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 76
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Prior to his emigration he assumed charge of a church at South Hampton, from whence he was transferred to Newburyport. From this city he emigrated to McHenry County, arriving at the village of McHenry, Aug. 17, 1837. The entire distance was traveled with teams which required two months to complete the journey. On the Sabbath day, Aug. 19, he delivered the first public religious service ever held in McHenry County. His text was from Matt. ix : 36. At the close of this service he organized the first Sabbath- school that was ever held in the county, and may properly be credited as the pioneer founder of the orthodox faith in this county. Only a few families were at that time residents, but they considered it no in- convenience to drive eight or ten miles through the long prairie- grass, with nothing but Indian-trails to guide them, so eager were they to listen to a sermon. Only an occasional log-shanty could be seen, and they were of the rudest character. Dr. C. G.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Wheeler, his wife and three children, were among the first comers to the county, and Mrs. Wheeler was the first white woman located npon the present site of the village of McHenry. They came in 1836. The roof of the Doctor's cabin cauglit fire one morning, and while putting it out a shot was heard on the other side of the river. As new-comers were eagerly welcomed, the Doctor resolved to cross the river and ascertain, if possible, who fired the shot. With some friends, he started, and the search was rewarded by finding two families, Goodno and Rice, who had ar- rived a few days previous, and settled near what is now the village of Volo. The trail made by them in moving from Chicago has been the thoroughfare from that city to McHenry and all interme- diate points from that date to this.
On Feb. 21, 1838, while holding religious services at the home of Deacon H. Freeman, a disastrous fire occurred. The house was a double log structure, with a roof extending from one to the other, between which was a passage of sixteen feet, and was used as a residence and meeting-house. In one part of this house were placed the wraps of the congregation, as well as the clothing of the family. The entire half of the structure was consumed, and none of the people engaged in divine worship were aware of the fact until the congregation was dismissed. Rev. Wheeler's loss was considerable, as his outfit was made up of expensive materials. Everything, except the apparel he had on, was destroyed by fire at a later date, his goods that were stored in a log store-room being consumed by the flames which swept away the building with its contents. This fire occurred in May, 1838, and was a serious loss to our subject, as the goods had been transported hundreds of miles with teams, and none were at that time to be had in this new coun- try. Prior to 1840 no organized church had been established in McHenry County. In the winter of 1840-'41 the first Methodist class was organized, at Crystal Lake. The field of labor that was traversed by Rev. Wheeler extended from Milwaukee, on the north, to Joliet on the south, east to Lake Michigan, and west to Dubuque, Iowa. Most of his travel was by his own conveyance, there being at that date no railroad or stage lines between the points namned; but at no time did he waver or shrink from the fulfillment of his work.
The first school that we have any knowledge of in this county was taught by Rev. Wheeler, in a part of the log-house that he oc- cupied as a residence. This was done without fee or reward, he never charging tuition. Some of the pupils came a long distance,
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but this was their only chance for learning. Some of the most prominent people of this county were at that early day pupils of Rev. Wheeler. There being no classical, theological or scientific course of instruction obtainable west of the great lakes, and several young men desiring to enter the ministry, he located at Warrens- ville, Du Page Co., Ill., and the people of that village purchased a frame building, and finished it suitably for use as a school-room. It was named " The Warrensville Institute," and placed it in charge of Rev. Wheeler, and for many years it was well patronized. It ha since been replaced by a liandsome brick structure, and was the first academy in the West. Among the many who were pupils at that school were S. P. Brown, M. D., of Elgin; Wm. Griswold M. D., of Chicago; Sheldon Potter, M. D., of Warrensville; - Waterman, M. D., and Mr. Dudley, attorney at law, of Napier- ville, Ill.
Rev. Wheeler has been married three times. His first wife was Miss Julia A. Elliott, daughter of Rev. Wm. Elliott, of Mason, N. H. Their marriage was celebrated April 2, 1835. The second marriage occurred July 7, 1845. He this time married Miss Mary J. Freeman, daughter of Rev. Peter Freeman, of Waukegan, Ill. The third and last marriage was with Mrs. Eliza Dunn Berry, Jan. 18, 1869. She was a daugliter of Hon. Levi Berry, of Wilton, Maine, and her portrait will be found in this work.
The fiftieth anniversary of his ordination, and the forty-seventh of his ministerial labor in McHenry County was celebrated at the village of McHenry, Aug. 17, 1884. He delivered the same ser- mon preached forty-seven years before, and from the same text- Matt. ix: 36. The occasion was one of general rejoicing, and long will it be rem embered
In concluding the biography of Rev. Joel Wheeler, we deem it mere justice to say that his talent and long lifetime spent in the ministry has been without fee or reward. He has labored long an earnestly, and but few men have accomplished greater success in the ministerial field. His life has been one of a self-sacrificing character, and in that knowledge of Divine truth which he so oft imparted to others, he has his reward. With a cozy home, and loving, trusting wife to cheer and keep him company, his last are his happiest days. Surrounded by everything which brings com- fort to the body and peace to the mind, his time is pleasantly passed in reading, visiting old-time friends, or occasionally preparing a sermon, as he yet ministers from the sacred desk, notwithstanding
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more than three-quarters of a century have passed over his head. His portrait is one of the most highly prized in this volume, and posterity will rejoice at having an opportunity to note the first and one of the most talented divines that ever delivered a serinon in McHenry County. We are also pleased to attach to the biograph- ical sketch of so good and noble a man as we know Rev. Wheeler to be, a brief sketch of the lady who bears his name, and makes his home such a happy and cheerful one. She is courted and pet- ted alike by old and young, rich and poor, but her heart is with her husband in every thought and action; never swerving from her highest, holiest and most sacred duties as a wife and companion. With a face of which any woman would feel proud, a form that even a Venus might envy, he brilliant repartee and rare conver- sational powers give her an entree into society in which she is most graciously welcome, and no gathering of a social nature in the neighborhood is considered complete without her presence. With a mind cultured by a long course of study, and developed in ac- complishments by practical experience, she has few equals and no superiors. Reared in luxury, knowing nothing of worldly cares, she cheerfully became the wife of one of the best of men, and to this fortunate venture may be attributed the knowledge of her many sterling qualities.
She was the petted daughter of Hon. Levi Berry, one of the wealthiest and most influential men of Wilton, Maine. She was born Aug. 16, 1837, in the pleasant village mentioned above. Her mother was a very intellectual and highly educated lady, and took great pride in the education and accomplishments of her daughter. Mrs. Wheeler has six brothers residing in the northern part of Maine, one of whom is a physician of large experience. The others are all men of integrity, and are highly esteemed in the community in which they reside. All of them are thorough Baptists, and two of them are Deacons of the Baptist church. There is also one other brother, of equal integrity, residing in Minnesota.
Mrs. Wheeler is the mother of one daughter by a former mar- riage-Ella M., now the wife of Eugene S. Wheeler, the youngest son of Rev. Joel Wheeler, with whom our subjects make their home. They inherit the homestead by caring for and making com- fortable a home for their parents.
We cannot close this sketch without referring to the aid Mrs. Wheeler has rendered in the Sabbath-school work in this State.
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As a teacher and superintendent of such work she cannot be ex- celled. With a heart overflowing with love for the youth, and possessing the faculty of interesting them in this most laudable work, her worth cannot be estimated.
Arthur O. Whiting was born in Johnson, Lamoille Co., Vt., Jan. 9, 1838, a son of Zachariah and Lucinda (Dodge) Whiting. His boyhood was spent on the farm and in attending school. He obtained a good education, completing it at the academy in John- son. He remained with his father till the fall of 1858 when he came to Illinois and located in McHenry County. In 1865 he went to Champaign, Ill., and remained about two years, buying and shipping grain and produce. He then returned to McHenry and has since been carrying on his farm, paying special attention to stock-raising. He was married Sept. 11, 1863, and has eight children-Florence L. (deceased), Dora L., Minnie E., Burt A., Lena M., Myrtle L., Maud B. and Arthur B. Politically Mr. Whiting is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, of the lodge and chapter.
Freeman Whiting is a native of Johnson, Lamoille Co., Vt., born Jan. 8, 1822, a son of Zachariah and Lucinda (Dodge) Whit- ing, his father a native of New Hampshire, born Sept. 24, 1789, and his mother of Vermont, born Feb. 13, 1800. Zachariah Whit- ing was a soldier in the war of 1812. He moved to Vermont when a young man and was there married to Lucinda Dodge, July 31, 1815. He died Oct. 31, 1861, and his wife Dec. 22, 1872. He was by trade a wheelwright, and worked at his trade in connection with farming till 1840, when he opened a general mercantile store in Johnson. Freeman Whiting remained on the farm assisting his father and attending school till eighteen years of age. He then began clerking for his father, remaining in the store three years. In 1843 he came West via Buffalo and the lakes to Chi- cago, and thence to McHenry County. He remained seven months, working for $13 a month, and then returned to Vermont, but the next year came again to Illinois and worked in a lumber yard in Waukegan two years, and in the meantime made several trips to Michigan to buy lumber. In 1846 he bought a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he has since successfully followed. He has added to his original purchase from time to time till he now owns 1,000 acres of choice land. His farm is well stocked with short-liorned Durham cattle (regis- tered), Clydesdale horses, Spanish merino sheep and Poland
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
China hogs. Mr. Whiting was married Jan. 8, 1850, to Lucy A., daughter of John W. and Clarissa (Clemens) Smith. They have four children-Delbert A., born Oct. 30, 1850; Laura L., born Nov. 2, 1851, wife of Richard Thompson; Lilian C., born March 5, 1854, wife of Charles Harrison; and Abbie, born Jan. 22, 1868. Politically Mr. Whiting is a Republican. He has been a stockholder in the First National Bank, Woodstock, since its or- ganization, April 30, 1864, and has been one of its Directors sev- eral years. He is one of the most prominent and influential men of the township, supporting with a liberal hand all causes of pub- lic benefit, especially the cause of education.
CHAPTER XXVI.
NUNDA TOWNSHIP.
LOCATION .- TOPOGRAPHY. - LAKES AND STREAMS. - RAILROADS .- NAME OF TOWNSHIP. - SETTLEMENT .- FIRST EVENTS .- PRAIRIE GROVE CEMETERY .- BUTTER AND CHEESE FACTORY .-- CRYSTAL SPRING CHEESE AND BUTTER FACTORY. - BARREVILLE .- GRIST- MILL. - BUTTER AND CHEESE FACTORY .- POSTOFFICE .- BUSINESS DIRECTORY .- CARY STATION .- POSTOFFICE .- PIOKLE FACTORY .- METHODIST CHURCH .- WOLF SCALPS .- SCHOOL STATISTICS. - NUN- DA VILLAGE .- FIRST CALLED DEARBORN .- FIRST BUSINESS MEN .- HOTELS .- HYATT HOUSE .- DEPOT AND RAILROAD .- POSTOFFICE .- SUGAR REFINERY .- PICKLING AND CANNING FACTORY .- CLOVER AND FRUIT DRYER .- FLOUR-MILL .- LUMBER YARD .- PICKLE FAC- TORY .- CHURCHES. - SOCIETIES .- UNION PUBLIO SCHOOL BUILD- ING. - INCORPORATION. - BUSINESS DIRECTORY .- BIOGRAPHICAL.
This township is situated on the east side of the county, joining Lake County on the east, McHenry Township on the north, Dorr Township on the west, and Algonquin on the south. It is town- ship 44, range 8 and one-third of 9, being one of the three largest townships in the county.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The physical features of this township are not only pleasing to the eye but render it one of the finest farming townships in the county, while the dairy business is not only extensively but suc- cessfully carried on.
LAKES AND STREAMS.
This is one of the best watered townships in the county. The eastern side is crossed by Fox River, which passes through two small lakes in its course, known as Lakes Griswold and Defiance. A good portion of Lily Lake lies in this township, besides Clear Lake. Hanly's Creek crosses the northwest corner of the town- ship, while many small creeks find their way to Fox River, the
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
largest being Stickney's Run, whose water-power is sufficient to run a mill.
RAILROADS.
This township is traversed from north to south by the Fox River Branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, while the main line crosses the southwest corner, passing through sections 30 and 32. These two roads were laid in this township the same year.
NAME.
For a short time after this township was settled it was called Brooklyn. This name was given by Wm. and C. Goff. It was ascertained in 1840 that in the State there was already a postoffice by that name, and the people of this township, wishing that their postoffice and township might bear the same name, called together a private meeting, unknown to the Messrs. Goff, and by a vote changed the name of the township to Nunda, which name was suggested by Colonel William Huffman, it being the name of his native town in New York. At this date the population of the township was only about 150.
SETTLEMENT.
The first man who settled in this township was George Stickney, who came in December, 1835, and settled on section 6, where he built the first house in the township. It was a log building, and contained no iron of any description in its construction, wooden pins being made to take the place of nails. This house was first occupied by Benjamin McOmber, who came only a short time after Mr. Stickney. Mr. Stickney is still a resident of the township. Mr. McOmber made this township his home till his death, which occurred several years ago. Samuel Terwilliger, who came in June, 1836, was the third man who settled here. He is still a resident of the township. Cameron Goff came in October, 1837, and still resides where he took up his claim. The following settled in the township prior to 1840 : George T. Beckley, Abram Vincent, De- witt Brady, Joseph Walkup, Charles Patterson and his four sons, William Huffman and his four sons, William St. Clair, Fred Bry- ant, J. Gracy, G. A. Palmer, John Fitzsimmons, J. E. Beckley, A. Colby, D. Ellsworth, A. and W. Musgrove.
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first plowing in the township was done by Samuel Ter- williger and George Stickney, with a four-horse team, on the farm now owned by C. Jacobs.
Jerome Terwilliger, son of Samuel Terwilliger, was the first child born in the township. He made the township his home till 1876, when he died on the same spot of ground where he was born.
The first death in the township occurred in the family of George Stickney, a little son being the victim. His remains were the first placed in the Halcombville Cemetery. At this funeral the first religious services were held that were ever held in the township. The first regular religious services held in the township were at the house of Christopher Walkup. These are said to also be the first religious services held in the county. These services were held by Rev. Van Alstine, a Universalist minister.
The first church building erected in the township was built at Crystal Lake, and afterward moved to Nunda Village. The first school was taught by Miss A. McOmber, in 1839, in a log school- honse, which William Halcomb and C. Goff erected on section 18. They paid the teacher $1.25 per week to teach a school of five scholars. This log school-house was moved two years later to the southwest quarter of section 17. The seats in this building were placed near the wall and ran in a single row clear around the room. The children were compelled to sit facing the wall.
Th first saw-mill in the township was erected about the year 1845, by James and Samuel McMillen, on section 22. It served as a sawmill till 1863, when it was at an expense of several thousand dollars converted into a grist-mill and is still in good running order.
A carding-mill was built in 1846, by Mr. Truesdell, in the northern part of the township. It was abandoned at the expira- tion of two years on account of not being a paying institution. The first grist-mill was built at Barreville, by T. J. Ferguson, at a cost of about $6,000. It is doing a good business also.
PRAIRIE GROVE CEMETERY.
The land comprising this burying ground was donated by Henry Keller in 1861, it being a portion of his farm. Edwin Keller, son of Henry Keller, who died at the age of six years on the 9th of October, 1861, was the first person buried here. The following spring other bodies were brought from the old graveyard and placed
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
here. The grounds were laid out by John Brink and trustees appointed. The grounds are kept in a manner that reflects much credit upon those who have friends buried here.
BUTTER AND CHEESE FACTORY.
In 1876 an attempt was made to erect and run a cheese-factory near Griswold Lake by the farmers, the plan being that shares of $25 each should be taken, and tlie profits divided according to the number of shares taken by each individual. A number of shares were taken, but not sufficient to complete the project, and W. H. Mudgett, O. M. Hall and L. A. Parker shouldered the responsibility and completed the building of the factory together with the share- holders at a cost of about $3,500. It has since changed hands several times and is now the property of R. Smith, who is carrying on the business quite successfully. He was preceded in ownership by S. Pool, and he by W. L. Clark, each running about two years.
CRYSTAL SPRING BUTTER AND CHEESE FACTORY.
This factory was built in 1874 by the farmers at a cost of about $4,000. This company of farmers ran the factory two years with J. S. Watrous, manager. At the expiration of this time it was leased by Gooch & Barber, of Chicago, who ran it two years with Mr. Watrous, manager. In the fall of 1876 Mr. Watrous made at this factory the butter that took the gold medal at the Centennial. The medal was a premium offered by what is now known as the National Butter and Egg Association. The capacity of this factory is 12,000 pounds of milk per day. It has passed through several hands and last April became the property of Willianı Minir who is running it with considerable success.
BARREVILLE.
This village was never honored with a plat but is simply a col- lection of houses promiscuously built. A small store was opened here many years ago by a man named Thomas Combs who had been in trade but a short time when he was accused of burning the house of Mr. Ferguson. While under arrest he escaped from the legal custody which surrounded him and sought more genial climes.
Mr. Ferguson then ran a store in connection with his grist-mill. At one time business seemed to be growing and it was thought by some that it would become a trading point of some note, but its
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
natural advantages have never been able to overcome the great advantages of the railroad.
The Barreville grist-mill was built in 1857 by Thomas Fergu- son at a cost of about $4,000; he ran this mill till his death, which occurred in 1865, when the property was sold to the Patterson Brothers who ran it till. 1873. At this date Mr. McCord bought the mill and ran it a short time when he sold it to Mr. J. F. Thompson who owned and ran it two years and then sold to Louis Munch, who is the present owner and proprietor. In 1884 he re- placed the old burrs with the German rollers at an expense of nearly $4,000. This change enables him to compete with any mill extant and here is produced some of the finest patent flour that is manu- factured anywhere.
The Barreville butter and cheese factory was built in the spring of 1881 by E. F. Mathews at a cost of about $3,000. Its capacity is about 1,000 pounds. Mr. Mathews has been running it with great success ever since it was built and is the present owner.
Barreville postoffice was originally established on Silver Lake Prairie in the year 1854. Its location was Bryant's Corners and kept by Russell Stanton. About the year 1864 it was moved to Barreville where it still remains with C. Shales, Postmaster. It has passed through the following hands: Fred Bryant, Thos. Ferguson, A. L. Patterson.
BARREVILLE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Cheese manufactories, L. R. Lincoln, E. F. Mathews; grocer, C. Shales; merchant, E. C. Turner; flour-mill, Louis Munch; pickle factory, S. S. Shepard.
CARY STATION POSTOFFICE.
This office was established in 1856 with James Nish, Postmaster. In 1857 Wm. D. Cary was appointed Postmaster, and Martin Thrall, Deputy. This change not satisfying the people in some re- spects, Mr. Cary turned the office over to John Nish at the expi- ration of the first six months of his term. John Nish continued in office till 1873 when his brother, James Nish, was again appointed and remained in office till 1878 when his son, John D. Nish, was appointed Postmaster and held the position three years when James Nish was again appointed to take charge of the office and is the present incumbent. He was Deputy Postmaster during his brother's appointment and had full charge of the office, and to all intents and purposes was the Postmaster during all that time.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
In 1882 two pickle factories were erected at this place, one by Wm. McNett, which is doing a good business though its capacity is small; the other was erected by Goodwin & Frarye who still own it and pickle annually 30,000 bushels.
The Free Methodist church at Cary Station was formed about the year 1870 with a small membership of five or six persons. Up till 1876 they held their services in a school-house. At this date they built a church at Cary Station which cost about $1,300. It is a frame building and is seated with chairs. They were first sup- plied by Rev. Fares. Then Rev. D. Seymour became their pastor, who was succeeded by Rev. Peter Newcomb. Their present pas- tor is Rev. St. Clair. Present membership, thirteen.
WOLF SCALPS.
A few years prior to 1850 the county gave a bounty of $15 for each wolf's scalp that had been taken within the limits of the county. This was a bonanza for the hunters, and not only was this county scoured in search of the valuable prey, but adjoining coun- ties robbed of wolves, which were brought alive across the line into this county where they were killed and bounty claimed on the scalps. Nunda Township distinguished itself in those days by one of its citizens building a wolf den and there placing cubs, which he was able to capture, till they became six months old, when he scalped them and claimed his reward under the law. This came pretty near raising wolves for market.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
The following statement of school affaire shows that while Nunda Township has been making rapid advances in the matter of finances she has not done it to the neglect of her educational interests, but that they have kept pace with general growth and prosperity.
The township contains nine school-houses, and an annual salary of $2,476.36 is paid to teachers. There are in the township 501 children of a school age, and the valuation of school property is $5,750.
NUNDA VILLAGE.
This village in its infancy was called Dearborn but soon after- ward took the name of the township.
The first store in the place was opened by J. S. Reed, and the first grocery was opened by George McCollum, in a building which
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
stood a few feet east of where the depot now stands, known as the "striped pig." Mr. McCollum afterwards old out to B. Robinson who moved into a new building north of the depot.
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