USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 49
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At this time the township was full of Indians, who encamped on the lakes and on almost every stream. They belonged to Black Hawk's tribe of Sacs and Foxes. Black Hawk himself often appeared Vol. I-32
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at the cabins of the first settlers and was entertained and usually given food and rest if he so desired.
There were several of the Nobles who became prominent in this community. Elijah Essley was here at an early day. Aaron Mannon had several sons, among whom were James M., Preston, Samuel and Cyrus. James M. became very prominent in this county. Martin A. Cook came at an early day. Joseph Bush came in the '50s and about the same time A. B. Childs and Abraham Swisher arrived here.
The first mill built in the township was erected in 1837 by Rezin Pratt and John H. Mannon. It was located just above Daniel Noble's residence and was a combined grist mill and sawmill. It was a God- send to the early settlers of the interior who came here, in several instances, from a distance of at least thirty miles. The sawmill stood a short distance below the grist mill. These mills had a large patron- age and were well known by all the settlers far to the east. A steam sawmill built by Jesse Bogart during the war took the business of the old mill in a large measure. Still later a steam grist mill for grinding feed was established by J. C. Atchison on section 16.
ELIZA
The only town of any consequences in this township was founded by Edwin Bishop, soon after 1850. He was a blacksmith and opened a shop at what was then called Bishop's Corners. This is now known as Eliza Postoffice, the old name having been resumed. The place is located on section 16. Dr. Thomas L. Edwards practiced medicine here for many years. At a later date Doctor Reynolds succeeded him. Harrison Bishop, son of Edwin Bishop, conducted a carpenter shop here for many years. Isaiah Bishop opened a store here in the '70s. Previous to this date farmers were obliged to go to New Boston and Muscatine to do their trading.
At the present time the little Village of Eliza has a population of forty-eight and a rural free delivery from Muscatine. H. S. Beeney is blacksmith, Isaiah Bishop has a drug store and Omer Jackson conducts a general store.
Early in the 'sos the township was organized under the new law. The first meeting was held at the house of Daniel Noble, April 2, 1854. J. P. Mannon was chosen moderator; Joseph Leonard, clerk; John Glancey was elected supervisor; L. W. Noble, town clerk; James M. Mannon, assessor; William Irvin, M. A. Cook and D. W. Noble, commissioners of highways; H. H. Randolph and G. W. Black, overseers of highways; Dudley Willits, overseer of the
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poor ; and Eli Mills, pound master. There were polled at this election a total of thirty votes.
Another little hamlet in the township is known as Petersville. It is located on section 23 and at times has had a shop or a store and a postoffice. At present they receive a free mail delivery from New Boston.
In the spring of 1864 the citizens of Eliza Township met and organized the Eliza Association for the Detection of Thieves. The object was to protect its members from horse and other thieves and to pursue, capture and punish the guilty persons. The special officers or marshals were called "Outriders," and their duty was to give immediate chase to the guilty persons. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and regular meetings were held. The first members were M. A. Cook, S. L. Duffield, John Kinnamon, Henry Small, Jacob Bear, J. J. Huston, Peter Bear, Roland Bear, Milton Boruff, Valentine Boruff, William Irwin, David Duffield, H. H. Roberts, Stephen Noland, Sr. and Jr., J. B. Reed, Elias Pulien, William Shields, Patrick Green, A. R. Sutton, James Wilson, William Ruther- ford, A. B. Childs, Ira Noble, John Pratt, Frank Lambert, E. W. Mardock, John Boruff, Jesse Bogart, Jonathan Noble, H. B. Noble, John Miller, D. F. Noble, Elisha Essley, D. W. Noble, John Mc- Grew, John Glancey, Rezin Pratt, Leroy Willits, Tobias Mosier, Lewis Noble, William Leach, James W. Moore and E. Moseley. The first officers were: Samuel L. Duffield, president; H. H. Roberts, secretary; Jacob Bear, treasurer.
In 1913 there was a partition suit, Charles J. Noble vs. other Nobles, heirs of Brown Noble, who was the son of Daniel Noble. Through inheritance and purchase Brown Noble had become the owner of the Daniel Noble Farm and died without having been married. There were fifty of the Noble family who were made parties in the suit, each of whom had some interest in the land, and a large number of them lived in that vicinity and others else- where in Mercer County, and several of the heirs lived in Los Angeles, California, and other states. The Daniel Noble land was sold and Edmund H. Noble, Sr., his grandson, bought it in and is now the owner.
CHAPTER XXX
PREEMPTION TOWNSHIP
Preemption Township has a rich soil and is underlain with beds of coal and rock. From an economic standpoint it is one of the most valuable tracts in the county. It is drained principally by Edwards River in the south and Camp Creek through the central part. On the extreme northern side a few small streams flow northward into Rock Island County. Coal has been mined in this township since the earliest date and many years ago it began to be shipped in large quantities to distant markets. In addition, it supplied the home demand. Schools and churches have been here since almost the date of the first settlement. It is probable that John Farlow and Hopkins Boone were the first settlers in the township. They arrived in 1835 to secure locations, and the place where Mr. Farlow afterwards located became known, and is so called to this date, Farlow's Grove. A considerable portion of the township was prairie then and the first settlers sought the timber, because they did not believe the prairies possessed sufficient fertility. These two men and their families appear to have been the only residents for about a year. In the following spring there arrived the families of Rev. John Montgomery, a Pres- byterian, James Boone, Gabriel Barkley, Christopher Miller and Rev. Joseph Jones, a Baptist. At first these few families were some- what isolated from outside settlements, because there were no roads. An Indian trail led from Monmouth to Rock Island and this could be traveled on foot or on horseback but not with wagons. Another early road extended from Beardstown to Galena, but was in bad condition throughout the year. In 1837 the county built across Edwards River on section 34 a trestle bridge which was covered with oak planks. Across this structure a large travel passed as the years advanced. Another early road was from New Boston to Richmond, now a defunct town in Henry County.
In 1838 there arrived in the township Benjamin Clark, David Little, John Beirbeau and Charles Minnick, who settled in the northern part. E. J. Farwell came about the same time. The first settlers were compelled to go to Monmouth or Keithsburg, or to Rock Island, then known as Stephenson, to take their goods to mar-
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ket. In 1837 a postoffice was established at the residence of Hop- kins Boone and was called Farlow's Grove. At first there was no regular mail, the few settlers receiving their papers and letters through the kindness of their neighbors.
At first this portion of the county was attached to Richland Grove for voting purposes. It is stated that at the presidential election in 1836 the settlers gathered to poll their votes, whereupon it was learned that no one knew the names of the electors. They were thus compelled to go home without exercising their right of franchise. The first regular election was held the following year, the residence of Hopkins Boone being the polling place. The town- ship was duly organized in 1854 under the township law. The first officers elected were: Supervisor, David Little; town clerk, J. H. Trego; collector, H. E. Wright; assessor, Samuel Dow. After this the township machinery was put in working order and has con- tinued down to the present time without noteworthy event.
In February, 1861, John Whitsitt of Preemption Township was offered $900 for fifty hogs while they were in the pen, but declined. When marketed they brought him $893.60 cash. This was an unusual price, not far from six cents a pound and was used as an example of what farmers could make by putting their corn into pork instead of selling it as such. An account of the sale appeared in the Rock Island Argus.
In February, 1867, David Little of Preemption Township sold to Ward & Sons of Aledo seventy-three hogs which averaged 425 pounds each. At the same time and place William Connelly sold ten, which averaged 461 pounds each; one weighed 668 pounds. Hog growers were challenged to beat this record.
In December, 1869, B. Whitsitt sold at Viola forty hogs, fifteen months old, that weighed 14,640 pounds. He received about ten cents a pound for this lot. In the southern part of the township Mr. Morris had a flour mill on Edwards River, which was in opera- tion in 1869. It was operated by water power. H. Boone conducted a sawmill on the same water power. In 1874 Richard Whitsitt sold thirty-five hogs, aged nineteen months, which averaged 542 2-7 pounds each. They were Chester Whites crossed with Suffolk. The Preemption Creamery has been and was for many years an important local industrial institution. It was operated by David T. Little at first and stood three-fourths of a mile east of the Village of Preemption. At first it ran five wagons but this number was increased at a later date. In 1883 it manufactured 133,655 pounds of butter, or nearly sixty-seven tons. This was nearly ninety per
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cent increase over the product of 1882. The patrons had greatly increased and the creamery had become extremely popular. Throughout the succeeding year 1834 cents per gallon was paid for milk. Mr. Little had previously been at New Windsor and was at this time also at Viola with a similar institution. Late in 1883 the Preempton Creamery had about three hundred patrons.
PREEMPTION
The Village of Preemption had a start at a very early date but was small and inconsequential for many years. Usually, however, there were here the postoffice, a general store and blacksmith shop, a school and a church or two. Wharton & Crawford were probably the first general merchants of the township. They kept really a good store and were of very great service to the population. Philip E. Stephens was another early merchant. The first hotel was prob- ably opened by H. E. Wright at a little later date. The latter was also a storekeeper in the little village. Norton Griffith kept a black- smith shop and W. C. Gray opened a wagon shop in the '50s. James H. Seyler opened a store of drugs, medicines and notions. William Hammond kept a very extensive general store and had a large trade. The Briggs grocery was well patronized along about this time. Mr. Carver was manager of the mill that was put up here in the '50s. He also sold lumber. J. E. Otto and D. W. Little had charge of the creamery for a number of years. This little village was an important center during the Civil war. Here many volunteers were enlisted for the Union army and here emanated nearly all the progres- sive movements of the northern part of the township. In later years the business has diminished but is still carried on with profit. At the time of his death in 1891 David Little owned 1,740 acres and was worth all told probably $250,000. In the home farm alone were 750 acres. He fed many cattle and hogs for the market.
Preemption Lodge, No. 755, A. F. & A. M. was organized in 1877. Late in the same year they received their charter. The first members were W. C. Gray, Henry H. Hayford, James H. Seyler, H. H. Hammond, William Steinhauer, George Bartlett, B. W. Thompson, J. B. Harris, Jr., W. H. Hickock, Samuel Bailey, S. F. Everett, George C. Gray, Leander Stiles and John Weiler. William C. Gray was the first worshipful master. This lodge is in a flourish- ing condition at the present day. The Orangemen, Preemption Lodge, No. 132, was organized in 1876. John Conley was the first W. M. Other organizations, social and fraternal, have flourished
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in this little village. Preemption Camp, Modern Woodmen, was organized in 1895 at the opera house. It first had twenty-six mem- bers. Charles Hammond was the first V. C.
The business men of Preemption in 1900 were as follows: Black- smith and implements, Archie Cook; druggist, J. H. Seyler; dry goods, groceries, banking, A. D. Shearman; groceries, Pitman & Williams; harness, William Steinhauer; lumber and building mate- rial, J. E. Otto & Son; mills (custom), R. L. Carver; physician, J. H. Seyler; shoe shop, C. Steinhauer; telephone construction, Ed Hammond.
For many years until recently Dr. J. H. Seyler served as post- master at Preemption. In 1909 he was succeeded by F. M. Vickers. In April, 1911, a $20,000 fire occurred in this little village. The bucket brigade which had been organized before did effective work on this occasion and checked the progress of the flames. However, the following were losers: Frank Vickers, general merchandise; J. H. Seyler, drugs; William Steinhauer, harness and agricultural implements; and Benjamin David, blacksmith.
Preemption in the spring of 1914 had a population of 200. Carter Brothers were blacksmiths and sold feed; David Connelly, grocer; R. David, blacksmith; J. E. Otto, lumber and hardware; J. H. Seyler, drugs; Paul Steinhauer, gas engine, pumps and wind- mills; William Steinhauer, harness and agricultural implements; F. M. Vickers, general store.
MATHER
The Town of Mather is located on section 27 and was laid out by the Coal Valley Mining Company in March, 1909. The village proper is named Mather but the postoffice and the railroad station are Matherville. Several additions have been made to this little place. Forty-six lots were laid out, each being 50 by 150 feet, on land of J. A. Russell. A. R. Stein, of Cable, was probably the first merchant. The place was named for Engineer Mather of the new interurban line, upon which the village was located. In March, 1911, the village voted on the question of incorporation as follows: For incorporation under the general law. forty-seven votes; against incorporation, thirteen votes. This election was held on April 22. In March, 1911, Fred C. Schroeder was elected mayor. The trustees were Herman Zude, Henry Barr, Andrew Garrett, Alexander Simp- son, John A. Jones and Miller Lewis. Charles Kirchman was clerk and John Olson police magistrate. The little place had become a
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city. In 1912 the Matherville Electric Light & Power Company began operations with a capital of $10,000. In 1914 the town had a population of 200 and the following were the principal business houses: Alden Coal Company; Cable Mercantile Store, general store; Elmer J. Geddes, meat market; Hebbeln Brothers, lumber; Inch Brothers, confectionery; Mccullough Lumber & Coal Com- pany; Olsen Chester, confectionery and bakery; H. L. Pearce, hard- ware; E. J. Quaintance, meat market; H. H. Quaintance, black- smith; Emil Roquet, dry goods, clothing and shoes; Schroeder & Caddy, general store; A. R. Stein, general store; Joseph Wild, gen- eral store; George Workheiser, hotel.
CHAPTER XXXI PERRYTON TOWNSHIP
This portion of the county is one of the best from an agricul- tural standpoint in this portion of the state. The soil is extremely rich, there being considerable alluvial land along Camp Creek. Originally there was considerable timber scattered in groves over the township. On sections 23 and 24 were about sixty acres of white oak and on section 21 about forty acres of excellent mixed timber. The land between the level and Camp Creek on section 29 contained several very large, old white oak trees, which had not been reached by the prairie fires. North of the creek were white and burr oak groves on sections 18, 17 and 16. There was consider- able broken ground in the southeastern corner of the township and there also were small tracts of excellent timber. In places this town- ship is broken up by sharp ravines, but as a whole there is no better soil in the county for farming purposes. The early settlers con- cluded that the prairie soil was not of much use for agricultural purposes and they sought land where grew the white and burr oak groves, believing such soil was richer. Along Camp Creek for several years after the first white settlers arrived, Indian bands encamped and were frequently visited by the whites. Considerable trading occurred between them. In 1845 there were still in existence at least five or six distinct Indian trails, running along Camp Creek and here and there could be seen evidences where the red men had probably made their homes and had cultivated the soil. The big settlement at Sugar Grove by the Millers in 1834 was near enough to this township to be felt in opinion and influence by those who located within its boundaries. They built there an early grist mill which was patronized by the first settlers in Perryton Township. It is stated that a boulder was used to grind the grain. At the same time the Millers were blacksmiths, carpenters and could do almost any work required in the western country among the pioneers.
The greatest handicap in this township in early times was the want of roads and it required time to overcome this obstacle. At first the settlers went to Millersburg for their mail, but in the '40S an office was established in the northern part of the township and
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James Gingles was the postmaster. In the 'sos an office was estab- lished at Hamlet at the house of Graham Lee and finally placed in the store of Josiah Candor. Among the early mechanics were McHard, Gingles, Burrall and others. Philip Miller cut grind- stones and grave stones and Mr. Jones conducted a blacksmith shop on section 25 quite early in the '40s. All the early settlers who located on the prairie made it one of their first duties to plant out groves and orchards.
The first settler in Perryton Township arrived in 1835 and located on section 36. This was John Black and his family. Their child born in March of the following year was probably the first birth in the township. In 1836 Maj. Edward Burrall lived on section 28 and broke twenty acres of prairie land that year. At the same time William Moore began work on section 30, where he put up a log structure. At the same time Philip Miller built a log cabin on the same section and occupied it. In 1837 Ed Burrall, Jr., and Alfred Perry, living on the west side of Sugar Grove, established a home on section 28 and Dr. Perry located near him. Linus and A. Wood located on section 26 about the same time and built there a sub- stantial log house. Dr. Perry's house was built during the winter of 1837-8 and was a log structure erected near the timber on section 28. It is stated that the crops raised by the farmers this year in this township were sold to the Geneseo Colony, the prices being $1 for wheat and 75 cents for corn and potatoes each per bushel. In 1838 Austin Wood arrived in the township and at first took up his resi- dence with his son. Burrall probably built the first frame house in the township on section 28, and this building was rented to Sheldon Woodin. In 1839 James Gingles and William McHard came to the township and purchased the claim of Dr. Perry, to the west half of section 28, for $500. It was this year that the general land sale took place and many of the farmers of this portion of the state who had for years been collecting money for the purpose, went to the land office to pay for their claims. About this time John Harris and J. Gingles moved into the township. Soon afterwards came William Doak with his father and family, and others.
In 1840 McHard and Gingles divided the Perry claim and each built a new house on his portion of the tract. Much of the trading at this time was done at New Boston with the firm of Drury & Willits. In 1844 Hamlet Cooper came and became a prominent resident of the township. He went north of Camp Creek and located on section 9. He probably made the first settlement north of that stream. Other early settlers were John Black, Mr. Burroughs, Austin
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Wood, Daniel Ebner, John Crooks, Josiah Lockhard, Graham Lee and Henry Lee, and others. By 1850 the township was pretty well settled up and the farmers were in better circumstances than they had ever been before.
The township was duly organized in 1854 and the first election took place the next year. The first officers elected in 1856 were as follows: Graham Lee, supervisor; S. D. Trego, clerk; William Mc- Hard, assessor; J. C. Gilmore, collector. These men were chosen under the new township law: Before that date Edward Burrall was elected justice in 1838. William Moore succeeded him in 1842. Then came Joseph G. Gilmore, Edward Burrall, C. G. Taylor, Lee Hollister, John Gingles and others. The first township meeting was held at Gingles Corners. Graham Lee was the moderator and S. D. Trego, clerk. The following year another meeting was held, with William McHard, moderator, and S. D. Trego, clerk.
Perryton for many years has been noted for its excellent live stock. The grades have nearly all disappeared and pure bred animals are the rule and not the exception. In 1869-70 G. D. Miller shipped two carloads of cattle of his own feeding to Chicago. There were thirty-two head, which averaged 1,459 pounds each. They sold in Chicago at eight cents a pound. He fattened large numbers of hogs for the market at that time. In January, 1871, L. V. Willits, of Perryton, sold forty-five hogs that averaged 419 pounds each. They were the Poland China breed. About the same time Joseph Deets sold sixty hogs of the same breed that averaged 4121/3 pounds each.
HAMLET
The Village of Hamlet, located in the north part of the township. was laid out on land of Josiah and Capt. D. M. Candor, in 1868, and was named in honor of Hamlet Cooper, one of the pioneers in that portion of the township. The village did not grow rapidly, there being usually a store and shop and perhaps a few other business establishments, besides the school and religious organizations. By March, 1873, it had several business establishments. The first start probably of merchandising was in 1868 by Candor Brothers, who opened a general store. By 1872-3 they were purchasing large quan- tities of live and dressed hogs which they shipped to market. Mr. Gustin kept a shoemaker's shop there in 1872. Dumbell & Son were blacksmiths. J. R. Doig was the practicing physician. Rev. Mr. Fisk conducted religious services there. Lee Hollister was
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justice of the peace and Mr. Hartman kept a hotel and the Grangers had a lodge, which met there regularly. Soon there were organiza- tions of the Baptists and Methodists. These few establishments con- stituted the Hamlet of 1872-3. By 1883 Hamlet had become an important point for the manufacture of sorghum molasses. Gray & Vandalson manufactured there 1,800 gallons of sorghum during that year. They had commenced in 1881. Early in the '8os the Hamlet Library Association was established on a firm foundation and a quantity of books was secured, but the membership was too weak for the association to become permanent. The members from time to time held festivals and other public entertainments to raise means for the purchase of books.
At a little later date the Hamlet Mutual Fire Insurance Company was a flourishing institution, under H. Ketzle, secretary. By Decem- ber, 1895, they had out 225 policies, covering property worth $552,315. In recent years there has been very little business of importance transacted here. Lloyd Girton had an early store; Thomas Lewis was the first blacksmith; Doctor Criswell conducted a drug store; A. T. Hooples and D. M. Dumbell & Son, wagon and blacksmith shop. The first postoffice was located there about 1854 and kept by Graham Lee. In 1914 the population of Hamlet was about fifty and George H. Hartman & Company kept a general store.
REYNOLDS
Reynolds originated from the construction of the railroad to that point. In 1877 it had one hotel and another nearly completed, two dry goods stores, two drug stores, one furniture store, one shoe store, one hardware and agricultural implement establishment, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, one photograph gallery, one grain eleva- tor, one lumberyard, a coal yard, a hay press, etc. It was at this time a great shipping point, because it was at the end of the railroad. It was the best potato market in Mercer County about this time. Scores of teams visited the town daily. Among the business men were A. S. Crandall, R. C. Olmsted, F. Freytag, John C. Clark, W. C. Ellsworth and John Robertson. The village continued to thrive and by October, 1883, was a prosperous town and an important shipping point. There were four dry goods stores here, and eleva- tors, mills and shops of all descriptions. The Reynolds Press was issued early in the 'Sos and served an important medium. Prof. S. J. Ferguson was principal of the public schools there in the '90s.
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