USA > Illinois > Ogle County > The history of Ogle County, Illinois, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest, history of Illinois etc > Part 65
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Clothing and Gents' Furnishing Goods .- Wilson Allen, 1856; M. Grimm, 1874.
Tailors .- A. J. Grant, 1873 ; S. B. Lowe.
Hardware, Stoves and Tinware .- Gibbs & Woolsey, 1868; A. H. Treat, 1870; Weast & Grimm, 1872; J. R. Phelps, 1856.
Confectionery, Fruits, etc .- G. Chaffee, 1863; Jacob M. Powell, 1877. (It s to be remarked that there is no "saloon" for the sale of beer or stronger iquors in the city of Polo, and has not been for more than thirteen years. The establishments above mentioned are elegantly fitted up, with ice cream parlors attached, and furnish fashionable resorts for the young people of the city.) Mrs. G. Chaffee, 1878; J. Bamborough, 1869.
Millinery .- Mrs. S. G. Winn, 1861; Mrs. J. Vickers, 1875; Miss Jennie Mitchell, 1875; Mrs. Atkins, 1861; Mrs. Middleton, 1877.
Hats, Caps and Clothing .- Jacob Nodeck, 1877.
Butter and Eggs .- O. F. Geeting, 1869; St. John & Smith, 1875.
Tobacco and Cigars .- A. Jenks, 1877.
Lumber, Etc .- George W. Perkins, 1870; Yeakle & Snyder, 1872.
Coal and Wood .- Patrons of Husbandry, Joint Stock Association, 1876; F. O. Newman, 1875 (succeeded his father, P. W. Newman, who commenced n 1860); Yeakle & Snyder, 1877.
Stationery and News Depot .- Hiram A. Ferris, 1874.
Farm Machinery .- I. D. Appleford, 1873; Grangers' Commission Store, 1876.
Hotels .- Exchange Hotel, J. H. Prescott, Proprietor, 1872; Orient House, P. Shoemaker, 1866 ; Haines House, William Haines, 1857.
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Meat Markets .- A. W. Schell, 1873; J. W. Hammer, 1876; Hays & Peltz, 1877.
Furniture and Carpets .- W. Strickler, 1869.
Physicians and Surgeons .- W. W. Burns, 1853; Clarence M. Whiting, 1875 ; John P. Landon, 1875; J. B. Snyder, 1875; Geo. L. Chapman, 1867; Mrs. M. A. Scidmore. (The last named Homoeopaths.)
Dentists .- W. W. Krape, 1873; B. B. Maydwell, 1875.
Attorneys .- John D. Campbell, 1855; James C. Luckey, 1857 ; Morton D. Swift, 1861 ; Orris Mosher, 1877.
Insurance .- Schryver & Clark, Life and Fire Insurance and Loans, corner Division and Mason streets ; James Lawson, 1866 ; John Mickler, 1871.
Printer .- J. W. Clinton, Editor and Proprietor of Ogle County Press, 1865.
Jewelers .- J. W. Cushman, 1870; M. C. Kummerer, 1870.
Harness Makers .- C. Waterbury, 1874; H. Becker, 1867 ; J. L. Dean, 1871.
Photographers .- E. W. Krause, 1877; S. S. Johnston, 1862.
Wagon Factories .- John P. Miller, 1857 ; John W. Brown, 1875.
Blacksmiths .- Saltzman & Lower, 1851; J. F. Stroheker, 1878; Wm. T. P. Gageby, William Barkman, W. S. Cooper.
Carpenters .- Daniel Hibarger, Salathiel Hibarger, R. Hibarger, James Cairns, Geo. Nyman, Luther Morse, J. II. Bogardus, Daniel E. Baker, Stephen Adams, Romanzo Fisher, J. Price Miller, N. & J. Weldon.
Shoemakers .- Henry Wolf, 1856; J. W. Shafer, 1859; Charles Middle- kauff, 1873.
Wagon Shops .- Isaac Renner, 1866; William G. Carley, 1877.
Livery Stables .- Walker & Smith, 1868; Leander Griffin, 1867.
Marble Works .- M. J. Hazeltine, 1868.
Restaurants .- Daniel S. Wisner, 1876.
Barbers .- William Trotter, 1875; W. Starr, 1874.
Billiards .- Ed. Beemer, 1875.
Coopers .- J. H. Harrison, 1877; J. G. A. Clopper, 1868.
Postmaster .- John W. Clinton, 1878.
The commercial importance of Polo will appear from the following statis- tics : Amount of dry goods sold by her merchants during 1877, $135,000; groceries, $131,000; hardware, $50,000; farming implements, $73,000.
There were shipped by cars from the railroad depot, during the past year, 290 head of horses, 2,261 head of cattle, 1,082 head of sheep, 19,909 head of hogs, 327,000 pounds of butter and 370 car loads of grain of all kinds.
During two weeks ending April 10, 1878, two car loads of eggs were shipped from Polo. Large quantities of cheese are shipped from this point. The business of Polo would be largely increased by a more liberal policy on the part of the railroad managers.
Banks .- The Exchange National Bank of Polo was organized under the national banking act, in 1871, with a capital stock of $60,000. R. Wagner, President ; H. W. McClure, Vice President ; W. T. Schell, Cashier. In April, 1872, its capital stock was increased to $80,000. Present officers, Reuben Wagner, President ; Romanzo G. Shumway, Vice President; William T. Schell, Cashier.
The banking house of Barber & Trumbaner was organized March 2, 1874, located in " Aplington Block," on the northeast corner of Mason and Franklin streets.
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Polo Manufacturing Company was organized under the general law of the State, in 1874, with a capital stock of $25,000. It was organized for the pur- pose of manufacturing the " King-Funk Polo Harvester " invented by Lauranns F. King, and improved by H. M. Funk, both citizens of Polo. Its large and commodious manufactory and warehouse are located just south of the cor- porate limits of the city, on the west side of the railroad, south of Oregon street. In 1876, this company manufactured five hundred of these popular machines.
The present officers of the company are Reuben Wagner, President; H. M. Funk, Vice President ; L. F. King, Secretary and Treasurer ; Directors, R. Wagner, H. M. Funk, L. F. King, Herman Barthell, Elias Baker.
Polo Harvester Company, organized in 1874 with a capital stock of $25,000, for the purpose of manufacturing the "Porter Harvester," invented by Mr. Henry Porter, a citizen of Polo. In 1876, this company manufactured 250 of these excellent implements ; in 1877, 125. Its shops and warehouse are located on Dixon street, just north of the depot.
Its present officers are T. Aldrich, President ; J. P. Scott, Vice President ; T. T. Schell, Treasurer ; Rufus Perkins, Secretary ; Directors, T. Aldrich, R. Perkins, T. T. Schell, G. M. Hunt and J. P. Scott.
Buffalo Mutual Fire Insurance Company .- This company is a township organization under " An Act to Incorporate and Govern Mutual Fire Insurance Companies in Townships," approved April 3, 1872, authorized by C. E. Lip- pincott, Anditor of State, ex officio Insurance Commissioner, March 3, 1874 ; organized March 14, 1874, in the Grange room, Polo. Present : N. P. Scott, James Frazier, James Reed, Wm. Illingsworth, F. G. Jones, C. G. Holbrook, E. S. Waterbury, J. L. Moore, A. F. Moore, Wm. M. Mason, Jordan Lawrence, A. J. Sanborn, Elias Osterhoudt, C. W. Sammis, D. B. Ayers, Geo. Waterbury, Charles Perkins, James H. Judson, Solomon Beard, Adam Esterly, Nelson Sweet, C. R. Barber, G. M. Bently.
First Board of Directors : Francis G. Jones, President; A. J. Sanborn, Secretary ; E. S. Waterbury, Treasurer; A. F. Moore, Jordan Lawrence, C. G. Holbrook, Elias Osterhoudt, C. W. Sammis, W. M. Mason. Directors, 1878: F. G. Jones, President ; E. S. Waterbury, Secretary and Treasurer ; J. L. Moore, Nicholas McGrath, Elias Osterhoudt, George Brand, C. G. Hol- brook, Jordan Lawrence, James L. Reed.
Patrons of Husbandry Joint Stock Association, of Polo, was organized under the general law of the State, January 23, 1876. Section 2 of its by-laws declares that the time this corporation shall exist shall be ninety-nine years from the 26th day of January, 1876. It was organized with a capital stock of $1,000, divided into shares of $10 each, subscribed by eighty-three stockholders. Officers elected Directors, Win. Apple, Jonathan Meyers, Sr., George Yates, D. F. Miller, F. G. Jones, James F. Frisbee, William T. Porter, President : D. F. Miller; Secretary, J. F. Frisbee ; Treasurer, F. G. Jones : Business Manager, E. S. Waterbury. These officers have been continued without change to the present time (April, 1878).
The object of this corporation was declared to be to supply the members of he "Patrons of Husbandry " or others who may desire, with agricultural imple- ments and machinery, and such other farm supplies as are generally required by farmers, at the lowest cash price ; to buy and sell such farm products as may be deemed advisable, etc.
The profits are divided semi-annually after paying the running expenses, as follows: Ten per cent. per annum to the stockholders on the capital stock, and
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
the balance pro rata according to the amount purchased by each individual stockholder, at the store of the association.
In January, 1877, the capital stock of the corporation was increased to $3,000.
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION.
An act of the General Assembly of Illinois, entitled " An act to incorpo- rate the town of Polo, in the county of Ogle and State of Illinois," was approved February 16, 1857. At a meeting of the citizens, held in the base- ment of the store occupied by Zenas Aplington & Co., April 16, 1857, J. B. ! Moore, George Swingley and R. H. Van Santford were chosen Judges, and Nathan J. Betts and John R. Phelps, Clerks, of the election, to whom the oath of office was administered by Virgil A. Bogue, Justice of the Peace. The charter was accepted ; 127 ballots were cast-84 for the charter and 43 against the charter. On the same day, Zenas Aplington, John B. Moore, Cornelius Woodruff, J. M. Reed, James Brand, S. E. Treat and H. N. Murray were elected Trustees of the Corporation. April 18, the Board organized by the choice of Zenas Aplington, President, and J. B. Moore, Clerk. Jonas M. Reed was elected Treasurer ; Philo W. Newman, Street Commissioner ; John J. Wood, Constable. Mr. Newman resigned the office of Street Commissioner, and on the 25th, John R. Phelps was appointed.
The first ordinance passed was one fixing license fees for shows and enter- tainments, as follows : Circus, $15.00 ; traveling vocalists, each performance, $5.00; "jugglers," thimble players, rope dancers, sleight-of-hand performers, each performance, $5.00 ; panoramas and paintings, $1.00. A poll tax of two. days labor was levied " upon each and every man over 21 years of age not ex- empted by law." A penalty of $1.25 was imposed for refusal, but the tax might be commuted on payment of $1.00 per day. April 25, the Board appro- priated $10.00 for the purpose of stationery and candles. By an ordinance passed June 27, it was made unlawful for any person to appear within the cor- porate limits of the town in a state of drunkenness ; penalty, a fine of not less than two or more than ten dollars. July 25, J. B. Moore and J. M. Reed were appointed to "wait on the Street Commissioner and invite him to resign," and on the 8th of August that official tendered his resignation, which was accepted. August 15, it was ordered that "the porch of H. Sanford, on Mason, street, be lowered one foot." September 25, the office of " Fire Warden " was created, and G. D. Read and Daniel Buck were appointed. December 17, Campbell & Carpenter were appointed Corporation Attorneys. George D. Read was the first Police Justice.
Trustees, 1858-L. N. Barber, President ; J. B. Moore, Clerk ; Cornelius Woodruff, Treasurer ; James Brand, Harrison N. Murray, J. W. Carpenter! and Robert Fisher. Attorney, J. D. Campbell ; Constable and Street Com- missioner, J. R. Phelps.
The act of incorporation was amended February 18, 1859, and thereafter the people elected a President, Treasurer and six Trustees.
1859-President, Rufus K. Frisbee ; Treasurer, H. Sanford ; Trustees. Adam Highbarger, John D. Campbell, J. H. Funk, James Brand, George Weaver, S. C. Peek. S. C. Peek, Clerk ; J. D. Campbell, Attorney.
The following is a copy of the oath administered to the President and Trus- tees, by George D. Read, Justice of the Peace :
I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Illinois and the charter of the town of Polo; and that I will, according to the best of my. judgment and ability, diligently, faithfully and impartially perform all the duties eujoined upor
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
me or us, as Trustees of the Town of Polo, County of Ogle, State of Illinois. We, and each one of us, do solemnly swear that I have not fought a duel nor been sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel, the probable issues of which might have been the death of either party, nor been a second to either party nor in any manner assisted in such duel, nor been, knowingly, the bearer of such challenge or acceptance since the adoption of the Constitution, and that we will not be so engaged or concerned, directly or indirectly, in or about any such duel during our continu- ance in office. So help us God.
This was under the old Constitution, under which a duelist could hold no office in the State. A similar oath was taken by all eivil officers in the State until the adoption of the new Constitution.
In April of this year the Clerk made the following entry upon the records :
An informal ballot was had upon the question of license or no license, which resulted in a tie, when the President cast his vote against license.
August 12, 1859, an ordinance ereating a Fire Department was passed. This ordinance provided that "every person in said corporation who shall have or keep a store, shop, office, or other place of business, shall furnish a common bucket, keep the same at all times filled with water in such store, shop, office or other place of business, for the purpose of extinguishing fires." October 15th, a Police Department was established, consisting of four policeman and a night watchman. Edwin G. Ferris, Marshall D. Higley, Jonathan C. Speilman and George J. Kinney were appointed policemen, and Nicholas Welden, night watchman. November 28th, George Weaver and Walter Carpenter were "elected to have licenses to sell spirituous liquors." December 23d, an ordinance was passed locating a " lock-up " in the center of Colden street, west of Franklin street.
1860 .- President, J. M. Reed ; Trustees, James G. Brown, Leander Gor- don, John S. Nelson, Albert Botsford, J. C. Saltzman and Philo W. Newman ; Clerk, Leander Gordon ; Attorney, J. W. Carpenter.
June 8, 1860, the license for selling " spirituous, vinuous and malt liquors" was fixed at $250 per annum, payable quarterly in advance; for selling beer and ale, $40. Persons taking out licenses were required to give bonds that they would keep "orderly honses and not allow gambling under any circumstances in their houses."
1861 .- President, Rufus K. Frisbee ; Treasurer, J. M. Reed ; Trustees, J. C. Burbank (Clerk), J. K. Frost, George Lawson, William Pine, Henry Newcomer, C. Woodruff; Attorneys, Campbell & Carpenter.
1862 .- President, James G. Brown ; Treasurer, John H. Funk ; Trustees, Leander Gordon (Clerk), Harrison Sanford, James O'Kane, Philo W. Newman, George Weaver, Alexander McCully ; Attorney, J. C. Luckey.
1863 .- President, James G. Brown ; Treasurer, H. N. Murray ; Trustees, Samuel H. Shoop (Clerk), John H. Funk, George Weaver, C. D. Wadsworth, P. W. Newman, William T. Cooper ; Attorney, J. C. Luckey.
1864 .- President, Reuben Wagner : Treasurer, W. S. Goodhue ; Trustees, Walter T. Pieree (Clerk), William W. Barnes, William Pine, William Barkman, John P. Miller, James C. Burbank ; Attorney, Morton D. Swift. This Board refused to grant licenses for sale of liquors, and none have been granted sinee.
1865 .- (March 11, the President and Board of Trustees being of opinion that a legal election could not be held on the 13th, in accordance with the notices posted, ordered the election deferred " until the Judges of Election make the proper register of voters," consequently the election was not held until January 5th. President, William W. Burns; Treasurer, Robert S. Hitt; Trustees, Carlos Herrick (Clerk), William Pine, John R. Phelps, Joseph Watson, Thomas B. Benedict, Stephen M. Slade ; Attorney, M. D. Swift.
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
1866-President, William W. Burns ; Treasurer, Robert S. Hitt ; Trustees, Carlos Herrick (Clerk), J. C. Saltzman, S. M. Slade, J. R. Phelps, George Weaver, Andrew M. Hitt ; Attorneys, Campbell & Swift.
1867-President, John D. Campbell ; Treasurer, C. F. Barber ; Trustees, Franklin W. Dawson (Clerk), Solomon Beard, Joseph Watson, Reuben Wag- ner, Virgil A. Bogue, Lyman Preston ; Attorney, J. D. Campbell.
1868-President, John D. Campbell ; Treasurer, C. F. Barber ; Trustees, Solomon Beard (Clerk), Henry D. Parmalee, Lyman Preston, Reuben Wagner, E. B. Gallagher, George Lawson ; Attorney, John D. Campbell.
CITY OF POLO.
The " Act to incorporate the City of Polo, Ogle County," was approved February 19, 1869. At this time, the population was about eighteen hundred. On the 27th of February, a meeting was held at the Sanford House, and the charter was accepted-190 votes were cast "for city charter," and 137 "against city charter."
The provisions of the charter of the city of Polo are essentially the same as those of all other city charters, except one section, which distinguishes it from all others in the State.
Section 43 provides that "No person or corporation shall sell, barter, exchange, dispose of or give away within the boundaries of said. city any whisky, rum, gin, brandy, wine, ale, beer, porter, lager beer, nor any strong, fermented, spirituous, vinous, malt or mixed liquors, nor any Drake's Planta- tion Bitters, Hostetter's Bitters, Jockey Club Bitters, Red Jacket Bitters, brandy peaches, or any so-called patent medicines composed in part of intoxi- cating liquors, for any purpose, without a license so to do from the Common Council. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined therefor not less than ten dollars nor more than seventy-five dollars for each offense."
This law, adopted by the people and generally enforced by the authorities, has given this fair young city a wider and brighter fame than any other act. It is indeed the brightest jewel in her coronet of glory.
By the terms of the charter, the President, Trustees and Police Magistrate of the town of Polo were constituted Mayor, Aldermen and Police Magistrate of the city. Consequently, upon the acceptance of the charter, John D. Camp- bell became Mayor ; Messrs. Beard, Parmalee, Preston, Wagner, Gallagher and Lawson, Aldermen ; Hamilton Norton, Police Magistrate ; S. Beard, City Clerk.
March 8, 1869, the following officers were elected, viz .: Mayor, George M. Ifunt; Aldermen, C. S. Eichholtz, Henry Newcomer, J. H. Elward, T. B. Cutts, I. H. Trumbauer and V. B. Webster; Police Magistrate, George D. Read ; City Clerk, Wm. T. Schell; City Attorney, J. D. Campbell; City Marshal, I. S. Struble ; Street Commissioner, W. B. Nutter.
By the new charter, the Police Magistrate had extraordinary jurisdiction in civil suits to the extent of $250.
1869-Mayor, George M. Hunt; Aldermen, I. H. Trumbauer, J. H. El- ward, T. B. Cutts, C. S. Eichholtz, U. Newcomer, and ; Clerk, W. T. Schell.
1870-Mayor, George M. Hunt; Aldermen, Isaac H. Trumbauer, John Bingaman, William Barkman, John J. Ellicott, C. H. Eichholtz, Wm. Elling- worth ; Clerk, W. T. Schell.
1871-Mayor, Wayland S. Goodhue ; Aldermen, Solomon Beard, Wm. T Smith, Geo. C. Gibbs, John B. More, John R. Phelps, John P. Miller; Clerk, Daniel L. Miller.
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KanBuns M. D.
POLO
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
1872-Mayor, W. W. Burns; Aldermen, P. W. Newman, M. F. Bassett, E. G. Smith, Benj. Hammer, W. T. Smith, C. S. Black; Clerk, D. L. Miller.
1873-Mayor, W. W. Burns ; Aldermen, E. G. Smith, C. K. Williams, I. H. Trumbauer, C. S. Black, J. C. Luckey, W. H. Barkman ; Clerk, Henry Aplington.
1874-Mayor, Geo. C. Gibbs ; Aldermen, Henry C. Peek, Calvin Water- bury, C. S. Black, Wm. T. Smith, John R. Phelps, Benj. Hammer ; Clerk, James W. Allaben.
1875-Mayor, Wm. W. Burns; Aldermen, I. D. Appleford, John Atley, Joel R. Carll, I. C. Smith, Wm. Strickler, John P. Miller; Clerk, James W. Allaben.
1876-Mayor, Walter W. Peirce; Aldermen, Charles F. Barber, I. D. Appleford, James Lawson, Oliver Z. Hicks, John P. Miller, Henry M. Funk ; Clerk, James W. Allaben.
1877-Mayor, Oliver Z. Hicks ; Aldermen, I. D. Appleford, George Wilde, John W. Cushman, James Peltz, H. M. Funk, I. C. Smith ; Clerk, Samuel W. Clark ; Treasurer, M. F. Bassett ; Attorney, J. D. Campbell ; Marshal, Levi Avery ; Street Commissioner, Warren Kline ; Police Magistrate, D. M. Leal.
June 25, 1877, the people of the city voted to abandon the old charter, and re-organize under the general law, by a vote of 148 for to 15 against such re- organization. The City Council declared "that the city of Polo is re-organized as a city, under the General Laws of Illinois, relating to cities, etc.," and the officers elected in March "hold over " until next election, in April, 1878. Es- timated population of Polo, in 1878, 2,500.
Township of Buffalo was organized in 1850, and at that time embraced the territory of the present township of Eagle Point, which was erected into a new township in 1871. The first Supervisor of Buffalo Township was Zenas, Ap- lington.
The present township officers are: Supervisor, Charles W. Sammis ; As- sistant Supervisor, Wm. L. Fearer; Town Clerk, J. C. Palmer; Assessor, Martin F. Bassett ; Collector, Stephen B. Lowe; Road Commissioners, J. C. Aplington, Samuel W. Powell and Jeremiah Rand ; Justices of the Peace, J. H. Anderson, John Mickler and M. R. Trumbauer ; Constables, W. G. Atkins, J. Rand and R. S. Cornelius.
Population of the township in 1878, 5,000.
POST OFFICE.
The post office of "Buffalo Grove, Jo Daviess County, Illinois," was estab- lished in the Winter of 1833-4, and Elkanah B. Bush appointed Postmaster. The office was on the mail route from Peoria, via Dixon, to Galena. John D. Winters was the mail contractor, and carried the mail each way once a week. He had established a regular stage line on this route, and at that time run coaches and "four." Oliver W. Kellogg was Deputy Postmaster under Bush, and the office was kept at his tavern, near the north end of the town, at the southern edge of Buffalo Grove. After a few months, in 1834, Bush resigned. Kellogg was appointed Postmaster, and held the office until 1839, when Col. John D. Stevenson was appointed. Daniel Iligley was appointed April 1, 1840 ; George D. Read, January, 1842. Read resigned and Joseph Kellogg was appointed, September 1, 1846; C. R. Barber, 1847; Isaiah Wilcoxon, 1849; Chester K. Williams, 1850; George D. Read, 1853 (was also appointed
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Mail Agent at the same time, and had supervision of all the post offices and routes in the Northern District of Illinois). In 1855, the people of the new town of Polo, on the Illinois Central Railroad, wanted the post office at Buffalo Grove removed to Polo, or a new office established. The people of " Old Town " wanted to retain the office there. The authorities wisely decided that one office must serve for both towns, and a lively contest ensued ; but in No- vember, 1855, the name was changed to Polo, and Postmaster Read removed the office in the night, for the purpose of avoiding trouble and litigation, to a building on the south side of Mason street, about half way between Franklin street and the railroad, now occupied by Joseph Geeting, where it was opened the next morning, as if nothing had happened. The people of Old Town, sub mitting to the inevitable, soon became reconeiled to the change. The office was afterward removed to Dr. More's drug store, on the northeast corner of Frank- lin and Loeust streets ; and in 1858, to the north side of Mason street, about midway between Franklin and Division streets. Hamilton Norton was appointed Postmaster in 1861, and removed the office to Division street, three doors north of Mason. He was succeeded by John W. Clinton, the present efficient Post- master, in April, 1875. The office is now located in Exchange Block, north- west corner of Mason and Franklin streets.
EDUCATIONAL.
On the preceding pages appears a sketch of the first schools in the township, taught when the present site of Polo was an open prairie. The town was sur- veyed and laid out in the Spring of 1853, and in the Winter of 1854-5, Miss Luey A. Bassett opened a private school in a building built by Mr. Williams on the north side of Mason street, near Division. Miss Bassett also taught in the following Summer. In the Fall and Winter of 1855-6, John Savage kept school in Williams' Hall.
April 1, 1856, School District No. 2, of Buffalo Township, including the entire town of Polo, was organized, and Rev. J. H. More, L. S. Allen and John Jay were elected Dircetors. This Board at onee made arrangements with the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church, and seeured the basement of their church building for a school room, and occupied it until the new school house was erected, in 1867-8. In the Summer of 1856, Helen Bogue was employed as teacher, followed in the Winter of 1856-7 by Alfred M. Webster; Winter of 1857-8, Matthew Van Buskirk ; Summer of 1858, O. Cone (private); Win- ter of 1858-9, R. Whiteside ; 1859-60, J. W. Clinton ; 1860-61, - Page.
In the Spring of 1857, District No. 2 was divided, and all that part of the town south of Mason street was organized as School District No. 9 of Buffalo Township, with Allen C. Mason, Theron Palmeter and Seymour E. Treat, Di- rectors. In this distriet a small one-story briek building was erected in the Fall of 1857, at a cost of $1,200, and the first sehool was taught by Miss Sarah H. Stevenson (now Mrs. Dr. Haekett-Stevenson, of Chicago).
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