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 33
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POSTOFFICE.
The first postoffice was established in 1843, at the residence of Francis Wedgwood, who was the first Postmaster, and the office took his name for the first three years. Mr. Wedgwood kept the office till about the year 1847, when a store was opened at the station, and the office was moved there. P. W. Lake was appointed Postmaster in 1849, having the two years previously run the office as Deputy Postmaster under Mr. Wedgwood. Lake was succeeded in 1850 by N. M. Capron, who held the office till his death, which occurred in 1858. George B. Andrews was the next Postmaster, and held the position till 1881, when the present Postmaster, E. S. Smith, was appointed.
CREAMERIES AND CHEESE FACTORIES.
There are in the township four butter and cheese factories. The first one was built near Alden station in 1869. It is still running, but not doing the business it did when it had no competition. In
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its best days it consumed as high as 15,000 pounds of milk daily. It is at present the property of Milo Munger, who built a factory in 1881 near the south line of the township. This factory takes in daily about 10,000 pounds of milk. In 1883 H. W. Copeland built a factory about a mile southwest of the station, which takes in daily about 7,000 pounds of milk. The second factory erected in the township was built in 1877, and situated near the one first built. After running two seasons these two factories were con- solidated. In 1879 S. Ferris & Son built a factory about one and a half miles southwest of the station. It is doing a good business, and consumes about 8,000 pounds of milk daily.
FIRST AND PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
This township, with all the others, held its first election (after its organization), in April, 1850. The following list of officers was the first chosen : Andrew Easton, Supervisor; M. D. Hoy, Clerk; N. P. Ward, Assessor; H. A. Sherman, Collector; N. M. Capron and T. B. Wakeman, Justices of the Peace; A. D. Blodgett, Alby Udell and Abraham Shafer, Commissioners of Highways; T. F. Sherman, Overseer of the Poor; Charles Hunt and Francis Wedg- wood, Constables. The present officers are: W. H. Groesbeck, Supervisor; H. W. Wright, Clerk; Daniel Sullivan, Assessor; James Scott, Collector; Elias Glass, O. K. Latter and Daniel Sullivan, Commissioners of Highways; Sydney Disbrow and B. M. McBride, Justices of the Peace; O. R. Latter and Walter Bradshaw, Constables.
ALDEN VILLAGE.
The village of Alden was laid out in 1848, by Francis Wedg- wood, and surveyed by John Brink, of Crystal Lake. The first house was built by Nathan Disbrow; first store opened by P. W. Lake, in 1847; first wagon shop run by C. N. Jiles, in 1865; first blacksmith shop opened in 1840, by J. Wood; first shoe-maker, M. D. Hoy, came in 1844.
The following is a summary of the present business men of Al- den: Blacksmith, Wm. Chapman; barber, J. C. Brewer; butter and cheese manufacturers, Ferris & Son, Julian Brothers; creamery, Copeland & Manning; wagonmaker, John Snell; carpenter, Edward Austin; harness manufacturer, C. H. Bennett; hotel, T. J. Dis- brow; lawyer, Thomas Rushton; merchant, E. S. Smith; physi- cian, G. R. Barringer.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
D. Bordwell, fariner and stock-raiser, Alden Township, was born in Erie County, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1828, a son of Benjamin R. and Mary (Huntley) Bordwell. When he was ten years of age his parents moved to Buffalo, and in 1845 came to McHenry County. He worked two years for T. B. Wakman, for $13 a month, when most men were getting $12. In 1849 he bought eighty acres of partially improved land and added to it from time to time, till he now owns 260 acres of improved land and has given each of his sons a good farm. He was married Nov. 13, 1849, to Jane Burns, daughter of Hugh and Nancy (Rapp) Burns, who came from Yates County, N. Y., to McHenry County in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Bord well have had six children-Charles, a farmer of Alden Township; George, a butcher of Woodstock; Emma, wife of Carlos Douglas, of Walworth County, Wis; Minnie, died when two years of age; William and Frank are at home. Politically Mr. Bord- well is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
James C. Brewer, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Alden, Ill., was born in this township, June 10, 1851, the second of three children of Daniel and Jane M. Brewer, his father a native of Chantauqna County, and his mother of Canajoharie, N. Y. He remained with his parents till manhood, receiving a good educa- tion. In 1875 he went to Harvard and engaged in the coal and ice business a year. In 1876 he went to work with James Wood at the blacksmith's trade and served an apprenticeship of one and a half years. He then went into business for himself, and has been successful, having the trade of all the surrounding country. He was married June 10, 1874, to Maria Brandow, daughter of John Brandow. They have one child-Frank W. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Polit- ically he is a Republican. .
George T. Clawson, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Indiana, born in Warren County, Dec. 29, 1836, a son of Thomas and Julia (Ives) Clawson, his father a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and his mother of New York. His parents were married in Ohio and in an early day moved to Indiana. Thomas Clawson represented Fountain County, Ind., in the Legislature in an early day. He moved to Big Foot Prairie in 1846, where he lived twenty years, when he moved to Indiana, and a year later moved to Jasper County, Iowa, where he died. His wife still lives in
G
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Iowa, aged eighty-four years. George T. was ten years of age when his parents moved to Illinois, where lie was reared and educated. He was married Sept. 29, 1866, to Amanda M. Helm, daughter of James Helm. In January, 1870, he moved to the old homestead of his wife's father. He owns a good farin of 131} acres well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Clawson have four children-Nathan B., Lottie M., Walter L. and Katie. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican.
H. W. Copeland was born in Albany County, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1824, the eldest son of Jacob and Amanda (Wait) Copeland, natives of New York and descendants of an early Puritan family. His great- grand father, Jacob Copeland, lived to be 100 years old. His maternal grandfather, George Wait, was a revolutionary soldier. When he was eighteen years of age he began working by the month, and when he reached his majority, in the fall of 1845, emigrated to Illinois and entered eighty acres of land. After paying the squatter $76.50 for a log-house and fifteen acres of breaking in Alden Town- ship, went to work for $10 a month. As soon as he got $50 he walked to Chicago and entered forty acres more land; this he did four times. In the spring of 1850 he started for California, and was six months crossing the plains. He remained till the following April, when his health failed, and he returned to Illinois. The following fall he bought the farm where he now lives. He has been a hard-working man and is the owner of 820 acres of land, well improved and stocked with horses, cattle and hogs. In 1876 he moved to Dakota and entered 320 acres of land. He was there at the time of the Custer massacre, the Indians passing his dwelling. In 1876 he and his wife visited the Centennial at Philadelphia and friends in New York. Mr. Copeland was mar- ried February, 1852, to Emily Alberty, daughter of John Alberty, who came from Greene County, N. Y., to Illinois, in 1840. They have no children; have an adopted son, Louis Alberty, who is Superintendent of Public Instruction' in Turner County, Dak. He crossed the plains in 1850, in company with slave-holders and their slaves and helped make California a free State, in the fall election of 1850. Returned with the defeated slave holders, in 1851; was in company with the Marengo boys that were inurdered by Indians in the Humbolt Mountain in 1850.
Samuel Cutter, one of the most prominent farmers of Alden Township, was born in Groton, Tompkins Co., N. Y., March 17, 1826, the youngest of seven children of Jesse and Rachel (Stras-
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burg) Cutter, natives of New Jersey. His parents being in limited circumstances, lie was obliged when quite young to depend upon his own exertions and worked by the month for farmers. He saved his wages and in 1856 came to Illinois and located in McHenry County. He taught school in the winter, and in the summer worked for the farmers till after the breaking out of the late war, when, Ang. 5, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry. He was appointed Sergeant, and ten months later was promoted to Second Lieutenant. May 22, 1863, at the charge on Vicksburg he was wounded, the ball passing through his shoulder blade, and was disabled for active duty till the following September. He served till the close of the war and was discharged Aug. 16, 1865. Soon after his return home he bought the farm, where he now lives. He owns 180 acres of choice land, with a good residence and farm buildings. Mr. Cutter was married Dec. 21, 1867, to Mrs. Helen (McLane) Cutter, widow of Richard Cutter, of Oswego County, N. Y. She has had eight children, five of whom are living. Mr. Cutter has been a prominent man in the township and has served in many official capacities. He was Supervisor from 1877 till 1883. Politically he is a Republican. Mrs. Cutter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
George A. Earl was born in Kent County, England, July 4, 1826, the youngest of seven children of John and Sarah' (Ralph) Earl. He remained in his native county till twenty years of age, and then went to London, where he was employed six years as butler for a wealthy family, and while with them visited many points of interest in the British dominion. In 1852 he came to the United States and was six weeks making the voyage from Lon- don to New York. From there he went to Albany, thence to Buffalo, and across the lakes to Kenosha, Wis .; thence to McHenry County, and bought the farm in Alden Township, where he has since resided. He was married in March, 1849, to Einma, daughter of William and Charity (Knight) Downs, of Kent County, Eng- land. They have had three children; but two are living-Emma and John A. William died at the age of five years. Politically Mr. Earl is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Sylvanus Ferris was born in Greene County, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1809, a son of Nathaniel and Nancy J. (Goodyear) Ferris, natives of New York, of English descent. He followed farming in his native county till 1850, when he came to Illinois and bought a
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farm in Alden, McHenry County. Seven years later he sold his farm and returned to Steuben County, N. Y., where he remained three years, when he moved to Tioga County. In 1869 he came to McHenry County and bought the farm where he now resides. He owns 210 acres of well-improved land, with a good residence and farin buildings. He was married Jan. 19, 1835, to Sarah Brandon, daughter of William and Sarah (Sawyer) Brandon, early settlers of New York. They have six children-Nancy J., Lucy, Mary F., Roxie, Henry L. and William R. Politically Mr. Ferris was originally a Whig, but now affiliates with the Republican party.
Elias Glass, one of the most prominent farmers of Alden Town- ship, was born in Shaftsbury, Vt., March 10, 1821, a son of Alex- ander and Lucinda (Hawley) Glass. When he was an infant his parents moved to Oneida County, N. Y., where he was reared and educated. In the fall of 1842 he came West and located in Wal- worth County, Wis., but the following year entered eighty acres of land in Alden Township, McHenry Co., Ill. In 1844 he went to Knox County, Ill., and three years later returned to McHenry County, sold his land and bought the farm where lie now lives. He has been industrious and frugal and has accumulated a large property. He was married March 22, 1848, by Esquire Freeman to Ann Eliza, daughter of Samuel and Emily (Hawley) Steward, of Hebron. They have had five children-Delia C., wife of Uriah Thomas, of Buchanan County, Iowa; Harriet A., wife of H. F. Manly, of Alden Township; Ellen, wife of F. H. Baird, of Hebron; Alex- ander, of Hebron, and Mary Ann. Politically Mr. Glass is a Republican. He has held many township offices and has been Commissioner of Highways a number of years. He is a member of the Baptist church.
C. L. Kingsley was born in Norwich, Conn., Feb. 25, 1836, a son of William L. and Mary P. (Latroth) Kingsley. He received a good education, completing it at the Norwich Normal School. After attaining his majority he went to New York City, and was employed in a dry-goods store two years. In June, 1859, he came to Illinois and the following fall bought his present farin. He owns 170 acres of choice land, all well improved. He has about forty head of Jersey cattle and pays special attention to dairying. May 18, 1883, the cyclone that passed over Northern Illinois un- roofed his house, broke the windows and blinds and damaged his barns and out-buildings. In connection with his farming in-
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dustries, Mr. Kingsley has taught several terms of school and worked at the carpenter's trade. He was married Dec. 2, 1856, to Nancy Harris, daughter of Sylvanus and Cynthia (Minor) Harris, of Salem, Conn. ' They have three children-Frank, Minnie L. and Albert S. Politically Mr. Kingsley is a Republican. He has served as Commissioner of Highways several years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
David Knickerbocker, deceased, was born in Columbia County, N. Y., in 1799. When he was twelve years of age he went to live with John Stall and remained with him till twenty-one years of age. He then bought a lease of land and followed agricultural pursuits till 1844, when, thinking the West offered better oppor- tunities for supporting his family, he moved to Alden, McHenry Co., Ill., entered forty acres of land and bought forty acres. He added to his land from time to time till he now owns 200 acres of choice land. When he first came to McHenry County he had but $100 in money. He invested it judiciously and has been successful. He was married in 1833 to Susan Conse, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y. They had a family of four children-Isaac D .; J. C., Probate Judge of Cook County; J. J., of the firm Knicker- bocker & Holden, attorneys, Chicago; Hannah M., wife of P. Bowen, of Laporte City, Black Hawk Co., Iowa. Mr. Knicker- bocker was an honorable, upright gentleman, and was esteemed by all who knew him. He died Feb. 22, 1874, aged seventy-five years and nine months. His wife died Aug. 12, 1874, aged sixty- nine years. Their eldest son, Jerome D., was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1836, and was eight years of age when his parents came to Illinois. He remained with his parents till their death, and since then has carried on the old homestead. Politi- cally the sons, as was their father, are Republicans.
Victor La Brec, deceased, was born in the Province of Quebec in 1809, and was there reared and married to Saloma Bombard, a native of Montreal. Soon after his marriage he moved to Ver- mont, where he followed farming till 1849, when he moved West and settled in Alden, Mc Henry Co., Ill. He rented land five or six years and with the assistance of his sons was successful. In 1856 he bought fifty acres of partially improved land, to whichi he sub- sequently added ninety acres. His family consisted of eleven children, eight born in Vermont and three in Illinois-Victor, William, Joseph, Rosella, Augustus, Henry, Edward, Alfred, Elizabeth, Charles, Josephine. At the breaking out of the
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war five sons enlisted, Victor, Augustus and Henry in the Ninety-fifth Infantry, and William and Joseph in the Eighth Cavalry. Victor and Henry gave their lives for their country. The mother died in September, 1862, while her sons were in the army. The father lived to see their return. He died Nov. 16, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. La Brec were active members of the Catholic church. Politically he was a Republican.
William La Brec, farmer and stock-raiser, Alden Township, was born in Grand Isle County, Vt., April 20, 1838, a son of Victor and Saloma (Bombard) La Brec. He was eleven years of age when his parents moved to McHenry County, and here he was reared and educated. Sept. 18,1861, he enlisted in Company H, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and was assigned to General McClellan's command, Army of the Potomac. After serving two years and nine months he re-enlisted and served till the close of the war. He participated in many severe battles; among them were Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Williamsburg. He was discharged July 18, 1865. Since his return home he has engaged in farming ; after the death of his father he took charge of the homestead which he now owns. He was married Nov. 16, 1867, to Susan Drew, daughter of Samuel and Sally (Hutchens) Drew, of Steuben County, N. Y. They have had three children; but one is living-Frank Irwin. Mr. La Brec has held many local offices of trust in the township. Politically he is a Re- publican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
Eli Merry, deceased, was born in Florida, N. Y., March 29, 1811, a son of Malcolm Merry, who was of English descent. He was married Sept. 4, 1833, to Catherine Sweet, a native of Flor- ida, N. Y., a daughter of Dr. Waterman Sweet. She died Sept. 22, 1840, leaving two children-Elizabeth, now Mrs. P. H. In- man, of Highland Park, Ill., and W. S., of Alden Township. Mr. Merry engaged in the mercantile business a few years and then moved to a farm where he lived till 1840, when he again en- gaged in the mercantile business till 1848. Nov. 10, 1845, he married Almira C. Smith, of Oswego County, N. Y. She died Nov. 29, 1846, leaving a daughter, Almira, now Mrs. Charles H. Park- hurst, of Centralia, Ill. In 1849, with his three children, Mr. Merry moved to Wisconsin and settled on Big Foot Prairie, in Walworth County. In 1852 he moved to Alden, Ill., and in 1857 to Chemung, where he engaged in the mercantile business three
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years. He then lived on a farm in Alden Township three years, when he moved to Harvard, and again engaged in the mercantile business till 1875, when he was stricken with paralysis, from the effects of which he died Feb. 4, 1881, never again being able to engage in business. He was married April 3, 1851, to Mrs. Cyn- thia (Holden) Tiffany, who died Dec. 27, 1863. They had four children-Luzina L., born April 18, 1853, died Aug. 25, 1854; Ella M., wife of Frank Hogan; Cora B. and Elma E. Mr. Merry was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church forty years. Politically he was Republican.
W. S. Merry was born in Glenville, Montgomery Co., N. Y., Sept. 24, 1836, a son of Eli G. and Catherine (Sweet) Merry. In 1852 his parents came to Illinois, and he resided with them till his majority. He then went to Wisconsin and worked on a farm near Janesville. He was married March 20, 1860, to Pleaides Wilkin- son, daughter of Burns and . H. (Badger) Wilkinson, who came from New York to Ohio, and thence, in 1840, to Wisconsin. Mr. Merry lived on a farm near Janesville two years after his marriage, and then returned to McHenry County, and lived on the Wilkinson homestead two years. In 1864 he bought the farm in Alden Township, where he still resides, which contains 160 acres of choice land. Mr. and Mrs. Merry have five children-Melville W., born Jan. 6, 1862; Hersey Dell, Aug. 20, 1863; Maggie Edith, Feb. 27, 1868; Lydia Maud, Nov. 4, 1870, and Mabel J., April 24, 1877. In 1862 Mr. Merry enlisted in Company C, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, and served till Oct. 10, 1865. He participated in all the battles of the regiment, and was a brave and reliable soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Merry and their son and eldest daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican.
George S. Rector, a prominent farmer of Alden Township, is the only resident of the township who came here prior to 1845. He was born in Waynesburg, Schenectady Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1815, a son of William and Phoebe (Sherman) Rector, natives of New York, of German and English descent. He remained on the old liomestead till 1840, when he bought a farm in the same town and resided there till the spring of 1844, when he came West, and ar- rived in Alden, May 5. He entered 120 acres of land and built a log cabin, which is part of his present residence. He bought two cows and a yoke of oxen. His chairs, tables and bedsteads he made himself. He has been industrious and has been successful, having now one of the best farms in the township. His wife made all
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their clothing from the raw material, both woolen and linen. They have many relics of their pioneer days. To them have been born thirteen children; eleven are living-William H., Sherman, Edwin, Amos, Theodore, Frederick, Sarah J., Esther A., Alice, Mary and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Rector are members of the Wesleyan Methodist church. Politically he is a Republican.
E. S. Smith, merchant and Postmaster, Alden, Ill., is a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., born Feb. 22, 1859, a son of Ezra and Adaline (Story) Smith. When he was eight years of age his parents moved to Illinois and settled in Harvard, and there he was reared and received his early education, subsequently attend -. ing Bryant's Business College, Chicago. When nineteen years of age he opened a meat market in Harvard, which he carried on two years and a half. In 1881 he came to Alden and bought the gen- eral mercantile store of G. B. Andrews. He carries a good stock, valued at $6,000, and has an extensive trade, it being the only store in town. He has been Postmaster since 1881. Mr. Smith was married May 22, 1884, to Eva Goodsell, a daughter of Asher and Julia (Dunham) Goodsell, who were among the earliest settlers of McHenry County. Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican. He was elected Treasurer of Alden Township in 1882. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Alby Udell, one of the most prominent farmers of Alden Town- ship, was born Feb. 13, 1812, in Strafford, Vt., a son of Oliver and Lucretia (Grow) Udell, natives of Vermont, of English descent. He was married Jan. 22, 1834, to Jane A. Wilson, a native of Massachusetts, daughter of John and Anna Wilson. The first year after his marriage he kept a tavern in Alden, N. Y. He then engaged in farming till 1845, when he moved to Illinois and bought 160 acres of unimproved land on section 17, Alden Township, where he has since lived. He has improved his land and added to it till he now owns 400 acres of choice land. Mr. and Mrs. Udell have four children-Oliver J., Josephine L. (wife of Wm. H. Groverbeck), George and Asa W. Mrs. Udell died Feb. 10, 1879, on her sixty-sixth birthday. Mr. Udell was the first Road Com- missioner of Alden Township, and has served as Magistrate several terms. Politically he has voted the Republican ticket since 1864.
George Udell, second son of Alby and Jane A. (Wilson) Udell, was born in Canada, April 16, 1839. He was six years of age when his parents moved to Illinois, and he was reared and educated in Alden Township. After leaving school he began teaching, and 24
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has since followed that vocation, making his home on the old home- stead. He was married Dec. 21, 1870, to Frances Ferris, daughter of Sylvanus and Sarah Ferris. They have two children-Otis and Effie. Politically Mr. Udell is a Republican.
Oliver J. Udell, farmer and stock-raiser, theel dest son of Alby and Jane A. (Wilson) Udell, was born in Alden, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1835. He remained with his parents till twenty seven years of age, assisting his father on the farm. He was married Feb. 19, 1862, to Frances A. Butler, the first white child born in Chemung Township, a daughter of Burnam R. and Rhoda Butler. After his marriage Mr. Udell settled on his present farm, which contains 147 acres of improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Udell have had nine children, eight of whom are living-Clara M., Herbert O., William, Alby, Alva, Mand M., Howard V., Nellie L. and Elsie A. Polit- ically Mr. Udell is independent, giving his suffrage to the man hc considers the most worthy.
G. S. Wickham was born in Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., Jan. 12, 1819, a son of Stephen and Sally (Jinks) Wickham. His father was a native of Hudson, N. Y., of English descent, born March 8, 1786. His mother was a native of Vermont, of Spanish and German descent, a danghter of Dr. A. J. Jinks, a prominent physician of Vermont. His mother died in 1846, aged fifty-two years, and his father March 26, 1873, aged eighty-seven years. When he was eleven years of age he went to live with a friend of his father, Samnel French, and remained with him till his majority. He then was employed by a widow to superintend her farm, which he did successfully four years. In June, 1845, he came to Illinois, and the following August returned to New York, and in the spring of 1846 came, with his family, to McHenry County, and settled on the farm where he now lives, a part of which he entered from the Government. He owns 360 acres of land all well improved. He has made a specialty of stock-raising, dealing in Durham cattle and Norman horses. He was married Nov. 22, 1844, to Fanny Palmer, a native of Greene County, N. Y., born June 5, 1828. They have had eleven children, ten of whom are living. Flora was born April 10, 1847, and died March 25, 1868. Their sons-Hiram, George, Stephen, John P. and Royal S. S .- are in Hand County, Dak. Homer is in Harvard, Ill. Addie is the wife of F. B. Everett, of Columbus, Ohio. Charles A. is in St. Louis, Mo. Fanny, Joseph and Clinton are at home. John P. married Emma Ayers, of Hebron, who died in April, 1882, leaving two children-Flora A. and George
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