Millersburg Township

Millersburg Township

Millersburg Township is divided into two nearly equal geographical divisions by Edwards River. Until suitable bridges were built across this stream the people of the two divisions were isolated and scarcely knew each other. However, as soon as bridges were built the township was a unit in growth and development. In 1872 upon petition of the inhabitants it was divided into two election precincts, the river being the separating line. This did not continue long, because the following year bridges having been built, the precincts were united into one. In the fall of 1834 settlements were made in both divisions of the township. The first farmers to locate south of the river were Edward Willette, Harrison Riggs and Ebenezer Creswell. Riggs located on section 30 and put up the first log cabin in the township. Creswell located on section 21 and built a sawmill during 1834-5. If was on Camp Creek and was the first mill in the township and one of the first in the county. Willette located on the same section as Creswell. Other early settlers in the south division were Thomas Riggs in 1836; Rice Peckingbaugh, 1840; Charles Griffith, 1836; Isaac Burson, 1837; W. Hubbard, 1836; Edward Brady, Sr., 1842; John T. McGinnis, 1846; Richard and John S. Kiddoo, 1845; William Kiddoo, 1847; John and Edward Brady, 1842; Peter Spangler, Thomas Jackson and others, about 1840. Bv the earlv '40s the settlement south of the river was general and schools had been started and religious societies formed. The first settler in the north division was Benijah Lloyd, who located on section 5 in 1834. Two years afterward the Miller brothers located at what became known as Millersburg. They had previously settled elsewhere in 1834.

Among the first settlers at Millersburg were H. W. Thornton, 1836; James Thompson, 1838; Christian Routzong, 1838; Erastus, William and Joseph Denison, about 1839; Judge E. Gilmore, about 1838; the latter at a later day located south of the river. These persons located either in the village of Millersburg or within a short distance therefrom. I. M. Gilmore located east of the village about 1840; L. B. Howe, Thomas Brighton, Elbridge Howe, W. A. Bridg- ford and his son, O A. Bridgford, all arrived in the early '40s. William Kline came early in the ^os, and his brother, Christian Kline, about the same time. The former was a skilful hunter. Among the settlers of the township at a later day were the following: Dr. Joseph Boyd, Albert P. Taylor, the Felton family, of whom Herschel was one; Jacob Whorton, who had four sons and several daughters; Samuel and Alexander Carnahan, Robert Shearer, Thomas Greer, John Duff, Rev. Stephen T. Stratton, James H. Crane, George Scott, James Shingledecker, James and Cliff Haverfield, John Love and his son William, Andrew Downing and his son, William W. ; Absalom Volentine and his sons, James, Wesley and William; the Morrow and Close families, James M. Burgess, John Downing, Sr. and Jr., a Frenchman named Ritter, who was a skilful musician; Jacob Braucht and his sons, William and George; Alexander Green, who built a mill on Edwards River south of Millersburg; Mordecai Marsh, the father of the scientist, William A. Marsh; Charles Wakeland, who had five sons, and William Green.

Between the years 1840 and 1855 the township was well settled and the farmers were prosperous and contented. This township was one of the first away from the Mississippi to be settled. The principal reason why early settlers sought the navigable water courses was because there were no roads and farm products could not be marketed without too much trouble and expense. There were not many wagons in the country in early times. Sleds were used quite often in the summer. Previous to 1840 the settlers saw hard times, but after that date conditions greatly improved. The township was organized in 1854. The citizens met at the schoolhouse near Edward Brady's and elected Ephraim Gilmore chairman and appointed L. B. Howe secretary. The township was first divided into three road districts: No. 1, north of Edwards River; No. 2 embraced the east half of the township south of the Edwards; and No. 3 the west half of the township south of the river.

David Lloyd was elected the first supervisor; J. E. Bay, first clerk; Benijah Lloyd, Jr., first assessor; and J. R. Lemon, first collector. Prior to 1868 there were chosen each year three commissioners who had charge of the roads. In 1854 mey were J- Falls, S. Carnahan and Charles Griffith. In 1868 the law was changed and W. O. Dugan alone became commissioner of highways. In 1855 the citizens were required to vote on the question of continuing or not continuing township organization. Twenty-one votes were cast in favor of the system and nineteen against it. The first justices in the township were Ebenezer Creswell, who was appointed May 3,

183:;, and Abraham Miller, appointed October 5, 1835. Other early justices were Isaac Beson, who refused to accept the appointment; Christian Routzong, 1838; Frank Miller, probate justice, 1838; Abraham Thorp, 1839; E. Gilmore, 1839; John Carnahan, 1839; and others at a later date.

Beginning in 1835 roads were laid out and built as rapidly as the funds warranted. The first elections were held in the schoolhouse near Edward Brady's corner and later at the Village of Millersburg. In 1 879 the permanent place of holding elections was fixed at Brady's Corner and a town hall for public purposes was built over the schoolhouse there at a cost of $387, a portion of which was raised by private subscription upon condition that entertainments of various kinds could be held in the hall. In 1868 the township by a vote of 114 to 27 decided to pay $13,400 to the American Central Railroad Company. The bonds were issued the next year. In 1870 the township was called upon to vote on the question of aiding the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad Company, but decided against it by a vote of 107 for and 126 against. A little later another attempt was made with the same object in view, there being cast 106 votes for taxation and 117 against it.

This township is one of the best agricultural sections of the county. The soil is varied and is nearly all rich in humus and is capable of sustaining nearly all crops. In recent years no event of great importance has occurred in the history of township affairs.

Millersburg is the oldest laid out town in the county back from the river. It was laid out by John Miller, Sr., in November, 1835, Ephraim Gilmore making the survey and preparing the plat. Mr. Miller was the original proprietor. An addition was platted in June, 1840, by W. F. Hull, county surveyor. The township and town were named in honor of John Miller. Other members of his family were John, George, Abraham, Isaac and Philip, who were brothers, and Abraham, Jr., who was a son of George. The Millers came here from Indiana and first located in Perryton at Sugar Grove in 1834. They formerly lived in Tennessee. Abraham, Jr., became one of the county's first clerks. It is probable that Abraham Miller, Jr., built the first dwelling house within the corporate limits. James Thompson and William Drury started the first store about 1836. In 1838 Erastus Denison put up the first hotel, which building stood for many years and was a two-story frame structure. For many years the upper story was occupied by the Odd Fellows. In 1837-8 William Pinckney established a pottery in the village. Martin Willits was probably the first doctor. H. W. Thornton was the first lawyer; the first blacksmith shop was established in 1 836 by Thomas Bigelow ; the postoffice was started in 1837 or 1838, William Drury being the first commissioned postmaster. By 1839 the village was a promising and busy little place. The county seat was established here in 1836. The first courts were held in the hotel, but after 1839 in the new courthouse, which was erected that year. The structure was a two-story frame and was afterwards occupied by Harrison Bethuram as a wagon and blacksmith shop. This structure was used as a courthouse until 1847, when the county seat was removed to Keithsburg. Afterwards the building was used as a schoolhouse and church. When the county seat was removed W. A. Thornton purchased this building and moved it to the south side of the village. He converted it into a store. A jail was erected at an early day and was built of stone, lined inside with heavy timbers. The jail building was afterwards used for a granary and fodder house. It was located a short distance west of the old courthouse. The first wagon shop was built in 1856 by A. P. and Asa G. Shafer. The second was erected by Crippin & Powers in 1857. McGlathlin & Jones established another in 1859 and James Gilmore still another in 1861. J. H. Longshore was in the same business during the war. Previous to the removal of the county seat to Keithsburg, Millersburg was the most active and important village of the county outside of Keithsburg and New Boston. It had a large trade and had managed to secure good roads to the river landing. In recent years there have been few improvements and the little place is noted more for its social organizations and work than for its business ventures or advancement. It still has a good local trade. In 1882 W. W. Eghurt and John Farran conducted blacksmith shops. David T. Howe owned a grocery store; the hotel was kept by William Dunn. In 1880-81 the creamery was established by Joseph Stratton. It was an important industry and had a four horsepower engine. Its working capacity was 15,000 pounds of butter per day. It gave employment to twenty men and fifteen teams. The first and only mill in the village was built by Stephen Stratton about the year 1850. It was continued until 1875, when it was taken apart and moved south of Millersburg to the Edwards, where water power was used instead of steam. Other early postmasters were James Thompson, Doctor Allen, H. W. Thornton, J. M. Nevans, William H. Green, Mrs. Green, J. D. Stratton and

John Farran. At an early date Hiram W. Thornton purchased nearly all the lots in Millersburg and later had part of them vacated and merged into his farm. After 1848 Mr. Thornton quit practicing law and at first became a merchant. He became a member of the Legislature, county recorder, had a large library and was prominent, able and influential. He became connected with the Warsaw & Rockford Railroad, which was projected across the county from Millersburg to Keithsburg. In the end he became president of the road and about 1854-5 'le bought the Beason Farm about one mile east of the present site of Joy and laid out the village which he called Monroe. It was located at the proposed junction of this road and the present C. B. & Q. Line. The former road not being built, Joy was established a short distance to the eastward and has become a promising little city. Thornton in the end lost the Beason property. His family were useful and prominent. His daughter during the war probably did more to aid the soldiers in the hospitals than any other lady in the county. Early in the '50s a strong temperance movement took root at Millersburg and was largely sustained by the Thorntons. Several lodges were established there and elsewhere in the township with a large membership. At Millersburg the educational reform movement in 1857-8 was conducted with vigor and great success. The churches were excellent in early times and the workers were active in visiting homes and inducing the parents to become members. Charity movements were instituted in the churches of Millersburg as earlv as 1840.

In 1 861 Craig & Terry conducted the Union Flour Mill, which was patronized by many farmers for miles around. In 1867 Sharpnack & Menafee were owners of the Millersburg Mills. In 1867 the Farmers Lumberyard Company was organized here, with E. Gilmore president and J. S. Russell secretary. It had a capital of $20,000 and the business was managed by five trustees. Stock in the lumber company was sold to farmers and others in this vicinity. The name taken by the concern later was Farmers Lumber Joint Stock Company. Later in the '6os Millersburg did what had been contemplated for a long time, namely: Raised sufficient funds to improve, fence and decorate its cemetery. Excellent stock was raised by Colonel Thornton at a little later date. In 1872 he delivered at Aledo eighteen hogs which averaged 459 pounds each. These animals were one of the heaviest large lots ever marketed from this county in early years. In 1873 J. D. Stratton was a prominent and successful merchant here.

In November, 1878, Willie Anderson, a four-year-old child, living at Millersburg, became lost nearby and 200 persons for miles around came to assist in the search. He came up missing late in the afternoon and was sought without success until 2 o'clock the next morning, when all went home and went to bed with the agreement to begin the search at daylight the next morning. Three hundred people then assembled and searched diligently until 10 o'clock, when the little boy was found on Camp Creek bank, a half mile from where he disappeared. When found his hand was wrapped in his handerchief and he was crying and wiping his eyes. Though stiff with cold he had not otherwise suffered seriously. The joy of the parents was almost unbounded at the return of their little child.

In 1 88 1 the cemetery not being satisfactorily kept and otherwise not being suitable the Millersburg Cemetery Association was organized and took over the property. Henry Lee was president of the association; S. H. Riddell, secretary; J. D. Thornton and T. V. Enugh, trustees. Stock was sold and fifteen additional acres were purchased northwest of the village. The grounds were then fenced and three years later the association was out of debt. In early years Millersburg was famous for its church conferences, Christmas celebrations, lodge and society observances and patriotic doings on the Fourths of July. The town was thoroughly loyal during the war and then made a name for itself in the work of the hospitals and in the soldiers furnished that will ever stand to the credit of that community. In 1882 the creamery at Millersburg was conducted by Stratton & Lunn and by this time was a great success. Joe Green ran a horn factory here in 1891.

In 1894 Millersburg boasted of its fine schoolhouse with two teachers, its three large, commodious and well attended churches, several prosperous merchants, one harness maker and its clubs, societies and leagues. The Children's Epworth League was a prominent organization at this date. A little later the Home Forum Association had great influence in this community. Its president was J. T. Gilmore. It met in Van Tuyle's Hall. By 1895 the Mercer County Creamery at Millersburg was an important industry. It was one of the first, if not the first, to run all the year round. Mr. Henry was manager. In 1894 they shipped 1,100 tubs of butter, having a total weight of 66,000 pounds; 250 cases of eggs, the receipts being about $14,000. In July, 1896, Col. Hiram W. Thornton died at his home here. All things considered, he was unquestionably one of the most prominent and useful citizens of the county. In recent years the Harvest Home Association has become prominent with its social work and its picnics. In August, 1899, 1,500 people assembled and enjoyed an instructive and delightful program. Present were the Joy Band and the Millersburg Glee Club. The orators were Reverend Kile, Rev. J. O. Slyter, Reverend Fleming and Rev. J. A. Alford. On this occasion the ladies served thirty-five gallons of free coffee, and conducted two stands of refreshments.

In 1900 W. W. Wakeland & Son were contractors and builders here; Reed Brothers had a large dry goods and grocery store; T. M. Duncan was the leading blacksmith and R. J. Henry conducted the creamery.

On May 11, 1908, Millersburg came near being entirely swept out of existence by a tornado. The whole south part of the village was wrecked and destroyed. The path of the storm was from two hundred feet to two hundred yards wide and everything therein was torn to pieces. In all twenty-one houses were either blown away or damaged. Sixteen barns were damaged or torn to pieces. Among the damages were the following: Presbyterian Church blown away, $7,000; Presbyterian parsonage wrecked, $1,500; Reverend Wyllie's household goods ruined, $500; L. B. Turner's house and barn damaged, $400; Thomas McAfee's house and two barns destroyed, $4,000; H. Felton's house damaged, $1,000; J. T. Gilmore's house damaged, $500; John Cady's house blown away and other damages, $400; N. W. Thornton damage to property, $200; Will Wakeland's house blown away, $300; Sarah Thornton's house damaged, $300. On all of the above there was no insurance. But there was insurance in part on the following losses: L. R. Hyatt, two houses and three barns damaged, $3,000; George Bristlime's house damaged, $800; J. U. Roberts' store wrecked, $300; G. S. Thornton's house and barn damaged, $3,600; T. M. Duncan's house and barn damaged, $1,700; Mrs. J. N. Close's house destroyed, $700; E. R. Gilmore's house and barn damaged, $1,100; W. A. Vetter's house damaged, $700; W. W. Wakeland's house and shop damaged, $ 1 ,000 ; R. A. Turner's store damaged, $2,800; M. D. Murdock's house blown away, $1,500; Steve Miller's damage to restaurant, $500. Not a life was lost, singular as it may seem. Articles of various kinds were carried in many instances many miles. There were many narrow escapes. The same storm passed directly over Joy but was too high to do damage. The country districts in the path of the storm were devastated and many houses and barns were wrecked.

The population of Millersburg in 1914 was 225. It is a money order postoffice. The business houses are: James Burgess, blacksmith; E. R. Gilmore, pumps and windmills; S. A. Miller, groceries; Leslie B. Turner, general store.

The Town of Joy was laid out by Lewis W. Thompson and William H. Ungles, June 21, 1869, and is located on the northeast quarter of section 19, township 14 north, range 4 west. Several additions have been laid out to the town since it was first founded. Monroe, near the same line, was laid out and lots were advertised to be sold in April, 1856. It was located at the junction of the two railroads, but upon the failure of the Warsaw & Rockford Line to be built the village died without having made any start. It was about six miles west of Aledo. Joy at once became a thriving and prosperous little place. It was named in honor of J. F. Joy, president then of the C. B. & Q. Railroad Company. It dates its commencement from the completion of the railroad. The first structures were a depot and grain elevator, Ritter's Hotel and a store built and kept by Richard Braucht, who rented the structure at an early day to Richey & Company of Aledo, who put therein a large general stock of goods. James Crane bought them out the next year and continued the store and soon had a large and profitable trade. The second store was started by Elhart Brothers, who sold boots and shoes and general articles. Quite early in the '70s a destructive fire occurred and swept away nearly all the industries of the place. The first drug store was kept by John Moss and the first blacksmith shop was established by Joseph Hughes. One of the earliest buildings was a schoolhouse and therein were held the first religious services by the Presbyterians, Methodists and Latter Day Saints. By 1882 the town had a population of about one hundred and fifty and had two substantial stores, one kept by J. H. Crane and the other by J. T. Galloway. Joseph Hughes owned and conducted a wagon shop and G. W. Cook was the town blacksmith. The hotel was conducted by J. W. Wood. From the start the town became an important shipping point. The first station agent was H. N. McNeil. He was succeeded in 1870 by Hiram Standish. The Peniel Church at Joy was dedicated in October, 1871. In 1881 there were shipped from this place 196 cars of live stock and seventyfour cars of grain. The postoffice here was first established as far back as 1847 and was called High Point. George Scott was the first postmaster and kept the office in his home on the present town site.

Views Of Joy

The second postmaster was Samuel Eayle and the third was George Scott. Peter Spangler succeeded in 1865. In 1870 the name was changed from High Point to Joy and O. F. Green was appointed postmaster.

The teachers at Joy in 1882 were Richard Wolfe, principal, and Miss Retiker, assistant. In the '80s the Joy Cornet Band of sixteen pieces was organized and its services were called into use on all important occasions not only here but elsewhere even outside of the county. Charles Jackson was secretary of the band.

Old settlers' picnics were often held in the '70s, '80s and '90s at Dodson's Grove, near Joy. In August, 1890, 3,000 people assembled there to celebrate the annual meeting of the Old Settlers' Association. In 1893 Joy shipped 99 cars of hogs, 86 cars of cattle, 4 cars of horses, 24 cars of corn and 10 cars of miscellaneous products. In 1894 tne leading business men of the village were as follows: George Braucht, general store; Paul Bustard, jewelry; Jasper Riggs, hardware; Alexander Carnahan, merchant; Woods Hotel; George W. Cook, blacksmith; William Armstrong, meat shop; E. L. Bowers, blacksmith shop; Ramsey Brothers, the Joy Feed Mill; Richard Miles, merchant; the Kecks, carpenters; David Braucht, wood sawyer; Love & Shingledecker, shippers; William Keck, photographer; J. H. Thompson, grain shipper; Poland Brothers, contractors; D. F. C. Keck; Harney Brothers, contractors; Holmes & Bean, lumberyard; Alonzo Kiddoo, carpenter; B. Genaust, house repairer; Joe Green, painter; O. A. Bridgford & Company, the Farmers Bank.

In the spring of 1914 the population of Joy was 550. The business houses were as follows : Joy Bank, W. V. Love, president, capital, $21,000; Alexander Lumber Company; C. C. Belt, livery; George Braucht, grocery and restaurant; J. G. Campbell, drugs; Cunningham, blacksmith; Davison & Davison, hardware; John Downing & Company, general store; Finch & Son, grain and coal; G. O. Cool, grain and coal; Dr. Samuel Haley, drugs; Thomas J. Harney, hardware and implements ; Nels Jansen, jewelry ; Joy Creamery Company, A. V. Peterson, manager; H. R. Kiddoo, dry goods and clothing; H. E. Miller, bakery; Marion S. Poland, general store; M. W. Reynolds, poultry and hides; W. S. Robinson, clothing; Robison Brothers, general store; Sade & Dillon, harness; Mrs. Rebecca Sloan, milliner; Rosa J. Small, furniture and crockery; Taylor & Epperly, blacksmiths; Thompson & Company, meat market; O. A. Bridgford & Company, bank; the Joy Hotel, Harry Sutliff.