USA > Illinois > DuPage County > History of Du Page County, Illinois 1876 > Part 12
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He followed a small stream, though it was not his direct course, in order to be nearer the timber and nearer habitations. Before night came on, guided by the bark- ing of dogs, he was enabled to reach a dwelling. Find- ing it unoccupied, he took temporary possession. A few embers were still burning on the hearth, and taking some rails from the fence he reduced them to fuel and built a fire. He found feed for his oxen, and a supply of pro- visions for himself, of which he partook without much
181
TRIALS OF EARLY SETTLERS.
ceremony, and in peaceful and quiet possession passed the night.
Pursuing his journey next morning, he shortly arrived at another dwelling. where he found the owner of the cabin in which he had stayed the night before, and told him of the liberty he had taken. Being assured that all he had done at the cabin was right, he pressed on and reached his destination on the evening of the fourth day. The pork was procured, and he started homeward on the following morning, his team consisting of two yoke of heavy cattle, and his load of about one thousand pounds, including a prairie plow.
The snow had fallen to such a depth that he found it impossible to proceed, and was obliged to employ a man with an additional team to assist him on. With the three yoke of oxen attached to the wagon, they started, going before with wooden paddles to shovel the snow from the path. About two hours before sunset, they found that in the course of the whole day, they had advanced just one mile ! There was little use in trying to go on, so they turned their team and took the back track for a quarter of a mile to a dwelling. Here they remained for a few days, endeavoring to fit the wagon to runners, but in this they were unsuccessful. Mr. Hob- son now resolved on trying to reach home on foot, and accordingly set out. He had to cross a twelve mile prairie before coming to a settlement. This he aimed to do in one day, but the sun had passed the meridian before he had made a third of the distance. Knowing it was vain to attempt to gain the settlement, he retraced his steps to the dwelling he had left in the morning,
182
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
where he arrived, with life and strength nearly exhausted. Here he remained a few days, hardly knowing what course to pursue. Having already been absent many days longer than he intended, he felt great anxiety for his family, whom he had left but scantily provided with provisions, and at length determined upon making another effort to reach home. Leaving his team and load, with orders, that if it became necessary, the meat should be cut up and salted, he set out in a new direction, pursu- ing his way through the groves, towards the Illinois river, and finding shelter at night in the cabins which at long intervals were scattered through the forests. At length he arrived at the Illinois, which he found frozen and covered with snow. To facilitate progress he now traveled upon the ice for thirty miles, in imminent peril of his life. The ice, in many places, was so thin that it gave way beneath his feet. At the end of this distance the river was open, in consequence of its junction with a large spring, and he was now obliged to travel again through the deep and drifted snow. His progress was slow and fatiguing, but impelled by anxiety for the loved ones at home, he journeyed on with unflagging zeal, and at last reached home on the nineteenth day of his absence, to the almost overwhelming joy and surprise of his des- itute family, from whom the last, lingering hope of ever beholding him again had faded out. Imagine his feel- ings as his little ones, half famished, came around him, anxiously inquiring about his wagon, and about the pro- visions which they expected he would bring them. Until now he had borne up against a tide of adverse circum- stances with a determined and even a cheerful spirit, but
183
TRIALS OF EARLY SETTLERS.
the situation of his family, with no prospect of relief, was a matter not to be contemplated without the most distressing apprehensions. Nearly a week passed, and the weather became so much moderated that the snow began to melt, and it was feared that a thaw was about to commence, in which case their situation would be rendered still more hopeless. Corn was their only article of food, and upon this alone they had already subsisted for more than two months ; this they prepared by hulling and boiling. Something must be done, for starvation seemed looking them in the face. But one plan suggested itself to Mr.
Hobson, and that was a hard one to execute. It was to leave his family, and, accompanied by Stewart, make one more effort to get his provisions home before the breaking up of the ice. His situation was indeed a try- ing one. It was with great reluctance that he resolved to leave his family alone and unprotected in the dead of winter, and in a region inhabited only by Indians, whose proximity produced no more agreeable impression than fear, to say the least. But Mrs. Hobson, brushing the tears from her face, and summoning all the courage and resolution she could command, entreated him to go, and leave her to do the best she could. After preparing fuel sufficient to last until their return, they set out, tak- ing with them a yoke of cattle, which they drove in advance, for the purpose of breaking a road through the snow. Thirteen head of cattle and three horses were left in Mrs. Hobson's care. On the second day after the departure of Messrs. Hobson and Stewart, it commenced snowing, and continued without interruption for two days and nights, covering the earth upon a level, three
184
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
feet deep. On the third day, just at sunrise, the wind began to blow with fury from the west, and continued like a hurricane, without cessation, for three days, sweep- ing the snow from the ground and piling it in drifts twenty, thirty, and even forty feet high, while the atmos- phere was so thick with the driving snow as almost to turn daylight into darkness. On the first morning of the wind storm, Mrs. Hobson, taking a pail, went to a spring a few yards from the house for some water, but before reaching the house she was compelled to throw the water upon the ground and make all possible haste back. The children opened the door for her, which, being on the west side of the house, it required all their strength to close again. It was not opened again until
after the storm had subsided. The snow, which was constantly driving into the house, supplied them with water; but who shall describe the feelings of that mother, as alone with her little ones, the days dragged wearily along, while her mind was filled with the most fearful apprehensions. Husband or brother she should in all probability see no more. Her children might
perish in her sight, while a like fate awaited herself. It was, indeed, a severe trial of endurance, and needed all the fortitude of her soul to sustain such agonizing reflec- tions while the raging storm swept around her solitary dwelling. After the wind had ceased, Mrs. Hobson went out to look after the cattle and horses, but could find nothing of them, and concluded they had been cov- ered in the snow-drifts and perished. The day passed with- out any of them making their appearance. The next morning they all came around from the east side of the
185
TRIALS OF EARLY SETTLERS.
grove, whither they had fled and remained during the storm. The fuel which had been prepared and put in the house was now exhausted, while that which had been left outside was embedded in a deep snow-drift. The only alternative was to dig this wood out of the snow with a pick-ax, and Mrs. Hobson accordingly set about it, working and resting alternately, as her strength would permit. Weak and faint from hunger, and with hands frozen and blistered, she worked on day after day, unable to get out more wood than would barely serve from one day to another. A cow, that was accustomed to being fed at the door, came into the house one day and seemed to reel, as if about to fall. Mrs. Hobson pushed her outside of the door, when she immediately fell dead. Fearing that the wolves, which were very plenty and hungry, would come to the door to feed upon the carcass, she covered it deep in the snow.
On the fourteenth day after his departure, Hobson returned with some provisions, leaving Stewart at Hol- derman's grove with a part of the oxen that were unable to finish the trip. On his arrival, he found the wood which they had prepared, all consumed, and Mrs. Hob- son tearing down a log stable and chopping it up for fuel. During that fourteen weary days, Mrs. Hobson had not seen a human being besides her children. Though it was known at Holderman's grove that they were alone, yet no one dared venture to see what had become of them. It was thought by all there that the family would inevitably perish. In the course of cight days Stewart arrived with the remainder of the oxen. They presented a deplorable spectacle indeed, being
13
186
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
worn with fatigue, their flesh sore and bleeding, and the hair all cut from their legs by wading through the hard crusted snow. The drifting of the snow had been alto- gether favorable to the return of Hobson and Stewart. Having arrived at their destination before the wind storm, they remained until they could make themselves some sledges. On the way home, they could travel sometimes the whole day without the crust giving way, and some days their teams would break through every little while, when they were obliged to dig them out again.
At home again, it was now time for new arrangements to be made, as there had been nothing done as yet, upon the new claim. Stewart, accordingly, set out for the new location with the intention of working there, but soon after his arrival the snow went off with a heavy rain. After the flood, occasioned by the melting snow and the breaking up of the ice, had nearly subsided, the Indians came-a hundred or more-into the grove near the house, and prepared for making sugar. Hobson now sent his family to Holderman's grove, where he had obtained permission for them to stay a few days, while he with his household goods started for the DuPage, and again aimed to take up his night's lodging at the French- man's cabin. But the traveling was bad, and his pro- gress slow. Late in the afternoon he got " stalled " in a slough. Taking off his boots and stockings, in order to keep them dry, he waded through on foot, and with great effort succeeded in getting his team through, his clothes the while were wet and freezing.
It being by this time quite dark, and fearing to pro-
187
TRIALS OF EARLY SETTLERS.
ceed further, lest he should again be "stalled," there was no other chance than to spend the night upon the open prairie. And having some bedding in the wagon, he made out to pass the night without freezing. In the morning he reached the Frenchman's cabin, where he breakfasted. The next night found him at the Spring Brook, just west of the DuPage river, but it was so dark that he did not venture to cross it, and accordingly camped out again. Here the grass was long, and mak- ing his bed upon the ground, he passed the night very comfortably, and the next morning reached his destina- tion. Mr. Scott advised him to bring his family to his place, and let them remain until he could build his cabin. He accordingly did so, and in a few days their own cabin was ready for their reception.
In April Mr. Hobson went again to Ox Box Prairie for his wagon, taking with him two yoke of cattle, and bringing back some seed corn, and potatoes. His cattle were so poor and weak that he was often obliged to carry the corn and potatoes on his back, the team being hardly able to draw the empty wagon. The Spring and Sum- mer were cold, wet and consequently unfavorable to crops. But little was raised during that year.
Other settlers, whose names have been given, soon located in different parts of the town. The Naper set- tlement extended into this town, and the pioneer remin- iscences contain an account of the settlers here, up to the close of the Black Hawk war.
The Lisle Congregational church was organized in 1840. The members were, in part, from the old East DuPage church, and part from the church at Naperville.
188
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
Meetings were held in the school house near Dea. Good- rich's during five or six years. In 1863, nearly one- half the members withdrew, and organized the Downer's Grove Congregational church. The society built a church at Lisle Station in 1865, and sustained preaching until 1875, when services were discontinued. Rev. Mr. Atkin- son, the pastor, in 1867 was married to a daughter of Deacon Hatch; both going as missionaries to India. Rev. J. G. Porter was the first pastor.
POPULATION OF DU PAGE COUNTY AT THE CENSUS OF 1870.
Native.
Foreign. 814
Total.
Addison,.
799
1613
Bloomingdale,
732
409
I14I
Wayne,
734
285
1019
Winfield,
1585
626
22II
Milton,
1714
461
2175
York,
1017
782
1799
Downer's Grove,
1701
817
2518
Lisle,
908
362
1270
Naperville,
2282
657
2939
II472
5213
16685
Native Born.
Foreign.
Born in Illinois,
736 Born in Germany,
-3243
New York
1566
England & Wales, 51I
Pennsylvania,
975
France,
464
Ohio,.
193
66
Ireland,
427
Indiana,
70
British America,_
184
66
Swed'n & Norway, 130
66
Other States, I333
Switzerland,
II8
Scotland,
67
Denmark,
20
66 Other Countries, - 49
Kentucky,
I9
II472
5213
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
H. W. KNICKERBACKER,
of Lisle, was born in the year 1813, in the town of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, New York, and is a scion of the old stock of Knickerbackers immortalized by Washington Irving. Mr. Knickerbacker is one of the oldest settlers of DuPage County. He came to Chicago in the fall of 1833, and not liking the low, swampy ground which then surrounded that city, he came to Naperville, which at that time was the only town between Chicago and Galena or Dixon. In May, 1834, he selected his present homestead and built a frame house, which was then considered the best building in Northern Illinois, and in which Hon. Lewis Ellsworth and many other of our prominent settlers passed their first night in DuPage County. The building is about sixteen by twenty-four, story and one-half high, and is at present used as a tool-house, Mr. Knickerbacker having since built one of the largest and most commodious farm- houses in the county. As soon as he had secured his claim, he went to New York and married, bringing his wife with him to assist in building up the Northwest, and especially in improving the home of their youth.
In 1843 he buried his wife, who left him two sons and one daughter. He then went back to New York and
190
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
engaged in the mercantile business and farming. He still retained his homestead here and visited our county quite frequently, until about 1863, when he returned to DuPage County.
His son, Abraham V., now lives on the old homestead, with his estimable wife and two children, while his father makes his home with him, but spends a large portion of his time in the east.
H.W. Knickerbacker is one of our most energetic citi- zens ; always ready to give substantial aid to any worthy enterprise. His son is one of our most energetic farmers ; a man of large views, and one wholly worthy to represent his sire.
Mr. Knickerbacker, with his son and family are active members of the Congregational church, and have always acted upon the injunction, "let your light so shine that others seeing your good works, shall glorify your Father which is in heaven."
WILLIAM PRATT,
son of Daniel Pratt and Lucretia Pratt, who moved to this county from Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1846. His mother died on the homestead, May 8th, 1854, and his father died Dec. 4, 1875, aged seventy-six years. Wil- liam now lives on the homestead, in Wayne, and is a highly respected citizen.
THOMAS MUIR,
born in Scotland, emigrated to Illinois in 1835, and settled on his present homestead in Wayne Township in 1838. Oct. 7, 1857, he married Esther Owen, of Syr- acuse, N. Y. ; has three sons and one daughter. By
191
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
enterprise and good management Mr. Muir has become one of our sterling farmers.
PETER PRATT,
born in Erie county, N. Y., removed to Wayne Town- ship in 1842 ; is a solid farmer, and one of the founders of the Congregational Church of Wayne.
ALEXANDER E. CARPENTER
was born in Savoy, Mass., in 1813, and moved to this county in 1833. Married Sarah L. Warren, of Warren- ville, this county, in 1836. For several years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Warrenville. He has had four children, one of whom, Ashley, died in the army in 1862.
ELON E. DOWNER,
son of Pierce and Lucy Downer, the first settlers of Downer's Grove Township. He was born March 17th, 1827, in Jefferson county, N. Y., and followed his father to this county in 1836, and now resides on the old home- stead originally settled by his father. His mother died on the 25th and his father on the 26th of March, 1863, and were both buried on the old homestead on the 27th.
ISAAC B. CHURCHILL,
of Milton, was born April 22, 1818, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. ; he was a son of Deacon Winslow Churchill, whose ancestors came over in the Mayflower. The Dea- con moved to DuPage county in 1834; he and his two grown sons taking claims adjoining each other ; he died Sept. 18, 1847, and his wife on the 21st of February, 1863, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Both lived many years active and zealous Christians. Isaac
192
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
B. remained with his father until 1841, when he married and settled on his present homestead.
FREDERICK E. LESTER,
farmer, born in Clinton County, New York, July 3d, 1828. Came to Addison township, this county, in 1835, with his parents. When but ten years old, he got his right foot crushed in a thrashing machine and suffered ampu- tation of the leg. After recovery, he engaged in driv- ing cattle. May 31, 1854, he married the first white child born in DuPage County, Julia A., daughter of Ebenezer Duncklee. In 1873, in connection with Fred- erick Heuer, he built and furnished with all modern improvements, one of the largest cheese factories in the Northwest.
PHILANDO TORODE,
of York, was born on the 4th day of November, 1824, in Monroe county, Ohio; son of Nicholas Torode, who was born on the Isle of Guernsey, and emigrated to the United States in 1819, settling in Ohio. In 1835 he visited this county, and bought a tract of land, upon which he settled in 1837, being one of the first settlers of York Township. He donated the ground for the cemetery in School District No. 10 of that town, which was the first public cemetery in the township. He died in 1846, and was the first one buried in the cemetery. March 15, 1854, Philando married Miss Affa, eldest daughter of David Thurston, of the town of York, and one son, John A., has blessed the union ; he resides on the old homestead first settled by his father, Nicholas, and has built a large and commodious house from stone taken out of a quarry on the farm.
193
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
FREDERICK STOLP,
born Nov. 11th, 1781, Columbia County, N. Y. His father located in the Mohawk Valley, New York, long before the Revolution. On the 30th of August, 1813, Frederick married Janett W. Pepper, of Wayne County, N. Y. They have had seven sons and two daughters; Henry P., the youngest of whom, is now living on the old homestead.
In 1834 Frederick Stolp walked from Wayne County, N. Y., to Chicago; thence by Indian trail to Ottawa, and returned by way of Joliet and Michigan, arriving home about Christmas. In the following spring he started west with his family and arrived in this county in September of 1835. From the first, he took an active and leading part in the Big Woods Mutual Protection Society, as the records fully show. Many of the meet- ings of this society were held at his house.
Mrs. Stolp died Nov. 10th, 1837. Frederick Stolp died Jan. 18th, 1873, at the ripe age of ninety-one years. His children hold annual re-unions, usually on the 11th of November-Frederick's birthday.
T. S. ROGERS,
born August 30th, 1831, in St. Lawrence county, N. Y .; came to this county with his father in May, 1844. At eighteen he commenced teaching school in winter and worked on his father's farm in summer. Dec. 13, 1855, he married Helen M., daughter of Dexter Stanley, of Downer's Grove, this county. In 1860 he was elected Sheriff of the county; in fall of 1862 he enlisted in Co. B, 105th Illinois Volunteers, and was elected captain ;
194
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
since the war he has been doing business in Chicago, and residing in Downer's Grove.
HENRY CARPENTER,
born in Washington Co., N. Y. At the age of fourteen, in the year 1824, he commenced to learn the harness trade. In 1840 he came to this county and tried farming, with but poor success. In 1841 he returned east; in 1845 he again removed to Downer's Grove, and entered the mercantile business ; in 1857 he retired from all active business. He has had two sons; W. H. died in 1848, and Walter was killed by an explosion on the C., B. & Q. R. R., Feb. 9th, 1866 ; and one daughter, Martha Jane, now Mrs. E. W. Farrar, of Downer's Grove.
WARREN LYON WHEATON,
born in Windom county, Conn., March 6th, 1812. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812; his grand- father a Revolutionary veteran. On January 1st, 1837, he arrived in this county, but before locating perman- ently, visited most of the prominent places in the west and north-west ; among which were Chicago, Milwaukee, Galena, Quincy and St. Louis, often traveling thirty miles without seeing a sign of habitation. Upon his return in 1838, he finally settled on his present homestead ; ten years after he married Miss Harriet E. Ricard.
He, and his brother Jesse C., one year younger, who fol- lowed him to DuPage county in 1838, shortly after his marriage, and first located on the grounds now used as a fair ground, are both active, intelligent and enterprising citizens. They first platted the Village of Wheaton, and gave away lots to those who would build
195
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
on them. They gave the right of way over their lands, a distance of over two miles, to the Chicago & Galena Railroad Company, and donated grounds to the DuPage County Agricultural and Mechanical Society, for the purpose of holding fairs, and were foremost in subscrib- ing funds and donating lands to Wheaton College. Warren L. served one term in the State Legislature, being elected by the Democrats in 1848. Jesse C. was one of four in this county who in 1840 voted for J. C. Birney, the Abolition candidate for President of the Uni- ted States.
Both have large families of sons and daughters, worthy representatives of DuPage county's most enter- prising and generous pioneers.
JAMES G. WRIGHT,
born in Liverpool, England. In 1823, removed to New York for the purpose of locating in America. Having spent three years here in acquiring an education, came in Sept., 1842, to Naperville, Ill. ; settled, and has lived on his farm to this time. Married in Chicago in 1845; opened the first lumber yard in Aurora in 1849; visited Europe in 1857. From 1858 to 1862 engaged in banking in Naperville ; was appointed post-master of Naperville by President Lincoln, and held that position eight years ; was one of the founders of the DuPage County Agricultural and Mechanical Society. In 1876, he was elected to the Legislature by this District ; receiving a larger majority than any other candidate. Originally a whig; subsequently a thorough republican, and fore- most in every enterprise.
196
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
WILLIAM K. PATRICK,
farmer and stock-raiser, and dealer and proprietor of cheese and butter factory ; born in Cortland County, N. Y., Feb. 16th, 1824. Married in 1847 to Mary L., daughter of Daniel Knowles; removed to this county in 1850, and settled on his present homestead in Bloom- ingdale Township. The different branches of business in which he is engaged, speak better for his industry and enterprise than any words we might say. He has been supervisor of the township since 1864.
CAPT. J. J. COLE,
born April 16th, 1833, in Putnam County N. Y .; the youngest of fourteen children. His father died when he was but two years old. In 1854, in company with his mother, a brother and sister, he came to this county and settled on a farm near Big Woods. In 1855, Capt. Cole moved to Downer's Grove and commenced the mercan- tile business, at which he remained till 1861, when he enlisted in Co. K, 13th Ill. Vol., and on its organization was elected 2d Lieutenant and afterward promoted Cap- tain. He was taken prisoner Dec. 1862, near Vicks- burg, and held four months, but was able to join his company in time to stand within a few feet of where he was taken prisoner and see the rebels raise the white flag, as a token of unconditional surrender of that strong- hold, Vicksburg. In 1865 he resumed the mercantile business; in 1866 he was elected Supervisor of his town. In 1873, having been elected County Clerk, he retired from the mercantile line and still holds the office to which he was elected, having been re-elected in 1875.
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