Odell Township

Odell Township

After the survej'ing and platting of the village, alluded to on another page, the lots were offered for sale, and many of the best were purchased for S20 to

|30 each. The business lots, first sold, almost all went at the former price. At first, the east side of the square seemed to be the favorite place for business, and the first respectable sized store building erected was the one into whicli Curtiss & Dewey moved their goods after leaving the warehouse.

This buildino- still stands on the corner, just south of Hossack's ofiice, and is occupied as a saloon. But gradually the west side of the square built up ; and as the newer buildings, owing to a demand for more commodiousstore rooms, were larger and better, the east side, to some extent, fell behind, its smaller buildings serving the purpose of shops and the smaller class of trade. Especiallv was this noticeable when, in 1867, Wm. Strawn erected the hotel, Avith a number of convenient store rooms. At the time of its erection, it was considered, as it really was, the finest hotel in the county. The hotel drew about it, at once, a number of business men ; and, ever since, the west side has had the lead.

We left the post office on the hands, or rather on the shoulders, of Peter Lundo-ren. S. S. Morgan was, at that time. Postmaster ; but, as soon as the duties of the office became such as to need careful attention, he, too, turned it over to other parties. His successors have been as follows : John Williams, A. A. Streator, S. H. Putnam, H. G. Challis, S. H. Putnam and the present efficient incumbent, S. H. Hunt, who was appointed in 1869, and has held the office continuously ever since.

As already intimated, Rev. I. T. Whittemore held the first church service in the town. After a few services had been held in the station, a carpenter shop was erected by Seyftiour & Ni(*liols, who, by the way, were the first resident carpenters in the place ; and in their shop services were conducted for a while. The people all worshiped together, and sect and denomination Avere scarcely thought of, but all were glad of the privilege of hearing the Gospel preached, even in a carpenter shop. When, in 1858, the school house was built, they were more comfortably situated. Mr. Whittemore continued to minister to the people, and with such acceptance that, in 1862, the Congregational Society was organized. Among the original members Avere Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Hotchkiss, Mary P. Camp, Mrs. A. R. Morgan, Mrs. Polly Robinson, Mrs. Sarah Lucas, Mrs. S. C. Putnam.

In 1866, the society, having increased very considerably in numbers and Avealth, and being desirous of possessing a house of Avorship which they might feel was their "religious home," erected their present neat and substantial church building. The house is thirty-eight feet in Avidth and sixty in length, and cost the society ^8,000. At the time of its erection. Rev. L. Leonard was Pastor of the congregation. He Avas a man of much energy and influence, and it was largely due to his zeal and management that the enterprise was begun.

The history of the Methodist Church of Odell is very similar, in many respects, to that of the Congregational just given. The tAvo societies - or rather the two peoples - worshiped together in the depot, in the carpenter shop, and in the school house. Both organized about the same time, and held services alternately in the scliool house, and both built their houses of worship the same year. The Rev. Thomas Cotton, a man whose influence in social and religious matters in Livingston County has, perhaps, been as great as that of any other man of like profession who ever resided in its limits, organized the church in 1860. The prosperity of the society has been (juite marked. Beginning Avith a very few, they have grown in numbers until at present the church consists of 130 members ; and, though laboring under the disadvantages of hard times, high material and expensive labor, erected, in 1866-67, their present tasty and commodious house of worship. It is fifty-six feet in length and thirty-six in width, and cost $6,000. The present Pastor is Rev. W. P. Graves.

The Catholics of this place, in 18T5, completed a very large house of worship. It is forty feet in width by eighty-six in length, and cost $5,300. The society consists of about 120 families. The parish is in charge of Rev. Bernard Boylan.

The citizens of Odell justly pride themselves on their excellent schools. In the selection of teachers, they have always been very successful ; and during the eight years ending with 1873, the Odell school, with one exception, prepared more teachers than any other school in the county.

The Board of School Directors, as now constituted, are : S. S. Morgan, T. 0. Bannister and James Funk. Teachers : W. W. Lockwood and Misses Crawford, Graves, Pound and Bell.

The society of A., F. & A. M. was constituted as Odell Lodge, No. 401, Oct. 5th, 1864. The charter members were L. H. Cordry, E. G. Putnam, Z. Supplee, who were the first three principal officers. The charter was granted by Thomas J. Turner, Grand Master. The Lodge numbers at present sixty members. Odell Chapter was chartered by John M. Pearson, High Priest, Oct. 7, 1870. The charter was granted to Z. Supplee, A. E. Gammon, John E. Williams, A. B. Dunlap, A. P. Wright, J. Martin, C. H. Ellenwood, R. G. Morton, J. Ford, Charles Finefield, E. Williams, A. G. Goodspeed, J. B. Garwood, H. H. Hill and R. B. Harrington. Elisha Williams was first High Priest; Z. Supplee, King, and J. E. Williams, Scribe. The present principal officers are: R. G. Morton, High Priest; D. A. Walden, King; Joel Kidder, Scribe : J. F. Trowbridge, Secretary, and J. A. Hunter, Treasurer.

Company B, Tenth Regiment Illinois National Guards, regimental headquarters at Dwight, was organized June 25, 1876. J. F. Trowbridge is Captain ; E. M. Vaughn, First Lieutenant ; J. L. Trowbridge, Second Lieutenant : Wm. T. Angell, Orderly. The company, as now constituted, contains, besides the officers, fifty-three enlisted men, fully equipped, uniformed and armed with needle guns.

Odell Lodge, No. 464, I. 0. 0. F., was chartered by Thomas B. Needles, Grand Master, Oct. 10, 1871, and instituted by N. J. Pillsbury, Deputy Grand. Master. The charter members were J. A. Hunter, W. Dalley, E. P. Utley, Jerry Clay and I. H. Scovell. B. F. Pound was installed first N. G.; N. E. Wright, V. G.; A. P.Wright, Rec. Sec; J. A. Hunter, Treas. The present officers are : I. H. Scovell, N. G.; E. DeBriae, Y. G.; J. M. Beck, Rec. Sec: T. 0. Bannister, Per. Sec; G. Z. T. Kenyon, Treas.

Several attempts have been made to establish a newspaper at this point, but with indifierent success. Owing to various circumstances, previous to 1877, enterprises of this kind have failed. But, during the year named, J. H. Warner, realizing that the time had come when a paper was really needed, established the Odell Herald, which bids fair to become one of the popular publications of the county. Merchants and other business men are beginning to realize that, to succeed in business, they must let their patrons know what they are doing, and, consequently, must invest in printer's ink.

A True Story Of Charley Ross

Though but little given to sensations, the town of Odell has had enacted within its limits a little drama which, at the time, created the most intense excitement ; and to this time, by many of the citizens who had the most ample means of knowing the facts, it is confidently believed that some of the persons connected with the Charley Ross abduction, together with the child in question, were the persons who figure in the folloAving story : During the Summer of 1874, a woman, giving her name as Hannah Cole, arrived at Odell, bringing with her a child of five or six years of age, and Avhom she called Jimmy Henderson. She was a stranger to the people of Odell ; but subsequent events proved her to be a relative of George W. Murkins, who lived just south of town, and with whom she took up her residence for a time. A few weeks later, another stranger, calling himself Lewis Dungan, arrived from Philadelphia, bringing another little boy, who, as afterward remembered, very much resembled the descriptions given of the abducted Charley Ross. Dungan also went to Murkins' to reside. This, as will be remembered, was just after the abduction had occurred, and the $20,000 reward had been oifered for the return of the missing child. Some of the children at Murkins' had heard the older ones of the family speak of $20,000 that Dungan was expecting to get from the East ; and this item, which soon became known to some of the neighbors, together Avith certain other suspicious movements, excited apprehensions which led to a quiet investigation of the matter. The inquiry, though conducted quietly, was evidently not unobserved by Dungan, for he seemed to take alarm, and procuring a close carriage, and tying the child up in a bag, and placing him under the seat, started at dark for Ottawa. Near Streator, they are known to have stopped and camped in the woods until near morning, when they again pursued their journey to Ottawa. Here Dungan is known to have stopped

Avith a man by the name of Tarr, who. as has since been ascertained, was an ex-convict of the Pennsylvania penitentiary, and a former confederate of the notorious Mosher who was shot in New York and who asserted that his accomplice in that last burglary was one of the abductors of Charley Ross. It is believed that Dungan transferred the child to Tarr, and that he took him to St. Louis, where he was lost sight of It is known that, immediately on Dungan's arrival at Tarr's, he (Tarr) left Ottawa, having expi'essed his baggage to Peoria, in care of Mrs. Ellen Webster, and from there the baggage was expressed to Bloomington, in care of Madame Webster, and thence to St. Louis, in care of Mrs. Webster. While the baggage was at the express office in St. Louis, a party appeared, desiring to open one of the trunks. Procuring therefrom a suit of child's clothing, the party stated that the trunks would be taken away in a few days; but they were never removed, by the owners, from the office. Another circumstance Avhich the detectives hoped would lead to a clue to the mysterious movements (»f the parties was a personal, which appeared in the St. Louis HepuhUeari, which read as follows: "To Christian Ross, Philadelphia - Charley will be given up for- $'),000. Answer." Mr. Ross did answer, accepting the proposition ; but here again, either from the departure of the persons connected with the matter, or from apprehension that thev were being; closelv shadowed, the thread was broken ; and, Dungan (avIio, in the mean time, had been arrested and put in jail), having had his trial and being released, the detectives gave up the pursuit. Reverting to Dungan. after he returned from Ottawa he was arrested and, on a preliminary examination, was held for b»il, which being unable to give, he was placed in jail to aAvait trial. A few days later, he was tried, but no positive evidence appearing, he was released. He subse(|uently sued S. H. Penny. Solomon Bishop. Henry Curtis. E. F. Bolter. Reese Jones, C. N. Coe, J. J. Halm, Carlos Putnam, A. S. Wisner and L. Putnam, for ^50,000, for trespass and false imprisonment. The jury found the first three parties guilty of trespass and allowed the plaintiff damages in the sum of one cent !

Though not marvelous for a Western town, the growth and prosperity of Odell has been not only satisfactory, but much more rapid than ordinary. From a population of about one hundred in 1858, the town has grown in twenty years to a real little city, containing at least 1,000 inhabitants, thus showing an increase, in this respect, of nearly 100 per cent, every six years.

As indicating the amount of business done at this place during the 3'ear ending January 1, 1877, the following items have been kindly furnished by Mr. N. S. Hill. Agent of the C, A. & St. L. R. R., at this place :

Agent, which positions he held for a number of years. C. N. Coe, brother of J. H., was the first Station Agent, being appointed in the yeat 1856. He also bought the first grain shipped from this place, during the same year. Grain was handled in a small warehouse which had been built by Weed, the original proprietor of the town.

Eli Pearson, from Ohio, came in the Fall of 1855, and opened a fiirm just east of the village. He has since removed to the township of Esmen, where he still resides. Hanford Kerr and family, from the same State, came about the

In 1856, the Fish brothers, C, U. Udell and Dr. B. J. Bettleheim arrived. The last named was an eminent scholar and a learned and successful physician. He traveled extensively in China, Japan and other countries. In 1858, he gave a series of lectures at Pontiac on his Eastern travels, and on vai-ious religious subjects, which were interesting and instructive in the extreme.

In 1857, Wm. Skinner, Wm. J. Murphy and a few others settled in the neighborhood. Skinner opened the farm just north of the village, where he still resides. Murphy started a broom factory. Mr. Murphy was also a preacher, and subsequently removed to Pontiac, Avhere he took charge, for a time, of the Presbyterian Church. While at Pontiac, he opened the nursery where A. W. Kellogg now resides.

In 1858, Augustus Coleman, from Troy, Ohio, came in. Coleman was a graduate of West Point, and, on the breaking out of the rebellion, returned to Ohio, organized a regiment and took the field. He was afterward promoted to the oflfice of Brigadier General, but was killed at the battle of Antietam.

David J. Evans opened the first store in 1857, which he continued about a year, when he closed out and was succeeded in the business by John F.

In 1862, D. Hunt built the first warehouse, now owned and operated by C. N. Coe. In 1868. L. E. Kent, of Pontiac, erected the one now operated by him. Though the village compai-es but poorly with many other towns of the county, the business done here is, by no means inconsiderable as will be seen by the following items, as given by the obliging agent of the Chicago, Alton k

Odell Township is situated north of the center of the county. It is exactly six miles square and embraces a full congressional town, and is described as Town 29 north. Range 6 east of the Third Principal Meridian. It is cut almost diagonally, from northeast to southwest, by the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, which divides it into two nearly equal portions. With the exception of a branch of Deer Creek, which takes its rise and flows through the southwestern portion of the township in the vicinity of Cayuga, the township is destitute of ruwning streams, and, with the exception of the little groves, here and there, planted by the owners of the land, is also destitute of timber. The soil is of a very rich and fertile character, and well adapted to the raising of corn, immense quantities of which are produced.

The year of 1871 was an eventful one for this part of the county, as it saw the completion of a railroad through this section, and a trading point located in the midst of the township, which, within a very few years, has grown in size and influence beyond the expectations of its most enthusiastic friends. Of all the nine stations located on the road in this county, this one outnumbers in population any other more than three to one. In less than three 3-ears from the time of its survey, it had increased in population to the number required by law to organize a village government.

Some little strife was evident between parties owning land in the vicinity of the switch, as to the exact location of the business part of the town, and also as to name.

Walter B. Cornell laid out a plat on June 15th, 1871, from the southwest quarter of Section 11, and named it Cornell. Two days after, Willard D. Blake laid out, from Section 14, the town named by him Amity. And while the former name has been retained, the most of the business houses are in the portion formerly called Amity Cornell, with other parties, built several houses on the plat laid out by him, but they have since been removed.

In 1873, the village was organized by the election of H. M. Cornell, Jason Curtis, John Withrow, George Bradley, James 0. Pond and Joseph Rucker, as Trustees. At their first meeting, July 18th, Cornell was elected President ; James W. Willis was appointed Clerk ; Jason Curtis, Treasurer ; and Samuel Blake, Street Commissioner.

A peculiar feature in the history of the town has been the continued granting of license to sell spirituous liquoi's. However, the present year, the senti-

The Board have usually pursued a wise policy in making street and other improvements, so that the appearance of the village is such as one would expect to find in a town twice as old.

The officers of the village .at present are: I. B. Santee, E. C. Newberry, J. B. Day, Philip Armon, E. Norton, James Bradley, Trustees ; William Miner. Clerk; C. A. Herbert, Police Magistrate: J. Willis, Attorney.

The village, though not continuing its rapid growth of the first few years, has still continued to improve in size and appearance. Its present population is about 500. Several of the business buildings are of brick, and of a character seldom found in towns of the age of Cornell.

A Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted at Cornell, June 23, 1876, with J. W. A. Lilly as N. G.; B. W. Conner, V. G.; J. G. Curtis, Sec. ; Ordam Deeds, Treas.

Cornell Lodge, A.. F. cS: A. M., was instituted December, 1877, the charter being granted to John Guernsey, J. J. Reeder, H. M. Cornell, A. K. Brower, E. Norton, H. H. Brower, Philip Armon, I, P. Santee, John Greene and H. Bolt - the first five of whom were Master. Wardens, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

Amity Township took a prominent [)art in the late war. Some of the bravest ajid best men that went from Livingston County were from this locality. Some who enlisted from this part of the county were in the Fifty-third Infantry, and some in other regiments, but most were in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Infantry.

The names of all deserve honorable mention, but space permits the record, in this place, of but a few, and that number will be confined to those who not only braved the dangers of the battle field, but who, in addition, gave up their lives in defense of the principles which they went out to defend. Of these were Joseph Springer, Uriah Springer, Judson Hoag, Samuel W. Houston, Thompson Laycock, John B. Lucas and Thomas Sutcliff". There were others, accredited to other towns, which will be found in the general Avar record.

Amity Township is (me of the best-watered and best-timbered in Livingston County. To the early settlers, there were three special attractions in a new country - wood, water and stone ; and these three being found in the vicinity had much to do in drawing to this locality the people who first inhabited it. The Vermilion River passes almost directly through the center of the township, from southeast to northwest. Rook's Creek comes in from the south, and forms a junction with the Vermilion, near the center. Scattering Point also flows from the south, and empties into the Vermilion, near the northwest corner. Wolf Creek flows from the northwest corner of Pontiac Township, and empties into the Vermilion near that point. Mud Creek flows through the northeastern part, emptying into the Vermilion in Newtown Township. Besides all of these, there are several small tributaries, which furnish' water to almost every section of land in the township.

Each of these creeks is fringed with a belt of timber, varying in width from a (juarter to a mile and a half, so that, originally, fully one-half of the township was timber land.

Underlying the whole township is, doubtless, a bed of coal. A shaft was sunk at Cornell, several years ago, and a good quality of this article found.

The Chicago & Paducah Railroad crosses the township, from northwest to southeast, cutting off" about six sections from the northeast corner.

The meaning of the name of the township is friendship or good will ; and if bestowed on it as denoting the peculiar trait of its inhabitantsrcould not have been better selected. These ancient Buckeyes have always been noted for their hospitality.

Source changes here: from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Livingston County, Vol. 2 by Strawn, Johnson, and Franzen (1909)., by Dale C. Maley, published 1909; 3,796 words in this source stream.

Odell Township

Cornell is situated in Amity Township. The Vermilion river runs nearly half a mile within the center of the town. The village owes its name to the founder, Walter B. Cornell. Upon the completion of the Chicago and Paducah railroad, now known as the Streator branch of the Wabash, he laid out the plat of the town on June 15, 1871, and named It Cornell. Two days later, William D. Blake, his neighbor on the south, platted an adjoining section of his farm and named it Amity. The strife for supremacy was carried on for several years, but the only evidence of the conflict now remaining is two beautiful parks - North park, on the original site of Cornell, and South park In Amity. At one time, lots In Cornell were worth more on the market than in either of its neighbors, Pontiac or Streator. The village was incorporated in 1873, and the question of licensing saloons came up before the people and has been the main point at issne at the village elections ever since with varying results. The first board of trustees were Henry Cornell, Joseph Rucker, George Bradley, John Withrow, James Pond and Jason Curtis. The population of the village is estimated at 600. It Is connected with the local and long distance telephone line, and is well provided with lighting, having ten are lights and 250 incandescent lights. The village has some cement sidewalks and about ten miles of board walks. The churches are the Methodist, a frame bullding, with a seating capacity of 300, The Baptists have a neat frame church building, costing $1,600, the Catholic church is also a frame structure. The Odd Fellows, Modern Wood- men, Court of Honor, Daughters of Rebekah, Grand Army of the Republic, and Woman's Relief Corps have flourishing lodges. The Odd Fellows erected a two-story brick building in 1907, the lower floor being used for a store and the upper floor for lodge purposes. major portion of the business houses in the village are built of brick. A coal mine, operated by the Phoenix Mining Company, is located one mile north of the village. The village school has three departments, and its graduates pass the eighth grade county examination. The Cornell Journal, a weekly newspaper, is published by A. E. Tiffany. Three elevators handle the grain.

Pontiac. It was laid out as a village in 1873 by W. G. McDowell, who owned the land and gave it its name. John Cottrell was the first postmaster. Benjamin Walton opened the first store, and later R. B. Phillips ran a store. John Leonard is now the village merchant as well as postmaster, A fine Methodist church is located here. The school house is one-half mile west of the village. There is an elevator, owned by the farmers in that locality, of which Charles Cottrell is manager. The village has about 100 population.

Village Of Lodemia

Is situated on the Wabash rairoad, midway between Pontiac and Fairbury. Has a small depot. There is a Methodist church and parsonage a few rods to the northeast. A postoffice was established in 1877. It was discontinued in 1891. Farmers in this locality now receive their mail on rural routes from Fairbury and Pontiac. There is an elevator here owned by Fairbury parties.

Belle Prairie is known as township 25 north, range 6, east of the third principal meridian. It is one of the three small townships of the county. It is bounded on the north by Indian Grove, on the east by Fayette, and on the south and west by Ford and McLean counties. This township was set off from Indian Grove at the time of township organization, and from that time until 1869, it embraced Fayette township within its limits. The township has neither a railroad nor a post office. The mail is de livered by carrier on the rural route from Fairbury. It was given its name by R. B. Harrington, at a meeting held at the school house on February 8th, 1858. William Brooks suggested the name of Douglas, but a majority favored the name of Belle Prairie.

Valentine Martin Darnall has the distinction of belng the first permanent settler in Livingston County. He was born in Virginia, in March, 1798, and was the son of James and Massey (Martin) Darnall, natives of that state. When a mere child, his parents removed In Kentucky and settled.in Boone County, one and one-quarter miles from Boonesboro, where lranlel Boone, the pioneer, built a fort over a century ago. Mr. Darnall was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools of those days, which afforded very limited facilities for obtaining an education. With his family, wife and four children, he left Kentucky In 1830, first arriving in the settlement above Pleasant Plain, on the Mackinaw, in McLean County, making the journey overland in a wagon with the old-fashioned scooped bed, which had a wonderful capacity for carrying household goods. This wagon was drawn by four horses, which were frequently inadequate to haul it through the deep mud caused by the rains at that season of the year. He had three brothers-In-law living at Pleasant Plain, and after a few days' visit, he left his wagon and family with them while he came over to Belle Prairie Township on a prospecting tour. After deciding upon his location, he returned to his family and borrowed a wagon to avoid unload- Ing, and with some grain he drove to a mill near Springfield. He was gone two weeks, the miller taking his time to grind the grain. He returned to the settlement on October 29th, and the following day he started and Janded on the spot in this county which he had previously selected, and "pitched his tent," on section 4, Belle Prairie Township, where there was an abundance of timber. Mr. Darnall at once set about to cut down trees to erect his cabin, his only tool belng an axe. The Jogs he cut eight feet long. The trees were cut down in the day time and at night he dressed them down into boards. The cabin was erected in one day, relatlves from Macklnaw coming over and assisting him. The cabin has long since crumbled away. A month after his arrival came the big snow, an extended notice of which is given elsewhere. The following year (1831) of four horses he had when he settled here, three of them died with milk sickness, and he used oxen for some time afterward. In 1832, dur- Ing the Black Hawk war (an account of which is elsewhere given), with his family he took refuge with his relatives In a fort on the Mackinaw, in McLean County, returning after the excitement had subsided. Mr. Darnall was honored with being elected the first supervisor of this township, which office he held for several years. He also held various offices of trust. He was one of the first jurors in the county, when court was held in the log cabin in Pontiac, and the jury were obliged to sit on logs in the open air. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs, Darnall's daughter, Mary, to Williamson Spence, was the first marriage in the county, the ceremony taking place In the log cabin on June 4th, 1837, and was performed by Rev. John Darnall, an uncle of the bride. On September 19th. 1839, another daughter, Alvira, was married to Benjamin Hieronymus. This was the second marriage in the county. Mr. Darnall was twice married, the first time in 1817, to Miss Rachel Steers. She died at the old homestead in September, 1872. In 1880 he married Mrs. Frances Cummings, who died at Hutchinson, Kan., while on a visit, on May 29, 1883. Mr. Darnall's first Presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson, and he remained a Hickory Democrat all through his life. A tract of 160 acres of government land, which he entered shortly after his arrival in the county, was still in bis possession at the time of his death (1886). and the title which was vested in him by the government remained just as it was written at that time.

The second settler in the county was Williamson Spence, mentioned above, who came here in 1831. His father, Malachi Spence, had located in Indian Grove Township, the same year. The first house in which he lived was 16x18 feet in dimensions, constructed of roughly hewed logs, with a plank floor, and his first purchase from the government was 80 acres of government land. His marriage to Miss Mary Darnall occurred in 1837. Both are now dead. A most remarkable event is that their five children are still living. Courtenay Ann, born in 1889, is the wife of Elhanan Fitzgerald and lives in Fairbury; Amanda, born in 1841, is the wife of Theodore A. Bentley and lives in Centralia, Mo.; Martin M., born in 1844, resides on the old Martin Darnall homestead; Mary E. born in 1847, is the wife of D, C. Avery, of Pontiac; Marquis D., born in 1856, lives at Roanoke, Va.

In 1834, Jeremiah Travis, James Cooper and Hugh Steers arrived with their families, each locating on section 5. Travis and Cooper came here from Overton County, Tennessee. Their mode of transportation was by wagon drawn by oxen, which made their travel necessarily slow.

Steers came from Boone County, Kentucky. It is said that Travis was the first white man to strike a fire on the west side of Indian Grove timber. He was a chair and spinning wheel maker by trade. During the early years in the new settlement, he was the first blacksmith. He died on the old homestead in 1871. Steers was a cooper by trade and made the first whisky barrel in the county. Cooper devoted his time in farming. Steers died October 26, 1852, while on a visit to his former home in Kentucky, and his remains were buried near where those of his parents and Daniel Boone repose. He was a leading and prominent member of the Baptist church and assisted in the organization of this church in this county. Cooper served on the first jury after the organization of this county, and held many offices of trust. He died in 1871, and was buried in the cemetery bearing his name, near the old homestead. His daughter, Margaret, born in 1835, was the first birth in this township. She never married, and died in Wichita, Kan., in the fall of 1901.

The family of Spencer Kates were the only arrivals in 1835. He was the first justice of the peace, receiving his commission in 1840, while this township was yet a part of Indian Grove precinct. He removed to the state of Oregon in 1865.

Benjamin Hieronymus came here in the spring of 1839 from Logan County, this state, where his parents had settled in 1828. On September 19th of the same year he was married to Miss Alvira Darnall, this being the second marriage in the county. Soon thereafter he engaged in teaming to Chicago, which he followed for nearly twenty-five years. He died on the old homestead December 31, 1885.

Charles Jones and son, Thomas A., came here in 1843 from Forrest Township, where they had settled in 1837. They lived here until 1861, when they removed to the village of Fairbury. They were natives of New Jersey.

Decatur Veatch and wife located here in 1846. He was born in Harrison County, Indiana, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1834, they locating in McLean County. Mr. Veatch built the first sawmill in Indian Grove Township. It is said he was the first Abolitionist in the county. He died June 3, 1873. His widow is living in Fairbury.

David S. Crum settled on section 17 in 1853, coming from Franklin County, Ohio. He Is still living. He served five terms as supervisor, was justice of the peace for twelve years, and school treasurer for many years. He is a member of the Methodist church, and was one of the principal members instrumental in building Fairview Chapel, which is located on his farm. While in no sense a politician, he ls a strict partisan of the Republican party.

Benjamin Walton came here in 1854 from Pennsylvania. Instead of locating in the timber, as had the previous settlers, he settled on the open prairie, having purchased his claim from a man named DeBoard. Mr. Walton was one of the first men in the county to advocate a stock law, and resolutions on the subject offered by him at the first county fair at Pontiac went the rounds of the press and circulated extensively over the Western states. Another enterprise of his was the putting up of stone corners to each section of land in the township. He made the move. and after encountering considerable opposition, succeeded In carrying his point, and today every section of land in this township has stones, weighing not less than 200 pounds, at each corner. He afterward moved to Fairbury, where he operated a flouring mill. He now lives in California.

Richard Smith came here the same year. He served two years as township collector. Jesse Hanna and son, Richard, and Allen Fitzgerald and sons, Elhanan and James, arrived in 1855. The Hannas came here from Woodford County, this state, and the Fitzgeralds from Boone County, Kentucky.

William Brooks came here in 1854 from Atlanta, this state. He was among the passengers on the first through train on the Chicago & Alton railroad after its completion from Chicago to Alton. For over fifty years he has kept a daily record of the weather and of principal events which have happened in the southern part of this county, and in many instances, by referring to his record, has settled disputes. Several years ago he abandoned the farm, and with his wife is now living in Fairbury.

George Worrick came here in 1857 from Washburn, Woodford County, this state, having located there three years previous. He dropped dead on the streets of Pontiac in 1882.

Others who arrived in the '50s were James and John Kirby, Samuel Hayes, John and Michael Morris, B. F. Fitch, Aaron Becker, P. O. Abbey, Gottlieb Brucker and the Sticklers.

The foregoing names comprise nearly all of the early settlers in this township of whom we have been able to obtain any definite information, and these settled In and around the small body of timber at the head of the grove.

There is but one church in the township - Methodist - and it is known as Fairview Chapel. It is a frame structure, erected in 1865, at a cost of $1,500, and was dedicated on its completion by Presiding Elder Rhodes. Be fore this church was built services were held in the cabins. Rev. John Darnall, Rev. David Sharpless and Rey. John Miller were among the early preachers.

The first school house was built in 1858, the contract for the same being let to Benjamin Walton. He hauled the material from Pontiac, and got his pay by collecting a sufficient amount to bring down his quota to a fair proportion with that of his neighbors.

The land upon which the town of Odell now stands was entered from the Government May 4, 1853, by James C. Spencer and Henry A. Gardner, although not surveyed and platted until August 10, 1856. Spencer afterward sold his share to William H. Odell, who was honored with the name of the town. Mr, Odell, in turn, sold his interest to S. S. Morgan. The latter after- ward purchased 2,100 acres of land which he began improving. He directed his energies to building publie roads centering in Odell, and the village owes much of its prosperity to his public spirit and enterprise. In due course of time he was elected supervisor, road commissioner and school director. The first station agent was Daniel Smith, and when the post-office was established was appointed postmaster. J. H. Link was the second agent and S. S, Morgan the second postmaster, The first store in the village was established by S. W. Curtiss, in the warehouse that had been erected by the railroad company. Curtiss lived in Kendall County, and the store was in charge of Peter Lundgren. J. P. Des Voignes was the third settler in the village. Curtiss took into partnership Oscar Dewey, and they erected a building. The firm continued in business until 1858, when Lundgren opened a store of his own, The first dwelling was erected by S. S. Morgan for Thomas Lyon, who was in charge of the railroad pumping station, and who had been making his home in a box-car. Joseph Baldwin opened the first boarding house and A. A. Streeter the first hotel. J. McMeans was the first blacksmith, but remained but a short time and was succeeded by Charles Finefield. The first carload of grain was shipped by James Henry in 1855. It was loaded from the wagons directly into the cars. The first elevator was erected by L. E. Kent of Pontiac in 1861, and Albert Aerl was placed in charge. J. B. Curtiss built another elevator about the same time. In 1866, J. & W. Hossack erected an elevator, 60x90 feet, at a cost of $23,000. The first school was taught in the home of Joseph French in the winter of 1857 by Mrs. M. H. Robinson. But seven pupils were in attendance. Seymour & Nichols were the first resident carpenters. In their shop were held the first religious services, the people all worshipping together. Rev. I. T. Whittemore was the pastor. The first school house was built in 1858, and services were then held in this building. Rev. Whittemore continued as minister until 1862, when the Congregational society was organized and a church, 38x60 feet, built by them in 1866 at a cost of $8,000. The Methodist church was organized in 1860 by Rev. Thomas Cotton. In 1867 they erected a church, 36x56 feet, at a cost of $6,000. The Catholic church was erected in 1857 at a cost of $5,300. In 1883, a two-story brick school building, containing six rooms, was erected at a cost of $10,000. Owing to faulty construction. this building was torn down, and a modern building was built several years ago. The Methodist and Catholic denominations have in recent years erected fine edifices. The St. Paul's school is a large and handsome structure, built in 1895 at a cost of $7,500. The building is of brick, contains three rooms, each 20x25 feet, a large drill room, in addition to the dining room, kitchen and dormitories. The church is in charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame. In addition to the ordinary studies are taught music, church history and catechism.

Among those who were engaged in business during the 60s we recall John McWilliams, lumber and general dry goods; Morell Southwick, lumber; P. W. Kenyon, lumber; F. Balenseifer, general merchandise ; Alfred Des Voignes, harness maker; S. Hunt, books and stationery; Charles Hungerford, cigar manufacturer; Kenyon & Gallaher, grocers; J. D. Pound, real estate; S. H. Penny, general merchandise, afterward establishing the Odell Exchange Bank; Raymond Premersdorfer, boots and shoes; E. M, Vaughan, druggist; N. E. Wright, hardware business; Thomas A. Daniels, wagon maker. Among the attorneys were James H. Funk and A. P. Wright.

The first election under township organization was held in 1858, being held at the store of Curtiss & Dewey. Twenty-five votes were cast. At this time Union Township was a part of this Odell Township. S. S. Morgan was elected supervisor. At this meeting $600 was appropriated for the purpose of building roads, and during that year petitions were granted for the laying out of thirty-eight miles of new road.

The village was organized February 8, 1867, by the election of the following board of trustees: President, John McWilliams; clerk, B. F. Washburn; treasurer, S. H. Putnam; members, John Hossack, T. O. Bannister, S. S. Morgan and Jason Curtiss; A. S. Putnam was appointed constable. In 1869 the village came under the Princeton charter, which prohibited the town board from granting license to sell intoxicants, and which continued in force until 1872, when it was reorganized under the general law.

Odell has more cement sidewalks than any town of its size in the county. A supply of excellent water comes from the town well, 1,274 feet deep, with the water rising within 120 feet of the surface. It has a good system of waterworks, with a pumping station and tower, with tank 120 feet to the top. The village has firstclass business houses, reliable bank, hotel, public library and a weekly newspaper. It is essentially an agricultural town, as is indicated from the fact that more grain is shipped from this station than from any other in the county, nearly 2,000,000 bushels of grain being handled yearly. The secret and benevolent organizations are represented by the Masons, Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen, Independent Order of Mutual Aid, Court of Honor, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Foresters. The electric road from Pontiac to Dwight passes through the village. A destructive cyclone passed through the village on May 14, 1886, an extended notice of which is given elsewhere.

Odell Township has been honored by having five of its citizens to represent this district in the State Legislature: Michael Cleary (Democrat), four terms; A. G. Goodspeed (Republican), three terms; Bailey A. Gower (Republican), two terms; Leander L. Green (Democrat), one term; William Strawn (Republican), one term. James H. Funk was elected state's attorney in 1873, B. F. Hotchkiss surveyor in 1875, M. Tombaugh county superintendent of schools in 1877, James A. Hunter sheriff in 1878.

The village was surveyed and platted from section 31, on April 10, 1855. Although this was over half a century ago, it has not grown in population to any great extent since then. C. N. Coe was the first station agent, being appointed in 1856. He also bought grain during the same year. David J. Evans opened the first store in 1857, and a year later was succeeded by John Pickering. David Hunt erected an elevator in 1862 and L. E. Kent another one in 1868, John W. Marsh engaged in the boot and shoe business in 1866, and in 1867 Dr. Peter Eggler opened a drug store and practiced medicine. E. O. Chapman was appointed station agent in 1872, and from that year until 1886 he was postmaster. He was a carpenter by trade, and during the early '50s built nearly all the houses in and around Cayuga. One of the early ministers was Dr. B. J. Bettleheim, who came here in 1856. The village today has a general store, three elevators, public school, and two churches - Presbyterian and Lutheran. .