ARGYLE BAPTIST CHURCH

was organized on the 21st day of August, 1851, by a Council called for the purpose, of which the Rev. S. S. Whitman acted as Moderator and the Rev. J. D. Cole as Secretary, with the following members: Nelson and Hulda Ford, John and Hulda Hill, Orlean and Elizabeth Doggett, John Z. and Mary Saxton, Wealthy A. and Mary Hill, and Amos G. Hill, Asa Saxton and Helena Saxton.

In December following, the Rev. William Clack was chosen minister, and taking charge remained until February 23, 1853, when he resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. John Pool, who served the church in his pastoral capacity until February 25, 1854, at which date he resigned. Thenceforward, until late years, the church prospered, services being held semi-monthly with good results, including an increase of members. This prosperity continued until early in the sixties, when its efforts began to wane, the congregation to diminish, and other causes to aid in affecting its influence until 1876, since when the church has been without any settled pastor; and, though the society has enjoyed many special manifestations of Divine favor, its prospects at present are not said to be very encouraging.

In addition to those already mentioned, the following Pastors have officiated: The Revs. David Mattock, Mr. Theal, Alva Whitman, Daniel H. Palmer, C. H. Wilder, Michael W. Webster, C. C. Eldred and E. A. Wood.

ARGYLE MILLS.

The only flour-mills in the village of Argyle were put up during 1852, and, although many changes of ownership have been made since that time, the mills have been constantly employed, contributing to the comfort not more than the prosperity of the immediate vicinity. The property was originally owned by Asa Saxton and John Edgrin who utilized the water-power derived from the Pecatonica River, and erected and furnished the premises about the year above designated. The building is of stone, two stories high, and originally contained two run of buhrs, with a capacity for grinding 200 bushels of grain per diem. Saxton and Edgrin conducted the business for three years after the mills were completed, when Mr. Saxton died, and Frederick Hunnel succeeded to his interest by purchasing thereof from decedent's heirs. After an experience of two years, he sold out to D. S. Hawley and retired, and in 1865 James Sardison purchased Edgrin's interest and carried on the venture in conjunction with Mr. Hawley, perfecting improvements, meanwhile, including an additional run of buhrs, until 1878, when Mr. Hawley retired and Michael Crotty became a partner, so continuing up to the present day under the firm name of Sardison & Crotty.

The business of the house is said to be large and prosperous, including custom milling, as also the manufacture of flour for shipment, and is patronized by liberal custom. The firm employs two hands, grind 300 bushels of grain daily, and regard its investment as representing a valuation of $13,000.

In addition to the grist-mill, Messrs. Sardison & Crotty carried on a saw-mill in buildings adjoining, which were constructed in about 1845. At that time, J. E. Eldred and A. U. Gibson combined for the purpose, and, availing themselves of the Pecatonica as a motive power, began the sawing of lumber, which was used throughout Argyle Town for building and other purposes. The establishment in time became part of the grist-mill property, and passed into the possession of each successive purchaser of the same. It is supplied with rip and buzz saws, capable of sawing 2,500 feet of lumber per day and is valued at $2,000.

OWEGO MILLS,

located on Whitesides Creek, two and one-half miles southwest of the village of Argyle, are among the oldest and best-known milling establishments in the county. These mills were first projected almost before the Indian wars which prevailed in the present county of La Fayette at an early day were concluded, though it was not until 1837 that they were assigned a local hab

itation and name. In that year, John Williams, an adventurous millwright, put up a frame building and stocked it with one run of stones, which were propelled by the water-power of Whitesides Creek, and kept constantly busy. Within a brief period, a stone addition was made to the frame building, and, in 1839, the premises passed into the hands of Robert Threadgold. That gentleman carried on the business of milling until his death, when the property was managed by James Sardison, administrator for the benefit of the heirs at law. About this time, the stone addition was thrown down, and the mill was entirely rebuilt of frame, and was purchased by Mr. Sardison, who sold to C. C. Eldred, who, in his turn, disposed of his purchase to Warner Million, by whom the mills are now owned and operated. They possess a capacity for grinding 100 bushels of grain a day, with the assistance of one hand, and are valued at $6,000.

ARGYLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The present congregation is the outgrowth of a class which was established years ago, when Argyle was included in the Hamilton Circuit, and was attended to by circuit-riders and exhorters, whose names have come down with the history of Methodism in the West, shrined in a luster and reputation that will be imperishable so long as the followers of the Epworth divine are included among the religious sects of the world.

As near as can be ascertained, the first class to organize in the village was composed in part of D. S. Hawley and wife, Frederick Hunnel and wife, Mr. Allen and wife, Mrs. Crawford Million, Hiram Arnold and wife and some few others. Frederick Hunnel officiated as Leader, and the society listened to sermons at irregular intervals, from traveling Pastors, until about 1852. During that year, the congregation became attached to the Fayette Circuit, and the Revs. N. Close and E. B. Russell preached alternately every fortnight. These were succeeded by John L. Dyer and B. Chris, and fortnight preaching was continued until 1857. The schoolhouse held the worshipers until the Baptist Church was built, when that congregation granted its occupation to the Methodists; but, revoking this permission subsequently, the latter removed to a room in the third story of D. S. Hawley's house (now used as a hotel), and held undisputed possession of the same for some time, removing thence back to the schoolhouse. During these years, efforts had been actively employed by the society for the purpose of building of a church, and, in 1859, the means having been amassed, the stone church on South street was begun by D. S. Hawley, and completed during the following spring, when it was dedicated, the Rev. S. P. Mather preaching the dedicatory sermon. Previous to this, however, the Argyle Church was set off from the Fayette Circuit, and became an independent mission, under the care of the Rev. A. L. Thurston, the first settled minister of this congregation. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Blackhurst, who died in the service, the vacancy thereby created being supplied by the Rev. S. P. Waldron, who came when the church was completed, and first occupied the pulpit, which has since been filled by ministers in course. At present, the church edifice, which is 30x40, with a seating capacity of 250, and cost $1,200, is regarded as of too limited dimensions for the congregation, and it is designed to either enlarge or erect a new edifice at an early day.

The society now includes a membership of 150, and preaching is had every other Sunday morning, but every Sunday evening. The property, which includes a parsonage, opposite the church edifice, purchased in 1872 for $1,500, is valued at $3,000, and the following ministers have accepted calls since Argyle became an independent circuit: The Revs. S. P. Waldron, Jacob Miller, Thomas Lawson, H. C. Jenks, R. Pengilley, R. Burnip, P. K. Jones, E. W. Allen and William Thomas, at present in charge.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

This society is composed of the Norwegian and German residents of Argyle and the vicinity, and is said to be in a flourishing condition. It was organized in 1875 with a compliment of four families, under the direction of the Rev. F. M. G. Jertson, and began worship in the Methodist Church edifice, where services were conducted until the present Lutheran Church was completed.

When the organization was perfected, a movement was inaugurated for the building of a house of worship, and so successfully did it progress that within one year from the date of the society's formation the same was completed and occupied. It is located in the northern portion of the village, and is a prominent object to residents for miles around. The building is of frame, 30x70, with a steeple, handsomely finished, and cost, with improvements subsequently made, a total of $2,500. The present congregation numbers fifteen families, and the Rev. F. M. Jertson still

officiates as Pastor.

ARGYLE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

was organized in 1853, though the cemetery was laid out and platted in 1850, under the direction of Briggs and Foss. It is located at the extreme south end of North street, containing about two acres of ground divided into 226 lots, and highly ornamented with tombs and monuments. The first interment was Joseph E. Eldred, in December, 1850.

The first officers were: J. E. Saxton, President; L. B. Waddington, Secretary. The present officers are: W. B. Thurston, M. D., President; J. S. Waddington, Treasurer, and F. G. Wyman, Secretary.

JUDGE JOHN WILFORD BLACKSTONE.

Judge John Wilford Blackstone, son of Stephen F. and Elizabeth (Baker) Blackstone, was a descendant of the family of that name who immigrated to America from England six years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, and located on the site of Boston. The parents of the above settled in Madison, Madison County, N. Y., when the State was comparatively a wilderness. They were originally from Connecticut. John Wilford Blackstone was born October 18, 1796. The characteristics of the race that settled the now historic places of Boston and Providence manifested themselves in this removed offspring of William Blackstone, who left Boston and founded Providence plantation because of differences with the Puritans, and made a home for the persecuted Quakers on Blackstone River, Rhode Island. The germs of religious freedom which there took root, grew into wide-spreading branches throughout the land. The name is preserved in numerous historical localities in the East.

The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Madison until about the age of 17 years, at which time he entered Hamilton College. The catalogue shows that he was a graduate of the class of 1819. Gerret Smith graduated the previous year.

Three months prior to his graduation, being led by the spirit of adventure, he engaged to go with a gentleman named Hart to the then far West. Embarking at Olean Point in keelboats laden with miscellaneous merchandise, they followed the Allegheny, Ohio and Mississippi to Memphis, in Tennessee, trading at the little towns on the banks until their stock was exhausted; thence returning to his native place, he entered upon the study of law, and, three years later, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice, but the adventurous spirit still possessed him. Two years were spent in Canada, when he again embarked at Olean Point in a skiff, with a single companion, and brought up at Shawneetown, where, at that time, were the principal salt works of the West.

In 1828, he removed to the Galena lead mines, and, in the winter of 1828-29, to Mineral Point. After remaining here for some two or three years, he removed to New Diggings and settled near the place where the village of the same name now stands. In the spring of 1835, he purchased the farm near the White Oak Springs, known as the Judge Blackstone farm, and now occupied by his son, Augustus. Before leaving New York, Judge Blackstone studied. medicine, and received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine. In 1832, he took part in the Black Hawk War, and held a Lieutenant's commission in Capt. Clark's Company, under Gen. Henry Dodge. In 1838, he was a member of the Second Territorial Legislature,