Townships of Jefferson County Illinois

   In the early history of Moore's Prairie, the history of the whole was so interwoven that it is difficult to distinguish between what is now Pendleton and Moore's Prairie townships, but for the geographical lines dividing them.
   Moore's Prairie was settled first of all, but Mount Vernon soon drew many of her settlers to that place and the real occupancy came later. A man by the name of Moore was the first settler. He went to the nearest mill, thirty miles off for meal and was never heard of afterwards, and there seemed to be no doubt that he was murdered by the Indians who then infested the country around there. Among the first settlers of the prairie were the well known people: Wilkeys, Atchisons, Crenshaws, Irvins, Cooks, Q. A. Wilbanks, C. H. Judd, the Kniffens, Smiths, Birkheads, Cofields, McPhersons, Hicks, Allens, Zahns, Karns, and so on down. Q. A. Wilbanks was the first Supervisor. He was also Moore's Prairies' leading merchant. Everybody remembers the old Wilbanks stand, where all the political meetings used to be held. After the railroad came, he moved his store to Belle Rive.
   Schools and churches have flourished in Moore's Prairie ever since the civilization reached it. Moore's Prairie also had the first good roads in the county and it has always been noted for its good farms and intelligent farmers. Like the other townships, it was at first Democratic, but of late years, goes Republican. Moore's Prairie will hold its own against all comers.