Earl Township

Earl Township

The town of Earl embraces the Congressional Township 36 North, of Range 3. It is the centre town on the north line of the county. Indian creek enters the town near the middle on the north, rans southwest to Section 19, and then southeast, having afine growth of timber along most of its course. It was settled quite sparsely along its banks commencing in 1834, until, in 1853, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincey Railroad was built through the town, after which the influx of population was rapid.

Charles H. Sutphen was the pioneer settler in the town of Earl, in company with John R. Dow. They came from Boston, made claims and located atthe head of the grove in April, 1884. They found two families just arrived from Indiana, J. Ross, anda Mr. Johnson, who located on the south side » and made some improvement that samsold their claitn to McUlasky & Philips, and left in 1835.

Mr. Sutphen brought his family in the month of October, and built adonble log house on the site of the village, The land came in market in 1839, when Mr. Sutphen purchased one thousand acres where Earlville now stands, and has occupied it as a stock farm for about twenty years.

He was one of the first Justices for Indian Precinct, and held the office continuously for fifteen years, being the oldest Justice in the county when he resigned.

He had a family of six sons and three daughters ; Charles T, Sutphen was the first white male born in the township, he and George are in California ; Albert, is in Aurora ; Ford, in Missouri; Gilbert and Weller, in Iowa; Sarah, married S. Cook, now deceased; Carrie T., was the first white ehild born in the town - married William H. Graham, of St. Lonis; Mary, married O. C. Gray, of Ottawa, and her second husband was Dr. Canfield, of Ottawa - she is now decensed.

D. A. Ballard came from Boston, in the fall of 1834; hie wife was a sister of Mrs. Sutphen; he returned to Boston in 1842, Two sons remain - one died at Earl two years since ; the other is at Anrora.

Albert Dow came from Boston in 1835. He married Miss Frances Johnson, of Boston, and settled on the claim left by John R. Dow; his wife died soon, and he married Martha Miles, and had one son and two daughters ; he is now living in Chicago. He resided in Ottawa several years.

Warren Dow, from Boston, came in 1834. He married Miss Alice B, Champney, of Boston ; has one son and three daughters ; he now lives in Wisconsin. He resided in Ottawa several years, and in Marseilles,

Corrin Doane, from Boston, came in 1834; marvied Harriet Johnson - his second wife was Hannah Stileon, sister to S. T. Stilson. He died in May, 1836, He had two sons; Hazen, married and lives

John T. Cook, brother-indaw to Sutphen, came in 1834; went to Galena, then to Chicago in the lamber trade ; his wife died in Chicago of cholera.

Jobn Thornton, and wife, Hannah Benedict, from St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1835; he died in 1866. He had three daughters: Lurania, married Samuel O, Carter; Roby, married Wm. Imil ; Sarah, married O. J. Wilson.

Samuel O, Curter, from St, Lawrence County, N, ¥,, in 1835; stopped near Chicago three months in December; settled on S. 17. Wife, Lurania Thornton ; has three gone: Adolphus married widow Doane ; Heman H. married Malvina Philips; Joel at home.

THinois, Ferdinand Carter, from the same place in 1896; lke died 1854. His widow, Deborah Breese, died 1887. Benjamin Carter, from same place in 1880; went to Green County 1860; now thet sylvester Carter ¢ in 1836 ; he died of cholera n 1849; first wife, Miss Christy; second, Mary Breese, widow ; third, Lucy Pine, Of his children, James Carter is in Livingston County ; Joseph is hing in Normal; Lucien in Livingston County. Urial Carter, married Eliza Rogerson; now in Arkansas ; has seven or eight children ; left herein 1855. Joel Carter, father of the foregoing seven sons, came from the bank of the St. Tawrence river if St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1836; died in 1858, uged 75

. J. Wilson, from St. Lawrence County, N. Y.. 1885; left there Nov. 16th, when 17 years of age, and came by steamer to Hamilton Bay, then on foot to near Chieago in company with Uri Carter ; stopped with Samuel and Levi Carter a few days, then went to Indiana and spent the winter, and in December, 1836, reached Big Indian creek in LaSalle County; bought a claim on 8, 21, which came in marker in 1839.

Mr. Wilson's history is a striking example of the result of industry and economy. From the poor boy trudging on foot through the weary distance to feach the West, le has become the possessor of wealth. being a large land owner, farmer and banker. He married Sarah Thornton; his children Thomas, who married Mary Wood, lives ne - liam, who married Nettie Doane, lives in Earlville, & banker; Edwin, in California; Abram, married Frances Pope, lives in Earlville ; Richard, Caroline, John T., Charlotte Ann, and Osman John, are at home

Major D. Wallace, from Orange County, Vt., in 1837 ; the only physician here for ten years ; left two sons, Charles married the widow Scott at Barl, owns the Wallace House : George married Miss White,

Miles Ronse, came from New York, in 1834; died in 1860 ; widow still living here ; Ellen, married Mr. Lynn; Eliza, married ; Martha, married Allen Me- Gregor.

George Rogerson came from Brockville, Canada, in 1838 ; George is in Ford County ; Eliza, married Urial Carter, in Arkansas. Mr. R, died in 1840,

James M. Philips, came from Pennsylvania, in 1836 ; he had a difficulty regarding a disputed elaim with his neighbor, Moss, and unfortunately killed

Fi but was discharged, from a defect in the law. It is due to Mr. Philips to state, that his neighbors all agree t he has led a blameless life since ; has a large family of children who are mach respected. He sent five sons to the war,

Abram Foster, and wife, Millie White, came from Bradford County, Pennsylvania, in 1836 ; settled one mile north of Barlville, on the creek ; he died many years since, leaving seven children: Betsey married Conrad Smith,of Northville; Millie, married Frederick Smith, of Northville: Elisha, is deceased ; Alfred, went to California ; William, died here, his widow is still living; Willard, went West; Abram settled on the creek, now in Colorado.

Amzi Foster, grandeon of Abram, came from Bradford Co., Pennsylvania, in 1837; he married Mary J. App; has three children. He has resided in Ottawa for many yea

Samuel T. Stilson, bor Chatauqua County, N.¥., 1839; has been a farmer, merchant, grain de d banker: and now retired. His first wife was Ellen Wood, who died in 1852: his second wife was Sarah Lukins. Has had five children ; two are living,