(The following is a small excerpt of the history of  Tazewell County townships from the book
“Souvenir of Early and Notable Events in the History of the North West Territory, Illinois and Tazewell County.”)
Submitted by: Linda T - 2008

Washington  township, east of Fon du Lac, was named after the village and postoffice of that name. The first election was held in the district school-house in Washington. Wm. Holland was the first settler: he built his log cabin home on section 24, about 1820 or 1821. He was an expert gunsmith and blacksmith, and his services were sought by the pioneers both near and far. James McClure, Joseph Kelso, P.P. Scott, A.M. North, Wm. Weck and Wm. Burr, were among the first settlers. The first log school-house was built on section 22, in 1833, and a Mr. Edmondson was the first school-master. The first church was erected by the Methodist society in 1838. Wm. Holland was the first Justice of the Peace. The village of Washington was laid off by Wm. Holland, March 4, 1834. On March 2^nd, 1878, Washington became a city.