Previous to the adoption of the act empowring the incorporation of township, Buckeye Township was known as Center Precinct, which comprehended the territory that has since been subdivided into Buckeye, Dakota, Harmen and Lancaster Twps. This was the case as lasate as August, 1838 for, on the 6th of that month, an election was held at the house of Josiah Clingman, in Center Precinct for State officers, at which John Edwards received 25 votes for Governor, and Stephen A. Douglas 7 votes for Congress; Ira Jones, Levi Lewis and G.W. Clingman were Judges, and Thompson Vilcoxon and Joseph Green, Cleerks.

The earliest settlement made in the present township of which there are any data to deduce conculsions, was during the year 1835. In the spring, John Goddard came to the southern portion of the township, and, in the fall of the same year, DavidJones and Levi Lucas came, the former making claim to a large tract of land contiguous to what is now known as Buckeye Center, where he built a capin and began housekeeping. There was little beyond the hope of what the future might give birth to encourage the lonely lives of these pioneers, yet they accepted the gauge of life as they found it, and survived to realize many of the promises reserved for after years. In addition to these George Trotter, Richard Parriott and Henry and William Hollenback came about this time.

In 1836 the roster of inhabitants was increased by the arrival of a few families, including William Robey, who had made a claim there the previous year, Jenu Pile, Andrew St. John, Ira, Job and Daniel Holly and others. Parrott and Pile located near the present town of Cedarville, while the balance enterd claims in the northwestern part of the township.

In 1837 the influx of population was somewhat greater. Among those who established themselves in Buckeye that year were Dr. Thomas Van Valzah, J. Tharp, G.W. Clingman, Jackson Richart, Lazarus Snyder, Jacob S. Brown, Joseph Green, and some few more. Dr. Van Valzah purchased the mill claim of John Goddard and barton Jones, and built what has since been known as the Cedar CreekMills, also a log cabin for his family. The mill was started in November 1837, John Fisher turning the bolt, and so continuing until the 1st of January, 1838. In that year, a sudden rise in the creek overflowed an temporarily destroyed the dam, when Fisher's occupation was gone, the power thereafter being furnished by the medium since employed.

In the month of May (9th) 1837, occurred the first death in the township, being that of Richard Parriott, Sr. Robert Jones and A. Richart laid him out after death and he was buried near Buckeye Center in a coffin fashioned by Robert Jones, the Rev. Mr. Harcott officiating at the grave.

Among those who came in 1838 was James McGhee, Adrian Lucas and others, and it was in this year that the first marriage known to have taken place in Buckeye was recorded. Robert Jones and Mary Herlacher were united in indissoluble bonds at the residence of Dr. van Valzah, the Rev. Mr. McKean being the clergyman. In those days, pretentious weddings, with the accompaniments of bridal presents, tours, etc., were unknown factors of social life, and not generally indulged. The bridegroom escorted his wife to the cabin he had erected, as above mentioned, and began his dual existence without the accessories thereto now deemed indispensable to prosperity and happiness. On the 23rd of June following, David Jones was born to the couple, the first birth of record in the township. John Murdaugh and Benjamin Bennett were also among the arrivals this year.

In 1840, the population began once more to increase. The Pottawatomies and Winnebagoes still flourished in the vicinity, and had their camp at the mouth of Richland Creek; but their presence deterred no one from venturing into the neighborhood and setting up a home. J.B. Clingman came this year, as did also Philip Reitzell and George Reitzell, who settled near where Buena Vista now is; Henry Wohllford, John Fryebarger, Richard Parriott, Jr., Franklin Scott, George Ilgen who afterward laid out Cedarville, a man named Eddy, etc. Indeed, 1840, was the golden year of Buckeye Township, so far as the increase in population and development of resources were concerned. Farms were opened, homes prepared, and notwithstanding the "hard life" that was imposed upon settlers, the county and township began to fill up guite rapidly.

In those primitive times, the inhabitants depended mainley upon their guns, and skill in the use, for meat, which was obtained from the herds of deer and flocks of prairie chickens which were to be found in the timber. Flour was almost an unknown quantity, and until mills were erected on water-courses the settlers were obliged to obtain that commodity either at Galena or Wolf Creek. When this was impossible, they scraped corn on what were known as "gritters," by which a coarse-grained meal was obtained, from which "dodgers" were baked, and the pangs of hunger mitigated.

Soon after 1840, the conveniences of life became more accessible. The rough, unsatisfactory character of the mills gave place to handsome buildings and improved machinery. The population increased annually, and, by the time that Cedarville ws laid out, numbered many families, with then ames of which the earlier comes were not familiar. The townships and its towns are in a prosperous condition, with a population estimated at about 1,800, and with promise of future wealth and usefullness.

BUCKEYE CENTER -- is located three miles north of Cedarville and the seat of the town house, also an Evangelical CHurch, one of the oldest in the county, having been arected in 1849. The congregation was at one time quite extensive, but is today limited to 30 members. The Rev. J.D. Shuler occupies the pulpit every other Sunday, alternately with teh Rev. Mr. Schaffle.

BUENA VISTA a town of about 125 inhabitants is located on Richland Creek, in the extreme western portion of the township, 11 miles from Freeport, and three miels from the line dividing Illinois and Wisconsin. The town was platted September 19, 1852 out of 40 acres of land contributed by Philip Reitzell, Marcus Montelius acting as surveyor. At that time, the county, was but imperfectly settled, and lots in Buena Vista were not in general demand. Along in 1856, lots became marketable commodities and were sold to William H. Hoff, Lewis Coppersmith, Thomas Strahorn and others. From that date, the rush of purchasers has never been "booming" and Buena Vista remains today an inland county town without much to attract or discourage the visitor or speculator. The school facilities are ample, but there is no church in the village, the residents attending service at the Bellevue Church, one and a half miles east of the town.

CEDARVILLE

WHITEHALL MILLS - Grist and saw, were erected as early as 1839 or 1840, by Philip Reitzell, though the saw-mill had been built by Ezra Gillett. Mr. R. died in 1852 when Buena Vista was laid out, and his sons succeeded to the management of the mill business. They operated the business until 1869, when the mill property was sold under foreclosure proceedings to the Northwestern Life Insurance Company, for the $22,000. In 1870 Jacob Schatczell and Jacob Rumel purchased the investment and sold it in turn to Samuel Wagner, who sold to Jerry Wohlfort, the present owner, for about $18,000. The Mill is of frame, three stories high, 50 x 66 with three run of buhrs and capacity for 100 barrels of flour per day. When Schatczell & Rumel took possession, they tore down the old saw-mill and rebuilt the same at some distance north of the grist-mill. The mill is furnished with an upright saw, with rip and other saws, enabling the present owners to turn out a large quantity of building material annually. Both mills are moved by water-power obtained from Richland Creek.