Untitled Document

EARLY SETTLERS

The earliest settler in the township was Mahlon B. Lloyd, who located in 1837, and has always been most favorably known. He labored hard in the interest of the railroads through this part of the county, and devoted much time and considerable of his wealth to their furtherance. In 1852 he brought the first reaper into the township. His son Charles was the first'white male child born within its limits. Mrs. Mary Ann Jordan, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth K. Blackfan, was the first white female child born in the township.

In 1840 Dr. Alfred Trego commenced the practice of medicine here. He, and two horses he drove, were universally known to the early resi dents. The Blackfan families came about 1841. Mrs. Elizabeth K. Blackfan, wife of William Blackfan, who died in 1843, kept the first post-office in this locality. She was appointed to the office November 12, 1850, then called Orion, and held the position until after the location of Orion in 1853. The office was called La Grange, having- been established at that colony purchase. This being abandoned, the office was removed to Mrs. Blackfan's house. This woman, though early left with a family to support, succeeded in gaining considerable property, and was always an earnest worker for the moral growth of the town, and aided as much as any settler in its material prosperity.

Some of the first educators in the town were Charles Trego, who taught the first select school; Miss M. E. Laird, who was similarly employed seven years, and Sarah B. Lewis, who taught the first district school. This was held in 1847. The deficiency heretofore in educational facilities was supplied by these select schools. That of Miss Laird gained considerable notoriety, pupils from other states attending.

The marriage of Edward Blackfan to Susan Trego, in 1844, was the first celebrated in Western Township. As these persons professed the Quaker belief, they obtained their letters of permission from the society in Pennsylvania. Four years after H. B. Engie and Sarah B. Elwell were the first married by a minister. She was for thirteen years secretary of the Lyceum, so favorably known and so well maintained here. It was organized in 1846, in the house of Edward Blackfan, under the name of La Grange Lyceum, and until the erection of the first school-house in the township, in 1853, was held in private houses. That year it was held in this building. It is now changed to a historical society, which meets annually.

History of Henry County

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Illinois Ancestors

031307