USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 61
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FRATERNITIES.
The Masons have a strong organization and a modern and commodious hall. Other frater- nal bodies are : The Eastern Star, Modern Wood- men, Woodmen of the World, Home Fraternal League, and Court of Honor.
The Madison division of the Chicago & North- western Railway passes near the village of Ros- coe. The Rockford, Beloit & Jonesville inter- urban line passes through the village. Roscoe is not an incorporated village. Its citizens, however, are public-spirited, and take a lively interest in every movement that promotes the general welfare.
The population of Roscoe in 1910, township and village, was 1,100.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
SEWARD.
AN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY-NAMED FOR WIL- LIAM H. SEWARD FARM LANDS HIGH IN PRICE -EARLY SETTLERS-VANCEBOROUGH OR TWELVE MILE GROVE-FIRST ELECTION-LONG TERMS OF OFFICE-WAR BOUNTIES-CONGREGATIONAL SO- CIETY PIONEERS IN THE RELIGIOUS FIELD-OTHER CHURCHES MAINTAINED - FIRST CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL IN STATE BUILT IN SEWARD-ONE RESI- DENT PHYSICIAN-APPROXIMATE POPULATION.
Seward is the southwest township of Winne- bago County, and was named in honor of Wil- liam H. Seward, of New York. It is an agri- cultural community and up to a comparatively recent period was without a railroad station. The farm lands in the county have commanded high prices. Among the early settlers of the township were A. Bridgeland, Mrs. Sylvia Con- over, Samuel Faulkner, William Fitzgerald, J. M. Hamilton, Rev. Chester Hoisington, Marcus Lowrey, Hon. Laurence McDonald, C. H. Mars- ton, Darwin Whitney, Isaiah Highbarger, N. S. Straw, Edmund Whittlesey and A. W. Copeland.
Vanceborough, or Twelve-Mile Grove, as it was often called, was in Seward Township, just below the Pecatonica boundary line. A more extended reference to Vanceborough is made in the chapter on Pecatonica.
THE FIRST ELECTION.
H. R. Schreiver, the town clerk, has preserved an interesting relic of pioneer days. It is a polling list of the voters at an election held August 7, 1848, for congressmen, state and other officers. There were no ballots, and the method of voting was vive voce. The election was held in a school in Grove precinct, which included Seward Township, Sixty-four votes were cast. Ephraim Sumner, William Shimmin and David Weld were judges of election and John H. Rogers and George W. Wertz were clerks.
FIRST TOWNSHIP ELECTION.
The first election in Seward after the adoption of township organization was held April 2, 1850, with the following result : David Weld, super-
visor; John H. Rogers, town clerk; Chester Hoisington and Edmund Whittlesey, justices of the peace ; Edward R. Shimmin, collector ; Al- fred Bridgeland, Edward R. Shimmin, con- stables ; Asmon R. Hutchins, Richard Robinson, Malcolm Packard, commissioners of highways ; Asa M. Seaton, Arnold Weld, Asmon B. Hutchins, road overseers.
LONG TERMS OF OFFICE.
Seward Township has been fortunate in the men chosen to administer her affairs. They are illustrations of Emerson's axiom that men of character are the conscience of the society to which they belong. One of these was Ed- muund Whittlesey, who came with his father's family to Winnebago County in 1835. The Legal Adviser of Chicago, in a biographical sketch published many years ago, said Mr. Whittlesey was the oldest justice of the peace in Illinois. His official life is summarized as follows: Jus- tice of the peace, 45 years; assessor, 4 years ; supervisor, 201/2 years; township treasurer, 40 years ; total, 10912 years. Dudley M. Day, who now resides in Rockford, served Seward in official capacities aggregating 78 years; 14 of which were as supervisor. Hon. Laurence McDonald, who represented this district in the legislature from 1SS1 to 1SS3, as a Democrat, was a justice of the peace 38 years, and assessor 7 years. William Neely was supervisor 10 years, and Hugh S. Smith, the present supervisor and chairman of the county board, has served con- secutively since 1904.
PAID WAR BOUNTIES.
1
Seward Township assumed full responsibility for the payment of bounties to soldiers during the Civil war. Money was advanced by patriotic citizens, who were subsequently reimbursed from a public fund. At a special town meeting held January 28, 1865, for the purpose of voting on a tax levy for paying bounties to volunteers, the proposition was carried by a vote of 99 to 26. According to a statement of audit on Feb- ruary 28, 1865, claims were allowed to the amount of $4,601.60. On March 28 following war claims were allowed at audit aggregating $2,775.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
March 27, 1841, a meeting was held at the home of Truman Judd, in Lysander Township, which resulted in the organization of a Congre- gational Church. Two ministers were present, Rev. Ebenezer Brown and Rev. John Monel.
There were thirteen charter members, as fol- lows : Truman Judd, Eliphalet Whittlesey, Joel Thompson, Mrs. Emily Thompson, Mrs. Laura Thompson, Miss Harriet Thompson, Miss Mary J. Vance, Henry Woodruff, Austin Andrews, Put- nam Perley, Mrs. Calista Woodruff, Mrs. Mary E. Simpson and Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis. Rev. E. W. Hewett was called in December, 1846.
In 1850 that part of the church membership living near the Judd district petitioned the main church to be allowed letters of dismissal, that they might form another society, to be called the "Judd Settlement Church." This petition was granted and the incident was the beginning of the church at Pecatonica. The remaining portion was known as "Twelve Mile Grove Church," and a house of worship was erected. Pastors after the division were Rev. G. S. John- son and Rev. Rufus Hatch, who was on the field from 1855 to 1857. About this time the name was changed to the Seward Congregational Church. Rev. Mr. Parry served from 1S57 to 1865. A new church was erected in Seward Center in 1867-1SGS, during Rev. Mr. Sabin's pastorate. It was dedicated free of debt Feb- ruary 20. 186S. Later pastors were Revs. C. C. Adams, M. S. Hall. W. F. Cooley, G. F. Hunter, Lewis Nobis. L. H. Moses, Waldo Harris, Mc- Lean, and C. E. Trueblood. Upon the entrance of the Illinois Central Railroad into the town- ship the village of Seward was started, and during the pastorate of Mr. Moses the church was removed to the village. It now has 123 members. The total membership from the be- ginning is 457. Rev. W. D. Harris' died Sep- tember 20, 1910.
There is a Roman Catholic Church a short distance from the village and a Methodist Church in the village which is supplied by the pastor at Pecatonica.
Seward has the credit of building the first consolidated school in Illinois. A more ex- tended reference is made in the chapter on Schools.
Dr. Charles Martin is the resident physician.
The population of the township in 1910 was 948.
SHIRLAND.
EARLIEST SETTLERS-ONE OF THE STATE LINE TOWN- SHIPS-SHIRLAND VILLAGE FORMERLY CALLED KAPOTA-VILLAGE NOT INCORPORATED-A LONG OFFICIAL RECORD-METHODIST CHURCH HOLDS THE RELIGIOUS FIELD-SHIRLAND THE SMALLEST TOWNSHIP IN COUNTY-APPROXIMATE POPULA- TION.
Among the early settlers of Shirland may be mentioned George Seaton and Lemuel Fisk, who came here in 1837. The township borders on the state line. The village of the same name is in the southern part of the township. It was originally called Kapota, an Indian name. The village has never been incorporated. It is on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. A town hall serves the citizens for elections and public meetings.
The postoffice has been retained in one family during practically the entire history of the vil- lage. Thomas B. Boswell was appointed October 29, 1869, and held the office until his death, eighteen years ago. He was succeeded by his son, George E. Boswell, who still retains the office. This official trust has been confided to father and son forty-eight years. The township is credited with forty-three volunteers during the Civil war.
A Congregational Church was organized in 1846. Its house of worship is one mile and a quarter north of the village. Its membership has been reduced to twenty-five and services have been discontinued. The society still main- tains its legal existence. The Methodist Church now supplies the religious needs of the com- munity. It was organized in 1847 and now has a membership of 162. Rev. H. Culbertson is pastor.
The Shirland high school has a two years' course of study. The third annual commence- ment exercises were held in the Town Hall June 2, 1916, when eight graduates were awarded diplomas.
Petu P. Phillip
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Fraternities are represented by Modern Wood- men, Royal Neighbors and Knights of Pythias. Shirland is the smallest township in the county with a population in 1910 of 439.
WINNEBAGO.
EARLIEST SETTLERS-THE BUCK HORN TAVERN AT WESTFIELD CORNERS-A NOTED STATION ON THE STAGE COACH LINE-TOWNSHIP'S ORIGINAL NAME LA PRAIRIE-CHANGED TO WESTFIELD-THEN TO ELIDA-LATER TO WINNEBAGO-VILLAGE LAID OUT IN 1854-FIRST POSTMASTER-FIRST TOWNSHIP SCHOOL AND FIRST TEACHER-FIRST METHODIST CLASS-FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-THE STONE CHURCH-OTHER DENOMINATIONS-MID- DLE CREEK CHURCH-REV. J. S. BRADDOCK-FIRST HOTEL IN VILLAGE OF WINNEBAGO-ELECTRIC LIGHT IN VILLAGE-WINNEBAGO STATE BANK- FIRST SCHOOL BUILDING IN VILLAGE-WINNEBAGO WAR RECORD-A MEMORABLE PATRIOTIC CELEBRA- TION -- THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT-FRATERNITIES -PHYSICIANS-ALWORTH-APPROXIMATE POPU- LATION.
The first settler in what is now Winnebago Township was David Adams Holt, who made a claim in 1835 to section 34. Williams Holt came in 1836, and another brother, Elijah Holt, in 1837. Other pioneers of 1838-39 were Alby Briggs, and Duty, Richard L., and Horace Hud- son, threc brothers. Duty Hudson opened the first public house in the township, which was known as the Buck Horn Tavern, at Westfield Corners. In front of the tavern he erected two upright posts. On the center of the cross beam he placed an immense pair of buck horns or antlers, and from this sign he gave the tavern the name by which it was known from Chicago to Galena, as it was a station on the stage coach line between these cities, where a relay of horses was constantly on hand.
The original name of Winnebago Township was La Prairie. In 1836, this township was in- cluded in the precinct of Rockford, as was also Guilford, and the south half of Owen and Har- lem. On July 9, 1839, the county commissioners ordered, that "all of town 26, north of range 11, east of the third principal meridian, except the
north tier of sections of said townships, to- gether with sections 5, 6, 7 and S in town 43. range 1, east of the third principal meridian to be known as La Prairie."
Joseph Folsom and a number of other citizens on July 6, 1843, petitioned the county commis- sioners to change the name of the precinct from La Prairie to that of Westfield. A number of the pioneers came from New York and near Westfield, and as this name was dear to them they petitioned for this name. Their petition was granted and the township was called West- field until 1849, when by some misunderstand- ing, and changing of township organization, the name of Elida was substituted for Westfield. This name, though given by mistake, obtained till 1855 when the citizens for the third time petitioned for a change of name. Winnebago was selected and the authorities made the de- sired change.
The village of Winnebago was laid out in 1854 by Duncan Ferguson, under the direction of Thomas D. Robertson, John A. Holland, John VanNortwich and J. D. Warner. The Galena & Chicago Railroad reached the village in 1853. A depot was erected in 1854. J. D. Warner was the first station agent, and he held that posi- tion twelve years. N. G. Warner built and opened the first store in 1855.
The first postoffice in the township was estab- lished at Westfield Corners, and Duty Hudson was appointed postmaster. The place is desig- nated on later maps as Elida.
The first school in Winnebago Township was begun August 3, 1839, in a part of the log house belonging to David Adams Holt. The first teacher in this school was Miss Mary Treadwell, who some years later became the wife of Elijah Holt. Until the schoolhouse was built, school was held in the private homes of these pioneers. The teachers in most cases "boarded around." In 1844, a frame schoolhouse was built at West- field Corners, with money raised by subscription. When the building was completed, Miss Tread- well, later Mrs. Elijah Holt, was again em- ployed to teach the school. For her services as a teacher she was paid the munificent sum of $2 per week and she boarded herself. She soon had forty pupils enrolled.
A Methodist class was organized at Westfield Corners in 1839. The first services were held in the homes of the pioneers and conducted by Rev. G. G. Worthington.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Preaching by the Methodist itinerants coll- tinued at intervals from 1839, and appointments became more and more regular. In 1853 Rev. Barton Hall Cartwright was appointed to the Byron circuit. He was returned in 1854, with an assistant as junior preacher, Rev. William D. Atchison. A church was built in 1854, but it was abandoned as a place of public worship many years ago.
The Congregational Church was founded in 1846. July 11 of that year eight Christian people formed a society. On July 3, 1847, Rev. James Hodges was chosen as pastor. The so- ciety continued to worship in a schoolhouse until it could build a church. The "Stone Church," as it was known for many years stood nearly mid- way between Westfield Corners and Winnebago village. It was located on the lot in the ceme- tery now occupied by the Soldiers' monument. The building seems to have been so nearly com- pleted in October, 1854, that services were held there, though the dedication did not take place until August, 1855. On the day of dedication Rev. Samuel P. Sloan was ordained to the ministry. At the close of the ordinatiou service, Miss Susan Margaret Grand Girard, and Rev. Samuel P. Sloan, stepped forward in front of the officiating clergyman and were united in marriage.
Mr. Sloan at once became pastor of the church and continued in that relation with his people for about fifteen years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Henry M. Daniels. He was succeeded by Rev. Theodore A. Gardner, who was installed October 1, 1876. After the society built its new church in Winnebago village the old stone church was abandoned, and for several years was only used on funeral occasions or on memorial days. It has been torn down and not a vestige of the old church remains. When the Congrega- tionalists completed their church at Winnebago, Rev. Mr. Milton became their pastor. Regular services have been maintained most of the in- tervening period. The membership has been re- duced to forty-nine, and the church is now witli- out a pastor.
The Methodist Church was founded in 1854. In that year Winnebago village was added to the Byron circuit. The basement of the church was begun in 1854, but the auditorium was not completed until 1860, during the pastorate of Rev. Milton Bourne. The present membership is fifty-four. The pastor is Rev. W. H. Evans.
The Presbyterian Church was organized August 23, 186S, with twenty-four members. A house of worship was erected in 1869, at a cost of $4,300. The Free Methodist Church was or- ganized with ten members May 29, 1865. The Adventists effected an organization in 1872, with forty-three members. .
MIDDLE CREEK CHURCH.
The Presbyterian Church at Middle Creek was organized in June, 1855, with sixteen niellì- bers. They worshiped for several years in a stone schoolhouse, and then erected a church, which was dedicated May 10, 1861, with Rev. Mr. Carson as pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. M. B. Patterson, and in turn by Rev. M. L. J. Merritt. In December, 1865, Rev. Joseph S. Braddock became pastor and served the little flock as an under-shepherd forty-two years.
REV. J. S. BRADDOCK.
Joseph S. Braddock was born of Scotch-Irish parentage in Green County, Pa., on June 27. 1817. His early education was received in West Alexander Academy and Washington College, now Washington and Jefferson. His theological education was pursued at Alleghany under pri- vate instruction. He was licensed at West Lex- ington Presbytery at Frankfort, Ky., in April, 1847, and ordained and installed by the Pres- bytery of Louisville in June, 1S4S. He per- formed the double duties of preaching and teach- ing from 184S to 1857, when he purchased the female seminary at Frankfort and became prin- cipal of that institution.
In 1863 the Confederate raider, John Morgan, invaded the city and burned the institution. While at Frankfort, Mr. Braddock received the degree of A. M. from Center College at Dan- ville. In 1860 he suffered a hemorrhage in both eyes, which permanently impaired his eyesight. After the destruction of his seminary he started north, going first to Cincinnati to consult an oculist and then in succession he visited Warsaw, Fort Wayne, Valparaiso, Chicago and Middle Creek. The latter was destined to be the home of Dr. Braddock for the rest of his active life.
As the spiritual leader of the Presbyterian congregation at Middle Creek Dr. Braddock preached 6,000 sermons, served in the capacity of superintendent or teacher at 1.600 sessions
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
of the Sunday school and performed 250 mar- riage ceremonies. In his long residence at Mid- dle Creek he inade 20,000 calls on his parish- ioners when they were ill or in health. In the early days of his pastorate, when the churches were widely scattered, Dr. Braddock was frequently called on to officiate at funerals miles away.
Dr. Braddock lived for the congregation of Middle Creek Church and they in turn returned the love of the pastor who was their spiritual adviser from 1865 to 1907. When Dr. Braddock announced his determination to retire from his pastorate on his ninetieth birthday, it was against the wishes of his congregation, many of whom he had baptized and married. He how- ever realized that his years on earth were not to be long and he wished to quit the pulpit while in the possession of his mental powers, which ninety years had not dimmed.
The occasion of his retirement on June 27, 1907, was made the occasion of a celebration in which the Freeport Presbytery took part. An extended program was given, Dr. Braddock making a farewell address and pronouncing the benediction. Souvenirs containing a likeness of the honored guest and a brief sketch of his notable career were distributed.
The bond of sympathy between the pastor and his flock was exemplified in an incident which happened shortly after the death of his faithful wife. His people had gathered to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of his occupancy of the pulpit of the little country church. There was a touch of pathos and sadness in his voice which brought tears to the eyes of his flock as he said : "You people are all I have in the world. I am yours and you are mine until death at last separates us from each other, for I have neither father, mother, sister, brother, wife nor child."
There was not a dry eye in the congregation as the aged pastor, bereft of the companionship of his wife, who had been faithful to him through many changes in fortune before he took up his duties at the Middle Creek Church, spoke of his loneliness and his need of the com- fort and friendship of his flock.
Dr. Braddock died April 19, 1909.
The first hotel in Winnebago was opened in the fall of 1859, and was called the Winnebago House.
THE CYCLONE OF 1851.
Winnebago Township has felt the devastation that follows in the wake of a cyclone. One of these relentless twisters swept through the town on May 31, 1851, striking it near the southwest corner, and, traveling in a northeast direction. Its course was marked by general destruction.
ELECTRIC LIGHT IN VILLAGE IN 1916.
Winnebago village enjoyed electrically lighted streets for the first time Thursday evening, Feb)- ruary 17, 1916, when connections were completed and the current, furnished by the Interurban Company, was turned on. The subject of elec- tricity for the village had been a matter of dis- cussion for many years.
The Winnebago State Bank has a capital of $25,000, with no surplus. C. P. Coolidge is presi- dent and R. S. Armstrong is cashier.
WINNEBAGO'S WAR RECORD.
On July 4, 1861, a celebration was held in Winnebago village. The chief oration of the day was delivered by Melancthon Smith, a prominent young attorney of Rockford. Col. Ellsworth, who had drilled the Rockford City Grays in 1858, aroused all the patriotic blood in Mr. Smith to fever heat when he referred to the death of the young patriot. He said: "More Colonel Ellsworths may be murdered, more Lieutenant Grebels may fall, but the war must go on." Those who heard this oration little dreamed that Mr. Smith was unconsciously prophesying his own death.
That Fourth of July celebration, and the speech of Melancthon Smith, stirred up the war fever in Winnebago to a high pitch of enthu- siasm. "From that time forward the quota of the town was for the most part quickly filled, and it seemed when the Seventy-fourth Regiment was being raised, the question was not who could be sent, but who would be kept at home. Not more than nine men were hired to fill its various quotas, and these were hired almost at the close of the war." The township was not prodigal in its contributions for war purposes, but generous. The citizens raised $3,000 to be expended for war purposes, under its own super- vision, besides paying its full share of county war tax, amounting, as estimated, to $10,000
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
more, making in all $13,000. Beside this direct outlay of money, the people made large con- tributions to the Sanitary and Christian Com- missions, of which no records were kept so as to be available to the historian.
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
The Winnebago Memorial Association was or- ganized soon after the close of the Civil war. In 1868 Jno. M. Mitchell, who had been a mem- ber of Company K, Thirty-first New Jersey In- fantry, came to live in Winnebago Township. In 1891 he was elected president of the memorial association.
After the town had voted the payment of $580 two men, who were opposed to the transaction, declared they would apply for an injunction, prohibiting the authorities from paying over the money. Mr. Mitchell knew that the injunction would be granted on the ground that the money was to be paid for the improvement of his per- sonal property, as the deed was in his name. He took the first train for Rockford, and had a deed made out and placed on file, deeding the property to the town of Winnebago. That act of course cut out the possibility of an injunction. A subscription was started to raise the balance of the money requisite to build the monument. The contract was let to Amasa Hutchins, of Rockford, who built the monument of Bedford stone. The cash cost of the monument was
$800. But a large amount of labor was donated in the form of teaming and other ways. The monument stands 32 feet high. The figure of an infantryman at rest crowns the shaft. This was the first soldiers' monument erected in Win- nebago County.
On August 22, 1899, the monument was un- veiled and dedicated. About 300 people, most of them comrades of the war, went from Rock- ford. Among that number were Commander Thomas G. Lawler and Department Chaplain D. R. Lucas. The principal address was made by Hon. Robert R. Hitt.
FRATERNITIES.
Up to that time no lot had been set apart in the cemetery for the interment of deceased Winnebago Lodge No. 745 A. F. and A. M. was organized October 3, 1876, with sixteen charter members. They were: Lyman T. Corbin, John soldiers. Mr. Mitchell interested himself in this matter and determined that a lot should be secured so that no soldiers dying in Winnebago . E. Wells, Wesley R. Gerhart, Stephen I. Searls, should be buried in the potter's field. He asked John Tanner. Ambrose K. Searls, Robert Pres- cott, Daniel M. Sargent, W. H. Patton, Jere- miah Jordan, Peter H. Seal, H. H. Felch, H. T. Thorne, Peter Lawrence, O. T. Holcomb and W. H. Keith. John Tanner was the first master of the lodge. the trustees of the cemetery association to do- nate a lot. They consented to do so, and gave Mr. Mitchell the privilege of selecting the lot. He chose the lot on which the old stone church had stood, which was 60 by 100 feet. The deed was made directly to Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell Other fraternities are: Lodge No. 444 Order of Eastern Star; American Stars of Equity, or- ganized October 23, 1905; Mystic Workers, or- ganized February 11, 1900; and Modern Woodmen No. 59, which is the largest of the social orders. entered into correspondence with the authorities at Washington to secure a couple of condemned cannon with which to decorate the soldiers' lot. He found even if the cannon were donated the expense of transportation and placing them in position would be too expensive, and so the project was abandoned. His next move was to get the town to vote $500 towards building a soldiers' monument. In this he was successful.
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