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 102
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No store, smithy or mill was ever established in Stockland town- ship. Milford village was always "headquarters " in this region, and the population was of too sparse a character to admit of any exclu- sive privileges in the way of hotels, doctors or newspapers.
The settlers at an early period availed themselves of such religious advantages as they could command. The first class organ- ized was by the United Brethren, in 1853. The first church build- ing erected was in 1859, and called Sugar Creek Chapel. The only graveyard in the township is near this chapel. The first burial in it was James Richardson's, January 14, 1853.
The first Sabbath school was organized under a couple of hickory trees near Asa Williamson's house, on land now owned by Mr. S. A. Jones. A Mr. Doolittle was the first superintendent. The school was continued during pleasant weather at this place, and numbered about a dozen pupils.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION
Was effected April 1, 1856. Previous to. this time what is now known as Stockland formed a part of Milford precinct, with the voting place at Milford. But when township organization was ac- complished, this township was named Crab Apple, and together with Prairie Green formed a political township. This relation existed for a short time, when they became separate townships. The first town- ship election in Crab Apple was held at the Gothic school-house on the date above mentioned, when the following were elected the first officers : for supervisor, Winslow Woods ; for town clerk, John H. Jones ; for assessor, Benjamin Burt ; for collector, Lewis Lord ; for overseer of the poor, Nathan Cleaver; for commissioners of high- ways, J. B. Herriman, R. P. Flagg and Zimri Hobson; for justices of the peace, Asa Williamson and J. H. Robbins; for constables, Jolın Garlan and William Pierce. The moderator and clerk of this meeting were both sworn in by Asa Williamson, justice of the peace.
We thus find the township fairly launched upon an independent political existence, marking another epoch in its progress. We also find that it was not behind its sister townships in patriotic impulses. From the record we ascertain that the quota of men required from Stockland, under the president's call of December, 1864, for 300,000
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
troops, to be thirteen. An amount of money ($800) was raised to pay bounties to volunteers, and the men were provided. This money had been obtained upon the joint note of J. H. Jones, A. J. Stevens, Thomas Wallace, Robert Miller, Philip White, James Williams and Milton De Armond, dated February 23, 1865. At the town meeting held April 4, 1865, an ordinance was passed voting the necessary amount to pay the principal and accrued interest of this note. A very large number had also enlisted at different times during the war; some of them fill soldiers' graves.
At a meeting held May 14, 1867, a vote was taken on the ques- tion of extending aid in the construction of the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes railway. The vote stood eighty-one in favor of, to three against. The amount of aid afforded was $6,750. To the honor of Stockland be it said that this amount was paid in full, and that, too, while it was understood or expected that this road would run through Stockland, it did not in its construction touch any part of it. Few towns can show so clear a record. The town is entirely free from debt.
The town meetings for several years were held at the Gothic school-house. Afterward they were changed to the Vienna school- house. This school-house has been nicknamed "Hard Scrabble," probably from the number of squabbles that have occurred within its classic precincts. The township is divided into nine road dis- tricts.
INCIDENTS.
Perhaps there is no place that is entirely free from incidents of a character tragic or otherwise ; yet the peaceful advancement of the people of this township has been seldom disturbed by terrors or mishaps. What few incidents have occurred are here given. The first fire that probably took place was the burning of Thomas Wallace's house with all its contents, already mentioned. Samuel Neiswonger's house, in the north part of the township, was burned in February, 1878, with a large portion of its contents ; also in this year, one or two tenement houses on Ed. Sumner's land. Samuel Nolin's house was entirely consumed, with its contents, on the morning of January 12, 1859.
In 1866 the northern part of Stockland was swept by a tornado, which came from the southwest and pursued a northeasterly course. Samuel Unger's house was the only one injured. It was carried 32 feet and left in a badly twisted condition ; everything in the house was broken. The family were carried with the house, but escaped serious injury. The stable was demolished and all the fences carried
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away. On learning of his misfortune the neighbors at once as- sembled, and their united efforts soon replaced the house on its original foundation. It was repaired and reoccupied.
In April, 1876, a young man in the employ of Mr. S. A. Jones took occasion to hang himself in an old barn. No cause was known for the commission of the rash act.
CHURCHES.
The first religious society organized was a class of United Breth- ren, in 1853. Previous to this time no regular religious services had been held in the township. Occasional preaching was had ; among others, Rev. D. Brown, of Warren county, Indiana, had sometimes visited the people. The first United Brethren preacher who offici- ated statedly was Rev. Mr. Kite. In 1859 this society succeeded in erecting a house for public worship, at an expense of about $1,000. This building has since been known as Sugar Creek Chapel. It is situated on the left bank of Sugar creek, near where it is crossed by the state road, in the south half of section 17. A Sabbath school is maintained in connection with this church.
The only other church edifice in Stockland is the Antioch Chris- tian Chapel, situated near the township line in the extreme north- west corner of section 31. This society was organized in March, 1861, just four weeks before the firing on Fort Sumter. The meetings were held in the Gothic school-house until the society were able to erect a house. This was done in the summer of 1867, at a cost of nearly $1,600. Rev. C. B. Austin was the first pastor.
Besides these two societies, there was a considerable number of people who were members of the M. E. church. Most of them were without special church privileges. Revs. Irwin and Ackerman, from the Onarga district, had hield occasional meetings, and at one time had organized a class. These preachers were, indeed, assigned to Ash Grove, but hearing that a number of Methodists were scattered about this and adjoining townships, had come hither and held meet- ings in a school-house in Prairie Green, near the town line, for nearly two years. After the Gothic school-house was built, these meetings were removed there, and the class formed at one time numbered about 60 members. Of this number, it is worthy of remark, five were afterward licensed as local preachers; four of them are still engaged as such : Joseph McLean, William Shawyer, David Prutz- man and Zimri Hobson. This society was afterward scattered, · through a combination of circumstances, and the class discontinued ; several of them are now connected with the class at Milford. At
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
present there is no organized body of Methodists within the limits of Stockland ; those now residing in the township are connected with and usually attend service at Round Top church in Prairie Green. A Sabbath school was organized twenty-five years ago at the house of Mr. Hobson,- Mr. Hobson being the superintendent. The Sabbath school was afterward merged into the Sugar Creek Sabbath school.
DESCRIPTION.
Stockland township is nearly seven and a half miles in length, north and south, and seven miles east and west. The political town- · ship is not identical with the congressional. It contains an area of about 33,914 acres. The only considerable stream is Sugar creek. It enters the township on the east side, in section 7 (T. 25, R. 10 W.), and at first flows west-by-north until it has passed Crab Apple Grove, when it bends more to the south and continues in a somewhat south- westerly course, until it leaves the township near the line between sections 18 and 19. The entire course of the creek is extremely irregular, flowing at times toward nearly every point of the compass. In consequence of these sinuosities, a large portion of the township is well supplied with water. Numerous springs are also found on either side of the creek. As a rule the banks of the creek are no- where abrupt or broken, but, on the contrary, are gently sloping and easily reached at almost every point in its course.
At the time of its first settlement Stockland was almost a prairie. But little timber was found, and that by no means of the dense char- acter of other portions in adjoining townships. This sparseness of timber was owing to the extensive fires that annually swept the country. Since these fires have ceased their ravages, in other words, as improvements have been extended, the timber sections have had opportunity to grow, until now dense groves are found where formerly an unobstructed view could be had in all directions. In addition to these natural groves, many of the land-owners have wisely planted artificial ones, until now the most pleasing variety of woodland and prairie is presented to the view in whatever direction the eye may turn. The soil is exceedingly fertile, and there is not an acre of land in the township that is not susceptible of the highest degree of cultivation. It consists generally of a black loam; in some portions sandy, and in others of a peaty nature, somewhat loose in texture, and underlaid with either a stiff clay or gravelly subsoil. Large beds of gravel, as well as of blue and yellow clay, are found. The township is exceedingly well watered. Nowhere is water difficult of access,-hence the facility with which the great
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numbers of cattle and hogs are maintained. Formerly the business of herding cattle was much more extensively carried on than at present. Still there are many who are able, in consequence of their extensive possessions, to conduct a large stock business. Among these we find : J. H. Jones, the Nolins, George Stichnorth, the Har- mon brothers and others.
The largest real-estate owner and cattle-dealer is Edward Sumner, who lives in Indiana. His land lies in the northern portion of the township, and covers about twelve sections. Most of this land is occupied by renters, who of course have no direct interest in the development of the country, hence the only improvements are ordi- nary fences and an inferior class of houses; we see none of that adornment and evident pride that seems to exist in other portions, where the occupants are themselves the owners.
Immense quantities of corn and other grain are raised on these fer- tile lands. It would be hardly possible to make even an approximate estimate of the amount of corn raised during the present season (1879). The number of neat cattle returned by the assessor is 2,467 ; of hogs, 2,840. The number of bushels of corn returned for 1878 is placed at 331,690, but it must be remembered that previous years form no criterion to judge of the present or future, and the product of grain for time to come will be largely in excess of the product of past years. The cholera has heretofore committed extensive ravages among the hogs in this section, some farmers losing their entire stock ; the number dying in 1878 being placed at 789. The number of fat hogs sold in 1878 is given at 2,758; of fat cattle at 1,277. No township in the county presents better facilities for carrying on all departments of agricultural labor than Stockland. Her farmers are wide-awake on all questions concerning improved methods of husbandry. Already considerable attention has been given to tile- draining, and inany miles of tile have been laid. That the land will well repay such an investment has become an established and generally accepted fact.
Most of the improvements in this township have been made within a few years. The passage of the stock law has had a great influence in promoting farming pursuits. No fences are required for the protection of crops, hence one great item of expense has been cut off.
A dry fork called Coon creek crosses the northern end of the township, running from the east side in a northwesterly direction. The bed of this creek is usually dry during the latter part of sum- mer and fall. A remarkable feature of the section north of this
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
creek is the "nigger heads" that lie scattered about; it is said that but few are found on the south side of the creek. Where these rocks came from, or why found where they are, are interesting ques- tions, but by no means easily answered ; the fact remains, however, that there they are; they are utilized as foundations for farm build- ings. They are found in great abundance in the north part of sec- tion 2.
Not a railroad crosses any portion of Stockland, yet roads are accessible on every side. Every facility for shipping stock and pro- duce is enjoyed by its people. Probably much the most of its pro- ductions are shipped from Milford, which constitutes the principal market in which to buy and sell.
SCHOOLS.
The township is divided into ten school districts, with a school- house in every one. The houses are of a superior class, neat and commodious. The amount of the school fund belonging to Stock- land is $5,300. The number of school children under twenty-one years of age is 450. The population of Stockland is estimated at 1,200.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
John H. Jones, farmer and stock-dealer, Milford, was born in Brown county, Olio, October 30, 1823. His parents were John and Mary Jones. His father served in the war of 1812, and was at Hull's surrender. In 1829 the family came to Warren county, Indiana, and engaged in farming. The father died September 19, 1871. The mother died in 1851. In August, 1841, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Nancy Hooker, who died in October, 1843. He afterward mar- ried Mrs. Hannah Mercer in November, 1844. Their children's names are : Stephen A., Charles, Lewis E., Lina, Alba M. and Edgar A. (who are twins), Priscilla and Luther. Several of these are married. In October, 1851, Mr. Jones removed to Stockland and entered the land where he now resides. From small beginnings Mr. Jones has steadily advanced, until now he is one of the largest land-owners and wealth- iest men in the township. Mr. Jones has often filled important public trusts, and has the unqualified respect of his fellow townsmen. A step-son, Wm. Mercer, enlisted in Co. E, 76th Ill. Vol., in 1862, and after serving until nearly the close of the war, died previous to his discharge. Mr. Jones is a stanch republican.
Mrs. Eliza E. Stokes, farmer, Milford, daughter of Job and Sarah Inskeep, was born in Logan county, Ohio, May 14, 1832. Her parents were from Culpepper county, Virginia, and came to Ohio at an early
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date and lived and died there. She was married, May 31, 1851, to Jonathan B. Stokes. In October they came to Stockland, where Mr. Stokes had previously entered 120 acres of land. In the fall of 1852 Mr. Stokes built a small house on his own land in section 9, and began operations on his own account. Here they continued to reside until Mr. Stokes' death, in April, 1867. The small house has been suc- ceeded by a large two-story frame, and here Mrs. Stokes resides. The farming operations are at present conducted by her son-in-law. Mrs. Stokes has had four children. The first, Sylvia C., was born April 21, 1852, and died February 14, 1870; Alice A., born April 25, 1854, and married, in March, 1871, to Willard Eltzroth ; Preston O., born April 24, 1861; and Zillah C., born January 27, 1867. The husband and wife were members of the M. E. church. Mrs. Stokes has a fine farm of 280 acres.
Stephen A. Jones, farmer, Milford, is the son of John H. Jones and Hannah Mercer (see biography of John H. Jones), and was born in Warren county, Indiana, August 26, 1846. He came to Stockland in 1851 with his father. He was married September 16, 1872, to Miss Martha Gray, who was born October 14, 1846. Mrs. Jones' parents were John and Rebecca Gray. They have three children : John, born September 2, 1873; Edgar, born April 4, 1879; and Guy, born April 4, 1879. Mr. Jones received his education in the school of his district and at Onarga Seminary. In politics Mr. Jones is a republican.
John B. Herriman, farmer, Milford, son of Stephen Herriman and Abigail Buckland, was born in Clark county, Ohio, January 7, 1818. His father was born in New Hampshire and his mother in Vermont. His parents moved immediately after their marriage, in 1808, to Cayuga county, Ohio, and their first child was the first white child born in that county. They then removed to Clark county, where the mother died. His father married again and moved to Indiana. He afterward died near Bunkum, Iroquois county. J. B. Herriman lived in Indiana from 1836 to 1852, when he removed to Illinois and entered land in Stockland, where he has since resided. He was married, September 25, 1839, to Miss Nancy A. Jones, who was born September 17, 1821. They have had twelve children, five of whom are now living : Mary A., John S., Salinda, Emma and Addie. John enlisted in 1863, and was disabled after six-months service. Another son, James, was drowned at the mouth of White river, April 3, 1865, while on his way to join his regiment. Mr. Herriman and wife are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Herriman is a republican. Two grandchildren, Willettie and Annie Statzell, children of a deceased daughter (Sarahı) are now
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
living with them. The older, born September 9, 1868 ; the younger, May 29, 1870.
James O. Freeman, farmer, Milford, was born in Warren county, Indiana, April 21, 1842. His parents were married in that county. His father was originally from Chatham county, North Carolina, his mother from Ross county, Ohio. In 1852 the family came to Stock- land township, and his father entered the land where he now resides. Mr. Freeman was married February 8, 1869, to Miss Clara Hunter, whose parents, Samuel and Mary Hunter, live in Prairie Green town- ship. Mr. Freeman enlisted, August 9, 1862, In Co. E, 76th Ill. Vol. and served three years. He was at Vicksburg, Jackson, New Orleans, Fort Blakeley, Mobile, Selma and Galveston, and served through these campaigns unhurt. He was discharged in August, 1865. His educa- tion was obtained at "Brush College," a log school-house described in the Stockland history. In politics Mr. Freeman is a republican. His grandfather served in the war of 1812. At the time Mr. Freeman came to this township its inhabitants could be counted on his fingers.
Lewis E. Jones, farmer, Milford, son of John H. and Hannah Jones, was born in Stockland township, May 5, 1854. Mr. Jones is still a young man, and is located on a portion of his father's land. He has received a good education, and has already secured a good start in life. He was married April 24, 1879, to Miss Susan Wise, daughter of Jacob J. and Elizabeth Wise. Mr. Wise resides in Fountain Creek township, Iroquois county. Mrs. Jones' mother is not living. Mrs. Jones was born December 10, 1859. In politics Mr. Jones is a repub- lican.
Thomas Jones, farmer and stock-grower, Milford, was born in Cheshire, England, November 25, 1818. In 1831 he with his parents embarked at Liverpool, and after a six-weeks voyage landed in New York. They thence proceeded by water to Ohio via New Orleans. Here Mr. Jones remained until 1854, when he came to Iroquois county. At that time the prairie was almost entirely unbroken. He purchased land of Amos White and commenced improvements. Upon this property he has continued to reside, and at the present time has a large farm entirely under cultivation. He was married April 17, 1859, to Mary, daughter of Elisha Dawson, one of the oldest settlers in this township. They have seven children-four boys and three girls. Mr. Jones is one of the respected and substantial men of this township.
William Y. Sense, farmer, Woodland, son of George and Catherine Sense, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, December 13, 1821. His father was in the war of 1812, and stationed at Norfolk, Virginia.
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STOCKLAND TOWNSHIP.
When William was ten years of age his parents removed to Preble county, Ohio, where they remained three years, and then came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where they died. Mr. Sense has been married three times. The first time, in 1844, to Sarah Masters. Then in 1855 to Lydia Davidson, and lastly in 1869 to Sarah J. Kelly. Mr. Sense removed to Stockland in 1856, but had previously entered the land he now owns. He lias in his time resided one year and a half in Hoopeston. He now resides in Woodland when not on his farm. Although exempt through age, Mr. Sense patriotically enlisted, August 9, 1862, in the 76th Ill. Vol., and participated in nearly all the battles that regiment engaged in. He was with the regiment constantly, ex- cept when in the hospital. In politics, he is a republican.
Robert Miller, farmer, Milford, son of William, and Rebecca Miller, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1824. His father was a farmer and served in the war of 1812. Early in 1834 the family emigrated to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and in the fall his father died, leaving a wife and six children in straightened circum- stances. Mrs. Miller, however, succeeded in her difficult task of caring for her children. Robert was the third child and lived with his mother until he was twenty-one years of age. After he came of age he worked for some time for $8 per month, when he went into the stock business with some partners. He was the principal manager of the business and made inoney. January 17, 1861, he was married to Harriet Stanley, who was born September 12, 1836, and died September 25, 1868. She left three children: Eva L., born December 16, 1861; Lizzie F., born August 26, 1865, and John S., born August 26, 1865. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Miller removed to Pontiac, where he remained two years and then came to Stockland, where he lias since resided. He married for his second wife Elizabetlı Paul, Febru- ary 15, 1870. She has one son living, William V., born March 26, 1873. Mr. Miller has had only the advantages of a common-school education. Still these were wisely improved. In politics Mr. Miller is a republican, and has always been actively identified with the local affairs of the township. He is also a Master Mason.
George Stichnoth, farmer and stock-dealer, Milford, is a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born April 22, 1835. He emigrated to the United States, June, 1853, and settled in Vermilion county, Illi- nois. December 9, 1858, he was married to Miss Mary J. Endsley, who was born December 30, 1835, in Indiana, where her parents then lived. They afterward removed to Vermilion county. In 1861 Mr. Stichnoth came with his family to Milford and remained three years, when he located in Stockland township, on the land where he now
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
lives. They have had nine children, six of whom are living : Henry C., born March 2, 1861; Abraham, February 6, 1863; George B., April 29, 1864; Charles R., September 7, 1865; Mary E., October 15, 1867; James B., May 2, 1869. Three of Mrs. Stichnoth's brothers served in the civil war. One of them (Hugh Endsley), was severely wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge. Mrs. Stichnoth is a member of Antioch Christian chapel. In politics Mr. Stichnoth is a democrat.
George Crooks, farmer, Milford, came to Stockland, with his wife, in February, 1866. At that time but few improvements could be seen in this township. Mr. Crooks was born in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, October 15, 1838. His father, James Crooks, is still living ; his mother died a few days after his birth. He was married, October 25, 1865, to Miss Hannah A. Glass, who also is a native of Pennsyl- vania, and was born February 22, 1840. They have three children : Mary B., born January 24, 1867; James H., born November 28, 1871, and Rachel I., born December 1, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Crooks are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Crooks enlisted in Co. G, Inde-
pendent Battery Penn. Art. Vol., August 12, 1862. He was dis- charged as corporal, June 15, 1865. During his enlistment he was on garrison duty at Fort Delaware. He had few educational advantages in early life, having lived away from home since early boyhood. Mr. Crooks has a beautiful location, and has been successful in his business pursuits.
Oscar P. Harman, farmer and stock-dealer, Milford, is the son of Anthony and Theodosia Harman. In 1864 he left Missouri and came to Indiana, where he lived with his uncle three years. He was born in Randolph county, Missouri, June 2, 1849. He is a half brother of J. M. Harman. October 29, 1872, he was married to Miss Lina M. Jones, a daughter of John H. Jones. They have one child, Leroy, born August 12, 1876. Until quite recently, J. M. and O. P. were in partnership in the cattle trade. They have been very successful in their business operations. Mr. Harman is a republican. He came to Stockland in 1867.
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