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 34
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
P., who live with their grandparents. Politically Mr. Wickham has affiliated with the Republican party since its organization, prior to that being a Whig. He and his wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church. Mr. Wickham's father, Stephen Wickham, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfather (Stephen Wick- ham) was a soldier in the war between the mother country and the colonies, called the Revolutionary war, receiving wounds which caused his death.
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CHAPTER XIV.
ALGONQUIN TOWNSHIP.
LOCATION. - TOPOGRAPHY .- LAKES AND STREAMS. - RAILROADS .- NAME .- SETTLEMENT .- EARLY SETTLERS .- EARLY EVENTS .- CEMETERIES .- GRIST AND SAW MILLS .- SCHOOL STATISTICS .- TOWNSHIP OFFICES .- HUMAN SKELETONS .- CRYSTAL LAKE VIL- LAGE .- DATE OF SETTLEMENT .- LOCATION .- CRYSTAL LAKE .- HOTEL. - INCORPORATION OF VILLAGE .- FIRST AND PRESENT OFFICERS .- BUSINESS DIRECTORY .- ALGONQUIN VILLAGE .- Lo- CATION .- INDIAN TRAILS. - RELICS AND GRAVES .- COUNTERFEITERS AND HORSE THIEVES. - VILLAGE LAID OUT IN 1836 .- FIRST DOINGS. - POSTOFFICE. - HOTEL .- SCHOOL .- CHURCHES. - MUTUA FIRE INSURANCE CO .- BUSINESS DIRECTORY .- BIOGRAPHICAL.
This is the southeastern corner township of the county. It is bounded by Kane County on the south, Lake County on the east, Nunda Township on the north, and Grafton Township on the west.
TOPOGRAPHY.
This township is perhaps more broken than any other in the county. While its general surface features are comparatively level there are many bluffs and hills to be found in the vicinity of Al- gonquin Village and along the Fox River. The township is nearly equally divided in prairie, timber and bottom lands, thus furnishing alike advantages to the stock and grain grower. In section 6 lies the noted Crystal Lake which extends across into Grafton Town- ship. The outlet to this lake furnishes quite a valuable stream which courses its way through the township in a southeasterly direction till it joins the Fox River at Algonquin Village. Big Spring Creek running across the southeast corner of the township, also furnishes fine water privileges for stock. The placid stream known as Fox River, with its low banks, resembling the River Nile in its calm, steady flow through the low lands, passes through this township in a southwesterly direction, entering on section 17, range 8, and passing out on section 34.
(382)
Simon S. Gates
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
RAILROADS.
This township has more miles of railroad than any other in the county. The main line of the Chicago & Northwestern, crosses it in almost a direct northwesterly direction, crossing six sections. The Fox River branch of the same road runs through the west side of the township, running the entire length of it.
NAME.
The name Algonquin was suggested as being appropriate by Samuel Edwards, from Philadelphia, who had at one time been a sailor on a boat called the Algonquin. This name was accepted by the citizens of that township, at a meeting held for that purpose. Prior to this it was called Fox Precinct.
SETTLEMENT.
This township claims the honor of receiving the first settler in the county. Samuel Gillilan made his claim on the west bank of Fox River, on section 23, on the 18th day of November, 1834, which is the earliest date of settlement that can be found. Mr. Gillilan came from Virginia and made his home on his claim till his death, which occurred Sept. 6, 1837. His widow and son Richard still retain the original Government title to the land. Mrs. Gillilan, the first white woman who came to McHenry County to make her home, has reached the eighty-seventh milestone on her life's journey. John Gillilan came soon after and made his claim on the east side of Fox River where he resided till 1882, when he moved to Nebraska.
In 1837 Levi Seebert came also from Virginia and located in this township. He married a daughter of Samuel Gillilan's and resides at Cary Station. Hosea Thropp came from Chautauqua, N. Y., in 1839 and now resides at Ridgefield, this county. Newman Crabtree and brother came from New York in 1836. Newman died in 1842, and his brother a few years afterward. Simon Chandler came from New York in 1836, and still resides across the river east of Algonquin Village. Thomas Chunn, of Virginia, came in 1836, and died in 1843. Isaac Denny, of Virginia, came in 1836, and died in 1848. Edwin Powell came from New York in 1837, and died in 1853. Major Beardsley came from New York in 1836, and died in 1842. John Kern came from New York in 1836, and died in 1847, while on his way to California. Among the early settlers of this township are found the names of Beman
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY OOUNTY.
Crandall, Isaac and William King, Wesley Hickox, Dr. Plumleigh, and Dr. Cornish. In 1841 John Brink came with his compass and chain with which he has since laid off the plats for most of the villages in the county, and located the township and section lines throughout the county. He is still a resident of Crystal Lake, and has been County Surveyor most of the time since his settle- ment.
EARLY EVENTS.
First school was taught at Crystal Lake by Miss Hannah Beards- ley, in 1838. The first school-house was the log one in which she taught. First religious services were held in the house of Samuel Gillilan, 1836. William Beardsley, son of Abner Beards- ley, was the first white child born in the township; this occurred in 1837. He is still living and resides in Nebraska. On the 10th day of March, 1839, the first marriage was solemnized in the township by Beman Crandall, a Justice of the Peace, Franklin Wallace and Miss Hannah S. Beardsley being the parties married. She is now Mrs. Columbus Wallace, and resides in Nunda Town- ship. First death was Delia, daughter of Samuel. Gillilan, who died at the age of fifteen, on the 26th day of August, 1835. She was the first person buried in the Gillilan Cemetery.
CEMETERIES.
There are three cemeteries in the township, besides the Gillilan Cemetery, where many of the early settlers were buried.
The first public burying grounds were laid out at Crystal Lake in 1840. It contains two and a half acres and is kept in a splen- did condition. The first person buried here was Ella King, daughter of Isaac King, it was at the instance of her death that the ground was set apart as a place of burial. In 1853 the Cemetery of Al- gonquin Village was laid out. It is situated north of the village and contains two acres, and is kept in moderately good condition. The land was donated by Samuel Edwards, whose wife died in 1853, and was the first person buried here. The third burying ground established in the township was at Cary Station, in the year 1862. It contains about one acre of ground, and is kept in good condition.
GRIST AND SAW MILLS.
Benjamin Douglass and Colonel Hoffman built the first saw-
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY OOUNTY.
mill in the township in 1839. It was situated on Crystal Lake outlet, about three-fourths of a mile from the Lake. In 1842 A. Dawson built a saw-mill at Algonquin Village. One was built in 1840, by Chunn & Toles, on Chunn Creek. These men, in com- pany with Northrop erected a grist-mill on same creek in 1862. Burgess & Cornish erected a grist-mill on the Cornish farm. It received its power from the lake outlet, and was built in 1848. The grist-mill on the east side of the river at Algonquin was com- menced by A. Dawson and completed by Henry Petrie, in 1849. In 1850 Dr. Plumleigh built a brick grist-mill at Algonquin Vil- lage, on the lake outlet. It is still doing a good business as well as the other grist-mills, but the saw-mills have fallen into disuse and decay for want of timber.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Algonquin takes the lead in the number of school-houses, the number being ten. The value of school property is estimated at $12,800. The annual amount of salary paid teachers is $3,336.30. Number of children of a school age is 630. This township has a circulating library of 200 volumes.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The first township officers were : Elias A. Thomas, Supervisor; George W. Early, Clerk; Samuel Seebert, Isaac Filtz and Jona- than Dike, Commissioners of Highways; Chauncey Chapman and Bradley Shepard, Constables; S. M. Thomas, Collector; Allen Baldwin, Assessor; Samuel F. Foster, Overseer of the Poor.
The present officers are : C. S. Dike, Supervisor; John W. Adamek, Clerk; John Brink, Assessor; A. L. Boomer, Collector; Ephraim Pease, Guy Frary and Ed. Morton, Sr., Commissioners of Highways; A. L. Brown and James H. Phelps, Sr., Justices of the Peace; Chas. Mandrack and J. L. Conover, Constables.
HUMAN SKELETONS.
In the year 1873, when William Lade, of Algonquin Village, was digging a ditch on the west side of the railroad, with the view of carrying water to the cheese factory, which was then in process o building, he unearthed several human skeletons. The skulls were found only a few inches below the surface of the ground, while the bodies and lower limbs were found further down, indi-
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
cating that the bodies had been placed there in an erect position. The bones were all in the same stage of decay, showing that they had all been placed there at or about the same time. The place was a springy spot of ground which had once been slightly exca- vated with the hope of procuring water, but the attempt was abandoned and the place known as a mud hole. Though cattle had tramped over these remains, three perfect skeletons were found; the rest had been broken by the cattle. In all there were seven skulls found. This circumstance, for a time, threw the community into quite a state of excitement and many conjectures were made, but having nothing tangible to basc their theories on they at last settled down upon the opinion that they knew nothing about it. If there was one conjecture that looked more plausible than another it is the one in which Dundee figures. The story runs as follows : Previous to this event, abont twenty years, while grading the Fox River division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, there oc- curred at Dundee a circumstance which many believe furnished the bodies of the skeletons afterward found here. It is said that John Moore, of Dundee, had some difficulty with some Irishmen who were engaged upon the railroad, and that one night a hundred or more banded together and went to Moore's residence for the purpose of killing him, and were only defeated by Mr. Moore acci- dentally hearing of their plans, and preparing for them. The mob shot several volleys through the windows at a dummy which Mr. Moore had constructed and placed in his rocking chair, with a newspaper in its hands, seated near a lighted lamp on the table. the While Irish were firing at this inanimate object, Mr. Moore and a friend, who had secreted themselves near a bridge, which was only a few feet in the rear of the mob, attacked the would-be assassins with shotguns loaded with buckshot and bullets. They were armed with several weapons and did effectual work. It is supposed several were killed owing to the fact that many near and direct shots were fired into the mob and many shrieks rent the midnight air, and through the dim light parties were seen carrying with them dis- abled persons. It is also stated that when the pay-roll was called several Irishmen came up missing, and never afterward responded. When these points are considered and cognizance taken of the fact that there was but one burial heard of after this event, and that be- ing of a young Irishman who lay dead on the ground till the follow- ing day, when his father came and took him off the field of carnage, is it unreasonable to suppose that other dead bodies were secreted
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
in the above described place at Algonquin, to hide the enormity of the crime and thus prevent further investigation on the part of the law ?
CRYSTAL LAKE VILLAGE.
This village was laid out in 1840 by B. Crandall and Christopher Walkup. The surveyor was Asa W. Bradley. In 1843 Benjamin Douglass made the Douglass addition. The village is situated in the northwest corner of Algonquin Township, near Crystal Lake, from which it takes its name. It might be proper to here state that the lake received its name of Z. Beardsley in 1836, who took up the claim now owned by Charles Dale, which embraces the main body of the lake. After making his claim he remarked to a friend that the water in the lake was clear as crystal, and from that day to this it has been known as Crystal Lake.
The first house in the village of Crystal Lake was built by Benjamin Crandall; first wagon-makers, Smith & Parker; first blacksmith, William Jackson; first shoemaker, Daniel Duffy. These all came to the place soon after it was laid out. The first lawyer was S. R. Shoemaker, who came about the year 1863, and remained about three years, when he went to Kansas, where he died a short time afterward. The first hotel was a log structure, erected soon after the laying out of the village. It has since been remodeled and many frame additions made, till now it is one of the largest buildings in the place. It has passed through many hands, and is kept at present by T. H. Ashton, who has been the proprietor for the past fifteen years. The first landlord in this hotel was Lyman King. The first store was opened in 1840, by A. M. Anar.
The first sermon preached in the place was by Rev. L. S. Walker, a Methodist minister, in the house of A. W. Beardsley.
CHURCHES.
Free Methodist .- This society was organized in 1862, by Rev. Hooker, with a membership of about twenty-five, among whom are found the names of Thomas Hallerton, Charles Owles and wife, Isaac King and wife, Lizzie Haniford, Carrie Burlingame and others. They held services in what is known as the Brick Hall, till they purchased the Baptist church building, which they occu- pied but comparatively a short time when it burned down. They then, by subscription, built the fine house of worship which they
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388 HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
now occupy. At the same time they built a parsonage, which to- gether with the church cost $3,500. The following is a list of ministers who, at different periods, had this church in charge : Revs. Hooker, Ira Gaul, Getchell, Erastus Ribble, M. V. Clute, S. C. Roberts, John Whitney, W. H. Kelley, Chas. Frink, Chas. Eby, James Buss, Bonner and John Kelsey, their present pastor .. The present Trustees are: George W. Dike, M. Best, Henry An- drews, Wm. Peet and Thompson Morris. Their church is in a flourishing condition with a fair membership. The Sabbath-school is well attended.
Baptist Church .- The first Baptist church of this place was organized May 4, 1839, by Rev. Joel Wheeler, of McHenry, with the following members: Hiram Harris, Benjamin Crabtree, Sr., Benjamin Crabtree, Jr. Shortly after the organization of the church there were added to its members E. I. Smith, O. L. Joslyn, A. and David W. Joslyn, Betsy Harris, Polly Crabtree, Clarinda Crabtree, Polly Wight, Mary Joslyn, and Mary Joslyn, Ann Smith, Ann H. Ormsby, Sarah M. Joslyn. Rev. Joel Wheeler, their first minister, preached to this congregation nearly three years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Alanson Pease. Next came Rev. Peter Free man, who in turn was succeeded by Elijah Freeman, R. R. Whit- tier, R. R. Gilbert, O. Adams, Brooks, John Young, A. W. Whit- man, Taylor, P. B. Hewitt. This constitutes the full list of ministers who have had charge of this church prior to 1876, since which date they have had no regular minister, but have been supplied by theological students coming from the University at Chicago. The present one in charge is Mr. Millard. Their first house of worship was a small frame building which was erected by subscription in 1843. The first services held in it were the funeral services of Mr. Pratt. It was the first church building in this section of the country, and was consequently used by all denominations. Prior to the building of this church they held services in a school-house near by. This church afterward burned down. They built their present house of worship in 1864, at a cost of about $2,300, and was dedicated by Rev. A. J. Joslyn. The first letter was granted to A. J. Joslyn, Nov. 8, 1841. Lyman King and wife were the first persons received by letter, May 24, 1839. The first baptism was performed Dec. 26, 1840, by Rev. Joel Wheeler, Fidelia King being the candidate. On the 11th day of March, 1843, this society was honored by the services of the great evangelist, Morgan Ed- wards. The church is in a fine spiritual condition with a moder-
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
ate membership. The present Deacons are: John Goodwin, Nayer Beardsley and Wm. Winch.
Saint Thomas Catholic, Crystal Lake, was organized in 1856, by Father McMahen, in Grafton Township. While it cannot be properly considered a branch of the Woodstock Catholic church, it might be called a part of it. It was organized by the same man and has ever since its organization been under the care of the pastors in charge at Woodstock. About the time of their organi- zation they erected a small frame building in Grafton which they used as a house of worship till 1881, when the society was trans- ferred to Crystal Lake where they erected a fine frame building worth about $5,000. It will comfortably seat 225. The present membership numbers about sixty-five families. The Sabbath- school was organized May 1, 1881, with a membership of about forty-five. The church is in a very prosperous condition as well as the Sabbath-school.
Emanuel German Lutheran .- This church was organized in 1869, by Rev. H. Schmidt, with a very small membership, viz .: C. W. Schroeder, H. and N. Rose, I. Bahl, F. Schmidt, B. Deetmann, Chas. Ritt, J. Berg, John Ritt, F. Westfahl, J. Erkee, and C. Kruse. They purchased the old church of the Methodists for $400 and moved it to its present location; to this they have added the steeple and vestry. In 1876 they built a school-house in which the German language is taught ten months each year by a teacher who receives a salary of $400.
The present school attendance is seventy scholars and the church consists of ninety members. H. Rose, C. Sund, and H. Rosenthall are the present Trustees. The following preachers have ministered at various times to this church: H. Schmidt, C. W. Richmann, J. A. Detzer, H. G. Schnider, M. Heyer, and Carl Schmidt, the present pastor.
INCORPORATION OF CRYSTAL LAKE.
This village was incorporated in 1874, and at the first meeting held the following officers were elected: B. Carpenter, President; W. Butler, Clerk, and W. B. Fitch, Treasurer. The present officers of the village are as below designated: E. Pease, Chairman, James Crow, Treasurer; L. L. Smith, Clerk; Jas. Robinson, W. Fitch, W. Hill, Louis Kamine and H. Ford, Trustees.
Below will be found the summary of business of Crystal Lake: Blacksmiths, Ford Brothers, C. H. Lanning; carpenter, J.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Conover; wagon manufacturer, William Miller; dress-makers, Miss Lena Buck, Miss Ette Van Allen; grocer, Geo. W. Davis; hotel, T. H. Ashton, proprietor of Crystal Lake House; harness manu- facturer, J. H. Wilbur; merchants, John Buchler, Win. Hill, Marlow & Fitch; meat markets, Peter England, E. D. Williams; mason, John A. Simons; physician, L. D. Dowell; pickle manu- facturer, J. J. Wilson.
ALGONQUIN VILLAGE.
[For many interesting items in this article the editor is indebted to Dr. W. A. Nason.]
The quiet village of Algonquin is pleasantly situated in a small, triangular valley at the junction of Crystal Lake outlet with Fox River. The bluffs are here of considerable height and the village, therefore, has little resemblance to the ordinary prairie towns of the West. The bluffs are well-wooded, and the place has many at- tractive and picturesque features.
The Indians once had a trail leading across this township. It crossed Fox River where the mill-dam now stands, at which place the stream was fordable. Abundant relics of the aborigines are found in this vicinity. Indian graves, arrow heads, stone hatch- ets, etc., have been found in great numbers.
The village was first known as Cornish's Ferry, from Dr. A. B. Cornish, an early settler near the ford above mentioned. Later, when a considerable settlement had grown up, by vote of the in- habitants the name Osceola was adopted. But it was learned that there was already a town of the same name in the State. There- fore the choice of a permanent name was left to Mr. Edwards, the chief property owner in the village, and he chose the name which it now bears.
The Fox River branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway gives direct railroad connection with Elgin and Chicago. The road was first known as the Fox River Railroad.
Early settlers state that this village was at one time frequented by a gang of counterfeiters, who were finally tracked to Bogus Island, about a mile further up the stream, where they were capt- ured. It was in this affair that the late Allan Pinkerton first ex- ercised his ingenuity as a detective and by his success laid the foundation for his celebrated career. Later, horse thieves took ad- vantage of the thickly-wooded ravines along the river bank to con- ceal themselves and their booty. But all these things are of the
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
past. Now life and property is as safe here as anywhere, and it is difficult to realize that there ever was a different state of affairs.
Algonquin is the shipping-point for a large and wealthy dairy region. The manufacture of butter and cheese and other industries of the village will be mentioned further on.
Mineral springs, the attractiveness of the scenery, the opportu- nities afforded for boating and fishing-all combine to render the place a very pleasant summer resort.
The village was first laid out about the year 1836. The original plat was made out by Dawson & Powell and afterward Plumleigh's addition was made. On the 17th day of December, 1844, the plat of the village was accepted and adopted as presented by Eli Hen- derson. The residence of Mr. Powell, which was erected before the village was laid out, was the first house reared on the site. The first store was opened in 1837 by Dr. Cornish. The first wagon- maker was Henry Tubbs, who is still engaged in the business; first blacksmith was Henry Benthusen; first shoemaker, O. Leach; first tailor, Wm. Clark.
POSTOFFICE.
The postoffice was established at Algonquin in 1836 it being the first in the township. Dr. Cornish was the first Postmaster ap- pointed. He was succeeded by Isaac Denney, whose place was taken by John Peters, and he in turn was succeeded by John Sears. The present Postmaster is Charles Chunn. The following named persons are said to have at different times held the postoffice but the dates indicating their term of office or time of holding it we are unable to give: Eli Henderson, Peter Potter, Samuel Finch and Colonel Wm. Henry.
The land on which now stands the village of Algonquin was originally owned by Wm. Powell, who in 1840 built and ran the first hotel of the place. It was a log structure of moderate dimen- sions; this he ran about ten years when he added a frame part which, with the log building, served as a hotel till about the year 1858, when the entire structure was torn down and the present hotel building erected by James Dixon and John Gillilan, who owned it but a short time. Since then it has passed through many hands and is now the property of Charles Pingree. It is a frame building 33 x 50 and was built at an expense of about $1,400 and is the only hotel in the place.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY OOUNTY.
ALGONQUIN SOHOOL.
In 1867 a fine two-story brick school building was erected in this place at an expense of $7,000. Previous to 1882 it had been run as a common district school but at this date became a graded school and has been run since with marked success under its able principals and teachers. Ernest Benson and Miss Mamie McKey were its two first graduates. R. H. Renney was the first Principal, who was succeeded by A. J. Kingman, formerly County Superin- tendent.
CHURCHES.
St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church was organized Feb. 24, 1844, under the instrumentality of Rev. Peter Arvidson. The fol. lowing is a list of the first officers chosen: Dr. Warden, Senior Warden; Peter Arvidson, Junior Warden. The church made but little progress till 1850 when it became revived and lay reading was inaugurated in the log house of Peter Arvidson. The church was under the jurisdiction of Bishop Whitehouse. This log house of Mr. Arvidson was a double structure with a family occupying each end. On Sunday mornings they prepared room for holding services by carrying the furniture up in the loft. Their seats were constructed by procuring blocks from the wood-pile and laying on them rough boards made comfortable by laying on them comforts, quilts, etc., etc. An arm chair with a board laid across the arms, cov- ered with a white cloth, served for a pulpit. These meetings were well attended and finally the numbers became so large that they occasion- ally held services in a school-house and had now and then a regular minister of the gospel to preach to them. In 1863 Peter Arvidson was ordained as a minister and took charge of the St. John's Par- ish. At this time he was engaged in farming and he was com- pelled to prepare his sermons at odd times and at night. In 1864 they commenced the building of their church in the village of Al- gonquin and completed it in 1865 and made their last payment on it in 1871. Rev. Arvidson preached in this church till his death, which occurred Nov. 22, 1880. His age was fifty-eight years. Strange to say, the bell was hung in the church during his illness and was tolled for the first time at his funeral. This was the first house of worship built in the village. It was used for the first ime Nov. 5, 1865, and dedicated April 21, 1868. It is a frame building capable of seating 200 people. It cost, including lot on
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