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 71
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1838, and helped to organize the first class in Marengo, She died Jan. 26, 1883, and is buried in Marengo Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were born five children-J. Smith, born April 5, 1839, married Ellen, daughter of James and Hester A. Lamb, of New York; Orson C., born Dec. 13, 1840, married Eliza M., daughter of Charles and Polly (Marshall) Whelon, of Canada; they have five daughters. He enlisted in 1861, and served three years as Sergeant of Company E, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry; was badly wounded before At- lanta, Ga. Hester Ann, born April, 1843, married Aug. 5, 1864, Charles Prescott, son of Horace Prescott, of Vermont, and has two sons. Frank S., born Jan. 13, 1850, married Eva E. Burr, and lias one son. Mary D., born June 16, 1855, is unmarried and lives at home. All the children are living in Marengo. Oct. 3, 1883, Mr. Rogers married Mahala T. Johnson, the widow of his brother Elisha (who came to Illinois in 1850), and subsequently of Lyman John- son. Mr. [Rogers moved to Coral in 1854, and in 1871 assisted in organizing the First National Bank. At the first annual election, Jan. 9, 1872, he was elected a Director and Vice-President, an office he has since held. He has been honored with offices in both church and State, and has always performed the duties devolving on him conscientiously and well. He is a man of genial disposi- tion, determined to enjoy life while he can, leaving the future to take care of itself.
W. H. Sanders, harness-maker, Marengo, Ill., was born in Preston, New London Co., Conn., June 23, 1837, the third of seven Sons of Carmie and Susan (Brooks) Sanders, his father a native of Connecticut and his mother of England. About 1830 his parents moved to Otsego County, N. Y., where his father died. In 1846 his mother came with her family to Illinois and located in Mc- Henry County. In 1854 he began working at the harness-maker's trade and served an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked as a journeyman till after the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company A, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry; was mustered in Sept. 4, 1862. May 19, 1863, he was wounded in the right leg at Vicksburg, Miss., and disabled for active service till the following October. Jan. 14, 1864, he was detailed to the recruiting service and sent to Springfield, Ill., where he remained two months. Before reaching his regiment he was again wounded and was in the hospital thirty days. After joining his regiment he participated in the battles of Nashville, Spanish Fort and
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
Mobile, where he was again wounded, a spent bullet hitting him in the neek. Since his return from the war he has followed his trade and now has a good paying business. Mr. Sanders was mar- ried Oct. 4, 1866, to Mary A. Brown, daughter of B. B. Brown, of Waukesha, Wis. They have had five children; but three are living -Dora A., Katie May and James G. The deceased are William and Mark S. Mr. Sanders is a member of Marengo Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., and Harley Wayne Post, No. 169, G. A. R. Politically he is a Republican.
Z. W. Sears, retired farmer, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1812, the seventh of ten children of Alden and De- lania (Vincent) Sears, natives of Massachusetts, of English and French descent. He remained on the old homestead till 1839, when, his father having died, his mother and her children moved West and settled in McHenry and Boone counties, Ill. The mother settled in Boone County, where she died in 1841. Z. W. bought land in Marengo Township, built a house and barn and set out making a frontier farm. He has been successful and now owns 546 acres of choice land. He was married at Lemont, this State, in 1846, to Louisa J. Harris, a native of New York. They have four children-Francis V., Laura E., Hiram A. and Henry W. Politically Mr. Sears is a Republican. He and his wife and daughter are members of the Congregational church.
William Shearer was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1816, a son of John and Phileria (French) Shearer, his father a native of New York, of Scotch descent, and his inother of Connec- ticut, of English descent. When nineteen years of age he began working at the tanner's and shoemaker's trades, and served au ap- prenticeship of three years. He worked as a journeyman several years in New York and then started West and remained in Adrian, Mich., some time. In 1842 he moved to Wisconsin, and in the fall of. the same year to McHenry County, Ill. He rented land a year, and in the fall of 1843 purchased a farm of forty-six and a half acres in Marengo Township. In 1872 he bought the farm of 380 acres where he now lives. Mr. Shearer was married March 6, 1842, to Julany Mericle, daughter of John Mericle, of Tecumseh, Mich. Of the nine children born to them, but four are living-Sarah J., wife of Otis Osborn; Phileria, wife of Joseph Cowan; Charles H. and Henry. Politically Mr. Shearer is a Republican.
Alfred J. Shurtleff was born in Stansted, Canada East, Oct. 14, 1828, the third son of David and Ruth (Knapp) Shurtleff, the
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
father a native of Connecticut and the mother of Fairfield, Vt. David Shurtleff was reared in Massachusetts, and was there mar- ried. He subsequently moved to Canada East, but in 1835 re- turned to Massachusetts, and in 1839 came West and located in De Kalb County, Ill. Alfred J. remained with his parents till twenty- two years of age and then began farming on his own account. He started with limited means but has been successful and now owns a fine farm. He has also been extensively engaged in the stock and lumber business, buying and shipping to Eastern markets. He moved to McHenry County in 1870. He was married in 1852 to Lydia Miller, a native of Ohio, who came with her parents to Illinois in an early day. To them were born two children-Mary Eva, who is now living, the other dying in infancy. Mrs. Shurtleff died in 1856, and in 1858 Mr. Shurtleff married Mary F. Highy, a native of New York. They have had four children-Carleton H., who died at the age of one year and three months; Kate D., Edward D., and a son who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Shurtleff are members of the Christian church. He is a mem- ber of Marengo Lodge, No. 138, A. F. & A. M. Politically, he is a Republican.
E. P. Sperry, with the firm Sperry & Rice, hardware and stove dealers, Marengo, Ill., was born in Marengo, Oct. 6, 1857, a son of Anson Sperry. He attended the schools of his native village till fifteen years of age and then entered the Northwestern Uni- versity, at Evanston, Ill. After reaching his majority he began clerking in a hardware store in Chicago, and remained there two years. In the spring of 1880 he went to Colorado and engaged in mining till the fall of 1883 when, on account of failing health, he returned to his native county and in the spring of 1884 formed his present connection with this firm. They have a large store and carry on an extensive business, having one of the best stocks in their line in the county. Mr. Sperry is a member of Marengo Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., and Monarch Lodge, No. 23, K. of P., of Garfield, Col. Politically he is a Republican.
D. A. Stedman was born in Sinclairville, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Aug. 22, 1836, a son of Simon and Naomi (Higby) Stedman. He attended school till fourteen years of age and then began to work at the cabinet-maker's trade, and served an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked as a journeyman two years, and in 1854 came West and located in Marengo. He worked at the car- penter's trade three years and then at the cabinet-maker's trade till
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
the breaking ont of the civil war. Aug. 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, and served ten months, when his health failed and he was discharged. After his recovery he worked at his trade two years, and then at the carpenter's trade till 1871 when he went to Champaign, Ill., and was employed as Superintendent of the Industrial Machine shop till May, 1873 when he returned to Marengo, and worked at his trade a year. In 1876 he was elected Sheriff of McHenry County, and was re- elected in 1878. Since the expiration of his term of office he has worked at the carpenter's trade. He has built the greater part of the business houses of Marengo, among them the Opera House, which is the finest building in the county. Mr. Stedman was married July 22, 1857, to Emily Lawrence, daughter of D. W. Lawrence. He is a member of Spring City Lodge, No. 156, A. O. U. W., and Harley Wayne Post, No. 169, G. A. R. Mrs. Stedman is a member of the Baptist church.
Alexander Stewart, deccased, was among the earliest and most prominent settlers of McHenry County. He was born in Perth- shire, Scotland, in 1795. When quite young he went with his parents to Edinburgh, and lived there till manhood. He learned the book-binder's trade and worked at it several years. In 1834 he came to America and lived in Canada five years. In 1839 he came to Illinois and entered a claim in McHenry County, near the present site of Marengo, and resided there the rest of his life. He was married in 1834, just before leaving Scotland, to Miss Jane Kansck. To them were born ten children; seven are living -Elizabeth, wife of J. G. Nawter; Jeannette, wife of O. C. Diggins; Jane, wife of S. S. Crandall; Alexander S., John A., William H. and Kate. The deceased are-Margaret, Ann and William. Alex. Stewart died Aug. 27, 1869, and Mrs. Stewart, Sept. 4, 1883. Politically he was a Republican, and was one of the foremost workers in the party's ranks.
A. D. Stewart, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Canada, July 22, 1838, the youngest of four children of Daniel Stewart. In 1839 his parents came to Illinois and entered the farmwhere our subject now lives. Here he grew to manhood remaining with his parents till his marriage, when he bought the old homestead and with the exception of five or six years has always lived on it. His farm contains 200 acres of fine land, well improved. He has made farming his life work, but for a few years was engaged in the hardware and milling business in Marengo. He was married
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Dec. 25, 1862, to Helen M. Belden, daughter of John Belden. They have two children-Nellie G. and Daniel. Mr. Stewart is politically a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
Ahira Thompson was born in Orleans County, Vt., April 6, 1819, a son of Jonathan and Polly M. (Reed) Thompson, his father a native of New Hampshire and his mother of Massachusetts. In 1829 his parents moved to Olio and settled in Monroe, Asli- tabula County. When nineteen years of age he came to Illinois, intending to seek employment of the Government on the harbor at Chicago, but as there was no appropriation made he went to Michigan City, Ind., and remained a year. In 1839 he came to McHenry County and bought a claim in Seneca Township and remained one season. He then went to Chicago and manufactured flour barrels two years. He was then employed two years as collector for a fanning mill company, and in 1844 returned to McHenry County and bought a farm in Coral Township. Aug. 11,1862, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry. He was detailed to the commissary department and served there nine months. In February, 1863, he was appointed Hospital Steward, but in June was taken ill and was unable to report for duty till Jan. 1, 1864. He then returned to his regiment and served till Nov. 1; was discharged in 1864. After his return home he engaged in farming till April, 1883, when lie moved to Marengo. Mr. Thompson was married Oct. 9, 1844, to Charlotte M. Morris, a native of Madison County, N. Y. They have had five children-William M., Esta N. (deceased), Charles A., Louvia and Albertise K. (deceased). Politically Mr. Thompson is a Republican. He is a member of Harley Wayne Post, No. 169, G. A. R. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He was Constable of Coral Township twelve years, and Tax Collector three years, 1855-'57.
Charles H. Thorne, farmer and stock-raiser, was born on the farm where he resides Jan. 14, 1848, the only son of Henry M. and Charlotte M. (Cobb) Thorne. After the death of his father he took charge of the farm, and has managed it efficiently and successfully. He has 276 acres of choice land all well improved, and makes a speciality of raising thoroughbred short-horn cattle and Berkshire hogs. Mr. Thorne was married Feb. 22, 1882, to Adelaide Starks, a native of Marengo and a daughter of John Starks. They have one child-Nina R. Politically Mr. Thorne is a Republican.
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774 HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
Elisha J. Vail was born in Rutland County, Vt., in 1823, the fourth son of Micah and Betsey (Herrick) Vail, natives of Ver- mont, of English and German descent. He remained with his parents till his majority and in September, 1844, came to Illinois and settled in Marengo Township, McHenry County. He bought eighty acres of land near the village, and followed farming a year. He then engaged in the mercantile business five years was the second merchant in Marengo. In 1850 he bought the farm where he now lives. He owns 230 acres of fine land, and has a comfortable residence and farm buildings. He was married in 1848 to Delphia Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher Sponable, one of the first settlers of Marengo. They have had twelve children-Bettie L., Sada S., Charles H., Mattie E., Mable, Maggie (died when fourteen years old), Edwin S., Elizabeth, Froad E., Leon, James, Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Vail are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a Democrat.
Frank G. Vail, dealer in agricultural implements, carriages and buggies, Marengo, Ill., is a native of Rutland County, Vt., born March 17, 1857, the only son of Almon I. and Eunice ( Hew- latt) Vail. In 1860 his parents moved to Marengo, Ill., and here he was reared and received his early education, completing it at Quincy, Ill. After leaving school he assisted his father, who was buying and shipping horses, till 1880, when he became established in his present business. He has been industrious and has built up a good business. In October, 1879, he was married to Miss Nellic Parkhurst, a native of Marengo. They have had three children, but one of whom is living-Don C. Two died in infancy. Politically Mr. Vail is a Republican.
Gustavus V. Wells, one of the most prominent and influential men of Marengo, was born in Lorraine, Jefferson Co., N. Y., June 22, 1808, the second of four children of Appleton and Rhoda (Baldwin) Wells, his father a native of Connecticut and his mother of New York. His father moved his family to Cayuga County, and then returned to Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., where he was taken with diphtheria and died, aged thirty-three years, three days after leaving his wife and children. The mother died in Jo Daviess County, Ill., aged eighty-seven years. Gustavus V. was but five years of age when his father died. He remained in Cayuga County till nineteen years of age and then went to Chautauqua County, N. Y., and served an apprenticeship at the cooper's trade. In 1832 he moved to Geauga County, Ohio, and followed agricult-
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
ural pursuits till 1858, in the meantime, however, was engaged in the distilling business in New York. In the spring of 1858 he moved to Marengo, where he has since resided. He has been prominently identified with the interests of the town since first locating. He has been Magistrate since 1862. On the organi- zation of the First National Bank, in 1870, he was elected its Pres_ ident, and served thirteen years, when he resigned. He is purely a. self-made man. Starting out in life an orphan with no one to assist him, he has by perseverance reached the top of the financial ladder, and is now one of the most influential men of McHenry County. He was married in December, 1829, to Matilda Warner, daughter of David Warner. They have had three children-Walter C .; Marian B., wife of Robert A. White, and Josephine, who died at the age of ten years. Mr. Wells has been a member of the. Masonic fraternity since 1836; is now a member of Marengo Lodge, No. 138, and Lancing Chapter, No. 73.
Loron Woodard, born in Oswego County, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1827, and moved with liis parents to Syracuse, N. Y., in 1835, the third son of Jonathan and Deboralı (Davids) Woodard, natives of Albany County, N. Y., of English descent. When sixteen years of age he began working for Thorp & Smith, nurserymen of Syracuse, and remained with them till 1851 when he came West, and located in Marengo, Ill., where he carried on the Pleasant Grove Nursery successfully till 1880, when with others he established the Marengo Pickle Factory. He was the originator of the enterprise and is the general superintendent of the factory. They have a large trade and pay out for their supplies about $15,000 a year. Loron Woodard was married Nov. 14, 1849, to Harriet Levy, daughter of Michael Levy, of New York, of Holland descent. They have had one son-Allen M., who died June 25, 1875, aged nineteen years five months and twenty-seven days. Mr. Woodard has been a member of the Common Council a number of years. He has served as President of the McHenry County Agricultural Society and as Treasurer of the Northern Illinois Horticultural Society. He is a member of Marengo Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M .; Lancing Chapter, No. 73, R. A. M., and Calvary Commandery, No. 25, K. T., at Woodstock. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican. A few years after his settlement in McHenry County his mother died and his father came West, and made his home in Marengo with said L. Woodard till his death in 1881.
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CHAPTER XXV.
MCHENRY TOWNSHIP.
LOCATION .- WATER ADVANTAGES .- LAKES, RIVERS AND CREEKS. - RICH LANDS .- RAILROAD. - THE SITE OF THE OLD COUNTY SEAT .- FIRST SETTLEMENT .- EARLY SETTLERS .- FIRST EVENTS .- CEME- TERIES. - POSTOFFICE .- SCHOOL STATISTICS. - TOWNSHIP OF- FICERS .- MCHENRY VILLAGE. - SETTLEMENT. - HOTEL HISTORY .- FERRY BOAT .- BRIDGES .- INCORPORATION .- VILLAGE OFFICERS .-- MANUFACTURES. - CHURCHES. - PUBLIC SCHOOL. - MCHENRY LODGE, A. F. & A. M .- BUSINESS DIRECTORY .- WEST MCHENRY. -EARLY HISTORY .- PARKER HOUSE. - MANUFACTURES .- M. E. CHURCH. - BUSINESS DIRECTORY .- RINGWOOD VILLAGE .- HIS- TORY .- PUBLIC SCHOOL .- NURSERY .- CHEESE FACTORIES .- CON- GREGATIONAL CHURCH. - JOHNSBURGH. - HISTORY. - CATHOLIC CHURCH. - MARBLE WORKS .- BUSINESS DIRECTORY .- BIOGRAPHI- CAL.
This township is situated on the east side of McHenry County, joining Lake County on the east line. On the north it is joined by Richmond and Burton townships and on the south by Nunda Township; on the west by Greenwood Township, being township 45, range 8. This is one of the best watcred townships in the county. Besides being traversed from north to south by the Fox River, it contains half of Pistauqua Lake in the northeastern por- tion of the township. In the southeastern portion lies one half of Lilly Lake; McCollum's Lake lies near the center of the township. These, together with two branches of Boone Creek, the main stream of the Nippersink, and one of its tributaries, and many smaller streams, secures natural water privileges in nearly every section in the township. Not only do we find this a well-watered township but one of the most productive and rich in the county.
The railroad facilities are good, a line passing through it north and south with a good depot both at McHenry and Ringwood.
This was one of the earliest settled townships in the county and here it is well known remained for many years the county seat, not (776)
Geo. Gage
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
only before Lake County was separated from McHenry but for some time afterward; a full account of this and its subsequent change will be found in the general history.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The first person to settle in this township was Dr. Christy G. Wheeler, brother of Elder Wheeler, the present living pioneer. Dr. Wheeler came in 1836 and opened a small store in what is now McHenry. This together with the practice of medicine and occasional preaching occupied his time while he lived, which was but a few years after his arrival. He came West in search of a cli- mate more suitable to his impaired health and for a time seemed to improve under the bracing influences of the prairie winds, but at length was compelled to succumb to them. While filling an ap- pointment for his brother, Rev. Joel Wheeler, some thirty-five miles distant, he took cold and died a short time afterward.
Among those who were next to settle in this township we find the names of Henry and John McLean, Louis and John Boone, John, William and David McCollum, Wesley Ladd, Samuel Walker. The year following came Allen and Freeman Harvey, B. B. Brown, Jonathan and Mike Sutton, Rev. Joel Wheeler. The MeLeans came from Vermont; Henry W. is still a resident of McHenry; John went to Iowa in 1860 where he still resides. The Boones came from Ohio; William died in Greenwood in 1883. John was a resi- dent of the county about ten years, when he moved to Iowa. The McCollums also came from Ohio; John moved to Minnesota about the year 1852 where he remained until his death in 1880; William made McHenry his home till his death in 1884; David died in Mc- Henry in 1880; he had been a resident of the county most of the time since he settled in it. Wesley Ladd came from Maine and is still a resident of McHenry Township. Samuel Walker is also · an Eastern man; he made his home in Ringwood many years pre- vions to his death in 1881. The Harveys came from Vermont; Allen died about the year 1860, having made his home in the township from his first settlement till the date of his death; Free- man died in this township about the year 1874. Among the early settlers we find the names of Wm. H. Hankins and family, his aunt, Mrs. Valentine, and her son, also a man by the name of Teabout, whose subsequent brief history is anything but harmoni- ous with the welfare of pioneers. In September, 1837, these parties came from the East in an emigrant wagon which they occupied
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
after arrival till they succeeded in erecting a cabin. In the fol- lowing December young Valentine fell from a tree and was in- stantly killed; not long after this event Mr. Teabout lost his life by the accidental discharge of his rifle while hunting. In 1879 Mr. Hankins died at the age of seventy-one. Many other names might be mentioned among those who came to this township in an early day, but most of their names will appear in other branches of this history. Some, too, came and remained but a short time, scarcely becoming identified with the township and its interests. The usual early events transpired here as elsewhere. The first record we have of a wedding in this township, was that of Joseph Fellows and Christiana Robinault, on the 10th day of November, 1839; cere- mony performed by Rev. Joel Wheeler. Some claim that the marriage of I. N. Greenleaf and Elizabeth McOmber (daughter of Squire McOmber) was the first that occurred in the township, and that it was in 1838; this we will not dispute, but if it is the case the marriage was not recorded. The first birth was a daughter of Christy Wheeler. The first death occurred in 1836; William Herrick accidently shot himself; while crossing the ice on Fox River, his horse broke through the ice which in some way caused the discharge of his rifle and killed him instantly. He was buried on the river bank where his remains lay for many years, but a short time ago while some parties were digging a cellar his remains were lifted and placed in the McHenry Village cemetery. The first school was taught in 1840 by a Miss McOmber, in a small log house erected on the bank of Fox River. This was also the first school- house built in the township. It served its purpose for many years and was afterward converted into a store. The first religious ser- vices were held by Elder Wheeler in a log house built by H. W. McLean. A little incident occurred at this meeting that is still a source of considerable mirth to the pioneers who witnessed it. The walls of the building were only five feet high and the cross ties were covered with shakes. Mr. Alden Harvey was a man whose height was six feet four inches; Mrs. Barnum was over six feet. These two people sang in the choir and when they attempted to rise and sing were prevented by the shakes overhead. Mr. Ifar- vey cleared away the obstruction by reaching up and moving the shakes to one side thus permitting his and Mrs. Barnum's heads to pass up into the loft where they sang while the rest of the congre- gation were singing in the room below.
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
CEMETERIES.
There are in the township six cemeteries, two situated at the vil- lage of McHenry called the Woodland and Catholic. At Johns- burgh a German Catholic cemetery is established. A Protestant burying ground is located in the village of Ringwood and another one mile west of same village. About two and a half miles west of McHenry Village is situated what is known as Thompson's burying ground. The Protestant cemetery at McHenry was laid out about the year 1852. Previous to this the dead were buried near the mill-dam, about one mile north of McHenry Village. To the new grounds most of the bodies have been taken from the old one.
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