Rush Township

Rush Township

In the month of August, 1828, a Mr. Kirker erected the first house that was ever built in the Township of Rush on the old Sucker Trail, running along a branch of Apple River. Mr. Kirker built the house for the purpose of keeping a tavern, but as there was no travel in Winter, the business did not pay, and the would-be landlord left the house to take care of itself. In 1830, he sold his house to Hiram Imus, Jr., who with his wife moved into it.

In the Summer of 1831, Charles Imus, a brother of Hiram, and Henry Rice with his wife, came from Galena and settled at the mouth of Wolf Creek. The claim of Henry Rice was, at the time of the Township organization, in-

In the Spring of 1833, these families returned to the homes from which they had been driven by the Indians, and became permanent settlers. They were accompanied by Philip Rice and wife, who settled there. At this time Hiram Imus, Sr., with wife, son, Alfred, and daughter, Nancy, lived in Galena. In 1834, Nancy, while visiting her brother Hiram, died ; this being the first death in Rush Township. In 1835 the balance of the Imus family moved to Rush Township, where Alfred died in the same year. In 1845, Charles Imus, with a son of Hiram Imus, Jr., also named Charles, went to California. In 1849 they were followed by the remainder of the family, and the Rice family.

In 1835, Thomas Burbridge and his two brothers, Rollin and Jackson, accompanied by John R. Smith, ,built a house on Apple River, at a place afterwards called Millville, and moved into it. In the Spring of 1836, they built a saw mill at that place, which was the first saw mill built on Apple River, with the exception of one built by Mr. Craig, at a place then called Wappello, but now known as Hanover. In this saw mill the Burbridges cut a vast amount of lumber, which they sold very readily to the new settlers who were then coming into the country. The Burbridges were all young men. Their mother kept house for them many years. She was a type of the pioneer women of America, and was highly respected by all who knew her. She died in 1874, in the 97 th year of her age.

In 1835, Mr. Absalom Power settled about two miles west of Millville, near a Mound, which in honor of him was called Power's Mound. He had a large family - some eight or nine boys and two or three girls. The old gentleman and his wife died at their residence near the Mound.

In thr: Spring of 1836, George N. Townsend, Ira L. Townsend and Hoistead S. Townsend, settled in the Township of Rush, about four miles south of Millville, near the Bald Mound. They built houses that Summer, purchasing their lumber of the Messrs. Burbridge. In the Fall they moved on and became actual settlers of the town. They quite naturally settled near together, and the place was known as the Townsend Settlement for many miles around.

"At this time the tide of emigration had fairly set in. Mr. -Asher Miner came on in the Fall of 1836, from the State of New York, his family following him in the Fall of the next year. They settled in the Township of Rush, in what is known as Miner's Grove, about one and one half miles below Millville. Mr. Miner lived in the Townships of Rush and Nora for many years, and died in Nora in 1867, very much respected.

" RANSON Miner, son of Asher Miner, moved in at the time his father's family did, and settled in the Townsend Settlement, where he lived until his death in 1855. His wife yet lives on the old homestead.

" In 1837 Jasper Rosencrans moved into the Township of Rush, and settled in Townsend's Settlement, where he lived until 1850, when he went to California. Mr. Ira L. Townsend also went to California the same year. In September, 1850, they started home together, but were never heard of afterwards.

"Mr. Ira Bowker moved into the Township of Rush in 1837, and settled in Townsend Settlement, at what was known as Brushy Grove. He also went to California in 1850, and died while on his journey home, in Green County, in this state. His wife and most of his family are now living in Rush Township

" In 1-837 Seth Post came to this county from New York, and in company with Mr. Charles Imus, erected a saw mill on Apple River, about two miles above Millyille. This mill did a great deal of work, until the timber was exhausted, but it has now disappeared. Mr. Post returned to New York for his family, and was on his way back by way of the Ohio River, when at Cincinnati himself and wife were killed by the blowing up of the steamboat Mozelle, upon which they had taken passage. His two sons came on and resided here a number of years, when they sold their mill and removed to the State of Wisconsin. Joseph, the younger son, entered the army during the great Rebellion, and was elected Captain. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, from the effects of which he died. Lorenzo, the elder brother, is still living at Wayouaga, Wisconsin.

" Mr. Adam Arnold moved into the township in 1839, and settled near the old Kirker place, then occupied by the Imus family, where he died in 1850. He had a large family, most of whom yet reside in the Township of Rush.

"In 1839 Mr. George Renwick came on from the State of New York, and settled in Townsend Settlement, Brushy Grove. He died in 1871, leaving quite a large estate. The widow yet resides at the old homestead. He was highly esteemed and raised thirteen children, most of whom yet reside in this town.

" Such were the early settlers of Rush, and we might, even now, profit from the contemplation of their humble virtues, hospitable homes, and spirits noble, proud and free.

" Various as may have been the objects of our people in emigrating, no sooner had they come together, than there existed in each settlement a unison of feeling. In their intercourse with each other and with strangers, they were kind, beneficent and disinterested, extending to all the most generous hospitality which their circumstances could afford - their latch-string was always out. They were kind for kindness' sake, and sought no other recompense than the neverfailing reward of an approving conscience.

"At the time of the first settlement of this township, the Indians were here, and for a time shared the country with us. They were of the Winnebago tribe, were generally friendly and did us but little harm.

" Mills were scarce and of rude construction, but we had no use for them until we had something to grind. If you had visited one of these settlers, you would have been made heartily welcome, and would have been received in the most friendly manner. In their log cabins a bountiful meal would have been set before you, of venison and corn bread, or mush, the meal for which was ground on a tin grater. This was the best that could be had short of Galena. To purchase luxuries, we needed money, and that was an article we did not possess.

" At this day fancy fashions and foolish pride had not reached us. Then we had no regular mail in this part of the country. We received our mail from Galena, Shullsburg, or wherever we went to trade. We received a newspaper about once in two weeks, and such was the interest produced by its advent that no one would think of sleep until every word of the paper had been read aloud.

"Galena was the largest place in northern Illinois, and Jo Daviess County the greatest county. The county was divided into election precincts soon after - the precinct embracing the whole of the northeastern part of the county, including what is now the Towns of Thompson, Apple River, Warren, Nora, Stockton, Ward's Grove and Rush. Elections were held at the house of Hiram Imus, at the old Kirker place. At that time the elections were held on the first Monday in August ; but for many years they were lightly attended. Other matters occupied too much time and attention.

" The business of the county was done by three men called county commissioners. Those three men appointed three others in each election precinct, who managed the elections. But in 1838 there were two justices elected in the precinct. One lived in the Town of Rush. His name was Jedediah P. Miner. (He was a brother of Asher Miner, heretofore mentioned.) He qame into the country about 1837, and on the first Monday in August, 1838, he was elected a Justice of the Peace in what was afterward the Township of Rush. He was the first justice ever elected in the town, and we all felt that we were rising in the world - and truly we were, for we then had a - court of justice in our own town. However, we had but little use for our newly-elected justice. Any difficulty was generally settled by arbitration; there were no deeds to be made out, for our land was not yet in the market. As for marrying, there was very little of that to be done, for marriageable parties were about as scarce as money in old Jo Daviess County.

"What we needed most just now was a post-office, as we had become tired of receiving our mail but once in two or three weeks; so we got up a petition, directed to the Postmaster General, asking him to appoint John R. Smith Postmaster, and give us a mail once a week. Our worthy Postmaster General granted our petition, but -required us to furnish a name for our post-office - a thing we had not before thought of. But that was easily supplied, and as there was but one mill in the town, with a strong probability that more would soon be built there, we named our post-office Millville; a name that the place yet bears. This post-office was of great value to us ; we all began to take the weekly papers, and began to look a little into the affairs of our county, state and national government. With the increase in knowledge, came an increase in population and wealth. We had opened up our farms; our land produced bountifully; we raised cattle and hogs in abundance."

In 1838, near the late residence of G. N. Townsend, the first school-house in the eastern end of the county was built. Pupils came to it from long distances. The late Gen. John A. Rawlins attended school here, also Joseph Moore. The second school-house built in the Township of Rush was erected in 1842. Miss Abigail Tyrrell - afterwards Mrs. Benjamin Parker - was engaged to teach the pupils of this school, which consisted of the three children, each, of Henry Rice, Philip Rice and H. S. Townsend and two of a Mr. Duncan. Both schools were continued for a number of years, or until the settlement demanded a larger house and different locality. At that time there were no school laws, or at least none were in force.

In April, 1847, the public land sale took place at Dixon. Until that time the people were but " squatters " on the public domain. There was, of course, considerable trouble among the settlers to procure enough ready money to purchase the lands to which they had laid claim. But those who were able to secure money sent it by a committee composed of Ira L. Townsend, Ira Bowker and Halstead S. Townsend, to Dixon, where the committee purchased the lands.

As there had been no surveys made there were many disputes as to the boundaries, so that the people of the township appointed a committee consisting of John D. Brown, George N. Townsend and John R. Smith, who were chosen arbitrators to settle such disputes.

April 14, 1846, Millville was laid off on the southeast and southwest quarters of section 4, township 28, north of range 4, east of the 4th principal meridian, and bid fair to become a large town. A Mr. Dean built a blacksmith shop; John W. Marshall started a dry goods store; Mr. Eldridge Howard erected quite a large house, and opened a very good tavern there. Frink & Walker ran their stage line through the place, and Millville became quite a

BACKUS E. M. Farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Rush; owns 160 acres of land; was born in Erie Co., Penn., on the 20th Dec., 1837; moved from there to this Co. with his parents in the year of 1843 ; during the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. F, 17th Regt. I. V. C.; served until March, '65, aud was honorably discharged from the service ; he has represented this Tp. in the County Board two terms, and at present holds the office of Justice of the Peace, and has held the office of Collector and Assessor of taxes ; on the 15th of Feb., 1860, he married Miss L. S. Townsend at this place ; she was born in Allegany Co., N. Y.; on 28th Aug., 1830; they have had eight children, viz. : Elfreda, born Dec. 1, '60, died Jan. 8, '63; Ruth, Aug. 2, '62;

BACKUS J. O. Farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Pitcherville; owns 142 acres of land; was born near Galena, in this Co., on Dec. 8, 1846 ; moved from there to this Tp. with his parents in the year of '49, and since then it has been his home ; holds the office of constable at present ; on the 8th of April, 1872, he married Lavina H. Renwick in this Tp. (Rush) ; she was born in this Tp. on the 3d of August, 1849 ; they have two children, viz : John R., born Feb. 27, 1873; Joseph F., Jan. 1, 1875.

Backus Mrs. Margaret

(maiden name Magaret Graham), Farming; Sec. 35; P. O. Pitcherville; owns 80 acres of land ; she was born in Erie Co., Penn., on April 28, 1816 ; was married to Joseph Backus in that Co. on Sept 10, '35 ; he was born in Erie Co., Ptnn., on July 15, 1808 ; they moved to this Co. in the year of 1843, and settled near Galena, remaining there until 1849, when they came to this Tp. ; Mr. Backus was a zealous member of the M. E. Church, in which church he was class leader and recording steward a number of years ; he also held

BALDWIX WESLEY, Farmer; Sec. 35 ; P. O. Greenvale ; owns 163 acres of land ; was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., on July 19, 1863; came to this Co. in 1856; married Miss Helen Coon, in this Tp., in 1861 ; she was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1846 ; they have two children, viz. : Mary Melinda, born in the Town of Nora, this Co., in 1863; Nellie, in 1870.

BARRETT CHARLES, Farmer; Sec. 15 ; P. O. Warren ; owns 60 acres of land ; was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., on April 25, 1836 ; went from there to Green Co., Wis., in 1854, in which place he was married to Almine Corsaw ; she was born in Green Co., Wis., in Aug., 1839; she died in March, 1858; present wife was Julia C. Wolcott; they were married in Woodbine, this Co., on Jan. 22, 1864; she was born in this Co. Oct. 23, 1847 ; they have seven children, viz. : Mary E., born Nov. 25, 1864; Clara E., Feb. 26, 1866; Chas. Henry, Oct. 8. 1867 ; Laura E., Aug. 2, 1869 ; Bertha E., Sept. 2, 1871 ; Norman G., Sept. 18, 1873; Eliza, Jan. 11, 1876; during the War of the Rebellion Mr. Barrett enlisted in Co. A, 96 Regt. I. V. I ; he was honorably discharged ; his father, Nial Barrett, was a native of Vermont, in which place he married Ruth Coon ; they moved from thereto Berien Co., Michigan, in which place they have since resided.

BATTY ELIJAH H. Farmer; Sec. 28; P. O. Rush; owns 74 acres of land; was born at Council Hill, in this Co., on the 23d of Oct., 1853;. married Miss Abbie Watts, at Hanover, in this Co., on the 25th of Jan., 1876 ; she was born in this Co. on the 20th of Dec., in the year 1858 ; they have one child, James Arthur, born in this Tp. on the 10th of July, 1877.

BATTY JOHN, Farmer; Sec. 28; P. O. Rush; owns 264 acres of land; was born at Council Hill, in this Co., June 10, 1843; married Miss Susan Spires, in this town, July 3, 1861 ; she was born in Iowa, she moved to this Co. with her parents when a child ; they have two children : Frederick C., born April 6, 1871 ; Dewey, July 10, 1876.

DAT US, Farmer; Sec. 28; P. O. Rush ; owns 96 acres of land ; was born in Green Co., N. Y., Aug. 21, 1808; Mr. Benton came to Chicago in 1832, remaining there only a few months ; he then came to this Co., and remained in Galena a short time, thence to Dubuque, Iowa, in which place he erected the first cabin that was built in that place ; in 1834 he returned to this Co., and with the exception of one Summer that he spent in Chicago, it has been his home since ; he married Sophia Watts, at Elizabeth, in this Co., Nov. 30, 1842 ; she was born in Sussex Co., England, April 20, 1820; she came to Chicago in 1834, in which place she remained three years ; she came to this Co. about the year of 1838 ; they had three sons in the army : William, who enlisted in Co. F, 17th I. V. C. - he served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged; Addison enlisted in the 96th Regt., and also served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged ; Albert Eugene, enlisted in Co. K, 96th I. V. I. in 1862; he was killed in battle at Dallas, Georgia, fought May 30, 1864; his remains were buried in a soldier's grave where the Southern breezes sing a mournful dirge over the place of his rest, but he fell in a glorious work, a martyr to liberty's cause, and his short life was not spent in vain ; he was not only a soldier of our country, but also a soldier of Christ ever trying to obey his Captain's commands. Benjamin Geo. renter; Sec. 19; P. O. Rush.

and was honorably discharged ; his father (George Borthwick) was born in N. Y. ; he married Maria French, in that state, in 1832 ; she was also a native of N. Y. Bon jour Henry, farmer; P. O. Apple River.

BOX JOUR T. L,. Farmer; Sec. 7; P. O. Apple River ; was born in Switzerland Dec. 25, 1843 ; came to this country with his parents in 1852; he enlisted in Co. F., 96th Regt. I. V. I. on Aug. 14, 1862, was detailed to the 9th Ohio Battery, and afterward transferred to the 18th Ohio ; was honorably discharged June 11, 1865 ; he was in many severe engagements, among them being the battles of Chicamauga, Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw, Nashville, Franklin, Jonesboro, and all through to Atlanta; he married Fannie J. Needham, in this township, on May 4, 1871 ; she was born in Lincolnshire, England, Jan. 14, 1852 ; they have four children : Elizabeth Ann, born March 7, 1872; William F., March 28, 1873; Thomas H., Dec. 7, 1874; Lydia Jane, July 2, 1876; Mr. Bonjour owns an improved farm of 160 acres of land.

RROWX JOIIX D. Farmer; Sec. 6; P. O. Apple River ; owns 520 acres of land ; was born in Woodstock, Windsor Co., Vt., 1817; came to this Co. in 1839; located in this town in 1839 ; went from here to Cal. in 1852 ; returned in 1854 ; has held various offices since he has been in this Co., among them are the following : in 1847 being one of three commissioners elected to settle disputes between claimants on land, where there were two or more claims to the same lot of land, also, one of the trustees to attend land sales, that there should be no by-bidders on actual settlers land ; among others that of Supervisor, Assessor, School Trustee, and Road Commissioner ; the last office he has held for 21 consecutive years ; has been married twice; first wife was Louisa M. Gillett, they were married in Stephenson Co., this state, 1846, she died in February, 1872 ; present wife was Emily McKenna; she was born in New Jersey, 1849, they were married in Stephenson Co., Oct., 1874.

CAMPBEM, AMBROSE, Farmer; Sec. 34 ; P. O. Rush ; was born in Allegany Co., N. Y.. Feb. 18, 1818 ; owns 120 acres of land ; he came to this Co. in 1849, remained in it until the Spring of 1850 ; he then went to California, remaining there until 1852, when he returned; he went to Kane Co., lived there a short time, and then went to Johnson Co., Iowa, aud remained there several years ; he returned to this Co. in 1868, and it has been his home since; he is at present one of the Town Central Committee ; has been married twice ; first wife was Calista E. Manley, they were married in New York, in October, 1837; she was born in Massachusetts, Feb. 22, 1819, died July 18, 1870; had seven children by this marriage ; present wife was Mrs. S. B. Townsend (maiden name Matilda Ann Burnan); they were married in Warren, in this Co., April 27, 1871 ; she was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Oct. 14, 1829; she came to this state in 1839, was married to S. B. Townsend in 1842 ; he was murdered in Nevada, Iowa, in October, 1864 ; Mr. Campbell had two sons in the army (Charles and Miles E.) ; both were in many severe battles; they were honorably discharged at the close of the war; Republican.

Farmer; Sec. 16; P. O. Warren ; owns 290 acres of land ; was born in Waterford Co., Ireland, in 1822 ; came to this Co. in 1851 ; married Margaret Hogan in Shullsburg, Wis., in 1854; she was born in Ireland in 1829: they have six children, viz. : Mary Ann (now Mrs. W. Tucker), Ellen (now Mrs. F. Fiddler), Thomas, John, Margaret, Catharine ; Mr. Clancy settled in this township in the year 1856.

CI.AY WAVID, Farmer; Sec. 24; P. O. Nora ; owns 360 acres of land ; was born in Centre Co., Pa., Oct. 10, 1813 ; he moved with his parents from that state to Ohio in 1820, in which state he married Sophina Matilda Snyder, Feb. 18,1835; she was born in Lehigh Co., Pa., Oct. 22, 1817; they came to this state in 1840, and settled in Freeport, Stephenson Co., where they remained until the year 1850, when they came to this Co., and located on his present farm, where he has since remained; they have reared a family of twelve children, all of whom are in good circumstances.

CI^AY GEORGE W. Farmer; Sec. 13 ; P. O. Nora ; owns 120 acres of land ; was born at Freeport, Stepheuson Co., this state, Sept. 18, 1843; came to this Co. with his parents in the year 1850; he married Mary E. Laycock in the Town of Nora, this Co., Jan. 1, 1868.

COX JEREMIAH I,. Sec. 10; P. O. Warren; was born in Wayne Co., Ind., Jan. 30, 1823 ; came to this Co. in 1861 ; is one of the proprietors of the flour mill owned and run by J. L. Cox & Co. ; this was erected by them on Clear Creek, Rush Tp., on southeast quarter of Sec. 4 ; it is a frame building, three stories high, and was completed at a cost of $10,000 ; Mr. Cox has represented this township in the County Board two terms, has also been Collector two years, and has held various other town and school offices; married Miss Delilah Garretson in Lafayette Co., Wis., Dec. 29, 1864 ; she was born in Highland Co., Ohio, Aug. 11, 1829 ; she is the author of several deservedly popular sketches, which do credit to her as a ripe scholar and racy writer; they have one child living, Robert L., born Nov. 27, 1865.

CRISSYBYROX, Farmer; Sec. 28; P. O. Rush ; was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1888; came to this Co. with his parents in the year 1840 ; he married Sarah E. Hamilton in Lafayette Co., Wis., March 4, 1858 ; she was born in Ohio in 1841 ; they have had six children, three of whom are living, viz. : Guy, born Nov. 17, 1859, Abel T., Oct. 22, 1865, Bella Ann, March 7, 1870 ; at the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Crissy enlisted in Co. B, 45th Regt. I. V. I. ; was discharged on account of sickness in August, 1862, and returned home ; his health being restored, he re-enlisted as veteran in Co. F, 17th 111. Cav. in 1863 ; he was promoted First Sergeant April 17, 1875 ; he was in every battle that his company was in; this company traveled by rail, steamboat and marches, about 15,000 miles ; it was in the engagement at Allen Station, Booneville, California, Sedalia, Syracuse and Lexington ; those were a series of bloody disasters to the rebels ; he was honorably discharged Dec. 18, 1865.

.L/ P. O. Rush; owns 211 acres of land; was born in Germany in the year 1834 ; came to this country in 1840, and settled in Pennsylvania; he remained there until 1852, when he came to this Co. and settled in this township, which has been his home since ; Mr. Deam is the Supervisor of this township at present writing, which office he has held for four years ; he has also held various other offices ; has been married three times ; first wife was Miss E.

FOSTER AMOS, Farmer; Sec. 29; P. O. Rush ; owns 120 acres of land ; was born in New Haven Co., Conn., May 17, 1806 ; he remained in that state until he was 21 years of age ; he then went to N. Y., and lived there until the year of 1832 when he came to this state and settled in LaSalle Co., thus becoming one of the pioneers of that Co. ; he lived there until 1855; he then removed to Crawford Co., Wis., in which Co. he remained until the year of 1866 ; he then came to this Co., and since then it has been his home ; his first wife was Eliza Gaton; they were married at Earlville, LaSalle Co., in 1837 ; she was born in Conn., and died in La- Salle Co. in 1838; present wife Nancy Maynard ; she was born in Genoa Co., N. Y., in 1820 ; Mr. Foster had two sons in the army, Amos B. and William ; both served until the close of the war and were honorably discharged.

Foster Charges Sidney

Farmer ; Sec. 31 ; P. O. Rush ; was born in Oswego, N. Y., Nov. 14, 1836 ; in 1846 he moved with his parents to Wis., where he remained a number of years ; at the breaking out of the late war he enlisted in Co. F, 3d Regt. W. V. C. ; served until the war was over and was honorably discharged ; he was in many severe engagements with the enemy; in the Fall of 1865 he married Annette Teeter, in Lafayette Co., Wis ; she was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., March 4, 1842; they have had four children: Charles Elmer, born Feb. 24, 1868 ; Harry, March 31, 1870: died Sept. 6, 1870; Helen, March 9, 1873 ; Emma Belle, Dec. 22, 1875.

VJT 36; P.O. Howardsville,Stephenson Co. ; owns 101 acres of land ; was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Aug. 2, 1840, from which place he went to Wis., in the year 1866, thence to Iowa in 1869 ; from there to this

Co. in the same year; has held various local offices; married Cynthia A. Simmons in the Town of Nora, this Co., on the 4th of Dec., 1869 ; she was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., on the 30th of June, 1840 ; they have three children : Gertie J., born Aug. 15, 1871 ; Alice M., Aug. 15, 1873; Berthie H., Jan. 4, 1875.

THOMAS, Farmer; Sec. 32; P. O. Rush; was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1815; he went from that state to Cincinnati, O., in the year 1834 ; he remained there until 1840 ; he then went to Rush Co., Ind., remaining there until 1852, when became to this Co. where he has since remained ; first wife was Melinda Willey ; they were married in Rush Co., Ind., March 9, 1835 ; she was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1817 ; she died in this Co. on the 20th of March, 1854 ; present wife was Mrs. Rebecca Bowker (maiden name Rebecca Borthwick); they were married in this Tp. on the 10th of Oct.. 1855; she was born in Albany Co., N. Y., in which place she married Mr. Bowker ; they came to this Co. in 1837 ; Mr. Bowker died a few years afterward.

HARRIS C. H. Farmer; Sec. 28; P. O. Rush ; was born in this township Aug. 13, 1847; is Constable in this place at the present time ; has held the office of Town Collector one term ; has also held various other offices ; during the late War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. R, 96th Regt. I. V. I., served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged ; May 25, 1869, he married Miss Annie Shultz in Lafayette Co., Wis. ; she was born in Germany in 1850, and came to this Co. with her parents when she was a child ; they have five children living, viz. : Cynthia M., George, Nelson, Frederick E., and Charles R.

was born in Yorkshire, England, Nov. 15, 1833 ; came to this country in 1855 ; married Maiy Ann Brooks in New Jersey in 1856; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1838; they came to this Co. and settled in this township in 1866 : they have two children living: Walter James, born in New Jersey, March 14, 1857 ; John, in this Co. Feb. 7, 1869.

HOPKINS W. T. Farmer; Sec. 36; P. O. Pitcherville ; owns 120 acres of land; was born in Whiteside Co., this state (111.), July 16, 1841 ; came to this Co. with his parents in 1847 ; during the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. E, ' 4th Regt. I. V. I. ; was in the battle of Shiloh ; was honorably discharged ; married Mary Helen Phelps in the Town of Stockton, this Co., Oct. 1,1865; she was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Dec. 13, 1842; they have three children : Alice H., born Feb. 26, 1867 ; Frances Emma, Dec. 22, 1872; Minerva, July 30, 1875.

J. P. O. Apple River; owns 106 acres of land; was born in Cornwall, England, Oct. 13, 1846; he came to this country with his parents in 1848 ; his father (John Ivey) was born in England, in which place he was married to Mary Ann Mills ; they came to this country in 1848 and settled in Wisconsin, in which state she died in 1876 ; Mr. John H. Ivey came to this Co. in 1874.

KEXtfEY WASHINGTON, Farmer; Sec. 20; P.O. Rush; owns 80 acres of land; was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Aug. 25, 1810 ; was married to Susan Arnold in Pennsylvania, in which state she was born Feb. 20, 1816 ; they came to this

Rush F Toe

1843, he enlisted in the 96th Regt. I. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Chicamauga; Levi, Nov. 25, 1845, died after he had reached his majority; Harvey and Harley, twins, March 3, 1850.

It \ ISII WILLIAM, Farmer; Sec.21 ; P. O. Warren ; owns 120 acres of land ; was born in Germany in the year of 1816 ; came to this Co. in 1854, and settled in Galena, remaining there until 1863, when he moved to this town, and it has been his home since ; Mr. Knish married Margaret Shultz in Germany, in which place she was born jn 1822; they have five children living, viz.: Barbara E. (now Mrs. Wm. Shultz), born in 1853 ; Nicholas, in 1855 ; Frederick, in 1858 ; Minnie, in 1860 ; John, in 1862 ; during the War of the Rebellion Mr. Knish enlisted in Co. K, 96th Regt. I. V. I., in year of 1862; he served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged.

LAtfDPHAIR HARROW, Farmer ; Sec. 32 ; P. O. Rush ; owns 150 acres of land ; was born in Madison Co., N. Y., on May 20, 1820; when he was fourteen years of age he moved with his parents to Ohio; he remained in that state until the year of 1838, when he came to this Co. and located in this Tp., which has since been his home ; the maiden name of Mrs. Landphair was Jane A. Gates ; they were married in Green Co., Wis., on July 19,1862; she was born in Michigan on May 16, 1837; Mr. Landphair and family are members of the Evangelical Church ; he had two brothers in the army (Hiram and Hoxie Landphair) ; Hiram enlisted in a Wisconsin Regt., and died in the service ; Hoxie enlisted in the Ohio Zouaves ; he also died in the service at Louisville, Ky. ; Mrs. Landphair had three brothers in the army, viz. : (Noah, Leland and John Gates); all of them served until the close of the war and were honorably discharged.

McCOWAX CHARLES, Farmer; . Sec. 33 ; is Postmaster of Rush P. O. ; owns 91 acres of land ; was born in Scioto Co., Ohio, on Oct. 17, 1833; he remained in that state until the year 1855, when he came to this Co ; Mr. McCown has held the office of Town Collector two terms, Assessor one term ; during the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. E, 17th Regt. I. V. C ; he served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged ; on the 16th of Sept., 1858, he married Miss Beulah A. Miner at Nora, in this Co. ; she was born in this town on Sept. 9. 1840 ; they have had eight children, viz. : Lydia, Jan. 31, 1861 ; HurlbutR., Sept. 5, 1862 ; Effie D., July 17, 1864; Justa L., Nov. 6, 1868 ; Mabel L., Nov. 10, 1871 ; Charles E., April 7, 1874; Arthur, June 23, 1876; lost one, Volney A., born June 11, 1859, died March 14, 1860.

MUTER LUCItfDA P. Farming; P. O. Rush; maiden name was Lucinda Post ; owns 56 acres of land ; she was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1815 ; was married to Ransom H. Miner in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1838; they came from there to this Co. in 1839, and located in this Tp. ; Mr. Miner was a zealous member of the Baptist Church, and held various offices in this place up to the time of his death, which occurred at his residence in this place, March 7, 1855 ; they have had eight children: Beulah, now Mrs. McCowan,

MURPHY JAMES H. County Surveyor; Sec. 25; P. O. Greenvale; was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., April. 19, 1838, in which place he remained until 1858, when he came to this Co. ; married Miss Phenie M. Simmons, in Town of Nora, this Co., July 16, 1867 ; she was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., May 28, 1842; besides attending the duties of his office as County Surveyor, Mr. Murphy owns and manages a farm of 140 acres; also follows the profession of teaching, having taught 22 consecutive winter terms; he has also held the office of Township Treasurer seven years; was elected to his present office (County Surveyor) in the Fall of 1875.

PARKER F. J. Proprietor of Blacksmith Shop ; Sec. 28 ; P. O. Rush ; was born in Lancaster, Wis., in Jan., 1845 ; came to this Co. with his parents in the Fall of 1849 ; they remained here about three years, they then moved to Ogle Co., this state, thence to Wis., in which state they remained a number of years ; they returned to this Co. in 1867, and it has been their home since; Mr. F. J. Parker's father

(Joseph O. Parker) was born in Bennington Co., Vt, April 15, 1808 ; he married Maria Page in 1840 ; she was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., June 19, 1812; they have five children living : Emma M., now Mrs. Parker, Harriet P., now Mrs. Weaver, Frank, Ellen M., and Melvin J.

PUCKETT NATHAN, Farmer ; Sec. 2; P.O. Nora; he and his mother owns 140 acres of land ; he was born in the Tp. of Nora, this Co., May 18, 1852; his father (Cyrus Puckett) was born in N. C. in 1806 ; came West and married Betty Thomas, in Wayne Co., Ind., July 24, 1828 ; she was born in S. C. in 1809 ; they came from Ind. to this state in 1848, and settled in Nora Tp., this Co., in which place they remained until 1869, when they moved to this Tp. ; they had eleven children, eight of whom are now living; Mr. Cyrus Puckett died April 22, 1870, respected by all as an upright and honest man.

PIII/FREY CHARLES, Farmer; Sec. 31 ; P. O. Rush; was born in Winnebago Co., this state, Oct. 25, 1846; moved with his parents from there to the Tp. of Stockton in this Co. in 1858 ; during the War of the -Rebellion he enlisted in Co. D, 153d Regt. I. V. I.; served until the war was over and was honorably discharged ; married Gazelle Townsend in Galena, Jan. 14, 1875; she was born in this Tp. Dec. 13, 1850 ; they have two children, Burchard, born Nov. 22,1875; Charlie, May 6, 1877.

Renwick Fred, farmer ; P. O. Rush. REX WICK JOHN O. Farmer; Sec. 32; P. O. Rush; owns 40 acres of land; was born in this Tp. Jan. 14, 1851 ; married Miss Mary Townsend in this Tp. Aufust 25, 1872 ; she was born in this place an. 20, 1855 ; have two children : Laurilla Renwick, born July 14, 1873 ; Ortense Renwick, June 13, 1876.

SHEA JOHN, Farmer; Sec. 6; P.O. Apple River; owns 210 acres land; was born in Co. Cork, Ireland, in 1817 ; came to this country in 1840; married Margaret . Murphy in N. Y. in '41 ; they came lo this Co. in '44, and settled in Galena, in which place they remained about one year; they then moved to New Diggings, Wis. ; they lived there 6 years ; they then came to this Tp. and it has been their home since ; they have eight children living : Dennis, Timothy, Ellen, Jeremiah, John, Catherine, Daniel and Johana.

Sltl JIOVS H. A. Farmer; Sec. 36; P. O. Pitcherville ; owns 82 acres of land ; was born in New York Oct. 26, 1844; came to this Co. in 1852 ; has held various school offices; married Miss Mary J. Fuller in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Dec. 5, 1869 ; she was born in New York Aug. 11. 1850.

SIMMONS 1RVIN, Farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Howardsville ; owns 80 acres of land; was born in Town of Nora, this Co., Dec. 18, 1846 ; married Miss Hattie Vanschaick at Howardsville, Stephenson Co., this state, Oct. 26, 1875 ; she was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., April 2, 1855 ; they have one child, Mabel Gracie, born Nov. 4,1876; Mr. Simmons' first wife was Hattie Howard; they were married in Sept., 1872; she was born in Stephenson Co., this state, she died in 1873 ; one child by this marriage, Hattie, bora July 1, 1873.

SIMPSON THOMAS, Sr., Farmer; Sec. 6; P. O. Apple River; owns 195 acres of land ; was born in Ireland in 1787 ; he married Ellen Nesbitt in Ireland ; she was born in 1803 ; they came to this county in 1838, thus becoming one of the pioneer families of Jo Daviess Co. ; they came to this township in 1863 ; they have two children, viz. : Thomas, born in Galena Aug. 3, 1840; William, in Galena March 11, 1843; Mr. Simpson and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

SPENCER AMZA I,EWIS, Farmer; Sec. 32; P. O. Rush; was born in McCabe Co., Pa., Aug. 7, 1838; at the commencement of the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. E, 15th Regt. I. V. I., April 18, 1861, being the first man from this Tp. to put his name on the musterroll ; he was mustered out in Dec., 1863 ; he re-enlisted as veteran in the same company and regiment, and served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged; he was in many hard-fought battles, among them being the battle of Pittsburg Landing, siege of Vicksburg, Hatchie, and all through the Atlanta campaign; he was taken prisoner by the rebels after the fall of Atlanta, and consequently spent a few weeks at Andersonville Prison ; he was wounded twice at Pittsburg Landing.

ST ANTON EMAS, Farmer; Sec. 24; P. O. Greenvale; owns 281 acres of land; was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Feb. 26, 1825; when he was 16 years of age he moved with his parents to Wayne Co., Ind., in which place his father (Benjamin Stanton) established the Free Labor Advocate; this was the first anti-slavery paper published in that state ; Elias entered his father's printing office as Editor, which position he occupied until 1848; he then came to this Co. and located in this Tp., and it has been his home since ; Mr. Stan ton is the present P. M. at Greenvale, in this Tp. ; he is the present Town School Trustee; he has represented this Tp. in Co. Board two terms; he has also held various other town and school offices ; he married Matilda May in Greene Co., Ind,, Feb. 4, 1847 ; she was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1828 ; they had one son, Henry B., in the army ; he served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged.

THOMPSON CHARLES, Farmer; Sec. 30 ; P.O. Rush ; was born in New Diggings, Wis., March 8, 1852 ; came to this Co. in 1858; has lived at Council Hill one year, and at Apple River seven years ; has lived in this Tp. since 1876; married Annie McFadden in Apple River March 11, 1874; she was born in N. Y., Dec, 5, 1852; they have two children.

TOWXSEND G. ST., Jr., Farmer; Sec. 34 ; P. O. Rush ; was born in this town (Rush) May 23, 1837 ; at the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. E, 15th Regt. I. V. I., May 24, 1861, in which Regt. lie served until June, 1864, when he was honorably discharged ; he then enlisted in the 4th Regt. U. S. V. V., in which Regt. he served until Nov. 28, 1866, when he was honorably discharged; he was in many severe engagements,among them were the battles of Wilson Creek, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Hatchie, Siege of Vicksburg, Fort Beauregard, and Champion Hills ; he married Wilhelm Breckler, in Warren, this Co. March 28, 1867; she was born in this Co. June 17, 1843 : they have three children living : Wilford D., born in this town June 16, 1869 ; Geo. N., in Glenelder, Mitchell Co., Kas., March 20, 1873; Elijah C., in this town, April 17, 1877 ; lost one child, Laura E., born Jan. 17, 1871, died' March 25, 1871 ; Mrs.Townsend's father, Anthony G. Breckler, was born in France in Aug., 1794; he served under Napoleon 7 years and was in a number of bloody engagements, among them the battle of Waterloo ; he afterward joined Selkirk in his Red River expedition ; while on this expedition he met and married Elizabeth Rendisclacher; they came to this Co. in 1826, thus becoming one of the pioneer families of the Northwest ; Mr. R. also took an active part in the Black Hawk War, in 1832; he died in this Co. July 14, 1876 ; his wife also died in this Co. in 1871.

TOWXSEXD JOHN, Farmer and Stock Dealer ; Sec. 26 ; P. O. Greenvale ; was born in this town (Rush) May 2, 1848; owns 352 acres of land; married Miss Rosa Simmons in the Town of Nora, this Co., Jan. 1, 1871; she was born in this town ; have three children : Beriha, born July 31, 1872; Albert, June 21, 1874; Nellie, Feb. 20, 1876,

TOWHSEXD J. W. Farmer; Sec. 33; P. O. - Rush ; own 80 acres of land ; was born in this Tp. Sept. 30, 1841 ; enlisted in Co. F, 17th Regt. I. V. C., as 1st Corporal ; was promoted to 2d Duty Sergeant, and was honorably discharged in the Fall of 1864; on the 23d of Nov. 1862 he married Miss Hattie A. Lewis, at Warren, in this Co. ; she was born in the State of N. Y., Oct. 10, 1841 ; they have five children : Lewis E., born Aug. 30, 1863; William N., July 16, 1866; George Chester, April 4, 1869; Joseph H., April 4, 1871; Frank Custer, Aug. 1, 1876 ; Mr. Townsend and family are members of the Evangelical. Church.

TUCKER J. M. Farmer; Sec. 16; P. O. Warren; owns 100 acres of land; was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Sept. 16, 1822; he came to this state with his parents when he was 16 years old ; he came to this Co. in 1870; he married Mary E. Hancock at Wadham's Grove, in Stephenson Co., this state, Jan. 7, 1849 ; she was born in Sheffield Co., Pa., May 10, 1831 ; she came to Stephenson Co. with her parents in 1845 ; her father (J. M. Hancock) was born in Bedford Co., Pa.; he married Mercy Ogden ; she was born in Pa. ; they now reside in Nebraska; Mr. J. M. Tucker's father (Benjamin Tucker) was a native of Va. ; he married Elizabeth Tucker; they came to Stephenson Co., this state, in 1836,

VICK. C. J. Farmer; Sec. 16; P. O. Warren ; owns 210 acres of land ; was born in England, Nov. 22, 1840 ; came to this Co. with his parents in 1844 ; married Hannah Redhern at Council Hill, in this Co., Oct. 11, 1868; she was born in this Co. June 5, 1842; they have two children: James Henry, born in this town (Rush) Feb. 19, 1870; Bertha Ella, Oct. 21, 1872; Mr. Vick has held several Tp. offices and school offices.

TICK MBS. JAXE, Farming; Sec. 15; P. O. Warren; owns 212 acres of land; was born in England Jan. 10, 1808; her husband was Joseph Vick; they were married in England in 1831 ; he was born in England in 1813; they came to this Co. in 1842; Mr. Vick died in this town in 1866 ; they have had seven children, six of whom are living ; two of them (Wm. A. and Joseph T.) served in Illinois Regiments and were honorably discharged.

VICK JOSEPH T. Farmer; Sec. 21 ; P. O. Warren ; owns 160 acres of land ; was born in England, March 2, 1842; came to this Co. with his parents in 1844 ; during the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. H, 96th I. V. I. ; was honorably discharged ; married Mary M. Bates, in this town, Jan. 31, 1869 ; she was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Deb. 16, 1841, and came to this Co. with her parents in 1847 ; they have three children: Matilda Jane, born in Rush, Dec. 6, 1869; Effie May, March 14, 1873; William W., Aug. 7, 1877.

WEST AH Y TOM, Farmer; Sec. 24; P. O. Greenvale; owns 94 acres of land; was born in Thompson Tp. in this Co., March 12, 1855; married Miss Martha Thomas, m Hazel Green, Wis., March 13, 1876; she was born in Hazel Green, Wis., Aug. 15, 1852; they have one child, James Albert, born Nov. 16, 1876; Mr. T. Westaby's father (George Westaby) came to this Co. at an early day, thus becoming one of the pioneers of this Co.

WILLCOX JOHN E. Farmer; Sec. 30 ; P. O. Rush ; owns 282 acres of land ; was born in Somersetshire, England, Jan. 25, 1815 ; came from there to Pa. in 1851 ; lived in that state until 1856, when he came to this Co., July 11,1864; he married Emily Shilliam in Hazel Green, Wis., she was born in Gloucestershire, England ; in 1825.