Rock Island County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 24 of 24)

The Congregational Church of Port Byron was organized Sept. 1, 1849, a few persons meeting at the school-house for that purpose. The folowing named comprise the original membership : Win. C. Pearsall, Jesse Maxwell, Isaac Hollister, Martha Hollister, Mrs. W. C. Pearsall, Mrs. A. N. Maxwell, Mrs. C. Mulhollen, Mrs. Robert Hilton and Martha Jennings. The meetings continued to be held in the old school-house until the completion of their church building in 1856. The church is situated on High Street, commanding a full view of the Mississippi River, and was built at a cost of $2,100. Additions and improvements have since been made, the property now being valued at $4,000. Rev. A. L. Bullen was the first to serve the Church. He was succeeded, in turn, by Revs. Wm. Porter, Mr. Miles and Aimer Harper. The latter gentleman began his pastorate in September, i86i,and yet serves the Church. His pastorate has now extended nearly a quarter of a century, and the good he has been enabled to do in this community will be known only in eternity. Rev. Wm. Thompson was drowned in endeavoring to cross the Meredosia in the spring of 1852. The Church has flourished with varying success since its organization, and now has a membership of 100 faithful persons. W. C. Pearsall W. H. Devore and E. N. Hollister are the Deacons ; W. S. Grove, Clerk. 1

The Methodist Episcopal Church in this place dates its existence since 1836, almost one-half century. A few faithful persons, among whom were Archibald Allen, Candace Allen, J. H. Lyford and wife, John Mitchell and wife, composed the first class. The earliest meetings were held in the log cabins of the settlers, subsequently in the school-house, and finally in their own house of worship, which was erected in 1855 at a cost of $3,000. The Church has been fairly prosperous.

Philo Lodge, No. 436, A. F. & A. M., received its charter from the Grand Lodge in October, 1865. There were 13 charter members. Meetings were first held in a hall in Dorrance's Block. One year after, they removed to the third story of the building now owned by Rogers & Son, where they met for some years. For the past ten or twelve years meetings have been held in a hall specially arranged for that purpose, over the drug store of Dr. Wilson Fleming. The lodge takes its name from a word meaning a friend. The first W. M. of the lodge was E. M. Hickox, with Wilson Fleming, S. W. ; and Geo. P. Yates, J. W. The lodge has always flourished, and was never in better condition than at present. The officers for r885 were Dr. Wilson Fleming, W. M. ; Ambrose Searl, S. W. ; Thos. Jennings, J. W. ; W. H. Devore, Treas. ; E. B. Stone, Sec. ; James Searl, S. D. ; W. H. Malarkey, J. D. ; D. A. Malarkey, Tyler,

Port Byron Lodge, No. 624, I. O. O. F., was instituted in the Centennial year, its charter bearing date Oct. 25, 1876. Few lodges have been more prosperous. It is the parent of Rapids City Lodge, a number of its members being dismissed for the purpose of organizing in that village. The membership is 60, and the lodge has in available means about $2,500. The officers in July, 1885, were John Shaffer, Jr., N. G. ; S. Allen, V. G ; D. Zeigler, Sec. and P. S. ; F. E. Rogers, Treas. Meetings are held each Monday evening, in hall over Rogers' bank.

are held in the Masonic Hall every Friday evening. The membership is now 31, and the lodge is in good condition in every way. No deaths have occurred. The officers in July, 1885, were John C. Wainwright, M. W. ; Thomas McCall, G. F. ; E. B. Stone, Receiver; E. M. Rogers, Rec. ; C. P. Albrecht, Fin.; James W. Simonson, Representative.

Sycamore Camp, No. 34, M. W. A., was instituted in April, 18S4, with 28 charter members. It has now 36, and is in a healthy condition. The camp meets once in two weeks for the transaction of business and for the development of the social features of the order. The officers in the summer of 1885 were F. H. Longfellow, Consul; S. J. Maxwell, Adviser; W. S. Grover, Clerk; J. J. Tubbs, Banker.

An election was held Feb. 23, 1856, to vote on the question of incorporation as a town. There were 55 votes cast, 52 of which were for incorporation and 3 against. The first election for town officers was held March 1, 1S56, the following named being elected Trustees: Nathaniel Dorrance, D. S. Hobart, T. C. Temple, G. H. Ambrose and Win. J. Shepherd.

On the 7th of November, 1876, an election was held on the question of incorporating as a village under the general act. There were 101 votes cast for the measure and 95 against. Two days after, an election was held for village officers. J. W. Simonson, G. D. Moore, T. J. Zeigler, F. S. Gates, George McNeal and Jesse Maxwell were elected Trustees. The following named comprise the Trustees for 1885 : E. M. Rogers, A. E. Lyford, S. J. Maxwell, D. A. Malarkey, G. A. Metzgar, J. YV. Simonson. C. C. Trent is Village Clerk.

The issue in the village elections for many years has been that of licensing the sale of intoxicating liquor. The anti-license men carry the day. Port Byron has, therefore, no licensed saloon, and its business men are generally satisfied that their trade is not lessened thereby.

URAL Township, when the county was divided into civil townships in 1857, was included in Coal Valley, and so continued V vby until 1871, when it was duly organized by the Board of Supervisors. As now organized it comprises township 16, range r west, and is considered a valuable township of land. It is bounded on the east by Henry County, on the south by Mercer County, on the north by Coal Valley and Black Hawk Townships, and on the west by Bowling Township.

The first settlement was made in this township in 1838 or 1839, by Thomas and David Goodlow, who built the first house on section 29. John Farlow built the second house on that section. Mr. Farlow moved here from Pre-emption Township, in Mercer County, of which township he was the first settler. Previous to 1840, the following named made claims and became citizens of the township : A. L. and A. N. Sayre, J. M. Wilson, Capt. J. A. Jordan and Daniel Valentine. Others soon after came in, among whom was a man known as " Wild-cat Moore, " who received his name in the following manner : In 1842, in this township, he pursued a catamount on horseback, overtook him in the brash, and, without a weapon of any kind, leaped from his horse, taking his buffalo robe before him, sprang upon the catamount, which was a very large one, crushed him to the earth and succeeded in killing him, without receiving a scratch! After this he was always called " Wild-cat Moore. " Some time after this feat he caught a wolf in his hands and choked him to death, though he received many wounds in the encounter.

The first school was taught by Seth Trego in a private house. The first school-house was built in 1846, the following named uniting in its erection: Capt. J. A. Jordan, Albert N. Sayre, Alonzo S. Sayre, M. Sayre, J. M. Wilson, Daniel Valentine and William Crist. The first teacher employed holding a school in this house was Mr. Shedd. The educational advantages of Rural is now equal to that of any agricultural township in the county.

The first sermon was preached by Rev. Joseph Jones, in 1839. The first religous organization was effected in 1852, at which time what is known as the Homestead United Presbyterian Church was organized with the following named members: David Campbell and wife, Francis Bailey and wife, Miss Jane Patterson, James Donon, Sr., and wife, James Donon, Jr., and wife, John Donon, Robert Bailey and wife and John McLain. Rev. Win. Oburn was the first to minister to the congregation. In 1858 the Associate and the Associate Reformed Church having united, Homestead Church came within the bounds of the United Presbytery of Monmouth. It was subsequently transferred to the Presbytery of Rock Island. In 1855 a substantial church edifice was erected, at a cost of $1,400, and in 1870 a parsonage was built, costing $r,ioo. The first elders were David Campbell and James Donon, Sr. In 1856 a Sabbath-school was organized by the Church, which is still regularly maintained.

The Beulah Presbyterian Church is located on section 14. It was organized Aug. 22, 1854. Before the completion of their house of worship, meetings were held in the Bailey School-house, on section 2. In 1859 this church edifice was erected, at a cost of $1,600. Among those forming the original Church were Margaret and Elizabeth Gordon, James Farrar and wife, Henry Brown, Mary A. Edwards, Alexander Gordon, Maria Gordon, Francis Killing, fane Killing and Wm. F. Brown. The organization is still ' maintained, and much good is done in the community in which it is located.

The report of the County Superintendent of Public Schools furnishes some interesting items. For the year ending June 30, 1885, there were 369 persons in the township under 21, of whom 259 were of school age. There were eight school districts, each having a good frame house, the total value being $4,355. The highest wages paid a teacher during the year was $50 and the lowest $25 per month.

In 1SS5 the assessor reported the following items: Improved land, 22,900 acres; unimproved land, 80 acres; total value, $262,705. Of horses there were 595 ; cattle, 2,429 ; mules and asses, 24 ; sheep, 161 ; hogs, 2,373; carriages and wagons, 198; watches and clocks, 36 ; sewing and knitting machines, 83 ; pianos, 8; melodeons and organs, 28. Total value of personal property, $69,384.

OUTH MOLINE was organized as a township in 1879. It comprises all the territory originally in Moline Township, lying south and east of the city or about 20 sections of land. The history of the township is closely interwoven with that of Moline city. Its early settlers were Joel Wells, Huntington Wells, Joseph Danforth, D. B. Sears, Chas. Atkinson and others. The township is a part of Congressional township 17, range 1 west, and with Coal Valley partakes of the benefit derived from the school section. In the two civil townships there are 2,151 persons under 2i, of whom 1,339 are of school age, 806 being enrolled in the public schools. There are n school districts, with 13 frame school-houses, valued at $19,000. For the year ending June 30, 1885, there were t9 teachers employed, the highest salary received by any one being $65, while the lowest received $30.

The following items were reported by the assessor in 18S5 : Improved land, 12,268 acres; unimproved land, 342 acres; total value, $249,316. Town lots, 317 improved and 72 unimproved, having a valuation of $61,797. Of horses there were 590; cattle, 1,282 ; mules and asses, 29; sheep, 105; hogs, 1,030; steam engines, 2; carriages and wagons, 269 ; watches and clocks, 216; sewing and knitting machines, 274; pianos, 17; melodeons and organs, 40. The total value of personal property was $65,820.

Since its organization it has been served on the County Board of Supervisors by the following named : Daniel Gordon, 1879; Samuel M. Zeigler, 1880; Daniel Gordon, 18S1-3; C. P. Ryder, 1884-5.

a||OUTH ROCK ISLAND Township comjt prises all that portion of the territory originally in the township of Rock Island south of the city limits. It was created in 1879, and is bounded on the east by Moline Township, on the west by the Mississippi and Rock Rivers, on the north by the city of Rock Island, and on the south by Black Hawk Township.

ItOhas 2,984 acres of improved land ; unimproved land, 1,444 acres; total value, $127,427. Town lots, 47 improved, unimproved 174, valued at $25,672. Of horses there were, 186 ; cattle, 502 ; mules and asses, 12; hogs, 350; fire and burglar proof safes, 2 ; carriages and wagons, 141; watches and clocks, 12; sewing and knitting machines, 76; pianos, 12 ; melodeons and organs, n. Total value of personal property, $28,972.

The history of this township is closely interwoven with that of Rock Island city, the latter of which is treated at length, and to which the reader's attention is directed. This township, together with Black Hawk, form one Congressional township, and therefore in school matters they are treated as one by the County Superintendent of Schools. The two civil townships in 1885 had 1,007 persons under 21 years of age, and 698 of school age. There were 8 school districts, with t graded and 9 ungraded schools, with a total enrollment of 439; 13 teachers were employed during the year. The highest monthly wages paid were $80, and the lowest $25. There is 1 brick and 9 frame school-hoses, valued at

There is one small village in this township, that of Sears, platted in January, 1869, by D. B. & David Sears. It lies upon the north bank of Rock River, about three miles south of the city of Rock Island. But little has been done in the way of improvement, its proximity to the tri-cities and Milan operating against it.

Sears' Flouring Mill is a five-storf stone structure, erected in 1867-8, by the proprietor of the village. When first put into operation it had nine run of buhrs, two being subsequently added. In 1878 rollers were substituted in part, and completely in 1882. When run to its full capacity, 365 barrels of flour can be manufactured per day, 300 barrels being considered a fair day's work.

N 1835 the first settlement made in what is now the township of Zuma was by Hiram Walker, George Walker, Ira Wells, Nelson Wells, Josiah Carter and Perry Carter. In 1836 amec D. N. Beal, while Philip Michaels, Benjamin Shank, John Sturtevant and William Sturtevant came in 1837. Others came in from time to time, until all the available Government land which was considered tillable was taken up.

Mary A. Sturtevant was born Dec. 25, 1836, being an acceptable Christmas gift to her parents. She was the first born in the township. The first male child and the second birth in the township was that of Lucius W. Beal, born Jan. 20, 1838.

The first school was held some time during the first decade of the settlement of the township. Mary Grant was the first teacher. The school was held in an old log church. This was before the days of free schools, and was what is known as a subscription school. Zuma will compare favorably with other townships with respect to her public schools at the present day.

The first religious service that is now brought to mind was held in the house of John Sturtevant, the minister officiating being Rev. Philip Hannah, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There are now two religious societies represented in the township. The United Brethren organized a class in 1847, and in 1850 erected a church edifice at Rose Hill. Rev. Heman Scott was the first preacher. The Methodist Episcopal denomination have a house of worship at Zuma Center, which was erected in 1870. The society that worships here has a membership of 25. Zuma Township was organized in 1857. It comprises a part of township 18, range 2 east, and is bounded on the east by Canoe Creek and Rock River, on the west by Hampton Township, on the north by Coe Township, and on the south by Rock River. The first officers were Rinnah Wells, Supervisor; J. L. Cox and B. B. Joslyn, Justices of the

Peace; Wesley Hannah, Collector; D. N. Beal, Assessor; Nelson Wells, Gregory Brown, Road Commissioners. The officers for 1885 were John L. Noah, Supervisor ; Frederick Whiteside, Clerk; Jesse L. Cox, Assessor; Anthony Wells, Collector; John Swank, John Osborne, John C. Cowley, Justices of the Peace ; Milton Moore, George Crompton, Constables.

According to the report of the Superintendent of Public Schools for the year ending June 30, 1885, there were 312 persons under 2 1 in the township, of which number 208 were of school age, 160 of whom were enrolled in the public schools. Tnere were seven school districts, each having a good frame school- house. The highest wages paid was $40 per month and the lowest $20. The school property was valued at $3,700.

There are two small villages in the township : Joslyn and Osborne, each of which are located on the Sterling Branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Each of these villages were laid out shortly after the completion of the railroad.

N. B. Joslyn started the first store and was the first Postmaster in the village bearing his name. The business was commenced in 1870. Mr. Joslyn sold out to Golden Brewster, and was succeded as Postmaster by Alexander Dunbar, who, in turn, gave way to Golden Brewster, the incumbent. The village has made no great headway, and in 1885 has but two general stores, one by Golden Brewster, the other by Chas. Dipper, the latter commencing in

1883 ; one blacksmith shop, a warehouse, depot, school-house and five dwelling-houses. The warehouse was erected by Rufus Smith in 1880. Mr. Smith purchased grain here for two or three years. Chas. Dipper is the present buyer. The blacksmith shop was rented first by Nathan Dow, and subsequently sold to Louis Bender, who is now running it. The village is school district No. 3.

Osborne is located near the Rock River and near the Cleveland Crossing. Like many other villages, it illustrates " what might have been." About half a dozen dwelling-houses and the depot building comprise the village.

In 1885 the assessor reported the following items : Improved land, 14,884 acres; unimproved land, 227 acres; total value, $153,^22. Of horses there were 369; cattle, 2,226; mules and asses, 19; sheep, 399; hogs, 1,431; carriages and wagons, 144; watches and clocks, 72 ; sewing and knitting machines, 61 ; pianos, 8; melodeons and organs, 13. The total value of personal property was $34, 370.

When organized in 1857 the township was called Walker, but its name was changed the following year. The following named have served the township as supervisors the time mentioned :