Rogers Township

Rogers Township

Rogers Township is the extreme north township of the county, bounded on the north by Kankakee County, on the east by Iroquois County, on the south by Mona Township and on the west by Livingston County.

It derived its name from Jeremy W. Rogers, its first Super¬ visor. This township was originally called Grant, and when organized comprised the present townships of Mona and Rogers.

This is considered the beet township in the county, with at least 75 per cent of the area, suitable and adapted to farming purposes, that can be made to produce excellent crops.

The first post office was at Eldridgeville, with John Eldridge as Postmaster, although at an early date the farmers took turns in bringing the mail from Dwight, which was left at Jared Will¬ iams' house.

Cabery is the principal village of Rogers Township, situated on the Middle Division of the Illinois Central or Kankakee k South Western Railroad. It lies on the county line, the largest half in Rogers Township, which was first laid out. It was in¬ corporated as a village in the fall of 1881, and contains stores of various kinds, one hotel, two elevators, two liveries, two brick and tile factories, two lumber yards, a flax mill, a steam mill for grinding corn and feed, and a newspaper called the Cabery Knquircr % edited and published by B. C. Burroughs. There is a good public hall and one Masonic Hall. The Masonic society numbers over forty members. There is but one church building, the Catholic. The Methodists linve organized a society, having at present no church, holding services in the public hull. The place is a wide-awake, go-ahead one, containing a class of good citizens, who heartily unite upon any enterprise or improvement for the public good

Peter Taylor, a native of Morgan County, Ohio, came to Rogers Township in 1865, settling on Section 85. He now owns 640 acres of fine land in this township, where ho has erected splendid buildings and made durable and permanent improve¬ ments.

Frank M. Cook was bom in Elkhart County, Ind. Ho came to this township in 1864. He has a fine farm and a beautiful homo one mile from Cabery.

James Ogilvie is a native of Licking County, Ohio, coming to this township in 1866; he settled on Section 22. His farm of 320 acres, with buildings and improvements, is among the best.

Samuel Clayton is a native of England. He came to Rogers Township in 1865, settling on Section 33. He has an excellent farm of 280 acres, with buildings and improvements suitable and adapted to the day and age.

James Clayton was born in Cheshire, England. He came to this country in 1849, and to Rogers Township in 1868. He has a fine farm of 160 acres in Section 31. He laid out that part of the village of Kempton,called "Clayton's Addition." He is a public-spirited man and much respected.

David Huntley is a native of New York. He came to this township in 1859. lie has a farm of 240 acres in Ford County, and eighty acres, the home place, just over the line in Livingston County. His home is a pleasant one, with a wife and six chil¬ dren - three boys and three girls - whose names all begin with the same letters, "A. E. II."

George Hargreaves was bom in England, coming to America in 1854; he first settled in Kendall County, 111. In 1867, he moved to this township, settling on Section 36. He owns 320 acres of land with good improvements, and may be classed among tbe enterprising farmers of Ford County.

W. B. Sargeant is a native of England. He came to Cabery in 1865, and is now one of its live business men, being engaged in the hardware business. He is the present Supervisor of tho township, having held the office since 1881.

James F. Wright was bora in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1840. He came to Cabery in 1876 and engaged in the lumber business. As a contractor and builder, he nas erected most of the fine residences and buildings in this part of the town¬ ship.

Andrew Stuart,fanner, a native of Canada, settled in Grundy County, Ill., in 1843. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers in 1862, remaining in the field until the war was over. Shortly after returning home, he moved to this township, where he has since resided.

Joshua Henthorn came to this county from England in 1856. He settled on Section 28, Rogers Township. He has 160 acres of good land, which he purchased of the Illinois Central Railroad Company.

Frank McLaughlin was bom in Grundy County in 1858. He came to this township in 1880. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Clayton, in 1874, and is at present living on Mr. Clayton's farm, on Section 26. He is a young man, and without doubt his life will be a useful one.

Frank Stuart, son of Andrew Stuart, was bora in Livings¬ ton County in 1856. He married Alice, a daughter of Henry Clayton, and now lives on the D. B. Case farm. Still a young man, he undoubtedly has many years before him, which, we may safely predict, will not be spent in vain.

John and Alfred Clayton, sons of Henry Clayton, a retired farmer now living in Kankakee, were born in Chester County, Penn. John came to this township in 1865 and Alfred in 1868 They both have beautiful homes on Section 25,and from their pres¬ ent standpoint in life their future looks as auspicious as the most hopeful could wish for.

Charles Curd was bora in the county of Kent, England. He came to America in 1846, and to Section 20, this township, in 1876. He has a well-improved farm of 160 acres, and is one of the solid farmers of Rogers Township.

In 1865, Mrs. Priscilla Taylor, widow of James Taylor, de¬ ceased, together with Samuel and Edward Clayton, Peter Taylor and others, came from Ohio to Rogers Township. Mrs. Taylor with her children now reside on Section 35. They have a fine

Mrs. Elisabeth Clayton, widow of William Clayton, an early settler, came to Rogers Township from Noble County, Ohio. Mrs. Clayton lives in the beautiful home on their farm on Section 27.

Ford Gounty, Illinois

EXPLANATION. - The date following a name indicates the length of time the party has been a resident of the county. The abbreviations are as follows; S. for Section; T. for Township; P. O. for Post-office address. When no Section Number or Township is given, it will be understood that the party resides within the limits of the village or city named, and, in such cases, the post-office address is the same as the place of residence, unless otherwise stated.

Ayreaman, S. A. D., Parmer and Grain and Coal Dealer, Gibson City, 1870. Ayresman, W. H., Parmer and Threshing Machine Operator, 8. 17, T. Drum* mer, P. O. Gibson City, 1873.

Cannon, Rev. John H., Pastor "Our Lady of Lourdes" Church, Gibson City; "St. George's Church," Melvin; "Church of the Immaculate Conception," Roberts; "St. John's Church,'' Belleflower; and " Church of the 8acted Heart." Parmer City; P. O. Gibson City, 1898. .

Hughes, Thos. C.. Parmer and Breeder of Red Polled Cattle, Poland China Hogs and Shropshiredown Sheep, 8. 24, T. Rogers, P. O. Cabery, 1870. Hunt' W. J., Retired Parmer, 8. 1, T. Peach Orchard, P. O. Melvin, 1872.

Keller, R.. Parmer and Road Co mmi ssioner, 8. 25, T. Dix, P. O. BUiott, 1870* Kelley, Samuel P.. Mfg. Brick and Tile and Dealer in Implements, Grain, Coal, Hay and Livestock. Clarence, 1892.

Mottier, W. Breeder of White and Buff Rock Chickens, Pekin Docks, White Holland Tnrkeya and Belgian Hares, 8. 6, T. Dix, P. O. Gibaon City. 1880.

Mottier, W. F., Parmer and Stockraiser, 8.5, T. Dix. P. O. Gibaon City, 1880. Moody, Wm., Parmer and 8tockraiaer, Champaign County, P, O. Clarence. Monro, A. C., Parmer, 8.28, T. Pena, P. a Piper City, 1699.

Page 66

Onken, L. B. & J. A., Farmrra, S.2I, T. Drummer, P. O. Garber, 1876*8. Onken, August, Retired Parmer, S. 21, T. Drummer, P. O. Oarber, 1873. Opperman Bros, (A. Opperman, B. Opperman and Chas. Opperman), General Merchandise, Piper City, 1872.

Metes And Bounds

I* to the time of the R* volutionary War, or until nbout the beginning of the present century, land, when parcelled out, and sold or granted, was deacrilted by Metes and Bo^ods," and that system is still in existence in the following States, or in those portions of them which had been sold or granted when the present plan of surreys was adopted, vis.: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and Sourh Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, and the six New England States. To describe land by " Metes and Bounds." is to have a known land-mark for a place of beginning, and i hen follow a line according to the compass-needle (or magnetic bearing), or the course of a stream, or track of an ancient high¬ way. This plan has resulted in endless confusion and litigation, as land marks decay and change, and it is a well-known fact that the compass-needle varies and does not always point duo North.

As an example of this plan of dividing lands, the following description of a farm laid out by " Metes and Bounds," is given: " Beginning at a stone on the Bank of Doe River, at a point where the highway from A. to B. crosses said river (see point marked C. onJ)iagram 1); thence 40° North of West 100 rods to a largo stump; thence 10° North of West 90 rods; thence 15° West of North 80 rods to an oak tree (see Witness 'Tree on Diagram 1); thence due E»st 150 rods to the highway; thence following the course of the highway 50 rods due North; thence 5° North of E*st 90 rods; thence 45° East of South 60 rods; thence 10° North of East 300 rods to the Doe River; thenco following the course of the river Southwesterly to the place of beginning.^ This, which is a very simple and inoderare description by "- Metes and Bounds," would leave the boundaries of the farm as shown in Diagram 1.

Meridians And Base Lines Diagram 2

Land Surveys was adopted by Con¬ gress on the 7th of May, 1785. It has been in use ever since and is the legal method of describing and dividing lands. It is called the " Rectangular System," that is, all its distances and bearingB are measured from two lines which are at right angles to each other, via.:+. These two lines, from which the measurements are made, are the Principal Meridians, which run North and South, and the Base Lines* which run East and West. These Principal Meridians are es¬ tablished, with great accu¬ racy. by astronomical obser¬ vations. Each Principal Meridian has its Base Line, and these two lines form the basis or foundation for the surveys or measurement of all the lands within the ter¬ ritory which they control.

Diagram 2 shows all of the Principal Meridians and Base Lines in the central portion of the United States, and from it the territory gov¬ erned by each Meridian and Base Line may be readily distinguished. Each Merid¬ ian and Base Line is marked with its proper number or name, as are also the Stand¬ ard Parallels and guide (or auxiliary) Meridians.

Diagram 8 illustrates what is meant when this method is termed the "Rectangular System," and how the meas¬ urements are based on lines which run at right angles to each other. The heavy line running North and South (marked A. A.) represents the Principal Meridian, in thiacase say thebth Principal Meridian. The heavy line running East and West (marked B. B.) is the Base Line. These lines are used as the starting points or basis of all measurements or sur¬ veys made in territory con¬ trolled by the 5th Principal Meridian. The same fact applies to all other Principal Meridians and their Base Lines. Commencing at the Principal Meridian, at inter¬ vals of six miles, lines are ru n North and Sou th, paral lei to the Meridian. This plan is followed both East and West of the Moridian throughout the territory controlled by the Mcndian.

sr These lines arc termed " Range Lines." They divide tho land into strips or divisions **ix miles wide, extending North and South, parallel with the Meridian, nji Each division is culled a Range. Ranges are numbered from one upward, comm cing at the Meridian; and their numbers are indicated by Roman jn characters. For instance, the first division (or first six miles) west of the Meridian it Range I. West; the next is Range II. West; then comes Range III., ={JJ IV., V., VI., VII., and s > on, until the territory governed by another Principal Meridian is reached. In the same manner the Ranges East of the Meridian jn are numbered, tho words East or West being always used to indicate the direction from the Principal Meridian, iee Diagram 3.

njl Commencing at the Base Line, at intervals or six miles, lines are run East and West parallel with the Base L le. These are designated as Township jti Lines. They divido the land into strips or divisions six miles wide, extending East and West, parallel with the Base Line. This plan is followed both ^JJ North and South of the Base Line until the territory governed by another Principal Meridian and Base Line is reached. These divisions or Townships are jn numbered from one upward, both North and South of the Base Line, and their numbers are indicated by figures. For instance : The first six mile division iNorth of the Base Line is Township 1 North ; the next is Township 2 North ; then comes Township 3, 4, 5, and 6, North, and so on. The same plan is jn followed South of the Base Line; tne Townships being designated as Township 1 South, Township 2 South, and so on. The " North " or "South" (the jyj initials N. or S. being generally used) indicates the direction from the Base Line. See Diagram 3.

jn These Township and Range Lines, crossing each other, as shown in Diagram 3, form squares, which are called "Townships" or "Government Townships," ill| which are six miles square, or as nearly that as it is possible to make them. These Townships are a very important feature in locating or describing a piece j-i of land. The location of a Government Township, however, is very readily found when the number of the Township and Range is given, by merely -Lj counting the number indicated from the Base Line and Principal Meridiun. As an example of this, Township 8 North, Range 4, West of ihe fiili Principal ,j~j Meridian, is at once located on the square marked ^ on Diagram 3. by counting eight tiers north of the Base Line and 4 tiers west of the Meridian.