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 47
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Jons July Abbormit
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tions, has placed him at the head of the business fraternity of Harvard. Mrs. Crumb died in 1872. To them were born seven children, but six of whom are living-Henry C., the eldest son, is employed in the auditor's office of the Union Pacific Railway Com- pany, at Omaha, Neb. ; Frank is engaged in the cattle business in Texas; Nellie, the eldest daughter, married Freeman Wilson in 1875, and resides in Harvard; Herbert D. is Cashier of the Har- vard Bank; Julia B. and Addie are at home attending school; Harriet died in 1872, at the age of eight years. In 1875 Mr. Crumb was married at Oneida, N. Y., to Miss Addie V. Kilbourne, daughter of James D. Kilbourne.
CHAPTER XVII.
CORAL TOWNSHIP.
LOOATION. - DESORIPTION .- RAILROAD. - KISHWAUKEE .- SETTLE- MENT. - FIRST EVENTS. - RELIGIOUS SERVICES. - CEMETERY .- SCHOOL STATISTICS .- FIRST POSTOFFICE .- POSTOFFICE AT HAR- MONY .- CHEESE FACTORY .- FIRST ELECTION .- FIRST AND PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. - INDIAN VILLAGE AND INDIANS .- COUNCIL- HOUSE. - UNION VILLAGE .- DATE OF SETTLEMENT .- FIRST HOUSE. - POSTOFFICE .- SOCIETIES. - CHURCHES .- CORAL VIL- LAGE .- HARMONY .- BIOGRAPHICAL.
This township lies in the southern tier of townships in the county, joined on the south by Kane County, on the west by Riley Township, on the north by Seneca, and on the east by Grafton. It is township 43, range 6. It ranks well in quality of soil with other townships in the county. None, perhaps, are better adapted to the dairy business than this. The township is composed of fine farms, and dotted over with good substantial buildings. The township is traversed by the railroad, from one side to the other, entering on section 13, near the southeast corner, and passes through the northwest portion of section 5. Coral is watered by the Kishwaukee Creek principally.
SETTLED IN 1835.
This is one of the first settled towns in the county. The first settler was William Hamilton, who came from Ohio in November, 1835, and located near where the village of Coral now stands. While assisting Calvin Spencer, of Marengo, to raise a log building, Mr. Hamilton received an injury from a falling timber, which caused his death the following spring. Benjamin Van Vleet and his father were the next to come into this township. They built their house near the old Indian camp-ground. Here they remained till the fall of 1836, when they sold to Wm. Jackson and moved to Pecatonica where they both died many years ago. O. P. Rog- ers came in 1836, arriving here on the 16th day of March. His claim was made by J. Rogers in 1835. The house of O. P. Rogers (518)
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was the first that was honored with the presence of a white woman. Mr. Rogers came from Middletown, Vt. At the time of his settlement there was not a single house between his residence and Dundee, and a house three miles west of Elgin marked the only spot of habitation between him and that city. Mr. Rogers resided in the township many years, when he moved to Marengo, where he still resides. Claims were made in 1835 for Frank Diggins and Enos A. Pease, who came in the spring of 1836. Mr. Diggins soon afterward moved to the township of Dunham, where he still resides. Mr. Pease remained in the township, and raised a large family. His son Marion was killed at the battle of Vicksburg. Some of the family are still residents of the county. L. Thompson came from Ohio in 1836 and resided in the township only a few years, when he moved to Abingdon, Ill.
Clark P. Thompson, brother of L. Thompson, who came at the same time, resided in the township till the war broke out, when he enlisted and was killed in 1861. Joseph Bullard came to this township from Pennsylvania, in 1826; remained but a short time, when he sold out to Robert Eddy.
Proctor Smith came from New York State, in 1836, and settled where Mr. Tuttle now resides, and opened a tavern in a log cabin. He died in 1877.
A. Thompson settled in Coral in 1837; he was the first that year. Same year came John Jab from England; Robert Eddy, who died in 1844; A. F. Randall; Darius Carr, now a resident of Iowa Miss Mary Lackey, who afterward moved to Belvidere, where she died in 1870; Sebas Frisbie, John Denison, and Ira Nicholas, who afterward moved to Iowa, where he died some years afterward.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first marriage in this township took place Aug. 25, 1839. The parties joined in wedlock were Samuel H. Bullard and Saman- tha Dunham; ceremony performed by Beman Crandall, Justice of the Peace. The first birth was that of Mary Eddy, daughter of Robert Eddy, in 1837. The first person who died in the township was John Hamilton in 1836. The first cemetery was laid out in 1838, on section 8. Not long after this was established, burying grounds were laid out at Harmony. After Union became a village a cemetery was also laid out there. In 1837, in a private house, the first school was taught by Caroline Cobb, since the wife of
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Philander Spencer. The first school-house was erected in 1838 on section 8. First religious services held in house of Joel Rogers, by Rev. O. Walker. The first school taught in the school-house, was by William Jackson, who received 4,000 rails for four months teaching. His employers split a thousand rails each month that he taught, so when the term was ended his pay was ready. The fate of the log school-house seems to have rested in the hands of the scholars who attended the school taught in it by S. K. Bar- tholomew. At the end of the term the scholars got into a frolic, and tore down the school-house.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
The following statistics will show the progress this township has made in the interests of education: It has eleven school-houses, which is more than in any other township in the county. An annual salary of $1,907.69 is paid to teachers. The number of children in the township of a school age is 409. The school property is valued at $10,350.
POSTOFFICE.
The first postoffice was established in 1837 at the house of Will- iam Jackson, on section 7. Mr. Jackson was the first Postmaster and Mrs. Jackson opened the first mail that ever came to this of- fice. This was the first postoffice established between Chicago and Galena, Ill. Mr. Jackson kept the office only two or three years when the hotel-keeper, Smith, became the Postmaster. Afterward Harriet Dunham kept the office. W. J. Fillmore was next ap- pointed Postmaster. During his term of office the postoffice was removed to Coral, where it still remains. Wm. S. Ross was the first Postmaster in Coral Village. Mr. Cleaver was the next; then Val. Alstine. Mr. Morris was the next. Present Postmaster is Henry Stoddard.
About the year 1855 a postoffice was established at the village of Harmony. The first Postmaster was Mr. Shaflee. It has since passed through many hands, and is now kept by Mr. Abraham.
In those days each postoffice was not provided with its own mail sack, as is now the case, but the mail matter of many offices was placed in one large sack. The amount of mail to be assorted over made it a tedious task for the postmaster. First, the mail was carried on this route on horseback, but soon afterward on a coach.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
CHEESE FAOTORIES.
The first cheese factory in this township was built by Mr. Bar- tholomew, about the year 1870. This factory did a good business till about six years ago, when it was burned down. Another was soon after erected in its place, and is now the property of W. A. Boice. In 1878 the manufactory was built, which was burned down about three years afterward. It was rebuilt at once, and is now doing a good business in the hands of Wood & Co., of Huntley.
FIRST ELECTION
held in the township, after its organization, was at the house of L. A. Sharp, April 2, 1850. The officers elected were as follows: Charles Crego, Supervisor; Clinton D. Cannon, Clerk; Carlisle Hastings, Assessor; E. W. Fillmore, Collector; E. D. Marsh, Over- seer of Poor; I. M. White, Rush Bartholomew, Morgan Butler, Commissioners of Highways; E. W. Fillmore and C. L. Ross, Constables ; M. N. Raymond and Paris Brown, J. P.
The present officers are: Lester Barrows, Supervisor; H. A. Shel- don, Clerk; C. Hastings, Assessor; A. S. Peak, Collector; C. A. Wilcox, A. N. Derry, Cris Wresche, Commissioners of High- ways; John Bliss and Robert Smallridge, Constables; James Lu- cas and Captain John Eddy, Justices of the Peace.
INDIAN VILLAGE.
A short distance west of where Coral Village now stande there once stood a scattering village of Indian wigwams, built of bark. Among these wigwams of various architectural descriptions stood one of peculiar formation, being conical in form. This, it is said, was used as a council-house, and bore that name. This round building was about fourteen feet in diameter. Inside were placed seats, which were about thirty inches wide, and formed of split sticks. It is believed that these were used during the daytime at council meeting as places to sit on, and at night as bedsteads, upon which they spread skins of animals. The walls presented a picture gallery of a one-idea artist. Here was presented the picture of an Indian, in full rig, on a march, followed by a squaw on a pony and a dog in the rear. This trio was produced over and over again till the wall was literally covered with its reproduction. Though these lands had been purchased of the Indians, the time for giv- ing possession had not arrived when the aggressive white man put
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in his appearance. Those who settled in Coral in the fall of 1835 were visited the following spring by the inhabitants of this Indian village. They had spent the winter elsewhere, and returned to take up their abode and stay the balance of the time allotted to them. Upon their return they found that much of the material comprising their wigwams had been taken by the white men and made a part of their shanties. They called upon Mr. Hamilton and secured their copper cooking pots, which he had found, and was preserving as curiosities. They then opened up a pit of corn, which they had buried the year before, and commenced house- keeping in their way. These Indians knew only enough of our language to swear.
UNION VILLAGE.
The village of Union was named by William Jackson, who had already given the name of Union to the Postoffice. Mr. Jackson owned the land where the village now stands and laid out the place in 1851 on the event of the railroad coming through Coral Town- ship. The first house was built by F. M. Mead, in 1851. It still stands and is occupied by the station agent. The first store was opened in 1852, by a young man by the name of Hathaway, who was in the employ of Mr. Kimble, of Elgin. It is the same store now occupied by Mr. Allen. Shortly after a grocery store was opened which was run but a short time. The village has contained two stores most of the time since started. The first drug store was started by Hungerford & Smith about the year 1857. Cutler & Vanpelt, started a good drug store about the year 1868; this store is now owned by J. A. Crandall.
The postoffice was established in Union in the fall of 1852. The first Postmaster, Mr. Cannon, held the office but one year, when F. M. Mead became his successor, who kept the office some three or four years. Then Mr. Sheldon was the Postmaster a year or two. He was succeeded by S. A. Randall, who held it till 1860, when he was succeeded by Wm. H. Alden, who was Postmaster about five years. Next appointed was Wm. M. Baldwin, who held it till the assassination of President Lincoln, when he was succeeded by J. D. Bliss, who held it three years. The present incumbent, N. C. Gardner, was appointed April 13, 1869. About the year 1876 a cheese factory was built in Union, by Mr. W. A. Boice. It was afterward burned down and has since been rebuilt.
The first blacksmith, Nelson B. Marsh, opened a shop in the
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spring of 1852. He had previously been running a shop in Coral. Woodruff Cannon, the first wagon-maker, came about 1852 and remained till 1870. The first shoemaker, Mr. Clark, came from Marengo and remained in Union but a short time. About the year 1877 Messrs Derry & Pettengill built the steam-power feed-mill, which is now doing a good business. The business houses in Union at present are; Blacksmiths, D. H. Hewett, Miles Grennon; carpenters, A. Durkee, Wm. Picore; creamery, W. A. Boice; druggist, F. A. Randall; merchants, F. T. Allen, Leach & Mills; feed mill, Derry & Pettengill.
SOCIETIES.
Union Lodge, I. O. G. T., was organized April 9, 1884, with the following charter members: Joseph Perkins, J. B. Ashcraff, S. M. Farr, Purdy Bright, Miss Ida Creamer, Eugene Austin, J. A. Crandall, Miss Frankie Bliss, F. L. Sheldon. The following is a list of first officers elected: S. M. Farr, W. C. T .; Josie Perkins, W. V. T .; Miss Frankie Bliss, Secretary; E. Austin, Treasurer; J. B. Ashcraff, P. W. C. T; F. L. Sheldon, W. M; R. M. Bean, Treasurer; Henry Fisher, I. S. G .; Wm. Allen, O. S. G .; C. E. Austin, Chaplain. Present officers are as follows: J. A. Crandall, L. D .; F. L. Sheldon, W. C. T .; S. M. Farr, P. W. C. T .; Miss Josie Perkins, W. V. T .; C. E. Austin, Secretary; R. M. Bean, Treasurer; L. Sheldon, W. M .; H. Fisher, I. S. G .; L. Pettitt, O. S. G .; J. A. Crandall, Chaplain.
Orion Lodge, No. 358, F. & A. M .- The charter was issued to this lodge Oct. 1, 1861. The following is a list of the charter members: Sam. A. Randall, Wm. M. Jack- son, S. Warden, W. Thompkins, P. M. Frisbie, H. W. Belden, N. C. Gardner, Harley Wayne, Cyrus Ladd, John Eddy, Phil. B. Smith, George Gorlis, and E. W. Fillmore. The first officers are as follows: S. A. Randall, W. M .; Wm. Jackson, S. W .; Wm. Thompkins, J. W .; L. Fillmore, Treasurer; P. B. Smith, Secretary; H. W. Belden, S. D .; N. C. Gardner, J. D .; Cyrus Ladd, Tyler. Present officers: J. D. Bliss, W. M .; Homer Darling, S. W .; F. L. Sheldon, J. W .; J. H. Lucas, Treasurer; W. J. Fillmore, Secretary; Ed. Stevens, S. D .; Wm. H. Darling, J. D .; H. J. Bright, Tyler. Their present membership is twenty-nine, but have had as high as fifty in good standing. In 1867 they, in company with the Uni- versalists, erected quite a large stone building, which is used by both the church and lodge, the lodge occupying the second 33
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story. Their hall is moderately well furnished, and their meetings are held regularly. On the wall of the lodge-room hangs a beau- tiful pen drawing, bearing the names of members who went to. the army.
CHURCHES.
Universalist Church was organized June, 1864, in connection with the church at Marengo. The entire membership originally numbered forty, but has diminished to almost nothing at present. First church officers elected were: A. D. Keeler, Treasurer; A. J. King, Timothy Bigelow and Daniel Graves, Trustees; J. G. Botsford, Collector; S. G. Jones, Clerk. This society seldom have services, though in former days they employed regular pastors. In 1867 they, in company with the Masonic lodge, erected a stone building, the lower story of which they used as a place of worship. Rev. Homer Slade was the first stated pastor of this church; he came in 1871 and remained quite a length of time when Rev. Root was called to take his place. Under the preaching of this man the church. revived spiritually and grew in numbers.
Congregational Church .- This society was organized Nov. 10, 1855, with the following members: Luther Fillmore and wife, Mrs .. Susan Seward, Mrs. Minerva Tracy, Mrs. Catharine Carman, and Mrs. Ann Fuller. Previous to their organization they employed Rev. Amsdon to preach to them. After their organization they were supplied for a time by Rev. Roy, an agent of the Home Mis- sionary Society. The church was organized under Charles Harri- son. The following ministers have at different times preached to these people: Rev. Baldwin, Chas. Hancock, Rev. Bryan, Daniel Chapman, Rev. Stone, a Baptist minister of Marengo; N. D. Fan- ning of the Independent order; Daniel Bailey and Rev. Chapman. The present pastor, Rev. Fisher, is employed by the people of this community, not being in the service of any single denomination. The Congregationalists erected a fine frame church in Union at an expense of $2,500. It was dedicated Feb. 28, 1865.
Free Methodists .- This church was organized in 1874, by Rev. L. Voorheese with a membership of twenty. The society consists at present of only nine members. They hold their services in the Congregational church, and have had services regularly most of the time since they organized. After Voorheese left Rev. Coclet came and remained two years. Rev. Crawford succeeded him and remained one year; he was succeeded by Rev. Spalding, who remained two
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years. Next came Rev. Sprague, who remained one year, followed by Rev. Miller. Miller remained one year and was succeeded by Rev. Best, who preached two years. The first Trustees were Ed. Perkins, F. Allen, M. Grennon; the last mentioned person was chosen the first Class-Leader.
CORAL VILLAGE.
This is the oldest village in the township. In a very early day a store was opened here by Fillmore & Anderson, who remained in trade several years when their store burned down and was never rebuilt. The postoffice was also established here and it became a central point soon after the settlement of the township. Here a nursery was started in an early day, but after- ward moved to Marengo. The place now has the following busi- ness interests: Blacksmith, J. H. Ocock; creamery, owned by Wm. Boice; wagon-shop, carried on by T. Ross, and a miscella- neons store owned by W. L. Morse.
HARMONY.
This little village was started in early times, but has never made any progress. Here the first church in the township was built. This building together with the school-house, a store and cheese factory comprise the public institutions of the place.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Edward M. Axtell, section 32, Coral Township, was born in Allegany County, N. Y., Dec. 31, 1824, a son of Harvey and Polly (Martin) Axtell. In 1856 he came to Illinois and lived in De Kalb County nine years, and in 1865 moved to McHenry County, and settled on the farm where he since resided. He owns 200 acres of choice land, and pays considerable attention to dairying. He was married Dec. 31, 1846, to Lucy Millard, a native of Steuben County, N. Y., daughter of Ashley and Martha (Robinson) Millard, the former a native of Washington County, N. Y., and the latter of Maine. To them have been born nine children; five are living-Ella, Charles, Rose, Carrie and Mattie. One daughter, Eva, married Walter Williams, and at her death left a son-Claud. Ella married Wilford Mallory and has had seven children, but four of whom are living-Earl, Laura, Nivvie and Evvie (twins). Charles married Fannie Boorman and has one child-Floyd. He lives on the homestead with his parents. Rose
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married Charles Likens and has one child-Ethel. Mr. Axtell is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities.
Lester Barber, section 30, Coral Township, was born in Java Village, Wyoming Co., N. Y ., Nov. 8, 1835, a son of Humphrey Barber, a native of Massachusetts. In 1851 his parents moved to McHenry County, and settled on section 27, Riley Township, where the father died in December, 1874, and the mother still lives. He has been Deputy County Surveyor for the past seven years. He taught school twenty-four terms, four terms in Union. Nov. 4, 1884, he was elected County Superintendent of Schools. He is now serving his seventh term as Supervisor of the township, has been Highway Commissioner nine years, and Assessor three years. Mr. Barber was married Nov. 20, 1863, to Mary M. Bartholomew, daughter of Rush Bartholomew, of Marengo. They have four children-Charles N., Kittie L., Mary M. and Hattie E. Mr. Barber is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His brother Lucius was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. He served three years, and re-enlisted; soon after his re-enlistment he was taken prisoner and was confined at Andersonville about three months. He dicd soon after his return home from the effects of exposure and ill treatment while a prisoner.
John D. Bliss, dealer in boots and shoes, Union, Ill., is a native of Bennington, Vt., born Jan. 1, 1832, a son of Abram Bliss. His mother died when he was a child, and he was reared by his mater- nal grandparents, Boice, of Albany, N. Y. May 1, 1848, he came West and worked as a farm hand in Seneca Township, McHenry County, for some time. In 1852 he opened a boot and shoe store, and with the exception of the time he was in the army has con- tinued in that business. He enlisted May 24, 1861, in Company D, Fifteenth Illinois Infantry, being one of the first to enlist in the three years' service. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and discharged Dec. 16, 1862. He was married June 1, 1852, to Caroline, daughter of Charles Crawford, who moved to McHenry County from Lycoming County, Pa., in 1849. They have five chil- dren-Fannie, Alverado D., Sarah M., Frances E. and William R. Mr. Bliss is a member of Orion Lodge, No. 358, F. & A. M., and Lansing Chapter, No. 73, R. A. M. He was Postmaster of Union from 1866 till 1869. He is the present Constable of the township.
Turner M. Brown, deceased, was born in Rutland County, Vt., Nov. 3, 1808, a son of Paris Brown. He was reared and educated
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in his native county, and resided there till 1843 when he moved to McHenry County, Ill., and entered eighty acres of land on section 15, Coral Township, where his family now reside. He was married Nov. 3, 1840, to Juliet Lockwood, who was born in North Spring- field, Vt., Sept. 13, 1825, a daughter of Amasa Lockwood. Of their nine children but four are living-Amasa W., Turner M., Eva H. and Emily L. One daughter, Abbie J., died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. Brown died March 15, 1881. He was a mem- ber of the Baptist church. Mrs. Brown has been a member of the same church since 1846.
David L. Davis, a prominent farmer of Coral Township, was born in South Wales, March 16, 1828, a son of David Davis. He was reared and educated in his native country, and in 1850 came to the United States and lived one year in Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y. In 1851 he came West and settled in Coral Township, McHenry Co., Ill. He was a poor man when he came to this country, but has been industrious and economical, and now owns 290 acres of land on section 26. The first payment on the first thirty acres he bought was made by threshing oats all winter with a flail, he to receive every eighth bushel in payment for his labor. These he sold at from 10 to 15 cents a bushel. He was married in December, 1850, to Elizabeth Williams, sister of Deacon James Williams, of Huntley. Of their eleven children but seven are liv- ing-David, George, William, James, Thomas, Kate and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Harmony. He has been Pathmaster and School Direc- tor of this township several years.
Reuben H. Drake, section 16, Coral Township, was born in Lysander, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1822. His father, Otis Drake, was a native of Massachusetts, but in early life went to New York, and in 1843 moved with his family to McHenry County, Ill., where he died June 29, 1884, in the ninety-second year of his age. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Reuben H. Drake has given his attention to agricultural pursuits and now owns 120 acres of land. He was married Feb. 5, 1854, to Mary J. Wright, daughter of Alva Wright. They have had five chil- dren; four are living-Emma J., wife of Thaddeus Ross, of Ma- rengo; Nancy M., wife of Alonzo Ross; Melvin, a grocer of Ma- rengo, married Hattie Lawrence; Flora L.
Alfred E. Dunham, section 8, Coral Township, was born in Rhode Island, Aug. 28, 1829, a son of Elijah and Annie (Hum-
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phrey) Dunham. He remained with his parents till manhood and then began farming on his own account. He now owns 127 acres of land and makes a specialty of dairying. He was married March 14, 1880, to Mrs. Martha Parker, widow of William Parker, and daughter of B. S. Truesdel. She has one daughter -- Hattie Parker. Mr. Dunham is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Artemus R. Dunham, son of Elijah and Annie (Humphrey) Dunham, was born in Erie County, Pa., April 23, 1823. In 1833 his parents moved to La Porte County, Ind. In the spring of 1836 Elijah Dunham came to McHenry County and took up a claim. At that time there was but one house between Elgin and McHenry County, and three or four log houses in Marengo. He built a house on section 8, Coral Township, and the following fall moved his family to this county, making the journey in wagons and bringing several cows and a drove of hogs with them. He was a resident of Coral Township twenty-eight years, and died March 25, 1864, in the eighty-first year of his age. His wife died May 29, 1866, aged seventy-six years. They had a family of eight children-Edward (deceased), Alvira, Lorinda, Samantha, Elmira, Artemnus R., Alfred E. and Harriet. Artemus R. Dunham owns 480 acres of land on section 8, Coral Township, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits since attaining manhood. In 1877 he and his wife were thrown from a buggy, and he re- ceived injuries which have made him a cripple, and in 1881 he rented his land and gave up the active life of a farmer. Mrs. Dunham is a member of the Presbyterian church. Although a member of no church Mr. Dunham is a constant attendant and a liberal supporter, giving all his influence to the side of law and order. He has never sought official honor, but has served his township as Highway Commissioner and School Director several years. Mr. Dunham was married Feb. 14, 1855, to Maria J. Benson, a native of Cazenovia, N. Y., daughter of George Benson. They have had two children-Chauncey, married Ella Cole, adopted daughter of Thomas Gilkerson, and Nellie is deceased.
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