USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 57
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W. E. HEMENWAY, farmer, Steward, was born in Will county, Illi- nois, January 3, 1845. His mother is still living. His youth, till six- teen, was spent at home on the farm. In 1848 he moved from Will to De Kalb county. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. F, 27th Ill. Inf., serving three years, and was honorably discharged in November 1864. During 1866, 1867 and 1868 he was lumbering in Wisconsin and Michi- gan. He is a member of Sunbeam Lodge, A.F. and A.M., of Plano, Kendall county. In politics he is independent. In 1869 he was mar- ried to Cyntha Dewey, who died September 1876. He was married again in December 1878, to Elsie J. Cox. He has three children, two by first and one by second marriage. Mr. Hemenway is working 160 acres on shares, and is a breeder of Hereford bulls and Berkshire hogs. His farm is under good cultivation.
A. H. TODD, farmer, Creston, was born in Stamford, Connecticut, August 1827. He had common and select school advantages in Con- necticut, where his youth and early manhood, till twenty-five years of age, was spent. At that time he came west and located at Sandusky, Ohio, being employed on the Mad River railroad as civil engineer, to Tiffin, Ohio, remaining about one year. The cholera raged so badly that all parties scattered, Mr. Todd returning east to Connecticut. About 1860 Mr. Todd came west again, locating at Dement (now Cres- ton), and bought a farm, as now located, in Alto. In religion he is an Episcopalian, and in politics a republican. Mr. Todd is an own cousin to the late Com. Foote. His father was a distinguished Episcopal clergyman at Stamford for forty years.
MERRITT MILLER, farmer, Steward, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1842. His youth, till fifteen, was spent in that state in a mill with his father. He was educated partly in Penn- sylvania and partly in Illinois, and removed west in 1857, locating in Willow creek, and commenced farming. In the fall of 1865 he re-
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moved to Alto township, as now located. He has taught school several terms during the winter since coming to Illinois. August 24, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 75th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was mustered out June 24, 1865. He has held several local town offices, is a chapter Mason, and a republican in politics. He was married October 11, 1867, to Carrie Norton. He has 320 acres of land well stocked and under good cul- tivation.
MORRIS COOK, farmer, Steward, came to Illinois in 1856, locating first at Plano, Kendall county, where he remained ten years, and then removed to Alto, Lee county. He was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey. He received his education in New Jersey, and his youth was spent at home on the farm. Mr. Cook married, May 16, 1844, Elizabeth Cooper. They have eight children living. His family are above the average and among the progressive. Mary (Mrs. C. Van Noat) lives at Mason City, Iowa; Cassie (Mrs. Owen Kenney) at Scranton, Iowa; James and John are also at Scranton ; Jane (Mrs. Barton Neer) at Alto, and George F. at Alto; Libbie, and Morris, jr., are at home. He has a splendid farm of 320 acres, stocked and under good cultivation. Mr. Cook is of a retiring nature, but highly esteemed among his neighbors and townsmen.
HENRY SOUTHARD, farmer, Steward, Lee county, was born in Green county, New York, April 4, 1825. He was educated to a limited extent in VanBuren county, Michigan, where his youth and young manhood, till twenty-one years of age, was spent engaged at farming. He removed in 1835, when about ten years old, to Cayuga county, New York, living there three years. In 1846 he came to Big Rock, Kane county, Illinois, and engaged at farming. In 1849 he caught the gold fever, and in April, 1852, went to California, remaining about four years, and returned in September 1856. Until 1859 he lived at Big Rock, Kane county, when he removed to Alto township. He is a Chapter Mason, and a democrat in politics. He was married February 24, 1850, to Esther S. Reed. They have three sons and two daughters. He has 420 acres of land, all under good cultivation and well stocked, and is among the leading farmers of this section.
CHARLES B. DAVIS, farmer, Steward, was born in Lewis county, New York, March 29, 1844. His parents are living in Lewis county, New York. He received common school advantages in his native county. His youth was spent at home on a farm. He came to Illinois in 1869, and located at Plano, Kendall county, where he remained five years on a farm, and then removed to Alto. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a republican. He was married March 24, 1864, to Mary A. Dewey, and they have two children living : Cynthia A. and Edna M. Mr. Davis is managing a 440 acre farm, the property of
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Milo C. Dewey. He is largely engaged in butter-making and milks forty cows. Their butter, through the skill of Mrs. Davis, brings always the highest market price. Mr. Davis is one of the pushing young farmers of Lee county.
W. T. PRESTON, general merchant Steward, was born in Ken- dall county, Illinois, near Newark, December 6, 1839. His youth and young manhood, till twenty-one, was spent there on a farm. He received district school advantages only in his native county. His venerable and worthy mother is yet living on the old homestead. In March, 1869, Mr. Preston removed to Reynolds township, Lee county, living there on farm till spring of 1876, when he moved to Steward, Alto township, and engaged in the general goods business. April 24, 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, 20th Ill. Vol. Inf., going at once to the front. January 4, 1864, he reënlisted as a veteran and marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea, and was mustered out July 24, 1865. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and a republican in politics. October 3, 1866, he was married to Corrilla A. Coleman, widow William Cole- man. Mrs. Preston has three children by first marriage. Mr. Preston carries a full line of general merchandise and also owns two residences and lots, is doing a prosperous business, and is among the leading busi- ness men of Steward.
HENRY W. DUNNING, farmer, Creston, was born in Orange county, New York, February 23, 1828. He had the advantages of a common school, principally in his native state, where his youth till sixteen was spent on a farm ; moved to Tompkins county, New York. In 1843 he came west and located at Rockford, Illinois, and farmed for abont five years, and then engaged in milling at New Milford, near Rockford, for two years. In 1861 he removed to Lee county, locating in Alto town- ship. He is a Master Mason and also belongs to the I.O.O.F. In politics he is a greenbacker. He was married in March 1856, to Emma A. Morse, who died in February 1866. He was again married, July 4, 1868, to Mary Millenger, from whom he was divorced in October 1876. In February, 1880, he was married to Louisa Bennett. He has two children. He has a 220 acre farm under good cultivation, and other property in Creston, Ogle county. Mr. Dunning is now permanently located at Creston. His son, Irving H., manages and lives on the farm in Alto. Hattie M. (Mrs. B. Rice) now resides at Ellsworth, Kansas.
CAROLINE HILL, farmer, Creston, widow of Peter Hill, was born in Norway, August 31, 1826. She had limited common school advantages in Norway, where her youth was spent. She emigrated to America in 1849, landing in the city of New York and coming directly west to a Norwegian settlement on Fox river, La Salle county. In the spring of
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ALTO TOWNSHIP.
1850 they went to Leland and bought eighty acres of land, remaining fifteen years. They then removed to Alto, Lee county, in 1865. She is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. She was married to Peter Hill in 1848. Mr. Hill died October 31, 1875, aged fifty-five years, leaving Mrs. Hill with ten children, three of whom are now married, and the other seven are at home. Mr. Hill was an invalid for many years, and the management of the farm largely depended on Mrs. Hill. The children are: Peter P., of Lee station ; Ole, of Capron ; Julia Ann (Mrs. Thorson), of Alto; Caroline, Bertha M., Charles, Andrew O., Benjamin, William P. and Nels at home.
CLANG OSMUNDSON, farmer, Creston, was born in Norway, February 17, 1834. He was educated in his native country, where his younger days were spent at home on a farm. He came to America in 1854, landing at Quebec, Canada, in June, and going directly to La Salle county, Illinois, where he remained about six years. He then removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota, staying about five years, and improving a farm. He then sold out, and in the spring of 1865 returned to Lee county, and located in Alto township. He has held several local town offices, and is a republican politically. He belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran church. On July 1, 1858, he was married to Carrie O. Hill, who died March 29, 1878. He has six children, and owns a good farm of 280 acres, well cultivated and stocked.
WILLIAM S. HERRICK, farmer and physician, Steward, was born in West Randolph, Orange county, Vermont, May 3, 1838. His parents are both dead. He received common school and academic advantages in West Randolph, Vermont, also attended the University of Vermont, at Burlington, through the sophomore year. Then going to Dart- mouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, he graduated in 1860 with the degree of A.B. He also graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in February 1866. He left Vermont in August 1860, going to Natchez, Mississippi, where he stopped a short time and then went to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he staid till December 1860, and returned north to Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois. In June, 1861, he commenced reading and the study of medicine with Dr. E. P. Cook, which he continued till July 1862, and then entered the quarter- master's department, under Gen. Buell, but returned to Chicago in October of the same year, and in December, 1862, entered the navy, enlisting as an able-bodied seaman. At Cairo, Illinois, he was pro- moted to hospital steward, serving as such and assistant surgeon till February 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Vermont he attended medical lectures at the University of Vermont, as before stated, a season of about four months. He then went to Chicago and attended Rush Medical College. After graduating he went to
34
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Troy Grove, La Salle county, Illinois, and practiced for two years, and at Meriden, same county, one year. In the spring of 1869 he removed to Willow creek, Lee county, and in 1871 to Alto township, his present home, where he has been farming and practicing since. He is a Master Mason and in politics a republican. He was married in September 1870, to Lucy Ann Reams, widow of Charles Reams. She is the daughter of the late Robert Thompson. They have three daughters, Daisy E., Delia A. and Lacy A., and two sons, William Y. and He has an 80 acre farm, stocked and under cultivation.
HARMON VAN PATTEN, farmer, Steward, was born at Glenville, Schenectady county, New York, July 14, 1836. He received a good education in his native town and at Mount Morris Rock River Semni- nary, Illinois. His youth and early manhood, till twenty-two, was nearly all spent at Glenville on the farm. Coming west, he lived for about nine months in Detroit, Michigan, and then came to this county and located in Willow creek, being employed in a nursery for one year. In March, 1861, he located in Alto township, where he has since remained engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has held several town offices ; is a Master Mason, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is a republican. He was married March 17, 1861, to Hannah Nettleton, who died January 6, 1875. He was again married September 4, 1878, to Nettie Fuller. They have five children. He has a farm of 280 acres.
WILLIAM F. CARPENTER, farmer, Steward, was born in Elmira, Chemung county, New York, March 25, 1838. His education was received partly in New York and partly in Illinois. Until about eighteen his youth was spent at Elmira on a farm. In March, 1856, he moved to Illinois, landing at Rochelle, where he remained one year and then came to Alto in 1857. He has been school director, is a member of the Baptist church, and is a republican in politics. In 1864 he was married to Gertrude Foster, who died January 17, 1872. He has a fine farm of 240 acres, under high cultivation. Mr. Carpenter has seen some trying seasons since locating here, having lost his wife and two children by death. He has paid in an early day nearly as . much for seed wheat as the crop brought, on account of failure of crops. Mr. Carpenter had, when starting, $300, and after hard work for a year, had his creditors pressed him, he would have been $500 in debt, but keeping on in his usual determined way, is now one of the substantial farmers of Alto township. In 1868, Mrs. Carpenter's health failing, they started for Minnesota in the hope of regaining it, but in the spring of 1869 they returned, Mrs. Carpenter not being benefited. In the fall of 1869 they went to California, remaining eighteen months, and returning in 1871 to their farm, where Mrs. Carpenter lingered
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till 1872, when she died. Mr. Carpenter, with Miss Carrie Whitcomb (now Mrs. George Addy, of Wisconsin), were the first to organize a Sunday-school in this township in the year 1858.
GILBERT F. HENNING, farmer, Steward, was born at Plano, Kendall county, Illinois, May 5, 1847. His mother is still living, but his father died June 1881. Mr. Henning's father was one of the oldest settlers in Illinois, coming west in 1836. Mr. Henning received a common school education, mostly at Plano, where his youth and manhood, till the age of twenty-four, was spent. In 1871 he moved to Alto. In politics he is a republican. He was married in October 1875, to Angie S. Lawton. They have one child, Burt. Mr. Henning has a 275 acre farm, and also owns an undivided half of 270 acres in Alto township, and 160 acres in Reynolds township. He is also half interest holder in the firm of Wesley Steward & Co., in the lumber and coal business. He also buys and ships grain and stock. He is an enterprising young business man, and stands well among his townsmen.
H. A. ROBINSON, postmaster and general store, Steward, was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1841. His parents are both living. He received a common school education, partly in New York and partly in Illinois. Till fourteen his youth was spent in New York on a farm. In 1866 he removed to Illinois, locating at Paw Paw Grove, and engaged in the cultivation of hops, and also at the carpenter trade. One year was also spent in Bureau county. In 1871 he removed to Steward, Alto township, building the first store in the town, and com- menced merchandising. He has held the office of town clerk four years, is a Master Mason, and in politics a republican. He was married February 1879, to Ceriah F. Morris. They have one child, Lester. Mr. Robinson has an eighty acre farm in Reynolds township, and car- ries a full line of general merchandise.
REYNOLDS TOWNSHIP.
Not more than one or two sections of this township but that is under partial cultivation. A portion of what is known as Brush Grove is the only natural grove in Reynolds township. It is located on the north border line in the northwest corner. Reynolds township was first settled at this point. It is in surface a ridge of undulating or slightly rolling of about one half of the township, running through it from east to west. The north and south of this ridge of about the other half of township is flat, and in some parts swampy and wet. The soil is a rich black loam. It has a good many miles of willow and maple hedge, making it appear to the unaccustomed visitor as covered with groves. There are quite a number of small artificial groves of maple, willow
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and walnut planted by its residents. There is to all appearance an in- exhaustible stone quarry, located one mile from the east line and nearly in the middle of the township known as stone ridge. In an early day parties came for miles around and quarried stone free. It has had several owners, among them R. M. Peile. It is now owned by P. Culkin. The Illinois Central Railroad Company once sent an engineer corps to this place to test the strength, but found the stone at that time unfit for abutments.
The peculiar beauty and attractiveness of this township is the good class of outbuildings, fences, extra good water and roads, there being a strong feeling toward bringing this portion of Lee county up to the high- est possible state of cultivation and value. Its inhabitants are above the average in culture and intelligence. It is claimed as an actual fact that although the youngest in the county as to settlement it is leading in almost every direction. It is only within a few years that the wild ducks and geese were so troublesome in these parts that dogs and boys were employed to save crops from their destruction, and even now they call in such numbers as to cover acres.
The early settlers were Sewell Reynolds, now living near Rochelle. Thomas Manier, living now in Wisconsin. Jonathan Whitehead moved to Iowa, and since dead. John Herrington also went to Iowa, and is now dead. Dudley C. Whitehead was an early settler, who moved to Iowa and has since died. Daniel Brink, jr., now living at Rochelle, was an early settler, as was Charles Gooch, now living on Sec. 17. The latter is one of the largest stock operators and farmers in this township.
There are eight school districts in the township, one of these being a union district, part of which is in Ogle county. The township has a school fund of nearly $9,000 with seven school-houses, all nearly new, costing about $5,000. The school trustees at present are J. C. Piper, George Baley, and Thomas Patterson.
Sewell Reynolds was the first settler in Reynolds township, locating in what is known as Brush Grove. Simeon Reynolds, now living six miles north of Rochelle, was the first child born in same. Nelson Morgan was the first death.
ORGANIZATION.
The electors of the township met April 5, 1859, at the school-house in district No. 1, and organized by choosing Peter Mills moderator, and R. M. Piele clerk. They then proceeded to elect the following offiers by ballot: for supervisor, Thomas Minier; town clerk, John C. Piper ; assessor, Thomas Minier ; collector, Dudley C. Whitehead ; overseer of poor, Daniel Brink, jr .; commissioners of highways, E. F. Gatten, Job Whitehead and David Douthett ; constables, Dudley
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C. Whitehead and John C. Piper; justices of the peace, Peter Mills and Robert M. Piele. They then appointed E. F. Gatten, John Her- rington and John C. Piper as a committee to divide the town into road districts. The present town officers are supervisor, E. Wiener ; town clerk, Thomas Paterson ; assessor, J. C. Piper; collector, Jacob Vauple; commissioners of highways, George Boley, Francis O'Rorke and L. D. Wilcox ; constables, Eugene Horton and Charles Vauple ; justices of the peace, R. M. Piele and Charles Ashenbrenner.
The cabin, 12×16, six feet high, used and built as a residence by Horace Stearns, where the few first residents met to organize Reynolds township and select its first officers, still stands near its original loca- tion. It is now used as a pig-pen, and has been used as a corn-crib. The first meeting was small, and consisted in part of J. C. Piper, R. M. Piele, C. N. Reynolds, Simeon Reynolds, Silas Shipee, W. M. Hawkins and others. The building is located on Sec. 10.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal church of the Flats, located on the south line of Reynolds township and about four miles east of Bradford town- ship, is a neat church building, 32×42, 16 feet high to eaves, and has a seating capacity for about 200. Previous to the building of this church a meeting was held in the fall of 1875 at the house of C. W. Ament, the following persons being present : F. F. Farmlow, C. W. Ament, C. F. VanPatten, John A. Edgar, Daniel C. Miller, B. F. Parker. The meeting was opened by prayer, and after this resolutions were offered and passed toward an organization. F. F. Farmlow was chosen chairman and C. W. Ament secretary ; C. W. Ament was chosen clerk and treasurer, and he, with F. F. Farmlow, C. F. Van Patten, John A. Edgar, Daniel C. Miller and B. F. Parker were elected as a building committee. They immediately went to work and a building as above described was ready for use that fall. Soon after the building was occupied meetings were held and church officers were chosen and elected, consisting of A. N. Dow, treasurer, C. F. Van Patten, secretary, and John A. Edgar, C. W. Ament, A. N. Dow, C. F. VanPatten, B. F. Parker, trustees. Since its organization the church has been in a healthy and prosperous condition. It is now essentially free from debt. It has a Sabbath-school every Sunday, averaging forty members. The present officers are C. F. VanPatten, treasurer and clerk, John A. Edgar, Chester Fosgate, B. F. Parker, C. F. VanPatten, trustees. R. W. Records is its present pastor.
The Emanuel Church, of the Evangelical association (German), is beautifully situated in Reynolds township, one mile east of Bradford town line and four miles south of the Ogle county line. At a meeting
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
of fifteen members held in the school-house in district No. 4, January 5, 1872, steps were taken toward building a church edifice. C. Gagstetter was chosen chairman and Ernst Wiener secretary. A committee was then appointed to canvass and see whether funds could be raised to build the church and report. The committee met at a subsequent meeting held at the same place, January 20, 1872, and reported favorably. They then appointed a building committee, as follows : John Kersten, George Sandrock, George Boley, Martin Wagner and Ernst Wiener. At the same meeting trustees were elected, as follows : Ernst Wiener, George Kersten, John Neuman, George Sandrock and George Boley; Ernst Wiener was chosen treasurer, John Kersten president, and George Boley secretary of building committee. The building is 34×50, 18 feet high to eaves, having a steeple with bell about 18 feet in height. The seating capacity is about 400. The cost of building and furnishing was about $4,000. It is now (1881) being renovated, the interior all being replaced by wood ceiling, at a cost of about $900. It will then be one of the neatest country churches in Lee county. Its present pastor is A. Goetschel ; the trustees are E. Wiener, George Boley, John Greise, George Kersten and Martin Wagner. The Sunday-school averages about 150. The church was dedicated October 13, 1872, clear of debt, by raising $1,100.82. The church and Sabbath- school are in a very flourishing condition.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ROBERT M. PEILE, farmer, Steward, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, March 7, 1832. His parents died from cholera in 1848. He was liberally educated in County Waterford. His youth, till nineteen years of age, was spent at school. November 1, 1850, hie removed to this country, landing at Boston, Massachusetts. He soon came to Illinois, locating at Mendota, and taught school near there for two years. He then removed to Reynolds township (then called Brooklyn), and was among the first to introduce the herding of cattle in this county. He commenced herding 900, and has had 2,700 under his care at one time. While herding in June, 1861, the tornado of that year struck this section, devastating the country and killing many cattle and other stock. He has held nearly all important offices in the township, has bought and sold several thousand acres of land, improving a part of the same and bringing it up to a high state of cultivation. He has now a fine farm of 320 acres. Mr. Peile assisted largely in recruiting men during the late civil war. He was married May 31, 1853, to Mary Landers, who died February 14, 1872. He married again, June 17, 1874, Lydia J. Banning. He has six children, four by first and two by second marriage. Mr. Peile is a nephew of the late Robert
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Moore Peile, M.D., F.R.C.S., and inspector-general of hospitals to the forces in Ireland, senior surgeon to the Richmond hospital and house of industry, and consulting surgeon to Dr. Stevens' hospital. This emi- nent man died February 4, 1858, aged ninety-three years. Mr. Peile is the oldest settler residing in this township. In June, 1880, his barn, 100×50, blew down during a tornado, also several trees. He has since rebuilt. He has now about 200 head of cattle and 100 sheep. Mr. Peile has one of the finest maple groves in Lee county, the plants for which were brought from Des Moines, Iowa, about fifteen years ago. His farm has fine hedge fences of osage and willow. He is one of the best known men in Reynolds, if not in Lee county. The names of Mr. Peile's children are : Maria M., Mrs. A. V. Sanborn, of Steward; Ellen R., Mrs. William B. Sutliff, of Beatrice, Nebraska ; Kittie A., John J., Minnie E. and Lydia J.
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