Pike County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 8 of those read), 1880 (part 9 of 9)

Dr. Ahfitr F. Si)encer,\'i\rinev, sec. 7 ; 1*. O., Pittstield; soti of I.saiic an<l Khoda (Beadsley) Spencer, the former a native of Xew York, and the latter of Connecticut. Abner V. is a native of Connecticut, and was born July 11, 1823; emi:;rated to this county in 1852, and settled in this tn. Dec. 1_', 1^.''<». he married Mary E. Sanders, a native of KentucKv, and who was born in 1833. and thev have had \) children, 7 livirii;, namely: James S., Mary E.. now wife <»f Miles Cox, of Kentucky, Elizabeth P., Lewis L., Martha B., Abner F. and Abi;ora. Those deceased are Frank and I.saac. The DtK'tor commenced his medic.-il studies in 1S4C, <^raduating at the Sierlinij Me<lical Collei^e at Columbus. Ohio, in 1849, and commenced ]>ractice the same year and continued it until 1802. He now owns 100 acres of land worth $50 per acre. In religious faith he is a Swedenboro^ian, and Tn politics is a Republican.

/'. Struftirxjer. Pittstield. was born in Abbotstown, Pa., in 1832; came to this countv in 1803 and settled 0 miles west of this citv, where he euf^aged in farmin;;, ami w<jrking at his trade, plastering. Subsequently he visited his native State and returned to this city in 1866, and the followinor year opened the market now occujdea

Jitcoh Strauss, of the Hrin of Strauss Brothers, merchants, west side of the Sipiare, Pittsfield, where they carry a large stock of drygoods, clothini;, etc. Jacob was born in February, 1843, and came to America in 1S58 and settled in New York, where ho remained 4 years, during which time he clerked in a dry-goods store; in 18^)3 lie came to this county and embarked in business, where he has an extensive and increasing trade, carrying a large stock, and employing four salesmen. In 1873 he was united in marriage at Cincinnati with Minnie Herman, who was born in 1853, in his native Country in Europe. They have two children, Emanuel and Samuel. William 2L TJiompson, teacher, was born Oct. 19,1846, in Carroll county, Va. , and is a son of Raleigh Thomjison, of Livingston county. Mo. lie was a soldier in the C/onfederate army, and since that time worked by the month to obtain money to defi-ay his expenses while attending school in Pittstield. He taught 3 years at Fairview school-house near Pittsfield, and is now teacher of Independence School, Hardin tp., and is very successful as a teacher, and one of the most iirominent teachers of the county.

Aurjnstus Tromhold, blacksmith, Pittsfield, is a native of Germany, born Nov. 22, 1847; came to America in 1849, remaining 7 years in New York, thence to Iowa, and in 1809 to Pittsfield, where he has since resided. He was married in Brown county in 1873 to Miss L. C. Ritter, a native of Ohio, born in 1854, and they have 3 children: Anna, George J, and Charles A. Mr. T. is a member of the Lutheran Cliurch. and is a Democrat. In 1803 he enlisted in an Iowa Cavalry Reg't, serving one year.

W^ll'm7n^Y atson, born in Chester Co., Pa., Feb. 26, 1798, son of Archibald Watson of that State, who emigrated to Missouri in 1818, and settled in Louisiana. Ten years after, he moved to St. Charles, where he passed the remainder of his days. The subject of this sketch was married at Galena in 1828, to Miss Diadema McQuigg, a native of Oswego, N. Y., where she was born in 1802. After marriage he returned to St. Charles, and in 1833 came to this city, and settled temporarily in a small hut or shanty, then located on the present site of the city S(|uare, being the first settler of Pittsfield. Same year he erected a dwelling south of the Mansion House, where he opened a small stock of goods. Two pilgrims named Greene and Barber were boarders in the family at that time. This edifice still stands the test of time and as a living monument to his decaying memory and declining years. Five 3'ears later he built the Mansion House, which he conducted successful Iv for 14 years. His mercantile pursuit of 21 year> was crowned with ]iros|ierity, and he retired from the active field of life with considerable wealth, so that his old age can be spent in reaping the reward of a well directed industry. He was at one time Judge of the Probate Court, and served as County Treasurer 4 years. He is residing with hig living child, Ellen, wife of Rev. Dr. Barrett, deceased, as

Jiimes W>i)i»t:lU farmer, sec. 31; is a 8on of William and Susannah (Gray) Wasgell, natives of En<;land; wIhj cjime to America in 1830, where the snhject of our sketch was horn in 1835. His parents I»roiii;ht him to this county in 1837. In 1857 he married Sarah K. Mulhec, who was horn in Mori^an county, this State, and after heconiinj^ the mother of C children, died. The names of the childr»-n are NIary, William, Klmer, (irant, CTeor<;ia and Arthur. In 1^70 Mr. W. miirritd Kmma Ilenlley, a native of this county, who was l»orn in Is.'iU. He is a r.iiMnl..- ,,f th.' Christian C'hurch, and a KcpuMican in politics.

lion. Scoft Wik^, attorney at law. wju» horn Aj)ril «». lt>34, near .Mijulvillc, Pa., son of (teor;;e and .Vnn (fJrubh) Wikc, mitiven of Pennsylvania, who came to (.^uincy in 183S, and to Pike (Jo. in the gprin;; t»f 1S44. Mr. (Jeor^e NVike still resities near Parry, where he fortnerly was a woolen manufacturer at tlie ** Parry \V<M»len Mills." The subject of this sketch studied law one vear at Ilur var<l University, was admitted to the bar in 1'>5S, and Oct. 8, ls.'»l*, he located in Pittstield and commenced the practice of law; in 18t]2 and lsr)4 he was electeil liepresentativu in the State Lei^islature from Pike and Scott counties; and in 1874 he was electeu to Congress, lie commenc«*<l the practice of law alone, but afterward formed a partnership with Milt«»n Hay and A. 0. Matthew^, then withC. L. Hi^luHMUitil 1801 andthen wasalonea^ain ntitil February* 1879, when he entered int4j partnership with .Mr. .Matthews and Harrv Hi;;lM'e.

George Wild^r^ farmer, sec. 1>; P. ()., Pittsfield; l>orn in York Co., Pa., in 1827; marrietl Caroline Keener, a native of the same State, by whom he Inis 4 children; came to this Co. in 1857, and settled on his present estate, consisting; of PIO ncres well cultivated land, valucti at $lu<» per acre. This farm and improvements may Ik; conNidere<l thetinesl in this tp. The house i^ a two story frame buildini;, with all modern improvements, and occupies a sightly eminence above the road, command ini; a fine view of the surnjundinjx country. This farm is now open for purchase, and a bargain for a first-class farmer.

John 11. Wildin, artist, Pittsfield, was l>orn Feb. 14. 1^44, and is a native of Pennsylvania, ami a son of John atid Magdalene (Stubini;or) Wildin. Until 19 years of a^e he followed farming; came to Illinois in 1^53, and settled in this county, and for the last 8 years has Wen practicin«j his profession. In 1876 he marrie<i Hester McFadden, who was lx»rn in Missouri in 1850. PoliticjiUy he is a Democrat.

William Elza \niliams was born in Detroit township near the town of Detroit, this county. May 5. 1857. He is the second child of David Anderson and Emily Adeline Williams, both of whom were reareii in Pike county, and the otfspring of hardy pioneer settlers. His irreat-<j^rand father J?'/ ^er/Jdt, Williams, came to this country froiu Eiii^land previous to the Kevulution, and fought for his adopted c<»untry throu;^huut that war, and was at the surrender of Yorktown. and also was a soUlier in the war of 1812 from North Carolina. The grandfather, John xVnderson Williams, was horn in ^[arvland in 17l>9, and removed with his father to North Carolina when but a small boy, whence he came to Illinois with a large family in 1834. He settled on sec. 32, Detroit township, where the subject of this sketch was afterward born. With the assistance of a large family he ojiened up an extensive farm and Ijecame a, wealthy and inHuential citizen. He was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, a firm su])porter of Jackson and Douglas, and died in 1876 at a ripe old age, in Sedalia, Missouri. David Anderson Williams, the father, was born in North Carolina in July, 1832. Ue was tirst married to Miss Martesia Scanland, of Pittslield, who died the following year without oflfspring. On the 10th of May, 1854, he was- married to Miss Emily Adeline Hayden, of Newburg, his present wife, and the mother of the subject of this sketch. He is now living on the old home place, a good and respectable citizen and neighl^or. He proudly follows in the footsteps of his ancestors, a firm and unswerving Democrat. The mother is a daughter of Louis Elza Hayden, a resident of Newburg town-hip, and was born in November, 1837, in Pike county. Her father, who came to Illinois from Missouri in 1834, was born in Kentucky in 1S09, and is still living, a spry, active old man 71 years of age. His grandfather, Elisha Hayden, was the son of English parents and was born in Virginia in 1755. He was a Hevolutionary hero from his native State, where his body now lies. His son, Elisha Hayden, the great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia, removed to North Carolina and afterward to Kentuckv, where he entered the militarv service and fougrht j^allantly through the war of 1812.

W. E. Williams is now a practicing attorney in Pittsfield. He was reared on a farm with the privileges of a district school four months in the year, from which he entered Illinois College at Jacksonville, at the age of 19. He immediately became a member of a college society, and from the first exhibited great powers as a debater, and was among the first scholars in school. During his last collegiate year he commenced the study of law, and Aug. 12, 1878, entered the law office of J. AV. Johnson at Pittsfield, and became a close student. After the formation of the firm of Irwin k, Johnson with James S. Irwin the following year, he remained under the instructions of both until March 5, 1880, when he passed a successful examination before the Appellate Court, 1st District, at Cirica<ro. On the 24th <»f August, 1879, he was married to Nliss Maggie Gallaher, of Pittsfield, daughter of James Gallaher, editor of the Old Flag, and was born in N. Y. City June 11, 1857.

Ahner V. Wills, whose portrait may be found in this volume, was born Feb. 14, 1S49, at Summer Hill, this county, and is a son of the well known Win. R. Wills, sr. Mr. Wills is at present one of tlie Inrtjest farmers in l*ike county, having about 1,100 acres of land. He raise.- annually on an average "JOO acres of wlioat, 80<) acres of corn, and turns off al»out .'iUU slieej), of which he kee[»s liigh grades, and thorough-hred stock of all kinds, and in which lie is ijuite extensively engaged. lie is also an extensive tlealer and trauer in land, etc. His own residence is on the southwest quarter of sec. 21.

March 22, 1808, ho was married to Miss Elizabeth llflnie. dau^rhter of .lolm llclnie, and they have a family of (3 children, nanu'ly, .lulm. William, Emily, Mille, Melindji and Emmet.

ChurliH ]SilU, barber, I'ittstield; l>orn iti (iermany in ls4ii; canje to America in 1S54, stopping in St. Louis, Mo., where he remained until he cAUie to this city in l^«>^, when lie established himself in Im^iness. In ls6:j he married Elizabeth Stueck, a native ol (iermany, and they have .'> chihiren. Mr. W. is an enterpi^sing man, and ha> a fair trade.

WlUidin li. lI'iV/*, sr., whose portrait we (five in this volume, was born in New York in islO; at the ago of s his parents moved to the Buckeye .State, where they remained 11 years; when 11* years of age he started Suith in company with a younger brother, A. V. Wills, and arrived in New Orleans, where they remaineil for several months; W. U. then returne<i North, locating in Pike county, where he worked as a laborer for six vears. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. Coles in 1^3t>. She was born in New Hampshire in 1">10; after his marriage he cominence<l farnjing on a rente*! farm in Atla^ tp. His wife died in July of the same year. Being \\\\\> left alone in the world, he sold out what effects he had, and went East. Here he remained about *- months; he then returned to Bike county and engaged in trading in various ways until 183.N; in that year he marriec) Miss L, I). Scott, who wjus Ihirn in the Empire State in 1>12, ami was brought t<» Illinois in l*^l*^. Three years thereatUT he ]iurchased a farm nearSummer Hill, sec. 12, Atlas tp. He remained there for f'w years, and then sold his farm and bought a valuable tract of land on sees. 20 and 21, I*ittstield tp. He owneti at one time at least 4,0(>0 acres of laixl in this county, and had at his deccjisc about 2,<hm) acres; and he dieil Aug. G. 1"^72, leaving a widow and three chiMreu. the former of whom resides in Bittstield. The children are, - William U., jr., Abner Vine and Lucy, who married Jerome D. Chamberlain, and now resides in Eraiiklin county, Kan.

Mr. W. held a eommissit*n as Lieutenant in the Black Hawk war. This commis>ion, as well as the sword he used, is in the possession of his son, Wm. U.Wills, jr. He tilled the office of Justice of the Peace in this county, and always took a ])rominent oart in its politicjji. Perhaps few men had more intiuence in moulding the ]>olitical >entiment of the public than he. He was formerly a Whig, but after the orgar.ization of the Republican j)arty he voted with it. During the war he took an active j)art in furnishing means, encouraging enlistments, etc., for its prosecution. Owing to the prominent and firm ])osition he took in these matters he gained many enemies among the opj30sition - so bitter indeed at times as to draw out threats against his lite; but he at all times fearlessly tbllo^ved the path of duty and ])atriotism. He was for many years a member of the Odd Fellows' order, and that society made the arraugemeiits for, and attended his funeral.

Mr. W. was one of the most prominent traders in stock and lands, and one of the largest farmers that ever lived in Pike county. It is stated upon good authority that $25 was about the extent of his capital wlien he was 30 years of age. At his death, aged 62, he was estimated to be worth sl40,000.

Mrs. Wills is a devoted member of the Methodist Church, superintending the Sumlay-school for 15 years previous to her husband's death. She gave $3,000 toward the erection of their chui'ch.

William R. Wills^y.^ was born Oct. 27, 1S44, at Summer Hill, Pike Co., 111., and is a son of Wm. R. Wills, sr., whose sketch is given above. He obtained his education principally in the common schools, but graduated at the Bryant tfe Stratton Commercial College at St. Louis. July 23, 1868, he married Elizabeth J. Wells, daughter of Robert and Mary.AVells, of Pittstield. She was born in this county Aug. 27, 1850. Five children have been born to them, one of whom is deceased. The names of those living are, Lucy E., Charles H., Orion R. and Isidora I. Ida was the name of the deceased.

Mr. AVills now resides on sec. 20, this tp., where he is extensively engaged in farming, owning about 820 acres of land. He has turned his attention, especialh^ for the past 6 years, to the raising and breeding of tine stock, such as Short-horn cattle, Cotswold sheep, Berkshire hogs and fancy fowls, selling and shipping them throughout the Western States. At present he has a herd of about 60 Short-horn cattle, all of which are thorough bred, and some of them im[)orted.

Mr. W. is a Director in the Pike County Agricultural Society, and one of its most active and enterprising members. He is also Director and Treasurer of the Pike County IMutual Fire Insurance Company. It has been in active operation during the past few years, meeting with a fair degree of success, not having cost the

Eolicy-holders over 15 cents on the $100 for a period of four 3'ears. [e is also a Director in the First National Bank of Pittstield, and in every public enterju-ise he takes a leading part. He is a member of the Odd FelKnvs' society of Pittstield, and politically a Republican. As one of the leading citizens of Pike count}', we present to our readers the portrait of ]\[r. Wills.

^/^^^'TKJ^iJ e/. TRZZ-S'd//, fanner, sec. 29; P. O., Pittstield ; was born in the State of New York in 1S35; and is the son of Baniett Willsey. In 1840 he was brought by his parents to this county, who settled on the present estate, now consisting of 240 acres, valued at $50 per acre. Here he has lived ever since, except that from 1854 to 1857 he was in California, in the mining business, in which he

JamcK G. W'dUiij. The tir^t of the WilUey family who came to this c«»nnty wiu» a parent of the suhject of this eketeh. They were natives of New Vork ami emi;4rated to Ohio in 18.J7, where they remained ni'til 1S4M, when they joiiKsl the tide of emii^ration we^tWHrd antl found a location on sec. \\\, PittstieM tp. Their naimos were l>airnett an«l Cornelia (^Ki/.er) W dUev. Ipon this section they estnhlishe<i themselves, where Mr. Willsey lived until hisdeath, which i»ecurre<l in 185S. He was hnried on the old honjo farm. II IS widow still rcbides at the old homestead. Janu's (t. was horn in the State of New York, Feh. 2>, I^3(», and wa^ therefore ahout 10 years of a^» when his parents came to thiii county, with whom he remained until alHiut is.'il, when he marrie<l Miss Melinda I^>^- ers;*she was horn in ( in-ene Co., 11!., in 1>.''.(), and wjis tin* dan^rhter of I)avi«l and Fannie l^-^er^, early hetlt*-r^ in Marlin^l)nrg tp. The former die<l in ls71; his wife two years afterward.

34, I'itt^tield tp., which is one of the most fertile liections in this county. At that time this land was in a |>erfectly wild state ; not an improvement of any kind had ln'e!i place<l upon it hy thy hand of man. It wa-s a tine, rollin;; prairie, intersp<rfte«l here an<l there with ]>atches of scruh oak and hazel hrush. The tir^t lami cnltivatetl on this farm was in the summer of 1^54, when Mr. W. employed a man to hreak 40 acres, which he ilid with oxen. Thin he b<)We<l in wheat that fall. The next s«-a.«on he planted this piece in corfi, and hroke ani)ther 4<> acre^ ft»r wheat. This land, as taist as hroken, was surrounded with an eij^ht-rail fence, Mr. W. hauling the rails tor the same from the s«»uth part of Martinshur^ tp., a distance ^.\'{ eii;ht miles. In X^Wl he erected a lo^ f^ihin, oji the north })art of hi.-? farm, IC feet s(juare. It contained two rooms, one ahove and one below. Into this cahin he moved bis family, and aIthou<;h ratiier tigiit (pnirters durin<^ the busiest seasons, found n.»om and accomm<Mlations for as many as nine hirtnl hands lH.'si«le8 his own t'amilv. I)urin;: the vears l^C>-9 the balance of the 160 acres wat fenced and put under cultivation, with the exception of 50 acres which he has never plowed, hut which he set asi<le for pasture tor stock, there hein^ several uevertailin*; sprin«js of pure Water (tn this. Mr. \V. ascribes much of his success in the raising of stock, especially liogs, to this pasture, and the fact of their always being able to procure ])iire sjiring water. He states that during theworst seasons of cholera, when hogs all around him were dying, he lost very few.

In 1860 Mr. W. built his jiresent residence. It is a frame stru c ture, two stories in height, the main ]iart 18 by 32, L 14 by 28; it is one of the tiuest farm residences in the county. The out-buildings are all of the modern construction and first-class in eyery way. Mr. "VV. has devoted much attention to tl(»riculture, and has a fine greenhouse in addition to his residence, in which he has hundreds of choice plants, including exotics, etc. Take it all in all, the surroundings and improyements of this home farm render it one of the finest and most pleasant in the county.

Seyenteeii years ago he purchased the southwest quarter of sec. 27. It was partly improyed and he lias brought it into a high state of cultiyation. The winter of lS79-'80he erected on this place a yery fine residence, which in point of construction and modern conveniences is equaled by few. From the observatory on this dwelling one of the finest views of the surrounding country can be obtained, extending to the west, to Louisiana and flannibal, a distance of 20 miles, and southeast to a distance of about 24 miles. Mr. W.'s only child and son, William Riley Willscy, who was born in July, 1853, now resides at this place.

As a relaxation from active business, to which he liad applied himself with scarcely an intermission since he was a boy, in 1875 Mr. Willse}^ decided on making a visit to the Pacific slope to see the country and visit numerous relativ^es, also with some idea of locating there, if the golden shore should prove ])referable to his old home. With the above objects in view, in company with his wife and son, he started on this trip, via the Union Pacific H. R. to San Francisco, where several days were agreeably spent in viewing the metropolis of California, when he departed by the steamer " J. L. Stephens" for Portland, Oregon, and from there to Oregon City, where he remained some ten days, and also visited the State Fair at Salem; then took passage up the Columbia river to Wallula, Washington Territory* This river he describes as furnishing the most beautiful scenery he ever beheld. From AVallula they took the cars to Walla Walla, where his sister, Mrs. Richard Wells, resided. At this place the party remained some four weeks, visiting and viewing different parts of the country, when the}' started on their journey homeward, via the Columbia to Portland, where they took the cars to IIarrisl)urg ; they then traveled by rail to Roseburg, then to the northern terminus of the Oregon and California Railroad; from this ]ilace they were obliged to travel 270 miles to ^Reading. During this stage trip, which lasted six days and six nights, it rained continuously. On several oocasions the coach was mired down, taking much time and all hands to release it. The fatigue of this journey was so severe that a passenger, an old man, became temporarily insane. Our ]>arty, however, arrived

Th'tmas \l", ",'.-f(<m, M. D.. was born near Kn«>.\ville, Tenn.» June 10, ISOS, and is a lineal descendant of the Worthingttm and Calvert (or IJaltimore) families of England and Maryland. His father havi' 1 soon after his return from service in the war of

1812, Dr. \V "i iiiinp^ton removed to Illinois at an early day, and 8oc»n afterward saw service in the Black Hawk war. He ^radu:ite<l at the Meilical College of Cincinnati, 0., and settled in Pittsfield for the practice of his profession, in 1835. His success as a jUiy- sician was veiy great. Ir. the year lS37he was married to Amelia J., youngest daughter of Col. Andrew Iv. Long, of Baltimore, Md. In addition to his professional duties, he has taken an active interest in politics, when questions of great public interest were involv-ed, and twice represented his district in the State Senate. In this body he was an earnest advocate of the " two-mill tax," and his exertions largely contributed to save the State from repudiation. From being a "Free-Soil Whig," he became one of the first and most earnest members of the Republican party in Illinois, To the support of its principles, and other causes in which he was interested, he brought powers of eloquence and a breadth of information which have rarely been equaled in the State. Having by great industry accumulated a considerable property, he is enabled to spend the greater part of his time in the invigorating climate of the Rocky Mountains, and in the pursuit of the favorite study of his later years - geology. His investigations U]jon this subject have been conducted principally in the field, in almost all parts of the United States, and have been of especial value in reference to the "Glacial Period." He contemplates publishing their results in book form. Dr. Worthington has long ranked as one of the most intelligent, upright and respected citizens of his county and State.

Thomas Woi^tldngton, jr., a son of the above, was born in Spencer, Tenn., June 8, 1850; graduated with distinction at Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., in 1873, and at the Union College of Law, Chicago, in 1877. He was admitted to the bar in September of the latter year, and is now practicing his profession in Pittsfield.

Edward Yates, attorney, Pittsfield, was born in Pike county, Sept. 21, 1846. He is a son of George and Maria (Hinman) \ates, the former a native of Kentucky, and born Jan. 17, 1807; he was the second son of Samuel Yates, a native of Virginia, who emigrated in a very early day to Kentucky. George Yates, who was born in Barren Co., Ky., in 1807, came to Illinois as early as 1823, and spent one year in Washington Co. From there he moved to Morgan Co., settling near Naples, which is now in Scott Co. In the spring of 1833 he crossed the Illinois river into Pike Co. and settled on sec. 6, Griggsville tp., where he resided until his death, which occurred at Griggsville, Aug. 13, 1878. When at the age of 18 he started out in life to do for himself He hired to a gentleman by the name of Thomas Smith for $8 per month, one-half in trade. He worked for 3 months, when he was taken sick. The elder Yates was one of those persons who made of life a success. He was charitable and liberal, yet accumulated considerable property, owning at one time about 1,300 acres of land under u high state of cultivation. His family of children, all of whom are respected for their enterprise, genial and social qualities, were a great comfort when in his declining years. He was a man of Christian integrity, high moral principle, beloved and esteemed by all who knew him". He was plain and uuostenta-

Tlu? chihireii of tlie elder Yates are, Nancy Catharine, now the wife of .Jerome W. Kush, of Fairmount tj). ; Wm. II. lives in (iriggsville, and in tvimpany witli his hrother .Monroe, owns the ol«l homesit'ad. Wm. II. is a Director in the (iriggBville Hank; Emeline, ti»o wit'c of .1. \V. Fisher, President of the Chillicothe Savings Hank, and resides at Chillicothe, Mo.; Ellen M., now the wite of .Ictfer»on ( )rr. I'ittstield. Martha F., who livee at the old homestead, and Kdwurd, the suhject of this sketch.

was admitted to the bar Dec. 21>, . . He hegjUJ practice with the late Hon. .Jackson (irimshaw. at Quincy. In 1S71 he m«ived to Trenton, Mo., where ho practiced nnljl .January, ls75, when he returned to his native county nful hK'ateil at Pittstield. He a- - cialt'tl himself in his prof'--" -- with .JetfiTsort Hrr, present ,^tat< .-, attorney. As a criminal _ - r and prosecutor Mr. Y., although

The surface of this township is generally rolling, and beantifiillj timbered. From the eminence of some ot tlie knolls in the northern part a grand and magnificent view meets the eye from every cjuai'ter. For miles either way during the growing season the eye beholds verdant fields dotted over with fine farm residences, schoolhouses, etc. Before the hand of man had snbdued these lands, and when the prairies and woodlands were in their virgin state, the scenery from these eminences must have been supremely charming. With its green, flowery carpet, its undulating surface, skirted by beautiful and refreshing groves that more definitely mark the boundaries, it must have presented to the eye of the lone traveler or new settler a scene most beautiful and sublimely grand. Xo doiibt Fisher Petty, the first settler of the township, was attracted by the beauty of its scenery, the fine timber, and the high, rolling land and running water. These were important things to be considered by tiie pioneer in making a selection for a home. When Messrs. Petty and Nicholson came here to look up a location, this land had not yet been oftered for sale by Government. They were the very advance of the on-coming westward flight of civilization. Mr. Petty came in 1825 and located on sec. 15. As years passed, the groves received the in-coming settlers until about 1S50, when all the timbered farms were being worked. About that time some i)f the more enter])rising pnshed out upon the prairies. It is not now remembered who was the first to be so adventurous.

Others of the early ])ilgrims to this locality were Joseph and Robert Goodin, Wm. Pinns, Isaac Iloskins, Wm. Putler and Robert Richardson, most of whom were well-knowm in the early history of the comity. Among the older settlers now living are Ira Bris- -'-oe, Moses Conner, Mr. ^LcClintock and others.

The first children born in the township were Wm. Ward and Nancy Shinn. The former went to Texas, where he met his death by hanging, in 1862. He was a loyal Union man, and because he would not join the rebel army, was hanged by a band of outlaws. The first marriage was that of George Williams to Miss Nancy Nicholson, Rev. David Hubbard ofliciating. The first preaching was done by elder John Garrison, of the Christian denomination, and the first sermon was at the house of Robert Goodin,

The township contains two towns, five churches and (M^ht schoolhouses. The Bvstem of eilucution adopted hv a niaiority of the schools of this township is up to the hi>;h standard of any part ot the county. Of some of the leading; teachers we speak in the <ie ])artment of jKTsona! sketches ^ivcn in connection with the his- U>ry of the t<»wnship.

Six- Mile creek, with its small and numerous hranches, trftverse^ the western part of the township fr<»m north Ut south. There are sevcrjil small creeks which water the eastern jnirtion. The soil ih underlaid with a heavy l»ed of limestone, and is In'tter atlapted t.> rai-iii' win .-ir :irid fruit than I'eiirrul farming;.

Xeitf If'trtfi'rd. - As a rival to .Martinshui .;. and at ahout the Slime time that that place was founded, this little village was laid out. It is in the extreme northwestern corner of the t<^twnr.hip, and in the midst of a fertile and well-improved i)art td' the county. It was tounde<l by Isaac IIo>kins. Ahner Clark, J<din Shinn and Nathan Hrowti. The latter kejit the rirst store, and Mr. linthhurn was the tir>t blacksmith. The tirst postmaster wa> Wm. (J rimes. It now has two stores, two cooper shops, a black smith shop, a schocd-house, and two churches. There is one resident phv -i. The place contains now almut lOo inhabitants.

izeti al>out 1840, bv Rev. Mr. Trov, who was afterward thrown from a h«>rse and killed. There were at tirst alx>ut. 15 member-. They erected a house of worship in 1850, which is still used by the Society. Services each alternate Sunday, by liev. Mr. Drake. Pastor. Present number of communicants about 75.

The Christian Church at this place was first organized March 19, 1851, with the same miinl)er of souls that went into Noah's ark, by Elders James Biirbrid^^e and David Roberts. The society built a church in 1856. Since the organization there have been added to the con a relation 116 males and 172 females. Present numl)cr of communicants, 100. Services each Sunday.