SPRINGFIELD- The township of Springfield was organized in 1861 and its history is closely identified with that of the city. It comprises government township 16 north, range 5 west, excepting that portion embraced within the limits of Capital township. It is bounded on the north by Fancy Creek, south by Woodside, east by Clear Lake and west by Gardner township. The township is well supplied with living streams of water, the principle which is the Sangamon river, which pursues its tortuous course through the northern tier of sections. The principal village is Ridgely, with a population of 1,169.
The population of the township, including Ridgely village is - 3,769.
Among the early and prominent settlers in what now constitutes Springfield township, outside of the city limits, may be mentioned Andrew Elliott, Thomas L. and William P. McKinsey, Samuel H. Reid, James W. Keyes, Goodrich Lightfoot, Simon P. Rickard, and later Henry Converse.