The following interesting paper of the early days of Erie was read at the last meeting of Erie Woman's club and the club voted to have same published.

The name of the state of Illinois was derived from the word "Illini" and is of French origin. Our county was named after a Kentucky family by the name of Whiteside, well known as Indian fighters. Samuel Whiteside was appointed General of all the Illinois troops in the Blackhawk war of 1832.

Few of the present generation know that it was the desire of the early settlers that Whiteside county should be a part of the state of Wisconsin, and that at an election in 1841, the question was voted upon; that the north boundary of Illinois should be a direct line, west from the south bend of Lake Michigan. This would have brought nearly the whole of Whiteside County in Wisconsin. The desire to form a part of Wisconsin was intensified by the fact that Illinois was almost hopelessly in debt. Man's labor was 37 1/2 cents a day; woman's work was worth 50 cents to $1 per week, State paper was worth but 15cents on the dollar; wheat was 25 cents per bushel, and pork 75 cents to $1 per hundred and no market nearer than Chicago. However, the effort for annexation failed. The State debt was soon provided for; prosperity came to the rescue, and Whiteside County was listed as one of the banner counties of the state. History tells us that Col. Seeley sowed the first wheat in the county on October 15, 1836.

Our town was established in 1844 and was formerly a part of Albany and Lyndon townships. Albany township was platted and surveyed by Abraham Lincoln in 1836. A large proportion of early settlers of Erie were from Erie County, New York, and that is how Erie got its name. The first supervisor was Mrs. D.B. Henwood's father, Charles Coburn, and his daughter, Harriet, was the first white girl born in the township.

The first marriage was in 1838, also the first religious services, which were held at the home of Mr. Freek. The same year a hotel was opened by Samuel Carr in a big log cabin located near where the Breed block now stands. The first physician was Dr. Fetters and the first church was built in 1854; it was a U.b. church, situated where the Christian church now stands. In 1840 a postoffice was kept a Crandall's Ferry, and in 1849 it was moved to the village. In 1850 the first store was opened. It contained two wagon loads of goods and was owned by M.G. Wonser.

The village also supported a blacksmith shop, a doctor and a lawyer. Soon after this A.J. Osborne put up and conducted a saw mill, as the settlers were in need of lumber. Mr. Osborne and my people came here about the same time and occupied the same building. It was a one room affair, divided only by a cook stove and six chairs. One side of the stove was used by Mrs. Osborne and the other by my mother. Three chairs were turned one way and three the other. They endured many hardships and privations, but formed a chain of friendship which never was broken. This, I think was in 1852 or '53. My grandfather, Marshall Newton, came the same year and located on a claim issued him by the government for services rendered during the war of 1812. The soil in those days was largely tilled by oxen, but I can only remember one ox team, and it was owned by Ralph Sage. The oxen were driven from Texas, and were noted for their beautiful long horns. Very frequently Mr. Sage would hitch the oxen to the buckboard on Saturday afternoon and take the whole settlement to the river to fish and have a swim. I also remember a two wheeled cart, driven by Mr. Vogt. The wheels were made solid of boards, and the box, as I remember it was about five by six feet, and four feet high. We would often see them come to town with the six little Vogts standing up in the cart and looking over the top. Mr. Vogt was a very good neighbor, and taught my mother how to make sauer kraut.

A.M. Early is the first minister I remember. He held services in our schoolhouse, came on horseback, put his horse in our barn, and we always had chicken for dinner. Erie has had many distinguished men, who have helped to make the town, such as Arthur McLane, who established our first elevator; C.T. Pierce, who conducted our flour and feed mill, established in 1874; the two Freeks, John and Tommy , who looked after the religious welfare of the village; Dr. H.K. Wells, who was said to be the oldest and best read Modern Woodman in the order at one time; W.H. Allen, who history tells us, came here in 1856, and may be called the dean of the Whiteside county bar; and very many others. But the man who has helped the most to make Erie prosperous and up to date, helped to graduate our daughters and make good citizens of our sons, we still have with us, and can be found at the "Safe Place to Trade", ( R.L. Burchell, proprietor). Without him, his good wife and family, it is likely this society would never have been organized.

It was in 1903 that the Woman's Club came, without which the history of Erie would not be told. It was through the efforts of the late Mrs. R.L. Burchell that the organization was perfected. Many other incidents could be related regarding Erie, but they have already been told in previous papers on the history of Erie. The beautiful motto of the club is "Progress," the colors purple and gold. Mrs. Henwood exhibited an invitation to a "Donation Visit," as follows:

Mr. L.D. Newton. Yourself and lady are cordially invited to a donation visit for the benefit of Rev. A.M. Early, to be given at the M.E. Church in Erie, Ill., Wednesday evening Feb. 1, 1871. Free lunch at 8 p.m. Cash, grain or other product thankfully received. Committee of invitation, Thos. Freek, Dr. H.K. Wells, Dr. Brown, R.L. Burchell, A.M. Crary, Arthur McLane, George H. Peters, Ralph Sage, Henry Marcy, York Eddy, M. Thompson, L.D. Newton, W.S. Alden, Chas. Smith. Lady managers, Mrs. Sidney Smith, Mrs. R.L. Burchell, Mrs. Jas. Collins, Mrs. Joseph Weaver, Mrs. Alex Duncan, Mrs. Thomas Freek. Good music and singing expected.