mr. Johns tells of the amusement afforded him in witnessing the grotesque attempts of the Indians to use forks; holding the meat in the hand, they first cut it in pieces, then carefully taking a piece in the fingers, solemnly impaled it on a fork and then carried it to the mouth.

As an illustration of the rough sports of the period, a story is told of a foot-race between Elijah Sapp and a fleet-footed Pottawatomie. Sapp was considered exceedingly swift, and the Indian had distanced all the runners of several tribes. As Sapp had beaten all the Indians in his neighborhood, they sent for this runner to come and try his speed with him. They could not agree on the distance to be run, as Sapp, conscious that the Indian could beat him in a long race, purposely opposed every suggestion. They finally agreed on a game of " base." The Pottawatomie was chosen captain of the Indians, Sapp of the whites. Sapp gave the signal and started up the road, on " trace," and the Indian after him. Seeing that the Indian was likely to catch him, Sapp took to the brush, and as the Indian was nearly naked, this dodge gave him a decided advantage. They had run several hundred yards, and the Indian was rapidly closing the gap between them, when Thomas' dog getting loose joined in the race, and catching the Indian by the leg threw him down. At this mishap everybody laughed, which so enraged the Indian that he went into a wigwam, and donning his war paint came out and challenged any one, Indian or white, to fight him to the death. As no one seemed disposed to fight on such terms, the Indian retired in disgust.

As showing the Indian mode of burying the dead, Mrs. Gray relates that she, as well as others, saw an Indian grave near her father's house. The bones were found in a log which had been split, and each portion hollowed out sufficiently to contain the body; the parts had then been replaced, and secured by heaping small logs upon it. With the remains were also found portions of a blanket and some tin utensils, among them a small pail.

A noted character in his way was Jimmie Cain. He came into the county at an early day and settled east of Milford. He was an exceedingly rough and eccentric character ; a " champion fighter," and engaged in numerous quarrels, yet a man of many good qualities. He was exceedingly fond of practical jokes, and lost no opportunity to play them off, especially upon the Indians. Cain had some sheep, and also a dog that was somewhat too fond of mutton. This dog he determined to kill, and meeting a couple of Indians, proposed that one of them should cut off the dog's tail with his tomahawk, while he (Cain) should hold the dog across a convenient log, offering at the same time to give a pipe of tobacco for doing the job. Arrangements were at once made for the "execution," and as the Indian was in the act of bringing his hatchet down on the devoted tail, Cain adroitly moved the dog so that the blow fell upon the body, severing the back-bone ; of course the dog was instantly killed. The Indian was frightened, and exclaimed, " Oh ! oh ! me miss him ! " Cain pretended to be terribly angry, and told the Indian that as he had killed his dog he would kill him. Both Indians then ran away. Cain is credited with saying, in view of the petty lawsuits that sprang up after the country began to indulge in justice's courts, and something like regular preaching had become established, that " We used to live like brothers, but now that the law and gospel have come, we are more like devils."

Among the Indians was an old chief called Washcuck, who had fought under Harrison in the war of 1812. At the battle of Tippecanoe he was wounded and placed upon a horse. He always retained this horse, and still owned him when the Stanleys came. The horse was evidently very old. Mrs. Gray, a daughter of Anthony Stanley, says that she knew this chief very well. She used to visit his camp at the mouth of Barbee's Run, when the Indians were making sugar, and he always gave her at such visits a large cake of maple sugar. .

Indians were last seen in this region in 1834. Robert ISTilson remembers seeing a large band of several hundred, on Coon creek, as they were taking their departure that spring. These Indians were Kickapoos. The Pottawatomies had gone in 1833. These Kickapoos were an exceedingly well disposed, and even a religious tribe. They were very orderly, and every Sunday conducted a religious service in Crab Apple Grove, to which the whites were usually invited. These services always ended with a " big dinner," managed as follows: A number of large kettles, having been first suspended in a long row, were filled with the flesh of all kinds of game, and such vegetables as could be had, and corn, - not much attention was given to dressing the meat, - and the fires kindled. While the cooking progressed, the Indian preacher occupied the time in talking to the assembled company, an interpreter usually translating his discourse to the whites as he proceeded. At the conclusion of the sermon the Indians arranged themselves on each side of the row of kettles, and having first furnished each white person present with a wooden bowl or ladle, accompanied with a cordial invitation to partake, proceeded to ladle up the "savory mess" in a most primitive fashion. The whites invariably contented themselves with simply observing the gastronomic performances of their copper-colored entertainers. After the dinner was concluded, all who wished joined in the games which followed ; the squaws amusing themselves with petting the white children.

The Indians carried on a species of rude husbandry on a very limited scale, cultivating small patches of corn and peas. All manual labor was performed by the squaws, the men being entirely occupied in hunting and fishing. Some traces of the Indians still remain. One of their "plantations" may still be seen just east of the artesian well on B. F. Thomas' farm. The Indians had a large encampment or village in a bend of Sugar creek, in the north part of the township, on the east part of what is now Robert Webster's farm. The low, flat mounds upon which they erected their wigwams can still be distinctly seen. This village covered an area of several acres, and was admirably selected with a view to shelter from cold storms, and facilities for water and grazing. At one time nearly 4,000 Indians were encamped on what is now Aaron Thomas' farm. They remained here several weeks, waiting to receive the payment for their lands which had been transferred to the United States government under treaty stipulations. While here the Indians got on a " big spree," and it is said that two of them were killed. Some accounts place the killing at Lone Tree, four miles south. They were soon after removed to their far western homes.

Not pages only, but books could be filled with accounts of the privations endured by the hardy pioneers in their efforts to subdue the wilderness.. The people of the present generation little realize what scenes of hardship and heroic endurance have transpired on the very ground they now tread upon ; that where now are found the peaceful, smiling fields, the quiet homes, the grazing herds, the busy marts of trade, the rushing trains or the varied appliances of the mechanic arts, was heard, but a few years ago, the wild whoop of the Indians, the scream of the panther, and the howl of the wolf. Tet all this wonderful transformation is but the outgrowth of the work wrought by these brave men and women, who so resolutely held their way amid dangers, and sickness, and death. But few of those, who may well be called the advance guard of civilization, now remain ; some of them lie in forgotten graves. Yet of those who still live, what emotions must fill their souls as they think of the past and behold the present ! They have indeed well earned the peace and prosperity that so abundantly crown their later years.

lived there until early manhood, when he removed to Indiana, and in 1829 or 1830 came to Milford. Arriving at his destination he camped beside a large log, the only house for the family being a tent constructed of the wagon cover. He proceeded to build a cabin with floor and roof made of bark. One end of this cabin was left open, the roof projecting so as to protect the fire of logs which was kept burning in this open space. In this manner the family passed their first winter. As has been already mentioned, several families came in during the year 1830. The settlers of that date now living, well remember the terrible winter of 1830-31. Snow fell early, and before spring opened had accumulated to a great depth. The driving winds heaped the drifting snow, and along the edges of the groves drifts were formed eight or ten feet high. Large numbers of deer, caught in these drifts by the pursuing wolves, were destroyed. Cattle also suffered severely. Little provision had been made for man or beast, and in the long and fearful journeys which were necessarily undertaken to the Wabash country for food, terrible sufferings were endured. One of these expeditions, undertaken by Mr. Rush and two others, is thus described : They had three teams. At the moment of starting Mr. Rush was delayed from some cause. The others pushed on, having a large kettle and some firewood with them. This kettle was used for carrying fire, and answered the purpose of a stove. It was expected that Rush would soon overtake them. Soon after it began to snow, and by the time that Rush was on the way the snow was falling very fast. He drove on all day but did not see his companions, and as night drew near he found himself lost in the snow. Still he pushed on, hoping at least to find some shelter. In order to keep from freezing he had to keep moving, and during all that night and the next day he wandered over the trackless prairie. The storm still continued, and late in the evening he thought he saw a light, and started his team toward it, when suddenly the cattle dropped into a deep drift and could go no farther. Leaving the team he pushed on for the light, and found that it proceeded from a cabin occupied by James Crow. After warming himself and getting something to eat, he asked Crow to go with him and take some food to the cattle, which he knew were suffering for want of it, but no persuasion could induce him to peril his life in what he believed would be a vain attempt. In the morning they started out to find the team, but all trace of them had disappeared. At length a column of steam was seen rising from the snow, and on searching, the oxen were found lying comfortably underneath, but nearly famished. After feeding them he proceeded to his destination, where he found his companions. While he was wandering about during the first night he found a man who was nearly frozen ; he had great difficulty in persuading him to make any effort, and was obliged to compel him to exert himself in order to keep him from perishing. On another occasion, while returning from a trip after provisions, he attempted to cross Sugar creek. The water was at a very high stage, and while making the ford his wagon-bed floated away, and the cattle were also carried down stream some distance. He finally recovered the bed, but lost a considerable part of his provisions. Asa Thomas arid his brother also encountered a somewhat similar experience, being obliged to return to La Fayette for food while engaged in building a cabin for his family when they should arrive next spring. On one occasion they worked half a day to get one mile.

The Stanleys and some others made trips after provisions. They had endeavored to get their supplies before winter should set in, but the severfe weather came on before a sufficiency was obtained, and corn became very scarce by the first of January. They were, on one trip, blinded by a furious snow-storm, and were compelled to camp in Hickory Grove. They were obliged to feed the fire in their kettle with corn all night to keep from freezing. Many similar instances occurred ; two others who were exposed to the intense cold were so frozen as to remain cripples for life.-

The snow did not begin to melt until the first of March, and then, in one night, the water in Sugar creek rose over twelve feet. In many shaded places along the creek the snow did not melt until May. An old Indian, named Pesque, said that no such snow had been seen for sixty years. Previous to that time the country had abounded in buffalo and elk, but after that winter, Pesque says, they entirely disappeared. Mr. Johns and others say that, in a hickory grove about four miles above Milford, they have seen the remains of buffalo, and elk horns, that then covered the ground. But the trouble did not end with the departure of jack frost. During the following summer severe sickness prevailed. So prevalent was this sickness, chills and fever, that the most necessary work in house and field was left undone. The settlers were without medical aid, and frequently without bread. The country was very wet, and the exhalations were the fruitful cause of sickness. The country at the present time presents a widely different appearance. What was then swamp is now the best arable land. What were once denominated " swamp and overflowed lands," are now dry and readily cultivated. Teams became mired where now is firm ground. It is certainly curious to observe that as the country becomes settled and improvements are made, the wet portions become dry and tillable.

bard trace," between Danville and the lake shore, by way of Bnnknm. Mr. Hubbard lived in Danville, and had a trading-post at Bnnknm; as there was no regularly laid out road, the route he followed was named for him. This trace crossed Sugar creek at the ford, a short distance below the place now spanned by the iron bridge, and continued in a northerly direction, near Anthony Stanley's house, to Bunkum.

The first post-office in Mil ford was established at the house of Levi Thompson, about the year 1833, and was named Driftwood. Thompson was postmaster. His house stood near the trace, north of Stanley's house, and near the center of the S.E. \ of Sec. 10. The mails were usually carried on horseback ; the carrier stopping at Thompson's house over night. Previous to this time, letters Avere brought from La Fayette or Danville by any person who might chance to come to Miltbrd. The post-office was kept at Thompson's house till about 1835, when it was moved to Charles Axtell's house, who had bought Thompson's and Stanley's land, and built his house near the northeast corner of section 15.

Asa Thomas built the first house in the township south of Sugar creek. It is nearly certain that Samuel Rush built the first one north of the creek, and the first in the township, if we except a log house which stood on the land claimed by -William Pickerel, and into which he moved. It is not known who built this house.

As time passed and settlers began to gather around themselves some of the comforts of life, they began to make trips to Chicago. The first of these was made in the fall of 1830, by Micajah Stanley. He went at the urgent request of Hubbard to bring a quantity of goods to Danville that were to arrive at Chicago by vessel. Miles went with him. "William Johns also went in 1831, and took a load of such "truck " as could be gathered up; he mentions a lot of dried pumpkin which sold for $1 per bushel. The difficulties on the road were great. Teams were obliged to cross extensive swamps, ford streams, and often sank in the mud. There was not a house between Bunkum and Chicago, and but one store in Chicago. As the country became settled and more abundant crops raised, the business of hauling goods to and from Chicago and Danville increased, and at the time railroads were talked of had assumed vast proportions.

The first mill for grinding was constructed by "William Pickerel. It was certainly a unique affair, consisting of two " hard-heads" dressed in a circular form, like a grindstone, and placed in a frame in an upright position, with cranks attached. The inner surfaces were so adjusted as to nearly touch each other, and the whole was inclosed in a sort of box with a hopper placed above to receive the grain. The machine could be worked by two or four men. Pickerel made it for his own use, but others had the benefit of it as well ; while he sharpened their plows, they ground their corn. It was a decided improvement over the wooden mortar, and when one could not go thirty-five or forty miles to mill certainly a great convenience. Pickerel next built a horse-mill, sending to Cincinnati for the stones. These stones were large " nigger-heads," dressed in single pieces. This mill stood in a bend of the bank a short distance above the present one. The horsemill was followed by a wrater-mill, built about 1835. The building was of logs and stood just east of the present site. The burrs in the horse-mill were transferred to the water-mill. The dam was built somewhat above the present one, and its location is indicated by three or four stakes still standing in the water. To this was added a frame saw-mill. In 1837, Pickerel sold out his entire property to Maj. John B. Strickler. The first dam failing, Mr.'Strickler built another farther up the stream and cut a race to the mill. The property next passed into the hands of Jacob Wagner, who at once proceeded to build a new saw and grist-mill a few rods below the old one. One of the timbers* of this mill can still be seen under water on the north side of the creek. Mr. Wagner continued in this business until his death. In consequence of legal difficulties arising, the mill remained idle for several years. In 1852 the property passed into possession of William Clement and Aaron Thomas, who rebuilt the saw-mill and constructed the present dam. These owners remained in possession until 1859, when they sold to Barnabas Brown, who afterward built the mill now standing. The present owner is John Van Meter.

In 1833 William Gray located on section 14, and built a hewed log house just east of the present limits of Milford village. The house is still standing, but has since undergone considerable alterations. The property is now owned by James Blanchfill. With the year 1834, came a numerous and valuable accession to the population of the township. In the spring of this year John Nilson and family came from Fountain county, Indiana, and bought out Robert Hill. Mr. Nilson had means with which he was able to push forward improvements vigorously. The frame house that he built is still standing on lot 5 in the N.E. £ of Sec. 3, and is now occupied by his grandson, John Nilson. Robert, son of John. Nilson, Sr., has been for many years largely identified with the growth of the county. He was for many years county surveyor, and says that he has tramped over every fortyacre tract in this region. This year also witnessed the advent of Thomas Vennum and a large company from Washington county, Pennsylvania. They, too, were possessed of considerable means, and emigrated with teams, driving some very fine Durham cattle with them. With Col. Yennum came his wife and three sons: George, Urias and Hiram ; also Charles and John Axtell and families. This company numbered in all thirty-two persons. Hiram was the only son unmarried. Columbus Yennum, another son, came in the spring of 1835. The Yennums entered land in sections 1, 2 and 3. Charles Axtell bought out the Stanleys and Levi Thompson. The present site of the new village of Milford is on land that Charles Axtell bought. John Axtell located on or near the center of section 2. C. C. Yennum located on section 4. For two years after coming to this township, severe sickness prevented anything being done in making improvements. At present the largest two land owners in this town probably are Robert Nilson and Hiram Yennum. Among others who came during this year should be mentioned John Strain and family, who located on sections 19 and 20. Robert Williams came in 1835 and settled on section 21. Isaac Body came with his family in 1835 and settled on section 10. Mr. Body is still living at the advanced age of ninetyfive years. He certainly can, in truth, be called the "oldest settler." In 1837, George Rothgeb settled in the southern part of the town on section 34. The family came from Yirginia. The cabin that he occupied is still standing. Mrs. Rothgeb is still living. She distinctly remembers " Long John " Wentworth's visit at their house, although she cannot recall the " clap-board " story. The old loom made by her husband and upon which the family cloth was made is still in use. Mrs. R. wove about 300 yards of rag carpet last year. She also says that she has seen 100 wagons pass their house in one day.

In 1837 Maj. John B. Strickler moved into the township with his family. He was originally from Yirginia, where he had been extensively engaged in milling. When he came the village of Milford contained one cabin. His purchase from Pickerel included the unsold village lots. At this time but little progress had been made in opening; up the country. Many of the earlier settlers had gone, others had moved in. Milling facilities were limited, and flour must still be obtained from long distances. The march of improvement was very slow. Mr. Strickler built the first brick house in Milford. Mud was used as mortar. This house was the first tavern that had a sign ; it was also the post-office, and Mr. Strickler was postmaster.

The first marriage ceremony performed was that of Elijah Sapp and Miss Ally Thomas, daughter of A.sa Thomas. Sapp was obliged to go to Danville, a distance of thirty-five miles, for his license.

The first adult person who died was old Mrs. Singleton, who was fatally burned while alone in the house. Her body was found l}'ing in the fire-place. Her grave was prepared by first laying poles on the bottom and sides, then putting in the body it was covered in the same manner. This constituted her coffin. Her husband died shortlj- after, and was buried in a coffin made of puncheons. ' These persons were buried on the south side of Sugar creek ; scarcely a vestige now marks the place. An old burial ground, situated a short distance west of the village, is known as the "Quaker Graveyard." The earliest burial here, so far as known, was Agnes, wife of John Stanley, who died the " 20th day of the 5th mo., 1834." Less than a dozen head-stones are found in this place. The Nilson graveyard, on lot 5, N.E. -£- Sec. 3, contains the earliest recorded death in the township, that of Sarah, wife of Robert Hill, who died October 19, 1831. Robert Nilson's parents are also buried in this ground. The Yennutn graveyard, on lot 8, N.W. £ Sec. 2, contain the graves of Col. Thomas Yennum and wife, Elizabeth. Mrs. Yennum died at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The first burial here was a son of George Yennum, aged eleven years. An old and disused burial-ground is situated near the forks of Little Mud creek. Another is known as the Rothgeb graveyard, in the KW. i of the KW. i of Sec. 34. The first recorded burial in Milford cemetery is that of Charlotte Wagner, who died September 1, 1838. The first burial, however, is that of a stranger, name unknown.

The first regularly laid out road was the Chicago and Yincennes, connecting these and intermediate points. The first store in the township was kept in the village by Jacob Wagner. The building was located near where James Yates' house now stands. Jesse Hobbs was the first blacksmith. His shop stood just north of where Dr. Brown's tile works now are. It is true that William Pickerel did some work in that line, but only in a small way. The first regular physicians were Dr. Wilson and Dr. Farmer. The first newspaper printed is of recent date, and will be mentioned in another place. The first religious -society was the Quakers or Friends. Meetings were held during the first year of settlement, and doubtless continued until most of the members were gone. The leading religious body has been the Methodists. The first Sabbath school was established in the Thomas school-house by John Hudson, who kept a saloon near where Wingfield Cooper's house now stands. Hudson was not a religious man, but he took an interest in this matter, and bore a good name among his neighbors.

Quaker graveyard, and was called the Quaker meeting-house. This school was taught by Mrs. Judith Stanley, wife of William Stanley, in the year 1831. During this year a school-house was built in the Thomas settlement. William Thomas taught the first school in this building. A graphic description of this house and of the books first used is furnished by B. F. Thomas. " The building was of logs, 14x28 feet. The floor was of puncheons, i.e. logs split in halves, and the split surfaces smoothed with an ax. The door was made of rived boards, and secured with wooden hinges. The ' shingles ' were made in the same manner. The hearth was made of clay, and extended entirely across one end of the house. A wall of clay about eight feet high formed the back of the fireplace ; it had no sides or jams. The chimney was formed of sticks daubed with clay. The desks were puncheons resting on wooden pins inserted into the sides of the house. The seats were slabs supported on sticks. The windows were formed by cutting out a log on each side, the entire length of the house, and the opening thus formed closed with greased paper ' puttied ' with mud." Mr. Thomas says that the first book he used was made by marking letters on a smooth "paddle." The ink was an infusion of maple bark ; the pens of goose quills. The teacher was paid by subscription. Such was the "make-up" of the "shooting galleries" of those primitive days. Hiram Vennum says that his father put in the first glass window seen in the town.

The first justice of the peace in Milford was Robert Hill. The election was held in 1831 in Bunkum, and it was more than a year afterward before he received his commission. The township was at that time in Vermilion county. The first county court held in Iroquois county was at the house of John Nilson. Hugh Newell was the first clerk. The first brick were made by John Skillman in 1834. His yard was located a few yards from where John Hollander's house stands. Traces of it are still to be seen. The first shoemaker was John Reeder.

In addition to the mill already described, several other mills have been built along the banks of Sugar creek, only one of which now remains. Webster's mill has been mentioned. A steam mill was erected in 1867 near the creek, on the northeast corner of -lot 5 in section 4. This mill is now removed. The mill now standing near the north line of the township, and known as the McConnell, or artesian mill, was first built by West and McMann. Samuel Rush had at one time an interest in this mill. It disappeared, and the property passed into the hands of Barnabas Brown, who built the present mill. Three large flowing artesian wells were bored in order to increase the supply of water.

In 1856 township organization was adopted. All official records previous to this date were in the county clerk's office at the countyseat, and were destroyed when the court-house was burnt. The first township election was held April 1, 1856. At this election fifty-one votes were cast. M. A. Thompson was moderator, and John Gray clerk. The first town officers elected were: for supervisor, Elihu K. Farmer; town clerk, C. Secrest; assessor, William Gray; collector, George Gray; overseer of poor, John Gray; commissioners of highways, C. C. Vennum, C. W. Dawson, Amos White.

The early history of any section cannot well be written without at the same time recounting the incidents that serve to illustrate, and that in fact, constitute, such history. Such incidents as have a distinctive character may well be brought under this head. The following account of his terrible experience during the "freezing time "was furnished by Mr. Hildreth himself to Hobert Williams, and by him related to the writer. In February, 1836, occurred the sudden change. Snow had fallen the preceding day and night. The next day a drizzling rain fell so that the snow became a mass of slush. Some time in the afternoon - some accounts say in the morning - a change almost instantly occurred. One says, "the clouds boiled like a pot." The wind veered from south to northwest, the rain froze as it fell and in a few minutes the entire surface of the country was covered with ice. The streams, which in the morning were bank-full of rushing water, were quickly filled with floating ice, and the small runs and pools of water frozen solid enough to bear a man's weight. It was terribly cold. On the morning of this day, two men left Danville on horseback, intending to go to Ash Grove before night. One of these men was Thomas Frame, a young man living on Spring creek. The other was James Hildreth. who was going to Joliet; they were simply traveling acquaintances. They took dinner at Bicknell's Point and fed their horses. They then pushed on across the prairie, being compelled to swim their horses across the creeks, and their clothing damp with rain. When the cold blast struck them they were approaching Burson's (now Fountain) creek. Burson's house stood on the opposite or west side of the creek. On the}*- went, but were soon obliged to dismount and could not proceed. They were obliged to spend the night on the prairie. They continued to move about until Frame became so benumbed that he could not keep up. Hildreth was much more warmly clad than his companion. They then resolved to kill their horses and get inside the bodies. They had but orie knife.

Frame's horse was killed first, but in attempting to open the body the knife was lost and in the darkness could not be found. They succeeded, however, in opening the body so that they were able to insert their feet and legs. They remained in this position as long as possible, and were then obliged to exercise their bodies. Thus the night was passed, until about two hours before day, when Frame died. As soon as he could see, Hildreth managed to mount his horse and pushed on for Burson's Grove, a distance of nearly ten miles. On reaching the creek he succeeded in attracting Burson's attention, but he could not cross as the channel was not entirely closed. Burson was afraid to attempt getting him over, and advised him to go six miles further to another house. Hildreth did so, but found the house empty ; this Burson knew, but had in this heartless manner sent him oft'. It was nearly night again before Hildreth got back to Burson's, and sliding off his horse resolved to cross or perish in the attempt. ' He succeeded, and crawling up to the house, he at length obtained what he so much needed, food and warmth. At Hildreth's urgent request, Burson aroused some people, and a general search for Frame's body was begun. Burson would not permit the body to be brought to his house, neither would he keep Hildreth. The body of Frame was taken to Mr. Williams' house, whence it was removed to his father's house for burial. Two days afterward Hildreth was removed to Williams' house, where he remained for six weeks in a perfectly helpless condition. The horse was also found and cared for. Hildreth lost all his fingers except one, and both his feet up to the instep.

In 1854 the cholera appeared in Milford, supposed to have been brought in some infected clothing. A family living in a house about one-half mile east of Aaron Thomas' place became victims of the scourge. Three persons who died there were buried. An attempt was made to remove a sick woman to Parrish Grove, but she died on the way. Two other persons died in this house, but no one could be induced to go there and bury the decaying bodies. The physician declared that the house, with the bodies, must be burned, or the whole county would be infected. This was accordingly done. About sixteen persons died of cholera.

On June 20, 1866, a tornado swept over this township in a southeasterly direction. Mr. C. W. Dawson was the principal sufferer. His farm is in sections 27 and 34. The house stands on the east side of the road, the barn on the west side, some sixty yards away. He says : " I first saw a funnel-shaped cloud coming from the west. It came near the ground in the timber on Mud creek, cutting off the tops of the trees; then rising, it struck the ground about one-fourth of a mile west of the barn. It made a clean sweep of my farm. The barn was utterly demolished, some of the timbers being driven through the side of the house. A long building standing near was carried in fragments about 200 yards. Not a panel of fence remained on the place. The shutters were torn from the house, and my son, a married man, was carried from the yard about eighty yards, and deposited in a spring. One mule was killed outright, and iive hogs, each weighing over 200 pounds, were never heard of afterward. It was a lively time for about a minute."

In June, 1848, a quarrel arose between Robert Gay and his son William about some grass. An ill feeling had existed between them for some time. The father had forbidden the son cutting any grass on some land near his house. One morning the son, regardless of this injunction, was mowing grass for his horses when the old man came out, and in the quarrel that ensued William cut a terrible gash with his scythe across his father's shoulders, near the base of the neck. The son left his father lying where he fell. The matter soon became known to a neighbor, who cared for the old man, and summoned a doctor. The wound proved to be not necessarily fatal and was in a fair way to heal, when about two weeks after he suddenly died, as was supposed, by his own hand. The son was tried and acquitted.

B. P. Williamson's house, on the S.W. ^ of Sec. 24, was destroyed by fire, with nearly all of its contents, early on the morning of January 2, 1875. A furious snow-storm was raging at the time. The family barely escaped, saving such articles of clothing as they were able to snatch up as they left the burning building. The wind was from the northwest and intensely cold. The origin of the fire was never known.

A remarkable apple tree is still growing on the spot where it was planted forty-nine years ago. This tree was planted by William Stanley's wife on the land that Stanley sold to William Cox. It stands on section 10, about forty yards north of the southwest corner of the section. It is a seedling, and last year (1879) produced about thirty bushels of fine apples. Two feet from the ground the trunk is eight feet in circumference. The top is very symmetrical and of immense size, having a diameter or spread of about fifty-six feet. It is exceedingly thrifty, with not a dry twig among its branches. It is undoubtedly the largest apple tree in the county.

The only fire of any magnitude that lias occurred in the village of Milford, was on August 10, 1876. Charles Jones' elevator, standing on the same ground now occupied by Fairman's elevator, was burned, together with several cars containing produce. Loss about $7,000.

Description

Milford township extends seven and a half miles north and south, and six miles east and west. The political township is identical with the congressional. It contains an area of about 28,302 acres. The township is traversed by two considerable streams - Sugar creek and Mud creek. Sugar creek enters the township from the east, near the southeast corner of section 13 ; thence flowing in a west-by-north course until it reaches the N.W. £ of Sec. 15. At this point the waters of Sugar and Mud creeks unite ; the latter entering the township at the center of the west side of section 30, and pursuing a very irregular course northeast to this point of intersection. From this point the united waters flow in a north-by-east course to within a mile of the north boundary line of the town, when it bends to the northwest, leaving the township near the quarter-line of section 5. Several smaller streams flow into these. The Little Mud, in the south part of the town, is one of them. Fountain creek, coming from the southwest, joins the Mud near the center of section 30. A small creek flows across the northwest corner of the township.

The general surface is level or gently rolling. The valley or bottom lands along the courses of Mud and Sugar creeks are alluvial and of great fertility, and are at a few feet lower level than the adjoining lands. A few gullies or ravines break the uniform line of banks, but these are of extremely limited extent. Broad belts of timber, consisting of white, burr and black oak, walnut, hickory, elm, ash, sassafras, and hard and soft maple, originally existed along all the streams ; sometimes spreading into wide reaches, extending into the prairie for considerable distances. The timber covered more than one-fourth of the area of the township, but at least one-half of the original quantity has been removed. This diversified arrangement of prairie and woodland presents a most pleasing landscape, and no more beautiful region exists than is found in this township. The soil in the timber portions is clay mixed with some gravel ; on the prairie a black loam over gravel, clay or sand. It is exceedingly fertile, producing large crops of corn, oats and flax; and it is now abundantly shown that winter wheat can be grown with great profit.* The coming year will doubtless mark a new era in wheat-growing. In its adaptedness to stock-raising, this township is not excelled. Immense numbers of cattle and hogs are raised, and much attention is given to improving the breeds of stock. Not only is the country well watered by streams, but the artesian wells, which are made at small expense, furnish in nearly every locality a never-failing source of pure, cold water. These wells are invaluable to those engaged in stock-raising, besides which they facilitate the making of butter and cheese.

Village Of Milford

This village, which is situated one mile east of the center of the township, was originally located on and covered the N.E. ^ of the S.E. \ of Sec. 15, T. 25 N., E. 12 W. 2d principal meridian. This land was entered by William Pickerel, October 4, 1832. The village was platted by Pickerel, September 24, 1836 ; Jonas Smith, county surveyor, making the survey. The plat was certified October 6, and recorded October 10, 1836, and described as " situated at Wm. Pickerel's mills on Sugar creek, one of the main branches of the Iroquois river." Pickerel sold the whole tract to John B. Strickler, May 31, 1837. Railroad addition to the village of Milford was laid out and platted by John L. Donovan, August 7, 1871, and recorded the same date. The survey was made by George Dalton, a deputy of B. F. Masters, county surveyor. It is located on land formerly owned by Charles Axtell. The tract thus platted lies on both sides of the line separating sections 14 and 15, and is described by metes and bounds. The depot grounds of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad are located in this addition. Donovan's addition adjoins railroad addition on the east, and is laid out on land bought of Samuel Grant. On the west of railroad addition is Dawson's addition of out-lots, surveyed by B. F. Masters. This addition extends west to the new cemetery, and lies on both sides of the road running west from the depot.

Few villages in any sections of the country, can boast of more improvements, backed up with abundant promise of greater substantial prosperity, than Milford. On the east, west and south sides are beautiful groves, while immediately to the north, and also beyond these groves, extend in all directions vast rolling prairies, well drained and yielding enormous crops of all kinds of grain, and sustaining thousands of cattle. Of this region Milford is the most available market, and the enterprise of its citizens is fast binding this extensive trade, and constantly extending every facility and offering every encouragement that superior business sagacity and a liberal outlay of money can present, to maintain and extend their commercial relations.

Blanchfill, secretary ; "W. T. Sheridan, treasurer ; James "Woodworth, police justice ; Samuel Caughron, street commissioner. At the election held to vote upon the question of incorporation sixty-one votes were cast; sixty were in favor of the measure and only one negative vote.

The first elevator put up in the village was burnt as already stated. The elevator now standing on the same ground was erected by John Fairman in 1877. Mr. Fairman is a man of great business enterprise and sagacity, and foreseeing the advantages of such an investment, determined to build an elevator of sufficient capacity to accommodate the grain trade of this section. He pushed forward his undertaking amid many prophesies of failure, but the result has justified his expectations. The capacity of the building is 25,000 bushels. It is run by an engine of thirty-five horse power, with which is connected a mill for grinding corn. The elevator can receive and deliver 4,000 bushels per day. Mr. Fairman was the first grain buyer in Watseka.

The general character of the inhabitants of a city or village is often indicated by the quality and style of their buildings. This certainly is true of Milford. No village in eastern Illinois can boast of a better class of buildings, either for business or residence. Nearly all of the business houses are substantial brick buildings, well finished, and filled with large and complete stocks of goods.