History of Coles County, Illinois

By Charles Edward Wilson

Note: In explanation of the lack of uniformity in spelling the name "Humbolt," or "Humboldt," it is proper to state that, on the organization of the township which now bears that name, it was called "Milton," but in 1860, was given the name "Humbolt," spelled in the county records without the "d" In 1875 this name was applied to "Milton Station," the principal village and postoffice in the township, but about 1902 the Government, in its official publications, changed the name of both the township and the village to Humboldt. The original spelling, however, seems to be largely retained locally, as well as on Railway Guides, County Maps, etc.

Humbolt Township (spelled in Government publications"Humboldt") is one of the prettiest, the wealthiest and most productive townships ships of the county. It lies on the northern tier of townships and is the second township from the west. It is bounded on the north by Douglas County, on the east, south and west by Seven Hickory, Lafayette and North Okaw Townships, respectively. It contains fifty-four square miles and comprises all of Township 13, and the south half of Township 14 North, Range 8 East. It has, perhaps, more fine country homes, well kept farms and up-to-date improvements than any other township in the county. It is somewhat undulating without being broken, and has only a slight bit of native woodland, that being a skirt of the North Okaw timber about one mile long and one-half mile wide. The township is traversed by the Illinois Central Railroad, which enters Section 21 on the north and leaves on Section 31 at the south. Its only water-way is Flat Branch, a tributary of the Okaw River, which courses its way east and west, entering at Section 36, Township 14, and leaving at Section 6, Township 13. This stream is the principal drainage outlet of the township, four large drainage ditches emptying into it. Eight iron bridges cross it, and, throughout the township, iron bridges span every water-way whether in the field or on the highway.

Experiment Farm—Soil—Improvements.
Through the south half of the township is a portion of a fifteen-mile water-shed, the crest of which is thought to be the highest point in the county. It was on this ridge that the University of Illinois selected a 13-acre tract, on the Charles Westrup farm, for experimental farming in 1904. Here thirteen varieties of corn were cultivated, the Boone County white corn being the standard. Fine results were obtained. In 1905, in order to be nearer to the railroad, a similar tract was rented on the Joseph Farrar farm, near Doran's Station. Here, also, thirteen varieties of corn were planted and cultivated during the summer, this station, also, being on the water-shed.

The soil of the township is deep and black, and that reclaimed by drainage is extremely rich and productive. It has the distinction of being the home of the largest land-owner and wealthiest man in the county, John Moore, who settled where he now lives in 1857. He, Jefferson Harry, Mrs. William Stevens and Mrs. Nancy Hawkins, are the only pioneers of the township yet living. The first child born in the township was the late William A. Poorman, on March 7, 1842.

The first broom-corn in the township was grown by Col. John Cofer in 1865. His first planting was two bushels of Tennessee evergreen, in the extreme northeast portion of the township. The industry increased annually, and from 1870 to 1890 about 10,000 acres were grown yearly. Since then the acreage has gradually shrunk, and in 1904 about 2,500 acres were planted.

There never was known to be a log house in the township, and outside of the village of Humboldt, there is to-day neither a brick nor a stone building except what was formerly the Evangelical Lutheran church in the southwest corner of Section 15.

Walter Dunn, the turfman, had a half-mile track on his -farm just west of the village of Humboldt on Section 5, from 1887 to 1890. There he raised and trained several fine track horses, among them being Argot Wilkes, the famous pacer, (time 2:14¼), for which Mr. Dunn was offered $14,000.
In Section 19, on the Illinois Central Railroad is Doran's Crossing. It was established in 1856 and, in 1865 an elevator was built by F. and I. Jennings, of Mattoon. It came into possession of the Mattoon Elevator Company in 1899, and in 1900 it gave place to a 40,000 bushel elevator. In 1903 another elevator was built by the company, having a capacity of 10,000 bushels. The annual output of both elevators is estimated at 350,000 bushels.

Doran's also has a small park and a reservoir, the latter being excavated 100 feet long, 65 feet wide and 8 feet deep by the Illinois Central Railroad in 1880 at a cost of $2,500. It supplies the locomotives at that point with water.

A postoffice is also maintained at Doran's, the present Postmaster being George Ricketts.

Humbolt Village.— In 1853, A. A. Sutherland settled on the present site of Humbolt, and in the same year built a two-story house, the finest in the township. In 1859 he donated ten acres of ground to the railroad for a town-site and platted a twenty-acre tract just east of it, which is now known as the original town. The first name given to it was Milton Station, under which it was incorporated February 20, 1866, the first Village Board being W. B. Hawkins, President; H. L. Stewart, Clerk; W. A. Wood, Treasurer; J. P. Westby, J. C. B. Wharton, H. L. Stewart, W. B. Hawkins and W. A. Wood, Trustees. The original town was enlarged by Wampler's first and second additions to the west and Hays' addition to the north.

Shortly after the railroad was built a depot and freight office were erected by the company, Dr. Wesley Wampler being the first ticket and height agent, in which capacity he served until 1870. He and T. K. Fleming, in 1859, erected the first houses built in the village. Wampler also built and conducted the first store. In 1860, John Payne, from Paris, Ill., opened a second store.

Business Establishments. — In 1868, Dr. C. M. Odell established a drug store and later another was opened by Hawkins & Stewart.

A postoffice called Milton Station was established in 1838 (? or 1858?) with Aric A. Sutherland as Postmaster. In 1861 he was succeeded by Silas Wood, and he, in turn, by G. W. Gray. Other changes were made with the changes of administration. In 1875 the name of the postoffice was changed to Humbolt, later, by Government authority, to Humboldt. In 1888 the office was separated from the stores and given a building to itself. Clark Elkins was Postmaster at the time. He was succeeded by W. A. Combs and S. C. Ashbrook, each of whom served four years. In 1901 Mr. Elkins was reappointed and is still serving the public. The postoffice has a lobby, well stocked with stationery and notions. It also has a 25-mile rural route to the west, which serves 600 people. J. S. McGee is carrier.

There are two grain elevators in Humbolt and four broom-corn warehouses. One elevator, owned by Cuppy Brothers, has a capacity of 35,000 bushels. It was built in 1902 to take the place of one burned in 1901. The latter was bought of Moore Brothers in 1900, and was built on the site where, in 1872, and also in 1865, a mill belonging to Mr. Watkins burned.

The other elevator, having a capacity of 40,000 bushels, is owned by J. M. Ernst, and was built in 1903, at a cost of $7,000. It is on the site where three previous elevators burned, the first being erected in 1859. The average shipments of grain from these two elevators, annually amount to 300,000 bushels.

Two of the broom-corn warehouses are owned by J. Danner, and have a combined capacity of 225 tons; another, of 75 tons capacity, is owned by S. W. Phillips, of Mattoon; and the fourth, of .50 tons capacity, is owned by J. M. Ernst.

Schools and Churches. —The first school in Humbolt was the result of a divided district. In 1861 a small school house was built in Section 4 on the John McNutt land, a short distance east of Humbolt. The first directors of this school were John McNutt and Richard Brown, and among the early teachers were Nana Humiston, John H. Moore and M. G. Stevenson. In 1870 the district was divided, the little school was abandoned and the same year the Humbolt school, a two-story building, was erected. Among the early teachers were: R. T. Barr, John H. Moore and M. G. Stevenson. In 1893 it was burned and another was erected in its stead. The building is one story, with two rooms, and still serves the needs of District No. 70. The present Board is composed of J. M. Ernst, E. M. Mulliken and I. A. Hogan, and the teachers for the winter of 1904-05 were Douglas Moore and Olive Coon.

At present there are two churches in Humbolt. The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1859, one mile west of Humbolt, in Section 6. In 1868 it was moved to Humbolt. In 1870 the building was torn down and the materials shipped to Larned, Kans., and used in the building boom of that city. In the same year another church was erected on the site, which still stands, having been improved with additions, including a Sunday School room and vestibule. A prosperous Sunday School is maintained. Among the early trustees were John Poorman, John Lowden and Judge Walker, the first pastors being Revs. William Mitchell and Hookstep.

The other is the Disciples' Church, known as the "Church of Christ." It was built about 1870 at a cost of $1,000, an early elder being W. B. Hawkins. It was reorganized in 1897, and since that time a fine Sunday School has been maintained, E. M. Mulliken being the continuous Superintendent. He was also an early trustee and an elder of the church, which offices he still holds. Among the other officers of the church are S. B. Moore, James Daugherty and J. S. Grant. The present pastor is Rev. Louis M. Mulliken.

Two churches have been abandoned. A Presbyterian was built in 1882, but the congregation disbanded in 1890, and the building is now being used as a broom-corn warehouse.

The Catholic Church, known as the Holy Angels, was built in 1870 under the direction of Father Mangin. In 1898, during the pastorate of Rev. Father Martin, it was abandoned. It was torn down in 1902 and used in the building of a double house by Thomas Cowton.

Business Enterprises.—A telephone exchange was established in August, 1901, and is yet maintained, the officers being James McDougle, President; J. O. Toland, Vice President; S. C. Ashbrook, Secretary. It has eleven rural lines and two clear lines. It serves 187 families in the country and has twenty-five local phones.

The village also has three general merchandise stores, one drugstore, two barber shops, two blacksmith shops, one meat market, one entertainment hall, two hardware stores, two furniture stores, one undertaking establishment, one harness shop, one feed stable. In addition, it has an enterprising newspaper, "The Humbolt News," established by J. S. Grant in 1898, who is still editor and proprietor.
In 1900 a township hall was built, and it is there that the township elections and political meetings are held. The village has nearly one mile of concrete walks, built during the last two years.

The only brick business building in the town is the bank building. It is one story and has a burglar and fire-proof safe and a steel vault for private boxes. It is known as the First National Bank of Humbolt, and was opened for business July 1, 1904. The officers are E. M. Mulliken, President; S. B. Moore, Vice-President; John W. Poorman, Cashier.

Fraternal Organizations.—On March 21, 1877, Prospect Lodge, No. 636, I. O. O. F., was organized under dispensation by Deputy Grand Master James Hamilton, new of Mattoon. On October 10th a charter was granted, the first principal officers being: W. B. Kennedy, N. G.; J. D. Denning, V. G.; Hugh Maxey, Secretary; O. M. McNutt, Treasurer. For several months after the organization of the lodge meetings were held in a wagon shop. In September a building was purchased for $600. Here meetings were held until 1887 when the present Odd Fellows' building was erected at a cost of $4,000. The upper story is used for a lodge room, which is handsomely furnished and fully equipped. Three storerooms occupy the lower floor. Prospect Lodge is one of the wealthiest in the county, having real estate and personal property valued at more than $20,000, while the aggregate wealth of the members is $2,000,000 or more. A cemetery is also maintained by the lodge. In 1880 John Moore donated to the lodge five acres and twenty rods one mile west of Humbolt for cemetery purposes. In 1902 the lodge purchased fifteen acres adjoining, which was also platted. The cemetery is the pride of the township, being one of the best kept in the county. A six-room cottage in the cemetery serves as a house for the sexton, L. J. Oliver, who is employed by the lodge. The cemetery has many fine monuments, is set with four hundred evergreens and is indeed picturesque.

May 1, 1890, Agamemnon Lodge, No. 237, Knights of Pythias, was organized with twenty-eight charter members. Meetings are held in the hall of Prospect Lodge on Thursday night of each week. The principal officers are: J. W. Poorman, P. C.; V. L. Reed, C. C.; C. R. Holmes, V. C.

In June, 1897, Humbolt Court of Honor, No. 591, was organized with eleven charter members. The first officers were: Rev. H. L. Murray, Chancellor; Miss Lessie Major, Vice Chancellor; Miss Cora Mizelle, Recording Secretary. At present it has a membership of thirty-eight, the officers being W. P. Brown, Chancellor; C. A. Stewart, Vice-President; E. M. Mulliken, Recording Secretary.

In December, 1894, Humbolt Camp, No. 2604, AL W. A., was organized with nineteen charter members. Among the first officers were: A. F. Moore, V. C., and E. M. Mulliken, Clerk. The present principal officers are: J. S. Grant, V. C.; D. S. Bryant, Advisor; E. M. Mulliken, Clerk.

On March 3, 1905, Humbolt Lodge, M. A. F. O., was organized with 101 members, the three highest officers being: Frank Shirley, President; Edward Poorman, Vice-President, and Frank Trimble, Secretary.

Country Schools.—Outside of the village of Humbolt, there are thirteen schools in the township. South of Humbolt, in Town 13, there are eight schools.

The oldest is the Bond School, in District No. 78, located in the northeast corner of Section 35. It was originally near the north line of Section 36, an early Board being: Lane Loflen, Rev. Robert Hill and Jacob Harry. Early teachers were a Mr. Huntington and an Englishman named Cresswick. In 1869 the school was moved to its present location.

In 1859 a small school house was built in what was known as "Blue Grass Grove," in Section 4, one-half mile southeast of Humbolt. An early board was composed of James Kelly and Ira Steele, and among the early teachers were Maggie Edgar and Lottie Johnson. The building was 16x24 feet, and often as many as sixty-five children attended the school. It was moved about 1868 two miles east of the W. K. Watson farm, in Section 2, and a year later one-half mile south to the Richard Brown farm, in the same section. For ten years longer it served the community, among the teachers being Noble Danner, James Danner and Daniel H. Robertson. James Kelly, B. E. Hilligoss and Daniel H. Robertson constituted an early Board. In 1879 a new building was erected in Section 11, on the Tinch land, for which the school was named. It is in District No. 73 and the present Board consists of W. R. Wampler, J. W. Ashbrook and Wesley Hood. It also has a library of fifty-one volumes, established in 1903.

In 1865 the school now known as the "Black" was built at a cost of $500 in the northern part of Section 8 on the Black farm. An early Board was composed of Alfred Grooms, J. W. Seaman and George Moore, and among the early teachers were M. G. Stevenson, R. P. Barr and E. P. Walters. Three years later the school was moved about three-quarters of a mile south to the John Moore farm, in the southern part, where it now stands in District No. 72. The present Directors are: James Grooms, J. C. Moore and A. F. Moore.

The Poorman School. District No. 71, was originally built in 1868, three-quarters of a mile south of where it now stands. An early Board was made up of W. A. Poorman and S. H. Gasaway, and among the early teachers were M. G. Stevenson and R. P. Barr. In 1876 it was moved to the southwest part of Section 5, where it is now located.

In 1869 the Doran or Bean School. District No. 76, was erected in Section 29. The first Board embraced the names of Z. J. Baird, S. C. Doran and J. W. Farrar, and among the early teachers were: Maggie Donelson, Erastus Kinzel and John Moore. In 1882 it was abandoned and the present school was built at the west boundary of Section 9. The present Board is composed of Henry Wilhelm. H. H. Tatkenhost and J. F. Farrar.

In the early 'seventies the Brewster, or "Pleasant View" School, in District No. 77, was built on the Brewster land, on the east boundary of Section 28. An early Board consisted of J Brewster, C. J. Bishop and H. Mohlenhoff, and among the early teachers were S. M. Leitch, G. R. Hamman and Charles Kincaid. In 1890 a larger and better school took the place of the old one and Miss Katrine Morgan, of Mattoon, wielded the birch in the following year. The name "Pleasant View" was suggested by the fact that the school is on the crest of the water-shed. The present Board consists of H. Furste, B. Horseley and E. C. Homann.

In 1872 Union No. 8, now known as Zion School, in District No. 75, was built in the southwest corner of Section 18 by M. S. Ashworth and William Thornton. Among the early teachers were John H. Moore, M. G. Stevenson and Frank Harry. The present structure was built in 1899 at a cost of $700. Miss Nellie Camery was the first teacher.

In 1869 Wesley School was built in the southwest corner of Section 13, where it still serves the needs of District No. 74. An early Board was composed of Jacob Ernst, Allen Whitsell and J. Gideon, and among the early teachers were Wm. Webster and R. P. Barr and Thornton Ashbrook. The present Board consists of Robert Watkins, Clarence Ernst and C. O. Handley.

At the north, in Town 14, are five schools. In the early sixties a school was built in the southeast corner of Section 28. It was long and narrow and its weak construction caused its roof to sag in the center, which peculiarity gave it the name of the "Sway-back." Among its earliest teachers were Mrs. Clint Hutchinson. M. G. Stevenson, W. D. Hanna and C. G. Chrisman. In 1875 it was torn down and a new school house was erected, which still stands in District N o. 68.

About 1865 a school house was built in what is now District No. 122. It was near the line between Sections 23 and 24, and the district included parts of both sections. Naturally, the directors were divided in their choice of location, and when a majority belonged to the opposite section the school house would be pulled across the road, until it had been moved four times. Thus it got its name of "Pulltight."

Another union school is the Hartford, located in the northwest part of Section 20, on the Douglas County line near the border of North Okaw. It was built in the early 'sixties. It is in District No. 121.
The Floyd School, in District No. 69, is the nicest and best kept rural school in the county. The first building was erected in 1860 on the south line of Section 30. It was very small and the early teachers were Mr. Walters (also a teacher of instrumental and vocal music) and Mr. Young. An early Board was composed of Hugh HcKane (sic -- transcriber's note: name should possibly should be "McKane") and Dudley Louthan. In 1869 the school was moved across the line to the present site in Section 31. In 1898 a large and commodious building took its place. It has a belfry and bell, is nicely papered and the walls are ornamented with pictures.

In 1863 the Antioch School was built in the northeast corner of Section 35. An early Board consisted of John W. Beavers, Samuel W. Orcutt and James Beggs, and among the early teachers were A. G. Chapman, Emma A. Wright and Mary G. Orcutt. The school building is a substantial frame and, with the exception of an eight-foot addition built in 1904, it remains unaltered, serving as an educational center for District No. 67. Ten or fifteen teachers in the township during the winter of 1904-05 were women, the total enrollment numbering 499 pupils, 254 of whom were boys and 245 girls.

Churches.—There are three country churches in the township, only one of which is in Town No. 14. It belongs to the Methodist Episcopal denomination and is known as the Central Church. It is located in the northeast corner of Section 36, near the Seven Hickory line, and was built in 1870. The material was gratuitously hauled from the Ambraw by people interested in the new church, and the brick foundation was built by Jacob Harry. The first pastor was Rev. William Mitchell, a pioneer circuit rider, who, in the winter of 1870-71, held one of the most extensive revivals ever known in that part of the country. It is said of him that he was responsible for the erection of all the Methodist Episcopal churches in that locality.

Four miles south and one mile west, located in the northeast corner of Section 23, Town 13, is the Wesley chapel, another Methodist church. In 1867 the first building was erected at a cost of $2,600, and was dedicated in December of the same year. Among the early officers were J. S. Gideon, Abner Brown and Joel Stevenson. Early pastors were Revs. Mr. Shirley, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. May. In 1890, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Osborne, the present church was built on the same site at a cost of $2,300. The present Board is composed of Jacob Ernst, Clem McDougle, Maggie Beals and H. Jenkins. The present pastor is Rev. F. M. Harry. The church also has a flourishing Sunday School, established in 1868. An early Superintendent was Joel Stevenson; the present Superintendent is John Gideon.

October 13, 1880, the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, was built in Section 15 at a cost of $1,300, and on November 5th of that year it was dedicated. Among the first officers were Christian Schroeder, Wilhelm Mohlenhoff and Gerhard Hofercamp. Early pastors were Revs. F. Schlechte, J. Brockmann, J. Todt and G. Wolter. In 1905 the increasing congregation required a larger building, and there is now in process of erection a $13,000 brick edifice, which is to be the finest rural church in the county, if not in Central Illinois. It is located at the southeast corner of Section 21, Town 13. The church has a membership of 242, and it maintains a Sunday School, the average attendance of which is 175. The pastor, Rev. A. F. Nuendorf, serves as Superintendent. Among the present board are: Herman Zu Hone, Louis Blume, Fred Pardeich, Henry Furste, Mr. H. Niemeyer.

The enterprising spirit of the towns is expressed in the fact that in 1895 a site was offered at the village of Humbolt, and the sum of $40,000 was subscribed, in the hope of securing the Eastern Illinois Normal, now Iocated at Charleston.

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Hutton Township

HUTTON TOWNSHIP.
Hutton Township bears the distinction of having been the locality first occupied by a permanent settler in Coles County -- the two numerous families of Parkers coming in not far apart in point of time, one locating in the northwestern part, and the other upon its eastern border. It is the southeastern township of the county, abutting Clark and Cumberland counties upon the east and south, respectively, Ashmore Township upon the north, and having on its western border the meandering channel of the Embarras. It contains approximately fifty-four sections of land, which varies in quality from the richest prairie to the broken tracts of clay soil and bluffs, along upon the river upon the west. Its first representative upon the Board of Supervisors was the man for whom the township was named — John Hutton.
The township is excellently watered and drained by Whetstone Creek and its tributaries upon the north, the smaller creeks which flow into the Embarras on the west, and the numerous branches of the Hurricane Creek and others in the central and southern portion. This condition makes it most excellent for stock raising, and to that vocation most of its farmers are devoted.

First Things—Villages, Postoffices, Etc—The first bridge across the Ambraw (Embarras) was a wooden structure built near the point of the first county settlement, and the location of the county's first mill, in Section 25-12-9.

The first Justices of the Peace were Joel Connelly and James Gill.

No railroads pass through Hutton Township and it has no towns or villages of importance as centers of trade.

The most ambitious attempt to build a town there was when Salisbury was laid out in 1837.

A postoffice was instituted there in 1844 by David Weaver, and called Stewart. In 1850 the name of the office was changed to Ashby (after pioneer John Ashby), but as that was so similar to Ashley, the name of another office in the State, it was again changed in 1861 to Hutton.

Salisbury was so named by John Hulen, who owned part of the land, after his native place, which was Salisbury, N. C. William Gilbert built the first house there and together with a man named Bartness, started the first store. The village never grew beyond a dozen or so houses and a store, and the postoffice there has, within the past two or three years, been discontinued, the people receiving their mail over rural route No. 2. from Charleston. In fact, the entire township is at this time without a postoffice. Its people now get mail by means of two rural routes from Charleston, two from Casey and one from Westfield.

A postoffice called Butte was started in 1932 on the road in the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 31-12-10. In 1892 it was abandoned and the postoffice of Dirigo started on the road, about three-fourths of a mile northwest, in the south part of Section 30-12-10. It served its day, and then, like the others, disappeared before the modern improvement of rural free-delivery.

Diona (at first called "Dogtown," from the numerous dogs kept by its early inhabitants), is located at the southeast corner of Section 24-11-9. It was never platted as a village in this county, although it grew to be as populous as Salisbury. It is on the county line, and its population is about equally divided betweenCumberland and Coles. A postoffice was started there in 1869.

An early center of population in Hutton was known as "Stringtown," so called because the inhabitants were rather numerous for about three-fourths of a mile along the Charleston and Westfield road, where it ran through the southwestern part of Section 5, and the northwestern part of Section 8. A saw-mill was located there, a brick yard, and a store which was run at different times by two early ministers of the Christian Church, Thomas Goodman and Samuel Peppers. There was a church there, with a school house and a carpenter and blacksmith shops. Thus it will be seen that Stringtown was at one time about as important a trading point as many pretentious villages. Nothing now remains of this early village but a church and a school house.

Secret Orders.—The only secret order organization existing in the town of Hutton is Hutton Lodge, No. 692, I. O. O. F., which was instituted April 7, 1881, in the Masonic Hall in Salisbury, and L. C. Cottingham was the first N. G. and T. L. Endsley, V. G. In 1895 they built a lodge room above Cox's store on Lot 12 in Salisbury. The building burned on January 12, 1903. The lodge, which owned the lot, rebuilt from the ground up during the same year. The present officers are: W. A. Cox, N. G.; Joseph Goff, V. G.; William Gossett, R. Sec'y; John A. Smith, P. Sec'y; G. W. Abernethey, Treas. The lodge has 111 members.

A Masonic Lodge was instituted in Salisbury about 1871, and continued there until about 1882, when it was moved to Diona, and is now located over the line in Cumberland County. No information about its officers and early members can be obtained from citizens there now.

Churches.—The denomination known as the Christian Church had many adherents in Hutton in an early day, and they organized a church at Stringtown about 1836, and erected a log building. About 1858 a brick building was erected, which was destroyed by a windstorm in 1876, and during the same year a frame building was put up in its stead. Early preachers there were: Rev. Harmon Gregg, Rev. Samuel Peppers, Rev. David Campbell, from Wabash Point, and others. For some years past it has had no regular pastor.

Adams Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1838, and a log building erected the same year, on the northeast part of the southwest quarter of Section 21-11-10, was their place of worship. Rev. Burk was one of the early pastors. The church occupies at present a frame building erected in 1870 in the southwest part of Section 17-11-10. They have no regular pastor at present. The Trustees are John Moore, W. B. Johnson and Elijah Adams.

Whetstone Separate Baptist Church was organized in 1843 at Adam Coon's residence, in the northwest part of Section 33-12-10, by Rev. Matthew Baker, who was its first pastor. Their first house of worship was a frame building put up in 1857 in the northwest part of Section 33-12-10. Rev. Stanley B. Walker was the first preacher of this denomination in the township, and assisted these early congregations. Rev. Whitfield and Rev. William Bridgman were early pastors. Their first building was taken down and a new one erected in its place in 1887.

Hurricane Separate Baptist Church was the outcome of a division in the preceding church, and was organized by Rev. William Bridgman, who became its first pastor. They put up a frame building in 1858 on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 19-11-10. That lasted until 1889, when it was torn down and the present building erected on the same site. Rev. Berry Webb is the pastor.

Little Flock Regular Baptist Church was organized at the Center School House, in the southwest corner of Section 15-11-10, on November 29, 1862. Among its organizers and early officers were: L. Gilbert, Jeptha Parker, Nathan Austin, John Alexander, Levi Sanger, Jesse Sanger, and T. J. Thornton. Its first pastor was Rev. James B. Walker, who was ordained at that meeting. Their church building was put up in 1865 on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 22-11-10. Their last pastor was Rev. T. D. Davis. They have none at present.

Liberty Chapel United Brethren in Christ was organized in 1852 in a log school house known as the Liberty Schoolhouse, by Rev. Walton C. Smith. Their first building was a frame, erected in 1857, on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 34-12-10. Rev. Smith was its first pastor and later ones were Alexander Helton, Samuel Zook and Abraham Bennett. The old house was sold and moved and the present one built on the same site in 1904. The present pastor is H. S. Reese.

Weaver Chapel United Brethren in Christ Church was built in the year 1864 in the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter Section 23-1110. The church was organized in 1864 by P. E. Chittenden and A. J. Nugent. The first pastor was Abraham Bennett. The first church house burned down December 25, 1899, and was rebuilt in 1900. Present pastor is H. S. Reese.

Oak Ridge United Brethren in Christ Church was organized by Rev. James Cogell in the year 1882 in what was known as the Hanley School House, in Section 12-11-9. The church house was erected in 1894 in the southeast corner of Section 1-11-9. James Cogell was its first pastor. Allen Bensley, J. W. Sawyer and A. J. Handley are the Board of Trustees. The present pastor is H. S. Reese.

Salisbury United Brethren in Christ Church was organized in the year 1896 by Rev. Rider, who was the first pastor. The church house was built in the year 1897, on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 10-11-10. The present pastor is H. S. Reese.

Wiley Chapel Christian Church, situated in the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 1-11-10, was organized by Rev. David Campbell in the year A. D. 1871. The church house is of brick. The trustees were E. Connelly, Solomon Beavers, Adam Cox, William Beavers and Owen Wiley. The first pastor was David Campbell and the present one Rev. Nidy.

Schools.—The first Connelly school house (No. 26) was built in the year 1850. The first teacher was J. C. Wright. A second house of brick was built in the year 1870 in the northeast corner of Section 25-12-10. The present teacher is Miss Mabel Stewart.
Davis School (No. 27) had its first house built in the year 1867. Some of the early teachers were John Ingram, G. B. Davis and John M. Smith. The present school house was built in the year 1900, on the site of the first one in the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 27-12-10. The present teacher is Maude Brown.

Johns School House (Dist. No. 28) is in he northeast corner of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 33-12-10. The first teachers were John Ingram and John M. Smith. The present teacher is Jennie Case.

Rennels School House (No. 29) was built in the year 1884 in the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 31-12-10. Some of the early teachers were Murray Stone, John M. Smith and J. A. Tremble. The present teacher is Lucy Gossett.

The first Stringtown School House (No. 30) was built about 1856 or 1857 in the northwest corner of Section 8-11-10. The second school house was built in the year 1884 on the same site, the old one having been torn down. Some early teachers were Franklin Alexander and John M. Smith. The present teacher is Miss May Madding.

The first Salisbury School House (No. 31) was built about 1855-56, in the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 10-11-10. Some of the first teachers were: Andrew Edwards, Valentine McGahan, John Ingram and John Redman. A second house was built later, but was taken down in 1901 and a new building erected the same year, situated in the southwest corner of Section 3-11-10. The present teacher is Miss Helen Gray. Wiley School House (No. 32) was built in the year 1873 in the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 1-11-10. The first teacher was Nettie Brooks. Belva Kocht is the present teacher.

Goble School House (No. 33) was built in the year 1873 in the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 6-11-11. The first teacher was S. P. Davis. The present teacher is Miss Clara Endsley.

In the Berkley District (No. 34) the first school house was built in the year 1866, and was taken down, and the present one erected in the year 1899, in the southwest corner of Section 18-11-11. Its first teacher was John A. Riggins and the last teacher Della Moore.

Brandenburg School House (No. 35) was first built in the year 1857. The first teacher was Burgess Burkley. Some others were Valentine McGahan, Benjamin Dawson and William Gossett. The second school house was built on the same site in the year 1881 in the southeast corner of Section 14-11-10. The last teacher was Clayborn Rhue.

The first Center School House (No. 36) was built in the year 1856, in the southwest corner of Section 15-11-10. Its first teacher was George Padget. Some early teachers were: W. H. Schoonover, A. Eastin, Cynthia Kellogg, Benjamin Dawson, T. L. Endsley and W. G. Walker. The second house, of brick, was built in 1882 in the northeast corner of Section 21-11-10. It was burned down in the winter of 1884-85 and rebuilt in 1885. The present teacher is Clara Bidle.

The first Hutton School House (No. 37) was built in the year 1858 in the southeast corner of Section 18-11-9. The first teacher was May Nickols. Other teachers were George Padget, Lizzie Balch and Ricard McPherson. The second school house on the same site was built in the year 1883. The present teacher is O. C. Jenkins.

The first Hanley School House (District No. 38) was built about the year 1866. Some of the early teachers were Thomas Balch and Nettie Brooks. The present school house was built in the year 1900 and was last taught by Edgar Leitch. It is located near the center of Section 12-11-9.

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Lafayette Township

Lafayette, the west central township of Coles County, is bounded on the north by Humbolt Township, on the east by Charleston, on the south by Pleasant Grove and on the west by Mattoon Township. It contains thirty-six square miles (an exact Congressional township) and its first Supervisor was William T. Jones.

The township is drained at the north by Riley Creek, which rises in Section 5 and flows east into Charleston Township at Section 1, thence south, emptying into the Kickapoo. The latter stream rises in Mattoon Township, flows east through the south center of Lafayette, draining that portion of the township, and on through Charleston Township to the Embarras River, where it empties. In the days of the pioneer broad belts of woodland lined the two streams, and here the Kickapoo Indians lived and moved and had their being. The increasing cost of living, as well as increasing taxes on lands, has naturally resulted in the clearing of the woodland and to-day only those who have need for a little pasture or have money sufficient to enable them to maintain idle lands have preserved traces of the native forest and what is left is more picturesque than useful. The Dead Man's Grove once covered a large tract, but is now only a clump of trees on Section 4, abutting the north road between Mattoon and Charleston.

Cutting diagonally through the south middle [more to come!]