of both the Center and the Station pride themselves, and with justice on their fine two-story frame schoolhouse, located between the two places, and erected in 1877. The graded system has been adopted in the Independent School District of Danville. J. E. Cavenee was the first teacher in the new schoolhouse, and J. B. Hungerford is the present Principal. The average attendance at this school is sixty-five.

The Danville Cornet Band was organized in February, 1876. The members are: Harvey Wilcox, Leader; H. H. Shepherd, William Shepherd, E. H. Porter, J. P. Irwin, H. A. Lewis, David Rittner, Edward Neal, William Cady, E. H. Seymour, H. H. Higley and William Sawtelle. The instruments cost $400.

Danville Lodge, No. 343, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 24, 1876, and a charter was granted October 19, of the same year. The charter members were A. A. Miller, J. J. Patton, John Irwin, Jr., R. H. Bolton, B. W. Shepherd, W. H. Swan, J. P. Irwin. W. H. Stewart, J. S. Irwin, D. W. Paine, Reuben Tomes, Samuel A. Smith, Frank Cady, W. D. Moore, J. F. Masters, J. S. Koontz, Vear Porter. The first officers were: J. H. Besore, N. G.; M. P. Stoner, V. G.; S. E. Keller, Recording Secretary; P. M. Guion, Permanent Secretary; M. P. Ruth, Treasurer. The present officers are: J. P. Irwin, N. G.; Frank Cady, V. G.; Samuel A. Smith, Secretary; J. F. Masters, Treasurer. The Lodge meets in Central Block. The present membership is thirty-seven, and the value of the Lodge property $300.

Danville Lodge, No. 48, A., F. & A. M., was instituted under dispensation July 1, 1854, and a charter was granted June 6, 1855, the charter members being as follows: R. B. Foster, R. G. McFarland, Caleb Webster, Prentice Yoeman, J. S. Stephenson, L. L. Beery, C. D. Beebe, Clark Jackman. The officers under the dispensation were: Prentice Yoeman, W. M.; R. G. McFarland, S. W.; Caleb Webster, J. W.; J. J. Stephenson, Treasurer; R. B. Foster, Secretary; L. L. Beery, S. D; C. D. Beebe, J. D.; Clark Jackman, Tiler. The first officers under the charter were: L. L. Beery, W. M.; Caleb Webster, S. W.; William Wiggins, J. W.; R. B. Foster, Treasurer; Christian Fischback, Secretary; R. G. McFarland, S. D.; Clark Jackman, J. D. C. D. Beebe, Tiler. The present officers are: J. A. Wright, W. M.; R. M. Chamber, S. W.; B. F. Berton, J. W.; W. H. Stewart, Treasurer; J. P. Irwin, Secretary; Reuben Tomes, S. D.; A. A. Wilcox, J. D.; J. F. Masters, Tiler. This Lodge has a membership of forty-nine. The value of its property, including building, furniture, library and money at interest, is $1,800. It was first instituted at Lowell, Henry County, under the name of Lowell Lodge, No. 48, and chartered June 6, 1855. This charter was surrendered June 4, 1857, and returned June 8, 1864. The place of meeting was changed to Danville, Des Moines County, and Lodge named Danville Lodge, No. 48.

Danville has three general stores, one furniture store, one harness-shop, two blacksmith-shops, one tailor-shop, one carpenter-shop, one tinshop, three physicians, one live-stock firm, one elevator, one flouring-mill and one cheese-factory, also one public hall.

MIDDLETOWN.

Middletown is situated four miles southeast of Danville on the line of the B. & M. Railroad. Josiah T. Smith, now in California, came from Ohio to Danville Township in April, 1839, and settled on the site of present village of Middletown. He laid out a portion of his land into town lots, which were surveyed by T. L. Sergent, in December, 1846. Subsequently other lots were surveyed by John D. Wright, County Surveyor, October 4, 1847. During the year 1847, a preliminary meeting of settlers was held to decide on a name, to

be mentioned in the petition for a post office. John Sharp, of Pennsylvania, proposed the name of Middletown, which was accepted for the office and future village. The first house built after the survey, was constructed of logs, and owned by Theodore Folensbe, who was appointed the first Postmaster. The office was established in 1847, in the log-cabin tailor-shop of the above named. In 1839, a log-cabin schoolhouse was built near the east line of Danville Township, in the neighborhood of the present village of Middletown, but really located in Flint River Township. It was called Lewins Point, and named after Mr. Lewins, one of the early settlers. In this building, the religious meetings of the various denominations of neighboring settlers were held for many years. T. L. Sergent opened the first store in Middletown in a brick building, which was the first of its kind in the village, and was erected by him in 1851. In 1848, Mr. Sergent built a steam saw-mill which he afterward sold to a man who moved it away. From 1853-55 he built a steam flouring-mill, but shortly

after moved it to Mount Pleasant.

Thomas R. Davis was one of the earliest settlers in Danville Township; he came in 1835. Other pioneers in the vicinity were Francis Reddin, Mr. Basey, Joseph Edwards, John Hodgen and William Lamme.

George W. Dee, born in Franklin County, Vt., March 2, 1807, departed from that rocky country by a two-horse team May 3, 1839, traveling overland to Buffalo, N. Y., thence shipping by boat over Lake Erie to Detroit, Mich. Here the wagon and tough French Canadian horses were again brought into use. Traveling across the country, leaving Chicago twenty-five miles to the north, Mr. Dee reached Fulton, Ill., and from there shipped by steamboat to Burlington; thence he proceeded at once to his brother Warren Dee's farm on the line of Augusta Township. Warren Dee had come in the fall of 1838, just before the land-sale, bought a claim and entered it. This claim was located two miles southwest of what is now the village of Middletown. George W. Dee bought a claim of his brother, built a log cabin upon the same, entered it, and at the time of the land-sale paid $200 for the same.

The first marriage in the village of Middletown took place in the winter of 1847, when W. W. Correll and Elizabeth were united.

The United Presbyterian Church, of Middletown, was organized over thirty years ago and an edifice was erected in 1851, which was sold to the Methodists in 1874, about the time the United Presbyterian Church disbanded.

The First Presbyterian Church, of Middletown, was organized December 29, 1851, by a committee of the Presbytery of Iowa, consisting of J. C. Sharon and F. B. Dinsmore. The first members were: Samuel P. Jaggar, Ruling Elder; Mrs. Ann McClelland, Mrs. Parmelia Jaggar, Miss Cordelia Terrill, J. G. W. Robinson, Mrs. Hester Long, Miss Elizabeth Long, M. W. Robinson, Mrs. Martha Robinson, John Baird, John M. Clark, Mrs. Hannah Huntington, Mrs. Keziah Jaggar. The first Pastor was Rev. Robert McGuiThe present Pastor is W. J. Bohlman, who was installed October 1, 1875. He resides in Burlington, and is teacher at the High School. The present membership is eighty, and the value of the church property, 82.000. Connected with the Church is the Ladies' Missionary Society. A Union Sabbath school is held in this church.

gan.

The Methodist Church, of Middletown, has for its Pastor I. N. Busby. Nothing of its early history could be ascertained.

In 1858, a new frame schoolhouse was built in Middletown, and called Subdistrict No. 9 of Danville Township. The present teacher is Morris

Clark.

The Middletown Temperance Union was organized in 1871, and existed until February, 1878, when a re-organization took place and the name was changed to Union Reform Club, of Middletown. The first officers of the new association were: S. J. McMaken, President; Frank Carden, Recording Secretary; Benjamin Burton, Financial Secretary; Miss Carry Utter, Treasurer. The present officers are the same, except that W. T. McMaken has been elected Vice President.

In connection with the temperance work, literary exercises are indulged in by the members of the association. The present membership is something over one hundred.

Middletown has two general stores, two carpenters, one blacksmith, one butcher, one painter and one physician. It also has two public halls. The present Postmaster is John Hodgen.

The township officers of Danville Township are: E. Beans and William Stewart, Justices of the Peace; J. P. Wing and W. W. Kelley, Constables; Samuel E. Keller, Clerk; David Philips, Assessor; B. W. Antrobus, Henry Mathews, J. W. Hough, Trustees.

Parrish Post Office is also located in the township of Danville.

MEDIAPOLIS.

The

In 1867, a north and south railroad was talked up and subscriptions made. The citizens of Yellow Springs Township contributed $20,000 local aid, and in August, 1869, the track was laid and cars running to what is now Mediapolis. During the same month, W. H. Cartwright, A. Hemphill and W. W. King laid out town lots, which were surveyed by J. Wilson Williams. first business building was put up in the fall of 1869, by Mr. Cartwright, and occupied by him with a general stock of goods in December, 1869. The erection of the depot building was commenced as soon as the track was completed to that point.

Additions have since been made to the town by William Harper and D. G.

Bruce.

In

A tinshop was one of the early institutions. The post office was established in 1870, A. Messenger, Postmaster, who still retains the office. 1875, $10,000 was subscribed to the B. & N. W. R. R., on which Mediapolis promises to be an important point, as it is already on the B., C. R. & N. The Burlington & Northwestern Narrow-Gauge also passes through Mediapolis.

Through the energetic labors of Rev. M. Bamford and his fellow lay workers, a good Methodist Church was built in Mediapolis in 1875, of which Rev.

Bamford is still the Pastor.

The United Presbyterians effected an organization in 1871, and built a church in Mediapolis in 1872. Rev. D. G. Bruce has for the past five years been its Pastor, having been preceded for short periods by Rev. Messrs. McDill, Blake and others. Since January, 1879, the Church has been without a minister.

The Independent District School, of Mediapolis, was established in temporary quarters in 1873, and taught by Miss Maggie Bruce. During the summer of 1877, a two-story frame schoolhouse was built at a cost of $2,500. The first teachers in the new schoolhouse were Miss Maggie Getty and Miss Minnie Cartright. The present teachers are Miss Maggie Getty and Miss May Cramer. The present attendance is about one hundred and thirty.

Progress Lodge, No. 226, A., F. & A. M., was instituted under dispensation December 18, 1867, and chartered June 3, 1868. The first officers were:

George Wright, W. M.; O. A. Paul, S. W.; D. M. Adams, J. W.; J. R. Backus, Secretary. The charter members were Morris Boss, George Wright, O. A. Paul, J. R. Backus, D. M. Adams, Isaac Guy and C. W. Littleton. The present officers are: R. W. Wilson, W. M.; N. B. Hixon, S. W.; H. C. Kline, J. W.; H. B. Cartright, Treasurer; Fred. C. Tuttle, Secretary. The Lodge meets at Masonic Hall, has a present membership of forty-two, and property valued at $2,500.

Garner Lodge, No. 379, I. O. 0. F., was instituted under dispensation May 17, 1878, and named after Dr. Garner, first Grand Master of the State of Iowa, by A. J. Morrison, G. M., assisted by William Garrett, Grand Secretary. A charter was granted during the session of the Grand Lodge in October, 1878. The charter members were R. Smith, J. W. McCoy, J. W. Merrell, H. Ross, J. A. Nelson, J. S. Taylor and B. F. Stahl. The first officers were: R. Smith, N. G.; J. W. McCoy, V. G.; J. W. Merrell, Secretary; B. F. Stahl, Treasurer. The present officers are: J. W. McCoy, N. G.; J. W. Merrell, V. G.; T. H. Rhodes, Secretary; J. S. Taylor, Permanent Secretary; C. M. Adams, Treasurer. The Lodge meets in Masonic Hall, has a membership of twenty, and property valued at $150.

Mediapolis Lodge, No. 67, of the Anti-Horse-Thief Association, was November 15, 1874, with the following as charter members: J. H. Guthrie, W. B. Bradley, H. C. Harper, Daniel Matson, Samuel F. Edwards, Joseph Carl, A. C. Brown, S. S. King, J. W. Talbott and E. G. Archer. The first officers were John Talbott, W. P.; S. S. King, W. V. P.; John H. Guthrie, W. Secretary; A. C. Brown, W. Treasurer; Samuel Fry, W. Marshal. The secret work was given by the Grand Deputy, Henry Evans. The Lodge has now a membership of over forty, and has done some very efficient work. The object of this association is not to create a mob law, but to see that the laws of the State are properly enforced, and the community protected from rogues and outlaws. The present officers are: Fred C. Tuttle, W. P.; Thos. Davis, W. V. P.; J. P. Ware, W. Secretary; James Purcell, W. Treasurer; R. R. Lockhart, W. Marshal. Lodge meets in Carmean's Building.

The Mediapolis Brass Band was organized in October, 1878, with the following members: O. H. Talbott, R. Ware, Edward Bridges, Charles Deets, J. W. Hemphill, James McMullen, E. C. Loper, Charles Amborn; J. W. Hemphill, President; O. H. Talbott, Secretary.

The Enterprise was established by Newton & Green in December, 1874, with Mr. Newton as editor. It came into the possession of J. W. Merrill in September, 1875, after several changes of proprietorship. Mr. Merrill has conducted and edited the paper since that time. It is now in its fifth volume, and is enjoying a good local circulation.

The business interests of Mediapolis consist of three general stores, two hotels, one hardware establishment, one drug store, one restaurant, one commission house, one grain firm, two harness-shops, two agricultural-implement concerns, three blacksmith-shops, one tinshop, two wagon-manufacturing establishments, two physicians, two millinery firms, four carpenters, two shoemakers, one painter, one jeweler, one watchmaker, one livery-stable, two tailors, one plasterer, one barber, one printing establishment, one real-estate firm and one butcher-shop.

The township officers of Yellow Springs Township are: B. F. Stahl and Grafton Rhodes, Justices of the Peace; D. L. Tubbs and Edward Adams, Constables; L. F. Pierce, Clerk; J. H. Black, Assessor; J. R. Jones, J. R. Braden and William Housted, Trustees.

KOSSUTH.

The first permanent settlement in this neighborhood was made by Jacob Westfall and Allen Eliot, near Yellow Springs, in the fall of 1834. Thomas and D. E. Blair made claims earlier, in the southwest part of this neighborhood. but coming on to improve, found them taken by others. Looking for unoccupied land, one went west as far as Mount Pleasant, the other came to Round Prairie, and was pleased with it. Both coming across next day, they found the Carter tribe, form the "State of Macoupin," making claims, and occupying from Thomas Hutchcroft's place to that of A. Rankin, inclusive. The man living on the last-named place offering to sell, they bought his logs and built a cabin, to which T. Blair moved his family in May, 1835. One day earlier, B. W. Clark and his relatives, moved in, occupying from the Mediapolis Road, south to Westfall's, and south of Westfall's to near Sperry. Allen Eliot had a claim on the north side of Round Prairie, the west half of which was sold to Joshua Swank, in March, 1835, Eliot retaining where J. and S. Waddle now live. Swank finding the bottom better for his stock, moved there the same spring, and with his brother Wesley and W. Milligan, were the first settlers there. Job Carter made the claim on which Kossuth now stands, and but a few rods from the present location his humble cabin stood.

July 3, 1836, the Territory changed its political relations, being then made a part of Wisconsin. The 4th of July dawned on a growing community. There were ten thousand people west of the river. They were opening farms and building houses; they were buying and selling; they were marrying and giving in marriage, and children were being born unto them.

In

Allen Eliot and Miss Cole were married the previous winter, and so were Wesley Swank and Miss Henrietta Hilleary, but they were obliged to go within the jurisdiction of Illinois for the purpose. The first marriage in the neighborhood was that of Josiah Edwards and Miss Pamela Westfall, in 1837. Huron, the first was Nathan Westfall and Miss K. McKee. The first birth was that of Jacob Westfall, Jr., at Yellow Springs. There were as yet no schools, but the Gospel was already preached by the adventurous and earnest Methodist itinerant. Rev. Mr. Stateler had made Westfall's a preaching-place in 1835, followed by Rev. Mr. Ruble, who died early in 1836. Father Isham Edwards, of the Newlight Church, also preached to his neighbors occasionally in the neighborhood of the Spring

The next ten years of Territorial life worked many changes. The main interest was agriculture, and the farmers became producers instead of consumers. Previously bread and meat had been hauled from Illinois. Hogs were few, and fattened on the acorns. Horses of that day would not satisfy the horsemen of this. Cattle were largely used for all kinds of labor, especially for breaking prairie, ten or twelve oxen making a plow-team. Many cattle died in the winter and spring from the scarcity of food. A traveler, finding a man beside a dead ox, offered sympathy; the granger replied "he didn't mind the loss of the ox, but was bothered for a place to dry the hide, as every panel of his fence was already in use." The coming years were years of plenty. The productiveness of the soil and freedom from weeds made farming easy. But there was no market except to new-comers, and new-comers and old settlers were alike hoarding their small means for the purchase of their homes. The land in Yellow Springs was sold in the winter of 1838. Claim organizations. had been formed by the people throughout the country, and their rules were rigidly enforced.