USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns : educational, religious, civil, military, and political history : portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, also a condensed History of Illinois > Part 18
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June term, 1843. " Ordered by the court, That the bond filed herein by Christopher Walkup, James Dufield, William Carmack, Josialı Walkup and Linus Morse, obligating themselves to erect a court-house and jail on the land described in said bond, providing the seat of justice should be located on said land in a certain tinie mentioned in said bond, be accepted, and that the same be kept on file in the clerk's office of this court; and that an order entered upon the records of this court on Monday last be accepted."
Same date. "Ordered by the court, That the bond filed by Alvin Judd, Daniel Blair, Andrew J. Hayward, James M. Judd, Josiah Dwight, George H. Griffing, Joseph Golder, George Stratton and Stuart Slavins relative to the removal of the seat of justice of McHenry County be accepted and approved."
Also, " Ordered by the court, That the bond filed by Samuel F. Shepard, J. T. Pierson, D. W. Joslyn, Beman Crandall, Allen Baldwin, Alexander Dawson, Joseph B. Butler, A. W. Beardsley and M. F. Irwin, relative to the removal of the seat of justice of McHenry County, be accepted and approved."
Sept. 5, 1843. "This day came into court Charles McClure and moved the court to rescind an order entered on the records of this court at the June term, 1843, approving and accepting a bond en- tered into by Alvin Judd and Daniel Blair as principals, and An- drew J. Hayward, James M. Judd, Josiah Dwight, George H. Griffing, Joseph Golder, George Stratton and Stuart Slavins as se- curities, conditioned that now if the said Alvin Judd, Daniel Blair and Stuart Slavins erect a court-house and jail, and the conveyance of two acres of land, should the seat of justice of McHenry County 13
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
be removed, at an election held in said county in pursuance of an act entitled . an act for the removal of the seat of justice of Mc- Henry County,' approved Feb. 6, 1843, to the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 5, in township 44, range 7, east of the third principal meridian; on the ground that the persons afore- said did not agree in said bond to convey to the county aforesaid the two acres of ground aforesaid by warranty deed; which said motion was resisted by Prelver (?) and Ames. The court after be- ing advised in these premises was divided in opinion, and only two being present, therefore the motion is overruled."
Next day. "Or ered by the court, That Charles McClure be re- quired to enter into bonds in the sum of four thousand five hundred dollars in an appeal from a decision of this court yesterday upon the motion of said McClure to rescind an order made and entered of record in this court at the June term thereof, 1843, approving th bond for the conveying two acres of land and the erection of a court-house and jail upon the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 5, township 44, range 7 east, by Alvin Judd and others in case the seat of justice should be located at an elec- tion held for the removal of the seat of justice of McHenry County in pursuance of law."
At a special term of court, begun Sept. 25, 1843, the following entry was made upon the record: "The court having on this day examined the certificate of the clerk of this court in relation to the removal of the seat of justice of Mc Henry County, at an election begun and held on the fourth day of September, inst., in which it appeared that the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter sec- tion5, township 44, range 7, east of the third principal meridian, receive da majority of all the votes polled at said election, for the seat of justice of said McHenry County; and it being made the duty of the court by the act authorizing an election to be held in said county for the removal of the seat of justice of the county aforesaid, to cause proclamation to be made that a certain place voted for had received the highest number of votes for said seat of justice. The court being divided in opinion relative to the valid- ity of the bond filed in this court at the June term thereof by Alvin Judd and others for the erection of a court-house and jail in case the said seat of justice should be removed to the above described land, consequently no proclamation could be made of the result of the election aforesaid."
At the December term following, the court ordered a proclama
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tion of the result of the above mentioned election to be made pub- lic and a notice posted on the conrt-house door certifying that the place named for the county seat received a majority of votes. At a special term of the Commissioners' Court, Dec. 22, 1843, con- vened at the instance of Alvin Judd, who was required to pay the expenses thereof, the court ordered that Judd's name be stricken from the bond relative to the removal of the seat of justice to the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 5, township 44 north, range 7 east, and the name of George C. Dean substi- tuted instead.
September term, 1844. " Ordered by the court, That the war- ranty deed made to the county by George C. Dean of the first part and the county commissioners of McHenry County and their successors in office of the second part, conveying to the county of MeHenry two acres of land as described therein, for a public square at Centerville, in said county, with the court-house and jail for said connty situated thereon, be, and the same is hereby, accepted."
Just when, to all appearances, the county seat was permanently settled, on the 4th of September, 1844, came into court E. W. Smith, by his attorney, stating that he made application on the 25th day of August, 1843, at the land office in Chicago, and offered to deposit the money for the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 5, in township 44, range 7, east of the third principal meridian, said forty acres being the same upon which it is contemplated to locate the county seat; stating that the register told him he need not deposit the money, but he could be informed of the time when Judd came to prove up his preemption, and should have opportunity to contest his preemption. Such informa- tion was never furnished him. He further informs the commis- sioners that he has made application to the general land office at Washington, and forwarded the affidavits of two persons stating that they heard Alvin Judd state under oath that he did not reside on the above land in June, 1843, and that he did not re- side on the said land till the fall of 1843; and Smith pro- posed to prosecute his claim to the above described land. The matter was finally settled by a special act of Congress, legalizing Judd's claim.
Sept. 4, 1844, the commissioners ordered, " That the court-house and jail erected by George C. Dean and Daniel Blair at Center- ville, in McHenry County, be accepted; and it is further ordercd that the same be received as the court-honse and jail for said
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county, and the seat of justice of McHenry County be removed from McHenry to said Centerville." The clerk was ordered to make proclamation of the removal, and all the county officers were to re- move their offices to Centerville on the 23d of September, 1844.
At their December court, 1844, the commissioners ordered that the court-house and jail in the village of McHenry be sold at pub- lic vendne to the highest bidder on the 8th day of January, 1844. Henry M. Wait, Sheriff, was appointed agent to conduct the sale.
Dec. 2, 1844, the commissioners met for the first time at the new connty seat, Centerville, now Woodstock. They then ordered that the land conveyed by George C. Dean to the county commis- sioners and their successors in office, on the 2d of September, 1844, be held by said commissioners and their successors in office to and for the use of the said county of McHenry.
The court-house, a plain two-story frame structure, stood nearly in the center of the public square in Woodstock.
The "Rat Hole " was a public building with which the people of the county were familiar in former years. The court-house be- ing without snitable offices for the use of the county officers, the " Rat Hole" was built to supply them. Its beginning may be traced to the following order, passed at the June term of the Com- missioners' Court, 1846: "Ordered, That the clerk of this court be, and he is hereby, authorized to advertise in some newspaper in this county-if any there should be-for sealed proposals to erect a fire-proof building at this place, for the two clerks' offices, recorder's office, and probate justice's office." The building, a brick structure with thick walls, was erected by H. M. Wait and others, contractors. It did not receive its name until the year af- ter its erection, the occasion of its christening being as follows: The building, when completed, was surmounted by a tin roof, to make it "fire-proof," according to the intention of its builders. Along in the winter there came a heavy wind which suddenly lifted the roof of the structure and carried it to some distance away. The county officers, in their offices at the time, naturally did not care to remain longer under such a condition of affairs, and rushed out with all possible haste. As they came forth they were greeted with a derisive shout and laughter from Henry Petrie, a merchant of Woodstock, who exclaimed in great glee: "See the d-d rats crawl out of their holes!" Petrie was a Whig of very pronounced opinions, and had no sympathy with the Democratic party to which the county officers belonged. After this event the "fire-proof
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building " whenever mentioned upon the county records or else- where was denominated the " Rat Hole." It was sold by the Sher- iff on the 25th of February, 1856, to Lindsay Joslyn for $723. It is now occupied by Markus's saloon and for other business purposes.
May 21, 1853. In the meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Rice offered the following resolution: "Resolved by this board, That it is prudent and expedient to appoint a committee to inquire into the propriety of procuring a suitable lot and the cost of the same, on which to erect a court-house and fire-proof clerk's office; and that said committee receive plans and specifications of said buildings and report to this board at its next meeting; which was carried. C. M. Willard, A. Judd, H. T. Rice, Ira Slocumb and Dan'l Stewart were appointed said committee."
Thus was inaugurated the project of a new court-house. The subject seems to have slumbered until Sept. 14, 1854, when the committee on public buildings was instructed to report at the next meeting of the board upon the expediency and propriety of securing the passage of a law at the next session of the Legislature authorizing the Board of Supervisors to levy a special tax upon the assessment roll of the county in the year 1855, the amount derived therefrom to be expended in erecting a suitable court-honse and jail for the use of the county. A further resolution was adopted Nov. 16, 1854, advising that Hon. George Gage, Senator, and Hon. Wesley Diggins, Representative for this county, be instructed to make an effort to secure the passage of a law imposing a special tax of two mills upon each dollar of real and personal property in 1855-'6, said amount to be expended in erecting county buildings. Such a law was passed at the next session of the Legislature.
Meantime, in 1855, a bill was brought before the Legislature providing for the removal of the county seat from Woodstock to the eastern part of the county. The anti-Woodstock party thought this would be a favorable time to secure such a removal, and pro- ceeded so quietly that the Board of Supervisors were not aware of the movement until informed by the representative from this county. Thereupon the board presented a remonstrance. The bill, however, passed, and was approved Feb. 14, 1855. It pro- vided that at the April election the people of the county should vote for and against removing the county seat to Algonquin Township, "within one mile of the junction or crossing of the Illinois & Wis- consin and Fox River Valley railroads, and between that point and
208 HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Crystal Lake in said town." The vote resulted as follows : For re- moval, 1,048; against removal, 2,095.
May 30, 1855, Neill Donnelly, C. M. Goodsell and A. B. Coon were appointed a special committee to procure plans and specifica- tions for a court-house and jail, to be built together.
June 1, 1855, a resolution was adopted setting forth the wishes of the Board of Supervisors as follows: That the ground then owned by Mary McMahon and occupied by Hill's tavern was the most desirable location for the new building, provided that the citizens of Woodstock would donate the same to the county; that when such conveyance was made the board would then proceed to levy the special tax of two mills authorized by the Legislature; that when the public buildings had been erected the board would donate the old court-house on the public square to the citizens of the town; all of which was duly performed. The citizens of Woodstock bought the lot and the hotel of Miss McMahon for $3,000 and, in turn the old court-house was made over to themn. The latter building, however, was destroyed by an incendiary fire in 1858.
Messrs. Coon and Donnelly, of the above mentioned special committee, conferred with Judge Wilson in relation to plans for a county building, then visited Chicago and obtained drawings and specifications from Van Osdel and Baumann, architects. The cost of a building according to their design was estimated at less than $34,000; but, as it proved, the estimate was too low. The Board of Supervisors, however, thought that the sum named was greater than ought to be expended, and at a meeting held Sept. 14, 1855, instructed the committee to obtain other plans and specifications. But at a special session of the board, Nov. 20, 1855, the committee reported back the same plan and specifications as the best they could obtain, alleging among other reasons that as good a building as the county required and ought to have could not be obtained for less money. The report of the committee was adopted with but one dissenting vote, and the board adopted the proposed plans for the building by a vote of twelve to two. The plan called for a building of brick and stone, two stories above the basement, the whole to be forty-four feet square with four end projections and the structure surmounted by a cupola and dome. Sealed proposals for its con- struction were to be received until Jan. 21, 1856, the work to be commenced on or before July 1, 1856, and completed by Oct. 1,
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1857. Messrs. Donnelly, Kasson and Goodsell were appointed the building committee.
The contract for the brick, stone-masons', plasterers' and stone- cutters' work was awarded to George Hebard & Son, of Marengo, their price being $18,000. For a like amount Russell C. Mix and James A. Hinds, of Anrora, agreed to do all the carpentry, joiners', glaziers' and iron work. The workmen performed their contract in a thorough manner, and the special committee who supervised the construction of the building attended to their duties with dili- gence and faithfulness. The building was completed on time. Its entire cost was not far from $47,000.
COUNTY POOR FARM.
McHenry County was without a county farm until the year 1884, although the care of paupers has always been among the principal matters requiring official attention. The project of purchasing a poor farm was discussed by the Board of Supervisors as far back as 1851, and there has been discussion upon the subject by the people and the press ever since. In 1859 an act of the Legislature was secured authorizing the people of McHenry County to set apart from the funds devoted from the sale of swamp lands a suffi- cient amount to purchase a farm of not more than 100 acres and make the necessary buildings and improvements thereon; provided that at the next spring election a majority of the legal voters should vote to comply with this law. The question was submitted and the pro- visions of the bill defeated by an overwhelming majority. Thence- forth the county went on as before, each town caring for its own poor, according to a special act relating to paupers in Bureau and McHenry counties, approved Feb. 10, 1853. And now that the county has a farm, each town is still at liberty to support its poor in the way that is best and cheapest, whether at the farm or elsewhere.
In 1884 the Board of Supervisors voted to appropriate $25,000 for the purpose of purchasing a farm and making the necessary buildings and improvements. To raise the money the county issued five per cent. bonds. The committee appointed to select a farm, after examining several, made choice of the J. C. Allen farm, near Kishwaukee, in the town of Hartland. This farm contains 113 acres, and was purchased by the county for $6,000. The remainder of the appropriation will be expended in buildings and improvements under the direction of the board. Work is now in
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progress and it is expected that the poor house will be ready for occupants by the close of the present year.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
In 1837 the county assessor was paid $2 per day; county com- missioners, $2.50.
In June, 1838, the commissioners fixed the rates of compensa- tion for jurors, both grand and petit, at 75 cents per day.
The total tax assessed in the county (which then included Lake) for 1838 was $564.41.
The work of assessing the county for 1842 cost $102.
In 1843 the county revenue amounted to $793.14.
The first justices of the peace in Fox Precinct, and consequently the first in the county, were Wm. H. Buck and Wm. L. Way, elected July 3, 1837.
Jm F. Walkenp
CHAPTER IV.
RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIES. - OFFICIAL AND POLITICAL HIS- TORY.
McHENRY COUNTY INDUSTRIALLY CONSIDERED .- AGRICULTURE .- ADVANTAGES AFFORDED TO STOCK RAISERS .- THE BEGINNING AND GROWTH OF THE CHEESE-MAKING INDUSTRY. - THE DAIRY INTER- EST .- McHENRY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY .- RAILROADS .- OFFICIAL REGISTER .- ROSTER OF LEGISLATIVE, CIVIL AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS FROM 1837 TO 1884 .- POLITICAL HISTORY. - STATISTICS. -VOTE FOR PRESIDENT. - VALUATION OF THE COUNTY .- POPULA- TION .- MANUFACTURING STATISTICS.
The chief industries of McHenry County are agriculture, dairy- ing and grazing. Having no large cities or towns, the county is the seat of few manufacturing industries other than such as are usually found in agricultural districts. As a farming region, it ranks among the best in the State. Possessing the advantages of a good climate, a soil of inexhaustible fertility, close proximity to the markets of Chicago, and excellent railroad facilities, the county has already attained such a degree of agricultural develop- ment as is seldom found in a country comparatively new. Its wealth and prosperity are steadily and rapidly increasing. When we consider that but half a century ago the red men were the sole occupants of these lands which now support one of the most flour- ishing communities in the West, we may well be astonished at the wonderful results which time and intelligent industry have wrought. In many sections of our country lands which have been occupied by white inhabitants twice and thrice as long exhibit not one-half of the improvements and substantial evidences of real prosperity that McHenry County can show. Nature did much for this region, and a thrifty and progressive people have admirably co-operated with her efforts. Farms, buildings and improvements of every kind are of unusual excellence in this county. Numerous towns and villages scattered over the county furnish abundant and con- venient trading points and home markets, while unexcelled educa-
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tional and religious privileges combine to render the lot of the McHenry County farmer a most fortunate one.
The soil is adapted to every variety of products usually grown in northern latitudes. All the cereals, and especially corn, oats and wheat, thrive well and yield good returns to the agriculturist. The soil is also favorable to the production of fruits and vegetables. There is little untillable land, and everywhere the farmer is reasonably sure of adequate returns for his labor. The State con- tains no better or more productive grain-growing region.
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The stock and dairy interests of the county are fast assuming an importance which bids fair to transcend all others. The very best of pasturage and excellent water supplies everywhere abound. The famous blue grass, so common in the South, is here indigenous and thrives luxuriantly. These facts have led the leading farmers to turn their attention largely to stock-raising and dairying, while at the same time they continue to give a good share of their atten- tion to the production of hay, cereals, fruits and vegetables. The dairy interests are discussed further on in this chapter, but a few words relating to stock and grazing may appropriately be given here.
In view of the unsurpassed facilities for carrying on this indus- try profitably, the farmers of the county long since engaged in raising cattle for the market. Of late years, the importance of improving the breeds of stock has received general attention, until now choice hierds of Holsteins, Alderneys and Herefords can be seen in all parts of the county. The combining of the stock and dairy interests has been attended with most satisfactory results, and both branches of the business are fast increasing.
The raising of fruits and vegetables is fast becoming one of the industries of the county. The somewhat novel industry of pickle- growing and pickle-making here finds its fullest development. The rapid growth of the business shows that it is profitable. Details are elsewhere given.
THE DAIRY INTERESTS.
Until within the last quarter of a century cheese making in Illi nois was of small importance. No cheese was made for exporta- tion; in fact, the article was not produced at all, except in large dairies. Factories were unknown, and the markets of the State were supplied with Eastern products. The Western farmer had the best farming and grazing land in the country, as well as every
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facility for raising stock at less expense than the Eastern farmer; still dairying received little or no attention. Cattle were kept in great numbers, but they were shipped to the East for beef. Butter was made and shipped to a small extent; but so little care and skill was displayed in its manufacture that Western butter acquired an nnenviable reputation in the markets. Most of the farmers were in debt and gave their attention to stock, considering that the speediest means of raising funds. As in all newly settled countries, grains and stock received almost exclusive attention, and manufactures were discouraged. As to cheese, it was urged that only an inferior quality could be made in the West; that the milk did not contain the necessary ingredients; that the grass, soil and climate were not suitable. But all these theories have been proved false again and again since the farmers went to work with intelligence and understanding and gave to dairy business the attention which its importance deserved.
Before 1866 there was not a cheese factory in McHenry County. In 1867 there were eight in operation, and the number has contin ually increased. The business at first met with considerable oppo- sition. There was a lack of confidence among stockholders as to profits; and there was also great difficulty in obtaining employes possessing the qualifications of experience and adaptation to the work.
The cheese was generally made for those furnishing the milk at a stipulated price per pound, either two and a half or three cents. The proprietors of the factories furnished the other materials, mak- ing and storing for a specified time. At the expiration of the time agreed upon the owners of the cheese either took it, to dispose of themselves, or allowed the manufacturers to sell it on commission.
The cheese factories in operation in 1867 were :
The Richmond Factory, the pioneer establishment of the county, built in the spring of 1866 by Dr. R. R. Stone and Wm. A. McConnell; a two-story building, 30 x 112 feet, with an addition. The first cheese was made May 18, 1866.
The Hebron Factory, built in the spring of 1866 by R. W. and W. H. Stewart; a two-story frame building, 30 x 55 feet-enlarged the second year.
The Huntley Factory, started in 1866 by A. A. Blanchard and A. Woodworth.
The Marengo Factory, started in 1867 by Anson Sperry and R. M. Patrick.
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The Greenwood Factory, 1867; A. C. Thompson and Geo. Abbott, proprietors.
The Union Factory, 1867; Hungerford & Durkee, proprietors.
Tlie Woodstock Factory, 1867; G. DeClercq, proprietor.
The Riley Factory, built in 1867 by P. B. Merrill, E. Graves and Leonard Parker.
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