Knox County, Illinois - The whole text, 1912 (part 10 of 56)

A vote upon the question of local option was taken in the spring of 1908. It carried by between 600 and 700 majority. Another vote was taken in the spring of 1910, and local option again carried by something over 300 majority. The same question was submitted to the voters of the city in the spring election of 1912, and resulted in a majority between 200 and 300 in favor of license.

General Improvements

There has always been an influence at work in the city of Galesburg that made for better conditions, the same as is felt in all cities, and under this head it is proposed briefly to state a few things that have been attempted by the council to produce conditions that may be properly classed under the head of general improvements.

On August 1 6, 1851, an ordinance was passed by the village trustees, removing all slaughter houses beyond the limits of the city, provided that if the business be carried on within the city, certain parts of the animals slaughtered must be buried two feet beneath the surface of the ground.

In 1851, a resolution was passed calling for a meeting of the citizens at Palmer A. Conger's tavern to consider the propriety of raising a tax for the improvement of the town. At the same meeting an application was made for a permit to the Robinson family to perform within the city. This was probably in the early days of the great Robinson circus.

In April, 1857, Knox college asked that Tompkins street between Broad and Cherry, be closed. There were remonstrances against this petition and it was denied in consequence of no power in the city council to grant it. Of course it is plain to see why the college made this request to close Tompkins street as it would enlarge the area of ground that could be devoted to park purposes.

In the same year the city surveyor was asked to establish street grades. Also a board of health was formed and their duties prescribed by ordinance.

All these arrangements were in accordance with a certain desire for that form of improvement that would touch each individual and where it was calculated to raise the general standard of thought and feeling on the part of the people of the city. . -;; >

After the coming of the railroad, it was found that railroad time differed somewhat from local time and adoption of railroad time was recommended by the mayor and clerk and they also recommended an appropriation of $50.03 for ringing the bell of the first church at 12 o'clock M. This, of course, was done to enable people to keep up their time in harmony with the railroad time. The recommendation was not concurred in.

In March, 1859, the city council closed that part of Broad street passing through the park between Tompkins and South streets. This was a very proper act on the part of the city. It permits the maintenance of a very beautiful park and court house grounds, and traffic through that part of the city would not improve appearances.

In 1864, a petition signed by a number of citizens was presented to the city council and embracing quite another thing. It was asked that the city council favor the enterprise for introducing gas into the city of Galesburg. The petition was referred to a committee to report at the next meeting. The committee reported that they could not obtajn said information on the subject, such as would warrant them in recommending its introduction, but the committee would be glad to hold a conference with the company proposing its introduction.

Resolved, That the Galesburg Gas Light & Coke Co., be permitted to erect works and buildings on block 9, of this city, for the purpose of manufacturing gas and coke and grant to said company all privileges usually granted by other cities to gas light and coke companies.

On April 12, 1860, Mr. G. Peterson was granted the privilege of erecting a tannery on Cedar Fork, between Broad and Cedar streets, on condition that he kept it nice and clean and free from reasonable objections of citizens in the neighborhood.

Later in the year 1877, there began an effort to make improvements in our streets, which has resulted in the paving with brick of so much of our city. Alderman Sanderson moved that Main street improvements be proceeded with on a gravel basis and that the city engineer be instructed to report estimates of the cost of improving the street in that manner and that cost of curb stones and good substantial gutters be included. An ordinance was passed on September i, providing for the improvement of Main street with gravel, from the public square to Kellogg street. Following this improvement came the improvement of Cherry and Prairie streets, with gravel which, in a few years, was succeeded by brick.

The installation of free delivery of mail in the city of Galesburg necessitated the posting of street names and house numbers and a communication from the postmaster general to Postmaster Carr, of Feb. 24, 1883, encouraged the city

The question of street lighting was considered in June, 1883, and on the 8th of June an ordinance was passed by unanimous vote providing for the lighting of the streets by electricity.

In February, 1906, it was voted to buy 78 acres of the Blue Farm at $115, as a suburban park for the city of Galesburg, later something like 12 acres more was purchased. It has been thought by many that this was an act of useless extravagance on the part of the city. It it probable, however, that in time not only this act of the council will be heartily endorsed but that other places will yet be selected and purchased for park purposes.

It will be seen from the article in this history, upon the subject of the public parks, that Galesburg is very much behind on that question, and that the cities of the United States are generally poorly provided with places for the recreation of the public. It goes without saying that the taste for matters of that kind is constantly increasing and that in the not distant future the cities of America will be well provided with parks for the recreation and pleasure of their people.

The Galesburg Hospital was founded in 1891, and each year since then has seen it expand in usefulness. It is situated on high and well drained premises on North Seminary street in a quite part of the city, and yet within a few blocks of the business center, and reached by street cars. Its environments are all that could be desired. It is under the management of a board of fifteen directors, chartered by the state, and with the mayor of the city as a member ex-officio.

; Characteristics of the hospital are the abundance of light and air, the excellent ventilation, for every room is an outside room, and the modern type of all the conveniences.

For Whom Maintained

The hospital is maintained for the reception and medical treatment of the sick and injured and disabled of all classes of persons except those having contagious diseases, and to maintain a training school for nurses. Since its erection many hundreds of patients have been successfully treated at this hospital and it was never so well equipped and efficiently administered as at present. It is prepared to care for emergency cases of all descriptions. , . ., . .. . ., ....

During the last two years the capacity of the hospital has been increased by a handsome new wing and a home for the nurses. This new wing is practically fireproof, the fioors being of concrete, and the heating plant is in the fireproof basement of this addition contributing much to the safety of the structure. The home for the nurses is built with special reference to their comfort.

The main building was erected in 1891, and later the south wing was built witlt the hope that this would meet the increasing demand. Within a few years the capacity was found inadequate, which led to the erection of the new addition, along lines that included the latest ideas of hospital construction. The entire building is modern and furnished with all the modem conveniences. It has a capacity for one hundred beds, including fifty private rooms. It is provided with an electric elevator and is lighted with electricity. A sun room is one of the features. For male patients convalescing there is a large, well lighted, comfortable lounging room.

This department of the hospital is governed by a joint committee from the board of trustees and the hospital staff. The directress of nurses has immediate control and direction of the nurses, subject to the general authority of the superintendent of the hospital. Her authority extends over all that pertains to the discipline and duties of the nurses and pupils both in the hospital and the home, and to their conduct at all times, as well as their instruction. V. ..

The home for pupil nurses occupies the extreme north wing of the last addition to the hospital building. The rooms are well lighted and heated and comfortably furnished. On the eastern exposure of this wing fronts the nurses' parlor, affording a beautiful furnished room for recreation and the reception of friends. This portion of the building is connected with the hospital by corridors, but otherwise is a separate part of the institution.

Candidates for admission must be between twenty and thirty-five years of age, in good general health, free from physical deformities, and must have a high school education or its equivalent. Married women are not accepted in the training school.

The full term is three years, of which three months are devoted to preparatory work. All pupils must complete the full term and must devote their whole time to the work, and must not allow outside interests to interfere in any way. Any time that may be lost, except in vacations, must be made up at the end of the term. In sickness, nurses are cared for by the hospital and attended by the hospital staff so long as they remain at the hospital.

The school year begins the first Monday in October and ends the last Friday in May. The course is comprehensive, and during the term five lectures a week are given by the different members of the hospital staff, as well as the lectures and demonstrations given by the superintendent, directress of nurses, and the surgical nurse. Lectures on special subjects are also given at stated intervals during the year. Practical and bedside instruction is given by the directress and surgical nurse. Practical instruction in diets is given by the superintendent.

Pupil nurses receive no salary during their period of training, but after the probation period of two months is passed an allowance of $5.00 per month is made to each nurse for the purpose of supplying means for the purchase of uniforms, books, etc. :

Hours for recreation are provided for at the discretion of the directress of nurses. When practicable, two hours each week day, one afternoon each week, and three weeks' vacation each year will be allowed.

When the full term of three years is completed and the examinations satisfactorily passed, each nurse will receive a diploma. Graduate nurses are eligible, on passing the required examination, to state registration.

V The internal management of the institution is under the administration of a joint board representing the board of trustees and the physicians who give careful attention to all questions arising from the care of patients. The training school for nurses oflFers fine facilities for those desiring to master this profession, and such is the standard that the graduates are now admitted on examination to state registration. Being an incorporated institution, the hospital is subject to state inspection, and has been found well equipped and managed. The medical staff of ten physicians renders valuable assistance in the training school and along many other lines.

The hospital is well equipped with all the appliances for successful surgical operations. It has two operating rooms, furnished with all needed instruments. Its X-ray machine is one of the best that money could purchase, and of the most modern and effective kind.

There are departments equipped with all the apparatus for thorough sterilizing. In the diet kitchen there are all the conveniences by which the nurses can prepare food suited to the patients.

One of the special features of the institution is the maternity department. The entire lower floor of the south wing is devoted to this purpose. The wards are conveniently located and admirably adapted to minister to the comforts of patients.

There are two children's rooms at present with eight beds and especially suited '.^ to the care of children. A children's room association has been organized for the ;; purpose of furnishing the rooms and keeping them equipped. .;

The trustees of the institution at the present time are Robert Chappell, of -' the O. T. Johnson Company; J. C. Simpson, of James C. Simpson & Company; - Alvah S. Green, of the law firm of Williams, Lawrence, Welsh and Green; Mrs. '

The officers of the board are as follows: President, James C. Simpson; Vice President, E. R. Drake; Treasurer, C. O. Lewis; Secretary, Mrs. Jessie Irons; town on section 28, in Knox township, in 1831. Capt. John Charles, Parry i' Morris, John Montgomery, Dr. Charles Hansford, John G. Sanborn, the original '- founders of this city were certainly men of rare, good judgment, selecting a site which could not well be improved. Located between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers on the east and west and Court Creek and Hawcreek on the north and south, gives perfect drainage, freedom from disastrous wind storms, and an altogether desirable location for a city of homes, healthful and pleasing.

On the second day of April, 1836, the clerk of the County Commissioners Court laid before the court a certificate of the president and clerk of the incorporation of the town of Knoxville in regard to said incorporation which reads as follows :

At an election of incorporation held in Knoxville on the 5th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, the following is the state of the polls : One vote against incorporation; Twenty-four for corporation.

At an election of trustees held in the town of Knoxville on the nth day of March, 1836, the following named persons received the number of votes opposite their names :

The early history of the town is of more than usual interest. Dr. Hansford, who came to Knoxville in 1832, was the county's first physician, and his daughter, Grace, was our first girl baby. Elijah T. Eads was the first boy born in the city, and John Moore Bartlett was the first boy born in the township. Capt. John Charles bought Parnach Owens' farm on the east side of the city and these broad acres, numbering nearly two thousand are still in possession of the Charles family. Harvey Montgomery owns nearly a thousand acres which were originally settled on by his father, John Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery is the oldest living child born in Knox county. This town began at once to make history. John G. Sanborn came in 1832, started a store, and during his whole life, was a live, honorable citizen. He was gathered to his fathers at a ripe old age on the day Abraham Lincoln died. He was Knoxville's first postmaster, was the first clerk of the Circuit Court, the County Court, and the County Commissioners Court. The Messrs. Henry, Eldred and Cornelius Runkle, who came in the early thirties, were a blessing to the land of their adoption, being very closely identified with the history and development of the town, from its organization, the good they did can not be forgotten as long as time lasts. Henry, among other enterprises.

site which could not well be improved. Located between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers on the east and west and Court Creek and liawcreek on the north and south, gives perfect drainage, freedom from disastrous wind storms, and an -altogether desirable location for a city of homes, healthful and pleasing.

On the second day of April, 1836, the clerk of the County Commissioners Court laid before the court a certificate of the president and clerk of the incorporation of the town of Knoxville in regard to said incorporation which reads as

At an election of incorporation held in Knoxville on the 5th day of March, one thousand eight lunnlred and thirty-six, the following is the state of the polls : One vote against incorporation; Twenty-four for corporation. \ . -

The early history of the town is of more than usual interest. Dr. Hansford, who came to Knoxville in 1832, was the county's first physician, and his daughter, Grace, was our first girl baby. Elijah T. Eads was the first boy born in the city, : and John Moore Bartlett was the first boy born in the township. Capt. John Charles bought Parnach Owens' farm on the east side of the city and these ; broad acres, numbering nearly two thousand are still in possession of the Charles family. Harvey Montgomery owns nearly a thousand acres which were originally settled on by his father, John Montgomery. i\Ir. ^Montgomery is the oldest living child born in Knox county. This town began at once to make history. John G. ' Sanborn came in 1832, started a store, and during his whole life, was a live, honorable citizen. He was gathered to his fathers at a ripe old age on the day Abraham Lincoln died. He was Knoxville's first postmaster, was the first clerk of the Circuit Court, the County Court, and the County Commissioners Court. The ' Messrs. Henry, Eldred and Cornelius Runkle, who came in the early thirties, : were a blessing to the land of their adoption, being very closely identified with . the history and development of the town, from its organization, the good they /^ did can not be forgotten as long as time lasts. Henry, among other enterprises, owned the first grist mill in the county. Eldred, who was identified with Henry in various enterprises for twenty years, continued the business until his death in 1865. Cornelius was for a long series of years a banker, being the first president of the Farmers National Bank. He died in 1908, full of years and honors, and greatly mourned by all.

Rev. Jacob Gum was our first minister, services being held in his own home, a two-roomed log cabin, in 1839. His grandson, Jacob D. Gum, was the first pupil enrolled in the first school taught in the township.

Daniel Fuqua, who came here in 1834 helped greatly in the work of establishing homes in this county. His children and grandchildren numbered 125 when he was gathered to his fathers in 1909. Judge Robert L. Hannaman came to Knoxville in 1836. For half a century he was a blessing to the community. H6n. James Knox, previous to his election as congressman from this district was one of our most enterprising citizens, both as a business man and official. His benefactions to St. Mary's School and St. Alban's Academy have been very large. His contribution of a splendid town clock and bell which are placed in the cupola of the public school has always been greatly Appreciated. He also contributed a fund of $i,cxx) each for the use of the Agricultural Board and for the keeping up of the cemetery grounds.

Hon. George A. Charles, who was for seventeen years a representative of Knox township on the Board of Supervisors of Knox Township, helped largely in making this a desirable locality for those to live who followed.

Hon. John H. Lewis, who began life here as a young man, has always encouraged by liberal contributions and sound advice everything which would add to the welfare of our city and its people.

Rev. Dr. Leffingwell, rector of St. Mary's School, has done probably as much as any other citizen to sustain and promote everything which was for the betterment of this city.

These are only a few of the people who helped to found and promote the interests of Knoxville. Every householder and home-owner takes special pride in making it what it is so often called "Knoxville the Beautiful."

Knoxville is well known as a city of churches and schools. Her churches, five in number - Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Christian, Swedish Lutheran, St. Marys and St. Johns, both interior and exterior, are models of church architecture, and ample for every requirement. There are doubtless few cities of 2,000 inhabitants anywhere which excel Knoxville in the number or value of its churches. Of its schools, an extended notice is given elsewhere. St. Mary's, in its convenience, accessibility, healthful location, and all the accoutrements which make a perfect educational institution, where education ripens into true culture and broad character, is not anywhere excelled.

St. Alban's School for boys is making a name and fame for itself in the splendid education its pupils receive - a school where all the requisites of a first class educational institution are apparent - a healthful location, modem equipment, experienced teachers, and a course of study which eminently fits a boy for a life of business or advanced study.

Knoxville's latest acquisition is her Old Ladies' Home, founded by Mrs. William Jones. It occupies a block in the east part of the city, and is just being completed at a cost of $100,000. It is built of vitrified brick with cement trimmings, and every modern convenience is being furnished. While the four stories include one hundred rooms, arrangements have been made for the accommodation of forty people. The chapel, dining room, reception parlors, rest and hospital rooms are all models of beauty, taste and convenience. It will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1912.

This town is known far and wide for having within its borders one of the finest and best conducted alms houses in the country. Additions and improvements have been made from time to time, until the present valuation of the farm and buildings is about $150,000. While always under the care of the board of supervisors and the committee, Knox county has always been fortunate in the selection of its superintendents, none of whom have been more capable than the present appointee, who has managed the institution for the past twelve years with signal success.

The old Hebard House. Knoxville, from the uoner veranda of which Lincoln addressed the crowd assembled in the street on the night of Oct. 6th, 1858. -. -. : .

Knoxville's latest acquisition is her Old Ladies' Home, founded by Mrs. William Jones. It occupies a block in the east part of the city, and is just being completed at a cost of $100,000. It is built of vitrified brick with cement trimmings, and every modern convenience is being furnished. While the four stories include one hundred rooms, arrangements have been made for the accommodation of forty people. The chapel, dining room, reception parlors, rest and hospital rooms are all models of beauty, taste and convenience. It will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1912. ' .^ .;;--->>?: .V.' ^l - .

This town is known far and wide for having within its borders one of the finest and best conducted alms houses in the country. Additions and improvements have been made from time to time, until the present valuation of the farm and buildings is about $150,000. While always under the care of the board of supervisors and the committee, Knox county has always been fortunate in the selection of its superintendents, none of whom have been more capable than the present appointee, who has managed the institution for the past twelve years with signal success.

For a term of years, numbering nearly half a century the old settlers of Knox county have assembled in Knoxville, but it was not until 1886 that a formed constitution was adopted. At a meeting held April 3, 1867, Daniel Robertson was elected as its first president; Major Thomas McKee, vice president, and Judge R. L. Hannaman, secretary. Even at this early date, just after the close of the war of the rebellion, the aged speakers gave eloquent addresses recounting the happenings to the people of the county. Since 1885 a death roll has been kept and read each year. By a resolution of the association thirty years residence entitles one to become an old settler, so that each year the death roll is largely augmented.

The old Hebard House. Knoxville. trom the ui)i)er veranda of which Lincoln addressed Uie crowd assembled in the street on the night of Oct. (ith. 1858. ^ -. -. ..

Brick Making

Knox township is known everywhere because of the Purington Paving Brick Industry, located in the northwest part of the township where immense beds of shale have been discovered. This shale is a fine-grained, slaty, soft rock, resembling sandstone in appearance, and is used exclusively in the manufacture of vitrified paving brick. So great is the. demand for this brick for use in paving streets and for walks, that all of the four plants in the Court Creek bottom are exclusively engaged in the manufacture of this kind of brick. Nearly half a million of dollars is invested in the four plants, and five hundred men are on the payroll. The capacity of the combined plants is nearly half a million brick per day.

The City of Abingdon is located on very high rolling ground and covers a portion of section 33 in Cedar township and a portion of section 4 in Indian Point township. The original town, comprising sixteen blocks, was laid out on section 33 in Cedar township in 1836. Frederick Snyder's Addition to Abingdon, located upon section 4, Indian Point township, was laid out in 1849. The city is named after the City of Abingdon, Maryland, the birthplace of A. D. Swartz, the founder. His wife was a Carroll, related to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

In the early days of the town it did not make a very rapid growth. In 1855 it had acquired about five hundred inhabitants, but between 1855 and 1860 when the colleges, Hedding and Abingdon college, were located there, the population increased very rapidly. At the outbreak of the Civil War it was in a very fiourishing condition and it furnished its full quota of men, who entered the service of the United States, and notwithstanding the progress of the civil war, the town continued to grow in numbers and it reached a population of one thousand to twelve hundred people. Its growth has been steady all along. In later years it became more rapid in consequence of the location of certain manufacturing enterprises that came to the city or were originally started there, and the population today is about three thousand, many, however, claiming three thousand five hundred.

The original inhabitants were very largely from Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and Tennessee and they naturally sympathized with the southern idea in regard to the institution of slavery. As time passed on, however, these sympathies changed, especially with the men, and they gradually became anti-slavery in sentiment and some of them even became agents of the famous underground railway. Jonothan Latimer, father of the writer of this brief history, was among those who saw a better and brighter light upon the side of freedom. The women did not change their minds quite so rapidly, and his wife, who, noticing with regret the gradual change that was coming over her husband, said to him one day, "Jonothan, if you are determined to go to the devil yourself, don't take all the boys with you." This good mother, however, was as large-hearted as any of her southern sisters and it will do the reader good to search further for the generosity of soul within her by reading the article in this history on the subject of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and Cherry Grove seminary. It can be said, however, if to warm the heart with thoughts of freedom is equivalent to going to the devil, Jonothan Latimer's sons all sought the august presence of that somewhat mythical being.

This institution was chartered in 1857 under the name of Hedding Female College. It received its name from Bishop Hedding of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was suggested by Mr. J. B. F. Chesney and heartily endorsed by other interested parties. The name was afterwards changed to Hedding College, and both boys and girls were admitted to its halls upon equal terms.

The college has, in common with all other colleges of the country, had its successes and reverses, but it has steadily maintained a high purpose and determination to reach a final success. At the present time it has an attendance of about two hundred, and there is a strong movement for a greater endowment and larger attendance. The outlook is brighter than ever before. There is a determination on the part of the denomination which is behind it, and the people of Abingdon, to bring it to the front and place it upon an enduring basis.

President Walter D. Agnew has undertaken this work with a spirit that will surely win. He has accomplished his first point, the raising of $50,000 toward the endowment. This added to $50,000 heretofore raised completes the $100,000 required to be held before the end of the year 1912. Rev. Agnew will raise another $100,000 before the end of the year 1916, which, when accomplished, places Hedding upon the basis of a college authorized to confer degrees and claim all rights belonging to a fully equipped college and without which it would have to work upon the grade of an academy.

Abingdon College was opened by P. H. Murphy in 1853 ^"^ charter obtained in 1855. Some of the prominent incorporators were Wm. Maxwell, P. H.

who saw a better and brighter light upon the side of freedom. The women ; -. did not change their minds quite so rapidly, and his wife, who, noticing with regret

This institution was chartered in 1857 under the name of Hedding Female College. It received its name from Bishop Hedding of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was suggested by ]\Ir. J. B. F. Chesney and heartily endorsed by other interested parties. The name was afterwards changed to Hedding College, and both boys and girls were admitted to its halls upon equal terms.

The college has, in common with all other colleges of the country, had its successes and reverses, but it has steadily maintained a high purpose and determination to reach a final success. At the present time it has an attendance of about two hundred, and there is a strong movement for a greater endowment and larger attendance. The outlook is brighter than ever before. There is a determination on the part of the denomination which is behind it, and the people of Abingdon, to bring it to the front and place it upon an enduring basis. ' - .. { - . '-

President Walter D. Agnew has undertaken this work with a spirit that will surely wirt He has accomplished his first point, the raising of $50,000 toward the endowment. This added to $50,000 heretofore raised completes the $100,000 required to be held before the end of the year 1912. Rev. Agnew will raise another $100,000 before the end of the year 1916, which, when accomplished, places Hedding upon the basis of a college authorized to confer degrees and claim all rights belonging to a fully equipped college and without which it would have to work upon the grade of an academy.

Abingdon College was opened by P. H. Murphy in 1853 ^nd charter obtained in 1855. Some of the prominent incorporators were Wm. Maxwell, P. H.

Murphy, J. C. Latimer, John Miller, George Price, S. H. Richey, Jesse Purdue and others. This was a private enterprise at first. It was afterwards taken up by the Christian church and carried forward successfully for about twenty-five years. At one time it had three hundred or four hundred students, but owing to some local dissensions, it succumbed and the infiuences of the church took the educational center to Eureka, Illinois.

The Protestant Methodist Church

The various religious denominations have been written up by others under their respective names, but it is probable that the Protestant Methodist denomination has been overlooked. This denomination at one time was very strong in this vicinity. At one time they owned the finest church edifice in the city of Abingdon. They had societies throughout this section of the county and their work was the most militant and progressive of almost any denomination in the county at that period.

It is somewhat difficult to state exactly the cause of the disappearance of this denomination. Their inclination was to erect chapels and other places of worship in the country and this is always at a disadvantage, as the communicants have to go a long distance to attend worship, and it is also true that the members gradually shifted to Congregationalism, and it is quite probable that these two causes finally led to the abandonment of that particular church in Knox county.

We have spoken of the industries of Abingdon which have led to its growth in recent years. A list of those industries with the number of men employed will indicate very clearly how much Abingdon owes to her industries.

First we will speak of the hand industries that existed here years ago and which have been driven out by the invention and use of machinery. In the 4o's and 5o's J. B. F. Chesney manufactured plows, which were celebrated throughout this section of the country. Also Jonothan Latimer built carriages and buggies in the early days.

As an example of an early pioneer store, we cannot think of anything better than that of Jonothan Latimer, afterwards Latimer and Meeks, that was located in the City of Abingdon, under one roof employing shoemaker, tailor and milliner. This store kept dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hardware, meats cured by themselves, a small variety of drugs ; they bought and sold cattle, hogs, sheep and all the products of the farm. There were two ways in which they disposed of their hogs, of which they often owned several thousand taken in exchange for goods sold during the year. They would either slaughter them on the farm and haul their carcasses to Copperas Landing on the Illinois river, or drive them on foot to the same shipping point. Generally the return wagons would be loaded with goods to be again traded to the farmer for his farm products, and generally it may be stated that everything received by these traders from the farmers was disposed of at Copperas Landing, as aforesaid. From there of course they were shipped by boat to the larger cities, mostly St. Louis. In other instances the

These industries are believed to be in a very prosperous condition, and there are indications of their steady growth. There was a factory known as the Animal Trap Factory which removed from Abingdon to the State of Pennsylvania about ?ix years ago. The building which they occupied has been divided and remodeled and today is occupied by the Abingdon Trap Factory and the Spring Handle Co.

- ' Abingdon has a live commercial club which is unceasing in its efforts to advance the interests of Abingdon and all organizations within it designed to make it a greater Abingdon.

The following is a list of organizations that are active in the city : G. A. R., Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Modern Woodmen, Masons, Eastern Star, Knights of Pythias, Court of Honor, Ladies of Grand Army.

/ _ The Illinois Opera House and the Merchants' Hotel of Abingdon are both fine structures. Probably nothing better in the line can be found in this part of the state in a town of the size of Abingdon.

Abingdon cemetery contains the bodies of sixteen soldiers who fought in the War of 1812 : Jacob West, James Strain,, William Crow, Thales Givens, Abraham

Swartz, Cannon, Basey, Israel Marshall and others, and one that saw something of the Revolutionary War, although small at the time. Joseph Latimer saw the burning of New London, Connecticut, by Benedict Arnold after Arnold went over to the British forces.

In writing the early history of this particular locality, one is obliged to ignore much that must naturally come in other parts of this history. We find we have to tell the history of the state or the history of the county, not the history of Henderson township. Take the important figures in the history of this region during its earlier period and you will find that in nearly every instance they do not belong particularly to Henderson, but to the greater areas of which this place is but a small part, to the State of Illinois, and the County of Knox.

The consciousness of the distinct personality of this locality in the early history of our state and county arouses in us a feeling of pride in our past, because our earliest settlers e^sercised a great influence that has been of great value to humanity. The future of Knox county and Henderson in no small part lay in the hands of those early pioneers and those who were to follow them. A future full of hardships but also full of hope and aspirations.

The question naturally arises. Whence came the first settlers? What conditions drove them to face the hardships and privations to the frontier to make new homes?

When we consider that, Daniel Robertson, the first settler in Henderson township, which was also the first settlement in Knox county, did not come until 1828, when Illinois had been a state ten years, one naturally asks. Why was it that a locality full of possibilities was not settled at an earlier date ? The answers are not so difficult when we investigate the conditions that surrounded our earlier population. There were many influences to retard immigration ; the actual opening of land offices, the promised land sales, the extinguishing of Indian titles, the limited means of travel, and others no less important.

On the Ohio river and its branches in rafts, or along its banks by covered wagons, on horseback or by foot, came the immigrants who were to settle Henderson. They came from the south and east. Conditions in Kentucky and other southern states slowly drove the small farmer to emigrate.

To us of the third generation who view these fertile fields of grain in every direction and know of the great wealth above and below the ground, it seems strange there was not a rush of settlers into this region in spite of the natural inference that the land that could not produce trees must be worthless as farm land, which has proved in the end to be the richest possession of our "Prairie State."

The early settlers of Henderson invariably located in the timber or along its border - This is not so strange when we consider that these pioneers mostly had been brought up in the shelter of the woods. This nearness to the timber was ..:'.v. an advantage in many ways - It furnished material for their log houses, fuel for

- '. their fireplaces, meat for their food and shelter from. the fierce cold winds in ;"-/ V winter, which often caused a great deal of suffering. The first settlers were i'. : . fond of hunting and many interesting stories are told of them in quest of wild

- - -.< be found anywhere in Illinois. Here was a favorite place for Indians, who had i >^.,' extensive fields of corn on sections 23 and 26, south of the Village of Henderson.

Fifty Cents

been brought up in the shelter of the woods. This nearness to the timber was an advantage in many ways - It furnished material for their log houses, fuel for their fireplaces, meat for their food and shelter from the fierce cold winds in winter, which often caused a great deal of suffering. The first settlers were fond of hunting and many interesting stories are told of them in quest of wild turkey, prairie chicken and deer.

Henderson was the first township in Knox county to be settled by white men. It is well watered by the branches which make up the head waters of Henderson river. Along these branches originally stood one of the finest groves of timber to be found anywhere in Illinois. Here was a favorite place for Indians, who had extensive fields of corn on sections 23 and 26, south of the Village of Henderson. These Indians were friendly and remained till the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, when they left without doing any serious harm. In February, 1828, Daniel Robertson came and settled first on section 15. But this land was claimed by a speculator an'd Mr. Robertson gave it up and settled on the southwest corner of section ii, where he lived most of his life. His brother, Alexander, came in a short time and settled on section 2, where he died in 1853. During the spring and summer, others came, among them were Jacob Gum, a Baptist minister, who preached the first sermon in 1829, at the residence of his son, John B. Gum, on section 32. This two-room log cabin was the first county court house. Here the first circuit court was held October i, 1830. The judge presiding was the Hon. Richard M. Young, afterward United States Senator. Here also the first county election was held, Mr. Gum being elected the first county treasurer.

Riggs Pennington came about this time, who became one of the most prominent men of northern Illinois - Philip Hash and Chas. Hansford. These three were the first county commissioners after the actual organization in 1830 - Stephen Osborn, the first sheriff - Parnac Owen, the first county surveyor - James Gum, Zephaniah Gum, whose child was the first native citizen of this settlement. Robert and Eaton Nance who settled on section 9. I '

..The first death in Knox county was that of a young man, Philip Nance, which occurred January 9, 1829, in Henderson township, and was buried on section 9. Thomas McKee, who came the fall before, was present at his death and funeral and was instrumental in erecting a suitable stone at the grave. A few years later, the people of the vicinity of Henderson raised money and erected an iron ^ fence around the grave.

The next year came James McMurtry with his sons, William and James, and their families, from Indiana. They came in August and settled on section 3, on a quarter they bought of Riggs Pennington, paying $1.25 per acre; but afterward had to repurchase to secure a clear title. It was on their farm, on the northeast 40 acres of section lo, that the entire neighborhood assisted in building a fort, which would protect them from the Indians, into this the surrounding families before and during the Black Hawk war would often gather. While there were often rumors of Indian uprisings and the settlers were constantly on the watch for them, they were never molested by them. A company of rangers was organized by Wm. McMurtry, who was their captain, to be ready to pursue the Indians in all directions if needed. William McMurtry became quite an active and prominent politician. He was a firm believer in the principles of the Demo- cratic party and a friend of Stephen A. Douglas. It was largely through him that the history of Henderson is so closely connected with the early history of the county and the state. He was active in the organization of Henderson township, April 5, 1853. In 1832 he was appointed commissioner of schools and proved a most excellent officer. He was state senator for many years and in 1848 was elected lieutenant-governor of Illinois, with Governor French. His full biography occurs in this history.

In 1830 several new families joined the settlement - Furguson, the Roundtrees, the Goflfs, Lewis and Davis with their families locating along the south part of the grove. The same year came Harmon Brown, from Kentucky, and settled on section 30 where he lived most of his life. Mr. Brown taught the .second school, 1833, on section 31. The first school in the county was at Henderson Grove in 1830, taught in a log house by Franklin B. Barber. This primitive school was without much system gotten up by the local residents simply for the instruction of their own children in the rudiments. Here the first school district was organized in 1836 under the management of Wm. McMurtry, the first school commissioner who always took an active interest in the early schools. He sold the school lands, invested the money and advanced the educational interests of the county very much. During the years 1831-32, quite a number of families came, among these were the Ferrises who put up a steam mill on Henderson Creek. This was quite an event, and the settlers felt they now had all they needed.

The first few years the settlers had to go to Rushville for their mail, about 75 miles. In 1838, a postoffice was established in the township on section 32, and John G. Sanburn was the first postmaster.

In 1836, the first of the Galesburg colony came. They located south of the grove and built up what afterward became distinguished as Log City on section 33. This settlement was only temporary and does not strictly belong to the history of Henderson township, but more to Galesburg, where they finally settled.

Henderson township contains some of the finest farming land in the state, and many substantial dwellings have taken the place of the primitive log cabins. In fact, the whole face of the township has changed till there is scarcely a trace of the wilderness where the foundations for homes were laid by those sturdy and daring pioneers, all of whom have passed away and their places are filled by the second and third generations.

The only village in this township is Henderson on section 14. It was laid out June II, 1835, and in 1838 was incorporated. In early days it was a flourishing place and there were great expectations for its future; but this future was not in the control of its citizens. Previous to building the railroad in 1854, which missed it a few miles, and subsequently caused its decline, it was an important place in the county and had the largest postoffice in the county, five stores, two shoeshops and four blacksmith shops. It commanded a large trade from the surrounding country. This trade was attracted to the railroad stations, the village steadily declined, until little remained. In 1886, the Rio branch of the C., B. & Q. railroad was constructed through the village and saved it from complete extinction and some improvements have recently been made.

The dark almost sandless loam is in all probability the result of plant growth and plant decay, year by year, century by century, perhaps even millennium by millennium; and the fine, variously colored, porous clays immediately beneath are an interesting study as also is the unstratified drift which is of varying thick- - . ness, and the whole deposit clearly shows that in untold ages the forces of nature were rounding and fashioning into their present forms the large, small and

- smaller pebbles which are countless as the grains of sand by the sea shore. r- In the historic era only grasses intermingled with many tinted flowers carpeted '- our prairies. Yet there is abundant evidence to prove that in the carboniferous

- called Galena Trail crossed in a northwesterly direction, the extreme northerly .; - part of the township, and in and near the timber of Pilot Knob numerous arrow

- points have been found, but no vestiges of even temporary habitation and no i burial mounds have been observed. Thus, though they without doubt all over

,, - The first settler of whom we have any knowledge, who evidently meant to stay, was Alexander Williams, he having fenced and plowed twenty acres on the

- northwest quarter of section 30 in 1833, ^"^ three years afterward sold the ;.;' same to I. M. Wetmore. In 1833, George W. Melton arrived and settled on section 31, which, until his death some sixty years later, was his home, and here were born and grew to manhood and womanhood a family of children; the eldest of whom, Elizabeth (subsequently Mrs. Ralph Voris), was the first . white child born in Ontario township. Soon after quite a number of settlers ' arrived nearly all of whom came from Oneida county. New York, and even today the names sound familiar, Wetmore, Crane, Chapman, Camp, Mosher, Hoilister, Savage, Powell, Hammond, Clearwater, Wikoflf, Burt, Conger, Allen. :

Though there was as yet no township organization, a school was built in 1839, on the northwest quarter of section 32, not of course a district school in the usual meaning, but a community school, and it is unlikely that it was equipped with all the modern conveniences, including individual drinking cups, but they had slates, pencils, some reading and the omnipresent spelling books, also we have reason to believe a liberal supply of fresh air. The curriculum certainly was not extensive but in the words of John Hay "They had a middling tight grip on the handful of things they knew." These early settlers did not wait for orders from those high in authority to constitute themselves a body politic. It may be justly said that they inherited a knowledge of self-government, for were they not the children, or children's children, of those thrifty, hardy, self-reliant New Englanders who had journeyed through the trackless forest from the Massachusetts or Connecticut home and again, near the head waters of the Mohawk with undaunted courage and unremitting toil, made new homes for themselves and their descendants. But though new homes, they held fast the old but unexcelled system of local self-government which is the basis of all that is best in American civil life. And in order that such ideas should become more effectively practical, the scattered settlers came together at the school house on April 5th, 1853, and having chosen I. M. Wetmore moderator, and W. J. Savage, clerk, they organized the township of Ontario and forthwith proceeded to elect a corps of township officials, the list is as follows: ; . v

Justices of the peace, E. Chapman, S. E. Mosher, and the following named persons, in the order given, have served as supervisors from the close of the term of E. Crane, until now : J. Hammond, W. B. LeBaron, J. Hammond, W. B. LeBaron, A. S. Curtis, O. Beadle, A. S. Curtis, O. Beadle, E. Crane, A. S. Curtis, G. L. Stephenson, O. L. Fay, G. E. Fredericks, Hugh Greig.

The school house referred to was also the religious center of the community, and services were maintained with fair regularity by ministers of different denominations. However, the first church organization was effected by the Presbyterians, in 1840, the preaching alternating between Henderson and the Ontario school house. This society long since ceased to be. There are, however, still two rural churches in the township, the Congregational church on section 30, the other, the Christian church is situated on section i. Both organizations are numerically weak. One chief cause of the lessening attendance at religious services in our rural churches is the immense change that has taken place in the nationality of the population, for whereas, the first settlers came from where they might have spoken English as the mother tongue, while today nearly, if not quite half, of our people use as their vernacular, the Swedish language - and though these people become American in many ways, even, especially in business matters, using our language, yet in their religious affiliations and in their social intercourse, having the advantage of numbers they can and do mingle very largely, though, not exclusively, with those of kindred speech. So that, until the passing of the greater number of those born in the old land, the land of Odin and Thor we cannot expect them to be in thought, in ideas, in speech, wholly truly American.

But, and we rejoice that such is the fact, no people of European descent can be among us for many generations without wholly ceasing to be in any sense European, and the coming historian may be favored to record the fact that the inhabitants of Ontario township foregather in business, in pleasure, socially, politically, religiously animated with one dominating purpose, and that purpose the all around betterment of all the people. ;';

On September ist, 1854, C. F. Camp, with B. S. West and S. V. R. Holmes, platted the original village of Oneida, and although the C., B. & Q. oificials had no intention of having a station at that point, C. F. Camp had quite a different opinion and as an inducement most generously donated the railway company a tract of land 500x1.000 feet, and ere the snow fell the town that was to be had a fully equipped railway station. The hamlet grew but slowly, and it was not until December, 1858, that it was incorporated as a village, and on January 7th, 1859, the following trustees were elected, viz. : C. F. Camp, H. L. Sage, J. M. Brown, J. M. Henning, W. B. LeBaron. The latter was subsequently chosen president of the board. The village gradually increased in size and in population and in 1869, feeling itself seriously cramped in many ways, an influential delegation of its citizens laid siege to the state legislature and succeeded in convincing our Solons that it had outgrown its village garments and what it now needed was a full suit of city garb; and through such and perhaps other arguments persuasion was accomplished, a special charter was granted and the stripling city's limits were so extended that more corn was grown in Oneida than in any other municipality in Illinois. It also grew wheat, oats, fruit, statesmen and numerous other products useful and useless.

It was specified in the charter that for all coming time, nowhere in all its extensive territory could intoxicating liquors be sold ; therefore, no license has ever been issued to any one to open a drinking place and thus tempt the weak and unwary. The first mayor was F. G. Jelliff, and the present one is George Burt. The first school was built in 1855 and it is worthy of mention that its first teacher was Mary Allen West, who later became county superintendent of schools and in such position and others subsequently filled, she not only raised the standard of scholarship among the teachers but raised the standard of civic righteousness in every home her influence reached. This school house was used for a variety of purposes, such as itinerant shows, singing classes, political meetings, etc., etc., while on Sundays three denominations of Christian believers at different hours held religious services, and though never dedicated to the worship of God, it was to the pure in heart a Bethel indeed. The Congregational society was organized in 1852, and three years later built the church which is still under the control of the denomination. :.'''.-;' /^ 'V' r' . .

The Presbyterian church was organized under authority of the Presbytery of Schuyler at the school house in district No. 3, in 1863, but failing to receive suitable support it was re-organized in Oneida in 1865, a church was shortly erected and was demolished by a windstorm in 1868. However, it was immediately rebuilt, and is still used by the congregation.

The Lutherans formed themselves into a society in 1863, but soon disbanded. The Universalists had a rather handsome church which was burned in 1867, was rebuilt and wrecked by a tornado. Church and society have disappeared. Baptist church and society also.

The First M. E. church was built in 1863, was torn down and a new, handsome brick structure was erected in 1909. The present school house is of brick with stone foundation and stone trimmings, was built in 1870 and is the centre of more general interest to us than any other institution in the city, or out of it, and though the attendance, for reasons well known, is slowly diminishing, there is no wish to curtail its financial support. The consensus of opinion being that by a thorough, all around education lies the main hope of civic and all other brands of righteousness. Six teachers are employed, R. C. Rennick, principal; Miss Katherine Hannon, assistant; grade teachers. Miss McBride, Miss Kline, Miss Hedman and Miss Burt.

There are in the city two grain elevators, both of which do a fair amount of business. One is known as a farmers' elevator, but as slightly more than onehalf of the stock is owned by a very few individuals, is leased to themselves and is practically a privately-owned house. The other is in name and in fact a farmers' elevator, owned by more than one hundred and fifty farmers, is managed by a board of nine directors, is, and on the whole has been, a profitable investment.

Banking facilities are ample and satisfactory. The Exchange Bank, which though retaining the name, has been controlled at different times by different individuals since its beginning in the financially troublous year, 1857, is now a strong and conservatively managed institution. It became the property of A. B. Anderson and Frank Murdock in 1877 and is now known as the Oneida Exchange Bank, under the exclusive control of A. B. Anderson and son, in whose hands at this writing its resources and extent of business are greater than at any other period in its history.

The Oneida State Bank, incorporated under the law of Illinois, in 1891, is a strong, well managed concern, capital $25,ooo.cx), surplus $30,000.00. The stock is largely owned by farmers residing in the vicinity, and any share or shares put on the market command a substantial premium, thereby showing the confidence of the community in the integrity and business sagacity of its board of directors. At the first meeting of the stockholders, A. D. Metcalf was elected president and held the same office until his death which occurred January 3Oth, 1912. The present officers are as follows : G. K. Pittard, president ; W. D. Patty, cashier ; Anna Anderson, assistant cashier.

In 1876, Arthur W. Ladd began the publication of our first newspaper which he called the Oneida News. It was not of great size and its advertising columns did not greatly remind one of similar pages in the Chicago dailies ; but it briefly and accurately recorded the momentous and other happenings of the home town, and while there have been several changes in owners and editors, also changes in the name, yet with slight interruptions we have been favored above our neighbors and our deserts in having our local news spicily furnished us by our own weekly press. The present owner and editor is F. C. Krans. And the better to show our literary proclivities, it is a pleasure to put on record the fact that for many years we have seldom been without a reading club, and for quite a number of years the C. L. S. C. in its weekly meetings raised to a most appreciable degree the scholarly attainments of a class who had at one time an enrollment of twenty-six members - members of all shades of opinion on politics, religion, &c., &c., also of all ages from sixteen to seventy-five ; and during the past years a small class weekly met and feasted on choice morsels culled from Browning, Shakespeare, Tennyson and last, but not least, we, in Sartor Resartus, most _. thoroughly enjoyed the grim sage of Chelsea, Thomas Carlyle. -I-. '

- ; The secret societies of Oneida have been numerous and on the whole, by the : rank and file, well intentioned. The Masonic Order was established in 1860, and is now strong numerically, socially and helpfully. Its benefactions are carried on in such an unobtrusive way that one has to be to the manner born to know how y much the right hand and the left hand doeth. The present head of the order is j H. J. Sawyer. The order of the Eastern Star, which we suppose was instituted 0 to add a certain amount of refinement to what had hitherto been a purely masculine aggregation, is in a flourishing condition. Worthy Matron, Mrs. C. Wikoflf. : Worthy Patron, J. H. Anderson.

The I. O. O. F. was at one time in a thriving condition but such cannot now be said. The Oneida Camp of Modern Woodmen was chartered in 1888 and from a ,- very small beginning has outdistanced any local society in numbers, but is now in serious difficulties on account of a recent radical change in rates, and in one respect it much resembles a certain political party of today having the standpatters and insurgents, with a prospect of a fight to a finish - of the Woodmen -., organization. . ^

There was a branch of the home Forum but it has gone where such things go. The Fraternal Tribunes survive, but in a disagreeable remembrance. The main cause of the untimely decease of both societies mentioned and all others built on the same plan, is the entire lack of a stable foundation and though the edifice may be pleasing to look upon, yet when the rain of financial stringency ^ even sprinkles the structure collapses - and great is the fall thereof.

There are two women's clubs with a total membership of more than fifty. The various studies and readings cover a wide range, including history, ancient ' and modern, general literature of all the ages, art, music, science, domestic and otherwise, in short, all that concerns not only women but all that is inspiring and uplifting to the community as a whole. Such clubs in Oneida are the result of a suggestion made to several women friends by Mrs. Willard Nelson, who was the first president of the first club and is now at the head of the New Century Club.

Mrs. W. V. McKie is president of the Twentieth Century Club. There is also an Oneida-Altona branch of the Knox County Free Kindergarten which holds monthly meetings and in furnishing clothing, food and money much is added to the inadequate income of this most worthy and ever-needy institution. There are at present between 60 and 78 active members. Mrs. Hugh Greig and

The K. P. Lodge has had its ups and downs and at this date it is numerically and every other way in a most prosperous condition. F. S. Stephenson is its present head. r' .: . ' .-

The Royal Neighbors is, for this vicinity, a young organization with no great numbers but the lack in that respect is more than counterbalanced by the immense enthusiasm of the members. Oracle, Miss Jessie Burt.

The citizens of Oneida, as the general appearance of the town plainly attests, have a pardonable pride in their homes and home surroundings; and the one notable beauty spot is the little park which is already the admiration of all, and as the years come and go and the treelets of today become mighty as the forest monarchs, and the young and the aged weary rest in the welcome shade, they, and every one, will see and admire not only beauty, but beauty and grandeur intermingled and all will realize that our pagan ancestors were not far amiss, when they, in the shady woodland's "dim religious light" saw a temple, in which they and we might worship God.

;- This township was organized under the township organization law, April 5, 1853. A full line of town officers were nominated and elected. T. H. Taylor was the first supervisor ; Asaph DeLong, clerk ; Stephen Smith, assessor ; L. W. Roads, collector; D. Reed, Stephen Russell and Peter Davis, highway commissioners; Marvin Baker, Hugh Ferguson, justices of the peace; Marshall P. DeLong, constable. Mr. William Robson, whose widow resides just north of the village of Wataga, was supervisor of the township between twenty and thirty years prior to his death.

The watershed, dividing the water courses that flow into the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, extends northeast and southwest through Sparta township. In fact, it will be generally found that the C., B. & Q. R. R. right of way takes the general course of this watershed from its entrance into Knox county to Galesburg, and then south to St. Augustine, varying, of course, in places from that line.

There was formerly as fine a vein of coal found in Sparta township as almost in any locality in this state. These mines still produce coal but not in such quantities as heretofore. This industry was under the former management of J. M. Holyoke, R. M. Campbell and Peter Dolan. The fourth vein was especially sought. It was quite large, and at one time as many as fifty car loads were shipped from Wataga.

The schools and churches are flourishing, and reference to these institutions will be found under their respective denominational headings in articles found in this volume.

--- -" This village was platted in 1854, by J. M. Holyoke, Silas Willard and Clark M. Greer. It was incorporated in 1863, the first election was held in September, 1863. It was re-incorporated under the general law, in 1874, with section i6 as its territory. J. M. Holyoke was the first resident, the first postmaster and the first storekeeper. George F. and David P. Niles, extensive farmers and stockraisers, had large interests in and around Wataga. George F. Niles died some years ago, at Oak Park, Illinois, while his brother, David P., still resides on a farm two miles and a half to the southwest of the village. They, at one time, owned the fiouring mill that is located in Wataga. It has since been owned by William Williamson and M. O. Williamson who introduced fine modern machinery. It is still in operation and does good work.

Wataga has a Masonic lodge in flourishing condition. It also has a lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star and Odd Fellows lodge; a Rebekah lodge and a camp of Modern Woodmen.

W. S. Wood was one of the very early store keepers of the village of Wataga. In 1859 he bought a general merchandise store, which means about everything that is wanted in a country store, dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hardware, paints and oils, farm implements, etc., etc., and in those days the general store keeper had also to receive general produce of the farm in pay for his goods.

Mr. Wood dealt largely in corn and occasionally sent his corn to Chicago, loaded it into barges or boats and shipped it to eastern markets. Corn was always taken in exchange for goods. Gold and silver soon disappeared after the war of the Rebellion began and paper money was at a fearful discount. In order to facilitate trade and the exchange of commodities, the responsible merchants put out what was called "shin plasters" for fractional currency. This script was issued in denominations of five, ten, twenty- five and fifty cent pieces, the man who issued them agreeing to redeem when presented in sums specified on the face of the script, usually one dollar. It did not constitute lawful money, but it served a very great convenience at that time and was issued in the best of good faith. Mr. Wood issued a large quantity of this money and it is understood that he redeemed every cent that was presented for redemption. ^

Copley township was named after a prominent family who at one time resided within its limits. It consists of a fertile prairie sufficiently rolling to insure good drainage. The southern part is more or less broad, probably one-fourth of its area having been original timber. It is well watered by the branches of Walnut and Court creeks, and other smaller streams.

The first settler of the township was a Mr. Berry, who located near the present village of Victoria. Matthew Herbert and Larkin Robinson came the next year. In 1839, the Scotch began to come into Copley township and settled upon some of the best lands. This movement increased until there was quite a band known as the Scotch colony. The descendants of these men are, today,- nearly all men of wealth and high moral standing and elsewhere in this history will be found a very interesting account of the Gordons, Cooks, McCornicks, McKies, Leightons, etc., etc., and of their character as a people.

It has been the writer's privilege and pleasure to know many of these men and it is almost a matter of regret to note that their descendants are losing somewhat of the racial characteristics of their forefathers. They are thrifty, critical, economical, industrious and law-abiding, the same as their ancestors ; in fact, they are losing nothing whatever that is valuable to them as citizens, but there is a something which is indescribable, that the "Auld Scots" had, that the Americans have not, that made them a peculiarly interesting people, and it is this something that their descendants are gradually losing. When we say that they are becoming "Americanized," it probably tells as much of the story as can be told.

What is now known as Foreman's Grove, in the north limits of the township, was inhabited by the Indians when the first settlers began to come in.

The first school in the township was taught by Miss Mary J. Smith, afterwards Mrs. John Becker, in a log schoolhouse, in the northeast part of the township.

There are no large towns within Copley township, as there are no important railroads there. In 1894, a railroad was built from Wataga, through nearly the center of the township, to a mining village called Etherly. It was supposed that there were extensive coal fields in Copley and Victoria townships, and these improvements were made in order to develop these mines.

The village was laid out on section 35, in 1894, by Samuel L. Charles. : For some reason the mines above mentioned have never paid, and the town of Etherly has practically disappeared, and the railroad has since been extended to the village of Victoria.

One of the most noted churches of the township was known as the John Knox church, an account of which will be found under the articles on the Presbyterian church. -:;-;::;^'<. . .;. ;

This township derives its name from the location of extensive groves within its limits and Walnut creek and several tributaries water extensive portions of the township. Surface and soil is therefore fine and undulated. There is but one village within the township, that is Altona.

The first white men that came were Messrs. Jones and Dehart. They built a cabin on section 31, but owing, to the hostilities of the Indians, they left at the time of the Black Hawk War. The ruins of their cabin could still be seen in 1838. John Thompson was the first permanent settler, coming in 1836. He built the first frame house. One Elder M. Smith, of the Mormon Church, built a frame house in 1840, on section 15, and in 1842, several hundred of his faith had located here. They intended to build a temple but went to Hancock county upon the advice of Joseph Smith. Since their departure, settlement has been more rapid and there is found a prosperous and intelligent community now living within the township.

' The first boy born in the township was John T. Poe ; the first girl was Helen Ward, who married A. P. Stevens. The first marriage was between Austin Frederick and Elizabeth Finney. The first death was that of Mrs. Hinsdale, a sister of Amos Ward. She died in August, 1838.

A schoolhouse was built on the southwest quarter of section i6, in 1840, and the first teacher was Robey Tabor. E. L. Gross was another early teacher and he became a distinguished lawyer of Springfield.

The first church that was organized was a Baptist church and they made it a place upon Court creek, for worship. Elder Samuel Shaw was the organizer of this band.

The township was organized in 1853, like all of the townships in the county and Amos Ward was elected supervisor, and we find the names of Sage, Livingstone, Collinson, Allen, etc., etc., among the township officers.

Altona is the only village in the township. It is a station on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, sixteen miles northeast of Galesburg. It is the center of quite a fine trade and is among the most prosperous villages in the county. During the construction of a Central Military Tract railway, quite a large number of workmen camped near the woods along the railroad line, and Cyrus Willard and J. S. Chambers built a store, on land then owned by Daniel Allen, and supplied the wants of these railroad employees. This was the first building erected in Altona, and was the first and only store between Galesburg and Kewanee. Other stores were built in succeeding years, and the fact that there were no other villages near by drew the crowd, greatly to the benefit of Altona. A flouring mill was built by Nils Peterson in 1854, and in connection with it a distillery, which being unpopular, was discontinued after a year. The mill, however, was in use for quite a number of years.

Altona was platted in 1834, by John Piatt, for the heirs of John Thompson. E. B. Main and Daniel Allen laid out an addition to Altona, just northeast of the original town. At this time the place was called La Pier, but was changed to Altona at the instructions of the railroad officers. There was some confusion over the fact that the postoffice was known as Walnut Grove. In 1863, the name was changed to Reno in honor of the famous general of that name. About that time, the name Reno became decidedly unpopular, as three men of that name were lynched in Indiana. So the citizens rejected it, and they united upon the name of Altona for their village, station and postoffice.

Altona is blessed with splendid schools. The sentiment of the community favors temperance and it always was a "hot bed of abolitionists." The churches of the county have been written of so thoroughly in other places that little need be said upon the subject in this place.

- This township is situated in the northwest corner of the county. It is well drained by Pope creek and Henderson river. Along these streams was once an abundance of timber. The soil in other parts of the township is very rich, and is claimed, by its owners, to be equal to, or better than that found in almost any other township in the county. It is certain that Rio township has very valuable land. There are, however, two railroads within the township ; one running south and west to Monmouth, and the other south and east to Galesburg, which gives it special facilities for shipping all kinds of farm products. I suppose the claim, that the township has richer land than any other, is applicable to any other township in the county which has any real fine prairie land, and it is fortunate and commendable that so many of the farmers of Knox county make similar claims.

Joseph Roe is said to have been the first white man to settle in this township. His arrival was closely followed by Reece Jones and Joseph Halliday.

It was found necessary to erect some defenses during the Black Hawk War, and a stockade was constructed and called Fort Aggie m honor of Miss Cresswell. -- :r

Whitmore and Wyckoff came from Ohio, on horseback, in 1836. George W. Wier and Elsie Robertson are said to have seen in one drove more than fifty deer, in this vicinity. The names of Larkin, Robertson, Nelson and Louis Coe, Samuel Milton and P. W. Epperson are old names in the township of Rio. Thomas Marion Goff was the first white child born in the township, April 5, 1835. This part of the township was originally called North Prairie, but the citizens in 1850, when the name Rio Grande was so common, were disposed to appropriate this name for their township, but they finally determined upon the simple word Rio. The village of Rio was planted in 1871, by William Robinson, and was first called Coburg, in honor of Coe Brothers. Mr. Schroeder who now resides in Galesburg, Illinois, kept a store in Rio. The postoffice was origfinally called North Prairie, and Nelson Coe was the first postmaster. The business interests of the village are in competent hands and everything about it has an air of neatness and prosperity. Many of the older residents, however, are gone, either by death or removal. There is a hotel at Rio, and accommodations are very good.

Fraternally Rio township is well provided. There has always been quite a spirit of free masonry, and they have a lodge that has always stood for the best in the order. They also have a chapter of the Masonic Fraternity known as Horeb Chapter. There is an Odd Fellows fraternity, a camp of Modern Woodmen and a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Victoria township although having some very fine and fertile prairies is, nevertheless, quite broken. W>lnut creek and its tributaries cut the southern portions of the township, and, until recently, it was rough and heavily timbered. Beneath the surface, however, are fine veins of coal. Stock farming, in this region, has been extensively and successfully conducted.

better to lcx:ate near the timber. This, of course, is true, when convenience to fire-wood is considered, but it did not take very many years to find out that the rich soil was prairie soil. Pioneers began to come as early as 1835, and some of them located in the timber. Deacon George H. Reynolds was the first man to build a house upon the prairie. He was postmaster of Victoria, and the first tavern keeper. -^'v^ v i'.v

Victoria township has given education and church building due consideration, both of which were increased very early in its history, and today the township is well supplied. The first Swedish Methodist Church ever established in any country was established in the village of Victoria. It was organized December 15, 1846, by the Rev. J. J. Hedstrom, the founder of Swedish Methodism. It had but five members to start on, and today with that starting point there are five large conferences in the United States.

The village of Victoria is today one of the neatest little villages in the county. It had no railroad for many years. It was located upon high ground, upon a beautiful prairie; and was situated partly in Copley township and partly in Victoria township. It was laid out in May, 1849. It seems that it was started about a mile and a half southeast of the present location, where the pioneers had a store, a tavern and a blacksmith shop, but the Chicago road ran through the present site and George F. Reynolds accommodated transients at his house, and the village gradually moved over to its present site and thereby the village was started before it was ever surveyed. Mr. John Bftcker, late of Galesburg, formerly conducted a store there and it is claimed that the postoffice distributed more papers, in proportion to the population, than any other town in the county which speaks well for the intelligence of the people. - /-[.'-'.

In 1899, the Galesburg & Great Eastern Railroad was extended into the township and village and added a new impetus to business. Lumber yards, stock yards, elevators, a bank, additional business houses, were soon established. It has a good system of schools and the churches are well supported. -' '--'.'-,'- I - ----*;... -.''-'--.,' '- . --''--'

This township claims a white settler about as early as any township in the county. One Michael Fraker is said to have arrived in the year 1828, and settled upon secftion 23. He is said to have purchased this land while he was yet in Kentucky, but he found it occupied by the Indians. The men were all absent hunting, but the women and children were upon the place. Mr. Fraker made himself at home upon the property but upon the return of the Indians they disputed his right, but he made himself very friendly and useful to them and, as better to locate near the timber. This, of course, is true, when convenience to fire-wood is considered, but it did not take very many years to find out that the rich soil was prairie soil. Pioneers began to come as early as 1835, and some of them located in the timber. Deacon George H. Reynolds was the first man to build a house upon the prairie. He was postmaster of Victoria, and the first tavern keeper. . . -I -''--

Victoria township has given education and church building due consideration, both of which were increased very early in its history, and today the township is well supplied. The first Swedish ^Methodist Church ever established in any country was established in the village of Victoria. It was organized December 15, 1846, by the Rev. J. J. Hedstrom, the founder of Swedish Methodism. It had but five members to start on, and today with that starting point there are five large conferences in the United States.

Village Of Victoria

The village of Victoria is today one of the neatest little villages in the county. It had no railroad for many years. It was located upon high ground, upon a beautiful prairie; and was situated partly in Copley township and partly in \'ictoria township. It was laid out in May, 1849. It seems that it was started about a mile and a half southeast of the present location, where the pioneers had a store, a tavern and a blacksmith shop, but the Chicago road ran through the present site and George F. Reynolds accommodated transients at his house, and the village gradually moved over to its present site and thereby the village was started before it was ever surveyed. ^Ir. John Becker, late of Galesburg, formerly conducted a store there and it is claimed that the postoffice distributed more papers, in proportion to the population, than any other town in the county which speaks well for the intelligence of the people. - - ; ^'-, j

In 1899, the Galesburg & Great Eastern Railroad was extended into the township and village and added a new impetus to business. Lumber yards, stock yards, elevators, a bank, additional business houses, were soon established. It has a good system of schools and the churches are well supported.

This township claims a white settler about as early as any township in the county. One ^Michael Fraker is said to have arrived in the year 1828, and settled upon se(?tion 23. He is said to have purchased this land while he was yet in Kentucky, but he found it occupied by the Indians. The men were all absent hunting, but the women and children were upon the place. Mr. Fraker made himself at home upon the property but upon the return of the Indians they disputed his right, but he made himself very friendly and useful to them and, as he was a blacksmith and could fix their guns and, in different ways made himself serviceable, they at once took him in, kindly helped him build a cabin, but finally left him in possession of the property. The Indians made new homes at Indian creek. They returned annually at sugar-making time which they wished him to regard as purely friendly visits. In Mr. Fraker's time, there were quite a number of Indians in his neighborhood, and their trails were visible from Spoon river to the Mississippi.

- There was a grove in the neighborhood which was named Fraker's Grove. Upon the east side of this grove, there was a fiowing spring and the Indians made free use of it.

Mr. Fraker, being a mechanic, constructed a hand grist mill, the pull stones being made of hard-heads which he found upon the prairie. It was not of the modem kind by any means as the upper stone was turned by means of a pin set in the outer edge of the stone, and was turned by hand. > ,

The population increased rather slowly until the arrival of the railroad. This gave them trading and shipping points that encouraged settlement and then it became more populous. .i;.. -

The first grist sent to a mill, that could do any amount of work, was taken by William Dunbar to Tazewell county. A person often had to wait two weeks for his turn to come to get grain in town.

Among the recreations that were indulged in, in the early times, were wolf hunts and both men and women engaged in this sport. The women went along and prepared meals of chickens, potatoes and other eatables for the tired hunters, at the close of each day.

The township was organized April 5, 1853, the same as all other townships of the county. Lynn township has never had a village that amounted to anything. In the early days, an effort was made to attract people to the south line of the township, called Centerville. This was afterwards platted and named Milroy, but that proved a failure and nothing is left to mark the spot.

Persifer township is better adapted to grazing than to agriculture although quite a large portion of the surface is excellent farm land, but there is considerable bottom land which is covered by timber, and there is good timber along the streams. Its mineral resources include coal and sandstone.

Among the old settlers of the township was, John Persifer Frazer Smith, after whom the first postoffice, which was established about 1847, was named. This, in turn, gave rise to the name of the township.

This township is especially rich in its early pioneers. There were William Norris, who came in 1832 ; Jessie and Willis Reynolds and Beverley Young came from Kentucky; Chas. Bradford, from Ohio, and these parties settled about the year 1834, in Persifer township. R. C. Benson, E. J. Wyman, Jacob Lorance, John Spear, are also familiar names. A little later came Edmund Russell, Isaac Sherman, G. W. Mauley, James Maxey, T. D. Butt, John Colville and Caleb

It is said that the first mill built in Knox county was built by Robert Hendrix in 1834, on Court creek, in Persifer township. The Elliott mill was built in 1840, at the north of Court creek, on Spoon river. It was designed for coarse lumber but was afterwards turned into a flouring mill. Another mill was built by Chas. Haptonstall, about 1848, on Court creek about a half mile above Appleton bridge. These mills, of course, are now no more.

Persifer has been well supplied with churches. Bethel chapel, built in 1863; Maxley chapel, Mound and Persifer belonging to the United Brethren denomination, and a Mormon church at Dahinda. -;.]'-- ^

The present site of Dahinda was once an Indian village as will be learned from the article, in this history, on the Indians. For some years after the arrival of the white men, remains of their wigwams were found and there were twenty-five or thirty mounds near by which contained human bones, presumably Indian graves. Many arrow-heads and stone axes have been found, and one branch of the Galena trail passed through the township, from north to south, crossing Court creek at the point where the Appleton bridge now stands. . - j .. . - ^

This village was laid out in 1888, by the Santa Fe road and the Land Company, and it contains about 47^ acres. It stands on the northwest quarter of section 24, as a f i^eight and express office and passenger station. There is a fine bridge over the Spoon river near this point.

This village was laid out in the same year on the southwest quarter of section 15. by those interested in the Santa Fe road. Miles Forest was the surveyor. There were freight and express offices, a store, grain elevator, lumber yard, dwellings, etc., etc. There is also a postoffice. Grain and a large quantity of stock are shipped here annually. , . , . ^ . , , ...

This township is known as one of the two roughest townships in the county. This refers, of course, to the surface. Spoon river enters it on section 12, about two miles from the northeast corner of the township, and flows southwesterly leaving it on section 31, and takes a course of about fifteen or sixteen miles. The river has many tributaries and all ot them cut the surface into ridges and valleyB, and, in many places, have made a very picturesque line of scenery. The timber has been gradually disappearing and the land converted into pastures which have proved to be a great source of profit. There is a large body of good coal under the surface which furnishes an ample supply of fuel.

The first settlement was made in 1832, by John Dill. In 1833, occurred the first marriage ceremony by which Jacob Ryan and Miss Stemball were united. The first death was occasioned by the drowning in Spoon river of Mahlon Winans, a U. S. mail carrier, who attempted to swim across the river. Quite a number of ferries were started in the eastem and southeastem part of Knox county, because Spoon river flows through that portion of the county. One John Colman, started a Spoon river ferry in 1834, and it was known by his name. Afterwards it was called Trenton.

Truro township has been quite rich in Indian relics, and upon section 31 a number of graves were found. Logs had been split into halves and hollowed out for coffins, and they were placed in the forks of trees, ten to fifteen feet above the ground, where they rested, the remaining skeletons projecting above the tops. They were taken down in 1836 and given a white man's burial.

Notwithstanding the roughness of the surface, there are still level prairies, north and south of Spoon river, that have attracted prosperous fanners. The land has been well tilled, herds of cattle, sheep and horses and of well-bred hogs are common sights upon these farms.

The population is chiefly American-bom citizens of English, Irish, Scotch and Swedish ancestors. People of all religious faiths, Protestants and Catholics, joined in advancing education. And there is a perfect assimilation of different nations, come through a spirit of broad charity in the matter of religious faith.

- The Santa Fe railroad was built through the township of Truro in 1887, and on April 24, 1888, Williamsfield was laid out by E. P. Percell and has become one of the most prosperous towns in the county. It has graded schools and churches, banks, a printing office, etc., etc. Various lines of mercantile houses are represented which include general stores, hardware stores, meat market, lumber yards, furniture and undertaking establishments, restaurants, livery bams, barber shops, blacksmith shops, dry goods and millinery.

The surface of this township is quite pictorial and attractive. About twothirds of its area is fine prairie, and the remainder has been timber land. The timber was chiefly on the east and the west where the surface is more hilly, the prairie land lying between, and extending north and south across the township. Spoon river enters the township at the northeast corner and winds through the first and second tiers on the section on the east and leaves the township at the middle of section 35. There is a high ridge, constituting a watershed, extending from the middle of the north line southwesterly and south, passing into Maquon town- ship pretty near the west line of section 31, All of the area between Spoon river and this watershed is thoroughly drained by small streams that enter into Spoon river. These streams not only drain the land well, but afford excellent stock water.

There is an underlying vein of coal through the center part and also just west of this watershed. It is from 20 to 28 inches thick and therefore cannot be profitably worked, yet more or less of it is mined for home use. Both agriculture and stock-raising are profitably carried on. The farmers are progressive and the newer knowledge in regard to farming is quickly taken up.

There are no colored people within the township. The population is almost wholly of native-born citizens, who are noted for their sobriety and industry and are universally well informed.

The first family that settled in this township, was that of Mrs. Elizabeth Gillmore Owen, a widow who was accompanied by her son, Pamach, and her daughters, from Ohio, in 1829. The neighbors were quite remote, some being in other townships. Parnach Owen was a land speculator, and his business took him from home quite a great deal. Two years after their arrival, they removed to Knoxville. The son, Pamach, was prominent in the organization of the county, and was its first official surveyor. Other families came about the same time, James Nevitt, Samuel Slocum, David Teel and David Enochs. Then came Woodford Pearce, David Housh, Joshua Burnett, Jacob Harshbarger, Linneus Richmond, William W. Dickerson, and others.

There was a well established settlement in 1834. The first sermon was preached by the noted pioneer. Rev. Peter Cartwright, in 1831. Rev. Richard Haney and Rev. William Clark were also among the early Methodist circuit riders. Susan Dempsey was the first school teacher, and her work began in 1836. A church was erected in 1864, on section 17. Prior to that time, the schoolhouses of the township were used for religious services, and a regular oldfashioned camp ground had been selected in a grove not far east of Gilson. The Methodists of the county gathered there annually for a season of religious worship, until about two years ago, when the improvements were all destroyed by fire. The real estate was then given to Hedding College of Abingdon, and has been sold.