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 64
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About the date of the settlement of this township the enter- prise of constructing the Illinois & Michigan Canal fell through for the want of funds. This threw a great many laborers out of em- ployment and they sought other fields of labor. Some of them having friends in Hartland came to this township; their coming induced others, and it was not long till the township was settled principally by Irishmen and has ever since been known as the Irish township.
THE NAME
was chosen at a meeting of the citizens for that purpose held in 1840. It was named for a township called Hartland, in New York State. Some of the sons of Erin, true to their fatherland wanted it called Antrim for a county in Ireland on which the sun can scarcely shine for the hills.
ORGANIZATION.
In 1850 this township with the others throughout the county was organized and the following officers elected: Alonzo Golder, Supervisor; Patrick Hayes, Clerk; Patrick McCaffery, Assessor; Cornelius Desmond and Dennis Haley, Commissioners of High- ways; Joel Wood, Justice of the Peace; Cornelius Collins, Con- stable; Daniel Blair, Overseer of the Poor.
Present officers: D. H. Flavin, Supervisor; Patrick A. Nolan, Clerk; Wm. Desmond, Assessor; Mike McCabe, Collector; Mike Sheahan and Cornelius Nolan, Commissioners of Highways; Wm. Desmond, School Trustee.
FIRST EVENTS.
Francis Short, who came from County Tyrone, Ireland, and lo- cated in this township in 1836, is said to be the father of the first
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white child born in the township. Mr. John Short, now a resident of Woodstock, and known to every one as Squire Short, is the said child. Mr. Francis Short made this township his home till a short time previous to his death, which occurred recently.
Some claim that Kate Donnelly, daughter of Andrew Donnelly, was the first child born in the township. She is now a resident of Kansas. The first death in the township occurred in 1840, Mrs. Debbit being the person; her remains were the first interred in Hartland Cemetery.
The county records show that Wm. Fanning and Catherine Donnelly were the first couple married in the township who were residents of it, but it is thought a wedding took place at the resi- dence of a Catholic priest previous to this, Walter Gibbs and Widow Sutton, from McHenry, being the contracting parties.
The marriage of Wm. Fanning took place on the 4th day of February, 1842; ceremony performed by J. Gregory, a Catholic priest. Fanning is now dead and his widow resides in Iowa.
The first school was taught by Henry Oliver, in the Catholic church; this was in 1840.
The first school-house was built in 1841; it was located about a half mile north of where the Catholic church now stands. It served as a school-house for many years and was torn down several years ago.
First religious services were held in the house of Andrew Donnelly by Father Plunkard, the worshipers being exclusively of the Catholic faith.
SAW-MILL.
Abont the year 1839 or 1840 Mr. Wesley Diggins built a saw- mill on section 20. It was run by the waters of Kishwaukee Creek, which enters the township on section 3, and passes out on section 32. While the timber lasted this mill did a flourishing business, but has long since fallen into disuse and decay. It was situated at the forks of the road, where a store was opened in 1845, and did a good business for about three years, when it was dis- continued. This little business point gave promise at one time of growing into a village of some note, and was called by the people in the vicinity Brookdale, but to-day the name is all that remains of the once-promising little nucleus of a village. About the year 1842 or '43 a store was opened at Oliver's Corners, and was run about one year. At present the township is without a store, the trading points being Harvard and Woodstock.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
MAIL FACILITIES.
For many years these people were compelled to get their mail at McClure's Grove, about a mile southeast of Dundec, it being about twenty-five miles distant. After a time they were enabled to get their mail at Crystal Lake; finally they got a postoffice es- tablished near the middle of Hartland Township, at the residence of Alvin Judd. About the year 1854 Eden postoffice was estab- lished, near the eastern side of the township. Henry Oliver was first Postmaster, and Peter McFarland the second. In 1855 a postoffice was established at Deep Cut, on the railroad, and con- tinued till 1865. From 1865 to 1879 they got their mail at Woodstock and Harvard. At this date a postoffice was established at Kishwaukee, and is still in existence. Philip Gafner has been the Postmaster since it was established.
CEMETERIES.
In 1843 a rail pen, surrounding a single grave, was Hart- land's only burying ground. In 1844 a Mr. Brocken donated a plot of ground in section 13 for burial purposes, and here is the Hartland Cemetery now located. There is another small private burying ground in another portion of the township.
In this township, as well as most of the townships, the first settlers took up much larger claims than those who followed them thought they were entitled to, and consequently many a bitter dispute arose and many meetings were called with a view of harmonizing mat- ters, and many attended these meetings with firearms in their pos- session, ready, if necessary, to maintain their rights through that means; but we are happy to state that all difficulties were amica- bly adjusted, without resorting to any extreme measures.
COUNTERFEITERS.
In an early day there were parties in this township who were caught in the act of counterfeiting silver coin. Their lair was a sort of a cave in the timber, covered over with planks and sward. About a mile distant was their shanty, situated in the timber. It is not known to what extent they carried their counterfeiting, but they found that their manner of doing business was not approved of by their new neiglibors, and concluded to take their departure, which was done between two days, and they were never seen or heard of again in Hartland Township.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
There is but one church in Hartland Township, and that is the Catholic. It was established in 1840, when the first church was built. It was a frame building, about 20 x 30 feet located near the present fine brick church, which was built about twenty years ago, at a cost of over $8,000. Its dimensions are 95 x 45 feet Among the first members of this organization were Andrew Don. nelly and family, John' Donnelly, Frank Short and family, Mathew Howard, Neill Donnelly and family, John and Jerry Quinlan, Philip Debett and family, Dennis Lawn and family, Morris Sul- livan and family, Humphrey, Cornelius and Dennis Quinlan, John Sullivan. The present membership exceeds 100 families.
The following is a list of priests who have had this church in charge from its beginning up to the present time: Father Plunkert, FatherDupontarvis, Father St. Palla, Father Gagin, Father Mc- Mahen, Father Braidy, Father Hampston, Father O'Hara, Father Maher, Father Rarden, Father Shedy, Father Fitzsimons, Father Eagen, and Father Gavin the present priest in charge.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
The school report for 1884 shows the following for Hartland: Seven school-houses; annual amount of salary paid teachers, $1,639.76 ; No. children of school-age, 395; value of school prop- erty, $6,000.
The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad traverses this township in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction, passing nearly through the center of the township. In 1877 a depot was estab- lished near Deep Cut and named Kishwaukee. Though the site is a good one for a village, capital seems to avoid the enterprise of establishing one, owing, probably, to, the nearness of the two thriving cities of Harvard and Woodstock.
The township is well supplied with water by the meandering Kishwaukee Creek and springs interspersed throughout the township.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Michael Burke, an intelligent and successful farmer of Hartland Township, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1839. In 1862 he bade his friends good-bye and started for America. He landed in New York City, and a few days later proceeded to Ohio, thence
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to Indiana, and in 1867 to McHenry County, Ill., and settled in Hartland Township, on the farm where he lias since resided. He owns 120 acres of valuable land and is engaged in general farming. Although a poor man when he came to America, he has by his energy and good management been successful and has accumulated a good property. By his business integrity he has won the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is a strong advocate of the common-school system, and one of its most liberal supporters. He was married in 1867 to Ann Harraghty, a native of Ireland. They have five children, one son and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Burke are members of the Catholic church.
Martin Cooney, deceased, was born in Ireland, March 15, 1815. He was married in November, 1843, to Mary McConna, who was born April 20, 1820. In 1845 he came to America and located in McHenry County, Ill., near what is now Kishwaukee Station. He was a very successful farmer and stock-raiser, and accumulated a large amount of property. He died Dec. 16, 1866. His widow is living on the old homestead. She has been a hard-working, economical woman, and is one of the most esteemed of the early settlers. She is the mother of eleven children-Roderick D., Pat- rick J., John H. (deceased), Thomas F., James, Mary A. (de- ceased), Anna (wife of F. E. Kennedy), Martin, Michael E. (deceased), Frank P., and William. James is managing the homestead, making his home with his mother. They have a large stock of cattle and hogs of the best grades, and also carry on a large dairy, milking about forty-five cows. Mrs. Cooney, as was her husband, is a prominent member of the Catholic church.
Frederick Eppel, a successful farmer of Hartland Township, was born in France, Nov. 25, 1842, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Fry) Eppel. He remained in his native country till thirteen years of age, and was there educated in both the French and German languages. In 1855 he came with his parents to the United States landing in New York City, and coming thence to McHenry County. They settled on a farm in Hartland Township where the father died in 1872. The mother is still living. They had a family of seven children; all are living-Jacob, Frederick, Henry, Chris- tian, Margaret, wife of William Miller; Catherine, wife of Michael Schaaf, and Magdaline, wife of Henry Harman. Frederick re- mained with his parents till manhood, and after coming to this country attended the district schools. In 1864 he enlisted in com. pany H, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, and served eight months. 44
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
He was taken sick at New Orleans, and was discharged. After his return home he devoted his attention to agriculture, and has made a success of his chosen occupation. He was married in 1870 to Lena, daughter of George and Margaret Griebel, of Hartland Township. Soon after his marriage lie settled on the farm now occupied by Michael Griebel, and lived there four years; then moved to the farm where they now reside. His farm contains 240 acres of valuable land and he has a good house and barn and farm buildings, built since he moved to the farm. He is a neat and thrifty farmer, and his enterprises have been lucrative. He has some of the finest stock in the township, and has also paid consid- erable attention to the dairy, milking twenty-five cows, disposing of his milk at the factory. Mr. and Mrs. Eppel have three chil- dren-Ida M., George F. and Laura. They are prominent mem- bers of the Presbyterian church.
Daniel H. Flavin, one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Hartland Township, was born in Chicago, Ill., May 10, 1845. In 1846 his parents, John and Margaret (Sullivan) Flavin, moved to McHenry County, and settled on section 20, Hartland Township. His father was twice married and had a family of five children by the first and two by the second marriage. Daniel H. was reared on the farm, receiving his early education in the dis- trict schools and later attending school in Chicago. After leaving school he remained on the farm till 1872, when he went to Chicago and engaged in contracting on the public works of the city and county, remaining there till 1879. He designed and built under contract the Jockey Club race track, west of Chicago, and several other important public improvements. In 1877 he moved his fam- ily to the farm, and in 1879 followed them and has since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He owns 160 acres of choice land, with a good residence and farm buildings. He has devoted considerable attention to stock-raising and has some of the finest bred cattle of the short-horn breed in the township; also his Po- land China hogs are surpassed by none in the township. He has been prominently identified with the town and county's interests and has been elected to fill several positions of trust and responsi- bility. In 1881 he was elected Supervisor of Hartland Township, and is still holding the office. In 1882 he was elected Justice of the Peace to fill a vacancy, occasioned by a party failing to qualify, and has served thus far with perfect satisfaction to all. Mr. Flavin was married in 1866 to Margaret E. Quinn, daughter of John and
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Margaret Quinn, of Hartland Township. Five of the seven chil- dren born to them are living. Mr. and Mrs. Flavin are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Flavin's father was foreman under Captain Mcclellan of the United States Engineer Corps who with his corps of engineers built the Chicago Harbor prior to the year 1844.
Robert Forrest, one of the most successful farmers of Hartland Township, was born in Canada, Oct. 14, 1836, a son of William and Jeanette (Drynen) Forrest. His parents moved to McHenry County, Ill., in 1840 and settled in Hartland Township, on the farm now occupied by our subject. The father died in Chicago in 1851. The mother died in 1882. They had a family of three chil_ dren-Robert, Jessie, wife of James Vanarsdale, of Iowa; Mary E., wife of Z. Riley, of Topeka, Kas. Robert Forrest was reared and educated in McHenry County, and after reaching his majority be- gan life as a farmer, and also deals extensively in stock. He lias some of the finest short-horned cattle and Norman and Clydesdale horses in the county. He owns 506 acres of choice land, mostly under cultivation, with a pleasant residence and good farm build- ings. Mr. Forrest was married in 1854 to Nancy, daughter of Will- iam and Margaret Mitchell. They have four children-Mary J., wife of C. D. Judd; William H., Charles T. and Frank R. They have one adopted daughter-Hester S. Mr. Forrest has always taken an interest in every enterprise of benefit to the county, and is a liberal, public-spirited citizen.
John C. Gillies, a representative of one of the pioneer families of McHenry County, was born in Hartland Township, May 29, 1849, the youngest son of John and Ellen (Nolan) Gillies. His par- ents were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in 1839, and settled on the farm in Hartland Township, McHenry Co., Ill., where our subject now lives, on the Woodstock and Hart- land gravel road. The father died in 1877 in the sixty-fourth year of his age. The mother is living; aged seventy-three years. They had a family of nine children-Michael; James; Catherine, wife of D. T. Ring; Ellen, wife of James McGee, deceased; Mary A .; Sarah, wife of Dennis McGee; John C .; Margaret, wife of G. C. Hunter; Elizabeth, wife of William Roberts. John C. lives on the old homestead in the log house built by his father. It is one of the few old land-marks of pioneer days in the county. He has 240 acres of land and is engaged in general farming, stock-raising and dairying. He is energetic, industrious and economical, and
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one of the promising young farmers of Hartland Township. He was married Nov. 24, 1875, to Mary A., daughter of Patrick and Catherine Green. They have three children-John, Mary and Maggie. Mr. Gillies has served a number of years as School Di- rector and Pathmaster of his township.
Michael Griebel, a prominent and successful farmer of Hartland Township, was born in France, Aug. 23, 1834, the youngest son of George and Margaret Griebel. When nineteen years of age he came to the United States, landing in New York after a voyage of fifty-six days. From New York he went to Stark County, Ohio, and the next spring came to McHenry County, Ill., where he found employment as a farm hand. The first year he worked for $8 a month, the next for $13, and the next for $130 a year. He then sent for his parents and rented land and began farming on his own account, at the same time giving considerable attention to stock- raising. After renting a farm seven years he had saved enough to buy 130 acres of land, and soon after bought eighty acres ad- joining the first purchase. He has since added to his land from time to time till he owns 476 acres. He has a large two-story residence and a large barn 50 x 100 feet in size. Although a poor boy when he came to the county, he has been prosperous, and is now one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the town- ship. He has been obliged to endure many hardships and priva_ tions, but his perseverance has enabled him to surmount all diffi- culties. When he landed in New York City he had but five cents in money, but being determined to succeed, he has worked his way to affinence. Mr. Griebel has one of the finest vineyards in the county, having over an acre of choice varieties of grapes. He was married in 1865 to Miss Margaret Zimplemann, a native of France, who came to America in 1864. She was educated in her native country and speaks both the German and French languages. Mr. and Mrs. Griebel have five children-Edward G., Albert Philip, Emma C., Anna M. and Birdie M. They are active mem- bers of the Presbyterian church.
William Haley, one of the most successful farmers of Hartland Township, was born in Ireland, Feb. 22, 1828, the eldest son of Dennis and Johannah Haley. His parents came to America in 1833, and in 1836 moved to Chicago, Ill .; thence in 1844 to McHenry County and settled on a farm in Hartland Township, where the father died in October, 1851, and where the mother still resides. Six of a family of eleven children are living. William
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
spent his boyhood in Cook and De Kalb counties, Ill. After his father's death the care of the family and the settling up of the es- tate devolved on him. He performed this duty faithfully, and in 1852 went to California and remained six years, engaged in min- ing. He was very successful, and after his return to McHenry County bought a farm and has since followed agricultural pur- suits. He owns 320 acres of choice land on section 32, the greater part being under cultivation. He has a good residence and com- modious farm buildings. Atone time he was extensively engaged in sheep-raising, but of late has given his attention more to cattle and hogs. He runs a dairy of over thirty cows. When Mr. Haley commenced life he was a poor boy, but he has been indus- trious and economical and has acquired a large property. He lias always taken an interest in the public affairs of the county and township and has held various offices of trust and responsibility . He was married in 1859 to Ellen, daughter of Dennis and Cathe- rine Quinlan. They have twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Haley are members of the Catholic church.
Sylvester Mc Gee, Sr., one of the earliest settlers of Hartland Township, was born in Ireland, March 17, 1804. He remained in his native country till manhood, and then married, in 1829, Mary McGee. In 1832 they came to America; landed at Quebec, and from there went to Boston, Mass., where he obtained employment on the railroad. In 1841 they moved to McHenry County, Ill., and bought 320 acres of land in Hartland Township. They had few neighbors, and these not near, .but with a determination to have a home they made the best of all discomforts and went bravely to work, and as the years rolled on they were rewarded with abundant harvests and a full storehouse. They had a family of twelve children-Ellen, deceased, was the wife of Michael Gillies; James, William, Ann, John, Dennis, Mary E., Sylvester, Jr .; Alice, wife of Dr. C. H. Fegers; Owen R., Lena and Thomas. Mrs. McGee died in August, 1884, in the seventy-sixth year of her age. Mr. McGee is hale and hearty, and is enjoying a happy old age. He has been a life-long Democrat, and cast his last Presiden- tial vote for Cleveland and Hendricks. He and his wife were among the prominent members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Woodstock, and whenever the weather permits he is still found in his place. His son Sylvester, a young man of fine business ability, has charge of the farm, and thus relieves the father of care and labor.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Jeremiah J. Nihan, a successful and prominent farmer of Hartland Township, of which he is a native, was born June 16, 1845, a son of Daniel and Catherine Nihan. His parents were natives of Ireland, and came to America and settled in McHenry County in 1842, where they liave since lived. They have five chil- dren-three sons and two daughters. Jeremiah received a good education, and when not in school assisted his father on the farm, and after reaching manhood began farming for himself. He also carries on quite an extensive dairy, selling his milk at the factory. He has been successful, and when caring for his own family is not unmindful of the needs of others, giving with a liberal hand to all worthy of his aid. He has always been foremost in advancing all projects of a public interest, and has gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens by faithfully fulfilling every trust im- posed on him. He has served two terms as Collector and two terms as Commissioner of Highways. He was married in 1874 to Hannah, daughter of David and Margaret Cookly. They have three children-John, David and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Nihan are prominent members of the Catholic church.
John S. Pierce, section 35, Hartland Township, was born in Broome County, N. Y., July 18, 1818, a son of Elkanah, grandson of James, and great-grandson of James Pierce, a native of Wales, and one of the early settlers of Middlebury, Mass. In 1837 he came West, and lived for a time in Calhoun County, Mich. The same fall he came to Illinois and located in Du Page County, but the next spring, 1838, moved to McHenry County, and entered 160 acres in Hartland Township. He also entered eighty acres in the name of John Bracken, of whom he borrowed money at twenty- five per cent., compound interest. As soon as he was able he sent for his parents, and they made their home with him the rest of their lives. Mr. Pierce was married in 1856 to Lucinda A. Pierce, who died in 1858. In 1860 he married Lucretia A., daughter of Jolin Harrington. He has five children-Alta, Laura A., Eva, Minnie and Grace. Politically Mr. Pierce is a Democrat. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity thirty years.
Humphrey Quinlan, one of the pioneers of Hartland Town- ship, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1803. When he was thirteen years of age his fatlier died. In 1823 le came with his mother and the rest of the family to America, landed at Quebec, Canada, and from there came to the United States and settled in Oswego, N. Y. In 1842 he came to Illinois and worked three
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
years on the Illinois Canal. In 1845 he moved to McHenry County and settled in Hartland Township, where he has a fine farm of 160 acres. He also owns 110 acres in Greenwood Town- ship. Mr. Quinlan's mother died in 1874, aged ninety-two years. He was married in 1843 to Ellen O'Hern, a native of Ireland. They have had eight children-Catherine, wife of James Short ; Nellie, deceased; Cornelius; John; Mary, wife of John Sweeney; Maggie, wife of John Cramer; Lizzie and Dennis.
Michael Schaaf is a native of France, born April 7, 1825, a son of George and Mary Schaaf. He was reared in his native country, and was educated in both the French and German lan - guages. In June, 1845, he came with his brother to America, landing in New York City after a voyage of thirty-six days. From New York he came West to Chicago, and thence to McHenry County, and settled in Hartland Township. He found employment asa farm laborer, receiving $6 a month, and later $8 a month, for his services. In 1847 he worked a farm on shares, and two years later, in company with his brother, bought 160 acres of land, but subsequently sold his share to his brother, and bought sixty acres. In 1860 he bought the farm of 130 acrss where he now lives. He also owns another farm in this township and land in Seneca Town- ship, having a landed estate of 295 acres. His residence and farm buildings, on the homestead, are among the best in the township, and the farm is in a high state of cultivation. His stock are all of the best grades, and he has some of the finest animals in the township. He was married in 1859 to Kate Eppel, a sister of Frederick Eppel, of Hartland. They have four children-Charles, Josephine, Minnie and Emma. Mr. Schaaf's parents came to America in 1846, and settled in Hartland Township. The mother died in 1873, aged eighty-four years, and the father in 1883, aged ninety-six years. But two of their three children are living.
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