Untitled Document

THE TOWNSHIP

The name Buffalo Prairie was applied to the magnificent prairie extending from the Mississippi river south towards Edwards river. One half of this territory lies within Rock Island county. Upon the organization of the township, the laud in range 4, west, comprising one Congressional township, town 16, and four full and eleven fractional sections in town 17, was named Buffalo Prairie township.

It is certainly one hundred years or more since the buffalo roamed over the township that bears the name. These herds were followed by the Indians who almost subsisted upon them. Strange, that with the passing of the race that once almost owed its existence to the animals, that they have become practically extinct. Now and then, in some park or reservation, one or two of these uncouth, shaggy beasts are found, but it will not be long before they will exist only in natural history volumes. Long as it has been since they were found iu Rock Island county, evidences of their former presence are found in sections 21, 22, 23, 26. 27 and 28, in old grass and moss covered paths leading to water. The buffalo and deer "licks'* are notable in this locality.

Buffalo Prairie township is principally prairie land, although the fractional sections of town 17, have considerable timber laud, bordering upon open areas of rolling land. The soil is a black alluvium of a depth from a few inches to several feet, the latter predominating. On the ridges, the soil is a gray clay, mixed with the alluvium. The principal streams are Copperas creek, which flows nearly parallel through the southern half of town 16, leaving the township in section 19; Big Run, commonly called Big Slough, which rises in the northeastern part of the township aud enters the Mississippi river from fractional section 27. The township is bounded by the Mississippi river on the north, on the east by Edgington and Andalusia town ships, on the south by Mercer county, and on the west by Drury township.

Buffalo Prairie township was organized in 1857, when O. H. P. Moore was chosen supervisor. The constitution of 1848 provided that in counties not adopting township organization, the county business should be transacted by a county judge and two associate judges, the latter having nothing to do with the probate business.

At the county election in 1853, John Kistler of Buffalo Prairie was elected associate judge, and held the office until April, 1857, when the system under which they acted was superceded by township organization. John Kistler also served one term as Representative in the Illinois Legislature

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