Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 69

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792

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OCTAVE PETIT.

Octave Petit, an active, energetic farmer who owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 19. Ashkum township, and also has thirty acres on section 36 of the same town- ship, where he resides, was born October 27, 1866, and is the eldest son of Adolph and Ma- tilda ( Pasken ) Petit, both of whom were natives of Belgium. They came to the United States in 1856 and located near Clifton, Illinois, where they resided until 1861, when they removed to AAshkum township, settling on section 36. Upon the old homestead farm the widow still resides, but Mr. Petit passed away in 1905. In their family were the following named: Octave, of this review : Alexander, a farmer living on sec- tion 1, Danforth township: Zilia, the wife of James Sousie, a farmer living on the old Petit homestead ; AAntoinette, the wife of J. D. Lanone, a general merchant of Marshall, Minnesota ; Ma- tilda, who is with her mother; and Joseph, a farmer living on section 30. Ashkum township. AAs the years passed by the father prospered, be- coming a substantial farmer. Although he was in limited financial circumstances when he crossed the Atlantic he was possessed of a handsome competence at the time of his death.

Octave Petit received good educational priv- ileges and was amply trained in farm labor upon the old homestead, gaining thereby a practical knowledge that has been of much benefit to him in later life. lle has always followed farming and, receiving some assistance from his father, is now in very comfortable circumstances. Ile lives on section 36, Ashkum township, where he owns thirty acres of land, and he also has one hundred and sixty acres on section to, which

is well developed and cultivated and brings to him a good financial return.

Mr. Petit was married February 3. 1891, at 1.'Erable, Illinois, to Regina Lemone, a daughter of David and Celina ( Desseau ) Lemone. Three children grace this marriage: Lucien, Dorena and Adolph, all yet under the parental roof.

Mr. Petit casts an independent ballot, although he is somewhat in sympathy with the democracy. He has served as school director for the past nine years and is still in the office. He belongs to Ashkum lodge. No. 2782, M. W. A., also to the Forresters camp of L'Erable, and he is a zealous and faithful communicant of the Catholic church at L'Erable.

JAMES WILSON KERN.

James Wilson Kern, engaged in the practice of law at Watseka, was born near Bedford. Indiana. September 24. 1865. his parents being Alvin Green and Elizabeth E. Kern. The father was a farmer by occupation and was a veteran of the Civil war. The son acquired his early education in the common schools of Indiana and pursued his more advanced literary course in Eureka Col- lege at Eureka, Illinois, matriculating in the fall of 1883. He pursued the classical work and was graduated in June, 1887. with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts. Preparatory to entering upon the profession which he has made his life work he be- came a student in the law school of the University of Michigan in the fall of 1889 and was graduated from that institution in June, 1890, with the de- gree of Bachelor of Law. In November follow- ing he entered upon active practice in Watseka. where he has since remained and a distinctively representative clientage has been accorded him, connecting him with much important litigation tried in the courts of the district. A clear thinker. a logical reasoner. careful in his analysis and thorough in the preparation of his cases, he pre- sents his cause in court with a power that never fails to impress court or jury and seldom fails to win the desired verdict. After serving for one term as city attorney he was elected state's at- torney for Iroquois county in 1806 to serve for a term of four years, and was re-elected to the office in 1900.

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

On the 30th of June, 1887, Mr. Kern was Har ried to Miss Caddie A. Davidson, of Purcha. It's nois, and they now have two sons, Murre A. and Lowell D. the former now in Seattle, Washing ton. Mr. Kern belongs to the Modern Women camp, the Knights of luthias fraternity and to Mary commanders. In politica allegiance is given to the republican party and few nien wh are not active in politics are better informed con corning the political status and the issues before the people, yet he has never been an aspirant for office outside the strict path of his profession.

In politics, as min has chosen calling. he has an eve In practical results and rat glittering generalities. He is public spirited in citizenship, especially in that movement toward higher postes which is commin to both parties and which construites the most hope in political sign of the period. Ile is regarded as an alde, faithful and conscientious minister in the temple of justice, while his private life has brought him a circle of friends that causes him to be classed with the popular citizens of the county.

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HISTORICAL.

INTRODUCTORY

Is the dearth but the abundance of material

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CHAPTER 1

GARDIENS HUBBARD

At the the head of the erstatte gut frejs

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

crabapples, but they now came to the Muskegon river and Dufrain again got his bearings. They waded the river, the water being waist deep and full of floating ice. They soon came to an old abandoned Indian camp where there was a scaffold containing some old mattings. Pulling these down they hastily constructed a rude shelter and gathered wood for a fire when it was dis- covered that Dufrain, who carried the flint and steel, had lost them.

Dufrain immediately gave up in despair and began to cross himself and to say his prayers, and indeed there seemed nothing left for them to do, for death by freezing seemed inevitable. Their clothing was frozen stiff upon them, they were exhausted and almost famished. But the true test of courage is to refuse to acknowledge defeat until every means has been exhausted. Young Hubbard refused to give up. He cut hemlock boughs, got more of the old matting, ripped open their packs of goods and used everything in the way of cloth for a covering, then lying down close to each other and covered with their blankets and cloth, he was soon over- joyed to find the ice melting from their cloth- ing from the warmth of their bodies. Greatly reassured, they fell asleep and did not awaken until sunrise. What followed is better told in Mr. Hubbard's own words. "We did not feel hungry but were very weak and neither felt in- clined to move. We knew the Indians could not be far away but we were not capable of making the effort to save ourselves. My own reflections of the responsibility resting upon me and thoughts of my widowed mother and of my brother and sister finally nerved me to make the effort. I tokl Dufrain that we must get up and go to the camps. With great difficulty I aroused him and put on his snow shoes and then after putting our packs upon the scaffokl, started on the march. About noon we struck a fresh snow shoe track. Iknew it had been made by a hunter and by following the back track we should reach the lodges. Dufrain was not in the least moved by this good fortune, but was stupified and in- clined to stop. Intent on my progress and for a time forgetting my comrade, I advanced as rapidly as possible and on looking back 1 found he was not in sight. For a moment I deliberated whether to return or to continue on my way.

My own strength was fast failing and I feared delay would be certain death. I resolved, how- ever, to make a last effort. I turned back and found him lying asleep in the snow. I tried to arouse him, but finding my attempts useless, I dug away the snow, wrapped him in his blanket. with mine over him and started on, conscious that I might soon be in the same condition. I felt no hunger but was very weak. Still I moved on, reeling like a drunken man. New tracks and the barking of a dog told me I was nearing a lodge, which gave me new strength to advance. Soon I was gladdened by the sight of a solitary hut and in a few minutes more I was sitting on a bearskin within. It was occupied by a middle-aged Indian who had his arm bandaged. his squaw and four children. I sat and waited, the usual custom of the Indians being to set before strangers something to eat, but seeing no move in that direction, I told the squaw that I had not eaten for four days and nights. She exclaimed, "We, too, are hungry. My husband broke his arm." But she immediately opened a sack and took out a small portion of pounded corn which she stirred into a kettle of water and placed over the fire to boil. As soon as it was ready she gave me a small quantity. Supping a little I found it was difficult for me to swallow. This fright- ened me and I lay down and slept. I was awakened by the squaw who gave me more soup. I wanted more but she told me to lie down and sleep, that she would wake and give me more after while, which she did. I was awakened again after dark. I was very much refreshed but very sore and lame. On my telling them of Dufrain's situation the squaw parched what corn she had left, pounded it and we made prep- arations to go after him, though 1 had no idea of finding him alive. While we were getting ready the Indian's oklest son, who was away hunting, came in bearing a cub. Preparations were at once made for a feast. Upon learning who ] was and that Dufrain had been left be- hind, the boy offered to go with me, and about midnight, when the moon rose we started. We reached Dufrain in about an hour. He was warm but apparently lifeless. By much effort we aroused him, but he insisted in remaining where he was and closed his eyes and went to sleep again. It required our utmost effort to get

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IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Into the camp just as the sint ine Well to the that

him as comfortable as possible and has hecho for the

galned slowly and it was a week before he was -

each das which, together with what the boy had killed, furnished is a sufficient i tool I ich that I could ren am no longer I con with the young lehan to assist ple, we starte ! Har three days of the h vete , ver fels and through thick undergrowth we reachel dir trading house, our nivelul having borne the cortes remark, ble well "

Duiran never left the calm again until the

The net water Hubbard had charge of an attit with herdemarters on the kalugaze river appie to where the city of that notthe news stands Nothing mughal ocurre at his best that winter. He visited a week at Mr Kunne .

neighbor. Ar Kommen, wherewas a trader on travel river. This visit is an denstration of how possible it wasir Ur Hubbard to rechnung · purpose once ional He reached the wealth branch i Grand river to find the lost His it onled but iroger user. The river was light and filled with the og re. There was nothing to do one would think but to return home. Int not & with 11111 Undressing. he made be de thes is a bonell, istened them to his neck and swan

and was soon quite warn ag.m.

Arriving at Mackinaw Hubbard again for cared his resignation and was again refuse ! il wanted vers muel to return to his mother and there was nothing to keep his except his word but with Ing that was sufficient.

The following winter he had charge of a post on the Wind river at a point some distance le

and agam returned to Mackinaw The tedlow- ing winter. Mr Bulk ut having diecy he 3. given the post at Bureau Passt, where he again "Ins year was exceeding gel and be salle tel

structed a sled upon which to draw Putram and key to the dragons and up the

first winter por with the present

worth tefit.

In the ring of thatare af of a Beck spert it

He returned again thị throwing anboon and Heated at of war the present site of the al drinques

la res direct to the hechas at their unting

threat bath men heller met Dansle "I moss extended a to a print about me Wald

designated on the deltaps as Hubbard's tral

at Ins "old Inaper post, How called Bunker

lo wa locatel lalw Peina on the Mlangs river He truk that year was with the Delaware

were heated of the Wabash over Mr 1lit- lịch le 00ke no mention, đối a trip to the Kok yx 0 country lo water to the Profildos jeist

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

sembly located a state road from Vincennes to make him a nice tobacco pouch. Just before Chicago and from Danville to Chicago. The commissioners adopted Hubbard's trail most of the way. The route through this county is by the way of Momence to Beaverville, Iroquois and Hoopeston.

In the spring of 1825 it became necessary for Mr. Hubbard to go to Chicago. Ile decided to go on horseback to the month of the Iroquois river and there swim the Kankakee. He started with two Indians. All went well until they came to a small stream which had overflowed its banks upon which a new covering of ice had formed during the night. The Indians laid down and slid themselves across. He rode his horse to the stream and reaching forward with his tomahawk broke the ice ahead of him, the horse walking on the under ice until he reached the middle of the stream when his hind feet broke through, the girth gave way and the saddle slipped off behind carrying him with it. Before he could regain his feet he was carried by the current between the two coverings of ice and was carried swiftly down the stream. In vain he tried to regain his feet and was almost ready to give up hope when his hand came in contact with a willow bush. With this for a support, he stood up and bumping the ice with his head broke through. "The Indians," he says, "were greatly astonished at seeing me come up through the ice. I recovered my horse and saddle and returned to my trading house with no worse results than wet clothing and a bruised head."

Ile and one of his men then took a small canoe and paddled down the Iroquois to the Kankakee river and started on foot for Chicago. It was a misty, foggy day and they became lost. They at last met an Indian who gave them the right direction. The Indian had a muskrat. which they bought of him and it was all the two had to eat for two days. He tells a story which illustrates the rude humor of these early times. "We were in a state of semi-starvation that spring, having to live almost entirely on corn. I had a large domestic cat which enjoyed the freedom of the store. 1 discovered that he had been gnawing the ends of some valuable furs. so I took my rifle and shot him. I took him to the Indian cook and told him that the skin would

dinner I went out and asked the cook what he had done with the cat. He answered by point- ing to the kettle in which the corn soup was boiling for the men's dinner. I laughed but said nothing. . At dinner I declined to eat and said. that they might have it all. They ate with great relish and when they had finished I asked them if they knew what they had eaten. "Yes." they said, "wildcat." When I told them they had eaten old Tom one of them said, 'It made no difference, it was good, but the other tried hard to rid himself of what he had eaten by thrust- ing his finger down his throat but without snc- cess; the old cat would not come up."

After the expiration of his five years' con- tract with the American Fur Company. Mr. Hubbard received a salary of thirteen hundred dollars a year. During the five years he sent to his mother each year eighty dollars or two- thirds of all he earned. He was now able to provide for her more liberally, which he did. At the end of the seventh year he was made a special partner, which added greatly to his in- come. He still continued to occupy his post at Iroquois but made frequent excursions to other points.

1 cannot refrain from giving one or two more stories as recounted by himself for they, as do those I have already recorded, give an insight into the character of the man.

"One cold day in March, 1827. I went to Beaver lake for a hunt. The fall previously I had hidden a canoe in the vicinity of the lake about thirteen miles from my trading house. I hunted until nearly dark and thinking it too late to return home 1 camped for the night on a small island in the lake. Sometime in the night f awoke in great pain and found my fire had nearly gone out. I replenished it but the pain continued being more severe in my legs and by morning was so severe that I could not reach my canoe. About two o'clock an Indian came down the lake. I called to him and with his assistance reached the main land. I sent the Indian to Iroquois with instructions for my men to bring a horse and harness, which they did. 1 had the horse hitched to the canoe and myself placed within. ] soon found I could not

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS

stand the jarring of the canecas it was diezel a bol en Un and called over the rough ground. I sent . gum to lige is Dtek i He dabod his marl anl w. el for two mare men. On their arrival they con structed a sort of litter of polls and blankets upon which they bore me safely and gifts co bunk atter pied to tb me But I was tretch tortably here. I was confined to the house for three or four weeks with a severe attack of 11- Danatory rheumatisto and from whorb 1 del ing inis recover for eighteen months."

Think of a man walking from Trogues to Heaver lake for a div's hint expecting to return on foot the same day! Distance ser red to hold no dread for this man. He was known among the Indians as la pa Meta be, the swift walker, and it is recorded that at one time he covered seventy five makes in offe day on font

crutch against the mortar with pi kenl on the

In 1525. Mr Hubbard settled at Daily 1h- Hols where he resided wind 18344. themigt In still retained his trading post at brownies

While slows recovering from his attack of shemmation and awaiting the return of sale Indians who owed kind for goods, two white nen appeared with a wagen load of corn med and traded mi logs, gathering thee up and drivue the to thengo. He continued I am on t . Mackmaw, nikdy m all two- n. Dr ng the sunner af g30 he for the first time visited his nether and tards at liddirtown. whiskey Hubbard warsed then that the li- Mais would get drunk and would rob and ich- ably murder then but they refused to listen Hubbard had his men watch for the Indians and when they came he gave them their dumer and lok them into his storerun, collected what they and Aldr. back with him to his here in Das ville, where they resided anti happels married. owed him and traded for their furs. He says. "The Indians soon discovered the camp of the two men and commenced trading the gods they in 1838 He was again married in 1813. to Me Mary Ame Hubbard, who still survive han though now past eight was years of age. In 1834 Mr. Hubbard moved to Chung and was one of the first trustees of that still nosignificant had got of the for whiskey. As I had antien pated, the Indians soon get drunk and long angry because they had nothing we're to trade. they began to take back their blankets and goods The white men lecane greath frightened and came to me. I refused to interfere but sent tio It would be worth while to record his best- ĐỂ ny men to en pty the remaining kegs ĐỂ whis- kes. The Indians became enraged and stable ! space will not permit, He engaged successfully in the packing business last lost heavily bis destruction of his packinghouse In fire The great fire of 1821 destroved much of his property and crippled him financials but left him sufficient for a coffinalle old age one of my Đơn in the back though một scenes The Indians get back all their goods and the white m'en made their cape with their horses and wagen. The Indicate to go home and demanded more whiskey, which of course with refused them. They all las down and well to In An, 883, he lost the Sight of his left est In the succeeding Veril it was tun pres ens sleep except the leader. Yellow Head 11. came to me several times craving and threatens ing He finally said he would break inter nis all withett aesthetic or ans one to hold his storehouse and take as high as he waited I Les, the state . fest 'e sand, Very well. go n' I got d . tok us rifle. Eu to be down and have his exe cut out In thrust it through the pager which served for Jul. 185; he let the sight of Is forming window glass, and as he reached the tony drew ce. but his curare and frutade never fresh

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PAST AND PRESENT OF

him. Attended by his faithful and loving wife. he was always patient and cheerful and with an inner vision looked beyond this earthly life and with an unfaltering faith awaited the summons which came at the age of eighty-four.

I feel that I have all too imperfectly repro- duced in condensed form the life sketch of this remarkable man. I would that every youth in this county could read the full history and ponder well the lessons it would teach. There is hardly a virtue he did not possess and he was a stranger to vice. It does not seem possible that a man who had spent his life in the wilderness could in any great degree be looked upon as a man of culture, but he was a born gentleman. He was genial, sympathetic, sociable. charitable and tolerant, and always courteous and dignified but approachable. Ile was a good neighbor and a true friend. Such was the man who blazed the way for civilization to follow and take posses- sion of this beautiful county of ours. All honor to his memory and peace to his ashes.

CHAPTER II.

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.

Iroquois county is the only county in the United States having the name "Iroquois." a name originally applied to a confederation of tribes of North American Indians, the "Iroquois." According to tradition, a band of Iroquois In- dians were once surprised and defeated upon the banks of the river now known as the Iro- quois, by a war party of Illinois Indians, hence the name of the river and county.

Another story which is said to have been ro- lated to Gurdon S. Hubbard by the Indians, not only explains why the name "Iroquois" became associated with the river and county, but gives the origin of the name "Watseka:"

"Many years ago the Iroquois attacked an Indian village situated on the banks of the river a few miles below the old county seat, Middle- port, and drove out the occupants with great slaughter. The fugitives were collected in the night time some distance away, lamenting their disaster. A woman, possessing great courage,

urged the men to return and attack the Iroquois, saying the latter were then rioting in the spoils of the village and exalting over their victory ; that they would not expect danger from their defeated enemy, and that the darkness of the night would prevent their knowing the advance upon them.

The warriors refused to go. The woman then said she would raise a party of squaws and re- turn to the village and fight the Iroquois: add- ing that death or captivity would be the fate of the women and children on the morrow, and that they might as well die in an effort to regain their village and property as to submit to a more dreadful fate. She called for volunteers and the women came forward in large numbers. Seeing the bravery of their wives and daughters the men were ashamed of their cowardice and be- came inspired with a desperate courage. A plan of attack was speedily formed and successfully executed. The Iroquois, taken entirely una- wares, were surprised and utterly defeated."

The heroine of this story is said to have borne the name Watch-e-kee, and that in honor of her bravery, the tribe in council ordained that at her death the name "Watch-e-kee" should be be- stowed upon the most accomplished maiden of the tribe, and thus from one generation to another.

Be this as it may, certain is it that this part of Illinois was early known to the Coureurs de bois and Indian traders as the "Iroquois Country."

Iroquois county is bounded on the north by the county of Kankakee, on the east by the State of Indiana. on the south by Vermilion and Ford counties and on the west by Ford county. Iro- quois county in area ranks thirds in the state, being thirty-five miles long by thirty-two miles wide, and containing one thousand one hundred and twenty square miles, having in area but one hundred and thirty square miles less than the state of Rhode Island. It contains twenty-five townships, thirty-three election precincts and twenty-one incorporated cities and villages and about fourteen villages and hamlets not in- corporated.

The territory embraced within its present boundaries has been subjected to various stages of political evolution until the present county organization was perfected. Under the charter

IRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ON ARE

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Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois, Part 69

Author: Kern, J. W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 792

Author: Kern, J. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 792