USA > Illinois > Lake County > Historical and Statistical Sketches, of Lake County, State of Illinois > Part 6
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Nelson Landon, Esq., was the first settler withing the limits of this Town,-having "pitched his tent," in the fall of 1835 upon, or near the spot where he now reside. Mrs. Lan- don was the first white woman in this Town, and ti .. only female who wintered in the Town in 1835 and '36.
Mr. Landon is said to be the wealthiest farmer that this Town at this time affords. His farm consists of about 1,300 acres of land in one body. It is stocked with 1,000 sheep, 100 head of cattle, and some of the finest bor- ses in the western country. He has a dairy of about 60 cows, from which he has inado, from 100 to 130 lbs. of cheese per day. His residence is about a mile and a half from Lake Michigan, and about midway between Waukegan and Kenosha.
Jeremiah Stowell, Hanson Mineky, H. J. Paddock, Philo Paddock, Jeremiah Porter, John R. Nichols, Chester Butterfield, Samuel P. Ransom, Rev. Salmon Stebbins, Edward.
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TOWN OF BENTON.
Putnam, sen., Oren Jerome, were also among the early settlers of this Town.
It may not be out of place here to remark, that the settlement of this Town having been commenced at an early day. The early set- tlers here experienced their share of the hardship and privations incident to the settle- ment of a new country. The writer is infor- med by one of them, that they paid during the fall and winter of 1835, for four $35 per barrel ; for pork $25 per barrel ; for butter 50 cents per lb. ; for potatoes 83,50 per busha!, and for other articles of provisions, in propor- xion.
The first Town meeting in this Town, was held at the school house near B. T. Cook's. .Chester Butterfield was chosen moderator, and A. Q. D. Leach, clerk. The first Town officers elected, were as follows : For Super- visor, Il. L. Putnam ; Towu Clerk, A. Q. D. Leach ; Assessor. Calvin Truesdell; Collector, 'C.Burrington; Commissioners of Highways, J. M. Moore, J. W. Bacon, C. Butler ; Overseer of the Poor, Chester Butterfield ; Justices of the] Pence, E. H. Ellis, and L. W. Bull ; Constables, A. G. Buell' and P. H. Paddock. The number of votes cast at this Town meet- ing was 86.
'The present Town officers are as follows : Supervisor, Chester Butterfield ; Town Clerk, J. W. Vouk ; Assessor, .Calvin Truesdell ; Collector, A. G. Buell ; Commissioners of High ways, W. A. Eddy, A. Conly and J. Bull; Overseer of the Poor, Whiting Bacon ; Jnati- ses of the Peace, E. II. Ellis and L. W. Bull ; Constables, A. G. Buell and P. H. Paddock.
This Town is divided into 7 school districte. The amount of Township school fund je $1,500. This Town affords one fine church and several good school houses ; all tonding
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TOWN OF CUBA.
to give evidence of the intelligence, and the enterprising spirit of the inhabitants.
Wellington is the only post office in this Town ; it was established in May, 1851, and Peter Lown, Esq., appointed Postmaster,- who still remains in office.
The vuluntion of property in this Town, for the year 1850, including both real and personal, was 81,711.00. The amount of tax computed on the sume, was 1,234.10.
TOWN OF CUBA.
This Town lies in the south-west corne of the County, and is bounded on the north by Wauconda, on the east by Ela, on the south by Cook County, and on the west by McHenry County. It is one of those fraction .. al Townships upon the west line of the Coun - ty, being one only 4 miles in width, and 6 miles in length. It is watered by Fox River and Flint Creek, and several sinati rivulets, be- sides one or two smal ponds. Flint Creek takes its name from one Amos Flint, one of the early settlers of this Township, who set- Hled upon the banks of this stream.
This Township is esteemed by the inhabi- wants to be one of the best wheat Townships in the County; being mostly oak openings and timber land, rendering the soil of such a char- acter as to prevent serious injury of the wheat from the severity of the winters. The inhab- itants of this Town are at this time, generally in a prosperous and flourishing condition.
The Chicago and Fon Du Lac Rail Road passes through the southern part of this Town, which is now in progress, and will be crowded to a speedy completion. The bene- ficial results from this road, ere already ap- preciated by the inhabitants of this Town.
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80 TOWN OF CUBA.
Their peculiar location, has never, bitherto afforded them the benefits of a public thor- oughfare through their midst ; in consequence of which, they have been kept somewhat is the back ground in a business point of view, -keeping their lands at a low value, whilst the completion of this Rail Road cannot fail of doubling the value of their real estate.
The population of this Town, like that of the other Towns of the County, is made up from various portions of the civilized world ; but as a community, the inhabitants are marked for their temperate and industrious habits, as well as for their perseverance and integrity.
Among the early settlers of thisTown,'were Olcott A. White, JoshuaA.Harndon, John Ells- worth, V. Il. Freeman, Atnos Flint, L. H. Bute, Robert Conmee, Robert Bennet, Jared Comstock and Freeman Martin.
The first Town meeting in this Town was held at the house of Noble R. Hayes. John J. Bullock was chosen moderator, and Noble R. Hays, clerk. 'The first set of Town offi- sers were as follows : Supervisor, Philetus Beverly ; Town clerk, Noble R. Hays ; Asses- sor, Jacob McGilvra; Collector, Rob. Conmeo; Overseer of the Poor Francis Kelsey ; Com- missioners of Highways, Jaines Jones, Lewis H. Bute, Harvey Lambert ; Constables, Ches- tor Bennett anu Wallace Bennett ; Justices of the Peace, Innis Hollister and Robert Ben. nett.
The present Town officers are as follows : Supervisor, Lewis H. Bute ; Town Clerk, John Sears; Assessor, Joshua Hamdon ; Collector; John Jackson ; Overseer of the Poor, Robert Bennett ; Commissioners of Highways, Harvey Lambert, James Jones and John Wheeler ; Justices of the Peace, Innte.
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TOWN OF DEERFIELD.
Hollister and Robert Bennett ; Constables, John Bennett and R. P. Buck. This Town- ship has a school fund of $3,839 43. The only Post office in this Town is Flint Creek,-J. J. Bullock, Postmaster.
The valuation of property in this Town for 1850, including both real and personal was 844,756 00. The amount of tax computed thereon was $672 73.
TOWN OF DEERFIELD.
Deerfield is a fractional Township and lies in the south-east corner of the County, and is bounded on the north by Shields, on the east by Lake Michigan, on the south by Cook County, and on. the west by Vernon.
The first settlement of this Town was com- menced in the spring of 1836, by Jacob Cad- well and his sons, Madison O., Philemon, Caleb, Hirum, and Edwin, who emigrated from Norfolk, in the State of New York, in the spring of 1835. Among the balance et the early settlers of this Town, were Horace Lamb, John Matthews, Lyman Wilmot, Benj. Marks, Robert Dygert, John Cochran, Michael Mehan, Magnus Tait, Anthony Sullivan, John King and Francis McGovern.
This Township is mostly timbered land, having no Prairios, except a small skirt ofthe Grand Prairie extending up-a short distance into the south-west portion of it.
There are somne two or three sluggish streams passing through this Town, flowing south-ward, and ultimately forming the North Branch of the Chicago River.
St. John's and Port Clinton, situated upon Lake Michigan, are within this Township.
The Village plot of St. John's was surveyed several years ago, but some litigation at
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82 TOWN OF DEERFIELD.
length arose between the proprietors, involv- ing the title somewhat, which seemed to put an end to its prosperity, when Jacob C. Bloom, a gentleman of great energy and en- terprise, made a purchase of land upon the Lake, a short distance south of St. John's, and laid out the Town of Port Clinton, which has become at this time one of the most promising Villages in the County.
The soil of this Township is of an excellent quality, and the farmers are generally in a prosperous and thriving condition. The pop- ulation is made up, mostly by people from Ireland and Germany, with a small share of Americans.
The first Town meeting in this Town was held at the Green Bay house; a tavern, situa- ted upon the old Military roud, a short dis- tance south of Port Clinton. Lyman Wilmo: was chosen moderator, and Edwin Cadwell clark. 'The following were the officers : Su- pervisor, Caleb Cudwell ; Town Clerk. F. A. Goodbody ; Assessor, John Millen ; Collector, James Duffy ; Overseer of the Poor, Philemon Cadwell ; Commissioners of Highways, Ben- jamin Raudenbusch, Michael Mehan and Francis McGovern ; Justices of the Peace, John Denker; Constable, H. J. Kollar. The number of votes cast tor Town officers at this meeting was 71.
The Post offices in this Town are Deerfield and Port Clinton. Port Clinton was establish- od in April 1850, and Jacob C. Bloom ,ap- pointed Postmaster, who is still in office. The Post office at Deerfield was established May 4th, 1850, and Caleb Cadwell appointed Post- master, who likewise continues in office.
The assessment value of property in this Town for 1850, including both real and per-
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soml was $56,740 00. The amount of tax computed on the same for collection was $753 40.
TOWN OF ELA.
As we have already stated, this Town takes its name from the Hon. George Ela, one of its early settlers. It is bounded on the north by Freemont, on the cast by Vernon, on the south by Cook County, and on the west by Cuba. It has but one Lake within its border, which is known as Lake Zurich, taking its name from a Lake of that name in Switzer- land ; which Lake lies in the western portion of the Township, and covers about 500 acres, and is said to be one of the most beautiful Lakes in the County.
This Town is also watered by the several branches of Indian Creek, which stream takes its rise mostly within sts limits.
The Groves of this Town, are Long Grove- Deer Grove and Russel's Grove. The wood- land and prairie of this Town is not so equally divided as in most of the other Towns of the County ; there being by fur a greater portion of the latter.
There are several large farms in this Town, and many independent farmers, who have commenced farming upon scientific princi- ples.
The Prairies are dry and undulating and asy of cultivation.
A good share of the population is made up f Germans, who are every where characte- ized for their integrity and habits of in- lustry.
This Town has one fine Church, located at Russel's Grove, belonging to the Methodist
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84 TOWN OF ILA
denomination, and which would do credit to any of the older and more populous Towns of the Eastern States.
The settlement of the Town was commen- ced in the fall of 1835. Among the early settlers, were George Ela, John Robertson, S. A. Shephard, John E. Deil, George Cook, and Richard Archer.
The first Town meeting in Town, was held at the house of Charles S. Williams, at Rus- sel's Grove. J. A. Halleck was chosen mod- erator, and Timothy Bartles, clerk. The fol- lowing were the Town officers elected, Su- pervisor, Stephen Bennet ; Town clerk, J. A. Halleck ; Justices of the Peace, Elisha Lake and Oren Ott ; Commissioners of Highways, E. Hubbard, A. Morse and C. R. Logan ; As- sessor, Henry Morse ; Collector, Daniel Wal- ters; Constables, Daniel Walters and George Proutz ; Overseer of the Poor, John Clark. The number of votes cast at this Town meet- ing for Town officers, was 114.
This Town has two post offices,-Lake Zu- rich and Lla. The post office at Ela was established in 1844, under the name of Serryse, and George Ela appointed postmas- ter. The present postmaster is Daniel Potter. The Town is divided into 11 school districts, and has a school fund of $2,600.
The assessment value of property in this Town for 1850, including both real and per- sonal, was $78,503 00. The amount of tax computed ou the same was $1,026 11.
TOWN OF FREEMONT.
Freemont is bounded on the north by Avon, on the east by Libertyville, on the. south by Ela, and on the west by Wauconda- The settlement of this Town was commene
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TOWN OF FREEMONT. . 85
ced in 1836. Among the early settlers were Daniel Marsh, William Fenwick, Dr. Bryan, John G. Ragan, Hiram and Elisha Clark, Oliver and Stephen Paine, Nelson and Thos. Darling, Joseph and Samuel L. Wood, and and Thomas H. Payne.
The early history of this flourishing Town- ship. if detailed in full, would no doubt, prove one of much interest to the reader, and the writer much regrets that he is unable to give as full an account of it as he would desire.
Fort Hill, a considerable sized mound, which rises in the Prairie, in the northern part of the Town, is a matter justly worthy of a passing notice. Thos. H.) Payne, Joseph Wood and Joel H. Johnson, (now a resident of McHenry County,) were probably the first white persons, who ever set foot upon this spot of ground, which was in the month of January 1837, when they gave to it, at the suggestion of Mr. Payne, the name of Fort Hill ; in consequence of its commanding po- sition over the surrounding country.
The settlement which they commenced in the spring following, was for a long time thereafter known as the 'Fort Hill Settlement.' In the spring of 1838, a post office was es- tablished by the name of Fort Hill, about a mile south-west from the hill, at the house of Joseph Wood, who was appointed postmas- ter.
The eastern portion of this Township is mostly prairie, while the western portion, is mostly woodland and oak openings. There is however a fair share of woodland in propor- tion to the prairie. A portion of Diamond Lake is in the south-west corner of the Town, on section 36. On section 17 is
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86 TOWN OF FREEMONT.
another small Lake or Pond, called Grass Lake, from which Squaw Creek takes its rise and runs north-westward into Fox River.
The inhabitants are mostly from the East, ern States, with a small share of Germans. The neat and tasty appearance of the farmsin this Township affords the best evidence of perseverance and industry of its citizens.
The fruit nursery of' Thomas II. Payne, Esq. is also a matter worthy of a moments attention, and one which reflects much credit upon the flourishing Town of' Freemont. It, contains about 100,000 trees of different kinds and varieties from 1 to 7 years old. He has also about 30 acres of orcharding-com- posed mostly of bearing trees, and of the choicest varieties of grafted fruit. He has about 90 varieties of apples, about 20 of peaches, 16 of plums, 30 of cherries, 40 ot pears, 15 of grapes and 5 of apricots. In his garden of flowers and shrubbery, he had the present year about 60 varieties of Daliahs.
The first Town meeting for this Township was Held at the house of Peter C. Schenck. A. B. Patridge was chosen moderator and Chris- topher Seeber, clerk. The following persous were elected Towy officers : Hurlbut Swan: Supervisor ; Christopher Secher, Town clerk, Justices of the peace, Sheldon Wood andHenry Ames ; Commissioners of flighways, William Colvin, Joel B. Sberman und Thomas H. Payne ; Constables, E. P. Penniman and D. Gibbons ; Overseers of the Poor, A. B. Par- tridge ; Collector, D. Gibbons.
The only post office in this Town is Gilmer, which was established in 1844, and John G. Ragan appointed postmaster. The present postmaster of which is Joel B. Thomas. A post office had some years prior been estab-
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TOWN OF GOODALE.
tished, near the present sito of Gilmer, called Darlington, and Nelson Darling appointed postmaster, which however, from some cause or other was soon discontinned.
The Town is divided into 5 entire school districts and 3 fractional, which are attached to other Towns. The amount of the Town- ship school fund is $3,365 CO, which is draw- ing interest at 10 per cent.
'The valuation of property for 1850, inclu- ding both real and personal, was 873,150 00. The amount of tax computed thereon was 3920 41.
TOWN OF GOODALE.
This is likewise one of those fractional Townships upon the western boundary of' the County,being only 4 miles in width. It is bounded on the north by Anticch, on the east by Avon, on the south by Wauconda, and ou the west by MeHenry Co. As wo have before remarked, it takes its name from Deveraux Goodale, Esq., one of the early set- ders. It is watered by Fish Lake, Wooster lake, Sullivan's lake, BInd lake, Duck Inke, Long lake; part of the Pistakee Lakes, and some 2 or 3 smaller ponds not named; also by Squaw Creek which passes through the northern portion. It contains an area of a- bout 15360 acres of which about one fourth part is covered with water. It has therefore the smallest population, and least wealth of any of the towns of the County.
Among the early settlers, were Harley Clark, Rufus Willard, Robert Stanley, Ches- ter Hamilton, Deveraux and Henry Goodale, T. D. and D. C. Townsend and Timothy. B. Titcomb.
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88 TOWN OF GOODALE.
The first house was erected by Harley Clark, near Fish lake in the summer of 1839.
The land was originally inostly timbered land, or woodland, with the exception of u small skirt of prairie, extending up into the south east corner of the Township. It je however well adapted to farming purposes, especially to the raising of stock : and affords many thriving and industrious farmers.
The Lake and McHenry Plank Road PAR- ses through the south east part of the Town, on Section 36.
The only Post Office in this Town is Fort Hill. Orren Marble Post master, which office as we have before remarked, was originally established in the Townships now known as Freemont.
The first Town meeting was held at the Goodale's Tavern, at which the following per- sons were elected Town officers : Chester Hamilton Supervisor; D. C. Townsend, Town clerk; Jehiel Campton, Assessor; Orren Mar- blo, Collector; Cornelius Smith, Overseer of the poor; Calvin Clark, Rufus McWay, and Robert Stanley, Commissioners of Highways; Chester Hamilton and A. S. Maltby, Justices of the Peace; I .. P. Barnes and Orren Marble Constables.
The valuation of property for 1850, includ- ing both real and personal, was $33868. The amount of tax computed on the same, for col- lection was 8472. 56.
TOWN OF LIBERTYVILLE.
Libertyville is bounded upon the north by Warren, on the east by Shields, on the south by Vernon, and on the west by Freeinont. It is one of the oldest settled Townships in the
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TOWN OF LIBERTYVILLE. 80 County, and much of its early history has been already given under the head of General Observations.
Among its early settlers were Henry B. Steele, Tobias Wynkoop, A B, Wynkoop, William, Robert and Christopher Irwin, Ran- som Steele, William Crane, D. C. Steele, Hon. Horace Butler, Doct. J. H. Foster, Charles H. Bartlett, William and James Loyd, and E. Tingley.
The County seat of Lake County, as we have already remarked, was originally loca- ted at the village of Libertyville, and subse- quently reinoved to its presdnt site-which removal as might well be expected, some- what retarded the progress of this beautiful village. Its enterprising inhabitants bave, however, nevertheless, made it one of the most delightful villages in the County .- It contains at the present time some three or four hundred inhabitants-two or three stores a large and commodious Hotel, a steain flour- ing mill and saw mill, and above all, two fine churches, with which ornaments, by the way, our western villages are not frequently adorned, which fact alone will suffice for the character and reputation of the inhabitants, and the state of society without further con- ment. The village has also a Division of Sons of Temperauce of about 25 numbers.
The first stock of Goods ever opened in Lake County was opened at this place by Hi- ram Kennicott in June 1836, in a building which stood near the present site of the Dis- trict School house.
The prairie lands of this Township, which comprises about one half of its extent, from their long occupation, and the character of the occupants, are under an excellent state of
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TOWN OF LIBERTYVILLE.
cultivation .- Improved farms meet'with rea- dy sales and probably command better prices than in any other part of the county.
The Township is watered by the Des Plains river. Rush lake and Wynkoop's creek The Des Plains, fiowing southward, through near the centre of the Town. The land up- on the west is beautiful and undulating prai- rie, whilst that upon the east is mostly of the first quality of woodland.
The first Town meeting was held at Liber- tyville village, and the following persons were elected Town officers :-
William Crane, Supervisor ; H. C. Hutch- inson, Town clerk ; John Locke, Assessor ; E. H. Hall, E. II. Mason, and R. Drew, Com- missioners of Highways; S. P. Statton, Over- seers of the Poor ; S. C. Brown, Constable and Collector; and D. C. Steele, and C. F. Apply Justices of the Peace. The number of votes cast was 125.
The only Post office in the Township is Libertyville, which was established in the winter of 1830 and '37, and Henry B. Steele, Msq., appointed Post master.
The Township is divided into seven School Districts, and has a school fund of $1500.
The assessment valuation of property for the year 1850, including both real and person- al was $38899,00, and amount of tax compu- ted upon the same was 81178, 13.
TOWN OF NEWPORT.
Newport is one of the most northern Town- ships of the County and is bounded on the north by Wisconsin, on the east by Benton, on the south by Warren, and on the west by Antsoch.
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TOWN OY NEWPORT.
Among the early settlers of this Township were Jacob Miller; Merrill Pearsons, Alvin Ames, James Melinda, John Reid, Asa Win- ter, Peter Cassidy, James Emery, Elijah Al- vord.
Jacob Miller was the first claimnant of Gov- ernment land within its limits, who settled upon Millcreek, (so named by him) in the south part of the Township, in the summer or fall of 1835, and soon after erected at that point, a Saw-and Grist mill, which was the first grist mill erected in the Co. of Lake. Ho was originally from Virginia, and immigra- ted with his family to this State and settled at Chicago a short time previous to the Black Hawk War, in which he engaged and served to its close. He was one of those noble hear- ted Virginians whoin the later settlers of Illi- nois cannot but remember with the warmest feelings of gratitude and respect for their kindness and hospitality in the carly settle- ment of the State.
Being of an adventurous spirit, and anxious to obtain means whereby he might add to his own comfort, and be of service to bis fellow- creatures, he set ont with his two eldest sons, in the spring of 1349, for California -- "the land of Gold."
The fatigue and privations of a protracted journey, brought on disease, from which ho died noon after reaching its termination.
This Township is watered by the Des Plains, which passes through about the cen - tre ; and Mill creek which passes through the south western portion, and empties into the Des Plains near the south line of the Town- ship. There are some matters of antiquity here, which are probably worthy of a pass ing notice. Upon the west.bank of the Des
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92 TOWN OF NEWPORT.
Plains river, is a chain of those ancient mounds which are found in various portions of the Western country which extends from near the State line, southward some two or three miles .- Many of them have been dug into by the inhabitants, in which they invariably find human bohes, almest entire, and of more than ordinary size. Upon the east bank of the riv- er, a short distance below the State line, in the midst of a thicket of timber, is a peculiar spot which has evident!y been the camping- ground of the Aborigines from time imme- morial. The ground being at the present day strewed with the bones of animals and shells of turtles.
The writer is informed by Alvin Aines Esq that in the winter of 1840, in cutting and split- ting a red oak tree, near this spot, he cut out an ounce leaden ball which was 70 grains from the surface ; having, as he thinks, been lodged there about the year 1770, and was probably discharged from some French or English musket.
The lands of this Township, are mostly woodlands and oak openings ; and are most- ly occupied at the present time, by a class of thriving and industrious farmers.
In 1844, the Township was organised for School purposes and temporarily received the name of Sterling. A Post office was es- tablished upon the east side of the river in 1846, under the name of Mortiiner and James Melinda appointed Post master ; which name was however subsequently changed to New- port to correspond with the present name of the township which is the only Post office in town.
The total amount of the township School fund is $1080,70. The number of School
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TOWN OF SHIELDS. 93
Districts is ten, in which schools are taught about one half of the year
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