:: Grafton Township History ::
:: Grafton Township ::
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copyright 2007 Grafton Township
WHAT IS TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT?
March, 1629. There are some that consider the charter of 1629 the most important document in the
history of this country. Various types of charters were granted. One of these was in 1636 for
Providence, Rhode Island. Roger Williams established the town of Providence as a self-governing
municipality or village, forming the type of government we now call the township. Therefore, 140
years before the American Revolution, town or township government was an established, functional
unit of government in almost the same form in which it operates today.
Thirty-eight of the fifty-six men who signed the declaration of independence had grown-up and
received benefits of township government. It is little wonder that when this new nation began to
move west, the concept of township government went with them.
Township government is one of the oldest forms of government in the State of Illinois, originating
when the Illinois State Constitution of 1849 provided for the organization of townships as units of
civil government.
Many historians believe the township system to be the most democratic form of civil government.
It is often referred to as the type of government closest to the people. Citizens have a direct voice in
the affairs of their government and they are encouraged to express themselves.
Township history reflects the basic values of our forefathers. We are proud to carry on the tradition.
March, 1629. There are some that consider the charter of 1629 the most important document in the
history of this country. Various types of charters were granted. One of these was in 1636 for
Providence, Rhode Island. Roger Williams established the town of Providence as a self-governing
municipality or village, forming the type of government we now call the township. Therefore, 140
years before the American Revolution, town or township government was an established, functional
unit of government in almost the same form in which it operates today.
Thirty-eight of the fifty-six men who signed the declaration of independence had grown-up and
received benefits of township government. It is little wonder that when this new nation began to
move west, the concept of township government went with them.
Township government is one of the oldest forms of government in the State of Illinois, originating
when the Illinois State Constitution of 1849 provided for the organization of townships as units of
civil government.
Many historians believe the township system to be the most democratic form of civil government.
It is often referred to as the type of government closest to the people. Citizens have a direct voice in
the affairs of their government and they are encouraged to express themselves.
Township history reflects the basic values of our forefathers. We are proud to carry on the tradition.
Grafton Township History
When Grafton Township was founded in 1850, the area population was recorded at 440. By 1870,
the township population was had grown to 1,359. Thomas Stillwell Huntley (1807-1894) was the
first elected Supervisor of Grafton Township; that is the only elected office he ever held. He was
much loved and respected by the area residents; that his obituary stated that “his kindness and
generosity will always be remembered so long as the history of the town remains”.
The area was first settled as a farm community. Good land and hard work made for a surplus of
farm products and local farmers were able to produce enough milk to supply local creameries and to
send milk to other milk plants in Chicago. Grafton contains a large proportion of low, wet land
about the central parts, hence is better adapted to stock than grain, and like the neighboring
townships of Coral and Algonquin, the leading industry among the farmers is the dairy business.
This township is one of the southern tier, being joined on the south by Kane County, on the east by
Algonquin, on north by Dorr, and the west by Coral. It is township 43, range 7. By 1860 the
township population was recorded as 1073 residents.
Continued......
When Grafton Township was founded in 1850, the area population was recorded at 440. By 1870,
the township population was had grown to 1,359. Thomas Stillwell Huntley (1807-1894) was the
first elected Supervisor of Grafton Township; that is the only elected office he ever held. He was
much loved and respected by the area residents; that his obituary stated that “his kindness and
generosity will always be remembered so long as the history of the town remains”.
The area was first settled as a farm community. Good land and hard work made for a surplus of
farm products and local farmers were able to produce enough milk to supply local creameries and to
send milk to other milk plants in Chicago. Grafton contains a large proportion of low, wet land
about the central parts, hence is better adapted to stock than grain, and like the neighboring
townships of Coral and Algonquin, the leading industry among the farmers is the dairy business.
This township is one of the southern tier, being joined on the south by Kane County, on the east by
Algonquin, on north by Dorr, and the west by Coral. It is township 43, range 7. By 1860 the
township population was recorded as 1073 residents.
Continued......