Dover Township

Dover Township

The first settler in Dover township was John L. .\uient. He made a claim on section 13 in 1829. 'I'his farm was afterward owned by C C. Weibel. Sylvester Brigham followed the same year and made a claim, then returned east, and did not

])ermauently locate in this townsbi|) till 1830. In 1831 James Foristall came. George Hinsdale settled the same year on section 13, where J. Taylor afterward lived. James Garvin, Greenbury Hall and D. Ellis came in 1833. The first blacksmith's shop was luiilt l)y Aliram Music on the J. T. Thomas farm. This was said to be the second shop built in the county. John Elliott, Marshall Mason and James Wilson were early settlei's on the west side of Bureau creek. East Bureau creek runs angling through the township, entering on section 13, and passes out on section 31. Along this creek there is still much valuable timber, and the land on l)otli sides of the stream is in a high state of cultivation and the farms are well improved, having good buildings and good fences. The inhabitants are alive to the present issues of the day. Dover village is beautifully located on the east side of the township. As early as 1837 it was laid out by Eli Ijapsley, and was called Livingston, but was afterward changed to Dover. Isaac Delnow and Theodore Nichols built and started the first store. Before the Burlington road was ojiened Dover had a large trade from the surrounding country, and even after that she held quite a trade. Mr. A. L. Steele for many years did a large, profitable business, but in 1870 the branch road from Mendota to Clinton was built, which cut off most of its northern trade, so that at the present time there is but a small trade left. In February, 1857, the citizens of Dover called a meeting to consider the feasibility of starting an academy, and after discussing the question thoroughly it was decided that the enterprise was a worthy one and that a building should be erected for that purpose. It was located on land donated by Charles C. Ingalls, on block 4. Ingalls" addition. This addition is just over the line in Berlin townsbiji. There were forty-one stockholders in the institution, and it was first called Dover Institute. The first trustees were Samuel Mohler, Joseph Brigham, John Bellanger, H. M. Abel and William Stacey. H. M. Abel was made presid.ont. Joseph Brigham vice ])rrsiil('iit. .Tobn Bellanaor treasurer and AVilliam Stai-cv secretarv. The building cost $5,099.57. The Hrst principal was D. F. Edwards. He commenced his labors May 10, 1858. On account of ill liealth Mr. Edwards resigned in 1859 and died soon after on a trip to California. Rev. Albert Ethridge had charge of the institution from 1859 to 1861, when he contracted for the use of the building foi five years. It then was entirely under the management of Mr. Ethridge. The institution was incorpoi-ated in 1859, and after that was called Dover .\cademy. Mr. Ethri.dge by agreement was released from liis contract in 1863. From April, 1861. 1o 1867 D. F. Heard was in charge of the school IFc was followed by ^V. F. Yocum and George Wells for a few years. Ariel- this for nearly ten years there was no school, but in 1876 the building was repaired and another story added at the cost of

$2,500. Tliis up|)ur storv was in one room and used for a public hall. Prof. J. W Cook and his assistant opened the doors of the old academy for a new race in educational life. The school continued two years under their instruction and was noted as being a thorough and well managed institution, but Messrs. Cook and Carter left, and tliL' school struggled along for a short time, but iinallv The patronage was not sufficient to maintain it, and it was closed. The building now is under the auspices of the Congregational church, and is used as a deaconess' home. Dover Academy fullilled its mission, and all over Bureau county will be found men and women past middle life that will tell you of the profitable days spent in the old academy at Dover. Eev. Ethridge is one of the men of tliis county who has left his impress for good ujjon all with whom ho came in contact. Bureau county was bettered for having this school, and this school was particularly fortunate in having Eev. Ethridge for its principal. Dover village was incorporated in 1873. The population of the township in 1000 was, including the village, 1076 ; the corporation contained 210. The history of the Congregational church of Dover will be found in the sketch of Eev. William Anderson. Tlie following-named men have served as supervisors : niCRUX. Berlin and Dover townships were settled almost simultaneously in 1829, and by two brothers, Jolin E. .Vriient on section 13 in Dover, and Justus .'\incnt in Berlin on section 18. These two sections join. Elijah Phillijis bought out Anient a short time before he was killed by the Indians. Elias Isaac and Eichard blaster came in 1834, the latter settling on section 6. As early as 1836 Mr. Masters became an expert in surveying and establishing roads. About 1835 Tliomas Cole, J. W. and Israel ITuffaker and John Wise came. Mr. Wise came from North Carolina. In 1836

George Clark, the father of Samuel and Josephus, built a frame house on section 19. This is said to "be the first frame house built in the township and about the first frame house Ijuilt on the prairie in the county. This old homestead is still in possession of the family, being owned by S. P. Clark. Soon after this Enos and Sidney Smith, ^lartin Zearing and Oden Smith made farms on the prairie. The last two named on section 30. Among the early settlers should be named Nathan Eackley, who came here from Vermont in 1836 and settled in Berlin township, on section 29, where he lived many years, but in later life lived in Maiden, where he passed away a few years since at the ripe old age of ninety-odd years. He was the father of George Eackley, who has been an active and useful citizen of Bureau county during his long life. C. G. Eeed, John Ballanger, I. Judd, W. 1']. Dunliam, Pelettah Eackley and S. Mohler. The village of Maiden, in this township, was platted in 1856 by B. L. Smith. Enos Smith and W. C. Stacey bought him out and laid otf the addition north of the railroad. It was originally called Wiona, but was changed to Maiden. The population of Berlin in 1900, including Maiden and a part of Dover village, was 1052. The part of Dover village was 37 and Maiden 309. The names of tlie supervisors are as follows :

As early as 1830 Mason Dimmick staked out a claim which embraced nearly all of Lost Grove. He also began to build a cabin about where Arlington now stands, but he never finished it. After about two years of roughing he finally abandoned cabin, claim and all, and for several years there was no further attempt to settle this township. In 1834 a Mr. Hough completed Dimmick's cabin and occu]iicd it for some time, but l)ecoming lonesome and dissatisfied with his location, as there was no prospect of over having any neighbors, he offered cabin and claim for twentj'-five dollars. No one seemed to make this purchase, so the claim was again abandon(>(l and all of the improvements went to decay, and for five years the territory of

Westfield was without liuiium liabitation, but the wolf aud deer were iniich in evidence, and great sport was had in tlie ehase during these years. In ISrlO Benjaniiu Briggs and Michael Kennedy, Sr., settled in this township. Also David l?oth, a contractor on the Illinois Central railroad, built on section 10. In 1843 Daniel Cahill and David Lyon settled on sections 2G aud 37. George W. Gil)Son settled on section 8, ai'terwanl owned by James AVaugh. Peter Cassaday, Elijah Little and David Nicholas were among the lirst settlers. After 1843 settlers began to come to this part of the county. Arlington was laid out by James A\'augh about the time the Burlington railroad went througli, in 1853. Nathan Linton kept tlie first store and was also the first grain dealer. J. C. Gibbons bought grain and sold lumber on the south side of the railroad, but reverses came to him and he moved west. The first blacksmiths were Luke Lawler and Charles Westeote. The first physician was Dr. Pyronet. He was followed by Dr. Tuttle and Dr. George. The first carpenters were Tan Law, Clint Eobinson and Albert Morgan. The first hotel was opened by James Waugh. In 1854 Peter Cassaday platted an addition to the southwest of the town. Sidney Gray and L. 0. Hills kept a store for some years in Arlington. Mr. Gray now lives in Nebraska and Mr. Hills is in the south. Nathan Graj', who was one of the active men for many years in Bureau county, moved upon his farm in Westfield in 1852, where he resided rmtil his death, in 1892, having lived beyond four score years. Most of the early settlers of this township, like all of the others in this county, have finished their course on earth and joined the great majority, and all that is mortal in their being is returning to the natural elements.

Arlington was incorporated June 8, 1874. Westfield township, b}' the census of 1900. including the village of Arlington, had a population of 1118; the corporation of Arlington, 400. The following are the names of those who have served as supervisors :