USA > Illinois > Ogle County > The history of Ogle County, Illinois, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest, history of Illinois etc > Part 57
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The Oregon Mills, on the East Side, were built in 1861, by Mix, Sheets & Petrie, at a cost of $16,000, and were operated by them until January, 1878. Sheets and Petrie bought the Mix share in 1876. The mills are now being operated by Mr. Z. B. Sturtevent, formerly a prominent mill owner at Rock- ford. Mr. Sturtevent employs five men, and produces seventy-five barrels of flour a day. They have four run of stone, and all the necessary machinery, including that used in making the "new process" flour.
The Oregon Feed Mills were built in 1877-78, and are the property of C. D. Irvine. The mills are driven by water power, by means of a wire cable 600 feet in length. In addition to the feed-mill, there is a grist-mill attach- ment, turning lathe, circular saw, corn sheller, etc. In these enterprises, Mr. Irvine has laid the foundation for large and profitable works.
Cheese Factories .- In March, 1878, George A. Mix erected a two-story frame building, 32x48 feet, with engine house attached, 14x24 feet, and a making room 30x32 feet, for the purpose of manufacturing cheese. The sec- ond story of the main building, 30x46 feet, is used as a drying room. A ten-
* Since the above was written, on the morning of April 10th, 1878, the oat-meal mills were entirely consumed by fire. The loss was about $60,000, which was partially covered by insur- ance. The sudden death of this enterprise is a severe misfortune to the interests of Oregon, as it was in great prosperity and was one of the greatest features of the county seat.
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horse upright engine and boiler, carrying 120 pounds of steam, supplies the necessary power for the presses, steam for the vats, drying room, etc. The machinery is entirely new and was purchased at Elgin. This establishment is operated, in the main, on the co-operative plan, although milk is also bought by Mr. Mix, from such of the farmers of the vicinity as prefer to sell direct. The establishment gives employment to five men, and turns out fifty forty-pound cheeses every twenty-four hours. Mr. A. Vedder, late of Wisconsin, an ex- perienced cheese maker, is foreman and superintendent of the establishment. These works are located on Third street, near the Southwestern Oat Meal Mills.
The cheese and butter manufactory of Petrie & Jones is located in the old brewery building, on First street, a short distance below the bridge. The old building was abandoned, some years ago, as a beer-making establishment, and remained idle until March, 1878, when Petrie & Jones leased the premises and " reconstructed " the interior so as to adapt it to the business for which it is now employed. The steam and power necessary is furnished by a horizontal engine of five-horse power, and eight-horse boiler, of the Gregory pattern, that were purchased new in Chicago. The vats, presses and all the other appur- tenances are new and of the latest patterns. The establishment has a capacity for the consumption of 6,000 pounds of milk per day, when in full working order. At present, however, it is only turning out about 600 pounds of cheese and 120 pounds of butter per day of twenty-four hours. Richard Coster, late of De Kalb County, an experienced cheese and butter man, is in charge of the establishment. It is also conducted on the co-operative plan, but milk is pur- chased by Messrs. Petrie & Jones, when offered by the farmers.
Brick Works .- The brick yards of Wertz & Hallett are situated about one and a quarter miles north of the city. The manufacture of brick was com- menced at this place in 1872, and 500,000 were made the first year. They have manufactured, on an average, 250,000 to 300,000 each year since. They furnished the brick for the County Jail, the residence of H. A. Mix, Union Hall Block, and the dry goods store of Stanly Jones. They give employment during the Summer season to thirteen men.
Sinnissippi House .- This hotel, a three story brick structure, was erected in 1849 by Messrs. Mix (Henry A.) & Emmerson, at a first cost of about $8,000, and now belongs to the II. A. Mix estate, which is managed by Geo. P. Jacobs, Esq., attorney and counselor at law. The hotel is under the manage- ment of T. W. Mills.
BANKING.
During the Summer of 1870, Messrs. James C. Baird and William Miller opened a banking house under the firm name of Baird & Miller. Mr. Miller retired in a few months and was succeeded by James D. Lott, and the business was conducted under the firm name of Lott & Baird, until May, 1872, when the business was merged into the First National Bank of Oregon, with Daniel Etnyre, as President, and James D. Lott, Cashier. In 1874, Messrs. Lott & Baird sold their interest in the bank, after which it was conducted under the direction of William W. Bennett, President ; James V. Gale, Vice President, and Charles Schneider, Cashier. The paid-up capital of the bank is $50,000. The Board of Directors at this date (April, 1878), is composed of the following named gentlemen : Daniel Etnyre, James V. Gale, Isaac Rice, George P. Jacobs and William W. Bennett. Since the organization of the First National Bank, there has been paid, in local taxes, the sum of $3,833.67, and to the Govern- ment, $3,004.36, making a total of $6,738.03.
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In 1870, Jos. Wagner and Wm. Artz opened a banking office under the title of the Exchange Bank of Wagner & Artz. The business was continued until the Fall of 1873, when Wm. W. Bennett was admitted to the firm, and for about one year it was managed under the firm name of Wagner, Bennett & Artz. After the withdrawal of Mr. Bennett (in 1874), the old firm continued the business until 1876, when they closed up their businoss, paying every de- positor one hundred cents on the dollar, with a record of honorable banking.
IN MEMORIAM.
In closing the history of Oregon City, it is but justice to the dead and the living that especial mention should be made of John Phelps and Henry A. Mix, who contributed largely to its growth and prosperity. Mr. Phelps' death spread a deep gloom over the community, for he had been identified with this part of the country and its interests for nearly half a century. Ilis funeral took place at his residence on Good Friday, 1874. Military honors were accorded to the deceased, as a soldier of the war of 1812. The corpse was interred in the ceme- tery one mile above Oregon, laid out by Mr. Phelps, and in a lot selected by him when Oregon was in its infancy.
At a meeting of Old Settlers, held in Oregon, April 6th, 1874, James V. Gale was called to the chair, and Wm. J. Mix was appointed Secretary. On motion, the following was adopted as the sense of the meeting :
" WHEREAS, We recognize the fact that to the early settler and pioneer the present generation are indebted for their enjoyment of the greatest and best coun- try and land ever given to man, and who, with iron arm and will, fearlessly met all dangers, and suffered all privations and hardships incident to those who first open the road for civilization in the remote wilderness, which can be fully ap- preciated only by those who have experienced them ; and
" WHEREAS, Our numbers are fading away, link by link, we feel the bond of unity growing stronger among the few of us who are left ; and
" WHEREAS, In the death of our friend and brother pioneer, John Phelps, we feel that the keystone to a strong arch had become broken, we feel thankful to an all-wise Providence that we remain to bear testimony to his worth, his un- swerving fidelity to his manhood, his generous hospitality, his detestation of a mean or small act, his kindness to his friends, his tenderness and generosity as a husband, father and relative ; his embodiment of a greater share of those qual- ities of head and heart that command the respect of man than is usually alloted to any one person, all combine to command our warmest admiration and esteem, and stir within us the deepest notes of grief for the loss we have sustained, and of sympathy for the family circle which has suffered this sad bereavement. To the aged companion of his life we tender our heartfelt sympathy, and with her mingle the tear of sorrow. To the children and relatives who have been guided to the summit of the pathway of life by his counsel, we desire to express our grief for their loss, and bear testimony that we also feel that in their loss we also have met with a loss from the web of life which no living thread can replace; that our words of consolation come not from the lips only, but from the depths of the heart.
"Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings, signed by the President and Secretary, be sent to the family, and furnished to the Grange and Reporter, and other papers of the county be requested to copy.
"JAMES V. GALE, President. "WM. J. MIX, Secretary."
Tuesday morning, September 3, 1867, the people of Oregon were thrown into a state of wild excitement by the startling intelligence that Henry A. Mix,
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Esq., was lying dead under the unfinished bridge. He was last seen between the hours of eight and nine, the previous evening. The bridge was finished over three spans from the West Side, and plank stringers were lain over the other two. He had evidently been beyond the unfinished part and was returning on the stringers, and is supposed to have stumbled and fallen through the bridge. Coroner J. M. Sewell summoned a jury of inquest, who returned the following verdict :
STATE OF ILLINOIS, Lgs. Ogle County, - An inquisition, indented and taken for the people of the State of Illinois, at the Sinnissippi House, in the Town of Oregon, in said County and State, on the 3d day of September, A. D. 1867, before me, John M. Sewall. Coroner of said County, upon the view of the body of Heury A. Mix, then and there lying dead upon the oaths of James V. Gale, Chris- tian Lehman, D. Stout, A. W. Anstin, David Wertz, P. Barker, George A. Buckner, George W. Phelps, J. Cartwright, J. Sharp, G. Dwight, and M. L. Allen, good and lawful men of the said county, who, being duly sworn to inquire upon the part of the People of the State of Illinois, with all the circumstances attending the death of llenry A. Mix, and by whom the same was produced, and in what manner, and when and where the said Heury A. Mix came to his death, do say, upon their oaths, aforesaid, that the said Henry A. Mix was found lying dead, under the unfin- ished bridge, at Oregon, aforesaid, on the morning of the third day of September, A. D. 1867, with marks of violence upon his person-that the said Henry A. Mix was, at the time of his death, of the age of fifty-one years; and, as the jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths aforesaid, do say, that the said Henry A. Mix came to his death so aforesaid, from injuries received by acci- dently falling through said unfinished bridge while crossing the same in the night.
In witness whereof, we the said jurors, have hereunto subscribed our names the 3d day of September, 1867.
Signed, James V. Gale, Foreman ; Christian Lehman, G. W. Phelps, Perry Barker, David Wertz, M. L. Allen, John Sharp, James H. Cartwright, Daniel Stout, George M. Dwight, G. A. Buckner, Amos W. Austin.
J. M. SEWELL, Coroner.
On the same day (the 3d), a public meeting of the citizens of Oregon was held at the Court House for the purpose of expressing the sorrow of the com- munity for the sudden and unexpected death of Mr. Mix. James V. Gale was chosen Chairman, and Albert Woodcock, Secretary.
Mortimer W. Smith, Joseph Leaks, Dr. E. S. Potter, F. G. Petrie, C. Lehman, M. L. Ettinger, Geo. W. Hill, E. F. Dutcher and John Sharp were appointed a Committee on Resolutions. The committee reported a series of resolutions, among which were the following :
Resolved, That the distressing casualty which has made an amiable and Christian wife a widow, and children of hope and promise to be orphans. has fallen like a stunning blow upon the hearts and hopes of all-that it came when least expected-when most unwelcome-when the arm it has palsied was battling valiantly for the weal and prosperity of the community- when the heart it has silenced was beating high with the promised accomplishment of its most cherished purposes, and when the arduous labors of his life seemed ready to be crowned with a triumph that was to bless and elevate us all.
Resolved, That, in the life of the deceased, we recognize an exemplification of the truth that energy of character, integrity of purpose, and an unwavering confidence in the achievement of well directed toil are the means by which individual prosperity and usefulness are attained, and the only element of aggrandizement which communities can encourage.
Resolved, That our reliance, as a community, upon the mature judgment and sagacity of the deceased was not the result of weakness in ourselves, but of masterly executive qualities in him, which eminently fitted him to act a conspicuous part in all public enterprises and inspired his friends and co-workers with confidence in the wisdom of his connsels.
Resolved, That, while we are aware that the deceased was a kind and loving husband and father, we know also that he was a good neighbor, a faithful friend and a true hearted man- ever ready to listen to the complaints and sufferings of the poor, and never captivated nor turned aside by the vain show and blandishments of the world.
On the 9th of September, 1867, the following preamble and resolution, presented by Mr. Gale, were adopted by the County Board of Supervisors :
WHEREAS, We are in possession of the painful intelligence that Henry A. Mix, Esq., for many years the most enterprising and influential citizen of the county, has been suddenly removed from among us by the hand of death ; therefore,
Resolved, That in the decease of Mr. Mix the county of Ogle has sustained an irreparable loss ; that his thorough and conspicuous identification for the last twenty years with nearly all
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
our important public enterprises, his superior business qualifications, constantly being exerted nol only for the material advancement of the community, but also for the peaceful adjustment of difficulties among men ; his untiring energy, lis generous hospitality, his cordial friendship, his condescension to the poor, and, above all, the true democracy of his life, all being lost in his untimely death, has left a void which cannot be filled.
Notwithstanding the verdict of the Coroner's Jury and the resolutions of the citizens and County Board, there seems to have been those who expressed the opinion that Mr. Mix had been murdered. This rumor prevailed to such an extent that the leading citizens of Oregon felt called upon to publish the following card in the National Guard and other papers :
We, the undersigned, citizens of Oregon, and intimate friends of H. A. Mix, Esq., late of Oregon, deceased, look upon the efforts of some few of the citizens of this town to have the public believe Mr. Mix was murdered, with surprise and regret ; that such charge ia entirely unwarranted by the facts and circumstances attending his death, unjust toward the people of Oregon, and unworthy of belief by the public ; that we have not the least doubt that Mr. Mix came to his death by pure accidenl.
Signed, F. G Pelrie, Clerk of Circuit Court ; M L. Ettinger, County Treasurer ; James Webb, County Judge ; A. L. Ettinger, United States Collector; Albert Woodcock, County Clerk ; Fred. H. Marsh, Postmaster ; G. A. Bunker, M. D. ; C. F. Emerson, B. R. Wagner, G. M. Dwight, David Wertz, Elias Einyre, Jos. E. llitt, S. Wilson, and many others.
OREGON, September 23, 1867.
ROCHELLE.
For three years after the Black Hawk War, there was not a human habita- tion within the boundaries of Flagg Township. The virgin sod was yet unbroken, and the site of the city undisturbed by the hands of civilization. The wild whoop of the red hunter resounded over the prairies, and his arrows whistled in the wind, as he pursued his panting game. From the claim of the Aikens' in Washington Grove, to that of Brodie, on the east, it was a wild, unbroken solitude. The tall, rank prairie grass enveloped the whole landscape, and, withered by frosts, dried by the Autumn suns, it tempted the fire demon to roll his desolating billows over the land. An occasional band of Ottawas, or other Indians, encamped in Hickory Grove, as they 'journeyed north from the Illinois River to the Big Woods on the Kishwaukee and beyond. As late as 1845, their lodge poles were standing at the southwest corner of the grove, and the solitary trail wound its sinuous course among the trees.
The pioneer settlers seemed to seek the protection and company, if it may so be designated, of the groves, and not until 1835 did the prairie between Washington and Brodie's Groves begin to receive inhabitants. In that year, Jeptha Noe built the first house in the township, a log cabin, a story and a half high and covered with a stave roof. Mr. Noe did not enjoy the lonesome honor of being the sole inhabitant very long, for in the year following, William Coch- rane came west, passed through Hickory Grove and located near Mr. Noc. " Grandfather " Cochrane's family, at that time, consisted of six persons, namely, himself, wife, son Homer, afterward a doctor, daughter, Mrs. Lucy Lake (a widowed daughter), who married W. P. Flagg; her son Oscar M. and his daughter Julia Ann, who married A. S. Hoadley. Mr. Cochrane built quite a commodious log cabin, which was consequently used for religious wor- ship after the settlement enlarged. Hennepin, in Putnam County, was the point at which Mr. Cochrane usually purchased his supplies, and as there were no turnpikes and few bridges, in some seasons of the year it was absolutely impossible to make the long journey. Being out of provisions on one such occasion, his family were obliged to subsist on Indian corn ground in a hand mill. At another time, while Mr. Cochrane and his wife were at Hennepin, a freshet was induced by the regular January thaw, and while the rivers were
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swollen by the flood, it suddenly became very cold and thus formed a thick crust of ice over them. As the water began to pass away it left this shell of ice with- out support, and in crossing the Kyte, while returning home, the ice gave way, submerging Mr. and Mrs. Cochrane in the freezing water. Flour and other articles were also damaged, and with wet bodies and frozen clothing, it was miraculous that they reached home alive. Mr. Cochrane had two claims, and in order to hold both, he afterward built a cabin on the one he did not occupy, and sent two or three of his family there to occupy it. An old gentleman named Amos Hubbard then lived with him. John Ilayes also worked for Mr. Cochrane, chopping wood and cutting rails, at eight dollars a month. Mr. Hayes now has an elegant stone residence on his large farm near there.
In 1837, John Randall, with his family, consisting of his sons, George, John and James P., afterward a Justice of the Peace and a responsible citizen of Flagg Township, William P., Ira and Wesley, and three unmarried daughters, Sarah, Margaret and Mahala. The Randalls built a log cabin near the bridge on the main road, south, where they lived about one year. The following year, 1838, was marked by the advent of two men, who hold a deserved prominence in the history of this vicinity-Sheldon Bartholomew and Williard P. Flagg. They had been living in Ottawa ; came to Hickory Grove in the Fall and made overtures for the purchase of Mr. Randall's claim, which they procured for $1,500. Mr. Randall and family then moved to Jefferson Grove, as stated, where they purchased the claim of a Mr. Jarvis. Bartholomew and Flagg occupied the Randall cabin together for about one year, when, in 1839, Flagg got out logs, and, with the assistance of neighbors, raised a house for himself, near where J. T. Bird's house now stands, on the south side of Kyte River. Mr. Braiden tore down this cabin a few years ago, and replaced it with a new residence. The Randall claim extended on indefinitely both sides of the river and, in division, Flagg took all on the south, while Bartholomew took that on the north side of the river. In July, 1839, Mr. Flagg was married to Mrs. Lucy Lake, and with her son, Oscar, then about seven years old, she came down to Hickory Grove. Her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Cochrane, joined them about nine years later, when the " Grant " addition was made to his house, and here they remained until, at an advanced age, they were sum- moned to their long home.
In 1838, Hiram Leonard moved to Jefferson Grove, where he married Sarah, a daughter of John Randall, and where he still continues to reside. Mr. Leon- ard had moved, with his brother-in-law, George W. Rosecrans, and wife, to Washington Grove, in February, 1835, and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 36, Nashua Township. Mr. Leonard says that Charles, Richard and Thomas Aikens, and David Maxwell, settled there, on the east side of the grove, in the same Spring. Andrew Smith and Mr. Blackmar settled south, and, in the Fall, Dr. John Roe and family settled at Lighthouse Point. Dorson Rosecrans came during that Summer, and at his house the first Metho- dist sermons in that neighborhood were delivered to the settlers. William Howe soon became a settler at Jefferson Grove, and married Margaret Randall. He afterward moved away. The remainder of the Randall family, excepting William P., soon after moved to Wisconsin.
The year 1840 found a dozen or fifteen more settlers in what is now the township of Flagg.
Mr. Pembrook entered a farm down in the swamp region, near Brush Grove, and built a log cabin, but finding the land too moist for use he moved
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
just north of town on the farm now owned by Dr. Lane. His log cabin was a few rods back of Mr. Lane's house.
Josiah Steele lived in a log cabin near Kyte River, on the north road. He was a brother of George Steele, near Flagg Station, and his wife was subse- quently married to Mills Stewart. His three sons, Adolphus, William and Jo- seph, grew into manhood at Rochelle, and the former is now practicing law at Frankfort, N. Y.
Cummings Noe was a brother of the original pioneer, and held a claim near Jefferson Grove. He is now living at Twin Grove.
Job Rathbun, father of Beebe Rathbun, entered the Huntley place in the edge of Jefferson Grove, but sold it at a very early day.
The father of Bradley Wright moved with him to the west side of the same grove. Mr. Wright was afterward married to Miss Jerusha Rathbun, daughter of Benjamin Kathbun. IIe moved into Rochelle and died there in 1877.
Samuel Huntley and his son Asa located on the farm commenced by Job Rathbun, in the eastern edge of Jefferson Grove. Another son, Francis, settled near them.
Benjamin Rathbun was located west of the grove. His son Benjamin and mother lived there until their death, within a few years.
Paul Taylor and Nelson Hill settled in the vicinity of Randall's.
John Collier came to this country as early as 1836, but it was not until 1844, that he married and settled on his farm, which was in the northwest corner of the township. He now resides in Rochelle.
Constant N. Reynolds came to the township in 1840, at the solicitation of his friends, Flagg and Bartholomew. As he made the trip from Marseilles to Hickory Grove on foot, he was completely exhausted when he arrived and re- quired careful attention from his friends to recover his strength. His father, Searl, and brothers Davis, Tupper and Simeon soon followed, and all settled near and northwest of the present town. "Const.," as he was called, moved to Brush Grove, in 1849, building his house on the county line. He was thus enabled to claim citizenship in either Lee or Ogle County. He voted in this county until 1860, when he announced himself a citizen of Lee. He moved to Nebraska a few years since.
Simeon Chester and Mills Stewart came in 1843. The latter brought his father and mother, who died at his house. He was a prominent character in this vicinity, but afterward moved further West.
Harmon T. Minkler and Richard H. Beers took up claims in 1845, near Flagg's farm. The former erected the first frame dwelling within the township. The same house was occupied by him for many years and was then destroyed by fire. Mr. Beers married Miss Dolly Rathbun. Both Mr. Minkler and Mr. Beers still live on their farms in Flagg Township.
After these settlements, the inhabitants began to arrive so rapidly that a complete list cannot be attempted. Among them were Ira Overacker, now of Michigan ; Cornelius Dusenberry, Brinckley Pierce, Isaac and James Prindle, Samuel L. Bailey, Alanson D. Clarke, Sterling Blackman, C. B. Biggers, Samuel Airhart, Garrett Ackerson, George Steele, Thomas Fisher, Alexander, John and Angus Bain and Joseph Hall. William and John Fulton came at an early day ; the former entered into claim speculations, which he carried on quite actively. He died a few years ago at Rochelle, where John still resides. They built the house on the Lane farm, and sold it, in 1853, to Col. Brice. Elijah H. Blackman, Hiram Spaulding, Parley P. Hurd, Enoch Hoadley and his sons Alfred S., Sidney and Willard, came about the same time-Blackman
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