USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 92
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frozen potatoes and a few other articles of food, which lasted until the return of the husband and father. Mr. McClellan sold his claim to Mr. Powers. Whether now living is not known.
John B. Collins was from New York. He made a claim upon sections 13 and 14, where he remained about three years, when he sold out and moved to Fox River. His present whereabouts is unknown.
N. C. Moore was also from New York. With his family he settled on section 12 of this township where he remained about four years and left for parts unknown.
James Cox was from Indiana. He had a large family and located upon sections 13 and 14. He sold to Joseph Hiland a few years after and dis- appeared.
James Paisley came with Cox and settled upon the same sections. He died here some years ago, leaving a family, some of whom reside upon the old homestead.
Among the number who came in during the year 1836 were Frederick Love, C. Morey, Joel, Jacob and Alpheus Jenks, David Walrod, Samuel Thomp- son, Solomon Hollister.
Samuel Thompson bought out S. Jenks, on section I. The latter removed to Winnebago County and died near Roscoe. Mr. Thompson remained here till his death.
Frederick Love settled on section 12, and became noted in the early history of the county. He was the first School Commissioner of the county and held other local offices. He was considered a man of more than ordinary ability. Mr. Love is now dead ..
Levi C. Barber was a native of that portion of Allegany Co., N. Y., that has since been set off as Wyoming. He settled on sections 14 and 15, where he remained until his death. The Barber family were quite musical in their tastes. It is said that even in sleep they would sing some old . familiar song, which would be commenced by one and joined in by the rest of the family! When awakened, not one of them would know anything about what had transpired. Clark Barber played for all the dances held for miles around.
C. Morey settled on section 2, his claim being sub- sequently purchased by Rufus Colton, the founder of Coltonville.
Joel, Jacob and Alpheus Jenks were three broth-
DE KALB COUNTY.
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ers who came from Ohio and settled on section II. Jacob Jenks was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first revival of religion in this county was held in the barn of the brothers and conducted by Jacob in the summer of 1837. The first saw-mill in the county, as well as in the town- ship, was put up by the Jenks brothers, run by water power. An upright saw was used. The mill was on section 11. Misfortune overtaking the brothers, the mill, together with all their property, was sold at sheriff's sale some years after. Clark Barber became the purchaser. He sold it to John Cleghorn in 1851, and it was run by him until 1855. The Jenkses re- moved to Wisconsin.
Russell Huntley was from New York and un- married when he came to the county. He laid claim to a large tract of land and during the first year broke 300 acres and made four miles of rail fence. He was an enterprising man, reliable in his business af- fairs and had many friends while he remained in the county.
Henry B. Barber and Rachel Spring were united in marriage Oct. 5, 1837, by Rufus Colton, J. P. This was the first marriage in the township. The fact of their marriage is the first on record in this county.
A child was born to Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Moore in the fall of 1836, who is supposed to have been the first born in the township.
The first Justice of the Peace in the township, as well as in the county, was C. Morey, who was elected at the regular election in 1836.
The first death was that of a young son of Ora A. Walker, who died in August, 1837. His remains were interred on land donated by Shubal Jenks for a burying ground. The second death was that of Mrs. Ruth Cartwright, who died three weeks after the death of the Walker child.
Dr. Bassett was the first physician. He subse- quently moved to Sycamore township and is believed to be the first in that township.
The first religious services seems to be in doubt. Services were held at David Walrod's house, con- ducted by one of his sons, early in 1836. Jacob Jenks held services, and continued a meeting some days in the summer of 1837. Dr. Arnold also held services about the same time. There were services at Coltonville in 1837-8.
Eli Barnes put out the first orchard, on his farm on section 1, in 1839. This was probably the first in the county. He brought seed from Vermont. W. R. Thompson put out the second orchard.
In 1837 a mail route was established between Coltonville and Oregon, Ogle County. Clark Barber was the first mail-carrier. The oath was adminis- tered to him by Judge, afterward Gov., Ford.
The first school in the township was held at Col- tonville in the summer of 1838, with Miss Barber as teacher. The school was held in a log house erected for that purpose. The first winter term was taught by Mr. Lawrence. Many changes have since been made and the pioneer school-houses have long since been displaced by the more modern structures. De Kalb Township has no reason to-day to be ashamed of her position in reference to the public schools.
From the County Superintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 1884, the following interesting facts are gleaned : There were 1,450 persons under 21 years of age, of whom 983 were between 6 and 21, in the ten districts composing the township. Of this number 765 were enrolled in the public schools. In the township were two graded and nine ungraded schools, in which had been employed during the year 27 teachers. The highest monthly wages received by any teacher was $122.22 and the lowest $25. There was one brick and ten frame school-houses, the total value of which was estimated at $24,250. The tax levy was $9,335.
In the early history of De Kalb County, no place was more noted than that of Coltonville. Rufus Col- ton, in the winter of 1836-7, or in the spring of the latter year, purchased the claim of C. Morey, on sec- tion 2, erected a log house and soon after commenced the sale of merchandise, having a fond hope that around him would spring up a thriving village bear- ing and commemorating his name, and that would also be the shire town of the county. Having a por- tion of his land surveyed and a village plat made, he invited all who would to make this their home.
Lyman Levings was the first to avail himself of the privilege of settling here. He built a house in which the first term of the circuit court was subse- quently held.
Jeremiah Burley was the next man to build. Eight buildings in all were erected before the bubble burst. Stephen Sherwood opened a blacksmith 'shop here
DE KALB COUNTY.
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in 1838, and in the same year a young lawyer, named Crothers, commenced the practice of law. The latter remained but one year, when he removed to Ottawa.
A distillery was erected by Rufus Colton and Phineas Stevens, which proved a financial failure, whether from mismanagement of the proprietors, the poor quality of whisky manufactured, or the want of a general market, the old settlers refuse to testify.
Rufus Colton was a man of considerable enter- prise, probably a little visionary, yet worked hard to secure for the place the location of the county seat, but without avail; consequently, the few inhabitants living here when the county-seat contest was set- tled, moved away, and Coltonville was numbered among the things that " might have been."
De Kalb Township in 1884 had 21,539 acres of improved land, valued by the assessor at $343,265. Its town lots were valued at $322,775 ; personal property, $248,678. A total valuation of $914,718. The State Board of Equalization cut this down to $802,104, on which valuation the assessment was made. Among the items of personal property listed are found the following: Horses, 1,084; cattle, 2,597 ; mules and asses, 7 ; sheep, 24 ; hogs, 2,802 ; steam engines, 11; safes, 21; billiard tables, 6; carriages and wagons, 343; watches and clocks, 448; sewing and knitting machines, 262; pianos, 46 ; organs and melodeons, 95. This township has a greater number of horses than any other in the county.
SUPERVISORS.
Thomas M. Hopkins. .. . 1850
S. Tappan .... .,1860
J. F. Glidden. . 1851
J. F. Glidden . .. .1861-2
Thomas M. Hopkins. .1852
H. Thompson .1863
Alonzo Converse. 1853
Thomas M. Hopkins . 1864-5
J. F. Glidden .. .1866-72 Lo. Huntly. .1854
Alonzo Converse. . 1855
Lewis M. McEwen. .1873-4
Marcus White. .1856
J. F. Glidden .. .1875-7
E. P. Young. .1857
L. M. McEwen. 1878-83
Hiram Ellwood. .1858-9
-
Daniel D. Hunt. 1884
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
F RANKLIN Township lies in the extreme northwestern portion of the county, and is bounded on the east by Kingston Town- ship, on the south by South Grove, on the west by Ogle County, and on the north by Boone County. The township contains more running streams, and has a larger body of timber, than any township in the county. The Kishwaukee River is
the main stream, numerous tributaries flowing into it.
The first settlement of this township seems to be a matter of doubt, but was probably about the same time with the settlement of groves in other sections of the northern part of the county.
Among the persons living here in 1838 were D. M. Gilchrist, T. H. Humphreys, Theophilus Wat- kins, Samuel, Charles and Henry Hicks, Andrew Brown, Henry Holmes, Allen Gardner, John Barrett, Wm. T. Kirk, Mr. Owen, B. N. Dean, John Mc- Dowell, Alvah and James Bennett, Job Trindle, Zal Young, Daniel Cronkhite, Martin M. Mack, Samuel Cronkhite, Robert Hoover, Spencer M. Myers, Irill Dibble, Mr. Parsons, William Miles, Andrew Miles and John M. Riddle.
In 1837 Henry Hicks erected a saw-mill, deriving his power from the Kishwaukee River. He ran it until 1842, when it passed into the hands of Dr. Hobart, who also continued to run it for some years. Hicks' mill was known far and near and was quite a place of resort. A postoffice was established here at a very early day, called Hicks' Mill P. O. Henry Hicks was the first postmaster, and held the office until about 1842, when D. M. Gilchrist received the appointment. In 1841 the receipts of the office were reported at $7.72. In 1843, under Mr. Gilchrist's administration, it was increased to $9.93. Martin M. Mack was Gilchrist's successor and was suc- ceeded in 1847 by Morgan Losee, who in turn gave way to S. P. Harrington, Mr. Gilchrist and J. W. Elithorpe. The office was discontinued on the advent of the railroad.
Lacey postoffice and Blood's Point postoffice were each established during the first decade of the county's existence. Lacey postoffice was on the line between Kingston and Franklin, and around it sprung up a little village, which is now a thing of the past. Blood's Point was on section 2, Franklin Township.
Jones Abernethy and Betsey Rand, Miles Aber- nethy and Lucy Hatch, Daniel Rand and Miss Abernethy, were among the first married in the township.
The first school was taught by Betsey Rand, in a log school-house on section 20, about 1842. The old log school-houses have long since been displaced by more pretentious buildings. From the report of the County Superintendent of public schools for the year ending June 30, 1884, the following items are
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gleaned in relation to the schools of the township at that time : There were 522 persons under 21 years of age, of whom 335 were of school age, 324 of that num- ber being enrolled in the public schools. There were II school districts, with one graded and 10 ungraded schools. Each district had a good frame school- house, the total value being estimated at $10,000. A tax was levied of $4,357 for school purposes. Dur- ing the year 27 teachers had been employed. The highest wages received by any teacher per month was $60, and the lowest $25, the average being $30.58.
The war record of Franklin Township is com- mendable. Among the number who distinguished themselves was Thomas W. Humphrey, Lieutenant- Colonel of the 95th Illinois Infantry. At the storm- ing of Vicksburg, he was wounded the first day, but continued at the head of his reginient. On the 22d of May, 1863, he was stunned by an explosion of a shell and reported killed, but crawled back to camp in the night. At the battle of Guntown he lost his life. A younger brother, James Humphrey, enlisted as a private in the 8th Cavalry and wrought his way up to a Captaincy. There were 99 men enlisted from the township.
One Sunday in May, 1853, a terrible tornado passed through the northern portion of the township. It prostrated buildings, fences, trees, and everything that stood in its way. John Young's house was the first one struck. It was lifted up, shattered, and portions of it carried off so far they were never found. Mrs. Young was instantly killed. The residence of Ira Dean was next struck, and a lady relative visit- ing there had her back broken and died soon after. Two boys in the house were blown out of a window, but were not seriously hurt. Several other houses were unroofed and barns destroyed.
In 1860 another similar storm passed through the township, by which great damage was done.
The township of Franklin has 22,816 acres of im- proved land, on which valuation as placed by the local assessor of $323,606. The town lots are as- sessed at $42,517 ; personal property, $98,359; total, $464,482. The State Board of Equalization reduced the amount to $410,668. Among the items of per- sonal property are the following as reported by the assessor in 1884 : horses, 853 ; cattle, 2,215; mules and asses, 19; sheep, 976; hogs, 1,742; steam en-
gines, 4 ; billiard tables, 9; carriages and wagons, 282 ; watches and clocks, 159; sewing and knitting machines, 166; pianos, 3 ; melodeons and organs, 41.
SUPERVISORS.
Clark Bliss .. .1850
Stephen G. Rowen .... ... 1867-68
John Riddle. .1851
J. W. Elithorpe .. .. 1869
Jonas Hait .. .1852-54
W. T. Kirk .. .1855
Stephen G. Rowen . ... . . 1870 Daniel B. Kingsbury ..... 1871 Warren Gilchrist. .1872-73
William L. King. .1856
W. T. Kirk ..
1857-61
B. N. Dean . .1874-80
J. W. Elithorpe.
1862-64
Charles F. Meyer .. . 1881-83
D. B. Kingsbury
1865-66
Elisha A. Kirk .. 1884
Kirkland.
P IRKLAND village was platted in May,
1876, by Nicholas Saum, though improve- ments had been made and quite a start given it the previous year. In July, 1875, Mr. Putney built a store-room in which he opened out a stock of groceries. H. H. Stow soon after opened a stock of general merchandise. A portion of his room was rented by Dr. Spiers and E. H. Gardner, who opened up a stock of drugs.
During the same year John Dritzbaugh com- menced work at the shoemaker trade in the village, and Connelly & Delevan began blacksmithing.
In 1876 Charles Miner started an exclusive hard- ware store, the first in the village, though Mr. Stow carried a line of such goods.
The first harness-maker was Arthur Bassett.
The first furniture dealer was James Hathaway.
The first grain-buyer was G. W. Wood, who pur- chased grain which was stored in a ware-house erected by William T. Kirk in 1876. After using the ware- house some 18 months Mr. Wood put in an elevator.
The first hotel was run by George Delevan, in 1875. The village has a good hotel known as the Rowen House, erected in 1879. George W. Wood leased and ran the house for three years. Until dining cars were placed upon the railroad, trains stopped at this house for meals.
The first lumber dealer was Fred Edlar.
As the village increased in population new busi- ness enterprises were engaged in and changes were made in the firms originating various lines of trade. In the spring of 1885 the business of the place was represented by the following named :
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DE KALB COUNTY.
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General merchandise-J. W. Lyons & Co., Har- rington & Griggs.
Groceries-Harley Rowen, Ira Brooks.
Notions-Black Brothers.
Drugs-A. D. Blagden.
Shoemakers-Peter Anderson, William Smith. Blacksmiths-Roberts & Gardner, Franklin Poust. Lumber-W. C. Tuttle.
Grain and coal-D. A. Syme. Skating Rink-E. A. Kirk.
Harness-maker-I. N. Miner.
Hardware- Charles Miner.
Bank-Dean & Rowen. Furniture-M. P. Perry.
Meat market-George W. Kirk.
Livery-Jacob Stenner.
Attorney-William B. McDowell.
Physician-R. B. Spiers.
The Kirkland Creamery is one of the institutions of the place. It was erected in 1878 by W. H. Hintz, of Elgin. It is a frame, with stone basement. About 12,000 pounds of milk is used per day. An average of $2,500 per month is paid out. C. E. Feakins has been in charge of the factory for five years.
Kirkland comprises a part of School District No. 4. A small brick school-house which stood just south of the village was used for school purposes until 1879, when the present two-story frame structure was erected. The building is 40 x 60 in. size, with four school rooms. It was opened in the fall of 1879, with Mrs. E. A. Hatch, Principal. S. G. Mason is the present principal, with Richard Haywood and Jennie Dick, assistants.
There are at present no church edifices in the vil- lage, though the Methodist Episcopals have an or- ganization and hold regular services in the school- house. Rev. Mr. Edmundson is the Pastor.
The village of Kirkland was incorporated under the general act in 1882. An election was ordered held Aug. 10, 1882, at which the question was to be voted on as to whether it should incorporate. There were 42 votes cast for and one against incorporation. The first election for village officers was held Sept. I, 1882, at which the following named were elected : H. P. Grout, Pres .; Chas. Miner, Elias H. Gardner, Dr. R. B. Pierce, R. W. Fox, G. W. Wood, Trustees ; W. M. Burroughs, Clerk ; W. B. McDowell, Treas. The officers for 1883 and 1884 were as follows :
1883-W. B. McDowell, Pres .; E. H. Gardner, O. W. Rice, H. P. Grout, R. W, Fox. E. A. Kirk,. W. M. Burroughs, Ttustees ; G. W. Kirk, Treas .; W B. McDowell, resigning, B. N. Dean was elected President of the Board.
1884-F. W. Brock, Pres .; H. P. Grout, J. D. Morris, O. W. Rice, E. H. Gardner. E. A. Kirk, Trustees; W. M. Burroughs, Clerk ; G. W. Kirk, Treas. ; John Trude, Marshal ; Wm. B. McDowell, Attorney.
Since its incorporation, two miles of sidewalk have been built and an expenditure of $3,000 made on the streets, about two miles being graveled. No direct tax has ever been made, the income derived from saloons being sufficient to meet the running expenses of the village government. A council room and calaboose is also numbered among the improvements made.
The village has now about 400 inhabitants. About 75 buildings have been erected since incorporation. The credit for progress made is due in a great measure to W. B. McDowell.
+ +
Fielding.
NOTHER pleasant little village of this township is Fielding. It was laid out in July, 1875, by Henry and Julia A. Kock, on the southwest quarter of section 19, town- ship 42, range 3. One addition has since been made.
Louis Keith erected the first building and opened the first stock of goods in August, 1875. He carried a line of general merchandise.
L. W. King started the first drug-store in Sep- tember, 1875.
Henry O'Roke built the first dwelling.
Patten Bros. commenced business in the fall of 1875 in the hardware line.
The first shoemaker was Andrew Cristman.
Henry Peake in 1876 started the first harness shop.
Philip Upstone, in the summer of 1875, started the first blacksmith shop.
In the summer of 1875 Fred Elder commenced the lumber trade.
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DE KALB COUNTY.
Chas. Peake opened the first hotel in the fall of 1875.
Eugene Ridell was the first grain-buyer, in October. 1875-
The first wagon-maker was Louis Poole in the fall of 1875.
Philip Van Voorhis was the first physician.
For the first three years the village was quite prosperous, more so than at any period since that time.
In 1878 a fraine school-house was erected, 30 x 40 feet, at a cost of $1,200. Mr. Royal was the first teacher. The teacher in the spring of 1885 was James Davis, at which time there was an enrollment of 45.
The religious interests of the place are represented by the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Mr. Schoonmaker is the present pastor.
A postoffice was established at this point in 1875. B. B. Blace was the first postmaster. He was suc- ceeded by John Ball. The incumbent is E. N. Post.
The most important industry of the place in the spring of 1885 was its creamery, which was started in 1882. Lovejoy Johnson, Jeremiah Davis and Joseph Goodrich were the proprietors, under the firm name of Davis & Co. About 500 pounds of butter is manufactured per day. In the summer four teams are engaged in gathering cream.
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The business of Fielding is now represented by the following named :
General merchants-Craig & Romney.
Drugs-L. W. King.
Harness -- E. N. Post.
Bakery-M. C. Johnson.
Shoe shop-Robert Brown.
Blacksmiths-Philip Upstone, Smith Wyllys.
Wagon-maker-Joseph Mason.
Boarding-house-Horace Johnson.
Hardware-Miller Bros.
Grain-buyers-H. O. Leet & Co.
Lumber-Frederick Edler.
Coal dealer-Philip Upstone.
Meat market-Mr. Thompson.
Jeweler-Frank Ball.
Physician-F. J. Weld.
GENOA TOWNSHIP.
ENOA Township lies in the extreme north- eastern part of the county, with Kane County formng its eastern boundary, Mc- Henry County its northern, and the townships of Sycamore and Kingston upon its south and west respectively. The township is a beautiful rolling prairie, diversified by several natural groves, and watered by the Kishwaukee River and Raccoon Creek. It is one of the best im- proved townships in the county.
The finest settlement in Genoa was made by Thomas Madison, a native of Ohio. He was quite an intelligent man, but a regular frontiersman, preferring the life of the pioneer, with all its priva- tions, to the comforts secured in a well settled country. In 1837 he sold his claim, which consisted of about two sections of land, to Horatio N. Perkins, Samuel Corey, Thomas Monahan and Henry Durham. Upon part of this claim is now located the pleasant village of Genoa.
Henry Durham moved into a portion of the cabin erected by Madison when the purchase was made, and soon opened a stock of general merchandise. He was a man of energy, possessed of a determination to succeed, and success crowned his efforts. He died here many years ago.
Daniel T. Whittemore was here in 1836. He was from Rhode Island, and remained here but a few years, disposing of his claim to E. P. Gleason and removing to California.
Samuel Corey was from Ohio. Soon after his set- tlement he sold out, moved into Franklin township, and there died.
Thomas Monahan was from Indiana, to which State he returned after a residence here of a few months.
Genoa settled quite rapidly for two or three years. Among those who came in 1837 and 1838, or soon after, were Henry Preston, E. P. Gleason, Samuel Stephens, J. L. Brown, Putney Brown, E. S. Gregory, Jesse Preston, Ephraim Hall, A. N. Hollembeak, Dr. H. F. Page.
When Madison settled here he erected a block- house, 62 x 16 feet, one story in height. This house came into possession of Mr. Perkins, who raised it another story, and for several years used it as a hotel.
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DE KALB COUNTY.
In 1843, on the same site, he erected a frame build- ing, which has since been used uninterruptedly as a hotel.
The purchasers of the Madison claim each set off six acres of land on which to locate 'a village, but no regular plat was made. As stated, during the same year the purchase was made, Henry Durham opened the first store. He continued in the business about eighteen years. James S. Waterman was the second to enibark in trade at this point. Daniel Ball opened the third store, Mr. Amsden. the fourth and Robert Waterman the fifth. These were not all in business at once, but covered a period of several years. A very large business was transacted by some of these dealers, Robert Waterman reporting his sales one year at $90,000.
Joseph Maltby was the first blacksmith, locating here about 1840.
Mr. Preston was the first wagon-maker and A. N. Hollembeak the second.
Mr. Gregory and Jerry Brown were the first shoe- makers.
The first religious services were held at the house of H. N. Perkins, in the winter of 1837-8. Rev. Ora Walker preached the sermon. Rev. Mr. Geddes was the second preacher in the township.
The first school was in 1838. A school-house was erected about three-fourths of a mile south of the present village of Genoa. Mary Ann Hill was the teacher. Improvements in educational facilities have been constantly going on.
S. O. Pike claims to have built the first wagon in the county, at his home in this township, in 1845.
From the report of the County Superintendent of Schools for the year ending June 30, 1884, the fol- lowing items are gleaned in relation to educational matters in this township: There were 510 persons under twenty-one years of age, of whom 358 were of school age. Of this number 300 were enrolled in the public schools. One district had no school during the year, while seven had more than 110 days each. One school was graded. Twenty teachers were em- ployed during the year, receiving an average salary of $28.41 per month, the highest being $90 and the lowest $22. The school property was valued at $7,000. A tax was levied for school purposes amount- ing to $3,879.
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