Henry County IL Archives History - Books .....Cleveland 1877
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 3, 2008, 7:33 pm

Book Title: History Of Henry County, The

CLEVELAND

Is the oldest town in the county. It was laid out in April, 1836, on the south
bank of Rock River, on Section 31, by George Charles, Surveyor of Knox County,
for Charles Atkinson and James D. Tabor. It was located on the stage-route from
Knoxville to Galena, and was one of the stopping places on that route. The first
log cabins in the village were erected in the Summer following the survey, by
George Brandenburg and Thos. Glenn, for George Tyler and Charles Atkinson-that
of the latter being a double log house, one-half used for a dwelling and
one-half for a store. Each of these buildings has been lately torn away to make
room for other improvements. During that same season, the first temperance
soeiety of this region of country was formed in this, double log cabin (this was
then part of Knox County), and here the earliest election in Henry County was
held. At that date, Whiteside County was included in this precinct, and at the
election held for President - Martin Van Buren being elected - the whole number
of votes, of the entire precinct, Avas seventy-two, three of which were Democratic.

    E. N. Wells and Charles Atkinson erected the first frame houses in the
county in Cleveland. They are yet standing and are now used as dwellings. In
1869, or '70, a grist mill was erected by the Cleveland Hydraulic Company. It is
on the river bank, and uses water as the motive power. The town is mainly filled
with a mining population, who find employment in the extensive coal mines about
the town. The entire surface of the country here is underlaid with a rich vein
of block coal, and many hundreds of car loads are annually brought from the hill
bordering the town, and shipped to other points. Three or four stores, one
hotel, four or five saloons, and several shops, constitute the business portion
of the town. The number of inhabitants is about 250. Distiict school has been
maintained regularly in the village since its earliest days. In 1875, the number
of pupils becoming too great for the accommodations, the present comfortable
two-story school-house was erected, and two teachers are now employed. The
attendance is now about one hundred.

    The oldest religious society in the county was organized in Cleveland. It
was effected in the house of Mr. P. K. Hanna, with few members. It grew slowly
for many years, and much time elapsed ere the little band of worshipers were
able to erect a house of worship. Now they are strong, and occupy a very
commodious church.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

THE HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, ITS TAX-PAYERS AND VOTERS;
CONTAINING, ALSO, A BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY; A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE STATE;
MAP OF THE COUNTY: A BUSINESS DIRECTORY: AN ABSTRACT OF EVERY-DAY LAWS; WAR
RECORD OF HENRY COUNTY; OFFICERS OF SOCIETIES, LODGES, ETC., ETC.

CHICAGO: H. F. KETT. & CO., 15 LAKESIDE BUILDING.

1877.

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