entered the west half of the north-west quarter of Section 6, Town 20, Range 8 east, in February, 1836.

Prominent in the town, is A. P. Hensley, from Kentucky. He was, as before stated, the first Supervisor. He has a large farm, of about 300 acres, which he has brought to an advanced state of cultivation, and has made farming a success; while others, under more favorable circumstances, have failed.

James R. Scott, from Kentucky, settled in this town in 1857, and is not only one of the prominent men of the town, but of the county and State. His farm, of something over 1,000 acres of choice land, is one of the best in the State, and is devoted by its owner to the production of fine breeds of stock. There are few men whose judgment upon cattle could be called superior to that of Mr. Scott. He is also a thorough, practical farmer, carrying through all his work a spirit of enthusiasm, betokening a love for and devotion to his vocation, showing how well he understands and appreciates the high calling. He has recently been honored with an appointment from the Governor, of trustee of the Illinois Industrial University.

Henry To Aspern, from Germany, is another wide-awake farmer, doing his farming in a business way, bringing to his aid all the information that he has been able to obtain from others, supported by practical common sense.

J. A. Bellenger, D. T. Brown, Moses Burwell, Sam'l Shaw, Charles Miner, H. C. Lyons, Jas. M. Graham, Jesse Cloyd, Wiley Buckler, and many others of the township, are an honor to the agricultural world and the county in which they live.

KERR TOWNSHIP

Is in the extreme north-east corner of the county, and occupies. Town 22, Range 14 west, 2 P. M., and Town 22, Range 11 east, 3 P. M. It is bounded on the north by Ford county, on

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It contains twenty-four
When first organized

the west by Harwood township, on the south by Compromise, and on the east by Vermillion county. square miles, or 15,360 acres of land. the name was Middle Fork, from the name of the stream which runs through it, and was then just twice its present dimensions, as it included that part of Town 21 which lies immediately south of the present town. The name was changed in 1861 to Kerr, and in 1869 the town was divided, and the southern half given to Compromise.

Although the least in size among the towns of the county, it is far from being the least in importance. As the country improves, and farmers have reached a point on the road to competence where they can farm as they desire, their attention will be directed mainly to stock raising, and no locality offers greater facilities for that purpose then Kerr. The prairies are rich, beautifully undulating, and rank with rich grasses, while Middle Fork, a never-failing stream of water, divides the town in twain from the north-west to the south-east, giving prime advantages of water, so essential to the success of the stockgrower. Unfortunately for the town hitherto, the location in the county has not been the most favorable for rapid improvement, being off the line of any railroad, or other carrying route; but this will soon be obviated, as by reference to the map, it will be seen that the new road passes through this township, and were it not so, the superior advantages for stock farming, as stated above, must soon command the attention of farmers seeking desirable locations to invest in farm lands for occupation.

The first lands entered in this township were by Andrew Sprouler and William Brian, the former entering the north-east quarter of Section one, Town 22, Range 11 east, on December 31st, 1833; and the latter entered the north-east quarter of Section six, Town 22, Range 14 west, in October, 1833. Where these men came from, or how long they remained in the town, is unknown to us. The first settler in the township was William McMellen, who came from Columbus, Ohio, and

settled at Sugar Grove, in the fall of 1831, purchasing his land at the Government land sales. He was unfortunate at the first in losing some of his stock, a loss not easily repaired in those days. He improved his land, however, living there until 1835, when he sold out to Caleb Davis. One John Manning also settled at Sugar Grove about the same time as McMellen, but died soon after. Samuel Kerr, from Ohio, entered land at Sugar Grove in 1834, and owned part of the grove. He improved his farm, and was engaged quite extensively in stock raising. He died in the year 1854.

Lewis Kuder was from Hocking county, Ohio, and came to Kerr with his father, John Kuder, in 1837, where they settled upon the land now owned by the subject of our sketch. In 1840 his father died, and the following year his mother also died. Mr. Kuder then bought out the interest of the heirs and entered at once, as far as his means would permit, upon the stock-raising business. In this he has been successful, and piece by piece his farm has grown, until his inclosure now contains six hundred acres, besides one quarter that is not inclosed. The farm is in an excellent condition, and well arranged for a stock farm, for which it is designed, with a good house and barn, and all things else for comfort and convenience. A beautiful and substantial iron bridge spans the Middle Fork just east of his residence. He has upon his place about thirty head of horses, besides droves of cattle and hogs. Mr. Kuder has twice represented his town in the Board of Supervisors of the county, and is well known over the county as a sound and substantial man.

Levi Wood, Lindley Corbley, Joseph Martin, and Daniel Allhands, are substantial farmers, as are also many others we might name. Those named have done much in improving the county and adding to its material wealth and prosperity. Their farms are large, and models of their kind, being for stock purposes; and while they have grown rich themselves, they have made plain the path they trod, and themselves a guide to those who would follow after. Mr. Corbley, like Mr.

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Kuder, has twice been elected Supervisor, while Mr. Daniel Allhands, has been returned six times to the Board, showing that he is not only a man of substantial means, but of substantial worth

LUDLOW AND HARWOOD TOWNSHIPS.

Ludlow Township formerly extended over territory six miles north and south, and twelve miles east and west. It is in the north tier of townships in Champaign county. It has recently been divided, making the township of Harwood six miles square off the east.

The two townships, Ludlow and Harwood, are a splendid body of rich prairie, undulating, and susceptible of the most perfect drainage, being the highest land in the county, and drained by tributaries of the Salt Fork and Middle Fork of the Wabash, Vermillion (which waters flow into the Ohio river), and tributaries of the Sangamon river (which waters flow into the Mississippi river). There is a fine ridge, comprising the greater part of the two townships, running north-west and south-east, of high, rolling and very sightly country. On this ridge are situated some of our handsomest farms, and the view from it, in a clear day, extending for miles in every direction, is truly enchanting. The villages of Loda, Paxton and Rantoul are in full view, and apparently in a great extended valley. The Big Grove at Urbana and Champaign, and the timber far away on the Sangamon, Salt Fork, and Middle Fork meandering in view, amongst the rich farms of the county, form the outline of this great valley. There is no native forest in either of these townships except a few acres in the north-east corner of Harwood township, where the Middle Fork of the Vermillion touches that township.

The Illinois Central Railroad, Chicago Braneh, passes north and south through the township of Ludlow.

The village of Ludlow is situated one mile south of the county line, and five miles south of Paxton, the county seat of Ford county. It is quite a business place, large quantities of farm produce being received here for transportation. There are several active commission men; a mill for shelling and grinding corn; stores, two blacksmith shops, and a large district school, requiring two teachers.

First Congregational Church cost $3,000; thirty-six by fiftysix feet. A. E. Everest, pastor.

First Christian Church will cost about $3,000; thirty-four by fifty-six feet. R. B. Roberts, preacher. Over one hundred members.

The Methodists, under charge of Rev. Mr. Dale, are quite a large society, and expect to build next summer. They already have a large subscription.

Jacob Huffman, from Harrison county, Kentucky, was the first settler. He built a dwelling in the year 1852, on the south-west quarter of section one, Town No. 22 north, Range 10 east, near the timber on the Middle Fork of Vermillion. He died in 1857, leaving a widow and two sons. The widow married S. H. Cushing, and they now live in the same house. James W. Carter and Michael Huffman, (brother of Jacob,) came into the township in 1854. Carter settled in the north part of Section one, also adjoining the Vermillion county line (now Ford county,) and near the Middle Fork. Carter was young, active, persevering, close in trading, and economical. By keeping a variety of stock, colts, cattle, sheep and hogs, the hogs living on nuts, acorns, and such support as they could find along the stream, and by buying timber lands by the acre, and selling the wood and posts, he has added, by several pur chases, until he has now a very fine property of five hundred and seventy acres. He is from Kentucky, and is about 38 years old.

Michael Huffman has been one of the most prominent men in this township, serving a number of terms as Justice of the Peace, and for many years Treasurer of the School fund.

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