McLean County, Illinois - The whole text, 1879 (part 23 of 42)

By far the sightliest church edifice is Zion Church, the building of the German Evangelical Church, which was built in 1875 and 1876, and dedicated to religious worship in February, 1876. The building is 24x36, twenty feet high, with a spire sixtyfive feet high, from in front of the centre. The trustees who had this building in charge, and who so faithfully did the important work, were Messrs. Anton Adam, Joseph Adam, Kiradan Raedle, John Nagel and J. Jikadanz. The building cost about $1,800. This church belongs to the Illinois Conference, and is in the Pontiac Circuit,

The Weston School is in charge of Mr. David Vance, Jr., who is doing faithful work in behalf of education ; number of pupils enrolled, 50 ; average attendance, 39. Pupils are taken through the statutory studies.

The persons and firms now engaged in business here are : Dry goods, etc., John Pool, H. C. Purdy & Co., R. R. Grady, J. 0. Exley, J. W. Finley ; grain, Rakestraw, Haynes & Co., Rlaisdell & Leeret; blacksmiths, W. H. Loper, Warren Chamberlain; wagon-maker, G. W. Allison; restaurant, J. W. Finley; physician, ; station agent, H. E. Lamb; baggage and trackmaster, James McNally.

Relleflower is the extreme southeastern township of the county, and was one of the latest to come into general settlement. It is like the others in the southern tier, six miles by eight, being described Town 22, Range 6 east, and the northern twelve sections of Town 21, Range 6 east of Third Principal Meridian. In topographical appearance, it is gently undulating, the highest ridge of land being that which forms the " divide " between the Sangamon and Salt Creek, running through from north to south about two miles east of the western boundary line of the town. Salt Creek runs along near the western boundary from Sections 18 to 31, when it crosses into West. The Sangamon River barely touches the northeastern corner, and makes off toward the east, thence southwest again. The land from northeast corner to southeast corner is pretty level. There is very little wet land in Relleflower ; nearly all is capable of cultivation, and all of good drainage. In the northern portion of the township, the land is diversified by numerous round hillocks, which give an interesting appearance to the surface. It was originally entirely destitute of timber, except one poor lone tree which stood on Section 19, near the ford of Salt Creek, and for years seemed to stand as sentinel to that important crossing. Several non-residents got hold of considerable of the land, but most of it has now been brought into cultivation.

The Springfield Division of the Illinois Central Railroad runs directly through Town 22, Range 6, touching at the northeast corner of Section 1, running thence almost a due southwest course, hardly bending, and leaving the township a little south of the corner of Section 31. The Chicago & Paducah Railroad runs across the southeastern corner of the township, and the Havanna, Rantoul & Eastern Narrow Guage runs very nearly east and west across it.

Considerable drainage has been done by open ditches, and tile draining is now being practiced. J. W. Snyder is making tile in the southeastern part of the town, and the township owns one of the Pontiac Graders, which stands out night and day, like the Lone Tree, as a kind of sentinel or watch dog. It has done pretty good service for the town, however.

The town was named by Jesse Richards, the first Justice of the Peace. It was first called Prairie, but Esquire Richards had a great admiration for the Relleflower apple, and proposed the name, which was readily accepted.

All the earlier settlements were made along the northern tier of sections, and along the County Road, so called. This road, for reasons that do not seem to be fully understood by the present generation, was run on the half-section line half a mile west of the section line, which is in the middle of the townships, entirely across the county, except that it makes a set-off at Rankin's Grove, in the northern part of Cheney's Grove Township, and has on it the post office at Potosi, the two post offices, Garda and Dart, in Anchor, the iron bridge over the Mackinaw in that township, Saybrook, and Belleflower station in this town. The first schoolhouse was built in 1857, and the first school was taught by Miss Green. There are now ten districts and eleven schoolhouses in the town, the Belleflower District having two schoolhouses, which are both occupied in the fall and winter terms, the schools being consolidated during the summer term.

The M. E. Church, a fine structure, 36x50, with belfry, was built in 1873, under the pastorate of Rev. Job Ingram. The Church numbers about one hundred and fifty members.

R. E. Moreland came here to live on Section 6 in 1858. At that time, there were only about a dozen voters in the township, and most of them are now gone. He commenced farming in Section 6, but, some years after, located on Section 9, where he now resides. He has a farm of 160 acres, with comfortable buildings. He commenced to buy grain at Belleflower Station as soon as it was established, and has continued in the same business ever since.

At that time, Jesse Richards had a farm. Thomas Green, just deceased, had eighty acres on Section 9. He was a worthy old man, but for some time had been in declining health. His son Thaddeus, who lived near him, was then here.

William Riley came from Ohio to Section 21, in 1855. The only neighbors he had in that part of the town were rattlesnakes, who made themselves so familiar on closer acquaintance, that Mr. Riley, who had never seen the like of that in the eld country, got fairly disgusted with their frequent visits into his castle, traded off his farm, and left.

George Wheeler was also away out by himself alone for several years, on Section 23, but did not let the snakes or the shakes drive him from his legal rights. He remained there until his death, in 1877.

George Youle purchased the R. J. Cheney farm about 1869. He has 1,000 acres in Sections 3, 4, 9 and 10, which are given to raising, grazing and feeding of stock. He buys and ships. He generally has a herd of about three hundred horned cattle, and stall-feeds about one hundred and thirty in a winter. He is a man of large business capacity, and a good manager. His farm is probably one of the best in the township, being diversified and well adapted to every line of husbandry carried on in these parts.

W. A. Latham came here from Ohio about 1866, and has a large farm near the center of the town. He is engaged largely in keeping sheep and bees. He is a practical and enterprising man, and has an excellent farm.

No resident of the township has more largely filled the requirements which are due from the citizen to his day and generation than Robert E. Guthrie, who now, though still by no means beyond his usefulness, cultivates his quiet farm on Sections 10 and 11. Though not strictly belonging to the history of Belleflower, a short and imperfect sketch of his life and labors must find place here, as a tribute to the pioneer, the faithful son, the Christian preacher, the father, and the citizen, and not more a tribute to a well-spent life, than an example to those who shall read these pages.

Mr. Guthrie came to McLean County with his father in 1826, to move Mrs. Cox to Blooming Grove, whose husband had died after purchasing the Dawson claim, being then seven years old. His father was so straitened in circumstance?, that during nearly all his boyhood, he required his work on the farms that he severally worked in different parts of the county. He received only about ten months school in his life - in the schoolhouse - though his life has been largely devoted to study, and he is a man of large information.

He worked for and with his father at the north side of Funk's Grove, where the C. & A. R. R. enters it, then at the Henry Moots' place, one mile west of Towanda, then to the Benjamin Ogden place, afterward near Bloomington, where he opened a farm for James Allin, near the present engine house, between Maine and Mason streets, which they farmed for two years, after which, with his father, he engaged in the carpenter and mason trades in Bloomington.

At the age of twenty-two, he believed he should give his life to the preaching of the Gospel. And those who talk nowadays about taking up the Cross, and leaving everything for the service of God, might possibly change their notions in regard to the sacrifices they make, by comparison with the early itinerants. His duties were such that no man, raised under the system of the present day, could stand it. Going from house to house, and from timber point to timber point, preaching daily and nightly, through storm and darkness, through rain and snow, with no time to study except when on horseback, supported by the strong love for souls, by a constant intercourse with God through prayer and meditation, with so little worldly support that, at the end of six years, he was actually obliged to discontinue preaching and go to work on a farm to raise money to pay his debts, resuming service again as soon as he could see his way out. At the beginning, his "salary" was about $80. Beecher has been severely criticised for saying that a laboring-man ought to get along well and live on $1 per day - if he could not get more. The same men who growled at Beecher, would probably acquiesce if he had said that a clergyman ought to dress well, wax fat until his eyes fairly stick out, and preach eloquently on " two bits" per day. When he was admitted to travel for two years on trial, in 1841, he was examined by the quarterly conference, and recommended to the annual conference, which admitted without the present examination, for in those days conference did not question the spiritual grace of those who sought service in the vineyard at $80 per year and pay their own expenses. Bishop Morris assigned him the first year to the Wauponsett Mission, a three weeks circuit, embracing Indian Grove, Weeds (four miles up the Vermilion River from Pontiac, near the present station of McDowell), Rutterfords (Pontiac), Welman's (Cornell), Long Point, John Argolright, Barrackman's (Reading), Phillips (Newtown), Dice's

(below Streator), Vermilion ville, Wheatland's farm, Widon Armstrong's, South Ottawa, Lewis (twelve miles above Ottawa), Wauponsett (at John Kellogg's), and on the Mazon, three miles above Sulphur Springs, and other places in Livingston and La Salle Counties as Providence seemed to direct.

After this first year, his field of labor was in the southern part of the State. He served such churches as those at Jacksonville, Springfield, as Presiding Elder of the Quincy District, the church at Decatur, and, in 1858, got back to his old home, among the people with whom he had grown up. He was Presiding Elder of the Bloomington District. In 1862, in response to an almost unanimous call from the men of the Ninetyfourth Regiment, many of whom were members of the churches over which he presided, he accepted the commission and consequent responsibility of Chaplain of that regiment. He carried with him into the service the same earnest and intense desire for the salvation of the impenitent, with a firm faith in the " Sword of the Lord and of Gideon."

In 1867, he found himself so broken down in health that he was obliged to ask Conference for relief from ministerial labors, and with his children went to work on his farm in Belleflower. A year later, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, a position which was given him by the citizens of McLean as a slight tribute to a life spent in the service of religion without other reward than an approving conscience, and with a rugged constitution, undimmed by the exacting demands of the cause and the care and anxiety of the responsibility of a large family growing up with no other inheritance than that of love and peace.

Since the spring of 1873, he has lived on his farm, surrounded by and with the aid of his children, making home pleasant with the blessings which flow from well-requited toil and the happiness which springs from religious attention to every duty.

When the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad was built, in 1871, the township of Belleflower voted $30,000 in twenty-year ten per cent bonds, and the road established the station of Belleflower near the center of the township, where the railroad crosses the county road which runs through the county on the half section-line before spoken of, on Section 21, forty miles from Gilman, and seventy-one from Springfield. George N. Black bought the south 100 acres of the southeast quarter of that section, and laid out forty acres in blocks and lots, and the remainder into out-lots of from one to five acres each. He then transferred it to the Railroad Company, and title comes from the Trustees of that corporation. When the road was mortgaged, this (and other) town plats do not seem to have been mortgaged, for, in the transfer to the Illinois Central, the town was not included, and title still comes from the said Trustees.

R. E. Moreland was the first to engage in any business here. He commenced to buy grain in August, 1871, and has continued to this day. A. & A. J. Henry, of Chicago, commenced the winter following. That fall, John Nichols began the grocery trade, and put up the first dwelling-house. He also kept a boarding-house near where the post office is, and A. Libairn commenced the trade in general merchandise, which he still continues. In the spring of 1872, T. B. Groves, from Logan County,

J. W. Eyestone built a grocery store and occupied it awhile, and sold it to R. Rome, who still continues in the same line of trade. Then E. L. Rush built the building near the post office for a drug store, which he stocked and continued to run for two years. Hiram Rush built a store next to Rome's, and ran it for a year, and then went to Kansas.

Soon after these, G. W. Stokes built and occupied a drug store. He afterward added groceries to his stock, and has since carried on a very successful trade, with full stock of goods in these lines.

About the same time, the building now used by the post office, was built and occupied by the Cline Brothers, dealers in groceries, for a time. The first Postmaster was A. H. Marquis, then J. W. Eyestone; E. L. Rush and L. B. Grant followed.

Belleflower has always done a large grain trade, averaging 350,000 bushels one year with another. The grain from this station has usually been shipped East to Providence and Boston, especially the oats; but now, dealers find it to their interest to sell on track. A large amount of it has been sold to the Halliday Brothers, who have shipped to Cairo or to Chicago. Osman Station, on Section 1 (21-6), is on the Chicago & Paducah Railroad, which runs across the southeastern part of the township. It was laid out and named by Moses Osman, long an officer of that road, and one of its builders. Mr. Sherrard is engaged in the grain trade, and Mr. Dillon is selling goods there.

The Havana, Rantoul & Eastern Narrow Guage Railroad, built in 1878, runs from west to east, angling across three sections of the west half, and on the half section line of the remaining three sections, leaving the town line at the center of Section 36. Lorette is the name of a station recently established on that road, east of its crossing of the Illinois Central. Business has not begun to tower up at Lorette yet, but the narrowgaugers propose to buy some corn there in the future.

Cropsey Township embraces the south half of Town 25, Range 6 east of the Third Principal Meridian, is three miles by six, and is territorially the smallest in the county, being only one-third the size of Gridley, which is the largest. During most of its political history, it has been attached to the present town of Anchor (24, 6), and in school affairs is attached to, and forms a school township with Belle Prairie, in Livingston County.

The township is entirely prairie; and, as a consequence, had no early settlements. Probably the first to settle here was Col. A. J. Cropsey, from whom and by whom the town was named, in 1858. Col. Cropsey came here from Will County, 111., where his parents had long resided in Plainfield, and commenced farming operations in 1854.

He had entered two sections of land, and built a house in or near the center of Section 22. He was a man of enlarged views, having enjoyed the excellent advantages which the son of an intelligent and prosperous farmer in Will County would even at that duy receive. He was at once looked up to as a leader among men. He was ardently attached to the M. E. Church, of which he was a member, and a local preacher of considerable note. He did not remain here long, however. He became interested in the building of the new village of Fairbury, the nearest railroad point to his farm, ten miles north, and, in I860, was elected the first Representative in the Legislature from Livingston County, i. e,, the first resident of that county who was ever elected to the Assembly. He was chosen Major of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth (a Livingston County regiment), and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, serving till the close of the war. He became interested in a large tract of land where Lincoln, Neb., now stands, and went there soon after the close of the war, and was largely instrumental in securing the removal of the capital to that place ; was elected State Senator, and was a prominent candidate for the nomination for Governor. He recently went to Texas to make his home. Such is a short and imperfect sketch of one who will ever be held in kind remembrance by all who knew him when he commenced his active, useful life here.

The general topographical description of the township is, that the high ridge of land which runs through Lawndale at the west, runs across Cropsey from northwest to southeast, but is wider, spreading into an undulating highland, shedding off toward Indian Creek at the north, and at the southern side of the town toward the Mackinaw, which is only one mile from its southern boundary. The land is excellent and is easily drained. The farmers present a gratifying appearance of thrift, and distance to market seems to be about the only drawback to tho .comfort and convenience of the inhabitants. Fairbury, which is ten miles away from the township, is the nearest railroad point.

G. W. Freshcorn, who is now one of the oldest residents of Cropsey, came here from Chester County, Penn., in 1856. There were then living in what is now Cropsey. so far as his recollection serves (which he admits is at this age somewhat treacherous), A. J. Cropsey on Section 22; Alonzo and Levi Straight and father on Section 13 ; Stephen and Nathaniel Stoddard, and Edward Ward, still living here ; James Darr, James Harkness on Section 23, and Henderson Crabb on Section 20. Mr. Freshcorn bought land on Section 20, and still lives on the same farm. The largest farm, and, in some respects one of the very best, is the one owned by Moses Meeker, of Tazewell County, and worked by his sons, E. B. and D. B. Meeker. The farm consists of 840 acres in Sections 22 and 27. The buildings are large and good, suitable for so large a stock-farm, well stocked and well managed. The Meekers feed about two car- loads of cattle at a time, and keep a large stock of cattle and hogs. John Straisser has a good farm of 480 acres in Sections 24 and 25. He raises grain and feeds some cattle. J. Hinshaw works a fine farm of 240 acres lying in Sections 28 and 33. Esbon Merrill has a large farm in Section 29, keeping about half in pasture, and the remainder in meadow and under plow. He also feeds some fat cattle, though none of these farmers carry this branch to the extent they did a few years ago. Edward Ward, one of the first settlers, has a fine farm and excellent buildings. He is recognized as one of the best and most successful farmers. J. C. Arnold has 120 acres in Section 34, which is well and nicely managed. The farmers here seem to have paid better attention to their hedges than in many other places, and one sees here some of the finest hedges in the county, unfortunately in too many localities entirely neglected. In the division of the township which took place in 1877, all that portion of the old town lying in Town 24, Range 6, was set off into a separate political organization with the name of Anchor. The official record before 1877 covers the two towns until that time, but for the years 1877, 1878, it is only for the present town. The township was organized in April, 1858, at a meeting held at the house of Levi Straight. A. A. Straight was chosen Moderator, and A. J. Cropsey, Clerk. The town was divided into two road districts on the half-section line running through the town north and south, which now has the iron bridge on it. Below is given, in table, the officers who have been elected to the principal offices during the official life of the town.

The Commissioners of Highways have been, A. A. Straight, Gr. W. Freshcorn, N. M. Stoddard, S. A. Stoddard, D. Thompson, N. Brigham, Joseph Elmer, E. H. Ward, J. W. McCullough, a. Haller, M. H. Knight, John Sharpless, J. B. T. Mann, Z. C. Worley, A. S. Dart, J. C. Arnold, P. J. Decker and E. B. Meeker.

The township, in 1868, adopted at its town meeting a long cattle "ordinance." It contained eleven sections, and was carefully drawn, providing that cattle should not run at large, and providing for empounding and fixing penalties ; providing how they should be released, and giving the proper officers power to act in all cases. This was a new way of dealing with a very troublesome subject, and it proved a very effective way. The Legislature had passed a law allowing townships to vote for or against permitting cattle to run at large. One of the provisions of this law was that in case a majority of the legal voters of any township should vote against letting cattle run at large, the law should then be in effect in that township, whether the voters in an adjoining township adopted or not. This complicated matters very much, and there were constant depredations upon the part of those who did not choose to live up to the law. Custom had grown into a kind of law, and citizens were unwilling to take the law into their own hands and make a pound of their own inclosures. This ordinance was the subject of a legal decision, and soon became very effective.

Railroading

The center of the old town of Cropsey was, and is yet, about fourteen miles from the nearest railroad station, being about equidistant from Saybrook, on the south, and Fairbury, on the north. This of itself was enough, during the era of railroad-building and bond-voting, to make it of interest to railroad-builders and popular with voters to go into the bonding business. Several propositions were made and votes taken in this direction. None of these propositions were received favorably until the Decatur & State-Line Railroad took form. This road was to run from Decatur, where it would connect with the Decatur & East St. Louis road, of which it was to be an extension, direct to Chicago, passing through Chatsworth. The road would have been, had it been built, an almost air-line route from St. Louis to Chicago - several miles shorter than the shortest line between those two cities. The Boodys, of the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad, which controlled the Decatur & East St. Louis line, were very anxious to build it, for it would give them a Chicago connection which they had been, and still have been, unable to get. The proposition really seemed the most feasible of the many railroad propositions then in existence. They were in business relations with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and were really dependent on that company for the money to build it. When the citizens of Cropsey were shown the magnificent future which such railroad facilities would give them, it is not to be wondered at that they were ready to get all the wealth which this would bring them, and all for just a single vote. It looked like a "big thing," and there could be no doubt that the road would be built.

A special town meeting was held October 25, 1869, to vote for or against a proposition to donate $60,000 of bonds. This was the third meeting which had been held on the matter - the first two resulting adversely to town aid. At this meeting, the proposition was carried by the almost unanimous vote of 44 to 5. A proposition was also carried to donate $5,000 per mile and right of way to the same road. As the town was about eleven miles in length, from the northeast to the southwest corners - the direction the road would take - it was considered equivalent to the other proposition.

January 10, 1870, by a vote of 46 to 31, it was voted to give $15,000 to the D. & St. L. R. R., provided its line touched the town and a station was placed there. The road had the option, of course, of these different proposals. The destruction of millions of dollars of the Rock Island company's property, by the Chicago fire, followed before it had recovered from the loss by the " Granger excitement," and general depression of railroad interests alone saved the township from being as heavily in debt as any other in McLean County.

A railroad is now contemplated, called the Clinton, Bloomington & Northeastern, which is proposed as an extension to the Chatsworth Branch of the Illinois Central. It is projected by the farmers owning land along the line, and is energetically pressed by Mr. D. B. Stuart, a large land-owner in Cropsey and Anchor. H. L. Terpenning and J. T. Tanner, the Supervisors, and other energetic men. The scheme seems a feasible one, and the road is likely to be built without running the town in debt.

Schools And Societies

D. S. Crum, Esq., is Treasurer for Town 25, Range 6, and lives in Belle Prairie. From his last report the following figures are taken : Number of districts, 9 ; whole number of children under twenty-one years, 618 ; number between six and twenty-one years, 425; number enrolled in schools, 380; amount of township school fund, $7,000, about one-half of which is loaned on real estate.

The Belle Prairie Agricultural Society is jointly supported by the two towns. It originated in the Belle Prairie Grange, and was organized in 1874, and has held three annual fairs - that in 1878 in the new hall belonging to the society, which is 28x40, and on the land of D. S. Crum, Esq. The Society pays no money-premiums, but awards blue and red ribbon premiums. No fees for admission are charged. A track, upon which the only " purely agricultural horse-trots " known in this part of the country take place, is one of the feature of the exhibition. No racing is permitted, but it is doubted whether any horse could carry off the blue ribbon unless he made something better than a snail's time around that agricultural track. The society is largely social in its tendencies and aims, and is worthy of study with a view of extending to similar localities a like institution. Ira C. Pratt is President; H. L. Terpenning, Vice President; William Stickler, Secretary ; D. S. Crum, Treasurer.

The Belle Prairie Mutual Insurance Company, a farmer's company of these towns, together with Indian Grove, is in successful operation. There are 126 policies outstanding, covering an insurance of $103,000. H. L. Terpenning is President ; C. H. Benson, Secretary.

During the preparation of these pages, the death of John Thomas occurred at the residence of his grandson, H. A. Thomas, Esq., one-half mile southeast of Potosi, in the 98th year of his age. Father Thomas was born in Halifax, Windham Co., Vt., March 5, 1782. He enlisted in the war of 1812, and served until its close. He was a cloth-dresser by occupation, and worked on the farm summers and at his trade winters. He was three times married, and was the father of twelve children, nine of whom survive him. In 1852, he went to live with his son, at Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., where he assisted, for a number of years, in carrying on a dairy. In 1868, he came to Illinois, and has since made this place his home. He had, for many years, been a pensioner of the Government. Nearly thirty years ago, a cancer made its appearance on his left cheek, which slowly made its way until the time of his death. The cavity was about four inches in diameter. Though this was not the cause of his death directly, still it may have hastened it somewhat. For some years, he has gradually lost strength, but was only confined to his bed about four months. During his helplessness, he was kindly cared for by his son and grandson, and the wife of his grandson. Think of the changes time has wrought in this county during only half of the lifetime of this aged soldier !

Potosi can hardly be called a village, though it has long been a center for the citizens to collect, get their tri- weekly mail, and trade. When the post office was established, it was, for a time, kept by citizens at their houses. Some thirteen years ago, Dr. H. W. Green, a recently-diplomaed physician, came here, looking for a place to practice, and soon after, started a drug store, which grew into his present large general trade in merchandise. The post office was removed to his store. Dr. Green, in addition to his extensive medical practice and his general merchandise, takes a lively interest in the religious affairs of the surrounding country. He is an ordained Elder of the Christian denomination, and preaches almost every Sunday in some locality within a few miles' ride of his home. In his daily life and labors, he fully exemplifies the great amount of labor and usefulness an educated and earnest man can accomplish even while attending faithfully to. his own secular affairs. J. E. Whitney carries on a blacksmith-shop, and A. D. Taylor a shoe-shop, at Potosi.

One of the most exciting occasions in the history of Potosi, was the speck of war over the " butternut pole " which was raised by the Democrats on the occasion of a political rally during the campaign of 1868. Owing to the color of the Confederate army uniform, which was brown, of a butternut shade, the butternut had come to be accepted by the soldiers of the Union army as a symbol of " secesh " doctrines.

Some person, either out of pure " cussedness," or for some unknown reason, put a few butternuts on the pole. This was thought, by some returned soldiers, to be a taunt, and was taken in dead earnest, as tending to spread treasonable sentiments, and they declared it should come down. The party who raised the pole, declared they would defend it even unto death. The excitement spread, and there was talk, on both sides, of " enlisting for the war" to bring down or to sustain that pole. Arms were collected and stored in convenient places. Men became as thoroughly in earnest as they ever were on the fields of Dixie. The one side declared that no butternuts should ever be permitted to wave (or shake) over the four corners at Potosi, and the other just as energetically affirming that that pole should not come down while they lived to defend it.

At this juncture, some of the Republicans thought of the company of " Tanners," organized and officered to help carry on the Grant campaign, and went to get their assistance. As Capt. McDowell and his company of Tanners had never been sworn into the State service, he did not feel like volunteering to put down rebellion or butternuts at Potosi without an invitation from the Governor. He consulted Maj. Osman, who was in command of a Democratic Company, and the two agreed to lay the matter before the Governor and be guided by his order. They therefore sent a message to Gov. Oglesby, laying the matter before him, and asking advice or orders; Capt. McDowell, for the Republicans, and Maj. Osman, for the Democrats, agreeing that his orders should be complied with. The Governor was absent from Springfield, and it was not until a day after that he sent his reply, which was to the effect that the Republicans should go home and thus save the majesty of the law, and the Democrats should take down, and thus save, their butternuts. The order was obeyed, and the butternuts were taken down and turned over to Capt. McDowell and Maj. Osman, who expressed them to the Governor, who kept them safely in the archives of State.

What is now Anchor, Town 24, Range 6 east of the Third Principal Meridian, is the easternmost of the middle tier of townships of McLean County, being bounded on the east by Ford County, and is just about midway between Indian Grove on the north and Cheney's Grove on the south, Burr Oak Grove on the east and Old Town Timber on the west. During most of its history it has been a part of Cropsey, and, of course, its history is much blended with that. The reader is referred, therefore, to Cropsey for many things which the writer does not deem best to repeat here.

The first man to commence any farm operations here was William T. Stackpole, Esq., of Fairbury, then residing at Pekin, Tazewell County, carrying on a large grain and produce business on the Illinois River, then the only line of transportation known to this part of the State. Mr. Stackpole commenced here in May, 1855, coming across the country from Pekin, with three teams, to commence spring work on the large tract of land which he had recently purchased, aggregating 2,320 acres. Of the remembrances of that occasion, Mr. S. writes, under date of March 22, 1879, with a justifiable enthusiasm which twenty years of absorbing business operations, complicated by a series of business misfortunes which would have driven many men crazy, has not blotted from his memory :

" In addition to the points furnished you for the history of Anchor Township, I cannot forbear referring to the peculiar natural beauty of that prairie (the very heart of the - Grand Prairie ' of Illinois), in a state of nature, as I saw it on that May morning in 1855, when I went, with my men, to begin what we call ' improvements,' necessary for our use, and again - say on September 1 - when its rich vegetation had reached its fulfillment. Not even a furrow of its virgin soil nor even a spadeful of its earth (except by United States Surveyors) had ever been turned by man ; nor even, I think, so much as a shanty ever erected, by white man or Indian, within its bounds. Every foot of its soil was prairie except the small grove (about two acres) on the southwest quarter of Section 5, now owned by David Stuart, then known as ' Cunningham's Bunch.' The wide, open prairies were shunned by the early settlers, and their first occupation and cultivation were surrounded by serious difficulties in some respects. The wild natural beauty of the landscape, relieved and set off by the groves of woodland in the distance, was fully equal to any representation or description I have ever seen or read. The comparison, so often made, of the appearance of the distant groves to islands in the distance, was recognized as most just."

Mr. Stackpole had entered or purchased, in the years 1853 and 1854, 2,320 acres of land, described as follows: Three-quarters of Section 17, three-quarters of the south half of Section 18, all of Section 20, the north half of Section 29, the north half of Section 28, the southeast quarter of Section 28 and the southwest quarter of Section 27.

As stated above, he was engaged in large business operations at Pekin, 111., and had purchased this with a view to make it his home and his business, retiring from the arduous and uncertain exactions of trade, which was already undermining his health. His operations here are sometimes referred to as " Stackpole's folly," a term which will scarcely be applied to it when the full facts are taken into account.

In May, 1855, with three teams, he came by way of Bloomington, where he loaded with lumber, and put up with Ephraim Myers, at Cheney's Grove. The next morning, he made a survey, put up temporary buildings and commenced breaking prairie. Up to that time, no person had broken prairie with horses ; it was supposed that it could not be done, and when he told them that he was going to do the work with horses which, it was supposed, could only be done with three or four yoke of oxen, he was laughed at, and people began to talk of " Stackpole's folly." The " red root," which was the great and only impediment to breaking prairie - a hardy plant, of prairie growth, whose top was but slightly discernible in the "grass, but whose large, firm root, running deep into the ground, was firm as a rock against any common plow - could only be overcome by the steady, stolid pull of well-trained cattle. Mr. S. had discovered that the root, to be killed, need not be cut off by the plow, but that a hit by the plow was sufficient to destroy its vitality and cause it to die ; hence, he knew that he could plow with horses, and did. Men came from Cheney's Grove to see him fail in his plowing ; they came, saw, but he conquered.

He purchased a boat-load of lumber in Chicago, which he brought on one of his boats to Joliet. thence by railroad to Lexington, and drew it across the country to his farm. The first summer, he built the large farm-house which has been, until this year, occupied by Dr. Sabin, and which was, at that time, the largest and finest farm-house in McLean County. The rattlesnakes, greenheads and mosquitoes were the most troublesome enemies the new farmer had. The stable was kept dark to protect the horses from the attacks of the latter, but it did not protect them from the former, as one of these sinuous descendants of the first tempter got into the manger, at one time, and, like " a dog in the manager," would neither eat nor let the horse eat till he was removed. Deer, at this date, were still so numerous that herds of from five to fifty were often seen. The skeleton of a buffalo (an American bison) was found by Mr. S. on the farm, and his neighbors at Cheney's Grove also found- some. Since the very earliest recorded events, extending back into the early part of the eighteenth century, the bison was never known to live upon these prairies east of the Mississippi. How long that skeleton, which Mr. S. still retains, had lain upon this prairie it will be difficult to tell with any degree of certainty. For two or three years prairie wolves were very troublesome. All these minor objections shrunk into insignificance, however, compared with the terrible fires. No real loss of human life occurred here, but losses of property were numerous. In one fall, Mr. S. lost several hundred tons of hay. The high grass, often, at that time, growing to the height of eight feet, gave a fine opportunity for the spread of the devouring element. He brought out the first reaper which was ever used in these parts. The following year he put up a board fence around a half section. Like all his building, this was done in first-rate style. The posts were sawed and then charred in fire. The fence stood well for sixteen years He stocked his farm with several hundred head of cattle and a thousand sheep. In 1859, he had eleven hundred acres in grain, largely in wheat, which proved that year a bad failure. Thus far, every thing on his farm had proved reasonably successful. But business reverses followed his labors at Pekin, and, in ten years from the time he made his first purchase at Anchor, all his property had been sacrificed at less than half its value to meet the demands against him. The low water on the Illinois River, in 1856, gave him his first severe loss. The revulsion of 1857, when wheat fell in Chicago from $1.18 to 60 cents in twenty days, and nearly every bank in the country closed its doors, following quick upon the suspension of the " Ohio Life and Trust Company," left him poorer by thousands of dollars. The peculiarity of this case was that during this decline in Chicago, wheat remained firm in Liverpool. The failure of the banks placed it beyond the power of commerce to move the wheat forward. The system then in vogue placed it out of the power of men to send forward crops without the aid of the banks. Jim Fisk. Jr., had not then invented his famous scheme for " moving crops."

The disasters of the first year of the war finished what the former uncontrollable events had commenced, and the year 1863 saw Mr. Stackpole's land closed out under mortgages at ruinous prices and himself left penniless. It will be seen that it was not Stackpole's folly that ruined him. Mr. S. has, of late years, given much attention to the study of opening the water-ways of the country, and has invented a plan by which the bars which accumulate at the mouths of our great rivers can be removed and communication kept open for the largest class of vessels. He is a man of large information and of radical views, a strong and vigorous thinker, and in many respects a remarkable man. That success may crown his present labors is said not more in his own than in his country's behalf.

Topographically, Anchor lies in peculiar shape. The high ridge which extends through Lawndale and nearly covers Cropsey, runs across the northern line. The Mackinaw heads in the eastern line of the town, running north through the eastern tier of sections, and west through the northern tier. A high ridge, not unlike the one across its northern line, runs nearly along the southern, dividing the head waters of the Mackinaw from the creek at Saybrook. From the eastern part of this, a high ridge runs north through half of the township, leaving two extensive valleys, which are rich and fertile, on either side of it. There is, on the east side of Section 12, a lake of some forty acres, and, besides this, a few small ponds. The name Anchor was given to it by George R. Buck, the then Supervisor - why, is not easy to tell.

The oldest resident now living in town is John Sharpless. He came from Indiana with a family consisting of wife and five children, and worked a farm two years at Indian Grove. He made an arrangement, as he supposed, to work a piece for Capt. Johnson, at the Mackinaw timber, for the year 1863 ; but a misunderstanding occurred, and he left. It was late for renting, and the only chance he could get was a half-section of the Stackpole land on Section 18, and, very much against his will, he was obliged to take a prairie farm. He liked it so much better than he expected, that he lives near the same place, on Section 29, now. There was a farm lying near by that had been cropped in 1861, but had lain idle in 1862. The proprietor offered to take one-fifth grain rent for it, but he could not find any one to take. Sharpless gave the usual rent, one-third. There were plenty of deer and wolves at this time, but he did not give much attention to them. He found his time fully occupied on the farm.

After working the land two years, he bought of Jones, where he lives. Sharpless was and is an ardent believer in the Democratic party, and tells how he felt when he attended the first election in this town and put in his day for the good of the cause ; but it proved an up-hill business ; for when the votes were all in and duly counted out, there were three Democratic votes to thirty Republicans. He has lived in the town to see it go the other way, however, and feels better.

Dr. Sabin, the same year, or the one following, purchased the portion of the Stackpole property upon which the dwelling-house stood, and has continued to live there until the present year. He has practiced his profession over this part of the country, and is greatly respected by his neighbors around him.

The demands of the great army of the Union, together with a lively inflation of the currency, had for two years before made cattle-feeding the great rage in McLean County, and almost every farmer in the county had got rich by it. Jones had made some money and wanted to make more ; he bought some 3,000 acres of land, comprising Section 27, three-quarters of Section 28, five-eighths of Section 29, 520 acres in Section 24, half of Section 15, half of Section 10, one-quarter of Section 14, one-quarter of Section 34 and eighty acres in Section 26 ; a considerable portion of this was the Stackpole land.

Jones lived on Section 27, and there erected a steam-mill to grind feed for his cattle, and built two large barns 28x225 feet each, two stories high, sufficient to stall 300 cattle ; these he kept filled with cattle as long as he could afford it on a constantly declining market. He sold his mill to John Shorthase, who removed it to Danvers. His barns were cut up into sections and sold off. He at one time sold all his land to persons at a contract to pay twenty-five bushels of corn per acre for ten years. The parties failed to fulfill, and he had to cancel the contracts. He afterward moved to Towanda, and died in 1878. His great farming operations did not entirely use him up financially, but must have crippled him considerably.

A. S. Dart came here the same year and built a house on Section 29. John Ingram came here from Canada and bought forty acres from Jones in 1866, and Nathaniel Brinley bought the west half of Section 29, and built on it in 1867.

During these two years, the township pretty nearly all settled up. Henry Gilstrap came from White Oak Grove and settled on Section 6 : he afterward moved to Kansas. Moses H. Knight, a preacher of the Christian Church, also settled on Section 6, where he afterward died, much respected by all who knew him. R. H. Arnold, from White Oak Grove, and W. H. Anderson and F. M., his brother, came from Martin township and settled on the same section. D. B. Stewart, of Chicago, purchased Section 5, upon which is situated " Cunningham's Bunch," the only natural grove in the township, and an adjoining section in Cropsey. He is largely engaged in the hay trade, running a press and shipping his hay to all parts of the country. "Side-Hill Dick," a colored man, famous in this region as the only man in existence who is taller on one side than the other, is in Mr. Stewart's employ. Mr. Stewart once sent a lot of hay to Providence, R. I., for which he failed to get any return. He thinks trusting Providence may have been a good thing at one time in the history of the country, but thinks times have changed - in Providence.

J. T. Tanner came here in 1869, and has a fine farm in Section 8. He is the present Supervisor and has been a Justice of the Peace. He is an intelligent man. Can show as good a farm as one need see. J. C. Swatsley, for many years Town Clerk, came here from Metamora, Woodford County, where he had long been engaged in school teaching, and took up a farm in Section 11. He is a man of superior education, and his record as Clerk shows a careful man, so rarely found in the township offices, which often show a great lack of skill and care. He has an excellent farm.

Maj. J. B. T. Mann, an officer in the Mexican war, commenced to plant a nursery here on Section 4, in company with his brother W. H. Mann, Esq., of Gilmau. The hedge-plant business was a large one for a few years, and for a time the raising and selling of nursery stock was a good business.

J. B. Pierce came from Danvers to Section 28, about 1868, where he still resides. He is a man of large intelligence, and has taken a lively interest in the religious and educational affairs of his town.

John N. King commenced a farm in Section 22, about the same time. He is, as his place shows, one of the best farmers in the town. His buildings are neat and nicely painted, and his farm looks tidy and neat. The same year, John P. Worley set- /tled on Section 14, where he still resides.

At the first town meeting held in Cropsey Township, this town was divided on the half section running through Sections 4, 9, etc., for some reason which does not now appear very plain, and on this line is the principal bridge over the Mackinaw, an iron one built by the county in 1870, the two post offices in the town, and the principal road of travel from Potosi on the north, to Saybrook on the south. There are five other bridges over this stream, and their early history is that of all bridges on Western prairie streams - having the habit of frequently going off when most wanted. Latterly, the citizens have learned by experience to build them more permanently. There is no store in town, Saybrook being the principal trading point, although those living in the northern part find Potosi a convenient point. No township debt oppresses the taxpayers of Anchor, although the record is evidence that it is not their fault that they have not now heavy railroad taxes to pay. They repeatedly voted to donate the Decatur & State Line Bailroad all they asked, to build a road through the town, but the possibilities of that railroad were burned up in the Chicago fire. The citizens living in the northern portion of the town are now, under the lead of Mr. Stewart, pushing forward the enterprise known as the Clinton, Bloomington & Northeastern Railroad, with an anticipated station on Section 5.

Corn is the principal crop, and probably will remain so. The farmers feed their crop liberally to hogs ; a few feed cattle. A great deal of corn is drawn to Saybrook, which is the market for this town. A few have been raising flax, with good yield, and an occasional crop of wheat is raised. Oats are generally considered a good crop.

Until 1877, this town and Cropsey were together in political organization. A little unfriendliness had grown up ; there did not seem to be any convenient common center for holding town meetings, and a little strife was known to exist between the north and south ends on town affairs. In 1876, a petition was presented to the Board of Supervisors, signed by many of the principal citizens, asking to have the town divided. The Board granted the petition, and at the suggestion of George R. Buck, who was then Supervisor, the new town was named Anchor. What small debts there were, were equitably divided, and the township " property," consisting of a record-book and Clerk's desk, were parted between them, Cropsey taking the desk and Anchor the book. Since the setting-off of Anchor, the following township officers have been elected : Supervisors, G. R. Buck and J. T. Tanner ; Clerk, J. C. Swatsley ; Assessors, S. P. Howell, J. C. Swatsley; Collector, A. Claypool; Justices, J. T. Tanner, C M.

No citizen of Cropsey or Anchor has ever been elevated to political or judicial office of the county or State. While this is not strange, and by the citizens themselves not regretted, as they have not been " seeking office," and, with all the reforms which have been instituted, the time has not come yet when the office seeks the man in all cases, still it is a little singular that two of the local clergy who resided here, moved into adjoining counties to be soon sent to the Legislature. Mr. A. J. Cropsey moved to Livingston County, and was in 1862, elected to the Legislature, and Rev. J. I. Robinson, who, in 1869, moved to Ford County, was, in 1874, elected to that body by the Republicans of Ford and Livingston counties.

There are two post offices in Anchor, established about two years ago. Both are served twice a week by the mail carrier's line running through from Fairbury to Saybrook. Garda Post Office, which received its name from the famous Italian lake, is at the house of C. W. Kingsley on Section 9, near the iron bridge, and Dart Post Office, at the house of Samuel Cary, on Section 33.

Churches, Schools, Etc

" Prairie Chapel" (M. E.), a neat and plain structure, standing near the iron bridge is 30x40, and was built in 1874, at a cost of $1,300. Preaching had been held in the schoolhouse for some years quite regularly, when it was thought best to build the chapel. Messrs. 0. D. Butler, Alex. Shannon, J. C. Swatsley, Z. C. Worley and H. A. Thompson were selected to look after the work. It belongs to Fairbury Circuit, and the pulpit has been supplied by Revs. D. R. Dietch, Mr. Bealer and James Sanders, who now officiates. Preaching service is held each alternate Sabbath, and a Sabbath school is maintained.

Bethel M. E. Church was built on Section 32, in 1876. Mr. George R. Buck, a resident of the town, organized a "class" in 1873, at the Sherwood schoolhouse. After the organization of the Church, Rev. Josiah Kern preached two years. Then followed Rev. William Wiley, under whom the church was built. D. B. Spencer, Abraham Crotinger and G. R. Buck were the leading spirits in the building of this neat edifice. It is 32x46, and cost $1,600. Rev. Mr. Souders and Rev. Mr. Flowers have since officiated. This Church belongs to Union Circuit.

George R. Buck was instrumental in starting a Sabbath school, in 1868, in the Jones' schoolhouse, on Section 21. In 1869, it became a Union* Sabbath school, and was so continued until the building of the Bethel Church, when it was transferred to that building and became by general consent a Methodist school ; that is, is carried on under the officers of that Church. During its existence, Messrs. King, Spray, Parr and Moots have in turn acted as Superintendents, and since it has become attached to the Methodist Church, Messrs Grapes and J. M. Green have superintended.

In the winter of 1874-75, Rev. P. W. Bishop, whose recent insanity has been a source of deep regret to the large circle of friends which he has in McLean County, organized a Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the Rockford schoolhouse. Messrs. Pierce, Craig and McReynolds were elected Elders, and fifteen members were received.

Rev. Mr. Field, of the " United Brethren," then a circuit preacher, now Presiding Elder, organized a class in 1869, and held regular meetings in the Rockford schoolhouse, Following him were Rev. B. F. Rhinheart, Rev. Joel Corley and Rev. F. R. Mitchell. As a matter of convenience, service was then transferred to the Fairview schoolhouse. Revs. Mr. Denton, Levick, Gilbert and Faulk have officiated. A portion of the time it belonged to Saybrook Circuit, and a portion of the time to Arrowsmith Circuit. They .now contemplate building a church upon the Updike land.

The Christians have no church in Anchor, but have one just across the line in Martin, which is convenient to them. Dr. A. W. Green, of Potosi, preaches once a month in the Methodist Church near the iron bridge.

The doctrines of the " Perfectionists " or the " Holiness " doctrine, as popularly called, seems to be quite commonly held by members of the churches in this and surrounding towns. In some instances the avowal of this belief has been the cause of unfriendly feeling, in consequence of a lack of sympathy with the doctrine on the part of some of the members.

Many churches do not always indicate increase of religious life, but a lack lack of churches generally shows a lack of religious interest. However it may be, the people here seem, with great unanimity, alive to religious and spiritual matters. There are nine school districts in Anchor, and it has the largest township school fund of any in the county - $14,375. The school section was sold in 1869, for $22 per acre, giving a handsome sum, which seems to have been well cared for. The successive School Treasurers have been, W. H. Anderson, A. S. Dart, C. M. Grapes and J. R. Worley.

C. W. Kingsley has 180 acres in Section 9. When he came onto it, in 1868, it was raw prairie, and he has made it one of the finest in the town. He has good buildings, neat and tastefully arranged grounds, good hedges, a nice orchard and good stock.

Town 24, Range 5 east of the Third Principal Meridian, is Martin. It is six miles square ; is the second from the east line of the county, and the third from the north and south lines. The center of it is twenty-two miles north of east of Bloomington. The Mackinaw runs entirely across its northern tier of sections, and threefourths of this tier were covered originally with timber. The remainder of the township is prairie-land of the finest kind, both in the richness of its soil and its adaptability to thorough culture at all times. There is practically no waste land in the town. Bray's Run and other small streams running across it from its southern to its northern border, water and drain its rolling surface, making it unsurpassed in beauty and value. Added to this, the general thrift and care of its farmers, the attention to buildings, orchards and hedges, the general freedom from foul growth which the farms show, all tend to make one remember a visit to Martin pleasantly.

The town was named from Dr. Eleazer Martin, who, at the time of his death, owned a large tract of land, which still belongs to his two daughters, Mrs. Ewiog and Mrs. Dr. Elder.

The first settlements were, of course, along the river, and most of those who broke the land here and put up their little cabins along the Mackinaw, still live here, enjoying the well-earned fruits of their early privations, trials and hopes.

John Wiley and his sons, William, Lytle R. and Silas W., came here from Indiana in the fall of 1835, the year that the land came into market, and entered land on both sides of the Mackinaw, near the head of the timber belt. The elder Wiley made his little home, with the help of his sons, then young men, on the south bank of the stream, where Silas has lived until this year, near the bridge. Here the old gentleman lived and died, and Silas remained on the homestead. As soon as the older sons got their father's farm into good working order, they took up land on the north side of the stream, and commenced making homes for their future families. They were induced to come into this part of the country by the Pattens, who were relatives of theirs, and had preceded them. William built a house, and married in 1841. Eight children were born to them, most of whom are living. He owns and works a farm lying in this and the adjoining township.

Lytle R. Wiley remembers well the early days here. The fall of their migration was rainy and unpleasant. The roads, where there were any, were muddy, and there were no bridges over the streams. The first winter, there was excellent sleighing, though not as good as the recent one of 1878-79. He never has seen a winter equal to this. At first, they went to the mill at Kankakee. There was later a horse-power mill at Cheney's Grove, which they sometimes patronized, and sometimes went to Ottawa. At certain seasons of the year, the patronage at these distant mills was far beyond their capacity to grind, and the settlers had to go prepared to camp out for a week around about the mill, waiting for their turns. There was no voting-place nearer than Pleasant Hill, and there they had to go until township organization was effected in 1858. The nearest store was at Bloomington, and, in case of sickness, they went there for a doctor. They brought some stock with them, and had great trouble with wolves. Sheep were a necessity to the early settlers ; without them they did not know how to clothe themselves ; but it was almost impossible to save them from the depredations of wolves. During the early years, there was no money to be had. The breed of hogs then known in these parts would hardly pass muster as " lard hogs " in any wellordered market. Cattle and horses were good, and easily raised, but there was no demand for them for cash. What the pioneer had to eat or wear he must make or raise, and store-clothes were at a discount. They raised some wheat, which, by hauling to Chicago, would bring 50 to 60 cents per bushel, but it ^was a good two-weeks' trip to go and return. When Lytle got ready to go to Indiana and marry, he decided to build the best bouse iu this neck o' woods. The house still stands to show its good workmanship. It stands at the road near his present residence. The logs were all nicely hewn, and evenly laid up, framed in at the corners, rather than notched ; the gable-ends clapboarded ; the rafters and roof-boards were sawed stuff. This was in 1843, and sawed lumber could be procured then. The shingles still cover the roof which were put on thirty-five years ago, and, until recently, there was no leak in it. In 1865, Mr. Wiley built his present residence, which is a large, roomy building, and cost, at the time it was built, $3,000. It was the largest and finest house in this part of the country. It stands exactly on the line between Section 4 in Martin and Section 33 in Lawndale. His sleeping-room is in Martin, but he gets " his washing done " over in Lawndale. He never has had his vote challenged in Martin in consequence of having his week's washing done in the kitchen. He owns over four hundred acres of land, and has always been a good, careful farmer, never taking any speculative risks. He is the father of nine children, eight of whom are living.

Next to the Wiley family came Curtis Batterton from Kentucky, in the fall of 1836. He came here on horseback from Madison County, and went on to Missouri, but did not like the looks of things there, and returned here and bought eighty acres on Section 5, and went back to Kentucky. He returned here the following year, and soon after married here, Melinda Henline. He brought apple seeds with him from Kentucky and planted. When two years old he grafted them and soon set them out, and still has a good orchard. He lived in a log house until he was able to build the present snug brick house. The bricks were made on the place, and it is the first, as indeed it is the only, brick house in Martin Township, and cost about $1,600.

For some years after coming here, it was almost impossible to sell anything. He drove hogs to Bloomington and sold for $1.25 per 100, dressed. Those who drove to Chicago did " two bits " better, but it was a hard, long trip with hogs. He considers one of the greatests curses to this country the cockle burrs, which were introduced here about 1852, from Kentucky. He never allows one to grow on his farm. He is an extremely careful man. His farm and buildings are nice, clean and tidy. He and his two sons farm half a section. Their stock is good and fences in order. He is a very positive man and does his own thinking. Early in life he was a Democrat, had voted for Jackson, but became estranged from that party at the time of the Cincinnati platform, and the rebellion made him an ardent Republican. His oldest son died in the army at Jackson, Tenn., and he brought his remains home for burial. He was not a member of the church, so had no particular one to go to, to conduct the funeral service. He sent for Elder Sharpless, whom he knew as a clergyman, but was too unwell himself to attend the service. After he recovered from his sickness, he learned that the Elder was a Democrat, and he went off and got a Republican minister and had the funeral over again. Had he attended the first funeral, however, it is not likely that he would have had the second, as David Sharpless was far too good a man to allow political feeling to take even possession of his mind on so sad an occasion.

He well remembers Lincoln in the olden time, and speaks of him as a very plain, unassuming man, whom any one would have taken for a plain country farmer instead of a lawyer.

S. W. Bray came from Indiana in 1855, and entered land at Bray's Clump, a little five-acre patch of timber about three miles up the stream, on " Bray's Branch," and about one mile, by direct line, from the Mackinaw, on Section 15. He was a son-inlaw of John Franklin, of Lexington. He entered 160 acres of land, and still lives on it, surrounded by a housefull of children and grandchildren, enjoying a pleasant old age. The only neighbors were the Wileys and Batterton. The nearest post office was Pleasant Hill, and the nearest school was at Batterton's, three miles away, and this was supported by subscription.

There were some singular features of the school-law of thirty-five years ago. The teacher must "board around " a week for a scholar. Each scholar, or rather the parent, waa required to furnish a quarter of a cord of wood. It took as much wood to keep a schoolhouse warm in those days as to burn a brick-kiln. It was almost invariably furnished " sled length," always green and full of sap, and the boys had to chop it up noon-times and recesses. Almost hourly the request was made of the teacher to permit one to go out and bring in some wood, for by so doing he could get a half-hour's spell of chopping. Then the wood was almost always too long for the stove. Then the little fellows would ask to stand by the stove, to get warm, ostensibly, but really to scrape the sap off the ends of the sticks, as it " sizzled " out, and eat it. Another thing which seems strange to us now was, that no child who had even a drop of African blood in its veins could attend school under any terms.

Dr. Payne, now of Lexington, entered and improved a farm of eighty acres, at the head of the timber, in 1854. He remained on it a few years and sold to Richard R. Williams, who farmed it ten years and sold to John Bradford, and moved to Lexington.

The Puett farm, of 160 acres, in Section 2, in the same neighborhood, was taken up the same year. It is now owned by James E. Wood, who has gone to Indiana.

Perry Parker took up or purchased about three hundred and fifty acres of land in Section 3, about the year 1853, and, in 1858, sold it to W. Gr. Anderson, who had moved from Indiana, but had lived near Bloomington. Mr. Anderson was a man of intelligence and good education, and at once set about improving and beautifying his farm and home. He was an ordained Elder of the Christian Church, and devoted much time to the religious interests of the people with whom Providence had cast his lot. He established a Sabbath school, and commenced preaching in the schoolhouses as soon as there were any, and carried on, with the aid of other brethren, regular religious meetings, from which grew the. " Antioch " Church, a notice of which will be found under the proper head.

He carried on his farm successfully for fifteen years, making cattle-feeding the principal business. He introduced pure blood cattle and hogs, and now has a herd of about thirty-five short-horns and a large lot of Berkshire hogs, which variety has always beeu a favorite with cattle-men, from their ability to take care of themselves among cattle.

Four years ago, he was appointed Financial Agent of Eureka College, in Woodford County, and has but just returned to his farm, which has been in charge of his son. His energy and zeal have never flagged in the work he has found to do, and he has been a valuable and useful citizen.

The large farm known as the " Harpole farm " lies just opposite these farms, consisting of the east half of Section 1 0 and all of Section 1 1 , at the head of the timber, and includes the separate grove known as " Funk's Bunch." The Mackinaw runs across both sections) and that it is one of the best cattle-farms in the town or county is evidenced by the fact that it was early selected by Mr. Isaac Funk for one of his farms, and he was never known to select anything but the best when he had his choice. In 1858, he put J. S. W. Johnson on it, to improve it and feed cattle. Johnson was a good manager, and continued in control of it until 1866, when he died. Mr. Funk having died, it came into possession of his son George, who sold it to Peter Harpole. At the latter's death, two years later, his widow went to Bloomington to live. Alfred Harpole now has charge of it, carrying about two hundred head of cattle, feeding some, but, like all these farmers, much fewer than they formerly did. There is abundance of water, fine feedyards, good buildings and good accommodations.

Soon after this, the prairie began to be made into farms. Prof. Turner had demonstrated that the Osage orange, which was a native of a southern clime, would stand our winters, and could make a fence. Coal had been found to burn well, and it began to appear that men could live on these prairies. Capt. James Kennedy (or Jeems, as he insists upon calling it,) is a character which few men in Martin do not know, and whom to know is to get acquainted with at once. Born and raised in the blue-grass region of Kentucky, he found, as his boys grew up around him, that he ought to get out of that country, not that he expected to find any better one, but his shrewd foresight told him that the stern logic of events must lead to war sooner or later, and he did not want to be in it. He knew that this country never could be divided, and that the attempt would be made, and he did not mean to be in it. He was a firm Whig in politics, and expected always to be.

In 1852, he sold out there and came to Bloomington with means enough to buy him a good farm and stock it. Being particular about his future home, he did not buy at once, but rented a farm at Bloomington on the Peoria road. He carefully looked over all this country, and found in the place he now lives on, Section 21, just what suited him, but it was not for sale. Peter Folsom, who owned it, was holding it, but afterward sold to Alexander Miller, and Capt. Kennedy bought of him.

He had been Captain of the militia, in Kentucky, and raised a company for the Mexican war, but it was not accepted, as the regiments were all full. He brought a thorough-bred, short-horn herd with him from Kentucky, and was one of the early and most efficient friends of the County Agricultural Society, of which he was for some years President. In 1860, he was the candidate of the Democrats for Representative from this county.

He is full of early incidents, one of which is worthy of repeating, as showing the currency troubles of olden times. He started once on a business trip to Bloomington, Ind., and took money out of the bank at Bloomington, before starting. Arriving at Terre Haute, he stepped on the cars, and, when the conductor came around, he had not a bill which would pass in the sovereign State of Indiana. He tried every plaster he had, and none would fit on that soil. He asked the conductor what he must do, and received the reply that he would have to get off. He then asked whether, in the opinion of the conductor, he would be permitted to walk on the track after the train had gone, with that money in his inside pocket. This sally so amused the conductor that he did

After he bought the farm he now lives on, there were, for a time, so few people living here that they could not have a school. For a year they did keep a school in a private house, hiring the house-wife to teach it, but in 1865 and 1866 the rush of settlement was so great that schoolhouses were built, and everything moved off smoothly.

He has always taken a lively interest in public affairs, and especially in township affairs. For jears this town has been without any pauper expense. He has been repeatedly elected Supervisor, and made a very useful member of the County Board. He has a good farm, bountifully supplied with fruit, and, at seventy-five, he is spending a green old age, with nothing to complain of, and few regrets. He does regret however, that the people of this prairie country did not earlier learn that they could get along without having to fence against other people's cattle. He says he did not know, until after the people over in Cropsey Township adopted their ordinance against cattle running at large, that it could be done. Had it been done twenty years sooner, it would have saved the farmers the millions they expended in fences.

Capt. Kennedy is a member of the Christian Church; has been a liberal supporter of religious affairs, and contributed largely to building four different churches. He has been three times married; is the father of six children, four of whom survive.

Those who have served as Justices of the Peace are B. W. Smith, J. R. Williams, R. Horney, W. H. Anderson, N. Hawk, James Gillan, C. W. Spawr, D. Bierbower and S. T. Ridgeley. The following have been Commissioners of Highways : R. R. Williams, S. W. Wiley, H. C. Langstaff, C. Batterton, H. G-. Anderson, A. S. Hudson, J. Lyons, L. Warner, J. Carter, J. Bunn, J. R. Williams, J. Twogood, William Wilson, S. Dean, Joseph Nye, William Hurt, T. Wilson, W. H. Anderson, L. J. Willhoite.

Milton S. Morris, Treasurer of the School Trustees, reports, in 1877, the following : Number of school districts, 7 ; number of schoolhouses, 6 ; number of children under twentyone years, 419 ; number between six and twenty-one years, 276; number of children enrolled, 256 ; amount of school fund, $3,478 ; amount paid teachers, $1,786.66 ; total expense of every kind, $3,354. Like many other townships, Martin "fooled" away the school section, which, with proper care, would have made a fund large enough to support all the schools in the town.

There are three churches in Martin, each being on the edge of the town, so that it accommodates others than the inhabitants of this township. The " Antioch " Church, as its name would naturally indicate, belongs to the Christian denomination. Early in the settlement of the country, Elders W. G. Anderson, M. H. Knight, and other devoted men, began to assemble the people together on the Lord's Day and on other occasions, for religious meditation and instruction. A Sabbath school soon followed, and the audiences outgrowing the accommodations, it was determined to build a house for worship. A suitable piece of land was procured in Section 1, and a cemetery was laid out, and in 1873, the present Antioch Church was built, 30x45, a plain four- wall structure, costing $1,400. These brethren were greatly assisted in their building enterprise by S. W. Wiley, John Hinshaw and others. Dr. Green, of Potosi, together with Messrs. Anderson and Knight, have conducted regular religious services in the church.

The " Martin Valley " Christian Church was built in 1873, in the middle of fitter's meadow, in the southeastern part of town. It is about 40x54, a plain building, without spire or decoration, and cost about $1,500. At the time it was built, it was understood that a road would be laid out on the section line running by it, but difficulties arose in regard to it, and it now seems likely that it will cost almost as much to make a road to it as the house originally cost. It is proposed to move it to Arrowsmith, and as most of those who now attend will be as near there as where it now stands, it will probably go. The gentlemen who were largely instrumental in the building, were John Nickerson, Joseph Goddard, William Hurt, Mr. Lopeman, Elias Buzic and Capt. Kennedy.

The " Martin Valley " United Brethren Church was built in 1869, at a cost of about $1,500. The building committee was James Gillan and Jacob Richie.

James Gillan, who for several years has represented the town on the County Board of Supervisors, came here from Tremont, Tazewell County, in 1865, and bought, and commenced improving, what is now a fine farm in Section 23. He is of Irish birth, and a man of excellent judgment, and is held in great respect. At that time land was selling at from $7 to $10 per acre.

Isaac Bunn, originally from Pennsylvania, esteemed by all one of the best farmers, came here in 1864. He farms three-quarters of a section in Sections 18 and 19. He has excellent land, good buildings, and is comfortably fixed. He formerly fed cattle largely, but that line of farming has become much depressed since the opening of the great cattle-fields of Colorado and the West.

John Bitter was here, on Section 34, as early as 1864, and James Hagler on Section 29 at the same date. They have both good farms and high rolling land. These men

William Wilson has half of Section 16, which is also a well-managed farm. John Nickerson owns a large farm in Section 28, with fair buildings, extensive orchards and comfortable appointments. J. M. Sells has a fine farm of 480 acres, with comfortable buildings and improvements.

J. E. Walden was born in McLean County. Early went into the army, where he served until 1865. On coming home, he bought eighty acres of land in Section 27, where he still resides. His brother, Solomon K. Walden, lives on the large Henline property, which has recently been purchased by Gen. Gridley. The two sections belonging to the Henlines had never been plowed until 1878, when the north one was put into corn, and the south one will be this year. The Martin tract will also be planted this year for the first time. Renters on these new lands give two-fifths, and the chances are a premium at that.

There is noticeable throughout an appearance of thrift and healthy improvement. There are no very rich men to cause jealous emulation ; no very poor to call for pity or pauper bills. A friendly Christian spirit seems to pervade. No neighborhood quarrels, and no expensive litigation have estranged friends or broken in upon the general good feeling.

There is no post office in Martin, the people generally going to Arrowsmith or Saybrook on the south for trade and for postal facilities. They do not greatly desire railroads, either. They seem remarkably contented, peaceful, successful and happy. What more can any neighborhood want ?

Biographical Sketches

*- ~W. H. H. ADAMS, President Wesleyan University, Bloomington ; was born in Effingham Co.,. 111., March 30, 1840, and is the son of Christopher B. and Sarah (Ganaway) Adams, who were early settlers of Illinois ; Dr. Adams' father was a farmer ; the Doctor was engaged in farming from the time he was able to hold the hoe or handle the plow in the summer months, and in the winter attended the district schools. In 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company A, 111th I. V. I.; he carried the musket the first nine months in the service; he was then elected 1st Lieutenant ; he organized the first company of Contrabands for service ; he was Captain of Company A Battery, doing service on the road from Columbus, Ky., to Mobile, Ala.; July 4, 1865, he resigned and returned to Illinois, and in, 1865, entered the Preparatory School at Evanston, 111. ; here he graduated ; he then entered the Theological Seminary ; in 1870, he joined the Illinois Conference, at Shelbyville, and was stationed at different places in Illinois. In 1875, he became President of the Weslyan University.

E. J. ADAMS, grocer, Bloomington ; was born in Tioga Co., Penn., April 3, 1844, where he was raised and educated. He came to Illinois in 1865, engaging with the St. Louis & Jacksonville Railroad Company, and, through meritorious conduct, was soon put in charge of a passenger-train, and continued as Conductor until 1874 ; he then began in mercantile business as traveling salesman for McMillen & Compton ; thence with Roush & Humphreys, wholesale grocers; here he learned the business, and opened on his own account in 1878; his place of business is at 112 North Main street; here he keeps a fine store, with a well-assorted stock of goods. He married Miss Susan ft, daughter of Joseph Caswell, of Jacksonville, 111., Dec. 20, 1872 ; they have three children.

AGLE & SONS, leather and findings ; Bloomington. The representative firm in leather and findings is that of Agle & Sons, 205 S. Center street. At Gowanda, N. Y., they have a large leather manufacturing establishment. Their store here is stocked with their own manufacture of goods. Those who are judges do not hesitate to pronounce their goods the best in the market. Their business here is conducted by Mr. George Agle, one of the junior members of the firm ; he is a native of Erie Co., N. Y. ; was born in 1845, and began learning the trade of a tanner with Charles Seigle, of Hamburg, N. Y. ; he came West in 1861, and engaged in the hide and leather trade in this city, remaining here for five and a half years, and then returning to New York, where he was engaged in business for about six years ; then again returned to Bloomington, and engaged in the hide and wool trade with Mr. J. Clark, this partnership lasting for two and a half years, when Mr. Agle again engaged in business alone, at his present location, where he has since remained ; understanding the manufacture of leather and being thoroughly posted in all the details of his business, he has met with very gratifying success, and has conducted his business so' that the firm of Agle & Sons is well and favorably known to our business men and to the people.

« - - C. S. ALDRICH, grocer, Bloomington ; firm of Aldrich & Bro., wholesale and retail grocers. One of the leading stores of this class is that owned and conducted by Aldrich & Bro., located at 109 East Front street. They are careful and reliable business men, whose aim is to secure that patronage which shall result from the merits of their goods and fair dealing. They have exhibited an enterprise worthy of commendation, in always being among the first to secure seasonable articles, and always aim to keep only the best grades. C. S. Aldrich is a native of New York, and son of Lucius and Mary A. (Thorp) Aldrich ; he was born Nov. 18, 1 833. During his early life he obtained a good education, and for a number of years followed teaching; in 1860, he removed to Montgomery, Ala., and there engaged in teaching; and at the beginning of the late war, he returned to his home and organized a company and entered the army as 1st Lieutenant of the 85th N. Y. V. I., and from meritorious service was raised to the office of Major ; he participated in many of the most severe engagements of the war ; he lay prisoner several months at

Macon, Savannah and Columbia, S. C, where he made a very hazardous escape, and was some thirty days in the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains before reaching the Union army ; he was mustered out in December, 1864, and returned to Canandaigua, N. Y., and entered the Canandaigua Academy as teacher. In 1865, he embarked in the dry goods business, continuing until 1868, when he came to Bloomington and began the grocery business, and has risen to his present standing through industry and integrity. He married Miss Uphemia Van Buskirk, of his native State, Oct. 13, 1869; they have four children, three of whom are still living.

McLean Co., and particularly those who first settled where the city of Bloomington now stands, that will be, or should be, remembered as long and with such feelings of respect and honor as the father of Lee Allin. It was he that began the building of the city in good earnest by laying off forty acres of his farm in town lots. This being the first beginning of a town and is now the heart of the city, and being fully described elsewhere we will not repeat it. His son, Lee Allin, who is now and has been during his life a resident of the city, was born Nov. 27, 1828; during his early life, he had but little chance of getting an education, the schools being such as are usually found in a new country. For a time he was engaged in mercantile pursuits ; but this not just to his liking, he gave it up, and, in 1854, began the study of dentistry. After having learned the business, he opened an office for himself, and has since been engaged in the business ; his specialty is fine plate-work, and it is generally conceded that his work is not surpassed by any dentist in the city ; he has a pleasant suite of rooms located at 116 South Main street, where he is found regularly during business hours. Sept. 7, 1852, he married Miss McFarland, of Jacksonville, 111.

J. W.ANDERSON, machinist, Bloomington; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, May 5, 1842, and was raised and schooled in Preble Co. , where he learned blacksmithing, in which occupation he continued until the beginning of the late war, when he enlisted in the 20th Ohio for three months' service; he then returned and took up his trade until 1863, when he re-enlisted with the 120th Ind. V. I., and served as flag-bearer for twenty-six months ; he came to Bloomington in 1868, where he has since lived; his place of businesses 305 West Washington street; here he runs a fine little machine-shop, and is prepared to manufacture buggies, spring and platform wagons, and all kinds of jobbing ; being a competent workman and a thorough business man, he has an excellent trade. He married Miss Sallie A. Ledwell, of Butler Co., Ohio, June 8, 1861 ; they have a family of-ihree - William T., Leonard E. and Mabel.

^JOSEPH ATOR, County Sheriff, Bloomington; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Nov. 9, 1830; son of William and Isabel (Dodds) Ator ; he was left to battle with the world without parental advice and care, being raised by an uncle and receiving but a limited education ; at the age of 15, he began the trade of a printer, but soon abandoned it for that of a cooper, in which business he continued several years; then, for a time, he traveled extensively through the Southwest ; he finally returned to his native county, and, Feb. 15, 1856, was married to Miss Margaret Waltz, of Montgomery Co.; they came to McLean Co., 111., in 1857, locating in Towanda, where he followed his trade for a time. During the late war, he enlisted with the 145th I. V. I., serving to the expiration of his enlisted term; he located in Bloomington in 1871, and opened in the coopering business, which he continued until 1872, when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and served some four years ; his election to the office occurred in November, 1878.

JOHN HOWARD BURNHAM, Bloomington; was born at Essex, Mass., on the north side of Cape Ann, Oct. 31, 1834 ; his parents were of the old Puritan stock ; his father, John Burnham, was a descendant of John Burnham, who came to this country in 1634, and the original farm descended from father to son for six generations ; his mother was a Perkins, and a Choate on her mother's side ; she is a first cousin to Rufus Choate, the famous lawyer; Mr. Burnham emigrated to Illinois in the fall of 1855, living for two years at Barrington, Cook Co.; while there, he taught school two winters ; in the spring of 1858, he came to Bloomington, where he attended the Normal School ; here he graduated July 4, 1861 ; Aug. 20, 1861, he entered the army as 1st Lieutenant of the Normal Students Co. A, in the 33d Regiment I. V. I.; he was in the battle of Fredericktown, Mo., Oct. 25, 1861 ; at the fight at Cotton Plant, or " Cache River," Ark., July 7, 1862, and in several skirmishes; he was promoted Captain, Sept. 5, 1862; in 1864, he was Superintendent of the Bloomington City Schools, and in July, 1864, became editor of the Panlagraph, remaining nearly three years in this position. Jan. 23, 1866, he married Miss Almira S. Ives, daughter of A. B. Ives, of Bloomington; in 1867, he became general contracting agent for an iron highway bridge company, which position he now fills.

JOSEPH BACON, planing-mill, Bloomington. Mr. Joseph Bacon is another of the enterprising business men of Bloomington. He is a native of the State of New York, though most of his life has been spent in the West. For twelve years, he was engaged in boating on the Mississippi River. He was engaged from 1849 until 1858 in working at the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he had learned in Indiana. In 1858, he engaged in the planing-mill business, which he has since followed. His mill is located on East Douglas street ; his business now being mostly custom-work. In 1876, he was unfortunate enough to lose his left hand by having it mangled in a saw. In 1878, he put in one run of stone for grinding corn and mixed feed, and has since been doing some business in this line.

Bloomington Now Uvwg

WILLIAM F. BAIRD, loan agent, Bloomington. Among the better class of loan agents stands the firm of Baird & Tuttle. Mr. Baird was born in Ohio; in 1853, he came to McLean Co. Here he has been engaged in stock-raising, and owns 1,000 acres of fine improved land near Shirley. Mr. Baird, while in Ohio, was Conductor on the Little Miami Railroad.