who closed the store. About 1855, Henry Parkhurst and Miner Justin opened a store, which, after many changes, was purchased, March, 1867, by the present proprietor, J. C. Davis.

Probably the first school was taught in 1854, by Miss Wickham. . In 1855, J. C. Davis taught over Mr. Powell's store. The present school house was built south of the town in 1856. The present teachers are Miss Ida Burtis in Summer and Mr. Buel Evans in Winter, having an attendance of from thirty to fifty, according to season.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious services were held about 1848, at Mr. Justin's house, by Rev. Mr. Little, followed by Rev. Nelson A. McConnell, who interested the people in a revival.

Methodist Church.-This society has been organized for many years, but held their meetings in private houses and the school house until 1874, when their large and well-made church was erected. It was dedicated December 3.

The Congregational denomination also have an organization, and services are held every two weeks in the Methodist Church by Rev. Litz, of Central City.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Mr. J. C. Davis has acted as Postmaster since 1868, receiving the office from John Long.

In 1870, a wooden bridge was erected over the river north and west of the town, there being no foundation directly north on the section line; but, as this bridge has become worn and rotten, a new one will probably soon replace it.

Paris has not been favored with a large population, though it contains about twenty good houses; but, being surrounded by a good circle of farms, it will maintain its present capacity as a trading point, and probably grow with time. A militia company was organized at Paris in February, 1877, under Capt. Thompson and Lieuts. John Stevens and J. H. Davis, with forty members.

Mills & Johnson put up the first saw-mill in the township of Jackson, in 1855. They sold it to Mr. Clark. It was finally sold and removed to Cedar Rapids.

In 1855, Josiah Plank built a saw-mill at Paris. It was washed away in

1860.

A stone grist-mill was erected on the Buffalo, on the present site of Green's mills, by William Bruce, in 1858.

PRAIRIEBURG.

(Bowlder Township.)

This is comparatively a village of recent growth. A market place was required on the northeastern side of Buffalo Creek, and the village of Prairieburg has resulted."

The earliest settler now living there is William Wagner, who settled one mile southwest, in 1851.

Silas Edgington, one mile west, was the next settler. He soon sold to William McQueen the farm now owned by James McQueen.

Henry Ward settled one mile east, in 1856. At that time, B. Harrison lived one mile east; H. B. Brown, now at the mills, lived one-half mile north;

Frank Cooley, one-half mile southeast; John Wagner, J. Barnhardt, Col. J. Q. Wilds, in the vicinity of the town site. The latter sold to F. Crouch, in

1863.

The first house in town was built by Joseph Barnhardt, about 1853, now the log barn of Henry Klein. The second house was that of Neeley Parsons, which afterward burned down. The third building was the store room of Henry Wayne, now deceased, who opened a store there in 1856. This is now continued by Reuben Welch, on the south side of the road.

In 1856, William Wagner moved to the village site and built a house, the fourth, where he began boot and shoemaking. He was also Justice of the Peace, and still continues to dispense justice and boots alternately.

The frame grist-mill on Buffalo Creek, one and a half miles southwest, was erected in 1853-4, by John McQueen. R. E. Burns, of the Central City Mills, soon became associated with Mr. McQueen; then N. Parsons and Joseph Whitney became proprietors, followed by J. W. Gift and the present proprietors, William Hill & Bro. They have ample facilities for turning out the best

class of work.

The formation of a town at the settlement was definitely proposed in 1865, and, accordingly, Henry Ward moved to the site of the present store and built a store room and house. . He had kept the post office at his house since 1861, and then moved it to town, and opened a stock of notions and drugs in connection therewith. The office had been named by him Prairieburg, and hence the town received its name.

The village was laid out July 30, 1867, by G. A. Gray, Surveyor, on part. of Sections 21, 27 and 28, Township 86, Range 5, belonging to Neeley_Parsons, Mary Parsons, D. G. W. Stickney, Allen H. Savage, D. B. Long, E. L. Long, George Ferguson, William Wagner, D. L. Brisbine and R. McNary. DeWolf Addition has since been made.

At that time Henry Wagner had died, and there was but the store of Henry Ward. Menzo Burnside succeeded him as Postmaster, and was followed by the present Postmaster, Neeley Parsons.

W. W. Crouch established the next store; and about 1867, A. H. Savage opened another.

The first blacksmith shop was by H. J. Stickney, and was succeeded by the present ones by Johns & Abbey and by Trepz Brothers (who also do wagon work).

Mr. Crouch sold to R. M. Welch, and H. Kline established another store. Another shoe shop has been opened by D. Bailey. Flora Ford has the only millinery store. The first and only harness shop is that of M. C. Walker.

B. F. Ward & Brother built the " Eagle House," in 1869. It is now operated as the Bowlder House, by Warren Appleby. Mrs. Percy has since established the Farmers' Home.

The village has two physicians, Dr. Charles Challand and Mrs. Dr. Percy. Within the past four years there have been four fires-Swengler's and Holub's saloons, a saloon barn and the City Hall, built by D. G. W. Stickney. There is now left but one saloon, the "Stone Jug" of Anton Howard. Huston & McLeod have recently established a creamery.

SCHOOLS.

The first school house was situated one mile east and a half mile north. Later a school was established one mile east until 1872, when the present two

story frame building was erected at a cost of about $2,000, in which Prof. Edward Ford first taught for two Winters, then Miss Thompson, L. C. Brown and others; Warren Whitney and Miss Effie Fields taught last Winter, while Mary E. Hudson now teaches. There are about sixty pupils.

RELIGIOUS.

The Methodists organized a class in 1857, under the charge of Rev. John Bell, at the school house one mile west. The first class consisted of Wm. McQueen and wife, Mrs. Mariah Mayley, Henry Ward and others. Services were held for some time in the school houses until the Baptist Church was erected, since when this church has been used on alternate Sabbaths. Among the officiating pastors have been Revs. Burch, King, Black, Brown, Bargildt, Wells, Sanford, Bentley, Ricker, A. King and Beardsley; the two last-named being now there.

The Baptist Church was organized by Elder D. Rowley, December 9, 1867, at the school house, one mile east of Prairieburg. The church was erected in 1868 at a cost of $1,800. It is a large frame edifice with bell cupola, and was dedicated January 24, 1869, by Elder John Fulton, assisted by Elder J. F. Childs.

Elders Rowley, Cay and Zimmerman had held services there before organization, and Elder Rowley preached for two years after that time. Then followed Elders Abbott, two years, West, Rowley, John Thompson and Rev. L. H. Thompson, who has officiated since 1875.

A Union Sabbath school has been sustained with good membership since the church was built. S. D. Barker is at present Superintendent.

Mr. Flavel Crouch has been prominent in Sabbath school and temperance work.

Reformed Congregation of Bowlder.-This congregation is situated in the northeastern portion of the county. The original members came from Fairfield and Pickaway Counties, Ohio. These were visited by the Rev. F. C. Bauman, of Dubuque County, as early as 1857. In 1858, after preaching for them a number of times, he organized them into a congregation in August of that year, twelve persons entering the organization. In 1859, Rev. J. Riale took charge of the congregation as the first regular Pastor. Since then, Revs. Geo. Weber, D. S. Fouse, D. P. Lefevre and J. A. Smith have been Pastors successively. Rev. J. A. Smith is the present Pastor. The members are generally an honest and upright people, and have been blessed with a good share of this world's goods. The congregation now numbers about one hundred and twenty baptized and confirmed members. Connected with the congregation is a prayer meeting and a Sunday school. In 1860, the congregation erected a house of worship. It is a neat and substantial frame structure, and cost at that time about $1,500. Upon the whole, the congregation is in a flourishing condition.

I. O. G. T.

Prairieburg Lodge, No. 43, was organized September 7, 1875, and is now in active operation for the improvement and elevation of society, with the following officers: A. C. Welch, Lodge Deputy; Sylvester Ary, W. C. T.; Annie Challand, W. V. T.; May Field, W. Sec.; Kate Batie, W. F. S.; J. W. Long, W. T.; Emerson Dalrymple, W. M.; Albert Johnes, W. Sent.; Libbie Reed, W. I. G.; Samantha Long, W. C.

WALKER.

(Grant Township.)

This prosperous little village is an outgrowth of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. A dozen years ago it was a wild prairie with no house in sight. Eleven years ago, three houses might be seen. Walker Purviance lived one-half mile south; James North lived one-half mile north; William Moses lived one and a half miles west.

It is a distance of five miles east to the Wapsipinicon timber, and six miles southwest to the Cedar timber.

Walker was laid off on Section 4, Township 86 north, Range 8, by C. G. Johnson, Surveyor, July 8, 1873, on the land of the B., C. R. & M. R. R. (by George Green), Edward Latham and George W. Wilson and named in honor of W. W. Walker, then Chief Engineer. afterward Superintendent and Receiver of the railroad.

The present depot was the first building to be erected. B. C. Fahr was the first and present Station Agent. The second building was a two-story frame house and store on Green street, built in June, 1863, by J. K. Hotchkin, who soon opened a store, and received the appointment of Postmaster, which he still retains. The next building was a two-story frame grocery store erected by Theo. Hamlin, on Rowley, near Green street. This was followed by the store of Fred. Hoffman in 1874, on Rowley street, which has been occupied by Spencer & Gitchell to the present time. Next, A. W. Manchester built and opened the first drug store, which is now occupied by J. Cleghorn, with a general stock, while O. Barnes continues the drug business. Michael Klietsch operated the first saloon. R. T. Hamilton operated the first blacksmith shop, while the next was the large wagon and blacksmith shop of H. C. Winsor. J. C. McQueen's wagon shop has since been established. Hight & Edwards are the first and only carpenters. The next business house was the agricultural implement depot of J. H. Nietert, with the Town Hall in the second story. Then the Continental Hotel was built in 1876 by W. S. Graves and is now operated. by N. S. Gardner. Next was the American House, by P. Hoy, and then the Farmer's Home. Then the hardware store of Theo. Hamlin and cabinet shop of H. C. Toley were established. John Snow was the first shoemaker of Walker, while H. Schroeder followed in that line. The harness shop of Potter & Barry, now operated by Mr. Barry alone, is the only one which has been opened in the village; while the following firms are the only ones of their kind: Meat shop, by E. Ary; millinery, by Mrs. Hunt; lawyer and banker, J. S. Sniffin; jeweler, Mr. Chase; physicians, Drs. A. W. Manchester and W. W. Nutting. P. D. Potter opened the livery stable now operated by A. L. Hutchins.

Grain store houses have been erected by Gitchell & Hoffman and by the Patrons' Joint-Stock Company (now owned by Gilchrist & Co.) There are two stock buyers, two lumber dealers and two grain dealers.

The Walker Creamery Company have recently established a creamery in the eastern part of town, with new and convenient rooms, containing a steam engine, six vats, churns, etc., under the management of J. G. Cherry. Seven thousand pounds of milk are received there per day, and three thousand pounds at a branch creamery at Spencer's Grove. The officers of the company are: President, Charles Gitchell; Vice President, John Gitchell; Secretary, N. A. Bushnell; Treasurer, John S. Sniffin.

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RELIGIOUS.

A Methodist Episcopal class was organized in the Spring of 1876, by Rev. L. S. Keagle, who was followed as Pastor by Rev. Wm. Cummings. There are twenty-two members and services are held every other Sabbath in the Town Hall.

The Wesleyan Methodist Society was organized in 1875, by Rev. F. C. Balch. In the Fall of that year they erected a frame church edifice 30x40 feet in size, at a cost of $1,100. Their Pastor during 1877 was Rev. Wm. Cummings, now of the M. E. Church, while their present Pastor is Rev. Preston. The Free Methodist society was organized in the Fall of 1877, by Rev. V. Dick, their present Pastor. Services are held in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, alternately with that society.

A Union Sabbath school is held regularly, with Mr. H. Booth as Super

intendent.

TROY MILLS.

(Spring Grove Township.)

Among the early settlers of this vicinity are J. H. Walton, Thomas Ward, David Fay, J. C. Dudley, J. S. Long, Jacob Eastman, H. H. Fay, Dr. Wilson, A. V. Dix, Charles Hoover and Mr. Buckingham.

Though an old settlement, it is of recent formation as a village.

The flouring-mill, which was built many years ago by William Bruce, and known as the Hoosier Mills, is a good three-story frame building, with saw-mill attached, having three runs of stone, operated by water power from the Wapsipinicon River. Mr. Bruce sold to George Stowell; he to Ward & Fairchild. The latter sold his interest to J. M. Carson, and Frederick Dubbs afterward purchased that interest. Mr. T. R. Ward is now the sole proprietor. Being situated in the midst of a rich farming section, the mills are prosperously conducted.

When a mail route was secured through this locality, the name was changed to Troy Mills. The stage line runs from Marion, through La Fayette and West Prairie, and from Troy north to Quasqueton. Goods were first sold by Mr. Bruce.

Though a village was not contemplated until 1869, a store was established there by J. S. Long, about 1865. He still continues business in partnership with his son. This store was followed by that of John E. Atwood and Isaac Holdman, which was transferred successively to P. K. Diltz, J. Booth & Son, Joseph Barnhill, and after several other changes, is now operated by Long & Brothers. The next store was established by J. G. Cherry, who sold it in 1878 to Keyes & Parkhurst, of Marion, who now conduct it as a branch store. Troy Mills was laid off in the Spring of 1870 by T. R. Ward.

The first hotel was by J. G. Cherry, in 1871; the Troy House, now the Eagle House, by Snyder Dubbs, and the National Hotel, by Reuben Church, are conducted there. Mr. Cherry also opened the first saloon, followed by James Ringer. Mr. Cherry was also first to begin shoemaking there, in 1869, being followed by Lewis Shulme and Ed. McCool.

Until the Fall of 1871, the nearest school was one mile south. In that year a frame building, 24x30 feet in size, was erected in the village, and first taught by Isaac Booth. The present teacher is Mary Allen.

The first drug store was opened by Dicks & Downs, in 1872, followed by Salmon & Beach, the present druggists.