Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885
Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL
Reproduced on CD purchased from OLD GLORY ACCENTS

Transcirbed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

HUME TOWNSHIP

Hume Township comprises all of township on north, of range 6 east of the fourth principal meridian, lying south of Rock River. When the township organization law was adopted, in 1852, the territory was set off, but not fully organized as a township until 1857, the east half being attached to Hopkins and the west half to Prophetstown.

This is a prairie township, there being no natural groves in it. The soil is rich and highly productive, and every acre is susceptible of cultivation. Rock River forms the greater part of the northern boundary, but there are no streams in the township. Water is easily obtained from wells sunk to not a very great depth.

Leonard Morse has the honor of being the first to reside within the township. He came from Lee County, in 1836, erected a log cabin on section 16,  and for several years resided there, his house being used to entertain travelers, it being on the old State Road from Rock Island to Beloit, and which virtually followed the Indian trail. On account of his being on the school section, no title could be secured for the land claimed. As was customary, the Government gave him a certificate, called by the early settlers a "float," entitling to enter any unoccupied Government land. The certificate he sold to Fred Dutcher, and then moved to McHenry County.

Uriah Wood came next, in 1839. He erected a sod house but a short distance from Morse, on the same section. In this house he lived with a family of seven children, until the fall of 1840, when he removed to Lee County.

William Ramsay was the next to locate in the township, and it may be said was the first permenant settler in the township. He came to the county in 1839, and on the 24th day of March, 1840, took up his residence in Hume, pre-empting a tract of 160 acres, and for which he secured a title, signed by John Tyler. A sketch of Mr. Ramsay may be found on page 283.

Charles Wright came in June, 1840, and located on the west line of the township on the Prophetstown Road. Mr. Wright was a native of Vermont, but cam here from Canada, where he had resided for some years. He was a man universally esteemed, a loving father and husband, and a kind neighbor. He died Jan. 24, 1875, on the old homestead.

David Ramsay and Lyman Baker came in 1840, as also did L. B. Ramsay.

David Ramsay was the father of William and L. B. Ramsay. He was born in Londonderry, N. H. in 1787; married in Vermont, in 1812, after which he removed to Oneida Co., N. Y., from which place he came to Whiteside Coutny. Locating on sectin 10, he built a frame house, which, though not intended for a tavern, was used for that purpose for some years. Men going to and from the land office often availed themselves of the privilege of stopping at Ramsay's. A good many anecdotes of hotel life at this place are related. On one occasion a traveler calld at the house after all had retired and asked permission to stop, Mr. Ramsay replied: "Friend, my house is but 16x22, and we now hve 21 lodged here."  "Well, I'll make the number 22," said the traveler, as he dismounted from his horse. He was cared for.

Upon another occasion a party was returning from the land sales, where they had secured titles for their land, and in consequence, was ingood spirits. They brought along with them a jug of whisky, which they had purchased as a preventive of chills, fever and snake-bites. One of the number was a bald-headed man, and as in those days bald-headed men were rare, he was made the butt of a good many jokes. Not knowing but snakes and other "varmints: might abound about the premises, the contents of the jug were sampled, and enough partaken of to make them feel happy. The bald head of their friend shone forth, and as whisky was good for so many "ills that flesh is heir to," it was thought it might make a good hair restorative. Despite the struggles of the man, his head was deluged with the rum, and vigorously shampooed, amid the laughter of all but the victim. David Ramsay lived upon the homestead which he located till his death, which occurred in 1852.

Lyman Baker came from Washington Co., N. Y. He located on section 11.

Hume Township did not rapidly settle up, in consequence of their being no timber. Among those who came in at an early period, or before the adoption of the township organization law, in addition to those already named, were J. S. Scott, David Cleaveland, R. F. Stewart, J. G. Peckham, J. D. Bean, Mr. Chas. S. D. Perry, Austin Morse and G. W. Curtis.

David Cleaveland was from Oneida Co., N. Y. He located on sections 19 and 30.

J. S. Scott is a native of Ohio. He came to this county with his parents, resided in Hopkins till  his marriage, in 1846, when he removed to Hume. He is now living a retired life at Rock Falls.

The first resident of Hume Township to be united in marriage was William Ramsay. He went to Lee County for his wife, and was there married, Feb. 3, 1845.

Ann Maria Ramsay died in the fall of 1842. Her death was the first in the township.

The first birth was that of a child of Leonard Morse, in 1838.

James Griffith is said to have taught the first schoolin the towship, in 1857. A school-house had just been completed in the Cleaveland neighborhood, and in this house was held the first shcool. Accrding to the report of the Superintendent of Public Schools, the township is divided into six school districts, with one brick and five frame school-houses, valued at $6,400. There were in June, 1884, under the age of 21 years, 356 persons, of whom 257 were over six, with an enrollment of 196. The wages paid ranged from $25 to $50 per month. The tax levy for school purposes was $1,315.

There is no village in the township. A postoffice was established in 1874, under the name of South Hume, with J. D. Perry as Postmaster. It was continued but about two years.

Supervisors
The following named have served the township as members of the Board of Supervisors:

Charles Wright - 1857-65
S. M. Elliot - 1866
John C. Paddock - 1867
Austin Morse - 1868-70
John H. Plumley - 1871
John C. Paddock - 1872-74
M. C. McKenzie - 1875-76
R. C. Crook - 1877
John H. Plumley - 1878-79
S. F. Wheelock - 1880
W. A. Cleveland - 1881-83
Samuel Wetzel - 1884
W. A. Cleaveland - 1885