Dorchester Township

Dorchester Township

Dorchester township is bounded on the north by Gillespie, on the east by Staunton, on the south by Madison county and on the west by Bunker Hill township. The district is drained by Cahokia creek and the west fork of Cahokia and its tributaries, which runs through the central portion from north to south. In former years the land along these streams was heavily timbered but much of it has been cut off for fencing and for other purposes. It is a rich farming district.

The first settler in this township was a Mr. Williams, who came here in the latter part of the year 1818. He was a "squatter" and it is not certain that he ever owned any land here. He removed to Missouri in 1833.

The first land entries were: October 9, 1820, eighty acres on section 24, by Richard Wilhelm; March n, 1829, forty acres on section n, by Charles G. Spence; January 25. 1830, Telemachus Camp.

At first the settlers sought land in the edge of the timber but after a time they began to push, out on the prairies. In 1829 the following people came to the township : William McKenney, who settled on section 1 1 ; Thomas Grant, section 35 ; John Funderburk, section 23.

The year 1831 witnessed the arrival here of Daniel B. Sawyer, who located on section 10, while in 1832 he was followed by Thomas Hart, who settled on section 23. In 1833, Abraham Isaacs, made a permanent settlement on section i ; in 1834, John Walker, located on section 16; in 1835, Joseph Walker on section 35; Cleveland Walker on section 5; in 1836, David Bentley on section 27; and in 1837 Dana R. Hayden located on section 4, while William Purdy settled on section 23.

The first deaths in the township were two children of Telemachus Camp from the years 1824 to 1826. They were buried on his farm, which was the begin-

The first sermon was preached in Mr. Camp's home in 1829 by a traveling missionary of the Baptist denomination. Peter Long was instrumental in organizing the first Baptist church here in 1836. The first church to be erected was by the Christian denomination at Round prairie, on section 32, in the year 1852. The first ministers were Robert Foster and Jonathan G. Wood. The first Sunday school was organized in 1870 and was held in a schoolhouse.

The first mill in the township was operated by horse power and erected on section 7 by Valentine Sawyer. Every one who came to mill did his own grinding, giving in payment one-eighth of the grain.

In 1855-56 the Indianapolis & St. Louis railroad built their line through the northwest portion of the township, thereby furnishing facilities for the shipment of grain and produce.

The village of Dorchester is located on sections 4 and 5 of Dorchester township, and sections 32 and 33, Gillespie township. It took its name from Dorchester Heights and the township later took the same name.

Alonzo Cutler was the original proprietor of the village and it was through his efforts that a railroad station was established at this place. In 1859 Fletcher H. Chapman made the survey. In the spring of 1861 was laid out P. R. Hayden's addition on the southeast side of the village. In 1866 Hayden's second addition was laid out. A depot was built in the spring of 1861 and about the same time William Whitfield erected a building which he used for a dwelling and a store. In the summer of 1860 Mr. Hayden built a side track on the south side of the railroad and put up a small warehouse for grain. He rented this building to B. F. Williamson but in the spring of 1861 took possession of it himself.

A Christian church was erected in 1874 and the first minister was Rev. David Davis. Prior to the erection of these houses of worship union services were held in a hall owned by P. R. Hayden.

Dorchester is now a village of 102 inhabitants. The town is situated on the line between Dorchester and Gillespie townships and the people are equally divided between the two of them.