ST. JOSEPH, STANTON and OGDEN TOWNSHIPS.
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Read at Old Settlers Reunion, July 29, 1886.
BY C. H. GALLION.
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ST. JOSEPH.

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STANTON.

     Stanton township at one time formed a part of St. Joseph, but was cut off in 1869 and in 1873 it was reduced to its present limits by the incorporation of part of it into Ogden township.  The first settler of whom we can learn was John Trimble, who entered 80 acres of land on the east side of the Spoon river, near the Vanfleet farm.  But chief among the early settlers was Levi Crayne, who settled on Salt Fork when the
whole township was a vast prairie.  He came from Ohio and lived longer in Stanton than any other man.  Frederick O. Frankenberg was the first man to settle in the west part of the township.  The Whitzell brothers came soon after and Jonathan Hunt, who made a settlement there in 1858 was one of the first justices of the peace.  The Hayworths moved on the farm they now occupy in 1861 and are well known and respected citizens.  E. W. Swisher has long held the office of justice of the peace in the township, and Erastus J. Clark figured largely in political circles.  Although Stanton township contains no village, the residents find excellent marketing facilities at St. Joseph, and to the industrious farmers of Stanton is the wonderful growth of that village largely due.
     This township is somewhat noted as containing the largest settlement of Friends or Quakers in the county.
     The first supervisor of Stanton was L. C. Melette, who was followed by Isaac Weaver, J. D. Whitzell, E. T Johnson, L. H. White, E. M. Russel, Isaac L. Lefever, Jesse Mellette and David Maddock, the present supervisor.

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OGDEN.

     Ogden township is situated in the extreme eastern part of the county, and is somewhat irregular in shape, being 10½ miles long from north to south, and 3¾ miles wide from east to west.  The first survey was made in 1821 by James Thompson, deputy surveyor, and the organization of
the township was effected in 1878.  The first settlement was made in Hickory Grove by Hiram Rankin, who soon after moved to St. Joseph.  The next settlement was made in Burr Oak Grove, in the northern part of the township.  Garrett Moore, who was among the earliest men to make improvements in Ogden township was the first constable in Champaign county.  The Richards, Freemans and the Firebaughs are all familiar
names among the old settlers.  The first supervisor was E. N. Miles. Eleazer Freeman is at present supervisor.

RANTOUL TOWNSHIP.
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Read at Old Settlers Reunion, July 29, 1886.
BY JOHN ROUGHTON.

     The country now known as Rantoul was formerly known as Mink Grove, from the grove bearing that name near the present town of Rantoul, which was a general rendezvous for the Indians.  The first white settler was Archa Campbell, who built a house in the township in the fall of 1848.  The house was fourteen feet square, one story, and built or split loss, it was roofed with rough boards twelve or fourteen feet long.

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     Mr. Campbell's nearest neighbors were Franklin Dobson, on the Sangamon river, nine miles west, and Lewis Adkins, at north end of Big Grove, eight miles south.  Mr. Campbell farmed until 1858, when he sold out to Guy B. Chandler.  It was through the influence of Mr. Campbell that the Illinois Central railroad located the present station where it now is.
     In 1852 Lewis L. Hicks entered a section of land two miles north-east and was followed by his brother-in-law and sister, Gilbert Martin and wife in 1853.  In 1855 John W. Dodge came here from Twinsburg, Ohio, for the purpose of pre-empting land for the Ohio colony.  He remained until November and by that time had caused to be erected no less than eighteen cheap houses, on as many quarter sections, within a radius of six miles of the grove.  He caused to be bought for himself and his friends 3,295 acres of land, costing, including commissions $3.09 per acre.  John Penfiold, one of the prominent men of the township removed here in 1856. In 1855 John Roughton started a blacksmith shop near the residence of A. Darnell. J. W. Dodge permanently located here May 9, 1856, soon after his brother-in-law.  James T. Herrick, arrived, followed by James Smithers, John B. Perry, Columbus Carnes, Frank Eads, Anderson Brown and Benjamin Bradley.
     J. J. Bois was appointed agent of the L, C. R. R. May 1, 1857 and holds that position at present. He was also agent for the American express company until Jan. 24, 1866, when he was succeeded by E. J. Udell, the incumbent, who discharges the duties of that office to the entire satisfaction of everyone.  Mr. Udell has also been telegraph operator since Sept. 1, 1864.
     G. W. Carter settled in 1856, Abraham Cross in same year, John A. Benedict arrived Nov. 1, 1856, he has since died, his biography and portrait appears on another page of this book.  Wm. O. Bissell came in 1855.  The town plat of Rantoul was platted in the summer of 1856, by John and Guy D. Penfield, who have done much to build up the town since.  Among the new comers to the town were Muns West, C. F. Post, T. E. Frederick, Dr. D. M. Marshall, Will. R. Johnson, Zimri Reynolds, Dr. J. Sweatt, Isaiah Estep and Mrs. N. L. Seaver.
     The town is well supplied with stores, which are supported by a rich country.  The growth of the township has been wonderful and it is not surpassed in improvements and energy of its citizens by any township in the county.

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