USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside county, Illinois, from its first settlement to the present time, with numerous Biographical and Family Sketches > Part 22
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GEORGE STEELE was born in New Hartford, Connecticut, in 1800; was married, in 1832, to Miss Mary Ann Pingree, of Nova Scotia. Mr. Steele died December 10, 1871. Mrs. Steele still survives, and is now one of the oldest re- maining settlers of Erie township. She has a vivid recollection of the pioneer days. Mr. Steele was a peddler in his younger days, and sold clocks to the New Englanders and Nova Scotia people. Judge Halliburton, the author of the fa- mous satire, "Sam Slick," spent many days riding on Mr. Steele's wagon, glean- ing from him incidents of his peddler's life, which he wove into his book.
CHARLES R. COBURN settled in Erie in 1839. He was born in Broome county, New York, in 1804; married Hannah Maxwell in 1827. Mrs. Coburn died in 1860; Mr. Coburn in 1865.
JOHN FREEK was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1806; emigrated to Amer- ica in 1830, and settled at Geneva, N. Y., but subsequently went to New Jer- sey, where he was married. In October, 1835, he settled in Erie, with his brother-in-law, Joseph Fenton. Their settlement was near the present town line. He was instrumental in establishing religious services and Sunday schools in Erie and Newton townships, and did much to develop the new country which he found a wilderness upon his advent here forty-two years ago. His family experienced the privations of pioneer life, having gone to bed after making a meal of stewed pumpkins, their only food. The early settlers of Erie found many Indians, but they were friendly, and traded with the settlers fish and game. With the exception of their thievish habits, the Indians were not bad neighbors. In 1875 Mr. Freek emigrated to Kansas, where he now resides. Children: William, born March 10, 1834-died December 13, 1859; John, jr., born in Erie in 1837-resides in Kansas; Samuel, born January 13, 1839-died January 17, 1860; Ann, born July 4, 1843-married Joseph Guthrie; Thomas E., who was in the 8th Illinois cavalry regiment-died January 15, 1865.
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HISTORY OF ERIE VILLAGE.
JAMES C. HUBBART is a native of the town of Sanford, Broome county, New York, and was born October 12, 1822. In May, 1837, he started with his parents for the then far West, stopping for nearly a year in Michigan, and on the 20th of February, 1838, arrived at Lyndon, Whiteside county. The family remained here only about four weeks, and then moved to a place half a mile east of the present city of Morrison, finally locating on Delhi prairie, in Union Grove township. Mr. Hubbart remained on the farm in Union Grove until the death of his father in 1842, when he spent the following three years in traveling through Wisconsin and New York States, and returned in August, 1845, again taking possession of the farm. In 1855 he sold the farm, and purchased an- other in Erie township to which he removed and upon which he has continued to reside since. October 14, 1855, he married Miss Mariah L. Putney, at Erie, the following being the children of this union: Mary J., born February 15, 1857; Luella May, born June 22, 1861, and James, born February 11, 1866. Mr. Hubbart is an active go-a-head business man, and to him the village of Erie is indebted for the erection of a grist mill in 1870, store in 1871, and cheese factory in 1873. He ran the store, keeping it stocked with goods, until 1877. A few such men only are needed to build up a town-men who do not hold back but push forward every enterprise that will aid the growth and prosperity of the place.
HISTORY OF ERIE VILLAGE.
The land upon which the village of Erie stands was entered by James Mc- Millen about 1850, and the old section of the town was laid out soon after- wards by Samuel Carr, M. G. Wonser, James McMillen, and George Marks. Previous to the laying out of the town there were several log cabins on the site, among them the Brooks', Carr's tavern, and a school house. In addition it is stated that on the present town site and the neighborhood, George, Henry, and Harvey Steele, James Early, E. Warner, John Freek, A. Putney, Charles R. Coburn, and William Teats had residences. The regular trips of the Rock Island and Dixon stages enlivened the new village. About 1849-'50 the post- office was removed from Crandall's Ferry to the village, with C. C. Teats, Post- master. M. G. Wonser started the first store, he having a general assortment; although it is represented that about the same time, or before, a man by the name of L. Higley offered a small stock of notions for sale. Dr. Grover, now a merchant in Erie, came next year with a considerable stock of goods. Wonser's store, also used for a dwelling honse, was the first frame building in the village; the log hotel was next supplanted by a frame building. Frame structures were next erected by Charles Coburn, Tyler Whipple, and Hiram Harmon. The first church edifice was built by the United Brethren in 1854. Henry Bolton started a blacksmith shop in 1850. C. C. Teats was the first lawyer, and Dr. Fetters the first resident physician, he locating in 1849 or '50. Dr. Lord was in Erie in 1852.
A lively interest was taken in schools and churches, business increased, and the town grew steadily until railroads began to multiply, running to other towns in the county, Erie having none. In 1857-'58 the Sterling and Rock Island Railroad was projected, and graded in the latter year. There was much excitement, and selling lots in Erie became an important business. Everybody talked real estate and corner lots, and upon certain days lot sales were made. The farmers along the line mortgaged their property to build the road, and all were sanguine; but, like many other promising enterprises, the end was failure, and ruin was the portion of many who generously and confidently gave mort- gages to assist in building the road. The bed was graded for a considerable
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
distance, and then the matter ended and Erie did not advance; but in 1869 the desire of the village was gratified, for January 20th of that year the locomotive steamed into Erie upon the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad. The town at once took a new lease of life, and general activity took the place of apathy. Business houses began to multiply, and the trade of the wealthy surrounding farming country that had gone elsewhere began to pour into Erie, since which time the place has had a steady and substantial growth.
The first saw mill was built in Erie in 1855 by A. J. Osborne and Fain Thompson; the mill was run by steam power. The first steam flouring mill was erected and run by Simonson & Ritchie in 1868. The present grist mill was put up by J. C. Hubbart in 1871. An excellent cheese factory was built in 1873 by the same gentlemen. It is now managed by Robert Shelletto, and does a good business.
The following is a list of business houses, etc., in Erie:
Three general stores, two hardware stores, two drug stores, two manufac- turers and dealers in boots and shoes, one furniture store, two hotels, two saloons, one meat market, two harness shops, five millinery and dress-making establishments, two grain elevators, one cheese factory, one steam flouring mill, two livery stables, one barber shop, one cooper shop, two blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, three carpenter shops, two paint shops, one windmill manufactory, one agricultural implement house, two pump dealers, one photograph gallery, one florist, two lawyers, three physicians, three churches, one Masonic lodge, one division of the Sons of Temperance.
Erie has also a fine public school of three departments-M. H. Hanna, Principal. The best of teachers are employed; a lively interest is taken by the citizens in the school, and by these combined influences the rising generation of Erie and vicinity is afforded unusual advantages for acquiring an education.
Until 1872 Erie was not incorporated, but in that year the village incor- porated under an act of the Legislature, approved April 10, 1872. July 31, 1872, a number of the citizens of Erie presented a petition to Wm. Lane, Judge of the County Court, praying that the village be incorporated, and August 20, 1872, an election was held to vote upon the question of incorporation, at which 53 votes were east "for" and 21 "against." September 17, 1872, an election was held, when six trustees were elected, viz: A. J. Osborne, James Collins, John D. Fenton, Joseph Grover, W. L. Mitchell and M. S. Johnson. Since organization the question of "license" or "no license" for saloons has annually been the issue, as in other towns. At present licenses are granted to saloons upon payment of $300.00.
CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.
Baptist Society :- The Baptist Church of Erie was not formally organized until March 24, 1854, although Elder Carpenter preached in Erie prior to 1840; but until the church organization the people of that denomination had worshiped at other points, and with other churches in their own town, receiving an occa- sional supply. The council met March 25, 1854, Rev. Wm. Rutledge, modera- tor, and Rev. J. Van Vleck, clerk. The Baptist Church of Erie was formally recognized the next day. Rev. L. L. Lansing, as the first pastor, served the church one year; the church has since been supplied by Revs. Smith, Terwilli- ger, Carpenter, Roney, Barden, Stott, Hanna, Burnham, and Geo. H. Brown, the present pastor. In 1869-770 a comfortable and pleasant house of worship was erected, which was dedicated May 8, 1870. The present membership is about 80.
Methodist Episcopal Society :- The Methodist Church of Erie has long had an existence, dating back to 1839, when the first regular preaching was
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commenced by Rev. Norris Hobart. Very soon after a Sunday School was or- ganized with John Freek, Superintendent. Prior to that time the handful of believers had enjoyed occasional services from the missionary preachers who tra- versed the new country. Thos. Freek, now residing near Erie, remembers the following persons as composing the first class: John Freek and wife, Mrs. Hunt, A. Brooks and wife, and Mrs. James Early. Among the first preachers he men- tions McMurtay, Kirkpatrick, Buck, Stuff, Campbell, Mckean, Cartwright and Philleo. Services were held in the old log school house. Since the first feeble start the Methodist Church has steadily grown, and now has a comfortable church edifice, a membership of nearly 100, and a flourishing Sunday School. A portion of the history of the Erie church, and the name of ministers who sup- plied the people, will be found in the history of the Methodist church of Morrison, as Erie and Union Grove, formerly Morrison church, were long in the same circuit
Sons of Temperance :- Erie Division, No. 999, Sons of Temperance, was organized January 5, 1875, with 38 members. A. M. Early, W. P., Luther E. Matthews, D. G. W. P. The Division has met with varying fortunes, but at present is on a substantial footing and doing an earnest work in its proper field. August 1, 1877, the membership was 100. In connection there is a Band of Hope, No. 60, numbering over 100 members, and rapidly increasing in member- ship.
Masonic Lodge :- Erie Lodge No. 667, A. F. and A. M., was instituted October 18, 1870. Charter members: Benj. West, R. L. Burchell, A. M. Early, S. C. Teats, Arthur McLane, C. C. Teats, C. M. Teats, J. A. Meighan, J. Meeks, A. M. Crary, W. R. Davis, H. K. Wells, R. Sage, C. C. Smith, J. F. Dickinson, P. Brake, A. Huffman. First officers: A. M. Crary, W. M .; B. West, S. W .; A. McLane, J. W .; R. L. Burchell, Treasurer; H. K. Wells, Secretary; S. C. Teats, S. D .; C. M Teats, J. D .; W. R. Davis, Tyler. The lodge numbers 40 members, and has lately incorporated under the State law, and purchased a substantial hall. Present officers: Samuel Orcutt, W. M .; O. S. Martin, S. W .; Wm. Ritchie, J. W .; A. S. Round, Treasurer; G. G. Martin, Secretary; J. L. W. Grover, S. D .; Geo. Fadden, J. D; W. R. Davis, Tyler.
CHAPTER IX.
HISTORY OF FULTON TOWNSHIP-HISTORY OF THE CITY OF FULTON-NEWS- PAPERS-CHURCHES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
HISTORY OF FULTON TOWNSHIP.
Fulton was originally a part of Albany Precinct, and afterwards cre- ated a Precinct by itself, and so remained until 1852, when it was made a town- ship by the Commissioners appointed by the County Commissioners' Court. It is described as fractional township 22 north of the base line of range 3 east of the 4th Principal Meridian. Where a part of the city of Fulton stands, and for a short distance to the north and northeast of it, the land is made up of high bluffs, overlooking the river on one side and a wide expanse of country on the other. The balance of the town is low land, and a part of it, lying along the Cattail creek, subject to overflow during times of high water in the river. Most of this land, however, is very fertile, and in favorable seasons large crops are raised upon it. Some of the land, also, in the east and south parts of the town is sandy. The township includes a portion of the large island north of the city. Considerable quantities of wood are yet cut on this island, and brought down to the city and sold. Besides the great river which bounds it on the west, the town is watered by the Cattail and Otter creeks. Both city and township are also supplied with abundance of excellent wells. In the northern part of the city are some large quarries, from which an excellent quality of stone for building and other purposes is taken. The bluffs in the eastern and northern parts of the city also contain lead, but in rather limited quantities. When the town was first settled there were evidences of works having been used by the Indians for smelting the lead ore. A row of red cedar posts was also found extending from the river bank, at the street now known as Ferry street, all the way over the bluffs to the location of the present bridge over the Cattail ereek. These posts were from twelve to fourteen feet high. Their uses are not known. The smelting furnaces just spoken of were situated in a slight depression of land in the northern part of the present city of Fulton, about two hundred rods from the river, and were made by excavating the ground about six feet from the common surface. They were filled up when first discovered, but upon the ground being removed large quantities of smelted lead and lead ore in the natural state were found, besides Indian relics, such as spear heads, rude knives, battle axes, and several brass pots. The land sloping south was found to have been Indian corn fields, and the whole surface dotted with tumuli made by the squaws, in which the corn was grown. Evidences of an Indian town occupying the site of the present city of Fulton were also found, and from the great number of them it is conjectured that the town was one of considera- ble size. The Narrows appeared to have been a favorite crossing-place for the Aborigines. Leading to the river from the eastward was a path which had been worn to the depth of two or three feet by the ponies. There were quite a large number of Indians of the Winnebago, Pottawattamie and Fox tribes remaining in and around Fulton when the early settlers came in, who mingled freely with them. The Cattail slough was a great hunting ground for furs, and in the
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HISTORY OF FULTON TOWNSHIP.
proper season the Indians would pitch their tents wherever they chose, over this ground, and hunt and trap the fur-bearing animals. They were not troub- lesome to the settlers.
Some years ago the latitude and longitude of Fulton was taken by James Haun, United States Government Surveyor. The place was found to be in lat- itude 41 deg., 52 min., 3 see. north, and longitude 90 deg., 11 min., 3 see. west of Greenwich.
The first settler in Fulton, and consequently father of the place, was Mr. John Baker, a native of Queen Ann's county, Maryland. Upon arriving at his majority he went to Washington City, but remained there only a short time, and then went to New Orleans and entered into business with the full intention of making that city his permanent home. He was driven from there, however, in 1832 by that dreadful scourge the Asiatic cholera, which raged there with fearful and fatal foree during that year. On leaving New Orleans he coneluded to follow the Mississippi river upward until he found a place which appeared to him to be favorably located for the foundation of a town, being fully impressed that it was better to be a pioneer, and suffer the hardships of a pioneer's life, than to dwell in a city whose very air was tainted with disease, although sur- rounded while residing there by all the conveniences and luxuries of life. Borne on the noble stream by such eraft as were in use at that day, he came upward until he reached Roek Island, where he disembarked and pursued his way by land to what is now known as the Meredocia, a few miles below Albany. Here he was found in November, 1833, by Norman D. French (now of Carroll county), who was assisting United States Government surveyors at that time in running the meander line on the Mississippi river, and subdividing the fractional townships on the east bank of the river from the mouth of Roek river to the northwest corner of Whiteside county. He remained at the Meredocia but a short time, and then came further up the river, and made a elaim and built a cabin on the bank of the Mississippi, a short distance above the present village of Albany. During his stay at this place he occupied his time in prospecting, as he felt sure that not far from there he would find a location such as he de- sired for the establishment of a town. It did not take him long to find this location, for his eye soon fell on the Narrows of the Mississippi, and his elear judgment told him that at no distant day they would become an important point in the commercial and business world of the great West. He consequently remained but one season at his temporary quarters near Albany, and in the spring of 1835 drew up a claim for the ground where the city of Fulton now stands, and also for a quantity of land east of the town. Upon this land, near the Cattail creek, he erected a small building, the site being now occupied by the farm-house on Mrs. R. S. Sayre's farm. He lived alone at this place for the first year, as he had done on his claims. at the Meredoeia and near Albany. The Indians were quite numerous around him at the time, but, by his uniform kindness to and courtesy towards them, he won them over to be his friends, and they so remained until their final departure for their far-west reservation.
During his residence here he entertained numerous persons who were seeking the Mississippi river or the Territory of Iowa, for even at that early day the Upper Mississippi had become noted as possessing many advantageous locations for business purposes, and Iowa for the exceeding richness and fertil- ity of its soil and the healthfulness of its climate.
The house, or cabin, as it was called, was a small one, boasting of only three diminutive rooms; yet those who came there of an evening always found a good supper, night's lodging, and breakfast in the morning. Mr. John W. Baker, the second settler, as will be seen hereafter, informs us how very large
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parties were entertained by Mr. Baker. We will give one instance. Late in the fall of 1836 the steamboats became frozen in the rapids at Rock Island, on their way to Galena, necessitating the passengers to take the land route. One afternoon after this occurrence about twenty persons came to Mr. Baker's cabin, and, being wearied, wanted to stay all night. He told them he would keep them the best he could, and soon served them with a supper of beef, potatoes and coffee, using tin cups for the latter; and as there were more cus- tomers than cups, some had to wait until their more fortunate companions had finished quaffing their portion of the beverage. These parties had no sooner been supplied than twenty more came, and, as it was dark, they could not go any farther, there being no house nearer than Savanna; twenty miles distant. The question arose, " What can we do with the last comers?" A supper could be given them, but where were they to sleep, as the first twenty had the pref- erence of the house? It was finally decided to have John W. Baker go out into the woods just north of the house and build a big fire by the side of a huge log- for it was cold and there was snow on the ground-and by that fire the last twenty were to encamp, with such blankets and other covering as the family could afford. This was done, the first twenty being packed somewhere in the house, and the other encamped Indian fashion around the fire in the woods. At daylight in the morning all had their breakfast, and soon after started on their route as joyfully as though they had slept on "beds of downy ease," and fared at the table of a Dement house. There are many persons yet living who have pleasant recollections of Mr. Baker's hostelry near the Cattail. In 1850 Mr. Baker went to California to seek relief from the asthma, a disease with which he had been afflicted for some time, and remained there for nearly three years. On his return, however, the disease again became troublesome, and on the breaking out of the gold excitement in Colorado he went thither, partly for its relief, and partly to reap a rich reward in the "diggings " of the new Eldo- rado. He finally ended his wanderings by settling down in the city of Fulton, where he built a brick house on Broadway, now occupied by Justice T. H. Smith, in which he died in December, 1863, at the age of 63 years. Mr. Baker was twice married. His first wife was Miss Maria Allen, whom he married at Port Byron, Rock Island county, Illinois, in July, 1836. He was married to his second wife, Mrs. Humphrey, at Elkhorn Grove, Ogle county, in the spring of 1840. There was one child by the first wife, William Baker, who now lives in O'Brien county, Iowa. His widow is still living, and resides with Mrs. John Phelps, a daughter by her first marriage, in the city of Fulton. Although at an advanced age, her recollection of early Fulton is still strong and vivid.
The second settler was John W. Baker, now a well to do farmer, and resi- dent of Garden Plain. John W. also came from Queen Ann's county, Maryland, and was attracted to the Mississippi by the glowing accounts of his uncle, the original John. He came in the fall of 1836, and brought with him his wife, three sisters and a niece. At that time there were no houses in Fulton, and for the first season all lived with John Baker in the little house near the Cattail and helped entertain the travelers and land seekers who were then flock- ing "Westward, Ho." Edward Rolph and Thomas Dale came the same year.
Quite a large accession was made to the infant settlement in 1837, the fol- lowing being the arrivals : James McCoy, Henry C. Fellows, Dr. Daniel Reed, R. J. Jenks, Jeremiah Humphreys, Alvin Humphreys, George W. Kellogg, John B. Jenkins, Robert Booth, John Redfern, Henry M. Grinnold, John Grinnold, Jesse Johnson, William H. Knight, David Ross, Hosea Jacobs, Isaac Wickson, Lyman Blake, Enos Herdman, J. B. Rhodes, Moses Barlow, Allen Graves, Jonathan Briggs, A. Briggs, Thomas Baker, Edward Cow-
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drey and Alonzo Terrell. Among those who came in 1838 were Edward Church, Royal Jacobs, Sen., Royal Jacobs, Jr., A. M. Wing, Caleb Clark, and Rev. John Prentiss; and in 1839 Hollis Chenery, Augustin Phelps, Jacob Baker and family, John G. Colin, H. II. Fowler, William Grant and Thomas Sey. After 1839 the settlers came in more numerously.
Of those who came in the years above mentioned the following still reside in Fulton : James McCoy, Henry C. Fellows, Dr. Daniel Reed, William H. Knight, Lyman Blake and Caleb Clark. William Grant resides in Garden Plain.
The first white women who settled in the town were Mrs. John W. Baker, Misses Rosena, Frances and Martha Baker, and Elizabeth Skinner. The latter died in 1837 as mentioned elsewhere. Mrs. Baker is still living. Rosena Baker married Jacob Parker, of Garden Plain; Francis Baker married Edward Rolph, and Martha Baker married John Lashell, now living in the city of Fulton. Mary and Ora Frost, and other white women, came soon after the above.
The first white child born in Fulton was a son of Robert and Phoebe Booth, the birth occurring in the winter of 1838. He was named John Fulton Booth, and died about three years ago in Decatur county, Iowa.
The first death and burial in Fulton was that of Miss Elizabeth Skinner, the niece of John W. Baker who had come out with him from Maryland in 1836. She died of consumption in January, 1837, at the age of 22 years. She had been suffering with this disease for several years, and thought by a change of climate the hand of the fell destroyer could be averted, but his grasp was too firmly fixed; and away from her old Maryland home and in the then far and almost uncivilized West, she yielded up her young life. The funeral was a very prim- itive one, the coffin being made from an old wagon box, and the remains conveyed to their last resting place in an open wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen. There was such a dearth of nails and other material for the proper construction of a coffin that John W. Baker was compelled to sit in the wagon and hold it together, while John Baker and Edward Rolph drove the oxen on the way from the house to the burial place. The interment was made on the high bluff nearly opposite where Culbertson, Smith & Co's. saw mill now stands, and on that bold point far above the beautiful river, on a bleak, cold day in midwinter, over forty years ago, the first white person in Fulton was laid to rest. The grave was made by the side of a young Indian child who had been buried a short time before. Not long after the burial of Miss Skinner a Dr. Fowler, and a little German boy who had been drowned in the river, were buried there, and we believe the spot was used as a burying ground until the present cemetery was laid out.
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