USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 48
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Probably the first settler to locate herein was Govert Fleharty, who established a home on section I at the edge of the heavy timber tract in the spring of 1833. In the fall of the next year James Mann & Son, Young C. Meeker and Timothy Meeker settled a short dis- tance east of the Fleharty residence. They took up claims, but did not locate on the same until the following spring. Mr. Mann's selection was on section 6 and Mr. Meeker's on section 5. In the spring of 1835 Benjamin F. and Harison Brown took claims on sec- tions 18 and 19. In 1837 the Scott family reached the township and became permanent residents. Notley Scott bought the Harison Brown claim on sections 18 and 19. Benjamin F. Brown also sold out his claim. Harison Brown in the end located in Suez Township. In 1838 Benjamin F. Brown took up a claim on sections 6 and 7 and there made his permanent home. Early in 1839 Allen S. and Ben- jamin Brown secured homes on sections 25 and 35. In the fall of the same year David Bruner and Andrew J. Holmes took up claims in the southeast part of the township. The Fleharty family became, in the end, one of the most prominent in this portion of the county. They
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did a great deal for the cause of temperance and religion and set an example of sobriety and correct living that was imitated by large numbers of residents in this section of the county. Govert S. Fle- harty, particularly, was a man of great mentality, earnest convictions and unrelenting in his prosecution of crime and sin. Other members of the family who became prominent were Stephen W., Bennett E., William L., Henry, Rev. J. J. and H. C. Rev. J. J. did more than any other man in the southeastern part of the county for the cause of temperance during the '50s and '60s.
In comparatively recent years this township has erected a com- modious town hall. The first postoffice was called Ethel and was located on section 21, with John Goff, postmaster. After North Henderson Village was started this office was removed there and the name was changed, but Mr. Goff continued to be postmaster. After- wards George G. Blue, a druggist there, conducted the office. The first marriage ceremony in the township was in 1838 between Ben- jamin F. Brown and Miss Lucinda Mann. The first child born in the township was William D. Fleharty, on October 4, 1834. The first cemetery was on land furnished by James Mann. The first schoolhouse was a cabin which had been built by Mr. Mann and stood on section 6. John Wilshire was the first teacher. The township in early times was called Liberty and continued to use this name until 1854, when under the new township law the name was changed to North Henderson. At that time the township was duly organized and the first officers chosen were: Notley Scott, supervisor; Joshua Bruner, town clerk; John W. Miles, assessor; James M. Holmes, collector; R. R. Mathers, Eli Tangham and Nathan Bailey, com- missioners of highways; Timothy Meeker, overseer of the poor; Andrew J. Holmes and William F. Garrett, justices of the peace; and James M. Holmes, constable. At this first township election a total of twenty-four votes were polled. The town hall was not built until 1880. It cost about seven hundred and eighty-five dollars.
In 1874 an attempt to secure artesian water led to the boring of a deep well on section 14 on the farm of G. W. Higgins. It was commenced in 1874, but owing to the drill getting fast in a rock bed at a great depth, was not completed until 1876. The second com- pany were forced to commence again at the surface. A depth of 1,209 feet was reached and the drift deposits were passed through at a depth of 127 feet. After that the work almost continuously was through shale and solid rock. At a depth of 915 feet an inexhaustible supply of water was struck and the tide rose to within about eighty feet of the surface. A Io-horse power engine running day and night,
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and throwing a 4-inch stream, failed to lower the water line in the well in the least. The water is quite soft and contains a quantity of iron and other mineral constituents. Coal was struck at a depth of seventy-five feet, but was not of much consequence and had no roof. Again at a depth of from 440 to 485 feet other coal seams were found. Magnetic rock of excellent quality was found at a depth of 405 feet. The following are the strata or beds passed through successively: Yellow clay, 30 feet; dark clay and gravel, 45 feet; coal and shale, 40 feet; limestone and water, 12 feet; shale, 10 feet; black slate, 18 feet; dark shale, 123 feet; limestone, 3 feet; shale, 15 feet ; limestone, 4 feet ; shale with sulphate iron, 27 feet ; bastard lime- stone, 18 feet; limestone, 95 feet; limestone and coal, 45 feet; limestone, 25 feet; blue shale, 65 feet; limestone, 17 feet; alternate strata of shale and limestone, 2 to 3 feet each, 78 feet; blue shale, 30 feet; limestone, 412 feet ; sandstone, 88 feet; black shale, 9 feet; total, 1,209 feet. No doubt if similar wells were sunk elsewhere in the township a supply of water equally good and permanent could be secured.
The settlement of the township was rapid during the '40s and still more rapid during the '50s. By 1860 the township was well built up with permanent residences, good barns, substantial school- houses and churches and the farmers were in much better circum- stances than in early times. But it was not until the construction of the railroad that the township really received its greatest benefits from outside sources.
From the earliest times stock raising has been an important indus- try. Hogs particularly have been raised in large numbers and marketed. In 1871 Adam Bruner marketed thirty-five hogs that averaged 4241/2 pounds each. The price was high at this time and he realized a large sum of money. They were of the Poland China breed. About the same time L. Eddleman sold seven hogs that averaged 490 pounds each. They were likewise of the Poland China breed. Other farmers at this time marketed herds equally as heavy and excellent.
In addition to the Mann Cemetery mentioned above, there is another on section 35 called the Mount Vernon Cemetery. It was established at an early date and has been used as a burial ground by the farmers living in the township.
NORTH HENDERSON
This village, the only one in the township, is located on the rail- road and was laid out in 1871 when the line was completed. It
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stands on section 26 and the first proprietors were William H. and John T. Brown, sons of Allen S. Brown, one of the pioneers of the township. The village really started before that date, or rather was a country crossroads. There were stores there in the '50s. Mccutcheon & Evans conducted a general store there as early as June, 1858. There was at the same time a blacksmith shop, carpen- ter shop and a school, and a little later religious societies were organ- ized at the Corners.
In early times a postoffice called North Henderson was established in Suez Township, but upon the starting of this little village in North Henderson Township that postoffice was removed and estab- lished in Mccutcheon & Evans' store, with George M. Evans post- master, in 1862. The Village of North Henderson proper was laid out November 18, 1871. Since that date there have been several additions and the place now is active and growing rapidly.
In the early 'Sos the village had two general stores, two drug stores, two grain merchants, two agricultural implement dealers, two hardware stores, one furniture store, one lumber yard, one res- taurant, one harness shop, one shoe shop, one blacksmith, one milli- nery store, one livery stable, one hotel, one barber shop, four doctors and a lawyer. There was a two-story schoolhouse standing in the village and a Methodist Episcopal church. A few years before the Odd Fellows had erected a fine two-story building there at a cost of $1,600. The lower story was fitted up for a general public hall and the second story was occupied by the lodge. In 1883 Dr. William H. Brown of this township was shot by Mrs. Stuart, wife of Dr. C. G. Stuart, and died a short time afterwards. She was arrested, put in jail and tried for murder. This case attracted the attention of the public all over Western Illinois. Its details need not be dwelt upon, because they were unfortunate and lamentable.
In 1900 North Henderson had the following business establish- ments : Bank, Farmers Bank; blacksmiths and wagonmakers, Peterson & Hallstrom, S. A. Tornquist; carpenter and builder, W. S. Blackstone; druggist, D. L. Rowe; dry goods and general merchandise, De Forest & West, H. Glenn Jackson, Mrs. K. O. Lindsay; grain and lumber, L. B. De Forest; hotel and livery, D. M. Bruner; hardware and implements, L. J. Smith; harness, M. Dickerson; meat market, A. Bruner & Son; millinery, Edith M. Dickerson; physicians and surgeons, J. Neil Cox, George Stuart; painter, Victor Hammerquist; restaurant, Hammerquist & Peter- son ; stock buyer and shipper, F. B. De Forest.
In November, 1910, the North Henderson Trunk Telephone Line was connected with the Aledo exchange. The Town of North
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Henderson is well governed. It has excellent schools, churches and social societies and lodges. Its streets are clean and orderly. It is well lighted, has good water and is a promising, growing center.
In 1914 North Henderson had a population of 300. The busi- ness establishments were: George E. Allen, restaurant; Devlin & Coffey, meat market; M. Dickerson Company, harness; Frank Eyer, drugs; W. A. Fraser & Company; O. W. Holestrom, black- smith; O. F. Lungren, general store; F. A. Mathers, hay, coal and straw; Miller & Lindsey, lumber; M. A. Peterson, general store; William Scannell, blacksmith and machinist; Arthur P. Shaver, telephone; L. J. Smith, hardware and agricultural implements; S. A. Tornquist, agricultural implements ; J. W. Walker, stationery.
CHAPTER XXVIII
ABINGTON TOWNSHIP
Abington Township is a rich agricultural district and produced large quantities of grain and large numbers of live stock. The soil is very fertile and in places seems almost inexhaustible. The first settlement was made about 1832 and thereafter the settlers came in quite rapidly, first reaching Keithsburg and then moving back into the interior. Among the first were Joseph Glancey, William T. Jackson, John W. Ditto, Frederick Frick and Thomas Green. Mr. Glancey located here in 1834. It is said that he turned the first sod in the township on what became the Gates farm. The first school- house was built in 1839. Other early settlers were William Pepper, brother of John C., the Francisco family, Andrew J. Douglas, who arrived before 1848; William Logan, Job Heath, William Bullock, Abel Heath, Ferdinand Van Eaton. Joseph Glancey had a mill on Pope Creek at an early day. It was located on section 8. His son, Theodore, became editor of the Keithsburg News. It is said that the first marriage in the township was that of a couple who were on their way through the township from Indiana to their new home in Iowa. Their names are not remembered. The second marriage was probably between Robert Pence and Eliza Glancey.
The first bridge of any consequence across Pope Creek in this township was built in 1837 and stood a few rods below where Pope's Mill afterwards stood. It was erected by Rumley and Thomas B. Cabeen was the carpenter. Mr. Rumley boarded the hands who worked on the bridge. The first sawmill in the town- ship was built in 1838 or 1839 by Isaiah Brown and was located a mile and half east of Pope's Mill. William Willits was the miller. The first sewing machine in the township was owned by Mrs. Eveline C. Swafford. It was a Wheeler & Wilson and was purchased in 1858 in Chicago by Theodore Glancey. The first postoffice in the township was kept in the residence of Frederick Frick. The first justice in the township was probably Frederick Frick. He was elected in 1839. After him came Orla C. Richard- son, George Jay, S. G. Wright, Frederick Frick, William P. Strong, M. R. Gushee, William Willits, Ernest J. Glancey, Lewis Sponsler, John W. Landers and others.
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In 1858 Glancey's Mill on Pope Creek was still in operation. On that date the bridge near by was in bad condition. In 1881 the Abington Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organ- ized and covered the following townships: Ohio Grove, Abington, Keithsburg, New Boston, Millersburg and Mercer. R. J. Cabeen was president; Robert Candor, treasurer; J. M. Candor, secretary. L. Sponsler, James Feather, William Kiddoo, J. S. Mathews, W. A. Winchester, W. P. Yule, R. J. Cabeen and Robert Candor were directors. In early years this company did a large business and served the excellent purpose of protecting the property of its mem- bers from fire losses.
SEATON
The Town of Seaton had its origin June 28, 1883, with the con- struction of the Iowa Central Railroad, which passed through the southern part of Abington Township. It was laid off by George Seaton, proprietor, and was surveyed by W. B. Frew, then county surveyor. Since that date several additions have been made to the town. The town was located on the southwest quarter of the south- west quarter of section 24, township 13 north, range 4 west. G. C. Henry & Company, merchants, opened business there in the fall of 1882. They kept a general store, which was patronized by a large section of country. The town was first called Sully, but after being laid out was officially named Seaton. By December, 1884, the Mutual Fire Insurance Company had in force ninety-seven policies, covering property worth $97,680. The Seaton Hotel was started in the '8os by John Conner. Early in 1890 the Seaton Creamery was established and for some time was active and prosperous. In January, 1893, they made 747 pounds of butter and bought 18,232 pounds of milk for 85 cents per 100. They put up their butter in 1-pound boxes. Samuel Brewer & Son started a wagon factory there about 1890. In the early 'gos the Seaton Butter and Cheese Associa- tion sold all of its lots, buildings, machinery, etc., at public auction and retired from the business. N. C. Ranny was president and J. MI. Candor secretary. Why they quit business is not clear because from appearances they were making money and should have con- tinued. J. P. Yarington had a general store at Seaton about this time. Josh Cabeen was also a merchant there, as was also Duncan & Son.
The Odd Fellows started up in the '8os and built a hall which was dedicated in December, 1894. The lodge room was 24 by 70
SEATON PARK. SEATON
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feet. The hall cost about twenty-four hundred dollars and the whole building about seven thousand dollars. At the dedication Rev. D. C. Westfall, J. U. Roberts and R. M. Whitham were the principal speakers. They enjoyed in the hall a splendid banquet on this occasion.
In the '90s Abington Township Mutual Fire & Lightning Insur- ance Company had out 129 policies, covering property worth $187,403. At this date George Seaton was president and J. M. Candor secretary. Late in the 'gos the State Bank of Seaton was established, with a capital of $25,000. J. F. Humbert was cashier. The deposits at the close of 1897 were $33,864.32.
The business houses of Seaton in 1900 were as follows: Bank, State Bank of Seaton; boots and shoes, E. L. Elrick; brick and tile, George Seaton; blacksmiths, E. E. Bower, E. H. Brewer, E. L. Bower; dry goods and clothing, Josh Cabeen; druggist. Palace Pharmacy; contractor and builder, J. T. Harper; groceries and general merchandise, Greer & Logan, Gaylor & Wright, W. H. Robb; grain and lumber, A. L. Duncan & Son; harness, J. H. Wheatley; hotel, Conner House; hardware and furniture. Mcln- tyre & Dalrymple; jeweler, B. L. Seybold; livery and feed barn, George Laird; merchant tailor, Fred Nagle; meat market. Robert Swearingen; mill, Seaton Flour & Feed Mill; millinery, Ora P. Holmes; physicians and surgeons, T. C. Hainline, V. A. McClana- han; poultry buyer, W. T. Hawkins; painter, J. S. Ellison; res- taurant, Charles Amy, J. M. Ellison; stock buyer and shipper, William Burns; woodworker, S. C. Brewer.
In August, 1901, a destructive fire occurred at Seaton, the loss amounting to about thirty-five thousand dollars. During a dance in the evening in Elrick's Hall a lamp in the ticket office was acci- dentally turned over and the flames spread so rapidly that an explo- sion occurred, after which the fire secured such headway that it could not be put out. In the store room under the hall was the Green & Logan grocery and hardware stock and their farm imple- ments were in a shed in the rear. These were all destroyed. A line of buggies kept therein was also burned. On the second floor of the building were the mechanical headquarters of Riley & Swear- ingen, telephone builders. Their building, as well as the remaining part of the business block, owned by J. H. Elrick, was destroyed, the loss to them being $10,000. The other losers were: The post- office building; Nelson Brothers' restaurant; the Seaton Independ- ent, a newspaper conducted by Mr. Duncan; Gayler & Wright's grocery stock; E. L. Elrick, shoe store; Robert Swearingen, ice
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house; Josh Cabeen's millinery, dry goods and clothing store, and Conner's Hotel.
In November, 1909, Seaton was visited by another destructive fire, the loss being about the same as the previous one. The heaviest losers were the grain elevator, mill and store owned by A. L. Duncan & Sons and the poultry establishment of J. P. Yarington. There were destroyed during this fire 12,000 bushels of corn, 15,000 bushels of oats, and 1,200 bushels of wheat.
In 1914 Seaton had a population of 326. W. D. Holmes was justice of the peace; Army & Constant, grocery ; J. A. Bryans, meat; Carlson & Henry, blacksmiths; C. E. Duncan, publisher; A. L. Duncan Sons, lumber, grain and coal; C. W. Graham, restaurant and confectionery; Green & Reily, groceries, hardware and agricul- tural implements; R. J. Henderson, dry goods ; C. W. Henry, black- smith; J. W. Henry, harness; J. W. Hurst, drugs; C. A. McKarny, tinner ; J. W. Park, livery ; Pate & Campbell, grocery; Simon Poehl- man, grocer; R. W. Ramage, restaurant and hotel ; R. J. Seaton, hard- ware and agricultural implements; Seaton Telephone Company ; M. L. Stivens, furniture; T. R. Wright, stationery.
OGLE
Ogle had a population of 32 in 1914. R. A. Newell kept the general store.
CHAPTER XXIX ELIZA TOWNSHIP
This township constitutes one full congressional township and about twenty-one sections of another. It is probably the largest in area of any in the county. It is one of the most attractive in the county from several points of view. On the west lies the Mississippi, which often overflows the flat lands west of the bluffs. The eastern part is composed of higher land, through which run the small streams which empty into the lakes of the lowlands. These principal streams are Eliza Creek, which flows through the south central part to Eliza Lake; Winter's Creek, formerly known as Witter's Creek, which flows through a few of the southeastern sections; and Glancey Creek, which comes from Rock Island County and enters Glancey Lake. Eliza Creek has several small streams and altogether the township is well drained except in the western part. The bluffs extend from section 32 on the south to section 6 on the north. The three principal lakes are Upper Eliza, Swan and Glancey.
The soil of the township, as a whole, is well adapted to agricul- tural purposes. East of Eliza Creek it is mostly prairie and consists of a rich black loam. North of the creek it is more undulating and in places quite hilly. Much of the township originally was covered with timber. On the bluff lands are to be found many mounds which were constructed long before the white settlements by people who were called Mound Builders. The most noted mounds were found on sections 16, 19, 28, 29 and 30. Even yet there can be seen a line of earthworks thrown up for defense, inside of which are scores of these mounds. Several measure forty feet at the base and at the time of the earliest settlement there grew upon several of them trees four feet in diameter. It is not presumed that these mounds and earth- works were built by the real Mound Builders. According to the best authorities they were constructed by the Indians, who, in a measure, imitated the customs of the original Mound Builders in constructing earthworks of this character. Many of these mounds have been opened and in a few articles of coarse pottery have been found, also a few trinkets and ornaments and from one was taken out a skeleton, which was reputed to be nine feet high. It was prob-
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ably not more than six or six and a half feet. These mounds show that they were built for defensive, ceremonial and burial purposes. Along the lowlands of the Mississippi the soil generally is very rich and large crops can be grown there, but it is not undertaken owing to the liability of its being flooded. More than once in the history of the township the Mississippi has risen so quickly and so high that live stock on the bottoms have been cut off and drowned. During these periods enormous numbers of wild fowl appeared, especially in the early times, and then scores of hunters came from the back country and thousands of ducks and geese were shot and marketed.
The lakes in this township are attractive bodies of water. They vary from three to four feet to nearly twenty feet in depth. Formerly they were the favorite hunting grounds of the Indians and ever since the first white settlement have been the resort of hunters in pursuit of wild fowl.
The timber of the township was very valuable in early times. It consisted of oak, hickory, ash, elm, sycamore, etc. The largest tree in the county stood in the dooryard of J. Y. Merritt. It was an elm and measured 377/2 feet in circumference at the ground and 34 feet in circumference three feet from the ground. It was about one hundred and eight feet high and had a spread of 104 feet.
There are several burial places in the township, the most noted of which are Eliza and Leach's cemeteries. The former is situated on the top of a bluff overlooking the Mississippi, just east of the old Noble Place. Leach's Cemetery is in the northern part near Mr. Leach's house. In addition there was an old burial place on the Miller farm and a small one on the farm of John Glancey.
The first road in the township led from the bluff to Rezin Pratt's Mill on Eliza Creek. The road was built in 1850, but the mill was in use before that date. The latter had a large patronage in early times. Another road ran east and west through the township. Another highway led up from New Boston past Ogle's house and was laid out in 1851. At the time of the first settlement there were several Indian trails across the township, one leading from New Boston to Rock Island, which for many years was still visible.
J. H. Witter was the first settler, locating on Witter's Creek in the spring of 1833. The creek was named for him, but the name was afterwards changed, probably because Mr. Witter removed from the township. In the fall of the same year David Shaunce and family arrived and settled on section 29, but through some mistake located on the wrong tract. Other early settlers were William Wilson and John Hill. The latter took up a claim on section 29 which really
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belonged to Shaunce. This in time led to considerable trouble which required years to settle.
In the spring of 1834 Silas Drury and his cousin, Charles Drury, and J. P. Reynolds arrived. Silas Drury sold out in a short time to Daniel Noble. Several of these first settlers left the township in an early day and located elsewhere. In the fall of 1834 Jesse Willits and family located on section 32. He became the first probate judge and was an early justice of the peace. In 1835 he was on the grand jury. Dr. Mark Willits settled on section 32 at an early date. Mark Mullen and family arrived about this time and took up a claim on section 7. He built a cabin and started a small blacksmith shop near the bluff. He was no doubt the first blacksmith in the township. He sold out later to Samuel Elliott. Isaac Dawson and William Jackson came about this time. The former settled on a place which he soon sold to Martin A. Cook. Jackson settled on Pope Creek, near Keithsburg, at a later date. Lewis Noble and family took up a claim on section 32 and there improved a large farm. In the spring of 1835 John Drury and family arrived and settled on section 35. Aaron Mannon came the same year and acquired a tract on section 29. Mannon's son built a house on section 30. During the summer of 1835 Abijah Wilson and Allen Wilson appeared and took up land on section 33, but soon afterwards sold out. Robert Childers settled on section 16 and built a cabin. In the fall John and William Fisher came and settled on section 18. The former also bought land on section 23. William settled on a place at the foot of the bluff. Jesse L. Adams made his home on section 19, but later moved to section 22. Rezin Pratt came to this community in 1836. First he bought on section 30 and later purchased adjoining land. He was the first postmaster in the township, the office being in his house. He was also one of the first justices of the peace. Daniel Noble and family came about the same time. His son, D. F. Noble, took up land on sections 31 and 20. Thomas Morgan came and settled on section 22. This place was afterwards owned by Martin Bear. John Moore arrived during the winter of 1836-7. Martin Bear bought his land of Thomas Morgan. It was a portion of section 22. He lived there for many years and finally moved to Aledo. In 1837 John Glancey settled in this township on section 7. He purchased his farm of Samuel Elliott.
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