USA > Illinois > Will County > The History of Will County, Illinois : containing a history of the county a directory of its real estate owners; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics.history of Illinois history of the Northwest > Part 62
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At the time of which we write, in addition to the wild animals desirable for food, there were also wolves in great numbers. Geese, chickens, sheep and pigs were their favorite repast; and it was almost impossible to protect them from the voracity of their natural enemy. An able and eloquent representa- tive had risen in the Legislature and declared that, "When the denizen of the prairie is locked in the embrace of Morpheus, the shades of night have settled 'round his abode and all nature has settled to rest, then the noisome wolf rises from his lair, and, roaming up and down the land, seizes the inoffensive pig and. the innocent lamb, devouring them, to the great detriment of said denizens," and the law for the protection of domestic animals against the ravages of "said. wolf" had been passed, allowing to any one who would secure the scalp of one these "noisome " animals, a bounty of $1. The business of wolf-hunting at once became quite lucrative. For a number of years afterward, in the newly settled counties, nearly all of the State taxes were paid in this kind of currency. The younger Chamberlin was a skillful hunter of the wolf, killing from twenty to forty every Fall. For these, he received for the scalps $1 each, and for the pelts, 50 cents. In those times, the hardest that have ever been known in this State, this was counted a large amount of money. But, though the profit derived was comparatively great, the propagation of the wolf was neglected, and now, a wolf, should one be captured in the county, would be counted as a curiosity.
If intelligence were necessary to " keep school " in those days, the Adams family must have been in that respect more than ordinary, as the first two terms taught in the township, in 1841 and 1842, were taught respectively by Lydia and Sallie Adams, daughters of James Adams. At about the last date named, the Mormons at Nauvoo were in all their glory. Missionaries were being sent to all parts of the country to enlighten the people on the peculiar doctrines of Joseph Smith, as revealed in the Book of Mormon ; and among the places visited in this part of the State was Twelve-Mile Grove. Their efforts here- were not without success. The Adams family, having become fully established in
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the faith, sold out and removed to headquarters at Nauvoo. A few years later, when the conflict arose between the authorities of the State and the troops of Smith, which resulted in the death of that would-be prophet, and the succes- sion of Brigham Young to the Prophet's position, most of the Mormons removed to Salt Lake. Among the faithful who followed the fortunes of Young to the new land of promise, were Adams and his family. In crossing the plains, among the hundreds of these people who perished was Lydia Adams. Sallie after- ward became one of the wives of an influential and wealthy Mormon, and still resides in that country. Several other converts were made to Mormonism in this neighborhood, some of whom still reside here, but repudiate the doctrine of plural marriages, cleaving to the faith as expounded by Joseph Smith, Jr., now of Plano, Ill.
The Chamberlins and Adams sold out their possessions here to one Reuben Putnam, more generally known as " Old Put." Putnam had the reputation of being a horse-thief, a cattle, pig and sheep thief, and a robber of all kinds of goods on which he could lay hands. He was even credited with having in the grove an underground stable in which he concealed his ill-gotten gains, and in which he accommodated members of a then numerous gang of horse-thieves that infested the country ; and it is not doubted that Putnam was one of the leaders. "Old Put's " favorite mark for his stock was to cut off both ears and tail, and in this way destroy all other marks that might previously have been made by rightful owners. Certain it is that he was the terror of this part of the country, and as such prevented for a time the rapid settling of the township. But finally his operations became so gigantic, and his attitude toward his neigh- bors became so unbearable, that forbearance ceased to be a virtue, and it was determined to bring him to grief. Suits numerous had been brought against him ; indictments had been procured ; and all legal measures had been tried to bring him to justice, but always to the defeat of those instituting such proceed- ings. So a few of the citizens of the neighborhood, to the number of seven, entered into a compact to rid the county of his presence. It is unnecessary to repeat the names of the seven who planned the scheme, or to give the minutiæe thereof. Suffice it to say that, one day in. June, 1853, Old Put was plowing corn in his field, when suddenly, what to him appeared to be an Indian, grap- pled his arms from behind and held him fast ; then another, who seemed to be a negro, appeared with a tar-bucket, and another Indian came up with a bag of feathers. Quicker than it takes to tell it, two or three more negroes stripped him of his clothing, and a pair of sheep shears applied to his scalp, divested him of his hair. In four minutes from the time of commencing the operations, Mr. Put presented a striking appearance. So much did he resemble the descrip- tions of that ancient one called Scratch, that the boys who took part in the work were really struck with fear. He had been covered from head to foot with the tar and feathers ; and to add to the Satanic appearance as if having just issued from the ground, they had rolled him in the fresh-plowed dirt. After
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the work had been completed, he was asked if he understood the meaning of all these proceedings, and upon giving an affirmative answer, he was told that he would be allowed just ninety days to settle up his business and get out of the country, and was assured that if he were found in the neighborhood at the end of the period named, the seven had sworn a great oath never to rest day or night until he was quartered. At the end of the eighty-seventh day, it was noticed that Put still lingered, as if loath to leave the scene of the drama in which he had taken so prominent a part ; but after that date he was a stranger to Twelve-Mile Grove, having suddenly vanished.
For a long time his countenance presented rather a sallow appearance, look- ing much as though he was undergoing an attack of the jaundice. He spent much time in trying to find out who had been his persecutors ; but so well had they concealed their plans that for many years it was not known who had taken part in the work.
Four of the men employed in the matter are still residents of the county, and are among the best citizens. The thing proved so popular, and those con- cerned in it kept it so well, that others who had nothing to do with it hinted that they "knew more about it than they cared to tell." Hiram Harvey and sons came to the township from Canada in 1841, stayed three years and then removed to Five-Mile Grove, where they resided nearly four years, returning to Twelve-Mile in 1848. Jabez Harvey, one of the best-esteemed citizens of the township, went to California during the gold fever, and had returned by June, 1853, having in the mean time, seen somewhat of the manner of dealing with outlaws in that country, at that time governed neither by the principles of law nor morals. Mr. Hiram Harvey is now over 70 years of age, hale and hearty, and in the enjoyment of all of his youthful energy. He is the oldest resident of the township. From 1841 until 1845, Alanson Williams, J. Taft, Dr. A. B. Mead, Amos Van Valtonburg and Alfred Warner made their appear- ance in the neighborhood. They resided here but a short period-but four or five years-and then removed to other places. During the residence of Dr. Mead, the post office of Wallingford was established near the center of the township, with Mead as Postmaster and mail-carrier, between this point and Wilmington, and for his services he received the proceeds of the office. After his removal, the office was removed to the head of the grove, where it has since remained. By 1848, quite a number of Irish families had also settled in the neighborhood. At the date last named, the Illinois & Michigan Canal was completed, and a number of the laborers on the works, having saved a por- tion of their wages and being out of employment, concluded to engage in farm- ing, and took up their residence here. Some of our best citizens are of Irish nativity, among whom are John Brown, Roger Waters and Thomas McCor- mick. In 1846, Kibben, Nelson & Co., the new proprietors of the reservation, came to the Grove with a view to making improvements and selling out the land. The land was surveyed and offered for sale; and, there being no other
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
timber near, coal not yet having been discovered in the county, and the rail- road not yet having been projected, the people were greatly excited over the prospect of having the only source of fuel and lumber disposed of without a chance to obtain a piece; and as a consequence, land, which can to-day be bought for $20 per acre, brought $100. The proprietors who had bought the reservation for a trifle became rich men in a short time.
The Nelson family, of whom W. T., mentioned above, was a member, con- sisted of the father, John Nelson, and sons W. T., S. G. and D. M. They came from Indiana to reside at the Grove in 1848. John Nelson had been, in the State of his former residence, one of the first, citizens of the county in which he lived, and was honored with many positions of trust, among which was that of member of the Assembly of the State. Mr. Nelson died two or three years after his removal to this place. . W. T. Nelson now resides in an adjoining township, and the two other brothers still reside near the village of Wallingford.
George and David Dancer, brothers, from the northern part of the State, came in 1848. The former still resides here, but the latter has removed to Iowa.
Samuel C. Baker and brother Caleb settled here in 1849. Caleb is one of our most wealthy and respected citizens. Samuel C. now resides in Colorado, and is engaged in the cattle trade.
Joseph Cook was the first blacksmith. His shop at first consisted of a bel- lows, anvil and a few hammers, and the broad branches of a tree were his only shelter. Of him it could with propriety be said :
" Beneath a spreading chestnut-tree, The village smithy stands, The smith a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands ; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands."
All except the tree, which was an oak instead of a chestnut.
A horse-power saw-mill was erected by Henry Stone, now of California, in 1850, but it run but a short time, as the completion of the railroad brought lumber of a more desirable character to within a short distance. The first goods were sold in 1856 by J. Hopkins, at Wallingford. Hopkins did not continue in the business long, but sold out to S. G. Nelson. A store was started in Wilton Center in 1857, by Barret & Hersperger, and by them it was run for about three months, when they sold to Jabez Harvey, who has contin- ued the business without intermission or suspension for twenty years.
There were at one time three post offices in the township. The first estab- lished was the one at Ingham's Hill, near the center of the township, and then removed to Wallingford. About 1856, a post office called Pierce, was author- ized at Huyck's Grove, and another at Wilton Center. Pierce Post Office-
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
xisted but a short time. The one at Wilton Center was somewhat irregular, ntil a few years ago when it became a permanent fixture.
In 1850, there were in the township, as then organized-embracing, also, Peotone-about twenty-five voters. The precinct, with the Grove as center or an indefinite area surrounding, was called Dallas. In the year named, how- ver, the Commissioners of the county changed the name, giving the precinct a efinite boundary, with Supervisor and other township officers.
The first election was held April 2, 1850. Of this meeting, Henry Stone was elected Moderator, and William T. Nelson, Clerk pro tem. Twenty-six otes were cast, of which the following persons for the respective offices received majorities : William Dancer, Supervisor ; Horace Kelsey, Clerk ; James M. Kibbin, Assessor ; Joel O. Norton, Collector; Hugh Kennedy, Overseer of the Poor; George Dancer, Samuel Hall and Alfred Warner, Commissioners of Highways; Samuel Wilson and Patrick Boyland, Justices of the Peace, and Edward Graham and John McGowan, Constables.
In 1858, the eastern half of the precinct, now constituting Peotone Township, was, by order of the Board of Supervisors, set off as a separate ownship, and Wilton left with boundaries co-extensive with what we now find hem.
The present officers are: S. G. Nelson, Supervisor ; G. Boynton, Clerk ; A. J. Mills, Assessor ; D. M. Nelson, Collector; George Mackender, John White and James Cavency, Highway Commissioners ; S. G. Nelson and Jabez Harvey, Justices of the Peace ; George Rose and B. F. Dunham, Constables, und Jabez Harvey, School Treasurer. The present voting population is 240. One of the most important public acts of the township was the voting of $35,000 to aid the Decatur & State Line Railroad, which was to cross the ownship and locate a station at Wilton. The road has not yet been completed, nd, as one of the provisions of the call for an election was that the bonds were o be issued only when the first train of cars were run through the township, hey have not yet been called for.
The township took more than ordinary interest in the great war for the preservation of the Union, in 1861-65. No draft was ever enforced, the quota of each call being filled by volunteers, or by substitutes, paid by subscriptions or ax. Nearly all who enlisted from this township were in the One Hundredth Illinois Infantry. Many of the brave boys who left us never returned. Of this number are remembered Alva Hoyt, Richard L. Barr, William Bruce, Ira Temple, Amos and James Gauthrop, Simon Conchlin, Ahaz Young, Giles L. Greenman, Joseph Robinson, Frank Patchett, Robert Stevens, Don A. Rob- nson, Henry Doncaster and James T. Ladieu. The last named died a double death in Andersonville Prison. Isaac Jenks, though he received such wounds as would have killed a common man-his head being literally shot to pieces- still lives. Jerry Kennison was promoted to the office of Captain, and S. G. Nelson was honored with the title and office of Major.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
As before intimated, the first school was taught in 1841. This was the- school not only for the township, but for all the country adjacent. Pupils attended this school who lived ten miles away. The number of children living in the township at that time scarcely warranted the building of a house and the establishing of a school. The house was built by James Adams, Frank- lin Chamberlin and Hiram Harvey, and was a partnership concern. It was constructed of bass-wood logs, split in two parts, and laid up in the manner of a rail pen, with the flat surfaces inside. The puncheon floor, slab seats and desks and the huge fire-place, common to most of the pioneer schoolhouses such as appear in our cut on page 89, were features of this school-building. In 1849, the school township was organized, with Horace Kelsey as Treasurer, and in 1850, the first public school-building was erected at Wilton Center, which build- ing is still standing and doing the service as originally designed. It was, doubtless, considered a grand affair in its early days, though at present it looks- somewhat antiquated-however, in a pretty good state of preservation. It is con- structed of stone, which were taken from the quarry near by, the stones being raised and hauled by different parties, who gave their time and labor to the enterprise. The building is 20x30 feet, and in height is scarcely eight feet between joists. Above the door appears the following inscription, cut deep in the stone cap :
School Dist. No. 1. 1850.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.
In this building, Chauncey Steele taught the first term. The schoolhouse proved to be, in addition to its use as a temple of learning, a great convenience for numerous other purpose. In it have been held political meetings, debating societies, churches and Sunday schools, indignation meetings and ratification meetings and assemblies of all sorts and sizes, except large sizes, which could not be accommodated within its modest inclosure, and were, therefore, held in the grove. Soon after the date of the building of the schoolhouse in District. No. 1, a school was organized at the north end of the Grove and a building erected there; and, within eight years, three more had been built, making, in 1858, five organized districts, each with a school building of its own, and hav- ing a school population of over four hundred.
At present, there are seven whole districts and two union. The school pop- ulation is 610 children under 21 years of age, of whom 408 are between the ages of 6 and 21.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
The value of school property is estimated at $2,000. The whole amount paid for sustaining schools last year was nearly $2.500. Jabez Harvey, who succeeded Kelsey, the first Treasurer, in 1864, is present Treasurer and Clerk of the Board of Trustees.
VILLAGE OF WALLINGFORD.
As previously stated, Nelson, Kibbin and Wiley had purchased of the Indians the tract known as the " reservation." Afterward that portion which how constitutes the site of the village was sold to H. B. Goddard, by whom, in urn, it was conveyed to Charles W. Keith, who laid out the town and offered the lots for sale.
· Doubtless, high anticipations were indulged in, regarding the destiny of Wallingford, as Keith advertised it extensively. Charts of the town were ithographed and sent to every corner of the East and West. Some of them still in existence show what a nice town may be built on paper, all with streets und alleys, public squares and fine parks. But, alas, for human expectations ! he enterprise proved a failure, and Wallingford stands a monument of blasted hopes. It is now simply a little trading-point, with a score of houses, a store and a few shops. Keith, after having disposed of a few lots, sold the site and che adjoining farm to Noah Thayer, of Aurora, who still owns it.
VILLAGE OF WILTON CENTER.
Wilton Center was platted, originally, in 1860 ; but, subsequently, the plat was taken up and a new plat made in 1876. The plat consists of about forty cres, of which Jabez Harvey is principal proprietor. Its history is not greatly lissimilar, as to success, to its little rival at the other end of the grove. It con- ains two general stores, two wagon-shops, two churches, and dwellings and ther buildings in proportion. The population is about one hundred and fifty.
The M. E. Church was erected in 1866, and cost about $6,000. From the report to the Conference, we learn that its membership is 162.
Rev. A. H. Needham is the present Pastor, and John Crawford is Superin- endent of the Sunday school.
The Baptist Church was built in 1868. It is a neat frame building, capa- ole of accommodating about two hundred persons. The membership of this Church is forty seven, with Rev. O. C. Dickinson as Pastor and Superintend- ent of the Sunday school.
Both of the above denominations had held services here for many years prior to the erection of their houses of worship, holding meetings in the school- house and in private dwellings.
Lodge No. 640, I. O. O. F. was established at this place, June 15, 1877, with seven members, most of whom had belonged to Wilmington Lodge. Of the number named, A. J. Mills was N. G .; J. G. Thompson, V. G .; Henry Storch, Secretary ; and Jabez Harvey, Treasurer. The present membership is
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
thirty-three, the officers of which, with the substitution of Lorenz Reitz as V. G., and Charles Weber as Secretary, remain as at first constituted. Meetings are held on Saturday of each week.
MANHATTAN TOWNSHIP.
" A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," sang the bard of Strat- ford-on-Avon. This township was erst known as Trenton-a name bestowed by William Nelson, the first Supervisor after township organization. When Will County adopted township organization, there not being a sufficient number of voters in this to form a township, it and Greengarden were embraced in one, under the name of Trenton, after the town in which Mr. Nelson had resided in New York. In 1853, the population having sufficiently increased, the two towns were separated, and the name of Manhattan was proposed by John Young, Esq., the first Supervisor of this one, and no objection being made by Nelson, it was duly named for the island of the Knickerbockers, since which time it has been known as Manhattan Township, 34 north, Range 11 east. It is a beautiful undulating prairie, lying in gentle eminences, having much the appearance of the swell of the ocean after a storm has passed away. No timber breaks the monotony of the prairie, except Five-Mile Grove, and which com- prises less than a section of land. It is thoroughly an agricultural region, than which there is none better in Will County, with no towns or villages, or manu- factories to interfere with the farming interests. Its population, in 1870, was 922 souls.
The first settler in Manhattan Township was Orin Stevens, but of him little can now be learned further than that he had made a settlement at Five-Mile Grove. He was keeping a sort of tavern there when the next settlers came in, in 1834. The Perkinses were the next to settle after Stevens, and consisted of Ephraim Perkins and four sons, viz., Orin, Edward, Ephraim and Pliny Per- kins. They were from Trenton, N. Y., and Edward came out in June, 1834, and bought out the man Stevens. Where Stevens was from, when he settled at Five-Mile Grove, or what became of him after he sold out, are items of the township history lost in the things of the past. Edward Perkins was a single man when he first came to the settlement, but returned to New York in the Fall and married, and brought his young wife to the West. Jerrod Gage came about this time, and he and Perkins entered into partnership in the dairy busi- ness at Five-Mile Grove. The next Spring (1835), Perkins' father and brothers came out, and also Gage's father and his family. The elder Gage had been an extensive dairyman in "York State," and being an ardent admirer of Henry Clay, the "Sage of Ashland" and renowned Kentucky statesman, once made for him a mammoth cheese, and presented it to him during one of his cam- paigns. . When Edward Perkins returned from New York, after his marriage, he located for a time in Joliet, as noticed in that part of this work, and was
Harwillw BEECHER
THE LIANAGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
nterested with Dr. Bowen in his Addition to the city of Joliet. The elder Perkins and Gage are both long dead; Edward Perkins died in this township ; Orin went to California during the gold fever, and when about to start for ome, died ; Pliny and Ephraim Perkins, Jr., are both living still in this State, ut in what part our informant had forgotten. Hiram Harvey also settled at Five-Mile Grove, about 1835 or 1836, and was from the East, but what partic- lar State we were unable to learn, nor do we know what became of him. These few settlements around Five-Mile Grove seem to have been all that were hade in the township until a quite recent date, as compared to other portions f the county. As this little grove was the only timber in the town, and required a score or two of years for the people to find out that the prairies rere habitable, probably accounts for the long gap that occurred just here in he arrival of new-comers to this section, as the next we find coming in about 847 and 1850, and which we will now notice.
John Young came from New York City in 1849, and settled in this town- hip, where he remained until 1876, when he removed to Joliet. His son, Iansfield Young, a prosperous merchant of Joliet, married Miss Sarah Walker, aughter of Joseph Walker, of New York, who is said to have been a most miable and lovely woman, beloved by all who knew her. She died in 1876, nd he and his father (also a widower) now live together, the old and the oung bereaved ones forming a single family. Samuel Bowen and his two sons vere from the Quaker State of William Penn, and came also in 1849. Bowen ad first settled in Jackson Township, where he remained some time before com- ng to Manhattan. He has been dead some years. Bryan Gorivan and son ettled in the town in 1848. They were from Ould Ireland, the "blissed Gim f the Say," are still living, and are prosperous farmers of the community. Iartin Bergen was also from Ireland, and came to the country a poor man, but rent to work, and by industry and energy became the owner of about six hun- red acres of fine land, and amassed considerable other property ; was honored with office, and had been for some time School Treasurer of the township, when e suddenly decamped, and his business was found to be in rather a deranged ondition. His accounts as School Treasurer were short a thousand or two, ut so secured that nothing was lost. His neighbors, who speak of him in indly terms, seem to wonder at his going away when he apparently had suffi- ient property to liquidate all his liabilities. Freeman Gay came from the bleak hores of the Pine-Tree State, about 1847 or 1848, and settled in this neigh- orhood, where he remained a number of years, and finally removed into Jack- on Township. He is still living there, and is a wealthy farmer of that own.
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