Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 95

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 888

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 95

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A society of United Presbyterians was organized at Ross' Grove in 1854, Rev. Mr. Freetly, Pastor. The first church in the township was built by this society, assisted by the Presbytery, and by liberal do- nations from New York State and from neighboring people. The idea of building a church at that time is said to have originated with Daniel McFarland, a visitor from the East. He proposed the building, and offered to give $roo toward it, which he subse- quently did. Among those who took an active part in building were the Harper Brothers, Matthew Nis- bitt, Moses Bartlett, James McFarland, Alexander Lyous. John Dennis and O. D. Miller. The church, a large wooden structure, was erected in 1861, and dedicated in the spring of 1862, Rev. Samuel F. . Thompson officiating. The membership numbered about 45. The church is located on section 11, and has for some years not been used.

A union church was built in 1867 at East Paw Paw, and dedicated in February, 1868. It is still in use.

A church was built by the Congregationalists on section 22, and is still in use.

The first school in the township was held at the house of Benjamin Harris in the summer of 1836, Rev. Benoni Harris being the teacher. It was a pri- vate school. The first school-house was erected in the north end of Ross' Grove in 1846, and the first term of school began December 1, Thomas Burns be- ing the teacher. The house was of logs, split and set upon end, chinked and plastered with mud. The first frame school-house was built on the present site of the house in District No. 2, and erected in 1850.

A joint stock-company was organized at East Paw Paw for the purpose of building and conducting a seminary at that point. The building was completed and opened in 1855, with Elder Jessup as principal. The venture did not prove a success, and the build- ing was sold to the school district for a public school, with the understanding that the higher branches should be taught. This not proving satisfactory

either to the district or people, a company was formed, another building erected, and the East Paw Paw Classical Seminary began operations, with D. D. McGibbony as principal. The building burning down December, 1870, the district turned over to the com- pany the building first erected. Mr. Frazer suc- ceeded Mr. McGibbony, and in turn was succeeded by J. H. Beitel, the principal now in charge. The school has always maintained a high reputation, but, owing to many villages springing up within a radius of a few miles, it has not met with the financial suc- cess it deserves. The present Trustees are Robert Hampton, C. H. Card, Henry Dickinson, Henry Boardman, O. D. Edwards, William Patrick, J. B. Hyde, Robert Boston and William Weddell. The institution is now known as the Teachers' Institute and Classical Seminary.

George I. Talbot, County Superintendent, in his annual report for the year ending June 30, 1884, gives the following interesting facts in relation to the public schools: There were ten school districts, three of which had school less than 110 days during the year. In each of the districts was a frame school- house, the total value of all being $4,800. There were 340 persons under 21 years of age, of whom 231 were between the ages of 6 and 21. Of this number 182 were enrolled in the schools. Twenty-two teach- ers had been employed, receiving a salary on an average of $29.30 per month, the highest being $40 and the lowest $20. The tax levy was $2,220.

A postoffice was established at Ross Grove at an early day. In 1849 Wheeler Hedges was Postmas- ter. His receipts for the year were $1.09. It is not probable the office was established before 1848. Ac- cording to John Wentworth, Moses Bartlett was Post - master in 1851, George V. Miner in 1853, Charles Davis in 1855. During that year H. H. Clark was appointed and removed to its present site at the cross roads. Matthew Nisbit succeeded Clark, and the office was then successively held by J. L. Holmes, John Freetly and Charles Davis. Others held it for short intervals until 1867, when the incumbent, Asa Demming, was appointed.

A postoffice was established under the name of Paw Paw Grove in 1837, with Asahel Baldwin as Postmaster. Mr. Baldwin was succeeded the fol- lowing year by William Rogers, who held it until 1840, when he was succeeded by Charles Morgan.

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DE KALB COUNTY.

In 1842 Hiram Wood was appointed and held it for several years, being succeeded by A. B. Breese. Suc- ceeding him, in turn, the office was held by Walter Hyde, George Brownlow, H. A. Van Riper and Benjamin Lobdell, the latter being appointed in 1884. The receipts of the office in 1837 were $2.87.

The village of East Paw Paw is situated on the west line of the county on section 7, on the old Chi- cago and Galena stage road. The village lies partly in De Kalb and partly in Lee County, and contains one general store and postoffice, conducted by Ben- jamin Lobdell, a wagon and carriage shop by H. S. Dickinson, and a hotel and blacksmith-shop. It boasts of the educational establishment already men- tioned-the Teachers' Institute and Classical Sem- inary. It also has two churches, a union and Methodist Episcopal.

The first house was built at this point by William Rogers, in 1837, and used as a public house. He sold out to Mr. Jacob Wirick in 1842. The latter enlarged the building and named it the Paw Paw House. He conducted it successfully as a public house for many years.

The first merchants here were the Howard Broth- ers. J. L. Adams, a Mr. Warren, and the sons of Jacob Wirick were among the early traders.

Before the building of the railroad south of the grove, East Paw Paw became quite a flourishing vil- lage, and was considered one of the best trading points for miles around. At one time there were two general merchandise stores, a drug store, and other places of business here.

The "Chicago road " (so called) which crosses the township from east to west, entering on the east near the northeast corner of section 12, takes a general westerly course, and leaves the township near the southwest corner of section 7.

This road is historic for the reason that it was the great thoroughfare in early days for travel and freight- ing between Chicago and Galena and the country west to the Mississippi. Over this road in the pion- eer days rolled the heavy leather-spring Concord coaches, loaded inside and out with eager land-seek- ers and speculators, while the heavy freight wagons plodded their slow way, following each other in quick succession. Over this road, the farmers of those days, whose homes lay westward of this township, hauled their surplus produce to Chicago.

The Paw Paw Mutual Fire Insurance Co. was or- ganized Sept. 6, and began business Sept. 9, 1881. The first officers were: . Simeon E. Hyde, Pres .; Spencer Griffeth, Sec'y; R. F. Hampton, Treas. The company has written about $100,000 worth of busi- ness. The business is limited to Paw Paw Town- ship. Losses are paid within 60 days by assess- ments on the members.

The assessed valuation of lands and personal property in this township for 1884, is as follows : Lands, $337,707 ; personal property, $101,533. Total, $439,240. The State Board of Equalization, that it might conform to the low assessments made in other counties, reduced the total to $391,975. Among the articles assessed were horses, 1,015 ; neat cattle, 3,268; mules and asses, 28; sheep, 965, hogs, 3,865 ; melodeons and organs, 45 ; pianos, 4 ; carriages and wagons, 334 ; watches and clocks, 226. The total number of acres of improved land is 24,032, the largest number of any township in the county.

SUPERVISORS.

Pierpont Edwards .... . .1850-1

S. E. Sheppardson .. 1870-2

William Sheppardson. ... 1852

Robert Hampton. .1873

Pierpont Edwards. . .. 1853 Cornelius W. Quilhot. . . . 1874-5

William Sheppardson. . . . 1854

Henry M. Boardman . . . . 1876

Robert Hampton 1855-9

C. W. Quilhot .1877

A. Dole .. 1860-1 Henry M. Boardman ... . 1878-81 C. W. Quilhot ..

Robert Hampton 1862-6

. . . . 1883

N. H. Powers 1867-9

Robert Hampton .. ....

.1884

PIERCE TOWNSHIP.

ONGRESSIONAL township 39 north,

range 5 east, is known as the civil town

ship of Pierce, so named in honor of Franklin Pierce, who at the time of its organization was just inaugurated as Presi- dent of the United States. It is bound on the east by Kane County, on the north by Cortland Township, on the south by Squaw Grove, and on the west by Afton. The headwaters of the Big Rock Creek are in this township. It is a prairie country, the northern half being undulating, while the southern half is rather flat. It has been an excellent wheat country in the past, and in 1870 it produced more of that cereal than any other township in the county.

Elder Nathan Wilcox has the honor of being the first to locate in what is now the township of Pierce.

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He located in the north part of the township in 1847. During that year John Lasher, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and Jacob F. Plapp, a native of Germany, came and selected their future homes. Lasher selected the southeast quarter of section 24. He built a substantial frame house, lived there until 1853, when he sold out and removed to Iowa. He now lives in Dubuque. Plapp selected the north- east quarter of section 24, but did not permanently settle until about two years later. He died on the homestead in January, 1885.

In 1848 Michael Welsh, a native of Ireland, came and entered land on section 11, improved a farm and there lived and died.

Jacob Lintner came from Lake Co.,Ill., and located on section 25. He was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., in 1799. His wife was Frances Shaffner, also of the same county and State. In 1828 they settled in Richland Co., Ohio, where they remained until 1844, when they settled in Lake Co., Ill. Mr. Lint- ner died on the homestead in 1850. His widow successfully managed the farm until her death, March 23, 1883. They had eight children, only one of whom is now a resident of the township-Mrs. Frederick Hoffman.

There were a number of arrivals in 1849, among whom were Henry Ramer, Christian Meyer, George Eberly, David Gerlach, Bernard Milnamow, Thomas Gormley, Malachi Henaughan, John Allen and Josiah Jacob. Ramer was from Pennsylvania. He settled on section 27, and there died. Meyer also settled on section 27. He now resides in Sandwich. Eberly was also from Pennsylvania. He located on section 26. He died here. His son, George, lives on the same section. Gerlach chose for his home a portion of section 24. He is now dead, but has two sons living in the township, Samuel on the home- stead and Anderson on section 14. Henaughan located on section 19. He is now dead. Two sons survive him, who yet reside in the township. Milna- mow, Allen and Gormley all yet reside in the town- ship. All are Irishmen.

Among other pioneers of the township were Levi and Moses Hill, Thomas Halloran, P. Home, P. Dunn, L. Hennegan, John Ferrick, the Butlers and Dillons.

Pierce Township was first included in Somonauk precinct, subsequently in Orange precinct, then in

Richland. Until 1853 the north half was attached

to Squaw Grove, and the south half to Cortland Township. In that year it was organized as a civil township.

SUPERVISORS.

H. S. Champlin .1853-4

P. W. Gallagher ..... .186g

C. M. Humiston .1855-9

John Walsh . . .. 1870-1

B. Milnemow. .1860

N. B. Sheldon .1872-3

S. Denton 1861

T. Gormley. .1862-3

N. C. Cottrell. .1864

G. W. Slater

. 1865-6

A. G. Smith . .1884

C. M. Humiston. .1867-8

The first school in the township was taught by William J. Bates, in 1850, on section 8. The school- house was made of split poles. Mr. Bates taught 21 terms in that district. In relation to the present status of the public schools of the township, the fol- lowing items are gleaned from the report of the County Suprintendent of Public Schools for the year ending June 30, 1884 : There were 416 persons in the township under 21 years of age, of whom 296 were over six. Of this number 272 were enrolled in the public schools. There were eight districts, each having a frame school-house, the total value of which was estimated at $6,250. Each district had school over 110 days during the year, in which 24 teachers were employed, receiving an average monthly salary of $34.43, the highest being $45 and the lowest $25. The tax levy was $2,220.

Elder Wilcox was probably the first to preach Christ and Him crucified in the township. There are in 1885 two Church organizations-the Evangeli- cal Association and the Lutherans.

The first meetings of those holding the views of the Evangelical Association were held at the house of John Lasher about 1849, near the county line. The people of Kane and De Kalb Counties met to- gether to worship in private houses on both sides of the line for some years. Revs. Hall, Rockuts and Weldy were the first preachers. John Shoop was the first class-leader and Jacob Lintner exhorter. Among the first members were David Gerlach and wife ; Benjamin Moss and wife; John Shoop and wife; George Eberly and wife; Jacob Lintner and wife ; John Kuter and wife; J. F. Plapp and wife; John Bartmeis and wife; John Schwitzer and wife; Val- entine Hummel and wife; Christopher Hummel and wife ; John Lesher and Peter Hummel. About 1850 a church building was erected on the southwest quar- ter of section 24. It is a frame structure, and still

Charles A. Hubbard .. . . 1874-8

James D. Gormley .. .1879-81

Charles A. Hubbard. .. .. 1882-3

DE KALB COUNTY.

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DE KALB COUNTY.

in use. It was dedicated by Bishop Esher, of Chi- cago. The society owns a parsonage conveniently located near the church. There are now 150 mem- bers connected with the society. Peter Hummel, Jacob Kunes and Oscar Ramer are the class-leaders ; Andrew Gerlach, Thomas Shoop, Fred. Lentz and George Schule, stewards ; Peter Hummel, Fred. Lentz, George Ramer, George Schule and J. Kuter, trustees. Rev. Jacob K. Schultz is the present pas- tor. Services are held in German and English. A Sabbath-school is connected with the Church, with Jacob Weber superintendent.

The first meetings of the Lutheran Church were held at the school-house in District No. 2, in 1870, and were conducted by Rev. John Andreas, from Somonauk. An organization was effected embracing the families of Henry Rath, Peter Conse, Charles Dellenbach, Joseph Dellenbach, Demst, George Motz, Frank Redeleperger, August Conse, Henry Schmidt, Henry Anspach, Hartman Schule and William Nehring. The society met for worship in the school- house until 1872, when a neat frame church build- ing was erected on the northeast quarter of section 33, which, together with the furniture, cost $2,400. There are now 20 families belonging to the society.

Pierceville postoffice was established in 1854, with Moses Hill as postmaster. His commission was dated February 21, 1854. The office was at his house, which was on the route from Sycamore to Cortland. Mail was received from each direction twice a week. In 1857 Mr. Hill resigned, after which time, until 1879, various persons held the office, until 1879, when Mr. Hill was reappointed. He served until 1883, when George Schule was appointed, and is the incumbent. Mail is received three times each week from Hinckley.

The first birth in the township was that of a child of John Lesher, in 1849. The second birth was that of Mary Jane Meyer, daughter of Christian Meyer, born October 6, 1850. She is now the wife of Val- entine Hummel.

The first death was that of Jacob Lintner. He was first buried on his farm, but his remains were subsequently removed and interred in the cemetery of the Evangelical Association.

One hundred men were furnished by the township to aid in the War of the Rebellion.

Pierre Tomost ip n 1884 had 22,351 acres of im-

proved land, valued at $291,915, as reported by the local assessor. The personal property, according to the same authority, was valued at $56,756. This total of $348,67 1 was reduced by the State Board of Equalization to $315,293. Among the items of per- sonal property assessed this year were the following ; Horses, 624; cattle, 2,351; mules and asses, 24 : sheep, 53 ; hogs, 2,092 ; carriages and wagons, 160; watches and clocks, 125; sewing and knitting ma- chines, 102; pianos, 6 ; melodeons and organs, 26.

SHABBONA TOWNSHIP.

S HABBONA township is named in honor o the celebrated Indian chief, Shabbona, who long made his home at the beautiful grove which also bears his name. It is a fine body of land, comprising township 38, range 3 east. Big Indian Creek enters the township on sec- tion 31, runs in a northeasterly direction through sec- tions 32, 29, 28, 22, 21, then taking a southeasterly direction, passes through sections 23, 26 and 36, into Paw Paw Township. The Kishwaukee River heads in the northern part of the township.

The Chicago & Iowa Railroad runs through the central and northwestern part of the township.

The first settlers were Edmond Towne and David Smith, who arrived here in December, 1835 .* The former was a man of family, while the latter was a youth of 14, and a step-son of Mr. Towne. They raised a log house on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 25, on the first day of January, 1836. The next settler was Ira Parks, who located at the west end of the grove. He was from Ohio, and resided here till 1875, when he removed to Earlville, where he still resides. Next came Nathan Olmstead, followed a little later by his brothers William and Lewis. They were from Chemung Co., N. Y., and made their set- tlement on sections 25 and 36. The two latter are still residents of the township. Coleman Olmsted and family came along about a year later and lo-

*David Smith asserts that he came in December, 1834, and that the house of which mention is made was erected Jan . 1, 1835. We think he is in error, as he acknowledges that a settlement was first made at Paw Paw Grove, and the earliest date claimed for the latter is the summer of 1835. The date claimed by Mr. Smith is contradictory of every ac- knowledged fact in relation to the various settlements made in the county, and which have always stood uncontradicted .- EDITOR.

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DE KALB COUNTY.

cated on section 25. He subsequently removed to Missouri, but returned to De Kalb County and died at the residence of his son, D. D. Olmsted, in Clin- ton Township a few years ago. Among other early settlers were William, Lyman and Jeff. Sturtevant and Darius Horton.

During the next few years quite a number of set- tlers came in and a village was started on the south side of the grove on section 26, known as Shabbona Grove. John Olmstead opened the first store and Mr. Adams the second. The latter soon after sold out to Warren & Marks-S. B. Warren and Wm. Marks. A postoffice was established here about 1848, Mr. Marks being the first postmaster. Mr Marks. is said to have been one of the twelve apostles of Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet. The office is still continued.

Mr. Curtis opened the first drug store at the Grove, and was also for a time postmaster. He was convicted of robbing the mail and sent to the State prison, where he died.

The first white child born in the township was Charles C. Johnson, son of C. P. Johnson, Sept. II, 1838.

David Smith, although but a boy, made a claim on section 24 the year he came to the township.

The first farm house was built by Wmn. Olmstead in 1842.

The first religious services were held at the house of Nathan Olmstead in 1848 [1838] by Rev. Burton Carpenter, a Baptist minister. The first Methodist services were at the house of Coleman Olmsted in the fall of 1841. Meetings were held in the house in the winter, and in the barn in summer, of that year, Rev. Mr. Morris officiating. The Methodists erected the first house of worship in 1864 ; the first services held therein were the funeral services of Mr. M. V. Allen, Sept. 21, 1864. A union church was built about the same time, but the Methodist Episco- pal church was the first dedicated. Both churches were in the village of Shabbona Grove.

The first Congregational Church of Shabbona (the old town) was organized Sept. 10, 1854. Among those in the organization were Wm. J. Noble and wife, John Campbell and Thomas Battes. Meetings were held in Center School house, District No. 3. Rev. Stephen Batten was the first pastor. The or- ganization continued about ten years.

The first school in the township was in the winter of 1842-3, at the house of Mr. Win. C. Olmstead. Wm. Curtis was the teacher. He received $12.50 per month and boarded himself .. The school was on the subscription plan, and the Olmstead families fur- nished the greater number of scholars. The first school-house was built on the west side of Indian Creek, on the north side of the road. It was used for religious purpose's as well until the church buildings were erected. The house was of logs and erected in the fall of 1843. Eliza Horton was the first teacher in this house. A new school-house was built on the west side of the creek in 1846. It was a frame build- ing, situated a quarter of a mile west of where the M. E. church was subsequently built. There are now in this township 664 persons under 21 years of age, of whom 452 are between the ages of 6 and 21. There are ten school districts, with one graded and nine ungraded schools. During the year ending June 30, 1884, there were 393 pupils enrolled in the schools. There were 22 teachers employed. The highest monthly wages paid any teacher was $65, and the lowest $20. The estimated value of school property is $9,000. The tax levy for the support of schools was $1,25 ). There are ten frame school- houses in the township.

The first cemetery was opened near the center of section 25. Mrs. Lyman was the first interred. She died in 1840 or 1841. A dozen bodies were proba- bly buried here. The ground was soon abandoned.

The first regular cemetery was established 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 wagon and blacksmith shops, a tailor shop, two ho- tels and two churches A large business was trans- acted.

The last Indian payment in De Kalb County, and doubtless in the State, was made in 1835, on sec tion 35.

The early settlers of Shabbona, like the pioneers of other sections, believed whisky to be indispensable 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

836

occasion. For the next few years it was the custom to furnish a good supply at such gatherings. This · practice was continued until the raising of Coleman Olmstead's barn (the first frame barn in the town- ship), 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, took the place of whisky at such gatherings.

In the winter of 1847-8, Shabbona, the Indian chief, in company with Wyman Gates, went to Wash- ington and there sold to the latter all of his reserva- tion except 60 acres, which he reserved for a home. He received about $3,000 for the same, but lost it all on his return. In the spring of 1848 he went to Kansas and spent some time there and in Arkansas, but not being satisfied he returned to his old home at the grove, in 185 1, only to find it in the possession of N. I. Kettle, who purchased the same of Gates, who in some way had a claim on it. Shabbona camped with his family on one of Vanderventer's lots, but was soon driven away. He went to Kan- kakee, but subsequently located on a tract of 20 acres near Morris, Grundy County, whichi was pur- chased for him with money raised for the purpose at Ottawa. See biography of Shabbona on page 534.

The so-called English settlement, in the western part of Shabbona Township, was begun in the fall of 1851. Five young Englishmen-Thomas Wright, Septimus Storey, William Cutts, George Glossup and Joseph Bidam-came together and were the pio- neers of the settlement, taking this land from the Government. The first house was built by Mr. Glossup, on the southeast quarter of section 18. Here the whole party kept "bachelor's hall" and the place was headquarters for numerous English im- migrants till they could construct homes for them- selves. Among the early members of the settlement were Robert Mullins, Reuben Challand, Thomas Dalton and James Hutton. Many of these early settlers and their descendants are still residents of the township. These people built a Methodist Epis- copal church, in 1869, on the southeast quarter of section 18. A school-house was built in 1857 in what is now District No. 6, in which Mrs. Wither- spoon taught the first school. The first religious meetings in the settlement were in the school-house

in 1860, Rev. Mr. Ambrose officiating. Rev. Mr. Stoddard was subsequently the local pastor. A cemetery was established at an early day, on section 18, one acre in extent. The ground, excepting lots sold, is the property of Mr. Storey.

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Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 95

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 888

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 888