study embraces all rudimentary studies and algebra, botany, physiology, philosophy, physical geography. The school continues nine months of twenty-two days.

The present business men and firms are: Dry goods and groceries, J. M. Mitchell (twenty-two years), H. E. Sieberns (fifteen years), W.C. Mack, George A. Frank, Bloomenshine & Seidel, Philip Klein; drugs and notions, D. L. Hoover; books, news and notions, G. W. Kent; boots and shoes, Chris. Overbach, E. G. Alvord; grain, Boies & Breese, C. P. Ayers, W. C. Mack, John Smithers; hardware and tin, D. L. Myers; restaurant, Isaac Sheets; millinery, etc., Misses Boies, Misses Slown & Roberts, Mrs. J. C. Houghton; wagon and carriage makers, C. H. Newhauser, E. Lugeanbeal, John Laufer; livery, M. C. Drum; grist-mill, H. Franzen & Bro.; butcher, M. Barry; harness-maker, G. Inthurm; furniture and undertaking, Gilmore & Slown, August Strathman; lumber, etc., Sloan & Gilmore; physicians, L. C. McConnell, J. A. Taylor, Dr. Kruze.

Gridley has four churches-the Christian, the Mennonite (New Ormish), the Methodist and Congregational.

The first preaching in the village was by Elder Branch, the Baptist clergyman of El Paso. His services were usually held in Mitchell's store, but he had no regular appointments here. Next in point of time, Rev. S. W. Cobb, a Congregational minister, preached for some time every fourth week, in the station-house. The edifice was not, in all respects, as comfortable to go to sleep in during preaching as are some churches of the present day, with cushioned pews and all the "modern improvements;" nor, perhaps, were the words of the devout men of God so sensational as to call for publication in the daily papers, nor for telegraphing all over the country, but the common people heard them gladly. In 1862, Rev. J. A. Johnson, Congregationalist, of El Paso, commenced preaching regularly in the schoolhouse, and in June, the Church of that name was regularly organized according to the custom and canon of that denomination by a council called for that purpose, with eight members. Mr. Johnson continued Pastor until January, 1863, when Rev. G. M. Conville succeeded him, remaining until April, 1864. Rev. B. C. Church, filled the pastoral relation for four years, during which time eight joined the Church. Rev. J. A. Palmer next served the Church, four years, receiving eleven members. Rev. W. E. Cattin succeeded him for two years, who, in turn, was succeeded by Rev. H. G. Pendleton, who is now filling the pulpit, alternating his labors here with the church in Nebraska Township. During each winter of his service here, protracted efforts have been maintained, resulting in bringing into the Church forty-two additional members. A flourishing Sabbath school, under the superintendency of Mr. J. M. Mitchell, has an enrolled membership of 120. The church-edifice, 36x40, was built in 1866 by Tarman & Ruckle, contractors, at a cost of about $2,000, and dedicated to the worship of God the same year. The patient and laborious pastoral work of Mr. Pendleton, is fully appreciated by the people of his own charge and the community.

The German Mennonites, who have settled in such numbers in the vicinity of Gridley are, in many respects, a peculiar people. Some of their peculiarities might well be followed by those who are to the manor born. Politically and socially, they are non-resistant and take no part in the affairs of State, never voting or seeming to care who runs the ship of State or the town-meetings. They carry their religion into every affair and business of life. If a brother gets into debt and honestly cannot pay,

the

brethren contribute to liquidate; but if able to pay and will not, he is cast out as unworthy. They will not go to law, but settle all disputes within their own organization.

They have

In 1874, they decided to build a church, but their religious tenets require them to build on a firm foundation. Before a blow was struck, every dollar of the money was collected; after which a contract was let and the work rapidly done. erected thirty sheds, with doors to them, for their teams, as most of them come from their farms in the surrounding country, and every team is carefully housed before its owner commences his religious services.

The church-edifice is 30x40, with an L 16x40, and cost $1,200. Near the church they erected a dining-hall and kitchen, where a meal is served each Sunday, their services continuing during the day. Members take turns in providing the necessary food. They practice baptism by immersion. They hold, almost literally, to the doctrine " If a man take away thy coat," etc., for they do not permit their members to prosecute a thief, or even to follow one to recover stolen property. They seem as near free from the vices of the day as any class of people known in this vicinity.

The Christian Church was built in 1866; is 36x40. There is also a Church of the same denomination in the southern part of the township, in the vicinity of Mr. Gregory's.

The M. E. Church was built in 1871 and 1872. It is 36x50, with a tower in the center of the front 10 feet square, running up to a spire 80 feet in height.

The number of churches would indicate a probable rivalry and strife that is nowhere noticeable in reality. The petty rivalries and bickerings which are so common in small towns seem to be here entirely wanting, and peace and good-will seem to reign everywhere. Business seems to be reasonably prosperous, and every one appears to have the general good at heart.

At the time the village of Gridley was platted and recorded, there were left two open pieces or parcels of ground between the railroad and the platted blocks, which, by general consent, became public. The original proprietors apparently intended them for general use in transacting the business of the town. There was no attempt to sell or lease them, and as soon as the place became of any importance, business men began to put up offices, elevators and corn-cribs on them. The proprietors, in furnishing their plats for record, did not dedicate them to the public, and, as far as the record went, they appeared to be the private property of the proprietor.

In July, 1875, Gen. Gridley caused the plat of the town to be resurveyed and replatted. Among other changes, he caused the land marked depot ground, south of the railroad track, then used by various parties for storage of grain, to be laid off into lots thirty feet wide, and proposed to sell them at a price which would have made the operation a pretty good speculation. The railroad company procured an injunction in the United States Court, restraining him from selling these lots. This injunction was dissolved, however, and Gridley commenced suits in ejectments against all parties, including the railroad company, occupying any part of the land in question. The cases were tried in McLean County and resulted in favor of the defendants. On an appeal to the Supreme Court, the decision of the lower court was sustained, and the occupants remain in undisputed possession of the land.

This litigation caused the parties much perplexity and no little expense, and was the cause of much ill-feeling against Gen. Gridley. He was said to be "rich," and to

have no respect for the rights of poor men; that he wanted to shut up the town and ruin those who were engaged in trade, and remarks that were continually made were far from complimentary. The fact probably was, that there was sufficient of legal show for the claim he set up to render it probable that the courts, on a full hearing, would give give him a verdict, and very few men would decide to give away thirty or forty good business lots if there was a chance of selling them. Gen. Gridley is probably no exception to the general rule of landed proprietors.

DANVERS TOWNSHIP.

Danvers is located in the northwestern corner of McLean County. It includes all of Town 24 north, Range 1 west of the Third Principal Meridian, and one and onehalf miles from the south side of Town 25 north, in the same range, and consequently contains forty-five square miles. It is bounded on the north by Woodford County, on the east by White Oak and Dry Grove Townships, on the south by Allin Township, and on the west by Tazewell County. It is well supplied with timber. Stout's Grove, which lies farthest to the southeast, is the most important. The timber extends south, on the west side, to near the middle of Section 19; from this point, irregularly east to within two and one-half miles of the east line of the township; thence north and slightly west to near the north line; thence along the northern part may be found some little timber. Thus it will be seen that all the northwestern part of the township is timbered land. Of course, this is not a solid body of timber, for there are farms in here, many of which have been cleared from these woods. Still may be seen the cabin built of logs and surrounded by a few small fields, while the forest approaches suggestingly near. But these are only relics of bygone days, the more comfortable frame furnishing a desirable home for the successful farmer. The south and eastern part of the township is prairie, the northern part of which is quite rolling, but the southern part is only slightly so. These prairie lands are rich and productive, yielding an abundance of corn, oats, potatoes, etc. There are portions of the timbered land that are broken and not very fertile, while other parts yield fair crops of wheat, rye, oats, corn and other products. Cattle and hogs are extensively raised throughout the

township.

From this point, thence it follows

Danvers is crossed by the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad, which enters the township near the middle of the east side of Section 24. the road bears northwest until it reaches the middle of Section 16; close to the half-section line to the west side of the township.

Sugar Creek rises near the southwestern corner of Section 1, and flows south and west through Sections 12, 13 and 14; thence more southerly through Sections 22, 21, 28, 32 and 33. Rock Creek is a small stream which flows north from the northern part of the township.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

So large a body of timber as is found here very naturally attracted early settlers. They soon settled all along the south and east sides of Stout's Grove, the families coming in so rapidly as to make it almost impossible to trace the early settlement. The first family was Ephraim Stout's. They were from Tennessee. They came in the fall of 1825, or