USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume One > Part 10
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the waters, now included in the Town of Channahon, some settlers came as early as 1832, while the Indian still cultivated corn on the bottom and fished along the streams. This was a favorite spot with them, and they long lingered there. Their canoes passed up and down the rivers, and in the mounds which are still distinguishable they buried their dead. Somewhere near Treat's Island an Indian was buried as late as 1835. He was placed in a sitting posture partly out of the ground, and a pen of saplings placed around him. He is supposed to have been a chief, as the Indians passing up and down always visited his grave, and left various articles upon it as tokens of respect. A little flag was also kept flying over it, which was cared for by the Treats. North of Joliet, the writer remembers to have seen the grave of an infant in the top of a tree. It consisted of two hollow slabs in which the body was placed, being fastened together and to the tree by strips of bark. Perhaps it is a misnomer to call this a grave, and why they thus disposed of an infant's body we know not, unless it was a dim reflection of the Savior's words, 'Of such is the kingdom of heaven.' Be- lieving that the child's spirit had gone straight to the 'happy hunting fields,' they placed the body as near as possible to the sky. Among the earliest settlers in Channahon was Isaac Jes- sup, Wm. E. Peck, E. C. Fellows, H. D. Risley, Peter McCowan, Capt. Willard, Michael Morehouse, Jedediah, Walter and E. G. Eames, Joseph N. Fryer, Russell Tryon, George Tryon, 'Uncle Bont' Schermerhorn and his four sons-Peter, Jacob B., Cor- nelius and Isaac-and John Ward. These came in 1832-3-4. In 1835, Dr. Peter Schermerhorn, Joseph Lewis, Samuel Lewis and Dr. Wm. Lewis, Isaac and Burke Van Alstine, Wm. Alt- house and a colored gentleman for whom we have never heard any name but 'Dick.' Several of these settlers were representa- tives of the old Dutch families on the Hudson, coming from Schodack and vicinity, and, like their ancestors, knew good land when they saw it, and then settled down to stay. Joseph
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Davis and his sons came in 1836. Isaac Jessup, long a promi- nent citizen, died in 1853, at the age of 66. He, too, bore the honorable title of Deacon, and was county treasurer in 1843-46. His sons still perpetuate his name. A daughter of his, Mrs. E. Jessup Eames, had considerable reputation as a poetess some years ago; and another, Sarah, who died in 1863, was not alto- gether unknown to local fame. H. D. Risley was from Salina, New York, and being elected sheriff of the county in 1840, he removed to the old county jail, where he remained four years. He was also a canal contractor in canal times. The Van Alstines are still extant and residents of the vicinity, and so is their 'Nigger Dick,' the same old sinner he was forty-odd years ago. There seems to be little change in him since the time he came up to attend a ball in 1836, when his ox-team got wedged so inexplicably betwen the old Demmond Block and the precipice in its rear, save that he has grown a little grayer. Dick has the honor of being the first, and for a long time the only, rep- resentative of his race in Will County. J. B. Schermerhorn was county commissioner in the years 1848-49, and supervisor of Channahon 1854-56. Dr. Peter Schermerhorn was for some years a practicing physician in Channahon and vicinity, and afterward removed to Ottawa, where he died. Wm. B. Peck, generally known as Judge Peck; having been a county judge where he came from in the County of Columbia, State of New York, was a prominent man, something of a politician, and county commissioner four years-1839-42. He died in the year 1849, in the seventy-first year of his age. E. C. Fellows, the well known lawyer, and the earliest lawyer in the county, came to Channahon at the same time and married a daughter of Judge Peck. He came to Joliet in 1835. It is but recently that he has deceased. Of his ability as a lawyer, especially as a criminal lawyer, everybody in Will County is well aware. George Tryon was supervisor of Channahon for the years 1850- 52. E. H. Jessup, one of Isaac Jessup's sons, was supervisor in
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1862, and John S. Jessup, another son, represented in part our county in the Legislature in the year 1872. He was the first victim of minority representation. J. N. Fryer has been super- visor from 1866 down to date, and perhaps will be as long as he lives. Michael Morehouse was a native of Connecticut, born in 1791, a good, honorable and intelligent man, who died in 1876.
Dr. Knapp and George Tryon came together from Vermont, and were the first settlers in the part of the town where they located, now on the beautiful 'wide water' made by the canal, and the favorite resort of Fourth of July picnics. The Indians were dwelling on the bottom of the Des Plaines, and at a spot across the river, a little lower down, known then as the 'sugar bush,' in considerable numbers. They were under the super- vision of one of old Bourbonnie's sons, a half-breed. Seymour Treat and son had settled at the island still known by his name, in 1833. The Treats were great friends of the Indians, never refusing them food or shelter, though their supplies were not very abundant. The Indians held the family in high regard, and when they received their last annuity, they gave him $1,000 as a remembrance, which furnished him the means to go on with the mill which he was building. He had a son and daugh- ter. The son was known as Dr. Treat. The mill was built at the lower end of the island. The Indians were friendly to the early settlers, and never troublesome unless they had drunk too much firewater. They called this liquid good-na-tosh- clearly a misnomer. As the settlers were not familiar with the Indian language, they had to resort largely to the natural lan- guage of signs, at which the Indians are as expert as the deaf- mutes. Dr. Knapp tells an amusing story as to how an Indian tried to make him understand what he meant when he wanted to sell him some 'ho-mo-sis-paw-quet'-that is, bee-sugar or honey. This is a story that can't be told except in pantomime, and nobody can do it justice but the doctor. If you ever see
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him, get him to tell it. It is the best specimen of pantomime we ever saw."
"The village of Channahon was laid out by the Canal Trus- tees by whom it was named Snifton after one of their number. Through the influence of Judge Pack it was changed to Channa- hon-an Indian word, which means, the meeting of the waters -a beautiful and appropriate name."-From Forty Years Ago.
The early history of Channahon Township as well as that of all other townships in the county is taken most largely from the history which was written in 1878. The two men who wrote it, W. H. Perrin and H. H. Hill, were good students and careful writers. They had first-hand information from the early settlers who were alive at that time. No better record could be found then there. The later history contains less of vital interest because pioneers always have the adventure which adds so much to history.
The present site of the village of Channahon was the site of an Indian town of some considerable size (1,000) for many years. The excavations which have been recorded in an earlier chapter indicates that the Aborigines had residence there for a long time. It was perfectly natural that the white people should settle there when they came. The opening of the canal brought transportation without which no community can pros- per very long. For many years preceding 1918, the village of Channahon was decadent. But the building of the concrete road, Route 7, brought quick and easy travel through the town and revived it to a great extent. It had become decadent be- cause the Rock Island Railroad did not go through the town and because the coming of the railroads made the canal of little value. Perhaps the Deep Waterway may add to its growth. More of the timber remains about Channahon than any other one section of the county. The rough land was not of very much use for agriculture and therefore the timber was allowed to remain. During the past year, timber wolves have
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been seen in the vicinity. This variety seems to come from the timbered region of Wisconsin in the severe weather of winter. For several years a few specimens have been taken each year. Other wild animals of any size do not remain. Cotton tails, woodchucks, oppossum, are still found to some extent.
Much of the land is too shallow for farming. Several sec- tions have no value excepting for pasture and it is not of much use unless the season is wet. All of the tillable land has been drained and is cultivated successfully. Modern machinery in- cluding tractors, gang plows, disc-harrows, combines which cut the grain, thresh it, and deliver it into the wagon ready for the bin, and at the same time scatter the straw ready for the plow, are coming into use. Truck farms are found in the bottom land near the canal and the river. Wonderful crops are taken from these farms by the industrious people who operate them. During the last three or four years this line of farming has passed almost entirely into the hands of Greeks and Ital- ians. They are successful farmers because they know the work and are industrious, usually having a family of children to as- sist in the work. These farms have been made possible by the concrete road which make it easy for them to take their pro- duce to the Chicago market in motor trucks in a few hours. Much of the produce of these farms is sold along the highway to the people who pass in automobiles.
Millsdale is a freight station on the Santa Fe Railroad and is of importance because it is a feeding station for sheep and cattle bound for the Chicago market. Mr. Arthur Mills who owns the large farm surrounding this station operates this feeding station at a good profit. He raises alfalfa upon his land and sells it to the people who unload their stock to be fed at his station. Sheep are frequently held here to await a better market at the Union Stockyards at Chicago. They can be
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rushed to the market on short notice when word comes that the prices are right.
Channahon, thirty and forty years ago, was noted for its good school. It maintained what would be called a high school, ยท as early as forty-five years ago. The school building was a two- story structure of the usual type built in those times. Two floors and two rooms with a narrow stairway for entrance and exit. This building was destroyed by fire in 1922. It was re- placed by a four-room building built on the ground floor plan with an assembly hall between two pairs of rooms in either end. It is of brick construction, fire proof throughout, modern in every way. There are four teachers under the supervision of W. G. Smith. Mr. Smith teaches a two-year high school which accommodates the boys and girls of the neighborhood who can not afford to travel to the larger schools farther away. After they have finished two years here most of them are able to complete the four year course in the Joliet Township School. There are three teachers in the grades doing excellent work. Channahon schools are as good as any of the schools in Will County.
Channahon had a Methodist Church which was built years ago and maintained with more or less success through all the year. This building was destroyed by fire which was started by lightning in 1925. It was replaced by a new building of brick, a pleasing edifice which will seat 350 people. The services are maintained in this regularly by the Methodists.
The entire township is served with telephones and rural de- livery bringing all of these comforts to the farmers as well as the people in the Township. These together with the radios which are found in almost every home bring them in imme- diate touch with the affairs of the outside world. The farmers are no longer secluded. The influence with this contact with the outer world is shown in the homes of the people which contain modern conveniences throughout.
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Crete Township .- The first settlements in Crete Township were in Thorn Grove in the northwest corner. In 1833-34, Major Price, Wm. Osborn and Asa Dade settled there; in 1835- 36, Minoris Beebe, Shipman Frank, Inartus Marsh and four sons (Jonathon, Edwin, Horatio and Henry), James L. Dean, Wm. Bryant, J. Stalcop, William R. Starr, Willard Wood, Dea- con Samuel Cushing, Norman Northrop, John H. Bennett, Moses H. Cook, Henry Milliken, Charles Wood, Hazen Adams, John Kyle and son, Enoch Dodge, Henry Ayers, David Haner, John E. Hewes and J. W. Safford.
These were the first comers in eastern Will County. Twenty years elapsed before other settlers came. By that time rail- roads were built and the land was taken up rapidly.
Since the eastern part of the county was settled largely by Germans, one has a desire to know what prompted them to leave the fatherland. Emigration from Germany occurred in small numbers to Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1683. A larger exodus took place from 1700 to 1710, due to the influence of William Penn, who visited the Rhine Valley and offered in- ducements to go to America. In 1807, a larger migration was made. Many Germans whose property had been confiscated sought refuge in America and indentured themselves to set- tlers to pay their passage. Ship captains took chances in bring- ing them over and auctioned them off to the settlers in pay- ment for transportation. Being sure of employment, they came freely. They worked out their freedom and then worked out their farms by clearing the forests away. In 1749-54, about two thousand landed in America.
The immigration to the Mississippi Valley began in 1833. This exodus was much larger and was caused by more forceful influences. From the time of Napoleon down to 1848, the gov- ernment of Germany was despotic, supporting an established church. The great revolution of 1848 grew out of the education of a class of liberals. German universities developed rapidly in
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those fifty years and the better informed sought more freedom in government. When the revolution failed, many of these lib- erals left the country. They sought refuge in America and brought in liberalism in politics as well as religion. This group settled in cities.
Soon after this the peasant class came out of the fatherland to escape military service. They were found in large numbers in the Union army during the Civil war. They were ready to fight when it meant freedom for themselves rather than the promotion of the welfare of some prince in Germany.
These imigrants were men of thrift who set about making homes for themselves. They were liberty-loving people. They were patient and industrious. They were of high character and came where they might find material prosperity and free- dom to think for themselves.
Route 1 of the Illinois Highway extends through Crete. This is known as the Dixie Highway. It was the first concrete road built in Illinois. It has brought prosperity to the town of Crete and its development has been very rapid during the last five years. This prosperity is manifested by the building of many beautiful homes, by the extension of the city limits and improvements of the streets. The rise in value of real estate is an excellent evidence of its growing importance.
South of the village of Crete is the Lincoln Fields, the most luxurious race track in the United States, built during 1925-26- 27, at an expense of more than two millions of dollars. The Dixie Highway was widened to double width to accommodate the large numbers who attend these races.
East of Crete is the Lincolnshire Country Club, which is a real estate project of real merit. At this writing (1928) the golf course is half completed. Residence lots have been sold in large numbers. Much money has been expended to develop the prosperity of the village and it bids fair to become an im- portant and extensive suburb of Chicago.
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The account of the early history of Crete Township as given in the preceding paragraphs shows that it was settled early by eastern people. This was due to the fact that it was near the Indian trail which became the highway for prairie schooners and later the Lincoln Highway. Here again, trans- portation was an important cause. The building of the rail- road about 1858, increased the facilities for moving in and out, and the township settled up rapidly.
The Dixie Highway is Route 1 of the Illinois Highway sys- tem. Number 1 shows that it was the first concrete road con- structed. Upon it traffic is always heavy and exceedingly con- gested on Sundays and holidays. It enters the township on the edge of Section 5, and goes southward, bearing slightly to the east. During this year it has been made double-width from Crete northward, to accommodate the heavy traffic which comes to the Lincoln Fields Jockey Club. The township is also well supplied with stone roads east and west, giving good access to the concrete road. These good roads have increased the in- dustry of the entire township.
Forty years ago, Crete Township was devoted quite largely to the raising of beef cattle. The Baker farm at Goodenow Station was the mecca for all Hereford buyers. The eastern part of the township at that time was owned by Chicago men who operated stock farms on which they raised the white faces. It was a flourishing industry. One six-months-old calf sold for a thousand dollars. This set everyone on fire with enthusiasm for this breed. Many farmers mortgaged their farms to buy a half a dozen head to start a herd.
Immediately prices began to fall and many of these farmers never succeeded in paying off the mortgages. The Chicago people abandoned what had been but a mere pastime for them. The Baker farm still continues to raise Hereford cattle of the very best type. The management makes it pay very well, indeed.
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The remainder of the township is devoted very largely to the dairy business, because good roads make it possible for the milk trucks to pick up their products at convenient points. This has brought prosperity to the farmers throughout the town- ship.
The grain is raised in large quantities. The yield per acre is very good. Much of the grain is fed at home. The remainder finds a ready market at Lincoln Fields as well as at the ele- vators at the stations along the railroads.
The farming is carried on as in other townships with the latest improvements, machinery, tractors, gang plows, disk harrows, as well as binders and in some cases combines which harvest and thresh at the same time. Every farmer has his own automobile and his family no longer is confined to the farm home. This has brought a broadening in the lives of all.
The Village of Crete is a thriving town and promises soon to become a city. During the past four years, many new homes have been built under the direction of the most important real estate dealer, Fred B. Rohe. He has the vision for the future and faith in his fellow men which foresee a city. He is a leader in the community and does much to develop it as well as the neighborhood around. East of Crete is the Lincolnshire Country Club, of which the golf course is about completed. Surrounding this golf club are home-sites which are being taken up rapidly. It is a beautiful country with forests and prairies, hills and streams, together with level areas which will make it a beautiful residence section. At this writing the future of Crete is very promising indeed. The school house which was built in 1870 was re-modeled in 1923 into a four room building modern in every detail. In it were four teachers taking care of two grades in each room. It was one of the best village schools in the county. This summer (1928), this school house was burned to the ground. Preparations were made at once to re- build. The people voted a bond issue of $65,000 without a dis-
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senting vote. Plans have been made and excavations have be- gun for a six-room building with a gymnasium attached. It is a ground floor plan with all of the rooms opening on the ground floor outside as well as to the corridors which lead to the gymnasium.
The German Lutheran school which has been maintained for many years in the village was held in one room of the pub- lic school building until 1921. In that year they built a modern building of brick in which they have their school at the present time. Professor Edward Stelter has had charge of the school for several years. He is an able teacher and conducts a very good school. During this year he plans to move to Chicago and his position in Crete will be filled by another.
Goodenow Village, which started when an elevator was built to receive grain, remains about as it was 40 years ago with a store, a garage, a lumber yard, an elevator and a post office, together with the homes in which the men who operate them live. John Bahlman conducts a general store in which one may buy anything he needs at a reasonable price. The grain comes in smaller quantities than formerly, because much of the pro- duce of the farm is fed to the live stock. However, the sale of stock feed has made it possible for the elevator man to do a good business.
South of Crete about a mile and a half is located the Lincoln Fields Jockey Club. This was built in 1925-26, at a cost of two and one-half thousands of dollars. It is the most modern and complete race course in the United States. The capacity of the stand is very large and hundreds of horses are in training continually on its tracks. Thousands of Chicago people are found in attendance at the races. Automobiles are parked by the acre, thousands of them being there every day. It is a thriving institution and during the three years in which it has been operated no report of trouble has been heard. Its patrons seem to come filled with hope and go away happy, thinking that
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they have had a good time. Meanwhile, the institution pros- pers, bringing much money to the promoters.
"Pioneer Days in Eastern Will County."-By E. P. Farrell- Born in one of the pioneer farm houses near the big timber one mile west of Crete, my earliest recollections bring to mind big snows, howling wolves, long winters, and delightful summers. This was about three score and ten years ago. At that time the great fertile sheet of untouched prairie land lying between the Indiana state line and the Illinois Central right-of-way, bounded on the north by Cook County and the timber line, and on the south by the Kankakee River, was a sight once seen, never to be forgotten.
Here upon the prairie and in the bordering timber were wolves, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and now and then a stray deer, wildcat or bear, the latter generally a rambler from the Michigan woods. Nor would I forget the beautiful striped "kitty" who nightly sought the hen roosts and made his pres- ence known by a strong pungent odor on the night air. These animals were either trapped or shot, some for food but the greater number for their pelts.
On the prairie was the home and feeding ground of tens of thousands of wild geese, ducks, brants, cranes, plovers, quail, and prairie chicken. For a number of years early settlers lived well on wild game. One could stand by his cabin door and shoot to his heart's delight. Not only did the ducks and geese furnish food in abundance but every settler gloried in huge feather beds and fluffy pillows filled with the choicest of feathers. Mother had six of these beds, all from wild feathers.
The prairie rattlesnake was found in many places and was to be feared. He was no respector of either man or animal. His bite was quickly followed by copious doses from some neighborly whiskey jug. If the victim survived the drink he got well; if not, he died of the snake bite.
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The section referred to above was practically unsettled. As far as the eye could see there was naught but great billows of waving prairie grass as the soft winds swept over the bosom of this virgin region. Here and there could be seen beautiful patches of prairie flowers sentineled by an imposing array of tall gumweeds. These gum stalks were as provident to us chil- dren in that day as the Wrigley building is today to those who are members of the worlds great gum chewing brigade. In early fall we trooped across the prairie snapping the tops of the stalks that the sap might ooze out, and in about ten days return to pick, masticate and pack our winter's supply of chewing gum. This was generally packed in empty wooden pill boxes.
As to industries in the home, everything was hand made at home. Mother had her spinning wheel and her loom-spinning, weaving and tailoring was a home industry. Once a year cheese was made in the old washboiler, and how the children of that day looked forward to eating some of the thick curd caused by the cooking process. For lights the candle moulds were gotten out in early fall and dozens and dozens of candles were made that we might have lights during the long winter hours.
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