USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 12
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A soldiers' monument of gray granite surmounted by a private with gun at rest. On each of four sides, Kencsaw, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Resaca and this inscription :
Erected in 1905 by W. R. C. No. 97 in honor of Union Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War. J. A. Parrott Post.
Cedar, white pinc, Norway spruce, here and there, are beautiful emblems of the evergreen shore sought by the dwellers in the tombs they shadow. All the carly names may be read on the marbles: Mckenzie, Pratt, Waite, Noyes, Snyder, Greene, Reynolds, Field, Ramsay, Hill, Butler, Averill, Pad- dock, Shaw, Thompson, Richmond, Loomis, Jabez Warner, 1786-1847, A. J. Matson, 1819-1886. This grave awakens glorious memories. It is that of Delight, wife of Josiah Cleaveland, who was at Yorktown, 1781, Washington and Cornwallis days. She died in 1856 at 92, and was the grandmother of Capt. David Cleaveland, of the Civil war. Here also are the tombs of Silas Sears, long the county surveyor, and N. G. Reynolds, cight years county judge, 1791-1866.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Beyond this solemn enelosure is the creamery, operated by E. C. Dodge & Co. While most of the eream is brought by the surrounding farmers, some is shipped from stations along the railroad. The quantity of butter made varies from 35 tubs in winter to 100 in summer. The milk is brought in thirty-gallon eans. Payment is made twiee a month, and it provides the honest yeoman with ready money. A banker remarked that inany a farmer would have gone to the wall without this frequent receipt of cash. On a shelf are rows of little bottles with samples of milk for the Babcock tester. Near the creamery is the modest home of Capt. David Cleaveland, the liveliest of veterans. He was in Co. B, 34th Ill., and participated in Shiloh, Kenesaw and other hard engagements. As he talks of those stirring times his eye brightens and he is again leading the charge on the rifle pits.
Wept o'er his wounds, or tales of sorrow done, Shouldered his crutch, and showed how fields were won.
Only the captain is none of Goldsmith's erippled victims.
The Grand Army, John A. Parrott Post, 543, is a thrifty organization, owning their own building. They oeeupy the upper floor, renting the lower for a store. A well furnished apartment, with portraits on the walls of Wash- ington, Grant, Garfield, MeKinley. A kitehen and dining room for festi- vals. The invaluable treasure of the place is a library of some 200 stout volumes, containing a complete reeord of the Rebellion, Union and Con- federate. It was presented by the lamented Hitt. There are twenty-three veterans in the post. The W. R. C. also oceupy the room with their meetings.
OLD LANDMARK GONE.
What was known as the Annis House was taken down in January, 1908. Nathan Thompson, who came in 1844, says the building was there at that time, and was ereeted about 1841 or 42. It was last occupied by H. A. Sturtevant as a residence. As a hotel it goes back to the early days of the stage coach, and saw mueh of primitive travel and exeitement. Walnut was cheaper than pine, as it was a native wood, and the writer secured a piece of a door jamb for the Historical Society, which is as hard and bright as ever after sixty years of usefulness. Peace to its ashes.
Among the agricultural diversions of the community is the Rock River Poultry Association, which held its third annual show in Dce., 1907. Four hundred birds were on exhibition from tiny bantams to eolossal White Brahmas. Entries of all elasses of the feathered tribe, Plymouth and Buff Rock, Wyandottes, turkeys and gecse, fantail and carrier pigeons. A unique exhibit of ring-necked pheasants of II. Cleaveland attracted much attention. Sufficient premiums are awarded to induee a generous display. The officers in charge were gratified with the liberal patronage extended. There is a popular fondness for fowl, not only at shows, but at holiday dinners.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
IN MEMORIAM. Friend after friend departs; Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts, That finds not here an end. Were this frail world our only rest,
Living or dying, none were blest .- Montgomery.
When the news spread over Prophetstown on Saturday night, Oetober 19, 1907, that Professor Ellison was dead, every heart felt a personal loss. He had long been in deelining health, had remained in the sehoolroom after repeated warnings of the danger, but an unwillingness to surrender his life work impelled a continuanee, and the end was unavoidable. The hero died in the harness. .
Willard Sylvester Ellison was a natural teaeher, and took all pains to equip himself for the career. He studied at Valparaiso, at Illinois and Iowa universities and various normal schools. After ten years in distriet sehools, Gridley in Ustiek, Thompson in Carroll, Miles in Iowa, Garden Plain and Unionville, he entered upon his final position as head of the sehools in Prophetstown. Eighteen beautiful years! Beautiful in every relation in life, teaeher, father, friend, husband, eitizen. His pupils, old and young, cherished for him the profoundest affeetion. Not simply an edueator, but a leader in every good word and work. The famous Dr. Arnold of Rugby left a deathless example of faithfulness after fourteen years of serviee. Elli- son was eighteen in Prophetstown.
Never did the village witness a more impressive funeral. The Congre- gational church was paeked with a mourning community. The ministers of the town all took part.
The pallbearers escorting the flower laden casket were Messrs. N. W. Paddoek, R. C. Forkey, M. P. Brewer, B. E. Hurd, Simon Keiser and S. D. Gostelow. The short opening service was in charge of Rev. Doble, who eoneluded with a fervent prayer. Rev. Mr. Burdick delivered a sermon, the text of which was a portion of Paul's letter to Timothy. The lesson was a beautiful tribute to the life of Prof. Ellison, who had fought the good fight and won the victory. The old ehureh choir composed of Mr. and Mrs. Fenn, Mr. and Mrs. Daggett, Mr. Case and Mrs. Paddock, rendered several exeel- lent and appropriate seleetions. Rev. Mr. Edgren pronouneed the benedietion.
Prof. Ellison was born in Springfield, Illinois, January 28, 1857. His father died in 1862, liis aged mother is still living. He was married in 1886 to Miss Alice Heberling, who with four children, remains to mourn his loss.
A movement is in progress by the pupils and eitizens to ereet a suitable monument to his memory.
But to the hero, when his sword Has won the battle for the free, Thy voiee sounds like a prophet's word; And in its hollow tones are heard The thanks of millions yet to be .- Halleck.
.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Unlike the good Indians, the old soldiers are not all in the cemetery, but dozens of them walk the streets, proud to enjoy the land they fought to save. The gray-haired veterans meet almost daily at the postoffice, where they hear the gossip of the street. H. L. Johnson, cousin of L. L., of Ster- ling, 147th Ill. Infantry. Emmitt Underhill, 34th Ill., re-enlisted in 1864, and reealls the grand review in Washington, May, 1865. All the veterans agree that this parade of the tattered flags and bronzed uniforms was the most glorious event in the military annals of the world. E. P. Beardslee, 34th Ill., Co. K, 1861-1864, now past sixty-six, lost a finger at Corinth. Ed Reynolds, 75th Ill., was shot in the side. George Potter, seventy, 2nd Ver- mont Volunteers, 1861-1864, went through the Battles of the Wilderness, and was wounded in the side. At the funeral of Henry Giles, 34th Ill., were Comrades Osear Olmstead, F. U. Brewer, Charles Birdsall, Levi Hopkins, Harrison Johnson, Emmitt Underhill and Captain Cleaveland." The Grand Army is crossing the river.
SOME OLD FAMILIES.
Of the original settlers of Prophetstown, none are left, afid even their descendants are scaree. The Warners are an exception. Jabez Warner, who came from St. Louis in 1837, had nine children, some of whom became prominent. Edward B., afterwards in Morrison and county treasurer; Sarah C., who married Silas Sears, county surveyor, and who, still living at eighty, the writer had the pleasure of visiting. She lives in one side of her large dwelling, and keeps house by herself, bright in mind, although somewhat feeble in body. She has a distinet remembrance of the early days. Indians were numerous and continual beggars. Her mother never denied them anything, gave a loaf of bread whenever they asked for it. There was a lurking suspicion that at any time they might attempt a massaere. A son of Jabez was John H., who married Miss Clarissa E. Bryant. IIe spent his later years with his daughter, Orpha, widow of George Shaw. Mr. Warner died in 1907 at ninety or more, to the last busy about the flower beds and garden. The low briek house in which Mrs. Shaw lives is a relie, built in 1856, and in fine preservation. A daughter, Eliza A., married Andrew J. Tuller, a business man, who afterwards removed to Sterling. They had a daughter, Mary, a lovely girl. The whole family are gone, except Will, a jeweler in Chicago.
Anthony J. Mattson, who came to the young town in 1838, was for many years its representative eitizen. He was postmaster in 1848, merchant in 1852, banker in 1855. He entered heartily into every movement to improve the place, and worked successfully to secure railroad facilities. Dur- ing the war he was provost marshal, and then chief clerk in the U. S. Reve- nue assessor's office. He was cashier of the First National Bank, organized in 1872. Only 67 at his death in 1885. A useful and strenuous career.
Judge Reynolds, as he was commonly called, or Nathaniel G. Reynolds, came in 1835 from New York by lake to Detroit, and thence by team with wife and five children to Chicago and the' Roek river country. Flour was twenty dollars a barrel. He passed through the usual primitive hardships,
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
and was so highly esteemed that he was elected to responsible positions, county commissioner, deputy marshal, justice of the peace and cight years county judge. In 1860 he removed to Sterling, and died there in 1866. The writer often saw Judge in his declining years. He was a plain, sociable gentleman of the old school.
Of the Olmstead clan, George is the best known member. His father, Oliver, a native of Canada, came in 1837. He married Electa Hunt, and the honeymoon was enjoyed in a log cabin with frozen pork and cornbread, instead of roast goose with oyster stuffing. George lives like a king on a main street, and is never absent from Sunday school conventions.
The Ramsay name is kept bright and illustrious by Judge Frank D. long a successful lawyer in Morrison. His father, Luther, came in 1839.
But the Nestor of Prophetstown is Nathan Thompson, born in 1822, here since 1845. He is court of last resort on all antiquarian matters about the village. No appeal from Nate's decision.
HAMDEN A. STURTEVANT. Blow, wind! come, wrack ! At least, we'll die with harness on our back .- Macbeth.
When Mr. Sturtevant died in February, 1908, Prophetstown lost her oldest business man. Not only prosperous himself, but the instrument of prosperity for others. Busy from a boy.
At the age of twenty-one he engaged in stock buying for A. J. Patter- son of Rock Falls. For three years he served this man and with so great success that when he concluded to go for himself he was receiving a salary of $1,500 per ycar. His success followed him and for years he was well known in the old Chicago stock yards district. For 37 years a resident of the town. He was nearly seventy.
A little fire is quickly trodden out,
Which, being suffered, rivers cannot quench .- Shakespeare.
Early on Monday morning, Jan. 27, 1908, Prophetstown had her second serious fire. It began on Sunday night in the basement of Kempster's hardware store, and before the flames were under control, the whole concern, including the extensive implement stock, the largest in the county, was destroyed. The Turck restaurant building was much damaged. States Attorney Waitc's library, Dr. Hart's new medical office and supplies were consumed. Some adjacent properties injured. The total loss reaching $50,- 000. R. W. Kempster & Co. had an insurance of $33,000, but still lost about $13,000. Partial insurance on the others.
One of the new industrial enterprises is what is called Diamond Pattern Lumber. It is something novel. Simply a wooden pattern for sills, stair treads, cngine platforms, any place where a firm foot-hold is desired. This pattern is ready for the foundry. You buy the style desired, and take to · the foundry to be cast, thus saving wages of a patternmaker. The pattern is made in pieces eight feet long, six to twelve inches wide, of clear lumber
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
stock. Dr. J. H. Tascher is president of the Macdonald Manufacturing Com- pany, and the business has already extended over the United States and even abroad. Pins are stuck on a map in the office of the points giving orders, and the cities reach from sea to sea, lakes to gulf.
Most of the fraternal orders are in flourishing condition, electing officers every winter, and closing with a sumptuous banquet. A long list. Among them the Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors, the Pythians, the Frater- nal Reserves. At the social of the Rebekahs on one occasion a basket sale realized $35, and a dance concluded the festivities. The Royal Neighbors have readings, music and drills, and suppers where 250 plates are laid. The Mystic Workers are growing rapidly, and at their functions discuss their plum pudding to the sweet strains of a lively orchestra.
There are three banks: Farmers' National Bank, organized in 1902, with a capital of $60,000, and deposits by last report of $133,907. Nathan Thompson is president; George E. Paddock, cashier; and O. P. Petty, assist- ant cashier. The Citizens' Bank, T. F. Jamison, cashier. This is a private concern, organized by Mrs. E. M. Warner and Charles J. Warner. Bank of Prophetstown, also private; president, George E. Paddock; cashier, H. E. Paddock. This is the oldest institution in the town, in operation for thirty years.
The population in 1900 was 1,143, but by the school census, it is now nearly 1,500.
Taxes for 1908 were generally higher all over the county, and the fol- lowing for Prophetstown will give a good idea of other townships:
State tax
$2,803
County tax
4,220
Town tax 517
Road and bridge tax 4,505
School tax
8,862
City tax
3,868
Dog tax
105
Total
$24,822
The principal places where popular entertainments are given are Sholes Hall and the Dudley auditorium.
ITEMS.
Good traveling all over the town. Ten miles of cement sidewalks.
Henry Stewart, who lives to the south, ships honey, 1,500 pounds at a time, to Galesburg. He has cement floors in his winter bee house, and other appliances to keep the "How doth the little busy bee, improve each shining hour," in good heart for spring.
E. C. Dodge & Company have added a new churn, and a new eight horsepower gas engine, to meet the demands of their creamery.
Hotel Eureka entertains the wayfarer in satisfactory style. Rates, two dollars a day. C. A. Gould, an energetic young man, is proprietor.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
One mile from town is the wagon bridge of four arches over Rock river, not so wide here as further up.
A village organization under state law. George E. Paddock is president two years, with six trustees, three elected for two years' term.
Good electric service, the plant under private management.
A lecture course of four entertainments was given in 1908 under the auspiees of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist church.
There is no complete system of sewerage, and this is doubtless one of the next enterprises of the progressive place, as the water supply is abundant.
LEON.
I love tranquil solitude And such society
As is quiet, wise, and good .- Shelley.
About seven miles south of Prophetstown on the border line of the township and Henry county is the sequestered village of Leon. A neighbor- hood of intelligent, industrious people, hearty in their support of an earnest and growing ehureh and a small but excellent school. The building is new, and one of the best in the county. Miss Rena Seyller, teacher in 1908, is a graduate of the Prophetstown high school, and prepared for her work at De Kalb Normal, and was in her third year of service.
The church has almost one hundred members, several having been added during a revival in the winter of 1908. There is an Epworth League of 35 active members, and a flourishing Ladies' Aid society. Rev. I. P. Berry, the pastor, after a course at Oberlin, Valparaiso and De Kalb Normals, and ten years in public schools, engaged in ministerial work.
For a small place, a variety of gatherings and functions during the winter to divert and instruct in the way of sociables, home plays, public concerts and lectures. Once Ralph Bingham was on the list. The popula- tion of Leon is about 125. A farming community, and the growth is gradual.
The quiet of the hamlet was rudely broken on Nov. 20, 1905, by the shooting of Burton Mapes, a farmer, by Arthur Handley, who had been working for him. The affray occurred half mile south of Leon, at a eross- road, near a cornfield. The men had a dispute about wages, and Handley drew his revolver and fired a bullet which pierced the side and lungs of Mapes, killing him instantly. In the trial, Handley claimed that Mapes assaulted him and that the shot was fired in self defense. Handley was taken before Justice Mathis, then to the county jail, and on the meeting of the grand jury, indicted for murder. William Allen of Erie, and H. C. Ward of Sterling defended the prisoner. States Attorney Stager, assisted by C. L. Sheldon prosecuted the case. Judge E. C. Graves presided. Morrison was the scene of great excitement during the trial, which continued several days, summoning numerous witnesses, and attracting erowds of eurious spec- tators. The case was given to the jury at 11:28 a. m. on Monday, and on Wednesday at 10:08 a. m., they returned the verdiet of Not Guilty. A demonstration of applause in court, which the Judge suppressed. One fea-
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ture lent a slight romance to the trial and won sympathy for the accused. His betrothed, Miss Gracia Goodell, a sprightly maiden of eighteen, was a close observer of events. Mrs. Mapes, wife of the victim, was also in con- stant attendance.
As a specimen of criminal expense, the various items as published at the time, are given :
Assembling of jury
$ 700.00
Judge's fecs
80.00
1
Sheriff
120.00
Circuit clerk hire
48.00
Jury's fees
192.00
Board for jury
108.00
Foreign witnesses
125.40
Assistant attorneys for state.
1,000.00
$2,373.40
The forty cents recalls the incident of the loafer who provided a fishing outfit of two jugs of whisky and one loaf of bread, and was asked why he wanted so much bread. As will be seen, the county always loscs by a mur- der trial, one citizen and considerable cash.
Two lively wecklies chronicle passing events. The Echo, established in 1892 by William Wilson. In 1896 it was purchased by Cleaveland and Hotchkiss, and in 1906, transferred to E. G. Mathis. Since October of that year he has been in control. Eight pages and six columns to a page. Repub- lican in politics. To use the language of Mr. Mathis, the Echo is purely a local newspaper, standing pre-eminently for Prophetstown, her interests and her people. No better weekly in the county.
The older of the two is the Whiteside Bulletin, originally the Prophets- town Spike. It was established Sept. 2, 1871, and took its name at the sug- gestion of a patron because the last spike had been driven on the branch railroad that entered Prophetstown in March of that ycar. It was one of the first papers established in the county south of Rock river. Until Jan., 1878, it was managed by A. D. Hill, gaining a good local circulation, and was quite an influential publication, politically independent. The next owner and publisher was John W. Olmstead, who after conducting the paper for some months, sold it to C. G. Glenn. He transferred it to A. W. H. Frazer, and in May, 1883, A. D. Hill again purchased the business, conduct- ing it to Feb., 1888, when he disposed of it to Mrs. H. P. Greene. The next publishers were Case and Mathis, then R. C. Turner, and now E. J. Cunningham.
WOODLANDS OF WHITESIDE.
Woodman, forbear thy stroke! Cut not its earth-bound tics; Oh, spare that aged oak, Now towering to the skies !- George P. Morris.
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Where is my cabin-door, fast by the wild wood? Sisters and sire, did ye weep for its fall ?- Campbell.
Where are the luxuriant groves that once gave a charm to the carly landscape? The Indians left them, the first settlers found them. But they are slowly and sadly disappearing. The places that knew them, shall soon know them no more forever. Like the buffalo, they are falling before civili- zation.
Where arc Buffalo Grove, Hickory Grove, Round Grove, Gap Grove, and dozens of others? Those not entirely cleared away are mere shadows of their former extent. These bodies of timber seemed like old friends with their welcome shade and protection to men fresh from the hills of New Eng- land, New York and Pennsylvania. The early settlers seemed to have a respect for forests that had grown for a century. They used them only for the development of their farms. They did not estimate them by the cord, and turn the product into money. The commercial spirit was not abroad to stifle sentiment and spoil the panorama. It was reserved for the second generation to clear the native woods, and put the land into corn and potatoes. The tree, like the negro in Dred Scott, had no rights which a white man was bound to respect.
There are still bodies of timber along the Elkhorn and Rock river, but the various woodlands scattered through the townships are much smaller. A few years ago at Emerson a large tract of timber was cut away, and Coe's grove in Jordan is yearly receding. It seems to be considered sharp manage- ment to clear the land and farm every acre.
All this is, of course, poor housekeeping. The United States is approach- ing a tímber famine. Walnut, oak and other hard woods, pine, maple, are yearly becoming scarcer, and the government has found it necessary to reserve 160,000,000 acres on the western slope for future lumber needs of the country. So the railroads realize the situation. The Pennsylvania has set out 550,000 trees, and the Santa Fc system is considering the merits of the Eucalyptus of Australia.
Another fact. Why do the Ohio and other large rivers, the Elkhorn and the creeks rise so rapidly after rains and overflow their banks? The water dashes over the bare hills or plains with nothing to check, while woodlands catch the rain as in a reservoir and give it off in gradual supply.
It would seem a wise thing, then to cherish our woodlands, and make an effort to supply the loss. Most farmers plant a few trees for shade around the house, or a row for windbreak about the orchard. They have not yet reached the stage of the Kansas men who set out acres of trees and culti- vate like corn until they form a grove, and are able to take care of them- selves.
Norway plants annually 1,500,000 trees to take the place of those consumed in the manufacture of wood pulp, which is one of her chief arti- cles of export.
Two farmers in Whiteside have given this subject of forestry the con- sideration is deserves. Tobias Kauffman in Jordan in 1876 had the happy
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
and patriotic thought of starting a centennial grove, setting out an acre of Norway spruce and white pine in nursery rows. As they became too thick, he thinned them out, and today, after thirty years, some of the cvergreens are two feet in diameter. They stand north of the house, and not only answer as a living bulwark against the polar blizzards, but form a cheerful ornament, summer or winter, for the pleasure of the passing traveler.
More recent is the scheme of A. N. Abbott, Ustick, of the state experi- ment station. In a note he informs the writer that he aims to have eighty acres in forest. Sixty to be planted, twenty in an old wood lot to be man- aged under forest care. He has already planted 25,000 trees on twenty acres, and intends to plant 10,000 in the spring. The kinds are mostly black walnut and hardy catalpa. He has set out two thousand white pine, 2,500 white ash, also black walnut, tamarack, spruce, black cherry, Russian mul- berry, larch, osage, cottonwood, maple, elm. He adapts the trees to soils suitable. The writer was on the land devoted to this experimental forest, and was surprised at the rapid growth of the trees, especially black walnut. It is to be hoped that Mr. Abbott's example will find numerous imitators everywhere in Illinois.
LYNDON.
On Linden when the sun was low, All bloodless lay the untrodden snow, And dark as winter was the flow Of Iser rolling rapidly .- Campbell.
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