"BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP is situated on the extreme north line of the county, and is one of the prairie townships of DuPage county.  there are two small groves in the town, known as Meacham's and Sara's groves.  The first settlement was made by three brothers- Silas, Lyman and Harvey Meacham- who arrived on the land now owned by Hon. E. O. Hills on the 11th day of March, 1833.  This was the beginning of the Bloomingdale settlement.  The Meachams lived in tents until cabins could be erected for their families- their nearest neighbor being Lyman Butterfield, nine miles distant.  this settlement was at that time the most northerly one in the State, except in the vicinity of Galena.  During the fall of 1833, Major Skinner came into the settlement and made claim where Co. B. F. Meacham now resides;  Daniel D. Nobele came in soon after, and the next summer Noah Stevens, Mr. Maynard, David Bangs, and Harry Woodruff, were added to the settlement.  D.D. Noble wand Sybil Stevens were the first couple married in the town.  The first church was organized in 1840, and the first sermon preached the same year, and we believe that Miss Harriet Gifford, of Elgin, taught the first school.  Owing to the scarcity of timber, and the great desire of the early settlers each to secure his share, much contention was caused among claimants, and Bloomindale, like many other locations, was not exempt from claim wars;  but as they have been so often made public it is not deemed desirable to repeat them in this work.

        "Bloomingdale Village was platted and recorded Jan. 11, 1845.  It is beautifully located on the south side of the grove, on the old Chicago and Galena stage-road, and prior to the completion of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, the mails and passengers were transported by "Frink & Walker's" stages, which were considered in those days a very comfortable and aristocratic mode of conveyance, and, when a change of horses was made at Co. Hoit's tavern, certainly had the appearance of business.  The Chicago and Pacific railroad, now completed to Elgin, passes through the northern portion of this town.

        Mr. G. W. Meacham has already commenced building up a village, which bears his name.  The location of Meacham Station is on high, rolling prairie, and is certainly a beautiful location for a suburban town.  Mr. Meacham soon intends subdividing his lands and have his lots in the market.

        Roselle, one and one-half miles west of Meacham, is located on lands belonging to Col. R.M. Hough.  No plat of Roselle is yet on record, although Mr. B. Beck has platted forty acres, under the name of Roselle, and intends soon to have the same recorded.

        Bloomingdale village is well supplied with churches and schools; stores and shops of all kinds, also.  Mr. Holstein owns and operates a wind grist-mill, which is a source of great convenience to the people of this locality.  Hon. E. O. Hills bought the claim of Lyman Meacham in 1839.  The first school was taught by Miss Experience Gifford, in 1840, in a log house standing where Mr. Spitzer's residence now stands.  Miss Ann Meacham was the first white child born in the township (now Mrs. G. V. McGraw, of Mankato, Minn.)  The congregational society was the first organized society in the town, being established August 22, 1840.  The present church building was erected in 1849.  The Baptists held meetings as early as 1837, and about 1842 erected a small wooden building- Rev. Elwood as pastor.

        Hon. W.K. Patrick, H.H. Coe, Gilbert Way, R. Rathbun, Col M. Hoit, Jno. Barnes, and many others, were old settlers of this township."

Transcribed by Pat Sabin, 1999
 

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