The following pages describe the history of each township in Adams County as described by the book "Past and Present of the City of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois" by the S.J. Clarke Publishing Co, printed in 1905. Although the Thompson Settlement is listed below under townships, it is not a township, but an early settlement. For some reason, it is listed under Townships in the book.

To go directly to a particular township, simply click on the name of the township below.

BEVERLY TOWNSHIP BURTON TOWNSHIP CAMP POINT TOWNSHIP CLAYTON TOWNSHIP COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP CONCORD TOWNSHIP ELLINGTON TOWNSHIP FALL CREEK TOWNSHIP THE THOMPSON SETTLEMENT GILMER TOWNSHIP HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP HOUSTON TOWNSHIP KEENE TOWNSHIP LIBERTY TOWNSHIP LIMA TOWNSHIP MCKEE TOWNSHIP MELROSE TOWNSHIP MENDON TOWNSHIP NORTHEAST TOWNSHIP PAYSON TOWNSHIP RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP URSA TOWNSHIP PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY 315

William Ross,of Pike…...... 1834 H. S. Davis, of Adams...... 1876 Thomas H. Owen……………………...... 1834 J. H. Hendrickson, of Adams...... 1876 George Galbraith, of Adams……...... ……1836 Thos, G. Black, of Adams...... 1876 James H. Ralston, of Adams...... 1836 Absalom Samuels, of Adams...... 1878 Archibald Williams, of Adams...... 1837 Jos. N. Carter, of Adams...... 1878 A. Williams, of Adams ...... 1838 Samuel Mileham, of Adams ...... 1878 Wm. G. Flood, of Adams...... 1838 Jos. N. Carter, of Adams...... 1880 Robert Star, of Adams ...... 1840 John McAdams, of Adams………………….1880 William Laughlin, of Adams ...... 1840 Wm. A. Richardson, of Adams ...... 1880 Jno. G. Humphrey, of Adams ...... 1842 Thomas G. Black, of Adams ...... 1882 O. H. Browning, of Adams ...... 1842 James E. Purnell, of Adams...... 1882 A. Jonas, of Adams ……………………….1842 James E. Downing, of Adams ...... 1882 R. W. Star, of Adams ...... 1842 Fred P. Taylor, of Adams...... 1884 P. B. Garrett, of Adams...... 1842 Samuel Mileham, of Adams...... 1884 A. Wheat, of Adams ...... 1842 Wm. H. Collins, of Adams...... 1884 Peter Lott, of Adams ...... 1844 Albert W. Wells, of Adams...... 1886 William Hendrix, of Adams ...... 1844 Ira Tyler, of Adams...... 1886 William Miller, of Adams ...... 1844 Wm. H. Collins, of Adams...... 1886 I. N. Morris, of Adams...... 1846 A. S. 1VIcDowell, of Adams...... 1888 William Hendrix, of Adams ...... 1846 Albert W. Wells, of Adams...... 1888 James M, Seehorn, of Adams...... 1846 Ira Tyler, of Adams...... 1888 E. H. Buckley, of Marquette, then attached Ira Tyler, of Adams...... 1890 to Adams...... 1846 Jonathan Parkhurst, of Adams ...... 1890 O.C. Skinner, of Adams...... 1848 Geo. C. McCrone, of Adams ...... 1890 John Mariott; of Adams ...... 1848 Mitchell Dazey, of Adams ...... 1892 J. R. Hobbs, of Adams ...... 1850 Joel W. Bonney, of Adams...... 1892 J. M. Pittman, of Adams ...... 1850 Geo. C. McCrone, of Adams...... 1892 J. W. Singleton, of Brown...... 1851 Elmer A. Perry, of Brown ...... 1894 John Moses, of Brown...... 1852 Geo. W. Dean, of Adams...... 1894 J. Wolf, of Adams ...... 1852 Chas. F. Kincheloe, of Adams ...... 1894 J. W. Singleton, of Brown...... 1853 Chas. F. Kincheloe; of Adams ...... 1896 H. Boyle, of Adams ...... 1853 Ellmer A. Perry, of Brown ...... 1896 Eli Seehorn, of Adams ...... 1854 Geo. W. Montgomery, of Adams...... 1896 H. V. Sullivan, of Adams ...... 1854 William Schlagenhauf, of Adams ...... 1898 Samuel Holmes, of Adams...... 1856 Jacob Groves, of Adams ...... 1898 M. M. Bane, of Adams...... 1856 Elmer A. Perry, of Brown ...... 1898 M. M. Bane, of Adams ...... 1858 Wm. Schlagenhauf, of Adams ...... 1900 W. Metcalf, of Adams...... 1858 John M. Murphy, of Brown...... 1900 J. W. Singleton, of Brown...... 1860 Jacob Groves, of Adams ...... 1900 W.C. Harrington, of Adams...... 1860 Wm. Schlagenhauf, of Adams...... 1902 A. E. Wheat, of Adams...... 1862 Jacob Groves, of Adams...... 1902 William Brown, of Adams...... 1862 Irvin D. Webster, of Pike ...... 1902 Thomas Redmond, of Adams...... 1864 Campbell S. Hearn, of Adams...... 1904 Wm. T. Yeargain, of Adams...... 1864 R. B. Echols, of Adams...... 1904 Henry L. Warren, of Adams...... 1866 Trvin D. Webster, of Pike...... 1904 P. G. Corkins, of Adams ...... 1866 Thomas Jasper, of Adams...... 1868 John E. Downing, of Adams ...... 1868 Geo. J. Richardsori; of Adams...... 1870 CHAPTER LVII. Joseph Stewart, of Adams...... 1870 H. S. Trimble, of Adams...... 1870 THE VARIOUS TOWNSHIPS-THEIR ORGANIZATION Maurice Kelly, of Adams ...... 1870 AND DEVELOPMENT. Ira M. Moore, of Adams ...... 1872 Charles Ballou, of Adams...... 1872 N. Bushnell, of Adams ...... 1872 BEVERLY TOWNSHIP John Tillson, of Adams...... 1873 A. G. Griffith; of Adams...... 1873 The township of Beverly is situated thirty-one Ira M. Moore, of Adams...... 1874 miles southeast of the city of Quincy, in the R. H. Downing, of Adams...... 1874 southeast corner of Adams county, the county of J. C. Bates, of Adams...... 1874 Pike lying south and east: The first permanent 316 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY settlement was made by Azeriah Mayfield, in of the time as an orderly sergeant, he was dis- 1832, on Section 21, and was the only settlement charged, and coming to Illinois in 1824 or 1825, until 1834, when James Sykes, Jr., and John B. located on the land granted him by the govern- Robertson, with their families from New York, ment for his services, being the northwest corner settled there, and in 1835, James Richardson, Sr., of Section 28. Samuel Cutler, Wm. Raymond, Hon. Archi- Thaddeus Pond and family came to the town- bald Williams, Jacob Stafford, and others, and ship in 1829, and located on the southwest cor- from that time the accessions to their population ner of Section 15. were more rapid.. These, mainly, entered Con- John Wigle was living in the year 1831, on gress land, and soon it was mostly taken up, Section 28, near where the town of New Liberty leaving nothing but the military land open for now stands, and had for his neighbor Joseph Fer- purchasers; but for lack of confidence in the guson, who resided about two miles west from titles the latter was not purchased until 1840, him, near where the old Dunkard meeting house when it began to sell rapidly, and the best of it stood. Dennis P. Meachem had located near the was early taken by those who still continued to southwest corner of the northeast quarter of Sec- come into the township. tion 20. Abraham Hunsaker, Jno. Hughes and In this township are two small villages, Bev- Geo. Wolfe, with their families, were located erly and Kingston. along the western line of Section 18. Lewis Beverly village was laid out in 1856, on Sec- Simpson, Jacob Hunsaker, and Eli Littleton were tion 21, by an association composed of John B. located along the west line of Section 19, and Robertson, Wm. Raymond, Chas. W. Billington, Samuel Hunsaker on the northeast of Section 30. Samuel Reynolds and Archibald Williams. Long Davis on the northwest of Section 30. Jo- Beverly contains several churches, and a town seph Rhodes and Andrew Hunsaker on the south- hall for holding elections and other meetings. west of Section 30. Jno. McBride on southwest This hall was built in 1850 for a church. The of Section 31, which is now the west part of Lib- first church was built in 1864 by public subscrip- erty township. As most of these settlers had tion. The first school house was built in 1837, and large families, quite a little settlement was was destroyed by a tornado in 1844. The formed. first teacher was Henry Benson, who taught two At about the same time Samuel Ferguson had quarters, and. was employed by the trustees at located near the southwest corner of Section 2, $23 per month, the citizens agreeing to pay one- in Burton township ; Jacob Sharp, at the south- third by subscription, the balance from the school west corner of northwest of Section 3 and Wm. fund. Richards on northwest of Section 7. Wm. Medford, Beverly postoffice was established in 1837, the first school teacher in the township, and and Mr. John B. Robertson appointed postmas- who was also a Methodist preacher, was living ter by President Martin Van Buren. For thirty- on the southeast of Section 8. four years Mr. Robertson kept the postoffice at During the fall of the same year, Abram and his house, and then six years in the village, and Alvin Conger, with their mother, Joseph H. Chil- at the age of eighty-six resigned on account of ders, the widow Norton, Henry C. Davis, with deafness. their families, arrived from the State of Ken- The first mill was built in 1843, on Section 20, tucky and located on Sections 5 and 8. Mr. by William Raymond and Ben Kenney, and was Franks and family, who came with the same run by ox-power. The first blacksmith shop was party, settled on the northwest of Section 6, in run by Edward L. Grosch. The first store was Richfield township. Henry Clingingsmith and owned by Thomas Thompson. The first preacher in family, with his single brothers, Daniel and John, the township was Mr. Browning. and his brother-in-law, Jno. Strader, were lo- The village of Kingston ( Fairweather P. 0.) cated on Section 18; near the Burton spring. is situated very finely in the northwest corner of Henry and John Doty, both single, were located the township. It is an enterprising little town, on the southwest of Section 17. and is said to have one of the finest Masonic Other settlers who came to the township halls in the county. about this time, including Layston, Ray, Reuben This township is equally divided between tim- Wright, McNab, James and Elijah Thompson, ber and prairie, and is classed among the best from some cause or other soon pulled up stakes, townships in the county. and journeyed to other lands, some to Texas. BURTON TOWNSHIP. others to Iowa. Elijah Thompson returned The first white settler in Burton township was from Texas in 1834, and settled on the south- Elias Adams, a native of New York State, and east of section 12. a soldier of the War of 1812, in Capt. Forsythe's In November 1831, Laris Pulman and wife rifle company. After serving for five years, part arrived in Burton township, from the State of New York, having come the entire distance in a 317 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY two horse wagon, drawn by horses which were Giles S.Lewis, and H. L.Tandy, were chosen nearly old enough to vote, being each eighteen deacons. J. T. Richards, clerk; H. L. Tandy, years old. Mr. Pulman located on section 26. treasurer. At the organization the church num- There were coal beds worked on sections 25 bered thirty-six members. In the fall of 1873, and 36, from sixty to seventy years ago, by a meeting house was built and dedicated, costing blacksmiths and others who hauled it to Quincy, about $4000.The first pastor was Elder Kelly, but the construction of the C. B. & Q. railroad in March, 1874. This church also maintains a effectually crushed the enterprise by furnishing large Sunday School. cheaper transportation from the beds at Col- At a meeting held Jan. 25, 1839, at Newtown, chester. Adams County, called for the purpose of tak- Wm. H. Tandy was the first supervisor and he ing into consideration the desirability of organ- was succeeded by Abraham Vickers; Joseph Pull- izing a Presbyterian Church in that place, it man, Wm.V. Humphrey, Louis Pullman, Wm. was unanimously resolved by the persons pres- Richards, Chas.Tripp, A. M. Samuel, Reynard ent at the meeting to take the initiatory steps Cook, Geo.W. Dean, Geo. R. Stewart, Ray toward organization. Messrs. Wells, Roe, and Wheeler, and S. S. Nesbitt. Warren Miller,were then appointed to lay the J. S. Pullman was the first town clerk; A.F. subject before the Congregational Church in Price, assessor ; Jos. Leveritt, collector. Payson, and ask the concurrence of that church The village of Burton was laid out and in their action, and letters of dismissal for all located on the southwest quarter of section 7, by persons desiring to indentify themselves with Elijah M. King; about the year 1836.Paris T. the new organization. In due time, the commit- Judy kept the first store, E.S. Beardsley, the tee above named, submitted the matter to the first tavern, and David Karnes, the first black- Payson Church, which gave its unanimous ap- smith shop, which were located on section 18. proval and granted to all persons wishing to The first wagonmaker was Samuel Cooper. The identify themselves with the new organization, village has something less than a hundred in- letters of dismissal and commendation. A meet- habitants, a blacksmith and wagonshop, a school ing to perfect theorganization of a Presbyterian house and two churches. Church was called and held Feb. 26, 1839. Burton School was established about 1847, The first minister in charge of the church was the board of directors being Joseph H. Childers, Rev.Thomas Cole.The first ruling elders of the Josiah Richards, and Granville Corbin, J. Rich- church were Wm.Wells, Lewis Roe and ards being treasurer. J. P. Cadogan was the Warren Miller. During this period of the first teacher who ever taught the district. history of the church, differences arose among The first church was organized by Caleb Sew- the members which led to a division, and the ell,who was a Free Will Baptist minister organization of the Newtown Congregational. from Lowell, Mass. Subsequently the Methodists Church. organized a church under the leadership of The Burton I.0.0.F. Lodge was instituted Daniel Hughes. The Methodists were the last and officers installed on the 8th day of August, to proclaim the Gospel in the old school building, 1877, by W. W. Stockwell, Acting Deputy and modestly retired to the new church known as G.M.P.M. of Quincy, and W. Piggott, G. Pleasant Grove Church. The building was V.G. James Benneson, G. Sec., Dr. Bonney, G. repaired in 1868, and was burned on the night Marshal, and Bro. Bristol, G. treasurer. The of December 18, 1875. organization and institution of the lodge, notwith- Pleasant Grove M. E. Church was built standing the exceeding unfavorableness of the in 1866, at a cost of $3,000. It was dedicated by weather, was well attended by visiting brethren Rev. Reuben Andrus, D. D. The board of trus- from Quincy and Liberty; J.W. Grimes, M. tees at the time of building the house was Gar- D., B. F. Grover, C. J. Korney. rett Stewart, Elijah Thompson, Daniel Hughes, The first officers elected were : N. G., Geo. J. Dan. H. Corbin, John S. Wilson and Jas. Ship- Schaffer;V.G., R. Cook ;secretary, P. R. Meyers man. The number of members was then twenty. treasurer, F. M. Stall ; warden, John H. Rumpf. Among those who contributed largely to aid in Appointed officers: 0. S. G., Henry Meise; the building of the church were Daniel Hughes, conductor, F. M. Stall. The charter members who moved to Payson ; James Shipman, who were: Geo.F. Schaffer, R. Cook, F.M. Stall, moved to Kansas ; E. B. Hughes, J. F. Hughes, J. H. Rumpf, P. R. Meyers, A. Michels and Garrett Stewart and many others. A well at- A. Meise. The lodge is now in an active and tended and flourishing Sabbath School is main- prosperous condition. tained. CAMP POINT TOWNSHIP. The Baptist Church at Newtown was organ- (By George W. Cyrus.) ized May 24, 1873: Elder Gibson, moderator, "Indian Camp Point" was the designation and H. L. Tandy, secretary. Chas. M. Morton, of a point of timber extending into the prairie in 318 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY the present limits of the village of Camp Point, A horse mill was erected by John Newland on as known by the early settlers and travelers who the north side of Section 5, about 1838, where the passed that way during the latter part of the pioneers could get their corn converted into meal twenties and early thirties, from the fact that while they waited and worked their horses on the it was used by the aborigines as a camping power. In 1844, Peter B. Garrett erected a card- ground when journeying between the Missis- ing machine and the next year added a grist mill, sippi and Illinois rivers. When a petition was the power being furnished by a tread wheel on circulated to secure a postoffice at Garrett's mill which oxen worked. Later steam power was it was thought the name was too long and the added and the mill having been since rebuilt is "Indian" was omitted. now occupied by W. A. Berrian & Co. with mod- The first settlers in the township were Daniel ern machinery. Casco Mill was built in 1866 by Smith and James Lasley, brothers-in-law, who Thomas Bailey, Silas Bailey, William L. settled on Sections 28 and 29 in 1828. In the Olliver and Ormond Noble. It has been disman- fall of 1829 Lasley sold his improvements to tled, but the old building still stands. Jezreel Shomaker who lived there for several Lewis McFarland established the first tannery years. In 1830 a man named Callev, and his back in the thirties and he was the first justice of son-in-law, Rand, settled on the northeast quar- ter the peace in the township. Benjamin Booth of Section 27; Lock settled on the northeast opened the first blacksmith shop at an early day quarter of Section 22 and Jonathan Brown on which cannot now be ascertained, and in 1846 the southeast quarter of Section 3. In, 1831 James H. Langdon started a second at Garrett's Lock sold his improvements to William Wilkes Mill. Granderson M. Hess opened the first gen- whose descendants still own the place. In 1832 eral store in 1854. The Northern Cross railroad Samuel McAnulty, William McAnulty and reached Camp Point in February, 1855, and the Lewis McFarland settled on the north half of village was platted. The land owners were Section 3. During the fall of 1835 there came Thomas Bailey, Peter B. Garrett, Benjamin several families who became well and widely Booth and William Farlow. known and whose descendants are among our The township was organized in 1850 out of most stable citizens : Mrs. Wallace and her Congressional township one north, range six sons, James A. and Adam Rankin, Rezin Down- west, and Thomas Bailey was the first super- ing and his sons (except John, who came the visor. He was succeeded by James E. Downing, year before), Peter B. Garrett, and Richard Vixen P. Gay, Silas Bailey, Thomas J. Bates, Seaton. RichardA. Wallace, George W. Cyrus, Charles The first school house was built in 1836 on V. Gay, Frederick A. Morley, Matthew W. Peter B. Garrett's land in Section 26 and a man Callahan and James R. Guthrie. named Brewster was the first teacher. The sec- The first newspaper was the Camp Point En- ond was built on Section 29 in the spring of terprise, established by W. R. Carr in 1866. It 1840 and our venerable townsman, Thomas was printed in Augusta, where Carr also issued Bailey, a real live Yankee, was the first teacher. the Augusta Banner. The paper was sold the The third school house was built on the south- next year to E. E. B. Sawyer who moved the west quarter of Section 12, and P. W. Leet was the plant to Camp Point and sold it in 1870 to J. M. first teacher employed. & J. E. Kirkpatrick who conducted it for two The first church was also built on the south- years when it suspended. The material was pur- west quarter of Section 12 in 1848, by the Meth- chased in January, 1873, by George W. Cyrus odists and it was named "Hebron" and the and Thomas Bailey who began the publication of church is still maintained by that denomination. the Camp Point Journal. In 1876 Bailey sold The second church was erected for the Cumber- out to his partner who has conducted it to the land Presbyterians on Section 28, but the build- present time. ing was torn down many years ago and the con- Thomas Bailey began the banking business in gregation dispersed. Camp Point in 1868 and after several changes Thomas G. Stevens opened the first store in of ownership the bank is still doing business un- the township in 1850 and sold groceries, later der the name of the Camp Point Bank. adding a stock of whiskey, but the citizens ob- In 1866 the first graded school house was jected to the traffic in the latter article and held erected but not completed until the next year. It a meeting at which it was decided to buy Ste- was built in a large block of ground which was vens' stock of liquor and destroy it. They raised planted to maple trees and the school was labeled the money, proceeded to the store and told "Maplewood," which title it has worn ever since. Stevens of their decision. He protested that he Samuel F. Hall, of Princeton, Ill., was the first didn't want to sell at wholesale but the pro- principal and he took charge of the school in tests were unheeded, the barrel rolled out, and October, 1867. He was at its head for 18 years. The the contents poured on the ground. school soon obtained a large amount of at- 319 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY tention on account of its high standard and drew school started in the township, which was taught pupils from all parts of the county. It has always David M. Campbell, first school teacher of ranked high among the graded schools of the the township.This school had, at first, only state and is a source of pride to the people of one session, and that on Sunday, at the houses of the Camp Point. pioneers. The first marriage in the township was The Odd Fellows were the first to cultivate the that of Josiah Gantz to Miss Curl. They secret society field and a lodge was organized Oc- were united in wedlock by Rev. David Wolf tober 17, 1856. The Masons were next with a in the winter of 1830, on the farm of Wm. lodge in 1858. Other lodges have been started Curry. The first death was that of Sarah J., until there are now, enough to supply the de- infant daughter of David M. Campbell, in mand for a time. August, 1832. In those early days, hotels were "few and far CLAYTON TOWNSHIP. between" and accommodations meager, but This is one of the most beautiful and fertile "heart room-house room," was the prevailing townships in Adams county, her lands consisting motto with many of those noble men who came of rich prairies interspersed with groves of tim- to make a home and a fortune in the great West. ber bordering on little Missouri Creek, which has Among this number were David M. Campbell its course in the western portion of the township, and his kindhearted wife, whose hospitable na- and flows east, dividing it nearly in the center. tures never said no to a weary traveler seeking It is one of the richest agricultural districts in food and shelter. Though their cabin was but the county, and is bounded on the north by sixteen feet square they entertained and lodged Northeast township, south by Concord, west by as many as eleven of the aristocracy of Quincy Camp Point, and east by Brown county. The at one time. soil is a dark, vegetable loam, highly productive, The present village of Clayton was laid out in and nearly all tillable except the narrow bluff the year of 1834 by Chas. McCoy, Rev. Reuben along the little Missouri. The farms are highly K. McCoy and John McCoy, three brothers. cultivated, and the improvements of a fine char- The town was located on the northeast quar- acter. The staple crop is Indian corn, while ter of section 34. Charles McCoy was an ardent quite a large area is devoted to grass and grazing. admirer of Henry Clay, and so he named the in- Clayton, the only village in the township, is a fant town Clayton in honor of the great states- thriving place of over one thousand inhabitants. man. The Rev. R. K. McCoy was for thirty The main line of the Wabash Railway extends years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church across the township from east to west, a mile north at Clayton. He erected the first house in the of its southern boundary. At Clayton, the place during the summer of 1834. He died in Keokuk branch leaves the main line and runs in a 1874, after a long and useful life, and beloved by northwesterly direction. The Chicago, Burl- all who knew him. Chas. McCoy built and ington and Quincy Railway also touches the opened the first store with a small stock of goods, northwestern corner. but he sold it a few years later and it was re- The first white settlement made in this town- moved to Brown county. ship was in 1829 about two and a half miles It is related that Clayton had been partially north of the village of Clayton, by Obadiah settled, and not proving satisfactory to the pro- Nicks, who settled with his family on the north- jectors of the enterprise, the buildings were west corner of Section 23. David M. Campbell, nearly all moved out to farms, and the town was the second settler, came April, 1830, and located almost abandoned for a number of years, but it on the southeast of Section 21. In the fall finally began to revive after the railway was of 1830 Rev. John E. Curl settled on the built. Several additions have been made to the southwest of Section 31, and Jacob Pile, on original town of Clayton, so that it is now situ- Section 23. In the fall of 1831, Daniel Pile set- ated on parts of sections 27, 34 and 35, at the tled on the farm now owned by John Logue on junction of the Keokuk branch with the main on the southwest of Section 31, and Jacob Pile, line of the Wabash railway. It has had a steady, on Section 23. In the fall of 1831, Daniel Pile set- substantial growth and now boasts of a number tled on the farm now owned by John Logne on of churches, hotels, banks, wagon and black- Section 24. Mr. Pile was elected first justice of smith shops, a marble works; several dry goods, the peace in the township. After 1833, settlers millinery and grocery stores, hardware stores, flocked in rapidly, and public lands were soon barber shops, meat market, etc. It also has that converted into farms. In 1834, John Marrett, indispensable accompaniment of every prosperous Rev. R. K. McCoy, Chas. McCoy and Edward town, a newspaper printing establishment, called Davis settled in the town. The Clayton Enterprise. The people early took an interest in educa- The first school house was erected in the village tional matters, and as early as 1832, we find a 320 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY in 1836. Amos Andrews taught in it. In 1877 church was used for twenty-five years, when it the fine brick building, two stories high, with became inadequate and was removed and a fine seven rooms, was built, at a cost of sixty-five hun- brick structure erected in 1875, at a cost of $7,000. dred dollars. Between the years 1836 and '37, The Sunday School is quite large. several additions were made to the original build- Like all other advanced sections, we find here ing to supply the demands of the rapid growth of the Masonic order in a healthy condition, doing the vicinity, the last costing thirty-five hun- a good work. Now there are many members in dred dollars. Early in 1877 it was destroyed by the following orders : Clayton Lodge, No. 147, A. fire. In 1849 the Clayton Academy was built by F. and A. M., Clayton Chapter, No. 104, R. A. the First Presbyterian Church, and used for the M. and Delta Commandery, No. 48, K. T. The high school for a time. I. O. O. F. was organized in 1852, with Dr. T. G. The Old Settlers' Association of Adams and Black, N. G. Brown counties was organized at Clayton in the COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP. year 1869, the first president being John McCoy. Columbus township is situated about eighteen Annual reunions have been held at Clayton, with miles from Quincy in a northeasterly direction. the possible exception of one year, when it was The first settlement made in Columbus township held at Mt. Sterling. was in 1830, when James Thomas left Kentucky The Presbytery of Schuyler, at its spring meet- and settled here on section 30. He was followed ing in 1836, appointed a committee to organize a by Jacob Conner, Clements Wilks, George John- Presbyterian Church in Clayton. That commit- son, Mathew Ray, Philip Ray, George Smith, Wm. tee consisted of Rev. R. B. Dobbins and the Rev. Roseberry, W. L. Wilmot, and Jas. Wisehart. Cyrus Riggs, and Elder Joseph G. Walker. These The town of Columbus was laid out by County brethren met at the residence of the Rev. R. K. Surveyor Williams, under the direction of Wil- McCoy, in Clayton, to transact the business as- lard Graves, in March, 1835. signed them by the Presbytery, on the 9th day of The first sale of lots took place in March, 1836, April, 1836. and nearly one hundred houses were erected that The first minister was the veteran missionary, year. Francis Turner and John Robison also Rev. Reuben Kemper McCoy. For four years settled about 1835. Col. Geo. Smith, who figured after its organization the church had no house of prominently in the township, settled on section 4, worship, their religious services being held in October 20, 1836. Daniel Harrison and Abra- the district school building and wherever else the ham Jonas, settled in Columbus village in 1836 congregation could be assembled. Many of their and 1837. T. H. Castle, Frederick Collins, Clement most interesting meetings were conducted be- Nance and many others soon followed. neath the great forest trees on the camp-ground; The original plan was to make Columbus the "the groves were their first temple." county seat of Adams County, and it was located In 1839, three lots in Clayton, Nos. 63, 64 and at the nearest practicable point to the geographical 65 Washington street, were donated to the centre. The exact centre is Gilmer, about a church by Elder McCoy. Here was erected a mile west of the site of the town, but that tract brick church in 1840, at a cost of about $3,000. A was military land, and owned by parties in the few years later a tower and a bell were added. In east whose whereabouts were not known, and con- 1865, the brick walls were removed and frame sequently it was not accessible. The village grew was substituted. In addition to the church, the rapidly and prospered for several years. people own a parsonage valued at $1,700. About 1840, the county seat contest between The Clayton Christian Church was organized Columbus and Quincy began to be agitated, and in 1855, Dr. T. G. Black and others being the grew hotter until 1841, during which time a news- original members. The first elders were Dr. paper called the Columbus Advocate, was estab- Black and Geo. Lecklen. The edifice in which lished in the village by a man named E. Ferry, in the society worship, was erected in 1855, at a the interests of Columbus. cost of about $3,500. A large and flourishing Mr. Abraham Jonas, above mentioned, being a Sunday School is attached to this church. writer of considerable ability, penned articles The M. E. Church was organized about 1836. upon the then-all-absorbing question, in favor of It was a part of Pulaski charge, afterwards at- the Columbus interests, and sent them to the tached to the Columbus charge, and later to the Quincy papers for publication, but they were re- Mt. Sterling circuit. The church services were fused, hence the birth of the Advocate, to which held in school houses, and private houses until he became the chief contributor. 1850, when the first church edifice was erected Religious exercises were held by the Presby- on the site where the present edifice stands. The terian, Methodist and Christian societies at, the Board of Trustees at that time were Joseph private residences and school houses in the town- Douglass, George McMurray, John C. Newton, ship until 1836, when the Christian society erected James D. Hard , and Robert R. Garner. That 321 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY a house of worship in the village. The Presby- citizens Columbus had, and has now at the pres- terian society built a church in 1838. This so- ent day. ciety was later discontinued, however. CONCORD TOWNSHIP. The Methodist society erected their first church Concord township was organized at the spring several years later. election in 1850. Edward Sharp was elected su- The First Baptist Church of Columbus town- pervisor, Wm. Hobbs, clerk; David Hobbs, as- ship was organized March 13, 1879, at the Inde- sessor, and Shannon Wallace collector. The first pendent School House, on Section 3, by Rev. Silas settlement was made in 1832. John Wells settled Odell, and Rev. Mr. Wood, with fourteen con- on section 25, John Ausmus on section 7 and O. stituent members. H. Bennett on section 9 ; followed soon after by The German Methodist Church was built in the Wallaces and Hobbs and Elijah Ellison. The 1842. There are also several churches at Pa- first school house was built on section 4 in 1835; loma. the first teacher was Wm. Hobbs ; the first min- A Mr. Bartholemew and his two sons, Gilead isters of the Gospel in Concord township, were and Samuel, erected the first steam mill on sec- Granville Bond, of the Methodist Episcopal tion 3, in 1835. It was a grist and saw mill. Later Church, J. B. Curl of the Christian Church, it fell into the hands of the Mormons, who con- and Wm. Harvey, of the regular Baptist Church, templated strongly making a settlement, and Wm. Hobbs, David Hobbs, and John Ausmus, starting a town there, but when they were driven who were residents of the township, preached oc- from Nauvoo, they abandoned the idea and some casionally. years later, the mill was removed. The second The first marriage was of Edward Wells and steam mill was erected in the village about 1865, Elizabeth Collins. The first birth was a child of by Lock and Hendricks. Willard Graves erected Wm. and Mary Briscoe. It died soon after, and a saw mill on McKee's creek, on section 16, about was the first death in the township. 1838, which was operated several years, and was The first church was built in 1860, on section finally abandoned. 30, by the Lutherans. The next was erected on Daniel Harrison was the first to commence mer- section 23, by the people for a Union Church, but chandising. He afterward associated with him owned by the Baptists or the Dunkards. Abraham Jonas, John F. Battell, L. Davis, F. The German Lutheran Church was organized Collins, A. Tonzalin, Sr., and Clement Nance in 1862, by the following members who estab- were all engaged in merchandising. Lyth Griffin lished the church ; Henry Lessinan, Christ Voll- was the first in the saddlery and harness business. bracht and Frank Kestner. The first minister Thomas Greenleaf and Sons manufactured wag- of the church was B. Burfeind. He served six ons and buggies quite extensively. M. T. Green- years. The entire cost of the church parsonage leaf introduced a machine lathe. Thos. Durant and four acres of ground used as a cemetery ran a wool carding machine with animal power ; was about $2,000. afterward the business was enlarged and a steam In the north and northwest portions of the engine added by H. H. Butler. Henry Pratt and township, the soil is excellent. In the southern others erected a mill and successfully for a while part there is more timber and broken land. made linseed oil. ELLINGTON TOWNSHIP. The first school was on section 30, in 1832, and Ellington is a regular Congressional township, was taught by Thomas Bailey. The township or- which lies north and east of Quincy. It origin- ganization law went into effect in 1850, and the ally embraced that portion of the city north of first election of officers occurred in April of that Broadway and all of the township directly north year. Alexander M. Smith was elected super- of the city, known as Riverside. However, in visor, A. Tonzalin, Jr., town clerk ; John P. Nich- 1887, the township was divided and now Ellington ols, assessor; Wm. Roseberry, collector; Andrew is bounded on the north by Ursa and Mendon, Redmond and Jas. A. Bell, justices. separated from them by the 40th parallel of lati- The supervisors who have succeeded Alexander tude ; on the west by Riverside and east part of Smith were John A. Nichols, Wm. Bellew, Har- Quincy; on the east by Gilmer; and on the south vey Earl, Wm. Roseberry, John M. Earl, A. B. by Melrose and a part of Quincy. McNeal, James Lurly, Seldon G. Earl John E. The surface is undulating, and in some parts Lowe, Thos. Marshall, H. H. Homer, G. E. Flagg, quite broken, and was originaly half timber and D. L. Wilhoit, R. E. McNeal, Clem. H. Hair, Wil- half prairie. The rare fertility of the soil, which kie Bruns, Clem. W. Hair. is composed nearly equally of mineral and veg- During the war of the Rebellion, Columbus etable properties, the excellent drainage, so well township put her shoulder to the wheel, and dem- adapting it to a great variety of crops, and di- onstrated her loyalty by word and deed, coming versity of seasons, and the superior class of im- up with her quota of men at every call of the government. This proved the kind of men and 322 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY provements which dot its beautiful farms, have ment at Washington distributed the seed of the won for it the cognomen of "Banner" township. sorghum or African sugar cane here. People who The soil is of rich, black loam and the land cannot remember back to the time of the war of price easily averages from $75 to $100 per acre, the Rebellion can have no conception of the im- while the farms rent from $5 to $10 per acre. portance the sorghum industry then assumed. In addition to the facilities for farming, the It was the chief source of "sweetening" of most township can boast of rare advantages in stone of the people at that time-since the principal, quarrying. There are several stone quarries four sources of supply were cut off by the war. or five miles northeast of Quincy on 36th street. In the early settlement of this county, quite a It may be interesting to know that the stone for number of people cultivated small quantities of the foundations of the old court house and the flax. This was raised for lint and was worked old Quincy house, which stood where the New- up by the women of the families who raised it, comb Hotel now stands, was quarried on R. W. into linens for clothing, sheets, tablecloths, towel- Putnam's land, section 17, about five miles north- ing and sacks. At one time there was located in east of the city on 36th street. Also, the stone Quincy, what was then called a "rope walk," or for the foundation of the residence of Governor works, where the lint of hemp and flax were John Wood, now known as Chaddock College, wrought into ropes and all kinds of cordage. was taken out of a quarry owned by him, at the However, most of the hemp came from Mis- time, about four miles northeast of Quincy, on souri--but the flax was furnished to a great de- 36th street, on section 20. gree, from Ellington, and neighboring town- In 1844, some promoters from the east came to ships. Ellington and tried to establish a silk industry. Ellington has the advantage of superior drain- These men proposed to furnish plants of the age, as several creeks with their numerous Morus multicaulus, or white mulberry, and the branches checker its surface. Cedar Creek, the silk worm eggs, and then they promised to buy largest of them, originates in a large spring, a the cocoons when matured. Of course they gave mile or two northeast of Quincy, and flows south complete instruction for conducting all parts of of west to the river. Leonard's or Homan's the industry. It was taken up by a few of those Creek has its source near the center of the town- enterprising spirits who were able to do it, and ship in one of the largest and finest springs in who were desirous of ascertaining and develop- the county, once owned by Capt. Leonard, from ing all the resources of the newly developed coun- whom it and the creek take their names. Mill try. Among these were Avery Turner, who lived Creek, along whose borders is the most broken about five miles northeast of Quincy, and Hubbard and sterile portion of the township, flows across and Baldwin; who lived together on a farm the northeast corner. in Honey Creek township, about two miles south- The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, east of Mendon. On this latter farm there are also used by the Wabash Company, enters Elling- two or three clumps of white mulberry still grow- ton a mile south of the north, and extends diag- ing. The project failed from two difficulties. onally to Quincy in the southwest corner. First, no one in this part of the country, at that The society of the township is cosmopolitan, time, had suitable arrangements to carry the made up of inhabitants of varied birthplace and worms over winter; second, labor in this country, nationality, although a majority of the pioneer could be more profitably employed in other lines. settlers were natives of Kentucky. The first set- The preparations for the extension of this in- tlement was made in 1828, by Samuel Seward, on dustry were very lavish, and when the plans section 23; and he was soon followed by Henry were proved failures, many of our best country Jacobs and John S. Wood, who settled on section people were nearly ruined. Several large build- 17, and John M. Sterne, and James Frasier, on ings and quantities of mulberry trees, planted section 5, in 1829. for food for the silk worms, were located on the Henry Frasier, son of James Frasier, was the northwest corner of section 30. The buildings first child born in the township, on section 5, in are now used as barns near by. After the fail- 1829. The first death was that of Mr. Cook, who ure of the silk industry, about 1848, the first died from over-exertion in hunting in the "deep Osage oranges, used as hedges, were introduced snow," the winter of 1830-31. J. M. Sterne, an into this part of the country; by Avery Turner old resident, in speaking of that memorable snow and Hubbard and Baldwin, mentioned above. storm some years ago, said: "It began to fall on The seeds were brought here from the South the night of December 27, 1830, and was two about the time of the Mexican war, 1848. There and a half feet deep outside and six inches deep are hedges which have been "turning stock" inside my cabin the next morning." He made since 1850, or at least 55 years, on the old Baldwin a path to his spring by a supreme effort, and homestead. from here he carried water and saturated the About the year 1855, the agricultural depart- snow on the roof, making a covering snow-proof 323 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY and wind-proof for the rest of the winter. The section 17, jointly. Some time after, wishing snow continued to fall at intervals until January to divide it, instead of going to the trouble to 1, 1831, when it was four and one-half feet deep. quit-claim, they simply cut the patent in two in The high winds drifted it, making the "rough the middle, supposing that to be legal beyond ways smooth" and connecting the prairie into question. one vast level of crystals. However, in the spring of 1850, the town was The first school house in Ellington was erected organized and the first election held at the house on Mr. Sterne's farm, on section 5, in 1836. of Mrs. Jacobs, near the center of the township, There had been schools in vacant cabins and sev- and John P. Robbins was elected supervisor; eral terms in Wesley Chapel, prior to that date. Wm. Powell, assessor; Erastus W. Chapman, Wesley Chapel was the first house of worship, town clerk. The first justices of the peace were and was erected in 1831, on section 5, by the Augustus E. Bowles and Wm. H. Cather. Methodists. Isaac Sawin was the contractor, and Since then, John Sharp, J. T. Turner, E. W. J. M. Sterne helped to hew the timbers. John Chapman, Jetha Dudley, Baltis Sigsbee, Wm. Kirkpatrick, a local minister of the M. E. Church Hulse. James W. Singleton, John B. Murphy, preached the first discourse. The first little John W. Mars, Thomas Payne, Geo. W. Powell, school has been replaced by a number of new Francis Aneals, John Aron, Seldon G. Earel, F. and more modern schools, and the little chapel W. Simmons, John T. Simmons, Chas. Aron and by more imposing edifices. The little school is C. T Sterne, have succeeded Mr. Robbins. As su- now the home of a porcine family. It is said pervisors. that it has still the same shingles on it that kept Since the first town meeting and election, many out the snow and rain fifty years ago, and that improvements have been advocated and made, they are still in a fair state of preservation. The not the least of which is one voted on at the last Wesley Chapel is now used as a barn for hay. two meetings--the question of building a new There are five progressive schools in Elling- town hall. It is to be built at the S. E. corner ton. They are the Rock School, in N. W. S. E. Sec. of the S. W. qr. of section 16, and the cost is not 5 ; Washington School, S. W. corner S. W. to exceed $1,000. Sec. 11; Center School, N. W. N. W. Sec. 20; Ellington is now densely populated by a moral, Franklin School, east side, Sec. 28; and the El- intelligent, and thrifty people; it contains sub- lington School, N. W. corner S. E. qr. Sec. 31. stantial church edifices, has the usual number of There is a church about one mile west of Wes- prosperous schools, and no more beautiful farms, ley, near N. W. corner qr. of N. W. qr. of Sec. and cheery homes can be found in any part of 6, called Pleasant Grove, but no services have the state. been held there for years. Ellington Memorial FALL CREEK TOWNSHIP. Presbyterian Church is in S. W. corner of N. W. This township derives its name from the creek Sec. 17, and Rev. H. Jacobs is the minister at of the same name running through it from east present, services being held every two weeks. to west, the creek having been so named from a The village of Bloomfield is the only town of cascade, or waterfall, of considerable size in the which Ellington can boast. It is situated ten stream. It is situated in the southeast corner of miles northeast of Quincy, on the northeast quar-, Adams County; is bounded on the north by Mel- ter of section 3. It was laid out about 1837, by rose, east by Payson, south by Pike County and Ansel Clarkson. For some years it seemed a west by the Mississippi river. Fall Creek is a child of promise. Store buildings were erected, fractional town, being cut in an irregular form a postoffice was located there, a wagon factory by the river ; is seven miles wide on the north established, and in every way the little town line, and less than five oil the south line. bade fair to become a great city. But from Its surface is considerably diversified, the bluff about 1861, the village rapidly declined. The lands, comprising two-thirds of its area, are quite wagon factory, run by the farming men of the rolling, traversed by several creeks and brooks district, did not prove a profitable enterprise, which furnish abundant water supply and am- and was abandoned after a few years. ple drainage. The largest of these is Mill Creek, The religious proclivities of the village are which was once the seat of the pioneer mill from chiefly Catholic, and the only house of worship which it derived its name, flowing diagonally in the place was erected by that denomination across the northwest corner, on whose banks the in 1862. village of Marblehead is located. It is said that the old pioneers better under- Ashton Creek heads about the north boundary stood the transforming the wilderness into the of the township a mile and a half west of the productive farm and the comfortable home than east line, and flows southwesterly, emptying near the technicality of law, as evidenced by the fol- the center of the west line. Fall Creek enters lowing true incident: Henry Jacobs and John the township a mile south of the northeast cor- S. Wood purchased a quarter section of land on 324 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY ner, its course is meandering, and its mouth a large number of men. The village has never little north of the southwest corner. A luxu- been incorporated. riant growth of timber originally covered three- Justice I. Perigo was the first white man who fourths of the township, and the prairie grass sought a home in Fall Creek. He settled south the remainder. of the present site of Marblehead in 1821, but The soil is a dark sandy loam, with a sub- being a regular frontiersman, he made little show stratum of lighter color strongly impregnated of improvements. In June, 1823, John C. with sand and gravel, and a subsoil of limestone. Thomas came to the township and moved on the This composition admirably adapts it to the pro- same farm where Perigo settled. Col. Headly duction of the cereals and fruits. Wheat, of and Mr. Slayton, the father of Ferando Slayton, which very large crops are grown, amounting came the same year. Zephaniah Ames and Eben- in the aggregate to over 100,000 bushels in a ezer Harkness came the next April. Amos Beebe, single season, has been considered the staple crop, Amos Bancroft, Mr. Crandall, Daniel Moore, though corn is extensively planted, and yields a Holman Bowles, Mr. Journey and Thos. Carr rich harvest to the husbandmen. Much atten- were among the early pioneers, as was also Wm. tion is given to fruit growing. Thompson and son, M. L., who came in 1830. Limestone abounds everywhere along the bluffs, The first marriage was that of Amos Bancroft and many fine quarries are being profitably and Ardelia Ames, in the winter of 1824-25. The worked. At Marblehead, large kilns are in ac- first child born was Priscilla Crandall, after- tive operation, and are turning out large quanti- wards the wife of Josiah Thomas, in 1825. The ties of the finest lime, which finds a ready market first death was old Mr. Slayton, of consumption, in various parts of Illinois and other states. in 1825. The bottom lands, comprising the other third The first school house was erected on section of the township, are inexhaustible in their pro- 16, in 1825, and Levi Wells taught the first ductive resources ; by drainage and levee protec- school in it the following winter. The first ser- tion from the river, they have become the most mon was preached by an itinerant Methodist magnificent and valuable farming lands in the preacher named Medford in 1826. country. The first house of worship was erected by the The Louisiana branch of the C. B. & Q. R. R. Baptists in Joseph Thomas' woods in 1832. The cuts this town diagonally from northwest to first, permanent church edifice was built by the southeast along the edge of the .bottom, furnish- Methodist Protestant society, on section 23, near ing an outlet for the shipment of its abundant the falls of Fall Creek, in 1844. A lady mem- productions. There are three stations within its ber worked the date in the curtains. The first limits, Marblehead, the first south of Quincy, Sunday School was organized at the residence of Bluff Hall and Fall Creek. This latter village is Zephaniah Ames in 1832, by Deacon Chatten and at the junction of the Hannibal branch, and is Elder Sweet. quite a shipping point for live stock and farm Amos Bancroft, Daniel Moore and Rial Cran produce. It is the seat of Fall Creek postoffice; dall built the first saw mill on Mill Creek, late in there is also a general store and a blacksmith 1824. In 1831, a grist mill was erected which shop. There is also a neat little church building, supplied the surrounding country with bread- not under any one denominational control-a stuffs. "Union" Church. Among the early settlers of Fall Creek town- Marblehead is about seven and a half miles ship were Holman Bowles, Alexander Fruit, and southeast of Quincy. It was laid out in 1835 by John Hickerson, who, with their families, were Michael Mast, John Coffman and Stephen members of the Christian Church. They began Thomas, in the center of section 6, taking a cor- to assemble together for worship in their cabins ner of land from each. For a time it gave prom- as early as 1831. Rev. Jesse Bowles preached ise of growth. Michael Mast erected a large for them occasionally, and the believers in the store and filled it with a stock of general mer- faith increased in number until in 1840 when chandise, and for a time commanded considerable they organized regularly, Revs. John B. Curl and trade. In later years, the business shrunk to the John Rigdon officiating. Holman Bowles, Jesse modest dimensions of a very small grocery. Early Fruit, and Albert Morris were elected elders, in its history, the saw and grist mill on Mill and John Featheringill and James Lewis chosen Creek did considerable business, and a large deacons. The society held services in school steam ferry plied between a point opposite Mar- houses until 1851 when it attained sufficient blehead and Marion City, now extinct on the Mis- strength in numbers and purse to erect a house souri side, furnishing a great thoroughfare for of worship which they built that year. It is the emigrant travel as late as 1850. The chief fea- parent of the Payson Christian Church, and is ture of importance now at the place are the lime the second oldest society of that denomination in kilns and stone quarries, giving employment to a Adams County. 325 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

A considerable number of Germans having west Missouri, where he died. His wife was a settled in Fall Creek township, they organized a Miss Kincaid. They had one child, a daughter, Lutheran Society, and erected a stone edifice in who died before reaching womanhood. 1860 upon section 9. A neat, commodious, frame Salathiel Thompson lived first in Mendon church building now stands on the same site. township, then in Gilmer, then in Colorado, and There are quite a number of Methodist people in afterwards in Quincy. His wife was a Miss Fall Creek who attend at Fall Creek Chapel, just Newell. They had eight children : Mary, Lydia, in the edge of Payson township. George W., Aaron, William, Sarah, Elizabeth and Fall Creek township contains a population of Alfred, named in the order of their ages.. Milton about three thousand inhabitants. It ranks Thompson lived in Honey Creek, then went among the first in the county in fertility of the to Montana, where he now resides. His wife was soil, and the character of its farm improvements. a Miss Pilcher. Two children are known to have been born to them-Laura and Charles. Robert, THE THOMPSON SETTLEMENT. or as he was commonly called, "Bob" Thompson, In the early history of the county there was was "simple minded" and died at about the a settlement in the southwest corner of Honey age of twenty-five. The Thompson men were all Creek and in the southeast corner of Mendon farmers and did cooper work as a side line. In known for many miles around as the Thompson the early history of Quincy, when the city Settlement. The patriarch of this settlement packed all the pork raised within a radius of was Enos Thompson, one of the three brothers many miles, when there were several flouring who came to this county from Ohio in 1830. The mills and large distilleries, the demand for bar- youngest brother of the family, Josiah, had come rels was unsatiable, and almost any week day in the year previous, and after spending about a the year one could see wagons from the Thompson week with the family of John Wood, in Quincy, Settlement, with their great ladders holding concluded to settle in Fall Creek township, where from sixty to one hundred barrels, on the road to he made his home on section 11. The other two Quincy. This was kept up until near the time of the brothers, Dr. Samuel Thompson and William Civil War when the timber in Honey Creek Thompson settled on sections 1 and 12, respect- was becoming exhausted. ively, in Fall Creek. The daughters of Enos Thompson, as before Enos Thompson was a minister in the M. E. stated, were Mrs. Brackett Pottle, Mrs. Bradley Church, quite a revivalist, and was well known Stewart and Mrs. Martin Stewart. Martin and all over Western Illinois. Like most of the pio- Sarah Stewart were long time residents of the neers in the great West, he had a large family. Thompson Settlement in Honey Creek, but they His sons were Morgan, Andrew, John, Wesley, finally settled in the northern part of Camp Salathiel, Milton, and Robert. The daughters Point township where they both died at a ripe old were Mrs. Brackett Pottle of Payson, Mrs. Bradley age. To them were born eleven children, all of Stewart of Houston, and Mrs. Martin Stewart whom grew up to manhood and womanhood. The of Honey Creek, afterwards of Camp Point town- four sons were Marcus De Lafayette, Enos, An- ship. Enos Thompson's first wife was a Miss drew and Sullivan. The seven daughters were Higgins whom he married in Ohio, and who was Rosanna, wife of James Stone, Jane, wife of the mother of all his children. His second wife John Messick, Levica, wife of Capt. T. L. Howden, was a Mrs. Stone, whose first husband was one Lavina, wife of Dan Humsher, Emerett, of the family after which Stone's, Prairie was wife of Stephen Brewer, Elizabeth, wife of a named. The oldest two sons of Enos Thompson, Mr. Howell, and Lucy, wife of a Mr. Noble. It is Andrew and Morgan, lived in the southern part believed that the only representative of Enos of the county and the writer is not acquainted Thompson's family bearing the name and now with the history of their families. John Thompson living in Adams County, is W. N. Thompson, of lived first in Mendon, then in Honey Creek, Coatsburg. where he died. His first wife was a Miss Longcor Of the three brothers of Enos Thompson, Josiah, by whom he had five children, three sons who came in 1829, died in about two years and two daughters. The sons were Albert, after settling in Fall Creek. His wife was a sis- Charles and Horace ; the daughters were So- ter of the late Joshua Tibbets. There were five phronia, wife of Sylvester Woodward, and Me- children, three sons, and two daughters, born to linda, wife of Chauncey Bloomfield. The sec- them. The sons were Washington, who died be- ond wife was a Miss Shields, by whom he had fore reaching his majority; Newton, who now six children, two sons and four daughters. The lives in Payson, and Franklin who died at Ten-. sons were George W. and Aksekia ; the daugh- nessee, Illinois, in 1887. The daughters, ters were Orpha J., Samantha, Elizabeth and both now deceased, were Sobriety, wife of the Lucy A. Wesley Thompson lived first in Honey late E. R. Seehorn, and Eliza A., wife of Dr. Creek, then in Denver, Colorado, then in South- Henry Houp. The children of Newton Thomp- 326 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

Son now living, are Mrs. S.S. Inman of Plain- Kuntz and wife, Nancy G. Tate and W. T: Year- ville and Mrs. N.J. Hinton of Quincy. His gain. Soon after this others were added. David grandchildren are the Misses Edna V. and Carter, who was the first circuit-rider, commenced Blanche Inman, and Ralph T. Hinton. The his labors in the year 1832. The class continued to children of Franklin Thompson are Mrs. Neal meet at John Yeargain's until thought best to move McDonongh of Burlington, Iowa, and the Misses it elsewhere. Meetings were then held successively Bertha and Mamie Thompson of Galesburg. at John Yeargain's thence to a log school house on Samuel Thompson, as previously stated, set- what is now known as the old telegraph road. tled in Fall Creek, but after some years he re- From there it moved to Mr. Brunton's, moved to Missouri where he died. His descend- then afterward to a school house known as Mount ants now residing in this county are .a grand- Pleasant; and built in 1836, where meetings were daughter, Mrs. M. W. Hughes of Fall Creek, with held until 1865, when they built a church on her children and grandchildren, Arthur Thomp- section 27. During the year 1832 David Hobbs and son of Fall Creek, a great grandson, with his sis- John Curl preached at various times at the ters, Misses Lucy and Alma Thompson, and the residence of John Yeargain, whose house was two daughters of the late Mrs. James Grove of open with a welcome to preachers of all Payson, Mrs. Harry Seehorn and Miss Lela denominations. Also at other times John Grove, both great granddaughters. Kirkpatrick, Samuel Griggs and John Ham of the William Thompson remained on the farm Methodist Episcopal Church, and John Wolf, a where he first settled in Fall Creek until the time Dunkard, preached frequently at Daniel Harrison's. of his death in 1880. One son, Marcus L. Thomp- Wm. Roberts, a Baptist, preached at various son, now in his eighty-eighth year, and two places. There are now established here several grandsons, Wm. E. and John G., sons of Mar- Methodist Episco- pal churches, a German cus, live on farms adjoining on the west the one Methodist Episcopal church; two Christian occupied by that worthy pioneer. A daughter, churches, one Lutheran and one Catholic church in Mrs. D. E. Tipple, with her husband, now resides Gilmer. on the old home farm which is a model in the way The first marriage was that of Mr. William of up-to-date management and culture, and Lamberth to Miss Nancy G. Tate, 1832. The adorned by a fine residence, and neat, substan- ceremony was performed by Judge James Ralston. tial and convenient barns, etc. Another daugh- The first birth was a child of Daniel Harrison, ter, Miss Esther, resides in Quincy. and the first death that of John Bayne in Novem- The members of the Thompson family were ber 1834. honorable people, respected by all who knew The township was named in honor of Dr. them. As a rule they were Democrats in politics Thornton Gilmer. and almost to an individual they adopted the The first election was held at what was known faith of the M. E. Church. Their descendants as Mr. Pitts' school house, on section 15, April are scattered all over the Mississippi Valley, and 2, 1850. The first judges of election were John as has been shown, some of them may be encoun- Rice, Hobbs and Wm. B. Finley, clerks; first su- tered in different parts of this county. pervisor was J. F. Bartell ; first magistrate un- GILMER TOWNSHIP. der township organization, Paris T. Judy; first The first settlers in Gilmer Township were town clerk, Wm. Morrow; first assessor, Philip George Wigle, who settled in 1829, on section S. Judy; first overseer of the poor, Jeremiah 34--he built a log cabin and made other improve- Ballard ; first collector, David Chase; first com- ments-Benjamin Walby, an Englishman by missioners of highways, Robt. Breedlove, Chas. birth, Jacob Smith, John Thomas, Mr. Franks, Gilmer, and Jacob Smith, who afterward served and Mr. Riddle. one term in State Senate; first treasurer, John In November, 1831, John Yeargain and fam- Lawless; second treasurer, Geo. B. Thompson ; ily came and soon after Daniel Harrison and first trustees of schools, Geo. W. Thompson, Eli others. These men were good citizens, their oc- Williams, Benj. Walby, and D. L. Pedow; second cupation that of farming; they were poor and trustees of school, Thornton Gilmer, John Bar- enjoyed but few of the luxuries of life, but they tell, Abner Chase, and John Finch. were cheerful, contented and hospitable. The first school was taught by Miss Ellis, a The first sermon was preached at John Year- missionary from the East, in 1833. gain's, by James Hobbs, in the year of 1832. In The first goods were sold in 1832, by Daniel the same year John Hunter, a preacher of the Harrison, who kept a store on section 30. In the M. E. Church, preached at the same place. Soon Year 1835 he moved his house and goods to Co- after a class was organized consisting of the fol- lumbus, where he took as partner in the dry lowing persons: John Yeargain and wife, Jacob goods and pork-packing business, Abraham Sharp and wife, Weaver Potter and wife, Geo. Jonas, who was a member of the legislature.

327 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

Columbus was laid out by William Graves, in Bailey, Daniel Gooding, Joel Darrah, M. D., the the year 1835. Whites, Thomas, Richard and James, Wm. Eu- The poor house and farm are in Gilmer. There banks, Horatio Ellis and several others whose are three miles of the C. B. & Q. Railroad in Gil- names were less conspicuous. These were all mer township. Fowler is a little village on this here prior to 1840, except Joel Darrah, M. D., line, and is known as a shipping point. who came in the spring of that year. The land of this township consists of about In the seventy-five years that have intervened two-thirds prairie and one-third timber. It is since the arrival of the first settlers, Honey Creek settled by an intelligent class of people. Its township has witnessed a wonderful transforma- church and school privileges are excellent. tion. From a state of wilderness, of which words HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP. would give but a faint conception to those who By Dr. W. E. Gilliland. had never seen it, to a condition in which every Honey Creek comprises the original survey of acre and rod of land is made to yield to the 1 north of the Base Line, range 7 west of the wants of its 1,500 population ; from the terrific Fourth Principal Meridian. It is bounded on scream of the hungry panther, the howl of the the north by Keene, on the west by Mendon, on ravenous wolf, and the weird wail of the wildcat, the south by Gilmer and on the east by Camp to the friendly greeting of the house dog, the low- Point. Originally it consisted of about three- ing of cattle and the grunt of satisfaction from fifths timber and two-fifths prairie land. The the pig sty ; from a lone cabin to over three hun- entire watershed is drained by Bear Creek, its dred comfortable, respectable dwellings, many principal tributaries in the township being of which are almost palatial ; from nothing in Honey Creek and Brush Creek, thence the waters the way of school and religious advantages, to flow into the Mississippi. The natural resources nine substantial school houses, where some four are agriculture, horticulture and stock-raising, hundred children annually receive their primary wheat and corn, hogs and cattle being the main education,, and seven churches, where as many products. Hog raising seems to be a favorite denominations worship according to the teach- employment with most of the farmers, and cat- ings of their several creeds. tle are receiving more attention each succeeding The principal prairie of Honey Creek is called year. The tendency at this time seems to be to- "Froggy." How it came by such an euphonious ward the dairying industry. Timber, which at title is, to the unitiated, a mystery. It originated one time was an important item, is now well nigh at one of the old-fashioned spelling bees, where exhausted. There is an abundance of excellent a school district to the westward of this prairie stone for building purposes and for road mak- was pitted against the home district. School ing, and an inexhaustible supply of fine brick house, a log cabin on the prairie; time, March clay which has never been utilized, but there is 25,1844; at candle lighting, present both schools no coal. Horticulture has always received much in full force ; wild grass taller than a man ; water, attention. Apples, peaches and pears do as well bootleg deep, full of frogs which made so much here as in other parts of the county. The trees noise that the teacher was compelled to pro- of the first planting have nearly all passed away, nounce the words at the top of his voice in order and, on account of the insect enemies of these to be heard at all. A school girl from the fruits, some of the people have become discour- west district called the place "Froggy," and aged, and have ceased to plant. A few, however, "Froggy" it has been ever since. are continuing the work extensively with a view Manufacturing of any, kind has always been to fighting the insects with all the modern scien- limited in Honey Creek. In the early history tific implements of warfare. of the township great numbers of pork and lard The history of Honey Creek is, the history of barrels, flour barrels and even whiskey barrels the men who have made the township. The first were made and hauled to Quincy. In 1840 habitation of which we have any knowledge was Charles Fletcher built a water mill on Bear built by a squatter named Haven, on section 21, creek, on section 4, for the purpose of grinding prior to 1830. It is said that he found a bee grain. A few years' experience taught him the tree on the creek bottom and that he obtained from unreliability of water power, and he put in steam it a fine lot of honey, from which circum- engines. In 1870 he moved the whole plant to stance the creek derived its name. After Haven Coatsburg, and about two years later the mill came, Ed. Edmonson, H. B. Baldwin, Enos burned. It was rebuilt by Fred Cruze and after- Thompson and sons, John, Byler, J. E. Kam- ward remodeled by Aaron & McGuire. Later it merer, Richard Gray, Mrs. Irene Grigsby, Jos- came into the possession of I. N. Pevehouse, who eph Pollock, Jabez Lovejoy, W. D. Iler--Hey- sold it to J. N. Shanhaltze, the present owner. worth, the Strueys, father and sons, James Some fifteen years ago Joseph Freeze and son started, at Coatsburg, in a small way, the For- est Oak Nurseries, whose growth has been almost 328 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY marvelous. For the past five or six years the direction, to the west side of the township. annual output from these nurseries has run into Houston was organized April 16, 1849, by the the thousands of dollars' worth. Two very valu- County Commissioners. The first supervisor was able varieties of apple, the Bayard and the Joseph Kern. He was succeeded by Samuel Rohe's Favorite, have propagated in these nurs- Woods, Joseph Nevins, S. R. McAnulty, James eries. McDavitt, F. M. Stump, Jacob Groves and L. W. Honey Creek has two villages within its bor- Miller, the present supervisor. ders, Coatsburg and Paloma,. both situated on The first school was held at Glenwood, on sec- the Burlington division of the C., B. & Q. R. R. tion 16, and the first church was a brick structure Coatsburg was laid out by Robert Coats in 1854, at York Neck, section 33. at the time the railroad was built, and Paloma The land is nearly equally divided between at a later date. Coatsburg has the distinction timber and prairie. The soil is good and pro- of having been the rival of Quincy in the county duces excellent crops. Fine farms and wealthy seat controversy of 1875. From the beginning farmers are common, and, taking the township it has been an important shipping point for live as a whole, it will compare favorably with any in stock, grain, hay, etc. It has now a skimming the county. station for the Camp Point Pioneer Creamery Company, which receives ten thousand pounds KEENE TOWNSHIP. of milk per week in winter and thirty thousand This township was first settled about the year pounds in summer. This seems to be a growing 1834. Joel Benton, Thomas Hudson, Ralph Har- industry. Coatsburg has three general stores den and John Caldwell were among the pioneers which do a large retail business ; there are also who commenced the culture of its soil and took several restaurants, blacksmith and repair shops. advantage of the rich source of revenue fur- One rural free delivery mail route goes out from nished by the valuable timbers, belts of which there. The present population of the village is interspersed the fine prairies. This township is a about 285. valuable stockraising section, more especially Paloma was laid out by Daniel Gooding, about because of the fact that it is so well watered. The 1862, and it now has a population of about 160. principal streams are South Fork, Thurman It has three stores, a blacksmith shop, and a soda creek, Middle Fork and Big Neck creek. water factory. There are also two churches and The first school house in the township was an I. O. O. F. lodge. Several years ago, because of built of logs in 1843, on section 16. The first the enormous quantities of cucumbers shipped church organized was of the Methodist Episcopal from this station, the railroad men dubbed it denomination under the name of "Union Soci- "Pickle Station," or "Pickleville." It is a ety," in 1860. They erected a frame church shipping point for live stock and grain, and building on section 24. The officers were Granville there is no other station in the county that bales Bond, pastor ; Samuel Curless, class leader, and ships as much hay. A rural free delivery mail and Ezekiel Walters, steward. The church was route goes out from Paloma. organized with fifteen, members. The first secret society organized in Keene HOUSTON TOWNSHIP. township was Loraine lodge, No. 641, I. O. O. F., Houston boasts not only an illustrious name, instituted under dispensation June 20, 1877, by but its history is no less important than that of District Deputy James A. Benneson of Robert other townships in the matter of early settle- Brooker lodge, No. 406, of Quincy, in the hall ment and the character of its prominent men fitted up for the purpose over the store of Chris- who have long been residents. topher Seals. The charter members were David Among the first settlers were Horace Reynolds, Andrews, John Pollock, Frank Seals, James M. David Strickler, Henry A. Cyrus, Samuel Woods Curless, Christopher Seals and James Coffield. and Mr. Willard. The first officers elected were Christopher Seals, A town site was laid out on the southwest quar- N. G.; James Coffield, V. G.; James W. Curless, ter section of section 34, in 1839, by Henry A. secretary, and James M. Seals, treasurer. Cyrus and Levi T. Benton, and named Houston, The first mill in the township was known as in honor of General Sam Houston of Texas. The "Seals' Corn Cracker," built in 1852, on sec- town was a complete failure, except in giving tion 21. the township a name when afterward organized. The village of Loraine was laid out in Decem- There is a railroad station on the east side called ber, 1870, by Messrs. Woods and Lionberger, Chatten, in honor of the late B. I. Chatten of during the construction of the Carthage branch Quincy. of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Houston is 2 north of the base line, and range James H. Wade, in 1870, built a store house and 6 west of the 4th principal meridian. It is began a general merchandising business. In 1871 twenty-five miles from Quincy in a northeast he was appointed postmaster. Christopher Seals, 329 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY in the spring of 1871, built a store house and a The first village, called Montgomery, was or- dwelling and did a general merchandising busi- ganized by Mormons in 1830, one and one-half ness, and also kept a hotel known as the "Trav- miles southeast of where New Liberty now elers' Rest." S. P. Halton, in the summer of stands. New Liberty (Liberty P. O.) was 1871, built a blacksmith shop and a dwelling. laid out by Paris T. Judy in 1850. It has now Other store houses, dwellings, shops, etc., fol- a population of 300. There are two general lowed soon. In the spring of 1872 George A. stores, conducted by Pond Bros. and Wagner & Yeuter built a grain house and bought and Collins; a drug store, of which George D. Mercer shipped grain, as well as live stock. The first is proprietor; a harness shop, a tin shop, two drug store was built by P. S. Cavilee in the barber shops, three blacksmith and wagon shops, spring of 1873. E. J. Selleck, in the summer three restaurants and a first-class hotel, the Euro- of 1873, built a grist mill, which, before its com- pean, under the management of William Breck- pletion, he sold to George Jackson and son. Rust enridge. There are five churches: The Chris- & Barniber, in the spring of 1874, built a black- tian, F. Jalageas, pastor; the Evangelical Luth- smith shop. Drs. Coffield and Akins, in the eran, J. H. Nesch, pastor; German Baptist, D. spring of 1875, built a drug store and office and M. Brubaker, pastor; Presbyterian, H. Jacobs, also practiced medicine, and in August of the pastor; and Catholic, Rev. A. Vollebregt; priest. same year Dr. Akins was appointed postmaster, Liberty lodge, I. O. O. F., was organized in and remained in office until January, 1878, after May, 1860. The present officers are Charles which James Coffield was appointed to the posi- Baird, N. G.; John Campbell, V. C.; Floyd Mercer, tion, which he retained for some years. secretary; Clarenee Pond, treasurer. All lines of trade incident to a railroad point Liberty lodge, A. F. and A. M., was organized in the midst of a thriving agricultural and stock in October, 1863. The present officers are Clarence raising region has been continued, and the vil- Pond, W. M.; E. J. Grubb, S. W.; A. J. lage is in every way calculated to do and to Enlow, J. W.; A. H. D. Butz, secretary; Zenas maintain a good business. Woodville, a small Winget, treasurer. place of about fifty inhabitants, is situated on the A camp of M. W. A. was organized here in line of the railroad, in the extreme northern por- September, 1892. G. .O. Williams is venerable tion" of the township. It was laid out in 1836. counsel; J. W. Klarner, worthy adviser; George D. Mercer, clerk, and H. E. Frey, banker. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. The Farmers' State Bank of New Liberty was (By John Campbell.) organized July 1, 1903, with a capital of $25,000. July 1, 1904, it was reorganized as a private Liberty township lies about twenty miles east- bank, with a capital of $10,000. The officers are: southeast of Quincy. The first settlers of the A. W. Callahan, president; Amos J. Linn, vice- township were A. H. D. Butz and D. P. Meacham. president; George D. Mercer, cashier. The direc- Others were Nagle, Wolfe, Hunsaker, Lile and tors are: Hez. G. Henry, Frank D. Thomas, Mrs. Nations. Mattie F. Henry, Hon. George W. Dean, A., W. Mr. Meacham opened the first store ever kept Callahan, Seldon Slade and James F. Hughes. in the village, or, in fact, the township, and the The first school house built in Liberty town- first house built was erected by Daniel Lile. The ship was on section 10, but the date is unknown. first marriage in this township was that of Jacob The village now boasts a commodious, substan- Wigle and Nancy Hunsaker, solemnized by Elder tial building, erected in, 1887, at a cost of $2,600. George Wolfe. The first sermon was preached At that time the school was reorganized and by George Wolfe, of the Dunkard (German Bap- well graded, and it compares favorably with tist) denomination in the year 1829, and the first other schools of the same size in the county. church or organization effected was in 1831, which was the establishment of a Dunkard church. LIMA TOWNSHIP. This church was located two miles west of the (By A. B. Leeper.) present village of New Liberty. The township took up township organization From most authentic sources of information, in 1850, with the other townships, and the first the first settlement of this township was made supervisor was David Wolfe. He was succeeded in 1828, Joseph Harness having erected the first by John I. Adams, John Wolfe, Benjamin Wigle, house, about two miles northwest of where the Benjamin F. Grover, Maurice Kelly, John F. town of Lima now stands, about this time. It Mercer, Alexander Henry, Samuel Naylor, William may be also interesting to know that the first Huddleston, Jonas Grubb, A. S. Mintle, child born in this township was Julian, daughter John Williamson, I. B. Roe, J. B. Wolfe and of Joseph and Nancy Harness, in the same year. John Campbell, the present supervisor. Among the other early settlers were William Orr, Thomas Killum, Lewis James, John Selby, 330 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

Benjamin Hines, Ishmael Dazey and Grayson 'Vaterland,' on the romantic banks of the Rhine, Orr. have concluded to Lima is the township to the extreme north and west of Adams county, and has Hancock county "Let the vine luxuriant roll as a boundary on the north, Keene township on Its blushing tendrils 'round the-bowl, the east, the townships of Ursa and Mendon on While many a rose-lipped bacchant maid the south, and the Mississippi river on the west. Is culling clusters in their shade." The first brick made in Adams county was made in Lima township in 1830 by Grayson Orr. Many of the hills in autumn are decked with The first mill was operated by William Orr on purple pasterres that roll streams of wealth into White Oak branch, in the southwest part of the capacious coffers of their industrious owners. township. The first marriage in the township Lying west of White Oak branch, south of Petit was that of Thomas Killum and Nancy Dazey. branch and east of Lima lake, is some of the The first bridge built by order of the Adams richest land in the state, which turns out a vast county Board of Supervisors was across Bear store of corn, wheat, oats and apples and other creek, on the Warsaw & Quincy road, in 1850, staple products. In the center of this plateau and at the present time, 1905, it is in as good is the town of Lima. condition as when erected. The first school was Lima is a beautiful little village of three hun- taught by John M. Selby. Now the township dred inhabitants, situated eighteen miles north has eleven school districts. and one mile east of Quincy, one mile and a half The first supervisor, in 1850, was Grayson Orr. south of the Hancock county line. In 1833 Dr. The present supervisor is T. E. Conover; town Joseph Orr built the first store in Lima, and clerk is V. A. Bolt ; assessor is J. Clark, and at that early day every store that was situated collector is J. W. Jacobs. at some distance from the other stores had to be Among the first, if not the first, sermon dignified with the title of a town. In obtaining preached was by the Hon. Rev. Peter Cartwright. a name for this town the doctor, who was of a Rev. Stephen Ruddle was also an early diviner. poetical turn of mind, was assisted by a Peru- The western part of the township was origin- vian, who was staying with him. The Peruvian ally swamp land, subject to overflow from the declared he had traveled through many coun- Mississippi river, comprising Lima lake, which tries, but in none had he found such beautiful afforded one of the best hunting and fishing women as there were in the capital of his native grounds in western Illinois. In 1885 this land country, except here, and, therefore, he called it was leveed, and the greater portion of it was Lima. Thus the town obtained its name from reclaimed. the charms of the fair sex that inhabited the sur- The central part, around the village of Lima, rounding country. If at that day it laid claims has a very productive soil, especially adapted to so much beauty, what can we say of the to fruit culture, particularly that of apples. present? Lima ranks first in the county in the production Situated in the center of the township, the of apples. This part of the township is popu- town has advantages unsurpassed by any town lated almost exclusively by native born inhab- in the county, save Quincy. itants. The eastern part was formerly covered Two miles west of the town is Lima lake, a with heavy timber, which has been cleared away beautiful expanse of water. The lake itself, and and the land converted into productive farms. its sloughs, afford some of the finest fishing and One mile east of the town of Lima is White hunting grounds in the northwest. In early set- Oak branch, which circles around about that dis- tlements the people frequently met together to tance from the town until it gets to the south- hunt the wild animals, either for amusement or west, when it runs directly southwest and empties to rid themselves of pests. During one of these into Bear creek. hunts, in 1833, it is said a snake den was discov- To the east of this branch the country is rough ered on Bull's branch with one hundred and and unbroken, and is generally known as Pea eighty serpents of all kinds twisted together. Ridge. This country, rough as it is, is a source There is one other village in the township of of wealth that cannot be neglected. The timber Lima worthy of special mention--the little town upon it is the best quality of white oak, suitable of Meyer. It is situated on the Mississippi river, for manufacturing purposes. Where this timber opposite Canton, Missouri, and has one hundred is cut off the land produces wheat of the best inhabitants. It was laid out by J. W. Caldwell. quality, which meets with ready sale in the mar- With the Mississippi river as a means of trans- ket. Wheat, however, is not the greatest source portation, it affords a market for the adjacent of wealth on the "ridge," the sturdy Germans country. who settled there, in imitation of their life in the Meyer has two churches, the Episcopal and the

331 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

United Brethren, and two lodges, the Modern and Post Office Payton, which since has been Woodmen and Royal Neighbors, while Lima has changed to Kellerville, a prosperous and pleasant three churches, Methodist Protestant, Methodist town, with large trade. The buildings are in Episcopal and Christian, and the following good repair and the town looks bright and lodges : Masons, the oldest society in the town- thrifty. A fine suspension bridge crosses McKee ship ; the Order of the Eastern Star, the Modern creek at this point. There was a large grist and Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors and the saw mill on section 33. The German Methodists Grand Army of the Republic. have their church on section 31. This church was organized in the year 1847, McKEE TOWNSHIP. and for twenty-six years worshipped in a log cabin. Mr. George Hess acted as class leader for The first settlement was made in 1838, on sec- twenty years. In 1873 the old house was torn tion 4, by William Hogan, John Covert, Calvin down and a substantial one erected at a cost of Brandy, John H. Keller and Dudley Perrigo. $1,000. Among the early members were George In 1840 there was a number more came in-- Hess and wife, John Deal, A. Lentz and wife, Francis Amro, Philip Amro, Jacob Hover, Justice John Harss and wife and John Winder. Rev. Perrigo, Cyrus Sims and Reuben Childers. Mr. Bowers was the first regular minister and Jacob Hughes and family moved from Gilmer began his work with the organization. Rev. John township in 1847 and located on section 14, Smith succeeded him in 1849, and many others among the hills, on the brink of one of the bluffs have succeeded him since. Some of them are of McKee creek, and died on this farm many still living in the county. The Sunday school years after. is an interesting one and well attended every The township, although largely composed of Sabbath. hills and valleys, was soon quite thickly settled, The United Brethren Church, Spring Valley, and on the top of many of these hills could be McKee township, was organized in an early day, seen the houses of pioneers, and from the valley but was entirely broken up by neglect of church just beyond came the smoke curling up from duties, etc. In 1867 it was reorganized by Joseph the home of another of the sturdy frontiersman. Diendorff, with the assistance of Morris Ben- A. H. D. Butz, with a keen eye to business, nett and John Padgett. built the first mill in 1845, on section 6, using In politics the democrats have the majority the water power of McKee creek for sawing and in McKee. The first supervisor was John W. grinding purposes. Mr. Smith of Quincy started Wardell ; town clerk, A. J. Durbin, in the year the first store in the township, and John Hoffman 1851. the second, on section 7. This store, a blacksmith The first school house was built on the farm shop and several houses composed a town named of Rube F. Smith, on section 3. McKee has now Bowling Green many years ago by William Bow- some of the best schools in Adams county and ling. In 1853 "Old Slab Town" received the has had for a number of years. new name of Spring Valley, and struggled hard McKee creek runs through the township in a for existence with her carding, grist and saw southeasterly direction and forms, in many mill, in charge of William Wells and John W. places, deep ravines. George W. Query, now of Wardell. Harvey Bogley was storekeeper and Indiana, made the discovery of a furnace in 1849 P. M. Torgey the blacksmith. Early in the Civil in one of the bluffs near the creek, which formed war the millers enlisted, leaving business for some foundation for the old story that, during our country's service, and in their absence the the French war with the Indians, a small party town fell to ruins, with only the blacksmith's of French, having with them a large amount shop to mark the spot. of silver, were overpowered by a band of In- An attempt to murder one of the citizens on dians and, before capture, buried their treasure. Christmas eve, in the year 1858, proved a failure, They were then burned in the furnace, all save we believe, though it created such a sensation one, who escaped, wounded, and on his death as to be handed down among the records. bed very minutely described this locality as the A fine new school house was built near the site one where the treasure had been concealed. After of the old town. It has been used for school the discovery of the furnace, for several years and church purposes and all town meetings. The many adventurers, guided by different fortune almost obliterated town of Bagnolia was started by tellers, came in search of the money, which has not William Hart and Dan Higbee, in 1865, for yet been discovered. three years. They conducted a dry goods, gro- McKee township is occupied by a prosperous cery and whiskey store, the latter department be- and thrifty people, who have the reputation of coming the principal business, and ruined the being energetic and ambitious of making and town. keeping their township the equal of any in Adams Mr. Payton, in 1869, started Hickory Corner county. 332 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

MELROSE TOWNSHIP. settled in Quincy in 1832, was the first boy to (By Hon. C. S. Hearn and Frank N. Durand.) sell papers on the streets of the city. In the Melrose township lies immediately east and spring of 1835 he sold the Illinois County Land south of the city of Quincy. It is bounded on Register. the north by Ellington and the city of Quincy, More than two-thirds of the citizens of Mel-. east by Burton, south by Fall creek and west rose are of German nationality, who are noted by the Mississippi river. Four-fifths of the for being careful and thrifty farmers. township is comprised in table or bluff lands, Although this township is somewhat broken in which are abundantly watered and considerably some parts, it has some among the most beauty- broken by Mill creek and its branches. This ful and productive agricultural lands in the stream enters the eastern border of Melrose a county under a high state of cultivation. The little more than two miles from the south line staple productions are wheat and Indian corn. and pursues a serpentine course west and south, The first Sunday school was organized by The- flowing across into Fall creek near the declivity resa Alexander and Annie Crow in the summer of the bluffs about two miles from the river. Its of 1829, and was held at their residences. Some principal branch, Little Mill creek, flows into rude young men of the neighborhood scoffed at the township from Ellington, near its northeast the idea and, by starting an "opposition school," corner, and bears a southwesterly course, empty- as they termed it, thought to break it up ; but ing into Mill creek before it crosses the south within a very short time thereafter those young township line. Melrose, like the other river town- men became zealous members of the church, and ships, has a sub-stratum of limestone, and many the Sunday school still lives and prospers, though fine working quarries abound, furnishing build- the founders have been laid in their final rest- ing rock and lime in great quantities. ing places. The first sermon was preached by Melrose township was one of the earliest set- Rev. Samuel Bogard at the residence of Jonathan tled in Adams county. Outside the city of Crow. The first religious society organized Quincy there were only two white families liv- was the Melrose Methodist Episcopal church, at ing in the county--those of Daniel Lile and Justus the house of Samuel Griggs, on Little Mill creek, I. Perigo, in Fall Creek--when Asa Tyrer in 1833. brought his family from Louisiana, Illinois, and In 1835 this society erected the first house for settled on the southwest quarter of section 12, public worship, a little log structure near 2 south, 9 west, in the spring of 1821, where he "Dyer's Springs," now known as "Coe's resided until his death in 1873. Mr. Tyrer first Springs." The first school house was built in the visited the site of Quincy in 1821, on a tour of summer of 1833, on section 35, and James Walker investigation. Having purchased soldiers' war- taught the first school in it that year. Lacy rants for two quarter sections of land on 12, he & Stone erected and operated the first mill for came up to locate it and see what prospects it grinding grain in 1838, though there had been offered for a home. So he was one of the first a pestle mill for crushing corn for several years white men, if not the first, who ever trod its prior. This mill was erected on section 32. soil. Being charmed with the beauty of the The first justice of the peace was William B. country, he returned to bring his family. But Goodman. At the first election under the town- his wife could not brook the idea of forsaking ship organization law, held in April, 1850, Stephen every trace of civilization and settling in this Safford was elected supervisor; Cornelius howling wilderness, with no companionship but L. Demaree, assessor; Nathaniel Pease, town that of wild beasts and wilder Indians. So the clerk; Jeremiah Parsons, collector; Gilead Bar- removal was postponed until two years later. In tholemew and Amos Bancroft, justices of the the meantime Ex-Governor John Wood, Willard peace; Albert A. Humphrey, overseer of the Keyes and Jeremiah Rose and family had set- poor, and John J. Reeder and Oliver Naddell, tled in Quincy. David Shaw purchased the constables. northwest quarter of section 18 and settled on The succeeding supervisors are A. G. Pearson, it in 1828. The late Perry Alexander, a promi- Jeremiah Parsons, David Hughes, Perry nent resident afterward, owned and lived on the Alexander, David Sheer, James Shinn, Edward same farm. In 1829 Abadiah Waddell settled F. Humphrey, C. S. Hearne, Jonah Hedges and on section 35, and the same year Jacob Wagner C. S. Hearn, the present supervisor. settled on the southeast quarter of 29. Abigal At a meeting of the citizens of the township Parsons and Nathaniel Sommers settled in the in 1849, held at the residence of Nathaniel Pease, township about 1830. Mr. Sommers married Mr. he proposed the name of "Melrose" for the Parson's daughter, which was, perhaps, the first township. When it was submitted to a vote of wedding, and in 1832 a daughter was born to the citizens, it was adopted as the name of the them, which was one of the first births in Mel- township. It was named after Melrose, in Mas- rose. Perry Alexander, whose father, Samuel, sachusetts. 333 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

Melrose contains three church edifices, Mel- held their services at the homes of the members rose Chapel, which was formerly Methodist Epis- until 1850, when they erected their church edi- copal; St. Antonius, Catholic and Zion's Chapel, fice, "Zion's Chapel," on the northeast quarter of and the German Episcopal Church. Melrose section 22. Episcopal Church was organized at the house The situation of the township of Melrose, so of Rev. Samuel Griggs, on North Mill creek, in near the city of Quincy, and the facilities of the 1833, under the ministrations of the celebrated position near the river, have made Melrose one "Western Itinerant," Peter Cartwright, and of the richest and most valuable townships in the Rev. David B. Carter, who for some time pre- county. vious labored as a missionary among the pioneers of Adams county. Mr. Griggs, who was a MENDON TOWNSHIP. licensed preacher, held the position of leader and (By Samuel H. Bradley.) also of steward for many years. Preaching was The territory constituting the town of Men- held in his house in winter and in his barn in don is composed of four tiers of section east of, summer for two years. Rev. David B. Carter and next to, Ursa, extending from Bear creek was their first pastor, or "circuit rider," as they south to the base line. That part of the country were called in those days, and Peter Cartwright between Rock creek and Bear creek was origin- conducted the first quarterly meeting in 1834. ally called the "Bear creek country." On the One of the first sermons preached in that vicin- adoption of township organization by Adams ity was by Rev. Carter on the occasion of the county, in 1850, all of thin territory was organ- death of Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, who is said to ized as one township and named Ursa. In 1851 have been the first death in Adams county. the four tiers of sections above referred to were In 1835 the church built the little log house set off by special act of the legislature and called near Dyer's Spring, now known as Coe's Springs, Mendon, which township is ten miles north and and there held meetings for a number of years; south and four miles east and west. then in the residence of Joseph Hauks some The first settler of the territory, so far as years until the little brick school house was known, was Ebenezer Riddle, who came, with erected in 1850, on section 19, after which ser- his family, from Kentucky in 1829 and settled vices were held in it for four years, until Mel- on the southeast quarter of section 9, 1 north, rose Chapel, a neat frame edifice, which has since 9 west, where he built his cabin. If there were other given place to a neat modern building, was settlers previous to that time there is no erected on section 19, 2 south, 8 west, in 1854. present knowledge of the fact. The ownership In 1859 Messrs. Anton Hoebing, William Well- of some of this land still remains among the Rid- man, John Schneider, the Widow Brinkman, Mr. dle descendants. Col. Martin Shuey settled on Altro and John Mast, citizens of Melrose town- Mendon prairie in 1829, on the northwest quarter ship and zealous Roman Catholics, concluded af- of section 6, 1 north, 8 west, which is located just ter mature deliberation to build a church. Mr. over the line in Honey Creek township. John C. Anton Bordewig, also an influential German Hardy settled on the southwest quarter of sec- Catholic, donated ten acres of land, which should tion 29, 2 north, 8 west, in 1830. During the be used for church, school house and cemetery. following year or two occasional settlers made The first building erected was of frame, 35 by 60 homes in the locality. It was not, however, until feet, in which Father Ferdinand first officiated the year 1831 that a preconcerted effort was after its consecration. A school house was built, made to encourage the establishment of a per- and Mr. Ignatz Lear became the teacher. In manent settlement. In the latter part of that 1861 Father Mauricuis took charge of the spir- year Samuel Bradley and family, from East itual affairs of the church and school and re- Haven, Connecticut, and John B. Chittenden and mained until 1864, when, under direction of family, from Guilford, Connecticut, came to- Father Ferdinand, the present brick building, gether and located on Mendon prairie. Within 45 by 70 feet, was erected at a cost of $12,000. a few years many families came from the above- The frame church was reconstructed and made named and other towns in Connecticut. William into a school building, and Mr. Gottlieb Jacoby Laughlin came from Kentucky in 1832. He took charge. After much hard work by its mem- taught school in the northwest part of the town- bers in its infancy, St. Antonius' Church is now ship. Among those who came from Connecticut in a flourishing condition. All the inside work in 1833 were Daniel and Erastus Benton, Ben- of the building has been done by contribution, jamin, Henry B. and Timothy Baldwin. Abram Mr. Wellman making all the pews, and several Benton came in 1834; Caleb A. Smith in 1835. others assisting in working on the communion In the next few years many from Connecticut rail, chancel and confessional. and other states located in the new settlement. The German Methodist Episcopal Church was Among them were James H. and Timothy Dud- organized in 1845. For several years the society 334 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY ley; Ralph G. Ely; Richard, William and George mitted to gain a foothold in this part of the state Starr; Edward H. and Henry Fowler; Jonathan that the town was abandoned. The deserted log and Asahel Hubbard ; Lyman Frisbie ; Jirah buildings are among the early recollections of Platt ; Thomas R. Bray ; Cooley E. Betts ; Amos the writer. Scranton; Daniel Nutt, A. D. Cook; William and The first church building was erected in Men- Richard Battell; Levi Stillman; and many others don in 1833 and was called the "Union Meeting whose names cannot here be enumerated. From House," all denominations having joined in 1840 to 1850 the settlement received many addi- erecting it. All were free to use it, as the ser- tions. C. Shupe came in 1841; M. Shupe in vices of a minister could be secured. The build- 1843 ; Peter Wible, William Van Dyke and others ing was also used as a school house. The first in 1844. The most of the settlers brought their school of which there is any knowledge or rec- families and made permanent homes, and today ord was taught by a Miss Burgess in 1832, in J. their descendants constitute a large part of Men- B. Chittenden's house. Miss Burgess afterward don's population. married Willard Keyes of Quincy, but lived only The town of Mendon, first called Fairfield, a short time. A Congregational church was or- was laid out in 1833 by John B. Chittenden, Ben- ganized on February 7, 1833, and was the first jamin Baldwin and Daniel Benton. The name church of that denomination organized in the was soon changed, as there was found to be an- state. This church built a "meeting house" in other Fairfield in the state. The Crooks and 1838; it was a frame building, 30 feet by 40 feet. Fowler, Sellwood, E. H. Fowler, Peter Young This gave place to a much more pretentious struc- and J. B. Frisbie additions have been made at ture in 1853. The Methodist Episcopal and the various times since. Episcopal churches were organized early in the The first building was erected by E. A. Strong history of the settlement, and the Lutheran in 1833. It was of logs and was used by him as Church in 1853. They all have buildings of suf- a blacksmith's shop. Later Mr. Strong became ficient capacity for their present needs. The an able and prominent Episcopal minister, hav- Lutheran people have recently remodeled the in- ing educated himself while working at his trade. terior of their church, giving it a modern and A postoffice was established in 1834, Abram Ben- tasteful appearance. In connection with all the ton being the first postmaster. The first store was churches are reasonably comfortable parsonages, kept by Daniel Benton. Abram Benton soon and the spiritual welfare of the congregations is succeeded him, and for half a century carried looked after by conscientious and able minis- on the business, increasing it as the development ters. The Congregationalists are erecting a new and settlement of the country required. S. R. building at a cost of about $16,000. It is of brick Chittenden was early engaged in mercantile busi- and stone, and will add favorably to the appear- ness and successfully carried it on until he turned ance of the town. The building committee who it over to his sons, S. F. and George R., who are have the work in charge are S. H. Bradley, C. A. still in businesss at the old stand under the firm Chittenden, G. F. Warner and George R. Chit- name of Chittenden Bros., and represent the tenden. The old Congregational building has oldest established business in the place. been purchased by "The Mendon Improvement As early as 1840 the Mendon settlement had Company," who will spend from $2,000 to $3,000 become a place of interest and influence in the on it and make of it a commodious public hall, county. In the William Henry Harrison cam- modern in style, something Mendon has long paign of that year a grand Whig barbecue was needed but never had. There is a Roman Catholic held in Mendon ; the carcasses of oxen, sheep Church in the village and another in the and hogs were roasted whole, and the multitude, south part of the township. Their membership who had gathered from the surrounding country, is composed largely of farmers, who are regarded were bountifully fed. Daniel Nutt was man- as most valuable citizens. ager of the roasts ; Hon. O. H. Browning was Since the adoption of township organization the principal speaker. This was the first politi- Mendon has had twelve supervisors, whose names cal gathering of the kind held in the county. and terms of service were as follows : William Between 1840 and 1844 the Mormon question Laughlin, eleven years ; W. P. Gilliland, two assumed threatening proportions. On section 4, years ; A. H. Trimble, four years ; J. H. Hen- 2 north, 9 west, a Mormon settlement was started, drickson, eight years; S. H. Bradley, sixteen and a town came into existence. The houses years ; A. E. Horn, two years ; C. Strickler, two were arranged in the form of a circle, and the years; S. R. Chittenden, four years ; W. J. town at one time had a population of between Brown, two years ; J. R. Urech, one year ; T. J. one hundred and two hundred people. But local Gilliland, one year ; W. B. Quig, one year. Joseph public opinion was so strong against it, and the B. Frisbie was Mendon's first town clerk. people in Adams and Hancock counties were so He is now over eighty-six years of age, strong, determined that Mormonism should not be per- active and vigorous. His son. J. B. Frisbie, Jr., 335 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

336 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

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337 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY is the present town clerk, having served eight the "Mendon Dispatch." The late D. H. Darby consecutive years. was editor for several years. In 1884 W. H. The Quincy & Warsaw Railroad came to Men- McIntyre purchased an interest in the paper don in 1870. The township voted $20,000 in and became its editor; later he became the sole bonds to aid in its construction. The debt has owner. In 1899 he sold out to J. R. and C. H. long since been paid, but the township still owns Urech, who have continued its publication under the stock. It was money well invested, at least the firm name of J. R. Urech & Son. so far as the farming and producing interests A bank was first established in Mendon in were concerned. April, 1889, by J. S. Wallace & Bro., who con- In 1867 Mendon was, by special act of the ducted a general banking business until Feb- legislature, incorporated as a town, its bounda- ruary, 1895, when they disposed of their inter- ries embracing one mile square. Later (about est, and the bank was reorganized under the 1890) it was incorporated under the general laws name of "Mendon Bank," under which name its of the state as a village. Its government con- business has been successfully conducted to the sists of a president, six trustees, a clerk of the present time. As a business institution it is one village and a police magistrate. The village is of the most important in the village. The bank a quiet and orderly place. It has many fine resi- has a paid-up capital of $25,000. A. P. Gay dences, good business buildings, a fine system of is the president and G. F. Warner, cashier. sidewalks, good streets and handsome lawns. It The public school house is a tasteful and sub- has a beautiful park called "Chittenden Park," stantial brick building, with a seating capacity in memory of Col. John B. Chittenden, who, of two hundred and fifty or three hundred. It when the original town was platted, gave a block was built in 1871 at a cost of about $20,000. It of ground for that purpose. This park is filled has recently been refitted with new furniture, a with handsome trees and supplied with seats, steam heating plant, etc., and is in better condi- making it a most attractive and enjoyable place. tion than ever before. The reputation of the It is bordered on all sides with hard maples, school is good, and many pupils attended from planted, in 1876, and called "Centennial Row." abroad. No. intoxicating liquor is sold in Men- The general appearance of the village is one in don, and it never had within its limits a licensed which its citizens take much satisfaction and is saloon. a subject of commendation by its visitors. Mendon lodge, No. 449, A. F. and A. M., was Mendon may be said to be almost strictly an organized in 1865; Mendon chapter, No. 157, R. agricultural and stockraising community. Two- A. M., in 1873; Mendon State chapter, No. 153, thirds or more of its land was prairie, most of it O. E. S., in 1889, all of which have strong or- good soil for agricultural purposes and, with ganizations and large memberships and are in the exception of a portion of that lying near a prosperous condition. There are also lodges of Rock creek, on the south, and Bear creek on the A. O. U. W. and I. O. O. F., a camp of Modern north, which is more broken, is in as good state Woodmen, a Grand Army post, organizations of of cultivation and as productive as that in any Rebekahs, of Royal Neighbors, and of Loyal other part of the county; at least the County Americans, commendable and beneficial societies Board of Review persist in keeping Mendon real to exist in any community. estate near the top of the list in value. The During the Civil war Mendon sent large num- farms of Mendon township are, as a rule, well bers of its young men to the front and filled its improved. There are many fine and costly houses "quota with its best blood." It had a society and barns, besides such other buildings as com- of "Needle Pickets" second to none in the county fort and convenience may suggest. (outside of Quincy), which was in continuous Mendon was, at one time, something of a manu- session from its formation to the close of the facturing town. Its principal industries were war. It did much to relieve the necessities of the manufacture of plows, wagons, flour, leather, soldiers' families at home and much more for etc.; but, owing to the tendency to concentrate the relief of sick and wounded soldiers at the business in larger places, manufacturing has, to front and in hospitals. a great extent, been lost to the small towns. The Mendon helped to make real history in the water plant was recently destroyed by fire. If days of the "Underground Railroad." It was, rebuilt, as it should be, original defects and mis- from an early day, a well-known station, many takes should be remedied and the system made of its best men being faithful agents of the com- effective. pany. In the days of Dr. Nelson and until the The first newspaper -of the place was estab- result of the Civil war put an end to traffic in lished in 1877 by C. A. Bristol & Co., and was human beings, the route via Mendon to Freedom known as the "Mendon Enterprise." After sev- was a trunk line in almost constant use. If eral changes of ownership, it was .purchased by the escaping slave was posted beforehand and J. R. Urech in 1878, and the name changed to had the right start Quincy, Mendon, Plymouth, 338 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

Galesburg, etc., all receiving and forwarding sta- ing the progress of the sale the purchaser had tions, never failed of the desired result. No one was been knocked down, kicked, and choked, by a ever known to be captured and returned to "man from Mendon," the complainant had been slavery if he had a through ticket on this route. knocked down, kicked, and had most of his Mendon was known as an abolition town, and clothes torn off by a Methodist minister who was prices were set for the capture and delivery in present at the trial, and the six-foot son of the Missouri of certain of its citizens. Illustrative complainant, who attempted to interfere with of the almost unanimous public sentiment on the the ministerial work, was given a broken nose, slavery question, an incident occurred in 1862 with accompanying side dishes and "deserts," which is of historical interest. The Illinois which necessitated the use of a "big" wagon to "Black Laws," prohibiting the immigration of carry him home, where he remained contently (?) free negroes, were in force when three black for several weeks. The "negro boy" went home boys, who had been slaves, but were then called with his purchaser, whose wife persuaded the "contrabands"--a kind of purgatory condition "boy" under promise that he should not be pur- between slavery and freedom--came to Mendon sued, to run away before morning, which he did. and were employed by two farmers. After they He afterward worked about Mendon without had been here beyond the law limit, they were molestation. The other boys, who had also been pounced upon by men armed with shotguns and fined for the same "high misdemeanor" and had were run into the village of Marcelline, where been advertised to be sold two days later, were warrants had been issued for their arrest. The offered to the public, but the market seemed over- bringing of the first one caused a commotion stocked and no bids were received. They were among the citizens of the place; but the law took discharged and admonished "not to cause any its course (some of the time) and finally resulted further trouble." Several justices of the peace, in the following notice being posted: sitting "en banc," made an effort to ascertain "By virtue of the Laws of the State of Illinois who "busted" the fellow's nose, but the state's and a Special Act passed by the Legislature of attorney, happening along when court was in- said State, passed February 12th, 1853, to pre- vestigating, dismissed the case, assessing the cost vent the immigration of Free Negroes into this on the complainant with the remark that he only state, and "got what was coming to him." Neither the Whereas, on the 16th day of December, 1862, boys nor any one else ever made any further comes Washington Wren and complained and trouble in this line, although the infamous " Black had arrested a negro boy by the name of George Laws," to the disgrace of the state, remained Price and was fined in the sum of Fifty Dollars on the statute book for years afterward ; but their by a Jury of 12 men on the 16th day of Decem- enforcement was never again attempted in ber, 1862, and costs, for high Misdemeanor for Mendon. coming into this State and remaining in this The Methodist Episcopal Church was organ- State over ten days with the intention of remain- ized in Mendon in the year 1839 and among the ing in this State contrary to Laws, and the same charter members of the organization were A. B. not having paid, and therefore, I shall, by virtue Stevens, Ralph G. Ely, Daniel Nutt, James Hull, of my Office offer at public sale at the front door Jesse J. Kirkpatrick. Stevens was a carpenter of my office in the Town of Marcelline in Adams by trade and superintended the work of build- county, and State of Illinois, to any person or ing the first church, which was in 1840. The persons who will pay the fine and costs for said "Mendon Circuit" included all of Adams county George Price, for the shortest time, the purchaser and preaching places in some of the adjoining to furnish said negro with comfortable food and counties. The redoubtable ''Backwoods Preacher," clothing and lodging during said time, on the Peter Cartwright, was the presiding elder of the 27th day of December A. D., 1862, between the Quincy district, which included Mendon circuit hours of 8 o'clock A. M. and 4 o'clock P. M. of at that time and has ever since. The Quincy said day for cash in hand. " district was formed in 1832, and Bishop Soule Given under my hand and seal this 17th day of appointed Peter Cartwright to the district. The December, 1862. district included "Galena Mission, Fort Edwards LEE R. CAMPBELL, Mission (now Warsaw), Henderson River Mis- Justice of the Peace." sion, Blue River- Mission, Quincy (which in- The day of the sale came and only one bid was cluded Hendon circuit), Rushville and Canton." made for the "boy" who had been convicted of This was nearly all the western half of the state a "high misdemeanor" in coming onto the free of Illinois. Enos Thompson was the first pastor soil of Illinois to try and earn an honest living. of the "Mendon Circuit." The church building The "boy" was sold to work ninety-nine years erected in 1840 was replaced by the new church and six months to pay the fifty-dollar fine. Dur- that was erected in 1854 and is now (1905) used by the present congregation. 339 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

NORTH EAST TOWNSHIP. was appointed to fill unexpired term. (By Lem Burke.) H. A. Keller is the present supervisor. William The first settlement of this township was made R. Hoyt was listed twenty-one years con- on section 2, in 1829, by Alexander Oliver. He secutively as town clerk. He has proved a very came to the township from the state of Ohio with efficient, officer and to him the township is in- a wife and ten children-five sons and five daugh- debted almost wholly for the accuracy of the ters-built a log cabin, and made the first im- records. provements. Two of his sons entered the min- The first school house built was on section 4, istry of the Methodist Church. Mr. Oliver and called Hiler's school house, in 1833. The build- his family resided in this township during the ing was made of logs. The first frame building Black Hawk war ; also during the winter of the was the "Franklin," on section 16, and it was deep snow, and suffered many and great priva- for a long time used as the place of holding an- tions and hardships incident to those times, much nual town meetings and general elections. owing to the limited circumstances of the early The first religious service was held by Rev. settlers. The next in order of time who settled Ralston at the residence of John Hiler in 1833, in the township were Harmon and Alfred Mar- under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal low, Mr. Bates and Mrs. Smith, with their fam- Church. The first church was built by the Meth- ilies, from Indiana ; Hiram Elliston, John Hilber, odist Episcopal Society of Elm Grove in 1847, Levi Conover and Elliot Condes were the on section 23, with Rev. William as circuit rider. next to settle. The last three families came from This church was rebuilt several times, the last the state of Kentucky and settled in the year time in 1904. 1831. The first mill was built by John Wilson-a The first white child born was a son of Hanson horse mill operated for a few years, which ground Marlow, in the year 1831, and the first death only corn. The first steam mill was started was that of Mrs. Smith, in the year 1832. 1 1/2 miles north of LaPrairie by Luke Simpson. Benjamin Gould and Miss Janes were the first He was not successful here and in a few parties married. The ceremony was performed years he sold it to Abijah Cohetstone, who re- by Christopher C. Yates, a justice of the peace, moved it to Brown County. in the year 1833. The first sermon was preached Two wind mills were operated for the purpose by the Rev. W. H. Ralston; at the log cabin built of grinding rye and buckwheat flour, cornmeal on section 4, in the year 1833, and Miss Janes, and other cereal products. The first mill was afterwards wife of Benjamin Gould, taught the built on the northwest quarter section 33 by first school. The first church building was Henry Emminga in 1854. The present owner is erected by the Presbyterians on section 36, and C. Frazen & Son. The other mill is operated Rev. William Crain was their minister. This by H. H. Emminga, the son of the builder. township is mostly prairie, well skirted with fine The New Era mills were built by H. H. Em- timbers, and is settled by a prosperous and in- minga in 1889 and are yet in successful operation telligent people. as a steam flouring plant. The township of Northeast was organized in The first secret order permanently organized the year 1850, when an election was held. The was a lodge of Masons, called Prairie Lodge No. first supervisor was Benjamin Gould, the first 267, organized Oct. 6, 1858. A lodge of Odd town clerk, William Burke ; the first assessor, Fellows had previously been organized, but after "William Ketchum; first collector, J. J. Graham; a few years the charter was surrendered and the first overseer of the poor, B. N. Galliher; first lodge abandoned. justices of the peace were Mitchell Alexander The village of Golden was formerly known as and James J. Graham ; the first constables, Robert Keokuk Junction, where the connection was B. Combs and William F. Crain; commis- made with Keokuk by the Wabash and Burlington sioners of highways, E. B. Hough, Elliot Combs Railroads. A hotel, two or three saloons, run and Clements Robbins. "wide open," and a station and telegraph office The first election was held in Franklin school. were established here early in 1863. At a meet- The succeeding supervisors since that first elec- ing called by the citizens of the hamlet in 1867, tion are: Benjamin Gould, six years; James a village organization was formed under a special Abraham, fifteen years ; John DeGroot, three act of the legislature and the town was named years; Jackson Pearce, one year; Charles J. Tau- Keokuk Junction. The following officers were haeff, three years ; John Lyle, one year ; William elected : John Lyle, justice of the peace John H. Burke, two years; William Tauhaeff, two years; Wendle, constable ; L. U. Abbers, George Meyer, William R. Hoyt, seven years ; John Alexander, Andreas Fruhling and William Hanna, trustees. three years; Lemuel Burke, eight years; William This organization gave the town very good DeGroot, resigned September 15, and Ira Reynolds authority for police regulations, which had become a matter of necessity for the safety and 340 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY health of all law-abiding citizens, and the in- growth of the village, was erected, so that the corporation soon showed the benefit of such a youth of this vicinity have satisfactory educa- course in the gradual but steady improvement tional advantages: There are parochial schools, of the moral attitude of the population. also, in connection with the Lutheran churches This form of government continued in force here. until March, 1873; when the board of trustees About the year 1869, came temperance reform. called an election to vote upon the new state At first only a few private citizens took much law, authorizing the town to relinquish their interest in it, but a very bitter, violent spirit special organization acts and to adopt the gen- as aroused against one or two strenuous re- eral method of organization of cities and vil- form advocates. lages. The result was a unanimous vote to make This spirit was put down by the calmer heads such a change. The nest April, accordiug to the of the community, and later, in 1877, a public plan adopted, an election was held, and the new- organization was formed. This organization has ly elected board of trustees proceeded to or- been productive of much good. ganize and execute the village government ac- The name of Keokuk Junction was changed cording to the new state "Village and Organi- later to the Village of Golden, after the organi- zation Laws," which course is still in full effect. zation complying with the general law enacted While the moral aspect of the village has so for uniform government. This was to avoid con- vastly improved, the physical has not been neg- fusion of names as used by postoffice depart- lected. Previous to the building of the railroads, ment and express and railroad companies, a dis- the middle of the village was actually the middle tinct designation. of a vast malarial pool, so wet, in fact, that in The village of LaPrairie was laid out in 1855 early summer, even persons on horseback, were by Harrison Dills, Benjamin Bacon and others. obliged to avoid this portion when passing from A village organization was effected in 1855. The side to side of the prairie. Now a system of railroad, the Northern Cross, afterward the C., B. thorough drainage added to a fair degree of san- and Q., was built through and beyond what itary regulations, secures the resident popula- is now called LaPrairie, and a station house was tion a greater immunity from pestilence than is erected in the fall of 1855, and at first it was afforded to many of her sister towns. called Gibbs or Gibbstown, after a settler who The cause of the settlement of a mercantile located there before the building of the road, community in such a seemingly unfavorable spot but afterward it was changed to LaPrairie. being the location of two very important rail- It is a beautiful little village located about road lines, it is naturally a matter of interest to thirty miles from Quincy. It has gained quite turn a few moments to the local operation and a reputation as a shipping point, from the management of those two roads. On the 21st amount of merchandise which passes through of November, 1863, the first telegram passed here. from this station. From that time until the pres- An elegant school building adorns the south- ent immense stocks of merchandise of all descrip- ern part of the village and the educational re- tions have been received at this station for sale quirements are carefully looked after. or trans-shipment, while, at the same time, large The establishment of telephone lines communi- quantities of grain and live stock have been cating with nearly every permanent residence shipped from the depot to be scattered through in the township, the rural free mail delivery, all the markets of our own, and probably many the great improvement in agricultural methods, foreign countries. in cultivation, as well as in machinery, improved Religious services were held here first in the road-making, better school houses, and the nu- depot and were conducted alternately by the merous churches that have sprung up in the last Methodists and the Presbyterians. Later the twenty-five years, have made this township pros- Methodists, about 1869, erected a new church perous and progressive. building. The German Lutheran church has since been organized, and other denominations PAYSON TOWNSHIP. have come. (By H. F. Scarborough.) The cause of education received marked at- tention from the first. Perhaps few towns can Payson township is one of the south tier of produce as many permanent residents who have townships in Adams County, lying about five been school teachers. The village organized a miles east of the Mississippi river and contain- special school district for themselves and built ing some of the richest lands and also some of a new school house at a cost of $3,000, about 1869. the poorest in the county. The two small vil- Some four or five years ago, this building proved lages of Payson and Plainville are located with- inadequate to the demands; and a larger, fine in this territory. Payson is situated fifteen modern structure, more in keeping with the 341 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY miles southeast of Quincy and twelve miles The first school within the village of Payson was northeast of Hannibal, Mo. conducted by Miss Emily Scarborough in 1837 In the year 1833 the land upon which Payson in a school house located at the northeast corner now stands was entered at the general land of- of Edwards and Fulton streets: fice by Hon. John Wood, E. B. Kimball and One of the most prominent characteristics of Brackett Pottle. Prior to this date some pioneers the early settlers of the village of Payson was had settled in the adjoining vicinity, Andrew their regard for religious institutions, and while MePeterie settling on section 32 in the spring the community yet consisted of but few families, of '30. Woodward Lawrence came in May, 1831, they regularly met for worship in one of their and the following fall taught the first subscrip- cabins and as early as the fall of 1835 they se- tion school in this vicinity; it was conducted in cured the services of Rev. Anson Hubbard. On a log stable with puncheon floor and very large the 8th of May, 1836, the Congregational Church cracks between the logs for windows. John Ed- of Payson was organized, with twenty members. monds' family arrived July 3d, 1831; E. S. They met for worship in a school house for a Nichols in September, 1832; Robert G. Kay in time, but in 1840 built a church, at that time October, 1833. In the fall of 1834 Deacon Al- one of the best and most expensive in this coun- bigence Scarborough, of West Harvard, Conn., try. It was dedicated in March, 1841, and the settled in the township, having made a prospec- society enjoyed this fine house of worship only tive trip in 1833. He purchased the land on a short time, as it was consumed by fire, Nov. which Payson now stands and in the spring of 18th, 1842. This loss, in conjunction with the '35 laid out the village of Payson, having it hard times and consequent depression of busi- platted and recorded; he afterward associated ness, was a terrible blow to the church. But with himself in the laying out and sale of lots, services were held in such rooms as could be pro- P. E. Thompson and James C. Bernard. The village cured until a much smaller building was erected was named by Deacon Scarborough for in 1844. The present commodious building was the Rev. Dr. Edward Payson of Portland, Me. finished and dedicated in the fall of 1865. In 1836 Deacon Scarborough, Deacon David The M. E. Church of Payson was incorporated Prince and Captain John Burns commenced the as a society March 18th, 1840, and the lot on building of the stone wind mill, which was com- which the present church building stands was pleted about three years afterward, at a cost of obtained and the construction of the first church $13,000. begun in the spring of 1841 and completed in The first sale of town lots took place on the the fall of 1842. The first quarterly conference 7th day of August, 1836; and twenty per cent of the Payson circuit was held in Payson Nov. of the purchase money of the lots sold was do- l3th, 1847. In 1854 a second church building nated by the founders for the purpose of build- was erected on the same lot. The increasing ing a seminary. Four acres of land were given strength of the society demanded still a larger by Deacon Scarborough upon which to erect the and more modern house of worship, and cones- said building. This educational interest led to quently the present beautiful structure was the erection of a building, which for a few years erected in 1878. was used for an academy, and afterwards rented The Payson Baptist Church was organized in by the school district for a public school. This Burton township March. 8th, 1834, under the building was finally sold and moved off the lot; name of "Bethany Baptist Church;" removing but through the patient efforts of Joel g. Scar- their society to the village of Payson in 1838, borough and his associates, a new and commode- where they had erected and dedicated a new ous public school brick building was erected on house of worship. This society was strong for the same beautiful lot. The school has ever been many years, and in 1865 the more commodious good, same today is an honor to the town, rank- church edifice they now occupy was built; but ing second to none in the county. The influence the society was afterwards much weakened by of her scholars is evinced by numerous distin- the drawing off of many of its members to form guished people of various vocations, who were Baptist churches in Newton and Plainville. born and reared in the town. Among these were The Christian church was oragnized Feb. 15th, Dr. David Prince, a famous physician and sur- 1868, with twenty-six members; they have a neat geon; Mrs. Anna Scott and others who devoted church building and have increased in numbers, their lives to mission in foreign fields; Prof. Ed- becoming a strong society. ward Perry, the head of an oratorical school in Payson has three secret societies: the A. F. St. Louis; and Miss Mary F. Leach, once a pro- and A. M. is the oldest, being chartered in Octo- fessor of chemistry in Mt. Holyoke, now a Ph. D. ber, 1863; they own a fine hall. There is an in Ann Arbor, Mich. There may be found emi- I. O. O. F. society; and a society of the order of nent representatives of the Payson schools in Eastern Star.. There are three mutual insur- the ministry, the law and in business professions. ance societies: the M. W. of A. ; Royal Neigh- 342 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY bors and Court of Honor. The Payson tion of many others who have taken great inter- Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company was est in the welfare of Payton township. organized in 1873 and has increased its busi- ness till at the present time the company has RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP. over one and a half million dollars of insurance (By J. C. Baker.) in force, ranking as the sixth township insurance Three years after the organization of Adams company of the state. The officers are : J. K. County the first settlement of this township was Scarborough, president; Horace Bernard, secre- made, having been first settled by Jacob Franks tary, and H. L. Tandy, treasurer. and A. N. Penrod, in the fall of 1828. On Dec. Payson supports a flourishing weekly news- 6, 1831, David Locke and Joseph Linthicum paper, edited by E. P. Maher, who has a power came ; Dixon Tungate and N. D. Harris came in plant installed. There are five stores, two har- 1832; Aberdeen Mallet came in 1833; Henry ness shops, a tin shop, two implement houses and Lile was also one of the first settlers. These all four blacksmith shops in the town. brought their families, and soon the township The thriving village of Plainville has grown began to be filled up with a class of good and in- up on what was originally known as "Stone dustrious people, among whom were Goldsbury Prairie", so called for one of the first settlers Childers, John B. Atherton, Sanford Harris, in the southeast part of this township, Samuel Solomon Cusic, Henry Cleveland, James and Stone, who settled in the year 1822. Plainville Jefferson Long, Nathan Harris, I. Hunsaker, is located two miles from the east line and two Alvin Hartshorn, Sr., and others. The first child miles from the south line of the township. Al- born in the township was a daughter to David though a much younger village than Payson, it Locke; hers also was the first death. The first is a fast rival in the amount of business trans- justice of the peace was Jesse Evans who was acted. Among the early settlers in the vicinity also the first supervisor of the township. The of Plainville were Henry Wagy, settling in the succeeding supervisors were Ira Tyler, A. H. fall of 1832; Wyman Whitcomb, October, 1833; Pettit, J. T. Hull., William Evans, L. M. Morrison, A. B. Vining, Nov. 6th. 1833, and Solomon F. M. Behymer, Alvin Hartshorn and P. J. Daniels. Shinn, May 5th, 1836. A. B. Vining and John The first school was conducted in a Delaplain were prominent in the early history log cabin on section 6, by Erastus Rice, in 1836. of the village. It was incorporated as a town The first school house was built in 1839, on sec- May 1st, 1896, with the name of Plainville. tion 19. The first church was situated on sec- There are two thriving churches in Plainville-- tion 30, and was of the Methodist Episcopal the Baptist church, organized in 1890 with forty- denomination. The church building was erected six members ; they have a neat church and have in 1850, and is known as Shiloh Chapel. The regular church services and Sunday school. The first preacher was the Rev. Northcutt. At the M. E. church was organized in the year 1875. time of organization the board of trustees con- They have a commodious church building and sisted of William Gooding, Joseph Linthicum, are prosperous. Those that have had the pleas- Henry Lile, William Holcomb, Jacob Baker and ure of attending conventions held in Plainville Benjamin Fahs. The first mill was built on Mc- can vouch for the cordiality and hospitality of Crany creek, about 1840, by David Locke. In her people. There are five or six stores, a weekly 1843 the first saw mill was built. newspaper, the "Plainville Messenger," wagon The village of Richfield, which has never been shops, blacksmith shops, etc., in the town. incorporated, was platted about 1842. The first Plainville has four secret societies : the A. F. store in the place was built about 1845, by Nahma and A. M.; Order of Eastern Star ; I. O. O. F. Tyler, who conducted a general merchandising and Rebekahs. There are three mutual insur- business. The village is located on the line of ance societies, the M. W. of A. being quite sections 8 and 17; it contains a number of small strong. dwellings, an M. E. church, blacksmith and wagon The two towns are connected by telephone shop and two stores. The first secret society was lines and are both well equipped with that serv- a camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, ice and have hopes of an electric railway con- organized here in 1899. necting them with the cities of Quincy and Han- The township contains four churches, one nibal. Payson township took its name from the Baptist and three Methodist Episcopal. The peo- village of Payson and was organized in the year ple of Richfield are intelligent and industrious, 1850. The first supervisor was Robert G. Kay. as is evidenced by their well kept homes and im- The succeeding supervisors were Wyman Whit- proved farms. The surface of the country is comb, J. O. Bernard, J. W. Vickers, A. T. Cook, quite rolling and somewhat broken. It was orig- S. E.. Hewes, G. E. Hupert. T. S. Elliott and H. inally about three-fourths timber. Much of the F. Scarborough. Space will not permit the men- soil is quite productive.

343 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

Richfield has the honor of having furnished a city of Quincy, some $400,000 of cancelled bonds representative to the General Assembly of the of the district, the landowners having purchased State from this district, in the person of Hon. the same through a committee previously ap- Ira Tyler, who served three terms. He was a pointed for that purpose. There remains out- member of "Palmer's famous 101." standing only $4,000 of bonded indebtedness against the whole district-a fraction less than RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP. twenty-two cents per acre. George Campbell, William Worley and Samuel Riverside township is directly north of Quincy Groshong, who came in 1825, were the first white and is bounded on the north by Ursa, east by settlers in Ursa. Mr. Groshong settled on Rock Ellington, south by Quincy, and west by the creek in the south part of the township, where Mississippi river. he built the first cabin ; George Campbell, on It was formerly a part of Ellington, but in the northwest quarter of section 31, and Mr. 1887 was organized as a town. Worley on section 18. These were followed the Two creeks, with their branches flow through next year by Robert Beatty, and in 1827 by Riverside, Cedar creek and Homan's or Leonard's George Frazier and his son, James B. Stedman creek, thus affording good drainage for Smith and John Denson came in 1828, and I. G. this township. Much of Riverside was formerly Smith and Stephen Ruddell in 1829. The second bottom land, but it is in the Indian Grave Drainage marriage license issued in Adams County was district, and thus has been made among the to George Campbell and Mary Groshong. They most valuable farm lands in the county. were married Aug. 18, 1825, by Willard Keyes, I. J. Earl is the present supervisor; the first county commissioner. The first marriage was was Thomas Sinnock, and he was succeeded by that of David Ray and Rachel Thomas, which Charles Pool, Josiah Barnes and W. E. Chapman. occurred July 26, 1825, by Peter Journey, county The Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home is lo- commissioner. The first birth in Ursa was cated in this township. Andrew J., son of George Campbell, in the summer of 1827. The first death was that of URSA TOWNSHIP. (By Tom B. Smith.) Thomas Campbell, George Campbell's father. This is the largest township in Adams County. Peter Vannerst opened the first store in what It embraces parts of the two congressional town- is now known as "old Ursa," in 1828. Joel Frazier, ships, 1 north, 8 west, and 1 north, 9 west, hav- brother of James B., taught the first ing an area of about fifty-six square miles. The school in the fall of 1828 in a little log school Mississippi marks the western boundary, a dis- house, erected that year, the first in the town- tance of about seven miles, and furnishes a means ship, on the northeast quarter of Section 31, 1 of transportation for the products of the town- north, 8 west. The first school house within the ship. The devious course of Bear creek marks bounds of the present village of Ursa was also of the northern boundary. The beautifully undu- logs. It was built in the early thirties near lating uplands are among the very finest farm- where the Christian church now stands, and the ing lands of the state, and comprise about two- first teacher was Hans Patten. The present mod- thirds the area of the township. An abundance ern three-room building accommodates a fine of water is supplied by numerous springs and grade school presided over by Prin. C. W. Collins. several creeks, chief among the latter of which The first religious society in the township was are : Rock, which flows across the township from of the Christian denomination, organized in the east, a mile or so from the base line ; Ursa, 1833 or 1834 by the Rev. Stephen Ruddell and which rises in Mendon and flows west through Rev. Jesse Bowles, grandfathers, respectively, of the center, and Bear, forming the boundary J. T. Ruddell of Ursa, and Holman Bowles of line on the north. The rich bottom lands have Riverside. This society was organized at the become.among the most valuable in the township residence of Elder Ruddell, on section 18, the through the organization of the Indian Grave first house of worship being built two years sub- Drainage District in April, 1880. This district, sequent to organization on land donated by him including that portion in Riverside township, near what is now the fine farm residence of George comprises 18,200 acres, about 14,000 acres of McAdams. The seven charter members which is in Ursa township. These lands are of this church were Stephen Ruddell and wife, now being brought to a high state of cultiva- Jesse Bowles and wife, Sarah Crawford, Mary tion which will add very materially to the landed Riddle and Elizabeth Stone. wealth of the township. The Indian Grave Drainage The first mill was a grist mill that ground corn District celebrated the new year, Jan. 1, 1904, only, operated by David Metcalf in 1829, on the by burning, in front of the courthouse in the Gabriel Keath farm. This mill was built after the sweep fashion and is said to have been pro-

344 PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY pelled by oxen. The first mill that ground both building used as a school house, whose upper wheat and corn was built by David Campbell a story is a Masonic hall. There are also wagon year or so later on section 25, 1 north, 9 west, on and blacksmith shops. The Christian society, Rock creek, and run by water power. The first organized in 1879, with eighty-nine members, frame building was erected by Peter Vannerst, now has a fine new modern house of worship the merchant, in 1830; he was also the first post- and is in a flourishing condition. master when the postoffice was established by The first supervisor of Ursa after township Hon. Richard M. Johnson, who gave it the name organization, April 2, 1850, was John M. Ruddell. of Ursa. "Old Ursa," however, was never or- Succeeding supervisors, in order of their ganized as a village, that distinction remaining terms of service, were W. W. Beam, J. C. An- for its namesake, or "new Ursa", founded in derson, J. M. Ruddell, Henry Newcomer, W. D. 1875, less than a mile north and now organized Ruddell, Henry Newcomer, J. M. Ruddell, Lee R. as Ursa. In 1875 William B. Smith sold off Campbell, W. D. Ruddell, G. H. Walker, J. M. acre lots at the crossing of the Quincy and War- Daugherty, G. H. Walker, J. M. Ruddell, G. H. saw public road and the C., B. & Q. Railroad, Walker, Tom B. Smith, Elijah Shepherd, George Carthage branch, to several persons who erected McAdams, J. L. Denson and Tom B. Smith, the residences, store buildings, shops, etc., and moved present incumbent. their families and their business from "old The first secret society organized in Ursa town- Ursa". The village has continued to grow. Quite ship was Marcelline Lodge No. 114 A. F. & A. M., a number of fine cottage residences have been at Marcelline. The date of organization was erected during the past few years. General Oct. 7, 1851, and J. C. Anderson was the first stores and other business interests usually found Worshipful Master. Marcelline Lodge No. 127 in a thriving railroad town are well represented. I. O. O. F. was organized Oct. 14, 1853. The Comparatively speaking it is one of the best Masons of Ursa still meet with Marcelline, but shipping points on the Carthage branch of the the Odd Fellows have their own organization. C., B. & Q. Railroad. Besides these, there are in the village of Ursa The Christian, the Lutheran and the Meth- organizations of Woodmen, Rebekahs and Royal odist Episcopal churches each have prosperous Neighbors. There is a Court of Honor at Mar- societies here. The Methodist Protestant church celline. is also represented. While Ursa township is not excelled by the The village of Marcelline, laid out by S. M. same area of territory in this part of the state Jenkins, in 1842, is situated in the northern ex- in the production of wheat, more attention is tremety of Ursa township, three miles north of being given in recent years to the culture of Indian Ursa, on section 31, 2 north, 8 west. Thomas corn and fruits, and the raising of live Payne of Ellington, made two additions to the stock as well as to dairying interests. The soil original plat, the last in 1849. A man named is exceedingly fertile and well adapted to a variety Wade, who came there as early as 1830, was the of crops. This township is thickly settled. first settler on the original site. John W. McFaddon There are seventy miles of the best roadway settled there and begun business with a in the county taken care of by town authorities, general stock of merchandise some years before besides the six miles of railway traversing diag- the place was platted. William Price and Thomas onally from northeast to southwest. These, Payne also sold goods there years ago. Besides "with its fine improvements and varying landscape a number of good substantial residence build- of smiling fields and inviting woodlands present a ings there are now two general stores and a scene of rare beauty and wealth."