The Township of Rush has probably had as much influence in shaping the destiny of the county as any other township outside the Township of West Galena. Immigration began to flow in quite rapidly in the year 1828, when a large number of energetic, thrifty people were attracted toward it-much more so than to many other townships in the county among them being George N., Ira L. and Halstead S. Townsend. The Townsends were fine specimens of physical manhood and could trace their lineage back to noble ancestry. They were of English descent, their ancestors having emigrated to America at an early day. Eber Townsend (grandfather of Geo., Ira, Halstead & the other children) of this family was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was wounded and captured by the Indians. Halstead S. Townsend rose to considerable prominence and represented the county in the State Legislature two terms1859 and 1871(as did his brother Elijah C. Townsend became a State Representive for Wisc. which was part of IL until later the lines were established). Later there came to the township such men as Asher Miller, Ira Rowker (should be BOWKER) , Seth Post and Elias Stanton, the descendants of many of whom still reside in the township. In early times there was a race-track within the township, where people from all parts of the country came annually to attend the races and, for several years, there were large annual gatherings. The population have always been intensely loyal, and during the War of the Rebellion the township sent 125 men of its best blood into the Union Army. In politics it has always been almost as strongly Republican as the township of Menominee has been Democratic. The first post office within the township was established at Millville in 1847, with Hiram Ames as postmaster.

(Excerpt from the book "History of Jo Daviess County 1904 and transcribed by Dori Leekley)

Researcher Patricia(Crissey)Young has brought to our attention a couple of errors in the above article.
Ira Rowker - should be Bowker -
(Note from Patricia Young) - I am a descendant through Cynthia Townsend who married first my GGG grandfather Abraham Cressy(Crissy/Crissey) d. 1844 who is buried in the Townsend Cem. right across from Cynthia; Elisha Harris.  Elisha Harris worked for Abraham and later married his widow Cynthia; lived on my GGG grandfathers farm with Cynthia; the 3 Crissy children, Abram, Byron, Susannah.  Byron Crissy being my GG grandfather who married Sarah E. Hamilton daughter of Thomas & Belinda/ Melinda Hamilton who are both buried at Thompson Cem in Thompson Twp.  Belinda died in 1853; Widow of Ira Bowker, Rebecca (Bothwick) Bowker married Thomas Hamilton. Rebecca being buried with her first husband in Stockton, IL.  I have collected my ancestors history; these others; thus I am adding this information. The Crissey name has been incorrectly spelled in many places; censuses. If any one is interested in receiving any  history on some of these people click on the name above..