Loran Township

Loran Township

MRS. ELIZABETH APKER, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Yellow Creek ; born in Lycoming Co., Penn., May 3, 1822 ; was married to John Apker, Jan. 21, 1845 ; her maiden name was Elizabeth Farley. Mr. A. was born in York State July 30, 1 823 ; his father moved to Lycoming Co. when he was quite young. Mr. and Mrs. A. moved from Pennsylvania to this county in 1847. Mrs. Apker has a family of eleven children ; they are - Louisa, born Jan. 7, 1846 ; Mary, June 6, 1848 ; Lottie, Sept. 14, 1849 ; Henry C, Jan. 22, 1851 ; Samuel R., Oct. 15, 1852 ; Mahlon, Aug. 10, 1854 ; Hattie J., Sept. 24, 1856 ; David L., June 17, 1858 ; Alice E., Feb. 19, 1861 ; Jennie R., July 8, 1863 ; John, Oct. 27, 1865. Louisa is married to Solomon Kamrar, of Clinton Co., Iowa ; Mary is married to Thomas Schaffer, of Freeport ; Henry is married, and in Chicago. Mr. A. died of sickness contracted in the army, at Mobile, Ala., in 1865 ; he enlisted February 8, and died the 8th of May. Mrs. A. owns 86 acres of land. Mr. A. is buried in Mobile Cemetery.

REUBEN BABB, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Berks Co., Penn., in 1810; he came to this county in 1840, from Lycoming Co., Penn. He was married to Miss Eliza Stall in 1837 ; she was born in Northumberland Co., Penn., in 1815. Mr. and Mrs. Babb have five children living; they are John, born Feb. 28, 1840; Jane, July 10, 1847; Solomon, Nov. 25, 1851 ; Aaron, July 26, 1855, and Ephraim, Feb. 5, 1858 ; those dead are Amanda and Sophia, buried in the Lutheran Cemetery, Loran Township. Mr. Babb has 240 acres of land ; he has the family record of the Babb family for many years back, in Germany. Mr. B. was one of the first board appointed by the State Superintendent of Education, to take charge of the schools for this township, which board held office until 1851 ; he has been in office almost ever since the township organization, until 1872 ; he was one of the first Road Commissioners for the township, and is one of the oldest settlers living in the township.

H. M. BARNES, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Yellow Creek ; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1813, and moved to this county in 1854. Married Miss Louisa Byington, Jan. 28, 1838 ; she was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1813; they were married in Camden, Oneida Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. B. have six children ; the oldest, George H., died aged 22 years, in the army, and was buried at Savannah, Tenn.; he belonged to the 7th I. V. C. ; Harriet, died Oct. 10, 1842, and is buried in Eatonsville Cemetery, Herkimer Co., N. Y. ; Adelbert, married, and living in Red Oak, Montgomery Co., Iowa; Jared B., married, and living in the same county ; Hattie L., married to Charles F. Scott, of Loran Township ; Whiting S., married, and living at home.

JACOB BEHRIXGER, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Yellow Creek ; born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1830 ; came to this country in 1853, and to this county in April, 1854. Was married to Miss Katharine Karr, in this county, in 1856 ; she was born in Wurtemberg, Grermany, in 1834; Mr. and Mrs. B. have eleven children^ seven living and four dead ; those living, are Maggie, born in 1861; Lydia, 1863; Emma, 1865; Mary, 1867; Samuel, 1869; David, 1871, and Hannah, in 1873; John is buried in the Dunkard Cemetery, Kent Township, and Susan and two others are buried in the German Cemetery, Loran Township. Mr. B. owns a farm of 105 acres, and has followed farming since he came to this country.

IRA S. farmer, Sees. 25 and 36 ; P. 0. Freeport ; born in Oneida Co., York State, June 9, 1813; came to this county in 1853. Was married to Miss Harriet Barnes May 7, 1835; she was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., April 18, 1815. Mr. and Mrs. Byington have four children living, and three dead ; they are Elenora A., born March 14, 1837; Alvin, April 18, 1839; Flora, Oct. 14, 1840- Flora P., March 18, 1844; Harriet Jennie, Jan. 9, 1850 ; Clara E., April 6, 1853 ; and Clark I., Dec. 12, 1858 ; Flora died July 12, 184i - buried in Yorkville Cemetery, Kalamazoo Co., Mich. ; Alvin, Oct. 1, 1860, and Elenora A., Nov. 29, 1876, and are buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Ridott Township, this county. Mr. B. has been Justice of the Peace nine years, which office he now holds ; he has been Commissioner of Highways six years; he has 160 acres of land. Flora P. is now Mrs. Askey, of Montgomery Co., Iowa ; Harriet Jennie is Mrs. Robert Hayes, of East Dubuque, 111. ; Clara E. is Mrs. J. Peck, living at home.

JOHN C. DITZLER, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Yellow Creek ; born in Northumberland Co., Penn., April 18, 1836 ; came to this county in 1848. Was married to Miss Sophia Babb in 1863 ; she was born in this county in 1842 ; died May 16, 1873, and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery, Loran Township. Mr. Ditzler was married again to Miss Ida Harrenstein Feb. 26, 1874 ; she was born in Germany, in 1849; Mr. Ditzler has three children by his first wife - Laura, born April 2, 1865 ; Cyrus, born April 8, 1867, and Lillie, born Sept. 5, 1870 ; and three by his second wife - Charles B., born Oct. 20, 1876 ; John, born March 6, 1878, and George, born Dec. 20, 1879. Mr. Ditzler has 180 acres of land in this township ; he has served as School Director and Trustee for three years, and as Township Collector for one year.

MATHIAS J. DITZLER, carpenter and farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Freeport; born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Jan. 28, 1812; came to Pennsylvania about 1815. Was married to Miss Rachel Babb Jan. 18, 1837 ; she was born in Berks Co., Penn., Oct. 26, 1815 ; Mr. and Mrs. Ditzler moved to this county in 1840 ; they have a family of ten children living and one dead ; they are Thomas A., born Oct. 25, 1838 ; John M., born Dec. 28, 1840 ; Samuel B., born Jan. 4, 1843 ; Jacob B., born Oct. 3, 1844; Mary S., born Nov. 11, 1846 ; Eliza A., born Feb 2, 1849; Hiram, born April 11,1851; Margaret S., born Aug 16, 1853; Amos M., born Sept. 7, 1855; Sarah Jane, born Dec. 28, 1857 ; Catharine E., born June 15, 1859 ; Samuel B., died of sickness contracted in the army at Benton Barricks, Mo. ; he belonged to Co. I, 13th I. V. I. ; is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery, Loran Township ; Mrs. Ditzler died Sept. 19, 1863, and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery ; Mr. Ditzler now lives with his son-in-law, J. A. Gheen, who married his fourth daughter, Sarah J., Sept. 29, 1879; he was born in Clinton Co., Penn., May 19, 1856 ; Mr. Gheen owns 40 acres of land.

ANDREW K. EBY, farmer, Sections 8 and 9 ; P. 0. Yellow Creek ; owns 120 acres of land; born in Ogle Co., 111., Oct. 16, 1850; came to this county in 1853. Was married to Miss Mary E. DeVore, March 17, 1872 ; she was born in Bedford Co., Penn., March 3, 1851 ; Mr. and Mrs. Eby have one child - Olive J., born Feb. 3, 1864. Mr. Eby's father and mother were both born in Pennsylvania, and came to this State in 1846 ; they had a family of nine children, one girl living and one dead, and seven boys ; Mr. Eby's father first came to Ogle Co., where he remained four years, then came to this county; in 1870, he and the family, except Andrew, removed to Cedar Co., Neb. Mrs. Eby's father and mother were born in Bedford Co.,

Penn., and came to this county in 1853, where Mr. DeVore followed farming until his death, in 1872, Feb. 22 ; he is buried in the German Baptist Cemetery, Loran Township ; Mrs. DeVore still survives him ; Mr. and Mrs. DeVore had a family of six boys and three girls - two boys dead, one buried with the father, and the other died of sickness in the army at Vicksbura:, Miss. ; he is buried there.

WILLIAM H. H AHX, farmer, Sec 9 ; P. 0. Yellow Creek ; born in Northampton Co., Penn., March 22, 1856; came to this county in 1869. Was married to Miss Margaret S. Ditzler, Jan. 5, 1879; she was born Aug. 16, 1853. Mr. H.'s father was born in Pennsylvania, March 11, 1821 ; came here in 1869 ; his mother was born Feb. 22, 1822 in Pennsylvania, both Jiving. He has one brother buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, Northampton Co., Penn., and three sisters living, Mary J., Lucy A. and Sarah M.

SAMUEL HART, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Yellow Creek ; born in Juniata Co. Penn., May 20, 1825, came to this county in 1857. Was married to Miss Josephine* Michler in 1860, she was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1837 ; Mr. and Mrs. Hart have a family of two children - Parmelia, born Feb. 15, 1862, and George, born Oct. 19, 1860. Mr. Hart followed the pursuit of teaching for several years, both in this State and Ohio, being compelled to quit it on account of bronchial affections ; since which time he has followed farming very successfully. Is at present one of the Board of Commissioners of Highways for Loran Township.

JOHN R. HAYES, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Freeport, born in Bellefonte, Center Co., Penn., Feb. 24, 1839 ; came to this county 1844. Was married to Jane Graham Feb. 20, 1868; she was born in Northumberland Co., Penn., Feb. 4, 1836; Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have five children living, and one, an infant, buried in Freeport Cemetery ; those living are John Graham, born April 30, 1870; Martha Jane, July 15, 1872; Mathew Graham, Nov. 26, 1874; Samuel Hutchinson, May 7, 1876, and Mary Ellen, Jan. 20, 1880. Mr. Hayes enlisted in Co. A, 11th I. V. I., April 16, 1861; discharged, July 31, 1861 ; re-enlisted on the same day for three years, in the same company ; was wounded at Shiloh April 6, 1862, remained in the hospital till Oct. 24, of the same year, when he was discharged from the service ; Mr. Hayes again enlisted as veteran in Co. A of the 11th I. V. I., Feb. 6, 1864, was transferred to Co. K, of the 46th I. V. I., and honorably discharged Jan. 20, 1866. He is strongly Republican in politics. Has 168 acres of land.

LEWIS HOUSEL, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Yellow Creek ; born in Union Co., Penn., Oct. 23, 1850; came to this county and State in 1851. Was married to Miss Catherine Finkenbinder Sept. 6, 1876; Mrs. Housel was born in Kent Township, this county, April 9, 1857; Mr. and Mrs. Housel have one child, William Henry, born May 26, 1877. Mr. Housel owns 90 acres of land, valued At $4,500.

IRA KINMAN, farmer. Sec: 17 ; P. 0. Y'ellow Creek ; born in Union Co., Penn., Nov. 25, 1825; settled in Jo Daviess Co., in 1856; removed from thereto Kent Township, in 1857, and to Freeport, in 1858, where he followed mechanical and inventive business, for eight years ; since which time he has followed farming in Loran Township. He was married to Miss Mary A. Yohn April 26, 1852 ; Mrs. K. was born in Union Co., Penn., Sept. 24, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. K. have ten children living, and two dead ; those living, are - Emma, born Oct. 16, 1853 ; John, Dec. 20, 1854 ; Julia A., Oct. 14, 1856 ; Dora, June 12, 1858; Mary, June 1, 1859 ; Maggie, Oct. 27, 1860 ; George, Nov. 24, 1861 ; Sarah, Aug. 17, 1866 ; Daniel, Sept. 3, 1869 ; Minnetta, May 3, 1877, and Maretta and Ira, who are buried in Freeport Cemetery. Mr. K. is the inventor of ' Kinman's Patent Measuring Faucet," also a Patent Gate fastening, and other very useful ardcles ; has been School Trustee for six years ; owns 159 acres of land. Maretta was born June 5, 1863, died Aug. 13, 1863; Ira, was born April 13, 1872, died Oct. 24, 1872.

DR. (jr. S. KLECKSfER, Postmaster, and dealer in dry goods, groceries and notions. Yellow Creek ; born in Union Co., Penn., in 1835 ; came to Stephenson Co. in 1860. Married Miss Susan B. Peters, of Milan, Erie Co., Ohio, in 1867 ; she was born in Union Co., Penn., in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. K. have two children - Malburn M., aged 9 years, and Edith C., aged 22 months. Mr. Klecknor served in the army, in Co. D, 93d I. V. I., as 2d Lieutenant, from 1862 to 1863 ; as Captain of the company, from 1863 to 1865 ; honorably discharged. Has served for five years consecutively as Supervisor of Loran Township, which office he now holds ; is President of Loran Township Mutual Insurance Company.

CHARLE!^ KL.OEPPIWG, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Freeport; was born in Germany Sept. 7, 1822 ; came to this country May 6, 1854. Was married to Miss Caroline Vimmar in 1854 ; she was born in Germany, in 1824 ; they have a family of five children living, and one buried in Freeport Cemetery ; those living are - Emma, born July 13, 1855 ; Mary, Nov. 16, 1856 ; Caroline, Dec. 13, 1860 ; Lizzie, Dec. 4, 1862 ; Charles, July 2, 1864. Mr. K. was three years School Director, and owns 205 acres of land ; Emma is now Mrs. Kampmier, and Caroline is Mrs. Charles Kuhlemier.

L., born Aug. 22, 1858 ; died Jan. 22, 1859 ; is buried in Phillips Cemetery, Jefferson Township. Mr. L. was the first Tax Collector for Jefferson Township, which office he held for six years ; was Commissioner of Highways for Loran Township for three years, and Assessor for eight years, which office he now holds; has 185 acres of land. Mr. Lahre's father came to this county in 1845 ; was born in Lehigh Co , Penn., in 1807 ; his mother was born in 1808 ; they have a family of six children living, besides William, viz., Elias, born Sept. 10, 1849; John, born Sept. 30, 1837; Isaac, born Oct. 31, 1846 ; Sarah, born April 4, 1844 ; Matilda, born June 15, 1829, and Susan, born Feb. 28, 1833, and five dead - Abram, David, Henry E., Mary and James.

IRA liOWRY, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Freeport ; born in Centre Co., Penn., April 5, 1839 ; came to this county in 1846 ; engaged in farming and teaching school ; went to Iowa in 1867 ; returrfed in 1869 ; followed his profession until 1869, when he settled down to farming. He was married to Miss Sarah Heitter Nov. 26, 1865; she was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 22, 1833 ; Mr. and Mrs. Lowry have one child - Anna C, born April 21, 1871. He has 80 acres of land, valued at $3,200.

AHOS W. Mccreary (deceased) ; bom in Adams Co., Penn., 1808 ; moved to Wisconsin 1839; came to this county in 1844. Was married to Miss Mary Babb Jan. 1, 1845; she was born in Northumberland Co., Penn.; moved from Lycoming Co., Penn., July 17, 1840, to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Creary have one child, Samuel B., born Nov. 10, 1845. Mr. McCreary died in 1846 ; is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery, Loran Township. Mrs. McCreary's father and mother were both born in the same year, 1784, and both died in the same year, 1861 ; they moved from Pennsylvania in 1840 ; they were among the earliest settlers of the county ; they are both buried in the Lutheran Cemetery, Loran Township. Mrs. McCreary owns 180 acres of land.

PHIIililP MIIiliER, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. O. Freeport ; born in Freeport April 16, 1857; attended school until 1871, when he commenced farming; has had two narrow chances of losing his life, once by a blow from a singletree, which slipped from its place, and struck him ; and second, by foul air inhaled upon going down into a well. He deserves great credit for his endurance and pluck.

IRA 1IITCHEL.L, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Yellow Creek ; born in Vigo Co., Ind., Aug. 27, 1836 ; came to this county September, 1839. Was married to Miss Amanda K. Bell Dec. 25, 1865 ; she was born in Maryland in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have three children Hving - Charles B., born Sept. 9, 1869 ; Angeliaand Angelina, Aug. 29, 1873 ; and one buried in the Methodist Church Cemetery, Florence Township. Mr. Mitchell enlisted in Co. B, 71st I. V. L, July 11, 1862 ; mustered out Oct. 29, 1862. Mr. Mitchell is among the oldest settlers of the township ; was Postmaster for eight years at Waterman's Mills.

liEVI W. SHEFFEY, farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0. Yellow Creek; born la Chester Co., Penn., May 29, 1828 ; moved to Lycoming Co. and lived there four years ; came to this county in 1855. Was married to Miss Catharine Bruner in 1854 ; she was born in Northumberland Co., Penn., 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Sheffey have one child, Mary Agnes, buried in Freeport Cemetery in 1856, aged 6 months ; two living - William Lawrence, born Aug. 8, 1859 ; and Susan Emma, July 29, 1862. Mr. Sheffey enlisted in Co. K, 46th I. V. I., Jan. 27, 1865 ; mustered out at Baton Rouge Jan. 20, 1866 ; received his final discharge at Springfield, 111., February, 1866. Owns 118 acres of land.

HARVEY M. TIMMS, Sec. 15; P. 0. Yellow Creek; born in Kent Township, Stephenson Co., Ill, May 26, 1837. Married Miss Martha Davis, Jan. 1, 1866 ; she was born in Lee Co., 111., Nov. 17, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Timms have four children - Eugene D. and Edna D., aged 12 years ; Emma, 7 years ; and Gertrude May, 3 years.' Mr. Timms enlisted in Co. A, 92d I. V. I., the 5th of August, 1862, appointed to 1st Lieutenant upon the organization of company, promoted to captaincy Dec. 25, 1862, served as such until June, 1865, when the company and regiment were mustered out ; Mr. T. was retained to the command of recruits and assigned to the 65th I. V. I., Co. I , and in July was promoted to Major, which office he held until the regiment was mustered out; Mr. T. was in action in the battles of Franklin, Tenn. ; Shelbyville, Mission Ridge, llesaca, Kilpatrick's raid, Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Triune, Tenn., Chickamauga, Tunnel Hill, Altoona, Sherman's march to the sea, Aiken, S. C, Bentonville, Savannah, Averysboro, Johnston's surrender, siege of Atlanta, Powder Springs.

FREDERICK WAGNER, mechanic and farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Yellow Creek; born in Sondershausen, Germany, Nov. 10, 1844; came to Freeport, Sept. 22, 1862, and worked at the mechanical business until 1871, when he moved on the farm where he now lives ; has 80 acres of land. Was married to Miss Martha Kruydl, June 29, 1868; she was born in Philadelphia, Penn., June 19, 1847 ; Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have four children living; they are Elizabeth, born April 1,1869; John, April 28, 1870 ; Minnie, Dec. 29, 1873 ; Frederick, Oct. 15, 1877. Mr. Wagner is at present School Director of District No. 4, Loran Township.

CHARI^ES WATERMAN, Sees. 13 and 14; P. 0. Waterman's Mills; is a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y., and was born Nov. 14, 1817; after reaching manhood he came West to Illinois ; he and his brother, James S. Waterman, the banker of Sycamore, DeKalb Co., laid out that town in 1838 ; they were among the earliest settlers of De Kalb Co. ; he built the mill at Newburg ; it was the first mill built north of the Illinois River except one at Aurora. Mr. Waterman was prominent in ridding that section of the country of the notorious band of horse thieves, the '.' DriscoU Brothers," who caused so much trouble at that early day. Bill Driscoll had sworn he would kill Mr. W.; soon after, the latter overtook Driscoll on the road on horseback, both were heavily armed ; they rode together some miles, Mr. W. watching Driscoll closely, and was ready to shoot him instantly if any attempt was made to attack him ; while they were thus on the road, a body of settlers came upon Driscoll ; he was taken and hanged within a few hours during the same day. Mr. Waterman came to Stephenson Co. in May, 1840. In 18-44, he built a store on Galena street, and engaged in mercantile business ; he afterward engaged in business in Loran Township ; established mills here and a large steam distillery. Mr. Waterman was very active and spent a great deal of money to aid the railroads in coming through this county ; he and his son have a large stock farm. Mr. Waterman married Miss Eliza Barrett, a native' of Vermont ; her parents were among the earliest settlers in Winnebago Co. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman have one son - Waldo D., who manages the farm.

Source changes here: from History of Stephenson County, Illinois : a Record of Its Settlement, Organization, and Three-quarters of a Century of Progress, by Fulwider, Addison L, published 1910; 3,772 words in this source stream.

Loran Township

Loran is one of the most picturesque villages of the county, being situated between and among the hills. It is a very old settlement, and, in spite of the lack of railroad facilities, has continued to hold its own with the towns of the county which are more favorably situated.

In 1854, George Lashell, who owned a farm near the Jo Daviess County line, conceived the idea of laying out a town and selling lots at a very reasonable price. The county surveyor was called into service, and laid out the plat of the present town, which has never been increased or added to because of a too rapid influx of population. The village occupies only one street, and originally contained five blocks of twelve lots each. The sale of lots was so slow that part of the original town plat was then vacated for village purposes, and only as much reserved, as equalled the limited demand made.

The First M. E. Church was built in 1875, and is valued at about $1,500. It is a frame edifice 30x40, with a seating capacity of one hundred and fifty worshipers. The congregation numbers about seventy-five members, who live in Loran and the surrounding country. There is no resident minister.

Evangelical Church. The Evangelical church is also a frame structure, 30x44 in dimensions, and was built about forty years ago. The membership of the church is about fifty, and the pastoral duties are performed by the pastor of the church at Shannon, Carroll County.

The schoolhouse is a stone building located on High street, the main and only street of Loran. It has always been considered an unusual good district school, and serves the country round about Loran for some miles.

Loran has not grown appreciably within the last fifty years, and hardly any development is to be expected of the village, as it is inaccessible, without transportation facilities, and offers no inducements in the way of business opportunities to the prospective settler. Its pleasant location distinguishes it from most of the villages of the county, but in all other respects the place is the ordinary country village. The population is supposed to be about one hundred or thereabouts.

Loran Township is one of the western townships of the southern tier. It is bounded on the west by Jefferson Township, on the north by Kent and Erin, on the east by Florence, and on the south by Carroll County. Until 1859 it was of much larger extent than at present, comprising also the township of Jefferson, with its eighteen square miles extent. In 1859, owing to a petition of the dwellers in the western part of Loran, that section was divided off, and became a separate township. As Jefferson Township has been treated elsewhere, we now propose to treat of the settlers who took up their claims and established themselves in that part of the country which is now Loran Township.

The first settlement in the township was made in 1836 by William Kirkpatrick, who subsequently built Kirkpatrick's mills and became a figure of great prominence in the county history. He established himself in Section 14, on the banks of Yellow Creek, at the settlement which was later known by the name of Mill Grove. Here he soon erected his mill - just at what time we cannot say. Some of the old settlers assert that he put it up in 1836 or 1837 - > as soon as he had got his household settled. Others are quite as vehement in their declarations that the event did not take place until 1838. Whatever the time was, it is of small importance to know the exact date. It is altogether probable that Mr. Kirkpatrick built his mills as early as 1837 at least, for the traditions of the village of Winneshiek, which became Freeport, affirm that some of the houses of that settlement were constructed of boards brought from Kirkpatrick's mills on Yellow Creek.

Mr. Kirkpatrick built his mill as soon as he did his house, and the traditions say that he was subjected to all sorts of hardships while the building was going on, being forced to sleep in his wagon, in an improvised tent, and so forth.

Loran Township was settled very slowly, and later than almost any other section of the county. As late as 1838 the settlers were few and scattered, and confined almost entirely to the Kirkpatricks and the few people about the mill in the Mill Grove settlement. In the next year Smith Giddings came, with John Shoemaker, who settled in Section 19, Albert Curry, and Sylvester Langdon, who established himself in Section 15. There were others, but their names are now forgotten.

In 1840 a considerable delegation of new settlers arrived: the Babb family, including Samuel Babb, Solomon Babb, Reuben Babb, and Isaac Babb; Mathias Ditzler, and Christian Ditzler. In 1841, George House arrived and soon after him John Lamb. Warren Andrews and Anson Andrews came about this time, but just when it is impossible to say. They settled in Section 3, and there erected a mill on the banks of the creek. In 1842 Horace Post came, and located near the Andrews brothers' mill. Among the other settlers who came in this year were Truman Lowell, Moses Grigsby, William Barklow, Thomas Foster (both of these men settled in Section 17) ; Joseph Rush, in the southwestern corner of the township; Samuel Shively, near Yellow Creek; John Apgar, also on the creek bank near Kirkpatrick's mill; Henry Layer, and two men by the name of Slocum and Pointer.

Until 1848 settlers came slowly and in small numbers. While the rest of the county began to crowd up with emigrants about 1840, Loran Township did not receive its full quota for fully eight years. With 1848, the process of change began and soon Loran became as populous as any township in Stephenson County. The first marriage said to have occurred in Loran was that of Thomas French and Polly Kirkpatrick, who were married in the fall of 1840. A certain Mrs. James who died about the same time and was buried in the township was the first death. The first school in the township was founded in 1840 at Kirkpatrick's Mills, where it remained for about a year. Then the pedagogue removed his parlors of learning to a new schoolhouse built especially for the purpose in Section 2, near Babb's church. The men instrumental

Until late years Loran Township has always been behind the other townships of the county in point of development. One reason for the neglect which the township suffered was the comparative unhealthfulness of the township, especially along the banks of Yellow Creek. It is said that all sorts of fevers and agues prevailed along the banks of that stream, while even the inhabitants farther inland were subject to fevers of the severest sort. Now-a-days this condition of affairs has been entirely dissipated, and it is very hard to realize what must have been the dangers to which the early Loranites were subjected. In 1850, when the cholera plague made its presence known in the county, Loran suffered excruciatingly. Mill Grove, about Kirkpatrick's Mills, was nearly wiped out of existence. All the farms in the vicinity felt the effects of the plague, which was in every instance of so sudden and violent a character, that many a sufferer who had not realized that the poison was working in his system in the morning was seized with the sickness and died before sunset. In 1852, when the cholera appeared the second time, the horrible story of two years previous was repeated with even greater calamities. In 1854, on the occasion of the third and last visit, Kirkpatrick's Mills suffered again. Since that time, the improvement of the farms, and the drainage of the land has brought about so great a change "that Loran Township has no longer a reputation for unhealthfulness as a place of abode. Mill Grove has disappeared, but Pearl City is very much alive and is as thrifty and thriving a little settlement as can be found in the rural districts of Illinois.

In addition to the unhealthfulness of the land there were the various other plagues to which the early settlers of Stephenson County were subject: snakes, the unfriendly red man, and the ordinary terrors of the wilderness, of which we can have not the slightest conception today. But the farmers were sturdy and survived the perils of the years and their descendants are engaged in the cultivation of farms which are as productive and well conducted as any that can be found in the county.

The township is well supplied with streams. Yellow Creek, entering from Kent Township at the north, flows south and east through Loran and is joined by a large number of sluggish creeks and brooklets. The Chicago & Great Western Railroad crosses the township from east to northwest, following somewhat the course of Yellow Creek, with its one station at Pearl City. The area is the regulation thirty-six square miles, since the division with Jefferson Township.

Mill Grove

There is little to tell concerning the history of Mill Grove, but what there is is of a profoundly pathetic nature. The settlement marked the site of the first permanent settlement in Loran Township. It is located in Section 14, on the banks of Yellow Creek, where that stream makes a wide curve and loop to the northward, and William Kirkpatrick was the man whose efforts brought it into life.

He settled here with his household effects in 1836, and straightway proceeded to build a mill which was christened Kirkpatrick's Mill. For a long time, it remained the mill of greatest importance in the county, its nearest competitor being the Van Valzah Mills at Cedarville, established by Dr. Van Valzah. When new emigrants came to Loran Township, Kirkpatrick's Mill was the logical place for them to take up their abode. Not only was it the only settlement of consequence, but the rest of the township was almost an untrodden wilderness, and the courageous pioneer was never desirous of hewing himself a home in the wilderness when there was already one hewn out for him on the outskirts of the virgin forest. So Mill Grove continued to thrive and became quite a settlement in spite of the unhealth fulness of the site.

But the settlers had founded their expectations upon vain hopes if they ever thought Mill Grove would become a settlement of considerable size. In 1850 the cholera visited Kirkpatrick's Mills with disastrous results. In 1852 the dread disease appeared again, and almost the whole population was which to operate. The population was gone, the town dead, and the wheels of the mill silent. Never again did Mill Grove attain importance as a settlement. When the schoolhouse was moved away in 1841, no second institution of learning was ever built. With the advent of the cholera and its attendant calamities, the town was abandoned, and its name is almost forgotten.

Pearl City

Pearl City is one of the most wide awake and progressive villages of Stephenson County. It has a population of about five hundred inhabitants, and ranks about fourth in size in the list of Stephenson County towns. While it is a village in point of organization, and number of inhabitants, Pearl City, as its name rightly indicates, has many of the qualities of a miniature city. It is not far from Freeport, but the fact that it is not connected with the county seat by railroad has permitted it to devleop independently, and has kept many of its citizens from transferring their place of residence to the larger city.

Pearl City is in reality made up of two separate and distinct villages : Pearl City, the main village, the business section of which is located south of the Chicago Great Western tracks, and Yellow Creek, the old original Pearl City, which is located north of the railroad tracks, and has completely separate business and residential sections of its own. Yellow Creek is now known as the "north side" to the people of Pearl City, and contains the few scattered buildings which are remnants of the old village.

Concerning the history of Pearl City there is not a great deal to tell. The village is of comparatively recent growth, having been almost entirely built up within the last twenty years. Before the Chicago Great Western Railroad came through the county there existed a tiny settlement known as Yellow Creek, which contained a blacksmith shop, general store and post-office, and three or four houses. The location of the village was not especially pleasant, and it did not seem at all likely that a village of consequence was to be erected at that point. But the advent of the railroad changed matters. A station was established at Yellow Creek, and a grain elevator built, after which the town immediately began to feel its own importance. The Yellow Creek settlement, . which was about a quarter of a mile north of the point at which the station had been erected, was enhanced by the addition of a few houses, and one or two stores were also put up.

But the distance of the station from the village, and the inconvenience attached thereto soon caused a revolution in the village. The more progressive merchants moved about half a mile south of their old locations and erected new buildings close to the Great Western tracks. Three grain elevators were put up, also south of the tracks. With the building of two brick buildings in the new business section, the growth of the new village seemed assured. The railroad had caused the whole site to be platted out when it came through, and the officials of that company were interested in bringing the village farther toward the station.

Still the name of the settlement remained "Yellow Creek" and the sign painted upon the Great Western station announced the fact to travelers. Finally a number of public spirited citizens, feeling that it was inappropriate that their growing town should be hampered by the public proclamation of its proximity to Yellow Creek, petitioned for a change of name and the village became "Pearl City" about fifteen years ago. Since that time the name of the railroad station has also been changed, and now the metropolitan character of the settlement is assured in name if not in fact.

The churches of Pearl City are three in number, the First Methodist church, St. John's English Evangelical Lutheran church, and the Dunkard church.

First Methodist Church. The Methodist church is the leading church of Pearl City, both in size and activity. The early history of the church is extremely difficult to trace. In the beginning it was a part of the Kent circuit, and was ministered to by a student pastor. About fifteen years ago, the Pearl. City congregation, having increased greatly in size, felt hampered by the lack of church facilities offered, and decided to petition for the establishment of a separate church, and a pastor who should be able to devote his entire time to Pearl City. The petition was carried through, and the Pearl City congregation became a separate organization.

Soon after this event, the church previously occupied by the congregation was sold to the Dunkard congregation, and the erection of a new structure commenced. Previous to the occupation of their first church the Methodists had been in the old town hall which stands just south of the present commodious edifice. The new church, probably the handsomest country church in the county, was built in 1901 at a cost of $5,000, L. W. Herbruck being especially instrumental in the work of building.

The latest work of the congregation has been the building of a new parsonage for the minister, next to the church. This parsonage, which cost about $3,000, was completed the latter part of July, 1910. The church is in a flourishing and satisfactory condition in every way. The congregation numbers seventy, with a Sunday school of approximately one hundred and fifty. The Rev. J. V. Bennett is the minister at present in charge.

St. John's English Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Lutheran church of Pearl City, which is located on the south side of the town, and occupies a handsome brown frame structure, was organized September i, 1888, with a charter membership of thirteen earnest members. Rev. Klock was the first pastor.

Soon after organization the congregation deciding upon the erection of a church building, the present edifice was built, and has been occupied for about twenty years.

The Pearl City church is on the same circuit with the Kent church, both of the churches receiving the services of the Rev. Alex. MacLaughlin as pastor. The Pearl City church has a membership of thirty-nine, with a Sunday school of about fifty-five members. " The church property is valued at $2,500, with a parsonage worth $2,000.

Dunkard Church. The Dunkards' stronghold in Stephenson County has always been in the western part of the county in the vicinity of Pearl City and Kent. There had always been a number of the sect in the village itself, but they never occupied a church edifice of their own until about fifteen years ago, when they purchased the church of the Methodist congregation. They have no pastor, but every member of the congregation officiates as pastor in turn. The membership of the church is somewhat fluctuating, but remains in the neighborhood of fifty.

Lodges. Pearl City, like every other country village in this section of the country, supports a number of lodges. Most of these have been founded within the last ten years, and deserve only passing mention. The Masonic lodge is the oldest of the aggregation, and holds an important place in village activities.

Pearl Lodge, No. 823, A. F. & A. M. The Pearl Lodge of the Masonic order was founded in the winter of 1893. It is the most important fraternal organization of Pearl City, and has a membership of about sixty-five. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Dr. M. W. Hooker is worshipful master, and C. G. Robinson is secretary.

Fox Camp. No. 711, M. W. A. The Woodmen founded their Pearl City lodge about fifteen years ago, and have maintained a prosperous and lively organization ever since. The camp meets every Thursday evening. The officers are: J. F. Mishler, V. C., and John Seebold, clerk.

Eleroy Lodge, No. 247, I. O. 0. F. The Eleroy lodge was organized at Eleroy, in Erin Township, on the i8th of December, 1857, but was transferred to Pearl City a few years ago. It is now attended by the inhabitants of both villages, and by the farmers of the country lying between. Although the lodge itself is by far the oldest in the list, the time of its existence in Pearl City has been comparatively short, and hence it ranks among the newer Pearl City lodges. Meetings are held every Monday. P. H. Schnell is noble grand, and J. V. Bennett secretary.

Rose Leaf Camp, No. no, R. N. A. The Royal Neighbors meet on the second and fourth Fridays of every month. The officers are: Oracle, Sarah Heine; recorder, Lucy Hooker.

Orpha Chapter, No. 304, Eastern Star. The Eastern Star meets on the first and third Friday evenings of the month. Emma Sheffy is worthy matron, and Julia E. Snow performs the duties of secretary of the organization.

Pearl City Banking Company. The banking facilities of Pearl City are unexcelled for a village of the size. The Pearl City Bank, a' private corporation, was organized about twenty years ago, by Simon Tollmeier, who became the' first president, and has since continued to hold the office. The firm represents a capital of $25,000, and a personal responsibility of $250,000. The officers are: President, Simon Tollmeier; vice president, Dr. S. H. Aurand; cashier, A. L. Kurd ; directors, Simon Tollmeier, Dr. S. H. Aurand, Frank R. Erwin, Fred Tollmeier, Frederick Althof, Henry Althof, August Althof, Charles Althof, Albert Althof, Otto Althof.

Pearl City News. One of the best country newspapers of the state is the Pearl City News, edited and managed by Dr. M. W. Hooker, who purchased the paper last March. It was founded in 1889 by William H. McCall, who also started the Orangeville Courier on its career. Mr. McCall resigned after filling the editor's chair for a brief time, and Ed Barklow took charge of the venture. Subsequently the paper fell into many hands. It passed under the management of Messrs. Beadell, Perkins, Freas, and Buckley, and on March i, 1910, was sold to Dr. Hooker.

Dr. Hooker occupies the position of editor, with his brother, O. G. Hooker, as associate editor. The paper has a large circulation among the farmers of the vicinity. It is a seven column weekly octavo, and is an attractive up-todate sheet in every respect.

The management of the Pearl City News also publishes the Kent Observer, a weekly newspaper devoted to the interests of the village of Kent. This portion of the paper was founded by Mr. Freas during his management of the concern. The Kent Observer occupies the last four pages of the News, the two papers being printed together, and containing items of interest for both of the villages. The News also maintains correspondents in the various country towns about Pearl City, and publishes items of interest to the subscribers in those localities.

Pearl Hotel. The hotel of Pearl City, known as the Pearl Hotel, occupies a frame structure near the railroad station. It is a neat, well kept, and inviting hostelry, far superio'r to the ordinary country village tavern. L. J. Krell was proprietor for some time, but disposed of his interests to Mrs. Dodge who is the present owner.

The business districts of Pearl City and Yellow Creek contain two or three dozen stores, including general stores, hardware establishments, millineries, dry goods, drug stores, a blacksmith shop, livery stable, etc. The business outlook of the town is most satisfactory, and the prosperity of its inhabitants may be judged from the statement that there are sixteen automobiles owned at present within the corporate limits of the village. Many of the farmers about Pearl

City are also owners of the horseless carriages, and the whole of the rural districts thereabout present an appearance of thrift, careful attention, and scientific farming. Pearl City is thirteen miles from Freeport, and is accessible from the county seat either by carriage, or by the Chicago Great Western from the South Freeport station.