USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 18
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Paw Paw in early days was headquarters for crimes and dishonorable deeds, which gave the community an unenviable reputation. This, how- ever. was no fault of the majority of the in- habitants, but misdemeanors were committed by a small band of men supposed to have consisted of Wyram, better known as "Bogus" Gates. "Bill" Rogers, John Bryant and others, whose many un- derhanded and suspicious acts branded them as members of a horse thieving and counterfeiting
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gang. They often had large sums of money in their possession which could be accounted for in no other way than by their own manufacture. At one time part of the gang was imprisoned for horse thieving, the two stolen animals being found in the Gates barn. They escaped from the peni- tentiary, however, and lived for many years to commit deeds of atrocity. As the country became more thickly settled the marauders lived very un- comfortable lives and took up the western march to the newer country, where there were less nu- merous objections to their way of gaining a liveli- hood.
In early days. before banks with their safety deposit vaults had found their way to De Kalb county, it sometimes happened that the settlers accumulated good round sums of money and these for safe keeping were buried deep in the ground in some unfrequented spot. Years after the "wild cat" days had passed a sum of eight hundred dol- lars was found by Harris Breese and a companion buried in a place near where a fence had been built.
But few settlements were made until 1842, when settlers came quite rapidly, among the earliest of whom was Jacob Wiriek and family. Of Mr. Wi- rick's family of ten children hut one, Nancy. wife of HI. S. Dickinson, J. P., remains in the town- ship. To Mrs. Diekinson the writer is indebted for the early history of Paw Paw township. She has been a continued resident of Paw Paw town- ship for over fifty-six years and recalls the early history of this township with a vividness as though it were but a fortnight.
Among those who made Paw Paw township their home within the next five years were: Marcus and Eli Bartlett, Alonzo M. La Porte, Dennis Connell, Thomas, William, James and Robert Har- per, James MeFarland, Vincent Breese, Almond Lake and Robert Hampton. We are indebted also to Robert Hampton for the assistance of his diary and excellent memory for information regarding the early history of this township. Although Mr. Hampton at this writing is seventy-seven years of age, he walks with much of the elastic step which characterized him among the early settlers. Daily may he be seen astride his favorite horse going to his nearest postoffice. East Paw Paw. or more properly called Paw Paw Grove, for his mail.
and cordial is his greeting to all whom he may meet.
Up to December, 1846, there had been no schoolhouse erected. Benjamin Harris, however, had kept a private school at his home since 1836. Now all felt the need of better school facilities, and the 1st day of December. 1846. found the youth for miles around, with Thomas Burns as master, assembled in the first schoolhouse built in Paw Paw township, on the north side of Ross Grove. This edifice of learning was made of logs split and set upon end. chinked and plastered. The first frame schoolhouse was built in 1850 and is now a part of the residence of William Stone, East Paw Paw.
A stock company was organized and built a seminary at East Paw Paw in 1855, but the move- ment did not prove a success that time, so the building was soll to the school district. In 1868 a new and better seminary was built and the school started once more, as the East Paw Paw Teachers' Institute and Classical Seminary. In less than two years this fine building was destroyed by fire and the district turned the old building over to the seminary. It continued for several years un- der the above name and no school in this section of the state has turned out a better class of gradu- ates. Among those who were fortunate enough to receive the advantages of this school are clergy- men, lawyers, editors and teachers, of whom any community may justly be proud.
The fire that occurred in 1870 put a damper on the school for a time, but it was not lasting and in a few years it was better than ever before. For many years a paper called "The Students' Offering" was published in connection with the school and from its columns and the memory of some of the old pupils we are enabled to record many facts of interest. In 1860 D. D. McGibeny. with his wife, both graduates of Alfred University. started west for the purpose of establishing a school. For two years they followed their chosen line of work in Wisconsin, but the war had such a depressing influence that they were forced to abandon it. Mr. McGibeny took up the insurance business. and while following this work became acquainted with William E. Rosette, one of the trustees of the East Paw Paw graded schools, and . was engaged as teacher, which position he held for years. He was about to leave to follow his long
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cherished plan, when the idea struck Paw Paw people that they might build up such an institu- tion there and retain Professor MeGibeny. Hence the seminary was built through much difficulty and untold work and planning on the part of Pro- fessor MeGibeny. The building committee con- sisted of D. D. MeGibeny. C. C. Breed, Robert Hampton, D. R. Fuller and J. O. Stanton. For a few years school was held in the unfinished building and just as it was completed the hand of an incendiary reduced it to ashes. From that time until the close of the life of the institution school was held in the old building.
The first corps of teachers consisted of Pro- fessor MeGibeny and wife. S. N. Fish, M. D., and J. O. Stanton. McGibeny and Stanton did most of the teaching. Some of the other carly teachers were Ernest C. Eaton. Mattie J. Fish, Ellen Per- sons, James W. Shanks. Leroy M. AAverill. W. II. Conn, C. E. Roseite. Leroy S. Norton, Charles Smolt and W. N. Low. The course of study con- sisted of Greek. metaphysics, natural sciences. French, drawing, oil and photograph painting. Latin, mathematics, German, physiology and the laws of health. vocal and instrumental music, etc .. and the common branches of education.
The Philogean society, Philosophian lyceum, the Philorhetorian Debating (Inb and the Natural History society kept up the social life of the school. The fourth anniversary was held on the Fourth of July, 1813, and a good program given. An alumni was kept up for a number of years.
AAmong the people living in various parts of the United States who were once students here are Ellen Gates Rawdon, Palo Alto, California : 1 .- cinda Helm Sherwood. Chicago, Illinois: Celia Norton Husk. Shabbona, Ilinois: Ella Sherwood Holmes, Shabbona, Illinois: James W. Shanks. Simpson, Kansas: Eliza Burke Shanks. Simpson. Kansas : Lucy Peace Boston, Rollo. Ilinois : Nancy Weddell Powers. Rollo, Illinois: Charles V. Wed- dell. Rollo, Illinois: Edwin Gates, Pawpaw, Illi- nois; Polly Robinson Gates, Pawpaw, Illinois : Frank Sherwood, Silverton, Colorado ; Ezra Helm. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: A. M. Robbins, Ord, Ne- braska : Cynthia Haskell Robbins. Ord, Nebraska : Leroy S. Norton. Jackson. Michigan : Jennie Wa- ters Norton, Jackson, Michigan: Ira E. Stevens. Shabbona. Illinois : Murray L. Stevens, Shabbona. Illinois: Dr. Frank Stevens, Lincoln, Nebraska :
Maggie Kittle Schern.erhorn, Iloyt, Kansas ; Mary Miller Steward, Chicago, Illinois: Lizzie Alexan- der AAllen, Aurora, Illinois; Grace Brown Case, Aurora, Illinois; Ralph Brown, Waterman, Illi- nois ; Judson Persons, Manson, lowa ; Newell Per- sons, Manson, Iowa; Morton Persons, Manson. Iowa; Eugene Persons, Chicago, Illinois: Ellen Persons Adams, Fort Dodge, Iowa; Jabez Adams, Fort Dodge, Iowa; Amelia Persons Merrill. Rock Island, Illinois : Rev. Frank Merrill, Rock Island. Illinois : Frank Olmsted, Shabbona Grove, Illinois ; Lottie Whitford Young, Ottawa, Kansas; Sarah Whitford Christie, Omaha, Nebraska : Dr. William Christie, Omaha, Nebraska : Amelia Dickey, Shab- bona, Illinois : Frank Barber. Franklin. Nebraska : Cyrette Turpening Bennett, Paw Grove, Illinois; Emma Pierce Barnes, Memphis, Missouri: Orton 1. Barnes, Memphis, Missouri: Philip Pieree. Paw Grove, Illinois: Lydia Hampton Dalton, Pawpaw, Illinois ; Ella Smith Swarthout Thomp- son, Paw Grove, Illinois: Nettie Swarthout Thompson. Dixon, Illinois; Libbie Knell Lover- ing. Shabbona, Illinois: Albert Hinds, Jr .. Chi- cago, Illinois : William Mercer, Shabbona, Illinois : Ella Lattin Mercer, Shabbona, Illinois: William Terry. Portland, Oregon : Sarah Storey Greene. Scranton, lowa : John J. Quilhot, Shabbona. Illi- nois: Lewi- Card. Shabbona, Illinois; Martin Goodyear. De Kalb, Illinois; Ella Rosette Good- vear. De Kalb, Illinois : Jay Clapsaddle, Shabbona, Illinois : Delos Clapsaddle. Clear Lake. Towa : Ella Quinn Terry. Champaign, Illinois: Jessie Morse Norton, Shabbona, Illinois: Dr. Bayard Holmes. Chicago, Illinois: Clinton Rosette, De Kalb. Illi- nois: Alfa Clair Rosette. De Kalb. Ilinois; Anna Taylor Marble, Paw Grove, Illinois : Jennie Taylor Franz. Paw Grove, Illinois : Bertha Beitel. Rockford, Illinois: Mattie Fish King. Benson, Vermont : Frank Rogers, Pawpaw, Illinois; Frank Bryant. Cottage Grove, Illinois: Belle Miller Greene, lowa : Gertrude Town Beggs (deceased ) . Denver, Colorado : Gueley Greene, Iowa: D. . . Stanton (deceased). Towa : Mary Buckley Stanton (deceased). Jowa : Dr. Boardman. Walnut. Illi- nois: Mila Tuestis Boardman, Walnut. Illinois ; Baker Fletcher, Sandwich, Illinois.
A seminary having been built at South Pawpaw on the line between De Kalb and Lee counties, and another at West Pawpaw, a few miles distant. a rivalry sprang up and they eventually destroyed
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
TI PUT
.RY
TILDES FOUND ATIONS.
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each other. As the patronage was insufficient to support them they finally became common schools. The first church was built at Ross Grove in 1861, the second near the present site of Rollo, and the third at East Pawpaw.
Pawpaw township sent one hundred and thirty- seven men to the Civil war. There were but four townships in De Kalb county which sent more men to the front. Fifteen of her citizens are known to have lost their lives during that struggle. "Three of these belong to the Hyde family, a family still prominent in the affairs of the town. John Densmore Dole killed at Stone River, a bullet piercing his brain. Ile had stooped to relieve a wounded soldier and while doing this service lost his life. His grandfather was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, while giving a drink to a wounded comrade. The body was recovered through the entreaties of his mother to General Rosecrans and he was buried in the South Pawpaw cemetery. Pawpaw not only gave one hundred and thirty- seven men to the Civil war, but sent two to the war with Mexico : Alonzo LaPort and Peleg Sweet. It sent three soldiers to the Spanish-American war: Clarence Dunton, Benjamin Atherton and C. Goble.
Hon. Robert Hampton, one of the honored citi- zens of De Kalb county, came to Pawpaw in the early '40s. He served his township many years as supervisor, was elected county treasurer and member of the state legislature. His son, R. F. Hampton, prominent in town affairs, also served his town four years as supervisor. Other men prominent in political affairs of Pawpaw were H. M. Boardman, a sketch of whom appears in this work: Jesse Cory and his son David, who were both prominently identified with the affairs of their town and county. Simeon E. Hyde was prominent as a financier, was a man well known in La Salle and De Kalb counties. while his son, George Hyde, is at present serving his town as supervisor. Alonzo LaPort, a veteran of the Mexican war, owning a thousand acres of land in his town, was one of its early pioneers, serving his town faithfully in many capacities, and is at present a resident of West Pawpaw. His son. Frank LaPort, is a large landowner and snc- cessful business man and is well known throughout the county.
The supervisors from this town are: Pierpont Edwards, William Shepherdson, Robert Hampton. A. Dole, N. Il. Powers, S. E. Shepherdson. Cor- nelius W. Quilhot, Henry M. Boardinan, John Harper, Alonzo LaPort, James Harper, David Cory. Frank Hampton and George Hyde.
SHAABBON.A.
Although the village of Shabbona has been founded for twenty-six years, it is of recent origin when compared with other portions of the town- ship. At no time in the history of the place has it had a "boom," but the steady, healthy growth has brought about changes which seem marvelous when compared with the condition of the country as seen by the early inhabitants of fifty years ago.
Before white people took up their westward march, what is now known as Shabbona township was a portion of fertile land, the northern part .composed of, beautiful prairie, while the south- ern division was covered with heavy timber. Here Chief Shabbona of the Pottawattomie tribe of In- dians and about fifty of his followers, many of them "members of his own family. were living a peaceful life in their wigwams, cultivating small patches of corn, beans, pumpkins, etc., making sugar from the maple trees, but depending mainly upon hunting for their living. A most elaborate sketch of Chief Shabbona appears in the history of the county proper.
In 1849 Shabbona came back to his old reserva- tion and lived for a time, but the series of wan- derings had begun which finally broke up the band. only a few of the immediate family remaining with the old chief. Finally a few friends purchased twenty acres of timber land in Grundy county to be used as a home for Shabbona, and here, in 1859, at the age of eighty-four years, he died and was buried in the cemetery at Morris. There is now a movement on foot to erect a suitable monn- ment over his last resting place. Nothing is now left here as a memorial of the chief and his tribe except a few relies and keepsakes among some of the oldest families, but a pretty open clearing on the farm owned by William Husk is pointed out as a spot where the old Shabbona house stood. This was a comfortable log house built by David Norton, John Palm and others under contract
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with Wyram Gates, better known by the suggestive title of "Bogus," who agreed to provide this house in the settlement with the Indians and the gov- ernment when Mr. Gates bought the large tract of land claimed by the red men. It was never occupied by them as a residence, but as a store- house. they preferring wigwams, and was acci- dentally burned down several years ago.
The remnant of this tribe so friendly to the whites is now living on a reservation near Topeka. Kansas.
The white settlers began in the late $30s to wend their way from the east. and, bringing all they possessed in prairie schooners. located at the various parts of the township, to make their future homes. The immense tract of high, rolling prairie, well watered and drained by the Big Indian creek into the Fox river at the south and the Kishwaukee at the north, was very attractive to the early emi- grants on account of the excellence of the land. it- dry and healthy location, and the quality and quantity of timber in the grove. They built log houses and at once engaged in farming. New Year's day. 1836. was celebrated by the erection of the first white man's dwelling. Edmund Town and David Smith, who had lived in the wigwams which the Indians had temporarily abandoned. built the first log house of the settlement, which afterward grew to be one of the most flourishing in the county. Among the first to locate here were Jonas Miller, H. E. Allen, William White, Coleman Olmstead. Sr .. Coleman Olmstead, Jr .. Lewis Olmstead, Nathan Olmstead. Moses Foster. William Marks. Sr .. Edmund Town. Ira Park, Dexter Horton. "Mother" Horton. Miles Horton. William Olmstead and Jefferson Sturtevant. Rev. Gammon and many others soon followed. The first effort outside of the attempt to produce something on their farms and thus supply their physical necessities was the desire to organize some form of town government. In pursuance of this idea, Shabbona became one of the thirteen towns of the county. and William Marks was elected to be the first supervisor in the year 1850. and the other necessary officers were soon after elected.
By the topography of the township the present site of the village of Shabbona Grove was natur- ally selected as an embryo town. Nestling on the southern edge of the timber, it at onee afforded
suggestions of many cozy homes safely sheltered from the wintry blasts which swept down from across the bleak prairie. And here also was a stage station, kept first by L. P. Sanger and shortly afterward by William Marks, who was also postmaster. The stage line was owned by a stock company and was called the Chicago & Galena line. P. V. Quilhot was one of the drivers, and the passengers consisted mainly of miners and those connected with the lead mines of Galena. which were in a flourishing condition. He was also a driver on a north and south line in the vicinity of Princeton, where the travelers were oflice holders on the way to and from Springfield. George Shaw was also a well known stage driver of that time. Many other small branches of busi- ness began to open at this little settlement and as the wants and means of the people increased busi- ness became lively. William Marks added a small stock of general goods. Samuel Curtis opened a drug and grocery store. Reuben Challand ran a blacksmith shop, and a sawmill was owned and operated by Olmstead Brothers. The town had a steady growth in early years, but being late in securing a railroad lapsed into gradual decay.
The first religious services were held at the house of Nathan Olmstead. The first Methodist services were held at the house of Coleman Olm- stead in the fall of 1841. Meetings were held in the house in the winter and in the barn in the summer. Rev. Mr. Morrison officiating. The Methodists erected the first house of worship in 1864 in the village of Shabbona Grove. The first services held therein were the funeral services of Mrs. M. V. AAllen. September 21. 1864. A Union church was built about the same time. but the Methodist Episcopal church was the first dedi- rated. The first Congregational church of Shab- bona was organized September 10. 1854, and until 1865 held services in the school house at Shabbona Grove. Rev. Stephen Battes was the first pastor. The present Congregational church in the village of Shabbona was dedicated November 6. 1879. This church is at present the largest religious or- ganization in the township.
The first school in the township was tanght in the winter of 1842-3. at the house of William C. Olmstead. William Curtis was the teacher. Ile received twelve dollars and fifty cents a month and hoarded himself. The school was on the
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subscription plan and the Olmstead families fur- nished the greater number of pupils. The first schoolhouse was built on the west side of Indian creek on the north side of the road. It was used for religious purposes as well until the church buildings were erected. The house was of logs and erected in the fall of 1843. Eliza Ilorton was the first teacher in this house.
The first cemetery was located near the center of section 25. Mrs. Lyman was the first interred. She died in 1840 or 1841. A dozen bodies were probably buried there. The ground was soon abandoned. The first regular cemetery was estab- lished on the farm of David Smith on section 27. The first decoration of soldiers' graves was con- ducted by Rev. Fletcher Pomeroy, in June, 1877.
In its best days Shabbona Grove contained three general stores, a tin shop, a boot and shoe shop, two hotels and two churches. A large business was transacted.
The last payment to the Indians in De Kalb county, and doubtless in the state, was made in 1835 on section 35.
The early settlers of Shabbona, like the pioneers of other sections, believed whisky to be indispen- sable in house or barn raisings. When Edmond Towne's house was raised a flask of whisky was found secreted near by, supposed to have been the property of the Indians. It was confiscated and added zest to the occasion. For the next few years it was the custom to have a good supply at such gatherings. This practice was continued until the raising of Coleman Olmstead's barn (the first [rame barn in the township) in the spring of 1842. Mr. Olmstead refused to furnish whisky, at which innovation there was a bitter protest. He substituted a warm supper, with good coffee. which was voted satisfactory. From that time a warm meal, with coffee, look the place of whisky at such gatherings. About two miles west of the town of Shabbona is what is known as the English settlement. It was begun in the fall of 1851, when five young Englishmen, Septimus Sto- rey, Thomas Wright, William Cutts, George Glos- sop and Joseph Dillans took up government land. The first house was built by Mr. Glossop, and here the entire party kept bachelors' hall until they could build homes of their own. The place was headquarters for the subsequent immigrants from England and soon quite a colony of their
fellow countrymen had collected, among the first being Robert Mullin, Reuben Challand, John Ken- nedy, Thomas Dalton, James Hutton, the descend- ants of many of whom live on the homestead farms. The first schoolhouse was built in 1857 and was taught by Mrs. Witherspoon. They built a Meth- odist Episcopal church in the year 1869 and later a cemetery was established directly east of it.
The village of Shabbona was surveyed and plat- ted in 1842 on section 15. A village had been platted at the junction of the C. & I. and C., B. & Q. roads, about a half mile west, to which was given the name of Cornton. A temporary depot had been constructed, John Ray and William Husk had opened a mercantile business, and others had been started or were in contemplation. The site was favorable and the only thing that was required to make it. the regular station of the railroad was- a donation of some of the land to interested rail- road men. This some of the proprietors refused to do; therefore a removal was determined upon and Cornton was doomed. The first building erected in the present village of Shabbona was by W. Il. Ray. the present editor of the Shabbona Express. William Husk then removed his store building from Cornton and opened the first iner- cantile establishment in the village. A. S. Jackson removed here from Shabbona Grove and com- menced business. In 1813 M. V. Allen opened a drug store. Thomas Padget and J. M. Bean began business and were the second to represent the mercantile interests of the place. W. F. Heeg in the winter of 18:2-3 opened a stock of fur- niture and is still in business. The first exclusive hardware store was started in 18:3 by Crapser. Coleman & Company. Other branches of business followed from time to time until at present Shab- bona has a population of nearly nine hundred. It has more miles of cement walks than any other town of its size in the county, there being but a half mile of board walk in the town. The present school building was erected in 1876 and occupied in the fall of that year. S. B. Hallock was prin- cipal and Miss Viola Thomas assistant.
The land claimed by the early settlers came into the market in 1843, at Dixon, Illinois. Many had saved just enough to pay for the claim on which they had seitled. Fearing that land specu- lators would be present. they went to Dixon one hundred and fifty strong, armed with clubs and
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pistols, to prevent others from bidding on the land aside from the two men selected, who were William Marks and Reuben Allen. Arriving at Dixon, they found men prepared to purchase their lands and they arranged to seize any such bidder and drown him in the Rock river. The resolute aspect of this body of men overawed all opposi- tion, and they secured their lands at a dollar and a quarter an aere.
Shabbona furnished one hundred and thirty men for the preservation of the Union during the Civil war, and she raised in taxes and bounties twelve thousand two hundred and ninety-one dol- lars. A large number of the soldiers from Shab- bona enlisted under the valiant Captain G. W. Kittell, of the Fifty-eighth Illinois, and Captain Thomas Terry, of the One Hundred and Fifth. Captain Terry had served as a member of the legislature. had been for years supervisor of the town and had served in the Mexican war. Cap- tain Terry died in Earlville in the later 60s. Captain Martin V. Allen, who succeeded him. lost an arm in the service. Upon his return to the county he was elected to the othice of county super- intendent of schools. Sergeant Thomas E. Taylor. of the same company, a native of Scotland. lost his life in the service, at the age of forty-one. D. W. Jackson. of the same company, died at Bowl- ing Green, aged twenty. Sergeant J. M. Dobbin. of the Thirteenth Illinois. died of wounds re- ceived at the assault of Vicksburg. Sergeant George C. IIarper served honorably for three years in the One Ilundred and Fifth and subsequently lost his life at Fort Harper. while in the Seventh Regulars, at the age of twenty-three. JJohn Me- Farland. of the One Hundred and Fifth. died at Frankfort. Kentucky. Henry Davis. of the Tenth Infantry, died at St. Louis. Oliver Pattee. of the Fifty-second. died at St. Joseph. Lyman Kil- bourn. of the One Hundred and Fifth. died at Resaca. Corporal Philip Howe. of the One Hun- dred and Fifth. died of wounds received at Resaca. W. E. Grover, of the One Hundred and Fifth. was killed at Dallas, Georgia, while carrying off a wounded comrade from the skirmish line. James MI. Round, of the Fifty-eighth Illinois. William T. Williams, of the Fifty-eighth Illinois. George Flick. John A. Muzzy, Byron Nichols, Nelson Fil- kins.
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