Ontario Township (part 1 of 3)

Ontario Township

This township was named Ontario at a meeting of its citizens in 1850, being assembled for that purpose, by the order of the Commissioners appointed by the County Court. Many of them were formerly from the State of New York, and they named the township after the beautiful lake which forms a part of the northern boundary of that State. The first improvements in this township were made by Alexander Williams, in 1833, on the northwest quarter of section 30; which consisted in breaking and fencing 20 acres. This property was purchased by Isaac Wetmore, in 1836, who lived at that time on section 36, Rio township. G. W. Melton settled on section 31, that same year. A cabin previously erected on this quarter section, was the first building in the township. Both these gentlemen are still living on the same farms, and have proven themselves first-class farmers, as well as good citizens, as have also many others in that vicinity.

As an agricultural township, Ontario is one of the very finest in the State. Its groves and orchards, its dwellings, barns and outbuildings are among the very best ; and its fine stone bridges are unsurpassed. This township is without a parallel, in the regularity of its roads, although its highways are all parallel, or cross each other at right angles, and its roads are all on section lines, except oner a half mile in length, crossing the center of section 13. The first settlers were largely from Oneida county, New York, among whom were the "Wetmores, Chapmans, Cranes, Camps, Mosher, Hollister, Savage, Powell, and others. Among the early officers of the township were Wikoffs, Hammonds, Brott, Butler, Haskins and others. Before it was organized, April 3, 1853, Rio township was united with it, as a voting precinct. The first Justice of the Peace in the precinct was Royal Hammond. The election was held in what is now Rio township. A warm time was had, and the merits of the Abolition candidate hotly discussed. However, he was elected, and after the first case, which proved to be a dog case, - Thomas v. Maxwell , - in which the plaintiff was awarded the verdict, the Justice was declared " white" by his opponents. The first child born in this township was Sarah Elizabeth Melton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Melton; and is now Mrs. Ralph Yoris, of Oneida. The first school-house was built on the northwest quarter of section 32, in 1839. Ontario township was organized, and the first annual meeting was held in the schoolhouse on section 32, April 5, ,1853. I. M. Wetmore was moderator an I W. J. Savage clerk. After adopting the order of business for annual meetings and the usual prelemminary work was disposed of, the following gentlemen were elected as the first officers of the town- ship: Supervisor, Edward Crane; Town Clerk, Wm. J. Savage; Assessor, John Bnrt; Collector, E. C. Brott; Overseer of the Poor, T. F. P. Wetmore; Commissioners of Highways, G. W. Melton, James Hammond and John Powell; Constables, E. C. Brott and J. W. Crane; Justices of the Peace, Ezra Chapman and S. E. Mosher. The following named gentlemen have served as Supervisors of Ontario township, since 1853: Ed. Crane, the year 1853; James Hammond, 1854-5-6-7; W. B. LeBaron, 1858; James Hammond, 1859; W. B. Le Baron, 1860-1-2-3-4; A. S. Curtis, 1865; Orin Beadle, 1866-7-8-9 70-1; A. S. Curtis, 1872; O. B. Beadle, 1873; Ed. Crane, 1874; A. S. Curtis, 1875-6; Geo. L. Stephenson, 1877-8. The present officers of the township are: Supervisor, G. L. Stephenson; Town Clerk, O. P. Cooley; Assessor, B. S. "West; Collector, L. Burt; Commissioners of Highways, J. C. Burt, 1ST. Fay and Wm. Smith; Constables, F. M. Doolittle and O. Powell; Justices of the Peace, E. Shedd and D. K. Drenkel.

Religious services of some kind were maintained by the early settlers in this neighborhood from the very first. After the school-house on section 32 was built, preaching was kept up by ministers of different denominations, with considerable regularity. Revs. Waters, Bartlett, Bremer, Moore and Gale were among the ministers who preached the gospel here then. The first church organization was effected by the Presbyterians, in 1840, Rev. J. G. Wright officiating, at Henderson. The services alternated between Henderson village and the school-house, in Ontario, then called the Camp school-house. This church is now extinct. There are now three church edifices in Ontario township outside of Oneida.

Several immigrants hailing from New York State about 1837 camped near the southwest corner of Ontario township, by a creek, during the winter. They split some rails, and in the spring launched out to the eastward on the paririe, put up a rail pen and moved in, and lived there during that summer, but erected a log cabin into which they removed before winter set in.

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, by Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago, published 1886; 872 words in this source stream.

Ontario Township

IfNTARIO TOWNSHIP, at first, had the advantage in its topography over any other township in the county. Nature had done a good deal for it, and the early settlers, in making their improvements and laying out the roads, had the good sense to follow the suggestions of Nature. The result is that Ontario is one of the best improved and most attractively laid out townships in the State. Its public thoroughfares all run parallel, crossing each other at right angles, and following section lines, with one exception, which is in section 13.

The early settlers were from the State of New York, and the township was named after Lake Ontario, which forms a part of the northern boundary of the Empire State. Alexander Williams was the first first settler and came in in i833,locatinga claimon the northwest quarter of section 30, where he commenced his improvements by breaking and fencing in a part of his claim. This claim was purchased in 1836 by Isaac Wetmore, of Rio Township. During that year another pioneer was added in the person of G. W. Melton, who located a home for himself on section 31, where the first cabin in the township was erected. These men were first-class farmers, industrious and thrifty, and soon had established comfortable homes for their families.

These pioneers were soon joined by the Moshers, Hollisters, Cranes, Camps, Chapmans, Powells, Savages, Hammonds, Haskinses, Wikoffs, Ma.xwells and many others. Of the first settlers, G. VV. Melton and Ezra Chapman are still living on the old homestead. (See their biographies.) Royal Hammond, Isaac Wetmore and Alex. Williamson are dead. The Camps and Savages moved away.

The first child born in the township was Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Melton. This native young miss of Ontario afterward was married to Mr. Ralph Voris, of the same township. ' Ontario and Rio formed one voting precinct, and the first election was held in the latter town. Royal Hammond was the first Justice of the Peace elected. ' The first school-house was put up on the northwest quarter of section 32, in 1839, which was called the Camp School. At this institution of learning the Gospel was expounded by Rev. Messrs. Gale, Waters, Bartlett, Moore, Bruner and others. The Presbyterians were ahead in the formation of a church organization, which was in 1840, Rev. J. G. Wright officiating.

\ Congregational Church was organized near this first settlement in August, 1848. It was located on section 31, and was called the Ontario Church. A good church building was erected, which was dedicated Nov. 4, 1851, and subsequently a parsonage. This society is still kept up and is a strong one, though at present they have no pastor, but expect one soon. Membership, 58. A Baptist Church was organized, in April. 1854, ar.d a building was erected near the Congregational Church, on section 32, at a cost of about $3,000. Subsequently a parsonage was built, costing $1,500. This society has been generally prosperous since its organization. It has a good congregation, jvhich is presided over by Rev. J. V. Cody. In 1853 the members of the Ciiristian Church organized a congregation and erected a house of worship, on seciion 2, in 1866, at a cost of $2,000. Prior to this, they held their services in private houses and in school buildings. It became a thriving church, having a membership, at onetime, as high as 70.

Ontario was organized into a township April 5, 1853. At the election J. M. Wetmore was chosen Moderator, and William J. Savage, Clerk. The following-named citizens were elected to fill the township offices: Edward Crane, Supervisor; W. J. Savage, Clerk ; John Burt, Assessor ; E. C. Brott, Collector; James Hammond, George W. Melton and John Powell, Highway Commissioners; Ezra Chai> man and S. E. Mosher, Justices of the Peace; E. C. Brott and J. VV. Crane, -Constables ; T. T. Wetmore, Overseer of the Poor.

Ontario is fairly watered by Pope and Walnut Creeks and their little tributaries. Gently rolling prairies cover the township, relieved occasionally with beautiful groves. The soil is rich and very productive, and the assessed value of its lands is higher than that of any other township in the county, ana in connection with agriculture it is considered the banner township of the State. The people do most of theii trading and marketing at Oneida, located in the southeast corner, on section 36. This town is on the C, B. & Q. R. R., which was com|)leted through here in December, 1854, and which passes across the southeast corner. Ontario had a population, in 18S0, according to the United States census, of 1,657. Since that time, it is estimated, there has been a gain.

There are nine school districts, one graded and eight ungraded schools, with one brick and eight frame school-houses. There ate four libraries, with 400 volumes; value of school property, $22,900. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 719, of whom 525 were of school age, 431 being enrolled. The highest wages paid male teachers were $100 per month; the lowest, $35 ; the highest wages paid female teachers were $40 ; the lowest, $25. The tax levy was $3,625.

Source changes here: from History of Knox County, Illinois [microform] : Its Cities, Towns and People, by Perry, Albert J. (Albert James), published 1912; 43,272 words in this source stream.

Ontario Township

The dark almost sandless loam is in all probability the result of plant growth and plant decay, year by year, century by century, perhaps even millennium by millennium; and the fine, variously colored, porous clays immediately beneath are an interesting study as also is the unstratified drift which is of varying thick- - . ness, and the whole deposit clearly shows that in untold ages the forces of nature were rounding and fashioning into their present forms the large, small and

- smaller pebbles which are countless as the grains of sand by the sea shore. r- In the historic era only grasses intermingled with many tinted flowers carpeted '- our prairies. Yet there is abundant evidence to prove that in the carboniferous

- called Galena Trail crossed in a northwesterly direction, the extreme northerly .; - part of the township, and in and near the timber of Pilot Knob numerous arrow

- points have been found, but no vestiges of even temporary habitation and no i burial mounds have been observed. Thus, though they without doubt all over

,, - The first settler of whom we have any knowledge, who evidently meant to stay, was Alexander Williams, he having fenced and plowed twenty acres on the

- northwest quarter of section 30 in 1833, ^"^ three years afterward sold the ;.;' same to I. M. Wetmore. In 1833, George W. Melton arrived and settled on section 31, which, until his death some sixty years later, was his home, and here were born and grew to manhood and womanhood a family of children; the eldest of whom, Elizabeth (subsequently Mrs. Ralph Voris), was the first . white child born in Ontario township. Soon after quite a number of settlers ' arrived nearly all of whom came from Oneida county. New York, and even today the names sound familiar, Wetmore, Crane, Chapman, Camp, Mosher, Hoilister, Savage, Powell, Hammond, Clearwater, Wikoflf, Burt, Conger, Allen. :

Though there was as yet no township organization, a school was built in 1839, on the northwest quarter of section 32, not of course a district school in the usual meaning, but a community school, and it is unlikely that it was equipped with all the modern conveniences, including individual drinking cups, but they had slates, pencils, some reading and the omnipresent spelling books, also we have reason to believe a liberal supply of fresh air. The curriculum certainly was not extensive but in the words of John Hay "They had a middling tight grip on the handful of things they knew." These early settlers did not wait for orders from those high in authority to constitute themselves a body politic. It may be justly said that they inherited a knowledge of self-government, for were they not the children, or children's children, of those thrifty, hardy, self-reliant New Englanders who had journeyed through the trackless forest from the Massachusetts or Connecticut home and again, near the head waters of the Mohawk with undaunted courage and unremitting toil, made new homes for themselves and their descendants. But though new homes, they held fast the old but unexcelled system of local self-government which is the basis of all that is best in American civil life. And in order that such ideas should become more effectively practical, the scattered settlers came together at the school house on April 5th, 1853, and having chosen I. M. Wetmore moderator, and W. J. Savage, clerk, they organized the township of Ontario and forthwith proceeded to elect a corps of township officials, the list is as follows: ; . v

Justices of the peace, E. Chapman, S. E. Mosher, and the following named persons, in the order given, have served as supervisors from the close of the term of E. Crane, until now : J. Hammond, W. B. LeBaron, J. Hammond, W. B. LeBaron, A. S. Curtis, O. Beadle, A. S. Curtis, O. Beadle, E. Crane, A. S. Curtis, G. L. Stephenson, O. L. Fay, G. E. Fredericks, Hugh Greig.

The school house referred to was also the religious center of the community, and services were maintained with fair regularity by ministers of different denominations. However, the first church organization was effected by the Presbyterians, in 1840, the preaching alternating between Henderson and the Ontario school house. This society long since ceased to be. There are, however, still two rural churches in the township, the Congregational church on section 30, the other, the Christian church is situated on section i. Both organizations are numerically weak. One chief cause of the lessening attendance at religious services in our rural churches is the immense change that has taken place in the nationality of the population, for whereas, the first settlers came from where they might have spoken English as the mother tongue, while today nearly, if not quite half, of our people use as their vernacular, the Swedish language - and though these people become American in many ways, even, especially in business matters, using our language, yet in their religious affiliations and in their social intercourse, having the advantage of numbers they can and do mingle very largely, though, not exclusively, with those of kindred speech. So that, until the passing of the greater number of those born in the old land, the land of Odin and Thor we cannot expect them to be in thought, in ideas, in speech, wholly truly American.

But, and we rejoice that such is the fact, no people of European descent can be among us for many generations without wholly ceasing to be in any sense European, and the coming historian may be favored to record the fact that the inhabitants of Ontario township foregather in business, in pleasure, socially, politically, religiously animated with one dominating purpose, and that purpose the all around betterment of all the people. ;';

On September ist, 1854, C. F. Camp, with B. S. West and S. V. R. Holmes, platted the original village of Oneida, and although the C., B. & Q. oificials had no intention of having a station at that point, C. F. Camp had quite a different opinion and as an inducement most generously donated the railway company a tract of land 500x1.000 feet, and ere the snow fell the town that was to be had a fully equipped railway station. The hamlet grew but slowly, and it was not until December, 1858, that it was incorporated as a village, and on January 7th, 1859, the following trustees were elected, viz. : C. F. Camp, H. L. Sage, J. M. Brown, J. M. Henning, W. B. LeBaron. The latter was subsequently chosen president of the board. The village gradually increased in size and in population and in 1869, feeling itself seriously cramped in many ways, an influential delegation of its citizens laid siege to the state legislature and succeeded in convincing our Solons that it had outgrown its village garments and what it now needed was a full suit of city garb; and through such and perhaps other arguments persuasion was accomplished, a special charter was granted and the stripling city's limits were so extended that more corn was grown in Oneida than in any other municipality in Illinois. It also grew wheat, oats, fruit, statesmen and numerous other products useful and useless.

It was specified in the charter that for all coming time, nowhere in all its extensive territory could intoxicating liquors be sold ; therefore, no license has ever been issued to any one to open a drinking place and thus tempt the weak and unwary. The first mayor was F. G. Jelliff, and the present one is George Burt. The first school was built in 1855 and it is worthy of mention that its first teacher was Mary Allen West, who later became county superintendent of schools and in such position and others subsequently filled, she not only raised the standard of scholarship among the teachers but raised the standard of civic righteousness in every home her influence reached. This school house was used for a variety of purposes, such as itinerant shows, singing classes, political meetings, etc., etc., while on Sundays three denominations of Christian believers at different hours held religious services, and though never dedicated to the worship of God, it was to the pure in heart a Bethel indeed. The Congregational society was organized in 1852, and three years later built the church which is still under the control of the denomination. :.'''.-;' /^ 'V' r' . .

The Presbyterian church was organized under authority of the Presbytery of Schuyler at the school house in district No. 3, in 1863, but failing to receive suitable support it was re-organized in Oneida in 1865, a church was shortly erected and was demolished by a windstorm in 1868. However, it was immediately rebuilt, and is still used by the congregation.

The Lutherans formed themselves into a society in 1863, but soon disbanded. The Universalists had a rather handsome church which was burned in 1867, was rebuilt and wrecked by a tornado. Church and society have disappeared. Baptist church and society also.

The First M. E. church was built in 1863, was torn down and a new, handsome brick structure was erected in 1909. The present school house is of brick with stone foundation and stone trimmings, was built in 1870 and is the centre of more general interest to us than any other institution in the city, or out of it, and though the attendance, for reasons well known, is slowly diminishing, there is no wish to curtail its financial support. The consensus of opinion being that by a thorough, all around education lies the main hope of civic and all other brands of righteousness. Six teachers are employed, R. C. Rennick, principal; Miss Katherine Hannon, assistant; grade teachers. Miss McBride, Miss Kline, Miss Hedman and Miss Burt.

There are in the city two grain elevators, both of which do a fair amount of business. One is known as a farmers' elevator, but as slightly more than onehalf of the stock is owned by a very few individuals, is leased to themselves and is practically a privately-owned house. The other is in name and in fact a farmers' elevator, owned by more than one hundred and fifty farmers, is managed by a board of nine directors, is, and on the whole has been, a profitable investment.

Banking facilities are ample and satisfactory. The Exchange Bank, which though retaining the name, has been controlled at different times by different individuals since its beginning in the financially troublous year, 1857, is now a strong and conservatively managed institution. It became the property of A. B. Anderson and Frank Murdock in 1877 and is now known as the Oneida Exchange Bank, under the exclusive control of A. B. Anderson and son, in whose hands at this writing its resources and extent of business are greater than at any other period in its history.

The Oneida State Bank, incorporated under the law of Illinois, in 1891, is a strong, well managed concern, capital $25,ooo.cx), surplus $30,000.00. The stock is largely owned by farmers residing in the vicinity, and any share or shares put on the market command a substantial premium, thereby showing the confidence of the community in the integrity and business sagacity of its board of directors. At the first meeting of the stockholders, A. D. Metcalf was elected president and held the same office until his death which occurred January 3Oth, 1912. The present officers are as follows : G. K. Pittard, president ; W. D. Patty, cashier ; Anna Anderson, assistant cashier.

In 1876, Arthur W. Ladd began the publication of our first newspaper which he called the Oneida News. It was not of great size and its advertising columns did not greatly remind one of similar pages in the Chicago dailies ; but it briefly and accurately recorded the momentous and other happenings of the home town, and while there have been several changes in owners and editors, also changes in the name, yet with slight interruptions we have been favored above our neighbors and our deserts in having our local news spicily furnished us by our own weekly press. The present owner and editor is F. C. Krans. And the better to show our literary proclivities, it is a pleasure to put on record the fact that for many years we have seldom been without a reading club, and for quite a number of years the C. L. S. C. in its weekly meetings raised to a most appreciable degree the scholarly attainments of a class who had at one time an enrollment of twenty-six members - members of all shades of opinion on politics, religion, &c., &c., also of all ages from sixteen to seventy-five ; and during the past years a small class weekly met and feasted on choice morsels culled from Browning, Shakespeare, Tennyson and last, but not least, we, in Sartor Resartus, most _. thoroughly enjoyed the grim sage of Chelsea, Thomas Carlyle. -I-. '

- ; The secret societies of Oneida have been numerous and on the whole, by the : rank and file, well intentioned. The Masonic Order was established in 1860, and is now strong numerically, socially and helpfully. Its benefactions are carried on in such an unobtrusive way that one has to be to the manner born to know how y much the right hand and the left hand doeth. The present head of the order is j H. J. Sawyer. The order of the Eastern Star, which we suppose was instituted 0 to add a certain amount of refinement to what had hitherto been a purely masculine aggregation, is in a flourishing condition. Worthy Matron, Mrs. C. Wikoflf. : Worthy Patron, J. H. Anderson.

The I. O. O. F. was at one time in a thriving condition but such cannot now be said. The Oneida Camp of Modern Woodmen was chartered in 1888 and from a ,- very small beginning has outdistanced any local society in numbers, but is now in serious difficulties on account of a recent radical change in rates, and in one respect it much resembles a certain political party of today having the standpatters and insurgents, with a prospect of a fight to a finish - of the Woodmen -., organization. . ^

There was a branch of the home Forum but it has gone where such things go. The Fraternal Tribunes survive, but in a disagreeable remembrance. The main cause of the untimely decease of both societies mentioned and all others built on the same plan, is the entire lack of a stable foundation and though the edifice may be pleasing to look upon, yet when the rain of financial stringency ^ even sprinkles the structure collapses - and great is the fall thereof.

There are two women's clubs with a total membership of more than fifty. The various studies and readings cover a wide range, including history, ancient ' and modern, general literature of all the ages, art, music, science, domestic and otherwise, in short, all that concerns not only women but all that is inspiring and uplifting to the community as a whole. Such clubs in Oneida are the result of a suggestion made to several women friends by Mrs. Willard Nelson, who was the first president of the first club and is now at the head of the New Century Club.

Mrs. W. V. McKie is president of the Twentieth Century Club. There is also an Oneida-Altona branch of the Knox County Free Kindergarten which holds monthly meetings and in furnishing clothing, food and money much is added to the inadequate income of this most worthy and ever-needy institution. There are at present between 60 and 78 active members. Mrs. Hugh Greig and

The K. P. Lodge has had its ups and downs and at this date it is numerically and every other way in a most prosperous condition. F. S. Stephenson is its present head. r' .: . ' .-

The Royal Neighbors is, for this vicinity, a young organization with no great numbers but the lack in that respect is more than counterbalanced by the immense enthusiasm of the members. Oracle, Miss Jessie Burt.

The citizens of Oneida, as the general appearance of the town plainly attests, have a pardonable pride in their homes and home surroundings; and the one notable beauty spot is the little park which is already the admiration of all, and as the years come and go and the treelets of today become mighty as the forest monarchs, and the young and the aged weary rest in the welcome shade, they, and every one, will see and admire not only beauty, but beauty and grandeur intermingled and all will realize that our pagan ancestors were not far amiss, when they, in the shady woodland's "dim religious light" saw a temple, in which they and we might worship God.

;- This township was organized under the township organization law, April 5, 1853. A full line of town officers were nominated and elected. T. H. Taylor was the first supervisor ; Asaph DeLong, clerk ; Stephen Smith, assessor ; L. W. Roads, collector; D. Reed, Stephen Russell and Peter Davis, highway commissioners; Marvin Baker, Hugh Ferguson, justices of the peace; Marshall P. DeLong, constable. Mr. William Robson, whose widow resides just north of the village of Wataga, was supervisor of the township between twenty and thirty years prior to his death.

The watershed, dividing the water courses that flow into the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, extends northeast and southwest through Sparta township. In fact, it will be generally found that the C., B. & Q. R. R. right of way takes the general course of this watershed from its entrance into Knox county to Galesburg, and then south to St. Augustine, varying, of course, in places from that line.

There was formerly as fine a vein of coal found in Sparta township as almost in any locality in this state. These mines still produce coal but not in such quantities as heretofore. This industry was under the former management of J. M. Holyoke, R. M. Campbell and Peter Dolan. The fourth vein was especially sought. It was quite large, and at one time as many as fifty car loads were shipped from Wataga.

The schools and churches are flourishing, and reference to these institutions will be found under their respective denominational headings in articles found in this volume.

--- -" This village was platted in 1854, by J. M. Holyoke, Silas Willard and Clark M. Greer. It was incorporated in 1863, the first election was held in September, 1863. It was re-incorporated under the general law, in 1874, with section i6 as its territory. J. M. Holyoke was the first resident, the first postmaster and the first storekeeper. George F. and David P. Niles, extensive farmers and stockraisers, had large interests in and around Wataga. George F. Niles died some years ago, at Oak Park, Illinois, while his brother, David P., still resides on a farm two miles and a half to the southwest of the village. They, at one time, owned the fiouring mill that is located in Wataga. It has since been owned by William Williamson and M. O. Williamson who introduced fine modern machinery. It is still in operation and does good work.

Wataga has a Masonic lodge in flourishing condition. It also has a lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star and Odd Fellows lodge; a Rebekah lodge and a camp of Modern Woodmen.

W. S. Wood was one of the very early store keepers of the village of Wataga. In 1859 he bought a general merchandise store, which means about everything that is wanted in a country store, dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hardware, paints and oils, farm implements, etc., etc., and in those days the general store keeper had also to receive general produce of the farm in pay for his goods.

Mr. Wood dealt largely in corn and occasionally sent his corn to Chicago, loaded it into barges or boats and shipped it to eastern markets. Corn was always taken in exchange for goods. Gold and silver soon disappeared after the war of the Rebellion began and paper money was at a fearful discount. In order to facilitate trade and the exchange of commodities, the responsible merchants put out what was called "shin plasters" for fractional currency. This script was issued in denominations of five, ten, twenty- five and fifty cent pieces, the man who issued them agreeing to redeem when presented in sums specified on the face of the script, usually one dollar. It did not constitute lawful money, but it served a very great convenience at that time and was issued in the best of good faith. Mr. Wood issued a large quantity of this money and it is understood that he redeemed every cent that was presented for redemption. ^

Copley township was named after a prominent family who at one time resided within its limits. It consists of a fertile prairie sufficiently rolling to insure good drainage. The southern part is more or less broad, probably one-fourth of its area having been original timber. It is well watered by the branches of Walnut and Court creeks, and other smaller streams.

The first settler of the township was a Mr. Berry, who located near the present village of Victoria. Matthew Herbert and Larkin Robinson came the next year. In 1839, the Scotch began to come into Copley township and settled upon some of the best lands. This movement increased until there was quite a band known as the Scotch colony. The descendants of these men are, today,- nearly all men of wealth and high moral standing and elsewhere in this history will be found a very interesting account of the Gordons, Cooks, McCornicks, McKies, Leightons, etc., etc., and of their character as a people.

It has been the writer's privilege and pleasure to know many of these men and it is almost a matter of regret to note that their descendants are losing somewhat of the racial characteristics of their forefathers. They are thrifty, critical, economical, industrious and law-abiding, the same as their ancestors ; in fact, they are losing nothing whatever that is valuable to them as citizens, but there is a something which is indescribable, that the "Auld Scots" had, that the Americans have not, that made them a peculiarly interesting people, and it is this something that their descendants are gradually losing. When we say that they are becoming "Americanized," it probably tells as much of the story as can be told.

What is now known as Foreman's Grove, in the north limits of the township, was inhabited by the Indians when the first settlers began to come in.

The first school in the township was taught by Miss Mary J. Smith, afterwards Mrs. John Becker, in a log schoolhouse, in the northeast part of the township.

There are no large towns within Copley township, as there are no important railroads there. In 1894, a railroad was built from Wataga, through nearly the center of the township, to a mining village called Etherly. It was supposed that there were extensive coal fields in Copley and Victoria townships, and these improvements were made in order to develop these mines.

The village was laid out on section 35, in 1894, by Samuel L. Charles. : For some reason the mines above mentioned have never paid, and the town of Etherly has practically disappeared, and the railroad has since been extended to the village of Victoria.

One of the most noted churches of the township was known as the John Knox church, an account of which will be found under the articles on the Presbyterian church. -:;-;::;^'<. . .;. ;

This township derives its name from the location of extensive groves within its limits and Walnut creek and several tributaries water extensive portions of the township. Surface and soil is therefore fine and undulated. There is but one village within the township, that is Altona.

The first white men that came were Messrs. Jones and Dehart. They built a cabin on section 31, but owing, to the hostilities of the Indians, they left at the time of the Black Hawk War. The ruins of their cabin could still be seen in 1838. John Thompson was the first permanent settler, coming in 1836. He built the first frame house. One Elder M. Smith, of the Mormon Church, built a frame house in 1840, on section 15, and in 1842, several hundred of his faith had located here. They intended to build a temple but went to Hancock county upon the advice of Joseph Smith. Since their departure, settlement has been more rapid and there is found a prosperous and intelligent community now living within the township.

' The first boy born in the township was John T. Poe ; the first girl was Helen Ward, who married A. P. Stevens. The first marriage was between Austin Frederick and Elizabeth Finney. The first death was that of Mrs. Hinsdale, a sister of Amos Ward. She died in August, 1838.

A schoolhouse was built on the southwest quarter of section i6, in 1840, and the first teacher was Robey Tabor. E. L. Gross was another early teacher and he became a distinguished lawyer of Springfield.

The first church that was organized was a Baptist church and they made it a place upon Court creek, for worship. Elder Samuel Shaw was the organizer of this band.

The township was organized in 1853, like all of the townships in the county and Amos Ward was elected supervisor, and we find the names of Sage, Livingstone, Collinson, Allen, etc., etc., among the township officers.

Altona is the only village in the township. It is a station on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, sixteen miles northeast of Galesburg. It is the center of quite a fine trade and is among the most prosperous villages in the county. During the construction of a Central Military Tract railway, quite a large number of workmen camped near the woods along the railroad line, and Cyrus Willard and J. S. Chambers built a store, on land then owned by Daniel Allen, and supplied the wants of these railroad employees. This was the first building erected in Altona, and was the first and only store between Galesburg and Kewanee. Other stores were built in succeeding years, and the fact that there were no other villages near by drew the crowd, greatly to the benefit of Altona. A flouring mill was built by Nils Peterson in 1854, and in connection with it a distillery, which being unpopular, was discontinued after a year. The mill, however, was in use for quite a number of years.

Altona was platted in 1834, by John Piatt, for the heirs of John Thompson. E. B. Main and Daniel Allen laid out an addition to Altona, just northeast of the original town. At this time the place was called La Pier, but was changed to Altona at the instructions of the railroad officers. There was some confusion over the fact that the postoffice was known as Walnut Grove. In 1863, the name was changed to Reno in honor of the famous general of that name. About that time, the name Reno became decidedly unpopular, as three men of that name were lynched in Indiana. So the citizens rejected it, and they united upon the name of Altona for their village, station and postoffice.

Altona is blessed with splendid schools. The sentiment of the community favors temperance and it always was a "hot bed of abolitionists." The churches of the county have been written of so thoroughly in other places that little need be said upon the subject in this place.

- This township is situated in the northwest corner of the county. It is well drained by Pope creek and Henderson river. Along these streams was once an abundance of timber. The soil in other parts of the township is very rich, and is claimed, by its owners, to be equal to, or better than that found in almost any other township in the county. It is certain that Rio township has very valuable land. There are, however, two railroads within the township ; one running south and west to Monmouth, and the other south and east to Galesburg, which gives it special facilities for shipping all kinds of farm products. I suppose the claim, that the township has richer land than any other, is applicable to any other township in the county which has any real fine prairie land, and it is fortunate and commendable that so many of the farmers of Knox county make similar claims.

Joseph Roe is said to have been the first white man to settle in this township. His arrival was closely followed by Reece Jones and Joseph Halliday.

It was found necessary to erect some defenses during the Black Hawk War, and a stockade was constructed and called Fort Aggie m honor of Miss Cresswell. -- :r

Whitmore and Wyckoff came from Ohio, on horseback, in 1836. George W. Wier and Elsie Robertson are said to have seen in one drove more than fifty deer, in this vicinity. The names of Larkin, Robertson, Nelson and Louis Coe, Samuel Milton and P. W. Epperson are old names in the township of Rio. Thomas Marion Goff was the first white child born in the township, April 5, 1835. This part of the township was originally called North Prairie, but the citizens in 1850, when the name Rio Grande was so common, were disposed to appropriate this name for their township, but they finally determined upon the simple word Rio. The village of Rio was planted in 1871, by William Robinson, and was first called Coburg, in honor of Coe Brothers. Mr. Schroeder who now resides in Galesburg, Illinois, kept a store in Rio. The postoffice was origfinally called North Prairie, and Nelson Coe was the first postmaster. The business interests of the village are in competent hands and everything about it has an air of neatness and prosperity. Many of the older residents, however, are gone, either by death or removal. There is a hotel at Rio, and accommodations are very good.

Fraternally Rio township is well provided. There has always been quite a spirit of free masonry, and they have a lodge that has always stood for the best in the order. They also have a chapter of the Masonic Fraternity known as Horeb Chapter. There is an Odd Fellows fraternity, a camp of Modern Woodmen and a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Victoria township although having some very fine and fertile prairies is, nevertheless, quite broken. W>lnut creek and its tributaries cut the southern portions of the township, and, until recently, it was rough and heavily timbered. Beneath the surface, however, are fine veins of coal. Stock farming, in this region, has been extensively and successfully conducted.

better to lcx:ate near the timber. This, of course, is true, when convenience to fire-wood is considered, but it did not take very many years to find out that the rich soil was prairie soil. Pioneers began to come as early as 1835, and some of them located in the timber. Deacon George H. Reynolds was the first man to build a house upon the prairie. He was postmaster of Victoria, and the first tavern keeper. -^'v^ v i'.v

Victoria township has given education and church building due consideration, both of which were increased very early in its history, and today the township is well supplied. The first Swedish Methodist Church ever established in any country was established in the village of Victoria. It was organized December 15, 1846, by the Rev. J. J. Hedstrom, the founder of Swedish Methodism. It had but five members to start on, and today with that starting point there are five large conferences in the United States.

The village of Victoria is today one of the neatest little villages in the county. It had no railroad for many years. It was located upon high ground, upon a beautiful prairie; and was situated partly in Copley township and partly in Victoria township. It was laid out in May, 1849. It seems that it was started about a mile and a half southeast of the present location, where the pioneers had a store, a tavern and a blacksmith shop, but the Chicago road ran through the present site and George F. Reynolds accommodated transients at his house, and the village gradually moved over to its present site and thereby the village was started before it was ever surveyed. Mr. John Bftcker, late of Galesburg, formerly conducted a store there and it is claimed that the postoffice distributed more papers, in proportion to the population, than any other town in the county which speaks well for the intelligence of the people. - /-[.'-'.

In 1899, the Galesburg & Great Eastern Railroad was extended into the township and village and added a new impetus to business. Lumber yards, stock yards, elevators, a bank, additional business houses, were soon established. It has a good system of schools and the churches are well supported. -' '--'.'-,'- I - ----*;... -.''-'--.,' '- . --''--'

This township claims a white settler about as early as any township in the county. One Michael Fraker is said to have arrived in the year 1828, and settled upon secftion 23. He is said to have purchased this land while he was yet in Kentucky, but he found it occupied by the Indians. The men were all absent hunting, but the women and children were upon the place. Mr. Fraker made himself at home upon the property but upon the return of the Indians they disputed his right, but he made himself very friendly and useful to them and, as better to locate near the timber. This, of course, is true, when convenience to fire-wood is considered, but it did not take very many years to find out that the rich soil was prairie soil. Pioneers began to come as early as 1835, and some of them located in the timber. Deacon George H. Reynolds was the first man to build a house upon the prairie. He was postmaster of Victoria, and the first tavern keeper. . . -I -''--

Victoria township has given education and church building due consideration, both of which were increased very early in its history, and today the township is well supplied. The first Swedish ^Methodist Church ever established in any country was established in the village of Victoria. It was organized December 15, 1846, by the Rev. J. J. Hedstrom, the founder of Swedish Methodism. It had but five members to start on, and today with that starting point there are five large conferences in the United States.

Village Of Victoria

The village of Victoria is today one of the neatest little villages in the county. It had no railroad for many years. It was located upon high ground, upon a beautiful prairie; and was situated partly in Copley township and partly in \'ictoria township. It was laid out in May, 1849. It seems that it was started about a mile and a half southeast of the present location, where the pioneers had a store, a tavern and a blacksmith shop, but the Chicago road ran through the present site and George F. Reynolds accommodated transients at his house, and the village gradually moved over to its present site and thereby the village was started before it was ever surveyed. ^Ir. John Becker, late of Galesburg, formerly conducted a store there and it is claimed that the postoffice distributed more papers, in proportion to the population, than any other town in the county which speaks well for the intelligence of the people. - - ; ^'-, j

In 1899, the Galesburg & Great Eastern Railroad was extended into the township and village and added a new impetus to business. Lumber yards, stock yards, elevators, a bank, additional business houses, were soon established. It has a good system of schools and the churches are well supported.

This township claims a white settler about as early as any township in the county. One ^Michael Fraker is said to have arrived in the year 1828, and settled upon se(?tion 23. He is said to have purchased this land while he was yet in Kentucky, but he found it occupied by the Indians. The men were all absent hunting, but the women and children were upon the place. Mr. Fraker made himself at home upon the property but upon the return of the Indians they disputed his right, but he made himself very friendly and useful to them and, as he was a blacksmith and could fix their guns and, in different ways made himself serviceable, they at once took him in, kindly helped him build a cabin, but finally left him in possession of the property. The Indians made new homes at Indian creek. They returned annually at sugar-making time which they wished him to regard as purely friendly visits. In Mr. Fraker's time, there were quite a number of Indians in his neighborhood, and their trails were visible from Spoon river to the Mississippi.

- There was a grove in the neighborhood which was named Fraker's Grove. Upon the east side of this grove, there was a fiowing spring and the Indians made free use of it.

Mr. Fraker, being a mechanic, constructed a hand grist mill, the pull stones being made of hard-heads which he found upon the prairie. It was not of the modem kind by any means as the upper stone was turned by means of a pin set in the outer edge of the stone, and was turned by hand. > ,

The population increased rather slowly until the arrival of the railroad. This gave them trading and shipping points that encouraged settlement and then it became more populous. .i;.. -

The first grist sent to a mill, that could do any amount of work, was taken by William Dunbar to Tazewell county. A person often had to wait two weeks for his turn to come to get grain in town.

Among the recreations that were indulged in, in the early times, were wolf hunts and both men and women engaged in this sport. The women went along and prepared meals of chickens, potatoes and other eatables for the tired hunters, at the close of each day.

The township was organized April 5, 1853, the same as all other townships of the county. Lynn township has never had a village that amounted to anything. In the early days, an effort was made to attract people to the south line of the township, called Centerville. This was afterwards platted and named Milroy, but that proved a failure and nothing is left to mark the spot.

Persifer township is better adapted to grazing than to agriculture although quite a large portion of the surface is excellent farm land, but there is considerable bottom land which is covered by timber, and there is good timber along the streams. Its mineral resources include coal and sandstone.

Among the old settlers of the township was, John Persifer Frazer Smith, after whom the first postoffice, which was established about 1847, was named. This, in turn, gave rise to the name of the township.

This township is especially rich in its early pioneers. There were William Norris, who came in 1832 ; Jessie and Willis Reynolds and Beverley Young came from Kentucky; Chas. Bradford, from Ohio, and these parties settled about the year 1834, in Persifer township. R. C. Benson, E. J. Wyman, Jacob Lorance, John Spear, are also familiar names. A little later came Edmund Russell, Isaac Sherman, G. W. Mauley, James Maxey, T. D. Butt, John Colville and Caleb

It is said that the first mill built in Knox county was built by Robert Hendrix in 1834, on Court creek, in Persifer township. The Elliott mill was built in 1840, at the north of Court creek, on Spoon river. It was designed for coarse lumber but was afterwards turned into a flouring mill. Another mill was built by Chas. Haptonstall, about 1848, on Court creek about a half mile above Appleton bridge. These mills, of course, are now no more.

Persifer has been well supplied with churches. Bethel chapel, built in 1863; Maxley chapel, Mound and Persifer belonging to the United Brethren denomination, and a Mormon church at Dahinda. -;.]'-- ^

The present site of Dahinda was once an Indian village as will be learned from the article, in this history, on the Indians. For some years after the arrival of the white men, remains of their wigwams were found and there were twenty-five or thirty mounds near by which contained human bones, presumably Indian graves. Many arrow-heads and stone axes have been found, and one branch of the Galena trail passed through the township, from north to south, crossing Court creek at the point where the Appleton bridge now stands. . - j .. . - ^

This village was laid out in 1888, by the Santa Fe road and the Land Company, and it contains about 47^ acres. It stands on the northwest quarter of section 24, as a f i^eight and express office and passenger station. There is a fine bridge over the Spoon river near this point.

This village was laid out in the same year on the southwest quarter of section 15. by those interested in the Santa Fe road. Miles Forest was the surveyor. There were freight and express offices, a store, grain elevator, lumber yard, dwellings, etc., etc. There is also a postoffice. Grain and a large quantity of stock are shipped here annually. , . , . ^ . , , ...

This township is known as one of the two roughest townships in the county. This refers, of course, to the surface. Spoon river enters it on section 12, about two miles from the northeast corner of the township, and flows southwesterly leaving it on section 31, and takes a course of about fifteen or sixteen miles. The river has many tributaries and all ot them cut the surface into ridges and valleyB, and, in many places, have made a very picturesque line of scenery. The timber has been gradually disappearing and the land converted into pastures which have proved to be a great source of profit. There is a large body of good coal under the surface which furnishes an ample supply of fuel.

The first settlement was made in 1832, by John Dill. In 1833, occurred the first marriage ceremony by which Jacob Ryan and Miss Stemball were united. The first death was occasioned by the drowning in Spoon river of Mahlon Winans, a U. S. mail carrier, who attempted to swim across the river. Quite a number of ferries were started in the eastem and southeastem part of Knox county, because Spoon river flows through that portion of the county. One John Colman, started a Spoon river ferry in 1834, and it was known by his name. Afterwards it was called Trenton.

Truro township has been quite rich in Indian relics, and upon section 31 a number of graves were found. Logs had been split into halves and hollowed out for coffins, and they were placed in the forks of trees, ten to fifteen feet above the ground, where they rested, the remaining skeletons projecting above the tops. They were taken down in 1836 and given a white man's burial.

Notwithstanding the roughness of the surface, there are still level prairies, north and south of Spoon river, that have attracted prosperous fanners. The land has been well tilled, herds of cattle, sheep and horses and of well-bred hogs are common sights upon these farms.

The population is chiefly American-bom citizens of English, Irish, Scotch and Swedish ancestors. People of all religious faiths, Protestants and Catholics, joined in advancing education. And there is a perfect assimilation of different nations, come through a spirit of broad charity in the matter of religious faith.

- The Santa Fe railroad was built through the township of Truro in 1887, and on April 24, 1888, Williamsfield was laid out by E. P. Percell and has become one of the most prosperous towns in the county. It has graded schools and churches, banks, a printing office, etc., etc. Various lines of mercantile houses are represented which include general stores, hardware stores, meat market, lumber yards, furniture and undertaking establishments, restaurants, livery bams, barber shops, blacksmith shops, dry goods and millinery.

The surface of this township is quite pictorial and attractive. About twothirds of its area is fine prairie, and the remainder has been timber land. The timber was chiefly on the east and the west where the surface is more hilly, the prairie land lying between, and extending north and south across the township. Spoon river enters the township at the northeast corner and winds through the first and second tiers on the section on the east and leaves the township at the middle of section 35. There is a high ridge, constituting a watershed, extending from the middle of the north line southwesterly and south, passing into Maquon town- ship pretty near the west line of section 31, All of the area between Spoon river and this watershed is thoroughly drained by small streams that enter into Spoon river. These streams not only drain the land well, but afford excellent stock water.

There is an underlying vein of coal through the center part and also just west of this watershed. It is from 20 to 28 inches thick and therefore cannot be profitably worked, yet more or less of it is mined for home use. Both agriculture and stock-raising are profitably carried on. The farmers are progressive and the newer knowledge in regard to farming is quickly taken up.

There are no colored people within the township. The population is almost wholly of native-born citizens, who are noted for their sobriety and industry and are universally well informed.

The first family that settled in this township, was that of Mrs. Elizabeth Gillmore Owen, a widow who was accompanied by her son, Pamach, and her daughters, from Ohio, in 1829. The neighbors were quite remote, some being in other townships. Parnach Owen was a land speculator, and his business took him from home quite a great deal. Two years after their arrival, they removed to Knoxville. The son, Pamach, was prominent in the organization of the county, and was its first official surveyor. Other families came about the same time, James Nevitt, Samuel Slocum, David Teel and David Enochs. Then came Woodford Pearce, David Housh, Joshua Burnett, Jacob Harshbarger, Linneus Richmond, William W. Dickerson, and others.

There was a well established settlement in 1834. The first sermon was preached by the noted pioneer. Rev. Peter Cartwright, in 1831. Rev. Richard Haney and Rev. William Clark were also among the early Methodist circuit riders. Susan Dempsey was the first school teacher, and her work began in 1836. A church was erected in 1864, on section 17. Prior to that time, the schoolhouses of the township were used for religious services, and a regular oldfashioned camp ground had been selected in a grove not far east of Gilson. The Methodists of the county gathered there annually for a season of religious worship, until about two years ago, when the improvements were all destroyed by fire. The real estate was then given to Hedding College of Abingdon, and has been sold.

It will be interesting to notice a little more fully the organization of the camp association. Pursuant to a notice, published in the Knox County Republican, the Knox county Methodists met in Orange chapel, September 19, 1868, for the purpose of organizing a camp ground association. Peter Godfrey, J. C. Elwell and Joshua Burnett, Jr., were elected trustees to purchase and hold land for the association. They bought of N. G. Clark, between ii and 12 acres of ground for $474.00. On September 3, 1869, the number of trustees was increased to nine, and on October 5, 1872, another acre was purchased for $45.00. It is located on the line of the C., B. & Q. R. R., a mile southeast of Gilson, and is well adapted for the purposes for which it was purchased. The improvements have been good in the form of fences, corrals and buildings, wells have been dug, all costing about $1,500.00. The meetings begin on Tuesday, before the fourth Sunday in August, and last one week. In 1882, they began charging a gate fee for

In the beginning, the only available markets, for farm products, were along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers and on Lake Michigan. Grain was hauled to Chicago, the sellers bringing back merchandise for the local markets. The Peoria branch of the Burlington road now i-uns through the township, and affords a good market at Gilson, in the northwest, and Maquon in the south.

The township was organized in 1853, at the same time with all other townships of the county. William M. Clark was elected supervisor; Woodford Pearce, clerk; Isaac Lotts, assessor; Joseph Harshbarger, collector; Jacob Wolfe, overseer of the poor; John N. Lynn and Enoch Godfrey, justices of the peace; John Pickrel and William Lewis, constables ; Milton Lotts, L. N. T. Randall and Benoni Simpkins, commissioners of highways ; all good stalwart citizens.

Two villages were established within the township ; one called Mechanicsburg and the other Gilson. Mechanicsburg was built first. It had a store, wagon and blacksmith shop and a postoffice which was named Haw Creek. On March 5, 1857, the postoffice was removed to Gilson and the village of Mechanicsburg fell to decay.

A large grist mill was built in an early day on section 34, on Spoon river. For many years the mill did a flourishing business. The flow of the river ceased to be regular and as the mill could be operated only a portion of the year, it has been abandoned.

In 1849, there was a great cholera scare in the township of Maquon. It was occasioned by the arrival of three immigrant families, Stanniford, Richardson and Foster. The scourge appeared shortly after their arrival and the community was considerably disturbed. It resulted in the death of Mr. Stanniford, Mrs. Fred Foster, Mrs. Thomas Richardson, William Richardson and two children. All others escaped. .-..-:

This is the township in which occurred what is known as the "Rand Tragedy." In 1877, a tramp entered the residence of Woodford Pearce of Gilson, and departed with quite an assortment of personal property, including $75.00 in money. The hue and cry of theft was raised and a posse soon started in pursuit. Rand was discovered in a grove nearby. He was armed, and observing the approach of his pursuers he retreated into a com field, firing as he fled ; his shots were returned and during the conflict William Keller was shot in the ankle. The field was soon surrounded by a large number of men and boys. The tramp again took flight, firing as he ran. A horse, ridden by James Pickrel, was wounded, and the rider's knee bruised. Another horse, carrying Charles Maston and Charles Cramer, was shot and killed, and a bullet through the heart killed Charles Beldon. Shots were also exchanged with Charles McKown, at very short range. The tramp received a slight flesh wound in the arm and side, and McKown was shot through the left lung. Night coming on, the tramp made good his escape. He had cast aside his vest and shirt, and in one pocket an express receipt was found given to Frank Rand. This clew led to his ultimate capture in St. Louis, through the skillful efforts of Frank Hitchcock, the sheriff of Peoria county. Before thfs, however. Rand had committed another robbery near St. Elmo, Illinois, at the house of John Scholes, killing Mr. Scholes, another man.

and dangerously wounding a third. When his arrest in St. Louis was attempted, he resisted and killed one policeman who was assisting in making his arrest. He was tried and convicted at Galesburg, Illinois, and sentenced to life imprisonment in Joliet penitentiary. Seven years later, he broke the warden's skull with an iron bar, and was shot by a prison guard.

The village of Gilson was laid out July lo, 1857, o" t^c southeast quarter of section 7, by Linneus Richmond and James Gilson. It is just on the edge of the timber of Haw creek, eleven miles from Galesburg, and is on the Peoria branch of the Burlington road. The engines, at that time, bumed wood and a large trade for the sale of wood to the railroad company grew up. The trees have been cut away leaving Gilson now the appearance of a beautiful prairie village.

The surface of this township is beautiful and undulating. There is good natural drainage by French creek and numerous small streams which flow into it. French creek flows from northeast to southwest and there has been quite a growth of timber along its banks. Spoon river crosses the northwest comer. The soil is very fertile and adapted to the growth of grains and a large annual crop of wheat, corn and oats is harvested. Considerable hay, timothy, clover and blue grass- is also reaped. Some apples, peaches and a large variety of small fruits is grown here.

There is no railroad in Elba township, but the Santa Fe line at the north, and the Burlington in the south, afford very good shipping points.

The earliest settlers have their beginning in Thomas King, in the fall of 1836, who settled upon section 2 of Elba townsTiip. John and Felix Thurman soon came, also Leonard and Darius Jones, from New York. Not long afterwards, Jacob Kightlinger with his wife arrived. Mr. Kightlinger had a large family of children and employed a private tutor to instruct them, thereby gaining time in not waiting for the establishment of a general school. He is credited also with being the builder of the first schoolhouse of the township. James Harrison Baird came from Pennsylvania in 1838. Among the later settlers came Josiah Nelson, Henry Oberholtzer, William H. Baird, Henry Potts, John Calligan, John Lindsey, Walter Bailey, Benjamin Pittman, James Catterton and others. R. G. Matthews was long a resident of this township, but finally moved to Galesburg where he held the office of sheriff for some time, and died in Galesburg. He was known as a very excellent man. ":.':/' .-'.'v:;;'-:- :-'A

Salem township lies in the southeast corner of Knox county. It is well watered by small streams and its natural features are beautiful. There are two ridges crossing the township known as divides, one of them entering from the east at the southeast corner of section i passes westward. Just north of Yates City it then curves quickly to the south and southeast passing through section 14, then turning abruptly to the west it curves and crosses the northern part of section 22 and then turns northwest and leaves the township on the north side of the town of Douglas, formerly called Summit. The waters north of that flow into French creek, and there are quite a number of little streams which, with small tributaries, cover nearly all of the county. The other divide starts in section 25 and passes northward for about one and a half miles, then turning a little north and west and leaves the township at the corner between sections i8 and 19. This is known as the French creek and Willow Watershed. It passes nearly parallel with the first divide described, and Pease branch drains the land between the two divides, and Willow creek and its branches take care of that portion of the township south of this last watershed. Parties who are interested in studying the drainage of Knox county, will do well to make frequent references to the geographical map prepared by Mr. Jelliff illustrating his article on geologic and topographical topics.

- The township is well provided with railroad facilities. The Peoria division of the Burlingfton passes through Yates City. A branch runs to the south into Fulton county and so on to Vermont and Rushville. At Vermont it goes to the south and eastward and reaches St. Louis.

Salem township was organized under the general law April 5, 1853. The election was held in a log schoolhouse, near Michael Egan's home, on section 29. S. S. Buflum was elected supervisor. John Sloan was one of Salem's most excellent citizens, and at one time served eight succeeding terms of one year each as supervisor of the township, and at other periods he served from one to three years. His advice was found most excellent in constructing the new court house at Galesburg.

The first settlement was made by Alexander Taylor in 1834, then came Felix and John Thurman, Henry and Avery Dalton, Solomon Sherwood, Benoni Hawkins, William Kent, John Darnell, John Haskins and Sala Blakesbee, most of whom brought their families with them. Mr. Avery Dalton is still living at Elmwood, Illinois. These early settlers brought their religious faith with them, and, from time to time, held prayer meetings at different places. In 1835 or 1836, Rev. . Henry Somers visited the settlement and preached the first sermon at the home of William Kent, on section 13.

James Mason built the first saw-mill on Kickapoo creek, in section 13, in 1835. Another one was built a little later by Anderson Corbin, on section 14. .. .The township is well supplied with excellent bridges, mostly constructed of iron with good substantial stone abutments. The roads are in fairly good condition having been graded and dragged, but no macadam has been laid.

There is a large quantity of coal beneath the surface which has been mined for local use, from an early date, along the banks of the stream, upon the north and south sides of the township. The mines on Kickapoo and Littler's creeks are the most productive. Messrs. Pittman and Barlow, blacksmiths and farmers, of Fulton county, are said to have taken out coal from section 25, in the year 1832, which they used in their own forges.

Stock-raising is an important industry of this township. It has added a great deal to its wealth. N. G. Daughmer and son, David Corey and son, H. A. and James Sloan, E. H. Ware, Frank Runyon, A. D. Moore and R. J. McKeighan, were all successful stock-raisers. -, . - - ^ | .V

The schools of Salem township have the benefit of a very valuable library which was started by Prof. W. L. Steel, now superintendent of the city schools of Galesburg. At that time he was the principal of the graded school in Yates City, and in September, 1878, proposed to the school board, composed of J. D. Hoyt, J. M. Taylor and L. A. Lawrence, the organization of a school and public library, to be under the control of the board, and open at all hours to pupils of the school and to the public, upon payment of a membership fee. The plan was adopted, a constitution and by-laws framed and nearly $100.00 received from a public entertainment given on Thanksgiving Day of that year. The movement was supported by the public from the first and has been regularly and systematically carried on. The library has steadily grown and, at the present time, has about 2,500 volumes of all classes of books which the young men and women of the city and township so thoroughly appreciate and use. I ' .' : '

The underground railroad had a well defined road through Salem in antebellum times and many a colored man or woman found safe passage over this road on his way to Canadian freedom. . , -;,,'- '-:.';

Douglas, formerly Summit, is Salem township's second village and was laid out on the northeast corner-of the northeast quarter of section 7, by W. G. Ware in October, 1856. It was surveyed by E. T. Byram.'

Its existence is due to the building of the Peoria and Oquawka railroad. . The surrounding country has made it a lively trading place in general merchandise. _ : 'V -' . , . >. .;;^'.. -., -

This is the oldest village in the township of Salem. It was laid out by Moses Shinn in June, 1839, was surveyed and platted by George A. Charles.

In addition to the usual stores and enterprises connected with a growing town in those days, it had a factory for plows and wagons, and the burning of brick was also one of its industries. A primitive shingling machine was owned by Elisha Van Pelt in 1843. Cottonwood and black walnut were the timbers generally used.

A later survey for the railway, in 1856, located a line about two miles further north from the town, and from that time the village rapidly declined until 1869, when the legislature vacated the plat.

Chestnut township is very rough in portions. Brush creek enters the township on section 6, flows southeast to the central line of the township then again winding to the northeast somewhat, finally flowing in a southerly direction, empties into Haw creek on section 12 and thence finds its way, through Haw creek, to Spoon river at west line of section 24. There are numerous tributaries that flow into this creek, mostly from the south. Spoon river enters the township on section 24, and winds in southwesterly direction leaving the township at about the middle of section 34. There is a divide that enters the township at the village of Hermon on section 19, and this curves to the north and then quite abruptly to the south in section 27. South of that divide there are also several quite good streams that flow south into Spoon river. This makes the northern part of the township quite rough and a portion of the southern part. The banks of these streams were originally heavy timber, most of which has been cut away. It is in one of the southern rows of townships of the county and is the second township east of the principal meridian. The soil is fertile and more than half is prairie soil. It is crossed by two lines of railroad, one running from Lewistown in Fulton county northward to Galesburg, and the other the Iowa Central. The first railroad was formerly known as the Fulton County Narrow Gauge, but it is now called the Havana branch of the C., B. & Q.

The earliest settler was Anthon Dolph from Kentucky. He came in 1833, > and raised a crop, and in 1834 he became a permanent settler. The next year came John Terry from Virginia who was a justice of the peace, and performed the first marriage ceremony in the township, uniting a Mr. Gay and a Miss Cooke, who rode a long distance, to appear before the justice, upon the back of one horse. It is said that Squire Terry once united a couple who stood upon the opposite bank of Spoon river, while he performed the ceremony on the bank, the waters being too high and too tumultuous for either party to cross. The next settlers were Robert Leigh and Archibald Long, in 1836. Mr. Long raised hemp and constructed a rude factory where he manufactured his own and his neighbor's hemp into rope. For a time it was profitable and he got to be well off.- Mr. Long settled on section 19, where, in 1842, he platted the village of Hermon.

Being a Methodist preacher, he soon organized a Methodist class which met regularly at his house for many years. Mr. O. P. Barton was also an early settler and was noted for his walking ability. On one occasion he walked to the land office at Quincy, one hundred miles distant, and arrived there ahead of several other parties who started on horseback at the same time. Mr. Herman Way was another pioneer and was noted as a hunter. Mr. Dolph built a house of logs in 1833, and Mr. Robert Leigh erected a brick house in 1845, which was the first brick house of the township. The old state road which ran from the southeast portion of the township in a northwesterly direction crossed Spoon river which was bridged in about 1846. It was a cumbersome affair, and was demolished and carried away by a flood in 1855.

A grave yard was started on section 3, which was used by the earlier settlers, but is no longer used for that purpose. It is, however, kept in good condition by parties living in the neighborhood.

, . A Mr. Howard built a mill in 1846. It was a combination mill designed for the manufacture of lumber and the grinding of corn. It was used but a few years and then abandoned. There was a saw mill on Littler's creek, on section 25, about the same time, which finally went the same road to destruction.

Wayside stores were established in Chestnut township, one by John Terry on section i6, and one by Mr. Moore on section 15. Mr. Moore's venture was unsuccessful and soon abandoned. The stock carried by Mr. Terry was also very limited.

Dependence was placed upon a town named Troy, in Fulton county, and on Knoxville, Knox county, for postal facilities. Hermon was made a postoffice in 1848, the mail being brought from Knoxville. Mr. Massey was the first pxDstmaster.

Township organization was not adopted until 1857, at which time Samuel Collins was elected supervisor; John Terry and David Massey, justices of the peace ; Mr. Macoy, clerk ; and William Graves and Freeman West, constables. A town called Harrisonville was laid out on section 23 in 1852, by Andrew J. Parker. It was upon the right bank of Spoon river, near where the present bridge crosses that stream. It never grew and the place was vacated in 1869, by act of the legislature. - V ' - - . '- -;^:';"- ^

The village of Hermon was laid out by Archibald Long in May, 1842. It was originally named Harrisonville but the name was changed to Hermon in 1848, on the establishment of the postoffice. For a number of years it was a stirring business place, but Knoxville and Abingdon grew so rapidly with excellent railroad facilities, that it put a stop to the growth of Hermon. It is now a small village located on the Iowa Central. - ' /^'^ -' --'-^;;C^-^^^'

It is supposed that the first white man coming into Indian Point, for the purpose of making a home, was Azel Dorsey, who came from Cedar, in 1829. He remained but a few years. The first permanent settlement was made five years later by John B. Latimer who immigrated from Tennessee with his family, in 1834. Then came John H. Lomax and Stephen Howard from Kentucky, John Howard, Isaac and Alexander Latimer and John Crawford, in 1835. Mr. Crawford was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In 1836 Mr. Daniel Meek purchased the home of Alexander Latimer, and with him came John Killiam. Other people came along and the list of names, including so many sturdy men, is tempting, but we cannot mention them all. Mr. Merriweather Brown and Bartlett Boydstun were among them. Mr. Brown was at one time a county commissioner. Mr. Brown's son, William A., was superintendent of the building and bridge department of the C., B. & Q. company at Galesburg. Mr. Meek was an extensive breeder of fine live stock and took great interest in public affairs. The early settlers of Indian Point encountered no Indians although traces of their occupations were found. The remains of their wigwams together with arrow ' heads, spear heads, axes and other implements were numerous. This circumstance gave the name to the township of Indian Point. The Mount Hope Farm is the highest point of elevation within the township and from it may be obtained a view extending twelve miles to the east and commanding most of Indian Point and Cedar, also Orange, and a large part of Chestnut township. Most of the farmers have been engaged in raising grain and live stock. To mention the names of W. W. Byram, Robert Byram, J. W. Dawdy, Robert Smith, James Bowton, William Cable, Frederick Hall, T. H. Row, and some others, brings a vision of fine well kept herds of cattle. Mr. J. W. Dawdy and son were : - especially successful in raising Shorthorn cattle. The Byrams also dealt largely in Norman horses, raised by themselves. Fine Poland China hogs were also produced upon the farms of Indian Point.

The first Protestant religious services held in the township, of which any record has been preserved, were conducted by Rev. John Crawford, a Cumberland Presbyterian. They were held at the house of John Howard in 1848. The first church organization was effected under the Rev. Mr. Williams, a Methodist, at the Valley schoolhouse. They both disbanded in 1858, and subsequently the M. E. church organized a class, but this did not continue long. A Roman Catholic mission was established, at the present site of St. Augustine, and at a comparatively early date. It was conducted by the Rev. Father St. Cyr in 1837. In 1843, a church building was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Kendrick of St. Louis. Twenty years later a new structure was built. The first school was built and opened in the winter of 1837, and was taught by Dennis Clark, later judge of the county court. The school district embraced Indian Point and part of Warren county, and the schoolhouse was constructed of logs and located on section 1 6. There was an enrollment of thirty pupils the first winter.

The original site of St. Augustine, known as "Old St. Augustine," was in Fulton county. When the Burlington road was built, the company found a side track could not be built nearer the village than the site of the present depot. The business soon drifted away from the old town site. In 1854, the new St. Augustine was laid out by E. T. Byram, one-half mile north of the old village.

Within the limits of Cedar township, there is quite an area which was originally covered with timber. Brush creek enters along the west side of the township for quite a distance, and the land along the creek with its tributaries, was covered with a fine quality of timber. There were sugar maple, various kinds of oak, walnut, wild cherry, elm, ash, basswood and hickory. The abundance of the wild cherry gave to the township the name of Cherry Grove, but this name proved a duplication of the name of another town elsewhere within the state, and the people selected the name of Cedar in its place.

There is more or less of coal and building stone found within the township. ,. The first settlers were Azel Dorsey, on section i8, and Rev. Hiram Palmer, a Methodist minister, on section 7, both of whom came in 1828. In 1829, A. D. Swarts, the founder of Abingdon and Hedding College, settled on section 17. The first sermon heard in the township was preached by Rev. Mr. Palmer. The first members of the Latimer family that reached here, were Joseph, and his son, George. Jonathan Latimer and Jacob West settled upon section 28 in the following year. Then came John C. and Alexander Latimer, their sister, Mrs. Richard Boren and their brothers-in-law, U. D. Coy and Israel Marshall. . The settlers were compelled to go to Ellisville for milling purposes, and at times were compelled to wait for their grist, but were served in turn according to the time of their arrival. In 1833, Joshua Bland built a horsepower corncracker on section i6, which was warmly welcomed by the pioneers.

Cherry Grove Seminary was founded by Jonathan Latimer and the other members of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, and was located on section 29. From the records of the Presbytery, it is established that this school opened prior to 1840, under the charge of Rev. Cyrus Haynes, a minister of that creed. This seminary was abandoned in 1866, the Cumberland Presbyterians having established a college at Lincoln, 111.

Indian Point and Cedar, prior to 1850, were known as the Cherry Grove voting precincts. On January 14, 1850, by order of the county judge. Cherry Grove was separated from the other township. I ;.7; --

The township was organized in 1853, and elected a full line of officers. This election was held at what was then known as Louisville, a small group of houses about three miles north of Abingdon, on section 17. A vote was taken for the place of holding the next election, and this resulted in favor of Louisville. Louisville was laid out by John S. Garrett. It was platted September 30, 1836, and wjfs quite a town for a time. The growth of Abingdon, however, killed it, and all that is left to mark the site is a district schoolhouse. Elections have ever X since been held at Abingdon. Churches were established very early in the history : of Cedar and will be found treated in other portions of this work. - Farming and stock raising have been the chief industries of the township and some as fine stock has been raised there as could be found anywhere upon the market. Large herds of Shorthorn, Hereford, Galloway, Angus, Holstein and Jersey cattle, have been bred in the township.

/ Orange township also has a good supply of good timber. The timber land -:; Originally covered 'about one-fourth of the township, and lay along Brush . and Haw creeks and their branches, on the west and east sides respectively, where : - the surface is much broken.

>; The township is underlaid by three veins of bituminous coal. ^ Joseph Walsh with his family were the first white people to settle within the * limits of Orange township. Asa Haynes came in 1836. Having purchased 300 r acres of land on section 30, he erected a one-room log cabin in which he and his . ; wife resided for some time. He was a hardy, daring and venturesome man, -- without any education other than such as he acquired in an Ohio district school, two months each winter during six or seven years. He brought his two children, a half-brother, Hiram, and a neighbor, Isaac Hill. Their journey occupied nineteen days. Most of the time it was rainy and the rivers were swollen and their horses' harness never dried. Mr. Haynes proved a valuable factor in the development of the new country. He started the first brickyard in 1840; built the first sawmill, operated by water power from Brush creek. In 1841, he built a large barn, and in 1842, a brick house which in those days was regarded as commodious. Ultimately, Mr. Haynes owned nearly i,ooo acres of land in Orange township. In 1849, he became captain of the "Jayhawkers," and led his band of sixty across the continent in search of gold in California. Many of his company dropped out on the way, but Mr. Haynes reached California in safety.

Mr. Peter Godfrey is among the best known settlers of 1832, and he and his wife were among the oldest and most honored couples belonging to the "Old Settlers' Association" of Knox county. Among the other early settlers were Thomas and J. Sumner. Anderson Barnett also came in 1837, settling on section lo. He had the largest family of children ever raised in the township, eighteen in number, and nearly all of them reached the age of maturity.

The first schoolhouse stood on section 14. It was known as the "Wallace School" and served the people well as a house for religious services held within its unplastered walls. The earliest religious services held in the township were conducted by Rev. Edward Gum, a Baptist minister, in the home of James Ferguson. The Methodist Episcopal people were the first denomination to organize, however, and they erected a house of worship, known as the Orange Chapel, in 1855. I* was built of brick burned at the yard of Anderson Barnett, and they were laid by Thomas Ranbow. The building was dedicated in the spring of 1856 by Rev. Richard Haney. It was included within the limits of the Gilson circuit. In 1870 revival services were conducted at the schoolhouse in district No. 4. At that time there was no organized church other than Orange Chapel, although within the township there were Congregationalists and Methodists. Both of these denominations were earnest, both organized societies, and Haynes' Chapel was built by the Methodists. The Congregationalists had no place of worship and soon ceased as a local organization. A general religious decline appeared to supervene about this time. ; ; T ., ' ' - -.'v i-v -^^^ '

De Long is the only village in Orange township. It is a flourishing little station on what was formerly known as the Narrow Gauge road, but now a branch of the Burlington system. It owes its existence there to H. S. Mallory who at that time was building the Narrow Gauge road and who bought the site, laid it out and called it De Long. It is now a flourishing little village and has its quota of Modern Woodmen, Good Templars, etc., etc. ^v- ;';,?.

James Roe was the first settler, coming in 1832 or 1833. Soon after Isaiah Smeltzer arrived, and in 1834, Gadial Scott and Edward Morse came. Edward Morse was one of the Henderson colony, but settled so far from his neighbors as to have been over the Galesburg line.

The land in the township is very fertile. This township now comprises 27 sections. It was made a separate town by legislative enactment in 1867, placing

Galesburg township from the start adopted a policy of erecting permanent bridges, and there is piobably no township in the county that has more and better bridges than Galeiburg, and the tax rate is very low. .-v

The advent of William Palmer and family at the place where the village of Maquon is situated, seems to be the date from which all matters of importance in relation to the township of Maquon are reckoned. This starting point is fixed at some time in the year 1827. Mr. Palmer seems to have been a typical pioneer. He is known as the "bee man," as that seems to have been one of his favorite pastimes or means of support, or both.. Mr. Palmer's cabin was made of black hickory poles, and on all sides are said to have been Indian gardens. Just why the habitations of the redmen, at this point, are called gardens, is not explained for they were occupied only during the winter, and in the summer time the Indians went away to find better hunting-grounds to the west. They ; returned annually in the fall and remained during the winter until the year 1832, when, as one of the results of the Black Hawk war, they left forever. Mr. Palmer remained there five or six years, planted an orchard and cultivated the ground vacated by the Indians. His cabin, being located on the Galena trails, afforded a stopping place for people passing back and forth. Mr. Palmer sold his cabin to one Nelson Selby and removed to St. Louis. This cabin was constructed very much like other cabins of that day. It was small, consisting of one room, practically without windows, and with but one door. The chimney, of course, was made of sticks laid up, after the same manner in which the cabin itself was built, and then packed and plastered with mud so as to withstand the heat of the fire in tht fireplace. Nevertheless there were frequent fires at Mr. Palmer's mansion on account of the "burning out" of the chimney.

Another character of Maquon township is spoken of, that of Simeon Dolph, the pioneer ferryman of Spoon river. He also built a similar cabin which was located where the Rathburn house now stands. He did not remain long. The cause of his leaving is supposed to have been in consequence of a suspicion of foul play being dealt out to an unknown traveler.

In 1829 Mark Thurman-with his family took up a residence upon section 25, J- and soon followed William Darnell, William Palmer, Thomas Thurman and -; James Milam. These people .came from Ohio, and from that time on the settlers ' came in increasing numbers, and in 1837 the village of Maquon was laid out. ; A pretty little story of the name of this town and township will be found in the article upon the Indians of Knox county, where also will be described the trails and relics which were found so numerous in and about the village of Maquon. Township organization was completed in 1853, and James N. Foster was elected supervisor; Nathan Barbero, assessor, and James L. Loman, collector.

The first schoolhouse was a log building erected in 1834 on section 33. Benjamin Brock was the first teacher. Another schoolhouse was erected in 1836 or

1837, a little south of Bennington. The first school north of Spoon river was conducted by Miss Mary Fink in a shed adjoining the residence of Peter Jones, father of John Jones. The New Testament was the only reader. It is said by some of Miss Fink's pupils that she could read and write but could not cipher, The township originally contained Maquon, Bennington and Rapatee. Bennington was located near the center of the township but it failed to develop although it was the township voting place until 1858.

This village has made some progress and is a snug little town upon the Iowa Central railroad. It was laid out by Benjamin Adams on the southeast quarter of section 33, and has churches, stores, blacksmith shops, elevators and other interests common in such a town.

The village of Maquon is situated near the site of an old Indian village on the north line of the township on section 4, with a view of the Spoon river to the south. It was surveyed in 1836 by Parnach Owen, assisted by John G. Sanburn, William McGowan, Judge R. L. Hannaman, Mr. Richmond and Mr. Biers.

Nothing that has ever been said to the knowledge of the writer, indicates that the people of Maquon are different from other people. They have always been a law-abiding people and as honorable in their dealings as other folks so far as is known, but for some reason not stated, the village was slow in establishing religious and educational influences. They had a distillery and a racetrack; both of these institutions have gone and a school and a church have taken their place, and both are well supported. The people today are abreast with those of any other town in the county, and there is no town in the county where the women are more alive to the interests of their own sex than in Maquon. We are indebted to the women of that village for a large part of all that is known and preserved of Indian life throughout this part of the country. The village was incorporated March 19, 1857, and the town has steadily grown and today it has about 700 inhabitants. Notwithstanding the fact that it once supported a distillery, it has not supported a saloon for many years. At present it has ample banking facilities, grocery stores, dry goods, drug stores, newspapers and other industries that supply about all the wants of the inhabitants of the village and the surrounding county. -' I -

The Maquon physicians have always been reliable and up-to-date. The private bank of William Swigart has been in operation since i88i. The banking interests of Maquon are fully set out in the article on banks of the county.

Mr. A. M. Maple was for many years a prosperous merchant and left the business in the hands of his son, C. F. Maple, in 1896. These gentlemen have always been highly spoken of for tffeir honesty and fair dealing.

The religious and banking interests of Maquon have been referred to in this article but the reader is respectfully referred to articles on those subjects found on other pages of this history. If any information is wanted in regard to anyone

Maquon Hotel

1837, a little south of Bennington. The first school north of Spoon river was conducted by Miss Mary Fink in a shed adjoining the residence of Peter Jones, father of John Jones. The New Testament was the only reader. It is said by some of Miss Fink's pupils that she could read and write but could not cipher. The township originally contained Maquon, Bennington and Rapatee. Bennington was located near the center of the township but it failed to develop although it was the township voting place until 1858.

This village has made some progress and is a snug little town upon the Iowa Central railroad. It was laid out by Benjamin Adams on the southeast quarter of section 33, and has churches, stores, blacksmith shops, elevators and other interests common in such a town.