Lee County, Illinois - The whole text, 1881 (part 12 of 24)

West Brooklyn, situated on the Chicago, Burlington & Qnincy railroad in the western part of the township, was laid out in 1873 on land owned by Messrs. O. P. Johnston, D. L. Harris and R. N. Woods. The school-house at that place was erected in 1874, at a cost of $1,200. First teacher, F. M. Yocum. For the past two years the school has been under the supervision of Prof M. M. Young, a teacher of marked ability, under whose care the school is in a prosperous eonditioTi.

There are two churches in West Brooklyn, a Roman Catholic and one Methodist Episcopal church. The latter named society was organized in 1878, and the building occupied by them was erected in the same year. The first pastor was the Rev. C. H. Hoffman ; present one is the Rev. B. H. Dickens, a young gentleman who is just beginning liis labors in the field of Christianity, and for whom we predict a life of usefulness. Membership of this organization, forty-nine.

Compton was laid out in 1873 upon land owned by Joel Compton, from whom the village derived its name. It is situated on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad in the eastern part of the township. Compton has one church, the Methodist Episcopal, which society was organized in 1837 at the residence of Zachariah Mallugin. Their first pastor was the Rev. Stephen R. Beggs. Until about the year 1850 they held services in a school-house at Mallugin's Grove. The building now occupied by the society was erected in 1860 in that village and was removed from there to Compton. The membership of this organization is forty ; present pastor, B. H. Dickens.

Masonic Lodge, No. 282, was organized at the residence of O. P. Johnston in 1858. The first officers were : Master, John C. Corbus ; Senior Warden, John Gilmore; Junior Warden, S. H. Finley ; Senior Deacon, Jonathan Hyde ; Junior Deacon, O. P. Johnston ; Secretary, J. R. Bisbee ; Treasurer, Wm. Gutiirie ; Tyler, Robert Ritchie. The present officers are : Worshipful Mastei-, Theodore Doty ; Senior Warden, W. W. Gilmore ; Junior Warden, David Holdren ; Senior Deacon, W. C. Holdren ; Junior Deacon, S. W. Carnaham ; Secretary, A Bradshaw ; Tyler, Edwin Ellsworth ; Senior Steward, Abrara Bennett; Junior Steward, Andrew Compton.

Carnahan station is situated on an eminence about equidistant between West Brooklyn and Compton ; is the result of the labors of A. J. Carnahan. The expense of the side-track, station-liouse, and other improvements, were all borne by iiim. And whatever of convenience the neighbors in the community may enjoy in the future must be credited to his determination. When the project of the Canada Southern railroad was started he entered into it with enthusiasm and received assurances of having a station located on his farm. To get possession of certain lands, it is said, the company located the station at Compton. But Mr. Carnahan, nothing daunted by this defeat, laid his claim before the Chicago, Burlington & Quincj Railroad Company when they became owners of tiie road. After some effort on his part a station was granted him, which was to be made at his own expense.

In Jul}', 1874, a man named Layden, employed as agent for Payne, of Ashton, collected all the money he could belonging to the latter named gentleman, which together with notes he had taken in his own name amounted to about $7,00U. With this amount of lucre in his possession he absconded.

In February, 1874, Leroy Blanchard, while a guest at the residence of Mr. Van Cisco at Mallugin's Grove, arose very early one morning and departed, taking with him fifty-five dollars belonging to Mr. Cisco, who on missing the money brought the telegraph into requisition and the thief was captured at Shabbona and brought to Di.xon, where he was placed in custody.

In sending troops to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, Brooklyn was not behind her sister townships. She was prompt in responding to her country's call. Scarcely had the echoes of the first rebellions cannon-shot died away, when her patriotic people, filled with indignation at this insult to their country's flag, joined in the universal cry, " the Union forever." In 1861, when the great yawning chasm opened between the north and south, upon one side of which was heard tiie rumbling of cannon and the mighty tread of armies marching under the old banner of the stars, keeping step to the strains of "Yankee Doodle" and "Hail Columbia,'' and upon the other might}' hosts were advancing to the conflict under the flag of secession - in this, the darkest hour in our nation's history, the citizens of Brooklyn township did their part toward administering a terrible rebuke to southern arrogance and treason. Her sons took part in most of the great struggles of the war, and some of them still lie by the shores of the Atlantic, whose waves sing a wild requiem by their lonely graves.

Ja^ies p. JonN.SToN, West Brooklyn, born in Brooklyn township, Lee county, in 1851, is a son of O. P. Johnston, jr., who was one of the pioneer settlers in the township. Received most of liis early education in Lee county. In 1867 he attended two terms at Douglas University, in Chicago. In 1868 he embarked in the drug business, on the corner of State and Twenty-second streets, in that city. In 1869 he returned again to Lee county, where he has since been engaged in

Daniel Miller, Mendota, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, where he resided until fourteen years of age. In 1836 he went to "Wayne county, Ohio, were he resided four years, after which he returned to Pennsjdvania and remained until 1844, again returned to Wayne county, Ohio, and after living there eleven years came to Lee county and bought land in the N.E. J Sec. 33, Brooklyn township. In 1873 was elected supervisor of Brooklyn township, which office he has held since that time. He was married in 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Lewis, a native of Pennsylvania, and who died in 1848. He was again married in 1869, to Miss Leah Gittinger, also a native of Pennsylvania. He is father of twelve children, ten of whom are living.

Halsey H. Miller, Compton, was born in Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, May 8, 1847. In 1851 he moved from there with his father, Harmon E. Miller. He received his early education at Mount Gilead, Ohio. In 1856 he came with his father's family to La Salle county. In 1861 he went to Linden, where he attended school until 1863. In April of that year he enlisted in Co. K, 38th 111. Vols., which regiment was stationed on the frontiers of Kansas and Missouri. He was discharged in October 1864, when he returned home and worked on his father's farm until 1868. In that year he began to work for the Fox River Horse Collar Company, with whom he was engaged until 1870. In June, 1871, he entered the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy office at Dayton, as student operator, and in the latter part of the same year took charge of the office at Yorkville, Illinois, as operator and ticket agent. He remained there six weeks, after which he took charge of the depot at Fox station. He remained in this place until 1872, when he came to Compton, where he for a time constituted the entire population. Mr. Miller was the first police magistrate in the village, which office he still holds, and is also local editor of tlie "Compton Record." He was married in 1870, to Rhody I. Dominy, a native of La Salle count}'.

Samuel P. Faiechilds, was born in Queensbuiy, Warren county, New York, in 1801. In 1836 he moved to Canada, where he was for eighteen years engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1854 he came to Lee county and bought land in N.W. J Sec. 5, where he has since resided. Mr. Fairchild was married in 1825, to Miss Wilmot Ogden, a native of New York state. He is father of ten children, six of whom are living. Four of his sons enlisted in the Union army during the rebellion. Samuel enlisted in May 1861, in Co. C, 13th 111. Inf ; David O. enlisted in the 13th III. Inf., Co. C ; Ogden enlisted in the 13th III. ; Lewis enlisted in August 1862, in Co. K, 76th 111. Inf.

A. V. Christianck, Compton, was bom in Sclienectady county, New York, in 1S08. In 1817 he moved with liis father, Evart Cliristiance, to tiie city of Schenectady. Mr. Christiance received most of his early education in tiiis t.-it\', and at an early age was apprenticed to a wagonmaker, and served six and a lialf years' apprenticeship. He resided in Schenectady until 1829. In tliat year he came west to visit his brother. He returned in the same 3'ear and bought out the business of his former employer, which he carried on about three years. By this time his health, which had been very poor, began to grow worse, and his physician advised him to come west, and he accordingly moved to Lee county in 1835, and bought land in N.E. J and part of the N.W. ^ Sec. 3 in Brooklyn township. At that time the surrounding forests abounded in game of all kinds, and there were but two other settlers in the township. Roving bands of Indians frequently passed iiis cabin, and he became quite familiar witii the old Indian chief Shabbona, who was an occasional visitor at his home. He frequently had as guests the notorious Fox and Birch, and also the Mormon propliet, ,To Smith. Mr. Christiance is father of sixteen children, five of wiiom are living. Four of his sons responded to their country's call and engaged in the great struggle against disunion and slavery. James enlisted in the 13th 111. Inf., and George W., William and Cornelius enlisted in Cheney's battery. The latter-named son was the first white child born in Brooklyn townsliip. Mr. Christiance is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1870; is also a member of Masonic Lodge No. 282, at Compton. He is one of the landmarks, in Brooklyn township, and has been closely identified witl> its history from its organization to the present day.

Alexander Gil.moke, Compton, was born in tlie city of New York, in 1826. His father, John Gilmore, removed to Miciiigan in 1830 ; resided in that state until June 183.5, when he removed to Lee county and bought a claim from Zachariah Maliugin in N.W. J Sec. 2. Alexander received most of his education in an old log school-house that stood a short distance north of the cemeter}' at Mallugin's Grove. Mr. Gilmore was married in 1S55, to Miss Mary L. Frost, a native of Maine. His first wife died in 1865, and his next choice was Miss Eliza Fisk. He is father of ten children, eight of whom are living ; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1845. Mr. Gilmore is one of the oldest settlers in Leo county and is also one of her most respected citizens.

Oliver P. Johnston, West Brooklyn, was born in Erie county. New York, in 1812. In 1821 he removed with his father, Oliver Johnston, to Sangamon county, Illinois, six miles from Springfield, which at that time consisted of two stores and three dwellings. Tiiev remained there four years, and tlien removed to Logan county, where they resided eight years. At the end of that time Oliver P. removed to La Salle county and remained one year and then went to De Kalb county. In 1838 he came to Lee county and took a claim in S.E. J of N.E. i Sec. 5, in Brooklyn township. He helped erect the first dwelling built in Wyoming township. Mr. Johnston was quite well acquainted with the Indian chief Shabbona, wliose name is familiar to the early settlers of northern Illinois. He was at different times strongly urged to join the banditti who infested the country in early days, but on each occasion respectfully declined. He kept a hotel in Mallugin's Grove for twenty years, and during that time had many unpleasant experiences incident to hotel-keeping in early days. Mr. Johnston was married in 1834:, to Miss Elizabeth Ross, a native of Virginia, and is father of six children. He has been one of the most successful farmers in Lee county and is now the possessor of over two thousand acres of land, the fruits of many years of economy, hardship and toil.

Benjamix F. Holdeen, wagon-maker, Compton, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1823. He resided in that state until he was nineteen years of age. In the fall of 1841 he came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; at that time the population of that city numbered about 500 souls. He remained there until the following spring, when he together with two companions walked to Chicago, a distance of ninety miles. While in Chicago he worked in the first sash and blind factory erected in the city, which stood on South Water street. In 1850 he began working at carpentering in the capacity of contractor, and continued until 1862, when he enlisted in the S9th 111. Inf., which regiment took part in the great battles of Stone River, Mission Ridge, and others equally severe, and returned to the north crowned with the laurels of a grateful nation. Mr. Holdren was discharged in April 1804, and returned to Mallugin's Grove and began working at wagon-making, which business he has since followed. He was married in 1848, to Miss Zurich Cowen, a native of New Hampshire.

John F. Clapp, West Brooklyn, was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, in 1835. He resided there until he was nineteen years of age. In 1854 he came to Bureau county, Illinois, and engaged in the grain business with his uncle, Caleb Cook. In 1857 he came to Lee county, and bought land in Amboy township. In 1859 he sold iiis property in Lee county and returned to Bureau county, where he remained two years. At the end of that time he bought land in the S.W. i Sec. 16, in Brooklyn township, and since that time has been one of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of Lee county. Mr. Clapp was married in 1857, to Miss Sarah S. Smith, a native of New York

State. lie is the fotlier of six children, four of whom are living. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1867. In politics he is a republican.

John W. Dorx, blacksmith, Compton, was born June 14, 1S16, in Morris count}', New Jersey, where he resided until he was twelve years of age, when he went to Chemung county, New York, where he remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age. At the age of lifteen Mr. Dorn commeuced working at the blacksmith trade. In September, 1837, he came to Illinois and located near Marseilles, La Salle county, where he farmed for two years. At the end of that time he built a shop three miles north of La Salle, and worked at his trade there until 1857. In that year he came to Willow Creek township, and resided there until 1862, when he located in Mallugin's Grove, where he has since resided. He was first married in 1S36, to Miss Elizabeth Reeser, who died in 1838. He married again in the fall of the same year, to Miss Lovisa Rood. His second wife died in 1850. He was again married in September 1850, to Elvira Parker, a native of Indiana. He is the father of five children, three of whom are living. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1837. Although Mr. Dorn is sixty-five years of age he is still hale and hearty, and swings a hammer as dexterously as he did in the palmiest days of his youth.

James P. Anglemier, furniture dealer, Compton, was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, in 1S48. At the age of twent^'-two he came to Willow Creek township, Lee county, where he worked at the carpenter trade until 1879, when he embarked in the furniture business at Compton, where he is doing a Nourishing business, and is one of the most popular business men in the village. Mr. Anglemier was married in 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Kettley, a native of Lee county.

Samuel W. Caknahan, farmer, Compton, was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, in 1840. lie came with his father, Samuel Carnahan, to Lee county in 1848. His father bought land in N.E. i Sec. 10, Brooklyn township. !Mr. Carnahan received most of his early education in Lee county. He remained at home with his father until twenty-five years of age, and then went to farming for himself. His father took quite a prominent part in political and other public affairs while living, and died leaving a large circle of friends and acquaintances to mourn his loss. Samuel W. is a member of Masonic lodge No. 282, at Compton, of which he has been a prominent member for some years. He was married in 1865, to Miss Celestia Jones, a native of New Jersej', and is the father of four children.

when he came west and located in Sublette township, wliere he remained until 1860. In that year he bought land in N.E. ^ Sec. 6, in Brooklyn township, upon which he has since resided. Mr. Yocum was married in August 18i3, to Miss Lena Lemon, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1845. He was again married in 1849, to Miss Rachael Steadman, also a native of Pennsylvania. His second wife died in 1878. Mr. Yocum is the father of two children : Francis M., born March 1851, and Lena Ellen, December 14, 1856. In religion Mr. Yocum is a Universalist, and in politics a democrat.

Samuel Akgeaves, farmer, Compton, was born in Lancashire, England, in 1825. His parents came to America when he was four years of age, and located in Essex county, New York, where they remained si.x years. In this country Mr. Argraves received his early education. In 1835 the family removed to Canada "West and remained there until Samuel was twenty-one years of age. Mr. Argraves then started out in life for himself He came to Lee connty in 1845 and hired out by the month on a farm in Viola township and worked one year in this way. In 1846 he entered a claim in S.W. J Sec. 25, in that township, erected a dwelling on it, and began the great battle of life single-handed and alone. The first furniture he had in his house was mostly constructed by his own hands. He says that he and his wife were as happy in their rude little home a& though it had been a marble palace. In 1850 Mr. Argraves was stricken with the "gold fever " and accordingly set out for California by wagon. Soon after reaching "the land of promise" he embarked in the mining business, from which he realized enough to give him a fair start in the world. He spent two years in that state and then returned home by way of New Orleans. While absent his wife became very destitute, but owing to the kindness of Mr. John Gil more and William Guthrie she was well supplied with the necessaries of life until Mr. Agraves' return) when thej' were repaid for their kind deeds, for which he still feels very grateful. Mr. Argraves enlisted in 1865 in Co. I, 15th 111. Inf., and was in the service eight months. He was married in 1845, to Miss Martha Miller, a native of Canada West, and is the father of four children.

MiNOE M. AvEKV, merchant, Compton, was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, in 1845. He resided there until nine years of age, when he removed with his father to Lee county. Mr. Avery received most of his education in Lee county, where he resided until 1865. In that year he enlisted in Co. I, 15th 111. Inf., which regiment went to New York city, thence to Morehcad eit}'. North Carolina, and finally joined Sherman's army at Goldsboro. At Raleigh Mr. Aver}' witnessed the surrender of Johnston's army. He was married in 1867, to Miss

Angelina Argraves, a native of Lee county. Mr. Aveiy has been engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business in Compton since the laying out of the village. lie is a man of broad, liberal views upon all subjects, public-spirited and enterprising, a desirable citizen, a popular merchant, and we predict for him a bright and prosperous future.

Anduew J. Caenahan, merchant, West Brooklyn, was born in 1816, in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. He resided in that county until 1816. He received his education at the Danville College. Mr. Carnahan came to Lee count}' in 1850 and bought land on which Carnahan station now stands. Ho was engaged in tanning until 1872. Through his influence a railroad station was established on his land) where he built an elevator, flou ring-mill, saw-mill, and store building. Since that time he has done an extensive business in dry-goods, grain and stock. Mr. Carnahan has been justice of the peace for sixteen years. He was married in ISSi, to Miss Elizabeth Holden, also a native of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is the father of nine children, six of whom are living.

Lewis Compton, farmer, Compton, was born in Luzerne county, Penns^-lvania, in 1847, where he resided until nine years of age. In March, 1856, he came with his father's family to Lee connty, where he followed the occupation of farming until 1863, when he enlisted in Co. L, 17th 111. Cav., and served until June lS6i, at which date he was discharged. He was married in 1866, to Laura L. Covey. He is father of five children.

Hiram Caenahan, physician, Compton, was born June 10, 1830, in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until eighteen years of age, when he came with his father's family to Lee connty. In 18-18 his father, Samuel Carnahan, bought land in S. ^ of E. J and K. i of S.E. ^ Sec. 10, and afterward the remainder of the S. ^ of that section. The doctor resided with his father until 1855, in which year he went to Chicago and attended two terms in the Rush Medical College. In 1857 he was married to Miss Sarah Christiance, and shortly afterward, in the same year, moved to Floyd county, Iowa, where he practiced two years. In the fall of 1859 he brought his family to Lee county, and again returned to Chicago, resumed his studies in the Eush Medical College, and graduated under the auspices of that institution on February 16, 1860. In that year he commenced practicing in MalUigin's Grove, where he remained until 1875, when he moved to Compton, where he has since resided. The doctor is a staunch icpublican and has taken quite an active part in politics. He is the father of nine children, four of whom are living.

and came to Chicago in 1848, bringing a kit of carpenter's tools. While in Chicago Mr. Holdren worked on the old Tremont House that was destroyed in the great fire. At that time there were very few buildings west of the river. He worked in Chicago three months, and then went to RockFord, Illinois, and remained there two years, at the end of which time he returned to Pennsylvania, and was married to Miss Lucretia McCoy. He remained in Pennsylvania until 1863. In tliat year he came to Lee county. In 1865 he enlisted in the 15th 111. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He then returned home and worked at his trade until 1876. In that year he went on a farm which he liad bought in 1869. Since 1876 he has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He is a member of Masonic lodge No. 282.

Tliis township is bounded on the east by South Dixon, on the south by Harmon, on the north and west by Rock river and Wiiitesides county. The soil is sandy and not so productive as in some other portions of the county, and consequently was not settled as earl3^ The principal products are corn, wheat, oats, barley and rye. The land is nearly all tillable and devoted to grain raising. The fanners of Nelson do not devote as much of their attention to grazing and stock raising as do the people in some portions of the county. Her people are a quiet, wellto-do class of farmers, and intelligent, enterprising and patriotic. Politically the township is republican, yet as a rule her citizens are rather independent, and do not so far forget the welfare of the common country as to allow party prejudice to cause them to overlook errors and corruption simply because they exist in their own part}'. They do not believe in permitting a scoundrel to evade justice simply because he bears a party trade-mark. Neither do they believe that patriotism is confined to party lines. They are broad-minded enough to see that a man whose lot is cast in America, who has a home on her soil, whose father and mother lie side by side under the sod made free by patriotic blood, whose children are taught to lisp the names of Washington and Lincoln, regardless of his political opinion, is as deeply interested in the common welfare of the nation as themselves.

The earliest settler in Nelson township was Luther Stone, who came in 1836 from Erie county. New York, and located on Sec. 29. Burrel and Samuel Stone, who are still residents of the township, are sons of Luther, and shared with their father the dangers and hardships of pioneer life. In the winter of 1837 Burrel, his brother Samuel, and their father, were getting home a supply of wood from

Scott's Grove, eight miles south of Bnrrel's present residence. During the father's absence with a load of wood a snowstorm of unnsnal severity came on. Alone in the timber, without shelter or food, the bojs became alarmed and saw that something must be done or tliey would perish in the storm. The snow came down in such quantities as to darken tlie air. The wind roared through the leafless branches of the forest and night was coming on. With this gloom}- prospect, together with that of passing the nigiit in the forest, filled their hearts with dismay, and they set out in a westerly direction, hoping to find a deserted cabin that stood aljout two miles distant. Fortunately, aftoi- a long search, they came in view of the siianty, which, although in a very dilapidated condition, afforded them a shelter from the merciless storm. With the aid of some tow they succeeded in making a lire with their guns, and for three days were cooped up in that gloomy prison, subsisting during their imprisonment on a coon the}' had shot in the forest. At the end of that time the storm subsided, so that they were enabled to make their waj' home. At another time, in the winter of 1S-J:2, Burrel was drivinj; home from Dixon. A few scattering: flakes of snow were falling when he started, which soon developed into a howling blizzard. Owing to the density of the falling siiow darkness came on earlier than usual, and Burrel lost his way in the blinding storm. Knowing that if he did not keep himself and horses in motion death would be certain, he kept the horses going around in a circle until daybreak, when he found to his surprise that he was within a short distance of home.

The first supervisor of the township was Abner Coggswell. The first justices of the peace were Daniel Uhl and George Jones; first assessor, Michael Troutman ; first collector, R. Ilohry Ileaton, all of whom were elected in 1860, in which year the town was organized.

When the rebellion broke out Nelson township furnished her quota of troops without a draft, and deserves great credit for the prompt manner in which she responded to the call of her country. She furnished troops for the 13th, 3-tth and 75th 111. regiments. The only church in the township is Zion's Evangelical Lutheran, which society was organized February 23, 1867, with 58 members. The first elders were Conrad Hartman and Daniel Uhl ; deacons, Lewis F. Long, Gerhart Missman. The first pastor was Rev. A. A. Trimper; the second, Ephraim Miller, who was made pastor in September 1871, and served until February 20, 1875. The next pastor was the Rev. J. P. Sanderson, wiio was elected pastor March 29, 1875, and served until October 1877. Rev. J. W. Henderson took charge of the congrcgation November 1, 1877, and served until April 1, 1879. A. J. B. Kast became pastor June 15, 1877, and still presides.

The church building now occupied by the congregation was erected in 1880, at a cost of $3,500, on the land of Conrad Hartnian. The present elders are Thomas Clayton and Jacob Harden, and the deacons are Gerhart Missnian and S. G. Cook.

Abner Coggswell, farmer. Nelson station, son of John and Rebecca Coggswell, was born in Oneida county, New York, where he resided with his parents until 18i3. In that year he came to Lee county and bought land in Sec. 30, Nelson township. Mr. Coggswell served as road commissioner four years, when Nelson and South and East Dixon townships were one, and was the first supervisor of Nelson township. He was married June 10, 1838, to Miss Phalinda Hawley, who died in 1860. He was again married in October 1861, to Mrs. Rachel Ferguson, a native of New York state. Politically he is a republican, with which party he united in its infancy.

Ubiah Geoovee, farmer, Dixon, son of George and Pheba Groover, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1818. When Uriah was nine years of age his father, with his family, removed to Berks county, where they remained nine years. In 1836 the family removed to Amherst county, Virginia. After remaining here one year Uriah returned to Columbia county and apprenticed to a carpenter. After working two years as an apprentice he went to Danville, Montour county, where he worked at his trade until the spring of 1854. In that year he came to Dixon, where he again worked at his trade for some time. In 1857 he bought land in Dixon tovt^nship, which he sold in 1865 and bought in Sec. 26, Nelson township. In 1862 his son Joseph enlisted in Co. A, 75th 111. Inf In 1861 his son James enlisted in the 12th 111. Cav. and started to join his regiment. He was taken suddenl}^ ill at Vicksburg and died in the hospital in November following. Mr. Groover was married in 1812, to Miss Catharine Ritzs, also a native of Columbia county. His first wife, Catharine, died in December, 1862, and in 1868 he was again married, to Elizabeth Kelly. He is the father of twelve children, nine of whom are living. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1863.

William Covert, farmer, Dixon, was borii in Seneca count}'. New York, May 27, 1824, where he resided until fourteen years of age, when he went to Cuj-ahoga county, Ohio, and remained about four years. At the end of that time he returned to Seneca county and remained there until 1858. In that je&r lie came west and located in McHenry county, Illinois, where he resided five years. He then removed to Cook county, where he remained a short time, after which he removed to Lee county and bought land in S.E. ^ of S.E. i Sec. 26, where he bas since resided. He was married in 1849, to Miss Mary Geer, a native of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, witli wiiicli lie united in 1S56.

Chakles F. HrBBAHD, farmer, Dixon, son of Rugglesand Catherine Hubbard, was born in New York city, in 1817. He resided with his parents in that city till nineteen years of age. He received his early education in the city, and in 1829 was sent to liennington, Vermont, where he attended school three years, and was a class-mate of Gen. Robert Marc'3' and Gov. Cornell. After having completed his education he returned to the cit}- and was engaged as clerk for an importing merchant. In 1837 he left New York for the Rocky mountains, in company with his brother-in-law, William Graham. They came from New York to Pittsburgh by canal, thence down the Ohio b}- steamboat to Cairo, and up the Mississippi to St. Louis, which at that time was but a struggling village in the heart of the great frontier. On their arrival at that place they found that the Santefe wagon train had departed several days before, and not caring to embark alone on a journey so full of peril, thej' abondoned the idea and took a boat for Galena. After remaining here a short time they went across the country to Dixon, for the purpose of spending a few days in hunting. This country at that time he describes as being a paradise, the clear, sparkling river abounding in fish. The green hills adorned with flowers of every hue formed a scene well calculated to fascinate the young travelers just out of the city, with its great, gloomy buildings and dusty streets. Mr. Hubbard, being desirous of making his home in this beautiful land of flowers, purchased a claim from John Dixon in what is now the N.E. ^ Sec. 11, in Nelson township, where he cast his lot. His jiresent residence is situated on a blufl" overlooking the river, on whose banks he expects to pass the remainder of his life. Among all the many pioneers of Lee county whom the writer has interviewed we have not found one more interesting in conversation than Mr. Hubbard. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, broad-minded and liberal in his views, and possesses the respect of all who know him. He was married in 1844, to Miss Helen Graham, also a native of New York city. He is father of live children, one son and four daughters.

Samuel Stone, Rock Falls. Luther Stone, father of Samuel, was born in Massachusetts in 1795. He was married in 1817, to Miss Tamina Warren. In ISoO lie came to Lee county and located on the banks of Rock river, in what is now Nelson township. Here he erected a large log hotise, over which he presided in the capacity of landlord, keeping travelers, which were then becoming quite numerous. The names of Lutiier Stone's children are as follows: Willard, born in New York, February 4, 1819 ; married July 10, 1840 ; died February 13, 1841. Henry B., born January 12, 1821, in New York state ; married April 27, 1851. Samuel, born December 18, 1824, in New York state; married Novembers, 1843. Alonzo Stoue, born March 1, 1827; died at Dixon, October 9, 1847. Savina, born January 21, 1830; married March 10, 1853. Albert Stone, born March 11, 1834. Samuel Stone is one of the oldest residents in Nelson township, and his name is closely interwoven with her early history. In 1879 a large barn belonging to him, and containing fifty tons of hay and all of his machinery, was burned to the ground.

Jacob Harden, farmer, son of George and Hester Harden, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, within fort}' rods of Mason and Dixon's line, where he remained with his father's family until twelve years of age, when they moved to Alleghany county, Maryland. At the age of twety-nine Jacob returned to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and remained three years. He then came west and located in Lee county, purchasing land S.E. ^ Sec. 23 in Nelson township. In 1880 Mr. Harden was elected supervisor of the township, and reelected in 1881. He is a member of the Lutheran church, with which he united at an early age. In politics he is a democrat.

Lewis F. Long, Nelson Station, son of Henry and Elizabeth Long, born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1831, where he remained until twenty-five years of age. In 1856 he came to Lee county and located in Nelson township. In 18G5 he bought land in E. ^ N.W. i Sec. 28 ; since that time he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1869 Mr. Long was elected supervisor of the township, and was again elected in 1870. He was married in 1853, to Miss Sevilla Haas, a native of Pennsylvania, and is father of seven children. Mr. Long united with the Lutheran church in 1865, and since that time has been a prominent member. In politics he is a republican.

Albert Hubbard, Dixon, farmer, son of Walter and Lucinda Hubbard, was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1824, where he resided until thirty 3'ears of age. His grandfather, Judd Hubbard, was one of the pioneer settlers of Berkshire county, having located there prior to 1800. His father was one of the militia ordered to Boston in 1814 to repel an expected invasion. At the ago of thirty years Albert came to Lee county and located in Nelson townsliip; in 1879 was elected justice of the peace, which office he held two years; married in 1850, to Miss Hanna Catharine Hunter, 'also a native of Berkshire county ; is father of five children, four of whom are living. Politically Mr. Hubbard is a republican, having joined the party in its infancy.

Elijah Walker, Dixon, son of Peter P. H. and Sarah Walker, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 183'2, where he i-emained until twenty-seven years of age ; in 18G0 came to Lee county and bought land in N.W. ^ of See. 25 ; married in 1852, to Miss Joanna Fricca, a native of Hanover, Germany, and is father of three children. Mr. Walker started out in the world with nothing, and by long years of persistent toil has accumulated a large amount of property, and is one of the model farmers of Lee county. He is in his political belief a democrat, yet is not so narrow in his opinions as to overlook wrongs in misdoings in his party, and does not hesitate to denounce such. Mr. Walker is kind and courteous among his neighbors. Liberal in his views on all questions, yet firm in his convictions, he is a citizen of merit and an ornament to the communitv in which he resides.

This township is bounded on the south bj' Hamilton, on the east by Marion, on the north by Nelson, and on the west by Whitesides county. As yet the land is not as productive as in some parts of the county, being very flat and inclined to be marshy, but as drains are being made in all parts of the township it is rapidly improving, and when thoroughly drained will be as good as the average. Owing to the sterility of the soil the township is sparsely settled, the present population not being more than about six hundred. The inhabitants are largely Irish.

In early times, owing to the numerous swamps and ponds, ducks and geese were very plentiful, and hunting was a favorite pastime among the early settlers. The first settler was John D. Rosebrook, who purchased a large tract of land in the eastern part of the township. Among the settlers who came soon after Mr. Rosebrook were Louis Hullinger, Thomas Sntton, John L. Porter and James Porter, jr. The first school-house in the township was built on Sec. 23 in 1856. The first school was held at the residence of Mrs. Tuttle and conducted by her daughter, Vienna Tuttle.

The village of Harmon, situated on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, was laid out in 1871, on land owned by A. Kenyon. The present population of the village is about three hundred. Surrounded by a wide scope of country, which, owing to the industry of its enterprising citizens, is rapidly improving, Harmon promises to become one of the thriving inland villages of Lee county. It has two extensive elevators, wliich receive large quantities of grain, three drygoods and grocery stores, one jewelry store, three blacksmith shops, one livery stable and one hotel, one creamery and three churches, the Methodist Episcopal, Weslej'an Methodist and Catholic.

The Weslej'an Methodist church was accepted by the Illinois conference September 20, 18G2. The first pastor of this organization was the Rev. J. Pinkney ; Secretary, L. Wakeman ; the present pastors are the Rev. J. P. Spalding and William Clalworthy. ,Tiie present membership is si.xty-four. Tlie trustees are Levi Jennes, W. L. Smith, A. Berlin.

The Methodist Episcopal society was organized in 1871. The first pastor was the Rev. Rice, whose initials the writer was unable to ascertain. The first class-leader was James Backus ; the present pastor is the Rev. Edward Breen, who took charge in October 1879. In March, 1881, the following-named persons were elected as trustees for the purpose of building a church : A. B. Smith, W. E. Mechem, J. U. Fry, W. H. Kline, Daniel Swartz.

Silas Ackeet, Harmon, son of Edward and Sarah Ackert, was born in Ulster county, New York, in 1836, where he resided until nineteen years of age; he then came to Marion township, Lee county, and was there engaged in farming. After remaining there nine years he removed to Amboy and remained one year, after which he went to Woosung, Ogle county, where he worked at his trade (blacksmithing) for six years. At the end of this time he removed to Harmon township. In 1879 he was elected supervisor of the township, and reelected in 1880. Is a member of the Baptist church, with which he united in 1869. Married in 1865, to Miss Mary J. Rosebrook, a native of New Hampshire. Is father of one child. Politically Mr. Ackert is an independent, owing no allegiance to any faction or party.

George W. Hill, merchant, Harmon, son of George and Margaret Hill, was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1848. His father was here engaged in manufacturing soap. When George was fifteen years of age his father, with his family, removed to Monongahela City, where they remained three years ; at the end of that time George went to Frostburg, Maryland, and remained two years, and then came to Lee county, where he farmed and worked at carpentering until April 1877, when he engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business. He was also appointed postmaster in that year in the village of Harmon. Mr. Hill was married in 1871, to Miss Gula E. Porter, daughter of James Porter, jr., one of the early settlers of Harmon township. Mr. Hill started in business with but a few iumdred dollars of borrowed capital, and by close attention to business has placed himself in good circumstances. Mr. Hill is a young man of enterprise and public spirit, and

John T. Swan, Harmon, son of James G. and Susan Swan, was born in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1852. He remained there until twenty years of age, when he went to Peru, Illinois, and attended high school one year; at the end of that time he came to Harmon and engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business. Mr. Swan is one of the many prosperous merchants of Lee county. Was married in 1S75, to Miss Clara Shelliatner, a native of Lee county.

Thomas Surrox, f^irmer, Harmon, son of Joseph and Hanna Sutton, was born on Wheeling Creek, Virginia, in 1820. At the age of live years his father, with his family, moved to a point about fifteen miles north of Zanesville, Ohio, where he resided two \'ears; from there they went to Jackson county, Ohio, and remained until Tliomas was seventeen. At this time they sold their farm and located in Hocking county, Ohio, and remained until 1851:. In that year they removed to Lee county and bought land in the S. i Sec. 25, Harmon township. Mr. Sutton was married in 1840, to Miss Mary Ann Petit, a native of Ohio.

Abner C. Welch, Stone Station, son of Russell and Louisa M. Welch, was born in Oneida county. New York, in 1848. In 1856 he went with his father's family to Michigan, and received his early education in Grandville, in that state. In 1805 Abner removed to Lee county, and began farming in Nelson township, where he remained until 1875, when he removed to Harmon township and bought land in section 6. In 1878 he embarked in the grain and stock business at Stone Station, at which he has since been engaged. He was married in 1870, to Miss Ada Stone, a native of Lee county.

Wilson E. Mechem, farmer, Harmon, son of John and Abigail Mechem, was born in Belmont count}-, Ohio, where he resided until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he removed to Magnolia, Putnam county, Illiudis, where he worked at his trade (carpenter) for three years, after which he went to Marshall count}' and resided there from 1854 to 1868; in that year he removed to Petis county, Missouri, and remained five years, then returned to Marshall county and remained three years. He then removed to Lee county and bought land in sections 22 and 27, in Harmon township. Mr. Mechem is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1870. He was married December 31, 1851, to Miss Rlioda Simson, a native of Ohio.

Lewis Hullinger, farmer, Stone Station, son of Frederic and Catharine Hullinger, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1820. Wiien Lewis was seventeen years of age his father's family re- moved to Baltimore county, Maryland, where they remained aboutfive years. At the end of this time they went to Bradford county, Pennsylvania. At the ao;e of fourteen Lewis was apprenticed to a blacksmith at a place called Flint Stone, in Alleghany county, Maryland. He served five years' apprenticeship, after wliich he embarked in business alone. He carried on a shop at Polish Mountain, three and a half miles east of Flint Stone, for four years. From that place he removed to Mount Savage, in the same county, where he remained until the spring of 1855. In that year he came to Lee county and bought land in S.W. ^ Sec. 7, in Harmon township. Mr. Hullinger was married in 18i7, to Miss Snsan Long, a native of Pennsylvania, and is the father of nine children, six of whom are living. He is the present supervisor of the township.

W. H. Allen, farmer. Stone Station, son of John and Mercy Allen, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Jul}' 18, 1824. The famil}' remained there until William was ten years of age, when they removed to Erie county. New York, where they remained until 1839. In that year William, actuated by a desire to see some of the sights and wonders of the boundless West, left home and started on a journey toward the setting sun. Before his return he traveled over nearlj^ all of the United States east of the Mississippi from Canada to New Orleans. After an absence of two years he returned to his old New England home and attended school three years at Dartmouth. In 1847 lie sailed as a common hand on a merchant vessel that left the port of New York bound for Vera Cruz, and was in sight of that famous old city during the bombardment. From Vera Cruz he returned to New Orleans and was there made captain of a vessel engaged in the coasting trade, and was engaged in that business for several years. In 1848 he again returned to New Bedford and remained there until 1852. In that year he sailed on a whaling vessel, occnpying the position of first mate. On the first voyage he was absent two years, during which time he was in nearly all of the important seaport towns in the world. Mr. Allen has in his possession a large diary, or sailor's log-book, kept by himself during his life on the ocean wave, containing sketches descriptive of the people he saw in the different countries he visited, also containing descriptions of the countries, records of every storm encountered, of every whale captured, etc. In perusing this time-worn book the writer found sketches dated at Melbourne, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Gibralter, and many places of historical interest, among which was some notes written at the island of St. Helena. While here Mr. Allen visited the burial-place of the dead conqueror, who had once electrified the world by his brilliant military movements, and who ended his days on that lone, barren isle with no loving hand to caress him, no voice to bid him a last farewell, save that of the wild waves as they dashed against the bleak and rocky shore. Mr. Allen spent abont fourteen years of his life on the sea, and has now changed his occupation from that of plowing the billowy deep to that more humble and less exciting vocation of tilling the soil. He came to Lee county in 1864 and bought land in K.W. i of Sec. IS, Harmon townsiiip. He was married in 1859, to Miss Caroline Dean, also a native of Massachusetts.

Abraham Berlin, farmer, Harmon, son of Abraham and Maria Berlin, was born in Xorthampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, where he remained until tifteen years of age. His father died in 1847. In 1853 Abraham came with his mother to Stephenson county, Illinois, where they resided two years and then removed to Bureau county, Illinois. They resided in that count}' live years, and then came to Lee county and bought land in S.W. ^ Sec. 26. Mr. Berlin is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church, with which he united in 1SG5; was married iii 1863, to Miss Nancy Jane Swan, a native of Kentucky, and is the father of five children.

Asa B. Smith, farmer, Harmon, son of Obediah and Lorena Smith, was born in Norwich count}', Connecticut, in 1822, where he resided until twenty-one years of age. His father was engaged in the clothing business in New London, but as Asa's tastes did not run in that direction he was apprenticed to a stone-cutter at an early age, and served until the fall of 1843. In the spring of 1814 he went into the city of Buffalo, where he worked five years at his trade. At the end of that time he went to far\ning, and was engaged in tilling the soil until 1855. In February of that year he came to Lee county and located in Di.xon township, where he was for three years engaged in burning lime and afterward in farming. In the spring of 1861 he removed to Ogle county and remained there until January of the same year, when he returned to Di.xon township, and was engaged in farming and ferrying until the spring of 1865, when he moved to Harmon township, and since that time has been a prominent citizen of that township. Mr. Smith was married in January 1846, to Miss Sarah M. Rogers, a native of Erie county, New York, and is the father of three children, two sons and one daughter. In 1871 was elected justice of the peace, which oflice he held for a period of ten years. Politically Mr. Smith is a democrat, although quite liberal in his views on all questions, and a very desirable citizen in any community.

Jkssk Hktlku, farmer, Dixon, the son of Nathan and Catherine (Kulp) Hetler, was born in the township of Dixon, on April 27, 1839. His father migrated from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, to Dixon, and was one of the oldest settlers in the township ; when he came to

Dixon there were only three log-houses in the city. Jessie received his education at the old Bend sciiool-house, and worked on his father's farm till the age of twenty-four, when he married Miss Mary E. Beal, daughter of Mr. John Beal, of South Dixon, now of Iowa, in which latter state Mr. Hetler lived for seven years after his marriage. Returning to Palmyra, Lee county, he bought a farm of 160 acres, which he cultivated successfully for five years, when he sold it and bought in Nelson township, December 1, 1879, a homestead of 156 acres, which to-day ranks among the best farms in the township, and on which he now dwells. His family consists of two boys and three girls, named John T. Imogene, Alice Amanda, Nathan and Catherine, aged respectively sixteen, fourteen, twelve, eight and six years. Mr. Hetler is a member of the temperance organization. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln.

This originally included T. 21 and half of 22, R. 11 E., of the 4th P.M. Its limits remained unchanged till the separation of the north halt-township in the organization of Ashton township in 1861.

The first meeting was held April 1850, at the house of Ralph B. Evitts; Elisha Pratt, chairman, and Thomas S. Hulbert, secretary. Charles Starks was duly elected moderator and T. S. Hulbert, clerk, and both were sworn by Geo. E. Haskell, justice of the peace. The town was divided into three road districts. A fence law was passed. Charles Starks was elected supervisor, receiving 27 votes ; Ira Brewer, town clerk, 19 votes; E. W. Starks, assessor, 18 votes; Samuel S. Starks, collector, 29 votes; Ralph B. Evitts, overseer of the poor, 20 votes; Sherman Shaw, Stephen Clink and George Yale, highway commissioners, 29, 26 and 28 votes respectively ; Samuel S. Starks and Daniel Barber, constables, 27 votes each ; Elisha Pratt and Lafayette Yale, justices of the peace, 24 and 21 votes respectively. Jesse Woodruft was nominated and elected as the defendant and prosecutor of suits of law and equity where the town is interested. On motion it was voted that the next meeting be held at R. B. Evitts'. Meetings were held at private houses till 1856, when a meeting was held in the schoolhouse at Ogle Station (now the village of Ashton).

Bradford is an excellent townsliip for farming. About three sections in the southeast corner consist of marsh or swamp land, used only for pasturing. Sec. 5, and a little adjoining land, is flat ; the rest of the township is probably equal in natural productiveness to any other equal portion of Lee county. The land is in a good state of culture and mostly well improved. The inhabitants are German by a good majority. Nearly all of the first occupants of the town, nearly all, settled in Lee Center, and thence spread out over the prairie north. Some made their claims as soon as they arrived in this locality ; others lived at the "Inlet" a year or two before making any claim. Nearly all worked their claims before settling on them and building. Mr. Whitmore and Siierman Shaw were the first to build houses within the limits of Bradford. The house of the former was standing as early as the spring of 1839, on land now owned by Mrs. Schott, in the western part of the township. In 1840 Shaw built a frame house on the N.E. corner of Sec. 31. This building is still standing. Egbert Shaw is said to have been the first white child born within the towiisliip. Omen Hillison's house was bnilt soon after those mentioned. Several claims were made in 1839, and but few, if any, before. In 1838 Charles Starks came to Inlet Grove, and the ne.xt year claimed the E. ^N.W. ^ of Sec. 32, and the W. ^ N.E. J of the same section. About this time the Whipples claimed a short distance north of here. Starks at once began breaking his claim, and built and moved on to it in 1842. In 1839 George and Milo Yale claimed the N.W. ^ Sec. in Bradford. In 1842 their father, N. C. Yale, moved from Franklin Grove to where Jacob Schmucker lives. Sec. 1. Before 1842 Jesse Woodruff settled on Sec. 32, R. B. Evitts on Sec. 29, and at about this time C. Bowen settled north of Bowen on the same section, and Stephen Clink built the stone house on the place where V. Hicks lives, Sec. 33. As early as 1845 John Ilotzel was keeping what might be called a bachelors hall in a slab shanty on the E. ^ S. W. -J- of Sec. 31, claimed by him two or three years before. Hillison also was for several years a bachelor in Bradford, and lived in a sod house on the prairie before he put up his frame house. In 1842 Elias Hulbert claimed the S. ^ S.E. i of Sec. 19, and moved on to it in the fall of the same year. John Owen was an early settler on what is now known as Bradford street.

Many of the first occupants were from Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and from this circumstance the town took its name. Lewis Clapp located quite a number of land warrants at an early period ; and much land was bought with money furnished by him to parties many of whom would otherwise have been unable to purchase so soon as they did. It may be justly said of Mr. Clapp that directly or indirectly he did more than any other man for the early development of this township. As it now is it presents an appearance of thrift and abundance. Its population is industrions and peaceful. The town is not thickly settled, many of the farms being quite large. Inlet swamp covers Sec. 36, nearly all of 35 and 25, besides a little of 24 and 34 in the southeastern part; this has no dwellings upon it.

Bradford. The eiglit school-buildings are fully an average of the country school-house, and doubtless the instruction given in them is not materially different from work generally done in the country school ; and yet the writer cannot dispossess himself of the idea that an over industry or greed for "eighties" and "forties" possesses many of the foreign-born farmers, to the serious detriment of their children, in that mental culture is lacking.

As early as 1850 meetings of the Evangelical church of Bradford were held at the house of John Hotzel, just over the line in China, nearly opposite William Ross' place. Hotzel had a room fitted up for the purpose, and a Sunday-school was also started. These were the first German meetings in the county. The preachers came from Perkins' Grove, Bureau county : McLean was the first, "William Kolp was the next. Reinhart Grass, John Ascheubrenner, John Hotzel and his family, members of the families of C. Reinhart and Conrad Hotzel were among the original members. In 1859 a church was built on Sec. 17 at a cost of $1,300. In 1874 an addition was made and a steeple erected at a further cost of S2,700, making the total about $4,000. The present membership is si.xty, all but two of whom live in Bradford township. The Sunday-sciiool numbers 125 pupils and 18 offices and teachers. The present pastor is Adam Goetshel, who has charge of this and another church in Reynolds township. These are in the Ashton circuit and Mendota district. All services are in the German tongue. The trustees of this church are Reinhart Grass, Peter Eisenberg, Nicholas Killmer, William Ross, and Charles Krug. The first trustees were C. Reinhart, R. Grass, and John Ascheubrenner.

There are two cemeteries within the limits of Bradford. One is on Sec. 29, on the southwest corner of the southeast quarter. Here between forty and fifty have been interred. The earliest inscription, October 25, 1842, is on the stone over the grave of Mrs. Hannah Hulbert. Here are the graves of Omen Hillison, who died June 21, 1853 ; Lucretia Sawyer, wife of C. Sawyer, June 20, 1848 ; Sarah A., wife of John Methorn, January 21, 1857 ; Lurany, wife of Elisha Pratt, April 9, 1858, aged sixt^'-eight years ; Eliza A., wife of R. B. Evitts, February 28, 1877, aged sixty-eight years, six months and twenty-eight days; Stephen Clink, August 5, 1858, aged fifty years and ten months; Susannah, daughter of M. W. and L. A. Welden, August 17, 1848, aged nineteen years and four months. The other is on Sec. 15, a little north of C. Gehant's house. There have not been so many burials here as in the former, having been opened later, and these are chiefly of foreigners.

Thomas S. Hiilbert, Cliarles D. Hart, Valentine Hicks, C. F. Starks, and George Hulbert were the incorporators. It was to be styled " The Fanners' Mutual Fire Insurance Conapany of Bradford, in the county of Lee." At the first meeting, held Xoveniber 1869, fifty -four applications were received, and fifty-one were appros'ed and signed. Since its organization the company has had but three losses, amounting to §2,i40. It has had no loss for two years. The number of policies in force December 31, 1880, was -±40, amounting to $51)2,190. About twenty policies have since been written; making the total risk at this writing (July 1881) about 8620,000. These policies are held chiefly in Lee county, in the north and eastern parts. A few are held in Bureau and Ogle counties. The oflicers of the companj^ are Ira Brewer, Samuel Dysart, George A. Lyman, 0. D. Hart, William V. Jones, R. Grass, William Ross, managers; Ira Brewer, president; Samuel Dysart, secretary; 0. D. Hart, treasurer; William V. Jones, general agent.

William S. Frost, farmer, Lee Center, was born in October 1832. His father, Daniel Frost, was born in New Hampshire in 1799. Eulalia Frost, his mother, was born in Maine in 1798. In 1837 Daniel Frost emigrated from Maine to Illinois. Leaving his family in Morgan county, he came to Lee county and built a log house about half a mile north and east of the Binghamton mill in Amboy township. The following spring the family came on, and in the fall of 1838 they settled on a place about a mile and a half east of Lee Center. In 1852 Mr. Frost moved into the village of Lee Center, where he lived till his death, October 18G8. His wife, Eulalia Frost, died May 6, 1875. Of his eight children six survive him, Charles, Elizabeth (Mrs. Smith), Lydia (Mrs. Salsbury), William S., Silas D. and Marcia (Mrs. McKay). Mary (Mrs. Gilmore) died October 1865; Almira died March 1875. In the winter of 1853-i William Frost went to California and returned in the fall of 1858. In the following spring he went again to California, overland, and remained till the summer of 1861, when he came home by way of Panama. At this point of his journey he heard of the battle of Bull Run. In May, 1862, he began raising a company, which was mustered at Dixon in June. On or about June 1 Mr. Frost received his commission as captain of Co. E, 75th 111. Inf This was a full company from Sublette and Lee Center. Frank Ells was first lieutenant. Tlie companj' left their camp at Dixon September 27, 1862, and were first engaged at Perryville October 8. Here Co. E lost heavily : eleven were killed, twenty-six wounded, and two taken prisoners ; Lieutenant Ells was killed and Captain Frost wounded.

The latter was removed to the New Albany, Indiana, hospital, where he remained two months. He joined his company in the battle of Stone river. He was in the engagements at Liberty Gap and Chicamaiiga. In October, 1863, the 75th was assigned to the 3rd brigade, 1st division, 4th Army Corps, General "William Grose commanding.

Capt. William S. Frost was with his company in the battles ot Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and through to Atlanta, before which city he was wounded July 23, 1864, in consequence of which he was in hospital at Lookout Mountain till October, and then was sent home. He was mustered out February 23, 1865, at Cincinnati, Ohio, because of physical disabilities. In November, 1865, he married Sophia E. Shaw, daughter of Sherman Sliaw. Their issue are Frank E., born November 3, 1866 ; Silas D., February 3, 1871 ; "William S., September 22, 1872; Melinda S., February 11, 1868; Mary A., June 27, 1878. Mr. Frost is now living on Sec. 28, where James Phillips settled, having bouglit him out in 1871. He has a farm of 400 acres in Sees. 27 and 28. In 1873 he was burned out ; but built again immediately, and two 3'ears ago completed his residence, at a cost of $4,000. He is chiefly engaged in the raising of and trading in stock. He is a Mason, and for several years has been supervisor of Bradford. We wish him all the success that his generous nature deserves.

Ira Brewer, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, in 1820. He is the son of Jonas B. and Betsey (Miller) Brewer, of English ancestrj'. His father was a farmer and he was reared to the same occupation. After he was ten years old he received but four terras of schooling of three months each. In 1842 he was married to Mary Phillips, who was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, November 1822. In the following year he and his wife came west, arriving in Lee Center in June 1843. Here they lived in a house previously occupied by Charles Starks, on the place now owned by Alva De Wolf The same year Mr. Brewer bought from O. W. "Wriglit a claim, "W * N."W. ^ of Sec. 32, Bradford toM-nship, for $40 in trade; also the E. ^ N.E. ^ of Sec. 31, from Sturdevant, for which, with ten acres of timber at "the grove," he paid $100. He afterward entered both these claims. In 1845 he build a house, 19x24 feet, on his claim, about one hundred rods north of his present dwelling, which is situated on the E. i S.E. J of Sec. 31, having built the latter in 1859. Mr. Brewer now owns ^70 acres in Bradford, Sees. 31 and 32, and a large tract in Lee Center township, on Sees. 3, 16, 17 and 23. He has had six children, four of whom are living: Louisa, bora March 30, 1846 ; George W., April 25, 1848 ; Ella J., December 11, 1849; Clara A., August 16, 1852; Luna C, August 22, 1854; and

Mary Jane (deceased, aged ten months). Clara A., wife of B. Starks, died October 2-lr, 1872. Mrs. Brewer was the oldest in a family of eight. Her father died in Massachusetts and her mother in Chippewa county, Wisconsin, at the residence of her youngest son. Two of Mrs. Brewer's brothers were in the Kansas struggle. One was killed there in 1856 and the other lost an arm. In politics Mr. Brewer is a greenback republican. He was the first town clerk of Bradford, and for several years was supervisor. He with his family belongs to the Congregational church. He has in his possession several valuable relics: one is a powder-horn used in one of the early Indian wars, another is a continental dollar "Printed by Hall & Sellers 1775." Mrs. Brewer has an old Gaelic bible brought to this country by her grandfather McCiillum more than one hundred years ago. On the first cover are written these words: "Malcum McCullum augh this book 1772. I am eighteen years old 1772. I have five brethren and tue sisters." On the next page is written : "'Malcum McCullum is my name; Bradalban is my nation; Ardchoie is my dwelling place, my boni habitation 1771. Malcum McCullum augh this new testament." On the title-page is inscribed: "Le Balfour, Auld, agus Smellie, M,DCC,LXVII." The book is in a good state of preservation, the only disfigurement being the marks of a wetting it received on Its voyage from Scotland. But for lack of space the writer would gladly testify to the many excellent qualities of the subjects of this sketch.

LoRiN T. Wellman, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, in 1821. He is the son of David and Abagail (Taylor) Wellman. His father was descended from one of two brothers who came from England about two hundred years ago. David Wellman came with his parents to Pennsylvania from Connecticut about 1808. Jacob Wellman, the grandfather of our subject, was all through the revolutionary war. In 18-10 the latter married Waity Hopkins, of New York state, and in 1848 came to Lee county, and at first lived about one and a half miles west of the village of Lee Center, and subsequently in the village. His father settled at the same time in Du Page county, Illinois. In 1852 Lorin Wellman located a land warrant on the N.E. ^ N.E. ^ of Sec. 27, for his father, and at the same time the X.W. of Sec. 23 for himself. In the meantime he followed the mason's trade till 1856, when he bought his father's property and moved to where he is now living. David Wellman having moved to Bradford in 1853, and died in August 1S55. Mr. Wellman owns 240 acres of land in Bradford, and an improved farm of 219 acres in Lee Center township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Mason and a republican, but was a staunch democrat till the democratic platform of 1856 was formulated. His family consisted of Charles H., William (deceased, aged seventeen years), Dennis, Trnman E., Seth A. and Ida M. The first and third of these are married and living in Kansas. Seth A. is married and lives in Indiana. Ida M. is the wife of German Lewis. Truman E. Wellman died in 1864, in his twenty-second year. He was a dwarf, and during his entire life was a sufferer from chronic humors and erysipelas. Notwithstanding his great affliction, he was remarkably intelligent and sprightly, and will long be remembered by all who knew him.

Haelow a. Williamson, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in Addison county, Vermont, January 8, 1830; son of Samuel and Sibyl (Delong) Williamson, both of Vermont. Their ancestors were early English settlers in that state. Harlow Williamson was the son of a farmei', and one of a family of four boys and three girls, all of whom are west, except one brother, who lives on the homestead in Vermont. The subject of this sketch came to Lee county in 1850 ; worked around by the month four years. He bought the N.W. ^ Sec. 21, Bradford township, from Lewis Clapp, and in 1853 built a house. He now owns a farm of 180 acres with good buildings. His house, built since " the war," cost him not less than $3,000. In 1857 he married Emeline S. Starks, of Lee county. Their family consists of two adopted children, Harry and Katie Belle, aged fourteen and seven years respectively. Mr. W. is a republican in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Lee Center Congregational church. He is a careful farmer, and liis place presents a tasteful and thrifty appearance.

Philip Runyan, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1818; son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Swisher) Runyan, both of Pennsylvania. His mother's people were from Virginia, and his paternal grandfather was a native of New Jersey. Philip was the eldest in a family of twelve, ten of whom are living. He was raised a farmer, and enjoyed the benefits of a common schooling. He was married March 28, 184-4, to Elizabeth Savage, born September 8, 1819. Their issue are Anna, born February 1, 1847; Esther, November 8, 1850 ; Elizabeth, September 10, 1854. In 1849 Mr. Runyan located a land warrant on the W. I N.E. i S.E. J N.E.i, and S.E. I N.W. i of Sec. 7, Bradford township, and in 1859 came from Pennsylvania and settled on the same. He has since improved this land, and his buildings have cost at least $4,000. Mr. Runyan and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Franklin Grove Masonic Lodge No. 264, and is also a Royal Arch Mason, Nathan Whitney Chapter. Though a democrat, Mr. Runyan has for many years held office in a strong republican township. He has been a justice of the peace since 1862, and town clerk since 1868.

Peter Eisenberg, farmer, Asliton, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1831 ; son of Asinan and Christine (Sebrar) Eisenberg. His father served thirty years in the German army ; was in the battles of Waterloo and Metz, in the latter of which he was wounded. In 18.52 our subject, with his father and mother and their family, sailed from Bremen to New York, and arrived in Lee county in December of the same year. The family settled on Sec. 23, Bradford township, and bought the E. i N.E. ^ from Lewis Clapp, and subsequently forty acres in See. 16. Mr. Eisenberg now owns ten acres more than a section of land, and lives on the N.AV. J Sec. 23. His father died in 1872 ; his mother is living with him. He was married July 1, 1855, to Catherine Bower. Their family consists of nine children : Christine (wife of John Fauble), George, John, William, Henry, Adam, Mina, Mary, Emma. Mr. Eisenberg is a republican, and with his family belongs to the Evangelical church of Bradford.

Luther Baldwin, farmer, Ashton, son of Joseph and PolU' (Smith) Baldwin, was born June 22, 1820, in Connecticut. Here his lather and mother were born, tiie former in 1797, the latter in 1796. These parents had a family of ten children, eight of whom, with the mother, are living. Different researches trace the lineage of the family to several Baldwin brothers who landed in New York at an early day. In 1849 Luther Baldwin married Nancy Talmage, of Connecticut, by whom he has six children : Polly Ann, Sarah J., Joseph W., Esther, Phoebe, and Charles H. In 1852 Mr. Baldwin came to Lee Center, where he lived three months; thence to Ralph Evitt's, and in the spring of 1853 he located a land warrant on the E. ^ of S.W. J and S.W. J of S.W. J Sec. 14, Bradford township. Here he has since lived, having built the following fall, and subsequently improved the farm. He is a republican and Odd-Fellow, and a member of the Ashton Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs.

Mrs. Catherine E. AscHExiiHENXER, Lee Center, one of the most prominent characters in the history of Bradford, was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1832. Her parents were Christian and Cliristine (Denhart) "Reinhart. She is the eldest in a family of six, live of whom survive. Christian Reinhart was twelve years a soldier in the German army, and in 1845 came to New York with his family ; thence to Chicago, and from there with an ox team to Lee countj'. The next year they rented a farm owned by Othro Wright, now A. DeWolf 's farm, and from here they went to China township, to where Andrew Reinhart now lives. Mr. Reinhart got eighty- acres of government land and subsequently eighty from Lewis Clapp. Here he settled and lived till his death in 1865, at which time he was the owner of nearly 500 acres of land. Their first year in America was a hard one for the family. The father was taken sick in cradling time and was confined to his bed for many months. His wife and Catherine, his daughter, worked very bard to support the family and pay doctor bills. They cleaned grain, husked corn, and dug potatoes in early winter. Nothing by which they could earn a little was considered too hard. In November 13, 1849, Catherine Reinhart was married to Omen Hillison, born December 14, 1814. He was an early settler in Bradford, and at first lived in a sod house. His frame house was quite conspicuous in an early day, and was seen over the naked prairie by the Reinharts at Melugin's Grove on their way out from Chicago. The fruits of this union were Henry W. and Betsey, born September 12, 1850, and October 11, 1852, respectively. Mr. Hillisou died June 21, 1853, from sunstroke. He was a native of Norway ; he came to America in 1835, and for a few years was a coast sailor. He is held in grateful remembrance by all of the early settlers, many of whom first found shelter under his roof on their arrival here. His widow was married, October 1, 1854, to John Aschenbrenner. Three children are their offspring : Christian, Reinhart, and Andrew. About 1870 Mrs. Aschenbrenner paid her husband $7,000 for all the realty in his name, and they parted. She has since obtained a divorce. She now owns 360 acres in Bradford, 131 in Brooklyn, and a large tract in Iowa. She has given two of her sons 160-acre farms. Her mother died in 1870.

Redsthaet Gross, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in Hesse Cassel., Germany, in 1829 ; son of John and Martha (Schnider) Gross. His mother died when he was six or seven years old, and his father two or three years later. The latter was nine years a German soldier. In 1847 R. Gross came to America with Jacob Reiss, in whose family he lived from his father's death till he was of age, at which time he went to work for John Hotzel, continuing in his service four years. In 1853 he married Martha Reinhart. He began farming for himself on eighty acres in Sec. 24, China township, on which he lived till 1867, when he moved to Bradford, N.E. \ Sec. 19, and built on the lialf of the same. His farm is well improved, the buildings having cost him about $5,000. To the above quarter section he added the W. ^ of S.E. i Sec. 18. He also owns an improved farm of 150 acres in Sec. 15, and eighty acres in See. 24. His children are : Christian, Lizzie, Catherine (deceased), Henry, Mary, and Emma. The family are members of the Evangelical church of Bradford, of which Mr. Gross is a trustee. His eldest sister lives in Germany, and a brother and sister are living in Iowa.

Ontone Reinhart, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born May 13, 1840, in Hesse-Cassel, Germany. He is the son of C. Reinhart, who gave him a good education. The first land he owned was eighty acres in China township, now owned by Andrew, his brother. This land was entered by Lewis Ciapp, and afterward bought from him by the father of our subject. In 1861 Ontone Reinliart married Catherine Kersten. About this time he sold his land in China and bought from Samuel Crawford the E. ^ of S.E. ^ Sec. IS, Bradford township. This he broke up and built on it the same year. He now owns 360 acres in Sees. 18, 19 and 20, Bradford, and 45 acres of wood land in Lee Center. His property is highly valuable, there being but little, if anj', better land in Lee count}'. In two of his pastures there is living water. Mr. Tteinhart has a family of nine children : Henry, Andrew, Charles, Lizzie, Martha, Gust, Lena, George, and Christian. Henry is married and lives in Bradford.

Beeghaedt Albeecht, farmer, Ashton, was born February 10, 1839, in Hesse Cassel, Germany; son of George and Christine Albrecht, who had a family of eight children. The former was in the German military service six or seven years. In 1855 the subject of this sketch left his native land, both of his parents being dead, and arrived in Lee county June 19. For nine years he worked for Adam Schuhart, Bradford, and during the last year of his service there he was married to Martha Kersten, by whom he has had nine children: Martha, Ontone, Kate, Marcus, Charles, Mary, Clara. Two died, aged one year and eighteen months respectively. After his marriage Mr. Albrecht farmed rented land four years in Bradford, and then bought 160 acres in Reynolds, S.E. J Sec. 17, from Mr. Baden. Here he lived si.x years, when he sold out to George Kersten, and bought from the administrators of his deceased brother John's estate the farm he now owns in Bradford. This consists of the N. i of S.E. ^ and the S.E. i of N.E. ^ Sec. 19. Mv. Albrecht and his family are members of the Ashton Lutheran church. He had always voted the republican ticket till the last presidential election. He is interested in the education of his family much more than are the majority of the German people in this vicinity.

EnwARD W. Po>rEROY, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Northampton, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, in 1823. His parents were Elihu and Miriam (Wright) Pomeroy, both of the same state and of English ancestry. His father was a cooper, but he was raised a farmer. He received a good education. In 1844 he came west to Princeton, Illinois, and remained there from August till the following February; thence he came to Lee Center. He lived with Mr. Ira Brewer three years. In the meantime he bought from S. Shumway a claim to the W. i of N.W. i Sec. 31, Bradford, where he is now living. In 1S4S he bought the Alva DeWolf farm, Lee Center township, but soon sold it. About this time he bought an "eighty" on Sec. 30. This is land now owned bj William Ross and J. Croinbie. It was here that Mr. Pomeroy began housekeeping, having married, in 1852, Lora J. Adams, of Steuben county, New York. In 1856 he sold this land, built on his first claim, and moved to his present home. Since then he has farmed but little. For several years he was buying and shipping hogs and cattle. In 1868 he went into partnership with Lewis Clapp, in a gristmill, at Northampton, Massachusetts. Mr. Pomeroy has owned this mill since the death of Mr. Clapp in 1880. In an early day our subject drove a breaking team and run a threshing machine for several years. In 18-16 he and J. H. Gardner bought the first reaper used in the vicinity. It was a " McCormick," brought from near Rochester, New York. This machine was first tried in a piece of winter wheat, and many came from all around to see it work. In 1852 Mr. Pomeroy raised the first crop of timothj^ seed marketed from this section of country. It consisted of 150 bushels, which he hauled to Aurora and shipped from there to Chicago, by rail, receiving for it $1.75 per bushel. His family consists of two daughters and one son : Mary, Lucy, and Edwin. Tbe former were educated at Rockford, Illinois. Mary is the wife of Henry "Wright, and is living in Massachusetts. Mr. Pomeroy is a republican, and was formerly an Odd-Fellow.

The town of South Dixon was organized in April 1867. The cause of its separation from Dixon, the parent town, was the desire of the outlying farmers to restrain cattle from roaming at large, an evil which was not snfiiciently comprehended by the people of Dixon. Mr. Abram Brown, in conjunction with others, prepared and presented a petition to the supervisors praying for the division, which was eventually made.

South Dixon comprises all of T. 21, R. 9 E., of the 4th P.M., and contains thirty sections, having an area of 19,200 acres. It ranks among the first in agricultural resources, the land being in a very high state of cultivation. The soil for the greater part is a black alluvial and is irrigated by numerous small tributaries of the Three and the Five mile branches, which latter traverse the township from east to west ; the source of the last mentioned is on the farm of Mr. Burkett, at the southeastern portion of the township.

The surface of the country is gently rolling. The hills and dales are beautified by many groves, under whose grateful shelter comfortable farm-houses appear. A perusal of the biographical sketches will show that for the most part the present or previous occupants of this portion of Lee counU' migrated from Somerset count}', Pennsylvania. They are a thrifty, industrious and persevering people, whose energy has transformed a prairie into a garden ; tiiey support schools for the education of their offspring and are commendable for their religious tendencies, and their homes possess all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

Among the early settlers appear the names of Charles Edson, Abram Brown, Cliriston Stevens, Henry B. True, Caldwell Bishop, Keuben Trowbridge, Henry Page, Jacob McKenney, Jacob and E. H. Groh, James Rogers, Matthew McKenney, Wm. A. Judd, Nathan Hill, Wm. I. Fritz and others, to whom particular allusion is made in the memoirs.

There are three churches in the township: two Evangelical Lutheran and one Methodist Episcopal, the last mentioned being also a union church.

St. James' Evangelical Lutheran church is on the Chicago road and was erected in the year 1877, by the representatives of the various religious bodies in the vicinity, but is now exclusively used by members of tJie persuasion previously mentioned. It can accommodate about 280 members. It is a wooden structure, cost 83,200, and is now entirely out of debt. Wiien this church was built the Sabbath-school was removed thither from the old brick school-house ; it is well attended, has a staff of eight teachers, and for the past fifteen years Mr. Hiram Uhl has been superintendent. The first pastor was the Rev. J. P. Sanderson ; the present one is the Rev. A. J. B. Cast. The church belonging to the Methodist Episcopal body is situated in the village of Eldena. It was built in the year 1870. It is built of wood and can seat 150. It is also a union church, being used by the Evangelicals and United Brethren for church purposes. The first and present pastor is the Rev. M. A. Rice.

There are four schools in South Ui.xon. Particular allusion may be made to the old brick sciiool-house in Dist. No. 3, T. 21, wiiere the attendance at one time was one hundred and twenty ; the average attendance now is about twenty-seven. The present teacher is Lorenzo Wood ; the directors are Messrs. Abram Brown, HiramlJhl and Isaac Seitz. Apropos of education here, the first school was lield by Miss Edson, in a room in her brother's house. In the same room was organized the first union Sabbath-school in Lee county, outside of Dixon. Mr. E. B. Edson was appointed the first teacher of the new school. The gentlemen most active in its erection were Abram Brown, John and Charles Beal, Joseph Smith, Hiram Uiil, William J. and John Fritz. The Kellogg school is in Dist. No. 8, T. 21, R. 9. The present directors are A. E. Fellows, Frederick Bollman and William Missman. It can accommodate eighty children ; average attendance about twenty-five. It was erected in 1867. The first teacher was A. M. Jennes; the present one Lydia Conderman. The Lievan school can accommodate seventy ; daily average about twenty-five. Eldena school, in the village of Eldena, can seat one hundred pupils; average attendance about fifty. The first teacher was A. F. Parker.

The county farm is situated in Sec. 26, South Dixon, and contains one hundred acres. The Illinois Central railroad cuts oft' a small portion, which is used as a bnrying-ground, in which five interments have taken place within the past three years. The farm latterly has exceeded the expectations of its founders, and though the land is now of the best, yet under its present management the returns for the past three years have exceeded those of any former similar period. In 1879 there were sold hogs to the amoixnt of $292.82; corn, $164; total, 8396.82. In 1880 the proceeds from hogs, corn and oats were $254.12. The prospects for 1881 are fair. There are at present under cultivation thirtyfour acres of corn and eighteen of oats. There are ten cows and four horses on'the farm. It were well to explain that the farm is an asylum for the poor, idiotic, crippled and infirm, as well as for those afiected by indulgence in strong drink. There are at present fifteen inmates, nine males and six females. Four only are valuable as farm hands, who are set to suitable work only, such as hoeing, milking, hog-feeding, etc. Dr. Edmond R. Travers, of Amboy, is physician to the institution, and visits whenever notified by the superintendent, Mr. Thomas L. Stetson, who is a salaried ofiicer. He works the farm to the best advantage and hands the proceeds to the board.

Literary And Debating Societies

The only association of this nature in the township was organized in the year 1858, under the title of the Edsonville Literary and Debating Society. Its first meetings were held in the old brick schoolhouse at Edsonville, so called from a family of that name having been the first settlers here. Mr. Abram Brown was its first president. He evinced an unceasing interest in its welfare and progress. The debates were characterized by vigor and ability, many clever men of Dixon participating therein. This society exercised a beneficial influence in forming the habits and educating the taste of the young in this district.

The Illinois Central railroad passes through the township from north to south. There is a passenger station at the village of Eldena. Mr. H. Hursey is the agent who fills the oflices of the express agent and operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company. The

Eldena Village

Tliis is on the line of the Illinois Central railroad, and is situated in the N.E. ^ of N.W. J Sec. 36, and comprises about forty acres. The first store and house was built by Reuben H. Cheney, deceased. The first and only church belongs to the Methodist Episcopal body, vide chnrelies. The first grain-house was built by Messrs. Reuben Trowbridge, Reuben H. Cheney and Daniel Brown. The school has been referred to under its ]>roper head. The only elevator in the village is owned by Jeremiah Mottoller, who ships annually about 300,000 bushels of corn. The elevator is capable of handling 3,000 bushels daily. The onl}' stores in the village are owned by Frederick Glessner, George N. Stahn, and A. H. Brubaker, who keep an assortment of goods suited to the requirements of the neighborhood; but the majority of the people choose Di,\on for their market town. The village has improved of late years ; the population is now about 200.

Abeam Bkown, farmer, Di.\on, the son of George and Elsie Brown, formerly of York, latterly of Michigan, was born November 17, 1816, in the township of Yarmouth, at Temperanceville, Eighth Concession north of Lake Erie, Middlesex county, district of London, Upper Canada, where he subsequently filled the ofl^ices of clerk and deputy postmaster. He migrated to the State of Illinois on September 21, 1887, and settled in the town of Grand Detour, Ogle county, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and was appointed postmaster of that place February 18, 1840, which position he held for three years. In the fall of 1843, having resigned that post, he moved to Dixon and entered into the blacksinithing business, and on his a))pointment to the postmastership of Dixon he declined his share of the partnership in the blacksmithing business, and having creditably filled the office of postmaster for three j^ears, impaired health compelled him to resign the post, when he moved to Franklin Grove, Lee county, where he engaged in farming and established the first post-office; he was also the drst postmaster appointed there. In February, 1849, he sold out, and on July 3 following he moved to the place he now occupies, in Sec. 13, in the town of South Dixon, and has since followed the occupation of farming. He has always taken a leading part in politics, being a democrat, and was twice honored by his party with the nomination to the legislature. He was si.x times elected to the office of justice of the peace, in which capacity* he commanded the respect of his fellow citizens. He has held the offices of highways commissioner, school trustee, and for eighteen years the post of school director in his district. He took a very active part in liaving the town of Dixon divided, and the town of South Dixon set off, in March 1868, the supervisors finally acceding to Mr. Brown's petition. Subsequently he held the post of supervisor of South Dixon for four years and that of magistrate for eight years. For a number of years Mr. Brown has been crop correspondent of the Bureau of Agriculture at "Washington, and has acted in a similar capacity for the agricultural department at Springfield, and has contributed various articles on the topics of the day for the press and literary journals. He possesses a fine library, is a man of extensive reading, and is the mainstay of a once prosperous and talented literary debating society, being its first president. On May 14, 18-i4, he was united in wedlock to Correlia Wiiitney, daughter of Col. Nathan "Whitney, of Franklin Grove, Lee county. Mr. Brown has a farail}' of three girls and two boys, all highly educated. "Virginia H., the eldest daughter, has taught school for the past fifteen years, and has graduated from Rock River Collegiate Institute. Olga and Mary remain at home. Henry A. Brown, the elder son, studied medicine and is one of the supervisors in the institution for feeble-minded children at Lincoln, Illinois. George M., the younger son, is a student in Champaign College, Illinois, and is naturally an inventor, having patented a device for grinding mower sickels. Mr. Brown is the oldest resident in South Dixon and one of the oldest in the county.