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 online

ships encountered by the pioneers. Mr. John Trowbridge relates,
that when he came to the county, in 1833, he worked for his uncle,
James Kinman, for two years at his saw mill, and for other parties,
for ^5 per month. He says there were but four or five cabins on
his side of the Mackinaw then. When he and his brother, Jessie,



452 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL, COUNTY.

first purchased land, they had no timber from which to make rails.
They accordingly went over to a grove, called Walnut Grove, which
they named at the time. This grove was eight miles from their
cabin. In the first tree they cut down, which was a walnut, they
found and killed four coons. While there at work it suddenly
turned cold. This was the most intense cold weather ever experi-
enced in the country. He does not so state, but it likely was the
"sudden change" refferred to elsewhere in this history. They
could not keep warm and their provisions gave out. Their folks
were afraid to come for them and they dare not undertake to go
home, for fear they would freeze to death on the way. They set a
trap and proceeded to cut a tree for fire. They soon returned to
their trap and found a quail. This made them one breakfast.
Toward evening it began to turn warmer, and while busily cutting
they heard a loud noise. They went back to their " shanty," made
a big fire, and Jessie laid down to sleep, but his brother kept him
awake, fearful that the wolves would devour them, for it appeared
that there were over 500 right around them. The following morn-
ing they left for home, and when on the top of a sand ridge, just
below them they counted 110 deer. They were running in Indian
file and were counted as they passed. The noise made by their
hoofs was heard at a distance of over a mile.

Mr. Trowbridge has seldom been out of the county since his
coming. He used to go on hunting excursions with Seth Kinman,
his cousin. Many of the old settlers remember this remarkable
character. On one trip they started up a wolf and killed it, and
started another, gave chase, and killed it also. They then found
three bee trees and got four tubs of honey. While they were
cutting the third tree, the dogs treed fifteen coons, all of which
were killed. This was called a good hunt.

Mrs. Ellen Studyvin tells us that when they first came, which
was in 1830, they kept a tavern or an inn. It was known as
Studyvin's Tavern. She recollects the deep snow, and says it
covered the fences entirely. Three children were drowned in the
Mackinaw when she first came. They were sliding on the ice,
which broke, they went through and were drowned. Their graves
are near the Mackinaw. They were children of Mrs. Mosler, who
now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Ball, at Delavan.

Mrs. Josiah Baily came in the fall of 1828, and is to-day, at the
age of 73, one of the Smartest old ladies in the county. She resides
with her brother, Daniel Brown. She remembers seeing Black



HISTORY OF TAZEWEI,L COUNTY. 453

Hawk and 1,500 warriors on parade. They had to go to Peoria
after lumber when they first came, and it took them four days to
make the trip.

Matthias Mount came in 1833, Feb. 20. He served in the Black
Hawk war, as Second Lieutenant in Co. C, 1st regt. He was at the
battles of Wisconsin and Bad Axe, and attended the treaty at Rock
Island, and says our portrait of Black Hawk is an excellent one.
He had a horse shot from under him.

Daniel Crabb is one of the early settlers, and one who has, by his
own labor and good management, amassed a fortune. He made
rails for 37| cents per hundred, and took his pay in trade, when he
first came.

The first meeting after the the township mode of conducting
county affairs was adopted, was held April 2, 1850. Nathan Dillon
presided. A vote was taken, and Nathan Dillon elected Supervisor ;
J. W. Musick, Clerk ; R. H. Hardy, Assessor ; J. B. Landet, Col-
lector; Daniel Dillon, Com. of Poor; Abncr Rulon, Obediah
Study vin and Samuel Berry, Com. of Highways; Sherrod Will-
iams and Jesse Kinman, J. P. ; John B. Landet and Wm. Stock-
ton, Constables ; Andrew Wallace, Pound Master. Nathan Dillon
was the first Justice of the Peace in the township ; he held his com-
mission from Governor Edwards.

Antioch Ghridian Church was the first Church organized in the
township. The congregation was formed by Jesse Fisher, Jerome
AValtmire, William Dillon, Abner Rulon, and others. The first
edifice was built in 1838; the present one in 1858, at a cost of
$600. The Elders are J. R. Cainpbell, Wm. Johnson, Rees Gatlis
and Allen Leonard.

There are two towns in the township, both of which are small
and quite old. They are Dillon, situated on section 3 ; and TuUa-
more, on section 24.

In connection with the history of Dillon township, we mention
some of the representative and leading citizens, believing they not
only deserve mention, but that a short sketch of them will be read
with interest.

John Birky, farmer, sec. 34 ; P. O., Delavan ; was born at Tre-
mont, this county, Feb. 4,1849; son of Clu-istian and Catharina
(Moseman) Birky, natives of Germany and France. Mr. Birky
attended the common schools of this county ; is connected with the
Omish Church; was married Jan. 25, 1874, to Magdelina Zimmer,
also of this county ; she was born Oct. 9, 1854. They have had three



454 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

children — Benjamin, born Dec. 28, 1875, deceased; Samuel, born
Jan. 6, 1877; and Emma, born Sept. 17, 1878. Is a Republican in
politics.

John C. Boivlsby, was born in 1799, in New Jersey; received a
common school education ; has followed the pursuit of farming ;
came to this county in 1868. Mr. Bowlsby went, with 1,000
others, to Hockistown, under Colonel Williamson, to fight in the
war of 1812. Has held numerous offices in his time. Mr. Bowlsby
gave his first vote to Thomas Jefferson ; is a Democrat. Was
married in 1819, to Ann Young; is the father of twelve children,
eight of whom are now living. P. O., Green Valley.

Charles H. Bowlsby. John, his father, and Ann (Young) Bowlsby,
his mother, were natives of N, J., where Charles H. was born Oct.
5, 1836. He received a common school education. He came to
Tazewell county in May, 1850; has been Collector and now holds
the office of Justice of the Peace; was married Nov. 14, 1869,
Is the fiither of Melvin J., born Aug. 29, 1871 ; Lillie B., born
April 7, 1873; Charles M., born July 26, 1874; Lewis T., born
Oct. 11, 1876; Warren F., born Dec. 10, 1878. He belonges to
the Methodist Church ; is a Democrat ; P. O., Green Valley.

Daniel Brown, farmer, sec. 35 ; P. O., Delavan. Mr. Brown is a
native of this county; was born Nov. 1, 1829. William Brown
and Rachel Milner Brown were his parents. The subject of this
sketch received a common school education ; has been School Direc-
tor ; was brought up in the Quaker Church ; was married in Nov.
1859, to Ariette Lillie. They have two boys — Louis E., born
March 30, 1862, and Daniel Jr., born Oct. 23,1867. Mr. Brown is
a Republican in politics.

JoJi^ T. Clemens is a native of Indiana, where he was born July
29, 1830. His parents were Roger T. and Nancy (Higgens)
Clemens. John T. received a common school education ; has held
the office of Justice of the Peace. He came to this county in the
spring of 1852, and worked by the month; 12 years ago he bought
his first land, a valuable piece of farm land on which he now resides.
Mr. C. has driven from the Mackinaw to Decatur when there were
but few houses on the way, and has passed over the site where the
city of Lincoln now stands when there were no houses there ; was
married Aug. 20, 1854, to Tamzon Bowlsby. They are the parents
of Charles W., born May 30, 1855; Frank T., born May 7, 1857;
Henry, born July 29, 1859; Jennie H., born Feb. 14, 1865; Min-
nie, born Dec. 14, 1868. He belongs to the Methodist Church, and
is a Republican. P. O., Green Valley.

Jeremiah Connell, farmer, sec. 23, P. O., Delavan. Mr. Connell
is a native of Ireland, where he was born Sept. 1, 1825. His
parents, James and Mary (Welch) Connell, were natives of the same
country. The subject of this sketch received a common school edu-
cation in his native country. He, like many of his countrymen,
thinking to better his condition, came to free America, locating in



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 455

this county in 1856, and was married Dec. 18, 1858, to Catharine
Gleason. They are the parents of seven boys, born as follows :
James, Dec. 3, 1859; Edward, Jan. 28, 1861; Thomas, Sept. 6,
1862; Michael, Feb. 5, 1864, died March 9, 1864; Richard, Feb.
10, 1866; Michael, Feb. 13, 1868; William, Aug. 6, 1870. Mr.
Connell is a Catholic and a Democrat.

Daniel Crabb, farmer and stock raiser ; son of Edward and Nancy
(Figens) Crabb, of Ohio. Daniel was born May 8, 1818, in the
above State, and received a common school education. Mr. Crabb
came to this county in the winter of 1844. He is one of the most
thrifty and successful stock raisers, and now owns 10 head of horses
and 300 head of cattle. He does not pay much attention to flirm-
inff, although he is the owner of 1,400 acres of valuable land. Mr.
Crabb was married in December, 1843, to Margaret Bailoy, who
died Feb. 13, 1857. They were the parents of the following children :
Frances, born Jan. 17, 1844 — she married Gilman Bailey, of this
township, and has four children; Emily, born Aug. 14, 1845 — she
married Joseph Phillips, of Malone township, and has four children ;
Edward, born Dec. 26, 1846 — married Mrs. Powers, and has two
children, and resides in Bates county. Mo. ; Lettitis. born Nov. 8,
1848 — she married Henry Bailey, of Dclavan, and has two children ;
Richard, born June 23, 1851, died April 27, 1867; James Warren,
born Dec. 28, 1853 — married Libbie Schureman, and has one child.

James Warren Crabb, farmer and stock raiser, was born in this
county Dec. 28, 1853; is a son of Daniel and Margaret (Bailey)
Crabb, natives of Ohio. James Warren was educated at Lake For-
est Academy. He was married Sept. 21, 1875, to Libbio, daughter
of Jonathan Schureman. They have one son. Mr. Crabb ])urchased
his first farm from Jonathan Schureman. He is now numbered
among the heaviest farmers and stock raisers, owning 540 acres of
choice land in this county, and 640 acres in Mason county. He has
on his stock-farm 15 head of horses, 200 head of cattle and 100
head of hogs. He belongs to the Democratic party. P. O. address,
Green Valley.

Nathan C Fisher, farmer, sec. 1, P. O., Dillon. Mr. Fisher was
born in Elm Grove township, this county, March 30, 1838. His
parents are Jesse H. and Annie (Dillon) Fisher. Mr. Fisher was
married March 12, 1865, to Helen Hitt. They have had three girls,
but only one is living. He is a member of Antioch Christian
Church.

Caleb W. Hopkins, farmer, sec. 34 ; P. O., Delavan. His parents,
Samuel R. and Hattie (Bates) Hopkins, were natives of R. I., where
Caleb was born, April 3, 1826. Mr. Hopkins is a descendant of
Stephen Hopkins, who came to this country in the May Flower.
The subject of this sketch received an Academic education in his
native State. He came to this county April 15, 1856; was married
July 23, 1849, to Catharine R. Stone, of R. I. Names and dates
of births of children — Annie C, May 8, 1852 ; Hattie E., Aug. 15,



456 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

1854; Mary L., Oct. 15, 1861 ; Charles L., July 15, 1865. He is
a Republican in politics, and is connected with the Baptist Church.

John R. Horton, farmer, sec. 33 ; P. O., Delavan. Mr. Horton
is a native of Providence, R. I., where he was born March 19,
1838. His parents were Stephen and Harriet M. (Brown) Horton;
received an academic education in his native State. He came West
in search of a new home, and located in this county in the spring of
1860; was married, Feb. 8, 1869, to Mary A. Miller. They have
had six children; they were born as follows: Louis, Feb. 17, 1870,
died March 1, 1871; Carrie, Jan. 23, 1871; Nathaniel B., Nov.
22, 1872; Anna F., May 12, 1874; Henry, April 23, 1876; Grace
v., Sept. 1, 1877.

Patrick Haypenny, farmer, sec. 22 ; P. O., Delavan. Patrick is a
son of John and Mary (Donnell) Haypenny ; was born in Waterford
county, Ireland, in 1830, and came to this county in 1850; is a
Catholic. Mr. H. married Margaret Brien, a native of Ireland.
They have had six children — Mary, born April, 1856; John, born
March 18, 1858; Andrew, born 1860, died 1866; Thomas, born
Jan. 17, 1862; Kate, born May 25, 1864; Patrick, June, 1866.
Is a Democrat.

Chridian Lorenson, farmer, sec. 26 ; P. O., Delavan. Mr. Loren-
son is a native of North Tlesvig, Germany, where he was born Oct.
21, 1850; parents, Erik and Anna (Peterson) Lorenson; attended
the common schools of his native country ; is connected with the
Lutheran Church; was married March 1, 1876, to Anna Sophia
Grav, a native of the same place as Mr. Lorenson. They have one
girl — Anna, born Feb. 25, 1878. Is a Democrat.

Nicholas Luft, farmer, sec. 1 ; P. O., Delavan ; is the owner of
217 acres. Is a native of Germany, where he was born Nov. 23,
1833; came to this county Aug. 6, 1851. Mr. Luft was in the
cavalry, in the German army, 6 years; was married April, 1847, to
Katrina Horn. They have had eight children — four boys and four
girls, five of whom are living. Mr. Luft is connected with the
Evangelical Church, and is a Democrat.

Jacob Maurer is a native of Germany, where he was born in
1835. His parents were Gatleib and Elizabeth Maurer; Jacob
received a common school education. Mr. Maurer but recently
came to this county, arriving here Feb. 4, 1878, He is a farmer;
is the father of five children ; is connected wdth the German Re-
formed Church, A Democrat. P. O,, Delavan.

Dennis McCarthy is of Irish parents, and himself a native of
Ireland, being born in Limerick, in 1833. His parents were Den-
nis McCarthy and Hanora Murphy, his wife ; attended the common
schools, Mr. McCarthy left his native country to try his fortune
in a strange land. He located in this county in 1848; he is a far-
mer; is a member of the Catholic Church; was married May 18,
1854, His children are — Michael, born 1855; Ellen, born 1857;
Josie, born March 1859; Bridget, 1861 ; Katie, 1863; Annie, 1865;
Dennis, Oct. 11, 1868; John, March 31, 1872. Is a Democrat.



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 457

Frederick Merhee, farmer, was born in Germany, Feb. 21, 1845.
His parents, Jacob and Barbara, are natives of the same country.
Mr. Merkee received a common school education. He left his
native country and came to America and located in this county in
1873; was married Dec. 15, 1871, to Lizzie Schmidt. She has borne
him four children, as follows — Lena, born Nov. 1,1873; John,
born Dec. 4, 1874; Liddie, born Jan. 21, 1876; Lizzie, born Sept.
4, 1877. Is connected with the German Lutheran Church.

Thomas Morrisey is of Irish descent, being a son of John Morri-
sey and Julia Flinn, natives of Ireland. Thomas was born in
AVarhor, Ireland, in 1839. The subject of this sketch left the land
of his birth, and arrived in this county in the fall of 1857. He is
a farmer and a Catholic; was married in Feb., 1862, Thev are the
parents of John, Thomas, Kate, Patrick, Nellie, James, Martin and
Michael. Is a Democrat. P. O., Delavan.

Matthias Mount. This gentleman is, perhaps, as well and flivor-
bly known as any other man in Tazewell Co. He was born in
Shelby Co., Ky., Aug. 7, 1810, and came to this county in 1833,
Feb. 20. He received his education in the log school houses of his
native State and was married to Ann Louisa Broyhill, May 31,
1836. She died Feb. 20, 1840, leaving one son, Matthias, "born
Jan. 13, 1840, who, also, sleeps in death. Mr. M. was again mar-
ried Nov. 4, 1843, to Abigail Chapman Orendorff. She died June
23, 1853, leaving three children — Joseph, born Dec. 14, 1846;
Jane, July 9, 1848; Martha, March 2, 1852. Again Mr. Mount
was married. This time to Eliza Jane Bennett July 23, 1854.
By this wife he has five children — William M., Jolin DeKalb,
Mary Elizabeth, Nathaniel Green and Ida E. Mr. M. is engaged
in farming and owns about 700 acres of land and is considered one
of the solid men of the county. He has been a member of the
Board of Supervisors for a longer time than any other member.
He cast his first vote for Jackson in 1828 and has voted for every
Democrat nominee for President since, excepting Horace Greeley.
He came to Morgan Co., Ill, Nov. 25, 1830. He enlisted in the
Jacksonville Co. and served in the Black Hawk war as 2nd Lieut,
and participated in the important engagements of that war. In the
spring of 1833 he came to Tazewell Co. and since has lived an
honored, respected and useful life.

John Oswald, farmer, sec. 19; P. O., Dillon. This gentleman is
the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Geiser) Oswald, of Maryland. His
father was born in 1776, his mother in 1792. John was born in
Maryland, July 17, 1810, and came to this county in May, 1855,
and has since lived an active, energetic life, respected and esteemed
by all who know him. He was united in marriage with Margaret
Stephey, April 14, 1833. This union has been blessed with three
children, two of whom are living — William D., born May 7, 1834;
Mary Ann, wife of Anthony Fisher, was born Oct. 13, 1836; John

38



458 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

B., born Sept. 26, 1846. Mr. O. has filled many local official posi-
tions, and has been a Democrat since Jackson's time.

Thomas Page, farmer, is a native of England, and son of Samuel
and Elizabeth (Martin) Page. Thomas Page was born in Colchester,
Essex, England, in Dec, 1823; received a common school education
in his native country ; came to this county from England in the fall
of 1844; has been School Director. AVas married in March, 1846,
to Hannah Dillon, who lived but eight months and two days there-
after; married to Ruth Allgood, March 6, 1852, and is the father of
four children. Thev were born as follows — Marv Ann, April 6,
1853; Allean, Jan.' 26, 1856, died, Aug. 28, 18o7; Thomas C,
May 29, 1861 ; James H., Jan. 29, 1866. Mr. Page is one of the
descendants of the Jenning's family whose estate is now in litigation,
involving millions of money ; is a Republican. P. O., Delavan.

James Franklin Boilings, merchant and farmer; P. O., Dillon;
was born in Jackson county, "West Ya., Sept. 23, 1843. His
parents were James W. and Sarah (Casto) Rollings. Mr. Rollings
came to this county in the spring of 1852, attended the common
schools of this State, and spent his early days on the farm with his
father. Has held the offices of Constable, Justice of the Peace, and
Postmaster. Was married Sept. 28, 1865, to Martha Bliss. They
have five girls — Sarah E., born June 25, 1867; Mary A., born
June 10, 1871; Minnie J., Aug. 1, 1873; Martha M", May 25,
1876 ; Emma L., Dec. 21, 1878. Mr. R. is a member of the Meth-
odist Church.

Hiram Boilings, farmer, was born in Virginia, Jan. 31, 1847.
His parents were James and Sarah (Casto) Rollings. Hiram came
to this county in the spring of 1852. He received a common
school education. Was married Feb. 10, 1872, to Alice Rodecker.
Their son, Edger, was born Sept. 24, '73, and daughter, Luella, was
born Jan. 13, 1875; Mr. R. is a Democrat in politics, P. O., Dillon.
Frank Scott was born in Dillon in Oct., 1851. His parents were
Moses and Harriet (Alexander) Scott, natives of Mississippi.
Frank spent his school-boy days at school in Dillon. He now fol-
lows the occupation of farming ; is a Democrat in politics. Was
married Dec. 4, 1872, to Mary Cooper. They have one sou, Wal-
ter, who was born Oct. 30, 1874.

Cornelius Shay, son of David Shay, native of Ohio, and Rachael
Ridgwav, native of Illinois. Cornelius was born in Dillon town-
ship April 15, 1857, and has always lived in this county; received
a common school education. His chosen occupation is that of
a farmer ; is a member of the Methodist Church ; was married Sept.
3, 1878, to Samantha Dillon. Political views, Democratic. P. O.,
Green Valley.

Henry Stevens, a native of X. J., was born in Jersey City, Nov.
20, 1852 ; his parents are Julius and Mary (McCord) Stevens.
Henrv came to this county in the fall of 1856 ; attended the com-
mon schools of this township. His occupation is that of a farmer ;



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 459

is a professor of religion in the Methodist Church. Mr. Stevens
was married to Matilda Clawson, in 1875, who died three months
after marriage; was again married, Oct. 1, 1878, to Delia Morris;
is a Democrat. P. O., Green Valley.

Henry H. Stewart, farmer, was born in Tazewell county, April 20,
1847 ; is a son of Joel Stewart, native of Penn., and Mary Hinsey,
native of Ohio; received a common school education. Mr. Stewart
enlisted in the 139th Regiment, Company C, in April, 1864; was
married Feb. 12, 1874, to Sophie W. Lantz. Cora B., their daugh-
ter, was born Aug. 27, 1875; is a member of the Christian Church;
belongs to the Republican party. P. O., Green Valley.

Noah Studi/vin is a native of this county, having been born in
Dillon township July 28, 1853; is a son of John and Ellen
Studyvin, natives of Ohio. Noah attended the common schools.
Follows the jmrsuit of farming. Was married in Dec, 1876; is a
Democrat. P. O., Delavan.

Stephen Studyvin, farmer, was born in Dillon, Feb. 10, 1838.
His parents were Obadiah and Cynthia Studyvin ; received a com-
mon school education. Has been Assessor and Collector. Mr.
Studyvin was married Dec. 5, 1873, to Frances Ann Fisher. They
have one daughter, Delia May, who was born July 4, 1875, and a
son, Artie, born Nov. 6, 1877; is a Democrat. P."0., Delavan.

Levi Tollinger is a native of Penn., where he was born ]\Iarch 17,
1845. His ])arents were George and Margaret Tollinger. Levi
received a common school education, and came to this county in
Sept., 1872. In the dark days of the Rebellion Mr. Tollinger came
foward and offered his services to his country. He enlisted in the
9th Penn., Cavalry; was engaged in many hard fought battles,
among which we might mention "Thompson's Station," Tenn.,
"Stone river," "Lexington;" was with Sherman on his great
"march to the Sea." He was one of the party who captured Gen.
Johnson. Mr. Tollinger was shot through the clothes and had sev-
eral horses shot under him, but had the good fortune to escape any
personal injury ; was in the service four years. Was married in
Dec, 1875, to Emma Trimble. Jesse L., their son, was born Aug.
19, 1876. Mr. L. is a Methodist. Republican in politics. P. O.,
Green Valley.

Jacob Zimmerman was born in Germany, May 12, 1829. His
parents, Christian and Barbara (Sommers),'wcre "natives of Germa-
ny. Jacob attended the common schools of Ohio, and came to this
county in the Spring of 1872; was married in 1852, to Catherine
Unzickcr. She was the mother of nine children, born as follows :
— Magdalena, Feb. 23, 1853; Barbara, July 29, 1854; Catherine,
Nov. 9, 1856; Fannie, Feb. 26, 1858; Mary, March 28, 1860;




460 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

This township has been ably represented in all official positions
since its organization. The following is a full list of officers :

SUPERVISORS.

Nathan Dillon. 1850 Ezra Reetor 1863

C. Gill 1851-53 John A. Reinagle >< 1864

Nathan Dillon 1854 Sherrod Williams 1865

Sherrofl Williams 1855-57 Jonathan Schureman 1866

E C Hobert 1858 Mathiaa Mount 1867-75

S. Wilhams 1859 C. W. Waltmire 1876

H.C.Sutton 1861 Mathias Mount 1877-79

TOWN-CLERKS.

John L. Paine 1854-55 R. Lord 1868

R Lord 1857-59 J. W. Shurts 1869-72

W.D.Oswald 1861 James M. Shay 1873-79

James M. Shay 1863-67

ASSESSORS.

David Renner 1854 H.C.Sutton 1863-67

John L. Paine 1355 G. J. Boyles 1868

John A. Reinagle 1857 H. C. Sutton 1869-77

David Renner 1858-59 Stephen Studyvin 1878

E. Rector 1361 Charles E. Morris 1879

COLLECTORS.

David Renner 1854 John Oswald 1866

G. J. Haines 1855 Henry C. Sutton 1867

J. B. Landet 1857-58 Joseph A. Scott 1868

John M. Dillon » 1859 James Greenan 1869

Joseph Scott 1861 Stephen Studyvin 1870-76

Wm. D. Oswald 1863 C. H. Bowlsby 1877-78

J B Landet 1864 Stephen Studyvin 1879

John Keefer 1865



ELM GROVE TOWNSHIP.

The brave, true-hearted pioneer settled in the beautiful groves
of this township about as early as in any other place in this portion
of Illinois. The native groves were beautiful in the extreme ; and
a place of historic fame, in a local way, during the early history of
the county, was Pleasant Grove, which was located in this township.
Absalom Dillon erected the first cabin, in 1824. This was built on
section 34. The first mill in the county was built here, in 1825, by
William . Eads. The first woolen factory of the county was also