USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume One > Part 25
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Batterman; Meats, W. F. Myrick; Garages, C. Bockelman and Henry Wehmhoefer. Two soft drink establishments, Chas. Stadt and Westenfeldt & Thornau; Elevator, Wm. Warner; Hardware, Emil Koch; Lumber, Ruge & Rehn. Two doctors take care of the health of the people, Dr. M. R. Miley and Dr. Van Voorhis and John Wehrley sells what drugs they need to- gether with soft drinks; Wm. Paul looks after the beauty of the community and sells them jewelry. Rev. Wm. H. L. Schultz is the pastor of the Evangelical Church which is a prosperous organization. There is a large number of families in the con- gregation.
The city of Beecher maintains water works which are very effective and a Police Department which renders good service. A community hall has been arranged for by a vote of the peo- ple and plans are under way for the same.
Beecher has always maintained good public schools. The building is a two story brick structure which houses the grade school and a three year High School. Supt. H. A. Mayhue has charge of all of the schools. The three year High School is well attended by the students of the district and those that come from the surrounding rural section. The fourth year is usually taken at Chicago Heights. The students habe good re- cords in the Chicago Heights High School. The parochial school is maintained in connection with the Evangelical Church. Two teachers are employed. They are capable and use the best modern methods in their institution. The eighth grade students take the final examination which is given by the Coun- ty Superintendent of Schools and always acquit themselves with credit.
Wesley Township .- Before the Black Hawk troubles, prob- ably, no white man had ever considered the part of the county now called Wesley Township his home, no traces of white men's cabins, or other improvements being detected two years later.
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John Williams, who still resides in the township, says that, when he first visited the place, in the Fall of 1833, there were no indications that it had ever before been inhabited except by Indians, and that his little cabin, erected at that time, was the first domicile of that nature ever erected here. Williams was from the Old Dominion, formerly, but had come to the vicinity of Danville in 1831, and was living there when the war broke out. In 1833, he came to Joliet, and from there out to this place, to select some land, split rails and build a cabin, pre- paratory to making a permanent settlement the next Spring. In May of the next year, 1834, he moved to the place, occupied his land and began making other improvements.
Though Williams was the first to make an improvement in Wesley Township, he was preceded two weeks in its occupa- tion. When Williams came to occupy his new home, he found George M. Beckwith, Andrew Pettijohn and Absalom Hey- worth already here, and learned that they had left Indiana about a month before, and had arrived here after a journey of twelve days. Beckwith's brother, Daniel W., had been em- ployed by the Government to survey this portion of the State, and from him he had learned of the character of the country, and had moved out. George M. Beckwith was a lawyer, or at least practiced a little in the lower courts, and before Justice of the Peace. He was also a good farmer. He died in 1845, of what is sometimes termed "milk-sickness."
A few weeks after Williams settled in his new home, John and Alexander Frazier and James W. & Joseph Kelley, from the same neighborhood in Virginia made their appearance in the community. These were men whose coming would be a source of congratulation to any neighborhood, and at any time; but at the time of which we write were they especially wel- come. John Frazier was a man of education, and proved to . be one of the most useful and influential citizens of the town- ship. He was the first Supervisor of Wilmington Township,
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when Wesley constituted a portion of it; and, upon the division, he was elected to the same office from this precinct. There was hardly a position of responsibility and trust but that he has filled, and that with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Arthur Potts and Robert Watkins, from Vir- ginia, and Hamilton Keeney, from the same State, emigrated to this place a little later, arriving in the Fall of 1834. Watkins was a man of good judgment and some education. He was one of the early Justices of the Peace, being elected to the office before the township was organized. Hamilton Keeney was also a leading man.
During the year 1835, quite a number of new settlers made claims and occupied land, among whom are remembered J. T. Davis, George Gay, T. McCarty, Wesley Carter and Griffy Davis. J. T. Davis was an old veteran of the Revolutionary war; was in Washington's army, and in the important capture of the Hessians at Trenton.
William Forbes, William Goodwin, John Strunk, Henry Moore, Joseph Hadsel, Daniel McGilvery, John G. Putnam and Elias Freer came in during the two years ending 1837. Forbes was a soldier of the war of 1812, and, like Davis, was fond of entertaining his friends with incidents of his soldier life. He was a millwright, and in this trade he is said to have excelled.
By the year 1845, many more had joined the settlement, prominent among whom were James Gould, John Kilpatrick, Anson Packard, David Willard, B. F. Morgan, Richard Binney, Robert Kelly and William Killy. Their names are given as nearly in the order of their coming as can now be remembered. James Gould was one of the most solid men of the township. He grew quite wealthy, and when he died, left a large estate, all of which was accumulated here. John Kilpatrick was also a good citizen, and left to the world a legacy of value-a good family. Hon. David Willard is a native of New York. When he first came to the county, he was employed as a laborer by
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Peter Stewart. He is a man of high standing, politically and socially. He has served the county eight years as County Judge, and in the discharge of his duties gave the most eminent satisfaction. B. F. Morgan is also of New York. He has gained the enviable reputation of being a good citizen. Rich- ard Binney was a native of New York. He was a man of worth and a successful farmer. William Killy was from the Isle of Man. All that can be said of a good citizen can be truthfully said of him.
What is now Wesley Township was the favorite territory for the Red Man who found here timber, water, and abundant game together with the fish which were in the stream. The villages were maintained for many generations before the White Man knew of this region.
Settlers came into the township as early as 1834. They were attracted by the same things which attracted the Indians and also by the soil which was easily cultivated, and while it was virgin yielded good crops. Much of the land is light soil bet- ter suited to small grain than to corn. Winter wheat has al- ways been raised in large quantities. Spring wheat is still a favorite crop because the soil can be cultivated early in the season. The farmers are progressive and prosperous. Some of the most modern farm machinery is in use in this township this year. The "Combine" which delivers the grain ready for market is used to good advantage. Tractors with all of the appliances which go with them are numerous throughout the township.
The village of Ritchey has been going backward for some time. Transportation facilities are not as good here as in other parts of the county. The coming of the concrete road from Kankakee to Wilmington will aid this village and the surround- ing territory. "Wesley on the Kankakee" has become quite a resort for people who seek to get away from the city during the summer months. It is a beautiful place on wooded ground
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which slopes down to the Kankakee River. Many cottages are found here together with hotel facilities for transients.
Some twenty years ago the Wabash Railroad moved their tracks to the west to straighten out a bad curve. This left the old village of Ritchey without a railroad. Very little has been developed along the new line. A grain elevator has been main- tained which affords a market for the farmers. A post office is still maintained at the village of Ritchey together with a church which is open at intervals under the Methodist denomi- nation. A one-room school house is the same which was in use sixty years ago.
Wheatland Township, designated as Township 37 North, Range 9, East of the Third Principal Meridian is in the North- west corner of the county. With two or three exceptions, it remained unsettled until after 1840. This was due to two things, the first that it was almost entirely prairie, only a few acres of timber being found in the extreme northeast corner; the second was that it was not surveyed until after 1838. The first settlers were not attracted to the prairies. They needed wood and water, and found both of these near the forests. Wood was needed for buildings and fences as well as for fuel. Water was needed for man and for beast. They came from wooded countries and were attracted to the trees in the new homes. All of the soil was virgin and produced excellent crops, but they did not foresee what is now recognized by all farmers. And yet, the township which has been settled longest, is producing good crops and more rural folks live in Homer Township than in other townships in the county. None of the land in Wheat- land Township was put upon the market until it was surveyed. After 1838, people were attracted to Wheatland.
Isaac Foster settled in the south part in 1837. This was really a part of the settlement at Plainfield. Josiah B. Wight- man came in in 1838; L. G. Colgrove and Chester Ingersoll, in
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1839; Simeon B. Tyler in 1841 and Anthony Freeland in 1842. All of these were on the east side of the DuPage River.
The settlers seemed to come in groups, or waves. The fol- lowing lists are taken from the History of Will County, pub- lished by Le Baron & Company in 1878:
"In 1843, there was a considerable addition to the township. Wm. McMicken and John McMicken who were directly from Scotland, settled in the extreme northwestern corner of the township. In this year came also Wm. Cotton, A. B. Cotton, James Robins, John Robins, and Fitzjames Robins, English- men from the Isle of Wight, and eGorge W. Brown, from Penn- sylvania, and Joseph B. Wait, E. T. Durant, Warren W. Boughton, P. Haviland, and Asa Canfield from New York; and Wm. Kinley from the Isle of Man; and Julius Piedlaw and John Martin from Canada.
"In 1844, Stephen Findlay and sons founded the Scotch set- tlement in the southwestern part of the town at and about Tamarack Post Office. In the same year Robert Clow and his five sons, Robert Jr., Adam, William, and Thomas, and a little later another son, John H. The Clows were Scotch, but had tarried a few years in the State of New York before finally coming to Wheatland where they entered 1080 acres embrac- ing Section 15 and part of 14 and 10. H. N. Marsh who was then editor of the True Democrat, making a census of the county, makes special mention of the Clow plantation, of the white school house, and the fat beeves and toothsome cheese of D. W. Cropsy.
"The same year (1844) came Mungo Patterson, Daniel Catchpole, Jacob Spaulding, George Wheeler, and Elias Myers. The Scotch Church was organized in 1847 by Rev. Mr. Oburn, and the house of worship, which is such a conspicuous land- mark to the travelers over the prairie, one mile north of Tam- arack Post Office, was erected in 1847.
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"In 1843, the following persons settled in the Northwest part of the township, and gave the neighborhood the name of the Vermont Settlement: David L. Davis, G. Washington Davis, and their aged father, Jonathan Davis, and Levi Blanchard. In 1844, Laton Rice, also from Vermont, with his five sons, Al- phonso, John I., Asahel, Philander, and Isaac, in company with Rudolph Houghton and General Davis and their families, mak- ing the journey from Vermont with their own teams, camping out night, after a journey of forty-four days, reached the same settlement and became a part thereof in October of 1844. (Als- phonso Rice was one of Wheatland's contributions for the war for the Union, laying down his life at Champion Hills in 1863). To this Vermont settlement there was added in 1845: Jacob Yaggy (German), Edwin Lillie (Vermonter), and in 1846, La- bon Clark and family, and in 1847, Willard Hayward, and in 1850 Zidon Edson and Dr. Allen and families.
"In 1844 or 1845, the following persons settled east of the Du Page: F. Boardman and A. S. Thomas, and Sumner Hemin- way, on west side.
"In 1846, and the three or four following years, the popu- lation of the town increased rapidly, and among the later set- tlers were many Pennsylvania Dutch, and Germans from the fatherland. They are the staid and substantial people that they are everywhere they settle."
At the time of this writing, Wheatland ranks high in agri- culture. It is strictly rural being without any town or village. Tamarack Post Office promised to be a town for a few years for here were post office and store school and shop but rural mail routes forced the post office out of existence and most people have forgotten that Tamarack Post Office ever existed. Being strictly rural, the township has had a marked develop- ment in agriculture. Some of the best farmers in Will County are found in Wheatland Township. The institution which is
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famed throughout the nation is the Wheatland Plowing Match. This is so well known that no history of Wheatland Township would be complete without a full account of this wonderful or- ganization.
Time has brought many changes in the machines used at this match. Transportation facilities have improved and auto- mobiles have made a larger attendance possible. Ten thou- sand people at one match is a common record while fair weather will double that number.
The history which follows is authentic and reveals many of the same family names given in the list of first settlers.
"Historical sketch of The Wheatland Plowing Match Asso- ciation together with the program for the 1927 match, cele- brating the Golden Anniversary of the Association. W. Han- ley Thomas Farm, Saturday, September 17.
"Officers-Wheatland Plowing Match Association 1926- 1927. John W. Patterson, President; Herman Staffeldt, Vice- President; James Patterson, Secretary; Dale Mottinger, Trea- surer.
Departmental Heads Wheatland Plowing Match Association 1926-1927
Superintendent Dining Tables, Mrs. Florence Boughton; Superintendent Ladies Fair, Mrs. Agnes Boughton; Superin- tendent Tents, R. J. Patterson; Superintendent Grain Show, Louis Tower; Boys Club Work, L. A. Matter; Girls Club Work, Mrs. Effie Matter; chairman Pageant Committee, Daniel Stief- gold; Superintendent Headquarters, John Patterson; Super- intendent Plowing, John Brown, Jr .; A. S. Thomas, 1st Secre- tary, 1877; George Boardman, Historial, 1926-1927.
Fifty years ago-and now! In all fields of man's efforts what changes have occurred! Men and women now living can well recall the tremendous revolutions which have taken place. Fifty years is not long in which to measure history, but during
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no fifty years perhaps have more radical changes and develop- ments taken place than within the fifty years spanned by the existence of the Wheatland Plowing Match Association.
Almost as revolutionary as collateral developments have® been the changes within the Association, and in the Match it- self. Fifty years ago, horse drawn, walking plows were the sole entries in the match. Today, all classes of plows, from those similar to the ones used fifty years ago, to the most modern, tractor drawn, gang plows compete for prizes under the rules set up by the founders of the Match.
These fifty years have seen the coming of so many modern developments that one cannot attempt to name them. But when it is recalled that every one who attended the first Match came in horse drawn vehicles, or on foot; never had heard of a telephone, an electric light, a radio, an airplane, a gasoline engine, a paved country road; had no delivery of mail to his home, no modern conveniences of any nature in his home, knew little of what the rest of the world was doing; the tremendous advancement of mankind during this fifty years become ap- parent.
And if this Association exists another fifty years, as well it may, readers of this book will be no less amazed at the advance- ments made during that span of time than we are at the achievements of the past years. Free intercourse with every part of the world by air will have become as common as our more limited transportation between our own states and sec- tions of the country. Radio will have made possible instant knowledge of what all the myriads of mankind are doing, wherever they may be. Science will have developed new sources of power, through which mankind will have been re- leased from much of the drudgery of toil. Agriculture will have taken its proper place among the other essential indus- tries of the nation, and a proper reward for those engaged in it will have been made possible.
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"All these things and more are not one-half as hard to con- ceive as the happenings of the fifty years covered in the life- time of this organization.
"As an unknown writer thirty years ago said, when writing a sketch of the first twenty years of the Wheatland Plowing Match, "An accurate historical sketch of that laudable and splendid institution known as the Wheatland Plowing Match will in all probability, never be written." Certain facts, car- ried in the current press of the time, are available, and have been carefully scanned and compiled. Other facts are neither available from such sources, nor from the minds of those who were young when the Match was born, and now are old.
"Into this brief history cannot be brought any of the wealth of detail and happy incident which has made the Match a source of pleasure for so many thousands of lives during the fifty years gone by. What lives have been influenced; what untold stories, as a result of the matches during these fifty years, never can be known, or told in this sketch.
"An effort has been made to confine this history to such facts as are authentic and verified, and eliminate many details which would not be of interest to present day readers.
"Wheatland Township from which the Match is named, and where it is always held, is situated in the extreme northwest corner of Will County. It was settled in 1837 by Isaac Foster; in 1838 by Josiah Wightman; in 1839 by L. G. Colgrove, Chester Ingersoll and others. A church was organized in 1847, by Rev. M. Oburn. Elizabeth Hoag taught the first school, at a date unknown, but about the same time.
"The settlers of Wheatland Township included many Scotchmen and Englishmen, whose hardy, pioneer natures were well adapted to the work of building fertile farms and estab- lishing homes on the productive soil. Thrifty and industrious, these Scotch and English settlers left descendants like them- selves, and many of the leaders of this section of the country
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trace their line to these first pioneer folk of Wheatland. Among the early families which are still represented by present day families in the township are the Pattersons, the Boardmans, the Clows, and Freys and others.
"The early settlers of the section were all good farmers, and took pride in their neat work in all farming activities. Com- petition of a friendly character existed, as it always does. Just how the idea started of meeting in a match to determine the best plowmen of the section is not known. Other similar kind existed, and it is logical to suppose that from such a match the germ was brought back to Wheatland. In 1877, early in the year, leading farmers of the territory were meeting, to talk over a closer fellowship for the community, and more pro- fitable methods of farming. Three of those active in such a movement were James Patterson, for so many years associated with the Plowing Match, and its best supporter; Henry Mussey and A. S. Thomas. Discussion finally led to a meeting being called at the Spaulding schoolhouse July 15, 1877. Here the Plowing Match was born. An association was formed, with Henry Mussey as president and A. S. Thomas, Secretary-Trea- surer. There were twelve men in attendance at the meeting.
"The date of the first match was set for September 22, at the Alexander Brown farm, and the various events were ar- ranged.
"George Boardman, venerable historian of the Wheatland Plowing Match Association, gives interesting side lights as to the considerations which may have brought the Match into existence. A. S. Thomas had in his employ a man named George Grimble, an Englishman, whose plowing was of a most excel- lent nature. Gimble had taken prizes in matches and won sev- eral years at the Kane County Fair. He also had worked for Robert Clow. Due to the excellence of his work, and the fact that he was a prize plowman, other farmers attempted to equal his work. He evidently added much to the sentiment for the
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formation of the Plowing Match, although he never plowed in one, probably having left for other parts prior to the estab- lishment of the match.
"Another interesting episode is related, of the opposition of some farmers of neither Scotch or English birth to the match. They evidently feared that the Scotch and English were too skilled to permit any one else to win any prizes, but this mild opposition soon died out, and all entered with great enthusiasm into the later matches.
"Thus the Wheatland Plowing Match was established, and has for fifty years been conducted. Three years only have seen no matches-in 1884, when James Patterson, then president, was on an extended trip abroad, and again in 1893, during the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago and in 1918, during the World war. No match has been called off on account of weather conditions, it is told, and only one postponed for that reason.
"To the Wheatland Match since its inception have come the most noted visitors of the section and state. City and coun- try have mingled there. It was and still is a favored gathering place for those seeking political favor.
"Through the medium of this annual contest of skill in an ancient art, Wheatland farmers have developed themselves and their sons into farmers of exceptional ability. Prosperity has been the lot of the majority through the years. Social inter- course at these matches has added to the enjoyment and de- velopment of the entire community. The founders built far better than they knew.
The Matches, 1877-1927. 1877 .- Place-Alexander Brown farm. Date-September 22, Saturday. Attendance-250.
The first match was successful far beyond anticipation. While contestants were limited to residents of the township, all events were well filled, and much rivalry existed. Seven
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cash prizes were offered, one event being for boys under 15 years of age. The total value of the prizes offered was $44.00.
"The wisdom of the founders was evident in the rule that boys might compete for all premiums. Not only did the boy feel proud of being permitted to compete on a parity with his elders, but very soon he became able to do successfully, as prize awards showed. These 'boys' now are the men who are the section's most successful farmers.
"It is worthwhile, for this first match, to relate the names of the entrants as follows: James King, John Thompson, Henry Westphal, Edward Jarman, Chas. Catchpole, John Netzley, John Fairweather, Jacob Levee, Chas. Brown, Robert Lee, W. T. Lumbard, George Boardman, Michael Faser, James Lemtz, Ed. Levee and A. G. Brown. The judges were Daniel Birkett, Henry Mussey and Alexander Thompson. James King won the first prize of $15.00.
"At the first match, as at all succeeding ones, factory repre- sentatives of plows were on hand with their latest models. Sulky plows were new, and were tested for merit on the grounds.
"The committee reported regarding this first match:
"'We learned among other things that a furrow can be ploughed straight; that there are men who are masters of the plow; that while we live, we progress; that sulky plowing is a great step in advance of all hand plowing.'
"Thus the first match passed. James Patterson was shortly afterward elected president, and held the office for many years to come.
Second Match, 1878 .- Place-Robert Clow farm. Date- September (exact date unknown). Attendance-500.
"The second match was a real test of skill. Hot, dry weather had baked the ground extremely hard, and a heavy growth of weeds and grass covered the field. The soil turned up in large
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