Middlefork Township (part 1 of 2)

Middlefork Township

The town of Middle Fork, as its name indicates, lies in that part of the county where the three main branches unite and form the stream of that name. It is bounded on the north by Butler, east by Ross, south by Blount and Pilot, and west by the county line; is parallelogram in form, and geographically embraces the north half of town 21, range 13; the southern four tiers of sections of town 22, range 13; the northeast quarter of town 21, range 14, and the southern four tiers of the east half of town 22, range 14.

At the time of township organization it included not only all of Butler township, but all of what is now Ford county, running up to the Kankakee River, and was more than sixty miles long. At that time (1851) there was not an inhabitant north of what is known as Blue Grass Grove, until von reached the vicinity of the Kankakee River, where a few families had collected around Horse Creek, who, in their pioneer independence, were unwilling to recognize the authority which held its seat of justice at Danville, seventy-five miles to the south.. Uncle Richard Courtney, who, by the untrammeled and virtuous suffrages of the honest yeomen of Middle Fork, in the year 1852, was elected to the lucrative office of assessor, relates a little incident which occurred to him in the official discharge of his duties, with these "Horse Creek" denizens, which is laughable enough, but which did not strike Richard as at all funny when it happened. "With a due regard for the sanctity of his oath, and determined to leave no property unassessed, after he had carefully noted down all the wealth which lay scattered between Blue Grass and Higginsville, he bestrode the best horse he had, and, taking three days' rations of dried venison and cold corn-cake, he took his lonely way across the grand prairie to search out the tangible property, moneys and credits of these few families whose vast accumulations of filthy lucre and hidden treasure were problematical, to say the very least. Courtney was no novice at this business of hunting out

Indeed he was a man of large experience in financial affairs, having early, when even yet a boy, engaged in trade, and had bought and sold a great deal of land. A hard day's drive brought him to the cabins on Horse Creek, and, taking a night's rest, at the first he proceeded to unfold to the inhabitants, in "a few well-chosen remarks," the objects of his mission. They theoretically placed their thumbs on their noses and wagged the extended fingers of their hands, which was pioneer parlance for " you can't come it." He expostulated, reasoned of the righteousness of his cause, the temperance of his manner, and the judgment which was sure to come upon them if they resisted his meek measures : but, unlike Felix, they did not tremble worth a cent. They told him they never heard of Middle Fork ; had never attended her town meetings, and utterly repudiated her authority ; tha't the year before a Kankakee assessor had come prowling around nosing into their affairs, wanting to assess them, and that they would bring to grief any Vermilion assessor who undertook to do what the Kankakee chap found he could not do. To make matters worse, a Protestant Methodist preacher, whose name is forgotten, or he certainly should have the benefit of a first-class notice, fell on poor Richard, who was only a Methodist Episcopal christian, and brother of a preacher of that persuasion, and told him he did not expect anything better from such as he ; that his entire church was a priest-ridden, bishop-ruled, elder-dictated, poor, despised, crushed community, and poured a flood of light into the benighted mental vision of the publican, which an entire course in a Methodist theological seminary could hardly have equaled. He pointed to Courtney in fiery language, highly touched off with a flavor of sulphurous smoke, what a religion which pinned its faith to the surplices of a bench of bishops must inevitably lead to, and plainly intimated to the crowd that this assessor was a minion of the Episcopacy thinly hid behind the gauzy veil of township organization. Asserting that it was what he had long expected, and slapping his hands together, said that this expectation was the very thing which had induced him to break with the priest-ridden M. E. church. To make the matter short, they set the women on him with brooms and mopsticks to drive him from their midst. He was not in the habit of giving up at trifles, but the array of armed women was no trifle in Courtney's estimation, and he betook himself to contemplative study. There stood his oath, recorded in heaven, that he would assess the value of these people's property. What was he to do ? A bright thought struck him. There resided in their midst a sort of backwoods lawyer, whom they called 'squire, whose words and opinions had come to be considered law in the settlement. As he had no property of his own, he could well afford to offer his services to help Courtney out. His kind offer was thankfully accepted, and " Richard was himself again.'' So it was arranged that the heads of the dozen families living there should come to the '"squire's" cabin that night, and he would make known their duty under the law. "Law is law!" sententionsly said the accommodating '"squire," "and I cannot let these neighbors of mine be dragged away from their families a hundred miles by your sheriff in Danville, if I can be the happy means under Divine Providence of preventing it." The convocation was held, and, in an orderly manner, Courtney explained the situation. He had a fair share of eloquence for a young man of limited word power, and presented his side of the case in a masterly manner. After long discussion the 'squire decided that their little property was liable to assessment, and the faithful assessor felt as a great general does when a great victory is won. He felt different, however, a few moments later, when the kind 'squire charged him $2.50 for his friendl3r counsel. It was not safe to leave that county without paying the bill, and it took all the money he had. He got back to Blue Grass, however, without losing his horse or throwing up his commission. The board of town auditors allowed and paid him £3 for that part of his services. It was several long years before he was induced, by "the urgent request of his friends," to accept the office of assessor again, and for many years he has held to the opinion, pretty strongly, that until the unwelcomed advent of that horde of Chinese barbarians upon our Pacific slope there was not in America a class of people who had darker ways or vainer tricks than the lawyers. "When the collector went there the following winter to make collections, he found a few parties who would not pay their tax, and he levied upon the only articles he could transport; and, thinking he could not find anv bidders in that neighborhood, he carried a shotgun and a log-chain all the way to Danville, out of which to make the tax.

The township contained, originally, about twelve sections of timber land, which was more in the form of pretty well defined groves, with little of undergrowth, and hazel-brush patches which have since grown into timber land, than of what is generally called timber. The main branch of the Middle Fork, which comes into the township from the direction of Oliver's Grove, passes nearly through the town till its junction with Bean Creek, when it turns southwest and passes out. Along this, after leaving the main body of timber on the south, were Collison's Point, Colwell Timber, Partlow's Timber, Douglass Moore Timber and Buck Grove. The Blue Grass branch, which comes from the north, joining the main branch near Marysville, had on it Bob Courtney's Grove and Blue Grass Grove. Bean Creek, which, so far as its name is concerned, has a history. It had Merritt's Point, and numerous clumps, which were early the homes of those who, like Albright, wanted the advantages which shade and shelter gave to growing herds and fatting cattle. Of all the localities in northern Vermilion none offered a finer opportunity than the town of Middle Fork for early settlement and comfortable homes. In truth of this, the fine farms, the nice residences, the general prosperity, and the uncommon prosperity of a few, all show the town in the best possible light. There were drawbacks, however, that some other localities did not have. Main7 of the first settlers made their homes along the creek bottoms, seeking protection from the real or imaginary prairie blasts, and trying to use the water of the streams. Without one known exception, such families were the subjects of frequent, severe and fatal sickness. In the light of the present it seems strange that they should have selected such places for their homes. The families which made their homes on the edge of the prairies were not more troubled by sickness than others in new countries. An early settler, when asked why the rich prairies were so long left vacant, replied : " Why ! if we had known that anybody could live out there, we would have saved ourselves a great deal of trouble." It was really believed that they would only be of use as pastures for the great herds of cattle that would roam over them, as the herds do over the vast pampas of South America.

The streams through the pieces of timber were peculiar in one respect. When first found they seemed to have worn no channels for the water-courses. Every little rain spread them out into great ponds. Whether it was owing to the peculiar nature of the soil, or whatever may have been the cause or causes, they did not wear channels deep in the soil. Wherever there was an obstruction, as a fallen tree, the water poured over and made a deep pond-hole, which remained deep the year around. In these deep places large fish were caught. A gentleman, whose word is entitled to the utmost credit, says that he has known of the catching of a pike in the township fully four feet long. This might be set down by some as a ufish story,"' but the writer believes it to be true.

The Blue Grass tract, which lay around and through the Blue Grass Grove, covered several thousand acres, and has been the subject of much speculation. It was originally supposed by some to have been the growth of seeds brought here in some way by the Indians. This view, however, has been pretty generally abandoned, as the history and phenomena of grasses have become better known. One of the most singular things about these great prairies is, that the native grass which was found growing everywhere when man came here, and which for ages has maintained itself against all the natural elements of extinction, has neither seed nor any other organs of propagation. When once killed or circumscribed in any way, it could not by any process again spread. It was not merely comparatively, but positively impossible to spread it. So far as the writer's knowledge goes, it was in this respect anomalous. Nature does not seem to have furnished another case of actual absence of the quality of propagation. Wherever this was destroyed nature supplied its place with another grass, and in this part of the state that natural growth was blue-grass, which was, and is, just as much a natural growth as was the prairie grass. The Pottawatomie and Kickapoo Indians had long had a home in this grove. They had cultivated in their own rude way a small patch of corn, which had destroyed the prairie grass not only where they had actually planted, but all around where they lived and where their horses stayed. Blue-grass "run in," as the saying is, or more correctly, was furnished by nature according to a not well understood natural law. And this is all the mystery there is in regard to the great blue-grass pasture that was found here.

The first settlers found corn growing here. Their method of planting and cultivating differed somewhat from that in vogue since Brown invented his corn-planter, and can be easily described. No plow was known to Indian farming. The corn was planted in hills, little less distant than now, and was hoed by the women, and hilled up about as we do potatoes. The next year the hills were planted between the rows of last year's stalks, and the earth which had been hilled up around the former was removed, as needed, to the growing hills, to "hill them up." The only variety of corn they were known to use here was the peculiarly spotted ears, red and white. When the corn was harvested it was not cribbed in pine lumber brought from Green Bay, but caves were dug in the dry knolls, in which it was buried until it was wanted.

The earliest settlements were made in what is now Middle Fork, in 1828. Mr. Partlow and wife came from Kentucky in 1829 with their four sons, Samuel, James, Reuben and John, and their son-in-law, Asa

Brown. They were all married and had families, and were all earnest members of the Methodist church. They made a cabin at Merrill's Point, and the sons took claims in sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 (21-13), south of where Armstrong now is. John and James were licensed preachers, and were probably the first ones to make a residence here. The parents died the first year, and the family had to bury them themselves. They brought a number of cattle with them from Kentucky, and the migration bid fair to prove a prosperous one; but the first year. was followed by the memorable winter of the deep snow, the like of which has never been seen here since. It was to the new-comers a most unexpected and disastrous winter. The depth of the snow prevented getting around to do anything. They had to live on what they could pound up in their mortars. Deer, the principal meat-producing game, were easily captured, but they soon became so poor that their meat was not fit to eat. There was no such thing as going to market, and their cattle died from lack of food and care. The winter filled up the measure of their disappointment, and the next year they took the back track and went to Kentucky, all but Asa Brown, who said he had nothing to go to there, and he " could but perish if he staid." They afterward returned and settled on the land they had taken up, which has been known from that day to this - now fifty years - as the Partlow neighborhood. They all lived to bring up families, some members of whom still reside there. Samuel and Reuben died in Danville, where their children live, and are among the most respected and worthy citizens. John and James died here in Middle Fork. "When they came here they brought the institutions of religion with them, and never allowed the altar to grow cold. About 1840 they built the first meeting-house in this part of the county - a rude cabin on the bank of the stream on Reuben's land. There is no family which has exercised a greater or better influence on the town - an influence for good which will be felt till the last.

Michael Cook was one of the first to settle here. He died soon, and was buried in a little graveyard a half mile from Meneely's mill on the hill. William Bridges came here in 1830, and settled one and a half miles south of Marysville. He resided there seven years. He was a man of strong good sense. He sold and went to Wisconsin, when the rush was in that direction. Mr. Gray bought the place. He was not much of a farmer, and gave his time largely to the chase. His family had much sickness, and his place deteriorated, and part of the clearing again grew up to trees. Passing by it to-day it is not difficult to see in the timber the place where, forty-five years ago, wheat was waving in the June breezes. This man Gray was a character. He used to come in out of the timber every election day as regular as a tea-party, following the blazed trees out to civilization - he seldom came out at any other time - voted the democratic ticket as regularly and unanimously as if he had been brought up to it; defended the good name and statesmanship of Jackson ; shouted for fifty -four-fortyor-fight; for "extending the area of freedom," by the Mexican war, whooped for the repeal of the Missouri compromise, and peddled tickets until the boxes were closed, as energetically as any man in the business; then stayed to see the ballots counted out by candle-light. For ten years, Gray and John Smith (plain) were the only democratic voters in town. After ten years of energetic electioneering, this patriarch of democracy saw with jo}' the advent into town of George Copeland, and felt better. He lived to see as many as half-a-dozen democratic votes cast in Middle Fork. The town is still republican, though it is through no dereliction on the part of Gray.

There was a very considerable emigration at one time from here to Wisconsin. After Gurdon Hubbard had left Danville, where he had in vain endeavored to get his former partners to invest with him in "water lots" in Chicago, he became rich by his speculations there, and, following the same direction, some of the leading men of the county fancied they could see as rich speculations in Milwaukee and Galena, and other places in those vicinities. The prevailing sickness here gave a strong impetus to the movement, and quite a number went out from this town. Few bettered themselves, however. Asa Brown, A. Kelley and William Bridges went to the northern home.

Charles Bennett settled at Collison's Point in 1828, and was one of the first settlers in here. He came from Ohio. He entered land on Sullivan's Branch (called so till 1851), eighty acres at first, and afterward forty more, and was really the first settler on the now famous Bean Creek. Mr. Bennett died in 1840 on the farm half a mile east of the iron bridge in Marysville. He left six children, who have all moved away except Caleb and a daughter, now dead. His son Caleb, now residing in Marysville, is believed to be the "oldest inhabitant" now residing in the town, having lived here continuously for fifty-one years ; - at least, if any person disputes his right to the belt with the cabalistic letters, " O. I." marked on it, he wants such an one to come and take it, if he can. Caleb says, in speaking of those "good old times," (?) "We did not fail, under any circumstances or provocation, to have the ague eveiw summer as regularly as that solar season came around. People had not got to living out on the prairies then, and those who lived on the creek bottoms nearly all died. We thought it a 'severe dispensation of Divine Providence,' but now the general opinion, after a half century of additional light on the subject, is, that it was the 'milk-sick,' whatever that may be." They raised their own flax, corn, wheat and hogs, the real "hazel splitters," called so from a very general belief that they were so thin, and had such sharp noses, that they could go through a hazel bush or any like substance which stood in their way. A great man}7 ludicrous stories have been told about this much-abused breed of "prairie-rooters," which were in many respects a very valuable, probably the most profitable, "farming implement" the early settlers had. The impression is common now that they were a worthless thing. This is very far from being true. The writer, who has the greatest respect for the " improved breeds of hogs," now so famous here, wishes to record a plea in favor of the old stock. In the then condition of the fields and farms, they were the only kind that could be kept ; they did not require any grain or grass pasture ; they lived in the woods till corn was ripe, and when fatted to the extent that they were good bacon hogs, would travel as fast as a man could walk. In any ordinary weather they could make twenty miles a day, and could stand the long drives of one or two hundred miles to market without giving out; were not subject to any disease. Nothing could kill them short of the knife of the butcher or the ball of the rirle, and they were about the only crop the farmer raised which would always bring cash. Caleb Bennett went out on the prairie and took up the fine farm now owned by Zack Putnam, and improved it. He sunk three artesian wells, one of which is the finest in the county. By boring thirty feet he got a permanent three-inch stream, which is carried up high enough to furnish a good water-power to drive a churn. Several other farms in that vicinity have artesian water. He carried on stock-raising and feeding extensively, with fair success, for several years. Disaster overtook his operations, however, and he lost his property. He has been a hard-working man, and is respected by all that knew him. The farm which he brought into cultivation is owned by Mr. Putnam, who carries on a butter dairy of twenty-five cows, the only one of the kind in the town. He uses the water-power to run a small turbine wheel, which drives the churn and runs the water through the milk-house, to keep it cool. With this care in keeping cool, and with absolute cleanliness in the management of the dairy, he has no trouble in getting the highest market price for his product, and has solved the problem of profitable butter-making on these prairies.

Richard Courtney was born and grew up to early manhood in Franklin county, Ohio. The family came on here in 1835, and it was so rainy, and the streams so swollen, that they could not get farther, so they concluded to enter land here on the famous bine-grass tract, which the Indians had just abandoned. There were then standing, where his pasture now is, the stalks of a former j^ear's crop of corn. The untouched grass of thousands of acres grew rank around and through the grove. The underbrush of young trees had been kept down by prairie fires, and where now forest trees stand, as fine winter pasture as ever was known furnished feed enough for thousands of cattle. The few cows that the settlers kept came in at night loaded down with milk, and almost every hollow tree in the grove was the home of bees. There never was a land which, to the immigrant seeking new homes, flowed more literally with milk and honej^ than this. The Courtney family at once went to breaking prairie, and hired a hundred acres turned and planted to sod corn. They got a good crop, but did not know what to do with it. It was only worth six cents a bushel, and no market for it at that price. They did not raise much wheat. They went to Perrysville for their grinding. Deer, geese, turkeys and prairie chickens were numerous. They kept a few sheep, but the wolves were so troublesome that it was almost impossible to protect them. They have sold pigs for one dollar per dozen, and once sold Mr. Gilbert twenty good fat hogs for fifty dollars. Mr. Courtney was once on a trip to Chicago, and having in his wagon some corn of the large white variety, such as he was in the habit of raising, to feed on the road, a couple of Yankees, who were looking for the first time at the prairie wonders of Illinois, after intently examining the ears of corn, and comparing them mentally with their own little hard-shell nubbins down east, commenced asking questions, Yankee-like. They asked Courtney what it cost to raise such corn. He told them that he did not calculate that it cost him anything to raise it, and explained that the land had to be broken before it was fit for any crop. Then, while the prairie sod was rotting for the next year's crop, one of the boys who had nothing else to do dropped the corn in the crevices between the sods, and they went on about their business, allowing the corn to have its own way until it was ripe ; then they picked what corn they wanted, say twenty to forty bushels to the acre, and left the rest for the cattle to live on durino- the winter. "But don't vou hoe it and manure it in the hill, and hill it up, and stick up scare-crows made out of your wife's last year's petticoat or your cast-off drawers, and put hats on 'era?" inquired the suspicious Yankees. He assured them that nothing of the kind was done in raising the particular corn they then held in their hands. They questioned his veracity. ''Well,'' said Courtney, " if }Tou don't take my word, if you will just come back to the next wagon, I have got a minister and a class-leader there who will swear to it. This satisfied the incredulous gentlemen, for they knew what religion was, and down in Massachusetts a class-leader's word is taken everywhere. Mr. C. says that he has gone a whole year without handling thirty dollars in money. Their wants were few. They made their own cloth, sugar and shoes ; rarely bought store-tea ; did not take music lessons, or buy spring bonnets. Taxes were nominal, and no school bills to pay, and no mortgages to eat up the substance of the people. He used to keep a plat of the township, so that people who came to look for land could find it, and would stop his plow am^ time to go to show them the corners. There were no settlements on the prairies until 1849, when the rush of immigration came in in anticipation of the passage through congress of Douglas' Illinois Central Railroad bill, by the discussion of which attention was directed to the £reat fertility of the prairies, which only needed the aid of railroads to bring their products into market. The people here had supposed that the prairies back of them were their heritage for " range " as long as they should want them, but waked up suddenly to the fact that all this land was being taken up, and had to buy at increased rates to secure themselves against being hemmed in. Richard Courtney sold his farm to John Bodley, who recently died at Paxton, and purchased another. Mr. Bodley remained here some time, carrying on a farm of four hundred acres, trading, feeding cattle, and driving to market. He kept a store at Blue Grass for awhile, which he lost by lightning. He afterward went west, and then settled at Paxton, where he became one of the leading business men of that place. He took a lively interest in public affairs, and was long on the board of supervisors. He closed a long and busy life a few weeks since, leaving a name for integrity and business activity which will long be kept green in the memory of his many acquaintances. Mr. Courtney still resides on the farm which he bought at that time. He has brought up a family of five children, who live with or near him, and who enjoy the aid and assistance of his wise counsel and the pleasure of his society. He has saved a comfortable property, though by no means rich, and quietly receives the benefit of his early thrift and energy. There is no more pleasant sight connected with the history of these townships than the one of these good old parents, who, having passed through the trials, the hardships, the fears, the dangers of pioneering, the fatigue and labors of a well-rounded life, throw care and work on willing children, whose early feet they have led in paths of peace, truth and veneration for God and man. Mr. Courtney's mother died here, at the age of eighty-three.

years later he came into this county to live, having received a good education and studied medicine. He used to preach while here, but finding his health failing, he resumed the study of medicine to learn his own case. He removed to Danville, where he remained several years, spending his winters in Cincinnati, attending lectures and acquainting himself with the science of medicine and surgery in all its details. He was elected to the legislature in 1854, and in the single winter he served saw many things to convince him that everything was not pure and honest in the politics of that "good old time." He removed to Indianapolis, and was appointed to a professorship in the medical college at Cincinnati. He was a man of great energy and industry, with small physical strength to back it. The successive steps of advancement from the cabin of the backwoodsman to the important position of lecturer in an important medical college, shows the stuff of which he was made.

None of the other members of the Courtney family reside in Middle Fork. Robert Courtney, who was not a relative of the family heretofore spoken of, came here before they did some four years. He was an arbitraiy man, and cared little for the rights of others or the peace of his family. He claimed all the land that joined him, and when Mr. Cross came up from Danville and staked out a piece of blue-grass pasture to put his cattle on to feed, Robert undertook to drive him off. He was even crosser than Cross, and went for this intruder in a very unamiable manner. He never gave much attention to farming, but hunted and watched a few cattle. He lived here about twentv-five years, until 1856, and then went to Champaign. John, Dixon and Hamilton Bailey, three brothers, settled in 1832 on land where Marysville now stands. They were industrious men and good citizens; remained here until 1839, and sold to Robert Marshall, and went, in company with Miller, Stillwell, Brown, Lay ton, and others, to Wisconsin. Mr. Marshall was not in sufficient health to work on a farm, and undertook to keep store in one part of his dwelling, two or three years. He died, and thus ended what is supposed to have been the first mercantile venture in town, about 1850. Robert Young bought the farm Stillwell had entered, and lives on it still.

Douglas Moore came from Ohio in 1834, and took up land still farther west, south of where Armstrong now is. He was a man of very positive views and strong character. He has a reputation among the neighbors for truthfulness, honorable christian character, and was

Mr. Meneley, who was himself a millwright, built a saw-mill a little way down stream from Marysville in 1837. He afterward sold to Smith, and it burned ; Smith rebuilt it and sold it. In 1872 a run of stone was put in. This is the only water-mill ever built in town.

Bean Creek, the eastern branch of the Middle Fork, was first known as " Sullivan's branch," but it afterward came to be known by its present name, from certain yarns that Albright spun in regard to the peculiarities of the people who lived along its banks and the qualities of the stream itself. The land along its border was well adapted to cattle farming, and the men engaged in that line got possession of the land. Albright, as one of them, used to tell his friends back east of the excellent country that we had here. He said that the stream run bean-soup, and the banks were supplied with a natural growth of this nutritious vegetable, ready baked to a beautiful brown for the table; that the settlers just naturally collected it daily (except Sundays), as the wandering tribes of Israel gathered manna in the wilderness; that, he was at first surprised at finding such delicious baked beans on every table, when he traveled through there buying up the fat steers that he found in endless numbers in that vicinity, and that he was more surprised when he found the generous supply with which nature had provided them. The yarn was enough to give the name to this stream. In regard to some other locality he used to tell that when he was staying one night with his hands, he lodged in the house and they in the barn. During the night the bedbugs rolled him over and over until he thought to escape them by going to the barn, but before he got there he heard a terrible racket, which sounded more like a thrashingmachine than anything he could think of, but it proved to be the boys fighting fleas. The first settlers along this creek were Mr. Bennett, Mr. Allen, W. H. Copeland and Mr. Albright. Farther up the creek were George Copeland, John Mills, who now lives in Fairmount, David Copeland and John Smith (English), who settled there about 1845. All the John Smiths in America, so we are assured, did not live in Middle Fork ; but there were three, which, Iry way of designation, were called John Smith (English), John Smith (Ticky) and plain John Smith. The former of these, who is one of the most successful farmers and capable managers of large business affairs in town, was by birth an Englishman. With no advantages of early education he came to this country, and for a time was in the employ of Abram Mann. When he married, in 1814, it is said that he had nothing but a strong constitution, good natural abilities, and a willing disposition. He soon commenced operations on his own account on Bean Creek, and his history from that time lias been a continued business success. He owns three thousand acres of land, which lies for three miles up and down the stream west of Marysville, and has been, and still is, largely engaged in cattle feeding, turning off two hundred head a year.

John Smith (plain) came here from Pennsylvania about 1845, with a four-horse team, which he traded for a piece of land, and soon got hold of a prairie team - a lot of steers and a plow - and went to work. He accumulated a considerable property around and in Marysville ; was the first to build a store there ; was postmaster for awhile, and had a large influence on its early prosperity.

The first school taught in the town was by Rev. Mr. Ryman, in a house built near Douglas Moore's, four miles west of Marysville, about the year 1842. Here the men and women, who afterward made their impression on the affairs of the pioneer neighborhood, received from a careful instructor the rudiments of school education, which have never been effaced from their minds. He is spoken of with great respect by those who knew him, and although the conveniences were not such as the children of the present day enjoy, they made the most of such advantages as they had.

In 1832, a countv road was established through Rossvillc and Blue Grass, from the state line west. A few years after this was known as the Attica road. Thomas Owens, now of Streator, bought a farm and moved a house on section 16, and commenced "keeping tavern." From this fact it became a center for the people around, and a store and post-office soon followed, and that universal convenience, - a blacksmith shop, - was "started." Out of this grew, in course of time, the famous " city " which did all the mercantile and commercial business for ten miles around. It was a busy little burg until that leveler of great anticipations, the railroads, came. "With railroad to right of it, railroad to left of it, railroad to front and rear of it, what could Blue Grass do but surrender '.

A complete record of the religious doings of the self-denying labors of the early evangelists, the interest in religious matters, and the church enterprises of Middle Fork, would be a chapter of great interest, and show a unanimity of christian purpose, almost without a parallel. A gentleman, whose long acquaintance with the town, running back almost to the first settlement, says, that fully three-fourths of the adult population were, during most of the fifty years of its history, professors of religion and ardent supporters of its institutions. Indeed, there have been times when the proportion was even greater. During the early times nearly all its inhabitants were members of those pioneers in religious effort and instruction, the Baptists and Methodists. Even at that day a chord of christian sympathy ran through the members of these churches which has never been effaced. The good brothers, Demorest, Helmic and Fairchild, who sounded the sweet notes of free salvation in the humble cabins of the poor pioneers, were seconded, not antagonized, by Elder Freeman Smalley, whose Calvinism took on the lovelier shade that toned its stern doctrines and decrees in sympathy with the christian unity of the day. No record which the human hand can make can hope to give full justice to these faithful laborers. They have gone to their reward where the record is full, kept by the hand which notes the sparrows fall, watched by the eye which seeth in secret. These men had no anticipation of earthly reward. An earnest christian, who was himself a member of the Baptist church, but whose religion took on the broader glow of unity, says : " It was one of the pleasantest sights to see these good Methodist brethren, the local preachers, going out two by two to hold their two days' meetings in the cabins, the barns or the groves; working together like Paul and Silas, one preaching while the other prayed for the blessing of God upon their labors. It was one of the strongest forces in the work of Methodism, and I wonder that they have let it fall into disuse."

There are now eight churches in town, four of which are Methodist. The first religious exercises in the town were probably held at the houses of the Partlow family, who were religious people and came here determined to maintain the cause of the church. In 1829 we find that Reuben Partlow accompanied John Johns, who lived ten miles southeast of the Partlow neighborhood, to Danville to attend meeting, and to ask that the preacher, Mr. McKain, send an appointment to their neighborhood. This was gladly complied with by the good man, who continued to preach for the class formed at John's house in Blount during his year. Coffeen's Hand-book of Vermillion County, pages 25 and 26, says: " A man by the name of McKain was the first Methodist circuit rider of this county. Harsh ey was the next, and by his preaching a great influence was exerted in favor of Methodism in this vicinity." It is believed that the circuit which was extended to John Johns in 1829 was also the same year made to reach out into Partlow's neighborhood, but if such was the fact, verification of it is not now at hand. This, then, was in the Eugene circuit, and extended to Big Grove (Champaign). Under the preaching of Mr. Harshey, who was the second circuit preacher in the county, regular appointments were made at Mr. Partlow's, which in time grew into the Partlow church ten years later. This became, then, the Danville circuit during

Mr. Harsh ey's preaching. For at least ten years preaching was had in the houses, and if there were two rooms in the building it was so arranged that the preacher could talk to those in both rooms. Blue Grass, Partlow's and Morehead's were the three earliest preaching points. After Harshey came Iiisley, Bradshaw, William Moore, Buck, Crane, Littler and others. Mr. Risley was an able preacher and a good man, but fell into trouble ; he was thought to have been carried away by a too great anxiety to see one party in a very bitter political contest elected, and lost his influence. Mr. Littler was a talented man and a very acceptable pastor, but got into debt and had not the bravery to face his creditors. Few of them had received any special education in schools for the work they had, but were men led by the spirit of all wisdom. Rev. Mr. Harshey lived and died in Danville, and is everywhere spoken of as a man of superior abilities and great power ; his influence in favor of Methodism was very considerable. Rev. James McKain, the pioneer, is more fully spoken of in the record of Blount.

In 1840 the brethren put up the first building specially intended for religious worship in this part of the county, on the land of Reuben Partlow, who begged the privilege of donating, which, taken in connection with his visit to Danville to ask Mr. McKain to come up here to preach for the new settlers, gives him the right to be called the pioneer of that which we now call Methodism in this town : really the pioneer in religious preaching. This little church down on the bottom has long since been replaced by a more convenient one, and one which the people naturally feel proud of. It was a very plain affair: the studding, beams and rafters were poles; the laths were rived out and the shingles home-made ; in fact, it was all home-made material except the door, windows and siding. The seats were slabs with legs stuck in them. This building was used for the first school which was held in this part of town, and the second one in town. The people here did not have the school fever very much ; it was not until about 1848 that they seem to have been awakened by the advent of a new wave of immigration to an interest in schools. There seem to have been none but the two already spoken of until the Ingersolls objected to sending their children three miles to school. The present Partlow chapel was built in 1865.

For a long time this was attached to, or was a part of Vermilion circuit. In 1865 the four appointments were set off and became Blue Grass circuit. In 1877 the parsonage at Marysville was built, and since that time it has been known by that name. The present membership in the circuit is: Marysville, 80; Partlow's, 50; Wallace Chapel, 52; No. 1, 45: total, 227. The trustees of the Partlow church, at the time of its being built, were John Smith, John Wright, Ersom French, Benj. Cross, fin. Hornbeck, J. B. Courtney and Wm. Crable. A Sabbathschool was established as early as 1840. The Partlows, Reuben, James and John, were leaders, as in every good work. J. B. Courtney, now of Marysville, was .superintendent for many years, during which time it often numbered a hundred.

The church at what was called Blue Grass charge was built in 1854, during the ministration of Rev. Mr. Wallace, and was named from him Wallace Chapel. It stands on section 28, one half mile south of Blue Grass post-office. The trustees were Eli Starr, J. H. Duncan, Joseph Moss, and the pastor. It is 34x46, and cost $2,100.

The chapel called "No. 1," built in 1867, is the same size, plain, and cost $2,200. The trustees under whose care the church was built were Jesse Piles, William Lefever, J. A. Beals, J. M. Rice and J. Collison.

The church at Marysville was built in 1S70. It is a fine building, 36 x 50, with a steeple, well seated and finished oft'. It cost $3,000. Messrs. Jameson, Tuttle and Bennett were active in the work of getting up this building. Sabbath-schools are maintained in all the appointments. Some of the most efficient and active members in the Sabbathschool work are J. B. Courtney, W. Hornbeck, L. A. Bnrd, Joseph Moss, J. H. Duncan, Eli Starr, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Potts, and Oliver Postal. The parsonage at Marysville is a good two-story house, and is as comfortable as any minister could wish. It cost $1,500.

The old Middle Fork Baptist Church was organized in 1834, by Elder Freeman Smalley, with about twenty members. Freeman, Benjamin and James Smalley and their wives, Mr. Herron and wife, Polly Stearnes, Levi Asher and wife, Mr. Pursell and wife, Mr. Stephens (a licensed preacher of English birth) and wife, Mr. Sowders and wife, Mr. Pentecost and wife, Samuel Copeland and wife, and Mrs. White, were all either original or early members of this church. This old church maintained its position and its unity until 1864, when questions and causes growing out of the war caused a division which proved disastrous.

As early as 1852 a church organization was effected, including those of the parent church who lived about Blue Grass Grove, and others who had recently come in, which was called Hopewell, but by common acceptation was known as Bine Grass Church. The pastors of the old church succeeding Elder Smalley were Revs. Mr. Dodson, A. C. Blankinship and Benjamin Harris. Mr. David S. Halbert, whose life has been intimately connected with the Baptist church, and through whose safe memory and kindness the writer has been enabled to rescue what would soon have been among the things forgotten, in regard to this important branch of the church, came to this county in 1836, and in 1840 united with the church. He removed to this neighborhood in 1848, and has since lived here, except the four years which he spent in " Dixie " in the service of his country, in the time of her sorest trials. He returned, broken in health but strong in the spirit, to his home, and now lives near Marysville. The new church commenced holding meetings at the residence of Mr. Halbert. Rev. Mr. Harris organized this church, with about seventeen members, including on its roll Mr. and Mrs. Halbert, Miss Cossart, John Lawler, wife and daughter, William Lawler and wife, and Mrs. Glascock. Mr. Harris' pastorate was followed by that of the brothers Martin and Alexander Blankinship and David French. Under their ministration the church prospered, and at one time numbered over a hundred members. Their meetings were held in the school-house at Blue Grass.

The Point Pleasant Church was organized in 1866 by Elder C. B. Seals, who was then a licensed preacher. At the time of its organization it numbered fifteen, and has had seventy at one time. Under Elder Seals' labors the church was built in 1867, on section 14 (22-14), near the Methodist, " No. 1," Church. It is a plain building, 34 x 46, and cost about $2,000. Since the close of Seals' pastoral labors, Elder Clark Fleming has preached, supplying the church half the time. A Sabbath-school is maintained in summer, but the congregation is so scattered that they have not tried to maintain it in winter. The church numbers about forty-five members.

The United Brethren Church was organized, as is recorded in the history of Ross township, which it is unnecessary to repeat here. Rev. John Hoobler was the pioneer preacher of this denomination in the county. The Marysville circuit has five appointments : Mr. Knight's, at Knight's Branch, five miles southwest ; Bean Creek, three and a half miles northeast ; Murphy's School-house, seven miles north ; Sperry's, five miles southeast, and Marysville. Rev. J. R. Scott is the present preacher in charge, and preaches at each of these appointments once in two weeks. Rev. J. S. Cooper was his immediate predecessor, and is now a presiding elder. Rev. T. M. Hamilton is presiding elder of this district of the upper Wabash conference. The church edifice at Marysville is 30 x45, with belfry and bell. It was built in 1873 at a cost of $1,800, under the ministration of W. F. Coffman. This charge numbers fifty members.

The Church at Bean Creek (in Ross) is a neat building, 35x45, with cupola and belfry, and cost $2,000. The Albrights, Putnam Cook, and others, were interested in putting up the building. The plain church

The appointment at Murphy's School-house (in Butler) expect to build this summer. Interesting and thriving Sabbath-schools are maintained at these general appointments. A pleasant parsonage with two acres of ground is furnished the pastor at Marysville.

The Christian church was organized here by Elder Rawley Martin, preaching in the school-house about 1860. Preaching was maintained irregularly until 1874, when Elder A. R. Owen preached here once a month and perfected the organization. Elder Smith and Elder Stipp have preached here since. In 1874 a very neat and tasty brick church was erected at a cost of $2,500. It is 35 x 56, with a well-proportioned steeple rising from the front center.

The early preachers through this country did not see much money for a yearly salary. They expected little and got less, but it seldom happened that these devoted preachers returned home without something to show for their circuit ride. The good sisters generally had a brace of chickens, a roll of butter, can of honey, pail of eggs, strip of bacon or dried meat, a little roll of cloth, which the pastor gladly received in lieu of bank notes, which he feared would not be a legal tender by the time of his return home. Thus did they " return again in joy, bringing their sheaves with them."

Blue Grass

The hamlet which has been so long known by the name of Blue Grass, or " Blue Grass City," as some ambitious ones chose to call it, received its name naturally enough from its surroundings, as has been already explained. After the county road - or state road, as it wTas called - came into general travel, and Owens had got his tavern into running order, the people began to want a post-office and store. The post-office was established in 1843, and John Carter appointed postmaster, a position which he retained until Archi McCormick commenced keeping store, about 1845, when he was appointed. Five years later he sold to John Bodly. Bodly continued in business some years and was quite prosperous, and sold to Wilson, and he to Thomas Owens, the post-office following these changes. Edmund Hartwell, who did not believe in doing anything by halves, built the mammoth store now standing there, dark, "gloomy and worthless," 30 x65, two stories high, which he occupied for store, carrying a large stock of general merchandise, the upper story being rented to the Masonic order, which had a thriving lodge there in those days. This was the only post-office in the northwestern part of the county, and it was no uncommon thing to see a hundred persons there for their mail at times. In 1859 John Carter and George Small laid out and platted a " town." It consisted of two blocks, one on either side of the county road. Hartwell, Scott & McDaniels, Groves & Brother, Henderson & Lee and Davis & Hall, successively sold goods there. During and after the close of the war these parties who were engaged in trade sold $25,01 >0 worth a year. Now the shutters are up on the big store, and no one would take it rent free. Berry Ellis started a blacksmith shop about 1845. The La Fayette Oil Mill Company built a flax warehouse there, and for some years Hartwell run that and did a thriving business. After the railroad was built it was moved to Rankin. The only business carried on there now is the two blacksmith shops by Wilson and Artrun, a little grocery and notion store, and the post-office now kept by Mr. Butler. "Killed by the railroads," is the epitaph that might be written over Blue Grass City.

The Havana, Rantoul & Eastern railroad (narrow-gauge) runs through the township from east to west, a mile south of its center. Mr. Gilford, the president of the company, lived at Rantoul. He came and called a meeting in 1874, and explained what he proposed to do. He wanted a stock subscription of $2,000 per mile. The citizens had heard a good deal of railroad talk before, and had not much confidence in this, but subscribed some $16,000. He built it, and got it through from Rantoul to Alvin, Christmas, 1876, and from Alviu to Lebanon in 1878, and from Rantoul west to Le Roy in 1879. It has proved a great success - has all the business it can do.

The justices of the peace have been Kobert Marshall, James Cassedy, Septimus Smith, J. P. Button, Ferry Copeland, N. L. Griffing, James Courtney, M. Oakwood, S. Hornbeck, H. H. Gunn, L. A. Bnrd, D. Thomas, S. M. Johnson, W. W. Smith, D. Jameson, D. A. Cox, C. B. Sargent, T. Ellis, M. W. Salmons, W. M. Tennery, S. T. Wright.

At a special town meeting held in June, 1870, pursuant to notice, to vote for or against granting $50,000 township aid to the Monticello Kailroad Company, the vote resulted : for such subscription, 122 ; against said subscription, 125. On the 26th of July a meeting was held for the purpose of voting for or against subscribing $40,000 to the same company, which resulted : for such subscription, 169 ; against subscription, 55 ; but the road has never been even commenced, and there is no probability that it ever will be. The Danville & Paxton railroad, one of the roads which was projected by John C. Short at the time he was attempting to make Danville the great railroad center ot this part of the state, was more than half graded through the township. It was to run almost directly through the township, from the southeast to northwest corner. Since Mr. Short's failure no work has ever been done on it.

Marysville is a pleasant little village of four or five hundred inhabitants, built on the prairie, but pretty nearly surrounded by the timber, on section 3 (21-13), on the Havana, Kantoul and Eastern railroad. The land is pleasantly rolling, and capable of easy drainage to the creek. In general appearance its buildings are neat and tasty, though not expensive, with the exception of two or three old "barracks" not now in use. John Smith (plain) was the first man here. Isaac Meneley and Morehead and Kobert Marshall were at first living across the creek, but soon came in here to help Smith make a town. Isaac Meneley built a shop on the corner, and opposite where Robins' store now stands, and a house north of it. John Smith then lived south of the creek. James Col well was on the hill west of the town. He had come there to live about 1842. The road from his house to where the town is was traveled, and became a street or public road by limitation, and remains so yet. Where main street now is was timber, but north of there was open prairie. When they came to decide on a name for the place, it seems that both Smith and Meneley had in early life attached their lives with Marys. They were both most excellent women (so they thought), and either one abundantly worthy of having a town named after her ; and both together they could not exactly be satisfied with Smithtown or Meneleyville, and hit on the plan of calling it Marysville, after the two best Marys then living in town.

Douglass Moore bought three acres of Marshall and built on it. Meneley's blacksmith shop was built about 1850, and Smith built a frame store across the street from the blacksmith shop, and went to keeping store. A post-office was established here, and Dr. Ingalls was appointed postmaster. Dr. Ingalls was engaged in the practice of his profession here for five or six years, and built the south part of the present hotel for his residence.

Henry Bass had a store here in 1852, and continued in business for some years. George and Mason Wright established themselves in trade in 1860, and remained here four years, when they went to Danville, thence to Paxton. They had been in trade at Higginsville before coming here. They occupied the old flat-store on the north side of State street.

Lloyd and M. W. Groves, who had carried on a large and prosperous business at Blue Glass, came here in 1864, and occupied the store Wright Brothers had left. They were successful merchants here, and continued in business until the death of one of the partners, in 1874, which dissolved the firm. They had a farm lying just north, and Short was then grading his Danville and Paxton railroad, making matters look bright for the young village ; and George A. May came here from Indiana and bought the farm, and laid out the large addition to the town. Short failed and his road stopped. Then for a while matters looked pretty dull here, until the Rantoul road was built, since which a number of additions have been made to the village.

The successive postmasters at Marysville have been Dr. Ingalls, Joseph Jameson, John Smith ; then for awhile the office was suspended. When it was reinstated the department changed the name to Potomac, because of the near proximity of Myersville, which name was so readily confounded with that of the name which this office bore. Charles

I. Dillon built the steam grist-mill in 1869, with two run of stone. He run it awhile, when Robbins & Copeland bought it, and afterward sold to Harris & Campbell. It is a first-class mill in every particular, and is doing a verv good custom business.

The school-house is a very sightly and well-built two-story brick building, 40x56, with two rooms above and two below. The school is graded to three departments, and is maintained for eight months in the year.

Village Organization

At the February term of the county court in 1876 a petition was presented to the court by Rigden Potter and thirty-seven others, asking for the organization of Marysville under the act for the incorporation of villages, with the following bounds: commencing at the southeast corner of section 3, town 21, range 13 : thence north to the northeast corner of said section ; thence west to the northwest corner of the E. -£ of the N.E. -J- of said section ; thence south to the north line of the right of way of the railroad ; thence west along said right of way 40 rods ; thence south 40 rods to the center of Main street ; thence east along the center of Main street 27 rods ; thence south to south line of said section ; thence east to place of beginning. The petition set forth that there were within said proposed bounds three hundred and twentythree inhabitants. An election was ordered to be held on the 11th of April, to vote for or against said proposition to incorporate. At that election 57 votes were cast, of which 46 were for incorporation, and 11 were against. And the court ordered an election to be held on the' 11th of May for six trustees of said village, to serve until the next time for regular election. At that election 74 votes were cast. Geo. A. May, Caleb Albert, J. L. Partlow, Jesse Lane, M. Y. Robins and S. P. Starr were elected. At the organization of the Board, Geo. A. May was chosen president ; L. D. Hornbeck was appointed clerk, and T. D. Austin, street commissioner. The present trustees are C. F. Morse, S. Clapp, T. J. Haney, Jesse Lane, M. Guthrie and Isaac Brown. In 1878, license wTas granted to sell liquors at a license fee of $500 per year. At these figures, in such a community, it did not pay, and fell into disuse. The publication of the "Marysville Independent" was commenced by Ben. Biddlecome, on the 13th of July, 1876. It was a six-column folio, independent in politics and religion, devoted to the news of the day, and well sustained by the patronage of the business men. It was continued for one year and four months, when it was re-

Armstrong, on the Havana, Rantoul & Eastern railroad, four miles west of Marysville, was laid out and platted, near the center of section 1 (21-14), in 1877, on land belonging to Thomas and Henry Armstrong.

Biographical

Joseph Moss, Potomac, farmer and stock-raiser, section 29, was born near Madison, Ohio, on the 20th of March, 1820. When he was but four years of age he came with his parents to this state. His father died when he was but six years old. His mother then married the second time, and he remained at home until he reached the age of nineteen. He was married to Delila Staar on the 17th of April, 1845. She was born in Ohio on the 6th of January, 1828. They have had three children : Sarah A., John B. and an infant now deceased. Mr. Moss is regarded as one of the best citizens of Vermilion county. He has been school director ten years, and commissioner of highways for several years. From fifty to sixty head of cattle are fattened b}T him yearly. He clearly recollects seeing plenty of wolves and Indians when he came to this county. In his politics he is a republican; in religion, a Methodist.

Jesse L. Partlow, Potomac, farmer, owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, and also two houses and lots in Marysville, they being among the best in the town. He was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, on the 13th of June, 1826, and remained at home with his father until he was twentv-two Years of use, working on the farm. When he was but three years of age the family removed to this township, and he is consequently one of Vermilion county's earliest settlers. In 1848 he was married to Rachel Davison, who was born in this county in 1829, and died on the 4th of September, 1878. By this union they had nine children, of whom six are still living. They are: Mary E., wife of J. D. Anderson; Anna M., wife of John Kollins; Nancy J., wife of Jesse Merrel ; Lilly B., Ida A., Cora E., and Frankie D. John J. and one infant are deceased. Mr. Parti ow has held the office of school director fifteen years, and pathniaster five years.

William H. Copeland, Potomac, farmer, section 36, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, on the 15th of April, 1821. His father came to this county, and settled near Danville, in 1829, thus making himself one of its earliest settlers. Mr. Copeland was married to Rachel Stevens, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 21st of February, 1823. They are the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: Nancy E., now wife of William H. Duncan, of this township; Eli H., Andrew, Elisabeth, now wife of John Chambers, of Ross township ; George W. and Herman S. The names of the deceased are : Mary M., Aimed, Charles G. and John M. Mr. Copeland has held the office of school director twenty years, commissioner of highways three years, and supervisor of township, which office he still holds, five terms, by election, and ten by appointment. He is certainly one of Vermilion county's very best citizens. His parents are still living near Danville, his father, a native of Pennsylvania, being seventy-eight years old. When Mr. Copeland married he had but little property, and, by economy, industry and the help of a faithful wife he now owns one thousand acres of land, worth $25 per acre.

John Wright, Armstrong, farmer, section 13, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 10th of February, 1808. His father died when he was but six years of age, leaving his mother with seven children. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, helping to support his mother and sisters. In 1829 he came west in a wagon. He was married to Elisabeth Watters on the 10th of April, 1831. She was born in Virginia, near the Potomac River, on the 14th of September, 1813, being the youngest of seven children, all of whom are still living. She is now sixty-six years old, and the eldest of the seven, a brother, is eighty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of two children : Silas T. and William W. Mr. Wright has held the office of school director five years, school treasurer five years, and justice of the peace. He is the oldest living settler of Middle Fork township. He distinctly recollects seeing deer, wolves and Indians.

James H. Duncan, Potomac, farmer and stock-dealer, section 33, was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, on the 12th of February, 1818. He was married to Elisabeth Crabbe, on the 4th of April, 1839. They have had by this union ten children, seven of whom are living: Sarah

J., now wife of David Partlow, of this township, and Mary E., now wife of B. F. Marple, of State Line City ; Margarett E., John J., Asbury, Charles M., William H. The deceased are Asa, Emaline and Frank. Mr. Duncan has held the office of school trustee six years, school director five years. He pastures and fattens from seventy-five to one hundred head of cattle yearly, and raises some hogs, horses and cattle. Corn is his principal crop. In polities he is a republican, and a Methodist in religion.

Ersom French, Potomac, farmer, was born in Knox county, Indiana, on the 14th of April, 1811. His father moved to Yigo county, Indiana, when he was but two years old, and remained there twenty years. Mr. French has been twice married : first to Harriet Clem, in 1838. She was born in 1813, and is now deceased. Mr. French was then married to Eliza Carroll, in January, 1850. She was born in North Carolina about 1823. By this marriage Mr. French was made the father of three children, two of whom are living : Truman P., now a practicing physician in Ogden, and Abgy D. The name of the deceased is G. W. Mr. French has held the office of school director fourteen years, and road commissioner several years. He owns two hundred and nine acres of excellent land. His father was in the war of 1812.

Francis Elliott, Armstrong, farmer, section 20, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1829. His father moved to this state when he was very small. He was married to Cassandia Darry. She was born in Ohio. They had by this marriage eight children, six of whom are living : Hannah M., now wife of A. Kirkhart; Elisabeth E., Charles T., John N., Mary, and one infant unnamed. The deceased are two infants. Mr. Elliott is a republican.

Isaac Creighton, Armstrong, farmer, section 17, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 19th of January, 1828. His parents moved to Indiana and staved four months, when he moved to this state. Mr. Creighton has been twice married : first to Catharine Johnson, on the 15th of February, 1849. She was born in Ohio in 1828, and died in April, 1852. They had two children by this marriage : Mary E., now, wife of Joseph Truax, and Finley. He was then married to Ellen Caiw, in November, 1853. She was born in Delaware in 1830. They had by this union eleven children, ten of whom are living: Eli, James P., Sarah C, John W., William T., Nancy J., Samuel H., Charles H., Robert F., Elmer C. The deceased was an infant. Mr. Creighton has held the office of school director twelve years, and pathmaster six years. In politics he is a republican, and in religion a Metlmdist. Mr. Creighton's parents were natives of Ireland.

M. Y. Robins, Potomac, merchant, is one of the prominent men of Marysville. He owns a lot, stock, and store-building- on the public square, the hotel known as the Murcle House, and now managed by Mr. J. W. Buckingham ; a fine residence in Marysville, three acres in south part of town, used as a feed-yard, and fifteen or sixteen other lots in the village. The maiden name of his wife was Mary J. Baldwin. She was born in New York, on the 11th of May, 1831. They are the parents of two children : John J., born on the 10th of September, 1850, and Mary E., born on the 4th of February, 1856. Mr. Robins has held the office of school director ten years, school trustee two terms, supervisor of township four years, and village trustee four years. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Robins w^ere natives of New Jersey.

L. A. Burd, Armstrong, farmer, section 2, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, on the 5th of June, 1810. He commenced working in a clothing factory when fourteen years of age ; was married on the 5th of November, 1833, to Mariah Hendley, who was born in Morris county, New Jersey. They have had by this union ten children, eight of whom are living : Martha, William, Adrianna, Eli, Elisabeth, Mary, Ester and George. The deceased are Caroline and one infant. Mr. Burd has been a minister of the gospel for several years in the Methodist church. He has held the office of school-director for twelve years, school-trustee twelve years, and has been notary public several years. He has been deacon in the M. E. church for thirty years. He owns one hundred and eighty acres of land, worth $30 per acre.

Jesse Lane, Potomac, lumber-dealer, was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on the 27th of January, 1831 ; he remained at home on the farm until twenty-one years of age. His father moved to this state, settling in Blount township, Vermilion county, when he was but four years of age ; his chances for an early education were not very good. Mr. Lane has been twice married : first to Delila Smith. She was born in Ohio, and died in 1866. They have had seven children by this marriage : three are living, four dead. The names of the living are Amanda J., Clara B. and Effie D. ; of the deceased : John, Mary E., Alice and one infant. Mr. Lane then married Amelia Fouts, in 1867. She was born in Ohio. They have one child by this marriage. Mr. Lane has held the office of school director twelve years. He went into the lumber business with Mr. McMyrtery in 1877. He owns twelve lots and one house in Marysville, and two hundred and seventy acres of land valued at $30 per acre. His parents were natives of North Carolina.

E. Foster, farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, was born in War. ren county, Indiana, on the 20th of November, 1833, and remained on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-three. On the 24th of

August, 1856, he was married to Sarah A. Tilldson, who was born in Warren county, Indiana, on the 15th of January, 1834. They are the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living: B. T., Stanton M., Zebulon, Mary A., Edward, Theodore T., Lillie and William ; the names of the deceased are Harris G., Caroline, and Lieuella ; the other was an infant. Mr. Foster has held the office of postmaster eight years, school director several }'ears and township treasurer ten years. He fattens quite a number of cattle and hogs yearly, ships some and sells some at home. Mr. Foster is a republican and a Methodist. His father, who was a native of Ohio, was one of the pioneers of Vermilion county, having settled here in 1833.

Andrew G. Copeland, Potomac, section 35, was born in Vermilion county on the 20th of March, 1836; he remained at home until twentyone years of age, and attended Griffeth's school at Danville. He has been twice married : first on the 30th of July, 1855, to Mary M. Anderson, who was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on the 12th of October, 1839, and died on the 1st of May, 1875. They had by this marriage six children : Willie G., Emma M. (now wife of C. P. Duncan, of Marysville), James E., Lieuella, Effie and Anna. He was then married to Maggie A. Stewart, on the 7th of December, 1875; she was born on the 18th of December, 1849. They have had two children : Adda and Ora. Mr. Copeland is a minister of the gospel in the Methodist Episcopal, and has no small degree of ability ; he practices what he preaches. He handles from fifty to one hundred head of cattle a year, and sells at home. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, worth s40 per acre. Mr. Copeland is regarded as one of the best citizens of Vermilion county. His father was one of the pioneers of this county; he is still living in the neighborhood of Danville.

John Smith (English), Potomac, farmer, section 5, was born in England, in February, 1824; he remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one. He came from England to the state of New York in 1834, and remained there until 1836, when he removed to this'state and settled in the township in which he now resides. He was married to Adaline Moorhead on the 3d of December, 1844; she was born in Virginia on the 12th of December, 1823. They are the parents of four children : Martha J., born on the 15th of October, 1850, and now wife of William Kuykendara, of Danville ; Alvin G., born on the 6th of June, 1855; Robert H., born on the 22d of May, 1858; Laura J., born on the 4th of March, 1S61. When Mr. Smith was married he did not have enough money to pay the preacher for marrying them. He now owns three thousand acres of land, worth £30 per acre, his home place containing one thousand four hundred acres of well-improved land, and fattens from one hundred to two hundred cattle and from two hundred to three hundred cattle each year. He has never mortgaged a piece of land, nor has he ever been more than three months behind with any payment on land. Mr. Smith does not attribute his success in business altogether to his own exertions, but accords a large degree of his prosperity to the management and labors of his faithful wife, who has always performed her part as a helpmeet well. His parents, both natives of England, died in Middle Fork township. He is a republican and a Methodist.

William Copsairt, Potomac, farmer, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 5th of July, 1836. His father died when he was six years of age. He then lived with his mother until she died, which occurred when he was eighteen years old. He was married to Louise A. Smith, on the 15th of August, 1861. She was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 24th of August, 1843. They are the parents of six children, four of whom are living: William S., Ada S., David S. and Samuel A. The names of the deceased are Emma J. and Anna J. Mr. Copsairt has held the office of school director seven years, is at present treasurer of the board of commissioners, and has held the office of assessor three terms; he is still holding the last-named office.

William O. Payne, Potomac, butcher, proprietor of the butcher-shop on Main street, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 2d of April, 1837. His mother died when he was but ten years of age, and, his father going to Texas, he was turned out to shift for himself. His father was one of the early settlers of the county, being the first to settle on the county farm. Mr. Payne has been twice married : first to Emma Green, in 1857. She was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, and died in 1869. They had by this marriage five children, four boys and one girl ; two of these are living and three dead. He was then married to Elizabeth Oliver, in 1871, a native of New York. They had one adopted child. In February, 1866, Mr. Payne enlisted in Co. E, 149th 111. Vol. Inf., and was mustered out by general orders. He owns one lot and butcher-shop in Marysville.

Caleb Albert, Potomac, farmer, was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 5th of June, 1836. His father moved to this state when he was but five years old. The subject of our sketch remained at home until twenty-one years of age, assisting in farming. He was married to Mary J. Smith, on the 19th of January, 1860. She was; born in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1841. They are the parents of seven children, six of whom are living: Doranthos, Emma, Mary F., John W., Charley O. and Arnett O. The deceased was Harry W. Mr. Albert has held the office of township treasurer five years, supervisor of township one term, constable one terra, and school director five years. He owns three hundred and eight acres of land, worth $25 per acre. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania.

Silas T. Wright, Armstrong, farmer, was born in Vermilion county, on the 14th of September, 1842. He remained on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-one, and on the 23d of July, 1863, was married to Nancy E. French. They had by this marriage eight children, six of whom are living: Irena E., John C, George W., Charles F., Wallace and Oliver M. The deceased are Laura J. and Ella. Mr. Wright was elected to the office of justice of the peace two years ago, and still creditably holds that position. His political views are republican, and he is a member of the Christian church. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, worth $30 per acre. His father is a native of Virginia, and his mother of Indiana.

Hugh Wright, Armstrong, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 12th of June, 1820. His parents moved to this state when he was but four years old, settling south of Danville, where they remained one year. They then moved northwest of Danville, staying there ten years, at the expiration of which time he moved to Middle Fork township, where he has since remained. He was married to Manena Payne in 1850. She was born near Buler's Point, in this county, on the 30th of March, 1817. They are the parents of six children, five of whom are living: America A., Mary, Pamelia, Clara and Frank ; Margarett E. deceased. Mr. Wright relates that when his father first moved near Danville he found some stonecoal, and, not knowing that it would burn, built out of it a fire-place, but soon finding it in a blaze, was of course compelled to remove it. He never raised but one crop of corn, because he was cheated out of nine bushels on the first load. When Mr. Wright was married he owned almost no property; but, by his thrift and economy, now possesses six hundred acres of fine farming land.

William Lefever, Pellsville, farmer, section 22, was born in Ohio county, Virginia, on the 6th of March, 1821. He followed teaming over the mountains to Baltimore, Pittsburgh and other places. He moved to Ohio from Virginia when ten vears of age, and remained until 1836, when he moved to this state and settled in Tazewell county. He staid there eight years and then came to Vermilion county, where he has resided ever since. He was married to Eliza Lefever on the 10th of September, 1853. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1830. They are the parents of seven children, two living : John C. and Wells. The deceased are G. A. and four infants. Mr. Lefever has good improvements on his farm, and is well respected by the people of his neighborhood. He has held the offices of school director, supervisor of township, and commissioner of highways. Mr. Lefever has practiced the veterinary art, and has no small amount of ability.

Henry S. French, Armstrong, section 18, was born in Vermilion county on the 29th of December, 1845. He worked on his father's farm until twenty-eight years of age, and on the 25th of January, 1872, was married to Sarah Endicott, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio. They are the parents of three children, two of whom are living: Mary E. and Henry T. Edgar deceased. Mr. French owns now sixty acres of land, worth $30 per acre. His grandfather was one ot the very earliest settlers of Yermilion, settling at a very early date near Danville.

J. B. Courtney, Potomac, druggist, was born in what was then Monongalia county, Virginia, on the 2d of March, 1824, and spent his younger days assisting his father on the farm, coming to this state in 1845. He was married in 1848 to Semantha Gruey. She was born in Trumbull county on the 9th of March, 1828. They are the parents of three children : Z. B., 0. F. and E. A. Mr. Courtne}r commenced the drug business in Marysville in 1875. He now has a good stock, and is doing quite a lively business. He is in partnership with Dr. Messner. He has held the office of collector live years, assessor five years, and justice of the peace one term.

John W. Duncan, Potomac, farmer, section 25, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 16th of June, 1846. His mother died when he was but two years of age, and he then lived with his aunt, and part of the time with his father, until he reached the age of twenty-one. He was married to Nancy A. Price on the 5th of September, 1865. She was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 30th of June, 1849. They are the parents of six children : Robert W., Samuel, Albert, Harry, Maggie and Nellie. Mr. Duncan has held the office of school director six years and road commissioner two years. He raises considerable corn, which he feeds at home. His parents were natives of Kentucky ; his wife's parents, of Ohio.

O. P. Soper, Armstrong, merchant, was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, on the 5th of April, 1828. His chances for an early education were good. His father came west in the fall of 1847 and settled in Lake county in this state, remaining three years, when he returned to Vermont. Mr. S. has been twice married: first to Jerusha Avell, in April, 1851. She was born in Franklin county, Vermont, and died in 1867. They had by this marriage two children: Emma J. and H. O. S. He was then married to Laura E. Harrington in March, 1869. She was born in Franklin county, Vermont. They had by this mar- riage four children : Luella, Idella, Ebbert and Kate. He commenced the grocery business in Armstrong in 1876, and now has about $1,500 invested. He owns the lot and store, and also a good house and lot. He is doing a lively* business in his line of trade.

Marion Good wine, Potomac, farmer, section 1, was born in Warren county, Indiana, on the 26th of August, 1846. His father moved to this state when he was but one year old, and settled in this township. Mr. Goodwine remained on the farm until twenty-two years of age, and for three years wes engaged in the mercantile business in Higginsville, and was postmaster for the same length of time. On the 1st of September, 1870, he was married to Harriet Selsor. She was born in Madison county, Ohio, on the 1st of May, 1850. They are the parents of three children, two of whom are living: Hattie and Freddie. The deceased was an infant.

John Goodwine, jr., Potomac, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in "Vermilion county on the 2d of December, 1848. He has been twice married : first, to Mary Alexander, on the 22d of December, 1870. She was born in Vermilion county, and died on the 19th of October, 1872. They had by this marriage one child : Anna, born on the 19th of July, 1872. He was then married to Lidora A. Lane, on the 14th of May, 1874, born in Ohio. They have had two children : John W., living, and one infant, deceased. The land of Mr. Goodwine, a farm of six hundred and forty -five acres, worth 835 per acre, is under excellent cultivation. He feeds and ships a large number of cattle and hogs yearly. He has a tine dwelling-house, it costing him some $2,000.

"William Judy, Blue Grass, farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, was born in Hardy county, Virginia, on the 25th of December, 1837. He remained with his father until twenty-four years of age, engaged in farming, and having but a poor chance for an education. With his father he came to this state in the fall of 1850, and settled in the township in which he still resides. He was married to Nancy Wood on the 27th of March, 1862. She was born in Vermilion county on the 3d of October, 1847. They have had seven children, of whom are living Elizabeth, Frank, Milton, Charley; one infant deceased. Mr. Judy owns three hundred and twenty-five acres of land, worth §30 per acre. He attributes his success in business not alone to his own toil and industry, but also to the faithfulness and encouragement of his enterprising wife, who is a lady much respected by all with whom she has come in contact.

Isaac Mantle, Pellsville, farmer, section 22, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 8th of April, 1829. His father died when he was but eight years old. He was married to Mary J. Kader in 1850. She was born in Perrysville, Indiana. They are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living: John, Solomon, Charles, Mary J. (now married), Matilda, Lizzie, Alice. The deceased are: George, Isaac and Ellen. Mr. Mantle has held the office of highway commissioner several years. He handles a large number of cattle each year, and raises a good deal of corn which he feeds. His father was a native of Ohio, his mother, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Mantle owns three hundred and forty acres of land, worth $40 per acre.

R. G. Young, Potomac, blacksmith, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 11th of April, 1836. He remained at home engaged in farming until he was sixteen years old, and then went away to learn the blacksmith's trade. He came to this state in 1850, and settled in the township where he has since resided. He has been twice married : first, to Mary B. Copsairt, on the 1st of May, 1866. She was born in this county on the 25th of July, 1838, and died in 1873. There have been two children born to them, one of whom is living: William. The name of the deceased is Theodosia. Mr. Young was married to Martha Moore in 1871. Mary B., their only child, died. Mr. Young has held the office of school director nine years. He commenced blacksmithing in Marysville in 1860, and has been doing a good business here ever since. He owns the blacksmith-shop, the lot on which it stands, a dwelling-house and eighty acres of land, worth $1,500. His parents were natives of Ohio.

A. B. Judy, Potomac, farmer, section 21, was born in Hard}' county, West Virginia, on the 31st of July, 1842. He came with his father to this state in 1851. Although he had limited advantages for an early education, by close attention to his books at home he has acquired sufficient knowledge to enable him to teach school, which vocation he has followed during the winters since 1861, also teaching several summer terms. He enlisted in the late war, and in February, 1864, with Co. E, 51st 111. Inf. Vols., went bravely to the front to fight for the preservation of the Union. He was in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesborough, and of Atlanta. He was married on the 19th of January, 1879, to Mary E. Sterling, who was born in New Milford, Connecticut, on the 4th of March, 1843. She has studied medicine at the Hygiene College of New Jersey, and has practiced some. They have quite an extensive library of medical works.

Henry Bass, Armstrong, farmer, was born in Buckingham county, England, on the 20th of May, 1824. He clerked in his father's drygoods store for several years, and in 1850 was married to Harriett Bennett. She was born in Bedfordshire, England, in 1822. In 1851 Mr. Bass came to America. He owns two hundred and thirty acres of fine farm land, worth $25 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Bass are the parents of seven children, four of whom are living: Mary, Fanny (now wife of Samuel Gilbert, of Ross township), Fred and Arthur. The deceased are Thomas, Harriett and Samuel.

Walter Smith, Potomac, farmer and stock-dealer, was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 10th of January, 1830. He remained at home, and his father being a weaver, learned the weaver's trade, until he reached the age of 22. Mr. Smith has been married twice : first to Irena Lane, on the 25th of November, 1852. She was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 9th of March, 1839, and died on the 8th of February, 1875. They had eight children by this union. He was then married to Nancy A. Blerens, on the 31st of January, 1876. She was born in Vermilion county, in 1854. They have two children by this marriage: Hattie E., born on the 8th of December, 1876, and Winfield C, born on the 24th of March, 1878.

David Thomas, Armstrong, farmer, was born in Warren county, Indiana, on the 9th of May, 1832. His father died when he was ten years old, and he, thrust among strangers, was compelled to work during the nights to enable him to pay his board and go to school. Mr. Thomas has been twice married : first to Caroline Barker, in 1852. She was born in Indiana in 1833, and died in 1863. They had by this marriage four children, three of whom are living: Elisabeth E., now wife of George Bradley, of Ross township ; Samuel M., and Sarah E., now married. He was then married on the 12th of April, 1864, to Rebecca Jones, who was born in Vermilion county. They had by this union four children, two living : George and Charles H. The deceased are James E. and Mary. Mr. Thomas has held the office of school director six years, school treasurer five years, supervisor of township one term, justice of the peace-rive years, assessor one term and collector one term. He owns eighty-three acres of land, worth $30 per acre.

M. C. Doney, Potomac, farmer, was born in Marshall county, Indiana, on the 5th of May, 1840. His mother died when he was but nine years of age. He came to this state and settled in Vermilion county in 1852. He was married to Christiana Doran, on the 11th of November, 1860. They have had nine children : William J., Frances G., Albert E., Mary M., Charles, Anna, Lieuberta A., Caroline L. and Odesa. Mr. Doney has held the office of school director two years and pathmaster two years. He raises considerable corn, which he feeds to his cattle and hogs. He owns two hundred and forty-four acres of land, worth $35 per acre. His parents are natives of Ohio. Mrs. Doney's parents are natives of Virginia.

Illinois, on the 17th of July, 1853. His chances for an early education were good. He attended school at the university of this state one year, then entered Ann Arbor and staid one year. After reading law in Danville with Mann & Calhoun he entered the University of Michigan, where he graduated, and was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of Michigan on the 25th of March, 1878. He commenced practice in Marysville on the 2d of April, 1878. Mr. Davis is a young man of more than ordinary ability, and he bids fair to rank high in his chosen profession. His father, a native of Virginia, was one of the pioneers of Vermilion county.

Frederick Bennett, Potomac, farmer, was born in Bedfordshire, England, in 1831. He farmed until seventeen years of age. He was married in February, 1868, to Amanda J. Jamison. She was born in Ohio in 1844. They have had five children, two of whom - Fanny B. and Thomas M. - are living; three died in infancy. Mr. Bennett has held the office of pathmaster. He came with his parents to America when quite young, landing at New York. From there, in 1853, he came to this county, where he has since resided. He owns two hundred and sixteen acres of land, worth $30 an acre.

Bruce H. Rutledge, Armstrong, farmer, was born in Vermilion county, on the 27th of September, 1853, and remained on the farm until seventeen years old assisting his father. He was married to Malissa J. Haller on the 15th of October, 1876. She was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, on the 13th of September, 1858. They have had but one child, Mary A., born on the 6th of September, 1878. The father of Mr. Rutledge, who is still living in this township, was in the Black Hawk war. Bruce is an industrious young man, and is farming forty acres of land, worth $25 per acre.

J. C. Merrill, farmer, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 26th of September, 1853. His father died when he was but one year old, and his mother married the second time. He then lived with his stepfather until sixteen years of age. He was married to Jenny Partlow on the 16th of February, 1876. She was born in Vermilion county on the 6th of November, 1855. They have one child, Susan, born on the 22d of November, 1876. Mr. Merrill is now residing on the farm of his father-in-law, Mr. Partlow, of Marysville. His father was a native of Vermont, his mother of England.