Kerton Township

This excerpt was taken from the History of Fulton County, published by Chas. C. Chapman & Co. in 1879, pages 748-749.

Presenting the history of this township in chronological order compels us to notice first its archeology, that is, the mounds and relics of a remarkable people who have long since become extinct. Indeed, it seems that three distinct races of people occupied this section of country in former ages. One was probably a race of giants, as we find skulls large enough to fit on the outside of the average head of to-day. One skull is of a reddish tinge, like the color of the bone, in which case the head was not well developed; another skull is white: head well developed, and the facial contour correspondingly indicating a higher intelligence. On the farm of Jacob Fisher in the southeastern portion of the township are many relics of the Mound-Builders, such as vessels and fragments of pottery with artistic designs, skulls, skeletons and fragments of skeletons in great abundance. Thousands of these have been carried away by visitors.

The earliest white settlers of Kerton township were Reuben and Roswell Fenner, who located on sec. 19 in 1823; the next were Joseph McKee, John Vides and Joseph Dobson, on sec. 17. about 1827. John Kerton, from the East, and Edward McKee, from Ireland, settled here about 1835. Very little is known of Mr. Kerton, although the township has derived from him its present name. Mr. McKee remained for a time and was a respectable citizen.

Kerton township is probably the smallest in the county, and much of the land is still held by old speculators, which fact militates against the prosperity of the country. Besides, a large portion of the land is hilly, being in the breaks of Spoon and the Illinois rivers. Yet there are many nice farms in this township. Among the representative men who give character and fix the destiny of this little township we may mention J. W. Swebaugh, Vandorus Martin, Jacob Fisher, Squire Reardon, Jacob Severns, Wm. Markley, Isaac Beatty, Wm. Cluney, T. P. Carney, Lemuel Welker and others.

The first Justice of the Peace was Benj. Hartland, who is said to have settled here in 1838. The first school-house was built on sec. 30, in 1845. The first post-office was established in June, 1871, in Marbletown.

West Point is on the Illinois river, located by Joel Onion, now of Woodland township, in 1847, and is rapidly gaining favor as a shipping point. Joel A. Barnes and Wm. Dutch represent parties in Beardstown as purchasers of grain.

Marbletown is a small village, but the most central in the township. Its name was given it under these circumstances: During the autumn of 1857 a saw-mill was erected by C. P. Richardson and Wm. H. Cogshall; of consequence tenement houses were erected; in 1868 Hiram Marble & Son bought the mill, and the people naturally called the collection of houses about the mill "Marbletown." In 1871 a post-office was established here (the first in the township) and Jacob Severns is the present postmaster. Mr. Severns built the first store-house in 1859, and for a year and a half he carried on the mercantile business in a small way. In 1865 he re-commenced the business and since then has had a fair run of custom. Mr. Marble was the second grocer and merchant. Wm. Patchen also began the business last year, but he sold to A. E. Ralston, who was in turn succeeded by S. W. Sloan. The mill was removed several years ago, and business in Marbletown has consequently been diminished.

Mr. Marble lost a son, about of age, in the saw-mill. The main driving belt or shaft caught his clothing and stripped it from his body, crushing him and causing instant death.

There is no established Church in Kerton township. Religious services are held at Hickory school-house, Cluney school-house, Brown school-house and at Severns'. There is no regular pastor. Latterly Dr. Note, of Woodland township, has frequently presided at meetings as Pastor. Nathaniel McClellan, it is believed was among the first ministers in this township. Deacon Abraham F. Brown, now of Schuyler county, was the first to preach in this township, being called upon to preach the funeral sermon of Mrs. John Kerton.

The present Justices of the Peace are R. S. Warner and Wm. A. Reardon ; Assessor, James Morningstar; Collector, Jacob Severns; Supervisor, Lewis Beatty ; Constable, W. L. Wrestler; Town Clerk, Richard Warner; Road Commissioners, T. J. Wilson, James Morningstar and Lemuel Welker.

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