USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > The voters and tax-payers of De Kalb County, Illinois; containing, also, a biographical directory a history of the county and state, map of the county, a business directory, an abstract of every-day laws > Part 14
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Until the year 1863 services were held in the North Side School House. That year the present church building was erected. The con- gregation now numbers about sixty-five members, and support their pastor, the Rev. A. C. Frick, two-thirds of the time.
The first school house was built of split bass-wood logs, and stood near the south corporation line, on Main Street. This house was 16x18 feet in size, and was used until it became too small, when a frame one was erected on the north side of town, on the lot now occupied by the house of Mr. John Woodley. This building is now used as an agricul- tural store, and stands adjoining the store of Moore & Sheldon on the south. It was used until the year 1868, when the present graded school building was finished. The log school house now does service as a barn for Mr. D. Joselyn.
The school is now divided into three grades-Primary, Intermediate and High School. The enrollment is 135, and the attendance 110.
The Principal is Prof. C. W. Curtis, who has had charge some four or five years.
In 1868 the Legislature changed the name of the township from Richland to correspond with that of the town, viz. to Cortland.
VILLAGE OF GENOA.
The first white inhabitant of this village was Mr. Thomas Madison, who came to this locality in the year 1836, and erected a spacious log cabin on the spot where, for thirty years after, a hotel was kept by H. N. Perkins and Luke Nichols.
Mr. Madison came from Genoa, New York, and finding a Batavia and Geneva here, as well as there, concluded to carry out the parallel, and named the place in honor of his native home.
A post-office was established here by him at that time, of which he was first postmaster.
Mr. Perkins came in the Autumn of 1837, and he, Samuel Corey,
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
Thomas Munnahan. and Henry Durham, bought the claim of Mr. Madi- son, who removed to Texas. This claim was said to occupy two sections of land, for which $2,800 was paid.
Mr. Durham came in the Spring of 1837, and opened in Madison's cabin a small stock of goods-the first in the village-for sale to the few settlers who were now rapidly filling up this portion of DeKalb,-then part of LaSalle County.
Mr. Perkins remained here until his death, some thirty years after, and by his energy and industry accumulated a very handsome compe- tence. Henry Preston and Daniel T. Whittemore were also among the carly settlers.
In the Spring of 1838, Mr. Perkins' house was entered by a party of thieves, and some $300 worth of goods carried off. Whittemore was sus- pected of being in league with a gang of thieves, among whom were the Brodies of Brodie's Grove, who, Mr. Perkins had good evidence to suppose, were concerned in this robbery ; but no prosecution was made, nor was any of the money or goods ever recovered.
During the year 1838, the immigration of settlers was rapid, and Genoa became quite a lively little village. Dr. H. F. Page commenced the practice of medicine there; James S. Waterman opened a stock of goods, and one E. P. Gleason, who afterwards figured as a leader of the banditti, came in and bought the claim of Whittemore and Corey. He had the reputation of being a man of wealth, and began to talk about building mills, starting stores, and otherwise contributing to the growth of the business of the village. During the spring of 1838, he set out the fine row of maples now constituting a conspicuous ornament of the place. In his subsequent career he acquired an unenviable notoriety. He was accused of passing counterfeit money, and was arrested by the United States officers for that offense. Taking the officers out to see his fine crop of corn, while detaining them for dinner, he suddenly disappeared in its luxuriant growth, and for several years was not seen in the county. Returning when the evidence against him was unattainable, he started a store and saw mill, married a respectable young woman in the neighbor- hood, and seemed contented to lead a correct life. A few years after, he became ill, and a traveling doctor, named Smith, a boarder in his family, and reported to be attached to his wife, attended him. After eating one day of some porridge, he suddenly became violently ill, and soon died in great agony. Not long after the doctor and Mrs. Gleason were arrested on a charge of murdering him, but the evidence being insufficient, they were discharged. They were soon after married, and removed to LaSalle County, where the doctor died under very suspicious circumstances. His wife soon after died quite suddenly.
In 1848, on July 4, a great celebration was held at Genoa, at which George H. Hill delivered an oration to an audience of over a thousand people, gathered from Rockport, St. Charles, Aurora and all the surround- ing country. Genoa was as large and promising a town as any of these places. Belvidere contained then only two houses. The trade of Genoa supported four large dry goods stores, each doing a large trade. There were also kept two large, well-built taverns, at which a line of stages from Elgin to Galena made a stopping-place. The road received in work, annually, parallel furrows, plowed on each side of the road, by which
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
travelers were enabled to keep the highway across the country. Elgin being the market place of all this region of country.
But by and by other towns began to spring up, and the prosperity of Genoa began to wane. The county seat was made at Sycamore, in 1839, and trade commenced to go there. Settlements were made in other parts of the county, and other trading points came correspondingly into notice. The village life ran on in the style of all Western towns which have lost their vitality and mainsprings of action, and not until the completion of the Chicago and Pacific Railroad, in January, 1875, twenty-seven years after, did this vitality return and a revival of business commence.
During all this time the village had simply supplied the immediate necessities of the surrounding community, and had hard work to main- tain an existence. But now times changed. From that time until now, one year and nine months, the population has increased from a little over one hundred to more than four times that number. Then the trade was represented by two stores, two or three shops, and one hotel. There were but little more than twenty dwellings. Now the trade is repre- sented by three dry goods stores, three groceries, one hardware store, four blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one harness shop, one shoe store, one jewelry store, two provision stores, two lumber yards, two grain ele- vators, two meat markets, two coal yards, one flax mill, one billiard hall, one tailor, and two millinery shops. Three good hotels are supported.
On September 21, 1875, the Genoa News was started by S. S. Tucker, Esq. It has already a very creditable subscription list, and bids fair to rank with any paper in the county. Mr. Tucker is also proprietor of the News Depot here.
About 100 dwellings have been built since June 1, 1875.
RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
The Methodist Church was organized in the year 1841, with about twenty-five members. Meetings were held in barns, dwellings and the school-house until the erection of a church in 1854. This was re-built in a commodious manner in 1870, and is now one of the best houses of wor- ship in the township. The membership is only about fifteen, presided over by the Rev. Joseph Coldwell.
The Adventist Church was organized in 1868, with near fifteen mem- bers. The following Spring the present church edifice was built. The membership was about doubled. The pastor is the Rev. E. H. Burrington.
The present school-house was erected nearly twenty years ago. It is now entirely too small for the number of pupils in the district-some 170 -and an additional room is rented. The principal is Prof. M. McCarty.
THE GENOA HORSE-THIEF DETECTIVE CLUB.
This club was organized about the year 1854. Prior to its organiza- tion the citizens had repeatedly been made the victims of theft, particu- larly that of good horses, and finding the process of law generally too slow for practical purposes, banded together for aid in detecting the crimi- nals. Since then but one horse has been stolen from a member of the club. It was found in Indiana, at a cost of more than $200. The expense was not considered, the idea being to catch the thief and show to all, the
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
society was a reality. The club is composed of the leading men of Genoa and surrounding towns, and numbers about 150 members.
Its object is fully set forth in the following preamble :
" WHEREAS, We, the citizens of Genoa, Ill., and vicinity, under the existing state of things consider it incumbent, as heretofore, upon us, as a community who have mutual rights, to protect ourselves and property, to re-organize this society for the better protection thereof, and in case of theft mutually assist in a recovery, and use all diligence in capturing and bringing all thieves and robbers to justice that in any manner molest a member of this society. We therefore pledge ourselves and each for himself a strict obedience and conformity to the following Constitution and By-Laws."
Articles I. and II. of the Constitution read as follows :
" ARTICLE I.
" The name of this society shall continue to be the Genoa Horse- Thief Detective Club.
" ARTICLE II.
" The officers of this club shall consist of, and rank as follows: Presi- dent, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, captain, a finance committee of three members, and a sentinel. All of whom shall be elected by ballot at the regular meeting of the club in September of each year, and shall con- tinue in office for one year and until their successors are elected or appointed in their places and are qualified."
The duties of the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and finance committee, are similar to those in all organizations. Those of the captain and sentinel are defined in Articles VII. and IX. which read thus ;
"ARTICLE VII.
"It shall be the duty of the captain in case of larceny or robbery, when properly notified, to take such action as he may deem necessary to capture any party supposed to be implicated or connected with such felony, or for the recovery of the stolen property, and for such purpose he shall have power to order out any member or members hereof (who are not exempt from such duties) and direct what course he or they shall pursue.
" He shall have power to draw money from the treasurer to defray necessary expenses therefor, provided he shall draw an order and receipt for such amount only as the circumstances may demand, and if any member or members refuse or neglect to obey such orders when so called upon, he or they shall pay one dollar each for each offense to the funds of the club, or forfeit his membership, or both, or render a satisfactory reason to the club.
" ARTICLE IX.
" It shall be the duty of the sentinel to see that none but members hereof and that are entitled to protection by the rules of this club, are present at any meeting during the proceedings of the club."
Seetion eleven of the By-Laws fully defines the object of the club. It is as follows:
"SEC. 11. This club shall be at the expense of searching for any
THOS M. HOPKINS EsQ. DE KALB
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
stolen property and thief, when the same has been taken from any mem- ber hereof, or if there is probable cause to suspect the commission of such crime, provided such members' rights are not impaired for any cause under the rules hereof provided; also, it shall be the duty of such mem- ber, as soon as there is probable cause to suspect that a larceny has been committed, forthwith to notify the captain or president hereof, or in their absence the officer next in rank, and provided further, that all such bills and items of expense shall be investigated by the finance committee, and if the same are allowed and paid, it shall be by vote of the club.
" The widows and minor children of deceased members of this club shall be protected by this club and shall be subject to like assessments as other members."
The present rules and regulations were adopted at a meeting held at the Genoa school-house on the 20th day of February, 1875. The meet- ings are held monthly, are open to the members only, and all members are forbidden to divulge any proceedings or plans of the organization. The officers are elected annually, the president, secretary and treasurer being excused from any active work while in office. The president is now Mr. B. P. Brown, and thieves are generally careful to let the prop- erty of any member of this club alone.
SHABBONA -CORNTON.
In November, 1871, Messrs. John Palm, John Ray, and Charles Stevens, entered into covenants with F. E. Hinckley, Esq., President and General Manager of the Chicago & Iowa Rail Road, for the pur- pose of locating the depot and suitable side tracts, and for which the said named gentlemen agreed to convey to the said F. E. Hinckley the undivided one-half of eighty acres of land, to wit: the north half of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section fifteen, in town- ship thirty-eight, north range three east of the principal meridian, in the County of DeKalb. Accordingly, in the Spring of 1872, the said eighty acres were platted and surveyed by the county surveyor into lots and blocks, and the work of laying side tracks, and the depot commenced.
In the month of May, Mr. J. A. Nutall moved the first dwelling house and barn into the village, and in July, Capt. A. B. Pollock made arrangements for the grain and lumber business. William Husk and Thomas Padgett soon followed with their stocks of dry goods, groceries, and hardware, Samuel Bouslough in buying grain and selling coal. M. V. Allen erected a fine dwelling house prior to entering the drug business. Not long after S. H. Bounscomb erected a blacksmith shop, and William Heeg a fine building for the furniture business.
Death soon marked its victim, and the enterprising young man. Captain Pollock, was called, and F. W. Smith of DeKalb, took the busi- ness and ran it until recently.
Since 1872 the village has been gradually increasing in population and in business, until Shabbona has the accommodations of the much larger towns.
A beautiful church was erected in 1874, and in February, 1875, the village became known as the corporate Village of Shabbona, with over 300 inhabitants. During this year a grist mill has been erected by R.
9
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
Langford, and in this Centennial year of 1876, this village can boast of a large increase of population and of business, and last, but not least, of an elegant school house, which is highly ornamental to the place, and a credit to the directors of district number three.
There are three religious denominations that worship in the church. 'The Baptist have a settled pastor, Rev. D. L. Clouse, who built a tasty residence in 1875. The Congregational Society have no settled pastor at present. The Methodist have preaching once in two weeks by Rev. F. Pomeroy.
KINGSTON
is a new and very promising place, situated in the center of Kingston Tp., on the Chicago and Pacific railroad, and is delightfully situated, on the south of a grove of timber. It has several business places which do a good local trade.
KIRKLAND
is situated on Sec. 26, Franklin Township, on the Chicago and Pacific Railroad. Kirkland is a growing town, situated in the midst of a fine farming country, and promises to have a rapid growth.
WATERMAN
is a live prosperous town on the Chicago and Iowa Railroad, situated on Section 16, Clinton Township. It is surrounded by a very fine agricul- tural region, and does a very fine business. Waterman is a new town, but growing rapidly, and promises to have a steady and healthy growth.
CORTLAND
was laid out on a claim made in an early day by James and Joseph Roberts, a couple of old bachelors. In 1852 a number of buildings were erected, and among them a Baptist Church. About this time Luce's Corners was commenced half mile south. When the railroad was built in 1853 through Cortland, it absorbed Luce's Corners.
The town was first called Richland, after that Pampus, and in 1864 Legislature changed it to Cortland. A railroad has been built from Cortland to Sycamore, a distance of four miles. Cortland has a popu- lation of about 1,400.
THE VILLAGE OF HINCKLEY.
Prior to the opening of the Chicago & Iowa Railroad in 1871, the land on which the village now stands was owned and used as farm land by Mr. Samuel Miller, J. C. Coster, and C. H. Taylor. Mr. F. E. Mer- rill, of the firm of Merrill & Wagner, had, in 1867, built the pioneer store of this locality. It was situated in the grove about one-half mile west of town, and here he kept store and post-office until the spring of 1872.
The railroad company had, at this time, just completed their present depot, and Mr. Merrill saw that the town would of necessity grow up around that. He associated Mr. H. D. Wagner with himself, and they erected their present store, the first in the village.
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HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY.
The name Hinckley was given this station in honor of Hon. F. E. Hinckley, the President and builder of the railroad passing through the town. Prior to the advent of this road, the post-office was known as Squaw Grove, the name of the township. No sooner had the station been established, than lots began to be laid out, and buildings to be erected.
J. O. Curry & Co. shortly after built the elevator now owned by Maltbie & Co. Next the store of Thomas Evans was added to those mentioned, and butcher shops, shoe shops, and various like commodities appeared.
The town is of four years' growth, and at present contains three general stores, one drug store, one hardware store, one furniture store, three millinery shops, one butcher's stall, one shoemaker's shop, one lum- ber yard, one coal office, a bank, one hotel, one tailor, one jeweler, the Hinckley House, and a blacksmith and wagon shop. One of the best cheese factories in the county is located here.
The trade of town, outside of grain and lumber, will average fifteen thousand dollars per month annually.
The pioneer church was that of the Methodists. An organization had been in force as early as 1869. Divine worship was held in a church standing in the grove near Mr. Merrill's store. When Hinckley became in reality a village, the house was moved, and they still continue to hold services there. The actual membership is over thirty, under the pastoral care of the Rev. William Goodfellow.
The Baptists were organized in 1814. The same year they con- structed their house of worship, and continued to regularly hold divine service therein. Their members number about the same as the Metho- dists, and are ministered to by the Rev. D. L. Richards.
Prior to the opening of the railroad, a school had been maintained many years. The country was rather thickly settled, and the early in- habitants of Hinckley soon perceived that a school house was needed which provided more room and better accommodations. In 1872 the present building was erected, sufficiently large to provide for these wants. It is divided into two departments, and will accommodate 100 pupils. The attendance is now about seventy. The Principal is Miss M. O. Severince.
An election was held on Saturday, October 21, 1876, to determine the question of incorporating the village. It was decided in the negative by a majority of seven votes. The population is now a little over three hundred.
A FEW OF THE PIONEERS
OF DEKALB COUNTY.
Arnold Stephen, 1837, minister and doctor, deceased.
Bliss Otis, 1840, farmer, living. Butterfield Edward, 1834, farmer. Brooks Thomas, 1835, far. deceased. Beveridge George, 1840, far. dec. Barnes Captain, 1837, farmer, dec. Brown E. P. 1840, farmer, living. Brown John S. 1844, farmer, living. Brown J. P. 1837, farmer, living. Brown J. W. 1846, farmer, living. Brown J. L. 1837, farmer, living. Brown D. P. 1837, farmer, living. Brown William, 1855, farmer, liv. Barber Capt. L. C. 1837, far. dec. Barber Harry, 1837, farmer, dec. Byres James, 1842, farmer, dec. Bovie James, 1845, farmer, living. Broughton C. W. 1855, farmer, liv. Banfield Benj. 1855, farmer, living. Beard H. C. 1846, farmer, living.
Clark John, 1841, farmer, living. Camfield William R. 1852, farmer, living in Nebraska.
Champlin H. S. 1836, farmer, liv. Champlin Harrison, 1836. farmer. died in California. Colton Rufus, 1837, farmer, promi- nent man, deceased.
Churchill David, 1838, farmer, dec. Crawford Alexander, 1839, far. liv.
Dobbin David, 1842, farmer, liv. Douglass Ira, 1838, farmer, living. Durham Henry, 1838, merchant, died in 1850.
Darling Lysander, 1835, farmer, was first County Treasurer, dec.
Davis William, 1835, farmer, liv. Dennis Major, 1835, farmer, living. Driscoll William, 1837, farmer, dec.
Easterbrooks John, 1836, far. dec. Easterbrooks James, 1836, far. liv.
French William, 1842, farmer, liv. Fay Horace, 1837, farmer, living. Fay Wells A. 1837, farmer, dec. Furman James. first teacher in coun- ty, lives in Chicago. Fairelo Isaiah, 1837, farmer, living.
Gilchrist Daniel M. 1837, far. dec. Gage Alvarus, 1840, farmer, liv. Gage Almon, 1840, farmer, living. Green James, 1848, farmer, living. Graham Robert, 1844, farmer, liv. Gregory E. S. 1837, farmer, living. Gault William, 1836, farmer, dec. Gandy Harris, 1838, farmer and im- porter Norman horses, living. Gleason E. P. 1840, merchant, dec.
Hough George, 1840, farmer, liv. Harris Benj. 1834, farmer. Hodge J. A. 1856, farmer, living. Hayden John A. 1852, farmer, liv. Hough Burrage, 1838, farmer, dec. Harman Amos, 1835, farmer, dec. Hill Moses, 1838, farmer, living. Hallaron Thos. 1850. farmer, liv. Hayden Austin, 1838, farmer, dec. Hanson Ezra, 1838, farmer, living. Huntley Russell, 1837, farmer, re- moved to California.
Hix Henry, 1837, proprietor of saw mill, deceased. Heath John, 1846, farmer, living.
133
PIONEERS OF DEKALB COUNTY.
Hamlin John R. 1838, one of the first Recorders, deceased.
Hollemsbeak A. N. 1840, far. liv.
Johnson O. P. 1834, farmer, living. Joles Harry P. 1837, farmer, dec. Jackman A. 1838, lumber and coal dealer, living.
Jewell Eli J. 1837, farmer, one of the first Supervisors, removed to Kansas, and there died.
Kirk William T. 1837, farmer, liv. Keyes James, 1855, farmer, dec.
Keyes Samuel, 1855, farmer, dec. Kirkpatrick Isaac, 1844, farmer, liv. Kirkpatrick Hezekiah, 1844, far. liv.
Lord R. D. 1842, butcher, living. Lee Jacob, 1836, farmer, deceased. Latham Joseph, 1838, farmer, liv. Lay S. H. 1841, farmer, dec.
Lee Levi, 1836, prominent minister. deceased.
Lovell James, Sr. 1838, farmer, liv. Lyman William, 1838, farmer.
Malone David, 1850, farmer, liv. Mackey Father, 1838, prominent minister, deceased. McCollum James, 1839, far. dec. Madden Henry, 1838, farmer, first member Assembly from this county, deceased.
Miller William A. 1837, far. liv. Mack Martin M. 1838, carp. dec. Merriman James, 1849, farmer and real estate, living. Miller Frank, 1840, farmer, dec.
Miller Samuel, 1835, farmer.
Noble Ezekiel, 1854, farmer, liv.
Olmsted A. H. 1845, farmer, liv. Olmsted Coleman, 1838, far. dec. Orput John, 1827, farmer, living.
Price Simon, 1838, farmer, dec. Prescott W. R. 1848, farmer, liv. Pearson Geo. S. 1837, farmer, went to California, deceased.
Price Owen, 1837, farmer, removed to Iowa,
Poplin William, 1835, farmer, liv.
Pratt Almos, 1838, farmer, living. Pastley James, 1837, farmer, dec. Page H. D. 1839, one of the first physicians, deceased. Perkins Henry N. 1837, far. liv. Perkins Horatio N. 1837, far. liv. Preston Charles, 1837, far. liv.
Rhodes Conrad B. 1836, farmer, removed to Iowa.
Robb Robert, 1837, farmer, liv. Riddle John, 1837, farmer, dec.
Strong William, 1840, lumber and grain, living.
Stephens Samuel, 1837, farmer, liv. Stratton, Geo. M. 1846, far. liv.
Suydam Simon, farmer, living. Sebree William, 1834, far. dec. Sly Joseph, 1835, first settler on Somonauk Creek in Somonauk Tp. Stearns Newton, 1848, farmer, liv. Starat Robert, 1837, farmer, dec. Smith David, 1836, farmer. Snow John, 1842, farmer, dec. Saum Nicholas, 1842, farmer, liv. Stark Marshall, 1837, farmer, Sheriff two terms, lumber dealer, liv.
Townsend Joshua, 1839, far. dec. Townsend Avery, 1839, far. dec. Town David A. 1839, farmer, dec. Town Edmond, 1836, farmer. Tower David, 1838, farmer, dec.
Whitmore, Daniel, 1840, far. liv. Whitmore J. C. 1854, speculator, removed to California. Whitmore Ezekiel, 1852, farmer, first settler in Malta. Whitmore Clark, 1840, farmer, liv. Whitmore James, 1840, far. liv. Whitmore Benj. 1836, farmer, liv. Ward William, 1835, farmer, dec. Watson James, 1856, farmer, liv.
134
PIONEERS OF DEKALB COUNTY.
Wharrey Evans, 1837, farmer, one of New York company, living.
Wright Clark, 1837, farmer, one of New York company, removed to Kansas.
Waterman John C. 1837, merchant, one of the first, living.
Waterman Charles, 1838, mer. liv. Waterman James S. 1838, farmer and merchant, first banker in county, living.
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