USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 68
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The Paw Paw Grove post-office was made a money order office July 1, 1875. For the quarter ended September 30 of that year the number of orders issued was 111, amounting to $1,802.31. For the quarter ended September 30, 1881, there were 357 orders, the cash amount of which was $4,805.14.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first number of the Paw Paw "Herald" appeared November 23, 1877. R. H. Ruggles, of Mendota, owned the office and was first ed- itor. In January, 1878, E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner took control of the paper as publishers, and on February 22 were succeeded by the present proprietor, W. M. Geddes, who shortly after bought the property from Ruggles. Mr. Geddes' ownership has extended from its early infancy, when its patrons numbered fewer than a hundred. He came to Paw Paw at the age of twenty-one, an entire stranger; but brought with him the elements of success acquired in a diligent apprenticeship to his trade. As a result of his industry and good business and editorial management the " Herald " has attained a circulation by which it is self-sustaining and remunerative; and there goes out from the office every week, in addition to its own issue, the Amboy "News." In the past the Shabbona " Record " and the East Paw Paw "Clarion," the latter in the interest of the seminary at that place, have been published by Mr. Geddes. The "Herald " supports republican political principles.
On March 21, 1878, the first number of the "Lee County Times," a democratic paper, was issued by E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner, at Paw Paw. They started also about the same time the Compton " Record," and in May the Lee " Monitor." In August Mr. Gardner retired from the partnership, and since that date Mr. Cass has con- tinned the business with growing success and popularity. In April, 1880, he began the publication of a paper at Earlville called the " Leader." Mr. Cass spent seven years at the case in the office of the
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"Sun and Journal " at Dixon, and located in this village in the pub- lishing business when but nineteen years old. He has made the " Times " a live paper and attracted to his support a paying subscrip- tion. Both these offices have well-furnished job departments.
CHURCHES.
To Deacon Israel F. Hallock and wife we are indebted for the very full history of the Paw Paw Baptist church. It was organized at the house of Deacon Orlando Boardman at South Paw Paw, in February 1841. There were present Elder Burton Carpenter, delegate from the Dixon charge; Elder Hadley, from the Lamoille; and Elder Thos. Powell, from the Vermilion. Elder Carpenter preached the organization sermon, and Elder Powell the second sermon, the text of the latter being these appropriate words: "By whom shall Jacob arise ? for he is small." Of the thirteen members that composed that organization five are still living, but all have moved away save Mrs. Deacon Hallock. Elder Carpenter, being one of the constituent mem- bers, preached to the charge about two months, and was succeeded by Elder Charles Harding, who was the first regular installed pastor. He resided at Indian Creek, and his stations were Ottawa, Dayton precinct, Paw Paw Grove, and Indian Creek. While on this work, in 1843, he was suddenly stricken down and died, in his thirty-second year. The " Northwestern Baptist," in an obituary notice, says : "His style and manner of address were after the model of Baxter, ... by his decease a great chasm is made." The Rev. Norman Warriner was the second pastor, his labors continuing twenty years. In the next decade the charge was served by the Revs. J. D. Pullis, G. W. Scott, G. B. Perrit, and Wm. Sturgeon. The present pastor, the Rev. H. R. Hicks, came in 1874. During his ministry one-third of the present membership were baptized. Early in Elder Warriner's pastorate a house of worship, 24×36, was erected at South Paw Paw, Deacon Orlando Boardman contributing the greater part, and living to con- tribute liberally to a second one, erected just at the close of Warriner's pastorate. Size of latter about 36×60. This was dedicated in 1864 and moved to Paw Paw in 1873, where remodeled. It is truly a pleasant place of worship. Membership per report of 1880, 129.
About 1870 the Presbyterians of Paw Paw began holding meetings in the school-house, the Rev. Alexander S. Peck, of the Wyoming church at Cottage Hill, preaching for them regularly every two weeks. A committee consisting of the Revs. John Eustic, Alexander S. Peck, and Robert Hays, appointed by the Ottawa Presbytery to organize a church at Paw Paw, were called to meet for that purpose on the 26th of May, 1873. Only the first two were present. Those who took part
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in the organization and were the first members were Miss Sarah A. Wilson, Andrew J. Fuller, Susan C. Fuller, Jane Nettleton, Jane Balentine, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Cole, Henry Cole, and Jane Howell. Andrew C. Radley and Andrew J. Fuller were elected elders, and Jacob Hendershot, A. C. Radley and A. J. Fuller trustees. The Rev. Alexander S. Peck was the first preacher. In 1875 this society built their present beautiful little church on East avenue, at a cost of $1,900. The funds were raised by subscription, and when the house was completed in the autumn no specter of debt hung over it to trouble the free course of the truth and the thoughts of the worshipers. The Rev. Dr. Gibson, of Chicago, delivered the dedicatory sermon. The Rev. Peck supplied the pulpit until the close of the year 1876, and the Rev. McFarland and others from that date to April 1878. The Rev. George D. McCulloch was then ordained, and installed pastor of this church, and remained in charge until July 1881. Whole number of members since the organization, 57; number received by letter, 11; deceased, 3; present membership, 44.
In the year 1869 Elder Lazenby, of Paw Paw circuit, preached at the school-house. Abont 1870 a class of five members was formed ; these were James Fonda, Jane E. Fonda, Sarah E. Swarthont, Edward Patrick, Harriet Patrick. That winter many more joined. In 1875, under the labors of Rev. Pomeroy, the Methodist Episcopal church was erected. Paw Paw, as a separate charge in the Rock River con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal church, was organized in October 1879. Previous to that time it had stood in connection with Paw Paw circuit, with preaching once in two weeks. When organized into a charge there remained an indebtedness on the church of $440. With- in the last two years that amount has been paid, together with a float- ing debt of $250 ; besides a good parsonage has been bought and paid for in full. The church has eighty members, and is in a good, healthy working state. Rev. B. Close, the only pastor since this became a station, is now entering upon his third year. His generons labors in behalf of this church will long be a theme of pleasing retrospection.
In 1857, under the efforts of John Fleming, a missionary pastor from Earlville, was organized the Wyoming (now Cottage Hill) Pres- byterian Society, with the following eight members : Barton Bisbee, Joseph Blee, William Winter, Sally G. Bisbee, Enphremia Blec, Mrs. Wm. Winter, Mrs. Wm. Sproul, James Sproul. Mr. Fleming con- tinned to preach here once in two weeks. Meetings were held in the school-house now known as the Cottage Hill school-house. In 1858 or 1859 a building was erected, about 20×40, costing some $200, which was paid by subscription. Rev. Mr. Fleming and Rev. John Eustic were present. In 1863, this being too small it was sold to
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Joseph Blee, and is now owned by his son, James Blee, and used for a granary, and a larger church was built a little north of where the other one stood. This is about 36×60, with a steeple probably eighty feet high ; cost, $2,200. This was remodeled in 1881. Preaching was by different ones, but no one settled as pastor till about 1870, when Alexander Peck was duly installed. He served seven years. Rev. McFarland succeeded for one year. In 1878 Rev. George D. McCulloch, pastor at Paw Paw Grove, became the supply at Cottage Hill, and continued three years. James McDowell and Wm. McCard are elders. As showing the simplicity of these times, Mrs. Barton Bisbee tells that when she and her husband came in 1856 they were right from fashionable New England, just married, and of course on Sunday she came out dressed in her best. What was her surprise and chagrin to see the pastor enter dressed in blue jeans, and bare-footed. She says, "How I longed to get out of sight." That white dress did not appear again till it had been dyed, and all her finery was treated as superfluons. Probably that preacher's dress was fully as effective as his address.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
The first Sunday-school at the Grove was instituted by the Rev. Benoni Harris in the little Mead school-house, the second one at the Robert Walker school-house, and the third in the new frame school- house near the "big spring." About this time was held the first Sunday-school picnic at the Grove; two schools represented, Paw Paw and Four-mile Grove; James Goble, marshal of the day, and Elder O. W. Bryant, orator. After the erection of the present school building at Paw Paw a Sunday-school was organized in the upper room, with Reuben B. Johnson, now of Aurora, as superintendent; Jacob Hen- dershot, secretary, and H. H. Hamilton, librarian. This had a large attendance for many years. It was a union school, kept up only in the summer season. When the different churches in the village were built and they organized their own separate schools, this one, of course, was discontinued. The Baptist society, being the first here, drew off its members ; then followed the Presbyterians, taking away some, and lastly the Methodists. So the several churches now have schools maintained the year round.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.
In a community where the rude rabble and "cup convivial " are unknown, it is but natural that there should be fervently fostered those higher types of civilization, those beautiful groupings in the panorama of life, where kindred hearts are banded together to aid the needy, comfort the distressed, strengthen bonds of friendship, and promote
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general good. In Wyoming societies thrive, but saloons die ; farmers, mechanics and merchants prosper, while the lawyer, justice and sheriff find little to do, and the calaboose is unknown.
Corinthian Lodge, No. 205, A.F. and A. M., was instituted at West Paw Paw, August 14, 1856, under a dispensation granted by the grand master, W. B. Herrick. Elias Mott was named as W.M .; J. C. Heath, S.W .; D. W. Madden, J.W .; Henry Rosencrans was appointed Secre- tary; Jedediah Foster, Treasurer; C. M. Cheeney, S.D .; George Wirick, J.D., and J. O. Crooker, Tyler. The charter was granted October 7, 1856, and the above-named persons, J. O. Crooker excepted, were the charter members. The present membership is sixty-one, and the officers are T. D. Palmer, M.D., W.M .; George Kelly, S.W .; Jacob Hendershot, J.W. ; T. H. Stetler, M.D., Secretary ; S. C. Mitch- ell, Treasurer ; W. L. Nicholson, S.D .; W. S. Yingling, J.D. ; Rev. O. W. Bryant, Chaplain ; E. G. Cass, S.S .; Robert Ritchie, J.S .; Will- iam Mayor, Tiler. The lodge is in a very flourishing condition. Its work can hardly be excelled. It meets regularly on the first Thursday evening on or before the full moon of each month. Jedediah Foster, the founder of this lodge, was at the date of his death the oldest Mason in the state, having been a member of the order sixty-seven years. He was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, August 5, 1780, and died De- cember 21, 1869. Corinthian Lodge las erected a handsome monument to his memory.
Veeder Conclave, No. 11, Kights of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, was instituted March 20, 1877, by Inspector General Dr. J. J. French, with the following charter members : T. D. Palmer, M.D., J. W. Swisher, Evan Thomas, B. G. Barratt, George Kelly, S. C. Mitchel, W. L. Nicholson, T. Doty, William McMahan, Asahel Prentice, Adam Miller. The first officers were Sir Knights T. D. Palmer, M.D., Sovereign; J. W. Swisher, Viceroy ; Evan Thomas, Recorder; B. G. Barratt, Senior General ; George Kelly, Junior Gen- eral ; S. C. Mitchel, High Prelate; W. L. Nicholson, Prefect, and Thomas Doty, Herald. The present officers are Sir Knights T. D. Palmer, M.D., Sovereign ; George Kelly, Viceroy ; Theodore Doty, Senior General ; J. H. Blee, Junior General ; Asahel Prentice, High Prelate; D. B. Pratt, Treasurer ; S. C. Mitchel, Recorder; W. L. Nicholson, Prefect; W. C. Holden, Herald; William McMahan, Standard Bearer; John K. Mannon, Sentinel. Regular meetings on the first evening before full moon, and two weeks thereafter in each month.
Anchor Lodge, No. 510, I.O.O.F., was instituted April 16, 1873, by Anderson C. Radley, Acting Grand Master. The charter members were John Patrick, G. W. Lindsey, jr., Alexander Field, B. J.
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Wheeler, and Jacob Epla. First officers: Alexander Field, Noble Grand ; B. J. Wheeler, Vice Grand ; G. W. Lindsey, jr., Recording Secretary ; J. Patrick, Treasurer; Jacob Epla, Permanent Secretary. This lodge meets regularly on Wednesday of each week. It has a mem- bership of sixty-five, and one of the best furnished halls in the county. Its present officers are Henry Potter, Noble Grand ; William Siglin, Vice Grand ; J. Rosenberger, Secretary ; R. S. Near, Permanent Sec- retary ; W. A. Pratt, Treasurer ; J. Wood, Grand Warden ; R. M. Val- entine, Grand Scribe ; J. Ketchum, Grand Treasurer ; C. Perry, Grand Master; Joseph Radley, Grand Chaplain ; J. W. Mayor, representative to Grand Lodge.
Paw Paw Encampment, No. 52, I.O.O.F. This advanced branch of the order was originally at Earlville, and instituted there July 22, 1863, under the name of Earl Encampment, by E. Y. Griggs, of Ottawa, Deputy Grand Patriarch. The following were the charter members : D. M. Vosburgh, C. P. Moore, John Patrick, T. M. Rob- inson, John B. Luce, Cornelius Ragan, and David Lewis. The first officers were II. P. Moore, Chief Patriarch ; John Patrick, High Priest ; T. M. Robinson, Senior Warden ; Willard Robinson, Junior Warden ; John B. Luce, Scribe. Its history comprises the loss of records and other property by a disastrous fire, and subsequent remov- als to East Paw Paw and Paw Paw. Its first meeting in Paw Paw was March 10, 1879. Its present membership numbers forty-two, and its officers are J. W. Mayor, Chief Patriarch ; W. M. Geddes, High Priest ; J. H. Sprague, Senior Warden ; James A. Warren, Junior Warden ; D. R. MeLaughlin, Scribe ; William Siglin, Treasurer; M. W. Goble, representative to Grand Encampment. Regular meetings Monday evening on or before full moon, and two weeks thereafter.
The social habits of a community are of the first importance, for on these all else of value depends. In no single fact of the history of Wyoming is there so much of gratifying significance as that for twenty years no person has been licensed to sell ardent spirits, and for ten years strong beer has been prohibited. Pauper expenses are only about $100 a year. Public order and decency have not to be main- tained by standing effort ; they are voluntary results. As such they point to what is above shoddy pretense, the really high character of the inhabitants. Organization and sumptuary labors have aided in the growth of the temperance sentiment. Societies are formed ; they flourish and decay, but the eternal good they represent, and in some measure work out, never dies.
Three lodges of the I.O.G.T. have been established in Paw Paw. Empire Lodge was organized in the spring of 1860, but in the summer of the following year was moved to south Paw Paw. In October,
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1865, Anchor Lodge was instituted, but the next summer it suspended. Advance Lodge, No. 104, dates from April 5, 1877. The charter mem- bers numbered about 35 persons, including some of the most useful and prominent in the place, among whom were Rev. J. Hartman and wife, H. H. Harrington and wife, G. H. Gates and wife, Louisa and Addie Fields, Cornelia Goodyear, S. J. Pearsol and wife, and D. B. Mason. Meetings were held in Harrington's Ilall until suspended July 26, 1879. In all these lodges Mr. Harrington was deputy. Be- sides himself, Mr. and Mrs. Fields, their daughter Addic, and Mrs. Saralı Swarthout, were earnest workers.
The " Dare to Do Right" blue-ribbon club was organized in Feb- ruary 1878. A public meeting was held in the Methodist church Sunday evening, the 3d, when 88 persons tied on the red and white ribbon. A week later the organization was effected, and Josiah Mor- ris was elected president, Teal Swarthout secretary, Mrs. Dr. Palmer treasurer, and S. A. Abbott, J. Fonda, and S. C. Agler, executive com- mittee.
The Wyoming Horse-Thief Protective Association was organized in the summer of 1862, having for its object the security of its mem- bers against horse-stealing, and it lias so well answered its purpose that not one has since lost an animal by theft. The twenty-three original members were some of the foremost citizens of this and Wil- low Creek townships. The first officers were Ira Baker, president ; J. M. Blee, vice-president ; Hiram Terry, secretary ; John Edwards, treasurer, and J. C. Heath, agent. Present officers : S. H. Uline, president ; Jacob Epla, vice-president ; F. E. Rogers, secretary and marshal, and B. J. Wheeler, treasurer.
Wyoming Grange, No. 360, of the order of Patrons of Husbandry, was organized April 10, 1873. Many of the solid men of the surround- ing country were members, and during its existence of one year the average enrollment was about twenty-five.
PHYSICIANS.
While J. C. Heath, as we have stated elsewhere, was the first at Paw Paw, the pioneer resident practitioner of Wyoming was Geo. S. Hunt. His professional services in this region began in the spring of 1844. His residence was at South Paw Paw and his practice extended to every settlement within reach.
Henry Hudson and Jas. Goble Boardman were successors at Sonth Paw Paw. The latter is now making an enviable reputation at Brad- ford.
At an early day came A. S. McIntyre, whose services are remem- bered. Dr. George Ryan deserves more than a passing notice. He
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located in practice at Paw Paw in 1850, was admitted to the bar to practice as an attorney in 1858; in 1860 was elected by the republicans of the county to represent them in the general assembly ; recruited part of Co. K, 75th Ill. Vols., in 1862, and was first colonel of that regiment ; in 1866 was again sent to the legislature by the republicans of his county ; in 1869 removed to Amboy, where he still resides. W. T. Sherwood, Thos. Fish and M. H. Everett are remembered by their many friends. Dr. Everett is now at Troy Grove, and is said to be something of a naturalist. Practicing with Dr. Fish at East Paw Paw in 1871 was a young man fresh from college, J. Oliver Stanton. Born and brought up in Paw Paw, the only son of Elisha and Sarah Stanton, a patriot soldier, a graduate at Rush Medical College in the class of 1871, this young man of promise was cut down just as his am- bitious anticipations were beginning to open up as realities. He lo- cated at Dennison, Iowa, and died in October 1874, at Laramie City, Wyoming Territory, where he had gone hoping for benefit from the mountain air. James H. Braffet, Thomas D. Palmer and Thomas Stetler are now the resident practitioners. So efficient are their ser- vices that anyone from abroad is seldom, if ever, seen in this region. Dr. Braffet has practiced here and in the immediate vicinity since 1856. Dr. Palmer located here in 1867, and Dr. Stetler in 1876. Both of the latter were in the drug business in Paw Paw for several years.
Jacob Wheeler, who came and settled here in 1848, bought from George Town the tract of ground on which a part of the village is laid out. In 1864 the remainder of the Town property was sold to the Grummonds, and on this purchase the two Grummond additions were platted.
The original survey of Paw Paw was defective and never recorded, and the result was serious uncertainties and embarassments in the inat- ter of partition lines. Some years ago, before the construction of the railroad, all persons having bronght forward their deeds and consented to abide by his work, William McMahan re-surveyed the plat and established the rights of each.
By the tenth census the village had a population of 504. The subjoined statements from two of the most sagacious business men of Paw Paw form a fitting conclusion to this topic.
" The railroads coming here in 1872 was the prime canse of the town's start to grow. The prices paid for butter and other products of the farm have added materially to the growth of the town. Many old settlers who have become a little forehanded have sold or rented and moved here on account of the school and churches. We have a very good school, which is presided over by three teachers; also three churches in good condition, out of debt, and with strong membership.
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Another reason which I give for the prosperity of the town is that we are not cursed with many hard drinkers, having never, during the ten years last past, allowed intoxicating drinks of any kind to be sold within our borders, having learned that where saloons go up church steeples must come down. The town has been self-sustaining, never having been incorporated. We govern ourselves accordingly, without selling fire-water to pay expenses incurred in running the town. These are sufficient reasons why the town has met with such success."
"I would attribute the thrift and prosperity of this place to the ex- cellent farming country by which it is surrounded, and more particu- larly to the class of inhabitants, they being almost exclusively eastern people."
AN AMERICAN ELEPHANT.
The following account of this animal, believed to be an American elephant, is taken from the "Paw Paw Herald " of August 22, 1880 :
"Mr. L. W. Bidwell, in the employ of George Lindsey, was exca- vating a slough near Lindsey's residence, with the intention of making an ice-pond to be overflowed in winter, when, at a depth of four feet, he struck a peculiar soil, which it is supposed at one time constituted a bed of quicksand. In removing this his shovel struck some hard sub- stance, at the time considered a log of wood; what was his surprise when, as he pried, a large piece of hip-bone, thirteen inches across, was first removed. This excited his curiosity, and another equally as large a specimen was removed. With these he proceeded to interview Dr. Braffet on the importance of the ' find,' and what precaution to observe in its removal. It was evidently a carcass of some mastodon, and the doctor and Mr. Bidwell proceeded next morning to investigate. Mean- time the news spread, and the inquisitive multitude began to flock to the resurrection, and a dozen anxious hands were soon busily at work removing the earth. The first portion removed was the upper joint of the hind leg or hip-bone, which measured four feet four inches in length and was found to be twenty-one inches in circumference at the knee-pan, from there to the ankle-joint three feet two inches. The foot was in such a state of decomposition that it could not be removed, but was observed to be about ten or twelve inches high, resembling a bear's foot, and twenty inches long. This would make the hind leg eight to nine feet long. One of the legs was preserved by splintering, and can be seen by calling on Mr. Bidwell. The back- bone and ribs were uncovered and found to be of an enormous size, some of the ribs measuring six inches in circumference. The head, which was thrown in such a position as to show that the animal had died in a struggle, was found to be nearly three feet in length; the lower jaw figured up twenty-six inches. In this were two huge
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teeth, one measuring twenty-one inches in circumference, and weighed nine pounds, the other two inches smaller. The larger one is now in Mr. Lindsey's possession. No upper teeth nor tusks were found. Then came the upper part of the head with an eye-socket as large as a tea- cup, and brains enough fill a bushel basket. The balance of the mon- ster only formed an outline for measurement, being so badly decom- posed as to make it impossible to retain in good shape anything but the fore legs, which were found to be a trifle longer than those before described. Upon actual measurement, we are told its length is twenty- two and a half feet, and in height would stand between fifteen and six- teen feet, and was undoubtedly covered with a thin coat of hair, as upon the skeleton were found streaks and mossy fibers. It is a matter of conjecture to what species of the mastodon this prehistoric specimen belongs, but it would have offered a valuable addition to the work of scientists and zoologists if it could have been preserved as found."
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