USA > Illinois > Will County > Souvenir of settlement and progress of Will County, Ill. A review of the lives of our presidents, political, military and commercial history of the United States and of the state of Illinois Business directory of Joliet Comp. specially for the people of the county > Part 44
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Triem, Jacob, 1
Wilcox, J. B. Wilharn, Heinrich, 25
Schroeder, C. C., 21
Troberson, Chris., 21
Wilson, David, 21
Seggebrueck, A., 36 Gn
Tucker, Israel, 26 Chic.
Wilder, J. W., 12
Sellman, Henry, 21
Tucker, Thomas, 25
Wilder, C., 12
Seifke, Wm., 12
Tucker, Stephen, 26
Winter, John W., 16
Seeman & Krigge, 1 M
Vatter, Adam, 21
Wilkeming, Henry
Segelke, D. L., 3 M
Vatter, Jacob, 36
Wishaart, F. P., 12 M
Shafer, Wm.
Vatter, Adam, Jr.
Wolf, John, 1 M
Shubert, Chris, 30
Valreth, Henry
Wohlers, Fred
Siffer, August, 21
Valreth, Wm.
Wolff, F. & E.
Siefka, F. W. 24
Vatter, Franz, 16
Young, Jacob, 11
Singler, Carl
Vehrs, H. H., 36 Zarndt, Louis, 36
Siervert, Charles
Vegal, Jacob, 21 Zabel, Jos.
Smidt, Herman
Vohner, P.
Zabel, Joseph
Smith, J. C.
Vocht, Henry, 12
Zick, William
Sonneborn & Freese
Volkmar, Herman
Zunmer, Herman
Steinhauser, Henry
Volrett & Zurner
The school statistics of 1883, show 906 persons under twenty-one years; 294 enrolled; 9 teachers; 7 school buildings, etc., valued at $4,000; total expenditure about $2,900.
NEW LENOX TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized in 1850. It, with Frankfort, formed what was known as Hickory Creek precinct, up to the close of county commissioner's court, when this township and Frankfort township were set apart as two distinct divisions of the county. The supervisors of New Lenox, since 1850, are named as follows : J. Van Duzen, 1850; A. McDonald, 1851; B. F. Allen, 1852; G. McDonald, 1853; J. C. Kerchival, 1854- 55; Dwight Haven, 1856-57; J. C. Kerchival, 1858; Dwight Haven, 1859-60; A. Frank, 1861-63; T. Doig, 1864; Dwight
Sachs, Adam, 21
Stege, Conrad, 1 M
Stevens, Sebastian
Wandt, John
Scott, Wm., 1 B
Targe, Aug.
Schubbe, Fred, 31
Tuchrs, G. H.,
435
NEW LENOX TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Haven, 1865; T. Doig, 1866-67; Dwight Haven, 1868; T. Doig, 1869; C. Snoad, 1870-71; J. Francis, 1872; P. Cavanaugh, 1873; Thomas Doig, 1874; John Francis, 1875-84. The present officers are named as follows: John Francis, supervisor; Sin- clair Hill, town clerk; Charles D. Kerchival, assessor; Isaac M. Gillett, Jr., collector; Jesse Baldwin, highway commissioner; Julius S. Holmes, school trustee; Chester H. Marshall, justice of the peace.
The population of the township in 1880 was 1,244. The equalized assessed valuation 1883-4 is $450,979, yielding a tax of $7,634.35, including a school tax of 1,687.35. Up to 1850 the settlement was known as Van Horne's Point. The name New Lenox was given to the township that year in the organic act of the county board.
Among the early settlers (see list of settlers 1832) were Aaron Friend, a trader, Colonel Sayre, mentioned in Joliet history, J. B. Lejenne, Henry Savois, Joseph Brown, 1829. Brown died in September, 1830, about the time John Gougar and John Grover arrived. William Rice and his son W. R. Rice, Joseph Norman and Miller Ainsley, preceded John Gougar in his coming, being on the ground in April, 1830. Lewis Kercheval arrived in October, 1830. James Emmett and Buck supposed to have followed the Mormons, arrived in December, 1830. In the tax list of 1842 as well as in the pioneer history further references are made to the old settlers of this township.
Tax-payers of New Lenox Township .- In the following list, the names of postal-towns are abbreviated: N. New Lenox; M. Mokena; J. Joliet; S. Spencer; Mar. Marley:
Ahlschlager, Chris.,13 N Blaine, James
Ahlschlager, Philipina N Bobjine, J., 13
Culbertson, Thomas, J Cunningham, Bridget, N
Allen, B. F., 17
Brookman, J., 31 N
Dall, Jonathan, 11 M
Allerton, Archibald, M
Brown, S., Est. of, 3 N
Dall, John, 12 M
Amend, Andrew, J
Brisbane, J. W., 22 N
Delaney, Thos., 32
Angall, A. A., M
Brown, H., 26 M
Delaney, John, J
Arnholdt, Chas., N
Brown, Geo., 5 J Debell, D., 1 J Broadie, A. Mrs., 15 N Delaney, Richard, 31 J Bundy, A. S., Mrs., 23 S Delaney, Pat, 32 J
Artwein, John, S Asmus, Chas., N Baumgartner, F., 15
Carpenter, H., 23 J Campbell, M. B., N
Doig, Thomas, 5 J Doig, Alex., 5 J
Bannon, Maria, 32 J
Campbell, John, N
Doxtader, Jerome 21 N
Barney, V., 1 Mar
Dooley, Mary, 8 Chic
Baldwin, Jesse, 4 N
Dutcher, Amanda
Baker, Wm., M Bartie, C. & C., 6 J Bauch, Philip, 36 M Beversdorf, Mary J., N
Carpenter, Chas , 23 J Chamberlin, O. S., 4 J Chittenden, H. R., 7 Cleveland, Sarah, 29 N Cooper, Thos. F., 3 N Cooper, N. P., 8 N Collins, Adison, 21 N Cockel, John, 13 Condon, John, J
Erickson, John, N Everts, John, 6 J Farnsworth, Frank, J
Ferguson, Henry, J
Ferguson, Thos., 6 J
Fellows, W. R., N
Ferguson, T. D., N
Felter, J. J., 7 J
Francis, A. Allen, 6 N
Beebe, Albert W., 16 N Cross, Peleg, 23 N Bliss, Abel, 6 N Criddle, Sarah, N
Francis, John, 5 N
Behrens, Aug., 30 S Beaudoine, Israel, N Berger, Thos. L., 6 N Beuter, Chris., 36 S
Crager, John, 12 M
Bannon, James, J
436
NEW LENOX TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Francis, Geo. S., N
Hunt, Mark, M
Francis, Charles, 10 N
Hunt, Mark, 12 M
Frey, John, 23 S
Hutchinson, D., J
Frolick, Chas. N
Hunt, George S., 26 S
Francis, G. W. L., 15
Fricks, Ed., 13 F
Ganger, W., Jr., 20 N
Gerigan, Catharine, 30 J Jones, C. J., N
Messenkneedt, Fred, 13 S
Gee, Jas., N Jones, W. F., M'hattan Ghorka, C. & M., N Jordan, Myron, 13 M
Meredith, Thos., 14 N
Gillett, I. M., Sr., S
Jones, Rob't, Mrs., 9 J
Meredith, John, 14 N
Gillett, A. C., N
Miller, Aug., 30 J
Gillett, E. A., N
· Jordan, E. L., M Jordan, Elias S., M Jones, Thos., 22 N Kaffer, Jos., S
Miller, Henry, J
Gillespie, A., Sr., N
Gorman, Ed E., N
Kavanaugh, Patrick, J
Moriarty, Bros., 13 M
Gougar, John, 6 N Gouger, Daniel, 13 N
Kempe, W. H., Elgin
Morris, Henry, N
Gottcholz, A. C.
Kempe, F., N
Montay, Charles, M
Gouger, Jos. E., 20 N
Kellog, M. H., N
Murphy, D., 33
Gouger, Wm. S., 16 N
Kestel, Michael, 33 N
Murphy, James, 32 J
Gordon, Moses
Kestel, George, 33 N
Nelson, Chas., 11 N
Gougar, Elizabeth
Kercheval, C. E., 4 J
Nobles, Elisha, J
Granger, Alonson, 5 J Grant, Albert, N
Kerchval, Charles, J
Noble, C., 16
Greenwood, Geo. G., J
Knickerbocker, M., Ń
Norman, Carl, 15 O'Brien, M., N
Greenwood, Aaron, M Greenwood, John, 19 Grange Association, N Grant, James, N
Green, Philip, 22 N
Koeffer, J., 35 S
Pease, Orvil P., 32 N
Haley & Plumb, Mar Hammond, Seneca 5 Harper, Jos., 12 M Harper, James, Mrs M
Lawler, M., 31 M
Phillips, James, 16 N Phillips, John, N
Haley, George, 1 Mar
Lewis, Gordon, N
Pitts, John, 6 J
Lewis, C. A., 6 J
Pink, Wm., 23 S
Lewis, Cyrus, 16 N
Piper, Fred, S
Link, Stanton, 4 N
Preston, A. D., J
Haley, G. L., M
Link, H., 23
Ranney, E. C., 17 N
Haven, Lydia E., 24 N
Love, Sam'l, 15 S
Reiter, Chris., S
Harper, T., Est. of, 12 M Luhnig, C., S Hancock, C. Lynk, T., N
Reynolds, J. M. & C., Mar Reynolds, Isaac N., 11 N
Hammond, Wm., 5 N Hartshorn, H., 21
Lynk, William, N
Lynk, Sylvanus, N
Reynolds, J. S., 11 J
Higinbotham, H.O., Chic Mather, E. S., Est. of, M Reynolds, Joseph, 11 N
Hines, Samuel, 13 S
Marshall, C. H., N
Hilton, Geo. S., N
Mast, J., J
Reipire, John, M Richards, Isaac, 31 J Robinson, Frank, J
Marshall, Rollins, M Mather, S. E., Est. of, M Rogers, T., 7 J
Hiener, Catharine, 33 N Marshall, G., 12 Mar Hooker, Helen M., J
Homer, Peter, J
Maw, Christ, 24 S Mast, D. C., 11 Mar Marshall, Geo., 1 Mar Maune, A. M.
Salisbery, J. B., N
Holmes, James E., 13 S
Schoop, Chris., 34 S
Holmes, M. P., 23 S
McCarty, Michael, 35 S
Shoop, Henry, 31 J Shoop, John, 35 S
Hoffman, Mary, 17 N Hogan, Denis, 25 J
McGrath, Mary, 6 N McGooney, Wm., 2 M
McGinnis, Felix, 6 J McLane, Edward, N McLaughlin, John, 29 N
McLaughlin Dudley, J McLaughlin, Ed, 28 S McGoveny, Catherine, 22
Miller, Chris., S
Gillett, I. M., Jr., S
Miller, E., 30 S Miller, Al., 23 S
Kerchval, James, Mrs.,5 J Nofes, Joseph, 13 N
Grant, W. & W. M., 16 N Klase, John, 13 N
Knickerbocker, Ward, 21 Ogden, H. S., 25 N
Knapp Bros., 23
Paul, W. M., 13 M Page, Austin, 8 N
Kohlhagen, F., M
Pelteir, Edward, 23 N
Kohler, John, M
Perry, Alfred, Mar
Krult, Fred, S
Pelteir, Chas., N
Lewis, Cyrus, S.
Haven, Dwight, 15 N Haley, Thomas, N Haines, J. T., N
Hines, J. N., 16 N Hill, S., N
Rugg, J. J., 21 N Rudd, Sarah, 7 J
Holmes, J. S., 22 S
Sass, Henry, N
Schmaal, H., Jr., 14 S
Kerchival, F. S., N
Hunt, M. W., 14 M Jarkow, Jos., 25 S Jensen, H., Ń
437
PEOTONE TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Schrader, Henry, 21 N
Snoad, Charles, 5 J
Waremacher, J. & C., 12 M
Schneval, Henry, 14 S
Specka, Henry, S
Spaulding, Leonard, J
Walch, James, 13 S Wagner, Philip, 34 N
Schneider, J. B. S
Stedman, H., N
Walch, Michael, 26 S
Schoetts, H., 23
Stewart & Hardy, 16 Storms Bros., Mar
Waltz, J. J., 23 N Watkins, Henry, N
Searls, Franklin W., 21, Staley, H. M., M N
Watkins, Morgan, N Watkins, John, 16
Seward, Calvin, 30 J Seward, O. P.
Stevens, David N
Warner, Philip, 8 N
Severt, Chris., Mokena
Stevens, H. K., J
Waltz, Jacob, 34 N
Severt, Fred, 2 Mar
Tail, Thos., 31
Wagner, G. O,, 34 N
Searles, Franklin, 2 Mar Thompson, John M., 7 J Weeks, C. H., 7 J
Seil, Wm., N Thieland, Frederick, M Werner, George, 12 M
Sheik, Ferdinand, 1 M Shaffner, Levi, 7 J
Tuck, Edw., 26 J
Weston, A. D., 16 N
Tuck, Mary, 33 N
Weidney, Chris., N
Short, Wm. A., Mrs., N
Tuck, Wm., 33 N
Wells, E. M. 16 N
Shafner, Henry, 29 J
Udort, Frances, 8 J
Wheeler, Margaret, 30 J
Shurts, Lena A., Mar
Urch, Geo., 16 N
Whittier & Sons, 7 J
Shiek & Blumel, 13 M Urch, Henry, N
Willis, I. B., N
Simmons Harriet, 21 N
Vass, Henry, S
Wilde, Michael, S
Smith, J. W. 31
Van Dusen, Geo., N
Wilson, W. C. 14 S
Snow, D. M., Ń
Warner, Chas. F., 6 N
The school statistics for 1883 give 530 persons under twenty- one years; 228 enrolled; 16 teachers; 8 school buildings, etc., valued at $6,900; total expenses about $3,000.
PEOTONE TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized in 1858. Previous to that date it formed a part of Wilton township, and even in April, 1858, when the first election was held, only twenty-five votes were cast. The supervisors of Peotone since 1858 are named in the following roll: Moses Wright, 1858; S. Goodspeed, 1859-60; J. P. Dean, 1861-62; F. Fahs, 1863-64; S. C. Guion, 1865-67; S. Goodspeed, 1868-69; T. Gilkerson, 1870; R. Crawford, 1871-72; David L. Christian, 1873, R. Crawford, 1874; Michael Collins, 1875-76; J. B. Sollitt, Jr., 1877; Michael Collins, 1878-79; J. B. Sollitt, 1880; and Joseph Imholz, 1881-4. The election of 1884 resulted as follows: Joseph Imholz, supervisor; John Fedde, town clerk; F. C. Hasemeyer, assessor; Louis Schmidt, collector; Nichlaus Theil, highway commissioner; Job M. To- bias, school trustee.
The population of the township in 1880, including the village (624) was 1,643. The assessed valuation 1883-4 was $434,766, of which $332,854, was the assessed value of lands. The tax levy was $10,388.21 including $3,014.04 school-tax.
The settlement of Peotone dates from 1849, when D. B. Booth and James Allen located here; the former moving to Joliet in '1855, and Allen returning to Massachusetts in 1852. John Nolan, Henry Yates, Daniel Ross, Daniel Glecson and
Smith, Andrew, 16 N
Venden, J. B., 29 S
Wood, F. W. 13 N
Schwaz, Menzel, 13 M Schmidt, F. Sr., S
Spencer, Geo., N
Schoettes, Eliza, S
Stien, Henry, 34 S
Strattman, Herman,20 N Warren, Harriet, N
438
PEOTONE TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Ralph Crawford came in 1854; Samuel Goodspeed came from Plainfield in 1855, having purchased the Booth farm on sections 19 and 30; the same year P. Armstrong, John C. and James H. Cowing arrived. In 1856 came Moses Wright, the Fahs, Arnold, Tobias, and Cornelius, Milton Smith, James F. Johnson, W. W. Kelley, Harding and Comstock, George Reynolds, W. B. Benn, Thomas Lockey and Smith Shaw, arrived in 1857. John F. Pickering and Rev. J. Hitchins, came in 1858, the former was the first regular store-keeper and the latter the first Metho- dist preacher.
Tax-payers of Peotone Township .- The post-office address of the following named tax-payers is Peotone:
Adams, E. H.
Burke, Patrick, 8
Doughlas, Sarah, Mrs
Adams, John, 28
Bunce, Adelia, V.
Dopp, James, 24
Adams, A.
Burger, T. L., 31
Dressler, Ernst
Adams, Henry
Calkins, Chester H., 6
Dralle, Fred., 5
Amos, Ross Carsten, John, 4
Dunlap, Wm.
Andrews, Wm.
Calkins, Felix W., 6
Elder, Mrs., 14
Anderson, John, 27
Cashman, James, 22
Eichenlaub, Geo.
Angus, Wm., 21
Christoffers, H.
Elliott, John, 13
Antcliff, John
Chellman, O. N.
Englehart, Fred., 9
Antcliff, Chas.,
Church, E. B.
Erickson, Peter A.
Anderson, Andrew
Chappell, Wm.
Erle, Jacob, 24
Angus, Sol, 19
Christian, David, 13 Collins, Martin
Esbrant, Geo. Evans, Wm. C., 30
Armstrong, Patrick
Collins, Thomas
Fahs, A. R .. 25
Austin, A. J., 18
Cowing, John C., 18
Farley, Arnold, 24
Barton, James, 28
Cowan, Walter, 12
Fahs, Tobias, 14
Barnhart, James
Corcoran, James, 21
Fahs, James A., 14
Bain, Isabel
Cowing, E. B.
Faischer, M, Fahs, F. R., 36
Barber, James
Coats, Robert
Bannon, Albert
Conrad & Sleigman
Fell, George, 13
Beach, Lawrence V.
Cosgrove, George
Fedde, Henry, 24
Bell, Robert
Coats, Ed
Fell, Sarah, 27
Bell, Wm., 7
Cowing, J. E., 19
Fisch, Ferdinand, 13
Bell, Daniel
Cowing, A. H.
Fie,l Philip
Benton, Wm., 11
Cook, L. A.
Fiel, George Flood, George
Beard, D. G.
Conrad, Peter, 24
Flannigan, Patrick, 23
Besping, Fred
Coit, Harriet A.
Fletcher, Allison
Beedy, C. W.
Crawford, Ralph, 19
Folke, Henry
Berthling, Henry, 26
Crawford, Wm., 20
Foster, Wm.
Besping, Wm.
Croxen, Wm., 30
French, R. W., 23
Belado, M. Borms Bros.
Croxen, Thos.
Frackner, Jacob, 11
Bodine, D. C.
Croxen, John, 32 Crethers, James
Fulston, Mrs.
Board, D. J.
Cushman, Jonas
Bruce, Hugh
Curl, Thomas
Gates, Henry Gast, Peter Gentar, August, 2
Brockway, C., 36
Dennis, Jonathan, 2
Genter, Ernst, 2
Brereton, James Bruce, Robert Brunmer, H.
Dennis, Wm., 16 Dewitz, J.
Genins, Charles
Barns, H., 5
Dederick, H.
Genins, Henry
Butzerers, John, 10
Dennis, F.
Gilkerson, Thomas, Mrs.
Butterfield, Jos.
Doss, John
Gilkerson, Curtis
Beard, J. G., 26
Cowing, D., 24
Croxen, Benj.
Fredewald, Gott
French, A. C.
Bows, Sylvia
Dewitz, Jacob, 24
Genter, Henry, 2
.
Arnold, Lewis
439
PEOTONE TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Gilmore, David Gilmore, Sarah, 16 Gilkerson, L., 27 Gilkerson, N. B., 27 Gilkerson Bros. Gilkerson, James, 21 Gilkerson, C. H.
Knoop, Christian, 2 Knights, Davis, 24
Knop, John, 2
Koerning, Mr.& Mrs., 12 Perry, U. C., 17
Kroalin, John, 25
Peck, Chas. Pfiel, George, 26
Piper, James, 34
Gilkerson, Thomas, 24 Gilkerson, Robert
Gildensoff, Mrs , 8 Gilkerson, James Gleason, Daniel Gloss, John
Leach, John
Powis, John Probst, Henry
Goodspeed, Samuel, 19
Lindermeyer, Andrew Linderman, A
Quade, Wm., 24
Grant, Charles
Linderman, Charles
Rainer, Robert
Rathge, Henry, 24
Gross, Jacob Gralphs, A. Gulickson, James, 1
Linderman, John, 11
Rathye, Fred, 14 Rathge, Louis
Gubler, Aug., 35
Loy, John
Rains & Sultzbaugh Renkert, G. Renkoff, H.
Hanley, Patrick Harken, Aug. Hursh & Collins Harken & Arnold
Matthison, Wm., 9
Riddle, A., 23
Hasemeyer & Arman
Maling, John
Robertson, Alex G.
Hasemeyer & Simons
Madison, Wm.
Robinson, James, 12
Henson, Henry
Mason, David F.
Rodgers, Chas., Jr., 24
Heinrichs, C. D.
Markham, Benjamin
Rodgers, August, 18
Hendricks, H.
Massman, Theo.
Ross, Daniel, 4
Higgins, Pat.
Marsh, Joshua
Rost, Daniel, 5
Homan, John, 24
McFarland, Luke, 1
Russell, D.
Hochman, John
Mc Vail, Alex, 32
Sampson, Moses, 6
Howard, John, 26
McMahon, James
Saltswels, Frank, 24
Hoggans, J. H.
Mc Vey, Henry
Sampson, Robert, 6
Howard, F. & N.
Mellville, A.
Sanders, John, 12
Hunter, William Iden, John Ishnan, C., 27 Imholtz, Jos.
Meyer, W. H.
Schneider, William
Meyer, Fred
Schruesen, Henry
Jarchoes, Joachinn, 10
Meyer, W. G.
Schlemme, Charles
Jarvis, F. H., 7 Jarchow, Chas., 9
Miller, William, 7
Schrader, Henry, 1
Jacobs, John, 35
Mink, Reuben
Schrader, Fred, 24
Jacobs, Wm., 35 Joint, James Johnson, H. A., 24 Joslyn, John
Mills, Geo. Mills, A. J. & Son Miller & Palmer Motzer, John
Morrison, David, 17
Schneider, & Arnold
Johns, John, 24 Joint, Henry, 7 Joint, Michael, 7
Mollman, Charles Monk, H. & F., 1
Johnson, Peter Jurkes, Fred, 7 Jurres, Henry, 9
Kahn, John, 26
Kettingter, Charles Kleman, Philip, 3 Kloss, Henry
Myer, Henry, 13 Myer, John H., 36 Nutcliff, John, 8 Nolan, John, 7
O'Connell, Patrick, 3 O'Neil, Henry, 3 Orwig, Sarah
Palmer, A. B., 15 Patten, Andrew, 28 Palmer, L.
Kropp, Christian Kurtz, John, 8 Lewis, B. F., 34 Lewis, Charles, 11
Pickering, Maria Piper, Joshua, 36
Leimbach, C. H., 21
Piersons, Henry, 16
Lewis, B. M., 34
Pierson, Sam, 22
Lewis, Benj., 35
Poppenhagen, L. & J.
Gotz, George
Lockey, Thomas 28 Loomis, A. P., 23
Rathye & Wahls
Guilderzoph, Louis, 8
Harsch, Joshua 23
Lockie, John
Lockie, George
Luchres, F. H., 7
Renkhoff, Amelia
Lyon, G. H.
Riddle, Charles B., 17
Meyer, John, 24
Schneider, John
Meyer, Ed.
Schmitt, Louis
Miller, D. O., A B
Schrader, John
Schubert, Charles, 11
Schroeder, Smith & Col-
lins. Schaffer, L. A.
Schennell, John Schlander, Peter Schafer, Adam Schipp, Robert Schornberg, C., 31 Seiling, Herman, 3 Sebel, Conrad, 24 Sevisor, Henry Schipp, Robert
Lindermeyer, C.
440
REED TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Shaw, Smith, 31
Stuart, Helen, 31
Wagar, Sam
Shockley, H. W.
Stocker, John
Wahls, Fred
Strobie, Christ
Washburn, R. S., 31
Shoup, William Sharp, James Shunwan, E. B. Shannon, Christ Shrier, Christ, 24 Sheman, C., 1
Stock, John, 24
Warner, Andrew, 16
Striker, John W.
Walling, James, 4
Suttzbaugh, Philip
Weir, Pat
Suttzbaugh, Ramis
Westgale, C. A., 24
Swtfgaer, Henry
Weil, William, 23
Simson, Jacob
Tedde, H.
Web, John
Simpson, Alex. 20
Thul, Joachim,
Whaling, James
Smith, Hugh
Thede, Joachim, 3
Wilcox, Walker
Smith, C. N., 31
Theil, Geo., 4
Wilson, David, 9
Simson, H., 2
Thul, Nicholas, 4
Wieness, Chas., 24
Smith, Fred
Tobias, Sarah
Wilson, Mrs.
Smith, Henry, 27
Tompkins, Henry
Worden, Henry
Small, George, 12
Tompkins, H.
Wood, Bronson
Sollitt, John B., 24
Tschannen, Chris.
Younker, Jacob
Starges, Thomas, 13
Tucker, Stephen A., 25 Young, William
Stewart, Frank, 24
Vail, A. W.
Younger, Nicolas, 20
Stassen, Dederick, 24
Warnick, Henry
Younger, Nicholas, Jr.
Storch, John & H.
Warnick, William
Zander, John
Steinert, Frank
Watkins, B.
The school statistics of 1883 gave the following figures: 824 persons under twenty-one years; 455 enrolled; 19 teachers; 9 school buildings, etc., valued at $9,400; total expenditures about $4,107.
REED TOWNSHIP.
This division of the county dates its first settlement from 1849, when James Curmea, an Irishman, built a cabin on sec- tion six, of which section he was the owner. This land he pur- chased at $1.25 per acre, and sold in 1865 for $100 per acre. Patrick Kilgore built a shanty on section four immediately after Curmea's settlement, while a hunter named Wm. Smith, came the same year, accompanying James M. Barker, a settler of 1849. In 1850, William Higgins, Patrick Dwyer and James Dwyer, settled within the present township. In the eastern portion, now called Custer, was a large number of inhabitants, enough to justify township organization, so that in 1850 the districts now embraced in Custer and Reed townships, was set off under the name Reed.
The supervisors of Reed since 1850, are named in the follow- ing roll: John Kilpatrick, 1850; T. T. Tilden, 1851; A. Yates, 1854; R. S. Nobles, 1855; R. Aaron, 1856; J. Martin, 1858; F. D. S. Stewart, 1859; T. T. Tilden, 1860; F. D. S. Stewart, 1862; M. Stewart, 1864; S. P. Stewart, 1866; E. Gano, 1868; William Conner, 1870; Thomas Henneberry, 1873; William Mooney, 1874.
Reorganized Townships .- H. Le Caron, 1875; J. R. Marsh, 1876; John Young, 1877-78; James W. Patterson, 1879; John Berwick, 1880; James W. Patterson, 1881; M. Goldfinger, 1882;
Teich, Ferdinand
Whiffen, George, 26
Simson Henry
441
REED TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Joseph Kain and James McArthur, 1883; Joseph Kelly and Finley Mickle, 1884. Supervisor Kelly, Democrat, was elected over Kain, Republican, by forty-one majority.
After the organization of 1850, William Maginnis came in 1852; Frank T. O'Reilly, Thomas O'Reilly and Henry W. Pfingston, in 1855; Dennis Glenny, in 1856; Timothy Keane, in 1856, and Micheal Shenk, in 1858. Up to the beginning of the coal mining era, these men and their families were, in fact, the only permanent settlers in the territory now known as Reed township.
The population of the township, including Braidwood, in 1880, was 5,981, of which number 5,524 were returned as inhab- itants of Braidwood. Of Braidwood's population, 2,943 were American born, and 2,581 foreign born.
The equalized assessed value of lands for 1883-4, is $96,039; of lots, $122,884, and of personal property, $109,376, aggregat- ing $328,299. The tax levy for 1883-4, was $25,565.40, includ- ing a school tax of $9,790.53. The township was named Clin- ton, but this was changed to Reid, (not Reed) and subsequently to Reed by common usage.
Braidwood City .- This location was known in early days as the Grove and old Braidwood as Keeversville. Here in 1864, William Henneberry, in his efforts to strike good water, reached the celebrated coal-bed, and thus realized the day dreams of State Geologist C. D. Wilbur. A shaft was constructed at Keeversville shortly after this discovery, and throughout the year 1865 the neighborhood was alive with actual and theoret- ical enterprise. In the winter of 1865-6, M. B. Kilbourn, C. D. Wilbur, J. D. Bennett, Seth Turner and C. L. Whitcomb, organized as a coal mining company, and leased a tract of land to begin operations. Early in 1865 the Wilmington and Ver- million coal company, with J. M. Walker, president, and A. T. Hall, secretary and treasurer, purchased the interests of the pioneer organization, and at once entered on work. In 1865 the D. P. Rhodes Company (now the Eureka Mining Company, entered the field), and the Grove as well as Keeversville, were established as the centre of the coal-fields. Among the num- ber of men which this industry led hither, were William Malta- bly, 1866; James Braid wood, 1865; John Young. 1867; Daniel Mclaughlin, 1869; Esias Hall, 1866; John H. Ward, 1866.
Patrick Neary erected the first dwelling house; Daniel Small, the first store boilding, and Andrew Benney, the first hotel. The first store was opened by J. D. Bennett; the first sermon was preached by Rev. A. C. Price, in 1867.
The town of Braidwood was platted in 1865 and named in honor of James Braidwood. Until 1873 it was governed by the township board. The question of incorporating the city of Braid wood was brought before the people, March 4, 1873, when
28
442
REED TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
139 votes were cast for incorporation and forty-six against the proposal. The judges of this election were L. H. Goodrich, H. H. Brown, and William Mooney, with Thomas Walshe and James H. Roseman, clerks of election. The vote was confirmed by the county court, and an election ordered to be held April 15, 1873. This election was duly held when L. H. Goodrich was elected Mayor; David Paden, E. W. Filton, B. F. Sweet, William Jack, John Cox, Jr., and Benjamin Reese, Aldermen; William Chalmers, City Clerk; Christ Zeigler, Attorney; Wm. A. McFarland, Police Magistrate, and Robert Barr, City Treas- urer. The Mayors of the city since 1873 are named as follows: L. H. Goodrich, 1873-7; D. Mclaughlin, 1877-9; John B. Backus, 1879-81; Daniel McLaughlin, 1881-3, and F. M. Salli- day, 1883.
The Braidwood fire company was organized in June, 1877, with Jas. S. Patterson, marshal, and H. H. Parkinson, secretary.
The Diamond mine disaster of 1883 was one of those appall- ing events which cast a gloom over the whole country and surround a locality with numberless sorrows. Sixty-nine work- men were drowned February 16, 1883. The great ditch, con- structed in 1883-4 to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster, was suggested to the board of supervisors in September, 1883.
Coal Mines .- The official statistics relating to the mines at Braidwood show seven companies, employing two thousand one hundred and eighty men, producing about seven hundred thou- sand tons of coal annually, with a capital of eight hundred and ninety-seven thousand dollars. The number of acres of work- able coal is two thousand one hundred, of which about eight hundred acres are worked out. The coal strata approaches within forty feet of the surface in some places, but the average distance is about seventy-eight feet.
The labor agitation of 1877 made itself apparent here. Gov- ernor Cullom ordered one thousand three hundred soldiers to the scene of the trouble, two hundred of whom occupied the city about three weeks, the others returning to their homes in a few days.
The press of the city was introduced by the News, Jacob Warner publisher. This was followed by Thomas Semonton's Journal. The Republican was first issued June 17, 1875, with Frederick Dalton editor (formerly of Streator Monitor). It was purchased by Henry HI. Parkinson, of the Bloomington Anti-Monopolist, who took charge of the office. The Herald was founded in October, 1876. The Daily Phoenix was pub- lished by R. W. Nelson in 1877. The Braidwood Daily Siftings was founded by George Thomson September 20, 1873, who pub- lished this paper until his removal to Joliet, when F. M. Stevenson took charge of the office. The Daily Independent
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REED TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
was founded by Henry H. Parkinson in 1883, and is now pub- lished in the office of the Weekly Republican.
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