Salem Township

Salem Township

Among the first settlers of this excellent township were Solomon Sherwood, Henry Dalton, Alexander Taylor, Felix Thurman, Avery Dalton, Benona Hawkins, John Darnell, Sala Blakeslee, William Kent, John Thurman, and John Haskins. Taylor arrived first, and settled on section 5. The first birth was Laura, daughter of John Haskins, in 1835. The first marriage was that of Avery Dalton, to Delilah Dalton. The first death was Anderson Corbine, in the summer of 1835. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Henry Summers, on section 13, on the 4th of November, 1836. Emeline Shinn was the first to die in the township, on the 9th of August, 1839. The first postoffice was established at a place in the southwest corner of the township, called Middle Grove. The first school was taught by Abid Drew, on section 13, in 1838. The first Justice of the Peace was William Davis. There are three towns in this township, and more miles of railroad than in any other township in the county except Galesburg. The first frame building in Salem township was erected by Sala Blakeslee, in 1837. It was a barn, 30 by 40 feet in size; and burned down the same year. Mr. Blakeslee also brought the first timothy seed into the township, in 1834. On his farm are ten chestnut trees, growing from seeds planted by him, in 1810. Thev will now measure two feet in diameter. He also has a rail fence, which is lemarkable for its perfect state of preservation. In 32 rods, which was built in 1844, there are not more than five rails but what are sound and good yet. It has never been re-set. He claims that the rails do not rot, for the reason that they were cut in August, and the fence laid while the moon was in its last quarter. He has logs in a corn-crib that were cut in 1829, and gate posts that were cut in 1832.

This is one of the corner townships of the county, and joins Fulton county on the south and Peoria on the east. The soil is fertile and the landscape beautiful. Indeed, one of the finest views in Knox county is obtainable from Summit in this township.

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, by Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago, published 1886; 1,994 words in this source stream.

Salem Township

' S|'j|i' MEETING was lield for the organization if of Salem Township, .April 5, 1853, at a <^ school-house near Michael Eagan's, which resulted in the election of S. S. BufTum for jl^ Supervisor; VVm. Gray, Clerk; J. E. Knable, \ Assessor; D.Waldo, Collector; T. A. Croy, G. W. Enke and J. Jordan, Justices of the Peace; M. B. Mason, A. Kent, J. E. Duel, Highway Commissioners; J. Taylor and D. Waldo, Constables, and G. Chrisnian, Overseer of the Poor.

Ale.xauder Taylor and family are credited with being the first settlers in the township, making a claim on section 5, in 1834, where he put up the first log cabin ever built here. Soon after Mr. Taylor came Feti.ic and John Thunnan, Henry and Avery Dalton, Solomon Sherwood, Benona Hawkins, Wm. Kent, John Darnell, John Haskins and Sala Blakeslee, most of whom came in with families.

In 1835 the population of this township was increased by the advent of little Laura, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Haskins. The first persons to be joined in wedlock were Avery Dalton and Delilah Dalton, in 1835. Andrew Corbine died the same year, which was the first death. These pioneers were quite religious and held their prayer-meetings soon after the first settlement. This attracted the attention of Rev. Henry Summers, who came and preached for them, delivering the first sermon in the township on section 13, November, 1836.

In 1837 the settlement became of sufficient importance to have a post-office, whirl) was established at Middle Grove. Abiel Drew taugiit the first school in a log house on section 13, in 1838. The enterprising and progressive Sala Blakeslee erected the first frame building in the township, in 1837, for a barn. It was quite a large barn, but it did not stand

William Davis was the first man to hold the scales' of justice, and it is said of him that he did it with a fair but strong hand. On the farm located by Sala Blakeslee may be seen some fine old cliestnut trees, grown from seed planted by him in 18+6.

Salem was settled up by a good class of people, and after a beginning was made its population increased quite rapidly. Its lands lie fair and are rich and very productive, and easily drained by the little water-courses that meander through. A great portion of the township is beautiful rolling prairies, the southeastern and southwestern portions being somewliat broken. These sections at one lime were liberally timbered. It is regarded as one of the best townships in the county; it ranks second in raising cattle and horses, and first in hogs. It has more miles of railroad than any other township, e.xcept Galesburg, and is third in population.

The Peoria Branch of theC, B. & Q. R. R., which I was completed in December, 1856, passes through 1 the northern part of the township, running nearly | east and west; the Rushville & Buda Branch ' enters the township, forming a connection at Yates City, where the people of the township do most of their marketing and trading. Summit, another town on the railroad, claims and gets some of the trade. This town was platted Oct. 17, 1856, by W. K. Ware, on the northeast corner of section 7 and the southeast corner of section 6. It is located on a high rolling ])rairie.

Uniontown, on secrion 19, was one of the earliest settled towns in this part of the county, and before the advent of railroads there was quite a trade done here. The railroad towns have take.i the trade away, and there is nothing here now but a blacksmith-shop. Salem is a great farming township, and is dotted over with fine dwellings. Its population, in 1880, was 1,794, and it is claimed that these figures have since been enlarged. From the School Superintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 1885, the following items are obtained :

There are ten school districts in this township, one graded school and nine ungraded. The school property was valued at $14,650. In the ten districts there are two brick and eight frame school-houses. Of the persons under 2 i years of age there were 767, of whom 554 were of school age, 473 beingenroUed.

The highest wages paid male teachers were $ioo per month; the lowest $33.33; the highest wages paid female teachers were $40, and the lowest 22.

wick Kent, and was surveyed by Elias T. Byram, October, 1857. It embraced the whole of section II. The land was purchased from R. H. Bishop, Mrs. Gray and W. D. Dixon. It was named after Yates County, N. Y., where the Babcocks were Ijorn and raised. The first building erected in this town was in 1857, by James Burson, which was located on the comer of Union and Main streets, and was used for a store. In 1858 another store was built by W. D. Dixon and D. B. Coykendall; Mr. Stiinalt, John Sonnemaker and A. Kerns erected dwellings. When the depot was located here an impetus was given to the growth of the town, and it has been increasing in population from that time on. It was incorporated as a village by a special act of the Legislature in 1869. An election was had in April for organization. D. Touslee, W. H. Eastman, G. N. Pierce, J. D. Roberts and F. Madder were elected Trustees. At a subsequent meeting of the Board, D. Touslee was chosen President; E. B. Rhea, Clerk; Benj. Kersey, Treasurer; W. L Adams, Marshal; and David Wiltsc, Police Magistrate.

Yates City is one of the most thrifty towns in the county, full of life and vigor. It is surrounded by as fine a farming countrj- as there is in the State. It has a large flouring-mill, a good brick and tile factory, a first-class wagon-shop and a sorghum mill. The wagon factory is owned by W. D. Alle)', and was established some 18 years ago. Mr. Alley's wagons

In addition to this, Yates City has a good banking institution, known as the Farmers' Bank, which is ably presided over by L. F. Wenman. Several large business houses,, lumber-yards and elevator, and many other buaness establishments are located here. There is here a co-operative store, which was organized in the spring of 1875. Its capital stock now is $20,000, and the business is carried on in a two-story brick building, which was erected by this corap)any at a cost of $3,000. They are now out of debt and have a fund large enough to meet purchasing demaruis, and hereafter it is proposed to pay dividends.

Three churches have been established here, and also an excellent graded school and a newspaper. It is the headquarters of the construction train for this division, and the junction of the Buda Branch. The people are enterprising, hospitable, social and moral. The present population is about 1,000. The present officials are : C. S. Roberts, Wm. Burson, Win. Nash, H. J, Truitt and F.T.Westfall, Trustees; with C. S. Roberts, President; R. A Fulton, Qerk, and Lewis Series, Marshal. Postmaster, Smith Rhea.

Yates City has one of the best public graded schools in the county. A full English course is taught, with the sciences and Latin. S. C. Ransom is the Principal, and E. F. Cunningham, Assistant. Miss Lizzie Fumiss has charge of the Grammar Department; the Intermediate is under the charge of Miss Ella E. Williams, and the Primary is presided over by Miss M. E. Qancey. The enrollment is 225, with an average attendance of 200. Connected with the school department is the Salem Teachers' Association, which has a membership of 25. Meetings are held monthly during the school season. It has been organized about one year. A well-selected library is one of the features of this school, containing 1^4^80 volumes. This school has a good corps of teachers, who are interested in their work and thorough in their system.

Press

Industrial Banner. The first issue of this paper was cast before the reading world on Christmas Day, 1879. It was started by A. H. McKeighan, who is the present editor and proprietor, and advocated the Greenback policy. It is a seven-column folio, issued ever)' Friday, is neatly printed, well edited and devoted to the advancement of the interests of Yates City. In fwlitics it is now independent, its editor holding himself free to advocate the claims of that parly which, in his judgment, will serve the interests of the people. It is quite liberally patronized for a territorj' so limited in population, having a circulation of about 600.

The Maquon Sunbeam is published by Mr. Mc- Keighan, and is printed at the Banner office, with a circulation of about 100. Before coming to Yates City, Mr. McK'eighan published the Stream of Light at Ipava, in Fulton County.

Religious

The Presbyterian Church. A committee appointed by the Presbyter)- of Peoria to organize a church in Yates City met at the school- house Nov. 16,1866. After a sermon by Rev. Thomas Stevenson, the meeting was opened for the admission of members and the election of officers. The enrollment was made and Joseph Cunningham and William B. Mathews elected as Elders, at'ter which they were declared to be duly organized as the First Presbyterian Church of Yates City. There were 18 members, who were admitted mostly by letter, having belonged to other organizations. When the organization was completed the congregation proceeded to the election of Trustees, which resulted in the clioice of the following: John C. Bryson, John D. Henry, William B. Mathews. The committee of the Presbytery were Tiiomas Stevenson, J. H. Smith and John Marshall. John H. Smith was the first pastor, and was followed respectively by Revs. J. E. Caruthers, L. D. Wells, L. C. Littell, C. F. Carson and J. L. Henning, the present pastor. Some of the above-named gentlemen were supplies. The church building was erected in the summer of 1867, at a cost of $3,700. The Ruling Elders at the present time are W. B. Mathews, R. J. McKeighan and J. J. Mathews. Present membership, 105. A Sunday-school was organized in November, 1867, by G. N. Peirce. It has been prosperous and has a membership of loc It is presided over by W. B. Mathews.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized here soon after the town was started. In 1867 a very neat and substantial church building was completed. This societ) has no local pastor, but regular services are held by the pastor of the Elmwood . Church, who has charge here. The persons to whom

Eurekci Chapter, Ao. p<P, H. A. M., was chartered Oct. 5, 1 866, with 25 charter members. Officers under the charter were Benj. Kersey, H. P. ; M. B. Mason, K. ; J. C. Riner, Scribe. This is a flourishing Chapter and has been quite prosperous, having a present membership of 60. Present officers are: J. M. Corey, H P. ; Henry Hase, K.; W. H. Loit, Scribe ; J. W. Hensley, C. H. ; Henry H. Potts, Treas. ; J. D. C. Hoit, Secy.; J. H. Spring, R. A. C. ; John Hensler, Tiler.

Yates City Lodge, Ao. 20/, JO. O. F., was chartered Oct. 13, 1868, with Ira Dunn, Benjamin Hays, B. Bevins, .\. S. Murphy and Henry Soldwell as charter members. First officers were : H. Soldwell, N. G. ; B. S. Briggs, V. G. ; B. Hays, Secy. ; B. Bevins, Treas. There are at present 32 members coimected with the Lodge. Present officers : John Bird, N. G.; William Clark, V.G.; J. B. Coykendall. Secy.; T. J. Kightlinger, Permanent Secy.; Henry Soldwell, Treas.; B Bevins, O. G. The Lodge is prosperous and in good working condition. They have a good hall, which is owned jointly with the Masonic fraternity. There was a Rebecca Degree Lodge organized some years ago, but it has not been kept up. It was chartered Oct. 11, 1S70.

Source changes here: from Annals of Knox County : Commemorating Centennial of Admission of Illinois As a State of the Union in 1818, by Knox County (Ill.). Centennial Historical Association, published 1921; 1,438 words in this source stream.

Salem Township

Salem lies in the southeast corner of Knox County and is bounded on the east by Peoria County and on the south by Fulton county. There are only a few townships that have as fine physical features or as marked beauty of outline as this. Commencing at a point known as Kent's Mound, on Section 12, which rises forty or fifty feet above the common level, a somewhat irregular ridge, sometimes called "divide," runs through the entire township, from east to west, taking the name of Pease Hill in its center and terminating at Uniontown, on Section 13, at its extreme western edge.

Salem was organized under the general law relating to townships on April 5, 1853, by an election held in a log school house near Michael Egan's home, on Section 20. S. S. Buffum was chosen Supervisor; William Gray, Clerk; J. E. Knable, Assessor; D. Waldo, Collector; T. A. Croy, G. W. Euke and J. Jordan, Justices; M. B. Mason, A. Kent and J. E. Duel, Highway Commissioners ; J. Taylor and D. Waldo, Constables, and G. Christman, Overseer of the Poor.

John Sloan has been the supervisor most frequently reelected, having served eight terms of one year each, at different periods, and others of from one year to three years.

The first settlement was made by Alexander Taylor, on the northeast quarter of Section 6, in October, 1834. He was soon followed by Felix and John Thurman, Henry and Avery Dalton, Solomon Sherwood, Benoni Hawkins, William Kent, John Darnell, John Haskins and Sala Blakesbee, most of whom brought their families with them.

The first birth recorded was that of little Laura, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Haskins, in 1835, and the first to be joined in wedlock were Avery and Delilah Dalton, cousins, who were married in 1855, by Squire Mark Thurman. The same year occurred the first death, that of Andrew Corbin.

The early settlers brought their religious faith and practice with them and held prayer meetings from time to time at convenient places. Their pious devotion attracted the attention of Rev. Henry Somers, who visited the settlement in November, 1835 or 36, and preached the first sermon at the home of William Kent, on Section 13.

The first saw mill was built by James Mason on Kickapoo Creek, in Section 13, in 1835 or '36 ; another, a little later, by Anderson Corbin, on the same stream, on Section 14.

system of good, substantial, iron bridges, set upon firm stone abutments, over all the principal streams with stone culverts over most of the smaller ones. The question of constructing, grading and repairing the highways, was many years ago, by vote, left solely to the discretion of the highway commissioners. The result has been a uniform system of grading, which with thoroughly underdraining, affords the best roads obtainable on prairie soil without resort to the Macadam process.

Salem has an abundant supply of bituminous coal, which has been mined for local use from an early date along the banks of the streams skirting the north and south sides of the township. The most productive mines are found along the Kickapoo and Littler's Creeks. The first mining of which any record had been preserved was successfully undertaken by Pittman and Barlow, blacksmiths, of Farmington, Fulton county, who, in 1832, took coal from the soil of Section 25, for use in their own forges. Avery Dalton was the first to mine to any appreciable extent for commercial pui^poses. He began operations on the same section three years later. Several drillings at Yates City have developed extensive and valuable veins, at depths varying from one hundred and twentyfive feet upward.

Not the least important among the industries which have helped to elevate Salem Township to its present position among the foremost in the county is that of stock-growing. Many of the most progressive farmers make the breeding of improved varieties a special feature of their farm work. Among the prominent stock raisers may be named: N. G. Daughmer and Son, D. Corey and Son, J. M. Corey, H. A. and James Sloan, E. H. Ware, Frank Runyon, A. D. Moore and R. J. McKeighan. The efforts of these men and others who might be mentioned have resulted in elevating the standard established for fine stock to as high a point in Salem as will be found in the best farming sections of the State.

There are ten school districts in Salem, numbered in order to the ninth, the tenth being called Center, The last named is located on School Section 16. Of the ten school buildings, two, in Districts 3 and 4 are of brick, the others are frame. The first school house was located on Section 13, in 1838, in what is now District No. 1, and the first school was taught by Abiel Drew. The second school was erected in either the same or the succeeding year, on the southwest quarter of Section 6. It was of logs, and had been originally put up by James Hogue for a dwelling. Section 6 now forms a part of District No. 2. Of the ten schools, only the one in Yates City is graded.

greater or lesser size and value, which owe their origin to W. L. Steele and the history of their establishment may be told in a few words. In September, 1878, Mr. Steele, then Principal of a graded school in Yates City, proposed to the School Board, composed of Dr. J. D. Holt, J. M. Taylor and L. A. Lawrence, the orgnization of a school and public library, to be under the control of the board, and open at all times to pupils of the schools, and to the pupils upon payment of a membership fee. The scheme also contemplated the solicitation of donations of books and money. The plan was adopted. The movement commanded public support from the first, and the library has now grown to large dimensions and is one of the best in the State for a community of that size.

In the Civil War 182 served from this township. One hundred and fifty-one served in various regiments of infantry, numbered from the Seventh to the One Hundred and Thirtysecond. Forty-five were attached to the Eighty-third, and Twenty-eight in the Seventy-seventh . Twenty-nine are credited as having served in the Seventh, Eleventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth Cava !lry, and two in the Second Illinois Artillery. In addition, several are known to have enlisted in regiments from other states, notably in the Eighth Missouri Infantry, viz.; William S. Kleckner, Frank Murphy, Frank and Fred Hamilton, Henry Ledgerman, James Dundas, Chester Vickery, George Frost, William Hull, William Taylor and William Reed, besides, probably others, many of whom have never been credited, either to Knox County or to Salem Township. James H. Walton was probably the first enlisted man from Salem, having joined the Seventh Infantry from Yates City, which was the first regiment organized in 1861. A draft was ordered to complete Salem's quota under the last call for men in 1864, and four names were drawn.

Salem's record in the war with Spain, 1898, is an extraordinary one, the township having furnished fourteen men out of a possible one hundred and fifty for the whole county, the most of whom served in Company C, of the Sixth Infantry. The Mexican War of 1846 had one representative here, in the person of R. B. Corbin, who served in the Third United States Dragoons.

In 1837 a postoffice was established, called Middle Grove, near what was later Uniontown, Henry Merrell being placed in charge. It is said that Thomas Morse offered a whole day's labor to secure a letter on which the postage had not been paid, money being then very scarce, but his offer was refused.

Sala Blakesbee is credited with erecting the first frame building for a barn, in 1837, on Section 19, but it was destroyed by fire the same year.

The underground railroad had a well defined "route" through Salem in ante-bellum days, and many a poor slave, fleeing for life and liberty had occasion to thank the "officers" thereof for their active vigilance in his behalf.

The moral and religious advancement of the people has kept even pace with their material development, as is shown by their work in the early churches and in kindred societies. In early days, preaching services were held in School houses, and all convenient places.

In Salem township are Uniontown, Douglas and Yates City, and it is in the last named that the famous Harvest Home festival, first held in 1886, is annually celebrated.