USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough county, Illinois, its cities, towns and villages with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 12
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The first marriage in the township was Mr. Morgan Jones and Miss Elizabeth Osborne, who were united by Joseph Osborne, Esq., in February, 1834. The first birth was Perry Pennington,
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IIISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
son of Wm. Pennington, in the year 1828. The first death, J. J. Pennington, son of Stewart Pennington, September 10, 1838.
The first sermon was preached by old Father Harris, at the house of William Osborne, at Pennington's Point, in 1834.
The first school was taught at Pennington's Point by Miss Martha Campbell, now the widow of the John M. Walker. Gideon Waters was the first to teach a public school and drew' the first public money.
This township has one village in its boundaries, the village of Adair, on the Chicago, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad. Mention is made elsewhere of this place, to which we call atten- tion. Pennington's Point, although, not incorporated, has quite a little settlement around it, there being a general store, a black- smith shop, a doctor's office, and a post office. Mr. S. Raby is the postmaster, Dr. E. Bolles, the physcian, while the store and blacksmith shop are also run by Mr. Raby.
The products of the township are such as are common through- out the county. The value of the land as assessed is $687,590. There are 22,286 acres of improved land and not one unimproved. In horses, cattle, hogs, and other stock, she ranks second to none. In fine stock, the township is probably ahead, especially on cat- tle. This is the home of Joseph and Russell Lownes, who live on see. 27, near the county line. These gentlemen, for many years, have turned their attention to fine cattle, and have about as fine herds as are to be found in this section of the country.
The following named gentlemen have served as members of the Board of Supervisors : James HI. Epperson, Joseph Lownes, Simon Pontious, Asahel Russell, Reuben C. Porter, Lyman Porter, Joseph E. Porter, Amaziah Hanson, Abram Powers, John L. Epperson ..
Mound .- The southern portion of this township is low and flat; the eastern, bordering on Spoon river brakes, is broken and hilly ; the remainder of the land is beautifully rolling and fertile. On section 14 is the summit of a very high mound, perhaps the high- est point in the county ; the ascent is very gradual, and scarcely perceptible. When the summit is reached a grand view of the surrounding country presents itself. From this mound the town- ship derives its name. The mound is known as Dyer's Mound.
Of the thirty-six sections, but one is timber land.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
In the northeastern portion, but a few feet below the surface, coal is found in paying quantities, and several mines are now being worked.
As for improvements, Mound ranks among the best, there being but few poor farms in the whole township. There are several fine churches in the township, also a good town hall, but the school houses fall below the average, and are not in keeping with the wealth and high standing of the people. This doubtless will soon be otherwise.
Mound has more miles of railroad than any other township in the county. There is one village, New Philadelphia, which is noticed under the head of towns and villages.
The first settlement was in 1832, Joseph Smith building a house on section 18, and occupying it with his family. But little pro- gress was made as respects increase in population and the develop- ment of the resources of the township for many years after. The Crawfords, Jacksons, Creels, Kepples and McCandless are num- bered among the first settlers-all good and industrious families, and still living in the respective neighborhoods in which they first settled.
Edward Dyer and Jane Kepple were the first couple united in the holy bonds of matrimony. They were married on the seven- teenth day of April, 1838, by the Rev. John Richmond, a Methodist minister, who organized the first church in the township. The first preaching in the township was also by a Methodist, Rev. E. Thompson, who preached at the house of Jacob Kepple, in the year 1836. There are now three churches in the township, viz : Methodist Episcopal, Christian, and United Brethren.
The first birth was that of Josephine Kulp, about the year 1834, and the first death was Emily Miller, daughter of George and Mary C. Miller, who died in the year 1832.
S. II. MeCandless taught the first school in the first cabin ever built in the township, in the year 1838.
There are in the township 22,238 acres of improved land, having an assessed value of $872,260, a higher rate than any other in the county. There is no unimproved land.
With respect to products, the township will favorably compare with any other in the county. In stock it ranks number one. In intelligence and business enterprise second to none. Being the home of such men as the Porters, Creels, Manlys, Works, and others, this is not to be wondered at.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Politieally, Mound is Republican. The township has been rep- resented in the Board of Supervisors by Samuel H. MeCandless, Solomon Markham, Edward Dyer, Christian Ely, James Upde- graff, Lyman Porter, James Manly, Joseph Shannon, Thomas J. Creel, Ross Manly, and Joseph Shannon.
In 1874 a town hall was erected on section 21, at a cost of $1,000. It is a frame building, twenty-four by thirty-six, and is used for all town purposes, such as elections, publie meetings, etc.
Prairie City and Bushnell .- These townships were originally one, and lie 7 north, 1 west, and are almost wholly prairie land, and as good as can be found in the Military Tract. Matthew B. Robinson was the first settler, erecting a house on section 30- now Bushnell township. G. W. Thompson was probably the second, and settled on section 25, six miles east from Mr. Robinson. Mr. Thompson remarked to the writer that, notwithstanding the distance, they were truly neighbors, much more than many who now live within a stone's throw of each other. This was charac- teristic of early times.
But little was done in the settlement of the township until the completion of the C. B. & Q. R. R., when, in a short time, every quarter was taken up and occupied.
The first birth was Missouri E. Robinson, daughter of Matthew B. Robinson, who was born in 1837.
The first death was John W. Clark, who died in September, 1847.
The Presbyterians were the first to enter this new field and sow the seeds of the gospel, Rev. William H. Stewart, of Macomb, preaching the first sermon, at the house of Matthew B. Robinson.
The first school was taught by David Robinson, in the year 1838.
The township increased very rapidly in wealth and population on the completion of the railroad, and two towns were laid out within its limits; one on sections 1 and 2, and the other on sec- tions 27, 28, 33 and 34-the former called Prairie City and the latter Bushnell. These towns are noticed elsewhere at some length.
By an act of the Legislature the township was divided in 1865, the north half retaining the name of Prairie City and the south half adopting the name of Bushnell.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
This township has always been Republican. Before the divis- ion the following named gentlemen served it on the Board of Supervisors : Alonzo S. Kimber, G. F. Hendrickson, Isaac Weaver, Hiram Conover and D. R. Hamilton. Since its division Prairie City has been represented by H. C. Sanford, G. W. Hamilton, James W. Brooks, Sanger S. Stevens, G. W. Closson, and A. T. Irwin. Bushnell has sent J. H. Smith, D. M. Wychoft, James Devon, S. A. Epperson, A. L. Sparks, J. C. Cadwallader, and E. D. C. Haines.
Industry .- Industry township lies in range 4 north, 2 west, and is the oldest settled district in the county, it embracing the old Carter settlement of which we make mention elsewhere in this work. About two-fifths of the township was originally timber land, a good part of which is now brought under cultivation.
Being the oldest settled township in the county its people can boast of having initiated several customs. Here was performed the first marriage ceremony in the county. Mr. John Wilson and Miss Martha R. Vance, being united in the "holy bands of wed- lock" on the 30th day of October, 1828; here the first child was born, a daughter to Thomas Carter in August, 1828; here the first death, a son of Isaac Fowler, in 1829; here the first gospel sermon, by Elder John Logan, in May, 1828; here the first church erected in 1831, which is still standing, it having been built as a Union church; here the first school, taught by an Englishman, named Jenkins.
The township now has 21,457 acres of improved lands, and 1,403 acres of unimproved, with a total cash value of $612,866; towns lots, $33,749. In the past year (1875), there were planted and sown 6,987 acres corn, 1,651 acres wheat, 1,057 acres oats, 212 acres other products. There were in the township 910 horses, 1,806 cattle, 68 mules, 868 sheep, and 2,521 hogs. (For value of these see table).
In the south part of the township, and probably underlying every square foot of soil in all parts, may be found coal in great abundance, the veins averaging thirty-three inches. Ebenezer Jones, James A. Vawter, William Dupees and others are working good veins of an excellent quality.
We find in the township, including the town of Industry. several churches, showing the spiritual wants of the people are not neglected. There are also school houses, with an average attend- ance in their schools of four hundred and sixty-seven.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Grindstone Creek (formerly called Turkey Creek) is the princi- pal stream passing through the township, it coming in on section 1 and passing out at section 19. Camp Creek passes through a portion of sections 5 and 6. Thus we find the township well watered. All things taken into consideration, the division of the township into timber and prairie land, the abundance of coal, stone for building purposes, ete., we consider Industry well-favor- ed. Among the wealthy farmers, we may mention Darius Runkle, who owns large tracts of land in the southern part. The follow- ing named gentlemen have served the township as members of the Board of Supervisors : Joel Pennington, 1857-60 ; Darius Runkle, 1860; Leander Cassidy, 1861-63; P. B. Cordell, 1863-65; T. J. Pennington, 1865 ; James P. Skiles, 1866-68; George A. Taylor, 1868; R. A. Duncan, 1869; Ebenezer Vail, 1870; T. J. Pennington, 1871; T. B. Cordell, 1872; Thomas L. Maxwell, 1873; C. R. Shannon, 1874; W. IF. Taylor, 1875; William Kinkade, 1876.
Scotland .- This township derived its name from the large number of Scottish citizens living in the township at its organization. It lies in range 5 north, 2 west.
The first settlement effected in the township was in the year 1832. Dr. Charles Hays, a physician of large practice in the early times, and the Hon. Cyrus Walker being the first to erect their cabins. The Clarks, Alisons, Harlans, and Campbells were among the early settlers. These men are yet living, or have descendants living in the township, all, we believe, well-to-do farmers and excellent business men.
The township is all prairie land, except groves along the banks of Camp Creek, which is reported to the assessors as being timber land, and containing 662 acres, a little more than a section. The soil is the best in the county, and no township can boast a greater yield of corn or other products to the acre. A large amount of stock is raised, it being one of the best sections of country in the State for that purpose.
No better improved farms are found, po finer residences and better barns than those in this township. The people are all of the industrious class, and are continually adding to their wealth. Dr. B. R. Westfall, Milton Knight, S. C. Knight, Amos Dixon, L. F. Smith, M. Herndon, J. M. Rexroat, and the Barclay broth- ers, are among the prominent men of the township.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
Rev. Wm. K. Stewart, a Presbyterian minister, living in Ma- comb, preached the first gospel sermon at the house of Hon. Cyrus Walker, in the year 1837. This denomination outranks all others in the township, having two flourishing churches in the southern part, a description of which may be found in the chapter on the religious history of the county.
The first school taught in the township was in a log house on Camp Creek, Miss Mary Mead as teacher. Scotland to-day has the best school buildings of any township in the county, in num- ber, nine, and valued at about $10,000. IIer schools have always been the best, with number one teachers usually employed.
The first death was the Rev. Ezekiel Campbell, who died in the year 1834, on what is now known as the Craig farm.
The first couple marrying in the township we were unable to learn.
The assessed value of land for the year 1876 is $634,080. A small portion of Macomb lies in this township, but its record of town lots are kept by that city, and do not come under the super- vision of the township officers at all. In value of stock Scotland ranks third in the county. In imported steck it ranks first. Dr. B. R. Westfall and J. M. Rexroat have been making special efforts to improve the stock of the county by importing thorough bred horses and cattle from Europe and other places.
Scotland politically is Republican by a large vote, and is usually relied upon by the leaders of that party to bring in a good major- ity
Isaac P. Monfort, George W. Provine, Jacob Randolph, John Blackburn, Samuel R. Jones, John C. Moore, John Watson, L. F. Smith, Jonas Ringer and John Barclay have served the township as members of the Board of Supervisors.
Macomb .- The history of this township in a measure is identi- fied with the history of the city of Macomb. It lies in six north, two west, and is principally prairie, though having considerable timber along the margin of Crooked creek and its branches. In woodland there was reported to the assessor in 1876, only a little over a section-696 acres. Among the settlers in the township were Alexander Harris, Joseph Smith, Robert Grant, J. P. Upde- graff, Ephraim Palmer, William Hamilton and Levi Hamilton, the first among them settling about the year 1831. This town-
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IIISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
ship was made noted at an early day by the circumstances of a child being lost, an account of which is given in one of the first chapters of this book.
The township now has some advantages over those of any other in the county, chiet among which is its accessibility to a railroad depot, there being no part of it over four miles from one. It has only two churches in it, but its proximity to the towns surround- ing it obviates any difficulty here.
Crooked ereek passes through the entire township, coming in at section thirteen, and passing out at seetion thirty. Drowning Fork, of this stream, derived its name from the circumstance of a man being drowned there about the year 1827. Two soldiers were returning from the northern part of this State, or Wisconsin, where they had been fighting Indians, going south. When they arrived at this branch of Crooked creek they found it swollen by recent rains. In attempting to cross, one of them was drowned. His companion buried him beside the stream, and made his way to the block house, in Industry township, where he narrated the circumstances to the few settlers surrounding it, who returned with him to the creek and found it as he described. They gave it the name which it has since borne-Drowning Fork.
Although there are fewer acres of land susceptible of cultiva- tion in the township, it is well improved in every respect, and has living within its boundaries some of the most en- terprising farmers in the county, among whom we may mention L. H. Copeland, formerly County Superintendent of Public Schools, David Holler, H. H. MeElwain, Durham Harris, L. H. Shriner, John Wiley, Andy Lewis, William Rile, James Fulton, Abraham Switzer, L. II. Shriner, W. E. Roberts, John Crabb, the Cline Brothers, Joseph Parks, and a host of others. David Holler has an advantage over many of the farmers of the county, in the fact that he can sell the dirt of his farm, and whether able to raise anything or not, he can still live. The finest clay in the world for the manufacture of fire-brick, tiling and earthenware, comes from his farm.
The land in this township not available for cultivation makes the finest pasture, and we find the township excelling as a stock- producing country, having three times as many head of cattle as any other.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
The greater part of the city of Macomb lies in this township, and also the town of Bardolph. This takes from the total value of the lands, but it has $623,127 worth, at the assessed value.
We find the following named persons who have served in the Board of Supervisors : James Maguire, Louis HI. Waters, B. R. Hampton, William S. Hendricks, Firman Casto, O. F. Piper, Wil- liam J. Merritt, F. D. Knapp, William H. Rile, John Archer, Thomas Cline and Foster Dobbins.
Walnut Grove .- This township was not settled as early as some others, the first record we have being in the spring of 1835, when Sidney Gear erected his house on section 14. It is a beautiful prairie country, its timber land, about one hundred acres, lying along the banks of the stream.
The first birth was Flora M. Walker, daughter of Gilmore Walker, who was born in the year 1836. Mr. Walker was the first to lose a child, Martha Walker, who died in the fall of 1837. Rev. Harrison Berry, a Cumberland Presbyterian clergyman, and Miss Martha Walker were the first couple married in the town- ship. They were united on the fifteenth day of February, 1838, at the residence of Gilmore Walker, by the Rev. Cyrus Haines. The Rev. Mr. Griggs preached the first sermon in 1836. Walker Findley taught the first school in 1838, in a log cabin on section 16, near what is now known as the Deer Park.
The township is well represented by the various religious denominations, each having good church buildings, showing the inhabitants are not adverse to religious influences. As to its educational facilities, it is up to the average.
The T. P. & W. Railroad passes through the township on the south side, and the St. L., C. & R. I. crosses its northeast corner. A portion of Good Hope lies in the township, near the southwest corner. This town is mentioned elsewhere. Bushnell and Prairie City are within convenient distance, which give the people good markets.
Politically, the township may be classed as Republican. We find the following named gentlemen have been members of the Board of Supervisors : Dr. D. J. Dungan, John McSperritt, Joshua Larkins, D. A. McKee, Samuel Mc Whinney, E. B. Davis, William W. Stewart, David Brockway and R. A. Morris.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Bethel .- This township lies 4 north, 3 west, and is principally timber land, containing some of the finest in the county. John Gibson has the honor of being the first to settle here, he building himself a cabin in the year 1830, about the time the Clarkes, Nay- lors, and others settled in the neighborhood of Macomb. Mr. Gibson built his house on section 2, near the present village of Middletown. That his selection of a site was good is admitted by all. James Edmundson, one of the first County Commission- ers, Marks, Dunsworth, Archer, and Matthews also came at an early day.
The first marriage was Mr. Thomas Driskill and Miss Sarah Gibson, who were united November 16, 1839, by Jesse Neece, Esq., a Justice of Peace. The first birth was Joseph, son of John Gibson, in 1832.
The Baptist was the first religious denomination to preach the gospel, old Father Bradley and Thomas Owens, doing the work. These men, we believe, organized a Baptist church here about 1835.
John Claybaugh taught the first school on section 6, in 1831.
This township is well watered, the two forks of Crooked Creek passing through its entire length, one coming in on section 24, and the others on section 1, both uniting and passing out on section 31.
The north part of the township is prairie land, and we find some of the finest farms in the county. The southern part is timber land, and is the depository of immense beds of coal and a great deal of stone for building purposes. Copper, zinc and iron ore have been found in large quantities, though but little effort has been made to test the matter as to whether it can be found sufficient to pay working or not.
There are in the township 17,403 acres of improved land, and 5,053 acres of wood land.
This is a democratic township, and has sent as members of the Board of Supervisors the following named gentlemen : James H. Dunsworth, John Nankivil, James Black, Wm. Twaddle, James Robinson, John M. Dunsworth, Samuel Wilson, Archibald Hols- tine, Wm. II. Nankivil.
. Chalmers .- This is one of the oldest settled townships in the county, and lies five north, three west. Daniel and David Trox- well, Berry Jones and the McFaddens were the first to inhabit the
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
township, in 1828. The first mentioned left the following year, 1830. John D. Barber, Jesse Neece and Robert Phelps can also be numbered with the first.
This township contains more timber land than any other in the county, which doubtless accounts for its early settlement and subsequent growth. John W. Westfall, familiarly known as Governor Westfall, and Miss Neece, were the first couple married. Miss Neece was the daughter of Jesse Neece, and a sister of Hon. W. H. Neece. They were married by James Clarke, Esq., a Jus- tice of the Peace, on the fifteenth day of December, 1834.
The first birth was Martin, son of Robert Phelps, in the year year 1830.
The first death was a Mr. Bowen, who died in the year 1830, at the residence of David McFadden, on the farm now owned by William Hunter, near the city of Macomb. He was buried in the old grave yard near Macomb, and was the second person interred therein.
Rev. John Baker, who is mentioned in the first part of this work, a Baptist minister, preached the first discourse at the resi- dence of Daniel Troxwell, in 1830.
William Shelton taught the first school on section 20, in 1833.
A portion of the city of Macomb lies in the northeast corner of this township, and a portion of the town of Colchester lies on section nineteen.
By reference to the returns of the assessors, we learn that there are yet 7,760 acres of timber land, a greater number than any other in the county. The fuel question, so far as they are con- cerned, is settled.
There are here many good farms, the most of which are small, there being very few large landholders. This is far better for the general good.
Living here we find the following named excellent citizens, who have done much, and are still working for, the best interest of the township : C. W. Dunsworth, George W. Duncan, and William Reid, W. S. MeClelland, George Kruse, John D. Barber, Mrs. Alison and Mrs. Sullivan.
This township has always been Democratic. The following have been sent to represent the township as members of the Board of Supervisors since the adoption of the township organization law : Isaae McCowan, Alexander Blackburn, Jeremiah Sullivan,
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Sr., Henry S. Marvel, T. B. McCormick, Cyrus Hoyt, George W. Neece, Jeremiah Sullivan, Jr., R. L. Horrell and George M. Thompson.
Emmet .- This township lies 6 north, 3 west, and is about equally divided between timber and prairie land. A portion of it lying in the present city of Macomb, its history is contemporaneous with it, Peter Hale, the first Coroner of the county, building his cabin on the quarter where the old grave yard, west of Macomb, is lo- cated, in the year 1830. William Pringle settled a short dis- tance west. This was the first settlement in the township. In the year 1831 William Pennington removed from Pennington's Point, and located upon Spring creek, about eight miles northwest of Macomb, where he still resides. John Wyatt settled near by about the same time. Others soon followed, and the Spring Creek settlement became quite noted. The Russells, McCords, Hum- berts, and others were among the first, and all have descendants yet living in the township.
Elder John Logan, the noted pioneer preacher, a short biogra- phy of whom we give elsewhere, preached the first sermon on Spring creek in the year 1832.
David G. McFadden and Miss Dorcas Bowen were the first couple married in the township, the ceremony being performed by James Vance, Sr., a Justice of the Peace, some time in the year 1833. This McFadden was one of the two hung about two years later for the murder of John Wilson, they being the only citizens ot McDonough county who have met the like fate.
The township is well watered, and is an excellent stock country. Crooked creek passes through the southeast portion of the town- ship, and Spring creek and tributaries running through the greater portion of it, furnishes living water at all seasons of the year.
There are many excellent farms here, and the farmers are nearly all well to do men. J. D., A. J. and J. N. Hainline, Samuel Dey, James D. Griffith, Samuel McCray, A. B., William and George Stickle, George Guy and sons, William C. McLeod, are among her best citizens.
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