Harwood Township

Harwood Township

Jeremiah Delay was the first settler locating on section 30, in 18,52; Jacob Hufi'man settled on section 1 the same year, and Michael Hulfman tlu> ne ct year on section 3. He was the first Justice of the P3ace in Pera township. Mr. Bullock settled on section 33 shortly after, but in what year I am not informed; James Custer settled on section 1 in 18.54; A. N. and Wm. Leneve settled on section 12 in is,5.5, and J. 1). Ludlow on section?; John and VVilUam Crawford, O. P. and Holsomber Soper, settled in the township, shortly after; Dr. J. C. Maxwell, James Marlatt, R. W. and A. Claypool, made improvements in ISofi. The first school taui^ht in the township was taught in a log building, on section 11, where John S. Weber's farm residence now stands, (and had previously served as a pre-emption shanty for several different parties) in tiie year 18(50, by Augustus S. Crawford, from this until the close of the war, the settlement was slow, but in 1S05 the township be. gan to settle rapidly, until to-day, there is not a quarter section of unfilled land in the town. The townsliip is divided into school districts two miles square.

KEKK. Wm. McMillen was the first settler - he settled at Sugar Grove in 1831 ; John Manning settled tliere shortly afterwards, and died soon after; Samuel Kerr settled near Sugar Grove in 18:34; Allen Skinner settled where Lewis Kuder now lives, in 1835, and entered lantl there ; D. S. Holber located on section 21, perhaps in 1836, and John Walker in 1838. The log house built by him is still standing and owned now by Wm. Tomliuson. Solomon Wilson came shortly afterwards, and the same year Samuel Sanford and Robert Brian came, likewise Thomas Short and Wm. Carter. L. Kuder, the oldest settler now living in the township, located there in the fall of ViSS. His brothers, Solomon, Christopher, John and Elias, were early settlers in this township, also Josephus, James and Perry Martin and Levi Wood, and all were largely engaged in growing and feeding stock. Lindsey Corbley was an early settler here, and became wealthy dealing in stock, and making good use of the rich pasture lands owned by him in this township. Solomon Mercer, Lafayette Patton, William Snyder and A. C. Hilard, were likewise early settlers in this township. The first school was taught by Levi Asher, in 1838, in a log school house on section 21.

Although the history relating to the settlement of both the towns of Champaign aiul Hensley has been assigned to me, 1 believe that Champaign was fully discussed last year, while Hensley, so far as I am able to learn, has never had any well organized at tempt made to set forth in unperishable history the names of her first settlers. The first settlers of any connnunity are not always the most permanent, although, in the ca.se of this township, many who canu; at an early date yet remain. 1 am indebted to Lothrop's history for some of my facts; to Salem Hensley and Joshua Dickerson, for others. When I first saw the township in April or May, 1^5fl, there were but few hou.ses except in the northwest corner, now it is one of the most prosjjerous towns in the county and better farmers, farm buildings and farm surroundings, it would be hard to find. I believe that a man named Robert Childreth was the first man to locate and he settled in the northwest portion of the town but did not remain long; he came about the year 1834. After him came Isaac and Jacob Hammer in 183(5. They located near Childreth and built a log house. These men were followed shortly afterward by John Philips, and Fomitain Busey and, in 1837, by Hezekiah Phillippe who moved from Condit. Mr. Phillippe died several years ago but the homestead is now occupied by his son, Andrew J. Phillippe. 1 find among those who came soon before 18.55 the names of Andrew and Joshua Dickerson, James M. Graham, now in Kansas, William Fisher, Richard Waugh, who now lives in Mahomet township, a man named Warerman who built a house on the Bloomiugton road near where a new house was recently built by A. C. Burnham, Charles Miner and Samuel Hyde, both good farmers and who have gone to their reward, David Wolfe who still lives, Nat. C. Beasley, who died several years ago, Samuel and James Shaw, both dead. Thomas Herriott who removed later to Kansas, H. C. West still a resident, and John S. Beasley also deceased. Among those who came in 18.55 were A. P. Hensley and his sons, two of whom, Salem and P. S., still remain in the town. The first house was of logs and I ijresume that the first frame house was one built in 18.53 or '54, on the Simpson fann as it was known, for Willis King. Joshua Dickerson built a frame house for Mr. Ross on the David King place in '55, and says that there were only three houses visible from the ridge. The first school was held in a log house built by the Hammers in the northwest part of the town and the first school house was built in the Waugh neighborhood later. I am unable to tell nnich about the early settlers of the town although I was personally acquainted with many of them; but I never had the least idea that 1 should be called upon to tell of their virtues, for I am sure they had but few if any faults, but had 1 known of it 1 might have asked many questions that would have brought out interesting answers.

An Account Of The Hoti-Y Contested Land

The grant of lands made by congress to the Illinois Central R. K. Co., designed to aid in the construction of their road, included every alt(;rnate or even numbered section on either side of the entire length. All lands still in iKtssession of the government and lying witiiin lifteen miles of the road were reserved to the United States (taken out of market) so that the company uught select otiier lands in lieu of even numbered sections on its immediate line which had jneviously been taken up for settlement. In 185.5 the railroad company having made their selections those still remaining were again brought into market by the proclamation of the president, Franklin Tierce. Previous to the time appointed for public sale a large majority of said lands were entered under the then existing Preemption Act. At said sale, which soon followed, all the lands in the then Danville district, those which were as well as those which were not preempted were sold, provided that should the preemptor make satisfactory proof to the government the purchaser would receive back his money without interest. The speculators, who in those days were dubbed "Land sharks," taxed their ingenuity in devising methods by which to entice, or if need be, to drive away the poor man from his home and fireside. With some who cared not to become actual tillers of the soil tliey easily effected a compromise. Others affrighted by threats of litigation accepted a small bonus and left their lands. Those remaining in Champaign county, occupying as they then did nearly four thousand acres being mon^ resolute could not be intimidated. Then came the tug of war and in dead earnest did Greek meet Greek, each determined to fight it out to the bitter end. Were those lands subject to preemption was the only issue. The speculator set up the i)lea that "tiiey were reserved to the United States," and therefore exempt by the act under which the preemjitions were made. On the other hand it was claimed that while it was true that these lands had been "reserved" for tiu' iiurjjoses above .set forth, it was e(|ually true that the president by iiis proclamation put an end to the reservation and by his declaration that they were now subject to private entry he announced tiie fact that they wer« also subject to preemption.

of the state was appealed to for its decision. In that court the speculator obtained a victory. It was, however, cuiTently believed that the victory was obtained by collusion with the preemptor who was defendant in the case. A number of suits in ejection followed in the inferior courts and as a matter of course the same decision rendered. The preemptors of the county met together in council, at Champaign, organized a preemptors" protective association, apix)inted a convention to be held at Onarga and elected delegates to the same. Notices were scattered abroad and every one interested was invited to be present and participate in its proceedings. John Koughton and N. L. Seaver, of Eautoul and Luther Eads, of Champaign, attended the convention from Champaign county as delegates. Quite a number also attended from counties on the main line of the I. C. R. R. The convention passed a series of resolutions expressive of its indignation against its oppressors, levied a tax of 30 cents per acre upon every preemptor with a view of raising a defense fund and appointed John Roughton to wait upon them and take their notes for that amount payable in one year afterdate to the order of N. L. Seaver, who had been elected treasurer of the association. It also appointed an executive connuittee and instracted that committee to select a suitable case for appeal to the supreme court of the United States and to employ a competent attorney to prosecute the same. It also listened to an address delivered by an attorney from Danville, who came there for the purpose of submitting to the convention a proposition to carry u]i to the supreme court any case that might be selected for that purpose. He asked that a connuittee be appointed to confer with him. John Koughton, N. L. Seaver and a gentleman from Woodford county were appointed as that committee. They retired to a private room, received his proposition and reported to the convention. It was as follows: For For taking up a case from the circuit court and carrying it on to its completion, if successful, eight thousand dollars; if unsuccessful, five thousand. The jiroposition was rejected by nearly a unanimous vote and the executive connuittee urged to prosecute its missi(m as si)ee(lily as possible. A few weeks afterward Mr. A. B. Ives, an attorney who resided at Bloomington and who had been employed in dt'fending some of the cases which had been trietl reported to N. L. Seaver and Joiui Koughton, one of them at the same time expressing it as his oi)inion that it was the best that could be found. He also expre.s.se(l a desire to meet the committee witli a view of being employed by tliem as their attorney. Luther T. Eads, who had been apix)inted chairman of the committee was therefore urged to call its members together. He, however, having become somewhat disappointed in consequence of tiie rejection of Mr. Drake's proposition at the convention refused to do so. Mr. Ives being advised as to the condition of affairs came to Kantoul where he entered into an agreement with Messrs. Houghton and Seaver to carry up the case he recommended and continue tlie same until a decision was obtained. In consideration for which, Mr. Koughton was to collect the tax levied by the convention and turn the notes over to him at their face value. Afterward the gentleman in Woodford county agreed to do the same. Mr. Ives went to Washington and Mr. Koughton visited every preemptor in Champaign county, from whom he collected jiotv^s amounting to between seven and eight hundred dollars and turned them over to him. The lirst and second winter sessions of the supreme court dragged along their weary length and no decision was obtained.

"But be not Ions', for in the tedious minutes, Exquisite interval, I'm on the rack; For sure the greatest evil man can know. Hears no proportion to the di-ead suspense."

However, before the expiration of this term victory perched upon the preemptor's banner - for in the month of September of the year 1860, Mr. Ives communicated the intelligence from Washington City, that the supreme court of the United States had given their decisi(m reversing the decision of the supreme court of the state of Illinois.

How many of the old preemptors of 185.5 now remain on their lands it would be difficult to determine. Suffice it, however, to say by way of conclusion, that this writer, aided by his only son, Reuben Koughton, has succeeded in rearing upon his a pleasant home where he now lives and where during the remainder of his earth life he expects to sootird Ily an unfaltering trust, approach his grave. Like one that draws the drajicry of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.''

Early Sunday Schools

My>self and family removed to this township in Octol)er, 18.58, and purchased the farm on which we now reside. I organized a Union Sunday school in the old brick court house, April 'J, 1854. The officers were A. O. Howell, superintendent, and M. A. Barnes, secretary. Kev. W. W. Blanchard was pastor of the Congregational ciuirch at that time and had many doubts about the success of the enterprise. The lirst Sunday there were 30 members in attendance ; the second, .58; May tliird, 128. Tiie Methodists and Baptists were cordial, in good feeling and co-operated with the new school. Many of our members were preparing to build and remove to "the depot," afterwards called "West Urbana," now Champaign city. Sunday school, with its officers, library, &c., was removed to an unlinished building of Deacon Moses Snelling, on University avenue, now the residence of Mr. James Wright. We had rough boards for seats and a goods box for a pulpit. Here we re-opened and re-organized the hrst Sunday school ever held in Champaign, on the 4th day of March, 1855. We changed our name from "First Union Sunday school of Urbana, 111.," to First Congregational Sunday school of Champaign. We built the tirst Congregational church on corner of University avenue and 6tli street, (sometimes called the "Duck Pond church) where our Sunday school numbered, on one Sabbath, 202. Thus I supposed for many years, that I had the honor of arranging and superintending the lirst Sunday school with a library and regular organization in this county for 4 years, but many years after I learned from B. F. Harris that he had antidated me two years. His Sunday school was held in a little church on his farm on the Sangamon. He carried his library to his Sunday school every Sabbath in a red hamlkerchief and back to his house at night. I carried my library to the court house in a candle box, in my then new rockaway buggy, and back at night. The four years' war killed off and scattered our thoi'ough members, and since tlien, oh, how sadly changed is our once humble and thorough church and Sunday school. 1 wish to say here that this was not the beginning of all the good church and Sunilay sciiool work done in this county. It would be difficult to over estimate the noble work done by our venerable Father Bradshaw for many years previous to this, but in consequence of his iunnensely large circuit, the meetings and sessions

Kev. A. Bkadsiiaw

I find from the old niimites of Illinois Conference of M. E. church that in liSo9, in the month of September, 1 was apijointed to Urhana mission. In October 1 landed in Urbana with my family. I do not know what had been done about a Sabbath school prior to that time, but the spring following we organized a Sabbath school, in which Baptists and Presbyterians took a part, especially Milton Vance, a dry goods jnerchant, but the Sabbath school was under the auspices of the M. E. church. It was in the spring of l"vW 1 made the purchase of a church lot from the county for S3, and the sunnner following we erected a church building :^)x40 feet, enclosing it, but did not finish it for some time. The Baptists had no church organization in Urbana, but I think they had in the Brumley neighborhood. But from the spring and summer of 1840 the M. E. church had a small Sabbath school organized in Urbana. I can not give particulars, nor can I say at what date the Baptist church organized a Sabbath school in Urbana or organized a church in Urbana, or built a church, &c. i know the little church house we put up iu 1840 was the first in the county. From 1840 to 18.50 the Sabbath schools iu Urbana were no big thing.

Old Settlers' Meetings

To the meetings of the old settlers, where they attempted to rescue from oblivion the incidents and recollections of the early tlays. we are largely indebted for the successful carrying out of the enterprise of publishing this book.

A immber of the old settlers, feeling the need of an organization of the people who settled this county anil bore the brunt of frontier life, and desiring that the history of the county mighl be collected from the settlers themselves while they still lived, assembled at the court house in Urbana, May 10, 1870, and were called to order by Thomson K. Webber, who nominated Henry Sadorus, of Sadorus, as iJiesidcnt, who was elected by acclamation. .1. S. Wright was tiien elected vice-president. The qualifications necessary to be an old settler were as follows: '"Those who were twenty years of age in 1840 ami resided iu this county at that time."' The following persons then regi'^tcriMl as olii settlers:

At this meeting T. R. Webber, James S. Wright and B. F. Harris were appointed a committee to prepare a constitution and bylaws for a permanent organization. T. R. Webber suggested that as Archa Campbell lacked a little of comine within tiie rule and in consequence of his long residence and thorough acquaintance, tliat tlie rule be suspended and that he and C. F. Columbia and J. T. Everett be admitted as members, which was done.

This meeting adjourned to June 1.5, 1870, when it again met. Tlie committee report^ ed a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted. The constitution provided for a president and vice-president, a secretary and treasurer; an election was held and resulted in the election of Henry Sadorus as president, James S. Wright, vice-president and T. R. Webber secretary and treasurer, to hold their office until October 1871. The meeting adjourned to October .5, 1870. The next meeting of which there is any record to be found was held August Ifi, 1882, at the fairground. J.O.Cunningham was selected as chairman and E. Eaton as secretary. They resolved to hold a general meeting of the old settlers at the fair ground August 29, 1882, being the first day of the county fair, and J. W. Langley, S. II. Busey and W. F. Ilarily were ajipointed a committee to prepare a program. The meeting was held August 29, and was largely attended. A new constitution and by-laws were adopted, and J. O. Cunningham was elected president, E. Eaton s»!criUary and F. B. Sale treasurer. Robert Fisher, J. S. Wri;iht and S. H. Busey, were appointed a committee to make arrangements for next meeting. The next meeting was held in Crystal Lake Park, Urbana. June 2s, 1S8.S.

This was the celebration of the semi-Centennial of the county of Champaign, and this meeting was in every way a success. The old .settlers gatiiereil trom many counties and gave the day to talking over the old times and in jogging the memory of each ollu'i' as to many laughal)le, as well

The next meeting was held at Crystal Lake Park, June 188,5. The forenoon was spent in asocial way and relating incidents of the early days. In the afternoon the meeting was addressed by Z. Reynolds, H. J. Dunlap, J. O. Cunningham, W. D. Somers, Joseph T. Kelley, Martin Rinehart. Rev. A. Bradshaw and others. J. O. Cunningham also read letters from David Davis, of Bloomington; John Wentworth, of Chicago: H. W. Drullinger, Chester, Nebraska, and Archa Campbell, Grove Springs, N. Y.

was larger than usual. J. W. Langley delivered the address of welcome. The .secretary then read the list of deceasetl members as follows: Hon. O. B. Ficklin, May 5, 188(5; Jonathan C. Thompson, Harwood, July 4, 188.5; Jennie C. Kinnear, Harwood, May 31, 1880; Mrs. Mary L. Condit, Rantoul; ISIrs. Lucy Clements, widow of James Clements, July 28, 18S6; Cyrus Holmes, Ludlow, May 7, 188().

The old settlers of Philo township effected an organization and have held annual meetings for the past thirteen years. The thirteenth annual meeting being held at Ridge farm school hou,ee, June 12, 1886, and was well attended.

The old settlers of St. Joseph township held a meeting in Robert Peter's Grove, Saturday, September 22d, 18S:^, and effected a permanent organization. A number of persons from different parts of the county were present and much valuable history was gathered, and which has been fded with the secretary of the county society.