October 19, 1855, the first train was run into Morrison under charge of Mr. John Furlong, now a resident of the City. The next day his "residence" came in upon a flat car all ready to locate. For several weeks Mr. Furlong's family had been keeping house in the shanty upon a flat car, at Round Grove awaiting the forward move to Morrison. Mrs. Furlong related that the growth of population in the new town was noticed by the "new lights" that appeared each night in the new shanties springing up amid the brush. At this time one sled was sufficient to convey all the young people of Morrison to the "entertainments" then given at Unionville. During this year several residences and small stores were erected, among the first being the residence of H.S. Vroom, on the corner of Main and Base Streets, where F.C. Woodruff now resides. L.H. Robinson, Rev. L.L. Lansing, and others also erected dwelling houses, and Mr. Henry Ustick came to the town and opened a small general store.

The same year Mr. Ira Towne, a carpenter, removed from Fulton to Morrison; Mr. Thomas McClelland and S. Eshleman started a blacksmith shop and Mr. Wilcox of Como, also built a small shop and engaged in blacksmithing. Mr. A.S. Tryon burnt a kiln of brick in the south part of the town. The brick from his yard was used in the walls of the Baptist church which was erected in 1856-57. This was the first church edifice in the place. In 1855-56 the inhabitants worshipped at Unionville, where they were three or four churches, and in Johnson's Hall, a room fitted up over a store erected by Mr. Lyman Johnson in 1855. During this year a Dr. Norris, the first man who located in Morrison to practice medicine, built a shanty on the site of the present Universalist church, which he used as an office and residence. Among the physicians who came to Morrison at an early day were Dr. H.P. Roberts, now living in Iowa; Dr. William S. Coe, since deceased; Dr. A.Nowlen, from Unionville; Dr. W.W. Winter from Milledgeville, Carroll county, in the winter of 1957-58 who moved to Chicago in 1862, where he has a lucrative practice; Dr. S. Taylor, formerly of Erie, in this county; and Dr. H.C. Donaldson from Como, where he had been in successful practice since 1847. Drs. Nowlen, Donaldson and Taylor are still in practice in Morrison.

The first funeral in the town was that of Mrs. B.O. Russell, her grave being the first in Grove Hill cemetery.

On November 30, 1855, the first child was born - Miss Minnie Vroom, a young lady still a resident of the town. Charles Morrison Johnson, son of Lyman Johnson was the first boy born in Morrison, he is now a law student.

The railroad depot in 1855 was only a board shanty, yet a large business in shipping to and from this point was done by the company. H.H. Cortright, now General Freight Agent of the Hannibal & St. Jo. Railroad, was the first station agent.

In 1855 John E. Bennett came to the town and engaged in the mercantile business and in 1856 when the postoffice was removed from Unionville to Morrison, was made Postmaster. The feeling between the two towns was intensely bitter, and the citizens of Unionville refused to visit Morrison for their mail, but had letter boxes fitted up in a store in the former town, and one of their citizens was deputized to bring the Unionville mail from Morrison to be redistributed. The Morrison Postoffice has denounced as a location unfit for ladies to enter, a place where every bean barrel concealed a whisky jug.

In 1857 the permanency and future of Morrison was assured. Merchants, mechanics and professional men had begun to pour into the town, realizing its great advantages. The rich farming lands on all sides were soon improved by an enterprising class of farmers, and trade increased rapidly in the new town. This year the following firms were engaged in business; John M. Cobleigh, merchant tailor and clothier; R.M. and J.H. Johnson, dry goods; Neely & Johnson, dry goods and groceries; Spears & Bro., dry goods and groceries; O.B. Crosby, groceries and provisions; I. Burton, groceries and provisions; S.W. and F.H. Robinson, hardware dealers; W.L. Coe and A. Nowlen, drugs, medicines, paints, oils and glass; S.H. McCrea and Co., dealers in grain and lumber; J.V. Giles & Co., grain and lumber dealers; John H. Brown, produce dealer; Chas and B.O. Russell, in the hotel business; Vroom & Brokaw, livery stable; Wm. Trauger, groceries; Alphonso Bent, and Laune & Thompson, painters; H.A. & C.J. Johnson, attorney at law; R. Thompson, auctioneer; L.H. Robinson, Lyman Johnson, Olmstead & Gridley and Knox & McCrea, engaged in selling town lots; Wm. Finch, groceries and boots and shoes; Thos. McClelland and Sol. Eshleman, blacksmiths; F.W. Chapman, jeweler. J ohn M. Cobleigh is the only one mentioned who is still engaged in the same business in Morrison.

A large business was transacted by the merchants and considerable quantities of grain and other produce were shipped. From July 1, 1856 to July 1, 1857, 175,000 bushels of wheat were shipped from Morrison, the price ranging from 75 cents to $1.00 per bushel. In 1857 the brick stores now occupied by Spears & Son, Spears & Shafer, J.S. Green and Robt. Wallace were erected by Bartholf and John Weaver. This was the first brick block erected in Morrison. The same year the railroad company erected a depot building, and a number of residence sprang up in different parts of the town. Good business lots sold at from $150 to $350, and residences location at from $75 to $100. The strip of table land now occupied by numerous fine residences was laid off and placed in market about this time by Mr. Peter Knox.

On November 3, 1857, the citizens of the county voted upon the question of the removal of the county seat from Sterling to Morrison, the result of the ballot being in favor of the latter town, and the records were removed to Morrison May 3, 1858. The county offices wee for several years on the second floor of the brick building on Main street now owned by J.S. Green and S.W. Robinson. Court was held on the floor above, in what was afterwards known as Concert Hall. The removal of the county seat to Morrison gave the town a great impetus, and the population increased with wonderful rapidity.

An excellent class of stores was established, and trade was received from many miles in all directions. Several churches were soon afterwards organized, and a lively interest manifested in schools in the young village.

The first agricultural fair in the county was held at Morrison in the fall of 1856, and was quite successful. This exhibition attracted considerable attention to the new town. The Whiteside County Agricultural Society was formed at Unionville, February 26, 1856. The annual exhibitions of the Society were given in Morrison until 1863, when the fair was held at Sterling, in which city it has been annually held since. The Whiteside County Central Agricultural Society was organized at Morrison in 1872, and the first exhibition given on the fine grounds in the south part of the city October 1st, 2, 3 and 4th 1872. The Society has been very successful since its organization.

Morrison was incorporated in the spring of 1857. The records pertaining to the incorporation are copied in full as follows: "Notice: the residents of lawful age of the town of Morrison Illinois, will meet at Johnson's Hall on Saturday April 18 at 4 o'clock to consider whether the said town shall be incorporated under the statues in such cases made and provided. A full attendance is requested." Signed by Wm. L. Coe, April 8, 1857, with a certificate appended that five copies of the "notice" had been posted in five conspicuous places.

A meeting was held in pursuance of the call, and Lester H. Robinson was chosen President, and Wm. L. Coe, Clerk. The two gentlemen were sworn by C.J... Johnson, a Notary Public. The meeting proceeded to ballot upon the question of "Incorporation," and upon canvassing the votes, it appeared that "for Incorporation" received 17 votes and "Against' received two votes. One vote cast was blank. An election was held April 25, 1857 to elect five Trustees and one Police Magistrate. The whole number of votes cast was 44. Samuel H. Vroom, S.H. McCrea, Lyman Johnson, James G. Gridley and Wm. L. Coe were elected Trustees and Hiram Olmstead, Police Magistrate. Alphonso Bent was President, and Wm.. L. Coe, Clerk of the election. The annexed is first poll list of the town at that election; John H. Brown, Chas. Foster, John W. Weaver, N. Davidson, S. Eshleman, L.D. Laune, J.E. Bennett, Samuel Finch, Albert Plum, James Chapman, Rockwell Thompson, S.H. McCrea, Thomas McClelland, S.W. Robinson, S.I. Davidson, W.L. Coe, A. Bent, R.M. Thompson, Hiram Olmstead, W.F. Johnson, C.E. Williams, John Davidson, H.S. Vroom, I.B. Neely, Silas Wilcox, Wm. Rusler, D.Quackenbush, G.L. Vroom, L.L. Lansing, H.J. Olmstead, C.J. Johnson, E. L. Johnson, Chas. Potter, H.V. Brokow, Abe. Anthony, John King, Henry Spitler, John Furlong, Jacob Coon, J.G. Gridley, Henry Levitt, Wm. Paxton, John H. Lane, L.H. Robinson.

At the first meeting of the Board of Trustees Bela C. Bailey was appointed Street Commissioner and Police Constable. Ordinance No. 1, fixing the boundaries of the town, was adopted June 3, 1857. The description is: "Commencing at the northeast corner of lot 1, block 5; thence west along the street next north of said block 5 to the west line of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 18; thence south along said quarter section line to the southwest corner of lot 15, block 20; thence along the south line of said block 20, east to the southeast corner of lot 1, block 20; thence south along the west thence east along the south line of said South street to its intersection with the east line of Clinton street; thence north along the east line of Clinton street to line of Grove street 225 feet to the southeast corner of lot 4, block 24; thence north along the east line of lots 4,3,2 and 1, to the northeast corner of lot 1, two acre lot; thence north along the east line of said lot, and the east line of Knox's addition, to the northeast corner of lot 1, block 8, in said addition; thence west along the north line of said Knox's addition to the northwest corner of said addition; thence south to the place of beginning." In addition to this ordinance,s even others were adopted during 1857; No. 2, prohibiting swine from running at large in the town under a penalty of $1.00 for each offense. No. 3, providing that each inhabitant over 21 and under 50 years of age shall pay a poll tax of four days labor upon the streets within a mile of the center of the town (this ordinance was repealed by No. 5 which fixed the labor at three days upon the streets, or, in lieu thereof, $3.); No. 4 ordering a tax levy of fifty cents upon each $100 of taxable property; No. 6, providing for a fine of $5 upon any person who should sell spiritous liquors in less quantities than one gallon without a license - the license fee being fixed at $30 per annum; No. 7 fixing licenses for shows and exhibitions at not less than $2, nor more than $25; no. 9 to suppress billiard tables and similar games - providing for a fine of $5 for each day the games, which were denominated as "nuisances," should be maintained.

The following is a list of the Trustees and Clerks of Morrison from its incorporation to its organization as a city in 1869. 1857 - Wm. L. Cox, H.S. Vroom, S.H. McCrea, Lyman Johnson, J.G. Gridley; Clerk, Hiram Olmstead. 1858 - Wm. L. Coe S.H. McCrea, Lyman Johnson, H.S. Vroom, J.G. Gridley; John E. Bennett was elected Clerk, but resigned, and H.P. Roberts was appointed. 1859 - Joseph M. Gilman, H.P. Roberts, John Devine, John E. Duffin, Thomas McClenland; Clerk, James A. Fisher 1860 - S.H.McCrea, R.D. Stiles, L.H. Robinson, O.B. Crosby, J.E. Duffin; Clerk, John Devine 1861 - C.M. Gerould, S.W. Robinson, Ira Robinson, A. McFadden, D. Quackenbush; Clerk, A. McFadden. 1862 - C.M. Gerould, James Cobleigh, W.F. Johnson, Lyman Johnson, Ezra Finch; Clerk, James Cobleight. 1863 - J.P. Martin, A. Farmington, D. Quackenbush, Sewel Smith, J.R. Bailey; Clerk, Sewel Smith. 1864 - Samuel Taylor, D.S. Spafford, Wm. L. Coe, D.L. Columbis, W.F. Johnson; Clerk, D.S. Spafford. 1865 - C.J. Johnson, Wm. Spears, F.W. Chapman, W.E. Duffin, F.W. Chapman, A.B. Lukens John Furlong; Clerk, F.W. Chapman 1866 - James Cobleigh, J. E. Duffin, F.W. Chapman, A.B. Lukens, John Furlong; Clerk, F.W. Chapman 1867 - J.R. Ashley, E.L. Worthington, R.V. Stocking, J.S. Green, Marx Kahn; Clerk, E.L. Worthington 1868 - R.V. Stocking, J.S. Green, A. J. Jackson, S.Taylor, C.W. Sholes; Clerk, A.J. Jackson.

The Legislature of the State, in session in 1867, passed a bill incorporating the "City of Morrison." In the description of the location, range four was by some means substituted for range five, thus locating the "City of Morrison" in Union Grove instead of Mount Pleasant township. An election was how­ever held under the "Charter," and two tickets put in the field, the issue being "Charter" and "Anti-Charter." The "Anti-Charter" ticket was elected by a large majority, and the anomaly of a Board of City Officers was presented working under a charter in opposition to which they had been elected but the difficulty was finally settled as to "whether Morrison had, or had not, a City Government," by bringing the case before the Circuit Court under a writ of quo warranto against the acting officers of the "City. The Court decided that there was no city government, inasmuch as no vote of the people upon the question of the adoption of the charter had been taken.

In 1869 the Legislature passed an act to incorporate the "City of Morrison." The act was approved February 23,1869, and an election to decide upon the adoption or election of the charter was held March 29, 1869; 217 votes were cast, of which number 168 were for adoption, and 49 against. The first charter election was held on the first Monday of April. The licensing of saloons was a prominent issue, and an anti-license Board was elected. The officers chosen were George A. Whitcomb, Mayor, and W. J. Savage, Jas. Cobleigh, W. L. Coe, S. W. Robinson, J. S. Green, and J. A. McKay, Aldermen. J. S. Green was chosen Treasurer, L. G. Johnson, City Attorney, and W. E. Savage, Clerk. In 1870, N. M. Jackson was elected Mayor by 23 majority. Three Aldermen, Jas. Cobleigh, Charles Bent, and J. N. Baird, were elected. The issue was upon the question of licensing saloons, the anti-license party upon the general issue being successful. George H. Fay was elected Police Magistrate, J. S. Green Treasurer; L. G. Johnson was elected City Attorney, but resigned soon after, and F. D. Ramsay was appointed. W. E. Savage was appointed Clerk, but resigned- the office, which was filled by J. H. Calderwood. In 1871, Charles Spears was elected Mayor by 50 majority, license again being the issue, the result being in favor of the license party. A. Nowlen, Wm. Lane, and R. V. Stocking, were elected Aldermen. Warren Wilder was chosen Clerk, by the Board, and J. S. Green, Treasurer. The saloon license fee was fixed for the municipal year at $300.00. The indebtedness of the city was reported at $6,296.37. In 1872, George H. Fay, J. W.,Riner, and E. W. Payne, were elected Aldermen, and Charles Spears was re-elected Mayor. A. Farrington was appointed Clerk. License to saloons was voted by one majority. The proposition to vote a two per cent, tax was adopted by a majority of five.

November 12, 1872, the citizens voted upon the question of re-organization of the city under the general laws of the State; also for or against minority representation in the City Council. "For re-organization" received 172 votes, and "against re-organization," 45 votes. "For minority representation in the Council" received 30 votes, "against," 156 votes.

The first election for city officers under re-organization was held April 15. 1873. E. B. Warner was elected Mayor; J.M. Burtch, Clerk; John S. Green. Treasurer; Geo. H. Fay, City Attorney; W. F. Johnson, J. W. Riner, Warren Wilder, Wm. Lane, D. S. Spafford, and E. W. Payne, Aldermen. For licensing of saloons received 73 votes, and against license received 134 votes. April 22 1873, the city debt was $4,194,47. In 1874, A. Nowlen, M. Mead, and R. V. Stocking, were chosen Aldermen. 186 votes were cast for license, and 85 against. Saloon licenses were fixed at $400. In 1875, A. J. Jackson was elected Mayor; W. H. Boals, Clerk; Geo. H. Fay, Attorney; and John S. Green, Treasurer; Ed. A. Worrell, M. V. B. Smith, and Chas. Bent, Aldermen. For license received 136 votes; against license, 72. The saloon license fee was fixed at $600. In 1876, Oliver Baker, Geo. W. MacKenzie, and H. K. Sampson were elected Aldermen, the majority for license being 131. In 1877, Geo. A. Whiteomb was elected Mayor; J. S. Green, Treasurer; J. M. Burtch, Clerk; F. D. Ramsay, Attorney; W. S. Wilkinson, J. B. Mason, Leander Smith and John Clark, Aldermen. The vote upon the license question stood 206 votes for, and 205 against. The license fee was continued at $600 per year.

The only contests the citizens of Morrison have had at the polls have been upon the question as to the liquor traffic, and methods of regulation; the question of the levy of a two per cent, tax; the adoption or rejection of the city charter; and the question of re-organization under the general laws of the State in 1872. April 22, 1873, the debt of the city was $4,194,47. The first loan was made by the City Council under Ordinance No. 22, passed April 28,1873. It was for $7,000, payable in seven annual installments of $1,000 each. Payments have been regularly made according to the provisions. On September 30th of the same year, a further loan of $3,600 was made, payable in three annual installments. December 22, 1874, a loan of $500 was made, and a temporary loan of $1,500 on treasury orders. These loans were promptly paid at maturity. Of the annual appropriation bill of 1875 the sum of $4.260 was included therein to pay matured indebtedness, and the Council deemed it best to fund a portion of the amount, and negotiated a re-loan of $3,500, payable in seven annual installments, beginning July 1, 1877. Provision has thus far been made to meet payments. At the beginning of the municipal year in 1877, the funded indebtedness of the city was $9,600, drawing interest at ten per cent, per annum.

The indebtedness of the city as it matures can, and doubtless will, be promptly met, and with ordinary fortune and careful management the city can soon be out of debt. Since 1873 great improvements have been made, requiring a large outlay of money; all this had to be provided for, as well as the large debt that accumulated in the early history of the town and city. Among the improvements mentioned, has been the erection in 1877, at a cost of over $2,000, of a city building 24x40 feet in size, and two stories in height. On the first floor, and to the rear, is the city jail, divided into three iron-lined cells; the balance of the room on this floor is fitted up for use of the hose cart and other property of the fire department. The second floor is divided into two apartments—a large one for the use of the City Council, and a small one to be used as headquarters for the fire company.

The water problem is one that is important in most cities, and is a question of vital importance for many reasons. Not only for every-day domestic use, but for manufacturing purposes and the extinguishment of fire. The water question has, from the origin of the town, been of peculiar interest to Morrison, as the supply had to come from wells sunk to great depths, and cisterns. It was the importance of the question that caused a public meeting to be held March 7, 1868, when the citizens authorized the Board of Trustees to bore an artesian well, and for that purpose asked that $3,000 in bonds be issued, the contract not to be let until the bonds were taken. The contract was finally let to Mr. Joseph Shirk, who, under many difficulties, bored to the depth of 1,200 feet. The water arose within about 20 feet of the mouth of the well, where it still stands, and furnishes water in ample quantity to supply the town. Mr. Shirk's bill for boring the well was $3 per foot for the first 600 feet, $4 per foot for the next 400 feet, and $7 per foot for the last 200 feet. Pipes were laid from the well, and a tank capable of holding 150,000 gallons was erected where a supply of water was to be kept in case of fire. One of the largest sized wind-mills was provided for pumping purposes, but was not entirely successful. In November, 1874, the tank burst when containing about 75,000 gallons of water. The flood of water caused considerable damage to surrounding property, and the wind-mill was wrecked. After this a new plan was adopted, a powerful steam engine procured, and two pumps, one a Blake and the other a Dean, are used for pumping. The entire arrangement is upon the Holly plan. The tank is still used for a water reserve in case of fire. The capacity of the pumps is about 1,200 gallons a minute. Water mains with fire plugs are distributed through the principal business parts of the town, furnishing an unlimited supply of water for daily use and the extinguishment of fire. Morrison has a well drilled and equipped fire company provided with about 1,500 feet of hose, hose cart, and other necessary fixtures. Mr. H. S. Ferguson is foreman. The company was organized in 1876, since which time it has several times responded to the alarm of fire with good effect; at the time of the burning of the lock-up, in 1876, when a prisoner named Thomas Gaffey was burned to death, the company, by their promptness and the help of the excellent waterworks, saved much valuable property. The present system of water works have cost the city about $10,000.

The Morrison carriage works were established in 1871, by A. J. Webster, in what is known as the Library Hall Building, on the corner of Main and Bane streets, in a small way at the outset. Mr. Webster continued the business about a year and a half, when the Works were purchased by Wilder, Ely & Co., who introduced various improvements,, and considerably increased their capacity. This firm carried on the business for a year, when Mr. H. S. W. Ely purchased the entire interest, and managed the Works alone for about a year, adding continually to their efficiency. In August, 1875, Mr. Geo. A. Whitcomb bought a half interest, and the firm name became Ely & Whitcomb. Both of these gentlemen are able, active, thorough-going business men, and under their management the Morrison Carriage Works have attained a position second to none of the kind in the Western States. Their aim from the start has been to give every purchaser a vehicle that would please him as long as he used it, and judging from the rapid increase of their sales, this aim has been scrupulously adhered to. The size of the main factory, which faces on Main street, is 40 x 80 feet. This includes the whole of the lower floor of Library Hall Building, with the exception of the entrance to the Hall. Besides this, there is an additional building on the east of, and adjoining the Hall building, 26 by 80 feet in size, and two stories high, the lower floor of which is at present used for storing manufactured work, and the upper story for storing materials. In the rear is the main factory is the blacksmith shop, 24 by 60 feet. A part of the wood work for the carriages is also done in a building on Main street, a little west of the principal factory. So rapidly, however, has the business increased, that it was found necessary to erect another building into which the painting, varnishing and trimming departments could be located. This building has been put the present season, and is situated on Grove street, to the north of and almost opposite the main factory on Main street. It is two stories high, 40 by 80 in size, and is heated by a furnace. It is also provided with an elevator,so that carriages can be hoisted complete from the lower to the upper story, and then save the trouble of taking them apart and carrying them up a flight of stairs up by hand. The firm now occupy 16,000 feet. The establishment is divided into four departments, termed the wood work, the ironing, the painting, and the trimming; and in each of these the firm employ the most skillful and experienced hands. The work turned out consists of carriages, phaetons, jump Seats, open top buggies, three spring democrats, platform wagons, and the celebrated side spring with equalizing rods. All the work done at the factory is taken from the rough, and followed up in the different departments until the splendid vehicle stands ready on the platform for use. The wood used for the main or substantial parts of the carriage, is of second growth hickory, brought from the State of Ohio, and the iron selected from the very best that can be obtained. Neither common wood nor common iron is used in the construction of any part of the work turned out at this factory. It has been the purpose of the firm to avoid cheap work, their object being to use the best materials, employ the best artisans, and adopt every improvement worth consideration, and by maintaining this standard their business has increased, while that of most of the carriage manufacturers throughout the country has been dull. The firm buy all the material necessary to be used, outside of their own manufacture, directly from the manufacturers, and in large quantities, thus saving the profits of the middle men. The extent of territory in which their carriages are now sold reaches from Chicago to California, and from St. Paul to St. Louis. It is noticeable, also, that at every Pair where their carriages have been exhibited, they have taken the first premiums. Their sales for the year 1877 have increased over eighty per cent, above those of any former year.

The Morrison Agricultural Works were established in June, 1873, by a stock company, with a capital of $20,000. The stock was all taken in that month, and the Company organized by the election of the following officers: President, R. V. Stocking; Secretary, S. W. Robinson; Treasurer, A. J. Jackson; Directors, S. W. Robinson, D. S. Spafford, J. S. Green, R. K. Hiddleson, M. V. B. Smith, Wm. Forsting, and R. V. Stocking. The Works were placed in R. V. Stocking's foundry and machine shops on the corner of Market and Madison streets, which were afterwards enlarged. The buildings of the Company now consist of the main building of brick, two stories high, 32 by 60 feet in size, in which the wood work is done; a foundry on the south side of the main building, 20 by 52 feet in size; a blacksmith shop on the west side, 24 by 60 feet in size, and a paint shop opposite the main Works, on the southwest corner of Market and Madison streets, 24 by 36 feet in size. The Company manufacture the Morrison wagon, Morrison (field) stalk cutter, and the Morrison bob sled, a large number of each being manufactured annually, and of excellent make and finish. The present officers are: President, M. V. B. Smith; Secretary and Treasurer, W. S. Wilkinson; Superintendent, R. V. Stocking; Directors, S. W. Robinson, D. S. Spafford, W. S. Wilkinson, M.V.B. Smith, R.V.. Stocking, and Wm. Forsting.

In addition to the manufactures mentioned, there are those of R. P. Goodenough, and P. F. Hellerstedt, at both of which carriages, buggies, and platform wagons are manufactured. These gentlemen are skillful mechanics, and turn out superior work, for which they have a large sale. Morrison is a commercial town. On all sides there is a magnificent farming country tributary, and the town is supplied with an excellent class of business houses which provided for the wants of the farmers. In 1877 there is in the town, five dry goods stores, six grocery stores, six hardware and implement houses, three clothing establishments, five tailoring establishments, eight dealers in and manufactures of boots and shoes, two grain dealers provided with elevators, five blacksmith shops, three wagon shops, five harness shops, one cooper shop, several dealers in flour and feed, three livery stables, six hotels, four restaurants, four saloons and billiard halls, three meat markets, two butter dealers, two cigar manufacturers, four drug stores, three book stores, one printing office, two photographers, six real estate and insurance agents, one abstract firm, one bank, two furniture dealers, one upholsterer, two jewelers, five millinery establishments, six dress making establishments, one exclusive hat and cap store, two dealers in musical instruments, three sewing machine dealers, eight physicians, five lawyers, two dentists, four barber shops, four paint shops, two lumber yards. There are also three stock dealers who disburse an immense amount of money annually for cattle and hogs, which are the leading products of the farmers in the neighborhood of Morrison. The city has an excellent graded school, seven churches and a fine public hall.

WILLIAM PASCHAL FAMILY - FIRST SETTLERS IN MT. PLEASANT Morrison Built on Claim Owned by John W. Stakes & William Knox
Daily Gazette, Bi-Centennial Edition 1976

The land upon which the City of Morrison is built today was mainly a prairie area of scrub oaks, hazel brush and immense stands of timber at the hill at the north part of town and eastwards when the William H. Paschalfamily settled in Whiteside County near what is Morrison today. It was in the autumn of the year 1835 the family of William H. Paschal arrived and they were the first white settlers in the town of Mt. Pleasant. Paschal was accompanied by his brother, John D. Paschal, along with James J. Thomas and Felix French. Mrs. Thomas was a sister to the Paschal brothers and Mrs. French was a sister to Mrs. Thomas. These gentlemen selected claims in and near the timber just easy of the present city of Morrison.

In November 1835 William H. Paschal completed a log cabin which was occupied during the winter by his family and those of the other three early settlers. Nineteen people wintered in this cabin with no chimney and cooking was done outside. Hardships endured were extremely severe. Food was very scarce. During the winter, many cattle starved to death and J.J. (James) Thomas, who had driven 22 head from southern Illinois, had only four left when winter passed. The next spring, prairie land was broken and planted with corn, the crop being known as "sod corn." This was doubtless the first farming in Mt. Pleasant. During this period Winnebago Indians were prevalent in the area. They were peaceful but natural thieves. Wolves also caused the settlers trouble as they were very bold and also destructive to pigs and poultry. One time, a pack attacked Paschal's dog which was tied near the cabin but were driven away before making a meal of the dog.

In 1836 George O. James settled in the north part of the township along with other settlers, among them Jonathan Haines; who settled near what was later known as Jacobstown. He erected a small saw mill on the east side of Rock Creek which flows in a general southerly direction throughout the western part of Mt. Pleasant. After sawing one log, a freshet carried off the mill. He then built a grist and saw mill which was used for a number of years. This mill was torn down before 1900 and all that remains of Jacobstown is the old stone house which once served as a store for the town. This house is the one we see on the road to Rockwood Park. About the year 1837, Haines laid out a town called "Illinois City" just west of Jacobstown. Ten acres were included in the city and lots were offered without money to all who would improve them. There was no apparent interest in this site as the lots weren't improved. However, on the older maps, the "city" is marked in larger letters than the state capital and emigrants traveling west before 1840 often heard of "Illinois City."

One of the first concerns of the settler was educating their children so in 1838 Oliver Hall was hired by a handful of pioneers to conduct a school in a little log structure in Mt. Paschal's timber. The windows of this primitive "temple of learning" were made by stretching greased paper over openings in the logs. For his services, Mr. Hall was paid $10 a month and "boarded 'round." In January 1843, the "land came into market and it was necessary to pay for the claims, the government price being $1.25 per acre, payment to be made in gold or silver. The settlers had come to the area poor in purse and had difficulty securing the money necessary to buy the land. Prior to the purchase of the land, settlers were often annoyed by "claim jumping," that is, locating on land previously claimed. To protect themselves, farmers formed themselves into a society to prevent claim jumping. The man who had the temerity to jump a settler's claim was frequently assisted to "jump off" in a manner more vigorous than pleasant. The whip, rope and gun were readily brought into use when necessary.

In the year of 1851, the line of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad had been surveyed through the then flourishing village of Unionville. The citizens of that town, not familiar with railroads or their management were assured in their own minds that the railroad must pass through that village and nowhere else. They therefore demanded extravagant prices for their lands. The line of the railroad was consequently changed and Unionville left to one side. The railroad passed through Morrison which assured the future of this town. When the line of the railroad was diverted around Unionville, feelings of the residents of that town were intensely bitter toward Morrison, and when the post office was moved to Morrison in 1858, the citizens of Unionville refused to come to Morrison for their mail, but had letter boxes fitted up in a store in their town and one of their citizens deputized to bring the Unionville mail from Morrison to be redistributed. The Morrison post office was denounced as a location unfit for ladies to enter, a place where every bean barrel concealed a whiskey jug.

Two individuals who played key roles in the establishment of Morrison were Lyman Johnson, a native of Vermont and builder of the railroad between Round Grove and Fulton, and H.S. Vroom, also a railroad employee. The proprietors and incorporators of the new town purchased the land of the site from John W. Stakes and William Knox, who originally laid claim to it. The land consisted of 114 acres and was bounded by what now are Knox, Grape, South and Clinton Streets.

The name "Morrison" was chosen by Lyman Johnson for Charles Morrison, a wealthy New York merchant and friend of one of the other Morrison founders. Mr. Morrison intended to invest in the new city and further its interests but business reverses left him a poor man. The first house was built by Mr. Johnson in 1854 and was later enlarged and used for a hotel, known as the Morrison House (located at southwest corner Lincolnway and Base St., no longer there). It was a great day on Oct. 18, 1855 when the first train entered Morrison in charge of John Furlong, who continued to reside in the city.

The rate of growth of Morrison after that date was illustrated by Mrs. Furlong who recalled how "new lights" appeared each night in the shanties springing up amid the brush. During this year several fine residences and small stores were erected including the home of Mr. Vroom at Main and Base streets. Henry Ustick established the first business in Morrison, opening a small general store. The original proprietors of Morrison had acquired a location for a railway station at the site of Wilkens parking lot. This was only a board shanty in 1855 although a large amount of business was done by the company. The railroad company erected a depot building in 1857 at this location which was afterwards used as a freight office. While the depot was built in 1885, the second track was added in 1887. By 1857, the permanency and future of Morrison was assured. Merchants, mechanics and professional men had begun to pour into the town and the rich farming land in the surrounding area was being rapidly developed. Morrison was incorporated in the spring of that year.

The first city ordinance set the boundaries of the town, the second prohibited swine from running at large, the third provided that each inhabitant over 21 and under 50 shall pay a poll tax of four days labor on the streets. There was a type of liquor control too. Ordinance No. 6 stipulated that a fine of $5 would be assessed against anyone who sold "spiritous liquors" in less quantities than one gallon without a license. The license fee was fixed at $30 a year at this time but was increased rapidly over the next years until by 1875 the permit to run a saloon cost $600. In 1858 edition of the Sentinel, the possibilities of a bright and prosperous future for Morrison were enumerated upon. A good many new improvements were going forward, and others were being considered. The merchants and traders of that day were doing a flourishing business. The streets were daily crowded with teams of farmers. The inhabitants, who numbered four or five hundred at that time, were a hard-working and thrifty group. The low price of property was another inducement to settle in Morrison, business lots were selling from $150 to $350 while residential locations could be had for $75 to $100.

In 1864 Morrison was described as a thriving little town, compared to its beginnings in 1855. It boasted about 1000 inhabitants, six dry good stores, three hardware stores, three drug stores, four grocery stores, and the best clothing house in the county. Also on the list of our town's assets were four churches completed and one in the process of being built, a dozen produce dealers and two carriage and wagon manufacturing shops. Industrial concerns began to pop up in Morrison beginning in 1871 when the Morrison Carriage works was established by A.j. Webster in the Old Opera house building at the corner of Main and Base Streets. (torn down about 1950). This firm was soon joined by a company called Morrison Agricultural works which manufactured the Morrison wagon, field stalk cutter and bob sled. Another carriage works also operated in Morrison. The list of commercial establishments of 1877 published in Bent's history gave an idea of the tremendous growth Morrison experience in only 22 years.

Five dry goods stores, six grocery stores, six hardware and implement stores, three clothing stores, five tailoring shops, eight dealers in and manufacturers of boots and shoes, two grain dealers, five blacksmiths, three wagon shops, five harness shops, one cooper shop, several dealers in flour and feed, three livery stables, six hotels, four restaurants, four saloons and billiard halls. Three meat markets, two butter dealers, two cigar manufacturers, four drug stores, three book stores, one printing office, two photographers, six real estate and insurance agents, one abstract firm, one bank, two furniture dealers, one upholsterer, two jewelers, six dress making firms, one exclusive hat and cap store, two musical instrument stores, three sewing machine shops, two lumber yards, four paint shops, four barber shops, eight physicians, five lawyers, two dentists.

Morrison could even boast a baseball team as early as 1867 when the first game was played against Sterling's club, Morrison, having just started their season, lost by a rather large margin to their opponents. After a few games had been played the Morrison team decided to call themselves the "Achilles Baseball Club." Among the natural attributes used to some extent in Whiteside County were it four mineral springs, one of which was located in Mt. Pleasant Township. In 1877, it was named Black hawk Spring and was used as a health resort. A Mr. Dailey built a hotel and bath-houses there. The railroad offered excursion rates and there was transportation to the spa. Cold or warm baths in the beneficial waters were available and room and / or board could be had by the day or week. The resort was popular in the days when a glass of bad-tasting water or a bath in the same odoriferous fluid was believed to be a cure for many of the ills which plagued mankind. This particular spring was located just south of French Creek at the end of what is now Genesee Ave., Hugh Nelson's property.

Morrison had water problems in those early days. The water supply up to the late 1860's had come from deep wells and cisterns. In 1868 an artesian well was drilled to a depth of 1200 feet, striking water in sufficient quantity to meet the needs of the town for use in case of fire. A large windmill to pump the water was erected but this didn't prove satisfactory. In November 1874, the tank burst and flooded the surrounding area; causing considerable damage and also requiring a remodeling of the system. The water tank was repaired and kept filled for emergencies. In 1881 the Water works were moved to the southwest part of the city near the creek. Springs were located there and a reservoir was built over them. In 1906 , four wells, each six inches diameter, were driven to a depth of about 75 feet. The springs gradually decreased and he reservoir was removed about 1950. Presently there are four wells, in production three in Waterworks Park and one in Kelly Park. Also located in Kelly Park is an elevated storage tank which holds 500,000 gallons. Average daily consumption of water is 1,200,000 gallons. The sewage disposal plant is under the control of the water works department. The primary treatment plan was build in 1939, remodeled in 1862 and now has a potential capacity of 8000 population.