Blount Township

Blount Township

Blount township, which received its name from Mr. Blount, who had been an early settler in the town, but who had moved away before he became famous, lies in the exact center of the countv, having two tiers of townships north of it, two south of it, and Pilot to the west and Newell to the east. It was formerly attached to and a portion of these two latter, for political purposes, but the two streams North Fork and Middle Fork formed such barriers to the convenient interchange of neighborly civilities and the transaction of official business, that in 1856 the supervisors erected that portion which lay between the two streams into a separate township, and called it Fremont, after the popular, dashing general, who that year was the republican candidate for president. This name did not prove entirely acceptable to the democratic " element," which was a rank growth of that time, in this Messopotamia, and they decided on the present name. The lines which form its eastern and western boundaries are very irregular, but follow, as near as straight lines and right angles can keep, within hailing distance of a creek. It embraces all the southern half of town 21, range 12, two half sections of town 21, range 11, three and one half sections of town 21, range 13, all except nine sections of town 20, range 12, and a narrow strip of the west side of town 20, range 11, making, in all, slightly more than a congressional township and a half. Its surface is higher in the middle and north, where the prairie lies, and was principally covered in its southern half and along its eastern and western boundaries with a stalwart growth of forest trees of oak, walnut, maples, and here and there a beech, which is, so far as the writer knows, the most northerly appearance of this forest tree in this state. The timber line has been very materially increased since the earlier settlements by the protection which civilization has thrown around it. Where originally only a few scattering trees stood, like sentinels on an advanced picket, is now found a full growth of beautiful timber. A few farms have been made, of course, where timber originally grew, but an old resident says there is much more forest in the township now than when white men first came into it.

The Indians were still here along the banks of the Middle Fork when the early settlers came. For four or five years they were here irregularly, remaining a part of the year near the famous spring, which attracted their attention, on the present farm of Cyrus Crawford, on or near section 8 (20-13). They always appeared friendly, and did not seem jealous of their new neighbors. Mrs. Hannah Fairchild, who lived near them, says they often came to her home for such articles as they wanted, and seldom gave her any cause for alarm. At this time the Indians were not permanently located here, but spent a portion of their time here, while getting ready to move across the Mississippi River. They numbered fifteen hundred at that time.

Samuel Copeland was among the firsc to settle here, if not the very first, in Blount township. He settled in a bay of the prairie, on section 14, and resides at the same place yet, within a few rods of the place where he stuck stakes fifty-one years ago. He was led to settle here because he thought it was healthy and would soon settle up. His wife and four children accompanied him. He had hired a man to cut some rails, and brought a load of plank with him. His first care was to get some place to live. He leaned the rails up against a tree, and put the planks down on the ground for a floor and bed, and went to hewing logs for his house. As soon as he could get the logs hewn he sent to State Line for help to put them up. A house-raising was one of those occasions which required the aid of the entire neighborhood, and in his case of another neighborhood, also, for he could not get men in his own to put it up. It was thought to be no more than a duty which one owed to any new settler, to "help him raise." No special invitation was thought to be necessary. Notice was sent to make known the fact that a house was to be raised, and everyone who got notice deemed it just as much his duty to go as to " fodder his stock " or cut his night's firewood. "When Copeland got his logs ready he sent out notice, and men came on horseback six or eight miles to put them up. The first day it rained, and they had to go back home without accomplishing the work, but the next day every man came back to finish the job. Nobody thought of accepting pay for such acts. If a house was to be moved, the habit was to turn out with their oxen and hitch to it and move it to the desired location. If a lunch was spread it was all right and was enjoyed, but if not convenient, the men would go home after their neighborly work was accomplished. He erected his first house right across in front of where his present house stands. This house was sold after he built his present residence, and moved to Blue Grass Grove, and after that was moved to Buck Grove, and may be in Chicago or Milwaukee by this time, if it kept on moving on the approach of civilization. The early settlers came principally from Ohio, Indi- ana and Kentuck}*. When Copeland came here, in 182S, Ware Long lived out east of him in the timber, and remained there until he died. Amos Howard, Mr. Shokey and Mr. Priest lived in the southern part of the township, each of whom had families. Ezekiel Knox lived about three miles south. He made a good farm, and left a family when he died. Several families soon settled around, on and near sections 26 and 35 (20-12), near the south line of the township. This was for a long time known as Howard's neighborhood.

The first school-house built in town was the old log house one half mile east of Mr. Copeland's house. The neighborhood built it in 1830. It was a considerable undertaking for the time, as there were few to help, and voting taxes for schools and school-houses had not then been invented. But these people rightly estimated that what they did in the way of improving their condition in a financial point of view would be of little value to their children unless they could have schooling. John Skinner was the first teacher. The earliest scholars were William, George and Perry Copeland, William Wright, Nancy and Susan White, Mr. Fairchild's children, Mr. Louin's and Mr. Swisher's. Three years later the settlement around Copeland's had stretched out so far west that a frame school-house was erected on the road half a mile west of Mr. Copeland's house. In this new house, which still lacked all the modern improvements of swing-back seats and lock-drawer desks, blackboards, etc. John Higgins and John Stipp taught. At that time it did not cost, including books, to exceed three dollars a term to school a child ; at present the amount is hardly less than four or five times that.

The first preaching in the township was by the Rev. Mr. McKain, in 1829, at John John's house, about three-fourths of a mile northeast of Mr. Copeland's.

In the first building of that city which is now the wonder of the world, immediately after the close of the Blackhawk war, about 1833, quite a trade sprang up between it and this part of the country. Wheat and oats were the principal products which the farmer had to exchange for what he wanted to buy. They used to go there with ox-teams, camping out every night on the road. Wheat would bring from fifty cents to seventy-five cents, and at one time oats brought one dollar per bushel. All the grain taken there was measured when sold, in the half-bushel. Bags were the only granaries, and the "elevating" was done by throwing it on your shoulder and carrying it where it was wanted. Corn was too cheap to make it an ordinary item of merchandise.

The same year, 1828, the Fairchild family, a family which has, perhaps, exerted as wide an influence as any one in the township, came here to reside, and formed the nucleus of what was known as the Fairchild neighborhood, nearly two miles northwest of Mr. Copeland. It consisted of old Daniel Fairchild and his five sons: Timothy, Zenas, Orman, Lyman and Daniel, and his daughter Mrs. Blevens. They were all married, and with their young families commenced in earnest to make homes in the new country. The old gentleman was quite old, nearly blind and helpless, and did not live long after coming here. All the children are now dead, but the widows of three of them still live here with several of their children to recount the exciting circumstances of their early labors here, and hold the line between the present and the past.

Of this famil v, Rev. Daniel Fairchild was best known, and, perhaps, was most widely influential. He was converted at a camp-meeting, near Evansville, Indiana, when eighteen years old, and was almost immediately licensed to preach in the Methodist church. His license was annually renewed by authority of that church. In 1850 Bishop Hamline ordained him a deacon, and in 1859 Bishop Simpson ordained him elder. During the long years of his bus}' life here he was engaged in preaching the gospel up and down through this part of the county, in an acceptable manner to all classes of people. He did mdre to keep alive the spirit of vital religion than almost any man in the vicinity, and never tired of the good work which he was specially ordained and selected to do. When he came here he was only able to enter forty acres of land, and moved into a little log house with puncheon floor, on the edge of the prairie near where his brick residence stands. His wife, who still survives him, enjoying the love of her large family of children and grandchildren, was a poor orphan girl whom the kind parents of Mr. Fairchild took when homeless. The third and fourth generations of Daniel Fairchild, sr., now live in Blount, a shining example of the fulfillment of the promise. Everywhere a Fairchild, or the descendant of a FairGhild, is respected.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fairchild lived here on the place he first entered, on section 4, bringing up their large family to honest industry. For twenty }7ears the mother, with such help as her children could give her, performed the glad duties which this swarm of little ones imposed on her; made the cloth which clothed them ; kept the minister's home for this neighborhood, and, in her husband's frequent absence on his missionary work, had imposed on her the double parental duties. She and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Hannah, or Aunt Hannah, as she is better known, boarded the hands who made all the bricks for the church, as their contribution to the work. Of fourteen children born, eleven grew up, and nine now live near her. Forty-eight grandchildren have learned to lisp her name.

Mrs. Hannah Fairchild, the widow of Orman, lives just south of where their brother Daniel long lived. They were married at Evansville, Indiana, when she was only sixteen, and came on the farm where most of the active years of her life have been spent, wThile the Indians still inhabited the grove near their home. They came to live in a little log house without any chimney, and tried to make one which should serve the purpose out of mud and sticks, but the wind blew it down one stormy night, and they had to devise some better plan. They had no money to enter land, and for fifteen months went without meat, so that they could turn their growing stock into money to pay for the land they lived on. A little incident will show how neighborly these people were. Samuel Copeland was one of their nearest neighbors, a mile or more away. He was well-to-do, and in that early time his word was as good as a bond. A stranger who was looking for a good piece of land to enter told Mr. Copeland that he believed he would enter the tract that Orman Fairchild was on. Copeland told him if he did that, if he ever got out of fire he would not give him a brand at his house. To refuse one a brand of fire before the days of friction matches was about as severe a punishment as one in a new country could inflict. That Sammy Copeland would have kept his word to the claimjumper no one who knows him would doubt. The first year their only horse died, and Mr. F. got hold of a yoke of steers which for two years was his only team to plow or to mill or church. Commencing married life so young, Mrs. F. found it necessary to work harder than many women to make up the cloth and other articles necessary for comfortable living. Usually in those times the young women gave some years to making up the wearing apparel necessary to commence housekeeping. She commenced the life of a pioneer at an age when she had had little chance to prepare anything. Taking the flax from the ground and the wool from the sheep's back, she "pitched in," as she says, making the most of every minute to keep ahead of the new recruits which were coming in rapid succession to fill up the Fairchild home. " How did you women manage," asked the writer, " to do the enormous amount of labor which was imposed on you, making all your cloth, clothing, sugar, butter, cheese, soap, candles, coloring, rendering your lard and tallow, taking care of your lambs, calves, etc., garden, and all the thousand and one things that devolved on you, and visit the sick and those in need, with a baby to take care of most of the time? You are perhaps aware that now-a-days the mother who raises two children keeps a hired girl, hires her own sewing done, buys her husband's and sons' clothes ready made, and keeps a horse and carriage to ride in, thinks she is most worn out at forty." The answer was not long delayed: "I have had thirteen children, and when my first was small I had two wheels, a large and a small one. I made a sling of my apron to put him in, squaw-fashion, and hung him over my back, and kept the big: wheel g-oinof. When he needed nourishment I took him on my lap and sat down to the small wheel. By this change of position I was rested and the baby was cared for. Not only did I have all this to do, but for twenty-five years practiced the avocation of midwife all through these woods. When I was kept from home on these errands longer than I thought my nursing child would permit, I used to send the anticipating lather back to my house to bring me my baby. So we lived, and now, at seventy-five, I do my own housework, cook, wash and manage my farm." Seeing is believing, an old proverb says, and yet there is one who, though he saw and believed, cannot yet understand how the good mothers of the olden time escaped certain death from overwork.

They went to Paris for their grinding, until Mr. Treat built his mill at Denmark, and after high water carried that away Alex. Bailey began a mill, which Wyatt completed and used. They used to pound corn in a mortar with an iron wedge, for a month at a time. Once the good woman thought she was ruined. In moving from Edgar county her sieve got torn up, and there was not one for sale anywhere for miles around. She was unhappy; but the Lord, or some one, dropped a deer-skin in the road, and she had heard of a sieve being made out of a skin, and she went to work at it. She wet the skin and rolled it up in wood ashes, until the hair came off, then soaked it, and when partially diw, perforated it with a pegging awl. It answered the purpose finely, and all the neighbors borrowed it. Snakes were the chief causes of fear. At one time, just as she had finished getting breakfast by her fireplace, she picked up her baby off the floor and dropped down into her chair, when she saw a snake crawling out of the hollow fire-log. She called her husband to kill it, and, by the time that was done, another came out of the same cavity. At another time she saw one hanging down from the unlathed floor-timbers over her bed before she had got out of bed in the morning, swinging back and forth, apparently hunting a good place to fall. The expedition with which she gathered up her baby and disappeared from that immediate vicinity is said to have been somewhat marvelous. Of the other Fairchikls who came here early, Zenas died at Bean Creek a few 3'ears ago, Lyman on the Middle Fork, and Timothy a few miles south of here, where his widow still resides.

Morgan Rees, now one of the few earliest settlers left in the township, came from Pennsylvania to Indiana with his father in 1818. His father, John Rees, died there, and Morgan came to this county in 1827, and has remained here ever since, though not all the while in this township. He lived at Butler's Point one year, and then entered land, one hundred and sixty acres, in section 26 (21-13), just across the line west from that town. He remained there eight years. He went to the Black Hawk war in Capt. Thomas' company. He helped lay out and bury the fourteen who bad been killed by the [ndiane fifteen miles above Ottawa on Indian Creek. They bad been dead eight days, and had been shockingly mutilated and hacked to pieces. He moved into Blount township in L836. At that time James Smalley,

Wallace Sperry (who committed suicide near his liou.se), William and Freeman Smalley, Enoch Oxley, were all living within two miles ot Higginsville. Two miles farther on was the Fairchild neighborhood, and some ways still east of that the Copeland neighborhood, when Samuel Copeland, Mr. Johns, Truax, Humphrey, Oosat and others lived. Jn the southern part of the town were the Howard and Luman neighborhoods.

In 1 83 I and 1835 a large number of people, probably twenty-live families, sold here and went to Wisconsin. The lead mines were just beginning to attract attention, and people rushed there as they do to Leadville now, expecting to get rich in a little while. Among those who went there at that time was Mr. Blount, after whom the township was named, Mr. Win. Lane, who still lives here at an advanced age. Old John Snyder, grandfather of Barton Snyder, and his family, and Messie and Magee, were then here.

About onedialf of this township was then timber; some of it. has been made into farms, and timber ha6 grown up where before it was comparatively open. Hunting was the principal business followed. There was not in these parts much of such enterprise as we have since seen. Sickness was terrible. Whole families would be down with sickness at the same time. The ague, the milk sickness, and other diseases that were consequent upon early settlement, were so common that people were broken in spirit, and their energy was sapped. Kees rode as constable in this county twenty-one years. He has had all the experiences of an early officer who had the tracks of horse-thieves to follow in times when the name "horse-thief" carried with it as much opprobrium as "abolitionist." lie taught the first school in this part of the town. It was in a little cabin just southeast of Higginsville that had been abandoned by its builder, and as no certificate was required and no rent to pay, he conceived the idea of putting the vacant cabin to use for a seat of learning. He carried around a subscriptionpaper and got enough subscribed, so that he thought he could live by it, and opened a school. There were few who coul/1 teach it any better than he, and those few would not teach so cheap. There were no other schools in the neighborhood to compare it to, and no big scholars who could "stump the teacher" in " rule of three " or grammar. So he made it go pretty well, and taught two quarters. As a wielder of the gad and rule he had few equals, and no superiors, in the Higginsville of that day. The quarter's schooling was placed at two dollars and a half per scholar. He had eighteen one quarter and twenty-two the other. He received about ten dollars per month and boarded himself. The furniture was primitive. The benches were made out of slabs and rails, and he could hardly afford a blackboard. He used the old United States Spelling-book, English Reader and Testament, and Pike's Arithmetic. Each scholar had a different book, and no one had a full supply. The scholars studied aloud, and the one who made the most noise was understood to be making the best progress. He never heard of a schedule, thinks it would have been a decided improvement. The roll of scholars, as far as he now remembers it, embraced John, Almeda and Rachel Storms, Jennie and William Smalley, three children of Mr. Truax, James, Freeman, Frank and Sabie Smalley, John Smalley's children, Malinda Freeman, and John, David, Moses, Christopher and Thomas Loving. William Loving lived one mile and three-fourths east of Higginsville, where his sons still reside. James Smalley became a minister, drawing his theological as well as his literary learning no doubt from Rees.

The ancient law required punishment by whipping for theft, and the whipping was sometimes pretty severe, too. Thomas Wyatt lived down near Decatur, and used to come up here and trade with the Indians. Whisky wTas his legal tender, and he used to trade on the basis of one quart of whisky for a pony. He frequently got hold of a dozen ponies in this way, or by stealing them outright, and would then run them off and sell them. He buried a jug of whisky on the hillside in Butts' land, and expected to come back and turn it into ponies; but before he got around to it he was run up into Indiana and caught, tried, and convicted of horse-stealing. He was whipped, and died. A man by the name of Griffiths was tried as his accomplice, because some of the horses were found on his premises. Some years after this Rees found the jug of whisky which had been secreted, and that portion of it which he sampled was pronounced a very superior article, rather better, indeed, than the " sour mash " or " benzine" of the present day.

Mr. Oxley, about the year 1832, made a tannery east of Higginsville. He had about eighteen vats, using the oak bark, which was very plenty on the trees, but difficult to obtain. This may seem strange, but the reasons for it are plain. Bark will peel only during the summer months, commencing about the time of corn-planting, and sticking fast by about the middle of September. A sudden change in the temperature, such as occurs in September, will stop bark peeling in an hour. The months of the year in which nature allows bark-peeling was an industrious man who could find time between corn-plowing and harvest, or between harvest and threshing, to peel a few cords of bark. Tanners had in those times not sufficient capital to buy sections of timber land, cut off the oak for the bark, and let the land go back. The vast aggregations of capital which are now employed in tanning and leather were then unknown; so Mr. Oxley's speculation, while it did not cost him very much to inaugurate it, never was a great success, because he never was able to drive it very hard. He tanned all kinds of hides, and found a market for his leather in every little shoe-shop in the country around. Rees carried it on for him a while. After him John Hilliard had it three years, after which Mr. Oxle}' took charge of it himself for a while, until 1845, when he sold out the whole concern, with other lands, to J. W. Goodwine, who came in here from Indiana, looking for good land where he could put in his time to good advantage, and fatten his steers, as well as the next man who came.

In 1836 Amando D. Higgins (a brother of Judge Van H. Higgins, of Chicago), and Marcus C. Stearnes entered the east half of the northwest quarter of 36 (21-13), and bought sixteen acres off the south end of the east quarter of the southwest quarter of section 25, to bring them out to the road, and laid it out in town lots, platting and recording it in January, 1837, and called it "Vermilion Rapids." The plat was on both sides of the stream, and showed the "river" to be about ten rods wide, and large enough to float a steamer. The " rapids " were the main feature of this speculation, as no boat could pass up stream any farther than here. Along the river front of this " town," boats could take on the products of the rich farming lands for miles around, and discharge the merchandise brought from foreign climes in rich profuseness. Direct communication would be kept up all the year with New Orleans, Rio, Cuba and Europe, except a couple of winter months, when the people would be in constant anticipation of the opening of spring, and the revival of business activity along her wharves and in her great warehouses. The rapids, unless removed by government authority and appropriation, must ever remain a bar to extending navigation farther up stream, and this city could not help being the grand mart of trade for a hundred miles around. The principal streets running north and south to the "river front" were four rods wide, and were named Parish, Higgins, Chicago and Main ; those running east and west were three rods wide, and named Williams, Buffalo, Bluff, Spring and La Port. A wide " levee" lay between these streets and the "river," giving ample room for "business." This town was beautifully platted, and was taken to New York city to find pur- older ones, some of them, remember) the extent to which this species of speculation was carried on just before the financial crash of 1837. The times were "flush," business of all kinds was in the high tide of apparent prosperity; money was plenty, the banks were liberal, railroads were building all over the country ; every river town was looked on as a bonanza which needed only to be well "blowed" to make it a source of untold wealth. Nobody knew what property was worth, and the fictitious prices which specific speculation always puts on its wares looked very reasonable upon water lots which were only waiting the dull toot of the steamboat on the one side, and the shrill whistle of the locomotive on the other, to give it life and real value. Such was the condition of things when A. D. Higgins took his plat to New York to sell lots to the Wall street speculators. He was a little too late, however, for the panic had struck the center of trade, and western lots would hardly bring the price of the paper they were platted on. He never sold a lot. Morgan Rees now farms the land which Higgins intended for a mart of trade. The writer of this waded across the "rapids" of this paper city in May, 1879, without wetting his feet, although there was water enough there to have wet his feet if he had been shoeless. The property was sold to Parish, Metcalf and Ebenezer Higgins, and came to be known as Higginsville. Amando had a store, and commenced to build a mill half a mile west of where the Higginsville store now is, and Ebenezer finished it after it came into his possession, and ran it a few years, when the high water swept it away.

Naffer & Smalley built a saw-mill three-fourths of a mile southeast of H. in 1832. It did very good work and sawed up a good deal of stuff, for hardwood lumber was in demand for fencing, building, furniture and other such purposes. A grist-mill was afterward added to it, and did pretty good custom-work. It run till about 1860. Not a vestige of it remains now.

Henry Harpaugh, who still pounds his anvil in the mansion which Elder Herron used to live in, came from Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1836, and has been almost continually blacksmithing from that time to this, more than forty years, the oldest and probably the earliest blacksmith in this part of the town. He built a shop right in the road east of Higginsville, then built a house near by. For eighteen years he has been using the old log house which was once the abode of Mr. Herron ; portions of it are torn away. It has settled so, and the refuse from his forge which he has thrown around the door have so raised the ground, that you could scarce get a horse inside of it. Of those who lived about here when he came, only Morgan Rees remains to tell the story of early life along this part of Middle Fork.

Cyrus Crawford settled the same year, 1836, southeast of him, on the Danville road, and still lives there. He has been a worthy and respected citizen for more than forty years, and still lives on the farm which he entered. His eight children live around him, making his sunset days pleasant in the enjoyment of their society and love. Mr. Elliott lived a half mile out on the prairie east of them, which was the farthest extent anyone had then tried. He is now dead, and his farm is a part of the Goodwine land. In the same neighborhood, one mile east, resided then Michael French, who afterward went to Indiana ; Cornelius and Abram Peterson, F. Smalley, Robert Lockhart, Milton Anderson and Munroe Rees. Goodwine became owner of all their lands.

Peter Cosat came here in 1830 and commenced a farm on section 11, just west of Samuel Copeland, and lived there about thirty years. He died, and his family is scattered, one son living in Ross. His brother David came in 1834, and took up land near him in the timber, and lived there nntil 1849, when he sold to Mr. Guun and went to Wisconsin, where his father-in-law had gone. The first tax he paid was ten cents - that was when Thomas Short was collector - and he succeeded in paying all of it in silver without being sold out by the collector. Mr. Cosat came back from Wisconsin a year later, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of B. M. Kirk, at five dollars per acre. When he first came here he could ride anywhere through the timber without encountering so much as an ox-goad, and it was not until the fire had been kept out several years that the undergrowth began to fill up the timber. He engaged in farming and raising cattle and horses. He still resides on the farm, but thinks he has nearly passed his working days. Several of his children live near him. His son, John J., is a justice of the peace, and is an ordained elder of the Christian church.

William White, now one of the oldest citizens in town, took up land where he still resides, just east of Copeland's, about 1831. He was a man of excellent character; very decided in his religious convictions. He raised quite a family of girls, several of whom now reside in the vicinity. He is now very old and feeble. His memory will long be held in just esteem by those who have long known him.

John Johns came here from Kentucky, having lived a while in Indiana, in 1829, and settled in the Copeland neighborhood. It was at his house that the first preaching was held. His brothers-in-law, Benjamin Stewart and John Mills, and his father-in-law, Mr. Humphrey, came on here to live a few years later. They were all excellent people and much esteemed. Mr. Johns now lives in Danville. He remained in Blount, farming, until 1852, when he removed to D. and engaged in

John Ricard moved here from Ohio in 1835, took up land in section 14, and owned some on the prairie farther north. He lived here about twenty-five years, and for sixteen years served as justice of the peace. He was a prominent and influential man, and was instrumental in getting the township laid off; Alvin Gilbert succeeded in getting the name Fremont given to it. Tin's stirred up every democratic drop in his veins, and he rebelled. He did not propose to stand it. He would never permit his township to be named after the abolition candidate for president. His reasons for selecting Blount were that it was an uncommon name; that he was a good man and had early settled in the town, and was one of the earliest preachers living in it, and was no abolitionist b}r several degrees.

Old A brain Blount came here to live in 1830, and took up land in section 28 (20-12) in the timber, where Elisha Grimes lives. He was a man of powerful frame, and loved hunting better than working on a farm. He had the best gun in town, weighing eighteen pounds. He was a preacher of the Christian church, a good neighbor and an excellent citizen. He became dissatisfied with the country, however. He had lost seventeen horses, and thought their death was caused by milksickness, and offered to sell out ; he sold to Mr. Snyder, and went away. When the question of changing the name of the new township came up, Norris Young proposed the name of Blount. The people remembering the jovial old man with kindly feelings, accepted the name.

J. B. Cline came from Kentucky in 1829, and settled on section 25. He made a good farm, and was a good citizen. He had nine children, who are all dead but Spencer, who lives still in the same log-house his father built. Mr. Cline died many years ago. His widow died within the year past at the age of eighty-four. Spencer, the only living child, has lived here fifty years. Of ten children five are living, three of them at home. Jacob Grimes came here in 1832. He rented awhile, and then bought land in section 26. He now resides in Danville.

Win, Cannady came from Kentucky in 1828, and made a home on section 35, where Joseph Creamer now lives. He died about ten years ago, and his family are either all dead or moved away. He was a good man, kind hearted and true. During the time of the deep snow, and at times of scarcity, he used to seek out families who were in want and carry corn meal to them when he had nothing better. After he got too old to work, he spent his time whittling brush-brooms, to give to those whom he supposed stood in need of them.

Joseph Dyserd came to Blount about 1830. He had a large family, four of whom yet live in this vicinity ; one is the wife of George Pentecost, of Danville. Mr. Gillen, who came here about the same time, died soon. His son still lives here.

Wm. Lane came in 1836, and took up land in section 22, where he still resides. He has been several times married, and has a large family, the older ones of whom are scattered through the country and elsewhere. One was the first wife of Judge McDowell, of Fairbury, and another the wife of John Wapples, jr., now living in Livingston county. Mr. Lane has been a successful farmer, raising and feeding stock largely, and now, though past seventy, is strong and able to do considerable work. He has always been a man of influence, and that influence alwa}^s for good.

The Nebiker family, who were here early, went from here to Nauvoo, and joined the Mormons. So far as known, they were the only representatives of Blount who have openly espoused those doctrines.

I. R. Gritton came here from Kentucky in 1840, and bought land of the estate of Abram Rees. Mr. Rees owned a farm on section 23, and, while at work building a mill at Denmark, died. Mr. Gritton had a family of five children, only three of whom survive. One was killed a year since by Mr. Clem, in a difficulty growing out of the lease of a piece of land. One of Mr. Gritton's first acts, after coming on to his farm, was the selection and planting of an excellent orchard, which, owing to his good judgment and care, was for a long time a source of increased revenue. Gritton's orchard was known far and near as one of the best in this neck of woods. He never has been a member of any church, but his conversation shows that he has a true appreciation of the results of a sincere religious life in a community like this. The now aged couple are saddened in their last days by the tragedy which took the life of a dear son.

Isaac Smith came from Ohio in 1838, and entered eighty acres in section 32 (21-12), and lived here until his death. His son, G. G. Smith, who for many years has served the township as supervisor in so capable a manner as to indicate that he has a life lease of it, lives on the farm which his father made. While himself a member of the immortal Smith family, his children rejoice in lineal descent from the honored family of Fairchild.

The Smalley family, the names of whom have frequently appeared in these items as among the very first in the northwestern part of the town, exerted a very beneficial influence on society, as leaders in religious and educational affairs. The tone of the neighborhood, indeed of the entire town, still feels the effects of their early earnest efforts.

In and around what is now called Higginsville, these old pioneers upheld the doctrines and practices of the Baptist believers, and organized several churches in the vicinity. That another denomination seems to have supplanted the institutions which Mr. Smalley planted there, does not argue that the good he did was interred with his bones. Local and altogether natural causes have given to the Methodists the territory which he first occupied. Their methods, the shade of doctrine which is made most prominent in the gospel as presented by their local preachers, who, as a rule, were men of more spiritual than intellectual gifts, rendered the Methodist church the most natural home for the class of people who redeemed this country from a wilderness. Many who had first, from location or from choice, attached themselves to the Baptist church, found in the more frequent ministrations, the simplicity and the earnestness of the itinerants and their assistants, and more than all in the class-meeting, the particular spiritual food and practice they so much needed. The good results of Freeman Small ey's labors are yet seen everywhere. The old First Baptist church was formed at Mr. Smalley's house about 1834, as recorded in the history of Middle Fork. There was no house of sufficient size to accommodate those who desired to attend his preaching, and the people began to perfect measures for a house of worship. In 1837 the church was bnilt a few rods west of where the store now stands at Higginsville. The entire neighborhood turned out to help get up the u meeting-house." Some hewed timber, some drew it, some made the foundation, others the shingles. Moses Jarrett, Levi Asher and D. S. Halbert were the carpenters. The siding was made of black-walnut, quite common before the days of pine lumber; the floor they made of ash. The seats were as nice and comfortable as could be made. The building was 24x36, and was well considered a great undertaking. Like Nelson's crew, every man did his duty and performed his share of the work. The building stood there until it actually went to pieces from old age. Besides Elder Smalley, Elder Bartlett Dowell Crede Herron (all one man, reader), the Blankenships, and others, used to preach here. The Baptists, under the same leader, organized a church in the southern part of town, and built a house of worship in 1848, on land donated for that purpose by Mr. James Pentecast. Under the terms of his donation other Christian churches are to be permitted to use the building when not wanted by the Baptists. The building is 30x40, and is a very neat and comfortable building. Elders Smalley, Dodson and Blankenship preached here.

Magee were the first officers. Solomon McKinney, Dr. Hall, from Lebanon, Indiana, Mr. Blonnt and Mr. Mapes, early held services here around from house to house - usually at Mr. Swisher's and Mr. Peters' houses. Jacob Swisher, Mr. McKinney and Mr. Sears, kept alive the public services, and were joyfully assisted by Mr. Wm. Shock ey until he fell from grace and adopted the doctrines of the " soul sleepers," after which the orthodox members of this pioneer watch-tower of Zion would not listen to him.

The church which stands just east of Mr. Copeland's was built in 1846. There were then about fifty members, and all took hold of the work in earnest, and very soon saw it completed. It is 36x46. Old James Magee, who had a saw-mill up in Middle Fork, sawed the lumber and gave the black-walnut boards for the seats as his part of the work. Mr. Hoskins had a lot of soft brick which he gave, and which were used to fill in between the joists to make the house warmer. A few years since, the house was remodeled and lathed and plastered. Elder Rawley Martin preached here once a month for fifteen years, and held protracted meetings. Since his time, John J. Cosat, Wm. Yates, of Ogden, Oscar Gravat, Theodore Stipp and Mr. Myers have successively acted as pastors or occasional supply. A Sunday-school has been maintained summers, under the successive superintendency of David Cosat, Oscar Gravat, Wm. Hoskins and George Justice; Addison Justice is the present superintendent. It has always been a strong church, and its work as a pioneer in religious things has been marked by grand results. It numbers about one hundred and forty members. J. J. Cosat, Samuel Cosat and Oscar Gravat, are elders; H. Swisher and Joshua Chinoweth, deacons. It is called "Union" church.

The first public religious services ever held within the bounds of what is now Blount was held at the house of John Johns in 1829, under the following circumstances, the facts of which were kindly furnished by Mr. Johns, still a hearty, strong man, living at Danville. Mr. Johns and his young wife, whose feeble life is now almost gone, came into this town to make their home in 1829. They had in their former home had the advantages of religious services, and felt the need of them here. In December of that year (and this is now the jubilee year) Mr. Johns accompanied Reuben Partlow, of Middle Fork, to Danville, to attend the preaching service of Rev. James McKain, who was the first traveling Methodist preacher in the county. He was then in charge of Eugene circuit, which embraced Perrysville, Danville, Georgetown, Big Grove and intermediate points. After service they remained to the class-meeting, and made themselves and their wants known to the preacher. They told him they had come to ask him to make appointments in their neighborhoods for the people, who were without religious teaching. Mr. McKain was a true pioneer. He had been engaged in mercantile business before commencing preaching, and had sufficient means of his own, so that he was independent of salary. While he did not refuse what pay was tendered him, he never would talk with his people about compensation, and seemed to prefer not to accept it. He was a very useful man, and zealous of good works, of sufficient education to be acceptable to all. He sent an appointment to Mr. Johns' house, and continued to fill the appointment every four weeks as long as he was on this work. He formed a class there, the first members of which were Mr. and Mrs. Johns, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Partlow, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wood, Nathaniel Blaze and wife, who lived up at Myersville, and Jesse Wood and wife. Mr. Wood was first class-leader. Daniel Fairchild, who had been a Cumberland Presbyterian, and Mrs. Hannah Fairchild, who had been a Baptist, soon joined this class. For seven years, and until Mr. Humphrey came here, and built a larger house, the service was continued at Mr. Johns', after McKain, Mr. Risley, Mr. Harshey and Mr. Buck were the regular preachers. About 1839 the small frame church was built, near Mr. Johns", a half mile north and east of the Christian church.

The Fairchild church, usually called " the Brick," was built in 1849. This was built under the supervision of Daniel Fairchild, but all the people in this part of the town gladly helped to get up their new house. It was quite a step in advance to build a brick church here in the woods, when so many lived in log houses; but it was like Mr. Fairchild, who alwajs was a leader, and aimed to keep a step in advance. It is 30 x 36 feet. A Sunday-school is maintained, of which Milton Fairchild is the present superintendent.

The Luman church was built in 1858. Mr. James Luman and John Wapples were interested in getting the work along. Old Peter Hastings, an itinerant preacher, whose life was entirely devoted to the work of preaching, used to hold services at Luman's house. He organized the first class here, and it being several miles to any other house of worship, he urged the building of "Lebanon."

Higginsville consists of a store, a post-office, a doctor and a blacksmith's shop. The name came very naturally from the Messrs. Higgins, one of whom engaged in the "Vermilion Rapids" speculation, near here, and the other being the owner of real estate. It was the center for a considerable population, and a post-office was needed. This was established in 1851, and Wm. Maquess was appointed postmaster. The office was kept in Mr. Harpangh's house. Robert Foster was first mailcarrier. The mail was carried from Danville to New Town, and thence here twice a week. Mason Wright built a store and stocked it with goods. He afterward, with his brother, engaged in trade in Blue Grass and Marysville. After Maquess' death, James Newlan was appointed. He soon afterward went to Texas. J. W. Harris was appointed and kept the office in connection with a small store two years. Alfred Maquess then held it a few years, then Mason Wright, and after him Marion Goodwine, then Charles Harpaugh, then Dr. Porter. John Smalley is the present official. Dr. J. L. Hull came here and commenced the practice of medicine in 1860, and his uncle of the same name a year later. Dr. Wm. Porter commenced practice here in 1864, and continues to practice. The store-building now occupied by Mr. Smalley was built in 1853. Robert Lamon was the carpenter who put up most of the buildings in this vicinit}-. The fine brick residence now occupied by John Smalley was built about the same time by his father, James Smalley. It is one of the best residences in town. Mr. Smalley now carries on the mercantile business, keeping a full stock of goods and is doing a very fair trade.

About 1840 Mr. E. Oxley laid out a place which he called Salem, near where the tannery was, one mile east of Higginsville. Elder Herron kept a store there as early as 1837. Dr. J. B. Halloway lived there and practiced medicine, and then went to Myersville. Mr. Bright kept a blacksmith shop.

Other Items

In 1859 Henry and Andrew Wood built a saw-mill and grist-mill on North Fork, near the northeast corner of the township. It was a good mill with two run of stones, and had sufficient water to run nearly all the time. They did a good custom business and some merchant work.

Allen Anderson came here from Michigan in 1866, and put up a steam saw-mill on section 26 (20-12). He bought sixty acres of timber land and cut it off for lumber. It was a splendid piece of timber. The mill ran here about eight years, and he then sold it to William and John Lee, who moved it to section 36.

Charles Deamude put down a coal shaft in section 21, near the southwest corner of the town. It has not been a profitable undertaking, though a good quality of coal is raised, and a good home market is had for a limited amount.

The justices of the peace have been John Rickart, George Y. Stipp, John Gerrard, J. R. Thurman, Adam Albert, William Fairchild, David Clem, J. J. Cosat, J. R. Downing.

The township has no railroad. The Danville and Paxton road was laid out and nearly graded, running very nearly through the center of the town in a northwestern direction, by J. C. Short, some six or eight years ago. When he failed, the enterprise stopped. He did not receive any local aid or township subscriptions, hence the town has no railroad or any other debt. The farmers are almost entirely free from mortgage debt, and there seems no good reason why, in the light of past experience, they should not continue so. There never has been any strife or dissension among the people, and very little to mar the friendship among neighbors. From an early day the institutions of religion, the doctrines of temperance, sobriety and frugality have held full sway.

Legendary

One of those singular things for which no satisfactory explanation seems known, is the so-called " twin farm " on section 29 (21-12) in this town. Every family which has lived upon the farm thus far has had born to them a pair of twins, and, indeed, the first one had two.

Explanations are in order, and many have been ottered, and none appear to entirely satisfy the investigators. It has been referred to the board of supervisors, who are popularly supposed to know everything, and they " appointed a committee," which is their usual custom. The committee recommended that the matter be further tested by sending a bachelor to live on it, and thus tempt fate, as it were. Mr. Sperry has recently purchased it for his son, who, "as yet," has no one to call a family save his own individual self, and the committee has " leave to sit" during the year to await developments and "report." While this waiting process is incubating, a newspaper reporter has interested himself in the question, and has given the benetit of his investigation, which is strange, if true, and if true will cause future fathers to pause before purchasing this particular piece or parcel of land. Way back in the early days, where facts and rumors blend their uncertain lines, before whites sought to wrest the fertile valley of the Wabash from the dusky owners of these fruitful hunting-grounds, a contest long and deadly was waged between two tribes which claimed this Messopotamia, - this land between the two streams, - and a great final battle was fought near Blue Grass. The two tribes had come to stay, and each expecting to conquer, was accompanied by their women and children, which were kept not far to the rear of where this deadly contest was waging all day, with uncertain and ever-shifting hopes. A young brave, named by his doting mother All-in-your-eye, was particularly active, and seemed almost inspired. His seemed a charmed life, and many an opposing warrior bit the dust in consequence of the deadly aim of his strongly-drawn bow. When asked why he fought so desperately he replied : " I fight not for Blue Grass. If every blade of grass on its wide expanse was a hollow tree, with a nest of coons in it, I would not draw my bow for its possession. I fight for her," pointing to a dusky maiden of comely form seated on a log far back in the rear, beyond the reach of the flying arrows. He had hardly ceased speaking when he received a fatal shot which pierced his heart, and he died without a groan. His wife, for such she was, saw her warrior husband fall, and rushed forward to seize his body before his exulting enemy could apply the scalping knife to his prostrate form. She carried his body miles away to the south, hoping to reach the spot where the two streams flow into one (the junction of the North and Middle Forks) to bury him where he could constantly hear the ripple of uniting waters, the Indian symbol for a happy married life. She had scarcely made half the distance when, overtaken by night, overcome with fatigue, hunger and weeping, she lay herself down to rest. In the first gray light of the morning she discovered that she was near the sod hut of a weird old priest of the opposing tribe, who had taken up his abode this far away from the strife of opposing arms that nothing might interrupt his incantations, or break the spell of his communion with the Great Spirit. His great joy on seeing her with the corpse of her dead warrior was inexplicable to her until he made known to her that during his incantations it had been made known to him that when he saw " two persons with but a single soul,1' that moment peace should be established between the warring tribes, and the ground upon which the phenomenon was seen should be blessed through all time to come with double productiveness. As if in verification of his vision, she gave birth to twin boys, which he wrapped in his own priestly blanket and bore back to the scene of the late carnage. The boys were adopted by the two tribes, and named respectively "Peace on Earth" and " Good Will to Men." When they grew up they became the chiefs of the two tribes.

Jasper Atvvood, Danville, farmer and blacksmith, was born in Kentucky on the 18th of August, 1818. His father moved to Ohio when he was very small, and there remained fourteen years. During this time Jasper worked on a farm, and in 1827 came to this state, settling twelve miles northwest of Danville. He has been four times married: first, to Eliza Guillin, in 1839". She was born in Indiana, and is now deceased. Mr. Atwood was then married, in 1842, to Lydia Watson, who is also deceased. His fourth marriage was toDelila Layton. Mr. Atwood has frequently gone to Chicago with an ox-team hauling produce, and returned loaded with salt. He is an honest, hard-working man, well respected in his community. He has done considerable in the way of doctoring, and has a recipe that is almost a specific for chronic sore leg, never charging anything, however, for his services. He owns forty-eight acres of land, worth fifty dollars per acre.

Samuel Copeland, farmer, the subject of this sketch, and one of the old pioneers of Vermilion county, is the son of Samuel, sen., and Anna (Hays) Copeland. Samuel, sen., was born in Aramah, Ireland, about the year 1755, emigrated to the United States in 1770, and became a soldier in the revolutionary war. About 1790 he married Miss Anna Hays, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They became residents of Butler county, that state, where the subject of our sketch was born, on the 13th of August, 1801. In 1806 his parents became residents of the Texas Valley, Virginia, and from there they removed to Gallia county, Ohio. In this latter place the early life of Mr. Copeland was spent. As the country was new, he had but little chance of acquiring an education, there being nothing but the old subscription system, and he being obliged to cross the Ohio River to attend these, which at some seasons of the year was impossible for him to do. While a resident of that county, on the 15th of February, 1820, he married Miss Elizabeth Hani, she being a native of Virginia. lie remained a resident of Gallia county for eight years alter marriage. Then, building a boat, he came down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash, and then up this to Perrysville, Indiana, this trip requiring six months' time. His boat was loaded with salt. lie remained at Perrysville long enough to sell this, and then, buying plank enough to lav a floor, he moved to his present home, where he first built a house of "rails," and afterward a log-house, lie was obliged to go from seven to ten miles to get men enough to help him raise the structure. He located in Blount township when there was not a single residence of a white man between his place and Chicago. lie first entered the southeast quarter of section 11, town 20, range 12. With this small beginning he, by industry and economy, has accumulated a line property. lie has already given to his children four hundred and eighty acres, and has four hundred acres remaining, besides some valuable city property. There were born to them eleven children, all of whom married and settled in the vicinity of the old home. We have the authority from one of the sons to say that to these there have been born sixty-six children and twenty-three grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Copeland have lived to a ripe old age, and both are still smart and active. They are members of the Baptist church, which they joined about twenty years ago. Surrounded by an abundance of property, children, grand and greatgrandchildren, they are certainly living to enjoy the fruits of the labors of their younger days.

Lewis Swisher, Danville, farmer and stock-dealer, section 35, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, on the 31st of November, 1800. His father moved with him to Ohio when he was hut twelve years of age, where he remained until the year 1827. He then moved to this state in 1828, being among the first settlers of the county. He settled two miles north of Danville. The subject of this sketch left there on account of milk-sickness, of which disease he had a slight attack, and settled where he now resides. Mr. Swisher was married on the 21st of January, 1830, to Elisabeth Starr, who was horn in Ohio on the 14th of August, I Si 1. They have had by this marriage nine children, eight living. Mr. Swisher had hut, very little property with which to commence, hut In; has obtained a nice property consisting of one hundred and ninety-five acres of well improved land, with good dwell ing-house and other buildings.

of age he worked on the farm, having but ordinary educational advantages. In 1830 he moved to Illinois with his parents, settling in Newell township. Mr. Stipp has taught about twenty-five schools in his life-time. Mr. Stipp has been three times married : first to America A. Smith, on the 11th of November, 1817. She was born in this county on the 21st of November, 1831, and died on the 21st of July, 1870. They had nine children by this marriage, six living: Theodore L., Isaac N., Anna J., Sarelda A., Daniel V. W. and Samuel. The names of the deceased are Mary, Georgey and an infant. Mr. Stipp was then married to Mary E. Hewes, on the 3d of February, 1871. She was born in Vermilion county, Indiana, on the 27th of April, 1819, and died on the 24th of February, 1875. One child was the result of this marriage. He was then married to Elisabeth H. Hursely, on the 14th of January, 1877. She was born in Ohio on the 18th of July, 1838. Mr. Stipp has held the office of justice of the peace in this township for seven years, and supervisor of township four terms. He is a Baptist minister of considerable natural ability. He has been engaged in several public debates on various theological questions, with other ministers; one with W. P. Shocky, a very noted Universalist minister, and another with Prof. Clark Braden, of Cornell University, and with several others of less note. He owns two hundred acres of land, worth $30 per acre.

"William Potter, Danville, farmer and stock-dealer, section 27, was born in the state of New York, on the 16th of August, 1817. He came to this state in 1830, settling in New Town. He was married on the 26th of July, 1847, to Hester Lane, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1823. They have seven children by this marriage : Elijah, William H., Eliza J., John F., Mary E., Lincoln A. and Andrew J. Mr. Potter had but little property with which to start in life, his first tax being only six cents; but he has by hard labor, economy and good management, acquired a property of four hundred acres of land. His taxes have since been as high as $250 a year. He went in an early day to Chicago from Blount township on foot, carrying his clothes on his back, and there worked for sevent}T-five cents a day digging the cellar for the first brick house ever built in Chicago. His father lived to be eighty-eight years old and his mother ninety-three. Mr. Potter is a republican, and does not belong to any church.

William White, Danville, farmer, section 13, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of September, 1796, and was raised a farmer, and this occupation he has followed through life, making it a good success. He had no property when he was married to Betsy Guillin, in 1818, but by hard labor, economy and fair dealing, he has acquired three hundred and thirty acres of good land, and about $1,000 in money, which is on interest. And besides this he has given considerable to his children. Mrs. White was born in Ohio on the 12th of March, 1798. They are the parents of ten children, seven living. Mr. White has filled the office of justice of the peace. Though eighty-three years of age he has never in his life been so sick but what he was able to go about. He has been quite temperate in his habits. Mr. White frequently went to Chicago with team in an early day, hauling produce and returning with salt. He went there when there was but one house between where he now lives and Chicago. He has been a very industrious man, and is a man well respected in the community in which he resides. He is a republican, and does not belong to any church.

Josiah Crawford, Danville, farmer, section 2, was born in Virginia on the 9th of July, 1811, and spent his early days on a farm. His father moved to Ohio in 1823, where the subject of this sketch was married, in 1833, to Hannah Watkins, who was born in 1812, and who died in 1860. They had ten children by this marriage, five living: Sarah J., William, Hester A., Benjamin and Mary E. The deceased were Samuel, Almira, Lucinda, James and Minerva. Mr. Crawford was then married in 1860, to Minerva E. Firebaugh, who was born in Ohio. They have had by this marriage three children, two living : Elizora A. and Frank. The deceased was Josiah. Mr. Crawford has held the office of road commissioner. He frequently went to Chicago with a team and produce, and returned with salt. There was at this time only one house between his and Chicago. He had, when he married, but seventy acres of land, but by industry and economy has accumulated a nice property of four hundred acres of nice land. His father was in the war of 1812.

Eli Fairchild, Danville, farmer and stock-dealer, section 2, was bom in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 11th of February, 1835, and is a son of Daniel F. Fairchild, mt1io came with his father to this county in 1829, and settled about seven miles northwest of Danville, where his widow still lives. The subject of this sketch was raised a farmer, which occupation he still continues. He went to school some during the winter months. Mr. Fairchild was married to Clarisa A. Dermarest, on the 6th of March, 1856, who was born in this county on the 10th of October, 1836. They are the parents of ten children, nine living: Alice J., Rachel A., Ida L., Jessie M., Logan A., and Milton E. and Elizabeth E., who are twins, and Eddy and Eva K., also twins. The deceased was John. Mr. Fairchild has held the office of school director nine years, and overseer of roads eight years. He is a radical republican and a Methodist.

William Lane, Danville, farmer and stock-dealer, section 22, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, on the 6th of August, 1795. He had no property worth speaking of when he started in life, but he has had at one time fourteen hundred acres of splendid land, mostly in this county. He has divided it among his children, till he only has five hundred and ten acres. His father moved to Ohio in 1812. Mr. Lane came to this state in 1835, settling seven miles northwest of Danville, only two miles from where he now resides. He has been five times married : first to Phceba Blanch, now deceased, and the second time to Mary Steel, also deceased; he afterward was united to Nancy Lacy, deceased, and then to Nancy Yager, also deceased ; his present wife was Minerva Connell. He is the father, by the first marriage, of one child, now deceased ; by the second wife, two ; by the third marriage, fifteen children, ten living, and by the fifth union, five children, four living, making Mr. Lane the father of twenty-three children. He frequently went to Chicago with team in an early day, traveling five and six miles on ice. His father was all through the revolutionary war. Mr. Lane is a democrat and a Baptist.

Enoch Yansickle, Danville, farmer, section 35, was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 26th of April, 1814. He was married to Nancy White (now deceased), on the 8th of October, 1837. She was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 18th of June, 1819. They were the parents of ten children, six living: Robert, Andrew, who died in the army, Elisabeth, deceased, Sarah, Evart, William, killed by lightning in 1862, Harriett, John, Enoch, and one infant, deceased. Mr. Vansickle had only forty acres when he married. He tried hard for years to open up a farm in the timber, but as long as he worked at that he gained but little. Finally he went on the prairie, where he soon prospered. He now owns two hundred and ninety-six acres of land. He made a great many trips to Chicago with team in an early day, hauling- wheat, oats and produce, and returning with salt. Mr. Yansickle was in the Black Hawk war, and was one of the early settlers of the county, helping to change it from a barren wilderness to its present prosperous condition.

J. H. Cramer, Danville, farmer, section 20, was born in this county on the 30th of May, 1838, and was raised a farmer, and this occupation he has followed through life. He was married on the 9th of November, 1860, to Nancy Carpenter, who was born in Indiana. They have had by this union eleven children, seven living: William S., John W., Charles, Mary, Andrew, Fred and Lillie. The deceased were Dora A., Margaret M., and two infants. Mr. Cramer had but little when he was married, but by industry, economy and hard labor he has acquired a nice property, consisting of one hundred and nineteen acres of fine farm land. He has held the office of school director two years, and school trustee two years. His parents were natives of Virginia. He is a republican in politics.

E. P. Grimes, Danville, tanner, was born in Pike county, Ohio, on the 20th of August, 1822; was raised a farmer, and has followed that occupation successfully through life. He came to this state in 1838, settling five miles northwest of Danville, where he remained until within a few years. Mr. Grimes was married in this state, in 1852, to Elisabeth Cassia, who was born in 1835. They had by this union ten children, eight living: John M., Elisha C, Alvin, Ella, Charlie, May B., Austin and Edward. The deceased were Jacob and William H. Mr. Grimes has acquired a good property, consisting of three hundred and four acres of good land. In an early day he has frequently gone to Chicago with a team, loaded with apples, and came back with salt. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. He is republican in politics.

George G. Smith, Higginsville, farmer, section 33, owns three hundred and fifty acres, worth $30 per acre, was born in Scioto county, Ohio, on the 31st of August, 1829, and was brought up on a farm. He went to school in winter and worked on farm in summer. Pie came with his father to this state in 1839, settling in this township ten miles northwest of Danville. He was married on the 25th of March, 1852, to Eliza A. Fairchild, who was born in this county on the 27th of November, 1833. He is the father of nine children: Elisabeth L., John E., Elias D., Marshal M., Wesley C, Sarah, Eva J., Woodford G. and Josiah O. Mr. Smith has held the office of collector one term, office of supervisor of township ten years, which office he still holds. His grandfather on his father's side was in the war of 1812, and was in the battle at which Hull surrendered. His parents were natives of Virginia. Mr. Smith has given entire satisfaction in the filling every office he has held. He is well respected by all who know him.

Harrison Fairchild, Danville, farmer and stock-dealer, section 34, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 25th of December, 1840. His father, Daniel Fairchild, was a very noted Methodist minister, and was one of the pioneers of this county, coming here in 1829. Mr. Harrison Fairchild was married to Sarah E. Leanhorn on the 8th of March, 1865. She was born in this county on the 11th of September, 1845. They are the parents of seven children : Daniel W., born on the 28th of September, 1866; Lillie J., born on the 3d of January, 1869 ; Ettie O., born on the 23d of July, 187<>; Oscar H., born on the 2d of January, 1872 ; Joseph, born on the 13th of November, 1873 ; Myrtie, born on the 28th of August, 1875, and Roscoe S., born on the 12th of

May, 1878. Mr. Fairchild enlisted in 1861 in the late war, with Co. B, 25th 111. Inf. Vol., and served three years. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Perry ville (Ky.), Nolansville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and was at the siege of Corinth. He received a slight wound in the arm, and another in the leg, and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois. He lost two brothers in the war. Mr. Fairchild fattens from two to three car loads of cattle annually, and from seventy-five to one hundred head of hogs. He has held the office of school director five years, and overseer of roads five years. He owns three hundred and fifteen acres of land, worth $25 per acre. He is a republican, and in religion a Methodist.

Nathaniel R. Fairchild, Danville, farmer and stock-dealer, section 3> was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 15th of August, 1843. He has followed the occupation of a farmer through life. He attended the high-school at Danville for four years. Mr. Fairchild has been twice married : first to Elisabeth Fitzgerald, on the 21st of April, 1869.- She was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 8th of November, 1844, and died on the 19th of August, 1874. They had by this marriage three children, two living : Marshal C, born on the 26th of January, 1870, and Ada B., born on the 11th of September, 1871. The deceased was an infant. Mr. Fairchild was then married, on the 30th of March, 1875, to Sarah Dore, who was born in Vermilion county in 1842. They have by this union two children : Daniel J., born the 19th of January, 1876, and Wesley E., born on the 28th of July, 1878. The father of Mr. Fairchild, Daniel Fairchild, was one of the early settlers of this county, having come here in 1829. He was a very noted minister of the Methodist church. He is a republican and a Methodist.

John J. Cosat, Danville, minister of the gospel, section 13, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 13th of March, 1844, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He had but little opportunity for acquiring an early education, but by close study at home he succeeded in acquiring a sufficient education to enable him to teach school, which he continued for thirteen years. He commenced preparing for the ministry at the age of twenty-five. He was ordained in the Christian church in 1873, and has charge of two churches. He is also elder in the church. He was married on the 11th of July, 1869, to Emma Cline, who was born in Vermilion county, this state, on the 30th of September, 1851. They have six children, three living: Ernest H., born on the 15th of May, 1870 ; Pleasant, born on the 5th of May, 1872, died May 8th, 1872 ; Theodore W., born on the 30th of September, 1873 ; John D., born on the 25th of October, 1875, died on the 14th of November, 1876; Lafayette, born on the 26th of August, 1877, and died on the 2d of October, 1877 ; Everett M., born on the 25th of September, 1878. Mr. Cosat has held the office of town clerk one term, township assessor four years, justice of the peace two years, and this office he is still holding. He enlisted in the late war in 1864, in Co. I, 5th Wis. Inf., as corporal. He was one of the six men who captured Lieutenant Ewell. He served one year and was in the battles of Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Sailor Creek, and several other engagements. He is a republican in politics. His parents were natives of Kentucky.* Mr. Cosat's father came to this state in 1831, hence was one of the early settlers of this county.

Elkanah Fairchild, Danville, farmer, section 2, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 14th of June, 1845, and is a son of Daniel Fairchild, one of the pioneers of the county, and a minister of the Methodist church of considerable note, and a man of great influence. The subject of this sketch was married on the 25th of January, 1866, to Emily Fitzgerald, who was born in Vermilion county, this state, on the 21st of May, 1847. They are the parents of five children, four living: Ina O., born on the 10th of April, 1869; Benjamin F., born on the 16th of January, 1872 ; Ella G., born on the 13th of April, 1873 ; Grant, born on the 1st of July, 1878 ; Minnie A., born on the 21st of October, 1866, and died on the 9th of January, 1867. Mr. Fairchild enlisted in the late war in 1864, in Co. B, 135th 111. Vol. Inf., and served five months. He did picket duty, and was mustered out at Mattoon. He sells a few cattle and hogs every year, and farms quite extensively. Mr. Fairchild owns two hundred and sixty acres of land, is all in all a well-to-do farmer, and well respected by all who know him. He is a republican and a Methodist.

Joseph M. Ingram, Danville, farmer, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 24th of July, 1844, and spent his early days in working on a farm. He came with his father to this state in 1852, settling ten miles north of Danville. He was married on the 17th of June, 1867, to Elizabeth Fairchild, daughter of Daniel Fairchild, quite a noted Methodist minister of this township. She was born in Vermilion county, this state, on the 9th of January, 1850. They have by this union seven children, six living: Harrison M., born August 9, 1869; Daniel E., born May 30, 1871; Earl R., born Sept. 6, 1873; Nora F., born January 21, 1876 ; Elsie R., born March 22, 1877 ; Ordilla M., born December 25, 1878; and one infant deceased. Mr. Ingram enlisted in the late war in 1864, in Co. K, 135th 111. Inf. Vol. He served five months, and was mustered out by general order. His parents were natives of Kentucky and Virginia. He is a republican and a Methodist.

Johnson Gamrael, Danville, farmer, section 34, was born in New Jersey in 1843. His parents died when he was but three years of age, and he was then raised by his uncle. He came to this state when he was twelve years of age. He enlisted in 1864 in Co. E, 51st 111. Inf. Vol. He served one year, and was in the battles of Dalton, Dallas and New Hope. He received a gunshot wound in the left arm in the battle in Tennessee, for which he receives twelve dollars per month pension. Mr. Gammel was married on the 6th of October, 1871, to Mary Lemmon, who was born in this county on the 26th of February, 1844. They have by this union three children : Nettie, Eddy and Lula. Mr. Gammel has held the office of school director one year. He is a well-to-do farmer, and is in good standing in his neighborhood. He had but little property when he commenced for himself, but has acquired a good property consisting of one hundred and seventeen acres of splendid farm land. He is a republican and a Methodist.

John Brandt, Danville, farmer, section 11, was born in Pennsj'lvania on the 3d of October, 1825, and was raised on a farm. At the age of fourteen years he entered a general store as clerk, and there remained for a period of twelve years, after which he taught school four years. He was married in 1857 to Nancy Starr, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1826. By this marriage they are the parents of two children : Frederick E. and Abraham L. Mr. Brandt has held the office of school director several years. He had no property when he married ; but, by economy, industry and perseverance he has acquired one hundred and fifty acres of land. His parents were both Dunkards. He is republican in politics.

Francis M. Fairchild, Danville, farmer and stock-dealer, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 10th of November, 1858, and is a son of Daniel Fairchild, one of the early settlers of this county, and a minister of considerable note of the Methodist church. He married more couples and preached more funeral sermons than probably any other man in the county. The subject of this sketch was married on the 30th of March, 1870, to Ina B. Fitzgerald, who was born in this county on the 20th of April, 1848. They are the parents of five children, four living: Charles W., born December 4, 1870; Lola M., born August 14, 1872; Daisy W., born November 9, 1875; Oliver L., born June 28, 1877. Mr. Fairchild has held the office of collector one term, and has been Sunday-school superintendent. He fattens and ships from two to four car-loads of cattle a year, and some hogs. . He owns three hundred and eighty-eight acres. Mr. Fairchild is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is a republican.

gomery county, Indiana, on the 3d of May, 1834, and at the age of twenty-two he went into mercantile business, which he continued for a period of seven years. He has been three times married : first, to Eliza Smith, on the 18th of September, 1856. She was born in Fountain county, Indiana, on the 30th of September, 1841, and died on the 16th of September, 1860. They had two children by this union : Sarah C. and Clara D., now deceased. Mr. Justus was then married, on the 4th of August, 1861, to Margaret Graves, who was born in Kentucky on the 14th of May, 1829, and died on the 1st of February, 1872. One child by this marriage: Elizabeth, now deceased. He was then united to Hannah Cunningham on the 3d of September, 1873. She was born in Vermilion county, this state, on the 3d of September, 1840. They have had four children by this union, two living: Alia L. and Bertha ; the deceased were William V. and one infant. Mr. Justus has held the office of constable one year; justice of the peace, six years; school director, three years; postmaster, three years, and is deacon and elder in the Christian church.

William Vancamp, Danville, physician, was born in Clark county, Ohio, and was engaged working in an oil mill owned by his father until twenty years of age. His chances for an early education were limited. He came to this state in 1856, and settled in Coles county, where he remained one year. Some time afterward he removed to Indiana, where he practiced medicine thirteen years, and then, in 1869, came to this state, and settled in Pilot Grove, where he remained till 1871, during which time he had an extensive practice, attended with good success. From Pilot Grove he removed to Danville, where he practiced six years. In 1864 Mr. Vancamp enlisted in the late war in Co. I, 130th Ind. He had charge of the hospital, and during this time he discovered a remedy for cerebro-spinal meningitis that has proved to be almost a specific. The Doctor has been twice married : first, on the 15th of May, 1853, to Nancy A. Lymill, who was born in Indiana on the 13th of February, 1838, and is now deceased. They had by this marriage five children, four living. Mr. Vancamp was then married, on the 4th of July, 1865, to Elizabeth Sorett, who was born in Indiana on the 22d of August, 1837. They are the parents of six children, four living. The Doctor has been very benevolent, doctoring the poor without any hope of pay. He is a Methodist and a Mason.