In 1827, Mr. Conrad Lichtenburger came from Pennsylvania, with his family, and settled in that vicinity. In 1828, the second permanent settler, Elijah Charles, also with a family, built a house at the base of the mound.* (This mound was ascertained by the civil engineers of the Illinois Central Railroad, to be the highest point of land in the state).

The first agricultural pursuits were followed in this township by these two pioneers. Among other early settlers were Wm. McMath and Abel Proctor, who built cabins near Mr. Lichtenburger, in 1827. Mr. Proctor was one of the prominent residents of the county for many years, holding at times the offices of County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. He is now a resident of Iowa.

The first child known to have been born in this frontier settlement was Mary M. Lichtenburger, on April 4, 1828, and the first death occurred in the same family, March 29, 1831, when Harriet Lichtenburger died at the age of seventeen years.

In 1830, Samuel H. Scales purchased the claim and cabin of John L. Sole, who had lived there nearly two years, and built a public house near the base of the mound, which is now known by his name. This tavern was on the historical “Sucker Trail” over which, afterwards, passed the Chicago & Galena stage line, and it was kept, in succession, by Scales, Moffett, Cowgill and Moppin. For many years after the village of Scales Mound was built, on the railroad, nearly a mile from the old tavern, the mound was generally distinguished by the name of “Maupin’s Mound.” It has now, however, reverted to its old title.

The name of Jesse W. Shull is prominent in the record of this county. He came to the mining regions in 1819, and roamed with Indians for many years. In 1831, Mr. Shull settled on a farm near the mound and continued to live there, raising a large family of boys. Though he had for years been on the most intimate terms with the Indians, he proved a true friend to his white brethren when the settlement was obliged to seek protection in the fort, during the Black Hawk War.

MINES.—In June, 1835, Mr. Lichtenburger discovered a rich vein of lead which soon became of considerable note in the county. On account of the gambling miners who flocked there, they were soon known as the “Black Leg Diggings,” a name which they continued to carry. This, with the East Fork leads are the only mines which have been successfully worked in the township. In the Summer of 1836, one range of the Black Leg Diggings yielded nearly two million tons of mineral. A small village soon sprang up at this place, to which was gwen the high-sounding name of” Veta Grand.” A tavern was opened by a Mr. Bonus; goods were sold by Mr. Hovey and Mr. Dixon, although Bennett & Shin started the first store. In 1845, a school house was built and afterwards a Methodist Church. With the decline of the mines the village became depopulated, though the Scales Mound minister has continued to hold services in the church. Hon. H. S. Magoon now operates the East Fork mines, which yield about 5,000 pounds of mineral per month.

But to return to an account of the pioneer farmers. They soon found need for a school house, and in 1831 the first one was built near the state line, and was opened to the children by George Cubbage, as teacher. In the same year divine services were held at the house of Elijah Charles, by Rev. Thomas, of New Diggins, Wisconsin, who thereafter preached occasionally in the new school house.

Before the adoption of the township system, the precinct elections were held at the house of F. C. Maupin. When the township system came into operation, the voting place was changed to the village.

In the Fall of 1852, the people of Jo Daviess voted to adopt the township system. At a subsequent session of the county court, Messrs. Charles Bennett, G. N. Townsend and David T. Barr, were appointed Commissioners, for the purpose of dividing the county into townships and defining their several boundary lines. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, in 1855, some alterations were made in certain boundary lines, and a new township created, called Scales Mound, in honor of Samuel H. Scales, who was an enterprising and influential citizen, and who died in the Fall of 1877. The boundaries of this township were defined as follows:

Commencing on the state line at the northeast corner of section 13, town 29, range 2 east, thence west along the state line four miles to the northwest corner of section 16 thence due south on the section line, to the southwest corner of section 33 ; thence east, along the township line four miles, to the southeast corner of section 36; thence due north to the state line, or place of beginning, to be called Scales Mound.

The first supervisor elected in this township was F. C. Maupin, Esq.

SCALES MOUND VILLAGE.—In 1848, a man named Dunning entered the land on which the village stands. It was laid out in September, 1853, by Josiah Conlee and B. B. Provost. When the railroad passed through, in 1854, Sherman Eddy established a store for the supply of railroad employes, miners and farmers. This was followed by a few houses, among them a blacksmith shop, by Thomas Davy. In 1854 and 1855, the Methodist Church was built, and in the next year the school house was erected. In 1859, George Allan started a general store, which was continued until his death, in 1864, and has since been continued by his brother, James Allan, who also does a produce shipping business. In 1873. Joseph Tangye established a general store, and in 1875 another one was opened by Thomas McNulty. These constitute the principal stores of the village.

The first hotel was built in 1856, at a cost of $6,ooo, by Dunston, Pryor & Roberts, and was managed by Henry Roberts. There are now three hotels. In 1857, Joseph Conlee erected, just northwest of the village, a tall, round, stone windmill, but it proved a poor speculation and has been vacant for many years.

July 14, 1877, a meeting was held to consider the propriety of incorporating the village under the general law of the state, at which 38 votes were cast for, and 4 against, the proposed incorporation. The village was consequently incorporated.

The following officers were elected at a meeting held soon after:

Trustees—George Hawk, President; James Allan. James A. Adams, James Carey, Moses Bushby and H. M. Fowler.

The first Clerk was Edgar Wilkins; Treasurer, A. J. Hawkins.

These officers are still in power, except Mr. Hawkins, who recently removed. The vacancy thus created was filled by the election of Mr. Wilkins.

The present Postmaster is H. M. Fowler, the first one having been F. C. Maupin.

The township organization is as follows :—Supervisor, Thomas Knucky; Assessor, Robert Robson; Collector, Thomas Allinson, Commissioners of Highways, James Carr, Benj. Lyon and Wm. Gummo; Notary Public and Justice of the Peace, John Moore.

Schools, churches, Etc.—The first school was taught by Joshua Hawkins in 1855. The house in which it was held was of that primitive kind which is aptly described by the term “shanty.” The present two-story brick building was built in 1855—’6. It embraces two departments which are taught by J. W. Wilcox and Robert Lindsey.

The Methodist Church was built in 1854—5. It is of stone, seats about 200 persons, and cost $1,800. Rev. John L. Williams officiated at its dedication, though the first regular pastor was Rev. Summersides. The following is a list of pastors, in their order: Rev. James Lawson, Rev. Avermill, Rev. Kellogg, Rev. Devinan, Rev. Cooley, Rev. McCutchin, Rev. Joseph Crummer, Rev. J. T. Cooper. Rev. T. H. Helliwell, Rev. Isaac Springer, Rev. Henry Springer, Rev. Benj. Close, and Rev. F. F. Farmiloe, the present minister. H. Martin was first Superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which was organized in 1855. The present Superintendent is Joseph Tangye. It has a membership of 65, while the church membership numbers 125. There is a good parsonage, costing $6oo, in connection with the church. The German Presbyterian Church was purchased in 186o, from a society of Americans, who were unable to longer support and maintain a pastor. Its value at that time was about $1,000. The first elders of the new organization were Geo. Rittweger and John Reteldorf. Its ministers have been, Rev. Koib, Rev. John Schwartz, Rev. Jacob Liesveld, Rev. J. Funk, concluding with the present pastor, Rev. F. Schwabe. Their Sabbath-school was organized in 1871, by John Boell, who still re­mains its Superintendent.

The Catholic Church organization was effected in 1853, and continued to be held in private houses until 1868, when a brick storeroom, built by Mr. Covey, was purchased and used until 1874. At that time the present brick church was erected on the old site. Father Bailey, of Galena, has officiated for them during the past fifteen years.

The organizations of Scales Mound are concluded with their Lyceum, which was established in 1856, by George Allan, John Conlee, J. M. Conlee and Silas Corey. Though it was for a time suspended, its long existence entitles it to a place in history. Its present officers are: Prest., John Allan; Vice Prest., Henry Roberts, Secretary, J. W. Wilcox.

Source: History of Jo Daviess / H.F. Keet & Co 1878

Scales Mound Township received its name from Samuel Scales, and among the first settlers of the township were Messrs. Napper, Conley, Maupin and Woods. The village of Scales Mound was incorporated June 9, 1877, being the fifth of the cities or villages in the county to become incorporated. Within the borders of the township are valuable mines. The first post office ever established within the bounds of the township was called Baltimore, and Fleming C. Maupin was the first postmaster. The inhabitants of the Township of Scales Mound are an intelligent, thrifty and prosperous people, and, on an average, are among the wealthiest citizens of the county. (Excerpt from the book "History of Jo Daviess County 1904 and transcribed by Dori Leekley)
(Excerpt from the book History of Jo Daviess County 1904 and transcribed by Dori Leekley)