Nelson Township

Nelson Township

This township is bounded on the east by South Dixon, on the south by Harmon, on the north and west by Rock river and Whitesides county. The soil is sandy and not so productive as in some other .portions of the county, and consequently was not settled as earl3^ The principal products are corn, wheat, oats, barley and rye. The land is nearly all tillable and devoted to grain raising. The farmers of Nelson do not devote as much of their attention to grazing and stock raising as do the people in some portions of the county. Her people are a quiet, wellto-do class of farmers, and intelligent, enterprising and patriotic. Politically the township is republican, yet as a rule her citizens are rather independent, and do not so far forget the welfare of the common country as to allow party prejudice to cause them to overlook errors and corruption simply because they exist in their own party. They do not believe in permitting a scoundrel to evade justice simply because he bears a party trade-mark. Neither do they believe that patriotism is confined to party lines. They are broad-minded enough to see that a man whose lot is cast in America, who has a home on her soil, whose father and mother lie side by side under the sod made free by patriotic blood, whose children are taught to lisp the names of Washington and Lincoln, regardless of his political opinion, is as deeply interested in the common welfare of the nation as themselves.

The earliest settler in Nelson township was Luther Stone, who came in 1836 from Erie county. New York, and located on Sec. 29. Burrel and Samuel Stone, who are still residents of the township, are sons of Luther, and shared with their father the dangers and hardships of pioneer life. In the winter of 1837 Burrel, his brother Samuel, and their father, were getting home a supply of wood from

Scott's GrovG, eight miles south of BniTel's present residence. During the father's absence with a load of wood a snowstorm of unusual severity came on. Alone in the timber, without shelter or food, the boys became alarmed and saw that something must be done or they would perish in the storm. The snow came down in such quantities as to darken the air, Tlie wind roared through the leafless branches of the forest and night was coming on. With this gloomy prospect, together with that of passing the night in the forest, filled their hearts with dismay, and they set out in a westerly direction, hoping to find a deserted cabin that stood about two miles distant. Fortunately, after a long search, the}' came in view of the shanty, which, although in a very dilapidated condition, afforded them a shelter from the merciless storm. With the aid of some tow they succeeded in making a fire with their guns, and for three days were cooped up in that gloomy prison, subsisting during their imprisonment on a coon they had shot in the forest. At the end of that time tlie storm subsided, so that they were enabled to make their way home. At another time, in the winter of 1842, Burrel was driving home from Dixon. A few scattering flakes of snow were falling when he started, which soon developed into a howling blizzard. Owing to the density of the falling snow darkness came on earlier than usual, and Burrel lost his way in the blinding storm. Knowing that if he did not keep himself and horses in motion death would be certain, he kept the horses going around in a circle until daybreak, when he found to his surprise that he was within a short distance of home.

The first supervisor of the township was Abner Coggswell. The first justices of the peace were Daniel Uhl and George Jones; first assessor, Michael Troutman ; first collector, R. Henry Heaton, all of whom were elected in 1860, in which year the town was organized.

When the rebellion broke out Nelson township furnished her quota of troops without a draft, and deserves great credit for the prompt manner in which she responded to the call of her country. She furnished troops for the 13th, S-ttli and 75th 111. regiments. The only church in the township is Zion's Evangelical Lutheran, which society was organized February 23, 18G7, M'ith 58 members. The first elders were Conrad Hartman and Daniel Uhl ; deacons, Lewis F. Long, Gerhart Missman. The first pastor was Rev. A. A. Trimper ; the second, Ephraim Miller, who was made pastor in September 1871, and served until February 20, 1875. The next pastor was the Rev. J. P. Sanderson, who was elected pastor March 29, 1875, and served until October 1877. Rev. J. W. Henderson took charge of the congregation November 1, 1877, and served until April 1, 1879. A. J. B. Kast became pastor June 15, 1877, and still presides.

The church building now occupied by the congregation was erected in 1880, at a cost of $3,500, on the land of Conrad Hartman. The present elders are Thomas Clayton and Jacob Harden, and the deacons are Gerhart Missnian and S. Gr. Cook.

Biographical

Abner Coggswell, farmer, Nelson station, son of John and Rebecca Coggswell, was born in Oneida county. New York, where he resided with his parents until 1843. In that year he came to Lee county and bought land in Sec. 30, Nelson township. Mr. Coggswell served as road commissioner four years, when Nelson and South and East Dixon townships were one, and was the first supervisor of Nelson township. He was married June 10, 1838, to Miss Phalinda Hawley, who died in 1860. He was again married in October 1861, to Mrs. Rachel Ferguson, a native of New York state. Politically he is a republican, with which party he united in its infancy.

Ueiah Grooveb, farmer, Dixon, son of George and Pheba Groover, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1818. When Uriah was nine years of age his father, with his family, removed to Berks county, where they remained nine 3'ears. In 1836 the family removed to Amherst county, Yirginia. After remaining here one year Uriah returned to Columbia county and apprenticed to a carpenter. After working two years as an apprentice he went to Danville, Montour county, where he worked at his trade until the spring of 1854. In that year he came to Dixon, where he again worked at his trade for some time. In 1857 he bought land in Dixon township, which he sold in 1865 and bought in Sec. 26, Nelson township. In 1862 his son Joseph enlisted in Co. A, T5th 111. Inf. In 1864 his son James enlisted in the 12th 111. Cav. and started to join his regiment. He was taken suddenly ill at Yicksburg and died in the hospital in November following. Mr. Groover was married in 1842, to Miss Catharine Ritzs, also a native of Columbia county. His first wife, Catharine, died in December, 1862, and in 1868 he was again married, to Elizabeth Kelly. He is the father of twelve children, nine of whom are living. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1863.

William Covert, farmer, Dixon, was born in Seneca county. New York, May 27, 1824, where he resided until fourteen years of age, when he went to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and remained about four years. At the end of that time he returned to Seneca county and remained there until 1858. In that year he came west and located in' McHenry county, Illinois, where he resided five years. He then removed to Cook county, where he remained a short time, after which he removed to Lee county and bought land in S.E. J of S.E. ^ Sec. 26, where he has since resided. He was married in 1849, to Miss Mary Geer, a native of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1856.

Charles F. Hubbard, farmer, Dixon, son of Ruggles and Catherine Hubbard, was born in New York city, in 1817. He resided with his parents in that city till nineteen years of age. He received his early education in the city, and in 1829 was sent to Bennington, Vermont, where he attended school three years, and was a class-mate of Gen. Robert Marcy and Gov. Cornell. After having completed his education he returned to the city and was engaged as clerk for an importing merchant. In 1837 he left New York for the Rocky mountains, in company with his brother-in-law, William Graham. They came from New York to Pittsburgh by canal, thence down the Ohio by steamboat to Cairo, and up the Mississippi to St. Louis, which at that time was but a struggling village in the heart of the great frontier. On their arrival at that place they found that the Santefe wagon train had departed several days before, and not caring to embark alone on a journey so full of peril, they abondoned the idea and took a boat for Galena. After remaining here a short time they went across the country to Dixon, for the purpose of spending a few days in hunting. This country at that time he describes as being a paradise, the clear, sparkling river abounding in fish. The green hills adorned with flowers of every hue formed a scene well calculated to fascinate the young travelers just out of the cit}', with its great, gloomy buildings and dusty streets. Mr. Hubbard, being desirous of making his home in this beautiful hind of flowers, purchased a claim from John Dixon in what is now the N.E. ^ Sec. 11, in Nelson township, where he cast his lot. His ])resent residence is situated on a blulf' overlooking the river, on whose banks he expects to pass the remainder of his life. Among all the many pioneers of Lee county whom the writer has interviewed we have not found one more interesting in conversation than Mr. Hubbard. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, broad-minded and liberal in his views, and possesses the respect of all who know him. He was married in 1844, to Miss Helen Graham, also a native of New York city. He is father of five children, one son and four daughters.

Samuel Stone, Rock Falls. Luther Stone, father of Samuel, was born in Massachusetts in 1795. He was married in 1817, to Miss Tamina Warren. In 183G he came to Lee county and located on the banks of Rock river, in what is now Nelson township. Here he erected a large log house, over which he presided in the capacity of landlord, keeping travelers, which were then becoming quite numerous. The names of Luther Stone's children are as follows : Willard, born in New York, February 4, 1819; married July 10, 1840; died February 13, 1841. Henry B., born January 12, 1821, in New York state; married April 27, 1851. Samuel, born December 18, 1824, in New York state; married November 3, 1843. Alonzo Stone, born March 1, 1827; died at Dixon, October 9, 1847. Savina, born January' 21, 1830 ; married March 10, 1853. Albert Stone, born March 11, 1834. Samuel Stone is one of the oldest residents in Nelson township, and his name is closely interwoven with her early history. In 1879 a large barn belonging to him, and containing fifty tons of hay and all of his machinery, was burned to the ground.

Jacob Harden, farmer, son of George and Hester Harden, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, within forty rods of Mason and Dixon's line, where he remained with his father's family until twelve years of age, when they moved to Alleghany county. Maryland. At the age of twety-nine Jacob returned to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and remained three years. He then came west and located in Lee county, purchasing land S.E. J Sec. 23 in Nelson township. In 1880 Mr. Harden was elected supervisor of the township, and reelected in 1881. He is a member of the Lutheran church, with which he united at an early age. In politics he is a democrat.

Lewis F. Long, Nelson Station, son of Henry and Elizabeth Long, born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1831, where he remained until twenty-five years of age. In 1856 he came to Lee county and located in Nelson township. In 18G5 he bought land in E. ^ N.W. ^ Sec. 28 ; since that time he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1869 Mr. Long was elected supervisor of the township, and was again elected in 1870. He was married in 1853, to Miss Sevilla Haas, a native of Pennsylvania, and is father of seven children. Mr. Long united with the Lutheran church in 1865, and since that time has been a prominent member. In politics he is a republican.

Albert Hubbard, Dixon, farmer, son of Walter and Lucinda Hubbard, was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1824, where he resided until thirty years of age. His grandfather, Judd Hubbard, was one of the pioneer settlers of Berkshire county, having located there prior to 1800. His father was one of the militia ordered to Boston in 1814 to repel an expected invasion. At the age of thirty years Albert came to Lee county and located in Nelson township; in 1879 was elected justice of the peace, which office he held two years; married in 1850, to Miss Hanna Catharine Hunter, also a native of Berkshire county ; is father of five children, four of whom are living. Politically Mr. Hubbard is a republican, having joined the party in its infancy.

Elijah Walker, Dixon, son of Peter P. H. and Sarah Walker, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1832, where he remained until twenty-seven years of age ; in 18C0 came to Lee county and bought land in !N.W. ^ of Sec. 25 ; married in 1852, to Miss Joanna Fricca, a native of Hanover, Germany, and is father of three children. Mr. Walker started out in the world with nothing, and by long years of persistent toil has accumulated a large amount of property, and is one of the model farmers of Lee county. He is in his political belief a democrat, yet is not so narrow in his opinions as to overlook wrongs in misdoings in his party, and does not hesitate to denounce such. Mr. Walker is kind and courteous among his neighbors. Liberal in his views on all questions, yet firm in his convictions, he is a citizen of merit and an ornament to the community in which he resides.

This township is bounded on the south by Hamilton, on the east by Marion, on the north by Nelson, and on the west by Whitesides county. As yet the land is not as productive as in some parts of the county, being very flat and inclined to be marshy, but as drains are being made in all parts of the township it is rapidly improving, and when thoroughly drained will be as good as the average. Owing to the sterility of the soil the township is sparsely settled, the present population not being more than about six hundred. The inhabitants are largely Irish.

In early times, owing to the numerous swamps and ponds, ducks and geese were very plentiful, and hunting was a favorite pastime among the early settlers. The first settler was John D. Rosebrook, who purchased a large tract of land in the eastern part of the township. Among the settlers who came soon after Mr. Rosebrook were Louis Hullinger, Thomas Sutton, John L. Porter and James Porter, jr. The first school-house in the township was built on Sec. 23 in 1856. The first school was held at the residence of Mrs. Tuttle and conducted by her daughter, Vienna Tuttle.

The village of Harmon, situated on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, was laid out in 1871, on land owned by A. Kenyon. The present population of the village is about three hundred. Surrounded by a wide scope of country, which, owing to the industry of its enterprising citizens, is rapidly improving, Harmon promises to become one of the thriving inland villages of Lee count3\ It has two extensive elevators, which receive large quantities of grain, tliree drygoods and grocery stores, one jewelry store, three blacksmith shops, one livery stable and one hotel, one creamery and three churches, the Methodist Episcopal, "Wesleyan Methodist and Catholic.

The Wesleyan Methodist church was accepted by the Illinois conference September 20, 18G2. The first pastor of this organization was the Rev. J. Pinkney ; Secretary, L. Wakeman ; the present pastors are the Rev. J. P. Spalding and William Clalworthy. The present membership is sixty-four. The trustees are Levi Jennes, W. L. Smith, A. Berlin.

The Methodist Episcopal society was organized in 1871. The first pastor was the Rev. Rice, whose initials the writer was unable to ascertain. The first class-leader was James Backus; the present pastor is the Rev. Edward Breen, who took charge in October 1879. In March, 1881, the following-named persons were elected as trustees for the purpose of building a church : A. B. Smith, W. E. Mechem, J. U. Fry, W. H. Kline, Daniel Swartz.

Silas Ackeet, Harmon, son of Edward and Sarah Ackert, was born in Ulster county. New York, in 1836, where he resided until nineteen years of age; he then came to Marion township, Lee county, and was there engaged in farming. After remaining there nine years he removed to Araboy and remained one year, after which he went to Woosung, Ogle county, where he worked at his trade (blacksmithing) for six years. At the end of this time he removed to Harmon township. In 1879 he was elected supervisor of the township, and reelected in 1880. Is a member of the Baptist church, with which he united in 1869. Married in 1865, to Miss Mary J. Rosebrook, a native of New Hampshire. Is father of one child. Politically Mr. Ackert is an independent, owing no allegiance to any faction or party.

George W. Hill, merchant, Harmon, son of George and Margaret Hill, was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1848. His father was here engaged in manufacturing soap. When George was fifteen years of age his father, with his family, removed to Monongahela City, where they remained three years ; at the end of that time George went to Frostburg, Maryland, and remained two years, and then came to Lee county, where he fiirmed and worked at carpentering until April 1877, when he engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business. Pie was also appointed postmaster in that year in the village of Harmon. Mr. Hill was married in"1871, to Miss Gula E. Porter, daughter of James Porter, jr., one of the early settlers of Harmon township. Mr. Hill started in business with but a few hundred dollars of borrowed capital, and by close attention to business has placed himself in good circumstances. Mr. Hill is a young man of enterprise and public spirit, and

John T. Swan, Harmon, son of James G. and Susan Swan, was born in Bureau count}', Illinois, in 1852. He remained there until twenty years of age, when he went to Peru, Illinois, and attended high school one year; at the end of that time he came to Harmon and engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business. Mr. Swan is one of the many prosperous merchants of Lee count3^ Was married in 1875, to Miss Clara Shelhamer, a native of Lee county.

Thomas Sutton, farmer, Harmon, son of Joseph and Hanna Sutton, was born on Wheeling Creek, Virginia, in 1820. At the age of five years his father, with his family, moved to a point about fifteen miles north of Zanesville, Ohio, where he resided two years; from there the}' went to Jackson county, Ohio, and remained until Thomas was seventeen. At this time they sold their farm and located in Hocking county, Ohio, and remained until 1854. In that year they removed to Lee county and bought land in the S. -| Sec. 25, Harmon township. Mr. Sutton was married in 1840, to Miss Mary Ann Petit, a native of Ohio.

Abner C. Welch, Stone Station, son of Russell and Louisa M. Welch, was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1848. In 1856 he went with his father's family to Michigan, and received his early education in Grandville, in that state. In 1865 Abner removed to Lee county, and began farming in ISTeison township, where he remained until 1875, when he removed to Harmon township and bought land in section 6. In 1878 he embarked in the grain and stock business at Stone Station, at which he has since been engaged. He was married in 1870, to Miss Ada Stone, a native of Lee county.

Wilson E. Meohem, farmer, Harmon, son of John and Abigail Mechem, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, where he resided until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he removed to Magnolia, Putnam county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade (carpenter) for three years, after which he went to Marshall county and resided there from 1854 to 1868 ; in that year he removed to Petis county, Missouri, and remained five years, then returned to Marshall county and remained three years. He then removed to Lee county and bought land in sections 22 and 27, in Harmon township. Mr. Mechem is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1870. He was married December 31, 1851, to Miss Rhoda Simson, a native of Ohio.

Lewis Hullinger, farmer, Stone Station, son of Frederic and Catharine Hullinger, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1820. When Lewis was seventeen years of age his father's family re- moved to Baltimore county, Maryland, where they remained about five years. At the end of this time they went to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, At the age of fourteen Lewis was apprenticed to a blacksmith at a place called Flint Stone, in Alleghany county, Maryland. He served five years' apprenticeship, after which he embarked in business alone. He carried on a shop at Polish Mountain, three and a half miles east of Flint Stone, for four years. From that place he removed to Mount Savage, in the same county, where he remained until the spring of 1855. In that year he came to Lee county and bought land in S.W. ^ Sec. 7, in Harmon township. Mr. Hullinger was married in 1847, to Miss Susan Long, a native of Pennsylvania, and is the father of nine children, six of whom are living. He is the present supervisor of the township.

W. H. Allen, farmer. Stone Station, son of John and Mercy Allen, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, July 18, 1824. The family remained there until William was ten years of age, when they removed to Erie county, New York, where they remained until 1839. In that year William, actuated by a desire to see some of the sights and wonders of the boundless West, left home and started on a journey toward the setting sun. Before his return he traveled over nearl}^ all of the United States east of the Mississippi from Canada to New Orleans. After an absence of two vears he returned to his old New England home and attended school three years at Dartmouth. In 1847 he sailed as a common hand on a merchant vessel that left the port of New York bound for Yera Cruz, and was in sight of that famous old city during the bombardment. From Yera Cruz he returned to New Orleans and was there made captain of a vessel engaged in the coasting trade, and was engaged in that business for several years. In 1848 he again returned to New Bedford and remained there until 1852. In that year he sailed on a whaling vessel, occupying the position of first mate. On the first voyage he was absent two years, during which time he was in nearly all of the important seaport towns in the woi'ld. Mr. Allen has in his possession a large diary, or sailor's log-book, kept by himself during his life on the ocean wave, containing sketches descriptive of the people he saw in the difierent countries he visited, also containing descriptions of the countries, records of ever}'- storm encountered, of every whale captured, etc. In perusing this time-worn book the writer found sketches dated at Melbourne, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Gibralter, and many places of historical interest, among which was some notes written at the island of St. Helena. While here Mr. Allen visited the burial-place of the dead conqueror, who had once electrified the world by his brilliant military movements, and who ended his days on that lone, barren isle with no loving hand to caress him, no voice to bid liim a last farewell, save that of the wild waves as they dashed against the bleak and rocky shore. Mr. Allen spent abont fourteen years of his life on the sea, and has now changed his occupation from that of plowing the billowy deep to that more humble and less exciting vocation of tilling the soil. He came to Lee county in 1864 and bought land in N.W. ^ of Sec. 18, Harmon township. He was married in 1859, to Miss Caroline Dean, also a native of Massachusetts.

Abraham Berlin, farmer, Harmon, son of Abraham and Maria Berlin, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, where he remained until fifteen years of age. His father died in 1847. In 1853 Abraham came with his mother to Stephenson county, Illinois, where they resided two years and then removed to Bureau county, Illinois. They resided in that county five yeai's, and then came to Lee county and bought land in S.W. J Sec. 26. Mr. Berlin is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church, with which he united in 1865; was married in 1863, to Miss Nancy Jane Swan, a native of Kentucky, and is the father of five children.

Asa B. SMrrn, farmer, Harmon, son of Obediah and Lorena Smith, was born in Norwich county, Connecticut, in 1822, where he resided until twenty-one years of age. His father was engaged in the clothing business in New London, but as Asa's tastes did not run in that direction he was apprenticed to a stone-cutter at an early age, and served until the fall of 1843. In the spring of 1844 he went into the city of Buffalo, where he worked five years at his trade. At the end of that time he went to farming, and was engaged in tilling the soil until 1855. In February of that year he came to Lee county and located in Dixon township, where he was for three years engaged in burning lime and afterward in farming. In the spring of 1861 he removed to Ogle county and remained there until January of the same year, when he returned to Dixon township, and was engaged in farming and ferrying until the spring of 1865, when he moved to Harmon township, and since that time has been a prominent citizen of that township. Mr. Smith was married in January 1846, to Miss Sarah M. Rogers, a native of Erie county. New York, and is the father of three children, two sons and one daughter. In 1871 was elected justice of the peace, which oflice he held for a period of ten years. Politically Mr. Smith is a democrat, although quite liberal in his views on all questions, and a very desirable citizen in any community.

Jesse IIetler, farmer, Dixon, the son of Nathan and Catherine (Kulp) IIetler, was born in the township of Dixon, on April 27, 1839. His father migrated from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, to Dixon, and was one of the oldest settlers in the township ; when he came to

Dixon there were only three log-houses in the city. Jessie received his education at the old Bend school-house, and worked on his father's farm till the age of twenty-four, when he married Miss Mary E. Beal, daughter of Mr. John Beal, of South Dixon, now of Iowa, in which latter state Mr. Hetler lived for seven years after his marriage. Returning to Palmyra, Lee county, he bought a farm of 160 acres, which he cultivated successfully for five years, when he sold it and bought in J^elson township, December 1, 1879, a homestead of 156 acres, which to-day ranks among the best farms in the township, and on which he now dwells. His family consists of two boys and three girls, named John T. Imogene, Alice Amanda, Nathan and Catherine, aged respectively sixteen, fourteen, twelve, eight and six years. Mr. Hetler is a member of the temperance organization. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln.

This originally included T. 21 and half of 22, R. 11 E., of the 4th P.M. Its limits remained unchanged till the separation of the north half-township in the organization of Ashton township in 1861.

The first meeting was held April 1850, at the house of Ralph B. Evitts; Elisha Pratt, chairman, and Thomas S. Hiilbert, secretary. Charles Starks was duly elected moderator and T. S. Hulbert, clerk, and both were sworn by Geo. E, Haskell, justice of the peace. The town was divided into three road districts. A fence law was passed. Charles Starks was elected supervisor, receiving 27 votes ; Ira Brewer, town clerk, 19 votes ; E. W. Starks, assessor, 18 votes ; Samuel S. Starks, collector, 29 votes ; Ralph B. Evitts, overseer of the poor, 20 votes ; Sherman Shaw, Stephen Clink and George Yale, highway commissioners, 29, '26 and 28 votes respectively ; Samuel S. Starks and Daniel Barber, constables, 27 votes each; Elisha Pratt and Lafayette Yale, justices of the peace, 24 and 21 votes respectively. Jesse Woodruff was nominated and elected as the defendant and prosecutor of suits of law and equity where the town is interested. On motion it was voted that the next meeting be held at R. B. Evitts'. Meetings were held at private houses till 1856, when a meeting was held in the schoolhouse at Ogle Station (now the village of Ashton).

Bradford is an excellent township for farming. About three sections in the southeast corner consist of marsh or swamp land, used only for pasturing. Sec. 5, and a little adjoining land, is flat; the rest of the township is probably equal in natural productiveness to any other equal portion of Lee county. The land is in a good state of culture and mostly well improved. The inhabitants are German by a wood majority. Nearly all of the first occupants of the town, nearl}' all, settled in Lee Center, and thence spread out over the prairie north. Some made their claims as soon as they arrived in this locality; others lived at the "Inlet" a year or two before making an}' claim, l^early all worked their claims before settling on ftliem and building. Mr. Whitmore and Sherman Sliaw were the first to build houses within the limits of Bradford. The house of the former was standing as early as the spring of 1839, on land now owned by Mrs. Schott, in the western part of the township. In 1810 Sliaw built a frame house on the N.E. corner of Sec. 31. This building is still standing. Egbert Shaw is said to have been the first white child born within the township. Omen Hillison's house was built soon after those mentioned. Several claims were made in 1839, and but few, if any, befoi*e. In 1838 Charles Starks came to Inlet Grove, and the next year claimed the E. -ij-jST.W. ^ of Sec. 33, and the W. ^ N.E. ^ of the same section. About this time the Whipples claimed a short distance north of here. Starks at once began breaking his claim, and built and moved on to it in 1842. In 1839 George and Milo Yale claimed the JST.W. J Sec. in Bradford. In 1843 their father, N. C. Yale, moved from Franklin Grove to where Jacob Schmucker lives. Sec. 1. Before 1843 Jesse Woodruif settled on Sec. 33, R. B. Evitts on Sec. 39, and at about this time C. Bowen settled north of Bowen on the same section, and Stephen Clink built the stone house on the place where Y. Hicks lives. Sec. 33. As early as 1845 John Hotzel was keeping what might be called a bachelor's hall in a slab shanty on the E. A- S.W. ^ of Sec. 31, claimed by him two or three years before. Hillison also was for several years a bachelor in Bradford, and lived in a sod house on the prairie before he put up his frame house. In 1843 Elias Hulbert claimed the S. -J- S.E. ^ of Sec. 19, and moved on to it in the fall of the same year. John Owen was an early settler on what is now known as Bradford street.

Many of the first occupants vi-ere from Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and from this circumstance the town took its name. Lewis Clapp located quite a number of land warrants at an early period ; and much land was bought with money furnished by him to parties many of whom would otherwise have been unable to purchase so soon as they did. It may be justly said of Mr. Clapp that directly or indirectly he did more than any other man for the early development of this township. As it now is it presents an appearance of thrift and abundance. Its population is industrious and peaceful. The town is not thickly settled, many of the fai-ms being quite large. Inlet swamp covers Sec. 36, nearly all of 35 and 35, besides a little of 24 and 34 in the southeastern part ; this has no dwellings upon it.

Bradford. The eight school-buildings are fully an av^erage of the country school-house, and doubtless the Instruction given in them is not materially different from work generally done in the country school ; and yet the writer cannot dispossess himself of the idea that an ov^er industry or greed for "eighties" and "forties" possesses many of the foreign-born farmers, to the serious detriment of their children, in that mental culture is lacking.

As earlj^ as 1850 meetings of the Evangelical cliurch of Bradford were held at the house of John Hotzel, just over the line in China, nearl}^ opposite William Ross' place. Hotzel had a room fitted up for the purpose, and a Sundaj^-school was also started. These were the first German meetings in the county. The preachers came from Perkins' Grove, Bureau county : McLean was the first, William Kolp was the next. Reinhart Grass, John Aschenbrenner, John Hotzel and his family, members of the families of C. Reinhart and Conrad Hotzel were among the original members. In 1859 a church was built on Sec. 17 at a cost of $1,300. In 1874 an addition was made and a steeple erected at a further cost of $2,700, making the total about $4,000. The present membership is sixty, all but two of whom live in Bradford township. The Sunday-school numbers 125 pupils and 18 offices and teachers. The present pastor is Adam Goetshel, who has charge of this and another church in Reynolds township. These are in the Ashton circuit and Mendota district. All services are in the German tongue. The trustees of this church are Reinhart Grass, Peter Eisenberg, Nicholas Killmer, William Ross, and Charles Krug. The first trustees were C. Reinhart, R. Grass, and John Aschenbrenner.

There are two cemeteries within the limits of Bradford. One is on Sec. 29, on the southwest corner of the southeast quarter. Here between forty and fifty have been interred. The earliest inscription, October 25, 1842, is on the stone over the grave of Mrs. Hannah Hulbert. Here are the graves of Omen Hillison, who died June 21, 1853 ; Lucretia Sawyer, wife of C. Sawj-er, June 20, 1848 ; Sarah A., wife of John Methorn, January 21, 1857; Lurany, wife of Elislia Pratt, April 9, 1858, aged sixty-eight years ; Eliza A., wife of R. B. Evitts, February 28, 1877, aged sixty-eight years, six months and twenty-eight days; Stephen Clink, August 5, 1858, aged fifty years and ten months; Susannah, daughter of M. W. and L. A. Welden, August 17, 1818, aged nineteen years and four months. The other is on Sec. 15, a little north of C. Gehant's house. There have not been so many burials here as in the former, having been opened later, and these are chiefly of foreigners.

Thomas S. Hulbert, Charles D. Hart, Yalentiue Hicks, C. F. Starks, and George Hulbert were the incorporators. It was to be styled " The Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Bradford, in the county of Lee." At the first meeting, held I^ovember 1869, fifty-four applications were received, and fifty-one were approved and signed. Since its organization the company has had but three losses, amounting to $2,440. It has had no loss for two years. The number of policies in force December 31, 1880, was 440, amounting to $592,190. About twenty policies have since been written, making the total I'isk at this writing (July 1881) about $620,000. These policies are held chiefly in Lee county, in the north and eastern parts. A few are held in Bureau and Ogle counties. The ofiicers of the company are Ira Brewer, Samuel Dysart, George A. Lyman, C. D. Hart, William Y. Jones, R. Grass, William Ross, managers; Ira Brewer, president; Samuel Dysart, secretary ; C. D. Hart, treasurer ; William Y. Jones, general agent.

William S. Feost, farmer, Lee Center, was born in October 1832. His father, Daniel Frost, was born in New Hampshire in 1799. Eulalia Frost, his mother, was born in Maine in 1798. In 1837 Daniel Frost emigrated from Maine to Illinois. Leaving his family in Morgan county, he came to Lee county and built a log house about half a mile north and east of the Binghamton mill in Amboy township. The following spring the family came on, and in the fall of 1838 they settled on a place about a mile and a half east of Lee Center. In 1852 Mr. Frost moved into the village of Lee Center, where he lived till his death, October 1868. His wife, Eulalia Frost, died May 6, 1875. Of his eight children six survive him, Charles, Elizabeth (Mrs. Smith), Lydia (Mrs. Salsbury), A¥illiam S., Silas D. and Marcia (Mrs. McKay). Mary (Mrs. Gilmore) died October 1865; Almira died March 1875. In the winter of 1853-4 William Frost went to California and returned in the fall of 1858. In the following spring he went again to California, overland, and remained till tlie summer of 1861, when he came home by way of Panama. At this point of his journey he heard of the battle of Bull Run. In May, 1862, he began raising a company, which was mustered at Dixon in June. On or about June 1 Mr. Frost received his commission as captain of Co. E, 75th 111. Inf. This was a full company from Sublette and Lee Center. Frank Ells was first lieutenant. The companj^ left their camp at Dixon September 27, 1862, and were first engaged at Perryville October 8. Here Co. E lost heavily: eleven were killed, twenty-six wounded, and two taken prisoners ; Lieutenant Ells was killed and Captain Frost wounded.

The latter was removed to the New Albany, Indiana, hospital, where he remained two months. He joined his company in the battle of Stone river. He was in the engao^ements at Liberty Gap and Chicamaiiga. In October, 1863, the 75th was assigned to the 3rd brigade, 1st division, 4th Army Corps, General William Grose commanding.

Capt. "William S. Frost was with his company in the battles ot Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and through to Atlanta, before which city he was wounded July 23, 1864, in consequence of which he was in hospital at Lookout Mountain till October, and then was sent home. He was mustered out February 23, 1865, at Cincinnati, Ohio, because of physical disabilities. In November, 1865, he married Sophia E. Shaw, daughter of Sherman Shaw. Their issue are Frank E., born November 3, 1866 ; Silas D., February 3, 1871 ; William S., September 22, 1872; Melinda S., February 11, 1868; Mary A., June 27, 1878. Mr. Frost is now living on Sec. 28, where James Phillips settled, having bought him out in 1871. He has a farm of 400 acres in Sees. 27 and 28. In 1873 he was burned out ; but built again immediately, and two years ago completed his residence, at a cost of $4,000. He is chiefly engaged in the raising of and trading in stock. He is a Mason, and for several years has been supervisor of Bradford. We wish him all the success that his generous nature deserves.

Ira Brewer, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, in 1820. He is the son of Jonas B. and Betsey (Miller) Brewer, of English ancestry. His father was a farmer and he was reared to the same occupation. After he was ten years old he received but four terms of schooling of three months each. In 1842 he was married to Mary Phillips, who was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, November 1822. In the following year he and his wife came west, arriving in Lee Center in June 1843. Here they lived in a house previously occupied by Charles Starks, on the place now owned by Alva De Wolf The same year Mr. Brewer bought from O. W. Wright a claim, W i N.W. I of Sec. 32, Bradford township, for $40 in trade ; also the E. -| N.E. J of Sec. 31, from Sturdevant, for which, with ten acres of timber at "the grove," he paid $100. He afterward entered both these claims. In 1845 he build a house, 19x24 feet, on his claim, about one hundred rods north of his present dwelling, which is situated on the E. i: S.E. J of Sec. 31, having built the latter in 1859. Mr. Brewer now owns 270 acres in Bradford, Sees. 31 and 32, and a large tract in Lee Center township, on Sees. 3, 16, 17 and 23. He has had six children, four of whom are living: Louisa, born March 30, 1846 ; George W., April 25, 1848 ; Ella J., December 11, 1849; Clara A., August 16, 1852; Luna C, August 22, 1854; and

Mary Jane (deceased, aged ten months). Clara A., wife of B. Starks, died October 24, 1872. Mrs. Brewer was the oldest in a family of eight. Her fi^ther died in Massachusetts and her mother in Chippewa county, Wisconsin, at the residence of her youngest son. Two of Mrs. Brewer's brothei"s were in the Kansas struggle. One was killed there in 1856 and the other lost an arm. In politics Mr. Brewer is a greenback republican. He was the first town clerk of Bradford, and for several years was supervisor. He with his tamily belongs to the Congregational church. He has in his possession several valuable relics: one is a powder-horn used in one of the early Indian wars, another is a continental dollar "Printed by Hall &; Sellers 17T5." Mrs. Brewer has an old Gaelic bible brought to this country by her grandfather McCulIum more than one hundred years ago. On the lirst cover are written these words: " Malcum McCullum augh this book 1772. I am eighteen years old 1772. I have five brethren and tne sisters." On the next page is written: "Malcum McCullum is my name ; Bradalban is my nation ; Ardchoie is my dwelling place, my boui habitation 1771. Malcum McCnllum augh this new testament." On the title-page is inscribed: "Le Balfour, Auld, agus Smellie, M,DCC,LXVII." The book is in a good state of preservation, the only disfigurement being the marks of a wetting it received on its voyage from Scotland. But for lack of space the writer would gladly testify to the many excellent qualities of the subjects of this sketch.

LoKiN T. "Wellman, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, in 1821. He is the son of David and Abagail (Taylor) Wellman. His father was descended from one of two brothers who came from England about two hundred years ago. David Wellman came with his parents to Pennsylvania from Connecticut about 1808. Jacob Wellman, the grandfather of our subject, was all through the revolutionary war. In 1840 the latter married Waity Hopkins, of ISTew York state, and in 1848 came to Lee county, and at first lived about one and a half miles west of the village of Lee Center, and subsequently in the village. His father settled at the same time in Du Page county, Illinois. In 1852 Lorin Wellman located a land warrant on the jST.E. ^ N.E. J of Sec. 27, for his father, and at the same time the IST.W. of Sec. 23 for himself. In the meantime he followed the mason's trade till 1856, when he bought liis father's property and moved to where he is now living. David Wellman having moved to Bradford in 1853, and died in August 1855. Mr. Wellman owns 240 acres of land in Bradford, and an improved farm of 219 acres in Lee Center township. Lie and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Mason and a republican, but was a staunch democrat till the democratic platform of 1856 was formulated. His family consisted of Charles H., William (deceased, aged seventeen years), Dennis, Truman E., Seth A. and Ida M. The first and third of these are married and living in Kansas. Seth A. is married and lives in Indiana. Ida M. is the wife of German Lewis. Truman E. Well man died in 1864, in his twenty-second year. He was a dwarf, and during his entire life was a sufferer from chronic humors and erysipelas. ISTotwithstanding his great affliction, he was remarkably intelligent and sprightly, and will long be remembered by all who knew him.

Harlow A. Williamsok, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in Addison county, Vermont, January 8, 1830 ; son of Samuel and Sibyl (Delong) Williamson, both of Yermont. Their ancestors were early English settlers in that state. Harlow Williamson was the son of a farmer, and one of a family of four boj^s and three girls, all of whom are west, except one brother, who lives on the homestead in Yermont. The subject of this sketch came to Lee county in 1850 ; worked around by the month four years. He bought the N.W. J Sec. 21, Bradford township, from Lewis Clapp, and in 1853 built a house. He now owns a farm of 180 acres with good buildings. His house, built since "the war," cost him not less than $3,000. In 1857 he married Emeline S. Starks, of Lee county. Their family consists of two adopted children, Harry and Katie Belle, aged fourteen and seven years respectively. Mr. W. is a republican in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Lee Center Congregational church. He is a careful farmer, and his place presents a tasteful and thrifty appearance.

Philip Runyan, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1818; son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Swisher) Runyan, both of Pennsylvania. His mother's people were from Yirginia, and his paternal grandfather was a native of New Jersey. Philip was the eldest in a family of twelve, ten of whom are living. He was raised a farmer, and enjoyed the benefits of a common schooling. He was married March 28, 1844, to Elizabeth Savage, born September 8, 1819. Their issue are Anna, born February 1, 1847; Esther, November 8, 1850 ; Elizabeth, September 10, 1854. In 1849 Mr. Runyan located a land warrant on the W. ^ N.E. i, S.E. ^ KE.^, and S.E. i 'N.W. i of Sec. 7, Bradford township, and in 1859 came from Pennsylvania and settled on the same. He has since improved this land, and his buildings have cost at least $4,000. Mr. Runyan and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Franklin Grove Masonic Lodge No. 264, and is also a Royal Arch Mason, Nathan Whitney Chapter. Though a democrat, Mr. Runyan has for many years held office in a strong republican township. He has been a justice of the peace since 1862, and town clerk since If

Peter Eisenbeeg, farmer, Ashtoii, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1831 ; son of Asman and Christine (Sebrar) Eisenberg. His father served thirty years in the German army ; was in the battles of Waterloo and Metz, in the latter of which he was wounded. In 1852 our subject, with his father and mother and their family, sailed from Bremen to New York, and arriv^ed in Lee county in December of the same year. The family settled on Sec. 23, Bradford township, and bought the E. ^ N.E. ^ from Lewis Clapp, and subsequently forty acres in Sec. 10. Mr. Eisenberg now owns ten acres more than a section of land, and lives on the N.W. ^ Sec. 23. His father died in 1872 ; his mother is living with him. He was married July 1, 1855, to Catherine Bower. Their family consists of nine children : Christine (wife of John Fauble), George, John, William, Henry, Adam, Mina, Mary, Emma. Mr. Eisenberg is a republican, and with his family belongs to the Evangelical church of Bradford.

Luther Baldwin, farmer, Ashton, son of Joseph and Polly (Smith) Baldwin, was born June 22, 1820, in Connecticut. Here his father and mother were born, the former in 1797, the latter in 1796. These parents had a ftimily of ten children, eight of whom, with the mother, are living. Different researches trace the lineage of the family to several Baldwin brothers who landed in New York at an early day. In 1849 Luther Baldwin married Nancy Talmage, of Connecticut, by whom he has six children : Poll}' Ann, Sarah J., Joseph W., Esther, Phoebe, and Charles H. In 1852 Mr. Baldwin came to Lee Center, where he lived three months ; thence to Ralph Evitt's, and in the spring of 1853 he located a land warrant on the E. -J of S.W. ^ and S.W. i of S.W. ^ Sec. 14, Bradford township. Here he has since lived, having built the following fiill, and subsequently improved the farm. He is a republican and Odd-Fellow, and a member of the Ashton Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs.

Mrs. Catherine E. Aschenbrennek, Lee Center, one of the most prominent characters in the history of Bradford, was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1832. Her parents were Christian and Christine (Denhart) Reinhart. She is the eldest in a family of six, five of whom survive. Christian Reinhart was twelve years a soldier in the German army, and in 1845 came to New York with his family ; thence to Chicago, and from there with an ox team to Lee county. The next year they rented a farm owned by Othro Wright, now A. DeWolf 's farm, and from here they went to China township, to where Andrew Reinhart now lives. Mr. Reinhart got eighty acres of government land and subsequently eighty from Lewis Clapp. Here he settled and lived till his death in 1865, at which time he was the owner of nearly 500 acres of land. Their first year in America was a hard one for the family. The father was taken sick in cradling time and was confined to his bed for many months. His wife and Catherine, his daughter, worked veiy hard to support the family and pay doctor bills. They cleaned grain, husked corn, and dug potatoes in early winter. Nothing by which they could earn a little was considered too hard. In ISTovember 13, 1849, Catherine Reinhart was married to Omen Hillison, born December 14, 1814. He was an early settler in Bradford, and at first lived in a sod house. His frame house was quite conspicuous in an early day, and was seen over the naked prairie by the Reinharts at Melugin's Grove on their way out from Chicago. The fruits of this union were Henry W. and Betsey, born September 12, 1850, and October 11, 1852, respectively. Mr. Hillison died June 21, 1853, from sunstroke. He was a native of ISTorway ; he came to America in 1835, and for a few years was a coast sailor. He is held in grateful remembrance by all of the early settlers, man}' of whom first found shelter under his roof on their arrival here. His widow was married, October 1, 1854, to John Aschenbrenner. Three children are their ofi'spring : Christian, Reinhart, and Andrew. About 1870 Mrs. Aschenbrenner paid her husband $7,000 for all the realty in his name, and they parted. She has since obtained a divorce. She now owns 360 acres in Bradford, 131 in Brooklyn, and a large tract in Iowa. She has given two of her sons 160-acre farms. Her mother died in 1870.

Reinhaet Giioss, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1829 ; son of John and Martha (Schnider) Gross. His mother died when he was six or seven years old, and his father two or three years later. The latter was nine years a German soldier. In 1847 R. Gross came to America with Jacob Reiss, in whose family he lived from his father's death till he was of age, at which time he went to work for John Hotzel, continuing in his service four years. In 1853 he married Martha Reinhart. He began farming for himself on eighty acres in Sec. 24, China township, on which he lived till 1867, when he moved to Bradford, N.E. -J Sec. 19, and built on the west half of the same. His farm is well improved, the buildings having cost him about $5,000. To the above quarter section he added the W. ^ of S.E. i Sec. 18. He also owns an improved farm of 150 acres in Sec. 15, and eighty acres in Sec. 24. His children are : Christian, Lizzie, Catherine (deceased), Henry, Mary, and Emma. The family are members of the Evangelical church of Bradford, of which Mr. Gross is a trustee. His eldest sister lives in Germany, and a brother and sister are living in Iowa.

Ontone Reinhaet, farmer, Franklin Grove, was born May 13, 1840, in Hesse-Cassel, Germany. He is the son of C. Reinhart, who gave him a good education. The first land he owned was eighty acres in China township, now owned by Andrew, his brother. This land was entered by Lewis Clapp, and afterward bonght from him by the father of our subject. In ISfil Ontone Reinhart married Catherine Kersten. About this time he sold his land in China and bought from Samuel Crawford the E. ^ of S.E. J Sec. 18, Bradford township. This he broke up and built on it the same year. He now owns 360 acres in Sees. 18, 19 and 20, Bradford, and 45 acres of wood land in Lee Center. His property is highly valuable, there being but little, if any, better land in Lee county. In two of his pastures there is living water. Mr. Reinhart has a family of nine children : Henry, Andrew. Charles, Lizzie, Martha, Gust, Lena, George, and Christian. Henry is married and lives in Bradford.

Berghakdt Albrecht, farmer, Ashton, was born Febi'uary 10, 1839, in Hesse Cassel, Germany; son of George and Christine Albrecht, who had a family of eight children. The former was in the German military service six or seven years. In 1855 the subject of this sketch leit his native land, both of his parents being dead, and arrived in Lee county June 19. For nine years he worked for Adam Schuhart, Bradford, and during the last year of his service there he was married to Martha Kersten, by whom he has had nine children : Martha, Ontone, Kate, Marcus, Charles, Mary, Clara. Two died, aged one year and eighteen months respectively. After his marriage Mr. Albrecht farmed rented land four years in Bradford, and then bought 160 acres in Reynolds, S.E. ^ Sec. 17, from Mr. Baden. Here he lived six years, when he sold out to George Kersten, and bought from the administrators of his deceased brother John's estate the farm he now owns in Bradford. This consists of tiie N. |- of S.E. J and the S.E. i of ]Sr.E. ^ Sec. 19. Mr. Albrecht and his family are members of the Ashton Lutheran church. He had always voted the republican ticket till the last presidential election. He is interested in the education of his family much more than are the majority of the German people in this vicinity.

Edward W. Pomeroy, farmer, Lee Center, was born in Northampton, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, in 1823. His parents were Elihu and Miriam (Wright) Pomeroy, both of the same state and of English ancestry. His father was a cooper, but he was raised a farmer. He received a good education. In 1844 he came west to Princeton, Illinois, and remained there from August till the following February; thence he came to Lee Center. He lived with Mr. Ira Brewer three years. In the meantime he bought from S. Shumway a claim to the W. i of N.W. 1 Sec. 31, Bradford, where he is now living. In 1848 he bought the Alva DeWolf farm, Lee Center township, but soon sold it. About this time he bought an "eighty" on Sec. 30. This is land now owned by William Ross and J. Cronibie. It was here that Mr. Pomeroy began housekeeping, having married, in 1852, Lora J. Adams, of Steuben county, New York. In 1856 he sold this land, built on his first claim, and moved to his present home. Since then he has farmed but little. For several years he was buying and shipping hogs and cattle. In 1868 he went into partnership with Lewis Clapp, in a gristmill, at Northampton, Massachusetts. Mr. Pomeroy has owned this mill since the death of Mr. Clapp in 1880. In an early day our subject drove a breaking team and run a threshing machine for several years. In 1846 he and J. H. Gardner bought the first reaper used in the vicinity. It was a " McCormick," brought from near Rochester, New York. This machine was first tried in a piece of winter wheat, and many came from all around to see it work. In 1852 Mr. Pomeroy raised the first crop of timothy seed marketed from this section of country. It consisted of 150 bushels, which he hauled to Aurora and shipped from there to Chicago by rail, receiving for it $1.75 per bushel. His family consists of two daughters and one son : Mary, Lucy, and Edwin. The former were educated at Rockford, Illinois. Marj^ is the wife of Henry Wright, and is living in Massachusetts. Mr. Pomeroy is a republican, and was formerl}^ an Odd-Fellow.

Source changes here: from History of Lee County, Illinois, by Stevens, Frank Everett, published 1914; 834 words in this source stream.

Nelson Township

Superficially, Nelson is a small township; but in everything that makes for progress, good citizenship and home making, Nelson is of the largest. Always intensely loyal to its neighbor, Dixon, much of its history is so closely identified with Dixon's that I fear, one nuist look into Dixon's history to get Nelson's history.

While referring to Nelson's loyalty to Dixon, I should say that when it became necessary to enlarge the old first courthouse and make it over into our second courthouse, the burden as usual fell upon Dixon to meet the expense. The county board refused to consider the proposal of enlai'gement. Amboy always awake to its opportunity to wrest from Dixon that county scat oi)posed and so it became necessary for Dixon to shoulder the expense. The burden was heavy and in a manner si;perbly generous, Nelson township cheerfully consented to assume responsibility for part of the debt incurred in the enterprise. Accordingly a tax was voluntarily spread and collected. The Northwestern road passes through Nelson t<:iwnship in a southwesterly course, entering section twelve and leaving through section nineteen. On section twenty the village of Nelson was platted. For years it remained contented with the ordinary routine of village life. No aspirations for big things ever appealed to its few substantial citizens, but when the cut off was made between Nelson and Nachusa, Nelson took on considei'able commercial importance, because 1:)efore that time a few years, the bi'auch southward from Nelson to Peoria had been built and the two roads made of Nelson a center of importance. Recently Avhen the Northwestern pushed its road farther into the coal fields. Nelson as a railroad center was placed in a commanding position. Into Nelson there come for distribution over the entire system, over 800 carloads of coal per day to say nothing of the other cars of general merchandise.

The first settler of Nelsuu tuwusliip was Luther Stone who came iu 1836 fi'om Erie county, New I'ork, and made his claim on section 29. His sous, Burrill and Samuel Stone came with their father and shared all his hardships. Abuer Coggswell settled there in 1843. Charles ¥. Hubbard came there in 1837. Lewis Brauer, Nathan Morehouse and Charles Noble, father of Charles H. and Col. Henr}- T. Noljle were among the other early settlers of Nelson. Mr. Charles F. Hubbard, one of the most conspicuous, like many others came to Leo county through an accident.

In company with his Ijrother-in-law, William Graham, he started for the Rocky mountains. These two young men went from New Y^ork to Pittsburg, thence down the Ohio river to Cairo ; thence up the Mississippi to St. Louis which was to be their point of debarkation for the mountains. But ujDon reaching there they foiuid the Sante Fo wagon train had gone and no other train would depart for a long while. The Rock river country had a great reputation at the time and so they turned their course northward and came to Dixon. Buying a claim from John Dixon, they settled on the south bank of Rock river and there Mr. Hubbard lived until the day of his death, on the northeast quarter of section 11, the bluff of which overlooks the river for a long distance.

The Hul)bards and the Grahams and the Bayleys and the Lawi-ences, living on opposite sides of the river were i^eople of rare intelligence and education. The_v all were people of means. I suppose one might not offend the truth to style them aristocrats. In point of l)reeding, gentility, refinement and culture, they certainly were citizens of the very first rank. No better ever entered the confines of I^ee county. Nelson l)eing oiiginally a part of Dixon precinct, I must ask the reader to consult Dixon hivstory to secure very much of Nelson's history.

The first supervisor of the towushi]i was Al^ner Cogswell". The first justices of the peace Avere Daniel LThl and George Jones. The first assessor was Michael Troutman. The first collector was R. Henry Heatoii. all of whom were elected in 1860 the year the townshi}) was set off and organized.

Nelson was the home of (iraiidma AVeed, who while alive enjoyed the (listincticm of being the oldest of the five generations of Heatons, li\ing at one time. Slie Avas lO."^ years old. Following came (Jrandfather Heaton : his sou. Judge William W. Heatou : liis son, Dwight Heatou and his sou, Cliarles.

The leading and I may say the only eliureh in Nelson township isZion's Evangelical church, Lutheran, which was organized Feb. 23, 1867, with tifty-eight nieml^ers. The tirst elders were Conrad Hartnian and Daniel Uhl ; the tirst deacons were Lewis F. Long and Gerhart Missman. The first pastor was Rev. A. A. Trimper, the Dixon Lutheran minister. The second pastor was Ephraim Miller, who assumed his duties there in 1871. In 1875, Rev. J. P. Sanderson followed. In the year 1877, Rev. J. W. Henderson assumed charge and in 1879, Rev. J. B. Kast became pastor.