McDonough County, Illinois - Division of the County, 1878

The committee appointed for the purpose of dividiug the county into townships reported in due time that they had performed that duty. By their report the county was divided into sixteen township, having the following names : Eldorado, Industry, Eagle Town, Lamoine, Kew Salem, Scotland, Erin, Tennessee, Mound, Macomb, Spring Creek, Rock Creek, Prairie City, Walnut Grove, Sciota, Blandinsville. The first election for township officers was held in April, 1857, and the Board of Supervisors held its first meeting May 11, 1857. At this meeting the name of Eagle Town was changed to Bethel ; Rock Creek to Hire ; Erin to Chalmers, and Spring Creek to Emmet. A petition was presented praying that the town of Prairie City be divided into two townships, but the prayer of the petitioners was refused. The following are the names and location of the various townships :

By the above we were entitled to sixteen members of the Board of Supervisors, since which time Macomb City has been allowed two representatives, and Prairie City township has been divided, the west half called Bushnell. Bushnell township is given one representative, and Bushnell city one, making in all twenty members of the Board of Supervisors. We here subjoin sketches of the various townships, beginning with -

Eldorado. - This township lies in the extreme southeast part of the county, 4 n., 1 w. It was first settled in 1831 ; A. J. Foster building the first house on section 2, in the northeast portion of the township, the settlement being known to this day as Foster's Point. About one-fourth of the township is timber land, the balance being a beautiful prairie. The timber land all lies in the southern part, with the exception of about seven hundred acres in the northeast part, comprising all of section 1 and part of section 2. Divided up, we have 21,292 acres of improved land; 1,490 acres of unimproved. In the southeastern part of the township, coal and building stone are found in great quantities, and of a good quality. Several small streams run through the township, furnishing living water for stock in all seasons of the year. Sugar creek and its branches are the principal water courses.

As showing the value of the township for all purposes we compile the following facts and figures of its products for the year 1875, together with the number of head and value of all kinds of stock: There were 21,293 acres of improved land, of which number 7,634 acres were in corn, 1,457 in wheat, 1,467 in oats, and 656 in other products. There were also 2,270 head of cattle, - value, $47,574; hogs, 4,192 - value, $22,982; horses, 747 - value, $31,200.

At the residence of Father Harris, living on section 1, was performed the first marriage ceremony in the township - Mr. Cleou Keddick and Miss Lucy Harris, by Rev. Aaron Kinney, a Universalist minister, in the year 1839.

The first birth was Samuel J. Foster, son of A. J. and Sarah Foster, who was born in the fall of 1831. The first death was JSTirarod Foster, son of Henry Foster, in the fall of the same year.

Eldorado Township, politically, is Democratic. As membera of the Board of Supervisors it has sent John Price, James Keach, Thomas Lawyer, William Marshall, Milton Amrine, Thomas Cox, James Irwin, Isaac Chandler, Job Marshall and A. J. Ilerrou, the present eflacient member.

as Elddrado Hall. This building was erected about the year 1869, at a cost of $1,800. It is used for all public purposes, such as elections, meetings of town officers and general public meetings. ^cic Salon. - Xevr Salem township lies in range 5 north. 1 west, and is eenerallv believed to contain the tinest bodv of laud in the eountr. "With the exception of a small tract of thirty-eight acres of timber in the southern part, it is entirely prairie land, and for richness of soil and adaptability to the various products of this country, is unsurpassed. The township was first settled in 1828, "William Pennington erecting his cabin in the region now known as Penningtons Point. There was probably at that time a little more timber in the township than at present, and the early settlers made their homes so as to have the benefit of it. Xo attempt was made to settle the prairie for many years after, though we believe it was the first township in which this was generally done.

Xo better improved farms are to be found in the Military Tract than in Xew Salem^ Township ; and herein live some of the most wealthy and honored of our citizens. The hospitality of her citizens is unbounded, and the "latch-strine alwavs hausrs out' and the weary traveler finds a hearty welcome.

Among the early settlers of this township w^ may mention "William Pennington, Stewart Pennington, Major Yocum, J. E. D. Hammer, Salem Woods, and "William Moore. Salem Woods, although he did not effect a settlement in the township until 1830, visited it in 1828, coming Irom his home in Pennsylvania on foot, for the purpose of examining the land he had purchased the year before, in 1827. Xot finding the country as well settled as he anticipated, he returned to his old home, but came out again two years after, settled down on section 30. where he has resiiled ever since, retaining the original deed. Mr. Woods brought the first stove ever seen in McDonough County, - a stove that was a great wonder in its day. We have heard of women making their bread, and carrving it a distance of nine miles to have the honor of baking it in that stove. Mr. Woods has yet a portion of it. One of the most jolly, good-natured souls that ever lived was Major Stephen Yocum, and the citizens of the Point will long remember him.

The first marriage in the township was Mr. Morgan Jones and Miss Elizabeth Osborne, who were united by Joseph Osborne, Esq., in February, 1834. The first birth was Perry Pennington,

This township has one village in its bomidaries, the ^ . - : Adair, on the Chicago. Bock Island and St. Louis I Mention is made elsewhere of this plaee, to "whieb ^t : tion. Pennington's Point, altiiongfa, not inecHT - ^ lie

In horses, cattle, hogs, and other st<xk. she rauks seeoiid to none. In fine stock, the township is probably /- i. e^eciallj on cattle. This is the home of Jos^L 1 7. ---/. L ^nes, who five on sec. 27. near the countv line. T^tS- ^ t T3,fi>r]iianT years, have turned their attention to line : '" we about as

The followins' named gentlemen have served as hitZi :^r: : The Board of Supervisor* : James H. Epperson, Joseph h - i ^ ^ ^ zi : i^ Pontious. Asahel Russell, Reuben C. Porter. Lvman 1 c ::^.-, -_ .^d :^ Z. Porter, Amariah Hanson. Abram Powers, John L. E"-'-:'!i.

est point in the county : the ascent is very giadnal, ai - ^ rly {-erceptible, When the simimit is reached a grand vie-a- :: '^ surrounding country presents itself. From this moand :1 ship derives its name. The mound is known as Pyeris Mound.

As for improvements, Mound ranks among the best, there being but few poor farms in the whole township. There are several fine churches in the township, also a good town hall, but the school houses fall below the average, and are not in keeping with the wealth and high standing of the people. This doubtless will soon be otherwise.

Mound has more miles of railroad than anj other township in the county. There is one village, ISTew Philadelphia, which is noticed under the head of towns and villages.

The first settlement was in 1832, Joseph Smith building a house on section 18, and occupying it with his family. But little progress was made as respects increase in population and the development of the resources of the township for many years after. The Orawfords, Jacksons, Creels, Kepples and McCandless are numbered among the first settlers - all good and industrious families, and still living in the respective neighborhoods in which they first settled.

Edward Dyer and Jane Kepple were the first couple united in the holy bonds of matrimony. They were married on the seven-- teenth day of April, 1838, by the Rev. John Richmond, a Methodist minister, who organized the first church in the township. The first preaching in the township was also by a Methodist, Rev. E. Thompson, Mdio preached at the house of Jacob Kepple, in the year 1836. There are now three churches in the township, viz : Methodist Episcopal, Christian, and United Brethren.

The firsf birth was that of Josephine Kulp, about the year 1834, and the first death was Emily Miller, daughter of George and Mary C. Miller, who died in the year 1832.

There are in the township 22,238 acres of improved land, having an assessed value of $872,260, a higher rate than any other in the county. There is no unimproved land.

With respect to products, the township will favorably compare with any other in the county. In stock it ranks number one. In intelligence and business enterprise second to none. Being the home of such men as the Porters, Creels, Manlys, Works, and others, this is not to be wondered at.

Politicallj, Mound is Republican. The township has been represented in the Board of Supervisors by Samuel II. McCandless, Solomon Markham, Edward Dyer, Christian Ely, James Updegraff, Lyman Porter, James Manly, Joseph Shannon, Thomas J. Creel, Ross Manly, and Joseph Shannon.

In 1874 a town hall was erected on section 21, at a cost of $1,000. It is a frame building, twenty-four by thirty-six, and is used for all town purposes, such as elections, public meetings, etc.

Prairie City and Bushnell. - These townships were originally ou.e, and lie 7 north, 1 west, and are almost wholly prairie land,, and as good as can be found in the Military Tract. Matthew B. Robinson was the first settler, erecting a house on section 30 - now Bushnell township. G. W. Thompson was probably the second, and settled on section 25, six miles east from Mr. Robinson. Mr. Thompson remarked to the writer that, notwithstanding the distance, they were truly neighbors, much more than many who now live within a stone's throw of each other. This was characteristic of early times.

But little was done in the settlement of the township until the completion of the C. B. & Q. R. R., when, in a short time, every quarter was taken up and occupied.

The Presbyterians were the first to enter this new field and sow the seeds of the gospel, Rev. William H. Stewart, of Macomb, preaching the first sermon, at the house of Matthew B. Robinson.

The township increased very rapidly in wealth and population on the completion of the railroad, and two towns were laid out within its limits ; one on sections 1 and 2, and the other on sections 27, 28, 33 and 34 - the former called Prairie City and the latter Bushnell. These towns are noticed elsewhere at some length.

By an act of the Legislature the township was divided in 1865, the north half retaining the name of Prairie City and the south half adopting the name of Bushnell.

This township Las always been Republican. Before the division the following named -gentlemen served it on the Board of Supervisors: AlonzoS.Kimber, G. F. Ilendrickson, Isaac Weaver, Iliram Conover and D. R. Hamilton. Since its division Prairie City has been repreoented by H, C. Sanford, G. "W. Hamilton, James W. Brooks, Sanger S. Stevens, G. A\". Closson, and A. T. Irwin. Bushnell has sent J. II. Smith, I). M. Wychoft, James Devon, S. A. Epperson, A. L. Sparks, J. C, Cadwallader, and E. D. C. Haines.

Indufitry. - Industry township lies in range 4 north, 2 west, and is the oldest settled district in the county, it embracing the old Carter settlement of which we make mention elsewhere in this work. About two-lifths of the township was originally timber land, a good part of which is now brought under cultivation.

Being the oldest settled township in the county its people can boast of having initiated several customs. Here was performed the first marriage ceremony in the county. Mr. John Wilson and Miss Martha R. Vance, being united in the "holy bands of wedlock" on the 30ch day of October, 1828; here the first child was born, a daughter to Thomas Carter in August, 1828 ; here the first death, a son of Isaac Fowler, in 1829 ; here the first gospel sermon, by Elder John Logan, in May, 1828; here the first church erected in 1831, which is still standing, it having been built as a Union church ; here the first school, taught by an Englishman named Jenkins.

The township now has 21,407 acres of improved lands, and 1,403 acres of unimproved, with a total cash value of $612,866; towns lots, $33,749. In the past year (1875), there were planted and sown 6,987 acres corn, 1,651 acres wheat, 1,057 acres oats, 212 acres other products. There were in the township 910 horses, 1,806 cattle, 68 mules, 868 sheep, and 2,521 hogs. (For value of these see table).

In the south part of the township, and probably underlining every square foot of soil in all parts, may be found coal in great abundance, the veins averaging thirty-three inches. Ebenezer Jones, James A. Yawter, William Dupees and others are working good veins of an excellent quality.

We find in the township, including the town of Industry, several churches, showing the spiritual wants of the people are not neglected. There arc also school houses, with an average attendance in their schools of four hundred and sixty-seven.

Grindstone Creek (formerly called Turkey Creek) is the principal stream passing through the township, it coming in on section 1 and passing out at section 19. Camp Creek passes through a portion of sections 5 and 6. Thus we iind the township well watered. All things taken into consideration, the division of the township into timber and prairie land, the abundance of coal, stone for building purposes, etc., we consider Industry well-favored. Among the wealthy farmers, we may mention Darius Runkle, who owns large tracts of land in the southern part. The following named gentlemen have served the township as members of the Board of Supervisors : Joel Pennington, 1857-60 ; Darius Runkle, 1860; Leander Cassidy, 1861-63; T. B. Cordell, 1863-65; T. J. Pennington, 1865 ; James P. Skiles, 1866-68 ; George A. Taylor, 1868; R. A. Duncan, 1869 ; Ebenezer Vail, 1870; T. J. Pennington, 1871; T. B. Cordell, 1872; Thomas L. Maxwell, 1873; C. R. Shannon, 1874; W. H. Taylor, 1875; WiUiam Kinkade, 1876.

Scotland. - This township derived its name from the large number of Scottish citizens living in the township at its organization. It lies in range 5 north, 2 w^est.

The first settlement effected in the township was in the year 1832. Dr. Charles Hays, a physician of large practice in the early times, and the Hon. Cyrus Walker being the first to erect their cabins. The Clarks, Alisons, Harlans, and Campbells were among the early settlers. These men are yet living, or have descendants living in the township, all, we believe, well-to-do farmers and excellent business men.

The township is all prairie land, except groves along the banks of Camp Creek, which is reported to the assessors as being timber land, and containing 662 acres, a little more than a section. The soil is the best in the county, and no township can boast a greater yield of corn or other products to the acre. A large amount of stock is raised, it being one of the best sections of country in the State for that purpose.

No better improved farms are found, no finer residences and better barns than those in this township . The people are all of the industrious class, and are continually adding to their wealth. Dr. B. R. Westfall, Milton Knight, S. C. Knight, Amos Dixon, L. F. Smith, M. Herndon, J. M. Rexroat, and the Barclay brothers, are among the prominent men of the township.

Rev. Wm. K. Stewart, a Presbyterian minister, living in Macomb, preached the first gospel sermon at the house of Hon. Cyrus Walker, in the year 1837. This denomination outranks all others in the township, having two flourishing churches in the southern part, a description of which ma}" be found in the chapter on the religious history of the county.

The first school taught in the township was in a log house on Camp Creek, Miss Mary Mead as teacher. Scotland to-day has the best school buildings of any township in the county, in number, nine, and valued at about $10,000. Iler schools have always been the best, with number one teachers usually employed.

The assessed value of land for the year 1876 is $634,080. A small portion of Macomb lies in this township, but its record of town lots are kept by that city, and do not come under the supervision of the township officers at all. In value of stock Scotland ranks third in the county. In imported stock it ranks first. Dr. B. R. "Westfall and J. M.Rexroat have been making special eSbrts to improve the stock of the county by importing thorough bred horses and cattle from Europe and other places.

Isaac P. Monfort, George W. Provine, Jacob Randolph, John Blackburn, Samuel R. Jones, John C. Moore, John Watson, L. F. Smith, Jonas Ringer and John Barclay have served the township as members of the Board of Supervisors.

Macomb. - The history of this township in a measure is identified with the history of the city of Macomb. It lies in six north, two west, and is principally prairie, though having considerable timber along the margin of Crooked creek and its branches. In woodland there was reported to the assessor in 1876, only a little 6ver a section - 696 acres. Among the settlers in the township were Alexander Harris, Joseph Smith, Robert Grant, J. P. Updegrafi", Ephraiofi Palmer, William Hamilton and Levi Hamilton, the first among them settling about the year 1831. This town- ship was made noted at an early day by the circumstances of a child being lost, an account of which is given in one of the first chapters of this book.

The township now has some advantages over those of any other in the county, chief among which is its accessibility to a railroad depot, there being no part of it over four miles from one. It has only two churches in it, but its proximity to the towns surrounding it obviates any difficulty here.

Crooked creek passes through the entire township, coming in at section thirteen, and passing out at section thirty. Drowning Fork, of this stream, derived its name from the circumstance of a man being drowned there about the year 1827. Two soldiers were returning from the northern part of this State, or Wisconsin, where they had been fighting Indians, going south. When they arrived at this branch of Crooked creek they found it swollen by recent rains. In attempting to cross, one of them was drowned. His companion buried him beside the stream, and made his way to the block house, in Industry township, where he narrated the circumstances to the few settlers surrounding it, who returned with him to the creek and found it as he described. They gave it the name which it has since borne - Drowning Fork.

Although there are fewer acres of land susceptible of cultivation in the township, it is well improved in every respect, and has living within its boundaries some of the most enterprising farmers in the county, among wliom we may mention L. H. Copeland, formerly County Superintendent of Public Schools, David Holler, H. H. McElwain, Durham Harris, L. H, Shriner, John Wiley, Andy Lewis, William Rile, James Fulton, Abraham Switzer, L. H. Shriner, W. E. Roberts, John Crabb, the Cline Brothers, Joseph Parks, and a host of others. David Holler has an advantage over many of the farmers of the county, in the fact that he can sell the dirt of his farm, and whether able to raise anything or not, he can still live. The finest clay in the world for the manufacture of fire-brick, tiling and earthenware, comes from his farm.

The land in this township not available for cultivation makes the finest pasture, and we find the township excelling as a stockproducing country, having three times as many head of cattle as any other.

The greater part of the city of Macomb lies in this township, and also the town of Bardolph. This takes from the total value of the lauds, but it has .^623,127 worth, at the assessed value.

"We find the following named persons who have served in the Board of Supervisors: James Maguire, Louis H. Waters, B. R. Hampton, William S. Hendricks, Firman Casto, O.^ F. Piper, William J. Merritt, F. D. Knapp, William H. Rile, John Archer, Thomas Cliue and Foster Dobbins.

Walnut Grove. - This township was not settled as early as some others, the first record wc have being in the spring of 1835, when Sidney Gear erected his house on section 14. It is a beautiful prairie country, its timber land, about one hundred acres, lying along the banks of the stream.

The first birth was Flora M. Walker, daughter of Gilmore Walker, who was born in the year 1836. Mr. Walker was the first to lose a child, Martha Walker, who died in the fall of 1837. liev. Harrison Berry, a Cumberland Presbyterian clergyman, and Miss Martha Walker were the first couple married in the township. They were united on the fifteenth day of February, 1838, at the residence of Gilmore Walker, by the Rev. Cyrus Haines. The Rev. Mr. Griggs preached the first sermon in 1836. Walker Findley taught the first school in 1838, in a log cabin on section 16, near what is now known as the Deer Park.

The township is well represented by the various religious denominations, each having good church buildings, showing the inhabitants are not adverse to religious influences. As to its educational facilities, it is up to the average.

The T. P. & AV. Railroad passes through the township on the south side, and the St. L., C. & R. I. crosses its northeast corner. A portion of Good Hope lies in the township, near the southwest corner. This town is mentioned elsewhere. Bushnell and Prairie City are within convenient distance, which give the people good markets.

Politically, the township maybe classed as Republican. We find the following named gentlemen have been members of the Board of Supervisors : Dr. D. J. Dungan, John McSperritt, Joshua Larkins, D. A. McKee, Samuel McWhinney, E. B. Davis, William W. Stewart, David Brockway and R. A. Morris.

Bethel. - This township lies 4 north, 3 west, and is principally timber land, containing some of the finest in the county. John Gibson has the honor of being the first to settle here, he building himself a cabin in the year 1830, about the time the Clarkes, Baylors, and others settled in the neighborhood of Macomb. Mr. Gibson built his house on section 2, near the present village of Middletown. That his selection of a site was good is admitted by all. James Edmundson, one of the first County Commissioners, Marks, Dansworth, Archer, and Matthews also came at an early day.

The first marriage was Mr. Thomas Driskill and Miss Sarah Gibson, who were united November 16, 1839, by Jesse Keece, Esq., a Justice of Peace. The first birth was Joseph, son of John Gibson, in 1832.

The Baptist was the first religious denomination to preach the gospel, old Father Bradley and Thomas Owens, doing the work. These men, we believe, organized a Baptist church here about 1835.

This township is well watered, the two forks of Crooked Creek passing through its entire length, onecomingin on section 24, and the others on section 1, both uniting and passing out on section 31.

The north part of the township is prairie land, and we find some of the finest farms in the county. The southern part is timber land, and is the depository of immense beds of coal and a great deal of stone for building purposes. Copper, zinc and iron ore have been found in large quantities, though but little efiort has been made to test the matter as to whether it can be found sufficient to pay working or not.

This is a democratic township, and has sent as members of the Board of Supervisors the following named gentlemen : James H. Dunsworth, John Kankivil, James Black, Wm. Twaddle, James Robinson, John M. Dunsworth, Samuel Wilson, Archibald IIolstine, Wm. H. JSTankivil.

Chalmers. - This is one of the oldest settled townships in the <^ounty, and lies five north, three west. Daniel and David Troxwell, Berry Jones and theMcFaddens were the first to inhabit the township, ill 1828. The first mentioned left the following year, 1830. John D. Barber, Jesse ISTeece and Robert Phelps can also be numbered with the first.

This township contains more timber land than any other in the county, which doubtless accounts for its early settlement and subsequent growth. John W. AVestfall, familiarly known as Governor Westfall, and Miss ISTeece, were the first couple married. , Miss is'eece was the daughter of Jesse !N"eece, and a sister of Hon. W. H. Neece. They were married by James Clarke, Esq., a Justice of the Peace, on the fifteenth day of December, 1834.

The first death was a Mr. P)Owen, who died in the year 1830, at the residence of David McFadden, on the farm now owned by William Hunter, near the city of Macomb. He was buried in theold grave yard near Macomb, and was the second person interred therein.

Rev. John Baker, who is mentioned in the first part of thiswork, a Baptist minister, preached the first discourse at the residence of Daniel Troxwell, in 1830.

A portion of the city of Macomb lies in the northeast corner of this township, and a portion of the town of Colchester lies on section nineteen.

By reference to the returns of the assessors, we learn that there are yet 7,760 acres of timber land, a greater number than any other in the county. The fuel question, so far as they are concerned, is settled.

There are here many good farms, the most of which are small, there being very few large landholders. This is far better for the general good.

Living here we find the following named excellent citizens, who have done much, and are still working for, the best interest of the township : C. W. Dunsworth, George W. Duncan, and William Reid, W. S. McClelland, George Kruse, John D. Barber, Mrs. Alison and Mrs. Sullivan.

This township has always been Democratic. The following have been sent to represent the township as members of the Board of Supervisors since the adoption of the township organization law : Isaac McCowan, Alexander Blackburn, Jeremiah Sullivan,

Emmet. - This township lies 6 north, 3 west, and is about equally divided between timber and prairie land. A portion of it lying in the present city of Macomb, its history is contemporaneous with it, Peter Hale, the iirst Coroner of the county, building his cabin on the quarter where the old grave yard, west of Macomb, is located, in the year 1830. William Pringle settled a short distance west. This was the iirst settlement in the township. In the year 1831 William Pennington removed from Pennington's Point, and located upon Spring creek, about eight miles northwest of Macomb, where he still resides. John Wyatt settled near by iibout the same time. Others soon followed, and the Spring Creek settlement became quite noted. The liussells, McCords, Humberts, and others were among the iirst, and all have descendants yet living in the township.

Elder John Logan, the noted pioneer preacher, a short biography of whom we give elsewhere, preached the first sermon on Spring creek in the year 1832.

David G. McFadden and Miss Dorcas Bowen were the first married in the township, the ceremony being performed by James Yance, Sr., a Justice of the Peace, some time in the year 1833. This McFadden was one of the two hung about two years later for the murder of John Wilson, they being the only citizens of McDonough county who have met the like fate.

The township is well watered, and is an excellent stock country. Crooked creek passes through the southeast portion of the township, and Spring creek and tributaries running through the greater portion of it, furnishes living water at all seasons of the year.

There are many excellent farms here, and the farmers are nearly all well to do men. J. D., A. J. and J. N. Hainline, Samuel DqJj James D. Griffith, Samuel McCray, A. B., William and George Stickle, George Guy and sons, William C. McLeod, are among her best citizens.

Emmet has always been Democratic, generally voting the ticket straight. This year, 1876, by strong eftbrt, the Republicans succeeded in getting a small majority on their county ticket.

The followins: named gentlemen have served as members of the Board of Supervisors : Jonathan H. Baker, James M. Campbell^ Charles Creel, "William C. McLeod and Thomas Murray. Since 1859, William C. McLeod has served on the Board fourteen years, a longer time than any other person in the county save one. He certainly has made an efficient officer.

Sciota. - This township lies in range 7 north, 3 west, and is a very fine body of land. AYith the exception of one-quarter section in the southwest corner, it is entirely prairie, and nearly all available for cultivation. The land is very fertile, and at this time there is scarcely a foot of soil, outside of public highways, but what is under fence, and all under cultivation, save the timber laud mentioned above and a little on the brakes of the creeks.

The first settlement made in this township was in the year 1836 - Pressly Purdy, John Hainline, Benjamin Clark and V. M. Hardin being among the early settlers. The township made no special growth until about the time of the completion of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. There being so much prairie land within its boundaries, it seemed a perfect barrier ta its settlement. Where was the timber to come from for fuel and fencing purposes, and what protection could be had from the cold blasts of winter ? The fuel and fencing question was eft'ectually solved by the introduction of the railroad, and, from experience, it was found that one could live about as comfortable upon the open prairie as in the timber. It was not until about the year 1856 that much progress was made in settling upon the prairie ; previous to this the settlers all hugged the timber joining the township on the southwest. When John Logan settled upon section 16, in 1857, his friends thought he was crazy in going so far from the timber, and predicted he would never be troubled with neighbors - the nearest one then being about three miles awa3\ Xow there is not a quarter section in the whole township where there is not a dwelling house, and there are many very fine farms which are well cultivated by their happy owners.

The first marriage was that of Mr. Y. M. Hardin and MissiSTancy Burdy. They were united by Rev. Jesse Chapman, a Baptist preacher then living in Macomb, on the sixteenth day of

The iirst school house was built in 1846, and Louis Goddard taught the first school. There are now eight in the township, each enjoying a reasonable degree of prosperity.

liev. Cyrus Haines preached the first sermon at the house of John Hamline, in the summer of 1839. Mr. Haines was of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination.

There are two villages in the township - Good Hope and Sciota, the latter more generally known as Clarkesville - a name given it in honor of William B. Clarke, who established the point. For description of tliese villages the reader is referred to another chapter.

The township is mainly well watered, the Walnut Grove branch of Crooked creek and its tributaries passing through some ten or twelve sections, while the head w^aters of Spring creek is formed on section 29, and passes out on section 31.

The principal products are corn, wheat and oats. In corn the township outranks any other in the county, in 1875 having 13,712 acres. If we give 50 bushels as an average, it would be 685,600 as the yield.

Politically, Sciota has always been Democratic. The following are the names of those serving the township as members of the Board of Supervisors: William Heath, James M. Wallen, G. F. Green, J. W. Brewster, Benjamin Robinson, J. T. Painter, Ephraim Dice, John AY. Tipton and Evan Rodgers.

Lamoine. - Lamoine lies in township 4 north, range 4 west and is principally timber land. Its first settlement was in 1830, and the first house built on section 12, by David Fees. In the southwestern part a settlement was founded, we believe, in the following year, on what is known as Round Prairie, near the Hancock and Schuyler county line. In this part of the township are some fine farms, the land being of a good quality. The Twidwclls, Whittingtons, and Mvers, were the first to settle on Round Prairie, while Thomas and Benjamin Powers and David Fees settled on the eastern part, joining Bethel.

It was several years after the settlement of the township, before death entered, Isaac Smith dying on Round Prairie in the year. 1840, being the first one.

Lamoine is Democratic, and has elected to serve them in the County Board of Supervisors the following named gentlemen: John S. Holliday. John Twidwell, L. G. Reed, J. W. Hendricks, and William Robinson.

Mr. Reed has the honor of having served on the Board longer than any other person, serving fifteen years out of the twenty since the adoption of the township organization law. He has made an efficient officer, and served several terms as chairman of the Board. He was the agent of the county in superintending the work of building the new court house, and faithfully attended to his duties. Although a zealous politican, he enjoys the respect and esteem of both political friends and foes.

Tennessee. - This township was settled at an early day, Ros'well Tyrrell building a house in which to live in the year 1830. AVe find it principally timber, there being given to the assessor as wood land in 1876, a total number of 10,293 acres. A good part of this is counted also as improved, for we find 15,204 acres marked as such. A good portion is excellent farming land, and there are a number of good farms.

The greater part of Colchester lies in this township, and also the village of Tennessee. This takes from the gross amount of the value of their land.

Rev. Cyrus Haines, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher, delivered the first discourse, at the house of Joshua Hunt, sometime in the year 1834.

Stephen A. "White, E. B. Hibbard, William Moore, Reson Hooton, Ralford McClure, John Myers, Rutherford McClure and H. L. Rapelje, have served with the Board of Supervisors.

Hire. - This township derived its name from George W. Hire, it first being called Rock Creek. It lies 6 north, 4 west, and was settled at an early day, a portion of Job's settlement reaching into it. ]^athaniel Herron was probably the first settler, and Robert Seybold the next. Mr. Herron came out and built his cab,in in the fall of 1827, when he returned for his family and moved in the spring of 1828. Like many other portions of this county. Hire was originally settled by the Iventuckians, with a very slight mixture from other States. Of those settling here at an early day, we recall to mind Major Hungate, John Hardest}*, Jacob Clark, John Hunt, Yandever Banks, Evan Martin, and John Logan. Many of the early settlers attained some prominence in McDonough county aftairs. John Hardesty was County Commissioner tor several years ; John Logan was a noted Baptist preacher ; Yandever Banks was somewhat of a politician, running once for the Legislature, being beaten by throwing out of one of the poll books on account of some informality.

Captain Charles R. Hume, well and favorably known throughout the county, taught the first school in 1838, at the present residence of Isaac Oakman. Previous to this time the citizens of the township were compelled to send their children to other more fortunate settlements to obtain an education.

There is no record of any death previous to the year 1844, when George W., a son of Yandever and Leonore Banks, died on the fourth day of March.

Hire is principally prairie, with groves here and there. The soil is of good quality, and the farms are among the best in the county. Within the past ten years great improvements have been made; the old log house has given place to the stylish modern residence; straw barns to large wooden structures. Everything betokens change for the better.

By the assessments, and from personal enquiry, we learn there are 22,748 acres of improved land in the township, valued at f 580,052. Of wood land there are 803 acres.

Hire has had to represent her in the Board of Supervisors the following named gentlemen : Ebenezer ]^. Hicks, R. Matteson Foils, Isaac Oakman, Jesse Martin, J. E. K. Carlisle, Samuel Logan, William D. Welch, and Allen Stookey.

Blandinsvllie. - With the exception of Industry this is the oldest settled township in the county - YV'illiam Job and two of his brothers-in-law coming here in 1827. A thriving settlement was soon gathered, and was called, in honor of William Job, " Job's settlement," and until the past few years it still continued to bear the name.

John Ilardesty, Redmond Grigsby, Harrison Hungate, Y. M. Hardin, Charles G. Hungate, William Ilardesty, William D., James A., John S. and Thomas Mustain, Silas J. Grigsby and John Huston were among the tirst settlers. Many of these are yet living, and all have descendants here who are prominently identilied with the history of the township and of the county.

Elder John Logan, the old pioneer preacher, who probably preached as many discourses for as little money as any other man, and who toiled long for the Master, delivered the first discourse in 1829 or 1830, in the barn of John Ilardesty. The first church w^as built about the year 1832 as a Union Church, and was occupied by the Baptist and Christian denominations in common.

Blandinsville township is principally prairie, though having in it considerable timber, given in to the assessors at 5,166 acres. The land is of good quality, and in it are some of the best farms, the finest residences, and most substantial outbuildings found in the county. As a stock producing township it ranks number one. In number of head of cattle it is next to Macomb, and in quality it is probably ahead. Here is the home of Rigdon Huston, Esq., one of the heaviest stock dealers in the county. His herd of line cattle has borne away from the fairs of the State many blue ribbons. John Huston also devotes a great deal of labor to this branch of industry.

Among the many excellent farmers and business men of the township who have spent time and money in building up its industries are Eigdon, Thomas B., Preston and John Huston, Hon. Humphrey Horrabin, William Blackhurst, 0. M. Lisk, George G. Blandin, William H. Grigsby and Thomas M. Gilfrey.

This is one of the strong Democratic townships. It has had to represent her in the Board of Supervisors William W. Moss, Hiram Williams, Victor M. Hardin, James A. Munstain, Eigdon Huston^ W. W. Gillihan and Silas J. Grigsby.