Beaverville Township

Beaverville Township

So named in honor of William Thaw, a prominent railroad man of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is also situated on the Gilman & Springfield railroad, about four miles southwest of Ridgeville. It is situated on the northeast corner of lot 5, in N.W. \ of Sec. 6, T. 25, R. 10 E. Taylor John is proprietor. It was platted about November 1, 1871. It contains a large grain elevator, owned by G. P. Coinstock & Co., and managed by B. H. Skeels for P. Risser & Sons, Onarga. The population numbers about 100.

ing and parsonage, built in 1875. The Rev. Mr. Sergeant was the first pastor. There is also a fine two-story school-house, built in 1876, designed for a graded school. C. C. Stone, of Oilman, has a branch store here. There are also one drug store, a furniture store, and a blacksmith's shop and hardware store by Gr. E. Butler. Thawville has a library of over 200 volumes; also a temperance union and a debating club. Mrs. A. M. Caswell is postmistress. B. H. Skeels deals in lumber as well as grain. The shipments from this point during 1879 were very large, consisting of corn, flax-seed, live-stock, oats, rye, timothy seed, aggregating nearly 200,000 bushels, and over 120,000 pounds of butter, poultry, etc. %]

In this part]of Ridgeland is found an enterprise called the Thawville Dairy Association, a joint-stock company organized in February, 1878, under the general state law. It has paid out over $1,100 in the erection and fitting up of a creamery, and is out of debt. The business of 1879 paid dividends of five per cent. The plan of operating is to receive in and weigh the milk and make monthly settlements, the patrons receiving four-fifths and the company one-fifth of the net proceeds. It is interesting tb note the details of this important enterprise, showing what can be done in this direction to develop the manufacturing interests of the country where excellent water and fine Jand abundant pasturage are found. The product during the season for 1879 amounted to 19,814 pounds of butter, which sold at an average of 21£ cents per pound, realizing to the patrons an average profit of 60£ cents per 100 pounds of milk. The smallest amount of butter made [in any one month being 1,723 pounds in October; and the largest, 3,669 pounds in June. The smallest price was 15^ cents per pound in June, and the largest, 30f cents in October.

There are two other "institutions" found in the town of Ridgeland, which must be noticed. The Farmers Pioneer Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, organized and went into operation January 1, 1875, with David Metzgar as president ; Charles W. Sprague, secretary ; and W. R. Yeatch, treasurer. It is run on the mutual plan, and is controlled entirely by farmers, and nothing but farm property is insured. Since it organization no loss has been incurred. The original premium of two mills on the dollar has therefore covered all expenses. When a loss does occur, a pro-rata assessment will be made. The amount of property at present covered by the risks of this company is about $125,000.

There is but one cemetery in the township, situated on the northwest corner of Sec. 5, T. 25, R. 10 E. It contains as yet but few graves. Mention has been made of the only tree that, about 1860, stood in the township. This tree was known as the "Lone Tree," and was at that time a conspicuous object. It stands on Mr. Kenoche's farm, near the bank of a branch of Spring creek, and is now surrounded by quite a large grove of native trees. It is said that " Onarga," the daughter of an Indian chief, was buried beneath its shade, having been killed by a jealous lover.

Biographical

Bellias H. Skeels, dealer in grain, coal and lumber, Thawville, came to Iroquois county in 1853, from Columbus, Ohio. His father had previously sent a large number of cattle to this section for herding, but died before accomplishing his purpose, viz : to embark largely in the raising of cattle. Mr. Skeels came to see the country and has since remained, with one or two brief exceptions. His first regular occupation was teaching. He was afterward engaged in farming. Mr. Skeels was born in Columbus, March 12, 1835. His parents, Truman and Betsey B. Skeels, both died in that city. Mr. Skeels is essentially a selftaught man, his educational advantages being such as was afforded in a log school-house. July 5, 1857, he was married to Miss Elvina Wiswell, daughter of E. M. Wiswell, a distinguished Odd-Fellow in the state of Illinois. Miss Wiswell was born in Morgan county, Illinois, December 10, 1841. They have two children : Luella and Jeraldine. The eldest is married to W. J. Thrasher, of Thawville. Mr. Skeels was in Onarga before a house was built there. After the firing on Fort Sumter, Mr. Skeels assisted to raise a company, and served for two and a-half years as first lieutenant in the 25th 111. Yol. Inf. He has been engaged extensively in business and is widely known. He was deputy United States assessor during President Johnson's administration, and has also served one term as deputy sheriff in this county. He was the first agent of the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield railroad at Thawville station, and held this position several years. He is a Mason and an Odd-Fellow, and a member of the Grand Lodge of this state.

Samuel F. Everett, farmer, Ridgeville, son of Jacob and Mary Everett, was born in Halifax, Vermont, December 18, 1823. He lived with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and learned the trade of machinist, at Worcester, Massachusetts. He then went to Lawrence and remained about seven years working at his trade. While here he married Miss Harriet Sweet. He is next found at Rochester, New York, where he lived two years, still following his trade. Mr. Everett then came to Chicago, and after some consideration, concluded to settle in Iroquois county, and engage in farming. In furtherance of this plan he located on the land he now resides, about 1853. Mr. Everett has four children living : Carrie P., Edward S., Charles W. and Hattie C. Mr. Everett's brother, Joel S., was educated at Amherst, and went as a missionary to Smyrna, where he died. Mr. Everett has a fine farm about two miles west of Onarga, and is emphatically a self-made man. He is a member of the Iroquois County Agricultural Society.

Robert Looker, farmer, Del Rey, came to Iroquois county in 1855. He first preempted 80 acres in Sec. 27, T. 26, R. 10 E. At that time there were but two or three houses on the prairie. Here he remained about two years, and then lost his claim and improvements through some chicanery. Mr. Looker suffered greatly through the sickness of his wife. After losing his claim he bought of the Illinois Central railroad the land on which he now lives, lot 2 in N.W. \ of Sec. 4, T. 25, R. 10 E., at $14 per acre, and after paying the interest on his purchase had $3 left with which to begin again. Here he has remained, and has now a fine farm of 80 acres. Mr. Looker has done a great deal of wellboring, having bored over 300 wells, most of them in this county. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, July 26, 1829. "When nineteen years old he married his first wife, Miss Eliza Gee, and they raised a family of two children : John and Mary. About 1850 he emigrated to Canada and farmed about four years. Hearing of the rich lands of Illinois, he came, and selecting a claim, built a house, and then returned for his family. His wife died after a sickness of two years. He then married his second wife, who also died and left two children. April 3, 1866, he was married to Mrs. Sarah Conn, whose father was one of the oldest settlers in this county. They have two children : Cora M. and Edwin O. Mr. Looker has experienced some severe losses, especially of horses; yet these have been retrieved through great energy and determination. Mr. Looker's father lived and died on the farm in England that had been continuously occupied by his ancestors during a period of 128 years. He and wife are members of the M. E. church.

Henry B. Booth, farmer, Thawville, came to Iroquois county in 1856 from Oneida county, New York, where he was born July 6, 1829. Previous to coming here he spent five years in Canada in the lumber business. He settled on Sec. 32, T. 26, R. 10 E., where he has since resided. As illustrative of some of the dangers and trials of the early settlers, Mr. Booth related the incident of a destructive prairie fire, which is given in the history of Ridgeland. June 16, 1853, Mr. Booth married Miss Sophronia A. Brown, daughter of Jabesh Brown, of Madison county, New York. She was born May 18, 1833. They have had six children, of whom William E., Charles H., Chauncy, LaMott R. and George are living. A daughter, Jennie, died in infancy. Mr. Booth has a beautiful farm and a model home. He has received a liberal education.

Garner Oliver, grain and coal dealer, Ridgeville, son of Garner and Mary Oliver, was born in Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire county, England, May 7, 1831. His father was a veterinary surgeon. Mr. Oliver learned the trade of blacksmith. When twenty years of age he left England, alone, and coming to the United States, stopped one year in Cayuga county, New York, and finally located at Michigan City. Here he found profitable employment in the car-shops. While here he was married to Miss Isabella Watts, June 18, 1855. In consequence of the great prices realized for farm products during the Crimean war, and inspired by such reports as this: "A man in Kankakee county broke and fenced a quantity of land, planted sod-corn, and from his sales the first year, paid for all his land and fences," Mr. Oliver was induced to turn his attention to farming. He came to Iroquois county in 1856 and located on section 21, township 26, which land he entered at the government land office. At that time there was no house west within thirteen miles. The country abounded with game and wolves. About this time also a constant stream of emigration set in. The first year nothing was raised in consequence of dry weather. Subsequently wet weather produced the same results. Those who meant business and profited by experience were able to improve this state of things by opening ditches, hence their condition has constantly improved. Mr. Oliver is one of the persevering kind of men, and has succeeded where others have failed or ignominously retired from this strife with natural obstacles. Mr. Oliver set up a forge soon after he came, and his customers frequently came from a distance of fifteen miles. This was the first shop of the kind erected in the township. Mr. Oliver is one of the original proprietors of the village of Ridgeville, and is now extensively engaged in the grain and coal trade. He has two children: Susan J. and Garner W. The daughter is now the wife of F. Jameo

Isaac W. Wilson, farmer, Onarga, came into Iroquois county from Seneca Falls, New York, in 1856. He was born in Warren county, New Jersey, April 23, 1824. When twenty-one years of age he left his native place, and finally came to Seneca county, where he learned the trade", of iron-molder, and continued to work at it while in that state. Mr. Wilson was married in Oneida county to Miss Sarah Gaylord, December 1, 1847. In 1856 he removed to Iroquois county and settled on 80 acres in section 22, town 26. He lias since added more land, so that now his farm contains 240 acres. Mr. Wilson has filled various local offices, and for four years was president of the County Agricultural Society. He was the youngest of -nine children. His father, William, died while he was yet an infant ; hence he has always been dependent on his own efforts. Mr. Wilson has no children. Pie is a Mason. When he came to this township there was not a fence or building outside of Onarga, and but few buildings within the town.

In Alfred N. Gabel, Sr., farmer, Onarga, we find the characteristics of a remarkable man. He was born in the city of Philadelphia, November 1, 1821, and educated at the Pennsylvania University. Originally designed for the ministry, ill health compelled him to abandon this design, and he resorted to teaching in the public schools. In this position Mr. Gabel was not content to follow in the " old ways." but was able to carry out his own peculiar and progressive ideas on the subject of education. His direct ancestry reaches far beyond the period of the founding of Philadelphia. At the age of twenty -five Mr. Gabel abandoned teaching, and undertook the management of the extensive Bloomery & Taylor Iron Works, in Hampshire county, Virginia. Here his scientific knowledge became practically available, and he was able to introduce many improvements in the processes of manufacture. In this business he continued about ten years, when it became necessary for him to return home to settle his father's estate. This required three years. In 1845 he married Miss Ellen B. Beal, of London, England, whose father had been inspector of vessels in the British navy. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Gabel came to Illinois and made a contract with the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and returning to Philadelphia, commenced selling railroad lands. In 1857 he removed with his family to Iroquois county, and settled in Onarga. Here he began the cultivation of 200 acres, seven miles northwest of Onarga. At the end of two years he sold this farm and continued to live in Onarga until 1862, when he enlisted in the 9th 111. Cav., but was discharged soon after through sickness. He afterward managed a rented farm near Onarga, and in 1865 bought the place on which he has since resided, about two and a half miles west. Mr. Gabel's specialty has been the manufacture of syrup and sugar from the sorghum cane. In this he has been remarkably successful, producing a very superior article. His product for 1879 was about 5,000 gallons. He has succeeded in making a good article of sugar, and is still experi- meriting, believing that still better results can be obtained. He is using improved apparatus, and aims to prosecute his work on purely scientific principles. He commenced the work in 1858 on a Cook's evaporator. Mr. Gabel has lately invented what he calls a "fertilizer dropper," designed to be attached to a corn-planter. He has used it successfully, and thinks that his corn crop has been advanced by at least three-weeks time through its use. Mr. Gabel has five children living : Emma V., Louisa F., Alfred 1ST., Jr., Charles Beal and Luther L. Anson L. Lisk, father of Byron and Allen G., came to this county at an early day. and was truly one of the pioneers' of its civilization. He was the special friend of all new comers, and lost much through his disposition to accommodate others. He was a man of untiring energy, and was fond of improving new farms, and was carefully attentive to the planting of all kinds of trees. His children, as well as others, are now enjoying the benefit of his care and forethought. Every part of the farms now occupied by the two sons whose names stand at the head of this article are constant reminders of the father " who being dead yet speaketh." He did not confine his attention to any one class of trees, but evergreens, fruit, shade and ornamental trees were planted. Truly lie made the prairie to " bud and blossom as the rose." He was born in Albany county, New York, which place he left about the year 1847, and with his family, consisting of wife and one son, came to Michigan, where he remained about twelve years. He removed to Iroquois county in 1859 and located on the KE. i of Sec. 5, T. 25, E. 10 E. Mr. Lisk was associated with others in the purchase of land, upon some portion of which he continued to reside until his death. His two sons and only children, Allen G. and Byron, now occupy the land he owned, and have continued to improve and beautify the same. They are on adjoining farms, the former living in Artesia township. Allen was born in Albany county, December 4, 1845 ; Bjrron in Michigan, February 25, 1850. He was educated at Grand Prairie Seminary and at the Illinois Industrial University. Both the brothers are largely interested in local improvements and are stockholders in the Thawville Creamery. Allen is a director of the Fanners Pioneer Fire and Lightning Insurance Company. Byron has devoted considerable attention to dairying, and during 1879 had the management of the creamery. Allen married Miss Ruth Bliss, February 12, 1868, and has five children. Byron was married, February 12, 1870 to Miss Alice Henderson; they have three children. The mother of these sons, Mrs. Garritee Lisk, and wife of Anson, taught the first school in this part of the township, in her own house (the same now occupied by Mr. Veatch). Another

Jacob C. Shear, farmer, Thawville, was born in Albany county, New York, November 19, 1828. His parents were Stephen and Gertrude Shear. The family came to Seneca county, same state, when Mr. Shear was three years of age. He received such an education as the public schools of New York afforded. When twenty years old Mr. Shear married his first wife, Miss Harriet Steward, by whom he had one child, Francis, now married. Mr. Shear removed from Seneca county in 1858, and after stopping in Indiana a short time, came to Iroquois county in May, 1859, and located on section 5, town 25, range 10 E. In September, 1861, he enlisted and was made first lieutenant, Co. M., 9th 111. Cav. He served nearly three years, principally in Arkansas, till 1863, then from Memphis to Corinth, and through Mississippi. A large part of this time he was acting captain, the captain being wounded. Mr. Shear has also served one term, 1877 and 1878, as sheriff of Iroquois county. For his second wife he married Miss Libbie Reading. They had two children : Charles and Herbert. About eleven years since he married Sarah Brown. They have three children : Thomas, Gertrude and Tenyke. Mr. Shear has a fine farm of 240 acres. He is a member of the Onarga Lodge, "Watseka Chapter. In politics he is a republican.

Christian Knoche, farmer, Ridgeville, was born in Germany, July 3, 1821. He was married in his native land, and in 1848 emigrated to the United States with his wife and parents. They landed at New Orleans, and passing up the Mississippi, settled on land in St. Francois county, Missouri. Leaving his parents established here, he went to work in the iron furnaces, and devoted his earnings to the purchase of land. He continued in this way during eight years, then sold out and made another purchase in the same county. About this time he began to experience trouble from the guerillas, and was obliged to sell his property for what he could get. The family being obliged to leave the country, came to Iroquois county in 1864, and purchased 320 acres in section 28, town 26, where they have since remained. Mr. Knoche has a very fine farm, and has given much attention to stock-raising. He has recently built one of the finest farm-houses in the county. On this farm is a most remarkable artesian well. The flow of water through a four-inch tube is very powerful. Mr. Knoche has been very successful in his business. They have five children : John, Henry, Lizzie, Louisa and Anna, all of whom have received, or are receiving, a liberal education.

he was two years of age his parents removed to Livingston county, New York, where they remained four years. They then came to Racine and finally removed to McHenry county, Illinois, where his father died. His father was by trade a carpenter, but devoted himself largely to farming. In February, 1862, Mr. Howe married Miss Mary J. Lockwood, daughter of Zephaniah Lockwood. They have three children : William H., born November, 1862; Mattie L., born December, 1864; and Oscar, born August, 18T6. In 1865 Mr. Howe came to Iroquois county and commenced farming operations on the northwest quarter of Sec. 4, T. 25, R. 10. He engaged largely in stock-raising and general farming, - manufacturing his own dairy products. He has a fine farm of 120 acres.

Lemuel Grove, farmer, Onarga, came to this county in the spring of 1866, from Fairfield county, Ohio, and settled in Ash Grove, where he remained three years. He then removed to this township and located on Sec. 35, T. 26, R. 10, where he now lives. Mr. Grove was born February 3, 1836. His father served in the war of 1812. His wife's father was a major in the Ohio militia during the Mexican war. Mr. Grove was married in Ohio, October 17, 1865, to Miss Mary E. Jackson, who was born September 8, 1846. At the first call of the president for 75,000 troops, Mr. Grove enlisted, and immediately after the discharge of the three-months men, he reenlisted in Co. F, 46th Ohio Inf. At the organization of his company he was made orderlysergeant, and acted as such for about two years. He was then appointed first lieutenant and soon after was made captain, which rank he held at the time of his discharge at the close of the war. Mr. Grove saw his first heavy fighting at Pittsburg Landing. He was in the campaigns of Corinth and Yicksburg, also in the movements and battles in and around Atlanta, and in Sherman's march to the sea; then up the route pursued by Sherman, and his military career in the " twenty-one miles of boys in blue," at Washington. Mr. Grove served in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. True, he had received some slight wounds, but was always "ready for duty," until at Atlanta, August 3, 1864, he received a gunshot wound in the eye. Mr. Grove was sent to the hospital, and after remaining a month was offered his discharge, but refused it, and served through the remainder of the war. The ball is still in his head. That is the kind of men who assisted so efficiently in putting down the greatest rebellion the world ever saw. Mr. Grove has had seven children. The eldest died in infancy. The names of the six living are : Alice E., John S., Etta P., Gracie J., S. Lillian and Jesse. Both the parents are consistent members of the M. E. church.

and Mehitable Butler, was born in Farmington, Maine, September 4, 1840. In 1851 the family removed to La Salle county, Illinois, and settled on a farm. Mr. Butler was brought up on a farm, and received such an education as the limited advantages of that time afforded. In 1866 Mr. Butler purchased the land in section 6, town 25, on which he now lives. The following year he came to this county to remain. February 19, 1868, he married Miss Julia Shear*, of Seneca county, New York, who was at the time visiting her brother, J. C. Shear. She was born February 13, 1834, and is the daughter of Peter P. and Sarah Shear, who were Quakers. They have had three children, two of whom, Luella and Estella, are dead. The living child is named Addison. September 7, 1861, Mr. Butler enlisted in Co. A, of Yates' Sharpshooters, afterward known as the 64th 111. Inf. ; was disabled through sickness from active service and discharged. Mr. Butler was one of the active promoters of the " Thawville Dairy Association," and at present has the business in charge. He is also supervisor of the town of Ridgeland, and was chiefly instrumental in securing its separation from Onarga.

Charles Cornwell, farmer, Onarga, moved to Iroquois county twelve years ago, and settled on the farm he now occupies, northwest of the village of Onarga. He is the son of Gilbert and Samantha Cornwell, and was born in Schoharie county, New York, March 23, 1831. In 1846 the family moved to Tazewell county, Illinois, and here his father engaged in farming. Indeed, Charles has passed his life on a farm. November 9, 1853, he married Miss Maria Lovelett, who was born February 22, 1834, in Westchester county, New York. They have three children : Dora S., Lester L. and Arthur H. They are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Cornwell and family represent in character and home qualities that type or class who have given such a pronounced social elevation as characterized the people in this section of Iroquois county.

William E,. Yeatch, farmer, Thawville, was born in Eoss county, Ohio, November 6, 1830. He is the son of Thomas J. and Catherine Veatch. His father died when he was very young. Mr. Yeatch married Miss Margaret E. Fearl, September 23, 1855, in Koss county, and soon after, with all his goods, mother, brothers and sister, with three-- horse teams, traversed the country to Livingston county, Illinois, where they located and commenced farming and cattle-raising. Here Mr. Yeatch remained until 1869, when he removed to this county, and settled on the N.E. £ of Sec. 5, T. 25, R. 10, where he has since resided. He has a fine farm, and has been successful in his business, and is highly respected in the community. Mr. Yeatch has given much attention to the raising of " graded " stock. He is a director in the Farmers Pioneer Fire and Lightning Insurance Company. He has five children : Henry F., George H., Lenora D., Margaret II., Thomas S. Henry is married and living in Artesia on a farm.

Fountain Creek was a portion of Ash Grove, and was early known "as the Ash Grove country. The Grove, a corner only of which skirts this township, was the first timber, as travelers came north from Bicknell's Point (Rossville), between which point and this was the stretch of prairie which had a dread to those passing over, either in the storms of winter or the terrible dangers of summer fires. Fountain Creek is the center of the southern tier of townships, being bounded on the north by Ash Grove, on the east by Lovejoy, on the south by Yermilion county, and on the west by Pigeon Grove, and is described legally as town 24, range 13 west of the 2d principal meridian, being a full congressional township of thirty-six sections. The creek runs directly across the town from section 34 to section 1. The soil is rich and deep, having very few untillable acres ; the prairie is sufficiently rolling, and there is little that could be added to improve it. As before stated, there was no timber in this township, except the scattering belt along Fountain creek, on the northern line of the town. The land gently slopes toward the north, and running across it are the small branches of Mud creek, having a general northeastern direction, and are fed by numerous springs, which make its water sufficient for stock" purposes at almost all times of the year. For many years, - and indeed yet among the old settlers down along the Middle fork, - the stream was known as Bussing creek. When Mr. Ambrose Wood came here to live, not liking the name, and having no one to say him nay in all this open tract, he moved and unanimously carried an amendment which changed its name to the more appropriate one of Fountain creek. There were at that time no artesian fountain wells here to suggest the name, but the later development of those remarkable and valuable fountains, has given both an additional value to the land, and a shade of appropriateness to the name not then dreamed of. There are, in regard to artesian wells, many theories and facts which are interesting, for those living in a region so bountifully watered by these wonderful natural gifts, to study. The surface of the land in Iroquois county is well known to be very nearly level, and it is believed (the writer not having access to any figures of actual survey) that no portion of the county is one hundred feet higher than any other portion. Whatever of declivity there is, is toward the north. From the high ridge of land lying south of Rankin, the streams all make toward the north. We should expect therefore, under the generally received theory of a subterranean reservoir which is forced upward by a great body of water in some higher region of the country, that the water would be reached nearer the surface, and that the outflow would be stronger the farther north we go. This is not true. So far as known, no flowing wells have been opened or artesian water found south of the line of Iroquois county until Bean creek, twelve miles south, is reached. All efforts to reach it failed at Paxton, though it was sought to the depth of several hundred feet. The well at Dr. Ludden's, on section 33, is the farthest south. In these southern townships, Fountain Creek and Pigeon Grove, flowing wells are reached at depths varying from 42 to 65 feet. In Artesia, wells of about the same depth do not flow. Along the line of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad, a few miles farther north, the depth of flowing wells is more than one hundred feet. Farther north, in the vicinity of Plato, 140 feet seems to be the customary depth. At Chebanse, the well which supplies the water-works is 120 feet deep, but the water rises only to within twenty feet of the surface; while at Langham creek, where the surface is a few feet lower, the wells flow, as was to have been expected, but it cannot be supposed that the surface at Chebanse is more than twenty feet higher than the surface at Dr. Ludden's, forty miles farther up stream.

Ambrose Wood came here to live and took up land in section 27, in 1854. He came here from Blue Grass, in Vermilion county, and brought lumber for a house with him from Higginsville. The severe snow-storm which visited all this region of the country in January following,, caught him before he had his domicile ready, and he found it necessary to fly to Blue Grass for shelter. This storm, which will be found frequently alluded to in these pages, has hardly been exceeded in severity or length in the twenty-five years which have followed since that time. There was at that time no house between here and Blue Grass, though Father Schwartz settled where he now lives, three or four miles south of East Lynn, about that time. Mr. Wood made his home here, and for a number of years made a business of herding cattle. He entered this land on 27, and farmed part of it. At that time the lack of material for fencing seemed to be the great drawback to farming. Land was cheap, it is true, but the expense of fencing a farm at this distance from timber, especially where one owned no timber lot, was sufficient to amount to a prohibition. Timber land was held at prices that no poor man could buy, being considered worth from $40 to $65 per acre. Hedging had hardly been thought of, and farming without fences was practically out of ^the question. It had not then been discovered that the law ought to compel every man to take care of his own animals.

Jehu Judy came here about the same time from Blue Grass, where his family had long been and still is one of the 'leading families. He took up land in section 14. The Seemly post-office is kept by him, and is served by post-rider from Wellington. The office was established about four years ago.

John Leemon, a native of the north of Ireland, came into the country in 185Y, and lived near the Hoopes farm nine years, after which he bought 520 acres in sections 27 and 34, where he now resides. He kept house "by himself all alone" for some years, and by careful management and frugal industry has worked out the dream of his youth when he left the land of his nativity, - a comfortable farm and a lively family. The wild desert waste which stretched from Hoopes' farm to Loda was. unbroken by anything which could be called civilization. The Manns, 'down in Vermilion county, with the traits of true Britons, used to come up into John's neighborhood (in fact he was the neighborhood then) to hunt. They brought a pack of eighteen hounds for the purpose, and " wae worth the deer" that they got track of. After game got scarce down on the North Fork, John Mann never felt more at 'ome than when coursing through this region with some of his English visitors on track of deer. It was rare sport ; and none seemed so well able to enjoy it as those whose traditions for generations are bound up in real or mythical legends of the chase.

Among the "game" which was notoriously numerous here at times in the early days were the pesky green-head flies. Mr. Leeman says that at certain seasons they were so troublesome that ordinary farm-work had to be abandoned in the daytime. Many horses could not endure the torment of these troublesome pests. He has frequently done fall plowing by moonlight, that his teams might be protected from the annoyance. Good crops of wheat were raised during his earlier farming here, and the influx of new comers made the market demand good.

Mr. William Leland, one of the family which has a world-wide reputation as hotel-keepers in most of the large cities of the United States, purchased 800 acres of Mr. George C. Tallman (a part of his swamp land speculation), and proceeded to improve and stock it with sheep, fine horses and cattle. This was probably about 1858. Mr. Leland did not come on here himself and build a six-story marblefront hotel, but spent a good deal of money here. Mr. Robert Carey came here as his representative, and carried on the enterprise awhile. Mr. Leland, tiring of it, leased it to Mr. Carey, and finally sold it.

Parmenus Ludden came here about 1857 and engaged in farming. His brother, Dr. B. M. Ludden, came here about five years later from Indianapolis, and has been largely interested in farming and other avocations. Section 32 is a part of the Rankin property. The Messrs. Rankin own some six sections of land around Rankin in Vermilion county, joining this, and carry on a large cattle business.

It was not until after the war that the great prairie range of which this township was a portion was brought under the plow. Until then a large portion of it was only used as grazing ground for herds of cattle driven here from La Salle county on the north, and from Texas on the south. The adoption of the law requiring every man to fence his own cattle, instead of fencing his crops, which never trespassed, gave new value to these lands, and permitted men to buy and farm them without the great expense of fences.

William Goodwin has a farm of 1,000 acres in the northern part of the township. He is extensively engaged in raising and feeding cattle. Several other of the farms which were more lately brought into cultivation only lack the additions which time alone can bring to make them as beautiful and attractive as any spoken of.

As soon as possible after Mr. Ambrose Wood came here he used every endeavor to encourage and build up the institutions of religion. A firm and devoted member of the Methodist church, he missed the opportunities which he had formerly enjoyed where he had resided. Father Coleman, of Onarga, occasionally preached here, and Rev. Messrs. Moody, Appy and Sullivan had appointments here. The first class was formed at the school-house near the Bethel in 1869. The cliurch was built in 1872, under the ministration of Rev. Mr. Bishop. It is a plain and well proportioned edifice, 28x40, and cost about $1,900. Mr. A. Wood, John Reed and James T. Jones were trustees and building committee. Mr. Calhoun is the present preacher. This charge remained a portion of Ash Grove circuit until 1877, when it became attached to and a part of Wellington circuit. Preaching services are held here each alternate Sabbath. A Sabbath school has been maintained in summer.

this town. They hang with peculiar tenacity to the cardinal doctrines of their organization. Among their strong articles of faith and practice is opposition to debts and litigation. No member is permitted to contract a debt without the reasonable prospect of being able to pay it ; no church debts are ever permitted under any circumstances ; lawsuits are forbidden : even following or prosecuting a thief is forbidden. When the millennium does come, one can readily imagine that the Oinish brethren will be found somewhere in the front guard of those whose hearts will be found rejoicing at its coming.

By the census of 1870 Fountain Creek had 435 native-born inhabitants and 68 foreign-born, making a total of 503. The school census would indicate that its population has nearly doubled in ten years. The township was set off from Ash Grove in 1869. B. M. Ludden was first supervisor ; Robert Carey, clerk ; Ambrose Wood, assessor ; J. W. Wise, clerk ; and Jehu Judy and John Leemon, justices of the peace. The present officers are : Robert Carey, supervisor ; James T. Jones, clerk (ninth year) ; J. W. Wise, assessor ; James Jordon, ' collector ; and Andrew Wood and James Jordon, justices of the peace.

Benjamin Ludden, East Lynn, was born in Williamsburgh, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, November 27, 1815. All of the Luddens in America, so far as known, have descended from two brothers of that name who came from England, one of them being the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Ludden's parents were Benjamin and Hope (Miller) Ludden, both natives of this country. He received a fair education in the town of Williamsburgh, and was preparing to enter college, when he was compelled to desist by weakness of his eyes. He went south and taught in an academy in Virginia and at various other places in diiferent states. He was married at Plymouth Hall, Connecticut, in 1842, to Louisa S. Hammond, who was born in Vermont. She was a lady of rare intelligence, and aided Mr. Ludden in his teaching at Williamsburgh, his native town ; also at Collinsville, Connecticut, and lastly in the Female Seminary at Circleville, Ohio, in the years 1847 and 1848. After leaving the teacher's desk he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and graduated therefrom with honor in 1850. He practiced the two years following, and had a small stock of drugs about eight miles north of Cincinnati. He then removed to Indianapolis with his stock of drugs, which business he enlarged ; also started the first china tea store in the city, and continued in the practice of his profession here until 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Ludden are members of the Congregational church, and during their stay in Indianapolis Mr. Ludden was one of the projectors of the beautiful and costly church edifice belonging to that denomination in that city. From Indianapolis Mr. Ludden came to the south part of what is now Fountain Creek township, where his brother, who now lives in Savannah, Georgia, owned a large tract of land. When Mr. Ludden came here there was nothing but " sky and grass and grass and sky." The farm now consists of 1,040 acres, lying in sections 33, 34 and 28. He bought a half interest in the farm from his brother and has, since coming here, devoted his time and energies to improving this property. The farmers around had to go long distances to town and post-office. Dr. Ludden, seeing the need of such institutions as a farmers' store, blacksmith-shop and post-office, went to work and established them. He also put up a wind grist-mill that did good service in its day. To> use the doctor's expression, he began to " centralize " here, but after the advent of the Lafayette, Muncie & Bloomington railway a few miles south, the institutions of " Ludden ville " took a new lease of life at East Lynn, on the railroad in Yermilion county. The doctor has a large stock of general merchandise at this place, where he and his wife reside in the winter. In the summer they live at their pleasant home on the farm. Dr. Ludden has been postmaster at Luddenville and East Lynn for seventeen 3?ears. He is a republican and has been closely identified with the interests of Fountain Creek township, having served as supervisor ever since its organization, excepting three terms. He has no children.

John Leemon was born in Neury, Armagh county, Ireland, about the year 1827. He came to America in company with J. L. Hamilton, of Watseka, in 1850. The " boys" husked corn the first winter in Jersey county, Illinois, at two cents per bushel. John Leemon was early attracted to the cheap and valuable lands in the southern part of Iroquois county. He entered some lands in Lovejoy township, and moved on to his farm in section 33, in 1857. He built a house and set orchard and other trees, and lived here until 1865, when he moved to his present residence in Fountain Creek township. His farm here, containing 520 acres, is the one first improved by Mr. Wood, and is nicely situated, Fountain creek flowing through the western part. He also owns his old place in Lovejoy, containing 440 acres, and 125 acres adjoining in Vermilion county, besides a quarter-section in Christian county, which was his first entry of public lands. Mr. Leemon was married, August 29, 1865, to Lodema Brown, a native of New York, and the daughter of John and Catherine Brown. By this union they have had live children; names and dates of birth follow : Izele, born June 28, 1866, and died January 9, 1879; Mary Eliza, born April 12, 1868; Robert A., born November 19, 1871 ; John, born October 27, 1874; and Charles, born February 11, 1879. Mrs. Leemon is a very intelligent lady, having taught several terms of school before her marriage to Mr. Leemon. She was educated at the Clarence Academy, near Buifalo, New York. Mr. Leemon, besides successfully carrying on his farming operations, devotes considerable attention to raising and feeding stock.

Alonzo Carman, farmer, Seemly, was born in Yermilion county, Indiana, December 2, 1843. He grew up in the town of Perrysville, Indiana, attending the schools in that place. In February, 1862, his father died. He then went to Wea Prairie, in Montgomery county, Indiana, where he followed farming and dealt in stock. Having good success there he came to Fountain Creek township in the fall of 1867, and bought 480 acres, most of which was raw sod. He improved this farm which he sold in 1876, and bought a farm in Milford township, which he kept but a short time. He came to the place where he now lives February 1, 1877. At first he bought 235 acres and added 80 acres more in 1878. He was married, October 10, 1865, to Mercy A. Lunger, of Montgomery county, Indiana. Her parents were first settlers of Wea Prairie. By this marriage they have three children : William A., born April 9, 1867 ; Frank L., born August 3, 1872 ; and Lewis W., born January 10, 1874. Mr. Carman has attained his present comfortable and independent circumstances through his own industry, honesty and good management.

Lemuel B. Russell, farmer and stock-raiser, Milford, was born in "Williamsport, Warren county, Indiana, November 30, 1829. His parents, William and Fanny (Hall) Russell, came from Ohio to Indiana in 1829. His youth, up to the age of sixteen, was spent on a farm near Williamsport, to which his parents had moved shortly after his birth. When sixteen he began to work for himself, and in 1859 he was able to buy 160 acres in Warren county, Indiana, which he kept and farmed three years. He then sold out and came to the farm that he now owns in the northeast corner of Fountain Creek township, which also extends into Ash Grove and Lovejoy towns. He first settled in the woods on his farm, in a log house, where he lived four or five years. He then built a tine residence near by, and has since erected a large barn. He was married, December 29, 1859, to Elizabeth Hickmau, daughter of Peter J. Hickman, of Warren county, Indiana. They have two children living: Charles A. and Lemuel B. ; also one dead, named Peter W. Mrs. Russell is a Methodist. Mr.

Jehu Judy is the postmaster at the office in Fountain Creek, called Seemly. He Was born in Hardy county, Virginia, February 19, 1825. His parents were Nicholas and Mary A., who were born and brought up in Virgin ia. The early life of Mr. Judy was spent on his father's farm in Virginia, which he left in October, 1849, and came to Blue Grass Grove, in Vermilion county, Illinois. He worked on a farm in the summer and split rails in the winter. In the spring of 1851 he entered 240 acres, where he now lives, and in 1852 erected a small house into which he moved a year later. He was married the first time, September 7, 1852, to Lucinda Haigler, a native of Virginia. By this union they had two children : Phebe M. and Lucinda H., both of whom are dead. Mrs. Judy died June 13, 1855. Mr. Judy was married the second time to Elizabeth M. Bible, also a native of Virginia. There were two children by this marriage : Mary J. and Susan V. The last named died in infancy. The date of this second marriage was March 18, 1856. The second Mrs. Judy died October 13, 1862, and Mr. Judy was then married for the third time to Tabitha M. Slusher, June 7, 1863. Her parents were Virginians, but she was born in this county. By this union they had seven children : Charles L.,. Jacob M. (dead), Sarah O. (dead), Minnie M., Martha H. (called Hattie), and Tabitha M. (called Tease), also another who died in infancy. Mr. Judy's third wife died November 14, 1875. He was married again December 12, 1876, to Cinderella M. Green, a native of Indiana. By this marriage they have had two children : Clara V. and Jehu G., both of whom died in the fall of 1879. The post-office of Seemly was established November 23, 1874, with Mr. Judy as postmaster, which position he has since held. Besides being a good farmer and stock-raiser, Mr. Judy has also been a carpenter and a blacksmith. He does his own blacksmithing yet. He has made the most of his money in later years by feeding stock. He owns a splendid farm of 650 acres lying on both banks of Fountain creek. West of his residence, on his land, stands the United Brethren church, to which Mr. Judy contributed in labor and money about $700. He and his present wife are members of that church. His other wives were also members of the same church. He is a republican.

India, China and Japan trade. He left his ship at New York in 1872, came to Springfield, Illinois, and shortly after returned to England, where he was married to Frances Maunder, a native of England, March 25, 1873. His bride's parents were Edwin and Rebecca (Flexman) Maunder. After marriage the young couple returned to America and settled in this township, where they now live and own a good farm well improved. They have two children : Florence, born April 2, 1874; and George -Redwood, born March 29, 1877, while the parents were on a visit to their friends and relatives in England. Mr. Blake has not yet been naturalized, but expects to become a citizen at an early day.

H. G. Hanson, farmer and stock-raiser, East Lynn, was born in the northern part of Norway, June 22, 1844. He is the son of Christian and Kyerstern (Erickson) Hanson. His father was a hardy fisherman, born and brought up on an island near the famous whirlpool or Maelstrom, the dread of the ancient mariners. The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent on his father's farm, where the sun is not seen in midwinter for nearly three months, and where the summer sun does not set for the same length of time. He came to Chicago with his father's family in the year 1862, sailing from Bergen to Chicago in the same vessel. His father bought land in Kendall county, and still lives in Grundy county, in this state. The subject of this sketch came to his present place in the spring of 1879, having bought his farm the fall previous. He was married to Lucretia Ward, October 2, 1873. Her parents are living in this township. By this marriage they have three children : Mary, born September 5, 1875 ; Caroline, born September 10, 1877; and Leonard, born April 10, 1879. Mr. Hanson has educated himself in the knowledge of English, and has so thoroughly posted himself in the history of this country that he is equalled by but few men of his age for general intelligence. The Chicago " Tribune " has been his teacher for the last eighteen years, so it is not necessary to speak of his political faith. He is the champion tiledrainer in the township, or perhaps in the county, having laid in his farm about five miles of tiling, and expects to put in more. He also has the finest young orchard in the township, thoroughly underdrained with tile, containing 500 trees, which are now coming into bearing. His residence, which is the best for miles around, stands on a commanding site near the center of the township. His farm of 240 acres, which surrounds this beautiful home, he values at $12,000.

John N. Hoffman, farmer and stock-raiser, Rankin, owns 400 acres of land in sections 8 and 17. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 3, 1832. His father fought under Napoleon in his campaign against Russia. He learned the rope-maker's trade and worked at it until he was twenty-one. He had a common-school education. In 1853 he went to France, and in 1854 sailed for America. During the voyage they encountered a storm, and afterward the vessel caught fire. He landed safe in New York, April 2, 1854, and began work at his trade at Williamsburg, New York. He soon went to Chicago, and then to La Salle county ; from there to St. Louis, where he followed steamboating for two years, between New Orleans and St. Paul. At the president's call for 75,000 troops he enlisted, but was not accepted. Liking a wife better than war, he married Otilda Gleim, of German descent, September 1, 1861, and began farming. They had five children : Anna, Katie and Jacob are living ; George and Freddie are dead. He moved to this county in 1870. His wife died September 4. He married again and has one child, Lizzie, by his second wife. He is a Catholic, and a greenbacker in politics.

James M. Geddes, farmer and stock-raiser, East Lynn, was born in Ohio in 1837. His parents were Joseph and Catherine (Moore) Geddes. His youth was spent in Ohio, where he received a common-school education. In 1854 he moved to Indiana; in 1856 to Illinois, and settled in this county in 1861. June 17, 1862, he married Zerrilda E. Young, of Indiana. They have had eleven" children : Elmer L., born August 30, 1863 ; Joseph F., March 22, 1865 ; Manda J., September 22, 1873; Rubie B., August 24, 1875; Nellie M., March 31, 1878, and Gracie E., July, 1879. The remaining five are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Geddes are members of the Baptist church. He is a Good Templar and a Granger. In politics he is a greenbacker. He began life a poor man ; but through industry and economy he has obtained a comfortable home of 80 acres, in section 16, valued at $2,500. He has a large orchard of apples and cherries, and a fine grove.

James Jordan, Jr., farmer, Rankin, was born near Ballana, Mayo county, Ireland, May 15, 1846. His parents were James and Ann (Mullen) Jordan, whose ancestors were Irish. When he was about six years old he came with his parents from Ireland to Kendall county, Illinois, where they lived six or eight years, and then removed to DeKalb county, in this state. In August, 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the 105th 111. Yols., under Col. Dustin. He took part in the battle of Franklin, Kentucky; was also at Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain, Peach Tree creek, Averysboro and Bentonville. He was in the grand review at "Washington, and was soon after discharged at Chicago. He was seriously wounded in the head at Resaca, and lost a part of one finger at Pine Mountain, Georgia. After the war he took up farming in DeKalb county, and came to this township in 1869, where he has since followed farming with good success. His farm consists of 140 acres, in section 30, which he has improved with buildings, fences and trees. He has been quite successful as a teacher, having taught several terms in this county, mostly during the winter. The people of Fountain Creek have given him the office of commissioner of highways for six years; he has also served as collector for three years, and is now acting justice of the peace. His parents are yet living, and in this township. He is a Catholic, and is independent in politics. He is unmarried.

James Carey, farmer and stock-raiser, East Lynn, owns a fine farm of 200 acres in section 25, which he values at $35 per acre. He was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, November 5, 1838, and is the son of Robert and Ellen (Gordon) Carey. His father was of English and Irish, and his mother of Scotch descent. His early life was spent mostly in Connecticut and New York, his parents having moved to New York when he was fifteen years of age. From 1857 to the breaking out of the war he was employed as express messenger on the steamer Star of the South, plying between New York city and Savannah, Georgia. His last trip was in the spring of 1861, when they were chased out. of Savannah by the rebels. He clerked awhile in a New York hotel, and in 1862 followed farming near the city. In the fall of 1862 he was married to Adaline Yan Wart, of New York city. She was born in Cayuga county, New York. They have but one child living, named Ella E. ; one, named James, died when quite young. In 1863 Mr. Carey came with his parents and other members of the family to Fountain Creek township. His father owned a large tract of land here which now belongs to different members of the family. Mr. Carey lived on Dr. Ludden's farm for two years and then moved to his present home on section 25. At this time there was plenty of wild pasturage and for three years he herded cattle. He has followed farming and stock-raising generally since he came to this state. In December, 1877, he went to Hoopeston to keep hotel, and remained long enough to teach the Hoopeston people the fact that he could keep a first-class hotel. He built the Phosnix House there, but on account of Mrs. Carey's sickness he moved back to the farm in April, 1877. After the Phoanix House was completed he rented it for two years and then sold it. Mr. Carey and his wife are Methodists. He is a republican, frank and outspoken in expressing his statements. He denounces rings and party tricksters, and is strong and popular in his party throughout the county.

Robert Carey, the present supervisor of Fountain Creek township, is not only one of the best and most popular men in his own township, but is well and favorably known throughout the county. He is the son of Robert and Ellen (Gordon) Carey, who were natives of Ireland, of English and Scottish descent. He was born in Connecticut, September 9, 1844, and removed with his parents to a farm in Orange county, New York, when about ten years of age. About the year 1863 his parents came with the most of their family to Iroquois county, settling on section 26, in what is now Fountain Creek township. Their fine farm of 800 acres here now belongs to members of the family, the parents having died some years ago in this township. The subject of this sketch was married, December 9, 1869, to Miss Martha E. "Wood, daughter of Ambrose "Wood, Esq., of Fountain Creek township. Shortly after their marriage they settled down where they now live on a part of the old farm and have since remained here. Mr. Carey owns 120 acres which is well improved. He has an intelligent wife, and has three children living : Robert Ambrose, Sarah E. and Aaron Smith ; one, named John H., is dead. Mr. Carey is now serving his third term as supervisor of Fountain Creek ; he has also served two years as town clerk, and two terms as collector. Mr. Carey is a republican.

Ambrose "Wood, farmer, East Lynn, came from an old Yirginia family. He was born in Randolph county, now in "West Yirginia, December 24, 1823, and is the son of John and Mary . (Hornbeck) "Wood. His father was captain of a company that served in quelling the " whisky insurrection." He had a farm in Randolph county, where the boy Ambrose reached his majority, and then turned his face to the west and started for Illinois. In the fall of 1843 he "footed" it to the Ohio river, and came on a steamboat to Cincinnati ; then walked to Yermilipn county, Illinois, where he arrived in the spring, having staid during the winter with relatives and friends in Ohio and Indiana. He worked on a farm near Myersville, that summer, for $8 per month. In July, 1844, he returned to Yirginia, and came back with his parents in the fall. They settled on the Truax farm, in Blount township, Yermilion county. The next fall he went back to Yirginia to get " the girl he had left behind him," in the person of Miss Ellen M. Smith, daughter of Henry and Mary (Skidmore) Smith. Her father is still living in Yirginia, hale and active, aged ninety-one. Mr. Wood and Miss Smith were married April 2, 1846, and came the greater part of the way to Illinois on horseback. Mr. "Wood and his bride staid on his father's farm until October, and then they returned to Yirginia, where they lived three years, returning to Illinois in the fall of 1849. Mr. Wood now entered land near Blue Grass Grove, in Yermilion county, and settled there, where he lived until the spring of 1854, when he removed to Fountain Creek township, where he had entered section 27. He and his wife put up a shanty here on the bank of Fountain Creek, where John Leemon's house now stands. They, however, soon built a better house, and lived here until the spring of 1861. At the same time that he entered section 27 in this township he also entered one-half of fractional section 7 in Lovejoy township, which a year later he sold to J. B. Wilson for $1,000 in gold. He sold section 27 about the year 1861, and for several years leased or rented, coming to his present farm of one-half of section 22 in March, 1867. For thirteen years, from 1856, Mr. Wood herded cattle on the rich natural pastures of this township. He bored the first artesian well in the township, on section 22, out so far from timber that people said he would not find water. But he did find plenty of it, and now has flowing water wherever he needs it. He has planted considerable timber on his present farm, and has one of the finest artificial groves in the county, on the east bank of Fountain creek. It consists entirely of soft maple, covering about four acres. Although it has been planted only eleven years, it was the scene of a great Fourth of July celebration and picnic in 1879. Mr. Wood was for many years a large dealer in real estate in this and Vermilion county. He " contested " one section of swamp land, obtained the right of entry, got a patent, and sold the section at a great advance. He then obtained the right from the secretary of the interior to contest about 7,000 acres, but before he could get it through the right of contesting was denied. Mr. Wood is the father of ten children, of whom seven are living, named as follows : Mary Y., drowned in a well at two years of age ; Martha E., wife of Robert Carey; John H., living in California; Samuel and Florence E., both of whom died in infancy ; Horace S., Aaron W., Oscar, Alice and Orrie C. In 1876 Mr. Wood took a trip to southern California, where his son John lives, and in 1878 Mrs. Wood also visited her son in California. Mr. Wood and his wife are Methodists. He is a member of A.F. and A.M., Hoopeston Lodge, and in politics is an active republican. Mr. Wood is a notary public, and has served two terms as justice of the peace. His long and varied experience in selling real estate he now finds very useful in writing conveyances or clearing up titles for his neighbors.