Cedarville, the chief town in Buckeye Township, and a point presenting many attractive features for residence and business purposes, is located six miles north of Freeport, and contiguous to the line dividing Buckeye from Larlem and Lancaster Townships. Its sitution is singularly beautiful, presenting every variety of landscape to the artistic eye, without the quality of sameness which palls by its very monotony. Cedar Creek courses an eneven and eccentric way to the east, rugged hills rise in prominence to the north, which, on the east and west, orchards, meadows and fields flowing with ripening grain, are sights which greet the eye of the visitor in that perfect of perfect months, laughing June.

When the earlier settlers of what was at first known as Center Precinct made their advent into future Buckeye Township, they, as a rule, tarried about future Cedarville, not only impressed with the beauty of the scenety, but the advantages it then presented for all desirous of establishing a home. Nothwithstanding these patent advantages the pioneer pilgrims into this part of Stephenson County, tarried not, but pursued their wandeerings in the van of those competing with the Star of Empire and Greeley's young man, for a claim further west, and it was not until 1837 that any movement was inaugurated, which finally culminated, whough not until twelve years after, in teh surveying and laying - out of the present town. In that year, Dr. Thomas Van Valzah, as has already been stated, established himself in Center Precinct, raised a log capin for the protection of his growing family, built a saw-mill and laid the foundation for the abundance of strift today visible to the traveler, as also the resident, in all directions. The old mill has passed through a varied experience since those days of primitive wants and unpretentious inhabitants, and still, in parts, stands a wreck of its former magnificence, at a distance from the spot whereon its birth was celebrated. The territory allotted to its occupation, long since yielded possession to the Cedarville mills, revsed and corrected editions of the saw and grist mills, with which Dr. Van Valzah, nearly half a century, ago, sought patronage in contributing to the necessities as also the luxuries of his neighbors.

In 1849 George Ilgen, an early settler in the township, first conceived the idea of establishing the present town of Cedarville. He had emigrated to the West years before from PA, and made claim to a quarter-section of land, on which the town, in part, now stands, but removed to a distant part of the county and engaged in farming. About the year mentioned, he procured a survey of the town site, laid off streets, towns lots and other landed appurtenances appropriate to the object and waited the rush of purchasers of his realty. Marcus Montelius officiated as surveyor, and beyond the log cabin and mill erected by Dr. Van Valzah, no other edifices were to be seen in the vicinity. For some months the tide of emigration failed to realize his possibly too sanguine expectations, and it was not for two years thereafter that buildings began to add the spice of variety to the scenes of woodland and prairie visible on all sides. Some time in 1850, James Canfield, established a brick-kiln two miles west of the prospective village, and from this date improvements proved other than exceptions.

Samuel Sutherland built a brick house on the main street which still stands, being occupied as the store of Richart & Son, also the post office. Francis Knauss put up a frame residence and tin shop; James Bensen, a brick store, and Jacob Latshaw, building a tavern, enacted the role of the village boniface. It should be observed that the first cabin covered for occupation within the precincts of the town site, was that finished and ocupied by George Seyler. David Clements erected a brick house along in 1851, as also did Dr. Bucher, ( the latter still standing opposite the post office), and lived there for years, his widow now occupying the premises. During the years 1850-52, improvement was rapid, but after these years there was a falling off, no marked effort being made to render the village either attractive or populous. In 1854, the handsome private residence of John H. Addams was erected, and in 1858, the mill owned by the same gentleman.

There are four churches - the Methodist, completed in 1849 of brick; the German Reformed and Lutheran, in 1854, also of brick; the Evangelical, of brick in 1859 and the Presbyterian, a handsome frame with an attractive and well-proportioned steeple, in 1876.

In 1878, imiprovements began to appear again and prosperity to once more "boom." J.W. Henney & Co. began the manufacturing of carriages in a larger frame warehouse occupying a prominent corner in the eastern portion of the town, and Reel & Seyler put up a commodious establishment of north of Henney's carriage deport for the manufacture of middings purifiers. Since that date, however, improvements hav ehardly kept pace with the times; the village remaining a quiet, prosperous, attractive resort, presenting very few, if any, of the features which entice with the glare and dissipation fo her more populous neighbors, yet furnishing all the inducements for health and modest ambition to be found in numberless villages which dot the landscape of Northern Illinois.

The school system in force in the same as has obtained throughout the county, affording a complete and ready means for obtaining an education substantial and comprehensive; the religious interests are large and generously supported; the manufacturing establishments afford employment to a number of laborers, and the surrounding country pays a liberal tribute to the maintenance of its commercial and other interests. Cedarville contains a population estimated at 400, and has not yet been incorporated being under the form of government appropriated to township organizations.

The cause of education found expression in Buckeye long before the metes and bounds of that township had been legally defined. A school was opened three miles northewast of Cedarville in 1836, but it was not until ten years later that the town itself succeeded in providing the young idea with comfortable accommodations wherein to pursue tknowledge, unattended by the difficulties which inivariably accompany every initial effort in that behalf.

In 1846 subscriptions were made for the organization of a school, and the erection of a building, the latter to be located near the burying-ground. The efforts primarily undertaken were far from encouraging, but finally these succeeded through the influence and patronage of the Clingmans, John H. Adams and other enterprising residents, and the schoolhouse, a one-story frame, 20 x 30 was completed and ready for service.

A.Mr. Chadwick, now residing in LaSalle, and Miss Julia Putnam were the first teachers who sought to elevate the youthful generation of scholars coming from far and near to partake of the mental papulum furnished in those days. Among these were George, Mary and Caroline Clingman, have been forgotten by the limited number who were familiar therewith thirty-four years ago. This school was operated with gratifying success until 1853. By that time, the daily attendance became so numerous as to necessitate larger quarters and the basement of the Lutheran Church then completed, and awaiting the erection fo the superstructure, was obtained, and used for school purposes being so used until 1855.

Soon after taking possession of the lat-named quarters, the School Directors decided upon building the present brick edifice, and inaugurated measures lloking to that end. Their first effort was directed toward the obtaining of funds, which were secured by the levy of a tax on resources not realized, that is, by anticipating the tax for school due two years from that time. This was accomplished without opposition, and $2,000 rewarded this extra legal proceeding. With the amount thus obtained, the brick building since occupied, being 55 x 30, and two stories high, was completed and turned over for use in 1855, the lower room being reserved for school uses, while the upper part was used as a public hall. In 1857 the hall was reconstructed and fitted up for a private school, taught by Miss Gorham, since married to Col. H.C. Forbes, who remained in charge until 1865, when she gave place to a successor, who continued the guardian of ambitious youth for a brief period, when the private venture was abandoned, and the entire building opened to public partronage. This is now known as District School No. 5, furnishing a good common school education to an average daily attendance of 90 pupils, and is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of J.H. Addams. Joseph P. Reel and Jacob Sill. Two teachers are employed at an annual cost of $500, which is obtained by taxation, and the school property represents a valuation of about $2,500.

METHODIST CHURCH -- The followers of Wesley first manifested their presence in Buckeye Township as early as 1839, and were composed of the families of residents who have since been included among the most substantial and enterprising of those who have materially contributed to the building up of the county and the State. These comprehended Josiah Clingman and family G. W. Clingman and family, Barton and Ira Jones and families, WIlliam Robey and family, A.K. Richart and others.

Prior to 1849 the communicants were dependent upon the visits of circuit riders and worshiped int he log schoolhouse near the branch, at private houses, and such points as convenience or necessity dictated. In 1849, the Methodist Church at Cedarville was commenced and completed in 1850, since when the pious residents of the township have rejoiced in a local habitation, as also name. The edifice is of brick, one story high 35 x 40 and though completed in 1850, was not ready for use until a year later, when the dedicatory services wereheld and the auditorium formally opened. Its cost is stated to have been nearly $1,400 and services are held on alternate Sundays, the Rev. H. Wells, Pastor, officating, dividing his labors between the congregations of Cedarville and Dakota. The congregation is stated at about 50 families and the value of the church property is $1,500 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - Of Cedarville, was organized in 1872, with John Coates, Pascal and Mrs. Wright, Simon Yerger, John Thomas, Nancy and Elizabeth Boles, George Thompson and James Wilson as charter members.

Immediately upon the organization being perfected, the associating procured accommodation in the Methodist Church for worship, remaining there for two years, when a move was made to the Lutheran Church, which was occupied conjointly with teh Lutherans for a similar period. In 1876, it was decided to erect a church for the sect, and the congregation labored so effectively that before the year closed the present handsome structure was completed, at a cost of $2,600, and taken possession of. The edifice is commodious, built of frame and by far the most attractive church, orchitecturally speaking, to be seen in the village.

The following Pastors have officiated since the society was founded; . The Revs. A. March and E. Ross, 1872; C. Elliott, 1873, after which and until 1875, transcient ministers filled the pulpit; L. Mitchell, 1875; John Irwin, the present incumbunt, 1879. The communicants number fifteen, and the church property is valued at $2,500.

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION - This religious organization was established in Buckeye at an early day, where it has increased in numbers and influence in a remarkable degree. Prior to 1856, the class worshiped in the schoolhouse and at the residences of members, prominent among whom were the families of Benjamin Hess, Christine Auman, David Neidigh, Benjamin Levan, Robert Sedam, William Vore, Henry Mark, Jacob Sills and others. In 1856 the needs of the society for a house of worship influenced the appointment of a committee of arrangements and preparations to be made in the behalf. Lots were purchased in the southeastern part of town, of Sophia Otto and George Ilgen contracts concluded for labor on the church proper and the edifice erected of brick, during 1856. It is a handsome building 40 x 50 appropriately furnished, supplied with an organ, and cost, reading for occupation, $3,000.

The first services, it is believed, were conducted by the Rev. Levi Tobias who remained in charge some years, and has been suceeded at intervals by the following Pastors: The Revs. Joseph Snell, H. Messner, A. Swartz, C.G. Kleinicht, David Kramer, and W.W. Shuler, the present incument. The congregation numbers 150 members, and the church property is valued at $2,000.

LUTHERAN and REFORMED CHURCH - Was organized by the Lutherans on the 11th of October 1850, with 15 members. Services were held by the congregations, jointly, in the schoolhouse in Cedarville until about 1852, when the present chruch edifice was contracted for. It was completed during the same year and occupied, but its formal dedication was postponed until some years later.

The church is of prick, 40 x 55, handsomely furnished throughout, supplied with an organ, and cost, when completed ready for occupancy, $3,000. The following Lutheran Pastors have officiated since established; The Revs. G.J. Donmeyer, E. Miller, J. Stoll, A.B. Niddleswarth and B.F. Pugh. The congregation at present numbers 30 members. Services are held alternately in the church by the German Reformed congregation, led by the Rev. Mr. Shimpf of Orangeville.