Mineral Township

Mineral Township

Mineral township, so named on account of a large part of it being underlaid with coal, lies west of Concord. The north part of this township is low and was in early times under water during the spring and early summer; but under the sy.stem of drainage, much if it has become valuable land. Barren Grove stretches across the south part and originally contained much good timber. J. G. Reed is said to be the oldest settler, having built the first house here in 1836. Tliomas Grattige came in 1838; George Squires, Garder Mills and James Carroll came in 1839 ; E. D. Kemp settled on section 25 about the same time ; Martin Tompkins came to the county in 1833. George and John Hall were English people and came to Mineral in 1840. John Hall was the first postmaster in the township. Elder S. L. Pervier was one of the active and useful men of Mineral for many years. The township was organized and officers elected in 1850 ; E. Kent, a justice from Brawby (now Neponset) township, administered the oath of office. Enos Campbell was chosen moderator ; Thomas Grattige, supervisor and treasurer ; Orrin Hazard, clerk ; and Enos Campbell, collector. The first child born in ^fineral was W. S. Reed, son of Green Reed. William Riley platted the village of Mineral in 1857 and opened a store the same year. Calvin Cooper also erected a dwelling and a man by tlic name of Lenhart a storehouse. Other dwellings soon followed and Mineral seemed to prosper for a time, but the business activities declined and finally there was no place of trade left. But about the time the war closed, ^lineral took a new start and has constantly improved until now it has quite a good trade and some fine homes. The first school was taught in the house of William Riley. Later the township was well provided with schoolhouses and the citizens took great pride in their schools. One of the noted Sac and Fox trails passed through Mineral and for many years it wa.s well preserved over what is known as Indian Hill. Matson in his reini- iiisi-eiuis of Hiiroau coiinlv makes this trail the last resting jilace of tlie notorious Mike Girty in 1836. Mineral, including the village, had in 1900 a population of 1,258 and the village, 339.