Osco Township

Osco Township

The town of Osco was originally known by the governmental description of Town 16, North Range 26 East of the 4th P. M., and is situated west of the center of the county. It is almost exclusively prairie land, less than one per cent, of its surface being originally covered with timber. Its surface is beautifully undulating with just sufficient declination to make perfect drainage, and with no level, wet or marshy areas to mar its beauty or excellence. The soil is a rich, black alluvium of marvelous fertility, and varying from eighteen inches to two feet in depth. In the early days of its settlement it was noted for the luxuriance of the grass and other vegetation which grew upon its broad prairies.

Owing to the prevailing opinion among the early settlers that the open prairies were uninhabitable on account of the severe winds which then prevailed, the excessive cold of the winters, and the distance from timber (whicJi was then the only fuel), the area which now comprises the town received but little attention. Thriving settlements had sprung-up in various parts of the county, in the vicinity of streams and timber, but Osco remained unsettled, an uninviting, treeless plain. The first settlement within the limits of the town was made by Israel Crocker, on the north half of Section 3, at a place which was known in those days as Crocker's Grove. Here, according to the traditions of the early settlers, the elder Crocker located in the year 1838, and built a house of considerable size (which is. now standing), and inclosed with a sod fence about 160 acres of land, and imported and placed on his farm a large flock of sheep, out of which he intended to amass a fortune. Ill success attended the venture, and after eight or ten years struggling with bad luck with his sheep, and poor health in his family, he finally succumbed to adverse circumstances and sold out to Ben Graham, who continued the business so inauspicously begun by Mr. Crocker, with about the same results. After the settlement of Mr. Crocker in 1838, no further attempt was made until the year 1851, a lapse of thirteen years. In May of that year, Albert Melton moved upon the Crocker Grove farm, which had been purchased by F. P. Brown ; in June, Willis Hinman settled in the south part of the township, and was soon followed by S. C. Welton and Benjamin Manning, Philip Emmert and John Weedlem. The next year came Francis Gerard and Hiram Woodward, followed soon after by A. A. and E. M. Crane, Jared H. Smith, Lester C. Welton, and others, who have, in the short space of twenty-five years, transformed the wild and uninhabitable prairie into a rich agricultural settlement, with not one acre of uninclosed land within its limits.

On May 24, 1852, the first school district was organized, by a meeting called at the house of Willis Hinman, and comprised the whole township. In the Summer of 1853, the first school-house was built, upon the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of Section 26, and was for a long time known as the Hinman School-house.

In 1854, the district was divided, the north half being set off, and was known as District No. 2. In this district two school-houses were eventually built, one in the northeast corner of the town, known as the Van Order School-house, and one at Morristown, in the northwest corner. The division above mentioned remained with no permanent alteration, save the division of the north district, until the year 1859, when the town was divided into nine districts, each two miles square, which division, with some slight alterations, remains at this day. The first Board of School Trustees was elected in May, 1852, and consisted of Willis Hinman, Samuel Hamilton and S. C. Welton. The first Board of School Directors were elected in June, 1852, and consisted of the same persons.

In 1857, the school section (16) was sold, realizing the handsome sum of $12,586, which has been increased by subsequent additions, until now it amounts to $13,958. The total number of pupils attending the school at present, is 369, of whom 174 are males and 195 females.

In the Fall of 1856, the town voted in favor of adopting township organization, and in April, 1857, the first election was held at the house of Nathan Dunklebarger, and resulted in the election of Lester C. Welton, Supervisor; Woodruff as Town Clerk; A. A. Crane, Assessor;

R. H. Hinman, Collector; Willis Hinman, Ellis Blackwell, and A. McNaughton, Commissioners of Highways ; A. Welton and A. Purviance, Justices of the Peace.

Osco is remarkable for the excellence of the stock raised by the farmers of this township, who sold this last year 5,205 head of hogs for $120,741 ; 1,285 head of cattle for $56,598 ; 99,660 bushels of corn, which brought $35,992. Also considerable broom corn, barley, oats, timothy and clover seed, butter and eggs. There is a healthful and good supply of water, at an average depth of 26 feet, the average supply being ten feet of water.

This village was laid out on Nov. 30, and Dec. 1, 2, 3, 1870, by Patterson, Holmes County Surveyor, on the S. E. N. E. Sec. 29 - 40 acres, then owned by Orion E. Page, who caused the same to be done. It originally contained 11 blocks laid off into 183 lots. The streets leading east and west as named from north to south, are North Street, North R. R. Street, Market Street and South R. R. Street, and two avenues, leading north and south ; the west one is called Lincoln Avenue, and the other in the eastern part Washington Avenue. The first house was built in July, 1871, by G. P. Woodworth and Samuel Smith, the next by D. L. Purviance the same year. It now contains twelve dwellings, eight business houses and a blacksmith shop. There are about 80,000 bushels of corn and 90 to 100 cars of stock shipped annually from this place.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at Morristown. The first meetings were held in the Fall of 1860, in Edford Township, in what is now known as Weidlein's school-house. The congregation was organized Feb. 9, 1861, with the following named members : Philip Emmert, Aleman Conrad, John Weidlein, F. W. Smith, S. S. Bjerrum, John J. Whiteline, Fred. Cook, Margaret Emmert, Elizabeth Conrad, Ellennora Weidlein, Caroline Smith, Mary Bjerrum, Doretha Emmert and Sophia Weidlein. F. W. Smith was elected Elder, and John Weidlein, Deacon. The present church building was erected in the Spring of 1863, at a cost of $1,650, and dedicated Sept. 20 of the same year. F. W. Smith and John Weidlein were the building committee. Rev. F. R. Scherer was the first pastor ; he served from Feb. 9, 1861, to Feb., 1864 ; Rev. Eli Fair, from Feb., 1864 to Feb., 1865 ; Rev. A. M. Tanner, from April, 1866, to April, 1868 ; Rev. G. W. Schaeffer, from April, 1868, to April, 1869 ; Rev. R. B. Whitehill, from July 11, 1869, to March 10, 1872 ; Rev. E. S. Rees, from March 27, 1872, to July 6, 1873; Rev. Lloyd Knight, from July 6, 1873, to April 1, 1875 ; Rev. S. S. Lawson is the present pastor, having served since May 16, 1875.

Sixty-three is the highest number of members at any one time. The present church officers are George S. Emmert and Andrew Weidlein, Elders ; F. W. Smith and J. J. Whiteline, Deacons. Philip Emmert has been Treasurer and Secretary since the organization of the church. The Sabbath-school is kept up constantly, has an average attendance of fifty scholars and teachers, and a library of about 300 vols. Connected with the church is a parsonage, built in the Fall of 1866, during the pastorate of Rev. A. M. Tanner, at a cost, including additions and repairs, of $1,050. The present pastor, Rev. S. S. Lawson, was born in York Co. Pa., Nov. 24, 1838; is the son of the late Rev. S. B. Lawson, and brother to Rev. J. Smith Lawson, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; was educated at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa.; entered the ministry in 1860, at Massillon, Ohio ; served in the army as chief clerk of the Adjutant General's Department of the 4th Army Corps, from Jan. 1, 1864, to the close of the war ; resumed the ministry at Leesburg, Ohio, in 1866 ; came to Illinois in 1870, and served pastorates at Ottawa and Freeport, prior to his present charge.

The Protestant Episcopal Church of Osco Township (Grace Church) was organized Jan. 25, 1875, witli a memhership of twenty-two. Among those who were active in establishing this church are the names of J. H. Smith, Eben Coll, L. C. Welton, S. C. Welton, R. H. Hinman and W. W. Human.

Eben Coll and J. H. Smith were appointed Wardens, and L. C. Welton, Bela Andrews, Robert McClain, Jerry Hadley, R. H. Hinman, S. C. Welton, James M. Welton and George Poppleton, Vestrymen.

J. H. Smith was appointed Treasurer, and was efficient in organizing and maintaining this society. Bela Andrews was appointed Clerk. These gentlemen have all continued to discharge the duties of their respective positions up to the present time, excepting James M. Welton, in whose pliice W. W. Hinman was appointed, April 17, 1876.

Their earliest services were held in what is known as the Hinman school-house, in District No. 7. From 1856 to 1878, occasional services were held by Rev. A. Welton, of Cambridge ; Rev. S. Goodale, of Geneseo ; Rev. William Green, of Geneseo, in 1865 ; P. B. Morrison, of Geneseo, 1866 ; Rev. G. C. Griswold, the same year ; Rev, J. B. Calhoun, of Osco, in 1869-70; Rev. F. Nash, of Geneseo, during 1871-73. At this time plans were devised, and location selected for a suitable meetinghouse, the building of which was accomplished in the Fall of 1873, at a cost of $2,750, while Rev. J. H. Chamberlaine, the present pastor, was in charge.

This building is located on the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of Sec. 26. Regular services were held from this time to Jan. 25, 1875, when the church organization was finally consummated. These services have been continued in connection with a Sabbath-school. The membership of the church at present is forty-one. The present pastor, Rev. J. H. Chamberlaine, took charge Sept. 15, 1873.

library of nearly 200 volumes, and is also supplied with suitable papers. The attendance at present, of teachers and scholars, is about forty, there being usually six or seven classes and as many teachers. Charles A. Coll is Superintendent.

The M. E. Church of Osco Township was established in Oct. 1859. Among those prominent in its organization were : William Hitchcock, Levi A. Hamilton, and Edmund Valentine. It was mostly through their influence that a minister was appointed in charge. Rev. H. J. Humphrey preached the first sermon. Mr. John Chandeler was at that time Presiding Elder ; Win. Hitchcock, Steward, and Levi A. Hamilton, Class Leader. The meetings of this church were held for several years in the Center School House, a small frame building located on the S. E. corner of Sec. 16. Rev. James Sheldon was appointed in charge, in Nov., 1861, and E. Ransom, Elder, Sept. ,1860; Rev. J. M. Bartels, Sept., 1862; G. C. Woodruff, Elder, Sept., 1863; Rev. J. W. Odell, Sept. 1864; B. C. Swarts, Elder, Sept., 1864. At this time a meeting was held to devise means by which to provide a suitable meeting house, and A. A. Crane, Thomas Barnes, and H. Rivenburgh were appointed a Building Commit- tee. During the Fall and Winter of 1865-6, the building of the proposed house was accomplished, at a cost of $2,500, obtained mostly by subscription in the township, and in June, 1866, the dedication services were held, and the sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Raymond, of Evanston, Cook Co. This meeting house is located on the S. W. corner of Sec. 15.

Mr. Hamilton has officiated as Class Leader much of the time since the organization of the church. David Hadley is also Class Leader, and has been since 1867. James Henderson and F. M. Barnes are now Stewards, and Mr. Crane is and has been Recording Steward for ten years. Levi A. Hamilton is Steward for the Rock Island District. The present membership of this church is sixty. The Sabbath School was organized with this church. The first Supt. was Wm. Hitchcock ; the next, Levi A. Hamilton, followed by others, among whom are the names of Eben Woodward, Hiram Williamson, and David Hadley. The school as now constituted, was organized May 14, 1876, and the last-named gentleman appointed Supt.; F. M. Barnes, Asst. Supt.; David Smith and Alice Woodward, Secys. The school is divided into seven classes. The teacher of the first class - adults, fourteen - is F. M. Barnes ; of the second - adults, seventeen - Robert Henderson; third - young ladies and gentlemen, eighteen - is Mrs. John Petteys; fourth - boys from 10 to 15 years of age, nine - James Henderson; fifth - girls from 10 to 15 j^ears, six - Mrs. A. A. Crane ; sixth - children from 8 to 10 years, ten in number - Mrs. James Henderson ; seventh - infant class, eighteen scholars - is taught by Mrs. Hiram Williamson. No. of officers, four ; teachers, seven; scholars, ninety-one. Total, 102.

A Presbyterian Church was organized in this Township by Rev. S. T. Wilson, Rev. J. C. Barr, Rev. David Kelly, and Ruling Elder" Edmund Buck, of Andover, on Nov. 4, 1867, and Hiram Woodward and Charles Crabb were ordained Elders of the church.

The first sermon was preached by Rev. S. T.Wilson, of Rock Island. There were seventeen communicants, which subsequently increased to a membership of forty -two.

During the existence of this church there were ten baptisms. On June 5, 1870, William Sherrard and Johnson McLaughlin were ordained Elders. The services were held in Hinman's School House. Subsequently this church was dissolved, and a few of its members joined the present Presbyterian Church, of Munsou.

There was also organized a Christian Church, on April 13, 1856, by Elders Levi Purviance and Hiram Petteys, composed of fourteen members. Rev. Levi Purviance preached the first sermon. The meetings -were held in the school house, at Morristown. Rev. Hiram Like was the next regular minister. There was a Sabbath School in connection with this.

The Osco and Western Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized March 15, 1876, under an act entitled, " An Act to Incorporate and Govern Mutual Fire Insurance Companies in Townships," approved April 3, 1872. The following officers were elected: A. McWhinney, Pres. ; J. H. Smith, Treas. ; A. A. Crane, Secy. ; and R. H. Hinman, J. T. Petteys, Bela Andrews, A. McWhinney, J. H. Smith, H. E. Stoughton, D. L. Keleher, and M. B. Lloyd were elected Directors.

This company bids fair to be a grand success. The report of the Secy, shows the aggregate amount of policies issued to be $63,990 ; receipts, $81.00; amount of expense, $43.25: amount in the treasury, $37.75.

Is the largest town in the southwestern part of the county. It was laid out by Maxwell Woodhull of New York City, September ;-iO, 1857. The original town was platted east of Division Street, and in 1867, Mr. J. W. Horn, a resident of town, laid out the portion north of the railroad and west of that street, except so much as belonged to Hugh Russell, Esq., who had laid out his portion, the northwest part, six years earlier, and on his plat the first buildings were erected. In 1870, Mr. Horn laid out a second addition, which embraces that part south of the railroad, west of Division Street, and including his residence. The first house erected within the present limits of town was the Widney Hotel. It was built for a dwelling, but being purchased by Mr. E. A. Widney, was converted into a hotel. This branch of the C. B. & Q. R. R. was surveyed in 1847, but several years elapsed before the grading was finished. In 1868, it was sold to the C., B. & Q. R. R. and by that company completed and put in running order. Until that date it was known as the American Central Railroad. The buildings were at first erected on the west side of town (west of Division Street), except a few opposite the present post-office. By the time the cars commenced to run over the railroad, there were a half dozen stores, as many shops, and quite a number of carpenters and masons. The town has a growth peculiarly its own. Almost every other village or city in the county received a sudden impetus from the building of railroads, but this latter fact seemed to have but little effect on Woodhull. The town has maintained a steady growtli from the erection of the first store and dwellings in the plat. Before the town was surveyed, a post-office called Heathland was kept at Mr. F. Heath's house, a short distance north of the village site. When the town was determined upon, it was thought to name the office and town Leoti, and was called by that name some time. In compliment to Mr. Woodhull, the present name was given them.

Shortly after the first store was opened by M. N. Hurd, it was destroyed by fire with all its contents. Again in 1871, a building owned by T. S. McConnell, and containing a stock of goods owned by a Mr. Wright, was wholly destroyed by the same element. At this time, the fire also consumed an unoccupied building near. These two have been the only serious fires the village lias experienced.

Probably no town of the size of Woodhull has commanded the grain and stock trade in such dimensions. During the year 1876, more than a half million of dollars were received at this place in exchange for prod- uce, and in 1870-71 and '72 more broom corn was shipped from Woodhull, than from any point in the United States. In 1809, a good brick block was erected by J. D. Bell and Andrew Eason, and in 1876, a similar one was built, the upper story of which contains a good lecture hall and the office of the Enterprise, a good local weekly paper.

It was no uncommon affair, before the railroad was completed, to sec wagon after wagon filled with grain pass through Woodhull to Oneida, and returning the owners would make all their purchases here. The firm of Elder & Skinner sold in one year over $ 80,000 worth of goods. This trade is yet undiminished; what is lacking in sales, is atoned for in purchases of the farm products.

There are now about one dozen stores, a few more shops, three large elevators, one lumber yard, three hotels, and a large number of mechanics. The town has never granted a license to saloons of any kind, and steadily maintains a firm temperance standing.

Woodhull was incorporated in 1870, and the following board of officers elected : B. Taylor, President ; J. V. Kennagy, Clerk ; W. O. Gamble, Treasurer, and Rev. W. C. Wagner and James Walton, Trustees. There are now seven trustees, instead of the original five elected. Their names appear elsewhere.

Until about the year 1869, schools were held in the district school house. About that time they were graded, and the present building erected. It contains four rooms, three of which are occupied as schoolrooms, the fourth as a recitation room. The report of the Principal, Mr. S. G. Mugrave, for January, 1877, shows 150 scholars enrolled, and an average attendance of 102.

The largest church here is the Swedish Lutheran. It was organized on Oct. 15, 1868, with thirteen members, whose names were as follows : G. Lagergron, Y. E. Carlson, E. Hawkinson, S. Hawkinson, T. M. Lindquist, C. Lindquist, S. T. Petterson, Y. Grenborg, Y. Clas, N. T. Hulstrom, M. Olson, T. Olson and O. Truedson. They were organized in the old Presbyterian Church, where they met for divine worship for some time. In 1869, they built a house of worship costing $2,000. It proving too small, they erected the present commodious house of 'worship in 1876, at an expense of $5,000. The pastor is Rev. T. M. Sandquist. The number of communicants is now 275. A good Sunday-school is regularly maintained.

The Catholic Church was organized about six years since, with six or eight families. They, with the aid of other churches of their denomination more wealth}', have .just completed a very fine village church. The number of families has not greatly increased since the organization. Services are held here by priests from other places.

The Pbess

In December, 1875, the Reporter made its first appearance. It was published by Magner & Carlin, editors and proprietors. It was continued ijntil December, 1876, when the office was purchased by J. J. McHose, who enlarged it from a three-column page paper to a seven-column folio, and the name changed to the Woodhull Enterprise. It is still continued with R. H. Magner and J. J. McHose as editors, and is issued weekly. It is an excellent local paper, and is all its name indicates.

It would be well to mention here before closing the history of Woodhull, that Gen. Schenck, late Minister to England, is largely interested in property here and at Nekoma, and pays these villages a visit nearly every other year.

Woodhull Officials

In the Summer of 1852, Henry Selby built a store and laid out a town upon Sec. 6, in the northwest corner of the township, which was called Morristown. This formed a nucleus of a thriving settlement, having a post-office, blacksmith shops, two stores, a church, school-house, harness shops, etc., but the subsequent building of the railroad, and the location of the station at Osco, has taken much of the business away to Osco and other points. The village now contains twelve dwelling houses, two stores, one shoemaker shop, a meeting-house and a school-house.

But five or six families reside on the original plat of Dayton. Among them is George Brandenburg, one of the earliest settlers, and whose hospitable mansion was once the only tavern in the county. It is one of the oldest towns, and was laid out October 31, 1836, by Mark M. Aiken. It was at one time the stopping place on the Chicago, Dixon and Rock Island stage route, and but for the rapid development of towns near it, and the railroads passing it by, might have been one of the largest towns within the county.

Is a small village a few miles north of Alpha, on the Chicago, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad, containing about one hundred inhabitants. It has an excellent trade in grain and farm products. One good store, a few shops, an elevator and a lumber yard comprise the business interests.

Is a small town on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, about one mile east of Colona. Prior to the crossing of the roads being established at this latter place, Oakley commanded a good grain trade. It was laid out August 11, 1865, by Thomas F. Davenport, and now contains about one hundred inhabitants. The town supports two or three stores, as many shops, one hotel and an elevator. The children are sent to the district school near, and the people attend church at Cleveland or Colona..,

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois : Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, Together with Portraits and Biographies of All the Governors of Illinois, and of the Presidents of the United States; Also Containing a History of the County, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, published 1885; 4,359 words in this source stream.

Osco Township

HE first symptons of the tremendous financial revulsion of 1837 were beginning to be felt in the city of New York as early as 1835. There was a crop failure, and prices began to climb toward high and impossible figures for many of the poor in the cities. Shrewd business men began to dimly forecast the se-

-a^grious outlook, and there were not a few who promptly began to furl their sails before the coming storm. Every movement- of this kind touched to the quick the sensitive nerves of the laboring people, and early in the spring of 1836 the cry of "Bread! Bread!! " rang out upon the streets of New York, and the mob gathered in front of the flour store of Eli Hart & Co., and gutted.the building from cellar to roof, because, as the hungry people said, they had bought up the flour of the country and were putting up the price to $ic and $12 a barrel, out of the possible reach and means of the poor. Fortunes began to topple, and many men, who' a short time before had supposed they were on the top wave of financial prosperity, suddenly saw but little else before them than pinching poverty."

It was largely the class of men who turned their eyes Westward, and gave to Northern Illinois that stream of immigration that marked so strangely the settlement of this portion of the State. They were intelligent, educated in the avenues of business, energetic, hopeful and determined upon the full realization of that sublime watch-word that has peopled this continent - " Homes for the homeless, land for all." This was the grand idea in American civilization. It bore rich fruits, especially in the Mississippi Valley - that garden and granary of the world,.

In the winter of 1835 a notice was published in the New york papers calling " a meeting of all persons interested " at Congress Hall, to organize a colony of those interested or desirous to emigrate to Illinois. So few people responded to this first call that a second notice was published, and at this meeting an organization called the "New York Colony" was formed, and between 40 and 50 members, were enrolled.

Charles Oakley, at one time Fund Commissioner of Illinois, was the prime leader in this movement. He had previously traveled West and had examined the Prairie State, and gave glowing descriptions of all that he had seen in this portion of Illinois. The members signed an agreement, and Charles Oakley and C. C. Wilcox were made Trustees and authorized to go to Illinois and locate for the Colony about a township of land, the general idea being to locate some where near the Illinois River. Oakley had in his mind when he started on his Western mission a point now in Bureau County, but when he reached this place he found it already taken up by the Providence Colony, and he pushed on West ; and to this fact the welfare of Henry County is indebted to .the Colony coming here, and the selection of the land in townships r6 and 17 north, ranges 1 and 2 east, covering at the time about 30 sections.

It would be very interesting to posterity could we procure and print a copy of the original agreement of the Colonists, but this remarkable document seems to be hopelessly lost. Substantially, the terms were : Each individual in the Colony bound himself to erect within two years a building to. cost abcut $200 on his tract of land. In case he failed to do so, then the land reverted to the Colony, with this unfortunate condition, - the Colony thus taking reverted lands was to pay therefor at the rate of $3 per acre, this tempting offer of 100 per cent, was enough to make a great many neglect to build and let their lands be forfeited. This and the fearful panic of 1837 overloaded the Colony, and it was wholly unable to comply with its agreements or pay anything for the forfeited lands, and hence the entire sales thus soon were made void and worthless.

Oakley and Wilcox were to receive for their services 25 cents an acre for locating and superintending the business; this was also to pay for the surveys and platting a town near the center of the Colony's land. The lands and town-lots were to be put up at auction, where members could bid for preference in selections. Eight lots went with each quarter-section of land. This distribution took place in the fall of 1836 (the lands were entered in June of that year). Between $7,000 and $8,000 were paid at the sale for preferences, some of the first choice quarter-sections ^selling as high as $400. This preference money was a fund. for the benefit of the Colony, as follows :

Only a few of the Colonists came in the summer of 1836. Charles Oakley and C. C. Wilcox jlid not remain long. Wilcox finally settled in Chicago and Oakley died some years ago. Arba Seymour surveyed the land. A log house was put up in Morristown ; afterwards a Colony house was erected by R. R. Stewart, of Geneseo. It was a large two-story building and was well finished, at the time the most pretentious building in the county. By mistake the building was on a lot belonging to Oakley, and by this error Oakley laid claim to the building, which he sold to Joel Wells. A mill was built on Green River. Joshua Harper, N. W. Washburne, Luke C. Sheldon, Charles W. Davenport and a Mr. Tompkins were the total of the Colonists who were here and in possession in the fall of 1836. In 1837 John Appleton and Charles W. Davenpoit, Sr., ond their families came, and with them the venerable Thomas Fitch, the father of Mrs. Davenport. He died at Morristown in a short time after, aged 80 years. For the next 14 years after the settlement of this Colony the families above named and a few others - in all 10 or 12 families - were all there were in the New York Colony or in this part of the county. These were widely scattered over Morristown Prairie ; and these pioneers worked their way in the wilderness, patiently await4ng the oncoming tide that the next wave of immigration would bring to them. Nothing really came until 1852, when 'commenced the memorable rush of people to this portion of the county.

Osco is almost exclusively a prairie township, less than one per cent, of its surface being originally covered with timber. Its surface is beautifully undulating, with just sufficient declination to make perfect drainage, and with no level, wet or marshy areas to mar its beauty or excellence. The soil is a rich, black alluvium, of marvelous fertility, and varying from i8[]inches to two feet in depth. In the early days of its settlement it was noted for the luxuriance of the grass and other vegetation that grew upon its broad prairies.

The first settlement within the limits of the town was made by Israel Crocker, who located on the north half of section 3, at a place which was known in' those days as Crocker's Grove. Here, according to the traditions' of the early settlers, the elder Crocker located in the year 1838, built a house of considerable size and enclosed with a sod fence about 160 acres of land, and imported and placed on his farm a large flock of sheep, out of which he intended to amass a fortune. Ill success attended the venture, and after eight or ten years' struggling with bad luck with his sheep and poor health in his family, he finally succumbed to adverse circumstances and sold out to Ben Graham, who continued the business so

After the settlement of Mr. Crocker, in 1838, no further attempt was made until the year 185 1, a lapse of 13 years. In May of that year, Albert Welton moved upon the Crocker Grove farm, which had been purchased by F. P. Brown; in June, Willis Hinman "settled in the south part of the township, and was soon followed by S. C. Welton and Benjamin Manning, Philip Emmert and John Weidlein. The next year came Francis Gerard and Hiram Woodward, and in a short time A. A. and E. M. Crane, Jared H. Smith and Lester C. Welton.

The first school district was formed May 24, 1852. The meeting was at the house of Willis Hinman. The first school-house was built in 1853, on the northeast quarter of section 26. This was long known as the Hinman School-house.

In 1854 the district was divided, and the north half became District No. 2. Two school-houses were built in this District, - one in the northeast corner, and known as the Van Order school-house, and one at Morristown, in the northwest corner.

1 LSEWHERE in the Album this place is Me fully spoken of. In 1852 Henry Selby built a store in the place. It soon became the chief trading and business place for the thriving farming country around it. At one time it had a postofifice, two stores, a church, a

^-«Jjf SCO was laid out by the County Surveyor, Patterson Holmes, in December, 1870, in the southeast part of the northeast quarter of section 29. The land belonged to Orion Page. It contained only 1 1 blocks. The first house was built by G. P. Woodworth and Samuel Smith, in July, 1871, a store and residence. Mr. Woodworth soon became the sole owner.

The next house was built by D. L. Purviance, for a grocery store and postoffice. He was the first Postmaster, is there yet, and is a Democrat that will probably stay where he has been so long, at least until after another Presidential election.

There are two grain dealers, two elevators, two general store and Purviance's grocery store, a blacksmith- shop, and a very good school, taught by Miss Anna Carson.

The Methodist Episcopal church building, that has been a long time at Osco Center (the center of the township), has just been 'moved to Osco. The preacher is Rev. M. Bliss.

N the winter of 1835-6, in New York city, a few citizens met in Congress Hall, corner of Bowery and Hester Street, and organized the " New York Colony." At this meeting some 60 families were represented, who became members, and appointed Colonel CHarles Oakley - who afterward was Fund Commissioner of the State of Illinois - and Charles C. Wilcox, " Trustees for the Colonists, with authority to proceed to Illinois, and locate lands for the Colony." The intention was to locate the lands in Tazewell County ; but the land they had in view had already been taken up by the " Tremont Colony." On learning this the Trustees went on to Bureau County, and from thence to Henry County and located in what is now Osco, Western, Edford and Colon a Townships, nearly 20,- 000 acres of land. In honor of Col. Morris, of New

This was in June, 1836; and iri the fall of that year Joshua Harper and Charles W. Davenport, Jr. (the latter a lad of 18 years), came to Henry County ; and boarded with Mrs. George Tyler, at Cleveland, on Rock River.

The lands had all been entered in the name of Oakley & Wilcox as " Trustees " for the Colony ; and in the fall of that year they were sold at auction, and the choice of the land sold to-the highest bidder, who by themselves or agents selected their lands. Some $7,000 was realized from the preference money. This fund, by the terms of organization, was set apart, 1st, to build a colony house, to accommo'date settlers until they could build for themselves ; 2d, tb build a saw-mill somewhere on Green River, and also a school-house. Col. Oakley had charge of this fund.

A town was laid out on a part of sections 24 and 25, 17 and 18, and, by the terms of the organization, 8 town lots were given with each quarter-section of land. R. R. Stewart, in ^38, contracted for building the colony house, and with the help of George - Brandenburg, a ,year or two later, the house was finished - a fine, large building uf two stories ; but it was never used by the Colonists, for reasons hereafter given. A saw-mill was erected on Green River by Col. Oakley, but on land the title of which was in his own name. By an unfortunate clause in the articles of organization, the Colonists bound themselves to settle and build a home on these lands within two years, costing $200. If they neglected so to do, then their land should revert to the Colonists ; but with this condition : That the Colonists had the privilege of paying $3 per acre, or double the cost of the land. The result was, that most of the Colonists, being city folks, concluded that the investment was good enough without settlement ; but at the end of two years there was no responsible party here to take these lands, and some of the owners, after paying taxes many years, sold them from 50 cents to $1 per acre.

The consequence was that out of some 60 families only a half dozen or so came to stay. Joshua Harper came on with Oakley and Wilcox, and was here when the lands were distributed, and was agent for many of his friends in New York, to bid in those

Joshua Harper was born in Fairfax- Co., Va., April 24, 1796, and died in Geneseo Feb. 23, 1882, aged 85 years. He served in the county in several offices of, public trust, as follows : In 1837 he was elected Recorder, the first duly elected in the county, and his early records are marvels of neatness and accuracy ; he was afterward County Judge of Probate, and was elected twice Representative and Senator in our State Legislature, and was also a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1848. He was a splendid man physically - tall, six feet high, straight as an arrow, and though afflicted with a slight tremor from a paralytic affection, dignified and easy in his manners. One who has known him for fifty years writes of him as follows : " Joshua Harper was a fine representative of that now almost extinct class, the ' first families of Virginia.' I never knew so perfect a gentleman." We doubt if the man can be found who ever heard him use an improper word. Strictly and scrupulously honest in all his dealings, just and kind to all his employees, humane and tender to man and beast. Another says : " I well recollect, when stopping temporarily with him, on his farm at Morristown, that he always insisted that his hired hands should not work in the rain, no matter what was on hand. He said it ' never paid' to let a man or horse be uncomfortable, and never did farmer in Henry County have sleeker horses, fatter cattle, or more happy and contented laborers than this noble-hearted gentleman on his prairie farm at Morristown. He was genial, pleasant and jovial, delighted in a good story, and could tell one with infinite zest - indeed an Israelite, in whom there was no guile." We ne'er shall look upon his like again.

But to return to our colony. The boy, C. W. Davenport, went to work in the winter of 1836-7, and, with the help of Jerome and Frank Brittain, got out timber on Rock River, and in the spring put up a double log house, the first house erected " out on the prairie," - a large, substantial, well built house, 16 x 44 feet, with three rooms, and probably at that time the best and most comfortable house in that section of the county. This was on sec. 31,17 north, range i, now owned and occupied by William Smith.

In June, 1837, Charles W. Davenport, Sr., moved out from New York city with the rest of his family and his wife's father, the venerable Thomas Fitch, who died in 1842, at the age of 80 years.

Joshua Harper also erected his log house on his farm on section 24, adjoining Morristown. Nathan W. Washburne came out the same year, 1836, and located on section 29, township 17, range 1. Nathan was a famous hunter, and one of the drollest specimens of a live " Connecticut Yankee " that ever came West, and there was always " music " when he was around. His daughter Mary was married to Alonzo Ayers, son of William Ayres, of Andover, now residing in Nebraska. Abisha Washburne, brother of N. W., came later.

Noah and Elijah Tompkins came the same year and located on section 33, but soon became dissatisfied and sold out and returned East. Luke C. Sheldon came and settled on section 30 the same year. John Appleton came in 1837 and built on his 80 acres on section 32, and in 1838 sold out to Captain Joseph B. Brush; and in 1839 James G. Bolmer located and built a house on the 80 acres adjoining. He afterwards removed to Rock Island, and died there. His brother, George Bolmer, in the same year, settled on section 32, adjoining Appleton 's, and died on his farm in 1840. Joseph Turner, a very eccentric, jolly fellow, and a good cook, kept house for Joshua Harper, who was a bachelor in those days, and is well remembered for the innumerable pranks he played on his good-natured employes and the neighbors. Joe afterwards bought a farm a few miles south, and from thence removed to Rock Island. These were all the settlers that were on the colony lands for several years. About this time Crocker entered several hundred acres of limber and prairie at Crocker's Grove, on sections 3 and 4, and made- one of the best farms in Henry County. This farm was afterwards owned by Ben Graham, who used it for a stock farm.

In 1838 a postoffice was established at Morristown and Joshua Harper was appointed Postmaster; ,but his house being off the regularly traveled road, the office was removed from Mr. Harper's, and C. W. Davenport was appointed Postmaster.

a Kentuckian, residing at Henderson Grove, Knox County. The route was in three sections - from Beardstown' to Knoxville, from Knoxville to Albany, on the Mississippi River, and from Albany to Galena. Uncle Billy carried the mail from Knoxville to Albany .and return once a week. The next year a horseback mail was carried from Morristown to Geneseo by, Captain J. B. Brush. This was the first mail route established in Henry County. Soon after a postoffice was established in Andover, and the mails became regular. There were no envelopes in those days, and the postage on letters was 25 cents, and it took about a week or ten days to get a letter from New York, and four or five days from Chicago.

In the fall of 1840 the county seat was located at Morristown, and Colonel Oakley, through Mr. Harper for the colony, donated the Colony House for the use of the Courts; also a quarter section (160 acres) of land, and $1,000 in cash for the county.

In 1841 the first County Court and in 1842 the first Circuit Court was held in the Colony House, which had been rented to Thomas W. Corey and George Brandenburg, who agreed to furnish rooms for the Courts of the county until the court-house, was built. They also, had contracted for the building of the court-house and jail, to be built within two years. This court-house to be 18 x 24 feet, one and a half stories high ; the jail to be similar to the one contracted for at Richmond. The court-house was built, and in 1844 was hauled to Cambridge across the prairie by a procession of some 35 yoke of oxen, amid the loud cheers and hurrahs of the boys from Sugar-Tree Grove.

The question has often arisen, What became of the fund of $7,000 belonging to the Morristown Colony? It was said that some $3,000 was put into the Colony House and improvements at Morristown. This was conveyed to the county for county purposes, and by the act removing the county seat to Cambridge it was ordered to be re-conveyed to the Colony. It seems that the house was sold by Colonel Oakley to Joel Wells. The saw-mill was built on lands of Colonel O. and also sold. The school-house was never built. We suppose very few of the Colonists who settled here ever saw Colonel Oakley. He has been dead many years. The only person who would be likely to know, Joshua Harper, is also dead. We do not suppose the question will ever be answered.

It is not supposed it will make any difference to any one now of the original settlers of Morristown Colony. It is believed all are dead except Captain Joseph B. Brush and Charles W. and T. F. Davenport. There is not one left on the Colony lands. After the removal of the county seat to Cambridge, in 1844, most of the lands remained unoccupied for some 12 or r5 years, until the projection of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad gave a new impetus to immigration, and after 1850 the Colony lands passed into new ownership. A number of thrifty Germans gathered around the- Davenport, Brush and Boimer farms and bought them all out, and these lands are now among the richest and most valuable farm's in the county.

S the S-Outhwest-cor.ier township in the county, its boundary lines for six miles on the south and an equal distance on the west, forming the county line. There were neither groves nor mounds to tempt the first comers to this part of the State to " stick stakes " and " hang out their banners on the outer wall " of civilization", inviting all the world to come and partake. The very first settlers looked upon its level, wet wastes, and no more supposed it would ever be covered with farms and fine improvements than would - the deep lakes or the rock cliffs where the eagle rests. When they saw their cattle grazing upon its nutritious grasses they began to realize it was not wholly worthless for all purposes, and slowly they settled, down to the conviction that for generations to come here would be free feeding grounds for their stock. The cattle made paths and these were washed by the rains into drainage ways for the surplus water, and in the course of time dry, solid ground appeared where before was the bog,- in many places of which a person could stand upon the tough grass sod and by jumping on it shake the ground for several feet about him.

wood, came with him. A. D. Underwood was born in the township Dec. 11, 1839, and until other pioneers-came in maybe called the township's first white squatter.

Anson Calkins, at one time Assessor of .the township, came here in 1841. He was born in Austerlitz, Columbia Co., N. Y., Nov. 14, 1818. His recollections are that there were very few if any permanent settlers in the township when he arrived. After fixing his first abode he has never changed it. He prospered from the first, having a farm of about 400 acres of very rich land. He reared five children, in their order as follows : Maria P., Mary E., James B., John F. and Winfield C. His wife was Miss H. Griffin, of Berkshire Co., Mass.

A. B. Cole was one of the settlers found here when Calkins came. He came and settled in Oxford Township in 1839. Cole says there were but six voters, counting himself, in the township at that time. His family consisted of a wife and four children; she was Augusta Briggs, of Worcester Co., Mass. Mr. Cole was County Commissioner one term ; also was Assessor of the township.

Robert M. Wilber came in 1849. He died on the place where he first settled, leaving a widow and 13 children. Two of his sons were killed in the late war.

HE village is nearly in the center of the township, at the crossing of the Galva & Keithsburg Branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Rock Island & St. Louis Railroads. It was laid out by Anson Calkins, June 1, 1872. It has never made any great splutter in the way of big booms, but has moved along quietly and surely, content to attend to its ever-growing shipping and business interests. It is one among the several favorable points of shipment in the county, having a north and south and an east and west connection with all the markets.

There are two dry-goods stores, a grocery store, a hardware store, two blacksmith shops and two hotels in the place. They have a nice school-house just completed, at a cost of $r,8oo.

The building of the railroads and the laying out of Alpha was practically the doom of the village of Oxford, which was a few miles to the southwest. This latter place was laid out in 1858 by Daniel and James Briggs, on section 30. The "main historical point that may perpetually preserve the history of this village was that it was the location of the wildcat bank in i860, known as the " Bank of the Mississippi Valley," whose assets were said to consist in its best days of an old rusty safe without a lock, one old-fashioned copper, part of a cheap lead pencil, rusty steel pen and a scribbled-over half-sheet of foolscap paper !

When Alpha was started the people of Oxford started too, and they took their houses with them, as a rule, and now the merry plowman whistles his tunes and turns the furrows over the once nestling home of the village.