USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 82
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COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
Banking-State Bank of Burnside. Barber Shops-J. E. Hawkins, John Wright. (The latter also operates a pool hall.) Blacksmith Shop - Frank Larson. Contractor - Bert Van Dine. Garage-Todd Bros. General Dealers- Bray & Bray, C. S. Skinner. Grain and Feed- Carlisle Grain and Feed Co. Grocery and Hard- ware-E. P. Hull. Hardware-J. E. Todd. Hotel-The Burnside, A. E. Friend, Manager. Liveryman-William Manning. Lumber-Burn- side Lumber Co., C. C. Schowalter, Manager. Physician-Dr. F. A. Hanson. Produce-M. Ewing. Restaurant-J. L. Sprague. Telephone -Farmer's Telephone Co., Mississippi Valley Telephone Co. The railroad facilities are fur- nished by the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway Co.
VILLAGE OF LA CROSSE
This is a small railway station on the Toledo, Peoria & Western railway line, situated in sec- tion 12, and has a population of less than one hundred. It is a small trading point within a rich farming country. The farming classes find this a convenient place at which to do their small trading, but the heavier marketing and trade is in easy access at larger places within this and adjoining counties.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS IN 1920
Supervisor, John McKelvie; Town Clerk, J. H. Folts ; Assessor, W. D. Cloud ; Highway Com- missioner, Joe Roberts; Justices of the Peace, D. H. Lewis and H. S. Blodgett; Constables, J. S. Lewis and J. T. Bickford; School Trustees, Ed Huey, Jos. Roberts and O. L. Huddleston ; School Treasurer, W. E. Phillips.
CHAPTER XXXIV
PONTOOSUC TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARY - POPULATION - EARLY SETTLEMENT -- PIONEER EVENTS - POST-OFFICES-PONTOOSUC- ITS BEGINNING-ITS PRESENT INTERESTS-1920 TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
BOUNDARIES
Pontoosuc Township is bounded on the north by the Mississippi river, on the east by Dallas Township, on the south by Rock Creek Town- ship, and on the west by Appanoose Township. Snake Hollow and Camp Creek drain the lands of this township into the Mississippi river, and there is some very valuable farm land within its confines. The territory embraced in this township is something more than one-half of congres- sional township seven north, range seven west.
POPULATION
The United States census reports for four enumeration periods gives the population of the township as follows: In 1890, 742; in 1900, 791 ; in 1910, 715 ; and in 1920, 533. The popula- tion in many of the river townships fluctuates for obvious reasons.
EARLY SETTLERS
The first to settle in this township was Heze- kiah Spillman, having come to this section prior to 1825, and a settlement was called "Spillman's Landing." Here he and several others con- structed a blockhouse for protection against the Indians during the Black Hawk War. Other early settlers were: Mr. Yaple, Major John Mc- Auley, Esquire Bennett, George Meyers, John Welch, Brant Agnew, Jesse Wimp, Elijah Pease, Jolinson Clark, Thomas Harris, Edward Davis, Louis Smith, Thomas Stevens, Israel Atherton, Andrew Daubenheyer, John R. Tull, Reuben Tull, William Tull, Alex. Martin, William Pratt, Robert Atherton, Aaron Atherton, John R. Ath- erton, William H. Bennum, John Garner, Henry Williams, and Matthias Allis.
PIONEER EVENTS
The first post-office in Pontoosuc Township was called East Bend and Thomas Stevens was the first postmaster. He was succeeded in 1846 by Jeremiah Smith. In the autumn of 1839 a small log cabin was built for school purposes, but for some time prior to that the children had been taught by Reuben Tull in a little cabin near the Mississippi. When the first school house was completed it also served for religious and political meetings, as was quite customary in those early times.
VILLAGE OF PONTOOSUC
Pontoosuc was platted by Hezekiah Spillman, Marvin Tryon and James W. Brattle in April, 1837, in section 4, township 7, range 7, at what was known as "Spillman's Landing," sixteen miles from Carthage.
The name Pontoosuc was given to the vil- lage through the suggestion of one of the pio- neers who came from Pittsfield, Mass., the origi- nal settlement at Pittsfield having been known by the Indian name "Poontoosuck" (so spelled) . (There is a beautiful lake near Pittsfield of the same name, but spelled "Pontoosuc.")
Pontoosue had a population of 285 in the year 1910. Its commercial interests have never been large. It is a convenient trading place for the river men and near-by farming community. At the present (1919) the business here is in the hands of the following persons: a general mer- chandise store conducted by Charles Gerber ; postmistress, Mary L. Pitts. The railroad fa- cilities consist of that great steel highway known as the Santa Fe double-track railroad, which passes through the village and crosses the Mississippi river at East Ft. Madison, en route to the far away southwest.
A few years ago this village was noted for its poultry shipping. The packers employed many men and women in the picking season. Since the Keokuk dam was constructed the river spreads out over the low lands and at many points makes the building sites on the east side of the river very risky and undesir- able, and for this reason the advancement of the village is greatly retarded.
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PONTOOSUC BUSINESS DIRECTORY IN 1859
The following list is taken from an old map of Hancock County, a copy of which is in ex- istence in Carthage: J. M. Morgan, Tin and Stoves. T. H. & L. B. Rand, Tin, Stoves and Hardware. Hansen & Klee, Boots, Shoes and Groceries. H. C. McMurphy, Physician and Sur- geon. Sandford & Walker, Forwarding and Commission. D. M. Perkins, Grain and Produce Dealer. L. Huebotter, Hotel Keeper, D. C. San- ford, Hotel Keeper. Duffy & Agnew, Under- ground Ditching Machine, patent for Hancock County. Henry Walker, Dry Goods and Gro- ceries. W. D. Voigt, Dry Goods and Groceries. L. C. Barker, Dry Goods and Groceries. Chas. Steffen, Dry Goods and Groceries. M. Hilb,
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
Merchant Tailor. Sanford & Whitaker, Drugs and Medicines. A. Harper, Banker and Land Agent. L. Gasmer, Brewer. Foster & Weaber, Saw Mill and Lumber Dealers.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-1920
Supervisor, J. S. Massie; Town Clerk, R. H. Carter; Assessor, L. M. Myers; Highway Com- missioner, Wm. M. Ollis; Justice of the Peace, S. I. Little; Constable, L. W. Englehard ; School Trustees, Harry Rand, F. C. Richart and H. H. Longshie; School Treasurer, Will A. Feldhausen.
CHAPTER XXXV
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES - EARLY SETTLERS - POPULATION - VILLAGE OF ELVASTON-COMMERCIAL INTERESTS -- POST-OFFICE-MUNICIPAL AND TOWNSHIP OFFI- CIALS.
BOUNDARIES
Prairie Township is bounded on the north by Rock Creek Township, on the east by Car- thage Township, on the south by Bear Creek Township, and on the west by Montebello Town- ship. It is practically all prairie land. How- ever, at an early day there was some timber along the creek. Prairie Township was not settled as early as some of the townships of this county where timber was more abundant, but those who did come here in an early day were afterwards generously rewarded, for the land is very fertile and is now exceedingly valu- able. It is in the center of the great Hancock Prairie and contains the highest land between the Mississippi river and Crooked creek. It contains thirty-two sections and two half sec- tions of land, the other two sections and two half sections having been annexed to Carthage Township some years ago.
The first settlers of Prairie Township were William R. Hamilton, Ebenezer Rand, James Tweed, Joseph W. Hawley, L. Wells, George Wells, William A. Moore, Henry Walker, John
Lively, W. H. Moore, Dr. Thomas Boude, Wil- liam Clark, Henry Davis, John W. Ewing, Dr. James Harper, and others. These men and their sons and daughters have transformed this once prairie wilderness into a well-tilled garden spot. Here one sees real contentment, thrift and wealth on every hand.
`The population of this township in 1910 was 881, although it had reached 1,088 in 1890.
VILLAGE OF ELVASTON
The only village in this township is Elvaston, which, except for the city of Carthage on the east of its territory, is the principal trading- point for its population. It is situated in the northwest quarter of section 30. It was platted in the month of May, 1858, by Albert L. Con- nable and George B. Smythe of Keokuk, Iowa, E. C. A. Cushman of Hamilton, and W. L. Jud- son of Elvaston, and is today a delightful rural community with about three hundred inhabi- tants.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
Auto-garage-J. E. Sollars. Banking-The Farmers Exchange. Barber-S. R. Reagin. Blacksmiths-Harman Agnew, C. S. Caldwell. Coal-J. L. Baldon, W. E. Gabel. Drugs-E. C. Allison. Elevator-J. L. Baldon, W. E. Gabel. General Merchandise-J. W. Campbell & Sons. Grocer-W. S. Mack. Hotel-H. D. King. Phy- sicians-Drs. C. A. and W. C. Runyon. Poultry -Clark Webster. Shoe Repairs-John Rose- berry.
The electric lights at this point are supplied from the power-plant at the great Keokuk dam, a few miles to the west of this village.
CHURCHES AND LODGES
The churches are the Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist, and the lodges are the Masonic and Eastern Star, the Woodmen and Royal Neighbors.
POST-OFFICE
A post-office was established at this point in about 1858 with the late Judge Wesley Wil- liams as postmaster. He was succeeded by the following : Joseph Pressley, Mrs. Pressley, John
1095
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
Baldon, S. P. McGaw, T. J. Ruddell, S. P. Mc- Gaw, C. S. Caldwell, and Crystal Garvey, pres- ent incumbent.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY
In October, 1871, Elvaston became an incorpo- rated village under the then existing State laws. The records are not complete, but so far as they are accessible, they show that the following of- ficers (presidents and village clerks) have served from the organization in 1871 until the present time :
Presidents-1871, Jacob Shull; 1874, Ed Law ; 1875, Jacob Shull; 1878, John R. Miller ; 1881, William H. Avise; 1883, James A. Anderson ; 1887, James A. Anderson ; 1889, John R. Miller ; 1890-91, Hiram Ingersoll; 1893, J. R. Miller ; 1894, Hiram Ingersoll; 1896, S. R. Denton; 1897, S. D. Lincoln; 1898-99, J. R. Miller ; 1900- 01, W. S. Mack; 1902-04, R. R. Marshall; 1905, C. S. Caldwell; 1906, no record; 1907-08, Hiram Ingersoll; 1909, Lyman Watt; 1910-12, J. L. Baldon ; 1913-17, G. V. Wallace ; 1918-1920, C. N. Martin.
Clerks-1871, M. H. Cochran; 1874-5, M. H. Cochran; 1878, M. H. Cochran ; 1881, Washing- ton Enlow ; 1SS3, J. H. Garard; 1887, J. H. Gar- ard; 1SS9-90, J. H. Garard ; 1891, L. E. Caldwell ; 1893, L. E. Caldwell; 1894, J. F. Garard; 1896, W. S. Mack; 1897-1900, R. R. Marshall; 1901, G. W. Nair; 1902-03, C. B. Garard; 1904-05, L. L. White; 1906-17, O. O. Wallace; 1918-1920, Russell Campbell.
The 1920 village officers are: President, C. N. Martin; Clerk, Russell Campbell ; Treasurer, V. R. Miller ; Trustees, J. L. Baldon, S. H. Miller, Wm. Kerr, J. E. Sollars, Harold Camp- bell, Floyd Stump.
MC CALL STATION
There is a railroad station at McCall, from which point considerable buying and shipping of grain has been done in past years.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-1920
Supervisor, S. H. Miller ; Town Clerk, Russell Campbell; Assessor, G. A. Marshall; Highway Commissioner, Roy Fleming ; School Trustees, James E. Ewing, J. L. Baldon and Charles Kunz; School Treasurer, Thomas Garvey.
CHAPTER XXXVI
ROCK CREEK TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-FIRST SETTLERS-POPULATION-PIO- NEER INCIDENTS-VILLAGES OF ADRIAN AND FER- BIS-POST-OFFICES-1920 OFFICIALS.
BOUNDARIES AND PHYSICAL FEATURES
Rock Creek Township is bounded on the north by Pontoosuc and Dallas townships, on the east by Pilot Grove Township, on the south by Prai- rie Township, and on the west by Sonora Town- ship. It is all prairie land and is drained by Larry's Creek which empties into the Missis- sippi River, and by Rock Creek and Pilot Grove Creek, both of which empty into Crooked Creek. An unusual feature about these creeks is that they were not bordered by timber, as is usually the case with water-courses of their size.
FIRST SETTLERS
Among the first settlers of Rock Creek Town- ship were the Ellisons, Lamberts, Salisburys, Yaples, McCalls, Baileys, Abbotts, Alstons, Ter- rys, Thornbers, Isaac Roseberry, George Single- ton, Isaac Bellew, Jedediah Bellew, and John Bellew.
PIONEER INCIDENTS
The first election for school officers was held October 16, 1847, at the home of John Alston, on the southwest quarter of section 9, nine voters being present. At this election Henry Thornber was elected trustee, as also were Timothy Terry and Matthew Ellison, Sr. John Alston was elected treasurer. Mrs. Ann Alston, the wife of Jolın Alston, was engaged to teach school for a period of ten weeks for which she was to re- ceive twenty dollars. This school ran from January to March, 1848, and the pupils were Thomas, Margaret, Mary H. and Ralph Ellison, John, Sarah, George and Ellen E. Terry and Matthew and Ellen Jane Alston.
POPULATION
The population of this township has fluctu- ated as it has for other subdivisions of Han-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
cock County. In 1890 the population was 1,217. 1900 showed a decrease to 1,110, owing to remov- als to other parts of the country where lands were much less valuable, at least less in price per acre. In 1910 the population was 1,128, which, as in other enumerations, included the villages of Adrian and Ferris.
VILLAGE OF FERRIS
This village was platted by Charles G. Gil- christ and Hiram G. Ferris, in June, 1869, and it is at this place that the "Burlington" and the Toledo, Peoria & Western railroads form a cross- ing. Its population is about three hundred. It has been incorporated as a village for many years, but owing to lost or misplaced records a list of the presidents and clerks is not obtain- able. The 1920 village officers are : President, A. L. Casburn; Clerk, T. B. Stewart; Treas- urer, F. N. Cashburn; Street Commissioner, W. H Long; Trustees: W. E. Thompson, J. W. Richards, Everett Peyton, E. W. Ward, R. M. Grafton, Charles Emmert; Magistrate, L. R. Sherman.
The post-office is a fourth-class office, with one rural route going out to surrounding coun- try a distance of twenty-eight and one-half miles. The present postmistress is Miss May Abbott, who is also assistant cashier of the bank at Ferris.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
Banking-Farmers State Bank of Ferris. Barber Shops-J. W. Hawkins. Coal Dealers- The same firms as handle grain. Drugs and Paints-F. D. Griffitt. Flour and Stock Food- W. E. Thompson. Garages-A. L. Casburn, D. E. McCollom. General Merchandise-J. G. Hea- ton & Son, Stewart Bros. Grain Elevators- A. H. Davison & Co., Farmer's Elevator Co. Hardware-J. W. Richards. Lumber-Hamil- ton Lumber Co. Meats-E. W. Ward. Physi- cians-Dr. B. Kelley, Dr. J. M. Thornber, the last named being proprietor of special remedies which he makes and sells to the trade. Repairer of Jewelry-F. D. Griffitt. Seeds (including fine seed corn)-J. W. Richards. Stock Dealer -E. W. Ward.
VILLAGE OF ADRIAN
Adrian is situated on the "Burlington" rail- road north of Ferris, and was laid out by War-
ren Yaple and G. W. Jacks in September, 1873, and named after Adrian, Michigan, by Arthur Rice, son of Orrin Rice, who was then a postal clerk of the "Burlington" railway. This has never developed into more than a small station point, but has only a few places of business suitable for the surrounding country.
Adrian is surrounded by rich lands, which are naturally flat or level, and yet susceptible of drainage, and which, by good husbandry and by proper drainage, have become equal to the most valuable farming lands of the county.
There are two good churches here-the Chris- tian and Methodist, treated of in the Chapter on Churches.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-1920
Supervisor, J. G. Riel; Town Clerk, T. B. Stewart; Assessor, Jolın Mitternmeyer ; High- way Commissioner, David G. Douglas; Justices of the Peace, John Gahle and J. Edgar Atkins ; Constables, John Mittermeyer and Phil Rich- ards; School Trustees, Eli P. Osborn, D. M. Grindle and John W. Campbell; School Treas- urer, Geo. W. Thompson.
CHAPTER XXXVII
ROCKY RUN TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-EARLY SETTLEMENT-PIONEER EVENTS -POPULATION-TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR 1919 -TOPOGRAPHY OF TOWNSHIP-FRUIT-FORMER FORESTS -FERTILE SOIL RECLAIMED - 1920 OF- FICIALS.
BOUNDARIES AND DESCRIPTION
Rocky Run Township lies in the extreme southwestern corner of Hancock County, its western boundary being the Mississippi river. On the north it is bounded by Wilcox Township, on the east by Walker Township, and on the south by Adams County. Here the land is ex- tremely low and much of it was once under water, at least since the white men first saw it. Of recent years draining and reclaiming these
Fred. J. Ochsner and Family
1097
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
low lands have been gradually progressing. This reclaimed land is very fertile and most valuable for many crop purposes. Lima Lake, in the middle of the extreme southern part of the township, receives the waters of numerous sloughs, and Rocky Run, from which the town- ship takes its name. Originally there was much valuable timber, but the better part of it has been used, much going in the early times as fuel for the Mississippi river steam-boats which then used wood for steam instead of coal. As early as the seventies much fruit was grown in this township, although the land is well adapted to the production of all crops common to this latitude. Today one sees well-tilled farms in this township, and the farm-houses and barns show a prosperity characteristic of an intelligent and wealthy community.
PIONEER SETTLERS
Among the early settlers of Rocky Run Town- ship may be mentioned Luther Whitney, Daniel Crenshaw, Davis Hill, Curtis Caldwell, Henry Nichols, Leonard L. Abney, Charles Hill, Henry Newton, Stephen S. Weston, Charles C. Stevens, Hiram Woodworth, John Banks, John Harness, Luther Perry, William Shipe, John A. Morrison, James Carmean, Daniel P. Clark, John Fletcher, A. Daugherty, Joseph Caldwell, the Jenifers, Fraziers, Fredericks, Bolts and Worthingtons.
PIONEER EVENTS
From all that can be learned today the first house erected in Rocky Run Township was built in 1822 by Luther Whitney.
The first religious services in the township were held by Revs. Walker, Hatchett and Knox, at the cabin-homes of the settlers, long before there were any places of worship provided in the township. The location of this sub-division of Hancock County being near the Mississippi river it was settled by such immigrants as drifted in from the South by boats. Many of the first to settle in the township were tran- sients, and soon moved on, and their places were taken by a better class of settlers who remained to develop the county. While there are no rail- roads or towns within Rocky Run Township the lands have come to be well cultivated and in prices compare well with other sections of the county.
POPULATION
The United States Census Reports give the population in 1890 as 704; in 1900, 760; in 1910, 610; and in 1920, 577.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS IN 1920
Supervisor, R. C. Kerr; Town Clerk, J. A. Morrison ; Assessor, M. A. Weaver; Highway Commissioner, Charles H. Hoener; Justices of the Peace, Edwin P. Frederick and Homer Rob- erts ; Constable, John W. Parker ; School Trus- tees, A. C. Mackey, E. P. Frederick and A. Wis- lead; School Treasurer, J. W. Morrison.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
SONORA TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-FIRST PIONEER SETTLEMENT-FORMER SETTLEMENTS - POPULATION - POWELLTON - TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
BOUNDARIES
Sonora Township is bounded on the north by Appanoose Township, on the east by Rock Creek Township, on the south by Montebello Town- ship, and on the west by the Mississippi River and Nauvoo Township. Larry's Creek and. Chandler's Creek are the principal water courses, and along these streams was found con- siderable timber in the early days. There is some very valuable prairie land in the eastern part, but the land is considerably broken in the western part, especially along the Mississippi River where there are quite elevated bluffs.
FIRST SETTLEMENT
The first settlers were as follows: The Mof- fitts, Hugh Wilson, James Wilson, Mr. Dunn, Rev. Charles Robison, Abram Golden, Dr. Adol- phus Allen, Christian Kreymeyer, Abel Casto, the Sheridans, Roger Hibbard, Hezekiah Brad -. ley, George Benner, G. W. Black, J. J. Gardner,
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
D. G. Luce, Christopher Smith, Joseph Miller, George Smith, Samuel Brownlee, O. J. Hall, John Brown, W. H. Fulton, George Edmunds, Hezekiah Brant, Isaac Thomas, and Henry Benner.
FORMER SETTLEMENTS .
Sonora Landing was for a time a business center for this township and here was located the township's only post-office. The stone quarry, about a mile above Larry's Creek, on the Mississippi river, yielded large quantities of building stone that has been used in various public buildings. Golden's Point, of historic in- terest, was located in Sonora Township and was named for Abram Golden, one of the early settlers. He used to relate an incident of the battle of the Thames during which the Indian chief Tecumseh was killed, and vouched for its truth. He declared that he saw the soldiers strip the skin from Tecumseh's body and fur- ther stated that later this skin was tanned and used by the soldiers for razor strops!
POPULATION
Like other parts of this county the population has fluctuated with the changes in immigration and emigration. For the last four decades the United States reports show the following figures for this township: In 1890, 1,098; in 1900, 1,094; in 1910, 966; and in 1920, 821.
The people of this township usually trade at the city of Nauvoo, but there were for many years trading points at Powellton in the north- eastern part and Sonora in the southwestern part of the township. These trading places con- sisted of a few inland stores and a few shops and residences. Powellton is still a trading point, with garage, general store, etc., and some residences.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS IN 1920
Supervisor, Albert Balmer ; Town Clerk, Guy E. Saunders; Assessor, Jacob Schmitz; High- way Commissioner, Louis Bush; Justices of the Peace, John Bennett, Jr., and Horace Bolton ; School Trustees, George Schmitz, Albert Ort and Elsworth Radel; School Treasurer, James Stack.
CHAPTER XXXIX
ST. ALBANS TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES OF TOWNSHIP - EARLY SETTLERS - WEST POINT
AND STILLWELL VILLAGES - MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WEST POINT-POST- OFFICE HISTORY-BUSINESS INTERESTS-TOWN- SHIP OFFICERS-POPULATION-OFFICIALS 1920.
BOUNDARIES
St. Albans Township is bounded on the north by Bear Creek Township, on the east by Chili Township, on the south by Adams County, and on the west by Walker Township. Originally this township was about equally divided be- tween fine prairie and valuable woodland. Here are to be seen some of the finest farm lands within Hancock County. The principal stream flowing through the township is Bear Creek, along the banks of which stream are seen wood- land bluffs.
EARLY SETTLERS
Among the early settlers of the township were John Harding, Robert and Aaron Harding, Gar- rett Bean, Mr. Mills, Jonathan Todd, William Pike, Jesse Richardson, Dr. Cook, Noah Stokes, John Slater, William Bride, Benoin C. Bride, Truman Kinney, Joseph Kinney, James E. Moore, William Owen, Eldridge Renshaw, C. W. Hicks, Alexander McDonald, David Wigle, Brad- ley Hecox and James Knott.
The above sturdy settlers and their descend- ants have transformed this wilderness-like sec- tion of Illinois, as found in the forties and fif- ties, into a beautiful garden spot, where all the grains and grasses bring forth their rich annual crops. The dairy cow and silo are in evidence on every hand. Lands have advanced from gov- ernment price to hundreds of dollars per acre. The class of farm-houses and out-buildings is not surpassed in the entire county. The land- owners are a thrifty, contented and happy people.
There are two platted towns within the town- ship-West Point and Stillwell. Several ceme-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
teries are found in this part of the county, but a majority of the deceased now repose in the burying-grounds at West Point and Stillwell.
There are several churches in the township, including a Methodist Episcopal at Green Grove and another of the Methodist (South) denomi- nation at Webster, a name given to the locality where stands the church.
WEST POINT
The original townsite was platted in March, 1856, by David Wigle. He erected the first house on this site and, with some improvements, it still stands and is occupied by a daughter of David Wigle who was born beneath its roof and who. is now the wife of J. B. Kelley. The town is platted on the corners of sections 10, 11, 14 and 15. West Point was named by Mrs. David Wigle, wife of the proprietor of the original place, after West Point, New York, her old home. While the place was laid out in 1856 it was not incorporated until 1893, since which dates its Presidents and City Clerks have been as follows :
1893-T. H. Hanson, J. W. Cunningham; 1895 -J. R. Bryant, T. H. Hanson; 1896-Milo M. McMillan, T. H. Hanson ; 1897-Milo M. McMil- lan, T. H. Hanson ; 1898-C. Cunningham, Frank Guthrie; 1899-H. A. Charpentier, Frank Guth- rie; 1900-Milo M. McMillan, Frank Guthrie ; 1901-A. J. Wright, Frank Guthrie; 1902-H. A. Eyman, William Rampley; 1903-J. B. Wood- ward, Charles E. Kelley ; 1904-J. B. Woodward, Charles E. Kelley ; 1905-I. P. Kilgore, J. B. Ward; 1906-I. P. Kilgore, J. B. Ward; 1907- I. P. Kilgore, J. B. Ward; 1908-I. P. Kilgore, Frank Guthrie; 1909-I. P. Kilgore, G. C. Guth- rie; 1910-I. P. Kilgore, G. C. Guthrie; 1911- I. P. Kilgore, G. C. Guthrie; 1912-I. P. Kilgore, G. C. Guthrie; 1913-I. P. Kilgore, G. C. Guth- rie ; 1914-I. P. Kilgore, J. B. Ward; 1915-John Mensendick, J. B. Ward; 1916-John Mensen- dick, J. B. Ward; 1917-John Workman, Charles E. Kelley ; 1918-W. G. Zinn, E. Ralph Hinkle; 1919-W. G. Zinn, E. Ralph Hinkle; 1920-R. J. Brumby, J. F. Guthrie.
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