The first white settler in this township was Joel Moore, who settled and built the first house which was a small
log cabin on the north-east quarter of Sec. 12. This was the first improvement of any kind made in the Township.
Ephraim Cannon and Moses Riggs were the next white men that settled here. They made improvements on Sec. 20 and
23. The Township is principally prairie interspersed with small skirts of timber. The soil is black loam, well
underlaid with gray limestone, and very productive. The land is considerably rolling with some breaks, well watered,
making it suitable for farming and raising stock. It is also well adapted for fruit of all kinds. It is now under
a high state of cultivation and has as good and enterprising farmers as in any part of the county. Several of the
farms are very large, especially that of William R. Willis, Esq., which is one of the most valuable in the county.
William Watson, R. R. Green, Austin Barber, and Mrs. Ephraim Cannon are about all of the first settlers that now
remain. Robert Ratton, son of Meral Ratton, is suppose to be the first white child born in Township of Pittsfield.
Mrs. N. M. Heath taught the first school, (it was on the subscription system) in 1834. The first school house was
built in 1839. The first church was built in 1848, by the Presbyterian denomination, Meral Ratton was the first
Justice of the Peace. The first marriage was that of Franklin Bartell and Miss Lydia Kergis. The ceremony was performed
by Andrew Phillips, Justice of the Peace, in the year 1832.
PITTSFIELD TWP. SUBSCRIBERS
|
NAME |
Residence |
Business |
Nativity |
When came to Co. |
| Adams, G. W. | Pittsfield | Merchant | New York | 1844 |
| Adams, Isaiah | Sec. 26 | Farmer | New York | 1842 |
| Adams, Nathan L. | Pittsfield | Grocery | New York | 1840 |
| Archer, Wm. R | Pittsfield | Lawyer | N. Y. City | 1838 |
| Atkinson, B. H | Pittsfield | Banker | New Jersey | 1846 |
| Atkinson, H. B. | Pittsfield | Hardware & Furniture | Missouri | 1846 |
| Atkinson, Richard M. | Pittsfield | County Judge | Kentucky | 1846 |
| Bagby, Geo. S. | Sec. 2 | Farmer | Pike Co., IL | 1846 |
| Bailey, Geo. W. K | Sec. 36 | Farmer | Missouri | 1844 |
| Bailey, W. J. | Sec. 36 | Farmer | Missouri | 1849 |
| Baker, A | Pittsfield | Farmer | Ohio | 1833 |
| Barber, Levi | Pittsfield | Cigar Mfg. | Pike Co., IL | 1839 |
| Bates, D | Pittsfield | Carriage Mfg. | MA | 1838 |
| Bates & Son, D | Pittsfield | Carriage Mfg. | MA | 1838 |
| Beard, James W | Pittsfield | Carpenter | VA | 1864 |
| Benn, Samuel | Pittsfield | Farmer | Pike Co., IL | 1840 |
| Bennett, L | Pittsfield | Asst. Postmaster | New York | 1836 |
| Benson, E. B. | Pittsfield | Lumber Dealer | MD | 1839 |
| Bollig, John A | Pittsfield | Carriage Mfg. | Prussia | 1869 |
| Boyd, John | Pittsfield | Livery | PA | 1845 |
| Brenner, J. A. | Pittsfield | Carriage Mfg. | Germany | 1871 |
| Broan, John | Sec. 29 | Farmer | ............ | ............ |
| Burger, John C. | Pittsfield | Cigar Mfg. | Germany | 1868 |
| Bush, J. M. | Pittsfield | Editor Democrat | MA | 1846 |
| Carey, Geo. W | Sec. 17 | Farmer | New York | 1839 |
| Carsier, & Son, G.W. | Pittsfield | Blacksmith | Virginia | 1856 |
| Casal, F. M. | Pittsfield | Physician | Maryland | 1858 |
| Clare, I. A. | Pittsfield | Tobacconist | Pike Co., IL | 1835 |
| Clarkson, Thomas | Sec. 29 | Farmer | England | 1852 |
| Clayton, W. H. | Pittsfield | Hardware & Stoves | Delaware | 1856 |
| Cline, Daniel | Sec. 7 | Farmer | Scott Co., IL | 1846 |
| Connett, John S. | Pittsfield | Farmer | New Jersey | 1840 |
| Coulter, J. H. | Pittsfield | Lumber Dealer | PA | 1852 |
| Crane, J. H. | Pittsfield | Druggist | Illinois | 1844 |
| Criswell, James | Pittsfield | Old Flag | Ireland | 1861 |
| Criswell, R. H. | Pittsfield | Editor | PA | 1860 |
| Curless, Geo. M. | Sec. 4 | Farmer | Ohio | 1852 |
| Dewell, John H. | Pittsfield | Co. Sup't of Schools | Pike Co., IL | 1844 |
| Dickson, Thomas | Pittsfield | Merchant | Scotland | 1838 |
| Dillingham, F. P. | Pittsfield | Clerk | Indiana | 1840 |
| Dober, & Bro., N | Pittsfield | Grocery & Bakery | Germany | 1871 |
| Doolittle, E. A. | Pittsfield | Teacher | Georgia | 1870 |
| Ducy, Michael | Sec. 28 | Farmer | Ireland | 1851 |
| Dunning, Geo. S. | Sec. 31 | Farmer | Ohio | 1858 |
| Duran, John | Pittsfield | Retired | Maine | 1832 |
| Dutton, Lewis | Pittsfield | Merchant | Pike Co., IL | 1839 |
| Dutton, Silas | Pittsfield | Grocery | Illinois | 1823 |
| Edwards, G. S | Pittsfield | Livery | Pike Co., IL | 1846 |
| Edwards, G. T. | Pittsfield | Hotel | Tennessee | 1836 |
| Ewan, Robert B. | Pittsfield | Tobacconist | Virginia | 1869 |
| Field, John L. | Pittsfield | Jewelry Store | Missouri | 1866 |
| Fishel, Adolph | Pittsfield | Grocery | Bohemia | 1866 |
| Fishell, Albert | Pittsfield | Bank Cashier | Bohemia | 1867 |
| Foster, Mason | Pittsfield | Stoves & Tinware | NH | 1859 |
| Frank, Geo. M | Pittsfield | Brewery | Germany | 1858 |
| Frazier, R. F. | Pittsfield | Agent | Frederick Co., VA | 1858 |
| Gano, Jos. J. | Pittsfield | Merchant | New York | 1865 |
| Gellesson, Bingham | Sec. 27 | Farmer | Maine | 1844 |
| Goond, George | Sec. 6 | Farmer | England | 1856 |
| Graham, D. C. | Pittsfield | Billiards | Illinois | 1863 |
| Graves, A. D. | Pittsfield | Merchant | Tennessee | 1847 |
| Gray, Stephen R. | Pittsfield | Farmer | New York | 1837 |
| Greathouse, J. F. | Pittsfield | Laborer | Pike Co., IL | 1839 |
| Grimes, W. B. | Pittsfield | County Clerk | Illinois | 1835 |
| Grimshaw, Thos. C | Sec. 23 | Farmer | Ireland | 1834 |
| Grimshaw, Wm. A | Pittsfield | Lawyer | Ireland | 1833 |
| Halpin, P | Pittsfield | Marble Dealer | Ireland | 1856 |
| Ham, Joel C. | Sec. 35 | Farmer | Missouri | 1865 |
| Hanna, Harry E. | Pittsfield | Printer | Illinois | 1862 |
| Hard, J. C. | Pittsfield | Planing Mill | Vermont | 1861 |
| Harder, C. H. | Pittsfield | Druggist | MA | 1851 |
| Harder, Henry | Pittsfield | Carriage Mfg. | New York | 1851 |
| Heavner, A. J. | Pittsfield | Carpenter | Pike Co., IL | 1840 |
| Heck, Joseph | Pittsfield | Bakery & Grocery | Germany | 1855 |
| Heisheimer, Samuel | Pittsfield | Dry Goods & Clothing | Bavaria | 1856 |
| Helms, William | Sec. 19 | Farmer | Pike Co., IL | 1847 |
| Hicks, D. D. | Pittsfield | Cashier 1st Nat'l Bank | Vermont | 1838 |
| Higbee, C. L. | Pittsfield | Lawyer | Ohio | 1844 |
| Higgins, Patrick | Sec. 17 | Farmer | Ireland | 1850 |
| Hill, A. L. | Pittsfield | Farmer | Vermont | 1835 |
| Hunter, Joseph | Pittsfield | Boot & Shor Store | Scotland | 1852 |
| Hyde, D. W. | Pittsfield | Druggist | Vermont | 1857 |
| Irwin, J. S. | Pittsfield | Lawyer | Kentucky | 1861 |
| Johnson, Joseph | Pittsfield | Miller & Grain Dealer | England | 1865 |
| Jones, A | Pittsfield | Carpenter | Maine | 1851 |
| Jones, George W | Pittsfeild | Deputy Co. Clerk | MA | 1832 |
| Jordan, Walter | Pittsfield | Street Commissioner | Ireland | 1854 |
| Kellogg, Nathaniel | Sec. 21 | Farmer | MA | 1855 |
| Kinkle, Wm. | Pittsfield | Ag't Singer Sewing Mach. | Illinois | 1871 |
| Klemme, Ludwig | Pittsfield | Cabinet Maker | Germany | 1856 |
| Laing, Israel H | Sec. 27 | Farmer | VA | 1867 |
| Lame, C. R. | Pittsfield | Undertaker | PA | 1842 |
| Landram, James B. | Pittsfield | Tobacco Mfg | Illinois | 1833 |
| Ledlie, J. H. | Pittsfield | Physician | Ireland | 1857 |
| Lovett, Wm. | Sec. 22 | Farmer | Vermont | 1833 |
| Luske, H. A. | Pittsfield | Butcher | Ohio | 1849 |
| Maithews, A. C. | Pittsfield | Lawyer | Pike Co., IL | 1833 |
| Martin, J. F. | Sec. 26 | Farmer | England | 1853 |
| Mather, Wm. K | Sec. 31 | Farmer | Virginia | 1854 |
| Mays, Marcellus | Sec. 32 | Farmer | Ohio | 1864 |
| McCune, John H. | Sec. 11 | Farmer | Ohio | 1842 |
| McElwee, Andrew | Pittsfield | Physician | New York | 1868 |
| McFarland, Jos. | Pittsfield | Sheriff | Ireland | 1850 |
| McKenno, B. | Sec. 25 | Farmer | Ireland | 1865 |
| McSpann, Jordan | Pittsfield | Cooper | Kentucky | 1839 |
| Mead, L. R. | Sec. 28 | Farmer | New York | 1856 |
| Meyer, Wm. H. | Sec. 29 | Farmer | Ohio | 1862 |
| Mills, Charles M. | Pittsfield | Confectionery | Ohio | 1854 |
| Mills, H. R. | Pittsfield | Books & Stationery | Ohio | 1854 |
| Mirrielees, A. F. | Pittsfield | Groceries & Queensware | Scotland | 1845 |
| Mirrielees, James | Pittsfield | Boots & Shoe Store | Scotland | 1866 |
| Mitchell, W. D. | Pittsfield | Milling | Illinois | 1864 |
| Northrup, H. M. | Pittsfield | Railroad Conductor | New York | 1871 |
| Noyes, H. J. | Pittsfield | Tobacco Mfg. | Missouri | 1840 |
| Obst, C. L. | Pittsfield | Photographer | Saxony, Germany | 1856 |
| Orr, James B. | Sec. 17 | Farmer | Ohio | 1837 |
| Pennington, G. S. | Pittsfield | Railroad Agent | Illinois | 1850 |
| Pennington, Joel | Pittsfield | Marion House | New York | 1850 |
| Pennington, W. H. | Pittsfield | Hardware | Pittsfield | 1848 |
| Pettingill, J. G. | Pittsfield | Lawyer | Maine | 1857 |
| Pike, J. | Pittsfield | Sup't of Schools | Ohio | 1851 |
| Pringle, Charles | Sec. 15 | Farmer | England | 1857 |
| Purkitt, Mrs. P. B. | Pittsfield | ............... | New York | 1831 |
| Putney, L. D. | Pittsfield | Carpenter | New York | 1856 |
| Quinby, A. R. | Pittsfield | Trader | Maine | 1831 |
| Quinlin, Henry | Sec. 35 | Farmer | Ireland | 1857 |
| Raftery, Wm. H | Sec. 21 | Farmer | Pike Co., IL | 1844 |
| Rauh, Sam | Pittsfield | Merchant | Germany | 1853 |
| Ray, John | Pittsfield | Retired | Virginia | 1850 |
| Reel, M. A. L. | Sec. 26 | Farmer & Fruit grower | MD | 1832 |
| Rhea, J. A. | Pittsfield | Tobacco Factory | Missouri | 1865 |
| Rivers, C. W. | Pittsfield | Dentist | Virginia | 1857 |
| Roberts, J. S. | Pittsfield | Justice of the Peace | PA | 1849 |
| Rogers, James P. | Sec. 31 | Farmer | Kentucky | 1831 |
| Ross, Marcellus | Pittsfield | Woolen Factory | Pike Co., IL | 1824 |
| Scanland, F. M | Pittsfield | Carpenter | Kentucky | 1848 |
| Scanland, R. C. | Pittsfield | Insurance Agent | Kentucky | 1849 |
| Scott, J. F. | Pittsfield | Dairy | Illinois | 1868 |
| Shadel, C | Pittsfield | Butcher | Germany | 1871 |
| Shastid, F. W. | Pittsfield | Physician | Illinois | 1836 |
| Shinn, Wm. | Sec. 32 | Farmer | Pike Co., IL | 1827 |
| Shriver, Frank L | Pittsfield | Merchant | Ohio | 1870 |
| Smith, W. H. | Pittsfield | Merchant | Illinois | 1851 |
| Smith & Sanvige | Pittsfield | Barber | New York | 1871 |
| Smitherman, L. J. | Pittsfield | Co. Treasurer | Tennessee | 1846 |
| Spencer, O. G. | Pittsfield | Foundry, Machine Shop | NH | 1841 |
| St. John, Albert | Pittsfield | Constable | New York | 1835 |
| Stanton, D. A. | Pittsfield | Farmer | MA | 1845 |
| Stevens, George | Sec. 32 | Farmer | Connecticut | 1855 |
| Stobie, James F. | Pittsfield | Teaming | Illinois | 1847 |
| Stone, L. H. | Sec. 36 | Farmer | Virginia | 1846 |
| Strouss, Jacob | Pittsfield | Merchant | Bavaria | 1863 |
| Strubinger, F. | Pittsfield | Saloon Keeper | PA | 1863 |
| Summers, Jacob | Pittsfield | Tobacconist | PA | ............ |
| Thomas, H. H. | Pittsfield | Hardware, Agr. Impl'ts | ............... | ............ |
| Topliff, Jos. J. | Pittsfield | Circuit Clerk | Vermont | 1856 |
| Tracy, K. | Pittsfield | Saddle & Harness | PA | 1865 |
| Unland, W. G. | Pittsfield | Physician | Illinois | 1871 |
| Vertrees, C. D. | Pittsfield | Butcher | Pike Co., IL | 1842 |
| Wassell, James | Sec. 31 | Farmer | Ohio | 1836 |
| Watson, Wm. | Pittsfield | Retired | PA | 1833 |
| Webster, Edgar L. | Sec. 35 | Farmer | Connecticut | 1863 |
| Wells, jr., Wm. R. | Sec. 20 | Farmer | ........... | ......... |
| Wells, Nathan A. | Pittsfield | Milling | New York | 1847 |
| Wike, Scott | Pittsfield | Lawyer | PA | 1844 |
| Wille, Charles | Pittsfield | Barber | Germany | 1868 |
| Williams, L. A | Sec. 24 | Farmer | Vermont | 1838 |
| Williamson, T. H. | Pittsfield | Druggist | Ohio | 1857 |
| Wills, Hamilton | Pittsfield | Saddles & Harness | Ireland | 1843 |
| Wills, W. R. | Sec. 20 | Farmer | ............ | ........ |
| Willsey, C. C. | Sec. 34 | Farmer | New York | 1840 |
| Willsey, J. G. | Sec. 34 | Farmer | New York | 1840 |
| Willsey, John J. | Sec. 34 | Farmer | Ohio | 1837 |
| Willsey, William W | Sec. 7 | Farmer | Pike Co., IL | 1848 |
| Worthington, J. K. | Sec. 13 | Stock Farmer | Pike Co., IL | 1842 |
| Worthington, R. M. | Pittsfield | Painter | Illinois | 1852 |