History of Henry county, Illinois : it's taxpayers and voters, 1877, Part 16

Author:
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Chicago : H. F. Kett
Number of Pages: 604

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This division is still maintained, and as a result of this, and thereby each being thrown upon his own resources, active industry at once pre- vailed, the result of which may now be seen in well-tilled farms and com- modious dwellings.

This same year, in April, the town was laid out by the trustees, Olef Johnson, Jonas Erickson, Swan Swanson, Jonas Olson, Jonas Kronberg, Olef Stenberg, and Jacob Jacobson. In 1861, the Olson party, being divided into three factions, continued to prosecute their labors under the colony system. One year's trial, however, convinced them of the results. These factions were known as Olson, Stonberg, and (Martin) Johnson divisions, whichi, at the close of the year 1861, 'divided their property to the individuals comprising each faction on the basis adopted by the John- son party in 1860. The shares were, however, not quite so large. The large brick buildings are now principally owned by the old settlers.

After the establishment of the colony the school-room was removed from the cave to any vacant room which could be utilized for that pur- pose. The school-room was therefore constantly changing until the erec- tion of the large frame building spoken of, when the upper room in it was occupied for a number of years. In the year 1858 or '59 the present school-house was erected. It contains four rooms for school purposes, and a library. Two teachers are now employed, who have been raised in the colony, and all exercises have always been conducted in the English language, showing the colony came to America to become her citizens.

In the Fall of 1848, an adventurer named Root, the son of a wealthy Swede, of Stockholm, made his appearance at Bishop Hill, having been, as he asserted, just discharged from the army that had been operating in Mexico. Subsequent developments however indicated his having been a fugitive from justice. Upon his arrival at Bishop Hill he expressed a · desire to become one of the fraternity, and as there seemed to be no reasonable objection, he was duly admitted.

Hc soon after made a marriage contract with a cousin of Eric Jansen. the consummation of which was under special contract, to wit: that if Root should afterwards decide to leave the colony, he should go alone,

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leaving the wife to enjoy in the colony all the rights and immunities of the establishment.

He soon earned the reputation of being constitutionally opposed to labor of any kind, spending most of his time with a gun on his shoulder in the woods, and even this soon getting tiresome, he shortly left for parts unknown. His tyrannical treatment of his wife had, however, pretty thoroughly destroyed her affection for him, and she bore the separation with feelings more of joy than sorrow.

After an absence of several months, during which time his wife gave birth to a son, he returned to the colony. It was some time before he called to see his wife, notwithstanding he was informed a son was waiting to greet him. Soon after taking up quarters with his wife, he proposed to have her leave the colony with him, to which she strongly objected, while he as persistently insisted upon her going. Jansen sustained the objeetions, which exasperated Root to such an extent he exhibited to his wife a revolver and bowie knife, swearing vengeance on Jansen, and at other times threatening to use them on her or the babe.

Matters proceeded in this manner some time. when, being unable to persuade her to accompany him peaceably, he determined on carrying off his wife by force, which he endeavored with the assistance of outside friends to accomplish in the following manner: Obtaining the services of a young man named Stanley, who belonged in Cambridge, he stationed him with a horse and buggy at a convenient distance from Mrs. Root's room, and while the community were at dinner. Root compelled her to enter the buggy, and the trio drove rapidly away from the Hill, Mrs. Root being seated in the bottom of the buggy and covered up. Their proceed- ings being observed, they were soon hotly pursued and overtaken within two miles of their starting point, by a dozen of the brethren, who ordered them to stop. They were told distinctly if the woman wanted to leave. she could do so unmolested ; but if she wished to stay, they proposed to take her back.

Root and Stanley, both being armed, kept their pursuers at bay, the woman meantime making manifest her desire to return by an effort to release herself from the coverings thrown over her. Root laid his pistol on the seat behind him, and endeavored to hold her down ; meanwhile one of the attacking party rushed up, and, seizing the weapon, carried it off. Stanley. seeing the six-shooter in the wrong hands, and his own being only a single-barrel, concluded it best to surrender, and the woman was allowed to leave the buggy and go with her friends. At this point Stanley disappears from public notice, except in a single instance some time after, when he distinguished himself by figuring as one of two parties (the other being the lady with whom he boarded) of whom a choiec bit of seandal arose, which was finally settled by the infuriated husband of the aforesaid lady. Thwarted in his purpose, Root had Jansen and oth- ers arrested for restraining the liberty of his wife. She was subpoenaed as a witness. and the officer insisting on her accompanying him at once, she assented with the belief she would soon have justice done her in the courts. The officer, however, had no legal authority to take this step ; but was carrying out a deeply-laid scheme of Root's to get possession of the woman, and succeeded in taking her to Cambridge, where she was confined in a room and denied all communication with her friends. Mr.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

S. P. Brainard, the Clerk of the Cireuit and County Courts, took a most aetive part in excluding the friends, and much to their disgust, as to them was he indebted for his election to offiee.

A day later Root succeeded in abducting his wife the second time, and, taking her in a buggy, despite her sereams, drove to the Roek River settlement. and put up at the house of P. K. Hanna.

From here Root took her to Davenport, thence to Chicago, where she had a sister living, who, knowing of Root's brutal treatment of his wife, soon communicated with the colonists, and they, in turn, offered the woman safe transit to her home in the colony if she desired it. Mrs. Root signifying her wish to return, was sent for by a party, who. with a team, took her back to Bishop Hill, which place she reached in safety; thence she went to St. Louis, where she remained until all danger was . past. when she returned to the colony, where she still lives.

At the May term of court in 1850, Root, being greatly exasperated at Jansen for his repeated efforts to induce his (Root's) wife to remain in the colony, shot Jansen in the court-house, just at the hour of adjourn- ment for dinner. Mr. Jansen expired in a few hours. Root was at onee taken into custody, tried for murder, receiving a sentence of two or three years in the State Prison. He died shortly after its expiration.

COUNTY COURTS.

The county seat was located at Richmond, Oct. 6, 1837. The first term of Circuit Court was held here by Hon. Thomas Ford, afterwards Governor of. the state, on April 2, 1839. In the month of June follow- ing the small frame court-house was burned, also a two-story house ereet- ed by - Harris. Steps were at once taken to remove the seat of justice to a more convenient locality, the citizens of Geneseo being most active in this move wishing to secure the prize for their own town. In this they were defeated, as the site selected was the Morristown Colony purehase. One term of court was, however, held at Geneseo on April 6, 1840, and two the following year. Court was removed to Morristown, and the first session held there on May 16, 1842; afterwards, on Sept. 26 ; on May 15, 1843 ; on Sept. 25; and lastly, on May 24, 1844.

The county seat was located at Cambridge in the early part of 1843 ; but no provision being made for holding eourts there, they continued to meet at Morristown, where the court-house, a small unfinished frame building, was located. The citizens of Cambridge, desiring to make eer- tain of the seat of justiec within their own limits, obtained permission from the county offieers to remove this building to their town. It was granted, and the building removed in the Summer or Fall of 1843. Yet court did not come ; still continuing the county business at Morris- town two sessions in September and in May following. The court-house referred to was brought to Cambridge with ox teams, and placed on the southeast corner of what is now the College Square. Here courts were held until the ereetion of the present structure, which was completed and accepted July 8, 1845. It was erected by Sullivan Howard, one of the early settlers of Wethersfield, and cost about $3,000. The old wooden jail was begun in 1853, and completed the following year.

The present eourt-house, a very commodious and comfortable build- ing in all its parts, was finished in 1866. In 1858 a small fire-proof

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

building was erected immediately west of the court-house, costing about $10,000. It is used as the receptacle for all the county records, and as the offices of the county and circuit clerks, and that of the county treas- urer. It is intended to erect, as soon as practicable, probably during the coming year, a court-house suitable to the needs of the county, and one which will be an ornament to the energy and taste of the citizens.

The first case tried in the Henry County Court before a jury, was an appeal case wherein Hiram Pearce was tried for "disturbing the peace and good order of a congregation assembled for divine worship, by pro- fane language and disorderly and immoral conduct." He was found guilty and fined twenty dollars.

In the old court-house, accommodation could hardly be had for the officers of the court, when they had to find room for the jury. This body often retired to the shadow of a ncar tree, or hay-stack, and carried on their deliberations in commodious but rather undesirable quarters.

To find lodging at first in Cambridge was almost an impossibility, and tended greatly to lessen the growth of that place. The members of the bar would have to go to Andover, and to neighboring cabins for shelter and food. Pages could be filled with incidents illustrating the mode of administering justice which, though generally unhindered by legal forms, was sure. The first case in the present court-house was conducted by Judge Jos. Tillson, now a resident of Cambridge, and who has been closely identified with all her interests.

November, 1849, under the new constitution, a county judge (who was also probate) and two associates, styled county justices, were elected, to-wit : J. M. Allan, judge ; Wm. Miller and John Piatt, associates. In 1850, Allan was elected Representative to the General Assembly, and a special election for judge to fill the vacancy occasioned by his resigna- tion, resulted in the election of Joseph Tillson. In 1853, Stephen Palmer was elected judge, and Robert Getty and John Piatt, associates. In 1857, the township organization was effected, and the board of super- visors discharged the duties of the former court.

SHABBONA.

This celebrated Indian chief lived two years at Shabbona Grove, in this county. He was born at an Indian village on Kankakee River, about 1775. While young, he was made chief of the band and went to Shab- bona Grove, now DeKalb Co., where they were found in the early settle- ment of this part of the state. During the War of 1812, Shabbona, with his warriors, joined Tecumseh; was by his side when he fell, at the battle of the Thames. Shabbona, in 1827, by visiting every lodge of the Potta- wattamies, prevented them from participating in the Winnebago War. Shabbona was styled "the white man's friend" (through reproach) on account of his always being so friendly to the whites. In all the Indian wars of his day Shabbona exerted such influence that he prevented his own tribe and many other tribes from making or participating in wars against the whites, and often in times of war notified the settlers, and thereby saved their lives. The citizens of Ottawa bought him a tract of land above Sencca, Grundy Co., on Illinois River, on which they built a house and supplied him with means on which to live. He died July 17, 1859, in his 84th year, and was buried at Morris. His squaw, Pokanoka, was drowned Nov. 30, 1864, and was buried by his side.

ar.

C.C. Blish

PRES. 1º! NATL. BANK KEWANEE

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

KEWANEE.

The traveler in 1853, had he passed from Dixon to Wethersfield, would have found where now stands Kewanee, a modest and well-tilled farm, the property of M. B. and J. P. Potter, on the west, and a broad, undulating prairie on the cast, the division line being then a township road, and now known as Main Street. The unpretentious farm-house, now the residence of Harry Thompson, may still be seen by the curious, standing directly north of the building known as " Phillips Block." The first settlers of the land comprised in the township were John Kilvington, Robert Coultis and Cornelius Bryan, who came in the Fall of 1836. In the month of February, previous, John King and - Pierce made the first entries. They were followed by Goodrich and Blish, whose entries bear date May 7, 1836, and in July by Henry Kemerling. This same year twenty-one sections-13,440 acres-were taken up by the Connecti- cut Association, and before 1850 almost every acre was entered.

The advent of the C. B. & Q. R. R. in 1853 (then called the Military Tract R. R.) decided the location of the village. Strenuous efforts were made by the citizens of Wethersfield, one mile south, to secure the pas- sage of the railroad through their town. Owing to heavy grades and the crossing of a stream, involving a large extra expense, this was not acceded to by the company, and grading was commenced on the proposed route. Enterprising citizens of that day saw the result, and quickly took advan- tage of the location to secure a town on the railroad.

Nothing particularly noteworthy took place until the railroad depot was fixed on the northwest quarter of section 33. The company had at first decided to place it on the northeast quarter of section 32, but a de- fective title compelled a re - location. Matthew B. and J. P. Potter and Col. Blish owned the site. The former, after selling five acres of their quarter section to Geo. A. Morse and Silas Willard, traded the bal- ance to Dwight Needham for his beautiful farm a little farther south. Mr. Needham at once sold to Capt. Sullivan Howard, Ralph A. Tenney- better known as " Ralph "- and Henry G. Little ; and these gentlemen sold a quarter interest to Nelson Lay. Willard and Morse's tract lay on either side of the railroad, ou Main street, and here they built a store and. warehouse in 1853. This was known as the " Pioneer " store, and did a lucrative business for nearly twelve months without opposition. The building stood on the lot now occupied by the residence of Mr. Joseph O'Brien, and was, in 1863, destroyed by fire.

On May 1, 1854, the town was laid out by the following named gen- tlemen : Sullivan Howard, Nelson Lay, H. G. Little, R. A. Tenney, Geo. A. Morse, and Sylvester Blish, all of whom, excepting Col. Blish, are still living. At that time all was life and activity. Wethersfield, which was then quite a thriving village, suffered in a very short time a loss of nearly all of her business houses, which were one by one put on wheels and moved to Kewanee.

The survey was made by C. C. Blish, now President of the First National Bank. The streets were at right angles. The lots contained from one-quarter of an acre to four acres of land, according as they

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

were more or less central. The streets were generally fonr rods wide, though Main street is one lindred feet in width. The first house ereeted on the town site was the Kewanee Hotel. It was kept for some time by Tenney & Hntehins. In February, 1856, the present proprietor, Mr. E. V. Bronson, whose portrait appears elsewhere, purchased the property of R. A. Tenney, and for twenty-two years has sueeessfully supplied the gastronomieal needs of the publie.

It was probably the intention of the founders of the town, that Main street should be the street, and in faet it was for some time. "Phillips Block," the first store in the town proper was built thereon by Nelson Lay ; J. D. Schriver ereeted the old " Philadelphia Store " there ; Daven- port & Robinson their grocery (now Miles & Minniek's); Dr. Pinney had his drug store where now stands the Freewill Baptist Church, and on the eorner next south was the dry-goods establishment of Aaron Cooper. A few buildings only were built on Tremont street, which was in wet weather very little short of a eanal as far as navigation was eoneerned. Yet the hotel and the depot slowly and surely drew the trade center westward. C. N. Cutter ereeted, very early, the building now oeeupied by Bennison Bros., and which for many years was known as " Cutter's Hall," and eon- sidered quite palatial in those days. Residences sprang up rapidly in all parts of the town, grain warehouses were built, and in eighteen months the town boasted of a population of 1,500, including Wethersfield.

Some of the early merchants were Fiteh & Skinner, whose drug store oeeupied the site of the present T. H. Phillips' brick block ; Joseph Montgomery, whose stoek consisted of boots, shoes and clothing, and whose store occupied the site of that now used by James Barker; Mr. James S. Howard who erected the house now known as the MeConnell House, and therein kept the first furniture store of Kewanee; and a hardware store whieli was built by Fred. Wild, the building now doing service as the shop of Mr. MeConnell. All these were crected during the Summer and Autumn of 1854, or scon after. Contemporary with them was the residenee of Mr. Dwight Needham, which is now the property of Mrs. Martha Pratt. It was the first building of that character erected on the town plat. This same Autumn a warehouse was eonstrneted by the Pratt Brothers. Two years after, in 1857, it was set on fire by one William Whiteford, and -totally destroyed. He received a term of nine years in the penitentiary for his nefariousness. An elevator was also built by the railroad eom- pany which is still used. When the town was laid out, the proprietors gave it the name of Berien, in compliment of Col. Berien, chief engineer of the railroad. He rather objected to this, however, and being asked to name the town, suggested " Kewanee," an Indian name, supposed to signify Prairie hen. This eognomen was readily accepted by the proprie- tors, and on Feb. 14, 1855, was legalized by a spceial aet of the Legisla- ture. The post-office was established in 1854, and given the name of Kewanee. Col. Blish was appointed as ineumbent of the office, who oeeu- pied a portion of the store of Otis & Pinney for the discharge of his duties. It will be remembered this building oeenpied the site of the Free- will Baptist Church. In the Fall of 1855, Col. Blish dicd, and Mr. R. A. Tenney, who, among other enterprising aets, ereeted the first briek resi- dence in town, now occupied by Dr. G. W. Fellows, succeeded him. Different administrations caused many changes to oceur in this offiee. It

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is now held by Capt. N. H. Pratt, one of Kewanee's most estimable eiti- zens, and the office ranks as third-class.

The business interests of town have grown remarkably well. It is almost twenty-three years since the Phillips Block was erected, and now there are a large number of stores of all kinds ; shops of every descrip- tion, and artisans of all trades, whose different articles of commerce find ready sale in the town and surrounding country, and in some cases to other localities.

The First National Bank was organized October 28, 1870, with a capital of $75,000. The surplus is now $18,000, and the average daily deposits are over $100,000. The officers are : Chas. C. Blish, President ; S. W. Warner, Vice-President ; and. C. S. Wentworth, Cashier. Messrs. D. L. and W. F. Wiley, President and Cashier of the First National Bank, at Galva, on January 1st, 1876, established the People's Bank. It is a private affair, well managed, and abundantly supplied with capital. Mr. H. L. Kellogg is Cashier.

The success of any town depends largely on the manufacturing inter- ests therein and the ability to keep employed its citizens, thereby eausing money to freely circulate within its own borders. Kewanee is very well supplied in this respect, having within her limits the O'Brien Manufac- tory, the Haxton Steam Heater Company, the Kewanee Manufacturing Establishment, and that of H. H. Perkins. The first mentioned of these was established in 1858, in Princeville, Peoria County, for the manufae- ture of carriages and wagons. They remained here until 1865, when they removed to Kewanee and continued their manufacturing. January 1, 1874, a stock company, with a capital of $75,000, was formed, and the facilities greatly inereased. The O'Brien brothers are largely interested here, and hold the offices of president, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Jas. O'Brien is the first named officer, W. F. O'Brien the second, and Joseph T. the third. They employ about fifty men, and make, on an average, per day, two wagons, two carriages, and 100 harrows. These latter find ready sale throughout the entire Northwest.

The second manufactory mentioned was organized in April, 1875, with a capital stock of $50,000. They make steam heaters, castings, and all classes of steam material. Their sales will aggregate $60,000 annually. About forty men are employed. W. E. Haxton is President, E. R. Kerr Secretary, and J. H. Pierce Treasurer.

The Kewanee Manufacturing Company was organized January 12, 1876, with a capital of $50,000. They are in good condition, capable of doing excellent work, and at reasonable prices. They employ constantly twenty-five hands, with a probable increase. Their specialties are: " Ke- wanee " windmills, " Orr's " sulky plow, and the " Centennial " harrow. In addition to these they do a large amount of extra job work. The officers are : C. C. Wilson, President, and Josiah Keeler, Secretary. Their im- plements find large sales through the West, and through some portions of Pennsylvania.

Mr. H. H. Perkins is at present making a new-formed riding culti- vator. It has the quality of being capable of raising and lowering the shovels, of giving them a greater depth, and of a different slant, also of placing thein nearly to, or far from the row of eorn-all without stopping the team or leaving the seat.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Mr. H. H. Bryan, who opened the first wagon shop in Kewanee, is still in business. Hc commenced his trade in Wethersfield, in 1850, and when Kewanee was incorporated he removed his shop to its present loca- tion, where he has since carried on a successful business, employing now from ten to fifteen men, and enjoying a trade aggregating $15,000 an- nually.

Aside from these manufactories mentioned, the town supports a goodly number of shops of various kinds, whose products find a ready market in the immediate vicinity.

There are thirteen churches and five public school buildings, includ- ing the high school. In 1874 the citizens of the town erected the building known as Library Hall. The upper story is used for a public hall, in which concerts, readings and lectures are given. The lower story is occupied by the office of the Lathrop Coal and Mining Company (a notice of which is given in the geological description of the county), by the First National Bank, the office of the Express Company, and the office and rooms of the Library Association. This latter has a library of 1,300 vol- umes. It was opened to the public in the Spring of 1875. It is managed by a board of six directors, and is open to the public every evening, and on the afternoon of each Sunday.

THE COAL INTERESTS.

At Kewanee much capital is employed in the coal trade. The Lathrop Coal and Mining Company, whose principal banks are one and a half miles east of town, employ over 200 men, and ship annually large quantities of this mineral. The coal, which is of a superior quality, is reached at a deptli of some 100 feet, and, by an ingenious contrivance, is easily loaded on the cars when brought to the surface.

This company was organized in 1869, and they now represent a capi- tal of nearly $400,000. The president of the company is Hon. Sidney Bartlett, of Boston, Mass. In addition to the shafts operated by this company, there are many others owned by private parties.

Coal is found in paying quantities at almost any point between Galva and Kewanee, and is mined by many persons on their own property. The Geological Report of Henry County, made in 1873, by direction of the State Geologist, by Mr. James Shaw, contains many items of interest, and is well worth a careful perusal.

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History of Henry county, Illinois : it's taxpayers and voters, 1877, Part 16

Author: Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Chicago : H. F. Kett Number of Pages: 604

Author:
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Chicago : H. F. Kett
Number of Pages: 604