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 66
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The property of the society is valued at $1,000.
Lena Star Lodge, No. 106, I. O. G. T .- On Wednesday evening, July 2, 1879, a number of the citizens of Lena met in the lecture-room of the Pres-
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
byterian Church for the purpose of instituting a regularly chartered Good Templars Lodge. After prayer by the Rev. A. S. Gardiner, Mr. Colgrove, of Freeport, in whose hands the meeting had been placed, administered the obliga- tion to about twenty-five of the forty-one charter members present. The lodge was named, at the suggestion of the Rev. Mr. Gardiner, "Lena Star Lodge," and the following officers chosen: S. Rising, W. C. T .; Mrs. Chambers, W. V. T .; Theodore W. Clark, W. R. S .; B. McFatrich, W. F. S .; Miss M. A. Smith, W. T .; F. H. McManigal, W. M .; N. B. Heth, W. C .; Miss Mattie Hall, W. I. G .; M. O. Naramore, W. O. T .; W. W. Hall, Lodge Deputy.
At present the roll of members includes ninety-four names, and meetings are held Friday evenings in Frisby's Hall. The present officers are Theodore W. Clark, P. W. C. T .; J. S. Best, W. C. T .; Miss Mary Knepley, W. V. T .; Miss Mattie Hall, W. R. S .; J. H. Wright, W. F. S .; Miss Linnie Smith, W. T .; Leslie Goddard, W. M .; E. F. Fowler, W. C .; Miss Mary Smith, W. I. G .; George Lemon, W. O. G .; W. W. Hall, Lodge Deputy.
The lodge property is valuable.
Lena Lodge, No. 194, I. O. O. F .- Was instituted March 13, 1856, and chartered October 17 following, with S. F. Dodds, J. M. Schermerhorn, J. Simpson, Daniel Thomas, D. De Graff, John Swarts and J. D. Dewey, mem- bers. S. F. Dodds was N. G .; Daniel Thomas, V. G .; J. M. Schermerhorn, Secretary, and J. Simpson, Treasurer.
At first, meetings were held in Dodds' Hall, from which a removal was made to W. J. Clark's Hall, where the lodge meets weekly on Monday evenings.
The present membership includes forty -eight of the craft, officered by F. P. Byrne as N. G .; C. W. Grosscup, V. G .; W. A. Newell, Secretary, and John Metz, Treasurer.
The value of lodge property is stated at $1,200.
Centennial Encampment, No. 172, I. O. O. F .- Was instituted February 16, 1876, and the charter issued October 10, of the same year, to the following members and officers: W. A. Newell, L. K. Lee, John Reeder, S. S. Pauley, O. T. P. Steinmetz, Emanuel Kailey and Charles E. Dollenmeyer. O. T. P. Steinmetz, C. P .; S. S. Pauley, H. P .; John Reeder, S. W .; Charles E. Dol- lenmeyer, J. W .; W. A. Newell, Scribe, and Emanuel Kailey, Treasurer.
The lodge has since increased to twenty members, who convene in the reg- ular session on the evenings of the second and fourth Fridays monthly, at Clark's Hall.
The present officers are H. Wingart, C. P .; J. S. Best, H. P .; W. W. Sisson, S. W .; Thomas Foley, J. W .; W. A. Newell, Scribe, and John Metz, Treasurer.
The value of encampment property is quoted at $500.
MANUFACTURES.
Lena Steam Mills-Located at the corner of Schuyler and Lena streets, are the oldest in the village and among the most extensive in this part of the State. The business was established in 1855, by Schermerhorn & Munns, when the present edifice was erected. It is of brick, three stories high, exclu- sive of the basement, and cost, with the additions and furniture, $11,000. These consist of an engine-house, 16x30, supplied with an engine of thirty-five horse power, and a grist-room 12x40. The mill has three run of buhrs, and, when run to its full capacity, can grind 480 bushels of wheat every twenty-four hours.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
In time, Messrs. Schermerhorn & Munns disposed of the property to J. S. Soule, who in turn sold it to J. P. Ring, and, after subsequent transfers, it came into the possession of A. H. Stahl, the present owner, who paid therefor, $14,000.
He employs six hands, and does a business of $8,000 per annum.
Shannon's Carriage Works-Located on Schuyler, between Lena and Rail- road streets, were established February 4, 1874, by A. Shannon and A. Weaver at their present site. The year following, additions and improvements were made to their establishment, which have been increased each year since, until now, Messrs.'S. & W. have one of the most complete repositories in Northern Illinois.
Their line of manufacture embraces all qualities and grades of vehicles, from a track skeleton to a hearse, and from the ordinary " democrat" to a coach. In the building of these, the firm employ skilled labor only, use the best materials and plans, originating with themselves. They have patented a sliding- seat wagon, and the work turned out is of a well-proportioned and durable character.
As a result, their stock is in constant demand, and, as none of it is shipped elsewhere for sale, purchases are made at the shop by dealers and others from a distance.
The firm employ a force of nine hands at a weekly compensation of $141, and do an annual business, estimated at $25,000.
Lena Foundry-Established in 1867 by J. McCulloch & Son, on Grant, between Center and Schuyler streets, where for thirteen years they have con- ducted a successful trade in all parts of the country, and acquired a reputation for responsibility and character. Their line of manufacture comprehends every variety of moldings, in addition to leather-rollers, boot-crimpers, feed-cookers, etc., one hundred of each being turned out annually and shipped to various points in Northern Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. In addition to the branches cited, the firm does a large jobbing and repair work, the business in this and the general class of work completed aggregating $10,000 per annum, and requiring the services of five hands at a weekly compensation of $60.
The investment represents a valuation of $6,000. 1
ELEVATORS.
Central Elevator-Owned and conducted by P. H. Kaufman, is located on South Railroad street, opposite the depot of the Illinois Central road, where the buildings were erected, in 1875, at a cost of $4,000. The premises consist of a main building, 40x60, three stories high, with an addition 24x38, one and a half stories high, and containing an engine of twenty-five horse-power by which the machinery is operated.
The elevator has capacity for 20,000 bushels of grain, and during the year 1879 a total of 345,738 bushels of oats, wheat, corn, rye and barley, were handled by the management, for which was paid $98,530.91, in addition to $26,000 paid for clover-seed and $25,838 for bags.
Lena Elevator-Located on Schuyler street contiguous to the track of the Illinois Central road, was erected in 1868, by Moses .Weaver, at a cost of $10,- 000, and has a capacity for 25,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Weaver conducted the business for a number of years, but in 1873 John Reeder purchased the enterprise for $5,000, and still controls the establishment.
During the year 1879, 238,931 bushels of grain passed the hands of the proprietor, requiring the outlay of $71,290, and adding materially to the pros-
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
perity of the town of Lena. The present year it is anticipated the business will be materially greater.
MILITARY.
Lena is the headquarters of Company H, Third Regiment Illinois Na- tional Guards, organized in 1877. The company is made up of fifty-two mus- kets, officered by George H. Sherry, Captain, F. M. Halliday and George Houser, Lieutenants, with the usual complement of Sergeants and Corporals. Drill-meetings are held once a month.
OPERA HOUSE,
located on South Railroad, between Schuyler and Center streets, was erected by F. E. Beine, in 1878, at a cost of $7,500. The premises are of brick, two stories high, and finished in a handsome style of architecture. The ground floor is devoted to the occupation of stores, while the second story is appropri- ated to the uses of offices and the opera house auditorium. This latter is about fifty feet square, supplied with a stage, and can comfortably accommodate an audience of five hundred. The building is an ornament to the town, and its uses a convenience to residents, public speakers, lecturers, the strolling player, and all with a stock in trade consisting of genius or wit.
CEMETERY,
consisting of four acres, was laid out by S. F. Dodds in 1854, and, though burials took place from that date to the time when it was transferred to the village, July 30, 1866, no cemetery organization was perfected. It is located in the southern part of the village, handsomely laid out and platted, decorated with evergreens and ornamental shrubbery, and contains some decidedly artistic monuments. The cemetery property contains an aggregate of 368 lots, almost wholly taken up, and is under the charge of the Village Trustees.
LENA CATHOLIC CEMETERY,
without the limits of, and a short distance from, the northwestern portion of the village, embraces three acres, and was laid out and dedicated in May, 1880. It contains upward of 200 lots, but few interments have as yet been made.
WADDAMS GROVE,
a station on the Illinois Central road, four miles west of Lena, was estab- lished in 1874. It is a quiet settlement, containing a Methodist Church, school and other buildings peculiar to an inland town of measured resources; also a cheese factory, started by F. S. Farley. As a shipping-point for grain and some other articles of export, it promises, in future years, to attain some degree of importance.
BUCKEYE TOWNSHIP.
Previous to the adoption of the act empowering the incorporation of town- ships, Buckeye Township was known as Center Precinct, which comprehended the territory that has since been subdivided into Buckeye, Dakota, Harlem and Lancaster Townships. This was the case as late as August, 1838, for, on the 6th of that month, an election was held at the house of Josiah Clingman, in Center Precinct, for State officers, at which John Edwards received twenty- five votes for Governor, and Stephen A. Douglas seven votes for Congress ; Ira
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
Jones, Levi Lewis and G. W. Clingman were Judges, and Thompson Wilcoxon and Joseph Green, Clerks.
The earliest settlement made in the present township of which there are any data to deduce conclusions, was during the year 1835. In the spring, John Goddard came to the southern portion of the township, and, in the fall of the same year, David Jones and Levi Lucas came, the former making claim to a large tract of land contiguous to what is now known as Buckeye Center, where he built a cabin and began housekeeping. There was little beyond the hope of what the future might give birth to to encourage the lonely lives of these pioneers, yet they accepted the gauge of life as they found it, and survived to realize many of the promises reserved for after years. In addition to these, George Trotter, Richard Parriott and Henry and William Hollenback came about this time.
In 1836, the roster of inhabitants was increased by the arrival of a few families, including William Robey, who had made a claim there the previous year, Jehu Pile, Andrew St. John, Ira, Job and Daniel Holly and others. Parrott and Pile located near the present town of Cedarville, while the balance entered claims in the northwestern part of the township.
In 1837, the influx of population was somewhat greater. Among those who established themselves in Buckeye that year were Dr. Thomas Van Valzah, J. Tharp, G. W. Clingman, Jackson Richart, Lazarus Snyder, Jacob S. Brown, Joseph Green, and some few more. Dr. Van Valzah purchased the mill claim of John Goddard and Barton Jones, and built what has since been known as the Cedar Creek Mills, also a log cabin for his family. The mill was started in November, 1837, John Fisher turning the bolt, and so con- tinuing until the 1st of January, 1838. In that year, a sudden rise in the creek overflowed and temporarily destroyed the dam, when Fisher's occupation was gone, the power thereafter being furnished by the medium since employed.
In the month of May, 1837, occurred the first death in the township, being that of Richard Parriott, Sr. Robert Jones and A. Richart laid him out after death, and he was buried near Buckeye Center in a coffin fashioned by Robert Jones, the Rev. Mr. Harcott officiating at the grave.
Among those who came in 1838, was James McGhee, Adrian Lucas and others, and it was in this year that the first marriage known to have taken place in Buckeye was recorded. Robert Jones and Mary Herlacher were united in indissoluble bonds at the residence of Dr. Van Valzah, the Rev. Mr. McKean being the clergyman. In those days, pretentious weddings, with the accompaniments of bridal presents, tours, etc., were unknown factors of social life, and not generally indulged. The bridegroom escorted his wife to the cabin he had erected, as above mentioned, and began his dual existence with- out the accessories thereto now deemed indispensable to prosperity and happi- ness. On the 23d of June following, David Jones was born to the couple, the first birth of record in the township. John Murdaugh and Benjamin Bennett were also among the arrivals this year.
In 1840, the population began once more to increase. The Pottawatomies and Winnebagoes still flourished in the vicinity, and had their camp at the mouth of Richland Creek ; but their presence deterred no one from venturing into the neighborhood and setting up a home. J. B. Clingman came this year, as did also Philip Reitzell and George Reitzell, who settled near where Buena Vista now is ; Henry Wohllford, John Fryebarger, Richard Parriott, Jr., Frank- lin Scott, George Ilgen, who afterward laid out Cedarville, a man named Eddy, etc. Indeed, 1840, was the golden year of Buckeye Township, so far as the
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
increase in population and development of resources were concerned. Farms were opened, homes prepared, and, notwithstanding the " hard life " that was imposed upon settlers, the county and township began to fill up quite rapidly.
In those primitive times, the inhabitants depended mainly upon their guns, and skill in the use, for meat, which was obtained from the herds of deer and flocks of prairie chickens which were to be found in the timber. Flour was almost an unknown quantity, and until mills were erected on water-courses the settlers were obliged to obtain that commodity either at Galena or Wolf Creek. When this was impossible, they scraped corn on what were known as " gritters," by which a coarse-grained meal was obtained, from which " dodgers " were baked, and the pangs of hunger mitigated.
Soon after 1840, the conveniences of life became more accessible. The rough, unsatisfactory character of the mills gave place to handsome buildings and improved machinery. The population increased annually, and, by the time that Cedarville was laid out, numbered many families, with the names of which the earlier comers were not familiar. The township and its towns are in a pros- perous condition, with a population estimated at about 1,800, and with promise of future wealth and usefulness.
CEDARVILLE,
the chief town in Buckeye Township, and a point presenting many attract- ive features for residence and business purposes, is located six miles north of Freeport, and contiguous to the line dividing Buckeye from Harlem and Lan- caster Townships. Its situation is singularly beautiful, presenting every variety of landscape to the artistic eye, without the quality of sameness which palls by its very monotony. Cedar Creek courses an uneven and eccentric way to the east, rugged hills rise in prominence to the north, while, on the east and west, orchards, meadows and fields flowing with ripening grain, are sights which greet the eye of the visitor in that perfect of perfect months, laughing June.
When the earlier settlers of what was at first known as Center Precinct made their advent into future Buckeye Township, they, as a rule, tarried about future Cedarville, not only impressed with the beauty of the scenery, but the ad- vantages it then presented for all desirous of establishing a home. Notwithstanding these patent advantages the pioneer pilgrims into this part of Stephenson County, tarried not, but pursued their wanderings in the van of those compet- ing with the Star of Empire and Greeley's young man, for a claim further west, and it was not until 1837 that any movement was inaugurated, which finally culminated, though not until twelve years after, in the surveying and laying-out of the present town. In that year, Dr. Thomas Van Valzah, as has already been stated, established himself in Center Precinct, raised a log cabin for the protection of his growing family, built a saw-mill and laid the foundation for the abundance of thrift to-day visible to the traveler, as also the resident, in all directions. The old mill has passed through a varied experience since those days of primitive wants and unpretentious inhabitants, and still, in parts, stands a wreck of its former magnificence, at a distance from the spot whereon its birth was celebrated. The territory allotted to its occupation, long since yielded possession to the Cedarville mills, revised and corrected editions of the saw and grist mills, with which Dr. Van Valzah, nearly half a century, ago, sought patronage in contributing to the necessities as also the luxuries of his neighbors.
In 1849, George Ilgen, an early settler in the township, first conceived the idea of establishing the present town of Cedarville. He had emigrated to the
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
West years before from Pennsylvania, and made claim to a quarter-section of land, on which the town, in part, now stands, but removed to a distant part of the county and engaged in farming. About the year mentioned, he procured a survey of the town site, laid off streets, town lots and other landed appur- tenances appropriate to the object, and waited the rush of purchasers of his realty. Marcus Montelius officiated as surveyor, and, beyond the log cabin and mill erected by Dr. Van Valzah, no other edifices were to be'seen in the vicinity. For some months the tide of emigration failed to realize his possibly too san- guine expectations, and it was not for two years thereafter that buildings began to add the spice of variety to the scenes of woodland and prairie visible on all sides. Some time in 1850, James Canfield established a brick-kiln two miles west of the prospective village, and from this date improvements proved other than exceptions.
Samuel Sutherland built a brick house on the main street which still stands, being occupied as the store of Richart & Son, also the post office. Francis Knauss put up a frame residence and tin-shop ; James Benson, a brick store, and Jacob Latshaw, building a tavern, enacted the role of the village boni- face. . It should be observed that the first cabin covered for occupation within the precincts of the town site, was that finished and occupied by George Sey- ler. David Clements erected a brick house along in 1851, as also did Dr. Bucher, (the latter still standing opposite the post office), and lived there for years, his widow now occupying the premises. During the years 1850-52, im- provement was rapid, but after these years there was a falling-off, no marked effort being made to render the village either attractive or populous. In 1854, the handsome private residence of John H. Addams was erected, and in 1858, the mill owned by the same gentleman.
There are four churches-the Methodist, completed in 1849, of brick ; the German Reformed and Lutheran, in 1854, also of brick; the Evangelical, of brick, in 1859, and the Presbyterian, a handsome frame with an attractive and well-proportioned steeple, in 1876.
In 1878, improvements began to appear again and prosperity to once more " boom." J. W. Henney & Co. began the manufacture of carriages in a large frame warehouse occupying a prominent corner in the eastern portion of the town, and Reel & Seyler put up a commodious establishment north of Henney's carriage depot for the manufacture of middings purifiers. £ Since that date, however, improvements have hardly kept pace with the times; the village remaining a quiet, prosperous, attractive resort, presenting very few, if any, of the features which entice with the glare and dissipation of her more populous neighbors, yet furnishing all the inducements for health and modest ambition to be found in numberless villages which dot the landscape of Northern Illinois.
The school system in force is the same as has obtained throughout the county, affording a complete and ready means for obtaining an education sub- stantial and comprehensive; the religious interests are large and generously supported ; the manufacturing establishments afford employment to a number of laborers, and the surrounding country pays a liberal tribute to the mainte- nance of its commercial and other interests.
Cedarville contains a population estimated at 400, and has not yet been incorporated, being under the form of government appropriated to township organizations.
The cause of education found expression in Buckeye long before the metes and bounds of that township had been legally defined. A school was opened
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
three miles northeast of Cedarville in 1836, but it was not until ten years later that the town itself succeeded in providing the young idea with comfortable accommodations wherein to pursue knowledge, unattended by the difficulties which invariably accompany every initial effort in that behalf.
In 1846, subscriptions were made for the organization of a school, and the erection of a building, the latter to be located near the burying-ground. The efforts primarily undertaken were far from encouraging, but finally these suc- ceeded through the influence and patronage of the Clingmans, John H. Addams and other enterprising residents, and the schoolhouse, a one-story frame, 20x30, was completed and ready for service.
A Mr. Chadwick, now residing in La Salle, and Miss Julia Putnam were the first teachers who sought to elevate the youthful generation of scholars com- ing from far and near to partake of the mental pabulum furnished in those days. Among these were George, Mary and Caroline Clingman, the Young children, the Treastor children, Wynkoops juniors, and many others whose names have been forgotten by the limited number who were familiar therewith thirty- four years ago. This school was operated with gratifying success until 1853. By that time, the daily attendance became so numerous as to necessitate larger quarters, and the basement of the Lutheran Church, then completed, and await- ing the erection of the superstructure, was obtained, and used for school pur- poses being so used until 1855.
Soon after taking possession of the last-named quarters, the School Direct- ors decided upon building the present brick edifice, and inaugurated measures looking to that end. Their first effort was directed toward the obtaining of funds, which were secured by the levy of a tax on resources not realized, that is, by anticipating the tax for schools due two years from that time. This was accomplished without opposition, and $2,000 rewarded this extra-legal proceed- ing. With the amount thus obtained, the brick building since occupied, being 55x30, and two stories high, was completed and turned over for use in 1855, the lower room being reserved for school uses, while the upper part was used as a public hall. In 1857 the hall was reconstructed and fitted up for a pri- vate school, taught by Miss Gorham, since married to Col. H. C. Forbes, who remained in charge until 1865, when she gave place to a successor, who contin- ued the guardian of ambitious youth for a brief period, when the private venture was abandoned, and the entire building opened to public patronage. This is now known as District School No. 5, furnishing a good common-school educa- tion to an average daily attendance of ninety pupils, and is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of J. H. Addams, Joseph P. Reel and Jacob Sill. Two teachers are employed at an annual cost of $500, which is obtained by taxation, and the school property represents a valuation of about $2,500.
RELIGIOUS.
Methodist Church .- The followers of Wesley first manifested their pres- ence in Buckeye Township as early as 1839, and were composed of the fami- lies of residents who have since been included among the most substantial and enterprising of those who have materially contributed to the building-up of the county and the State. These comprehended Josiah Clingman and family, G. W. Clingman and family, Barton and Ira Jones and families, William Robey and family, A. K. Richart and others.
Prior to 1849, the communicants were dependent upon the visits of cir- cuit riders, and worshiped in the log schoolhouse near the branch, at private houses, and such other points as convenience or necessity dictated.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
In 1849, the Methodist Church at Cedarville was commenced, and com- pleted in 1850, since when the pious residents of the township have rejoiced in a local habitation, as also name. The edifice is of brick, one story high, 35x40, and, though completed in 1850, was not ready for use until a year later, when the dedicatory services were held and the auditorium formally opened.
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