McLean County, Illinois - The whole text, 1879 (part 18 of 42)

Gr. L. and F. A. Wheelock were in the neighborhood in 1854, and, in 1855, they moved into the station-house, and transacted the business of the company at this point. E. G. Clark, a relative of the Wheelocks, came about the same time. The next persons of importance to locate here were H. W. Wood and John Kellogg. They came to the place in 1856 - Mr. Wood from Massachusetts, and Mr. Kellogg from Tremont, where he had resided many years previously. Dr. F. P. King, about the same time removed from Menard County to this place, and engaged with Mr. Kellogg in the mercantile trade. The Wheelocks and Wood also opened a store. Perhaps we khave made the impression that the above were the first merchants here. That was not strictly the case, as John Goodhue had kept a few groceries and notions prior to the opening of these stores. Mr. Goodhue was also the first Postmaster ; afterward, Mr. Kellogg was appointed Postmaster, and kept the office in his store. Kellogg & King soon dissolved partnership, and the latter went to Wilmington to take charge of the Stewart Hotel of that place.

A. H. Dillon, in company with Mark Marion, erected a small warehouse and commenced buying grain. J. S. and G. P. Barber soon after built a warehouse and bought grain.

In 1866, Thornton B. Colton erected an elevator, which was the first of the kind here ; three or four years later, the building was burned. In 1867, M. G. Haughey's elevator was built. This building has a handling capacity of about six thousand bushels.

The Mount Hope mills and elevator were built in 1868; the mill by Stone, Aldrich & Co., and the elevator by C. C. Aldrich. The cost of both establishments was over $25,000. The mill has four runs of buhrs, and the elevator has a storing capacity of 20,000 bushels. These are said to be the most complete of their kind in Central Illinois. Every convenience and modern improvement that money would buy have been put in. An institution of this kind is a credit to the town and its founders.

We had almost forgotten that another attempt at milling was made here prior to the establishment of Mount Hope Mills. In 1865, G. L. Wheelock purchased a flour-mill at Waynesville and removed it to this place. It was fitted up and run for awhile, and then sold to Cyrus H. McCormick, who subsequently removed it to Greenview.

The first blacksmith-shop was put up in 1857, by F. A. Wheelock. Mr. Wheelock was not a blacksmith, but built the shop more for the purpose of starting the business than for any other. He soon sold the building to George A. Glotfelter, a practical workman. In 1859, Glotfelter and H. W. Wood added their wagon and carriage factory, which is still operated by Messrs. Wood & Stones. Like almost every other branch of industry, the wagon and carriage business is being monopolized by the large corporations, and Messrs. Wood & Stones, though they still do considerable in that line, do but little compared to their former business.

The first school-building was the one mentioned on another page as having been removed from Mount Hope. The building is familiar to the earlier residents of the village, but to the new-comers it may not be known that the old Congregational Church and schoolhouse is still in use in the village, but since 1868 as a carpenter-shop. This historic building was donated by the Mount Hope people, in 1857, to the School District of McLean and removed to this place the same year. The house, with some refitting, was the schoolhouse and church for those who chose to occupy it, until 1868, when the new and substantial building now used for school purposes was erected. This is one of the most convenient of its kind to be found in towns of like size in the country. It is a solid frame building 40x60 feet, two stories high ; it contains four large sitting-rooms, besides halls, recitation-rooms, etc. The cost of the building was $10,000. The school sustained here is a graded one of four departments. A. M. Scott is Principal.

Religious

McLean is well supplied with church facilities, there being in the village three good church-buildings, occupied by as many organized religious societies.

The Congregational Chureh organization dates back to the formation of the Mount Hope Colony ; and though at times the society had a precarious existence, the original books, with entries regularly made, indicating its removal to this place, and other facts, showing a complete chain of evidence, are still in existence.

The Atlanta Congregational Church drew largely from the original organization ; but the root of organization still remained alive at Mount Hope, and, putting forth a small shoot in later years and being properly cultivated, has grown and thrived of late years in a very satisfactory manner.

The society recently erected a very handsome church-building, 31x42 feet in size, costing, including the lot, $2,000. The present membership of the Church is about thirty. Rev. J. H. Shay, of Bloomington, is Pastor. In connection with the Church is a prosperous Sunday school of about sixty scholars, of which F. H. Doane is Superintendent.

It is claimed for this society that it was one of the first in this part of the State to espouse the cause of the colored people, then in bondage, and also one of the first to take advanced grounds against the liquor traffic. When both of these questions were unpopular, this organization heralded to the world that it would affiliate with no man or set of men, religiously, who could not adopt their views.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of McLean was organized in 1857. Capt. I. C. Trott and John Kellogg and a few female members constituted the first class, with Capt. Trott as Class-Leader. This has been a most prosperous s )ciety. From the small beginning indicated, the Church has grown to number about one hundred and seventyfive. The Pastor is Rev. Thomas D. Weems. The Sunday school connected with this Church was started in 1857, by John Kellogg, with just three scholars. Mr. Kellogg was Superintendent, teacher and all for a time. The school now numbers, in regular attendance, eighty members. A. R. Dillman is Superintendent.

In 1866, this society built their present neat and commodious building, at an outlay of $3,725. It is 35x55 feet in size, and will accommodate about three hundred sittings.

The Baptists of McLean and vicinity organized a society of that denomination in 1858. This event was brought about by Rev. John Merriman. A couple of years later, the mutterings of war began to be heard throughout the land, aud all kinds of enterprises, including churches, were at a standstill, and the infant society named was not an exception. But little was done in the way of church work for six or seven years, during part of which time no meetings were held. In 1867, through the advice and assistance of Rev. E. J. Thomas, now of Atlanta, the McLean Baptist Church was re-organized, and a house of worship erected the next year. The church-building is a neat frame 24x40 feet in size, and cost the society $1 ,400. There is no preaching service held here at present, though prayer-meeting3 and Sunday school are kept up. The Sunday school numbers about forty members in regular attendance, of which Mrs. Henrietta Clark is, and has been for the last five years, Superintendent. The Sunday school has the reputation of being conducted on the most approved plan.

Besides the above, two other churches of the Methodist denomination are to be found in the township outside of the village. The Mount Hope Church, near the aucient village, was started nearly forty years ago. Some of its original members were James Murphy, Jacob Moore, Ezra Kenyon and John Longworth. Dr. Daniel Proctor and John Stubblefield were among its first preachers. The society built a house of worship about ten years since. It is a plain frame building about 28x40 feet in size. About twenty-five members belong to the society. Rev. Thomas D. Weems is present Pastor. Sunday school is sustained during the summer, but owing to the distance from the church at which many of the members live, it is suspended during the winter.

Ebenezer Church is located near the center of Town 22, being on Section 17. The society was formed about ten years ago and the house of worship erected at the same time. About fifty persons belong to this organization. Rev. Mr. Shinn is Pastor.

McLean Lodge, No. 469, was chartered in October, 1866, with B. E. Pumpelly as W. M. ; H. W. Wood, S. W. ; Charles H. Hitchcock, J. W. ; E. G. Clark, Secretary ; T. D. Cotton, Treasurer, and James Gibbs, Tiler. Samuel B. Kinsey, Thomas McGary and M. H. Reed were also charter members.

The present officers are: C. C. Aldrich, W. M. ; Clark Snedeker, S. W. ; John Yates, J. W. ; Samuel I. Leach, Treasurer ; H. W. Wood, Secretary ; D. J. Palmer, S. D. ; A. W. Bascom, J. D., and George Youngman, Tiler.

Organization Op Mclean

"The legal voters of the village were notified to meet at John Kellogg's office on Saturday, May 19, 1866, to vote for or against organization." The first record of the village, still extant, reads as above. On the day appointed, a meeting was held in conformity to the notice and resulted in a vote of twenty-nine in favor of, and four against) incorporation. The meeting at which this action was taken, was called to order by E. G. Clark. On motion of Charles S. Beath, E. B. Johnson was elected President of the meeting and E. G. Clark, Clerk. The oath of office was administered by James S r Barber, who was then a Notary Public. At this meeting, it was also agreed to ho' the election for officers at the same place on the 26th, being one week later. At thlr# election, E. B. Johnson, Daniel Tenney, Edward Bonifield, John E. Rawlins and *8 s W. Wood were elected Trustees, the first-named being President. E. G. Clark w appointed Clerk and Collector ; Thornton D. Cotton, Treasurer, and Edward Bonifif n0 Assessor. The vote polled at this first election was forty-one. This organization, wl e m was under the general law of the State, continued until 1873, when, in the mean '- a new general law having been passed, the new act of incorporation was adopted 8 ance vote of thirty-two to seventeen. are °

Towanda Township is situated in the geographical center of McLean Count lde e includes one Congressional town, and is known as Town 24 north, Range 3 eastay seem Third Principal Meridian. It is bounded on the north by Money Creek Tov f would on the east by Blue Mound ; on the south by Old Town, and on the west by J>

The surface of the country is varied and interesting. Towanda Township is not so level as many parts of Illinois prairie. The surface has sufficient slope to drain itself without the assistance of tiling, unless it be in a few exceptional instances. The greater portion of the township is prairie, but there were, originally, two important groves. Most of the timber has been cleared away, with the advance of civilization and the conversion of the wild prairie lands into fruitful farms.

The grove lying farthest south, near the center of the township, on the west side of Money Creek, is known as Smith's Grove. It was so named from David Smith, who settled there in 1830. The other woodland is known as " Money Creek Timber,'' although Smith's Grove is properly Money Creek Timber. But when the name Money Creek Timber is used, reference is always made to that portion lying in the north part of the township. It is the beginning of a large body of timber which extends down Money Creek, through the township of the same name, to the Mackinaw. The southwestern part of Towanda lies on "the divide," between the waters which flow into the Mackinaw and those which flow into Sugar Creek. This is the prairie which the early settlers considered worthless, but which now is among the most enviable portions of this thriving township.

The only stream worthy of notice is Money Creek. The headwaters of this little creek take their rise in Padua and Arrowsmith Townships. After passing through the southwestern part of Blue Mound it enters Towanda near the northeastern corner of Section 25. It passes in a northwesterly direction through the township, leaving it near the line between Sections 4 and 5. The remainder of its course lies in Money Creek and Hudson Townships, where it enters Mackinaw near the line between Hudson and Gridley Townships.

The Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad crosses the northwestern corner of Towanda, extending directly northeast and southwest. This road was built in 1853, and soon began to do a large shipping business to Chicago and the Northeast from this sn The soil in this township is not surpassed in fertility by any in the county, and the mount of corn and oats annually produced is immense. This is, also, a good grass ana as As is well known, all old settlers were found along the creeks and near the groves, re-orga consequence, this township presented two points for early settlement - Smith's neat frai an(j Money Creek Timber. The former was settled first, so far as Towanda is here at ned. But, by the best authority now attainable, it appears that there was a school jjent 0n Money Creek almost as early as that made by John Hendrix at Blooming Clark ;e. Louis Soward and Jacob Harness must have settled in Money Creek Township the reir]y as 1824 or 1825, near the line between that and Towanda.

^The first settlers within the present limits of Towanda Township were John round iQer an(j fauoily. John Trimmer came from Hunterdon County, N. J. He came ancient; from the Wabash country by an Indian trail, and camped at what was afterward James Smith's Grove. This was in August, 1826. Few white men were to be seen in these parts at that time. It is said that the Trimmer family saw no white man after they left the Wabash until they came in here. Indians were plenty, and the only playfellows the Trimmer children had were young Indians. Soon after reaching their early home, and while they were still in camp, the father died, leaving the widowed mother with eight children to provide and care for. She moved from the Grove to the head of Money Creek Timber soon after the burial of her husband, and there remained. Of the eight children some are dead, and others have moved away, so that none are left on Money Creek but Jesse Trimmer, who was but a lad when the family came West.

After the Trimmers moved away, Frederick Rook came to Smith's Grove. He was a German, and remained little more than a year, when he left for Livingston County, and settled on a creek which afterward bore his name.

David Smith and family came next. Smith was of German descent, and came originally from North Carolina, although he had lived in Kentucky and Indiana. The family reached the Grove, which has ever since borne the name, in the spring of 1830. John Smith entered the land where the Jones family now lives. Later, a large tract of land in that vicinity passed into the hands of the Joneses. The earliest of the Jones family was N. M. Jones, who still lives, and is quite an extensive farmer and dealer in fine stock.

Soon after the Trimmers moved to Money Creek Timber, or, at least, about that time, Elbert Dickason moved to the head of the Timber. He was from Ohio. The early settlers called him " Major " Dickason. He was one of the most prominent men in the township in that early day.

In the spring of 1831, Jesse Walden came to the same neighborhood. He was originally from Kentucky. He came to Sangamon County in this State in the fall of 1828. Mr. Walden rented a farm of Jacob Spawr. He lived three years here. Afterward, he moved around, living in several places, until he finally settled down near Smith's Grove.

Between these two settlements might soon have been found Richard Fling. Mr. Williams, carpenter and builder, who now resides in Bloomington, married Mr. Fling's daughter.

The growth in population, from this time on, was steady, and, though it was not so rapid as in late years, it is impossible to trace the individual settlers as they came in and filled up the few vacant nooks that remained around the borders of the timber. It is worthy of note that the first settlement out on the prairie, at any considerable distance from the timber, was not made before 1849 or 1850. The man who first dared to brave public opinion and prairie wolves was William Halterman. He was born in West Virginia, and moved first to Ohio and then to Illinois. He settled in the western part of the township, near a sulphur spring. Doubtless, the spring had more to do in securing his location at that point than did the fertility of the soil. Those early settlers who came from the mountains, where bubbling springs gush forth from every hillside and glittering cataracts dance wildly over huge ledges of rocks, while down the valley rushes the mighty stream, are not to be mocked for wishing to dwell again beside the gurgling waters ; but that a sulphur spring should have peculiar charms, may seem strange. Had the prairies been able to furnish the old mountain-spring, they would have been settled long before they were, no doubt.

The second settler, on the prairie, was William D. Moore, who came into this from Money Creek Township. He settled on the farm which he now occupies in the spring of 1853. After the building of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, the settlement was rapid, and the township has since steadily increased in wealth and population.

The first blacksmith-shop was an item of considerable importance to the early settlers. This will become evident when it is remembered that those who first settled on Money Creek had to go, it is said, all the way to Springfield to get their plows sharpened. Those were the days when wooden moldboards were in use. The plowman depended altogether upon his oxen for a plow-team ; but we fancy that a good horse must have been in demand when a share was dull. David Trimmer ran a blacksmith-shop at the head of Money Creek Timber as early as 1828. He is said to have " picked up " the trade, in the first place, but was afterward recognized as an excellent workman, especially upon edged tools. " Uncle " Henry Moats says that Trimmer made an adz for him which he kept more than forty years, and that it would cut a nail without making any impression upon the adz. His customers came from far and near, and he was, no doubt, a relief to the community.

Another early enterprise was a saw-mill, which was built on Money Creek, as early, perhaps, as 1837. It was erected by Elbert Dickason and John Pennell. The former was a resident of this township, but the latter lived just across the line north. This mill, like nearly all others in this country at that time, was run by water-power. It had an upright saw and did a vast amount of sawing. Smith's Grove and Money Creek could furnish as fine a lot of timber as was to be found anywhere. It was never fitted up for grinding, and as the woods began to be cleared away, it fell into disuse and was finally abandoned altogether. The flouring-mills built in the village of Towanda were the first in this part of the country, and they were very short-lived. The people got their breadstuffs at Bowling Green, in Woodford County, also at mills down on the Kickapoo, until after the erection of steam-mills in Bloomington. Sometimes, in dry weather, when the water-mills in all this section of country were unable to run for want of water, they were compelled to go as far as Ottawa, on the Illinois River.

The First Marriage

solemnized was that of Jacob Spawr and Eliza Ann Trimmer. This took place December 3, 1826. Mr. Spawr had no license, and a trip to Vandalia to get one seemed a greater task than was necessary, so he posted notices beforehand, in its stead. William Orendorff officiated, and made the necessary returns to Vandalia. This first marriage took place in the same family in which occurred and in the same year. As related in these pages before, John Trimmer died a short time after the family reached Smith's Grove. He was buried in a walnut coffin made by hewing out slabs from a log with an ax, and finishing with a jack-plane. The funeral was attended by their neighbors at Blooming Grove and adjoining settlements.

It is not now remembered who was the first person born in the township. Benjamin Stretch, who now resides in Towanda, is the oldest man now living in this part of the country, who was born here. He was born on Money Creek in the fall of 1830.

The family came here the same summer, from Ohio, and Benjamin Ogden and family. Benjamin Stretch's father, Mr. Jesse Stretch, was a carpenter. He built the first house on the spot where the McLean County bank now stands, in Bloomington. This was one of the first business houses in Bloomington.

The First Post Office

was kept at the residence of William D. Moore. As has been related in the pages before, Mr. Moore was the first to settle on the prairie, where the village of Towanda now stands. William G. Bishop had held that honorable position for a number of years, just over across the creek. This old man seems to have tired of his trust. He took a day to visit his friend on the prairie. As the chat became free and the folks were having a pleasant visit, Mr. Bishop informed Mr. Moore that he should like to be rid of the post office, and that he should be much pleased to have Mr. Moore take it off his hands. Mr. Moore remonstrated, saying that he was unacquainted with the routine of post office work, and further suggesting that he had not the political influence at Washington, necessary to secure the appointment. Mr. Bishop replied that those obstacles might easily be overcome, and that he only wished to find a man that would accept the office. The result was, that, in a few weeks, an appointment came, and Mr. Moore was duly installed Postmaster. Those were the " good old times," when the office sought the man, and not the man the office. For why should it be otherwise? Mr. Moore informs us that all the office paid was $3 or $4 per quarter. We suspect that should office-holding be again made as meagerly remunerative as then, we might have a return to "the good old times." When the village of Towanda was laid out and the mail began to be carried on the cars, the office was brought down to the station and David S. Kinnan was made Postmaster. Towanda post office is the only one now in the township.

The first preaching was probably done by John Dunham, a United Brethren preacher, who held meetings at Smith's Grove. John Dunham was a missionary sent# out by the general brotherhood to preach the Gospel wherever an opportunity might present itself. He preached in various parts of the settlement on Money Creek, as well as in adjoining settlements. The exact date is not known, but it was early as 1832. In later years, the Rev. Mr. Dodd preached at Smith's Grove. He was a Presbyterian, and held services, sometimes in his own house and sometimes in those of the members. He organized the first society within the present limits of the township. After the schoolhouse was built in District No. 1 , they held meetings in it until the building of their church in the village of Towanda. The Rev. Ebenezer Rhodes, known then as a New Light preacher, held meetings at a very early day, at the house of Elbert Dickason. Mr. Rhodes was afterward identified with the Christian Church. A large and flourishing society of the last-mentioned was formed farther north, on Money Creek. It is possible that the Methodists, also, held occasional meetings. There was a class formed very soon, the regular place of meeting being at the residence of Jacob Spawr, across in Money Creek Township. Mrs. Trimmer and her son David were prominent members. The Baptists, also, began their meetings at Smith's Grove. This seems to have been the starting-point for nearly all the enterprises in the township. They commenced there about the same time that the Presbyterians did. These societies began to take definite shape first about the year 1852. The first Baptist minister was James Cairns. This denomination built the first church in the township, in the village of Towanda, in the year 1858. The Roman Catholic Church has quite a society in the southeastern part of the township. They have a neat country edifice, which has been built recently. The settlement in that neighborhood is made up chiefly of persons of Irish descent.

At different times there have been other denominations here, but they have never succeeded in establishing societies which remain at the present time. Among those who had something of a beginning, may be mentioned the Protestant Methodists and the Christians.

If there were any very early schools, all traces of them are now extinct. The artificial division into townships did not take place until a comparatively recent date, and when it did occur, it cut the early settlements on Money Creek near the middle. The early schools, across in the other township, probably answered for all on the creek who desired a knowledge of the three R's. The first schoolhouse was built of logs, at Smith's Grove. In it was taught the first school, but who was the first teacher is not now remembered. When the township was organized and districts began to be laid off, Smith's Grove District was No. 1. Its school had been running for some time, and it continued to be the only school for quite awhile afterward. School lands were sold at a low figure. Isaac P. Kinnan and William D. Moore were Trustees for about sixteen years. They divided the townships into school districts as fast as it became necessary. Throughout there are good schoolhouses, and a general tendency to keep up with the times, is manifest. An idea of the condition of school work throughout the township, may be formed from the following: Number of school districts, 7 ; number of children under twenty-one years, 619 ; number between six and twenty-one, 544 ; number scholars enrolled, 361 ; schoolhouses, 7 ; amount paid teachers, $2,974.92 ; total expenditures, $3,772.06; estimated value of school property, $9,300; highest wages paid per month, $60.

Railroads And Highways

The advent of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, was a great thing for this country. This road crosses the northwest corner of the township. As soon as the farmers had an outlet for their corn, cattle and hogs, they could raise crops with a better prospect of selling, and thus the community was stimulated and made to develop its resources.

Public highways are abundant and kept in good repair. Nearly all section lines are authorized public roads. In the southern part of the township, there are some exceptions to this rule. Besides the section lines recognized as public thoroughfares, a few others are found that do not follow those lines so closely. The most important of these is, first, a road which lies along the line of the railroad, from the southwest to near the center of the village of Towanda. Thence it extends east for a short distance and afterward northeast, crossing Money Creek near the section line between Sections 4 and 5, close by the site of the old saw-mill. Another important highway is a road connecting the village of Towanda with southeastern points. It enters the township from the east and passes through the middle of Sections 13, 14 and 15. It passes to the center of Section 16, and thence in a zigzag course alternately north and west, to the village. There are three roads which cross Money Creek. At two of the crossings, the stream is spanned by iron bridges. One of these is on the Lexington & Bloomington road, just northeast of the village. The other is on the road leading from Towanda southeasterly.

Although the Illinois Legislature made provision by which the several counties might adopt the township organization several years earlier, McLean County did not adopt it until 1857. Previously, this township was included in Money Creek Precinct. When the station was made here, many of the people from the surrounding country moved in, so that the old place of voting on Money Creek was on one side and an outof-the-way place. By order of the County Board, the place of voting was changed to the village of Towanda, September 6, 1856. It was still Money Creek Precinct. James Gilmore, Sr., Hadley J. Short and Silas Waters were appointed Commissioners to divide McLean County and to establish township organization. They reported February 26, 1858, Town 24 north, Range 3 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, was called Towanda, and constituted a voting precinct. Since that report, many of the townships have been changed, but this one remains as first organized.

The first election under the new order of things was held April 6, 1858. It resulted as follows : Supervisor, Nathaniel S. Sunderland ; Town Clerk, Edwin R. Reeves ; Collector, William Halterman ; Assessor, Joel N. White ; Overseer of the Poor, Lemuel Kiblinger ; Commissioners of Highways, John Mack, Joseph K. Dodson and David H. Cowan ; Overseers of Highways, William D. Kinnan, Elijah Ellis, Jeremiah Shade, Calvin Barnes and Dennis Whiterago ; Poundmaster, Norman Finite; Constables, John L. Baylor and Edwin R. Reeves; Justices of the Peace, Willis P. Pepenoe and John N. King.

At present, Frank Henderson is Supervisor and also Township Treasurer ; George Hilts is Town Clerk ; Cornelius Gatliff and D. F. Biddle are Justices of the Peace i Benjamin Stretch, Patrick Merna and A. A. Riddle are Commissioners of Highways. The Trustees are W. H. Maey, Monroe Barnes and Nelson Jones.

The early settlers, though often frightened by rumors of Indian wars, and though thoroughly scared during the Black Hawk war, never suffered anything from the Indians farther than a few annoyances in the way of theft. None of the few who dwelt here at that time, except Frederick Rook and, perhaps, another man whose name we did not learn, were in the above-mentioned war, nor do we find traces of any in the Mexican war. But when the dark clouds of conflict obscured our national horizon in 1861, Towanda turned out her proportion of men immediately. No draft was ever necessary. When the last call came for twenty-six men, they met it, though the number was disproportionately large. The township offered, at one time, $300 bounty. This, with $300 paid by the county, made the total bounty for entering $600. It was only for the last call that the $300 was paid by the township. Most of those who volunteered earlier got only $150 from the township. Several brave " boys " offered their lives on their country's altar. William Sears was shot at Ramsey's Lane. He was First Lieutenant, and was in command of his company when they made the charge in which he was killed. Nathan Sears, William's brother, died from disease. Richard Russell also sickened and died. John H. Dodd was shot accidentally and killed. Philip Miller died of disease, and F. E. Wise was killed in the fight at Natchez. Whether there were others who died from the effects of disease contracted in the army, or that were killed on the battle-field, we have not been able to learn. But enough is known to make it evident that the patriotism of this township stands unchallenged.

In political matters the township has been pretty evenly balanced, but generally, of late years, there has been a small majority in favor of the Republican ticket.

The Village Op Towanda

This village is located in the northwestern part of the township of the same name. It includes the southwest quarter of Section 5. This land was entered by Peter A. Bedeau. The certificate of entry is dated February 18, 1853. The original plat of the village included only forty acres from the center of this quarter-section. It was then owned by Jesse W. Fell and Charles W. Holder, who filed a plat of the town with the County Board, to be recorded December 7, 1854. The original forty acres was donated by Peter A. Bedeau for town purposes. The remaining part of the quarter-section was sold by Mr. Bedeau to Jesse W. Fell and Charles W. Holder on May 1, 1855. The proprietors immediately surveyed it and laid it off into town lots. These were afterward sold to such as wished to embark in business and become residents of the new town on the prairie. Mr. Charles Roadnight, an Englishman, became the heaviest property-owner in the village. In fact, at one time, he owned the greater part of it.

Towanda is pleasantly located on the prairie, less than a mile southwest of Money Creek. The village is on high land, and, judging from its location and the number of its physicians, is a very healthy place in which to live. It is situated on the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, about half way between Bloomington and Lexington. The railroad enters the village at the southwest corner, and passes in a northeasterly direction through it. It is surrounded by a good farming and grazing country, and has all the natural facilities for a flourishing inland town. It would have grown much more rapidly, no doubt, had it not been so near to our ambitious county seat, whose shadow reaches far out into the surrounding country, chilling the young life-blood in many smaller towns. The population of Towanda, at present, is about 500.

As noted in the history of the township, William D. Moore was the first to settle near the present site of Towanda. He is now within the town limits, although he resides on the northwest quarter of Section 5. Mr. Moore came from Ohio. He reached Money Creek October 21, 1851. In the fall of 1853 he moved to his presenfc residence. This was the first residence within what are now the limits of Towanda ; although, at that time, no one had ever thought of a village there. The only house between his and Bloomington was the residence of Mr. Halterman, near the sulphur spring. Mr. Moore kept the post office, and the mail was still carried on horse-back. But there was destined to be a great change in a few years. When the village was laid out, and the cars began to stop at the switch, people came to the railroad to enter into business. David S. Kinnan built the first residence in what was then the village. He and James Alexander built the first warehouse. Mr. Kinnan still resides on a farm near the site of the old saw-mill, on Money Creek. Mr. Alexander lives in town. T. J. Laney built the second dwelling, and with Wesley Fletcher Bishop, the second warehouse. Mr. Bishop built the third dwelling-house. He also ran a small grocery store. This was the first storehouse in the village. The first dry goods store was set up by Frank Henderson in 1857. After running it a short time, he sold out and went on a farm. He is one of Towanda's strongest men. Wesley F. Bishop was the first station agent. He served in that capacity before any dwelling had been erected. When the mail began coming on the railroad, in the winter of 1855 and 1856, the office was brought down "into town," and David S. Kinnan became the first Postmaster in the village. Samuel C. Ware is the present Postmaster. He is also Police Magistrate.

The first schoolhouse in Towanda was built in 1854. It was a neat frame building, 24 by 26 feet. It is still standing and is a good building yet. In 1866, the number of children had so increased as to demand a new and larger building for their proper accommodation. Accordingly a house was begun and nearly finished, when it burned to the ground before ever being used. The origin of the fire is not known. But the good people of Towanda were not to be discouraged by a fire. The next year a large and commodious building was erected, and it has done good service ever since. The first teacher in the new building was G. H. Thrasher. Three teachers are regularly employed. Mr. James A. Jones now has charge of the schools. Last year, the Principal was paid $60 per month, being the highest wages paid in the township. The School Directors at present are George W. Howard, M. J. Wise and George Hilts.

A good flouring-mill with two sets of buhrs was soon built by Boadnight & Strothers. After running it a short time, the builders traded it to Nathaniel S. Sunderland. He had been in possession but a short time, when the mill was destroyed by fire. Mr. Sunderland lost, at the same time, a large warehouse, which burned with the mill. The property was heavily insured, so that the owner sustained only a partial loss.

After this, Henry Warner built another mill. It experienced a fate similar to that of the Sunderland mill. It had been in operation scarcely a year when it was swept away by the fire-fiend. It, also, was insured.

There remains in Towanda a monument to the hopes and ambition of one of her early citizens. It is known as the " big " building. It is situated on the northwest side of the railroad, just across from the depot. It was built by Charles Boadnight, when he was determined to make a large place of Towanda. The house faces the railroad and is built parallel to it. It is 50 by 100 feet, and two stories in height. It is only partly occupied.

For a small town, Towanda has quite a fire record. Mr. Sunderland's large steam flouring-mill, and with it his warehouse, were the first victims. The fire next seized Mr. Warner's new mill and it was leveled to the ground. These were well insured ; but when Mr. Campbell's dry goods store was burned, he lost it all. His policy had expired the day before the fire. The burning of the new schoolhouse before it was occupied at all was another sad fire. Mr. Laney also lost a grocery store by fire.

Towanda may be said to be a religious town. It is not to be supposed from tbis, however, that everybody belongs to a church, but there certainly is a fair proportion that do. There are three churches and each has a comparatively large membership. The Baptists built the first church in the village in 1858. Their first minister was James Cairns. Before this, the Presbyterians had organized a society and held meetings in the schoolhouse. They built the second church. This church was begun in 1863 and dedicated January 18, 1864. Robert Conover preached the dedicatory sermon. He was Pastor of the same church continuously until March, 1878. The Methodists organized in 1857. N. H. Craig was Pastor. They, too, held meetings in the schoolhouse until the building of their church in 1866. These churches are all respectable houses of worship ; they do credit to the village. Although other religious denominations have held occasional meetings here, none have been able to establish a permanent organization.

There is seldom anything to enliven the dull monotony of life in a country village. An occasional suit before the Squire, some neighborhood gossip, or the advent of some small show or unknown lecturer, make up the ordinary sensation. But an accident occurred in the early history of this town that is still vividly recalled by the older inhabitants. This took place about the year 1856, on the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad. The southern-bound freight, passing through in the night, had exhausted its supply of water. The train was left standing on the main track, while the engine went down to Bloomington to the tank. A watch was placed on the track, that the next southernbound freight might not run into the caboose on the track. The watch, instead of attending to his duty, went into a house and there fell asleep. The train came rushing down the track, and ran into the other one. Three men were killed. Two of these were literally torn in pieces. Parts of their bodies were strewn all along the track. Cars were piled up and thrown around in every conceivable shape and direction. The train had been running at full speed. The third man had been carried along with the engine. In the morning, when the wreck was examined, he was found crowded up against the fire-door. His body had been mashed by a freight-car, and then baked by the fire in the engine. The man was killed by the collision, so that he suffered no pain from the fire. The watch was so frightened when he saw the result of his carelessness, that he left the country immediately, and nothing was ever heard of him afterward.

Towanda has, at present, three churches, one graded school, two drug stores, one dry goods store, four groceries, three grain-dealers, two blacksmith-shops, and two wagon-shops in connection with the smithies.

There are no hotels in the village. When the traveling public stop in Towanda, they are not supposed to stay overnight. But should any one be compelled to remain, the good people will house him comfortably in their own dwellings.

There are no lawyers. When cases come up before the Squire, as come they will, sometimes, a lawyer from Bloomington is frequently seen wending his way to Towanda. All villages have one or more physicians. Towanda has two ; but they are trying to starve those by failing to indulge in the necessary amount of sickness.

Hudson Township lies in the northern part of McLean County. It is west of the center, touching Woodford County on the northwest. It comprises one Congressional town, known as Town 25 north, Range 2 east of the Third Principal Meridian. On the north, it is bounded by Woodford County and Gridley Township of McLean ; on the east, by Money Creek ; on the south, by Normal ; on the west, by White Oak Township and Woodford County. Hudson is well supplied with streams. The Mackinaw Creek is the only large one, but there are several other streams of minor importance. Six-Mile Creek rises by several branches in Normal Township. These unite in Sections 17 and 20 and form one stream, which flows in a very tortuous course north and west, leaving the township near the southwest corner of Section 6. The Mackinaw flows westerly along the northern boundary, cutting in and out at several points. Farther toward the west, it bears south. The northwest corner of Section 5 is left on the right bank of the stream, while the greater portion of Section 6 is also on the north. Money Creek flows northwesterly across the northeast corner of the township. A large branch of the last-named stream rises in the southeast part of the township, and flows mostly north.

There was originally considerable timber in Hudson, but it was not in large bodies. The groves that we look for in every township are represented by Havens' Grove. This was but a small body of timber, lying partly in Sections 20, 28, 29 and 17. The Money Creek Timber extended along that stream in the northeast. Mackinaw Timber skirted the northern boundary.

The Illinois Central Railroad extends through the township. It enters from the north, near the northwest corner of Section 4, where it crosses Mackinaw Creek. It extends south, in the same row of sections, through the township, leaving one-fourth mile west of the southeast corner of Section 33.

Like nearly all the others, Hudson reports a good yield of wheat in pioneer times. It was, probably, superior in the production of that cereal to most other townships of the county. Rut it is with it, as with others, the days of wheat-harvesting to any considerable extent are past. The principal products at present are corn, oats, rye, potatoes and kindred crops. Cattle and hogs are produced in abundance. Considerable shipping is done, both of grain and stock.

The surface of the country is slightly rolling in places, while in others there is a tendency to too great a level. The soil is black, deep and fertile. Its productiveness is unsurpassed.

Although Hudson had a few early inhabitants, the township was not settled up as rapidly as some others, especially during the first four or five years. The first to stop within its present limits were Railey Harbert, his son-in-law, Richard Gross, and Mosby Harbert. When Jesse Havens and company arrived, they found these men and families at the grove, on the east side. They were living in cabins. Gross' was made of split logs, but Harbert's was little more than a pole pen, covered with unshaven boards, that had been riven with a frow. The boards were held on by poles, as nails were

Havens came in the fall of 1829. In the summer before, Harbert had raised a patch of sod-corn and sown ten acres of wheat in the fall. But in the winter, the Harberts and Gross sold out to Jesse Havens and his son-in-law, Benjamin Wheeler. They then moved away to Blooming Grove and entered land there, where they remained.

In the summer of 1829, in Licking County, Ohio, there was much talk of the great prospects out West. This was particularly the case in the family of Jesse Havens. A daughter and son-in-law had already spent a year in the new country, and their glowing reports of fine country, plenty of game and rich soil had the desired effect on the relatives in the East. Accordingly, Jesse Havens, Benjamin Wheeler, his son-in-law, and Jacob Moats started West with their families. They stopped first with those who had sent such enticing words back. This was at Hezekiah Piatt's, at Big Grove, Champaign County. Here, the emigrants left their families a short time, and went down to the Sangamon River, intending, if they liked it, to settle there. But they soon returned and started northwest, with their families. They stopped a short time at Buckles' Grove, and then came on to what has since been called Havens' Grove. Here the Havenses and relations remained. Jacob Moats moved his family to Money Creek, where he lived till his death, and where his descendants still live.

Jesse Havens was born June 23, 1781, in New Jersey, near the mouth of Squan River. His father was a Welshman, who spent his life on the ocean. Mr. Havens early came West. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Newark, Ohio. He enlisted in the war of 1 81 2, and participated in the wonderful defense at Fort Stephenson, under Maj . Croghan. In McLean County, he was a man of considerable importance. He was County Commissioner before the adoption of the township system, and was generally known throughout the county. He afterward sold out and went to Iowa ; but upon his death, in 1862, he was brought back to Havens' Grove for interment by his son Hiram. Several of his descendants live at Havens' Grove.

Hiram Havens, a son of Jesse Havens, tells many an interesting story in regard to early pioneer life. He was quite a hunter and often indulged in trials of skill with the friendly Indians. He reports many of the savages as good marksmen, although he never found an Indian that could shoot at a mark with a precision equal to his own. The Indians would excel in what they called random shooting. They would scarcely ever fail to bring a running deer to a halt, or a flying turkey to the ground. The Indians made Havens' Grove a kind of headquarters, several hundred often camping there. They were wild for whisky, but were careful to keep the Sabbath.

Jesse Havens entered most of the land on which the Grove stood, so that other emigrants beside those of the first company did not come in rapidly. Hezekiah Piatt came from Big Grove, not long after Havens settled here.

David Trimmer, son of John Trimmer, of Money Creek, and son-in-law of Jesse Havens, moved up to the southeast corner of the Grove, from Bloomington, where he had been running the first blacksmith-shop ever in the place. Here he lived a long time, until his wife died. Afterward, he went to Kansas, where he still resides.

The next after Trimmer was John W. Hatfield, of Bloomington. He remained for some time, and then went to Eureka and from Eureka to Missouri. These were

Not long after the settlement at Havens' Grove was first made, the Hinthorns came to Money Creek timber on the east side of Hudson Township. They were relatives of the Havenses, and came from the same part of Ohio. There were three brothers of them - Adam, William and Isaac. Next came Elijah Priest, who had married Rebecca Hinthorn ; they arrived in July, 1834. Then Isaac Messer, the United Brethren minister, moved down from above Lexington. Isaac Turnipseed came to McLean County as early as 1831, but did not move into Hudson Township until after his fatherin-law, Issac Messer. These names include about all who settled in Hudson Township early, and had no connection with the colony that located at the village of Hudson.

The Hudson Colony

The period preceding the year 1837, was an era of speculation in this part of the country. Schemes of almost all kinds were projected throughout the United States for the purpose of making fortunes rapidly. The old and sure, but plodding, methods of making money were abandoned, and expedients of various kinds for the purpose of outstripping them were adopted. Patent rights, new discoveries of various kinds, and mineral springs were tried by individuals ; and the States and the Government partook of the excitement and projected canals and other public improvements on a vast scale. In this part of the State, colonization schemes flourished to an unlimited extent. Companies were formed in all parts of the country with a view of settling a locality simultaneously and with a common purpose - that of mutual benefit. It was reasonably conceived that with such a concert of movement, many of the hardships and privations usually incident to pioneer life might be dispensed with, and that the social, religious and educational privileges of the older settled parts of the country could be immediately transferred to their new homes. These enterprises were begun mostly during the years 1834-36, and were carried on with varied success. But few ever realized the bright anticipations of their projectors, but doubtless most of them were in a measure successful. Perhaps the colony of which we write has proved nearer a realization of hopes of its organizers than any other in this part of the State.

The Illinois Land Association, as it was called, was organized at Jacksonville, in this State, February 6, 1836, by Horatio N. Petitt, John Gregory, George F. Durkitt, and a number of others, the three named being appointed a committee of general superintendence. Nearly all of the township of Hudson was entered in the name of Horatio N. Petitt. Each member of the colony paid $235 for a share in the enterprise; for this, he was entitled to receive 160 acres of land, four town lots in the prospective village of Hudson, and a share in the net profits of the undertaking. Church and school advantages, were some of the inducements held out to the colonists to embark in the speculation, and these the Association eventually provided. One of the inducements held out to the colonists, however, the Association was unable to make good, and that was in regard to the amount of timber to be apportioned to each farm. Twenty acres were thought to be an amount requisite to furnishing fuel, fencing and building material for a quarter-section, but when the Association came to purchase the woodland, it was found that nearly all had been already occupied by earlier settlers, and that they then much greater than at present. It was not known that just a few feet below the surface of the ground lay millions of tons of superior fuel, all packed away from ages remote for this very generation. The means of transporting lumber from the pineries of the north and other parts of the world had not yet been provided. Consequently, every one who proposed settling here took into account the supply of this very necessary article, comparing its exhaustion all the while with the length of time actually required to grow a crop of the same. The failure, therefore, of the Association to supply the amount of timber caused no little dissatisfaction, and quite a number of the stockholders withdrew and removed to other parts. Some twenty of the original stockholders became actual settlers and have proved to be our most worthy and wealthy citizens. Among these were Horatio Petitt, John Gregory, John McGoun. James Robinson, Oliver March, James and Joseph Gildersleeve, Jacob Burtis and Samuel P. Cox.

The originators of the enterprise were, many of them, from near Hudson, N Y., and the name was given the village in honor of the one where they had formerly lived. On the 20th of June, Petitt, Gregory, Cox and a number of others left Jacksonville in a two-horse wagon, and after a journey of two days arrived at the spot destined to be the site of the village. The party made arrangements with the few settlers in the neighborhood for board for a short time, during which time the surveying and platting was completed. At this time, Jesse Havens and sons-in-law, and one or two more families were living in the township, and all except Havens, in one story, one-roomed, chinked and daubed log cabins. Mr. Havens was one of the leading men of -the county, and as became a man of his standing, had reared for himself an edifice of more than ordinary pretensions, it being not less than a double log house. In this most of the colonists found shelter and food for the few weeks consumed in preparations for the apportionment of the lands. By the 4th of July of the year named, Elbert Dickason, who was then County Surveyor, with the help of some of the colonists, had made the survey complete, and on the day named the Independence of the United States was celebrated by the drawing for lots and lands. This accomplished, several of the colonists set out on their return to their homes to bring out their families, while others immediately began the erection of dwellings, so that before the cold weather, several new houses were to be found here. The new houses were all of a better character than the log cabins of the pioneers, being mostly heavy frame buildings ; and the township in a short time took on a greatly improved appearance. The next year several more new houses went up, and all of the indications were favorable for a thriving town and settlement. The hard times, however, which usually follow a period of speculation came on that year, and not only did it put a stop to this scheme, but to all others of a similar character throughout the West, and, from 1837 till 1850, progress in this particular locality was very slow. Occasionally a new settler made his appearance, but in the dozen years but little perceptible change, either in population or improvements could be observed. Much of the land entered in the name of Horatio Petitt has since been many times transferred, though a few of the farms still remain in possession of the original colonists who still reside in the township.

According to promise, the company erected, a couple of years after the establishing of the colony, a schoolhouse in the village. This was a frame building and was used as schoolhouse and church for many years. It is still standing and is still used for school purposes. The same year, S. P. Cox donated a piece of land from his farm, and a school- ' house was erected there. In this latter mentioned house, the first public school was taught that year, Cordelia Shope being credited with being the pioneer teacher.

The causes which checked immigration brought progress to a stand-still for the next twenty years, of course had their effect on all other enterprises, including the building of schoolhouses, and for twenty years only two more were added to the number erected the first year. The years 1854 and 1855 brought events which have been the direct causes of the rapid development of the school system of this section. Our readers need not be reminded that in the year 1855 was established the system of free schools which now prevails in this State, and which is the boast and pride of all of its intelligent citizens. The best school system, however, would be of little use in the best and richest country, if there were none to be educated. During the twenty years following the establishing of the colony, but few additions had been made to the population of the township, and the few educational advantages seemed to be about all that could be afforded or that were desired. About this time, however, the railroads were completed through this county - the Illinois Central immediately through the towoship ; the Chicago & Alton within a mile of the southeast corner, and the Toledo & Peoria a few miles north of the north line - not only " brought a new lease of life " to this part of the county, but infused the life-giving principle into every department of industry, society, religion, politics and education. They brought with them, not only the facilities for improving all these, but the people themselves, and that of a most desirable class, and from this very date may be calculated the real prosperity of the township. Very soon additional educational advantages were in demand, and the school law opportunely gave them the authority to put such enterprises in operation. The citizens of this township have always taken a lively interest in any means for educating the youth, and, as a consequence, we find facilities not surpassed by any township of equal population in the county. A few figures from the report of the County Superintendent of Schools will give the reader a better idea of the condition of schools, than any other means at our command :

Number of schools, 9 ; number of persons under twenty-one and over six, 495 ; number of scholars enrolled, 415; total value of school property, $4,000; highest wages paid teachers, per month, $50 ; whole amount paid for teaching, $2,540.92 ; whole amount expended for school purposes, $3,467.75. An encouraging feature in the above report is that 84 per cent of all persons between six and twenty-one years of age, were last year in attendance at school. Taking out those over eighteen, it would probably disclose the fact that not more than two or three per cent of those between six and eighteen received no schooling within the year specified.

Religious Intelligence

The first preaching done in the township was by John Dunham, the United Brethren Missionary. He preached at various places in the grove. When the society of United Brethren was formed on Money Creek, those of that faith, in this neighborhood, united with it and attended meetings at the regular place of preaching on Money Creek. As a result, there was no society formed in Hudson Township, at a very early date, as most of the early settlers were United Brethren.

The first to organize a society were Methodists. The first Methodist preacher that ever held services was, probably, Rev. Mr. Latta, of Bloomington. David Trimmer was the leading spirit in Methodist affairs. The society increased, and built a church just west of the village of Hudson. This was a small church, but served as a place of meeting until the building of the present house of worship in the village. In early times, sectarian feeling did not run so high as it has sometimes since. Latta used to preach occasionally at Jesse Havens'. Mr. Mitchell, of Stout's Grove, also preached here early. He was a Presbyterian, but we learn of no Presbyterian society in these parts.

Around Hudson, and to the north, there is quite a strong society of German Baptists or Tunkers, or, as they call themselves, Brethren. The first persons of the Brethren's faith, to settle in the township, were John Y. Snavely and wife. They came from Indiana, and settled three-fourths of a mile northwest of the village of Hudson, in the east edge of Havens' Grove. Mr. Snavely and wife still reside on the same place. When they first moved here, they were not members of any church. Mr. Snavely had been reared in the Mennonite faith, but on becoming interested in the subject of religion, they visited Indiana, and were there received into the Church of the Brethren. On reaching home again, they gave their credentials to the church already organized in Woodford County. A brother of J. Y. Snavely came next. He and his wife joined the church in Woodford County. There was also a sister, Elizabeth, who belonged to the same fraternity. These five, John Y. and Moses Y. Snavely and wives, and the sister Elizabeth, were the only persons of the faith in the community for a long time. They held their membership in the Woodford County church, where they attended meeting. In 1865, two more were added to their number - Abram Blough and wife, from Pennsylvania. In 1866, Thomas D. Lyon and wife and three daughters added their influence to the small society just starting. Soon after Mr. Lyon and family came, they organized a society. The organization was effected in 1868, under the supervision of James R. Gish, of Woodford County. At this time, Thomas D. Lyon was ordained Elder, and John Y. Snavely was elected Deacon. Mr. Lyon has had charge of the society ever since. He was born in Hardy County, W. Va., March 3, 1821. His father was Michael Lyon, and his mother's name, before her marriage, was Louisa Stingley. Her father was a native of Germany. Michael Lyon is of Irish extraction. He is still alive, living with his son at the village of Hudson. Thomas D. Lyon lived in Hardy County until 1864. October 26, 1843, he married Mary Clark, of the same county. Her ancestors were like her husband's, her father being of Irish descent, and her mother a German. Mr. and Mrs. Lyon have been members of the Brethren's Church from their youth. They have had nine children, eight of whom are still living. Five daughters are married, and all' live within a radius of two miles from their father's home, in Hudson Village. Three of these daughters married brothers - sons of John Y. Snavely. The three boys are younger, and not married. Mr. Lyon has presided over the church interests of his flock with eminent ability and success. For fifteen years, he has been able to observe a steady growth. He has had the satisfaction of seeing his charge increase from a dozen to more than three-score. With no meeting-house at first, they held services in the various schoolhouses in the neighborhood. Now they have a comfortable church, the only difficulty being a lack of room to accommodate their growing congregations. The church was built in 1875. It is two miles north of the village of Hudson. It is a comfortable house, 32x48 feet. It has a basement, and is heated by a furnace. The building is characteristic of the people, being plain, but substantial. It has no cupola, and has a side entrance. The cost of the building was $2,000. It proves too small for the purpose. It might do if it were not for the semi-annual communion, which the Brethren from all parts make it a point to attend. On these occasions, large numbers are unable to gain admittance. Previous to the building of the church, the communions were held for some years in a large shed, erected at the residence of John Y. Snavely.

The officers of the church, at present, are: Minister, Thomas D. Lyon; Elder3, John Y. Snavely, Henry Forney, John L. Snavely ; Deacons, Abram Blough, Samuel Stutzman, Moses Y. Snavely, John Forney, William Blough; Clerk, Francis M. Snavely.

Wars And Politics

Hudson had no men in the Black Hawk war. There were but few in the township, and these were too old or too young. As a reminiscence of the Black Hawk war, we clip the following from the Bloomington Pantagraph : ;t The first man buried in Hudson Township was Mr. Solomon Lewis, a veteran of the Black Hawk war. Lewis was a soldier in Capt. Brown's command in the regular army, stationed near Danville. When the Black Hawk war broke out, in the spring of 1832, the company were ordered to report at Fort Willburn, a military post near where the city of Peru now stands. On the march thither, Capt. Brown camped at Havens' Grove, where Lewis took sick, and was left at Havens' House, where he died and was buried. When the war was over, Capt. Brown, on learning of the untimely end of his brave soldier, detailed a Sergeant and twelve men to pay the last honors of war over their comrade's new-made grave. The Pantagraph is under obligations to Mr. George P. Ela for the foregoing facts."

We did not learn of any who went from this township to the Mexican war, but, during the u late unpleasantness," Hudson furnished her full quota. Not only did she furnish men to go to the front ; she left her sons on the field of battle. A strange mortality was visited upon the Hudson troops. We were told that about thirty persons from this township went out never to return. We were sorry that we could not ascertain the names of all the brave men who fell on Southern fields and died in Northern hospitals. William H. Chadbourne died from the effects of disease ; Wellington R. Sanders was shot at Vicksburg, Miss. ; William Jones died of disease ; Erwin Clark was shot at the battle of Corinth ; Shepherd Richardson was also shot and killed ; James Richardson died from the effects of disease ; Alfred Burtis and his brother, James Burtis, both died at Camp Butler before reaching the scene of action ; Michael Bare, Francis M. Gastman and Walter Stuckey all died in the service ; in like manner, Robert Huston, Jacob Guyer and Jacob Reynolds were sacrificed in the Union cause. These were all citizens of Hudson and were from the prominent elements of her society. Besides these, there were a number of young men working for the farmers in the country, who volunteered, and died in the South, but whose names are now forgotten. They rest in their soldiers' graves, bereft of personal honors, but forming an essential element of the nation's glory.

In political matters, Hudson is Democratic. When national or State questions come up, and discussions run high, and political feeling is thoroughly aroused, they turn out a good vote here, the Democrats generally carrying the day by a good majority.

The Illinois Central Railroad, which was completed through the township in 1854, is the only one crossing its territory. This road did much to settle up the prairies, and although it has often tried to trample on the interests of the community by exorbitant freights, it has always relented when the people began to haul to and from other roads. There is a considerable amount of grain and stock shipped by it, and the people would realize much difficulty if it were cut off. At the time of building, there was a great rush to get the road completed within the specified time. Everybody that could be had was employed for a time on the portion of the road in the immediate vicinity of Mackinaw Creek. A large force was kept constantly employed night and day. Provisions and feed sold high. The farmers made money then, but it did not last long.

Most of the section lines are public thoroughfares. Diagonal roads are not numerous. One of the most important roads is one leading from the village of Hudson to Normal and Bloomington. It follows the section line between Sections 33 and 34, and then turns toward the railroad track. Another road that does not follow section lines altogether may be found passing on the line between Sections 32 and 33. North of this, it follows the east edge of Havens' Grove, but finally finds its way back to the section line. There is another diagonal, zigzag road through the north tier of sections. It comes in from Money Creek Township, and crosses the Mackinaw near the Illinois Central Railroad. The roads are kept in good repair, so far as we were able to learn. The oblique roads described, with those following section lines, furnish all the necessary outlets for farmers and others wishing to cross the country. There are several small streams bridged by wooden bridges, but we found none made of iron.

Organization

There was a voting precinct at Hudson for a long time. The voters from White Oak used to come over to vote here; but in the adoption of the township system, Hudson included only one Congressional town. When the first election thereafter was held, April 6, 1858, it resulted in the election of the following township officers : James H. Cox, Supervisor ; Henry Conkling, Town Clerk ; Alfred S. Weeks, Collector ; Warren Coman, Assessor; John W. Hatfield, Overseer of the Poor; Jacob H. Burtis, Jr., Stephen Arthur, Benjamin Wheeler, Commissioners of Highways ; Hiram Havens and James Nighbarger, Justices of the Peace ; Isaac Messer and Enoch A. Gastman, Constables. It will be seen that many of the earliest settlers were represented in this list of officers, and by comparison, that some of the same elected twenty-one years ago, are officers yet. The present list of public servants is as follows: Alfred S. Weeks, Supervisor ; Thomas Lewis, Town Clerk ; Edgar Sager, Collector ; John Ferguson, Assessor ; George W. Gastman, Daniel Gonder, Jesse Piatt, Commissioners of Highways ; George W. Gastman and Dr. James Johnson, Justices of the Peace; Frank Evans, Constable.

The village of Hudson is located on the Illinois Central Railroad, six miles north of Normal. It is pleasantly situated, being near the eastern edge of Havens' Grove, in the prairie. In the immediate vicinity of the town, the land is rather level, but the surrounding country is good. Portions of the village are very pretty. The surface is rolling, in many places, and. when covered with the green grass of spring, it is not inferior in beauty to many parts of more pretentious cities.

Hudson originated with the formation of the colony which settled the prairie east of Havens' Grove. Consequently, it is one of the oldest villages in McLean County. Bloomington was quite a small place when Hudson took its rise. The comparison is not now much to the benefit of the latter ; but when the amount of labor and energy that has been bestowed on the former is taken into consideration, we are not surprised. But Hudson does quite a local trade. The crossings of the railroads at other points have left it at the mercy of the single road sometimes ; but this has been overcome by the energy of its merchants, who do not propose to be imposed upon. Salt was, at one time since the building of the Illinois Central Railroad, hauled from Bloomington ; but is not necessary now.

Hudson has two churches, which are quite creditable to so small a place as it is - a Baptist and a Methodist Church. The Methodist Church is the descendant of the one whose church-edifice stood, for a long time, down by the grave-yard, west of town. When that building became too small for the accommodation of the membership and usual congregations, the more commodious one in town was erected. This occurred in 1856, when a house 40x56 feet was erected. The present membership is not so large as it has been heretofore, although there are quite a list of names still on the books. The present Pastor is the Rev. T. R. McNair, who has had charge of the Methodist Church at Towanda and White Oak, also.

The Baptist Church in Hudson, although not as early organized as the Methodist, is in quite a prosperous condition, and bids fair to hold its own. In the first organization, there were only thirteen members. Prominent among these may be mentioned J. H. Cox and wife, Samuel P. Cox and wife, Andrew Armstrong and wife, James Ambrose and wife and John Graves and wife. The first meetings were held in the schoolhouse. These services were conducted by Benjamin Thomas and A. S. Denison. These two men united their efforts in a protracted meeting. This was in 1855. , A. S. Denison organized the first church, and served as its Pastor the first two years. After him, James Cairns took charge. He remained a long time. It was during his pastorate that the church was built. This church-edifice is a handsome frame building, 36x40 feet. It was erected in 1859 and 1860. The cost of construction was $2,000. The present membership is about eighty. As illustrating the hold which the Pastor, Mr. Cairns, had upon his people, it is stated that, when he left Hudson for Fairbury, sixteen of the members moved with him and went to the same place. The present Pastor is the Rev. S. G. Miner. The ministers in charge since the first organization, and their order, have been as follows : A. S. Denison, James Cairns, Rev. Mr. Sturgeon, John Sawyer, E. J. Thomas, S. G. Miner.

The business interests of Hudson are looked after by several firms. Cox & Aldrich run a large general store on the corner near the depot. They also carry on a drug store and lumber-yard. They own one of the elevators, and operate the other. They deal extensively in grain of all kinds, their principal shipments being of corn and oats. Some rye is also handled. Carlock & Brothers keep a general store. A. Bistorious is a dealer in groceries. Adam Schoberlein adds boots and shoes to a line of groceries. H. Hasenwinkle owns the mill. It has three runs of buhrs, and does a very fair business. There are three blacksmith-shops. Thomas Calem operates one, William Lupton another, and r* , William Plurshey the third. He also keeps a carriage and repair shop and a wagonshop. John Jewell runs another wagon-shop.

Mosaic Lodge, No. 628, A., F. & A. M.

Hudson takes pride in her schools. The building is the same one erected by the colony at the first organization of the village. Although it is thus somewhat antiquated, it affords comfortable apartments for the aspiring young people of the village. There \q^ 4^-are two teachers employed. Hudson, like the other small towns of McLean, reaps a large benefit from the State Normal University, at Normal. Graduates from this institution teach Hudson's schools, and yet the village is smaller than the aspiring young alumni of that institution usually prefer to select as the scene of their pedagogical feats. Miss Nettie Cox, a graduate of the Class of 1877, is now teaching here. She is the daughter of the merchant whose business proclivities are the life of Hudson.

Dale Township is in the western part of McLean County. It is one of those townships which cuts off bits from several of the early settlements. It has no grove of importance lying entirely within its boundaries, although there is considerable timber in little patches, the largest entire grove being Hougham's, or Harley's.

Dale includes one Congressional town, designated Town 23 north, Range 1 east of the Third Principal Meridian. It is bounded on the north by Dry Grove Township, on the east by Bloomington, on the south by Funk's Grove, and on the west by Allin Township. On the north side, it cuts into Twin Grove, taking off a strip of timber about one and one-fourth miles long, and one-half mile wide. On the east side there is some timber, and in the southern part is Hougham's or Harley's Grove. Across the northwest corner, Big Slough and another little stream pass. Brooks' Branch of Sugar Creek rises near Covell. The largest stream through the township is the branch of Sugar Creek which comes from Bloomington, and cuts off quite a large triangle from the southeast corner of the township. Dale is well watered. It lies in a kind of valley or swag in the prairie. The north side is higher, and so is the southeastern corner, occupied by Shirley and vicinity. The valley extends in a southwesterly and northeasterly direction.

The Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, main line, crosses the southeast corner of the township, coming in from the northeast, near the northeast corner of Section 25, through the corner of Section 36, and then through Section 35. The Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad crosses the northeast corner of the township, passing in a northwesterly direction through Section 1, and cutting off a small corner from Section 2. The Jacksonville Division of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad enters the east side at the middle of the east side of Section 12. It passes southwest, through Section 13, and then turns almost directly west, and so continues through the township. It will thus be seen that Dale is well crossed by railroads. The L, B. & W. cannot be said to be of much advantage, but the two branches of the C, A. & St. Louis Railroad furnish two shipping points within its limits - Covell and Shirley.

The soil is black, deep and fertile. There are some portions which it is necessary to drain. Occasionally, a natural pond may be seen, and considerable of the land is flat. But there is an immense amount of corn, oats and potatoes raised. At the small station of Covell alone, we noticed 35,000 to 40,000 bushels of corn in the crib. Cattle are raised, and hogs abound. The facilities for shipping are excellent, and many things conspire to make the farming community comfortable and independent.

The early history of Dale is closely allied to the history of other townships, particularly to that of Dry Grove Township. Twin Grove was first settled, so far as can now be ascertained, by Stephen Webb and William McCord. William McCord, Stephen Webb, George and Jacob Hinshaw left Tennessee in June, 1827. They came west and north until they reached the Ohio River, having no trouble and a pleasant journey. From the Ohio, they experienced difiiculty and trial on every hand. The swollen streams often caused them much delay. On these occasions they would be compelled to ferry their goods across in canoes, and swim their horses and cattle. When, at last, they reached Cheney's Grove, George Hinshaw said he would go no farther. The others came on and settled at Twin Grove. William McCord remained until the spring of 1831, when he left for Woodford County. He there settled in Panther Grove, being the fourth family in that settlement. The cabin that he built is said to be still standing.

At about the same time that the Hinshaw-McCord company came West, Elander Hurst and Matthew Harbert came to Twin Grove from Sangamon County, this State. Harbert was the first to own the Daniel Munsell place, but this was in Dry Grove Township. Elander Hurst settled on the southeast side of the Grove, in Dale.

Just west of Mr. Hurst was a Mr. Ellis, who came to the Grove very early, but the particulars of whose life we failed to learn. He afterward moved north, to the Galena lead-mines.

In 1830, then, we find in Dale Township the following families, along the south side of Twin Grove: Beginning at the southeast corner, we find Mr. Hurst; going west, we come to Mr. Ellis first, then the residence of William McCord, and just west of this, the old farm first occupied by Stephen Webb, but at this time occupied by Benjamin Hinshaw. Here was a line of four residences. They were the only ones in the township with the exception of Robert H. Johnson's family, at Hougham's Grove. These on the north were not without their neighbors, for a number of families were on the north side of the Grove.

At the date last mentioned, a company of emigrants from Butler County, Ohio, arrived at Twin Grove. They reached their destination October 9, 1830. The company was composed of the following gentlemen and their families : Samuel Beeler, William Beeler, Francis Rockhold, George Beeler and Isaac Ryneerson. They all settled in a row, on the south side of Twin Grove. The company had sent out before and bought the land, and came this year to occupy it. They all lived and died here with the exception of Francis Rockhold, who still lives in Missouri. Their descendants are among the most prominent citizens of these parts, and are familiar to all who are acquainted with the history of the neighborhood.

In the same company was a young man of the name of Jesse Hill. He was a Kentuckian by birth, but moved to Indiana at the age of nine. He was here in Madison County when the company of emigrants came along. He was of an adventurous spirit and engaged with them. They were to give him money enough to return when he had gone as far as he wished. Mr. Hill married the daughter of Col. Beeler, and remained in Illinois. He worked in the neighborhood at various places, spending most of his time for awhile at well-digging. He soon entered a piece of land, built his cabin and took his Nancy home with him. Mr. Hill still lives on the south side of the grove, at a lovely place where he is sheltered from the northern gale in winter, and yet enjoys all the comforts of the southern breezes in summer. He has several children in this country, and some boys in the West learning what pioneer life means.

The first to venture out into the edge of the prairie, were Isaac Barker and Deacon Tompkins. They came from Ohio and went into the prairie on the southeast of the grove. Oliver Pease soon moved to the township, from Dry Grove. Others began to come in rapidly. The settlement was soon large and all the paraphernalia of an old settled country began to appear.

So far we have dealt with the single settlement at Twin Grove. This is not the only one, but it was the most important at first. We have not mentioned all those who came in to Twin Grove, but we have endeavored to give a fair idea of the manner of the first settlement. The details of early neighborhood history, at this late date, are meager and hard to obtain.

The first settler at Harley's Grove, or what was formerly called Hougham's Grove, was Robert H. Johnson. He was a Virginian by birth, but at a very early age he removed with his parents to Jackson County, Tenn. Here he remained for a number of years, when he again moved, this time to Overton County, in the same State. In 1814, he married a Miss Potter. He started to Illinois in 1828. He first stopped at Blooming Grove. Here he met a warm reception. The old-time sympathy manifested itself in the liveliest manner. George Hinshaw had built a cabin for the family at what is now called Harley's Grove. This cabin had no shutter to the door, so that Funk's hogs that had been in the woods eating the mast, found it a comfortable sty. When Johnson took possession, they were unconscious of the number of animals that would dispute their right before morning. It is reported that a large drove of hogs made their appearance after the family had retired for the night, and demanded admittance. The wary dog disputed with them the narrow pass afforded by the doorway. The pioneer, aroused from his slumbers, managed to apply the fire-wood in such a judicious way upon the poor creatures' noses as to cause them to beat a retreat. In the mean time the wife, who was always on the alert, cast the fiery darts of a righteous one out at the opening, where a chimney should have been, and made it impossible for the enemy to enter by that route. On the next day, the Funks appeared on the scene and things were adjusted in a more amicable way. The Johnson family lived here, the only inhabitants of the Grove, for some time. They had plenty of game at hand, and had many an adventure with the deer and wolf. Mr. Johnson had not entered the land, so that some years after his first settlement, a man of the name of Hougham entered it and bought Mr. Johnson's improvements. Hougham owned a large portion of land in that vicinity and was for a long time the only person there. Johnson went north to Twin Grove, and met his death by accident, in 1837.

The first sermon preached in Dale Township is not now remembered. The Rev. Mr. Latta, of Bloomington, often preached on special occasions at such places as seemed to demand religious services. Mr. Jesse Hill remarks that the first regular preaching in the township was held at his house. It occurred on this wise: Mr. Hill was digging a well at the prospective residence of Mr. Elias York, on the east side of Twin Grove, in Dry Grove Township, when Rev. Mr. Royal came along. Said he, " Dou you ever have any preaching in here?" "Yes," replied Mr. Hill, "a funeral sermon occasionally." " Do you wish any regular preaching?" continued Rev. Royal. " Now, sir," said Mr. Hill, " if you will occupy my cabin, down there, you are welcome to it." The minister accepted the proffered cabin and left word in the neighborhood that he would be there in one week from that day, which brought the sermon on Thursday. >At the hour appointed, he was promptly on hand. Services were held in the little cabin, whose unchinked walls presented a hole-y appearance and whose simple benches and unpretending stools furnished the only means of sitting. There were several persons present, and, at the close of services, a class was formed. When Mr. York finished his residence, the place of preaching was changed to his house. This formed the Methodist Church in the south of Dry Grove Township. The class was always kept up after the first meeting, but the place of meeting has been all the time in that township, until the removal of the church to the Cemetery in 1877-78. If the reader will refer to that township, he will there find a more complete history.

There was an early organization of the Christian Church at Twin Grove, but it was across the line north. Many of the members of that Church lived in Dale Township, but the first organization of a church inside of what is now Dale, did not occur until 1859. At what is known as the California Schoolhouse, something more than a mile north of Shirley, this first society was organized December 4, 1859. It was organized by the advice and consent of the Grassy Ridge Church in Bloomington Township. There were thirteen original members. Jonathan Park was the minister ; he continued so to act until the society was moved to Shirley. The following are the names of the first list of members, who became such December 4, 1859 : Jonathan Park, Barthana Park, Sidney Park, Alevilda J. Park, John J. Denham, Minerva E. Denham, Andrew J. Denham, Mary W. Denham, Elzira F. Quinn, Hannah Smith, Mary Jane Lane, Hardin Boulware, Florinda F. Boulware. The meetings were held in the schoolhouse ten years. Jonathan Park was their preacher. He was the pioneer settler of that part of the prairie. Of course, when he came to McLean County, nearly thirty years ago, it was then looked upon as being an old settled community, but notwithstanding all that, he tells us that when he stopped where he now is, there was not a farm between him and Brown's Grove.

In the southeast corner of Dale Township, there lived, until quite recently, a trio of ladies noted for their old age. These were Ann McNitt, Mary Boulware and Elizabeth Quinn. The latter is still living.

Ann McNitt was born December 29, 1786, and died May 15, 1878. It will thus be seen that she was in her ninety-second year at the time of her death. She came to Illinois about 1852. At that time, her husband was still living. Recently, she has lived with an adopted son, Mr. James G. McClelland, about three-fourths of a mile west of Shirley. Mrs. McNitt came originally from Pennsylvania. There she was born before the Constitution of the United States had ever been framed. At the time of the war with England, she was twenty-six years old. Before Robert Fulton first tried his boat on the Hudson, she had reached womanhood ; and when the first cars began their puifing on the American continent, she was growing old. And yet this hale old lady has lingered on the shores of time, enjoying good health, almost to the present time. Mary Boulware, or Aunt Polly Boulware, as she was familiarly known, lived to be even older than her associate just cited. She was born May 12, 1786, and died February 16, 1879. It will be seen from this that she was almost ninety-three years old. Her early life was spent in Madison County, Ky. There she claimed the attention of this world before the Northwest Territory had been organized. She came to Illinois in 1853. Her husband was living at that time. He died in 1864, in the the seventy-fifth year of his age. He was some three years younger than his wife; After the death of her husband, she lived, most of the time, with her son, James F. Boulware, who lives one and one-fourth mile west of Shirley. Mrs. Boulware continued in good health until the last sickness. She had a few seasons of sickness, but, as a rule, she and Mrs. McNitt retained much of their early vigor. The third and youngest of the trio is Elizabeth Quinn. She is ten years younger than those who have lately passed away, and might have been looked upon by them, at one time, as quite youthful. And yet, to the vast multitude of mankind, she is an old person indeed. She was born April 23, 1796, almost four years before the death of Washington, and long before a Napoleon shook the world with his wonderful campaigns. Kentucky had not been long a State, and Tennessee was admitted to the Union in the same year.

The early educational intelligence in regard to Dale Township is meager in the extreme. The early settlement which has been spoken of at Twin Grove had its school, but it was across in Dry Grove Township. Jesse Hill relates the difficulties often met in getting up a school. On one occasion, he signed for a scholar himself, and afterward gave his right to a neighbor who had children to send, and received in return two baskets. Thus trade was carried on, and the children educated. The first school taught within the township did not occur until so comparatively recently that its time and place are not of much importance.

The present condition of the schools is good, so far as we were able to learn. The following will illustrate the growth of the public-school system in the township : Number of persons under twenty-one years, 568 ; number of persons between six and twentyone years, 364 ; number of scholars enrolled, 278 ; schoolhouses, 7 ; amount paid teachers, $2,218.64 ; total expenditures, $4,107.61 ; estimated value of school property, $7,350 ; highest wages paid per month, $50.

We were unable to learn of any in the Black Hawk war, except William Lash and James Phillips. Mr. Lash was a noted fighter. He was also in the Mexican war. He would never take any insinuations in regard to the demeanor of the troops among which he was serving. It is related, that at one time in Bloomington, a man insinuated that the Mexican soldiers did much else than fight. He had directed his remark to Mr. Lash; but had not more than finished his remark until a heavy rejoinder from the soldier's fist landed the man in a place of quiet, from which he scrambled up and left the company without bidding them a last adieu. Mr. Lash was the only man in the Mexican war from Dale, so far as we were able to ascertain.

In the war of the rebellion, there was the proportion from Dale that was required from all. Many brave soldiers who fought in the Union cause, looked back to their homes in Dale. They seem to have been fortunate, most of them, for the list of the unreturning is not so long as that furnished by many townships in our fair State. We did not hear of a single person shot in the field; but there were some who suffered that worse fate, death in the hospital. Wallace Kinkaid died of the small-pox, and Thomas Stanton died of the measles. Charles Morgan, William Harvey and Edward Harvey also died in the service of the United States. If there were others, we failed to find their record. The full details of these horrible wars can never be learned on earth. If, in the hereafter, there shall be a reckoning of the affairs of this world, may the unknown braves who sleep in deep oblivion, with their deeds unsung and their names unkuown, receive a just recompense of reward.

In political matters, Dale Township stands very close. For some time, the majorities have not been large. It cannot well be said to be Republican or Democrat.