USA > Illinois > Lee County > Recollections of the pioneers of Lee County [Illinois] > Part 5
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It was nearly or quite midnight when they started for home. They suffered extremely with the cold, especially Mr. Abbott, Mr. Blair taking care to exercise all he could. They arrived at Mr. Hannum's "hay-house" about five o'clock the next morning, when Mrs. Hannum prepared them a nice breakfast, and thus they were able to reach home in the morn- ing, greatly to the surprise and delight of the family.
The summer of 1844 was one unusally wet and the stream at Rocky Ford overflowed its banks, washing away the south part of the bridge. over which the stage from Galena to Peoria (afterward from Galena to Peru) used to pass, stopping at Mr. Hook's. When the mail wagon ar- rived, the crossing was accomplished by swimming the horses over and taking the mail and passengers, if there were any, across in a boat, bor- rowing another wagon for the remainder of the route, and on the return trip crossing the same way, leaving the borrowed wagon and taking the mail wagon again on the other side of the stream. It was difficult to build a bridge at that time, the facilities for the heavy work required being unobtainable; so the bridge could not, at once, be repaired.
It is not strange that in the quietude of these prairie homes, any unus- ual event like the rising of the river, and the destruction of the bridge should attract the neighbors to the scene; and here, on this day to which the story refers, were gathered Mr. John Hook, wife, baby and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael and child, who lived in a cabin near the Ford, and the stage-driver; some of them quite eager to take a trip in the boat across the water. Standing on the north part of the bridge which had withstood the flood, were Mr, Edwin Blair, and his brother, who had come down to view the swollen river and the destruction caused by the flood. Mr. Blair saw, with fear, the party get into the boat and remon- strated with Mr. Hook; but Mr. Hook's perfect confidence in the ability of his mother, who could control a canoe while standing in it, made him
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blind to the danger. All ventured aboard, Mr. Hook remaining on the bridge with Mr. Blair and brother to see the departure of the pleasure seekers. Mr. Hook's mother, a tall women, standing in the center of the boat, Mrs. Hook and baby and Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael and child, and the stage-driver. all in the boat. It sped from the shore, but immediately commenced careening and in another moment capsized, all sinking in the water. Mr. Hook was too much alarmed to know what to do, but Mr. Blair, whose presence of mind is proof in cases of danger, with his brother, rushed to their assistance; snatching a long stick as he ran to aid in help- ing them to shore. While Mr. Blair waded in to reach out the pole to them, he kept hold of his brother's hand, his brother holding on to the bushes in the water, for the current was so swift and strong that it would have been useless to venture in unaided. With great difficulty they were drawn out, Mr. Carmichael reaching the stick with one hand and holding to the women and children with the other. Mrs. Hook was unconscious when brought to shore, but through all had never relaxed her bold upon the little girl who was clasped tightly in her mother's arms all safe and uninjured. Mrs. Carmichael and child were brought safe to shore. Mr. Hook's mother and the stage.driver were drawn by the strong, rapid cur- rent further down the river, and it was not withont courageous efforts that they were rescued, while Mr. Hook was trying to restore his wife.
The little one was Mrs. Hook's third daughter, who married William Livingstone and lived near Jacob Doan's.
Those who came in later years, to whom many of these landmarks are without associations, can hardly realize how much they suggest to the pioneer, to whom, like the "Bells of Shandon," they must tell "many a tale" of "youth and hope" and the departed days.
Mrs. Clara (Frisbee) Davis, widow of Josiah M. Davis, related some very interesting incidents relative to her early life here. She was a little giel of only seven years at that time, but she well remembered the journey ard her father's horses, old Tom and Jerry, and just how they looked. Her father, Sylvester Frisbee, came fromApulia, New York, in company w.th Ransom Barnes, in 1838. They came in covered wagons, bringing what goods they could with them, Mr. Frisbee going back for the rest a'terwards. Little Clara, for rest and amusement, would ride a part of the time with Mr. Barnes and then go back to her father's wagon. The route was the old Chicago road, and Mr. Tripp kept the tavern at "Inlet." They went to Hannum's hotel, called "The Temperance House." When
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people who ask where the "bar" was, Mr. Hannum replied, "that there was no bar, but plenty of good cold water and tea and coffee." Benoni Hannum was a most excellent and useful man, always ready to do good as he had opportunity, and he found many opportunities. He was a true christian and gifted in the use of language, consequently he was called upon to lead religious services at funerals and on other occasions, in the absence of ministers. He had previously learned the cabinet maker's trade and as he was a very kind man, he would sometimes, in cases of death, make the coffin and take all the charge of the funeral.
Of Mrs. Hannum, whose likeness is in this book, Mrs. Davis said: "She was such a good woman, a lovely christian day by day, always ready to do good and lend a helping hand whenever an opportunity pre- sented itself. She believed, as the Lord prospered one, in laying aside a tenth for Him, and she kept a purse for the Lord's money; so, when there was a worthy object she had something ready to give. She had learned the milliner's trade before coming here, and she used to make over and trim bonnets for women and girls around. I remember so well of her making one for Mrs. Dexter. Mrs. Hannum's home was a model of neatness and comfort. Once inside the sod or "hay-house" one forgot its humble exterior. Mr. Edwin M. Blair tells of the comfort and good cheer received by him and his brother-in-law, Mr. Abbott, on one occasion when on a cold return trip from Grand Detour where they had been to mill. It was very early in the morning of a December day, but so kindly were he and his companion provided for that the mention of the sod house or "hay-house," of Mr. Hannum, has ever since awakened a train of pleasant recollections, notwithstanding the trip was one of great discomfort.
Mr. Hannum died in 1851. The next year Mrs. Frisbee died, and two years after Mr. Frisbee married Mrs. Hannum. Of her step-mother, Mrs. Davis said: "I always felt that I was highly favored in having two such dear, good mothers. I was a great mother girl and my mother was a very affectionate, devoted mother, so amiable and sweet-tempered, and a sweet singer, too, and a good christian; and my father was also."
Dr. Gardner was our family physician. I have very pleasant recollec- tions of him and his wife. They lived three miles from us, but with the exception of one family, they were our nearest neighbors for a long time. My sister and I were delighted when Mrs. Gardner was coming, for she was such a dear, sweet lady, and her babies were always so sweet and pretty, we had great pleasure in tending them. We had great confidence in Dr. Gardner, who carried us through some very dangerous illnesses; and
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MRS. HANNUM-FRISBEE.
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CLARA FRISBEE. ( MRS. JOSIAH DAVIS.)
he was a christian. I remember hearing my father say it was worth a great deal to "have a physician that was a christian."
Miss Clara Frisbee was married to Josiah M. Davis, son of Joel Davis, in 1849, Rev. Luke Hitchcock performing the ceremony. (Joel Davis was a brother of Cyrus Davis and of Mrs. Farwell. He came west in 1848.) Mr. Joel Davis and his son erected a frame house on a farm just west of the city limits. It was not finished during Joel Davis' life time, as he lived but a short time. Josiah went to California and was gone several years, his wife remaining with his friends here during his absence. After his return he finished the house which his father had commenced, with much taste. He planted trees, shrubs and rose-bushes. At the eastern entrance of the grounds was a broad gate, the upper part surmounted by a real bird-castle, of several stories height. There were trees at each side of the gate, and it looked so hospitable and delightful that it seemed to speak for the inmates of the retreat and say, as it gleamed white in the shade of the trees:
"Stop, traveler, just a moment at my gate And I will give you news so very sweet That you will thank me. Where the branches meet Across your road, and droop, as with the weight Of shadows laid upon them, pause, I pray, And turn aside a little from your way."
'Once inside the large inclosure, everything told of rest and loving · peace. The veranda from which one could see the birds flying about their houses-for there were others besides the one over the great gate- way-looked out over the green fields with waving grain or corn; and an- other gate, a "wicket-gate," opened to the road which passed the house on the west from the Rocky Ford road to Union Corners. Mr. Davis named the place "Summer Hill Farm." He is remembered for his cheerful, sunny, kind nature and social disposition; and when in early manhood he passed away, leaving his devoted young wife and twochildren, there were many to hold him in affectionate remembrance, and to cherish an abiding interest in his family.
Mrs. Davis remained at Summer Hill Farm until the best interests of her children seemed to favor a change. when with rare judgement and gen- tle firmness she parted with her "sweet home," and went to Chicago, where she educated them to nobly fill their places in life. Her son, Millard, has a family, and a beautiful home of his own, and is a prosperous mer- chant in Chicago. Her daughter Lizzie married Rev. Mr. Pearse, a Con- gregationalist minister and is settled in Turner, Illinois. Mrs. Davis made her home with Mrs. Pearse, and was deeply interested in all the
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duties whichi devolve upon a pastor's family up to the time of her sickness and death, which occurred the last of April this present year.
Mr. William Main now owns and occupies "Summer Hill Farm."
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Curtis T. Bridgeman came here in 1838, and bought a claim of 160 · acres of James Hawley, for $700. It was the finest piece of timber in Palestine Grove, mostly white and burr-oak. Mr. B. sold $300 worth for the old I. C. R. R., which was projected justafter the close of the Black-Hawk war, in 1833, and was laid out and partly built in 1837, but abandoned in the financial revolution of 1840. The line is yet visible west of Rocky Ford. Mr. Bridgeman's claim is known as the Blunt farm, although now owned by William E. Ives. It was the favorite camping ground of the Indians, with its large trees and its contiguity to Green River. Here, sometimes hundreds of them encamped, led by their chief, Shabbona.
Mr. Bridgeman lived on this claim five years, when he sold it and moved to Crombie Lane, and took up 160 acres of land, now the farms of Adam Mynard and Hiram Bates. Part of the building Mr. Bridgeman lived in is standing on the Bates farm and is used as a corn-crib. It was eighteen feet long and ten feet wide. This was their sleeping room. On the side was an addition made mostly of sod.
In the fall of 1843, the weather had been mild and balmy as the "sun- ny south," and no precautions had been taken to bank-up the house which was only an unfinished frame building. One evening about the middle of November there was a light fall of snow. In the morning the family awoke to find the snow a foot deep in their sod kitchen, and it had to be shoveled out before they could get breakfast. From this time until spring the ground was covered with snow to a great depth and there were no signs of spring until the middle of April. The weather was bitterly cold nearly every day that winter. Mr. Bridgeman made a trip to Inlet Grove and got out timber for a new house that was made into lumber at Dewey's Mill. A building was erected which was considered quite a structure for those days, but the family never moved into it. Mr. Bridge- man sold his claim to David Searles and moved to the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. G. P. Finch. That was the suburb of the settlement then. All beyond was unbroken prairie to Rock River.
Mrs. Bridgeman was a lovely woman, and highly esteemed in the com- munity. She was the mother of our townsman, Mr. Cyrus Bridgeman. She reared a family whose lives are an honor to her.
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CYRUS DAVIS' HOUSE, AMBOY, 1845.
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Frederick Bainter, with his wife and one child, came from South Bend, Indiana, to this place in the fall of 1838. In the spring of 1839 he built a log house on the place now known as the John Warinck farm, where he farmed for several years, and then turned his attention to blacksmithing and making plows, erecting a blacksmith shop on his farm. In the spring of 1846 the house burned down, and he moved to the little burg of Binghampton, where he, with James Doan, built up quite an in- dustry at the stand now known as Kreiter's Mills. Many of the people will remember the improveir ents there made in the old style plow which he furnished to a great many farmers of Lee, Bureau, La Salle and other counties. It was at their home that Death made the first call in this neighborhood, taking their sweet baby boy Franklin. After a number of years they moved to Goshen, Ind., and later, to California, where Mr. Bainter died in 1875. His wife, who was always his helper and adviser. with the remainder of her family, are still spending their days in that most noted of beautiful countries.
Mr. Cyrus Davis came here in 1839 from NewIpswich, N. H. On Jan- uary 30th, 1823, he married Miss Mary Appleton, of Dublin, N. H., fifth child of Isaac and Sarah (Twitchell) Appleton. Mr. Joseph Appleton, who was one of the early settlers here, was the oldest child of her brother Joseph. Mr. Davis was a brother of Mrs. Farwell. His farm was upon the site which is now a part of the city of Amboy, and was bounded on the north by the road now running past "the Hawk's house," now owned by William Armour, and past Mr. Rush Badger's; ou the east, by the creek crossing Main street, by W. E. Ives and south by Division street. His log house was a few feet east of the Baptist Church on Mason street, in what is now the middle of the street. His barn was where the Baptist Church stands, aud his orchard just north.
A little anecdote is told of Mr. Davis' attempt to mark where the regular road ought to be. He plowed a few furrows for the line of the road. The next morning as he "viewed the landscape o'er" he looked in vain for his turnpike. Some of the roguish young men had carefully turned all the sod back in place. Mr. Davis stood and looked at the joke a few minutes and walked silently away.
In 1845 he built a convenient frame house, the first of the kind in the place. It is one of the "old landmarks" and is among the illustrations. After the streets of Amboy were laid out, it was moved a few rods east and now stands directly opposite the Baptist Church. The little child sitting on the door step in the picture is a grandson of Col. John. B. Wyman.
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The Badger Family.
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C HESTER S. BADGER first came to the country from Broome County, New York, in 1837, stopping in Joliet, Illinois. In the fall of the same year he returned to Chemung County, New York, and in the spring of 1838 he came back to Illinois, accompanied by his son Simon; and in the spring of 1839 Warren came with mother and two sis- ters, Sarah and Rowena. They came by the Lakes through Chicago to Lee County and "landed on the site" now occupied by his grandson, Duer Badger. 1
In 1840, Chester, son of Chester S., then but eighteen years old, drove a team from Broome County, New York, through to this place, where he found parents, brothers and sisters. The meeting, though joyous, was not without sadness. There was such a contrast between the pleasant home and the social life which they had left, and the pioneer life with its privations and hardships to which they had come, that even after all the years which have intervened it seems painful to Mr. Badger to recall the meeting.
The house was a small, story and a half frame house, without lath or plaster. It had warped and shrunk so that although the family covered interstices the best they could, the northwest winds would drive in the snow until it not only covered the floor but the beds also. In coldest weather, to use Mr. Badger's own words, "We used to hang up three bed- blankets, or quilts around the fire and enjoy ourselves sitting inside and eating crab-apples, as we had no other kind of fruit." For our fencing, we drew logs a distance of three miles and split them into rails and then made fence. The Pottawattomie Indians, of whom Shabbona was their chief, roamed at will through here and encamped near Green River. Game was plentiful. I have seen forty deer going to drink in the creek. More rabbits than a strong man could carry away could be taken in a short time and but a short distance from home; and fish also, could be caught in abundance, each weighing from four pounds to some times much heavier weight."
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BADGER'S MILL.
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In 1837 a man from New Jersey by name of Erastus De Wolfe, an Episcopalian minister, came into the country. He lived about half way between here and Dixon, on land now known as the De Wolfe farm, and preached in the Wasson school house. Mrs. De Wolfe organized a Sun- day School, commencing with six little girls, two of her own, two of Mrs. Wasson's, and two of Mrs. Badger's. This was in 1845.
Sarah Badger, the older sister, taught school in Sugar Grove at $1.50 per week and had luxuries- pumpkin pie and crab apple sauce. Rowena taught in the old log school house, and afterwards near Mr. De Wolfe's place, and also near Grand Detour.
The Badger family have been useful members of society. Mrs. Bad- ger is remembered with respect and love. She was a quiet, retiring woman of much refinement, and her sons and daughters have filled many places of usefulness in Amboy. Her daughters were among the earliest teachers, and her sons, Henry, Sinon, Chester and Warren, have all con- . tributed to Amboy's prosperity. The brothers engaged in the manufac- ture of plows and also built a mill, afterwards rebuilding it into a steam mill. Warren died in the prime of life, Simon in 1876, leaving one son, Mr. Rush Badger, and three daughters. He filled various offices of trust in the town, having been justice of the peace sixteen years previous to his death. Chester enlisted in the Eleventh Illinois Volunteers, and served in the Mexican war under Gen. Sterling Price. He afterwards went overland to California in company with his brother Simon. He has been a prominent man here, serving the town in many ways. He can remember numberless interesting events connected with the county which would have been worthy of record. He lives in retirement on his farm, which has been his home since first coming to this country in 1840. He has three children.
Henry E. Badger was one of the early teachers here. He was. with his brothers, engaged in the manufacture of plows, and also in the mill known as the Badger Mill; has been supervisor, road commissioner, school trustee, postmaster, merchant and farmer. During the war he was most loyal, giving liberally to the Union cause. No soldier's widow or family who applied to him for aid was ever sent away unsupplied. No one has given more generously to support every good cause. His life has been embellished by a niost excellent wife, who has filled her place at home, in church and in society with a devotion to be remembered grate- fully by many long after she can fill it no more. Mr. Badger has two daughters and one son living, Mr. Warren Badger, a prominent merchant here.
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John Hook and wife, Mrs. Matilda (Berry) Hook, came to Rocky Ford in the fall of 1839. They were natives of Howland, Maine, a town on the Penobscot River. They came in covered wagons, each drawn by two horses, Mr. Berry, a brother of Mrs. Hook, and others accompanying them.
After reaching Buffalo, New York, and learning that travellers through Ohio encountered many marshy and difficult places of crossing, they took passage to Detroit on the steamer Milwaukee, and from there pursued their journey with wagons to Peru, where they resided until they came here.
Mrs. Hook's narrative of the incidents of their trip is intensely inter- esting. Many were the kindnesses they received on the way, when they encamped near settlements and farm houses; many the invitations to rest and lodge under some one's roof-tree, while additions to their store of food were smilingly given. To hear her recount the story of her life in her cheerful and pleasant way, one would think that " the hardships of pioneer life" were but a series of pleasure excursions and encampments for the sake of the enjoyment of them. It would be hardly safe to have the story in her own words, even were it possible to remember them, least some young readers might be missing some day, to be found as young Daniel Boone was surprised by his father-trying pioneer life on his own hook-somewhere beyond the Rockies.
Her house at Rocky Ford was for years an Inn, where the weary might find rest and the hungry, food, although it bore no sign. As stated above, it was the mail carrier's stopping place on his route from Galena to Peoria, afterwards changed to Peru. Travelers would seek lodging for the night inside their hospitable doors to be safe from the wolves, and they were not turned away, though a place on the floor were the only vacancy.
Men whose names, in after years were widely known have been served here, and Knowlton and Frazier on their passing from Dixon to Peoria or returning, were frequent lodgers, and often Sheriff Campbell was their guest. Here young Backensto alighted and made his toilet when first he visited Amboy to present himself before the queen of his heart, Miss Clara Wasson, whom he had met at the house of her aunt Mrs. Joseph Smith of Nauvoo.
Our illustration of the bridge at Rocky Ford marks the place near which the Indian trail from Council Bluffs to Chicago crossed the ford; and in the time of the Black Hawk war, the command under Major Still- man forded the stream at this point on their way to Stillman's Run.
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H. E. BADGER.
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MRS. H. E. BADGER.
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In 1842 it was the mail route, and the carrier made the trip every week on horse back without failure stopping at John Hook's Monday nights as he went north, and Friday nights going south. A few years afterwards the post office was removed to Binghampton.
The site on the ridge where Mr. Hook built his house, was on an old Indian camping ground on the trail which crossed at the ford. The Indians came frequently and in large numbers, on their way to and from Chicago to receive their annuities. When they found their old camping- ground occupied they withdrew to the wooded knoll south of the place owned by Mr. Bear, and east of Mr. Edwin Bliss. Mrs. Hook relates how the Indians rode up on horse back and surveyed their old place of en- campment, and finding it occupied, rode away, and selected the site already described. They would frequently remain for a month, hunting and fishing; for deer, prairie-chickens, rabbits, etc. were abundant.
Before breaking camp to pursue their journey, they would prepare for it by roasting pieces of venison which they would put on the point of a stick, and keep it over the fire by confining the other end of the stick slantwise in the ground. After it was broiled and smoked in this way, it was packed for the journey. They appeared to enjoy a call from their white neighbors. Once when Mrs. Hook went to call on them in their tents, a pleasant young half-breed Indian, whose father was a French- man, of Milwaukee, where the young man and his brother who was with him had been educated, begged to take her fair haired, blue eyed baby to show to his people in the tents, promising to return it soon in safety. This was the first trip the young men had ever taken with their mother's people, and the parents were both with the company. The little one was not afraid and the young man carried it tenderly to the other tents where the women patted the baby's arms and cheeks and smiled upon it, as did the young man. He soon brought it back, pleasantly, the baby enjoying it all. His father's name was Juneau. His mother was a famous medi- cine squaw and used to be called to go twenty miles to cure the sick.
Mrs. Hook used sometimes to carry them presents of milk and other food, taking a pail of milk and a dipper and so treating the Indian chil- dren all around. In return the mothers would treat with berries, or a drink made of maple sugar which they had made mixed with fresh water from the creek. They were frequent callers at Mrs. Hook's house where they received such favors as she could render them. Once as she was sitting at home, a shadow darkened the room, and on looking up she saw a tall Indian standing in the door, attracted there by the odor of something which was being cooked. He entered and raised the cover of the kettle,
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