This Township contains Horse Prairie and Horse Creek. The early settlers here where William
McBride in the SW scetions and Jarrot Brickey, the father of Preston B. Robert McMahon
settled near Rall's Ridge. William Nelson was born in Ireland, after spending some time in
Abbeville, SC he moved to RC where he opened a distillery and became JP. Mr Nelson died in
1844. Chesley Allen came to the county in 1809 or there abouts from VA. He settled near
Rall's Ridge. His son Edward seetled near Robert McMahon. In 1819 Edmond Faherty settled
in Sec 21 with his sons James and Edmond. In 1825 Shelton Evans and Levi Simmons moved to
the area.
Red Bud was formerly named Prairieville. The Post Office was est in 1837. It is presently
located on Rt 154 and Rt3. The first house in town was built by Richmond D Durfee and he
owned the store. Sam Crozier and William Simmons sold town lots in 1847. John and William
Brickey opened a flour mill in 1858. The same year John H meyer opened a brewery. The town
was renamed Red Bud for the timber in the area. Jacob Miller was the first mayor in 1875.
The present hamlet of Prairie is located off Rt 154 south on county rd 1500E in Sec 23 and 24. Prairie was once a thriving place first known as Washinton and then Horse Prairie Town. The first setlers were Samuel and Winder Kinney, Chance Ratcliff, Jarrot Brickey, Henry Levens, Robert McMahon, and the Gibson family. Originally located about where New Design is in Monroe Co, the settlers moved due to Indian attackes. In 1795 Robert McMahon's wife wife and 4 children were killed by Indians. He and 2 daughters were taken prisoneer's. He escaped and did finally get his children returned. He remarried and lived in Sec 12. About 1795 Johnson J Whiteside layed out the town on the west bank of the Okaw River, calling ti Washinton. William Going was an early resident of the town who made bells. John Pullvan settled in 1799 before moving on to St Clair Co. The Trinity Lutheran Church was founded in 1838. It celebrated it's 125th anniversary in 1973. The Post Office was est in 1892 and closed in 1903. In the mid 1800's Henry Nagle was the town blacksmith and owned a wagon shop.