Atkinson Township

Atkinson Township

A DATR JOHN G. Sec. 24, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; U. Pres; from Ireland. *"*- ALFRED C. B. Atkinson; book-keeper; Rep; from Vt. ALLEN A. C. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; Bapt; from N.Y.

BASS HENRY, Farmer, Sec. 14, P.O. Atkinson; born in Windham, Conn. Nov. 24, 1817; came to this county in 1853; Rep; Meth; first wife was Mary Crandall, born in Conn; second wife was Mary J. Clark, born in Ireland, June 4, 1836; married first, March 9, 1854; second, March 2, 1876; has four children; 160 acres, val. $7,200.

BENTLEY WILLIAM, Farmer, Sec. 3, P.O. Geneseo; born in England, Dec. 15, 1830; came to this county in 1858; Rep; owns 158 acres of land, valued at $5,500; wife was Jane Blackley, born in England, Sept. 18, 1834; married Oct. 16. 1853; has eight children.

BESSEE ROBERT M. Fanner, Sec, 17, P.O. Geneseo; born in Erie Co. N.Y. Dec. 2, 1838; came to this county in 1862; Rep; Meth; owns 280 acres of land, valued at $13,000; was Commissioner of Highways three years; wife was Orlinda Maria Porter, born in Huron Co. Ohio, Dec. 8, 1842: married Feb. 16, 1865; has three children.

BOLLEN GEORGE, Proprietor of coal mine; Sec. 32, P.O. Atkinson; born in Sharon, 111. Nov. 24, 1847; Rep; Meth; wife was Ella Loomis, born 1852; married May 16, 1870; has four children.

BOOMER HENRY, Farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Atkinson; born in Jefferson Co., N.Y., July 23. 1826; came to this Co. in 1862; Rep; owns 249 acres land, valued at $13,600; wife was Julia Wood, born in Jefferson Co., N.Y., Aug. 10, 1828; has four children, Emma, Herbert, Gertie, and Jay.

BOUWHTJIS ANTHONY, Grocer, Atkinson; born in Holland, Dec. 25, 1820; came to this Co. in 1865; Dem; Cath; owns town property and 80 acres of land, valued at $6,600; wife was Demphena Hendricks, born in 1823; married in 1865; has three children.

BROWN JOHN M. Farmer, Atkinson; born in Knox Co., Ohio, Feb. 13, 1832; came to this Co. in 1858; Dem; is Supervisor of the Township, and Justice of the Peace; wife was R. J. Barnes, born in Fail-field Co., Conn., Sept. 27, 1831; married Sept. 18, 1860; has two children, Nellie and Jennie.

CROOK ASA, Farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Geneseo; born in Erie Co. N.Y. Jan. 27, 1827; came to this county in 1844; Rep; owns 220 acres of land, valued at $12,000; came to 111. May 27, 1834, with his father, Asa Crook, Sen., who settled at Prophetstown, Whiteside Co., at that time, and was the first settler there; their nearest neighbors were then at Davenport, Iowa, and at Dixon, 111.; wife was Lucy A. Cole, born in Erie Co., N.Y., March, 24, 1830; married Jan. I, 1852; has six children.

Rep; Lib. Prot; wife was Nora H. Gould; married in 1857; has two children. DEFRIES T. Peddler, Atkinson; Dem; from Germany. DEMOTT H. M. Carpenter, Atkinson; Rep; from N.Y.

DILLAPLAIN I. Sec. ifi; P.O. Atkinson; fanner on R. M. Bessee's farm; Rep; from Ohio. DONAHO P. Sec. 6; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Dem; Cath; from Ireland; 120 acres. DOTY W. I. Sec. 3; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Dem; from Vt; 120 acres. DOUBLO LEO, Sec. 36; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Dem; Cath; from Belgium. DREHMER H. Sec. 10; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; from Canada. DUNCAN S. M. Sec. 21; P.O.Atkinson; farmer; Rep; from 111.

II. CLAY, Atkinson; clerk; Rep; from Conn. *-* ENGLISH JOHN, Atkinson; clerk; Rep; from Ohio. ERICKSON A. Sec. 31; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Luth; from Sweden. EVANS S., P.O. Atkinson; farmer on T. D. Trekell's farm; Dem; from N.Y. EVERETT EDWIN, Atkinson; merchant; Rep; born in 111.

FERRIN WELLS, Station Agent and Grain Dealer, Atkinson; born in Grand De Tour, Ogle Co. 111. Oct. 30, 1848; came to this county in 1866; Rep; owns house and lot, value $1,200.

FOLLETT A. H. Atkinson: sexton; Rep; Cong; from N.Y. FONES ALONZO, Sec. 18; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; born 111. FONES C. Sec. 17; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; from N.Y. FONES HENRY, Sec. 18; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; U. B.; from N.Y. FORVANNER BRUNO, Sec. 25; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; Cath; from Belgium. FRITZSCHE C. F. Sec. 26; P.O.Atkinson; farmer; Rep; Luth; from Saxony; 120 acres. FRONK .JOHN H. Harness Maker, Atkinson; born in Juniata Co. Pa. Dec. 25, 1853; came to this county in 1855; Rep; Meth.

GREEN W. A., P.O. Geneseo; farmer on A. H. Green's farm; Rep; F. Meth; from N.Y. GREZER F. E. Sec. 10; P.O.Atkinson: farmer; Luth; from Prussia; 80 acres. GRIFFIN JOHN A. Rev. Atkinson; Cong, minister; Rep; born in 111. GRUBB FRANK, Sec. 16; P.O. Atkinson; laborer; Dem; from Ohio. GRUBB J. A. Sec. 16; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Dem; from Va. GIBSON JOB, Sec. 15; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; from N.Y.; 80 acres. GIERHART C. G. Farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Geneseo; born in Richland Co. Ohio, April 17.

GILES W. A. Sec. 33; P.O. Atkinson; coal miner; Rep; from 111. GIPE GEO. Atkinson; laborer; Dem; from Pa. GIPE JACOB, Atkinson; laborer; Dem; from Pa.

HUXTEK DANIEL O. Grocer, Atkinson; born in Cortland Co. N.Y. June 28, 1823; came to this county in 1867; Rep; Meth; owns house and lot, valued at $Soo; has been Police Magistrate four years; enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, in the g3d 111. Volunteers, and served ten months; wife was Margaret R. Pickard, born in Livingston Co. N.Y. Sept, 20, 1840; married Sept 12, 1857; has six children.

JAMES JOHN, Atkinson; Dem; from Pa. JENKINS J. Sec. 32; P.O.Atkinson; miner; Rep; from Wales. . JENKINS R. W. Sec. 32; P.O. Atkinson; miner; Rep; from Wales. JOHNSON G. Sec. 32; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; Luth; from Sweden. JOHNSON G. Sec. 8; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; from Sweden; 80 acres. JOHNSON JOHN, Sec. 18; P.O. Geneseo; laborer; Dem; from Ireland. JOHNSON JOHN, Sec. 35; P.O.Atkinson; farmer; from Canada. JOHNSON NILS, Sec. 18; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Meth; from Sweden. JOHNSON ROBERT, Sec. 26; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Ind. Rep; from Ireland.

KENNEDY CHAS. Sec. 7; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Dem; Cath; from Ireland; 80 acres. KIRKENDALL, ARCHIBALD, Farmer, Sec. 19; P.O; Geneseo; born in Wayne Co.

$4.000; wife was E. S. Zeprnick, born in Ohio, June 28, 1844; has one child. KRIEFBAUM G. L. Sec. 30; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Dem; from Ohio; 154 acres. KROPF JOHN, Sec. 10; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Dem; Luth; from Germany; 140 acres. KROPF P., P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Dem; Luth; from Germany; 40 acres. KUEHL C. Atkinson; store; Dem; from Prussia.

McKIBBON W. A. Sec. 33, P.O. Geneseo; miner; Dem; from Maryland. McLOUGHLIN C. Sec. 4, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Dem; Cath; from Ireland. McNAMEE JAS. Sec. 33, P.O. Atkinson; works from J. K. Trekell; Rep; from N.Y. McQUEE^Y J. Sec. 30, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Dem; Cath; from Ireland.

MAXKINS OTIS W. Farmer, Sec. 21, P.O. Atkinson; born in Washington Co. Ohio, Aug. 31, 1842; came to this county in 1854; Dem; owns So acres of land, valued at $3,200 wife was Charlotte R. Doty, born March 28, 1847; in Henry Co. Ills.; married Aug. 29, 1867; has two children.

MILAR ROBERT W. Carpenter, Atkinson; born in Somerset Co. Pa. July 29, 1824; came to this county in 1855; Rep; owns 80 acres of land and a house and lot, valued at $4,200; wife was Rebecca Knisely, born in Tuscarawas Co. Ohio, Sept. 25, 1831; married July S, 1849; has four children.

MOWBRAY JOHN, Brickmaker, Sec. 32, P.O. Atkinson; born in Durham Co. England, Aug. I, 1841; came to this county in 1869; Rep; Meth. Epis; wife was Elizabeth Lowes, born in 1839, in England; married 1863; has four children.

MOSSEY W. A. Farmer, Atkinson; born in Rutland Co. Vermont, June 22, 1839; came to this county in 1868; Rep; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $5,000; enlisted Sept. 1862, in I2th Vt. Vols. and served nine months; wile was Louisa Nowers; she was born in Oneida Co. New York, May 2, 1845; married March 31, 1868; has two children.

MYERS JACOB, Farmer. Atkinson; born in Franklin Co. Pa. Oct. 14, 1831; came to this county in 1855; Rep; owns 400 acres of land, valued at $20,000; first wife was Ellen Fritz, married Nov. I, 1855; had three children; second wife was Mary J. Algar; she had two children by first husband, and married Mr. Myers, Feb. 10, 1867.

NOWERS THOMAS Jr. Merchant, Atkinson; born in Oneida Co. N.Y. on the I2th Feb 1834; came to this county in 1856; Rep; owns real e tate valued at $7,500; was Supervisor six years; wife was ->arah A. Mussey, born in Rutland Co. Vt. Sept. 15, 1834; married Nov. 18, 1861; has one child, Kate F.

B. C. Sec. 21; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Dem; 111; interest in 160 acres. OGDEN" DAVID, Atkinson; Dem; from Ky. OGDEN W. H. Atkinson; coal miner; Dem; born in III. OTTERMAN J. W. Rev. Atkinson; Meth. Epis. minister; Rep; from Pa. OUGH WM. Atkinson; wagon-maker; Dem; from England.

JOHN, Sec. 35; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Dem. PALMER H. A. Sec. 4; P.O.Atkinson; farmer; Dem; from N.Y. ; 160 acres. PARKS A. Sec. 33; P.O. Atkinson; coal miner; Rep; from Scotland. PARKS E. Sec. 33; P.O. Atkinson; coa! miner; Rep; from Scotland. PARRISH NELS P. Sec. 29; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; Luth; from Sweden. PARRTSH N. P. J. Sec. 28; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Luth; from Sweden; 80 acres. PARRISH SWAN, Atkinson; shoemaker; Luth; Sweden. PARSONS A. Atkinson; Rep; U. Breth; from Conn. PAYNE GEO. Sec. 19; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; from England. PEXWK1.L J. N. Sec. 18; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; born 111; So acres. PETERSON A. N. Sec. S; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; Meth. Epis; from Sweden; 200 acres.

RANFT JOHN, Shoemaker, Atkinson; born in Prussia, Dec. 25, 1829; came to this county in iS"6i; Rep; Cong; owns house and lot and shop, value $5,000; wife was Mary E. Romig, born in Ohio, April 14, 1837; married June 29, 1865; has three children, Hattie, John and William.

SCHWENNINGER ANDREW, Farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Geneseo; born in Wurtemburg, July I, 1826; came to this county in 1866; Rep; Evang; owns 133 acres of land, valued two children; Dem; owns house and lot, val. $3,300. STARK A. Sec 32, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; Luth; from Sweden. STARK ANDREW, Sec. 32, P.O. Atkinson; farmer. STEELE J. Sec. 10, P.O.Atkinson; farmer; from Saxony; loo acres. STEIDENS G. J. Sec. 3, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Dem; Luth; from Saxony. STEINER G. W. Sec. 33, P.O. Atkinson; miner; Dem; from Pa. STEINER J. Sec. 33, P.O. Atkinson; miner; Dem; from Pa.

STEMBERGER H. Sec. 10, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; from Germany; 120 acres. STRALEY JOHN, Atkinson; stoves and tinware; Rep; Meth. Epis; from Germany. STRYKER D. P. Sec. 23, P.O. Atkinson; Rep; from N. Y. SUHR E. Sec. 27; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; Cath; from Prussia; 120 acres. SWANSON A. P. Sec. 7, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; Luth; from Sweden. SWANSON A. P. Sec. 5, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; Luth; from Sweden; 80 acres. SWANSON J., P.O. Annawan; farmer; Rep; Luth; from Sweden. SYLER C. Sec. 2, P.O.Atkinson; farmer; Dem; 312 acres.

J. Atkinson; engineer; Rep; Meth. Epis; from N.Y. TASSELL JOHN, Sec. 14, P.O. A kinson; farmer; U. Brethren; from England. TICKLE MILTON, Sec. 28, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep. TAYLOR J. S. Sec. 33, P.O. Atkinson; miner; Dem; Henry Co. TIFT H. Sec. 17, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Dem; from Conn; 40 acres.

TREKELL, JOHN K. Farmer, Sec. 33, P.O. Atkinson; born in Tippecanoe Co. Ind. July 20, 1834; came to this Co. in 1836; Rep; owns 325 acres of land, valued at $20,000; was Commissioner of Highways five years; wife was Theresa Walters, born March 3, 1845 in Tuscarawas Co. Ohio; married Feb. 13, 1860; has three children.

TRECKLE M. Sec. 28, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; 150 acres. TROVINS J. M. Atkinson; teacher; Dem; Bapl; from Pa. TOSLAND SAML. Sec. 15, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; from England.

* VERCRUISSE PETER, Sec. 24; P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Cath; from Belgium. VARIIAAKA A. Sec. 17, P.O. Atkinson; farmer on E. Burrall's farm; Rep; Cath; Belgium.

WALTERS D. Sec. 34, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; Meth. Epis; from Ohio. WANDEL JOHN, Sec. 29, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Cath; from Belgium. WARD JOS. Sec. 31, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; Meth. Epis; from England; 150 acres. WATSON E. B. Atkinson; meat market; Dem; from N.Y.

WEIRMOUTH W. W. Sec. 32, P.O. Atkinson; prop, coal mine; from England. WELCH B. F. Sec. 32, P.O. Atkinson; farmer, lives with Z. Welch; from Ohio. WELCH J. Sec. 28, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; 'Dem; from Pa; 70 acres. WELCH THOS. Atkins n; farmer; Dem; from Pa; 160 acres. WELCH Z. Sec. 32, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Meth. Epis; from Pa; 120 acres. WELLS Z. J. Atkinson; restaurant; Dem; from Ohio.

WETERHOLL NILS, Sec. 29, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; Luth; from Sweden. WILLIAMS FRED. Sec. 33, P.O. Atkinson; coal miner; Rep; from Maine. WISELY J. J. Atkinson; restaurant; Dem; from Penn.

WITHERSPOON R. M. Sec. 32, P.O. Atkinson; farmer and coal miner; Rep; from Scotland. WOLF S. N. Atkinson; carpenter; Dem; Dunkard; from Pa. WONDERLY DAXIEL. W. Carpenter, Atkinson; born in Cumberland Co. Pa.. May

WONDERLY J. W. Sec. 25, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Dem; from Pa; 160 acres. WOOD A. W. Sec. 15, P.O. Atkinson; farmer; Rep; from Mass, 80 acres. WOOD F. L. Sec. 33, P.O. Atkinson; miner; Rep; from Conn. WOOD H. P. Atkinson; store; Rep; from 111.

Business Directory County Treasurer

Situated on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, thirty miles east of Rock Island, is a thriving grain and stock shipping town. It was laid out in 1858 by Charles Atkinson, one of the early settlers in the Rock River valley. Mr. Atkinson now resides at Moline, in Rock Island County.

Atkinson contains an excellent graded school, three churches, viz. : Congregational, Methodist and Catholic ; two grain elevators, and a third in process of erection ; one drug store, two dry goods stores, two groceries, one hardware, stove and tinware establishment, one agricultural implement warehouse, three blacksmith and two wagon and carriage shops.

Incorporation

At a meeting of the legal voters held in the public school house, January 12, 1867, it was voted that the village of Atkinson be incorporated. Nineteen votes were cast - eleven for, and eight against incorporation. John Ashley, Jr., was chosen President of the meeting, and Luke Wells, Clerk.

The election for village officers was held at Nowers Bros.' Hall, January 19, 1867, and resulted in the choice of the following Board of Directors : Levi W. Carter, John Ashley, Jr., George R. Babbitt, John M. Brown, Thomas Nowers, Sen.

and Treasurer ; and William H. Evans, Corporation Constable. March 2, 1867, the Board defined the limits of the village to be one mile square.

Congregational Church. This church was organized in 1864. The same year the house of worship was erected at a cost of $2,700. The parsonage -was built in 18ti8, and cost about $1,100. The members number about sixty. Pastor, Rev. John A. Griffin.

Methodist Episcopal Church. The first Methodist preaching in this place was by Father White, who resided near Kewanee. He came here and preached in the school-house as early as 1857. The first class was organized by Rev. D. M. Hill, who was followed by Rev. O. W. Pollard. Rev. Mr. Knowlton succeeded the last mentioned. Then came the following, in the order named: Rev. Mr. Sheldon, Rev. G. M. Morey, Rev. Ralph Kinney, Rev. G. C. Woodruff, Rev. A. C. Frick, Rev. M. D. Heckard, Rev. William Odell, Rev. J. J. Fleharty, Rev. M. A. Head, Rev. C. W. Swartz, Rev. G. C. Woodruff, Rev. A. Keller, and the present pastor, Rev. J. W. Otterman.

Roman Catholic Church. Organized in 1871, in which year the church was built, costing $1,200. The present pastor was settled over the church in 1875.

Is the oldest town in the county. It was laid out in April, 1886, on the south bank of Rock River, on Section 81, by George Charles, Surveyor of Knox County, for Charles Atkinson and James D. Tabor. It was located on the stage-route from Knoxville to Galena, and was one of the stopping places on that route. The first log cabins in the village were erected in the Summer following the survey, by George Brandenburg and Thos. Glenn, for George Tyler and Charles Atkinson - that of the latter being a double log house, one-half used for a dwelling and one-half for a store. Each of these buildings has been lately torn away to make room for other improvements. During that same season, the first temperance society of this region of country was formed in this, double log cabin (this was then part of Knox County), and here the earliest election in Henry County was held. At that date, Whiteside County was included in this precinct, and at the election held for President - Martin Van Buren being elected - the whole number of votes, of the entire precinot, was seventy-two, three of which were Democratic.

E. N. Wells and Charles Atkinson erected the first frame houses in the county in Cleveland. They are yet standing and are now used as dwellings. In 1869, or '70, a grist mill was erected by the Cleveland Hydraulic Company. It is on the river bank, and uses water as the motive power. The town is mainly filled with a mining population, who find employment in the extensive coal mines about the town. The entire surface of the country here is underlaid with a rich vein of block coal, and many hundreds of car loads are annually brought from the hill bordering the town, and shipped to other points. Three or four stores, one hotel, four or five saloons, and several shops, constitute the business portion of the town. The number of inhabitants is about 250. Distiict school has been maintained regularly in the village since its earliest days. In 1875, the number of pupils becoming too great for the accommodations, the present comfortable two -story school -house was erected, and two teachers are now employed. The attendance is now about one hundred.

The oldest religious society in the county was organized in Cleveland. It was effected in the house of Mr. P. K. Hanna, with few members. It grew slowly for many years, and much time elapsed ere the little band of worshipers were able to erect a house of worship. Now they are strong, and occupy a very commodious church.

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois : Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, Together with Portraits and Biographies of All the Governors of Illinois, and of the Presidents of the United States; Also Containing a History of the County, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, published 1885; 1,035 words in this source stream.

Atkinson Township

PKINSON was named after Charles Atkinson, now of Moline, one of the early settlers of this county. He owned large quantities of land in the township and all the land on which the village is situated. The first settler in Atkinson Township was Andrew Tay- He died here many years ago. One of his John, lives in Cornwall, and a daughter, Mrs. Hamilton, lives in Geneseo,

Asa Crook is probably the oldest settler now living in the township. He made his improvement on section 18. J. W. Little was one of the early settlers. John Welch was another early settler and was quite a prominent man while he lived here. He went to Nebraska. One of his daughters is still in the township ; married her cousin, B. F. Welch. The. most important family were the Nowers, Thomas Nowers, Sr., and his sons and daughters, David Walters, the Trekells and Trekell's brother-in-law, D. W. Wonderly. The last named are all now in Nebraska. R. M. Besse and Henry Bass are both well known early settlers.

A large part of this township is in the Green River swamps. There were very few settlers came. into it until after the building of the railroad in 1854, and the extensive drainage of the swamp and overflow lands, which was commenced in 1856. Jacob Meyers came in 1855 ; the same year Robert W. Milar. Otis W. Mankins came in 1854. John K. Trekell came to the county in 1836. He is a native of Ohio. His wife was Theresa Walters, of Ohio. They were married Feb. 13, i860.

W. MILAR came from Ohio and settled in what is now the town in 1856. He found living in this vicinity when he came Lorenzo Eldridge, now of Chicago ; Stephen Trekell, who left for California and died on the way on shipboard ; Henry Bass, living two and a half miles north ; E. R. Lucas, the present Town Street Commissioner ; Benj. Shearer, who returned to his old home in the East; James W. English, Z. Welch, Hiram Grant and Michael Milar (the last four deceased), and John Crosby, now living in the southern part of the county ; George Rummell, living in Geneseo; David Walters, in Nebraska; John Rummell, in Iowa; John Heller, in Missouri; Asa Crook, living near the village ; John Bowen (deceased) ; Harry and Henry Fanes, now in Kansas ; George Williams, living north of Green River; C. J. Gearheart, living on Green River; M. W. Taylor (deceased); E. F. Rose, in Chicago; George Lowbauch, in Geneseo ; Andrew Miner, in Iowa ; Sperry Howard (deceased), and some think he was about the first settler in the township ; and Wally Smith, who went West years ago.

R. W. Milar's family were the first that got moved into the village proper. He built the first dwelling. There were two other houses going up at the same time, but Mr. Milar it seems worked the fastest and was a day or two ahead of the others. This first house occupied is now the property of Fred. Kizer. One of the other two houses is now the hotel of the place. It was .built by Trekell. The other building was the first store room in the place, by N. W. Taylor. It is now a harness shop on State Street. Taylor was the first store-keeper and Postmaster.

With this flush start for a good town, the people put up as the fourth building a school-house. It is now a dwelling and belongs to Thomas Nowers, Jr. At one time additions were put to it and it became a hotel, and when it served its day in this line the additions were separated and made into two dwellings, one of which is occupied by the agent, Emmons, and the other by A. R. Walters. George Lowbauch put up the next building. It is now occupied by Daniel Seybert. Then Dr. Lucas put up a dwelling. He sold to Brandon and left this part of the country. Brandon died some 25 years ago. Slusser then built just north of Milar's. Isaac Fry erected a building on Mai:. Street, on the same block of Trekell's building. Then E. F. Rose, just south of Milar's, and then Babbit built. Then E. F. Rose erected his elevator and opened it for the trade of the farmers. Stephen Trekell then put up his store-room. Lorenzo Eldridge built and opened his store about the same time, and soon after this Samuel Brant put up his building. The first brick building was erected in 1867, by Edward Everett.

The first school taught in the place was by Elizabeth Nowers, now Mrs. Henry L. Lyon. Rev. Wm. White.'ofthe Methodist Episcopal Church, preached the first sermon in the place.

A notice for the people to meet and vote upon the question of town organization was posted Jan. 12, 1867, signed by Luke Wills, Amos Fry and John }<?* Ashley. There were 19 votes cast at the election, <jj> n for and 8 against organization. A charter was obtained, and at the first election, Thomas Nowers, Sr., President, Dr. Levi Carter, John Ashley, Jr.,

George R. Babbitt and John M. Brown were elected a Board of Trustees, and John Ashley, Clerk. The town was under its special charter until June, 1878, when by a vote it changed to the general incorporation law.

The present population is 500; has four churches : - The Methodist Episcopal Church, the Free Methodist, Congregationalist and Catholic. Three drygoods stores, five groceries, one bank and one hotel.

The present village officers are, John Straly, President; John W. Smith, John Johnson, John English, John F. Nowers, J. C. Pierson ; and Charles E. Sheldon, Clerk.

The Congregational Church was organized in 1864. The same year they built their church at a cost of $2,700. The parsonage was built in 1868.

The M. E. Church was organized in 1857, by Rev. White, mentioned above as preaching the first sermon. Revs. D. M. Hill, O.W. Pollard and Knowlton were the Pastors in charge. Then Revs. Sheldon, Morey, Kinney, Woodruff, Frick, Heckard, Odell, Fleharty, Head, Swartz,- Woodruff, Keller and Otterman. The church building cost $3,500.