The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-20
EDGINGT0N.

The townshipof Edgington,six miles square,
located on high prairie lands, susceptible Of
the most profitable cultivation, is perhaps
one of the most healthfnl and productive
agricultural districts in this county. While
its broad bleak fields, to some, may seem to
wear cherries aspect in the winter reason,
they afford the most charming rural scenes
when summer heats have developed their
dormant wealth to bounteous harvests. As
a general rule, the farmers of this township,
have concluded their battles with advers.3,
and having been placed in easy cir>' mssan-
css by the prosperity of the past rye years are
becoming animated with mat spirit OF taste
and Improvement valch seems native to
western atmosphere. A few days ago we
paid a short visit to that favored quarter
The grand ridges, with their faultless slopes,
dotted without interval with neat and home
like farms, seemed the very picture of what
our hardy pioneers must have dreamed of
when they first broke the virgin soil of these
teeming prairies. When loaded with their
unrivalled harvests, such as Illinois can
alone produce, they must form worthy
model from which poet might sketch
vision of the golden age. These remarks
are equally true of a considerable portion OF
the rich township of Buffalo Prairie, the same
size of Edgington and lying Immediately
west Of it.
To obtain few "reminiscences of the past,
we call on Timothy Dutton, ESQ.,, who is
now passing the autumn of a well-spent life,
IN ease, having fought his battle successful
ly, and is being blessed with comfort, plen-
ty, and immunity from care. Joseph Dun.
lap and Daniel Edgington were the nrst set
tiers, arriving in the year 1885. On the
following year, they were followed by James
Robinson and Daniel Montgomery. In
1887. John, Moses and Charles Titterington
also came, and shortly afterwards, Charles
and Henry Eberhart. In the spring of 1888,
MIR. Dutton arrived, in company with A. j.
Webster, Seth, George, Lorenzo and s. A.
Parmenter. At that time land was worth
from one to two dollars per acre, none hav-
ing been entered until the arrival of Messrs.
Dunlap and Edgington. The timber land
was the most highly valued. The SUPPOSE
ton was, at that time, that all the settle
ments would be made on the prairie lands
immediately to the rear of the river bluffs,
all the lands beyond remaining unentered,
and for want of settlers. becoming kind of
grazing ground for stock, common to ALL
Indians TOD h.
at the proper sae.~-S, rsrsn much success
Occasionally camps were pitched, but as
general thing, the settlers were not modest
ed. A few complaints were made in regard
to alledged stealing, but the settlers general
ly gave but little credence to such state
ments. Mr.. Dutton believed the Indians to
be honest, as they were indisposed to be hos
tile. AS will be inferred, they belonged to
Black Hawk tribes.
from 1912 to 1916, settlers came in such
numbers as to excite great hopes for the flu.
ture, but no one entertained any idea of liv.
ing long enough to greet the arrival of civ
iiization. For many years the greatest OF
privations were endured-such as are now
almost totally forgotten or unrecalled-
Money was an article scarcely known, and
circulated in the most provokingly small
quantities. When grain or produce accumu-
lated, very poor prices could be commanded,
and, In fact, markets were difficult to be
found at all. A great many would have
fastened to return to their homes in the east,
but for the want of money were compelled
to remain. The pining after ''the fesh-pots
OF Egypt" became quite distinguished
characteristic of the times. Until the com
pletion of the Chicago & Rock Island rail-
road, in 1854, this state of affairs continued,
with but trihing change for the better
On the completion of that road, however,
the long hoped for prosperity began todawn.
Patience, heroisn and perseverance began
to reap their long expected reward. Hearts
that had grown sick and heavy with hopes
deferred, were once more made light with
expectations reared on a solid basis Settlers
focked in from all parts of the east. Every
foot of land became valuable. Improve
ments commenced in every direction
Dwellings were erected, fences built. land
put under cultivation, and money freely cir
culated. Those who had been led to believe
that they had thrown away their life-labors
in an inhospitable wilderness found
themselves Possessed of inheritances worthy
of their long and patient toll.
No farmer OF this locality looks upon that
era of sudden progress aud enterprise with
out a thrill of pleasure. AID we might now
incidentally mention that eve~ acre in the
township is under cultivation, with tho
exception of half section owned bJa pb;1o
delpia Spectator, who refuses to sell Il .nv
price. Such thing as waste or unavailSao
land in Edgington township is unknown. :
In May 1912, George Parmenter started
small country store, around which formed
the nucleus of the present intea4ting and
prosperous village. In the fall of the same
year, Isaac Negus, of Rock Island ALSO open
ed store, which he disposed of in the fall
OF the following year to E. Burial Jr, now q
wealthy resident of our city. The former
store having been discontinued, the latter
remained the only one until the winter of
1856. Another was then opened by Fish &
Lee, afterwards bankers in this city, who
carried 1t on one year, and then sold out to
Montgomery &Bopes, who continued it a num-
Der of years longer. Two stores are now carry