USA > Illinois > Stark County > Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois : containing an authentic summary of records, documents, historical works and newspapers > Part 33
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288
HISTORY OF , STARK COUNTY.
Edwards, L. Edwards, Alice Edwards, Austin and Win. Eyck, Peter F. Brady, R. Fell. Mrs. Lake, Ed. Newland, Sanmel Johnson, Oscar Hendley, C. D. Ward, Ella Bennett, Chas. W. Eicholz, Wm. Hogle, Wells White. G. Crafford, P. P. Johnson, Bertie Hall, C. B. and Harry Hall, Mrs. A. Hall, HI. Foglesong. Andrew Whitaker, A. L. and P. A. Johnson, J. W. Plumber, J. H. and C. W. Hall, John East- man, A. F. Stickney, Mrs. L. A. Brainard, Bell Adams, Mabel Fell, W. A. Newton. Gus. Hulsizer, Isaac M. and Etta Witter, Minnie Blust, W. W. Carr. A. Christy, May Smith and Anina MeConisev. Many of all who signed the petition did not become members, but in March, 1886, others were admitted, among whom were Emma and Plessie Follett, Percy Renniek, John Geer, S. J. Sharp, Geo. Walker, Geo. Grim and Fanny Thorp.
W. W. Wright Post - No. 327, G. A. R., was chartered August 20. 1883. The original members are the first twenty-five on record, name, native state, date of enlistment, rank, company and regiment, and term of service being given :
John M. Brown, Va., Oct. 1, 1561, Sergt., Co. K. 47 ]]]. Inf .. 3 yrs., promoted Capt. Orlando Brace, III .. Sept. 10, 1862, private, Co. A, 124 III. Inf., 3,45 yrs., promoted corporal, wounded at Spanish Fort.
George II. Martin, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1861, private. Co. K, 47 ]Il. Inf., until July, 1865. George II. Martin, N. Y .. Oct. 1, 1861. 1st Lient .. Co. B. ¿ III. Iuf., to close of war. James Price, Ky., Aug. 21, 1862, private, Co. E, 83 IN. Inf., 10 inos., dis. for dis.
Robert H. Price, Ill., Aug. 21, 1862. private, Co. E, 83 Ill. Inf .. 2 yrs. and 10 mos.
Robert J. Diekinson, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1862, private, Co. B, 127 Ill. Inf., 1212 mos., wounded.
William W. Wright, Ill., June 1, 1864,, private, Co. H. 139 Ill. Inf., 5 mos .. close of term.
Andrew Galbraith, Pa .. Aug. 18, 1862, marine artillery, disbanded.
Andrew Galbraith. Pa., Ang. 18, 1862, U. S. navy, term expired.
Andrew Galbraith, Pa., Feb. 24, 1865, 2d Lieut., Co. 1. 151 Ill. Inf., 11 mos.
Samuel M. Adams, O., Sept. 20, 1862, private, Co. F, 112 Ill. Inf , 234 yrs. Edwin Butler, III., Sept. 20, 1862, sergeant, Co. F, 112 III. Inf., 234 yrs. Austin C. llimes, Pa., Sept. 20, 1862, private, Co. F, 112 III. Inf., 234 yrs.
John F. Rhodes, Ill., Sept. 20, 1862, corporal. Co. F, 112 III. Inf., 1 yr. and 10 mos., wounded.
David Tinlin, Can., Sept. 20, 1862, private, Co. F, 112 III. Inf., 2 yrs. and $ mos .. lis. for dis.
Jesse Likens, Pa .. Aug. 15, 1862, private, Co. F, 112 Ill. Inf., transferred.
Jesse Likens, Pa .. Nov. 17, 1864, private, Co. K. 2d V. R. C., 214 yrs., dis, for dis. Bradford F. Thompson, Me., Sept. 20, 1862, 1st Sergt., Co. B. 112 III. Inf., 234 yrs., captured.
Matthew II. Rounds, N. Y., Sept. 30, 1864, private, Co. B, 20 III. Inf., 9 mos. Gus. Hulsizer, N. J., May 31, 1864, private, Co. II. 134 III. Inf., 5 mos. Gus. Hulsizer, N. J .. Feb. 27, 1865, private, Co. A. 32 III. Inf., 9 mos.
Charles E. Shinn, III., Sept. 2. 1861, private, Co. B, 33 Ill. Inf., 4 yrs. and ? mos. Thomas Gemmell, III .. Ang. 29, 1861, private, Co. A, 30 III. Inf., 3 yrs. 11 mos. Bethuel Pierson. Pa., Feb. , 1865, private. Co. I, 151 III. Inf., 111, mos.
W. F. Newland, Ind., Aug. 1863, private. Co. F. M9 Ind. Inf., 6 mos .. dis, for dis. Daniel S. Hewitt, Pa., Feb. 26, 1864, private, Co. C, Ist Batt. M. MI.
James A. Henderson, Tenn., Feb. 1, 1865, private, Co. F, marine Art., 11 mos. William Hughes, Mich., Aug. 1862, private. Co. 1, 18 Mich. Inf.
William Hughes, Mich., Nov. 1863, private, Co. D), 11 Mich. Cav.
Henry B. Perry, W. Va., Sept. 20, 1862, corporal, Co. F, 112 Ill. Inf., 234 yrs. Ambler T. Massae, Ill., Aug. 20, 1864, private, Co. B, 29 Ill. Inf., 1412 mos. W'm. H. Taylor, III., May 1, 1861, private, Co. G, 8 Mo. Cav., 5113 mos.
C'has. E. HTill, Va., Nov. 11, 1863, private, Co. I, 11 U. S. Col. Art., 2312 mos.
James P. Headly, Ill., Ang. 12, 1862, Co. F, 112 Ill. Inf., 34 months.
David G. Stouffer, Pa., Aug. 8, 1862. Co. B, 127 Penn. Inf., 9 months.
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TOULON TOWNSHIP.
Darius Demunt, N J., Ang. 12, 1862,. Co. F. 112 Ill Inf., 35 months.
Darius Demunt, N. J., Aug. 30, 1863, V. R. Cav., 35 months.
Willis Pierson, N. J., April, 1861, Co. C, 4 N. Y. Inf., 39 months
Willis Pierson, N. J .. July, 1861, Co. C. S N. I. Inf .. 39 months. Samuel Burge, N. Il., June 1, 1864, Co. 11, 139 ]]]. Vol., 5 months. Presly Tirrill, IN .. Aug. 12, 1862, Co. F. 112 Ill. Vol., 34 months. Joseph Fleming, N. Y., Aug. 12. 1862, Co. B, 112 III. Vol., 34 months.
Lonis C. Egbert, N. J., Sept. 17, 1861, Co. K. 47 Ill. Vol., 43 months.
Louis C. Egbert, N. J., March 13, 1865, Co. E, 11 Ill. Cav., 43 months.
Andrew Kamerer, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1862, Co. F, 112 Ill. Inf., 34 months. Wm. II. Little, N. J., Sept. 30, 1864, Co. 1, 20 Ill. Vol., 312 months.
Chas. W. Price, 1st Lieut., 11., June 30, 1862, Co. E, 71 III. Vol., 4512 months
C'has. W. Price, Ill., Feb. 29, 1864, Co. A, 77 IN. Vol., 4515 months.
Chas. W. Price, III., July 25, 1864, Co. 1, 119 Ill. Vol., 4512 months. Bartlett N. Fox, Q., Oct. 15, 1861, Co. A. 2 Col. Inf., 36 months. William Newton, Eng., July 3, 1861, Co. B, 35 Ill. Vol., 53 months. William Newton, Eng .. Dec. 3, 1862, Co. C, 4 U. S. Cav., 53 months. David Webster. Ill., Ang. 14, 1862, Co. F, 112 Ill. Inf., 34 months.
Joseph B. Witter, O., Sept. 16, 1861, Co. K, 4: Ill. Inf., 37 months.
George P. Richer, O., June 12, 1861, Co. B, 19 Ill. Inf., 49 months. George P. Richer, O., Oct. 8, 1864, Co. K, 42 Ill. Inf., 49 months, W. Il. Scott, Ill., May 14, 1864, CD. G, 132 Ill. Inf., 5 months. Robert Pyle, O., Dee. 7, 1861, Co. K. 47 Ill. Inf., 36 months. Melville A. Bass, N. Y., Ang. 19, 1862, Co. D, 4 N. Y. II. Art., 14 months. Thomas Flanagan, N. Y., Jan. 25, 1864, Co. IT, 9 Ill. Cav., 21 monthis. Win. D. James, Pa., Aug. 17, 1861, Co. (, 10 ]]]. Inf., 25 months.
Win. D. James, Pa., Feb. 23, 1864, Co. (, 10 111. Inf., 25 months.
John W. Morrison, Va., March 1, 1865, Co. K, 47 111. Inf., 1012 months. James Gelvin, - vide Essex Tp. history.
The pensioners residing at Toulon in November, 1883, were Saman- tha Keffer, receiving $20 per month: Sylvester Sweet, &S; Jesse Likens, 84: John Clark. 86; Matthew II. Rounds, 84; John Black- burn. 824; Chas. E. Shinn, §8; R. J. Dickenson, $18; Orlando Brace, $18; J. F. Rhodes, 82.67; and JJames A. Henderson, $15. The latter now deceased.
The first commander was John M. Brown, 1883-84, with Bradford F. Thompson, Adjutant. David Tinlin was elected commander for 1885, with John M. Brown, adjutant. Andrew Galbraith was elected commander in 1886, with David Tinlin adjutant. The officers of 1887 are, O. Brace, commander; D. S. Hewitt, S. V .; L. C. Egbert, J. V .: Robert Pyle. S .; J. F. Rhodes, C .; JJ. M. Brown, Q. M. T .; R. II. Price. O. of D .; C. E. Shinn. O. of G .; B. F. Thompson, D. to S. E.
The soldiers who died in the service are named as follows: Captain W. W. Wright, Olanss Forss and John L. Adams, 112th Il. vol .; Capt. Benj. Williams, Co. G, 106th Regt .; Jolm S. Taylor, Co. G, 42d Regt. ; Joseph W. Jamison, Co. K. 47th Regt .: Geo. K. Prath- er and Philip O. Faber, 9th IH. Cav .; John A. and Wm. N. Perry, Co. B, 37th Ill. Inf .: Murry Hotchkiss, 130th Ind. Inf. The names of sol- diers buried here, who died since the close of the war are, Wm. Rounds and H. B. Johnson, Co. F, 112th IN. Inf .; Henry B. Dexter, Co. B, 37th III. Inf .; Alex. Ileadley, Co. B, 7th Ill. Inf .; Elisha Mosher, Co. HI, 139th IN. Inf .; Henry W. Thomas, Co. I, 151st Inf .; Wm. O. Johnson, Co. II, 139th Regt .; St. James A. Henderson, Co. K. 47th Ill. Inft., and Nathaniel W. Dewey, Co. HI, 139th Ill. Inf. Sylvester Sweet, of the war of 1812, and Wm. Dunn, of the Mexican war, are also buried here in the Toulon cemetery.
290
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
In the Rhodes burying ground lie the remains of Cartlin Rhodes of the U. S. Marine Corps.
Co. G, III. N. G. was organized at Toulon in 1877.
Literary, Debating and Mutual Societies .- The Lotus Club dates back to April, 1874, when it was organized at the house of Martin Shallenberger. Its object, says Miss E. L. MeKeighan, "was the mu- tual improvement of its members, who were limited to twelve, but afterward extended to sixteen. The girls who signed the constitution and still retain their membership, though the most of them have changed their names, are : Ada Fuller, Tillie and Panline Shallenber- ger, now Mrs. Reagan ; Sarah Eastman, Sarah Silliman, Bell Godfrey, Kate Keffer, Kate Adams, Sophia Wright, Louisa Culbertson, who died seven years ago, Mary Davis, Ella Lowman, Jodie Jones, Mary Lyon, Nellie MeKeighan and Effie Lyon. Meetings were regularly held for some time, but gradually lessened in number and interest until the club only existed in name. In September, 1884, during a visit of Mrs. Mary (Lyon) Hart, nine of the original members assembled and reorganized. At a reunion of the Lotus Club held in Angust, 1885, at the house of Miss Sarah Eastman, there were eight of the original club present. These were Mrs. Effie Me Keighan, Mrs. Nellie Silliman, Mrs. Ada Ful- ler. Mrs. Tillie Higgins, Mrs. Sophia Wright, Miss Sarah Silliman. Mrs. Belle Newland and Mrs. Sarah Eastman. The last named was elected president ; Mrs. Higgins, vice-president ; Mrs. McKeighan. secretary, and Miss Silliman. Treasurer. In September, 1886, the last meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Effie L. MeKeighan, at Toulon.
The Woman's Club of Toulon, successor to the Reading Circle, Dorcas Society, and other old-time literary associations, may be said to have been organized November 2, 1878. Mrs. Walker was chosen president. The original members were : Mrs. Benj. Turner, Mrs. Stella Walker, Mrs. Lois Baldwin, Mrs. II. MI. Blair, Mrs. Thornton, Mrs. Carrie Rhodes. Mrs. Emily Hall, at whose house the first meeting was held, Mrs. E. H. Shallen- berger, who drafted the constitution, Miss Sarah Turner and Miss Sarah Berfield. Miss Martha Berfield was chosen an honorary member. The second meeting was held at Mrs. Turner's, and eele- brated its first anniversary at the Opera House. The second anniver- sary was observed at the Toulon Ilouse. Mrs. C. R. Rhodes was elected president in 1879-80, and Miss Lois Baldwin secretary. In 1880-1. Mrs. W. B. Nelson, president, and Miss Martha Berfield secre- tary, Mrs. E. H. Shallenberger president and Miss Sarah A. Turner secretary, Mrs. R. A. Turner president and Mrs. Davis secretary ; 1881-2, Mrs. Stella D. Walker president and Mrs. Harriet M. Blair secretary : 1882, Mrs. Eliza Lyon president and Mrs. Anna K. Wright secretary ; Mrs. C. R. Rhodes president, Mrs. Lucy P. Smith president and Miss May Cady secretary; 1883, Mrs. Kate Geer president and Mrs. Eliza Davis secretary, also Mrs. A. Johnson secretary ; Mrs. Mary Wright president, Mrs. Emily Hlall secretary, Mrs. Davis president and Mrs. Mary Wright secretary. In 1884. Miss Nellie Wright presi dent. Miss Sarah Eastman secretary : Mrs. R. A. Turner secretary and Mrs. Kate Geer secretary ; Miss Sarah Berfield president and Miss
201
TOULON TOWNSHIP.
Cora B. Swank secretary : 1885. Mrs. Stella D. Walker president and Mrs. Harriett M. Blair secretary; Mrs. Geer president, Mrs. C. R. Rhodes president and Mrs. Ruth A. Price secretary ; 1886. Mrs. Van Osdell president and Dell A. Evon secretary : Mrs. N. J. Smith, Mrs. Emily Hall. Miss Cassie Dewey and Miss Sarah Berfield.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized May 29. 1×8. The delegates to the W. C. T. U. convention at Peoria in Octo- ber. 1854, were Mrs. R. A. Turner. Mrs. S. A. Chamberlain and Mrs. R. A. Price, represented in convention by Mrs. R. A. Turner. In June, 1855, the representatives at the Canton convention were Mrs. R. A. Turner, Mrs. F. A. Godfrey and Mrs. S. D. Walker. In 1886 all the members represented this society at Toulon. The Farmington convention of the summer of 1886 claimed as representatives Mrs. A. W. Hicks, Mrs. S. A. Chamberlain and Mrs. R. A. Turner. The names of present mem- bers are as follows: Madams R. A. Henderson. R. A. Turner. S. D. Walker, R. A. Price. L. Burge, C. J. Pliter. C. R. Rhodes. C. K. Stiek- ney, F. Godfrey, M. McClenahan, Mrs. Stevens. Mary Wright, Miss Sarah Turner, E. S. Lyon, Jennie Foster, Miss T. Dewey, Mrs. D. W. Dewey. Mrs. S. A. Chamberlain, Mrs. A. W. Hicks, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Flint and Mrs. John Smith. Mrs. R. A. Turner has presided since organization with Mrs. S. D. Walker corresponding secretary. Mrs. R. HI. Price recording secretary and Mrs. H. M. Blair treasurer.
The Y. M. C. A. of Toulon was organized March 23. IS>5. with the following named members: William A. Dewey. C. N. Christy. Elmer Packer. E. B. Starrett. W N. Starrett. F. W. Rhodes, Charles B. Ilall, 1. T. Smith, O. C. Starrett. J. M. Stanley. Frank Smith, F. B. Nichol- son, C. A. Foster, James B. Mason, George Downend, (. W. Eicholz, Frank Rist, W. F. Nicholson and J. W. Stephens. Charles H. Christy was first president, succeeded in 1886 by the first secretary. W. F. Nicholson, and he as secretary by W. H. Starrett. The membership is twenty-eight. The rooms of the association are well furnished and provided with a very liberal supply of books, pamphlets, magazines and newspapers. Prior to its organization, many of the members belonged to the " Young Peoples' Christian Association." The records of the first Y. M. C. A. cannot be found, though Judge Wright, one of its most energetic members, made a search for them.
The Toulon Literary Society was organized in 1>5s. T. A. Forman. D. Lowman. Dr. Copestake, Martin Shallenberger, G. A. Clifford, T. J. Henderson. P. M. Blair, O. White, H. M. Hall, M. A. Fuller, I. A. llenderson, called the meeting to organize December 2, 1855.
The Philozata Society was a permanent organization at Toulon in 1867.
The Reading Cirele of 1867 was presided over generally by Oliver White, with John F. Rhodes, secretary. Among the essayists were the men named. Miss Kate Whitaker. Mrs. M. Shallenberger, Miss Heath, William Thompson, Miss Tilly Beatty, and others. Mrs. Turner, Miss Tilly Shallenberger and others. generally entertained their associate members with select music.
The old Comt House Debating Society. or Toulon Private Deba- ting Club, the constitution of which was the basis of the constitution
292
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
of the present debating society, as drafted by W. W. Wright, was one of the leading literary clubs of the county. The first meeting re- corded was held January 29, 1861, with Dr. Chamberlain presiding. The question was : " Has any State the right to withdraw from the I'nion." J. A. Henderson, P. M. Blair, O. F. Dorrance, and F. Rhodes, affirmed, while D. Lowman, M. A. Fuller, Nathaniel Wright and Mr. Walley, a banker here in the days of "stumped-tailed currency," taking the opposite side. Among members taking part in sub- sequent debates, were Rev. William Leggett, W. W. Wright. Capt. Benj. Williams, E. L. Emery, D. J. Walker, J. W. Hewitt, Rev. Neff. G. A. Clifford. C. L. Eastman, N. M. Bonham, B. G. Hall. The last meeting on record took place November 28, 1865, when the resolution that Jeff Davis should be executed, was carried. M. A. Fuller was secretary of this society from its organization to this date. Rhodes, Chamberlain, Walker, Blair, J. A. Henderson, Wright and D. Lowman, served as presidents, with others.
The Toulon Debating Society was organized February 5. 1872, with the following named members : James II. Miller, G. N. Nicholas, R. Creighton Wright, George A. Lowman, W. W. Wright, Samuel Burge. (. H. Burge. D. J. Walker, John F. Rhodes, II. L. Ilarrington. J. K. P. Lowman. Edward A. Burge, E. B. Lyon, Frank Matthews, Frank Fuller, Levi Silliman, William Dunn, and T. M. Shallenberger. W. W. Wright was elected president, and James II. Miller, secretary. Willis Dewey, Frank, Prout, Oliver White and M. A. Dangherty, were ad- mitted before the elose of 1873. The initiation fee was $15. In 1880 the society was incorporated under the name "Toulon Debating Soci- ety." The constitution of 1872 was drafted by Messrs. Mathews, E. A. Burge and James H. Miller. The by-laws were reported by John F. Rhodes and Thomas Shallenberger. The question-" That success is the best criterion of character." was the first discussed and decided for the affirmative. Among the names on record as presidents are the following: W. W. Wright, G. W. Nicholas, John F. Rhodes. G. A. Lowman, C. II. Burge, D. J. Walker. F. Fuller, R. C. Wright, E. B. Lyon. Levi Silliman, J. K. P. Lowman. G. M. Miller, Geo. MeKeighan, William Dunn, Frank Matthews, E. A. Burge, Frank Pront. M. A. Dangherty, F. Lyon, Edward Starrett, A. H. Price, Win. Hughes, E. B. Lyon, Thomas Treat, James II. Miller. R. J. Dickenson, I. N. Wade. principal of the high school in 1878, and Dr. Baldwin. J. H. Miller was secretary up to March, 1876. From April following to February 1877, A. P. Miller, E. B. Starrett, and G. A. Thomas served at inter- vals. when J. II. Miller was reflected secretary. Since 1878, A. P. Miller has filled the position of secretary. In May, 1873, Dr. R. B. Bement lectured before the society. In February. 1875, John G. Saxe was here. On December 9, of this year a present of an office chair was made to the secretary, Mr. Miller, in recognition of his services to the society. Prof. Parsons lectured here on January 6, 1876, and Mrs. Abby Sage Richardson in November, 1877. In 1878 the " Blind preacher of Congress" lectured here. Schuyler Colfax. Fred. Douglass, Henry Ward Beecher, Laura Dainty. J. C. Burroughs, "Eli Perkins," " Josh Billings," Wendell Phillips, were here in 1878, General Kilpatrick.
208
TOULON TOWNSHIP.
Ann Eliza Young and Theo. Tilton in 1880, and in February of this vear an anniversary banquet was given, (no less than 130 persons par- ticipating) at the Town Hall, J. F. Rhodes presided. A. P. Miller presided over the ninth anniversary, and James H. Miller over the tenth anniversary meeting of its organization. Every winter this society has introduced to the people some able lecturers or artists, and in this year, beginning in October, 1886, and ending in February. 1887, such well-known names as Laura Dainty. General Low. Wallace. Chaplain J. P. Roe, Dr. James Hedley are on the program. with the Nashville students and entertainments by local talent.
Miscellaneous .- The music school of Miss Alice M. Lowman was opened at Toulon, in November, 1867.
The Toulon sax-horn band was re-organized in February, 1868. An organization of this character existed prior to the war.
The first regular meeting of the Toulon Benevolent Society was held in May, 1870. Mrs. Whitaker was president with M. L. White. secretarv.
The Marble Club or Shoe Fly Club, was organized at Toulon, in May, 1880.
The " Buds of Promise," a social organization, organized in Novem- ber. 1872, continued to exist until November, 1583, when its last supper was given. It comprised the greater number of the younger citizens of Toulon.
The Musical Institute was organized at Toulon, October 4. 1576. with Samuel Burge, president : William Dewey, secretary ; and Messrs. Iloward. Gaston, Theo. Whitlock, William Dewey. Wesley Rist, Lou and Lottie Brace, Mary and Ella Christy. Pauline Shallenberger, Ada Nowlan and Katie Newcomer, a committee on scholarships.
The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle of Toulon, dates to 1879. when four members, one being a member of the first graduating class, signed the constitution.
Old base ball club is said to date back to 1866, when a Dr. Swazey referred to the game and assisted in the organization of the first club. Among the members were W. W. Wright, secretary ; J. M. Brown. Harlan Pierce. W. G. Bradley, now in Nebraska. B. G. Hall, now in Iowa, George Stone, Neponsett, Bureau county, Ill., Henry Harring- ton. now a physician at Monmouth, Ill., George W. Dewey or " Yankee George," now in Guthrie county, Iowa, A. T. Iliggins. Robert Fell, of Davis & Fell. W. T. Hall, now a physician of Toulon. D. J. Walker was a member of the club. Kewanee, Galva, Princeville, Lafayette, Altona and Bradford clubs were generally beaten in con- tests. The base ball circle of the present time comprises such players as C. Ilall and Ed. O'Donnell, and the sons of many of those who participated in the games of the old club. Speaking of C. W. Hall. who is a student of Rush Medical College, Chicago, a report was cur- rent in December. 1886, that the New York City Metropolitan base ball club, members of the American Association, have engaged his services for the coming season -six months-at $1.700, expenses paid.
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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
" The nine worthies."
" Pardon me, if I speak like a captain."
" Will make him fly an ordinary pitch."
" No doubt but that he hath got a quiet catch."
" I'll have an action of battery against him."
" Masking the business from the common eye."
TOWN OF WYOMING.
Wyoming is made up of all kinds of materials, and its society is exceedingly miscellaneous. There is the inquisitive Yankee, pushing forward his new inventions ; the industrious Pennsylvanian, amassing wealth by the aid of his iron sinews; the shrewd Irishman, looking as cheerful as the blue smoke that curls up from his pleasant home; the deliberate Englishman, boasting the superiority of his country and his laws: the canny Scotchman, making his aeres blossom like the rose : and the ruddy-looking German, singing his songs of " Faderland " and hoarding up every little "shiner " that gets between his fingers. Each brought along with him his early habits and associations ; his own views of business, laws and religion ; and, as a natural consequence, when brought together on publie questions, were apt to boil up like a mixture of salt and soda, but the spirit of the country and eireum- stances boiled them down into one people.
There are in the town no church steeples with bells in, that tolled our great-grandfathers to the tomb: no long lines of graves, in which are buried the virtues of those ancestors only known from tradition ; there is no gray-haired pastor, rising up like a sacred statue in the memory ; no aged deacon, with his head resting on the side of the pew and enjoying a brief sleep as the preacher sermonizes ; no old sexton. limping away to the burrying ground with his spade upon his shoulder, for the purpose of making an unceremonious rattle among the dry bones. Yet the city has a past upon which the historian can dwell. Nature's mighty cathedral still stands around and above with its lofty dome of sun, moon and stars ; but its pillars are not overgrown with the moss of centuries. The great high priests that worshiped at the altars and burnt incense to the great Spirit - where are they ? The temple still stands, but the worshipers are gone. Here and there, we meet with melancholy souveniers of some tribe that wandered here in early years ; but the mass lie buried under the mounds with their weapons of war crumbling to dust, and their history buried along with them.
Unlike the county-seat the history of this town is linked with the personal history of many of the pioneers of Essex, Penn and Valley townships as well as of Toulon township, in which it is situate. For this reason, the histories of these townships must be read in connection with this chapter to obtain the full knowledge of the character and manner of its settlers and of its settlement and progress. Many new names are also identified with the old village of Spoon River-names brought from all parts of the Union, from the Canadas and from Europe.
It is the oldest village in the county, being laid out by B. M. Haves, surveyor of Putnam county, for Gen. Samnel Thomas, in March, 1836, and the plat acknowledged in May of that year. The area of the
295
TOULON TOWNSHIP.
original town, or from William street on the north to Agard street on the south is 79 27-33 rods, and from First to Seventh or East street 1563 rods, with streets, 823 feet wide, alley 163 feet, lots 156 feet long ranging from 52} to 66 feet wide. Smith and Main streets formed the centre of the town with the public square between Fourth and Fifth and Smith and Mam streets.
Two years later very little in the way of improvement was affected. In Mrs. Shallenberger's " Stark County and its Pioneers" it is stated that " the Lacon Iferald in 1838 spoke of as having upon its site " one second-hand log smoke house " which served the double purpose of store and postoffice. Nevertheless its name appears upon several maps of that thne, and it was a prominent candidate for the county seat. It is said that some speculators interested in the sale of lots had circulars struck off and circulated in the eastern states in which this town was represented in 1837, at the head of navigation on Spoon river, with fine warehouses towering aloft and boats lying at the wharf which negroes were loading and unloading, giving the appearance of a busy commercial mart. This may be but a story, still it serves to illustrate the speculating mania of those days: which disease has not yet ceased to affiiet mankind, but only traveled a few degrees farther west. gentleman who had been somewhat victimized by such false reports in 1838, revenged himself by perpetrating the following rhymes :
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