1831

The first few months of 1831 were paralyzed by the "Winter of the Deep Snow."

Reuben Bandy was a newcomer to the area in 1831, purchasing the claim of Ira Crosby.  Other arrivals during the year included Abraham VanMeter, Nathan Curtiss, and Benjamin Mitchell.

VanMeter first settled in the area where Heyl Pony Farm later became famous.  Curtiss took up a claim near the corner of Main and Cruger, and Mitchell's claim was just south of Wrenn's Grove.  All of these settlements were on what we now know as North Main Street, providing further evidence that the "road" deemed a public highway by Tazewell County in 1830 was indeed the current Main Street.

Another arrival in 1831 was Charles S. Dorsey.  He built a house that doubled as Washington's first store in the current general area of Lindy's Supermarket.  Dorsey sold pretty much anything that would sell: dry goods, horse feed, groceries, boots, and multiple types of liquor.

James McClure started getting deeply involved in county affairs in 1831, serving as school trustee for the township with William Heath and Rufus North and as the election judge for the township, the election for our precinct being held at the home of William Holland.  Holland was serving as Tazewell County Commissioner and Coroner during this time.

1831 marked the end of William Holland's tenure as government blacksmith, as there were not very many Native Americans left in the area.  The "Winter of the Deep Snow" can be seen as the beginning of the transition from the wild Illinois prairie, with Native Americans and endless wild game, towards total cultivation and civilization by the White man.  Arrivals to our township in the coming years greatly increased, and after six years of frontier living, "Holland's Settlement" was close to being put on the map.  

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