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 69
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The flames spread from the place they originated, across an eighteen-foot alley, east, to B. Kelsey's furniture store and dwelling above, leaving the occu- pants but little time to remove any goods. The flames then enwrapped the two buildings of Mr. Buck, one occupied by Barker & Stone, dry goods and gro- cery, below, Mr. Buck's residence above ; and the other by Mrs. Buck's millinery shop. Here the progress of the devouring fiend was arrested, but in the mean- ime it had sprung across the street three times, to Mr. Carter's building, and vas three times extinguished, but the flames were finally victorious, and naught could save the long line of buildings which lined this, the north, side of the street. Mr. Carter was a heavy loser, and but little was saved of Mrs. Carter's millinery stock. Underwood's law office vanished at the touch of the destroyer. His law library, thanks to G. Stires and others, was saved. Next went Pat- ick's building on the east, containing Mueller's boot and shoe store and resi- lence ; a part of his stock was saved. J. D. Blomquist received a hasty notice o clear the track, and his large stock of clothing was much damaged. Still the ierce flame rolled eastward, consuming Weigle's harness shop and Sanford's lour and feed store. The upper stories of these buildings were occupied by I. 3. Bickford's News office, M. S. Brown, barber shop, Dr. Hoadley, dental ffice. Here the fire was stayed in its course east. From Carter's building rest, the flames caught on the side of the brick fronted block, burning west- rard until it died from want of more material. The Times office first suc-
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY. 1
cumbed to its effects. Foss' barber shop, Artz' drug store, Spaulding's hall, R. B. Throop's dry goods and grocery store, Fish & Sanders grocery, all shared the same fate.
Ere the fire had spent its fury, the rain came down on the shelterless goods, damaging what the fire failed to consume and thieves did not carry away.
The fire was evidently the work of an incendiary, as no fire had been within twenty feet of the spot where it was first discovered, for a month. The unknown faces that flitted here and there, hovering over goods which were scattered promiscuously about, and the large quantity of goods missing, add additional evidence that it was a work of malice or plunder. George Kosier's hotel, on fire several times, was saved by the cool and determined work of him- self and friends, and afforded shelter for the homeless heads that night.
The following list of losses, compiled by the editor of the Byron Times, G. Wellington Hawks, can be relied upon as accurate : Thompson & Kennedy, drugs, etc., $3,200; insurance, $r,ooo. R. B. Throop, dry goods, $850; insur- ance, $3,000 ; received $807. Barker & Stone, dry goods, etc., $1,000; no in- surance. W. J. Sanford, $250; insurance, $300; received $210. G. F. Hoad- ley, $50; no insurance. Fish & Sanders, stock and building, $2,000; house- hold goods, $roo ; no insurance. M. S. Brown, barber, $18o. R. F. Watson, $150; insured, $200 ; received $69. H. J. Wing, building, $800; no insur- ance. M. Buck, millinery and household goods, $3,500 ; no insurance. Wm. Weigle, building and stock, $1,500; insured for and received $600. W. F. Artz, drugs, $650; building, $906; received $435 insurance. Mrs. Wilbur, household goods, $200. J. R. Sensor, clothing, etc., $1,600. Wm. H. Mix, building, $1,050 ; stock, $1,600; no insurance. George Eddy, building, $500; no insurance. James Tyler, building, $400; received $200 insurance. P. Carter, building, household goods, millinery, etc., $2,309.65 ; no insurance. J. Mueller, boots, shoes, stc., $600 ; no insurance. G. F. Foss, barber, $125. J. F. Spaulding, buildings, $6,000; no insurance. J. D. Blomquist, stock and tools, $400. G. W. Hawks, household goods and printing office, $1,600; insured for $300 ; received $263. Band instruments, $200. W. J. Hawthorn, $100. J. P. Wayland, $50. H. G. Stout, building, tools and household goods, $1,698; no insurance. Geo. Kosier's shop and stock, $100. B. Kelsey's building, household goods, stock, etc., $4,697.77; insurance, $1,600; George Patrick's two buildings, $3,400 ; insurance, $1,800. There was no insurance on property named unless so stated.
The footing up shows a total loss of $40,130.42; insurance, $6,160; adjusted losses, 5,702. From which it will be seen that the uncovered loss is the enormous sum of $34,428.42. Much assistance was tendered the unfortu- nate ones through a relief committee, composed of W. J. Bollinger, I. S. Knowl- ton, Geo. Walters, G. W. Hawks, Joseph Stone, J. S. Kosier, Wm. Weigle, Jno. T. Ray and E. A. Irvine. Many lost their all, and must again undergo the privations of starting their fortunes. Others were enabled to continue business -some through the aid of kind friends, and many buildings are already replac- ing those destroyed. Mr. Rogers built a small temporary bank building, and Barker & Stone occupy his building. Mr. Sensor, Mr. Throop and Mr. Mix re- opened in little buildings on Main Street. Fish & Sanders re-opened just east of Bollinger & Close's store. The first to build, after Mr. Rogers, was Wm. Weigle, who put up a small temporary harness shop until he could build a better one, which will be of stone, 221/2 by 50 feet, 20 feet high, on the old site.
Mr. James Sanford put up a flour and feed store near the corner of Second and Walnut, 16 by 30. Sherer's building on Walnut Street is 20 by 40, two stories high. P. Carter claimed a right to a representation in the process of re-building, and put up a building the same size and height as Sherer's, which is about done. Merchant & Bowles' livery barn, 36 by 80, 14 feet high, is a model barn, having stable room for eighteen horses, with a large sign, covering
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY
nearly the whole upper front, done by the sign painter, E. W. Thompson. J. F. Spalding wheeled into line, in putting up a building, 60 by 66, inside meas- ure. The first story is divided into three stores; two are 23 by 60, and the other 20 by 60 and 12 feet high. The upper story is divided to give three offices in front and a hall 40 by 66 and 17 feet high, which is reached by a broad stairway six feet wide. The roof will be of tin, and the walls will be covered with brick, thus making it nearly fire-proof. Mr. Spalding superin- tends the work himself. A. Morris, last Fall commenced what some called a big post-hole, on Walnut Street, 40 by 84, laying up the walls nine feet high, and things seemed to be in statu quo; but Clint. Morris, his son, let the job of put- ting up a two-story building, 40 by 84. The whole upper floor will be a hall 40 by 84, 16 feet high. The lower story will be divided into two
stores,_ 20 by 84, and 12 feet high. The roof will be of iron, and the sides covered with brick. The basement cellars are under the whole building, and nine feet high. J. S. Kosier does the work. J. Mueller built himself a neat shoe shop on Second Street, 18 by 26, and H. G. Stout a little shop on Union Street.
These buildings, with the two-story frame building to be built by B. Kel- sey, the double two-story stone building, 45 by 60 feet, 20 feet high, on the Stout lot, Second Street, which will be commenced soon, and a frame building by G. W. Hawks, 16 by 24, 12 feet high, with iron roof, on the corner of Wal- nut and Second Streets, will make Byron appear like her old self, and doubt- less encourage many others to follow in this live town.
The present business interests are represented by D. H. Campbell, Wm. H. Mix, Barker & Stone, and R. B. Throop, general merchants ; Bollinger & Close and Rood Brothers, hardware; Thompson & Kenney, drugs and gro- ceries; Wm. F. Artz, druggist and physician; J. R. Sensor, clothing, boots and shoes; J. D. Bloomquest, clothier and tailor; R. F. Watson and A. D. Chain, grocers ; L. C. Spoor, tinner ; J. W. Sanford, flour and feed ; - Wiard, jew- eler; E. Falker, artist ; J. I. Housewert, Merchant & Bowles, and Martin Brothers, liverymen ; N. J. Hewett and Henry Schneider, meat markets; John Mueller and H. G. Stout, boots and shoes; J. F. Foss, barber; Joseph Blount, Wm. Murray and J. P. Wayland, physicians; Mr. Faulkner and Mr. Hart, wagon makers; Mr. Sears, blacksmith; G. W. Hawks, editor Times; Junius Rogers, banker, established October, 1873 ; A. B. Knowlton, cashier and general partner ; D. U. Gravelin, Albion House; Geo. Goodale, hotel ; Mrs. Brindley, Pacific House ; J. F. Spaulding, Noble & Cole, and G. P. Roslind, stone quarries ; F. A. Wheelock and George Kosier, justices of the peace and conveyancers; M. H. Underwood and P. Carter, lawyers; and others.
Religious .- The first minister of the gospel, Rev. Mr. Abbott, passed through this vicinity in 1835, at which time a meeting was appointed at Mr. Norton's house. The next minister was Rev. Alexander Irvin, a local Metho- dist minister. Father Mckean was the first to establish societies. He offici- ated in forming the one at Byron, in the Winter of 1837. It had sixteen mem- bers, and held services in a log house which Perry Norton built, just north of Isaac Norton's house, in the Summer of 1836. This was used for preaching for two or three years, by the Methodist denomination.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, a small, yet substantial, stone structure, was built in 1855, and dedicated in the Fall of 1856. Rev. Barton H. Cart- wright, the pastor at that time, hauled all the stone, working zealously through rain or shine. Mr. Cartwright has been at Byron four different times, twice at a very early day and once since the erection of the church. Rev. Jewett pre- ceded Rev. Cartwright, at which time services were held in the school-house. We were unable to obtain a complete list of the pastors, but among them were : Revs. Wiley, Hutchins, Cross, Walker, Penfield, Dunbar, Lynn, Trowbridge, W. R. Hoadley, George S. Young, Benj. Close, Barton H. Cartwright and the pres- ent pastor, Rev. J. W. P. Jordon. There are at present about fifty members.
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY
Four years ago they built the two-story frame parsonage near the church. W. J. Bollinger is superintendent of the Sabbath-school.
The Congregational Church was formed in May, 1837, with eleven mem- bers, Rev. Morrell, of Rockford, officiating. Meetings were held at the house of Lucius Reed. Among its first members were David Holt, Lucius Reed and wife, L. O. Bryan, Luke Parsons, P. T. Kimball, Col. D. Brown, Mrs. Eleanor Mix. Rev. E. Brown, from North Hadley, Mass., took charge of the church in 1838, continuing nearly four years ; followed by George Gemmell, eight years; and he by R. M. Pearsons, about eight years ; he by E. Root, one year ; suc- ceeded by J. P. Stoddard in 1861, serving about ten years; temporary supplies for three years. August 1, 1874, L. C. Beckman commenced labor, and sup- plied three years. October 1, 1877, Rev. W. E. Holyoke commenced labor with the church. In 1846, the brick edifice now occupied by the church, 40 by 50, was erected, being the best one in the county at that time. Dedicated in August, 1847, Rev. Jonathan Blanchard, President of Knox College, officiating. Present membership, about eighty.
Rev. J. C. Beekman, formerly of the Congregational Church, holds religious services every Sunday and evening at the Reformed Club Room. Sabbath- school is also held at 12 M., every Sabbath.
The Baptist denomination have for several years had an organization at Byron, but are not now in circumstances to support a regular pastor. Until recently Rev. L. G. Carr preached in the M. E. Church in the afternoon of every other Sabbath.
Schools .- The first school-house was erected in the Winter of 1836-'7, by St. J. Mix, and school taught the Summer following, by Lydia A. Weldon, a sister of Mrs. Asa G. Spaulding, and afterwards the wife of Simon Spaulding. The house was located on the lot where now stands the Masonic Hall. It was afterwards torn away and a plaster house erected. This still remains as a por-) tion of the hall referred to, and still contains a branch of the public school, being taught by Miss Agnes Kendall. About twenty-seven years ago, a stock company built the present two-story brick school building, as the Byron Academy. In the same year it was erected, the first fair in Ogle County was held near there, the academy building being used as the exhibition hall. The date and incidents were destroyed in the recent fire, as, indeed, were a great many matters of interest, rendering the gathering of historical facts more diffi- cult. The public schools now held in this building are presided over by W. A. Reynolds; Assistants, Misses Ella Fisher and Cora F Wertz.
A. F. & A. M .- Byron Lodge, No. 274, was organized in the Fall of 1856, with seven charter members: Charles Wertz, W. M .; Chas. F. Lewis, S. W .; A. O. Campbell, Treasurer ; George Wertz, C. Conner, E. Lockwood and Mr. Goodell. J. P. Martin was made a member at the first regular meeting, and became Secretary. The society owns its hall, a frame building 28 by 46, of two stories. The present membership is about thirty-five. Meetings are held each Thursday on or before the full moon. The present officers are : J. C. Davis, W. M .; E. W. Thompson, S. W .; W. A. Grove, J. W .; J. R. Sensor, Treasurer ; G. Kosier, Secretary.
Temperance .- An Independent Order of Good Templars existed in Byron for many years, but was finally absorbed by the red ribbon movement.
The Byron Relormed Men's Club was organized in January, 1877, by J. H. Hoofstetler, of Sterling. They have a membership of twenty-eight, who are supposed to know, at least, "how it tastes,"-to use the words of an active member. Meetings are held every Saturday evening, over Hewitt's meat mar- ket, where they have a well-furnished room. The present officers are: Presi- dent, Dr. W. C. Murray ; Vice Presidents, R. Hart, James Cattanach and A. W. Hetrick ; Secretary, T. L. Johnson; Treasurer, W. J. Hawthorne.
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
The Byron Reform Club was organized about the same time, by the same gentleman. It includes all who desire to unite, and has a membership of about 350. President, G. W. Hawks; Secretary, Mrs. Hapgood.
It speaks well for Byron that its only saloon keeper is now serving a term in the county jail for violation of the liquor law.
The Old Settlers Association of Byron and vicinity was organized in August, 1876, at a meeting held in Spaulding's Hall. A basket picnic was held on the last day of that month, in Ercanbrach's Grove, at which there were about sixty members present. The officers elected were: President, Perry Norton ; Treas- urer, A. O. Campbell ; Secretary, Dr. W. F. Artz. The membership fee was fixed at fifty cents, the president and secretary having power to levy an assess- ment of fifteen cents per capita for the purpose of defraying expenses. There is no stated limit in the constitution or by-laws as to the time of residence in the county required to become a member. The proceedings and list of members were burned. Another picnic was held at Spaulding's Hall, on August 30, 1877, at which time speeches from old settlers, music and a grand basket dinner were the order of the day. It is contemplated to hold the third annual meeting and picnic at about the same time in this year. The same officers still preside.
The Soldiers' Monument .- In the Spring of 1866, a movement was agitated in Byron for the purpose of erecting a monument in that village in honor, and to the memory, of the brave patriots who fell during the war of the Rebellion. Accordingly, an executive committee was appointed, after the necessary funds had been raised by subscription, with power to complete the work. This com- mittee was composed of F. A. Smith, Silas Kidder, Wright C. Hall, Aquilla Spencer, A. T. Johnson, J. P. Smith, Dr. J. Blount, John S. Kosier and M. L. Seymour. They contracted for the monument with Heard and Lindsley, of Rochelle, for $950. The foundation, fence, etc., increased that amount to a total expenditure of nearly $1,400. The monument was completed and dedi- cated Oct. 18, 1866. It is located in the centre of the crossing of Chestnut and Second Streets, and the entire village and vicinity were present at the dedication. The address was made by Adjt. Gen. Allen C. Fuller.
The monument is of Rutland, Vermont, marble, twelve feet in height, sur- mounted by an eagle, rising for flight, made of the same material. It is situated on a stone base, which rests on a grassy mound, four feet in height; the whole being surrounded by a neat octagonal iron fence. On the plinth, which is 22/3 feet square, and 2 feet 2 inches high, are inscribed in sunken letters, on the northeast side, the following: " IN MEMORY OF THE PATRIOTIC BOYS OF BYRON, WHO FELL IN SUBDUING THE GREAT REBELLION-1861-1865." On the south- east side appears the following : " Edwin M. Elliott, J. C. Norton, Wm. Cattan- ach, M. D. Swan, F. Monroe Ayers, members of Co. B., 92d I. V. I." On the northwest side are the names : "Levi Crawford, Co. G., 44th I. V. I .; Stephen Kingsley, Co. D., 11th I. V. I .; Heman Coleson, Co. G., 44th I. V. I .; Zachariah Lake, Co. C., 65th I. V. I .; Perry Wilder, Co. E., 74th I. V. I." On the south- west side is the coat of arms, in carved figures of three inches depth.
Above the plinth is the die, 134 feet square, and 223 feet high ; its four faces bearing the following inscriptions, in raised letters : On the southwest side -" Capt. Hollis S. Hall, Co. E., 34th I. V. I., died Nov. 6, 1865 ; Marcus Bennett, Co. E., 34th I. V. I. ; J. G. Doughty, Co. E., 34th I. V. I .; Charles Brainard, Co. E., 34th I. V. I .; H. R. Kosier, Co. A., 48th I. V. I .; D. C. Wray, Co. I., 15th I. V. I." On the northwest side -- " Lieut. C. N. Woods, died July 31, 1863; Newel Kimball, Levi Wheeler, Wm. A. Robinson, R. B. Lawrence, Geo. W. Fisher, members of Co. F., 74th I. V. I." On the southeast side appear the following names : "Wm. F. Campbell, killed Oct. 3, 1864; E. R. Rice, Benj. Hetrick, John Hetrick, Dimmit McSherry, John Downs, G. J. A. O'Connor, members of Co. B., 92d I. V. I." On the northeast side are the names : " Joseph W. Sanford, Co. B., 140th I. V. I .; Daniel Vanston, Co. C., 12th I. V. C .; R. V. Jones, Co. C. ,
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
7th I. V. C .; Francis Herron, Co. B., 58th I. V. I .; E. Dennis, Co. F., 45th I. V. I .; Lieut. H. C. Cooling, Co. B., 92d I. V. I."
The die is surmounted by the octagonal spire, 114 feet square, and 5 feet Io inches high.
The monument is a proud ornament to the village, and indicates the noble sentiments, love and devotion to those whose names are thereon inscribed.
WVar Bounty Claims .- On February 2, 1865, at a town meeting held in Byron, immediately after the President's last call for men, Byron's quota being seventeen men, it was ordered that the township pay a bounty of $300 to each volunteer. There were enlisted under that call, Jeremiah Jordan, Wilson Hunt, Henry A. Smith, Robert A. Sanderson, A. B. Knowlton, and Samuel E. Parsons. A. T. Johnson, Supervisor, and J. S. Kosier, Collector, raised by subscription, as it was needed immediately, the amount of $4,215 as a town fund, and $3,000 as a county fund. With that amount the following eleven men were put into the service : G. B. Scudder, J. Freesman, D. Spencer, J. Bradley, J. Boop, A. W. Grover, C. F. Piper, F. M. Canfield, L. Olson, O. Shoemaker, and R. A. Mc- Name.
Money was paid for that purpose by the following persons : J. Love, R. H. and M. P. Bull, Robt. Bowie, $300 each; A. A. Johnson, J. Rood, Mr. Pres- ton, Wm. Wright, $200 each ; J. Ives, A. Woodburn, D. W. Linn, F. A. Smith, R. E. Bradshaw, J. Doughty, Wm. Lockwood, J. P. Smith for Mr. Hunt, and J. Roberts, $100 each ; A. T. Johnson, $400, for which these parties received county bonds bearing ten per cent interest. These moneys were paid March 10, 1865. The expenses amounted to $166.29, which was paid by voluntary subscription. On the 18th of March, 1865, a special election was held at which the township voted against paying the bounty, and after that time all moneys collected were given as a voluntary subscription. August 23, at a special meet- ing of the township auditors, the amount of $4,215 was allowed. That amount included the $1,800 due the six soldiers who first enlisted, and was extended upon the tax books and returned to the Collector for collection.
At a special town meeting, held October 12, which was gotten up by those opposed to paying the bounty, the following resolution was adopted by a vote of 83 to 1 :
That ' proceedings in Court of Equity be commenced and prosecuted on the part of the inhabitants of the Town of Byron, in order to arrest and annul the collection of any tax levied on the property of said town for the payment of any military town bounties, and that a committee be appointed by the Board, consisting of three persons, to superintend the conducting said suit, and that they take such legal advice and employ such counsel as they may consider will be proper in conducting the same, provided, however, that said suit shall not be commenced unless such committee shall, after proper legal advisement, consider that such suit will be likely to prevail to accomplish the object of the same.
As this committee, A. O. Campbell, F. A. Smith, and William Lockwood were appointed.
In December, 1865, this committee sued out an injunction to stop collection of the tax. The case was tried in Ogle County, and decision rendered against defendants ; was taken up to the Supreme Court on writ of error, and remanded for a new trial before Judge Heaton, who dissolved the injunction and the tax was paid.
The Press of Byron will be noted in a special chapter devoted to that im- portant subject. The Byron Times, edited and published by G. Wellington Hawks, is a feature of the village, which is well appreciated by the citizens, as its large and increasing list of readers indicates.
Byron has never been incorporated. The township officers are : Supervisor, L. B. Burch ; Town Clerk, M. H. Underwood ; Assessor, W. C. Hall; Collector, Moses Coolbaugh ; Commissioners of Highways, J. F. Spaulding, Adam Ha- maker and Henry Austin ; Justices of the Peace, George Kosier and F. A. Wheelock ; Constables, J. G. Bowles and Wm. C. Bunn. Postmaster, though not a township officer, is Silas St. John Mix.
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
CHANA.
Including a Sketch of Pine Rock Township.
The earliest settler in this township is said to be David Maxwell. He passed through this prairie in 1832, on his return from the battle of Stillman's Run, where he had gone with a Bloomington company, called McLain's Militia. He then was pleased with the fertile prairies of Ogle County. In 1835, with his brother-in-law, Samuel Aikens, of Franklin County, Ohio, he moved to Washington Grove. After locating their land, Mr. Aikens returned to Ohio, where he remained for two years, and then came back with his wife and others of the family, among whom were Dick, Charley and Tom, their parents, and a Ross family, connected by marriage. Of these, the three young men mentioned gained rather hard names, and will be referred to more especially in another place. The parents, youngest son (Samuel), and David Maxwell were respected as good citizens.
Mrs. Samuel Aikens is now living at Ashton, and her daughter, now Mrs. John Todd, is still living in Chana. The Aikens brothers kept the first black- smith shop and built a saw mill on a small stream, at Washington Grove.
In 1835, Aaron Paine made a claim at Paine's Point, and settled there with his family. Benjamin Boyce settled ncar him soon after, but, after making some improvements, sold out to George Taylor from New York. Mr. Taylor lived on the same farm till the time of his death. His son, Mason, now occu- pies the farm.
Mr. Paine sold out to the father of Augustus Austin, who now lives there. Mr. Paine afterwards moved to Ox Bow Prairie, in Putnam County and from there to Oregon Territory, leaving his family behind. In Oregon he became a member of the state legislature. Mr. Paine learned his letters after he was forty years of age, of John Whitaker, an early settler at Black Walnut Grove.
The first post-office was kept near Paine's Point, by Mrs. Thomas Stinson. Here, also, the first church, Lutheran, was built, about 1852. This church was of stone, and was replaced in 1874 by the present frame building. Rev. Mr. Hill, of Oregon, now preaches there occasionally. The post-office, and also a store, are now kept by John Kizer. In 1856, a commodious frame church was erected there by the Wesleyan Methodist denomination. About 1843, a school- house was built here, which was afterwards moved to another district, and the present frame school-house built.
Homan Morgan settled in White Oak Grove, south of Chana, in 1836. He had been a Baptist minister in Ohio. His oldest son, Lyman, built a grist mill on the Kyte River, and afterwards moved to Wisconsin, where he became known as the inventor of the Morgan water-wheel. His parents moved to Wis- consin and lived with him. Another son, Homan, still resides on section 25.
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