USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside county, Illinois, from its first settlement to the present time, with numerous Biographical and Family Sketches > Part 74
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Pounds. . So
Buckwheat
.52
Unslacked Lime
.So
.50
Corn in the car.
.70
.48
Wheat
.00
Corn Meal.
4S
Irish Potatoes
.. 00
Castor Beats.
10
White Beans.
.60
Timothy Seed
45
Clover Seed
.. 60
Hemp Seed
.44
Onions
.57
35
Shelled Corn
.56
Dried Peaches
33
Ryc ...
56
Oals ..
32
Flax Seed
.56
Dried Apples
24
Sweet Potatoes.
.55
Bran.
20
Turnips.
55
Fine Salt
55
Ilair, Plastering
I. Ś
The Secretary of State is ex officio State sealer of weights and measures, and the County Clerk is ex officio sealer of weights and measures in his county.
Contracts, hereafter to be executed, made within this State for any work to be done, or for any thing to be sold, delivered, done or agreed for by weight or measure, shall be taken and construed to be made according to the standard weight or measure ascertained as above.
MARKETING PRODUCTS.
Every farmer, fruit and vine grower, and gardener, shall have an undisputed right to sell the produce of his farm, orchard, vineyard and garden, in any place
Pounds·
Stone Coal ...
Coarse Salt.
Barley ..
...
Malt
Blue grass seed
508
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
or market where such articles are usually sold, and in any quantity he may think proper, without paying any state, county or city tax or license for doing so, any law, city or town ordinance to the contrary notwithstanding. Corporate authori- ties may prohibit the obstruction of streets or alleys for any such purpose, and this law does not authorize the sale of spirituous, vinous or malt liquors con- trary to law prohibiting the sale thereof.
GAME LAW.
Between the fifteenth day of January and the first day of September, in every year, it is unlawful for any person to kill, trap, net, ensnare, or destroy any prairie hen or wood-cock. Any deer, fawn, wild turkey, partridge or pheasant, between the first day of February and the first day of October; or any quail between the first day of February and the first day of November; or any wild goose, duck, snipe, brant or other water fowl between the first day of May and the fifteenth day of August. No person, not a resident of the State, shall at any time kill, net, trap or ensnare any of the above enumerated species of game for the purpose of selling, marketing or removing the same outside of this State. Any violation of the game law is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than twenty-five dollars for each and every separate bird or animal unlawfully killed or destroyed. The offender shall stand committed to the county jail, until the fine imposed on conviction is paid, provided that the imprisonment shall not exceed ten days. It is also unlawful to sell or expose for sale any of the above enumerated animals or fowls after the expiration of five days next succeeding the first day of the period in which it shall be unlawful to kill or destroy such animals, wild fowls or birds. The penalty for violation is the same as above. Taxidermists are exempted from the operation of this law when the animal, wild fowl or bird is killed for pres- ervation in either a public or private collection.
FISH LAW.
No person shall hereafter place or erect any dam, seine, net, weir, fish dam or other obstruction, in or across any of its rivers, creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, sloughs or bayoasor other water courses in this State in such manner as shall hin- der or obstruct the free passage of fish up or down or through such water course. It is also unlawful to use a seine or net for catching fish (except minnows,) the meshes of which are less than one and one half inches. Violators of this law are arrested on complaint and warrant; and dealt with in a summary manner. The penalty for violation is for the first offense a fine of not less than ten or more than fifty dollars; for the second or any subsequent offense, the fine may be increased to $100. Execution issues on such judgment for fine; if returned "not satisfied," a warrant for the commitment of the defendant issues, and he is liable to incarceration for a period of not less than ten or more than sixty days in the county jail.
Dams erected according to law for the purpose of navigation, or running mills or other machinery, are allowed. Upon dams hereafter erected, fish-ways must be provided in such a manner as to allow the free passage of fish up or down the stream.
SUPPLEMENT
TO
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
PRECINCT ORGANIZATION.
When the article on Precincts which appears on pages 55, 56 and 57 of this volume, was written, we had procured copies of all the records in relation to them then known to exist, but since that time we have been fortunate enough to find in the County Clerk's office of this county, while searching for other old documents, the proceedings of the March, June and September terms of 1837 and 1838, of the Ogle County Commissioners' Court, in which the names and boundaries of the Precincts in Whiteside county are given-Whiteside being then attached to Ogle for judicial purposes. It was supposed that all the proceed- ings in relation to Whiteside had been destroyed with the other records at the time the Ogle County Clerk's office was burned, but these had fortunately been secured by the Commissioners of Whiteside county, but not filed, and by that means escaped the attention of the Publisher of this work. Below we give the names and boundaries of the Precincts as originally laid down by the Ogle Coun- ty Commissioners, as they should have appeared after the word "follows" in the eleventh paragraph, page 56 of this volume:
Albany Precinct, bounded as follows: Beginning at the mouth of the Meredocia, and thence running cast through the center of the Meredocia and to continue in an easterly line until within one mile of the east line of range 4, east of the 4th Principal Meridian; thence north on the north line of township 22 north; thence west to the Mississippi river, and thence down the river to the place of beginning.
Elkhorn Precinct, beginning one mile west of the northwest corner of Township 20 north; thence cast along the north line of said township to the northeast corner of township 22; thence west along the north line of township 22 one mile west of range 5, and thence south to the place of beginning.
Little Rock Precinct, beginning at the southeast corner of Albany Precinct; thence running up Rock river to the south line of township 20; thence east to the east line of the county; thence along said county line to the north line of town- ship 20; thence west along said line to the northeast corner of Albany Precinct, and thence south to the place of beginning.
Prophetstown Precinct embraced all territory south of Rock river in White- side county, not embraced in any other Precinct.
At the March term, 1838, of the Ogle County Commissioners' Court a petition was received from citizens of Albany Precinct asking that it be divided, and an order was accordingly made establishing a Precinet to be called Fulton Precinct, which embraced all of township 22 north, ranges 3 and 4 east of the
510
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
4th Principal Meridian. The elections were ordered to be held at the house of Robert Booth, in Fulton city.
At the same term of the County Commissioners' Court an order was en- tered that Little Rock Precinct be more definitely bounded as follows: All the territory north of Rock river, and south of Albany and Elkhorn Precincts.
It was also ordered that the name of Portland Precinct be changed to that of Prophetstown, and be more definitely bounded as follows: embracing all the territory in Whiteside county south of Rock river.
At the same term of Court a petition was received signed by sixty citizens of Elkhorn Precinct, in Whiteside county, asking for the formation of a new Precinct to be called Genesee. The action upon the petition was favorable, and an order entered establishing Genesee Precinct, with the following boundaries: Commencing at the northeast corner of township 22 north, range 6 east of the 4th Principal Meridian; running thence south on the township line six miles; thence west nine miles to the southwest corner of section 34, township 23 north, range 5 east of the 4th Principal Meridian; thence north to the north line of said township, and thence east on the township line to the place of be- ginning. Elections to be held at the house of Wing & Fowler.
A petition was also presented at the same time from sixty-seven citizens of Elkhorn Precinct asking for the formation of another new Precinct from it, to be called Union Precinct, which was likewise favorably acted upon, and an order made establishing it, with the following boundaries: Beginning one mile west of the southwest corner of township 21 north, range 5 east of the 4th Principal Meridian; thence north along said section line to the north line of township 21 north; thence east one mile; thence north six miles; thence east to the middle of range 5 east; thence south along said section line to the south line of township 21 north, and thence west along said line to the place of be- ginning. Elections to be held at the house of Jonathan Haines.
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
In our article on the Old Settlers' Association which appears on page 100 and 101 of this volume, the facts as to its organization, etc., were obtained from several of those present, but as they had to rely entirely on memory, the data were not as full and accurate as we could have desired. We had searched through the files of the newspapers published at that time, but owing to miss- ing numbers, were unable to find the account of the prodeedings. Since then, however, we have obtained them through the kindness of Dr. L. S. Pennington, who had preserved them in slips cut from the Sterling Gazette at the time of publication. The meeting was held on Washington's birthday, February 22, 1858. We give below the account as it then appeared:
"At an early hour in the day, the 'Old Settlers' began to gather at the Wal- lace House in Sterling. The morning train brought delegations from the western part of the county, and before the hour appointed for meeting, several hundred had assembled. Large numbers came by teams from the surrounding country. Conspicuous among the delegations was that from Jordan, made up of the Coe family-the most numerous family in the county, as well as among its 'oldest' and most respected citizens. Their outfit consisted of a large sleigh, with can- vas cover, camp kettles, and all the paraphernalia of the 'Western emigrant,' drawn by six large horses, geared with the old-fashioned Pennsylvania harness, with saddle and driver on the nigh wheel horse. At about four o'clock P. M., a
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SUPPLEMENT.
preliminary organization was affected at the Wallace House, at which John Stakes, of Prophetstown, was chosen president of the meeting, and Simeon M. Coe, of Jordan, was chosen secretary. After this the assembly repaired to Wal- lace Hall, under the direction of Col. E. Seely, of Portland, marshal of the day. Nelson Mason, as Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, presided, and Col. R. L. Wilson acted as Secretary.
The following Old Settlers reported themselves, many of them with their wives and families, together with the date of their location in the county:
Sterling :- 1834, Hezekiah Brink; 1835, Nathan Hicks, L. D. Crandall; 1836, Edward Bush, Van J. Adams, Luther Bush, Nelson Mason, M. R. Adams, H. Bush; 1837, Hugh Wallace, W. M. Kilgour, Noah Merrill, Geo. W. Woodburn, C. H. Crook, E. L. Worthington, H. Tuttle, Thos. Mathews, E. J. Kilgour, W. H. Whipple; 1838, C. C. Judd, Hiram Platt, R. C. Andrews, J. Pettigrew, J. W. Shannon, J. M. Whipple, Andrew Bush, C. M. Worthington, Geo. H. Wells, L. J. Whipple, D. O. Coe, Wyatt Cantrell, M. M. Warner, L. B. Wetherbee, C. A. Wetherbee, E. C. Wetherbee; 1839, A. MeMoore, Edwin Judd; M. C. Stull, Jesse Penrose, F. Sampson, J. A. Gilbert; 1840, R. L. Wilson, John Dippell, C. P. Emmons. Jordan :- 1835, James Talbott, O. Talbott, J. W. Talbott, S. M. Coe; 1836, M. M. Hubbard, F. W. Coe; 1837, J. W. Thompson, L. G. Schenek, D. F. Coe, H. A. Coe; 1838, M. L. Coe, J. F. Coe; 1839, L. S. Pennington, Jabez Gil- bert. Hopkins :- 1837, W. F. Hopkins; 1838, Joel Harvey, S. C. Harvey, O. A. Fanning; 1839, N. A. Sturtevant, E. C. Whitmore, Geo. Sturtevant, A. C. Mer- rill, W. S. Wilkinson, A. S. Sampson. Coloma :- 1839, Frank Cushing, John Enderton, L. H. Woodworth. Sugar Grove :- 1838, M. S. Coe. Union Grove: -1836, Henry Boyer, W. F. Boyer; 1837, J. C. Young, Daniel B. Young, J. P. Garliek; 1838, A. N. Young. Mt. Pleasant :- 1835, William Knox; 1836, Hor- ace Heaton; 1837, Geo. Heaton; 1838, A. C. Jackson; 1839, C. P. Emery. Lyndon :- 1835, O. Woodruff; 1837, Alexis Hubbard, R. G. Clendenin; 1838, S. Hubbard; 1839, Joe Ware, J. D. Conyne. Prophetstown :- 1834, J. W. Stakes; 1835, N. G. Reynolds, J. C. Southern; 1836, E. S. Gage; 1837, T. J. Walker, A. J. Warner, E. B. Clark, Lawrence Walls; 1838, W. S. Reynolds, R. Crook, Wm. T. Minchen, A. S. Dickinson, E. H. Nichols, E. B. Warner, J. W. Beeman, H. C. Smith, G. C. Reynolds, S. Johnson; 1839, A. J. Tuller, O. W. Gage, J. W. Gage, W. E. Smith. Hume :- 1839. Charles Wright, H. Cleveland. Portland: --- 1835, S. Fuller, P. B. Besse; 1836, Col. E. Scely, L. M. Seely, A. J. Scely, M. V. Seely, R. M. Besse; 1837, R. Woodside. Albany :- 1838, B. S. Quick; 1839, W. S. Barnes, W. A. Gilbert. Clyde :- 1838, S. Currie. Erie :- 1835, S. D. Carr. Garden Plain :- 1839, James A. Sweet.
The audience was then called to order by Col. Scely, who made a brief statement of the objects of the meeting-that it was for the purpose of having a re-union of the "Old Settlers' of Whiteside County," renewing their early ae- quaintance, and holding a general social visit, and to accomplish this in the most effectual manner, he recommended that the audience mingle together as their tastes and inclinations might dictate, until the hour appointed for the supper. Upon this suggestion, every individual present seemed to act with the greatest good feeling and cordiality. There was a general greeting and shaking of hands -renewing old acquaintance, reciting reminiscences-laughing, talking and chatting. Years of pioneer life were lived over again. Recollections of hard- ships, privations, hair-breadth escapes, were awakened; the almost magie develop- ment of the country-from the rude and isolated cabin and wide expanse of unsettled and unelaimed prairie, to the city and villgge, with their evidences of civilization, the church and school houses; the thousands of farm houses and well improved farms dotting the whole surface, where no hand of industry had ever
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
stirred the soil; the railroad, the manufactory; the commerce of our lakes and rivers were talked about by middle-aged men and women, who had witnessed these great changes, and had labored to bring them about.
At about 52 o'clock a procession was formed, directed by the Marshal, which marched to the dining-room of the Wallace House. About four hundred were seated at the tables. A benediction was pronounced by Rev. E. Erskine, after which the bounties provided by MeCune was discussed in a most hearty manner. Ample provision had been made for the large number present, and they were served in a style that elicited unqualified commendation.
In the meantime the hall had been lighted and fitted for the reception of the large audience that assembled to listen to the sentiments and responses. One hundred and sixteen lights, including the gas burners, had been arranged in a most effective manner, giving to this large and splendid hall a truly brilliant appearance.
After the audience had become seated, Col. Seely, introduced, as the first settlers of Whiteside county now living, Mr. John W. Stakes and family of Proph- etstown. Also, as the first born male child. Mr. Wm. Tell Hopkins of Como, now about twenty-two years of age, and first female child, Mrs. Wm. Wright of Mor- rison, daughter of John W. Stakes. Their appearance on the speaker's stand was greeted with much enthusiasm.
SENTIMENTS AND RESPONSES.
County of Whiteside,-Responded to by Col. E. Seely, of Portland .- The Col. stated that he located in Whiteside County in the year 1836. That the first county election was held in August of the same year and that about thirty votes were cast. The only roads then in existence were the trails of the Indians, and the only evidences of civilization, was here and there a log cabin. Al- though there were many hardships and privations, there was much hospitality and good feeling among the settlers. He spoke of the present position of the county and its future destiny, and concluded with an amusing anecdote.
The Town of Union Grove .- Responded to by Henry Boyer. Mr. B. stated that he located and made the claim on which he now lives, in what is now the township of Union Grove, in the year 1836. The population then comprised two families; it now numbers about 10 or 1200 inhabitants. There are in the town three churches, four school honses and schools, attended by about one hundred and fifty scholars. He spoke of numerous improvements-the hydraulic power, supply of timber, which is adequate to all reasonable wants, the excellent qual- ity of the soil, and the abundant resources of the township to sustain a large and prosperous population.
The Town of Lyndon .- Responded to by R. G. Clendenin. Mr. C. said that this town was first settled in 1835, by A R. Hamilton, Wm. D. Dudley and Chauncy G. Woodruff. They endured the hardships incident to the settlement of a new country. The town was noted for the steady habits of its people, and for their devotion to the cause of education and good morals.
The Town of Albany .- Captain Barnes was called upon, but was absent in consequence of illness.
Garden Plain .- Responded to by James A. Sweet. Mr. S. stated that he was the only representative of his town present; that the town of Garden Plain was first settled in the year 1836 by Abel Parker; its present population is five hundred; it has four schools, with an average attendance at each of about forty scholars. The township is second to none in point of its advantages.
The Town of Jordan .- Responded to by Dr. L. S. Pennington. The Dr. spoke of the appropriateness of the time-the birth day of the Father of our
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SUPPLEMENT.
Country-for the carly settlers to gather together and recount the ineidents of the first settlement of Whiteside county. He said that the town of Jordan was first settled in the year 1835, by Simeon M. Coe, who built the first house. It was constructed of logs-rough in its exterior, but there was abundant hospital- ity within. James Talbot was the next settler, who broke the first prairie in the township. Joseph M. Wilson commenced the construction of a flouring mill in 1835, which was completed the next year. This was built of logs and has long since given place to the mill now well known as "Wilson's Mills." The next building was erected by S. M. Coe and the first store was opened by John Brookie in the year 1837. This town has increased in population and wealth, slowly but surely. Its soil is good, it is well watered and supplied with an abundance of stone. The present population number about one thousand. But twelve deaths have occurred in the township since its first settlement, indicating remarkable heathfulness. There are six schools and school houses. No grog shop or saloon desecrates its soil. In conclusion he said "that our Jordan is not the Jordan of the Canaan of old, yet we trust at no distant day, when science and industry shall have developed her resources, it will be equally celebrated, for her vines and her fruits-for her milk and her honey."
The Town of Portland :- Responded to by P. B. Besse. Mr. B. stated that the first settlement of the town of Portland was made in June of 1834, and that the first prairie was broken in the August following. The first election was held at the house of Asa Crook, at which he acted as Clerk. Twelve votes were cast. The town contains the largest amount of timber land of any town in the county. There are nine schools and school houses in the township.
The Town of Prophetstown :- Responded to by Mr. Nichols. Mr. N. claimed that Prophetstown is second to none in the county for its agricultural resources. Its educational and religious advantages will compare favorably. It was the site of an old Indian village, where the chief, Prophet, had lived. The town is justly celebrated for the enterprise of its males and the beauty of its females.
The Town of Sterling :- Responded to by Nelson Mason as follows: "I came to the town of Sterling in the fall of 1836, in company with John D. Bar- nett. I found John Chapman and Wright Murphy living in the cabin now on the farm of Capt. Woodburn. Here I spent my first night on Rock river. The first thing that attracted my attention as I left the cabin door in the morning, was a prairie wolf. We stood looking at each other a short time and parted, each taking his own path. The next attraction was on the bank of the river, at the rapids; there were the remains of the wigwams of the Indian, and great quantities of fish bones, indicating that the aborigines had but recently given place to the white man, and that Rock river afforded an abundance of fish. At the head of the rapids I found three families, HI. Brink, E. Worthington, and S. Gear. I spent two or three days with my new friends very agreeably. The county was very sparsely settled, but I found the people very hospitable and kind. Mr. H. Brink was the man who built the first cabin; broke the first prai- ric, and raised the first corn in the town of Sterling. I left for a few days- going to Savanna-and on my return came in by Gap Grove. When I reached the height of land above where Mr. Wetherbee now resides, and took a view of the beautiful landscape before me, with Rock river on my left, the Elkhorn on my right, skirted with timber, with nothing but nature's adorning, I gazed upon it with wonder and astonishment. And that fair land is now the township of Sterling. Since that time I have traveled north and south, east and west. and have yet to see a more beautiful spot. Late that fall J. D. Barnett and myself opened the first store in the town of Sterling; the nearest Postoffice to us at that time was Dixon. We applied for one in Sterling in the spring of 1837; it
[05-J.]
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
was granted; J. D. Barnett was appointed P. M., and I had the contract for car- rying the mail. In the spring of that year there was considerable emigration, and in May we formed ourselves into an association, which had for its object the protection of individual claims on government lands. This Association contin- ued until August, 1841, when our lands came into market. Let us contrast what it was then with what it is now: Then, a man with a family of five or six had to grind all his grain in a coffee mill, or boil it whole. Now, our mills send 1400 barrels of flour to market every week, and supply all home demands. Then we had to import most of our breadstuffs; now we will ship from our depot over two millions of bushels of wheat, or its equivalent in flour, during the present season. Then we were glad to see or hear of a log cabin being erected; during the last year over two hundred thousand dollars have been expended in improvements in our city. Then we had neither churches, schools, or clergymen; now we have four churches, as many clergymen, and six schools. Then we had no newspaper printed nearer than Chicago or Peoria; now we have two weekly newspapers, ably conducted and well sustained. What will it be when all her natural resources are developed, her vast water power improved, and her beau- tiful prairie all in the highest state of cultivation? What will the hardy pio- neers and their intelligent and industrions sons and daughters do for Sterling during the next twenty years? They stood shoulder to shoulder and braved the hardships of a new country without a murmur, and your wives, few in number, who would leave their good, comfortable homes, and endure all the privations and inconveniences incident to a pioneer life, with cheerful countenances and encouraging words, I am glad to meet them here on this occasion. What, I say, will such a people do for Sterling the next twenty years, requires not the tongue of a prophet to tell."
The Town of Coloma :- Responded to by Frank Cushing. Mr. C. com- menced by referring to the location of Coloma on the 'other side of Jordan,' opposite Sterling, on Rock river. It is a small town, settled by honest men. The first settlement was made in the year 1836, by Isaac Merrill, A. R. Whit- ney, now of Franklin Grove, and Mr. Atkins. He claimed for Coloma unrivalled agricultural facilities. Her sand banks furnished Sterling her sand with which to cement together her brick blocks; her stone quarries furnished Prophetstown with stone for the foundation of their houses, and her prairies supplied the whole surrounding country with hay. He suggested that one day in each year be set apart for a re-union of the 'old settlers' of Whiteside county.
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