When it was fully understood that the Indians were removed beyond the Mississippi and were not likely again to molest the whites, settlements began to be made invarious parts of Northern Illinois, and it could not be that the beautiful Rock River Valley would long escape the watchful eyes of those seeking a home in a more favored land than the barren and over-crowdedEast. In June, 1834, Alexander J. and Norman B. Seely made claims to the land upon which the village of Portland was subsequently located. Norman Seely erected a cabin in the grove where helived the following winter.Mitchell Ruxton also came the same year and located near the Seelys. Asa Crook and family located in what is now the township of Prophetstown the same season. About the same time Samuel A. McClure located at the mouth of Walker's Slough. In September, following, he sold out to John W. Stakes. John Bowman, a brother of Mrs. Stakes, came with them. Alfred Wood and John Champine were here in the fall.
In May, 1834, Hezekiah Brink located his claim upon the site of the present city of Sterling. Mr. Brink yet resides upon a portion of his original claim.
Adam and John James and Jesse Hill located in Genesee early in the spring of 1834. It has usually been said that this settlement was made in 1835, but on the authority of George O. James, now living in Morrison, the date given is 1834. In 1835, settlements were made in various parts of the county.
As the early settlement of the county is given in detail in the histories of the various townships and villages in their respective places, we forego further mention here other than to give the date of the settlements of the various townships.
Albany Township was settled in 1835, by Edward Corbin and Mr. Mitchell, brothers-in-law. The latter made a claim in what is now known as Upper Albany, and the latter in Lower Albany.
Erie was settled in 1835, by Lewis D. Crandall, Peter Gile and Mr. Hunt, the first named locating on section 18.
John Baker was the first settler in Fulton, in 1835. He located where the city of Fulton now stands.
Joseph Fenton, for whom the township was named, was the first settler in Fenton Township, in 1835.
On the 10th day of April, 1835, S. Miles Coe made claim to a portion of sections 33 and 34 of Jordan Township, and thus has the honor of being the first settler. Mr. Coe now writes his name Simeion M., only adopting the former method while his father was yet living, the latter then being known as Simeon M.
Jason Hopkins and Isaac H. Brittell, in the spring of 135, made a settlement on the site of the old village of Como, and were the first settlers of Como, and were the first settlers of Hopkins Township.
Lyndon was settled in 1835. Adam R. Hamilton, Chauncey G. Woodruff, Liberty Walker, Wm. D.Dudley and Ephraim H. Hubbard were the pioneers.
James J. Thomas, Felix French, Wm. H. and John D. Paschal were the first settlers of Mt. Pleasant, in 1835.
In 1836 Abel Parker made the first settlement in Garden Plain. He located at the grove which has since been known as Parker's Grove.
Leonard Morse made a claim on section 16, of Hume, in 1836, and has the honor of being the first in that township.
In the spring of 1836, Joshua T. Atkinson located in Union Grove, and was, therefore, the pioneer.
Wooster Y. Ives and Edward Corbin made claims and located in Ustick Township, in 1837. Amos Short and Edward Rolph settled here the same year.
Coloma was settled in 1837 by Edward Atkins, Noah Merrill and Daniel Brooks.
Jesse Hill and Wm Mick made claims in Clyde, in 1835, but the first permanent settlement was doubtless made in 1838, Henry W. Daniels, Hugh Hollinshead, Dr. H.H. Fowler and Mr. Wing being among the number then locating here.
Wm. Renner and family located in Hahnaman Township, in 1841, being the poineer.
Montmorency was settled first in 1847, by Asa Scott.
