Lee County, Illinois - The whole text, 1881 (part 6 of 24)

Dixon Toavnship

JosiAH PoMEEOY Dana, merchant, Dixon, was born in Albany, New York, Jannar}' 11, 1819, and is the son of John Wood and Sophia (Pomeroy) Dana. His father was born in Warwick, Massachusetts, in 1788, and was the son of Daniel Dana who was born near Boston in 1754, son of Daniel Dana, sr., of Boston, Mass. The two latter participated in the revolutionary war, and were engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill ; and in after years figured in the public affairs of the commonwealth. The Dana family was formerly represented in this country by three brothers : John, Joseph, Daniel, who came to this country at a very early date, two settling in Massachusetts, and one in Vermont. The family has many relics and curiosities of ancestral honor, which are carefully preserved for future generations. The subject of this sketch was left fatherless at the age of nine years, and was soon after placed under the care of Daniel Dana, his uncle, who was a successful merchant, and under this influence ho acquired a knowledge of the business and never de]iarted from the business customs of his fathers, but at the age of twent3--two roamed westward and landed in Chicago in August 1842 ; thence to Southport, Wisconsin, where for fifteen years he was engaged in the mercantile and lumber interests of the city. In 1865 he removed to Dixon, Illinois, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he has continued until the present time. In 1860 Mr. Dana was married to Miss Winfred Nixon, who was residing near Portage city, Wisconsin. Resulting from this union were three children, one son and daughter living, and one daughter of seven years was lost at the great bridge disaster on May 4, 1873, an account of which is given in another place in this book. Miss Agnis Nixon, sister to Mrs. Dana, also perished at the same time. Mr. Dana's mother died in the city of New York in May of the present year, at the advanded age of ninet3'-one j^ears.

Benjamin F. Shaw, editor and publisher, Dixon, was born March 31, 1831, in Tioga count}'. New York, and is the son of Alanson B. and Philomela (Flower) Shaw, natives of Bradford county, Pennsylvania. His grandparents were born in Now England, whose ancestors were from England. His father, Alanson B. Shaw, was the son of Jedediah and Martha (Gore) Shaw. His mother was the daughter of Zephon and Mary (Patrick) Flower. His father died when he was a small boy, and in 1845 he came west and settled in Pock Island in 1847. He came to Dixon in 1851, and assumed the publication of the Dixon " Telegraph," of which he became proprietor. In 1859 he sold the "Telegraph " and bought an interest in the Amboy paper. In 1860 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and recorder, in which capacity he served eight years, during wliicli time he continued liis connection with the Lee county " Times." In 1870 he took editorial charge of tlie Dixon "Telegraph," which he has continued up to this time, having been editor of a paper from 1851 to the present writing, excepting four iiKjnths, during which time he crossed the plains to Pike's Peak. He spent the winter of 1868 in Washington, and during the session of congress reported for the Chicago " Evening Journal " ; was connected with the internal revenue service in 1869, and was one of the commissioners appointed b\' the governor to locate the Elgin state insane asylum. In 1877 he was appointed canal commissioner, in which office he has continued until the present time. In Novembei', 1856, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Anna Eustace, daugiiter of Rev. Thomas Eustace and Fannie (Olmstead) Eustace, of Dixon, from which union resulted the birth of three children : Frederic L., Eustace E. and Lloyd Shaw. Mr. Shaw has always taken an active part in politics as a staunch republican. He had three brothers and four sisters : Alonzo, Ellen E., Pliu-be, A''alney, Philomela, Judediah and Martha.

Hon. Jos;i:i'n Ckawi-oud, surveyor and banker, Dixon, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1811, and is the son of John and Catharine (Cassedy) Crawford. In 183o he removed with his parents to Huntington, Penn.«ylvania, and at the age of twenty he engaged in school teaching, in which profession he continued for four years. On April 4, 1835, he started for Illinois. Passing Chicago and Dixon's Ferry, he stopped at Galena, where he remained but a short time, returning to Dixon's Ferry, and located on a farm south of Grand Detour, in May of the same spring. He also engaged in business as surveyor, which he followed extensively until recent years, and made the original survey of most of the villages on Rock river from Rockford to Rock Island. In 1836 he was appointed deputy county surveyor for northwest Illinois, and was elected count}' surveyor of Ogle county, which then included Whitesides and Lee, and was elected surveyor of Lee county at the time of its organization in 1840, in which office he served for eighteen years. He served in 1841 as member of the first board of sujicrvisors for the county of Lee, and was elected to represent Lee and Whitesides in the Illinois state legislature in 1849, and reelected to the same in 1853. In 1852 he settled in Dixon, where he still resides. He has dealt extensively in farming lauds, and owns about twelve hundred acres of fine farming land in Lee county; one farm of 1,000 acres in one body three miles east of the city of Dixon, and one tour miles southwest of the city, embracing 200 acres. Both farms are devoted to grain and stock-growing. He was one of the chartered members of Lee count}' national bank, which was organized in 1865, since which time he has sustained the relation of president. He was elected major of the city of Di.xon in 1873, and reelected the two following terms. On September 16, 18 - , Mr. Crawford was united in marriage to Mrs. Huld (Bowman) Culver. Resulting from this iinion is a son, Joseph Willber Crawford, born August 20, 1859, and still making his father's house his home. Mr. Crawford had two brothers and tliree sisters. His brother, Dr. John S. Crawford, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was killed by a train of cars while crossing the track in his buggy. His brother, Samuel Crawford, resides 5t Sterling, this state ; his two surviving sisters are Sarah and Catharine; the former, Mrs. L. W. Hale, resides in Ohio, and the latter married Mr. John Litle, of Pennsylvania. His parents were born in Lancaster, Pennsj'lvania, and his forefathers were of Scotch blood. Mrs. Joseph Crawford was the daughter of John and Mary (Bretten) Bowman ; the tather was born on the banks of the Delaware river in Penns^'lvania, and the mother on Staten Island. Her graiidfother, Christoplier Bowman, was of German}'.

Hon. Col. John Dement, manufacturer, Di.xon, was born April 26, 1804, in Gallatin, the county seat of Sumner county, Tennessee, and is the son of David and Dorcus (Willis) Dement. When thirteen years of age he removed with his parents to Franklin county, Illinois, and located upon a farm, where he made his home until twenty-two years of age, when he was elected to the office of sheriff, which imposed upon him also the duties of collector ard treasurer of public funds. He was elected in 1828 to represent Franklin county in the Illinois state legislature, and in 1830 was reelected for a second term, serving four years consecutively as member of that body. Subsequently he was elected by the general assembly as treasurer of the state for three successive terms. During his service in this responsible position he successfully closed up the affairs of the old state bank, and rendered efficient service as an officer in the Black Hawk war, being out in three campaigns. In 1831 he was with Gen. Duncan and Gov. Reynolds as aid, and was one of the witnesses to a treaty with Black Hawk when that chief relinquished all claims to the land lying east of the Mississippi. In the following spring (1832), when Black Hawk in violation of his treaty was marching up Rock river. Col. Dement, then residing at Vandalia, responded to a call from the governor for volunteers to march to the relief of the invaded settlements, and was chosen captain of a volunteer company- of the spy battalion and moved immediately to the front. Reaching Dixon, Gen. Whiteside sent Col. Dement with a few men to visit Shabbona, the Pottawatomie chief, who was living twenty-five or thirty miles north of Dixon. He moved out with his men, in all about six, some twelve miles toward Shabbona grove and encamped for the niglit. Having no rations only what their guide had provided for liimself, tlie}' consumed tlie last of tiieir supplies for their breakfast and renewed the march toward the Indian settlement. Meeting a band of Black Hawk's party they learned the location of that chief and his people, and late in tlie evening they turned toward camp, riding all night after a fatiguing day. They returned to Dixon on the following da}' and reported to the commanding general. After Stillman's defeat and Gen. Whiteside's expedition the volunteers disbanded because of expiration of time, and a new levy of troops were called out by the governor. Col. Dement returned home, and arranging his official matters returned to the volunteer headquarters, he was elected commander of a battalion of spies, and assuming command he marched in advance of the main army toward Rock river, searching the groves and Bureau woods for Indians who had been committing depredations on the settlers, and reported to Gen. Taylor at Dixon. From this point he soon advanced in search of Black Hawk, leading to the brilliant engagement with that warrior referred to in the chapter on the "Black Hawk war." Black Hawk admitted the loss of seven warriors and two favorite chiefs ; says this is the only battle of the year in which he personally took part, and paid a high compliment to the courage and fighting qualities of Col. Dement. In 1836 he was elected representative. To accept this he resigned the state treasurership, turning over his books and accounts, which were audited and approved by the finance committee of the general assembly. In 1837 he was appointed by President Jackson receiver of the land office at Galena, which was removed to Dixon in 1840. He held this position until removed b}' President Harrison ; reinstated by President Polk; was again removed by President Taylor ; again reinstated by President Pierce, continuing in position until the land office was removed to Springfield, under the administration of President Buchanan. In 1S44 he was chosen presidential elector for James K. Polk. He was a memberof three state constitutional conventions of 1847-48, 1862, and 1870, and has been a member of all the conventions called to revise the Illinois constitution since the formation of the state government in 1818. In the first two conventions he served as chairman of the committee of the legislative department, and in the last convention, 1868, he was chairman of the committee on suffrage. The colonel has been elected to the office of mayor of Dixon for four terms, while his name, means and energy have been associated with most of the leading enterprises and public improvements of the city of Dixon. In 1835 lie was united in marriage to Miss Maria Louisa Dodge, daughter of Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin. His eldest son, Henry Dodge Dement, is the present secretary of State for Illinois.

William W. Heaton, deceased, late chief justice of the appellate court of the first district and for many years a resident of Dixon, was one of the foremost members of the legal profession in the State of Illinois. He was born in Western, Oneida county, New York, April 15, 1811:, and was the son of John and Sarah (Weed) Hea'ton. He received an academical education, and was for a short time engaged in teaching, but soon relinquished that pursuit for the more congenial profession of the law. He entered upon his studies in 1835 and in 1838 was admitted to the bar at Terre Haute, Indiana, and soon attained a good practice. In 1840 he removed to Dixon and practiced law until 1861, when he was elected judge of the circuit court and occupied that position until 1877, having been twice reelected. The appellate court having been established by act of legislature in 1877, Judge Heaton was elected one of its justices, and on the assembling of the court in October he was chosen chief justice. He died very suddenly in Chicago, on the 26th of December, 1877, being but a few moments before his sudden taking oflF in apparently his usual good health. Meetings of the bar in the several counties comprised in his district were held, at which resolutions were adopted eulogizing his public and private career and lamenting his untimely demise, which was all the more sad as it occurred only the day before the one appointed for the nuptials of his youngest daughtei'. Judge Heaton was married three times, his first marriage taking place in Oneida county, New York, the second at Terre Haute, Indiana, and on the I7th of March, 1851, he was united to Mrs. LucindaMcCnmsey, of Dixon, who survives him. Four children are still living: Dwight, a lawyer residing in Dixon ; Edward, who is living in Nebraska and engaged in farming; Mary, married to Prof J. F. O. Smith, now of Fort Laramie, Wyoming territory, and Virginia, wife of Clias. H. Gardner, at present a resident of Dakota.

Luke Hitciicook, D.D., presiding elder of the Di.xon district of the Methodist Ejjiscopal church, was born in Lebanon, Madison count}'. New York, on April 13, 1813, and is the son of Julius and Myra (Ingersoll) Hitchcock. He was brought up and educated in his native town, attending the neighboring schools. In the fall of 1831 he united with the Oneida conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. His fields of labor for the next five years were principally in the counties of Onondaga and Tioga, in the State of New York. In August, 1839, he removed to Illinois, and settled at Inlet Grove, Lee county, and during the winter of 1839-40 was in charge of the church at Dixon, being the first regular pastor after its organization. He soon after went to Chicago, and became pastor of the only Methodist Episcopal church then in existence in that city. In the fall of 1842 the society divided and built the Second churcii on Canal street. Tiiis was tlie oriu;inal foundation of what is now known as the Metiiodist Episcopal Centenary ehnrcli. Soon after, on account of his health being poor, he returned to Lee count}^ and being disqualiried for jireaching he engaged in l)usiness pursuits for the next two or three years. He was one of the founders of Lee Center, and held for a time the office of postmaster He was also one of the original projectors and stockholders of the Lee Center Academy and a member of the first board of trustees. On the passage of the state .school law the grounds and building were turned over to the town without compensation, to be used as a free school, provided the system of education should be kept at a certain standard, which trust was accepted bj' the school directors of the district. Dr. Hitchcock reentered the ministry in 18i7, and for thirteen years was presiding elder of the district, which then contained all the territory now embraced in the Rock River conference and a large portion of the present Central Illinois conference. In 1860 he was elected by the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church an agent of the Western Book Concern. His services in this position were extremely valuable, and gave him a high reputation as a business manager. He filled this position until 1880, having been at five succeeding quadrennial conferences. He has also been elected a member of every general conference since the year 1853. In the fall of 18S0 he again became presiding elder of the Dixon district, which position he still fills. He has been honored b\' the Wesleyan University of Middletown, Connecticut, with the degree of A.M., and with that of D.D. by the Cornell College, of Mount Yernon, Iowa, both being conferred without the knowledge of the recipient. Dr. Hitchcock was married in 1837, to Miss Jane E. Birdsall, of Fabius, New York, who is still living. They have seven children: Birdsall I., residing in Colorado; Elizabeth, who is married to J. E. Wilson, Es<j., of Chicago, a member of the well-known firm of Wilson Brothers; Myra, married to Dr. C. H. Fowler, of New York ; Mary, married to Charles E. Smith, Esq., of Cincinnati; Ella, married to E. C. Wilson, Esq., of Wilson Brothers, Chicago; Adelaide, married to Archer Brown, Esq., of Cincinnati, and Charles A., engaged in business in Chicago. Dr. Hitchcock has an unblemished record, during nearly half a century of service, as a spotless man, intelligent patriot, and devout christian.

Wii.i.iAM ITm,, dealer in agricultural implements, Dixon, was born in Alleghany county, Maryland, 1819, and is the son of Daniel and Mary (Lind) Uhl. He was educated in Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, graduating about 1845. He entered the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and in 1851 removed to Peru, Illinois, remaining in that pastorate until 1853, when lie removed to Dixon, wliere he organized a cliurch of the denomination to which he belonged, of which he was the pastor for about two years, being at the same time engaged in farming. In 1860 he resigned his pastoral charge on account of ill health, and having purchased the " Farmers' Mill " was engaged in the milling business until 1867, when he returned to farming. In Febrnar}', 1851, he purchased the agricultural implement business from the Farmers' Association, placing his son, E. C. Uhl, in charge as manager. He was a charter member of botii the banks located at Dixon, and has been an officer and director of each at various times since their organization. Mr. Uhl was married in 1840, at Wellersburg, Pennsylvania, to Miss Lucinda Cook, and has four ciiildren. The eldest is Jonathan, born in 1841, and now residing in Page county, Iowa, engaged in stock farming; E. C, who was born in 1844, and is a resident of Dixon ; Ellen, born in 1842, and married to J. H. W. Bennett, and Josie E., born in 1847, and married to Z. D. Mathnss. Both daughters now reside at Shenandoah, Page county, Iowa, where their husbands are engaged in business. E. C. Uhl, who manages the business at Dixon, was born at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his father during the various removals before mentioned. He was married in 1874 to Miss Virginia Roe, daughter of Col. E. R. Roe, of Springfield, Illinois. Mr. William Uhl has been a life-long democrat, while his son is a firm supporter of the principles and policy of the republican party.

David Welty, Dixon, was born in Williamsville, Erie county, New York, September 30, 1811. His parents were Jacob and Betsy (Horshey) Welty. His parents removed to Buffalo when he was twelve years of age, and he acquired the greater part of his education at that place. When he became of age he engaged in the dry-goods business, which he followed for several years. At the time of the patriot war in Canada Mr. Welty served as aid on the staff of Gen. Burt. Plis health being in a very precarious condition he removed to Dixon, in 1838, and has since resided in Lee county, part of the time in the city, and the remainder has been spent on his farm lying near Dixon. He was elected probate judge in 1854, and served two terms of four years each, and also held the office of drainage commissioner for several years. Judge Welty was married at Buffalo, ISTew York, on October 23, 1834, to Miss Seraphina Scott, daughter of Joiin and Brilliant (Holmes) Scott, and a native of Mayville, Chautauqua county, New York, who is still living, and tliey have nine surviving children: Emily, who married Leander Devine, December 26, 1866, and is residing at Dixon ; Ellen, married to E. K. Sibley, December 7, 1870, and living in St. Louis; John, emplo3'ed in pension office at Washington, D. C. ; Maxwell A., who resides in St. Louis; Adeline,

Charles W. LAxniEE, marble dealer, Di.xon, was born in Sodus, Wayne county, New York, September 5, 1845, and is the son of Henry M. and Ann E. (Williams) Latimer. His parents removed to Lyons, New York, during his infancy, and he acquired his education at the Lyons union school. After leaving sciiool he worked for two years at the trade of marble cutting. He enlisted, December 1863, in the 9th New York lieavy artillery, and serving through the remainder of the war was niustered out September 211, ISG.J. On returning home he worked at his trade at Albion, New York, and Erie, Pennsylvania, and in June, 1867, entered the marble works of Day & Ashc-raft, at Norwich, New York, with whom lie remained until 1874, when he removed to Dixon, and in compan}' with M. L. Young purchased the marble works of J. Y. Westervelt, carrying on tlie business under the firm name of Latimer & Young. June 1, 1876, he purchased the interest of Mr. Young, and with tiie exception of a few months has since conducted the business solely on his own behalf. Mr. Latimer was married January 8, 1873, to Miss Ella Backus, of Palmyra, New York, who died September 7, 1876. They had only two children, the eldest of wliom died in November 1875, and the second soon after birth. Mr. Latimer ranks high in the Masonic fraternity, being at present recorder of the Dixon Commandery, K.T. He is also superintendent of Oakwood cemetery, and the neat and beautiful appearance of this " city of the dead" speaks well for his watchful management. A visit to the works of Mr. Latimer will prove that in the (juaiity of his work, its durability, and in all other respects, he ranks head and shoulders over the establishments of a similar character in far larger cities, and his integrity and urlianity is daily extending the already large circle of his friends.

Thomas P. Uodxeit, pastor of the Catholic church, Dixon, was born in Glin, county Limerick, L'eland, February 2, 1845, and is the son of Thomas P. and Elizabeth (Hanlon) Hodnett. At the age of seventeen he left his native town and entered the Jesuit college at Limerick, wheie he remained for four years, and was for one year at the Catholic university of Ennis, county Clare. He then passed his examination at Dublin, after which he entered the L'ish college at Paris, France. He remained there for three years, and then came to America, and after passing eight months at St. Mary's of the Lake seminary, he entered St. Francis seminar}', and was ordained September 30, 1866, and was appointed assistant to Right Rev. John Henry Morris at Watertown, Wisconsin, where he remained a year, when he was transferred to the pastoral charge of Potosi, Wisconsin, and afterward to Lancaster,

Wisconsin, and several other pastorates. In 1871 was appointed by Bishop Foley, pastor at Dixon, and assumed charge in January 1875. He has a school in connection with his church under the charge of four sisters belonging to the order of St. Dominic, with an average attendance of 150 pupils. The grades are arranged similarly to those of the city schools, and a public examination is held each year, conducted by prominent and influential citizens of Dixon. The cost of the present church and the ground was about $30,000, and the value of the property belonging to the church in the city is estimated at $40,000. The congregation consists of about 175 families, and the church has a seating capacity of 650 persons. There are also affiliated missions at Harmon and Ashton, in Lee countj'. The value of the property belonging to the former is estimated at $7,500, and to the latter at $5,000. Father Hodnett has an able assistant in the Rev. James F. Clancy, who was appointed associate pastor at Dixon early in 1879.

GrEORGE W. J. Brown, physician, Dixon, was bora in Greensboro, Pennsylvania, in 1846, and is the son of John C. and Elizabeth (Hopton) Brown. His father was a glass manufacturer and farmer. Both parents are still living on a farm near Greensboro. He was brought up and received his early education at the public and select schools of the vicinity, and afterward pursued a course of study at the Greene academy. He then taught school for several terms, the first one when only fifteen years of age. In 1865 begun the study of medicine with Dr. G. W. John, of Stewartstown, Yirginia, reading with him until the fall of 1867, when he went to Philadelphia and began a regular course of medical study at the Pennsylvania and Blockne}' hospitals and university, graduating in the spring of 1869. He then took charge of his preceptor's practice at Stewartstown, Virginia, and remained a year. In 1870 he removed to Mej'crsdale, Pennsylvania, and continued the practice of medicine and surgery th<;re until 1877, when he sold out his good will to Dr. J. Ernest Meiers, of Washington, D.C., and removed to Illinois. He matriculated at the Haiinemann Medical College, in Chicago, taking a course and graduating from tlie above named college in the spring of 1878. In the same year he succeeded to the practice of Dr. J. A. Steele, of Dixon, of tiie firm of Steele & Blackman, and remained a partner of Dr. Blackman for two years. In 1880 he opened an oftice alone in front rooms over Petersberger's clothing store on Main street, where he continues to practice his profession. Dr. Brown was married in 1872, to Miss Maggie M. Miller, of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, and has two children, Charles L., aged seven years, and Edna Florence, aged four years. Dr. Brown is a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

1826, and is the son of Cliarles and Harriet (Horton) Godfrey. He received liis education at Geneva, New York, where he resided until lie was twenty-four years of age. His health failing he removed to Gloucester, Virginia, where he purchased a plantation and engaged in farming for the space of five years, after which he came to Dixon and purchased the flouring-mill then owned and operated by Brooks & Daly. In the following year he purchased a half interest in the waterpower,-which he still retains. He soon after built a second mill, wiiich was subsequently burned and never rebuilt. In 1860 he sold a half interest in the mill to John Becker, and shortly afterward sold the remaining interest to Nathan Underwood. Since that time Mr. Godfrey has been principally engaged in looking after his real-estate interests in Dixon and vicinity, he being a large land owner. Mr. Godfrey was married at Geneva, New York, in 1849, to Miss Catharine J. Dugan, a native of New York city, but at that time a resident of Geneva. They have four children. Politically Mr. Godfrey's affiliations are democratic, and he is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Oliver Everett, physician, Dixon, was born September 12,1811, at Worthington, Massachusetts. His parents were James and Phebe (Clark) Everett. When he was eight years of age his father's family removed to Cummington, Massachusetts, where he attended school for some years, after which he entered Berkshire medical school, connected with Williams College, at Williamstown, Massachusetts, graduating in 1836. Having determined to make his home in the then distant State of Illinois, in September, 1836, he arrived at Dixon, where he decided to locate. He at once engaged in the practice of his profession, which he has since continued uninterruptedly and with eminent success. At the time of his arrival there was no medical practitioner at Dixon, though a Dr. Forrest, a native of Kentucky, had made that point his headquarters for about a year, but had gone awa}' a siiort time prior to Dr. Everett's arrival, and the latter is not only the Hrst physician who permanently located in Dixon, but has also resided there for a longer continuous period than any person now living. Dr. Everett was elected mayor of Dixon in 1863, and served his fellowcitizens in that capacity to the satisfaction of all. He took considerable interest in the establishment of tiie northern insane asylum located at Elgin, and was a member of the first board of trustees of that institution, serving from 1869 to 1873. The doctor takes a great interest in scientific matters generally, and has a remarkably fine collection of specimens in various departments of natural history. Politicall}' he has been a firm supporter of the principles of the republican party, from its organization. Dr. Everett was first married in 1838, to Miss Emilv Everett, at Princeton, Illinois. Her death occurred a few years later. He was again married in 1846, to Miss Bessie Law, of Dixon, wiio died May 4, 1881. Three children resulted from this union : Dr. Wni. L. Everett, who died in October 1873, aged twent^'- four years; Dr. J. M. Everett, who is now a partner with his father in the practice of medicine, and a daughter, who is the wife of W. N. Johnson, Esq., a well known citizen of Dixon.

Walter McL. Wadsworth, undertaker, Dixon, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1811, and is the son of Richard and Ann (McLean) Wadsworth. His parents removed to Canandaigua, New York, in 1812, where they resided about ten j'ears, when they went to Biiflfido, New York, and here the subject of our sketch received his education. After leaving school he learned the cabinet-making trade, which lie followed for several years. When about thirty-five years of age Mr. Wadsworth removed to Three Rivers, Michigan, and carried on the furniture business for two years after which he returned to Livonia, New York. He resided there about four years, when he removed to Rochester, New York, and after a two years' residence in that city came west and located at Dixon in 1854, when he engaged in furniture business, which he followed until 1861, when he sold out and was appointed United States internal revenue collector for the district, which position he occupied for eight 3'ears. His health being impaired by being so closely confined to office work, he resigned the position of collector and for three years acted as agent for Fairbanks' scales. He then became engaged in the undertaking business, which he still conducts. Mr. Wadsworth was married in 1834, to Miss Emily Benjamin, at Brantford, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Wadswoi-th, after nearly half a century of wedded life, vie in energy and activity with their neighbors of a later generation. They have one child, Mrs. Anna Wadsworth Worthington, who was born at Livonia, New York,' and she also has one child, Walter E. Worthington, who was born November 13, 1866. Mr. Wadsworth has always been a republican, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

James B. Pomerot, merchant, Dixon, was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in 1840. His parents were Ebenezer and Mary A. (Bronson) Pomeroy. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where thej' resided until the death of his father in 1876, his mother having died in 1867. He was educated at Kenosha, and when twenty years of age removed to Dixon and engaged in the fruit business, which he continued until 1876, and then went into the grocery trade. At the organization of the Dixon national bank in 1871 Mr. Pomeroy was elected a director by the stockholders and was subsequently elected vice-president by the board of directors, which position he still holds. He is also one of the most prominent members of the Masoiiif tVaternity, being at present liigli priest u\' tlie eliapter of Royal Areh Masons, and eminent commander of Knights Templar. Mr. Pomeroy is an active republican, a member of the Episcopal cluirch, and as yet has not assumed the duties and responsibilities of the married state.

Oscar F. Ayees, insurance agent, Dixon, was born in 18ii9, in Orange county, New York, and is the son of Benjamin F. and Ciiristiana (Minthorn) Ayres, and is of Scotch and German ancestry. His father was a farmer and his son assisted him on the farm and attended the schools in the vicinity until he reached his twenty-iirst year, when lie removed to Albany, New York, and followed the business of a merchant tailor. In 1831 he went to Fabius, Onondaga county, New York, conducting the same business. In 1839 removed to Dixon, and in 1844 engaged in the dry-goods trade and continued in it for tiiirty years. Before coming to Dixon he was a licensed minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He received iiis first ordination about 1845, and his ordination as elder two or three years after. During all the years since that time he has tilled the pulpit at various places near to Dixon, officiated at funerals and marriages, and for many years was called upon to fill any vacancy occnning in neighboring localities. For the past seven years Mr. Ayres has been engaged in the fire insurance business, and in 1871 made a trip to the Pacific coast for the purpose of placing stock for the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company, whicli he succeeded in doing. Mr. Ayres was married in 1831, to Miss Hannah M. Birdsall, who is still living. They iiave two sons and four daughters, and on the 1st of March, 1881, Mr. and Mrs. Aj'res celebrated their golden wedding, surrounded by their children and grandcliildren.

Mark Dornajj, farmer, Dixon, was born in Ireland, in 1816. His parents were Mark and Alice (Carey) Dornan. In 1836 Mr. Dornan came to America, and after a short stay in the east came to Lee county in 1837, and located upon land in Dixon township, which still forms a portion of his present farm. He has now 240 acres of productive and valuable land, which he leaves to the general care and management of his son James. Mr. Dornan was married in 1843, to Miss Alice Craycraft, who died in July 1880, and tiiere are five children living: James, John and Susanna, who reside with their father, and Francis and Mark, who reside upon their fathers farm, but have homes of their own, both being married.

John G. Fleck, farmer, Dixon, was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, in 1816, and is the son of Henry and Catherine (Raney) Fleck. His father was a farmer, and after leaving school Mr. Fleck followed the same occupation in Huntington county, until lie arrived at the age of forty years, when he came west and located upon his present farm in Dixon township, Lee county, Illinois. He has 80 acres of fine land under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Fleck was married in February 1839, to Miss Nancy Buck, in Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of Abram Buck, Esq., who came west and settled in Ogle county in 184:8. A family of si.K children was the result of this union, four of whom are still living: Sarah, born in 18-16, married Ira S. Fleck, and is now living at Bunker Hill, Kansas; Horace, born in 1853, is now a member of the tirm of Fleck & Robinson, at Dixon; Mary and Ella ]\I., both of whom reside with their parents; Alice, born in ISl-l and died in 1865 ; Alma J., born in 1861: and died June 13, 1881. The recent death of their youngest daughter, just budding into womanhood, has inflicted a wound upon the heai-ts of the bereaved parents which only those who have suffered a similar loss can estimate. Mr. Fleck is independent in politics, though he generally acts with the republicans, and is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church.

William W. Waters, pump manufacturer, Dixon, was born in 1851, at Gloyersville, New York, and is the son of George and Eliza (Winter) Waters. His father followed the business of a tanner and glover, and in 1855 removed to Illinois and settled at Ashton, Lee county, since which time he has principally been engaged in farming. W. W. Waters was brought up and educated at Ashton, and left home in November, 1871, going to Amboy to learn the cabinet-making trade. He remained there for three years and a half, after which he removed to Rock Falls, Whitesides county, where he was employed by the Keystone Burial Case Company for a year and a half. He then came to Dixon and engaged in his present business in connection with two partners under the title of the Dixon Pump Company. The business is now carried on by Mr. Waters and Mr. George W. Knox, who lately purchased the interest of Mr. Louis Merriman. Mr. Waters was married on September 9, 1879, to Miss Ida M. Mills, daughter of Clinton D. and Mary (Stanley) Mills, of Ashton. Mr. Waters is a republican, and a member of the Presbyterian church.

Orville B. Blackman, physician, Dixon, was born in Hillsboro, Illinois, on August 30, 1851, and is the son of George and Hannah J. (Paisley) Blackman. His father was a carriage manufacturer, and died at Hillsboro in 1858. His mother is still living and resides at Hillsboro. During his earlier years Dr. Blackman attended the academy in his native place, but when eleven years of age went to work in a woolen factory, where he continued for six years. He then reentered school, where he continued for three years, and at the same time commenced the study of medicine, reading with Dr. Fields, of Hillsboro.

lie next taught school for about a \'ear at Irving, Illinois, after which he went to Chicago and attended a course of lectures at Hahnemann Medical College, graduating March 3, 1873. Removed to Dixon in May 1873, and entered upon the practice of his profession. After a year he formed a partnership with Dr. J. A. Steele, which continued for four years and a half, until the removal of Dr. Steele, after which he formed a ])artnership with Dr. G. W. I. Brown, which lasted for two jears, and was then dissolved, since which time he has practiced alone. Dr. Blackinan was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia S. Cress, of Hillsboro, on March 3, 1874, and has three children: Gertie, aged six ; George, aged four ; Cress, aged three. Dr. Blackburn is a thorough republican, and has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church for over thirteen years.

James Andekw Hawlet, county clerk and banker, Dixon, is a native of New York, being born in Monroe county, that state, on August 20, 1830, and is the son of James and Sarah (3tratton) Hawley. His father was born in Connecticut, in 1101, and was the son of Stephen Hawley, of English ancestors. During the acquirement of his education, when a youth, he attended the Monroe Academy, and the Genesee Wefleyan Seminary. From 1848 to 1851 hedevoted his time toschool teacliing, aftet which he accepted a clerkship in the publishing house of Wanzear, Bcardsley & Co., remaining with that firm until 1855, when he became general agent for Messrs. A. S. Barnes & Co., and also Ivison, Phinney & Co., book publishers of New York city. During this time he became familiar with the west, and traveled through Illinois looking after the interests of the above firms. In 1858 he settled in Dixon and opened a book store, which he disposed of in 1861. He ofiiciated for two years as commissioner of public schools. He has filled the office of county clerk for Lee county for the last twenty years, being successively reelected from his first election in 1861. He served as school director for a period of ten years, being first elected in 1863; and was for a number of years the president of that board. For several years he was a member of the board of directors of the Lee county national bank of Dixon, prior to 1878, when he became connected with the Dixon national bank, acting as president until April 24, when he was elected cashier, which responsible relation he still holds. He is well known as a prominent Mason, and has not only ascended through its sublime mysteries, but has occupied the highest oflicial positions in the state departments of this ancient order. In 1871 he was elected Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter of the state; in 1873 and 1874 he was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, and in 1874 was Grand Commander of Knights Templar for said state. On June 20, 1855, Mr. Hawley was united in niarriage to Miss

Marj A. Gardner, daughter of Dr. diaries and Mary Gardner, then of Dixon, Illinois. A family of five children resulted from the above marriage union, two daughtei's and three sons : Mary Augusta, Charles Gardner, Lloyd Eobinson, George William and Laura S. Charles G. has been depnty county clerk of Lee county since January 1878. He was born May 1, 1858, in the city of Dixon. In the fall of 1874 he entered college at Racine, Wisconsin, and in the winter of 1876 he entered Aim Arbor state university, Michigan. On returning home from the last-mentioned school he entered the county clerk's office and was subsequently appointed deputy as above stated.

Wkbster W, Wynn, M.D., physician, Dixon, was born in Monroe county, New York, August 22, 1818. His parents were John and Amanda (Grunendike) Wynn. He spent his early life on a farm, and commenced teaching school at the early age of sixteen, which profession he followed for several years, devoting his- spare time to the stud}' of scientific branches preparatory to a medical course. Upon the organization of Genesee College, New York, he entered the first literary class formed, and remained in this school two years, when he entered the Buffalo Medical College, at BufiFalo, New York, graduating, alter a three years' course, in the winter of 18.55-6. After practicing in the above city for a short time he removed to Dixon, Illinois, where he formed a partnership with Dr. N. W. Abbott, who in the following year removed to Chicago. Following the dissolution of this partnership Dr. Wynn continued the practice alone until January 1865, when he formed a partnership with Henry E. Pain, M.D., who had iL'cently removed from the east and settled in Dixon, which genial association has continued until the present time. He was appointed surgeon at the military post at Dixon during the war of the rebellion. On July 21, 1859, the doctor was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Latham, daughter of George and Amanda E. Latham, formerly of Chenango county, New York, from which union resulted two children, George Wesley and Frankie, who died respectively October 23 and 31, 1862, and were followed by the mother to her final resting-place on December 29 of the same year. On September 25, 1866, the doctor was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana McKenney, of Dixon. This union was blessed with the birth of a son, Hubart W., September 26, 1867, (deceased); Mary Frances, Octol)er 17, 1869, and Harriet, March 6, 1871.

Chari>es F. Emerson, merchant, Dixon, was born in Castine. Maine, in 1828, and is the son of Henry and Nancy (Hutchings) Emerson. His father was a farmer and blacksmith, and, resided in Castine up to the time of his death. Mr. Emerson was brought up and educated in his native town, and at the age of twenty went to sea in a vessel en- gaged in the coasting and West India trade. He followed this occupation until his twenty-seventh year, when he came west and located on a farm inSontii Dixon townsiiip. After fanning nearly seven years, removed to Dixon, but did not engage in business until after the beginning of the late war, when he went south and served the government in different capacities for several years. He returned to Dixon in 186.5, and a year later bought an interest in the lumber business of S. K. Upham, where he continued until 1875. Since then lie has not been engaged in active business until recently, having again gone into the lumber trade in company with Mr. George D. Laing. Mr. Emerson was married at Boston, Massachusetts, in December 1855, to Miss Hannah E. Aver}', daughter of John A. and Eliza Avery. Mr. Emerson is a member of the i-epublican party, and served as alderman of his ward from 1872 to 1.S74- inclusive.

Cyrcs a. Davis, dealer in lumber, Dixon, was born in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, June 11, 1821, and is the son of Cyrus and Mary (Appleton) Davis, both of whom were born in the year 1800, and were of English ancestry. His parents removed to the west when he was about fifteen years of age. and located near Amboy, where his father engaged in farming. Mr. Davis followed farming for about fourteen 3'ears, when he returned to Massachusetts. He was soon after elected a member of the Massachusetts legislature, and among his colleagues at this time were .lohn A. Andrew, afterward known as the great war governor Caleb Gushing, and many otiiers who have since figured prominently in state and national politics. In September, 1858, he returned west to look after his interests in Lee county, and soon after engaged in tiie furniture business at Dixon, which he carried on for nearly two years, and then conducted the book and stationery business for about the same length of time. For the past eleven years he has been dealing in coal and lumber, which business he still carries on. Mr. Davis was married in 1852, to Miss Sarah J. Holt, of Ashbv, Massachusetts, and they have but one child, a daughter, born August 23, 1853, and married July 1, 1873, to S. S. Dodge, of Dixon. Mrs. Dodge was the first child born in the town of Amboy after its being laid out by tiie Illinois Central Railroad Company. Politically Mr. Davis is an ardent republican and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Horace Prkston, farmer, Dixon, was born in 1819, at New Ipswich, New Hamjishire, and is the son of Jeremiah and Anna (Proctor) Preston. His father being a farmer, Horace spent his earlier life in working upon the farm and attending the neighboring schools. In 1830 he came west and located in Dixon, where heopened a blacksmith shop, he being the second person to open a shop of this kind in Dixim.

John Wilson was the tirst to engage in that business, but before the arrival of Mr. Preston lie liad given up his shop and was tlien building a hotel. Mr. Preston carried on blaeksmithing for fourteen years, when he sold his shop and bought a farm ftear Dixon. After remaining on this place five 3'ears, he sold a^jortion and purchased another farm near Lee Center, to which he removed. About nine o'clock in the evening, June 3, 185i;t, Mr. Preston and his tamily having just retired, they were startled by a peculiar roaring sound similar to that caused by a conflagration. Thinking the house in flames, Mr. Preston hurried to an adjoining room occupied by his two little daughters, and seizing one under each arm was just turning to escape when the whole roof of the house was torn off and Mr. Preston and his children were carried through the air a distance of eighty or ninety yards, where they landed unhurt, with the exception of a few bruises. Mi's. Preston, who had started downstairs carrying her infant, also escaped with hci- life, but the child was killed. The next morning dawned upon a scene of utter destruction. Everything in the track of the tornado had been completely demolished. Houses, barns and fences were swept away, crops were ruined, and trees were blown down. The same spot which the previous evening had been a prosperous and comfortable home was now a scene of desolation and ruin. A day or two after the passage of the cyclone Mr. Preston hauled seventy-five loads of debris from a small portion of his farm, consisting of not more than ten or fifteen acres. In the following year Mr. Preston sold this farm and again engaged in farming near Dixon, which he continued until the spring of 1880, when he removed into the city. Mr. Preston was married at Dixon in 1849, to Miss Jane Wood, and the result of this union has been three children, the eldest of whom is Ella, who is married and resides in Massachusetts; Jennie who is married to William Packard, and residing in Dixon, and Clara who resides with her parents.

Jacob BRrBAKER, jr., merchant, Dixon, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in March 1844-. His parents were Jacob and Lydia (Whitmen) Brnbaker, who removed to Ogle county, Illinois, in 1848, where his father engaged in farming. In 1852 the family removed to Dixon, but in 1855 they returned to Ogle county. Mr. Brubaker left home in 1859, and went to Polo, Illinois, where he became a clerk in a dry-goods store, remaining there until September 18(14, wlien he enlisted in the 92d 111. Mounted Vols. He accompanied Sherman's army on their march to the sea, and after the surrender of Johnston was mustered out of service in June 1865. He then returned to Polo, but in 1867 removed to Dixon, where he followed his former occupation until 1873, when he was employed by Becker & Underwood, with whom he i-emained until the spring of

1S80. He soon after associated himself with Capt. Dysart in tlie tlour joW)iiig and grain business, which he still carries on. In December, 1805, Mr. Brul)aker was married to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Isaiah and Clarissa Wilcox, of Buffalo Grove, who were among the first sottlei's in that locality. Mr. Brubaker has three children living: Xellie, aged fifteen ; George, aged eleven, and Sadie, aged three. Mr. Brnbaker is a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Sylvanus K. Uph.\m, retired merchant, Di.xon, is a native of Castine, Maine, where he was born in 1811. His parents were Sylvanus and Mary (Avery) Uphain. He is a descendant of old Puritan stock, the first Upham having come to America in 1635, and settled in Massachusetts, where the family remained until about the beginning of the present centur}', when Mr. Upham's father removed to Maine, where he died in. 1832. Mr. Upham attended school until his fifteenth year, when he went to sea, which vocation he followed for two years, when he settled at Salem, Massachusetts, and learned the tanning trade. After remaining there about four years he returned to Castine, where for ten years he carried on a tanner\-. In 1S44 he removed to Boston and engaged in the grocery business, but, catching the gold-fever in 1849, he went to California, remaining there for two years, when he returned to Massachusetts. In November, 1852, he removed to Dixon and engaged at once in the lumber business, which he carried on until 1875, since which time he has not been engaged in active business. Mr. Upham was married in January 1839, to Miss Mary A. Brooks, of Castine, who died at Dixon, December 30, 1870. They had four children, three of whom survive, the eldest being Margaret B., born in November 1839, now the widow of Charles Wright, Esq. Mrs. Wright is at present living in Paris, and is an authoress of considerable distinction. Lieut. Frank Upham, born in 1841, is an officer in the 1st U. S. Cav., at present stationed at Fort Walla Walla, Washington Territory; Charles C, born in 1852, is residing in Mexico, as resident engineer of the Mexican Central railroad. Annie G., born in 1845, was married in 1866, to Edward B. Utley. Dixon, and died June 12, 1867. Mr. Upham was married a second time in 1872. to Mrs. Angelina Sewell, relict of the Rev. Daniel Sewell, of Winthrop, Maine, who died in 1866. Way back two centuries and a half ago we find the ancieut records speaking in high terms of the services of Lieut. Phineas Upham, who served with distinction in the long and bloody contest waged between the sturdy settlers of Massachusetts and the savage hordes of King Phillip, and who finally perished from wounds sustained at the hands of the treacherous foe.

He received his education at the schools of his native town, and when eighteen years of age came to America and settled in Dixon, where he worked several months for Valentine Thoman. He then removed to Chicago, where he remained a short time and then returned to Dixon, where he again entered into the employ of Mr. Thoman. After the death of the latter, which occurred in June 1873, he purchased the property and business which lie still carries on. Mr. Plein was married in 1873, to Mrs. Christina (Sold) Thoman, a daughter of Louis and Christina (Keller) Sold. She was born in France in 1846, and has resided in Dixon since 1854. There are six children: Charles, aged seventeen ; Constant, aged thirteen ; Joseph, aged eleven ; Amelia, aged nine; Kitty, aged five, and Louis, aged one.

Samuel Shaw, farmer, Di.\on, was born in Scotland, October 1803, and is the son of James and Sydney (Forsythe) Shaw. His father was the owner of a large stock farm near Glasgow, but removed to the north of Ireland when Samuel was about seven years of age, where the latter was brought up and educated. When eighteen years of age he came to America, and settled at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. After remaining there three 3'ears he returned to Ireland, where he engaged in farming for several years. He again came to America, and in 1833 located in Cass county, Illinois, where he resided until 1854, when he removed to Palmyra township, where he remained until 1875. Since that time he has been a resident of the city of Dixon, engaged in no active business, but owning about 000 acres of good farming land in the vicinity of the city. Mr. Shaw was married in 1827, to_Miss Mary Campbell, a native of Scotland, and who, after the lapse of more than half a century, still remains the sharer of his joys and sorrows. They have four sons and three daughters surviving, the eldest of whom is James, born in 1833, and now a leading attorney of Mount Carroll, Illinois. AVilliam, born 1835, has a large stock farm in Missouri. Archibald, born in 1837, is farming in Kansas. Samuel, born in 1844, is practicing law at Kansas city, Missouri. Three daughters, Elizabeth, Mary and Cathrine, reside in Dixon witli their parents. One son, Timothy, born in 1839, was a student at Illinois College at the outbreak ot the war, and enlisted at the first call for troops in April 1861, and died at St. Louis in August 1861, from disease contracted in the service. Mr. Shaw is a firm believer in the republican party and its principles, and attends the Presbyterian church.

Hon. Henkv D. Dement^ Secretary of State for Illinois, was born at Galena, Illinois, in 1840, and is the son of Col. John and Mary L. (Dodge) Dement, and is the grandson on his mother's side of General Dodge, the first governor of Wisconsin. At the age of five years he removed with his parents from Galena to Dixon, where he attended school for several years, and tinisliing the course at Monnt Morris Seminar}', at Mount Morris, Ogle county, Illinois. At the age of twenty years he enlisted in the serviceof his country, going into the 13th 111. Inf. in October 1861. On the organization of the companies he was elected a second lieutenant, and within a short period was promoted to first lieutenant, and captain, receiving a complimentary commission for the latter position from Gov. Yates, for gallantry at Arkansas Post and Chickasaw Bayou. He served with Gen. Curtis in all his campaigns west of the Mississippi, and was in the 15th Army Corps during the siege of A^icksburg. Soon after the fall of the latter place he resigned his command and returned home. Soon afterward lie engaged in the manufacture of plows etc. at Di.xon, in connection with W. M:. Todd, but sold out to F. K. Orvis & Co. in 1S70. Shortly afterward he engaged in the manufacture of flax bagging for covering cotton bales, which he carried on until 18S0, when he was burned out in the large fire that occurred in the spring of that ^-ear. Capt. Dement was elected to the louver house of the Illinois legislature in November 1872, and reelected in 187-1, and at the e.xpiration of that term was elected to the senate from the counties of Lee and Ogle, and served four years. In the spring of 1880 he was nominated by the republican state convention as their candidate for the position of secretary of state, and elected in the following November by upward of 40,000 majority. He was married October 20, 186-4, to Miss Mary F. Williams, daughter of Ilon. Hezckiah Williams, of Castine, Maine, and the result of this union has been three daughters : Gertrude M., aged fifteen years, Lucia W., aged thirteen years, and Nonie E., aged five years. Capt. Dement and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

TnoMAs McCrNE, farmer, Dixon, was born in Yenango county, Pennsylvania, in 1831, and is the son of William and Keziah (Paxton) McCune. His father was a farmer, and is still living in Pennsylvania. Mr. McCune was brought up and educated in Venango county, and after his arrival at manhood engaged iu farming. In 1872 he came west and located on his present farm in Dixon township, which consists of 183 acres of valuable land with large and commodious buildings in first-class order. He was married June 3, 1S58, to Miss Lydia J. Williams, a resident of Venango county, Penney Ivania. They have five children as follows: Miles, aged twenty-three; Irvin, aged twentyone; Sarah J., aged eighteen; Ellen, aged thirteen; and Maud, aged nine years; all of wiiom reside at home. Mr. McCune is a democrat in his political affiliations.

6011 of Barker and Margaret (^Perkins) Brooks. He left home and went to Boston about 1843, where he engaged in tlie shipchandlery business in connection with Mr. S. K. Upliam. In 1845 he returned to Dixon and opened a genera! merchandise store, and for the next ten years did the largest business of any merchant in this section. He was one of the original projectors as well as one of the largest owners in the water-power at Dixon, and put up the first machinery after the construction of the dam for the purpose of running the saw-mill. During his entire career he was one of the most active and energetic leaders in any enterprise that promised to promote the interests of Dixon, but died on December 20, 1855, in the very prime of life. He was married in Dixon, January 6, 1847, to Miss Ophelia A. Loveland, of New York, bj' whom he had two children, Henry J. and Margaret A., both of whom still reside in Dixon. His son, Dr. H. J. Brooks, was born in Dixon, October 9, 1850, where he received his earlier education. After leaving school he commenced reading medicine with Dr. J. A. Steele, and then entered the medical department of the Northwestern University of Chicago, graduating in 1874. He then took a course of lectures and a diploma at tJie Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, New York, and also at Bellevue Medical College, New York. He then returned to Illinois, and was appointed assistant physician at the Northern Insane Asylum, where he remained some three j'ears, serving with great credit to himself as shown by the report of the superintendent. Dr. Kilbourn. Resigning this position in January, 1876, he went to Europe with a view of remaining there a couple of years, but was recalled in a few months by a dangerous accident happening to his mother. Early in 1879 he entered upon the active practice of his profession at Dixon, which he still carries on. Dr. Brooks was married June 18, 1879, to Miss Clara V. Daggett, a resident of Elgin. Politically the doctor acts with the republican party, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Ezra Emmeet, inventor, Dixon, was born in Washington county, Maryland, July 6, 1826, and is the son of Joseph and Catharine (Evey) Emmert. His father was a farmer, and Ezra was brought up on the farm and attended school in the vicinit}'. When nineteen years of age he came west and located in China townshi]) in Lee county, wliere he carried on a farm for about eight j'ears. During this time he commenced experimenting on various improvements in farm machinery. Among his more important inventions was a combined seeder and cultivator, now manufactured at Dixon by the Orvis Plow Company, and from which he realized a considerable amount of money. He was also the original inventor of what is known as the Marsh harvester, his patent dating from 1857. He has now under process of completion several importai.'t improvements in this machine. He also patented a corn-planter, rotary seed-drill, etc. Mr. Emmert moved into Dixon in November I8S0, where he lias since resided. He was married at Franklin Grove in 1850, to Miss Sarah A. Newcomer, who died November 18, 1880. There are two children living: Mary C, married to T. J. Miller, of Dixon, and Eleanor A., aged twenty-one years, and residing in Dixon. In politics Mr. Emmert is an adherent of the repnblican party-

D. B. Atres, harness-maker, Dixon, was born in Albany, New York, April 29, 1833, and is the son of Oscar F. and Hannah M. (Birdsalh Ayres. His parents removed to Lee connty in 1839, where he was brought up and educated, and after leaving school, when sixteen years of age, he entered the shop of H. O. Kelsey for the purpose of learning the harness-making trade, which he followed for several years. He then became a clerk for the dr^'-goods tirm of Wood & Boardman, and afterward engaged in the same capacity for his father for about two 3'ears, when he became a partner in the dry-goods business with his father, but in a couple of years the tirm was burned out. He then engaged in farming for some three years, after which he returned to Dixon and went into his present business, which he has followed for nearly twenty years. Mr. Ayres was married on August 11, 1858, to Miss Sarah J. Perry, of Dixon, and they have two children: Minnie, aged twenty, and Oscar P., aged seventeen, both of whom reside with their ])arents.

Eli C. Smith, principal of the south side public school, Dixon, was born in 1829, in Essex county. New York, and is the son of Alinerin and Lois (Larrabee) Smith. His father was a farmer, and in 1833 was a member of the New York legislature. He died in Savannah, Illinois, in 1854:. E. C. Smith was brought up and educated in the State of New York, and catne to Illinois in 1850, locating first at Geneva, and after remaining there a year removed to Rock Island, where he resided for three years as principal of the Rock Island Seminary. In 1855 he came to Dixon and commenced his school-work in what was then known as the Dixon Collegiate Institute, - now known as Rock River University, - where he continued until the fall of 1857. He then engaged in the mercantile business, which he carried on until the fall of 1861, at which time he became principal of the south side Dixon school, which position he still tills. Mr. Smith is also manager and part proprietor of the Nachusa nursery, which was established in 1854 by J. T. Little, and purchased by Mr. Smith, in connection with his brother, the Rev. Dr. Smith, of Chicago, in 1871. Dr. Smith is also editor of the "Standard," a religions journal of the Baptist denomination. Mr. Smith was first married at Granville, Washington county,

New York, on December '2, 1853, to Miss Eliza A. Mason, who died in October 1870, and left surviving two sons: Herbert O., born in September 1859, at Dixon, and wiio is now practicing medicine in Minnesota, and Edward T., born in Morrison, Illinois, July 26, 1861, and residing at Dixon. His second marriage occurred September 26, 1872, to Miss Seraphina F. Gardner, of Dixon, by whom he has three children: Kenneth G., aged seven years; Percy A., aged five, and Anna M., aged two years. In politics he is a member of the repnblican party, and belongs to the Baptist church.

CuAELEs A. Todd, merchant, Dixon, is a native of Broome count}', New York, having been born there September -i, 1857. His parents were George W. and Frances M. (Yarrington) Todd. His father is a farmer and both parents are still living. Mr. Todd received his education at the schools in the vicinity of his bii'thplaoe, and alter leaving school, came to Dixon in 1869 and entered the store of his uncle, J. H. Todd, as a clerk, where he remained until January 1, 1879, when he purchased the hat and cap business of J. C. Keir, and on January 1, 1880, bought a half interest in the clothing and furnishing goods business conducted for many years bj' his uncle above mentioned, and since that time both stores have been carried on under the firm name of J. H. & C. A. Todd. Mr. Todd was married to Miss Sarah J. Austin, of Dixon, December 26, 1877. He is one of the most enterprising young merchants of Lee county, and by his fair dealing and eneigy has established an enviable reputation. His political affiliations are republican and he is a member of the Baptist church.

JosiAH Fey, ice-dealer, Dixon, is a native of Lee county, having been born in Dixon township in 1843, and is the son of John and Mary (Klinetop) Fry. His father came to Lee county at an early day and engaged in farming. He is still living on his farm near Dixon. Mr. Fry was educated at the schools near his home and in Dixon, and after leaving school followed farming for about ten years. In 1872 he moved into Dixon and engaged in the coal and lumber business, which he carried on until about a year ago, at which time he bought out the ice business formerly conducted by Louis Faulthaber, and has since been engaged in that enterprise. Mr. Fry was married September 13, 1866, to Miss Mary C. Stettler, of Pennsylvania, and his family consists of six children : John E., aged fourteen ; Mary E., aged twelve ; Bert, aged nine ; Annie E., aged seven ; Ollie, aged five, and Ernest J., aged two years. In politics Mr. Fry is a thorough-going and active repuljliean.

Chaeles Dement, deceased, Dixon, was born in Franklin county, Illinois, on December 25, 1822, and was the son of David and Elizabeth (Kirkpatrick) Dement, and was a half-brother of Col. John Dement. After the death of his father the family removed to Shelby county.

Illinois, where his earlier years were spent, but in ISio his mother came to Dixon and he was sent as a student to Mount Morris Seminar^'. On his return he became associated with liis brother, Col. Dement, in dealing in land, and while thus engaged he purchased a large interest in what was then called Fulton City, but which is now known as Fulton, Illinois. He soon after removed there, and erected at great expense one of the largest and finest hotels in the west, which was called the Dement House. He carried on this establishment for several years, but it having caused him considerable financial embarrassment, he finally sold the property, which is now used as an educational institution. He returned to Dixon and became engaged in land opcations, and also in farming to some extent, up to the time of his death, which took i>lacc December 18, 1875. He was first married in 18.')1, to Miss Amanda Sterling, of Dixon, of wiiich marriage there is one child surviving, Charles A. Dement, whose sketch will be found below. Mr. Dement was married a second time, to Miss Myra Huntley, of Dixon, December 25, 1861, and at his death left four children surviving : David Louis, aged nineteen ; Marian A., aged seventeen ; George W., aged twelve, and Amelia E., aged nine years.

Charles A. Dkmext, son of Charles and Amanda (Sterling) Dement, was born in Dixon, November 20, 1852, and received his education principally at the public schools of that city, though for three years he was a student at the Western Union College, Chicago. After completing his education he began his business career as a dealer in fancy fruits and groceries, which he carried on for about two years, but in 187t) engaged in the livery business at Dixon, which he still carries on. He was married September 30, 1880, to Miss Jennie Hunt, of Stanwood, Iowa. Mr. Dement is a young man of business habits and a\)ility, and has the characteristic push and enterprise which were exhibited in the business careers of his father and uncle.

John Coffey, butcher, Dixon, was born in Oneida county. New York, on March 9, 1841, and is the son of Timothy and Ellen (Clianloy) Coft'ey. His father was a farmer and died in the State of New York in 1848. Mr. Coti'ey came west when only fourteen years of age, and located at Peru, Illinois, where he learned the trade of a butcher, and after following that occupation for a year or two he also leaiMied the tinsmith's trade. Soon after he removed to Dixon and worked at various employments until 186."), when he engaged in his present business. He was married at Dixon, in 1867, to Miss Margaret E. Haley, and lias three children : Mary E., aged eleven ; Agnes A., aged seven ; and John H., aged three years. Politically Mr. Cuftey belongs to the republican party.

January 11, 1854, and is the son of John and Margaret (Plehi) Plein. He was brouglit up and educated in iijs native town, and when nineteen j'ears of age came to America and located at Dixon. He was soon after employed at the brewery of J. B. Clears, where he remained several years, wlien he opened a restaurant and is now engaged in that business. Mr. Plein was married February 18, 1881, to Miss Rosa Buckmann, of Dixon, but after the short space of four months lost his wife, Mrs. Plein dying June 15, 1881.

Geoege G. Rosbrook, liveryman, Dixon, was born in Monroe county. New York, November 5, 1835, and was the son of John B. and Lucretia (Green) Rosbrook. His father was a farmer, and the family removed to Niagara county. New York, soon after the birth of George, and he was educated at Lockport, in that county. In 1854 his father came west and settled in Harmon township, Lee county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, which he carried on until the time of his death, in the spring of 1872. After the death of his father the farm was managed by the subject of this sketch until 1874, wiien he came to Dixon and purchased tlie interest of J. T. Cheney in the livery business, conducted by Cheney & Perry, the new firm being Perry & Rosbrook. About a year later the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Rosbrook has since carried on the business alone. He was married on January 16, 1858, to Miss Mary Tuttle, of Harmon, and has six children surviving: Fannie, aged twenty-two, was married to John Jenkins, of Harmon, in 1879 ; Tryon, aged twenty-one, resides in Dakota, where he is engaged in farming; Nettie, aged nineteen ; Bartow, aged seventeen ; Louis, aged fifteen, and Emma, aged thirteen, are all residing at the home of their parents. Politicail}' Mr. Rosbrook is a member of the republican party.

This is No. 19 N., in R. 11 E. of the 4th P.M. Bureau county bounds it on tiie south, and La Salle county forms half of the eastern boundary. It has a very fertile soil and is but slightly undulating. In places it is a little low, but is all capable of easy drainage. The soil is black, excepting a little in the northwestern part, which is sandy. Here a part of Palestine Grove covers Sec. 6 and portions of 5 and 7. Nearly all of Knox Grove is in this township, on Sees. 24 and 25, along Bureau creek, mostly on the south side. This stream enters the township near the middle of the eastern boundary of Sec. 24, and flows across the southeast corner, through Sees. 24, 2G, 34 and 33, leaving near the southeast corner of the latter. Below Knox Grove it is slightly skirted with timber, and is the only stream of any importance in the town. About half a mile south of it, and miming nearly parallel with it, is a part of the old " Chicago road," which in an early day led from that city to Princeton. Many of these diagonal roads once intersected this region, but most of them have been abandoned. A few remnants, however, still remain. A part of the original La Salle and Grand Detour road is still in use through Sec. 17 and a part of 18. In the eastern part of the town there are tsvo pieces of road of the same nature. There is a road running north and south through the center of the town, and another east and west to within half a mile of the east and west boundaries. The Illinois Central railroad crosses the eastern line of Sec. 36, and runs nearly due northwest through Sees. 36, 25, 23, 15, 9, 8, 5 and 6, dividing the town nearly in the center. The old Black Hawk "Army Trail " crossed the town in neai-ly the same direction, entering near the southeast corner and leaving on the west line of Sec. 18. The old telegraph line and stage route from Dixon to Peru entered the town at the northwest corner of Sec. 30 and left near the center of the south line of the same section.

Early Settlements

The settlement of Sublette township dates from 1837. Jonathan Peterson came to Ottawa, Illinois, in October 1836 ; he had come from New Hampshire by Lake Erie to Detroit, and thence afoot to Ottawa. Here he spent the winter of 1836-7, and in February started for Lee county. The same summer he made a claim in the northwestern part of Sec. 4, Sublette, and after building a log cabin just over the line in Lee Center, he went back to his native state and was married, returning with his wife the following year. In June, 1837, Sherman Hatch arrived in Dixon and came across the country to Lee Center township to Chas. F. Ingals, who had settled there the previous year. The same summer or fall he settled on the southwest part of Sec. 7, taking possession of and completing a log house that had been partly built by four young men from Ciiicago, who had abandoned their claim. In the fall of 1837 Mr. Hatch returned to Vermont. He came back the next year with his wife, whose marriage he had recently celebrated. He claimed ai half section of prairie and nearly as much timber in the vicinity of his first settlement, but did not enter much of it, having loaned most of his money to parties who were unable to pay him when the land was offered for sale. The same fall Thomas and William Fessenden, with their families, came on from New Hampshire, Thomas Fessenden having been west as early as 1834 and returned the same year to New Hampshire. They claimed land on Sees. 6 and 7, and built a log house on the southeast corner of the N.W. J of Sec. 7, and moved into it in December, having lived in the meantime on the " Binnt place," Amboy township. This was the first real settlement in Sublette, and the nearest neighbor of the Fessendens at tliat time was Joseph Doane, wlio was living about half a mile from the "Blunt place." The following year William Fessenden built lialf a mile north, on the southeast corner of the S.W. ^ of Sec. 6, where John H. Long now lives. In 1838 Joseph Knox and his family settled at the south end of the grove which bears their name. The same year Sylvanus Peterson settled on the S.E. ^ of Sec. 5. Before 1840 John Morton and R. E. Goodall settled north of him on land now owned by William Long, jr., and Rnsseil Phillips on the southwestern part of Sec. 5, claiming forty there and forty opposite in Sec. 8. In 1839 Daniel Baird settled where Elijah Austin lives, on the La Salle and Grand Detour road, on Sec. 17. Mr. Baird settled in La Salle in the fall of 1836. The same year (1839) Phineas Rust built the first frame house in Sublette, on Sec. 30, half a mile south of where Ambrose Angier is now living. Mr. Rust never lived here, but sold his claim, the N.E.J of Sec. 30, to Philo Stanard and Thomas Angier late in 1840. The same year Thomas Tourtillott built a frame house 16x20 on Sec. 31, and O. Bryant settled on the " Old Chicago road " on Sec. 35. In 1842 Thomas Angier built a frame house where his present buildings are located. Gilbert Thompson also built on the site now occupied by Mrs. Fauble, on the S. i of S.E. i See. 31.

In 1843 Ephriam RenifF settled with his family on the S. ^ N.E. J Sec. 19, and afterward entered the same. It was in this year that Hiram Anderson settled on the N.E. J of S.E. J Sec. 33. The jumping of his claim subsequently caused quite an excitement among the rulers of the prairie. Bull, the offending party, lived at Dixon, and when it was known that Anderson's claim had been "jumped," the "Claim Society," consisting of all the settlers within several miles, turned out en masse, and going to Dixon well armed demanded the person of Mr. Bull. There were about sixty-five in the party, and the "jumper" was easily taken. While on their way back to the claim Sheriff Campbell interviewed the party, and concluded an agreement with them by Bull was turned over to him. This was on the condition that the contestants should meet on a certain fixed day, and that the deed of the "forty" in dispute should be returned to Anderson, who was to pay the first cost of the land. The summary treatment employed in this case had the desired effect, and settlers in this region were not troubled again in a similar way. In 1844 Alpheus Crawford came to the Knox Grove settlement, and bought from widow Pratt a claim of eighty acres on the S. ^ of Sec. 13 for $75. At this time several families had settled at the grove. Daniel Pratt, Levi Camp and

J. B. Barton were early settlers here. Tlie same year Prescott Bartlett claimed the S. i of N.W. i and the N. i of S.W. i Sec. 20, and hnilt a log house on the same. Silas Renift' settled where he now lives, on Sec. 20, and claimed about half a section. He entered only 160 acres, the N. i of N.E. i Sec. 20, and the S. i of S.E. i Sec. 17. In this year (18i4) John Betz settled on the S.E. ^ Sec. 33, and in 1845 Hoffman settled on the S.W. ^ of the same. In 1846 Bartholomew Theiss made a claim of 120 acres on Sees. 29 and 30, where Godfrod Theiss lives. In 1844 R. P. Hubbard settled and claimed the N.W. i of N.E. i and N.E. i of N.W. i Sec. 17. H. N. Er.skine settled the " Kapser place," on Sec. 35, at an early day.

In the year 1844 was the land sale at Dixon. That 3'ear is known to this day by old settlers as the wettest season on record, from May until August. But few of the settlers were prepared to pay for their land, and consequently they formed themselves into societies for the protection of their homes, until they could raise the money necessary to pay for the land they had claimed. The circumstance mentioned above had the effect of deterring speculators from abroad. Many farms were secured tlirough Mexican land warrants on the market here soon after the close of the Mexican war. Many good farms were bought with these by men who could not have raised the cash to buy from the government at $1.25 per acre. But little land had been bought from the government before these warrants appeared, but within five years after nearly all was sold except that held by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and this was sold verj^ soon.

In an early day wolves were plentiful, and are not yet extinct. In 1848 Alpheus Crawford and others killed a bear north of Knox Grove which weighed 400 pounds.

For many years after the settlement of this region prairie fires were the scourge of the settlements. Many are the thrilling incidents related of their ravages. Mrs. Baird relates her experience in fighting one when Mr. Baird was away from home. She whipped it until she was completely exhausted and had suffered greatly from the heat of the fire; and all the time expecting it would sweep their house and entire personal effects. Early in October, 1845, the settlers were visited by one of these fires. It is described by one of the early settlers in nearly the following words : " After dark my family noticed in the southwest the light of a fire so far off that it seemed it would not reach them before morning. That night a family of emigrants from Tennessee were camped in their wagon on a small piece of breaking near my house. About midnight my wife was aroused by loud knocking and other noise. Upon getting up she found a girl about twelve years old nearly frightened to death. (This girl was the only one ot" the emigrants not sick.) Going out of doors she saw the whole country southwest and west in a blaze of fire, some of which was thirty feet high. She started for the nearest house, which was half a mile distant, and aroused the inmates, and then a quarter of a mile further to another dwelling, where all were sleeping. These parties all had property that would have been destroyed had they not been warned. Upon returning home she found the worst danger over, the main fire having passed a little northwest of the building and breaking. Her husband, who was in Chicago at the time, found on his return the entire prairie burnt over.''

Nearly all of the early settlers teamed to Chicago more or less till the Illinois Central road came through. Produce was cheap, but this was the only way known to raise a little money. Often would they return home with a few trifles, the gross profits of an eight or ten days' trip. Little or nothing was taken for expenses, and often would a man be gone a week or two without entering a house. They would often go in companies of ten or more ox-teams, generally entering the city in the morning and coming out at night, thereby avoiding hotel bills. For a good load of wheat or dressed-pork but a few dollars would be realized. Often the driver had to unhitch his team and carry his load out of a slough on his back, and not unlikely this interesting process would have to be several times repeated during one trip. The farmers also went a long distance to get their milling done. For several years they went to Greene's mill, at Dayton, and to other points on the Fox river.

But little was seen of the Indians by the settlers of Sublette. Old Shabona, however, with his followers, was an annual visitor for several years, passing, as he did, across the town on his way from his reservation, in DeKalb county, to the swamp near Walnut grove, in Bureau county. Shabona was a noble red-man, and on account of his friendship shown the settlers in the Black Hawk war, became very much endeared to them.

In 1841 O. Bryant burned a kiln of brick on the northwest corner of Sec. 35. In 1850 a certain Beck built a blacksmith shop on or near the site now occupied by Dorsey Scott's shop. Richardson, Daniel Baird, Thomas Tourtillott, and Morrison, just over the line in May town, kept taverns in an early day.

Township Organization. - Soon after the organization of Lee county the west half of Sublette, and what is now Ma}', were known as Bureau precinct; the polls were held at the house of Daniel Baird. The east part of the township was incorporated with a part of Brooklyn, with their voting place at Knox Grove. In 18-19 the count}' was divided into townships. This town was first called Hanio. The railroad company having named their depot Sublette, it was desired to have the name of the township correspond, and consequently a petition was sent in the winter of 1856-7 to John V. Eustace, representative in the Illinois legislature. The name was accordingly changed to Sublette. This name was first employed, it is said, because of the frequent subletting of the grading of the road in this vicinity. The first town meeting was held on the second Tuesday in April 1850, "for the purpose of electing town officers, dividing the town into road districts, and for the transaction of other business." Alpheus Crawford was chosen moderator and Daniel Baird clerk for said meeting. A tax of 12^ cents on everv §100 of taxable property was voted to be assessed and collected. Stock was prohibited from running at large from Xoveniber 15 to April 1 of each year. The first election resulted in the choice of Daniel Baird for supervisor, Henry Porter clerk, Whitlock T. Porter assessor, Silas D. Rcnift" collector, Daniel Pratt overseer of the poor, Hiram Anderson and W. H. Hamblin liighwa}' commissioners, Samuel Averill and Thos. S. Angier constables, Alpheus Crawford and Andrew Bertholf justices of the peace. The town was divided into nine road districts two miles square. April 17, 1851, the highway commissioners ordered that district number " 10" Jje formed out of the east half of Sees. 20 and 17, and the west half of sections 16 and 21. At an election held in the school-house in district "3" April 6, 1852, forty-six votes were cast for supervisor, forty-seven for assessor, forty-five for collector, and forty-seven for town clerk. It was voted that the next annual town meeting be held at the house of Daniel Pratt, at Knox Grove. In 1854 the annual meeting was held at the house of Daniel Wilcox on Sec. 15, and in 1855 at the house of Daniel Maxwell. At this meeting §1,000 was voted for the erection of a town-house in the village of Sublette. Thomas Angier, H. Benton and Prescott Bartlett were appointed a committee to report a site for the same. At a special meeting held in December, Thomas Angier, John Tourtillott, S. Renift* Thomas Fessenden and Horatio Benton were appointed a committee to build a house one story high, and of a size to correspond with funds voted for that purpose. At a meeting held in 1858, §150 was appropriated to bridge Bureau creek at the old army trail. At the annual meeting in 1860 a fence law was passed declaring what should be considered a legal fence, whether of wire, rails or boards. In 1860, ]5() votes were cast for the supervisor, and the same number for town clerk, 152 for assessor, 147 for collector. In 1866, 177 wa.s the highest vote cast for any office: Silas Reniff" was unanimously chosen assessor. For justice of the peace T. Angier re- ceived all but one (176), and A. L. Wilder the same number tor town clerk. In 1881 about 220 votes were cast. The supervisors of Sublette have been : Daniel Baird three years, S. Peterson one year, T. Aiigier eighteen years, Albert Linn one year, Jonathan Peterson three years, John Theiss, five years, G. M. Crawford one year. The justices of the peace have been T. Angler thirty-one J'ears, Alpheus Crawford six y-ears, A. Bertholf one year, James Brewer one year, W. F. Wilder one year, A. B. Linn eight years, Daniel Barton three years, Isaac Clink one year, N. W. Smith twelve years. Silas D. RenifF was elected assessor of Sublette in 1854, and e.xcept three years has assessed the town ever since. A. L. Wilder with one exception has held the office of town clerk since 1864.

Tiie village of Sublette occupies parts of Sees. 9, 10, 15 and 16. The Illinois Central railroad buildings, a depot and.a warehouse on the northwest corner of Sec. 15, were built in the summer of 1854. Daniel Cook built the first dwelling house the same winter. In the following summer A. L. Wilder built a small store, in the back part of which he lived. Jesse Hale began his store about the same time. George A. Richmond put up a house, and did a flourishing business in the sale of lots. Mr. Swartwout built the same fall a part of the bouse which he finished the next year, and lived in the winter of 1855-6. Frank Bartlett built what is now the Catholic parsonage in the fall of 1855 and moved into it the same winter. Paul Lindstraum built a shanty the same fall and began his tavern, which he completed the next year. Doctor Smith built a part of his present residence and got into it in December. Hugh Carr came in the dead of winter and rigged up an old barn in which he lived a short time. " Uncle Aba " Hale came in 1856, also the families of James Colvin and Robert Ash. J. B. Barton came the same year and opened a drug store. There are now fifty-seven families in the village, doing a good business. The Methodist, Baptist, Congregational and Catholic churches are located was held August 16, 1870. The lower part of their building is rented for store purposes, and is now occupied by Frank Thompson. The present membership of the lodge is tiiirty, five of whom are non-resident. The present officers are Joseph H. Ayres, W.M.; Joel S. Cook, S.W.; Henry Paris, J.W. : E. W. Patten, treasurer; T. S. Angier, secretary ; 01i%'er A. Wood, S.D. ; William Obernaur, J.D. ; Lafayette Long, tyler.

Cemeteries. - There are several burial places in the township. Tlie most important of these are the one at the Catholic church in See. 32, and that in Sec. 4 on the land of N. and J. Peterson. In the first nearly a hundred have been buried, all Catholics, and some from a considerable distance. In both, manv of the old settlers are buried, one of whom, in the latter, is Jonathan Peterson, sr. Near here on the N. W.^ of Sec. 3, are several graves. Near Knox Grove is a small cemetery in which Daniel Pratt and others of the earlv settlers of this vicinity are reposing. Several interments have been made near the Catholic church in the village of Sublette. Daniel Baird was buried on the farm which he last owned. This is the "eighty" entered by E. Reniff. Besides these there are a few other small burial places within the town.

Churches And Schools

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. Many of the first settlers here were church members, and consequently religious meetings date from the beginning of society here. They were of a very humble and unpretentious style, and in keeping witii the spirit of the time. Few went, we apprehend, to display finery - if any there were to display ; nor did the}' have churches of any kind for many years in which to worship. Primitive dwellings or rude school-houses were their only temples, and in these did they often meet to sing their songs of praise and oflfer their devout prayers to a Father whose guidance they sought. The first ciiurch organization in Sublette was that of the Baptists. This was effected April 18-43, in Jonathan Peterson's log house. There were at first thirteen members: Jonathan Peterson, sr., and his wife, Jonathan Peterson, jr., Sylvanus Peterson and his wife, Nathaniel, Mary and Hope Peterson, Jonathan Eells, Hubbard Eells and his wife, Joshua Rogers and his wife. Meetings were held in the log school in this vicinity as soon as it was built; previously from house to house. This was the central or mother organization for quite a large adjoining region, and was known as the first Baptist church of Palestine Grove. Meetings were held alternately on opposite sides of this grove for the mutual accommodation of those who lived widely apart. Some of the members of this society became by letter members of the Baptist church of Amboy at its or- ganization. In 1854 meetings were first held in Benton's Hall, on See. 16, about half a mile west of the site of the church in which they now assemble, and here they continued till 1858, when, in November, they dedicated a church edifice in the village of Sublette, on Main street, erected at a cost of $5,000. The first pastor was Rev. Henry Headley, of La Moille. Jonathan Peterson, sr., was the first deacon, and "Warren Hills, the second. Sylvanus Peterson was the first clerk. Pastors have been : Charles Cross, E. O. Whittaker, J. H. Morrison, A. S. Denison, O. D. Taylor, Albert Guy, A. S. Merrifield, H. C. Yates, K. R. Coon. Jonathan Peterson and A. L. Swartwoiit are the present deacons, and A. J. Rogers is clerk. The society has a membership of about 120, is out of debt, and owns a parsonage worth $2,000. The Sunday-school of the church is in a flourishing condition, and is superintended by Abrain Swartwout.