Berlin and Dover townships were settled almost simultaneously in 1829, and by two brothers John L. Ament on Section 13 in Dover, and Justin Ament in Berlin on Section 18. These two section join. Elijah Phillips bought out Ament a short time before he was killed by the Indians. Elias Isaac and Richard Master came in 1834, the latter settling on Section 6. As early as 1836, Mr. Masters became an expert in surveying and establishing roads.
About 1835 Thomas Cole, J. W. and Israel Huffaker and John Wise came. Mr. Wise came from North Carolina. In 1836, George Clark, the father of Samuel and Josephus, built a frame house on Section 19. This is said to be the first frame house built in the township and about the first frame house built on the prairie in the county. This old homestead is still in possession of the family, being owned by S. P. Clark. Soon after this Enos and Sidney Smith, Martin Zearing, and Oden Smith made farms on the prairie. The last two named on Section 30.
Among the early settlers should be named Nathan Rackley, who came here from Vermont in 1836 and settled in Berlin township, on Section 29, where he lived for many years, but in later life lived in Malden, where he passed away a few years since at the ripe old age of ninety-odd years. He was the father of George Rackley, who has been an active and useful citizen of Bureau county during his long life. C. G. Reed, John Ballanger, I. Judd, W. E. Dunham, Pelettah Rackley, and S. Mohler.
The Village of Malden
The village of Malden, in this township, was platted in 1856 by B. L. Smith. Enos Smith and W. C. Stacey bought him out and laid out the addition north of the railroad. It was originally called Wiona, but was changed to Malden.
Population and Supervisors
The population of Berlin in 1900, including Maldenand part of Dover village was 1052. The part of Dover village was 37 and Malden 309. The names of the supervisors are as follows:
Enos Smith, 1851-1855
J. L. Olds, 1856
Charles G. Reed, 1857
William W. Lewis, 1858
Enos Smith, 1859
George Rackley, 1860-70
Enos Smith, 1871-73
George Rackley, 1874-75
J. D. Phillips, 1876-78
George Rackley, 1879-82
J. D. Phillips, 1883
W. L. Isaac, 1884
George Bahr, 1885
W. L. Isaac, 1886
M. F. Laughlin, 1887-88
J. A. Perry, 1889-94
J. R. Pierson, 1895-1902
W. T. Piper, 1903-06
Taken From the Past and Present of Bureau County, Illinois. Chicago: Pioneer Publishing, 1906, Page 118 - Berlin Township
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