USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time > Part 249
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In the old register of the Township of Bremen are to be found the following entries concerning its organization, its first officers and those chosen nt subsequent elections down to the present time :
The first is the notice of the Clerk of the county, which reads as follows :
" To the inhabitants, legal voters of the Town of Bremen, in the County of Cook.
" You are hereby notified to meet at the school honse near Mark Crandall's, in said town, on Thes- day. the 2d day of April, at nine o'clock A. M., for the purpose of organizing said town in accordance with the act of the General Assembly approved February 12. 1849. (1). To elect' a Mode- rator of said meeting. (?). To elect a Town Clerk ; (3) to elect one Supervisor, one Assessor, one Collector, one Overseer of the Poor. thrco Commissioners of Highways, two Constables. two Justices of the Peace, and as many Overseers of Highways as there are road districts in said town. (4). To determine the number of Pound-
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masters, the number and locality of pounds, to elect as many Ponud-masters as there shall be pouuds. (5.) To determine upon the place of holding the next and subsequent town meetings of said town.
" E. S. COMBERLY, " Clerk of Cook County."
The name of the Clerk is incorrectly spelled. It should be E S. Kimberly. The record continues :
" The citizens of the town of Bremen qualified by the Constitution to vote at general elections, assem- bled to hold the town meeting on the second day of April, 1850, at the school-house nea; Crandall's. The meeting was called to order by appointing Samuel Everdon, Moderator, the oath of office was adminis- tered by Mark Crandall, Justice of the Peace, and Benjamin Cool was appointed clerk of the election. At the closing of the polls the following officers were declared to be elected :
L. II. Scott, Supervisor; Robert Aston, Clerk; Henry Mynard, Assessor; Jacob Vocht, Collector ; David Wadhams, Overseer of the l'oor; John F. Cagne, Sen., Henry Stetter and Henry Verhuer, Com- missioners of Highways. Leonard H. Scott and Will- iam Carley were chosen Justices; Constable, William Carley and Carl Kott; Overseers of Highways, Alphonso C'arley and William Kott; He certified that the above is a correct statement of the full lists.
Given under our hands at Bremen this second day
of April, 1850.
SAMUEL EVERDON, Moderator,
BENJAMIN COOL, Clerk."
Supervisors .- 14. 11. Scott, 1851-52; Mark Crandall, 1852 to 1854; Benjamin Coole, 1854 to 1858; Mark Crandall, 1858 to 1860; Carl Kott, 1860 to 1863: Benjamin Coole, 1863 to 1864; J. F. Thornton, 1864 to 1866; William Kott, 1866 to 1824; C. Andres, 1874 to 1875; Eilward Stahl, 1875 to 1884.
Clerks .- Robert Aston, 1851 to 1861; John F. Cague, 1861 to 1871; C. Andres, 1874 to 1881; Henry Vort, 18St to 1884.
Assessors-Henry Mynard, 1831 to 1853 : David Hn- lett, 1853-54: Carl Kott, 1854-58; Thomas Moss, 1858-59; Carl Kott, 1859 60; William Kott, 1860-66; 11. Rathe, 1860-68; Carl Kott, 1868-70: C. Andres, 1870-23; Edward Stahl, 1873-75; Willinm Kott, 1875-81; Fred Henke, 1881-84.
Collectors .- David Hinlett, 1851-53 ; Benjamin Coole, 1853-54; John F Cague, 1854-56; William Kott, 1850-60; C. Schmidt, 1860-62; Henry Rathe, 1862- 63; C. Schmidt, 1863-64: H. Rathe, 1804-65; C. Schmidt, 1865-75; F. L. Garrard, 1875-76: Ernest Kott, 1876-79; Fred Henke, 1879-81; A. W. Cran- dall, 1881-83; Samuel Fulton, 1883-84.
Justices .- Benjamin Coole, 1851-54; C. Schmidt, 1854-58; Mark Crandall, 1854-62 ; Benjamin Coole, 1838-62 ; J. F . Thorwath, 1862-72. At this date the
record omits to give the Justices until the election of 1881, when F. L. Guraard and J. Weber were chosen.
The little village of Bremen is the market town of the agricultural district round about it, and of which it is the commercial and social center. It is a quiet yet withal a thriving little place, and its citizens, mainly Germans and Hollanders, are distinguished for that thrift and industry so characteristic of these races. In the biographical sketches which here follow will be found much that is of interest concerning them and of their trials and triumphs as early settlers of Cook County.
BREMEN BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CHRISTIAN ANDRES, agent for the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad and dealer in all kinds of grain, was born in Germany, November 11, 1834. He came to the United States in 1852, and the same year settled in Bremen Township. Here he followed agrieniture until 1865, when he was engaged in merchandising at New Bremen until INFO, at which date he took charge of the business of the above railroad. In 1875 he erected un elevator In the village, with a capacity of 16,000 bushels of grain. He has been Postmaster ten years, Justice of the Peace oue term, Town Clerk abont four years, Assessor two years, and is the present notary public. Ile is a member of C'alumet Lodge. No. 716, F. & A. M., of Bine Island. In INAN he married Miss Lizzie Stephan, a native of Germany. They have six children-Adam, Henry C., Katie, Lizzie, Christian, Jr., and John.
HENRY BOLDT, proprietor of the Pacific Hotel and denler in all kinds of farm machinery, was born in Germany. August 22, 1842. In IN68 he came to the United States, arriving in New York City January 30, of that year. Soon afterward he located on a farm in Bremen Township, Cook County, where he followed agricultural pursuits eight years. Hle then located in the village, and engaged in hotel business. In 1881 he embarked in the sale of farm implements. In 1867 he mar- ried Miss Sophia Hafemister, who was born in Germany, June 17, 1×41. They have two children-Minnie S. J. C., born Octo- ber 25, 1868, and Gicorge P. H. C., born May 18, 1877. Mr. Boldt and family are members of the Lutheran Church, of Bremen Township.
GEORGE C. SCHUSSLER, Postmaster and dealer in general merchandise, was born on his father's farm, Section 28. Bre- men Township. lle lived there until he was about sixteen years of age, then clerked in a store in Chicago a year, after which he returned to Bremen Village and clerked some time. In 1×81 he married Miss Lizzie Weber, also a native of Bremen Township. After engaging in farming one year, in December of 1842. he emberked in his present business. January 15, 1883, he took charge of the post-office. lle is now Road Master, and Is serving his first term as Constable of the township.
RUDOLPH SCHUSSLER, principal of the publie school; took charge in September, 1881. In this school there are about seventy pupils in attendance who mirsue the common English branches, Germun, reading, writing and translating. Mr. Schussler was born on his father's farmi, Section 2N, Bre- men Township, August 6, 1854. Ile was renred in Cook County and received his education at the Cook County Nor- mal School, graduating in the class of 1879. April 18. 1880, he married Miss Eliza Stelter, n native of Bremen Township. They have two children-Huldah S. and Charles F.
HISTORY OF RICH.
Rich Township is bounded on the north by the Matteson, is situated at the junction of the Illinois township of Bremen, on the east by township of Bloom and on the south and west by Will County. It is, in size, a full Congressional township, and con- tains within its limits the villages of Matteson and Richton.
MATTESON.
This village, which was named in honor of Gov.
Central aud Michigan Central railroads, and is one of the oldest German hamlets in Cook County The village was surveyed for N. D. Ellwood of Joliet and Jacob Rich of Richton, in 185h, The first house on it was built by Charles Ohiendorf, in July of that year. Mr. Ohlendorf was also the first merchant in the place. In 1856 Jolin Fox built a house and wagon shop here, and about the same time John
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.
Steichelman built and opened to the public the first hotel in the village. The first train over the Illinois Central road to Joliet, passed by Matteson in Jant- ary, 1852, and the first over the Joliet division of the Michigan Central, in June of the following year. The first school in the village was established in 1865, and the first religious society four years later. Among the early German settlers in the vicinity of Matteson were F. P. Weishaar, M. Emmerich, A. Krudenning, S. Lux, C. Stneuke, II. Mahler, II. Merker. J. Blatt. mer, F Kliene, C. II. Greenhager and F. Duensing. The village has, by the census of 1880, a population of nearly 500, and is a growing and thriving little place. Its business interests are represented by two general stores, two hotels, two saloons and boarding houses, one shoe shop, a clothing store, a hardware and furniture store, two harness shops and a black- smith and wagon shop. The Matteson grain elevator was built in 1881, for Marsh & Spier, by whom it is now operated. The building, with machinery, cost some $4,000, and lias a capacity of 200,000 bushels.
The religious societies of Matteson have not as yet erected a house of worship. The Lutherans use the German school-house for services, while the English- speaking people hold union meetings in the public school-house of the district.
RICHTON.
This little hamlet is situated near the southern line of the county, twenty-nine miles south of Chicago and only one mile directly south of Matteson. The Illinois Central road has a depot here, while immediately north, at Matteson, is the crossing of the same road with the Michigan Central line, giving to the place and to the farmers roundabout splendid railroad facil- ities. Among those to first settle in this vicinity were the Reill, Millar and Merker families. The farming community is made up of Germans who located lands here in the years between 1848 and 1855. George D. Lewis was the first station agent at this point. Rich- ton village was surveyed in 1853, for John Calhoun, of Chicago. The German Lutheran Church was organized in 1841, and the building then erected is still standing and vet used as a place of worship. Rev. Mr Kuegele was the first pastor, and Rev. B. Burfeind is the present minister in charge. The German Union Church was organized in 1868, und
two years later a church edifice was erected. Rev. . 11. 1807. At the age of twenty-one he emigrated to America, Messrs. Nirhms and Rheim were the first pastors, the latter being succeeded by Rev. D. Behrems, who con- tinned in charge until in December. 1880, when he resigned his position to accept a call from a Church in the State of New York.
Peter Pliefer came to Chicago in June, 1844, and first sottled in the town of Proviso, but five years later removed to Rich, where he yet resides. The first merchant in the village of Richton was a nephew of John Calhoun of Chicago. So snys Mr. Merker, the pioneer settler of the place. The okl pioneer also relates, with much pleasure, that John Wentworth once worked for him in the harvest field. The cir- cumstances were as follows : Mr. Merker and a neigh - bor, George Reill, bought from the MeCormick Reaper Company of Chicago one of the first reapers which the company built after its establishment in this city, and it was on Mr. Merker's farm that it did its first work. Jolin Wentworth was much inter- ested in the machine, as to its being a success, so much so that he went down to see it in operation. In those days self-rakers (much less self-binders) were not
thought of, and a man was required to ride on the reaper, his seat being put back of the driver, and with a wooden fork or rake divide the grain and rake
it off into bundles for the binders. Mr. Merker was short a hand to do this work, 80 " Long John" mounted the reaper and raked oats for him. Mr. Wentworth, whose subsequent career is well known, has never forgotten this incident, the remembrance of which affords him much pleasure to recount as among his experiences in early times in the West.
HENRY MERKER. to whom at present belongs the distinc- tion of being the oldest living German farm-settler of Cook County, was born in Ingerwiber, near Strasburg, November arriving in this country on the 24th day of August. 1828. Ilis first employment was as a laborer on the railroad which was begun in that year between Baltimore and Washing- ton, and which was the first steam railroad built in the United Sintes. In 1829 Mr. Merker came West and located in New Lancaster, Ohio. On the sixteenth of April, 1831, he was united in marriage with Eleanor Hemmion, with whom he lived until her death in 1854. By this marriage there were four children, two of whom are now dead. In 1836 Mr. Merker concluded to remove still farther West and on the 20th of August of that year he arrived in Rich Township and settled on the farm just east of the village, and on which he still resides. In 1855 he was married to Christina Schilling, who yet lives, and by whom he has had six children, five of whom are living. Mr. Merker, though past the three score years and ten which are usually allotted to man, is still possessed of reasonable health and vigor, and bids fair to live for another score of years at least. At the old settlers' annual reunion, held in Chicago in 1882, he and his estimable wife were each presented by the German Old Settlers' Club with a gold medal commemorative of their advanced age and of the fact that Mr. Merker was the oldest farmer in the county.
The Township was organized in 1850, the first annual election being held on the second day of April of that year. The first officers were, Eli Taylor, Supervisor; Jacob Reill, Clerk; Walter Goodenow,
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HISTORY OF RICH.
Assessor ; L. L. Butterfield, Collector ; Eli Taylor and J. Il. Batcheldor, Justices.
Those elected annually since are given below : Supervisors .- 14. L. Butterfield, 1851 to 1852; H. M. Ward. 1852 to 1853; John Lefler, 1855 to 1856; M. Arnokl. 1856 to 1860; 1I. Werner, 1860 to 1863; Charles Ohlendorf, 1863 to 1866; Adam Miller, 1866 to 1867 ; Charles Ohlendorf, 1867 to 1877; J. F. Elli- ott, 1877 to 1878; Fred Miller, 1878 to Isso; William Arnold, 1880 to 1884
Clerks,-Jacob Reihl, 1851 to 1853; Henry Merker, 1853 to 1854; Henry Werner, 1834 to 1860; Charles Ohlendorf, 1860 to 1861 ; Simon Miller, 1861 to 1865 ; George Bartling. 1865 to 1866; Cord II. Stege. 1866 to 1867; Fred Helhan, 1867 to 1868; Fred Miller. 1868 to 1875; William Arnold, 1875 to 1880; J. II. Lansen. ISSO to: 1881; A. K. King, 1881 to 1883. Mr. Lausen resigned his office in May, 1883, when C. M. Merker was appointed to serve the reminder of the term.
Assessors .- Walter Goodenow, 1851 to 1859 : H. M. Ward, 1852 to 1834; G. D. Lewis, 1854 to 1855; H. Werner. 1855 to 1856; Adam Miller, 1856 to 1858; Philip Werner, 1857 to 1860: Peter Meyer, 1860 to 1862: M. Weishaar, 1862 to 1863; Fred Bartheline, 1863 to 1865: Henry Kruse, 1865 to 1873: Henry Werner, 1873 to 1875; William flester- man, 1875 to 1884.
Collectors .- Jacob Reihl, 1851 to 1853: Henry Wer- nør, 1833 to 1855: Ilenry Depke, 1855 to 1858 : IT. Kruse, 1858 to 1859: Philip Werner, 1859 to 1860; Il. Schultz, 1860 to 1862 ; Charles Ohlendorf, 1862 to 1863; William Ilesterman, 1863 to 1865; Ignatz Weishaar, 1865 to 1866: Henry Duening, 1866 to 1867 : William Jahn, 1867 to 1869 : George Plumhoff, 1869 to 1871 : William Arnold. 1821 to 1873: Henry Heinisath, 1873 to 1874 ; John Scheidt, 1874 to 1875; H. Heinieath, 1875 to 1877 : George Plumhoff, 1877 to 1878; Fred Bruggerman, 1858 to 1880; W. Bartles, 1880 to 1882; George Plumhoff, 1882 to 1884.
Justices .- 11. Werner and II. Depke, 1855 to 1859; F. Miller, 1859 to 1866: Jonathan Marsh. 1866 to 1×81; llenry Greenhoger, 1866 to 1861; Henry Depke. 1867 to 1870; William Jahn, 1870 to 1881 ; William Hahne, 1881 to 1884
In 1851, the poll list of the Town of Rich con- tained but fifteen names. The voters in that year were: Jacob Reihl, Walter Goodenough, John Knoat, Joseph Batcheldor. Henry Merker, F \'. Weishaar, Joseph Blattner, Meichel Blattner. J. II. Batchelor, F. Weishaar, Anton Scheidt. John Blattner, Joseph Lodux, M. Weishaar and George Reill. Among the real estate owners in the township, in 1850, were Hans llansburg, A. Scheidt. Hans Hellman, W. Mahler, A. Hackbroth, P. Weishaar, M Arnold, Henry Cole, Peter Pliefer, J. H. Depke, John II. Walker, John Stemple and Jacob Reitil.
In the names above mentioned are included the majority of the early settlers of the township-men who since they first broke the virgin soil of their then wild prairie farms, have seen the great changes which their own labors have so materially contributed towards bringing about.
RICH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM ARNOLD, proprietor of the Farmers' Hotel, Matteson. This hotel was erected and opened to the public in 1880. It is a large, commodious house, and is kept in first-
class order. Mr. Arnold was born November 2, 1839, in Chi- cago. llis parents lived there until 1840, then settled on a farin near Fox River, for some time, when they removed to Chicago, and in 1849 rem wed to Matteson where he was raised on a farm, following agricultural pursuits until 1873. lle then went into the hotel business. Mr. Arnold has served ns Township Supervisor several terms. Ile is a practical auctioneer. and in the winter and fall seasons his services as auctioncer are required in many localities in the surrounding country. June 14. 1864, he married Miss Mary Helland, of Green Garden, Will Co., Ill. They have four children- Katie, Willie, Theresa and August.
JOHN BLAATTNER. proprietor of the Richton House and stealer in wines liquors and elgars, Richton, was born in Rich Township, Cook County, February 5. 182. He followed agricultural pursuits until 1876, when he opened the above hotel. Ile is a member of Safety Lodge, No. 682, 1. O. O. F., and is now Constable of Rich Township. April 23, 1872, he married Miss Elizabeth Lustig, who died February 20, 1875. November D, 1979, he married Miss Phillipenn Pfeifer a native of Rich Township, Cook County, born September 9, 182. They have six children-John Edward Elizabeth Louisn, May Josephine, Frank Joseph. George Albert and Charles Oscar.
JAMES F. D. ELLIOTT, farmer and stock-raiser, north- west quarter of Section 23, P. O. Matteson, was born at Freuele's Mills, Franklin Co., N. Y .. February 9. 1824. Ile was raised a fariner in Massachusetts nud New Hampshire, living in the Intter State until the spring of 1838, when he came to Chicago and entered the employ of Cook & Roster, of the Mansion House, lie followed working in hotels and steamboats about nine years. In 1847 he went into the employ of Kinzie. Lynn & Ogden, in the lumber trade, in which he continued until 1N52. lle was then in business for himself in the grain and lumber trade until 1869, when he bought the above farin. lle now owns 4000 acres of the best prairie and wood land In Cook County. lle has served as Supervisor of Rieb Township two terms. In 1848 he married Miss Harriet Chiville, a native of Boscastle England, daughter of Matthew Chiville, who settled in t'ook County In 1836. They have eight children-Nettle E., Hattie W., Moses B., Freeman D., Sarah P., Grave ti., Henry F. and Hla May. Mr. Elliott has been quite largely identified in politics, and at one time was a personal friend of the late llon. Stephen A. Douglas.
D. L. HOLDEN, agent for the Illinois Central Railroad. Matteson, was born at Giroton, N. Il., November 13, 1824. llis parents moved to West Hartford, V't., in 1829, where they lived until 1836, whence they removed to Will County, Ill., and settled on a farm in Frankfort Township. D. 1 .. Holden there followed agricultural pursuits until the Civil War. In No- vember, 1801, enlisting in Company F. 53d Illinois Volunteer In- fairy. Suon afterward he was detailed to the Commissary De- partment, and promoted to Regimental Sergeant, which position he held until July 28, 1MG, when he was mustered out of service. September 1, 1865, he came to Matteson, Cook County, and took charge of the business of the Illinois Central Rail- rond, where he has since continued. For a number of years he has been a member of the school board. March 15, 1871. he married Miss Esther P. Parrish, of Kalamazoo, Mich. They have four children-Charles C. P. and llomer P. (twins), Howard L. and Morton P.
CHARLES M. MERKER. dealer in general merchandise, and agent at Richton for the Illinois C'entral Railroad, was born at Richton, Cook Co., II1 .. March 25, 1857, on his fath- er's farm. lle was educated at Dyhenfurth & Dow's Commer- cial College, Chicago, graduating in 1876, after which he learned the barbers' trade, which he followed about four years. lle then carried on a grocery store in Chicago about four months, after which he worked for a wholesale house two years, and then opened a general store at his present place. lle is a member of Safety Lodge, No. 682. 1. 0. 0. F. In 1880, he married Miss Henrietta Miller, of Richton. They have a daughter, Clara Louisa. Mr. Merker is now serving his first term as Township Clerk of Rich Township.
L. D. MIL.L.S. proprietor of the Matteson House, Matteson, was born in the town of Effingham. N. H., April, 1829, where he embarked in the sale of all kinds of provisions. In 1857 he re- moved to Will Connty, Ill., and followed agricultural pursuits, some time after which he removed to Mouce. Ill., and kept hotel. In 1861 he removed to Matteson, where he bough and opened the Matteson House. Mr. Mills, having had twenty-five years' experience in the hotel business, understands how to keep a first-class house. lle is largely interested in bee- keeping. Ile is a member of the I +) O. F., and is a Univer- salist in belief. In 1845 he married Miss Susan Hayes, of Portsmouth, N. H. They have two daughters-Martha E. and Grace D.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.
WILLIAM E. VANDERWATER, principal of the public schools, Matteson. In these schools there are about seventy- five pupils in attendance. Mr. Vanderwater took charge of the above schools September 4, 1882. lle was born at Belle- ville, Ontario, Canada, in 1851. In 1881 he graduated from
the State Normal School. at Valparaiso, Ind. He has made teaching a profession since 1875. Mr. Vanderwater is s mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. August 15, 1879, be married Miss Mattie Brayton, of Kankakee County, III. They have one daughter, Marion Thressa.
HISTORY OF BLOOM.
This township is situated in the sontheast corner of the county nud is bonudel on the north by Thornton, on the east hy Lake County, Ind., on the south by Will County, and on the West hy the township of Rich. As an agricultural district it ranks among the most fertile and productive of any in the enunty, and is watered by several streams, trilitaries of the Calu- met, which afford splendid natural drainage, while along their valleys beautiful groves of timber ubound. The surface of the country being thus diversified with alternating wood and prairie laud oud with large and finely cultivated farins, presents a most pleasing piet- ure to the eye. "To its present state of agricultural development. it has been brought by the earnest and untiring labors of those men, who nearly fifty years ago, settled here mul began the work of building up a civ- ilized enminnuity, where before had been ouly the vast and trackless prairie. Of these old settlers the major- ity took their lands at Government prices, and to-day owu farais, which ut a forced sale wonkl bring them from $50 to $00 per acre. The great change, which in comparatively so short a tiane, has been wrought in the agricultural districts of the West, is only another illustration of that progress of a civilization which in its advancement has had no equal in the history of the world.
Originally, and until 1850, the town of Bloom was a part of what was then known as Thornton Precinct, composed of the towns of Bloom, Rich and Thornton. In that year, however, its inhabitants by popular vote, decided to adopt the township form of government, and nt their first election, held April 2. at the school- house, near Samuel Sloam's farm, the following named persons were chosen as its first officers: Joseph Hol- brook, Supervisor; John C. Wilson, Clerk ; Florres B. Young, Assessor ; Charles Santer and Job Camp- bell, Justices; Benjamin Butterfield, Overseer of the Poor ; Samuel Sloam, I. S. Finu and David Millar, Highway Commissioners.
The following is the roster of officers chosen at the anunal elections from 1851 to the present time :
Supervisors .- 1851. John MeEldowney ; 1852, George W. Morris; 1853, James Millar; 1854, G. W. Morris ; 1855, Charles Sauter ; 1856, William Miller ; 1857, John H. Scott; 1858-60, Charles Sauter ; 1860, James Millar ; 1861, J. R. Holbrook ; 1862-64, G. B. James; 1864, Charles Sauter: 1865, Caleb L. Sweet ; 1866-70, Charles Santer ; 1870-83, George H. Caskey ; 1883-84, Clark Holbrook.
Assessors .- 1851-56, John Grary; 1856-58, Job Campbell : 1858-61, Caleb L. Sweet; 1861. Charles Sauter; 1862-65, C. L. Sweet; 1865-67, Milton B. McCory ; 1867-70, James Millar; 1870-75, C. I .. Sweet; 1875, Jacob Kirgis; 1876, C. L. Sweet; 1877, James Millar ; 1878-82, Clark Holbrook ; 1882-84, A. J. Millar.
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