Elkhart Township

Elkhart Township

Elkhart Township comprises fifty sections of land in the southern part of Logan Count J, and is bounded on the north by Broadwell Township, on the east by Mt. Pulaski Township, on the south by Sangamon County, and on the west by Sangamon County and Kurlbut Township. The northwest corner is crossed by the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and the southeast corner by the Illinois Central. Lake Fork of Salt Creek flows northward through the township.

1867 - Supervisor, Lorenzo D. Dana; Clerk, Charles F. Phillips; Assessor, Thomas J. Shreve; Collector, Alvin Buzzard; Highway Commissioners, John R. Goff and John Telfer; Justices, Jason Owen and Joseph A. Dalby.

1870 - Supervisor, Lorenzo D. Dana; Clerk, J. T. Green; Assessor, Peter Lanterman; Collector, Samuel B. Hunter; Highway Commissioners, John Telfer and George R. Crovv; Justices, A. J. Lanterman and Thomas Bell; Constables, "William Gordon and Newton S. Dunn.

1871 - Supervisor, Lorenzo D. Dana; Clerk, J. Y. Green; Assessor, Peter Lanterman; Collector, Samuel B. Hunter; Highway Commissioners, Cyrus M. Crow and H. A. Baldwin; Constables, Alexander Weaver and William Hurt.

1880 - Supervisor, William G. Bates; Clerk, William H. Davis; Assessor, William J. Turley; Collector, Benjamin F. Jennings; Highway Commissioner, J. A. Throop; Justice, A. C. Dunaway.

1881 - Supervisor, William G. Bates; Clerk, William H.Davis; Assessor, George D. Hunter; Collectors, Benjamin F. Jennings and William B. Irving; Highway Commissioner, William J. Turley; Justices, William H. Davis and Thomas J. Bell; Constables, H. B. Slayton and A. C. Dunaway.

Statistics

Elkhart Township is increasing in population, in spite of the drafts made by the great West. There were 1,325 inhabitants in 1870, and 1,523 in 1880. There are now, in 1885, probably 1,600.

Political

In political sentiment the township is safely Eepublican, though by slightly less majorities than were usually expected fifteen years ago. The following table shows the vote for each candidate at each presidential election, with the pluralities:

This village derives its name from the beautiful grove near vehich it is situated, and which was the scene of the first settlement of the county. As soon as the railroad had been completed to this point, an old horse-mill in Springfield, owned bj Seneca Woods, was brought up by William Mozee and placed here for a warehouse. This was in the spring of 1863. In 1855 the village was laid out by John Shockey, of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, who at once built a large frame hotel on what is now known as the Elwood corner. The building is still standing, and is now occupied by various stores. J. R. Saunders built about the same time a brick building for a store, in which he opened the first stock of goods in Elkhart. A few goods were for sale in the old warehouse prior to this, but no regular stock kept. Quite a number ot houses were built this same summer; and until 1862 the town grew very rapidly. Captain Saunders was the first postmaster and railroad agent in town, although his clerk, William Rankin, performed the necessary labor.

The village was for many years one of the largest shipping points on this railroad. John D. Gillett, an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, resides near it. Since 1862 the growth of the town has been slow. The trade is, however, good and supports a number of excellent stores.

Incorporation

Elkhart was incorporated February 22, 1861, by a special act of the Legislature. The first oflBcers were: President, James Rigney ;. Trustees, Charles Elwood, M. Buzzard, A. Downing, A. Buzzard and R. J. Williams; Justice, L. D. Dana; Constable, Martin. Buzzard; Treasurer, T. H. Can trail; Clerk, W. M. Helm; Street Commissioner, A. H. Borgardus. In the spring of 1885 the village was incorporated under the general law of the State and the following officers chosen : Trustees, Henry Stahl (President), Charles P. Bridge, A. H. Bogardus, Charles B. Taylor, Davidi Lippott, Lnther Wood; Clerk, William H. Davis; Treasurer, John Gibbs; Police Magistrate, John D. Newton; Constable, Thomas L. Ruth.

The business men of Elkhart in 1885 are here enumerated: Thomas Brennan and Hughes & Taylor, general stores; S. B, Hunter, John Hardesty, William Dolvin and Lanterman & Smith, groceries; Z. T. Taylor, druggist; L. W. Hess, furniture dealer;.

Jacob Blenz, meat market; Joseph Oordell, Elkhart House; H. H. Paukey, Frank Smith and Kobert Kennedy, saloons; John Gibbs and A. Armhigton, grain merchants; David Lippott, blacksmith; Thomas Brennan, postmaster; C. P. Briggs, station agent.

The Masons and Odd Fellows each have a lodge here, and there are three church buildings. The Methodists had a class in this vicinity in the early days of the county. In 1863 they built a church in the village, and they hold services now every other Sunday. The Christians were organized here about 1865. The congregation erected a house of worship in 1867, which is now used by the Episcopalians for Sunday-school purposes. The superintendent of this is Chades Dean. The Catholics were formed into a congregation in 1870, and have now a large membership. Services are held every two weeks by Father Eeynolds.

Cornland

is on the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad, in the southern part of Elkhart Township. It was platted by Joshua Day, in August, 1871. He and Dr. Phinney opened the first store in the village, which, in 1873, they sold to the Capps Brothers. Thomas Bell erected a grocery in 1871, but discontinued business in 1873. R "W. Jess, of Sangamon County, opened a general store in 1871, but returned to Sangamon County three years after. Andrew Wilkinson was the first mechanic here. In 1876 an elevator was built, and a good grain trade started. Before this a small warehouse was operated by Mr. Daney, of Elkhart. The town is also a good stock point. A good two-story school-house was built in 1877. The school is, however, under the district control.

The Christians moved their church edifice in February, 1877, from a point about three miles north of town, where they had been organized several years.

Biographical

Arthur Armington, a resident of Lincoln, Illinois, is engaged in the grain business in Elkhart. He was born March 1, 1844, in Armington, Tazewell County, which place was named for his father. He was the eldest of two sons of Hezekiah and Frances L. (Verry) Armington, the former a native of Vermont, now a grain dealer of Natrona, and the latter born in Massachusetts, and of French ancestry. His parents were married at Jacksonville, Illinois. Arthur received a common-school education, and at the age of fourteen years he began assisting his father, buying and selling grain, till his twenty-fifth year. November 13, 1869, he was married in Iowa to Emily J. Bailey, daughter of J. 6. and Catherine B. (Barnes) Bailey, the father a farmer near New Hartford. In .1869, after his marriage, Mr. Artnington left his father in business at Atlanta and went to San Jose and Natrona, Mason County, where he engaged in the grain business on his own account for two years. He then returned to Atlanta and established a grain business. Mrs. Armington died at Atlanta March 22, 1874^ and on the 28th of the same month their only child, Fred, died. April 6, 1874, his grain elevator was destroyed by fire, but with the Yankee pluck of his forefathers he rebuilt his elevator the same fall, which was again destroyed by fire October 26, 1882.. In 1883 he sold out and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, remaining there but one year when he returned to Logan County, Illinois, and located his family in Lincoln. He bought the grain elevator of" J. D. Leslie, in Elkhart, where he has since been dealing in grain. Mr. Armington was married to his present wife October 10, 1876. Her maiden name was Allie R. Allen, a daughter of the late Dr. John S. and Permelia (Peak) Allen, the former a native of Ohio' and of English ancestry, and the latter born in Virginia, of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Armington have been blessed with one daughter, Maude, aged eight years, who is the idol of their home.' Mr. Armington is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 176, I. O. 0. F.,. of Atlanta, Illinois. In politics he is a Republican.

Captain A. H. Bogardus. - Logan County possesses one man, at least, of more than national reputation, and that man is Captain A. H. Bogardus, of Elkhart, the champion wing shot of the world. Captain Bogardus was born in Albany County, New York, about 1832, and at the age of fifteen years began his shooting career. Hewas a tall, strong lad, and developed into a large and muscular man. He is a man of great endurance, and is capable of enduring much exertion and exposure. In his boyhood the game found in his na-^ tive county consisted principally of ruffled grouse and woodcock, which were difficult birds for beginners to kill. He received no instruction in the art of shooting, but possessed a quick eye and a steady nerve. In 1856 he removed to Illinois, and settled on the Sangamon River, near Petersburg, and here he found ample oppor- tunity to indulge his natural fondness for hunting. Game of all kinds was found here in abundance. To use his own language, it was a paradise for the sportsman, and here in the land of abundant game was developed that remarkable skill in the use of the gun that has made the name of Captain Bogardns a familiar one throughout the land. After a residence of two years in Sangamon County, Captain Bogardus removed to Elkhart, Logan County, where he has since resided. The following description of Elkhart is taken from his book entitled, " Field, Cover and Trap Sliooting," published in 1884. "It is in the heart of the State of Illinois, 166 miles south of Chicago, eighteen miles northwest of Springfield, and 115 miles from St. Louis. It was then a grand place for game. Grouse was found in immense numbers, though quail was not so plentiful as in the oak barrens of Sangamon. There, was however, and now is a grove of timber, 600 acres in extent, not far from the town. It is one of the finest to be found in the State, and on its borders there were many quail. This grove was then owned and still belongs to John D. Gillett. Gillett has planted hedges all over his immensepasture lands. These afford harbor and resting place for the quail, which is now more numerous than when I came here in 1858." Captain Bogardus, in his very interesting and valuable book entitled " Field, Cover and Trap Shooting," from which the above is taken, gives a very interesting account of the various kinds of game found in the vicinity of Elkhart, together with their habits, and contains much valuable information to both the sportsman and the naturaUst. The first appearance of Captain Bogardus in public as a shooter was in 1868. He had then been a field shot for eighteen years, and had often been Invited and urged to attempt contests at pigeon shooting, but until 1868 he had never seen a pigeon trap. The first public pigeon shooting in which he entered as a contestant was at St. Louis, where he was moderately successful. This resulted in a match between himself and Gough Stanton, of Detroit, for $200 a side, the match being for fifty birds each, and contested at Elkhart. It resulted in our subject killing forty-six birds, and his opponent forty. Space forbids our following Captain Bogardus in his wonderful career from this time till he received the medal as the champion wing shot of America, nor through his still more remarkable career in England, where he met and conquered the most renowned shots of the old world, thus earning the title that he still bears, the champion shot of the world. The various medals, badges and cups which he has won are still in his possession. He- lias now practically retired from the shooting arena with laurels, such as none before liiin has yet won. This sketch would be incomplete without a brief mention of his four sons, all of whom to a greater or less extent partake of the characteristics of their father, in their love for the sportsman's life and their skill ia shooting. Eugene, the eldest, now twenty years of age, has been champion with the rifle since 1879. He frequently knocks the ashes off a cigar at thirty-five feet with a ball from a Winchester rifle. Edward, now fourteen years old, gives wonderthl promise of becoming an excellent shot with both rifle and shot gun, and will doubtless at some future date make his mark in the sporting world. Peter, the third son, is now twelve years of age. He began shooting when eight years old and, like his brothers, gives promise for the future. The youngest son, Henry, is ten years old, and when but five years of age he began to use his 32-caliber rifle, and with the utmost ease he shoots at a distance of thirtyfive feet glass balls held in his father's hand. There is probably not another child in the world of his age capable of performing this feat. In conclusion we will add that to those who would know more of this remarkable family we would refer to Captain Bogardus's work above mentioned, a book full of interest and valuable information.

Thomas W. Capps, general merchant and postmaster at Cornland, was born in Springfield, Illinois, in 1838, and has always lived in Sangamon and Logan counties. He is a son of John Capps, who settled at Mount Pulaski about 1850, where he was engaged in the mercantile trade a number of years, when he removed to Decatur and engaged in business. He subsequently settled in Sangamon County, where he still resides. He was boru in England, and when a young man came to the United States, locating in Springfield about 1830. Thomas W. is the only one of his father's family living in Logan County. Mr. Capps was again married in 1870, to M. E. Van Hise, a daughter of D. Van Hise, and to this union was boru one son - Earl V., a native of Sangamon County. He was again married in 1876 to Mary E. Day, a daughter of Joshua Day, and to this union has been born one daughter - Nina D., born in Cornland. Mr. Capps established his present mercantile business at Cornland in 1875, which he has since followed with the exception of one year. He has held the position of postmaster since 1877. In 1862 he enlisted in the Sixty-eighth Illinois Infantry in which he served seven months, when the regiment was dislLl charged, the terra of enlistment having expired. He then reenlisted in the United States navy, serving till the close of the war. He was in both the Mississippi and South Grnlf squadrons, and was with Admiral Farragut at the capture of Mobile, and after the war he was engaged in the mercantile trade at Illiopoiis two years.

Joshua Day ^ of Cornland, Elkhart Township, is one of the pioneers of Logan County. He is a native of Massachusetts, born in Chester, Hampden County, in 1817, and was a son of Ira Day. There were eleven children in his father's family, eight sons and three daughters. Joshua came to Illinois in 1837, and to Logan County in 1838, having resided for a short time in Hancock Township. He purchased his first land in Logan County of John D. Gillett, an uncle of John D. Gillett, of this township. Mr. Day is now engaged in the mercantile trade in Cornland. His first wife was Hannah "Wiley, and his second was Hannah Cheney, who died in June, 1882. Mr. Day has eight children, three sons and five daughters, all but one married. Mr. Day has been a resident of Illinois for thirty-eight years, and but few are now left in Logan County who came as early as he.

William Dolvin, grocer of Elkhart, is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, where he was born in 1819. He was reared to manhood on a farm in his native county, and there received an academic education. He began teaching at the age of twenty-three years, and followed that profession for twenty-six years. He taught sixteen years in his native county, and in 1858 came to Sangamon County, Illinois, where he taught ten years, and since June, 1868, he has been a resident of Logan County. A younger brother, John Dolvin, who came with him to Illinois, also followed teaching, having taught in Ohio and Illinois for twenty-eight years. The latter was married in 1883 to Emma Hobkirk, a former pupil, who died about a year after her marriage. He now lives at Spencer, Clay County, Iowa, where he owns several farms. He is a very successful farmer, although he lost his right arm at the age of sixteen years. William Dolvin was married in the spring of 1867 to Mary A. Smith, a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, daughter of Philip Smith, one of the prominent and wealthy old settlers of Central Illinois. Her father was a native of North Carolina, and her mother of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Dolvin have two daughters - Ida B. and Olive L., the former born in Sangamon County in 1868, and the latter in Elkhart in 1870. Mr. Dolvin has a beau- tiful residence in Elkhart where he has built up a fine mercantile trade. He has dealt considerably in Western lands, which he sells at an advance on the purchase price. At present he is the owner of two fine farms in Iowa. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He has never aspired toofiicial positions, but has served as justice of the peace, and held other township oflices. Mr. l")olvin and his wife are members of the Christian church at Elkhart. His father, Richard Dolvin, was a native of Virginia, removing to Ohio when a young man, where he married Phoebe Edwards, our subject's mother, whe was also a native of Virginia. They had a family of eleven children, all of whom lived to be over twenty one years old, William being the third child. Richard Dolvin was one of the early settlers of Harrison County, and became one of the prominent farmers of that part of Ohio, where he lived till his death.

Samuel B. Hunter, general grocer, established his present business at Elkhart in 1871. He was born in Oneida County, New York, in 1836, a son of Robert Hunter, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, but for many years a resident of Oneida County, where he lived till his death. Samuel B. lived in his native county till he reached the age of eighteen years, after which he was engaged in railroading in the States of Mississippi and Tennessee. He was in the former State when its Legislature passed the Ordinance of Secession. The Southern States becoming too warm for him he resolved to come north, and accordingly located here in 1861. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry, at Mount Pulaski, and served three years. His regiment belonged to the Army of the Tennessee, and operated in that State much of the time, but during the last part of its service operated in Arkansas. His health was much impaired through the hardships and exposure which he had endured, and his lungs were permanently affected. After the war he returned to Logan County, where he has since resided. He was married to Jennie Grogan, a daughter of Spencer Grogan, and to them has been born one son - Frank, born in Elkhart in 1872.

Scott Lanterman resides on section 32 where his father, Peter Lanterman, settled in 1856, he purchasing the farm from J. D. Gillett. Scott Lanterman was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, in 1848. He was reared on the homestead of which he is now owner. He was married to Huldah Leach, August 18, 1882, who was born in Logan County in 1858, and is a daughter of Daniel Leach. They have two sons - Robbie A. and Willie E. Peter

Lantermau was a native of Fleming County, Kentucky, born September 4, 1817. He removed from Kentucky with his parents to Illinois, the family being among the early settlers of Sangamon County, where he was married December 6, 1839, to Dolly A. Lightfoot, who was born in Adair County, Kentucky, February 9, 1820. They had a family of five children who grew to maturity - John H., living in Elkhart; Susan J., wife of Jacob Yocom; Scott, onr subject; Joseph M. and James W., living in Elkhart. Peter Lanterman died October 9, 1876, his wife surviving him till January 6, 1883.

Adoniram Jvdson Leach, deceased, was born in Madison County, New York, May 24, 1818, a son of Bachus Leach, who was a lineal descendant of Miles Standish, one of the Mayflower's passengers in 1620. Bachus Leach removed from Massachusetts to New York State, settling in Madison County in 1813. Of his family eight children lived to maturity, of whom onr subject was the fourth child. The latter was reared on a farm, receiving good educational advantages. He came to Illinois in 1850, locating in Sangamon County, and engaged in teaching and farming. In 1855 he settled in Elkhart Township, Logan County, on the place where his family now resides. He first bought about 133 acres, which he afterward increased to 496 acres. He also taught in this neighborhood till his marriage. He was an excellent teacher, and through bis instrumentality the standard of the public schools was much raised. April 3, 1862, he was married to Mary E. Ross, who was born near Springfield, Ohio, in October, 1825, a daughter of Elijah and Mary (Houston) Eoss, her father a native of Kentucky, of Scotch descent, and the mother born in Delaware, of English origin. Her parents were married near Springfield, Ohio, March 24, 1816. The father died at Piqua, Ohio, August 11, 1838, leaving his wife and nine children. Mrs. Ross and her family came to Illinois in 1858. She died at the home of Mrs. Leach, May 11, 1869. Mrs. Leach, previous to her marriage, taught school for two years in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Leach were born two sons - Miles Adoniram and William Ross. The former was born in Elkhart Township, December 7, 1863, and September 10, 1886, he was married to Mary B. Hackett, of Louisville, Kentucky. The youngest son was born July 3, 1866, and is now a student at the University of Illinois. Mr. Leach lived on the homestead till his death, which occurred December 15, 1865. He was a prominent and in- . fluential citizen of Elkhart Township, and his death was a great

Daniel Standlsh Leack was born in tlie town of Eaton, Madison Countj, New York, in March, 1822, a son of Bachus Leach. He was reared in his native county, and there married Sarah L. Talbott, who ;ilso was a native of New York State, and of the eio;ht children born to this union five are living - Mary, wife of Benjamin Wood, was bora in Sangamon County in 1850; Bachus; Abbie, wife of Benjamin Bishop; Huldah, wife of Scott Lanterman, and Cyrus. In May, 1849, Mr. Leach and wife came to Sangamon County, Illinois, where he entered land near Chatham, residing there till 1856. He then came to Logan County and purchased a farm in Elkhart Townsliip, where he made a homestead. Here his wife died June 23, 1867, and in January, 1868, he was married to Henrietta Baldwin, who was born in Canada, but reared in Erie County, New York. She was a dauirhter of Alfred W. and Amanda Baldwin, her father dying when she was a child. By his second marriage Mr. Leach had two children - Alma and Alfred. The latter died in infancy.

George G. McEndree, of Elkhart, is one of the pioneers of this part of the State of Illinois, coming here almost fifty years ago when the country was very sparsely settled. He was born March 6, 1818, in Jefferson County, Virginia, a son of William and Phoebe McEndree. When he was seven years old his mother died, his father dying a year later. Thus he was left an orphan at the age of eight years, after which he lived with a brotlier-in-law till he was fourteen years old. He was then apprenticed to learn the cabinet-maker's trade at Winchester, Virginia, remaining there for three and a half years. He then went to Baltimore, where lie worked at his trade under instructions about two years, when he went to New York City, and there worked at his trade till the spring of 1837, when he went to St. Louis, Missouri, remaining in the latter city but a few weeks. In the fall of 1837 he located in Naples, Illinois, and in January, 1839, he settled in what is Menard County, Illinois, then a part of Sangamon County, and established a cabinet shop in Athens, which he conducted till 18i8. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Havana, and after a few years he returned to Menard County, and March 10,1864, he came to Logan County. He engaged in the mercantile trade at Elkhart, which he followed till February, 1883. He was married in Athens Township in 1839, to Mary Claypool, born in Oham- paigu County, Ohio, in September, 1820, a dauo;hter of Levi and Melinda Claypool, who settled in Atliens Township in 1827, comini? to Illinois from Ohio. Mr. Claypool was born in Virginia, and died in Illinois in February, 1866. Mrs. Claypool is still living aged eighty- four years. She was a native of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. McEndree have seven children - William, at Central City, Nebraska; Melinda, the only daughter, is now the wife of Daniel Brinkerhoff, of Central City, JohnT., at Beloit, Kansas; George M. and Charles F., at Central City; Henry W., at home, and Dunbar, the youngest son, at Lewis, Cass County, Iowa, engaged in the mercantile trade. But few residents have lived longer in Logan County than Mr. and Mrs. McEndree, they having been at Elkhart Grove in 1840. In politics Mr. McEndree was formerly a Whig, casting his first vote for General Harrison in 1840, but has been identified with the Republican party since its organization. He has served on the Board of Supervisors two terms, and for a number of years was justice of the peace.

William McKie, general merciiant at Cornland, Elkhart Township, is a native of Scotland where he was born in 1847. His father, John McKie, died in Scotland, iiis mother still living in that country. William McKie followed the sea for several years, and for some time was fireman on one of the Northwestern Steam Packet Company's boats, plying between Liverpool and New York, and during the war of the Rebellion was acting in that capacity. In 1865 he came to the United States to reside permanently, and before coming to Cornland he lived in various places. From 1870 to 1872 he was on the police force in Cincinnati, Ohio, and for some time ho worked in the Pittsburg Rolling Mills, and also as fireman on a steamer plying between that city and New Orleans. He has one brother, Samuel McKie, living in the United States, who is engaged in farming in Plymouth, Nebraska. His wife, whose maiden name was Jennie Blackstock, is a native of Scotland. She came to America in 1876. Mr. McKie has been a resident of Cornland since 1877. He established his present business in 1882, and carries a full line of dry-goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes, queen's-ware, glassware and patent medicines.

George W. Skreve, residing on the iiorthwest quarter of section 31, is a son of Thomas J. Shreve, wlio settled where his son now lives in 1858. Thomas J. Shreve was a nitive of Lawrenceville, Mercer County, New Jersey, born in 1818. He was married in his native State to Adeline Drake, by whom he had nine children

- Emily, wife of J. S. McOlure, of Williamsville, Illinois; James, who has lived in Denver, Oolorado, since 1860; Hannah, wife of H. G. Brearley, of Denver; Thomas, at Denver; Grace, married Hutchinson McClure, and died in this township in 1870 ; Theodore, living in Rochester, Illinois; Anna, died in childhood; George W. and Charles, both living in Champaign County, Illinois. In 1857 the father came to Springfield, Illinois, and in the same year purchased the farm in Elkhart Township above referred to. The farm was then wholly unimproved, but under the skillful management of Mr. Shreve it soon became a well-cultivated tract of land. Here Mr. Shreve made his home for many years, and in 1882 the homestead was purchased by George W., whose name heads this sketch. Thomas J. Shi-eve now resides in Williamsville, where he removed previous to disposing' of his farm. He was bereaved by the loss of his wife in 1871. George W. Shreve is the only one of his father's family still residing in Logan County'. He was born in New Jersey in 1850, and was eight years old when his father settled in Illinois. His wife was formerly Emma Pearce. She came to Elkhart Township in 1869. She was a daughter of Dr. J. W. and Emeline (Ross) Pearce. Her father was born in Ohio in 1816, and was a practicing physician at Wiltshire, Van Wert County, Ohio, for fifty years. He was a surgeon in an Ohio regiment during the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Shreve have one child - Jessie, born in May, 1879. Mr. Shreve is one of the prominent citizens of Elkhart Township, which he represents on the Board of Supervisors of Logan County. In politics he is a Republican. Henry Stahl, dealer in hardware at Elkhart, established his present business in 1365. Beginning life on small capital, he has by his industry and good management made his business a success, building up a fine trade, and by ids honest dealings has secured the confidence of the people. Mr. Stahl is a native of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, born in 1841, a son of Henry Stahl, who was born in Germany, his mother being also a native of that country. His parents came to America in 1830, and settled in Ohio, where the father died in 1865. His widow still survives. When fourteen years of age our subject began learning the tinner's trade at his home, Hamilton, Ohio. He then went south to Mississippi and Alabama, working at Oxford, Mississippi, about a year. In 1859 he located at Winchester, Scott County, Illinois, where he worked at his trade till the breaking out of the Rebellion. May 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and participated in many of the important events of the war. He took part in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh, his regiment being engaged in the latter both days, and where he was slightly wounded. He was at the siege of Corinth and siege of Yicksburg, battle of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and battle of Hatchie. He was made First Sergeant of his company in 1862, then but eighteen years of age. He was discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment, having served three years and a half. Daring that time he never spent a day in hospital, and his entire record was that of a gallant soldier. After his discharge he returned to Winchester and worked for his former employer, where l\e continued till March 1, 1865. He was married in 1866 to Eliza Ebey, daughter of George and Melinda (Killpatrick) Ebey, the latter a sister to Colonel Killpatrick, of the Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry, who fell at the head of his regiment at the battle of Shiloh, and a cousin of the great cavalry leader. General Judson Killpatrick. Mr. and Mrs. Ebey were early settlers of Scott County, Illinois, where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl have three daughters and two sons-^Mamie, Georgia, Tilly, Charles and Garland. Their eldest child, Harry, died at the age of sixteen years.

John lelfer, one of the prominent and successful farmers of Elkhart Township, is a native of Scotland, born in 1822. He is a son of John and Mary (Rae) Telfer, who remained in their native country, Scotland, till their death. Our subject was reared in his native country, and when a young man went to Liverpool, England, where he worked at his trade, that of a stone-mason, for four years. He immigrated to America in the fall of 1849, and resided in Sangamon County, Illinois, for two years, after which he settled in Logan County. His residence is on section 6, Elkhart Township, where he has about 213 acres. He has a farm of 105 acres on section 7, adjoining his home farm, his farms being well improved. Mr. Telfer came to this country comparatively poor, but by industry and good management he has acquired a competence. Besides the farms already mentioned helms three others, amounting in all to 760 acres. Mr. Telfer was married in Sangamon County to Emmeransa Potter, a native of New York. They have four children living - John Paris, Mary, Jessie and Thomas. Two daughters and one son died in childhood.

Benjamin F. Wiley, one of the early settlers of Logan County, is a son of John and Margaret (Willday) Wiley, who settled in what is now Elkhart Township in 1835. Benjamin F. is the only representative of his father's family living in Illinois. He was born in Logan County, August 17, 1837, and has always lived in Elkhart Township. In the fall of 1857 his left leg was amputated, the result of a white swelling, and when twenty-three years of age he was apprenticed to the trade of a harness-maker, at Elkhart, to William Irwin, with whom he formed a partnership, which continued about one year, when the partnership was dissolved, since which time Mr. "Wiley has carried on a harness-shop, a period of twenty-five years. He was married December 14, 1863, to Sabra Freeman, daughter of Ashley Freeman, an early settler in Mc- Henry Councy, Illinois. They have two children - Fred E. and Clara F. Our subject's father, John T. Wiley, was born in Virginia, November 1, 1807. When a boy he removed to Ross County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and was there married, December 25, 1831, to Margaret Willday, a native of Kentucky. Eight children were born to them, six of whom were born in Logan County. The children are - Thomas served in the late war a year and a half, in the Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, when he was discharged on account of disability, and is now living in Oregon; Alexander was a member of the Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, and died in Danville, Virginia, being at the time a prisoner of war in the hands of the Confederates; Benjamin F. was the first of the children born in Logan County; Charles P. served in the late war in the Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, is now living in Nebraska; Isaac and Lydia (twins), the former in Oregon, and the latter the wife of W. B. Lawrence, of Nebraska; William, of Oregon, and Jefferson, also living in Oregon. On coming to this county, in 1835, Mr. Wiley settled on a new farm, which he obtained from the Government, of which he made a homestead, living there till his death, which occurred October 3, 1853. His widow survived till February 14, 1868, when she died at the age of sixty-one years and three months. Mr. Wiley was a man of strict integrity, and was a worthy representative of that grand old pioneer element that is fast passing away.

Source changes here: from History of Logan County Illinois, by Lawrence B. Stringer, published 1911; 829 words in this source stream.

Elkhart Township

In some respects the history of Elkhart dates from the first settlement of James Latham at Elkhart Grove in the spring of 1819. A detailed account of this, the first white settlement in Logan County, has been given in connection with the chapters on early settlement and need not be repeated here. From the very earliest times Elkhart Hill has been the scene of more or less activity, James Latham's house and later Richard Latham's place on the brow of the hill further south being locations on the early stage routes from Springfield to Blomington and here travelers were received with true pioneer hospitality. In later days, Abraham Lincoln, David Davis, John T. Stuart and others, when "traveling the circuit" frequently tarried over night at Elkhart Grove, all of which has been frequently referred to in these pages. About 1820 James Latham also built a horse mill at the Grove. Before this, the early settlers had been compelled to go to Edwardsville to mill. During the existence of this mill, settlers came a great distance to get their grinding done and frequently camped out over night waiting their turn.

A town site was at one time projected by Aquilla Davis but nothing definite was done in that direction until the Alton & Sangamon (now the Chicago & Alton) railroad came in 1853. As soon as the railroad had been completed an old horse mill, owned by Seneca Woods, was brought from Springfield by William Mozee and converted into a warehouse. This was the first building in the town of Elkhart. In 1855, John Shockey, of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, laid out the town and the same was surveyed by County Surveyor Conaway Pence on April r1th of that year. Christian Shockey and John Rinehart were chain carriers, Wm. F. Elkin and A. E. Constant were witnesses to the survey and the town was given the name of "Elkhart City," this being done to distinguish it from Elkhart Hill and Elkhart Grove. The same year Mr. Shockey erected a large frame hotel. J. R. Saunders also built a brick store and offered the first general stock of goods for sale in the town. A few goods had been for sale in the old warehouse, prior to this, but no regular stock had been kept. Quite a number of houses were built the same summer and the town had quite a growth during the later fifties. J. R. Saunders was the first postmaster and railroad agent and William Rankin was his assistant. In 1858 John Gibbs erected a warehouse. Shockey's addition of 16 acres was added to the original town, Jan. 19, 1858. Rigney's addition was laid out in 1863 and Thompson's addition was added in 1865. A small district school house was moved into the town in 1856, which gave way to a more pretentious structure in 1865.

Gillett that were adjacent thereto. The town was incorporated Feb. 22, 1861, by special legislative act. The first officers were James Rigney, president; W. M. Helm, clerk; T. H. Cantrall, treasurer; L. D. Dana, justice ; Martin Buzzard, constable; A. H. Bogardus, street commissioner ; Charles Elwood, Martin Buzzard, A. Downing, A. Buzzard, R. J. Williams. A Methodist church was built in the village in 1863, a Catholic church in 1864 and a Christian church in 1867. Elkhart was the home of Capt. A. H. Bogardus during the time he was champion wing shot of America and at the time he won the world's championship medal in London in 1875. The present new depot at Elkhart was built in 1888. The town has had some experience with fires. Near the town, the residence of John D. Gillett was burned Feb. 14, 1871, and on March 2, 1891, Gov. Richard J. Oglesby's residence was consumed by fire. A new residence was erected by Mr. Gillett on the former site. Gov. Oglesby also erected a new residence but on a site further to the south and east, now known as "Oglehurst."" Here Gov. Oglesby died, April 24, 1899. On May 24, 1889, lightning struck the Crang building, occupied by the general store of Hughes & Mendenhall, setting fire to the same and communicating the flames to adjacent buildings, resulting in destroying the main business portion of the village. Ten buildings were consumed in all, nine being business stores and one a residence.

In 1885 the town was incorporated as a village under the general laws of the state, relinquishing the special charter. The first board under the new incorporation consisted of Henry Stahl, C. P. Bridges, A. H. Bogardus, C. B. Taylor, David Lippet and Luther Wood. A handsome new library building was erected in 1904, the gift of the Gillett family, an account of which has been given in the chapter on "Libraries." Elkhart is a station on the Illinois Traction System, which was built through the village in 1904. The village is located in Elkhart township and has a population of about 400.