Western Township

Western Township

ANDERSON ANDREW, Farmer, Sec. 3, P.O. Orion; born in Sweden, Sept. 15, 1824; came to this county in 1852; Rep; Meth; owns 162 acres of land, valued $6,480; came direct from Sweden to this county, remained two years and moved to Minnesota, remained there nine years, thence back to this town; name of wife was Martha Anderson, born Feb. 13, 1823.. married Oct. 29, 1838, in the old country; have had eight children, only four now living: Anna Maria, born March I, 1839; Harriet Sophia, born Dec. I, 1841; Christian, born Oct. I3. l853; John Henry, born May 16, 1857.

ANDERSON JOHN M. Farmer, Sec. 16, P.O. Orion; born in Sweden, Jan. 31, 1823; came to this county in 1857; RePJ Luth; owns So acres of land, value $4,800; son of Andrew and Elizabeth Olson, Mr. Anderson and his mother emigrated to this county together, name of his wife was Clara M. Erickson, born June iS, 1843, married Sept. 14, 1866; have three children living and one dead; Andrew Nathaniel, born Sept. 4. 1867; Christina Josephine, born March I, 1870; Hulda M. born Nov. 26, 1872, and died July 23, 1873; Hulda Albertine, born July 23, 1874.

BLACKFAN BENJAMIN R. M.D. Farmer, Sec. 27. P.O. Orion;bornin Delaware Co. Pa. Nov. 27, 1827; came to this Co. in 1864; Dem; Lib; owns 160 acres of land, val. $12,- 800; son of Joseph Blackfan, of Bucks Co. Pa., who graduated at the Pennsylvania Medical University of Philadelphia in 1812, it being the only medical institulion in the U. S. at that time, and died in 1864; Mr. B. K. Blackfan's mother (Hannah) died in Delaware Co. Pa. in 1844; name of wife was Amanda H. Trego, daughter of James Trego, of this town, born Aug. 14, 1837, married Aug. 19, 1857; have two children, James T. born Oct. 21, 1858, May T. Dec. 8, 1864.

BLACKFAN SAMUEL, Farmer. Sec. 27, P.O. Orion; born in this town July 5, 1843; parents came to this town in 1841; Rep; Meth; owns 60 acres of land, val. $7,000; son of William and Elizabeth K. Blackfan; name of wife was Hannah M. Thomas, born Nov. 13, 1841, married Sept. 3, 1867; had two children; the eldest, Willie H. died Feb. 12, 1869, abtut one year old; Edgar T. born Oct. 23, 1871; Mr. Blackfan's mother, Elizabeth K. was credited as the compiler of the township history, as elsewhere recorded. in this work; she was also prominent among the ladies of this town in destroying the liquor traffic and breaking up the grog shops in 1856; its positive effect was apparent for several years,

BRIGHAM FRANCIS E. Farmer, Sec. 33, P.O. Orion; born Aug. I, .1826; son of John M. Brigham, of Whitingham, Vt; came to this county in 1860; Rep; Bapt; owns 160 acres, val. $9,000; wife's name was Meliscent A. Brown, daughter of Rufus Brown, Esq., of same town, married Jan. 16, 1855; have lost four children; none living.

BLODGETT HANNAH A. Farmer, Sec. 10, P.O. Orion, born in Groton, Mass, on June 9, 1828; came to this county in 1853; Bapt; owns 120 acres of land, val. $7,200; wid. of Ezra F. who was son of William Blodgett, of Tyngsborough, Mass, and born June 10, 1824, died Feb. 14, 1870; Mrs. Hannah A. was daughter of Jefferson Taylor, of Dunstable, Mass., who came to this state 1854 and died 1873, at Moline; married Ezra F. Blodgett May 2, 1850; have three children, Joseph T. born March 7, 1852, George E. born Sept. 22, 1860, Mary E. born April 5. 1865; have lost two boys and three girls; Joseph T. Blodgett married Flora A. Bigelow July 21, 1875, of Stowe, Vt.

BLODGETT ELSIE J. Retired, Sec. 17, P.O. Orion; born in Nashua, N. H. Aug. 13, 1832; came to this county in 1858; Bapt; the estate contains 240 acres, valued $14,000; was daughter of Asa Barnes, of Hillsborough, N. H., wid. of Josiah Blodgett, married Sept. 14, 1858; Mr. Blodgett was son of Wm. Blodgett, of Tyngsborough, Mass, born Sept. 27, 1826; came to this county 1849; died July 24, 1865; was among the first settlers of this Tp; have two children living, Josephene, born Sept. 16, 1859, Walter J. born Nov. 14, 1865; Mary E. born Dec. 6, 1862, and died May 14, 1875.

BOTHWELL LEONARD R. Farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Orion; born in Jefferson Co. N. Y. April 28, 1838; came to this county in 1860; Rep; Meth; owns 120 acres of land, val. $8,400; Vol. Eleventh Ohio Battery, was engaged in the battles of New Madrid, Corinth, and luka; in the last received three wounds before leaving the field, and on account of which, after four months' time, was honorably discharged; was son of David Bothwell, of N.Y; name of wife was Florence D. Lloyd, daughter of Mahlon B. Lloyd, the first settler of this town, born May 12, 1844, married June 6, 1867; have had six children, three living, Ada, born May 31, 1868, Herbert L. born Feb. 24, 1874, Amelia, born Oct. 16, 1875; is Tp. Collector.

BURNS JOHN M. Farmer, Sec. 30, P.O. Orion; born in Clinton, Allegheny Co. Pa. Sept. 9, 1826; came to this county 1857; Ind; Pres; owns 560 acres of land. val. $35,000; son of Robert Burns, of Pa; Mr. John M. at the age of twenty-six, went to California by steamer via Panama, returned via Nicaragua route; remained there about three years, and soon after returning to his native town came to this county with less money to make a start as a farmer than many of our young men receive for a year's salary; name of wife was Ester, daughter of Samuel Meanor, of Clinton, Pa. born Jan. 29, 1828, married Oct. 18, 1849; have two children, J. Sanford, born Nov. 25, 1851, Mary Jane, born Sept. 17, 1856.

BUCK GEORGE W. Farmer. Sec. 6. P.O. Coal Valley; born in Chautauqua Co. N.Y. April 19, 1834; came to ibis couniy in 1838; Rep; Lib; owns 63 acres of land, val. $4,000. son of Roswell Buck, of N.Y; has held the office Collector and Road Commissioner; Vol. in Co. C, H2th 111. I.; was out about three years and mustered out of the U. S. service at Greensborough, N.C; name of wife, Mary A.Glenn, daughter of James Glenn, born July 18, 1844, married July 8, 1863; Mrs. Buck's father is the oldest living settler of Henry County, Dr. Baker being the first, now deceased; Mr. Glenn built the first house, Dr. Baker making his home with Mr. Glenn a long time; Mr. Buck has three children, James Dana, born April 22, 1866. George B. born July 31, 1868, Mary Eliza, born Dec. 7, 1874.

CHASE MEBBICK, Farmer, Sec. 29, P.O. Orion; born in Douglas, Mass. Dec. 13, 1811; came to this county 1873; Rep; Lib; owns 100 acres of land, val. $6,000; son of Benjamin and Sarah Chase, of Worcester, Mass; moved to Vt. when about four years old, lived there forty-two years, then moved to Washington Co. N.Y., lived there about fifteen years, then moved to this town; has three brothers and one sister still living; name of wife was Sarah M. Brigham, of Whitingham, Vt. born Aug. 12, 1816. married Sept. II, 1834; six children, Sylvester S. born Sept. 3, 1835, Rebecca E. born Feb. 10, 1839, John B. born May 6, 1841, Charles E. born Jan. 19, 1844, Sarah M. born Oct. :2, 1847, Addison M. born Oct, 30, 1855; no deaths ever occurred in his family.

CUBBIN JOHN, Farmer, Sec. 14. P.O. Orion; born in County Donegal, Ireland, Aug. 1845; came to this county in 1861; Dem; Cath; owns 80 acres of land, value $4,800; son of William Currin, of the Old Country; stopped nine months in Philadelphia, thence to this county; name of wife was Sophia Lind, daughter of Samuel Lind, of Sweden, born Nov. 18, 1847; married Dec. 16, 1870; have two children, Mary Ellen, born Aug. 4, 1871, John S., born May 24, 1874.

DILLEY ISAAC R. Farmer, Sec. 17, P.O. Orion; born in Braxton Co. Va. July 20, 1837; came to this county in 1856; Rep; Univ; owns 86 acres of land, value $4,500; son of Abraham Dilley, of Rock Island Co. who emigrated to Illinois in 1840, from Virginia; name of wife was Indiana Huston, daughter of T. W. Huston, born Jan. 28, 1848; married Sept. 27, 1868; have had three children, two living, Mary Alma, born March 12, 1870, Almira Jane, born Sept. 23, 1871, died July 13, 1872, Thomas Isaac, born March 20, 1874.

DUNCAN THOS. Farmer, Sec. 2O, P.O. Orion; born in Ireland, Nov. 21, 1835; came to this county in 1861; Ind; Pres; owns 106 acres of land, value $6,000; son of James Duncan, County Antrim, Ireland; vol. Co. C, H2th 111. I.; was out about three years; was besieged at Knoxville twenty-eight days on eight days' rations; was wounded at the battle of Resaca, Ga. and laid up in the hospital nine months; name of wife, Elizabeth Bolles, daughter of Jesse Bolles, born Oct. 28, 1835, at Thompson, Ct; married Feb. 7, 1862; four children living, Lenora B., born April 30, 1866, William E.; born Aug. 17, 1869, James T. and Jesse B. (twins), born Aug. 7, 1873; Mrs. Duncan's first husband was James Ludi, leaving one son, Nelson J. Ludi, who died Jan. 1857.

DYAL AMOS, Farmer, Sec. 14, P.O. Orion; born in Allegheny Co. Pa. March 7, 1834; came to this county in 1856; Ind; Bapt; owns 160 acres of land, value $10,000; son of Wm. H. Dyal, of Ohio, whose father was in the war of 1812; Mr. Dyal moved to Coshocton Co. Ohio, with his father, in 1845, lived there eleven years, thence to this county; first wife was Isabel! McFarland, of Holmes Co. Ohio, born Feb. 8, 1839, married Nov. 27, 1860, and died Sept. 4, 1872, leaving two children : Ida Eliza, born Oct. I, 1861, Robert K., born July 18, 1866; second wife was Marietta Talbut, born Dec. 12, 1841, married Oct. 25, 1874; she was widow of M. L. Hovey, who died Sept. 4, 1872.

ENGLE HUDSON B. Farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Orion; bom in Burlington Co. N. J. Nov. 4, 1821; came to this county in 1844; Rep; Quaker; owns 80 acres of land, value $6,000; Son of Joseph and Hannah Engle; Mr. Joseph Engle died in 1831; Hannah, his wife, died 1855; Hudson B. was one of the first settlers in this town, only four houses built before his own; name of wife was Sarah Elwell, born in Springfield, Mass. Dec. 16, 1830; Mr. and Mrs. Engle were married by the Rev. I. Pillsbury, Nov. n, 1847, being the first couple married by a clergyman in the town; Mr. Engle has sold pork for seventy-five cents per hundred pounds, wheat for twenty-five cents per bushel, and cnrn for ten cents, since living in this town; have had eight children, seven living : Julia Burr, born Oct. 19, 1848, Flora Luella, born Nov. 24, 1852, May Rebecca, born Nov. 10, 1854, Anna Gertrude, born Dec. 22, 1856, Charles Henry, born Dec. 19. 1863, William EUvood, born March 19, 1870, Hudson Burr, born Jan. 15, 1872; Elizabeth Blackfan, deceased at three months old.

FERGUSON THO3IAS, Farmer, Sec. 6, P.O. Sunny Hill; born in County Antrim, Ireland, March 17, 1826; came to this county in 1857; Rep; U. Pres; owns 150 acres of land, value $9,000; son of Jas. Ferguson; Mr. Ferguson came to the U, S. in 1847, lived at Pittsburg ten years, then to this county, and now feels proud of his adopted country; name of wife 'was Jane Grant, born in Morayshire, Scotland; married Aug. 1850; have eight children, James A., born May 5, 1851, Ann, born May 6, 1853. Jane, born April 12, 1855, William, born April 10, 1857, Ella, born Jan. 22, 1860, Sarah May, botn Feb. 14, 1864, Harriett Belle, born March 28, 1870, Carrie Twilo, born May 28, 1872; James A. graduated at Monmouth College, class of 1876; is now at the U. Pres. Theological Seminary of Allegheny City, Pa.

FIELDS JOHN T. Farmer. Sec. 30, P.O. Orion; born in Belmont Co. Ohio, Oct. 16, 1831; came to this county in 1863; Rep; Lib; owns 200 acres of land, value $12,000; first settled in Bureau Co. lived there about five years, then removed to this town; son of John Fields, whose father was under General Washington all through the Revolutionary War, and one of the guards over Major Andre, who was hung as a spy; first wife was Rebecca Dillon, married Feb. 21, 1865, and died May 19, 1871, leaving two children, Guy D., bom May 29, 1866, Agnes A., born Sept. 10, 1867; second wife was Amelia, daughter of Wm. Jordan, married Feb. 26, 1874.

GABRIELSON ERIC, Merchant and Stock Dealer, Orion; born in Sweden, Feb. 18, 1849, came to this county in 1854; Dem ; Ind; owns house and lot worth $500; son of Charles Gabrielson, of Andover; name of his wife was Josephine, daughter of Just Hufflund, now residing in this township, born Jan. I, 1850, married Aug. 5, 1874; have one daughter, Estella N., born Dec. 31, 1875; Mr. Gabrielson is a General Dealer in all kinds of Merchandise, and Stock Shipper, also Agent for Foreign Passage Tickets, and sells Foreign Exchange.

GUSTAFSON JOHN G, Farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Orion; born in Sweden, April 20, 1844; came to this county 1851; Rep; Lib; owns So acres of land, val. $5.000; son of Andrew Gustafson, now of Missouri; name of wife was Elizabeth Weech, daughter of Joseph Weech, from England, born Feb. 9, 1851; married Dec. 25, 1871; two children: Joseph A., born Feb. 7, 1873; John A., born Jan. 6, 1875; his father first settled in Lynn Tp., and was among the first of his countrymen to this part of the Co; Mr. Gustafson has eight brothers and one sister living in this country; Mrs. Gustafson has four sisters and five brothers.

HAMMER ALBERT A. Farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Orion; born in this town Aug. 14, 1856; Luth; lives on the estate of 40 acres of land, val. $3,000; son of William A. Anderson, whose name was changed in accordance to the Church rule to Hammer soon after coming to this country; Mr. Hammer was among the first Swedish settlers in the town in the year 1851; no one did more to make his country people comfortnble, or devoted more time in looking up home* for them and suitable places to make a start in this their chosen country, than did Mr. Hammer; Mr. Albert A. Hammer's mother died in the Winter of 1865, and his father, William A. soon followed her to the unknown - only two weeks intervening between their deaths - leaving three small children behind them: Albert A. (the subject of this sketch), Peter A., born Jan. 19, 1858; Amelia, born Feb, 14, 1860.

HAMOR NATHANIEL, Farmer, Sec 29; P.O. Orion; born in Pa. Dec. 25. 1842; came to this county 1858; Rep; Lib; owns So acres of land, val. $5,ooo; son of Evan Ilamor, now of this town; volunteer in Co. C, !O2d 111. J; was with Gen. Sherman in his campaign and march to the sea; name of wife Mattie A., daughter of Allnd rr.d Elizobtlh Joidan; her grandfather on her mother's side, Daniel H. Jfjip, was the first white man settling on the Seneca Reservation in Ohio; married Dec. 20, 1866.

HA3f N"A JOHX M. Farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. Orion; born in Westmoreland Co. Ohio, March 15, 1835; came to this county in 1841; Dem; Lib; owns 160 acres of land, val. $9,000; son of Roberc a.id Prisciila Hanna, who left Pennsylvania for Ohio 1836; remained there four years, then to Stark Co. in this state one year, thence to Shaubena Grove in this county; was among the first settlers in that part of the county; Mr. Kobt. Hanna died in 1859; his wife Prisciila died some years before; name of Mrs. John M. was Martha Bleeks. of Crawford Co. Ohio, born Aug. 16. 1838; married Nov. 6, i8;6; have two children: Charles R., born June 14, 1859; George B., bom April 8, 1862; Mr. Hanna settled in this township in 1870.

HIGG-IXS LEVI, Grain Dealer, Orion; born in Preble Co. Ohio, 8th of June 1829; came to Henry Co. 1853; Dem; Lib; owns 200 acre«, val. $12,000; town and personal property $25,000; is County Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, also one of the proprietors of the Town Plat; wife's name was Martha J. Adams, born igth of Jan. 1829; married July 16, 1846; six children: Sarah Eliza, married Ellis T. Brawley; MaryC., married D. R. Michener; Minnie A., Effie L., Arthur E., and Hattie L.; one of first settlers.

HOFFLUND JUST, Farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. Orion; born in Sweden 1806; came to this county 1851; Rep; Meth; owns 80 acres of land, val. $5,000; son of Nicholas Hofflund, of Sweden; name of wife, Anna Colson, born Oct. 4. 1810; married June 15, 1834; have seven children living: Charles J., born Oct. II, 1835; Mary Louisa, born Jan. 28, 1839; Hannah Sophia, born Oct. I, 1841; Gertrude Lottie, born Dec. 28, 1843; Alexander, born Aug. 28, 1847; Josephine, born Jan. I, 1850; G. Frederick, born Dec. 17, 1854; Mr. Hofflund was among the first of his country people to this town.

HUSTOX THOS. W. Farmer. Sec. 17; P.O. Orion; born in Dearborn Co. Ind. April 17, 1823; came to this county in 1852; Rep; Universalist; owns 130 acres of land. val. $7,500, also 120 acres in Mo.; son of Joseph Huston, who emigrated from N. H. to Ohio in 1811, and enlisted in the war of 1812, as drummer-boy, under Capt. Gest; name of wife was Mary A. Horham, of Dearborn Co. Ind., born March 20, 1826; married Sept. 14 1843, whose father was also in the war of 1812, and was taken prisoner, but escaped, and then emigrated in 1815 to Ind. from Vt.; Mr. Huston has six children: Polly E., born July I, 1844; Indiana, born Jan. 28, 1848; Dearborn, born Nov. 28, 1849; Olive, born May 18, 1851; Mary A., born June 24, 1855; and Delila A. born Dec. 19, 1866. V

JOHNSOX HENRY, Merchant; Milling; Orion; born in Sweden, June 22, 1832; came to Henry County in 1848; Dem; Ind; owns So acres, valued at $3,000; town and personal property $6,000; wife was Catherine Abrahamson, married May I, 1858; have two children, boys, Oscar Linne, born Sunday, Aug. 31, 1873, and Andrew Oliver, born Monday, April 17, 1876; was one of the first settlers of the town; has been School Director.

JOHNSON SAMUEL, Farmer, Sec. 35. P.O. Linn; born in Sweden, Sept. 22, 1805; came to this county in 1846; Rep; Luth; owns 90 acres, valued at $5.000; son of John Nelson, of Sweden; name of first wife was Christine Larson, who died 1849; two children, Jno. M. born 1829, Samuel Henry, born 1831; both sons milling in Orion; name of second wife Anna Eliza Samuelson, born Nov. 5, 1807; married March 6, 1850.

JONES DANIEL, Farmer, Sec. 6, P.O. Coal Valley; born in South Wales, Sept. I, 1806; came to county 1856; Rep; Lib; 70 acres, $4,500; son of Lewis Jones, from South Wales; name of wife Mary Jenkins, daughter of Wm. Jenkins, of same place; born May, 1812; married Feb. 22, 1834; six children living, Lewis, born Jan. 4, 1836; Walter, born Feb. 3, 1837; William, born Sept. 19, 1841; Mary Martha, born Jan. 25, 1848; Richard, born April I, 1850; Daniel, born June 18, 1853; in the year of 1854 the body of a Swede was found by N. Huntoon, while running a mowing machine on the farm now owned by Daniel Jones; the body was so far decomposed that the coroner ordered it to be buried near where found; no clue ever was found to the cause of his death.

JONES BEES, Farmer, Sec. 5, P.O. Sunny Hill; born in Brecon Co.'S. Wales, Dec. 18; 1822; came to this county in 1857; Rep; Pres; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $4,000, and 160 acres in Kansas, and 200 acres in Carroll Co. Iowa; name of wife was Mrs. Margaret Jones, born June I, 1820; married July 5, 1852, in Pottsville, Pa.; have two children, Margarite Ann, born Feb. 25, 1861; Samuel, born July 10. 1865; Mrs. Jones has one son by her first husband, William R. born May 13, 1846; Mr. Jones and family emigrated to this country alone, without kith or kin or friends, first to Pa. and lived there ten years, and then to this county.

JORDAN JAY, Farmer, Sec 36, P.O. Orion; born in Cook County, this state, Sept. 16, 1849; came to this county in 1872; Rep; Lib; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $5.000; son of Thbs. and S. N. Jordan, now of Orion; the elder Mr. Thos. J. once lived in this Tp. when the Indians were very numerous; name of wife was Hannah J. Dunmire, born Dec. 26, 1850; married Jan. 5, 1872; have had four children, two living, Edward, born Oct. 2, 1874; Albert, born Jan. 29, 1876; Mr. Jordan offered himself to the army, but was rejected on account of age.

KELEHEK DANIEL L. Farmer, Sec. 14, P.O. Orion; born in County Kerry, Ireland, Aug. 20, 1836; came to this Co. in 1856; Ind; Cath; owns 240 acres of land, val. at $16,800; son of Daniel Keleher, who died in Ireland 1846; Mr. Keleher is breeding Poland-China and pure-blooded Berkshire pigs; also Norman horses; name of wife was Ellen Currin, daughter of Wm. Currin, of Co. Donegal, Ireland, born June 10, 1837; married Jan. 19, 1863; have four children, Mary Ann, born Feb. I, 1864; Ellen B. born Jan. 17, 1866; Daniel C. born Aug. 21, 1870; Ida E. born June 8, 1875; held official positions about twelve years.

KELEHER THOMAS, Farmer, Sec. 14, P.O. Orion; born in County Kerry, Ireland, March 15, 1842; came to this Co. in 1866; Ind; Cath; owns 80 acres of land, value $5,600; vol. Co. H. 15131 111. Inf. under Col. Woodhall; was soon detailed on detective duty, under Major Tracy, in the State of Georgia; was son of Daniel Keleher, of County Kerry, Ireland; name of wife was Christine Olson, born in Sweden, June 8, 1845; daughter of Olef Bengtson; married Dec. 16, 1870; have one child, Ida, born March 9, 1872.

KINTtAID M. P. Attorney, Orion; born in Virginia, in 1850; came to this county 1869; Ind. in pol. and relig; graduated in the law department of the Michigan University, in the class of 1876.

KINSEY SHARLOT F. Mrs. Retired; P.O.Orion; born in Burlington, N.J; daughter of Joseph and Hannah Engle, July I, 1817; came to 111. 1841; Quaker; married Amos B. Kinsey 1841; three children, Whorton J. married Lucette Harland, 1868; Hannah E. married Wm. Myers, 1869; Mary Ella, married Wm. W. Slater, 1872; owns house and lot, val. $1,200.

KNOWLES THOS. E. Prop. Livery and Sale Stable, Orion; born in Bradford Co. Pa. came to this county 1857; Rep; Lib; son of Henry and Elizabeth Knowles, from England, who came to the U. S. 1833; married in Philadelphia, June 25, 1836; Mr. Knowles died Oct. 29. 1865, leaving nine children, five sons and four daughters; Thos. E. Knowles runs a livery, keeps horses ready at all times for the gayest as well as the most sedate.

L AWSOX ANDREW P. Farmer, Sec. 7, P.O. Sunny Hill; born in Centre Port, Sweden, May 25, 1824; came to this county in 1857; Rep; Luth; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $10,000; son of Louis Gustafson, of Sweden; Mr. Lawson has held an official position for some time in the church; name of wife was Britie Erickson, born Aug. II, 1820; married March I, 1846, died Oct. I, 1874, leaving three children. Chas. P. born July 28, 1853; Gust, born March 10, 1859; Albert, born April 24. 1864.

McCAXDLESS WILLIAM, Farmer and Merchant, Sec. 29, P.O. Orion; born in Allegheny County, Pa. Nov. 18, 1810; came to this county 1854; Dem; Pres; owns 220 acres of land, value $13,200; son of Alexander McCandless, who died Oct. 1848, leaving eight children, all but one still living; was in the War of 1812; name of wife was Elizabeth McEwing, of Philadelphia, born June 17, 1826; married Aug. 26, 1862; Mrs. McCandless' first husband was Isaac A. Walker, of Pa. who died Aug. 12, 1860, leaving two children, Anna Mary, born June 17, 1850; Francis I. born July II, 1852.

MAWBY VINCENT H. Farmer; Sec. 20; P.O. Orion; born in Iowa Oct. 8, 1852; came to this county in 1874; Rep; Lib; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $5,000; son of Bartholomew, who with three sons enlisted in the late war and honorably discharged, all of which were born in England; name of wife was Sarah Jane McHenry, born April 9, 1835; married Mr. Mawby July 3, 1875; her first husband, Edward Bell, left two children, John J. and Elmer E.: Mrs. Mawby was one of the eight ladies who destroyed the liquor and broke up the sale of whisky in 1856 in this town.

MEALMAN ADAM, Farmer; Sec. 13; P.O. Orion; born in Franklin Co. Pa. Aug. 25, 1822; came to this county 1858; Dem; U. Breth; owns 240 acres of land, value $17,000; son of John K. and Catherine Mealman, who emigrated from Pa. to Rock Island Co. 1839; family consisted of six boys and four girls; his father, Mr. John K. was in the war of 1812; his grandfather was a British soldier, brought over to this country to fight our forefathers, deserted immediately on his arrival, joined Washington's forces, fought like a true and valiant soldier all through the revolutionary war; first wife was Harriet Kimball, born April 19, 1827, married April 15, 1847, died Dec. 27, 1865, having had six children: Kasia, born Dec. 20, 1848; William, Jan. 8, 1851; Russell, July 3, 1853; Sarah, Jan. 31, 1856, died April 3, 1857; Maria, March 10, 1858, died Oct. 19, 1876; John R. Dec. 25, 1860, died Feb. 24, 1875; Clarissa L. Aug. 17, 1863; second wife, Rachel L. Dyal, born April 22, 1844; married Dec. 27, 1866; three children: Minnie E. born Feb. 22, 1868; Edna E. May 19, 1870; Hattie M. Feb. 19, 1873.

MONTGOMERY SAMUEL E. Farmer; Sec. 6; P.O. Sunny Hill; born County Down, Ireland, June 20, 1830; came to this county 1857; Rep; U. Pres; owns 60 acres of 'land, value $4.500; son of James Montgomery, who died in this town May I, 1871, aged "6 years; name of wife was Catherine McNamara, born March 7, 1834, daughter of John Mc- Namara. of Ireland; married Dec. 5, 1851; have six children living: William, born Dec. 6, 1855; Margaret Jane, April 12, 1858; Georgiana Washington, April 22, 1862; Samuel, July 26, 1865; Elizabeth Agnes, Oct. 9, 1867; Mary Emma, March 31, 1870; Mr. Montgomery emigrated to the county in 1848, from Scotland, and was in the U. S. Service two years in the late war.

MORTON JOSEPH, Farmer; Sec. 2; P.O. Orion; born in Butler Co. Ohio, Jan. 27, 1835; came to this county 1856; Rep; Meth; owns 160 acres of land, value $9,600; son of Zalmunna and Clarissa Morton, who settled in Adams Co. 111. in 1848; are direct descendants from the Plymouth company of New England; name of wife was Margaret J. Gate, of Quincy, 111, born Dec. 10, 1841; daughter of Joseph and Sarah Cate, of Hancock Co; married Oct. 13, 1868; have had five children, four living: Clarissa J. botn April 4, 1871; Geo. Melville, April 19, 1873; Clarence Edwin, Oct. 3, 1874; Luella A. March 19, 1876.

MORRISON ROBERT, Farmer; Sec. 7: P.O. Coal Valley; born in Down County, Ireland, Oct. 13, 1826; came to this country 1850; Rep; Pres; owns 139 acres of land, value $8,400; came direct from Ireland to Rock Island County, then to this county; name of wife was Margaret McLean, born Dec. 13, 1827, came to this county 1849; married July 31, 1853; two eldest children are dead; three living: Joseph Robert, born March 22, 1860; William John, Oct. 21, 1862; and Margaret, July 28, 1867.

G. \V. photographer; Dem; born Eng. 1849; to 111. 1855. OUGH HENRY, Orion; carriage maker; born Eng. OUGH THOS. Orion; carriage maker; Rep; born Eng. OWENS JOHN, Orion; merchant; Rep; Lib.

PETERSON ANDREW M. Farmer; Sec. 23; P.O. Orion; born in Sweden Aug. 27? 1828; came to this county 1852; Rep; Luth; owns 520 acres of land, valued $31,200; son ot Peter and Mary Christine Johnson; Peter Johnson died in the old country in 1866; Mary, his wife, then came to this county, and is living here now; name of wife was Gary L. Swansen, born Sept. 18, 1827; married March 29, 1857; have had seven children, five now living: Maiy Louisa, born April 24, 1859; Caroline Sophia, Nov. 17, 1860; Emma Matilda, Feb. 6, 1863; Christine Charlotte, Jan. 26, 1865; Ida Josephine, July 20, 1871; there were only five houses in the town when Mr. Peterson came here.

PETTERSON N. P. Farmer; Sec. 33; P.O. Orion; born in Sweden, Nov. 28. 1812; came to Henry Co. 1849; RePJ Luth; owns 160 acres, valued at $9,000; was one of the first settlers of this Tp; son of Peter Nelson, of Sweden; wife's name was Eva Caroline Johnson; married March, 1842; have seven -children: Anne Maria, Margaret Charlotte, John Peter, William (who married Josephine C. Petterson Nov. 4, 1876), Carl Erick Albert, Alfred, Arthur Edward, and Nels August.

SAMUELSON CHARLES, Farmer; Sec. 35; P O. Oiion; born in Sweden Nov. 1827; came to this county 1852; Rep; Luth; owns 320 acres of land, value $19,200; came to the U. S. in 1851, stopped six months in N. Y, then direct to this county; holds the office of School Director; name of wife was Hannah Maria Swanson, born March 22, 1833; married Sept. 12, 1856; seven children, all living: John Albert, born May 29, 1857; Peter August, Nov. 6, 1858; Charles Edward, Sept. 4, 1860; Jonas Victor, April 15, 1864; Gust Oscar, Sept. 26, 1866; Hannah Amelia, Jan. II, 1869; Minnie Matilda, Nov. 26, 1871.

SAMUELSON JOHN, Farmer; Sec. 25; P.O.Orion; born in Sweden, Dec. 5, 1835; came to this county in 1852; Rep; Meth; owns 400 acres, value $24,000; volunteered in Co. C, 43d 111. Inf. appointed serg't; was in eight battles, among which were Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, and Jenkins Ferry in Arkansas; was in service three years; name of wife Mary Larson; mairied May 31, 1867; three children : John Warren, born June 17, 1872; Arthur Herman, Aug. 8, 1874; Edward, Jan. 9, 1877; there were only seven families in this town when he came here; built a fine residencei876, centennial year; seventy Swedes who died with the cholera soon after arrival here, were buried on his farm in one grave.

SCOTT ARCHIBALD, Farmer, Sec. 19, P.O. Orion; born Beaver County, Pa. Dec. 6, ' 1806; came to this county in 1857; Dem; Pres; owns 253 acres of land, value $15,000; son of Win. Scott, who \vas major in the Reaver Co. Militia in the War of 1812, and died with camp fever, contracted while at Erie, Pa.: Mr. Scott moved from Washington, Pa. direct to this town; name of wife was Elizabeth McCandless, daughter of Alexander McCandless; has three children. Mary Elizabeth; Alexander M. C., Jennie Georgetta; Mrs. Scott's first husband was James Ewing, who left four children; her eldest son, Samuel Ewing, owns 87 acres of land, value $5,500, and lives with Mr. Scott.

SELLERS WM. Farmer, Sec. 18, P.O. Orion; born Warren Co. Ohio, July II, 1827; came to county in 1862; Rep; Luth; 136 acres, value $7.500; son of George Sellers, of Ohio, who was under Gen. Harrison in the War of 1812; one of his most prominent battles was that in which Tecumseh was killed, name of wife was Sarah A. Surface, born Sept. 3. 1841, married Jan. 12, 1859; s'x children, five living. James M. born Dec. 3, 1859; Elmer E. born Nov. 21, 1862; Mary E. born April 9, 1865; Minnie and May (twins), born April 6, 1868, Minnie died in infancy; Stanley, born May 10, 1873.

SMITH JNO. F. Farmer. Sec. 12, P.O. Orion; born Edford Township, Nov. 10, 1854; Dem; Luth; owns 320 acres of land, value $19,200; son of William Smith, who emigrated from Maryland direct to this county in 1849, and still lives on farm first purchased; only three houses in Tp. when Mr. Smith arrived, buying a farm on which one of these houses then stood; Mr. John F. Smith, grandfather on mother's side: Andrew Emert died Sept. 22; 1876, aged seventy-seven years; Mr. Smith has four sisters, Maggie A. who married Dr. Lawbaugh, ot Phcenix, Mich; Carrie, Ella C. and Emma L; parents living in Edford.

SMITH WILLIAM L. Farmer, Sec. I; P.O. Orion; born in Alleghany Co. Maryland, April 29, 1842; came to this county in 1872; Dem; Lib; owns 170 acres oMand, value $8.000; son of Ernest H. Smith, W. Virginia; Vol. Co. B, 2d Iowa Inf.; was out about three years; was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, in the latter received a severe wound in the right knee; name of wife was Maria E. Edwards, born May 14, 1849, married Feb. 22, 1873; have one child, William Hemy, born Nov. 30, 1873; Mrs. Smith has one son by her first husband, Abram S. Byerrum, born Nov. 8, 1868.

SNIDER DAVID T. Farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Orion; born in Virginia, Dec. 25, 1835; came to 111. in 1866; Rep; Meth; owns 242 aares, value $16,000; son of James C. whose grandfather was captured by the Indians, when a small boy, and held by them about four years, and when regained by his parents could only remember the name of a mountain near by his father's house, and his book with the letter O in it; name of wife was Hannah Ramsey, daughter of Ira Ramsey, of Monongalia County, W. Virginia, born Nov. 25, 1841, married March 4, 1860; three children, James Ira, born Jan. 31, 1861; Emery, born Nov. 25, 1864, and Luther, born July 25, 1867.

SULLIVAN HENRY, Tenant, Sec. 17; P.O. Orion; born in Ontario Co. N. Y. June 8, 1832; came to this county in 1856; Rep; Lib; works 300 acres of J. S. Keater's land, value $20,000; son of Wm. whose father was all through the Revolutionary War; Wm. Sullivan had five sons in the late war; one son (Marvin), was killed at Stone River battle; Geo. and Solomon were nearly starved to death at Andersonville, were there nine months; name of wife was Lois McKibben, born May 27, 1835, married June 2, 1850; had seven children, six living; Alba W. born May 15, 1852; Myron H. born May 27, 1855; Sarah M. born May 30, 1858; Mary E. born Feb. 15, 1862; Samuel K. born May 7, 1866; Frank E. born April 23, 1871; Mrs. Sullivan had three brothers in the late war.

SWANSON CARLE M. Farmer, sec. 34; P.O. Orion; born in Sweden, 1809; came to this county in 1849; Rep; Luth; owns 56 acres, value $3,000; son of Charles G. of Sweden; wife was Ann Eliza Johnson, born 1817, married in 1837; have three children: Charles G. born 1838; Christina Charlotte, born 1843; Emma Matilda, born 1857; Charles G. married Christina Louisa Erickson; Christina C. married John Johnson; Emma Matilda married John Samuelson; Mr. Swanson was one of the earliest Swedish settlers.

SWANSON GUST. ALFRED, Farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. Orion; born in Sweden, 1839; came to this county in 1853; Rep; Luth; owns 154 acres of land, value $10,000; son of John Swanson, who came direct to this county from Sweden, and died in 1869; Mr. Swanson's mother is still living in Lynn Tp.; name of wife was Carolina Christina Larson; married Jan. 25, 1869; have four children : Joseph Enoch, born May 10, 1870; Luther E. born Jan. 12, 1872; Christina Sophia, born May 29, 1873; Alfred Nathaniel, born June 17, 1875; Vol. Co. H, H2th 111. I. as Alfred Swanson; honorably discharged at Greensborough, N. C. from the U. S. service, June 20, 1865.

SWANSON JOHN VICTOR, Farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. Orion; born in Sweden, Sept. 6, 1835; came to this county in 1853; Rep; Luth; owns 240 acres of land, value $14,400; elder brother of G. A. who, with his parents, came direct from Sweden, Jan. 8, 1846; name of wife was Anna Maria Petterson, daughter of N. P. of this town; married March 28, 1863; six children : Hannah May, born Feb. I, 1864; Joseph Albert, born Jan. 25, 1866; John Nathan, born Oct. 13, 1868; Charlotte Amelia, born May 12, 1871; Luther Edward, born Oct. 17, 1873; Charles Aaron, born Nov. 22, 1875.

TALBOT ALFRED L. Tenant, Sec. 14; P.O. Orion; born Cambridge, in this county, Aug. 15, 1851; Dem; Bapt; rents 80 acres of land of A. Dyal; son of William Talbot, who was one of the pioneers of this county, and has nine children, six boys and three girls; the latter are married and live in this county; the elder Mr. Talbot has been a leading and official member in the Baptist Church of Cambridge for thirty years; Mr. Alfred L. married Hannah H. Kane, of South Bend, Ind. Jan. 28, 1875; she was born Aug. 28, 1855; have one daughter, Edna May, born Nov. 13, 1876.

THOMAS GEORGE W. Nurseryman, Sec. 20; P.O. Orion; born in Litchfield County, Conn. Jan. 24, 1843; came to this co nty in 1857; Rep; Bapt; son of William R. now of Conn.; Vol. Co. C, H2th 111. I. under Col. Henderson; was engaged in the siege of Knoxville; was on the right in the charge at Atlanta, Aug. 6, 1864, also at the battle at Nashville, and remained under the Col. now a Genl. till the close of the war; name of wife was Emma A. Farrand Allegan County, Mich, born June 5, 1858; married at Pierson, Montcalm Co. Mich. Aug. 18, 1872; two children, Minnie May, born July 10, 1873; Mabel E. A. born Jan. 16, 1877.

TREGO JAMES, Retired; P.O. Orion; born in Bucks County, Pa. Aug. I, 1807; came to this county in 1856; Rep; Quaker; son of Mahlon Trego; wife was Abbie V. Herron, born April 6, 1806, in N. J.; married Feb. 24, 1834; two children, Scudder H. and Amanda H.; Scudder H. married Emma A. Kinsey in 1855. and has two children, Joseph P. and Lizzie B.; Amanda H. married Benjamin R. Blackfan.

TREGO THOMAS W. Farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Orion; born in this state, June 19, 1849; came to this county, 1855; Rep; Lib; living on his father's farm, So acres, value $5,000; son of H. S. and Rebecca B. Trego, of the Quaker faith, formerly from Bucks County, Pa.; his father, H. S. first settled in Mercer Co. in 1840, and one of the first settlers of this town, and has held many town offices; while living in Mercer Co. was among the sufferers by the great tornado of 1844, when many of his friends and relatives lost their lives; Mr. Thos. W. has one sister, who married Dr. Wm. L. Craig, of Pa. who died in 1873.

WAL.LERSTADT LARS A. Farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Orion; born in Sweden, Aug. 28, 1827; came to this county in 1852; Rep; Luth; owns 200 acres of land, val. $12,000; son of John Wallerstadt; now holds the office of Trustee of the Lutheran Church; name of wife was Sophia Erickson, born May 28, 1831, whose father emigrated to this county 1852; married Dec. 31, 1853; have seven children living and three deceased, Frank Alexander, born Nov. 29. 1854; Charles Joseph, born Sept. 17, 1857; Simon Lucius, born O t. 28, 1861; Henry Cornelius, born Sept. 21, 1864; John Albert, born June 7, 1868; Lamiel Edwin, born April 22, 1870; George William, born Aug. 3, 1872.

WARD FRED. B. Farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Orion; born in Washington", D. C., March 20, 1843; came to this county 1867; Dem; Univ; owns 226 acres, val. $12,000; son of Commodore James H. Ward, U. S. Navy, who was killed at Mathias Point, Va. 1861, and grandson of Col. James Ward, Hartford, Conn; Mr. F. B. Ward now lives upon a ^ Sec. of land located with a land warrant given to his grandfather for services in the War of 1812; Mr. Ward graduated in the Class of 1864 in the College of the City of New York; name of wife was Julia B. Engle, daughter of Hudson B. Engle, of Orion; born Oct. 19, 1848; married June 17, 1869; have four children, Sarah W. born April 24, 1870; Fanny B. born Sept. 1871; Amy, born May 9, 1873; Ruth B. born Oct 18, 1875.

WARNER WILDER W. Farmer, Sec. 3; P.O.Orion; born Worcester Co. Mass. Oct. 10, 1828; came to this county in 1849; son of Elias and Mary A. Warner (maiden name Mary A. Lawrence); Rep; Bapt; owns 400 acres of land, val. §20,000, and 800 acres in Kansas; Mr. Warner came to Rock Island in 1848, ihen to this counly. and followed schcol leaching about twelve years; has held (he offices of Justice of the Peace. Assessor, Supervisor nnd Notary Public for several successive terms; was a member of llie 2Sth session of the Illinois Legislature; name of wife was Olive Washburn, of Mass, born Jure 19. 1834; married Oct. 10,1854; have six children. Wilder W., born Aug. 10, 1855; Mary E., l;orn July 19.1857; Wilmot S., born Feb. 22. 1859; Lawrence C'., born Feb. 27, 1861: F'rank C.. born Feb. 4, 1863; Maria A., bom Feb. 21, 1665; Mr. Wainer's grandfather, Eiias Watner, was in the battle of Bunker Hill in the War of the Revolution.

WESTERLUND PETER, Farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Osco; born in Helsingland, Sweden, Aug. 10, 1839; came to this county in 1850; Rep; Luth; owns 320 acres of land, val. $19.200; son of Eric A. Westerlund, who died 1869; Elizabeth, his mother, died on the ocean, while coming to this country; holds the office of School Trustee; name of wife Elnora C. S. Hullman, born July 7, 1843; married Feb. 17, 1863; have six children, Oscar W., born Nov. 14, 1863; John A., born June 10, 1865; Augusta M , born June 5, 1867; Emma E., born March 13, 1869; Arndt L., born March 18, 1871; Peter E., born Jan. 24, 1876; Mr. Westerlund was one of the twelve men who explored the Rio Grande River, in 1860; they started from Pike's Peak with ox teams, without guides or road, in a southwesterly direction, as the general make of country would lead them, until they reached the head waters of the river, then followed it down to Albuquerque, New Mexico, then sold their outfit, and made three boats, and, in opposition to all advice and appeals, started down the unknown river over eight long rapids or falls, where no man was ever known to go before and come out alive; one of which is a point where all the natives claim the river passes under the mountain, and proved it a false idea, only having that appearance, caused by a right angle of the river, where the rocks are 1,000 or more feet high; landed at El Paso safely, and sold their boats for $50 cash, as trophies of a feat never before performed.

WILSON WILLIAM C. Farmer, Sec. I; P.O. Morristown; born in Norway, Feb. n, 1839; came to this county in 1857; Rep; Lib; owns So acres of land, val. $4,500; came to the U. S. in 1853; stopped first at Quebec, Wisconsin, Iowa, and then to 111. in 1857; volunteer 37th III. I., under Col. White, of Chicago, afterwards was under Col. Black; was in battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove. Chalk Bluff, siege of Vicksburg, and the fall of Mobile; was honorably discharged at Camp Butler, 111; enlisted as a private and rose to a Captaincy, and served in the United States Army four years and ten months; name of wife was Ellen E. Showalter of this state, born July 2. 1845; married Dec. 6, 1866; have five children, Mary E., born Oct. 2, 1867; Adella I., born Sept. 20, 1868; Clara A., born Oct. 28, 1869; J. Canby, born May 6, 1873; Ralph K,, born April 6, 1875; lost one boy.

Business Directory Orion

Gabrielsotl Eric, Dealer in General Merchandise; Produce and Stock shipper; sells Foreign Exchange and Passage Tickets to all European ports.

Keleher Danl. L. Breeder Poland-China, and thoroughbred Berkshire Pigs; also Norman Horses not surpassed in the State. No pains has been spared in the selection of this stock. Sold at reasonable terms. Res. Sec. 14.

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; 1,516 words in this source stream.

Western Township

Colony, which first settled in Western Town^ ship. The company, in July, 1839, through their authorized agents, Killbourne and Buel purchased- in townships 15 north, 1 east, and 16 fk about $7 ,000. Kilbourne and Buel were paid $25 for each quarter-section, and the premium money was then to build a hotel, a seminary and a slush fund, to lobby through the Legislature a charter for a seminary, and also procure a charter for a Beet- Root Sugar Company, as well as have a State road located and made from the mouth of Rock River to Hennepin. Mr. Kilbourne lobbied two seasons at the Legislature. These brilliant schemes came to naught. A wing of the great public house was put up in township 16 north, 1 east, in 1836. Afterwards it became the home of Mr. Denton. Some of the timbers of the main building (30 x 40), were got out and hauled to the ground from Richland Grove, a distance of seven miles, and they lay unused on the

(j ' grounds for a few years, and were finally sold to J. B. Trego, who used them in constructing a barn. The colonists were to come out, and each was to build on his piece of land. Alfred Buel built his house near the company's hotel, and some one erected another frame house, but never occupied it. These were the entire improvements of the new town, and in after years they were sold to the Bishop Hill Colony, of which a full account is given in another place.

In the fall of 1837 M. B. Lloyd purchased of the La Grange Company 240 acres, paying $3.33 per acre. He could have got thousands of acres in the county just as good for $1.50 per acre. He built the first house outside of the town, about two miles distant. Albert and Francis Wells bought of the company a half-section in 1838. They were from Sing Sing, N. Y. Francis Wells came out and brought a large lot of Berkshire hogs, and fenced his farm with a sod fence, and entered upon raising hogs for the New York market. He raised quite a crop of corn, and had to carry water to his hogs. They became diseased, many died, and a part he slaughtered, took to Knoxville, and sold at $1.50 per 100. He sunk about $4,000 in his hog speculation, and having a horse and $10 left he mounted and turned his horse to the East, and left the country. His abandoned house was divided out piece-meal among the neighbors, and when last heard from Francis was in California in the hot pursuit of wealth. He was a man of edu- cation, a lawyer by profession, but, like the majority of graduates who came West, with only the bright but superficial ideas of the school-room, are signal failures nearly always, the only exception being those young men who are enabled to throw off the education that has cost them so much time and money as thqpgh it was a loose-fitting cloak, and as quickly learn that practical education of life that adapts men to their surroundings.

William Blackfan removed from Pennsylvania and settled two miles west of La Grange in 1839. Dr. Alfred Trego soon followed, and two other families from Bucks Co., Pa., came in 1840. This last named was known as West La Grange. These constituted the settlements in this part of the county for ten years. Dr. Robert D. Foster bought 1,100 acres of th t company's land in 1847, and the next year sowed 200 acres in wheat. This crop and his improvements, and all his lands, he sold to the Bishop Hill Colony. Buel removed to Galena in 1844 and died there. Blackfan died on his farm in 1841. Dr. Trego removed to Mercer County.

fand most enterprising is Orion. It stands almost in the center of Western Township, is surrounded by magnificent farming country, has excellent railroad accommodation, and is looked upon by the people, for miles around, as an excellent-trading point. It is on the Rock Island Divisof the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, at the junction north of the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad, 18 miles south of Rock Island, and 12 miles from Cambridge.

Mahlon B. Lloyd, the first settler to locate in Western Township, came' as early as 1837. He was an enterprising business man, and did much to advance the interests of the township. His son Charles was the first white male child born in the township, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth K. Blackfan was the first female child born in the township. Dr. Alfred Trego came in 1840, and a year later the Blackfan family came in, and by 1852 there were but five families living in the township. These were M. B. Lloyd, H. B. Engle, Edward

Blackfan, George Anderson and Elizabeth Blackfan and her family. The latter was the widow of William Blackfan, who died in 1843. This lady, though so early left a widow with a large family upon her hands and in a new country, displayed rare business ability, and succeeded in gaining considerable property, as well as to prove an earnest worker for the moral growth of the place.

As early as 1850 a postoffice was established in thevtownship, called Orion. Mrs. Blackfan was appointed Postmistress, and held the position until it was moved to Orion in 1853. In JDecember of that year Charles W. Dean laid out Orion, which for some time was known as Deanington. In 1867 it was christened' its present name. Mr. Dean immediately erected a store-building, and embarked in the grocery business. But little growth, however, was attained until the completion of the railroad, which was in the autumn of 1870. The coming of the' iron horse awakened many new enterprises. Buildings went up on every hand, stores and shops were opened, and the business of the place soon quadrupled. There -are excellent schools at this point, three, prosperous churches, a bank, a weekly newspaper, and all the necessary appointments for a first-class town. x

In 1852, when there were but five families in the township as above mentioned, it was determined to' erect a school building, and a tax was therefore voted. The school-house was erected on Mr. Lloyd's farm, the site of which is at present almost within the corporation of Orion. Charles Dean erected the building, at a cost of $140. In 1854, it was moved to Orion, and the following year the first school at this place was opened by Charles Moon. Great progress has since been made in the facilities for accommodating the children in this place, and to-day Orion can justly boast of one of the best schools in the county.

In 1853, the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the school-house above mentioned, while it was standing on Mr. Lloyd's farm. John and Mary McHenry, Henry and Mary Kyle, and Eliza J. McWhinney were among the first members. Rev. G. W. Brown was the first appointed minister. Meetings were held in the school-house until 1867, when a commodious church building was erected, at a cost of $3,500. Rev. F. M. Chaffee was the first resident Presiding Elder of the Methodist Episcopal

Church of Henry County. , He lived at Orion in the parsonage that was built here in 1873, at a cost of $3,poo. Rev. A. R. Morgan is the present Presiding Elder of this district, and he also resides at Orion.

The -Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church is one of the oldest religious organizations in the county. On the 21st of November, 1843, a few earnest members of this denomination met at the house of V. W. Washburn, in Colona Township, and effected 'an organization. Among those present were Luke C. and Mrs. Mary A. Sheldon, N. W. and Mrs. Elizabeth Washburn. It received but few additions for many years. Meetings were, however, held in schoolhouses, and finally the congregation .moved to Orion and erected a good house of worship, costing about $5,000.

The Swedish Lutheran Church effected an organization May 26, 1870, having at the time 30 members. For a time the meetings were held in the Baptist Church, when they erected a large house of worship; costing $4,500, and later erected a good parsonage.

Th« United Brethren Church, known as the Eden Church, located on section -16 of this township, was organized in 1867. Meetings, however, were previously held, under the charge- of Rev, St. Clair Ross and Rev. D. F. Blair. There were 28 persons present at the organization. Shortly afterwards a pleasant church structure was erected, costing about $2,000.

,- The business men of Orion are worthy the liberal patronage they receive from the farmers of the surrounding country. They display commendable enterprise in looking after their trade, as well as holding out inducements to a good class of people to come and locate here, Personal sketches of the leading business men of the place, as well as its most prominent citizens, are given in the biographical part of this Album.