The first inhabitant of Fountain Green of which there is any tradition, was Dr. Garland, an Indian trader who came here in 1824 and whose cabin and trading post were located on Section 34, now know as the John Gray farm. He, on the first tide of immigration pushed farther into the wilderness than anyone else.  Garland Springs was named for him.

The states which furnished the first pioneers, in the order in which they [came] were Kentucky, New York, Connecticut, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.  This was followed later by further immigration from the same states.

The first to arrive from Kentucky were: Ute Perkins, in 1826, John Brewer in 1827, John Day and James B. Lincoln in 1829, Benn Mudd, Abraham and [Mordecai] Lincoln, Jr., Andrew and Pittillo Perkins and Wm. Saylors in 1830.  (The Lincolns were the uncle and first cousins of President Lincoln.)

Those who came from Tennessee were Thomas Branha[m], Benn Gough, 1830, and Henry W. Donoho in 1833.  From New York came Jabez A. Beebe and John Pryor in 1831, Stephen G. Ferris in 1832, Milo Brunson and Ottis Eaton in 1833.  Daniel, Jared, Lyman and Samuel Prentiss came from Vernmont [sic] in 1833.

From Tennessee came the four Wright brothers, Hickerson, Hubbard, Wilson and Bazil.  With Hickerson Wright came his family of six boys and four girls.  Hickerson and most of the boys were over six feet in height.  All the boys crossed the plains to California, some as early as 1850 and others later and some of them made the trips the second and third time.

From New York came Wm. Alton in 1834, Jesse Hadley, Dr. Ostrander, David Alton and [Jary] White in 1835, Matthew McClaughry in 1836.

From Connecticut in 1836 came Martin Hopkins and Stephen Tyler, Sr.

From Pennsylvania came Col. T. M. Geddes, Thomas, William and Robert Miller and Francis and Jesse McConnell in 1836.

Thus was formed the first settlement in Fountain Green township.  The neighboring settlement was Franklin, now LaHarpe, eight miles north, with Jobe settlement, now Blandinsville in McDonough county about the same distance to the northeast.  Carthage, the county seat, was twelve miles to the southwest.  A post office was established in 1833, two years before the town was laid out, with Jabez A. Beebe acting as postmaster.

This is authentic history of the settlement of Fountain Green township.

Very truly,
Geo. C. Tyler.