USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The History of Livingston County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 40
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423
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
of the adoption of the township organization act, the boundaries of the Center Precinct were more limited. but still embraced the territory now denominated Owego.
Even in 1857, when the county was divided into political townships, this contained barely enough qualified persons to hold all the offices, and these were established in the southwest corner. Perhaps there were not more than a score of voters in all.
The first permanent settlement was doubtless made by Daniel Rockwood. Mr. Rockwood was not only the first resident of the township, but was among the very first in the county. He settled on the place occupied by him until recently, about the year 1833. He was a man of much influence and popular- ity in the early days of the county. He was one of the first three County Com- missioners, elected May 8, 1837, and was the only one who received a unani- mous vote at the election, and one of the very few candidates that ever has received such a compliment. It was through his influence and that of James Weed, that the county seat came so near being removed from Pontiac in 1839. Henry Weed's two partners had died, and the surviving partner becoming some- what careless as to the fate of the county seat enterprise, his brother James, who lived near Rockwood's, conceived the idea of removing it to that vicinity, and, as stated in the history of Pontiac Township, almost succeeded in the scheme. After the adoption of the act electing Supervisors from each township, instead of County Commissioners for the whole county, Rockwood was the first Super- visor, and was twice re-elected to the office. He became a man of considerable wealth, and continued to reside at the old homestead until a few years ago, when he died. The place of his nativity was Tioga County, New York.
Probably the next settlement made in what is now Owego Township, and certainly the next permanent one, was made by James L. Stinson, nearly six years after. Stinson entered his land November 12, 1839, and resided here until his death in 1847. This, as far as can be ascertained, was the first death in the township. The widow of Stinson, a year or so after, married John Fos- ter, and thus came to pass, also, the first wedding. With James Stinson, also, came two brothers-Alexander and Thomas. The former remained here a few years, and then removed to Lexington, McLean County. Thomas found the country too tame, even in those primitive times, and, after stopping a year or two, pushed on further west into Kansas.
This marks the advent of John Foster into this neighborhood. "Uncle Johnny " had been in the county ten or a dozen years-latterly in Avoca Town- ship-but, after his marriage with Mrs. Stinson, moved his effects to the Stin- `son place and became a permanent inhabitant of the township.
A few years after Stinson's arrival, James Demoss came from Ohio and located in the southeast part.
In 1852. a number of families came out from Ohio, several of whom took up their residence in this township.
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424
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
David Millham had, all his life, been a sailor, and can scarcely be said to have come from any country. He had, however, lived for a time in Licking County, Ohio, locating in this town in 1851. He died on the place to which he first came, a few years since.
In 1851, William Rollings arrived from Ohio and settled on what has since been known as the Benham farm. He was a peaceable and quiet citizen, but came to a tragical end, being murdered in cold blood April 1, 1872. The facts in the case seem to be about these: A man named John Soter claimed the land occupied by Rollings, and, although he was but a renter, he had made frequent threats on Rollings' life. On the evening of the 1st of April, in the year men- tioned, Soter, who lived on a neighboring farm, invited a party of young folks to his house to spend the evening. Among the rest was Rollings' son, who was engaged to play the violin. Late in the evening, Rollings himself came to the house and relieved his son for a while in the furnishing of the music. Though Rollings had heard rumors of Soter's antipathy toward him, but, conscious of his having had nothing to do with dispossessing Soter, and having been on friendly terms with him, did not apprehend any danger, or even that he was unwelcome at his neighbor's house. However, while engaged as stated, the party were alarmed by the report of a gun, fired near the window, and William Rollings, at the same moment, fell to the floor in a dying condition. He had received a charge of shot in his breast, from the effects of which he died a few hours later. Soter was arrested and sent to jail until the next term of the Circuit Court, which convened in May. He was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to be hanged ; but the sentence was subse- quently commuted to imprisonment in the penitentiary for life. Soter, at the time of the act, was already 60 years of age, and his penalty proved to be but a short term, as he died two or three years after his incarceration.
By the Spring of 1851, several other families had settled in the town, among whom were William Wilson, who still resides here; Rudolph Patty and Elijah Justis, brothers-in-law, the former of whom is dead, and the latter now lives in Texas; L. Mixer and Samuel Wentz.
John Whitman, Jacob Dragoo and Lewis Bright came from Ohio, about 1852.
Richard Evans settled in the town in the Spring of 1855. Mr. Evans was the first Assessor of the town and has since held various offices of trust, and has been closely identified with every movement in which the town has been interested. A few years since, he changed his residence to Pontiac, where he now lives.
The railroad employ brought many good citizens to this county, among whom was James Burns, who had been employed in its construction. After the completion of the road, Burns settled in this township, and was the first settler on the north third of the township, and continued to be the only one for some time.
The next year after the Chicago & Alton Railroad was completed, quite a number of settlements were made. Thomas Holman came in that year. He
425
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
had left Pennsylvania several years before, and had been to Oregon and Califor- nia, in search of gold, and having been quite successful in the hunt, brought it to this township and invested it in land. When the school section was sold, he bought it all. Mr. Holman removed to Pontiac several years ago, and still resides there.
Robert Smith, James Alexander, William and Samuel Aljo, George Barr, William Harris and Ansel Hayes were here at the date last named, and still reside in the town.
After this, the additions to the settlement were so frequent that space for- bids further mention of names ; suffice it to say, that within three years the pop- ulation of the township was over 100.
In 1858, the township was organized. On the assembling of the voters, at the place designated in the call, at this, their first election, N. S. Grandy was elected Moderator. A motion was then made that voting for town officers then proceed ; but the 'Squire, being better posted in the law of elections, refused to entertain the motion, giving as the reason that he had not yet been sworn ; and there being no one present qualified to administer an oath, Grandy mounted his horse, rode to Pontiac, was sworn by the County Clerk, and received from him a ballot box and poll list, returned to the voting place and proceeded with the election.
The officers chosen at this first election were as follows : Daniel Rockwood, Supervisor ; John Scott, Clerk; Robert Smith, Collector; Richard Evans, Assessor; N. S. Grandy and John Foster, Justices of the Peace; Hamilton Demoss and George Van Saun, Constables ; John Benham, Thomas Holman and William Wilson, Commissioners of Highways.
The township record does not contain a register of elections for the next four years ; but, as nearly as can now be ascertained, the principal officers have been as follows, to the present time :
Date.
Supervisor. Clerk.
1858
Daniel Rockwood. John Scott.
1859
. Daniel Rockwood.
John Scott.
1860.
Daniel Rockwood. John Scott.
1861
.N. S. Grandy John Scott.
1862
N. S. Grandy.
John Scott.
1863.
John Benham
John Scott.
, 1864
R. Smith
Geo. Van Saun.
1865.
.R. Smith
Geo. Van Saun
1866
R. Smith.
Geo. Ferris.
1867.
Orlin Converse
.Geo. Ferris.
1868
Orlin Converse
Geo. Ferris
1869
James Brown. Wm. McKeighan.
1870.
William Colon
Geo. Ferris.
1871
William Colon.
Geo. Ferris.
1872.
Geo. Ferris.
Silas Hays.
1873
Geo. Ferris.
.Charles Swygert.
1874.
S. F. Slyder Charles Swygert.
1875.
S. F. Slyder.
Charles Swygert.
1876
.Charles Swygert. J. G. Lewis.
1877
Charles Swygert
J. G. Lewis.
1878 Charles Swygert
J. G. Lewis.
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426
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The balance of the officers for the present vear are as follows : John Augustine, Assessor : A. Dann. Collector: B. J. Benedict, F. Fienhold and Silas Hayes, Road Commissioners : S. F. Slyder and G. B. Van Saun, Justices of the Peace, and James Cain and W. D. Irwin, Constables.
Owego Township was one of the first to give attention to means of instruct- ing the youth. As early as 1840. a small school house or cabin was erected near the Rockwood place, and a school kept. The attendance was limited to only a dozen pupils. This school house was built and the school maintained by private subscription. No public schools are reported in the township until 1855. In September of this year. the school lands were sold. and at once steps were taken to make the income arising from it available. to do which. it was necessary to establish schools and report the same. Accordingly. we find that in the Fall of this year, L. Mixer, who was the first Treasurer of the school fund for this township. makes report to the School Commissioner that : "We have supported one school in the township during the past year, which was taught by a female teacher, at $9 per month. She has taught the school to good acceptance, both to Directors and parents. The whole number of scholars in attendance at the school has been fourteen, ten of which were males and four females. There are in the township, forty-seven persons under 21 years of age. We have just sold our school land for $3.994.91." No public school houses had yet been erected, nor were any built until 1857. Then three new houses were put up, the same year. Two of these were union school houses, on the line between this and Avoca Township, and the other near the Foster farm, and known to this time as the Foster School House.
There had been a very perceptible advance in school matters by this year. R. W. Babcock, who then resided in the town. and had been appointed custo- dian of the public funds and gatherer of school statistics, makes a very full and complete report for the year, from which a few items of interest are drawn, showing the progress for the past three years.
*Number of schools taught in the township 6
Number of scholars in attendance. 81
Highest monthly wages paid to any teacher $ 33 00
Whole amount paid to teachers. 233 81
Average number of months taught. 81
Eight years from this time, the number of schools had increased to six ; the number of pupils had doubled; but the average number of months had decreased a trifle, being only seven and a half for the year 1866. The whole amount paid as teachers' wages during the year was $658. After a lapse of eleven more years, a very satisfactory increase in all these items is noticeable.
One item, however, which figures cannot indicate, deserves more particular mention. The advancement made in methods of instruction, in the govern- ment of the schools, and in the classification of the pupils, has been greater than that indicated by any statistics.
*This means two terms in each district.
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427
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The following table shows at a glance other items of interest concerning the system at this time :
Number of schools.
Scholars enrolled
249
Persons under 21 527
Whole number of teachers 122
Amount paid teachers for 1877
$2,115 00
Total expenditure for school purposes.
3,677 00
Special tax raised
2.221 00
Principal of township fund. 7,273 00
Were we to judge the piety of the people of Owego by the number of church spires, we should form a very unjust opinion of them in this regard, as but one church building is to be found, and that belonging to a German society, the English speaking people having no house of worship in the township. Though the inhabitants of the town lay no claim to excellence in this regard. it is nevertheless true that they not only avail themselves of church privileges. but contribute liberally to the support of the Gospel in other localities. Many of tliem attend service in the neighboring towns, where societies have been organized at convenient distances from the line of Owego. Unlike the public schools, which must be located at certain points within the limits. the church buildings have been erected outside, while some of their strongest pillars live inside the confines of the township.
The German Evangelical Society, in 1872, erected, at a cost of $2,000. a neat and substantial building, capable of seating about 200 persons. The house stands on a very fine elevation. embracing one acre of ground, in the eastern part of the township. The first minister to the congregation was the Rev. Adam Wagner. At present, the society is under the pastorate of Rev. Elfring. who resides at Weston, and conducts services here once in two weeks. The present membership is fifty-eight.
Owego did not remain an idle spectator during the great struggle of the Government for life, in 1861-65, but sent her young men to the field, and gave in abundance of her means for their support. Several who went out to fight their country's battles never returned, and some who did return died. either of wounds received in battle or of disease engendered by exposure and fatigue. Among those thus sacrificed that the Union might survive were John Evans, Nathan Hill, James Bastian and others whose names are unfortunately not credited to the town.
The politics of the town have varied with circumstances somewhat. Dur- ing its first years. it was decidedly Democratic, but, after a few years, small Republican majorities were given. especially at State or national elections : hut for the last six years politics have been somewhat ignored. and a strong " anti- monopoly " sentiment has prevailed. so that it would not be safe to say that its politics were at present either Republican or Democratic, though probably on a purely political question the majority would be with the former.
428
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
As indicating the comparative value of property in the township, for 1877. the Assessor's book shows an assessed value of $363,891. This, though quite large, is of course but little more than one-third of the actual valuation. No doubt the full value of all property, both personal and real, is considerably in excess of a million of dollars. In 1854, the total value could not have exceeded $30.000, showing an increase of more than 3,000 per cent., or a doubling of values every eight years.
ยท NEVADA TOWNSHIP.
Washington Irving. in his history of New York, commences with the crea- tion of the world. asserting that, as the Knickerbockers were descendants of Adam through Noah, therefore. in order to a full understanding of the whole matter. their history should begin at the "beginning." And as the creation of Nevada Township was coeval with that of the Garden of Eden. so. with equal propriety, may the historian of Nevada Township begin at that remote period. by saying that but few places on the earth were created which excel it in nat- ural beauty and agricultural advantages. Its little grove of timber. fringing the beautiful little stream of Mazon ; its gently undulating surface, which ren- ders it at once pleasant to look upon. and. on account of its easy drainage. desirable as farming land ; and its deep, rich soil. whose productiveness is not excelled in the county or in the State, make it one of the most desirable for the agriculturist to be found anywhere. So thought and so said James Funk. as he stood upon the bank of the Mazon. thirty years ago, and looked, now upon the little purling stream, and then upon the beautiful broad prairie, stretch- ing out like a sea to the west and south, on the western shore of which could be dimly seen the grove along the Vermilion, and on the south the timber at Deer Creek. Certainly nothing else could have induced him, at that time, to take up his abode so far from friends and neighbors and the conveniences of an older and more thickly settled community.
True. to the northwest, at a long distance, there were a few settlers. and James Martin had but the year before settled a few miles distant in Grundy County : but between this point and Pontiac, a distance of eighteen miles, was not a single human habitation ; to the west for an equal distance was but the open prairie : and to the east and north, clear beyond the confines of the county. lived not a human being.
If Mr. Funk was romantic. he doubtless gazed rapturously upon the beau- tiful scene ; but as he was practical, he must have noticed more especially the substantial and useful features of the surroundings. He must have noted the fine range of pasture for his cattle, in which he dealt considerably, and the advantage that the running stream of water would be to his stock raising. He no doubt considered the supply of wood for fuel and lumber; for the railroad. which now brings these commodities almost to the farm, had then scarcely been thought of. He must have scratched down into the soil and observed that it
429
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
was of a very rich and productive nature, and, on account of its proximity to the creek. would be easily drained. All of these things he must have taken into account, as a compensation for isolation from schools, churches and society. Suffice it to say, that he concluded to locate here : and, determined upon. it was done. He selected the southwest quarter of Section 1. He no doubt consid- ered this the best location for his purpose. as he had his choice. the whole township, at that time, being government land. Mr. Funk moved to his land in 1848, opened his farm. and began raising stock. He remained here. however. but a few years. for, in 1852, we find him an early settler of Five-Mile Grove. in the history of which town he receives further notice.
James Martin. though at first not a resident of the township, deserves men- tion here. as he lived just across the line. and really broke the first land in Nevada Township, and in 1859, became an actual resident. Martin came from New York, and settled in the Grove, in 1847, where he remained until his removal to Nevada, twelve years later. In later years, he has had his home in Dwight.
Andrew Cotrel, a young man from Wilmington, bought a claim of Funk. on Section 1. It will be remembered that. prior to 1852, not a section of land in the whole township was actually owned by any one. but settlers simply "squatted " on the land and "claimed" it. A part of this claim was sold by Funk to Cotrel. Cotrel lived here but a short time, when he sold out his claim to J. M. Reeder, and removed to Five-Mile Grove.
J. M. Reeder and family came from Indiana. in 1848. and having pur- chased Cotrel's claim, settled and became permanent residents. He afterward. in 1853, purchased his land of the Government, and was one of the very first whose names appear on the original entry book. Reeder remained in the township until 1863, when he sold out and removed to Marion County.
William Kirkendall. from Indiana. and brother-in-law of Reeder, arrived with his family in 1852. He bought fifteen acres of Reeder's claim. upon which he lived about ten years, when he sold out and rented land for a few years. again purchased land on Section 1.and finally sold out and removed from the county.
Stephen Kyle and Thomas C. McDowell, the former from Ohio and the latter from Pennsylvania, came in 1853. and entered land and became perma- nent settlers.
Mr. Kyle. in the early days of the township. was one of its most prominent and respected citizens. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1857, a year before the township was organized, and when this. with Dwight and Round Grove, were known as the Dwight Precinct. On the organization of the township. in 1858, he was elected as the first Supervisor, and re-elected to that office in 1859. He had been to the far West. and had worked for a time in Nevada ; and when the townships were named he gave it the one it now bears. On the breaking out of the rebellion. he enlisted as a soldier, was elected Lieutenant of his company, and died in the service of his country.
430
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
McDowell was an honored and useful citizen. He lived here a number of years, and died in the township.
In 1854, Robert Thompson, George Bishop and Hosea Spencer settled in the township. Thompson was from Guernsey County, Ohio, and Bishop and his father-in-law, Spencer, were from New York. Thompson, or " Uncle Rob- ert," or the " Iron-Gray 'Squire," as he is pleasantly called, is one of the best- known and most highly-respected citizens of the county. His expressive title, the " Iron-Gray 'Squire," is variously translated. As to the first word of the cognomen, the metal may, with great propriety. be said to represent the mettle of the man, and probably but few terms could be found that would convey a better idea of his firm and steady character. As to the first word in connec- tion with the second, the term may readily apply either to the clothing or the head, both of which are distinguishing features of his outward appearance. As to the "'Squire." every one knows that. He was the first 'Squire or Justice of the Peace of the precinct of Dwight, and was elected to the office in 1855 and held it until the adoption of the "Township' Organization Act," in 1858. The first summons issued by him was for a man in Round Grove. The summoned party discovered something wrong in the paper, and, on the day set for trial, appeared promptly and confidently demanded a non-suit, on the ground of irregularity. But the Squire replied that, " though the little paper might have been faulty, it had at least brought him," and refused his claim, requiring him to stand trial.
Mr. Thompson was elected Supervisor in 1860, and was re-elected, with the exception of two years. every Spring until 1871. when he absolutely refused to serve longer, and the township then elected his son three successive years. " Uncle Robert " has now retired from active business pursuits and politics, and lives a quiet life at his present home in Dwight.
George Bishop was a lawyer. He remained here but a short time, and then removed to Pontiac, where he engaged for a few years in his profession. It is related that he was once engaged by John Kingore, who at the time was landlord of the Buck Hotel, as counsel in a case in which he was one of the principals. Kingore, when highly excited, had a peculiar and amusing habit of finishing up every sentence and almost every phrase with the word "sir." In the suit referred to, Lawyer Bishop was unsuccessful, and, when the decision was ren- dered, Kingore turned to his attorney and jerked out : "Mr. Bishop, sir, I have much law business, sir, to attend to, sir; but, sir, if I ever give any more of it to you, sir, why, sir, may I be , sir !"
Jason Tuttle came from New York, in 1851, and settled here. but remained but a few years, and then removed to Five-Mile Grove.
The foregoing list embraces nearly all who had settled here before the com- pletion of the railroad, which passes through the county a few miles east. This event gave a sudden impetus to settlement throughout all this section of coun- try, and by the year 1858 the township had received quite a number of acces-
431
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
sions. By the year named, L. E. Ross, James C. George, Stephen Morrison, Thomas Magee, John Carlisle, R. C. Adams and James C. Henry had come in. Ross was one of the first Commissioners of Highways, and held, from time to time, various offices of trust, among which was that of Treasurer of Schools. Magee was the second Township Clerk, John Carlisle second Assessor, and Adams second Collector.
In those days, though comparatively modern, many hardships to which we are now unaccustomed had to be borne, and many of the luxuries of life, now so common, were unknown. Though the soil was as productive, the price obtained for its products was far below that now obtained, and, before the com- pletion of the railroad system, everything had to be hauled as far as Morris, which was the nearest point on the canal. Poultry, sheep and even hogs were often destroyed by wolves, and corn and wheat were injured by the herds of deer which ranged through the little grove and the adjoining prairie.
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