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 66
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emigrated with teams, driving some very fine Durham cattle with them. With Col. Vennum came his wife and three sons: George, Urias and Hiram; also Charles and John Axtell and families. This company numbered in all thirty-two persons. Hiram was the only son unmarried. Columbus Vennum, another son, came in the spring of 1835. The Vennums entered land in sections 1, 2 and 3. Charles Axtell bought out the Stanleys and Levi Thompson. The present site of the new village of Milford is on land that Charles Axtell bought. John Axtell located on or near the center of section 2. C. C. Vennum located on section 4. For two years after coming to this township, severe sickness prevented anything being done in making improve- ments. At present the largest two land owners in this town probably are Robert Nilson and Hiram Vennum. Among others who came during this year should be mentioned John Strain and family, who located on sections 19 and 20. Robert Williams came in 1835 and settled on section 21. Isaac Body came with his family in 1835 and settled on section 10. Mr. Body is still living at the advanced age of ninety- five years. . He certainly can, in truth, be called the "oldest settler." In 1837, George Rothgeb settled in the southern part of the town on section 34. The family came from Virginia. The cabin that he occu- pied is still standing. Mrs. Rothgeb is still living. She distinctly remembers "Long John" Wentworth's visit at their house, although she cannot recall the "clap-board" story. The old loom made by her husband and upon which the family cloth was made is still in use. Mrs. R. wove about 300 yards of rag carpet last year. She also says that she has seen 100 wagons pass their house in one day.
In 1837 Maj. John B. Strickler moved into the township with his family. He was originally from Virginia, where he had been exten- sively engaged in milling. When he came the village of Milford con- tained one cabin. His purchase from Pickerel included the unsold village lots. At this time but little progress had been made in opening up the country. Many of the earlier settlers had gone, others had moved in. Milling facilities were limited, and flour must still be obtained from long distances. The march of improvement was very slow. Mr. Strickler built the first brick house in Milford. Mud was used as mortar. This house was the first tavern that had a sign; it was also the post-office, and Mr. Strickler was postmaster.
The first marriage ceremony performed was that of Elijah Sapp and Miss Ally Thomas, daughter of Asa Thomas. Sapp was obliged to go to Danville, a distance of thirty-five miles, for his license.
There is some uncertainty about the first birth, but probably the
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
first child born was Susannah, daughter of William and Judith Stan- ley. Mrs. Johns, however, claims this honor for her own child.
The first adult person who died was old Mrs. Singleton, who was fatally burned while alone in the house. Her body was found lying in the fire-place. Her grave was prepared by first laying poles on the bottom and sides, then putting in the body it was covered in the same manner. This constituted her coffin. Her husband died shortly after, and was buried in a coffin made of puncheons. * These persons were buried on the south side of Sugar creek ; scarcely a vestige now marks the place. An old burial ground, situated a short distance west of the village, is known as the "Quaker Graveyard." The earliest burial here, so far as known, was Agnes, wife of John Stanley, who died the "20th day of the 5th mo., 1834." Less than a dozen head-stones are found in this place. The Nilson graveyard, on lot 5, N.E. ¿ Sec. 3, contains the earliest recorded death in the township, that of Saralı, wife of Robert Hill, who died October 19, 1831. Robert Nilson's parents are also buried in this ground. The Vennum graveyard, on lot 8, N.W. ¿ Sec. 2, contain the graves of Col. Thomas Veunnm and wife, Elizabeth. Mrs. Vennum died at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The first burial here was a son of George Vennum, aged eleven years. An old and disused burial-ground is situated near the forks of Lit- tle Mud creek. Another is known as the Rothgeb graveyard, in the N.W. ¿ of the N. W. ¿ of Sec. 34. The first recorded burial in Milford cemetery is that of Charlotte Wagner, who died September 1, 1838. The first burial, however, is that of a stranger, name nnknown.
The first regularly laid ont road was the Chicago and Vincennes, connecting these and intermediate points. The first store in the town- ship was kept in the village by Jacob Wagner. The building was located near where James Yates' house now stands. Jesse Hobbs was the first blacksmith. His shop stood just north of where Dr. Brown's tile works now are. It is true that William Pickerel did some work in that line, but only in a small way. The first regular physicians were Dr. Wilson and Dr. Farmer. The first newspaper printed is of recent date, and will be mentioned in another place. The first religious society was the Quakers or Friends. Meetings were held during the first year of settlement, and doubtless continued until most of the inen- bers were gone. The leading religious body has been the Methodists. The first Sabbath school was established in the Thomas school-honse by John Hudson, who kept a saloon near where Wingfield Cooper's house now stands. Iludson was not a religious man, but he took an interest in this matter, and bore a good name among his neighbors.
The first school taught was in a log building that stood near the
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Quaker graveyard, and was called the Quaker meeting-house. This school was taught by Mrs. Judith Stanley, wife of William Stanley, in the year 1831. During this year a school-house was built in the Thomas settlement. William Thomas tauglit the first school in this building. A graphie description of this house and of the books first used is furnished by B. F. Thomas. "The building was of logs, 14×28 feet. The floor was of puncheons, i.e. logs split in halves, and the split surfaces smoothed with an ax. The door was made of rived boards, and secured with wooden liinges. The ' shingles ' were made in the same manner. The hearth was made of elay, and extended entirely across one end of the house. A wall of elay about eight feet high formed the back of the fireplace; it liad no sides or jams. The chimney was formed of sticks daubed with clay. The desks were puneheons resting on wooden pins inserted into the sides of the house. The seats were slabs supported on stieks. The windows were formed by cutting out a log on each side, the entire length of the house, and the opening thus formed elosed with greased paper 'puttied ' with mud." Mr. Thomas says that the first book he used was made by marking letters on a smooth "paddle." The ink was an infusion of maple bark; the pens of goose quills. The teacher was paid by sub- seription. Sueh was the "make-up" of the "shooting galleries" of those primitive days. Hiram Vennum says that his father put in the first glass window seen in the town.
The first justiee of the peace in Milford was Robert Hill. The election was held in 1831 in Bunkum, and it was more than a year afterward before he received his eommission. The township was at that time in Vermilion county. The first county court held in Iro- quois county was at the house of John Nilson. Hugh Newell was the first clerk. The first briek were made by John Skillman in 1834. His yard was located a few yards from where John Hollander's house stands. Traces of it are still to be seen. The first shoemaker was John Reeder.
In addition to the mill already described, several other mills have been built along the banks of Sugar ereek, only one of which now remains. Webster's mill has been mentioned. A steam mill was erected in 1867 near the creek, on the northeast corner of · lot 5 in sec- tion 4. This mill is now removed. The mill now standing near the north line of the township, and known as the McConnell, or artesian mill, was first built by West and MeMann. Samuel Rush had at one time an interest in this mill. It disappeared, and the property passed into the hands of Barnabas Brown, who built the present mill. Three large flowing artesian wells were bored in order to increase the supply of water.
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
In 1856 township organization was adopted. All official records previous to this date were in the county clerk's office at the county- seat, and were destroyed when the court-house was burnt. The first township election was held April 1, 1856. At this election fifty-one votes were cast. M. A. Thompson was moderator, and John Gray clerk. The first town officers elected were: for supervisor, Elihu K. Farmer; town clerk, C. Secrest; assessor, William Gray; collector, George Gray ; overseer of poor, John Gray; commissioners of high- ways, C. C. Vennum, C. W. Dawson, Amos White.
INCIDENTS.
The early history of any section cannot well be written without at the same time recounting the incidents that serve to illustrate, and that in fact, constitute, such history. Such incidents as have a distinc- tive character may well be brought under this head. The following account of his terrible experience during the "freezing time" was furnished by Mr. Hildreth himself to Robert Williams, and by him related to the writer. In February, 1836, occurred the sudden change. Snow had fallen the preceding day and night. The next day a driz- zling rain fell so that the snow became a mass of slush. Some time in the afternoon-some accounts say in the morning-a change almost instantly.occurred. One says, "the clouds boiled like a pot." The wind veered from south to northwest, the rain froze as it fell and in a few minutes the entire surface of the country was covered with ice. The streams, which in the morning were bank-full of rushing water, were quickly filled with floating ice, and the small runs and pools of water frozen solid enough to bear a man's weight. It was terribly cold. On the morning of this day, two men left Danville on horse- back, intending to go to Ash Grove before night. One of these men was Thomas Frame, a young man living on Spring creek. The other was James Hildreth, who was going to Joliet; they were simply traveling acquaintances. They took dinner at Bicknell's Point and fed their horses. They then pushed on across the prairie, being com- pelled to swim their horses across the creeks, and their clothing damp with rain. When the cold blast struck them they were approaching Burson's (now Fountain) creek. Burson's house stood on the oppo- site or west side of the creek. On they went, but were soon obliged to dismount and could not proceed. They were obliged to spend the night on the prairie. They continued to move about until Frame became so benumbed that he could not keep up. Hildreth was much more warmly clad than his companion. They then resolved to kill their horses and get inside the bodies. They had but one knife.
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Frame's horse was killed first, but in attempting to open the body the knife was lost and in the darkness could not be found. They suc- ceeded, however, in opening the body so that they were able to insert their feet and legs. They remained in this position as long as possible, and were then obliged to exercise their bodies. Thus the night was passed, until about two hours before day, when Frame died. As soon as he could see, Hildreth managed to mount his horse and pushed on for Burson's Grove, a distance of nearly ten miles. On reaching the creek he succeeded in attracting Burson's attention, but he could not cross as the channel was not entirely closed. Burson was afraid to attempt getting him over, and advised him to go six miles further to another house. Hildreth did so, but found the house empty; this Burson knew, but had in this heartless manner sent him off. It was nearly night again before Hildreth got back to Burson's, and sliding off his horse resolved to cross or perish in the attempt. He succeeded, and crawling up to the house, he at length obtained what he so much needed, food and warmth. At Hildreth's urgent request, Burson aroused some people, and a general search for Frame's body was begun. Burson would not permit the body to be brought to his house, neither would he keep Hildreth. The body of Frame was taken to Mr. Williams' house, whence it was removed to his father's house for burial. Two days afterward Hildreth was removed to Williams' house, where he remained for six weeks in a perfectly helpless condi- tion. The horse was also found and cared for. Hildreth lost all his fingers except one, and both his feet up to the instep.
In 1854 the cholera appeared in Milford, supposed to have been brought in some infected clothing. A family living in a house about one-half mile east of Aaron Thomas' place became victims of the scourge. Three persons who died there were buried. An attempt was made to remove a sick woman to Parrislı Grove, but she died on the way. Two other persons died in this house, but no one could be induced to go there and bury the decaying bodies. The physician declared that the house, with the bodies, must be burned, or the whole county would be infected. This was accordingly done. About six- teen persons died of cliolera.
On June 20, 1866, a tornado swept over this township in a south- easterly direction. Mr. C. W. Dawson was the principal sufferer. His farm is in sections 27 and 34. The house stands on the east side of the road, the barn on the west side, some sixty yards away. He says: "I first saw a funnel-shaped cloud coming from the west. It came near the ground in the timber on Mud creek, cutting off the tops of the trees; then rising, it struck the ground about one-fourth of a
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
mile west of the barn. It made a clean sweep of my farın. The barn was utterly demolished, some of the timbers being driven through the side of the house. A long building standing near was carried in frag- ments about 200 yards. Not a panel of fence remained on the place. The shutters were torn from the house, and my son, a married man, was carried from the yard about eighty yards, and deposited in a spring. One mule was killed outright, and five hogs, each weighing over 200 pounds, were never heard of afterward. It was a lively time for about a minute."
In June, 1848, a quarrel arose between Robert Gay and his son William about some grass. An ill feeling had existed between them for some time. The father had forbidden the son cutting any grass on some land near his house. One morning the son, regardless of this injunction, was mowing grass for his horses when the old man came out, and in the quarrel that ensued William cut a terrible gash with his scythe across his father's shoulders, near the base of the neck. The son left his father lying where he fell. The matter soon became known to a neighbor, who cared for the old man, and summoned a doctor. The wound proved to be not necessarily fatal and was in a fair way to heal, when about two weeks after he suddenly died, as was supposed, by his own hand. The son was tried and acquitted.
B. P. Williamson's house, on the S.W. ¿ of Sec. 24, was destroyed by fire, with nearly all of its contents, early on the morning of January 2, 1875. A furious snow-storm was raging at the time. The family barely escaped, saving such articles of clothing as they were able to snatch up as they left the burning building. The wind was from the northwest and intensely cold. The origin of the fire was never known.
A remarkable apple tree is still growing on the spot where it was planted forty-nine years ago. This tree was planted by William Stan- ley's wife on the land that Stanley sold to William Cox. It stands on section 10, about forty yards north of the southwest corner of the sec- tion. It is a seedling, and last year (1879) produced about thirty bush- els of fine apples. Two feet from the ground the trunk is eight feet in circumference. The top is very symmetrical and of immense size, having a diameter or spread of abont fifty-six feet. It is exceedingly thrifty, with not a dry twig among its branches. It is undoubtedly the largest apple tree in the county.
The only fire of any magnitude that has occurred in the village of Milford, was on August 10, 1876. Charles Jones' elevator, standing on the same ground now occupied by Fairman's elevator, was burned, together with several cars containing produce. Loss about $7,000.
October 31, 1876, Charles D. Morehouse, a brakeman on the Chi-
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MILFORD TOWNSHIP.
cago & Eastern Illinois railroad, was run over by a freight train at Milford station and killed.
DESCRIPTION.
Milford township extends seven and a half miles north and south, and six miles east and west. The political township is identical with the congressional. It contains an area of about 28,302 acres. The township is traversed by two considerable streams-Sugar creek and Mud creek. Sugar creek enters the township from the east, near the southeast corner of section 13; thence flowing in a west-by-north course until it reaches the N.W. ¿ of Sec. 15. At this point the waters of Sugar and Mnd creeks nnite; the latter entering the township at the center of the west side of section 30, and pursuing a very irregular course northeast to this point of intersection. From this point the united waters flow in a north-by-east course to within a mile of the north boundary line of the town, when it bends to the northwest, leav- ing the township near the quarter-line of section 5. Several smaller streams flow into these. The Little Mud, in the south part of the town, is one of them. Fountain creek, coming from the southwest, joins the Mud near the center of section 30. A small creek flows across the northwest corner of the township.
The general surface is level or gently rolling. The valley or bot- tom lands along the courses of Mud and Sugar creeks are alluvial and of great fertility, and are at a few feet lower level than the adjoining lands. A few gullies or ravines break the uniform line of banks, but these are of extremely limited extent. Broad belts of timber, consist- ing of white, burr and black oak, walnut, hickory, elm, ash, sassafras, and hard and soft maple, originally existed along all the streams ; some- times spreading into wide reaches, extending into the prairie for con- siderable distances. The timber covered more than one-fourth of the area of the township, but at least one-half of the original quantity has been removed. This diversified arrangement of prairie and woodland presents a most pleasing landscape, and no more beautiful region exists than is found in this township. The soil in the timber portions is clay mixed with some gravel; on the prairie a black loam over gravel, clay or sand. It is exceedingly fertile, producing large crops of corn, oats and flax; and it is now abundantly shown that winter wheat can be grown with great profit .* The coming year will doubtless mark a new era in wlieat-growing. In its adaptedness to stock-raising, this town- ship is not excelled. Immense numbers of cattle and hogs are raised,
* The average yield per acre in this county, as shown by statistics, being twenty- six bushels.
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
and much attention is given to improving the breeds of stock. Not only is the country well watered by streams, but the artesian wells, which are made at small expense, furnish in nearly every locality a never-failing source of pure, cold water. These wells are invaluable to those engaged in stock-raising, besides which they facilitate the making of butter and cheese.
VILLAGE OF MILFORD. .
This village, which is situated one mile east of the center of the township, was originally located on and covered the N.E. ¿ of the S.E. ¿ of Sec. 15, T. 25 N., R. 12 W. 2d principal meridian. This land was entered by William Pickerel, October 4, 1832. The village was platted by Pickerel, September 24, 1836 ; Jonas Smith, county surveyor, making the survey. The plat was certified October 6, and recorded October 10, 1836, and described as " situated at Wm. Pickerel's mills on Sugar creek, one of the main branches of the Iroquois river." Pickerel sold the whole tract to John B. Strickler, May 31, 1837. Railroad addition to the village of Milford was laid out and platted by John L. Donovan, August 7, 1871, and recorded the same date. The survey was made by George Dalton, a deputy of B. F. Masters, county surveyor. It is located on land formerly owned by Charles Axtell. The tract thus platted lies on both sides of the line separating sections 14 and 15, and is described by metes and bounds. The depot grounds of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad are located in this addition. Donovan's addition adjoins railroad addition on the east, and is laid out on land bought of Samuel Grant. On the west of railroad addition is Dawson's addition of out-lots, surveyed by B. F. Masters. This addition extends west to the new cemetery, and lies on both sides of the road running west from the depot.
Few villages in any sections of the country, can boast of more improvements, backed up with abundant promise of greater substantial prosperity, than Milford. On the east, west and south sides are beautiful groves, while immediately to the north, and also beyond these groves, extend in all directions vast rolling prairies, well drained and yielding enormous crops of all kinds of grain, and sustaining thousands of cattle. Of this region Milford is the most available market, and the enterprise of its citizens is fast binding this extensive trade, and con- stantly extending every facility and offering every encouragement that superior business sagacity and a liberal outlay of money can present, to maintain and extend their commercial relations.
The village of Milford was incorporated March 3, 1874. The first officers were: H. V. Brown, president board of trustees; George S.
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MILFORD TOWNSHIP.
Blanchfill, secretary ; W. T. Sheridan, treasurer; James Woodworth, police justice ; Samuel Caughron, street commissioner. At the election held to vote upon the question of incorporation sixty-one votes were cast; sixty were in favor of the measure and only one negative vote.
The first elevator put up in the village was burnt as already stated. The elevator now standing on the same ground was erected by John Fairman in 1877. Mr. Fairman is a man of great business enterprise and sagacity, and foreseeing the advantages of such an investment, determined to build an elevator of sufficient capacity to accommodate the grain trade of this section. He pushed forward his undertaking amid many prophesies of failure, but the result has justified his expec- tations. The capacity of the building is 25,000 bushels. It is run by an engine of thirty-five horse power, witlı which is connected a mill for grinding corn. The elevator can receive and deliver 4,000 bushels per day. Mr. Fairman was the first grain buyer in Watseka.
The general character of the inhabitants of a city or village is often indicated by the quality and style of their buildings. This certainly is true of Milford. No village in eastern Illinois can boast of a better class of buildings, either for business or residence. Nearly all of the business houses are substantial brick buildings, well finished, and filled with large and complete stocks of goods.
During the past season many substantial and expensive buildings have been constructed. Postmaster James Woodworth and A. J. Mil- ler have erected a two-story brick block, which will be occupied as a post-office and for dry-goods. Goldstein & Son have also put up a building of equal size with their present one, thus doubling their facil- ities for doing business. Fairman and McConnell have also built an extensive brick addition to their very large store. These facts are more convincing than words in estimating business prospects. As a further evidence of a sure progress, it may be stated that the amount of sales exceed $200,000 annually.
Strickler Bros. have an extensive wagon manufactory. Their establishment also embraces a planing-mill containing three planers, a blacksmith and repair shop, a large saw-mill and a machine for cut- ting felloes, besides mortise and boring machines. The machinery is driven by a powerful engine. They manufactured last year over 400 wagons, and are constantly turning. out an immense amount of work. John Bentson is largely engaged in manufacturing wagons and cabinet work.
The clay deposits in this region are of considerable extent and great value. The varieties usually found are blue and brick clay, and also what is called joint clay, which seems to be composed of magnesia and
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
lime, since the articles made from it " burn white." The clay is more readily found near the timber, and wherever the surface is broken into banks or plateaus. These sources of wealth are made available through the extensive works of Dr. Ira Brown and George Hix. The manu- facture of drain-tile was commenced on Mr. Hix's land in the year 1873 by Elson Lee, but the enterprise was not successful, and the works passed into Mr. Hix's lands. Perseverance and energy, with a practical knowledge of working and burning clay have, however, tri- umphed over all obstacles. The demand for tile had become so great, that in 1878 Dr. Brown established his present extensive works, and still the want is not supplied. The doctor is constantly adding new and improved machinery; he has also substituted steam instead of horse power. An excellent quality of brick is also made at these works in large quantities. The amount of tile made the past season by both manufactories is about 22,552 rods, equal to a distance of over seventy miles. Several different sizes of tile are made, ranging from two and a half to eight inches. Mr. Jasper Pretzman is also largely engaged in the making of brick. The aggregate amount of brick made during the season amounts to about 700,000. With a continna- tion of the present general prosperity this amount will be largely exceeded in the future.
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