Weller Township

Weller Township

ANDERSON HOKAN, Farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden, Aug. 2, 1822; Rep; owns 200 acres of land, value $10,000; he lived in Sweden thirty-five years, and came to this country in 1857; came to this state, Henry Co. same year; has been here twenty years next July; held office School Director; married Mary Christian Johnson, Feb. 28, 1862; she was born Sweden, Dec. 15, 1832; have four children, three boys and one girl: Anna M.t John, Edwin, Alfred.

ANDERSON LARS W. Harness-maker, Bishop Hill; born Sweden; Jan. 14, 1843; Dem; Lib; he lived in Sweden three years, and came to this country 1846, and came to this state and county, to Bishop Hill, with colony; has lived here thirty years; married Christine Swanson in June, 1868; she was born in Sweden, April 8, 1848; they have two children, sons.

ANDERSON OLOF, Farmer.. Sec. 23; P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden, Oct. 12, 1840; came to this Co. 1850; Rep; Meth; owns 54 acres, value $2,100; he served in army four years; married Catharine Wahlstrum, 1867; she was born in Sweden, and died Nov. 15, 1869; has one child, name Gilbert A; married Martha Peterson, 1875; she was born in Sweden; has one child named Nora.

ANDERSON S. G. Farmer, Bishop Hill; born Sweden, May 23, 1841; Rep; Luth; owns 90 acres land, $5,000; lived in Sweden twenty-three years; came to this country 1864; came to Andover, this state and county; came to Bishop Hill, and has lived here twelve years; married Miss Kate Olson, Jan. II, 1869; she was born in Sweden, Aug. 24, 1833; came to this country, 1846, with her father; she is one of earliest settlers; they have one child, little girl, Ida Carlsen Anderson, born April 9, 1876.

ANDERSON SWAN, Farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Galva; born in Sweden, Aug. 12, 1831; Rep; Luth; owns 160 acres, value $ir,ooo; came to this country in 1854; lived in Knox Co. until 1865; has held office of School Director; he married Miss Christine Anderson, in 1856; she was born in Sweden; has four children, viz : Clara C., Nettie B., Albert S. and Frank J.

BECKER GEO. B. Farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Cambridge; born Schoharie Co. N.Y. Aug. 18, 1848; Rep; Lib; owns So acres land, value $4000; lived in N.Y. State nine years, and removed to this state, Henry Co. 1858, and has lived here nineteen years; has held offices School Director and Road-master; was in the army, in I32d Reg. Ills. I. Co. G.; married Miss Susan C. Stewart, Sept. 10, 1872; she was from Pa. born Nov. S, 1849; one child, Mary Becker, born Sept, II, 1875; lost one son.

BECKER J. L. Farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Cambridge; born in Schoharie Co. N. Y. Oct. 7, 1812; Rep; Lib; owns 615 acres of land, val $30,000; he lived in State of N.Y. forty-five years, and removed to this state, to Henry Co. in May, 1858; settled in Andover, and has lived here nineteen years; came to this town in 1865, and lives on farm entered by Benjamin D. \Valch, State Entomologist; he married Ann Eliza Lawyer, Oct. 31, 1831; she was born in Schoharie Co. N.Y. Oct. 20, 1814; have had eleven children, six sons and five daughters; lost two sous, from disease contracted in the army during the war.

BERGLiUND ANDREW, Farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden, Jan. 14, 1814; Rep; Meth; owns 49 acres land, value $2,500; lived in Sweden thirty-two years, and came to this country in 1847; came to Bishop Hill, Henry Co. Ills, in June, 1847, and has lived here thirty years; one of oldest settlers; left the colony in 1861; married Brita Olsen in 1840; she was horn in Sweden, Jan. 20, 1807; she had four children; they have two sons, Eric and Jonas; Eric Berglund is a graduate of Military Academy, West Point, served in the War as Lieut, at age of seventeen, and has been in Government Service since the War, in Engineers' Department.

BERGLTJND JONAS, Farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden, Nov. 8, 1841; Ind; Meth; owns 30 acres, value $1,500; came to this county in 1846; has held office School Director; married Miss Hellen Peterson, Feb. 27, 1866; she was born in Sweden, 1840; has four children, viz : Jonas E., Eric A., Andrew V. Fred E.

15JORK JOHN, Farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden, Aug. 5, 1814; Rep; Lib; owns 83 acres, value $4,150; came to America first in 1840, returned to Sweden, and after three trips to America traveled through (he old world, and settled at Bishop Hill in 1847; married Caroline Carlson, 1836; she was born in Sweden; has five children, viz : Anna, Johanna, Albertina, Jossephine and John.

BLOMBERG ISAAC, Sec. 27, P.O. Bishop Hill; farmer; rents of P.O. Blomberg; Rep; Lib. BLOMBERG PETER O. Justice of the Peace, Bishop Hill; born in Sweden, Aug. 4, 1821; Rep; Lib; owns 200 acres of land, value $10,000; lived in Sweden 25 years, and came to this country in 1846; came to this state and Co., to Bishop Hill, with colony, Oct. 1846, and has lived here over thirty years, one of the oldest settlers; he is a blacksmith and machinist by trade; held office of Constable six years, also held office of Road Commissioner and School Trustee; was elected Justice Peace in April, 1873; has held office four years; married Christine Matsonin 1842; she was born in Sweden, 1820; have had eight children, one son seven daughters; lost five daughters.

BOWLING JAS. Sec. 7, P.O. Cambridge; lives with father; Dem; Lib. BOWLING S. Sec. 7, P.O. Cambridge; farmer; Dem; Chris. Union; born Ohio; 186 acres. BOWMAN PETER, Bishop Hill; farmer; Rep; 2d Adventist; born Sweden. BRICKER JACOB, Farmer, Sec. 7, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Harrison Co. Ohio, Aug. 20. 1810; Dem; Christian Union; owns 97 acres of land, val. $4,000; lived in Ohio forty years; came to this state in 1850, and 'to this Co. in 1851; has lived here 26 years; one of the early settlers; has held office of Town Clerk, Board of Commissioner and Road Master; married Rosanah Ireland, June, 1835; died Sept. 4, 1851; three children; married Elizabeth Nelson, April 12, 1853; she was from N.Carolina; she has five children.

BROWN JEREMIAH J. Farmer and Stock Raiser, Sec. 36, P.O. Galva: was born in New Hampshire, in May, 1829, came to this Co. 1858; Ind; L'b; owns 160 acres, valued at sS.ooo; became to this state, Sept. 25, 1845; to this Co. 1858; has held office of School Director, School Trustee, and Supervisor; he married Catharine Protsman in 1852; she was born in Holland; they have nine children; four sons and five daughters : Francis E., Hattie J., Augusta A., Fred B., T. S., Clara E., Jennie A., Edward W., Jos. H. BRYANT O. S. Nekoma; druggist; Rep; Lib; born Long Island, N.Y. BURG A. Sec. 17, P.O. Bishop Hill; farmer; Rep; Luth; born Sweden; 41 acres. BUSHI\TELL LEONARD, Sec. 36, P.O. Galva; farmer; Ind; Lib; born Vt.

CHAISKR JOHN P. Lumber and Grain business, Bishop Hill; bom Sweden, Jan. I. 1844; Prohibitionist; Lib; lived in Sweden six years, and came to this country in 1850; came to this state and Co. the same year, to Bishop Hill; he is a graduate of Western Business College at Galesburg; he has traveled through this state, and has been engaged in lumber business five years; has been Freight and Ticket Agent P. & R.I. R.R. for the past 6 years; has held office Trustee this town; married Betsey C. Lindbeck, Feb. 5, 1870; she was born in Sweden, 1848; have two children, girls.

ELBLOM JONAS, Farmer. Sec. 25, P.O. Bishop Mill; born in Sweden, Dec. 25, 1833; came to this Co. 1846; Rep; Meth; owns 52 acres, value $2,600; he came to this town with the colony that settled at Bishop Hill; married Catharine Cidequist, 1860; she was born i» Sweden; she died April I, 1863; one child, name, Olive; married Miss J. B. Bjork, March 3, 1865; she was born in Sweden, in 1840; lias four children, named, Augustus, Olof, Christine, and Jonas.

ERICSON" JOHN A. Town Collector, Bishop Hi']; born Sweden June 29. 1852; Ind; Lib; owns 40 acres land, value $2,ooo; he has lived in this town and county for twenty-four years; was Clerk in store, and has been engaged in Farming, and has held office of Collector; also holds office of Constable this township for the past two years; his parents came here with colony, 1847; his mother is now living; his father was shot and killed in 1870.

ERICSON I-iARS, Farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Bishop Hill; bom in Sweden; February, 1842; Rep; Lib; owns 109 acres, value $4.360; he came to this country with his parents in 1847. and settled at Bishop Hill; he enlisted in the 57th III. Inft. and served four years; married Elizabeth Jones, 1865; she was born in this county; has three children, named John E., Elmer, and Laura A.

ERICSON OLOF, Fanner. Sec. 16; P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden, June II, 1843; Rep; owns 64?^ acres land, value $3,000; lived in Sweden twenty four years, and came to this country in 1867, and came to this slate and county, to Galva. July 23, 1867; left Sweden 24th June; just one month and one day from time they started; has held oliice of Roadmaster; married Miss Betsey Olson Feb. 15, 1868; she was born Sweden in 1840; have four children, three girls and one boy; Clara Matilda, Al'ce Laurena, Charlot'e Margaret, Frans Theodore.

FOKSBEKG- LARS, Farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Bishop Hill; Kep; Lib; owns 44 acres, value $l,6co; he was born in Sweden, lSl6, and came to this town 1847; he married Mary Lotta Anderson Feb. 10, 1850; she was born in Sweden 141)1 January, 1818, and came to America 1846; has one son, named Peter; lost one.

GARRIELSON CHAS. A. Farmer. Sec. 13; P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden, Jan. 24, 1842; Rep; Meth; owns 75 ' , acres land, $4,;oo; lived in Sweden twenty years, and came to this country 1862; has lived here sixteen year-; has held offic«; one of Trustees of this town; married Miss Anna Johnson Jan. 26, 1866; she was born in Sweden in 1843; they have one child, Lina Gabrielson, bprn in April, 1870.

GRAMMER JOHN H. Fanner, Sec. 4; P.O. Bishop Hill; born Hanover, Germany, June 18, 1820; Dem; Luih; owns 250 acres, $18,000; lived in Germany twenty-six years, and came to this country in 1847, and to this county Jan. 9. 1848, and has lived here twenty-nine years; held office of Road-master two years; married Mary Coldy, formerly Mary Fenn, Jan. 13, 1853; she was born in Cambridge, Eng. [an. 16, 1821; she came to this country in 1838, and has lived here thirty-eight years; not a house on the prairie at that time; he has three children, and she had three children.

GUA>IMKR WM. Sec. 3; P.O. Bi.sh.jp Mill; farmer; Dem. Lib; born Hanover, Germany, in Sept. 1817; Dem; Lib; owns 287 acres land, value $14.350. He lived in Germany 26 years; came to this country in 1843; came to this state and county same year; has lived here 33 years; one of the earliest settlers; only two or three houses here when he came; married Anna Dickson March 4, 1868; she died March 20, 1870; married Anna Atchison Dec. 20, 1876; she was born in England.

HAGBERG ERIC. Sec. 27; P.O. Bishop Mill; farmer; Ind. Lib; bo-n in Sweden 1825; 73 acres, value $55 per acre. He came to this country 1847; is one of die oldest settlers. Married Anna Larson in 1852; she was born in Sweden in 1820. Lost one son named Jacob Ericson, and has one adopted son named Elias.

HALL EDMUND, Sec. 4; P.O. Bishop Hill; farmer; Kep. Lib; born Yorkshire, England, Fe;>. 27, 1839; owns IT3 acres land, value $5.650; lived in England n years; came to this country in 1850; came to this state to IVoria; lived there five years; lived in south four years, and came to this county 1859. and has lived here 1 8 years. Has held the office of 'imissioner of Highways and School Director. Married Miss Kate Harrison Fell. 19, IS6S; she was born in BrimlieUl, IVoria county, Oct. I, 1836; three children, Edwin Stan.ton, born June if), 1870; Addie Ivate; March 21. 1472; Frank Hall, "Dec. 30, 1874.

HALL JOHN" I. Sec. 10; P.O. Bishop Mill; farmer; Ind: Epis; born Norfolk, England, Aug. 6, 1818; owns 400 acres land, value $20.000. He lived in England about 31 years, except two years spent in I'anada; came to this country 1849; came to this sla e and county in June 1850; has lived here over 26 years. He bought S.E. '/ sec. 4, this town, fora blind mare and an old pair of oxen, twunly-four y o make shingles; they were legal tender at that time. Married Miss Eli/.a Fenn Jan. 9, 1848; she was born at Cambridgeshire, England. June 4, 1827; have two children, daughters.

HALL THOMAS, Sec. 4; P.O. Bishop Hill; farmer; Rep. Lib; born England Feb. 2, 1848; owns 115 acres, value $5.750. Me came from England at an early age to this country in 1849; came to Illinois, and lived in Peoria five years; came to Henry Co. in 1854, and has lived here 22 years. Has held the office of Roadmaster. Married Miss Martha Lamb Oct. 30, 1869; she was born in Trivoli township, Peoria Co., March 15, 1851; have one child, Almeda Hall, born Oct. 30, 1870.

HEADLAND HELENA Mrs. Sec. i; P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden Jan. 14, 1836; Metli; 107 acres land, value $5,350. She lived in Sweden 14 years, and came to this country in 1850; came to this state and county to Bishop Hill same year, and has lived here 26 years. She married Olof Headland Dec. 16, 1861. He was born in Sweden Dec. 8, 1830, and died in April 1873. She has one son, John Eric, born Sept. 18, 1862; Oliva Helena, born Aug. 31, 1866, died Nov. 19, 1872.

HIER H. G. Sec. 3; P.O. Bishop Hill; farmer; Ind; Lib; born Hanover, Germany, March 25, 1822; owns 700 acres land, value $35,000; lived in Germany 22 years; came to this country 1844; came to this state and county same year, and has lived here over 32 years; one of the earliest settlers; only one house between here and Lafayette, 12 miles off. Has held the office of School Director and Pathmaster. Married Mary Elling Dec. 1843; she was born Hanover, Germany, Jan. 16, 1824; they have eight children, four sons and four daughters; lost two children.

HOARE SAMUEL, Sec. n; P.O. Bishop Hill; Rep; Lib; born in Devonshire, England, Jan. 6, 1814; owns 261 acres land, value $13,050. He lived in England 38 years; came to this country in 1851, and removed to this state and county same year, and has lived here 25 years; an early settler. Married Ann Parnell in Dec. 1837; she was from Devonshire, England, in 1818; have three children, two sons and one daughter; lost one daughter.

HOLLANDER HANS M. Sec. 24; P.O. Bishop Hill; farmer; Rep; Ind; born Sweden Oct. 9, 1839; °wns loo acres land, value §5,000; lived in Sweden 6 years; came to this country 1847; come to Bishop Hill in this county same year, and has lived here 29 years; an early settler. Has held the office of Overseer Highways. Married Christine Backlene in Nov. 1871; she was born in Sweden 1844; have three children, all girls.

HURLBUT CHAS. Sec. I; P.O. Galva; Rep; Lib; born in Northampton March :o, 1840; owns 225 acres land, value $12,000; came to Rochester, Peoria county, and removed to Knox county, and lived there about 20 years, and came to Henry county in 1863, and has lived here 13 years. Married Miss Eli/.a A. Lang. Feb, 24, 1864; she was from Knox county, and born April 15. 1845; they have four children; Cora E., born April 4, 1865; Clarence E.t born Nov. 30, 1866; Clarion E., born Nov. 18, 1868; Carrie A., born Aug. 4, 1873; lost a little boy.

JOHNSON ANDREW «T. Farmer, Sec. 20, P.O. Galva; born in Denmark April 5, 1835; came to this county in 1863; Ind; Lib; owns 40 acres, value $1,600; he arrived in this country in 1857, and settled in Wisconsin; afterward lived in Louisiana, and at the outbreak of the war was living in Texas, where he was conscripted in the rebel army, but escaped on a wild pony and rode to this place; he married Anna Hanson Dec. 4. 1864; she was born in Sweden; has one child name Lavina, and two adopted children named Amelia C. and Freddy V.

JOHNSON ERIC, Lumber and Hardware Merchant, Nekoma; was born in Sweden and came to this county in 1846; formerly edited a newspaper, and has served as Second Assistant Clerk of the House of Representatives; he married Mary O. Troile in 1863, who was born in Sweden; they have four children, named: Mary M., Oxel T., Sarah O., Julia M.; Ind; Lib.

JOHNSON GUSTOF, Farmer, Sec. 34; born in Sweden March 20, 1835; came to this county 1855; Rep; Luth; owns 240 acres, value $13,000; settled in Henry Co. on his arrival in this country; has hold office of School Director and Road Commissioner; married Emma Nilson May 15, 1860; she was born in Sweden 1838; has eight children, names: Gustof A., Hellen S., Anton T., Joseph N., Ida, Hannah, Otilia, and Clara.

JACOBSON JACOB, Farmer, Bishop Hill; born Sweden March 18, 1817; Rep; Meth; owns 300 acres land, value prop. $18,000; lived in Sweden thirty years; came to this country 1846; navigation being closed and being nearly out of money they intended coming here on foot; came from Buffalo to Toledo by team, then started on foot; reached Bishop Hill, in this state and county, in Feb. 1847; has lived here thirty years; one of oldest settlers; has held office Supervisor three years, Collector three years, Constable eight years, School Director, Corporation Trustee; married Helen Peterson July 24, 1848; she was born in Sweden Jan. 25, 1821; have one son, Jacob Jacobson, born May 24, 1859; lost three daughters.

JOHNSON JOHN C. Farmer, Sec. 9, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden March 24, 1838; Rep; owns 60 acres land, value $3,000; lived in Sweden ten years and came to this country 1848; came to Bishop Hill, this state and county, same year; stopped in Chicago two months; lived in Knox Co. seven years; was in army I7th Regt. Ill Infantry, Co. E; was in battle Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, and number of others; honorably discharged; married Hannah Nordstrom May 29, 1869; she was born Bishop Hill Jan. 14, 1848; two children, Olive Annette, born April 28, 18/0, William Adelbert, born Oct. 17, 1874.

JOHNSON J. L. Farmer, Sec. 17, P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden Sept. 13, 1825; Ind; Meth; owns 140 acres land, $7,000; he lived in Sweden twenty-eight years, and came to this country in 1854; came to this state and county, to Bishop Hill, in 1854, and has lived here over twenty-two years; no houses between here and Altona then; married Miss Christine Peterson in Dec. 1854; she was born Sweden 1831; have three children, one girl and two boys, Justine, born July, 1859, John Albert, born Jan. 13, 1861; Peter Frank, born Dec. 1866.

JOHNSON L. F. Farmer, Sec. 24, P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden April 16, 1837; Ind; Luth; 54 acres land, value §2,700; lived in Sweden twenty-eight years, and came to this country in 1865; came to Bishop Hill, this county and state, same year, and has lived here twelve years; married Betsey Olsen April 7, 1867; she was born Sweden in 1835; have four children, two boys, two girls.

JOHNSON MAGNUS, Harness-maker, Bishop Hill; born Sweden Aug. 19, 1836; Ind; Lib; owns 52 acres land, value $2,500; lived in Sweden fourteen years, and came to this country in 1850; came to this state and county, to Bishop Hill, and has lived here twentysix years; is engaged in harness-making and farming; has held office Town Trustee, and now holds office School Director; married Christine Wahlstrom March 8, 1862; she was born Sweden 1838; they have five children, three daughters, two sons.

JOHNSON MARTIN, Farmer. Sec. 12, P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden April 9, 1831; Ind; Lib; owns 184 acres land, value $9,200; he lived in Sweden fifteen years, and came to this country in 1846; came to this state and county, to Bishop Hill, in S'ept. 1846, and has lived here over thirty years; one early settlers; there was nothing here on prairies that time; has held office of Assessor, and also office Collector of this town. School Trustee and School Director; married Miss' Elizabeth Wahlstrom May II, 1860; she was born in Sweden March 22, 1833; have three children, lost three.

T7" ANE THOMAS, Sec. 33, P.O. Nekoma; farmer, rents of Dr. Jones; Rep; Meth; Isle of Man. "- KAWISH JOHN, Sec. 35, P.O. Galva; farmer, rents of J. Coupland; Lib; Isle of Man. KELLY DAVID, Sec. 28, P.O. Nekoma; farmer, rents of H. Emery; Rep; Meth; Isle of Man.

LAPEN ROBERT, Sec. IS, P.O. Bishop Hill; farmer; Rep; Meth; born Ireland; 120 ac. land. LARSEN JOHN A. Nekoma; painter; Rep; Meth; born in Sweden.

LARSON PETER, Farmer, Sec. 32. P.O. Altona; born in Sweden Aug. 10, 1829; came to thi* country 1852; Rep; Luth; owns 160 acres, value $9000; after living in Warren Co. five years and Knox Co. seven years, he settled in this county in 1865; married Hannah Hawkinson Oct. 13, 1855; she was born in Sweden; has four children, names: Hannah, Anna, John H. and Joshua.

LAUB PHILIP, Farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. Bishop Hill; born Germany, May 18, 1807; Rep; Lulli; owns 107 acres land, value $5.350; lived in Germany forty-one years; came to this country 1848; came to this state same year; lived seven years in Peoria Co; came to this county in 1855, and has lived here twenty-two years; married Anna M. Kroff, in Dec. 1837; she was born in Germany 1815; have eleven children, eight sons, three daughters; lost two sons.

LINT) O. E. Farmer; Sec. 24; P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden, June 15, 1824; Ind; Ind; owns 225 acres land, value $II,QDO; lived in Sweden twenty-two years, and came to this country in 1846; came to this state and county same year; went to California and through Mexico and was there for two years; returned to this county; was in grain and lumber business at Galva so: years; helped build C. B. & Q. R.R. in 1858; has been on grand jury two terms; married Bertha Peterson, August, 1848; she was born in Sweden; they have six children, all daughters; lost three sons.

LINDBECK JOHN E. Merchant, Bishop Hill; born Sweden, April II, 1843; Kep; Lib; value property, $4,000; lived in Sweden six years, and came to this country in 1849; came to Chicago Oct. 31, 1849, lived there eight months; came to Bishop Hill in this town and county June, 1850, and has lived here twenty-six years; is engaged in business, general merchant; has held office of Collector this town, also School Director; holds government office of Postmaster; married Caroline C. Nelson, April 14, '1866; she was born in Sweden, May 19, 1846; have four children, three girls, one boy; lost two boys.

K LEWIS J. Farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden, April 10, 1828; Ind; Lib; owns 107 acres land, value $6.420; lived in Sweden eighteen years, and came to this country with the colony in 1846 to Bishop Hill in this town and county, and has lived here over thirty years; one of the early settlers; lived in colony until 1861; married Christine Peterson, 1850; she was born in Sweden March 9, 1830; came here 1846; have three children, two sons, one daughter; lost lour children.

LINDBLO3I JONAS, Farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. Nekoma; born in Sweden, June 25, 1824; came to this county 1846; Rep; Melli; owns 112 acres, value S5,6oo; came to this country with the colony that settled at Bishop Hill, in 1846; married Betsy Olson, in 1848; she was born in Sweden, 1823; has five children, named Jacob, Jonas, Louisa, Anna M. and Edward A.

LINDSTRl'M E. Farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Bi.-hop Hill; born Sweden, Dec. 24, 1822; Rep; Meth; owns 280 acres land, value $14,000; lived in Sweden twenty-seven years, and came to this country in 1850; came to Bishop Hill, this slate and county, July 8, 1850, and has lived here twenty-six years; married Helsty l!nta, in May, 1851; she was born in Sweden in. 1827; have five children, three sons, two daughters; lost one son.

LITTLE R. Sec. S; P.O. Bishop Hill; farmer; Dem; Lib; born Ohio; 25 acres land. LITTELLE W. BARTLETT Nekoma; wheelwright; Rep; Lib; born in Indiana. IjITTON EZRA, Farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Nekoma; born in Pa. 1834; came to this county

MEIKLE JOHN, Farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. Galva; born in Ayrshire, Scotland; Rep; Pres; he came to this country in 1868; lived in Scotland seventeen years, and in this town nine years; owns 80 acres, value $5,000.

MOLINE OLiOF, Farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. Nekoma; born in Sweden May 24. 1834; came to this county in 1846; Ind; Meth; owns 160 acres, val. $6,400; he came to this country with the colony that settled at Bishop Hill in 1846, and remained with the colony II years, then separated from it; he married Charlotte Johnson in 1868; she died 1870; married Christine Lundine in 1871; she was born in Sweden; has five children, named Emma ]., Esther I., John W., David H., Jane L.

MOUNT JACOB, Farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Nekoma; born in Ohio Sept. n, 1830; came to this county in 1855; Dem; Adventist; he owns 80 acres, valued at $4,000; married Elizabeth J. MerTord, who was born in Brown Co. Ohio, in 1836; they have four children, named John Edgar, James William, Emma Ann, Charles Wesley.

NELSON JOHN A. Teacher, Bishop Hill; born in Sweden Sept. 20, 1851; Rep; Lib; he came to this county at an early age, being only one year old; came to this state and county in 1853; has traveled through this state, Iowa and Missouri; was in Minnesota three years, and in Kentucky three years; has been engaged as teacher for past three years, and is now Principal of School at Bishop Hill; he graduated at Knox College, Gfllesbury, 1875.

NEUMANN \VM. L. Farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Cambridge; born in Prussia, Germany, Jan. 23, 1823; Dem; Luth; owns 170 acres, value $8,500; he lived in Germany twenty-one years; went to England in 1844, and lived there five years; came to this country in 1849; came to Henry County in May same year, and has lived on same farm, in same house twenty-eight years, one of the early settlers; has held office of School Director and Roadmaster.

NOKDBEKtr ANDREW, Farmer, Sec." 2; P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden June 4, 1834; Ind; Meth; owns 82 acres land, value $4,100; lived in- Sweden sixteen years, and came to this country in 1850; came to this state and county, to this town, in 1850, and has lived here over twenty-six years; has held office of Assessor of this town for past foui years, and School Director for fifteen years, and has been Supt. Sunday-school for seven years; married Anna Olson Feb. 7, 1861; she was born in Sweden Oct. 5, 1839; have six-children, three boys and three girls; lost one child.

NOKL>INE ANDREW, Farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden Aug. 27, 1823; Rep; owns 78 acres land, $4,000; lived in Sweden thirty years, and came to this country in 1854; came to this state and county in 1854, and has-lived here twenty-two years; has held office of Roadmaster; married Betsey Johnson in 1860; she was born in Sweden Nov. 17, 1824; they have one daughter, Christine Matilda Nordine, born May 8, 1864.

NOSTRUM HANS, Farmer, Sec. rg; P.O. Nekoma; born in Sweden March 7, 1826; came to this county in 1846; Ind; Lib; owns 427 acres, valued at $15,000; he lived in Sweden twenty years, and came to this county with the colony that settled at Bishop Hill in 1846; becoming dissatisfied, he left the colony and began life, as it were, anew, and by industry and economy has accumulated the above; he married Martha Moline in 1830; she was born in Sweden; they have seven children, named Jacob, Ezra, William, Mary C., OlofA., Amanda C., and Joseph; lost three children.

NYSTRUM JACOB, Farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Henry Co. in 1854; Ind; Meth; owns 65 acres, value $3,600; his parents were born in Sweden, and came to this country with the colony that settled at Bishop Hill.

OLSEN PETER, Farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden March 8, 1816; Rep; Luth; owns So acres land, $4,000; lived in Sweden thirty-four years, and came to this country in 1850; came to this state and county in 1856, and has lived here twenty-six years, except seven years he lived in Henderson Co.; married Christine Johnson in Sept. 1852; she was born Dec. 4, 1830; have three children, two boys and nne girl.

OLSON ERIC, Farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden, Nov. 23, 1800; Rep; Adv; he lived in Sweden 45 years, and then left for America; he was in good circumstances, and at the same time paying both the debts and passage money of many of the colonists who settled at Bishop Hill, the balance of his means were put in the general fund; he married Anna Olson; she was born in Sweden, died 1845; had seven children; married Martha Ericson; has two children.

OLSON ERIC, Farmer, Sec. 24, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in"Sweden, Feb. 1844; came to this county, 1847; Rep; Meth; owns 84 acres, value $4,200; came when a child with his parents to Bishop Hill, where he has lived thirty years; married Emma S. Swanson, March 27, 1867; she was born in Sweden; have two children, names, Eric A. and Janett A.

OLSON JONAS, Farmer, Sec. 10, P.O. B'shop Hill; born Sweden, Dec. 18, 1802; Rep; owns 113 acres land, value $5,650; lived in Sweden forty-four years and came to this country in 1846, with colony; came to Bishop Hill same year, and has lived here over thirty years; one of earliest settlers - oldest of the colony; gave all his property, 7,000 to 8,000 Swedish dollars, to help the poor over to this country; he preached and talked to his people in Sweden for seventeen years, and has done so here since hs came; married Catharine Wexel, in 1832, she died May 17, 1871; has two children, daughters; lost four children; married Catharine Johnson, June 22, 1872; she was born in Sweden, Dec. 6, 1842.

OLSON OLOF, Farmer, Sec. 24, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden, 1831; Ind; Meth; owns 174 acres, value $8,700; he came to this country in 1846, and in the Spring of 1847, settled at Bishop Hill; is one of the oldest settlers; has held office of Justice of the Peace four years; he married Miss Christine Bergland in 1860; she was born in Sweden in 1835; has one child named Olof B. Olson, and one adopted daughter, Augusta S. Olson.

pATTEY T. F., P.O. Nekoma; lives with W. Kelly; Rep; Lib; born Isle of Man. PETERSON A. Sec. 9, P.O. Bishop Hill; farmer, rents farm Laub; Rep; Lu'.h.

PIATT JOHN, Farmer, Sec. 7, P.O. Cambridge; born Hamilton Co. Ohio, Dec. 9, 1809; Dem; Lib; owns 270 acres land, value $13,500; lived in Ohio about twenty-four years and in Indiana two years; removed to this state, 1839, and to this county, 1840, and has lived here over thirty-six years; one of the oldest settlers; was not hut one house within twenty miles southeast of here then; was elected Justice of Peace, also one of the Justices of the Co. in 1845; has held office of Supervisor of this town for thirty years, except about three years; married Hannah I lileman, of Hamilton Co. Ohio, in 1834; she died March, 1842; had three children; married Martha McMurtry, of Knox Co. in 1844; she was born in Ind; have four children.

POPPY HENRY, Farmer, Sec. 6, P.O. Cambridge; born Hanover, Germany, Feb. 5, 1831; Dem; Luth; he and his brother own 450 acres; value $25,000; he lived in Germany about sixteen years, and came to this country in 1847; came to this state and oounty in Jan. 1848, and has lived in this county twenty-nine years; one of the early settlers; has held office of Road Commissioner; married Miss Lisette Neumann in June, 1858; she was born in Prussia in 1839; tnev have four children, three sons and one daughter; lost one son.

PRICE WM. Farmer, Sec. 4, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in London, England, Oct. 21, 1830: Dem; Lib; owns 160 acres land, value $S,ooo; he lived in Birmingham, England, until twenty-two years of age, and came to this country in 1851; came to this state and county same year, and has lived here over twenty-four years; he has held office of Assessor of this town; Road Commissioner. Justice Peace and School Director; he married Miss Esther Piatt in Aug. 1856; she was born in Indiana; they have one child, son, John Walter Price, born Oct. 17, 1857-

QUAYLE WM. C. Farmer, Sec. 19. P.O. Nekoma; born Isle of Man, Feb. 12, 1838; Rep, Meth; owns 127 acres land, value $6,350; came to this country in 1856; lived in Peoria and Warren counties three years; went to England for eighteen months; returned to Ga va, this county, and has lived here sixteen years; married Miss Christine Olson, Jan. 19, 1867; she was born in Sweden, Jan. 14, 1836; they have three children, boys: William O. born Aug. 24. 1867, John E. born July 7, 1870; Fred. L. born Nov. 3, 1872; lost one daughter, A'meda Christina, born Aug. J.3, 1874; she died July 16, 1876.

REED ELIZABETH Mrs. Sec. 8, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Henderson's Grove, Knox Co. 111. Sept. 12, 1831; Old School Bapt; owns 40 acres, value $2.000; she lived in Knox Co. forty-two years; removed to Henry Co. in 1873; she has five minor children, who own 60 acres in Sec. 9; she married Isaac D. Reed, May 25, 1854; he was born in Sangamon Co. Feb. 25, 1828; he died Sept. 28, 1871; sh'e has six children, four sons, two daughters, lost one son, Nov. 30, 1860.'

ROBERTSON ALEXANDER, Farmer, Sec. 8, P.O. Bishop Hill; bora in Henderson Grove, Knox Co. 111. Dec. 27, 1832; Dem; Old School Bapt; owns 145 acres of land, valued at $7,250; lived in Knox Co. thirty-four years, except four years spent on Pacific Coast; he cut 1,000,000 feet of lumber, and sawed the logs by hand, in one year, while on the Coast; came this county Spring 1867; his father was first settler in Knox Co. and is now living, 73 years old; has been School Director, and held office of Pathmaster; married Huldah E. Peterson, July 5. 1872; she was born Feb. 16. 1850; have two children, Newell, born Sept. 19. 1873; Eureka, born Aug. 5, 1875.

ROBERTSON THOMAS M. farmer, Sec. 8, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Henderson Grove, Knox Co. 111. May 2, 1535; Dem; Old School Bapt; owns 217 acres of land, valued at $10,850; lived in Knox Co. about thirty-two years, except two years spent in Oregon and California; he killed a deer when II years old; came to Co. in 1866; his father, Daniel Robertson, was the first settler in Knox County, in 1828, and is now living, 73 years old; his mother died in 1840; he has held offices of School Director and Pathmaster; married Miss Mary Jane Bick, Oct. 28. 1858; she was born in Ashland Co. Ohio, May 17, 1840; have four children, two sons, two girls; lost three children.

SPROUSE ISAAC, Farmer, Sec. 32, P.O. Nekoma; was born in Virginia; came to this county in 1852; Dem; Christian; owns So acres, valued at $4,000; has held office of School Director and Constable; in 1860 he married Mary Anderson, who was born in Sweden; they have four children, two deceased.

STONE BERG ANDREW, Farmer, Sec. 23, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden, Nov. 30, 1822; Ind; Ind; owns 94 acres land, valued at $6.000; lived in Sweden twenty-four years, and came to this country in 1846, with colony; came to this state and county - to Bishop Hill - same year, and has lived here about thirly-one years; nothing here when he came; has held office School Director and Overseer Highways; married Louise Anderson, in June, 1848; she was born in Sweden, in 1826; have four children, three boys, one girl.

STONEBERG J. E. Farmer, Sec. 2, P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden. Oct. 31, 1835; Ind; Lib; owns 130 acres land in Town of Weller, and 159 in Cambridge, value $15,000; he lived in Sweden twelve years, and came to this country in 1847; came to Bishop Hill, this state and county, same year, and has lived here thirty years; one of early settlers; commenced farming for himself in 1861, with only two horses and $200 in money; married Miss Ellen Swan on, in 1864; she was born in Sweden, Sq>t. 29, 1834; have four daughters and one son; lost one son.

STONEBERG OLOF, Farmer, Sec. 23. KMiop Hill; -born Sweden, Feb. 17, 1818; Rep; Meth; owns 50 acres land, value $3,000; lived in Sweden twenty-eight years, and came to this country in 1846; arrived at Bishop Hill, this state and ounty, Oct. 14, 1846, and has lived here over thirty years; nothing here then_ hut few tents and log huts; has held office Scho il Director, also Corporation Trustee; married Cecelia Larson, in Sweden, in April, 1842; s'le was born 1819; have had six children, four sons, two daughters: lost them all.

SUXDBERG PETER M. Farmer, Seb. 26, P.O. Altona, Knox Co; born in Sweden, March, 1836; Rep; Luth; owns 113 acres, value $5,600; came to this county 1856; has lived in Henry Co. twenty-one years; married Sophia Johnson Oct. 1865; she was born in Sweden July ig, 1839; has six children, named Emma J., Ida C., Joseph M., Frank August, Selma C. and Hannah R.

SWANSON SWAN, Farmer, Sec. 14, P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden, May 28, 1825; Rep; Lib; owns 227 acres of land, value $14,000; lived in Sweden 21 years, and came to this country in 1846; came to this state and Co. to Bishop Hill with colony in Nov. 1846, and has lived here over thirty years; there was nothing here but prairie and timber that time; has held office Postmaster some years, also office School Treas. and School Director; married Christine Gabrielson, July 2, 1848; she was born in Sweden, Dec. 13, 1824; they have three children, sons; lost two sons and two daughters.

WEAVER PETER, Farmer, Sec. 32, P.O. Altona, Knox Co.; was born in Germany in 1829; Dem; Lib; owns 200 acres, valued at $12,000; he came to this country when two years of age, and lived in Ohio 24 years, and came to this Co. in 1855; he married Mary Ann Mefford in 1850, who was born in Brown Co. Ohio; they have five children; has held office of School Treasurer and Road Commissioner.

WEXE^Ii PETER, Farmer, Sec. 2. P.O. Bishop Hill; born in Sweden, Jan. I, 1817; Ind; Adventist; owns 296 acres of land, value §15,000; lived in Sweden 29 years, and came to this country in 1846; came to this Co., to Bishop Hill same year with colony, and has lived here 30 years; one of early settlers; lived in colony 16 years; married Martha Peterson about year 1851; she was born Sweden, Oct. 21, 1819; they have two children, Anna and Caroline; lost one daughter.

WICKBLO3I PETER, Farmer, Sec. II, P.O. Bishop Hill; born Sweden-, Feb. 14, 1810; Rep; Adventist; owns 130 acres land, value $6,500; he lived in Sweden 56 years, and came to this country in i.->47; came with colony to Bishop Hill, this state and Co. same year, and has lived here 30 years; one of the earliest settlers; was boss shoemaker of the colony, and had entire charge of shoes for every one in colony; has held office of Pathmaster and Trustee of Church; married Catharine Peterson, in June, 1849; she was born Sweden, Jan. 15, 1823; has three daughters and one son; Christine Olson lives with him; she is 87 years old; oldest person in colony.

Business Directory Bishop Hill

Farland and Jno. M. Evans, deacons, and Geo. Lobingier, clerk. At this latter date, Hannah and Elizabeth Kirkland, Mrs. Mary E. Evans, Mary Busenback, Mary L. Cahon, John, Hannah B., and Melinda MoFarland, Mary Hazle, Miranda M. Noel, and Nathaniel C. Whitney, united with the church.

On January 1, 1871, the congregation purchased the Baptist Church (the old school-house), and removed it to its present location, where they still continue to worship. They have now 50 members, and a Sundayschool of about 35 scholars.

This church was organized at first by Rev. James E. Gaston, who remained about one year. For about three years the pulpit was filled with " supplies," when the Rev. John W. Errett was called, and remained until January, 1868. In January, 1869, elder G. W. Sroupe was engaged to preach to them, and remained until March, 1872. On October 1, 1873, Rev. James Seaton was called, and remained until March, 1875. Since then no regular pastor has filled the pulpit. The congregation is now in good condition, and expect, as soon as they are able, to erect a commodious and comfortable church.

The Swedish Lutheran Church. The people constituting this religious body met for some time prior to their organization in the court-house, and in the Christian Church. They were organized in the first mentioned house on May 30, 1875, with 52 members. The organization was made by Rev. L. Carlson, of Andover. They soon after purchased the house of worship owned by the Congregationalists, which they still occupy. Rev. Carlson is yet pastor; the membership having increased to 69. About 35 scholars attend the Sunday-school.

The Congregationalists are the oldest religious organization in Cambridge. The church was composed of members from the different colonies surrounding the town. In February, 1837, a few persons professing this faith met together, and on the 9th day of that month the First Congregational Church was formed, with a membership of eleven, as follows : Nelson Games and wife, Henry G. -and Mrs. Fidelia Little, H. G. and Mrs. Elizabeth Griffin, Joseph and Mrs. Julia A. Tillson, C. W. Davenport, Mrs. Margaret Attwater, and Mrs. Ruth Moore. Of these, Judge Tillson, Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, and Mrs. Attwater are now members. The organization was effected by Rev. L. H. Parker, of Galesburg, and Rev. William F. Vaill, of Wethersfield, so well known to the early settlers of the county.

The congregation continued to occupy the court-house in company with the Methodists and Baptists for several years. By the year 1854 they had increased to 24 members, and in May of that year decided to erect a church. This was accomplished the ensuing Summer and Autumn, and was dedicated January 12, 1856. It was occupied until the year 1875, when it was sold to the Swedish Lutherans, and the building of the present fine and commodious edifice commenced. It is iilmost completed, and will cost about $12,000. The membership is now about 100.

Father Vaill, as he was called, remained preaching for the congregation about one year, and was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Joseph D. Baker, whose pastorate is the longest of any - seventeen years. Rev. L. H. Parker was then called, who remained one year. The next was Rev. Joel Grant, three years, and following him was Rev. Thomas Douglas, about two years. The Rev. S. F. Dickenson, the present pastor, has had charge only a few months. The congregation is in a prosperous condition, and expects to occupy its new house of worship in a short time.

This church furnished a full quota of men for the late war, and on one fine Sabbath morning, without any previous notice, raised at a single collection over §1,000 for the Sanitary Commission.

The Methodist Episcopal Church. In common with other religious bodies the early members of this church met in the old court-house at first, where, in 1850, they were organised into a church. At that date there were about 20 persons united, under the labors of Rev. - Harding, a missionary of the M. E. Church through the West. Some of the principal members were John and Mary Russell, S. P. and Mrs. L. Cady, Michael Grant, A. S. Ebright. A. M. Comstock and wife, Elias Morse (known as "Father Morse,''' and for twenty-five years a class-leader), and his wife, equally well known for her hospitality.

At that time, the Cambridge Mission comprised Cambridge, Spring Creek (now Atkinson), Geneseo, Deanington (now Orion), Red Oak and Berlin (now Swedonia). In 1855 the congregation erected their first church. It was a plain unpretentious brick structure, and was dedicated two years later by Rev. Silas Boules, of Chicago. It was re-modeled in 1865, and re-opened by Dr. Eddy, of the same city. Becoming unsafe, it was taken down in 1874, and the same year replaced by the present safe and comfortable house, which has cost the society $8,000. It was dedicated by Bishop Andrews.

The Protestant Episcopal (Trinity) Church. This is a mission, established under the care of the Grace Church Parish, whose permanent head-quarters are at the church of the latter, about five miles northwest of Cambridge.

Their very convenient and comfortable church edilice was erected in 1876, costing $5,000. The membership is now about 30, with a Sunday-school of the same number. The pastor is Rev. J. S. Chamberlain, rector of Grace Parish, who resides in Cambridge. He ministers every Sabbath in both places, devoting the afternoon of that day to the Trinity Church.

The Schools

The first school in Cambridge was taught in the year 1845 or 1846 by Miss Sarah Francis Little, sister of Henry G. Little. The building occupied was the old court-house, which served for various uses until sold to the Gaines Brothers. In the year 1850, the building now used as the Christian Church, was erected. This was used until the year 1856, when the brick structure in College Square was built. During the Winter of 1856-'7 the school was divided into two departments, and in addition to the frame school-house, the basement of the old M. E. Church was used, the brick school-house being incomplete. Tiiis was the first grading or division of the schools into more than one department. The Principal was Dr. R. C. Raymond, now a practicing physician of Cambridge. He was assisted by Miss Fanny Sould and Miss Lucy Brooks. As there were but two departments, it is probable one resigned during the year, and was succeeded by the other. The following year the school was held in the brick house, with Henry P. Sumner as Principal with one assistant. Dr. Raymond came again in 1858. He was succeeded by the

Thorpe, and Miss Sarah B. Dunn. These occupied the position till 1863, when Ira I). Marston assumed charge, and remained until 1866. During all these years but one assistant teacher was needed, the building containing but two rooms and two recitation rooms capable of accommodating the juvenile population of the town. In the Autumn of 1866, B. F. Barge, present County Superintendent of Schools, was secured as Principal, and remained in charge until 1872. At first he had but one assistant ; but in 1868, the frame building occupying the same lot, was completed, and two additional departments added. In 1872 one more was also added to these, making four in all. At the close of the session of 1871-'2, Mr. Barge went to Geneseo, and Mr. C. J. Gruey, the present Principal, was placed in charge. At that time the enrollment was 288. In 1878 he established the present High School course of study, and in 1875 graduated the first class from that course. He also graduated a class the following year. The enrollment is now 450, and the attendance close upon that number. These are divided into five departments, requiring the services of six teachers, one, Mrs. Gruey, assisting in the Higli School. The frame building was enlarged to six rooms during the Summer of 1876, and is now sufficiently large to accommodate the school. Should the growth of the town continue as it has since 1871, additional room will be needed to keep the educational facilities of Cambridge to the present high standard.

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois : Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, Together with Portraits and Biographies of All the Governors of Illinois, and of the Presidents of the United States; Also Containing a History of the County, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, published 1885; 3,628 words in this source stream.

Weller Township

class of people. Its history is largely included in that of the Bishop Hill Colony, which follows. James Withrow was the first settler in this part of the county. He located at the east end of Red Oak in 1836. He died on his farm in 1839, and his estate was the first probated in the county. There seems to have been few or no other settlers in this part of the county prior to 1853. Among those who came to this township were Lars Anderson; came in 1846, and died Nov. 16, 1869, leaving a son, Gilbert A. Andrew and Jonas Bergland came from Sweden to this county in 1846 ; John Bjork came to America, 1840, returned to Sweden and in 1847 settled in Bishop Hill; Peter O. Bloomberg came in 1846; Jacob Bricker came in 1851 ; John P. Chaiser came in 1850; Jonas Elblow came in 1846; Lars Ericson came with his parents in 1847 ;. Lars Forsberg came in 1847. John H. Grammar, born in Germany, came to the county 1847 ; William Grammar came in 1843; Hans M. Hollander came in 1847; Jacob Jacobson and wife came " on foot," 1847 ; John E. Lindbeck, 1849 ; Olof Moline came 1846; William L. Neuman, German, came 1846; Hans Nostrum, 1846; Eric Olson came with the Swede colony. He was rich in. the old country, but was made treasurer for the colonists and paid out for necessaries for others all he had in the world. Jonas Olson came at the same time and he also thus paid out his total fortune ; Olof Olson came 1847 5 Jonn Piatt came in 1840; he was one of the oldest settlers in Weller; Henry Poppy came 1847; J- E. Stoneberg in 1847; Olof Stoneberg in 1846; Andrew Stoneberg came in 1846.; Swan Swanson in 1846; Peter Wexell and Peter Wickblow in 1 847 .

^ bigotry. It is a singular fact in the history of mankind' that there is hardly an exception, no, not one, where a people, after much suffering for religion's sake, long and cruel persecutions, and many suffering death rather than renounce the right of freedom of opinions, and often great communities driven from their native land - -fleeing and skulking fugitives, or extirpated by the sword and fagot, yet when their religious ideas have taken hold and gathered converts and became strong, fearless and conquering, then those martyrs to the freedom of religious opinion invariably are ready to turn and inflict upon others who do not adopt their worship the same stern and cruel persecutions that they themselves had suffered from.

Martin Luther's rebellion against the Catholic Church took complete possession of Sweden, and the Holy Lutheran Church became the State religion ; and when once in power it ruled that country with an iron hand. The Church and State were one, and that one was the Church, - keen-eyed, vigilant and sleepless in the hunt of those who dared to think that they were not God's appointed guardians of all men's bodies and souls. Their entire idea of religious freedom of opinion was to present to every one the Church creed, and with the presentation there was no alternative except the manacles and the dungeon. Thus have worked out in the long time inevitable growths of Luther's religious rebellion. He fought religious intolerance, stood ready to die for the freedom of opinion, and the moment he was enabled to seize the power he was just as earnest and determined as had ever been the most bigoted Catholic to restrict all liberty of thought in the blind submission to his narrow creeds.

Eric Jansen was the founder of the sect that constituted the Bishop Hill Colony. In his native Sweden, when a young man, his mind began to find many and strong objections to the Lutheran Church. He abdicated the faith - preached a new doctrine ; was bitterly persecuted by the bishops, the ruling power in Sweden, and, like every new religion the world has ever known, " the blood of the martyr is the end of the Church; " he gathered rapidly about him converts and fellow sufferers. In three brief years after he had commenced proclaiming the new faith he had gathered over t,ioo followers. His first convert and ablest lieutenant was Mr. Hedine. Jansen and Hedine went to prison together, and many times had they been consigned to the gloomy dungeons, where they could only peep out upon the free air and distant sunshine through iron grates. Every visitation from the Church authorities became more and more severe, until finally Jansen became a fugitive from his native country and in disguise fled to America. When his converts found he had fled to this country, that here all men could enjoy freedom of conscience and speech, a colony was organized consisting of about 700 members, and they came as soon as they could to this country and selected their future homes in township 14, range 3. This point was fixed upon by'Olef Olson, who had come in advance and made the selection. These immigrants came to Henry County in 1847. They were very poor and for a long time lived in miserable tents and rude caves dug in the sides of the hills, with but scant and innutritious food ; they presented a scene of squalor and suffering. The majority of them were ignorant in their own country, belonging to the enslaved peasant class, and when suddenly dumped in such a great drove into a- new hemisphere - a new and strange world indeed to them - with even less of the necessities of life than they had in their old homes, it is not strange that here their sufferings were extremely severe. The few who had possessed property and were better trained to care for their physical wants, had precipitately fled from the land of oppression, leaving their property or selling at such sacrifices as soon made them as poor as their poor companions, and whose sufferings were intensified by the greater change in their lives. But one or two in the colony understood or could speak a word of English, and hence, as they knew nothing of the language of the country, the climate, soil or its agriculture, commerce, wants, or its diseases and remedies, they were as completely lost to all these things that are imperative to a people to know as if they had been suddenly transported to one of the distant planets.

In their favor was the fact that the Swedes are a people trained through generations to the practice of pinching frugality and untiring industry. They are docile, moral and law-abiding; accustomed to severe taskmasters, they plod in silence, and bow in humblest respect to those in authority. Their country of rigorous climate ; their long line of tyrants and cruel rulers have through many generations affected the whole people physically and mentally, and the sudden transplanting of a large body of such people to this genial climate and yet more gentle and genial government, with no previous preparation for the change, was like overfeeding the shipwrecked and starving when found ready to die of hunger and thirst. Therefore, of the great change, the squalor and ignorance of the colonists, came sickness and death, stalking the fold in horrid carnival.

This certainly is no overdrawn picture of the sad condition of the colonists when the cholera broke out among them in 1849. The scythe of death then literally mowed a fat harvest. Strong men and women were stricken, and in a few hours were in their coffinless graves. So swiftly did the grim reaper work, that no effort was made to procure coffins or boxes for the dead; relays of men were night and day digging shallow graves, in which the bodies, wrapped in a blanket or scanty cloth, were thrown and in solemn silence covered. A one-horse cart was the hearse that was used to gather the bod ies, singly and in numbers, and haul them to the graveyard. For many weeks this horse was not unhitched for a moment from his vehicle, night or day ; and it is a well authenticated fact that two men dug their own graves - working hard in the forenoon in the very graves in which they were sleeping peacefully and forever in the afternoon ! Here was the sad reality, the hideous carnival of death, surpassing in honors the imaginings of the painter, when with- a free hand he caused to stand out upon the canvas that startling and repulsive picture, "The Dance of Death."

Erkr Jansen was shot to death by John Root, in May, 1850. Eric Jansen, "the Prophet," was the founder of the new religion, the head of the Colony Church, and their supreme ruler in temporal as well as spiritual affairs. He was a man of courage and strong, convictions. He ruled his people absolutely, and he did not delegate or divide his power with any of Tiis subalterns. The designation of "Eric Johnson, the Prophet," is a key to his character as a leader - a religious enthusiast, stern, inflexible and bigoted. Had he lived in the days of the crusades he would have organzed his army, and led them, if necessary, into the jaws of death, and with his flashing sword have literally hewn his way to the Holy Sepulcher. One of the tenets of Jansen 's new faith was that all property should be held in common, and was subject always to the rule of the Church leader only, and that the Prophet should protect all the female of the order.

Root, the man who killed Jansen, came from Stockholm and joined the colony in 1848. He married a cousin of Eric Jansen. The key to the tragedy that followed this marriage is given by the solemn and curious marriage contract that Jansen had the parties enter into. It provided that if Root should ever leave the colony he should go alone, leaving the wife to enjoy in the colony all the rights and immunities of the church and colony. What would any intelligent man in this day and age think if his intended preacher presented him such a marriage-contract to sign? But to Jansen the first and supreme thing in temporal matters was to secure every right of his Church, and before these - the interests of his close church corporation - even the solemn and sacre,d rights of the marriage state must, give way. Thus, before Root and Jansen's cousin were married, there was a way provided for their separation. The command, "Whom God hath joined together, let no' man put asunder," was provisionally provided for, and under the cruel wo^ds of that contract - words that would eat, like the tightening irons into the victim's flesh, and become an endless torture that could only be cured by the sufferer belng-setfree and his marriage shackles stricken from him. It was thus this foolish . couple entered into the bonds of marriage. After a short time he tired of Jansen's religion, and his rigid 'iron rule, and Jansen .was as soon, probably, tired of Root's presence in the flock over which he kept guard. Jansen evidently regarded Root with disfavor, and this grew to be-mutual between the two men. Root abjured ithe faith and left the community. He returned in a short time and claimed his wife and newly born chikL The wife objected to going with him, and the Church peremptorily objected to her going. Root at one time got her into a wagon and was fleeing when he was overtaken, and the woman and child were taken from him by force and carried back to the colony. Again he got her away and took her to Chicago, and Jansen's men brought her back. Root talked to all who would listen to him, and told his story that Jansen had kidnapped 'his wife - had separated them. Root evidently brooded over the matter, and made up his mind to wreak a terrible revenge for his real or imagined wrongs, and he prep4red himself and came to Cambridge at the commencement of the May term of Court in 1850, and just as Court adjourned for noon, he walked up to Jansen and without a word shot him down, - firing two shots, but one taking effect, the first, and Jansen fell dead.

Root "was arrested, took a change of venue to Knox County, was there tried, convicted of- manslaughter and sentenced to the penitentiary for the term of two years. He was pardoned by the Governor and returned to the county, and went to Rock Island, and then to Chicago, where he died.

Jansen was an impracticable fanatic, very religtous and severe and unrelenting; and his death freed the the Colony from his rule and also from his Utopian ideas oi the rights of property and government.

Root was both a foolish and a vicious man, and the shot that killed Jansen wrecked his own life - wrecked it to that degree that the grave must have come to him in the prime of life as a welcome refuge from this breathing world.

We have told of this tragedy simply to indicate its great effects upon the Swedes who composed Jansen's Colony. Soon after Jansen 's death there was an improvement in the credit and standing of these people ; property no longer was held in common, and gradually the people became as other citizens, each practicing his chosen religion without let or hindrance, and the process of becoming real and valuable Americans characterized the whole membership of the Colony, until now their neighbors in the county willingly testify that they constitute a body of our best citizens and are noted for less of the baneful, clannish spirit than probably any other body of foreign people in the country.

The Colonists first settled along the south bank of the South Edwards Creek. The site was a beautiful one. It was covered sparsely with a small growth of oak timber. In 1849 they erected a fourstory brick, building, 100 X45 feet. This was a colony-house, and here the afflicted and helpless were more comfortably housed than they had been in the mud caves and ragged tents.

A large frame building was soon after erected for a church. Such was their religious zeal that a house of God was to be provided before they had made shelters for themselves.

To the credit of the people it must be stated that they established an English school as early as January, 1847, thus showing that they came to America to be Americans. A Presbyterian clergyman, Re v. Talbot, taught some 35 scholars in a mud cave from January to July. At times he was assisted by his daughter, Mrs. Pollock, afterwards the wife of Eric Jansen and now his widow. Talbot taught the second school, and Nelson Simons, M. D., was employed about one year as their third schoolmaster.

The progress of improvement was steady, and a grist-mill on a small scale was soon in operation on the Edwards Creek, at the Hill. Two saw-mills were also soon under way on the same stream. One of them they purchased. The construction of a steam grist-mill was commenced in r849, under the direction of Eric Jansen, but not completed till after his death.

The high moral conduct of these people soon convinced those living nearest them that nothing was to be apprehended from them, as their creed was essentially harmless to all outsiders. And in the hour of need the Colonists found fast friends in the majority of those near them. By the year 1 85 1 they had grown and strengthened, and had built a first-class steam flouring-mill, which turned out a large surplus of flour beyond the wants of the Colony.

From living in such poor habitations at first, and from being unaccustomed to the climate, great numbers sickened and died. Especially among the children was the mortality fearful.

From the terrible mortality caused by cholera and the leaving of those in fear of the disease, the Colony was at one time reduced to 414 souls. These survived the plague and had the hardihood to remain. At the time Mr. Jansen was murdered, in May, 1850 (an account of which is given elsewhere), they were suffering from sickness, desertion and death ; and the fact that these had the fortitude to remain amid such a multiplicity of discouragements, was proof conclusive of the earnestness of their conviction that they were called to suffer, and, if need be, to die in demonstrating the true methods- of Christian, fellowship. In erecting the large buildings for dwellings, in the manufacture of cloth, in the erection of large mills, in their frugal industry, and in their honest endeavors to promote their welfare, spiritually and temporally, during all these trials of poverty, sickness, death, desertion and strangers in a strange land, a lesson of commendable zeal may be learned and an example of fortitude which has few equals in the history of the country.

By the year 1853 or 54 affairs were brightening and prospects grew better. Other emigrants came, other buildings were erected and the hopes of the early Colonists began to be realized.

Brick buildings, capable of accommodating from eight to double that number of families, were erected. In these each family had one or more rooms. All worked together, and at meal time repaired to the large dining-rooms and partook of food provided for all. Each one was required to labor, and after receiving sufficient clothing and food from the products, the remainder was used to purchase more land or erect additional buildings. ' Human nature is the same in all ages and among all people, and here, as well as elsewhere, were those who would not perform their share of the labor or provide for the common good. By the year i860 it was found that the theories of Mr. Jansen would not prevail in practical life, and a division occurred.

By this year all the large brick buildings spoken of were erected. At this time they wer^ divided into two parties, known as the Johnson (Jansen) and Olson parties. The former being more numerous, obtained about two-thirds of the property ; the latter the remainder. No serious difficulties arose from this division, and the individual affairs were conducted on the same plan heretofore pursued.

The following year the .Olson party were divided into three diyisions or parts, and the Johnson party made an individual distriDution of their lands 'and town property.

It was soon found that it was better for all to be thrown upon an individual responsibility, and a distribution of all property belonging to this party was made. To every person, male or female, that had attained the age of 35 years, 22 acres of land, one timber lot (nearly two acres), one town lot, and an equal part in all barns, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, or 'other domestic ,animals, and all farming implements and household utensils were given. All under this age received a share corresponding in amount and value to the age of the individual, no discrimination being shown to either sex. The smallest share was about 8 acres of land, a correspondingly small town and timber lot, and part of the personal property.

The same year, in April, the town was laid out by the Trustees, Olef Johnson, Jonas Erickson, Swan Swanson, Jonas Olson, Jonas Kronberg, Olef Stenberg and Jacob Jacobson. In r86r the Olson party, being divided into three factions, continued to prosecute their labors under the colony system. One year's trial, however, convinced them of the results. These factions were known as Oison, Stoneberg and (Martin) Johnson divisions, which, at the close of the year r86i, divided their property to the individuals comprising each faction, on the basis adopted by the Johnson party in i860. The shares were, however, not quite so large. The large brick buildings are now principally owned by the old settlers. » room which could be utilized for that purpose. The school-room was therefore constantly changing, until the erection of the large frame building spoken of, when the upper room in it was occupied for a number of years. In 1858 or '59 a school-house was erected. It contains four rooms for school purposes and a library.

!HE village of Bishop Hill is a prosperous station on the Rock Island & Peofia.Rail- ^ road, occupied almost entirely by Swedes, foreign-born, and the younger generation- of , them born in this county. Here, among the old, you will hear only the Swede language, and among the young, a curious mixture of Swede and English. They are all,, however, educated in Eng^ lish, and it is bu{ a few years until'this will be practically the only language spoken among them. The town has a population of 350 souls, and excellent school and church buildings.

The Swede Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1864, with twenty members, the principal of whom were: Eric Bengtron, Jonas Engstrom, Eric Soder, Jons Watstrom, George Ericson. Meetings at first were held in the Bishop Hill Schoolhouse, and in private residences. Soon after the organization a wagon -shop was, bought for $400, and Church services were held in the second story of this building until i868j when a church building was erected, at a cost of $3,500. In their order the preachers were N. O. Westergreen, Peter. Chairman, A. J. Anderson, Eric Shogren, W. K. Eklund and J. E. Bergren.

There are over 200 in the congregation, with a flourishing Sunday-school. A few years ago several of the members of this Church, emigrated to Kansas, where they now reside.