Early Settlers

J. H. Witter, who was the first settler in this township, came from Indiana in the spring of 1833. The next man to settle here was a Mr. Winter, after whom Winter creek was named.

The next year came David Shaunce; others who settled here about this time were William Wilson, John Hill and D. F. Noble. Hill took up a claim and built a house on land claimed by Shaunce. After the mistake was discovered, trouble arose and Shaunce quit-claimed to D. F. Noble on condition that Shaunce should take possession. Shaunce brought suit against Hill for pos­ session, but failing in this, undertook to gain possession by force, which caused some fights in the neighborhood. Hill then moved off the premises, when D. F. Noble took possession.

In 1834 Silas Drury, his father and a cousin, Charles Drury, and J. P. Reynolds arrived. Silas Drury entered land on which he built a cabin, which he afterwards sold to Daniel Noble. Mr. Drury then moved to Rock Island county. On Copperas creek he built a mill, known to the early settlers as Drury's mill.

During this year came Jesse Willits, Dr. Mark Willits, Mark Mullen, Isaac Dawson, William Elliott, August Schrader and Martin A. Cook, many others arriving about the same time. In 1836 came Martin and Jacob Bear who, with others from Indiana, drove overland with four yoke of oxen. In their journey they were often compelled to hitch all their oxen to one wagon in crossing sloughs. Martin and Jacob Bear died a number of years ago. During their life-time they improved large farms and were among the prosperous farmers of the county. Martin Bear was for several years supervisor for Eliza township

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