USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 101
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Thomas A. Blake, farmer, East Lynn, was born in South Molton, Devonshire, England, Marclı 7, 1852. His parents were William and Fannie (Flexman) Blake. Up to the age of about fourteen he attended school, and then went to sea. He served five years as midshipman and two years as officer on a merchant vessel engaged in the East
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
India, China and Japan trade. He left his ship at New York in 1872, came to Springfield, Illinois, and shortly after returned to England, where he was married to Frances Maunder, a native of England, March 25, 1873. His bride's parents were Edwin and Rebecca (Flexman) Maunder. After marriage the young couple returned to America and settled in this township, where they now live and own a good farm well improved. They have two children : Florence, born April 2, 1874; and George Redwood, born March 29, 1877, while the parents were on a visit to their friends and relatives in England. Mr. Blake has not yet been naturalized, but expects to become a citizen at an early day.
H. G. Hanson, farmer and stock-raiser, East Lynn, was born in the northern part of Norway, June 22, 1844. He is the son of Christian and Kyerstern (Erickson) Hanson. His father was a hardy fisherman, born and brought up on an island near the famous whirlpool or Mael- strom, the dread of the ancient mariners. The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent on his father's farm, where the sun is not seen in midwinter for nearly three months, and where the summer sun does not set for the same length of time. He came to Chicago with his father's family in the year 1862, sailing from Bergen to Chicago in the same vessel. His father bought land in Kendall county, and still lives in Grundy county, in this state. The subject of this sketch camne to his present place in the spring of 1879, having bought his farm the fall previous. He was married to Lucretia Ward, October 2, 1873. Her parents are living in this township. By this marriage they have three children : Mary, born September 5, 1875; Caroline, born Sep- tember 10, 1877; and Leonard, born April 10, 1879. Mr. Hanson has educated himself in the knowledge of English, and has so thor- oughly posted himself in the history of this country that he is equalled by but few men of his age for general intelligence. The Chicago " Tribune " has been his teacher for the last eighteen years, so it is not necessary to speak of his political faith. He is the champion tile- drainer in the township, or perhaps in the county, having laid in his farm about five miles of tiling, and expects to put in more. He also has the finest young orchard in the township, thoroughly underdrained with tile, containing 500 trees, which are now coming into bearing. His residence, which is the best for miles around, stands on a com- manding site near the center of the township. His farm of 240 acres, which surrounds this beautiful home, he values at $12,000.
John N. Hoffman, farmer and stock-raiser, Rankin, owns 400 acres of land in sections 8 and 17. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 3, 1832. His father fought under Napoleon in his campaign
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FOUNTAIN CREEK TOWNSHIP.
against Russia. He learned the rope-maker's trade and worked at it until he was twenty-one. He had a common-school education. In 1853 he went to France, and in 1854 sailed for America. During the voyage they encountered a storm, and afterward the vessel caught fire. He landed safe in New York, April 2, 1854, and began work at his trade at Williamsburg, New York. He soon went to Chicago, and then to La Salle county ; from there to St. Louis, where he followed steam- boating for two years, between New Orleans and St. Paul. At the president's call for 75,000 troops he enlisted, but was not accepted. Liking a wife better than war, he married Otilda Gleim, of German descent, September 1, 1861, and began farming. They had five chil- dren : Anna, Katie and Jacob are living; George and Freddie are dead. He moved to this county in 1870. His wife died September 4. He married again and lias one child, Lizzie, by his second wife. He is a Catholic, and a greenbacker in politics.
James M. Geddes, farmer and stock-raiser, East Lynn, was born in · Ohio in 1837. His parents were Joseph and Catherine (Moore) Ged- des. His youth was spent in Ohio, where he received a common-school education. In 1854 he moved to Indiana; in 1856 to Illinois, and settled in this county in 1861. June 17, 1862, he married Zerrilda E. Young, of Indiana. They have had eleven children : Elmer L., born August 30, 1863 ; Joseph F., March 22, 1865; Manda J., September 22, 1873; Rubie B., August 24, 1875; Nellie M., March 31, 1878, and Gracie E., July, 1879. The remaining five are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Geddes are members of the Baptist church. He is a Good Tem- plar and a Granger. In politics he is a greenbacker. He began life a poor man ; but through industry and economy he has obtained a com- fortable home of 80 acres, in section 16, valued at $2,500. He has a large orchard of apples and cherries, and a fine grove.
James Jordan, Jr., farmer, Rankin, was born near Ballana, Mayo county, Ireland, May 15, 1846. His parents were James and Ann (Mullen) Jordan, whose ancestors were Irish. When he was about six years old he came with his parents from Ireland to Kendall county, Illinois, where they lived six or eight years, and then removed to DeKalb county, in this state. In August, 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the 105th Ill. Vols., under Col. Dustin. He took part in the battle of Franklin, Kentucky; was also at Resaca, Kene- saw Mountain, Pine Mountain, Peach Tree creek, Averysboro and Bentonville. He was in the grand review at Washington, and was soon after discharged at Chicago. He was seriously wounded in the head at Resaca, and lost a part of one finger at Pine Mountain, Georgia. After the war he took up farming in DeKalb county, and
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
came to this township in 1869, where he has since followed farming witli good success. His farm consists of 140 acres, in section 30, which he has improved with buildings, fences and trees. He has been quite successful as a teacher, having taught several terms in this county, mostly during the winter. The people of Fountain Creek have given him the office of commissioner of highways for six years; he has also served as collector for three years, and is now acting justice of the peace. His parents are yet living, and in this township. He is a Catholic, and is independent in politics. He is unmarried.
James Carey, farmer and stock-raiser, East Lynn, owns a fine farm of 200 acres in section 25, which he values at $35 per acre. He was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, November 5, 1838, and is the son of Robert . and Ellen (Gordon) Carey. His father was of English and Irish, and his mother of Scotch descent. His early life was spent mostly in Con- necticut and New York, his parents having moved to New York when he was fifteen years of age. From 1857 to the breaking out of the war he was employed as express messenger on the steamer Star of the . South, plying between New York city and Savannah, Georgia. His last trip was in the spring of 1861, when they were chased out, of Sa- vannah by the rebels. He clerked awhile in a New York hotel, and in 1862 followed farming near the city. In the fall of 1862 he was mar- ried to Adaline Van Wart, of New York city. She was born in Cayuga county, New York. They have but one child living, named Ella E .; one, named James, died when quite young. In 1863 Mr. Carey came with his parents and other members of the family to Fountain Creek township. His father owned a large tract of land here which now belongs to different members of the family. Mr. Carey lived on Dr. Ludden's farm for two years and then moved to his present home on section 25. At this time there was plenty of wild pasturage and for three years he herded cattle. He has followed farming and stock-raising generally since he came to this state. In December, 1877, he went to Hoopeston to keep hotel, and remained long enough to teach the Hoopeston people the fact that he could keep a first-class hotel. He built the Phoenix House there, but on account of Mrs. Carey's sickness he moved back to the farm in April, 1877. After the Phoenix House was completed he rented it for two years and then sold it. Mr. Carey and his wife are Methodists. He is a republican, frank and outspoken in expressing his statements. He denounces rings and party tricksters, and is strong and popular in his party throughout the county.
Robert Carey, the present supervisor of Fountain Creek township, is not only one of the best and most popular men in his own township, but is well and favorably known throughout the county. He is the
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FOUNTAIN CREEK TOWNSHIP.
son of Robert and Ellen (Gordon) Carey, who were natives of Ireland, of English and Scottish descent. He was born in Connecticut, Septem- ber 9, 1844, and removed with his parents to a farm in Orange county, New York, when about ten years of age. About the year 1863 his parents came with the most of their family to Iroquois county, settling on section. 26, in what is now Fountain Creek township. Their fine farm of 800 acres here now belongs to members of the family, the parents having died some years ago in this township. The subject of this sketch was married, December 9, 1869, to Miss Martha E. Wood, daughter of Ambrose Wood, Esq., of Fountain Creek township. Shortly after their marriage they settled down where they now live on a part of the old farm and have since remained here. Mr. Carey owns 120 acres which is well improved. He has an intelligent wife, and has three children living : Robert Ambrose, Sarah E. and Aaron Smith ; one, named John H., is dead. Mr. Carey is now serving his third term as supervisor of Fountain Creek; he has also served two years as town clerk, and two terms as collector. Mr. Carey is a repub- lican.
Ambrose Wood, farmer, East Lynn, came from an old Virginia family. He was born in Randolph county, now in West Virginia, December 24, 1823, and is the son of John and Mary. (Hornbeck) Wood. His father was captain of a company that served in quelling the " whisky insurrection." He had a farm in Randolph county, wliere the boy Ambrose reached his majority, and then turned his face to the west and started for Illinois. In the fall of 1843 he " footed " it to the Ohio river, and came on a steamboat to Cincinnati ; then walked to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he arrived in the spring, having staid during the winter with relatives and friends in Ohio and Indiana. He worked on a farm near Myersville, that summer, for $8 per month. In July, 1844, he returned to Virginia, and came back with his parents in the fall. They settled on the Truax farm, in Blount township, Vermilion county. The next fall he went back to Virginia to get " the girl he had left behind him," in the person of Miss Ellen M. Smith, daughter of Henry and Mary (Skidmore) Smith. Her father is still living in Virginia, hale and active, aged ninety-one. Mr. Wood and Miss Smith were married April 2, 1846, and came the greater part of the way to Illinois on horseback. Mr. Wood and his bride staid on his father's farm until October, and then they returned to Virginia, where they lived three years, returning to Illinois in the fall of 1849. Mr. Wood now entered land near Blue Grass Grove, in Vermilion county, and settled there, where he lived until the spring of 1854, when he removed to Fountain Creek township, where he had entered
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
section 27. He and his wife put up a shanty here on the bank of Fountain Creek, where John Leemon's house now stands. They, however, soon built a better house, and lived here until the spring of 1861. At the same time that he entered section 27 in this town- ship he also entered one-half of fractional section 7 in Lovejoy town- ship, which a year later he sold to J. B. Wilson for $1,000 in gold. He sold section 27 about the year 1861, and for several years leased or rented, coming to his present farm of one-half of section 22 in March, 1867. For thirteen years, from 1856, Mr. Wood herded cattle on the rich natural pastures of this township. He bored the first artesian well in the township, on section 22, out so far from timber that people said he would not find water. But he did find plenty of it, and now has flowing water wherever he needs it. He has planted considerable timber on his present farm, and has one of the finest artificial groves in the county, on the east bank of Fountain creek. It consists entirely of soft maple, covering about four acres. Although it has been planted only eleven years, it was the scene of a great Fourth of July celebra- tion and picnic in 1879. Mr. Wood was for many years a large dealer in real estate in this and Vermilion county. He " contested " one sec- tion of swamp land, obtained the right of entry, got a patent, and sold the section at a great advance. He then obtained the right from the secretary of the interior to contest about 7,000 acres, but before he could get it through the right of contesting was denied. Mr. Wood is the father of ten children, of whom seven are living, named as follows : Mary V., drowned in a well at two years of age; Martha E., wife of Robert Carey ; John H., living in California; Samuel and Florence E., both of whom died in infancy ; Horace S., Aaron W., Oscar, Alice and Orrie C. In 1876 Mr. Wood took a trip to southern California, where his son John lives, and in 1878 Mrs. Wood also visited her son in California. Mr. Wood and his wife are Methodists. He is a mem- ber of A.F. and A.M., Hoopeston Lodge, and in politics is an active republican. Mr. Wood is a notary public, and has served two terms as justice of the peace. His long and varied experience in selling real estate he now finds very useful in writing conveyances or clearing up titles for his neighbors.
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STOCKLAND TOWNSHIP.
STOCKLAND TOWNSHIP.
This township was formerly called Crab Apple, from a large grove of trees situated in the eastern part, and which at that time constituted the greatest continuous extent of timber in it, its estimated area being 70 acres. This grove was largely composed of crab-apple trees ; hence the name had attached to the locality long prior to any township organization. Just when the change of name was effected, or why it was done, does not clearly appear. The records of the township give no account of proceedings which led to the change. Suffice it to say, the first record in which the namne occurs is dated March 28, 1865, and as the previous entry is dated in the spring of 1864, and the name crab-apple is there used, it is presumed that the change was made at some time during the year 1864, or between the dates above mentioned. The reason for the change is quite as difficult to determine, owing perhaps to a disin- clination on the part of the originators of the movement to expose any of their own little weaknesses or foibles. However this may be, or whoever may have been instrumental in bringing about so desir- able a change, it seems that the name crab-apple was disliked, as conveying an erroneous idea of the character of the people; for whoever else may be crabbed or sour in disposition, most certainly the people of this township are not, as your historian can abundantly testify. Upon the question of a new name a great difference of opinion was manifested, until at length the name "Stockland " was suggested, and was at once adopted.
Stockland is situated in the southeastern part of Iroquois county, and is bounded on the north by Sheldon, on the east by the Indiana state line, on the south by Prairie Green, and on the west by Milford. The political township contains more than a congressional township, inasmuch as a narrow strip, extending along the east side, between the congressional township and state line, is attached for township purposes. Stockland may be further described as composed of township 25 north, range 11 west, and of fractional township 25 north, range 10 west of the second principal meridian. The same discrepancies in regard to irregular surveys exist in this as in other townships lying west of it, and as this matter has been fully ex- plained in the history of Milford, it is here omitted.
EARLY HISTORY.
The first settlement in what is now the township of Stockland was made by Samuel Williamson, who settled in Crab Apple Grove 30
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
in March, 1832. Mr. Williamson had previously removed from Ohio to Indiana, but not liking the country he sought a healthier climate, and finally located in this township. At that time there were no settlements on the west nearer than those on Sugar creek in Milford, and the nearest neighbors on the east were from six to ten miles distant. Soon after coming, Mr. Williamson entered a quarter-sec- tion of land, and commenced making improvements, partly upon his own and partly upon adjoining government land, which he intended to enter as soon as he could obtain the necessary means. His son, B. P. Williamson, also entered a quarter-section, partially adjoining his father's, and he too, in connection with his father, worked on the same government tract. It may be stated here, that this design was frustrated by another party afterward stepping in and entering the land, thus securing the benefit of their labors. A year or two after, another son, Philip, came with his family and joined his father. Mr. Williamson and his sons continued to reside on these lands until 1850, when the entire property was sold to Mr. Sumner. B. P. Williamson removed to and commenced operations on the farm he now occupies, while his father and brother located themselves some distance east of his place.
In the fall of 1835 Thomas Wallace moved into the country. He first settled in an adjoining township and raised one crop, when he entered and located upon the southwest quarter of section 17. Mr. Wallace was born in Virginia, February 20, 1800, and with his par- ents removed to Ohio, where he was married. He afterward came to this county with his family, as above stated. On this land he built a log house, in which he continued to reside until it was destroyed by fire. He then built a frame.house, which is still standing, although the property has passed into other hands. When Mr. Wallace first came to this county, he says that he went to Bunkum to vote, and that some ten or twelve votes were cast at that election. He also owned a surveyor's compass and chain, and was often employed by new settlers in running out the lines of their several tracts of land ; and is said to have surveyed in this way more than a township of land. He assisted William Pickerel in laying out the village of Mil- ford. He also frequently drove a team to Chicago and to LaFayette. The burning of Wallace's log house was probably the first fire that ever occurred in this region, if not in the county. Mr. Wallace had five children. It was in this house that his wife, Jemima, died. The loss of his wife seemed to prey upon his mind to such an extent as to impel him to be constantly roving, as he afterward spent much of his time in hunting, and manifested no disposition to attend to
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STOCKLAND TOWNSHIP.
any business. He sold out and moved west in 1874. He was held in great estimation by his neighbors, and was always ready to lend a helping hand. It was while returning from a "raising " that he met his children, who imparted to him the information that the house and entire contents were consumed. His daughter, Mary E., after- ward married Thomas W. Crawford.
In 1834 or 1835 James Cain moved into this township and built a "double log " house on land now owned by Benjamin Burt, an- other early settler who came in as early as 1838. Thus slowly the population increased, as one family after another moved in.
As late as 1850 not more than a dozen families had settled in Stockland. Besides those already mentioned were Samuel and John Nolin, Thomas W. Crawford, Natlian and David Cleaver, Asa Will- iamson, William Parker, and a family named Somes. The entire country, at this time, was what is called "raw prairie." What timber there was growing was known as " openings," and was prin- cipally along Sugar creek. Game of all kinds abounded, and could be readily seen and followed on horseback in any direction. The extensive annual fires effectually cleared up the underbrush, thus keeping a "clear field." These fires continued to sweep the face of the country as late as 1865, although each year witnessed a con- stantly decreasing area devoted to this destruction.
In 1851 valuable accessions to the population were made; among others, John H. Jones, Elisha Dawson and Jonathan B. Stokes, with their families. These were followed in 1852 by still larger accessions of enterprising settlers, of whom may be mentioned John B. Herri- man, George W. Freeman and Samuel Callahan. It must not be understood that others who may have come in during this time are · not equally deserving of mention, but it is impossible to enumerate all. Many of those who are now living in this township, both men and women, were at this time but children, and have since risen to take their places on the great field of active life. Nowhere can a more enterprising and industrious class of people be found, as is evidenced by the splendid results everywhere now presented to the view. But at the time we are now considering everything was new, all were struggling to get ahead ; and what one now beholds is but the glorious consummation of the well-directed and tireless efforts of an intelligent people. As the years have rolled on, others have come in, who, inspired by the same spirit of generous emulation, have but added their efforts to those who preceded them, until, indeed, "The desert has been made to bud and blossom as the rose "; the land bursts forth with fatness, and peace and plenty crown the whole.
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
Stockland is peopled with a class exclusively engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. Corn and farm-stock are the principal productions. There is not a village in the township; but from every elevated point may be seen, stretching out in all directions, beautiful farms, dotted with fine buildings, and covered with waving fields of corn and grass, and extensive pastures, in which are grazing herds of cattle ; while in the timbered tracts may be found droves of hogs feeding upon the plentiful mast, to be finally prepared for market through the consumption of the vast quantities of corn that are annually grown.
The Indians who were found in this township belonged to the tribe of Kickapoos, and lived principally at Crab Apple Grove. They claimed to be a religious tribe, and held regular camp-meetings yearly in the neighborhood of Attica, in Indiana. These Indians also maintained a regular weekly service, and claimed to abstain entirely from the use of alcoholic drinks. They were entirely peace- able and inoffensive in their intercourse with the whites. An account of some of their peculiar customs is given in the history of Milford.
Early attention had been given by the settlers to the interests of religion and education. Many who had removed hither were of those who had not enjoyed the advantages of a common-school edu- cation, but they were determined that their children should not experience the same neglect, and as the country improved school districts were multiplied and school-houses built.
The first school-house built in the town of Stockland was a log building, erected in 1850 on land belonging to Benjamin Burt, and situated on the south side of Sugar creek, in the edge of the timber, and from this circumstance was called "Brush College." Here some of the present inhabitants received their education. The first teacher who taught in this building was William Williamson.
The first and only post-office was named "Bellwood." It was established, in 1854, at J. H. Jones' house; Mr. Jones was post- master. It flourished for a year or two and then was discontinued. James Craig was mail-carrier between La Fayette and Middleport via Milford, and this route took in Bellwood post-office.
The first public road located in this township was the Ottawa and La Fayette state road. It runs east through the central portion of the town to the Indiana state line. The present location of this road is not identical with the first survey, in consequence of many changes that have since been made. Robert Nilson was the sur- veyor.
The first birth was that of a child of Philip Williamson's; the first
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STOCKLAND TOWNSHIP.
death, that of a child in the same family. The first death of an adult person was, so far as can be ascertained, Jemima, wife of Thomas Wallace, in 1850. The first marriage was that of Lemuel Johns and Catherine Williamson. Mr. Johns came to Milford in 1831. His sons now live in Belmont. Another early marriage was that of Mon- roe Hoskins and Amy Somes.
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