USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside county, Illinois, from its first settlement to the present time, with numerous Biographical and Family Sketches > Part 48
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or six yoke of big oxen, hitched to a plow with a beam ten feet long and six by eight inches square-having trucks at the front end to govern it, breaking up prairie.
TYLER MCWHORTER is a native of Metamora, Franklin county, Indiana, and came to Montmorency in April, 1854, purchasing and settling upon lands which he now owns. His farm is one of the finest and best cultivated in the town, and is situated near the southeast corner. Mr. Me Whorter early became one of the most energetic and public-spirited men in Montmorency, and has fre- quently been honored with public positions. From 1868 to 1874 he was Super- visor of the town, and before and since has held other town offices. So well and favorably had he become known throughout the county, and this Senatorial District, that he received the unanimous nomination at the hands of the Repub- lican party in the fall of 1874, for Representative to the 39th General Assem- bly of the State, and was elected by a large majority. His course during his Legislative term was one which reflected great credit upon himself and his con- stituents, being marked with an earnest and intelligent devotion to the public interests of the District and State. He was upon several of the more impor- tant committees of the House, and gave to the matters which came before them the careful consideration necessary to arrive at a proper conclusion as to their merits. As a farmer he has taken the deepest interest in all that pertains to the advancement of agriculture and stock raising, of which he is now reaping his reward. Stimulated by his example, many other farmers have turned their attention to the improvement of their lands and stock. Such men are a bene- fit, not only to their immediate community, but to the country.
ALONZO GOLDER is a native of the sturdy old county of Dutchess, New York State. In 1844 he emigrated to Hartland, MeHenry county, in this State, and remained there until the spring of 1856, when he came to Whiteside county and settled upon his present farm in the town of Montmorency. During his residence in McHenry county he was for several years Postmaster at the village of Hartland. Mr. Golder early became convinced that to - become a successful agriculturist, the science of agriculture should be understood. He believed there was theory as well as practice about farming, and he profited by his re- searches. He soon became known as a skilled agriculturist, and when the State Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry was organized in Illinois, in 1872, the different subordinate Granges unanimously agreed upon him as the proper person to be the Master, and he was elected accordingly. Previous to his elec- tion as Master of the State Grange, he had been Master of Rock River Grange, No. 7. He held the position as Master of the State Grange for two terms, and was afterwards Representative to the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry for four successive terms. He is now a member of the Executive Committee of the National Grange, his associates being Henley James, of Indiana; D. Wyatt Aiken, of South Carolina; Dudley T. Chase, of New Hampshire, and W. H. Chambers, of Alabama. Mr. Golder has retired in a great degree from the active pursuits of farming, but his interest in all that concerns its improve- ment is in no way abated.
NATHAN WILLIAMS was born in Pomfret, Windham county, Connecticut, in June, 1821. He commenced teaching district school at the age of seventeen, and continued teaching during the winter terms for six consecutive years, attend- ing Brooklyn Academy at the fall terms. At the expiration of his last term as teacher, he engaged as clerk in the Masonville Manufacturing Company, where he remained two years, and then became a partner in the mercantile firm of Williams, Ely & Co. This firm continued business for five years when Mr. Wil- liams purchased the entire interest of the concern, and carried on business in
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his own name until he came to Sterling, Whiteside county, in 1856. On his arrival in Sterling he again became a merchant, building a store for himself, and continuing in trade three years, when he retired and purchased a farm in Mont- moreney township, upon which he has since resided. The farm of Mr. Williams is situated upon sections 17, 18, 19 and 20, in the township of Montmorency, and comprises six hundred and forty acres. He has taken a great deal of pains to bring his farm under a good state of cultivation, and it is now one of the finest farms in the township. During his residence in Connecticut Mr. Williams was a school officer nearly all the time after he became of majority, either as a mem- ber of the Town Examining Board, or as Director, and for part of the time as both, and was also a Justice of the Peace for nine years. Since coming West he was School Trustee in Sterling for five years, and in Montmorency a School Director for twelve years. He has also been Assessor of Montmorency township for three years. At the fall election in 1871 he was elected a Representative to the General Assembly of the State, from the 11th District, composed of White- side and Carroll counties, and served the full term of two years. Mr. Williams was a Whig in politics until the organization of the Republican party, and has acted with the latter ever since.
C. C. BUELL was born in Madison county, New York, in 1828, and was educated at the Madison University, New York. He was valedictorian at the Junior exhibition of his class, and also at the graduation, and was teacher for eight years in Hamilton-four years as Principal of Hamilton Academy, and four years as Principal of Hamilton Female Seminary. Upon coming West Mr. Buell settled in Anamosa, Jones county, Iowa, from which place he entered the Union army in 1861, as First Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster of the 14th Iowa volunteers, raising by his own instrumentality nearly a whole company for the service. He was afterwards promoted to be Assistant Adju- tant Quartermaster, and held the position during most of the civil war, being with Gen. Lanman at the battle of Fort Donelson, and with other command- ing officers at Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and Meridian. He was also with Gen. Banks in the Red River expedition, and was especially named in the re- port of the commanding officer at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, for gallantry while in charge of an ammunition wagon, in hauling it from the field in face of the advancing line of the enemy, and saving from capture a piece of artillery belonging to a New York battery, which had been abandoned by all save a single officer. Following this expedition, he was afterwards at the battle of Tupelo, and other less important engagements, finishing his term of service on the staff of Gen. A. J. Smith, in the pursuit of Price in Missouri. Since the war he has been a resident of Montmorency township, engaged for most of the time in the occupation of a farmer, making the dairy business a specialty. He returned, however, to his former occupation as a teacher for a short time, teaching three years in Sterling, during which time he organized the Second Ward school in the new school building. As a citizen Mr. Buell has taken an active part in the publie enterprises of the day. He has been an influential member of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, and delivered the first annual address before the State Grange of Illinois. He has also read leading papers before the State Farmers' Association, Dairymen's Conventions, etc., and contributed many articles to newspapers on subjects pertaining to these pursuits, among which was the article on the Patrons of Husbandry, published in the Transac- tions of the Department of Agriculture of the State of Illinois in 1872. Mr. Buell succeeded the Hon. Tyler MeWhorter as Supervisor from the township of Montmorency, and has been twice re-elected.
A. A. CHURCH is one of the large farmers in Montmorency township, and
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pays particular attention to raising fine stock. Probably no farmer in Southern Whiteside produces finer cattle and hogs. His father, Artemus Church, was among the earlier settlers. HENRY M. BARNUM, LEVI MACOMBER, FREEMAN CLEMONS, P. C. WOODS, GEORGE M. SAWYER, J. ALPRESS, S. HUBBARD, HER- MAN STERLING, D. B. WOOD, J. SAWYER, and J. P. ELMENDORF are among the thrifty farmers and valued citizens of the township.
CHAPTER XX.
HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP-BIOGRAPHICAL.
HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP.
The township of Newton was originally a part of a Precinct known as Crow Creek, and later belonging to Albany Precinct, and when Lyndon and Albany Precinets were divided in 1844, to create Erie Precinct, a part of Newton was included in the latter. At an election in 1849 the people of the county decided they would adopt the township organization system, and the Commissioners ap- pointed for the purpose of dividing the county into townships, gave Newton its present boundary, and denominated it "Greenfield"-the name being suggested by its broad fields of living green. This election proving void, in 1851 the peo- ple again voted favorably upon the question of township organization, and Com- missioners then appointed applied the name of "Newton" to the present township, in honor of a township in Cumberland county, Pa., where many of the settlers were from.
Newton contains 22,167 acres of land, lacking about 300 acres of being a full township, the western tier of sections being fractional. The southern one- third of the township is low, but has been largely reclaimed by drainage, and is now excellent farming and grazing land; the northern and central portions except in the immediate vicinity of the groves, is undulating prairie, the soil of great fertility. Two considerable groves of timber, "Miller's" and "Kingsbury," diver- sify the general features of the township. The land is sparingly watered by streams, but wells of good water are obtained without much labor.
The first settlement in the territory, now Newton, was made by Jeremiah Pearson, of Georgia, in 1835, in Section 21, on a little stream in the timber west of Joseph Miller's present residence. Pearson sold his elaim in 1836 to John and William Piercy, of Virginia, and crossed the Marias De Ogee and died a few years afterwards. The Piercys transferred the claim to Joseph and John Mil- ler, and returned to Virginia. The cabin built on the first claim still stands, a land mark in Newton's history. The second settlement in the township was made on Sectiou 16, in 1836, by Adam Stallnaker, a Virginian. He sold his claim to Alex. Thompson and Samuel Miller, in 1838. Mr. Stallnaker after- wards made a claim in Albany township, where he died. John S. Thompson, and Mrs. Hugh Thompson, still reside on the Stallnaker claim. In 1837, Adam Huffman, of Virginia, made a claim on Section 24, in the east part of the town. Mr. Huffman resided in Newton until a few years ago, when he removed to Clin- ton, Iowa. Luke Abbey, of New Jersey, also made a settlement on the same section in the fall of 1837. During the same year Stephen B. Slocumb and W. G. Nevitt made claims in the northeast part of the township, about three miles from Albany, and settled upon them very soon afterwards. Mr. Slocumb dragged a log with an ox team from Albany to the Miller Grove, and the trail thus marked out became a road which is now known as "Slocumb street;" the road was afterwards continued through to the Erie Settlement. During the year 1838 Henry Rexroad located on section 23 and built a claim cabin. The same year John Winchell, of Indiana, settled near the Mineral Springs, the grove there-
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abouts taking his name, and by which it was known to the older settlers. Mr. Winchell returned to Indiana in 1844. Jerome Yager, of Virginia, made a set- tlement also in 1838. In 1839, quite a reinforcement was received by the ar- rival of Alexander Thompson and his sons, who purchased claims; Samuel Miller came the same year, and Joseph and John Miller soon followed. The same year Wm. Booth, with his family, came into the township and settled on section 9, being the first family to locate in that part of the town. Lyman Bennett also resided in the township at this time, near the Mineral Springs. In addition to Stephen B. Slocumb, his brothers William, Samuel and Charles, were early settlers in the north-west part of the township. Settlers continued to come into the town rapidly after the way was well opened, but it was not until 1850 that the rich prairie land began to be settled, the pioneers as a rule seeking the timber and water courses. The land "came into market" in 1845, but had been surveyed in 1840.
The early settlers found the timber populated by Indians, peaceable, but beggars and thieves. The trail between Miller's grove and the Mineral Springs grove was, until the prairie was broken up, well defined. The pioneers experi- enced no difficulty in raising magnificent winter wheat, which they threshed out by "tramping it" with oxen and with flails. The chaff was cleaned from the grain at first with sieves and pouring it from a height while the prairie winds were blowing, When fanning mills came into use the neighbors, by clubbing together, procured one. The first threshing machines were rude affairs in com- parison with the elaborate concerns of the present. A machine used in Newton many years ago was invented by the "Knox boys," now substantial farmers in the vicinity of Morrison. Upon the machine bundles enough were carried to produce a few bushels of wheat, and the team was driven around in a circle un- til the sheaves were threshed. This invention was known as a "Traveller." It was slow work, but an improvement upon the treading out process and the flail. Owing to the lack of water power no mills were built in Newton, and the set- tlers were obliged to visit distant points to have their grain ground. Until Albany became a market the farmers by tedious stages hauled their produce to Galena, Savanna, and in some instances to Chicago.
Among the pioneers of Newton who settled in the township previous to 1840, are the following: Jeremiah Pearson, John and William Piercey, Adam Stallnaker, Luke Abbey, Adam Huffman, Jerome Yager, Wm. G. Nevitt, S. B. Slocumb, Wm. Slocumb, Samuel Slocumb, Charles Slocumb, Henry Rexroad, John Winchell, Win. Booth, Sr., Stephen C. Booth, William S. Booth, Edward D. Booth, James H. Booth, Joseph Miller, John Miller, Samuel Miller, Alex- ander Thompson, J. S. Thompson, Hugh Thompson, Lyman Bennett, John Beardsworth, Horace Chamberlain, Horace Root, O. A. Root, Reuben Root, John Root, William Prothrow.
The first white child born in Newton township was Wm. Abbey, son of Luke Abbey. He was a member of the 34th Illinois Regiment, and died of disease soon after the regiment went into service.
The first marriage celebrated in the township, was that of Henry Rexroad and Eliza Abbey.
It is usually asserted that the first person in the township to die was a young man in the employ of James Early, by the name of Swett, and next a gentleman by the name of Gile. Both these men, however, lived in what is now Fenton, just over the Newton line. They were buried on the bank of the Marais d' Ogee, near where Mr. J. Y. McCall now resides. The first death in what is now Newton township, was probably that of John Winchell's child, at Mineral Springs.
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HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP.
The first school was taught in Henry Rexroad's claim cabin, on section 23, in 1839, by Eliza Abbey, afterwards Mrs. Rexroad. It was conducted upon the subscription plan, and numbered about ten pupils. A Sunday School was in- augurated the same year, John Freek, of the Erie settlement, Superintendent. This earnest gentleman walked from Erie cach Sunday. He also had charge of the prayer meeting and class service of the members of the Methodist church.
The first religious organization was a Methodist class, in 1839, led also by Mr. John Freek. The names of the members of the first class, now obtainable, are, Adam Huffman and wife, Luke Abbey and wife, Mrs. Jerome Yager, Mrs. James Early, and Henry Rexroad. The same year Rev. McMurtay preached to the little society. Rev. James McKean also served them. Samuel Slocumb, a local preacher, ministered occasionally to their spiritual wants. The services were held in the eabins of Adam Huffman, Henry Rexroad, S. B. Sloeumb, John Winchell, and others, until the school houses began to multiply, when they were made to do duty as churches. The first "regular" school house was built in Newton in 1842, near Mineral Springs. It was of hewn logs, and at that time considered quite a pretentious institution of learning. About this time S. B. Slocumb donated a tract of land for church purposes, and principally by his ef- forts and those of W. G. Nevitt, a building was erected to be used as a church. It is now known as "Slocumb's School House," but religious services are still continued in the building. Since this first early organization the Methodist de- nomination has had a strong footing in Newton, and at this time has a pleasant and substantial church edifice-" Zion Church"-in the northeast part of the township.
The Presbyterians, of whom a respectable number were among the early settlers, were soon provided with religious instruction at Miller's Grove. They were also worshipers at Albany. The members of this society kept up their interest, and for years had preaching in the Center School House. They now have a large, comfortable church edifice near the center of the township, and maintain regular services.
The Roman Catholic Church is well represented, and have a new church edifice. Rev. John Kilkenny, of Fulton, has charge of the Parish.
There is also a large number of persons in the township denominated "River Brethren," or "Dunkards." Their religious services are conducted in barns, and the people are noted for their simplicity, honesty and frugality.
In 1857 the Camanche, Albany & Mendota Railroad excited the farmers to a high pitch, and visions of convenient markets, greatly enhanced values of land, and other advantages, passed before them. Assistance was asked from the tillers of the soil to put the road through, and readily they responded by mortgaging their farms. The road was a failure, but the farmers were required to pay. Many of them suffered severely for a " barren failure," as only the grade of the road was the result of their contributions. The bridge franchise of the coneern was sold to the company that now own the bridge over the Mis- sissippi at Clinton, lowa.
Despite all drawbacks Newton prospered and increased in material wealth. Settlers began to pour in and rapidly settled up the rich prairies and "bottom lands," and the building of railroads through Albany on one side, and Eric on the other, created convenient and excellent markets for the bounteous erops of cereals and live stock, and at this time Newton, in point of agricultural wealth and importance, ranks equally with any township in the county.
During the war of the rebellion Newton made a magnificent record, send- ing 140 men into the field, a larger number than the voting population of the township was at any time prior to the war. Of this number 26 were killed and
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dicd of disease while in the service. The citizens who remained at home were lavish with their contributions, and no call for aid of the soldiers in field and hospital was unheeded. Immense sums of money were also raised to pay bounties to volunteers, and otherwise prosecute the war.
The first election under township organization was held in Newton, April 6, 1852. Officers elected : Supervisor, Joseph Miller; Town Clerk, S. B. Slo- cumb; Assessor, John S. Thompson; Collector, John Mitchell; Overseer of the Poor, Luke Abbey; Commissioners of Highways, George Rouse, W. G. Nevitt and O. A. Root; Constables, Arthur Huffman and W. W. Slocumb; Justices of the Peace, William Payne, S. B. Bliss; Pathmasters, Mathew Abbey, S. W. Slocumb, William Prothrow, and Robert Roxby; Poundmaster, John Beardsworth. The township was divided into four road districts, and a lawful fence was de- fined as one four and a half feet high. The Road Commissioner assessed two days' labor upon each person liable to road labor; also an assessment of " taxes on property sufficient to raise the deficiency to 144 days' labor;" also one day's assessment against non-resident lands for each $300 in value. The next year, at the annual township meeting, $60.00 was voted for current ex- penses; in 1854 $100 was appropriated, and a resolution adopted providing for a fine of 25 cents per head on hogs running at large, for each day's viola- tion. In 1856 a rail fence five feet high, staked and ridered, upon blocks four- teen inches high, was decided to be a lawful fence. In 1862 it was by vote re- solved to collect by taxes $50 to pay for wolf scalps-$1 for old wolves and 50 cents for pups. In 1862 Mr. S. B. Slocumb resigned the office of Clerk, owing to removal from the township, and addressed his fellow-citizens a letter, retro- spective and prophetic, which contained much valuable advice. The letter was ordered recorded, and a committee appointed to indite a suitable reply. Octo- ber 25, 1864, a special meeting was called and a tax of one per cent. voted on each $100 to pay bounties to volunteers. In 1867 the citizens memorialized the Board of Supervisors in regard to swamp lands in the township. The lands in question have been largely recovered by drainage, and bid fair to become the most valuable property for general agricultural purposes in the township.
Supervisors :- 1852, Joseph Miller; 1853, William Prothrow; 1854, James Blean; 1855, S. B. Bliss; 1856-'58, William Prothrow; Prothrow resigned, vacancy filled by I. B. Emmons; 1859, S. B. Bliss; 1860-'61, E. L. Cone; 1862, William Prothrow; 1863-'65, Jos. HI. Marshall; 1866-'67, William Prothrow; 1868-771, J. H. Marshall; 1872-777, Jesse K. Blean.
Town Clerks :- 1852-'61, S. B. Slocumb; 1862-'65, Jesse K. Blean; 1866-'67, E. C. Simpson; 1868-'71, J. K. Blean; 1872, E. C. Simpson; 1873, A. F. Rexroad; 1874-775, E. B. Myers; 1876-'77, Herbert Beardsworth.
Assessors :--- 1852-'53, John Mitchell; 1854, W. G. Nevitt; 1855, John Blean; 1856, William Fletcher; 1857-'58, S. B. Bliss; 1859-'62, Joseph H. Marshall; 1863, W. Y. Wetzell; 1864, Henry Rexroad; 1865, W. L. Mitchell; 1866, Edwin Thomas; 1867, S. B. Bliss; 1868-'72, William Payne; 1873-775, Henry Myers; 1876-'77, W. L. Mitchell.
Collectors :- 1852, John Mitchell; 1853, Wm. Mitchell; 1854-56, O. A. Root; 1857, Arthur McLane; 1858, I. B. Emmons; 1859, John Baker; 1860, Peter Myers; 1861, John Baker, 1862, S. B. Snyder; 1863, Charles W. Abbey; 1864-'66, Henry Myers; 1867, C. W. Abbey; 1868, W. L. Mitchell; 1869, Chas. E. Wood; 1870, George M. Miller: 1871, S. W. Smith; 1872, Jas. Van Fleet; 1873, Win. M. Miller; 1874, J. L. Van Fleet; 1875-'77, Charles Wood.
Justices of the Peace :- 1852, Wm. Payne, S. B. Bliss; 1856, O. A. Root, S. B. Bliss; 1860, W. G. Nevitt, I. B. Emmons; 1864, I. B. Emmons, L. Slay-
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maker; 1865, H. E. Collins; 1867, O. A. Root; 1868, O. A. Root, W.G. Nevitt; 1872, A. O. Myers, W. G. Nevitt; 1877, W. G. Nevitt, George Hill.
The first recorded school meeting was held in Newton, December 25, 1849. Trustees, John S. Thompson and Wm. Payne. A laudable interest has always been taken in educational matters, and the district schools of Newton compare favorably with those of any township in the county. The districts are all able to pay, and as a rule employ competent teachers to whom liberal salaries are allowed. There is in the township, eight schools. Present Board of Trustees, Henry Rexroad and W. G. Nevitt. Jesse K. Blean is Secretary and Treasurer. The Assessor's books for 1877 enumerates 15,622 acres of improved land, and 6,545 acres unimproved; 552 horses; 1,388 cattle; 574 sheep; 2,380 hogs; 98 sewing and knitting machines; 24 pianos, organs, and melodeons; assessed value of agricultural tools $3,208. Total assessed value of all prop- erty, $455,022. Population of Newton in 1870, 880. Estimated population in 1877, 1,100.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
STEPHEN B. SLOCUMB was born in White county, Illinois, at "Slocumb's Fort," on the Wabash river, in 1813. His father was an officer in the Ameri- can Army during the war of 1812-'15, and was garrisoning the fort in the territory of Illinois when the subject of this sketch was born. In 1834 Mr. Slocumb removed to Knox county, Illinois, and in 1836 settled in Albany, and assisted in laying off the town. He made a claim in Newton in 1837, but did not settle upon his land until 1841. In 1845 he, for other persons, bid off large tracts of land in Newton at the Government land sales. He has always been actively engaged in furthering the interests of his township, and was for years honored with offices of trust by his fellow citizens. Mr. Slocumb has been engaged in farming for many years; also in the lumber business, and other mercantile enterprises. He is now extensively engagedin selling lumber along the Mississippi river, and is in the full enjoyment of health and energy. He was married at Albany, February 14, 1839, to Letitia Maria McCall. She died April 3, 1845, and on October 15, 1850, Mr. Slocumb was married to Car- oline Matilda Rouse. Her death occurred March 4, 1859, and December 9, 1859, Mr. Slocumb was married to Mrs. M. E. Hawks, who died March 23, 1861. Mr. S. was married to his present wife, Malinda, daughter of Ivy Buck, May 11, 1864, children: William R., now pilot on Mississippi steamboats, was born December 23, 1840; Chas. H., a merchant in Nebraska, born March 1, 1843; Luella C., born August 15, 1851; Jane Sarah, now Mrs. J. Thomas, born May 16, 1854; George R., born August 27, 1856; Stephen E., born February 9 1870. Margaret Emily, born March 19, 1845, died in infancy.
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