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 48
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
their dogs to kill a pig or a sheep, and if they did kill any, they would hunt the man up and pay him for it. That is not the habit of men to- day. I used to leave everything out where I worked, and never lost anything. I settled in Watseka in March, 1835, where my house is now, and I made a farm there. My friends came around me occasionally, and I used to spend from a day to a week showing men the county. They would come there and tell me they wanted to buy land to make a home, but not many of those men ever came back. Mr. Beckwith was our surveyor, and a very fine man. The land was surveyed, and we could find any of the corners we wanted, and locate a man any- where. That was the situation of our county up to 1835.
Micajah Stanley, Watseka, was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 2, 1810, and is the son of Anthony and Hannah (Hobbs) Stanley, his father, a native of North Carolina, having moved to High- land county in about 1805. About 1813 they moved to Clinton county. Mr. Stanley has held several offices of public trust : coroner, four years, one of the first of Iroquois county ; constable, two years, 1836 and 1837; justice of the peace, two years; sheriff of the county, about eight years; member of the legislature, 1846-7; mayor of Watseka, first mayor of the city ; 1879 he was reelected mayor, which office he now fills. These offices he has filled with honor and credit. He married, January, 1833, Rebecca Moore, of Ohio, by whom they have six chil- dren, living.
LARCH FARM.
This beautiful farm is located on the line of the Illinois Central railroad, about a mile north of Onarga, and is the property of Allan Pinkerton, the renowned detective.
Mr. Pinkerton is a native of Scotland. He was born in 1819, in Gorbaes, Glasgow, and in 1842, when twenty-three years of age, he came to the United States, locating in the state of Illinois. Of his detective experience it is not necessary to speak. His principal agen- cies, established in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, are conducted upon a strict system of discipline and honor, which invariably insure success in the numerous operations with which his name may be iden- tified. In the year 1864 Mr. Pinkerton purchased the tract of land in question, which then contained about 254-22 acres, but for many years thereafter it received no attention, and remained in its original condi- tion of a raw prairie. Subsequently Mr. Pinkerton disposed of several smaller pieces of his land, among which were about 25 acres to an asso- ciation of individuals, who selected this site on account of its adapta- bility for the purpose of holding thereon the Iroquois county fair.
In 1870 the remaining portion, which contains 210 acres, was rented
435
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
to a farmer in the vicinity, who cultivated the land to some extent, and he was in turn succeeded by others. But in 1873 Mr. Pinkerton deter- mined upon the carrying out of an idea which had long occupied his mind, and to cultivate a prairie farm which would be the acme of west- ern rural development. Accordingly, Mr. Pinkerton took the property into his own hands, at once began active operations, and after seven years of labor and a lavish expenditure of money, "Larch Farmn " has become the "model" farm of Iroquois county. The dwelling-house which has been erected is a large, commodious, one-story square structure, surmounted by a . cupola, with an addition attached to. the north side. In appearance the house resembles very much the residences which graced the plantations of the south before the rebellion spread its desolating effects over that region of our country. The interior is supplied with every modern improvement for comfort, while the furniture and adornments combine all the ideas which wealth, refinement and luxury can suggest.
The progress in the cultivation of the land is indeed a marvel of agricultural ability, and evinces in a marked degree the results which may be accomplished by good taste, untiring energy and a liberal, but wisely directed, expenditure of money. Through the operation of these influences the prairie desert has been made to blossom as the rose.
The entire farm, which is nearly rectangular in shape, is inclosed with a luxuriant close-trimmed hedge of osage orange trees, while in- side of this hedge there have been planted seven rows of larch trees (from which the farm takes its name), set at the distance of four feet apart. The railroad intersects the land from north to south, and on each side of this the same arrangement of osage orange and larch trees has been observed. Two broad driving avenues have been laid out across the farmn from north to south and from east to west, and along these drives are planted innumerable evergreen trees, set in a double row upon each side, while immediately behind these are ranged the seven rows of larch trees, set at the distance above mentioned. The edges of these avenues are ornamented with a bordering of bright blooming flowers from end to end, the effect of which is beautiful to behold.
Some idea of the magnitude of this labor, all of which has been done under Mr. Pinkerton's direction, may be obtained from the fact that over 1,000 evergreens and 85,000 larch trees have been planted by the energetic owner of "Larch Farm." Along the main roads and those leading to the house there have also been planted rows of maple trees, whose bright green foliage considerably enhances the beauty of the place. The lawn immediately surrounding the house, which contains more than four acres, has been most beautifully and tastefully arranged.
436
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
Serpentine walks of graceful curvings, with their firm beds of coal cin- ders, which have been brought from a great distance, and their brilliant borderings of blooming flowers, numerous flower-beds of most varied and beautiful shapes, and a liberal distribution of marble and terra-cotta vases of unique designs, filled with brilliant-hued flowers and rare plants, all contribute to the production of a scene of beauty which is the theme of universal admiration and a source of pleasure and delight to their liberal-minded owner. The beauty of the lawn is further en- hanced by an artificial lake, 100 feet long, immediately in rear of the house, which glistens in the morning sun, or in which, during the long evenings, the rays of the moon are brightly reflected. A dainty white boat which sails upon its surface affords amusement to the numberless visitors to the farm.
The outbuildings evince the same regard for beauty and durability. The greenhouse, which already contains over 2,000 plants of unlimited variety, and which is to be immediately supplemented by another of the same capacity, is a source of wonderment and pleasure to the visitors from the surrounding neighborhood, to whose inspection, as well as the entire grounds, they have been opened by the courtesy of Mr. Pinker- ton. The barns, stables, corn-crib (probably the largest in the county) and ice-house are in perfect accord with their surroundings, and are remarkable for their neatness, strength and durability. There is also to be erected a fruit-house of large dimensions during the summer.
An artesian well has been sunk upon the premises to the depth of one hundred and thirty feet, which is surmounted by a wind-mill thirty- seven feet high, of the most recent invention, and which furnishes the house with a supply of water amply sufficient for drinking, washing and culinary purposes, and for the bath-rooms contained within the dwelling. Mr. Pinkerton has also set out about 2,000 apple trees, all of which give evidence of thrift and of abundant yields in the very near future, and in addition to these orchards there are a great number of pear, quince and cherry trees, all giving sure indications of fruitfulness.
The fruit and vegetable gardens contain almost every known vari- ety, and receive the careful attention of an experienced gardener. The fields have been confined to the production of corn and oats, and have thus far yielded abundant harvests.
Disconnected front the farm proper, but in close proximity thereto, is another tract of land belonging to Mr. Pinkerton, which contains a strawberry bed of large dimensions, and fruit trees in great number and variety. In order to accomplish this gigantic labor Mr. Pinker- ton employs the services of ten men during the entire year, while during the spring this force is augmented to double that number, and
437
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
the result of this labor is manifest in the growing beauty of the place and the luxuriant harvests which are annually gathered.
Altogether, "Larch Farm" is one of the great features of Iroquois county, and its owner one of the most energetic, tasteful and liberal gentlemen of the community.
The subjoined list of officers of Iroquois county, though not quite complete, is given as furnished by the secretary of state, with such cor- rections as we have been able to make :
Name.
Date of Commission.
Office.
Samuel M. Dunn
March 25, 1834
Sheriff.
Micajah Stanley
March 25, 1834
Coroner.
William Cox ..
March 25, 1834
Commissioner.
Samuel McFall.
March 25, 1834
Commissioner.
John Hougland
March 25, 1834
Commissioner.
John G. McDonald *
June 2, 1834.
Surveyor.
P. P. Hunter
June 27, 1834.
Judge of Probate.
P. P. Hunter
June 29, 1834.
Recorder.
John Hougland
August 7, 1834.
Commissioner.
William Cox ..
August 7, 1834
Commissioner.
Samuel McFall.
August 7, 1834.
Commissioner.
Samuel M. Dunn
August 25, 1834.
Sheriff.
William Thomas
August 25, 1834.
Coroner.
Hugh Newell
December 13, 1834
Judge of Probate.
Hugh Newell
February 21, 1835
Recorder.
James Cain
April 1, 1835
Coroner.
Hugh Newell
August 20, 1835.
Recorder.
Benjamin Scott
August 29, 1836.
Sheriff.
Henry D. Strickler
August 29, 1836.
Coroner.
Benjamin Scott
September 5, 1838
Sheriff.
William Fowler.
August 23, 1838.
Coroner.
Alexander Willson
September 9, 1839.
Probate Justice.
Hugh Newell
August 19, 1839
Recorder.
John Wilson.
August 19, 1839
Surveyor.
Micajah Stanley.
August 22, 1840
Sheriff.
William Fowler
August 22, 1840.
Coroner.
John Harwood
August 21, 1841.
Recorder.
Adam Egbert
August 18, 1842. .
Coroner.
Micajah Stanley
November 24, 1842.
Sheriff.
John Harwood .
August 28, 1843
Recorder.
Anos O. Whiteman
August 28, 1843.
Surveyor.
Micajah Stanley
September 16, 1844.
Sheriff.
Henry Kellener
November 16, 1844.
Coroner.
Thomas Sammons.
August 27, 1846.
Sheriff.
Benjamin Brackney
August 27, 1846
Coroner.
Robert Nilson .
August 20, 1847
Surveyor.
John F. Wagner
August 20, 1847
Recorder.
Jonathan Griffin
August 23, 1848.
Coroner.
Jesse Bennett.
Elected September 4, 1848
Circuit Clerk.
Leander Hogle.
September 7, 1848.
Sheriff.
William Pierce.
October 23, 1848.
Public Administrator.
John Chamberlain
November 23, 1849
County Judge.
John F. Wagner
November 23, 1849.
County Clerk.
Robert Nilson.
November 23, 1849
Surveyor.
Michael Hogle
November 20, 1850.
Sheriff.
* Nominated to the Governorship by the county commissioners at their first term, but never qualified. Jonas Smith was the first county surveyor; date of election or appointment not known.
438
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
Name.
Date of Commission.
Office.
Samuel Boyd
November 20, 1850.
Coroner.
Robert Nilson .
November 18, 1851.
Surveyor.
John F. Wagner
November 17, 1852
Sheriff.
Adam Burr
November 17, 1852
Coroner.
Amos O. Whiteman
November 17, 1852
County Clerk.
Jesse Bennett
November 17, 1852.
Circuit Clerk.
G. F. M. Wilson
February 2, 1853.
Public Administrator.
Daniel Fry ..
November 22, 1853.
County Clerk.
John Chamberlain
November 22, 1853.
County Judge.
John Coogle
November 22, 1853.
School Commissioner.
R. Adson.
May 17, 1853
Surveyor.
Asa B. Roff.
November 21, 1854.
Sheriff.
John A. Strickler
November 21, 1854.
Coroner.
Robert Nilson
November 19, 1855.
Surveyor.
James H. Karr
November 13, 1856.
Sheriff.
John Strean
November 13, 1856.
Coroner.
Thomas Vennum
November 14, 1856.
Circuit Clerk.
James P. Martin
July 22, 1857
Public Administrator.
John Chamberlain
December 1, 1857
County Judge.
Daniel Fry
December 1, 1857
County Clerk.
George King
December 1, 1857
County Treasurer.
George King.
February 12. 1858
Surveyor.
Theodore Ayres
November 26, 1858.
Sheriff.
H. O. Henry
December 14, 1858
Coroner.
Moses H. Messer
November 16, 1859.
Surveyor.
John L. Donovan.
1859
Treasurer.
Nelson M. Bancroft
1859
School Commissioner.
Luther T. Clark
November 26, 1860
Sheriff.
Thomas Vennum
November 26, 1860
Circuit Clerk.
H. O. Henry
December 8, 1860
Coroner.
Samuel Williams ..
November 25, 1861.
County Judge.
George A. Woodford
November 25, 1861.
County Clerk.
George King ...
November 25, 1861
Treasurer.
Moses H. Messer .
November 25, 1861.
Surveyor.
Harrison O. Henry
November 14, 1862.
Sheriff.
Oliver L. Clark.
November 14, 1862
Coroner.
Moses H. Messer.
December 19, 1863
Surveyor.
George King.
Treasurer.
N. M. Bancroft.
School Commissioner.
Thomas Vennum.
November 23, 1864
Circuit Clerk.
James P. Martin
November 23, 1864
Sheriff.
Wm. F. Keady.
November 23, 1864.
Coroner.
C. F. McNeill
November 28, 1865. November 28, 1865.
County Clerk.
Pierce T. Rhodes.
November 28, 1865.
Treasurer.
E. W. Dodson
November 28, 1865.
Surveyor.
N. M. Bancroft
November 28, 1865.
Supt. of Schools.
Ezekiel B. Sleeth.
November 29, 1866
Sheriff.
Joseph W. Kay
November 29, 1866.
Coroner.
E. W. Dodson
December 16, 1867
Surveyor.
Iven L. Bailey
December 16, 1867
Treasurer.
Henry T. Skeels.
November 17, 1868.
Circuit Clerk.
Alexander H. South
November 25, 1868.
Sheriff.
John D. Leland
December 4, 1868
Coroner.
Samuel Williams. Cornelius F. McNeill Alba Honeywell
December 7, 1869
County Clerk.
Austin W. Hogle ..
December 7, 1869
Treasurer.
Benjamin F. Masters
December 7, 1869
Surveyor.
Levi T. Hewins
December 7, 1869
December 28, 1870
Supt. of Schools. Sheriff.
A. H. South
March 4, 1869
Public Administrator.
December 7, 1869
County Judge.
County Judge.
James W. Kay.
School Commissioner.
Elkanah Doolittle
439
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
.
Name.
Date of Commission.
Office.
I. L. Bailey
December 4, 1871
Treasurer.
John M. Burton
December 4, 1871
Surveyor.
John W. Riggs
November 29, 1872
Circuit Clerk.
A. H. South
November 29, 1872
Sheriff.
Daniel Parker
November 29, 1872
Coroner.
John A. Holmes
September 12, 1873
Supt. of Schools.
M. B. Wright.
November 17, 1873.
County Judge.
Henry A. Butzow
December 3, 1873
County Clerk.
George Metzger
December 3, 1873
County Treasurer.
David Kerr .
December 3, 1873
Supt. of Schools.
Thomas Pierson
November 25, 1874
Sheriff.
Andrew J. Harwood
November 25, 1874
Coroner .*
John L. Hamilton
November 26, 1875.
County Treasurer.
Fabien Langdoc.
November 26, 1875.
Coroner.
John M. Burton.
November 26, 1875
Surveyor.
Jacob C. Shear.
November 22, 1876.
Sheriff.
Fabien Langdoc.
November 22, 1876.
Coroner.
John L. Hamilton
December 1, 1877
Treasurer.
David Kerr
December 1, 1877
Supt. of Schools.
John T. Pierson .
December 2, 1878
Sheriff.
L. W. Critser
December 2, 1878
Coroner.
John L. Hamilton
December 1, 1879
Treasurer.
J. M. Burton.
December 1, 1879
Surveyor.
CIRCUIT JUDGES.
Name.
Date of Commission.
Name. Date of Commission.
Thomas Ford January 19, 1835.
Charles H. Wood. .... March 8, 1867.
John Pearson. . February 4, 1837.
Charles H. Wood ..... June 7, 1867.
H. F. Dickey . December 4, 1848.
Hugh Henderson April 4, 1849.
-
Franklin Blades August 20, 1877.
S. H. Randall June 25, 1855.
Franklin Blades June 16, 1879.
Charles R. Starr. March 19, 1857.
Nathaniel J. Pillsbury. June 16, 1879.
Charles R. Starr. July 1, 1861.
Owen T. Reeves .. . . June 16, 1879.
The following named persons were elected from Iroquois county, at the time specified, to represent in the lower house of the general assembly of Illinois the district to which it was attached :
Name.
Elected.
Isaac Courtright. August 1, 1836.
Lewis Roberts. . August 6, 1838.
Isaac Courtright. . August 1, 1842.
Jacob Wagner August 5, 1844.
Thomas Vennum November 8, 1870.
Micajah Stanley August 3, 1846.
Joseph Thomas . November 2, 1852.
Erastus Hillt. .November 7, 1854.
Franklin Blades November 4, 1856.
J. M. Hood . .November 2, 1858.
Franklin Blades November 6, 1860.
Addison Goodell. November 4, 1862.
Name. Elected.
Charles H. Wood. November 8, 1864.
George E. King November 6, 1866.
Addison Goodell. November 8, 1870.
E. B. Collins. November 5, 1872.
George W. Parker November 3, 1874.
Conrad Secrest November 7, 1876. Conrad Secrest. November 5, 1878.
M. H. Peters. . November 5, 1878. A. S. Palmer, senator, 1872.
Removed from office.
+ This has the appearance of an error. There were several in the list of represen- tatives, but it is believed that they have all been corrected, except, it may be, this one.
Nathaniel J. Pillsbury. June 16, 1873. Owen T. Reeves March 6, 1877.
S. H. Randall . October 31, 1854.
440
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Experience Lehigh, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Genesee county, New York, November 28, 1801. Her father, William Guild, emigrated from Vermont to that county, and married Abigail Streetor. Miss Streetor was born in Connecticut. Her sec- ond husband, Eusebius Fargo, was also a Vermonter. He had lived some years in Canada before their marriage. In 1814 they emigrated to West Virginia. Reaching the Alleghany river at Olean, they pro- cured two skiff's, which he lashed together, and in them the family descended the river to Wheeling, where they embarked in a keel-boat to the Kanawa river, and settled on its banks. Farming was his occu- pation in New York, and he pursued the same calling here. Like many others, they depended upon their daily labor for their daily bread. The family was large, and Experience, as soon as of suitable age, earned her livelihood away from home, and in November, four days before she was sixteen, married Abram Lehigh .. Mr. Lehigh was born in Vermont ; had lived most of his early life in Canada, and was called a Canadian. He was a hard-working, industrious man, and well liked by his neighbors. From 1817 to 1829 they toiled on the banks of that river to make the hard soil yield more than a living for themselves and little flock of six children, and it became necessary to secure a home of their own. Gathering together their small possessions, with a team of three horses and a large wagon, they started for the Wabash in the fall of 1829. At this time her half-brothers and sisters were : Viletty, who married William Hall, now a resident of Onarga ; Irene; Henrietta ; La Ralt, now living in Kentucky ; Adelia, wife of T. A. Norvell, of Gilman ; Amanda ; Luna; John ; Nancy ; Lucinda, wife of Nelson Skeels, of Montana; and Abigail; all of whom, with her father and mother, were left behind. William Guild Lehigh, their eldest child, named for her father, was eleven years old; Mary was nine; John, seven ; Irene Maria, four; Alvira, two; and Benjamin, the baby, five months. The journey across the states of Ohio and Indiana was accomplished in a month, including a few days' stopping on the route, on account of the sickness of Mrs. Lehigh. Perrysville was their destination. There they lived five years, and two children, Nancy and Lucinda, were added to the family. Mr. Lehigh being a man of feeble health, more than the usual duties of a wife devolved upon her. The burden of their anxiety and effort was the home for which they left Virginia to secure, and in the fall of 1834 he made a selection of land on Spring creek, and moved here in the following winter. In the spring of 1836 Mr. Lehigh died, leaving the subject of
441
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
this sketch a widow, with eight children, the eldest eighteen years old, and the youngest, Frederick Abram, born August 14, 1835, eight months. This was the time of trouble which brought out the noble qualities of this woman, and developed her ability to manage business and succeed where many men would have failed. They were possessed of 194 acres of timber, and a claim on 120 acres of prairie, a team of oxen, the usual household goods and farming implements of new set- tlers in a wild country. A living was to be secured by their own effort, the prairie land paid for, and the children educated. To these responsible duties she gave her energies. William and John did the work of men ; broke up the prairie, raised the crops, and under her direction, attended to the out-door farm duties ; while she, with the girls, kept the cabin in order, spun and wove the cloth for the family's clothing, and exercised the controlling influence over the whole house- hold. William, being the eldest son, was his mother's main assistant till he married. After this John took the place made vacant by that event. She found a way to give the children educational advantages equal to those of any of her neighbors, and when the elder ones were married, the remainder of the family moved to Middleport for that purpose. After three years she returned to the farm. While in Mid- dleport, Benjamin, then twenty-one years old, went with a large com- pany of men overland to California. He returned after an absence of about a year, and died in a few days-March 21, 1851. Now her farm help was her youngest son, Frederick, about sixteen years old. About this time the farm was divided with John, he taking one-half and she retaining the other. A part of the timber was sold, and the remainder divided among the children, she sharing equally with them. In 1856 she bought a house and lot in Onarga, where she lived till the fall of 1857, and then returned to the farm. She was liberal and generous with her children, and bore patiently any sacrifice for their benefit, and in return was honored and loved by them. For many years before there was a physician in the settlement she kept the common medical remedies in her house, and quite well knew their use, and in sickness was a most excellent nurse, as her neighbors could testify. She always lent a helping hand to those in distress when it was in her power to do so. This woman, born and bred in the humbler walks of life, where hard labor and great care was her lot, showed traits of character superior to many whose advantages were much better. The rearing of a large family in a new county, where the nearest mill was thirty miles, the only market eighty-five, no doctor nearer than twenty miles, and all the inconveniences of pioneer life surrounding her, was the situation she was placed in; but she never shrank from her plain
.
442
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
duty - never pined about her condition, but with true philosophical resignation made the most she could with life, and in being cheerful and happy made others so. She lived to see all her living children settled in life : William G., with his family, in Iowa ; Mary, the wife of Samuel H. Harper ; John, on one-half the old farm; Irene Maria, the wife of Forest Lindsey ; Lucinda, the wife of M. H. Messer, and Frederick A., on the home farmn with her. After a life of industry and constant effort, she died March 28, 1860, mourned by all who knew her.
Father Joseph Elzeard Michaud, Catholic priest, Watseka, was born in St. Andrew, province of Quebec, Kamouraska county, Canada, June 20, 1831. He received his principal education at the Quebec Sem- inary, graduating in 1851. He was ordained priest in 1855, and was first stationed as vicar, at Riviere du Loup, Temiscouata county, Canada. In 1857 he was parish-priest at Notre Dame du Portage ; in 1858, parish- priest at St. Anne des Monts ; in 1861, parish-priest at Notre Dame du Mont Carmel. He was sick for two years. In 1864 he was parish- priest at St. Onesime. In 1872 he was sent to the United States for the French Canadians at Lawrence, Mass. In 1874 he was employed by the Canadian government for four years to return his compatriots to Canada, and at the same time he was parish-priest of Windsor Mills. In 1879 he came to Watseka, and here he has been engaged in building churches at Watseka, Sheldon and Hoopeston.
Hon. Franklin Blades, circuit judge, Watseka, is perhaps one of the best known and most highly respected men of Iroquois county. He was born in the old Hoosier State, in Rush county, Indiana, November 29, 1830, and is the son of James and Mary (Harcourt) Blades. His father was a country physician, who died when the subject of this sketch was in the sixteenth year of his age, leaving him with an imper- fect common-school education, and with only good parental training for an inheritance. Soon after his father's death he was taken into the employment of Dr. James Ford, a learned physician, at Wabash, Indi- ana, with whom he remained until the fall of 1849, meanwhile study- ing the science of medicine with him. He attended medical lectures at the Indiana Central Medical College in 1849 and 1850. In 1851 he was taken under the patronage of the late William Fowler, M.D., in the little hamlet of Concord, Iroquois county, Illinois, and was by him put into active practice. A part of his professional education was had at Rush Medical College, of Chicago, from which institution he gradnated in February, 1852. The young physician now changed his place of residence to the shire town of Iroquois county, then known as Middleport, now as Watseka, where he has since resided, witnessing
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