History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 56

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424


USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 56
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 56


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Agitation was still kept up, and another board of commissioners was secured, who again decided in favor of Millersburg. In 1847, however, another election was held, and resulted in 396 votes for Keithsburg, 340 for New Boston, and 210 for Millersburg, Keithsburg carrying off the prize. Land was again donated, a substantial brick court-house erected, and the county archives removed to the new loca- tion. After the removal of the county seat from Millersburg, the


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court-house, jail, publie square, and considerable adjoining land was purchased by Mr. H. W. Thornton, who still resides on the outskirts of the village, and to whom we are indebted for a portion of this history. The jail was torn down and the material put to other uses. The court-house was removed to a lot near the then center of the village, and has for many years been used as a wagonmaker's shop.


Keithsburg wore the laurels for nearly ten years, when another election was held, August 3, 1857, and by a vote of 1,479 to 549 the people decided to remove the county seat to Aledo, which was situated almost in the center of the rapidly growing county. Land and money were donated, a building was ready for the reception of the officers and the records, and the work of removal was quickly accomplished.


For some time court was held in a building erected for a school- house, but being unfit for that purpose, was sold to the county for a nominal sum for a court-house, and is still so used. It is not well adapted to the purpose, being illy-ventilated, and positively unhealthy, and the feeling is growing in the county that a new building is a neces- sity, and it will doubtless be erected at no distant day upon the block donated for that purpose. A commodious and substantial jail was erected in 1869, and a fire-proof building for the county offices in 1873. The latter, while perhaps a safe place to keep the records, is a very uncomfortable place to work in, either winter or summer, owing to poor ventilation. It stands upon Court-House square, and the jail is in the block immediately west of it.


The old court-house at Keithsburg has become the property of the town, and is known as the Opera-house, it being fitted up with stage and scenery.


CHURCHES.


Presbyterian Church .- The first organization of this church was effected November 10, 1856, in a school-house west of Aledo, which was at that time known as "the mile school-house."


The ministers who presided over and perfected the organization were Rev. Wm. Townley and Rev. John H. Nevius.


The officers who were then elected were : elders, Messrs. Wm. W. McCandless and Edgar Allen ; deacon, Mr. Vanbuskirk ; trustees, Messrs. Simon Maey, John McKee, and John S. Thompson.


This congregation for some time after its organization, worshiped in the same old school-house, and after leaving it, occupied a room in Dr. Macy's drug store building, which was used for a private school, and which stood upon the lot now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Jane Strother. Some time about the year 1857, they worshiped in another


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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.


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school-room, where Dr. Townley taught a select or private school. The same house is now occupied as a dwelling by F. A. Hollenbeck, in the west part of Aledo. Services were held in the above room until 1865, when the congregation fitted up the chapel room of a col- lege that was under the care of the Presbytery, and which was situated in the south part of the town. This room was occupied by them as a place of worship until 1871, from which time, until the building they now occupy was finished, they worshiped in the house of the Methodist brethren. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Samuel Linn, who continued in charge until the spring of 1861, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Williams, for- merly of Ohio. It was during the pastorate of Mr. Williams the chapel room spoken of before was fitted up for worship, and the pros- perity of the congregation at that time, and the means of advancement and growth, were largely due to the energy of Thos. Candor, familiarly known as "Father Candor," a man of untiring zeal and christian devotion ; he died in 1871. Mr. Williams remained in charge of the congregation till the fall of 1866, when he was succeeded by Rev. John S. Loots, who remained nearly three years, when he resigned, was released by the Presbytery, and was succeeded by Rev. F. A. Shearer in the winter of 1868 and 1869. Dr. Shearer was succeeded by Rev. Samuel T. Davis, in 1875, who remained about two years and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Robt. Edgar, who remained with the congregation about three years, when, by his own request, he was released by the Presbytery. The congregation is large and in a prosperous condition. They have a large and handsome place of worship, which cost about $6,000. There are only two surviving members of the original organ- ization, Mrs. Amanda M. Macy and Mrs. Martha Detwiler.


United Presbyterian Church .- In the year 1853 or 1854, Rev. Matthew Bigger preached occasionally to a few members of the Asso- ciate Reformed Presbyterian church, living in Millersburg township, Mercer county, Illinois. Services were generally held at the house of Samuel Carnahan, and sometimes in a school-house near his place. An organization was effected in the year 1855 by the election of Samuel Carnahan, Sr., and William Haverhill, as ruling elders.


The first pastor was the Rev. D. C. Cochran, who was installed Nov. 9, 1856, and continued with the congregation as pastor for about two years. The records show that five persons were received into membership by certificate during the first pastorate. In the year 1856 the village of Aledo was laid out, and the name of the congregation was soon changed from "Millersburg" to that of "Aledo." Near the time that the first pastor was released, the Rev. Matthew Bigger,


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pastor of Pope creek congregation, now Sunbeam, removed to Aledo with his family, and preached "statedly" as supply to the Aledo con- gregation. During his labors the Sabbatlı school was organized and W. D. Henderson was the first superintendent.


John S. Paxton and W. D. Henderson were installed as ruling elders February 12, 1859. Mrs. Warwick, wife of J. M. Warwick, was the first person received into the Aledo congregation, upon profes- sion of faith, and her children the first baptised.


Rev. Matthew Bigger entered the army during the war of the rebel- lion as chaplain of the 50th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. After the close of the war he entered the active work of the ministry, in which he continued till his death at Bushnell, Illinois, in December, 1873. The second pastor was Rev. J. R. MeCallister, who was installed in December, 1862.


Shortly after the above date a new church building was erected at a. cost of about $2,400. This builing was afterward sold to, and is now in use by, the Swedish Lutheran church, of Aledo. December 10, 1867, Mr. McCallister was released from his pastorate by Presbytery.


The third pastor was Rev. A. W. Clokey, who was installed De- cember 22, 1868, and released by Presbytery June 11, 1872. The fourth and present pastor is Rev. T. B. Turnbull, who was installed April 16, 1873. A new church building was erected in 1876; it was completed for occupancy in the basement, the auditorium being un- finished, at a cost of $8,689.12, when, on June 25, 1877, a tornado passed over the village of Aledo, blowing the tower of the new church building over upon the roof of the church, carrying with it to the ground about one-third of the main structure. The work of repairing was immediately begun, and was finished at a cost of about $2,200. The church building is the finest in the county, being of frame work after the gothic style, and when completed and finally furnished will cost the congregation about $15,000.


The actual membership of the congregation is about 140. The Sabbath school is large, under the superintendency of Dr. D. R. John- ston, formerly medical missionary to Egypt. The officers of the church at present are: elders, Stewart J. Frew, Alexander Rankin, Paul Black, Joseph Wallace, W. K. Fulton ; trustees, Thomas Love. Will- iam B. Frew, J. F. Pyles. This church is in a flourishing condition, and out of debt.


Methodist Episcopal Church-Was organized in the spring of 1857 by Rev. J. Shelton, then traveling Camden (now Milan) circuit. In the fall of 1857 Aledo was connected with Millersburg circuit, and D. A. Fanlkenburg appointed as pastor. The subsequent appointments


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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.


to the Millersburg circuit while Aledo was connected with Millersburg were as follows: In 1858, L. P. Crouch; in 1859, L. P. Crouch ; in 1860, B. E. Kaufman ; in 1861, J. D. Taylor ; in 1862, J. D. Taylor ; in 1863, G. C. Woodruff; in 1864, J. D. Taylor. In 1865, Aledo first appears as an independent charge, with M. D. Heckard as pastor. Since then the appointments to Aledo have been as follows: In 1866, A. P. Hull; 1867 and 1868, F. Smith; 1869, G. I. Bailey; 1870, G. I. Bailey ; 1871, M. Spurlock; 1872, M. Spurlock; 1873, the same ; 1874, M. C. Bowlin ; 1875, the same ; 1876 and 1877, W. M. Collins ; 1878 and 1879, A. R. Morgan ; 1880, W. McPhecters ; 1881, J. G. Evans.


In 1862, under the administration of J. D. Taylor, the society pur- chased a half interest in the Free Presbyterian church, and in 1865 the Free Presbyterians sold their remaining interest in the building to the Methodists. The society owns a good parsonage. The membership now numbers 220, and the Aledo Methodist Episcopal church is, and has been for years the most prosperous Methodist church in the county. It is regarded as one of the most pleasant stations in the confer- ence. When the society was organized in 1857, J. P. McEwen was appointed leader. The additional members were : Mary McEwen, Mary M. Cool, - Criss, Mr. Hawkins, Mrs. Hawkins, Elizabeth Baxter, Charles Moore, Mrs. Moore.


Aledo Baptist Church .- The first organization of this church in Aledo took place January 5, 1867, with twelve members consti- tuting the congregation. The meeting was presided over by Rev. J. C. Post, who remained in charge of the congregation until October, 1867, when his term expired. The officers of the original organization were as follows: clerk, Chas. M. Kay; trustees, Wm. B. Crapnel, C. M. Kay, J. B. Taliafero, Moses White, Aaron P. Shafer, Robert H. Day, Aaron Patterson. Mr. Post was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Whitehead, who was called by the congregation January 1, 1868, and remained in charge until January 19, 1869. On September 11, 1870, a call was extended to Rev. D. G. Zook, who took charge of the congregation and remained until August 2, 1873, when he resigned. Mr. Zook was succeeded by Rev. O. W. Van Osdel, who was called December 4, 1875, and remained till October 30, 1878, when he resigned and was released March 31, 1880. A call was extended to Rev. M. D. Mur- dock, who accepted and remained with the congregation till January 5, 1881, when the present pastor, Rev. J. T. Hoye, was called. For some years prior to 1874 the congregation worshiped in private houses, holding covenant and prayer meetings. About this year steps were taken leading to the erection of the handsome place of worship they now occupy (which was dedicated December 5, 1875), at a cost of


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about $3,500. Much credit is due to a few members of this church, who furnished a great part of the means for the building. As the church was comparatively poor, the burden fell upon the few. In 1877 the congregation also built a fine parsonage, at a cost of about $1,500. The congregation now numbers about eighty-five members. The sabbath school is large and interesting, and is superintended by the pastor. Of the original members of the congregation only four remain.


Congregational Church-Was organized February 15, 1869. The officers of the original organization were : trustees, John S. Thompson, Horace E. Wright, and P. Roberts; clerk and treasurer, M. S. Boice. They built a house of worship, which was dedicated July 3, 1870, and cost about $4,500. Rev. P. F. Warner was the first pastor, who con- tinned in charge till the fall of 1872. The congregation was then with- out a pastor till the year 1874, when Rev. Robert Nurse was called and presided over the church till September, 1877. The congregation was again without a pastor, having only occasional supplies, till April, 1880, when the Rev. W. E. Smith was called, and who continned in charge until January 1, 1882, when he accepted a call from the First Congregational church of Canton, Illinois. The present officers of the church are : trustees, Joseph MeCoy, Joseph Abercrombie and James H. Connell ; deacons, Robert Woods and Wm. Pinkerton ; treasurer, Wm. A. Lorimer; secretary and superintendent of sabbath school, Miss Laura McCoy ; chorister, A. M. Woods ; organist, Miss Aggie McCoy.


Swedish Lutheran Church-Was organized May 19, 1873, the Rev. A. Andreen presiding. There were about forty members who signed the church roll. The following officers were elected : trustees, J. O. Lundblad, P. Ringdall, Chas. Neiberg, and Samuel Andersen ; deacons, C. Bjorkman, C. Runborn, John E. Swomsen, and O. G. Olsen. They were without a house of worship until March, 1877, when the old building of the United Presbyterian church was pur- chased for $400, which they removed to the lot owned by them in the east part of town, and repaired and fitted up at a cost of about $2.000. The first pastor was the Rev. A. Andreen, who was succeeded in July, 1873, by Rev. Nils Fersander, who was succeeded by Rev. Andreen again, who had charge of the congregation for about a year. Sep- tember 8, 1878, a call was issued to the Rev. T. H. Winguist, who took charge of the congregation in March, 1879, and is the present pastor. The congregation has at present about eighty members, is out of debt and prospering. Sabbath school exercises are held in English every Sabbath, under the direction of Mr. A. G. Johnson, superin- tendent.


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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.


Episcopal Church .- This church was first organized by a few mem- bers in 1870, and in the year 1878 was received under the care of the general church as a mission. The church since has so prospered that in February of the present year (1882) it was organized as an inde- pendent congregation. The church is entirely out of debt, and have a fine place of worship erected by the members at a cost of about $4,000. The rectors in charge since 1870 have been : Revs. Chamber- lain, Brown, Gates, Allen, and the present rector, Rev. Farrar, in the order named.


Seventh Day Adventists .- Early in the year of 1869, a Rev. R. F. Andrews, a minister of this denomination, delivered a series of lectures in Aledo upon the doctrines of his church, continuing his services until some time in March of that year. He made a number of converts to his doctrine, though no organization was effected at that time. A number of the followers of his faith, however, banded together, appointed a leader, and for nearly a year met for regular service in the court-house.


Mr. Andrews came back after being absent about a year, and com- menced operations six miles south of Aledo, and sent for Rev. Mr. Whitham, who had embraced adventism, to help him in the work. The two brethren labored in this locality for some time, when an organization was effected, the brethren meeting in what is known as the "Marsh school-house." They held meetings regularly, with quite a large Sabbath-school as auxiliary, until within a few years past. Many members of the organization have moved away, weakening its strength ; but the interest is still kept alive among the few, and the organization is still intact.


Free Presbyterian church .- There is now no such church. The necessity for such an organization ceased when slavery died. It was the outgrowth of that love of principle which burned in the hearts of those noble men who loved liberty and morality, and its cardinal doc- trines as a church were founded upon the sternest ideas and principles of morality. As early as 1852 there were three organizations of this church in Mercer county ; one in the " Carnahan neighborhood." The place was commonly known as "Nigger ridge," on account of the number of abolitionists living in the neighborhood. Another organ- ization was in the "Kiddoo neighborhood," and the third at the McClure school-house. Messrs. Carnahan, MeClure, and Kiddoo were the leaders in the movement in Mercer county, and are all now dead. There was a church built in the Carnahan district, and it is still stand- ing, as is another church built at the same time in the Kiddoo district.


These three congregations united and built a church in Aledo,


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about the year 1857, previous to which time Rev. Joseph R. Whit- ham, at present living east of Aledo, a zealous christian man, had preached to the three organizations in turn. After the union Rev. James S. Pogue was the pastor of the congregation until the close of the war, when the organization was dissolved and the church building sold to the Methodist Episcopal church, the members uniting with various churches in Aledo.


SOCIETIES.


Aledo Lodge No. 252, A. F.A. M .- The charter was granted under the signature of James Hibbard, Grand Master of the State of Illinois, and bears date of October 7, 1857. The charter members were Will- iam M. Brown, Lucien B. Howe, Pleasant B. Mathews, Elisha Miller, and Simeon Macy. The first officers of the lodge were as follows: Simeon Macy, W.M .; William M. Brown, S. W .; P. B. Mathews, J. W .; O. C. Allen, Sec. The lodge at that time met in the third story of the building now owned by J. C. Richey, on the south side of Fifth street. The lodge was constituted, under the charter, by Deputy Grand Master Rice, of Monmouth Lodge, October 10, 1857, when the above-named officers were installed. The first election of officers was held Deceni- ber 14, 1858, which resulted in the following being chosen: Simeon Macy, W.M .; Thomas Maddox, S.W .; G. A. Luvin, J.W .; Isaac N. Bassett, Treas .; Elias Willets, Sec. Elias Willets was the secretary till 1860. He received his demit from the lodge about 1862, when he moved to Warren county, where he practiced his profession, that of the law, till about the year 1870, when he was appointed county judge, to fill an unexpired term, at the close of which he was elected to the same office, which he held till his death in December, 1881. M. L. Marsh was the next secretary elected, who held the office for several terms, when he was appointed tyler, which office he has continuously held under the successive administrations of the lodge until the present time. At the election in December, 1862, William M. Brown was elected W.M., and Thomas Maddox, Sec. January, 1864, Simeon Macy was again elected W.M., and I. N. Bassett, Sec. The next change was in 1865, when Dr. W. D. Craig was elected W.M., and James M. Macy, Sec. The successive annual elections resulted as follows : December 18, 1866, J. M. Willson, W.M., J. M. Macy, Sec .; December 10, 1867, J. M. Willson, W.M., John C. Wellion, Sec .; December 22, 1868, L. L. Troy, W.M., Geo. P. Graham, Sec .; Decem- ber 19, 1869, W. D. Craig, W.M., C. H. Smith, Sec .; December 6. 1870, John H. Snyder, W.M., M. L. Marsh, See .; December 19, 1871, J. M. Willson, W.M., B. F. Brock, Sec .; December 10, 1872,


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Geo. P. Graham, W.M., James L. Bentley, Sec .; December 30, 1873, Geo. P. Graham, W.M., M. L. Marsh, Sec .; December 15, 1874, D. F. Brock, W.M., A. B. McCandless, Sec .; December 7, 1875, Geo. P. Graham, W.M., Luke Strong, Sec .; December 26, 1876, J. M. Willson, W.M., Joseph Boyd, Sec .; December 18, 1877, J. M. Willson, W.M., Alex. McArthur, Sec .; since which election James M. Willson has held the office of W.M., and the same officer was secretary till the election of September 14, 1880, when Fred Clark was elected. The present officers of the lodge are as follows : J. M. Willson, W.M .; R. E. Patrick, S. W .; Philip Killey, J. W .; J. F. McBride, Treas .; F. Clark, Sec .; Alex. McArthur, Senior Deacon ; K. M. Whitham, Junior Deacon ; A. E. Mead and Joseph Boyd, Stewards; M. L. Marsh, Tyler. The lodge now occupies a commodious and neat hall in the Aledo bank building. They are comfortably situated and in a very flourishing condition. In talking over the history of this organization some very pleasant memories are revived, not the least of which was the presentation in 1880 to Wor- shipful Master J. M. Willson, who had served the lodge for many years as its principal officer, of a magnificent cane to support the declining years of him who, "as a Master Mason, enjoys the happy reflection of a well-spent life."


Aledo Lodge, I.O.O. F .- This lodge was instituted July 1, 1857, by virtue of a charter issued under the seal of the Grand Lodge of the United States, bearing the signatures of Augustus C. Marsh, G.M., and Samuel Willard, G.S. The charter members were: O. C. Allen, John S. Moore, J. E. Harroun, Jacob Cool, and William Detwiler. The present officers of the lodge are: C. S. Bramkamp, N.G .; Wmn. Shiver, V. G .; G. B. Morgan, Rec. Sec .; M. L. Marsh, Per. Sec .; J. O. Lundblad, Treas .; C. T. Cunningham, G. Rep.


J. S. Pinkerton, of Aledo, a member of this lodge, was the first member of the order initiated in Mercer county; his initiation took place in New Boston Lodge, No. 188, in November, 1855. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, has forty-four members, and net assets of $626.31 in the hands of the treasurer. They meet in Abercrombie hall.


A. O. U. W .- A lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workingmen was instituted in Aledo, December 20, 1878, with twenty-five charter members. The officers of the original organization were as follows : P.M.W., A. R. Morgan ; M.W., Wm. N. Graham; F., James M. Macy ; Overseer, Jas. A. Cummins; Receiver, J. I. Edwards; Re- corder, W. A. Lorimer; Financier, W. C. Galloway; Guide, D. T. Hindman ; I. Watch, A. R. McDonald ; O. Watch, Ben. Warlow. There has been only one death in the order since its organization, that


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of James M. Macy in January, 1882. There is a present membership of sixty-four, and the order is on a sound financial basis and is other- wise prosperous. The order meets every Thursday evening in Aber- crombie's hall. The present officer's are: P.M.W., S. M. Evans; M. W., W. A. Lorimer; F., James Bickets; Overseer, J. H. McPher- ren ; Recorder, A. R. McDonald; Receiver, W. C. Galloway ; Finan- cier, R. J. MeDonald ; Guide, Jas. A. Cummins; I. Watch, J. H. Abercrombie; O. Watch, Wm. Winders.


TOWNLEY'S TILE AND BRICK MANUFACTORY.


This enterprise was started by Mr. Townley in 1874, by his buying a block and a half of ground just east of town, from which he procures a good article of brick clay. The clay for his tile he procures from soil about a mile north of Aledo. Since starting his works, Mr. Townley has been making about 700,000 brick, and about 400,000 feet of tile per year. He finds a good market for his entire product from local trade, and is running his works to their full capacity.


"WEST END" CREAMERY, MILLERSBURG.


This new enterprise was projected in November, 1881, by Messrs. Stratton & Lunn, of Millersburg, who began making butter on a large scale, and readily finding a good market for their product, increased their facilities to what they are at present. They run a churn of the capacity of 250 gallons by a four-horse power engine. They use the common Settle cans of which they have in use 400, and have 500 more on the way from the manufacturer. Since starting the enterprise they have made on an average 100 pounds of butter per day, employing four men to gather cream. The proprietors now expect to run twelve or thirteen different routes in gathering their cream, covering a scope of over twenty miles square. About the first of March they will put up two more vats for cream, which will make their capacity 1,000 gal- lons, at which time they expect to make 500 pounds of butter per day. They find a good market for their butter in Chicago, and have recently had an offer from Pueblo, Colorado, for their entire product for the coming year. Messrs. Stratton & Lunn are thorough business men, and will doubtless make this enterprise a successful one.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


LEVI WILLITS (deceased), is one of Mercer county's noblest dead. His life was full of good works which in his death stand out in bold relief in honor to the doer. Mr. Willits was born May 31, 1808, in Pickaway county, Ohio, on a farm. His parents, William and Mary


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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.


Willits, moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and in after years to Indi- ana. Levi spent his youth on the farm, enjoying but few school advantages, yet he early manifested peculiar mathematical ability. When about of age he began the trades of carpentry and cabinet mak- ing, which he followed some years. He was married December 1, 1832, to Miss Clarinda Drury, daughter of Edward and Jane Drury, born in Wayne county, Indiana, July 20, 1811. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Willits resided in Raysville, Indiana, for four years, when it was decided to move to Illinois. Accordingly, in the fall of 1836, with ox-team, the journey was begun. Mrs. Willits became sick with the measles, having to keep her bed in the wagon. Arrived near Mud creek, not far from Blue river, the day being warm, the oxen seeing the water were uncontrollable by the driver and rushed toward the muddy element. In their race the wagon was upset, precipitating Mrs. Willits, sick as she was, into mud and water, completely drenching her and piling the heavy goods on her. In extricating her she was further bruised. She was then taken on horseback by a passing woman to a poor hovel and there treated as well as the circumstances would allow. The dirt and squalor of the hut could not be mentioned. As soon as able the party pushed on with their ox-team to Indianapolis, where they remained some time. While there Mrs. Willits' sister was taken ill of the measles and died. They buried her there in the bloom of her youth. It was then dicided to return to Wayne county for the winter, at least, which they did. In the following spring the journey was again undertaken. Mr. Willits purchased three cows and consid- erable young stock, one horse and the ox-team. Mr. Willits was to ride the horse and drive the cattle, while Mrs. Willits should drive the ox-team, the man hired for the purpose being sick. Mrs. W. rode the horse for a time which, becoming scared at the cattle whip the driver carried, jumped, throwing the rider, but cansing no dangerous injury. Slowly and interruptedly was the journey made. The three cows and much of the young stock were lost on the way. Arrived at New Boston, they found three or four log cabins and more Indians than white men. An old log cabin was occupied by them, necessitating, so dilapidated was it, the hanging of bed clothes, etc., over cracks and holes in the walls. With the ox-team Mr. Willits hauled all the lumber he could get at Millersburg and with it built one small room for a dwelling. with a sort of loft above for sleeping apartment for men employed. Below a bed and a trundle bed occupied one corner. Across one corner was hung a sheet, partitioning off a little room for flour and smoke room. Hired men slept up stairs and on the floor down stairs, while the "guid " couple occupied the bed. In that house was born the first




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