USA > Illinois > Woodford County > The Past and present of Woodford County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c.; a directory of its tax-payers; war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics etc > Part 27
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The village is in a flourishing condition, and has a population of about 1,000. It is ornamented with one of the handsomest parks, or public squares, we have ever seen in a country town. Its rows of beautiful trees, forest and ornamental, when clothed in all the glory of Summer luxuriance, render it a place almost enchanting. Somers' Hall and Phoenix Hall, the latter in Portman's elegant brick block, are large and commodious, and supply all the wants of the village for public gatherings, meetings, etc. The Court House is of the old style of architecture, and does not present a very ornamental or attractive appearance.
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
The first church edifice erected in the village of Metamora was the Episco- pal Church, in 1847. Rev. Ezra B. Kellogg was the first Pastor, and it was through his energies and activity in collecting and raising funds that the church was built. William Rockwell took the contract for the work, but died before the building was completed. The society was organized as soon as the church was finished, and consisted of abont twenty-five members. It has dwindled down to a few survivors; they have no regular preacher, but the society still exists. The church is a frame building, and cost about $2,000. Rev. Mr. Kellogg, the original founder of the church, died a few years ago, in San Fran- cisco.
The Congregational Church was built shortly after the Episcopal, and is of about the same style, cost and dimensions. Rev. Mr. Miles was the first minis- ter, and preached in the Court House until the completion of the church. The
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
society now numbers forty or fifty members, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Sloat.
The Christian Church was built about 1849-50, and dedicated by Rev. O. A. Burgess. The society was organized in 1845, and Rev. Henry Palmer was the first minister. The lot was donated to the society by the Hanover Com- pany, and deeded to it through its Trustee, Wm. H. Delph, who still holds the trust. It is a substantial frame edifice, 40x60 feet, and cost between $2,000 and $3,000. For several years past, it has been under the pastoral charge of Rev. R. H. Johnson, who recently removed to Iowa, since which time the soci- ety has been without a regular Pastor. It numbers at present about eighty members.
The Baptist Society was organized December 26, 1850, under the minis- terial care of Rev. A. B. Cramb. The church was built and opened for worship in 1854, and dedicated in November of same year. Rev. C. D. Mer- ritt was then Pastor. The building is of brick, is 34x44 feet in size, and cost $2,000. It was used for a short time by the Reformed Presbyterians ; who, however, seem to have early left the field to other denominations. The Baptist Society at present has about fifty members, and its Pastor is Rev. James Reed.
The Methodist Church was built in 1855, is a substantial brick, 36x48 feet, and cost about $2,300 without furniture. What time the society was organized we are unable to learn, but find from the records that it was " set off from the Washington Circuit in September, 1855; that Rev. John Luccock was the Pre- siding Elder, and Rev. S. R. Hardman (said to be as hard as his name), Pas- tor. It was dedicated in the early part of the Winter of 1855, by Rev. Mr. Bowles, of Chicago, and Rev. P. T. Rhodes, who succeeded Hardman as Pastor, upon the resignation of the latter gentleman. Rev. Father Hall, the veteran preacher, still living in Worth Township, was several years Pastor and Presid- ing Elder.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church was organized in the village of Meta- mora in 1863. Father Win. Deiters was the first regular Priest-in-charge. The church was built in 1864, and until the time of Father Dieters was supplied by one of the Redemptionist Fathers, from Chicago, who came out once a month and officiated. The order of Capuchin Monks, with Father Anthony Schur- mann, Superior, took charge of the church in the Summer of 1877, and at once commenced its enlargement, and the building of a monastery, in which a first- class school will be sustained. When the church is completed, it will be, by far, the finest in the county, and will cost not less than $25,000. A chime of three bells, in addition to the monastery bell, a large clock in the steeple are some of the ornaments. An organ has just been placed in the church, which cost $1,500, and is one of the best in the State. The edifice is to be finished, in every department, in the highest style of art, and should be a source of pride to the entire county.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
The first school house was built in the village of Metamora, some time pre- vious to 1850, but the exact date we have been unable to ascertain. It was paid for by private subscription, and hence there is no record of it, except in the minds of the old residents of the place. , The first schools were taught in the houses of the citizens for years before any school buildings were erected. The school house above alluded to, after being used for a number of years, was sold, and a substantial two-story brick erected in 1850. About ten years later, an addition was built to it. In 1872-3, it was destroyed by fire, when the present large and elegant brick was erected, at a cost of $8,000. It is one of the best adapted buildings in the county belonging to the common schools. The village supports a graded school, which is in the charge of Prof. J. E. Lamb, Principal, with a full corps of teachers, viz .: Misses Charlotte C. Blake, N. B. Sloan and Mary H. Bangs.
Metamora Lodge, No. 82, A., F. & A. M., was chartered October 8, 1850. The charter members were John L. Miller, William H. Delph, Evan Trunnel, J. Sickler, Amos A. Brown, Nathan Brown, J. Sherman and Parker Morse, Sr., with John L. Miller as first Master. Their original charter was signed by Wm. C. Hobbs, Grand Master, and W. B. Warren, Grand Secretary. In 1872, the hall was burned, and the Lodge lost their furniture, jewels, records and even their charter. Their charter was re-issued by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, under date of January 23, 1873, and is signed by James A. Hawley, Grand Master, and O. H. Miner, Grand Secretary. John L. MeGwire is at present Master, and J. B. Stitt, Secretary.
Woodford Chapter, No. 110, R. A. M., was organized in 1867, with Jas. D. Perry, the first High Priest. The present High Priest is Adino Page, and John L. McGwire, Secretary.
Metamora Council, No. 38, R. & S. M., was established in 1868, and Edward Kipp was the first T. .. I ... G ... M. Of late years, this branch of Ancient Craft Masonry has, in the State of Illinois, been merged into the Royal Arch Chapter, and no longer exists as a separate and distinct body.
STEAM MILLS.
The large steam flouring-mill is owned and was built by M. Tool, in 1868, and is a two-story frame building, with two run of burrs. It was built just after the war, when material was high, and cost about $10,000. It is the only mill in the township, and is constantly employed np to its full capacity.
The grain elevator now owned by Peter Schertz, was built in 1870. It is a strong frame building, 30x80 feet, cost $3,500, and holds 25,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Schertz handles grain extensively, mostly corn, and also deals largely in lumber.
BANKS.
The Metamora Bank was established in 1873, by James F. Earl. In 1875, it was purchased by John W. and Adino Page, who still own the institution and do a general banking business.
ferner. Whitwire Mg,
METAMORA
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Isaac Wikoff is likewise engaged in banking in addition to his business as druggist.
The village boasts of no large foundries, manufactories, wholesale houses, or machine shops, but the business is confined entirely to the retail branches of trade. There are three general stores, two drug stores, two hardware stores, two harness shops. Agricultural implements, grain, lumber, etc., etc., are fully represented.
The practicing physicians are Drs. J. S. & Z. H. Whitmire, and A. H. Kinnear.
The legal fraternity is well and ably represented in the following gentlemen "learned in the law :" Judge W. P. Brown, S. S. Page, L. F. Feilitzsch, Judge C. H. Chitty, Elijah Plank, W. L. Ellwood and Albert Rich.
OAKWOOD CEMETERY.
Of this beautiful little city of the dead, we have no language to adequately describe it. Situated on the high table land above Partridge Creek, and points of ground extending out fan-like in a large bend of the creek, with proper orna- mentation may be rendered beautiful beyond description. F. F. Briggs, the Superintendent, is beautifying the cemetery grounds as fast as the funds allotted to the purpose will allow, while many of the owners of lots are improving and ornamenting them in the most lovely manner. There are several very fine and costly monuments in the place, and lots, which are already handsomely improved.
" Here doth the yew her sable branches spread, And mouruful cypress rear her fringed head."
We have not space to particularize this lovely spot, but may add, that with the fine location, and the adaptability of the ground for a cemetery, with suffi- cient work and beautifying, it would not be surpassed in loveliness by even the more pretentious Graceland, Cave Hill or Greenwood.
The geological collection of Adino Page is one of the largest private collec- tions we have seen, and is mostly composed of specimens of geology. mineralogy and conchology found in this immediate vicinity. Mr. Page also has a number of ancient relics which are memorable, and of considerable historical interest. Among them we will mention only one old fife used in the Patriot army at the battle of Bunker Hill. At the celebration in Metamora on the Centennial 4th of July, the old fife was bought out by Mr. Page, and in the hands of William Lamson, the tunes of Yankee Doodle, Hail Columbia and the Star Spangled Banner rang ont as clear from the old centennial instrument as when it squeaked its shrill notes after the retreating squadrons of King George. John W. Page has also quite an elegant geological collection, but is more of a general character, and contains but few specimens common in Woodford County.
THE METAMORA LIBRARY
was established in 1857, and is larger than is usually found in a country town. It contains about 1,200 volumes of the standard works of the day, and is con- .
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
ducted on such a liberal scale as to give those in the most indigent circumstances a full share of its benefits. A share of four dollars, with one dollar a year dues, constitutes a membership, and with the revenue thus obtained, the society is con- stantly adding the most valuable books to their library.
SPRING BAY TOWNSHIP.
This little fragmentary scope of country, known as Township 27 north, Range 4 west, of the Third Principal Meridian, with a small corner of Town- ship 28 and with an area of scarcely a dozen miles, contains a history equal to any portion of Woodford County. These slopes and bluffs and ravines and belts of timber, where erst the lordly savage built his wigwam and his camp- fire, and roamed at will as the undisputed master, are rich in historical interest, and are entwined in legendary lore that will live in story after
،،
-the damp of death shall blight
The cheek's deep glow of red and white."
Long ere the white man dreamed of the beautiful lands stretching away toward the " golden sunset," the wild Indian viewed this wilderness as his own natural birthright and the hunting grounds of his kindred. For years and decades-aye, for centuries, indeed-his war whoop was the only music, save the song of the wild birds and the sighing of the winds that broke upon the quietude of the forest.
As the polishing hand of civilization sweeps over these towering hills, effacing the last lingering trace of the savage, it brings to light relics of an entirely dif- ferent race of people. The "Mound Builders," of whom so much has been conjectured and so little is definitely known, have left unmistakable traces here of a superior state of civilization to that of any of the tribes of North Ameri- can Indians found by the whites in possession of the country. In this, as well as in Partridge Township, many traces of the Mound Builders have been dis- covered, and those who have devoted much time and study to the investigation of the relics they have left behind them are confirmed in the opinion that they had reached quite an advanced state of civilization when conqured by the Indians, and were of a far less war-like character. More is said of this, how- ever, in another chapter.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
There is but little doubt that one of the first settlements made in Woodford County was in what is now known as Spring Bay Township. Among the first people who came here were the following: William Blanchard, George Kings- ton, John Stephenson, William Hoshor: Austin, Horace and Rowland Crocker; Charles Fielder, Jesse Day, Angus McQueen, Lewis and Richard Williams, a Mr. Donohue and his two sons, Allen and Thomas ; Isaac Phillips, where Belsley now lives : Jacob Wilson, Jefferson Hoshor, Joseph Belsley, Elzy and Sampson
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Bethard, Phineas and J. C. Shottenkirk, - Darby, Cyrus A. Genoways, George Sommers, William Barker; David Mathis. who kept the ferry at the "Narrows," near the present line between Woodford and Tazewell Counties. The history of many of these early pioneers has faded from the memory of those who still survive them, save the fact that they once knew them and that they once lived in this section.
William Blanchard, born in the town of Peru, Vt., came to Illinois in 1819. He was in the war of 1812, in the command of Gen. Brown, and was discharged from the United States Army at Detroit early in the year 1819, and, together with three others,* crossed over the country to Fort Wayne, Ind., where they purchased a canoe and hired it hauled nine miles to the extreme head waters of the Wabash River. In this frail bark they floated down the river to Vin- cennes, and from there went on foot over the old trail to St. Louis, where alone they could see a map of the lands given theni by the Government, for services in the army, and which were embraced in the military tract lying between the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers. Upon looking up the location of their lands, they found that they could not go on to them, owing to the hostility of the Indi- ans in that section at the time ; and arriving at Peoria (Fort Clarke), soon dis- covered that, for safety and protection, it was highly necessary that they should remain together. There was but one white family within sixty miles of Peoria, and to stray away from the protection of the fort would be highly imprudent, to say the least : and so, for the time their lands must remain to them useless and valueless property. The land allotted to Blanchard was on Crooked Creek, down toward the south end of the military tract. That of one of the Sargents was near Farmington, and is partly embraced in that town, while that of the other Sargent was eighteen miles east of Burlington, Iowa. in Illinois. Barnes' was located near Canton. As there seemed little probability then that they could open up their grants at an early day, Blanchard finally succeeded in sell- ing his, "for better or for worse," without ever seeing it.
On their arrival at Peoria, and learning the nnsettled state of the country, Blanchard crossed over the river, and raised a crop, consisting of corn, potatoes and pumpkins, which he cultivated with hoes alone. This was in the Summer of 1819, and opposite the present city of Peoria. In 1822, he built a cabin on what is called the Gibson place, now in Tazewell County, near the Wood- ford County line. This, he informed us, was the first cabin put np between here and Chicago; and, during the year, opened the first farm, with Henry Race, a young man he had engaged to help him. On this place-the oldest between Peoria and Chicago-he raised several crops, and which, like the one just noticed, he cultivated mostly with hoes, as horses had not yet been imported. In 1830, he settled on his present farm, in Spring Bay Township, where he has ever since resided. Like all the old settlers, the dreary picture of the " deep snow" is as vivid in his memory as if it had occurred within the
David Barnes, Theodore and Charles Sargents.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
last dozen years, and the sufferings and privations of the few scattered families will last as long as memory itself. It was full four feet deep, and the Indians, who were then plenty in the neighborhood, donned their snow-shoes as an aid to locomotion, and were of considerable help and assistance to the snowed-up settlers.
THE FIRST CABIN.
In the Fall of 1822, a man named Darby, with his wife and three children, came from Vermont, and arriving here just upon the verge of Winter, Mr. Blanchard took them in and kept them until Spring, at his cabin already men- tioned, when they went up and made a settlement and built a cabin on a part of what is now Crocker's farm, in Spring Bay Township. This was probably the first house built in this township, and is alluded to in another chapter as the first in Woodford County. This section of the county was deemed an unhealthy place at that early day, and many fell victims to the "grim mon- ster" before becoming accustomed to the climate. This family all sickened and died in a few years, but the youngest child, and she did not live to reach womanhood. Henry Race, the companion of Blanchard in his lonely settle- ment, married a grown daughter of Darby's, but she died in a few months after her bridal, and her husband followed soon after. Just here we may mention the fact, in connection with the first settlement of the township, the probable commencement of marriage and death. From the most reliable information to be obtained, it is believed that this unfortunate family had the first marriage, as well as the first death. The latter point, however, is questioned by some, who maintain that " old man Donohue," who died in the early part of 1824, or the latter part of the preceding year, was the first death in this section. Be that as it may, they all died within a short time of each other.
To trace the history of all these early settlers, after the lapse of so many years, would be to undertake a task impossible to accomplish. Of the many alluded to in the beginning of this chapter, some few are now living in other parts of the county, and are noticed in other pages of this work. A few are still living in the township, viz .: William Blanchard, Rowland Crocker, the Williamses, Joseph Belsley, Phineas Shottenkirk, C. A. Genoways and George Sommers. Of the others, except those who died here, if any are still living, all trace of them is lost.
The Crockers were from Columbia County, New York, and Austin, the eldest of the three brothers, came West as early as 1819-20. His first stop- ping place was in St. Louis, but he soon crossed over into Illinois, into what was then called the " American Bottom," where he remained some time, and for a while acted in the capacity of Deputy Sheriff. Afterward, followed the river for a time, boating between St. Louis and Fort Clarke (Peoria), and finally set- tled opposite the latter place, in what is now Tazewell County, and where he was living when his brother, Horace Crocker, came out, in 1824. In this year, they came up and settled on the present Crocker farm, in Spring Bay Town- ship, where Rowland, the youngest of the three brothers, and who came in the
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Fall of 1828, is now living. All that remained of the family came out with Rowland Crocker, and this farm, the opening of which commenced more than fifty years ago, has ever remained in possession of the family. Rowland and, perhaps, one sister, are all of the elder ones now living.
William Hoshor, one of the early settlers, and mentioned in the general county history, as well as in Worth Township, has always been a man of enter- prise in the community where he lived. He and his brother, Jefferson Hoshor, came from Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1830, and located at first in Missouri, opposite Warsaw, Ill., where they remained but a few months, when William came to this section and settled in what is now the township of Spring Bay. His first settlement was up near the bluff, but in a short time removed into the bottom and opened the splendid Hoshor farm, where one of his sons is now living. Mr. Hoshor, as before stated, has been a man of enterprise and amassed a considerable property, but, through his generosity toward others, has met some heavy losses. For several years past, he has been living in Worth Township, where exists more than one mark of improvement due to his energy and enterprise. Jeff. Hoshor, as he was familiarly called, settled in Spring Bay Township a few years after William, and died in 1872. His wife was a daughter of Esquire Benj. Williams, of Worth Township, and was noted far and near for her benevolent disposition and her kindness to the poor.
Joseph Belsley came from Nantes, France, in 1831, and settled in this township, where Isaac Phillips lived, a few miles below the village of Spring Bay. He began a poor man, and for years had many hard struggles with Dame Fortune, but in the end triumphed, and is to-day one of the wealthy men of the county. George Sommers, likewise, was from France. He came from the province of Lorraine, and settled in this township in 1836, where he still lives, an old man of 77 years of age, but vigorous and healthy, and labors on his farm every day.
Nicholas Heufling, another of the early settlers, was from Germany, and settled in Spring Bay Township in 1833, and where he lived until his deatlı, a few years ago. His two sons, Henry and Frederick, together with five hired hands, enlisted from the harvest field in one day, during the late war, in Com- pany F, Eighty-fifth Illinois Volunteers, and the old man gave them up to the service of his adopted country without one murmuring word.
Richard, Lewis and Jackson Williams, sons of Benj. Williams, of Worth Township, and mentioned in that chapter, were from Shelbyville, Ind., and came to Illinois with their father in 1829. For many years, the boys have been identified with this township. Richard owns a farm near Spring Bay village, and Lewis has made a fortune in the village, in merchandise, grain and pork packing. He and his brother Jackson own considerable landed property in Nebraska, where the latter resides.
C. A. Genoways, another of the old settlers still living, came from Cincin- nati, Ohio, in 1838, with his mother's family, his father having died in 1835.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Mrs. Genoways entered forty acres of land in this township, near the village of Spring Bay, and, in the Fall of 1838, returned to Cincinnati. . C. A. Genoways came back to their claim in 1840, and, after improving it, brought out his mother in 1842. She remained with him until her death, in 1856. Mr. Genoways is the present Supervisor of Spring Bay Township, an office he has filled for several terms, and was Constable for twenty-four years in succession. He is now living in the village, and has been in mercantile business for several years, but still owns the original homestead.
The Shottenkirks were from New York City. J. C. Shottenkirk eame to Illinois in 1835, and entered 160 aeres of land in this township, upon which he lived until a few years before his death, when he moved into Spring Bay village. He died in the Spring of 1872. Phineas Shottenkirk eame West in 1831, and stopped first at Rome, in Peoria County, Ill., but, at the instance of an old acquaintance, came over here and entered 160 acres of land, now embraced in the farm of Richard Williams. He afterward bought other lands in the river bottom, where he still lives, surrounded with all the comforts his years of toil have procured him. With fifty cents in his pocket when he arrived in this township, he went to work, and, to use his own words " had hard scratching for several years to provide for his family and pay for his land." His first season here, he cultivated corn and potatoes on the land upon which the village of Spring Bay now stands. He is in good circumstances, but his rapidly failing health proclaims the price he has paid for his possessions.
Angus McQueen came from the Highlands of Scotland in 1818, to New York City, where he remained until the Fall of 1835. Leaving his family in the Empire City, he made several trips back and forth to the great West, and finally, in 1837, brought them with him and located permanently in what is now Spring Bay Township, and on the place where Hawkins now lives. He bought his claim from one Elkana Husted (of whom nothing further could be obtained), which consisted of a quarter section, with a pre-emption right to two other " eighties," and to one of which he gave the right to a man named Hig- genbottom, whom he had induced to come West. But Higgenbottom soon sold it for $50, and went to Oregon. A daughter of Mr. McQueen's, Mrs. Harriet Hurlburt, now living in Spring Bay village, and a lady of fine intelligence, still retains many interesting reminiscenees of her early life in this section. She states that her first ride in Illinois was on a sled drawn by a pair of oxen ; and that never in the great metropolis and in an elegant carriage did she enjoy a ride so much as this. The tall prairie grass and the wild flowers abounding in plentiful profusion, as the oxen trampled them down and the sled crushed over them, yielded a perfume sweeter far than was ever borne on the balmy gales of the tropics. The wild crab apple and the wild plum added their fragrance, until one could almost imagine himself, without extravagance of feel- ing in the very fields of Eden. Often had she gathered blackberries, she in- formed us, and wild fruits on the land now occupied by the village of Spring
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