there were but two school houses in the township, and not exceeding 150 persons, all told. In 1870 there were six school houses, and a population of 634.

The first entry of land was made by James McReynolds, April, 1835, being the south-east quarter of Section 25, Township 18, Range 7 east.

Most of the farms are new, and owned by men whose means are limited, but whose energy is unbounded, and the rapidity with which the improvements are being pushed forward, is truly astonishing. The houses are for the most part small and comfortless, presenting few attractions, but it needs no prophetic eye to see that in the not distant future, the men and women who can with such determined courage endure those self-imposed discomforts of the present, will make this place to blossom as the rose, to gladden the eye of the resident and the stranger, when wealth and luxuries shall take the place of privations and burdens, and palatial residences occupy the sites of

cabins.

The farms of George Craw, C. W. Craw and Samuel Craw, are among the best improved. The first two are arranged for stock principally; the latter is conducted upon the mixed husbandry plan, raising the different varieties of cereals and grasses, with cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, etc.

Mr. A. H. Gage has the best orchard in the town. About his first improvement was the planting of an orchard, which he has cultivated assiduously, adding to it, until now his orchard contains fifteen acres, and over seven hundred trees, with nearly fifty varieties of apples, besides nearly every variety of other fruit. He is a thorough, practical farmer and agriculturist, working always upon the principle that "time is money," and that "what is once well done, is twice done."

Mr. John E. Hughes also has a farm of 320 acres, remarkably well improved for its age. It will be remembered that farms are not made in a minute, nor in a year, but will always surely show, whether controlled by an intelligent, energetic mind, or otherwise.

Walking Canes.

There are many of whom we would like to speak, but must close with one more, that of A. J. Bowman, who owns Section seven, including Blue Mound. This mound is a curiosity, It rises abruptly from the prairie, to the height of over 160 feet above the surrounding level, and contains about 80 acres. Upon its top Mr. Bowman has placed his buildings, orchard, and other improvements. His farm is divided into forty acre lots by hedge fences, and though a new farm, is rapidly developing the intelligent plans of its owner.

Mr. D. P. Langley, also a thorough, practical farmer, has been the Supervisor of the town since its organization,

CRITTENDEN TOWNSHIP

Is bounded on the east by Raymond, on the north by Philo, on the west by Pesotum, and on the south by Douglas county, and was taken from Philo in 1863. It lies in the very center of the richest section of the county. The Embarrass river flows through it from north to south; a large tributary flowing into the same also traverses the township. The character of the prairie is gently undulating, with a deep, rich, inexhaustible soil, all capable of cultivation, and producing, in rich profusion, every variety of cereals and grasses.

The first entry of land made in this township, was by J. and S. Groendyke, Feb. 1,1836, they entering the north-west quarter of Section 23. They were not the first settlers, however, as that honor belongs to one Mr. Bouse, who settled at the head of the timber bordering the Embarrass river, about the year 1830, and gave to the grove his name. He afterwards lived near Lynn Grove, and was engaged in stock-raising and feeding. The next settler was one George Myres, who also purchased at the north end of the grove, and engaged in stock-breeding. - Since writing the matter above, we learn that there is some

dispute as to the time that Mr. Bouse settled in Crittenden; it being contended, on the one hand, that he settled first at Lynn Grove, about the year 1833, and shortly after removed to Section 14, Crittenden, selling this farm to Mr. Bocock; while others think that he first settled at the grove, and thence removed to Lynn Grove, in which case, it is said, he must have returned to the old farm.

Alfred Bocock, who purchased in Section 14, about the year 1850, planted the first orchard in the town. He was a stockbreeder and an agriculturist. The fruit of that orchard is said to be of rare quality, and shows that Mr. Bocock understood well the different varieties and their character, and made his selections with rare judgment, of those best fitted to this soil and climate. It was this Mr. Bocock, also, who established the first school in the town, which was taught by one Tomkins, in a small log cabin, near where the school house in the grove now stands.

This town is most admirably adapted to stock husbandry; the whole surface of the town lying with a face to the south, traversed and drained by the streams we have before mentioned, with their numerous tributaries from the prairies, rich in cereals and grasses, presents advantages to the stock grower or fancier of the most tempting character; and it is destined ere long to become one of the points in our county, that above others will attract the attention of men of means and experience in this branch of agriculture.

There are a number of large and very fine farms within this town. Mr. J. M. Helm purchased a farm of one-half section in 1855, which he improved and still resides upon. It is most admirably located for mixed husbandry, as well as capable of being made exclusively a stock farm; a fine large barn, substantial house, an excellent orchard, fruits of all kinds, with shrubbery, hedges and fences, are among the improvements that have been put there by Mr. Helm, and which have cost him and his estimable lady a vast amount of care and hard labor, yielding, however, rich returns to gladden and comfort their advancing years.

1001 Articles.

John M. Spencer also has a fine farm in the western portion of the town, possessing all those advantages for which the town generally is remarkable. For a number of years past he has been engaged in the dairy business, manufacturing butter and cheese upon a large scale; and those who have had the good fortune to try the quality of the productions of his dairy, need not be informed that he has made no failure. He is a thorough business farmer, attending to the affairs of his farm in all its details, with the prompt, energetic earnestness of a man fully appreciating the value of time, his farm giving evidence of great care and well directed labor, a model worthy of imitation.

We could not close this sketch without reference to the magnificent farm of David H. Jesse. Every one knows "Jesse " and his farm, and we remember the circumstance of losing ourself in his corn field, while traveling the county on business for "Uncle Sam." We had run against his farm upon the east side, and finding no way into it, made one, and then drove our nag through that never-ending field, going this way and that through the rank corn, until, bewildered and lost, we took a row of corn and followed it out to daylight, which fortunately led to the place we were looking for. How much corn we broke down we did not return to ascertain. We met "Jesse" the next day with no little trepidation, but were forgiven upon full confession. The farm contains 640 acres of prairie and timber land, all improved, and well improved, the Embarrass river crossing one corner, and is one of the best stock farms in the county.

Woodson Morgan, long identified with the history of the town, came from Kentucky about the year 1857, and settled near the limits of Crittenden. Perhaps no man has done more to advance the interest of the town than he. Since the town was organized in 1863, he has held the office of Supervisor with the exception of one year, when Mr. Spencer was elected. He is now quite well advanced in years, but with mind and intellect unimpaired, his judgment showing that his past life has

been one of vigorous, practical training. He has occupied the chair of the board for many years, conducting the affairs of the county with marked ability.

There are scores of others who are worthy or special notice, but space will not permit further effort in this direction.

COMPROMISE TOWNSHIP,

As a town, is new in the history of the county, having been organized in 1869, by taking Town 21, Range 14 west, and 21, Range 11 east, from Kerr, and the four eastern tiers of sections from Town 21, Range 10 east, belonging to Rantoul, putting them together. It is bounded on the east by Vermillion county, on the north by Kerr and Ludlow, on the west by Rantoul, and on the south by Stanton.

This is a prairie town, having but one small body of wood land within its borders. It contains 48 square miles of that deep, rich loam surface, that in the experience of our best agriculturists is by far the best adapted to mixed husbandry. While forest trees are not formed there naturally, yet when planted they grow rapidly, and the farmer has the advantage of having his trees where they best suit his fancy. There is no tree adapted to the soil and climate of Illinois that will not thrive upon the prairies, and there is no labor that the husbandman may engage in, that will yield so rich return. Fruits of all kinds flourish, and repay well the core bestowed upon them.

This town, like many others in the county, has not possessed the advantages flowing from railroad facilities. By reference to the map it will be seen that this hindrance to prosperity will soon be removed, as a road now in course of construction traverses the township from south-west to north-east, dividing the same nearly in half. This road has arranged connections.

Repairs Clocks.