Durham Township

Durham Township

There is probably no better township of land in the county than that numbered 7-6, and named Durham. It lies on the extreme north line of the count}', and is chiefly prairie, though much of it is rolling and well drained. It has a small branch of Crooked creek on its east side, and a portion of Camp creek in its northwest corner, each of which are skirted by bodies of timber. Ail the railroad it contains is about a mile of the Burlington branch of the Toledo, from Disco across its northeast corner. Its northwest corner lies less than two miles from the river at Dallas City. Durham may be called the western extension of what in the early days was known as " North Prairie," a tract of splendid farming country lying north of La Harpe and extending into Henderson county. Disco, on the east line of the township, must be near the center of it. This town was laid in Feb., 187G, by John Shutwell, and is located on the line of Durham and La Ilarpe townships. It is young and small yet, but seems to be a place of considerable business as a railroad station.

Among the early settlers in Durham we have the names of Thomas Dixon, Sr., George Weaver, John Gihnore and brothers, of 1835; and Jacob Mendenhall, "William Logan, Ferdinand Brent and son, James and Wm. Meeker, and Jesse Avise, of 1S36. Among those the dates of whose emigration we are not advised, are the Bovses, Manifolds, Loftons, Harknesses, Wilsons, James Mills, I. Wfmp, Wm. McGuire.

Among the first things in Durham township, we may mention: First school-house, of hewed logs, built in 1S37, and called Camp Creek school-house; first school taught by Mary Jane Jacobs, now of Washington Territory. First preaching by Rev. Wm. Johnson, Episcopalian; first Sabbath-school by Wm. McGuire, at same place; first M. E. preacher was Hev. Pool; first P. O. was called Camp Creek, John L. Avise, P. M. Concerning this P. O. it was on sec. 18, west line of the tp. ; when Mr. Avise died it was kept by his widow; and when she married Mr. Lyman Harkness, he was made P. M., - three in one family. It was afterward removed to Durham Corners, and kept by J. Hugh McGuire.

Eeligious Progress

As stated above, the first preachings in Durham were by Eevs. Johnson and Pool. We have no data as to Church organizations. The M. E. society has a church edifice at Durham Center, built in 1865, which we believe is the only one in the township. (918)

Personal

0. S. Avery, a farmer of Durham tp., was born in Ohio in 1817. His parents were Simeon Avery, a native of New York, and Rebecca,7ied Passmore, a native of Ohio. Coming to Illinois in the fall of 1843, he first settled in Dallas tp., where he resided till the spring of 1847, when he came to Durham tp. In 1816 he was married to Miss Eliza J. Atherton, who is now 52 years of age. From this nnion she is the mother of 10 children, of whom 6 are now living; namely, James O., Eliza J., Rebecca A., John M., Nancy J., and Lanra B. Mr. Avery owns 2-iO acres of land, of which about 150 acres are under cultivation. His educational advantages were very poor. He never went to school three Tnonths in a year, and yet he is a man who reads a great deal. He has been School Treasurer and Collector. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and and is politicall}' a Republican.

David Byler, who is one of the man}' prominent farmers of Durham tp., is the son of John Byler and Sarah (^Hay worth) Byler, who were natives of Tenn., and of German descent. He is also a native of Tenn., and was born in 1818. He first came to Illinois in 18.36 and settled in Adams Co.; after having lived there 15 years, he came to Durham tp. lie is now on sec. 9. He was married in 1840 to Miss Grace Jane Levi, who at her death was the mother of 2 children, John P. and Silas H., who are farmers in this tp. He was married a second time, in 1851 ; from this marriage, his wife, at her death, was the mother of 4 children, 2 of whom are living, Grace Jane and Henry C. In 1858, he was again married, to Miss Elizabeth Thompson, who is now 46 years of age, and the mother of 3 children, all of whom are living : Sarah, "William Newtun and Mary Bell Mr. B., when he first came to the State, had very little to start on, but by close management and the exercise of good judgment, he has succeeded well in all his undertakings. He now owns where he lives three qnarters of fine land, which he estimates at about $50 per acre. He has also two quarters on sections 15 and 21, and nearly one quarter of timber in same tp. In xVdams Co. he owns 200 acres of good land, and has an interest in a quarter of land in Missouri. He has held several township ofiices ; vvas Supervisor 10 or 12 years, and now holds the oflices of Justice of Peace, Township Treasurer and School Director. His educational advantages were very good, teaching school considerabl}' when young. He has been a farmer all his life, and by hard work has earned what he has. He and his wife have been for a number of years members of the Baptist Church. Politically, he is a Democrat ; was a AVhig until 1852.

beth (Quick) Eckles, who were also natives ot Pennsylvania. Removing to Illinois in 1S47, lie first settled in Adams Co., where he resided until the spring of ISol, when he came to Hancock Co., and settled where he now lives. In 1S65 he was married to Miss Lucinda Walters, who is now .39 years of age, and the mother of 4 children : Calvin, Emma, Stephen and William, all of whom are living. Mr. E. owns SO acres of land, all of which is verj' well improved, and is worth about $45 per acre. The high esteem and local repute in which he is held in his community is evidenced by the fact that he has held every oflice in the township, from School Director to Supervisor, which oflice he now competentl}' fills. Mr. E. informs us that his advantages for securing an education were very good for the times. Politically, he was, is, and always expects to be a Democrat; has been elected by that party to the position which he now occupies as Supervisor.

Daniel Farreii, who is the son of Daniel and Sarah (McAndry) Farren, is a native of Ireland, and supposes himself to be about 70 years old, the exact date of his birth being unknown to him. He came across the ocean to America in 1836, and first settled in Pennsylvania, where he lived two years, and then came to Illinois. He came to Hancock Co. in 1852, and settled where he now is in Durham tp., on sec. 4. In 1855 Mr. Farren was married to Catharine Marke}', who was a native of Pennsylvania. She is now 50 years old, and is the mother of 7 children, all of whom are living : John. Philip. Mary, William, James, Rosanua and Sarah. Mr. F. owns 280 acres of very good land, not quite all of which is under cultivation, and is worth about §40 per acre. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Catholic Church. His educational advantages were quite limited.

WHliam K. Oittbigx. - The ancestors of this worthy citizen ot our county were from England, and settled in Baltimore county, Maryland, prior to the Revolutionary war; the first we know of them b}' this name was Kinsey Gittings, who married Mary Cleramons, and who moved to Washington county. Keutuck}', in an early day, and followed farming; he died in that county about 1830, aged 65 years, leaving a widow and (> children; the former died at the ."^ame place about 1840. Their eldest son, William H. Gittings, was raised on his father's farm in Kentucky, where he retnained until he was 28 years old ; lie followed farming and boating to New Orleans, etc. In October, 1818, he married Miss Ellen Mudd, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of Richard and Mary (Berry) Mudd, all of Maryland and English ancestry; Richard Mudd was an oflicer in the Revolutionary war under Washington; at an early day lie removed with his familyto Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. William Heuson Gittings lived in Union county, Kentucky, where 8 children were boi'n to him; in 1834 he moved to Illinois, stopping a short time in Morgan county, and in 1835 came to this count3% with his family, and settled in Fountain Green tp., on sec. 7, where he afterward bought of the Government 180 acres of partly improved land. In politics he was a decided Whig-, and in 184>i was a noiDiuee of his part}' lor the State Senate. In this county he had nothing to commence with, but in time came to be one of the wealthiest men in this section. He was a man of the strictest integrity, whose word was as good as his bond. In his habits he was ver3' temperate, and in all respects he was honored and respected by the community. He was a member of the Catholic Church. He died ISToveraber 7, 1S69, aged nearly 79 years, leaving 10 children, who were all married at the time, and are all living at present. He had a family of 15 children, but 5 are deceased.

William K. Gittings. the third child of the former, was born November 5, 1822, and was on his father's farm until 26 years of age, when he was married January 9, 1849, at the Church of St. Peter, JSTanvoo, Illinois, by Father Gritiin, to Amelia E. Hardy, a native of Kentucky and a"^ daughter of Ivo H. and Mary (Kiley) Hardy, the formers native of Slaryland and the latter of Kentucky, and of English descent. Ivo Hardy and wife moved to this county in 1835; he is now dead, and his widow is now living with Mr. W. K. Gittings. On Mr. G.'s marriage he immediately moved upon a farm on sec. 1, Durham tp., consisting of about 80 acres, which he had bought some time previous to his marriage. The first house he built was a small log cabin 14 by 16; in this he lived one year, when he built a small frame; in 1860 he erected a large two-story and L, which he has since occupied.

In politics Mr. G. is a Democrat, and he has been Supervisor four terms, and was one of the first Road Commissioners after the organization of the county. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. He has since added to the home farm until it now consists of 720 acres, and he has given to two of his children who are married 320 acres besides; his children are: Mary Ellen, now the wife of Wm. L. Dean, of this tp.; Julia A., now Mrs Wm. Yager, also of this tp. ; Cory I., now Mrs. John Arnold, and living in Henderson county, near Burlington: Ivo James. Henry Marcellus and Catharine Matilda, at home. Wm. Berry, Eose Ellen and Sarah May are deceased.

Jason K. jacoh, who has been a resident of Durham tp., Hancock county. 111., for over 40 years, is a native of Connecticut, and was born Aug. 24, 1806. His parents' names were Udna and Elizabeth, who were natives also of Connecticut. His father was a farmer, also a mechanic by trade, and taught school some in his early life. Mr. J's grandparents were early jnoneers of Connecticut, and his father removed from Connecticut to New York about 1812, when his son Jason, the subject of this sketch, was quite young. Here he lived until 1820, whe'n he went to Indiana, and living there 6 or 7 years he again returned to New York, his son Jason returning with him. Afterward, in 1838, his father and family came West and settled on sec. 34 of Durham tp., where he (Jason) still lives. Mr. J. was married in 1839 to Sarah A. Thompson, who is the mother of 6 children, of whom 5 are living: Orson, the oldest, who is now traveling for S. Ilamill & Co., Keokuk; Milton, who is now running a store and buying grain in Sciota, 111. ; Richford, who is farming in the same tp. ; Viola, who is the wife of Marshall Terry, a clothier in Blandinsville, 111.; and Horace, who is still farming at home with his father. Mr. J. owns 30 acres of land where he now lives, which is pretty well improved and worth about $2,000. His advantages for an education were only such as log houses afforded. Politically he is and always has been a Democrat, and has held several offices, such as Magistrate eight years in this county, School Director, Trustee, and Commissioner of Highways. He and his wife are both members of the Christian Church.

James Edison 2Ianifold. - This man's father, George Manifold, was a native of Tennessee, and came to Hancock county in 1836, bringing with him a family of a wife and S children. The names of the children were: Sarah, deceased; Elizabeth, Nancy, William Fleming, Joseph N., James E., Benjamin, Jashur and John, all living in this county except Joseph N., who lives in Rockford, 111. Geo. Manifold's wife's maiden name was Mary Persle}', and she was a native of Tennessee. He died in this county a 3'ear and a half after settling here. His occupation was that of a farmer, and his farm consisted of three quarter-sections, and his residence was one and a half miles west of La Harpe. He died somewhat in debt for his land, but the widow and family afterward succeeded in paying all balance due. She died about ten years ago, and her son John now occupies the old homestead.

James E. Manifold lived on the old place with his mother, sharing in clearing the place from debt, until he was 24 3'ears of age, having received such a limited education as was afforded in the primitive log school-houses of the day. In the spring of 1S53 he bought 160 acres on sec. 9, Durham tp., for which he paid $1,150, $500 down, which latter sum he had made in raising a crop of wheat on rented land. On this farm was a small log cabin and some slight improvements; 100 acres of it was raw prairie; but the farm is now one of the best cultivated in the county, with fine improvements, fences, etc. The farm now comprises 280 acres, and Mr. M. has also 240 acres on sec. 28, and SO on sec. 20. Mr. Manifold has had but $200 given him in his life, and that was after his marriage; and he has therefore made all his present possessions by direct earning. He follows stock farming to some extent, feeding on an average from 100 to 200 head of stock per annum; raises on an average SO to 90 acres of corn, all of which, besides more, he feeds; he raises wheat, oats, etc., for market. His residence is on sec. 9, and he is very pleasantly situated.

In politics Mr. M. is a Republican, and in religion he has been a member of the Methodist Church for the last fifteen years; Mrs. M. has been a member of the same Church since she was IS years of age. »

28, 1830, and was a daughter of "Wm. and Elizabeth (McCarty) Logan, formerly of Marion county, Ind., and moved to Hancock county in 1835, locating on Camp creek, in Durham tp., where he bought land, of which he finally owned a large quantity, he gave each of liis 9 children 80 acres, and at his death left 160 acres. He died in this county in 1847; his wife died in lSi3. In coming to this county he brought 9 children with him; namely, Sarah, James M., Benj. J., Wm. H., Enoch M., Jonathan B., Samuel W., Jane and Elizabeth. These are all living, and gone farther west (Missouri and Kansas) except Elizabeth and Enoch, who live in Mercer conntv. 111. Mr. Manifold's portrait is given in this volume, p. 423.

J. B. McMillen, is the son of James McMillen and Eleanor (Bernethy) McMillen, and was born in Brown county, O., in 1828. Coming to Illinois in 1849 he first settled in La Ilarjje tp. ; living there one year, he went to Fountain Green, thence to Pilot Grove, where he remained for 20 years. "While here his occupation was a farmer and at the same time was engaged in the drug business at Burnside for a number of years with L. V. Aleshire. And afterward he removed to Durham tp. in the spring of '75, where he now lives on sec. 34. He was married in the tall of 1854 to Miss Margaret S. Evans, who is still living; from tliis marriage thej' have had 8 children, of whom all are living except one. Their names are: Eleanor A., the wife of John L. Heller, who is a druggist in Abingdon, 111.; Ethel, who was recently married to W. W. Glass, now a farmer of Fountain Green tp.; James E., who is a farmer in Durham tp. ; Christina P., who is the wife of James Lionberger, a farmer in Pilot Grove; Cj'rus Grant, Sarah B. and John Oscar, who are still at home. Since he removed to Durham tp., Mr. McM. has been an extensive farmer and stock-dealer. He has a large farm consisting of 350 acres where he lives, and 115 acres in Pilot Grove, on sec. 3. All of it is pretty well improved and he estimates it at about $45 per acre. He has on his land a lai-ge and commodious stone barn, probably the best in the tp. This building is 40 by 60 feet in size and holds about 50 tons of hay; has a basement story for 20 horses and 60 cattle; and altogether, is a conveniently arranged structure. Mr. McM. has only one lirother, John, who is a preacher and retired citizen of Winterset, Iowa, and 3 living sisters, 2 of whom are in this State and one in Iowa.

His educational advantages were only such as were aftbrded by a district school. Politically he is a Republican. He and family are members of the Christian Church, and all are highly esteemed by those who know them.

James Mills, son of William Mills and Sarah Morrison, was born in Ohio county, Virginia, near AVheeling, in 1816. He came to Illinois in 1853 and settled in Durham tp., on sec. 20; here he still resides, together with his three maiden sisters, Caroline, Sarah Jane and Minerva Zane, who keeps house for their bachelor brother James, the subject of this sketch. Mr. M. owns 160 acres of pretty-well-improved land which is worth abont S50 per acre. He has never held any office and never belonged to any secret organization. His edncational advantages were only such as were offered by subscription schools. Politicall}' he is a Republican. Mr. M. stands higli in liis community as a gentleman of sterling worth, and as a man whose integrity all admire.

Sarah Morris, the daughter of William Gather and Elizabeth Gillet, who were of Yankee and Irish descent, was born in Peunsylvania in 1S36. Coming to 111. in 1S51 she first settled in Henderson county, where she resided one winter and then came where she now is, on sec. 12 of Durham tp. In 1856 she was married to John Morris, who died in 1S76; from this union she is the mother of 6 children, -t of whom are now living: Elizabeth, Dayton, Sumner and Charles. She owns 20 0 acres of good land which is pretty well improved and is worth about $45 per acre. Her educational advantages were somewhat limited. She is a member of the Methodist Church. Politically her husband was a Republican. Her mother is still living.

V. F. Parmelee, a merchant of Durham tp., is the son of Ormin Parmelee and Phebe (Lyons) Parmelee, and was born in Conn., in 1S53. His parents, who wei-e of English descent and natives ot Conn., are now both dead. He came to Illinois in 1870 and settled in Durham tp., where he has been ever since. He went into business at Durham Corners three years ago, buying the drj'-goods and grocery store formerly owned by C. M. Thomas. He is now doing a very good business and has a good home trade. He carries a stock of about $1,500, and by fair, square dealing and prompt attention to business, has gained the confidence of his many friends in the community. Politically Mr. P. is a Democrat and now holds the ofiice of Town Clerk. Before going into business here he was a farmer. His father was also a farmer and stock dealer.

EeynoMs ct' liohertson, merchants, Disco. This young and enterprising firm established business in October, 1879. They carry a stock of $5,000, and have a lucrative trade. The senior partner of this firm, W. H. Robertson, was born in Lancaster county. Pa., in 1856, and came to Illinois with his parents, William and Ann E. (Pennell) Robertson, who are residents of Terre Haute, Henderson county. Mr. R. had a large experience as clerk in the mercantile houses of Terre Haute, and has adaptation and energy for success. He was married in 1878, to Miss Jane Forseman. Edla is their only^ child. The junior member, Mr. Reynolds, is a native of Clinton county, O., where he was born in 1S4S. His parents are residents of Henderson county, wliere they settled in 1879. Mr. Reynolds was engaged in farming until the present partnership was formed. He was appointed Postmaster at Disco, Jan. 1, 1880.

Josiah liitohey, a farmer of Durham tp., was born in Tennessee, in 1830. He is the son of John M. Ritchey and Catherine Dougherty. He came to this State in ISol, and settled in Adams county; after living there one year he came to Hancock, and first settled in

Dallas tp., where he resided until 1S62, when he removed to Durham, and settled on sec. 29, where he now lives. In 1S54- he was married to Miss Amanda F. Knowles, who is now ii years of age; I'rom this union she is the mother of 9 children, all of whom are living: Hiram C, Philip M., John M., Sarah L., Margaret E., Catherine, James II., Lncy M. and Dora B. Mr. R. has SO acres of well-improved land which is worth about $45 per acre. Has never held any office except School Director, two terms. His educational advantages were very much inferior to those of to-daj\

He has two sisters living, one in this tp., and one in Iowa. His father is dead but his mother, 76 years old, is living in this tp. Politically, Mr. R. is a Democrat. He and family are members of the United Brethren Church.

James Rhea, one of the most prominent farmers of Durham tp., is a native of Kentucky, and was born in 183-1. His parents' names were William and Ann, who were of Irish and Dutch descent. He came to Illinois in 1S50, and first settled in Adams county, where he resided until 1856, when he came to the place on which he now lives, on sec. 31. He was married in 1855 to Nancy J. Smith, who died about four years after their marriage; and was married a second time shortly afterward to Harriet I. Smith, a sister to his former wife. His first wife was the mother of 2 children, of whom one, whose name is Thomas, is now living. His second wife is the mother of 7 children, of whom 4 are living. Their names are: Theodore F., George, John and Adaline. His advantages for an education, when young, were very poor, being compelled to go four or five miles to attend school. Politically, he is a Pepublican. Mr. P. owns in Durham tp., where he lives, 117 acres, all of which is well improved. He has a fine two-story house, size, 28x32, with an L, which he built in 1872, at a cost of about 83.000. He has, also, one of the finest barns in the tp., size, 44x68, which he built in 1874, at a cost of 82,000. Besides the land on which he lives, he owns in Pilot Grove tp., 240 acres of well-improved land , the average value of all of which is aboi;t 8-iO per acre.

By hard work and strict adherence to the principles of right and justice, Mr. P. has accumulated considerable w^ealth, and has succeeded in establishing a reputation beyond reproach.

Robert Thoniaa, one of the old settlers of Durham tp., but of late a retired citizen of Carthage, 111., was born in Kentucky, in 1807. His parents, whose names were James and Sarah (Childers) Thomas were also natives of Kentucky, and of English and Welsh descent. Emigrating to Illinois in 1829, he first settled in Adams county, where he lived about 25 3'ears. He next came to Hancock county, in 1856, and settled at Durham Center, on sec. 16. He was married in 1830, to Miss Pebecca Thompson, who is now 56 years old and the mother of 9 children, 6 of whom are living: Melvina, Mary, Robert, Helen, Charles and George.

G. W. Yandruff, son of Josepli and Lavina (Nichols) Vandruif, who were natives of Pennsylvania, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1S20. His descent is Holland Dutch. He emigrated to Illinois in 18i9 and first settled at Mendon, where he lived three years; he tlien went to Henderson county, where he remained about a year and a half; thence he came to Hancock county, where he has resided ever since; he is now on sec. 14. He was married in 1847, to Miss Hettie Gillet, who died in about 25 years. He was married the second time in 1873, to Susan Smith, who is now 52 years old, and the mother of 5 children, all of whom are living, ilr. V. owns 321 acres of land, which is well improved and worth about $50 per acre.

When a boy, he attended a subscription school in a log cabin, where they had greased paper for windows, and roughly hewn boards for seats. He has held the ofiices of Collector and Road Commissioner. He is now a member of the Masonic fraternit}" he and his wife are both members of the Church of God, of which there is a small denomination in his community. Politically, he is a sincere Greenbacker.

Lintis L. Wilcox, a prominent farmer of Durham tp., was born in Haddam, Middlesex county. Conn., July 6, 1S19. He is the eldest son of Lyman and Emily (Hubbard) Wilcox, both natives of Middlesex, Conn., and until 16 years of age he was on his father's farm; he then spent three years as an apprentice at the tanner's trade; then taught school one winter in Connecticut. April 3, 1S39, he married Miss Abigail Burr, of the same State, and immediately removed to Hancock county, 111., settling in LaHarpetp. ; the following winter he taught school in La Harpe, and his wife taught the same winter in a log school-house one and one-half miles east. In 1841, Mr. Wilcoxrented land in La Harpe tp., and the next year he purchased the northeast quarter of sec. 22, Durham tp., which place he impro^'ed and occupied until 1856, when his wife died, in Connecticut, July 12.

While on a visit to his native State in 1S49, with his family, he became interested in a chain pump, which he was the first to introduce at any point west ot the Alleghany mountains. He manufactured and sold the article for about four years, employing six to twelve men. After the death of his wife, as before mentioned, he built a portion of his present residence, which was enlarged by additions and completed in 1872, at a cost of 8^,300. His barn, erected in 1869, is one of the best in the country. Evervthing on the premises is neatly arranged. Has a milk cellar communicating with an ice-house, a very convenient contrivance for taking off" the wagon bed and keeping it in an elevated position, out of the way, an arrangement for loading corn (can load 40 bushels of shelled corn per minute), cultivator wheels usable also for a hand cart, and various other conveniences wherein he is '- lit- tie ahead" of most of the world. He began life poor, but by honest diligence has acquired a competence. He practices the cash system in all his dealings.

He has taken a prominent part in the "farmers' movement," and was Master of the first Grange organized in the northern part of the county; was originally a Whig, then a Republican, and now is a prominent Greenbacker; has been a member of the M. E. Church for 42 years, and has been Recording Steward.

Mr. Wilcox has been twice married. By his first wife, already mentioned, he had 5 sons and 2 daughters, 3 of whom are living - Daniel W., Cynthia E. and Edwai'd A. Oct. 5, 1S58, he married Fannie M. Buell, of Killingworth, Conn., and of their 4 children 3 are living - Ellsworth F., Collins H. and Freddie. Mr. W. has three sisters - one in this tp., one in Elvaston, and one in Kansas. He has two brothers - one in Good Hope, McDouough county, 111., and one in Kansas.

Mr. Wilcox is an intelligent, industrious and influential citizen, and as a prominent man of his community, we present on page SOS a portrait of him, from a photograph taken when he was 40 years of age.

Town Officees

Forming together township 7 n - 7 w, lie on the north line of the connt_y and on the river, wlaich cuts off about half of the upper tier of sections in Pontoosuc. The stream known as Snake Hollow (we never heard of any big snake story connected with it, though there must be one, of course) empties into the river at Pontoosuc. Camp creek runs northeastwardly through the southern portion of the township, into Durham. There is much valuable farm land in this township, and is well settled with an intelligent and thrifty community.

The township is divided for political purposes; the two and a half tiers of sections on the east side being Dallas, and the three and a half on the west side comprising Pontoosuc.

Dallas City is also on the river, three miles above, and was laid out Oct., 184S, by John M. Finch. This is a town of considerable trade, tind has a population of perhaps 1,000 souls.

Perhaps the first settler in this township was Hezekiah Spillman, and one of the earliest permanent settlers in the county. The exact date we have not been able to fix, but he was a citizen when this was a part of Pike in 1S2.5. Spillman's Landing, on the river, has been a place of note among all the early settlers; and it was here that he, with a few of his neighbors constructed a rude block house during the Black Hawk war. His death occurred 20 or 30 j'ears ago.

The first postofiice in the township was called East Bend, Thomas Stevens, first Postmaster. In 1846 Jeremiah Smith, since of La Harpe, was Postmaster at East Bend. At Dallas City, J. M. Finch was first Postmaster, succeeded by R. M. Brewer, he bj' Mr. Finch again, then G. H. Ames, then B. Mendenhail. The present one is Mr. Tandy.

The tirst common school taught in the Spillraan's Landing settlement, was by Mr. Reuben Tull, in a little cabin near the river. In , the fall of 1S39 a hewed-log school-house was put up. This, like most other school-houses in those daj's, was used for meetings of all kinds, religious, political, social, etc.

Without doubt the oldest person resident of Hancock county is Mrs. Lofton, tlie mother of Mr. IST. Lofton, of Durham, and Mr. J. Lofton, of Dallas, and now residing with the latter. We are reliably informed that she was 102 years old on the 14th day of February last (ISSO). having been born that day, 1778. It was only about two years ago that she was in any way afflicted mentally, and is yet in comparative!}' good health physically, but confined to her bed.

Religious Progress

The first religious movements about Spillman's Landing, was the preaching of Mr. Bennett from Adams county, of the Protestant Methodist Cliurch. In the si)ring of 1S38, Rev. Enos Thompson was sent into the section by the Illinois Conference. He organized the first M. E. society, with the following named members: John R. Tull and wife, Alexander Martain and wife, Wra Tull and wife and William Pratt and wife, with Mr. Pratt as leader.

A Presbyterian minister from Fort Madison, sometimes came over and preached on Sunday afternoons (date not known) near the river, under the sliade of trees, the audience seated around on the grass.

Mr. Thompson occupied the field forabout two years preaching every four weeks, his circuit being extensive. This afterward took the name of Carthage circuit. The first quarterly meeting in the north part of the county was at the house of Wm. Pratt, Rev. Richard Haney, Presiding Elder.

The first Sunday-school in tlie section was on April 18, 1841, John R. Tull, superintendent. It was composed of the Tulls, Athertons, Van Tassels, Lakes, Loomises, Pratts, OUises, Martains, Bennuras, Neals, Vaughns and McAuleys, 37 in number, nearly half of whom are now in the spirit world, the remaining ones nearly all members of Churches.

The Congregational Church of Dallas City was organized Jan. 17, 1859, by Rev. William Salter, of Burlington, and Rev. Andrew L. Pennoyer. of La Harpe, witli 19 members; viz., Geo. R. Ames, Mrs. Frances Ames. Henry F. Black, Mrs. Mary N. Black, Thos. C. Patterson, Mrs. Catharine E. Patterson, John F. Thomas, Mrs. Jane Thomas, Mrs. Marietta Rollosson, Stephen Jackson, Mrs. Sarah Jackson,John D.Jackson, Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, Lyman B. Rand,

Histoet Of Hancock Codntt

Miss DianthaMcMullen, Miss Amanda Sayres, Miss Racliel Ann Sayers, Miss Emma Stoops, Mrs. Julia M. Bryan, some of wliom were members of other Churches. In 1S60, a ijrick church, with stone basement, was built, 30 by 45 feet. Later data not obtained Of the other Church organizations in Dallas and Pontoosuc, we liave no record.

James Rhea, of whom a sketch is given on page 925, furnishes the following items additional. His great-grandfather on his father's side was a native of Ireland, and his motiier's grandfatlier a native of Germany. On emigration to this country they first settled in Old Virginia ; thence Wm. Ray (so spelled then), the father of James, emigrated to Jefferson, Ky., 16 miles from Louisville. In this new country he was offered two acres of land for riving 2,000 boards, in the heart of what is now the city. In this neighborhood were four families spelling their name Ray, and in each family a John; they therefore concluded to distinguish each from tlie other by orthography, if not in pronunciation; namely, Ray, Rea, Rhea and Reaugh. Before this the Johns were distinguished by epithets, - Long John, Short John, Tobacco John and Whisky John.

James Rheawas but one year old when his father died, and but seven when he left his mother, and he, the youngest of 8 children, was thus left an orphan. At the age of 16 he left Kentucky and came to Adams county. 111., where until 21 he worked by the month, at $7 to $12 a month; at this age lie married and removed to this county. His father-in-law, Pliilip K. Smith, is a native of Kentucky, who married Rachel Gilliland, also a native of that State. Dates of his children's birth : Tliomas J., Jan. 16, 1858;

When Mr. Rhea came to his present place in 1855, he hauled the hewed frame timbers with him from Adams count}', and on arrival here he had to get a neighbor to tell him where his land was, and he unloaded his timbers in prairie grass as tall as the horses. For lumber and shingles he had to go to Fort Madison.