USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois : being a general survey of Cook County history, including a condensed history of Chicago and special account of districts outside the city limits : from the earliest settlement to the present time, volume II > Part 25
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271
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The first road was laid out by the County Commissioners and ran from Sand Ridge to Elk Grove. A little later one was projected from Brush Hill along the bank of the river. A third was the Brook's road from Sand Ridge to Elk Grove. Another extended from Sand Ridge to the mouth of Salt creek and crossed the Des Plaines river at Rand's place. Early bridges across the river were built by Dr. Austin and Captain Talcott. These were merely tem- porary structures, but served the purpose until the town trustees, assisted by the County Board, could construct better ones.
The town of Maine was organized under the law of 1849. The first meeting was held in April, 1850, at which Socrates Rand served as moderator and Curtis Clark as clerk. The town was divided into nine road districts, and steps were taken to raise a tax to keep the roads in repair, construct bridges, etc. An attempt to rename . the town "Wauksaid" did not succeed. The first town officers were as follows: Curtis Clark, supervisor; John Gazlaz, clerk; Joseph Mitchell, assessor; William Johnson, collector; Alvin Scott, J. H. Rand and H. A. Grannis, commissioners of highways; H. Sabin, overseer of the poor; J. C. Clark and T. Brown, justices of the peace; William Johnson and William Brown, constables. The first assessment for roads and bridges amounted to $40.
It was stated that the first preacher to hold services in Maine township was Rev. Mr. Coulson. Early meetings were held at the residence of Mr. Walton. This was probably as early as 1836. Among the first members were Mrs. Conner and Mrs. Walton. Later Rev. Joseph Lours attended this congregation, which was Methodist. An early organization of Congregationalists was es- tablished in this township. Mormon missionaries came here during the '50s and secured a few converts to their faith. The Universal- ists had an early organization and the Baptists, Christians and Uni- tarians were also represented in the township.
In 1838 Harriet Rand taught school in this township. The ses- sion was held in a room which had previously been used as a cheese factory. About fifteen scholars attended. A few years later a schoolhouse was built near the residence of Mr. Rand. Dr. Asa Clark was an early teacher, as were also Orlando Alger, Orvis Skin- ner, Orlando Talcott and Robert Meacham. In 1841 the township was first divided into regular school districts. By 1859 the total number of school children under twenty-one years was 654.
The village of Des Plaines was originally known as Rand in honor of Socrates Rand, and as such it was platted on the southwest quarter of Section 16. In 1869 the name was changed to Des Plaines by special act of the Legislature. In 1870 the trustees elected were Henry C. Senne, Elias A. Thomas, Franklin Whit- comb, August Meyer and Charles Wicke. Simeon Lee was first treasurer, John Sabin, assessor, and J. H. Ohlerking, constable and collector. In 1873 the corporate limits of the village were reduced
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upon petition of the inhabitants. The village proper was organized in 1874. Among the first residents in this place were Mr. Ortman, Socrates Rand, Henry C. Senne, Jacob Tymerson, Enos Stockwell, A. Mohldenhauser, John Scuh, Mr. Slusser, Mr. Parsons, Simeon Lee. These men established stores, blacksmith shops, etc. As early as 1840 a Mr. Long was postmaster there. Later Silas Meacham succeeded him.
Schools were taught in this vicinity at an early date, at first in private residences but later small structures were erected at con- venient points. In 1874 the fine brick schoolhouse at Des Plaines was erected. William Munner was one of the first teachers in this building.
The German Lutheran church of Des Plaines was organized about 1868 and began with a membership of sixteen. Within a short time a church building was erected at a cost of $1,500. In 1876 a much better building was erected in its place.
The Congregational church at Des Plaines was established about 1868 with fourteen members. The building was erected in 1871. Rev. J. H. Laird was the first pastor. The Methodist church of Des Plaines was organized about the year 1870 by Rev. Schwartz and at first had a membership of about twenty.
The village of Park Ridge was started about the year 1840 by two men named Warner and Stevens, who erected a small frame house on the present site of the village. Of course there was no village at that date, and the land had just been surveyed. The settlement of ยท this locality was slow. In 1854 Benjamin Meacham built a brick yard on the present site. Mancel Tolcott, Jr., built a frame house about the year 1840. It was not until the '50s that the growth of the village became somewhat rapid. George W. Renny located there in 1856. In 1859 the railway depot was constructed and after that event the growth was rapid. The Penny & Meacham lumber yard was started near the close of the Rebellion. The village was first called Pennyville, after George W. Penny, and still later the term Brickton was applied to the place. In 1856 Robert Meacham was postmaster. He was succeeded by A. B. Sherwin.
Early schools at Park Ridge cannot be given. By 1860 several schools had been started in that vicinity. Among the first teachers were R. W. Gunnison, Miss Augusta Meacham, and George A. Follansbee. Early in the '50s a First Methodist Episcopal con- gregation assembled in residences on the present site of Park Ridge. They were not strong enough to form an organization. but united with other denominations and held union services. In 1856 the Methodists first started a permanent organization. Meet- ings were held in the first schoolhouses and at the houses of the members. The Congregational church at Park Ridge was organ- ized as early as 1843. The first minister was Rev. E. E. Wells, and the first church building, a small frame structure, which was erected about 1848.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
In 1873 a village organization was effected. The votes showed that forty-nine desired the organization, while fifteen opposed it. The first trustees were George B. Carpenter, Augustus Dickinson, Joseph T. Jones, Loring D. Tenant, Charles Kobow and W. S. Chittenden. The population of the place in 1883 was about 600.
The little place called Canfield was established on the railway early in the '50s. It was first called Ridge Lawn, and several other terms were used to designate the settlement. After the construction of the railway, the place grew rapidly and established schools and religious organizations.
Elk Grove was a township which was originally mostly prairie, intercepted by a few noted groves. One was called Elk Grove by the Indians and still retains the name. It contained about 1,300 acres and was a noted landmark in early times. In 1834 Dr. Fred- erick T. Miner located on the school section and J. A. Barnes set- tled near him about the same time. Leander Collins located on Section 21 and Caleb Lamb located on the same section. Thomas Smith, John Whiting, George A. Knowles, Aaron Miner, and F. W. Page also settled in 1834 or 1835. The next year Mark Norse, Ashbel Miner, Silas Wheeler and others arrived. In 1836 Joseph Converse located on Section 18. About the same time John Allen, Asa Davis, and the three Drapers arrived and erected log houses. In 1837 John Bowe and Horace Rice located on Section 19. Soon afterward others appeared and by 1845 the township contained a large and prosperous community.
In 1850 the township was organized under the State law. The meeting was held at Miner's tavern in April. Ira Cooper was mod- erator; R. F. Clough, clerk, and at the election the following officers were chosen : R. F. Clough, supervisor ; L. T. Skinner, clerk ; Mark Norse, assessor; B. R. B. Miner, collector ; and F. T. Miner, over- seer of the poor; John Allen, Noyse Gay and G. H. Pratt, commis- sioners of highways; J. W. Jones and R. F. Clough, justices of the peace ; I. M. Cooper and B. R. B. Miner, constables. Soon $150 was raised for town purposes. The town was divided into six road districts and was also divided into school districts.
By this date (1850) the township was well settled and schools and churches were in every community. As early as 1837 a post- office was established at Elk Grove, with F. T. Miner postmaster. He was succeeded by F. W. Page. Mount Prospect was a small station on the Northwestern railway about twenty miles from Chi- cago. As early as 1836 school was taught in the houses of the resi- dents. Among the first tcachers were Mrs. Morse, Mrs. Warner, Mr. Pennoyer, R. F. Clough and Miss Dowe. In 1840 a school- house was built and was attended by children living several miles distant. In 1842 the town was divided into three school districts.
The township of Schaumburg was settled among the first of this portion of the county. The soil was good and the surface originally
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
a beautiful prairie with clumps of timber. The name was derived from a principality in Germany. The first settler was Orumbell Kent, who located in Highland Grove in 1835. He settled on Section 29, Palatine, but a few weeks later entered another tract in the present town of Schaumburg. The Baileys were other early settlers. In 1836 William H. Dunton settled in the township. Hor- ace P. Williams was another early resident. He brought the first flock of sheep to the township. He became one of the founders of Northwestern university. William Frieze was another settler dur- ing the '40s. Many other families came about the same time and by 1845 the town contained from twenty to thirty permanent resi- dents. Schools were started as early as 1840. A religious organiza- tion appeared about the same time. The early schoolhouses served the double purpose of church and school. In 1850 the township was organized under the State law. Originally Schaumburg was part of the old Salt Creek precinct. Among the first officers chosen were Richard Cook and M. Dohle, constables; Lyman Johnston and Henry Schirding, justices; William Schen, F. Pendleton and H. Pfingreton, commissioners of highways.
The township of Northfield was not thrown into market until in the '40s, and settlement was at first rather slow. Thomas Allison located in Northfield in the spring of 1847. John K. Clark located there about the same time. In 1835 John Striker built a home on Section 7. In 1836 there came in John and Benjamin Tapps, Dar- denus Bishop, William H. Davis, Edwin Clark, William and Luke Steele, Edward Cammack, William Lester, Gage brothers, D. U1- linger. These men scattered throughout the township and erected generally log houses and were soon busy clearing and building. About 1837 Joseph Adams settled on Section 26. Mr. Tulley lo- cated near him. Charles Anderson, Ashel Baker, Mr. Esher, Milo Urnchel, Rich Deadlove, Levi Kennicott, John Kennicott, Joel Sherman, John Russell, Mr. Lavelle, Abel Green, Mr. Moody, Moses Dutton, Hiram and William Shepard, John Bach, Capt. Studley, H. H. Heindrick, William Steele, Ezra Malley and others were among the first settlers. As early as 1838 school began to be held and churches were organized. By 1845 there were eight public schools in the township. West Northfield postoffice and Sherman station were established quite early. Oak Glen and North Northfield sprang up a little later. The building of the railroad brought many of the settlers and by 1850 the population was large and the people were prosperous and therefore happy.
The town of Wheeling received settlers at an early day. As early as 1833 Mr. Sweet located on Section 13, where he built a log cabin. This was before the date when the Indians' claim to this portion of the country was secured. He was warned to leave in a general notice issued by Col. T. J. V. Owen, Indian agent at Chi- cago. He refused to do so and in the end sold his claim to George
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Strong for $60. Mr. Strong was the first settler in that portion of the county. His nearest neighbor was many miles distant. The Indians were hostile and it was only through skill that he managed to placate them and remain upon his claim. On more than one occasion he came within an inch of death at the hands of the en- raged natives. Soon after Mr. Strong secured the claim another early settler was Timothy Titcomb, but he soon sold out to Myron Dimmick. A little later William B. Clay and several of his grown- up sons settled on Section 12. Among other early settlers were S. M. Salisbury, Christopher and Daniel Stranger, James Mackey, Christian Stryker, Peter Gebhardt, Henry Miller, Israel Martin, Joseph Filkins, who later became prominent in township and county affairs; Matthew Chivel, William H. Dunton, Ephraim and Charles Morrison. Charles Daniel and Russell Wheeler together opened an early store where the village of Wheeling was afterward located. Also among the first settlers were Joel L. McDuffy, Henry Shep- ard, A. T. Skinner and many others. By 1840 the population of the township numbered about 200.
The early settlers of this township formed an association to pre- vent claim-jumping. They took this course because nearly all of the first residents either settled upon their lands before the Indian cession or else before they were thrown into market by the govern- ment. In more than one case claim-jumpers were rigorously dealt with. The land throughout the township was first surveyed in 1837. The town proper was organized in 1850 at the tavern lately owned by James Parker. William H. Dunton was moderator, Eg- bert Van Vlack clerk, and George Fullagar assistant clerk. The first town officers were as follows: S. M. Salisbury, supervisor ; Louis Peet, clerk; Ira Millard, assessor; D. B. Briggs, collector ; Ira Snow, W. H. Dunton and Andrew Luce, commissioners of highways; D. B. Briggs and S. D. W. Miller, constables. The town officers immediately proceeded to build a pound, lay out the town into school and road districts, raise means to support the poor, and levy a tax for general town purposes. For roads and bridges the citizens promptly raised $300.
By 1857 there were ten school districts in the town. At this date W. H. Dunton, A. W. Peet and E. K. Beach were the school trustees. In all of the ten school districts terms had been taught for several years.
Arlington Heights was first platted in 1854 and was first called Dunton, after W. H. Dunton, upon whose farm the lots were laid out. The house of Mr. Dunton was the first on the town site. The second was built by Dr. F. T. Miner in 1854. Dr. Miner kept a store. A little later W. G. Wing opened a second store. James McGrath built the second residence, and the first blacksmith shop was opened by Mr. Page and another a little later by John Flem- ing. John H. Gale and Johnson & Peters started early hardware
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
stores. Enoch Williams manufactured cheese at an early date. James Shirra established a grist mill about 1865. By this time many residences had been built and the settlement had become quite large. The first Presbyterian society in the village was organized in 1855. Early in the '70s the name Dunton was discarded and the title Arlington Heights was adopted. Asa Dunton was the first postmaster. The first Presbyterian society was organized in 1855 and the first settled pastor was Rev. David H. Kingsley. At first the congregation numbered about fifteen members and in a short time a frame building was erected at a cost of about $3,000. The Methodist Episcopal society was organized at Elk Grove about the year 1838. The first quarterly meeting was held in 1840 under the management of Rev. John T. Mitchell. The Universalists had a congregation here as early as 1862. Late in the '60s the Evan- gelical Lutherans formed a congregation. St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church was established about 1860 and at first had only seven members.
The schoolhouse at Arlington Heights was built in 1849 and Miss Sarah Thornton was the first teacher in the same. This building was used until 1856, in which year a much better building was built. In 1870 a large brick structure was erected at a cost of about $10,000.
The township of Barrington is located in the extreme northwest- ern part of the county. Its surface is somewhat rolling and orig- inally was mostly prairie interspersed with groves. A small body of water called Mud lake was in this township. As early as 1834 Jesse F. Miller and William Van Orsdal located in this township. As first they located on the school section, which was heavily tim- bered, but later settled on Section 17. At the date of their arrival the Pottawatomie Indians were here in great numbers. They were not removed until two or three years later. In 1835 Benjamin Irick located on Section 20. About the same time Philip Hawley and Henry Clawson settled near there. John McKnight arrived in 1836 and about the same time Samuel Wadlow built a cabin on Section 29. Wallace Bucklin settled in the township as- early as 1837. Freeman Morton, G. A. Applebee, Benjamin Richardson, William Otis, Charles D. Miller, Thomas Perkins, John Giddings and Hor- ace Rosecrans settled throughout the township during the next two or three years. A little later the following arrived : George S. Browning, Henry Smith, L. O. E. Manning, Alvah Miller, William B. Freeman, Homer Wilmarth, Lyman Dunklee, Hezekiali Kings- ley, S. W. Kingsley, P. M. Gould, John C. Allen, George T. Wat- terman, Daniel and Nelson Messer, S. W. Slade, John Hendrick- son, Charles Church and Henry Mundhenke.
The first houses were built of logs, there being in the groves an abundance of good timber. The land was not thrown on the market until 1840. Previous to that the settlers were squatters. In 1841
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
several schools were in successful operation. People demanded the sale of the school section. It was accordingly advertised by the county school agent and the proceeds were devoted to the school. Schools were taught as early as 1836.
The township of Barrington was organized in 1850 under the laws of 1849. The township derived its name from Great Barrington, Massachusetts, from whence several of the first settlers came. The meeting to organize the new township was held at the schoolhouse near Miller's Grove. William Adams was moderator of the meeting and Jerome W. Kingsley was clerk. The following officers were elected : William Devol, supervisor; Alvah Miller, clerk; Edward Hawley, assessor; Henry M. Campbell, C. I. Wilsie and Philip N. Gould, commissioners of highways; Aaron Billings and William Hitchcock, justices of the peace; J. Ward, collector, and Hezekiah Kingsley, overseer of the poor. The officers proceeded to divide the town into road and school districts. Four pounds were established to take care of the live stock running at large. At a meeting held in November, 1840, the citizens divided the town into school dis- tricts. Seventeen votes were cast at this meeting. The school trus- tees elected were Philip Hawley, Homer Wilmarth and Thomas Perkins. In January, 1841, the town was divided into four school districts and schools were established in each.
The village of Barrington is about fourteen miles from Chicago courthouse. Benjamin Felter was one of the original owners of the village site. Other owners were A. S. Downs and Robert Camp- bell. The town was laid out in 1854, about the time the railroad was constructed. The depot at first was at Deer Grove, but late in 1854 was established at Barrington. Eben Conant resided in the village in 1850. In 1855 John Catlow erected a house and immediately after- ward Lewis Boombower built another. Francis Heatley constructed several houses and rented the same. In 1857 J. O. Davis erected a house on the Cuba side, and about the same time L. H. Bute settled in Barrington. He also located on the Cuba side. M. B. McIntosh came here in 1857. Leonard Loomis and Richard Boyce also became residents late in the '50s. On the Cuba side Nathan Squares started a store as early as 1855. Two years later Edward Foster opened a general store on the same side. In 1857 John Moody opened a large store on the Barrington side.
The two sides were kept distinct until the incorporation of the village in 1865. It required a special act of the legislature to effect the incorporation. This act was passed February 16, 1865. A pre- vious election of the necessary trustees was declared valid by this enactment. The first trustees were Homer Wilson, Oscar Lawrence, M. B. McIntosh, A. K. Vangorner and G. Heimerdinger. In 1872 the village was incorporated. On the question of incorporating fifty- seven votes were in favor of it, and none against. As early as 1846 a schoolhouse was built at Barrington. Prior to that school had been
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
held in private residences. Immediately after 1846 it was found necessary to erect several other schoolhouses. At that date the set- tlement of that portion of the county was very rapid. By 1855 there were no less than ten excellent schools in this township. There were independent schools at Barrington, Cuba and Ela prior to the union of the villages.
The Methodist church was erected in the fall of 1858. It was a frame structure and cost $2,000. The society was organized as early as 1844 by Rev. Nathan Jewett. During the same year a com- bined schoolhouse and church was built on Section 26 and contin- ued to serve this society as church for many years. The Methodist church at Barrington Center was organized in 1840 and at first had only six members. The society first worshiped in a schoolhouse, but about 1853 a frame structure was erected at a cost of about $2,200. In time this society became the strongest in what was called the Dundee circuit. It was a membership of over 100. Deer Grove society of the Evangelical association was organized in 1848 at Deer Grove. At first services were held in private residences, but in 1854 a small church was erected there and continued to be occu- pied by the society for many years. Zion's society of the Evangelical association was established at Barrington in 1866. A small frame structure was erected and continued to be used until 1880, when a large church was erected at a cost of $8,000. The Unity Evan- gelical Lutheran church was organized in 1864 with membership of 20. They first met in a schoolhouse, but after a few years a frame church building was erected at a cost of about $2,000. Among the early ministers were Rev. John Bund and John Hunzicker. The Baptist church at Barrington was organized in 1859. This society had a previous existence. During the summer of 1859 a small church was erected and was used until the second was built in the '60s. One of the first ministers was Rev. Mr. Dennison. The Catholic church was organized in 1870. In 1873 they secured the old Methodist church building and used it for a number of years. Barrington Post, G. A. R., was started in 1883 with fifteen mem- bers. Barrington township during the Civil war furnished many soldiers. Various secret orders and societies have flourished at Bar- rington. The postoffice was originally kept two and a half miles north of the present village of Barrington by John J. Bullock. In 1855 it was transferred to Barrington and John Porter was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by John Jackson a year later.
The township of Hanover was settled at an early date. It com- prised all of fractional Township 41, with Range 9 east. The sur- face was originally a rolling prairie with a slight slope toward the west. About one-third of the township was covered with timber at the date of first settlement. Many trees were three feet in diam- eter. Independence Grove and Hoosier Grove were famous land- marks. As early as 1833 George and John Hammer settled on
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Section 23. Asa Leatherman located on the same section about the same time. A. D. Gifford, Guy Adams, Daniel Guptail, Sam- uel N. Cadwell, Byrem Smith, John Guptail, William Merrifield and Benjamin Burritt were among the first settlers. A little later came John Hill, Joseph Oatman, Mr. Primrose, D. S. Hammond, Wood- worth Butterfield, Edwin Bartlett, John Hubbard, David C. White, Samuel Gould, Jarvis Smith, Lyman Williams, John T. Cook, John Genney, Joseph Hollowell, David Longley, Andrew Spitaer, Na- thaniel Ballard, F. Pendleton, John Bower and Mr. Rosencrans. By 1845 Hanover contained probably twenty-five permanent families. Schools were started as early as 1836. They were first taught in private residences.
In 1850 the town was organized under the State law. Eighty- five votes were polled at the first election, which was held at Leather- man's tavern on the Chicago and Elgin road. This tavern was an important landmark during the '40s. It was a log house and was subdivided into several rooms. In 1848 D. S. Hammond opened a second tavern on the same thoroughfare. This was destroyed by fire in 1851. Another early tavern was conducted by a Mr. Young. The first schoolhouse in the township was built on Section 20 about the year 1840. The nearest residence was that of John Hill. The German Lutherans organized about 1840 and erected a church in the northeastern part of the town. In 1854 the Baptists erected a church on the Chicago & Elgin road. The milk business was an im- portant early industry. Phineas H. Smith began shipping milk quite extensively to Chicago as early as 1850. A little later a cheese factory was established by C. W. Gould and I. H. Wanzer. A little later these men divided and another factory was started. In a short time there were six cheese factories in the township. One of the chief occupations of the farmers was the production of milk, butter and cheese. The following were the officers elected in 1850: Luther Herrick, supervisor ; John Hubbard, clerk; Abel D. Gifford, assessor ; Woodworth Butterfield, George E. Smith and Josiah Horn, commissioners of highways; John Hill and Samuel Gould, justices of the peace; Samuel S. Hammer and Lyman Williams, constables ; Jarvis Smith, collector; and Joseph Oatman, overseer of the poor. The officers took the necessary action to prevent animals from run- ning at large and raised $50 for current expenses. The town was divided into twelve road districts and into ten school districts.
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