Source:
Piatt County History
together with a
Brief History of Illinois
from the
Discovery of the Upper Mississippi to the Present Time
by Emma C. Piatt
With Map and Illustrations.
1883
Transcribed by Sharon Wick

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS

CHAPTER XXI.
GOOSE CREEK TOWNSHIP
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     GOOSE CREEK township lies northwest of Monticello township, and is bounded on the north by Blue Ridge township, on the east by Sangamon, on the south by Monticello and Willow Branch, and on the west by De Witt county.  The western boundary line is quite uneven, so that De Witt county bounds a small portion of the township on the north.  The township contains about fifty-six sections of land, finely located for farming.  It has, in addition to a large amount of tillable land, a good deal of timbered ground.
     It is well drained by both Goose creek and Friends creek.  The main course of the former-named stream is from the northwest to the southeast, and it empties into the Sangamon river at almost exactly the southeatern corner of the township.  This creek derived its name from the fact that two wild geese had their nests in the tops of trees which were on the banks of the stream.  These geese had their nests here for a number of successive seasons.  The western part of the township is drained by Friends creek, another branch of the Sangamon.  The land along these streams is slightly rolling, while, as it recedes from them it is comparatively flat.  There is but a very small portion of the township now that is untillable.
     There is but one railroad in this township.  The Havana branch of the Chicago division of the Wabash railway enters the township at almost exactly the middle point of the eastern boundary line, angles northwest for about one mile, and then extends almost due west, entering De Witt county about five miles north of the southern boundary line of Goose Creek township.
     The first settlements of this township have already been referred to.  The first cabin on Goose creek was built near the present residence of George Varner.  The Olneys were early settlers, and we think that Mr. and Mrs. Olney who were buried just north of where Mrs. M. J. Marquiss lives, were the first who died in the township.  Mr. Abraham Marquiss and sons followed the Olneys in making settlement.  Ezra Marquiss, Sr., has lived longer in Goose Creek township than any other person.  'Tis going on fifty years since he first set foot on

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Goose creek soil.  William Piatt and wife are the next oldest residents.  The Welches were also early settlers, as was also Mr. Richard Hubbart.  We might mention other comparatively early settlers, but sketches of the most of them appear further on.

     De Land. - This township was but one town, which is situated on the Havana Branch railroad, about four miles from the eastern boundary line of the township.  This is an enterprising place of over 300 inhabitants.  It has already made a rapid growth and bids fair to keep on growing.  According to the surveyor's certificate, De Land was laid out for Thomas E. Bondurant on the 23d and 25th days of April, and the 20th and 21st days of May, 1873, and is situated on the N. W. 1/4 Sec. 9, T. 19 N., R. 5 E. 3d P.M.
     According to Thomas Bondurant, S. C. Langdon owned the first dwelling house in De Land.  Mr. Langdon was the first station agent, and was the first postmaster, which position he still holds.  Richard Tilson says he moved the first dwelling into De Land.  In the fall of 1873 R. B. Moody and John Vail built a store where the latter had had the first store of the place.  Dr. J. A. Davis was the first physician in the town, Dr. H. M. Harrison was next and then Dr. Wood came.  Dr. William T. Ward was the first neighborhood physician, but he never lived in the town.  Dr. J. R. Gardiner was in the place for a short time.
     De Land of to-day contains two churches, a school building, and about fifteen business firms.  Quite a number of new residences have been erected the past eyar, and Moody & Rodman have recently put up an elevator having a capacity for 30,000 bushels of grain.  T. E. Bondurant is erecting a commodious dwelling, which bids fair to be the finest residence of the place.
     Goose Creek township has reason to be proud of its one town, which has sprung up so rapidly, and the citizens of the place are well-deserving of praise for their part in its growth.

     Union Church. - The following

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     Methodist Episcopal Church -

     Kentucky School-house. -

CHAPTER XXII.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
 

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