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 99

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 99

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EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Although this township so recently formed a part of Onarga, yet we propose to trace back its history to those who first settled its fer- tile lands. Among the first (if not the first to locate within its pres- ent limits), was John Northrup, on Sec. 35, T. 26, R. 10 E. He built the first mill and mnade the first brick in the township. He was also one of the builders of the old court-house at Middleport.

The first mill is thus described : Some " hand-power" mills had been previously erected lower down on Spring creek; but " this was the first departure from hand power, and was run by an inclined treadwheel some eighteen feet in diameter,-horses and oxen being used indifferently. He (Northrup) never got it covered, and conse- quently never did much grinding. He took one-fourtli for toll, when he tended the mill himself; but when his patrons ground their own corn he charged one-eighth. Reuben Skeels bought the stones, and put up what was termed a ' stump-mill.' The general features of this were the same as those of a pug-inill, or ordinary cane-inill. Posts were set in the ground and the burrs were placed on these. A sweep was attached, and the horses went round in a circle."

Benjamin J. Norville came in 1854, and located on section 27, although he had previously lived in Ash Grove, since 1841. He, with other early settlers, was obliged to go to Wilmington, on the Kankakee river, a distance of fifty miles, to mill.

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RIDGELAND TOWNSHIP.

In 1855 and 1856 the township began to fill rapidly with enter- prising settlers. Among others were Garner Oliver, who erected the first blacksmith's shop. His customers came from a distance of fifteen miles. Previous to this date came Samuel F. Everett, in 1853, who located on section 22. William A. Hall, Sr., came the same year. Robert Looker came in 1855. In 1856 we find such enterprising settlers as A. N. Gabel, Sr., who settled on Sec. 22, T. 26, R. 10 E. I. W. Wilson on same section, and H. B. Booth on section 32.

In 1855 there was not a house between the timber on Spring creek and Oliver's Grove. The building of the Illinois Central railroad was undoubtedly the principal inciting cause for the sudden accession of numbers that occurred about this time; but we also find many who resorted to farming in consequence of the high prices that pre- vailed during the Crimean war.

Joseph Robinson was here twenty-four years ago. He had four sons in the army.

INCIDENTS.

The following account of a terrible prairie fire that swept over the township on the morning of September 23, 1860, is furnished by Mr. Booth : On Sunday morning a very destructive prairie fire came up from the southwest. The wind was blowing a gale, and every- thing was very dry. The fire had been set by men who were hunt- ing deer. Mr. Booth saw the smoke, but felt no concern for his buildings, as he had taken all ordinary precautions against fire. The house stood on plowed ground ; and about 200 feet away were stable and stacks of hay and grain. In the stable were a valuable span of horses, wagon, harnesses, saddles, etc. Near the stable stood a double corn-crib, and posts and lumber sufficient to fence 80 acres were near. A lot of logs were included in the "assets." The fire, driven by the gale, came down on all this property; and before the family could realize it, everything except the house (a small one) was consumed. Twenty cords of wood, piled near the house, was also burned. The only thing left was his corn crop, which was not yet gathered. This, to a man just starting in business, was a severe blow. The house was saved only through the assistance of some men who fortunately reached the scene in time. Mr. Booth's loss was over $1,000. Others suffered to some extent. A Mrs. Lapham was severely burned in endeavoring to fight the fire. A trunk con- taining considerable money had been removed from the house to a supposed place of safety, but it was consumed.

About September 15, 1857, W. F. Talcott murdered David J.

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

Stanley. These two men came to Onarga in the spring of the same year, and bought land in the S. W. ¿ of Sec. 14, T. 26, R. 10 east of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. Their land being together, and being without families, they boarded together for a few weeks, and finally rented a shanty of M. H. Messer, situated just west of their land, where they kept "bach." Stanley finally disappeared, ;and Talcott stated that he had gone to Chicago. It was known} that Stanley was expecting money, and some suspicions had been awak- ened in the minds of a few persons, but nothing was saidfor done at the time. Some time after, however, some clothing and a watch known to belong to Stanley were found in Talcott's possession. M. H. Messer and others then caused a thorough search to be instituted very quietly, and the result was, that the place where Stanley had been buried was discovered by James A. Hall. The grave was ex- amined, and Stanley's body found. Talcott was at once arrested. He was indicted in January, 1859, and took a change of venue to Kankakee county, where he was put on trial, January, 1860, and plead guilty to manslaughter. He undoubtedly was guilty of willful murder ; but was sentenced to state prison for six years. Neither the home of Stanley nor any of his friends was ever ascertained. A very full account of the above was furnished the writer by M. H. Messer, Esq., of Onarga.

RIDGEVILLE STATION,

On the Gilman & Springfield railroad, is five and one-tenth miles southwest of Gilman, and three miles west of Onarga. This village was laid out by Garner Oliver and others, and is a place of consider- able shipping importance. Mr. Oliver himself is largely engaged in buying corn and other grain. The first shipment of freight was made October 9, 1871. E. C. Hall was the first postmaster in this town, and the first post-office was at Ridgeville. The village also contains a school-house.

THE VILLAGE OF THAWVILLE,

So named in honor of William Thaw, a prominent railroad man of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is also situated on the Gilman & Spring- field railroad, about four miles southwest of Ridgeville. It is situ- ated on the northeast corner of lot 5, in N. W. ¿ of Sec. 6, T. 25, R. 10 E. Taylor John is proprietor. It was platted about November 1, 1871. It contains a large grain elevator, owned by G. P. Com- stock & Co., and managed by B. H. Skeels for P. Risser & Sons, Onarga. The population numbers about 100.

The Congregational church and society own a fine church build-

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ing and parsonage, built in 1875. The Rev. Mr. Sergeant was the first pastor. There is also a fine two-story school-house, built in 1876, designed for a graded school. C. C. Stone, of Gilman, has a branch store here. There are also one drug store, a furniture store, and a blacksmith's shop and hardware store by G. E. Butler. Thawville has a library of over 200 volumes; also a temperance union and a debating club. Mrs. A. M. Caswell is postmistress. B. H. Skeels deals in lumber as well as grain. The shipments from this point during 1879 were very large, consisting of corn, flax-seed, live-stock, oats, rye, timothy seed, aggregating nearly 200,000 bushels, and over 120,000 pounds of butter, poultry, etc.

In this part of Ridgeland is found an enterprise called the Thaw- ville Dairy Association, a joint-stock company organized in Febru- ary, 1878, under the general state law. It has paid out over $1,100 in the erection and fitting up of a creamery, and is out of debt. The business of 1879 paid dividends of five per cent. The plan of oper- ating is to receive in and weigh the milk and make monthly settle- ments, the patrons receiving four-fifths and the company one-fifth of the net proceeds. It is interesting to note the details of this impor- tant enterprise, showing what can be done in this direction to de- velop the manufacturing interests of the country where excellent water and fine ;and abundant pasturage are found. The product during the season for 1879 amounted to 19,814 pounds of butter, which sold at an average of 21g cents per pound, realizing to the patrons an average profit of 60} cents per 100 pounds of milk. The smallest amount of butter made fin any one month being 1,723 pounds in October; and the largest, 3,669 pounds in June. The smallest price was 15g cents per pound in June, and the largest, 305 cents in October.

There are two other "institutions " found in the town of Ridge- land, which must be noticed. The Farmers Pioneer Fire and Light- ning Insurance Company, organized and went into operation Janu- ary 1, 1875, with David Metzgar as president ; Charles W. Sprague, secretary ; and W. R. Veatch, treasurer. It is run on the mutual plan, and is controlled entirely by farmers, and nothing but farm property is insured. Since it organization no loss has been incurred. The original premium of two mills on the dollar has therefore covered all expenses. When a loss does occur, a pro-rata assessment will be made. The amount of property at present covered by the risks of this company is about $125,000.

A Farmers' Club has been organized for several years. It was at one time changed into a "Grange," but has since reverted to its

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

original design. It is one of the oldest in the country, and meets on the first Saturday of each month.

There is but one cemetery in the township, situated on the north- west corner of Sec. 5, T. 25, R. 10 E. It contains as yet but few graves. Mention has been made of the only tree that, about 1860, stood in the township. This tree was known as the "Lone Tree," and was at that time a conspicuous object. It stands on Mr. Kenoche's farm, near the bank of a branch of Spring creek, and is now surrounded by quite a large grove of native trees. It is said that " Onarga," the daughter of an Indian chief, was buried beneath its shade, having been killed by a jealous lover.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Bellias H. Skeels, dealer in grain, coal and lumber, Thawville, came to Iroquois county in 1853, from Columbus, Ohio. His father had previously sent a large number of cattle to this section for herding, but died before accomplishing his purpose, viz : to embark largely in the raising of cattle. Mr. Skeels came to see the country and has since remained, with one or two brief exceptions. His first regular occupa- tion was teaching. He was afterward engaged in farming. Mr. Skeels was born in Columbus, March 12, 1835. His parents, Truman and Betsey B. Skeels, both died in that city. Mr. Skeels is essentially a self- taught man, his educational advantages being such as was afforded in a log school-house. July 5, 1857, he was married to Miss Elvina Wis- well, daughter of E. M. Wiswell, a distinguished Odd-Fellow in the state of Illinois. Miss Wiswell was born in Morgan county, Illinois, December 10, 1841. They have two children : Luella and Jeraldine. The eldest is married to W. J. Thrasher, of Thawville. Mr. Skeels was in Onarga before a house was built there. After the firing on Fort Sumter, Mr. Skeels assisted to raise a company, and served for two and a-half years as first lieutenant in the 25th Ill. Vol. Inf. He has been engaged extensively in business and is widely known. He was deputy United States assessor during President Johnson's administra- tion, and has also served one term as deputy sheriff in this county. He was the first agent of the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield railroad at Thawville station, and held this position several years. He is a Mason and an Odd-Fellow, and a member of the Grand Lodge of this state.

Samuel F. Everett, farmer, Ridgeville, son of Jacob and Mary Everett, was born in Halifax, Vermont, December 18, 1823. He lived with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and learned the trade of machinist, at Worcester, Massachusetts. He then went to Lawrence and remained about seven years working at his trade. While here he

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RIDGELAND TOWNSHIP.

married Miss. Harriet Sweet. He is next found at Rochester, New York, where he lived two years, still following liis trade. Mr. Everett tlien came to Chicago, and after some consideration, concluded to settle in Iroquois county, and engage in farming. In furtherance of this plan he located on the land he now resides, about 1853. Mr. Everett lias fonr children living : Carrie P., Edward S., Charles W. and Hattie C. Mr. Everett's brother, Joel S., was educated at Amherst, and went as a missionary to Smyrna, where he died. Mr. Everett has a fine farm about two miles west of Onarga, and is emphatically a self-made man. He is a member of the Iroquois County Agricultural Society. -

Robert Looker, farmer, Del Rey, came to Iroquois county in 1855. He first preëmpted 80 acres in Sec. 27, T. 26, R. 10 E. At that time there were but two or three houses on the prairie. Here he remained about two years, and then lost his claim and improvements through some chicanery. Mr. Looker suffered greatly through the sickness of his wife. After losing his claim he bought of the Illinois Central rail- road the land on which he now lives, lot 2 in N.W. ¿ of Sec. 4, T. 25, R. 10 E., at $14 per acre, and after paying the interest on liis purchase had $3 left with which to begin again. Here he has remained, and lias now a fine farm of 80 acres. Mr. Looker lias done a great deal of well- boring, having bored over 300 wells, most of them in this county. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, July 26, 1829. When nine- teen years old lie married his first wife, Miss Eliza Gee, and they raised a family of two children : John and Mary. Abont 1850 lie emigrated to Canada and farmned about four years. Hearing of the rich lands of Illinois, lie came, and selecting a claim, built a house, and tlien returned for his family. His wife died after a sickness of two years. He then married his second wife, who also died and left two children. April 3, 1866, he was married to Mrs. Saralı Conn, whose father was one of the oldest settlers in this county. They have two children : Cora M. and Edwin O. Mr. Looker lias experienced some severe losses, especially of horses ; yet these have been retrieved through great energy and determination. Mr. Looker's father lived and died on the farm in England that had been continuonsly occupied by liis ancestors during a period of 128 years. He and wife are members of the M. E. churchi.

Henry B. Booth, farmer, Thawville, came to Iroquois connty in 1856 from Oneida county, New York, where he was born July 6, 1829. Previous to coming here lie spent five years in Canada in the lumber business. He settled on Sec. 32, T. 26, R. 10 E., where he lias since resided. As illustrative of some of the dangers and trials of the early settlers, Mr. Bootlı related the incident of a destructive prairie fire,

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

which is given in the history of Ridgeland. June 16, 1853, Mr. Booth married Miss Sophronia A. Brown, daughter of Jabesh Brown, of Mad- ison county, New York. She was born May 18, 1833. They have had six children, of whom William E., Charles H., Chauncy, LaMott R. and George are living. A daughter, Jennie, died in infancy. Mr. Booth has a beautiful farm and a model home. He has received a lib- eral education.

Garner Oliver, grain and coal dealer, Ridgeville, son of Garner and Mary Oliver, was born in Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire county, Eng- land, May 7, 1831. His father was a veterinary surgeon. Mr. Oliver learned the trade of blacksmith. When twenty years of age lie left England, alone, and coming to the United States, stopped one year in Cayuga county, New York, and finally located at Michigan City. Here he found profitable employment in the car-shops. While here he was married to Miss Isabella Watts, June 18, 1855. In consequence of the great prices realized for farm products during the Crimean war, and inspired by such reports as this: "A man in Kankakee county broke and fenced a quantity of land, planted sod-corn, and from his sales the first year, paid for all his land and fences," Mr. Oliver was induced to turn his attention to farming. He came to Iroquois county in 1856 and located on section 21, township 26, which land he entered at the government land office. At that time there was no house west within thirteen miles. The country abounded with game and wolves. About this time also a constant stream of emigration set in. The first year nothing was raised in consequence of dry weather. Subsequently wet weather produced the same results. Those who meant business and profited by experience were able to improve this state of things by opening ditches, hence their condition has constantly improved. Mr. Oliver is one of the persevering kind of men, and has succeeded where others have failed or ignominously retired from this strife with natural obstacles. Mr. Oliver set up a forge soon after he came, and his customers frequently came from a distance of fifteen miles. This was the first shop of the kind erected in the township. Mr. Oliver is one of the original proprietors of the village of Ridgeville, and is now extensively engaged in the grain and coal trade. He has two children : Susan J. and Garner W. The daughter is now the wife of F. Jame- son, the present efficient agent of the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield railroad, at Ridgeville.

Isaac W. Wilson, farmer, Onarga, came into Iroquois county from Seneca Falls, New York, in 1856. He was born in Warren county, New Jersey, April 23, 1824. When twenty-one years of age he left his native place, and finally came to Seneca county, where he learned

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the trade; of iron-inolder, and continued to work at it while in that state. Mr. Wilson was married in Oneida county to Miss Sarah Gay- lord, December 1, 1847. In 1856 he removed to Iroquois county and settled on 80 acres in section 22, town 26. He has since added more land, so that now his farm contains 240 acres. Mr. Wilson has filled various local offices, and for four years was president of the County Agricultural Society. He was the youngest of nine children. His father, William, died while he was yet an infant; hence he has always been dependent on his own efforts. Mr. Wilson has no children. He is a Mason. When he came to this township there was not a fence or building outside of Onarga, and but few buildings within the town.

In Alfred N. Gabel, Sr., farmer, Onarga, we find the characteristics of a remarkable man. He was born in the city of Philadelphia, No- vember 1, 1821, and educated at the Pennsylvania University. Origi- nally designed for the ministry, ill health compelled him to abandon this design, and he resorted to teaching in the public schools. In this position Mr. Gabel was not content to follow in the "old ways," but was able to carry out his own peculiar and progressive ideas on the subject of education. His direct ancestry reaches far beyond the period of the founding of Philadelphia. At the age of twenty-five Mr. Gabel abandoned teaching, and undertook the management of the extensive Bloomery & Taylor Iron Works, in Hampshire county, Virginia. Here his scientific knowledge became practically available, and he was able to introduce many improvements in the processes of manu- facture. In this business he continued about ten years, when it became necessary for him to return home to settle his father's estate. This required three years. In 1845 he married Miss Ellen B. Beal, of London, England, whose father had been inspector of vessels in the British navy. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Gabel came to Illinois and made a contract with the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and returning to Philadelphia, commenced selling railroad lands. In 1857 he removed with his family to Iroquois county, and settled in Onarga. Here he began the cultivation of 200 acres, seven miles northwest of Onarga. At the end of two years he sold this farm and continued to live in Onarga until 1862, when he enlisted in the 9th Ill. Cav., but was discharged soon after through sickness. He afterward managed a rented farm near Onarga, and in 1865 bought the place on which he has since resided, about two and a half miles west. Mr. Gabel's spe- cialty has been the manufacture of syrup and sugar from the sorghum cane. In this he has been remarkably successful, producing a very superior article. His product for 1879 was about 5,000 gallons. He has succeeded in making a good article of sugar, and is still experi-

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

menting, believing that still better results can be obtained. He is using improved apparatus, and aims to prosecute his work on purely scientific principles. He commenced the work in 1858 on a Cook's evaporator. Mr. Gabel las lately invented what he calls a "fertilizer dropper," designed to be attached to a corn-planter. He has nsed it successfully, and thinks that his corn crop has been advanced by at least three-weeks time through its use. Mr. Gabel has five children living : Emma V., Louisa F., Alfred N., Jr., Charles Beal and Luther L.

Anson L. Lisk, father of Byron and Allen G., came to this county at an early day, and was truly one of the pioneers of its civiliza- tion. He was the special friend of all new comers, and lost much through his disposition to accommodate others. He was a man of untiring energy, and was fond of improving new farms, and was care- fully attentive to the planting of all kinds of trees. His children, as well as others, are now enjoying the benefit of his care and fore- thought. Every part of the farms now occupied by the two sons whose names stand at the head of this article are constant reminders of the father " who being dead yet speaketh." He did not confine his attention to any one class of trees, but evergreens, fruit, shade and ornamental trees were planted. Truly lie made the prairie to " bud and blossom as the rose." He was born in Albany county, New York, which place he left about the year 1847, and with his family, consisting of wife and one son, came to Michigan, where he remained about twelve years. He removed to Iroquois county in 1859 and located on the N.E. ¿ of Sec. 5, T. 25, R. 10 E. Mr. Lisk was associated with others in the purchase of land, upon some portion of which he con- tinued to reside until his death. His two sons and only children, Allen G. and Byron, now occupy the land he owned, and have con- tinued to improve and beautify the same. They are on adjoining farms, the former living in Artesia township. Allen was born in Albany county, December 4, 1845; Byron in Michigan, February 25, 1850. He was educated at Grand Prairie Seminary and at the Illinois Industrial University. Both the brothers are largely interested in local improvements and are stockholders in the Thawville Creamery. Allen is a director of the Farmers Pioneer Fire and Lightning Insur- ance Company. Byron has devoted considerable attention to dairying, and during 1879 liad the management of the creamery. Allen married Miss Ruth Bliss, February 12, 1868, and has five children. Byron was married, February 12, 1870 to Miss Alice Henderson; they have three children. The mother of these sons, Mrs. Garritee Lisk, and wife of Anson, taught the first school in this part of the township, in her own house (the same now occupied by Mr. Veatch). Another

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RIDGELAND TOWNSHIP.

fact should here be stated. The father, when a young man, visited the west, traveling the entire distance, both ways, in a buggy.

Jacob C. Shear, farmer, Thawville, was born in Albany county, New York, November 19, 1828. His parents were Stephen and Gertrude Shear. The family came to Seneca county, same state, when Mr. Shear was three years of age. He received such an education as the public schools of New York afforded. When twenty years old Mr. Shear married his first wife, Miss Harriet Steward, by whom he had one child, Francis, now married. Mr. Shear removed from Seneca county in 1858, and after stopping in Indiana a short time, came to Iroquois county in May, 1859, and located on section 5, town 25, range 10 E. In September, 1861, he enlisted and was made first lieutenant, Co. M., 9th Ill. Cav. He served nearly three years, principally in Arkansas, till 1863, then from Memphis to Corinth, and through Mississippi. A large part of this time he was acting captain, the captain being wounded. Mr. Shear has also served one term, 1877 and 1878, as sheriff of Iroquois county. For his second wife he married Miss Libbie Reading. They had two children : Charles and Herbert. About eleven years since he married Sarah Brown. They have three children : Thomas, Gertrude and Tenyke. Mr. Shear lias a fine farm of 240 acres. He is a member of the Onarga Lodge, Watseka Chapter. In politics he is a republican.

Christian Knoche, farmer, Ridgeville, was born in Germany, July 3, 1821. He was married in his native land, and in 1848 emigrated to the United States with his wife and parents. They landed at New Orleans, and passing up the Mississippi, settled on land in St. Francois county, Missouri. Leaving his parents established here, he went to work in the iron furnaces, and devoted his earnings to the purchase of land. He continued in this way during eight years, then sold out and made another purchase in the same county. About this time he began to experience trouble from the guerillas, and was obliged to sell his property for what he could get. The family being obliged to leave the country, came to Iroquois county in 1864, and purchased 320 acres in section 28, town 26, where they have since remained. Mr. Knoche has a very fine farm, and has given much attention to stock-raising. He has recently built one of the finest farm-houses in the county. On this farm is a most remarkable artesian well. The flow of water through a four-inch tube is very powerful. Mr. Knoche has been very successful in his business. They have five children : John, Henry, Lizzie, Louisa and Anna, all of whom have received, or are receiving, a liberal educa- tion.

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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 99

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