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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

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Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, 
Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871
(pages 7 and 54)

Transcribed by: Alice Stipak

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 

Fulton county was organized January 28th, 1823, it then being a part of Pikc. The first mark made by white man was in 1818, on Otter Creek, in Kerton township. Craig & Savage, from St. Louis, built a saw mill, and had sawed but a part of their first log when a sudden rise in the stream carried the whole affair away, and no effort was made afterward to rebuild it. 
    
In the spring of 1820, John Eveland, with his family, landed half a mile north of the present town of Waterford, on Spoon river. He there found living, in a rude boat, a man named Statler, and on the opposite side of the creek a man named Doctor Davison, who was a very eccentric character and living the life of a hermit, refusing to have anything to do with his new neighbors. Mrs. Ross says, at the time of the birth of Abner E. Barnes, Mrs. Barnes being very sick, they sent for Dr. Davison, he being the only physician within hundreds of miles. He sent them word back he would not go for the whole "military tract," but Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Eveland were sent for him, and by hard persuading they induced him to make the visit which they thought saved the life of Mrs. Barnes. Mrs. Ross says, he lived in a very small cabin, but all within was neat, and, from the appearance of things, such as fine bed clothing, his own clothing having been the best and fashionably made, and himself an educated man, he had once seen the bright side of life; but from what they could gather from the few remarks he had dropped, he had been disappointed by the lady he had expected to make his partner for life, which so depressed him and made him lose all confidence in the human family, that he resolved to push westward so far that he would have no more associations with civilized man. Mrs. Ross also says, that from the clearing of his garden, the advancement of his bushes and shrubbery he had set out, his flowers, etc., all convinced her that he had been living there for years, which undoubtedly places Dr. Davison the first settler in Fulton county. In 1823, when Ossian M. Ross ran against William Eads for sheriff, the excitement was high, as it was a selection either from Lewistown or Peoria, and as there was less than thirty voters, every vote told perceptibly in the result. In this excitement Dr. Davison was persuaded to go to Lewistown and deposit his first and only vote. He that day took dinner with Mr. Ross, and remarked at the table how strange it was to eat a meal of victuals with his fellow men, which was something he had not done for many years. He purchased the walnut boards which were sawed in the short-lived saw mill on Otter creek in 1818, for his own coffin. He was very much annoyed by the encroachments of civilization, and abut [sic] the year 1824 he quietly gathered his few effects, with the material for his coffin, and paddled his canoe up the Illinois river, since which time his old neighbors have not heard of him. 
    
The most important event in the early history of Fulton county, was the settlement of Ossian M. Ross and his family. Mr. Ross was a native of New York, and was born August 16th, 1790. He was married to Miss Mary Winans, July 7th, 1811, in Waterloo, New York. She was born April lst, 1793, in Morris county, New Jersey. Mr. Ross was in the war of 1812. In 1820 they moved to Alton, Illinois, and in the spring of 1821, with his family and a number of men employed by him to make improvements, sailed up Illinois river to Spoon river, and were going up Spoon river to where he owned a large tract of land, but meeting with obstructions near the present railroad bridge which he could not pass, he examined his map, and finding he owned three quarter sections of land, which must be near where they were, they hunted until they found it, and Mr. Ross was so taken with the site that he concluded to settle there, his plan being to improve two of the quarters and lay off a town on the other. His house was erected on the spot where Major N. Walker's residence now stands, half a mile north of Lewistown. The town was laid off by Stephen Dewey in April, 1822, and named, by Mr. Ross, "Lewistown," after his boy Lewis W. Ross, now a resident of Lewistown, but then only eight years of age. Mr. Ross told Mr. Dewey he ought to have a wife and live in the new town, which so impressed the young man that he started off on the important mission, coming back with a wife, and building the first house in Lewistown. The county seat was located in Lewistown February 14th, 1823, by H. R. Colton, Stephen Chase, and John Totten, who were appointed by the 1egislature for that purpose. The first child born in the county was Lucinda C. Ross, now wife of Judge Kellogg, of Peoria, who was born on the-17th of October, 1821. Abner C. Barnes, now an attorney in Bushnell, was the first male birth, he being born about four weeks later. 
    
The first sheriff was William Eads, living near Peoria, who was appointed by the governor in 1822. Ossian M. Ross was elected by the people first sheriff, he running against Mr. Eads in 1824, and although victorious, he himself only received sixteen votes. Mr. Eads's friends came from Peoria in canoes to deposit their suffrages. Myron Phelps, of Lewistown, was the next sheriff. The first county commissioners were David W. Barnes, Joseph Moffett, and Thomas R. Covell. Their first business was to appoint Hugh R. Colter, clerk of the circuit and county commissioners' court, judge of probate, and justice of the peace. John Reynolds was the first circuit judge, John Eveland was the first treasurer; Thomas L. Ross, first assessor; Amherst C. Ransom, first justice of the peace; John Moffatt, Geo. Mathews, Wm. Patten, first constables. The first marriage was Thomas L. Ross to Miss Susan Nye. Ossian M. Ross built the first horse mill; Jacob Ellis the first mill propelled by water. Stephen Phelps kept the first dry goods store. The first school was taught in the old court house. The first school house was built where the Presbyterian church now stands, in Lewistown. Jacob Ellis was the first school teacher. The first sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Van Horn, about the same time Rev. Peter Cartright held meetings in the woods three miles south of where Canton now stands. The first hotel in the county, or, we may say, in the military tract, was built in Lewistown in 1827, by John Jewell, and kept for many years by Truman Phelps. It was then considered the best hotel in the west. This hotel is still standing (now used as a dwelling), and is owned by William Proctor, who refuses to sell it for any price, nor does he allow it to be repaired, but, on account of its old associations, he is letting it decay, until to-day it looks as though it is ready to be swept away by the first heavy wind that passes by. On that now dilapidated and tottering porch, more than forty years ago, used to sit such men as Stephen A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, O. H. Browning, Cyrus W. Walker, Julius Manning, Dick Richardson, Gen. E. D. Baker, and others, talking over and discussing the affairs of state, planning campaigns, and, in a great measure, controlling the political destinies of the country. They also relieved their political cares by relating anecdotes, and punishing, as was the almost universal custom in those days, a good supply of the "ardent." In 1828-1829 Mr. Proctor refused to purchase the whole block for $200, but afterward did purchase the hotel and lot only for $3,000. The first conveyance of land in the county was the south-west quarter of section 8 in township 3, north 3 east (Kerton township), John De Mott to Richard Berriam, May 6th, 1817. First record was north-east section 30, 6 north 2 east (Cass township), May 20th, 1818. Both were recorded at Edwardsville. 
    
In the fall of 1822, James Gardner, Charles Gardner, and a stranger left Sangamon county to seek a location in Fulton county. The party crossed the Illinois River at Peoria, where they found three white settlers­Capt. Eads, __ Bogardus, and __ Moffat; they saw no other trace of white men until they reached Lewiston, where they found Ossian M. Ross. They found a location to suit them, on section 34, Isabel Township, where Mr. Gardner now resides. On their return trip they were ferried across Illinois river at Havanna, by John Eveland. In the spring of 1823, Mr. Gardner assisted Mr. Higgins to build a flat-boat on the Sangamon river, in which they moved to their new location. During the summer of 1823, the flat-boat was taken for a ferry boat at Havanna; and old Mr. Scoville was the first ferryman. 
    
Of the first settlers of Fulton county, the most have passed away. Ossian M. Ross died January 20, 1837; his widow still lives in the county, with her son, P. C. Ross, in Canton. Although advanced in years, she still recollects with considerable clearness, their landing in Fulton county, over fifty years ago; the first improvements, and first settlers; their privations, trials, and difficulties. She has lived to see pass away, all that were here when she came, and most of those who came soon after. 
    
Fulton county has many natural advantages­such as being well watered, plenty of timber, rich, fertile soil, accessible to market by Illinois river, in an early day, and its superior railroad facilities in later days. Within a few years past, the coal busines [sic] has been one of the most important branches of trade. The vein which is under the most of the county, is about five feet in thickness, and of a very supe-rior quality. The mines of DAVID WILLIAMS at St. David, with a capacity of twenty car loads a day, are situated on C., B., & Q. R. R. and his shaft at Canton, with a capacity about the same, is connected by tracks to the T., P. & W. R. R. Mr. Williams is a practical miner, having everything in good shape, and carrying on an extensive and lucrative business. He employs a large number of men, and furnishes coal to all parts of the west. 

THE FULTON COAL COMPANY. 

This company was organized under the general law of the state, with an authorized capital of $200,000, in the spring of 1870, the officers consisting of Dr. Alex. Hull, President; S. C. Judd, Attorney; George Whitaker, Secretary; D. J. Waggoner, Treasurer; and S. C. Burbridge, Supt. mines. The mines of this company are located about one mile north-west of the town of Cuba, and are connected with the works on the T., P. & W. R. R. near the depot, by an iron track, over which the coal is conveyed in small cars, containing from twenty-five to forty bushels each. The mines are inexhaustable [sic], the vein being about five feet in thickness, and the coal of superior quality, not surpassed by any in the west, for steam, fuel, and blacksmith purposes. The works connected with these mines are superior in construction, and admirably adapted for the purposes for which they are intended. The chutes, invented by Dr. Hull, for loading railroad engines, are superior to anything of the kind now in use; and by which the engines of the T., P. & W. R. R. are loaded with ease in the incredibly short time of one minute. From the character of the men connected with this company, the quality of the coal, the advantages of location, etc., we bespeak for it a prosperous future, and that it will rank as one of the institutions of the county. 

THE FORSYTH MINING COMPANY. 

Situated at Bryant, on the C., B. & Q. R. R. was organized May 1st, 1871, with a capital stock of $300,000, paid up. It has a capacity now of 250 tons per day, which will be increased during the coming winter, to nearly one thousand tons, and from year to year, will still extend their facilities to as much as they will have a demand for. They own 400 acres of the choicest coal lands in the west­the vein being 5-1/2 feet thick, and is a drift bank;­Wm. C. Goudy, President, Chicago; S. Corning Judd, Vice President, Lewiston; James M. Mon-roe, Secretary, Chicago; H. L. Bryant, Treasurer and General Managing Director, Lewiston; Directors­W. C. Goudy, S. Corning Judd, John H. Piersol, H. L. Bryant, George S. King. 
    
The R., R. I. & St. L. R. R. Co. has mines at Astoria; they were opened less than a year ago, and are about the same quality as the above. The above company is fast improving and developing the mines; and, in a short time, will ship an immense amount of coal. 

LEWISTOWN 

Was surveyed in April, 1822, by Stephen Dewey, County Surveyor of Pike county, for Ossian M. Ross, the proprietor. It was made the county seat of Fulton county, February 14, 1823, by commissioners appointed by the governor, for the purpose of locating the same. It has now a population of 1550. It was for a long time the terminus of the Lewistown branch of the C., B. & Q. R. R. The Springfield & North-western R. R. will be built to it the coming winter. Few towns of the same size can boast of the same amount of wealth, or can produce as many men of prominence as can Lewistown. It has a large woolen factory, large grist mill, saw mills, several fine stores, three hotels, two widely circulated newspapers, a number of churches and fine private residences, with inhabitants who are generous, hospitable, and sociable. 

CANTON 

Was laid off by Isaac Swan, Dec. 25, 1725 [sic, 1825]. It was named "Canton" by its founder, on account of its being a rival to the town of Pekin, which had also just been staked off. Isaac Swan erected the first building on the original town plat, immediately after it was laid off. The building was built of logs, 16 by 18 feet, and was called Swan's "Catch All," as it was designed as a shelter for all that might come, until they could build, and when unoccupied, was used as a carpenter shop. It was situated on Union street, above Fourth. The first family availing themselves of this temporary habitation was the family of Jno. Harmon, who built the first house in Canton, intended for a residence. John C. Owens, about the same time, built a log cabin on Wood street. It was in this house that undoubtedly the first child was born, in Canton. The first marriage was Theodore Sargent to Miss Rachel Barnes. 
    
The census of 1870 gives Canton a population of 3,325. Canton is beautifully situated on high prairie, and surrounded by as good farming country as there is in the west. Canton has a number of manufactories, fine blocks, beautiful residences, churches, school houses, etc., besides two prominent lines of railroad, and two of the best newspaper establishments in the country, a heavy vein of coal underneath it ­ in fact, everything that tends to build up a town and enrich its people. Its citizens are noted for their morality, enterprise and liberality in building up their town. They have given large sums of money to the Fulton Co. Agricultural Society, the grounds of which are situated within the corporation, and by their liberality, good judgment and shrewd management have made their fair grounds second to none in the United States. In 1870 it excelled all, and now, in 1871, more is added, giving $25,000, cash premiums. While Canton does not do all this ­ yet it does the most, which shows the character of its inhabitants, and gives an idea of what, at no distant day, we may expect of her. 

FARMINGTON 

Was laid off October 9th, 1834, by its proprietors, Jas. Cone, Hiram Palmer, and Geo. W. Little. It is a superior point for trade, and has many fine buildings, both public and private, beside several manufactories. Its citizens are generally well-to-do, many being wealthy. A great many of its citizens have retired from business, and are spending the remainder of their days in their beautiful town in ease and comfort. It is on the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy railroad, is finely situated, and surrounded by a rich farming country. The census of 1870 gives it a population of 1,084. 

VERMONT 

Was laid off by James Crail, June 18th, 1836. It enjoys a good local trade. Here the Rockford, Rock Island, & St. Louis railroad crosses the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy, giving Vermont superior advantages for manufacturing purposes, which will soon be taken advantage of by its citizens. It has several fine residences, blocks, &c., a good, live newspaper, a fine country surrounding it, and many wealthy men residing in it, all of which should make their town one of the best in the country. 

ASTORIA. 

The proprietors of Astoria were Zachariah Gilbert and Benjamin Clark, who laid out the town of Vienna, July 10th, 1837. It was afterward changed to Astoria. Astoria is a thriving and enterprising town on the Rockford, Rock Island, & St. Louis railroad, which was completed through the place in 1870. Astoria boasts of not having a drinking saloon within its limits. It has five dry goods stores, two hardware stores, two grocery stores, two drug stores, a first-class hotel and a flouring mill. It also has four churches and two good school houses. The Rockford, Rock Island, & St. Louis railroad company have extensive coal works in the town, and employ a large number of men. 

CUBA 

Was first called Centerville, then Middletown, and, finally, Cuba. D. W. Vittum, Joel Solomon, Samuel Brooks, and W. B. Coggswell were its founders, November 16th, 1836. It is on the T., P., & W. R. R., and is the place where the Fulton coal company's works are situated. It does considerable trade, and when it is reached by the Springfield Northwestern railroad, will be an important point. 

AVON. 

The founders of Avon were R. Wood. 0. H. Woods, and D. N. Wright, March 5th, 1854. It is situated in the northwestern part of the county, on the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy railroad, and is a town of considerable trade, being situated in a beautiful and wealthy region of country. Its trade comes from the counties of Fulton, McDonough, Knox, and Warren. The inhabitants of Avon are of the best, and being supplied with an abundance of this world's goods, enjoy life. It has some fine private residences and several churches. 

FAIRVIEW 

Was laid out August 16th, 1836, by Benjamin Foster. It is a pretty little village, and does considerable local trade. The Springfield Northwestern railroad is intending to continue its line through it, which will make Fairview an important point, as it is surrounded by some of the finest farming land in the state. 

IPAVIA 

Was first called Pleasantville. It was founded by John Easley, September 19th, 1846. It is a prosperous little town on the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy railroad, between Vermont and Lewistown. The country around it is very superior, well improved and productive, and the owners generally wealthy. It does a good trade, and is one of the best business points in the county. 

BARNADOTTE 

Was first called Fulton. It is situated on Spoon river. Charles Coleman laid out the town November 27th, 1835, and it was once an important town, but railroads running near, and not to, it, has taken away most of its trade. It has a good water-power saw and grist mill. 

BRYANT 

Was laid out by William Hummel, April 13th, 1863. It is on the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy railroad, and is the point where is located the Forsyth coal mining Company, which will, in time, make it a much larger town. 

DUNCAN CITY 

Was founded by Thomas Duncan, May 17th, 1867, where he has built one of the best flouring mills in the county. 

ELLISVILLE 

Was surveyed April 29th, 1836, by Levi.D. Ellis, after whom the place was named. 

LAUREL HILL, 

A station on the Rockford, Rock Island, & St. Louis railroad, and sometimes called Table Grove, was laid off by Jas. H. Spicer, June 10th, 1837, who built the first house within its limits, and which is still standing. It has about 200 inhabitants, and does a good trade. The country surrounding it is very fine. 

LIVERPOOL 

Is on Illinois river. Its founders were R. E. Little, Wm. Elliott, Jos. Sharpe, T. Tarleton, E. D. Rice, and Roger Veits, August 13th, 1836. It was once an important shipping point, but railroads have taken away its trade, and it does little business. 

MARIETTA 

Was laid off by Lorenzo Bevans and Benj. Hoyt, May 6th, 1837. It is a small village of probably 100 inhabitants, and contains a store, and a blacksmith and wagon shop. 

NORRIS 

Is a promising little town on the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy railroad, between Canton and Farmington. It is situated in one of the prettiest farming countries in the west, and has considerable trade. 

SMITHFIELD 

Is situated on the T., P., & W. R. R., between Spoon river and Cuba, in Cass township. It was laid off by J. N. Smith, May 30th, 1868, and does considerable local trade. 

SUMMUM 

Was first called Oberlin. James M. Onion planned it, May 17th, 1858. It is a small place in Woodland township, doing only a small local trade. 

TROY, 

In Union township, was laid off by N. B. Childs, April 29th, 1836. It has a good water-power and grist mill, and once promised to be a place of considerable importance. 

WATERFORD 

Was laid off by James and John Jackson, March 24th, 1825. It once had good prospects, but now has no trade, and soon will be numbered among the things that were. 

MAPLE'S MILL, 

Situated on sections 10 and 11, Liverpool township, was located by Thompson Maple. Preston & Smith do a general merchandizing business. It contains a saw mill, blacksmith sliop, harness shop, &c., &c., and is surrounded by a good farming country. 

UTICA 

Is in Banner township, on section 11. It was laid off by Wire Long, in 1833. It contains four stores, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a steam grist and saw mill (built in 1835 by Brooks & Coggswell, and was the first steam mill in Fulton county), and a distillery. In its early days it did a very large trade. 

MONTEREY 

Was laid out by Jacob Weaver, P. Markley, and David Tarr, on section 4, in Banner township, May 21st, 1850. It contains two stores, one blacksmith and wagon shop, a harness shop, church, and school house. Monterey does an unusual amount of business for a town of its size. 

BABYLON MILLS 

Is situated on the bank of Spoon river, on section 14, in Lee township. It contains one good flouring mill, one saw mill, one grocery store, one blacksmith shop, and six dwelling houses. This place was located by Phillip Elsworth in the year 1845, who built the first house and erected the mills. These mills were owned by four or five different persons, until the year 1864, when Joseph Markley purchased them, and expended large sums of money in putting them in thorough repair, and they now do a first-class business. There is a good ferry over Spoon river at the mills.