USA > Illinois > Lake County > The past and present of Lake County, Illinois, containing a history of the county a biographical directory war record early settlers statistics history of Illinois the Northwest etc., etc > Part 29
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The first members of the church were as follows : Samuel F. Miller, Mrs. Charlotte H. Miller, Charles H. Quinlan, Mrs. Ruth E. Quinlan, James Anderson, James H. Wright, Mrs. Eunice Wright, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Bald- win, Harvey L. House, Mrs. Jessie House, Hugh Samuel, Mrs. Elizabeth Samuel, Miss Elizabeth Disencamper, Miss Mary Lynch, Mrs. Sarah B. Hickey.
Divine worship was held for the first three years of its history in the chapel of the Academy. Rev. Wm. C. Dickinson assumed the duties of Acting Pas- tor, October 2, 1859. This relation continued until July 13, 1862, when Rev. A. H. Post became the stated supply for one year. July 19, 1863, Rev. Wm. C. Dickinson resumed his connection with the church as stated supply, and in the Spring of 1864, accepted a call to become in form its Pastor, and w: s duly installed May 10 of the same year.
In July, 1862, the Chapel (in size thirty feet by sixty) now occupied by the church was opened for divine worship.
' Rev. Mr. Dickinson was dismissed as Pastor in June, 1867. In June, 1868, Rev. James H. Taylor became Pastor, and dismissed, at his own request, June, 1875. Rev. Wm. R. Brown became Pastor, October 1, 1877, and is the present Pastor.
There was a Catholic building, of logs, in this town, built near Wm. Dwyer's, about 1839. It was abandoned about 1845. There is now a very fine Catholic church edifice at Lake Forest, built in 1875. There is also a Catholic church in the southwest part of this town, a very fine brick building. This super- seded a church building of logs, built in 1839, near Michael Yores', in what is now the town of Deerfield.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church of Lake Forest was organized in 1866 by Elder J. B. Dawson, minister in charge. This church grew out of a Sunday School which was organized in 1865 by Mrs. H. M. Thompson and Miss Webster, and was held in the brick school house with four scholars.
The church was organized by electing Alexander Marshall and Siman W. Smith Trustees. Charles Taylor was first class leader. This church is con- nected with the Conference of the A. M. E. Church of the State of Illinois.
Their house of worship was erected in 1870, and dedicated in 1875, and cost $900. The present Board of Trustees are Peter Williams, Samuel Dent and Smith Hayes. The Stewards are Samuel Dent, Henry Burr and Henry McIntosh. The present Pastor is Aaron Perkins.
There is a good Sunday School, with about twenty scholars.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Lake Bluff, otherwise known as the Lake Bluff Camp Meeting enterprise. is situated in this township, on Lake Michigan, a short distance north of Lake Forest, east of Rockland Station, on the Northwestern Railroad. A plat of this place was laid out and completed February 24, 1877.
Like Lake Forest, the native trees on the ground have been preserved, and the place has been rendered very attractive by its rustic bridges and winding avenues. It is designed not only for religious camp meetings, but, as Mr. Thatcher, President of the Association, expresses it, as a place of "summer resort, similar in character to Martha's Vineyard and Ocean Grove, where, without the expense and weariness of a long journey, rest and change may be found."
The place is the property of an organized association known as the " Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Association of the Methodist EpiscopalChurch." The officers of the association are as follows : Solomon Thatcher, Jr., President, Thatcher Park, Ill .; Hon. D. N. Cooley, Vice President, Dubuque, Iowa ; S. A. Kean, Treasurer, 100 Washington street, Chicago; Rev. C. G. Truesdell. Secretary, 51 La Salle street, Chicago; Rev. Robert D. Sheppard, Cor- responding Secretary, 1023 West Monroe street, Chicago.
TOWNSHIP OF VERNON.
This as a Congressional Township is known as Township 43, north Range 11 east.
Much that pertains to the early history of this town has already been given under the head of the county at large. To dwell thereon here, at any very con- siderable length, would be but a repetition of what has already been said.
Among the early settlers of this town were Capt. Daniel Wright, Asahel Talcott, Clark Knights, William Easton, Seth Washburn, John Herrick, John and Robert Easton, Theron Parsons, Hiram Kennicott, Mathias Mason, Andrew S. Wells, Elisha Gridley, John A. Mills, Rufus Soules, R. E. and J. M. Wash- burn, James Chambers, Alonzo Cook, Henry Wells, John Gridley, Thomas Bradwell, Wm. Wigham and Moses Putney.
In this portion of the country was commenced the first settlement of the county ; hence, as a general thing, the first occurrences of every kind arising in human affairs transpired in what now comprises this township.
Here, in 1834, was built the first habitation, by Capt. Daniel Wright. Here occurred the first marriage and the first death. Here, in 1835, settled the first lawyer, Hiram Kennicott, who was also the first Justice of the Peace. Here also was built the first saw-mill and sawed the first lumber, and here was erected the first framed building, or building constructed of sawed material. Here was established the first Post Office and the first store of goods, and here was taught the first school. With most of these first occurrences is associated
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
the name of Hiram Kennicott. He was the first lawyer in the county, the first Justice of the Peace, married the first couple, tried the first law-suit, built the first saw-mill, opened the first store of goods and built the first framed building in the county, all of which occurred in this town. It may be added that the first election in what is now Lake County was held at the house of Hiram Ken- nicott, in this town.
There was a warm contest among the inhabitants in adopting a name for this town. The petitions and communications to the Commissioners having the matter in charge, on the subject, were quite numerous. Many of the inhabit- ants at that time being from Rome, in the State of New York, desired that name as the name of the town, and so expressed their wishes by petition, and at a public meeting. This was opposed by others, who came from some other locality. The name of Half Day was urged by many of the older inhabitants who had became attached to that name from early associations. This was opposed by others, partly because it was not deemed a very appropriate name, and because no satisfactory account could be given of its origin. The com- missioners finally disregarded all the names proposed, and selected the name of Vernon, from Mt. Vernon, the home of Washington.
Of the early settlers of this town, Matthias Mason, the first County Treas- urer, still survives, and remains a resident here. He came to Chicago about the year 1833, and there worked at blacksmithing until he came to this county. It is remembered that in the Spring of 1835, he had his shop-a log building-on the corner of Lake and Dearborn streets, opposite the Tremont House.
Elisha Gridley, one of the early settlers of this town, came here when quite young. He is still a resident of the town. He has served several terms as Supervisor of the town, and has been a Representative in the Legislature.
The first town meeting in this town, under township organization, was held at Half Day Village, on the first Tuesday in April, 1850. Matthias Mason presided as Moderator, and Robert M. Hamilton acted as Clerk. The follow- ing persons were elected as the first town officers: Capt. James Moore, Super- visor ; Orange Brace, Town Clerk ; Philander Stewart, Justice of the Peace ; Elisha Gridley, Assessor ; H. H. Hawkes, Job W. Tripp and Irwin Ruth, Commissioners of Highways ; J. W. Ayres, Constable and Collector ; Robert Hamilton, Overseer of the Poor.
The assessed value of property in this township for the year 1850 was $110,418.00; the amount of tax computed on the same was $1,368.08.
The total assessed value of property for 1877 was $393,173.00.
The Methodist Episcopal Church commenced work in this town at an early day. About the year 1837, a class was formed at Half Day, of which William Hamilton was Leader, and Joseph E. Kennicott, Steward. Some of the mem- bers of this class were as follows : David Hamilton and wife, Mary A. Hamil- ton, Andrew S. Wells and wife, Mrs. John Gridley and her daughters, Eliza-
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
beth and Mary A. Gridley, Hiram Parsons, Warren Sprague and Elbert How- ard and wife.
The Congregational Church of Half Day was organized November 20, 1841. Rev. Elbridge G. Howe was the first minister. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph H. Payne in January following.
The names of members at the time of the organization were : Joshua Pelton and wife, Susanna Pelton; Sarah Hawkes, Joshua Pelton, Jr., and wife, Esther Pelton ; Thomas Pelton, Levi Walker, Jane B. Walker, Lyman Wilmot, Clarissa Wilmot, Jesse Wilmot, Luther Farnham, Mary Cook, Silas Stevens, Selina Stevens.
The building of a house of worship was commenced at Half Day in 1844, and completed in a year or two thereafter.
The Presbyterian Church was organized April 24, 1870, by J. H. Trow- bridge, from Chicago. Number of members, 22. The present minister is Rev. S. R. Dale. The present church building at Half Day was built in 1876.
The Evangelical Association was organized at Long Grove about 1845. Rev. C. Kopp was the first minister. The first members were as follows :
Christian Erb, Sr., and wife; Martin Fehlman, Sr., and wife ; Henry Knopf and wife ; Adam Knopf and wife ; John Knedles and wife, and four daughters and one son, Harrison ; James Morse and wife.
A house of worship was built in 1860. The present minister is Henry Muir. Number of members, about 45.
The Lutheran Protestant United Congregation at Long Grove was organized in 1847. The first regular appointed minister was Mr. Simon Damsen ; before him Mr. Francis A. Hoffmann, formerly banker in Chicago, preached there a few times. The first members were :
Jacob Clump, Philip Schmitz, John Goswiller, Martin Goswiller, Caspar Seigwalt, Jacob Link, Jacob Barbross, Jacob Schnaibele, John Heller, David Hans, George Ruth, Henry Sandman, Frederick Wickersheim, John Leinhardt, Adam Degen, Jacob Muir, John Bent, Henry Knigze, Henry Auckermann.
A house of worship was built in 1848. Present number of members, about 110.
The St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church was formed at Buffalo Grove in this town, in 1848. Rev. Mr. Fordmann was the first Priest. This church is near the county line, and a portion of the members live in Cook County. There were at first about 10 members; now about 450. The present Priest is Rev. Joseph W. Goebbels. A church edifice was built in 1852, and destroyed by fire in 1854. It was rebuilt in 1856.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
TOWNSHIP OF WARREN.
This, as a Congressional Township, is known as Township 45, north Range 11 east.
The first settlement of this town was commenced in 1835, in the vicinity of the Des Plaines River. Much of the early history of this town is a part of the general history of the county, which is hereinbefore related under the head of the county at large.
Among the early settlers were Samuel Brookes, Thomas McClure, Amos Bennett, L. W. Craig, Ezekiel Boyland, Leonard Gage, George Gage, George A. Drury, Avery Esty, Moses Esty, William Lovejoy, Abram Marsh, William Ladd, George A. Drury, Willard Jones, Orange Smith, Orlin B. Smith, David Gilmore and Amaziah Smith.
The name of this town was given by the Commissioners in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants as expressed at a public meeting called for that purpose, a copy of the proceedings of which is here given, as best showing the circumstances attending the selection of the name :
"At a meeting held pursuant to notice, at the school house in School District Number One, Township Forty-five, Range Eleven (11) east, third principal meridian, for the purpose of selecting a name for said town, Amos Wright was chosen Chairman, and Phillip Blanchard, Secretary. The meeting being or- ganized, it was resolved that the name that should receive the highest number of votes should be the name for said town as the first choice, and that six names should be selected as the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth choice.
"The meeting then proceeded to vote for names, whereupon the name of Warren was chosen as the first choice, Leroy was chosen as the second choice, Milton was chosen as the third choice, Lebanon was chosen as the fourth choice, Genesee as the fifth choice, Hudson as the sixth choice. Motioned and carried that Asa Pratt convey the proceedings of this meeting to the Commissioners."
Amos Wright and Alexander Druse, who lived in the western part of the township, were from the town of Warren, in Herkimer County, in the State of New York. They were solid in their demand for this name. Mr. Druse was an old-fashioned man, of comprehension and ideas in proportion to the advan- tages of his surroundings. He had spent most of his days in the town of War- ren, from which he emigrated, seldom going beyond its limits during the time. To him, the town of Warren was nearly the whole world, and its name pos- sessed a peculiar charm. He canvassed the township in the interest of this name with as much zeal as if the destiny of the country had been at stake.
It will be noticed that the name was carried in the meeting, not by a ma- jority vote, but through the ingenious plan devised in determining the result,
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
it being agreed beforehand that the highest out of six names voted for should be taken as the choice of the meeting.
The town of Warren, in the State of New York, was so named in honor of Gen. Joseph Warren, who fell at the Battle of Bunker Hill, in the beginning of the American Revolution.
Ancient mounds are found in this town, along the Des Plaines River, like those alluded to in Newport and Wauconda.
The first school house in this town was built about 1838, a log building, in the northern part of the town, near where Peter Strang now lives. James Alvoid taught the first school in town in this house, about the year aforesaid.
This township was the home, in early days, of three individuals who are remembered for occurrences attending each. It was the home of William Love- joy, who drove the first mail stage through the county, between Chicago and Milwaukee; of Ezekiel Boyland, who was the first man in the county on whom judicial process was ever served, as has before been related ; and of Amos Ben- nett, a colored man, who declared on a certain occasion that he was " the first white man that ever planted corn in Lake County."
The first town meeting held in this town, under township organization, was convened at the school house, near the O'Plain House, on the first Tues- day in April, 1850. Nathaniel Vose, Esq., was chosen Moderator, and Ben- jamin Schauber, Clerk. The following persons were elected the first town officers : Havelia Whitney, Supervisor ; Benjamin Schauber, Town Clerk ; Nathaniel Vose, Jr., Assessor ; George A. Drury, Overseer of the Poor; Levi Stafford, Collector; A. M. Pearsons, Alfred D. Whitmore and Marcus S. Marsh, Commissioners of Highways ; Philip Blanchard and Havelia Whitney, Justices of the Peace.
In 1850, at the beginning of the township organization, this town, in point of wealth, ranked the second in the county.
The assessed value of property for the year 1850, including both real and personal, was $114,989. The amount of tax computed on the same for collec- tion was $1,932.16.
The total assessed value of property for 1877 was $304,612.
The first religious meetings in this township were held in the school house in the northern part of the township, before mentioned.
About twenty years ago, the Disciples organized a society in this town, and have since held their meetings for worship in the school house, at the Aux Plaines bridge.
In January, 1877, a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at Stafford's school house, under direction of Rev. A. Wakeman, of Evanston. comprising about seventeen members.
There is a prosperous Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry in this town, who have a commodious hall, built about two years ago, at what is known as Whitmore's Corners.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
TOWNSHIP OF WAUCONDA.
Wauconda is one of those fractional townships upon the west line of the county. It is bounded upon the north by Goodale ; on the east by Fremont ; on the south by Cuba, and on the west by McHenry County. As a Congres- sional township it is known as Township 44, north Range 9 east.
Among the early settlers were Justus Bangs, Elisha Hubbard, Mark Bangs, Peter Mills, A. J. Seeber, D. H. Sherman, John C. Wooster, Daniel Martin, W. H. Hawkins, Thomas F. Slocum, Stephen Rice and R. R. Crosby.
The township is watered by Bangs' Lake, Slocum's Lake and two or three small ponds not named. Bangs' Lake takes its name from Justus Bangs, Esq., who was the first settler in the vicinity, and Slocum's Lake from Thomas F. Slocum, who was likewise an early settler in that vicinity. The lands were originally mostly woodlands and oak openings. It has, however, a small prairie, formerly known to some extent as Rice's Prairie, lying immediately south of the village of Volo, containing an area of about 600 acres.
From the abundant supply of timber in this township, it has become quite thickly settled, the population being made up of an intelligent and industrious class of farmers. It has two very flourishing villages-Wauconda and Volo. The former is located in the south part of the township, upon the west side of Bangs' Lake, on the Chicago and McHenry road. The latter is located in the north part of the town, upon the route of the old Lake and McHenry plank road. It affords two stores, a hotel, and such mechanics as are usually found in like country villages.
Limestone is found in abundance in the vicinity of Volo, and the burning of lime at this place has been a source of considerable profit to individuals who have engaged in the business.
The village of Volo was originally called Forksville, from its being situated at the forks of the McHenry and Chicago and Little Fort roads. Before any house was built here, this spot became known as the Forks.
Justus Bangs built the first house in what is now the town of Wauconda, in 1836, on the bank of the lake which thereafter became known as Bangs' Lake. The first school in this township was taught by Mrs. Euphemia Valentine, in the Fall of 1839, in a house built for purposes of a school by R. R. Crosby and E. S. Johonnott, in the northeast part of the town, on Section 1.
A Post Office was established in this township, before the village of Wau- conda was commenced, at Slocum's Lake, called Cornelia. After the village of Wauconda commenced to grow up, the office at Cornelia was discontinued, and an office was established at Wauconda. The name of Wauconda was selected, it is said, by a young man, then a school teacher at that place, who had been reading an Indian story wherein this name occurred, and to which he for some reason took a strong fancy.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
The name of Wauconda was given to the township by the Commissioners, in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants as expressed by a petition to the Commissioners, unanimously signed, and to which there was no remon- strance, in the following words :
" We, the inhabitants of Township 44, Range 9, in the county of Lake, solicit your consideration to the propriety of selecting the name of Wauconda for the above township, it being the name of the most important post office in said town."
The first town meeting held in this town under the township organization was convened at the village of Wauconda, on the first Tuesday in April, 1850. Jonathan Wood was chosen Moderator, and La Fayette Mills acted as Clerk. The following persons were elected as town officers :
Peter Mills, Supervisor ; La Fayette Mills, Town Clerk ; James S. Davis, Assessor ; E. L. Huson, Collector; A. J. Seeber, Andrew Cook and J. T. Mc- Kinney, Commissioners of Highways; Hazard Green and J. H. Wesscher, Justices of the Peace ; E. L. Huson and Seth Hill, Constables.
The assessed value of property for the year 1850, including both real and personal, was $61,907.00. The amount of tax computed on the same was $827.18. The total assessed value of property for 1877 was $252,631.
Ancient mounds, the repository of human bones, were formerly visible in various parts of this township. One of these remained for some time undis- turbed, in the central portion of the village of Wauconda.
In 1856, an association was organized for building and conducting an academy in the village of Wauconda, who procured a lot and erected a very commodious building for that purpose. In 1857, the association became incorporated by a special act of the Legislature, procured through the exertions of Hon. W. M. Burbank, then the Representative from Lake County. The following persons were chosen as Trustees : Justus Bangs, Andrew Cooke, Thomas F. Slocum, J. R. Wells and Dr. W. M. Burbank, who employed Benton Rogers as prin- cipal teacher. The institution continued in successful operation for about ten years, when it was discontinued and the building was rented to the district for a public school.
Mr. H. B. Burritt, an enterprising citizen of the place, becoming one of the District Directors, urged the propriety of a purchase of this building by the dis- trict and making it a graded school. In the Spring of 1871, it was accordingly purchased by the district, and thoroughly repaired, and has since been used for a graded school, accommodating a large number of scholars from other townships and adjoining counties. Prof. C. A. Allen is the present principal teacher, whose reputation as a teacher is of the first order.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Wauconda was organized Septem- ber 3, 1853, under the direction of Rev. Charles French, preacher in charge. The following persons were chosen as the first Trustees, viz. : Cyrus Bowen. Richard Bonner, Nathan Wells, Lewis H. Todd and Charles Fletcher. The
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
first minister was Rev. Robt. Beattie. A house of worship was built at Wau- conda in the Fall and Winter of 1855-6. The present Trustees are Richard Bonner, L. H. Todd and George Hubbard.
A church edifice of the Roman Catholic Church is being built at the village of Wauconda, and will be completed and dedicated in November, 1877. It is a fine, commodious building. The Trustees are James Murry, Chas. Davlin, Felix Givens, Hugh Davlin and Owen McMahon.
The first Baptist Church organization of Wauconda was in the Fall of 1838, by Elder Joel Wheeler of McHenry. Meetings were held at the house of Mark Bangs, at Wauconda, and Zebina Ford's, two and one-half miles east of Wauconda, until 1856, when the church called the Methodist Church was built in common by all sects, and occupied by the Methodists and Baptists on each alternate Sabbath, until February 28, 1870, when the Baptist Church and Society reorganized and elected a Board of Trustees, consisting of G. R. Wells, A. P. Werden, Thos. Rawson, H. B. Burritt and A. C. Bangs; and in the Summer following, built a church, at a cost of about $5,500, which was dedicated on the 20th of October, 1870, free of debt-Rev. G. L. Brooks, Pastor from 1855 up to 1874.
The house of worhip of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Volo, in this township, was built in 1872. The present Trustees are John Gale, Ambrose Wrought, Albert Wrought, B. T. Huson and D. C. Townsend.
There is also at Volo a German Catholic Church building, which was first built about 1869. It was destroyed by fire before it was completely finished, and afterward rebuilt.
The village of Wauconda became incorporated as a municipal incorporation, under the general laws of the State, August 18, 1877. The following were elected the first Trustees: J. A. Hubbard, Robert Harrison, Daniel Oaks, Peter Johnson, A. C. Bangs and P. S. Swenson. The following were chosen officers for the ensuing year : President, Robert Harrison ; Clerk, A. Calkins ; Street Commisioner, Stebbins Ford ; Constable, Henry Golding.
The population of the village is about 325. The plat of the village was laid out February 6, 1850. Its business and growth have continued to advance, year after year, until it has become one of the most flourishing villages in the county.
TOWNSHIP OF WAUKEGAN.
This township lies upon Lake Michigan, and is known as Township 45, north Range 12 east. The most important share of the early history of this township is comprised in that of the county at large, which has already been given. To avoid repetition, so much only will be given here as was not prop- erly included under the head of the county at large.
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Among the early settlers of this township, before the city of Waukegan had a beginning, were Thomas Jenkins, Samuel Pellifant, Charles S. Cary, James G. Cary, Elmsley Sunderlin, Peleg Sunderlin, Paul Kingston, James B. Gor- ton, Henry Knapp, Hezekiah Bryant, D. S. Dewey, Dr. David Cory, Burleigh Hunt, Daniel Walters, Cornelius Veiley, Edward Snyder, Erastus Blakesley. Thos. B. Benjamin, W. B. Benjamin, James McKay, Arthur Patterson, Capt. Morris Robinson and D. O. Dickinson.
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