Whiteside County, Illinois - Chapter 21, 1877

Chapter 21

Portland originally formed a part of Crow Creek Precinct, and in March, 1837, was placed into a precinct called Prophetstown, by the Commissioners' Court of Ogle county, to which Whiteside was then attached. At that time Prophetstown Precinct included all of Whiteside county lying south of Rock river. Upon petition being made the Commissioners in March, 1838, changed the name of the Precinct to that of Portland, to include the same territory. In 1840 this precinct was subdivided, a part being named Rapids Precinct, and a part Prophetstown Precinct, the balance retaining its original name. The present township of Portland comprises all that part of Congressional township 19 north, range 3 east, as lies south of Rock river, and also fractional parts of sections 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36, in Congressional township 19 north, range 3 east, as lies south of Rock river, and contains 22,243 acres of land. The soil is for the most part a sandy loam, and the surface generally level. There are some sloughs in the township, one of which, called the Big- Slough, runs along its eastern border, continuing its course through Henry county to Green river, its whole length being about twenty miles. A good quality of building stone is found on sections 17 and 25. The township also contains a considerable quantity of timber land. Before the settlement of the white man the township was a favorite hunting ground of the Indians, as the prairie, extending to Eight Mile Grrove in Henry county, abounded in deer, and Rock river, which bounds it on the north, afforded an abundance of fish. Near the village of Portland, on a rise of ground called Thunderbolt Hill, in honor of an Indian chief of that name, was their burying ground, and skulls are yet frequently dug up there.

The first settlement in the township was made by Alexander J. and Norman B. Seely, in June, 1834. These gentlemen made claims where the village of Portland now stands. Mitchell Ruxton also came that year, and these three comprised the whole population of the township in 1834. The improvements made that year, consisted of a shanty put up by Norman B. Seely, in the grove, in which he remained all winter. The high water in the spring drove him out of it, and he then dug a hole in the ground for a habitation, whore he remained until the 4th of July, 1835, when he erected his log house. He had also a few acres of breaking.

The year 1835 was a memorable one in the history of Portland. The letters written back to the East by the few who came in 1834, and the glowing accounts the messengers gave of the wonderful beauties of the Rock River Valley, caused the tide of immigration to flow in, the arrivals commencing as early as June. Among the first to reach the new land of promise, were Horace Burke, Simeon Fuller, and P. Bacchus Besse. Mr. Burke made his claim a little to the northwest of where Spring Hill now stands; Simeon Fuller a few miles east of Burke; and P. Bacchus Besse still farther east, near the village, where he now lives. During the summer Alphonzo Brooks, W. H. Cushman,

Joy Avery. Jolin Smith Eowe, Robert Getty, Simeon Cliaifee, and George Stratton came, and the settlement extended along the margin of the timber through the town. Joy Avery made the first settlement on the Dutch Bottom, at what is now the Reis farm. Late in the fall John Baxter, Christian Benson, and Ransom Burgess came and settled on the Bottom at first, but afterwards moved to the higher ground. Nothing was raised the first year, and the supplies were obtained from Knox county. The nearest mill was on Spoon river, at Ellisville, Fulton county. Mr. Burke procured his first spring wheat that fall at Canton, Fulton county, and his first potatoes at Rock Island, bringing the latter up in a canoe. But little breaking was done, as the settlers had all they could do to provide shelter for the winter, and put up hay for their stock.

The year 1836 made an addition of about thirty families to Portland, and it probably then contained more white persons than all the rest of the county. Among those who assisted materially in the development of the town, were Daniel Blaisdell - who was one of the early County Commissioners, Levi Fuller, Sr.. Robert Thompson, John S. Logan, James Rowe, Alden Tuller, Guy Ray, Hiram Harmon, Rodney Besse, Dr. Wm. Price, and Dr. Wm. Maxwell, the latter settling on the county line of Henry county, and were the first physicians in the neighborhood. They were of the old school, and believed in the potency of calomel. The perusal of one of their bills, which will be found on page 86 of this volume, cannot fail of convincing even one of the regulars that the first settlers were men of iron constitutions. They were educated men. and had an extensive practice for several years. Dr. Maxwell is dead, and Dr. Price when last heard from was in Ohio. Guy Ray brought in a few goods, and opened the first store in the town, but did not replenish after selling out his stock. The settlements of that year extended principally around Spring Hill. Jacob Arnett and Lewis Rink made claims in the timber on section 35, near the county line, but did not actually settle until the next year. Some crops of grain, sod corn, and potatoes were raised that year, but not enough for home consumption. The prairie, however, was broken, and fields fenced along the river road to Rock Island, so that the place began to assume some of the appearances of civilization. The season was not very propitious for crop raising, being wet and cold, and the following winter was noted as being very severe. A man by the name of Bowen was frozen to death between Prophetstown and Dyson's farm in Hume. The Presidential election in 1836 was as W'armly participated in by the voters of Portland as by those of the older and more refined portions of the nation. The polls were held at the house of Horace Burke, the election being the first held in Whiteside c.ounty. The vote was not large, yet it was that of a' respectable people asserting their rights as American freemen. The names of the voters, as near as can be ascertained, are as follows: Asa Crook, Theron Crook, John W. Stakes, N. G. Reynolds, P. Bacchus Besse, Norman B.Seely, Alexander J. Seely, Wm. Hill, Sr.,Wm. D. Dudley, Adam R. Hamilton, Chauncey B. Woodruff', John Baxter, C. Benson, Jason Hopkins, Hezekiah Brink, John Freek, John Fenton, Wm. Cushman, Simeon Fuller, and Levi Fuller, Sr. At that time Whiteside formed a part of Jo Daviess county. The returns were given to Solomon M. Seely, a boy then ten years of age, and son of Col. E. Seely, and being mounted on an Indian pony^ he was told to deliver them to John Dixon, at Dixon's ferry, who would put them in charge of the stage driver for Galena. The distance to be travelled was twenty-eight miles, with nothing to follow but an Indian trail, and not a house on the route between" Prophetstown and Dixon. On reaching what was then known as the nine mile run (nine miles west of Dixon), he found it full and running over; but having been told to place the returns into the hands of Undo John Dixon, he knew it must be done. The weather was cold and freezing, yet he boldly plunged his pony into the stream, and had him swim across. On reaching Dixon's house his clothes were frozen to his person, but by the motherly care of Mother Dixon he was put in a proper condition to return home the next morning.

In 1837, Portland received an addition of about twenty-five men, a large portion bringing families. Among them were John Kempster, who settled on the Dutch Bottom, where he now resides. Lewis Arnett, with his sons Jacob, William, Joseph, George, Anthony and John - all of whom settled near the county line, Keuben Hurd, Horace Hurd, Daniel F. Cole, A. T. Bracken, Robert Woodside, James Graham, John P. Weldingj James Crozier, D. Porter Brewer, Jeremiah H. Johnson, and Hiram McKenzie, the latter now living in Yorktown, Bureau county. All of these parties have descendants now living in Portland. They were men of good standing, and contributed much to the development of the town. Nathaniel Norton, now a capitalist in Chicago, came also in 1837, and bought the claim of W. H. Cushman, opening a store at his house where he sold goods for several years. He afterwards sold the farm to Mr. Guild, who in turn sold to L. C. Underwood. Dr. Richard Brown was another arrival, and practiced his profession for some time. The settlements were mostly around Spring Hill, and along the county line. Two school houses were built this year, one near the village of Portland, and the other near the Sharon church, both being of logs. George Hamilton put up the first frame house in the township this year, covering it with split shakes. He afterwards sold it to D. Porter Brewer. The house is still standing. The election in 1837 was held at the residence of Mr. Burke, and with the exception of the election of 1840, it was held there until 1856, when it was changed to Spring Hill.

In 1838, Portland received a further accession to its population of about twenty families who settled mostly in and around the village. John Laird opened a farm near Burke's, and Fred Knapper one on the Bottom. All the lands along the timber, and about Spring Hill, were covered by claims, the prairie south of the latter place not being considered valuable at that time, as it was hemmed in by sloughs, and remote from timber. During this year Job Dodge, not then of age, came into the town with a peddler's wagon, and sold notions to the inhabitants during the summer, and in the winter following opened a store in Portland village. The next summer he again commenced peddling, and so continued alternately peddling and keeping store until 1848. The currency at that time consisted mostly of coon skins, and with some, about all the necessaries of life were considered to be tobacco and whiskey; still Mr. Dodge kept a few luxuries like calico and coffee, and managed to get along until the stock of hogs increased so that a few could be spared, when he commenced packing pork and shipping it to St. Louis, by the way of Albany. He bought pork for $1.50 per hundred. In 1841, he moved his store and goods to Prophetstown.

In 1839, the settlements began to extend considerably. Hiram Underbill, David Underbill, and Benjamin Dow, settled at Jefferson Corners. Alonzo Davis, who had been living at Prophetstown, made a claim at the same place. James Graham opened a farm on the road running south from the village of Portland. Philip Rapp, Christopher Rapp, and Anderson Crozier settled on the county line. Walter Young and Amos Young settled near Spring Hill, and altogether the town received an accession of fifteen families. The summer of 1839 was hot and dry, and bilious fever, and fever and ague prevailed to a great extent. During that season a trading boat owned by Mr. Cobb run up and down Rock river, and supplied the settlers with such necessaries as they required, especially ague cures which were in great demand. A Dr. Sappington, of St. Louis, also sent an agent into the township with his then celebrated pills. He travelled on a large mule, selling pills and establishing agencies, and the Doctor got rich fast. Corn, wheat, oats, and potatoes were produced in sufficient quantities for home use, and hogs and cattle became plenty so that settlers could sell at the nearest market, which made Portland quite a prosperous place. The grists were yet mostly taken to the mill on Edward's river, at Andover, Henry connty.

The immigration was not very large in 1840. During that year work was being prosecuted on the various lines of railroads, and as Portland was not on any of the routes, it gained but little in the way of population. Considerable improvement, however, was otherwise made. Large crops of wheat and corn w^ere raised, and hogs became plenty, so that the settlers had considerable to sell. The Presidential election of this year created great excitement in Portland, as well as elsewhere. The temperance movement had not at that time reached the West, and the campaign was conducted on the corn-juice basis. Hardly a gathering of any kind was held without whisky being furnished in abundance. Xot even a house or barn raising, or bee of any kind, could be held without it. It even assisted in the cause of education, as it is related that the first male teacher in the town took a portion of his salary in a half barrel of whisky.

In 1841, Marvin Frary and Richard Potter built a distillery at the foot of Thunderbolt hill, but having no means for grinding the grain, sent it to Haines' mill in Union Grove Precinct, twelve miles distant. When the distillery was finished and the '' tangle-foot " ready, the question arose who should have the honor of tasting the first drop of the home production. The lot fell to one David Ferguson, who laid upon his back, with his mouth open under the end of the worm. As it took some time to get the machine started, Ferguson became impatient, and called loudly to Frary to fire up, as he was getting awful dry. The enterpi-ise did not prove a profitable one, as Ohio whisky was worth only from 12 to 15 cents a gallon in St. Louis, and it did not last long. As an offset to this the good people of the lower part of the town built a meeting-house, known as the Sharon church, which cost about $800. Nathaniel Norton contributed more than half of the amount. The building was a good one, and is standing to this day, being the only church edifice in town. Robert Getty, J. S. Logan, and others, also aided in its construction. The erection of so good a building at that early day was creditable to the people of the town. Rev. Daniel Rockwell was the first pastor. The building is owned by the Presbyterians. The harvest of 1841 was a good one, a large surplus .of winter wheat beingraised, and, as the price in Chicago was over a dollar a bushel, it was taken there and the farmers realized handsomely. The trip took about eight days with horses, and nearly two weeks with oxen. During the moiiths of September and October, the roads were filled with teams going and returning. Salt, lumber, and supplies for the families were brought back on the return trip.

The following are the names of the early settlers of Portland township, with the year of their arrival : 1834, Norman B. Seely, Alexander J. Seely and Mitchell Ruxton; 1835, Horace Burke, Alphonzo Brooks, Christian Benson, John Baxter, William H. Cushman, Simeon Fuller, Joy Avery, John Smith Rowe, Robert Getty, P. Bacchus Besse, Simeon Chaffee, Ransom Burgess and George Stratton; 1836, Daniel Blaisdell, Mason Blaisdell, Levi Fuller, Robert Thompson, John S. Logan, James Rowe, George Warren, Jacob Arnett, Jesse Slawson, Amos Young, John Reed, Alden Tuller, Guy Ray, Hiram Harmon, Roderick M. Besse, Israel Spencer, George Hamilton, Charles Godfrey, Col. E. Seely, Horace E. Seely, Horatio S. Dix, Jeduthan Seely, Sen., Joseph Fitch, Dr.

William Price, Dr. William Maxwell, Samuel Hall, Samuel Stark. Kphraim Brooks, Ephraim Summers and Chauncey Rowe; 1837, Lewis Arnctt, Horace Kurd, Reuben Hurd, Daniel F.Cole, Andrew F.Bracken, Robert Woodside, James Graham, Nathaniel Norton, John P. Welding, James Crozier, Charles Tillots(jn, Robert Mead, Sheldon Marsh, Sanf'ord D. Marsh, William Eastman, John Kcmpster, Benjamin Smith, Thaddeus Smith, Mr. Barton, Chauncey Reynolds, D. Porter Brewer, John Bothwell, Hiram McKenzie, Jeremiah H. Johnson, AVm. Sweet, Silas Brooks, Thomas Northup, Chauncey Van Duzen and W. T. Crozier; 1838, John Laird, Russell Warren, Richard Potter, John White, Fred Knapper, Hiram Underbill, Horace Underbill, Joseph Reynolds, Ledoic Underbill, George McCormick, Asa Maynard and Job Dodge; 1839, Jacob Schuck, Rudolph Urick, Dr. A. Plympton, Walter Young, Philip Rapp, Christopher Rapp, Martin Reis, Anderson Crozier, Richard Brown, William S. Crane, Theodore Wiggins, David Ferguson, Alanson Barr, Benjamin Dow and William Maynard; 1840, Arbela Adams, Horace B. Cole, Arnold Pearson and T. J. Dow; 1841, Smith PLird, Caleb P. Lanphere and William Graham. L. C. Underwood come to Hlinois from Pennsylvania in 1832, and settled in Portland in 1846. W. P. Taber came to Illinois from New York in 1828, and settled in Portland in 1853.

The first death in Portland was that of Myron Frary, a son of Marvin Frary, and occurred in April, 1836. The wife of Guy Ray died September 10th, of the same year.

The first child born was Mary Seely, daughter of Norman B. and Lydia Seely, her birth occurring in September, 1834. Jeannette, a daughter of Alexander and Philena Seely, was the second one, being born in the fall of 1835.

As near as can be ascertained, Alden Tuller and Miss Harriet M. Fuller, daughter of Simeon Fuller, were the first couple married in what is now Portland township, the event occurring in the year 1837.

The first traveled road in the township was the one used for a time as a stage route from Dixon to Rock Island, and known more familiarly as the river road. Its line was about where the present river road now runs. The road was laid out in 1837, Horace Burke being one of the viewers.

At the June term, 1837, of the County Commissioners' Court of Ogle county, Whiteside county being then attached to Ogle for judicial purposes, a petition was presented by Col. E. Seely and others, of Portland, asking that viewers be appointed to locate a road from the Galena road on Rock river, near Lyman Bennett's, in township 20 north, range 4 east, the road to commence at or near a slough in township 20 north, range 4 east; also to re-view a road commencing at or near a slough in townships 19 and 20 north, range 5 east, and crossing Rock river at the town of Portland, and continuing to the south line of the county of Whiteside, the road to be laid out free of expense to the county. Upon the reception of the petition, the Commissioners appointed A. R. Hamilton, Ebenezer Seely, and Hiram Harmon, viewers. The viewers made return of their survey at the September term of Court, when it was ordered that the roads be established. At the September term of the same Court, held in 1838, it was ordered that viewers be appointed to view a road commencing at Fulton city, thence to Parker's Grove, touching at Winchell's Grove, and crossing Rock river at the ferry of L. D. Crandall, and intersecting the Dixon and Stephenson road in Portland precinct, near the residence of James Rowe.

Ebenezer Seely was granted a license to run a ferry across Rock river, at the town of Portland, by the same Commissioners' Court, at its June term, in 1837, .. the license fee being fixed at five dollars.

Nathaniel Norton laid the foundation for the first nursery in Whiteside county, by planting seeds on his claim in Portland in 1837. The project suc- ceeded, and liis trees were purchased by many of the pioneers, thus giving them an early opportunity of setting out orchards. Col. E. Seely had a crop of apples in 1843 from trees obtained at Mr. Norton's nursery, being probably the first apples raised in the county.

The first school in the township was taught in the sumiucr of 1836, by Miss Eliza Hall, in the back room of the log house put up by Norman B. Seely. About twelve children were in attendance. Miss Hall became sick with bilious fever after teaching two months, and was obliged to retire from her duties. The next spring Miss Lovica Hamilton was engaged, and kept a good school that season in the same room. The first school-house in the township was put up in the fall of 1837. It was built of logs, and stood a little east of the old double log house of Col. Seely. A school w^as taught there the following winter. It was in this school-house that many of the pioneer boys and girls of Portland received all the education they ever obtained. Portland now boasts, in common with other towns in Whiteside county, of its commodious schoolhouses, where every convenience is furnished for securing an excellent common school education.

One of the notable events in the history of Portland was the tornado of June 5, 1844. It struck the town about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and came from the west, crossing liock river at Crandall's ferry. It must have taken the water out of the river in crossing, as large fish were afterwards found on the prairie several miles from it. Its course was through the timber, clearing a track half a mile wide and three fourths of a mile long, and entirely destroying the trees. It struck the house of J. Smith Rowe, when the family fearing the fall of the chimney, ran out of doors, and two of his sons were killed, one of them having a fence stake driven through him. His daughter was also so seriously injured that she never entirely recovered. Mr. Rowe's cattle were also killed. The next premises visited were those of Horace Burke, where it took a large frame barn that had ,just been completed bodily from its foundation, and carried it over the house which had just been unroofed. As it passed over, the wheat, oats, etc., which had been stored in it were emptied into the house. The grain was in separate piles, which proves that the barn must have been entire when it passed over the house. The barn was demolished, only the sills and a few of the large timbers being left. There were twelve persons in Mr. Burke's house at the time, but none were killed. The house was of logs, and being unroofed the contents were nearly all destroyed. One of Smith Howe's cows was carried nearly half a mile, and landed on Mr. Burke's cook stove, still alive, a son of Mr. Burke being seriously injured by a kick from her. Mr. Burke lost fourteen head of cattle, seven horses, and all his hogs, and was personally injured quite seriously. The gale then struck Daniel Blaisdcll's premises, destroying everything there except a wagon filled with grass, which was uninjured. It then visited Robert Mead's and A. T. Bracken's premises, its appetite .still good for houses. At Mr. Bracken's it drove three horses through a sod fence, without seriously injuring them. Passing on it struck W. T. Minchin's log house at the Prophetstown line, unroofing it, and also killing his stock. A wagon was taken up and carried forty rods east of the house, and entirely wrecked, the tire being twisted almost into knots. The pole of the wagon was found fourteen years afterwards in the big slough sixty rods west of the house, where it was driven into the mire its whole length. A set of nice knives and forks which Mrs. Blaisdell had wrapped in flannel, was found years afterwards four miles southeast of the house, near Jacob Arnett's. This is the first tornado in the county of which we have any record, and its power was felt almost entirely in the town of Portland, as it did no damage further east.

Joseph Bruce and Anthony Arnett opened a store in the village of ]*ortland about 1843 or '44. Solomon M. Sccly and Bradford Nichols kept store at the same place, opening in the new brick building which was erected in 1850. They continued in business for several years. Smith & Chapman also had a store there in 1854. Soon after that the trade left Portland for Prophetstown, and as Levi Fuller. Jr., had opened a store at Spring Hill in 1853, trade at Portland was abandoned.

In 1851, a company consisting of P. B. Besse, R. M. Besse, Col. E. Seely, Arbela Adams, George Paddock, and David D. Dickerson, was formed under the name of the Portland Steam Mill Company, for the purpose of sawing the fine lumber of Portland grove. The Company built a mill and run it eleven yearsas a saw mill, and part of the time also as a grist mill. Frederick Dwight furnished the engine from Springfield, Massachusetts, sending it to Peru by Lakes and Canal, and from thence it was hauled across the country to Portland by team. The enterprise did not prove remunerative.

In 1855, Dustin Crook and David Brown opened a store at Jefferson Corners, and after them Wm. Fitch, but they kept for only a few years, and now the only trading point in the town is at Spring Hill. The Postoffice at Jefferson Corners was established in 1852, about the time of establishing the mail route from Rock Island to Princeton, and Benjamin Dow was appointed the first Postmaster; John L. Marvel is the present Postmaster.

Spring Hill was laid out and platted about 1853, and Levi Fuller and Horace Fuller opened a store there, the former afterwards purchasino- the whole interest, and doing an extensive business until 1872, when he discontinued trade at that point. It now contains three general merchandize stores one hardware store, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, besides other mechanic shops, and a Masonic Hall. In 1869 a steam saw and grist mill was erected but it did not prove a success, and ran only a few years. A mail route was established from Princeton to Rock Island, running through Spring Hill, as early as 1852, Lewis D. Crandall being the mail agent. The first PostoflSce was established at Spring Hill, in 1853, and Levi Fuller appointed Postmaster. Dr. E. Talcott is the present Postmaster. A daily stage route from Morrison to Geneseo, Henry county, runs through the place. A semi-weekly mail is also carried from Spring Hill to Yorktown, which supplies Jefferson Corners. Spring Hill has a fine school house erected in 1859. Bollen Lodge, No. 412, xV. F. & A. M., meets at the Masonic Hall in Spring Hill. The Lodge was chartered October 5, 1804, the following being the charter members: Thomas Bollen Reuben Langdon, Amos Baxter, John Riley, S. W. Morton, Alexander J. Mead, Joseph Arnett, Levi Fuller, A. S. Scott, John L. Marvel, James M. Lanphere, and John S. Hale. The present officers of the Lodge are : John L. Marvel W. M.; Benoni C. Benson, S. W.; Wm. McNeil, Jr., J. W.; J. J. McNeil, S.' D.; C. C. Fuller, J. D.; Thomas Bollen, Treasurer; B. F. Brooks, Secretary; Wm! P. Taber, S. S.; J. Timmerman, T. The Lodge has now forty members.

The first saw mill in Portland was run by man power. N. G. Reynolds and Col. E. Seely had each brought a pit saw, and taking advantage of the hole in the ground in which Norman B. Seely had wintered in 1834, turned it into a mill by clearing it out and laying hewn timbers over it. By this means they arranged the top and bottom sawyer, and cut lumber for the first floors laid in the cabins of the pioneers. One hundred and fifty to two hundred feet was considered a good day's work for each saw.

Kempster's saw mill is situated at the lower end of the Dutch bottom, adjoining a fine body of timber, and was erected in the winter of 1855-'5G by William and Ephraim Kempster, and Jacob Butzer. The latter afterwards sold out to J. Henry Kempster, and the three brothers have continued the business until the present time. The mill at first had a double rotary saw, the power being furnished by a Gates engine purchased in 1855, in Chicago, which is still good. In 1872 a new mill was added, and other saws, together with a turning lathe put in, since which turned material has been manufactured to the amount of §10,000 a year for firms in Davenport, Iowa, and other cities. Lumber to the amount of six hundred thousand feet per year has been sawed at this mill. Martin Eeis also built a saw mill near the Kempster mill about 1853, but ran it only a few years.

In 1840, David B. Seely found imbedded in the bank of Rock river, at the village of Portland, twenty-seven feet below the surface of the ground in a gravel and sandy formation, a tusk which was declared by the savants at New York to be that of an elephant. It was four feet and four inches long, five inches in diameter, and weighed in a partly decomposed state, thirty-two pounds. It was taken to New York, and became a part of Barnum's collection, and was probably burned with his museum. There was also found at the same place, a portion of the hip bone of an animal, with a socket hole as large as a wash basin.

The agricultural resources of Portland were at first winter wheat and cattle. The former was raised about eight years, and then spring wheat for about the same length of time. Corn is now the principal product, nearly all of which is fed to hogs and cattle.

The Presbyterian Church and society in Portland, was organized at Sharon, in 1839, by Rev Mr. Wilcox, of Geneseo, Henry county. The first members were: Deacon Kemmis, Mrs. Kemmis, his mother, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah H. Johnson, Mrs. Nathaniel Norton, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Getty, Mrs. Durfee, Reuben Hurd and Horace Hurd. The society was organized in the school house near James Rowe's place, and in which the little church held their first meetings. It was not long before they were blessed by the addition of twenty members, mostly by confession of faith. The old log school house became too small for the requirements of the church, and steps werQ taken to build a meeting house. Such was the energy with which the work was prosecuted that on Christmas Day, 1841, it was finished and dedicated. Nathaniel Norton was tlie largest contributor towards the erection of the church, but all contributed according to their limited means. Mr. Norton soon afterwards donated ten acres of land to the church, and assisted largely in erecting a comfortable jiarsonage at a cost of $400. Rev. Daniel Rockwell was the first settled pastor, and he ministered to their spiritual wants for two years, some twelve members being added to the church during the time. Rev. Mr. Bliss, a returned missionary, then took charge and remained one year. Following him was Rev. Amasa C. Lord, who remained a year and a half. Rev. E. R. Martin then became pastor, and continued his labors for seven years. Under his pastorate the church obtained its greatest prosperity, having fifty-one members. Unfortunately the parsonage, with all the church records, was burned at this time. A new one was, however, soon erected. At the close of Mr. Martin's term. Rev. Joseph Baldwin became pastor, remaining only six months, and was succceeded by Rev. Wm. Kenricks, who continued in charge for three years. The next settled clergyman was Rev. J. P. Chambers who continued his labors for three years, after which the church was without stated pastoral supply for six years. Rev. Mr. Corbett is the present pastor, and during his ministry twentyfive have been added to the church. It now has a yiembership of forty. There is a fine cemetery adjoining the church, and in it sleep a large number of the oldest settlors. There is also a cemetery adjoining the school house on section

14, in which there is a handsome monument erected by the citizens of the town in honor of her brave and noble sons who fell in the war for the preservation of the Union.

The first town meeting in Portland township, under the township organization law, was held April 6, 1852, at which town officers were elected for that year. The town records show that a vote was passed at the town meeting in 1854 to pay a bounty of one dollar for every wolf killed, and in 1859 it was increased to two dollars. The consequence was that many wolves where killed. In 1855, and again in 1864, every person owning more than one dog was taxed one dollar for each additional canine, the amount collected to go to the school fund. In 1857 it was voted "that all estrays, after being ten days in the possession of any person taking up said estray, shall cause an entry to be made in the town records, or pay a penalty double the value of said estray, to defray the expenses of the town the ensuing year." At the town meeting in 1870, and again in 1871, it was voted to fine all hogs and sheep found running at large ten dollars a head, the owners, of course, having to pay the fine. The proposition to build a Town Hall was defeated in 1873, by a vote of 15 to 86. The town of Portland did not pay any extra bounties during the war, but filled her quota with the county bounty, and had surplus enough left to defray the town expenses for 1867.

The following have been the Supervisors, Town Clerks, Assessors, Collectors, and Justices of the Peace, elected in the township of Portland, from the organization of the township, in 1852, until the present time:

The township of Portland contains 15,049 acres of improved land, and 7,194 acres of unimproved land. The Assessor's books show that the number of horses in the township in 1877, was 773; number of cattle, 1,969; mules and asses, 29; sheep. 239; hogs, 3,174; carriages and wagons, 245; watches and clocks, 192; sewing and knitting machines, 101; pianofortes, 1; melodeons and organs, 29. Total assessed value of lands, lots, and personal property in 1877, $423,010.

The population of the township in 1870, according to the Federal census of that year, was 986, of which 882 were of native birth, and 104 of foreign birth. In 1860 Portland had a population of 906. The estimated population in 1877, is 1,050.

Norman B. Seely was born in Genesee county, New York, in 1809. He married Miss Lydia Crook, and came to the Rock River country in June, 1834, with Asa Crook, locating where the village of Portland now is. He remained until 1839, when he went to Jones county, Iowa, where he laid out the town of Rome, built a saw mill, and engaged in farming for many years. He went twice to California, where he built another mill, and losing his health, returned to Portland. He died in October, 1874, aged 65 years. He was a good type of the pioneer, and made many friends wherever his enterprising spirit took him. He built the first house in Portland, merely a hole in the ground, in which he wintered in 1834, working meanwhile in Rock Island, on the Government works. He walked home from that place, a distance of 40 miles, every Saturday night, bringing supplies for his family, and returned each Monday morning. His children are as follows: Mary, George, Sarah, Norman, Ellen, Mack, and Josephine. Mary and Norman are dead; George and Mack are in California; Sarah married J. B. Hagan, and resides in Henry county, Illinois; Ellen married James Stewart, and Josephine married H. Jones; they reside in California. Mrs. Norman B. Seely is still living, and is also a resident of California.

Alexander J. Seely came to Portland with his brother Norman. He worked at his trade, that of blacksmithing, until November, 1838, when he got into a difficulty with an Indian, and the latter was killed. He secreted himself in cornfields for a time, and finally succeeded in leaving the country. He went to Texas, was in the war with Mexico, and was taken a prisoner and probably killed. He married Philene Blackmore. Their children were Jennette and Robette, who are now married and living in Michigan! Mrs. Seely afterwards married Chauncey Van Duzen.

Horace Burke was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He lived in Bennington county, Vermont, 20 years. In 1830 he moved to Erie county, New York, and in 1834 came to Cook county, Illinois, and opened a farm on the Joliet road. He was by trade a carpenter, and worked in Chicago helping to raise and frame the first two-story house in that city. He came to Portland in June, 1834, where he still lives. He lost his entiro improvements in the tornado of 1844, and nearly all his stock. He rebuilt, and the weary traveler and emigrant have always found a cordial welcome in his house. It was the place for holding elections from 1S36 to 1853. He married Miss Lydia Sprague in 1832, and after her death, married Mrs. Hannah Witt, in 1850. Children: James, Dwight E., Sarah, Georgia, Alice, Julia, and Lydia. Dwight E. is dead; Georgia married Frank Haddaway, and is also dead; Alice married Theodore Wyman and lives in Iowa; James married Miss Mary Briggs, Sarah married Wm. Harris, Julia married Geo. Curry, and Lydia married Monroe Occobock - the last four mentioned reside in Kansas.

Simeon Fuller was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1789. He married Lucina Wade in 1816. He lived in Erie county. New York, 20 years, and came with his family to Porthmd in November, 1835. He is still living with his wife near Geneseo, Henry county. He was the first Justice of the Peace in Portland, receiving his commission in 1837, and was a highly respected citizen. Children: Lucy, Melissa, Merilla, and Charles. Lucy married John P. Welding, and is now dead; Melissa married Levi Fuller, and resides in Portland; Merilla married Alden Tuller, and lives in Prophetstown; Charles married Miss Catharine Brady, and is a resident of Henry county, Illinois.

P. Bacchus Besse was born in Oneida county. New York, in 1812. He moved to Erie county in 1819, and from thei-e came to Portland in July, 1835, and made a claim where he now lives. In 1843 he married Sarah, daughter of Asa Crook. He has always been one of the leading men of the town, having been County Commissioner several years, Supervisor and Township Trustee 12 years each, and Justice of the Peace three years. Children: Eugene L., now dead; Josephine, who married E. Paddock, and lives in Prophetstown; Louisa, who married Erastus Fuller, and resides in Portland; George, who married Miss Emma Allen, and lives in Kansas; Sarah, who married Jos. Fones, and also lives in Kansas; Henry Clay, who married Miss Alice Crossley, and is a resident of Hume township; Robert, Kate, Albert, Merriam, James E., and Lucy, who live at their home in Portland.

Simeon Chaffee was born in Madison county. New York, in 1804. He married Polly, daughter of W. H. Cushman. He came to Portland in 1835, settling west of Spring Hill, on the Getty farm.

John Smith Rowe was born in 1800. He came from Steuben county, New York, in 1835, and made a claim in Portland adjoining Horace Burke. He lost nearly everything he possessed in the tornado of 1844, and two of his sons - Delanson and William - were killed at that time. He married Miss Rachel Shirroi-, who died in 1852. Children: Delanson, and William, deceased; George W., who married Miss Julia Kempster, and lives in Henry county; Louisa, who married Lafayette Crandall, and resides in Erie; Elvira, who married A. J. Warner, and is now dead; Eliza, who married John W. Kempster, and lives in Portland; Mary, who married James Cocking, and lives in Erie; Robert Emmet, who enlisted in the army of the rebellion, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, Tennessee.

Robert Getty was born in Washington county. New York, in 1810. He came to Portland in 1835, and settled near Sharon, in the vicinity of the county line. His death occurred in 1864. He married Miss Eliza Elliott, and after her death was married to Miss Agnes Mead. Children : Frances Maria, who married H. Fletcher, and lives at Brooklyn, N. Y.; Ann Eliza, who married Henry Slade, and, after his decease, P. C. Langdon, and also lives in Brooklyn, N. Y.; Agnes, who married Orlando Wells, and resides in Geneseo, Illinois; Luella Jane, who is a deaf mute teacher in the State Asylum at Jacksonville, Illinois; Kate, who resides in Geneseo.

John Baxter was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, in 1800, and was Captain of a schooner on the Providence and Philadelphia line until 1835, when he came to Portland and purchased a claim of Alexander Seely. Upon concluding his purchase he returned for his family, and brought them on in November, 1835, remaining at the cabin of J. W. Stakes, near Prophetstown, until the next spring, when he moved to his farm on the Dutch bottoms, also keeping a store near Sharon, in 1847 or 1848. In 1855 he went to Geneseo, Henry county, where he now resides. Mr. Baxter married Miss Esther Howe, in 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter had thirteen children, nine of whom are living : John, who married Miss Melvina Andrews, and lives in New York; Amos, who married Miss Minerva Emery, and lives in Portland; Esther, who married Samuel

Dennison, and lives in Molino; Louisa, who married Andrew Crawford, and lives in Chicago; Azula, who married Hiram Fogg, and lives in Moline; Augusta, who married Chas. W. Perrin, and lives in Geneseo. Hiram lives in Iowa; Samantha in Chicago, and George W. in New York, and are unmarried.

Alphoxzo Brooks was born in Onondaga count}'. New York, in 1812, and came to Du Page county, Illinois, in 1833, and to Portland, Whiteside county, in 1835. His family came in the spring of 1836. He lived for six years on what is now known as the Wallingford farm, and and after that near Spring- Hill where he kept a public house for twenty-two years. He has been Supervisor, Town Clerk, and Justice of the Peace, of the township, and also Postmaster. He is still living. Mr. Brooks has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Eliza Teats, and his second, Mrs. Mary Whitcomb, whom he married in 1872. The children are : Benjamin F., who mari-ied Miss Mary Lanphere, and lives in Portland; Alice, who married Jacob Shetters, and lives in Iowa; Marion, who married Miss Eliza Woodside, and lives in Iowa; and Rose E. who married James Parks, and lives in Iowa.

William H. Cushman settled in Portland in 1835. It is not certain where he was born, some claiming that he came from Virginia, while Mr. Burke says that he came from Vermont, and that he served as a soldier in the war of 1812. He sold his farm in Portland in 1837 to Nathanial Norton, taking a new claim near by, where he lived several years, and then went to Oregon. He married Miss Betsey Barnett, the children of the marriage being : Daniel; Polly, who married Simeon Chaffee, and after his death, Mr. Morehouse; Wallace; Flavie, whomarried Chauncey Howe; Halloway; John; Madore, who married Miss Hattie Coburn, and David C., all of whom live in Oregon, and Narcissa, who married John Kane, and lives in Iowa.

Joy H. Avery came to Portland in 1835, and made the first claim on the Dutch bottom. He died in 1838, and in 1839 his claim was sold to Martin Reis, Jacob Schuck, and Rudolph Ilrick.

Christian Benson was born in Gottenburg, Sweden, in 1805, and came to this country in 1820 with Capt. Benoni Cook, of Providence, Rhode Island, as a sailor. He was employed in 1822 on the Robert Fulton, one of the first successful steamboats then running between New York and Providence. He soon became a pilot, and foryears followed the business on that route. Hell Gate was as familiar to him as a straight path, and the storms of Point Judith had no more terror for him than an April shower. Becoming tired of the water, he came West with his old comrade Capt. Baxter, and arrived at Dixon late in November, 1835. In company with Smith Rowe, they started out on the prairie for Portland, and when on the road to Prophetstown Mr. Benson got into a slough, and in trying to extricate himself became thoroughly wet, and it being cold both of his feet were frozen, so that he was obliged to remain at Mr. Stakes' cabin five weeks. He settled first on the bottom, but afterwards built on the high land. In 1849, he went to California, where he remained two years, and then returned, and is still living with his only son, Benoni C, near Spring Hill. His children are : Emily, who married James Bryant, and lives in Portland, and Benoni C, who first married Miss Ammisetta Martin, and after her death, Miss Susan Bulger, and lives in Portland.

Daniel Blaisdell was born in Vermont, in 1778, and came to Portland in 183G, settling on the place now owned by his son Mason. He was one of the first County Commissioners elected in 1839. and was a man of excellent judgment, and very highly respected. He died in 1855. He had two children, Mason, Avho married Miss Alzina Rowe, and lives in Portland, and Caroline, wife of Daniel F. Cole, who also lives in Portland.

Biographical

Levi Fuller, Sr., was born in Connecticut, in 1793. He married Miss Betsey Martin, and came to Portland, in 1836. His large family of seven sons and three daughters have all been identified with the history of the town. He died in 1849, but his widow is still living near Spring Hill at the ripe age of 85. The children have been : Rachel, wife of John Timmerman, living in Portland; Edmund, who married Miss Maria Turner, and is now dead; Levi, Jr., who married Miss Melissa Fuller, and lives in Erie; John, who married Miss Almira Lanphere, and lives in Portland; George, who married Miss Chloe Marvel, and lives in Nebraska; Horace, who married Miss Purleyetta Taylor, and lives in Iowa; Eliza, who mari'ied George Kichardson, and is now dead; Lucinda, wife of Clark Lanphere, living in Portland; and James M. and Benjamin, both of whom are dead.

Robert Thompson was born in the county of Monahan, Ireland, in 1801. He was married to Miss Lydia Graham, in 1824, and came to the United States in 1830. He made a settlement in Portland in June, 1836, locating where he now lives. He was a carpenter by trade, and in 1837 built the Atkins house (now Richard Arey's) in Coloma. He is a thorough and practical farmer, and has, with his sons, introduced some fine blooded stock into the township. His children are all settled near him, and are as follows : Mary, who married Wm. Besse, and lives in Portland; Richard, who married Miss Lavina Williams, and resides in Portland; William, who married Miss Laura Fay, and lives in Bureau county; Elizabeth, who married J. R. Berry; Robert, who married Miss Lydia Fairhurst, John, who married Miss Celestia Herman, and all i*eside in Portland; Hiram, who is unmarried, and also resides in Portland.

John Smith Logan was born in Yates county. New York, in 1815. He came to Portland in 1836, and settled about a mile west of Spring Hill. It would be hard to find a single enterprise in his neighborhood, that has not received his aid and encoui-agement. The year after his arrival he greatly assisted in building the first school house in the township, and, in 1841, to his eflForts in a great measure was due the erection of the first and only church in the town. As Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, Assessor, and in other town offices, he has served the people, and always with satisfaction. In 1876, he sold his farm and purchased a home in Prophetstown, where he now resides. In the year 1844 he married Miss Elizabeth Warren, who died in 1863. In 1865 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Ashton. The children of Mr. Logan are : Herman, who served as a volunteer in the 34th Illinois regiment, and now resides in Nebraska; George E., who was a volunteer in the 140th Illinois regiment, and also resides in Nebraska; Addis G., and Robert E., who reside in Portland.

James Rowe was born in Steuben county. New York, in 1803, and settled in Portland in 1836, making a claim one and one half miles west of Spring Hill, where he opened a fine farm upon which he resided until his death in 1871. He was a good citizen, a man of clear judgment, and his death was universally regretted. He was twice married, his first wife being Mary Ann Huff, and his second wife Hannah Avery. Children : Algina, who married Mason Blaisdell, and lives in Portland; John S., who married Miss Nancy Briggs, and resides in Kansas; Elizabeth, who married Clover Laird, and also resides in Kansas; Van Rensselaer, who married Miss Jane Brooks, and lives in Portland; William Almont, and Lewis Edward, are unmarried, and also live in Portland.

Guy Ray was born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1806. In the year 1835 he came West by canal and the lakes to Chicago, where he purchased a horse, and proceeded to explore the country. On his route he stopped at Dixon, and from thence went to Rock Island where there were but three log cabins at the time. As he returned he stopped at Prophetstown. and at that place found the only white settlers between Rock Island and Dixon. Being pleased with the vicinity he made a claim one mile south of Portland Village, and coatracted for the building of a log house. He then went back for his family, and in the following June brought them to Portland. On his arrival he found himself without a shelter, as the party with whom he had contracted to build a house had failed to perform his agreement. Not dismayed he went to work in the heat of the summer, and cut logs on Indian island, floating them down the river, and built himself a double log house. On the 10th of September, 1836, his wife died, being the first adult death iii the township. He brought a few goods with him when he came in June, which he sold in his house, thus becoming the first store keeper in the town. Mr. Ray was interested in the construction of the race from Lyndon across the bend, upon which a mill was erected, but the enterprise proved a failure. His farm was one of the best managed in the town, and his stock equal to the best in the county. He was the first County Clerk of Whiteside county, being elected in 1839. He also filled the office of School Treasurer of the township for a number of years. In 1876 he moved to Vinton, Benton county, Iowa, where he now resides. Mr. Ray was married three times, first to Elizabeth Harmon, second, to Samantha Harmon, and third, to Louisa Pomeroy. The children are, Emma, wife of Homer Slate, living in Henry county, Illinois; Camilla, wife of Rev. Mr. Dalzell, living in Baltimore, and Frank, and Elizabeth, living in Vinton, Iowa.

Hiram Harmon was a native of Berkshire county. Massachusetts, and came to Portland with Guy Ray. He was a wagon maker by trade, and was probably the first in the county. He was interested in the Lyndon mill race, and lost all he had at that time. On leaving Portland he went to Round Grove, in Hopkins township, where he lived for several years, and then went to Fenton, and built a saw mill on Rock creek. Mr. Harmon was County Commissioner for some time, and in 1860 was Supervisor of Fenton township. In 1858 he was struck by lightning, from which he did not recover for a number of years. He is now residing in Colorado.

Roderick M. Besse was born in Oneida county. New York, in 1816, and came to Portland in 1836, locating his farm adjoining that of his brother, P. B. Besse. He was Justice of the Peace, and Assessor of Portland township for several terms. He married Miss Marietta Green, in 1855, and is now living in the village of Prophetstown.

Jedutiian Seely, Sr., was born in Washington county, New York, in 1778 and moved to Cayuga county, New York, in 1802, thence to Genesee county, in 1807, and thence to Cattaraugus county, in the same State, in 1823. In 1836 he came West with his son, Ebenezer, and settled in Portland. In the fall he was attacked with the prevailing disease, bilious fever, and sent for Dr. Maxwell, a newly arrived physician, who, thinking bleeding was necessary, tried the experiment, and his patient died in less than an hour, at the age of fifty-eight years. Mr. Seely married Miss Sally Gibbs, and their children have been, Ebenezer, Horace, Jeduthan, Jr., Norman B., Alexander J., and Mary E., all of whom came West, and are further mentioned in this History. Mrs. Seely moved soon after her husband's death to Jones county, Iowa, where she lived with her son, Norman B., until 1841, when she died.

Col. Ebenezer Seely was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1802, and married Miss Dolly Maynard, in 1824. He moved with his father to Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1823, where he successfully engaged in farming and lumbering. In the summer of 1834 he concluded to explore the new West, and first went to Michigan where he expected to find his brothers Norman B. and Alexander J., but upon ascertaining that they had pushed on farther west followed them to Dixon's ferry, and thence to Prophetstown, arriving at the latter place, September 24, 1834. The next day he made a claim where he now lives. His health not being good he soon after started for his New York home, but upon arriving at John Dixon's he was so much worse that he was compelled to remain there for three months. He pursued his journey immediately upon his recovery, and arriving at home sold his farm, and mill property, and with a raft of lumber started down the Alleghany river. His father and mother, John Reed, wife and child, and Henry Brewer, wife and three children, accompanied him and his family on the raft, with all their household goods. He sold his lumber at Louisville, and took a steamer for St. Louis, and thence to Kock Island, where he arrived on the 4th of June, 1835. By dint of great perseverance he procured a team to take his family to his new home, and then returning to Rock Island chartered a small ferry boat, loaded it with his effects, and started up the river. When he had got within sixteen miles of his destination, he fortunately found some teams to take his goods to Portland. He had brought provisions for a year's supply for his family, but he was not the man to refuse to feed the stranger, or share with his neighbor, and as there was considerable immigration that fall his supply soon became exhausted. St. Louis was the best market for provisions, and Col. Seely, in conjunction with his neighbors. William Hill, Marvin Frary, N. G. Reynolds, and Asa Crook, sent Capt. Dix to that place with $1,300 to purchase the needed supplies. Capt. Dix was robbed of the money on his journey, and then there was nothinoto do but go to Knox county, to which place Col. Seely and Mr. Frary started with teams to purchase wheat, pork, etc. By the time they had bought the wheat, fanned it in the primitive style to which they were compelled to resort taken it to the mill and had it ground, and had procured their pork, and other articles, winter was upon them. The creeks and small rivers were freezing up, the sloughswouldnotbear a team, thereby entailing great hardship in getting home. Col. Seely's house always furnished a shelter for the newly arrived settler until he could build a cabin for himself, and the hospitality shown by him and his amiable wife will be long remembered. He has always been held in high estimation by his fellow townsmen, and when the land came into market in 1843 was selected to enter all the lands around Portland village, and re-deed to the owners of the different claims and lots, a duty which he performed to the utmost satisfaction of all. This delicate and important duty was only entrusted in the different townships to men upon whose integrity a full reliance could be placed. Col. Seely is now in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and still in the possession of all his faculties. At the annual gathering of the old settlers, at Hamilton's Grove, he is the one most eagerly sought for to relate the incidents and reminiscences of pioneer life, and much of the success of these meetings are due to his genial presence. John Reed, who came with him, remained in Portland for a time, and then went to Missouri, where he is still living. Henry Brewer stayed only a year or two, and then settled in Sterling. He was the father of Aid. George W. Brewer, of that city. Mrs. Seely died January 6, 1874, aged 72 years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Seely have been: Solomon M., who married Miss Rachael E. Leland, was in trade at Portland for several years, afterwards went to California, and upon his return engaged in business in Sterling, and was for a time proprietor of the Wallace House, in that city, and is now residing in Jones county, Iowa; David B., who first married Miss Jane Maynard, and after her death. Miss Frances Adams, and died in 1874; Sarah G., wife of Alexander M. Hetfield, living in Portland; Andrew J., who married Miss Armina Williams, and is a farmer in Portland, and has been Assessor of the township for the past three years; Martin V., who first married

Miss Almina Maynard, and after her death, Miss Kate Keeler - has been engaged in farming, and stock raising in Portland, was President of the Whiteside. county Agricultural Society for several years, and now resides in Prophetstown where he owns a fine hotel, known as the Seely House; Caroline, wife of S. H. Beardslee, living at Clam Lake, Michigan; and Jane A., wife of A. B. Crosby, living at New York city.

Horace Gr. Seely was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1804, and started for Illinois in company with his brother Jeduthan and family, and his sister, Mrs. Marvin Frary, late in the fall of 1835, but could get no further than Quincy, Illinois, on account of the cold weather and ice. They remained all winter at a camp meeting ground, three miles from Quincy, and arrived at Portland in March. He resided at Portland for a few years, and then went to Jones county, Iowa, where he is still living, hale and hearty, at seventy-three years of age. He married Miss Bethsheba Milk.

Lewis Arnett was a native of Alsace, France, and born in 1701. He came to the Ignited States in 1827, settling first at liochester, New York, and then in Warren county, Pennsylvania, and came to Portland in 1837, making a claim on the county line in section 35. He died in 18G8. Mr. Arnett married Miss Clara Sheddick. Their children have been: Lewis, now dead; Jacob, who married Miss Charlotte Summers, and lives in Greneseo, Henry county; Mary, wife of Samuel Cogswell, living in Pennsylvania; Anthony, who married Miss Mary Ann G-raham, and lives in Colorado; Catharine, wife of David Heller, living in Henry county; Joseph, whose first wife was Miss Martha Warren, and second Miss Marietta Butzen; Philip, now dead; Susan, who married Simeon Heller, and is now dead; William, who married Miss Maria Britton, and lives in Henry county; George, who married Miss Margaret Severance, and lives in Henry county; Samuel, who married Miss Catherine Urick, and lives in Henry county; and John, unmarried, who also lives in Henry county.

Job Dodge was born in Montpelier, Vermont, in 1819, and came to Portland in 1838. He first engaged in mercantile business and pork packing, in Portland and Prophetstown, and continued in that line until 1848, when he became a plow manufacturer at Peru, Illinois, which business he has followed to the present time. His residence is at Philadelphia. He had only one child, Virginia, who died in childhood. He was married in 1841 to Miss Mary E. Warner.

Jacob Arnett was born in Elstein, France, in 1815, and came with his father to the United States in 1827. When coming West he stopped for a short time in Joliet, Will county, Illinois, and came to Portland in 1836, making his claim on section 35. He became early noted for his untiring industry, and trading habits. He would dig ditches, put up fences, or work at haying and harvesting as far as Como, and take his pay in stock, or in anything he could afterwards barter, and in a few years accumulated a good property. When the California excitement broke out, it was an easy matter for him to fit out fine teams, and go with the adventurers to the land of gold. He used his teams to paying advantage while there, and when he was pretty well supplied with the precious metal returned to his home in Portland. He retired from farming some years ago, and moved to Geneseo, Henry county, where he is extensively engaged in dealing in agricultural implements. He married Miss Charlotte Summers in 1842, their children being; Lewis C, who married Miss Sarah Kose, and lives in Portland; Samuel J., who married Miss Eliza Grozenburg, and lived in Geneseo; Phillip S., who married Miss Eliza Wagner, and lives in Portland; Mary, wife of Andrew Smith, living in Henry county; Albert, who married Miss Cella Parker,

Jesse Slawson was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1809, and came to Portland in 1836. He was a carpenter by trade, and also followed farming near Spring Hill, while he was a resident of Portland. He now lives in Nebraska. Mr. Slawson married Miss Kachael M. Fuller, in 1833. Their children are: Andrew, who married Miss Catharine Joice, and lives in Missouri; Jesse D., who married Miss Lucy Kinney, and lives in Nebraska; Charles H., who married Miss Lydia Briggs, and lives in Kansas; Earl B., who married Miss Cordelia Brown, and lives in Nebraska; Howard F., who married Miss Mary Hepworth, and lives in New York; Seth H., who married Miss Jennie Patch, and lives in Portland; and Mary L., wife of Merritt Clifton, living in Portland.

Amos Young was born in Madison county. New York, in 1815, and settled in Portland in 1836. In 1864 he moved to Iowa. He married Miss Sophia East, and their two children, Gertrude, and Joseph, reside in Iowa.

Walter Young was born in Madison county, New York, in 1816, and came to Portland in 1838. He afterwards went to California, and was successful in his operations, and since his return farmed near Spring Hill, for some time, and then moved to Geneseo, Henry county. He married Miss Laura Morrill, who died in Geneseo, in March, 1877. The children, Luella, Mary L., and Chas. W., are residing with Mr. Young in Geneseo.

Alden Tuller was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1812. He came to Illinois first in 1833, and settled in Joliet, Will county, where he remained until May, 1835, when he came to Portland, and made a claim adjoining Spring Hill. He lived in Portland until about 1854, when he moved to Prophetstown and purchased a farm on Jackson street, upon which he now resides. He married Miss Harriet M. Fuller in 1837. Their children have been : Albert, who married Miss Nellie Whitcraft, and lives in Kansas; Helen, who married Charles Hummeston, and is now dead; Ernest and Wilbur, who live in Prophetstown; and Agnes, now dead.

Samuel Hall came with Col. Seely in 1836, and settled near Simeon Fuller's place. He died in 1844 or 1845. He had three children - Andrew, Eliza, and Marietta.

Smith Hurd was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1786, and came to Portland in 1839. He married Miss Fanny Booth in 1806. Their children have been : Horace H., who married Miss Lydia Winters; he was a good mechanic, and invented the grater cider-mill; he came to Portland in 1837, and settled near Spring Hill; his children were, Adliza, wife of William Booth, now living in Prophetstown, and Henry, who married Miss Metta Smith, and is now a resident of Nebraska. Reiihen, who first married Miss Clarissa Carr, and, after her death, Miss Polly Ann Sprague; he is the inventor of Hurd's hog-tamer, and wagon and car brake, etc. Harriet B., who married Henry R. Stone, and is now dead; Moses, who married Miss Mary A. McClaughry, and lives in Oregon; Marj/ A., who married Sydney Martin, and is now dead; Jane E. wife of Rev. Mr. Buck, living in Oregon; and Hester C, wife of William P. Tabor, living in Portland.

Daniel F. Cole was born in Montgomery county. New York, in 1816, and at an early age moved to Erie county. New York. In 1837 he came to Portland, and made a claim where he now lives. He married Miss Caroline Blaisdell in 1839. Their children have been : Almon, a practicing lawyer in Macomb, Illinois, and Nettie, now dead. Mr. Cole was elected County Commissioner in

Horace B. Cole was born in Erie county, New York, in 1821, and came to Portland in 1840. His first occupation at his new home was teachingschool. He has filled various township offices to the satisfaction of the people, and is now living on his farm. Mr. Cole married Miss Belinda Brewer in 1850. Their children "are : Hugh Wallace, Tibbie, and Frederick.

Andrew T. Bracken was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1802, and settled in Portland in 1837. He married Mrs. Mary Crook Pennell, daughter of Asa Crook. The children by this marriage are : James M., living in Iowa; William, who married Miss Eva Poor, and lives in Iowa; and Jackson, who married Miss Sarah Besse, and lives in Portland. Mrs. Bracken had one child by her first marriage. Nelson, who married Miss Tinnie Fones, and resides in Henry county, Illinois. Mr. Bracken died in 1870; the widow still resides in Portland.

Robert Woodside was a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and born in 1812. He came to Portland in 1837, and married Miss Lucy Crook in 1842. There were no children. Mr. Woodside died in 1873.

James Graham was born in Ireland in 1796, and came to the United States in 1836. He settled in Portland in 1837. He married Miss Eliza Martin, and their children have been : Mary A., wife of John T. Reynolds, living in Portland; Eliza Jane, who married Burton T. Bosworth, and is now dead; Thomas W., who married Miss Sarah Dunbar, and lives in Portland; Emily, wife of Henry Marquet, living in California; Wesley, who married Miss Lucina Fuller, and lives in Portland; Eva, living in Portland; Margaret, wife of Willis Fuller, living in Portland; and Isabella, wife of Alfred Booth, living in Portland.

John P. Weldino came to Portland in 1837, and was a carpenter by trade. He married Miss Lucy C. Fuller. Their children were : Lucina, now dead; Ovid P., who married Miss Harriet Lanphere, and lives in Portland; Simeon, living in New Mexico; Arthur, who married Miss Mary Witt, and lives in Portland; and William, living in Davenport, Iowa.

James, William T., and Anderson S. Crozier came to Portland from Washington county, New York. James died in 1846, without family; William T. is now living in Henry county, Illinois. Anderson S. married Miss Steele, and lived near the county line; he died in 1871, leaving a family of six children.

Robert Mead was a native of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and came to Portland in 1837. He was unmarried, and died in 1848 at the age of forty-eight years.

John Kempster was born in Berkshire, county, England, in 1794, and came to the United States in 1819, first settling in Oneida county, New York. He married Miss Lydia Hall, and came to Portland in 1837. The following are the children of this marriage : Julia Ann, wife of Washington Rowe, living in Henry county, Illinois; J. Henry, who married Miss Eliza Ann Rowe, and lives in Portland; William W., who married Miss Margaret Ilahn, and lives in Portland; and Ephraim II., who married Miss Rachel Spicer, and also lives in Portland. Mr. Kempster died in 1869.

Chauncey Reynolds was born in Connecticut, in 1812, and moved early to Erie county. New York, where he remained until the fall of 1837, when he came to Portland. His death occurred in 1851. Mr. Reynolds married Miss Amanda Aylesworth in 1835. Their children were : Smith, killed in battle during the War of the Kebellion; Gardner, who married Miss Elizabeth Stakes; Augustus, who married Miss Ella McKenzic; and Edwin, who married Miss Mary Lanphere - all of whom live in Prophetstown.

D. Porter Brewer, a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, was born in 1809, and came to Portland in 1837. He is still residing on his old farm. In 1834 Mr. Brewer married Miss Emeline Hollister. Their children have been : Pernando N., who married Miss Delia Frary, and lives in Lyndon; Elizabeth, wife of H. L. Osborn, living in Lyndon; Lucelia, wife of S. A. Langdon, living in Lyndon; James 0., who married Miss Rebecca Wenner, and lives in Portland; and Esther M., wife of Harrison Upton, living in Lyndon.

Hiram McKenzie was born in Essex county, New York, in 1817, and came to Portland in 1837. He is a cooper by trade, and worked some time for Job Dodge, making pork barrels. He is now a resident of Yorktown, Bureau county. Mr. McKenzie married Miss Cordelia Chubbuck, in 1837. The children of this marriage are : Virgil A., who married Miss Nettie Brown; Lovina M., who married Ansel Burdick; Albert E., who married Francis Hodgeborn; and Lucinda A., who married Austin Foy. Mrs. McKenzie died, and in 1875 Mr. McKenzie married Elsie Pelton.

Jeremiah H. Johnson was born in Whitehall, Washington county. New York, in 1797, and married Miss Harriet Getty in 1828. Their children have been : George, now dead; Caroline, now dead; Helen S., who first married W. C. Whitmore, and, after his death, Thomas Young, and- now lives in Henry county, Illinois; Harriet E., wife of Dr. E. J. Talcott, living in Portland; and Adams, living in California. Mr. Johnson died in 1871.

John Laird came from Canada, and was born about 1815. He married Miss Fanny Warren, and had one daughter, who is in California. Mr. Laird went there in 1850, and died four years ago.

Hiram Underhill was born in Dorsett, Vermont, in 1794, and came to Portland in 1838, remaining in the village of Portland until 1839, when he made a claim near Jefferson Corners. He married Miss Martha Washburn in 1813. Their children have been: Horace, who married Miss Irene Wellington, and is now dead; Julia Ann, who first married Benjamin Dow, and after his death, Jared Hurlburt, and now lives in Oregon; Abram, who married Miss Olive Marvel, and lives in Oregon; Jane, wife of Ezra W. Hill, living in Prophetstown; and Mary, wife of George Coon, living in Iowa.

LoDOic Underhill was born in Jefferson county. New York, in 1819, and married Miss Goodell in 1842. They have had one son, Emmet, who married Miss Frances Gage, and is living in Prophetstown. Mr. Underhill is now a resident of McDonough county, Illinois.

George McCormick was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1811, and came to Portland in 1838. He married Miss Lucinda Brooks, their children being: Frank, Nettie, Mary, Charles, Belle, Lucy, Frederick, Richard, Gertrude, and Eunice, all living in Prophetstown.

Asa Maynard was a native of Litchfield county, Connecticut, and born in 1780. In 1812 he moved to Genesee county, New York, and in 1838 settled in Portland. He was a carpenter by trade. Mr. Maynard married Miss Asenath Mack in 1799. Their children were: Dolly, who married Col. E. Seely, and is now dead; Ezra, now dead; Lydia, wife of Alzera Williams, living in Cattaraugus county. New York; Deborah, who- married Merritt Hotchkiss, and is now dead; Henry, who married Miss Purmela Hubbard, and is now dead; Asenath, wife of Darius Mendall, living in Portland; Mary Ann, wife of Ira Camp, living in Portland; Abby Ann, wife of E. B. Latham, living in Portland; William, who married Miss Lucy Grossman, and is now dead; Nancy, wife of Amos Foster, living in Jo Daviess county, Illinois; and Allen, who married Miss Eliza A. Wood, and is now dead.

William Maynard was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1805, and in 1839 came to Portland, and settled on what is now the Wm. Booth farm. He married Miss Emily P. Barrs, in 1827. Their children were: Hannah, Jane, and Almina, all of whom are dead. Jane married David B. Seely, and Almina married Martin V. Seely. Mrs. Maynard died in 1855, and Mr. Maynard afterwards married Lucy Pomeroy. He is now living in Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, but every year his genial face is seen at the Old Settlers' meeting, which he usually entertains with reminiscences of the olden time put into flowing verse.

Dr. a. Plympton came from Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1839, and practiced his profession for about a year in Portland, and then went to Prophetstown. He was a sincere Christian, and frequently preached to the good people of the township. He practiced medicine in the county for about fifteen years, and then returned to Ohio, where he died soon afterwards.

Martin Reis was born in Ahrang, Prussia, in 1804, and came to Portland in 1839. He married Miss Mary Ahart, the children of this marriage being: Elizabeth, wife of George Shelhammer, living in Geneseo, Henry county; Adam, who married Miss Lora Brooks, and lives in Henry county; Herman, who married Miss Ellen H. Bessor, and lives in Portland; Hattie, wife of H. P.-Blaisdell, living in Portland; Ella M., wife of Alonzo F. Ocobock, living in Henry county; and Martin, and Franklin, both of whom live in Portland. Mr. Reis died in 187-i.

Philip Rapp was born in France in 1811. He married Miss Christene Saun. Their children have been: Aai-on, who married Miss Christene Harms, and lives in Henry county; Abraham, who married Miss Clara Arnctt, and lives in Henry county; Christene, wife of John Whiteline, living in Henry county;' Harriet, wife of Jacob Westerling, living in Chicago; Emeline, wife of Mr. (roemble, living in Henry county; and John, Samuel, Frederick and ]jOuisa, who live in Portland.

William S. Crane was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, in 1815, and located in Portland in 1838, where he engaged with Dodge & Wiggins in the mercantile business. He died in 184:2.

A. T. Wiggins was a native of Montpelier, Vermont, and was born in 1816. He came to Portland in 1838, and in 1839 formed a partnership with Job Dodge, in the mercantile business, remaining until 1841, when the partnership was dissolved. He then became connected with William Pollock, in the same business, at Como, and died in 1845.

Benjamin Dow was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, in 1811. LTpon leaving his native State Ije located in Jefferson county. New York, and from there came to Portland in 1839, and settled at Jefferson Corners, where he died in 1865. He married Miss Julia Ann Underbill, their children being: Erwin, who married Miss Susan Bunnell, and resides in Oregon; Clayton, who married Miss Hurlburt, and lives in Oregon; Irene, wife of John Turner, living in Oregon; and Hiram, who also lives in that State.

Thomas Jefferson Dow was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, in 1800, and came to Portland in 1840, settling at Jefferson Corners. It was from him that Jefferson Corners derived its name'. He was familiarly known as Uncle Jeff. He married Miss Susan Gray. The children of this marriage have been: Thomas, who married Miss Belinda Burgess, and lives in Tampico;

Abigail, now dead; George, living in Iowa; Daniel W., who married Miss Martha Carter, and lives in Iowa; Chauncey, who married Miss Mary Jane Atkins, and lives in Colorado; Koxana, wife of Mr. Kemp, living in Tampico; William H. H., living in Tampico; Mary, wife of B. W. Edmonds, living in Colorado; Schuyler, living in Tampico; and Noble, living in Iowa. Mr. Dow died in 1871.

Arbela Adams is a native of Rutland county, Vermont, and first came to Ottawa, Illinois, in 1835, and in 1840 to Portland, settling upon the same place where he now resides. He married Miss Olive Hawes in 1826. Their children are: Helen E., wife of W. H. Wellington, living in Sterling; Charles F., who married Miss Sarah Brown, and lives in Portland; Sarah F., wife of David B. Seely, living in Sterling; Egbert, who married Miss Sally Paget, and lives in Portland; and Mary, living in Portland. Mr. Adams was born in 1804.

William P. Tabor was born in Erie county, New York, in 1821. He came to Illinois with his father in 1828, and settled in Knox county, where he remained a few years, and then moved to Henry county, near Whiteside, at which place he resided until 1853, when he came to Portland, and opened a fine farm on section 26. Since that time he has been engaged in farming and raising cattle and hogs. Mr. Tabor married Miss Hester Hurd, their children being: Rothilda M., wife of Reuben Kelly, living in Nebraska; Ocelia E., wife of Barney McGrady, living in Tampico; Jennie F., wife of John Hill, living in Prophetstown; and Herman L., who married Miss Ella Lanphere, and lives in Portland.

Caleb P. Lanphere was born in Greene county. New York, in 1799, and came to Portland in 1841. In 1841, he married Miss Lucinda Martin. Their children have been: Almira, wife of John Fuller, living in Portland; James M., living in Portland; Clark C, who married 3Iiss Lucinda Fuller, and lives in Portland; George, living in Warren county, Illinois; Albert, living in McDonough county, Illinois; Mary, wife of B. F. Brooks, living in Portland; Harriet, wife of 0. P. Welding, living in Portland; and Jay C, living in Portland. Mr. Lanphere died in 1875. He was a devoted christian, and one of the pillars of the Methodist church. He was a Justice of the Peace, and Town Clerk of the township for a number of years.

Lewis C. Underwood was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and came to Illinois in 1832, settling at first in Rock Island county, and in 1846 located in Portland. He married Miss Eliza Gillett. Their children were : Elias, who married Miss Delilah Teats, and lives in Portland; Lewis C, living in Indiana; A. Bruce, living in Portland; Eliza Rose, who married William P. Teats, and is now dead; Elizabeth, who married Moses Harmon, and is also now dead; Mila B., wife of Millard Paddock, living in California, and Electa, wife of L. A. Simmons, living in Portland.

William Graham was born in Ireland, in 1792. He married Miss Rosa Murphy, the following being the children of this marriage : Mary Ann, wife of Anthony Arnett, living in Colorado; Hercules, now dead, and Jane, wife of Fernando Jones, living in Chicago. Mrs. Jones is an active worker in behalf of all public charities, and a prominent leader in the Woman's Rights movement.

LeviFuller, jR.,anativeof Oneidacounty,NewYork,wasborn in 1820, and came to Portland in 1836. For twenty years he was in the mercantile business at Spring Hill, but now resides in Erie. He was married to Miss Melissa Fuller. Their children have been : Lucius, who married Miss Eliza Briggs, and lives in Kansas; Lucina, wife of Wesley Graham, living in Portland; Erastus, who married Miss Louisa Besse, and lives in Portland; Wilmot P., who married Miss Maria Ocobock, and lives in Portland; Cecil, who married Miss Mary Dorothy, and lives in Portland; and Douglass, now dead.

Nathaniel Norton was born in the State of Maine, in 1805, and came to Portland in 1837. He purchased the claim of "William H. Cushman, and having considerable means infused a great deal of life into the new settlement. He opened a store shortly after his arrival, and sold goods for a number of years. During this time his store was broken into, the thieves cutting through the outer wall, and robbed of quite an amount of stock, thus making him the victim of the first burglary committed in Portland. In 1837 he started the first nursery in Whiteside^ county, and some of the finest orchards in the county to-day are from trees procured of him. Two of the trees from his nursery^ on the farm of Frank Gushing, in Portland, bore fifty bushels of apples each the present season, 1877. Mr. Norton added largely in the erection of Sharon church, and as long as the edifice stands his memory will be held dear by those who worship within its walls. Struggling as were the pioneers even at the time when the building was erected, it is doubtful if such a structure could have been built without Mr. Norton's aid. He went to Chicago in 1843, and engaged in business, and is accounted one of the largest capitalists in that city. He was married in 1838 to Miss Sally Ann Getty. Their children were : Augusta, who married Lemuel R. Hall, and is now a resident of Chicago, and a child which died in infancy.

Russell Warren was born in New England, in 1778. He early moved to Livingston county, New York, where his children were all born, and subsequently settled in Steuben county, in the same State, and in 1838 came to Portland, his sons having preceded him. His children were : Lyman, who married Miss Sarah Palmer, and is now dead; he came to Portland in 1838, and had six children, all of whom are in Iowa, if living; George, who married Miss Julia Eaton; he came to Portland in 1836, and settled near Spring Hill, and in 1846 returned to Steuben county; Elizabeth, who married John S. Logan, and is now dead; Daniel, who married Miss Mary Baker, and is now dead; Fanny, who married John Laird, and is now dead, and Martha, who married Joseph Arnett, and is also dead.

Benjamin and Thaddeus Smith came to Portland from Bennington, Vermont, in 1837. Benjamin lived in Portland for five years, and then moved to Iowa.