USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The History of Livingston County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 27
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Of John Davis, who was the first physician in the county, but little else is known, except that he came to the township in about the year 1833, and lived a few miles east of town.
No doubt Cornelius W. Reynolds was the first physician who was an actual resident of the village. He had settled in Amity Township, in 1836, but in 1837. came to Pontiac, where he resided about four years. He was for a time Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court, and was the first Postmaster. A dozen years later, it is related that the post office at Pontiac was kept in a man's hat. In Postmaster Reynolds' time, it must have been a very small
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affair. Certain it is that postal facilities were very meager. For a number of years after his time, there was but one mail a week.
John Foster, familiarly known as "Uncle Johny," is the oldest living resi- dent of Pontiac. He first came to the county in 1836, from New York. He lived for a year in Rook's Creek Township, and then returned to his home in the East to bring out his family, making his second advent into the township in 1838, this time settling on the farm adjoining the new fair grounds, and by some known as the N. T. Hill place. When Foster came the second time, he brought his father-in-law and family, which, with his own, numbered seventeen persons.
Foster's father-in-law, at that time, was Jabez Shepard. This was a very sickly season for this country, and many people died of milk sickness and other malarious diseases. Among the number who died were Jabez Shepard and wife, and Foster's wife and two children. After residing in Pontiac a few years, Foster changed his abode to Avoca, where he remained about six years, when he again removed to Owego Township, to what is known as the Stinson farm, he in the meantime having married Widow Stinson. For the past dozen years he has resided in the city of Pontiac. "Uncle Johnny " is one of the few " old landmarks" yet remaining, and relates, with much precision, the events of the early days of the county. He takes special delight in relating how, during the time that he first resided in the village and kept a place of enter- tainment for transient people, he furnished accommodations for Judge Treat, Senator Douglas, President Lincoln, and many other celebrities. To some, whose acquaintance with Uncie John does not extend back many years, it may be interesting, if not surprising, that he organized and with his wife conducted the first Sunday School in the township. The school was held in the old Court House, and he was Superintendent by the authority of an appointment from the Presiding Elder of the Methodist Church.
Garret M. Blue came to the township in 1836, from Rook's Creek Town- ship, where he had previously located, and settled a few miles northwest of town. He was, at one time, Sheriff of the county. In his canvass for election he had for his opponent John Foster. The candidates were, doubtless, equally popular, as, on counting the ballots, it was found there was a tie. The usual method of casting lots was resorted to, and the "lot fell not upon John," but upon Garret. Blue resided here until 1849, when he died of cholera.
The first stock of goods brought to this vicinity was hauled, by ox team, from Pekin, Illinois, and displayed for sale by C. H. Perry, who had come to the place from Jacksonville, in 1836. He had his store and dwelling in a little log cabin, which stood on the bank of the river, at the north end of the bridge, on the spot now occupied by John Schneider's dwelling. He kept the store and the records of the court for M. I. Ross, for about two years, and then fol- lowed the fortunes of Henry Weed in his railroad enterprise, and never returned. While residing here, he was also interested in the mill site, and he and James McKee erected a saw-mill.
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James McKee was from Joliet. He came to this point about a year later than Perry, and, as mentioned, built the saw-mill. McKee had been one of the earliest settlers at Joliet, and at one time was proprietor of all of the West Town, which, before the completion of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, was the main town. McKee was also engaged in a mill project at Joliet, and erected, in 1832, the first flouring-mill in that city.
Joseph and Sylvester Perry were from Ohio. They came to this county in 1833, and settled a few miles northwest of town. They pre-empted land and. in 1839, bought of the Government. The latter died about the last mentioned date, but " Uncle Jo." continued to reside here until his death, which occurred October 7, 1865.
Dr. James S. Munson must have been one of the first inhabitants, for while M. I. Ross was Clerk of the Commissioners' Court, he was appointed to fill the place of Ross, who had been removed. Ross had been elected in 1837. and had served a year, when it was ascertained that he was not eligible to hold the office, as the law required that officer to reside at the county seat. On the 5th of June, 1838, the court made an order that, "the above facts appearing. M. I. Ross be removed for this cause and for no other ; " whereupon James Munson was duly appointed to fill the vacancy.
Thus far we have noted the settlements of what may, with propriety, be termed the pioneers of the community, and, in most instances, have noted their nativity, advent and location with some precision. In addition to these are also remembered James Campbell, Thomas Campbell, Daniel Blue, Andrew S. McMillan. Leonard Franklin, David Demewitt, Wm. H. Wells and Joseph Hefner. Some of these are so indistinctly remembered that nothing more than the name can be recalled, while others lived such a short time in the township, before removing to another, that it is thought best to mention them in connec- tion with their later residence. All, however, mentioned in the list had located prior to 1839.
It will, doubtless, be entertaining to any having a real estate interest in the town of Pontiac, to follow, for a little distance, the chain of title of the lands which they now occupy, and which, as we have seen, were primarily vested by right of pre-emption in Weed and the two Youngs. The three men were originally equally interested in the town site, and in some of the adjoining lands ; but, before a patent was obtained from the Government, the Youngs both died. Weed then, in 1839, entered the land and the title of the whole tract was consequently in his name. Soon after this, Isaac Fellows. a brother-in-law to the Youngs, came out from New York for the purpose of administering on their estate, and of securing to himself, as heir, their interest. Amicable settlement was made, by Weed transferring an undivided one-half interest in the tract to Isaac Fellows. Thus Fellows and Weed became joint proprietors of the town. Subsequently, Isaac Fellows conveyed to Augustus Fellows all of his interest, and some other parties, who laid some claim to the
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Young estate, quit-claimed to him. The title then vested in Henry Weed and Augustus Fellows. In 1842, Henry Weed died, leaving, as his heirs, Henry Weed, Jr., John P. Lewis and Henry Stephens-the last two by virtue of their marriage with Weed's danghters. In 1849, Augustus Fellows died, leaving the undivided half interest to his wife, who subsequently married Nelson Buck. A few years later, a suit was instituted for the purpose of dividing the property. Commissioners were appointed, and what was considered by them as an equitable portion was set off to the heirs of Weed-Lewis, Stevens and Weed -and the remainder to Mrs. Buck. This will explain how some of the oldest titles run from Weed, and some from Weed and Fellows, and why some of the more modern primary titles run from Stevens, Lewis and Weed, and others from Mrs. Buck.
The Court House which the Youngs and Weed agreed to build for the county was erected in due time, being completed in 1841 and occupied, for the first time, July 23, 1842. Though but a modest affair in the extreme, being simply a small frame building 22 feet wide and 30 long and a story and a half in height, and though much inferior to the $3,000 Court House that had been promised, it gave great satisfaction.
Previous to this time, Court had been held in a small log cabin, in which the Weeds had lived, in the east part of the town, and this was comparatively commodious and convenient. It had a court room above, which was 22×20 feet, and a small jury room 10 feet square. Below were small offices, for the various county dignitaries ; and. on the whole, it answered the wants of the county.
It was, too, a great local convenience. In it have been held political meet- ings, debating societies, churches, Sunday schools and public schools, indigna- tion meetings and ratification meetings, and assemblies of all sorts and sizes except large sizes.
Another reason why the people of this vicinity rejoiced was that, as it was then believed. the county seat question was settled. Though Livingston County has been afflicted comparatively little with the removal malady, yet in the very infancy of the county, a severe attack was experienced. On the 30th of Au- gust, 1839, an election was held for the purpose of moving the "Seat of Jus- tice " several miles up the river. The arguments urged in its favor were numer- ous and forcible. Among the reasons given by the "movers" were that Pon- tiac was not the most central point : that it was an unhealthy locality, being low and marshy ; and, finally, that the proprietor of the town was not fulfilling his con- tract in making the improvements proposed. On the other hand they proposed a better site, being high and dry, a central location, being the nearest the center of any on the river, and that the Court House should be erected forthwith. The result of the election was a large majority in favor of removal-80 in favor and 56 against.
The vote, though insufficient to remove the county seat, was sufficient to infuse into the parties interested in real estate at Pontiac a disposition to hurry
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up the building of the Court House; and it was soon ready for occupancy, as we have seen.
Though the removal question was settled, though the Court House was built and though the destiny of the town seemed to be fixed, all failed to produce results equiv- alent to the expectations of its friends ; and its progress was marked only by its absence. It is true the country was receiving some accessions to its farming population, and that occasionally, on the retirement of a store keeper or a county officer, or, which was generally the case, of both-being united in the same indi- vidual-a new settler was noticed ; and at the end of the first decade after its foundation, which brings us to 1847, the town of Pontiac was but a little more than a name. Travelers frequently stopped at the store, and, in earnest, inquired " how far it was to Pontiac; " and, on being informed that they were now within the precincts of that classic metropolis, gazed with looks which indi- cated mingled feelings of wonder and disgust. It consisted, even at the day mentioned, of only a half-dozen cabins beside the Court House, and these so scattered and hid among the clumps of bushes that they were thereby rendered almost invisible.
In 1842, Samuel C. Ladd came from Connecticut, and settled in the village. No accessions of any consequence had been made for two or three years, except such as remained but a short time, and are not entitled to mention as perma- nent inhabitants. Mr. Ladd proved indeed a valuable addition to the settlement, as he was a man of education, social culture and large business qualifications. Mr. Ladd resided here until the time of his death, which, at the time of this writing, has just occurred; and to tell the story of his life is to give the history of the town. He was, in one sense of the word, here at the beginning, and has con- tinued to reside at the place until the present year. He has held almost every position of trust, and has been more intimately connected with the growth and development of the place than almost any other man. He taught the first school in the neighborhood, in 1843, in the old Court House. He was the first real merchant ; he held numerous offices, among which were those of Postmaster, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk and Assessor of Internal Revenue, the duties of which offices he performed to the entire satisfaction of all. He was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was one of the originators of the Liv- ingston County Agricultural Society. He died at his residence, June 22, 1878.
Willet Gray, who was associated with Mr. Ladd in his mercantile enterprises, came to Pontiac, in 1844, as clerk for John & WilliamK. Brown, of Blooming- ton. He continued with the Browns for a couple of years, when they sold out and Ladd & Gray engaged in the business. They together, for a time, also owned and operated the saw-mill which had been built by McKee & Perry. In these branches of business they continued for several years, when they sold out to B. T. Phelps, of Ottawa.
Phelps did not come to Pontiac to reside, but employed John Wolgamot to superintend the store, installing Allen Fellows as clerk.
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John A. Fellows had come to the county from New York, in October, 1847, and lived in Avoca until 1849, when he came to Pontiac to work on the farm for Augustus Fellows, and when Ladd & Gray sold out, as has already been stated, Allen "laid down the shovel and the hoe " and took up the yard stick. He made a popular clerk, and in all branches of business, society, politics and war, his peculiar faculty, then developed, of making himself agrecable has marked his life as his distinguishing feature. He has held the office of Post- master of Pontiac, Circuit Clerk and many other minor positions, all of which have been filled in a most acceptable manner.
John Wolgamot was from Ottawa, and came to the place as manager of Phelps' store. He has been Justice of the Peace, Township School Treasurer and Schoolmaster by terms. He was a good business man and, though of quiet habits, made many friends.
Philip Rollings and family came from Highland County, Ohio, in 1846, and settled on the farm two miles east of Pontiac, on which they still reside.
Chas. Jones, familiarly known as " Old Charley," who was the original owner of the land on which the town of Forrest is built, came to Pontiac and lived from 1843 till 1850. He now resides in Belle Prairie.
In 1846, Augustus Fellows, having come into possession of half of the town of Pontiac, and having removed to the place, erected the first hotel. Though accommodations for man and beast were obtainable, even in the more primitive times, yet this was the first attempt to make a specialty of serving the transient public, for a compensation. The hotel, which was afterward known as " Buck's Tavern," was ready for occupancy in 1848, and, though still incomplete, was hailed by citizens and travelers as an invaluable addition to the institutions of this part of the country. And, indeed, it proved so to be, as many a weary traveler who yet survives attests. The "tavern " was rented in the first year to Champlain, brother-in-law of Gen. Gridley, who occupied it, while Mr. and Mrs. Fellows went on a trip of business and pleasure to their former home in New York. On their return from the East, they took charge, and it was during the administration of this landlady that the tavern gained its greatest popu- larity.
And now this brings us to one of the most eventful periods in the history of the township. This year, 1849, was the " cholera season," and the ravages made in this section were terrible; and, for the number of inhabitants in the settlement, the fatality was greater than in almost any locality in the county. Out of a total population of seventy-eight within the limits of the township, thirteen died. Among the number who perished by the awful scourge were Augustus Fellows and two children. In all, five died at the hotel. When Fellows was stricken down, Dr. Holland, who then resided in Rook's Creek, was called to attend him, was attacked with the disease and lived but a few days. Ann Oliver, sister of Franklin Oliver, mentioned in Chatsworth Township, was teaching school in Owego, and came in to nurse the Fellows family, and was
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soon numbered with the dead. Garret M. Blue, who lived northwest of town, dropped in to see the afflicted family, and while conversing with some of the attendants at the house, felt some of the symptoms of the disease. He hurried out and, mounting his horse, galloped rapidly home, where he arrived with only sufficient strength to crawl to bed, from which he never rose. In this house, five died-Blue, wife, son, daughter and grandchild. John Blue lived on the farm known in later years as the Miller farm, two miles east of Pontiac. In this family occurred three deaths out of the four members. Blue and wife and one child all perished. These were truly dark days, and no one but an actual observer can picture the gloom that settled on the little community, or describe he alarm and excitement that prevailed. At times, the number of persons afflicted was greater than the number of those who were well, and much greater than those who were willing or could be induced to wait upon them ; and the disposition of the dead was a very serious question. Business of all kinds was stopped. Intercourse with the outer world was entirely cut off. as those having business at this point invariably avoided the route through this part of the county.
This proved a real drawback to the prosperity of the township, as several of its most enterprising citizens had died, and the reputation of this locality for health had suffered greatly. However, an emigrant occasionally alighted upon the place. A relative or friend, writing back to the old home in the East or South. would induce some one to come out on a visit, see the country and perhaps work a year, and once here he would likely continue.
In 1852, Jacob Streamer arrived at the place. Mr. Streamer had left his native State, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and had come to Illinois. stopping, for a time, at Magnolia. In 1850, he came to Livingston County, and clerked two years for Jerry Mathias, who was then running a store at Reading. He arrived at Pontiac May 8, 1852. Perhaps Pontiac has never had a better example of what perseverance and industry will accom- plish than that presented by Mr. Streamer. When he arrived at Pontiac, he found a poor opening for business. There were not a dozen families in the place, and, including the Court House, there were but six houses. The man- ners and style of the inhabitants were of a primitive character, and but poorly prepared to support a man in the business which Mr. Streamer proposed to carry on. With physical disabilities that would have discouraged almost any young man just setting out in life, and with but $15.00 in his possession, he yet went to work. and by constant and untiring energy has built up a large busi- ness, made himself a good home, and provided amply for his declining years. Not only so, but his house is crammed with books and other evidences of culture and refinement. His store, as well as his library, is packed with curiosities. He makes a specialty of such goods as improve with age. His old wines, brandies and cigars have become noted to such an extent that, to illustrate, the following story is current. Some years ago, he took into his store a young man
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to learn the business, and who was advised that the best way to gain such knowledge was simply to " keep his cars open." The young man soon learned that many of the articles were the more valuable as they increased in years, and soon became habituated to offering to his customers that argument in favor of the wares he desired to sell. One morning, a lady entered the store, desiring to purchase some butter of a good quality, and inquired of the young man if he had any of the desirable article on hand. With promptness, the bright and rising merchant replied : " Yes, ma'am, we have some that is very fine-none like it in town-an article that we have had on hand over fifteen years." The story does not go further to indicate that the lady was thereby convinced of the desirable qualities to such an extent that she was induced to purchase.
After the death of Augustus Fellows, his widow married Nelson Buck, who came about this time, from McLean County, and who has since figured largely in the affairs of Livingston, and especially in the local politics and business of Pontiac. Mr. Buck was the President of the first Board of Trustees elected in the town. He was, for many terms, elected Surveyor of the county, in the the discharge of which duties he took the greatest pride. A few years ago, he received an appointment from the Government to proceed to the West and sur- vey some lands that were to be brought into market. Mr. Buck raised his force of assistants in Pontiac, and made his way to his field of labor. They had, however, but just begun operations, when, as is supposed, the whole party were massacred by the Indians. No positive trace of him or any of his men has ever been discovered, but indirect information has been obtained, which leaves little doubt that the above are the sad facts.
The reputation gained by the town, during the year 1849, brought an influx of doctors, and, among others, Drs. John Hulse and C. B. Ostrander. The for- mer was from Kentucky, and practiced in Pontiac several years, and then removed to Oregon.
Ostrander remained here but a short time, and changed his location to Avoca, where he still resides ; and, in the history of that township, he receives further attention. The Doctor was formerly very fond of playing practical jokes upon his friends ; and in the Jargeness of his stories he had a reputation that was not excelled in the country. A story, illustrating both of these peculiarities of his character, is here related :
After he had removed to his farm, in describing the good qualities and fine features of his plantation to some of his Chicago friends, he alluded to a won- derful fish pond that occupied a corner of it, from which "barrels and barrels" of fine fish had been taken by him, in an incredibly short space of time. His friends, not dreaming that it was simply a fish story, and desiring a little rural sport, concluded to pay the Doctor a visit, and try their luck with the hook and the net, and wrote the Doctor accordingly.
A few weeks later, the party, duly equipped with fishing tackle of various kinds, drove up to the door. They were entertained over night, and the next
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morning, contrary, perhaps, to the Doctor's hopes, inquired for the fishing ground. Ostrander was equal to the occasion ; and, without betraying the least hesitation, conducted them to the back of the place, to an old well, which had been dug for supplying water to the cattle. When arrived within a short dis- tance of the well, with seeming surprise, he said to the fishers, " Well, gentle- men, this is the place where the pond has been, but," pointing to the well, "I think it must all have leaked out at that hole."
The first resident lawyers were J. H. McGregor and J. H. Dart. It is not intimated that there was no litigation in this vicinity prior to their arrival, for the records of the court show that the contrary was the case. Counsel, how- ever, was obtained from Bloomington and Ottawa, and, in many cases, lawyers from Chicago practiced in this court.
McGregor was doubtless the pioneer lawyer, Dart coming in a short time after, and going into partnership with him.
About this time, or a little later, Lee & Cowan opened up, on the west side of the square, their general store. The store occupied a position near where the Livingston County Bank now stands. The former of these gentlemen, Charles M. Lee, was somewhat of a politician, and was, at one time, Judge of the county.
A. B. Cowan was a very popular merchant. He died at this place a few years since.
J. W. Remick came from Pennsylvania, and, after arriving in this part of the county, followed the trade of miller for several years. In 1856, he was elected Sheriff of the county, in which capacity he served two years. After two years, during which time he was engaged in farming, he was elected to the office of Circuit Clerk, serving as such officer for eight years.
The Garner family, consisting of Samuel and sons-William T., Jerome and James-arrived at this place about the year 1851. Jerome was a lawyer, and practiced here until 1861, when he removed from the county.
Henry and Ira Loveless made their advent about this time. They were from Ohio. The former came through the county first as a peddler, and being pleased with the location of a little town that was being started just east of Pontiac, located there and opened a store. But the town failed, and Loveless went into politics and was elected Sheriff. Ira had aspirations for office, also, and was one of the Justices of the Peace before the adoption of the Township Organization Act. Both are long since dead.
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