Early Settlers

Benjamin F. Brown and Miss Lucinda Mann were the first couple married in the township, the Rev. Gardner, a Universalist minister of Galesburg, officiating—the event occurring in 1838.

Govert Fleharty was the first white settler in the township, coming in the spring of 1833, and his son, William D. Fleharty, now a resident of Galesburg, was the first white child born here, the date of birth being October 4, 1834.

James Mann and Timothy Meeker came in 1834, and, in 1835, came Benjamin F. and Harrison Brown, David Bruner, Andrew J. Holmes and others. Joshua Bruner, the son of David Bruner, was county judge from 1869 to 1873. He died a number of years ago.

Other settlers were John Wilshier, William Greenwood, Young C. Mann and Allen S. Brown.

First Public Officers

Notley Scott was the first supervisor; Joshua Bruner, town clerk; John W. Miles, assessor; James M. Holmes, collector; R. R. Mathers, Eli Tangham and Nathan Bailey, highway commissioners; Timothy Meeker, overseer of the poor; William F. Garrett and A. J. Holmes were justices of the peace, and John M. Holmes, constable.

When Notley Scott came into the township in 1837 be purchased a claim of Harrison Brown on Section 18. Ethel was the first postoffice and John Goff the postmaster.

Fraternal Organizations

The Odd Fellows have a progressive lodge in North Henderson (No. 268), chartered October 11, 1876. Among its members are some of the best citizens of the township. Encampment No. 99, I. O. O. F., was chartered December 28, 1880. During the same year a lodge room was erected, the first story of which was rented for mercantile purposes.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

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