USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside county, Illinois, from its first settlement to the present time, with numerous Biographical and Family Sketches > Part 47
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
Clara Durkee; 1875, Minnie Vroom, Lizzie Quackenbush, Clara Brewer, Libbie Mckay, Eddie Woods, LaFayette Stocking; 1877, Daniel Berry, Ella I. Fraser, Lella A. Wellington, Bertha E. Farrington, Kate P. Sampson, Minnie L. Heathcote, Hattie A. Strawder, Eva M. Taylor.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
The history of Morrison would not be complete without presenting the bio- graphies of those of its first citizens to whose energetic efforts in its behalf, at the outset, the prosperous growth and development of the city is mainly due. The following are therefore appended :
LYMAN JOHNSON, the principal founder of Morrison, was born in Benning- ton county, Vermont, July 20, 1809. When a mere boy he moved to the State of New York. In 1832 he was married to Miss Emeline VanCourt, in Yates county, New York. During his residence in that State Mr. Johnson was engaged in farming and the lumber business. In 1844 he sought the west, and with his family settled in Cook county, Illinois, and commenced farming opera- tions about 20 miles from Chicago. This occupation he pursued about four years when he abandoned it and settled at Huntley Station, engaging in the hotel business, which enterprise he relinquished about one year afterwards, having secur- ed a contract to build that portion of the present Northwestern railroad between Round Grove and Fulton. He removed his family to Fulton, where he resided about nine months, and from thence came to where Morrison now stands, having purchased a considerable tract of land, upon which part of the city is now located. Hedevoted his best energies to the creation and growth of Morrison, and with marked success. The first house erected in the new town was his. He also opened a general store, his trade being derived principally from the employes of the railroad company. Upon the road being built to Fulton his store was discontinued, and he then bent his entire energies to making a success of the new town. Soon after, he again embarked in the mercantile business which after a few years was disposed of and his time devoted to the sale of town prop- erty, the management of a flouring mill, and other enterprises. He died March 17, 1867, after an illness of only three weeks, of inflammation of the bowels. He was buried by the Odd Fellow's Society, of which he was a prominent and hou- ored member. Mr. Johnson was a man of great enterprise, good business ability, unflinching firmness, and exceeding generosity. Hewing true to the line himself, he was slow to suspect wrong in others and disposed to place too much confi- dence in their protestations for his own financial welfare. He died universally respected and regretted. He left a widow who is still a resident of the town she has seen grow from a log cabin in the hazel brush to its present dimensions. Six sons survived him-J. Harvey, who resides in San Francisco, California; Edwin L., and Rollin M. who live in Oregon; Larman G., a practicing Attor- ney in Morrison; Charles M., and Frank V., who also reside in Morrison.
HI. S. VROOM was born August 26, 1827, in Poultney, Steuben county, New York. Ile resided in that State until 1852, and was engaged in the flour business in Syracuse and Schenectady. In 1852, he came west and was a pay- master on the Galena and Chicago Union railroad built from Chicago to Fulton. He was one of the original settlers and proprietors of Morrison, in connection with Mr. Lyman Johnson. In 1855, he was engaged in a general mercantile business in Morrison in company with Mr. Johnson. He soon afterwards opened a livery stable in company with H. V. Brokaw. After his retirement from the livery business Mr. Vroom was engaged in farming about four years. In 1867, he purchased, and assumed the control of, the Revere House, Morrison, and con- tinued its management until he leased it about one year previous to his death,
1
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
which occurred without warning, March 11, 1875. On March 11, 1855, he was married to Miss Emma R. Huntley, at Milford, Michigan. Mrs. Vroom and their two children-Minnie and Clarence-still reside in Morrison.
SAMUEL H. McCREA is a native of Goshen, Orange county, New York, and was born August 16, 1820. In 1839, he moved with his father's family to Monroe county, New York, and learned the tinsmith's trade in Rochester, in that county, after which he went to Hamilton, Canada, and followed the business of a commercial traveler for several years, making that place his home. He went to California in 1849, at the commencement of the gold discoveries, and com- manded a boat in the lumber business on San Francisco Bay in the winter of 1849-'50. In the spring of the latter year he went to Calaveras county, Cali- fornia, and engaged in the mining business in connection with his brothers John and Abram, remaining two years with reasonable success. In 1852, he returned to New York, and in the fall of that year went to New Orleans, and took charge of the construction of the Morgan Railroad from that city to Bayou La Fourche. The road was built through swamps, and for most of the way had to be piled and cribbed, and the dirt to fill in with drawn a distance of twenty to thirty miles. In the fall of 1854, he came to Rockford, Illinois, and then returned to Rochester, New York, where he spent the following winter. The next spring he came back to Rockford, where he became acquainted with Mr. Holland who had charge of locating stations on the Dixon Air-Line Railroad. Under his advice Mr. McCrea went to Sterling, and at that place formed a business con- nection with D. L. Quirk in buying grain, Mr. Quirk to remain in Sterling, and Mr. McCrea to locate at Morrison. Mr. McCrea came to Morrison in August, 1855. His first work was to erect a warehouse, the lumber for which was brought from Dixon to Round Grove on a construction train, and from the latter place to Morrison hauled by team. The building was completed in September, 1855, and now stands on the corner east of McAllister & Co.'s elevator. The first load of wheat sold in Morrison was bought by him of William Harrison, of Delhi. The first car load of grain filled at Morrison was by Mr. McCrea, and finished on the 29th of September, 1855, and shipped on the Ist of October, two days after- wards. In November, 1862, he went to Chicago, and engaged in the commis- sion business. During his residence in Morrison he was member of the Board of Trustees of the village, a School Director until his resignation, and also Su- pervisor of Mt. Pleasant township for several years, and until he removed from the place. Since his residence in Chicago he has been Director, Vice President, and in 1870 President of the Board of Trade of that city. In 1876, he was elected Alderman of the 12th Ward of the city of Chicago, and was made chairman of the Finance Committee of that body, taking the position when the finances of the city were at a low ebb, but by his financial skill and ability bringing the credit of the city to a first class condition. In 1869, he was the candidate of the Republican party in his district for member of the Constitutional Convention, but was beaten by the so-called People's party. Ile received at that election every vote but one in the three townships contiguous to his home. In October, 1877, he was appointed by Governor Cullom, a Commissioner of the West Side Parks, in Chicago. Mr. McCrea was married on the 28th of June, 1856, to Miss Coralin I. Johnson, of Shaumburg, Cook county, Illinois. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McCrea have been : Willie S., born in Morrison, April 12, 1858; Charlie M., born in Morrison, June 14, 1862; Samuel H., Jr., born in Palatine, Cook county, March 15, 1867; and one child who died, and is buried in the Mor- rison Cemetery.
LESTER H. ROBINSON was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego county, N. Y., December 20, 1820, and resided there until his removal to Morrison in the fall
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
of 1855. He was married in 1849 to Miss Mary E. Snyder of Schoharie county, N. Y. During his residence in Otsego county he held the position of United States' Loan Commissioner for six years, and at the age of 21 years was Super- intendent of Schools of Cherry Valley, having charge of the School fund. Upon his removal to Morrison he at once became actively interested in the welfare of the place and devoted himself assiduously to its development until his removal to Chicago. Mr. Robinson was the first U. S. Revenue Assessor appointed in the third Congressional district of Illinois, receiving his commission in 1862; he held the office until his resignation in 1865. He also held the position of Treas- urer of Mt. Pleasant township for several years. In 1865, Mr. Robinson re- moved to Chicago, where he now resides. He is engaged in farming in Cook county, and in the real estate business in Chicago.
JOHN E. BENNETT was born in East Bethany, Genesee county, New York, March 18, 1833. At the age of twenty-one he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and after a residence there of a year, came to Morrison, arriving in September, 1855. He married Miss Marian Kendall of East Bethany, New York, in 1854. They have had one child, Eugene M., born in September, 1855. When the Postoffice at Morrison was established in 1856, Mr. Bennett was appointed the first Post- master. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, and troops were demanded to prevent a dismemberment of the Union, he early took part toward raising them, and was instrumental in raising Company C, 75th Illinois Volunteers. When the Regiment was organized he was elected Lieutenant Colonel, and after- wards Colonel, and during the war was promoted Brevet Brigadier General, for bravery and meritorious conduct. At the close of the war he was given a com- mission in the Regular Army, and stationed at Fort Smith, Arkansas. While there he resigned, and settled at Helena, Arkansas, and has made his home there since. Shortly after making that place his residence he was elected Circuit Judge. The following among other resolutions passed by the Helena Bar, at a meeting convened February 12, 1869, while he was holding the position as such Judge, shows the high appreciation in which he was held as a jurist, and citizen :
Resolved, That we, members of the Helena Bar, tender to him our cordial appro- bation and kindly appreciation of his course as a Judge, and as a citizen, accompanied by a sincere hope that our relations in the future may be as pleasant and agreeable as in the past.
Resolved, That we regard Judge Bennett as a sincere and upright man, having at heart the prosperity and welfare of the State of Arkansas, and that we will cordially co- operate with him in all efforts to secure that end.
He continued to hold the office of Circuit Judge about two years, when he was made Judge of the Supreme Court of the State, and continued in that posi- tion for some time. At the expiration of his term of office he went into business at Helena, Arkansas, and now owns and is running a large mill for the manu- facture of oil from cotton seed, at that place.
JAMES G. GRIDLEY was born at Middleburgh, Schoharie county, New York, October 1, 1811. He first moved from his native place to Columbia county, New York, in 1838, where he lived twelve years. He then settled in Otsego county in the same State, and remained there until he came to Morrison in Sep- tember, 1855. Mr. Gridley built the second warehouse in Morrison, now oc- cupied by M. G. Preston as a livery stable, first forming a partnership with L. H. Robinson, and afterwards with J. V. Giles, the business being the purchase and shipping of grain, stock, and hogs, and also the sale of lumber. He contin- ued in this business until 1862. During this time he contracted for and erected the Presbyterian church, and the first brick school house in Morrison. Upon discontinuing business in Morrison, he purchased a farm in the township of
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Ustiek where he now resides. In that time he has also owned farms in Fenton and Union Grove townships which he has cultivated. The farm in the latter township he has since sold, but retains the one in the former township. Mr. Gridley married Miss Jane E. Miller, in Columbia county, New York, June 11, 1836. The children of this marriage were, Margaret, Stephen, and Rachel. Margaret married J. G. Sholes, and lives in Cass county, Iowa; Stephen married Miss Frankie Hayes, and lives in Union Grove; Rachel married William Clen- denin, and died at Moline, Illinois, October 15, 1877. Mr. Gridley's wife died in January, 1849, and in September, 1850, he married Miss Sarah Jane Duffin, who died in September, 1854. In June, 1857, he married Miss Sarah M. Hornfager, the children by this marriage being, John, Charles E., and Mary.
CHAPTER XIX.
HISTORY OF MONTMORENCY TOWNSHIP-BIOGRAPHIICAL.
HISTORY OF MONTMORENCY TOWNSHIP.
The township of Montmorency, like all those on the south side of Rock river, was originally a part of Portland Precinct, and afterwards of Rapids Precinct, of which it remained a part until 1852, when it received its name and boundaries from the Commissioners appointed by the County Commissioners' Court for that purpose. It did not receive its complete organization, however, until 1859, remaining from 1852 up to that time attached to Coloma township for judicial purposes. It comprises township 20 north, range 7 east of 4th Principal Meridian. This township is admirably adapted for agricultural pur- poses, and the lands are now nearly all improved. The soil, with few exceptions, is of the deep black loam of the prairie, and the surface sufficiently undulating in most parts to render it tillable every season. The low lands are drained by the county ditch, a part of which commences in the town. The northwest corner is crossed by a spring creek running into Rock river, but the whole town is well watered by abundant wells, the water being of excellent quality. A piece of low land, known as Swan Lake, and formerly covered for most of the year with water, remains unbroken. It is now drained by one part of the county ditch, but the depth of the ditch is not sufficient at present to allow a full re- clamation of the land. The farmers of the town have been turning their at- tention of late years to the raising of stock and hogs of the best breeds, several of them having full bloods of these breeds, notably among them being A. A. Church, Hon. Tyler McWhorter, and others. There is probably no town in the county where finer stock and hogs can be seen than in Montmorency. For a comparatively new town the dwellings and barns in Montmorency are of a superior kind. The hay barn and cattle stables of Alonzo Golder are particul- ary noticeable for size and convenience of arrangement. The dairy interest is also well represented in the town, Mr. C. C. Buell, the present Supervisor being the pioneer. Mr. Buell has devoted a great deal of time and attention to this branch of industry. A branch of the C. B. & Q. Railroad, running from Amboy to Rock Falls, formerly known as the Chicago & Rock River Railroad, passes through the northeast corner of the town.
The first settler in what is now Montmorency was Asa Scott, who came with his father, Jesse Scott, from Morgan county, Ohio, and landed at Como, June 1, 1839. He remained at Como until 1847, when he selected a farm in section 7, township 20, range 7 east of the 4th Principal Meridian, now the township of Montmorency. For nearly five years he was the only settler be- tween Rock and Green rivers in that part of Whiteside county. In 1852, S. Russell settled on the south half of section 7, in the same township. Edwin Scott followed in 1853, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 12. Both came from Ohio. Tyler Mc Whorter, J. G. Banes and George Murray, from Indiana, Herman Sturtz, from Pennsylvania, and two Englishmen, named Robert Adams and Robert Clay, came in 1854. Joel Wood, from Ohio, two brothers named Van Buren, from New York, and Dr. R. Davis, from Ohio,
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HISTORY OF MONTMORENCY TOWNSHIP.
came in 1855, and Alonzo Golder, and Joseph Golder, from New York. Wm. Hall, an Englishman, and several others, came in 1856. After that year settlers came in more rapidly.
Asa Seott built the first house in the town. It still stands on his present farm.
The first child born in the town was Addie B., daughter of Asa and Eliza- beth Scott. She was born on the 6th of August, 1848. She is now the wife of Nathaniel Wood, and lives in Crawford county, Iowa.
George C. Calkins and Mary T. Scott were the first parties to enter into the bonds of matrimony in the town. The marriage took place at the house of Asa Scott, the father of the bride. Mr. and Mrs. Calkins are now residents of Adams county, Iowa.
The first death was that of John Seott, a son of Asa Seott, and occurred on the 26th of February, 1856. He was not quite a year old when he died, and was buried at Como.
The first town election after the complete organization of the township, was held at the school house in Distret No. 2, on the 5th of April, 1859. Joel G. Wood was chosen Moderator, and A. L. Burdett, Clerk. Twenty votes were cast. At that meeting it was voted, among other things, that every householder be empowered to aet as Pound Master. It was also voted that the name of the township be changed from Montmorency to Areade. This change did not, however, seem popular with the people, many refusing to accept it at all, and at the next town meeting the vote was rescinded, and Montmorency retained its name.
The following have been the principal offieers of the town sinee its or- ganization:
Supervisors :- 1859-'64, Joseph Golder; 1865-'67, George M. Sawyer; 1868-774, Tyler Me Whorter; 1875-777, C. C. Buell.
Town Clerks :- 1859, A. L. Burdett; 1860-'64, George M. Sawyer; 1865, W. A. Golder; 1866-'67, P. C. Woods; 1868-'72, George M. Sawyer; 1873-'77, A. A. Church.
Assessors :- 1859-'60, Asa Scott; 1861-'65, Nathan Williams; 1866, Tyler Mc Whorter; 1867, Nathan Williams; 1868-'70, George C. Calkins; 1871-'74, Herman Sterling; 1875, Rudolph Kauffman; 1876-'77, H. M. Barnum.
Collectors :- 1859, Wm. C. Payson; 1860, James Currier; 1861-'67, J. W. Scott; 1868-'71, John W. Niles; 1872-'73, James Frank; 1874-175, Henry M. Barnum; 1876-77, Freeman Clemons.
Justices of the Peace :- 1859, Alonzo Golder, Benjamin Cushing; 1860, Alonzo Golder, W. E. Lawrence; 1861, J. G. Banes; 1862, Levi Macomber; 1864, Alonzo Golder, George C. Calkins; 1865, Peter C. Woods; 1869, Artemus Church; 1870, Nathan Williams; 1871, Herman Sturtz; 1872, Alonzo Golder, P. C. Woods; 1876, P. C. Woods, C. C. Buell; 1877, Nathan Williams, P. C. Woods.
A special town meeting was held at the school house in Distriet No. 2, on the 28th of Angust, 1869, for the purpose of voting for or against the town subscribing the sum of $50,000 to the capital stock of the first division of the Chicago & Roek River Railroad Company, the form of the tickets being "For Subscription," and "Against Subscription." Forty-three votes were cast for subseription, and thirty-four against it. Bonds were to be issued for the pay- ment of the stock in such form as would entitle them to be registered under the aet of the General Assembly, in force April 16, 1869. Notwithstanding the election in favor of subseribing to the stock of the company, the town did not do so. Soon after the election the Company applied to Hon. Tyler Me Whorter,
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
who was then Supervisor, to subscribe in behalf of the town, but he declined, and in this action was sustained by the people of the town. Application was then made to Judge Heaton, of the Circuit Court, for a writ of mandamus to compel him to do so, but the Judge refused to grant the writ. This ended pro- ceedings until the road was completed, when application was again made to Su- pervisor McWhorter to subscribe to the stock and issue bonds, and he again re- fused. Application for a writ of mandamus was then made to Judge Pleasants, of the Rock Island Circuit Court, and granted. From this the town appealed to the Supreme Court, upon the ground, among others, that the election on the 28th of August, 1869, was not legal, inasmuch as the majority at that election in favor of subscribing to the stock, was not a majority of all the legal voters residing in the town, as required by the statute. The Supreme Court held with the appellant, and the writ was dismissed. The town therefore never sub- scribed to the stock nor issued any bonds. The contest over this matter was long and spirited, but the town won.
The earliest traveled road in the town was the old trail leading from Dixon to Green River bridge. This road enters the town near the northeast cor- ner, running in a southwesterly direction, and passes out a little west of the center of the south line. The other early traveled road was the old stage route from Dixon to Rock Island. It was over this route that the murderers of Col. Davenport were taken in 1846. A prominent object on the line of this road in this town was the lone tree, which was known far and wide throughout this sec- tion of the country. It was of the species known as the honey locust. It was also known as the "grocery tree," because of the bottle of liquor the stage drivers used to keep hid under it, and from which they drew inspiration as they passed, going to and returning from Rock Island. The earliest road laid out was in 1854, and runs east and west through the town. The second was laid out in 1864, and runs north and south throngh the center of the town.
The first school house was built on section 9, on the corner almost opposite Alonzo Golder's residence, in the fall of 1856. It was a small frame building, and was used for school purposes until it was blown into fragments by the great tornado of June 3, 1860. The first school in the town was taught in this di- minutive building, by Mr. Alfred Snell, in the winter of 1856-'57. Its site is now covered by a large and well-arranged school building. The second school house was built in what is known as the Banes district, and the third in the Me Whorter district. In the latter school house Capt. W. C. Robinson, at pres- ent one of the Aldermen and Supervisors of Sterling, taught school in the win- ter of 1859-'60. There are now six good, commodious school houses in the town, and the number of children attending school during the past year (1876), was 364. Four of the districts in the town are union districts. The school fund of the town amounts to $16,000.
No churches as yet have been erected in the town, and the people attend stated services cither at Rock Falls, Sterling, or Tampico, as their religious be- lief inelines them. The first sermon preached in the town, of which we have any account, was by Elder Zadoc Paddock, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the Me Whorter school house, in the spring of 1860. The first Sunday School was taught by Miss Sarah Robinson, in the same school house, in the summer of 1860. Miss Robinson was teaching the public school there at that time.
Owing to the large number of men who enlisted in the Union armies dur- ing the war of the Rebellion, from the town, taking the population at that per- iod into consideration, and the tax raised to supply any deficiency in the quotas under the different calls of the President for troops, Montmorency was not sub- jeet to a draft. Of the men who went from the town, Wm. Macomber became
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
one of Gen. McClellan's staff, Alonzo Golder, a son of Joseph Golder, died in the service, and a son of Asa Scott died after his arrival home. of disease con- tracted while in the service.
The township of Montmorency contains 21,921 acres of improved land, and 1,160 acres of unimproved, as is shown by the Assessor's books for 1877. From the same source we find that the number of horses in the township at the time of the assessment, was 488; number of cattle, 1,657; mules and asses, 32; sheep, 62; hogs, 2,323; carriages and wagons, 217; sewing and knitting ma- chines, 68; melodeons and organs, 21. The total value of lands, lots and per- sonal property in 1877, amounts to $379,730; value of railroad property, $5,002; total assessed value of all property in 1877, $384,732.
The population of the township in 1870, according to the Federal census of that year, was 668, of which 543 were of native birth, and 125 of foreign birth. In 1860 the population of the township was 278. It is now estimated that its population is over 1,000.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ASA SCOTT was born in Center township, Morgan county, Ohio, on the 26th of January, 1817, and came to Como, Whiteside county, on the 1st of June, 1839, making most of the way on the Ohio, Mississippi, and Rock rivers in a keel boat propelled by horse power. He remained in Como until 1847, when he purchased a farm in the present township of Montmorency, where he now lives. Mr. Scott was married to Miss Elizabeth Taylor on the 22d of February, 1838. Mrs. Scott is a native of Washington county, Ohio, and was born on the 3d of August, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been blessed with sixteen chil- dren, eight sons and eight daughters, thirteen of whom are living, and, as the happy father expresses it, "all healthy, and not a cripple in the number." The following are the names of the children, with the date of their birth, etc .: Jesse W., born November 16, 1838, now a resident of Montmorency; Mary T., born October 4, 1842, now the wife of Geo. C. Calkins, and lives in Adams county, Iowa; Elknah B., born December 7, 1843, and died November 17, 1863 -he was a member of the 75th Illinois Volunteers, and was severely injured at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky; Eleanor, born July 3, 1845, now Mrs. Narrey, and living at Vinton, Iowa; James M., born January 22, 1847, teaching at Grand Junction, Iowa; Addie, born August 6, 1848, now Mrs. Wood, and living in Crawford county, Iowa; Frances L., born May 11, 1850, now Mrs. Mas- kell, and living in Hume township; Anna, born November 21, 1851, now Mrs. Cain, and living in Ida county, Iowa; Desdemona, born December 28, 1853, now Mrs. Mitchell, and living in Yorktown, Bureau county, Illinois; John, born April 9, 1855, died February 26, 1856; Asa, born September 20, 1856, and liv- ing in Montmorency; Delia, born May 4, 1859, living at home; Carrie, born May 12, 1861, living at home; Eugene, born December 20, 1862, died April 7, 1863; Philip S. and Sherman, twins, born April 12, 1865, living at home. This long list shows Mr. Scott to be the patriarch of the township of Montmorency beyond the possibility of a doubt. Mr. Scott relates many incidents and exper- iences of his pioneer life, such as hauling grain to Chicago with ox teams, and the expedients to which early settlers resorted to obtain the necessaries of life. It was his custom to go each year at the proper season to Deer Grove to shoot deer, which were more plentiful there then than cattle are now. At these ex- cursions he would kill all the deer the family wanted for a meat supply, and all the skins needed to make breeches and coats. In October of each year he would gather wild honey, and kill raccoon enough for oil, and furs for caps. IIe represents the happiest days of his life to have been when he followed five
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