Mercer Township (part 3 of 4)

Dk. George Irvin was born December 25, 1825, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was the son of John and Mary (Young) Iiwin. E[e spent his early life on his father's tarm, and received an academic education. In 1852, he commenced reading medicine with Dr. Thomas Maybon, at Jacksonville, Pennsylvania, and attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from 1853 to 1855 ; 3.") taking his degree as M.D. in March of the latter year. After gi-aduating lie practiced at Prospect, Butler county, Pennsylvania, for a year and a half; at Plumville, Indiana county, for over a year; and at Jacksonville, where he had studied medicine, for about a year and a half In May, 1S59, he removed to Aledo, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all. He owns and occupies one of the best and most commodious residences in town, and has surrounded himself and family with all the modern conveniences and luxuries. He also owns a large farm near town, besides other town property. He has been twice married, and has, by his first wife, four children : Anna, Frank, Jessie and George. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has been for many years a deacon or elder therein. As a physician and surgeon he holds a deservedly high reputation throughout the country tributary to Aledo and among the brothers of his profession. He is the oldest resident physician in practice in Aledo.

Among the many citizens of other states who formerly resided in this county there are a few who desire to live over their early life by perusing the pages of this history, and of the number is Jesse W. McPhereen, of Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born in Jefterson county, Indiana, February 1, 1847, and is the son of James McPherren, who still resides in this county. His father was born June 7, 1808, in Pennsylvania ; his mother, April 1, 1805, in Rockbridge county, Virginia. The family removed to Ohio Grove township, this county, in 1855. His mother died August 18, 1858, and was buried in the Candor cemetery, in that township, leaving a husband, four daughters and six sons. Jesse was educated in the public schools, principally at winter terms. His youth was spent in Grant county, Indiana, Mercer county, Illinois, and Muskingum county, Ohio, mostly on a farm, until the age of fifteen, when he enlisted in Co. K, 87th Ohio Vol. Inf., for three months ; was captured at the surrender of Harper's Ferry, Virginia, September 17, 1862 ; was paroled and returned to Ohio ; was discharged October 3, 1862. He returned to Mercer county, and spent the next summer on a farm near Aledo, and on November 4, 1863, enlisted in Co. C, 11th 111. Cav., at Quincy, Illinois, for three years ; joined his regiment in the rear of Vicksburg in the following December, and remained with it in Tennessee and Mississippi until the close of the war, when it was mustered out of the service at Springfield, Illinois, October 13, 1865. He is one of six of one family who served in the late war ; His father, James McPherren, enlisted in Co. A., 30th 111. Inf., in 1861, and was discharged for disability in 1862. His four brothers served as follows : James C, in Co.

C, 35th 111. Inf.; (Te(.r<i:e uiul John S., in Co. II., 84th 111. Inf.; and Andrew M. in !>th 111. Cav. Of the six all returned home but (xeorge, who fell at Murfreesborough, Tennessee, January 1, 1863. After leaving the service Jesse returned to Mercer county, in October, 1865, but did not remain long. During the next few years he resided in a number of places : Newago county, Mich.; Boone county, Iowa; Cheyenne, and Bridger's Station, AVyoming Territory ; Faii*field, Iowa ; and St. Charles, Mo., returning to this county fre([uently. In 1870, he went south, and on December 31 of tliat year landed at Wessen, Mississippi, where he remained until 1873, when he spent a few months in Kentucky, returning to Wessen in November. January 7, 1874, he met with an accident in the machine shops of that place, causing the loss of his left eye. Was married October 15, 1871, in Wesson ; lost his eldest child in July, 1881, and his wife in August, 1881. He has one child, a boy, aged four, and is again married. In 1881, he removed to Little Bock, Ai-kansas, where he is now engaged in the drug business, and has secured a large and lucrative custom. He was elected mayor of Wesson, Mississippi, in 1875, and re-elected in 1877 ; belongs to the Presbyterian church, the Masons, Odd-Fellows and Knights of Pythias. His life has been one of constant labor ; he has been a farmer, merchant, engineer ; has engaged in saw-milling and railroading, and is now settled as a druggist. While in some of these he has lost, he has, as a whole, been successful, and is now in comfortable circumstances. He still cherislies a warm feeling for his old home and friends in Mercer county.

LuciEN B. Doughty, son of Rev. Thomas L. and Mary J. Doughty, was born March 28, 1841, in Knightstown, Henry county, Indiana. The life of Mr. Doughty has been one of activity and large experience. He lacked six years of having attained his manhood when with his father's consent he started out into the world, to battle with its hardshi|)S singlehanded, not only to make a living for himself but to assist his father, which he did by turning over to him his small wages. The family had moved to Xew Boston in 1843, wdien Lucian was two years old, and here he received such education as the schools and his limited time afforded. He improved his time then and since, as is evidenced by some very acceptable articles contributed to this work. In the fall of 1851 the family moved to the northwest corner of Warren county, and in 1856 Lucien beiJ:an active life as intimated above on a farm. A year later he entered the "Record" otHce at Aledo to learn the printer's trade, in which business he has been constantly engaged with the exce])tion of a few imjiortant years, as hereafter noted. In 1859 he was working on the Geneseo ''Republic," and ne.xt year went to Des

Moines, Iowa (1S60), and worked on the Iowa State "Eegister," part of the time on local work. The alarm of war had scarcely been sounded Avhen Mr. Doughty entered the ranks as a soldier for the purpose of assisting in rebuking rebellion, and enlisted in Co. E, 4th Iowa Inf., Capt. H. il. Griffith, Col. G. M. Dodge. He had nearly served out his tenn of three years when he re-enlisted as a veteran in January,

1865, having served his country and braved the dangers and hardships incident to war over four years. His experience as a soldier can be gathered from a brief mention of the marches and engagements of the regiment to which he belonged. From St. Louis, their starting point, they went "to EoUa, Missouri ; then to Pea Ridge and Helena, Arkansas ; thence with Sherman at Walnut Hills, Arkansas Post, and back to Yicksburg ; with (xrant to Jackson, Mississippi ; in the siege of Yicksburg ; back to Jackson ; with Sherman, under John A. Logan, from luka to Chattanooga; with Hooker in the ''tight above the clouds "" ; at Lookout ^fountain. Mission Ridge and Ringgold ; thirty days at home in the spring of 1864 on veteran's furlough ; again with Sherman from Chattanooga, Atlanta, and the march to the sea; thence through the Carolinas and tinally to AYashington to participate in the grand review. May 23, 1865. To look at the little man it seems a wonder that he could go through so much. In all he was in fortythree engagements and escaped without a wound. After the war he was for a time in Richmond, Indiana, and in Dayton, Ohio. From May, 1S66, to May, 186", he published the ''Democrat" at Eaton, Ohio, and in the fall of the last mentioned year removed to Des Moines, Iowa, and the next year to Rolla, Missouri, where he edited the Rolla "Herald.'' In 1869 he got back to his old stamping ground, Aledo, and worked nearly four years in a carriage shop. At the end of this time he again entered the "Record " office, where he has since been engaged. August 16, 1866, he was married to Miss Fannie E. Hayes, of Eaton. To them was born one son, James Henry. June 10, 1867, and on August 12, 1869, his -jyife died and on the next day his S(m. July 16, 1871, Mr. Doughty was again married, this time to Clara D. Pennell, of Rock Island. To them three children have been born : Josie Amelia, born January 8, 1873 ; Charles Eli, February 2, 1875. and Clara Emma, March 18, 1878 (died April 19, 1878).

Francis Lemon, jeweler, is the fourth son of William and Ellen (Lockhart) Lemon, of Mercer county. He was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in December, 1849, came west with his parents in 1852, and settled in Perryton township, ]\Iercer county. He received a common school education, and remained on liis father's farm till

1874, when he came to Aledo and embarked in the grocery business, which he followed about one year. Mr. Lemon being a natural mechanical genius, had spent his leisure time while on the farm in learning the watchmaking trade, and in the fall of 1876 he opened up business in the jeweh-y line in Aledo, where, by care and attention to business, he has built u]) a good trade in his line.

Louis D. IIoLMKs, attorney, was born July 24, 1S47, in Adams county, Ohio. He was the eldest son of John and Elizabeth (Traber) Holmes, both of whom were natives of Adams county, Ohio. He spent his early life upon a farm, and working in a saw mill until his nineteenth year. He received a common school education, and in addition graduated at Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, where he took his degree in 1868. He came west in April, 1869, and entered the law office of Bassett ife Connell ; was admitted to the bar in August, 1871, and has practiced his profession in Aledo ever since. He was married in May, 1872, to Miss C. AV. Campbell, of Ripley, Ohio, and has two children. Mr. Holmes is a prominent member of the Ba])tist church, also a member of the board of trustees of the town of Aledo, and politically is a republican.

Dr. D. R. Johnstox was born August 21, 1842, in Logan county, Ohio, he being the third son of Rev. Dr. J. B. Johnston, of the United Presbyterian church. He received his education at Geneva (College, Ohio, and attended both the medical college of Ohio at Cincinnati and Rush Medical College of Chicago, taking his degree as M.D. from the latter institution, in 1S65. At the breaking out of the war he entered the army with the 17th reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and in 1864 was appointed by Gov. Morton assistant surgeon of the 1st Indiana heavy artillery. He practiced medicine in Indianapolis from 1865 to 1868, when he was appointed by the board of foreign missions of the Ignited Presbyterian cliurch as medical missionary to Egypt, where he spent eight years, part of which time he was president of the training college at Osiout, upper Egypt. The doctor returned to the United States in the spring of 1876, and in the fall of that year located in Mansfield, Ohio, where he remained till April 1, 1881. In the summer of 1881 he came to Aledo and bought the drug store of Dr. J. M. Wallace, and entered upon tlie practice of his profession. He was married December 25, 1868, to Miss Maggie J. Stewart, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and has had four children, of whom two died in Egypt and two are living. Dr. Johnston is a member of the United Presbyterian church of Aledo, and superintendent of its Sabbath school, and by political ftiith is a republican.

county. He is the oldest son of Rev. Jos. K. and Elizabeth (McCoy) AVhithani. He is a graduate of the Aledo academy, and attended college at Battle Creek, Michigan, for two years, and since returning fi'oin that institution has been engaged in teaching in Mercer county. He is at present principal of the grammar department of the public schools of Aledo, and is president of the Mercer County Teachers' Association.

Luke Strong, photographer, was born in Clarendon, Rutland county, Vermont, in 1825. His parents were Luke and Esther (Call) Strong. AYhen he was two years of age his parents moved to Indiana and settled near Indianapolis ; and in 1839 they again moved westward and settled in Galesburg, Illinois. Mr. Strong graduated from Knox College, Galesburg, in 1850, when he went to Pottsdam, Xew York, and read law for a year ; thence going to Oquawka, where he taught school for two years. He then embarked in the photograph business at the latter place, where he remained for twenty-one years. In April, 1874, he came to Aledo and engaged in business, building the large gallery which he now occupies. He was married in 1855 to Miss Ann McKinney, eldest daughter of John McKinney, of Aledo ; has two children (boys) living, Fred H. and Geo. McK., who are both graduates of the Aledo high school. Mr. Strong is a member of the masonic fraternity, and politically a republican.

Dr. James A. Campbell, dentist, was born in 1855, in Brown county, Ohio, the only son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Williams) Campbell. He spent his boyhood upon the farm of his father, until the year 1873, wlien for two years he attended the Aledo academy. He began the study of dentistry with Dr. E. B. David in 1875, with whom he remained one year, and then went to Philadelphia, where he attended the Philadelphia Dental College three terms. In the spring of 1877 he returned to Aledo and opened a dental office. In September, 18T8, he removed to Creston, Iowa, where he ])racticed his profession two years, and again returned to Aledo and opened the office which he occupies at ]:)resent in his practice. Dr. Cam])bell was married, Xovember 15, 1880, to Miss Laura E. Mentzor, of Aledo.

. George M. Cool, druggist, was born in Aledo, September 28, 1858, and is the second son of Jacob and Margaret (McEowen) Cool. He received his education in the public schools of Aledo, and in his seventeenth year commenced learning the drug business with James M. Macy, lately deceased. He has remained ever since in the same situation, Mrs. James M. Macy (sister of Mr. Cool) owning the store, and Mr. Cool doing the business.

ISJrT ; he is the sec<md son ofJohii and Nancy Ramsey. He attended school at Cadiz till his fourteenth year, when he was apprenticed to G. B. Barrett, jeweler, of Cadiz, and served six years, when he went into business for himself. He remained in Cadiz for two years, when he sold out his business and went to Freeport, Pennsylvania, where he remained one year, and then went to Greencastle, Indiana, and was there about one year when he came to Aledo, where he commenced business in May, 1871, and where he now remains. Mr. Ramsey was married February 29, 1870, to Miss Sallie AV^illson, eldest daughter of J. M. Willson, Esq., of Aledo, and has two small children.

J(»iix F. McBridk, dealer in dry goods, was born November 23, 1853, in Ohio Grove townshii), Mercer county; he is the eldest son of J. C. and H. E. (Williams) McBride. He came to Aledo in 1870, and began his business career as clerk in the dry goods house of Poage & Senters, in January, 1871, in which capacity he remained till the year 1877, when he embarked in trade for himself in the dry goods business in partnership with Geo. P. Graham. In the fall of 1880 he bought out his partner's interest and has been since in business for himself. Mr. McBride was married May 13, 1879, to Miss Edna D. Kirlin, of New Boston. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, and by political faith a rejniblican.

Rkv. Thomas B. Ti-rnuull was born April 27, 1847, in Warren county, Illinois ; his parents were David and Nancy (]\Iitchell) Turnbull. His boyhood was passed upon the farm of his father, the management of which devolved upon him at the age of sixteen by reason of the enlistment of his three older brothers in the army at the beginning of the war of the rebellion. In 1863 he entered Monmouth College and gi-aduated from that institution in June, 1870. He spent the next three years in studying theology, attending the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Monmouth two years, and the Allegheny City Seminary one year, and was licensed to ])reacli August, 1872. Receiving a call the same year from the United Presbyterian congregation of Aledo, which was accepted, he was ordained and installed ])astor thereof in April, 1873 ; of this church he is the present pastor. ]\Ir. Turnbull was married April 24, 1873, to Miss Jean M. Home, of Monmouth, Illinois, and has three children living : Willie, David and Susie, aged six years, four years, and eight months, respectively. His eldest child, a daughter, died at the age of seven years.

M. F. Felix, dealer in dry goods, was born in March, 1828, in eastern Pennsylvania, and is the youngest son of Francis and Rose A. Felix. His boyhood, till his seventeenth year, was passed upon the farm of his father, at which period he was a})prenticed to the cabinet maker's trade, at which lie served his time, and for which services he never received a dolhir of pay. Mr. Felix came west about the year 1847, and settled for a time in Iowa City, Iowa, from where he went to Qunicy, Illinois, and worked at his trade a short time, and went to Indiana. He came back to Illinois, and about the year 1850 or 1851, went into the dry goods business in Rock Island county, where he remained till 1876, when he came to Aledo and established himself in his present location and business. Mr. Felix was married in 185-1, to Miss Eliza Yanatta, of Illinois City, Rock Island county, Illinois, and has four children : Rose, Benjamin (who is married to Miss Clara Woods, and is in business with his father), Emma, and Lizzie. Mr. Felix belongs to the masonic fraternity, is president of the board of trustees of Aledo, and politically is a republican.

Tyler McWhorter was born in Steuben county, New York, August 29, 1815. His parent's names were James and Anna (Parker) McWhorter. His ancestry on his lather's side was Scotch. The name of Tyler was given him by reason of the fact that his grandmother, whose maiden name was Tyler, was iirst cousin of president John Tyler, of Yirginia. Mr. McWhorter never had the advantage of a regular college course of education, but his leisure hours, both in his early and later life, were devoted to a studious and searching course of reading. At the age of twenty-one he went to Branch county Michigan, where he followed school teaching, and during two years had charge of the public school of Coldwater, the county seat of Branch county, Michigan. While engaged in teaching he applied his leisure time to a close study of higher mathematics, and was subsequently elected county surveyor of Branch county. He married his first wife in Michigan, in May, 1842. She was a woman of culture, though of a delicate physical organization. In the spring of 1 845 he mo'V'ed from Michigan to Illinois, and located in Duncan township, Mercer county, three miles west of Millersburg, and engaged in horticulture. His nurseiy, under the name of "Pome Roy Nursery," became extensively known and patronized. At his Pome Roy place, he raised an extensive market orchard, which is the largest in the county. His horticultural business alibrded an ample field of investigation for the inquiring proclivities of his mind. During the early years of his residence in Mercer county, Mr. McWhorter was elected school commissioner of the count}^ an office which he held for two successive terms. Also, while a resident of Duncan township, he held for twenty years the office of township treasurer. Mr. McWhorter, by his first wife, had three children, all of whom are living in Iowa. He married his present wife August, 185*J, her maiden name was Clara M. Luce. Of this union tliere is one child, a boy, Laon A. McWIiorter, now twenty years of age, who lives with his parents. In the spring of 1869, Mr. McWhorter moved from his Pome Roy place to his present location, one mile south of Aledo. Mr. McW. has been connected with the horticultural societies of the State for nearly thirty years. In 1869, he presided over the State Horticultural Society of Illinois, and in 1873 presided over the northern state society. Mr. JMcAVhorter is continually a student of nature. What time he could spare from secular business has been devoted to scientific investigation; allowing himself also some time to travel, he made a trip to Yicksburg during the war, and has since made an extensive tour of the southern states. He has been for eleven years a member of the "American Association for the Advancement of Science," in attending the annual meetings of which he has had occasion to visit various parts of the United States and Canada. He is also a member of the State Natural History Society, of Illinois. Mr. McWIiorter, though now in his sixty-eighth year, is in complete possession of all his natural strong faculties of both mind and body, is hale and hearty and thoroughly enjoys life.

Milton S. Boise was born in Burgettstown, Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1827 ; came west in 1854, and settled in Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, and went into the grocery business, which he carried on for some three or four years, when, after spending a year or so looking up a favorable place for business, he came to Aledo, and went into the book and news business, the first house of. that character started in the place. This business he cariied on for over two years, when he started a soap factory, and also a wholesale grocery, queensware and notion store, which business he is now engaged in, running two store rooms in different parts of the town. Mr. Boise was married in 1846 to Miss Rebecca Mitchell, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. They have two children living, Joseph, aged twenty-two, and Horace, fourteen. Mr. Boise is a trustee of the congregational church of Aledo, is a member of the masonic fraternit}', and in politics is a member of the democratic party.

Dr. E. B. David, dentist, was born in Ontario county, New I'ork, June 8, 1835 ; his parents were Uri and Catharine David, and they moved to Michigan w^hen he was three years old and settled in Jackson county. The doctor remained in Michigan till the spring of 1858, when he came to Mercer countv. In 1853 he began the studv of dentistry wnth Dr. M. S. Dean, of Marshall, INfichigan, now of Chicago. Dr. David entered the union army during the war of the rebellion. He enlisted August 12, 1861, in the 3()th 111. Inf , and served three years and three months. His army experience embraced the engage- ments of Belmont, Fort Donelson, siege of Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson (Mississippi), Champion Hill, Yicksbnrg, and siege of Atlanta. He was mnstered out at Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 17, 1804, with the rank of captain, in command of com])any A, 30th 111. Inf He then came back to Mercer county and settled in Kew Windsor, where he owned a farm, working at dentistry part of the time. Here he remained till November, 1873, when he came to Aledo and commenced his practice, and where he now remains, the senior partner of the iirm of David & Coulson. Dr. David was a member of the Aledo town board of trustees for four terms, from 1876 to 1880, during the last two years serving as president of the body. He has been a member of the county agricultural board for nine years, and is a member of the state board of agriculture. Dr. D. was married September 1, 1862, to Miss Lizzie Woodham, of New Windsor, and has live children. He is a membei- of the Baptist church, and by political faith is a republican,

William Anderson Cole was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1847, and is the son of Aaron and Mary Ellen Cole. He lived in Brown county, Ohio, till he was twenty-two years of age, working on a farm during his boyhood (going to school during the winter), up to the period of his removal. He settled in Yiola, Mercer county, in 1871. He was the iirst colored man who drove the United States mail in the State of Illinois, he being so engaged during the years 1872 and 1873. He came to Aledo and commenced working at the barber trade in 1874, still carrying on the business under the firm name of Cole tt Wade. He was married in 1872, to Miss Catharine Glasscock, and they have three children living. Mr. Cole puts himself on record as a member of the republican party.

John Webster Dilley was born in Mercer county in January, 1840. His parents, William and Eliza (Moorehead) Dilley, were among the early settlers of Mercer county. The subject of this sketch spent most of his life upon a farm, and was so engaged upon the breaking out of the war, when, on July 24, 1862, he enlisted in the army in Co. H, 84tli 111. Inf. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout mountain, Mission Ridge, siege of Chattanooga, Ringgold, Georgia, campaign of Atlanta, Franklin, and jSTashville, and was mustered out June 8, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee. In 1869 he was elected county clerk, and held that office four years ; for a short time after this he was engaged in the grocery business, and again went upon the farm and spent several years, when he finally removed to Aledo. He filled the office of deputy sherili' of the county for two years, after which he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still retains, and is also clerk of tlie town of Aledo. He w-as married in October, 1805, to Miss Mary J. Hose, and has tliree children. Ho is a member of the rcpublicaji party.

Bex.iamix F. Thompson was born in Clinton countv, Ohio, March 28, 1829, he being the youngest son of Dr. A. W. and Elizabeth (Scai^ff) Thompson. When a child his parents moved to Lawi*enceburgh, Indiana, where they lived several years, and then moved back to Xenia, Ohio, where his father practiced his profession till his death. When about sixteen years old Mr. Thompson went to Washington C. H., Ohio, and clerked in a dry goods store for six years, when he came west and settled in Xew Boston, Mercer county, Blinois, where he formed a partnership wntli his brother-in-law, J. C. Bell, in the dry goods and pork packing business. In this business he continued until 1859, when he sold his interest to his partner. Under the first administration of President Lincoln Mr. Thompson was appointed postmaster of Kew Boston and held the office for about eight years, when he resigned, and in 1871 came to Aledo and went into his present business of real estate dealer and collector. He has been in Aledo since the above date wath the exception of a year's absence in 1875 which he spent in Los Angelos, California. Mr. Thompson was married in 1858 to Miss Josie C. Denison, of New Boston. They have had four children, only one of whom is living, a son eleven years of age. Politically Mr. Thompson is a democrat.

lx¥.v. John T. Hote was born in Trigg county, Kentucky. April fi. 1852, he being the second son of Henry and Elizabeth Hoye. He lett Kentucky with his parents when about seven years of age, they settling in northern Missouri, and living there till the close of the war, when they removed to Kansas City. Mr. Hoye had the advantage of the common schools in boyhood and in his twenty-third year entered the AVilliam Jewell College, of Liberty, Missouri, with a view of preparing himself for the ministry. He attended here for five years, when he entered the Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Kentucky, after attending wdiich for two years he began missionary work in Missouri, wdiere he labored a short time, and after preaching a short time in Reynolds, this state, he was called to preach for his present charge, the Baptist church of Aledo. Mr. Hoye was married June 29, 1881, to j^iss Lucy W. DeHoney, of Louisville, Kentucky.

J. M. AViLLis was born in 18-1:9 in Guernsey county, Ohio, and is the son of Robert and Prudence (Speai-) Willis. He left Guernsey county when nineteen years of age and went to Cass county, Missouri, where he fanned for six years. He tlu'n came to Mercer countv and went to farming, at which he continued for five years, when he was appointed superintendent of the Mercer county infirmary, wliicli position he now holds. Mr. Willis was married in 1872 to Miss Mary J. Ashmhurst, of Aledo. He is a member of the masonic order and politically is a republican.

Charles W. Detwiler was born and raised in Mercer county. He went to school in Aledo, and began learning the trade of a tinsmith with H. Holmes in 1872, with wliom lie worked four years, since which time he has been in business with his father and brother. The lirm of Detwiler Brothers was formed in 1881. Mr. Detwiler is a member of the Presbyterian church and a member of the citizens' cornet band of Aledo, and is a republican in politics.

Lewis Cass Detwiler was born June 1, 1860, and is the youngest son of Eli and Martha Detwiler of Aledo. He was born in Mercer county and went to the public schools of Aledo, learned his trade of tinsmith with his brother (Jharles, and entered tlie lirm of Detwiler Brothers as partner in 1881. The lirm do a general hardware, stove and tinware trade.

Samuel Brown, retired farmer, was born May To, 1823, in Breckinridge county, Kentucky. His parents, Alfred and Mary (Mordock) Brown, were born, raised and married in Kentucky. About 1830 they emigrated, making their homes in Knox county, Illinois, bringing their tive children: James K., Samuel, Harmon, Taylor, and William. In Knox county were born : Alfred T., Mary, Sally A., and Abigail. The elder Brown died in 1866. Mr. Brown was for a time in the Black Hawk war, receiving land as a reward. Samuel was reared on the farm, and in the rude log cabin. He was educated with his fellows in the log hall of learnhig. He was married June 1, 1854, to Caroline Grreenwood, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Legg) Greenwood. Her parents were early settlers of Suez township, Mercer.county. Mr. Brown settled in Suez township, purchasing a farm there. After selling and buying, etc., lie located in North Henderson, where he became owner of a half-section of good land. He sold and moved into Aledo in the spring of 1882. He is one of the many who have made farming a success, and has aided in reclaiming the soil from its wild state. His children are : Harmon G. (dead), Maxy (now Mrs. George G. Cheney), George E. (an Aledo liveryman). Grant, Mary E., Samuel T., and Katy G. Mr. Brown has property, in Aledo.

LoAMMi Brown, liveryman, is a son of Richard G. and Rebecca (Moore) Brown. Richard Brown was born in ( )hio, and his wife in Virginia. He became an early settler of Iowa. Loammi, the eldest of four children, was born in Iowa Territory, February 22, IS-tO. He enlisted in the civil war August 11, 1862, in company G, 121:th reg.

111. Vol. Inf., Ciipt. Sciuldcr and Vol. Sloan. He took ])art in many skirmishes and in the engagements of Port Gibson, Cham])i()n Hill, Black River, Fort Jackson, et al. lie served till July 17, 1865, when he was mnstered out at Hock Island. He resumed farming in Mercer county. He has also dealt heavily in stock-raising and trading. In November, 1875, he purchased the John S. Moore livery stables, and has since lived in Aledo, where he has a good i)roperty. In politics he is decidedly democratic. Mr. Brown was married November 12, 1865, to Amanda J. Melton, daughter of R. (1. and Susan Melton, of Mercer county. She is a native of Bock Island county, Illinois. They have had five children : Susie, Loammi, Jennie, Minnie, and Richard.

Source changes here: from Past and Present of Mercer County, Illinois, by Bassett, Isaac Newton, published 1914; 15,607 words in this source stream.

Mercer Township

The first settlement made in this township was by Abraham and John Miller in August, 1 837, on Section 4. The Miller family entered in all over eight hundred acres on Sections 3, 4 and 16. They secured the right to obtain land on Section 16 from the state authorities. This was the first settlement of the township and was in the neighborhood of Sugar Grove, which at that time and before the white settlement even, was famous for its products of maple sugar. The Indians made that a favorite resort, and the first settlers saw them draw the sap and make sugar. After the settlement by the whites it was famous for its sugar product and as a site for camp meetings, which began to be held there early in the '40s, continuing annuallv for many years. Manv of the famous ministers of the western country preached there in early times. The Millers erected a sawmill and a schoolhouse in that neighborhood. It is not possible to give the date when each of the first settlers arrived. Such record seems to have been lost, although at one time it was preserved, but many of the names of the first settlers can be mentioned. Among the early ones were the Nesbitt family, of which there were Porter, Harvey, Henry and perhaps others. David and John Brown were there at an early day. John Artz came very soon after the Millers and settled at the Grove. He conducted a grist mill on Edwards River. There were several members of the Artz family who became prominent in early years, among them being Samuel, Israel, John and Isaac. John M. Ashbaugh, a Methodist, was there at an early day, also others of the same name. Samuel Taylor also came to the Grove at an early day. Henry Lee located in the northeast corner of the township; his brother Graham was likewise an early settler. Richard Winger came in at an early day. A Mr. Jones located between Aledo and the river. Thomas Cannum and his brother Mark settled a short distance east of Aledo. The Robinson family located about two miles east of Aledo also. John McKee settled on a farm two miles east of Aledo. Hezekiah Boone came in early and had quite a large family. David Braucht was quite early in this township, as was also his brother George. The latter located on a portion of what is now Aledo. He became active in the affairs of Aledo, an account of which will be found elsewhere. Benjamin Brown took a farm on Section 16. Edwin Bartlit, L. F. Jobusch and William Baxter were also prominent among the first settlers here. Chris Baemler and his brother Peter came in quite early. John Holmes arrived about i860 and Alexander Marquis about 1866. J. E. Harroun arrived in the '50s and the Croson family came at a little later date. William McCandless was among the early settlers, as was also Paul Black and Joseph Lair. John W. Miles came in later and became prominent in the affairs of Aledo.

Mercer Township was not established until 1853 an^ the first election, so far as the records show of township officers, was held April 4, 1854. John McKee was chairman; Isaac Jones, moderator; and E. C. Bartlit, clerk. Twenty-seven votes were polled. David Braucht was elected supervisor; E. C. Bartlit, clerk; John S. Moore, assessor; John Ashbaugh, collector; John Artz, overseer of the poor; L. F. Jobusch, Jacob Sprecher and R. H. Winger, commissioners of highways; John McKee and J. L. Candor, justices of the peace; William McKee, Israel Artz, constables; and Edward Clifford and George Smith, overseers of highways. At the general election the same year there were polled in the township only sixteen votes. At this time the township voted in favor of taking stock in the Warsaw & Rockford Railroad. The next year the township voted heavily in favor of constructing the county poor house. At the election in 1857 for or against the removal of the county seat from Keithsburg to Aledo, the township voted heavily in favor of the removal. When the project came up again in 1868 this township voted heavily in favor of subscribing stock to the construction of the American Central Railway. It was many years before this debt was entirely paid by the township. Since these events verv little has occurred in township matters worthy of special note or space.

At an early day men living in the western part of the county saw that, in all probability, a new town near the center of the county would eventually become the county seat. No doubt numerous plans were laid to establish such a city, because persons successful would make themselves rich by the sale of lots in a comparatively short space of time. In pursuance of such a plan Benjamin Clark, John J. Charles, Timothy Condit and William Mackey laid out the Town of Mercer near the center of the county. Judge Ephraim Gilmore, then county surveyor, made the survey. They came there from New Boston one extremely cold dav and were forced to return without having accomplished their object. Later they returned and laid out the village on the northeast quarter of Section 21. However, the town did not amount to anything. Only one house was built, in which no person ever lived, and in the end the building rotted down. In recent years the township is one of the most progressive and wealthy farming regions of the county. Its people are enterprising and industrious and are well governed by the township and county authorities.

Among the early settlers of Mercer County may be mentioned Edwin Cromwell Bartlit, oldest son of William and Catherine (Culver) Bartlit, who was born November 12, 1821, at Logan, Champaign County (now Schuyler County), New York. At the age of three years he moved with his parents to Bergen, Genesee County, New York, and resided there until eight years of age, when he moved to the Town of Preble, Cortland County, that state, where he resided until 1836, when the family came to Illinois, settling in Henry County.

On the unsettled prairies Edwin C. Bartlit grew to manhood and assisted in farm work, attending school in winter and knowing the privations and freedom of early pioneer life. The schools of Geneseo were of a high order from the first and he was well fitted to teach at an early age. Music was much appreciated by the people of Geneseo and a teacher of rare attainments taught there for years, a man named Bacon, revered by all who knew him in the early days. The Bartlit family learned music from him and were a full orchestra of themselves, playing the violin, bass viol and flute, or singing in quartette, making excellent music at home and in church, never for dances nor for any but social or religious services. Indians were not infrequent visitors at the homes of the Bartlits and others of the colony. Chief Shabbona often stopped at the home of Edwin Bartlit's father and was ever a welcome guest, the family having a high regard for the great genius and goodness of the powerful chief who chose to be a friend to the white people. Mr. Bartlit always spoke of him as one of the great men he had known, splendid in physique and of keen intellectual ability. Finishing his education, Mr. Bartlit taught for several years in Henry County. He next taught in Sangamon County, where he first met Abraham Lincoln as a commissioner of schools in that county. Through Mr. Lincoln's influence he secured a school and learned to know Lincoln well. They became friends, both being strong abolitionists, and throughout life he admired Lincoln more than any other man he ever knew. In the fall of 1850 he came to Mercer County, finding work near Millersburg. Here he met Adriana Brady, youngest daughter of John Brady, Sr., living five miles west of iVledo, where she had grown up with her parents, who had located there from Ohio when she was nine years old, in 1842. On August 7, 1851, they were married and in the spring of 1852 bought and occupied a farm one mile east and three-fourths of a mile north of Aledo, being the first farmers to live near what is now Aledo. In 1855 Aledo was planned and people began to come to the new town. The first Mercer County election was held at the home of Mr. Bartlit. In 1857 the Methodist Church of Aledo was organized and Mr. and Mrs. Bartlit were charter members, continuing their membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Aledo through life. They were regular attendants at church and Mr. Bartlit served as steward, trustee, district steward and Sabbath-school teacher for nearly fortyfive years. Mrs. Bartlit was a teacher of the Woman's Bible Class for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Bartlit eight children were born, of whom four are living, namely: Mrs. Flora Winger and Mrs. Celia Prouty, who reside in Aledo; William J., of Denver, Colorado; and Miss May Bartlit, of San Diego, California. Arthur and Ella died when they had reached maturity but Mary and Alfred died in infancy. Culver N. Winger, the only surviving grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Bartlit, is a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota. Failing health compelled Mr. and Mrs. Bartlit to retire from farm work and they came to Aledo in 1895, residing there until their deaths. Mr. Bartlit passed away on May 18, 1903, and was followed by his wife on March 3, 1912, their married life having covered a span of nearly fifty-two years.

For many years Mr. Bartlit was an abolitionist, then a stanch republican, and later a strong prohibitionist. He had a great love for truth and honesty, which he practiced continually, and by hard work acquired a comfortable home for his family, leaving to them a good name. His word was as good as his bond and his clearly defined principles of right and wrong were fearlessly expressed. Through all his life his love of music was his greatest recreation and he played well the flute, the violin and the organ, and was also possessed of a splendid bass voice.

Edwin Cromwell Bartlit was a descendant of the Bartlit family in England, whose ancestry is traced to the days of Cromwell. They were loyal followers of Cromwell and were in favor during his rule of England. When William Bartlett came to America before the Revolution he was in high favor in English political life. Later, when he renounced England and pledged loyalty to American independence, the English branch of the house said cruel things of their "traitor brother," as they called him. This so wounded the Ameri- can brother that one of the first acts the Continental Congress was asked to do was to authorize the change in name to Bartlit, each brother renouncing the other. In later years the family are disposed to write the original name in the original spelling but Mr. Bartlit never did, nor his father before him. It was a matter of principle to them, as they saw it.

Immediately after the final location of the Western Air Line Railroad through Mercer County, Levi Willits and John S. Thompson conceived the idea of establishing a new town near the center of the county and on the line of this railroad, which should become the county seat. They recognized the fact that all the" eastern half of the county would favor a change of location of the seat of justice. Further, it was certain that a considerable portion throughout the western part would likewise favor a change. The county seat at this time was at Keithsburg, in the southwestern corner of the county, and was difficult to reach. Accordingly, Messrs. Thompson and Willits selected the present site of Aledo and purchased 400 acres for $2,200, two adjoining sections for $600 and paid Mr. McCandless $1,600 for eighty acres adjoining the proposed town site. The situation then was bare prairie, but there were standing on the site two log houses, one in the southern part and the other in the eastern part near the present brickyard. In the haste to get the beginning made, they staked out hurriedly that part of the town now lying between First and Eleventh streets and Chestnut and Ash streets. They overlooked the fact that the statute of the state required the work to be done or at least approved by the county surveyor. They secured Simeon S. Sheldon, one of the railroad engineers, and at first planned to call the town De Soto. They advertised a public sale of lots for the 20th of March, 1856. When they attempted to file the plat for record their attention was called to the fact that the proceedings were illegal and also that there was also a town in the state called De Soto. The county surveyor, Cornelius S. Richey, was sought, an apology was offered and Mr. Sheldon was appointed deputy county surveyor and the two surveyors made a resurvev of what had been done, adding additional territory to the former lots. On the date of the sale of lots, according to John S. Thompson, about one thousand people were present. At first they intended to sell but fifty lots, but as the sale proceeded the crowd became clamorous and lots to the number of 1 1 2 were finally disposed of. The auctioneer stood up in a wagon.

holding a map, and pointed out with a stick thereon the particular lot being sold. The sale terminated only when it was too dark for the crowd to see the map. Few men bought more than one or two lots. Among the purchasers were Judge Gilmore, William Gayle, M. L. Marsh, John W. Miles, who bought the first lot; John S. Moore, Martin A. Cook, Elisha Miles, W. E. Riley and Scott Brownlee. The proprietors, Thompson & Willits, reserved blocks for a college and other purposes. The first fifty lots sold for $5,780. The price varied from $240, the highest price, to as low as $35.

De Soto was the name first selected, but was not liked by Mr. Thompson, whereupon a change was made. He stated that he took a Webster's dictionary and, turning to the geographical names in the back part, selected a few, among which was the name Aledo. He submitted those he had selected to Mr. Willits, who chose Aledo. In this way, according to Mr. Thompson, the city received its name. This statement may be seen in the Times-Record of December 26, 1901. W. B. Frew states that Mr. Richey told him not many years ago that the city came to be called Aledo in the following way: After much discussion and no satisfactory name being found, it was proposed to try by lot. Separate letters of the alphabet were deposited in a hat, and after being shaken, were taken out at random and placed in lines, and when the first pronouncable and pleasing one was found that was selected. Such name proved to be Aledo. The question immediately arises who would know more concerning the name of the town, Mr. Thompson or Mr. Richey? Would Mr. Thompson have made the above statement if he had been present in case the name was chosen by lot? Of course, Thompson and Willits were the ones who named the city. Nobody else had any authority to do so. And it must be concluded that Mr. Thompson's statement concerning the dictionary is far more likely to be correct than the other.

The first house was erected in 1856 and thereafter they went up rapidly until by October 1st a fine little city was built upon the present site of Aledo. There was a brick hotel of three stories, a brick block owned by Willits & Moore, Judge Thompson was erecting a fine residence, and in all about one hundred buildings were being erected or had been projected. There were actually standing at the close of the year twenty completed houses and many in various stages of construction. During 1857 building went on rapidly. The grading of the Great Western Air Line occurred from 1855 to 1857 and the Galesburg & Muscatine Railroad was projected to extend through Aledo. The plans of the proprietors were wise, because in the end when submitted to a vote, as described elsewhere, the county seat was removed from Keithsburg to Aledo. Mr. Willits and Judge Thompson, proprietors of the town, paid into the county treasury $130 to defray the cost of this election. They bound themselves if the election resulted in favor of the change to deed to the county board for use of the county, Block 40 for a courthouse, and the following amounts were subscribed for the use of the county : Levi Willits and John S. Thompson, $3,000; Nicholas Edwards, $300; John S. Moore, $600; John W. Miles, $500; George Braucht, $300; Kline & Jackman, $100; O. C. Allen, $300; Elisha Miles, $300; M. L. Marsh, $50; Thomas Moorehead, $50; David Calhoun, $50; James Y. Merritt, $50; Joseph B. Lair, $100; J. E. Harroun, $200; W. M. McCandless, $100; Thomas Candor, $50; Joseph S. Matthews, $25; George A. Smith, $25; W. J. McAlister, $25.

In July, 1857, the business of Aledo was about as follows: Dr. S. Macy, druggist; Thomas Maddux, general store and tinware; S. S. Bean & Co., groceries; J. S. Moore, livery; McEwen & Irving, wagon shop; Charles J. Sellon, real estate; Cone & Clark, blacksmiths; Paxton & Warwick, meat market; Moore & Allen, dry goods, groceries, millinery and a general store; N. & I. Edwards, dry goods, groceries, hardware and a general stock; Summerville & Huffman, blacksmiths; J. H. Snyder, blacksmith; J. S. & L. W. Thompson had a two-story brick office building nearly ready, and Thomas Candor a new frame store almost ready; Dr. D. P. Bigger, residence nearly ready; A. J. Hellings and Mr. Maining, residences almost finished; Doctor Boroff, a Gothic cottage almost finished; J. Ramsay, an English style cottage ready; C. F. Coningham, a residence nearly completed; Griswold & Smith, a two-story frame business house; Rev. J. S. Poage, a storv and a half cottage almost finished; Dr. J. A. Morey, physician and surgeon; Dr. S. Boroff, physician and surgeon; S. Macy, surgeon dentist; A. G. Spangler, attorney.

When the village was first started and when the sale of lots occurred there was already on hand materials for a hotel and at this time it was planned that a newspaper would be started here as soon as the question of the change of county seat was determined upon. Accordingly, on July 14, 1857, Volume 1. Number 1, of the Aledo Weekly Record was issued. It was published every Tuesday by Reed & Bigelow for $2 a year in advance, or $2.50 a year not in advance. The paper stated that it was not neutral in any respect and further said, "So far as questions of human well-being are concerned we are not neutral. This world is a great battlefield, and

By July, 1857, there were standing on the site of Aledo over one hundred buildings completed or partly completed where just a year before was nothing but bare prairie, with only two log houses. Now there were substantial warehouses, tasteful and commodious dwellings and many more on the way. Two colleges, Presbyterian and Methodist, had been projected, and by 1858 were advancing toward completion. The preparatory department of one was under way in July. 1857. The big brick, public schoolhouse was already commenced. There were eight stores, two large hotels going up, and it was stated that there was "no room for idle loafers, whisky drinkers or whisky sellers."

In May, 1858, it was noted that there were three schools in progress in the village. As yet there had gone up no church building. Services were held in the schoolhouses, but the Free Presbyterian Church was in process of construction and several others were contemplated. The new Barton House was pronounced one of the best on the military tract and was first kept by a man named Barton until the latter part of i860, and the hotel was closed then for some two years or more, when it was opened by Amos Willits, and in a partition proceeding of the land owned by Levi Willits and John S. Thompson the house was sold to G. A. Luvin, and occupied by other persons for a while as lessees, when it was sold to Schuyler Button, and then the name was changed to the Button House. It was subsequently burned and Mr. Button then rebuilt it and he and his son, John Button, kept it for a number of years, when it was leased to other persons, and finallv sold and passed into the hands of Archibald McKinney, who reconstructed it and put it into its present form, and it is occupied as the postoffice and stores on the lower floor, and for offices on the second story, and a hall on the third story.

By the summer of 1858 the town had the following stores: Two dry goods, tw7o druggists, two groceries, one furniture, one boot and shoe, one stove and tin, one butcher, and the following shops: Two wagon and carriage, one harness and several blacksmiths. In June a restaurant and confectionery store had been started. At this time a call was made for a steam flour mill, planing mill, machine shop, plow factory, agricultural warehouse, hardware store and clothing store. At this time lumber was obtained at New Boston, Keithsburg, Rock Island and Andalusia. Sand was found within a mile of the town; lime was obtained from the above cities, brick was obtained near here; excellent building material was found within three miles; coal the same distance and the water was excellent. Mail coaches arrived here from Monmouth, Galesburg, Galva, Rock Island, Muscatine and New Boston. A weekly mail was established here as earlv as the summer of 1857, the line extending from New Boston to Galva, passing through Aledo. At this time a tri-weeklv mail was urged between Aledo and Monmouth. The Muscatine mail arrived every Tuesday and departed every Friday. The Galesburg mail arrived every Friday and departed every Tuesday. A. G. Ramsey was architect and builder at Aledo in July, 1857. Later in that year Paxton & Warwick slaughtered hogs and cattle. Aledo Lodge, No. 252, A. F. & A. M., and Aledo Lodge, I. O. O. F., were established here in 1857. This year J. E. Harroun was appointed postmaster. C. F. Coningham was house and ornamental painter.

When the Barton House was opened in the fall of 1857 it was made the occasion of a party and ball at which there was a large attendance for that day, though many did not attend owing to religious scruples. In August, 1857, Willits & Thompson donated ten acres in the southeastern part of town for a cemetery. The services of Tvler McWhorter, a landscape gardener, were secured to lav out the grounds. During the fall of 1857 C. J. Sellon, C. S. Richey, G. Swindler, J. McCoy, J. W. Griswold and Harrison Scott erected new residences. Patterson & Wilson started a furniture store in September; L. Jordan opened a carriage shop about the same time. A residence was built for Rev. H. J. Humphrey, D. V. Reed opened a boot and shoe store and Ralph Grow occupied a new residence at this time. The Barton House was built by Willits & Thompson and had about fifty rooms. It came to be called Barton out of regard for the second landlord, whose name was Barton and who came from Moline. In September, H. C. Morev started a drug store, and in the same month D. Northway, Mr. Chevelier and William Doak built new residences here. The little village was wide-awake and up-to-date. In October a literary society was organized here and many questions scientific, political and otherwise were debated and discussed. One special question debated was that of hard money and the judges decided in favor of currency. About the same time J. E. Harroun lectured before the society on the subject of reputation and character. He was then county school commissioner. In November, J. W. Miles lectured before the society on kindness and love as opposed to hatred and revenge. Other lecturers during the winter were Rev. A. Tucker, President Wallace, of Monmouth; President Blanchard and President Skinner, of Galesburg, all prom- inent speakers and educators. Rev. James Poage lectured in November on the subject of true patriotism. Dr. D. P. Bigger also lectured before the society in November. In January, 1858, the society discussed the slavery question and that of capital punishment.

In November, 1857, D. Kline opened a store of sporting goods, including guns, ammunition, hunting suits, etc. In January, 1858, Dr. G. W. Rodecker gave a series of lectures on phrenology here. At the same time a series of union prayer meetings, probably the first held in Aledo, were conducted in the Mercer Collegiate Institute, being held by the few religious organizations here. About this time President Skinner, of Galesburg, again lectured before the society and spoke on the subject of mental and physical labor. Rev. Mr. Tucker also again lectured on political integrity.

In January, 1858, an attempt was made here to put liquor on sale, but the attempt was promptly resented by the inhabitants. A large massmeeting was called and resolutions were passed to prevent the sale of liquor in Aledo at all hazards. All realized that in order to prevent the sale absolutely it would be necessary to incorporate. At this meeting Rev. H. J. Humphrey was made chairman and C. M. Kay, secretary. J. W. Miles stated the object of the meeting. On motion J. H. Reed, Rev. J. S. Poage and Rev. M. Bigger were appointed to prepare business for the meeting. The meeting was addressed by J. W. Miles, M. L. Marsh and I. Edwards. The resolutions adopted favored incorporation in order to check the liquor traffic which had been commenced the Saturday night next before. The resolutions were, "That while we are law-abiding citizens and lovers of good order, we shall feel ourselves at liberty to protect ourselves and our children against the traffic in intoxicating liquors as a beverage in this community at all hazards; that those engaged in the sale of ale and beer in our town be and they are hereby respectfully requested to abstain from the sale of those articles; that the druggists of Aledo be and hereby are respectfullv requested not to sell liquor except by a regular prescription from a physician, and that the physicians be requested to prescribe it only when it is absolutely necessary. Miles, Harroun and Reed were appointed to notify the liquor sellers of this action and Reed and Poage were appointed to arrange for a meeting to take preliminary steps for incorporating the Town of Aledo.

In January and February, 1858, the following men were doing business in Aledo: D. Kline, guns, ammunition, etc.; Moore & Allen, same; Lewis & Brother, groceries and a general stock; L. J. Gordon, harness; G. A. Luvin, restaurant; D. V. Reed, boots and shoes; Ralph Grow, contractor and builder; Paxton & Warwick, meat market; Patterson & Wilson, furniture and undertaking; A. G. Fider, barber; Dr. H. C. Morey, druggist - he sold wines and liquors rather frequently for medical purposes, it was thought; J. M. Maus had recently opened a coal mine three miles northeast of Aledo. He charged 6 cents per bushel at the mines, but 1 1 cents if delivered in this village. His coal bank was opposite that of H. M. Robb.

The first session of court in Aledo was held in the upper story of the new schoolhouse. The teachers' association met here at the same time and they occupied the same room alternately in February. In fact, they occupied the same room at different times on the same day. In March, 1858, Levi Willits, one of the town proprietors, died. James H. Reed, editor of the Record, was an able and often a brilliant writer, but he enjoyed lampooning and scorching opponents too well to make his editorials popular. Horace Bigelow, the publisher, conducted the news department and is yet living in Aledo, well advanced in years. Thousands of interesting items in these pages would never have been secured but for Mr. Bigelow's kindness in lending the writers of this volume the old files of the Record in his possession.

On February 5, 1858, the citizens assembled to decide whether to incorporate the town or not. O. C. Allen was chairman and M. Bigger, secretary. J. H. Reed stated the object of the meeting. The General Act of Incorporation was read by J. W. Miles. A vote was then taken with the result that the plan of incorporation was defeated by a majority of 152.

In March, 1858, Aledo claimed a population of 700. Verv probably the actual number fell a little short of that. The nearest railroad was twenty-six miles distant. The Western Air Line was already graded, but the rails were not down and all work had for the time ceased.

In the spring of 1858 S. Scribner & Co. bought the stock of drugs owned by Dr. H. C. Morey and afterwards conducted the store. J. B. Martin ran a line of hacks to Monmouth three times a week - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Lang's grocery kept whisky for sale in June, 1858, in spite of the temperance movement of the last winter and its continuance during the summer. It was said that there were fifty drinks in each barrel of whisky. The citizens in July offered such opposition to the continuance of the doggery that it was finally closed. They went en masse and requested the keeper to quit the business, the paper submitted being signed by nearly every citizen of the town. In June, 1858, it was planned to establish a wild-cat bank here, with a capital of $50,000. Doctor Edwards was one of the men connected with this movement, but it was not completed. In the spring of i860 among the business men were the following: Isaac Edwards, M. D., a stock valued at $40,000; Willits & Bassett, land agency; A. Corken, druggist; Elisha Miles, general store; J. H. Geick, tailor; S. Macy, druggist; Thomas Maddux, an interest in two or more stores; Seymour & Robinson, boots and shoes; D. Kline, sporting goods; Fred Volk, groceries; Miss R. Smith, millinery; D. V. Reed, boots, shoes, groceries, etc.; j. H. Abercrombie, harness; Tyler McWhorter, nursery stock.

The Evening Star Lodge, No. 252, I. O. G. T., was in operation in the summer of i860, under N. P. Brown, W. C. T. In September, i860, W. L. Campbell delivered a speech on temperance under the auspices of this lodge, to a large audience at Aledo. The speech was one of the strongest and most elaborate ever delivered in Aledo up to this time. At this date Palo Alto Lodge of Good Templars was established here.

In 1859-60 W. H. Thompson was postmaster at Aledo. Upon the change of administration in 1861 William Townlev was candidate for the office. As it appeared that there would be shown much ill will over the postoffice question early in 1861, the following citizens recommended that the question of who should be postmaster should be submitted to the voters at a special election to be held February 23d; John J. Glenn, J. M. Mannon, W. W. Carothers, D. N. Barton, J. H. Abercrombie, John Carnahan, John Ramsey, H. Parkman, I. Berlizheimer, S. Whitham, A. G. Fider, C. M. Coe, E. L. Strattan, Oliver G. Jack, Horace Bigelow, J. G. Mc- Guffin, G. A. Luvin, Henry Malone, J. H. Reed, M. L. Marsh, William Townley, William P. Baker, A. Corken, S. H. Rodgers, N. P. Brown, J. S. Paxton, S. W. McCoy, J. H. Gillespie, George Boone and Andrew Mays. The election was duly held and resulted in the selection of J. M. Wilson. In the end J. M. Wilson received the appointment as postmaster, his papers dating from August, 1861.

It was at that time that Aledo took steps to become incorporated and at the same time planned a council house, on which work was actually commenced in August.

In the fall of 1 86 r J. H. Hilberry brought a daguerrean car to this city and began taking ambrotypes, daguerreotypes, etc. About the same time the Bank of Aledo was started by Isaac Edwards, although his efforts were somewhat informal and his bank was not one of issue. He received deposits, bought and sold exchange, handled notes and did a partial though somewhat informal banking business.

With the issue of September 9, 1862, J. H. Reed sold his interest in the Record to Horace Bigelow, who assumed at first sole management and editorship, but very soon employed John Porter to conduct the editorial department. This combination continued with success for many years.

On March 3, 1863, a public meeting at Aledo formed an organization called the Aledo Cemetery Association, the following persons becoming members: John S. Thompson, Simeon Macy, Joseph Mc- Coy, William H. Biggs, Harrison Scott, Horace Bigelow, John W. Miles, George Irvin, Jefferson White, Joseph M. Abercrombie, William Downs, J. S. Poage, George A. Smith, John Rainy, T. H. Day, W. W. Williams and J. R. Bassett. John S. Thompson was elected first president of the association. The association secured a large tract southeast of Aledo, had the same platted and offered lots for sale in June, 1863. On August 4, 1863, "many citizens of Aledo" issued a call for a meeting to be held at the courthouse on the 15th of the same month to vote for or against the question of incorporating the town under the general law of the state. The election was duly held and was carried unanimously, with the exception of five or six, who cast votes against it. The election was held on September 5th and E. Gilmore, S. Macy, J- R- Bassett, W. McK. Young and George Turner were elected the first trustees. Doctor Macy was chosen president and John R. Bassett, secretary of the board. The corporate limits of the town included the territory embraced in the limits of the original plat of the village, Willits & Thompson's Addition and Braucht's Addition thereto. The town constable was appointed by the president and trustees. The first levy of tax was 20 cents on $100 for corporate purposes.

In February, 1864, it was announced in the Record that a bank would be established in Aledo within a short time, with a capital of $50,000. At the same time stock was offered for sale, the payments to be made on or before Mav. This plan again seems to have failed. Isaac Edwards, who had begun a partial banking business in 1861, opened a broker's office in Aledo in February, 1864. He bought and sold exchange on all principal cities and bought and sold stocks, coin, money, bank notes, uncurrent money and promissory notes.

In December, 1864, Horace Bigelow became postmaster, succeeding James M. Wilson. About this time, or a little before, the Aledo Brass Band was organized and at first had six pieces, but later was increased to twelve or fifteen. In July, 1865, the school census gave Aledo a population of 703 and Mercer County a population of 20,151.

The Aledo Record in 1865 became so boastful of what the town would become as soon as the railroad should be built that the New Boston Herald made the following observation: "There are three institutions which you cannot get up in Aledo, viz.: a fishery, a steam ferry and a steamboat line." In June, 1866, C. W. Searles succeeded Horace Bigelow as postmaster.

In July, 1866, the following business establishments were here: George Irvin, physician and surgeon; Harris & Waters, attorneys; L. H. Thompson, attorney and real estate dealer; S. Macy, druggist; M. D. Craig, physician; Isaac Edwards, attorney at law; J. R. and I. N. Bassett, attorneys and land agents; C. M. Kay, attorney and military claim agent; J. F. Woods, physician; S. Macy, surgeon dentist; Samuel W. Cay, attorney; Hugh R. Morrison, cabinetmaker; L. L. Troy, merchant; Smith & Graham, merchants; Poage & Senter, merchants; William Boney, druggist; L. F. Jobusch, grocer; Barton Hotel (for sale) ; J. J. Rainwater, physician; E. G. Stiles, licensed auctioneer; Fred Volk, groceries and general store; Boone & Warwick, boots and shoes; Harroun & Willits, general store in Aledo and New Boston; Miss McBride, millinery.

On September 5, 1866, Horace Bigelow sold a half interest in the Record to John Porter, who during the previous four years had been employed as his editor. In February, 1867, the Mercer County Press, which had been established a short time before, passed to the ownership of George C. Wilson. It was a democratic sheet. He was succeeded in May by Capt. D. R. Waters, who took charge of the paper.

In the fall of 1867 steps to enclose the cemetery were taken. Previous to this date it was not surrounded with a fence and cattle, horses and other stock roamed at will over the graves, much to the indignation of many of the citizens. An ordinance fixing liquor licenses at $300 was passed in October, 1867. In November the Barton House was completely destroyed by fire. In May, 1868, the authorities finally decided to fence the cemetery and steps in that direction were at once taken. In the fall of 1868 a large grain elevator was being built here by Mack & Whiting. At the same time a flour mill was commenced and a planing mill was projected. Pepper & Young began merchandising here in 1867 and Abercrombie & Deborde opened a harness store in May, 1868. No sooner was the Barton House destroyed than a new structure on the same site was projected and commenced within a few days. It became the Button House and was the principal hotel of the town for many years.

Pursuant to call, the citizens of Aledo met at the courthouse on January 20, 1869, to consider the proposition of securing a city charter for the town. Dr. W. D. Craig was made chairman and James H. Connell, secretary. Isaac N. Bassett, C. J. Bartleson and C. S. Richey were appointed a committee to draft a city charter and submit it to the Legislature for adoption. This was done. It was introduced in the Legislature on January 25 by Mr. McManus. The rules were suspended and the bills read a second time and referred to the committee on incorporations and insurance. On the 27th it came back without amendment and was read a third time. It passed the house March 8th, having previously passed the senate, but it was not signed by the governor. The governor vetoed the measure because it embraced land that was not laid out into town lots. In preparing the bill I. N. Bassett, of the committee, insisted that there should be nothing included in the corporation but the land that had been made into town lots, but he was overruled by the majority of the committee.

The planing mill was commenced early in 1869 by Edwards, Pinkerton & Companv, was soon completed and became one of the principal business establishments of the place. The elevator began operations on or about February 1st and proved a great convenience to the farming community and served to advertise the town. Early in 1869 Bailey & Byers, of Camp Point, bought property here and made arrangements to open a banking house. By the 24th of February they were prepared to buy and sell exchange to a limited extent and soon afterwards were ready to do a full banking business. Their office was in the Warwick Building. A. M. Byers took up his residence here at this date. In the end they bought the Warwick Building and immediately thereafter ended forever the sale of liquor in that structure. Thomas Bailey was associated with Mr. Byers in the ownership of the bank, but Mr. Byers was the principal manager.

In 1869 John Geiger bought the Mercer County Press, the democratic paper, at Aledo, and conducted it until 1872, when he sold out to O. P. Arthur, his stepson. In 1877 he bought an interest in the Aledo Banner, and about a vear and a half later sold out the same to P. F. Warner. Again in 1880 he founded the Aledo Democrat and soon after associated with himself George M. Eames, and so continued until his death in 1883. Mr. Geiger was at all times a straightout and consistent democrat. He refused to follow the Greeley movement in the early '70s.

to this town. As soon as it was certain that the railroad would be built in the near future, Aledo enjoyed a building boom. More than thirty new structures were planned and the most of them were erected, as an immediate result of this boom. The town had been laid out originally with the expectation of becoming an important point on the railroad. Thus after twelve years of waiting the hopes of the people were realized. On March 16th the first train of cars ran through the center of the town. The entire population were present to formally receive the train officials and celebrate the occasion. As the train drew up at the depot shout after shout rent the air and other manifestations of happiness and delight were exhibited. In fact, during the rest of the week the people continued to celebrate. Farmers came in from all directions and desired a part in the joyous ceremonies. On the 22d the first passenger coach arrived, and within a few days thereafter the telegraph line was in operation.

In the spring of 1869 the cemetery association, a private concern, deeded the cemetery to the town authorities, upon condition that they would at once fence the park and put it in better condition. This was agreed to, the deed was made, the property fenced and the grounds laid out and ornamented.

In May John S. Thompson offered one hundred choice lots in Aledo at public sale for one-third cash, one-third in one, year and one-third in two years, with 10 per cent interest. In 1869 the Mercer County Musical Association was organized at Aledo, also the Aledo Literary and Library Society. Both began active work, and for few years were prominently identified with many advanced movements here. In December, 1869, Aledo had seven dry goods stores, seven groceries, three hardware stores, three drug stores, two bakeries, four harness shops, three shoe shops, three jewelry shops, one book store, one bank, two agricultural warehouses, three wagon and carriage shops, three photograph galleries, two clothing shops, two furniture stores, one steam planing mill, two lumber yards, two elevators, one steam flouring mill, two livery stables, seven blacksmith shops, etc.

There are many interesting small items usually overlooked by writers in the history of a community which are of great interest to the people themselves. Having passed through those experiences, and having made such a part of their existence, they wish them preserved, and, accordingly, in the following pages many small items will be noticed, with the expectation that the readers of this volume will take pleasure in reviewing the small items of the past. The first colored man to vote in Mercer County was Samuel W. Hedge, barber. He cast his vote at the school election in April, 1870. The

Congregational Church of Aledo was dedicated by Rev. J. E. Roy, D. D., of Chicago, in the spring of 1870. Many brick buildings were constructed this year. For many vears Aledo had suffered by lack of proper connection with that portion of the county north of Edwards River. Finally in 1870 the city voted $2,500 to build a suitable bridge across that stream. It was finished and ready for use on August 20th. It was built by J. S. Pinkerton. At the same time the road from Aledo to the bridge was put in excellent order under the direction of the town authorities. Thomas A. Marquis conducted many singing classes in this town in early years. During the year 1870 there were erected a total of thirty new buildings, either wholly or in part. Four of them were brick structures, costing an aggregate of about twenty thousand dollars. Four were dwellings of much pretension, costing from $2,000 to $5,000. At this time the Mercer Collegiate Institute was conducted by Prof. S. E. McK.ee. The public schools had about two hundred and fifty scholars and the following religious societies were organized: Old School Presbyterian, United Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Congregational and Episcopal.

In December, 1870, J. L. Bentley and M. Cannum shipped from Aledo forty-two head of hogs, the average weight of which was 367 .;j pounds. It was one of the best lots ever sent from this portion of the county. S. G. Morris conducted a slaughter house here at this date. McBride's livery stable was destroyed by fire in May, 1871. The fire threatened other portions of the city, but was finally controlled. Professor Hanchett conducted an academy of music here in the spring of 1871. Alexander & Owen made brick on an extensive scale here at this date. In the fall of 1871 when news of the Chicago fire reached Aledo, the citizens promptly raised $500 and forwarded at the earliest possible moment two carloads of provisions. Meetings were held and committees were appointed to raise more funds. J. S. Poage was chairman of one meeting and Horace Bigelow, secretary. There were shipped from Aledo by rail during 1871, 26 carloads of wheat; 215 of corn; 77 of oats; 28 of rye; 265 of hogs; 61 of cattle; 13 of sheep. The numbers of each were estimated as follows: Wheat, 9,516 bushels; corn, 78,990 bushels; oats, 51,282 bushels; rye, 10,248 bushels; hogs, 13,250 head; cattle, 976 head; sheep, 650 head. The corn shipped was of the crop of 1870, which was a comparatively small one. The corn crop of Mercer County in 1 871 was the largest ever raised up to that date.

R. Good for the violation of the temperance ordinance. He took s change of venue to Rock Island, but the judgment of the lower court was there affirmed. He was fined $100 in each case. Under the city authorities the cemetery was made beautiful by the summer of 1872. Walks and roads were laid out, flowers, shrubs and trees were planted and the site generally was most tasteful and attractive. Again in October, 1872, the question of incorporating Aledo as a city was discussed pro and con and there was manifest a determination to continue the struggle until this result was accomplished. There was much opposition from the element which enjoyed the presence of the saloons. J. McKinney, Jr., established a dry goods store about this time. Prof. H. R. Palmer of the Northwestern Academy of Music, Chicago, author of the "Song King,'' "Song Queen," etc., conducted a music school and convention here early in 1873. All the young people and the best singers of the city participated and the closing exercises were attended by the entire population. All enjoyed the beautiful music, the bright faces and the happy occasion. It was said that the largest assemblage in Aledo up to this time attended this convention.

The Fourth of July, 1873, was celebrated by Aledo in McWhorter's Grove, a short distance south of town. J. E. Harroun read the Declaration of Independence; Judge Willard, George P. Graham and A. J. Streeter were the orators. This was the time when the Granger organizations flourished and there was present a large cavalcade of that order, coming even from different portions of the county. The day was hot and the cool shade under the stately trees was enjoyed. An attempt to send up a balloon failed, but it was again tried from the courthouse square in Aledo and again failed, the great heat of the day, it was declared, preventing, in a large measure, the success of the operation of filling. However, the following week Professor Boley, who had the project in charge, ascended here over a mile high and descended in Perryton Township, three and a half miles away. A short time afterward he lost his life in an adjoining county.

During the panic of 1873, when banks everywhere crashed and went to pieces, A. M. Byers & Company of Aledo sustained the panic with success and came through without injury to credit or otherwise. During the most exciting weeks they refused to buy New York exchange and took other precautions.

In January, 1874, E. D. Woods' Academy of Music, which had been conducted here for some time, gave a musical program at Byers' Hall. Forty-five students rendered a most attractive program. The

Central Park, Aledo

At every election of the town trustees after the war the temperance question cut an important figure. There were invariably temperance and license tickets, and usually sharp contests ensued between the rival tickets. The election in April, 1874, was rendered much more important by the fact that the temperance wave which swept the country was here at that date. Both sides worked at the polls and fought every inch of ground. The temperance ticket was in charge of the reform movement. The result gave the temperance partv a slight majority, five of their trustees and their clerk winning. Doctor Irwin claimed that his name was placed on the people's ticket as trustee without his knowledge or consent, but he received the vote of both parties. The result was as follows: Temperance ticket, E. Gilmore, 98; J. C. Thomson, 96; C. S. Richey, 95; G. L. Bitts, 95; H. P. Graham, 94. People's ticket, H. S. Senter, 99; J. M. Smith, 93 ; George Geiger, 93 ; John McKinney, Jr., 91 ; E. C. Humphrey, 89. The vote for clerk was as follows: Temperance ticket, Lewis D. Holmes, 102; people's ticket, O. P. Arthur, 86.

Early in 1874 the Aledo Literary Society was organized and by the middle of March had about three hundred and fifty dollars subscribed at ten dollars a share for stock. The first trustees were C. S. Richey, H. S. Senter and Tyler McWhorter. A quantity of books were secured and the library was opened in the hall over Richey Brothers & McGuffin's store. The membership was $2 a year. Mark Twain's latest book, the "Gilded Age," was received, among others, the last of April, 1874. In 1874 A. M. Byers planned to retire from the Aledo Bank, which he soon afterwards did, and was succeeded by John McKinney, Sr.

In Februarv, 1875, Mercer Township collected and forwarded to the Kansas and Nebraska sufferers, twenty barrels of flour and cornmeal, forty-eight sacks of flour and cornmeal, one large box of clothing, one bundle of clothing and two bundles of dried meats. C. I. Mclntire was a soliciting agent representing those who collected the materials. In 1875 the temperance excitement was almost as strong as in 1874. Two tickets again appeared, but this time the citizen's ticket won against the temperance ticket by an average majority of about fifteen. Every member of the citizen's ticket for trustee and the candidate for town clerk were elected. Soon after their election they fixed the license fee at $240. The seller was required to give a bond of $3,000 not to sell to minors nor to habitual drunkards, nor to sell any other kind of liquor than those specified

The bank in 1875 was under the management of Byers & Gilmore. A little later the owners became McKinney, Gilmore & Company. At this time there was formed under the state law the FarmersBank by A. M. Byers & Company. It consisted of a limited partnership, under Chapter 84 of the Revised Statutes, and the capital was fixed at $48,000 and the term of existence five years. They were authorized to do in Aledo a general banking, brokerage and real estate business. A large safe and vault were secured. The following were the subscribers to the capital stock: A. M. Byers, L. B. Morey, A. J. Streeter, G. D. Miller, S. F. Everett, Martin Boyd, Martin Bear, Jacob Bear, O A. Bridgford, R. J. Cabeen, D. M. Candor, A. W. Spicer, John Greenwood, Robert Blee, Joseph McCoy, James C. Wright, Tyler McWhorter, W. H. Holmes, E. Miles, William Rutherford, Samuel Lafferty and Josiah Candor.

Late in 1875 Schuyler Colfax lectured in Aledo, his subject being Abraham Lincoln. He came here under the management of Horace Bigelow. In the winter of 1875-6 the town secured a fire extinguisher and organized to fight fires. J. M. Smith was foreman of the firemen. The force was divided into chemical, cylinder, pipe, hose, hand engine and extra men. At first the force consisted of approximately fifty men.

In April, 1876, there were four tickets in the municipal election, one strong temperance, one lukewarm temperance, one out and out liquor and one compromise ticket. The latter was successful. In January, 1877, a special census of Aledo was taken with this result: Males, 883; females, 943; total, 1,826. Of these 1,671 were Americans, 112 Swedes, 13 English and a few of others. The number of whites was 1,805; colored, 21. There were 286 frame and 9 brick residence buildings; 49 frame and 28 brick business buildings; 7 churches, 5 other public buildings. Total value of all buildings, $601,600.

In February, 1877, Fred Douglas lectured at Union Hall to the largest audience that ever greeted a public lecturer in the village up to that time. Six hundred persons were present. His subject was "Self-Made Men." A little later Robert J. Burdette delivered his famous lecture on "Rise and Fall of the Mustache."

In 1874 the Aledo flour mills were started by S. W. Garley, who continued the management of the same for many years. In 1877 the Aledo Manufacturing Company, a town stock concern, was organized under the presidency of A. F. Perrigo. About this time there was another agitation of the city charter question. The total vote by village election in 1877 was 256. About 80 votes were cast in favor of license and 170 against it. J. F. Henderson was elected clerk.

In June, 1877, Aledo was visited by a destructive tornado. The storm did not reach the city in its full strength but did great damage as it passed. The following were the damages done: United Presbyterian Church, steeple and cupola blown down and three-fourths of the roof torn off; the United Presbyterian Church was toppled partly over and damaged; Doctor Irwin's house was tipped partly over; the Aledo Manufacturing Company lost many windows and a portion of its roof; the Severin building was damaged and the kitchen in the rear was lifted and set down bottom up on the other side of the woodpile; the tin roof on the Union Hall was partly blown off; Dr. W. K. Brouse's house was unroofed and the stable was blown down; windows in the Button House were blown in; the smokestack on Edwards & Son's planing mill was prostrated; the smokestack on the Aledo flour mills was left in a dangerously leaning condition; A. Bauer's hotel was damaged; the barn of Robert Blee, west of town, was blown away; John Inqmire's barn was moved eight or ten feet and injured. Two horses inside were not hurt. Other objects were picked up in all parts of the town and scattered in every direction. The same storm in other localities was much severer than here.

In the '70s the newspapers began slowly to print more local news than ever before, so that by 1878 there were correspondents in many of the villages of the county for the Record and other Aledo papers. The public library in March was removed to the office of L. D. Holmes, over Lorimer's store. C. R. Wood was librarian at this date. The library authorities urged all citizens to become members at $2 each per year. In 1878 the Aledo citizen's ticket again won over two opposition tickets. O. P. Arthur was still editor of the Banner in 1878. In the spring of 1879 the temperance ticket was again successful for the first time in several years. In 1880 L. B. Doughtv was connected with the Record as editor of the temperance department. There was a smallpox scare here in 188 1. H. Bigelow was a prominent real estate dealer in 1881 and later. In June, 1881, it was planned to enlarge the cemeterv and this was actually accomplished a little later. In 1883 the authorities procured a hand brake fire engine and a hose cart with 300 feet of hose at a total cost of $835. Before this the city had onlv a chemical engine. The new engine weighed 1,400 pounds and the wheels were only four feet apart and thus the engine could be run upon the sidewalks. At this date the town had this engine, the hose cart and a hook and ladder brigade. The Aledo fire department was wholly voluntary and consisted of the following members, January i, 1883 : Fire marshal, Joseph McDougal; foreman, Lee D. Elliott; first assistant foreman, Charles Detwiler; second assistant foreman, Joel Harvey; treasurer, William Winders; secretary, Joseph F. Henderson, and the following firemen: Ben Cullison, Lee Eckman, George Gillespie, Dan Kennicutt, Ed Smith, J. M. Wright, Chris Thede, Frank Hebbard, William Yount, Elmer Law, A. Marquis, Ned Abercrombie, H. Morrison, Luther Bernhard, Harry Dean, W. C. Galloway, Harry Harbour, John McPherrin, A. McKinnie, John Harvey, Charles Dunn, James Jones, John Gilmore, A. Curry, Henry Smith, George Eames, Charles Finch and Thad Wright. With the new engine and other apparatus steps to secure fifteen more members were taken.

At the Aledo village election in April, 1883, two tickets were in the field, the anti-license and the citizens. The license element endorsed, worked for and voted the citizens ticket which was successful, the trustees being C. F. Durston, John F. McBride. Joseph Boyd, Charles Detwiler, and E. L. Wolff. Joseph F. Henderson for clerk was on both tickets.

The library did not meet the encouragement it deserved. Accordingly, in April, 1883, the library association held an entertainment and netted $35.25. C. S. Richey was treasurer at that time. The library room was in the Parkman Block. In March, 1884, they received twenty-nine new books, mainly Sir Walter Scott's works. H. R. Morrison was president, W. C. Gallowav, secretary, and W. H. Holmes, George Gillespie, Jesse Markee and D. M. Candor, directors. Other entertainments were held for the library and a considerable sum, probablv one hundred dollars, was realized with which to purchase books by November, 1884. In the spring of 1884 the new creamery at Aledo went into operation.

In 1884 Aledo had three elevators, a flour mill, a carriage and wagon manufactory, a marble yard, brick and tile works, a big new brick schoolhouse, which cost $25,000; a soldiers' moument, seven churches, secret and benevolent societies, two newspapers, several good hotels, an opera house, fair ground, a new town hall, an engine house, the Aledo creamerv and was otherwise prosperous, enterprising and ambitious. In 1885 when the term of existence of the Farmers' Bank expired, the capital stock was increased to $7,000 under the reorganization. A. M. Byers still conducted it and was associated with W. N. Graham and Frank Evans.

and Horace Bigelow dissolved partnership in the ownership of that paper, Mr. Bigelow withdrawing permanently from connection with it. Mr. Porter was joined in its management by his two sons, Moses W. and James A. The last issue of the Times appeared February i, 1894. The new name, Times-Record, was given the paper and was under the ownership and management of the Times-Record Publishing Company. It was a consolidation of the Times and the Weekly Record.

On April 21, 1885, the voters of Aledo were again called upon to vote on the question of city government and to elect at the same time four trustees. The question was decided in favor of the subject. The temperance people were successful in electing the first mayor by a majority of three and majorities against license were given in the First and Third wards, but license carried in the Second ward by a majority of one. The officers elected were as follows: For mayor - George Irvin (Temp.), 167; L. B. Morey (Lie), 164. City clerk - S. D. C. Hays, 326. City treasurer - W. N. Graham, 323. Attorney - J. H. Connell, 323. Aldermen, First ward - Joseph H. Abercrombie, 106; Charles Detwiler, 108; Second ward - A. L. Craig, 57; Joseph Boyd, 69; J. R. McCrea, 48; G. M. Eames, 48; Third ward - A. W. Ransom, 67; J. E. Gilmore, 69; J. B. Felton, 48; J. F. Milligan, 47. Against license, 171; for license, 152. The salaries of the city officials per annum were as follows: Mayor, $40; city attorney, retainer, $50; city treasurer, $25 ; city clerk, $75 ; aldermen, each meeting, $1.50; street commissioner, per month, $40; night watchman, per month, $40.

The Chautauqua was organized in December, 1888, with Reverend Brown, president, and Miss Merrill, secretary. Thev met in the rooms of the W. C. T. U., but were not successful in establishing a permanent entertainment. In December, 1888, a destructive fire occurred, the following being the losers: D. Cannum, $3,000; Mrs. Strother, $1,200; G. M. Bauer, $550; W. H. Holmes, $200; Doctor Johnston, $500; James McKinney, $350; Candor & Company, $50; Mrs. Reed, $500; V. K. Croson, $100.