Warren Township (part 5 of 5)

Miscellaneous

Adjustment of Land Claiins. - It may seem somewhat strange to the people of the present, that there were not more serious differences between the conflicting interests of the early settlers - miners and farmers - than there were. When the first settlers came, in 1819, and up to the organization of the county in 1827, it may be said there were no written or statute laws to govern the people in. any of their transactions. The agent representing the interests of the tl. S. government issued certain pronunciamentos for the government of the miners. Those engaged in other pursuits governed themselves, and it is said by the surviving settlers of the early days that there was less of theft, larceny and kindred crimes in those days than there is now. The settlers were governed entirely by the laws of honor.

To give the young people an idea of how the pioneer settlers protected the claims of each other, we make the following extracts from the proceedings of a Settlers' Meeting, called to devise " ways and means " for that purpose :

" Pursuant to public notice, a meeting of the settlers on the public lands in Township 28 N., R. 2 E. (Galena), was held at the school-house on Saturday, the 2d day of January, 1847. On motion of James D. Rawlins, Samuel W. Hathaway was called to the chair, and E. Baldwin chosen Secretary.

" Mr. G. M. Hallett offered a resolution pledging the meeting to concur in the resolutions adopted at a Settlers' Meeting held in Galena, on the 5th of December, 1846, which was adopted. [No written proceedings of the meeting referred to in this resolution were to be found.]

" M. Hallett, S. Snyder, F. Stahl, J. Hawkins and J. Holman were appointed a committee to report regulations for the government of claimants in the township. The committee reported, recommending the election of a board of arbitrators, consisting of live persons, authorized to settle all disputes between conflicting claimants, on principles of equity and justice, their decisions to be final. If any claimant objected to either arbitrator, and a majority of the board sustain the objection, the member objected to should retire during that trial, and that his place be filled by a good and suitable citizen. The board to appoint their own clerk, who, at his own expense, shall provide books, paper and plats. The clerk was directed to provide for the registry of claimants before the first day of February next, and to receive a fee of ten cents for each claim presented for registry.

George Troxell, David Matlack, H. Willard, H. Singer, and John Crumbellick, were appointed arbitrators, and the gentlemen present pledged themselves to each other to " use all just means in our power to sustain the decisions of the arbitrators for this township, and to abide by such decisions in all cases in which we are interested."

The claimants of the public lands in township 28 north, range one, east of the 4th principal meridian, held a meeting at Mount Hope Meeting House on Tuesday, the 5th day of February, A. D. 1847, and adopted a ' constitution and by-laws similar to the provisions above quoted. The arbitrators chosen under the proceedings of that meeting, were Samuel Hugh- lett, A. Snyder, Michael Byrne, R. S. Norris, Charles G. Thomas, Patrick Me Allen, and S. M. McMaster. The following was their written pledge:

" We hereby pledge ourselves to each other, that we will use all just means in our power, to sustain the decisions of the arbitrators for this township; and that we will abide by such decisions as they shall make, in all cases in which we are interested."

To this pledge ninety-two signatures were attached, only three of which were by " his X." In no case was the pledge violated. 'No appeal was taken from the decision of the arbitrators - no " motion made for a new trial." Many of the ninety-two whose names grace the book from which the pledge is copied, still remain in the county, and have always been useful and influential citizens.

Fires. - Galena has never suffered seriously, but once, from fires. On 3 o'clock on the morning of April 1, 1854, a fire broke out in M. O. "Walker's stage stable, situated on Commerce Street, in the rear of the next block north of the De Soto House. The fire extended* northward across Main, Washington, and Bench Streets. Thirty-two buildings were burned, comprising a large part of the business part of the town, and including St. Michael's Church, on the opposite side of Bench Street. Among the buildings destroyed was the office of the Courier. The total loss estimated at $300,000. The Gazette of that date attributes the fire to an incendiary.

River Improvements. - In 1854, various projects were discussed for improving the navigation of I^'ever River, and it was seriously proposed to construct a dam and lock of seven feet lift, at, or near, its mouth. It ended however, as it began - in talk.

The present winter (1877-'8), Congress was petitioned and strongly urged to include Galena Riverain the appropriations for harbor and river improvements, with some hopes of success. M. Y. Johnson was sent by the Galenians, as a delegate, to present the subject, and urge it upon the attention of Congress. He labored earnestly and faithfully, and received many assurances that the appropriation would be made.

Casualties. - On the 18th day of k August, 1868, a sad and melancholy accident occurred on the Illinois Central Railroad, that brought sorrow and death to several homes in Galena. The particulars of this terrible event, we gather from a pamphlet published a few days after its occurrence, the facts of which were compiled from the Galena Democrat:

At about 8 o'clock on the morning aforesaid, Conductor James -Woods started out from Galena with his ditching train, consisting, at the time, of two dirt cars, destined for Apple River. He had some thirty workmen on the train, most of whom occupied the second car from the engine. The train was " backing up." When rounding a curve, within about half a mile of Council Hill, and going, at the time, at a full rate of speed, they collided with two detached cars, which were approaching from the opposite direction, at a rate, it was thought, of thirty miles per hour. They were both heavily loaded; the first with railroad iron, the second with a cast iron wheel, of 4,500 pounds weight. Owing to the curve in the road, the detached cars were not perceived by the men, until they were within two or three rods, and as the larger number were old men, the instinct of self-preservation had not time to take any definite action. A horrible crash - the heavy, iron rails were pushed forward - the large iron wheel rolled forward, and Thomas Boyd and Michael Niland were still in death. Mr. Boyd with his head crushed to jelly. Patrick Maglian, a young man of twenty-one years, had his skull fractured, and an arm horribly mutilated. He survived but a few hours. Mr. Thomas Mulligan, Cornelius Howe, and Mr. McClann, were also injured, it is feared fatally. The others, by jumping, managed to escape fatal injuries, but were more or less hurt. Master M. Birmingham, one of the injured, who escaped with the loss of five teeth, said that he had no thought of jumping from the car, but rushed to the forward brake of the rear car, thinking that with that support he could stand ihe shock. He was picked up after the collision in an insensible condition, close by the engine, having been thrown more than the length of the car. So soon as the engine could be run back to Galena, Drs. Hempstead, Campbell and Newhall, accompanied by Father Power, were brought to the relief of the wounded. But one, only, of the three first fatal cases, then needed their help, and that was young Maghan. Upon consultation, it was decided to amputate his fractured arm, but his sufferings were ended by death before they were ready to commence the operation. He died calling on his mother, but his last audible words were: "lay me down to die." A jury was summoned and an inquest held, by two Aldermen of Council Hill. The jury rendered a verdict in accordance with the facts herein stated.

At half past nine, the morning after the catastrophe, three hearses, carrying the bodies of three of the victims, were slowly driven up Main street, and came to a stand before the Church of St. Michael. On either side of the hearses were the pall-bearers - those by the body of the young man were youths, and some of them fellow-companions of the deceased, when he was in life but yesterday. The chief mourners were driven in carriages, and a long retinue of sympathizing friends were in attendance. The scene, as the three bodies were carried in close succession into the church, was profoundly impressive. The poor widow of one of the aged victims, borne, almost fainting up the long steps of the church; the blanched countenances of all those nearest kin to the dead ; and the hundreds of spectators, moving slowly up, with the bearing of deep sympathy, all tended to produce a sensation which will not soon be forgotten.

The deceased were all members of the St. Michael's Church, and hence their funeral rites were served at one and the same time, in that church, Father Power officiating.

The Blue Ribbon Movement. - The tidal wave of the Blue Ribbon. Temperance Reform Movement reached Galena the first days of October, 1877. Under the labors and directions of Messrs. Hoofstetter and Rowell, a reform was inaugurated that promises to result in great good. As showing the eiFect of this movement, the following figures are presented, showing the falling off in the consumption of beer in Galena from October 1, 1877, as compared with the same period in 1876:

In October, 1877, 250 barrels were consumed; in November, 198; in December, 266. Total, 714 - a falling off of 548 barrels. Reduced to gallons, the- falling off was equal to 17,536 gallons. Reduced to glasses, and estimating twenty glasses to the gallon, the cash falling off in the beer trade for the three months named was equal to $17,536.

Finale

The Buffalo - When Did They Disappear? - When the first settlers came to the Fever River region, there was but little underbrush in any part of the country. Its growth had been kept down by the Indian?, who started fires for that purpose, that their hunting grounds might be the less obstructed. Forty years ago this Winter (1877-'8), says Captain D. S. Harris, I was out hunting with an old Indian, and we came to an open prairie or plain, to one portion of which my attention was particularly directed because of its circular form and the heavy growth of old weeds and grass within it. I applied to my Indian companion for an explanation, and he gave me this traditionary solution:

"Seventy years ago this Winter (1838) was the coldest ever known. During the Winter 9, heavy, deep snow came on, and the buftaloes were snowed in. The snow fell so deep they could not travel, and in making the attempt they went round and round, just like a white man when he becomes lost on the prairies or in the woods. The snow was so deep and remained so long, that they fell exhausted and starved or froze to death. Their carcasses decayed and enriched the ground where they died, and so the weeds and grasses, different from those natural to the prairie, came to grow over their bones. After that Winter the buffalo left - crossed the Mississippi, and none have ever been seen on the east side of the great river since."

Captain Harris says within the circle and beneath the old grasses, and weeds, and mould, there were a few remnants of bones, and that he has every reason to believe the Indian's traditionary narrative to have been correct. If true, the disappearance of the buffalo from this part of the country may be fixed at one hundred and ten years ago, or in 1768, -as any one can determine by the application of a little arithmetic.

Any one who has noticed the fact that on a wild spot of ground where an animal has died and decayed, a new growth of grass and weeds, different from those natural to the ground, will spring up, will see the reasonableness of Harris' Indian companion's theoretic explanation for the growth of weeds in the circle to which his (Harris') attention was called, while on a hunt "forty years ago," whatever of credit may be given to the remainder of the tradition.

The Weather. - The Winter of fifty years ago - 1827-'8 - was so mild and open that, on the 25th of February, 1828, the steamer Josephine arrived at Galena from St. Louis, bringing a cargo of flour - an incident related elsewhere. The present Winter seems to be equal to that one in temperature. At no time has the Mississippi been closed with ice for more than a few days at a time. For the greater part of the time it has been as open and as free to navigation as in the summer months. The roads to the country have remained almost impassable from the time Winter commenced, while the streets of Galena have either been dry or sloppy nearly every day from the first of December to this, the 28th day of February. Orijy on one or two occasions was there a sufficient fall of snow to justify an attempt at sledding or sleigh-riding, and that for but a few hours. The ice harvest is a failure - in fact the Winter of 1877-'8 may be set down as a season of ice famine to the people of Galena.

Dun Lei

To Captain Alexander Burnett is due the honor of first entering upon the lands of Warren for permanent residence. In the Spring of 1843 he emigrated from Ohio; made his claim and built a cabin, where now stands Mr. B. Servis' brick building at the corner of Water and Main Streets, upon section 24, of this Township.

Mr. Burnett continued to be the only settler in this immediate vicinity until the Fall of 1845, when Freeman A. Tisdel, of Michigan, came in and bought one half of Mr. Burnett's claim - about 120 acres.

At that time the surveyor had not defined the section lines, and the small branch running south through the town was made the line of division between the two farms - Mr. Burnett's being on the east, and Mr. Tisdel's on the west side. At this time, Mr. Kingsley Olds and family, living about a mile south,

The land upon which these people had settled still belonged to the government and did not come into the market until 1847, when they became legal owners by purchase, at the Land Office in Dixon. Mr. Burnett being located upon the old " Sucker trail," kept a public house for many years, and by the crossing of two roads near his house, the place received the title of '' Burnett's Corners."

In the Fall of 1845, Mr. Burnett gave Mr. Tisdel possession of the log house, and built for himself a frame dwelling on the site of the present Burnett House. He still resides at Warren. The post-office was first established at Mr. Tisdel's house, in 1847.

In the Fall of this year, Mr. E. T. Sandoe made his debut at "The Corners," and started a blacksmith shop. William, a son of Mr. Sandoe was the first white male child known to have been born in the settlement ; although the date of his birth has not been left on record.

In 1851, Mr. Tisdel completed a large stone building known as the "Warren House," to which he removed, making room in the log house for a store which was opened by J. W. Parker, who was soon after joined by Manly Rogers, under the firm title of " Parker & Rogers."

The settlers now had a habitation, but no name. A meeting was called to decide upon a title for the settlement, and, after much discussion, " Courtland " was selected as the name which should supersede the common-place " Corners."

In the Spring of the same year, Mr. John D. Platt opened a store in a wing of the Warren House, to which firm Mr. A. L. Brink was soon made partner. Soon after (1853), the firms of " S. H. Clark & Co." and " Jackson & Son," were established. Until the advent of these stores, the wants of the settlers were supplied chiefly by peddlers.

At the time of Mr. Rogers' arrival, among the prominent citizens not yet mentioned, were Charles Cole (who removed to and died at Salem, Nebraska) , G. A. Smith, and Dr. Thomas E. Champion, (afterwards Colonel of the g6ih Illinois Volunteers. He died at Knoxville, Tenn). Judge Platt continued his store until 1858, since which time he has engaged in general business pursuits, always being a prominent, public-spirited citizen.

A daughter of Mr. Platt, Eva, now Mrs. W. C. Thompson, was the only "baby" known in the neighborhood, except the son of Mr. Tisdel, for many years, although she was born in McHenry County, soon before removing to Jo Daviess.

By this time the farming lands were generally occupied, and Courtland began to assume the appearance of a village. Among others, George W. Pepoon and John Tear had settled in the neighborhood, both of whom are still residing on their original farms having, with the lapse of years, accumulated valuable properties.

The chief mines of the vicinity are the " Babel" and " Pepoon " diggings, the latter of which received the name of its owner. They were, at one time valuable mines, but at present not much mineral is being raised.

April 30, 1852, Mr. Tisdel had a portion of his land, located on the southeast and southwest quarters of the northeast quarter of section 24, township 29, surveyed by J. C. Gardner, and subdivided into town lots, he and Mr. Burnett conceiving the idea of making a town in what seemed the middle of the prairies. The streets then established were : Washington, Main and Catlin, running south, 63 deg. east; Long, Centre and Warren, running south, 27 deg. east, and Railroad Street running south, 57 deg. east. It is evident from the last named street that the Illinois Central Railroad had already established its route and that the building of the road stimulated the formation of a village at that place.

The land upon which these people had settled still belonged to the government and did not come into the market until 1847, when they became legal owners by purchase, at the Land Office in Dixon. Mr. Burnett being located upon the old " Sucker trail," kept a public house for many years, and by the crossing of two roads near his house, the place received the title of '' Burnett's Corners."

M. JONES. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears elsewhere, was born in Durham, N. H., in 1837, and came to Illinois in 1846, and to Warren, Jo Daviess Co., in 1857, where he engaged in the agricultural machinery business until 1870. He was Chairman of the Republican Co. Central Committee for eight years in Jo Daviess Co., and was sent to the Legislature in 1872, and again in 1874. It was during the session of the 29th General Assembly that Mr. Jones was Chairman of the House caucus in the socalled Haines Legislature, and here he gained the euphonius title of " Long Jones," by which name he is probably best known to many of our readers. In May, 1877, he was candidate before the Republican Convention for Lieutenant Governor, and received within sixteen votes of the highest number cast. In April, 1877, he was appointed Penitentiary Commissioner by Gov. Culloin, which position he still holds, to the entire satisfaction of those whose interests he represents. Mr. Jones was married in 18 - to Miss Emeiiue A. Wright, who was born in Jefferson Co ., N. Y., and they have one son and one daughter.

April 30, 1852, Mr. Tisdel had a portion of his land, located on the southeast and southwest quarters of the northeast quarter of section 24, township 29, surveyed by J. C. Gardner, and subdivided into town lots, he and Mr. Burnett conceiving the idea of making a town in what seemed the middle of the prairies. The streets then established were : Washington, Main and Catlin, running south, 63 deg. east; Long, Centre and Warren, running south, 27 deg. east, and Railroad Street running south, 57 deg. east. It is evident from the last named street that the Illinois Central Railroad had already established its route and that the building of the road stimulated the formation of a village at that place.

Histoky Of Jo Davie8S County

At the township organization, February 15, 1853, fractional township 29 north, range 5, east of the fourth principal meridian, was called "Courtland." November 24, of this year, Sylvester and Alexander Burnett laid out the first addition to the town, under the name of " Burnett's Addition."

In the Summer of 1853, the Illinois Central Railroad was completed to this place, when the name of the village was changed to Warren, the Township, however, retaining its former name until March 2, 1865, when it, also, was changed to Warren.

March 15, 1855, fractional section 18, sections 19, 30 and 31 and the north half of section 31, township 29, north range, 5 east, were taken from the Township of Nora and added to Courtland, on account of the village of Warren being located on this territory ; and December 14, 1864, fractional sections 17 and 18, sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32, of Courtland were detached therefrom and added to Apple River, throwing the Village of Apple River in its proper township.

In i853~'4 work was begun on the Mineral Point Railroad, which was laid out from Warren to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, but it was not completed until 1858. This road has always been well supported, furnishing, as it does, an outlet for the products of lower Wisconsin.

The year 1854 was the saddest one in the history of Warren. At this time its people suffered a visitation of the cholera, and more than fifty of these pioneer settlers succumbed to its attacks. Among them were George A. Smith, Asa Saxton, John Whitmore, Rollins Ballard, Mrs. Charles Cole, Lewis C. Gann, Allen Gates and a Mr. Hutchinson, whose first name has been forgotten.

On the evening of February n, 1857, a meeting was held to consider the propriety of incorporating Warren as a village, at which thirty-four votes were cast for, and nine against, incorporation. At this meeting John D. Platt presided, and Thomas E. Champion acted in the capacity of secretary.

The rapid growth of Warren dates from 1853 - the year when the Central Railroad terminated there, for a season. Soon a number of additions was made to the village, which have been recorded in the following order : Sylvester Burnett's 2d and 3d addition, Tisdel's addition and Sherk's addition, all June 15, 1854; Burnett's addition, June 5, 1855; Linkfield's addition, May 21, 1855; besides these, there are additions by Thomas York, D. A. Tisdel, J. D. Platt, D. Sinclair, F. A. Tisdel, Sr., F. and D. A. Tisdel, M. D. Rising, O. Jackson, M. M Yeakle, M. Y. Johnson, Wm. Cain, A. L. Brink, Jas. Bayne, A. M. Jones and J. Wright.

Being situated within a mile of the state line of Wisconsin, Warren is a great resort of criminals, who wish to get out of that state, and of eloping couples, who wish to take advantage of forbidding parents and the marriage laws of Wisconsin.

Religious

Religious interest was manifested in Warren at a very early stage of its history. Meetings were held among its first settlers by a traveling minister named George W. Ford, in the various private houses.

The Methodist organization was first effected in the village in 1854, though a class had existed two miles south for several years. The first church was erected (24 by 40 feet in size), in the same year by Rev. J. Sherk. Rev. Joseph Hartman acted as their pastor for two years. Among the leading members at the organization were, J. F. H. Dobler and wife, L. F. Farnham and wife, Thomas Hicks and wife, Joseph Sherk and wife, Samuel Phelps and wife, Joseph Graves, George Jamison, Mrs. Eunice Cobb, Mrs. Whitmore and a few others.

A Sabbath school was organized soon after the church, Joseph Graves acting as superintendent. In 1860 the prosperity of the society demanded an enlargement of the building, and an addition of 20 by 24 feet was made.

The erection of the present fine brick building was commenced in 1864, (on the site of the old one), under the pastorate of Rev. George Richardson, and completed under the charge of Rev. Joseph Odgers.

The following pastors have officiated at Warren successively : Revs. J. Hartman, J. Wallace, Wm. Keegan, Wm. Cone, C. F. Wright, T. L. Olmsted, Wm'. Keegan, Geo. Richardson, Joseph Odgers, C. French, Geo. Richardson, G. L. S. Stuff, J. Linebarger, Win. Burns, H. J. Huston, C. Brookins and Joseph Crummer, who is the present minister. John Bird is now superintendent of the Sunday school. The church and Sabbath school have each a present membership of about two hundred and fifty.

The Free Will Baptist Church was organized a little later in the same year, at a meeting held at the Burnett House. Their church was built in 1855. Professor Dunn, now of Hillsdale College, Michigan, took the active management of organization and dedication, although Rev. Horace G. Woodworth was the first regular pastor. A Sabbath school was organized in connection with the church ; Charles Cole being the first superintendent. Rev. R. W. Bryant is the present pastor, and Mr. A. M. Jones, superintendent of the Sabbath school.

The Presbyterian Church was organized August 8, 1864, in the Baptist Church, where meetings were held for some time by Rev. John W. Cunningham, who preached their first sermon. Their church was built in the same year, being superintended by their first regular pastor, Rev. E. H. Avery. After six years Mr. Avery was superseded by Rev. H. P. Thayer; then Rev. G. H. Coit, then Rev. E. B. Miner, who was followed by the present pastor, Rev. S. S. Cryer. In 1877, an addition was made to the church, giving it a commodious auditorium. It is entirely free from debt. The first Board of Elders consisted of D. C. Allen, Manley Rogers and Thomas J. Graham. At present, the session is composed of Manley Rogers, E. H. Morris, J. N. Parker. G. W. Pepoon, L. E. Morris and W. R. Colburn. Junius Rogers first acted as Sabbath-school superintendent, which office is now filled by Manley Rogers. The school has a membership of about 160, while the number of church members is estimated at 135.

In 1859, by the personal endeavors of Mr. M. M. Yeakle, a large stone building was erected for a Lutheran Church, but as Mr. Yeakle failed before its completion, it was never dedicated to the use of that branch of the Christian church.

Among the important duties of any people is to provide for the instruction of their children. Several years before the railroad was completed to the Village of Warren, the scattered pioneers had provided a means of education for their little ones.

About 1848 a school-house was built one half mile west of the site of Warren, in which Charles Cole first gave instruction. For some years after the settlement began to assume the character of a village, a school was maintained in a small cabin. About 1864, a brick school building was erected at a cost of $3,500. This was superseded by the present one in 1872, which is also of brick, fifty feet square with a wing, thirty by forty feet, and of two stories. It cost nearly $10,000.

The schools are taught by D. E. Garber, Principal; E. E. Grigsby, Assistant ; Miss Josie McHugh, Grammar School ; Miss Cora Harrower, Intermediate ; Miss Maud Goodfellow, Secondary; Mrs. Rosa Parker, Primary.

In 1870 a small brick school-house was built on the east side of the railroad, which is under the charge of Miss L. A. Field. Three thousand dollars is appropriated annually for the teachers' salaries. The present directors are, H. V. Brown, Dr. A. F. Bucknam, W. C. DeLong.

Lodges And Associations

A. F. 6^ A. M. - In 1858 the Jo Daviess Lodge No. 278, A. F. & A. M., was organized. Its charter members were: S. H. Clark, Thos. E. Champion, N. B. Hull, E. Huntington, T. D. Rose, C. S. Hussey, J. C. Barnard and Chas. Francisco.

Charter Members. - J. D. Platt, A. C. Schadle, M. H. Luke, W. S. Benson, John Tear, J. C. Woodworth, W. L. Gale, C. A. Robey, F. W. Byers. S. A. Clark, A. Holcomb, L. E. Kessler.

/. O. O. F. - The Odd Fellows' organization was effected in 1858, under the name of Ridgley Lodge, No. 259. Their first N. G. was Daniel Ransom.

A. O. U. W. Warren Lodge No. 27 was formed November 30, 1876. Theie are thirty-three charter members. Their officers are : A. C. Schadle, P. M. W. ; G. H. Wilcox, M. W. ; J. M. Hussey, G. F. ; Charles Morten, O. ; John Fraser, Recorder ; W. L. Gale, F. ; M. Rogers, R. Regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Membership, 40.

The Union Agricultural Society is one of the old established associations of Warren. It was first located on lands belonging to the Rising estate, about one quarter of a mile northwest of the village, in 1860. In 1872 it was removed to the present grounds, one half mile east of the village.

Its officers are : President, Robert Hawley; Vice President, David Young; Secretary, Joseph Hicks ; Treasurer, Wm. L. Gale ; Directors, M. Lynch, G. W. Pepoon and Wm. Young. It includes in the Association the Counties of Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Lafayette (Wis.)

Business Interests

The Press. - Among the prominent features of every community are its newspapers. Very early in the history of Warren, the type and press were introduced to share the privations and fortunes of its people. In 1855, Charles Blaisdell published the Warren Republican. After a trial of one year it was discontinued, and, September 23, 1857, the first number of the Warren Independent was issued, which has continued, with one change of name, to the present time. It was published by Freeman A. Tisdel, Sr., and Thomas E. Champion, and edited by George A. Randall. April 2, 1858, Lewis and Baugher, who had. come there to practice law, purchased the paper and continued its publication until Jan. 31, 1860, when M. P. Rindlaub (now editor of the Platteville, Wis., Witness], bought Lewis out, and in July of the same year, he purchased the remainder of the office. Mr. -Nesbitt Baugher then became connected with the Galena Gazette until the outbreak of the war, at which time he enlisted in and was made a Lieutenant in Company B, 45th, or Lead Mine Regiment, and was mortally wounded -at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. In December, 1860, D. J. Benner became a partner of Mr. Rindlaub. In May, 1861, Mr. Benner enlisted in the army, and was made First Lieutenant of Company E, i.ijth Illinois Volunteers. Mr. Herst C. Gann came to Warren with his parents at the age of ten years, in 1854, from Pennsylvania. His father became a victim of the cholera about three weeks after his arrival.

In 1857 Mr. Gann commenced learning the " art preservative," in the Independent office, and has had almost continuous connection with the paper since that time. March 10, 1864, he purchased the office, and has been its editor to the present time, except during an enlistment in the army of ten months, when it was managed by Steve. R. Smith, who decreased its circulation nearly one half. From 1866 to 1868, Mr. J. W. Leverett held an active interest in the paper, and, on account of the bad repute into which Smith had thrown it, Messrs. Leverett and Gann changed the name, in July, 1866, to its present title, the Warren Sentinel. Such is Warren's history, in brief, of that watchful, public guardian - the Press.

Banking Interests. - Something was done in the banking business by J. D. Platt in 1858, but his intentions of forming a permanent bank were interrupted by ill health and he returned to the East for a time.

In October, 1864, Manley and Junius Rogers established the first regular Bank of Warren. In March, 1865, the Farmers National Bank was organized with Manley Rogers, President; N. B. Richardson, Vice President, and Junius Rogers, Cashier. S. A. Clark became Cashier in January, 1873, and in May, 1875, the bank surrendered its charter. The business is now continued by Rogers, Richardson & Co., S. A. Clark being a member of the firm.

In 1859, M. M. Yeakle built a large, stone, steam grist-mill and grain elevator in the northern part of the town, at a cost of about $20,000. Mr. Yeakle, who has already been referred to as failing in the midst of his public^ spirited endeavors, disposed of the mill to Messrs. Bird, Bridge & Co., who employ five men, and are doing a good, steady business.

A Planing Mill was established in Warren by N. Boothby & Co., in 1858. This business was carried on until 1871, when they began the manufacture of parquet flooring or wood carpet. They employ twelve men. Their sales are made principally by agents; large orders coming from Chicago, San Francisco, and other cities.

A Flax Tow-Mill was built in the eastern part of the town in 1870, by Col. John Dement, of Dixon. 111., at a cost of $10,000. It employs twenty men, and works up abouttwo thousand tons of straw annually. The tow is shipped to Dixon, where it is manufactured into bagging. It is superintended by Jacob Spielman.

Hotels. - Though it was of the pioneer character, Alexander Burnett kept the first public house of Warren. The house was the historical old "log cabin," which was built in 1843, though it was followed many years later by a hotel on the site of the present Burnett House, which is now kept by Charles Phillips.

Five years ago, at an expense of $20,000, the Barton House was erected by Major Barton, who came to Warren in 1853, when the railroad terminated there for the season, and followed the livery business until within three years. The Barton House is a large, three-story brick building, .with basement, and containing the Public Hall. It is an ornament to the village, which is appreciated by the citizens, who may well regard Mr. Barton as a public benefactor.

The Jo Daviess Co-operative Association was organized in 1877, for the purpose of furnishing to its members, household and other supplies without the intervention of a "middle-man'' between producer and consumer. It has a capital stock of $2,500. P. E. Enery, Agent. Directors : E. Farnham, B. F. Watson, G. W. Curtiss, R. Russell, G. S. Wing, L. F. Farnham and Charles Boone.

In 1877 the Township of Warren had 8,284.86 acres of improved land and 3,388.80 acres of unimproved land, the assessed value of the former being $151,510, and of the latter, $20,980 ; besides these there are 1,704 lots, valued at $180,545. The assessed valuation of personal property for the same year was $263,024. As it is customary to assess at about one third the true value, the total wealth of the township may be placed at a much larger figure.