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Among the early settlers in this township were Jacob Miller, Merrill Pearsons, Alvin Ames, James Melinda, John Reid, Asa Winter, Peter Cassidy, James Emery, Elijah Alvord.
Jacob Miller was the first claimant, and built the first habitation in what is now the town of Newport, in the Summer or Fall of 1835. This was on Mill Creek, in the south part of the town. Here he built a saw- mill, in 1836; and soon thereafter he built a grist-mill at the same place, it being the first grist-mill erected and put in operation in the county.
Mr. Miller had previously explored the country for the purpose of finding a mill site as near Chicago as possible. This was the nearest that he could find at that day, on Government land that had not been already claimed. He gave to the stream the name of Mill Creek, as, in his opinion, it afforded at the point where he had located a superior mill site. Both these mills for some time did a prosperous business. They were patronized by the inhabitants for a considerable distance around. The mills finally ceased to be profitable and became abandoned.
Jacob Miller was a native of Virginia. He immigrated to Illinois and first settled at Chicago, a few months before the breaking out of the Black Hawk war in 1832, in which war he engaged at the beginning and served to the close. He was a noble hearted Virginian, whose memory is greatly respected by the early settlers, and whose hospitalities are remembered with gratitude.
Being an adventurous spirit, and desiring to better his pecuniary condition, he set out in the Spring of 1849, with his two oldest sons, for California, a country from which the most fabulous reports had reached us, concerning its mines of gold.
The fatigue and privations of a protracted journey brought on disease, from which he died soon after reaching the country of his destination. He died on Feather River, California, in the Fall of 1849.
In addition to Mill Creek, this town is watered by the Aux Plaines River, passing through near the center, from north to south.
In this town there was to be seen, not may years since, a succession or chain of ancient mounds--such as are found in various parts of the western country--on the west bank of the Aux Plaines River, extending from near the State line, southward some two or three miles. When these mounds were more distinctly visible, and before their shape had been disturbed by cultivation of the soil, they were frequently dug into by the inhabitants--it is stated, finding therein human bones, in some instances in a very perfect state.
Upon the east bank of the river, a short distance below the State line, in this town, there was, in early days, in the midst of a thicket of timber, a peculiar spot, which had evidently been a general camping ground for the aborigines of the country from time immemorial, as shown by the bleached bones of animals, shells of turtles and other evidences.
Alvin Ames, one of the early settlers of this township, is remembered to have stated that in the Winter of 1840, in cutting and splitting a red oak tree, near the spot before mentioned, he cut out an ounce leaden ball, which was seventy grains from the surface; having, as he thinks, been lodged there about the year 1770, and was probably discharged from some French or English musket.
In 1844, this township was organized for school purposes, and temporarily received the name of Sterling.
A post office was established in this town, on the east side of the river, in 1846, under the name of Mortimer, and James Melinda appointed Postmaster. The name was subsequently changed to Newport, to correspond with the present name of the township.
Under township organization the name of Newport was given to this town, in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants, as expressed at a public meeting called for that purpose. The vote on the question of a name was as follows: For Newport, seventy votes; for Mortimer, seven votes; for Verona, two votes.
The first town meeting in this township, under township organization, was held at the house of John Turk, on the first Tuesday in April, 1850. Titus D. Gail was chosen Moderator, and Merrill Pearsons, Clerk; John Reid was elected Supervisor; Caleb Cook and J. Lowe, Justices of the Peace; A. J. Cummings, Constable; B. F. Backus, Chester Ames and H. C. Biddlecome, Commissioners of Highways. The number of votes cast for town officers was 158.
The total assessed value of property for the year 1850, including both real and personal was $94,644. The amount of tax computed thereon for collection was $1,394.26.
The total assessed value of property for the year 1877 was $337,778.
About twelve years ago, a post office was established in this town, at what was known as Turk's Corners, near the center of the town, called Rosecranz, where quite a thriving village has sprung up.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R. passes through this township, along the Aux Plaines River. Since the completion of this road, an impetus has been given to the trade and business of the town, which bids fair to place it among the first in the county.
The town of Newport has two stations on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R., Russell and Wadsworth. The former is situated a short distance south of the State line. The Newport post office was removed to this place in 1876, and the name changed to Russell.
The station at Wadsworth is becoming as place of considerable local importance. A town plat was laid out here by John Lux, and completed October 8, 1874. The railroad was completed and trains commenced running in February, 1873. The building up of the place commenced in the Spring following. A post office was established here in May, 1873, but the mail was not supplied at the office until April, 1874. Chas. A. Goodwin was the first Postmaster. The present Postmaster is Thos. Strang. In 1875, James Pollack commenced to buy grain at this place, and has recently built a large warehouse here. The place has two stores and various mechanics. Amongst other things is the agriculturalimplement store of Heydeckers.
There are in this town three church edifices--the Roman Catholic, built about 1849, and since enlarged; the Baptist, built about 1866; and the Methodist, built about 1871.
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