Preemption Township

Preemption Township

Preemption Township has a rich soil and is underlain with beds of coal and rock. From an economic standpoint it is one of the most valuable tracts in the county. It is drained principally by Edwards River in the south and Camp Creek through the central part. On the extreme northern side a few small streams flow northward into Rock Island County. Coal has been mined in this township since the earliest date and many years ago it began to be shipped in large quantities to distant markets. In addition, it supplied the home demand. Schools and churches have been here since almost the date of the first settlement. It is probable that John Farlow and Hopkins Boone were the first settlers in the township. They arrived in 1835 to secure locations, and the place where Mr. Farlow afterwards located became known, and is so called to this date, Farlow's Grove. A considerable portion of the township was prairie then and the first settlers sought the timber, because they did not believe the prairies possessed sufficient fertility. These two men and their families appear to have been the onlv residents for about a year. In the following spring there arrived the families of Rev. John Montgomery, a Presbyterian, James Boone, Gabriel Barkley, Christopher Miller and Rev. Joseph Jones, a Baptist. At first these few families were somewhat isolated from outside settlements, because there were no roads. An Indian trail led from Monmouth to Rock Island and this could be traveled on foot or on horseback but not with wagons. Another early road extended from Beardstown to Galena, but was in bad condition throughout the vear. In 1837 the county built across Edwards River on section 34 a trestle bridge which was covered with oak planks. Across this structure a large travel passed as the years advanced. Another earlv road was from New Boston to Richmond, now a defunct town in Henry County.

In 1838 there arrived in the township Benjamin Clark, David Little. John Beirbeau and Charles Minnick, who settled in the northern part. E. J. Farwell came about the same time. The first settlers were compelled to go to Monmouth or Keithsburg, or to Rock Island, then known as Stephenson, to take their goods to mar- ket. In 1837 a postoffice was established at the residence of Hopkins Boone and was called Farlow's Grove. At first there was no regular mail, the few settlers receiving their papers and letters through the kindness of their neighbors.

At first this portion of the county was attached to Richland Grove for voting purposes. It is stated that at the presidential election in 1836 the settlers gathered to poll their votes, whereupon it was learned that no one knew the names of the electors. They were thus compelled to go home without exercising their right of franchise. The first regular election was held the following year, the residence of Hopkins Boone being the polling place. The township was duly organized in 1854 under the township law. The first officers elected were: Supervisor, David Little; town clerk, J. H. Trego; collector, H. E. Wright; assessor, Samuel Dow. After this the township machinery was put in working order and has continued down to the present time without noteworthy event.

In February, 1861, John Whitsitt of Preemption Township was offered $900 for fifty hogs while they were in the pen, but declined. When marketed they brought him $893.60 cash. This was an unusual price, not far from six cents a pound and was used as an example of what farmers could make by putting their corn into pork instead of selling it as such. An account of the sale appeared in the Rock Island Argus.

In February, 1867, David Little of Preemption Township sold to Ward & Sons of Aledo seventy-three hogs which averaged 425 pounds each. At the same time and place William Connelly sold ten, which averaged 461 pounds each; one weighed 668 pounds. Hog growers were challenged to beat this record.

In December, 1869, B. Whitsitt sold at Viola forty hogs, fifteen months old, that weighed 14,640 pounds. He received about ten cents a pound for this lot. In the southern part of the township Mr. Morris had a flour mill on Edwards River, which was in operation in 1869. It was operated by water power. H. Boone conducted a sawmill on the same water power. In 1874 Richard Whitsitt sold thirty-five hogs, aged nineteen months, which averaged 542 2-7 pounds each. They were Chester Whites crossed with Suffolk. The Preemption Creamery has been and was for many years an important local industrial institution. It was operated by David T. Little at first and stood three-fourths of a mile east of the Village of Preemption. At first it ran five wagons but this number was increased at a later date. In 1883 it manufactured 133,655 pounds of butter, or nearly sixty-seven tons. This was nearly ninety per cent increase over the product of 1882. The patrons had greatly increased and the creamery had become extremely popular. Throughout the succeeding year 1834 cents per gallon was paid for milk. Mr. Little had previously been at New Windsor and was at this time also at Viola with a similar institution. Late in 1883 the Preempton Creamery had about three hundred patrons.

The Village of Preemption had a start at a very early date but was small and inconsequential for many years. Usually, however, there were here the postoffice, a general store and blacksmith shop, a school and a church or two. Wharton & Crawford were probably the first general merchants of the township. They kept really a good store and were of very great service to the population. Philip E. Stephens was another early merchant. The first hotel was probably opened by H. E. Wright at a little later date. The latter was also a storekeeper in the little village. Norton Griffith kept a blacksmith shop and W. C. Gray opened a wagon shop in the '50s. James H. Seyler opened a store of drugs, medicines and notions. William Hammond kept a very extensive general store and had a large trade. The Briggs grocery was well patronized along about this time. Mr. Carver was manager of the mill that was put up here in the '50s. He also sold lumber. J. E. Otto and D. W. Little had charge of the creamery for a number of years. This little village was an important center during the Civil war. Here many volunteers were enlisted for the Union army and here emanated nearly all the progressive movements of the northern part of the township. In later years the business has diminished but is still carried on with profit. At the time of his death in 1891 David Little owned 1,740 acres and was worth all told probably $250,000. In the home farm alone were 750 acres. He fed many cattle and hogs for the market.

Preemption Lodge, No. 755, A. F. & A. M. was organized in 1877. Late in the same year they received their charter. The first members were W. C. Gray, Henry H. Hayford, James H. Seyler, H. H. Hammond, William Steinhauer, George Bartlett, B. W. Thompson, J. B. Harris, Jr., W. H. Hickock, Samuel Bailey, S. F. Everett, George C. Gray, Leander Stiles and John Weiler. William C. Gray was the first worshipful master. This lodge is in a flourishing condition at the present day. The Orangemen, Preemption Lodge, No. 132, was organized in 1876. John Conley was the first W. M. Other organizations, social and fraternal, have flourished in this little village. Preemption Camp, Modern Woodmen, was organized in 1895 at tne °Pera house. It first had twenty-six members. Charles Hammond was the first V. C.

The business men of Preemption in 1900 were as follows : Blacksmith and implements, Archie Cook; druggist, J. H. Sevier; dry goods, groceries, banking, A. D. Shearman; groceries, Pitman & Williams; harness, William Steinhauer; lumber and building material, J. E. Otto & Son; mills (custom), R. L. Carver; physician, J. H. Seyler; shoe shop, C. Steinhauer; telephone construction, Ed Hammond.

For many years until recently Dr. J. H. Seyler served as postmaster at Preemption. In 1909 he was succeeded by F. M. Vickers. In April, 191 1, a $20,000 fire occurred in this little village. The bucket brigade which had been organized before did effective work on this occasion and checked the progress of the flames. However, the following were losers: Frank Vickers, general merchandise; J. H. Seyler, drugs; William Steinhauer, harness and agricultural implements; and Benjamin David, blacksmith.

Preemption in the spring of 1914 had a population of 200. Carter Brothers were blacksmiths and sold feed; David Connellv, grocer; R. David, blacksmith; J. E. Otto, lumber and hardware; J. H. Seyler, drugs; Paul Steinhauer, gas engine, pumps and windmills; William Steinhauer, harness and agricultural implements; F. M. Vickers, general store.

The Town of Mather is located on section 27 and was laid out by the Coal Valley Mining Company in March, 1909. The village proper is named Mather but the postoffice and the railroad station are Matherville. Several additions have been made to this little place. Forty-six lots were laid out, each being 50 by 150 feet, on land of J. A. Russell. A. R. Stein, of Cable, was probably the first merchant. The place was named for Engineer Mather of the new interurban line, upon which the village was located. In March, 191 1, the village voted on the question of incorporation as follows: For incorporation under the general law. forty-seven votes; against incorporation, thirteen votes. This election was held on April 22. In March, iqi i, Fred C. Schroeder was elected mayor. The trustees were Herman Zude, Henry Barr, Andrew Garrett, Alexander Simpson, John A. Jones and Miller Lewis. Charles Kirchman was clerk and John Olson police magistrate. The little place had become a city. In 191 2 the Matherville Electric Light & Power Company began operations with a capital of $10,000. In 19 14 the town had a population of 200 and the following were the principal business houses: Alden Coal Company; Cable Mercantile Store, general store; Elmer J. Geddes, meat market; Hebbeln Brothers, lumber; Inch Brothers, confectionery; McCullough Lumber & Coal Company; Olsen Chester, confectionery and bakery; H. L. Pearce, hardware; E. J. Quaintance, meat market; H. H. Quaintance, blacksmith; Emil Roquet, dry goods, clothing and shoes; Schroeder & Caddy, general store; A. R. Stein, general store; Joseph Wild, general store; George Workheiser, hotel.