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 65
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John M. Scully, the youngest son of John and Mary (Duggan) Scully, was born in Hartland Township, McHenry Co., Ill., Nov. 5, 1844. His parents were natives of Ireland, coming to America and McHenry County, Ill., in August, 1843. The father died Oct. 3, 1875, in the eightieth year of his age. The mother is still living, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. She is one of the few old pioneers living, and has lived to enjoy the fruits of her early years of toil and privation. She is a devoted member of the Cath- olic church and a regular attendant at the services. She is the mother of four children-Daniel; Margaret, wife of J. Vaughn;
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Mary, wife of Jeremiah Quinlan, and John M., who has always lived on the old homestead. He has 180 acres of valuable land, with good buildings. His farm is well stocked with the best grades, and lie carries on an extensive dairy. He is one of the most enterprising young men of Hartland. He was married in 1867 to Mary E. Hayes, a native of Paterson, N. J. They have eight children, four sons and four daugliters.
Frank L. Short was born in Greenwood Township, McHenry Co., Ill., Aug. 8, 1844, the youngest son of Frank and Catherine Short. He was reared on the homestead in Greenwood and obtained a good education in the common schools. Attaining his majority he began life as a farmer and has followed this calling assiduously to the present time. He owns a fine farm of 202 acres in Greenwood Township, which is well stocked with the best grades of cattle and hogs. He carries on quite an extensive dairy, milking about twenty-five cows. In 1877 he moved his family to the city of Woodstock, but still superintends his farm. He has been twice married. First to Miss Nellie Quinlan, daughter of H. Quinlan, who lived but six years after her marriage. In November, 1877, he married Rose P. Kennedy, daughter of John A. Kennedy. They have three children-Gertrude H., Louisa and Clarence. Mr. Short is one of the most practical and success- ful farmers of McHenry County. He is an enterprising, pro- gressive citizen, and always gives his support to all interests of public benefit.
Cornelius Sullivan, one of the most successful young farmers of Hartland Township, is a native of the township, born May 1, 1850, the youngest of seven children of John and Ellen (Duvine) Sullivan, natives of Ireland. His parents came to America in 1841, and in 1842 inoved to McHenry County, Ill., and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. His father was born in 1803 and his motber in 1813. Both are living, in the enjoyment of good healtb. Cornelius Sullivan spent his early life on the farm, receiv- ing a common-school education. He has always followed agri- cultural pursuits, and by industry and good management has made a success of his calling. He owns 160 acres of choice land on section 20, and rents forty acres adjoining, thus making 200 acres cultivated by him each year. His farm is well stocked and his farm buildings and residence are commodious and in good repair. Mr. Sullivan was married in 1876 to Anna, daughter of John and Margaret Quinn. They have one daughter-Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan are prominent members of the Catholic church.
16. M.Mendy
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CHAPTER XXIII.
HEBRON TOWNSHIP.
NAMED BY A LADY .- SETTLED IN 1836 .- FIRST SETTLERS. - LO- CATION .- TOPOGRAPHY .- FIRST EVENTS .- POSTOFFICES. - CEME. TERIES .- BUTTER AND CHEESE FACTORIES .- RAILROAD. - TOWNSHIP OFFICERS .- SCHOOL STATISTICS .-- HEBRON VILLAGE .- SOCIETIES. - CHURCHES. - BIOGRAPHICAL.
While the namning of other townships has been ascribed to men this one bears the honor of being named by a woman. Mrs. Bela H. Tryon, the first white woman who ever resided in the township, is said to have given the township its name, under circumstances something as follows: It always being customary in new countries for everybody to flock down to one house on Sunday, the young men and old bachelors who comprised the inhabitants of Hebron chiefly in an early day found it pleasant to meet at the residence of Mr. Tryon, for there was a woman, and a woman always makes a place seem more like home, and, besides, her willing hands were ever ready to stitch up a rent or sew on a button, and frequently she treated her visitors to a well-cooked dinner-something they sel- dom got at home, for, as a rule, bachelors are poor cooks. It was customary with these visitors at the Tryon house to engage in singing songs, and frequently they continued at this pleasurable exercise till the curtains of night had long been let down. Upon one of these occasions, while all lands were heartily singing the tune old "Hebron," Mrs. Tryon said, "That is my choice of all tunes, and I think the name Hebron would make a good name for our township." The idea was one favorably accepted by all, and at an early date a mnecting was held at Mr. Tryon's house for the purpose of christening the township, upon which occasion it is said Mrs. Tryon distinguished herself by frying over a bushel of cakes, which were so palatable that they were taken by the guests directly from the skillet and eaten -- each fellow helping himself, and scarcely giving his neighbor a chance.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
SETTLEMENT.
This township was settled in 1836, E. W. Brigham being the first man to take up a claim and build the first log house. He came from Vermont, and still resides in the township. Josiah H. Giddings also came from Vermont, and still resides in Hebron. He erected the first frame building in the township, which still serves as a part of his residence. Bela H. Tryon came from New York State also in 1836 and resided in the township till his death, in 1848. R. W. Stewart came from New York and made Hebron his home till his death, in 1876. A. H. Parker also came from New York, and after living in Hebron many years moved to Wood- stock, where he died in 1880. John Sawyer came from Wash- ington County, N. Y., and is still a resident of Hebron. G. W. Giddings, C. S. and John Adams also came in 1836.
LOCATION.
This township joins the State of Wisconsin on the north, and the township of Richmond on the east, and Greenwood on the south, with Alden on the west. It is township 46, range 8.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The land is principally prairie, though some timber is found iu the west, northwest and southeastern portions of the township. No finer farms are found in the county than here. They are usu- ally large, and under a high state of cultivation. While it is one of the finest grain-growing townships in the county, there are none that will surpass it for the dairy. It is one of the best watered townships in the county. The main stream of the Nipper- sink traverses the west portion of the township in a southeasterly direction, crossing sections 18, 19, 30 and 32. A lesser branch of the Nippersink rises in section 28, and joins the main stream in the township of Greenwood. In section 6 another small stream finds its way into this world, and flows through sections 8, 5 and 4, entering Wisconsin from section 3. Goose Lake lies partly in sections 10 and 11.
RAILROAD.
The Kenosha & Rockford Railroad crosses this township nearly east and west, passing through sections 12, 11, 10 and 9, running the remainder of the distance on the line between sections 8 and 17 and 7 and 18, making over six miles of track in the township.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first religious services were held by a Methodist minister, in the house of Isaac Hathaway.
The first birth was Mary Roblee. She is still living, and resides in the pine regions of Wisconsin. First death was Arabel Hib- bard ; she died at the age of eighteen months, in September, 1842. She was a daughter of William and Julia Hibbard, who afterward moved to Wisconsin, where they both died. First inar- riage in Hebron, as found on the county records, was that of George C. Hopkins and Miss Rebecca Tuttle, Sept. 7, 1840-cere- mony performed by Rev. Samuel Hall. The first school was taught by Miss Emily Adams, in the chamber of John Adams's house, in 1844. Her school consisted of three scholars. The first school-house was a log building, located on section 10. It was built in 1845, and served as a school-house for nearly twenty years.
POSTOFFICE.
The first postoffice was established in 1839, and kept at the resi- dence of Mr. Tryon, who was the first Postmaster. The route was from Chicago to Janesville, Wis., and the mail was usually carried on horseback. About three years later another postoffice was established in the western portion of the township. John Adams was the Postmaster, and the office was kept at his house. When the railroad came through the township, and the village of Hebron began to take on the appearance of a center of business both of these postoffices were abandoned, and one established at Hebron Station. Dr. J. H. Giddings was appointed Postmaster, and Munson Goodsell, Deputy, in whose hands the office remained some twenty years. He was succeeded by Frank Rowe, present Postmaster.
CEMETERIES.
There are four cemeteries in the township including the private one on the farm of Robert Stewart. The largest burial grounds are at Hebron Village; these grounds were laid out about eighteen years ago; they contain about two acres and are kept in good order. The first grounds ever set apart for burial purposes are situated about two miles northwest of Hebron Village at the Presbyterian church. This cemetery was laid out nearly forty years ago. Mr. Duncan, a native of Scotland, was the first person buried here, and it is claimed by some that his was the first death in the town -
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ship. There is a small burying 'ground situated at the eastern side of the township which contains several graves, but of late years has become almost abandoned.
BUTTER AND CHEESE FACTORIES.
There are six butter and cheese factories in the township. The factory built in 1870 by H. W. Mcad, situated in Hebron Village, is the largest in the township. Sixteen thousand pounds of milk are daily consumed at this factory. About one and a half miles east of the village is a cheese factory owned by George Conn. It was built about the year 1870 and is doing a good business. The first factory built in the township was erected on the Robert Stewart farm, on section 27, about two miles south of Hebron Vil- lage. It is the property of W. H. & R. W. Stewart, and has been in active use most of the time since it was built, and is doing a good business still. A small factory situated in the southwest corner of the township is owned by Mr. Perrin. One situated in the eastern portion of the township is run by a Mr. McGraw.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
At the first election held after the organization of the township, in April, 1850, the following men were chosen to fill the various township offices: G. H. Giddings, Supervisor; H. G. Ale, Asses- sor; E. W. Smith, Justice of the Peace; Ira Nurse, Clerk; John Sawyer, C. S. Adams and H. W. King, Commissioners of High- ways; Zenas Smith, Poor Master; D. W. Bates, Collector, and Henry King, Constable. At the last township election the follow- ing officers were chosen: H. W. Mead, Supervisor; Hamlin Fenner, Assessor; F. E. Gratton, Collector; M. S. Goodsell, Clerk; D. W. Conn, Road Commissioner; George Turner, School Trustee.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Number of school-houses in township, 7; amount of salary paid teachers annually, $1,874.45; number of children of a school age, 272; value of school property, $5,750.
HEBRON VILLAGE.
About the year 1861 this place commenced to take on the form and shape of a village, and has steadily grown in numbers and business interests till to-day it is one of the good business centers
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY
and trading points of the county. H. W. Mead was the original wner of the land where the village stands. From time to time he laid off lots which were found to be ready sale, and it was but a short time before many private residences and business houses were erected. Messrs. Clapp & Eddy built the first house in the village. It stood where Mr. Mead's residence now stands, north of the railroad.
The first store was opened by M. S. Goodsell.
The first wagon shop was opened and run by George Colburn.
First blacksmith was a Mr. Resden.
First shoemaker, James Rowe.
The following is a list of the business men of the village of Hebron at the present time:
Blacksmiths, Wm. O. Boughton and J. O. Reynolds; furniture, Lund & Johnston; grain dealer, C. F. Prouty; harness manu- facturer, D. S. Blodgett; hardware, J. W. Webster; lumber, H. W. Mead; merchants, E. F. Hews, Frank Rowe; meat market, G. L. Phillips; pump dealers, Taylor Brothers.
SOCIETIES.
The charter was given to the Hebron Lodge, No. 604, F. & A. M., on the 6th day of October, 1868.
The following is the complete list of charter members: H. W. Mead, J. P. Erckenbrack, M. S. Goodsell, P. Erckenbrack, C. Thayer, W. S. Erckenbrack, C. Brandaw, D. Rowe, H. Rowe, D. A. Clary, H. H. Groesbeck, C. F. Prouty, G. W. Degraw, R. Begun, G. W. Colburn. First officers of the lodge were: H. W. Mead, W. M .; ; P. J. Erckenbrack, S. W .; M. S. Goodsell, J. W. Present offi cers: D. A. Clary, W. M .; H. Rowe, S. W .; O. A. Root, J. W .; H. W. Mead, Treas .; F. Rowe, Sec .; D. S. Blodgett, S. D .; R. W. Kane, J. D .; J. O. Reynolds, Tyler. The lodge is in a flourishing condition with a membership of forty-five. Their hall is situated over a blacksmith shop, and though it is not gaudily decorated it is a comfortable place, and many a pleasant evening is there spent by the brotherhood.
A society of Sons of Temperance was formed in the fall of 1876, with barely enough members to constitute a quorum, but gradually it grew till it had a membership of nearly fifty. They held their meetings once a week and participated in literary entertainments, with the cause of temperance as the chief factor in the enterprise. For about three years quite an interest was kept up and considerable
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
good accomplished, but one by one the members ceased to attend till finally it became a thing of the past. In January, 1881, Mrs. Peckham, a lady lecturer sent out under the auspices of the Sons of Temperance, delivered two lectures in Hebron which so aroused the people that again a society was formed with eight of the old members, who with renewed energy took up the old colors where they had been laid down, and are still waving them over a society of over 100 members. The new organization began with twenty- five members. This society is a recognized power for good in this community, and to them can be ascribed the honor of keeping Hebron a temperance village.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church of Hebron Township was organized Sept. 14, 1844, at a school-house near the residence of David Prime. Rev. L. Hall was chosen moderator at the organization meeting. The following is a list of the first members: John A. Ehle, his wife and three daughters; Ann Van Alstine, Alfred H. Farling, John and Lydia Adams, John Sawyer and wife, Daniel, Maria, Jane and Elisha Cornue, Wm. F. and Olive Peake, Charlotte Streeter, Catharine Weaver, Jane Meyers, David Prime and wife, David Shaw, Adam Phillips and wife. The first officers were as follows: Elders, John A. Ehle, David Prime, Daniel J. Cornue and John Adams; Deacons, Adam Phillips, John Sawyer; W. F. Peake chosen Clerk. Up till the year 1849 they held services in private honses. At this date they built the parsonage which stands near where the church now stands, about one and a half miles northwest of Hebron Village, near the State line; in this parsonage they held all their meetings till 1868, when they built their church. It is a frame building and will seat about 250. It is a property worth about $4,000. In 1882 they built a fine parsonage in He- bron Village which cost $1,200 including lot. The membership of this society numbers sixty-five. Their present pastor, Rev. John Curer, came in May, 1879. His stay with this people has been much longer than that of any minister preaching here. The present Elders and Trustees are John Stewart, E. Water, Charles Cornue, Wm. Groesbeck, Benjamin Ball and Jolin Sawyer; Charles Cornue is also Secretary and Treasurer. At the church organization a Sabbath-school was organized which has prospered equally as well as the church. Its present attendance is over 100.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- Of this church we are unable to
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY
give a history for the reason that the pastor was expected to furnish it and the matter was delayed so long that it became impossible to secure it in time. The most we can say of it is that they have a fine house of worship situated in Hebron 'Village. It is a frame building, comparatively new, and will seat about 200 people. The membership is about seventy in number and the church is in a growing and prosperous condition. Rev. Grover C. Clark is the present pastor and resides at Richmond. The Stewards and Trus- tees of the church at present are as follows: John Brennan, Chapin Street, Joseph Stone, Geo. S. Wickham, Pearl Lines, Geo. Sea- man, Augustus Morgan, H. W. Mead and Hiram Rowe. Sabbath- school officers: S. O. Boughton, Superintendent, assisted by W. O. Boughton; S. O. Boughton, Treasurer; Josie Rowe, Organist.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Eli W. Brigham, the first white settler of Hebron Township, was born in Franklin County, Vt., Jan. 22, 1810, a son of Eli and Mary (Harrington) Brigham, natives of Massachusetts. He came West in the fall of 1833 and spent one winter in Du Page County, Ill. He then went to the headwaters of the Illinois River and in May, 1836, came to McHenry County and took up a claim about a mile and a half west of the present village of Hebron. He now owns 420 acres of choice land. In 1869 he moved to the village where he and his wife now reside. He was married in 1842 to Mary D. Collison, a native of Cheshire, Mass. They have had three children-Charles M., who is living on the old homestead farm; Mary A., and Eliza, who died in 1874. Mr. Brigham has served his township as School Director and Pathmaster.
John F. Brown, proprietor of Brown's Hotel, livery, sale and boarding stables, Hebron, Ill., is a son of Thomas and Charlotte Brown, who in 1854 came from Dover, Mass., and located in Genoa, Wis. They had a family of twelve children; one, Edward, died in childhood. Ten of their children came West with them. John F. remained behind, not wishing to try the fortunes of a new country, but in 1858 his parents sent for him and he followed them to Wisconsin. He worked on the farm three years, and then at the carpenter's trade three years. Nov. 22, 1864, he was married to Evalina Rotnour, and immediately began trying to make a home and has been successful in all his undertakings. He carried on farming for a time and then dealt in stock, and for several years was the principal shipper from this point. For four years he has
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been engaged in his present business, and no town of its size in this part of the country has better hotel accommodations than can be found at his house. He also has a fine farm of eighty acres adjoin- ing Hebron. He has two children-Charles, born March 22, 1867, and Della, born Jan. 11, 1873. His eldest child, Hattie, died in infancy. Mr. Brown was born in Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., July 15, 1845. Her parents, John and Hannah (Rowe) Rotnour, came to Illinois in the fall of 1845, and are living in Richmond Township. They have five children-Sanford, William and Eva- line, of McHenry County, and Adell and Arminda, of Iowa.
James Burgett, a native of Steuben County, N. Y., came West to La Porte County, Iud., in 1850 and thence the same year to Mc- Henry County. Having a desire to see the country famcd for its wealth of precious ore, lie, in company with Jonathan Buckland and his brother Henry, started overland for the Pacific Coast. The journey was made with horse teams, four mustangs to each team. The roads were lined with cmigrants and they experienced severe hardship while crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The pro- vision of the party in question gave out and they had to stop at Salt Lake and work in the harvest field to procure more. As soon as the man for whom they worked could thresh his wheat he took a grist to mill and gave them all the flour they needed. James Bur- gett spent four years working in the mines in California, and in the fall of 1854 returned to McHenry County, and made his first purchase of land on section 11, Hebron Township. That his choice was a wise one is proved by his prosperity. In January, 1855, he was inarried to Edna A., daughter of Nathan and Annie A. Harri- son, early settlers of the township. They came from Michigan in 1846 and settled on the farm owned by Mr. Burgett. Mr. and Mrs. Burgett have ten children-George, Annie E., Elizabeth, Harry H., Nathan C., Chester V., Myrtle I., Charles W., Ella O. and Louis N. George was married Jan. 1, 1844, to Mary Marchant. of La Porte County, Ind., and lives on one of his father's farms, Annie was married in 1878 to Francis Whitney, of Walworth County, Wis.
Melvin J. Cole, one of the most prominent citizens of Hebron Township, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., where he lived until twenty years of age. He obtained a good education, and then devoted his time to the study of medicine and surgery, and in the fall of 1847 graduated with honors from the Pittsfield Med- ical College. Jannary, 1848, he went to Stephentown, Rensselaer
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Co., N. Y., where he had a lucrative practice five years. April 24, 1852, he was married to Esther, daughter of Gale and Sarah (Pratt) Bigelow, of New Lebanon, Columbia Co., N. Y. Mr. Big- elow's death left his large farm without a manager, and Dr. Cole was induced to relinquish his practice and assume the superin- tendency of the farm. He remained there two years when his wife died, and he disposed of his interest in the farm, and a year later married Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Corey) Whitman. He bought a farm in Stephentown, which he managed successfully?sixteen years, when he disposed of it and moved to McHenry County, Ill. Dr. Cole is a Republican, but does not take any active part in politics. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He has one of the finest libraries in the county, comprising medical and surgical, historical, scientific and miscel- laneous works, and the care with which they have been selected shows the breadth of the Doctor's mind and tastes. He has three children, born in Rensselaer County, N. Y .- Mary E., Ellen Eudora and Alson J. Ellen is the wife of Delbert Holmes, and lives near her father. Dr. Cole's parents, William and Lucy M. (Greene) Cole, were natives of Massachusetts. Mrs. Cole was a distant relative of General Greene, of historic fame. They came to McHenry County in 1861, but two years prior to their death moved to Aurora, Ill., where they died, but their remains were brought to McHenry County, and interred in Hebron Cemetery. They had a family of five children-William Edwin, Lucy Min- erva, Melvin J., Ellen Adelia and Frances. William Edwin came to McHenry County in 1844, and located in Hebron Township, where he died in 1870. Lucy Minerva married John F. Pettibone; and Frances married G. W. Conn; both are residents of Hebron. Ellen Adelia is deceased, unmarried.
George W. Conn, proprietor of the Prairie Cheese Factory, Hebron, Ill., was born in New Hampshire in 1834. In 1861 he came to Illinois and bought a farm in Hebron Township, Mc- Henry County, where he has since resided. Although a poor man when he came to the county, he has by his business integrity been successful and now owns 584 acres of choice land, the greater part of it under cultivation. In 1872 he built his factory, located a mile and a half east of the village of Hebron, and has given the most of his attention to the manufacture of butter and cheese. He makes about 10,000 pounds of butter and 125,000 pounds of cheese annually. He ships his goods to the larger cities, and 45
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
receives the highest market price for them. Mr. Conn was mar- ried in Massachusetts to Frances E. Cole, who died in 1858, leaving one daughter-Ellen, now the wife of H. F. Jones. In 1862 he married Lena C. Woolfrow, of Lanesboro, Mass. They have had six children-Frances L., Della J., Howard H., George W., Ida M. (deceased), and Erma G. Mr. Conn has taken an interest in all county and township affairs and has been called upon to repre- sent the people in various official relations. At present he is serv- ing as Highway Commissioner.
Henry Dike, farmer, Hebron Township, is a native of Vermont, and a worthy representative of that State, noted for its sturdy sons and daughters. He remained in his native State till the breaking out of the Rebellion and in 1862 enlisted in Company G, Twelfth Vermont Infantry. In the battle of Gettysburg he was a member of the First Army Corps, commanded by General Reynolds, who made the last grand charge, and took 12,000 prisoners. He par- ticipated in many engagements, but during his whole term of ser. vice never failed to report for duty. After his return home, in 1865, he came West, with the intention of going to Minnesota, but stopped in McHenry County and purchased land in Hebron Town- ship. He then returned to Vermont and purchased a large num- ber of fine merino sheep, which he brought to the county. It did not prove a profitable investment, and he disposed of them and has since given his attention to the dairy and grain business, which he considers the best industry of the township. He manufactures a large amount of butter per annum. In 1866 he was married to Matilda, daughter of Loren and Jane (Ward) Bordwell, of Alden Township. They have three children-Bertha, Frank and Cyrus. Politically Mr. Dike is a Republican. He is liberal in his relig- ions views. He is a member of Hebron Lodge, No. 604, F. & A. M.
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