USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry county, Illinois : it's taxpayers and voters, 1877 > Part 15
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John F. Willard, as has been stated, erected the first cabin on the colony purchase. Sullivan Howard built a cottonwood board " shanty " in February, 1837. He wintered in French Grove, Peoria County, and hauled his lumber from Ellisville on Spoon river, seventy miles distant. Henry. G. Little, now living in Iowa, "raised " a cabin in March. Wil- liam T. Little built another soon after. This latter was just eighteen by
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twenty feet in dimensions, and, for some time, accommodated the family of his father, Abner B. Little, the two families comprising nine members. In June, the first birth in this colony occurred in this cabin, a daugh- ter being born to William T. She lived to maturity, married, and removed to Vermont.
Elisha R. Wolcott, and Caleb J. T. Little arrived in April, Evan Wheaton came in June, and C. B. Miner in July. In August, Colonel Sylvester Blish and his son William arrived with their families. They were better prepared than most settlers, and were the first to come through from Connecticut with teams. They stopped with H. G. Little on their arrival, and with his family rather filled his cabin. Shortly after this the first election was held in this precinct after its organization, the place of voting being Mr. Little's house. Selden Miner came in August. Luther C. Sleight some time that season. In the Summer of 1838 Francis Loomis came. John H. Wells and David Potter, whose family became somewhat prominent in the colony, came in October. This latter gentle- man planted the first orchard in the settlement, and raised the first fruit crop. Champlin Lester moved in the Spring of 1839, Deacon Zenas Hotchkiss in the Summer. William T. Little, before mentioned, turned the first furrow on these prairies where now C. C. Blish resides. He was soon followed by others, and that season-1837-quite a " sod crop" was raised,-and mostly eaten by cattle. The project of building a steam grist and saw mill was agitated the first year of the settlement, and in 1837 decisive steps were taken toward the accomplishment of this most necessary of conveniences.
Abner B. Little, father of H. G. and C. J. T., came to Wethersfield in April, 1837. He was born at New Salem, N. H., in 1774, and married Nancy Tenney, of Hollis, N. H., Jan. 20, 1802. Thirteen children were born to them, ten of whom came to this county, and whose names appear elsewhere. Mrs Little died July 7, 1847, aged 66 years. Mr. Little, Sept. 8, 1863, aged 89 years.
The food of the colonists was exceedingly coarse and rather scanty. Coffee, cornbread and pork-pork, cornbread and coffee, constituted the chief variety; but what was lacking in quality was made up most abundantly in the amount consumed. The appetite of the frontiersman is not generally so dainty as voracious." Excellent air and abundant exer- cise atoned for all tastes. The mill proved disastrous financially to the colony, involving it some $4,000 in debt, besides the amount paid on its completion. - 85,000. No one could be found to purchase such an incum- brance, and after various changes, it was sold to Jeduthan Hubbard for $2,000, thereby making a clear loss of $7,000. It had been most bene- ficial, however, in supplying a dire necessity to all this country. A most interesting incident occurred in its erection and continuance, which the reader will find recorded in these pages in the chapter headed " In- teresting Events."
As the indebtedness of the colony had to be met, but little more than eighty acres of prairie land was given to each stockholder in addition to the town lot and timber land.
Out of the nearly sixty members of the association only four came personally to aid in the organization. These were Col. Blish, Francis Loomis, Sullivan Howard, and Charles Richards. Selden Miner was
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represented by two sons, and Gardner Spring, D.D., by one son. Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury. was already at the head of the Andover colony, where for many years he was the most prominent man in it. He was married here, Dee. 18, 1837, to Miss Caroline Miller. On August 22 previous he per- formed the first marriage eeremony in the colony (also the first in the eounty), being the nuptials of Lewis Hurd and Caroline W. Little, a sister of Henry G. and W. T. Little. They are still residents of Weth- ersfield. James E. Carson opened a temporary store in the Winter of 1839-'40. but suspended operations in less than one year. In the Spring of 1845, Garey E. Smith opened the first store proper. He was followed by Daniel MeClure, who established his trade in 1849. The following year William Blish opened a stoek of goods, and was followed by others in quiek sneeession, when the advent of the railroad and the consequent opening of Kewanee, eaused a general removal of all such commodities to that loeality.
The earliest school was taught by Parmelia Stewart, daughter of R. R. Stewart, of Geneseo. She is now Mrs. Dr. Hume of that eity; She taught in what is properly known as the "Old Log Church." After- wards a school-house was built a little south of this latter building, and sehiool was held there for a few years. The next move in this direction was the purchase of the old Baptist Church, which is still used. About ten or twelve years ago, a new edifiee was constructed, and is now used in eonneetion with the former, for educational purposes.
THE CHURCHES.
The Congregational Church. Although a number of the colonists were members of this religious faith in their former homes, it was not till October, 19, 1839, that they organized the church here. Previous to this time, however, Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury, of Andover, was employed to preach to them one fourth of his time, through a part of 1837, and to about November, 1838. He often walked from one charge to the other, and when the reader will reeolleet the entire absence of bridges, eompel- ling him to wade or swim the streams, he will properly judge the labors of this man, and of his indefatigable industry. Rev. W. F. Vaill was sent here by the Connectieut Home Missionary Society, arriving at . Wethersfield November 21, 1838. The following year, at the date men- tioned, the church was organized at the house of Col. John H. Wells, with fifteen members. They were: Rev. Joseph and Mrs. Goodrich, Rev. William Vaill, Naney T. Little, Mrs. Rhoda Blish, John H. Wells, Mrs. Julia Wells, L. C. Sleight, Hosea and Mrs. Buekley, Deaeon Zenas Hotelkiss and wife, Norman Butler and wife, and Franeis Loomis. Rev. Vaill remained pastor some eight years. As has been stated, the meetings were held for some time in private residences; Col. Blish's being the largest, was often used for this purpose. Mrs. Blish is now the only one of the original fifteen who comprised the first members, now living in this vieinity. In the Summer of 1838, a log ehureh was ereeted, and used until the year 1849, when a frame structure was built, which is yet standing. In 1851, a good parsonage was ereeted. On the organization of the Congregational Church in Kewanee, many of the members from Wethersfield united there, it being a more convenient location. Gradu-
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ally almost all went there, until now but a small number remain, and no regular service is maintained. Following the Rev. Vaill was Rev. Samuel Ordway, who remained about three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Darius Gore, who was pastor about the same length of tiine, when R. S. Thrall came, who preached one and a half years. Rev. W. T. Bartle was the next pastor, and preached for two years. After him was Rev. Thomas Snell, who remained one and a half years, and was succeeded by Rev. Robert Rudd, who filled the pulpit one year. The next was Rev. B. B. Parsons, who was installed pastor August 17, 1859, and remained in charge some time. He was followed by Rev. L. D. Pomeroy, whose pastorate extended over four years, and was succeeded by Rev. Rider, who preached some two years. Rev. W. T. Bartle was again called, and preached for them one year. From that time the church began to decline, owing to the members uniting at Kewanee, and has sustained no regular ministry sinec.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1841. The nicetings were held for sonic time in residences, and at other times in the school-house, until the year 1853. In 1851, a commodious house of worship was commenced, but not completed and occupied until 1853. The formation of the society in Kewanee, with which many of this church united, caused a decline in the church here, and it was finally abandoncd.
The Baptist Church was organized at a council held September 23, 1843, by eight persons, viz : Elder Edward Otis, Charles B. Miner, Mary G. Miner, Edward Otis, Merrill Otis, Hileman Otis, and Hannah and Sarah Otis, united. The first three of these were from Connecticut, the remainder from Ohio. It was not until two years afterward that preach- ing was secured. During this time, Elders Otis, Jonathan Miner and others officiated. During the Summer of 1845, Elder Charles E. Tinker was secured to preach one Sunday in each month, and so continued for five years. The meetings were sometimes held on the north side of Barren Grove, and at other times at the west end, in school-houses, and often in the open air. For the last two years of this man's labors the meetings were not held at Wethersfield, and this church ultimately became the Baptist Church at Annawan. Another church was established at Wethersfield, May 17, 1851, with eleven members. They were: Ezekiel Cole, Mrs. Maria Cole, John Ewing, Mrs. Keziah Ewing, Mrs. Jane White, Mrs. Susan Ellenwood, Mrs. Caroline Purviance, Mrs. Maria F. Miner, Charles B. Miner, Mrs. Mary A. Miner, and Austin Sykes. Of thesc, the last three named are members.
In July, 1852, Elder J. M. Stickney commenced to preach for this charge, remaining but a short time. He was succeeded by J. S. Mahan, from Galesburg. They now numbered only nine members, but in 1854 were greatly increased, over fifty uniting. Elder Mahan resigned in 1855, and was followed by Dr. J. M. Winn, who was succeeded the same year by Elder S. P. Ives. The following Summer, the members, by a majority vote, decided to remove their place of worship to Kewanee, and sold their unfinished brick church to the School Trustees of Wethersfield. From that time the congregation assumed the name of the First Baptist Church of Kewanee. Other churches were established in this colony, but they are now extinct, or the members are so few that no regular
Y
JOHN BLACKBURN (deceased), Kewanee.
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organization is sustained. As the colony is the source from which all the affluence, position and wealth of Kewanee were obtained, this ex- tended sketch is given it. Many pages could be filled with incidents connected with the early life of these people, but space forbids their insertion, save a few, which the reader will find in a chapter already referred to.
BISHOP HILL COLONY.
The founder of the colony at Bishop Hill was Mr. Eric Jansen, a man about thirty-five or forty years of age, and a native of Sweden. He was possessed of strong religious convictions, large social affections, and an active vigorous mind. He abjured the Lutheran faith, the almost uni- versal religion of his native country, and one which bore much the same relation to Sweden that the Established Church of England does to that kingdom. By precept and preaching he gathered about him some eleven hundred adherents to his belief.
These met with great opposition from the Lutheran House of Bishops, and Mr. Jansen and some of his more prominent followers were at times imprisoncd. During one of his confinements in that place he was visited by two physicians, who would have adjudged him insane, had not an influential inerchant been present and threatened them with full process of the law for this most unjust act. This merchant was a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, but a man of large, liberal views, and pos- sessed with a strong love of liberty.
Mr. Jansen persisted in his work for some three years or longer, when, the opposition becoming too strong, it was decided to emigrate to that land of liberty, America ; there to establish a colony and worship their God in their own way, and in their own belief. One of the prin- cipal tenets of their religion was that all things should be in common, so that no poor would go unprovided, or none suffer for lack of means. Among the first converts to this belief were a Mr. Hedine and a Mr. Olson, men of property, who gave freely of their wealth to aid those who were needy.
A delegation of them visited King Oscar I, to obtain passports, hav- ing been refused these necessary papers by the proper authorities. The King told them he could not conflict with the authority of the House of Bishops, save to grant them the privilege of leaving the country should they desire. He gave the orders, and procuring the passports, the colony, numbering some eleven hundred persons, set sail in the Summer of 1846. They arrived in New York in October of that year, and the same montli about seven hundred of them reached Bishop Hill, Henry County, Illi- nois, the remaining four hundred having gone to other localities. Many of this latter number were deceivers and impostors, having joined the colony for no other purpose than to get their passage paid ; the fund for this object having been a common one, and some had had their debts paid before leaving Fatherland.
In order that Mr. Jansen could come to America (he had preceded the colonists), he was compelled to escape into Norway, where, obtain- ing a passport under an assumed name, he succeeded in embarking on a vessel whose destination was New York.
The year previous to the landing of the colony, a few persons had
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' been sent to America for the purpose of finding them a home. These had selected the present site of Bishop Hill, and when the emigrants arrived in New York they were met by Mr. Jansen. their acknowledged leader, and at once came to their new homc.
A brother of the Mr. Olson-Olef Olson-had been one of the party sent out the year previous, and had made a pretty thorough prospecting tour throughout the West, in the Spring of 1846, including the states of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. He had written to many of his friends in Sweden advising them of the feasibility of the coming of the colony, and of the ease with which a home could be secured in the then western wilds. He purchased of the elder Piatt a farm at the east end of Red Oak Grove ; this being the first of any connected with the colony.
After Mr. Jansen reached the United States, he sent word to the friends in Sweden to print, or get printed, some hymn books and other religious works for the use of the colony. This printing was very diffi- cult to obtain, as no printer would risk the fine attendant on such publi- cations. To obviate this difficulty a press was purchased, and with the aid of a practical printer, they did their own printing.
Of the eleven hundred colonists who came in 1846, many sold their estates at a sacrifice, and were compelled to send an agent in after years to collect even this.
The colonists settled at first along the south bank of the South Ed- ward Creek, a small, sluggish stream. The site was a most beautiful one, being sparsely covered with a small growth of oaks. Having neither material for building nor money with which to purchase it, they crected tents for their immediate protection. These proving inadequate, caves were excavated in the hillside, and in these rude habitations many of the colonists passed their first Winter in America. These were damp and unwholesome, and much of the mortality prevailing was due to them. While erecting tents for their own immediate accommodation, they were not forgetful of the worship of Almighty God, and erected a very large tent in which their meetings and Sabbath-schools were held. The hard- ships that followed the immediate settlement were more than many of the members had resolution to endure, and they left singly and in squads as their lack of faith and pressing wants seemed to require. On reaching their new home the funds of the society were nearly ex- hausted, and they had no credit. Notwithstanding this, provisions must be had for the year's consumption. Not a man, save a sailor, who had picked up a little English, could speak a word of that language. John Olson, who was gifted with the faculty of making intelligible signs, under- took to provide food, and succeeded tolerably well while the money lasted. They were expecting funds in the Spring in sufficient amounts to relieve all pressing and immediate wants. Mud eaves soon gave place to houses constructed of unbaked brick and an occasional frame, but these residences were very inferior till 1849, when a four-story brick was erected, about 100 feet in length and 45 in breadth. The basement was intended for a dining-room and the upper part divided into rooms for families: In 1851 the .building was extended 100 feet in length. It is still occupied by families of new comers, or by those unable to provide their own homes.
A large frame building, the upper part designed for a church and
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the basement for families, was erected as early as 1849, the religious zeal of the colonists causing them to look after a house of worship before securing their personal comfort. This edifice is still occupied for the purposes for which it was erected.
To the credit of the people it must be stated that they established an English school as early as January, 1847. A Presbyterian clergyman, Rev. Talbot, taught some thirty-five scholors in a mud cave, from Janu- ary to July. At times he was assisted by his daughter, Mrs. Pollock, afterwards the wife of Eric Jansen, and now his widow. Talbot taught the second school, and Nelson Simons, M. D., was employed about one year as their third schoolmaster.
While the improvements in general were going on the colonists were not neglectful of orchards and the planting of the smaller fruits ; but it cannot be said that the yield of fruits so far has equaled their expecta- tions. Among the earlier branches of industry a brewery, for the mani- facture of small beer, was erected. This beverage is a common drink among the Swedes, and the manufacture commenced at an early day. About the year 1851 they erected a commodious brick brewery from which they manufactured some ten barrels of beer a day while in opera- tion.
The progress of improvement was steady, and a grist-mill on a small scale was soon in operation on the Edwards Creek, at the Hill. Two saw-mills were also soon under way on the same stream. One of them they purchased. The construction of a steam grist-mill was commenced in 1849, under the direction of Eric Jansen, but not completed till after his death.
The correct conduct of these people soon convinced those living near- est them that nothing was to be apprehended from them, as their creed was essentially harmless to all outsiders. And in the hour of need, the colonists found fast friends in the majority of those near them. By the year 1851 they had grown and strengthened, and had built a first-class steam flouring-mill, which turned out a large surplus of flour beyond the wants of the colony.
They had opportunities of securing large quantities of wheat, receiv- ing sometimes one-third and at others one-half the crop for taking care of the balance. Flax was a staple with them for several years. From the crop of 1847 they manufactured 12,000 yards of linen or thereabouts, and sold the entire amount, as they had two or three years' supply of elothing on hand. In 1849 they sold 12,454 yards of linen and 4,129 yards of carpeting. In 1850 they sold the crop of 1849: linen, 9,323 yards ; carpeting, 3,618 yards. In 1851 crop of 1850 : linen. 28,322 , yards ; carpeting, 3,237 yards. This was the largest product in any one year, and the amount gradually grew less till the year 1857, when they manufactured but little for sale. The aggregate amount of linen sold to 1857 was 130,309 yards; of carpeting, 22,569 yards. The carpeting was all coarse, being known as "rag" carpeting. The linen was much of it quite fine ; but the coarser kinds were the most in demand, and after the first year or two but little fine linen, except in the shape of table- cloths, was manufactured. These goods were sold for cash, or traded for other goods in demand at the Hill, as opportunity offered ; large quantities being peddled out over the country.
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The spinning and weaving is done almost exclusively by the women, children of both sexes assisting at spooling, etc. In the early years, as looms and rooms in which to place them were scarce, the weavers were divided into squads or gangs, and the looms kept running night and day. Not a little of the prosperity of the colony is due to the bone and muscle of the women who labored through the summer in the fields as industri- ously as the men, and in the winter at the wheels-looms and other work carried on in doors.
From living in such poor habitations at first, and from being unac- customed to the climate, great numbers sickened and died. Especially among the children was the mortality fearful. During the great cholera scourge of the years 1849, '50, '51 and '52, men would go to their work in the morning in good health, and die before the going down of the sun.
From this cause, and the leaving of those in fear of the disease, the colony was at one time reduced to 414 souls. These survived the plague, and had the hardihood to remain. At the time Mr. Jansen was mur- dered, in May, 1850 (an account of which is given elsewhere), they were suffering from sickness, desertion, and death, and the fact that these had the fortitude to remain amid such a multplicity of discouragements, was proof conclusive of the earnestness of their conviction that they were called to suffer, and, if need be, to die in demonstrating the true method of Christian fellowship. In erecting the large buildings for dwellings ; in the manufacture of cloth ; in the erection of large mills ; in their fru- gal industry, and in their honest endeavors to promote their welfare spirit- ually and temporally, during all these trials of poverty, sickness, death, desertion, and strangers in a strange land, a lesson of commendable zeal may be learned, and an example of fortitude which has few equals in the history of Henry County.
By the year 1853 or '54 affairs were brightening, and prospects grew better. Other emigrants came, other buildings were erected, and the hopes of the early colonists began to be realized.
Brick buildings, capable of accommodating from eiglit to double that number of families, were at times erected. In these each family had one or more rooms. All worked together, and at meal time repaired to the large dining-rooins and partook of food provided for all. Each one was required to labor, and after receiving sufficient clothing and food from the products, the remainder were used to purchase more land or build additional buildings. Human nature is the same in all ages and among all people, and here, as well as elsewhere, were those who would not per- form their share of the labor, or provide for the common good. By the year 1860, it was found that the theories of Mr. Jansen would not prevail in practical life, and a division occurred.
By this year all the large brick buildings spoken of were erected. At this time they were divided into two parties, known as the Johnson (Jansen) and Olson parties. The former, being more numerous, obtained about two-thirds of the property ; the latter, the remainder. No serious difficulties arose from this division, and the individual affairs were con- ducted on the same plan heretofore pursued.
The following year, the Olson party were divided into three divi- sions or parts, and the Johnson party made an individual distribution of their lands and town property.
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By this time it had been clearly demonstrated that it was better by far for all to be thrown upon an individual responsibility, and a distribu- tion on the following plan was made of all property belonging to this party :
To every person, male or female, that had attained the age of 35 years a full share of all lands, timber and town lots, and personal property was given. A full share consisted of 22 acres of land, one timber lot- nearly two acres-one town lot, and an equal part in all barns, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep or other domestic animals, and all farming implements and household utensils. All under this age received a share correspond- ing in amount and value to the age of the individual, no discrimination being shown to either sex. The smallest share was about eight acres of land, a correspondingly small town and timber lot, and part of the per- sonal property. Thus a man over 35 years of age, having a wife that age or over, and several children, would receive many acres of land and con- siderable property to manage. He held that of the wife and children simply in trust, the deeds to all the property being made in the name of the head of the family.
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