USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Records of the olden time; or, Fifty years on the prairies. Embracing sketches of the discovery, exploration and settlement of the country, the organization of the counties of Putnam and Marshall, biographies of citizens, portraits and illustrations > Part 14
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Records of the olden time; or, Fifty years on the prairies. Embracing sketches of the discovery, exploration and settlement of the country, the organization of the counties of Putnam and Marshall, biographies of citizens, portraits and illustrations > Part 14
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1833-Bayliss Culter, Wm. H. Zenor, Elizabeth Durley, Joseph Fair- field, Wm. E. Fairfield, Joseph Cassell, Augustus Cassell, Thomas Cole- man, Chas. Coleman, Oaks Turner, Wilson Everett, Jeremiah Everett, Alex. Ross, Milton Robinson.
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
1834-Cyrus Shepherd, William Baxendale, Thomas W. Shepherd, Guy W. Pool, Thomas Atwater (the first lawyer), H. J. White, Wash- ington Webb.
1836-Lyle Shepherd, Samuel Holmes, Sr., Alfred Turner, David Cryder.
SMILEY SHEPHERD, the oldest living person of Hennepin, visited this country in August, 1828, on a prospecting tour. He bought a claim from James Willis, at Magnolia, but sold it and selected the well-known farm east of Hennepin, where he has ever since lived. Returning to Ohio in December, 1828, he married, and in June, 1829, settled permanently at Hennepin.
When he came to Hennepin in 1828, Hartzell, the Indian trader, was doing a prosperous business. He was operating in his own name, and had several Indians, squaws and half breeds around him. He was assisted by a young man named Benny, who had charge of the business, buying and preparing the furs for market, and supplying hunters and traders in other localities, shipping his furs to Montreal.
The American Fur Company had three stations at and near the mouth of Bureau Creek, under the management of Gurden S. Hubbard, who gen- erally made his headquarters at Chicago, but was often here to look after the interests of the company.
WILLIAMSON DURLEY came to Hennepin August 8, 1831, and opened a store along with his uncle, John Durley. They bought their goods at St. Louis, brought them up on a boat to Pekin, and hauled them "by land" to their new store in the village, which had been laid out in Sep- tember, the goods reaching here in October, 1831.
Mr. Durley first visited this locality in 1828, stopping on the way at Bailey's Point, La Salle County, where himself and friends found shelter, with permission to "board themselves" in the cornfield. The corn was but partially ripe, and had to be planed off the ears and then boiled. They found this fare and the hospitality of the people so agreeable that they remained two days on these terms. During their stay they explored the country thereabouts, returning to their host each night, who on their departure refused to take pay for their keeping, saying, "as he had freely given them the best he had, and didn't want to be insulted."
At Covel Creek they found an Indian burial ground, in which the de- parted were placed in a sitting posture, back to back, between white oak
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EARLY SETTLERS OF HENNEPIN TOWNSHIP.
poles fixed in the ground. Mr. Durley likewise remembers one two miles south of Hennepin, where the corpses were similarly arranged.
The mails in early days were irregular. A line extended from Peoria to Galena, and a route was established about 1831 running from Henne- pin to Boyd's Grove. A few years later a stage line between Chicago and Peoria was established, with a cross line to Hennepin, connecting at Robert's Point. The next change was from Ottawa via Peru, Hennepin and Lacon to Peoria, making three trips a week each way.
Mr. Durley's recollections of the old pioneers are valuable. He re- members Thomas Hartzell as a man of generous disposition, open-hearted and easily duped. He believed all men honest like himself, and lost his property by going security for others. About this time a wealthy rela- tive in Pennsylvania died and opportunely left him a considerable sum, which went in like manner. Again he inherited property, and not long after removed to Waukegan, where he died.
DANIEL DIMMICK-The Township of Dimmick, in La Salle County, takes its name from an early settler who formerly lived in this vicinity. He came to Peoria in 1828, to Princeton in 1829 or '30, and not long after to Putnam County, building a cabin in the timber near Hartzell's trading house. He is said to have made the first claim and broken the first prairie in Putnam County, and sold his "betterments" to George Mills. They are now a part of the farm of William Ham. Dimmick lived in great seclusion, avoiding society and companionship, and was chiefly in- tent on making money. It is said he never had a floor to his cabin, and never washed. His single tow shirt sufficed so long as it held together. He slept on a bundle of straw in the corner, and his coat was patched with an old saddle blanket. In 1833 he sent his son Elijah to Dixon to learn if it was safe to venture to the north side of the Illinois River, and if the Indians were really at peace with the whites, and the war over. On getting satisfactory answers, he packed up his household goods and moved over to the prairies and began his new and permanent home, where he built a fine residence in after years, and died much respected.
THE GALLAHER FAMILY played an important part in the early history of Putnam, and deserves a more extended notice. The first representative, Thomas Gallaher, Sr., came here in September, 1827, and settled on the south-east quarter of Section 30, Town 32, Range 1 west, 3d principal
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
meridian, four miles south-east of Hennepin. He was accompanied here by his wife and eight children, viz :
Thomas, Jr .- Born March 17, 1810; afterward moved to Henry, and died August 17, 1854.
Eliza-Born November 13, 1811; now Mrs. Ladd, wife of Ira Ladd, first Sheriff of Putnam County. She is now a resident of New Orleans.
Mary-Born March 17, 1814; married B. Willis, and afterward went to Hannibal, Mo.
. James-Born April 13, 1816; lives at Sioux City, Iowa.
William-Born July 19, 1818; moved to Henry in 1851, where he now resides.
Nancy J .- Born February 8, 1821; married Mr. Heath; died in Sep- tember, 1848.
Samuel-Born April 18, 1823; died in August, 1879.
Margaret H .- Born August 6, 1825; died May 27, 1874.
After arriving here, there were born :
Robert K .- May 20, 1828, the "first white child born in Putnam County." Died March 4, 1845.
John McDonald-October 6, 1830; living on the old farm.
Nathaniel C .- August 12, 1833; died of wounds received at Fort Donelson.
Elizabeth, Margaret and Robert, born subsequently, remained on the old homestead until their death.
Thomas Gallaher, Sr., was born April 22, 1782, and died of cholera, while on his way to Pennsylvania, June 5, 1852, aged 70 years.
His wife (Elizabeth Kelly) was born March 17, 1792, and died April 23, 1878, aged 86 years.
Mr. Gallaher, after arriving here put up a cabin in the fall of 1827, and in 1828 broke prairie for eighty acres of corn and wheat.
The cabin was eighteen feet square, with a "shake" roof, and a fire- place so big that logs were hauled through the room by oxen to feed its capacious mouth. His first crop was exceeding fine, and Major Elias Thompson and Wm. Studyvin helped cut the wheat in 1829; wages, twenty-five cents per day.
In 1828 he built a hewn log cabin, fifteen feet square, the first of the kind in this region of country.
These were the first houses in this neighborhood of any description, and their ruins may yet be seen on the old historic ground.
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AVERAGE WAGES OF FARM HANDS.
In the fall of 1827, after Gallaher had put up his log dwelling, James Willis built a house on ground afterward enclosed within the village plat of Florid. He left his family on this claim during the winter of 1827-8, and went to Bond County, Ill., to close up some business ยท affairs. He had in his employ a likely colored boy who was a fugi- tive from slavery, whom he left in charge. The boy worked faithfully all winter, but when spring came and he found himself in debt, he con- cluded there was not so much difference between freedom and slavery as he had supposed.
During the winter of 1827, there were no settlers south of Gallaher's, none at Magnolia, Roberts' Point, Lacon, or Crow Creek; no one at all nearer than the Dillon settlement, on Mackinaw River.
In those days farm laborers were not numerous, yet the prices for work were not extravagantly high, as three bushels of meal, equal to three "bits," was considered a just equivalent for cutting and splitting one hun- dred 11-feet fence rails, and eight dollars per month and board and wash- ing were the wages for farm hands.
THE HENNEPIN FERRY.
Prior to 1831, when Putnam was set apart as a county, with a tangi- ble boundary and a real organization, the ferry at Hennepin, or rather at and above Hartzell's trading house, had been a private enterprise, and was generally "run" by whomsoever came along, white, red, or mixed: The Indian traders claimed to own the boats, and every one used them,-such as they were. At the first term of the County Commissioners' Court, that wise body took the subject in hand and "Ordered that public notice be given of the letting of the building of a ferry boat." Alexander Wilson . put in the lowest bid and got the job, for a sum not stated, to build the first boat capable of carrying loaded wagons.
September 8, 1831, Ira Ladd, the Sheriff, was appointed to take charge of the ferry boat when finished.
August 14, 1832, James Laughlin was appointed to take charge of the ferry boat till next term; also to procure a skiff for the same.
September 3, 1832, J. S. Simpson was allowed $11.00 for keeping the ferry.
B. M. Hays was appointed to run the Hennepin ferry from December
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
17, 1832, one year. A committee was appointed to watch him, see that he did his whole duty, and say when the boat should or should not run in the season of ice, high water and other dangers. This committee were R. Blanchard, John H. Simpson, Geo. B. Willis, Williamson Durley and Nathan Skeel.
In March, 1833, John H. Simpson, then ferryman, was instructed by the Court to allow footmen to go free; and citizens upon horseback on muster, election and court days, were not to be charged for themselves or their beasts.
The ferry boat having been carried away by ice, Jonathan Wilson fol- lowed it down to the island below Henry, captured and returned it, and the Court, March 3, 1836, allowed him $6.00 for that service.
The ferry, instead of proving a blessing to the County of Putnam, was a constant source of annoyance, and though its income some years was con- siderable, by reason of accidents and the large proportion of patrons who managed to shirk payment, it rarely made any profit for its managers. An embankment a mile or two in length was needed on the west side, be- sides.expensive bridges. This territory was in Bureau County, beyond the jurisdiction of the Commissioners of Putnam County, and the people of Princeton could see no advantage in improving a road or building em- bankments and bridges for the convenience of a rival market at Hennepin. Things wore on for years until a goodly settlement of tax-paying people had gathered in the bottom and prairies beyond, who demanded a road to the river as an outlet for their products, and at length the Commissioners of Bureau County consented to meet with their equally exalted brethren of Putnam County, and jointly take action in the all-important question of improving the bottoms and making a road and suitable bridges across Bureau Creek and other water courses toward Hennepin.
Accordingly these august bodies met at Hennepin, September 8, 1845, and after much deliberation leased the ferry for a term of eleven years to one Hugh Feeny, who, at his own expense, was to make all necessary improvements in the roadway, and in, addition to the rents and profits of the ferry was to have the sum of $275 in cash paid nim, one- half of said sum by each of the counties.
This arrangement lasted a couple of years, when Feeny failed to keep his contract. We find the two high joint powers at Hennepin again in session, declaring that Feeny had forfeited the contract, and legal proceed- ings in the nature a quo warranto were instituted to make him surrender
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TRIBULATIONS OF FRONTIER TRAVELERS.
the ferry. After tedious litigation, lasting until February, 1850, Feeny voluntarily abandoned the fight, and the ferry was placed in charge of Wil- liam Ray.
Subsequently an act of the State Legislature was passed giving the entire ferry and rights of way in Bureau and Putnam Counties to the ex- clusive control of the corporation of Hennepin, where they now rest.
FRINK AND WALKER.
This enterprising firm were the pioneer stage proprietors of Central Illinois. They controlled and operated most of the lines, with general headquarters in Chicago. Their monopoly of the business covered a per- iod of about thirteen years, from 1838 or 1839, during which their head- quarters in Hennepin were with John Lyons, an old hotel keeper. At first they ran from Peru to Magnolia, and on to Peoria, but afterward took in Hennepin on the route, passing thence through Lacon and down the river.
One night in the winter of 1839 the stage coach was lost upon the Hennepin Prairie. There were two passengers inside, and the driver vain- ly sought to find his destination. Afterward it was found he had traveled in a circle most of the time.
Mr. Nicholls related how an old English "milord " was once his guest, and the trouble the great man experienced. The hotel was a good-sized log cabin, and had but a single sleeping room for the accommodation of guests, who were expected to be reasonable and share their beds with strangers. As nine o'clock came the traveler signified a desire to retire, and asked to be lighted to his quarters. Nicholls showed him up, and stated that one-half the bed would be occupied by another party. " Do you expect me to sleep in this room with other men?" said "milord," al- most gasping for breath. Nicholls said he could either do that or sit up, as he preferred; and the old fellow sat in his chair all night, groaning over his aches and cursing the "blarsted country."
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The early settlers were pre-eminently a religious people, and one of the first things provided for was the preaching of the Gospel. There was
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
no lack of earnest, devoted, self-sacrificing ministers, and in the absence of suitable places of worship, services were held at private houses or in the groves. These services were invariably well attended, and received earnest, respectful attention. The good these men did was not interred with their bones-for most of them have gone to their reward, -but it lives after them, and bears fruit to this day.
THE M. E. CHURCH OF HENNEPIN.
This society is an old one, dating back to 1833, when the first class was formed. The record of the first proceedings, if any was made, has been lost, and such history as can be gathered of the organization thereof depends upon the recollection of one or two persons who helped at its inception. In July or August of the year named, a few of the earnest Methodists of Hennepin and vicinity bethoughit them that as their num- bers were nearly large enough to form a church society, it would be well to take initiative steps in that direction. After some preliminary conver- sation a small meeting was held at the house of Dr. Ritchie, in the vil- lage, and the first class was enrolled, consisting of the following members: Hiram P. White and wife, Dr. David Ritchie and wife, Miss Betsey Car- penter, afterward Mrs. Hays, Mrs. Sarah Bloomfield, and perhaps one or two other persons whose names have been forgotten. Another meeting was held at the same place in November, 1833, and further steps taken toward forwarding the work. About this time Linas B. Skeel was added to the list as the first convert, and Mrs. Olive Skeel and Mrs. Emeline Durley also added their names to the membership.
For some time after they had no meeting house nor any convenient place of worship, and met from time to time at the dwellings of the brothers.
In 1834, Rev. Zadok Hall, the first minister, on February 16, at Dr. Ritchie's, preached a sermon, taking his text from Matt. ix., 12. Rev. Wm. Arrington came the same season at a later date, and also Rev. John St. Clair, as Presiding Elder.
Rev. Father Walker, from Ottawa, occasionally came here to look after the infant flock, as also did Rev. Jesse Hale and Wm. Royal, all Indian missionary preachers.
During the year 1834 there was a revival of considerable strength, and many new converts were made and the Society largely increased in numbers and influence.
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HENNEPIN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1835, Rev. A. E. Phelps officiated, and Rev. Asa McMurtry in 1836. Mr. Phelps contributed his personal efforts largely toward build- ing the old church. The latter part of 1836, Hennepin and Pekin circuits were divided and changed to Hennepin and Washington circuits. In 1837, Rev. Wm. Condiff was the preacher, and died at the close of the year, at Caledonia.
In 1838, Rev. Zadok Hall and Rev. Mr. Moffit were sent here to the work, and were aided by Rev. S. W. D. Chase, of Bloomington, who with them made excellent progress in procuring new members.
Among the other reverend gentlemen who appeared at Hennepin from time to time from 1829 to 1835, was Rev. Mr. Cook, a Presbyterian, father of Hon. B. C. Cook, formerly of Ottawa, now of Chicago. Rev. Mr. Hays was a local preacher of Hennepin and vicinity for many years, and among the first who came to this locality. He put up the first frame house on Henry prairie, and one of the first frame houses in the village.
In 1839, Rev. John Morris came and officiated occasionally, and Rev. John appeared and took charge of the Church about 1840.
The first records commence in the Trustees' book, June 14, 1836.
Efforts had been made to raise money to build a meeting house, but with ill success, and we find them in 1837 adopting an order to refund the small sums of money which had been raised for that purpose.
At a meeting of the Lacon and Hennepin Conference, February 25, 1839, Joseph Caterlin, David Markley, Thomas Forney, Jacob G. Forney, Hiram P. White, Linus B. Skeel and J. P. Hays were appointed Trus- tees of the Hennepin Church, the first Board regularly chosen for this Society.
March 2, 1839, the Trustees "met at Hennepin for the purpose of attempting to build a church." They figured out a plan for a modest frame meeting house, twenty-six by thirty-six feet. A subscription paper was circulated and the cash returns were such as to warrant the immedi- ate prosecution of the work. The house was accordingly built and occu- pied the same fall and for years after, and now stands, used as a private dwelling, a few rods to the rear of the larger and more pretentious struc- ture. The old house, however, was for some time under a cloud of debt, which for a long time the young and struggling pioneer church could not lift. At length they succeeded in removing this incubus, and on the 13th of August, 1842, the Trustees met and adopted a resolution, "That all
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
persons having claims against the Church present the same forthwith, by Saturday following, for full settlement." This seems to have been done, and the church dedicated on the next Sabbath, by Elder A. E. Phelps.
In 1858, the congregation having outgrown the capacity of the old building, proceeded to erect the present church edifice, a handsome struc- ture of two stories, forty feet by sixty, divided below into lecture and class rooms, and above a finely decorated, finished and furnished church room, which bids fair to afford ample accommodations for the people for many years to come. It cost $10,000, has two good organs, and is well seated, having comfortable pews for 450 to 500 persons. It was dedicated November 29, 1866, by Rev. Joseph Cummings, of Lacon. Before being finished the basement was completed, and services held therein by Rev. A. C. Price.
A neat parsonage stands near by in the same lot with the church, cost- ing about $600.
In 1879, the Presiding Elder was J. D. Smith; Pastor, J. M. Murphy; Recording Steward, L. E. Skeel.
The Society numbers about seventy-five in good standing, and the church and parsonage are free from debt.
HENNEPIN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
As early as 1845 the Catholic people of Hennepin and vicinity began to hold public religious exercises, and the Brothers of the Lazarus So- ciety of La Salle sent different priests there to minister to the spiritual wants of the communicants of the Church. The first remembered priest who visited this place was an Italian, Rev. Father - ,who also occasionally conducted services in Henry.
Among the other earlier missionaries of this faith were Rev. Fathers Gregory and Anthony, the latter in 1848, both coming at intervals de- pending upon circumstances, such as deaths or the sickness of some Cath- olic who desired the last sacrament. When here upon such occasions, the people would be notified, an altar improvised in some one of the more commodious dwellings, and mass duly celebrated; and now and then a priest would come from Peoria, or even St. Louis, to minister to the spir- itual wants of the faithful and look after the temporal affairs of the Church.
There was no successful attempt to have regular services oftener than once a month, until about June, 1852, when sufficient money was raised
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A CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ORGANIZED.
for the erection of a church building. It was a plain frame structure, twenty-four by forty feet. This furnished ample room for the congrega- tion till about 1866, when an addition was put up, making the building twenty-four by sixty feet, with fifteen feet ceiling. The cost of both was about $2,500, and the organ, altars, seats and lamps about $1,000 more. About seventy-five families now constitute its regular membership.
Those who next to the priests took the lead of the Church were An- thony Failing, Chas. Trerweiler, Henry Reavey and Peter Feltes, The first resident priest was Rev. Father Deifenbrock, who came about 1867.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
In September, 1874, Miss Ella DeVoe, of Hennepin, wrote to Rev. Wm. E. Catlin, detailing the needs of a church at this place, and set forth the prospects of effecting an organization in such an eloquent manner as to induce that gentleman to come and co-operate in the movement. He arrived October 17, and on the following Sabbath preached by invitation in the M. E. Church, and at the Court House on Sunday, October 25.
At a meeting for consultation immediately after the Sabbath morning service, it was decided to not then take any steps toward the form- ation of a society, but a prayer-meeting was appointed for the next Wed- nesday evening, and the following paper presented:
We, the undersigned, believing that another Evangelical Church in this community would be for its spiritual and temporal gocd, have thought it best for the present to asso- ciate ourselves together for the purpose of holding public and social worship at such times and places as shall appear best, hoping in that way, with God's blessing, to develop such an interest as may in time warrant a more perfect organization. To this endeavor we pledge ourselves, and invite the hearty co-operation of all who are like-minded.
This was circulated, but did not receive a single signature !
Weekly prayer-meetings were kept up and well attended, but Mr. Catlin, discouraged with the propect, finally left the place. The next appeal was to John E. Roy, a Home Missionary, who came December 12, began and pursued his labors with great industry, and soon accomplished the desired end.
The numbers increased from two to fifteen, when the Church was or- ganized with the following membership: Aug. Shepherd, Mrs. Ellen Shep- herd, David Field, James Adams, Miss R. Ellis and Mrs. Lucy Ham by letters from the Congregational Church, Granville; Martin Nash, letter
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
from the Presbyterian Church of Granville; Miss Ella De Voe, letter from the Congregational Church of Forrest; T. J. Nicholl, certificate from Epis- copal Church; Mrs. Ellen Nicholl, same; Chas. M. Shepherd, letter from the Presbyterian Church, Memphis, Tenn. ; Miss Clara Lamm, Miss Emma Connelly, Mrs. Elizabeth Durley and P. B. Durley, on profession.
The officers chosen were: David Field and James Field, Deacons; Wil- liamson Durley, Aug. Shepherd and T. J. Nicholl, Trustees; Miss Ella De Voe, Clerk; P. B. Durley, Treasurer.
A council was called, and the Church organized December 22, 1874. Rev. A. J. Bailey was at once called as pastor, and began his labors Jan- uary 24, 1875, the Church in the meantime having been supplied by Rev. F. Bascom. Services were held in a room at the public school building, the exclusive use of which was offered the Society by the School Board.
A Sunday School class was organized December 27, 1874. April 5, 1875, a business meeting was called for the purpose of considering the building of a church edifice. A building committee was appointed, and by the united efforts of the Society ground was broken May 16, 1875, and liberal aid obtained from the citizens generally. The Congregational Union contributed $450 in aid of the building, which was completed and dedicated December 22, 1875, just one year from the date of the organi- zation. The building and site cost $4,317.90. In 1878, a 1,050 pound bell was hung, at a total expense of $330.53.
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