USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 38
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PRESENT OFFICIALS
The following are the present officials of the village of Mellenry : president, Simon Stoffel; elerk, W. G. Schram; treasurer, J. C. Holly ;
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
magistrate, John W. Kimball; marshal, John Walsh ; attorney, A. H. Ponse ; trustees, Peter Doherty, Louis Eriekson, John R. Knox, Albert Kranse. R. I. Oaten and Frank Wetten.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
The village voted to issue bonds and constrnet a system of water works in Angust, 1897, and this was carried out, and today the village has a fine system of waterworks, including a deep artesian well from which is ever flowing a large stream of health-giving water. The water is pumped to a ninety-foot steel water tower which has a large holding capacity as reserve in case of fire or other emergencies. The water is dis- tributed through the seattered village, and most all neighborhoods will soon have water in front of their very door.
At the pumping station, a combined water plant building with its gasoline pump and other fixtures, are housed within one building together with the "City Hall," as the briek structure, near the eenter of the village is known. Here the eonneil meets, and here, in a large fire-proof safe, is kept a good set of public municipal records.
An ordinanee was passed the village board Mareh 9, 1908, by which a Chieago electrie company was granted a franchise to distribute eleetrie- ity throughout the village for a term of twenty years. This was carried out, and thus it was that MeHenry was soon illuminated by the brightest of modern lights.
POST OFFICE
MeHenry has two post offices. One at the old original village and another near the depot, in what is styled West Mellenry, about one mile apart. The original MeHenry post office was established in 1837, with Christy Wheeler as postmaster. When West MeHenry sprang into existence. at the time the railroad was built, there was soon a bitter rivalry between the two town sites and indeed the spirit has not alto- gether died ont, however generally speaking peace obtains between the two sections. It was during one of these hard-fought rivalry battles that by some "hook or crook" the office was moved from the old to the newer part of town. So, for more than a year, the people at the old village had no postoffice, but through Congressman Elwood, a man eame from the department at Washington, and looked the field over and as a result a new post office was established, sinee which date, 1883, the two parts
Camarks
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
of MeIfenry have each had a post office, one mile apart. Certainly Uncle Sam is a peace maker! The postmasters names for the earliest years are not a matter of record, save in the Department at Washington, hence only those of a later period can be given. At the original Me- Henry they have been in the order given: J. B. Perry, Captain Snow, Rollin Waite, J. C. Holly, T. J. Walsh, who was commissioned in 1915. This is a third class postoffice ; has three rural routes cared for as fol- lows: No. 1 by carrier H. H. Fay ; No. 2, D. I. Granger; No. 3, Joe N. Miller. The U. S. leases the brick building in which this postoffice has been kept several years.
The West MeHlenry post office has had for its postmasters: C. V. Stevens, J. W. Kimball, Simon Stoffel, H. C. Mead, E. E. Bassett, who was commissioned in 1914. This is a third-class post office and sends forth one rural delivery or mail on a twenty-nine mile route, the carrier being James N. Sayler.
"West MeHenry" is the direct result of the building of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad through this section. The place was laid out by George Gage and it was largely through his influenee that West MeHenry was made a station on the road. At first the village was called "Gatetown," but soon took the name of West MeHenry. Some of the second lot of business men at this point were: William Hanley, Oatman & Sons, Amos D. Whiting, Smith & Snyder, Curtis & Walker, W. A. Cristy and W. H. Wiswell.
EARLY HOTELS
The first hotel in the township was built in 1837, by B. B. Brown, at MeHenry. It was a rude, although very comfortable log honse, and served as a hotel more than twenty years. The second hotel was the Mansion House, at MeHenry, built by Horace Long, and used for the old courthouse until the county seat was removed to Woodstock. It was built in 1838, was a frame structure 40x60 feet, and two stories in height. Early in the eighties it went out of commission as a hotel.
The Fremont House was erected in 1851, but was burned abont seven years later.
The old Riverside Hotel was built in 1864 by John W. and David Smith. This was counted a fine structure in those days. It was built of brick and was three stories high, with dimensions 40x60 feet. It served its day and generation and passed out of use.
The Parker Hotel of West MeHenry was built in 1858 by George
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Gage, and for a time bore the owner's name. Its first landlord was Mr. Van Doozen, who opened it New Year's Day with a grand ball. Ile was sueceeded by William Murray, and he in turn by a Mr. Holmes. Later, came Landlord Edson, who after two years was followed by W. Parker and L. D. Lincoln. On August 4, 1881, F. A. Parker, son of W. Parker, took charge of the hotel, but, in 1884, resigned in favor of his father.
The principal commercial hotel of the village is now known. as the Park Hotel, an old building, but the hotel is conducted on modern plans, as far as possible in so small a place where the customers stop but for an occasional meal, and possibly over night.
. JOHNSBURG
This is a small hamlet situated on the northeast corner of section 13. of MeHenry Township, three miles southeast of Ringwood, a station on the railroad in this township; and it is also about two miles northeast from MeHenry village. This hamlet was settled by the Germans in 1852, and was named in honor of their leader, for the settlement was really a colony. Ilis Christian name being John the place was called Jolins- burg. It has ever been known almost exclusively as a German settlement. St. John's Roman Catholic Church was established here by Father Port- man in 1845, when the membership consisted of but three families, but today it is among the largest churches of any denomination within Me- Henry County. About 1880 a $45,000 stone edifice was construeted here, and then its membership (1880 to 1885) was 275 families. The present business interests are not large, this hamlet being away from any rail- way, and the greater number of the people trade at larger places in and out of this county. A large parochial school is conducted here, by the Catholics.
There are doubtless many of the present day citizens of Johnsburg who are sons and daughters of pioneers whose names here follow, and who were in the early vanguard and among the settlers, later thrifty Germans who elaimed as their heritage this portion of MeHenry County, in the fifties and sixties. Henry Hatterman, Martin May, Charles Mathew. Peter Rothermel, John Weber, Peter Werfs, Charles E. Buchanan, Theo- dore Mayer, Charles Kuhnert, Ley & Adams, Simon Niehols, Mathias Hohlman, Henry Miller, Mathew Heimer, Frank Miller, William Akt- hoff, Joseph P'ahner, Steffen Thelen, Peter Adams, Martin Boughner, L. N. Freund, John Molitur and John Thelen, were the most prominent.
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
RINGWOOD
This village is a station on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, in seetions 9 and 10 of MeHenry Township. It was settled in 1837 by Dr. Luke Hale and William H. Beach. Doctor Ilale was a physician en- gaged in active practice at Ringwood for many years. Both of these men came from Vermont, bringing their families with them. The vil- lage was platted and recorded in 1844. Owing to the fact that the entire plat was surrounded by a ring of woods, the appropriate name "Ringwood" was given to it by its proprietors. Elder Wheeler held the first religious services in what is now MeHenry Township, in a log house erected by H. W. McLean.
The first school was taught in this township in a log building which stood on the banks of Fox River.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Every Township has its own peenliar features, distinct from all others. Here in MeHenry Township it may be said of its special characteristies that it is the oldest organized settlement of the county; it was the home of the original county seat when Lake and Me- Henry were all in one large sub-division of Illinois. The old land-marks which to the older generations presented hourly reminders of an honor this division of the county once possessed, but today these reminders are mostly gone and the story is handed down from father to son. But this township and her beautiful villages and hamlets may well boast of the progress they have made with the passing years.
POPULATION
McHenry Township had a population in 1890 of 2,555 ; in 1900, 2,673; in 1910, 2,679; and in 1920, 2,825.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS
The following are serving as the township officials of MeHenry Town- ship : Supervisor, Stephen HI. Freund ; assessor, John W. Kimball ; elerk, Charles B. Ilarmsen ; highway commissioner, William B. Tonyan ; justiees of the peace, W. J. Welch and E. C. Hawley ; eonstables, W. H. Kelley and John Walsh.
CHAPTER XXXVI
NUNDA TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-ORIGIN OF NAME-EARLY SETTLERS-PIONEER EVENTS-OLD VILLAGE OF NUNDA-BARREVILLE-TERRA COTTA-POPULATION-TOWN- SHIP OFFICIALS.
BOUNDARIES
Nunda Township comprises congressional township 44, range 8 and one third of range 9. It is bounded on the north by MeHenry Township ; on the east by Lake County ; on the south by Algonquin Township; on the west by Door Township. This subdivision of MeHenry County is among the finest agricultural sections of the northern portion of Illinois. Dairy- ing is now the chief industry of the farms. The Fox River courses through the township. As originally known Lilly and Clear Lakes were in the center of its territory, but these lakes are gradually disappearing. Hanley's Creek crosses the northern portion, and Stickney's Run, with lesser streams make Nunda one of the best watered in MeHenry County.
ORIGIN OF NAME
For a short period after Nunda Township was settled, it was known as Brooklyn, it being so named by William and C. Goff. But when a post office was petitioned for, it was discovered that another Brooklyn was already in existence in Illinois. A public meeting was called, and the name was changed to Nunda in honor of the birthplace of Col. William Huffman, a leading man in the community, who was born in Nunda, N. Y.
EARLY SETTLERS
The first white man to invade the confines of what is now Nunda Township was George Stickney, who came in December, 1835, locating on seetion 6, where he erected the first house in the township. This
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
primitive eabin contained no iron of any description, wooden pegs being used instead of nails. Benjamin MeOmber, who arrived a short time after Mr. Stickney, lived in his log house. Samuel Terwilliger, came in June, 1836 and was the third settler. Cameron Goff was the fourth, and he arrived in October, 1837.
Prior to 1840 these made Nunda their permanent settlement : George T. Beckley, Abram Vineent, De Witt Brady, Joseph Walkup, Charles Patterson and his four sons, William Huffman and his four sons, Wm. St. Clair, Fred Bryant, J. Graey, G. A. Palmer, John Fitzsimmons, J. E. Beckley, A. Colby, D. Ellsworth and W. Musgrave.
PIONEER EVENTS
The first plowing in this township was executed by Samuel Ter- williger.
John Terwilliger, son of Samuel Terwilliger and wife, was the first white child born in Nunda Township. He lived on the same farm on which he was born, until he passed from earth in 1876.
An infant son of the Terwilligers was the first child to die in the township. Ilis remains were laid away in the Holcombville burying ground.
In 1845 James and Samuel MeMillen erected a saw-mill on section 22, which was the first in the township. After 1863, at considerable expense it was fitted over into a grist-mill and as such used many years. A carding-mill was eonstrueted there in 1846, by Mr. Truesdell, but two years later it was abandoned as it would not pay. The first real grist-mill was built at Barryville by T. J. Ferguson, at a eost of $6,000; this was used many years. MeHenry County paid the large sum of $15 for every wolf sealp which was taken within the limits of the county. This custom obtained until 1850. It is related that certain hunters of Nunda Township distinguished themselves by capturing eubs and earing for them until they were six months old, at which time they killed and scalped them, and then claimed the bounty.
OLD VILLAGE OF NUNDA
What is now within the incorporation of the eity of Crystal Lake, but was originally known as the village of Nunda, was platted in August, 1868. It was situated on seetion 32, township 44, range 8. A man named Reed condueted a general store there as early as 1855. The first depot
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
for the railroad at this point (Chicago & Northwestern system now) was shipped out from Chicago on flat cars. That was in 1856. It was set down carefully, just where the old Fox River Valley erossed the "North- western." Then, Nunda the village had not even been thought of. This station honse was for the accommodation of the workmen, and being fear- ful of the high winds, it was staked down to the right-of-way. Finally Nunda sprung up and flourished under that name many years, and was finally incorporated as a village, but with the several Crystal Lake corpo- rations it was decided at an election not long since that Nunda should be merged with the Crystal Lake villages, and so it is today.
BARREVILLE
This was the name given to a collection of houses or hamlet in this township. Thomas Combs built a store there, and about it grew the small place. A mill was built in 1857 and carried on successfully by its proprietor, Mr. Ferguson, until his death in 1865. Patterson Bros. owned the mill later, and still later it was owned by Messrs. MeCord and J. F. Thompson. It was finally owned by Louis Mnneh, who in 1884 remodeled it and made "patent flour" there.
In the spring of 1881, a butter and cheese factory was built at Barre- ville by E. F. Matthews at a cost of $3,000.
In 1854 a post office was established on Silver Lake Prairie, and the first postmaster was Russell Stanton. About 1864 the office was moved to Barreville, with Fred Bryant as postmaster.
The early business and professional men of Nunda included the fol- lowing: Crystal Lake Piekling and Canning Co., G. H. Clayson, Nunda Flour Mills, Gilbert & St. Clair, E. Beckley, J. Goodwin, Philip Roberts, J. A. Sheldon, Piatt & Pinney, C. H. Stone, Smith Bros., Dr. George Horn, G. E. Dickinson, M. M. Hulburt, W. T. Hamilton, Hartman & Barnes, Edgar Beckley & Son, A. M. Clark, D. W. Wattlers, F. W. Stark, O. C. Colby, J. N. Powell, P. A. England, D. Williams, J. F. Wheaton & Son., Dr. E. Ballou, Dr. C. C. Watson, and Robert Rowley.
The history of the village corporation is included in that of Crystal Lake and will be found in the township history of Algonquin. Of the post office, it may be stated in this connection that one was established at Nunda Center about three miles north of the village, and James Me- Millen was the postmaster. The office was moved to the village in 1855, and called Dearborn, but the name was later changed to Nunda.
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
TERRA COTTA
Terra Cotta, a station on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, located on section 21 of Nunda Township, is home of the third largest terra cotta plant in the United States. This plant is the principal interest of the settlement, employment here being given to an average of 300 people. An account of this industry and the American Terra Cotta and Ceramic Company, is given in the chapter on Railroads and Industrial Enter- prises.
POPULATION
In 1890 Nunda Township had a population of 1,805; in 1900 it was 1,965, in 1910 it was at 2,110, including parts of Crystal Lake and North Crystal Lake corporations, and in 1920 it was 2,321.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS
The following are the township officials of Nunda Township: Super- visor, A. H. Hale; assessor, George L. Bryant ; clerk, H. A. Rowley ; highway commissioner, John Pierson ; justice of the peace, P. F. Hunt ; constable, George J. Chlert.
CHAPTER XXXVII
RICHMOND TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-FIRST SETTLERS-PIONEER EVENTS-VILLAGE OF RICHMOND- POST OFFICE-PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS-MUNICIPAL HISTORY-SOLON MILLS-ORIGIN OF SWEET BY AND BY-POPULATION-TOWNSHIP OF- FICIALS.
BOUNDARIES
Richmond Township in the northeastern part of MeHenry County, is bounded on the north by the State of Wisconsin ; on the cast by Burton Township; on the south by MeHenry Township; and on the west by Hebron Township. It is a well-watered township, its streams being the North and South Branches whose waters find their way into the Fox river. Twin Lakes have a small outlet which flows into the Nippersink. The surface of this portion of MeHenry County is nearly level and is well adapted to general agriculture. Where needed, there has been con- siderable tile drain put into the land and this is annually being carried on.
FIRST SETTLERS
To Hon. William A. McConnell belongs the distinction of having been the first pioneer to invade the prairie wilds of this township. Ile located here in 1837 and built a log cabin 16x18 feet. Following him came Charles A. Noyes, John Purdy, Todd Francis, Daniel Newcombe, William and Alexander Gardner, Stephen Pardee and R. R. Crosby, the majority of whom arrived in 1838.
PIONEER EVENTS
The first white person to die in this township was Francis Purdy, who passed away in Angust, 1839, and was buried in the Richmond Cem- etery. One week later, Hannah Thomas passed from earth. She was the daughter of Briggs and Amy Thomas.
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Clava B. Maxon
Hired o Maxon.
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
The first white child born in the township was Sarah, daughter of John and Pamelia Purdy; the date of her birth was July 4, 1839.
The earliest marriage of parties living within this township was that of Andrew Kennedy and Laura Warner, in 1844.
Alexander and David Williams commenced ereeting a sawmill in 1838, on the Nippersink Creek. Later this mill became the property of Henry and John W. White. The last two mentioned built a gristmill at Solon in 1840, the first of its kind in the county.
The oldest burying ground in this township is the one at the village of Richmond. Another cemetery was established at Solon very soon after the one at Richmond. Another in the White schoolhouse district, was among the first to be in general use.
VILLAGE OF RICHMOND
Richmond was platted in 1844 by Charles Cotting and Theodore Purdy. It is situated on sections 9 and 16, and is on the banks of Nip- persink Creek. The same year that the village was platted, Messrs. Cot- ting and Purdy built a gristmill, and at its frame raising (a great event those days) the offer was made by its owners that whoever climbed to the top of the building could have the naming of the new village. Isaac M. Reed reached the top of the building and named the place Richmond, after a favorite town of his in Vermont. At first this township was named Montelona, but later it took that of Richmond.
Charles Noyes erected the first house in the village of Richmond. This was built of logs and was 20x24 feet in size. Ralph Andrews was the pioneer wagonmaker, and David C. Andrews was the first black- smith ; the first lawyer was C. K. Young and the pioneer physician was Dr. Hessett.
Of a somewhat later date, the business and professional factors in Richmond were as follows: F. W. Mead, George Alfs, Robert Johnnott, " H. Chevillin, A. P. Gray, Dr. I. B. Rice, A. R. Alexander, Downing & Dennison, John West, C. E. Culver, H. F. Boutell, Milan Hicks, C. F. Paxton, Aldrich & Burton, C. F. Hall & Co., D. A. Potter, Smith & Hay- thorn, John Billings, Cropper & Co. With the many changes in the passing of multiplied years down to the present, the village has never ceased to progress with other parts of the county.
A fine modern public school building was erected in 1910. It is a two-story and basement structure. It has six main rooms and there are seven teachers. Its first session was held, commencing January 1, 1911.
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
This building was built at the cost of $25,000, but it is stated that $40,000 would not build such a structure today.
POST OFFICE
The post offiee here is a third-class one and has two rural free delivery rontes eonneeted with it-No. 1 in charge of Clyde Wilson; No. 2 in charge of F. G. Motley. These routes are about twenty-nine miles in length. The postmasters, since the establishment of the office, have been : William MeConnell, appointed 1838, who was sueceeded by William Adams, D. Bennett, Luther Emmons, Dr. Stone, Allen Potter, J. V. Aldrieh, D. A. Potter, Mareus Foot, J. V. Aldrich, J. T. Bower, J. V. Aldrich and W. P. Stevens, who was commissioned in 1914.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
The village erected a large town hall for general public purposes in 1900 at a cost of $15,000, and it is known as "Memorial Hall." It was named for Charles DeWitt MeConnell who donated $10,000 toward its building.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY
Richmond is an ineorporated village and has been so ever since 1872, when its first officials were elected as follows: Dr. F. S. Bennett, presi- dent ; A. R. Alexander, elerk ; J. V. Aldrich, treasurer; D. A. Potter, magistrate; Alanson Brown, constable; and Dr. S. F. Bennett, John Haythorn, George P'nrdy, William Purdy, John Hatian and J. R. Hyde, trustees.
The presidents and clerks for the village from 1884 (no record prior to that date) have been as follows:
Presidents
Richard Wray 1884
J. W. Haythorn 1885-86
Daniel Dennison .1887
L. W. Ilowe 1888-89
P. K. Wright 1890
F. E. Holmes 1891
J. T. Bower 1892-1900
George MeConnel 1894-98
G. W. Eldridge 1898-01
E. C. Covell. 1902-19
Clerks
F. W. Mead 1884
Charles S. Green 1885-86
E. R. Bennett 1887
William Sherman .1888
L. W. Nichols. 1889-90
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
Clerks-Continued
F. B. McConnell
1902-07
G. E. Eldridge
1891
R. G. Scott
1908-15
John Holian
1892-97
R. F. Parsons
1917
II. J. Kimball.
1894-96
J. T. Bower 1918-19
II. W. Aldrich
1898-16
E. C. Covell.
PRESENT OFFICIALS
The following are the village officials of Richmond : president, E. C. Covell ; clerk, J. T. Bower; treasurer, J. N. Burton ; magistrate, J. F. Brown ; marshal, W. H. Reed; trustees, J. B. Richardson, Fred Arp, W. A. McConnell, F. H. Bell, Robert Walkington.
SOLON MILLS
Solon Mills was among the first settled communities in this county. It is situated on section 26 and 27. A flour mill was built there at a very early date, but the property became entangled in endless litigation and was of little value to the community. The old mill still stands a monument to legal folly and poor business judgment. The property and twenty aeres of land on which it stands are now held by Chicago parties. It is on the bank of Nippersink Creck. With the failure of the milling interests, and the springing up of other villages near by, Solon has never taken on much commercial importance, but has a few business interests. It is in a splendid farm and stock country. Lands are selling for high prices and the demand for substantial commodities is steady.
ORIGIN OF "IN THE SWEET BY-AND-BY"
To but very few who have heard since childhood's happiest hour that now immortal song, "In the Sweet By-and-By," is it known that this popular song was composed and set to music in Richmond, but sueh is the fact. Dr. S. E. Bennett, for so many years one of Richmond's fore- most citizens, is the author. He located here in 1859 at the age of twenty-three years, taking charge of the public schools as prineipal, and held that position for two years, then going to Elkhorn, but returned in 1871 and again took charge of the school work for one year. Ile then attended Rush Medical College, Chieago, from which he was graduated in 1874, when he began the practice of medicine, continuing it for more than twenty-five years or until his death in 1898. During
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his residence in Richmond he became associated with J. P. Webster, a inusieal composer. They were associated together for several years, dur- ing which time they published a number of hymns, the leading one being that immortal one, "In the Sweet By and By," now translated in all languages of the civilized world.
It appears from writings of Mr. Richards, in his Woodstock Reminis- cences, that "Doetor Bennett and Professor Webster, a musician, were in a corner store at Richmond and that something was said in desponding mood. Someone said, 'Oh, that will be all right in the sweet by and by,' whereat Doetor Bennett turned to his desk and in a few minutes handed the poem to Professor Webster, saying 'how will that do?' Professor Webster took his violin and in a little time composed the musie. It was then sung and approved by those present, and given to the world."
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