USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Sandwich > History of the Somonauk United Presbyterian church near Sandwich, De Kalb County, Illinois : with ancestral lines of the early members > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
39
The Gold Fever
T HE discovery of gold in California aroused a desire for riches in people in all walks of life. It swept through the country like a pestilence and during the years 1849 and 1850 the roads and trails to the great West were crowded with hurrying trains of wagons pressing on over the unexplored plains to the gold mines. The stage road passing through Somonauk was alive with gold-seekers. It was beyond belief that the little community should remain untouched by the gen- eral excitement. Nor was this the case.
On March 12, 1850, five young men of the community, William Patten, James Howison, James Walker, James Blair, and Daniel Hoag, with their wagons and teams of horses, joined the caravan moving along the highway to the west. Before reaching Council Bluffs their train was augmented to eighty teams. Early in April the trains started from Council Bluffs on their four months' journey across the " Great Amer- ican Desert." In order the better to ward off attacks from the Indians, the party now drove four teams abreast.
On the first Sabbath morning after they had left Council Bluffs the question arose, "Shall we travel seven days in the week? " Some said " Yes, we cannot afford to lose any time." Others said "No, we will not travel on the Lord's Day." Among the latter group were the five young men from Somonauk church. In consequence of this difference of opinion. the train divided. Those who believed in one day of rest in seven were the larger group. Meanwhile, those who wished to travel seven days a week went forward without rest.
The route followed by both parties led along the north side of North Platte River. The group from Somonauk was obliged to turn aside at the Loupe River in order to find a safe fording-
40
THE GOLD FEVER
place. Returning to the North Platte, they continued to the mouth of the Sweetwater. They then followed the latter river until they came to the spot where it flows through the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains. Here they crossed the Great Divide. Near South Pass James Walker sickened and died. He was buried at Lone Tree, Wyoming.
They had not been long on their westward journey before they overtook the group who had determined to travel seven days in the week. Having taken no rest for themselves or their horses, the party was in a pitiful condition. They had lost a large number of their horses, and in consequence much of their equipment had to be abandoned. Of course the strong party assisted the weak on the remainder of the journey. To conserve their horses' strength the men took turns riding, driving and walking. The heat and the exertion wearied some of them to exhaustion. William Patten, being wiry and a good pedestrian, gave nearly all his turns to ride to those less able to walk than himself.
The "sink of the Humboldt " promised to be the greatest difficulty to be overcome. On account of the extreme heat of this part of the desert they were obliged to cross in the night. In preparation for the ordeal they rested themselves and their horses for three days. Starting at four in the afternoon, after eighteen hours of continuous travel they succeeded in pushing their teams across the forty miles of desert. Although the night hours were hot and suffocating enough, they escaped the un- bearable sun rays over the worst part of the " sink of the Hum- boldt."
On this burning desert William Patten met a man who offered him a twenty-dollar gold piece for a drink of water. The man's tongue was swollen and protruded from thirst. As much as he wanted to help the man he could not, as they had very little water, scarcely enough for their own sick. All were suffering for water. A supply had been provided for man and
41
SOMONAUK CHURCH
beast but it was running short and the horses must be supplied at all hazards to enable them to pull the wagons.
Many were the vicissitudes of heat and cold encountered on the way. In crossing the Sierra Nevada range, the snow on either side of the beaten track was as high as the horses' backs. One morning, while descending the range, the snow was still quite deep, but at noon they camped to feed and rest in a valley of luxuriant grass and singing birds.
At some of the river crossings there were ferries to take them across at the price of one dollar per wheel - four dollars per wagon. On account of the quicksands fording was very dangerous, so they were obliged to pay the price. One shallow river was crossed by overlaying it with bundles of willows cut beside the stream, making a sort of bridge to keep from sinking in the miry river bottom. At this crossing they lost a horse which by some means snagged its foot on a sharp willow, which disabled it for traveling.
The company from Somonauk was fortunate in escaping serious trouble with the Indians. This was probably due to the strength of the party and of their mode of traveling. Some of the caravans were not so fortunate.
The company reached Sacramento August 2nd, having been five months on the way and having covered more than two thousand miles. The day after their arrival those who had suf- ficient strength went to work at ten dollars a day; of these William Patten was one.
After nearly a year and a half spent in the gold-fields of California, William Patten returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama. From the Pacific side he walked to the Chagres River, took ship for New York City and came to Cossayuna, Washington County, New York, where he met his wife and son Edward. He reached Somonauk in August, 1851, two thousand dollars richer in gold than when he left home eighteen months before; a good fortune in those days.
42
THE GOLD FEVER
Of the five young men who had gone to the gold-fields from Somonauk, only William Patten and James Howi- son returned. James Blair and Daniel Hoag had died while in California, and, as recorded above, James Walker was buried in South Pass. Several letters exchanged by William Patten and his wife during their long separation, printed in the Appendix, throw light upon the characters of these pio- neers. Others from the community went to the West at dif- ferent times, among them Alexander Howison, who left Somo- nauk in 1852 and took ship around the Horn. After three years and a half he returned home by way of Aspinwall and Panama.
43
Railroads
W ITH the mid-century came an event which gradually revolutionized the mode of life on the prairies and which was destined to bring change to the peaceful little settlement on Somonauk Creek. The highways, with their covered wagons and ox-teams, had now to compete with a power which could easily outdistance them.
Just before January 1, 1849, a railroad was completed from Chicago to Turner Junction, now West Chicago, and opened for traffic. In December, 1849, construction was started on the line from Turner Junction to Aurora, under the name " Aurora Branch Railroad Company." This line was completed and opened for traffic early in September, 1850. Two years later the line from Aurora was completed as far as Mendota, and placed in operation October 20, 1853.
Somonauk Station, some five miles south of the settlement on Somonauk Creek, the first stopping-place of the railroad in De Kalb County, was located at once. The present town of Sandwich did not come into being until a year or more later, and then under the name of Newark Station, named after the settlement of that name to the south in Kendall County, which it served. In the course of time the name was changed to Sandwich in honor of the New Hampshire birthplace of the famous "Long John " Wentworth, who at the time repre- sented the district of Northern Illinois in Congress.
In connection with the founding of Sandwich it is related that in the autumn of 1853 William Patten, Washington Walker and Lindsay Carr, farmers in the neighborhood, called a mass meeting of the citizens of Newark, then a lively village six miles south, where a committee was chosen to petition the railroad company to establish a station for their accommoda-
44
RAILROADS
tion. At that time James H. Firman, who had made a census of the families who would probably use such a station, reported one hundred and fifty possible passengers to the south and fifty to the north of the railroad. With this census as a basis the railroad consented to stop trains when flagged. Meanwhile the neighbors contrived to have everyone who could raise the necessary funds take a trip as frequently as possible. In con- sequence, the railroad ran a car to Newark daily, and in a few months was induced to believe that Newark station was a good point for travel and it was made a regular stopping- place.
This extension of the railroad was built under the name of " Chicago and Aurora Railroad Company," but on February 21, 1855, the name was changed to " Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company." Tradition says that the first four locomotives used on this line were named " South-wind," " North-wind," " East-wind " and " West-wind."
John McCleery, eldest son of James McCleery, gives the following graphic description, written many years later, of the migration of his father's family and his two uncles, Edward McCleery and John McCleery, all with large families, who moved West together:
" In October, 1851, we came to Illinois from where we lived in Wayne County, Ohio, to Cleveland, fifty miles north by wagon. We took the steamboat in the evening to Detroit, landing there by daylight, visited relatives there one day, then took the railroad and crossed Michigan the next day and landed at New Buffalo in the evening. Stayed over one day and took the steamboat in the evening and landed at Chicago in the morning." This involved loading and unloading their convey- ance and household goods nine times.
" Father wanted to come to a place by the name of Somo- nauk, but had no idea where it was, and could find no one able to enlighten him. So we struck out for Elgin; came from there
45
SOMONAUK CHURCH
to Sycamore in De Kalb County, where we got information as to the whereabouts of Somonauk; thence south over the open prairie. We all got lost in the neighborhood of where De Kalb City now stands. After wandering around for some time we came in sight of Squaw Grove, and in the afternoon passed near the site where Hinckley now stands. Keeping on south we passed the post office and store kept by Alexander Patten and David Merritt, and we stopped overnight at the Devine's Tavern. The next morning we went to the homes of William Patten and Robert Patten and remained there a few days until Father bought the farm now called the Hoeponer place, about four miles north of the city of Sandwich. We lived there one year, and then we removed to the farm on the prairie, in Vic- tor Township, where we have lived ever since."
Meanwhile, at Somonauk the coming of the railroad had greatly stimulated settlement. After 1853 the prairies swarmed with land-seekers. Not many all-prairie farms had been occu- pied before 1850, and these late immigrants secured the more fertile farms of the region. Many of these later settlers came from Washington County, New York, and were relatives or friends of the earlier pioneers.
46
Later Settlers
MONG the later settlers were James Henry and his wife Jennett, the eldest daughter of George Beveridge, and his family. In a letter written September 16, 1925, one of his sons, John Vetch Henry, gives his memories of their arrival:
our family arrived at Somonauk Station in April, 1853, on the Burlington (Mendota, then the terminus), about 10:00 a. m., and after three hours' ride up the State Road, from Buckingham's, past Alexander R. Patten's farm, Clark's, Hamlin's, Devine's and Lamson's, nothing but a sea of mud, axle deep. Approaching Freeland Corners we saw Alexander R. and Agnes Beveridge Patten on the store platform awaiting our coming, then Uncle Andrew's (Beveridge) family were all at the roadside to greet us. At 1:00 p. m. we reached Grandfather's (George Beveridge's) place. Uncle Thomas Beveridge was at the gate with Aunt Elizabeth, his wife, Grandfather, Grand- mother and Aunt Isabel were on the porch.
"In a very short space of time Brother George and I (George seven and I nine years of age) were climbing over the straw stacks in the yard, bordering on the woodland. Hens' nests and hens' eggs galore! Grandmother told us that the eggs were not worth much and we could have all we gathered. In a short time we had twenty-five dozen, which we later took to Alexander Patten's store, expecting cash, but Uncle Alex did not seem to want them at all. Finally he said he would take them at two cents a dozen and pay us in trade, to which we con- sented and took candy."
John L. Beveridge, who had been absent from Somonauk for a number of years, returned to his father's home about this time. He writes: "In my absence conditions on the farm had changed. James and Thomas (Beveridge) for several years
47
SOMONAUK CHURCH
jointly worked the farm. They erected a two-story frame house with ten rooms and a woodshed attached. This house is still standing. The old log cabin had disappeared. They built a large barn for hay, cereals, and stables for horses. This barn and contents, except the horses, were burned before our return. The old log stable had gone. They brought more prairie under cul- tivation, and purchased in Thomas's name the Frisbee farm adjoining on the west, eighty acres or more, and eighty to. one hundred acres more of prairie on the south thereof. These lands are still owned by his descendants.
" James in December, 1849, married and this called for a separation of interests. Father (George Beveridge) conveyed to James about two hundred and twenty acres on the north side of the farm lying north of the timber. James had built a small house thereon, and on our home-coming was living there with his wife and child, Gertrude." Gertrude is said, by family tradition, to have been the last child born in the original log cabin."
James and Jennett Henry in 1887 celebrated their Golden Wedding at the family home one mile north of Somonauk. Nearly all of their living descendants and near relatives were present at this gathering of the clans, therefore the photograph of the group in the family history is a record of uncommon interest, illustrative of the strength of the tie that binds these families together.
48
The New Church Building
S OON after the coming of the railroad Alexander R. Patten moved to Sandwich, where he built a house and a store, which is still owned by his son. The family, however, did not sever their ties with the Somonauk church, and they often at- tended the services on Sabbaths.
It was in 1851 that the growing church in Somonauk felt the need of more room to accommodate its people, so in 1852 the first steps were taken toward erecting a church building: At a meeting of the congregation a committee was appointed and authorized to secure a two-acre site, and a pledge from the members to finance the undertaking. "Uncle George Bever- idge," as he was known to the community by this time, donated the two-acre site. Sufficient funds were pledged to warrant a building thirty by forty feet on the foundation.
It took time to build safely, but to the joy and pride of the builders the house of worship was finally far enough com- pleted to be occupied for service.
The old church record states that the building was not used as a place of worship until some time in 1853, and further records: "The Associate Congregation of Somonauk met at the meeting house agreeable to notice given by the request of the Trustees.
" Mr. Elijah Stewart was chosen chairman. The Trustees were instructed to put two windows in the south end of the house for better light.
" It was voted to lath and plaster between the studding.
" It was voted to appoint a committee of three to draft a plan for finishing the house and a plan for the steps, said com- mittee to give the amount and quality of each kind of lumber and cost of finishing. Messrs. Isaac Kirkpatrick, John Walker
49
SOMONAUK CHURCH
and John Boyd were chosen said committee. Alexander R. Patten was chosen to draft a subscription paper to be presented to this meeting.
" The above being handed in, it was read and accepted. Adjourned sine die, Somonauk, September 12, 1853. T. G. Beveridge, Clerk."
Six months later the record states:
" At the annual meeting, January 2, 1854, held in the meet- ing house, congregation approved of the course of the Trustees, so far as they have gone with the work.
" On motion, Trustees were authorized to paint the house inside and outside if they deemed it expedient.
" On motion, Elijah Stewart, D. M. Dobbin, and William Patten were appointed a new committee to draft a set of by- laws to govern congregational meetings, a former committee having failed to act.
" At a called meeting of the congregation, held April 5th, 1854, it was voted to raise $200.00 to pay arrears. It was voted separately, to raise $200.00 by subscription, for painting and fencing the meeting house."
The De Kalb historian, Henry L. Boies, recognizes the fact in his book that this church, built in 1852, was the first country church erected in this county.
The Rev. R. W. French, as already noted, became, in 1849, the first regular pastor of this persevering little flock. He was a strong factor in establishing the new house of worship. Dur- ing his pastorate of ten years one hundred and seven persons united with the church. Counting the twenty-six members who withdrew in 1854 to found the Reformed Presbyterian Church, would make a total membership of one hundred and thirty-three. This is a fine showing for a community so sparsely settled.
50
Doctrines
F ROM its foundation until 1858 Somonauk church on Som- onauk Creek was known as the "Seceder Church" because the body of which it was a unit had withdrawn in early times from a branch of the Presbyterian Church.
How deep was the conviction which led to this division another of John V. Henry's reminiscences well illustrates. It will be remembered that Andrew M. Beveridge, son of George Beveridge, had remained in the East when the family moved to Somonauk and had become a Presbyterian minister.
" There is one incident of those early days clearly fixed in my memory," Mr. Henry writes in 1925. "I refer to the refusal of Grandfather Beveridge to go to church when Uncle Andrew from Lansingburg, New York, preached, as he was a straight Presbyterian, and unorthodox.
" Uncle Andrew came West nearly every summer on a visit. During the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. French, he was not invited to assist in the church services. Then came the interim of two years between Mr. French and the Rev. Mr. Moffett, and the church was supplied by Dr. Wallace and by theological students from Monmouth and Xenia, Ohio, the compensation being eight dollars for the Sabbath services and railroad fare paid, with other expenses, averaging about twenty-five dollars a week. Some of the relatives, as well as others, wanted Uncle Andrew to preach while he was in Somonauk on a visit. The deacons did not think favorably at first, but finally consented, and Uncle was asked to preach.
" Grandmother went, of course, but Grandfather stayed at home. Grandmother held Uncle's arm as they went up the
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY
51
SOMONAUK CHURCH
aisle. He stopped to see her seated, then went to the platform. You remember his manly form, broad shoulders, high fore- head, flowing hair, piercing but kindly eyes, that seemed to look into one's very heart and soul.
"Presently placing his manuscript on the desk (he always spoke from manuscript), he clasped his hands, glanced over the congregation and said, 'Let us pray.' Then moving his head slightly backward without closing his eyes, he seemed to be looking up to the throne of God, as he said: ' Our Father who art in Heaven.' He did not preach to God, telling Him of the wondrous things He had done-as many are wont to do. Just talked with God as a little child to a parent, thankful for favors and asking for more. *
* Uncle's sermons were devoid of 'isms '-just Christ, and him crucified-no ' false doc- trines '-and there was an unusual stillness in that church. * * He preached twice that day and on the following Sabbath, but Grandfather remained at home.
" Then came the Rev. Mr. Moffett and he invited Uncle to preach, and Grandfather went to hear his son preach. How it came about I do not know. I thought at the time, and still think, his daughter (Agnes Beveridge Patten) pleaded with him, till he got from behind that wall of creeds and doctrines which he had built up.
" Our pew was third from the entrance and I saw that joyous glance of relations, and others too, as Grandfather went up the aisle. Uncle and Grandmother followed, she lean- ing on the arm of her son. There might have been tears of joy shed, and I think there were."
It is interesting to note the cause of the further division which resulted in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. We quote from the old Somonauk church record of 1854:
" It may not be out of place here to state that for some time past there has been considerable dissatisfaction felt among
52
DOCTRINES
some of the members with regard to the view held and taught by the pastor with respect to the second coming of Christ, and the character of the Millennium. This matter has been before the Presbytery and Synod, but of their action we have no minute. But it seems they enjoined those who were dissatis- fied to return to their duty as church members and follow the things which make for peace.
" This they have not been willing to do, but declined the authority of Session and Presbytery, and afterwards organized the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Somonauk, Illinois."
It is only fair here to state that those who withdrew 'con- tended for the sake of principle. Those who held to the post- millennium view believed the pre-millennium view was un- scriptural and should not be taught. Others believed that it mattered little which view was accepted, just so we believed the scriptures that Christ would come, that, for a good reason, He left no date when He would come, but left us the admoni- tion in His word, "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of men cometh." Wisely leaving the time of His coming uncertain to His followers, but making it cer- tain He would come, in time.
The outcome goes to illustrate the strong conviction of those sturdy men and women who could not be induced to be untrue to their consciences. Hence the division. It is only justice to give all concerned credit for following the course they heartily believed to be right. Noble Christian men and women were on both sides of the controversy. It has been correctly said, " You cannot break Presbyterianism, but you can split it."
At the abandonment of the Reformed Presbyterian Church nearly ten years later, the greater part of its members, with the exception of some living far to the west and northwest who helped to establish the Waterman Presbyterian Church, returned to the mother church of Somonauk.
53
SOMONAUK CHURCH
Since the union of the Associate and the Associate Reformed Churches in 1858, Somonauk church has been known as the Somonauk United Presbyterian Church, or, as it is generally called, " The U. P. Church."
54
The Panic of 1857
T T HE financial panic of 1857 and 1858 came suddenly and unexpectedly. Due to overspeculation many large and sub- stantial business houses failed, as well as the greater number of the host of state, commonly called wildcat, banks.
This catastrophe added much to the burden of the settlers, and business stability did not return to the country for several years. Bank notes declined in value rapidly. Money disappeared almost entirely from circulation. Paper money, although it was all but worthless, was accepted each day on a basis of that day's rating, as published in the Chicago morning papers. To illus- trate: A man selling produce in the morning would at once buy necessary articles at the store, or hasten with all speed to a creditor whom he had previously agreed to pay on a certain day at about a certain hour. The creditor, at the same time also would have arranged to get rid of the dangerous currency, as it must not be held over night if it could possibly be avoided. At best, however, many suffered loss. One instance, given by John V. Henry, will in a measure illustrate:
" It was in 1857, I think, the year known as the State Bank Panic. * * Father and other neighbors went or sent daily to the 10:00 a. m. train for the latest paper issued.
" Father owed a neighbor $37 for a cow he had purchased, and one morning about 8:00 a. m., he gave me $85 in the so-called ' Wild Cat Currency ' to take to the neighbor. Arriv- ing at the neighbor's place I met a playmate, and forgetting my errand, we engaged in a game of shooting marbles. Later on I thought of my errand and on inquiry found the neighbor had gone to town for his Chicago paper and I left the $85 with his wife. After dinner the neighbor called on Father with the discounted bills in one hand and the Chicago paper in the other,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.