New Boston Township (part 4 of 6)

Thomas S. Cl'mmins, justice of the peace, notary, and insurance agent. Keithsburg. was born February 23, 1836, in Xew Concord, Muskingum county, Ohio, and was the son of Dayid'R. and Sarah (Speer) Cummins. In 1851 the family sold their home and embarked at AVlieeling, Virginia, and came by riyer transportation to Keithsburg. arriving in April. They liyed that summer in Ohio Groye township, where Mr. Cummins had an uncle, Richard Cummins, who had emigi'ated as early as 1836 and was one of the first settlers. Most of the family fell sick of the ague, and getting dissatisfied with the country, returned in the fall to Ohio. They remained there but two weeks, when they turned their faces again to the west and came to Granyille. Putnam county, Illinois. Xext summer their experience with ague was repeated, and when autumn came they were so much disheartened by the gloomy situation and prospect that they went back again to their old home in Ohio, where they I'emained till 1851. That year they came to Keithsburg, this time by team, and Mr. Cummins has liyed in Mercer county since. He was engaged from that time till 1866 as warehouseman and shipping clerk. From that year till 1873 he was constable ; he was then elected justice of the peace and has held the office continuously until this time. He has been notary public since 1871 ; township clerk since 1873, excepting in the year 1877, and yillage clerk the last two years. In 1871 he began doing an insurance business, and now represents the Home company of New York. His marriage with Miss Martha Knight was celebrated Sej^tember 3. 1857. Their two daughters are Mary Etta and Maggie Belle. The former is the wddow of John M. Wade, recently deceased ; she and her mother are communicants in the Methodist church. Mr. Cummins has always taken much interest in local politics and is a liberal-minded -democrat.

Ai.yis Hardin was born in Mercer county, Illinois, September 20, 1852. He is the son of B. F. and Minerya Hardin. He was married to Miss Xettie Doak January 1, 1882. Mrs. Hardin is the daughter of Matthew and Sarah A. Doak. Mr. Hardin is a farmer.

Kkithsiurg Townshii'

In tlie fall of 1853 Ciiarle-s J. Simpson came from Ohio and permanently located in the village of Keithsburg, where he now enjoys the comforts of a jDleasant home, lie was born in Preble county, Ohio, Feb. ruary 22, 1823. He is a son of Aaron and Hannah (Smith) Simpson, who were natives of Xew Jersey, and are of Scotch and English ancestry. He was bred a farmer. May 2, 1814, he married Barbara, daughter of John and Dorothea (Mowen) Beaver. She was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1827. In 180O Mr. Sim]>- son began the practice of veterinary surgery in which he has had good success. They have four children, Laura, Daniel A., who has a brilliant war record, William B., and Pauline G. wife of E. Loosley. Mr. Simpson is a member of the I.O.O.F., lodge Xo. 210.

John Dunn, butcher, was born in Pennsvlvania Februarv 1, 1814. and is a son of Amos and Catherine (Cameron) Dunn. In 1853 he with his parents embarked on the steamer New York at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for Keithsburg, Illinois, and made the entire trip without change. They at once went to Ohio Grove township where they purchased a farm and began to make a home for themselves. They lirst camped out till they could build a cabin. Here John grew up to manhood with but little means of obtaining an education. In August, 18f)2, he enlisted in company G, 102d 111. Vol. Inf., and for the next three years devoted his time in the defense of his country's flag. At the battle of Resacca, Georgia, he was wounded in the hips and was placed in the hospital for treatment, from which he was discharged June 22, 1865, and returned to Keithsburg. March 21, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria McPherren, who was born in Suez township, Mercer county, March 1, 181-3. They are the parents of Catharine P., Amos D., and Thomas, and three deceased. After his marriage Mr. Dunn engaged in farming, but on account of his wound disabling him for farm labor he abandoned farming and bought an interest in a coal mine and .five years later sold out and came to Keithsburg, where he still resides engaged in the butcher business. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., lodge No. 210.

PoBERT C. Humbert, merchant, is a son ol' Emanuel and Frances (McPeynolds) Humbert ; was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, January 26, 1831 ; removed with his parents to Fountain county, Indiana, when about three years of age, where at the age of sixteen he became an apprentice as bricklayer and plasterer. In 1853 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and engaged in working at his trade in Keithsburg till 1857, when he became a merchant in the dry goods line, following the business till 1864. At that time l\Ir. Humbert arranged to go west as far as Montana. His object was partly speculative but more particularly for tlie benefit of an invalid brotlier-in-law. George Gore, who was suffering with that dreaded disease consumption, who while there regained his health. On their way out they purchased a stock of goods which they afterward lost, being attacked by Indians and robbed. The next year Mr. Humbert returned to his home in Keithsburg where he has since had a continuous residence, except three years spent on his farm in Henderson county. November 26, 1857. Mr. Humbert was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of Pliilip Gore, Esq., an early settler of this county. She was born in Maryland, January 31, 1839. They are the parents of seven children: Harry P., George C, Edward E., James F., Fannie D., Bart G., and Robert R. Mr. Humbert is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, Xo. 113, Illinois Chapter, Xo. IT, imd Galesburg Commandary, Xo. 8.

John C. Humphrey, harness maker, is a native of Columbiana Ohio, and was born February 12, 1827. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of his native state. In 1854 he made a trip to California, where he remained nearly three years. Soon after his return home he came to Iveithsbura;, and in company with Mr. Samuel Evans, engaged in the business he now follows. September 2, 1858, he married Miss iVmanda, daughter of Jacob Wolf, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, who with her ])arents came to Illinois in 1856. They are the parents of eight children: Mary, Harry W., Willis M., Ida, Ernest L., Mark J., Edward F., and Eva B.

Clarence S. Frick, grain dealer, is a son of Benjamin P. and Annie E. (Stewart) Frick, who are well known and prominently connected in this county. He was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, -January 2, 1848, and came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1855, with his parents. His education was principally obtained m Keithsburg, though he attended several terms of high school in M(jnmouth, Illinois. In 1872 he engaged in merchandising and grain buying in Keithsburg. under the firm name of C. A. Frick A: Bros. He was also for a time connected with the Farmers" Xational Bank, of this ]:>lace, as bookkeeper. In 1881 he began his present business of buying and shipping o;rain. February 2, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Xellie EUett, a daughter of Benjamin D. and (JrjJia (Myers) Ellett, early settlers of Keithsburg. They have one child, George Henry, bom February 17, 1870. Mr. Frick is a member of Mercer Lodge, Xo. 210, I.O.O.F.

Captain Wycofl^'s father was born in Allegheny county, Penns}'!- vania, in 1703, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was a Miss Susan Peairs. Soon after his marriage he removed to

Muskingum county, Ohio, where he reared a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters. lie died in 1857, and his old and honored wife is still (1882) living at her old home in Ohio. Our subject, Captain J. P. Wyooff, is eldest son and second child. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, September 18, 1819, and was reared on the farm with but limited educational advantages. December 23. 1840, he was- united in marriage with Miss Matilda Davis, of the same county. Her parents were Samuel and Mai-y (Geyer) Davis, who were also natives of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The year after his marriage Mr. Wycoif removed to Allen county, near Fort Wayne, Indiana, and settled in the tall timber, and there hewed out for himself a home on land previously entered by his father. In 1855 he bought a farm in Sec. 11, T. 13, R. 5, Keithsburg township, and in 1856 sold his home in Indiana and moved to his new home, which he has since built up to be one of the most pleasant in the county, and contains 2 HO acres. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in company G, 102d reg. 111. Vol. Inf., to which he was at once elected captain, but in December of the same year was forced to resign on account of sickness. Mr. Wycoif has been a member of the Presbyterian church since the age of seventeen and an elder for the past tliirt}' years. He has one son (an only child), Albeit P., born January 1, 1842. His means for obtaining an education were quite limited, but by extensive reading, and being a close observer, he has gained a good business education. October 17, 1861, he was married to Miss Myra, daughter of George -and Xancy (Maxfield) Jay. She was born in Mercer county, Illinois, November 29, 1843, and is one of this county's literary ladies. They have a family of three interesting children: Earl J., Lura D.. and Ethlin Fern. They are membei's of the MethocUst Episcopal church and take an active part in its affairs.

To the soldier who dared death that a great nation with all its legitimate institutions might live, not only belongs i)raise, but the gratitude of a whole people. The })ages of future history will not shine with examples of generalshij) alone, but the captain, his subordinates and privates, who fought in the thickest cai'nage, will lend their light to future heroes. Captain M. Holsted, son of David and Nancy (Allshaver) Hoisted, was born in Oneida county, New^ York, Julv 10, 1832. He resided on a farm till fifteen vears of age, receiving a common school education. He early engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 185U he became foreman of the Cleveland cV: Ohio Pailroad Construction Comi)any, and soon after became a contractor. In 1856 he canu' to Illinois. In ISCI, when war's cruel tongue called for soldiery, he, in company with Col. R. G.

Ingersoll. recruited the lltli reg. 111. cavalry. Col. Ingersoll receiving the command. In 1882 Mr. Hoisted aided in raising the 85th reg. 111. Vol. Inf.. whose commander was Col. Moore. Mr. Hoisted volunteered as 1st lieutenant. For heroic conduct at the battle of Stone river. Gov. Yates commissioned him captain. At the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded, necessitating his resignation. For four months he w'as unable to feed himself; for one year he was unable to step up six inches high, and disabled for work a year longer. After regaining his health he resumed contracting, this time on the Toledo, Peoria 6z AVarsaw railroad. In ll^TS he came to Keith sburg, and, in company with J. K. Hornish, contracted to build the Keithsburg t^ Eastern narrow-gauge railroad, which, on account of the financial crash of 1873, is yet unbuilt. In 1857 he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and now holds liis membership in Mason Lodge, 143. He is also a member of the encampment at Keithsburg, and a member of the Order of the Red Cross organization of Faii'field. Iowa. Mr. Hoisted was married March 28, 1849, to Miss Eveline L., daughter of Ori-in Fenton, Esq., of Cleveland, Ohio. They have one child living. Miss Lottie.

Hugh Smith Scott, farmer, was born in Washington county, Virginia, July 20, 1807, and is the son of Samuel and Jane (Hntton) Scott. He was reared a farmer. His education was received in the pioneer schools of Virginia. September 18, 1828, a few months after obtaining majority he was nnited in marriage with Sarah, daughter of James and Jane (Clark) Lion, also a native of the same county. Soon after marriage they emigrated to Indiana, and settled in Fountain county, remaining there until 1856. In that year they again removed, this time to find a linal resting place in Mercer connty, where he settled on a farm ])reviously purchased of Mr. Gayle. AVhile a resident of Indiana, in 1845, Mr. Scotfs friends put him forward as a candidate on the democratic ticket for representative in the state legislatnre, to which office he was elected by a large ma.iority. As an evidence of his popularity, the towniship in which he resided, that usually gave a democratic majority of about 80, gave him the compliment of 144 majority. He was also twice elected county assessor and once county collector of Fountain county. He has also held numerous other offices of honor and trust, among which have been that of supervisor of Keithsburg township, and also of* justice of the peace for eight years. He has been prominently identified with the Methodist church of Keithsburg since his residence here. Of his large family, Sanniel, .lane, wife of Ro])ert Campbell, of Fountain county, Indiana, Lilburn

Samuel Scott, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Hugh S. and Sarah (Lion) Scott. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, Koyember 21, 1829, and was reared principally at farming. He received the best education obtainable in the early schools of his native state. Early in life he made clerking his business for five years, and spent two years in the state auditor's office at Indianapolis. In 1855 he came to Mercer county and engaged in farming, making that his pennanent business. October 1, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E., daughter of John McH. and Margaret (Cramer) Wilson, a native of Michigan, who came to Mercer county wdien about months old. She was born August 26, 1836. They are the parents of live children, viz : Guy C. , Edgar S. , Carrie W. , John McH. , and Hugh M. Mr. Scott is a member of the masonic fraternit}', and holds his membership in Robert Burns Lodge, Ko. 113. He is a live, energetic business man, and one whom it would be well for om* young men to pattern after.

Mr. C. S. Orth. who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in 1835, educated at Franklin and Marshall colleges, at Mercersburg, in the. same state, emigrated to Iowa City in 1857; came the next year to Keithsburg where he located in general merchandising in company with N. B. Cox. In 1862 the latter was rei»laced by J. P. Reed, ^ho died in 1866 ; afterward Mr, Oith continued in the same line of trade with M. A. Weaver as partner, and in 1877 he closed up his business in the place. He is now in trade at Bedford and Clarinda, Iowa, but his family reside in Keithsburg. He has been closely identified with the history and devotedly attached to the interests of this place since he settled here, and a public-spirited supporter of every worthy undertaking. He was president of the town board one year, and for seven years fi'om 1874 was a director of the public school, a position in which he won credit and popularity for very efticient and acknowledged valuable services. In the railroad questions which have agitated the people of this section, he has taken a full share of interest and exhibited his well-known vigilance and activity. He has sometimes directed his infiuence and energies against these as well as other enterprises, and time has generally confirmed his judgment and foresight. His marriage with Miss Fanny M., daughter of Abram B. Sheriff, a pioneer settler of Mercer county, took place in 1863. They are the parents of eight living children.

William and Sarah (Gothard) Whiting. His father was a native of Iladnam. England, where he was born June 12, l^il4, and his mother w-as born in the same place June 17, 1815. This couple was joined in marriage May 11, 1833. In 1837 the family emigrated to the United States, in the sailing vessel Neptune, and having settled at Lockport, uS^ew York, Mr. Whiting's father began manufacturing boots and shoes in a small way. By close attention to his trade his business grew into a large manufacturing house in which, after a few years, he employed from thirty to forty men. In 1854 he lost his property by fire, and in October of the same year he brought his family to Mercer county, where he arrived on the 23d of the month. He settled in Keithsburg and died in this place September 26, 1879. His wife preceded him to her final rest January 18, 1877. The subject of this notice remtiined at home with his father and learned the shoemaker's trade. In March, 1855, he also came to Keithsburg w4th his newly-married wife, and at once engaged in the boot and shoe trade, which he has built up to its present prosperous condition. His marriage with Miss Sarah A. Wilson occurred in Lockport, Xew York, . September 7, 1854. She was born at Saratoga May 1, 1835. Mr. Whiting ranks with the foremost and most public spirited men of his township, and his family is justly esteemed for their social qualities and literary tastes.

William L. Range is a son of Christian and Louisa (Block) Range, and was born and reared a Hessian, in -what is now a province of Prussia. His father was a baker by trade, and he was reared to that business. His education was principally obtained in the common schools. September 24, 1858, he was married to Miss Caroline Xagle, a native of the same place. On the 4th of October following they left their native home to seek one in America, and after a perilous voyage of three months on the sailing vessel Aristiezer, landed in New York January 4, 1859. During their last four weeks on the sea they were reduced almost to a point of starvation, the ship having gone out of her course during the terrible storms that prevailed in the early part of the voyage. After landing in Xew York they at once came on to Rock Island, Illinois, where they remained about one year, when they came to Mercer county, and soon after permanently located in Keithsburg and established a bakery and restaurant, making the same their business through life. They are the parents of five children : Karl A. W. C, Lewis W., Emnui A., Eda L., and William F. They are members of the Lutheran Church of Rock Island, where the older ones of the children ha\e been sent to be educated and confirmed.

Dr. Samuel Kkllkv, physician and surgeon, is a native of New Jersey, tlioiigh he was reared in Ohio, his parents moving to Cincinnati wlien he was quite young, lie was born February 17, 1812, and at the age of about twenty began the study of law at Lexington, Kentucky, and was admitted to tlie bar at Lafayette, Indiana, where he had read law for nine months with Hon. John Petit and Hon. Godlove Orth, in 1841. After practicing law a short time he turned his attention to the study of medicine, which he successfully practiced in Oliio and Indiana, the last twelve years prior to 1859 being spent in tlie latter stiite. In Fountain county he was united in marriage with Miss Frances E., daughter of Mr. David Parrott, September 6, 1849. In 1859 Dr. Kelley came to Mercer county, Illinois, where he has continued in the practice of his profession, and has been a citizen of Keithsburg, where he is enjoying the society of his many warm friends. He has one son, Wilber, born in Fountain county, Indiana, October 27, 1858. He is a graduate of the Physicians and Surgeons Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa, where he received his diploma February 28, 1882.

According to well authenticated tradition the Campbells w^ere Scotch Highlanders connected with the House of Argyle. During the ]K'riod of religious persecution they fled to the north of Ireland where John Campbell was born, reared and married, and where to him his children were born. In the spring of 1849 he with his wife Catherine (McKee) emigrated to the L^nited States, sailing in the Gertrude. After landing on the American shores thev at once came on to Illinois, settlino; in Kock Island, where Mr. Campbell died from sun stroke in 1851. Mrs. Campbell died in 1857, lea\'ing a family of eight children. Hugli Campbell, the eldest son, was born in county Down, Ireland, April 7. 1831. Soon after settling in Rock Island he became an apprentice to a wagon and carriage -maker. After completing the trade in isOO he came to Keithsburg with a view of following his trade in this place, which, however, was abandoned at the outbreak of the rebellion in 1861, when he enlisted in company I, 17th 111. Vol. Inf. After following the fortunes of war three years and going safely through a number of hard fought battles he was honorably discharged and returned to Keithsburg, where he permanently settled and engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages. October 3, 1807, he was united in nuirriage with Mrs. Mary C. Ball, \\ndow of Lieut. L. T. Ball, of corn j. any II, 84th 111. Vol. Inf., killed in the late war December 31, 18<;2. Mr. Campbell has been for a number of years a member of the city council, and his good judement and thorough business principles have won for him numj warm friends. Two other sons of John Campbell, John and William, are extensive farmers of Otoe county, Nebraska, the latter of whom was elected in 1881 state senator on the republican ticket. Samuel was killed at Atlanta, Georgia. Alexander's sketch appears elsewhere in this work. There were also three daughters : Mary, widow of "William Collins ; Elizabeth, widow of William Walker, who is now the mother of eight sons ; and Jane, wife of Samuel Wamock. The first two are now residents of Nebraska, the last of Kansas, Their father was born August 14, 1799, and their grandfather. Hugh Campbell, September 22, 1755.

Charles A. Mertz, lumber dealer, was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, January 30, 1844. His father died when he was four years old, and in 1854 the widowed mother, taking her little family, came to America in the sailing vessel Magdalin. and settled in Rochester, New York. After a short residence there they went to Wisconsin. In 1861 our subject returned to New York, and in January. 1853, enlisted in company G, 159th N. Y. Yols., being a recruit in that regiment. The first considerable battle in which he was a participant was that of the Wilderness ; then followed in rapid succession Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Paumunky River, Cold Harbor, and the battle in front of Petersburg, up to August 25th, in all of which he was engaged. On the last date he was captured at Reams' station on the Weldon railroad vntii 2,600 others. He was confined first at Petersburg, then removed to Libby prison, and from there to Belle Isle. Li the last two places he spent three months. He was taken next to Salisbury, where he remained till February, 1865, when there began a general perambulation of prisoners in that region of the Confederacy on account of the movements of Gen. Sherman's army. From Salisbury he went to Columbia and stayed there two weeks ; then about as much time was passed in Charleston ; a stop of a few days was made in Raleigh ; and then the detatchment went on to Jamestown, North Carolina, where Mr. Mertz and eight others made their successful escape from a camp of 8,000 by wading neck deep in water past the rebel sentinel and swdmming the rest of the way for a mile. From thence his progress to the Union lines was a repetition of the experience of every escaped prisoner : he was fed and ])iloted by negroes, and he hid and wandered about in racking fear and anxiety for three long weeks, and traveled 240 miles when the squad struck the 16th N. Y. cavalry in the neighborhood of Burkesville Junction, Yirginia. When Mr. Mertz was captured he weighed 165 pounds ; when he got back into the Union camp his weight was 98 pounds. His prison life forms a chapter of thrilling experiences and terrible suffering^*, while he was the helpless witness of the most atrocious diabolism in the treatment of Union prisoners that ever blackened the page of human history. AVlien the 159th was mustered out in May, 1865, Mr. Mertz was transferred to company H, lOth N. Y. Inf., in which he completed his tenn of service and was discharged at New York city in August following. ITe came directly to Mercer county, but shortly after went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania and stayed a little while, after which he went west in the employ of the Union Faciiic Railway Company. In 1871 he returned to this county and settled in Keithsburg, engaging in the furniture trade ^vith C. C. Wordin, the present gentlemanly clerk of the county court. In May, 1880, he embarked in the lumber business with his brother, their place of trade being on the corner Washington and Third streets. Besides a saw-mill here they have another on the Iowa side above New Boston. October 27, 1873, he celebrated his nuj)- tials with Augusta Belle, daughter of 11. G. Calhoun. She was born in Keithsburg, November 29, 1862. They have one child, Ora B., born September 13, 1874. Mr. Mertz is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113, Illinois Chapter, No. 17, and Galesburg Commandery, No, 8. Lewis L. Mertz, brother of the above, was born also in Bavaria, February 11, 1847, and emigrated to this country with the rest of the family. On February 1, 1864, he enlisted at Rochester, New York, in Battery L, 1st N. Y. Light Artillery, and served until mustered out at Elmira, June 19, 1865. Beginning with the battle of the Wilderness, he fought throughout the campaign following ui> to the surrender of Lee. At the age of twelve he entered the AVoodbury Engine Works, where he learned the trade of an engineer, which he has followed in different ])laces, but }>articularly in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. In December, 1865, he came to Keithsburg and sold furniture with his brother a short while ; in 1867 he engaged with a surveying party on the I'nion Pacitic railway ; in 1868 he went into the gold mines of Montana, where he remained nearly four years. He was married to Miss Janet, daughter of Daniel Keith, July 6, 1871. She was born in this place in September, 1849. They settled on a farm of 320 acres in Boone county, Iowa, and lived there six years. In May, 1880, Mr. Mertz removed with his family to Keithsburg, where he has since been engaged in the furniture and lumber business. He is a Roval Arch ^Mason. His four children are: Sibvl J., Jacob R., William B., Elizabeth M. The father of these brothers was named John J. Mertz, and was a native of Ijavaria, where he was born in the year 1800. In early life he learned the trade of a cooper, but later he became quite wealthy, and engaged in farming. In the Ke volution of 1848, he lost his property by signing with other men, and in the same year died. The mother, IMather Mina (Watchter), born in 1805, has her home with her children in this place.

Dennis Murto, merchant, was born in Sligo county, Ireland, January 1, 1882, and is the third son of a family of six children wliosa father died early in life, leaving them to tlie care of their widowed mother, who soon after sold out her interest there and went to England, where she remained till August 1860. She then came to America, bringing her three daughters. Dennis, the subject of this notice, left England in a full clipper American sailing vessel, the Martha Greenleaf, and after a voyage of nineteen weeks arrived in jSTew Orleans April 4-, 1858. He at onpe pushed on up the Mississippi river to Davenport, Iowa, but soon returned to Oquawka, Illinois, and hired out to work for Mr, C. W. Harris, beginning at $10 per month, and remained for three years. He was also for a short time engaged in driving stage and carrying the mail from Sagetown to Keithsburg. On August 14, 1862, being refused a place in the ranks of the army in the war for the Union, he started for California, from where he returned to Keithsburg in October, 1865, and at once engaged as a day laborer. In 1874, in company with his brother, he began the mercantile business in the grocery line, and in 1880 he become sole owner of his present prosperous business. Besides his town property he owns two good farms in Mercer county. December 6, 1865, he married Miss Bridget Gilrain, a native of Ireland, by whom he has one child, Mary Rose.

Alexander Campbell was born June 22, 1846, in county Down, Ireland, from whence three years later he came with his parents to America and settled in Rock Island, Illinois. In the early part of the late wai', though only sixteen years of age, he enlisted in company D, 11th Iowa Inf.^ and carried a gun three years. At the end of this time he re-enlisted and was chosen color-bearer, and carried the old flag to the end of the war, when he was honorably discharged, having served his country as a soldier four years before he was twenty-one. On the 23d of Jul}^ 1864, in front of Atlanta, his brother Samuel was killed while fighting by his side.. After his return from the war Mr. Campbell came to Keitlisburg and learned the trade of wagon and carriage making, which business he followed until 1878, when he was appointed mail agent on the Clalva and Keithsburg route of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, which position he has since held. December 16, 1870, he was united in marriage with Sarah A., daughter of John and Hannah (Wilson) Nevius, early settlers of Mercer county. She was born in ( )liio, Febrmirv 19, lS-48, but was reared in Keitlisburg. Tliev have a family of live chihh'en : Daisy L., Walter C, Maud G., Mabel N. and Harry L.

Dr. George B. Sapp, dentist, was ])oi'ii in Clermont county, Ohio, July '23, 1832. He received the greater |)art of his education in a log school-house in his native county. In 1854 he came to Illinois. In I860 he began studying in Decatur, where he comj)leted a course of study lie had previously begun. In 18(55 he came to Mercer county and began the practice <^f his profession. The doctor has been twice married. His lirst marriage was in 1860, but death soon deprived him of his partner. His second marriage was on June 22, 1871, to Miss Norah Plesants. They have three chihh'en, whose names in the order of their ages are : Ula, Rosa G., and George B.

John Helwig, butcher, is a son of Christopher Helwig, and was born in Germany December 26, 1839. In 1856 he emigrated with his parents to America, and with them settled in Dunkirk, in the State of New- York, where the most of the family and his parents still reside. In 1868 he came to Illinois and settled in Hancock county, where he remained till 1875, when he came to Keitlisburg and engaged in his present business. Since his residence in Keitlisburg he has been three times elected as one of the town board, and is one of the school directors. He is a member of Mercer Lodge, ]^o. 210, I.O.O.F., and of Encampment No. 89. May 5, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Katharine Hacker, a native of Bavaria. They have four children : John L., Frank W., Lewis A., and Charles.

Charles G. Slocumb, lumber dealer, was born at Albany, Wliiteside county, Illinois, January 1, 1843, and is a son of Mr. Alfred Slocumb, an old and well known settler of that county, who helped to lay out the town of Albany. He died there September 9, 1860, after a life of usefulness and industry. Charles, the subject of this sketch, was reared as most boys in a new country, at hard work, with but limited means of obtaining an education, yet by industry and close ai)plication to study he has acquired a good business education. In 1865 he went into the anny, and after his return home engaged in merchandising at Havana, Mason county, Illinois. This he followed but a short time wdien he sold out and went to Cliii)pewa Falls. Wisconsin, where he engaged in the manufacture of l)rick. wliich he followed about three years. After this he engaged in boating on the Mississii)i)i river. In 1876 he came to Keitlisburg, where he permanently located, and engaged in the lum})er Ijusiness. He also o^\nis a mill here for the manutacture of lumber. March 20, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria E. Stephens, of Mount Yernon, Iowa. They have two children : Clyde E. and Maud S. Mr. Slocumb is a member ot*^ Eobert Burns Lodge, ITo. 113, A.F.A.M.

In all professions and occupations there are those who are ' ' fussy, " nervous and bombastic, making great noise over small achievements, while others are quiet, unobtrusive, meritorious workers in whatever sphere they occupy in the world's great drama. Such an one is the subject of this sketch. Dr. John S. Ai.len. He is not old enough to be a pioneer of the country or in his profession, but is performing well the part which he has chosen in life's duties. Dr. Allen is comparatively a young man, having been born in Galesburg, Illinois, Xovember 23,, 1851. He is the seventh son of Sheldon W. and Fidelia (Leach) Allen. The doctor attended the common schools of the city f»f Galesburg, and also Knox College and Lombard University. He also took a coui'se in the Western Business College of the same city. At the age of twentytwo years he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. J. B. Yi^don, of Galesburg, and after a due course of study he attended three terms at Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, and graduated in 1877. He settled in Ivewanee, where he remained but a short time, and then removed to Keithsburg, where he has since remained, doing a line business in his profession. Dr. Allen was married June 20, 1877, to Miss Florence, daughter of H. M. and Jane Condie, of Chicago. They have two children : Harry S. and John L. Dr. Allen is a member of the Order of Odd-Fellows, and is quite an active worker in the interests, of the order. Politically he is a republican, but p^ys more attention to medicine than to politics, and it has been the good fortune of few young professional men to more quickly win the confidence of the majority of the people than Dr. Allen has.

L^vnsing K. Jenne, veterinary surgeon, is a son of John and Sarah (Freeman) Jeime. He was born in Genesee county, jSTew York, June 15, 1820. Xovember 4, 18-10, he was married to Miss Submit Ashley, a native of Ontario county, New York. In about 1850 he removed to. Michigan, and settled near Grand Rapids, where he bought land and made a larni by chopping it out of the green woods. This tiirm he sold, and in 1872 removed to Muscatine, Iowa, where he remained till 1880, when he came to Keithsburg. Early in life he paid some attention to the study of veterinary surgery, and by careful study and good luck has become master of his profession. He is the father of six children, living: jSTewton E., Edward S., Frank F., JolinW., Sarah S., and Lua M.

As we begin the task of writing the first history of this township, knowing tliat ahnost a half centurv lias passed since the first settlement was made within its boundaries bv civilized men, without so much as a diary of incidents and dates being kept of what has transpired, we can but feel that the task is a ditticult one. The resources for data concerning the early settlement has been rapidly decreasing during the later years, till at present only a very small number of the pioneers remain to tell the story. AVere the memory so absolutely perfect that nothing once known could slip away, we could yet exj)ect to pen for the present all things of interest that have transpired in Millersburg township during the past fifty years.

But notwithstanding all the imperfections of memory, enough of the history of Millersburg township remains to impress upon the minds of the rising generation the noble and resolute character of the pioneers who first planted civilization and civilized institutions within its boundaries. Those old pioneers, 'tis true, did not lead great armies like Genghis Khan, or a Napoleon, or Cajsar, devastating whole empires and kingdoms, but they did a noble work - a work that should cro^v^l their memories with the hon(5r of pushing out upon the frontier and lapng the foundations of happy and pleasant homes for those who should come after them, in a wilderness beset with the privations and toils inherent to early settlement of almost every country. Let us seat ourselves by the grassy mound that marks the resting place of their aged dust and study their characters and the part they played in the world's drama, and then ask ourselves these questions : Are they not deserving of all the honors we can heap upon them i Can the gay, festive boy aff<>rd to pass lightly by the character of his now sleeping ancestor, to study the character and lives of those wlio have become eminent in the world's history because of the circumstances which made them? Is there not a lesson for the blithe and lively girl of to-day in the patience of that old grandmother now sweetly sleeping beneath the sod, after so many years of earnest toil, that her granddaughter might live the life of a queen instead of the life of a slave in a desert

There is a lesson for all in the character of these sturdy ])ioneers. whose toiling hands only rested when the angel said: "Kest; your work is done." That lesson can only be learned from the institution* they planted and nurtured till they were called away.

history we are to write. It consists of thirty-six S(|uare miles, bounded the noitli by Duncan township, on the east by Mercer, on the south by Abington, and on the west by Xew Boston.

Let us iniayine ourselves near the center of this tract of country, looking around us from some high eminence, a half century ago. Almost at our feet is the Edwards riyer, quietly mo^-ing along to join the father of waters, flowing almost directly west across the to^ynship. On either side it is almost inyariably fringed with narrow, fiat bottoms overgrown with forest trees, and hedged in by abrupt bluffs reachingf to the height of sixty, and sometimes eie^htv. feet. Casting our eye to the northwest we can see the forest undulations, like the billows of an angry sea, where breaks of Camp creek and those of the Edwards river meet. This last-named stream flows southwest across sections 5 and 7. The Edwards makes a sharp curve on sections 8 and 9, approaching almost to within one mile of the north line of the township. Looking to the northeast of the township we see the undulations growing smaller and smaller, until they present almost a straight line on the horizon ; this is partly timber and the rest prairie. Turning to the south, a beautiful landscape meets the eye. The tall, waving grass marks the gentle undulations of the land on the south and southeast ; on the southwest the breaks of Pope creek extend north of the south' line about one mile. What were at first low sags, extending back from the streams, receiving quietly the water exuding from the upland and bearing it on without a ripple, have now grown in many places into deep gulches, growing deeper with each freshet. At the time of the first white settlement the Indians of this part of the state had been conquered and most of tliem were gone. Could we have stood here fifty years ago, looking down into the Edwards river as it rolled gently along, we would have realized that the red men who once in awhile come to "sdew the hunting-grounds of their fathers and visit the graves of their kindred are almost the only visitors to this locality. The deer, the wolf, the wild duck, the jn-airie chicken and the sand-hill ci-ane sport upon the banks, watching the fish as they play in its jdacid waters, without fear of being molested even by the skulking red man whom they had been accustomed to see creeping down the ravine, through the tall grass, to surprise them in their haunts. These were balmy days for these inhabitants, of so many different species. The red man of the forest had taken up his march in the direction of the setting sun, to make room for the industrious settler who was soon to follow, taking nothing with him but his wigwam and weapons.

so must these motley, but interesting- ami lia])py groups .of binls and move out and give place to the domesticated of their kind. . Of the man (»f the forest but few traces of his haunts or works remain, save a few mounds on section 4. The section is well timbered with oak, hickory, walnut and other kinds of forest trees. (.)f so great anti(|uity are these mounds that the forest trees nsing from their summits compare in size and age with those of the surrounding forest. These mounds are from three to six feet high. Froin some of them have been taken tomahawks of stone, arrow heads, human bones, which nature's forces had not yet reduced to common clay, and other trinkets. To us here is the history of a race unwritten so far as we can tell, save by the implements they buried with their dead. Of the lower orders of the early inhabitants few remain, and tliev ]ir)ke through hedge and wood to escape the hunter and his dog.

The whole scene is now changed. The northwest quarter, which was originally all timber, is now partly cut oif, and herds of cattle and sheep dot its hills and sloi)es. Looking to the northeast quarter, beautiful farms of waving tields of wheat and growing corn, with here and there a forest grove, meet the eye. Turning to that part of the township south of the Edwards, the fields of tall and waving wild grass have disappeared, in lieu of which we now behold beautiful farms, with cozy dwellings, inhabited by a prosperous people. This section of the township for all agricultural purposes cannot be excelled in the county; nor can the part north of tlie Edwards be excelled for line stock farms.

It will not be out of phlce to drop a few remarks as to the character of the pioneers, for the character of history <lepends upon that of the men who made it. The greater part of the pioneers and early settlers who located in Millersburg township were from Pennsylvania and Ohio, a few coming from Virginia, some from Ireland, some from NeV York and Kentucky, with now and then a settler from some other quarter of civilization. But, remarkable as it may seem, they belonged for the most part to the same class of scx'iety. They were people of small means, whose object in coming to the western wilds was to procure for themselves and their families homes which their means would not ])rocure where tliev were reared. Tiiey were of that industrious and economical class who had not oidy been reared under the influence of Christianity, but had been taught to obey its jirecepts from a high sense of moral honor and dignity. Like the Puritan fathers, they were scarcely housed in their cabins before they . began to erect school-houses and churches, the same building being used for both purposes. Owing to their proximity to their neighbors on the Mississippi, they endured less privations and hardships than did the colonists who came over in the Mayflower ; but they were men and women who possessed no less courage and earnestness for the principles wliich had been taught them under the paternal roof. Had it been theirs to exercise that stubborness to the edicts of kings and priests in defense of human rights, as it was that of the pilgrim fathers, they would haye proved equally indomitable and immoyable. It has been remarked that men die, are buried, and even their graves are lost ; but their influence, like the stains of human gore, cannot be removed from the coummunity where they resided. This, we must admit, is true of Millersburg township ; ita society is pushing along in the direction laid out by its lirst settlers. The township is divided into two geographical divisions by the Edwards river. Between the early settlers of each there was but littlecommunication, because of there being no bridges across this stream. Settlements were made in the township both north and south of the river about the same time in the fall of 1834. The flrst families ta locate south of the river were Harrison Itiggs, Ebenezer Creswell and Edward Willitts. The flrst located on section 30, and erected the fii'st cabin in the township ; his wife, Mrs. Julette Riggs, still resides upon the same fann where she and her husband flrst located, and where she is patiently waiting the summons that shall call her to a world with less privations and cares. The second, Ebenezer Creswell, located on section 21, where he built a saw-mill in 1834 or 1835. This was on Camp creek and was the flrst mill in the township. The Willitts family located on the same section as did Creswell. Among others who came sliortly after were : Thomas Riggs in 1836, on section 25 ; Rice Peckingbaugh, on section 21, in 1840 ; Charles Griflith, on section 16, in 1839, where he yet resides ; Isaac Burson, on section 20, in 1837 ; W. Hubbard, on section 32, in 1836 ; Edward Brady, Sr., in 1842 ; John T. McGinnis, in 1846 ; Richard and John S. Kidoocame in 1845 ; AVilliam Kidoo and his father came in 1847 ; John and Edward Brady came in 1842 ; Peter Spangler, Thomas Jackson and others came about 1840, and located south of the Edwards. Thus was civilized society planted in Millersburg on the south of the river. North of the Edwards the flrst settler located was Benijah Lloyd, on section 5, in 1834. Two years later the town of Millersburg was laid out by the Miller brothers, who had previously settled in another township, about 1834. Among those who located in and around the new town were : H. "W. Thornton, in 1836 ; James Thompson, in

Millersburg Townshii'

1838 ; Esq. Routzong, in 1838 ; Erastus, AVilliam :in<l Joseph Denison came prior to 18-1:0 ; Judge Gilmore came about 1838, and afterward moved south of the river opposite where tlie Peniel church now stands. All of these located either in the village of Millersburg or near by. I. M. Gilmore located east of the village about 1840 ; L. B. Howe, Thomas Brighton, Elbridge Howe, W. A. Bridgford and his son, O. A. Bridgford, came about 1840. These and a few others were the pioneers who located in the north part of the townshijt during the period of its early settlement. William Cline was an settler and great hunter ; his brother. Christian Cline, located in Millersburg.

From 1840 to 1855 the township settled ra])idly, and but little land was left unoccupied. . For the names and history of many of those families, reference may be had to the biographical department of this township. Millersburg township was one of the first to be settled away from the Mississipj^i river. It now seems a short journey to the river, but it must be remembered that half a century ago there were no laid out roads across the country and the streams were without bridges. Then the only products that would bring money or could be exchanged for the necessities of life, were wheat and pork, and these must be transported to the river towns ; nor was this all : there were but few wagons in the country. Sleds were used in summer as well as in winter. Previous to the settlements in Millersburg, only three or four years, the Indians had control of all the country away from the river to Rock Island. Till about 1840 the settlers saw hard times. Their products, wheat and pork, were exchanged at low figures for goods at enormous prices. Many were dependent on credit. But economy and industry, such as the settlers of Millersburg possessed, in such a country of rich land, was soon to overcome the various impediments which then beset her people. The country was wild and the health of the people was not good. Chills and fevers were sure visitors, and not unfrequently permanent inmates of the pioneer homes. With the imj^rovement of health and circumstances, many who had found it difficult to get the benefit of the merchant's credit, established for themselves a better credit than those whose credit they had sought ever had. At the present time some of the most wealthy citizens of the township are those who had hard work to keep the wolf from their door.

The manners and customs of the early settlers and ])ioneers were those of a plain but honest people. They were social among themselves and hospitable to strangers. Their houses were small and their food coarse, but welcome to all. Each settler's neighborhood might be

The entertainments, such as the people now enjoy, were few and far between, and they amused themselyes in hunting the wolf, which then could be lieard upon eyery eleyation and hollow. The last great hunt of this kind came off in 1840. A large tract of country was suiTOunded. The point for meeting was southeast of Millersburg, north of the Edwards. Two hundred deer were corralled in the ring, but the wol yes made good their escape. The deer, which at this time were plenty, disappeared almost entirely between 1844 and 1850. Early settlers were annoyed greatly by the wolyes. When they killed fresh meat the wolyes would come around the house, set up a dismal, heartrending howl, and eyen skip about oyer the roof, but they were so sly that one was seldom killed.

Among the early settlers came a few who delighted to spend their time in hunting and fishing, and others who looked upon horse-racing and other kindred amusements as the highest calling of humanity. These, like the red man, could not endure the telling blows and prosperity of the more ciyilized habits and customs which predominated, and haye long since disappeared from among the citizens of Millersburg township.

Mrs. Julette Riggs, the pioneer settler, now Hying on section 30, had great anxiety to see an Indian baby. She called at a hut near by and implored the inmates to bring the little red skin out that she might examine it, but the mother was not so desirous of exhibiting her offspring as her palefaced sisters seem to be, and coldly imformed Mrs. Ricrcrs if she desired to satisfy her curiosity she must come in, and in she went. William Drury, when he first came to the settlement south of the Edwards, says Mrs. liiggs was exceedingly hungry for meat, Mrs. liiggs being out of that article at the time. Drury went coon hunting and caught seyeral coons, which he had cooked, and they were eaten by him with the remark, ''They are superior to mutton in flayor and taste."

Almost with the early settlers of Mercer county there was formed a company of bandits, sui)posed to haye their rendezyous in the northeast of- Mercer and the south part of Rock Island counties, which greatly alarmed the settlers of Millersburg township, especially at such times as they had receiyed any money. The story is told us of Joseph King, liying near Millersburg at that time, haying received $700. He could not secrete it in his i)Ockets, as it was in gold and silver, and there were no banks in the country. lie was so scared that he would not even carry it home, but u'ave it to a friend, who took it home for him. His uneasiness did Jiot cease here. lie cleaned up his fowlingpiece and stood guard till he could invest his money, which having been done he remarked, "Money is a good thin'g to have, but a source of pleasure to be rid of when one feels unsafe."

The tirst death that occurred in the township was in 1835. While Bcnijah Lloyd was on his way to his claim on section 4, his son, nearly seven years old, fell out C)f the wagon and was run over by the wheels, killing him instantly. There were no neighbors to assist in the funeral except Ebenezer Ci'eswell and his hired man. The remains were interred at the new home on section -i. We have been told by good authority that Benijah Lloyd was the first to settle in Millersburg township, and equally good authority informs us that Hiram Hardy, Albert P. Taylor (at one time sheriff of the county, at another county clerk) and Ebenezer Creswell were here before him.

Alfred Gray, a wagonmaker by trade, and John Jackson, a blacksmith, who had a shoj) near where Joy is now located, were, we have reason to believe, the first tradesmen of this kind in the townshii).

The early settlers used to go to Bald Blufl" (now Henderson county) for medical aid. Benijah Lloyd thinks the first physician to locate in the township was Dr. Martin Willitts, at Millersburg. Another early physician was Dr. Daniel Pickley, an early sheriff of the county. The first preaching Mr. Lloyd remembers of in the township was at the house of Abraham Miller, by a preacher from (John) Farlow's Grove, named James, a predestinarian Baptist.

Millersburg township has two villages, Millersburg and Joy. The former is the oldest laid-out town in the county back from the river, and has a history connected with the county second to none in importance. It was laid out in 1836 by John Miller, after whom the town and township was named. Of the Miller family there were John, George, Abraham, Isaac, and Philip, who were brothers, and Abraham, Jr., son of George. Abraham, Jr., is now living in Oregon. The Millers came to Mercer county from Indiana (they were formerly from Tennessee), and located in Peri'vton at Sugar Grove in 1834. Abraham, Jr., was one of the first county clerks of Mercer countv. There is not one of the familv living in the countv at this time. The family was remarkable for their love of pioneer life, and the remaining members, when the country here became settled, moved west.

scarcely be said to be even sparsely settled. Abraliam Miller, Jr., is said to have built the first dwelling-h(?use inside the corporation. James Thompson and William Drurv soon after erected the first storeroom and sold the first goods. In 1S38 Erastus Denison erected the first hotel. The buildmg is still standing. It is a two-storv frame. The lower storv is now used for a store-room. The upper is occupied by the LO.O.F. lodge. William Pinckney established a pottery here in 1837 or 1838. The first doctor to locate in the town was Martin Willitts. Among the first attorneys to locate in the town was H. W. Thornton, who has retired from the law practice and now lives on his farm adjoining the village. The first blacksmith shop located here was erected by Thomas Biglow about 1836 or 1837. The fii-st postoflice was established at Millersburg in 1837 or 1838, and mail was received twice a week. William Drurv was the first commissioned postmaster. As early as 1839 Millersburg had grown to quite a ^-illage.

The county seat was located here as early as 1836. Courts were held in the hotel till the court-house was completed, which was in 1839. The building is a two-story frame, still standing, and is now occupied by Harrison Bethuram as a wagon and blacksmith shop. The building was when built not only a spacious edifice, but fine, for the time ; now it is a dilapidated structure, presenting every appearance of the ravaging hand of time. It was used till 1847 as the oflice of justice. For several years it was the school-house and church of the town. It stood formerly on the south side of Main street, toward the west end of the town. AVhen the countv seat was moved from Millersburs: in 1847, H. W. Thornton bought the court-house and moved it to its present location on the south side of the ^dllage. He converted it into a store-room. A jail was erected about the same time. It was a stone structure lined upon the inside with heavy timbers. The first prisoner who became its inmate, had borrowed a horse and failed to return as «oon as was expected, hence a warrant was procured and A. P. Taylor, who was then sherifl:', set out towards New Boston in search of his game. The sherift' met the man on his way back to Millersburg with the horse. Pie, true to his olfice oath, arrested the man, brought him to Millersburg and lodged him in the jail. But the inhabitants of the town were scarcely wrapped in slumber profound before the prisoner made his escape. All were confident he had no intention of stealing the animal, and no attempt was made for his re-arrest. The second and last person lodged in the building was held prisoner for debt. He enjoyed his meals at the hotel, aiul ^\-as liL-ard to remark that he preferred the lodging and board of the county to that of his own home. He has since become quite well ofli" and now resides in the county.

Tlie jail was used most of the time bv the slieriff tor a granary and fodder-house. Sheritf Taylor remarked it ouglit to be ])ut to some use. It was located on the north side of Main street, a Itttle west of where the court-house stood.

The tirst wagon shop erected in the town of Millersburg was that of A. P. and Asa G. Shafer in 1856. The former still carries on the business in the same old shop. Tlien there was no shop of this kind nearer than New Boston. The second was built by Cri}ipin and Powers in 1857, the next bv McGlathlin and Jones in 1859, the fourth bv James Gilmore in 1861, the tifth bv J. H. Lonjjjshore about 1)S62. The last is running a shop doing all kinds of repairing in his line.

The first death in the town was by sijicide. The person was a married lady. She deliberately took a handkerchief, put it around her neck and choked herself to death bv takino; hold of two of the corners with her bands and pulling till she closed the air passage to the lungs.

From the laying out of Millersburg till after the county seat was removed, it was the best business point, outside of Keithsburg and New Boston, in the countv. The countrv trade came here fi'om the east for a distance of fifteen miles. But as other towns sprang up in different parts of the countrv the trade was divided, and when the county seat was taken away the trade that came here because of the county seat went elsewhere. The unnatural attraction which had brought the business to this point was gone, and Millersburg was cut short in the zenith of her prosperity, and many of her business men went elsewhere. The improvements that have been made here since 1857 are few beyond a few cozy dwellings. But notwithstanding the antiquated appearance of the village, it has a good local trade. It has two stores of general merchandise, one kept by AV. W. Egbert, the other by John Farran, two blacksmith shops, one grocery store kept by David T. Howe, one barber shop, one shoe shop, one harness shop, one hotel, kept by "William Dunn. The creamery erected here in 1881, by Strattan, is the leading business of the village. It is run by a foin- horse-power engine, and uses the Elgin cream \ats. Its full working capacity is 15,000 pounds of butter per day, and gives emj)loyment to twenty men and fifteen teams.

Tlie first and only mill ever erected in the town was built by Steven Strattan about 1850, and run till 1875, when it was torn down and moved south of Millersburg, on the Edwards, and water power is used instead of steam. Since the establishing of the postoffice here, with William Drnry as first postmaster, the foll<»wing ])ersons have had the otfice : James Thom]»son, Dr. Allen, 11. AV. Thornton, J. M. 1:3

Nevans, William H. Green and his wife (]\Irs. Green held the office for fifteen years, and was postmistress durinti: tlie war), -J. D. Strattan and John Farran, who is present postmaster. Mail is received twice each day.

While Millersburg lost to a great degree her former \-ivacity in business, she retained her good morals, out of which has grown one of the finest temperance societies in the county, if not in the state, considering her population. Previous t(» 1868 a temperance society was organized which was of short duration. It seemed to be an aid to the dram-shop, as they located here almost simultaneously. The more moral and lovers of good society, becoming tired of the increasing vices, products of the dram-shop, met in deliberate assembly for the purpose of driving out from their midst the licensed traffic of intoxicating liquors. The result is, the voice of the people has, since 1868, ruled supreme, and not a saloon has been kept here since that time. The fire that drove the demon from the village has been kept burning brightly since its embers were first fanned into a flame, and out of this, in 1879, grew the Millersburg Christian Tempemnce Union, organized by T. J. Adams, who, prior to effecting the organization, delivered a series of lectures on the subject of temperance. The society was organized with 160 members, and now numbers 400. It uses the blue ribbon badge and the Murphy pledge, and is auxiliary t(» the state and National Temperance Union. Unlike most societies of its kind, it has no assessments, the funds necessary to defray its ex})enses being su})plied by public collection. Its meetings are held alternately at the Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal churches on Sunday evening of each week. It is now a pros])erous society. Its meetings are C(»nducted in the form of entertainments, and the society ])ei'forms the double office of cultivating the morals of the rising generati(m and at the same time gives its members an opportunity to cultivate, exj^and and air their literary powers. Its first officers were : President, J. W. Madox, who still occupies the chair, with Thomas Herman, Mrs. J. M. Gilmore and Mrs. Eddy as vice-presidents ; Recording Secretary, J. M. Grady ; Corresponding Secretary, J. D. Strattan ; Board of Managers, Nelson Taylor, Miss A. Shafer, William Dunn, Rev. G. M. Morey and William Long; Treasurer, Geneva Farran. Present officers are : president, same as the first, with James Pepin, Alexander Greene, and James W. Terry, vice-}>residcnts ; Recording Secretary, James Grady ; Corresjionding Secretary, ,Jane (Tihnore ; Treasurer, Miss Mattie Bay; Board of INIanagers, ]\lrs. Maggie Egbert, Ephraim (Gilmore and Annie Williams. The charter was given the society by John P. St. John, president, and J. E. Letton, 8ecretar\', of the national societv.

There is yet another society now in (i]»eration at Milk'rsl)urg, for the moral cultivation of its chihhvn. This is the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. It was organized in 1S80, at the Methodist church. The first mcndjers of the society deserve to be remembered by those who come after, as they embrace the ladies of most of the leading families in and about Millersljurg. They are as follows : Mrs. Eddy, Mrs. M. Bay, Miss S. E. Thornton, Miss A. Shafer, Mrs. Burgess*, Mrs. B. C. Greene, Mrs. M. Boyd. Mrs. M. E. Boyd, Mrs. T. Comell, Mrs. Boyles, Mrs. Vernon, Mrs. L. Thornton, Mrs. L. Landreth, Mrs. M. A. Lee, ]\Irs. M. E. Sivens, Mrs. Norbury, Mrs. T. Gilmore, Mrs. J. M. Gilmore, Mrs. Dr. Chowning, Mrs. Ellen Everett, Mrs. J. Morey, Miss J. Farran. The funds accumulating from initiation fees and term dues are used to procure reading matter that will interest the children, and direct them in a right direction as to 'other literature. The present number of members is eighteen. The tirst otiicers of the societv were: President, Mrs. E. Eddv : Vicepresidents, Mrs. E. Bay, Mrs. Burges and Mrs. E. Dunn ; Corresi)onding Secretary, Mrs. R. Green; Recording Secretary, Miss S. E. Thornton ; Treasurer, Miss A. Shafer. The present officers are : Mrs. M. Merriman, president, with Mrs. Burges and M. Egbert, vicepresidents ; corresponding and recording secretaries same as the first.

The Children's Temperance Society was organized in 1882, with twenty-two members. Its officers are : President, Mrs. Dr. Chowning; Vice-Presidents, Miss A. Shafer and Mrs. W. Egbert. This society is kept in the interest of the Woman's Christian Tem})erance Union. Credit must be given the ladies of Millersburg and the surrounding countrv for the active and energetic ijart thev have ever taken to build u}> a good class of society around them, and banish from their midst those evils and temptations which tend to destroy the harmonious progression of well regulated society.

Church History

This part of the history of Millersburg is no less interesting than her tem}»erance history. As we have before stated, in the cabin of the first settler in the town in 1836 begins this department of Millersburg's history. Until the court-lunise was c<>mpleted in 1839 the several denominations represented here held their meetings at the houses of their members and in the groves, when, in 18rl4, the first schoolhouse was built, and meetings were held in it and at the court-house till churches were erected. The first orijanization of the Presbvterian faith in Mercer county was at what is now known as Pope's Civek, in 1837, with John Montgomery as pastor. TIk- adxocates o Presby- terianism living at Millersbnrg and tlie sniTonnding conntrv attended cliurcli at that place and made up a }»art of the society. In 1839 they began to have regular services at ]\Iillersburg, which were held in the court-house till 1814. but had no organization of their o^vn till about the close of 1813 or the beginning of 1841. John Montgomerv was their first regular preacher in the court-house. In 1844, the time of tlie buililing of the tirst school-house in Millersburg, the house was made larger than was needed for school that it might serve for both school-house and church. At this time the following-named persons were dismissed fi-om the Pope Ci*eek church to organize a society at Millersburg : Messrs. E. Gilmore, J. M. Gilmore, Henry Lee, Edward and John Brady, J. T. McGinnis, J. G. Gilmore, A. A. Sherer, Samuel Guffy, John Kiddoo, Graham Lee, David Morrow and H. W. Thornton. The ladies were: Betsy King. Margaret S. Gilmore. Ann J. Taylor, Martha Lee, Mary Marsh, Mary E. Murphy, Sarah E. Lloyd, Sarah Clark. Elizabeth A. Edgar. Elizabeth Davis, Mary M. Steele. Mary Sherer, Eliza Brady, Catherine Gilmore, Tabitha W. Bay, Mary A. McGinnis, Mary Gutty, Eliza Kiddoo, Elizabeth Morrow, E. F. Thornton, Bachel T. AVillitts and Hannah Reed, making in all fortyfour members to organize and establish the first church in ]\Iillersburg. The society held services in the above-mentioned school-house till 1854, when was erected the present church edifice, a frame building, at a cost of $1,600. Its size is 40x50, with a seating capacity for 300 persons. It has several times been refitted, and even now, as to outward appearances, is comparatively a new building. The ministers who have served this congregation since it began to have preaching are : Rev. John Montgomery, from 1839 to 1843 ; Thomas Tail, till 1848 or 1849 ; L. Y. CVittenden, 1854; A. Loomis, till 1858 ; J. N". Jamison, till 1861 ; William Dool, from 1865 to 1869 ; J. McBride, till 1872 ; Joel Kennedy, three years, and till 1879. The present pastor is W. B. Phelps. The first officers of the church were : Elders, Ephraim Gilmore, J. W. Ne\aus. Shortly after the organization J. T. McGinnis. J. M. Gilmore and Henry Lee were added to the eldership.

The largest membership the society ever numbered at any one time was 140 members. It now numbers little more than one-fourth that number. This reduction has been owing to circumstances. The greatest drain upon the society has been the number that have been dismissed to organize other societies. At one time there were dismissed forty-five members to organize a society s<^uth of the Edwards, at Avhat is now Peniel ch\u-ch ; at another, eighteen were dismissed to organize a society at Hamlet in Perryton townshi}) ; and several were dismissed to unite with the Perryton society in Pcn-yton township. This church society has ahvavs had SuiKhiy-school at its church-hoiist.', but nut ct>nnectc'd with the churcli. Tlie SuiKUiv-school whieli it has always supported was (tri;anized at Millersburg, in the c<»urt-h()use in 1842, by the American Sundav-school Union. Anionii:: the members of this society since its organization are the names of many promirtent families, both of the past and present.

The next church organization in age and extent is the Methodist Episco})al church. The people of this faith who located here at an early day, like the Presbyterians, held their meetings at }»rivate houses and in groves till the coui1:-h< »use was erected, when they used that till the school-house was built in 184-I-, when they held services there till they erected their first church building.

The early pioneers of the Methodist Episcopal church worshiped at Camden Mills (now Milan, Rcjck Island county), and for several years only had preaching at Millersburg now and then. It remained a part of the Camden Mills circuit till 1865, when it became the Millersburg circuit, then including Aledo, which was afterward detached fi'om the circuit. They began to have regular preaching about 1850, but no organization distinct from the Camden MiDs church till 1857, when the organization was eftected and included in the Peoria conference. P. X. More was the elder who presided here at the (organization. J. ^y. Long was secretary of the meeting. D. M. Falkinbury was first pastor in charge. James Sheritf. Jacob A\1iarton and John Ashbaugh were the first class-leaders. The first stewards were: J. W. Lane, Ambrose Eddy, Jacob Colier, Peter Blue, E. C. Paitlet, William T. Shafer, and Joseph Richmond. Samuel Wliarton was appointed Sunday-school superintendent, and Samuel Ai*tz assistant superintendent. The Methodist Episco}tal society erected their first and |)resent church building, 40 X 60, seating room 40 X 50 feet, in 1857, at a cost of $4,(»00. Previous to erecting this present church a building was begun on the same foundation, and when partly com})leted, w^as blown down by a storm. This was a sad thing for the churcli; it needed a place for worship, and tlie generosity of many had received considerable tension, and it seemed like raising mountains of granite from their foundations to arouse the people again to a necessity of beginning a second building, and to renew their subscriptions for that l>urpose. Citizens with money to loan were less common than now. But in the face of all this o})])Osition the Methodist Episcopal people Went to work with a will which meant to carry the point, and did so. The building is well furnished, and the best in the town. The chin-ch has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity since its organization. Like the Presbyterian church, it has come up from the jnoneer days, and among its members since the clmrcli was established here, and before,, are many of the prominent families, not only of Millersburg township,, but of the county.

The ministers who haye labored here since 1857, are : F. A. Falkinbury, from 1857 to 1858, during which time Josepli Richmond was exhorter in the church ; L. D. Crouch, till 18«i( i ; Z. E. Kaufman,, till 1861; J. D. Taylor, till 1863; L. S. Ashbaugh, till 1864; J. D. Taylor again, till 1865 ; James Cowden, till 1866 ; M. P. Armstrong,, till 1868, who came here from Indiana, and as the conference year of the two conferences did not end at the same time, his place was tilled, till his time expired in Indiana, by J. H. Pay ton ; A. ^lorey, till 1870; A. Peeler, till 1871; Thomas Head, tilf 1874; J. J. Walter, till 1875; G. M. .Morey, till 1878. Present pastor in charge is G. W. Frizell. The present officers are : Ambrose Eddy, J. D. Strattan, J. H. Purdum and Dr. J. P. Chowning, church stewards; Jac<:>b Wliarton, William Dunn, Ambrose Eddy, J. D. Strattan and S. H. Eiddell, trustees ; Charles York, J. H. Purdum and William Robinson,, parsonage trustees.

The Methodist Episcopal church has had connected with its organization, since 1857, a liye and profitable Sunday-school. Previous to 1857 they labored in the capacity of a Sunday-school in the interest and under the auspices of the American Sunday School I'nion. The school is now kept in operation throughout the year, and is in a prosperous condition.

Latter-Day Saints' Church

Tlie third and last of the cliurches n<3w represented in Millersburg is the Latter-Day Saints' church, not unfrequently called Mormons, but the people of this faith here detest the yery idea of polygamy. This doctrine of the church was first preached in the county about 1840, by Elder G. M. Ilinkle. The first society in the county was. organized in 1861 in Duncan township. The members of this faith then at Millersburg worshiped with the congregation in Duncan township till 1872, when they ^yere organized into a distinct societ}-, which met at priyate residences for worship for a short time after its organization, and other buildings suitable, till 1876, when they built their present church-house .at a cost of 860<.>. The first members were as. follows : W. S. Morrison, Joseph Harris, James Vernon, Eliza Vernon, Viola Vernon, J. M. Terry, Mary Terry, Elizabeth, Emma, Stephen* Theresa, James and ]S^ancy Miller, Jasper, Mary, Mary E., Clara, Juliet, Adelaide and Edward Duncan. Hannah Terry, Margaret Brown, William Cardman, Sarah Cardinaii, Elizabeth Webb. The present members number forty-six.

Millersbitrg Towjs'Ship

A partial list (^f the ministers, as furnished us, is as follows: J. ]\r. Terry, J. AV. Terry, E. Bryant, J. L. Terry and J. B. Harris, present pastoi- in cluirge. The iirst officers were J. B. Harris and J. M. Terry. The i)resent officers are J. L. Terry, E. Bryant and J. W. Terry. The tirst death that occurred in the society was that of W. S. Morrison in 1873. The society is in a prosperous condition. It receives much uncalled-for censure because of the infamous docti-ine preached by the Utah church.

While these three church societies compose those who have erected church buildings in Millersburg, they do not embrace all the creeds re})resented by her people. The earliest preaching at ^lillersburg was of the predestinarian Baptist faith, which at that time was rapidly losing its favor with the ])eople from whence came the greater part of the early settlers of Millersburg. In addition to these Ba;)tists were the Missionary Ba})tist, who have had at no time in the history of the settlement of the township a church building and a ivgular organized society, but have had, at irregular intervals, })reaching almost from the beginning of the settlement. The people a part of the time held their meetings in the Presbyterian church building, and the remainder in the school-house and at other places. In 1870 G. M. Zook preached here regularly for one year ; he was followed by A. F. Sharpner. Among others who have from time to time labored here in the ministerial capacity are M. I). Murdock and J. W. Washdale. Owing to the fact that no record of the early settlers who held to the Missionary Ba])tist faith has been kept of those who resided at and around Millersburg, we are not able to give a list of their names, and give only the names of this faith at tliis time residing here : A. P. Sharpner and fa)nily, Thomas Landreth and family, James Burges and wife, Herschel Felton and wife, and James Cash. These hold tlieir membership at Antioch. in Duncan township, or at Aledo. Such is the history of the religious sects of the town of Millersburg from its Iirst settlement.

This society ranks high in this vicinity in morals, business ability and intelligence. The history of its organization and progress, as follows, has been pre]>ared by a committee a]>pointed for the purpose.

Iris Lodge, No. 267, I.O.O.F., was organized December 13, 1858, by AVilliam L. Green, James McJenkins, -I. \V. Close, John S. Moore and (). C. Allen, over the old store of (). A. Ih-idgford. J. W. Close is the onlv livinsj; charter member, as known bv the lodge at the present time. The first oftieers of the lodge were as follows: X.G., AV. L. Green; V.G., J. W. Close; Sec, James Mclenkins; Treas., J. S. Moore. The first niemhers of Iris Lodge had a pretty hard struggle to keep life in the organization ; for, when the lodge was yet young, a number of the members were called away to the army, which left only about a quorum, and it was a hard matter to get all out at once. But by hard work they pulled through. The brethren never forgot those who were called awa}- to help in the su}> pression of rebellion, and showed their interest in the absent ones by paying all back dnes, and in gaining help. The first death in the lodge was that of Lewds Trimble, and the whole number of deaths since the lodge was organized is five. The progress of the lodge, since the close of the war, has been very rapid, increasing from the five charter members to an average of forty members in good standing, and from a state of bankruptcy to a suq^lus of $1,500. The society now owns their own hall, which is very neat and attractive, and claims as a membership the best men that society aftbrds. The present ofiicers of the lodge are as follows : N.G., C. C. Brown; V.G., W. W. Wakeland ; Sec, J. U. Eoberts; Treas., J. jS^. Close. The number of members at present is forty-five. The society has occupied one building almost all the time, and it cost $500. The lodge is now in a prosperous condition, and is one of the ablest lodges in the county.

Millersburg public schools is one of the institutions in which her people take great pride, and it is well that they should feel proud of an institution that can prepare her sons and daughters to become men and women among men and women. About the first, if not the very first, school taught in Millersburg, was kept in H. W. Thornton's law oflice by a man named Bell, in 1838. Aftei- this, school was held in the court-house till 1844, when the first house for school purposes was erected. Harry Scenter, David Felton, Hiram Hardie, Mrs. H. W. Thornton, Da^id Lloyd, Charles AVinchip and Joseph McChesney were pioneer teachers of Millersburg, some of whom taught both in the rural districts and in town. The first school building was used for school purposes till 1862, when the present spacious brick school-house was erected, with four de])artments. The present jn-incipal is Prof Daniel Farmer, of Normal, Illinois. A word complimenting the systematic course of instruction is not out of place. Students are fitted here for teachers without further drill.

The other xdllage in the township is Joy, located on the Keithsburg division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railnvad. It was laid out in 1860 by L. W. Thompson and William Lngles, on section 19. The first business house in the j)lace was a store of general mer- tliandise, kej^t bv ('. S. Kiclioy. and the first drug store by John Moss. The tirst bhicksmith to locate here was Joseph Hughes. The first religious ineetiugs in tlie town were held by the Presbyterians, Methodists, and Later Day !>aints, in the school-house. The population of the town is about 150. It has two stores : one kept by J. H. Crane ; the other by J. T. C-ralloway ; both have a good trade. One wagon shop is run by Jose])h Hughes, and one bhiokstnith shop by G. W. Cook. The hotel is kept by J. W. Wood. The first hotel ever k5i)t in the village was by (). F. Green.

The village is quite a shi})ping point. The railroad established a station here the same year the village was laid out. For some time the business of" the station was almost nothing; the people had become so accustomed to take their produce to the river that it seemed hard to get out of the old ruts. The first station agent was H. N. McNeil. The }>resent agent is Hiram Standish ; he came here in 1870, and took hold of the business for both the company and the farm^-s ; hi^ object was to bring to this point the ship])ing both of ;grain and live stock that properly belonged here. In 1881 there were loaded at this ])lace 196 cars of stock and 74 of grain ; the number of cattle ship])ed was 1,338; of hogs, 7,678. To bring the business of the surrounding country here the agent received the produce from the producer and shipped it. .Vt that time there were no buyers here. J. H. Crane is the present grain merchant.

The post-office now at Joy was first established in 1847, and named High Point. George Scott was the first postmaster, and kept the * office at his home, where Edward Griffith now resides. Tlie next appointed postmaster was Samuel Eayle, who kej^t the office one year, when it was given again to George Scott. In 1865 Peter Si)angler was appointed jjostmaster and held the office till 1870, when it was moved to Joy, and the name changed from High Point to that of Joy, and the office given to O. F. Green. In 1871 J. T. McGinnis was made postmaster. The present postmaster is J. II. Crane, apjjointed in 1878, but has kept the office since 1873.

Joy has one church, the Methodist Episcopal. It was organized in 1874 by liev. Head. Previous tc* this time they had irregular preaching at the scIkjoI-Iiousc at Joy and at the brick church two miles southeast of the village. The s'ociety was organized with the folhjwing named members : J. W. Wood and wife, W. P. Zentmire and wife, AVilliam Kiddoo and wife, Richard Edgar and wife, Eli/a Kiddoo, K. H. Day and wife, Frank ]\Iore and wife, and Augusta Mays. The society now numbers foity members. In ls77 it built its first and present church edifice, a frame, at an outlay of §1,8(>0, The trustees at present are : William Kiddoo, P. P. Zentniire and J. M. Shingledecker. The stewards are : J. M. Shingledecker and Mrs. Mays, The class-leader is W. P. Zentmire. The ministers who havelabored here' are : J. J. Walters, instrumental in bringing about the bnilding of the church ; M. Morej, and W. B. Frizell, present pastor in charge. The society has lost by removals several of- its valuable members.

* A Sunday-school was organized shortly after the church organization was effected, whicli has since been in operation, and now numbers forty scholars. W. P. Zentmire is the present superintendent. Both the church and Sunday-school are in a prosperous condition.

In addition to those church societies in the town of Millersburgand 'the village of Joy,, there are the Seventh Day Adventists church at the Marsh school-house in the southeast part of the township ; the Peniel church, four miles south of Millersburg, and the free Presbyterian church, familiarly known as the old brick church a half mile south of the Peniel church. -

The Seventh Day Adventists are of recent date in Millersburg township, being as late as 1871 ; though there was a society of this belief much earlier in Aledo, with Elder Andrews as pastor, who came to the Marsh school-house previous to 1871, and preached for the benefit of the members of the church living in that community, at irregular intervals. The society^ was organized with about thirty communicants, and at this time numbers twenty members. The society has been very much affected by the unsettled condition of the population. The first officers were : J. R. Witham, elder ; C. Dreyden, deacon ; J. C. Middaugh, clerk. The present officers are : elder, same as the first ; clerk, Mary Miller. The society is flourishing, and proposes to erect a church-house for worship at the earliest possible period.

The Presbyterian congregation, known as the Peniel class, was organized into a distinct society in 1871. From the early settlement of the township there were several of this faith in this comnninity, but not sufficient for sometime to support an independent society ;. hence they held their membership at Millersburg. For several years they had preaching at the Pleasant Hill school-house, two miles east of Joy, and occasionally held meetings in the brick church one mile south. In 1871 the organization was effected by forty-five members, who were dismissed from the Millersburg society for that purpose. They met at the brick church and proceeded to form themselves into a society, and forthwith adopted measures for the erection of a church edifice, which was completed in 1872, at an outlay of $4,500. This is by far tlie finest clmroh in the tcjwnship. It is a frame, "structure 40 X 60, witli a seating capac-ity for 3()() persons. J. Downing donated the ground for the cluirch and cemetery. Tn addition to tliis a parsonage was built at an outlay of $1,600, Edwin Gilmore donating the ground on which it stands, one-fourth mile north of the church. This society and the one at Millersburg employ the same pastor ; hence it is not necessary to repeat the names of the ministers who have lab<^)red here since the organization was effected ; nor before, as they will be found in the list of ministers in connection with the society at Millersburg. The first elders of the society were : J. Downing, William Miller, J. T. McGinnis and John Love. A few years after there were two more added to this number : Eichard Kiddoo (deceased) and Henry Dool. The present eldership is the same. Tlie largest membership the society has had at any one time was 125 membei's, which has been reduced to S4 by removals. The society dedicated its building out of debt Many of the friends of the church came on dedication day with their pocketbooks, and went away surprised to think that no collection was taken. The Presbyterian element is largely predominant in the section surrounding this church. The society has kept, in connection with the church work, an interesting Sabbath-school. Until quite recently it was discontinued during the winter 'months, but now continues throughout the year. The i^resent superintendent is William Jewel. The average attendance is 100.

Tlie brick church one and a half miles north of the south line of the township, and directly south of Millersburg, was the first church building erected in the towniship. It was built in 1847. It is in size 40 X 60, and is still standing. It was built not so much by subscription as by contributions in work. The society was that of the Free Presbyterian faith. The leading members, and those who were instrumental in building the church, were the Kiddoo brothers, James, Eichard, William and John, and others of the neighbors whose names we failed to get, as the records are either lost or have been carried away. The brick were bui'ned by Richard Kiddoo. The men who did the work were kept by the people who were interested in its erection. Pev. James Pogue was the first minister in charge. The first elder was James Kiddoo, who moved west a tW years since. This society was an advocate of freedom, not at that time inherent with the (jther branches of Presbyterianism. The organizati<^n was ke]jt up till sometime during the war, when the principles of the denomination, whose mission it was to demonstrate, became impressed upon the connnunity ; and the society having become reduced in its membership by frequent removals of its members, it united with the

Methodist Episcopal church society now located at Joy. as the principles of freedom advocated by the two societies were one and the same. The society was reincorjtorated under the name of the Methodist Episco})al church, which held its meeting here regularly till the present church building wjis erected in Joy.

Connected with the church is the first established cemetery in the township, south of the Edwards. Here reposes the dust of several of the early settlers of the surrounding country.

The first Sunday-school in this part of the township was organized at this church, about the time of its dedication, under the auspices of the American Sunday School Union, which was kept u}) till the Methodist Episcopal society ceased to hold meetings here. The only use now made of the church building, is for funeral services at the cemetery. The erection of this church, at the time it was effected, if we consider the financial circumstances of the community, and the durability of the building itself, clearly illustrates the character of the people of the surrounding community.

Among the societies of the township, held at Millersburg, which clearly illustrates the progress of agriculture and stock raising is the county fair. It was the first association of the kind in the county. The fair grounds were located southwest of Millersburg, adjoining the town, and originally consisted of three acres, and enlarged to nine, at the time of its removal to Aledo. The expenses were kept within the annual income. The labor necessary to make the needed improvements was donated by the members of the association. Any one could become a member of the society by })aying the fee of one dollar at eacli annual meeting. The sole interest of the society was manifested in behalf of the products of the county, and was conducted on strictly moral principles. Yery little racing was permitted, and no gambling witliin the enclosure. Those who attended its amiual show of stock, agricultural j^roducts and woman's wares, say that a marked ]H-ogress in each department was perceptible, and it is not unfre(piently the remark is made of the good social times eni(jyed at the Millersburg fair. The ladies of the county are equally entitled to their share of the praise for the success of the institution while at Millersburg. The officers of the association gave free of charge their services, without even charging up their expenses while conducting the business of the association. When the place of its annual meeting was moved to Aledo, the society was out of debt and had a surplus of twelve or fifteen hundred dollars in the bank. We now leave the history of the society to be continued in the history of Mercer township.

In 1854 the peo[)le of Millersburg township mot at tlie school-liouse near Edward Brady's corner, with Ephraini Gilmore, chairman, appointed by L. B. Howe, and L. B. Howe, secretary. These temporary ofRcei-s became the permanent officers for the year. The townshijj was divided into three road districts : No. 1, north of the Edwards ; No. 2, embraced the east lialf of the township, south of the Edwards; No. 3, the west half of township, south of the Edwards.

The following list of township officers, taken from the records, will prove of great interest as being a list of gentlemen, who at various times, were considered worthy of the votes of their constituents and well litted for the offices to which they elected them :

In 1S55 the vote as to whether or not the to'vniship organization should be ado])ted, the result was 21 votes for and 19 against the organization.

The free schools of MiUersburg have kept pace with the progress 'i>t' the township. In 1841 the money paid out for teaching was ^124.86. that being the available school fund. At that time there were C)nly three distiicts, one north of the Edwards and two south.

The treasurers report in 1863 shows seven distiicts ; 503 persons of school age in the township, with an attendance of 320. The amount paid out for teaching, $1,134.42 ; highest wages paid per month was $30 ; lowest, $14. School fund, $1,600. The report of 1881 shows the same number of districts ; 580 children of school age, with an enrollment of 360 pupils ; total days' attendance, 33, 340 ; the school fund, $2,322.38 ; teachers' wages for the year, $2,259.80 ; incidental exj^enses of the schools, $382.82. Highest wages paid, $60 per month.

The improvements in roads have been no less rapid since 1835. The amount of road in the township is sixty miles, with an average width of three rods. In 1854 the road tax was ten cents on the one hundred dollars of taxable property; in 1856, twenty cents ; from 1856 t(» 1865, ten cents ; from 1865 to 1877, the levy was twenty cents on the one hundred dollars, when the roads passed under the commis sioners' law. In ls81 the levy was twentv cents on the one hundred <lollars ; in 1882, twenty cents.