USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The History of Stephenson County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches war record statistics portraits of early settlers history of the Northwest, history of Illinois, &c. > Part 44
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" We are coming, Father Abraham, Six hundred thousand strong."
It is an accepted doctrine of the Christian Church that " God gives strength according to its need," and in His wise providence battalion after battalion poured into the camps, until the maxim of Napoleon, "God is on the side of the heaviest battalions," did not seem so irreverent as it is usually regarded ; and the apothegm of the ancients, " Whom God would destroy he first makes mad," appeared to be exemplified in the mad-cap South. I believe that it is ever true that "God is on the side of the right," and, while we give those soldiers who have died for their country more praise than tongue of mine can tell, we ought still to raise our hearts in thankful- ness and praise to the "God of battles," without whose blessing no cause can long prosper, and who can hold an army in the hollow of His hand.
I cannot dwell upon the history of the late war; time will not permit me to pronounce the fitting words of praise due our dead heroes for their heroic deeds upon all the battle-fields for the Union ; the people of Stephenson County and of the Northwest need not be told of them- they know of them already, and they cherish the memories of them in their hearts.
When will the American people forget Washington and the Revolutionary heroes, who upheld the starry banner of the Republic that was born in revolution and baptized in blood ? When will we forget those whose names are graven on yonder tablets, the "boys in blue; " who, in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865, enlisted in our army to bear that standard sheet on high ? Side by side with the heroes of the Revolution will their names go down in history, never more to be forgotten.
360
HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
To whom do we owe it that we have a country to-day? to whom but to those who, with heart and brain and stalwart arm, upheld the flag? To the loyal men and women of America, to those who went to the front and to those who remained at home, are we this day indebted for the security and peacefulness of our firesides and for the liberty we enjoy ; but most of all to those gallant heroes, in memory of whom that marble monument has been erected ; who, standing " between their loved homes and war's desolations," have died for their country. Do all that. we may or can, we never shall be able to repay more than a trifling moiety of the great debt of grat- itude and love we owe to those heroes who have gone to that
" Undiscovered country From whose bourne no traveler returns."
Build them monuments of marble, surmounted with statues of " Victory ;" cut their names in enduring tablets of stone; tell of their heroic deeds in story, and sing of them in song ; keep their memories green in our hearts forevermore, and yet we will not pay one half of the great debt of gratitude and love we owe. The liberties secured to their country by the sacrifice of their lives, they themselves cannot enjoy ; for you and for me, and for those who will come after us, they have died. Long after that massive marble monument has moldered into dust, their memories will live; the generations to follow us will honor them even more than we honor them now. Think you that while there remains one human heart that loves liberty their memories will perish ? No. Hundreds of years ago, Leonidas and his band of Spartan soldiers went down in the defense of the Pass of Thermopylæ, but forevermore, among every people in whose language there can be found a word to express liberty, those dead heroes will be remembered. Those whose memories we seek to perpetuate by that marble pile were the defenders of our Thermopylæ, not like Leonidas and his Spartan soldiers, doomed to defeat in honorable death, but victory, overwhelming and complete, has crowned their heroism. Fitly do we place the statue of " Victory " on the monument the grateful patriotism of all the people of Stephenson County has erected to their memory. Never on earth can they answer roll-call again.
"On Fame's eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread, And glory guards with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead."
Engraven deeply on those marble tablets are the names of nearly seven hundred of the gallant heroes of Stephenson County, who went out to the defense of their country, and came not back again. And yet they were but a handful in the great sacrificial offering that liberty demanded and received.
" Four hundred thousand men, The brave, the good, the true, On battle plain, in prison pen, Have died for me and you. Four hundred thousand of the brave, Have made our loyal soil their grave, For me and you ; Kind friend, for me and you."
Dedicating this day that colossal marble monument to the memories of the gallant dead of Stephenson County, let us thank God for the glowing patriotism that gave to the nation its heroic defenders, and reverently ask His blessing upon the work which they have accomplished.
The following are buried in the cemeteries about Freeport: Gen. J. W. Shaffer ; Cols. H. Putnam, T. J. Turner, C. T. Dunham and John A. Davis ; Capts. S. W. Field, James R. Shaffer and James W. Crane; Majs. Will- iam McKim and Elisha Schofield; Lieuts. M. R. Thompson, H. A. Sheets, T. M. Hood and Emil Neese, Elias Diffenbaugh, Joseph Degon, Samuel Ailey, R. C. Swain, M. D., H. Broadie, Mortimer Snow, Joseph Cavanagh, Eli M. Ketchum, James Daniels, Max Lambrecht, Lawrence Fisher, Anton Bauer, James Jordan, L. Bently, J. W. Sinlinger, David Mc Cormick, James C. McCarthy, William Haggart, Sidney Haggart, William Eddy, John Bortsfield, Charles Gramp, Joseph Maxwell, Jacob Backers, Van Reason, Fred Shilling, Aaron S. Best, Milton S. Weaver, Thomas Mullarkey, Lary Paten and Andrew Bartlett.
" Winds of summer, Oh ! whisper low, Over the graves where the daisies grow. Blossoming flowers and songs of bees, Sweet ferns tossed in the summer's breeze- Floating shadows and golden lights, Dewy mornings and radiant nights- All the bright and beautiful things That gracious and bountiful summer brings, Fairest and sweetest that earth can bestow Brighten the graves where the daisies grow."
361
HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
STATEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, 1879.
Corn.
77,851 acres.
3,045,576 bushels.
Winter wheat
9,436
236,149 66
Spring wheat
12.069
66
119,776
Oats .
35,622
6
1,287,644
Apple-
2,934
17,479
Peaches
7
Vineyards (wine).
405 gallons.
Timothy.
15,118
24,443
tons.
Clover
12,785
19,620
Prairie.
5,783
66
8,457
Hungarian and millet.
67
173
66
Rye ...
9,826
183,911 bushels.
Barley
11,456
256,830
Buckwheat
193
2,421
Beans ..
41
329
66
Irish potatoes
1,715
66
141,834
Sweet potatoes.
3
66
217
Tobacco.
148
66
296,911 pounds.
Broom
40
51,395
Flax (fiber).
2,155
16,805
Sorgo (sirup)
21
66
2,363 gallons.
Turnip and other root crops
27
$79,065 (value.)
Other fruits and berries.
24
650
Other crops not named above
38
340
Pasture.
49,070
Woodland
23,360
Uncultivated land.
9,867
66
Area city and town real estate (not included above).
733
Total number of acres. 280,399 aores.
Number of sheep killed by dogs.
265
Total value sheep killed by dogs
$926
Number pounds wohl shorn.
52,956
Number fat sheep sold .
2,430
Total gross weight fat sheep sold.
240,265
Number cows kept.
2,972
Pounds butter sold
804,971
Pounds cheese sold.
3,711
Gallons cream sold
4,173
Gallons milk sold ..
69,585
Number colts foaled
944
Number horses died, any age
405
Number fat cattle sold
3,880
Total gross weight fat cattle sold.
4,209,978
Number fat hogs sold.
43,153
Total gross weight fat hogs sold
10,764,977
Number hogs and pigs died of cholera Total gross weight of swine died of cholera.
1,811,748
Number bushels timothy seed
1,269
Number bushels clover seed
12,607}
Number bushels Hungarian and millet seed
209
Number bushels flax seed.
14,781
Number pounds grapes
5,348
25,652
A TABULAR STATEMENT SHOWING THE TOTALS OF THE ASSESSMENT BOOKS-1880. PREPARED BY I. F. KLECKNER, COUNTY CLERK.
IMPROVED LANDS.
UNIMPROVED LANDS.
RAILROAD LANDS.
TOTAL LANDS.
IMPROVED LOTS.
UNIMPROVED LOTS.
TOWNS.
Acres.
100. thơ
Value.
Av. Val.
100 ths.
Av. Val.
100 ths
Value.
Acres.
Value.
Av. Val.
Lots.
Value.
Av. Val.
Lots.
Value.
Av. Val.
1 Jefferson ...
8534
04
$ 99887 $11 70
2974
23
$26350 $ 8 86
11508
27
$126237 $10 97
23
$ 3431
$149 17
27
$382
$14 15
2 Loran.
19206
51
335821
17 48
2812
55
35646 12 67
... .
..
23034
24
481805
20 92
4900
119 51
23
230
10 00
5 Ridott ...
30360
86
645088
21 25
3589
10
36355
7 66
100
13 05
62
681543
96
20330
211 77
122
2050
16 80
6 Rock Run ...
23329
54
388402
16 65
7105
24
71523
10 07
30434
459925|
15 11
394
47461
120 46
319
4055
12 71
7|Lancaster ..
18955
31
406760 21 46
1481
81
24715
16 68
20437
12
431475
21 11
64
3025
47 27
361 76 924
35417
38 65
9 Harlem.
21400
80
344050 16 08
922
10580
11 47
22322
354630
15 89
56
1905
34 02
48 28
21650
12
315658
14 58
524
43
12267
23 39 ..
22174
55
3279251
14 79
864
149204
172 69
2
.60
30 00
13 Waddams
19608
02
263726
13 45
3074
43250
14 07
22682
17
306976
13 53
82
4380
53 41
146 97
7012
439
6 23
14 Buckeye
17846
77
432201
24 22
5155
10
78088
15 15
23001
87
510289
22 18
1921/2
19238
91 18
163
2866
17 58
15 Dakota
11483
218680
19 05
....
2084
53
25227
12 10
19350
297722
15 39
62
9740
157 10
17|Oneco ..
13890
229774
16 54
3564
92
49869
13 99
17455
279643
16 02
20573
133 59
18 Winslow ..
17589
245840
13 98
479
66
4377
9 12
18069
250217
13 85
128
19655
153 55
70
14 00
Total
318384
64
$5708221 $17 93 37696 25
$463098 $12 28 7
66
$100 $13 05 356088 35
$6171419 $17 33 476116
$1158058
$243 21 165512
$45867
$27 71
TOWNS.
Lots.
Value.
AV. Val.
Lots.
Value.
No.
Value.
Av. Val.
No.
Value.
Av. Val.
No.
Value.
Av. Val.
No.
Value.
Av. Val.
No.
Value.
Av. Val.
1|Jefferson ...
p ...
.....
50
$3813 $76 26
261
$ 9233 $31 54
1084
$ 7326 $ 7 75
3
$ 165 $55 00
496
$ 510 $ 1 02
1183
$1338|$ 1 13
2 Loran.
64
5130, 80 16
747
19722
26 41
2197
16495
7 50
22
630
28 63
724
724
1 00
2121
2652
1 24
5 Ridott ...
218
223801102 66
842
30115
3097
24092
7 31
34
1305
38 38
265
261
98
2397
2345
99
7 Lancaster ...
64
3025 47 27
592
15925
26 90
1969
15087
7 66
39
1190
30 51
733
733
1 00
2311
2073
90
8 Freeport
186
7940
42 69
863399 255 75
477
12368
25 92
405
4037
9 96
27
820
30 37
19
590
31 05
940
940
1 00
2868
3535
1 23
10 Erin.
128
6180
48 28
407
9725
23 89
1150
6743
5 86
2
50
25 00
615
615
1 00
1540
1721
1
11
11 Kent ..
866
149264 172 36
921
19870
21 57
2667
15361
5 76
33
830
25 15
538
526
98
2952
3738
1 26
13 W addams.
82
4380 53 41
736
15371
20 89
2301
12712
5 52
38
843|
22 08
749
749
1 00
3180
3090
97
14 Buckeye.
263
28731 109 24
743
22624
30 45
2503
19592
7 82
36
1260
35 00
505
495
1 00
4044
4563
1 12
15 Dakota.
374
22104 59 10
393
10248
26 071
1033
7726
7 47
27
840
31 11
351
351
1 00
1427
1485
1 03
16 Rock Grove.
62
9740 157 10
504
16155 32 05
1571
12002
7 64
27
940
34 81
1026
1029
1 00
2550
3082
1 20
17 Oneco ...
154
20573 133 59
568
16463
28 98
1986
13567
6 83
23
595
25 87
753
753
1 00
2906
3052
1 05
18 Winslow ..
133
19725 148 31
521
11795
22 63
2244.
12731
5 67
35
845
24 14
384
384
1 00
2820
3630
1 28
Total ..
186
$7940 $42 69
6603 $1211865|183 53 11136
$298562 $26 81
34805
$242153
$6 96
468
$14078 $30 08| 11254
$11263
$1 00!
44585
$49835|
$1 11
28
471775
21 02
592
96
10030 16 91
4 Silver Creek
22746
41
442005
19 43
689:
08
9256
13 43
...
23435
49
451261
19 26
41
8. Freeport ....
791
10
128965:163 02
10|Erin ..
11436
54
156474 13 68
2646
49
25565
9 66
22494
84
336185
14 94
11 Kent.
19848
35
310620
15 65
....
11436
34
156474
13 68
19 04
211
16 Rock Grove.
17265
47
272495
15 78
......
RAILROAD LOTS,
TOTAL LOTS.
HORSES.
NEAT CATTLE.
MULES AND ASSES.
SHEEP.
. HOGS.
6 Rock Run ..
713
51516 72 25
855
19767
23 11
2428
15196
6 25
18
1275
26 56
1220
1231
1 00
3360
3797
1 12
9|Harlem ..
56
1905| 34 02
727
18009
24 77
2356
675
15400
22 81
1746
11418
6 53
20
575
28 75
528
535
1 01
2870
3290
1 14
12 West Point ..
545
18383
33 73
1752
14026
8 00
19
815
42 89
1176
1176
1 00
2764
3014
1 09
3 Florence
622
18389
29 56
2406
20160
8 37
16
510
31 87
251!
251
1 00
2689
2689
1 00
4 Silver Creek ..
3376
600
741
1 23
11483
51
218680
36
154
57
Acres.
Value.
Acres.
Av. Val.
100 ths.
22019
06
371467 16 87
3 Florence ...
22441
...
10 13
33957|
78
791
10
128965 163 02 2266
819744
128
6180
12 West Point ..
28292
51
44
23
5
HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
362
35 76
13881
5 89
80
20 07
15
Av. Val.
Steam Engines, Including Boilers.
Fire and Burglar Proof Safes.
Billiard and other Tables.
Carriages and Wagond.
Watches and ClockA.
Sewing and Knit- ting Machines.
PIANO FORTES.
MELODEONS AND ORGANB.
No. |Value.
Av. Val.
Value. Value.
No.
Value.
No.
Value.
No.
Value.
Av. Val.
No.
Value.
Av. Val.
No. Value.
Av. Val.
Av. Val.
No. Value.
Av. Val.
$ ..
9
$205 $22 77
1 Jefferson.
$.
D . ...
124
$1795 $12 05
95 $ 104
$1 09
63
$ 473 $ 7 50
1
70 70 00
24
575
23 95 ..
2 Loran ...
1
225 225 00
297
4734
15 94
208
402
1 93
890
7 17
270
11
173
15 72
4 Silver Creek.
4
400 100 00
2
67
33 50
1
10
10 00
383
3334
8 70
248
416
1 67
130
546
4 20
10
212
13
139
10 69
5 Ridott.
5
96, 19 20
1
5
365
4324
11 84| 366
594
1 62
115
1049
9 12
266
44
445
10 11
6 Rock Run
343
5868
17 10 228
234
1
02
108
732
6 77
325
46 43
495
20 62
3336
100
8 Freeport ...
15
2545 169 66
112
3100; 27 68
30
12 45
41 50
492
10884
22 12|1238
4911
3 96
642
3825
5 95
180
7915
43 97
97
535
38 21
486
25 00
18
294
29
255
8 79
12 West Point ..
4
675 168 75
13
539
41 40
544
6895
12 67
2 59
275
2062
7 49
34
1925
80
1411
17 63
13 Waddams.
1
20
20 00
359
4585
12 77
262
267
1 01
143
712
4 97
4
85
21 25
537
8 77
29 82
15 Dakota.
1
75
75 00
2
30
15 00
..
253
3638
14 38
219
228
1 04
130
764
5 87
1
50
50 00
34
806
23 70
17 Oneco.
5
78 15 60
1
33 33 00
4
100
25 00
1
20| 20 00
197
3560
18 06
190
216
1 13
112
883
7 88
3
200
66 67
27
545
20 18
Total ..
32
$4033|126 03
147
#4058
27 60
33
$12 80 $38 78 5883
$87718|$14 91 5446 $11641
2 14 3041 $19964
$6 56, 283|$12463 $44 03
616|$10264 $16 66
$3336
100
Goods| Mater'ls Manuf'c- Agricul- Gold and Dia-
and
and
turers
tural
Silver monds and Jewel- ry.
Banker,
Bank, Banker, Broker or Broker or Stock Jobber.
Dollars.
Dollars.
Dollars
Dollars.
Dolls.
Dollars.
Value
Value.
Value.
Value.
Value.
Value.
Val.
1 Jefferson,
1000
69
82
1995
200
6067
$1831
$
$ 619
$32012
90 $. ...
2 Loran ...
1500
4822
60
9211
4194
1984
64871
173
3 Florence. ...
885
30
280
5319
490
4162
9793
3669
4966
78257
134 135
4 Silver Creek
4658
220
3975
21
4225
18080
79
2690
11813
91223
186
...
5 Ridott ..
6475
5
140
6453
52800
20
3251
14405
149616
199
80
6 Rock Run.
7181
245
31
3433
37991
14
35
4284
3893
105152
140
188
8 Freeport.
175023
18092
10425
60
805
820
3878
900
19507
123582
125
2480
49726
12004
123000
597684
240 6560
6
100
63
4748
85
60
39681
6118
2602
97695
141
10 Erin ...
1400
35
2078
8145
12
2312
1397
38088
90
11 Kent ..
1000
25
4254
5250
27605
1500
3886
50
690
81295
118
12 West Point.
32886
1375
1540
3687
2200
7522
39718
230
120
12917
6495
163967
18]
13 Waddams .
2626
100
115
4248
6
142
23521
32647
11675
2465
145155
196
15 Dakota ..
4160
220
8186
100
4830
4146
49922
83
100
16 Rock Grove ..
2746
8
20
3778
36856
522
3008
5857
91489
130
17 Oneco ..
4511
126
27
2272
8
11832
600
50
2925
2175
48044
57
18|Winslow.
5175
195
200
1815
Total ..
255266
21172
13397
70588
985
880
15553
1556
273557
273737
244
125
2705 132150
75.
$85285| $123000 2041029 2585 7063
1
20, 20 00
338
4925
14 57
229
484
2 11
159
792
4 98
14
28
10 Erin
1
20 20 00
192
2636
13 72
154
196
1 27
88
684
7 77
1
25
2
90
45 00
11 Kent.
249
4255
17 09
117
334
2 85
114
883
7 74
8 39
4
220
41
1223
14 Buckeye.
5
33
6 60|
515
8100
15 72
393
643
1 63
207
233
1 25
120
691
5 75
2
110
24
440
18 33
235
3012
12 811
186
Money of Bank, Banker, etc. etc. other than other than of Bank, Banker, etc., etc.
Companles Stocks not incorpo-
of Saloons rated hy the & Kating Furni- Laws of this State.
Houses.
ture.
In Real Estate and not other- Improvem'ts thereon.
wise Listed.
Stock of State or National Banks.
Total Value of Pers'] Pro'ty
No. Dogs.
Railroads. Personal of
dise.
articles.
ery.
ery.
Plated Ware.
Stock Jobber.
Dolls.
Dollars.
Dollars.
Dollars.
Dollars.
Dolls.
5203
125
10225
4738,
7442
70400
129
......
7 Lancaster
5
182
14 Buckeye ...
4004
582
214
9409 3039
17025
5485
2049
4617
283
65840
129
363
HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
[ Fran-[Patent chises. Rights
TOWNS.
Av. Val.
Av. Val
...
...
237
3462
14 60
249
1 36
128
1390 10 85
124
8
738
3 94
1
45
45 00
52
696
13 39
403
6177
15 17
265
328
1
23
187
7 Lancaster.
1430
14 74
17 35
9 Harlem ...
2
35
17 50
27
55 00
40 00
34
409| 12 03
357
5594
15 67
309
357
1 15
196
1113
5 67
3
120
55 00
16 Rock Grove ...
18 Winslow.
TOWNS.
Mer - Manu- Tools & Tool- & Plate & chan - factured Machin - Machin-
Money of Credits of Bank,
Credits
Shares Bonds of Stock of Property or
Honse- Investments All other Shares of hoid and Office property
8
33 25
7
24
16 38
556
1445
56 61
21 20
33 75
3 Florence ...
No. Value.
F.
183
9 Harlem
70319
......
114
25
1737
5 00
364
HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
POPULATION OF THE COUNTY BY TOWNSHIPS FOR THE CENSUS YEAR 1880.
Population.
Farms.
Deaths.
Rock Grove
1,071
167
11
Harlem.
1,321
179
10
Lancaster
1,173
186
8
Kent
1,214
172
14
Ridott
2,014
298
25
Winslow
1,004
124
4
West Point
1,224
192
15
Lena Village.
1,520
S
12
Buckeye.
1,655
206
17
Erin.
761
114
8
Florence
1,201
171
5
Oneco (including villages).
1,579
198
17
Dakota
887
109
16
Silver Creek.
1,312
188
9
Loran
1,251
170
5
Rock Run, 1st District.
1,172
113
23
Rock Run, 2d District.
1,030
155
6
Jefferson ..
651
94
6
Freeport, 1st Ward.
2,863
40
Freeport, 2d Ward.
2,287
23
Freeport, 3d Ward.
3,371
13
41
Totals.
30,561
2,857
315
365
HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
FREEPORT.
The history of the city of Freeport is the history of most of the cities which to-day dot the landscape of the great Northwest. Though not entirely devoid of varied and romantic incidents, which stimulated or dismayed the pio- neers in other portions of the country, the settlement of the city was made at a date when hair-breadth 'scapes from the Indians were facts which had passed into history and became as a tale that is told. The Black Hawk war closed, the treacherous savages had been transferred to distant reservations, and the fertile and beautiful region was one vast solitude. the songs of birds and the murmurs of the rippling streams alone breaking the silence. At rare intervals- an "Indian trader " appeared upon the scene, a circuit rider traversed the ter- ritory, or a small band of Indians, who had evaded the watchfulness of the authorities, were attracted to the homes they had once prized so dearly, and yielded up only when conquered and banished.
But, while there were no desperate struggles for life or liberty with the sav- ages, no days of unrequited toil in felling forests and wresting scant returns from the soil, the early settlers were endowed with that self-reliance, energy and character which have developed the country, builded the cities, created avenues. of trade and won for Freeport the very pronounced prosperity she enjoys to-day.
The city of Freeport is handsomely situated on the Pecatonica River, about 30 miles from its mouth, 121 miles from Chicago, 118 miles from Milwaukee, 67 miles from Dubuque and 35 miles east of the Mississippi River. The Pecaton- ica forms the north and east boundaries of the city, with the surface of the ground on which it is built sloping gently in the direction of the river, and well laid out into streets and avenues, perfectly shaded, and lined with residences and business houses which attract the attention of visitors and residents, not more for their architectural finish than their substantial character.
A portion of the territory which now constitutes Lancaster Township was. settled a short time prior to Freeport, by Benjamin Goddard, who made a claim to land that is at present known as the Furst farm, between Freeport and Cedarville. Mr. Goddard was accompanied by his family, also a brother, John Goddard (deceased), and John Jewell. Mrs. Goddard is known as the first white woman who ventured into Lancaster Township. This was early in the the month of December, 1835. He built a cabin and practically began the battle for existence before the new year dawned, dividing possession of this por- tion of the county with no one until the arrival of William Baker, who came soon after and laid the foundation of the present city by the erection of an "Indian trading-post " at the mouth of the creek.
Mr. Baker settled in La Fayette County, Wis., some years previous to the date above mentioned, which proved, however, a "pent-up Utica," contracting the powers of his restless and untiring energies, and first in 1827, while looking for a more extended field of effort, he came to the banks of the Pecatonica. He readily appreciated the possibilities of the situation ; the broad prairies presented fields that required but energy and industry to render fruitful; acres of timber that would supply fuel, fencing, and material for the construction of temporary houses, while Pecatonica River would furnish the motive power for both grist and saw mills. Impressed with the opportunities afforded by the surround- ings, Mr. Baker determined to secure possession of this favorable location, confident that settlers would be attracted to a spot promising so many advan-
366
HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY,
tages to those seeking their fortunes in the "Far West." The patient watch and vigil long required to wrest a rich return of golden grain from Mother Earth, the enterprise and skill indispensable to make the rushing waters the slave of man's will, the brains to plan, and energy to successfully conduct, enter- prises of moment which render a community prosperous-belong to the type of. men of which the early settlers of Stephenson County were a true index, and with the advent of one of whom the settlement at Freeport was begun.
Timbers for the Indian trading-post above mentioned were cut and prepared with surprising rapidity by Mr. Baker and his son, for on the 24th of Decem- ber, 1835, the frame was shaped, its raising accomplished, and rendered inhabit- able before the close of the year. This unpretentious and primitive tenement contained but one room, and the most limited of modern conveniences, furnished a hospitable shelter to many of those who came afterward and iden- tified themselves with the country. During the winter, which was cold and dreary, with little to encourage the settlers but hope in the future, Mr. Baker, assisted by Benjamin Goddard, prepared the materials for a home for his family, which remained in Wisconsin, pending his return thither. The house was built by Benjamin Goddard, a man named George Whiteman working with him in a subordinate capacity. Whiteman was a character who is well remembered by the early residents of those days. A man without principle, courage or industry, he led a jack-leg sort of a life, endured by the settlers until his felonies became too frequent and pronounced, culminating in the theft of horses from Hugh Mack, who resided at the mouth of the river, when he was run out of the country.
It should be observed that Mr. Baker had made claim to all the territory. where Freeport now stands, in the possession of which he was associated with William Kirkpatrick and W. T. Galbraith, composing a company known under the title of "Baker, Kirkpatrick, Galbraith & Co.," organized for the purpose of developing the resources of the country, attracting emigration and building the city.
The rude cabin of logs, built by Mr. Baker on the banks of the Pecatonica, was the first house erected in the future city, and this was followed by that put up under the supervision of Benjamin Goddard. It was of hewn logs, "raised" into local prominence by Miller Preston, Joseph Van Scoit, Fred Baker and others, completed for occupation in February, 1836, and for many years was the only public house in Freeport. Having thus provided the ways and means for protection to his family, Mr. Baker returned to Wisconsin, accompanied by Benjamin Goddard and a yoke of oxen and wagon, owned by the latter, for the purpose of removing his family to the new home. The trip was long and fatiguing, through a wilderness inhabited by savages and wild beasts, at a sea- son of the year when the unsatisfactory manner of travel was augmented by inconvenience and the lack of comforts accessible even at that early day, and the result was that spring had yielded place to summer before the journey was com- pleted, and the site of the city honored by the presence of a white woman, Mrs. Baker being the first white woman to settle there.
Early in this year the town was laid out in the north part of the southeast portion of Section 31, which was subsequently removed, however, for the fol- lowing reason : When the Indians disposed of their title to the lands in this portion of the country, certain tracts were reserved to the half-breeds, to be selected in any part of the unoccupied territory they might choose. As soon as it became known that Baker, Kirkpatrick, Galbraith & Co. had laid out a town, Mary Myott located her claim on this section of land, which constrained
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