which runs through the corporation, furnishes an abundance ot water for mill purposes, and adds greatly to the beauty of the scenery. To the north and north-east of the city, beautiful parks, of nature's planting, wanting only the care and attention of man to make them the peers of any in the land, may be found within twenty minutes walk of the Court House; and we wonder that long ere this the citizens of Urbana have not added this to the attractions of their town.

The first house erected here was by one Tompkins, about 1822, and was upon or near the site now occupied by the Union Mills.

The first hotel kept in the city was by Charles Busey in a small frame house on the spot where the brick storehouse of John Gere now stands.

The second was by Asahel Bruer, where the Pennsylvania House now stands.

The first mill was a saw mill built by Col. Busey, north-west of the Court House, on the creek, and was washed away by a flood.

. The first flouring mill was by one Heptenstall, in 1838, a water mill, which also disappeared.

The second was a steam flouring and saw mill, erected by Wm. Park, in 1850. This mill still stands, and has no superior in the county.

The third mill was built by Eli Halberstadt, also a model flouring mill of great capacity.

Upon the organization of the county in 1833, the first act of the County Commissioners' Court was to appoint commissioners to select a site for the location of the county seat. Parties from Bloomington had purchased a tract of land in the grove north of the "Salt Fork," and there laid off a town which they called "Byron," and tendered to the commissioners land whereon to locate the seat of government. At this time the road from Danville to Bloomington ran north of the grove, and it was supposed that the county seat would be located on or near that road. Col. M. W. Busey, however, who had set

Common Knives and Forks.

ERMENTROUT, HARVEY & CO., Main St., Urbana, Ill.

COLLECTIONS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO.

Passage Tickets and Drafts

-ON

ENGLAND, IRELAND, SCOTLAND, FRANCE,

AND ALL EUROPEAN CITIES.

A. M. AYERS.

H. W. AYRES.

AYERS & AYERS,

Attorneys & Counsellors at Law,

tled here about the year 1831, tendered forty acres of land to the infant county, on the high ridge just south of the grove, which, being considered the most desirable, was wisely selected, and the county seat permanently established at that place, and the name of Urbana given to the same.

The first store (variety) was kept by T. R. Webber, opened in 1834, and closed about 1837 or 1838. This was in a small building on the place where the store of Alex. Spence now is. Mr. Webber was succeeded by Charles Tiernan. Noah Bixler opened a store in 1841.

The first blacksmith and wagon maker was Joe Mills, about 1838.

The first physician was J. S. Sadler, from Indiana, in 1838. The first preacher who settled here was A. Bradshaw, of the M. E. Church in 1840, and under his administration the first church in the town was built; Mr. B. himself hewing out the frame. This church is now used by Mr. Benner for a livery stable. The first cost was $500.

The next was the Baptist church, which was built by J. S. Busey in 1855, costing about $3,000, and Bro. Farr, of the Baptist church in Champaign, was the pastor.

The next was the new brick M. E. church in 1856, costing $10,000.

In 1866 was erected the Presbyterian church (frame), at a cost of about $5,000, a very neat, beautiful structure.

Schools.-A. Bruer taught the first school in the city, and the first school house was erected in 1854, of brick, costing $8,000, and has since been enlarged by additions of wings to a cost of $22,000.

Wm. D. Somers, the first lawyer, was born in North Carolina, 1814, and came here in 1840 as a physician; but soon after studied law and commenced the practice of the same in Urbana, where he has since resided. It may be said of him, that few men who commence practice at the bar, reach that high point in the profession now occupied by Mr. Somers. He has a clear, logical and legal mind, presenting his views in the

Carving Knives and Forks.

CUNNINGHAM. & WEBBER,

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

-AND

SOLICITORS IN CHANCERY.

All Business Will Receive Prompt Attention.

URBANA, ILLINOIS.

BUSEY BROTHERS,

BANKERS,

MAKE COLLECTIONS on all accessible points.

LOAN MONEY on short

time. PAY INTEREST on time deposits.

Buy and Sell GOLD, SILVER and EXCHANGE.

SELL SIGHT DRAFTS ON

ENGLAND, IRELAND, SCOTLAND, AND ALL EUROPEAN CITIES,

AND PASSAGE TICKETS TO AND FROM ALL FOREIGN PORTS.

Agents for Sale of FIRST MORTGAGE LAND GRANT

COLD BONDS

Of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. They are free from U. S. Tax, and are issued of the following denominations: Coupons, $100, $500, $1,000; Registered, $100, $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000.

URBANA,

ILLINOIS.

M. W. MATHEWS,

ATTORNEY AT LAW,

Office Over Gere's Store,

argument of a case plainly, and when aroused by its importance, with great force and effect. He has served long at the bar, and stands among its members honored and respected. His partner (Mr. Wright) also is a young man of promise in the profession.

A. M. Ayers, judge of the county court, and H. W. Ayers, his brother, are also at the head of the profession in the city, well known throughout the county as able and trustworthy attorneys; and none are superior to J. O. Cunningham, of whom we gave a short sketch in another part of this work. Milton Mathews is an attorney of rare merit and great promise.

The first court held in the county was in an old log stable belonging to Col. Busey, 1833, Judge Harlan presiding. It is said the judge boarded with one Madam Cook, and fared sumptuously on roast possum and pumpkin.

We cannot forbear speaking of Col. M. W. Busey, the founder of the town. He was born in Kentucky, and went thence to Indiana, and thence to Urbana in 1831, as before stated Those who knew him best, say of him that he had few superiors. He was gifted with a sound, practical mind, and gave to the city he had established all of that energy which he possessed so largely, born of an ardent, enthusiastic temperament, backed by common sense. To the city and its interests he was devoted; to his friends, warm hearted and generous; and to all he was just. In 1840 he represented his county in the legislature of the State, retiring with honor and credit.

The bankers, Busey Bros., are the sons of M. W. Busey, of whom we have written, and have a bank that would do credit to any town in the West.

Ermentrout, Harvey & Co., successors to Alexander & Ermentrout, are also bankers, deserving the confidence of the public, which they have so liberally received.

The "Illinois Democrat," published here, by P. Lochrie, is of itself a testimony of the thrift and enterprise of the town; while the bookbindery and job office of Flynn & Scroggs is the most complete establishment of its class in Eastern Illinois.

Pocket Knives.