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 38
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY OOUNTY.
beth, Jane, Thomas, Frank, Amy and John. Thomas, Frank, Al- ice and Ann are deceased.
Charles Mead, the eldest son of Tertullus Mead, was born in Pat- terson Township, Putnam Co., N. Y., Aug. 12, 1822. He came to McHenry County, Ill., in 1856, leaving New York March 25, and settled on section 8, Burton Township, where he has since resided. He owns a beautiful farm of eighty acres, and in 1873 built a fine residence. It is a two-story frame building, 30 x 36, with a wing 16 x 16. He is by trade a carpenter and has worked on a majority of the buildings in his section. He has been Post- master of English Prairie postoffice twenty years. He has served as Justice of the Peace eleven years. He was married in New York in 1848, to Maria E. Smith. They have three children-Ly- man Leroy, born May, 1855; Irene Zella, born in 1864, married March 22, 1882, to Selim R. Peirce, of Burton Township; and Russell Edmond, born in 1865. Politically Mr. Mead has always been a Democrat. His inother died in New York State in 1852 aged fifty-two years. His father came to Illinois with him and died here in 1856 aged seventy-six years. There were ten children in the family. Our subject, James E., came to Illinois in 1856, but returned to New York in 1864. Erastus, Barney, William and Marcus all reside in New York, engaged in farming and carpen- tering. Marcus enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-second New York Infantry and served till the close of the war, when he was exchanged as a prisoner at Andersonville. Maria resides in Oswego County, N. Y ., the widow of Azor Hoyt. Mary married Oscar Cummings, also of New York. Caroline is unmarried and lives with her sister Maria. Theodore came to Illinois in the fall of 1856 and taught school the following winter. He was Superinten- dent of the schools of McHenry County two years. In 1862 he went to Washington and was in | the Quartermaster's department. He subsequently graduated from Alexandria College and is now Examining Surgeon in the Pension Office at Washington.
Mrs. Nancy Peacock is a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., born May 29, 1800, a daughter of John and Mary C. (Shell) Church- ill, both natives of Herkimer County, N. Y. Aug. 6, 1845, she was married at Kenosha, Wis., to the late Joseph Peacock. They came to McHenry County in an early day and settled at English Prairie, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Peacock. Mr. Peacock was an Englishman by birth; he died March 5, 1884, aged eighty- one years, an honored citizen of the county. Mrs. Peacock had
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
four brothers and four sisters all of whom are dead except Alfred J. who lives in Iowa. One brother was drowned when small. Ira and Henderson both died in McHenry County several years ago. Her sisters all died in New York. They lived to maturity and left families.
Marvel Peirce was born June 23, 1814, in Pennsylvania, and died May 18, 1878, in Burton Township, McHenry Co., Ill. He came to Illinois in 1838, stopping first in La Salle County, but soon after came to McHenry County and settled on the farm where his widow now lives. He was married in Nichols County, N. Y., May 19, 1838, to Eleanor, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Cline) White, of New York, who came to Illinois in 1839 and set- tled in De Kalb County. To Mr. and Mrs. Peirce were born eleven children, three of whom are deceased-Elizabeth died Dec. 18, 1850; Hiram was killed Ost. 2, 1862, at South Mountain; Allan W. died March 13, 1877, at San Francisco, Cal. William was born June 3, 1840, and was married Jan. 26, 1871, to Eliza Bowers. They have two children-Warren and Fred. Paulina was born April 20, 1843, and was married in February, 1861, to Leonard Stilson, who died in 1862, while serving in the war of the Rebellion. Novem- ber, 1868, she married Frank Gates. She has five children. One, George, by her first marriage, was born in December, 1862, and was married March 15, 1883, to Belle Hick. The children by her second marriage are-Nellie, born November, 1870; Allen and Al- ice (twins), born July 1, 1875; and Earl, born July 12, 1879. Silas Peirce was born March 22, 1849, and was married Dec. 26, 1877, to Lizzie Ricks, by whom he has two children-Edna and James. He lives in Illinois. Franklin Peirce was born Aug. 6, 1854, and was married Nov. 23, 1881, to Emma Ligett. He lives in Me nasha, Wis. Eleanor was born June 2, 1856; is living at home. Selim was born Feb. 20, 1858, and was married March 22, 1882, to Irene Mead. Ina was born April 1, 1860. Ida was born April 20, 1864, and was married Feb. 14, 1883, to August Bun gard. She has one child-Ray, born Nov. 28, 1883.
Robert Richardson was born in Walkington, Yorkshire, Eng- land, July 4, 1811; was the eldest son of Francis and Tamar (Statters) Richardson. In March, 1832, he came to America. In 1836 he settled on English Prairie, McHenry Co., Ill. In 1842 he rented his farm and went to Milwaukee, Wis. Being a mason by trade, he and his brother built the first brick building in that city. Jan. 12, 1843, he was married to Eleanor J. James, by Mr. Cooper,
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Justice of the Peace, in the town of Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., Wis. Eleanor J. James was born in London, England, Oct. 31, 1822, second daughter of Joseph C. and Felicity (Thomas) James, who came to America in 1834, settling in Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., Wis. For three years Mr. and Mrs. Robert Richardson lived in Milwaukee, Wis. In November, 1846, they came to Englishi Prairie, making it their home. Thirteen children were born to them, three of whom are deceased-Robert T., born Oct. 9, 1849, died Jan. 15, 1850; John T., born June 8, 1859, died Sept. 15, 1859; Robert E., born March 2, 1852, died Dec. 16, 1868. Those that are living are-Francis G., born Oct. 5, 1843, in Milwaukee, Wis., and was married April 3, 1872, to Sarah A. Emens, of Kenosha County, Wis., by Rev. Enoch Miller; they have six children-Robert E., Matthew L., Francis T., Webster C., Isabel M. and Chester. Tamar A. was born March 24, 1845, in Mil- waukee, Wis., and was married May 26, 1877, to Miles F. Hatch, at San Francisco, Cal., by Rev. Frank Jewell; they have one child- Lewis M. The rest were born in the town of Burton, English Prairie, Ill. Joseph H. was born Sept. 27, 1846, and was married March 6, 1879, to Clarrissa A. Motley, at Kenosha, Wis., by Rev. George Everhart; they have one child-Ada J. Hannah F. was born Jan 5, 1848; was married Fcb. 25, 1880, to Henry Wheeler, at Algonquin, by Rev. Peter Arvedson; they have two children- Jesse R. and Eleanor R. Eleanor H. was born Dec. 16, 1850, and was married July 4, 1872, to Solomon Godfrey, by Rev. Enoch Miller; they have three children-Robert R., Ettie M. and George A. Eliza E. was born Nov. 4, 1854; was married to William J. Overton, March 7, 1878, by Rev. Peter Arvedson; they have three children --- James R., Sidney L., and Linford S. Sarah M. was born July 14, 1856, and was married April 11, 1882, to William P. Stevens, at Woodstock, Rev. R. K. Todd officiating; they have one child-Mildred R. Esther S., born Nov. 5, 1860; Jesse B., born Sept. 18, 1862, and Alfred E., born May 29, 1865, are at home with their mother, who was left a widow July 31, 1878.
William Slater, son of John and Mary (Bradburn) Slater, was born in Manchester, England, Aug. 9, 1816, and was married March 15, 1866, to Margaret Thompson, a daughter of James and Mary (Squire) Blyth. She was born in Scotland in 1808. Her father was a hat merchant, the firm being Blyth & Leslie, 3 and 4 North Bridge, Edinburg, and died very suddenly, in 1825. Her mother died in 1815. She had five sisters-Mary, Margaret, 27
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428 HISTORY OF MO HENRY OOUNTY.
Charlotte, Jane, and Jessie-all long since dead. In 1837 she came to the United States, embarking at Liverpool and landing in New York City. Proceeded from there to Bedford, Ohio, and from there the next year to McHenry County, Ill., coming from the East via the lakes to Chicago. Her husband, Mr. James Thompson, was very active in delaying the first land sales. Mr. King, a money loaner, of Pennsylvania, gave her a $20 gold piece for services rendered by her husband. After her marriage to Mr. Slater they settled on the old homestead on section 29, where they still reside. Both are hale and hearty. Mr. Slater has lived in this township twenty-two years, and cighteen years of that time has held the office of Town Clerk. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace two terms. He has been Secretary of the Bible Society a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Slater are an honored and respected couple of the township, and are living quietly and peacefully on their homestead.
B. A. Stevens was born in Burton Township, McHenry Co., Ill., June 13, 1843. He was reared on the farm and received a good common-school education, subsequently attending Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Chicago, one term. He resides on section 20, Burton Township, on 420 acres of land entered by his father. He in connection with farming carries on a dairy, milking thirty-two cows, and making aboat 150 pounds of butter a week. He was married Nov. 24, 1869, to Frances Stevens, daughter of Peter Stevens, a native of Vermont. They have three children -Clara, Chester and Cora. Mr. Stevens has served his township as Collector, Commissioner of Highways, School Trustee and School Director. His father, Major Alfred Stevens, was born in Richmond, Vt., in 1803, and died in Racine, Wis., in 1869, aged sixty-six years. When he was six years of age he went to Penn- sylvania, remaining there till June, 1837, when he came to English Prairie and took up a claim on section 20. Three years prior to liis death he moved to Racine, Wis. He owned 740 acres of land in Illinois and as much more in Iowa. He was a fariner and made that calling a success, being practical, energetic and a good manager. He earned the title of Major in Militia in Penn- sylvania. During the Rebellion he trained a company of boys. He married Esther Kellogg in Pennsylvania. She is now living in Nebraska, aged seventy-nine years. They had a family of nine children, all of whom are living-Oscar married Jane Grovero, and resides in Clear Lake, Iowa, engaged in milling. Warren marricd
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Mary McWaspy, and is a wealthy stockman of California; he raises an average of 27,000 bushels of wheat per annum. Azor married Sarah Wood, and resides at Clear Lake, Iowa, engaged in milling and farming. Clara, the widow of Porter Kingsly, resides in Lodi, Wis. Henry is unmarried and resides in Oregon, where he owns 1,200 acres of land and 180 horses. B. A., our subject, is the fifth son. Marion is a widower and resides in Nebraska, engaged in farming. Lafayette is unmarried and lives in Washington Territory. He is fond of travel and exploring; found the first coal ever discovered in the Territory. Delia, the youngest, is unmarried and resides in Nebraska with her mother and brother Marion.
Chauncey Sweet was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1815, a son of George and Hannah (Van Ostrand) Sweet. His father was born April 14, 1786, and his mother August, 1789. They were married in Galway Township, Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 16, 1807. Their children are scattered, some living thou- sands of miles from their native hearth. George S. lives in Avon, Fulton Co., Ill .; Norman, Julia and Charles live in Erie County, Pa .; Benjamin lives in Kansas; Henry, in San Francisco, Cal .; Eliza, in Elgin, Pa., and Chauncey, in McHenry County, Ill. The father died in Washington Township, Erie Co., Pa., Feb. 17, 1872, and the mother in Elgin, Pa., Feb. 23, 1876. Chauncey Sweet was married April 10, 1864, by Rev. Mr. Caldwell, to Beata Bauer, daughter of John and Mary (Willard) Bauer, natives of Mechlin- burg, Germany, who came to America in 1856, and lived in Burton Township, McHenry Co., Ill., till October, 1864, when they moved to Nebraska, where they now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Sweet have been born seven children, four of whom died in infancy . Of those living, Henry C. was born May 8, 1869; Beata M., born May 20, 1872; and Lewis E., born Nov. 11, 1879. Mr. Sweet came to Illinois in 1836 and settled in Burton Township, Mc- Henry County. In 1853 he went to California and remained six years, and in 1859 returned to McHenry County, where lie has since resided. He died Jan. 28, 1880.
Robert Tweed was born in County Antrim, Ireland, Sept. 29, 1818, a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Robinson) Tweed, farmers of that country; his father died at the age of fifty-three years, and his mother aged cighty. He spent his boyhood days on the farm receiving a common-school education. He spent some time as a sailor, engaged in the coasting trade. He was married in October,
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
1841, to Sarah Tweed, with whom he lived nearly six years. She died Sept. 22, 1847, soon after landing at Grosse Isle, Canada, leaving him in a strange land with two little boys-Alexander and John. He came to America in 1847, and remained in Canada a short time. In 1848 he came to the United States, and located in Lake County, Ill., remaining there ten years engaging in various vocations, such as fishing, sailing, farming and chopping in the pine forests of Michigan. In 1853 his healthi failcd and he was unable to do anything for several months; when he recovered he began peddling tinware and notions, and engaged in this business for five years. He then rented a room in Spring Grove and opened a small store; he continued at the same place five years and then bought his present storehouse. His front room is 52x20 feet in size with a storeroom 30x15 feet. He carries a good stock of general merchandise. Mr. Tweed has been Postmaster since 1865. Oct. 8, 1853, Mr. Tweed married Fannie Tweed, a cousin of his first wife, by whom he has had two children-Fannie and Robert, making a family of four children in all. Alexander, born Aug. 26, 1843, served three years in the Union army in the Ninety-fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteers; married Ida Morse and has three children-Amanda, Levi, and Mary. He is now a mer- chant of Fox Lake, Lake Co., Ill. John Tweed was born Feb. 21, 1845, and is now a merchant in Fairfield, Clay Co., Neb .; he married Susan Smiley, who died May 25, 1884, leaving two children -Robert, and an infant daughter who died, Sept. 21, 1884. Fannie, born April 21, 1854, died Feb. 8, 1856, from the effects of a scald. Robert was born Nov. 18, 1855, and has been in the store with his father when not in school. He attended school in Waukegan, Ringwood and Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Chicago. Since 1879 he has been a partner with his father. He was married Nov. 2, 1880, to Fannie E. Belle, of Richmond Township, a daughter of John B. Bell. They have one child-Oliver Arthur, born Feb. 7, 1882. Mr. Tweed has been a member of the Episcopal church since 1842. Politically he is a Republican.
Yours Truly
Mars. E. G. Ayer
CHAPTER XIV.
CHEMUNG TOWNSHIP.
NAME .- SETTLEMENT .- LOCATION. - SURFACE FEATURES .-- RAIL- ROADS .- CEMETERIES .- SOHOOL STATISTICS. - TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. -CYCLONE .- ITS DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY, AND PECULIAR FREAKS .- LAWRENCE. - POSTOFFICE .- PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- CHEMUNG .- SAW AND GRIST MILL .-- CHEESE FACTORY. -POSTOFFICE .- FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES. - HARVARD. - WHEN PLATTED .- FIRST EVENTS .- HOTELS. - BANKS .- MANUFACTORIES. -CHUROHES. - SOCIETIES. - BIOGRAPHIOAL.
Not till after the village of Chemung had become a point of business and this township was pretty well settled did it receive a name. It is understood that Chemung Village was named by a Mr. Seward, who came from Chemung County, N. Y., and the township was afterward named for the village.
The first settlements were made in this township in 1836. Among the first settlers we find the names of George Trumbull, M. Wheeler, Wesley Diggins, Alonzo Riley, and William Hart. It is claimed by some that the first parties who resided in the town- ship were two brothers, by the name of David and Ransley Shaw, who came from Indiana, and after partially erecting a saw-mill, sold out to a Mr. Lewis, and they moved away. David Smith came from New York State and made Chemung Township his home till about ten years ago, when he moved to Iowa. The date of Wes- ley Diggins's arrival was 1838. He located where Harvard now stands. He moved to California about twenty-five years ago, and there died about the year 1879. T. B. Wakeman came in 1838. He was a lawyer, and died in Chicago about six years ago. Daniel and Adolphus Hutchinson were among the first settlers. Adol- phus died at liis home in the township some twenty years ago, and Daniel is still a resident of the township.
LOCATION.
Township 45, range 5. This is the extreme northwest town- (431)
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432 HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
ship in the county. Alden joins it on the east, and Dunhain on the south.
SURFACE FEATURES.
This township has perhaps more acres of low land than any other in the county, but we cannot say it is less valuable than dryer lands, as they furnish fine pasturage which adapts it well to the use to which it is put, viz., dairying interests. Farming is not carried on here to the extent that it is in other townships. The Piskasaw Creek and its three branches, which unite with the main stream on sections 32 and 33, furnish abundance of water, and distribute it well over the township.
RAILROADS.
The township is traversed by two railroads, viz., the Chicago & Northwestern and the Kenosha & Rockford, making more miles of railroad in this township than any other in the' county save Algonquin. The township takes the lead in villages, being three in number, including the village of Chemung, which lies partly in Dunham.
CEMETERIES.
At the village of Chemung is to be found one of the oldest burying grounds in the county, but it is seldom that a burial takes place there now; the grounds have become forsaken, both in fact and appearance; the new grounds in the same village, but situated in Dunham Township, are being used instead of the old. A small burying ground was laid at Lawrence about the time the town was laid out.
SCHOOLS.
The first school was taught in the village of Chemung about 1840. We were unable to ascertain the name of first teacher. The number of children of a school age in this township is 978, it being ninety-eight more than in any other township in the county. It pays next to the highest amount of salary to teachers annually ofany township in the county, $5,060.44. The number of school- houses is seven, and the value of the school property is $16,500.
The first marriage that took place in this township, according to the records, was that of Sanford Blodgett and Jane H. Smith, Oct. 4, 1842, by Rev. P. W. Lake.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
OFFICERS.
The township officers chosen at the first election, held April 2, 1850, were as follows: J. C. Thompson, Supervisor; Edwin Hurlburt, Clerk; Lawrence Bigsby, Assessor; Wm. G. Billings, Collector; A. Southerland and Asa Pease, Justices of Peace; Wm. G. Billings and Chas. C. Merrick, Constables; Burrows Wilkinson, Orrin Burr and Wm. Newman, Commissioners of Highways; Seth Johnson, Overseer of the Poor.
The present officers are: H. S. Williams, Supervisor; P. E. Saunders, Clerk; Philo Wilkinson, Collector; Chas. Armstrong, Assessor; Robert Harper, Commissioner of Highways; Jas. Rogers, Geo. Wood and W. A. Brown, School Trustees.
CYCLONES.
On Friday, May 18, 1883, this township was visited by a cyclone which will long be remembered by those who witnessed it as one o the most destructive besoms that ever swept over the land.
In another portion of this work will be found a full account of this destroyer of human life and property, hence we will here speak of only a few points along its track and note some of its queer freaks. A fourteen-year-old son of John Massas, while attempting to reach the house, was thrown against a reaping machine and badly mangled. A hay barn belonging to C. Ruggles was taken away entire, not leaving scarcely anything behind to show that a barn had once been there. At Lawrence a barn was blown down in which stood a cow. She was afterward dug out of the rubbish and found to be unharmed. The depot at Lawrence lost its roof and east side. "Dr. Clark's store received considerable damage. On the farm of Patrick Kennedy stood a fine orchard which was swept away root and branch. The out-buildings were blown against the house with such force that it went down in the twink- ling of an eye. John McGuirk, who sought refuge in the cellar, was instantly killed. Here the monster bounded into the air as if frightened at its last desperate act, and did not return to the earth again till it had traveled a distance of about three miles, where it again resumed its work of destruction and death. The premises of Fred Battlings were entirely destroyed and his hired hand, Charles Stull, was instantly killed. It continued in its work of destruction till it passed out of the State into Wisconsin, where its ravages were only equaled by those in this county. In its course it utterly destroyed the school-house in District No. 3, Alden
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HISTORY OF MU HENRY COUNTY.
Township. The entire distance laid waste by this destructive freak of nature was about twenty miles. It is stated that a man lost all of his poultry except one hen and she was plucked of all her feathers.
LAWRENCE VILLAGE.
This village is situated on section 27, and was settled about the year 1855. The depot was built in 1856 and the place grew rap- idly for several years and aspired to some day become a place of note. The railroad company proposed making this point the end of a division and here erect their shops, round-houses, etc. This scheme was frustrated by those owning land adjoining that of the railroad company. These land-owners not only defeated the com- pany but themselves by placing the price of their lands beyond the reach of the purchasers.
The village received its name from Mr. Lawrence Bixby, its first merchant, who in company with a Mr. Conkling, did a big business for a time when three other stores were started which ma- terially divided the trade. The first house in the place was built by Lawrence Bixby and Benjamin Pressy. During the excitement over the prospects of Lawrence becoming a railroad town business increased rapidly and carpenters had more than they could do in erecting private and business houses, but when Harvard was cho- sen by the railroad company as a place where they would estab- lish their shops, a lull came to Lawrence-business was almost entirely suspended. Many buildings were pulled down and taken to Harvard. The hotel went with the rest, and there has never since been one in the place. During the days of prosperity and high anticipation a fine grist-mill was built and did a good business for about three years when it was burned down and never rebuilt.
POSTOFFICE.
When the exit was made from Lawrence they took with them nearly every thing but the postoffice which still remains and is kept at the residence of Lee Anderson.
These people seemed to have the matter of education well es- tablished in their minds, and it was with them no secondary mat- ter when the future of Lawrence seemed so bright. A large building was erected for a college and bid fair to keep pace with other enterprises of the place till the climax came, when it with
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
other cherished institutions succumbed to the fell hand of fortune. It was afterward purchased by the Presbyterians who have since used it as a house of worship.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This band of worshipers has never been great in numbers, though perhaps mighty in faith. Up till within the past four years they have supported a minister, but since then have been supplied by the preacher at Harvard giving them a part of his time. Rev. Clark, of that place, is now in charge of this church. Their first minister was Rev. Waldo, who preached to this people about two years.
The business of Lawrence is represented as follows: Black- smith, W. L. Boyd; creamery, H. Gillis; wagon manufactory, F. Beidt, E. S. Bowen, H. S. Gould, C. Palmer; groceries and drugs, S. Clark; flour-mill, C. Palmer; physicians, S. Clark, A. Thompson; apiarist, J. L. Anderson.
CHEMUNG VILLAGE.
This village was laid out in 1844, and consequently is one of the oldest in this section of country. The village grew steadily and had become quite a business center, with a population of 400 when the railroad came to Harvard, to which place the people flocked till scarcely 200 people remained in the village. At this time there were in the village four dry-goods stores, one drng store, one hotel, besides blacksmiths and wagon shops. Though two years later the railroad came through Chemung, it never seemed to grow a particle. Harvard had gotten a start.
The first house built in this village was a log one erected by Mr. Lewis. The first store was opened by Messrs. Burge & Aisles, who came from Belvidere. At the expiration of one year they sold out to Mr. Billings. Then a Mr. Baker opened a store, and after running it a short time sold out to Messrs. Hulbert & Bixby. Dena & Brother and Walker & Brown opened large general stores about this date.
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