Buffalo Prairie Township, Illinois
This town, under original organization, was named Buffalo; afterward
changed to Copper, and then to its present name.
Its northern boundary is the Mississippi River, the southern Mercer
County, eastern the Townships of Edgington and Andalusia, and west by
Drury Township.
John Edgington was the first settler, coming here in 1834 from Jefferson
County, Ohio, with his wife, who was Miss Susan Crabs, born in the same
county, just married and together they came west. John Kistler was the
next to locate in the vicinity, and who became quite prominent in local
affairs.
Samuel Sloan came in 1839 from Pennsylvania.
The first boy born was a son to John and Susan Edgington, March 20, 1835,
named James. The first school was in 1840, taught by a venerable
Scotchman. A very thrifty class of the people were Germans, who came in an
early day. The township is composed of prairie land and timber, about
equally, with numerous fine and well improved farms. It is said that
Buffalo Prairie derives its name from the fact that in the early
settlement days a great portion of the prairie land had been long and
strongly trodden and stamped by the buffalo in their early grazing
grounds, together with their deep trail paths leading to their drinking
places.
Buffalo Prairie
Is situated in Buffalo Prairie Township, and not incorporated. Is a small
place, with post office and two or three houses.
Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908