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 50
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Matthias Sturm, c, hf. and w. hf. of s. w. gr., sec. 24; Nov. 14, 1843. Win. Stev- enson, 6812 acres in s. w. gr .: J. O. 11. Spinney, D. Phenix, Homer Martin, A. Louden- burg, S. Montooth, Ann Pask, T. Mellor, Charles Wilson, owners of lots, ins. w. qr.
John Jones, s. e. qr., sec. 24; Ort. 15, 1818. David Fulk e. hf. of >, e. qr .: Martha Morrison and W. Stevenson, w. hf. of s. c. qr.
Nicholas Sturm, n. e. gr. of n. e. qr., see 25; March 28, 1846. Leggitt estate. e. hf. n. e. qr.
Servis Austin, w. hf. of n. e. qr., see. 25: Nov. 14, 1843. B. Fowler, Wm. Cade. Edgar Austin, W. S Austin, James Jackson, J. M. Jackson, on w. hf u. e. qr. P. Pratt, s. e. qr. of n. e. qr., see. 25; Jan. 25, 1844.
John Leeson, n. e. qr. of n. w. qr., sec. 25; April 15, 1846. John McRae, Lewis Austin. G. Murray, James Cinnamon, James Sturm, L. Buchanan, on n. w. qr.
Benajah Orsman, w. hf. of n. w. gr .. sec. 25. July 1. 1847.
W. D. Blanchard, s. e. gr. of n. w. qr. sec. 25; Sept. 24, 1847.
Charles Bolt. n. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 25; March 6, 1851.
Charles Vandike, s. hf. of s, w qr., sec. 25; Sept. 8. 1858.
Charles Bolt, n. hf. of s. e. qr., ser. 25; March 6, 1851. W. & D. Jackson, SO. A. II. Loudenburg, SO on s. w. qr: Lewis Osborne, 80, and A. Il. Loudenburg, 80, on s. e. qr. Charles Van Dyke, s. w. qr. of s. qr .. sec. 25; July 7, 1847. Archibald Van Dyke, s. e. qr. of s. e. qr., sec. 25; Sept. 19, 1844. Benjamin Barrett, n. e. qr., see. 26; Nov. 29, 1817. Robert Hunter, 86: G. Murray, 14, on n. e. qr.
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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
John Wood, n. w. qr., sec. 26; Nov. 29, 1817. W. & D. Jackson, 160, n. w. qr. Thomas MeFadden, s. w. gr., sec. 26, Feb. 20, 1818. Miles Miner, 80; G. Murray, 80, on s. w. qr.
Neely Man, s. v. qr., sec. 26; Feb. 20, 1818. Miles Miner. 77; John Kunkle, 3; Geo. S. Maynard, SO, on s. e. qr.
John Crowell, n. e. qr., sec. 21; Oct. 6, 1817. Lochlin M. Buchanan.
Wm. Cowenhaven, n. w. qr., sec. 27: Oct. 6, 1817. D. Jackson, 53; Thos. Jack- son, 107 acres.
James D. Wells, s. w. gr., sec. 21; Feb. 18, 1818. George Murray.
Henry Davenport. s. e. qr., sec. 27; Feb. 18, 1818. George Murray.
Jesse Stocker, n. e. qr., sec. 28; Jan. 8, 1818. Horace E. Lyle, 120; W. & D. Jack- son, 40.
John Vandergraft, n. w. qr., sec. 28; Jan. 7. 1818. W. & D. Jackson.
Ilenry Eldridge, s. w. qr., sec. 28; Oct. 6, 1811. D. Hudson, 107 acres: Cinnamon, 53 acres.
Bela Dexter, s. e. gr., sec. 28; Oct. 6, 1817. Lochlin Buchanan.
Philip Logue, n. e. r., sec. 29; Nov. 29, 1818. Clinton Fuller, 7613; W. M. Ful- ler, 7814; Robt. Armstrong, 414 acres; Mary Adams, 1 acre, on n. e. qr.
Francis Lincoln, n. w. qr., sec. 29; Nov. 29, 1818. Adam Armstrong, 127; W. M. Fuller, 36 acres, on n. w. qr.
James Tiner, s. w. gr., sec. 29; Jan. 1, 1818. W. M. Fuller, e. hf., and Adam Armstrong w. hf., s. w. qr.
Bird Lavender, s. e. gr., sec. 29; JJan. 1. 1818. Clinton Fuller, s. e. gr.
Bradford Willis, n. e. qr .. sec. 30; Feb. 26, 1818. G. Armstrong, e. hf. ; P. Melen- nan, w. hf.
John McLennan, n. hf., lot 1, n. w. qr., sec. 30; March 13, 1851. Duncan Melon- nan, n. hľ. n. w. qr.
Adam Oliver, s. hf., lot 1, n. w. qr., sec. 30; Sept. 29, 1851. Adam Oliver, s. hf. n. w. gr.
John Mclennan, n. hf., lot 2, n. w. qr, see. 30; June 23, 1851.
Adam Oliver, s. hf., lot 2, n. w. qr., sec. 30; Sept. 29, 1851.
Win. Oliver, lot 1, s. w. qr., sec. 30; Jan. 25, 1751. Adam Oliver, s. w. qr., 149 ;.
Win. Oliver, n. hf., lo1 2, s. w. qr., sec. 30; Jan. 25, 1851
Adam Oliver, s. hf., lot 2, s. w. qr., sec. 80; Nov. 17, 1848. Geo. Armstrong, 212 acres, s. e. qr.
Stephen Benjamin, s. e. gr., sec. 30; Feb. 6, 1818. Tlenry H. Oliver, s. c. qr., 15712. Charles Board, n. e. gr., sec. 31; Dec. 9, 1817. Henry II. Oliver, n. e. qr.
Thomas Oliver, c. hf., n. w. qr., sec. 31; July 14, 1847. Adam Oliver 6 acres, and 11. 11. Oliver 74.
Andrew Oliver, w. hf., n. w. qr., sec. 31; July 14, 1847. Andrew Oliver, w. hf., 70 acres.
William Oliver, s. w. gr., sec. 31; Jan. 25, 1851. Andrew Oliver, s. w. qr.
fleury Cruser, s. e. gr., sec. 31. Dec. 9, 1817. Robert Armstrong, s. c. qr.
John Rodgers, n. c. qr., sec. 32: Jan. 14. 1819. Robert Armstrong, n. e. qr.
Henry Bradford, n. w. gr., sec. 32; Jan. 14, 1819. James Armstrong, n. w. qr.
John Timberlake, s. w. qr., sec. 32; Oct. 6, 1817. George Armstrong, s. w. qr.
Wm. S. Tompkins, s. e. qr., sec. 32; Oct 6, 1817. Lochlin Buchanan, 120; James laswell, 40 acres, on s. e. qr.
W. D. Blanchard, n. e. qr. of s. e. qr. and w. hf. of n. e. qr., see 33: 1843 and 1847.
Lochlin Buchanan, n hf. n. e. qr .: S. (. Flemming, 26 acres, and W. D. Blanch- ard, 54 acres on n. e. qr.
Lewis Bronson, n. w. gr., sec. 33; Jan. 3, 1819. James Cinnamon, n. w. gr.
Timothy Weston, s. w. gr., sec. 33; April 20, 1818. A. Buchanan, e. hf .; Wm. Murry, 1,, acre; James laswell, w. hf. s. w. qr.
John Whitlock, s. e. qr., sec. 33: April 20. 1818. William Murray, s. c. qr. Benj. Jackson. n. e. qr., ser. 34; March 16, 1818. Flora Cinnamon, e. hif. ; J. M. Jackson, w. hf., and Cumberland Presbyterian church, 1 acre.
David Norton, n. w. qr., sec. 34; March 16, 1818. S. C. Fleming, w. hf .; Geo. Murray, e. hf.
Robert Goodwin, s. w. gr. sec. 34; Feb. 2. 1818. J. M. Jackson n. side: C. Van- dyke, s. side.
Lewis Green, s. c. qr., rec. 34; Feb. 2, 1818. J. M. Jackson, n. side; W. Sturm. s. sidle.
Richard Scott, n. c. gr., see. 35; Dec. 11, 1817. Richard Scott, n. e. qr.
Jolin Davis. n. w. gr., sec. 35; Dee. 11, 1817. John Jackson, n. w. qr.
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ELMIRA TOWNSHIP.
John Giers, s. w. qr., see. 35; Feb. 4. 1818. H. Proufy, SO; Eli Mix, 80, on s. W. qr. Seeward Walters, s. c. qr., see. 35; Feb. 4, 1818. Abran Loudenburg on s. e. qr. Conrad Sarr. n. e. gr .. sec, 36: Dec. 15, 1817. E. M. Funk, 40. D. Phenix, 80; D). Folk. 40, on n. e. qr.
William Jears, jr , n. w. qr., see. 36; Dec. 15, 1817. (. L. Gerard, n. w. gr. HI. Edwards, s. w. qr., see. 36, April 7, 1818. James Cinnamon, s. W. qr. James Joyce, s. e. qr., sec. 36; June 8, 1815. Sam'l Montooth, 8812; B. G. Rowell. 711 ..
First Settlement .- The settlement of the township is graphically and correctly given by Mrs. Shallenberger, as Follows: " In December. 1835, a number of resolute men had pushed their way from Peoria to what has since been called Osceola Grove. Among them were James Buswell, Isaac Spencer. Thomas Watts, Giles C. Dana, Peter Pratt and Dr. Pratt. They came out under the auspices of Major Robert Moore, who had obtained a map of the lands in township four- teen north, range six east, designating the patent and unentered lands ; and he now encouraged emigration hither, with a view to building up a town, which he had surveyed and called Osceola. Major Moore was an intelligent, active business man, ever ready to take advantage of circumstances and fond of adventure. He subsequently went to Ore- gon, with one of the first parties that ever crossed the mountains whither his family followed him some years after, with the exception of his youngest son, Robert Moore, Esq., who is at this date a resident of Toulon. But, at the time of which this narrative treats, Major Moore owned a ferry that crossed the river at Peoria, and to this he gave his personal supervision ; and, as emigrants crossed, which they did frequently, he would take the opportunity to recommend the Osceola country to them. In this way probably originated the com- pany he led there in 1835. Quoting Clifford's history in regard to this enterprise. . The parties above named were all from Vermont - which Saxe says is a good stale to come from, but a poor one to go to-except Moore, who was from one of the southern states. and Day who was from Massachusetts. When these persons reached the Grove there was no one living there except Henry Seeley. who then had a cabin near where he lives now, and Lewis Sturms. A portion of the party stopped the first night at Sturms', and were hos- pitably entertained. It was a dark, dreary, rainy night ; they all slept on the floor in the small eabin, and from the day's fatigue, having come on foot from Prince's Grove, they soon fell asleep, to be dis- turbed soon after by a loud hallooing outside, occasioned by the arrival of the Sturms family proper, the number of whom our inform- ant was unable to state, further than they filled the little cabin . chuck full.' They were made up of men, women and children, wet. worn, fatigued and hungry. Our informant says one of the women came on horseback with twins in her arms, and in a sorry plight from having been . pitched off' her horse in sloughs and gullies concealed by the darkness of the night. Some of the party were taken over to Seeley's while the remainder filled the floor. The next day the balance of the Peoria party came in from Boyd's Grove, having lost their reekonings and strayed ont of their direction. The whole party then moved west for the purpose of surveying and making their claims. For one week
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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
they camped ont, in the severest weather of the month of December. that week being the coldest of any during the whole season. The pro- visions which they had brought with them from Peoria were exhausted. and nothing was now left them to sustain life, except corn they had brought to feed their horses during the excursion. For the last day or two they subsisted entirely upon nubbins of corn burned by the fire, which culinary operation was performed in the morning, each one taking a few burnt nubbins of corn in their pockets for dinner. At night they varied this luxury hy burning the corn, pounding it up and making coffee of it. Clifford further states that the parties named moved upon their claims in May, 1836. This is certainly a slight mis- take as regards some of them. They probably built cabins as soon as that, or sooner, but some of the families referred to did not arrive in the settlement till later in the summer, or in the fall. There is no doubt, however, that during some portion of that year many new names must be added to our list of pioneers. In June came William Hall and wife. Robert Hall and their sister Mary, now Mrs. Hasard of Neponset, and occupied for a short time the cabin owned by Mr. Buswell, who was still with his family in Peoria. With the Halls came the Vandyke brothers, Archie and Charles, the former bringing his wife with him, and Mr. Brady Fowler, who had been their companion up the river, soon followed them to the Grove. Myrtle G. Brace, Esq. (father of our present county treasurer), E. S. Brodhead, and a large family by the name of Davis, the latter from the then frontier land of Tennessee, all located in this neighborhood abont the same time. The Sturms family had some of them reached Seeley's Point in 1834, and detachments continued to arrive from time to time, making claims near the South part of Osceola Grove, till they had a settlement of their own. They were regular frontier's men. every one 'mighty hunters :' of tall stature, combining strength and activity in an unusual degree. Wearing an Indian garb of fringed buckskins, their feet encased in moccasins, with bowie-knife at the belt and rifle on the shoulder. No wonder many a new-comer started from them in affright. supposing they had encountered genuine . scalpers." But these men were by no means as savage as they seemed, but had hearts to which friend or stranger never appealed in vain."
The beginning of the Scotch " plantation" or settlement of the township may be said to be made in February, 1838. The Turnbulls and Olivers set sail for America, June 17, 1837, were six weeks on the ocean and almost as many more en route from Quebee to Chicago. where they remained a short time before moving to Joliet. At Joliet they found two vacant cabins into which they were ordered to move, and while there met with many kind attentions from the settlers, and each family purchased a cow from a passing herder.
The subsequent events in the history of settlement here are well told by Mrs. Shallenberger as follows: "Of course, these people were looking for land to enter (everybody was in those days), and they fell in with a Kentuckian named Parker, who had a patent on the quarter afterward owned by Myrtle G. Brace, on the state road; but the man supposed his land lay near Wyoming, and so agreed with Mr. Turn-
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ELMIRA TOWNSHIP.
bull to meet him there: ' thought they could probably strike a trade." Parker Jeft Joliet on horseback. Mr. Turnbull on foot, to make their way over a trackless expanse of snow, and with but a very indefinite idea of where they were to meet, but it was to be somewhere in the neighborhood of Wyoming. This journey was undertaken Jannary 1. 1838. Occasionally, Mr. Turnbull coukl catch glimpses of the horse- man as he rode over some high ridge in the distance; and this was all he had to guide his steps, save a general idea of the points of the com- pass. After this lonely. tiresome tramp of sixty or seventy weary miles, he found himself at the house of General Thomas, but only to learn that the land he was in guest of lay some ten or twelve miles to the northwest, the Kentuckian being mistaken as to its locality. He must then retrace his steps. Upon reaching Mr. Holgate's. hunger and fatigue compelled him to seek rest and food, and such comforts were never denied a stranger there: and. beside. Mr. Holgate had learned by some means that Parker had gone to the Osceola settle- ment, so Mr. Turnbull was again upon his trail, and found him ere nightfall at the cabin of Mr. William Parks, then in Osceola Grove, as old settlers will remember, not far from where the first school-house in the township was built. on the road to Spoon river bridge. While resting by the wide fire-place built of rough stones, in the jambs of which a recess had been constructed, capable of hokling a few common books, curiosity prompted the traveler to withdraw one from its place. that he might see what kind of books the people read in this strange country. still he was wondering all the time if it was not a piece of impertinence to do so without permission. But what was his surprise. his delight even. upon finding he held in his hands a well-worn copy of Burns! Strong though he was, and capable of bearing all things with- out murmuring, still he could not refrain from tears as his eye traced the familiar Scottish lines, and he thought how far, far away he was from his native hills. Mr. Turnbull did not buy the title of the Ken- tnekian. after all his trouble, having a dread of patents and complica- tions, of which he heard many sad reports; but shortly after purchased from the Lyle brothers, John and Thomas, forty acres in Osceola Grove, with a cabin thereon, with the understanding that if the Oliver family saw fit to come on, the Lyles should sell them forty acres more. Ile then trudged leisurely back to Joliet, got his wife and Andrew Oliver, rigged out an ox sled, to which they yoked a couple of half- broken steers, and about the middle of February started for Dorr's. whose house stood near where the town of Providence now is. The weather continued to grow colder, the wind to blow more and more fiercely, and glad were the wanderers to find shelter for the night. with the hospitable family referred to. In the morning the sun came np flanked by 'dogs' on either side, the snow crunched and squeaked under the feet with the peculiar sound every backwoodsman knows as indicative of extreme coll: the thermometer indicated some twenty degrees below zero. Mrs. Dorr, clearly comprehending the suffering and danger that must attend a journey that day, kindly urged them to remain until the storm abated, saving "she would board them very cheaply' But they had no money to pay board bills. be they ever so
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
small, and the inborn pride of their race forbade their . being beholden' to any one, so there was but the other alternative to push ahead. Mrs. Dorr was standing in her cabin door silently watching the prepara- tions for departure going forward : but, when all was ready, plaids folded tightly, Scotch caps tied firmly, sled drawn round to the door, steers awaiting the word of command to start. she exclaimed with tears in her oves: . Men, go if you will, but for God's sake leave this woman with me! she will surely perish in the cold today. It shall cost you nothing, and when the weather moderates yon can return for her." But Mrs. Turnbull preferred at all hazards to share the fate of her husband and brother. We fancy such pluck would be hard to freeze: at any rate, despite all obstacles they arrived intact at Seeley's point before bed-time, stiff and hungry doubtless, but such ills were curable by a good fire and supper, which were quickly at their disposal. and they retired to rest with grateful hearts. The next morning was still very cold, but they had a sheltered route through the woods by the old road that formerly led by the house of Calvin Winslow in the timber, south of Wilham Hall's place, which they passed abont noon, February 14. 1838. Soon after they reached home, as they called the cabin of the Lyle brothers a little farther on. They promptly paid for the first forty acres, which contained the cabin, but as by arrangement the Lyles were to remain with them until they could obtain possession of the Dukes farm, which they had bought. and the rest of the Oliver family coming from Joliet, the four fam- ilies, consisting of eight Lyles and thirteen Turnbulls and Olivers, con- trived to live. till spring opened, in one room, and that one sixteen by eighteen feet. That they succeeded in doing this harmoniously, so that the survivors can now look back through the mists of nearly forty years, and make merry over the experiences of that first winter in Osceola, is creditable to all concerned."
Elmira Cemetary. Prior to going farther into the history of this township. a reference to the present resting-place of many old residents is made, and a brief sketch of the cemeteries given.
Elmira Cemetary. on sections 20, 21, Elmira village, dates back to May 30, 1845, when Ambrose Fuller was interred on lands of Clinton Fuller. It was incorporated October 3, 1882, with H. H. Oliver, presi- dent : Robert Grieve, secretary, and W. M. Fuller, treasurer, the latter two being reflected to date, Winfield Fuller, superintendent, and D. Moon, sexton, with John Turnbull. A. Oliver and William Jackson. trus- tees. The names of the old people buried here, with the year of death, are given as follows: Tabitha Abbey, 1867: James Armstrong, 76; John Adams, 79: Anna Brace. '55; Myrtle G. Brace. 66; Phoebe Brace, '73 : lohn Buchanan, '60: Alex. Buchanan. 73; W. D. Blanchard, 81 : John Buchanan. '60: Allen Boughman. 52: Mary Bartell, '85 : William Brace, 50; Walter Brace, 51; Webster Brace, "0; John Clark, 65: Eliza Clark, '60; Hannah Creighton, '78; James Craig, '54; Margaret Craig. '66: Davis MePherson. 69: Margaret McPherson. '76: Mary MePherson, '67: Charlotte Darby, 74: James Darby, '83: Alison Davis, 'S0; Rebecca Fleming, 67: Eliza H. Fuller, 183; Mrs. Han- nah Fuller, '84; Ambrose Fuller, '45; Hannah Fuller, '46; Jehiel Ful-
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ELMIRA TOWNSHIP.
ler, 71: Mary Godley, '71: Martha Garley, 'S1: Ellen (Scott) Grieve. '85; Daniel Hudson, 74; John Holmes, 79; Whitney Hudson, '55, Mary Harris, '67: Thomas Jackson, '55: Janet Lyle. 49: Wm. Lyle '58: Margaret Moon, '66; James Moon, '71: Alex. Mckenzie, 64: Alex. Murchison, 73: Ann Murchison. '69; David Moflitt, 54; Will- helmina Moffitt. 65: Finley Murchison, 472; Roderick MeBeth, 17: Theodosia Moon, 'S1; Finley Matthewson, '82 : Silas Norris, '86 ; Mar- garet Oliver, '55; Thomas Oliver, '67: Win. Parks, '57; Amy Perkins. '61: Nancy Parks, 75: Agnes B. Parks, '77: Mary Ravell, 75: Jane Rule. '54: Robert Scott. '65; Ellen Scott, '68; Henry Scott. '51 : Thos. Scott, '55 : Mary Turnbull, '59 ; Mary Turnbull. 78: Allen Turnbull. 43: Robert Turnbull, 74: Margaret G. Turnbull, >1 : George White." 38; Heber Amy, '73.
Andrew Oliver was president in 1585 and is still serving. James llaswell, William Jackson, and George Murray are the present trus- tees, with Robert Grieve, secretary.
Osceola Cemetery is the successor of the old burial ground which was located between Spoon river bridge and the village. Within it are the remains of the following old residents: Wealthy Stuart died in 1864 : Mark E. Lockwood. 75: John Hamilton, 78 : Cassandra B. Hamilton. 'SB: Mary J. Wever. 67: Samuel Case, 62: Virginia Wover. 61 : C'athleen Wover, 60; Otis Garder, '80: George Garder, '63: Eliza P. Blake, `64: Mary J. Blake, 56: Daniel Tower, '65; Edmund Winslow. 46; Eliza P. Miller, '55; Calvin Winslow, '57: Betsy Win- slow, '58; Lewis Pratt. '69; Henry Carpenter. 71; Marvin Terpen- ning, '61: David Dana. 45: Rachel Dana, '61: Mary E. Dana, `59 ; Mary Gilfillan Varmun, '62; Phoebe A. Currier, '6t ; James Buswell. '52: Albert G. Boswell, '46; John Bates, '75; Hezekiah Balcomb, '79: John Sloan, '68 : George W. Willey. 65; Hannah A. Blanchard, '79; Catherine Pattridge, '65 ; Joseph Pattridge. 73 : Samuel Maycock, '80 ; Augusta Maveock, '83; W. HI. Barstow, 76: Mary Fowler, '58; Elias Fowler, '59: Julia Stone, '53 : Mary J. Duklin, 54: Robert Conley. '66; Jonathan luckins, '62: Abigail Rollins. 80; Sally Currier. 73 : AAsa Currier. 68: Win. Douglas, '68; Margaret Gunning, '80; Ansel Gardner, 'S0: Morgan Wever, '62: Susanna Ballard, 65; Eleanor Bishop, '53, and Amasa Drury, '52.
Pioneer Neighbors .- The northern neighbors of the pioneers of Elmira were the first settlers of Henry county. Dr. Baker came from East St. Lonis to section 16 in Colona township in 1835. A few days later came James and Thomas Glenn and Anthony Hunt, who settled near Dr. Baker. In 1836 John Kilvington settled near Kowa- nee, and shortly after, John F. Willard and Henry G, Little settled near Wethersfield. In 1837 Jacob Kemerling settled at Burns, Wil- liam Stackhouse and James Mascall at Sugar Tree Grove, near ('am- bridge. During those years the Geneseo colony from New York ar- rived, then the Andover colony from New York City, next the Wet- hersfield colony from Connectient followed by the Morristown. N. Y. colony and the La Grange (Pittsfield. Mass.) colony. The town of
*This interment was made in the timber between Spoon River Bridge and Osceola.
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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
Oxford, in Henry county, was the financial centre of the county up to 1860. In that year the wild cat bank, called " Bank of the Mississippi Valley," existed here. After the Scotch settlement of Elmira, other immigrants of that nationality settled across the line, making the dis- triet almost distinctly Scotch-either Highland or Lowland. The Highlands, which comprise Sutherland, Ross. Inverness and Argyle shires are inhabited by a race of Celts who passed over from Ireland in the third century. In their first invasion they were repulsed by the Piets, but later assisted them against the Anglo Saxons. In 503. under King Fergus they erected a kingdom in a part of Scotland, and about the year 900 were masters of the country which was called Seotia. The crowns of England and Scotland were united in 1603. when JJames VI. of Scotland ascended the English throne. In 431 Pope Celestine sent St. Palladius, a Roman, to preach to the Scots, who eagerly received the faith. Calvinism was introduced under the Presbyterian form of church government, and this movement was much opposed by James VI. and his successors. In 1688 the Scots estab- lished Presbyterianismas the national religion ; but all other forms of Christianity were tolerated. Pope Pius IN. reestablished the Roman Catholic church there, which, in is61 embraced one-fourth of the popu- lation ; while dissenting churches embraced fully another one-fourth. The royal tragedies ending with the execution of Mary Queen of Seats, the massacre of Glencoe, the Battle of the Clans and the reign of patriotism under William Wallace and Robert Bruce tinge her his- tory with romance. The condition, however, of the " crofters." labor- ers in town and country, and of the entire third and fourth orders of the people abolishes romanee in the heart of the inquirer, and fosters the wish that some day the toilers there may reap the rewards of honest labor. The Bishop Hill colony, composed exclusively of Swedish dissenters from the Lutheran, or Royal church, dates back to 1845 46. At that time Olaf Olson settled at what is known as Red Oak Grove; and was soon joined by Jonas Olson and Eric Jansen. Like almost all foreign pioneers of our prairies they were poor, and. being so, excavated large caves and in those subterranean huts lived during the first year or two of settlement. The colony subsequently erected a communial residence in which each one slept and boarded at a common expense to all. In 1853 the colony was chartered, and its affairs placed under the control of seven trustees. This was three years after the murder of Erie Jansen by John Root -the first evi- dence of disintegration within the colony. In 1860 the government, by trustees, fell into disrepute, and in isit a suit in chancery was commenced to close up the affairs of this colony as an incorporated body. Prior to this, however the Swedes became independent in thought and cast off the communal system. under which they came here and lived for some years. The grading of the American Central railroad through Stark county was in greater part, the labor of the men and women of this colony.
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