Bernadotte Township

Postcard submitted by Donald Parkinson

This excerpt was taken from the History of Fulton County,
published by Chas. C. Chapman & Co., 1879, pgs 506-507.

This township is bounded upon the north by Cass, upon the east by Lewistown, south by Pleasant and upon the West by Farmers'. It is a timbered township and contains a greater number of miles of Spoon River than any other township in the county. There is, however, much good land in the township and many fine farms. William Walters came into the township about 1826, been its first settler. In a short time he sold out to Isaac Stewart and moved over into Farmers' township, where he passed the remainder of his days. Soon came in Daniel Walters, who settled upon Section 15. Then came Solomon Sherwood, who built the first mill in the township. This was a horse-mill and did grinding for the settlers for many miles around, until Joseph Coleman built his water-mill on the Spoon River, at the site of the present town of Bernadotte. John Camron built a grist and saw-mill upon the same river in 1831. These improvements brought settlers from adjoining counties, and many are the incidents connected with their trips to these mills, related by the pioneers. They would come for many miles, and often upon their arrival would find many ahead of them, and they would have to wait sometimes for days before their turn came. Sometimes they would find the mill out of repair, the dam washed away or something to detain them. They would then go to work and help rebuild the dam or do whatever the miller would direct. Men have told us that they have gone to the Bernadotte's mill with a load of grist and have worked at hard labor for almost a week before they could get their grain ground. They would work late and early as though they were regularly employed and paid hands.

Thus was this point on Spoon River visited by many people, until Mr. Coleman's enterprise suggested to him the feasibility of laying off a town. Accordingly in 1835, upon Section 19, he platted a town and called it by the name of Fulton. The name was soon changed to Bernadotte. It grew rapidly and at one time ranked among the leading towns of the county. It failed to secure a railroad, and when one was constructed within a few miles of it the inevitable result quickly followed, and Bernadotte surrendered her prosperity to other places. There are now several stores here that do a fair business, a good mill, etc. Other settlers who came during an early day were Charles Howard, William Crosby, John Harris, who afterwards move to Harris township, John Littlejohn, William Wilson, Anderson Beadles, Mr. Toler and others. The first school-house was erected in 1828 and John Clayburg was the first teacher. As early as 1827 the Methodists organized a church.

Submitted by your host

Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!

Fulton County Home Page

Copyright © 2003-2008, Janine Crandell
All rights reserved
Updated January 31, 2006