USA > Illinois > Tazewell County > History of Tazewell county, Illinois ; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens. History of Illinois Digest of state laws > Part 45
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The first sermon, it is said, was preached in 1834, by Rev. Neele Johnson, but Joseph Landes tells us he heard Rev. Wm. Brown preach a sermon in 1831, on a farm on section 25, near where the cemetery now is. The first church organization was by Mormon's, in 1831 or '32. There are five churches now in the township.
First M. E. Church .- The first M. E. class was formed in 1840, at Nicholas Burroughs' residence. Rev. Zadock Hall formed the class. In the early part of the winter of the same year, Reuben H. Moffatt being the preacher in charge, a protracted meeting was held at the tavern house, built by Homer Roberts, at which sixty were converted, most of whom joined the M. E. Church. The First M. E. Church is located on lot 7, block 4; is a frame, erected in 1848, and cost $1,500. It was organized by Zadock Hall. The Church con- tributes $800 per year. There are in the Sunday-school 75 scholars.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Presbyterian Church .- Mrs. Jane Harding, wife of Alijah Hard- ing, formed the first Sunday-school in Groveland township, in 1834, in her own house, which was a double log cabin in the north edge of Pleasant Grove. She seemed to be the right person to do this work. She stepped forth to the task, and did her work well. Rev. Flavel Bascom came into the neighborhood soon after and formed a Presbyterian Church, which organization continued till about 1855, when it was abandoned. Moses Pettengill and wife, Jan. 20, 1837, deeded the ground for the erection of the Church edifice.
Zions Church of the Evangelical Association of North America .- The church edifice is located on sec. 17, and is a frame 36 by 56, and cost $3,000. It was erected in 1876. William Kolp was first pastor. The trustees are John Roedee, Frederick Ramige, Simon Swartz, Nicholas Eller, Joseph Strickfaden. Present membership, 121 ; value of church building, $5,000; contribution $800 per year.
Mennonite Church is located on sec. 26. It is a good frame 30 by 50 ; was built in 1878, at a cost of $1,100. The pastors who served were, Peter Hochstadler, Nicholas Roth and Michael Mosselmen.
The old Mennonite congregation have no church building, but meet around in houses of members. Andrew Ropp is Bishop, and Peter Ropp, Daniel Roth, John Bachman and John Birkey, minis- ters. This denomination has a large Church at Hopedale, and also at Washington. The people of these congregations design erecting a house of worship soon.
The village of Groveland, which is located on sections 26 and 27, was laid out by Isaac Roberts, May 30, 1836.
Among the leading and representative men of the township we would mention the following :
John Ackerman, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 26; P. O., Grove- land. This gentleman, who has been living in this county for thirty- four years, was born in Germany, May 24, 1819, and is the son of Jacob and Catherine (Redeger) Ackerman. He attended the com- mon schools of the Fatherland and gleaned a good education, which, with his practical knowledge, fits him for an active business life. He was married July 13, 1845, to Magdalena Birke, who died, and he again was joined in marriage, Feb. 9, 1871, with Elizabeth Sutter. He is the parent of ten children, all of whom are living save one.
Lutie Burhans. Miss Burhans was born in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 27, 1856. Her father, Henry J. Burhans, was born in New York State, April 17, 1818. Her mother, Abigail Tarbell, was born in Vermont, Nov. 9, 1817. They were married July 13, 1839, at Peoria, Ill.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
They had born to them six children, five of whom are now living. Mr. Burhans died in Chicago, Sept. 12, 1859. His widow came to Groveland in 1859, and with her youngest daughter, Lutie, reside at their own beautiful home. Miss Lutie is engaged in school teaching. She only received a common scool education, and now teaches in the same school where she was educated. She has taught here for a year and a half to the entire satisfaction of all. She has taught fourteen months elsewhere. Post-office, Groveland.
G. D. Dissman, farmer and coal miner, was born in Prussia, March 15, 1828, and came to this county in 1849. His parents were William and Elizabeth Dissman, Prussians. He served as surgeon in Louisiana volunteers in the war between United States and Mexico. He was at Vera Cruz and the surrounding country conducting supply trains from place to place. The company in which he served, composed of sixty men, and twenty-four teamsters, put to rout 5,000 Mexican lancers, while conducting twelve wagons load of money to the head of the army, at the city of Mexico. The Captain, a German, formed his men into a circle around the wagons. They waited until the enemy advanced to within fifty yards of them, when they all fired at once and the Mexicans dis- persed. He was married to Christiana Harmon in 1847. They have only five children living, out of the eleven that have been born to them. On his farm, section 19, he has a coal shaft 86 feet deep, and gets a good article of soft coal. The first vein of coal is 16 feet from the surface and over 4 feet thick, but very irregular in thickness, so they go to the second vein. He works four or five men. Post-office, Pekin.
Fredrick Hamm, shoemaker, sec. 17; was born in Bavaria, Ger., Aug. 18, 1815. His parents were Jacob and M. E. (Brown) Hamm, natives of the same country. Mr. H. was educated in the common schools of Bavaria, and came to the United States in 1836, and to this county in 1848. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimo- ny with Miss S. Ramige, April 2, 1842. Their children number six, five living, one dead. He made a confession of his faith in the Savior of the world, in 1837, and is connected with the Evangelical Association. Post-office, Peoria.
Benjamin H. Harris, physician, Groveland, is a son of Lemuel and Mary (Kearmy) Harris, of West Chester county, N. Y., where he was born. He prepared himself and entered the medical depart- ment of St. Louis University and graduated. On the 23rd of July, 1846, he was married to Ann Hutchison. They have had born to them three children all of whom are living. Dr. Harris united with the Baptist Church in 1843. Politically he is a Republican.
John A. Hodge was born in Pekin, this county, Oct. 16, 1850; received his education in the common schools of Groveland and en- tered upon the occupation of farming. Mrs. Kezer Hancock, foster- mother of Mr. Hodge, who took him while an infant and with whom he has since lived, came to this county in 1831. The hard-
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
ships of that snowy winter will never be forgotten by her. She was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Hodge advocates the principles promulgated by the Republican party. Residence, sec. 21; P. O., Groveland.
William Hodgson, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 32; P. O., Pekin. This gentleman came into the county at an early day, and at the time was sixteen years old. Soon thereafter he entered upon the duties of active life, and has proven himself equal to mould his own destiny, very largely. He has accumulated considerable property - enough to give each of seven children a small farm, and still have a farm left. He has been a member of the Christian Church since about 1866. In his habits he is temperate, never having bought a drink of liquor in his life. He is the son of Amos and Mary (Bar- nett) Hodgson, North Carolinians, and was born in Clinton Co., O., Aug. 15, 1816. He was married Dec. 18, 1836, to Phobe Bennett. They have had eight children born to them, seven living. He has filled several local official positions.
Lewis Kepcha, farmer, was born in Germany, Sept. 25, 1825. His parents were also Germans. They were Lewis and Margaret (Bruk) Kepcha. He came to this county from Pennsylvania in 1851 ; had only opportunities of attending the common schools. He took unto himself a wife on the 27th of Feb., 1848, in the person of Mary Ankeney. Mr. K. is a member of the German Lutheran Church, having made the good confession about 1845. He identi- fies himself with the Republican party. P. O., Pekin.
George Landes, farmer and stock raiser, sce. 35, is a native of Elm Grove township, this county, having been born there Jan. 26, 1831. His parents, Joseph and Jane (Mitchell) Landes, were carly settlers of this county. He received a limited common school edu- cation. June 22, 1859, he was married to Barbara Smith. Three children have been born to them, one of whom, only, is now living. In polities he is " Republican to the core." P. O., Groveland.
Joseph Landes. Mr. Landes is one of the pioneers of Tazewell county, having emigrated here Oct. 17, 1830. One year and a half later he entered the Black Hawk war, serving in Capt. Adams' Co. He was in the command of Major Stillman, and took part in the famous battle of Stillman's Run, and was one of the number that made good their escape. He is one of four or five Black-Hawk war soldiers now living in the county. He was born in Hampshire Co., Va., Sept. 16, 1803. His parents, Rudolph and Nancy (Plum) Landes, were Virginians. He received his education in the log school-house of Pickaway county, O. He has been twice married : the first time to Jane Mitchell, April 8, 1830. His second marriage occurred April 15, 1858, and was with Elizabeth Hathaway. He is the father of eight children, three boys and five girls, four of whom are living. He is a Republican in polities, and "proud of it." Post-office, Groveland.
George Lux was born in Elsass, France, June 4, 1811. He came
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
from France, in 1830, to Wayne county, N. Y., married and lived there until 1844, when he came to Chicago. In 1847 he bought a farm on sec. 7, this township, and finally settled on sec. 16, where he now lives and is engaged in farming and stock raising. He at first was engaged in the carpenter's trade. Mr. L. was the first of a large number who came from Wayne county, and led the way for the others, among whom are many of the most substantial citizens and farmers of this township. His parents, George F. and Mary E. (Velden) Lux, were natives of France. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for two terms, and other offices. March 18, 1833, he was married to Magdalena Ramige, who has borne him twelve children, nine of whom are now living. He united with the Baptist Church, at Peoria, in 1866. Politically he is a Republican. He was the first German-French Whig in New York State, and led many others to follow him as such. Post-office, Pekin.
B. J. Montgomery, farmer, sec. 31; P. O., Pekin. This gentleman is well advanced in years, having been born Feb. 8, 1799. He is quite spry for a man past foarscore. He is the son of Elisha and Margaret Montgomery, natives of Kentucky, and he was born in Washington Co. of that State. He came to this county in October, 1835, and has since won the love and esteem of thousands. Before coming here, in 1820, he traveled from Charleston, S. C., to Council Bluffs, Iowa, by land, and in 1823 went from the Gulf of Mexico to the same city. He is a self-educated man, and his first wife taught him the rudiments. He has lived a long, peaceable, quiet life, and now in the evening of his earthly journey he can say, I never sued a man in my life, and the law was never required to collect a debt from me. But few can say that even at a much earlier age. He enlisted in the Black Hawk war, but was dis- charged without service. He has held many local offices. In 1829, Sept. 22, he was married to Elizabeth Walker. In 1836, May 7, he was married again, this time to Eliza Drace. He has five child- ren living and seven dead.
John Mooberry, Sr. A review of the life of a gentleman such as we have here is interesting in the extreme. He was born in York Co., Pa., Feb. 2, 1801, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Ramsey) Mooberry, natives of the same State. He went to Colum- bus when a young man and came to this township in Oct., 1832, and settled on sec. 14, where he has resided ever since. He visited the county in 1830, and again in the spring of 1832, and satisfied himself that no better location could be found than Tazewell Co. He bought his farm in June, and returned to Ohio after his family. There were but few settlers here when he came. The country was almost one vast wilderness, the red-man its owner. Rev. Neele Johnson was preaching in Pleasant Grove when he came in 1832. In the winter of 1831-32 the intensest cold weather prevailed. For forty days the snow did not thaw enough to run from the eaves. This was called the cold winter, the previous one the snowy winter.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
When Mr. M. and family were nearing their Western journey they met a family returning to "Indianar." On being asked why they were leaving such a good country as this was said to be, the woman replied, " well, this may be a very good country for men, but its the devil on woman and oxen." Mrs. M. tells us that she had to light a candle to enable the family to see to eat breakfast, dinner, and supper during the first winter. When summer came they sawed out a log to let in the light of heaven and made oiled-paper "glass" to prevent the rain from pouring in.
Mr. M. attended the common schools of Ohio, where they had the alphabet pasted on a board and a school-house with greased paper windows. He has been successful in life and has been enabled to give a good "setting out" to each of thirteen children. Jan. 25, 1825, he was married to Lydia Merion, who bore him fourteen children, eleven of whom are now living. John York, a grandson of Mr. M., was born Sept. 6, 1862. His mother, Lydia E. (Moo- berry) York, died when her son was an infant of eleven days old. His grandparents took him at the age of one year and have cared for him since. He is a lover of history, and his grandfather has willed that he shall have his copy of the History of Tazewell County.
John S. Mooberry, farmer, see. 14, was born in Franklin Co., O., Nov. 5, 1826. He is the son of Daniel and Margaret (Stunbaugh) Mooberry, natives of Pennsylvania. At the early age of six John was brought to this township by his parents, and ever since has been identified with the interests of Groveland. Few men live so long in one locality as has Mr. M. He owns good farm property to the amount of 340 acres, well improved. He has held local offices such as J. P., Collector, Road Com., School Trustee and Director. On the 7th of Jan., 1851, he was married to Jane Cunningham. She was the mother of seven children, six of whom are now living. She died April 10, 1877. He advocates the principles of the Re- publican party. Post-office, Groveland.
J. C. Pinckard was born in Alton, Ill., Feb. 18, 1820. His parents, William G., and Eliza (Warren) Pinckard, were natives of Virginia. Mr. P. came to this county in 1839, resides on sec. 26. He received his education in common schools and McKindry Col- lege. For nineteen years he was a traveling minister in the M. E. Church, and for twenty years has been living on a farm, and grown considerable fruit. He has held the office of Assessor, Collector and Road Commissioner. March 1, 1843, he was united in mar- riage with M. C. Gibson. They have ten children, six of whom, however, live on the shores of eternity. He made a profession of religion when in his tenth year of age, and united with the M. E. Church. He regards that as the most important event in his life to be commemorated. Mr. P. was a junior preacher with the celebrated Zadock Hall, of pioneer fame. Republican in politics. Post-office, Groveland.
483
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
George Ramige, preacher, was born in Germany, Oct. 22, 1811. His parents were Henry and Sally (Koontz) Ramige, of Germany. Mr. R. came to Wayne, N. Y., in 1829, and to Groveland in 1848. He was educated in the common schools of his native country. He first entered upon the ministry of the Gospel, then changed to farm- ing, but has returned to proclaiming the "glad tidings" again. He resides on section 7. He was a traveling preacher in the State of New York for nine years, but his health failed him, and since has been a local preacher. Feb. 22, 1834, he was married to Barbara Eyers. They are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living. He made a profession of religion in 1836 ; is now connect- ed with Zion Church of Evangelical Association of North America. In politics he is a Republican. Post-office, Pekin.
Benjamin Roe, farmer, is the son of John and Sarah (MeCune) Roe, Virginians, and was born in Posey county, Ind., Nov. 15, 1811. He came to this from Fulton county, Ill., in 1846. He attended the common schools for only eighty-eight days, yet has held six commissions to important position from the Governors and President. He has been Justice of the Peace for two terms, Enroll- ing Officer, Provost Marshall, Notary Public, and United States Assessor. Nov. 7, 1833, he was married to Susan Whaley, and to his second wife, Helen Davison, July 24, 1838. He is the parent of four sons and seven daughters. Religiously he has been a life-long Swedenborgian. Before the freedom of the slaves he was
radical Abolitionist, now an independent voter. Post-office, a Groveland.
John Shannon was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, Aug. 16, 1789, and is therefore over ninety years old. His parents were Robert and Jane (McElhany) Shannon. Mr. Shannon came to this county from Ohio in 1834, and located on sec. 15, Groveland town- ship, where he has since continued to reside. All who know Mr. S., and they are many, know him to be an upright, kind and benevo- lent man, always ready to extend a helping hand to the needy. Many a person will bless the day they first saw Mr. S. and accepted the free and kindly offers from his generous and bountiful hands. Mr. S. remembers when there stood a pioneer horse-mill at Pleasant Grove, Elm Grove township. It did a good business, and was a great help and convenience to the early settlers. The pioneers found it an exceedingly difficult matter to do their marketing at some seasons of the year. Peoria was the point where most of the people in the northern part of the county went to do their trading. Often Mr. S. has seen the river banks full to overflowing, and the current sometimes more than a mile wide. When no further than a half dozen miles from Peoria, the hindrances were often so great that pioneers who started in the morning did not get home till mid- night. No bridge then, nor steam ferry, only a flatboat or skiff in which to make the transit. Mr. S. was in the war of 1812 and served in Ohio. He was a member of Gen. Foos' battalion, to keep
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
back the Indians after Gen. Hull's surrender. March 9, 1826, he was married to Mary Stambaugh, who was born Feb. 11, 1799. They had six children, only two of whom are living: Mrs. Eliza- beth Cleveland and Mrs. Margaret Hancock. Mr. S. made a pro- fession of religion in 1835, and united with the Presbyterian Church. He is now connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has always lived a quiet and peaceable life with all men, and ex- pects soon to pass over and join the Church Triumphant. He is "Republican in sentiment, always." Mr. S. was formerly a large stoek raiser and farmer, but has retired from active business, and is spending his declining days with his son-in-law, Horace Hancock. Post-office, Groveland.
Isaac Smith, farmer and small fruit grower, resides upon section 7. His parents, Samuel B. and James (Smalley) Smith, (the former a native of Kentucky the latter of Ohio,) came to Tazewell county and were living in Mackinaw township when their son Isaac was born, which was May 25, 1853. His father was a Methodist minis- ter, and Isaac attended the commor schools wherever his father chanced to reside, and the graded school at Morton. February 16, 1874, he was married to Abbie Welcher. Politically he is " for the honest, loyal man wherever he may be." Post-office, Hilton.
Joseph Strickfaden came from Wayne county, N. Y., to Tazewell county, in 1848. He resides upon section 20, and is engaged in farming, owning 1,000 acres of land, which is the best indications of a successful life one can offer. Mr. Strickfaden was born in Baden, Germany, Feb. 22, 1814. His parents, Andrew and Eliza- beth (Yost) Strickfaden, were also Germans. He was educated in the common schools of his native land. He has held the office of Road Commissioner for nine years, and that of School Director for sixteen years. February 4, 1838, he was married to Mary E. Ramige. They have had borne to them eleven children, ten of whom are yet living. He made a profession of religion in 1838, and is connected with the Evangelical Association of North Amer- iea. He is a " Black Abolitionist" in politics. Post-office, Pekin.
William Strickfaden, farmer and stock raiser, section 17, was born in Wayne county, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1840. His father, Joseph Strick- faden, was a native of Baden, Germany, while his mother, Mary E. Ramige, was born in France. Mr. S. came to this county when a lad of eight years of age. He had a very limited common school education. He entered the U. S. service during the trying days of the Rebellion, and served as corporal in Co. B, 108th Ill. Infantry. Took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and many other noted engage- ments. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Breacher, Nov. 6, 1865, who has borne him three sons and two daughters, three of whom are now living. Made a confession of his faith in our Savior in 1859, and is connected with the Zions Church, Evangelical Asso- ciation, Groveland, Politically he is "a Republican that stands up for his own rights." Post-office, Pekin.
485
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
George W. Towne was born on sec. 18 of this township, March 15, 1844. He attended the common schools here and received a good education, which, coupled with his practical knowledge, fits him for an active and successful life. He has held many of the local official positions. March 11, 1869, he was united in marriage to Angeline Meyer, but was not permitted to enjoy her society long after the happy union. While riding in a sleigh on the 18th of Jan., 1871, in company with his wife, infant son, and his wife's sister, Miss M. Meyer, the horses took fright, turned upon the approach from the bridge, was thrown over, and his beloved wife received a fatal injury. Her skull was fractured by her striking the fence, and she expired within half an hour. She left one son, Earnest O., born January 2, 1870, and an affectionate husband to mourn her sudden death.
Lewis S. White, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Sangamon county, Ill., March 23, 1842. His parents were Robert White, a native of Ohio, and Mary Short, a Kentuckian. They were married in Springfield, III. When a lad of six years of age Lewis was brought to this county. He resides on sec. 9. He served in Co. D., 11th Illinois Cavalry. He has been married twice : the first time, Jan. 26, 1865, to Miranda Stont, and Nov. 3, 1872, to Cather- ine L. Swan. His children number four living, two dead. Robert B., born Oct, 26, 1862; Drusilla B., April 17, 1873; Flavel L., born March 3, 1877; Lewis B., born Feb. 8, 1879; James Henry, born Dec. 26, 1874, died by being scalded May 17, 1876; Thomas, born Aug. 17, 1864, died April 17, 1865. Politically he is a Dem- oerat. Post-office, Hilton, Tazewell county.
The following are the officers who have served the township :
SUPERVISORS.
George L. Parker. 1850-51
Benjamin H. Harris. 1867-71
Robert Bradshaw
1852-54
J. W. Mooberry 1872
Charles G. Hinman
1855
Geo. Landes. 1873-74
C. S. Worthington.
1856-58
F. Shurtleff 1875
Robert Bradshaw 1859
Geo. Landes
1876
C. S. Worthington.
1860-61
Joel T. O'Brien 1877-78
John W. Caldwell.
1863-64
C. S. Worthington
1879
F. H. Hancock.
1865-66
TOWN-CLERKS.
George B. Elliott
1854
Geo. H. Smith 1868-72
L. Stockwell
1855-63
N. A. H. Worthington
1873-75
F. H. Hancock
1864
George W. Franks 1876-78
E. C. Mckibben.
1865-66
E. C. Mckibben. 1879
J. F. McGinnis.
1867
ASSESSORS.
T. M. Wiles.
1854
F. Hamm 1864
Geo. F. Cleaveland.
1855
L. Stockwell. 1865
Dwight Clark.
1856
A. Harding 1866-69
J. W .. Moreland.
1857
W. Anderson 1870-72
B. W. Parker
1858-59
Schuyler Scriver. 1873
H. S. Mckibben
1861
C. R. Johnson
1863
Washington Anderson 1874-79
486
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
COLLECTORS.
J. V. R. West
1854
William Ramige . 1870
H. S. Mckibben
1856-58
David Sammons ..
1871
George Hinman
1859
Charles Burhans
1872
J. G. Lyford
1861
. James Bradshaw 1873
John C. Pinckard
1863
Austin Harding 1874
Fred. Ramige
1864
F. Zimmerman 1875
J. W. Mooberry
1865
J. W. Craft 1876
J. Eller.
1866
Wm. Strickfaden
1877
Alex. Mooberry
1867
George W. Towns.
1878
Washington Anderson.
1868
E. T. Burns
1879
Edwin O'Brian
1869
HITTLE TOWNSHIP.
The first settlers of Hittle township were George Hittle, Jonas Hittle, his son, and John W. Judy, his son-in-law, with their fami- lies. They left Ohio in the fall of 1825 and stopped a short time in Sangamon county, where they gathered corn on shares, thus carning sufficient to carry them through the winter. After cold weather set in these pioneers began looking for a permanent place of abode. Starting northward they visited Pekin, (then called Town Site, and consisting of three cabins,) and Fort Clark (Peoria). Turning about they passed through Pleasant Grove, where they found an abundance of hard maple timber. The opportunity to make sugar at home in those days was no slight consideration, and the party thought this was surely the place for them. Making a claim, they continued southward, and were still more pleased with the beautiful black walnut timber, where the Orendorff's afterward settled, in Hopedale. They therefore abandoned their first claim, made a second one here, and once more started on their journey. Stopping at the home of Robert Music, on Sugar creek, where Gov- ernment surveyors had boarded, they were told that the finest piece of timber in the whole country was about cighteen miles above. Turning their horses in a northerly direction they soon reached the place. The sight of such beautiful black walnut, hard maple and oak filled them with delight, and straightway they made a third and final claim. Having erected rude huts, they returned to Sanga- mon for their families and goods, and quickly set out for their new homes. John Judy was the only one who had a horse team, and he reached the destination one day ahead of the others- namely, on Feb. 20, 1826. But as George Hittle was the patriarch of this new community, both the grove and township have taken his name.
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