|
The
village of Emerson stands on the southeast corner of section 20,
in township 59-7. It has long been known as a convenient trading
point, post-office, etc., and now contains stores, shops, etc.,
sufficient to supply the trade of the community. The town was laid
out January 20, 1837, and first called Houston, in honor of Gen.
Sam. Houston, the hero of the Texan war of independence, then in
progress and attracting general attention. The founders of the
place were John Emerson, Younger P. True, and Wm. Jones. The last
two and Francis C. Turpin were the owners of the land containing
the town site, which was originally of about 35 acres in extent.
The first house was moved in by John Emerson, who sold goods in it
that winter. In 1838, Lewis Hawkins built a store, in which he
sold goods for a few years. Francis C. Turpin had a grocery herein
1838, and the same year the county court ordered that elections
for Round Grove township should be held “in the town of
Houston.” In 1840, John Boulware & Co. had a grocery store
here. Some years after this the name of the place was changed to
Emerson, in honor of John Emerson, the first merchant.
|
