History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., Part 56

Author: Hill, H.H. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, H.H. Hill
Number of Pages: 910

USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 56

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the following first town officers were declared elected (forty-seven votes were polled): for supervisor, C. R. Hall; town clerk, James Tyler ; collector, Josiah Carpenter; assessor, James Tyler; justices of the peace, Daniel Carey and H. C. Holcomb; constables, Josiah Carpen- ter and John Dorson ; overseer of poor, Jeddediah E. Loneridge ; com- missioners of highways, James A. Smith, Roan McClure, and M. Mills. Its present officers are : supervisor, Gardiner W. Thompson ; town clerk, S. J. Whetston ; assessor, James Kirby ; collector, Owen Kinney ; commissioners of highways, John Dunn, Irving Gordiner, and O. R. Rickalson ; justices of the peace, W. F. Gallaher and S. J. Whetston ; constables, Owen Kinney and R. N. Coleman ; town treas- urer, Harmon Van Patten; school trustees, George Carey, James Kirby, and M. M. Miller.

In the winter of 1869 and 1870 there was an agitation commenced as to a railroad through Alto township from the southeast to the north- west, known first as the Hinckley road, now the Chicago & Iowa rail- road. Great excitement was caused and much opposition made toward the enterprise. A call was made for a meeting to see if the citizens were willing to subscribe for $32,000 bonds, payable when the track was laid, and cars running on the same. The meeting. was held, and upon vote being taken it showed as a result nearly two-thirds in favor of the scheme, or 93 for and 50 against. A survey was made and grading commenced on Monday, September 26, 1870, and the enter- prise was pushed ahead rapidly, and on December 31, 1870, it was finished to Rochelle, Ogle county, and trains sent over. Then there was a lull and no regular trains were run till April 1871, and only once a day till 1872. The great Chicago fire and the panic occur- ring about that time had a depressing effect through this section, and a few years later the $32,000 bonds were compromised and reduced to $25,000, and at a lower rate of interest, and have since been reduced to about $15,000. The railroad offices and warehouse were in Wesley Steward's barn for some time after the road was in operation.

CREAMERIES.

There are two creameries in Alto township, the Alto creamery being widely known. It is located on Sec. 5, half a mile south of the Ogle county line. In 1873 several farmers united, with a capital of about $5,000, erecting a suitable building for the manufacture of butter and cheese, milk being furnished from 125 to 250 cows. The creamery has been kept in continual operation since commencement. John H. Bacon is superintendent and salesman and Daniel Carey is secretary. There is a small factory called the Walnut Grove creamery owned and carried on by John Walker, and is located on the east line and about

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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

the middle of Alto township. He makes butter and cheese from the milk of about fifty cows.

SCHOOLS.

There are seven school-houses in the township, costing $8,000. There are seven school districts, one a union with Willow creek in the southeast corner of Alto township. Alto has a school fund of $10,000. Miss Carrie Whitcomb, now Mrs. George Addy, was the first school teacher in Alto township. The school building in district No. 3, located at Steward, is one of the finest and best built structures for school purposes in Lee county. It cost nearly $4,000. It has four large, commodious rooms, on two floors, beside ante-rooms, cloak-rooms, etc. The other six houses are also good substantial buildings, costing about $700 each.

THE STEWARD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

A meeting was called and held in the railroad depot April 1874. At this meeting a building committee was chosen and elected. The committee were J. C. Curry, H. A. Robinson, H. Van Patten, V. W. Wells, Jeremiah Tyler, Jas. A. Smith, Merritt Miller, R. M. Piele, and John Yetter. M. L. Barnett was elected treasurer, and J. C. Curry clerk. The committee proceeded at once toward their work, having a plan drawn by Perkins Richardson, of Aurora. The plan was adopted and the contract was at once made with T. J. Labdell, of Paw Paw, for its erection. The building was completed and ready for dedication September 6, 1874. Trains were run free from Chicago and Mount Morris, and a free dinner was served on the day of dedica- tion. The church is the finest building of its kind between Aurora and Rochelle. It is 36×52, and 28 feet high to the eaves, with steeple about 80 feet high. It has a fine basement room, the whole size of the building, for Sunday-school purposes. The church has seating for about 500. It is free from debt and both church and Sunday-school are in a flourishing condition under the pastoral care of Rev. W. H. Tibbals and T. J. Lawton, superintendent of Sabbath-school. The original cost of church building was about $5,000. Its present officers are Wesley Steward, T. J. Lawton, V. W. Wells, H. Van Patten, and C. W. Herbert, trustees, and T. J. Lawton, treasurer.

The Fidelia Lodge, No. 635, I.O.O.F., was organized at Lee, March 9, 1877. The following grand officers, pro tem., being present : G. W. Clark, M.W.G.M .; M. T. Ellinwood, W.M .; B. J. Warren, V.G., C. W. Younggren, G.S .; S. J. Whetston, G.C .; W. R. Baum- bach, G.W. They proceeded to institute the lodge, after which the regular officers were elected : J. N. Prentice, N.G. ; J. J. Meyer, V.G .;

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C. W. Younggren, secretary ; C. Vanderventer, treasurer. The other charter members were J. L. Dyas, H. W. Bryant, F. Fitzgerald, W. R. Baumbach, J. N. Prentice, J. Mullins, C. W. Younggren, and C. Vanderventer. On May 22, 1880, the N.G. of Fidelia Lodge, No. 635, by request, appointed a committee, consisting of Brethren Harris, Hal- let and Younggren, to confer with brethren of the order residing at Steward and vicinity to consider the propriety of removal of Fidelia Lodge to Steward. At a subsequent meeting the committee reported favorable, and upon vote being taken it was unanimously carried to petition the Grand Lodge for removal, and upon receipt of the peti- tion the M.W.G.M., G. W. Berggren, deeming it for the best interest of the order, granted a warrant for removal. The lodge as now situ- ated in the village of Steward is in a very healthy condition, being financially and socially strong. Its present officers are A. R. Michael, N.G .; W. B. Griffith, V.G. ; John Dunn, treasurer, and S. J. Whet- ston, secretary.

Alto township now presents such a contrast in comparison to its first settlement that one not accustomed to its beautiful groves and hedges would take it for a country well and naturally wooded. Most of the farmers are engaged in grain raising. Francis and Geo. Carey, Wesley Steward and Gardiner W. Thompson are largely engaged in sheep raising. Several farmers have put in drain tiling, finding a fine percentage of gain in crops. When this township was first settled the land was bare of tree, shrub or fence. Now there are several beautiful groves of walnut, maple and willow, as well as miles of fine hedge fences of willow, osage, maple, etc.

STEWARD.

The village of Steward is situated a trifle west of the center of the town of Alto. Its location is excellently drained, the water supply is bountiful, easily obtained, and is justly celebrated for its purity. The town is located on the Chicago & Iowa railroad, just half way between its termini, Aurora and Forreston. It was surveyed and platted just subsequent to the completion of the above named road, in the year 1870, and although its growth has not been rapid it has been of a healthy and substantial character. The village derives its name from Wesley Steward, Esq., upon whose farm the town was laid out. At this writing it contains a population of two hundred people. It has always been aided by its founder in all schemes for the promotion of the common welfare, and in these he has had the valuable assistance of an unusually intelligent community. The business of the village is extensive and of a growing character. As a grain shipping point it has few equals in the state, the large country tributary to it and the

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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

healthy competition in the business combining to make it a good market for the cereal crops. Live stock is also largely shipped, and it is a good distributing point for the lumber and coal trades. In the general merchandise line the business is very fair.

The grain trade is the largest in importance, and is represented by two firms, whose combined business is very extensive. The first, as to time of location, is that of Wesley Steward & Co. (Wesley Steward and G. F. Henning). They have a steam elevator with a capacity of 35,000 bushels. The others, Messrs. Christopher Jorgens & Co., are later comers, but are doing a large business. Their elevator capacity is about 15,000 bushels. Both of these houses are largely engaged in other lines of trade, such as lumber, coal, lime, salt, etc., and their busi- ness is drawn from a wide-spread territory. Among other prominent business houses is that of H. A. Robinson, dealer in groceries, dry goods and drugs. Mr. Robinson has been postmaster of the village ever since its inception. W. T. Preston, groceries and notions ; E. O'Neil, grocer ; V. A. Billion & Co., hardware and agricultural imple- ments ; W. P. Griffith, blacksmith and wagon shop ; S. J. Bowles, har- ness ; O. I. Selgelid, boots and shoes ; G. A. Ruckman & Co., meat market ; C. Foster & Co., churn manufacturers ; S. J. Whetston, paint shop; A. A. Chilson, agent American Express Company, and Chicago & Illinois railroad.

The " Alto House," in the hands of S. J. Bowles, is a comfortable hostelry.

The town is not yet incorporated, but has a resident justice of the peace, Mr. S. J. Whetston, who is also town clerk.

The people of the village and surrounding country have reason to congratulate themselves on the high moral tone and general intelli- gence which pervades their community. That they have good grounds upon which to base their claims in this regard is evidenced by their church and school accommodations. The Methodist Episcopal church have erected in the village a handsome edifice at a cost of $5,000, and have also a neat parsonage for their pastor. The present occupant of their pulpit, the Rev. W. H. Tibbals, is very generally esteemed.

The graded school is another evidence of the general thrift and prosperity. The building, just completed at a cost of $4,000, is an or- nament to the village, and one of which more pretentious towns might justly be proud.

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, located in Alto town- ship, was organized June 25, 1870. At the meeting Michael Knutson was chosen chairman and Rasmus O. Hill secretary. Prayer being offered they proceeded to adopt articles of faith and confederation and to elect officers. Peter O. Espe, Peter O. Hill, and Elias O. Espe were

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elected trustees, and Michael Knutson, Rasmus O. Hill, and Ole O. Hill, deacons.

The church is prettily situated on the southeast corner of four corners, one mile west of De Kalb county line, and three miles south of Ogle county line, and three miles directly east of Steward ; its size is 36×56, 16 feet high, and it has a seating capacity for about 400. It has yard and sheds for teams. Its cost was about $2,300, and it is clear of debt. Public services are held twice a month. The Sunday-school averages about fifty. The society is in a quiet and healthy condition.

The present officers are Rasmus O. Hill and John Abelson, pas- tors ; Peter O. Hill, John Oleson, and Nels Ullestad, deacons ; Elias O. Espe, Ole J. Kroe, and C. J. Knutson, trustees, and S. H. Sander- son, secretary. The Sunday-school superintendents are Peter O. Hill and Nels Ullestad.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

WESLEY STEWARD, grain and stock buyer and shipper, lumber, coal, etc., Steward, was born in the Susquehanna valley, at the foot of the Alleghany mountains, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1837. He removed with his parents to Illinois, locating in Kendall county, in June 1838. His mother, eighty-two years of age, is still living. His youth and early manhood, till twenty-two years old, was spent at home on the farm. He removed to Lee county, locating in Alto township in Au- gust 1858. He received a limited education, mostly in a saw-mill, from a Dabach arithmetic, Webster's speller and reader. He has held every office in the gift of his township. Mr. Steward was married December 3, 1862, to Julia A. Short, who died in Angust 1869. He was again married January 6, 1873, to Mary A. Billion, who died March 14, 1881. He has two children: Bertha and Guy. Mr. Steward is one of the largest farmers and stock raisers in this township. He has about 1,000 sheep. Has raised in one year 840 acres of wheat, and has over 2,100 acres in this township and vicinity. He has also control and manage- ment of abont 1,300 acres belonging to his brother Lewis, living at Plano. He is also largely engaged in grain and stock buying and shipping and dealing in lumber and coal. He has one of the largest elevators between Chicago and the Mississippi river. Mr. Steward was largely influential in getting the Chicago & Iowa railroad (formerly known as the Hinckley road) through this township. Mr. Steward is one of the most enterprising and influential business men of this sec- tion. The village and post-office were named in his honor.

GARDNER W. THOMPSON, farmer, Lee, was born in Pittston, Wyoming Valley, near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1841. His worthy parents are both living, his father, Isaac Thompson, whose portrait represents Alto township, eighty-four and mother at eighty-two

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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

years of age. He received a common school education in Pennsylva- nia, and spent his youth and early manhood till twenty-four in that state. He came west and located in Alto township, Lee county, Illi- nois, in 1864. Mr. Thompson tried hard to serve his country in the late civil war, enlisting five times, but every time was taken with severe sickness, disabling him for service. He is at this writing supervisor of Alto township, making the seventh consecutive time elected to this office. He has held other local town offices. Mr. Thompson was married April 26, 1873, to Mary E. Howell. They have one child, Frank G. The aged and worthy parents of Mr. Thomp- son are now living with him ; they are the parents of fifteen children, the one now living with them being their youngest. The father of Mr. Thompson was born, reared and lived on the old homestead in Pennsylvania fifty-eight years. They have been worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church about sixty-five years. Mr. Thompson has a 240 acre farm, and is largely engaged in sheep raising, having abont 200. He also has 30 head of horses and other stock, and a well cultivated farm, and is one of Alto's most popular citizens.

MAJ. THOMAS J. LAWTON, farmer, Steward, was born in Jeffer- son county, New York, August 11, 1813. He received a common school education in his native county, but he spent his youth and young manhood in western New York, at Rochester and Buffalo. The title of major he won during a fillibustering expedition in the years 1836 and 1837, it being at the time of the Canadian rebellion against the queen of England, and had many thrilling adventures during these months. At an evacuation from Navy Island about forty were barely saved from going over the falls at Niagara. On March 4, 1837, they had a skirmish on the ice near Point Au Pellee Island on Lake Erie. In the spring of 1838 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1839 removed to Circleville and engaged with M. L. Barnett in the grocery business, (they also owned and run boats on the Ohio canal from Portsmouth to Cleveland, ) remaining till 1841, when he removed to Piqua, Ohio, and with M. L. Barnett engaged in the forwarding and general grain and commission business till July 1871. In 1871 he removed and located in Alto, Lee county, Illinois. In 1861 Maj. Lawton raised Co. K, 1st Ohio, remaining with his company about one year, when he was ordered to headquarters and promoted and served as brigade and division quartermaster during his term of enlistment. He has been local justice of the peace of Alto at Steward for several years, and has also hield other local town offices. In the year 1850 he went with a company of ninety persons on an overland trip to California with ox teams for mining and trading purposes, where he remained two years. Politically he is a republican. He was married in 1840, to Angeline E. Crocker. They have one daughter, Mrs. Gilbert F. Heming, of

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Steward; have buried four sons. He has, since locating west, been engaged in grain and stock buying and shipping. Mr. Lawton is a Royal Arch Mason, a leading member of the Steward Methodist Episcopal church, and, for one of his age, one of the most active business men of this section.

REV. W. H. TIBBALS, pastor of the Steward Methodist Episcopal church, Steward, was born in Athens county, Ohio, May 28, 1829. His mother, seventy-nine years of age, is still living. His youth, till nearly twelve years of age, was spent in Ohio on a farm. His father and family moved to Illinois in 1841, and he consequently knew many of the hardships of early pioneer life, having to go eighty miles to mill. In 1850 Mr. Tibbals went to California in search of gold, going overland and returning by the Isthmus and New Orleans to Delaware, Ohio. Upon his return he commenced study at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, graduating in 1855; he then joined the Pittsburg conference, Pennsylvania, and remained twelve years in that conference. He then came west and joined the Rock River con- ference, Illinois, in 1867. In the spring of 1862 he was elected cap- tain of Co. L, 14th Penn. Cav., going to the front on the Potomac with his regiment. After abont eight months he resigned to accept the colonelcy of the 2d Ohio Inf., at the hand of ex-Governor Todd, of Ohio. At the expiration of the six months for which the regiment was enlisted he was engaged for about two years in making speeches and recruiting men and taking them to the front. Mr. Tib- bals is a leading member and preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church and has never lost a Sunday or an appointment during his ministerial life. March 24, 1857, Mr. Tibbals married a niece of ex- Governor Ford, of Ohio. They have three children living: Mary, Dilla, and William, and three dead. He has a 331 acre farm in Alto township clear of debt, and has put up a new windmill and a large new barn this season. His farm is being well managed.

HOLDEN P. BLY, Lee, was born in Norway, April 17, 1832. He received a common school education at home, where his youth was spent till twenty-two years old. On April 24, 1855, he started for America, landing at Quebec, Canada, and coming directly to Bradford, Lee county, where he worked at the blacksmiths' trade for three years and then commenced farming. In 1865 he removed to Alto township. ' He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, Lee county con- gregation. He was married January 1, 1858, to Julia G. Sexy. They have seven children : Peter, Julia, John, Bertha, Helle, Carrie, and Martin. He has a good farm of 160 acres stocked and under good cultivation.

JACOB P. BLY, farmer, Lee, was born in Norway, where his

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father still lives, June 1, 1830. He received a limited common school education in his native country. His young manhood till twenty-five years of age was spent as a sailor. In 1855 he came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada. Coming directly west he located in Brad- ford township, Lee county, Illinois, and commenced farming, remaining abont ten years. He then removed to Alto township. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, Lee county congregation. He was married June 21, 1863, to Thurbor Oleson. They have five children : Gry, Peter W., John O., Martha M., Johanna M. He has a farm of 320 acres, under good cultivation, with good buildings, and is a leading citizen of the township.

VINCENT W. WELLS, farmer, Rochelle, was born in Sullivan, Madison county, New York, November 21, 1826. His parents are . dead. He was educated in the State of New York. His youth till about fifteen was spent in Madison county, New York, on a farm. About 1841 he removed with his parents to Orleans county, New York, remaining till twenty-three years of age. He then went to Virginia and remained one year and returned, removing with his parents in 1850 to Pembroke, Genesee county, New York. In 1856 he came west, locating first at Plano, Kendall county, Illinois, where he lived four years. He then removed to Lee county. He has held several local town offices. He was married January 13, 1856, to Elizabeth Rawley. They have one child, an adopted daughter. He has a fine 200 acre farm, well stocked, having some very fine Norman horses. Mr. Wells is also specially engaged in the manufacture of butter, having a fine building, with all modern improvements, for the business. Mr. Wells started with about $600 when he located in Illinois, but he has grown to be one of Lee county's best farmers. Mrs. Wells had a brother killed by the Cheyenne Indians in Chase county, Nebraska, abont October 7, 1878.

M. L. BARNETT, book-keeper and cashier for W. Steward & Co., Steward, was born in Herkimer county, New York, April 2, 1814, where his youth till eleven was spent. His education to a limited ex- tent was received in Brockport, New York. In 1825 he removed to western New York, remaining till 1836 in a commercial office. He then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was also employed in a com- mercial office till 1839, and then removed to Circleville and engaged in the grocery business till 1843. In 1844 he removed to Piqna and commenced in the grain, provision, and transportation business, con- tinuing till 1870. In 1871 he came to Illinois, locating at Steward, Alto township, there being but one family here at that time. He was married January 4, 1836, to Sarah E. Crocker, who died October 30, 1868. He has three sons and three daughters. His family is largely

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above the average in intelligence and worth. His children are: Helen A., now Mrs. William C. McClure, of East Saginaw, Michigan ; Mary Kate, housekeeper for father; Mattie L., now Mrs. H. T. Chappel, of Zilwaukee, Michigan; Charles C., auditor of Miami county, Ohio; Sam O. and Frank P. at home. He is one of the staunch men of honor, holding several trusts for different parties, and is a self-made man.

OLE I. SELGELID, boot and shoe business, Steward, was born Janu- ary 2, 1849, in Norway. His parents are still living. He received common school advantages in Norway, where his youth was spent till sixteen at home on farm. He then learned the boot and shoe makers' trade and was thus employed in his native country till 1875, when he emigrated to America, landing in the city of New York and coming directly to Creston, Ogle county. Soon after he came to Alto and worked for three years on a farm. He then located at Steward and engaged in the boot and shoe business, which he has since continued. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and in politics a republican. He was married in 1879 to Carrie Sandvek. They have one child, Ed. Christopher.

V. A. BILLION, hardware and agricultural implements, Steward, was born in Onondaga county, New York, June 6, 1858. His father died in 1860, and his mother March 14, 1881. His youth till ten years of age was spent in his native town. His education was received prin- cipally in Illinois. In 1868 he moved to Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois, with his mother, where they lived nearly eight years, and then moved to Steward, Alto township. He was married September 29, 1879, to Carrie E. Chambers. They have one child, Oved. He keeps a full line of goods ; is carrying on a lively trade, and shows the usual energy manifested by Steward's merchants. Mrs. Billion's mother was burned out of house and home about eight years since, at Rochelle, losing all their personal effects.

JOHN SEVERSON, farmer, Lee, was born May 17, 1836, in Norway. His parents are both living, at an advanced age. Mr. Severson spent his young days, till twenty-one, at home on the farm. He had the advan- tage of the common school in Norway. June 20, 1857, he landed in America at Quebec, Canada, and came directly to Illinois, locating in Kendall county, where he remained about twelve years, working a farm on shares. He then moved to Alto, Lee county, and bought a farm of his own. He now has 320 acres under good cultivation. He has held local town offices ; is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran churchi, and in politics a republican. He was married November 24, 1862, to Martha Newton. They have eight children living.

JAMES J. PATTERSON, farmer, Rochelle, was born in Ireland May

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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

20, 1840, and came with his father and mother to this country about six years later, landing at the city of New York, and locating soon after at Albany, where they remained three or four years. They then came west and settled in McHenry county, Illinois, and commenced farming. Mr. Patterson remained at home till about fifteen years of age and then came to Ogle county and worked out on a farm till 1861. He then rented a farm and worked it till fall, when he enlisted in Co. H, 46th Ill. Vol., Inf. and reënlisted in January 1863, as a veteran, and remained till February 1866, when he was mustered out of service. He had limited common school advantages in Illinois. His parents are both living. He is a Baptist in religion and a republican in politics. He was married in February 1863, to Eunice Carpenter, and they have six children. He has now a 190 acre farm.

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History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., Part 56

Author: Hill, H.H. (Chicago) pbl Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, H.H. Hill Number of Pages: 910

Author: Hill, H.H. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, H.H. Hill
Number of Pages: 910