USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 34
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POST OFFICE
The Woodstoek post office was established in 1844, and Alvin Judd was the first postmaster. When he resigned in 1845, he was succeeded
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by Martin Thrall. Joseph Dwight succeeded him and remained in office until 1853, when F. D. Austin was made postmaster. Since then the following have served as postmasters of Woodstock: Dr. O. S. Johnson, 1857-61; A. E. Smith, 1861-66: William E. Smith, 1866; Mr. Crandall, 1866-67 ; Mr. Irwin, 1867-69 ; William E. Smith, 1869-75; Asa W. Smith, 1875-79; G. S. Southworth, 1879-87; Joel H. Johnson, 1887-91; Simon Brink, 1891-96; John A. Dufield, 1896-1900; C. F. Renich, 1900-1911; W. S. McConnell, 1911-15; G. G. Frame, 1915 to the present time.
The Woodstock post office belongs to the second elass, and nineteen smaller post offices in the county are required to make their reports to this office, and purchase their supplies from it. On October 15, 1909, the Woodstock office was made a free delivery office. There are six rural free delivery routes out from Woodstock, the length of each one being thirty miles.
Since 1866 the Woodstock office has been a money order office, and the first order issued through it was on August 21, 1866, by E. Barton to A. A. Kelly & Co., of Chicago, for $9. The first order paid was on August 7, 1866, to John D. Short for $40, and it was issued by Dr. Asa Horn, of Dubuque, łowa.
INCORPORATION
On June 22, 1852, Woodstock was incorporated as a village under Aet of Legislature, and the governing power vested in a president and board of trustees. The original charter was amended several times, as needed. From 1852 until 1873 when Woodstock became a city, the fol- lowing served it as village president: Alvin Judd, 1852-3; Enos W. Smith, 1854: Neill Donnelly, 1855-6; Melvin W. Baldwin, 1857; M. W. Hunt, 1858: H. B. Burton, 1859; Neill Donnelly, 1860; M. L. Joslyn, 1861; II. S. Hanchett, 1862; William Kerr, 1863-4-5; M. L. Joslyn, 1866; John S. Wheat, 1867; B. N. Smith, 1868; M. D. Hoy, 1869; E. E. Richards, 1870-71 ; and L. H. Davis, 1872-3.
The original village officials were: Alvin Judd, president; and Joseph Golder, L. S. Church, C. B. Durfee, J. C. Trowbridge, and George Il. Griffin, trustees; Charles Fitch, clerk; John Brink, surveyor; L. W. MeMasters, constable ; and Charles Fiteh, treasurer.
The last to hold position as village officials were: L. H. Davis, presi- dent : John A. Rarrish, assessor and treasurer; S. Van Curan, constable ; S. Brink, clerk ; and T. J. Daey, J. S. Wheat, George L. Sherwood, MI. D. Hoy, G. K. Bunker and E. E. Thomas, trustees.
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
An election was held Mareh 24, 1873, to deeide relative to eity ineor- poration, and the vote stood 109 in favor, none against the proposition.
The first city officials were: John S. Wheat, mayor; T. L. Maher, clerk ; J. 1. Murphy, treasurer; M. C. Johnson, attorney; and W. H. Stewart, G. K. Bunker, A. Badger, E. E. Richards, T. J. Dacy, F. Arnold, aldermen ; S. Van Curan, marshal; A. J. Murphy, street commissioner.
The following have served as mayor of Woodstock: John S. Wheat, 1873; Neill Donnelly, 1874; R. C. Jefferson, 1875; Neill Donnelly, 1876; L. II. Davis, 1877-78 ; John J. Murphy, 1879-80; M. L. Joslyn, 1881-82; George Il. Bunker, 1883-88; Erastus E. Richards, 1888-94; John D. Donovan, 1894-97; E. C. Jewett, 1897; E. E. Richards, 1899; E. C. Jewett, 1900-03; F. A. Walter, 1903-07; George H. Hoy, 1907-09; . J. D. Donovan, 1909-10; A. J. Olson, 1912-14 ; he died in office, and Alder- man H. J. Dygert completed his term ; S. E. Olmsted was elected in 1916.
PRESENT OFFICIALS
The following are the present officials of the eity of Woodstock : Frank J. Green, mayor; H. G. Fisher, elerk; William Freeman, health commissioner ; Walter E. Conway, treasurer: T. II. Brown, magistrate ; David Joslyn, Jr., attorney ; and Frank Brown, Joseph Peaeoek, Henry Johanson, Lester Nogle, F. J. Wienke, T. B. Merwin, W. H. Hobbs, and T. B. Owens, aldermen.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
The first steps to seeure publie water works for Woodstock were taken in 1894 when a bond issue of $10,000 was made to seeure funds; and another bond issue was made for $25,000 in 1902 for the improve- ment of the system already installed. The high water-tower tank in the western part of the city gives direct pressure and thus affords proper protection to the city in ease of fire. The water is drawn from wells of the purest water, dug by the eity for this purpose. The system of mains and street hydrants is complete throughout the city. A complete sewer system was not constructed until 1907-8.
Eleetrie lights were installed in the city in 1904, bonds having been floated for this purpose to the amount of $3,000. Again in 1910 another bond issue was made for $8,000 for the extension of the serviee. Since then other improvements have been made as required.
The city of Woodstock granted the Western United Gas & Eleetrie
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Company a franchise to lay gas pipes and supply the city with gas in 1909.
The history of the telephone development is given elsewhere, in the chapter devoted to industrial activities.
The city hall was built in 1889.90, under Mayor E. E. Richard's supervision, and it is a three-story and basement, briek structure. It has an opera hall on the top floor, and contains the eity offices, council chamber, fire department, public library and reading room.
CHICAGO INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR CHILDREN
The Chicago Industrial Home for Children is located on Seminary avenue, Woodstock, and is one of the ornaments of this progressive city. The institution was established here in 1894, when Mrs. Roxy D. Stevens, a widow, without children, seeing the importance of the work being done by the home, which had been incorporated March 4, 1889, and was being conducted in the private residence of its founder, Rev. Thomas B. Arnold, of Chicago, under great difficulties, offered her own pleasant and commodious home for the purpose. This residence was styled by the builder and original owner, Mr. Galister, an English villa. Mrs. Stevens offered this property to the institution, only stipulating that she be given a home to dwell in and an annuity until her death. Upon these conditions the property was transferred to the institution, and has con- tinued to be the home of the undertaking ever since.
From this center have gone out many children who were born to a spring without flowers, a summer without sunshine, and an autumn of early frosts, with naught but a harvest of poverty, shame and disgrace before them, to homes of affluence, comfort and refinement, to become good citizens, noble men and women, and useful members of society. The acquisition of this property gave the institution an excellent start in its good work. Not having been built for institutional work, this home was not suited to the ever-increasing demands. In 1912 it was practically rebuilt, and made into a modern building, so that it is now well adapted to and equipped for the purposes of its incorporate demand, and which its charter sets forth to be: "To provide a home for home- less, orphaned, deserted, destitute and dependent children; to educate them and instruct them in industrial pursuits; also to aid such children in obtaining suitable Christian family homes."
The scope of the work of the home is two-fold, home saving and home finding.
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"Home Saving. If the home is of the right character, it is better to extend temporary aid and preserve it than to suffer it to be broken up. In many cases by reason of sickness, death, the desertion of a parent, or some other cause, it is impossible for the home to continue. In such cases if we extend temporary aid to the children by bridging over the emergency, the home may be rebuilt, and the children have the rights and privileges that belong to every child, the right of home life and living.
"Home Finding. Through this department the institution finds homes in Christian families, for such children as are surrendered to it by parents, guardians, or by the courts. Hundreds of children have been given tender care, comfortable sustenance, good edneational advan- tages, excellent training, wholesome moral and religions instruction, and many have been placed in Christian family homes for adoption, and by these means have been saved from becoming subjeet to those circum- stances which are almost sure to result in vieiousness and criminality."
The management of the home is vested in a board of eleven directors, and its offices are in Chicago. The institution is supported principally by voluntary contributions of charitably disposed people. Its accounts are andited by a public accountant at the elose of each fiscal year. Its work is important and is measured by the amount of its contributions.
OLD PEOPLE'S REST NOME
The Old People's Rest Home ocenpies a site adjoining the grounds of the Chicago Industrial Home for Children, at Woodstoek, and both are under the care of Rev. J. D. Kelsey. In 1903 Samuel K. J. Ches- boro, Burton R. Jones, James D. Marsh, Thomas B. Arnold, John D. Kelsey, William P. Ferries, John E. Coleman, Esmond E. Hall, William E. Bardell, Freeborn D. Brooke incorporated the Old People's Rest Home, and opened it for occupancy that same year,
The object of this institution is to provide and maintain a home for aged people of both sexes, who are in a measure dependent, where they may have the advantages of good accommodations, agreeable associa- tions, pleasant surroundings, comfortable sustenance and tender minis- trations when needed, amid which to spend the closing years of life. Certainly its objects are both philanthropie and Christian, and as such can but appeal to the sympathies and aid of generous people everywhere.
The doors of the Rest Home are ever open to aged people, who need such a place of rest and eare, without respect of nationality, race, ereed. or religion. Many have already found shelter, care and comfort in their
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last years within its enclosure, and the managers are only sorry that their limited room does not admit of their taking in many more. The home inmates usually number in the neighborhood of twenty, which with the matron and other helpers constitutes quite a large family to be maintained. The capacity of the home is for about twenty-four in- mates.
Rev. J. D. Kelsey has had charge of the home since it was established. and his wife was its matron until her health failed, the position now being held by Florenee Walcott.
WOODSTOCK COUNTRY CLUB
The Woodstock Country Club was organized in 1915, and its mem- bership has steadily increased. A tract of about fifty-seven acres was purchased by the club. These grounds, formerly the farm of the late Mr. MeNulty, lie about two miles east of the courthouse, and are beauti- fully situated. There is considerable timber, and an artesian well over 1,000 feet deep. This well was sunk and suitable frame buildings have been erected. A golf course has been laid out, and other improvements are projected.
WOODSTOCK COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY CLUB
On February 26, 1913, the Woodstock Business Men's Association was founded, and in the spring of 1918, to meet conditions arising out of the war, a new constitution, by-laws and name were given the club, which has since been known as the Woodstock Commercial and Com- munity Club. This was incorporated under the laws of Illinois, October 11, 1918. This organization has two objects, the promotion of business interests, and the furnishing of social diversions, or to use their own definition : "the furtherance of the social, civic, mereantile and indus- trial advancement of the city of Woodstock and the surrounding com- munity."
The club is placed under the charge of a board of directors num- bering fifteen, five of whom are elected annually. Among other benefits aceruing from membership is the issuance of weekly reports showing the judgments given at the courthouse each week, in printed form. Re- tailers are also given a credit-rating book for the city of Woodstock and environments. This club takes in all honorable professional and busi- ness men of the community, and plans in the near future to become a still greater factor in advancing the best commercial and social interests of this section.
CHAPTER XXIX
DUNHAM TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-TOPOGRAPHY-EARLY SETTLERS-ORIGIN OF NAME-PIONEER EVENTS-CEMETERIES-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-CYCLONE OF 1883- POPULATION-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
BOUNDARIES
Dunham Township is bounded on the north by Chemung Township; on the east by Hartland Township ; on the south by Marengo Township, and on the west by Boone County. It comprises all of congressional township 45, range 5. This township is about equally divided between timber and prairie land, or at least was when the county was first set- tled. It is naturally adapted to stock raising and many are the fine herds that have been grazing from its sweet grasses in the deeades that have passed since its surface was first used by the white raee. It is well watered and reasonably drained by Rush and Piskasaw creeks, with their several small tributaries.
TOPOGRAPHY
Rush Creek, a branch of the Kishwaukee, erosses the township from northeast to southwest, passing out from seetion 34, and the Piskasaw courses through the northwest eorner.
EARLY SETTLERS
The first white man to locate in this township, with a view of becom- ing a permanent settler, was John Diggins, who came here in 1836, locating in seetion 10 and section 11, a farm later owned and oceupied by O. C. Diggins. The latter named came to the township in March, 1837, and his family joined him as soon as he had a eabin prepared for them. While N. K. Jerome made a claim in 1837, he did not take up his residenee upon it until 1838. Two unmarried men, Baker and Dun-
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Claude C. hace. . hace.
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
ham, were the next two to arrive, and they were followed by Joseph and James Metealf. Before 1841, the following had taken up residenee in Dunham Township: A. Joslyn, R. Latham, Joseph Diggins, J. F. Moore, Dexter Barrows, J. Snowden, R. and D. Linton, and W. R. Heath.
ORIGIN OF NAME
The original name of this township was Byron, but when the post offiee was established, it was discovered that another "Byron" existed within the state, henee the name was changed to Dunham, in honor of pioneer Solomon J. Dunham, a very prominent resident, then serving as a justice of the peaee.
PIONEER EVENTS
Josephine Diggins was the first white child born in this township. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Diggins, and she died when aged seventeen years.
In 1839 oceurred the first death in Dunham Township, when Walter Walton passed away, and was buried in section 3 of this township.
The earliest marriage was that uniting Jaeob A. Davis and Miss Helen M. Diggins, on New Year's day, 1839.
In 1840 a log schoolhouse was built by Sehool Distriet No. 1, in see- tion 1, and a school was immediately opened.
The only church ever ereeted in this township was that of the Metho- dist Episcopal denomination known as the County Line Chureh. This building eost $2,000. Rev. P. M. Huffman was the first to serve as pastor.
There are about two miles of railroad in this township, the Chieago & Northwestern line running through Harvard from the southeast.
In 1874, a cheese factory was built in seetion 35, and was still being successfully operated in 1885. At one time Latham Corners had a gen- eral store, but its existence was brief.
Sheep raising as far baek as 1870 was a large industry among the farmers of this township. The land it was believed then, was better adapted to stock than grain. There were more sheep killed by dogs in this township, along in the seventies, than in any other part of the eonnty.
CEMETERIES
The first cemetery in this township was laid out either in 1841 or 1842, near the old Jerome log schoolhouse.
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
In the western part of the township around the Methodist Church, is another carly burying ground.
Mt. Auburn Cemetery was laid out late in the seventies. It is about three-quarters of a mile southeast of the city of Harvard, taking the place of the old Harvard Cemetery, abandoned on account of low ground, the bodies being transferred to the new burial place.
SCHOOL AND CHURCHES
The first schoolhouse in Dunham Township was built in 1838 on the farm of Mr. Jerome. Here schools were kept and here the elections were held many years during the pioneer days. Here it was that the first term of school in the township was taught by Miss Edna Jewett.
The first religious services in this township were held in the Jerome schoolhouse in 1838 or 1839, and were conducted by Elder White and Rev. Jewett.
CYCLONE OF 1883
On June 11, 1883, Dunham Township had the misfortune to be visited by a cyclone, which first struck the residence of Richard Downs. The Moore schoolhouse was literally blown into splinters. Benjamin Phelps, Josiah Goodsell, Proctor Russell, D. R. Wyant, Arthur Thompson, Mr. Jerome, N. A. Clark, John Mohelus and Michael Sullivan, all suffered from the fury of the storm.
Being near to Harvard, with the county seat not far distant, there never has sprung up a village within this township. Neither has it a railway station nor has there been a post office in recent years, but a good rural mail route service delivers the mail for this section of the county.
POPULATION
In 1890 Dunham Township had a population of 919; in 1900 it had 859; in 1910 it had 849; and in 1920 it had 857.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS
The following are the township officials of Dunham Township : Super- visor, I. E. Whipple ; assessor, D. A. Barrows; elerk, Herbert Kieskow- ski; highway commissioner, Thomas Green: justices of the peace, D. A. Barrows and L. O. Higgins : constables, C. M. Downs and David Fitch.
CHAPTER XXX
GRAFTON TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-ORIGIN OF NAME-EARLY SETTLERS-PIONEER EVENTS-CHOL- ERA-CEMETERIES-TOWNSILIP OFFICIALS-VILLAGE OF HUNTLEY-EARLY BUSINESS INTERESTS-POST OFFICE-INCORPORATION.
BOUNDARIES
Grafton Township is in the southern tier of townships in this eounty, and is bounded on the north by Dorr Township; on the east by Algon- quin Township ; on the south by Kane County, and on the west by Coral Township, and is described in surveys as congressional township 43, range 7, east.
When first settled this township was very wet and swampy, and by many the land was believed to be next to worthless, the lowest point being in its eenter; but modern and more seientifie methods have come to the rescue and drained ont most of these lands, which are now among the finest, most productive of any in the country. Here one sees many beautiful, well improved and highly valuable farms. Crystal Lake eovers one-fourth of seetion 1, and the Kishwaukee Creek and its branches drain the land and furnish ample water supply at all times of the year.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME
The name Grafton was given to this township by Preseott Whitte- more who thus honored his old home baek in New Hampshire, which was also ealled Grafton Township. .
EARLY SETTLERS
The first settler was a Mr. Grinnell, who only remained a short time, and then sold his land to Lewis Holdridge, the second man to seleet Grafton Township as a place of residence. The third settler was Pres- cott Whittemore, who arrived in 1838, from New York state, and he
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
lived here for more than twenty years. Another pioneer was Mr. Stowell, from Massachusetts, who made Grafton Township his home for about fifteen years, and then went to California, where he died in 1870. William Robb was a settler of 1839, eoming from New Haven, Conneetient, locating in section 30, where he died many years ago. For a time John Curren lived in this township, but finally sold to Thomas Huntley and moved to Iowa. Richard Hadley eame to Grafton Town- ship about 1839-40, and James Winney and John Conover were here about the same date last mentioned.
PIONEER EVENTS
The first white child born in Grafton Township was Marion, son of William Robb and wife. He was born in 1839.
Death first invaded the home of Charles Stowell and wife and elaimed a two-year-old daughter, and she was laid away beneath the prairie sod in the eastern edge of the village of Huntley.
The first to unite in marriage in this township were Sanford Haight and Miss Mary A. Sprague. They were made man and wife by Beman Crandall, a justiee of the peaee of this township.
The first hotel in Grafton was kept by Preseott Whittemore. It was in faet his residence, but he had to care for the land and home-seekers as they flocked into the county. Ile carried this on for ten years, more for aeeommodation than for profit. When the village of Huntley was established Mr. Whittemore sought to retire, but it was well known that his "latch-string" always hung outside and anyone who desired might here find a welcome hand and something good to eat.
CHOLER.\
While Grafton was still in its infaney as a settlement, three soldiers traveled on their way to territory further west, having been with Gen- eral Winfield Seott in the War with Mexico. They were stricken with that dread disease, cholera, and died, and were buried in the vicinity where later stood the Free Methodist Church, at the north side of the Township of Grafton.
CEMETERIES
In the early fifties the Protestants, of IIuntley village laid ont a cemetery sonth of the place, the same being originally two acres. In
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
1882 the Catholics laid out their cemetery just to the south of the one just named above.
POPULATION
Grafton Township had a population in 1890 of 1,589; in 1900, 1,484; in 1910, 1,437; and in 1920, 1,475.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS
The following are the township officials of Grafton Township: Super- visor, John Conley; assessor, W. S. Conover; clerk, E. H. Cook; high- way commissioner, John F. Weltzien; justices of the peace, John Dona- Ime and Emil Arnold; constable, John French.
VILLAGE OF HUNTLEY
In 1851 Thomas S. Huntley laid out the village which bears his name. This was the same year the railroad went through the township and this village was made a station on the line, and thus it soon began to be known abroad, and commenced to thrive as a small, but very enterpris- ing place. Mr. Huntley built the first house and used it as dry-goods store. This building stood for many years as a monument of pioneer days in the village so well known now. Later it was used as a drug store, but at last disappeared from the village as a thing of the past. The first hotel was erected by Sanford Haight, and later the structure went into the construction of Glazier Hall. The first hotel was aban- doned soon after it was built, and a second one put up by Lewis Hold- ridge, and conducted by a Mr. Johnson, then by Mr. Fletcher, who sold it to Byron Thornton, in whose hands it ceased as a hotel. H. B. Brown built the third hotel, and after two years sold it to Peter Ferris. Finally the property was burned. The next hotel was built by George Scheler in 1878; it was sold to Cummings Brothers and Haight, who hired O. P. Mason to run it. After going into many other hands it finally became a storehouse. The well known Ellis House was established by B. F. Ellis who conducted a model modern American plan hotel many years.
EARLY BUSINESS INTERESTS
The first general store in Huntley was opened by T. S. Huntley, who after one year sold it to Hoyt & Brown, who enlarged the building and
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
greatly added to the size of the stock. Henry Dunn opened the second store in the village, and a Mr. Grist the third business place. A Mr. IIill was also engaged in mercantile pursuits here for a short time. In 1862, the first hardware store was opened by Mr. Marshall, who con- tinued three years and sold to William Schemerhorn, and he conducted it five years, and then turned it over to his son, Theodore. About 1867 a grist mill was operated at this point. It was a steam plant built by the Jewells, in the southeastern part of the village. Subsequently, it became the property of a Mr. Schaftler, and under his proprietorship, in 1871, there was a serions accident which resulted in the killing of the engineer, William Benedict. Mr. Schaftler was also injured, but not so seriously. Ile rebuilt the mill and sold to a Mr. Spaulding, who con- ducted it till 1876, when it was burned .. Spaulding rebuilt it and sold it to David Williams, who condneted it as a feed mill.
The first harness shop in this village was started by F. J. Glazier, and the first shoe shop in 1856 by Brown & Van Hoozen. A wagon shop was opened in 1857, and Dwight Ramsdell was the first blacksmith.
John S. Cummings shipped the first car of hogs from Huntley, and as there was no weighing scales in the place he "guessed" them off, paying three eents a pound, but when he reached Chicago with his load, he found his estimate a little too high. He also shipped the first car of eattle from Huntley to Chicago, and received only from $10 to $15 per head.
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