Untitled Document

ORGANIZATION.

Pursuant to notice given for township organization, an election was held on April 4, 1851, at the school-house in district No. 1. The meeting was called to order by choosing George W. Bennett clerk, William Epperly, moderator, and Tyler McWhorter, clerk, pro tem. At this meeting it was decided to elect four poundmasters, and the ones chosen were : W. S. Roe, Michael Miller, Buford Duncan and Samuel Herson.. Tyler McWhorter was chosen supervisor, receiving thirty-two votes ; Alvah Sutton, town clerk ; Caleb Vernon, collector ; William S. Roe, assessor ; Samuel Herson, G. W. Bennett, John Page, Buford Duncan, and James Vernon, overseers of poor ; William Summers and James Lloyd, commissioners of highways ; William Ducan, constable ; James Vernon, justice of the peace.

At this election thirty votes were cast. A resolution restraining swine, sheep, and cattle from running at large was adopted.

Until 1881 Duncan township was without a postoffice. At that time Mr. Leonard Gorber built a store-house on section 2, and John Ball was appointed postmaster. He was also the first merchant in the township. In the spring of 1882 he sold his stock to John Boltinghouse, who was appointed in his stead. April 17, 1882, a second post-office was established in Duncan township, and Edward Cornell was appointed postmaster. This is situated in the extreme southwestern corner of the township.

A mill was built on Camp creek in 1835, on the line between Duncan and Millersburg townships. This was a grist and saw-mill. It has long since been numbered with the things of the past, and only a few of the old timbers remain to mark the spot where the early pioneer patiently awaited his turn to be accommodated.

Luman Castle was the first discoverer of coal in Duncan township. This was about 1845 or 1846. One McDonald was the first to mine coal. Until he commenced, people who wished dug what they wanted out of the side of the ravine. There being plenty of timber then there was not much demand for coal, but as the population of the township increased they began using coal in order to save the timber for making rails and other purposes.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

History of Mercer & Henderson Counties

Illinois Ancestors