Lyman Township

Lyman Township

r OWNSHIPS are the largest suba divisions of land run out by the United States Surveyors. In the Governmental Surveys Township Lines are the first to be ru n, and a Township Corner is established everv six miles and marked. This is called "Townshipping." After the Township Corners have been care¬ fully located,the Section and Quarter Section Corners are established. Each Township is six miles square and contains 23,040 acres, or 36 square miles, as near as it is possible to make them. This, however, is fre¬ quently made impossible by: (1st) the pres¬ ence of lakes and large streams; (2no) by State boundaries not falling exactly on Township Lines; (3rd) by the convergence of Meridians or curvature of the earth's surface ; and (4th) by inaccurate surveys.

Each Township, unless it is one of the exceptional cases referred to, is divided into 36 squares, which are called Sections. These Sections are intended to be one mile, or. 320 rods, square and contain 640 acres of land. Sections are numbered consecutively from 1 to 36, as shown on Diagram 4. Beginning with Section 1 in the Northeast Corner, they run West to 6, then East to 12, then West to 18, and so on, back and forth, until they end with Section 36 in the Southeast Corner.

Diagram 4 shows a plat of a Township it is divided and platted by the govern¬ ment surveyors. These Townships are called Government Townships or Congres¬ sional Townships, to distinguish them from Civil Townships or organized Townships, as frequently the lines of organized Town¬ ships do not conform to the Government Township lines.

Diagram 4 Sectionsjf Land

© TAG RAM 5 illustrates how a section may be subdivided, although the Diagram only gives a few of the mauy subdivisions into which a section may be divided. All Sections (except fractional Sections) are supposed to be 320 rods, or one mile, square and therefore contain G40 acres - a number easily divisible. Sections are subdivided into fractional parts to suit the convenience of the owners of the land. A half-section contains 320 acres; a quarter-section contains 160 acres; half of a quarter contains 80 acres, and quarter of a quarter contains 40 acres, and so on. Each piece of land is described according to the portion of the section which it embraces - as the Northeast quarter of Section 10; or the Southeast Quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 10. Diagram 5 shows how many of these subdivisions are platted, and also shows the plan of designating and describing them by initial letters as each parcel of land on the Diagram is marked with its description.

As has already been stated, all Sections (except Fractional Sections which are explained else¬ where) are supposed to contain 640 acres, and even though mistakes have been made in surveying, as i9 frequently the case, making sections larger or smaller than 640 acres, the Government recog¬ nizes no variatiou, but- sells or grants each regular section as containing 640 acres "more or less.

Tho Government Surveyors are not required to subdivide sections by running lines within them, but they usually establish Quarter Posts on Section Lines on each side of a section at the noints marked A. B. C. and D. on Diagram 5. After establishing Township corners, Section

Lines are the next to be run, and section cor¬ ners are established. When these are carefully located tho Quarter Posts are located at pointB&s nearly equidistant between Section Corners as possible. These corners when established by Government Surveyors cannot be changed, even though it is conclusively shown that mistakes have been made which cause some sections or quarter sections to be either larger or smaller than others. The luws, however, of all the States provide certain rules for local surveyors to follow in dividing Sections into smaller parcels of land than has been outlined in the Governmental surveys. For instance, in divid¬ ing a quarter section into two parcels, tho <1 isanee between the Government Cornors is care¬ fully measured and the new post is located at a point equidistant between them. This plan is followed in running out "eighties," "forties," "twenties," eto. In this wav, if the Govern¬ ment division overruns or falls short, each portion gains or loses its proportion. This is not tho case, however, with Fractional Sections along the North or West sides of a Township, or adjoining a lake or largo stream.

Subdividing A Section

CONGRESSIONAL Townships vary considerably as to size and boundaries. Mistakes made in surveying and the fact that Meridians converge as they run North cause every Township to vary more or less from the 23,040 acres which a perfect Township would contain. See Diagram 4. In arranging a Township into Sections all the surplus or deficiency of land is given to, or taken from, the North and West tiers of Sections. In other words, all Sections in the Township are made full - 640 acres - except those on the North and West, which are given all the land that is left after forming the other 25 Sections.

Diagram 4 illustrates how the surplus or deficiency is distributed and tho Sections it affects. It will be seen that Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 30 and 31, are the " Fractional Sections," or the Sections which are affected if the Township overruns or falls short. Inside of these Fractional Sections, all of the surplus or deficiency of land (over or under 640 acre*} is carried to the "forties" or "eighties" that touch the Township Line. These pieces of land are called "Fractional Forties" or "Fractional Eighties." as the case may be. Diagrams 4 and 6 show the manner of marking the acreage and outlining the boundaries of these " Fractions."

Diagram 6 illustrates how the surplus or deficiency of land inside of these Sections is distributed and which "fort ies"or "eighties" it affects. From this arrangement it will be

Been that in any Section that touches the North or West Township Lines, t he Sout heast Quarter may LET be full - 160 acres - while another quarter of the same Section may be much larger or smaller, -ft: Frequently these fractional "forties" or "eighties" arc lotted as sl own in Diagram C. They are always described as fractional tracts of land, as the "fractional S. W. $ of Section 6," etc. Of course those portions of these Sections which are not affected bv these vat iai ions are described in tho usual manner - as Southeast 4 of Section 6. As a rule Townships are narrower at the North than at the South side. The Meridians of Longitude (which run North and South) convcge as they run North and South from the Equator. They begin at the Equator with a definite width between them aud gradually con verge until they all meetat the poles. Now, as the Range lines are run North uud South, it will at once bo seen that the convergence or Meridians will cause every Congressional Towmliip (North of the Equator) to be narrower at its Nortli than at its South side, as stated. See Diagram 4. In addition to this fact, mistakes of measurement arc constantly aud almost unavoidably made in running both Township and Range lines, and jf no new starting points ami jf no new starting points were established the lines would become confused and unreliable, and the size and shape of Townships materially affected by the time the surveys had extended even a hundred miles from the Base Line and Princi¬ pal Meridian. In order to correct the surveys and variations caused by the difference of latitude and straighten the lines, "Correction Lines" (or Guide Meridians and Standard Parallels) arc established at frequent intervals, usually as follows: North of the Base Line a Correction Line is run East and West parallel with the Base Line, usually every twonty-four miles. South of the Base Line a Correction Line is usually established every thirty miles. Both East and West of the Principal Meridian "Correction Lines" are usually established every 48 miles. All Correction Lines are located by careful measurement, and tho suc¬ ceeding surveys are based upon them.

Diagram 6 Plat Op A Fractional Section

ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR |S95. BY OEO. A. OGLE A CO.. IN THE OFFICE OF THE IIBARIAN OF CONORESS AT WASHINGTON, 0. C

Source changes here: from History of Ford County, Illinois : from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Gardner, Ernest Arthur, published 1908; 1,861 words in this source stream.

Lyman Township

At a meeting of the 1)oai-d of supervisors held September 9, 1867, a petition was presented them for the purpose of having a new township erected out of that part of the township of Brenton, described as town 25 noi-lh, i-ange 9 east of the thinl i)riii("ipal meridian. The board finding that the commissioners had complied with the nHiuirements of the law, granted the petition. The township took its name, or was named after its first resident settler, Samuel Lyman, who settled in tlic northeast corner of" the townshij). <m section 2, in the year 1856. The townshi]) is bounded on the nortli l)y Brenton townshi]). on the east by li-o(|uois county, south by Wall township, and on the west by Peach Orchard township and the county of Livingston. The first town meeting was held iii school district No. 2, on the 7th day of April, and at this meeting the following township officers were elected: Samnel Woodward, snpervisor; A. M. Haling, town clerk; Daniel Woodward, collector; A. V. Burcham, assessor; A. V. Burcham, James Roberts and P. S. Gose, highway commissioners; Samuel Woodward and T. A. Ireland, justices of the peace; Daniel Woodward and Daniel Althen, constables.

In 1857 a colony of Connecticut people settled in this township, taking seven thousand acres. The following men composed the colony: R. A. Hungerford, S. K. Marston, Dr. Babcock, B. IMarston, Edmond Havens, William S. Rossey, William Bentley, Daniel Hutchinson, Enoch Morgan, Moses Morgan, Theophilus Morgan, A. C. Maxon, Henry Dennis, Robert Eggleston, Samuel Birdsley, I. N. Newton, N. C. Ball, James Sellick, W. S. Larkin, Lyman Peck, Reuben R. Pearson. The first child born in the township was Rosa Bushor. The first marriage celebrated was in the spring of 1860. James Crow and Kate Birdsley were the contracting parties. The first death was Mrs. Henry Dennis, who was buried on the A. ]\I. Peck farm, section 4.

The first teacher in school district No. 4 was Effie Maxon. In district 5, William W. Graham was the first teacher, and IMrs. S. K. Marston in school

In 1873 the village suffered a severe loss by fire, but with true American enterprise the injured firms rebuilt and now the town is one of the most flourishing in the county.

The Methodist church was first started by a Mr. Pierce, a Welshman, who lived near Oliver's Grove and preached all over this section of the country in private houses and schoolhouses at an early day. The first preacher sent here by conference was a Mr. Henry in 1871. He preached in the Graham schoolhouse. A Sunday school was organized, with Mr. Van Steenbergh superintendent. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse in Roberts the following year. When the hall was built in 1875 services were held there until the

The Congregational chiiroh was organized in 1875 under the name of the First Congregational church of Rolx'rts. A Congregational church organization existed in this township as early as 18(J7. In 1875 two separate bodies grew out of the old oiu\ one locating at Thawvillc. Ircuiuois county, aiul the other at Roberts. Services wi-re held in the schoolhouse and town hall until 1879, when stei)s were taken to erect a house of worship, which was completed and dedicated tluring tlie summer of 1880.

Samuel Lym.vn, the first settler, was born in Southampton, IMassaehusetts, July 16, 1811, and moved to Ford county, Illinois, in 1856. He bought two hundred and thirty acres on section 2. Avhere he lived until 1869. He moved to Onarga, Inxiuois county, and lived there until his wife died. He then came to Paxton and made his home with his son, Samuel B. Lyman, or "Burt" as he was familiarly called, who was sheritf of Ford county for eight years.

James Roberts, farmer, was born in Sussex county, England, 1816. His father died when he was eight years old. leaving James to shift for himself and earn a penny at anything he could do. In 1843 he married Elizabeth (lilbert, of England, by whom he had three children. Mv. Robert came to this country in 1851, and to Lyman township, section 32, in 1858, becoming the owaier of two hundred acres of land.

Albert M. Haling was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, September 30, 1820. He came to Lyman township in 1866, purchasing twelve hundred acres of land in fractional scftion ;>, at eight dollars per acre. II(> made a resurvey of the section, calling it "Ilaling's Subdivision." He sold it in 1870 and bought four hundred and eighty acres in sections 10 aiul 11. w'here he erected the tinest house in tlie township, which afterward belonged to J. L. Shorthose. ]\Ir. Haling was married to Lucy A. Groves, of Ellington, Connecticut, b\' whom he had live childreiL namely: E. S., Frank W., Kate A., Clarence A. and Lucy A., all l)()i-n in Connecticut. Mr. Haling was first town clerk and second suix'i-visor of the townshi]), and in 1874, was elected representative of the eighteenth congressional district of Illinois.

Edward Van Steenbergh, one of the most oxtensive farmers of tliis township, was born in Ulster county, New York, in 1814. He came to this township in 1871, settling on section 28, ownin": six hnndrod and forty acres, and annually shipped large quantities of hay to Chicago.

The IIurst Family is among the earliest settlers of Lyman township. Joseph and Mary Hurst came to this country from England in 1847, settling in New Jersey, where IMr. Hurst died in 1849. ]\Irs-. Mary Hurst came west and settled on section 30, this township. She died in 1875. Helen and Hannali (maiden ladies) afterward owned the old homestead. One of the children, Ann, lived in Gloucester, New Jersey.

William Hurst was l)orn in 1838 and canie to Ford county in 1855, becoming the owner of land in section 30. He married IMary, daughter of James Roberts.

Joseph Hurst was l)orn July 8. 1834, in Edgerton, England. Coming to this western country, he settled in Bureau county, Avliere he lived for several years and married IMiss Harriett Harvey, by whom he had ten children. Coming to Lyman township in 1858, he bought two sections of land from the Illinois Central Railroad Company, but j^oor crops and hard times came and Mr. Hurst became very poor. His main dependence was a shot-gun, which was taken from him on execution ; the officer, repenting the act, returned the gun. ]Mr. Hurst often spoke of this, to show the contrast from that day to the day when he owned three hundred and twenty acres, one mile from Roberts, under excellent cultivation.

Amos C. IMaxon was born in the town of Lyme, state of Connecticut, in 1821. At the age of fourteen years, he went on board ship with Captain Chadwick, making three voyages a year for seven years He came to Ford i.'ounty in 1858, settling on section 14. He was married to Phoebe E. Pierson, of Connecticut, in 1851, and six children were b(»rn to them. ]\Ir. ]\Iaxon was one of the colony that came to this county from Connecticut.

M. Cassingham, M. D., was born in JNIuskingum county, Ohio, in 1841. In 1845, he came to Kendall county. Illinois, living there several years. He moved to Grundy county, and later to Ford county, settling at Roberts in 1871. He graduated from the Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1874. In 1862 he married Miss Ellen Cullen, of Canada.

Ora W. Cassingham was born in (irundy count\-, Illinois, in 1854. He came to Roberts in 1880, to engage in the drug Inisiness with liis 1)rother. Dr. Cassingham. For several years he followed the map publishing lousiness, meet-

Charles 0. Hayes, a native of Clinton county, New York, came to Kendall county, Illinois, in 1855, where he lived until 1861, then moved to McLean county. He came to Roberts and opened the Glencoe Hotel in 1881. He kept a good hotel and obtained a full share of the traveling public. In 1859 he was married to Lusina Alford, of Clinton county. New York, by whom he had four children.

Chris Anderson, a native of Scotland, bought a farm in this county in 1865. He farmed until 1872 and then went into partnership with J. A. Montelius and George Campbell. In 1874 Mr. Montelius sold out to the other partners, who continued doing a general merchandise and grain business. In 1876 George Campbell went to Piper City and engaged in the banking business, and Mr. Anderson remained in Roberts. In 1881 he bought out the banking business of J. B. IMeserve. He was married to INIary jMartin, of ^larshall county, Illinois, by whom he had seven children, all girls.

William B. Flora was born in Campbell county, Kentucky, in 1841. In 1868 he settled in Iroquois county, Illinois. He opened a store in this place in 1872 and, in company with E. O. Newman, carried on a good mercantile business. In 1874 he married ]\Iary Jane Newman, of Kentucky. They had five children. Later lie moved to Paxton, where he is and has been county clerk for several years.

William Hough Bond and James Bond were born in ]\Ianchester, England. William was born February 14, 1841, and James, February 11, 1844. William came to Lj'^man township in 1866, and soon afterward engaged in farming. They both became the owners of tine farms.

George E. Reynolds was horn in Knox county, Illinois, November 12, 1859. He moved to Lyman township in the sprin<? of 1881 and engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Samuel Shute was born in Gloucester county, New Jersey, October 19, 1821. He moved to this township in 1868 and became the owner of eight hundred and twenty acres.

John Roberts was born ]\Iarch 23, 1885, in Sussex county, England. He came to this county in 1859 and settled on section 32, Lyman township.

I. C. Newman, a native of Madison county, Ohio, came to Illinois in 1852, and to this township in 1867, becoming the owner of a farm in section 8, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising.

John Crawford was born in Albany county. New York, in 1841. He came to the state of Illinois in 1865, and to Ford county in 1871, where ho became the owner of a good farm in section 2, Lyman township.

H. ]\r. Wilcox was born in Stockbridge, Oneida county, New York. He left the state and came to Illinois in 1868, becoming the owner of a large farm and carrying on a dairy business.

John Cook was born in Germany in 1843. He emigrated to America in 1867, and settled in Illinois in 1879, becoming the owner of a fine farm in section 13.

Charles Fellwock, a native of Germany, came to this country to better his condition. He settled in Ford county in 1867, becoming the owner of a good farm in section 35.

George Minch was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1847, where he lived until 1881, when he moved to Wall to\vnship, where he became the owmer of the northeast quarter of section 3 ; also two hundred and forty acres on section 22, this township. He was married in 1869.