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Anchor Township History
McLean County, Illinois

(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

What is now Anchor, Town 24. Range 6 east of the Third Principal Meridian, is the easternmost of the middle tier of townships of McLean County, being bounded on the east by Ford County, and is just about midway between Indian Grove on the north and Cheney's Grove on the south, Burr Oak Grove on the east and Old Town Timber on the west. During most of its history it has been a part of Cropsey and, of course, its history is much blended with that. In the division of the [Cropsey] township which took place in 1877, all that portion of the old town lying in Town 24, Range 6, was set off into a separate political organization with the name of Anchor. The official record before 1877 covers the two towns until that time, but for the years 1877, 1878, it is only for the present town. [The History of McLean County, Illinois, Chicago: W. LeBaron Jr. & Co., 1879] There is very little natural woodland in Anchor, situated on the branch of the Illinois Central railroad in the northeastern pan of the county. R. M. Rankin entered the first government lands in this township in 1850; Robert Cunningham followed next year. Robert Stackpole in 1853 bought 2,500 acres. Anchor was at first part of Cropsey but in 1877 was divided. After the Civil war many new settlers came, including John Ingram, A. S. Dart, Henry Gilstrap, M. H. Knight, R. H. Arnold, Daniel B. Stewart, F. M. Anderson and others. A large number of Germans were among the early settlers. The Mackinaw river has its source in this township. The township [is a] substantial part of the county. Anchor township has a population of 763. ["Official souvenir program, McLean County Centennial, Aug. 27, 28, 30, 1930" by: McLean County Illinois Centennial Souvenir Program Committee, Harold Lang and Eugene Funk]

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