Livingston County, Illinois - The whole text, 1878 (part 10 of 25)

The sound of the Gospel is almost coeval with the first settlements of Saiiriemin Township. The Rev. Feli.x Thornton was the first regular preacher. althout'h there had been sermons preache<i and religions services held before he settled in the neighborhoo<l. The first permanent church society was formed by the Methorlists. in the school house, near where the Bethel Church now stands. Through the influence and untiring energies of Rev. John Wilkers*ja- Pastor, at that time, of the congregation, funds enough were raised to build a church, and the work was commenced. Rev. Mr. Wilkerson. however, was transferred to another field of labor before the building was finishes! When completed, it was dedicated by some eminent divine from Chicago, whose name our informant had forgotton. It is an elegant frame, and was finished and opened for worship in 1872. It is known as the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, and numbers eighty members. A Sabbath school, under the superintendence of Mr. C. C. Boys, has been established by the church, and is. at the present writing, in a very flourishing condition and well attended.

A societv of the Christian Church was formed in 1871, in the same scht^ol house in which the Methodist Church was organized. They have no church buildino-. and still hold their meetings in the school house. Rev. W. P. Carithers ort^anized the church, «nd is still its Pastor, with a membership of eightv-sLx. A larcre and flourishing Sunday school is maintained, with ^Villiam Watts as Superintendent.

The United Brethren formed a church in this township in 1867. under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Elliott. Rev. Mr. Robinson was the first Unite<l Brethren preacher in the neighborhood. The Rev. Mr. Mitchell is the present preacher, and the school house is used as their sanctuary.

There has also been a society of the Presbyterians recently organized in this school house.* Formerly, there was a Congregational Church in the township, but it dwindled down to a handful and then died out, and this Presbyterian Church has been organized on its ruins. Rev. D. A. Wallace is the present Pastor. A Union Sunday school of this and the United Brethren is carried on at the school house, where the churches hold their religiotis meetings.

The first school house was built of logs, about the year 1854. and Miss Julia Hamlin is supposed to have taught the first school in it. which was the first in the township. The first school house built by public funds was in 1863, and Mrs. Bridia, nee Lilly, taught the first school in it. She commenced her school in the little log school house, before this was finished, but, on its completion, moved into the new edifice, where she finished out the session. The first School Treasurer in the township was Thomas N. Smith. The first school record we were able to find dates back to April 7. 1862. On this date, the Trustees held a meeting. The Board, at the time, was composed of Jason Tuttle, John Cotrell and S. P. Cripliver. There seems to have been but little business transacted, save the apportionment of the funds on hand, which amounted to §o56.72.

the three school districts then in the town. Two new districts were created at this meeting, as previous to this date the entire town was one school district. Samuel L. Marsh was elected School Treasurer at the regular meeting, April 11, 1864, an office he still holds. At the annual meeting, April, 1867, we find there were five districts, and there was the additional sum on hand of $222.03, which Avas apportioned among the five districts as follows, viz.: District No. 1, $102.13; District No. 2, |64.60 ; District No. 3, 121.71 ; District No. 4, $20.02 ; District No. 5, $13.52. From Mr. Marsh's last annual report we take the folloAving :

There are at present nine School Districts in the town, in eight of which there are good, comfortable frame school houses, and the coming Winter there is a house to be put up in District No. 9, which has recently been created. The Board of Trustees at present is composed of the following gentlemen : William C. Burley, Wm. T. Bridia and James M. Rhodes.

Joseph Cripliver Avas the first party living in Saunemin to perpetrate the act of matrimony. He married in Grundy County in 1851. The first marriage ceremony solemnized in this township was Miss Scott (now Mrs. Mariner) and William Young, but the exact date of it we Avere unable to learn. Catherine Ellen, daughter of Joseph Cripliver, Avas the first birth in the township, and occurred in January, 1852. The first death was probably the wife of John Martin, in March, 1855. A couple of twin children of John Ridinger died in March, 1855. also, and some are of the opinion that they died before Mrs. Martin, Avhile others believe to the contrary.

A sad occurrence which took place in this toAvnship will come in appropriately in this connection. In the Summer of 1858, a woman was drowned in Five-Mile Creek, about one mile from the present residence of S. L. Marsh.

She was traveling through the country alone, and had called at the house of Mr. Thomas the evening before she was drowned, but had not, it seems, given a very definite or satisfactory account of herself, and had left late in the evening. The next day she was found in Five-Mile Creek, "cold in death." Who she was. whence she came, or Avhither going, none ever knew beyond mere supposition, which was, that she belonged to a company of emigrants who had passed that way some time before ; had become dissatisfied and homesick, and was trying to get back to the old home of her childhood, when fate overtook her, and her destiny was brought to an abrupt close. The people generously and kindly took the remains and decently interred them in their little grave yard in Five Mile Grove. There they still repose, and her friends, if she had any, are ignorant of her fate to the present day.

Saunemin Post Office, the first in the township, was established in 1869, and A. W. Parks was the first Postmaster. He held the office for two years, when George D. Paddock became Postmaster, an office he still holds. The first store was opened by Paddock in the Fall of 1871, and is still in successful operation. It is located in the little village of Bethel, or, more properly speaking, Saunemin. The Methodist Church, which is located here, is called Bethel, and hence the name is often applied to the village, while the name of the post office is Saunemin. Another store was opened here in 1874, by J. H. Richter, which still exists, but the stock has run down, it is supposed for the purpose of quitting business. In addition to the two stores mentioned, and the chui-ch, there is a good, comfortable school house, a shoe shop kept by Homer Tiffany, a blacksmith shop by A. W. Young, and some half a dozen residences. These items comprise the hamlet or village of Saunemin.

T. W. Bridia was the first Justice of the Peace in this township, and the first Supervisor after Sullivan was separated and set off. Thomas Cleland was the first blacksmith, and for a number of years the only one in the township. The first bridge in the town was a rude wooden affair, built over Five Mile Creek. In the Fall of 1876, an elegant iron bridge was put up over Five Mile. Creek, where the principal road crosses leading to Pontiac.

Mr. Cripliver informed us that, when he settled in Five Mile Grove, there was not a family living nearer than five miles. They used to go down in Indian Grove, visiting, and thought that but a short trip. The small body of timber in Five Mile Grove did not present many attractions to those in hunt of homes, and the value of the prairies was yet undiscovered.

When Saunemin included Sullivan, Pleasant Ridge and Charlotte in its territorial limits, and after the county had adopted township organization, Isaac Wilson, now of Pleasant Ridge, was the Supervisor. After they had been divided up, and Saunemin became a township of itself, T. W. Bridia was the first Supervisor and Joshua Chesebrough the first Town Clerk. At present, the township officers are as follows : Thomas Spafford, Supervisor ; Thomas Spafford and Geo. D. Paddock, Justices of the Peace ; 0. H. P. Noel, As- sessor; George Dally, Collector; C. F. H. Carithers, Town Clerk. George Langford, of this township, was elected Clerk of Livingston County, and held the office for the term preceding Mr. Wait, the present incumbent, discharging the duties with entire satisfaction to himself and the county.

The little cemetery in Five Mile Grove was laid out in the early settlement of the township. The first of the grounds was one acre donated by John Ridinger, and afterward the town bought one acre more, and then had the cemetery incorporated. As stated in another place, Mrs. Martin and Ridinger'* twin children were among the first burials in it.

In the days of Whigs and Democrats, Saunemin ToAvnshipwas Democratic, but since 1860 it has been largely Republican. When the Grange movement was in the noontide of its glory, it controlled the elections in this town, irrespective of political parties ; but of late it has fallen back on, not first, but second principles - otherwise, is Republican again.

In the late war, it did its duty nobly in furnishing soldiers for the Union army. Many who went to the front never returned. On the Southern plains, where their valor won for them a soldier's death, they sleep, no more to answer to roll-call until the great reveille shall sound in the last day. The town had but one draft during the war, and for only six men. The lucky ones were William Young, George Gray, Peter Munson and three brothers - Thomas, Oliver and John C. Smith. All other calls were filled as soon as made, either by volunteers or substitutes.

Albigence Marsh, the father of Samuel L. Marsh, lives with his sou, as also the latter's father-in-law, Mr. Lee. The elder Marsh is 87 years old, and quite a sprightly old man. He was in the war of 1812, and went out in the regiment of Col. Jonathan Lyon, but did not remain long in the service before being discharged and sent home. Mr. Lee, Mrs. Marsh's father, is 81 years old, and as vigorous as many men at 50. We were shown a very handsome "what-not" made by him for his daughter since he entered the "80s," and which would grace the most elegant parlor. He is a fine mechanic, or has been in his day, and many a pretty piece of furniture in Mr, Marsh's dwelling bears witness to his mechanical genius.

t 1833 - 1878. But little more than forty years ! Only half of a good lifetime. A very short period when past. And when our vision, in its backward glance, is confined to our own narrow lives, how little has been done ! Yet when we look around lis, and compare the present with the past, allowing our imagination to run carefully over the intervening period, we are amazed at what has been accomplished. Forty years ago, where stands the proud city of Chicago, with its half million inhabitants, its tunnels, its water works, its custom house and its magnificent system of railroads, was a small dilapidated, Avooden town, located in a marsh. More than this, forty years has seen this same town rise and fall and rise again.

Forty years agu, there was not a railroad in the State, now there are thousands of miles. In forty years, all of this country has been netted over with telegraph wires, so that friends and business men and officials converse as readily between New York and San Francisco, and between New Orleans and Chicago, as did neighbors across the hedge that separated their lots fort}^ years ago. Forty years have witnessed two bloody wars in which this country has been involved. Mexico has given up her most valuable possession to the United States, and 8,000,000 of slaves have been set at liberty. Within forty years. 10,000,000 of the oppressed of other countries have found a home in this free land, many of whom have become citizens of this State, this county, this township.

During the period named, wonderful changes have come to the West in particular. At the former date, the county of Livingston had not yet been organized. Not a town, not a school house, not a church building in all the territory now embraced within its limits, had been built. In all of the thirty townships were not half as many inhabitants, and less than one-tenth the Avealth now contained in Amity alone. Indeed, had these remarks been confined to the last thirty years, they would have been almost as appro])riate ; as the events mentioned have almost all transpired within that time.

Forty-five years ago, no white man had ever called what is now embraced in Amity Township his home. In the year 1838, Thomas N. Reynolds, Samuel K. Reynolds and E. Breckinridge found their way to this then desolate place, and, selecting spots on which to build, erected for themselves and families little cabins, in which they lived for some years.

The farm on which the Reynoldses built is the same now known as the J. P. Houston farm. His wife was the first white person buried in the township. She lived but a few ^^ears after coming to the country. The coffin used to inclose her remains was such as served the purpose of many a worthy pioneer. It was constructed by splitting open a walnut log and scooping out sufficient from each portion to admit the body. These two troughs were then placed together in their original position, and. in this rude casket, Mrs. Reynolds, the pioneer woman of this township, awaits the call to proceed to a better country, where frontier hardships are not known.

Of a large number of the name who eventually made this their home, onlv Samuel K. Reynolds still remains. All others have either removed or died.

Breckinridge made some improvements and built a cabin on the James McKee farm. He remained here about ten years, until he found he was beino- "crowded," and then pushed on further west into the newer country -'beyond the Mississippi." These three, with nearly all who sought this part of the county for a number of years, were from the State of Ohio ; and this was, in reality, as it was named, the "Buckeye" neighborhood.

The next year, 1884, Thomas Prindle came out from Ohio and located in the southeastern part. Prindle was a blacksmith, as well as a farmer. He erected a shop and plied his anvil for the accommodation of himself and his few neighbors while he stayed. But the light of his forge and the light of his life went out together in 1845, and for thirty-three years his anvil has been silent.

In the latter part of 1834 and the early part of 1885, a large number of families followed the ones already mentioned from the Buckeye region, at least six of which came to this township. They were John W., Joseph, Stephen and Cornelius W. Reynolds - brothers and cousins of the two who came in 1833 - William Springer and Thomas Campbell.

John W. Reynolds was one of the first Justices of the Peace of Bayou Precinct, and performed the ceremony of marrying the first couple in the township. The happy parties on tlie occasion were Isaac Painter and Nancy Springer. The nuptials were celebrated in 1840 - perhaps a year earlier. The first mill built in the county was constructed by John W. Reynolds, soon after his arrival. It was as primitive an afiFair as any of the institutions of its time, being nothing more than a corn cracker, the motive power of which was furnished by a horse. Though a very rude concern, it was a very convenient one for this neighborhood, and was well patronized. But its proprietor "ground the last grist," and " took his last toll" thirty-five years ago.

Joseph Reynolds was a young, unmarried man, and lived with his brothers Thomas and Samuel K. He was the first Sheriff' of Livingston County, being elected May 8, 1837, at a county election held at the house of Andrew McMillan. His opponent was Simeon S. Mead. He was probably a popular man, as he received, out of the eighty-five votes cast, more than eight-ninths.

At this same election, another brother, Cornelius W. Reynolds, was a candidate for a county office, that of Surveyor ; but no doubt the people thought one county office in a family was enough, for he was beaten by Isaac Whicher, who received a small majority. C. W. was a physician, and, after election, went to Pontiac and practiced medicine a little, acted as Deputy Sheriff for his brother, was Postmaster of Pontiac, and was afterward elected Clerk of the Court. He finally removed to Ottawa, at which place he is still engaged in the practice of his profession.

William Springer was the forerunner of a large family, who came to the county two years afterward. He lived only a year or two after his relatives came out.

Thomas Campbell settled on Section 5, arriving at the place on the 5th of July of the year named. He continued his residence here until November, 1865, which is the date of his death. His son, Thomas M., still occupies the old homestead.

In 1836, H. M. D. Morris, Thomas Armon, William Reynolds and Samuel Boyer made their advent into the neighborhood. The first three were from Indiana, and the last from Pennsylvania.

Morris settled on Section IT, on Short Point. He was the first preacher in the township. He was not an itinerant, but a local Methodist exhorter, who farmed all week and preached on Sunday at the cabins in the neighborhood or in the grove - '' God's first temple " - as the weather or the occasion seemed to indicate. Mr. Morris died here in 1848. His son, Chester Morris, still occupies the old place.

William Reynolds was not a relative of the others of that name, who had settled here previously, but was a brother-in-law of Morris and Armon, they having married sisters of his. He was himself a bachelor, and remained here but a few years, when he removed to Oregon, where he lived until about fifteen years ago, when he returned on a visit, staying here a short time, and then locating permanently in Iowa.

Samuel Boyer's name was one of the most familiar in the early days. He was a man of means, education and piety, and, withal, very industrious and economical. He brought with him, from his native State, all of the wagons and farming implements needed in the cultivation of his land, bringing them all the way by boat down the Oliio, up the Mississippi, and thence up the Illinois to Hennepin. He was particularly interested in all religious services, and his house was always open to the public for meetings of this kind, and his home was the home of the missionary or others of -' the cloth." He was one of the first School Commissioners, though the duties of the office then did not necessarily require either a man of leisure or great ability, there being but three very small schools in the county, and the course of instruction being of the most primary character. His son, Isaiah Boyer, resides in the village of Cornell.

The year 1837 brought several new families to this locality, among which were two of the most worthy and solid that have ever made this their home. Thomas Louderback and Uriah Springer were both from Ohio, and came to the township within a few days of each other. They both had large families, and, inasmuch as they were all of the most estimable character, their coming was a valuable accession, not only to the neighborhood, but to the whole county. From that day to this, the word of a Louderback passes for currency wherever it is heard. The Louderbacks had lived a few years in Vermilion County, before coming to Amity Township. The sons. Liberty, Mills and Levi, are still here, and Thomas, Jr., is in Iowa, having left this place eight years ago. The^ elder Thomas Louderback died in 1854, his wife having preceded him twelve years. The old homestead on Scattering Point is still in the possession of, and occupied by the family. Uriah Springer and sons, Levi and Joseph, and sonin-law, D. M. Prindle. arrived about ten days after the Louderbacks, and settled on South Point.

Springer had been a man of some political standing in his native State, and had held the office of Magistrate for twenty years. When he came to the county, he was somewhat advanced in years, but. notAvithstanding. was elected to the office of Associate Justice of the county, in the discharge of which duties he gave good satisfaction. He, with Thomas Barton and A. J. Gibnore, erected the first real flour mill in the county, in 1838. The latter two were from Mc- Lean County, and came to this place for the purpose named. The mill, however, was but partially successful, as the builders were not practical architects and millers. The mill was located on the site of what is now known as the Dodwell Mill.

D. M, Prindle was cousin of Thomas, who had preceded him three years, and who had induced him to emigrate. He was a great singer, and led that part of the service in all the religious meetings. There were no organs or church choirs in his time, and he pitched the tune and sang the hymn as he was moved by the spirit, "lining out the verse" to enable all of the worshipers to join in the exercise. Prindle's voice was hushed, however, more than twenty years ago, and he now sings a new song in the great temple above. The years 1838 and 1839 brought two men to this township, of whose advent the town and the county are thankful.

Walter Cornell came from. Maine, and has been notorious as a leader in every movement calculated to benefit the community. He has held several county offices, among which are named those of Treasurer, School Commissioner and County Assessor, and has filled many positions of minor importance in the township. He was the first and, until last Spring, the only Postmaster of Cornell, having filled the position since the establishment of the same.

Amos Edwards, formerly from New York, but directly from Ohio, was a school teacher in those States, and had "wielded the ferule and the birch " for a dozen years before coming here. He was the first resident teacher in this part of the county, though to him does not belong the honor of pioneer educator in Amity Township, as he did not engage in the profession at once after his location ; otherwise he would have received the credit, for up to this time no steps had been taken to open a school. The first school taught in this part of the county was opened in a small cabin, that had been built and occupied as a dwelling by E. Breckenridge. The school was kept b}^ Martha Rutherford, and the enterprise bid fair to be a great success, but " Uncle Johnny " Foster, of Pontiac, had found out the worth of the young lady ; and to the regret and somewhat to the disgust of the community, he paid her frequent visits, and finally j)ersuaded her to desert the school and turn her attention to conjugal matters. To be plain about it, Foster's wife having died, and he being sadly in need of some one to look after his domestic affairs, married her. The school consisted of only a dozen children, their tuition being paid for by subscription at the rate of $1.50 per term. " Uncle Johnny " says, if they don't like the part he took in this matter, they needn't grumble, as some of them still owe for their tuition.

The same year, 1840, the first school house was erected. This was not only the first in the township, but, as indicated by the United States census taken that year, was one of only three in the Avhole county. Doubtless a description of it will be interesting to very many of our readers. Interested i)arties, to the number of eight or ten, came together, by appointment, bringing with them their axes, saws and whatever implements they possessed, and built it on the mutual assistance plan. Small trees were felled and cut to the length of eighteen feet. Notches were cut in each end, to admit of others designed to rest thm-eon. Then the logs were built up in the manner of constructing a rail pen. When the building had been raised to a sufficient height, openings were cut out for a door, fire place and windows. The cracks between the logs were "chinked " - that is, partially filled with small pieces of wood wedged in - and then daubed with mud. The roof was of "clap-boards," very large shingles split from the bodies of straight-grained trees ; and these were held in their places by the weight of poles laid thereon. In the building of King Solomon's Temple," it is found worthy of record that it was constructed "without the sound of axe, hammer <.r other tool of iron." In our temple of learning, it is worthy of note that not a nail or any other piece of iron entered into its composition. The door was made of slabs split from the trees, after the manner of the shingles, and the boards were pinned together with wooden pins. The door was hung on wooden hinges, and fastened with a wooden latch, which only the ingenuity of the backwoodsman can invent. The latch was raised by means of a leather thong, attached to it, and hung through a small auger hole, a few inches above. This was a very common method of fastening the doors of the ancient cabins, and originated the saying that the "latch string is out." The floor was made of "puncheons" or logs split in two parts, each of which, with its flat surface turned upward, rested on the ground. The desks were broad boards, resting on strong pins, driven into the wall. The seats were constructed of slabs, into the ends of which were inserted wooden pins, serving as legs or supports. These benches were placed in front of the desks ; and, while the children studied from their books, they made the sharp edge of the desk the support for their backs. When writing time came, the little fellows elevated their heels to a horizontal line with their eyes, and, by a movement which can be more easily imagined than described, and which must be learned by experience to be accompHshed gracefully, performed a half revolution of the body, bringing the face toward the desk. When writing was over, a reverse process brought them to the original postui-e. The chimney and fireplace were composed of small sticks, built up after the manner of the house, and plastered with mud, the fireplace being very ample, to admit of large logs used for fuel. The windows, however, were the parts which displayed peculiar ingenuity. Glass was too expensive, and had the further objection of allowing the glaring rays of the sun to enter the room, -and also of permitting the children to look out, thereby diverting their attention from their studies. So, instead of using the trasparent medium, a translucent one was invented. Strong white paper was thoroughly soaked in oil or lard, and this process rendered it permeable to light, sufficient for the purpose, and also dispensed with extra blinds. The house was located on Section 16, near the northwest corner, and thus, bemg near the center, was not only designed for the use of the whole community, but was amply commodious, accommodating pupils from what is now known as Rook's Creek Township. The first term taught in this academy, seminary or institution was by Elizabeth Miller, afterward wife of William Eaton. This was also a subscription school, of three months, and tuition was $1.50 per term. The branches taught were reading, spelling, a little arithmetic and writing. In the last named branch the teacher was required, not only to understand the art itself, but also an art which may now almost be counted as one of the ''lost arts" - that of making a pen out of a "oose-quill ; and there are many who yet survive that declare that no pen has ever been invented which writes like the quill pen, as made with the schoolmaster's pen-knife. The "Scattering Point Institute" served its purpose well, and in it was received much sound instruction ; and many still remember the days spent within its walls, and the precepts of Betsey Miller and her successors, as the most pleasant period in their lives. However, by 1849, "Scattering Point Institute " had outlived its day, its size and location being no longer adequate to the increased population and the location of the newer settlers. So, with many regrets, it was abandoned, and two new institutions, built much on the same plan, and with like specifications and details, though somewhat larger, were erected in portions of the township convenient for tlie patrons. The course of instruction, salary, etc., were about the same as in their ])redecessor. Teachers received |1.50 to $2.00 per week, and "boarded 'round."

The year 1840 brought to the neighborhood two reliable and solid men - Philip Nigh and Charles Earp. They were both from Ohio, and still reside in the township. Philip Dean was a contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which was being constructed at this time, and entered some land and resided for a few years in the township. He brought with him a few goods, and kept them for sale. After his removal, he went to Chicago, of which city he has been Mayor. Moses and Hiram Allen removed to this part of the county, from Ohio, in 1837, the year the county was organized. The former was a man of more than ordinary character. He held several offices of trust and honor, among which was that of Supervisor of the town. He and his brother have both been dead some years. The Mormon troubles at Nauvoo, 1840-45, were the means of bringing to this township a good family. James Bradley, who had professed the faith and taken up his residence in the Mormon territory, at the breaking up of the settlement, instead of following the fortunes of Brigham Young, came with his family to this vicinity. Joseph Smith, it will be remembered, never professed polygamy ; on the contrary, his lineal descendant, Joseph Smith, Jr., utterly opposed that peculiar institution and became the acknowledged head of all the dissenting Mormons throughout the States, establishing his headquarters at Piano, 111., where he still resides. To this branch Mr. Bradley and those who settled in Broughton Township afterward held allegiance.

Some of the implements of agriculture, used in the early times, were as primitive as the methods of education. At first, it was not supposed that the vast prairies to the east and west would ever be utilized. The little bar-share plow, with the wooden mold-board, in common use in the Eastern States, was not to be thought of to turn over the prairie sod, matted thick Avith grass roots as hard almost as hickory withes.' But soon the inventive genius of the Yankee supplied an article, though somewhat rude and unwieldy, with which most of these plains have been brought to cultivation. The original '' sod plow " is seen na more, as it has long since outlived its usefulness. It consisted of a large share, cutting a furrow of two feet in width, with iron bars for a mold-board. The beam of the machine was fifteen feet in length. No handles were needed, though sometimes they were attached, but were used only for the purpose of starting or throwing it out of the ground. To this immense niacliine were hitched five to eight yokes of oxen.

The breaking was usually done late iti the Spring, and with the turning over of the sod was deposited seed, which produced an inferior crop of corn the first year, which grew and ripened without further attention. From this crop has come the brand of a favorite drink in the Western country.

These ancient landmarks have all passed away, and but few who wielded them still remain to tell us the story of these and the many other peculiar institutions of the olden time. Here and there is seen a whitening head. Here and there we behold a tottering frame. Ere long, they too will have passed from earth, and their places will be filled by the more modern style of humanity.

This township was perhaps the most generally settled by the date last mentioned, 1843, of any in the county. In the ten years, it had numbered within its limits not less than 200 persons, embraced in a fifth as many families, nearly all of whom had become permanent settlers. Unlike many other neighborhoods, whoever came usually stayed. The society was better than that found -in most frontier places, and the interest manifested in educational enterprises, as we have seen, was praiseworthy.

The preaching of the Gospel led to one of the earliest church organizations in the county. As early as 1840, H. G. Gorbet, a Methodist preacher, known in the time of which we write as the " Prairie Breaker," organized a society of this denomination (not Prairie Breakers, but Methodists) at the Scattering Point Institute. He seems, however, not to have cultivated the soil to any degree of success, as the organization went down in a few years. Perhaps his first crop, like the first crop of sod-corn, was not of sufficient yield to warrant in harvesting, or to encourage subsequent planting. So, in 1848, the United Brethren occupied the land. They organized a society under the leadership of Isaac Messer, of McLean County, which flourished for six years, when it, too, for want of cultivation or other cause, disbanded. In 1849^ another branch of the Methodist Church - the Protestaut - was organized by Jacob Fowler, under whose pastorate, and that of his successors, it has flour- ished ever since. In 1876, the society having grown to number seventy-five or eighty members, built for themselves a handsome little house of worship, ^t a cost of $1,400. The building is 28x38 feet and will seat, comfortably, 200 persons. Rev. Mr. Darby is present Pastor, and D. H. Snyder is local preacher. In 1860, the M. E. Society, in the vicinity of Mud Creek, having, some years previously, organized a church of this denomination, built the house of worship, now at Cornell. When that village had been fully established, the building was removed to the place named and newly fitted up. The building is a comfortable frame edifice, about 30x40 feet in size, and will accommodate 250 persons. The membership is about 120. T\xq present Pastor is the Rev. Mr. Smith. In connection with the church is a flourishing Sunday school, under the superintendence of A. Newberry.

The township of Amity was one of the first twenty organized in the -county in 1858. Electors to the number of fifty-six assembled on the 6th day of April, 1858, and proceeded to organize by the election of Liberty Louderback as Moderator, and Walter Cornell, Clerk pro tern. Reason Mc Douglass was elected Supervisor; Charles Hallam, Clerk; James Bradley and Liberty Louderback, Justices of the Peace ; Walter Cornell, Assessor ; Moses Allen, James Gourley and E. W. Breckinridge, Commissioners of Highways. On the of keeping up stock, the vote stood singularly unanimous for allowing stock to run at large. Doubtless this can be explained by the fact that Amity Township, being one of the most heavily timbered in the county, and the farms being already fenced, the owners preferred the free use of the vacant prairie lands for pasture, rather than the trouble of herding their stock.

The balance of the complete list of township officers elected is as follows : David Heckmanii, Assessor ; George Louderback, Collector ; E. Norton, School Treasurer ; Simon Jemmison, Alfred Gourley and John Calder, Highway Commissioners; Liberty Louderback and A. L. Trim, Justices of Peace; George Louderback and John P. Quernsey, Constables.

We have seen, in 1849. two school houses had been built. In 1855, James Bradley reports an increase of one school house and numerous other interesting items, showing an increasing interest in the subject of education, which, to enable the reader to compare, are placed with like items in a convenient table :

Village Of Cornell

The year of 1871 was an eventful one for this part of the county, as it saw the completion of a railroad through this section, and a trading point located in the midst of the township, which, within a very few years, has grown in size and influence beyond the expectations of its most enthusiastic friends. Of all the nine stations located on the road in this county, this one outnumbers in population any other more than three to one. In less than three 3-ears from the time of its survey, it had increased in population to the number required by law to organize a village government.

Some little strife was evident between parties owning land in the vicinity of the switch, as to the exact location of the business part of the town, and also as to name.

Walter B. Cornell laid out a plat on June 15th, 1871, from the southwest quarter of Section 11, and named it Cornell. Two days after, Willard D. Blake laid out, from Section 14, the town named by him Amity. And while the former name has been retained, the most of the business houses are in the portion formerly called Amity Cornell, with other parties, built several houses on the plat laid out by him, but they have since been removed.

In 1873, the village was organized by the election of H. M. Cornell, Jason Curtis, John Withrow, George Bradley, James 0. Pond and Joseph Rucker, as Trustees. At their first meeting, July 18th, Cornell was elected President ; James W. Willis was appointed Clerk ; Jason Curtis, Treasurer ; and Samuel Blake, Street Commissioner.

A peculiar feature in the history of the town has been the continued granting of license to sell spirituous liquoi's. However, the present year, the senti-

The Board have usually pursued a wise policy in making street and other improvements, so that the appearance of the village is such as one would expect to find in a town twice as old.

The officers of the village .at present are: I. B. Santee, E. C. Newberry, J. B. Day, Philip Armon, E. Norton, James Bradley, Trustees ; William Miner. Clerk; C. A. Herbert, Police Magistrate: J. Willis, Attorney.

The village, though not continuing its rapid growth of the first few years, has still continued to improve in size and appearance. Its present population is about 500. Several of the business buildings are of brick, and of a character seldom found in towns of the age of Cornell.

A Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted at Cornell, June 23, 1876, with J. W. A. Lilly as N. G.; B. W. Conner, V. G.; J. G. Curtis, Sec. ; Ordam Deeds, Treas.

Cornell Lodge, A.. F. cS: A. M., was instituted December, 1877, the charter being granted to John Guernsey, J. J. Reeder, H. M. Cornell, A. K. Brower, E. Norton, H. H. Brower, Philip Armon, I, P. Santee, John Greene and H. Bolt - the first five of whom were Master. Wardens, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

Amity Township took a prominent [)art in the late war. Some of the bravest ajid best men that went from Livingston County were from this locality. Some who enlisted from this part of the county were in the Fifty-third Infantry, and some in other regiments, but most were in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Infantry.

The names of all deserve honorable mention, but space permits the record, in this place, of but a few, and that number will be confined to those who not only braved the dangers of the battle field, but who, in addition, gave up their lives in defense of the principles which they went out to defend. Of these were Joseph Springer, Uriah Springer, Judson Hoag, Samuel W. Houston, Thompson Laycock, John B. Lucas and Thomas Sutcliff". There were others, accredited to other towns, which will be found in the general Avar record.

Amity Township is (me of the best-watered and best-timbered in Livingston County. To the early settlers, there were three special attractions in a new country - wood, water and stone ; and these three being found in the vicinity had much to do in drawing to this locality the people who first inhabited it. The Vermilion River passes almost directly through the center of the township, from southeast to northwest. Rook's Creek comes in from the south, and forms a junction with the Vermilion, near the center. Scattering Point also flows from the south, and empties into the Vermilion, near the northwest corner. Wolf Creek flows from the northwest corner of Pontiac Township, and empties into the Vermilion near that point. Mud Creek flows through the northeastern part, emptying into the Vermilion in Newtown Township. Besides all of these, there are several small tributaries, which furnish' water to almost every section of land in the township.

Each of these creeks is fringed with a belt of timber, varying in width from a (juarter to a mile and a half, so that, originally, fully one-half of the township was timber land.

Underlying the whole township is, doubtless, a bed of coal. A shaft was sunk at Cornell, several years ago, and a good quality of this article found.

The Chicago & Paducah Railroad crosses the township, from northwest to southeast, cutting off" about six sections from the northeast corner.

The meaning of the name of the township is friendship or good will ; and if bestowed on it as denoting the peculiar trait of its inhabitantsrcould not have been better selected. These ancient Buckeyes have always been noted for their hospitality.

Pleasant Ridge, at an early period in the history of Livingston County, was one-quarter of the election precinct known as Saunemin, and. as noticed in another chapter, for a year or two after township organization, was a portion of Saunemin Township. It was soon divided, however, leaving Pleasant Ridge and Charlotte one town, and they so remained until 1864, when, upon petition to the Board of Supervisors, Pleasant Ridge was set off" from Charlotte, but through some method of sharp practice, managed to retain the original name - Pleasant Ridge - together with the township property, etc., as detailed in the l^istory of Charlotte Township. As a political town. Pleasant Ridge is fractional. That portion lying north of the river votes and transacts all of its business in Saunemin Township, owing to the difficulty of crossing and re-crossing the sometimes turbulent little stream; while as a regular Congressional and School Township, it comprises the usual thirty-six sections, and is known as Township 27 north. Range 7 east. Its soil is irrigated and drained by the North Branch of the Vermilion River, which flows through the township in a westerlv direction, and which is bordered by the only native timber the town aff'ords. "^The name Pleasant Ridge is derived from the beautiful undulating surface of the land, which has much the appearance of the gentle swell of the ocean.

The first permanent settler in what is now Pleasant Ridge Township was Nathan Townsend. He came from Cape May County, New Jersey, and settled on the southwest section (31) of the town, in June, 1843. His settlement and clann was in the timber skirting the Vermilion River, and was the oidv one in the territory embraced in Pleasant Ridge for a number of years. He bought his claim, which had been made originally by a man named Brooks, noticed as one of the early settlers of Avoca Township. This man Brooks, though he had built a cabin and made a claim here, and had even lived on the claim for a short time, is really not considered an actual settler, and had sold the claim to a man named Wilson, who had never lived on it, but had sold it to one Leighton, and Leighton sold it to Townsend. It seems to have been a practice of Brooks to make a claim, erect a cabin on it, and then sell it to some other party, as we hear of him among the old settlers in several different neighborhoods. After disposing of this claim, he made one in the next grove east, being just on the edge of Forrest Township, and which he made without any regard to the points of the compass, but was located on four different " forties." He finally removed to Iowa. This settlement of Townsend, however, is usually mentioned a§ the first in Pleasant Ridge, and, as stated above, was made a number of years before another family sought the neighborhood. For the first years of their life in the wilderness, and until they got a start, their lot was rather a hard one. When Townsend first settled here, there were few families within a radius of a dozen miles, and we have the word of Daniel Townsend, a son of Nathan Townsend's, that he knew every man living between Ash Grove and Rook's Creek, a distance of sixty miles. They sometimes had hard scratching to live, and went to Chicago for salt, and to Wilmington to mill, and to Green's Mill near Ottawa. Daniel Townsend related to us how an uncle of his had been to mill once, in Winter, when the weather was intensely cold. Becoming so cold that he could not remain in the wagon, he got out to walk, when it is supposed that walking by the side of his wagon, he drew one line a little tighter than the other, thus pulling his horses round in a circle. He finally realized the fact that he was lost on the prairie, and it covered with snow, with a cold wind blowing from the North. Seeing that he must inevitably freeze to death if he wandered on in this way, he turned his horses loose from the wagon, thinking that they would strike out on a due course for home, and he would follow their trail, being too cold to attempt to ride ; but they dashed off from the wind, contrary to his expectations. All night long he wandered over the prairie and through the snow, the utmost exertions required to keep from freezing to death. At daylight the next morning, he found his way to Mr. Townsend's, so nearly frozen that he fell in the yard, and but for timely aid must have died in a very short while. He was taken in and cared for, and Mr. Townsend's boys went out to look for the horses, Avhich, however, were never found alive. They had wandered a long distance from home, and seemed to have taken refuge from the wind in a deep ravine, where they either starved or froze to death, and were found finally by tracking wolves to their skeletons.

When Townsend used to go to Wilmington to mill, there was but one cabin between their settlement and the Kankakee River, and it had been deserted for a time. Of the Townsend family, there are still living in this immediate neighborhood three of the sons - Daniel, George and Aquilla ; and two sisters - Mrs. A. Towns and Mrs. Breckenridge. Another brother lives in Wisconsin, and a sister in Texas ; while the father, Nathan Townsend, has recently removed to Nebraska.

Isaac Wilson came from Indiana, in 1837, and settled in Avoca, where he is noticed in the early settlement of that township. He remained there until he came to Pleasant Ridge and settled in ISo-S, among the eai-liest, after Townsend, and where he is still living. He was the first Supervisor, and held the office when Pleasant Ridge was included in Saunemin Township, together with Sullivan and Charlotte. He was also one of the first, if not the verv first. Justices of the Peace in this township, after becoming a town to itself. He stated that he used to haul grain to Chicago, when this great city was a small village almost buried in the mud and mire. Hiram Popejoy and Henry Demoss, both from Avoca Township and belonging to fixmilies that rank among the earliest settlers there, came to this neighborhood in or about 1850, and made settlements. Popejoy finally removed to Fairbury, where he now lives. Demoss, after someyears, returned to Avoca and still resides there. James Maddin is also an early settler in Pleasant Ridge, though north of the river, and in that portion of the town which votes in Saunemin. He came from Wheeling, Va., in 1834, and settled in Marshall County, near Lacon, then called Columbia. Peoria was called Ft. Clarke, and five miles up the river from the latter place was another small settlement called Little Detroit. In 1872, he came to Pleasant Ridge, and entered land upon which he still lives. He has held several local offices in the town, such as Assessor and Collector. When Mr. Maddin first settled here, his nearest neighbor, east, was forty miles distant. M. T. Veiley came from New York and settled liere in 1855. He first settled in Waukegan, Lake County, from whence he came to this township as above stated. This comprises a list of some of the earliest settlers in the town, until they began, to move in too fast to keep track of them.

The first birth in Pleasant Ridge Township is supposed to have occurred in the family of Charles Brooks, during the short time he lived on the claim that Townsend afterward bought, and was probably about 1840-41. The first death in the township Avas Levi Ide, a young man who came from Ohio and was living with Townsend. He took sick and died suddenly in 1848, and was buried in the Popejoy graveyard, in Avoca Township. His family afterward came on from Ohio, had his remains taken up and returned and interred them in the family burying-ground in his native State. The first marriage was a daughter of Charles Brooks and St. Clair Jones, son of Charles Jones, who then lived in Forest Township, and occurred in 1841. His people opposed the match rather strongly, but that ardent

Pleasant Ridge has neither a store, post office or mill within its borders. It has but one church edifice, and that belongs to the Ormish society, and is located in the southern part of the town. These people are of a rather peculiar religious belief, as noticed elsewhere in this history, and take little or no interest in worldly matters beyond their necessary pursuits, and hence we are unable to obtain much information in regard to their church, aside from the fact that it exists and is regularly occupied by the members of this faith in its vicinity. There is a burying-ground adjacent, the only public cemetery in the township. Notwithstanding there are no other church buildings, there are church organizations, which are held in the school houses. There is a regular society of the Christian denomination in School House No. 2, and services are held every Sabbath by them or by the Methodists. A large Sunday school attends this school house regularly. Services are also held in many of the other schoo houses in the town.

The first Justice of the Peace in Pleasant Ridge, as already stated, was Isaac Wilson, who was likewise one of the first lists of Justices elected after the formation of the county. The first practicing physicians in the town were Drs. Gentry and Hulsey, of Pontiac, who used to extend their professional visits to this neighborhood. The first bridge was a wooden structure spanning the North Branch of the Vermilion River, which was a kind of temporary aifair, and was finally washed away. The spot where it was built is now adorned by an elegant iron bridge, put up in the Fall of 1874, and at a cost of nibout thi-ee thousand dollars.

The first schools in Pleasant Ridge were taught by Clement Hinmau, in School House No. 2, and Perry Abby, in the Beal School House, in 1858. These houses were both built that year, and the schools above noticed taught immediately after they were completed. By examination of the school records in possession of M. W. Moulton, Township Treasurer, we find that the first meeting of Trustees of which there is any record was held on the 2d of March, 1861, and that there Avere present William R. Beatch and William R. Tucker; Henry Hefner, Clerk. Henry C. Hefner presented his bond as Treasurer, in the amount of $13,000, with Joel Tucker, James McDonald and Amos Bright as security, which was approved and ordered to be filed. At a meeting held March 18th of the same year, James Sackett was elected an additional Trustee, and Beatch President of the Board. At the April meeting. Town 27, Range 7 east, was divided into school districts, as follows, viz. : District No. 1, to be composed of Sections 36 to 25, and one-fourth from Sections 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, taken from the south side of said sections, and south half of southeast quarter of Section 19. District No. 2, of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18 and 19, with some fractional parts of other sections. District No. 3 included ther emainder of the township. Several schedules of teachers were presented and disposed of in the usual way. From Treasurer Moulton's

There are seven school districts in the township, in all of which there are good, comfortable frame buildings, and flourishing schools maintained for the usual term during each year. Mr. Moulton, the School Treasurer, one of the wealthy farmers of the. town, came from New Hampshire and settled on his present place in 1866.

As stated in another portion of this history, Isaac Wilson was the first Supervisor of this township, and held the office in 1859. In 1861, George E. Esty was elected Supervisor, and was succeeded by C. G. Friend, in 1863, and he the next year by H. J. Roberts. L. Wallace was elected in 1865, and J. K. Clarke in 1866, who continued in office until 1870, when William Blain came in as Supervisor of the town, and was in turn succeeded by M. T. Yeiley in 1873. In 1875, J. 11. Carter was elected to the office, and succeeded by J. K. Clarke in 1876, and he in 1878 by M. W. Moulton, who is the present Supervisor. Other township officers are as follows : J, M. Hanna, Town Clerk ; B. M. Bullard, Assessor ; William Bell, Collector ; J. H. Carter and Louis Holloway, Justices of the Peace.

As stated in the early part of this chapter, the only native timber in Pleasant Ridge Township is along the Vermilion River. But many of the citizens have planted and cultivated timber, until there is not a section of the prairie land, nor perhaps a quarter section, but has beautiful groves of timber on it, planted since the land was settled. Pleasant Ridge has much very fine farming land, while there is some in the timber along the river that is rather thin soil. It is situated in the second tier of townships, with Saunemin on the north, Charlotte on the east, Forrest on the south, and Avoca on the west, and is probably about four-fifths prairie land.

Politically, Pleasant Ridge is strongly Republican, and has been almost from the first organization of the Republican party. Of late years, the Granger element has had some eff"ect on its political status ; yet, in all cases involvinij strict political principles, the Republicans carry the day.

The war record was equally good, and compares favorably with any township of a like population in the county. The names of its soldiers will be found in our war record, in another department of this history.

Owego, or Congressional Town 28 north. Range 6 east of the Third Principal Meridian, is the geographical center of Livingston County. The center of the township is in a direct line, twenty-five miles from the northwest corner of the county; twenty-two from the southwest ; twenty-three from the northeast, and twenty-five from the southeast. It is a full town and contains thirty-six full sections of land. The township in the northern part is quite level, indeed, almost flat, but in the southern part is slightly undulating. With the exception of a little fringe of the Vermilion River, which flows through the southwest corner of Section 31, it i^ entirely devoid of natural timber. The only floAving stream of water is the river just named. The Felky Slough, which extends through the eastern part of the town and opens into the Vermilion River, also furnishes stock water to the adjacent farms, except in the dryest seasons. In some parts of the township, water from wells is obtained with difficulty, but when found is of an excellent quality. The land is ol a very rich and productive character, and well adapted to the cultivation of corn, rye, oats and vegetables.

Prior to 1858, Livingston Count}' was divided into voting precincts, which were, from time to time, changed in location and number to suit the convenience of the inhabitants. They were all established along the Vermilion River, as this region was the first to settle. With the exception of this belt, varying in width from one to five miles, extending from the southeast to the northwest part of the county, it was but sparsely settled - indeed, we may say it was not occupied at all. The earliest immigrants, being from thickly timbered localities, doubtless considered the prairie lands of but little value, except as herding places for their cattle, and so selected the timber and its immediate vicinity for their homes. The territory now embraced in Owego, being for the most part destitute of timber, was not considered of sufficient importance for, nor was the number of inhabitants adequate to, a separate precinct, but was included in what was known as the Center Pi-ecinct, which, at the first organization of the county, included an extent of about fifteen miles up and down the Vermilion River, with Pontiac near the middle. Latterly, or near the time of the adoption of the township organization act, the boundaries of the Center Precinct were more limited, but still embraced the territory now denominated Owego.

Even in 1857, when the county was divided into political townships, this contained barely enough qualified persons to hold all the offices, and these were established in the southwest corner. Perhaps there were not more than a score of voters in all.

The first permanent settlement was doubtless made by Daniel RockAvood. Mr. Rockwood was not only the first resident of the township, but was among the very first in the county. He settled on the place occupied by him until recently, about the year 1833. He was a man of much influence and popularity in the early days of the county. He was one of the first three County Commissioners, elected May 8, 1837, and was the only one who received a unanimous vote at the election, and one of the very few candidates that ever has received such a compliment. It was through his influence and that of James Weed, that the county seat came so near being removed from Pontiac in 1839. Henry Weed's two partners had died, and the surviving partner becoming somewhat careless as to the fate of the county seat enterprise, his brother James, who lived near Rockwood's, conceived the idea of removing it to that vicinity, and, as stated in the history of Pontiac Township, almost succeeded in the scheme. After the adoption of the act electing Supervisors from each township, instead of County Commissioners for the whole county, Rockwood was the first Supervisor, and was twice re-elected to the office. He became a man of considerable wealth, and continued to reside at the old homestead until a few years ago, when he died. The place of his nativity was Tioga County, New York.

Probably the next settlement made in what is now Owego Township, and certainly the next permanent one, was made by James L. Stinson, nearly six years after. Stinson entered his land November 12, 1839, and resided here until his death in 1847. This, as far as can be ascertained, was the first death in the township. The widow of Stinson, a year or so after, married John Foster, and thus came to pass, also, the first wedding. With James Stinson, also, came two brothers - Alexander and Thomas. The former remained here a few years, and then removed to Lexington, McLean County. Thomas found the country too tame, even in those primitive times, and, after stopping a year or two, pushed on further west into Kansas.

This marks the advent of John Foster into this neighborhood. " L^ncle Johnny '" had been in the county ten or a dozen years - latterly in Avoca Township - but, after his marriage with Mrs. Stinson, moved his effects to the Stinson place and became a permanent inhabitant of the township.

David Millliam had, all his life, been a sailor, and can scarcely be said to have come from any country. He had, however, lived for a time in Licking County, Ohio, locating in this town in 1851. He died on the place to which he first came, a few vears since.

In 1851, William Rollings arrived from Ohio and settled on what has since been known as the Benham farm. He was a peaceable and quiet citizen, but came to a tragical end, being murdered in cold blood April 1, 1872. The facts in the case seem to be about these : A man named John Soter claimed the land occupied by Rollings, and, although he was but a renter, he had made frequent threats on Rollings' life. On the evening of the 1st of April, in the year mentioned, Soter, who lived on a neighboring farm, invited a party of young folks to his house to spend the evening. Among the rest was Rollings' son, who was engaged to play the violin. Late in the evening, Rollings himself came to the house and relieved his son for a while in the furnishing of the music. Though Rollings had heard rumors of Soter's antipathy toward him, but, conscious of his having had nothing to do with dispossessing Soter, and having been on friendly terms with him, did not apprehend any danger, or even that he was unwelcome at his neighbor's house. However, while engaged as stated, the party were alarmed by the report of a gun, fired near the window, and William Rollings, at the same moment, fell to the floor in a dying condition. He had received a charge of shot in his breast, from the effects of which he died a few hours later. Soter was arrested and sent to jail until the next term of the Circuit Court, which convened in May. He was tried and convicted of murder in the 5rst degree and sentenced to be hanged ; but the sentence was subsequently commuted to imprisonment in the penitentiary for life. Soter, at the time of the act, was already 60 years of age, and his penalty proved to be but a short term, as he died two or three years after his incarceration.

By the Spring of 1851, several other families had settled in the town, among whom were William Wilson, who still resides here; Rudolph Patty and Elijah Justis, brothers-in-law, the former of whom is dead, and the' latter now lives in Texas; L. Mixer and Samuel Wentz.

Richard Evans settled in the town in the Spring of 1855. Mr. Evans was the first Assessor of the town and has since held various offices of trust, and has been closely identified Avith every movement in which the town has been interested. A few years since, he changed his residence to Pontiac, where he now lives.

The railroad employ brought many good citizens to this county, among whom was James Burns, who had been employed in its construction. After the completion of the road. Burns settled in this township, and was the first settler on the north third of the township, and continued to be the only one for some time.

The next year after the Chicago & Alton Railroad was completed, quite a number of settlements were made. Thomas Holman came in that year. He had left Pennsylvania several years before, and had been to Oregon and California, in search of gold, and having been quite successful in the hunt, brought it to this township and invested it in land. When the school section was sold, he bought it all. Mr. Holman removed to Pontiac several years ago, and still resides there.

Robert Smith, James Alexander, William and Samuel Aljo, George Barr, William Harris and Ansel Hayes were here at the date last named, and still reside in the town.

After this, the additions to the settlement were so frequent that space forbids further mention of names ; suffice it to say, that within three years the population of the township was over 100.

In 1858, the township was organized. On the assembling of the voters, at the place designated in the call, at this, their first election, N. S. Grandy was elected Moderator. A motion was then made that voting for town officers then proceed ; but the 'Squire, being better posted in the law of elections, refused to entertain the motion, giving as the reason that he had not yet been sworn ; and there being no one present qualified to administer an oath, Grandy mounted his horse, rode to Pontiac, was sworn by the County Clerk, and received from him a ballot box and poll list, returned to the voting place and proceeded with the election.

The officers chosen at this first election were as follows : Daniel Rockwood, Supervisor; John Scott, Clerk; Robert Smith, Collector; Richard Evans, Assessor; N. S. Grandy and John Foster, Justices of the Peace; Hamilton Demoss and George Van Saun, Constables ; John Benham, Thomas Holman and William Wilson, Commissioners of Highways.

The township record does not contain a register of elections for the next four years ; but, as nearly as can now be ascertained, the principal officers have been as follows, to the present time :

The balance of the oflBcers for the present year are as follows : John Augustine, Assessor; A. Dann. Collector: B. J. Benedict, F. Fienhold and Silas Hayes, Road Commissioners; S. F. Slyder and G. B. Van Saun, Justices of the Peace, and James Cain and W. D. Irwin, Constables.

Owego Township was one of the first to give attention to means of instructing the youth. As early as 18-10, a small school house or cabin was erected near the Rockwood place, and a school kept. The attendance was limited to only a dozen pupils. This school house was built and the school maintained by private subscription. No public schools are reported in the township until 1855. In September of this year, the school lands were sold, and at once steps were taken to make the income arising from it available, to do which, it was necessary to establish schools and report the same. Accordingly, Ave find that in the Fall of this year, L. Mixer, who was the first Treasurer of the school fund for this tT)wnship, makes report to the School Commissioner that : " We' have supported one school in the township during the past year, which was taught by a female teacher, at ^9 per month. She has taught the school to good acceptance, both to Directors and parents. The whole number of scholars in attendance at the school has been fourteen, ten of which Avere males and four females. There are in the township, forty-seven persons under 21 years of age. We have just sold our school land for ^3,994.91." No public school houses bad yet been erected, nor were any built until 1857. Then three new houses were put up, the same year. Two of these were union school houses, on the line between this and Avoca Township, and the other near the Foster farm, and known to this time as the Foster School House.

There had been a very perceptible advance in school matters by this year. R. W. Babcock, who then resided in the town, and had been appointed custodian of the public funds and gatherer of school statistics, makes a very full and complete report for the year, from which a few items of interest are drawn, showing the progress for the past three years.

Eight years from this time, the number of schools had increased to six ; the number of pupils had doubled; but the average number of months had decreased a trifle, being only seven and a half for the year 1866. The whole amount paid as teachers" wages during the year was $658. After a lapse of eleven more years, a very satisfactory increase in all these items is noticeable.

One item, however, which figures cannot indicate, deserves more particular mention. The advancement made in methods of instruction, in the government of the schools, and in the classification of the pupils, has been greater than that indicated by any statistics.

Were we to judge the piety of the people of Owego by the number of church spires, we should form a very unjust opinion of them in this regard, as but one church building is to be found, and that belonging to a German society, the English speaking people having no house of worship in the township. Though the inhabitants of the town lay no claim to excellence in this regard, it is nevertheless true that they not only avail themselves of church privileges, but contribute liberally to the support of the Gospel in other localities. Many of them attend service in the neighboring towns, where societies have been organized at convenient distances from the line of Owego. Unlike the public schools, which must be located at certain points within the limits, the church buildings have been erected outside, while some of their strongest pillars live inside the confines of the township.

The German Evangelical Society, in 1872, erected, at a cost of S2,000, a neat and substantial building, capable of seating about 2<I0 persons. The house stands on a very fine elevation, embracing one acre of ground, in the eastern part of the toAvnship. The first minister to the congregation was the Rev. Adam Wagner. At present, the society is under the pastorate of Rev. Elfring. who resides at Weston, and conducts services here once in two weeks. The present membership is fifty-eight.

Owego did not remain an idle spectator during the great struggle of the Government for life, in 1861-65, but sent her vounor men to the field, and grave in abundance of her means for rheir support. Several who went out to fight their country's battles never returned, and some who did return died, either of wounds received in battle or of disease engendered by exposure and fatigue. Among those thus sacrificed that the Union might survive were John Evans, Nathan Hill, James Bastian and others whose names are unfortunately not credited to the town.

The politics of the town have varied with circumstances somewhat. During its first years, it was decidedly Democratic, but, after a few years, small Republican majorities were given, especially at State or national elections : but for the last six years politics have been somewhat ignored, and a strong " antimonopoly " sentiment has prevailed, so that it would not be safe to say that its politics were at present either Republican or Democi'atic, though probably on a purely political question the majority would be with the former.

As indicating the comparative value of property in the township, for 1877, the Assessor's book shows an assessed value of $363,891. This, though quite large, is of course but little more than one-third of the actual valuation. No doubt the full value of all property, both personal and real, is considerably in excess of a million of dollars. In 1854, the total value could not have exceeded $30,000, showing an increase of more than 3,000 per cent., or a doubling of values every eight years.

Washington Irving, in his history of New York, commences with the creation of the world, asserting that, as the Knickerbockers Avere descendants of Adam through Noah, therefore, in order to a full understanding of the whole matter, their histoid should besjin at the ^^beginninor." And as the creation of Nevada Township was coeval with that of the Garden of Eden, so, with equal propriety, may the historian of Nevada Township begin at that remote period, by saying that but few places on the earth were created which excel it in natural beauty and agricultural advantages. Its little grove of timber, fringing the beautiful little stream of Mazon : its gently undulating surface, Avhich renders it at once pleasant to look upon, and, on account of its easy drainage, desirable as farming land ; and its deep, rich soil, whose })roductiveness is not excelled in the county or in the State, make it one of the most desirable for the agriculturist to be found anywhere. So thought and so said James Funk, as he stood upon the bank of the Mazon, thirty years ago, and looked, now upon the little purling stream, and then upon the beautiful broad prairie, stretching out like a sea to the west and south, on the western shore of which could be dimlv seen the grove along the Vermilion, and on the south the timber at Deer Creek. Certainly nothing else could have induced him, at that time, to take up his abode so far from friends and neighbors and the conveniences of an older and more thickly settled community.

True, to the northwest, at a long distance, there were a few settlers, and James Martin had but the year before settled a few miles distant in Grundy County ; but between this point and Pontiac, a distance of eighteen miles, was not a single human habitation ; to the west for an equal distance was but the open prairie : and to the east and north, clear beyond the confines of the county, lived not a human being.

If Mr. Funk was romantic, he doubtless gazed rapturously upon the beautiful scene ; but as he was practical, he must have noticed more especially the substantial and useful features of the surroundings. He must have noted the fine range of pasture for his cattle, in which he dealt considerably, and the advantage that the running stream of water would be to his stock raising. He no doubt considered the supply of wood for fuel and lumber ; for the railroail, which now brings these commodities almost to the farm, had then scarcely been thought of. He must have scratched down into the soil and observed that it

of a very rich and productive nature, and, on account of its proximity to the creek, -would be easily drained. All of these things he must have taken into account, as a compensation for isolation from schools, churches and society. Suffice it to say, that he concluded to locate here : and, determined upon, it was done. He selected the southwest quarter of Section 1. He no doubt considered this the best location for his purpose, as he had his choice, the whole township, at that time, being government land. Mr. Funk moved to his land in 1848, opened his farm, and began raising stock. He remained here, however, but a few years, for, in 1852, we find him an early settler of Five-Mile Grove, in the history of which town he receives further notice.

James Martin, though at first not a resident of the township, deserves mention here, as he lived just across the line, and really broke the first land in Nevada Township, and in 1859, became an actual resident. Martin came from New York, and settled in the Grove, in ls47. where he remained until his removal to Nevada, twelve years later. In later years, he has had his home in Dwight.

Andrew Cotrel, a young man from Wilmington, bought a claim of Funk, on Section 1. It will be remembered that, prio^to 1852, not a section of land in the whole township was actually owned by any one. but settlers simply "squatted" on the land and "claimed" it. A part of this claim was sold by Funk to Cotrel. Cotrel lived here but a short time, when he sold out his claim to J. M. Reeder, and removed to Five-Mile Grove.

J. M. Reeder and family came from Indiana, in 1848, and having purchased Cotrels claim, settled and became permanent residents. He afterward, m 1853, purchased his land of the Government, and was one of the very first whose names appear on the original entry book. Reeder remained in the township until 1863, when he sold out and removed to Marion County.

William Kirkendall, from Indiana, and brother-in-law of Reeder. arrived with his family in 1852. He bought fifteen acres of Reeders claim, upon which he lived about ten years, when he sold out and rented land for a few years, again purchased land on Section 1, and finally sold out and removed from the county.

Stephen Kyle and Thomas C. McDowell, the former from Ohio and the latter from Pennsylvania, came in 1853, and entered land and became permanent settlers.

Mr. Kyle, in the early days of the township, was one of its most prominent and respected citizens. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1857, a year before the township was organized, and when this, with Dwight and Round Grove, were known as the Dwight Precinct. On the organization of the township, in 1858, he was elected as the first Supervisor, and re-elected to that office in 1859. He had been to the far West, and had worked for a time in Nevada ; and when the townships were named he gave it the one it now bears. On the breaking out of the rebellion, he enlisted as a soldier, wa* elected Lieutenant of his company, and died in the service of his country.

In 1854, Robert Thompson, George Bishop and Hosea Spencer settled in the township. Thompson was from Guernsey County, Ohio, and Bishop and his father-in-law, Spencer, were from New York. Thompson, or " Uncle Robert," or the " Iron -Gray 'Squire," as he is pleasantly called, is one of the bestknown and most highly-respected citizens of the county. His expressive title, the "- Iron- Gray 'Squire," is variously translated. As to the first word of the cognomen, the metal may, with great propriety, be said to represent the mettle of the man, and probably but few terms could be found that would convey a better idea of his firm and steady character. As to the first word in connection with the second, the term may readily apply either to the clothing or the head, both of which are distinguishing features of his outward appearance. As to the " 'Squire," every one knows that. He was the first 'Squire or Justice of the Peace of the precinct of Dwight, and was elected to the office in 1855 and held it until the adoption of the " Township' Organization Act," in 1858. The first summons issued by him was for a man in Round Grove. The summoned party discovered something wrong in the paper, and, on the day set for trial, appeared promptly and confidently demanded a non-suit, on the ground of irregularity. But the Squire replied that, '' though the little paper might have been faulty, it had at least brought him," and refused his claim, requiring him to stand trial.

Mr. Thompson was elected Supervisor in 1860, and was re-elected, with the exception of two years, every Spring until 1871, Avhen he absolutely refused to serve longer, and the township then elected his son three successive years. "Uncle Robert " has now retired from active business pursuits and politics, and lives a quiet life at his present home in Dwight.

George Bishop was a lawyer. He remained here but a short time, and then removed to Pontiac, Avhere he engaged for a few years in his profession. It is related that he was once engaged by John Kingore, who at the time was landlord of the Buck Hotel, as counsel in a case in which he was one of the principals. Kingore, when highly excited, had a peculiar and amusing habit of finishing up every sentence and almost every phrase with the word "sir.'" In the suit referred to. Lawyer Bishop was unsuccessful, and, when the decision was rendered, Kingore turned to his attorney and jerked out : " Mr. Bishop, sir, I have much law business, sir, to attend to, sir ; but, sir, if I ever give any more of it to you, sir, why, sir, may I be , sir ! "

The foregoing list embraces nearly all who had settled here before the completion of the railroad, which passes through the county a few miles east. This event gave a sudden impetus to settlement throughout all this section of country, and by the year 1858 the township had received quite a number of acces- sions. By the year named, L. E. Ross, James C. George, Stephen Morrison, Thomas Magee, John Carlisle, R. C. Adams and James C. Henry had come in. Ross was one of the first Commissioners of Highways, and held, from time to time, various offices of trust, among which was that of Treasurer of Schools. Magee was the second Township Clerk, John Carlisle second Assessor, and Adams second Collector.

In those days, though comparatively modern, many hardships to which we are now unaccustomed had to be borne, and many of the luxuries of life, now so common, were unknown. Though the soil Avas as productive, the price obtained for its products was far below that now obtained, and, before the completion of the railroad system, everything had to be hauled as far as Morris, which was the nearest point on the canal. Poultry, sheep and even hogs were often destroyed by wolves, and corn and wheat were injured by the herds of deer which ranged through the little grove and the adjoining prairie.

The township was one of those set oif in 1857 for a separate precinct, and the first election was called for and held April 6, 1858. With the exception of Stephen H. Kyle as Supervisor, L. E. Ross, James C. George and Stephen Morrison as Commissioners of Highways, and John Carlisle and Jacob Angle a-s Justices of the Peace, we have no means of determining who were the first officers elected - the record of the first election being lost.

At first, politics did not enter into questions relating to township matters ; but after a year or two the lines were drawn tightly, and Nevada has almost always since been strongly Democratic - indeed, at times has claimed to be the banner town of the county. At the subsequent township elections, the following were the principal officers elected :

The officers elect for 1878 are E. D. Brown, Supervisor ; J, B. Bell, Clerk ; Louis Gillet, Assessor : Patrick Riordan, Collector ; Pliilip Gibbons, Peter Killeeii and Matthew McDermott, Road Commissioners; M, McDonnell, Lyman

The first school taught in the neighborhood was about the year 1852. A few families joined together and built a small log cabin, in which Hannah Putnam, as now remembered, taught the first term. The school, though organized largely for the benefit of children living in Nevada Township, was in reality across the line, in Grundy County. These facilities, limited as they were, answered the demands until 1855, when what was and is still known as the " Thompson School " was organized and a school house erected. The house was erected from funds belonging to the county, which amount was subsequently paid back to the county fund. At the tinve of which we speak, there were but thirty-two persons under 21 years of age, and the school numbered only about eighteen scholars belonging to the township ; but by a law then in force, children from adjoining districts, and even in adjacent townships, where schools had not been organized, were permitted to attend ; and from these neighborhoods a few scholars attended. Ten years later, we find large accessions have been made to the population. The land has all been entered and mostly put under cultivation. Dozens of new farms have been opened, roads and bridges have been built, and the town has a largely improved appearance. In the item of schools, a decided interest has been taken, and very satisfactory advance is observable. From the little log cabin in 1852 to the more pretentious frame building in 1856, the number increased, by 1866, to five respectable school houses, with 120 scholars in attendance. From thirty-two persons under 21 years of age, during the ten years, we find an increase of nearly thre^ hundred ; and while, in 1856, the whole amount expended for educational purposes in this township was but ^54.55, in 1866 it was $761.

An idea of the condition of schools at this date may be gathered from the following figures, extracted from the ToAvnship Treasurer's report for 1878 :

From the above it will be readily seen that the increase and improvement in schools must have been quite marked, comparing very favorably with other townships.

There is not at this time what might be termed a real poor school house in the township ; on the contrary, all are comfortable, and most of them furnished with good desks, maps, charts and other conveniences for making first class schools.

The call of the country in 1861, to rescue the Government from the hands of those who sought its destruction, was not unheeded by the citizens of Nevada Township. As did Putnam, when informed that the country was being overrun by the British, they left their plows in the furrows, and, mounting the liorses that had been unhitched therefrom, galloped oft' to the nearest recruiting office, and enrolled their names "for three years or during the war." We should like to follow them in all of their weary marches and their hard-fought battles, and give them credit for all of their bravery, for their noble endurance of hunger, thirst and cold, for sore feet and tired 'limbs ; but time and space forbid but a short mention of the names of those who did still more - who even laid down their lives that the country which they loved better than their own lives might live. Among those who enlisted from this township, who went out to fight their countrys battles and returned not, are remembered Stephen Kyle, Orson Spencer. Charles Spencer, John Collister, Henry Collister, John Kyler,' Frank Kimberg and Frank Angle. Though their bones lie, some in the soil where they fell, and some nearer home, where friendly hands removed them, yet are neither they nor their valiant deeds forgotten.

Nevada Township is a full Congressional town, and is described as Township 30 north, Range 6 east of the Third Principal Meridian. It is bounded on the north by Grundy County, on the east by Dwight Township, on the south by Esmen, and on the west by Sunbury. It is crossed, from east to west, on the half section line a mile and a half from the north line of the township, by the west branch of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, and from 'the northeast to the southwest by the main line of the same road, which cuts oft' two sections from the southeast corner. The west branch of Mazon Creek rises in the southwest part, and flows northeast and north, leaving the town at a point near the middle of the north line of Section 1. This creek furnishes an ample supply of stock water for the farms through which it flows. In the north part of Section 1 is a fine little grove of timber, not so extensive, however, as formerly, as many of the trees have been felled and used for fuel and fencing. The soil is very fine and deep, being well adapted for the raising of corn, oats and rye, immense quantities of which are produced. The total valuation of real and personal property for 1877 was $390,760.

Village Of Nevada

The village of Nevada was laid out and platted for William Shephard, of Jersey County, 111., from Section 8. The plat consists of forty-five acres, and was surveyed by A. C. Huetson, County Surveyor, February 10, 1870.

Prior to 1868, the citizens of Nevada Township had not thought of a closer market for their grain and other produce than Odell and Dwight. The valuable accession to the commercial facilities of this section, of the main line, had so recently been completed that they were scarcely ready to believe that they had need for more. However, in 1869, the western division was built, and immediately a new tracing point was established in the midst. The line had but been completed, and the location for a station fixed, when it was realized by a number of shrewd business men that this must soon be a point of considerable significance. With a large scope of territory, consisting of such fine farming lands as is embraced in Nevada and the eastern part of Sunbury, it could not be otherwise than that a trading point Avould develop here, comparing favorably in extent and importance with others on the line.

The first to realize these facts was E. D. Brown, who was then residing in the township. He built the first house, in the Spring of 1870, removed his family at once to the station, opened a store, and began buying grain. For the purpose of handling grain, he at fii^st erected a small granary. To this, as circumstances required, he made additions, until it embraced the large elevator now occupied by A. M. Wright & Co., of Chicago. He continued the store until it was burned down, in April, 1875, and the grain business until the following Spring.

After BroAvn had completed the buildings ah-eady mentioned, he erected the dwelling house in which he has since resided, and into which he removed in the Fall of 1870.

Michael Bridell and family came from West Virginia in the Fall of 1870, and built a house Avhich was at first used as a saloon, but in which, a few months later, was opened a store of general merchandise. The store, however, had but a short existence, and he returned to his former occupation, that of a carpenter, and Mrs. Bridell opened up a millinery establishment, which she has kept up ever since.

John B. Simpson came from Gardner, in the Fall of 1870, and built a blacksmith shop, and worked at the trade during the Fall and Winter. Early in the Spring of 1871, he built himself a dwelling house and brought his family to the place. His shop was the first of its kind, and the " village blacksmith" still plies the bellows, and from early morn till the setting sun the sharp ring of his anvil may still be heard.

Louis, Joseph and Julius Gillet, three brothers, and Frenchmen, resided in the township when the railroad was built, and, on its completion, came to the station to live. They reared them a stable in the Fall of 1871, in which they "kept house" during the ensuing Winter and most of the next Summer. In the Fall of 1872, they built a more comfortable abode, and turned the stable over to its legitimate purposes.

H. F. Burr and family removed to this place in the Spring of 1872, and erected a store and dwelling house, in which he set up a stock of hardware. They subsequently removed to Kansas.

In the Spring of 1873, Thomas Brady, from Grundy County, erected a store buihling, for the purpose of opening a dry goods and grocery house, but did not prosper well, and returned to his former home. In the Fall of 1872. J. A. Cavanaugh and family arrived from La Salle County. He came for the purpose of engaging in the grain and stock trade, in which business he has been eminently successful. The country about the station is well adapted to the raising of corn, and immense (juantitics of it are shipped from this point. Cavanaugh at first built a small granary, and in this handled grain during the Winter of 1872-3. The following Spring, he erected the large elevator which he now operates.

As soon as the station was located, and people commenced to settle at the place, demands began to arise for postal, educational and church accommodations. Heretofore Dwight and Odell, tliough somewhat distant, had served the people of this vicinity with postal facilities, but when business began to open at the station, the Government established a post office.

E. D, Brown Avas appointed first Postmaster. His successors have been E. F. Eaton, H. F. Brown, James K. Dean, B, Doav, Henry Devoe and George 'Baker. At present, the office is held by B. Dow.

The only church in the village, and indeed in the township, is that of the Methodists. It was organized soon after the village began to build, and at first consisted of about ten members. A convenient place for holding public meetings was very desirable, and a proposition to erect a church edifice met a hearty response; and very soon a sufficient amount was pledged to warrant the society in building. Lewis Springer, as Pastor, had charge of the society in 1873, and it was under his administration that the work began. The subscriptions were procured largely through the influence and personal solicitation of E. D. Brown. The house cost $1,800, and is twenty-six feet in width and fortytwo in length. It is 'well built, neatly furnished throughout, and compares favorably in size and style with similar buildings in towns of larger size. The society has been quite successful, not only financially, but in increase of members and influence. The present membership is about one hundred. Rev. W. R. Phillips is the present Pastor, and resides in the village.