USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 44
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and poor Mr. Mack worked right along, fortified, doubtless, with the hope of reward in the here- after, if not here. They must have been good men. We suppose they all voted for 'Long John' for Congress, and that if they had not he would hare removed every last one of them, even those who looked and hoped and prayed for a salary, which, alas, never came."
REMINISCENCES AS RELATED BY HON. M. B. CASTLE IN 1882.
The county of De Kalb was the last to feel the impulse of emigration because it was divided by no large river, rather furnishing the high land where the feeders of the Fox and Rock rivers had their ri-e.
Nearly twenty-eight years ago there was little land that could be sold for twenty dollars per acre, which was in the central townships where plenty was to be had afterward for five dollars per acre. the present price of wild land a thousand miles west and northwest. This section had passed through many vicissitudes, which had been the scene of many stirring adventures and bloody con- tests. On the 4th day of March. 1837. the gen- eral assembly of the state of Illinois passed an act for the creation of the county of De Kalb from the counties of Stephenson. Winnebago and Boone, this county being named in honor of the gallant German baron, De Kalb, who came to this country to serve in the war of the Revolution and died in that service.
It seems incredible that less than fifty years ago this section was inhabited almost entirely by In- dians. the troops stationed at Chicago being or- dered to keep the whites from eneroaching on their land. In 1835 these roving tribes began to feel the pressure of civilization and prepared to move beyond the Mississippi. All who came were not peaceable settlers. About 1840 this section became the home of the most wreckless bandits that ever infested any new country, particular attention being paid to horse stealing. Only about forty years ago the banditti of the prairies were a band of as desperate outlaws as now continue depredations in the fastnesses of the Rocky moun- tains. and they held high carnival on these lands, intimidating settlers and destroying much prop- erty. Well remembered among the old settlers of
this county is the Indian chief, Shabbona. of the Pottawattamies. The town of Somonauk in which we live occupies the southeast corner of the county. Later all the eighteen townships of De Kalb county were laid out by government survey into a six-mnile square and was well watered and well timbered. In it was erected the first house in the county, a small log house built in 1834 on the bank of the Somonauk creek and on the great artery of travel between Chicago and Galena, on what is known as the Beveridge farm. west of Freeland. It was used as a tavern, being oceu- pied by Mr. Robinson. afterward by John Root and later by John Esterbrook. father of Mrs. B. F. Hummel. to whom we are indebted for much in- formation. and Mrs. J. F. Latham.
In 1835 the timber on Somonauk creek served to attract settlers, among whom were Dr. Arnold, father of 1. M. Arnold. Joseph Sly, Thomas Brooks and Simon Price. whose children are most respected citizens of this section today. In 1839 there were about thirty houses in the township, but every year witnessed new additions. The main artery of travel was the road from Little Rock to Freeland Corners and over the coast road went the slow, heavy stage coach, the only means of travel between Chicago and Galena. Little Rock was the most important town upon the north. it being a town of considerable business and the largest town in this section west of Aurora and west of the river. All along this road were little taverns, this township having three within six miles, while several houses opened their hospitable doors, if it had a door, to the pilgrim and stranger. In 1835 John Esterbrook, with his family, settled in Squaw Grove, afterward buying half of the Beveridge farm. In 1838 B. F. Hummel, husband of Mrs. B. F. Hummel of this city, moved from Pennsylvania. building the first frame house be- tween Somonauk and Squaw Grove, keeping tavern in a log barn until they could build a house. This house is now owned by Nat Wilson and has been used as a house until within the last few years. Mrs. Hummel still owns a part of the original elaim. living on it until last spring. Captain Davis was here at that time and as we have pub- lished a sketch of his life before. it is familiar to our readers.
David Merritt and Francis Devine both took claims in 1831, Mr. Merritt being the first of the
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hundreds of settlers then taking claims in the timber in the belief that the prairies were worth- less. David Merritt became one of the leading citizens, started a store at Freeland Corners and afterward sold to A. R. Patten, who continued the business until it was moved to Sandwich, where J. II. Culver went into business with Mr. Patten. Mr. Patten soon sold his interest to G. W. Culver. These men carried on a large and successful mer- chandising enterprise for many years and lived in this city. Mr. Devine lived to a good old age, bringing up a large family of sons and daughters. The homestead is now owned by two daughters, the sons owning fine farms on the original claim. Mr. Frank Dale was one of the early settlers, taking up a large body of land, which he disposed of to various parties. He is still living in the town of Victor. In early life he studied for the ministry and was one of the early pioneer preach- ers of this section, having a marked influence on its morals. H. Sane and Mr. Bennett opened a hotel on what is now the Dewey farm. This was one of the leading hotels, supposed to be the head- quarters for some of the prominent men of the territory. Many of the wayside taverns of that day bore a questionable reputation.
In 1839 the first manufacturing establishment was erected by Robert Sterritt, being a sawmill on Somonauk creek, west of J. H. Latham's farm and just below the bridge on the cross road run- ning west to S. D. Culman's. This was looked upon as a marvel of convenience and enterprise, as indeed it was. That old mill has been removed but a few years, the writer having eaten picnic dinners under its moss-grown roof. Then the town began to fill up. as there came the Lathams, Witherspoons, Joels, Persons. Hyats. Davises, Dales, Merritts and Devines on the east, and on the west the Burchmans. Pierces. Brookses, Pop- lins. Rhodes. Harmans, Dobbins. Blisses and Townsends, most of whose names are household words, the writer having intimate acquaintance with their children, who are active men and women of today. Those were days of privation, the nearest market being Chicago, where every- thing had to be hauled over roads almost im- passible for a month at a time. In 1843 the land sale was held in Chicago. Before that all lands were held on claims, but those titles were respected because they must be. Every man recognized the
rights of his neighbor under penalty of "Judge Lynch," and money was hard to get and many had to sacrifice improvements because they could not pay for the claim. We have often heard Hon. William Patten, who was one of the pioneers though not of the first, tell that David Merritt, who was the first postmaster elected at Freeland Corners, was in the habit of carrying all the mail to religious meetings in his hat, but it was fre- quently very hard work to receive the twenty-five cents necessary for postage.
The township saw a greater improvement from 1840 to 1851, when the C., B. & Q. Railroad was built, when its great prosperity came with the rush of the steam engine. The history of the county can easily be divided into three epochs : that of the Indian. being a barbaric one; that of the pioneers, toilsome, lonely, enjoyable, though but half civilized; and that of the railroad, full of enterprise, push and enlightenment but having as many cares and as much hard work as the second and far more than the first. With the advent of the railroad came stations with shipping outlet for the country. There was one at Plano, four miles east, and one at Somonauk, three miles west of this city. The only prominent farmers here where Sandwich now stands were Robert and William Patten, Joseph and Hubbard Latham, Joseph Weeks and J. H. Furman, with others equally strong on the north, and Almon Gage, Captain Davis Washington, Isaac and James Walker, Thomas Furman and Andrew Brodie, with others of influence on the south, all deter- mined to push through a station. After much persuasion the railroad company decided to make this a flag station, that is, a station where trains could stop if flagged, and upon that Almon Gage had a town laid out and with great liberality of- fered good lots to all who would build on them, and many accepted. A. R. Patten, who was then doing a prosperous business at Freeland. built a house and store in Sandwich. James Clark built the first hotel, located on the corner where Klein- smid's store now stands, and Merlin Carpenter built a house in connection with Chester Wilcox and started a first-class repair shop. blacksmithing and manufacturing. Mr. Carpenter being the most expert plow workman in this section and Mr. Wil- cox equally expert in other things. Mr. Carpenter is still a resident of our city, while Mr. Wilcox is
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a prosperous farmer in Squaw Grove. The estab- lishment of this station has always seemed to the people of Somonauk station to be an affront per- sonal to them. They have believed that if Sand- wich had not been located here this population and all other parts of the town would take their beer at Somonank brewery instead of patronizing Chicago or Milwaukee. After the establishment of the station busines- men began to come in rap- idly. Henry F. Winchester came from Palmyra, New York. and started a lumber yard, selling an namense amount of material to the country about. George W. and James Culver sucecoded to the first store and for a long time were the leading merchants. Mr. Winchester had a house where W. L. Simmons' warehouse now stands. This was in 1856. when M. B. Castle became a citizen of the little town and later had his office with Mr. Winchester. Among the relics down east that Mr. Castle brought with him was an okl white plug hat. Stepping in the office one day Mr. Win- chester spied Mr. Stone in his door and taking Mr. Castle's hat put it on his head and hallooed to the grocer. "I say. Porley, what will you ask to fill this hat with lemonade?" "Twenty-five cents," replied Mr. Stone. The hat was taken over. filled with lemonade by the vender and every man and boy was invited to take a drink from the hrim of the hat. Suddenly the hat was slipped on the head of one of the citizens, the lemonade triekling down over the clothes of the victim. br it would not do to get angry at a joke, even though not a practical one. It may be well to state that the hat wa- not presentable after the exercises closed.
George Kleinsmid opened the first hardware store in the first brick building. now occupied by Mr. Rainey as a drug store. Thomas Dean started a harness shop in 1855 in the building now owned by Dr. David. west of the Sandwich Bank. David Burkhart filled the wants of the citizens for time and eternity, being engaged in -elling furniture and undertaking, but his son H. R. had not then learned and turned his attention to the art of conbalming. as the people did not then care for so many luxuries as in this day. The business of Mr. Burkhart has met with increased success. He still lives in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labor. a hale and hearty man. J. R. Carr was one of the first. if not the very first. merchant of the
place. His store was in the row of wooden build- ing, south of the Sandwich Bank and his residence where Henry Henniss now lives. He was a gentle- man of good habits and an excellent story teller and før year- was one of the foremost citizens of this community, running a large bank here but finally went to Chicago, where he made his home. Sidney J. Smith started the first drug store. George B. Hollenbeck was one of the early mer- chants who occupied half of the double store on Main street, where Mr. Brooks' warehouse now stands. lle was a man of the strictest probity. carefully minding his own business, so carefully that frequently when a customer came in to pur- chase goods he would ask if they saw anything on the shelves they wanted: if they did he would take it down. if not they could go elsewhere.
We have been requested to continue our remi- nisconces and as the former paper was received with so much favor will do as much as time will permit. Last week we stated on authority on the history of De Kalb county that the C. B. & Q. Railroad was built in 1851. We have been in- formed that it was an error, that the road was built to Aurora in 1852 and was built in 1853 through this township. When the writer settled here in 1856 there were one hundred and fifty people at this station. L. D. and S. Humiston were numbered among the early business men of Sandwich, and Almon Gage owned the site where Sandwich was laid out. He was one of the most active in getting the flag station located here and during his life took an active interest in its affairs. He was a man of more than average ability, care- (nl and shrewd in all his business, a most invet- erate hater of sham, and always ready to aid industry and intelligence. He became quite wealthy. which enabled him to aid deserving and industrious people. All he asked was for the man whom he favored to be true to his word and try to succeed, when his counsel and cash were ready to assist. Although a money lender for many years, he was not hard on his debtors. Only last week one who borrowed largely of him was pre- sonted by him with eighty dollars on settlement because he had been unfortunate. This man will ever revere the memory of AAlmon Gage, and this is not a single instance of his good deeds. G. P. Ilay opened the first grocery store. He was a practical tailor. coming west from New York
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city. living for some time as Oswego, Illinois, where he knew all the great men of a former gen- eration, that being then a prominent county seat. Among the pioneers of this city was A. J. Thomas. When he first saw the town in 1856 he was in the employ of the railroad as a watchman and man of all work. A. C. Frick was the first station agent. Ile was a wiry German, fully Yankeeized. As agent of the C. B. & Q. he was a success. Their interests were his first thought and besides being an excellent railroad man he was an excellent citizen. lle has since gone to his rest.
The first minister in the county was, as usual, a Methodist minister, Rev. William Royal, who was living until a recent date, as Dr. Goodfellow informs us. The Methodist church was organized here in 1836 and was ministered to by a long list of preachers, the Rev. J. MeCansland being the first one stationed here. He was an ordinary preacher but was an active worker, keeping his people together and having the faculty of making them pay for their belief. He built the Methodist church here and one at Asbury, and had enough business ability to beat Henry F. Winchester out of several hundred dollars in a business deal. Another minister among the pioneers was II. F. Shankland, of the United Presbyterian church. He was a gentleman of ability but his health would not permit him to preach, so he came here, finally entering into co-partnership with Robert Patten and Stephen Fuller in an investment that was never paying to anyone and which was burned down years after. Mr. Shankland was held in highest esteem by all. Mr. Patten was the owner of a large farm just north of his brother William and being in comfortable circumstances removed to this place and engaged first in the building of a mill. in which he lost considerable money, selling out to engage in the harness trade, which he car- ried on for several years until failing health com- pelled him to remove to Kansas, where years after- ward he died and where his wife and daughter Hettie are now the only living members of the family. Mr. Robert Patten was an eccentric man on many questions, having such a strong love of justice that he would not give up his opinions no matter how unfavorable others might think of his position. During the war he was a democrat where the whole population was republican. He possessed a generous spirit and sought to forgive
others as soon as he would ask others to forgive him. He died a very happy Christian at his Kan- sas home some years ago.
The first church built in Sandwich was the Baptist, that denomination being the strongest in this vicinity. It was built by subscription. the whole country contributing, the plan being that it should be used by all denominations. Indeed some who came desired it should be kept as a sort of free-for-all church, rather than be attached to any denomination. It was a plain church but quite good enough and quite large enough for the needs of the people, but it did not long remain so, the influx of population demanded more kinds and more room. As has been stated, the Methodist people built in 1856 and churches prospered. There was a very sinall nucleus of the Presby- terian church at Freeland organized in 1851 with nine members but which had met with but little growth up to this time. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon, Mrs. Samuel Bacon and Mrs. Hunt took letters to organize a new church in July, 1855, the re- moval being effected in May, 1856, all joining the Rev. A. Johnson's church at Freeland. The Rev. Henry Burgin who had a farm on the west preached occasionally, but by this charge a new pastor was desired and it was not long before the man was found. The Rev. Levi P. Crawford, who Had just entered the ministry, was sent out pros- pecting by the Home Missionary Society and con- cluded to cast his fortunes with this flock, coming here in 1856. Mr. Crawford had a marked influ- ence on the community. A sketch of his life will be in place. He was of Scotch descent, raised in Illinois, educated by his own exertions, over six feet tall, strong and athletic as an ancient gladia- tor. He was not only willing, but could turn his hand at any labor. Ile went into the woods and got his own fuel, and when a man was needed in harvest or any other time he could work in the field. He came here and built up a gospel work at five hundred dollars a year, two hundred dollars of which was to be met by the llome Missionary Society and the balance by the church. if they could raise it, which resulted in him receiving for the first year three hundred and fifty dollars. On this he not only lived but commenced to build a house, which he completed in 1857, a large share of the work of the carpenter, mason and labor be- ing done by his own hands. When he left, years
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after. he sold the place for thirteen hundred dol- lars and it is now occupied by William Hall. The Presbyterian society worshiped for a time in the academy. but Mr. Crawford thought they could build a church and they did, though it drew heav- ily on the little congregation. Mr. Crawford was one of the most enthusiastic men of this section and when the war broke out went to the front as chaplain. When he returned he again took charge of the church. but after a time left it to become pastor of the church at Lincoln, and later went to the far off regions of Los Angeles, California. Be- fore he came here he bought on faith property in Chicago, paying or promising to pay seven hun- dred dollars for it. Later this was valued at ten thousand dollars and this was not all of his good fortune, as he inherited some forty acres of valu- able land in the vicinity of that Queen city and is now able to afford a more extravagant style of liv- ing than was necessary in the carly days. The Congregational church was organized in 1852. a society was moved from Little Rock kere during that year, and among the early members were Judge S. B. Stevenson. Hon. W. W. Sedgwick and John Langdon. They were joined by others and the society flourished. the services being held in a small chapel. Their church is now used by the German Baptist people. Rev. James Kilborne was pastor of the first Baptist church and was the opposite of Rev. Crawford in every respect. Ho was a thin, spare man, of excellent Christian char- acter and here by good example he became a power in building up a moral element. Rev. Crawford was of the western type, positive. aggressive and athletic. Rev. Kilborne was of the old fashioned New England class, with an entire absence of physical endurance. always ready for the coming of the Lord. willing to sit down and wait until the Lord's time. He was a highly respected pas- tor. In speaking of Res. Crawford's ministerial work we stated that he went to Lincoln, Illinois. We might state that he was jastor of the church at Somonauk before he went to Lincoln, and that he helped to build the Congregational church and par- sonage, and with the aid of the propie built up quite a flourishing society. A history of the churches of the early times would be very incom- plete without mentioning the first church-that of the I'nited Presbyterian, at Freeland Corners. This society was the outgrowth of the earnest.
zealous Christian life of one lady. Mrs. Beveridge. Removing here at an early day, brought her re- ligion along. and through her influence this church soon took root to become the largest and most prosperous society in the township. It is not only the largest in this town, but it is the largest and most influential in that connection in the state. their means and benevolence being almost beyond belief in a country congregation. The people worshiped in a little building for some time. add- ing to it as their congregation increased. until a few years ago they erected a very handsome honse of worship. From this society has gone forth a great many strong men. It has given many stal- wart citizens to several of our western growing towns. It has furnished several ministers, one state senator. one state treasurer and one governor of the state-a splendid record for the Christian influence of a devoted woman in an obscure settle- ment.
In 185; there came to the village of Sandwich William M. Dempster. a gentleman who had been connected with the press and who thought this little town should have a representative journal. and he was the citizen to attend to that want. so he canvassed the citizens and found everybody ready to say a good word and conchided to start business. lle rented the third story of what is now the Commercial Hotel, purchased a small but excellent outfit on credit and started a paper. He was a flatulent gentleman, and as such a one would be likely to do, be built without being sure of his foundation, so that after six months the People's Press vanished as many others have done. and Mr. Dempster also resolved to leave, and did so. leaving many unpaid bills.
The next newspaper wa- established by Israel Neatteson, a retired Congregational minister. He had started a nursery where Rev. Fahs now lives. and having a little leisure time thought he would do a little printing. He purchased a few type and got out a paper. which was continued until his stepson. James Higby, could learn the trade, and the paper was then i-sued every two weeks, and finally each week, so that it was a success. James H. Sedgwick afterwarl purchased an interest. sell- ing later to Furman, and during the war it be- came a paying financial investment.
One of the early physicians was Dr. Lovell. father of Dr. Robert Lovell, who had an office in
SAMUEL MILLER.
JOHN S. SEBREE.
MRS. MARTHA JACKSON.
MR. AND MRS. GILBERT HOUGH.
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM SEBREE.
THE NEW YORK IPUPLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILGEN FOI VEATIN3.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
the corner of the Donoganna Hotel, where Klein- smid's hardware store now stands. lle was of the eelectie school and was thought by his patients to be a good physician. His death occurred a few years ago. During these years Sandwich had many doctors, some making a very brief residence, others remaining for years. Among the number was Dr. Merriem, who came here long before the town was located, and being a young man of de- cided ability he enjoyed a very large practice, but he left in the first years of the California excite- ment and crossed the plains. Ile there became con- nected with a huge enterprise, but was over- whelmed by fire and flood and then returned to his old home, but not with his early prestige. He left here and engaged in a drug business and later died. It was but a few weeks ago that the news was received that the son of Dr. Merriem commit- ted suicide at Plano. Having spoken of two schools of medicine, we might be thought partial not to mention the homeopathic, although it had no practitioner here until the town had put on the garments of mature years. Dr. David studied with the lamented Dr. Clark and was the first of his school to locate here. He came to be one of the most sought after in his profession. The first dentist was Dr. Hale, who came when the people of this town were too young to need repairs in his line to any extent, and yet Dr. Hale lived and thrived, and after making a little money removed to a more promising locality. Mr. Burk kept the first restaurant. The strongest intoxicants sold by him were Burk's beer-sweet and hard cider-but the last was too strong for the temperate element of the community, so a committee waited on him and requested that the sale of it be discontinued. Mr. John Hubbard headed the committee, which was met with courtesy by Mr. Burk, who informed them that he was working for a living. selling can- dies, peanuts, cigars and small groceries, and that he would accede to their request to discontinue the sale of hard cider, but the temperance people must not forget to trade with him when wanting goods in his line. Not so plausible was Mr. C. Buob, who started the first saloon cast of the Sandwich House. He was young, with an ambition to make money. and so while his place had a bad reputation he could see no reason why the Yankees need meddle with what a man wanted to drink, but the threats made against Mr. Buoh resulted in him
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