Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois : containing an authentic summary of records, documents, historical works and newspapers, Part 7

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : M.A. Leeson
Number of Pages: 710


USA > Illinois > Stark County > Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois : containing an authentic summary of records, documents, historical works and newspapers > Part 7


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83


64


HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.


ever on the lowa side and never recross the river without the per- mission of the President or the Governor of Illinois. Whether the Indians elearly understood the terms of this treaty is uncertain. As was usual, the Indian traders had dictated terms on their behalf, and they had received a large amount of provisions, etc., from the govern- ment, but it may well be doubted whether the Indians comprehended that they could never revisit the graves of their fathers without violat- ing their treaty. They undoubtedly thought that they had agreed never


to recross the Mississippi with hostile intent. However this may be, on the 6th day of April, 1832, Black Hawk and his entire band, with their women and children, again recrossed the Mississippi in plain view of the garrison of Fort Armstrong, and went np Rock river. Although this aet was construed into an aet of hostility by the military author- ities, who declared that Black Hawk intended to recover his village, or the site where it stood, by force ; but it does not appear that he made any such attempt, nor did his appearance ereate any special alarm among the settlers. They knew that the Indians never went on the war path eneumbered with the old men, their women and their chil- dren. The war commeneed, however, and among the enemies of the Ilawk, there were none more pronounced than the early settlers of Spoon river precinet. as shown in the military history.


.


CHAPTER INI.


EXPLORATION AND OCCUPATION.


HEN the illustrions Marquette was on his return voyage up the Illinois river, it is related that he met many of the orig- inal Indian occupiers of the valley, just returned from their trans-Mississippi exile, to which the Iroquois had driven them. When La Salle came here over two hundred years ago, he found the Peorias in full possession of the conntry, with their principal town at the outlet of the lake. There a great trading post was founded by the French, and continued down to the war of 1812. At this time Governor Edwards ordered the destruction of the seventy dwellings constituting the town and the banishment of the inhabitants. owing to their known sympathy with the British. In Is14 Fort Clark was constructed. then deserted, and four years later Abner Eads and Josiah Fulton settled there as the first white American pioneers. This was the actual beginning of settlement on the military tract in April. 1519, by the advance guard of the " Shoal Creek Colony."


Harvey L. Ross, in his youthful days, was fond of hunting and trading with the Indians. When but seven years of age he had killed wild turkeys, geese. and small game of almost every kind. and at twelve thought nothing of killing a deer. He says he also remembers catching twelve wolves in less than a month in steel traps placed near a dead norse. He relates some incidents of the first trading expedition in which he was engaged, which occurred in 1828. Tle started from Lewistown in company with Edward Plude. a Frenchman and Indian interpreter. and " Bill" Eveland, son of John Eveland. Eveland was a large. powerful man, well acquainted with the country and familiar with the Indian character. They loaded a two-horse wagon at Lewis- town with goods and traveled through what is now known as Knox. Stark and Peoria counties, where they found a large number of Indians and traded their goods to advantage. They returned home with their wagon loaded with furs and deer skins. They were gone three weeks and had traveled about one hundred and fifty miles. meeting only with two white settlers after leaving the neighborhood of Canton.


Among the men who came about this time was Isaac B. Essex, who was appointed Indian teacher by Jesse Walker, the first Methodist preacher in the State. Although the school was for the benefit of the Indians, white children, what few there were, were permitted to attend. The names of the white scholars. as far as remembered by Captain Haacke, were Lawson Holland, N. Smith, Sally Eads, J. Sharp, J. and


65


66


HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.


Robert Latham, D. Avery. Andrew Avery, John and James Dixon. William, M. C .. and Warren Bogardus. Essex taught several terms and then moved to a claim a little below Rock Island. His claim was made on the top of a bluff overlooking the Mississippi river, where he attempted to build a city, which he called Quebec. But the attempt failed, and Quebee was lost. In later years he returned to Peoria, and in the fall of 1828 visited this county, staked his elaim on the northeast quarter of section 15, Essex township, prepared the logs and siding for his future house, and, returning to " Shoal creek." remained there until April, 1829, when he set ont to settle finally in the wilderness. With him were his wife and children, and accompanying him from Prince's Grove were Daniel Prince, Frank Thomas, Stephen French, Simon Reed, and Revs. Silliman and Allen, Baptist preachers. They formed the " Building Bee," who raised the first cabin in Stark county within twenty-four hours after arriving on the spot, where the first settler had prepared the Inmber a few months before. Following the Essex family came John B. Dodge, a son-in-law of Benjamin Smith, and a relative of Elder Silliman. He built his eabin on section 14, near the Essex cabin, and took all the parts eredited to him in other chapters, until killed at Rock Island by a desperado from Kentneky.


In March. 1830, Squire Benjamin Smith. William P. Sewell, and Greenleaf Smith arrived and erected the third building in the county. near that of Dodge, who left his cabin to John E. Owings in 1831. William D. Grant built a shanty on what was known as "The James Holgate Farm," in 1831, and in this year also came Thomas and Eliza- beth Essex, parents of the pioneer settler, with their children, Thomas. David. William, and Joseph Essex, and Mrs. Cooper with her husband David. Harris W. Miner, mentioned at the beginning of the marriage record, Peter Miner, and Sylvanus Moore, named in the military, or- ganie, legal and political chapters, and the quiet David Gregory, were all here.


In 1832 Major McClenahan came to Spoon river early in the spring, with nine of his children. He took possession of Peter Miner's cabin near Wyoming, and resided there for a few months until the first im- provements were completed in Goshen township, known as the " Me- Clenahan Settlement." The male adults of the family then were Elijah. Elijah, JJr., James and Robert. Within this and the succeeding two years came James Holgate, Miss Marsh, Thomas Winn, Hugh White. Lewis Sturms. Minott Silliman, John Love, James Morrow. John P. Hayes. Jesse Heath, John MeClure, Jason Hopkins, Hugh Montgomery, Elias Love. Thom. Leeks. A. Baker, Pardon B. Dodge, and Henry and Samuel Seeley, some of whom brought large families. Ilenry MeClenahan came late in 1834, and the next year. Thomas Bradford and Geo. Parker.


In December, 1835, a party arrived at Osceola Grove under the lead- ership of Major Robert Moore. This party comprised the leader, with James Buswell, Isaac Spencer, Thomas Watts, Giles C. Dana, Peter Pratt, and Dr. Pratt, but all did not settle permanently there. In June, 1836, came William Hall, Mrs. William Hall, Robert and Mary Hall, Archibald Vandyke and wife, Charles Vandyke, Myrtle G. Brace, Brady


·


67


EXPLORATION AND OCCUPATION.


Fowler. E. S. Brodhead, John Davis family, Henderson family, Thomas family. William Mahany, William Godley. the Dorrance family. Will- iam and Henry Dunbar. David and George Simmerman, Moffetts. Hodgesons, Dunns. Wyckoffs, Websters, Emerys, Chatfields. Trickles. Ecklevs. Likes or Lakes, Barnetts, and Jacob Smith. Henry Butler, Jar- ville Chaffee. W. E. Buckingham (called by General Thomas the " Buke of Duckingham" ), Simeon Ellis, Dexter Wall, Ira and Cyril Ward, S. G. Worley, William Ogle, Adam Day, Henry Sweet. Asher W. Smith, Lewis and Chris. Sammis, Ephraim Barrett, William Bowen, Adam Perry. Eliphalet Ellzworth or Ellsworth, Samuel Love. Peter Sharer. L. Townsend, Henry Breese. Samuel Butler, Ilenry Sweet, Hugh Frail. Joseph Newton, Israel Seeley. Daniel Dobbins, and Henry and Matthias Sturms. All may be said to be here prior to the close of the year 1836, with others younger and less prominent, whose names appear in other chapters. From the beginning of 1837 to the spring of 1839 many others joined the settlers here, completing the pioneer circle, and ready to accept the responsibility of the local government granted to them in the latter year. The following copy of the original assessment roll almost covers the whole list of the pioneers of Stark county :


The assessment of 1839. for the tirst district of the new county. was made by lsaac Spencer. In the following list the names of own- ors and values of personal properties are given, the figures denoting dollars : Avery, Zebulon, 344: Avery, Joseph, 600; Bavard. Ephraim, 164: Buswell, James, 304: Brace, Myrtle, 343; Currier, Asa. 229: Currier. David, 73: Carter, Timothy, 359: Dukes, Martin, 225: Davis, Jobn. 364; Ferris, Sylvanus, 55; Fowler, Brady, 144: Gruthage, Thomas, 60; (freenfield, Charles, 123; Gray, Sarah, 100; Hall, Robert, 469 ; Hall. Thomas. 150; Hall. Langley. 48: Hall. William. 296 ; Harvey, Aaron. 311 : Hamilton, John. 15 : Lyle, John and Thomas, 786 : Lyle, William. 152 : Leeson, John. 460 ; Moore, James M .. 216 : Moore, William, 310 : Moore, Robert, 229 ; Orsman, Morris, 30 : Orsman, Bennett, 40 ; Oliver. Thomas, 273 : Parks, William. 366: Pratt, Peter, 106; Ricker. Benja- min. 342 : Sweet, Henry. 11> : Sturm, Henry S .. 340; Sturm. Samuel. 97; Sturm, Matthew, Jr., 97 ; Sturm. Nicholas, 295 ; Seeley, Israel, 59: Seeley, Henry, 327: Smith, Asher, 196; Sturm, Matthias, 257 : Stone. Liberty. 112: Spencer. Isaac, 347: Sharer. Robert. 125 : Turnbull. Robert. 155: Turnbull, Jobn. 203; Van Dyke. Arch. 113: Whitaker. Oliver, 333 : Winslow, Calvin, 312 : Woodard, Daniel, 151 : Woodard, Smith, 125 : Winters, John. 265; White, Hugh. 60; White, Henry, $4 : Whiteher & Vance. 135: Woodard. Alfred. 117: the total valuation being $3,094.


The list of personal property in district No. 2. in the county of Stark, with the names of the owners and value of the personal property. assessed by John W. Agard, for the year 1839, is as follows, the figures denote value in dollars : John W. Agard, 305 ; Moses Boardman. 710: Thomas Bradford. 113: Henry Breeze. 197: Henry Butler, 65%: George Cargill. 375: Samuel Camp. 40; Lewis Davenport. 100 : Lemuel S. Dorrance, 610; William W. Drummond, SS; Eliphalet Ellsworth. 359: Channey Fiellen, 306: Jesse W. Heath, 125; James lolgate. 775: Moses Jordan. 100 : Samuel Love. 224 ; Elijah McClena-


68


HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.


han, 444: Nehemiah Merritt, 310; Sylvanus Moore, 359; Benjamin Newton, 120; Benjamin Newton, Jr., 45; Joseph Newton, 257; George Parker, 25: Virgil Pike, 149; Christopher Samas, 4,110; Samuel Seely. 345: Peter Shafer. 104; Whitney Smith, 653; Benjamin Smith, 306; Sewell Smith, 148; Greenleaf Smith, 475; John Spencer, 236; Samuel Thomas, 1,159 ; Leman Thurston, 123 : Thomas Timmons, 170 : Horase Vail. 261 ; Dexter Hall, 274; John A. Williams. 75; Thomas Winn, 357 ; the total valuation being $15,916. The real estate in district No. 2 was also assessed by John W. Agard at $14.880. The names of the greater number of actual settlers are given in the list of original entries.


The assessment of Massilon precinct or district No. 3 was made in 1839 by .1. H. Barnett. In the following list the names of owners and values of personal property are given : Arnold, Philander, 184 ; Brown, John, 278; Burfield. Benjamin, 243: Burfiekl, Carson, 106 : Burfield, John, 75; Barnett, Ephraim, 755; Barnett, James IL., 104 ; Clark, Thomas S., 280 ; Coldwell, Washington, 225 ; Coldwell, Thomas, 271 ; Coldwell, Presley, 135 ; Coldwell, Henry, 141 ; Cooley, Abraham, 442; Cox, Nathan, 308 ; Drummond, Benjamin, 419: Drummond, Zomh. 152; Davis, Daniel, 190; Dunn, Augustus A., 230; Eckley, George, 352 : Emery, Fred W., 250; Finch, Lewis, 216: Finley, John, 299 : Greenlee, Allen, 143: Greenfield. Bethnel, 75; D. and C. Gingrich, 326 ; Ilanna, Robert, 250 ; Janez, Michel, 218; Moler, John, who moved to Iowa, 27: Matthews, Newton, 284; Ogle. Howard, 328 ; Powell, Colvin, 235 : Porter, William, 258; Porter, Edward, 141 ; Mounts, Pero, 264; MeClure, JJohn, 808 : Pratts, John, 395; Sheets, Peter, 970; Smith, William, 435 ; Smith, Jacob, 293 : Shaw, Summer, 188 ; Sturges, David, merchant, 325; Simmerman, Jacob, 75 ; Treekell, Jefferson, 677 : Treekell, Stephen, merchant, 736; Treekell, Edward, 399 ; Tree- kell, Washington, 399 : Thompson, Thomas, 90 ; Wyckoff, Nehemiah, 301; Webster, William W., 230 ; Wriggan, William W., 100 ; and John Whitzell, 135.


The list of property in district No. 4, in the county of Stark, with the names of the owners and the value of the property, assessed by Silas Richards for the year 1839. is as follows: Albright, George, 80 ; Bennett, Jeremiah, 210 ; Brink, James, 47 ; Cue, William, 360 ; Cundiff, John, 330; Coburn, William, 270: Dunbar, William, 693; Dunbar, Ilenry. 419: Driscoll, Luther, 615; Emery, Conrad. 538; Emery. Jacob, 371 ; Emery. Joseph ; 339 ; Emery, Jesse, 128; Eltgroth, Elijah, 40 ; Grant, Joshua, 145 : Grant, Nelson. 155; Hodgson, Daniel, 425; Hodgson, Jonathan, 726; Ilester, Jolm. 440; Hays, Harry, 845 ; Ives, llenry, 220; Jackson, Barnabas M., 2,092: Jackson, George. 115; Lundy. John, 254: Lake, William, 144: Lake, Reuben, 179; Miner. Peter F., 485; Miner, Harris W., 460; Miner, J. <. C. IL., 1,836; Miner. Jesse, 35; Manning, Abiah, 50; McClenaghan, Henry, 455 ; Mason, William. 397; Mc Williams, John, 238; Parrish, Samuel, 270 : Parrish, Joel, 135 ; Palmer. Joseph, 320 ; Richards, Silas, 461 ; Rich- ards, Milton, 392: Reed, Ira ( .. 50: Russell, John, 64 ; Simmerman, David, 535 ; Simmerman, George, 205 : Sellen, Edward. 255 ; Stoddard, Israel, 315; Stoddard, Marcus A., 125; White, John. 562; Wheeler,


69


EXPLORATION AND OCCUPATION.


William, 168 ; Pulhamous, Isaac. 24: Wilson, James J .. 117. The total was 817,824. The list of lands in the fourth district, in the county of Stark, with the names of the owners and the value of the lands assessed by Silas Richards, for the year 1839. comprised the names of Daniel Frost, Thomas G. Williams and Isaac Foster.


At the close of the war between the United States and England in 1812, our government laid off a traet of land in Illinois for the sol- diers who participated in that war. The land thus appropriated was embraced in the region between the Mississippi and the Illinois rivers. and extended as far northward as the north line of Bureau and Henry counties. To it the name " Military Tract" was given, and by that name this section is still known. Within this boundary is embraced one of the most fertile regions of the globe. Scarcely had Congress made the proper provisions to enable the soldiers to secure their land ore a few of the most daring and resolute started to possess it. There were only a few, however, who at first regarded their " quarter sec- tion " of sufficient value to induce them to endure the hardships of the pioneer in its settlement and improvement. Many of them sold their patent to a fine " prairie quarter" for one hundred dollars. others for less, while some traded theirs for a horse. a cow. or a watch, regarding themselves as just so much ahead. This was a source of no little trouble to the actual settlers, as shown further on in this volume. for they could not always tell which quarter of land belonged to a soldier, or which was "Congress land " and could be prompted. Even when a settler found a suitable location known to be " patent land," with a desire to purchase, he experienced great difficulty in finding the owner, and often did not find him until he had put hun- dreds of dollars' worth of improvements on it, when the patentee was sure to turn up. It was seldom that a " patentee" could be found at the time of settlement, and many of the early settlers presumed that the owner never would be known ; but in many instances, after a patent quarter section was made valuable by improvement, the original patent would be brought on by some one, who would oust the ocen- pant and take possession, sometimes paving him something for hus improvements and sometimes not. Many holders of patents had no pity. This condition of affairs presented a temptation to merciless " land sharks." who would come into this section and work up eases, ostensibly for the original patentees, but really for their own pockets. The most notorious of these was one Toliver Craig, who actually made it a business to forge patents and deeds. This he carried on exten- sively from 1847 to 1854, especially in Knox and Fulton counties. Ile had forty bogus deeds put on record in one day at Knoxville. lle was arrested in New York State in 1854, by O. M. Boggess, of Mon- month, and taken to the jail at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attempted suicide by arsenic ; but at the end of a year he was released on bail. The settlers around Osceola Grove, with men from other townships. organized an anti-elaim jumpers' society, which checked, effectually. the operations of the claim jumpers, and enabled them to hold their lands until purchased from the government.


CHAPTER IV.


MARRIAGE RECORD 1831-1866.


M


·


ARRIAGE was not always the voluntary proceeding we now find it. It was compulsory among the Greeks. The Spartans could not tolerate celibacy, and by the laws of Lycurgus criminal proceedings could be taken against those who married too late or unsuitably, as well as against those who did not marry at all. It went hard with the latter. Should any man remain single beyond a certain age he was publicly scorned, and was made to do penance by walking naked in the winter through the market place, singing a sati- rical song on himself. In the French settlement of Canada women were sent over after the men, and the single men, that they might be forced to marry, were subjected to heavy taxation and to restrictions on their trade and their movements generally. Those who married were dealt with, on the other hand, in a generous spirit. Not only were they provided with a good wife and comfortable home, but they were awarded according to the number of their offspring. The father of ten children was pensioned for life at the rate of 300 livres a year. If he had twelve children the allowance was increased to 400 livres. and it went up to 1,200 livres when fifteen children blessed the union. The conditions were reversed in the English colonies, for there the settlers eagerly welcomed the other sex, and did not hesitate to pay traders heavily in tobacco weight for every marriageable woman they brought over. As far back. however, as 1695 the local authorities of Eastham in Massachusetts voted that every unmarried man in the township should kill six blackbirds or three crows yearly while he re- mained single, producing the scalps in proof, and as a penalty for not obeying the order he was forbidden to marry until he had made up all arrears. The requirement in this case was almost nominal : but it was not so in Maryland, where half a century later the Colonial Assembly imposed a tax of five shillings yearly upon all bachelors above thirty- five years of age (and on widowers withont children) who were pos- sessed of $300. There was a similar gradnated tax on bachelors in Eng- land in the reign of William III. Any commoner who was a bach- elor at twenty-five had to pay a shilling fine, yearly. and the amount was increased in accordance with rank or title, any ducal offender being taxed to the extent of $12 los. yearly. The taxes grew heavier before they were removed, and the time came when bachelors were called upon to pay an extra tax on their servants. Thus we see the old states as well as young ones have found out that their prosperity depends upon its married citizens. The best subjects, as Lord Bacon


70


71


MARRIAGE RECORD 1831-1866.


points out, are those in this relationship, the reason he gives for this conclusion being that single are " light to runaway," while " he that hath a wife and children hath given hostages to fortune."


The marriage record of Spoon River precinct of Putnam county, from 1831 to 1839, is as follows :


1832.


Feb. 16. Daniel Warren and Lucy Skeel, by Samuel D. Laughlin, J. P. 1833.


Jan. 1. Richard Hunt and Ruth Harram, by Samnel D. Laughlin, J P. 1834.


Nov. 16. Emanuel Hitchcock and Rebecca Merrill, by Benj. Smith, J. P. 1836.


Mar. 14. Dexter Wall and Sarah Starks, by Benj. Smith, J. P.


April 28. Nero W. Mounts and Nancy Martindale, by Benj. Smith, J. P.


May 19. Geo. F. Thomas and Elizabeth Romble. by W. M. Stewart. J. P.


Oct. 10. Martin Batterton and America Taylor. by Benj. Smith, J. P.


1837.


April 5. Henry James and Margaret Wilkinson, by Luther Driscoll, M. G.


July 4. Jerry R. Larkins and Sarah Ann Davis, by J. B. Chenoweth.


15. Nelson Dugan and Mary A. Stronde, by W. M. Stewart, J. P.


Wm. M. Young and Naney II. Glenn, by J. B. Chenoweth, M. G.


Aug. 17. . . 24. John P. Judson and Maria Wattles, by J. B. Chenoweth, M. G.


Oct. 31. Isaae Baker and Eliza Ash, by J. B. Chenoweth, M. G.


Nov. 12. Joseph Cox and Catherine Edwards. by J. W. Agard. J. P.


Dec. 13. Langley Hall and Sarah Ligo, by M. G. Brace, .I. P.


1838.


April 10. W. W. Drummond and Jemima McClenahan, by Jonathan Miner. M. G.


" 15, Samuel Love and Catherine Taylor, by J. W. Agard, J. P.


May 31. Jacob Zenor and Elvira Skeels, by B. Harris, M. G.


Sept. 25. Joseph K. Lane and Emily Chaffee, by J. W. Agard, J. P.


Oct. 22. W. A. Drummond and Ruth Cox, by J. W. Agard. J. P.


4. Samuel Sterne and Elizabeth Phenix, by M. G. Brace, J. P.


Dec. 16. Thomas Timmons and Mary Jane Davis, by J. W. Agard, J. P.


1839.


lan. 3. Robert W. Clanahan and Luey A. Richards, by Jonathan Miner. ..


8. David Currier and Rebecca Jane Parks. by W. G. Vail. M. G. Feb. 28. Geo. Simmerman and Phobe Richmond, by Jonathan Miner. Mar. 13. Dan. Woodward and Mary A. Haditat, by MI. G. Brace, J. P.


During this time a license was issued to Minott Silliman, but as the ceremony was not performed in Putnam county the document and certificate were recorded at St. Louis in 1833.


The marriage of Harris W. Miner and Miss Nancy Gross, in the winter of 1831-2, was the first between white American settlers within the bounds of Stark county. Squire Hiram M. Curry, of Peoria 5


72


HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.


county, was the celebrant. In 1832 Nero W. Mounts married the Widow Martindale. Squire Benjamin Smith officiating.


" In February, 1834," says Mrs. Shallenburger. " there was a wed- ding at the house of James Holgate, of which we can still learn some- thing. This was between a gentleman by the name of Mcclure and a sister of Mrs. Holgate, Miss Marsh. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. Sylvanus Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf Smith, Mr. and Mrs. John Dodge, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Seeley and Jesse Heath. Whether Squire Smith or some wandering preacher performed the ceremony. Mr. Ilolgate did not inform us, but said he had, in 1834, but a cabin sixteen feet square, and well filled with the usual comforts of pioneer life. They took the door from its hinges to add to the table, and as the weather was mild for the season, the men stood outside while the feast was spread. Then . bee gums' were brought in and puncheons laid on them for seats, and they had an excellent dinner, no scarcity of anything but room. The repast over, the men had again to retire to the ' sky parlor ' until the table could be cleared and the door restored to its place. when they all managed to get inside and had a gay time. But the toilets must be left to the imagination of the reader."


The first marriage license in this county was issued by the first clerk, over forty years ago. We give the form of the license and cer- tificate in full :


STATE OF ILLINOIS, STARK COUNTY, SS .-


1, Oliver Whitaker, Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of the County of Stark, do hereby authorize any regular minister of the Gospel, Judge or Justice of the Peace, to unite in marriage William Charles and Esther Stoddard ; and the minister, Judge or Justice of the Peace who may unite the above named parties shall make a certifi- cate of the same and return it to me within thirty days, as the law directs.


In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (there being no official seal provided) at Oseeola, this 16th day of April, A. D. 1839. OLIVER WHITAKER, Clerk. STATE OF ILLINOIS, STARK COUNTY.


I hereby certify that, on the 18th day of April, A. D. 1839, I joined in the holy stale of matrimony, Mr. William Charles and Miss Esther Stoddard, according to the usual custom and law of the State of Illinois. Given under my hand and seal this 18th day of April. A. D. 1839. LUTHER DRISCOLL, Minister of the Gospel.


The record of marriage certificates entered in this county from this time to the close of 1866 is as follows :


1839.


April 18. Wm. Charles and Esther Stoddard. by Luther Driscoll, M. G. .. 18. Lewis Perry and Clarrissa M. Elliot, by Jonathan Miner, M. G. May 10. Egbert Ellsworth and Sarah Parrish, by J. W. Agard. J. P. 30. Robert Colwell and Maria MeClenahan, by Jonathan Miner. M. G.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.