Murdock Township

Murdock Township

Erection, etc. - In years, area and population, compared with the other political subdivisions of Douglas county, Murdock township ranks number nine and last, having been created at the December meeting of the board of supervisors in 1882.

The petition for the new township was closely followed by a counterpetition in the shape of a remonstrance leading to a warm discussion of the "pros and cons," it being held and strenuously maintained that the board held jurisdiction only of the inhabitants of the pro- posed new territory, and not of those out of whose area tlie new township was to be made. This nice (hstinction evoh'ed from the ingenuity of tlie attorneys, did not, however, prevail; the matter was taken to the circuit court on apjieal, and at tlie October term. 18S3, the action of the board being conhrmcd. Murdock became an independent township. The name of the township was given in compliment to John D. Murdock, an old resident yet living (see sketch).

lis «;-<-<;. - The area is made up from twenty-two scpiare miles of territory, which were generously donated by the township of Camargo on the west, and about seven from Newman, wliich lie upon the east side. It includes the west twenty-four sections of township 16 north, of range 10 east, of third principal meridian, and sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 of township 15 north, of range 10 east, comprising twenty-eight regular sections, containing, according to the United States government survey, 30.65 .square miles, the same being 19,617.61 acres, being the smallest township in the county.

With regard to the first entries of lands in this township, while there were some very early entries, most of the lands, being all prairie, were taken up along about 1852-53, which years seem to have been at the close of a period in which the go\crnment lands were temjjorarily withdr;iwn from sale pending the location of the Illinois Central Railroad and its selections of lands within the six-mile limit, which limit was afterward extended to fifteen miles to enable the road to supply the quantity of lands not found in the first limit. The latter extended limit takes in all of Murdock.

On February 23, 1853, William Cline entered the east half of the southeast quarter of section 2. tmvnship 15, range 10. This is the extreme southeast eighty acres in the township. The first entry made was by James Brewer June 18, 1847; he entered lot No. 2 of the northwest (juarter of section 31, townsJn']) 16, range 10. and Samuel Roderick took the southeast (juarter of section 30. township 16, range 10, in 1849. J. V. Campbell entered several tracts, as also JoJni Tcnbrook and the Baileys, 1852 to 1855.

Tjik Village Ok Muriiock

This \illage, established and named hefurc the township was made, is situated generally on the north side of the I. D. & W. railroad, and between it and the east and west half-mile line of section 33, tow-nship 16 north, range 10 east. It was laid off by the IMurdocks in September, 1881. It was shortly afterward followed by an addition made by R. F. Helm on the north side of the east and west public road. The railroad has a reserve on tlie north side of its track, aliout eight)'' rods long and one hundred and twenty-five feet wide, and a right-of-way on the south side of fifty feet; a roomy side track is established which gives ample facilities to shippers in the vicinity.

Mr. S. Baxter purchased a few acres directly east of the village, where he erected se\eral neat tenant houses which assist in giving Mm^dock the air of quite a busy ])Iace; this is further assisted by the ele\ator erected by the Murdocks in 1878, and later by Fred P. Rush & Co., of Indianapolis.

Biographical And Historical

it in October, 1882, about as soon as the town was laid out. It has a steeple and a ninetydollar bell, the cost of the structure being in all about eighteen hundred and fifty dollars.

Fairland is a new and thriving village in the northwest part of the township. It contains several first-class stores, good church and school. The business men are mostly young men and are thoroughly in touch with the advance of the times. It has one bank, the Fairland E.xchange Bank, which was recently founded by John Quinn (see sketch).

The first township officers were : Supervisor, Da\id Smith ; assessor, W. C. Whallen ; collector, R. F. Helm; justice, S. Baxter. And in the distribution of county officers Murdock has had a share. Among those who live within the present bounds, Mr. John D. Murdock, from whom the township was named, was elected in 1859 one of the first two associate justices of the county, and was re-elected in 1861. This was, of course, prior to township organization. The county board consisted of a judge and two associate judges. Mr. Murdock served his first term with James Ewing, of Areola, as judge, the other associate being Robert Hopkins, of Newman. In his second term, he was with F. C. Mullen, of Garrett, as judge, and Caleb Bales, of Areola, as the other associate. It was under the care and management of the last named board that the court house was contracted for and begun. A large part of the business of this day, the early days of the county, was the location of new public roads. The board would appoint three commissioners, one always the surveyor, to view the road, and report at ne.xt term. There was cjuite an epidemic of roads these times.

James H. Shawhan, now of the new township, formerly of Sargent, was elected sherifif in 1 87 1, and also served several years with credit as highway commissioner.

The surveyors appointed by the court in October, 1871, were Edmund Fish, of Areola; H. C. Niles, of Tuscola, and A. H. Guy, of Vermilion county. They worked a week at it and reported to court. The case was tried three times for various reasons, and finally settled down to the lines made by the commissioners. Mr. Issachar Davis, surveyor in the neighborhood, gave the board valuable and willing assistance. The confusion mostly arose originally from a proven mistake of the original government surveyors, they having left two corners on the range line, which they recorded as twenty-two rods apart, while, identified, they proved to be only six rods apart. The writer has seen the original figures made by the government surveyor, and the proof on the ground. The controversy arose from the situation of a thirty-five-acre piece belonging to John Brown, which the surveyors in their report dubbed the "John Brown tract." This whole controversy was conducted l)y the interested parties with a manly and fair spirit, much superior to the temper usually manifested on such occasions; though Shiloh Gill says that he and Brown had worn out a certain fence four times in trying to conform to the various opinions of its true place. Each moved the fence every time the other fellow got a new wrinkle from anybody, and the surveying business in the close neighborhood was good until the commission surveyors came along and spoiled the job.

township is derived from that of the city, but the origin of it is involved in obscurity, the most (Hhgent inquiry having failed to disclose its source, or to draw out any account of it which promised satisfaction. Tlascala in Mexico, Tusculuni, in Italy, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, etc., have been suggested as possible bases for a guess, but have yielded no conviction. The idea that the name is of Indian origin has been generally fallen back upon as the only hopeful solution, in which the anxious inquirers are joined by a prominent citizen of a county of the same name in Michigan. Township organization was adopted in 1867 and inaugurated in 1868. Joseph B. McCown, of Camargo, H. B. Evans, of Tuscola, and L. McAllister, of Areola, were appointed by the county court to divide the county into more convenient political subdivisions.

TIic railroads. - The township is traversed by the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad, running about north and south, dividing it into nearly equal parts. The road enters at the northeast quarter of section 3, township 16, range 8, and leaves at south line of section 10, township 15, range 8, and is a straight line through the county, varying from true north, however, about seven degrees ; that is to say, it bears to the right just about forty rods to the mile.

This road has a right of way two hundred feet wide through the township, which reserve is inclosed for the most part with a substantial fence as required by law, and occupies twentyfour acres of land for every mile it traverses, being in the aggregate two hundred and forty acres in the township ; the difference to land tax payers along the line of the road was an item of importance and resisted, until by consent, as it were, the railroad, reserve was gradually eliminated from the acres of the adjoining land owner.

The township is also intersected by the St. Louis branch of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad, which runs east and west through it, along, very nearly, the middle line of the south tier of sections in townshij) 16 north, range 8 east, crossing the Illinois Central Railroad at Tuscola. The road was finished through the township in 1872; was chartered under the name of the Indiana & Illinois Central in 1852, and as Decatur & Indianapolis was legalized in 1853; it remained, however, under the name of Indiana & Illinois Central until 1876, when upon re-organization it received the name of Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield, and finally was known as the St. Louis branch of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western, having been leased to that corporation for ninety-nine years. The road is now known as the I. D. & W.

A road was surveyed from Tuscola City northeastward, to be called the Danville, Tuscola & Western, which was instituted by Tuscola people. The preliminary surveying was begun in January, 1872, under the direction of James Davis, Esq., assisted by Thomas E. Bundy, the attorney for the road, the chief engineer being H. C. Niles. A year was consumed in the location and in trying to meet the wisiies of everybody, and grading was for the greater part completed nearly to Danville; but the panic of 1872-73 calling a halt, and the railway business generally receiving a sudden check, it was found impossible to build the road with the means at command. It was subsequently completed and is now known as the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad.

Early entries of land and first settlers. - Being" all prairie, the township was of the latest settled, the first comers, as a general rule, keeping close to the timber for its seeming protection. The prairie was considered a bleak, barren waste, unfit for habitation or cultivation, the magnificent richness of the soil not being appreciated by men accustomed to hilly woodlands. The timber was convenient for fuel, building and fencing, and men clung to it, for it was considered injudicious to e.xpose one's self and family to the full sweep of the winter storms and the annual and really dangerous prairie fires.

The first entries of land we find are about as follows: Sigler H. Lester, December 5, 1836, entered west half of the northwest quarter of section 30, town 16, range 8; John Hammer, May, 1837, north half of the northwest quarter of section 18, town 16, range 8; 1837, July 22, Jacob Moore took lot 2, southwest quarter of section 30, town 16, range 8; the bulk of the lands entered by him were six miles south ; June 19, 1838, Thomas Lewis entered lot 2, southwest quarter of section 18, town 16, range 8; 1837, Samuel Lester, on lots 3 and 4, northeast quarter of section 6, town 15, range 8, and other large lands; 1849, N\'illiam Brian, north half of the northeast (juarter of section ly, town 16, range 8. Mr. Brian distriliated his lands among his children, otherwise lie would have been the largest land owner in the county. Most of the land entries were made in 1852-53. Up to that time it appears that there was a check upon settlements of lands by entry, or rather the buying of such lands, the district for the most part being withdrawn from sale pending the location of the Illinois Central Railroad, and its selection of the lands granted it by government. In 1853 H. Sand ford entered the northeast quarter of section 33, town 16, range 8, which adjoins Tuscola on the west, and in the palmy days was firmly held at one hundred dollars per acre. Amongst the active and prominent of earlier settlers, as farmers and cattle men, were O. C. and M. F. Hackett, Owen J. Jones and Joseph W. Smith in the south part, and in the north B. F. Boggs, Benham Nelson, George P. Phinney and Caleb Garrett. He emigrated from the adjoining township of Garrett in 1874. Ample notes of the career and influence of many of these gentlemen will be found elsewhere in this volume.

The sixteenth section in every congressional township was, by law, set apart for sale for the use of schools, and so sold by the state. It was required to be surveyed into lots, the utility of which is not clear, as the government subdivisions would have answered every purjiose of description.

Section 16, town 16 north, range 8 east, in Tuscola township, was divided into sixteen lots, each lot being one of the original forty-acre tracts; the numbering began in the northeast corner and ended in the southeast. The purchases were made in 1857. W. P. Carter took six of them ; T. G. Chambers two ; J. F. Parcels four; Le Roy Wiley four. There is no record authority in Douglas county for the numbering, the only guide being the various conveyances, which, however, generally give the number of the lot as well as the regular subdivision.

First toivn meeting. - The first town meeting after township organization was held at Tuscola in 1868. The meeting was called to order by W. H. Lamb; S. D. Stevenson was elected moderator and C. F. Lamb clerk. A committee of five was appointed to divide the township into road districts. It was made up of G. P. Phinney, A. Mc Neil!, J. McGinniss, James Jester and Josiali McKee. The place of this meeting is not given, bnt it was arranged liiat the next shonld be held at J. B. Hart's store, northeast corner of Central avenue and Parke street. Here O. C. Hackett was elected the first supervisor, with a majority of only one vote over \V. B. Ervin. Thomas E. Bundy exceeded the vote of li. C. Sluss by six votes. C. H. Griffith was elected assessor by getting two votes more than J. II. Purely, and S. Paddleford was made the first collector, defeating C. F. Lamb by fifty-eight votes. J. M. Ephlin was the first constable and was chosen at this election. W. H. Wood was the first justice of the peace. The first commissioners of highways, and who were elected on this occasion, were Benham Nelson, Noah Ammen and W. Brian.

The original tozon of Tuscola. - The original town is bounded on the west by the Illinois Central Railroad, and extends eastward to Niles avenue, which is the north and south center line of section 34, and is the street upon which stand the schoolhouse and Methodist church. This avenue w'as begun by Mr. Cannon in his addition to Tuscola, with the generous width of seventy-five feet, but unfortunately the surveyor or proprietor of subsequent additions saw fit to cut it down to sixty feet. The bound of the original town on the south is the south line of the section at the township line, and it is met on the north by Winston's addition, wliich is one-quarter of a mile wide.

JViuslon's addition. - The first addition to Tuscola was made by A. B. Newkirk, of Chicago, and consists of the north half of northwest quarter of section 34, township 16 north, of range 8 east, and was surveyed by H. C. Niles, the county surveyor, in August, 1859, assisted by Henry Beach, who afterward built the first Beach House. The blocks in this addition, nearly four hundred feet square, are divided generally into four lots, which all lay square with the world, except at the railroad. The streets are of the generous width of sixtysix feet, being six feet wider than those of the original town, upon which they join. No street was made between this and the original town. ll'ainslcy & Cannon's addition. - In the .spring of i860 William Wamsley, with J. G. Cannon as manager, laid off into lots and blocks the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 34, town 16 north, range 8 east, making sixteen blocks, the west tier of which was subdivided into quarters, the surveying of which was done by Niles. Niles avenue, on the west, was named in compliment to the surveyor and is seventy-five feet wide, as also is the next avenue east. Both of thfse beautiful streets have been spoiled by the n\istaken economy, or j^erhaps want of information, of the proprietors of the subsequent additions on the north, when they suddenly fell to a width of sixty feet, and not only that, but no regard or attention was paid to the abutting streets in the prior addition; the result is the streets, as it were, hit nowhere even, the lot bounds do not "line," and the people find fault with the surveyors when shown the facts.

Kelly's addition. - Kelly's addition (by the way, there is never any "first" addition), November 15, 1 86 1, followed by his second December 30, 1864, consists of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter and the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section

34, town 16, range 8, eiglity acres, and was sur- \eved by E. C. Siler, county surveyor. In the first addition, however, he was the deputy of Niles. The lots were made large, to meet a seeming demand for such, among which streets, lanes and alleys were very scarce. The progress of the times has eventually forced through several highways. Robert Kelly, of Indiana, was the projector of these additions. He was a Quaker of standing and much business ability.

Mathers' addition. - The next addition made was called Mathers" northeast addition, and comprised the east half of the northeast quarter and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 34, town 16 north, range 8 east, one hundred and twenty acres. It was surveyed July 12. 1864, by E. C. Siler, county surveyor, under the proprietorship of John Mathers, win) had previously accpiired an interest in the lands of the original T()wn Comiiany. The greater |)art of this .addition was laid out into lots or blocks, containing in gross about ten acres, and has since been used almost exclusively for farming lands. The streets in this portion of Tuscola do n<it conform to those in the original town, not only Ijeing of different widths, l)Ut do not fairh' meet the (jriginal streets.

Cornelius' addition. - Cornelius' additiiin C(jnsists of about twenty acres of land in the .southwest corner of the section, being a reserved portion of the original town plat, and lying east of the Illinois Central Railroad, and north of the south line of the section. The lots are of good ax'erage size, with a location not very desirable. It was laid out by P. S. C<n-- nelius and surveyed by Niles August ig, 1870.

Pofiidation and coiiditi<in. - The ])opulation of the city in 1870 was placed at fifteen hundred; H. B. Evans was the enumerator. At the tenth census, 1880, the population was about the same; within that decade the city had not progressed much in the way of extending areas or erecting new buildings. While progress in this respect has not been observed, it is notable that Tuscola is one of the neatest and bestkept villages in the central part of the state. Fourteen miles of substantial sidewalk, a large part of which is eight and twelve feet wide, conduct the exploring stranger dry-shod to churches, school houses, etc., in fact, take him anywhere, except to a saloon. Careful and systematic attention has been given to sanitation, and breaches of the public peace are rare. The census of 1890 gives Tuscola eighteen hundred and ninety-seven and it has a present population of about three thousand.

Earl\< cz'cnts. - The first house which aj}- ]ieare(l in Tuscola was a part of the present dwelling of Thomas S. Sluss, at *he northwest corner of Main and Daggy streets. It was placed there by William Chandler, who hauled it from the close neighborhood of Bourbon. He occupied it awhile and sold it, building subse(|nently the dwelling now standing directly east.

The first house built was the store at the railroad, on the north side of Sale street, long since gone. Simon G. Bassett, lirother of Dr. II. J. Bassett, of Tuscola, was the first postmaster as well" as express and freight agent.

The third house built was the residence of Thomas W^iody, erected on the northwest corner of Central ax'cnue and Main street, whence it was remcned. Thomas Woody was the fa- tlier of A. M. Woody, who served as mayor of the city for tlie four years ending in April, 1883. Tliomas Woody was an active Methochst, and before the day of cliurches lie and his wife, with A. G. Wallace and wife, associated with Mrs. Dr. Bassett and Mrs. Kuhn, were the only church peojjle in the place who had any aptitude for conducting religious exercises. Class and jirayer meetings were held m Mr. Woody's house for several years after Mr. Woody's arrival. He died in Xoveniber, 1883, with full honors.

The tirst child born in the place was Miss May Wallace, daughter of A. G. Wallace. Mrs. Has. Moore, ncc May Chandler, daughter of William Chandler, moved here fr(im Bourbon at the age of si.\ years.

The first store was a grocery, built on the north side of the court house square liy B. F. Lewis, now a farmer northwest of town. The next was probably the drug store of Dr. J. W. Wright, which was located in the present oneand-a-half-story dwelling, now standing directly east of the old court house. These two proprietors were compelled to yield to the logic of events, both eventually inilling up stakes and moving down into tnwn. The Lewis store was removed bodily to State street. The stock was bought by J. M. Ephlin and A. M. Woody, and was the foundation of the large Woody & Russell grocery store. Dr. W'right built a store and dwelling combined on the southwest corner of Main street and Central avenue, where he had sole control of the drug business until 1865. He finall}- went to California, being succeeded in his business by Dr. J. A. Ficlil, who occupied the old st.ind for a while, and afterward remi>\ed to his brick at the southeast corner of Parke and Sale streets, which he built in 1882. H. C. Niles, who had been bred to the drug trade, opened a new drug store, in 1865 at the southeast corner of Avenue and .Main streets in company with E. C. Siler. The latter sold out to Niles, who joined C. .\. Davis on the north side of Sale street, in a Iniilding which was destroyed in one of the great fires, which occurred in October, 1881. The house stood the second door directly west of Gofif's marble works, which is the first establishment of the kind permanently located at this city. Mr. R. Gruelle was in the drug business for a few years; also E. L. Smith, who sold out to Benton, and he to Foster, who is yet in the business. E. L. .Smith, after leaving the drug business, began the ])ractice of law, and in 1878 he committed suicide l)y cutting his throat in his office, up stairs at the southeast corner of Parke and Sale streets. The real causes of his self "taking off" were ne\ er known, but were supposed to be business troubles and bodily disease.

William H. Russell and .A. M. Woody instituted, in 1859, the fir.st permanent grocery house in the place, succeeding J. M. Ephlin, beginning with scant means, on the nurth side of Sale street. The house was long and favorably known as "Woody & Russell," and the partnership remained undisturbed until November, 1874, a period of fifteen years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent and mutual good will. Air. Russell died in June, 1876; he was from North Carolina, whence he removed to Indiana, arriving at Tuscola in 1859. With the excei^tion of serving as school director and a term or two in the city council. Russell had ni)t been in ])ublic office. The ini|)ress of

S. G. Bassett, backed by Alonzo Lyons, began business on the north side of Sale street at the railroad in 1859, and about these days Elijah McCarty built quite a large two-story warehouse on the south side of the same street, also at the railroad. The former building is long since gone; the other remains as part of the large elevator of R. &. J. Ervin. The post office was here then, with W. T. French as postmaster. McCarty in those days was one of the largest farm operators, handling about four thousand acres of railroad land for a wealthy firm in Kentucky. He was largehearted, liberal and profuse, and controlled a great amount of money for years. The parties, however, disposed of the lands, and Mc- Carty, after becoming involved, went to St. Louis, and tlied much reduced in tinancial strength. He was once a candidate for congress in this district.

A. G. Wallace started the first regular real estate office, after leaving the circuit clerk's position. Others had been prominent in tlie line in connection with their current business. Mr. Wallace was succeeded by P. C. Slnan, also a former clerk and recorder, in which he was joined by A. A. McKee, but they are now dissolved in business.

The insurance business was not taken up as a regular occupation until 1865-66, when W. P. Cannon, who locally represented a large number of companies in connection with other business, sold out to A. P. Helton, who arrived from Bloomington, Indiana, in 1862. Mr. Helton kept a large hardware store on the south side of the avenue for a number of years, and sold to Lodge & Minturn, who kept store for a while in the stand now occupied by the Evans grocery. Mr. Helton's insurance business increased rapidly, and he became, perhaps, the leading insurance man in the central part of the state, representing a large number of companies, and well posted in all that pertains to this branch of the business. He helped to run the first brass band, like the others for amusement only, and was a cornet player of some distinction.

Incorporation. - October 11, 1S59, an election by the citizens was hekl for and against incorporation. The names of all the voters were: William Chandler, I. J. Halstead, Michael Noel, A. L. Otis. F. F. Nesbit, P. Noel, .\. J. Gorman, James 11. Harrison, James Davis, A. G. Wallace, John 'Chandler, A. Van Deren, Thomas Woody and Joseph G. Cannon. The vote for incorporation stood twelve; against, two; total fourteen. Mr. Harrison was a prominent sto\e and hardware man, first on Central avenue, in the store now occupied by Tyler in the same business; afterward in a two-story building which stood on the present site of Bye's shoe store. This building was removed to the north side of the avenue, to a place directly east of the present Opera block, and "went up" in the great fire of 1873. Mr. Harrison was a leading citizen, had much to do with the institutions of the place, and later was president of the National Bank at Farmer City. James Davis was of the firm of Davis & Finney, grain dealers, and served as mayor of the city. John Chandler lias a large farm east of town, was the first county clerk, and had an active and useful \)Ti\'*. in the formation of the new county. Maj. \'an Deren is yet a resident and a farmer. Mr.

City Charter. - The city charter is dated March !J, 1859. The first mayor was James H. Martin, with a council consisting of I. L. Jordan. E. Price, M. Pujjh and W. Taggart. .Mr. Jiird;i'i. tornierI\' a farmer in Garrett townsiii]). \\;'s sheriff of tiic county. I'rice, though a large land owner in the count}-, is now a nonresRicnt. Pugh, a wagon-maker, has lately removed, and Col. Taggart, after honorable service in the war of iS()i, and serving two terms as sheriff remains a citizen, under the firm name of Taggart & Williams, in the furniture business. In the war record in this volume will be found ;i moie jiarticular notice of those who served as soldiers. Mr. James H. Martin resigned the mayoralty in June, 1870, parth' because of ill health, and partly because of ineligibility: he lived outside the corporation, owning land just beyond the northeast corner of the town. With a view of correcting the matter, he had a small addition to the city made and recorded, which was situated in the southwest corner of section twenty-six. township 16, range eight, but no lots were sold, and it was finally dropped. Mr. Martin was from Indiana, resided in Tuscola for about six years in the practice of the law. He died November 15, 1871, and was buried ;it Camargo, with Masonic honors.

Tuscola is doubtless the first city in the state organized under the general incor|)oration act, which took effect July i, 1872. In 1870 Thomas S. Sluss presided as m:iyor: alclcrm.in present, J. C. Walker and J.inu-s Dilly; .\. 11.

Sluss, city clerk and attorney. August 15, 1870, the city attorney was ordered to dismiss the .suit of the city against Niles & Dryer, druggists, defendants jjaying attorneys' fees. This was a suit for not reporting sales of li(|uors f(pr the |)ast two mi>nths, the ordinance re(|uiring such rejjort, which was to contain the name of the purchaser, quantity sokl anil i)urpose u.sed for. The firm was not pro.secuted for selling li(|Uor. but for not reporting sales. At this meeting, J. C. Walker moved the remission of the fine, which was promjjtly .seconded by James Davis, and the resolution was carried. In 1865 the board was in session, contemplating serious restrictions upon the druggist liquor sales, and stirring speeches were made pro and con, the last of which was made by a druggist, who produced as his final argument a large bottle of old London Dock Gin. which, after placing on the table under the noses of the board, he gracefully retired, amid loud and continued applause. The proposed resolution was also laid on the table.

Hotels. - The first boarding house or hotel was kept by -A. Cj. \\'allace. This building w'as a large "story-and-a-half" house, situated just about where the bank now stands on the .Avenue. Mr. Wallace had arrixed in the county in 1841, and stojjped at a place, then witlely known as the "Wallace stand," west of Hickory Grove, in the southeast part of tin county. He removed to Camargo in 1854. and in 1856 to Tuscola, where he kept hotel as above for about two years. He was deeply interested in ;ind was one of the most active workers for the foundation of the new county. He was the lust justice of the ])eace elected in Tuscola, 1858, and in 1859 was electe<l the lirst circuit clerk and recorder. He was con- tinuously re-elected until he had served four consecutive terms of four years each. Upon retiring from the office, he conducted for several years a real estate and loan office, and was always an active and leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wallace died on the 27th of July, 1879.

The Beach House began an existence as a boarding house on the southeast corner of Ensey and Parke streets. It was then under the conduct of Henry Beach. He Iniilt the first Beach House on the site of the present hotel of the same name. Some time after his death, the first hotel was burned to the ground, about 1869. and rebuilt by Mrs. Beach in 1870. She was succeeded by her son-in-law. W. Kissel, who is just completing a very fine and commodious brick hotel.

The Hotel Douglas which was opened to the traveling public April 19, 1899, is by odds the best all around equipped hotel in Douglas county, and in by far the best location. The people of Tuscola and Douglas county owe a debt of gratitude as well as best wishes and their patronage to Mr. and Mrs. John \Miittaker for constructing this popular inn, for it is reasonably safe to say had they not built it Tuscola would be without a decent hotel totlay.

The first hotel was built on the northeast corner of Main antl Houghton streets, by the Town company. A large two-story frame, it was for a few years the only hotel and in court season a lively place. It was constructed by M. C. Elkin, who was an old resident. This hotel was burned in 1864, antl rebuilt by the insurance company. It was then called the "Tuscola House."

boards and was the "fair ground" of the firsr Douglas county fair. The old court house was used for a "floral hall." as it were, and a band and speakers' stand had been erected in the north side of the square. E. McCarty, Caleb Garrett and Ira J. Halstead, secretary, were the managers. The first dance was held in the room over northeast corner of Parke and Sale streets, where Mrs. John Madison danced the first set with Joseph G. Cannon. This old court house was, on its completion, hailed with joy by all who belie\ed in wholesale sociability. Parties, balls and dances were frequent and enjoyable. The first was the celebration of the finishing of the building by a well-attended dance. This was in 1861.

The first session of circuit court was held in the fall of 1859, in the then just finished depot building of the I. C. R. R., and the very first civil case on the docket was Button vs. Johnson,; default of defendant and judgment for $3.20. This was an appeal from Dr. J. T. Johnson, a magistrate in the village of Bourbon. Dr. Johnson was a well-known practicing physician and "Squire" in the west end, at ,the time of the formation of the new county, and along about 1865 went west. Circuit court was next held in the second story of the building now occupied by George Smith, the same place where J. M. Maris previously held forth as a grocer. This was the largest available room in the place at that time, and was used for all public meetings until the so-called court house was built in 1861. At this time A. G. Wallace, the circuit clerk, had his office in the same building on Sale street, and the county clerk occupied a room in the Tuscola House, the two-story hotel in Houghton street, heretofore mentioned.

The first school house erected in Tuscola was a one-stt)ry frame, which cost five hundred dollars, and was built in 1838. .Vniono^st the first school teachers, if nut the first, was Ira J. Haistead. This was succeeded by a \ery substantial two-story brick schoolhouse at a cost of six thousand dollars, erected on the site of the present imposing seminary, which is block Xo. _v, in Kell\'s adtliticin to Tuscola. This was a plain Irick building, erected under contract by John X. Mdler. He owned and occupicl tiie old one-story schoolhou.se after the new one was built. He was a queer old fellow, honest and reliable, but a little sour, and he always "wanted to know, you know," what we thought of a preaclier who would "call a man a liar?" and we could only answer, that it depended on \\lK'llier ijie ])reacher tnld tlic truth or not. The materials for this two-story seminary were purchased by the contractor when the present fine building was erected on the same site. The contractor antl Iniilder of the new and last building was L. Johnson; he married here a daughter of Ross, a carpenter and builder. Johnson was a man of notable integrity and honor in his contracts, and 1)uilt and finished the structure in the face of failure as to profit.

A corner stone was laid on the 26th of June, 1870, by the Masons and Odd Fellows, with the usual interesting ceremonies. The northeast corner stone contains the organization of Coles county; the partition of Douglas county, 1859; survey of original town of Tu.scola, 1857 ; accounts of the first dwelling ; 1857 ; first store. 1857: and first, second and third bricks built, 1863, etc.; first child born, 1857; burning of first hotel, and incidents; Illinois Central railroad; schoolhouses ; first church.

The school ImiMing is a substantial brick, of three stories and l)asement, a belfry containing a large town clock, which is a most excellent time keeper, and has four dials, facing respecti\ely the four cardinal points. The .school building has ample accommoilations for about i'wc hundred pupils, is in every possible respect a perfect edifice, and is. as it should be, the pride of Tuscola. The contract \)nct was originally thirty-two thousand dollars, but the amount was subsetpiently increased, so that the entire cost, when completed, became about forty thousand dollars. The building is heated by an excellent system of basement furnaces, ;nid the board em])loy an efticient janitor at a fixed salary. The original lot. Block 3, in Kelly's addition, contained about one acre of land : to this has been added, in the last few years, a strip sixty feet in width on the east side, which is Indiana street extended. The board also bought the block next north, block 4, same addition, and was presented by the city with that part of Wilson street extended which lies between said blocks 3 and 4. which also loaned them fifty feet of a street north of block 4.

The first bank was instituted by Wyeth, Cannon & Co.. and was in a frame building, which stood at the west end of the present 0])era block. This bank was afterward, in 1865, merged into the First National Bank of

Tuscola. Tlie firm also liad for a wliile hanking interests in .\rcola. In 1870, Mr. Wyeth was merchandising here among the first as a member of the firm of Wyeth, Craddock & Co.. occupying the two-story frame directly east of the drug store, now at the southeast corner of Sale and Parke streets. The building was roiiioved to the north side of the a\enue to .> point east of Opera block, and burnt in the great fire of 1873. The first cashier of the bank was \V. P. Cannon, who married a daughter of William Warmsley an old resident.

Whilst the Commercial Block and bank were burning, W. P. Cannon contracted with Coleman Bright for the second story of his brick building on the south side of the avenue, and removed to that location. The bank had a capital of $113,000. and a surplus of $25.- 000. Mr. H. T. Carraway, president; W. H. Lamb, cashier; A. W. Wallace, teller and bookkeeper at that time. The Douglas county bank was established September, 1870, \\ . H. Lamb, cashier, on Sale street; and another on the a\enue by Champaign parties ; both, however, were merged into other banks. The present banks are : The Fist National Bank. A. W. Wallace, president, and F. W. Hammett. cashier. This is one of the best, most substantiai and up-to-date banking houses in the state. Baughman, Bragg & Co. is the other banking firm.

The opera house of Tuscola, owned by the Harry Madison estate, is a very creditable affair. It has a seating capacity of about seven hundred and a very well sceneried stage, with mirrors on either side, and is very ornate.

No. 5, in Kelly's addition, at the southeast corner of Sale street and Niles a\-enue. It was built through the exertions of Mr. Thomas Woody, A. G. Wallace, O. C. Hackett and others. It was a neat gothic brick about forty feet by one hundred, with a graceful spire one hundred and ten feet high, and a belfry with a standard bell-metal bell of a weight of six hundred pounds. It alwavs commanded the largest congregations, and the)-, being of the superior class of citizens as to intelligence and standing, have always been able to command the best average talent of the conference. In 1895 the Methodists erected their present church edifice which is the finest church building in the county.

The Presbyterian church, situated on lots I and 2, block 32, in the original town, southwest corner of Wilson and Main streets. A Mr. Carnes was the builder. The leaders in the church were Mr. William H. Lamb, Judge Ammen, John J. Jones and others, with their families. This church is second only to the Methodist in point of numbers. The first pastor was George D. Miller, who came to Tuscola in August, i860, and was in charge up to 1864, when he resigned from ill health.

The Baptist church is the largest in the city with regard to seating capacity; in actual membership it is the smallest. It was erected in 1865. mainly throught the exertions and example of Elijah McCarty and Dr. I. N. Rynerson. Dr. Rynerson was a leading farmer in the northeast corner of Areola township. He was highly educated and one of the best stump speakers of his day, and was also a former practicing physician; he died in April. 1873.

a very large brick tower alimit ninety feet liigb. which liad, tlinnigli the mistake of the hnildcr. l)cen run up nearly square: il was liea\y and ungainly, anil topped <itl witli tnur corner spires or ornaments painted white. This was the most conspicuous object in the city, and was the landmark in the country for miles around. The intention had been to make a much lighter tower. Ton miu'li weight was ])Ul upun it l^r its foundation, and it began to show cracks in the masonry and settled. It was then rumored luisafe, ])eople getting the idea it would fall of its own weight. and some axnidcd the church. It was then fnrmally examined 1)\' exjiert ])uilders, and being pronounced good confidence was somewhat restored. Nevertheless, the tower was finally taken drnvn even with the roof. The congregation being (piite small, regular pastors have not always been in charge, though this church has commanded some of the best talent the church afforded. The building is situated at the mirtheast corner of Daggy and Court streets.

The Christian church is situated on the north side of Houghton street, east of Court street, lot 13, block 40, original town, is a good frame building, the second story being the auditorium, with first story reserved for Sunday school and bajjtistry. It was erected in 1868, mainly through the exertions of Mr. John Chandler, the first county clerk. The l)resent Christian church of Tuscola is a fine brick structure and is next to the Methodist church in cost.

The Roman Catholic church of the I'orty MartjTS is a frame building situated on the southeast corner f)f \'an .Allen and Center streets. It was erected in the summer of 1882, at a cost of $1,000.

The Episcopal church was erected on the northwest corner of Center and Houghton lloughton streets in 1882; was consecrated in July ol that _\car. by Right Rexerend Seymour, Bishop of Springfield, assisted liy several clergymen from the surrounding cities. The church was built through the exertions of the Rc\ . Ml". Peck, then in charge of the mission, .ind is known as St. Ste])hen"s. Regular services were held for about one year, but the removal of families most interested has so reduced numbers that the services are rare.

Siindiiy Schools. - The first Sunday school in Tuscola was instituted l)y Mrs. Archibald \'an Deren and others at the old Tuscola House, the erstwhile hotel. The first Sunday school was convened on the second Sabbath of September, in the year 1859. It was started at the instance of Mrs. \'an Deren, her coadjutors, among others, being Thomas Woody and his excellent daughters, Mesdames Tr)wnsell and Lindsay, who were the first scholars, and who have passed away. Dr. J. L. Reat, with us. Dr. Samuel Daggy and Mrs. Van Deren are the only sur\ivors. Dr. Reat is mentioned elsewhere. Dr. Daggy, a prominent Presbyterian, was an acknowledged leader in religion and indeed in all other matters bearing u]>on the general elevation of ])ublic sentiment from the beginning of Tuscola. After a twent\' years' useful residence here. he. with his family, moved to Philadel- ])hia, where he is engaged in real estate business.

ions matters, joint meetings and excliange oi pulpits lieing- the fre(|uent leading features that go far toward clipping the wings of those smart fellows, who, claiming the difference of creed as a sufficient excuse, would fly to glory unincumiiered l)y a church.

The Press. - Our first newspaper was the Tuscola Press. It was started in 1859. It was short lived, and the proprietor left between two days. M. \'aul ci inducted it a year or two, but it was not a success. Mr. Vaul was the first city clerk. The Sellers boys instituted the Douglas County Shield, from 1865 to 1867. A little fellow named Gregory established the Union, which was not a success. The newspaper business did nut seem to be solid until the present Journal and Douglas County Review were established. The Journal was first instituted by Siler & Lindsay in 1864. They were succeeded b_\' Williams in 1876, with Harry Johnson as paragraphist and general outside manager, and by (leorge Glassco in January, 1881. Afterward by "Tom" Williams and a ]\Ir. Glassco. It is now owned and conducted by A. C. Sluss, the present postmaster of Tuscola. (See sketch.)

Williams was an old Tuscola boy w Ikj mastered the printing liusiness and became a "jour," working in various places, and when in Connecticut met and marrieil a lady printer. He returned to Tuscola in 1876, and in connection with Capt. Parks, of the Review, did the typographical work of the centennial history of Douglas county, the only printed book ever issued in the county. Tom died suddenly while in the prime of his usefulness and manhood, at about thirtv vears of age, on the 29th day of July, 1881. He was a man of wit and humor; was for a time the assistant of "Martin," the assistant engineer of Danville, Tuscola & ^Veste^n railroad, and while a little "captious" in the view of the younger boys on the work, merited and received on the whole the best respect of his associates.

The Douglas County Review was instituted in 1875 by Converse & Parks, and was Democratic. It was first issued in the two-storjwooden building which now stands directly east of the J. M. Smith building, on the south side of Central avenue. The Review passed into the hands of Maj. Asa Miller in December, 1877. (See sketch of Charles W. Wilson, the present proprietor of the Review.)

The Tuscola Republican, now owned and edited by Fred L. Reat, is rapidly coming to the front as a newsy, clean and w'ell printed pajicr. It has a paid circulation of about one fhousand.

Centennial History. - The Congress of the United States, March 13. 1876, passed a resolution recommending that the people of the several states assemble in their se\'era! towns on the "centennial anni\-ersary" nf our national independence, and have read a historical sketch of said county or town from its formation, and that a copy of .said sketch be filed in l!i'? office of the Librarian of Congress, as well as in the clerk's office of said county.

April 25, 1876, this is followed by the proclamation of John L. Beveridge, the governor of the state of Illinois, to the same effect, urging a general obser\ance of the recommendation.

In May, 1876, at a special term of the board of supervisors, not, however, specially held for the purpose, the following resolution was adopted, which had been offered by the supervisor from Garrett, Mr. W'illiam Howe : ed to prepare a statistical and l>iographical liistory of Doiitjlas county, from its origin to tlie present time, and to have the same ready by the 4th of July next, provided the said work shall not cost to exceed one Iiundred dollars.

This work was prepared in manuscrijjt, read to tiie board of supervisors and approved ; an attempt tf) have it printed at the e.xpense of tiie county failed, and the author, assisted by 1). (). Rout, tiic then county clerk, had it printed in pamphlet form, to sa\c the matter. being eighty ])ages octavo, in paper covers. This history contained, in a perhaps too much condensed style, a history of the main facts pertaining to the county, with separate histories of townships, and was not much elaborated, the "fixed price" forbidding a thorough detail of the points touched u])on. It was dedicated "To the young men of Douglas county.

"In the hope that they may be reminded of the responsibility they are about to assume in taking charge of the destinies of little DouGL.\s, may they emulate the nolilest deeds of their fathers, .so that the blessings which they secured may descend upon them to posterity. In opening out the resources of the country, conxerting the rude land into cultivated fields, building cities where none existed before, and making possible the civilizing influences of churches, schools and railroads, their fathers have borne the brunt of the battle, and are now i^esigning into their hands the result of their labors, for they are passing away. "

This pamphlet was printed at the printing office of the Illinois Industrial L^niversity. at Urbana. The contract was taken by Converse & Parks, editors of the Review of Tuscola, and the "setting up" done by J. T. Williams, afterward proprietor of the Tuscola Journal.

Mr. Williams took great ])ride in the matter, and produced a specimen of i)rinting not sur- [lassed bj- any pam])hlet work extant. .\ copy of the work was duly forwarded to the Illinois state librarian, the congressional library, at Washington, the Historical Society of Chicago, and to various other points, either voluntarily, or on demand, and kindly acknowledgments were recei\ed in each case, and in some cases a return was i)romptl\- made of similar works.

I'hologniphy. - I'lioiography in its advanced artistic excellence was first instituted here by W. Boyce, who is succeeded l)y- his son David X. Having devoted his entire business time to the perfection of his work, making a study of all the latest improvements, he shows work which is not surpassed by that of the artists in the larger cities. D. X. Boyce is not only a first class artist but he is a gentleman in nature and instinct.

Illinois Light, Water, Heat and Power Company, recently established in Tuscola, is supplied w ith the very latest type of machinery and renders efficient service. The water power plant operated in connection is so complete, perfect and systematically arranged that the most energetic critic has failed to criticise.

Tuscola Society. - The moral and intellectual standard of the city is far above the average, with plenty of room for improvement. In main the citizens are a peaceable, law abiding and God fearing people. They ha\e good churches, good schools and are lovers of good books. Selfishness and bigotry in many instances are disguised here as true religion, as it is elsewhere throughout the world, and one of the most loved and commendable characteristic of the human heart, love one another, is is asleep in the beautiful little city of Tuscola.

Its retired farmer contingency of its population is wonderfully tired, unprogressi\e and in many instances is positive and painful hindrance to its future development. Where a citizen with money refuses to assist in needed impr(ivements of tlie town, to assist in caring for the worthy pocjr and needy under his nose, he is not only lacking in his religion, taught 1)}- tlie lowly Nazarene, hut he is lacking in his good citizenship. Tuscola has nothing worse to fear than to allow the management of its public administration to fall into the hands of the unprogressive, the dollar worshipers and the stingy. There are some so called worshipers of Christ and leading church memhers in Tuscola who should heed more the teachings of the Master and permit the dead, against whom they might have had a personal grievance without cause, to Rest, Rest, Rest III

The Name. - Before Douglas county had an existence, the city of Areola, from which the township derives its name, was called by the railroad company "Okaw," after the river of that name, which traverses the west part of the county. "Okaw" was a local name only, the true name of the river being Kaskaskia, from the French, and it has been claimed by knowing ones that the word "Okaw" is a corruption of Kaskaskia, which, in the vernacular, was "Kawkaw"( Indian : Crow River?) hence, by an easy transition, "Okaw." Col. John Cofer, who had represented the county of Coles in the state Legislature, was postmaster to accommodate the neighborhood at Rural Retreat (in the southeast quarter of section 10, township 1 4 north, range g east, since abolished).

from 1854 to 185S, and upon him, as being the nearest postmaser, devolved the duty of certifying the necessity of a new posloffice at Okaw, which had been petitioned for by Judge and Dr. Henrv, John Blackwell and others. In due course. Col. Cofer sent the papers to Washington, and they were returned, as is usual in such cases, with the information that there was already in the state of Illinois a postoffice with the same name as the one proposed. This made it necessary that a new name should be selected before the office could, under the law, b.e established. Mr. E. Hewitt, the first Illinois Central railroad agent at this point, after cudgeling his brains to no effect, observing a knot of citizens near, came out of his office at the depot, and in the presence of Judge James Ewing and others asked for suggestions, whereupon James Kearney said "Areola." The name took instantly, and was adopted. It appears to have been selected from its euphony rather than from any allusion or reference to a historical reminiscence, though one of Napoleon's greatest battles was fought ami gained over the Austrians in Italy at a place by that name. Both of the names terminating alike is food for rumination, but all attempts to connect the two as some relation have failed. John Blackwell was here prominent in all that pertains to good citizenship, and had much to do with the management of affairs. His residence dated from 1857. He was the first magistrate of Areola. He died in January, 1869. John Blackwell was a grandson of Col. Jacob Blackwell of the Revolution. The Colonel was the owner of Blackwell's Island and nearly all the eastern end of Long Island adjacent to New York, from Astoria to Brooklyn. This tract includes Astoria, Ravensw-ood, Long IsloS land City, Green Point and Williamsburg. He resided in the old mansion on Webster avenue, where he entertained (ien. Washington and in the grounds attached thereto repose llio Imncs of the Coliinel and his wife. Col. lil.'K'kwell was prominently identilicd w'nh the Revolutionary party, and was .i nienil)cr nf the Continental Congress. His ddnr. branded with the letter "R" ( rebel ) because of his opposition til the llritish trown. is still ke])t as a heirloom by s<Mne of his descendants.

Areola Precinct. - .\t the time of the formation of Douglas county, February, 1859, that ])ortion of its area now known as Areola township was called .\rcola precinct. It was bounded on the north by Tuscola township, but now e.xtends one mile further north. It contained a tier of six sections on the east, which are now included in Bowdre, and it also included eighteen sections of land, all of township 14 north, range 7 east, which were, on regular township organization in 1868, handed over to Bourbon.

This was an election precinct, and contained an area gf about seventy-one, which was, in 1868, cut down to fifty-three and eighttenths S(|uare luiles. being exactly, according to the government survey, 34,643.26 acres.

Townshii) organization was voted for in 1867, and the apportionment made in 1868, Dr Lucius McAllister being one of the commissioners a])])ciinted by the cminty Ixiard to make the partition. Calvin Jones was associate county judge. The township 15 north, of range 8 east, the congressional township laying between .\rcola and Tuscola, was surveyed in 1821. 'J'he Sdiuh line was established by John Messinger. deputy surveyor, and finished April 5 of that year. The subdividing of the t'nvnship into sections was finished by A. McK. I laiutranck, a deputy, June 9. 182:. The surveying was done nine vears before the lirsl settler struck the cmintN'. In tliis conuecti'in it m;iy be s.ud that no Douglas convitv surveyor has ever discovered in the interior I'f ills township .'i single original g()\ernme\it corner out of the se\enty-eight which the government surNcyor ceitilics he made, and perpetuated with mounds and stakes. Local surveying was done here first in 1850.

Land Entries. - The first of land within the iircsent bounds of this township was made December 24, 1832, by James Sh.iw. He entered several tracts at about the same time in Bourbon township, and subsequently other lands. His descendants are yet citizens of Bourbon, and one of his sons. W. X. Shaw, represented Bourbon as a supervisor for about six years consecutively, and died in 1882, while in office. Land was also entered in 1853 by the Geres and Maiden Jones and O. B. Ficklin.

Many large fanns on the prairie were started by men who, coming from a hilly or timbered location, seeing the beautiful rolling ))rairies for the first tiiue. ready for the pi iw without stump or stone to hinder, co\-eted the whole expanse, as far as the eye could reach, and nearly every one purchased too nuich for his capital. Smaller farms mean more ])eople, more real workers and more real owners. Time and again railroad lands were taken up by the whole section, a house and soiue fencing built, but. after a few years' experience, the load proved too hea\y. and the land was permitted to go back, or perhaps a small |)ortion was paid for, and retained.

l)y the Chicago brancli of the Ilhnois Central railroad, running about north and south, leaving two-thirds of the area to the east side of the road.

Areola township is also traversed from east to west by the Illinois Midland railway, now the Vandalia. This road was originally an enterprise of prominent citizens of the city and vicinity, and was first called the Paris & Decatur; upon the extension of the road to Terre Haute, the name of that city was prefixed, and finally it received its present name. The first train passed over this road October 25, 1872.

Areola and other township bonds were issued by a vote of the people, amounting in the aggregate to $165,000, the amount voted by this township being $100,000. These bonds were disposed of by the company, and finally found their wa\' into the hands of innocent parties as an investment. The legality of the procedure was made a question, both as to calling the election and voting the bonds, all of which were finally decided adversely; consequently the bonds have not l)een jiaiil by the township, though the railroad reaped the benefit of them.

The road enters the township at the northwest corner of section 6, township 14 north. range 8 east, runs in a southeasterly direction to the city of Areola, thence east along the mid line of the north tier of sections, and leaves ihe township at about the northeast corner of section 5, township 14 north, range 9 east, occupying a length of about eight miles. The proposed donation of the township bonds to the railroad was in consequence of a petition which suggested that they should draw ten ])er cent interest, payable semi-annually, the bonds not to be delivered until one mile of track had been graded and ironed in the township, and to be delivered in no greater amount per mile than six thousand dollars, through the county as far as it was practicable, to influence the other townships through which the road should pass, to similar action, the petitioners suggested that a meeting be held for the purpose on June 24, 1869. At this time D. Hitchcock was the supervisor and Thomas Todd, clerk. The petition was signed by C. E. Bosworth, I. G. Bowman, J. W. Douglas, J. B. A\'ard, H. D. Jenkins, J. R. Smitli, John Ray, James Matters, B. H. Burton, P. M. Monahan, J. W. Louthan, James Beggs and L. C. Rust. The election was held accordingly, and resulted for subscription 324 votes, against it one vote. On .August 16, 1870, John Ray was authorized to procure the blank bonds; they were made to bear ten per cent interest from May i, 1871, payable at the Security Bank in New York. Joiin J. Henry was appointed to act as trustee to recei\e, hold and pay out the bonds, and the signing of them was ratified by the town auditors on the 3d of .April, 1871.

This road was projected and put through by three or four residents of Areola City, who, prior to the beginning of the enterprise, were pursuing the even tenor of their way as (luiet and g(jod citizens, not remarkable aliove their fellows for any more financial ability than the average. They Iniilt the road and controlled the franchises until it was consolidated.