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 53

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180

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 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

James T. Phenix, a colored man, who resided on a farm he had purchased of David McGill, in section 26, committed suicide by drown- ing himself in Coon creek, on the night of Wednesday, February 4, 1880. He had been defeated on Monday before, by McGill, in a suit for

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

forcible detainer of the premises, and believing that he had been mis- used in the matter, he became insane and committed the deed. He left a wife and four small children in destitute circumstances.

OFFICERS OF BELMONT.

YEAR.

SUPERVISOR.

CLERK.

ASSESSOR.

COLLECTOR.

1856

Samuel Williams. .

Elihu Moore

David McGill

Wm. Williams.

1857

Same.

E. H. Moore

Daniel Parker

David McGill.

1858

Same.

Same. .

John Paul.

Same.

1859

John Hudson

Same

Same .. .

H. L. Roll.

1850

John Paul.

A. C. Johnson

David McGill

Same.

1861

Same.

E. H. Moore

S. W. Montgomery.

Henry Smith.

1862

Same.

A. C. Johnson.

H. L. Roll.

1863

Same.

Same

Same.

1864

Same.

Same

William Warren.

1865

F. Blades

Stanford Hoel

Same

Same.

1866

Samuel Williams . .

David John

Same

Same.

1867

Same.

Same .

Same

Same.

1869

Same. ..

Same.

Same

S. W. Warren.

1871

C. Secrest.

G. W. Garrison

Same. ..

J. W. Carr.

1872

Same.

G. W. Andrews . .

Abner Frame

James Cauvins.

1873

S. W. Montgomery W. S. Browne.

A. D. Frame

G. W. Andrews.

- 1874

C. Secrest.

Same.

1875

Same.

J. B. Moore.

Same

S. W. Warren.

1876

Same.

G. H. Featherling.

1877

J. L. Donovan

Same

S. W. Warren

Same.

1878

Same.

Henry Tate.

Same.

1879

Same.

Same,

Same. .

Justus Smith.

1880

Same.

A. D. Frame

Same.

1868

David McGill

J. F. Good.

Same

Same.

1870

Samuel Williams. .

J. L. McConnell, Jr. J. G. Wagner

M. Hogle.

...

March 10, 1865, David McGill was appointed to fill vacancy in the office of town clerk, occasioned by the removal of E. H. Moore from the town. November 16, 1864, John Strean was appointed supervisor to fill vacancy occasioned by the removal of John Paul from the town. November 1, 1870, William Warren was appointed town clerk to fill vacancy occasioned by the removal of J. L. McConnell. December 30, 1876, John L. Donovan was appointed supervisor to fill vacancy occasioned by the resignation of C. Secrest. July 6, 1877, William Warren was appointed assessor to fill vacancy occasioned by the assessor elect having been declared insane.

FIRST SETTLEMENT IN THE TOWN OF MIDDLEPORT.

David and Oliver Bookless came from Ohio in 1833 or 1834, and located on lands in section 27, north of the river. David died many years ago. Oliver still lives near " Lister's Point."

Hon. Micajah Stanley built a log house on the S.E. ¿ of Sec. 32 in March, 1835, and in April following moved into it from near Milford, where he had previously resided. He improved his farm and in 1846

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

built the finest barn then in the county. His premises are now in the city of Watseka, of the most of which he is the proprietor. His old residence'has been replaced by a commodious and comfortable brick dwelling, where he and wife and some of his children now reside. He is honored and respected by all.

James Crozzar came from Ohio in 1835. He married the widow of Hezekiah Eastburn, who lived near "Lister's Point," and built on the N.E. ¿ of S.E. ¿ of Sec. 35, where he resided until his death. He died June 17, 1869, and his wife January 6, 1880. He bequeathed his home property to Richard Roberts, who now occupies it. Crozzar left no children.

Leander Hogle and family came from Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1836, and located on the E. ¿ of S.E. ¿ of Sec. 28. He died March 7, 1853, leaving surviving him his widow (Elizabeth) and Michael, George W., Polly, John, Isaac and David, his children. His widow died about 1865, and his children Isaac and David several years before. Michael and John were several years engaged in selling goods at Middleport. George W. was a stock-trader. Michael was at one time sheriff of the county, and for several years the editor of the " Middleport Press," a justice of the peace, and prominent in the poli- tics of the county. Michael, George W. and John now reside in Chicago. Polly is married to John Thompson, and resides in Coshoc- ton county, Ohio.

John Lyman, Sr., and wife (Hannah) and daughter (Susan) came from Starke county, Ohio, and · landed at Middleport in June, 1836. Daniel Rondebush and wife (Polly Lyman), William Lyman, Samuel Lyman and Jacob Lyman and families, and Matthias Shipman, who afterward married Susan Lyman, came with them from the same place. John Lyman, Sr., and Daniel Rondebush and families, located in Middleport. Jacob and family located on lands in section 30, and William and Samuel and families farther north. These were the first settlements in the town north of Middleport and the river. George Lyman, David Buck and John Lyman, Jr., and families, and Jonathan Lyman, came from same place about two years after. John, Jr., died in about one year, and Jonathan subsequently married his widow. George Lyman located in Belmont, and David Buck and Jonathan Lyman, north of the river. Daniel Lyman came about 1840, and also settled north of the river. John Lyman, Sr., died in 1840, and his wife about ten years later. Daniel Lyman died about 1870; Buck in 1874 ; and Shipman about a year ago. Jacob Lyman died about 1850. Samuel Platner also came with the Lymans, and when Rondebush died, two or three years after, Platner married his widow and located

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

on the E. ¿ of the N.E. } of Sec. 29, north of the river. Jacob Snyder, Sr., and son-in-law, Jacob Rhodes, and sons, Jacob and Jolin, came from Wayne county, Ohio, in the spring of 1837. Rhodes and family located on N.E. ¿ of S.E. 4 of Sec. 33. He died several years ago, and his wife later. John Snyder located on S.W. ¿ of N.E. ¿ of Sec. 33, in 1838. John died several years ago, and Jacob in Peoria about two or three months ago. Jacob Shultz came about 1837, and settled . north of the river. Joseph Egbert and wife (Mary) and children, Eliz- abeth, James, Snsan, Samuel, Hugh, Adrian and George, came from Akron, Ohio, November 15, 1840. The coming winter he built a dwelling honse, saw-mill and " corn-cracker " on the river, in W. ₺ of N.E. ¿ of Sec. 32. No Inmber was to be had nearer than Chicago or the Wabash river; he therefore sawed all the necessary lumber for these improvements with a whipsaw. George and his mother died in 1841, Hugh and Samuel in 1845. A Mr. Davis built a distillery near the mill, in which an old-fashioned copper still was used, which was purchased by Mr. Egbert in 1846, and was run about four years. The mill was run until 1856, and then abandoned. Elizabeth married Josiah Willians in April, 1849. Susan married a Mr. Pearsoll, and soon after died. Joseph Egbert died September 27, 1854. Josiah Williams and wife, and James and Adrian Egbert reside in Watseka. In 1836 Reuben Lister, Nathan Foster and Joshua Sherrill, made loca- tions in sections 35 and 36; and Mons K. Olland, Erick G. Medborn and Niels T. Bouge, in section 22; and Charles Holseclaw in section 23. David, Frederick and Benjamin Leatherman, William Jerman, Jones Green, John Merely, Mason Vermillion, A. J. Galaspie, Jason Bull, Charles F. Tyler, John Mellinger and Daniel Davis settled in the northeastern part of the town at a later day.

William McCollock entered the S.E. ¿ of S.E. ¿ of Sec. 25, Decem- ber 25, 1832. This was the first purchase of the government made in the town. This covered the crossing of the river on the Vincennes and Chicago state road. Isaac Conrtright, who then resided near " Buncombe," afterward purchased this land, and in 1839 or 1840 built a saw-mill and grist-mill on it. Cyrus Clapp came from near Attica, Indiana, lived in a "shanty " near the mill, and boarded the hands. during its construction. George Courtright went there in 1843 and resided in the log house formerly occupied by Clapp, until he built a house which he occupied as a hotel several years, then sold it to Sanford Claggett, and he to William S. Torbett soon after. William Steerman and family, Richard and William Roberts, all came to the place from Indiana in 1848, and engaged in blacksmithing. Claggett. and Woods sold goods there from about 1850 to 1854, when Claggett.

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

removed to Lexington, Illinois. Joseph Thomas came there with his family in 1848 and bought an interest in the mill. He was also justice of the peace, and from 1852 to 1856, a member of the legislature. His wife died there. He died at Onarga in 1858. Isaac Courtright located there with his family in 1843, and his wife died about one year after. A few years after he married Mrs. Ruth Kay, motlier of Wilson S., Joseph W. and James W. Kay. They both died of cholera about the same time, in October, 1854. The mill property was conveyed to George West, July 25, 1848. In 1854 le built a new mill, on north side of the river. This he sold to John Steele and Edward Collins, in 1865, who removed it to Sheldon. He sold the mill site to Jolin Shankland, September 2, 1867, who built a saw-mill upon it, and sold out to Edward W. Bishop, January 21, 1868, who still owns it. This place was formerly known as " Courtright's Mills," but for many years past as " Texas," but liow it obtained this name the writer has been unable to learn.

Mr. George King, father of Mrs. Nancy Blades (wife of Hon. Franklin Blades), Capt. George E. King, and Charles N. King, with his wife (Delilalı) and family, came to the town in 1850, and located on · a large farm he owned in sections 34 and 35, where he remained until 1854, when lie removed to Middleport and engaged in selling goods, which business he followed about four years and then sold his stock-in- trade. In 1861 and also in 1863 he was elected county treasurer. He died September 11, 1870, at the age of about sixty-six years. He was the son of William and Hannah King, and born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1804. Was a farmer by trade and engaged in that business both at Clarksville and Columbus, Ohio, for several years. In 1836 lie removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he was engaged in farming, and also packing pork until 1840, when he removed to Will- iamsport, Indiana, where he engaged in selling goods and packing until 1850, when lie removed to Iroquois county, as before stated. He was a man of integrity, honesty, and unbounded liberality, and honored and respected by all who knew him. The farm he formerly owned in the town is now owned and occupied by Stephen Cissna.

The town of Middleport was first organized embracing townships 27 N., ranges 12 and 13 W. T. 27 N., R. 13 W. was organized into a separate town in 1858. Middleport has three iron bridges, one across the creek, one across the river at Middleport, and one across the river about two miles above, in section 27. The first named cost about $4,800; the second $6,000; and the last $7,000. The first is a truss, and the other two arched bridges. The Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad, and the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad run

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

· through the town, crossing at Watseka. The most of the city of Watseka, and also "Old Middleport," are within the town.

OFFICERS OF MIDDLEPORT.

YEAR.

SUPERVISOR.

CLERK.

ASSESSOR.

COLLECTOR.

1856

Alvin Fiddler

Alfred Fletcher

Daniel Lyman.

Giles E. Chapin.

1857

George West.

Wm. B. White.

E. Brandenburg. . .

W. S. Kay.

1858

James Fletcher

Theodore Troup

Same.

Wm. B. White.

1859

Same. .

Wm. B. White.

Same.

Theodore Troup.

1860

D. B. Gardner.

J. C. Steely ..

Same.

Wm. B. White.

1861

C. R. Brown

George Warren.

J. A. Graham

Wm. Warren.

1862

Daniel Fry

L. P. Mead. .

Wm. Brown.

J. L. Horton.

1863

Wm. Frees.

S. A. Washington

James Egbert.

E. Brandenburg. Wm. Jerman.

1867

Josiah Williams.

Same

J. A. Graham

Wm. Williams.

1868

Jas. P. Martin.

Same.

Same

L. M. Hogle.

1869

F. J. Sears

S. C. Munhall.

Same.

1870

E. B. Sleeth.

Same.

1871

Stephen Cissna ..

Same.

Henry H. Shultz.

1872

R. K. McIntyre.

Same.

(No Record)

(No Record).

1873

Same. .

Same.

(No Record).

J. A. Graham.

1874

Geo. W. Parker.

Wm. I. Jones.

H. O. Henry

(No Record).

1875

Daniel Parker.

H. H. Alter.

James Egbert ..

L. M. Hogle.

1876

Same.

Adrian Egbert.

1877

Same.

Chas. Franklin.

1878

C. G. Culver.

Same.

J. A. Graham.

Same.

1879

Daniel Fry

Same

Same.

E. M. Amos.

1880

T. S. Arnold

Same

Same.

Wm. Fisher.

1864

C. F. McNeill.

W. S. Kay.

E. Brandenburg

1865

Same Same.

Same.

Wm. Jerman.

Paul Reeves.

1866

H. T. Skeels

R. K. McIntyre

Daniel Parker.

January 14, 1858, W. S. Kay resigned as collector, and Henry C. Bryant was appointed in his place. November 21, 1861, James W. Kay was appointed town clerk to fill vacancy ; 1871, H. H. Shultz, collector, resigned, and S. W. Warren was appointed to fill the vacancy. November 27, 1873, C. F. McNeill was appointed supervisor to fill the vacancy occa- sioned by the death of R. K. McIntyre. January 16, 1877, A. B. Roff was appointed collector vice Adrian Egbert, who did not qualify. Sep- tember 15, 1877, C. F. McNeill was appointed supervisor to fill vacancy occasioned by the death of Daniel Parker. January 16, 1879, A. L. Whitehall was appointed collector in place of Charles Franklin, who did not qualify. The following justices of the peace have been elected for the town : 1857, C. F. McNeill, William Brown and William F. Keady ; 1858, William F. Keady ; 1860, William Brooks and B. F. Barnum ; 1861, Michael Hogle and James C. Steely ; 1865, James C. Steely and A. B. Roff; 1866, Joseph L. Horton ; 1869, James C. Steely and L. Armstrong; 1870, James C. Steely ; 1872, C. F. McNeill ; 1873, Andrew Rush ; 1877, A. B. Roff and Peter C. Hoyt; and May 13, 1879, Harrison Garner was elected in place of A. B. Roff who resigned. At the town meeting in 1863 a vote was taken for or against township

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

organization, which resulted in 642 votes being cast for, and 3 votes against it. A like vote was taken again in 1867, which resulted in 187 votes being cast for, and 85 votes against township organization. At a special town meeting, June 8, 1867, a vote was taken for and against $15,000 aid to the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes railroad, which resulted in 233 votes being cast for, and 68 votes against it. The town bonds for this aid were issued February 20, 1871. The payment of these bonds has since been enjoined.

MIDDLEPORT.

Middleport was laid off on the W. ¿ of N.W. ¿ of Sec. 32, and that part of E. ¿ of N.E. ¿ of Sec. 31, lying east of the Iroquois river, in 27 north, range 12 west. The E. ¿ of N.E. ¿ of Sec. 31 was entered by Hugh Newell, August 27, 1836; and the N.W. ¿ N. W. ¿ of Sec. 32, by Jacob A. Whiteman and Hugh Newell, same date; and the S. W. ¿ N.W. ¿ by Austin Cole, Sep- tember 21, 1836, who sold, September 30, 1836, the north half of this tract to White- man & Newell. The plat is recorded in book A of the deed records of the county, pages 128 and 129, as follows : " A map of the town of Middleport, situated at the mouth of Sugar creek, on southeast bank of the Iroquois river, Iroquois. county, state of Illinois, surveyed at the request of Hugh Newell and Jacob A. Whiteman, in December, 1836, by James Smith, deputy for Jonas Smith, surveyor of Iroquois county, Illinois."

" COBERLY'S ADDITION TO MIDDLEPORT "

Was laid off, March 15, 1848, by Henry B. Co- berly, the owner of the N.E. ¿ S.E. ¿ of Sec. 31 (Robert Nilson, surveyor), comprised of only two blocks adjoining Middleport. The plat is recorded in book B, page 547. The first house built in Middleport was built by Daniel Ronde- bush, soon after he came, as before stated, on lot 5, block 32. This was a log house about sixteen feet square. The second was a double log cabin, built by Jolin Lyman, Sr., on lot 8, block 27, which lot is now 2

This key, which is half length and thickness, is the only relic of the old court-house, and is now in

possession of C. F. McNeill. It and the lock were made by A. H. Torrey, gunsmith, of Middleport.

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

owned by S. R. Hawks. The third was a double log house, built by William Shellenbarger, on lot 2, block 38, and on the bank of the river. The first school taught in the village was by Dr. Jolin Harwood, in one end of this house, in the winter of 1840-1. This school was attended by one scholar from M. Stanley's family, three from Alex. Wilson's, four from John Findley's, three from Frazier's, two from Shipley's, four from Egbert's and two from Harwood's, making nine- teen scholars. The fourth one was a log house built by Stephen Flesher, on lot 8. block 50, 16×18 feet, where the Wilson House now stands. He also had a blacksmith-shop on this lot and followed that trade. The fifth was a log house built by David Buck, 16×24 feet, on lot 5, block 31. The first court held in Middleport convened in this house in May, 1840. The house was afterward sold to Henry Troup, and finally fell to Mrs. Troup, who sold it a few years ago to a Mrs. Soucey, who moved it on a lot near the cemetery, in the N.E. S.W. } of Sec. 32, where it can still be seen. All these houses were built in 1836 and 1837. In 1837 Henry Troup visited this county from Man- chester, Starke county, Ohio, for the purpose of selecting a location, and engaged Hugh Newell to build liim a house and storeroom in Middle- port. He and family came August 10, 1838, with his father-in-law, John Little and family. When they came Troup's house was not com- pleted, and they all had to camp under a large oak tree on the bank of the river, about six weeks. During this time Little built him a log house west of block 41, near where the mill now stands, and nioved into it. In the meantime Troup's building on lot 7, block 41, was com- pleted and he moved into that. In a short time his store building, 16×24 feet, just across the street, was also completed. The old oak tree under which they camped was precipitated into the river by a storm, April 23, 1853 .. The Troup dwelling was a two-story frame, and the first frame building in the place. It was used for about three years by Mr. Troup as a hotel, and until he built a dwelling-house on . lot 1, block 42, in 1841, just north of his storeroom, and moved into it, and where his widow, Mary Ann Troup, still resides. The former house belonged to Hugh Newell, was subsequently sold to Winthrop Patterson, by him to George King and by him to the writer, who sold it to James Bowen, who removed it on lots 7 and 8, block 36, where it still stands and is used as a barn.

In 1839 Hugh Newell built a two-story frame building on the northeast corner of lot 5, block 41. The upper story of this building was used for a court-room and the lower story for county offices, until the school-house was built. The school-house, 20× 30 feet, was erected on lots 3 and 4, block 37, in 1842, and in this court was held until the court-house was completed in 1847. .

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

Dr. John Harwood and family came in 1840. He was the first physician to locate in the place. He built a frame residence on lot 1, block 34. This building is still standing, and is occupied by Joseph L. Horton and family. Jacob A. Whiteman came about the same time. He was probate justice, county treasurer and assessor. He was adınit- ted to the bar in 1846. Samuel D. Younglove and family, Samnel Haviland and family, John Shipley and family, Jacob Frazier and family, Jolın S. Findley and family, Benj. Brackney and family, and Alpha H. Torrey came soon after. Younglove and Shipley were black- smiths, Haviland a tanner, and Torrey a gunsmithi. Finley was elected justice of the peace, and Brackney, constable. Charles Gardner (attor- ney) and family came from New York. He was the first attorney to locate in the place. Van H. Higgins (now of Chicago) canie from the Wabash in 1843. He taught school until 1845, and during the time he was admitted to the bar. He left in 1845. Henry Starr, brother to Judge Starr, and also an attorney, located here about 1844. He married Shipley's daughter in 1846, and removed to Morris, Illinois. George B. Joiner and wife came from Williamsport, Indiana, in June, 1845. He practiced law, taught school, and kept the post-office for Henry Troup, who was the first postmaster. His books show that at the ends of the following quarters liis receipts in the post-office were : October 1, 1845, $7.25; January 1, 1846, $5.65, and January 1, 1849, $13.81. A. B. Roff was appointed postmaster in 1849 ; C. R. Brown in 1852; Daniel B. Gardner in 1853; William F. Keady in 1857, and R. K. McIntyre in 1861, who held the office until it was vacated in 1868.

Garret Eoff occupied the Newell building vacated by Mr. Troup, in 1842, and kept hotel in it. Mrs. Gardner and sons (Farrand and Daniel B.) came in 1845, and her sons, Horace and Samuel S., came in 1846. Farrand was elected justice of the peace in 1846. Horace kept hotel in the building built by Newell for a court-house, and was snc- ceeded by Hardin Graves in 1847, who was his brother-in-law, and wlio came with the Gardners. Garrett Eoff built a hotel on lot 5, block 39, in 1846 or 1847. It was burned down in 1848. This was the first fire in Middleport. It was immediately rebuilt by Eoff, and was after- ward known as the "American House." About the same time Hardin Graves built a brick hotel on lots 7 and 8, block 50. A few years after lie sold it to Dr. Nathaniel Wilson, who occupied it, and it has since been known as the " Wilson House," and is still standing, but has not been used as a hotel for many years. The American House was suc- cessively kept by Eoff, Adam Barr, Snyder & Lyman, William H. Ward, William Brooks, and John N. Urmston. A few years ago the building was demolished.

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

In 1851 Charles Sherman and Cyrus R. Brown built a steam saw- mill in the northern part of the town. At the raising of this mill, October 31, a Mr. Daniel Bailey was killed instantly by the falling of a . heavy piece of timber. He left a family of wife and ten children. This mill was successively owned and run by Sherman & Brown, Wheeler & Torrey, Torrey, Harrison & Master, and Caldwell & Steely. It has not been run for several years, and was destroyed by fire last year, being owned at the time by Lazarus Steely.

Hugh Newell died in spring of 1841. He was circuit clerk and recorder. John Harwood succeeded him in that office. John F. Wag- ner succeeded Harwood in 1847, and became a citizen of the place. Jesse Bennett succeeded Wagner in the fall of 1849, and came from " Buncombe " to Middleport at that time. He built a residence on lots 3 and 4, block 33, the next year.

Don Alonzo Falkenbury came in 1842. He succeeded Jacob A. Whiteman, as probate justice, in 1845, and held that office until the county court was organized in 1849. He also taught school part of the time, and occasionally entertained the people by preaching, as a local Methodist minister. He left in 1852, and now resides in Arkan- sas. Asa B. Roff came in 1848. He engaged in boot and shoe- making. He was postmaster, as before stated, and also a justice of the peace for several years. He went to Texas in 1857, returned in 1858, resided a short time at Onarga, and built the first house in South Mid- dleport. Dr. Richard Taliaferro came about the same time. He practiced medicine, and kept a small stock of drugs. Joseph Myers built the first brick business building in the place, on lot 1, block 49, in 1850. He afterward sold it to John Murdock, and he subse- quently sold to Ezekiel Bowman. Mrs. Charlotte Hogle, widow of Henry W. Hogle, with her children, Henry W., Caroline, Leander M., Horatio A. and Austin W., came from Lower Canada, August 12, 1849. She died November 3, 1874, aged about sixty-nine years. Caro- line married John Fagan in 1853, and died in 1855. Henry W. died on February 10, 1858, and Horatio A. died in Denver, Colo., Novem- ber 13, 1879. Leander is now living in Middleport and Austin W. in Colorado. John Fagan, a saddler and harness-maker, came from the Wabash in 1849, and in 1851 built a brick store building on lot 5, block 39. James Fletcher, attorney, came in 1849, and S. A. Waslı- ington, also an attorney, came in 1850. They were brothers-in-law. Washington died in 1866, and his wife a few years ago. In 1851 E. Bowman, Jacob A. Whiteman, C. S. Stryker, Milton Scofield and S. A. Washington built residences. Daniel Parker came from Indiana in 1850. He sold goods in Middleport at different times ; bought and

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

run a saw-mill on Sugar creek, near Middleport, a short time; was engaged in trading in stock and farming several years; and also sold goods in Watseka. For three years he was supervisor. He died in September, 1877, having been an energetic, useful and respected citizen.

In the summer of 1851, the members of the M. E. church at Middleport, A. B. Roff, M. Stanley, D. A. Falkenbury, Alex. Wilson, Samuel Williams, S. B. Swim and Foreman Moore, acting as trustees, built a church (frame), 36×45 feet, on lot 5, block 33. Daniel Parker was contractor. At the.time this was built there was not another church building in the county. Before this the court-house had been used for church purposes. This church was also occupied as a court- house after the old court-house was burned, on the night of February 25, 1862, and until the county-seat was removed to Watseka. It was also used for several years for school purposes. It was sold in 1866, and removed to Watseka, where it has since been occupied as a livery stable, and is now owned by Lovett & Hayes.

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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 53

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903 Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180