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Entered according to Act of Congrews, in the year 1877, hy
ELMER BALDWIN,
In the Oftce of the Librarian of Congres
t Washington.
PREFACE.
‘Tux volume here given to the public is the out-
growth of a long cherished feeling of the citizens of
La Salle County, often publicly expressed, that
the memories of the pioneer settlers should be pre-
served. That the circumstances which surrounded
those who reclaimed the wildness of uncultivated
nature, who converted an unproductive waste into
froitfal fields, and the rude theatre of savage life
to the fit abode of Christian civilization, and the seat
of thousands of happy homes, should be trathfully
portrayed and handed down for the contemplation
of posterity.
To do this, aftera lapse of half a century from the
time the rnde and simple red men retired from the
scene, and the incoming race commenced the hercu-
jean task they have co well performed, is beset with
difficulties that one inexperienced can not appreciate
iv Preface.
The early pioneers have mostly passed away.
‘Twenty years ago many could have told the tale of
their toils, whose lips are now forever sealed, and tra-
dition alone hands down to us the story of their
experiences.
Human memory is treacherous, and forty revolv-
ing years dim and clothe with uncertainty the his-
tory told by the third generation. A few of the old
pioneers remain, and to them the author has ap-
pealed for the facts, and to them he has submitted
the statements herein contained for correction; and
while he can not flatter himself that no errors have
crept in, but is of the opinion it would be impossi-
ble to exclude them ; yet that the work is substan-
tially correct he verily believes, haying spared no
effort to make it so. The work was undertaken at
the solicitation of the Old Settlers’ Association, and
rather as a labor of love than with the idea of pr
niary profit.
Articles upon Geology by W. W. Calkins, and
upon the Botany of the County by R. Williams,
are Inserted. As these gentlemen have made these
subjects a favorite study for years, and are old resi-
dents of the county, it was deemed appropriate
that they should appear in their favorite réles.
‘The seeming repetition of facts in the two geolog
ical articles—the scientific and economic:
are no
Preface. v
more than was required to show the value of the
material found in the several strata.
‘The pioneer history of the towns has been arranged
chronologically rather than alphabetically, The
incongruity of introducing the history of the town
of Allen, one of the last towns settled, in ad-
vance of all the old settled towns, will be apparent
to all ; and the inconvenience of finding a town by
the index will be much less than that of reading
history backwards.
The same course has been pursued in relation to
the insertion of the names of the settlers of a town.
The aim has been to enter the names in order,
according to priority of settlement. The modern
system of selling panegyries, which pervades not
only the periodical press, but nearly all the literature
of the day, has been wholly ignored. When a more
lengthy biography has been given, or a narrative of
personal experience more full than elsewhere, it has
been to throw light on the usages and experiences
of the times, and the one given is designed as a
truthfal representation of all. While that fulsome
flattery that is bonght and sold like cabbages in the
market has been avoided, words that would wound
the sensibilities of the living, or those of the friends
of the dead, have been as carefully shanned. The
simple leading facts of a person’s life, with official
vi Preface.
position, is all that has been attempted, while none
are so humble as to escape notice; and if its read-
ing shall beguile the lonely hours of the departing
pioneer, by recalling those scenes over which he
loves to linger, or shall excite the emulation of
succeeding generations to practice the frugal virtues
of those we commemorate, the author will feel that
his labor has not been in vain.
viii Contents.
—
Pew
Criinad Racor 5-H ools Centat and Other
Ia Salle. and Dixon Fostiroad 208 * 10
from Hard ‘Times 205 Amoaat Paid a ed the Biante 210
‘ounty Of
County. eribatenbel < . 5
Other County Ofcers =... 316
County Court...
Present Court House... .. 208
Broorarmcar Sx ov Serroers or Kacn Town,
494 | Meriden .
475 | Miller .
aan
. asian. tvooaee
‘41 | Northville an
208 | Ophir . meres
2) 820 | A 474
466 CO 98
“ Ouiawa (Addenday 2200" dae
Otter Crovk.... 461
3 SE TIT geo
30 Richland ave
218
481 Rutland
ter...
372 Vermillion
a10 Wallace
475 | Waltham
Arraspix,
Bolany ..........--.-...... 486) Manufactures...
© <-> 908 | Shipment of Produce.
514 | Population ..... i
List of School Commission- | Sale of Lots in Ottawa Mo
ors and Superintendents. 582] Arrival of Bouts in 1849 ty
‘Churches 3 588 | Grangora. woe Bil
ment eo. 386 Cities and Villages =. c
Wases55 5 -.---- M40 | Ottawn Academy of Beiencee 8
Miscollancous Associations... $41) Conclusion 50
Iniusrmarions
ae of Starved Rock Map of Deer Park 21
cation at Marseilles .. 275 are Fort on Bluff south
Olt Fort oppoalie mouth of Starved Rock. 330
Todlan Creek .......... ‘288,
10 History of La Saile County.
south, toa point seven miles north of Bloomington,
which point is 367 feet above the Centra! R. R. station
at La Salle, and that station is eighty feet above
low water In the river, consequently the tributaries
of the Ilinois have a rapid desvent to this river,
and the Tiinois is a quite rapid stream in this
county, thus making an efficient and healthy drain-
age for nearly all its surface.
The scenery is on a grander scale than most of the
prairie region ; there are more magnificent streams,
higher and more picturesque bluffs, more timber,
and better distributed. The prairie is dryer and
more rolling than most of that south of it, richer
and more productive than that north of it; it oc-
cupies an intermediate position, and boasts of the
possession of the best qualities of both extremes of
the prairie region north and south,
The Tilinols river seems an agricultural as well as
a topographical and geological axis. While thesoil
south of the river isasblack, deepand rich as Sanga-
mon County, and equally acorn region, that north of
the river has a browner soil, is better for wheat and
perhaps not quite as good for corn, and the surface
generally more rolling. These distinctions are not
radical, and a careless observer would not notice
them, but they exist and are increased radivally,
going north of the county, owing to difference of
geological formation,
‘The most prominent feature of the topography of
the county is the Dlinois river, which intersects
the county near the centre, running nearly due
but after leaving the county, its course is
12 History of La Salle County.
Starved Rock, a point of the bluff separated by
the denuding force of water, is situated one mile
above Utica, on the south side of the river, which
washes its base. It is 135 feet high, and contains an
area of abont half an acre on the top, shaded by
evergreens. It is of especial interest from the
Tudian legends connected with it, and as the site of
Fort St. Louis of the French.
Buffalo Rock, hardly as high as Starved Rock, is
on the north side of the river, four miles below
Ottawa. It is abont two miles long, forty to sixty
rods wide, its southern base washed by the river,
while a wide cut, through which part of the river
once flowed, separates it from the bluff on the
north; through this cut the canal and the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific Railroad find a convenient
passage. This rock was once an island in the
Tilinois, a there is no doubt that the Illinois was,
sometime in the past, much wider than now, and
extended from bluff to bluff, through the extent of
the valley; the water marks along the sand-rock
bluffs, and the washed gravel on the high bot-
toms, all point unmistakably to that conclusion,
There was 2 time when the lakes stood at 2 mneht
higher level than now, and doubtless emptied their
waters throngh the valley of the [linois to the Gulf
of Mexico, When the a broke through the
heights at Lewiston and formed the Falls of Niag-
ara, the level of the lakes was gradually sunk until
the waters sought the ocean by the river and Gulf
of St. Lawrence. Since then the Illinois has only
drained the country around the south end of Lake
14 History of La Salle Count:
seencry along ite banks for several miles from its
mouth is very grand and imposing. The strata
which compose its blatfs are rich in fossils, and the
geologist and lover of nature will be well paid fora
trip along its ragged banks, The famous grotto of
Deer Park is on the right bank, a mile or two from
its mouth. Tt is in the Peters sandstone which
first shows itself on the Vermillion—it isa ent in the
bluff, on a level with the river at low water, wind~
ing somewhat like the letter 5, and extending some
hundred rods or more. The sides are pe
lar, and at the extreme end about ninety
At that point the sides project or shelve over about
seventy feet on each side. In web weather there is
a pretty waterfall, and at all times a clear pool of
water andafinespring. The openingat top is about
one hundred feet, and is fringed with pines and other
trees, It is a great curiosity and a very popolar
place of reac The Vermillion is bordered with
timber on either side, and in the upper part of its
course has ome bottoms, of very heavy timb Bai-
ley’s, Otter and Eagle creeks, and many smaller
streams, are tributaries of the Vermillion.
Covell creek, named from the first settler on its
banks, is the other considerable southern branch of
the Illinois in the county It rises in T. 32, R. 4,
nd runs westwardly into the Tlinois, (wo and one-
f miles below Ottawa
The principal northern tributary of the TMinois,
and next to that river in size, is the Fox. Tts waters
are clear, and the extremes of high and low water
are less than most other streams in the county ; it is
16 History of La Salle County.
prairie that lies between and fillsin the picture from
Stream to stream, remains to be noticed. Tt forms
all the elevated portions of the county. ‘The
streains of course are on the lowest ground, and the
larger streams, when running over the coal meas-
ures, are sunk, 100 feet or more, into the regular
strata after leaving the drift, and on the St, Peters
sandstone nearly as much sunk by the erosion of
the water, and all showing that the amount of water
that did that excavating was much greater than
runsnow, Whether that occurred when the ocoan
waters first receded from the surface, and following
ail the depressions, scooped out and formed channels
forall the faturestreams ; or whether from the exist-
tence of 2 molst climate and heavy rainfall, the same
object was gradually accomplished,
be known, but it is probable it was
of both, Atal events tly mnple for the
eflect, and the streams are all placed in deep beds,
with far more than ample room for the discharge
of their waters in any contingenc:
The prairie extends back from the borders of
these valleys, and gradually rises to the ridges or
highest ground between the streams—in western
parlance called divides, because they separate the
water running to different streams. The timber
being confined to the borders of the streams, is con-
sequently on the lowest ground, and a person
standing on one of these divides, can look over the
timber to the prairie forming the divide on the
opposite side,
These ridges or divides when seen from 2 distance
nay never
combin mn
{LUSH W:
18 History of La Salle County
never witness in its native wildness and beanby the
fairest. scenery that uncultivated natare ever yp
sented to the view of man.
A timbered region, covered by the dark, primeval
forest, is grand and impressive; its dark and sombre
shades, and deep and tangled re . are well cal-
enlated to foster a superstitions dread, and to
people its unexplored depths with the witches and
goblins of the past, or with the whispering ghosts
of which Ossian sings so mournfally. But no sneh
goblins haunted the prairie. An imaginative organi
zation might have fancied the fairies sporting in the
evening shadows, a8 approaching night shut in the
landscape, or departing from their midnight revels
among the curling mist as they vanished before ¢
glories of a prairie sunrise. ‘The early ocenpants
of the prairie will remember noticing cireles on the
prairie from fifteen to twenty or more feet across,
distinguishuble only k ranker and heayier growth
of grass, but very distinctly marked. What caused
them was not known, though some aseribed them
to lightning strokes. Similar phenomena exist in
the natural meadow and grass land in England,
reles, vul-
and are there called fairy-rings or fairy-:
garly anpposed to be caused by the fairies in their
dane If Sir Walter Scott had written in the
midst of the prairie region instead of among the
glens and wilds of the Scottish Highlands, whe
witcheraft and demonology have ever found their
favorite fastneases, his genius would not have been
so deeply tinged with the supernatural, and
20 History of La Salle County.
grove, clear of underbrnsh and covered with a green
sward, and the view taking in the alternation of
timber and prairie, a scene was presented that for
extent, beauty and grandeur art can never expect to
imitate, and having once been destroyed can never
be restored.
Whence came the prairie? What peculiar condi-
tions caused this region to grow griss alone, while
all others grow timber?
The question seems partially answered by the
relative location of the timber and prairie. The
timber grows onthe alluvial bottoms where partially
protected from the prairie fires, or on the thin soil of
the bluits, while the rich and deep prairie soil and
the alluvial, where exposed to the fires, grow grass
and no timber, When the ocean receded from the
rich and deep soil which had been deposited in its
apparent quiet waters, as it was partially a swamp,
the sedges and coarse grasses would soon grow with
a luxuriance proportioned to the temperature, mois-
ture and richness of the soll, Trees do not readily
grow in such «soil, and if they did, it would require
a Jarge number of years to enadle them to withstand
even a moderate fire; but grass grows in a single
season, and, when dry, furnishes sufficient fuel to
effectually burn up or destroy any young timber
sprouts of one or two y at might exist.
Thos we might expect no trees, but an annual growth
of grass on the richest s¢ ‘1 to
grass for fuel to sustain an annual fire, and localities
sheltered or protected in any way from the fires,
2 History of La Salle County.
no roots or germs to start from, as there was in the
barrens, but the principal reason was, that no tree
will grow readily in the unbroken prairie sod, as
most of the settlers found by dear experience—but
the timber did spread to the prairie, first a few hazel
bushes, these would hold the leaves at the roots,
thus mulching and killing the turf, then a few crab
apples, then oak and hickory
There was probably a time when, from the recur
rence of wet seasons, a general moist. climate, or
other cause, the timber had encroached upon the
prairie, else there would have been no timber—bat
the whole history since the waters retired, had evi-
dently been a contest for supremacy between the two.
At the date of the white settlements the timber
had retired to the banks of the streams, to the thin-
nest soil and to the low bottoms, and in most cases
was still retiring, As proof of this, it was noticed
that in many instances the extreme points, the out-
posts or picket lines of timber had retired and left
roots and stumps burnt to or under the surface, yet
in reach of the plow, mementos of its former status.
Most of the bluff timber was stationary or decay-
ing, very little making a thrifty growth, and us the
young sprouts were annually killed, it was impos-
sible for the timber to hald its own, The writer has
a vivid recollection of the first fire he witnessed,
which wasa very severe one, passing through the
timber. Hundreds of trees were on fire to their ex-
treme tops, presenting in a dark night a most mag-
nificent but terrific view, mach less enjoyable from
the fact that so much timber was being destroyed.
mu History of La Salle County.
young timber, not only of oak and hickory, but
where the soil is deep and rich, a sprinkling of wal-
nut, linden, and other varieties of what was termed
bottom timber, being then confined to such localities,
The rapidity with which timber spontaneonsly starts
wherever the germs exist, and its rapid and thrifty
growth, show that our soil is inherently a timber
soil, and that in the not very distant future, our State
will be better supplied with good timber than those
States originally covered with a heavy growth.
Itisa well-known fact that We n New York,
Ohio, and other heavily-wooded regions, when once
cleared seldom produce a valuable new growth, and
the reckless waste made by the oceupants of those
States will be repaid by succeeding generations in
high prices and a scarcity of the article,
The low price and abundance of pine lumber and
the facilities for transportation huve reduced the
price of timber-land in Illinois, so t it will laurdly
bring the prices it did thirty years ago, and many
are cniting off the second growth and putting the
land under cultivation—all tending to a reckless
exhaustion of the timber supp! There can be no
question but that the immense demand over all the
prairie region for lumber, and the readiness with
which that want is supplied, must, within the life
of another generation, exhaust the supply, and the
warnings of thoughtful and sagacious men, to guard
against the danger, ought to be heeded. Thesupply
once exhansted can not be restored for generations—
the one to two hundred years required to produce
a perfected growth of full-size timber is quite an
26 History of Tra Satie County.
rock and all its regularstrata, form one grand mag-
nificent floor, from the Alleghanies to the Rocky
Mountains, and necessarily « level champaign coun-
try—the grandest theatre for human effort ever
youchsafed to man.
The bed rock or regular rock deposit in La Salle
County is covered with the drift deposit from a tri-
fling depth at the edge of the bluffs to a maximum
depth of 150 feet at the divides or highest points of
the prairies between the streams.
From this point with a rolling or undulating sur-
face, the descent is gradual to the streams forming
the water sheds or natural drainage of the country,
This descent is owing to the different depths of the
drift deposit, and not to the uneven surface of the
rock strata below—but the gradual rise in long
ascents of the country going north, and frequently
in other directions, is due to the gradual swells or
ascent of the underlying rocks. From the beds of
the streams and bottom lands, this strata has mostly
been denuded or washed away, but ing boulders
and other evidence that it once covered the entire
country
The drift is composed of clay, sand, gravel, and
boulders or granite rock, and in it found at all
depths, pebbles, all worn smooth by attrition —bits
of coal, and in namerons instances at different
depths, pieces of wood, mostly black walnut, cedar,
or other durable timber—showing that this is a
comparatively recent depo Geologists agree that
it was brought from the north by glaciers—rivers or
oceans of ice, of which the glaciers of the Alps, or
28 History of Le Salle County.
There are three veins in the west part of the
county, mined principally at La Salle and vicinity,
aggregating a thickness of about thirteen feet. They
underlie the Illinois valley and the bluffs on either
side; toward the east rising rapidly over the axis
of the St. Peters sandstone. The two upper ones
crop outand disappear, while the lower one overlies
the St, Peters to Ottawa and Marseilles, and up
the Vermillion to 4, T. 32, R.2. Here this vein
ferminates its outcrop, being in the bottom of the
Vermillion, Another vein has been found by bor-
ing, at this point, forty-seven feet below the first,
which extends to Streator and beyond, over a large
extent of territory. It is reported at from three te
fonr feet thick, and of best quality. It lies about
one hundred feet below the vein now being worked
ab Streator, and has been there explored only by
boring. The State geological report claims that this
is the La Salle lower vein, which is evidently a mis-
take. The vein worked at Vermillionville and
Lowell, acknowledged to be that vein, is forty-five
feet below the brown sand-rock, (a conspicuous strata
on the Vermillion), and the vein which crops ont
in the river on Section 24, \s the same distance below
that rock with the same strata intervening as at
Lowell, while the vein shows itself in nearly all the
ravines between the two places, gradually declining
fi several feet above the river to its bottom on
Section 24; while the vein in controversy is forty-
seven feet below that, with entirely different strata
intervening between the two. Two shafts have been
sunk on §, 81, T, $2, R. 3, and this vein is for the
30 History of La Satle County.
agricultural region can ever be rich. Agriculture
flourishes best, and its profits are doubled, when
along side a mannfaeturing industry. In fact, all
the pursuits of an enlightened civilization flourish
best in the vicinity of each oth: J are mutually
dependent, and languish isolated and alone; and
that community is the most wealthy, refined and
telligent that cultivates all the arts and indus.
tries—that so far as climate, location and resonrees
will permit, is of itself a miniature world, its citizens
living independent, and by their own industry ¢
plying most of their wan
If this generation does not utilize the natoral ad
vantages of our position, some other will, and will
Jangh at the folly of thi Our advantages are too
prominent to always escape the notice of discerning
business men, and the field is tooample to remain
long unappropriated,
There are few localities in the State where nature
has bestowed witha more lavish hand such riches
of mineral wealth as He beneath the soil of La Salle
County.
Being the northern border of the coal field, and ad-
joining a rich agricultural region to the north
entirely destitute of that article, it has superior
advantages of 1c ng Chat market,
In addition, the ir at the north will
be brought here for smelting.
It takes about three tons of coal to reduce two
tons of ore, being one-third cheaper to bring the ore
to the coal than to carry the coal to the ore, The
coal flelds of Illinois
tion for supply
nand other or:
ying between the ores of Lake
82 History of La Salle County.
increase, and this pursuit may well anticipate a
large growth in the not distant future:
Tt was very fortunate for this locality that nature,
n necessity or pastime, elevated and left for our
use the riches of the Silurian strata, which would
otherwise have remained far below our reach. In
addition to the great value, for manufacturing
purposes, of the St. Peters sundstone, composed of
nearly pure quartz, it gave us the picturesque views
of Little Rock, Split Rock, Clark’s Falls, Starved
Rock and Deer Park, all in this strata, and which
owe their peculiar structure to this formation.
Beneath the St. Peters lies the calelferous ; barely
brought within reach on the low bottoms between
Utica and La Salle.
The caleiferous has a speci
only outerop of this strata in the State, and is here
limited to seven or vight square miles, and. contains
beds from which exeellent hydraulic lime is made—
an article of great economic yalue, and supplying @
constantly-increasing demand. Over 100,000 barrels
have been manufactured ina year. How and when
was this axis formed, bringing within reach mineral
wealth of an untold amount? Was it elevate
fore or after the dcposit of the coal measures
lower vein of o mably on the St.
Pete If that bed was horizontal elsewhere, as
well as on the St. Peters, and at the same level, ft
might reasonably be inferred that the coal was de-
sited after the npheaval. Bot such is not the
When the veins of the La Salle basin ap-
ach the west side of the axis they rise at a very
interest as being the
ts conte
4 History of La Salle County.
Covell creek, and other points, and extensively used
for bridges, aqueducts, culverts, cellars, wells, ete.
‘The brown sand-rock is used quite extensively for
cellarsand wells, and the solid portion answers a
very good purpose.
A few feet at the bottom of the St, Peters is
sufficiently cohesive for building purposes.
The county is richinelays, A very good fire clay
in immense quantities underlies the coal : is of great
value for the manufacture of ware, tile, fire brick,
lining for stoves and furnaces, and the various uses
to which such a clay is adapted, and will doubtless
eventually be of great economic importance. The
drift clay of the subsoil over most of th
an excellent material for common brick. All of
these clays have no real limit, but can supply any
demand for a decade of geologic time,
MOUND BUILDERS.
After a knowledge of the topography and geology
of a country, we may well proceed to investigate its
history, to know the uses it has subserved through
the Jong ages of the past.
It is a very natural subject of inquiry for any
people, to know who preceded them inthe land they
occupy, and who were the first possessors of the soil—
not only who they were, but what they were, and unm
what circumstances they possessed it, The people
of this country, the European emigrants and their
descendants, have been accustomed to regard them-
selves as the first, with the exception of the wild,
36 History of La Salle County.
requiring an amount of labor that the Indians never
performed, This pottery was of fine quality, much
of it highly ornamented, and very durable, being
still in a perfect state of preservation. Their imple-
ments remainas the only mementocs of their business,
tastes, and skillin the arts; nearly all were designed
for use in the quiet pursuits of peace, while those
left by the Indian race are mostly weapons of a
warlike people.
The existence of such a people is now universally
admitted by the best Informed, and is as certain as
any fuct transmitted by written history. Written
history may falsity, but the mounds made by human
labor, the utensils and the human bones, are proofs
that can not be questioned. Who they ¢, from
whence they came, and where they went, are qnes-
tions that open a wide field for speculation, Their
work: here—works involving an amount of labor
that could only have been done by united thousands,
A mound in West Virginia and one in Ohio, are eneh
seventy-five feet y al height, witha base of several
hundred feet in extent. Human skeletons repose at
the base and centre of these tumuli, but so decayed
that they cramble to their mother earth when exposed
to the atmosphere. A few skulls and parts have
been preserved, showing a long, narrow head witha
retreating forehead, entirely unlike the Indian head,
and more like the ancient Egyptian.
The mounds are supposed to contain the remains
of the at men—the size of the mound probably
indie: the extent of that greatness—while the
common people, receiving only common burial, their
38 History of La Salle County.
vated plateaus of the Andes, and in Central America
and Mexico, The rnins of ancient cities, of roads,
aqueducts, mounds, and other relics of their handi-
work, tell of a high civilization, of a wealthy, ingen-
ions and powerful people.
The empire ruled by the Incas of Peru, when
conquered by the Spaniards, had, in many respects,
a higher civilization and a more stable civil goyern-
ment than has since been achieved by their conquer-
ors, But the people conquered by Pizarro were
inferior to their predecessors, as is shown by the
stupendous works leftas.a monument of their power,
industry and culture. A public road, built on a
solid foundation of masonry, paved with hewn
stone, laid in cement, and guarded by walls on either
side, was built from Quito to Chill, along the Siert
over plains, mountains, and rivers, with a b
from Cazeo to the sea, and thence north to the
tor. It passed over deep ravines filled with the
firmest masonry, dug for leagues through solid rock,
and extended a distance greater than the length of the
Pacific Railroad, and more difficult of constraction,
The great traveler, Humboldt, says of this: ‘ Our
eyes rested continually on superb remains of a paved
road of the Incas; the roadway, paved with well
cut dark porphyritic stone, was twenty feet wide,
and rested on deep foundations. This road was
marvellous. None of the Roman roads I have
seen in Italy, South of France, or Spain, appeared
to me more imposing than this work of the ancient
Peruvians.”
Aqueducts for conducting water to their cities,
4) History of Ta Salle County,
ence of a people highly skilled in architecture, of
great indnstry, and superior taste ; and while equal-
ing the Peruvians in the construction of massive
masonry, they were far superior in msthetic skill ;
and the elaborate ornamentation shows the posses-
sion of great wealth, which alone conld enable
any people to devote so much time to the orna-
mental.
The stones composing those ruins are nicely hewn,
highly ornamented with elaborate carving, laid in
mortar of lime snd sand, and frequently finished
with stucco, of as fine quality and workmanship
as modern ean furnish.
Letters and hieroglyphic characters frequently oc
cnr, and this people and the Peravians both are said
to have had «written language and books of history,
which the Spaniards very carefully destroyed, (these
books were rather hierogly phical than alphabetical),
‘The little which remains of these records gives bat
a slight clue to their history, but with the tradi-
tions of the people open a faint ray of light through
the dark vista of the past, They had considerable
knowledge of astronomy, and divided the year into
eighteen months of twenty days each; they then
added tive days atthe end of the year, and one mone
every fourth or t tile year, thus chronicling the
time as accurately as the Europeans.
The Aztecs, who were in possession of the country
at the time of the invasion by the niards under
Cortes, were highly civilized, as compared with the
savage tribes by whom they were surrounded, but
they were not the builders of those splendid strne-
42 History of La Salle County,
were overrun by the Aztecs about two centuries be-
fore the Spanish conquest, or about A. D. 1820, so
that the Toltecs must have held the country over
2,000 years. It was during that time that the cities
of Central America were built, and the Toltecs were
doubtless the builders.
They are said to have come from a country called
Hua Hna Hapalan, and that they werean old people,
the word Hua Hua meaning old, Hapalan being the
original name. ‘The direction from which they
came, and their coming, by successive emigrations,
by both land and sea, would seem to point signifi-
cantly to the land of the mound builders, and to
indicate that the mound builders were the Toltecs
of Mexico,
It ie not improbable that a branch of the Colman
emigration may have settled in the valley of the
Mississippi, at the came time that the other branch
occupied Mexico, and were the progenitors of the
monnd builders; or the mound builders may have
been colonies of the sai ce, after they had be-
come populous in their Mexican home, and when
the mother country began to wane, their extended
eolonies very naturally sought the milder climate,
and mom highly improved country, at the centre of
American civilization.
And as Rome left more ruins of her temples and
cities than Gaul or Britain, so Central America and
Mexico contain more than the valley of the Ohio
or Hlinois.
And as asouthern and hot climate is never as
favorable for the production of men, as the temper-
4 History of La Saite County.
that it embraced the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean
Sea, the region of the West Indies, and extended far
toward the Coast of Africa, embracing the Cape de
Verde and Canary Islands; that those islands and
the West Tudies were the highest portion of the con-
tinent, while all the lower portion was submerged
by some great convulsion: that the Atlantis was
occupied by a numerousand highly civilized people;
2 portion of these escaping from the great cataclysm
reached the continent, and built the great cities
whose ruins have created auch surprise and wonder,
The story of the lost Atlantis will probably never
be verified. That the Phoenicians, who were acom-
mercial and adventurous people, may have reached
the Western continent is quite probable, and yet
there are no customs, arts, or langdages, existing
here, which can be traced to that people, which would
have been the case if they had settled in any con-
siderable numbers. These theories areall based upon
the supposition that the American continent could
only be inhabited by savages, unless a civilization
was imported from the Eastern continent. There can
be no valid reason given why the Western continent
may not have originated a civilization as readily as
the Eastern, and as it is geologically older than the
Eastern, it may have had precedence in the improve-
ment of man. It had a civilization, and this West-
ern valley shared in its benefits. It would hardly
be reasonable to suppose that Mexico should be oceu-
pied for two or three thousand years by an intelli-
gent and active people, and they never visit or know
of the immense territory northeast of them, when
46 History of La Satie County.
bara, California, a photograph of a speeimen of an-
cient pottery, dug from a mound on the south bluff
of the Illinois, just east of Ottawa in this county,
of a curions formation, and showing much skill in its
construction. It is a kind of quadruplieuted jug—
four small jug-like vessels, all connected with each
other at the be id from each of which, as from
the corner of a square, rises a tube, uniting in one at
the top, like the spout of a jug, all forming one ves-
sel. It is composed of the same material as all the
pottery found in these mounds, and from its appear
ance was not burned like modern pottery. It differs
from the modern article by being slightly elastic,
and one ingredient in its composition is supposed to
be pulverized clam shells. This pottery seems to
be indestructible, a8 2,000 years of time has left it
apparently as perfect as when first made.
Numerous specimens of ancient pottery from the
mounds of Peru and South ‘America are of the same
formand material as the one xbove described, Sach
could hardly be the case, unless the art of making
them was derived from the same source.
This specimen was found in a sepnichral monnd,
zht have some significance
ligion or superstitions of
Se,
and its peculiar form mi
in connection with the r
that people. They are supposed to have been snn
worshipers, but their distinctive views will proba-
bly never be fally known, yet much in that diree-
tion will yet be developed, as we donbtless have the
their works seatte thousands of
red 0
that tell what, and who they were. The last few
a
48 History of La Satle County.
have been the ration allowed slaves on the Southern
plantations, about thirteen bushels per annum ; 100
acres, at fifty bushels per acre, would sustain 884
people one year—a very much larger number than
the same amount will sustain when converted into
beet or pork.
Their garden beds, so common and so well pre-
on the second or high bottom, or on
ens, mostly, and from their form,
cultivated by hand. Thus having
no beasts of burden, and probably feeding none for
food, and if, being wiser than their successors, they
converted none into whisky or modern corn-juiee,
they could easily sustain a population that the prea
ent occupants of the valley have not, and for a cen-
tury to come, can not, equal.
We read of the ancient peoples of the Eastern con
tinent, of their countless number, of their wars, con-
qui and revolutions, of race weeding race,
with awe and wonder, We look with little lesa
than erence on rusted coins from Athens or
Rome, a piece of stone from the rains of Babylon,
Tadmor, Balbec, or Palmyra, while we pass almost
unnoticed these works of a people, probably as
numerous, as ancient, and as intelligent as
the hordes that followed Sesostris, Sardan:
nder,
a numerous and ancient people may be carefully
dly preserved, and that the reverence for
s of the Orient may be equaled by a
responding respect for those of the Occident,
and sac
50 History of La Salle County.
They had labored diligently and with some success
for several years among the Canadian tribes, when
the great Iroquois war destroyed or scattered their
converts; but still undiseouraged, they turned further
west for souls to save. They followed the great
lakes and established two principal missions, one at
Saint Maria du Sautat the outlet of Lake Superior.
and the other at La Pointe, called Point De Esprit,
near the west end of the same lake. hither came
the Illinois, Pottawatomies, Foxes, Sioux and other
western tribes, yearly, to trade with the French,
A young Jesnit, Jacques Marquette, who came to
the upper lakes in 1668, heard from the Itinois
Indians at their visits at La Pointe, of the great river
of the West, and after the tribes residing near La
Pointe had been dispersed by an attack of the Sioux,
the Iroquois of the West, he removed his mission to
Mackinaw, und from there in 1773, In company with
Louis Joliet, appointed by the French Governor for
that purpose, started to explore the great river of
which they had heard so much. On the 17th of
June they reached the Mississippi where Prairie du
Chien now is; they floated down that river, stopping
occasionally to confer with the Indians, till they
reached the mouth of the Arkansas, and then re-
turned by the way of the Ulinois rto Canada.
The party of Marquette and Joliet were the first
discoverers of La Sulle County, and the firat white
men that ever passed through it. This was in
September, 1773, tradition says on the 16th of that
month.
The first settlement within the county was made
x
52 History of La Satle County,
bition of no ordinary standard. To control the wealth
of the fur trade; to establish a chain of posta by the
lakes and Missiasippi to the Gulf, and anotherby the
way of the Ohio; to circumseribe the English colonies
on the Adantie, and hold incheck the Spaniards on
the south, while a central rene pire should rise
in the great Valley of the West, vieing with the most
noted of ancient or modern times, was a dream
worthy the genius of a Gesar or Napoleon, and
st have fired the youthful mind of La Salle with
a frenzy for ambitious achievement. In 1674 La
Salle went to France, strongly endorsed and recom-
mended to the King by Count Frontenac, He was
well re d, granted a patent of nobility, and
grant of Fort Frontenac and territory around it—re-
turning, he spent two years in rebuilding and
strengthening the fort, making it a proper base for
future operations, a falerum for bolder or broader
action.
In 1677 he again sailed for France, and in spite of
strong opposition, accomplished his object, being em-
powered to continue his discoveries, to build forts,
and to occupy, on the same terms he did Fort Fron-
tenae, With thirty followers be returned to Canada
in 1778. One of his party was Henri de Tonti, an
Italian officer who had lost a hand in the Sicilian
wars. Tonti proved an able, trustworthy, and most
valuable assistant to La Salle. Arrived at Frontenac
he soon organized hi pedition: with a small yes-
sel his company reached Niagara the last of No-
vember, but the vessel was wrecked, and most of the
stores lost, A fort was built at Niagara, and the
54 History of La. Salle County.
defeated and the town devastated. Tonti returned
to Green Bay, and there met Hennepin returning
from the Upper Mississippi. On La Salle’s arrival
at Niagara he was satisfied the Griffin was lost, and
also heard of the loss of a transport with supplies
from France. Still undismayed, he gathered his
resources, and on December 21, 1681, started from
Fort Miami, at the mouth of the St. Joseph, and by
the way of Chicago river, the Desplaines and Mli-
nois, he descended the Mississippi to its mouth and
took formal possession, for the King of France,
of the conntry watered by the Mississippi and ite
branches, of the extent of which they then had no
adequate conception,
La Salle resolved to make a permanent settlement
on the head waters of the Illinois; to gather the
different tribes about him, making it the centre of
the fur trade; and then, with aid from France, to
build a fort at the mouth of the Mississippi, placing
the interior of the continent under his control, The
resolve was worthy the genius of La Salle. With
his party he returned up the Mississippi, being de-
tained at the Chicasaw blaffs by sickness, and on
his recovery continued his journey.
On his return from this journey, in December,
1682, La Salle and Tonti commenced an intrench+
ment and palisade fort, named Fort St. Louis, on
the cliff now called Starved Rock, and it was soon
after ocoupied by a French garrison, with Tonti
in command.
La Salle estimated the Indians in the vicinity of
this fort at about 4,000 warriors, or 20,000 souls;
by History of La Salle County.
La Salle asked for two vessels with which to make
his settlement at the mouth of the Mississippi, and
four were given bim—one vessel carried thirty-six
guns, another six. But the expedition was an ill
starred one. Inan evil hour, Beangen, a naval cap-
tain, Was appointed to command the expedition.
He quarreled with La Salle. One veasel was taken
by the Spaniards, one was wrecked—they passed the
mouth of the Mississippi and landed too far west.
Beaugen, after landing La Salle and a part of his
stores, left him to his fate, und ssiled for France.
After erecting a fort, exploring the country, and
having frequent contests with the Indians, La Salle,
with a small party, started for Canada, through a
wilderness of 3,000 miles in extent. After days of
weary marching, his party reached the vicinity of
Arkansas Post, where the untiring explorer, the
heroic leader. the man of indomitable courage, nerve,
and pluck, was basely murdered by his men; they
shot him through the head, dragged him among the
bushes, stripped him of his clothing, and left him
unburied, a prey to buzzards and wolves. Thus fell
Robert Cavalier De La Salle, Says Tonti—*One
of the greatest men of his age,’’ and Tonti knew
him well.
His plans were magnificent, his ambition un-
bounded, and his physical powers, zeal, and energy
equal to either. But he was imperious, stern, un-
yielding and tyrannical, and to these traits of char-
acter he owed most of his misfortunes; and he wae
unfortunate in nearly all his undertakings—he could
inspire respect and fear, but not affection, except
68 History of La Satle County.
The traditions of both these great families of the
red man say they came from the west and north-
west, and the Dakotas were called the men of the
salt water, and the generally received opinion that
they came from Asia, may or may not be true. AIL
the lange number of tribes of the Algonquin race
were manifestly from a common origin, shown by a
general resemblance of complexion, features and
language,
The occupancy of the country by the Indians is
supposed to have been several centuries after its
abandonment by the mound builders.
ILLINOIS,
The Mini or Iinois confederation of Indians, from
whom the name of our State and river is derived,
which name means real or superior men, consisted
of five tribes—Peorias, Moingwenas, Kaskaskias,
Tamaroas, and Cahokias.
Marquette siys he found Peorias and Moingwenag
in three towns west of the Mississippi near the Des
Moines, and Peorias and Kaskaskias on the Upper
Mlinois. ‘The Tamaroas were on the Mississippi and
a tribe called the Michigamis, who seem to have
been really Quapaws, also belonged to the confed-
eracy. The Llinois ocenpied most of what is now
the State of Llinois, were numerous and brave, ex-
pert bowmen, but not canoemen,
They moved off to the plains beyond the Missis-
sippi for a short summer hunt, and fora winter hunt
of four or five months; then gathered in towns of
arbor-like cabins covered with water-proof mats,
60 History of La Salle County.
to submission, thus naming the cliff. The Illinois
had for years been holding the Ilinois river as a line
of defense against the northern Indians, and had a
chain of posts or fortifications for defending that line;
one at Marseilles, opposite the rapide, one at the
mouth of the Kankakee, and one above Joliet; the
remains of that at Marseilles can still be seen. The
extermination of the war party at Starved Rock is
supposed to have been the last stand made by the
Illinois on that line of defense. They abandoned
their former homes to their northern foes and re-
treated south.
They joined the Miamis in the war with the United
States, and with their allies suffered a defeat by
the forces under General Wayne in August, 1794,
General Wayne, on the part of the United States,
concluded a treaty with the Iinois, Ang. 8rd, 1785,
giving them an annuity of $500 annually, and Con-
gress had previously, by Act of March 3rd, 1791,
secured 350 acres of land to the Kaskaskias, with the
privilege of selecting 1,280 more.
* General Harrison, in 1803, negotiated a treaty at
Vincennes, in which thelr decline is recited and an
annuity of $1,000 given, and an agreement to build
a chureh and m: in a priest. The Peorias were
not a party to this treaty, but joined in that at Ba-
wardsville in 1818, Sept, 25th, by which the Illinois
ceded all their land in the State for 82,000 in goods
and twelve years annuity of $300 per year, In
1882 they ceded their reservation and removed
further west, receiving a large tract and cash to ereet
buildings and purchase agricultural implements.
62 History of La Salle County.
tribe on the dainties his location furnished so abun-
dantly. Here he held his war dance before he went
out to meet the foe, and here he returned with the
scalps of his victims dangling at his belt, the proud
but eruel trophies of his prowess. Here the Indian
boys and girls gamboled through their youthful
years, and listened to the thrilling legends of war
and the chase as told by the braves of the tribe.
Here, as the setting sun cast its rays along the
placid bosom of the Tlinois, and the soft southern
breeze rippled its surface, the swarthy young war-
rior, beneath the shade of the majestic elms, whis-
pered soft words in the ear of the dark-eyed maiden
—for love, as well with the savage as civilized, is
the romance of life—the oft-told tale, over which
none are so old but they delight to linger.
The daily excitement of the chase, roaming free
over the broad expanse, ever alive to the beauties
and wonders which surround him—in these is a fand
of enjoyment keenly relished by the savage. In
fact, civilized man is ever enamored of it, and the
most intelligent and refined embrace every opportu
nity to escape from the restraints and artificial con-
ventionalities of civilized life, and disport among,
the wild scenes of uncultivated nature. The young
sovage, brought within the influence of lization,
placed in the lls of learning, ever yearns for
the freedom of his native haunts.
The Sacs, Foxes, Kickapoos aud Pottawatomics
were the principal tribes that benefited by the
decadence of the Illinois, Whether they were
actuated simply by a desire for possessing the
Li History of La Salle County.
received money and annuities. Under the influence
of Tecumseh, they joined the English in 1812, and
massacred the garrison at Chicago. New treaties
were made in 1515 and later, by which most of their
lands were conveyed to the Government. In 1895-97,
they were removed on to reservations on the Mis-
souri. The St, Joseph, Wabash and Huron bands
had made some progress in civilization, and were
Catholies; while the Pottawatomies of the Prairies
were still roving and pagan. In 1874, the prairie
band still in charge of the Government nambered
407, on a reservation of 17,000 acres, in Jackson
County, , under the control of the Sos
Friends, who had established schools and r
some progress.
bona wa
thief of the Pottawatomies,
friendly to onr people after
rat of the British and Indians at the battle
james, in 1814.
of the
SACS AND FOXES.
The Sacs, or Sauks, and Foxes—two allied tribes,
were also driven by the Iroquois from east of Sex:
troit, first to Saginaw and then to the of
Green Bay; at first friendly to the French, they
ultimately beeame hostile, and with the Maskoutens
and Kickapoos attacked Detroit in 1712, The
French, aided by the Menomonees and Chippewas,
finally, in 1746, drove them on to the Wisconsin
river. They took no part in Pontiac's war, but be-
friended the whites. In 1766 they took up their
abode where Prairie du Chien now is, and on the
68 History of La Satle County.
and Foxes are reduced to eighty-eight, occupying
a reservation in Kansas and Nebraska, while
another band purchased land at Tama, Towa, and
are said to be prosperous.
WINNEBAGO INDIANS.
The Winnebago tribe of Indians belong to the
Dakota family. They style themselves Hochun-
gar, are styled by the Sioux Hotanki, or Sturgeon,
and by the Algonquins Wennibegouk, meaning men
from the fetid or salt water. They apparently
formed the yan of the castward Dakota emigration,
and were the most eastern tribe of that race. They
were once formidable, and a terror to the Algonquin
tribes.
In the early part of the 17th century a general
alliance of tribes attacked the Winnebagos ; 500
warriors perished. The Llinols, wishing to relieve
them, were ill-treated, and in retaliation, nearly
exterminated them, They were friendly and faith-
ful to the French. They adhered to Tecumseh, and
aided the British in the Revolution, and were a
party in the attack on Prairie du Chien, in 1814,
In 1620 they had fourteen villages on Rock river,
and five on Winnebago lake, In 1829 they ceded
land from the Wisconsin to Rock river, for $30,000
in goods and a thirty-year annuity of $18,000. Tn
September, 1832, they d all their land south of
the Wisconsin and Fox rivers for a reservation of
203,000 acres on the Mississippi, and $10,000 for
twenty-seven years. The reservation was unfit, and
mach suffering and many deaths oceurred. They
68 History of Let Salle County.
have been made for their conversion by the Gatho-
lies and Presbyterians, but with very indifferent
success.
KICKAPOO INDIANS.
The Kickapoo tribe of the great Algonquin family
were first found by the French missionaries, towards
the close of the seventeenth century, on the Wis-
consin. They were friendly to the French, and
allies of the Miamis, yet they killed Father Gabriel
de la Rebourdi, one of La Salle's men. They made
a prisoner of Father Guignas, and held him in eap-
tivity for months. Tn the first part of the eighteenth
century, their principal location was ou Rock river,
Illinois. When the English came in possession of
the country, after the peace of 1763, they found a
village of Kickapoos, of about 200, on the Wabash.
This town was taken by the United States forces in
1791, and Gen. Wilkinson burned another of their
towns in Linois. In 1812, a Kickapoo town on
the Iinois was surprised, and many killed,
Treaties of peace were concluded at Fort Harrison
in 1816, and at Edwardsville in 1819, by which a
Jarge proportion of their land was ceded to the
United States, Part of their lands they claimed by
descent from their ancestors, having been in posses~
sion for sixty years, and a part by conquest from
The Kickapoos were one of the principal northern
tribes that combined against the Illinois, and waged
a relentless war for more than half a century. From
about 1690 to about 1780, with slight intermissions,
Z
70 History of La Salle County.
Tippecanoe. Their last attack of the Llinois was
near Kaskaskia, after the Illinois had retired to the
south part of the State. The Ilinois children were
picking strawberries when the Kiekapoos attacked
them, killed numbers, and took the others captive.
About twenty-five miles from Kaskaskia is the
scene of a great battle between the Kickapoos and.
Pottawatomies on one side, and the Kaskaskias and
allies on the other, in which there was a terrible
slanghter of the Kaskasl and allies. This
occurred about 1785 or 1790.
After being reduced to submission, annuities were
paid them, and they went on to a reservation on
the Osage. In 1822, about 2,000 had removed, and
about 400 remained in Illinois, Missionaries of
different denominations labored without effect for
their conversion. Some few settled down to agri-
culture, but the most rambled off to hunt and
plunder, A part of them emigrated to Mexico,
from whence they made raids over the border, Tn
1873, 300 or 400 of them returned, and went on a
reservation west of the Arkansas river, Those on
the reservation now number 274. There are forty:
six children In the school; they have live stock
valued at $18,000, and produce valued at $12,000
annually; they dress like the whites, and have
ceased to be warriors.
LEGEND OF 8TARVED ROCK.
The legend of Starved Rock has by some been
pronounced a fiction, while others have claimed that
that event was the destruction of the last remnant of
2 History of La Salle County.
After that defeat, the Tilinois abandoned their de-
fenses on the line of the Ilinois‘river. That line of de-
fense was an excellent one, as against Indians. The
Tndian always goes to war, if he goes at all, with an
open place of retreat, Mrs. Simon Crosisr told the
writer that she remained with her family, at her
eabin at Shippingport, during most of the Black
Hawk war, without fear, as she knew the Indian -
well enough to know that he would never put such
a river as the Illinois between him and his place of
retreat, and her opinion seemed well founded, as the
Sauks did not cross that river during the war, The
date of the siege of Starved Rock is not definitely
settled ; it was doubtless the last stand made by the
retiring Llinois on that line of defense, The Foxes
and other northern tribes had been making war on
the weakening Tlinois for nearly a century, and
after the death of Pontiac, killed ina drunken brawl
at one of the [linols villages, for which the Tiiinols
were not in fault, the war, renewed and intensified
by that event, resulted in the expulsion of the
Tilinols from their ancient home on their favorite
Tiver. Pontiae was killed in 1779, and the siege of
Starved Rock occurred immediately after, probably
not later than 1780. The absurd statement, that the
last remnant of the Tllinois nation was starved and
extinguished at that time, is sufficiently refuted by
the record of treaties, made with them by the
Government for forty years afterward, their removal
west in 1820, and their existence yet, though only
a miserable remnant of that once great nation, like
the flickering light of a lamp with the oil exhausted
that must soon be forever extinguished,
74 History af La Satle County.
Peoria Lake on the 7th; found the French stock-
ade fort burned, but some of the honses stand-
ing ; passed the Vermillion on the 9th—found the
water too shallow for his bout at the rapids, and
went by land from there; passed the Fox on the
10th of August; went some forty-five miles farther,
and returned without finding the copper mine. They
fell in with a party of French, who brought them in
their canoes to where they had left their boat. On
the way down they metja Frenchman by the name
of Jennette, who aided them in their search for the
mine, but the party returned to Kaskaskia not hay-
ing been within several hundred miles of the copper
mines so famed in both ancient and modern times,
Their meeting with Frenchmen ehows that the French
still hunted and traded here, and were virtually yet
in possession of the country, Fort Dearborn, at
Chicago, was built and occupied in 1804,
A topographical survey of the Northwest was
made by Maj. Stephen H. Long, United States Topo-
phical Engineer, in 1817. Fort Clark, at Peoria,
was then just being occupied by United States troops,
and Fort Dearborn, at Chicago, had been rebuilt
the year previons, having been nnocenpied since its
destruction and massacre of its garrison in 1812,
Maj. Long, in his report, refers to the national im-
portance of our canal, and of the comparative facility
of opening a canal almost made by nature,
AMERICAN FUR COMPANY.
About the year 1816 the American Far Company
established posts for trading with the Indians ; one
16 History of La Salle County.
HODGSON'S NARRATIVE,
Mr. Eli Hodgson, of Farm Ridge, bas furnished
the facts for the following narrative of a trip through
this region by his father, Joel Hodgson, in 1821, two
years before the first white settlercame in. Joel
Hodgson was not an early settler here, but he settled
in 1828 in Tazewell County, with a large family.
Four of his sons and his widow removed to Farm
Ridge, in this county, in 18% Two of them, Aaron
and Eli Hodgson, large farmers and stock breeders,
are now residents here, and the narrative is worthy
a place in our pioneer history.
In the autamn of 1821 « number of families of
Clinton County, Ohio, proposed to emigrate to a
western location, in sufficient numbers to support a
school, charch, etc., and deputed Joel Hodgson and
another person to explore the then wild and unoe-
cupied Northwest, and select a location for the
colony. His colleague having been taken sick, Mr.
Hodgson resolutely started alone, on horseback
He equipped himself with a good horse, saddle and
bridle, a packing wapello well filled with dried
beef, crackers, and hard ; his other equipments
were the best map he could then get of the western
territories, a pocket compass, flint and steel and
punk-wood, with which to kindle a fire, ag matehes
were not then known. Hecarried no weapon, often
remarking that an honest face was the best weapon
among civilized or savage men
After safely crossing the State of Indiana, then a
wilderness, he entered Mlinois where Danville now
78 History of La Satie County.
his way to Dillon's Grove, in Tazewell County ;
there, as he expected, he met a few settlers, old
neighbors of his, from Ohio, the first white men he
had seen since leaving Danville. He then returned
by the way of Springfield and Vandalia to Danville,
where he made a claim on Government land, which
he afterwards purchased. He returned to Ohio and
reported that he found no suitable location for the
proposed colony, Some might think it rather sin-
gular that 2 man of his resolution, and sound judg-
ment, should pass through the best part of the State
of Illinois—the best portion of the West, and as
good a country as the sun shines on, and then make
such report; but those who saw it as he saw it, can
properly appreciate his decision, and the fact that
he made such a decision, is significant of the im-
measurable difference betwen then and now. Sur-
rounded by the solitude, which even his horse felt
so keenly, he was not ina mood to take in the fall
value of a prairie farm, and the prairie region was
not then understood ; there was supposed to be an
almost fatal deficiency of timber, and the coal fields
were hid in the bowels of the earth. The prairie
was supposed to be so cold and bleak in winter as
to be uninhabitable, and that not more than a tenth
of the country could ever be utilized. The railroads
which now connect us with either ocean, and the
telegraph thet annihilates distance, and conyerses
with all the world, were neither of them invented.
The slower mail and post coach had not then
crossed the prairie region, and the pufling steamer
had never reached the Upper Illinois. There was no
80 History of La Salle County.
FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY, AND
THE WINNEBAGO WAR.
The first permanent settlement made In the eounty,
was at Ottawa and vicinity, Tts geographical loca
tion, its topographical and geological features marked
that asa central and important: point, even to the
most superficial observer. Dr, Davidson was the
first white man, after the French, who settled in the
county; he came in the sommer of 1823; Jesse
Walker came in the fall of 1824, for the purpose of
establishing a mission among the Pottawatomie
Indians ; Enos Pembroke, Thomas R. Covell, Lewis
Bailey, George and Joseph Brown, Col. Sayers, and
Edward Weed, came in 1825; David Walk
Walker, and Simon Croaiar, came in 1836 ; George E.
Walker in 18 Nearly all of these located on the
bluff, in what is now South Ottawa. These, and
perhaps two or three others, constituted the pioneer
force, the infant colony, that occupied La Salle
County in 1827, when the Winnebago war broke
out and struck terror to all the frontier settlements,
The scene of the outbreak was some distance away,
but the intervening territory was :
occupied by Indians, on whom no reliance could be
placed. Immediately on hearing of the outbreak
the little colony constructed a fort, and made the
best possible preparation for defense.
The fort was a small palisade, back from the bluff
in South Ottawa, far enough from the timber to pre-
vent the enemy attacking under its cover, and com-
manding a supply of water. The marks of the fort
desert waste, or
82 History of La Satle County.
of the whites, under Tecumseh and Pontiac, was
well remembered, and such an actof hostility might
be imagined as but the prelude to a general war.
‘The following statement, by Gurdon 8. Hubbard,
extracted from the seventh volume of the Wisconsin
Historical Collections, casts much light on the rela~
tions of the Pottawatomie Indians, ax well as giving
a lucid account of the Winnebago war in 1827.
Mr. Hubbard says: ‘It is a mistake that the
young warriors of the Pottawatomies designed at-
tempting to capture Fort Dearborn in 1832. No
such design was ever contemplated ; had there been
I should have certainly known it. The Pottawato-
mies were then friendly, Their chief, Shanbanee, was
very industrious, riding day and night, giving infor-
mation to frontier settlers and protecting them, when
in his power, sending nine of his young men to Gen,
Atkinson, who remained in the army, as alds toour
troops. Iwas in Gen. Atkinson's campaign from
the time he left the Minois river, serving sixty days,
and personally conversant with every movement.
*The statement referred to might apply to the
Winnebago war of 1827, but not to the troubles of
1882. Then such an expedition was contemplated
by Big Foot's band, whose village was at Geneva
Lake, then known ns Big Foot’s Lake. Big Foot
circulated sceretly the war wampum to the Potta-
watomies while here receiving their annuities, bat it
was not accepted by their chiefs and braves. It was
kept so secret that not a white man knew abont it.
“The first intelligence we had here of the massacre
on the Upper Mississippi, in 1827, was brought by
4 History of La Salle County.
Postmaster, in his father's house. We put on our
clothes, ran to the river, and found our canoe filled
with water; we could make no headway with it.
We then swam the river and aided in extinguishing
the fire.
*Wereceived no aid from the Indians of Big Foot’s
band. We thought it strange at the time, and they
decamped in the morning. The news by Gen, Cass
made us suspect Big Foot. That same day we sent
Shaubanee and Billy Caldwell to Big Foot’s village
as spies, to ascertain what the Indians’ intentions
were.
“Caldwell secreted himself in the woods, sending
Shaubanee into the camp. He was immediately
seized, but by his presence of mind and shrewdness
got liberated. He was escorted by Big Foot’s In-
dians for half a day, Shaubanee giving a signal as
they passed near where Caldwell was, so that he
and Caldwell did not return together, Caldwell
reaching here about two hours later. Shaubanee
reported that he was questioned as to the quantity
of guns and ammunition the traders had here, which
led him to think an attack was contemplated. Big
Foot admitted he had joined the Winnebagoes to
drive the whites from the country, urging Shanbanee
to act with him, who replied that he would go home,
call a council of his braves and send an answer.
There were here at Chicago only about thirty whites
able to bear arms.
“A council was called, which resulted ina resolu.
tion to send two or three to the Wabash for ald.
Three volunteers were called for this purpose, but
i:
86 History of La Salle County.
1830. It was for Fox River Precinet of Peoria
County.
Tn the winter of 1830-31 the legislature organized
the county of La Salle, and an election was held the
following spring, at Ottawa, for county officers. The
boundaries of the county included Ranges 1, 2, 8, 4, 5,
and 6, from the south line of Township 29, now the
south line of the town of Groveland, to the north line
of the State, being thirty-six miles wide, and overone
hundred miles long—abont the size of some of the
smaller States,
At the first election held at Ottawa
1831, George E. Walker was chosen John
Green, Abraham Trumbo, and James B, Campbell,
County Commissioners ; and David Walker, County
Clerk.
The county was divided into three precincts.
Ranges 1 and 2 constituted Vermillion Precinct;
Ranges 3 and 4 Ottawa Precinct ; and Ranges 5 and
6 Eastern Preeinct. Each precinct ran north to the
State line,
A court was held the following summer on the
south side of the river, as that was then the town.
Judge Young presided, The grand jury held a ses-
sion, a petit jury were summoned, but no present-
ments were made, nor trials had. It is said the
court was held under a large tree, on the bottoms
south of the river. The grand jury met ina room
of David Walker's house, and the petit jury, not
being impanneled, were not confined toany locality,
Judge Young complimented the county upon its
moral character, in having no indictments presented,
March 7th,
a History of La Salle County.
Deer Park in 1829, and Elsa Armstrong in 1831.
Charles Brown and the Hogabooms came in 1830,
These, with a few others, were the whole popula-
tion of La Salle County in 1831-32, when the Black
Hawk war broke over the defenseless colony. The
settlements in the county were located at Ottawa
and vicinity, nearly all south of the river, extend-
ing to Covell creek, and to Brown's Point below,
At Dayton and Rutland, on both sides of the Pox,
and on the Illinois at or near the Grand Rapids,
there might have been fifty persons; four or five
families on Indian creek; four or five at La Salle
and Pera and the bluff opposite; a like number
at Bailey's Grove, and two or three each on the
Upper Vermillion, and in what is now the town of
Deer Park—a feeble and scattered people, on the
extreme borders of civilization, but ily prepared to
meet the shock of savage warfare.
The outbreak in the spring of 1831, when Black
Hawk crossed the Mis pi, near Rock Island,
and drove the settlers from their claims, alarmed
the whole frontier, The timid left the country, and
immigration ceased. The difficulty was temporarily
settled, but there was a feverish anxiety among the
people; and when, in the spring of 1889, the Sauks,
under Black Hawk, took the war-path in earnest,
many precipitately left, decreasing the means of
defense, and weakening the already feeble colony.
The winter of 1830-31 was a very severe one; the
show was of unusual depth, and traveling across
the country almost impossible, The water of the
Tiinois river, at the time of the spring floods, was
00 History of La Salle County.
Tn 1831, Black Hawk and most of his tribe resided
west of the Mississippi. Some settlers had bought
of the Government, the land in the vicinity of what
had been their principal town on the east side, Just
below Rock Island. Black Hawk ordered them
away, and upon their not going, destroyed their im-
provements, and threatened to make war, General
Gaines, with a few companies of United States sol-
diers, was sent to the scene of trouble, and seven hun-
dred mounted volunteers from Illinois were called
out, Black Hawk retreated across the Mississippi,
and finally sued for peace, which was conelnded by
his ceding the disputed land. Yet, in the spring of
1832 he again crossed the Mississippi, notwithstand-
ing his agreement, and made vindictive war on the
frontier settlements. His bitter feelings toward the
United States, and the wasting of his tribe, encroach-
ment of the whites, and prospect of extinction,
exasperated the old man’s feelings and he made war,
doubtless in desperation,
Governor Reynolds called out about 2,200 volun-
teers, who were equipped, and ordered to the seene
of the outbreak, under the command of General
Whiteside, of the State militia.
‘They went by the way of Oquawka on the Migs-
issippi, to Rock river, and rendezvoused at Dixon,
The army here found two battalions of mounted
volunteers from the counties of McLean, Tazewell,
Peoria and Fulton, commanded by majors Stillman
and Bailey, These forces asked for some dangerous
service in which they might distinguish themselves.
They were ordered up the river to feel the enemy,
92 History of La Salle County.
victims. It seoms that La Salle County suffered
far more than all others.
After the discharge of the s at Ottawa, Col.
Fry made a speech to the discharged men, telling
them it was a shame for them to go home and leave
these defenseless families to certain death, and eall-
ing for volunteers to serve till other forces could be
raised and placed in the field. To this appeal a
portion promptly responded.
Out of the discharged men, a regiment of yolnn-
ters was raised, Jacob Fry was elected Colonel :
James D, Henry, Lieut,-Colonel, and John Thomas,
Major. Whiteside, late commanding general, en-
listed as a private. The eral companies of this
regiment were so disposed as to best guard the
frontier.
On the 15th of June, the new levies had been mus-
tered in, and were formed in three brigades, the
whole force amounting to 3,200 men, There were
fears thatthe Winnebagoesand Pottawatomies would
join the Sauks, and a large force was called ont,
as well to overawe them, as to cope with the enemy
already in the field. The Indians at this time had
possession of nearly the whole country from Chicago
fo Galena, and from the Tlinois river to Wisconsin;
they lurked in nearly every grove, but the settlers
had taken refage in places of safety, and no more
casnalties oveurred.
The army was commanded by General Atkinson
ofthe regular army. On the29d of June, the forces
were organized on the Minois river at Fort Wilburn,
near where Pern now is. They first mareled to
Dixon.
4 History of Tar Sale County.
take command in this war. Tn eighteen days he
transported a regular force from Fortress Monroe to
Chicago; on their way up the lakes they were
dreadfully afflicted with Asiatic cholera, then a new
and strangedisease. It broke out among the troops
when at Detroit. Of two hundred landed forty
miles from Detroit, only nine survived. The main
body came on, under General Scott, to Chicago.
The disease again broke out when at Mackinaw,
and continued after their arrival at Chicago, and
within thirty days, ninety more were carried to
their graves. The cholera detained Scott and’ his
troops at Chicago about a month, and he reached
the Mississippi at Rock Island, in August, 1832, but
after the decisive battle at Bad Axe, conse San
took no part in the fight.
The defeat of Stillman, on Rock river, cate
Black Hawk, who had hitherto held his warriors
together, to resist. an expected attack from the forees
under Whiteside, being now relieved from immedi-
ate apprehension, to send detached parties to attack
the frontier settlements. As soon as Shabona was
informed of the situation, he hastened to inform the
settlers at the pointa exposed, that they were liable
to be surprised at any time; it was on the 1th or
16th of May that Shabona visited the Indian Creek
settlement.
Mr. Hall started with his family for Ottawa, bat
was persuaded by Davis to stop with him, so that
Hall, Davis, and Petigrew, with their families and
some hired hands, were all stopping with Davis.
Davis was a Kentuckian, a large and powerful man,
we History of La Salle County.
possible, and stand our ground and defend ourselves againn the
Tadians,
So, after hiding all our heavy. property, and londing the ro-
mainder and the family oa to tho wagon, we started for Ottawa,
meeting Mr. Davis, who lad been at Ottawa the day before, and
bad learned that » company Lad gone out in » northerly directhon
to learn of the Indian movements, and would report om their re-
turn in cuse of danger. My father was prevailed on by Davis to
abandon hfs retrent, and stop at Davis! house, where Mr. Potigrew
and family, Mr, Howard and son, Joho H. Henderson and two
Hired men of Davis’, Robert Norris and Houry Georg, were all
Hopping.
On the 20ih day of May, myself and deat father were at work
under a ched adjoining a bincksmith shop, on Che west side next to
the dwelling house. Mr. Davis and Norris were at work in the shop,
Henry George and William Davis, Jr,, were at work on a anilhdamn,
alittle south of the shop. It baing a very warm day, in the after.
noon some one brought a bucket of water from the spring to the
shop. and we all went into the shop to rest a few minutes and
qvench our thirst. At this time John A. Henderson, Edward and
Greeabury Hall, Howard and son, and two of Davis! sons, werk
the field o9 the south side of the creek iafall view, and abut half
a mile from the house, planting corn ; and while we were resting i
the shop we heard # scream at the house, Tsald: There are the
Indians now | and jamped out of the door, it belig on the opposite
side fr ym the house, and the others followed as fust as they could,
4nd, a8 we tnrned the corner of the shop, discovered the dogr-
yard full of Indians. I woxt eaw the Indians jork Mr, Petigrew's
child, four or five years old, taking St by the feet and dashing ite
head against a stamp, [saw Mr, Petigrow, and leant two gone
scomingly in the house, and then the tomahawk soon ended the
crics of those in the house, aud Smmedintely they fired about
twen'y shots nt our party of five, but neither of as was hiert that T
kaow of.
‘Their next motion was to pourso:ne powder dows thelr guts, and
drop a bullet out of thelr montis and raise their guns and fire,
‘This tine 1 heard shortseatence of prayer to my right, and a little
behind, On tarning that way, Txaw my dear father on the ground,
shot in the loft breast, and dying, and, 0 looking around, Daw
Uhe Inst of the company were gone or were going. The Inilane
98 History of La Sgile County).
few cithzens and Stillmon's defeated troops, into which company TE
enlisted, and the next day were on the line of march, fa puranit of
the savages, and If possible, to get possession of my two eldest
sisters, who were missing, and who, we wore satisfied, hud been
carried away by the Tadiaus, from signs found on their trail. We
went ns far ns Itook river, when our provisions failed, and we He
turned to Ottawa for, and laid in, provisions fora second trip. T
found that Gen, Atkinson had made propositions to the Winkebago
Indians, through the agent, Mr. Gratiot, to purchase my sisters, as
we were fearful if we approached the Indiava, they would kill
them, te prevent thelr capture, We then started the second tine,
and proceciled to Rock river, where we fell in with a company of
voluntecrs, wader Gen. Dodge, when we learned that the frleadly
Texlinge had succeeded in obtaining my sisters, and that they were
at White Oak Springs. I wont with a company of regulars to Ga:
Tena, and obtaioing a furlough, went to White Onk Springs, where
T found my sisters, and returned with them to Galena.
(Signed) J. W. Hau,
The remainder of the narrative of J. W. Hall is
omitted, as it is substantially embraced in that of
the Misses Hall, which follows,
Statement made by the former Misses Hall, now
Mrs. Horn and Mrs. Munson, in presence of, and by
request of, their husbands, of the massacre of their
farnily and others, on the 20th of May, 1832, on Ta-
dian creek, in La Salle County, and of their captivity
and rescue from the Indians :
STATEMENT,
In the afternoon of the 20th of May, 1882, we wore alarmed by
Indians musing suddenly into the room where we were staying.
The howse wae situated on the north bank of Indian creek. Here
lived our father, William Hall, aged 45; our mother, aged 45; and
six childrea—Toba W, Edward H., aged 2; Greenbury,
aged 19; Sylvia, aged pel, aged 15; and Eliznbeth, aged 8.
The house belonged to William Davis, whose family consisted of
nine in all; Me. Pecigrew, wifo and two children, These fantle
100 History of Ta Salle County.
deans wore scalded by the Indians and some acorns roasted. ‘The
Indians ate heartily, and we tried, but could not, as we expected to
fare as our friends had, or worse. After resting we were packed up
2s usual, and traveled awhile, when some of the Inilans left ux
for some time; when they returned we wore hurried ou at a rapid
rate for some fire miles, while the Indians that were following had
thelr spoars drawn and wo supposed the party when absent had seen
Aome whitor, and that if wo were overtaken they would destroy us,
Alter about an hour they sluckeued their speed, and rode on as usual
till near sundown, whon the whole party halted for the aight, aud
having built» fire they roquired us to burn some tobaceo and corn
meal which was placed in our handa, which we did, not knowing
why wo did 80, except to obey them. We aupposed it was to show
that they had beon successfal in their undertaking.
‘They then prepared supper, consisting of dried ment sliced, colfee
boiled in a coppor kettle, corm pounded and made into a kind of
soup. ‘They gave us some in wooden bowls with wooden ladles; we
took some but did not relish tt, After supper they held a danoe,
ond after that we were conducted to a tent or wigwam, and a squawy
placed on each side of ws, where we remained during the night,
sleeping what we could, which was very little The Indians
kept stirring all night, Ia the morning, breakfast the same ns
supper; that over, they cleared off a plece of ground about
inety feet in circumference and placed a pole about twenty:
five fect high in the contre and Gfteen or twenty apearassct uparound
the pole; on the top of thespears were placed the scalps of out mar
dered friends; futher’s, mother’s and Mrs. Poligrem’s were recog-
nized by us, There were also two or three hearts placed on separate
spears. Tho squaws, under the direction of the warriors, a8 We sup
posed from their jabbering, painted ono side of our faces black wna
the other red, and scajed us on our blankets near the pole, Just leave
ing room enough for the Indians to piss betwoen us and the po
than the warriors commenced to dance around us, with their spears
in thelr hands, and occasionally sticking them to the ground; aad
now we expected at every round the spears would be thrust through
ws, find our troubles be brought to.an cad. But no hostile demen-
stration was made toward us, and after they bad continued thelr
dance about half an hour or more, two old equaws led us away to
oneof the wigwams and washed the palat off our faces as well
us they could, Then the whole camp struck tents, and started
north, while the wholo earth eeemed to be alive with Lodinns.
im History of La Salle County.
amont packed up, sd placod us with themsolves i
traveled all Gay until nearly sundown by water,
‘bank of the stream, the vame of which we never knew, neither
an wo toll whether wo traveled up ar down,
On the morning of the ninth day we had breakfast very early,
after which White Crow went round to each wigwam as far as we
could see, and stood at the opsning, holding n gourd with pebbles
in it, shaking it and occasionally talking as if lecturing ; then went
off and was gone all day. He eame back at night, and for the fies
time spoke to usin Eaglish, and nskod if fathor or mother were
alive, and whether we had any brothers or sisters We told hisn
we thought not, for we supposed they were all killed. When he
beard this he looked very sorry, and shook his hoad, and then in-
formed us thet he was golng Lo take us home in the morning.
‘Next morning, being the tenth day, White Crow went through
thesame performance as on the morning of the previous day, Then
‘twenty-six of the Winnebagos went with us {nto the canoes, and
crossed over the stroam, swimming their borsos by the aide of the
canoes, On the other shore all were mounted on the ponles, and
traveled all day Uurough wet tand, sloughs, and brush. At night
wo came to where there were two or three families encamped,
‘They expressed great Joy atseving us Here we encamped for the
pight—White Crow and Whirling Thunder with us We had
pickled pork, potatoes, codfec, and bread for us and the two chiefs,
which we relished better than nuything we had had since our eaptiv=
ity. We lay down on the bed prepared for ua, and White Crow came
and sat down by our bed and commenced smoking, and continued
there smoking his pipe most of the time till morning, never goingto
sloep, ax we believe. Next morning had breakfast same ax supper;
the Indian families bade us good bye, and the same company of
twentyoaix Indians, as the day before, started with us, and we
traveled over land that scemed to be higher than that traveled the
day before, Aboutten a. at., we came to some old tracksof « wagon,
and hore for the first time we began to have some hopes that the
Inilians were going to convey us home, as they said they would do;
and as we passed on we began tosee more and more signs of olvitiza:
tion. About three o'clock we stopped and had some dinser—
roiled venison and boiled ducks’ eggs, and if they had not been
boiled #0 soon tha young ducks would have made their appearance,
Bat the Indians would nover starve if they could get young ducks
dolled in the heli,
Wt History of La Salle County.
County, Hingis, which was done at our request, We aleo received
smaller smounts to pay our expenses up the river, homeward. We
can only express our thanks to these kind frlends for their gene
rosity. In company with brother John W., and uncle Edward
Tall, who had been with us since we left the Blac Mounds, we took
a boat up the THinols river, to Beardstown, and ont five miles east,
to our uncle, Robert Scott, where we remained about two months,
when brother John W. Hall took vs to Brown County, where we
remained tii! March, 1883, when Rachel was married to Williag
‘Munson, and settlod near the scene of her paronta’ tragic fate, in
La Salle County; and in May, 1833, Sylvia was married to Williom
§ Elorn, and removed to Cuss County, Mlinols,
‘This statement ia made at the home of Sylvia, in Nebraska,
where Rachel and her husband are visiting, and committed to
writing by Mr. Horn, Sylvin’s husband, the seventh day of Sep-
tember, 1567.
(Signed) Bravia Hom.
Racine Munson.
Tt will be observed by the reader, that Mrs. Horn
and Mrs. Manson, in their narrative, give a simple
statement of the facts almost entirely without eom-
ment, or a recital of their own emotions during the
terrible ordeal through which they passed. Perhaps
they were wise in doing so. No language conld
convey any adequate idea of what their mental suf-
fering must have been in witnessing the more than
tragic death of their family and friends—and of the
fearful uncertainty that for days hung over their
own destiny, held as they were helplessly in the
power of those whose hands were still red with the
blood of their kindred. They might well suppose
that the sympathizing reader could better know what
their sufferings must have been than they could
describe them,
It isbut Justice to say, that they were very kindly
106 History of La Saile County.
course, as is their custom, take away all their killed
and wounded, if there wereany. Davis was a pow-
erful man, and something of a pngilist, and doubt-
less would fight desperately if he had a chance, but
against so large a number of enemies his chances
single-handed were small, und the probability is, he
did not attempt it.
The Government and all parties showed a com-
mendable sympathy and prompt effort to reseue
the captives. The Government paid about $2,000,
mostly in ponies, for their ransom.
KILLING OF SCHERMERMORN, HAZLETON, PAINE, AND
DARESPORD,
For some days after the massacre at Indian creek
the settlers stayed close in the forts at Ottawa and
Fort Wilburn at Peru. But as no Indians were
seen, they cautiously ventured to take more liberty ;
and as the seouts sent out discovered no signs of the
enemy, they grew more bold, with the result nar-
rated below, The settlers, who had hurriedly left
their homes when the alarm was first given, were
anxious to recover some stock and other property
loft, provided it had escaped the notice of the In-
dians.
For this purpose an expedition was organized at
Ottawa, accompanied by a company of soldiers, to
visit Holderman’s Grove and points along Fox
river. The soldiers, and others who were on the
south side of the river, went by the way of Brown's
Ford, and up the east side of the Fox, while a Mr
Sechermerhorn and his son-in-law, Hazleton, who
Black Hawk War. 107
were on the north side of the Illinois, went by the
way of Dayton, and, crossing the Fox at that point,
expected to meet the expedition on the road east of
Dayton, but made the point about a mile behind
them. They followed on, and in passing round the
field near where Wm. Dunnavan now lives,discovered
a party of Indians, and turned and fled toward
Ottawa. A soldier, who had fallen behind his com-
rades, met them at the south side of the field, and
also fled, pursued by about a dozen Indians, The
Indians did not fire on them, probably from fear of
alarming the soldiers, but threw their spears, one
passing just under and another just over his horse’s
neck, barely missing the soldier, who escaped to
Ottawa and gaye the alarm, Schermerhorn and
Hazleton were both killed and scalped, and their
horses taken. From the place where the soldier left
them, the track of the wagon circled to the right to-
ward the timber (where David Grove now lives), the
tracks of the Indians’ ponies being south of the
Wagon track. The wagon was found against a tree
‘on the é@dge of the ravine, nearly north of Mr.
Grove’s house. The tree is still standing. Scher-
merhorn’s body was lying by the fore-wheels of the
wagon, and Hazleton’s twenty-five or thirty rods
below, on the north bank of the ravine ; heappears
to have fled after Schermerhorn was killed, and
‘been overtaken or shot where found. A small sealp
‘was taken from the head of Hazleton, but Schermer-
liorn, being nearly bald, was flayed to the neck.
The same day, Capt. James McFadden, who was
commander of a company of home guards organized
—
108 History of La Salle County.
in Ottawa, James Baresford, and Ezekiel and Danie)
Warren, were on the south side of the Indian creek
timber, picking strawberries. They had been thus
engaged for some time, when the Warrens remarked
that they were too near the bushes that skirted the
timber, as Indians might be concealed there, and
mounted their horses and rode off.
The others remained a short time, and had just
mounted their horses when they were fired on by
about a dozen Indians, doubtless the same that
killed Schermerhorn and Hazleton. Baresford was
killed and McFadden shot through the ancle, the
same ball passing through the body of his horse, but
the faithfal animal carried him beyond the reach
of the Indian rifles, and then fell. The Warrens
came to his assistance, and one of them dismounted
and gaye the wounded man his horse, with the
agreement that if the Indians pursued, and were
likely to overtake the one on foot, Warren should
have the horse and MeFadden should yield his
sealp to the foe. There have always been men in
the world who, if placed in the position of MeFad-
den, and the Indians had pursued, would have hes-
itated as to fulfilling that agreement. But the In-
dians did not pursue, and the three escaped. Other
versions of McFadden’s escape are given, but all
agree in the main facts of the unfortunate affair.
Adam Paine, a Dunkard preacher, who had
labored occasionally among the Indians, left Chicago
to go to Ottawa, and below. He was advised that
he run a desperate risk, as the country was in the
possession of hostile Indians, who would likely take
116 History of La Salle County.
had farms under improvement, and produce to sell,
while those who were making improvements had to
buy at such price as the older settlers saw fit to ask.
Wheat was about two dollars per bushel; corn and
oats, one dollar to one dollar and a half; though the
prices varied in different neighborhoods, as the pro-
portion of old or new comers preponderated,
All new comers were consumers, and not pro-
ducers, for the first year or two, unless they bought
an improved farm, and that reduced their depend-
ence upon the funds they brought with them, to one
years living expenses. But a poor man could
always find employment, and if he arrived here
without money he could get provisions for his family
and pay in labor, as labor was the great need of the
country. He could buy anything the country con-
tained with labor. Building houses, stables, pens,
and yards, making rails, fencing, and breaking
prairie, called for stout and willing hands. A
good worker was a great acquisition, buta drone
had no place among the hardy pioneers,
There are many subjects connected with the occu-
pancy and settlement of a new country not con-
tained in the narrative of passing events. The next
few pages will be occupied with miscellaneous
articles of personal narrative; biography of the
Indian chief, Shabona, the friend of the whites ; and
usages and customs of the pioneers.
SHABONA.
Most of the early settlers remember the large and
manly form of Shabona, the old Indian chief, who
112 History of La Salle County.
great warrior was killed at the battle of the Thames,
in 1818, Shabona said, when Teonmsch fell he
looked about and saw the British all running, the
Indians all running, and then he ran too, From
that time he forsook the alliance of the British,
and became the friend of the United States.
All of the Algonquin tribes were under French
influence, and took sides with them in all their
wars with Great Britain and her colonies, and
when the French possessions, by the treaty of 1763,
passed into the hunds of Great Britain, they mostly
took sides with Great Britain against the United
States, and their defeat at the battle of the
Thames partially, at least, separated the North-
western Indians from British influence.
Shabona became peace-chief of the Pottawato-
mies, from which tribe he is said to have procured
his wife. He opposed Black Hawk's proposed
war on the whites, and prevented the Pottawato
mies from joining the Sauks; and when he found
the war inevitable he lost no time in warning the
settlers of La Salle and adjoining counties of their
danger, and thus saved many valuable lives. The
settlers at Indian Creek were warned by Shabona
in ample time to have reached # place of safety,
but his advice was unheeded, and they paid the
penalty with their lives.
He effectually aided the whites in that contest,
and in consideration of his services the Government
reserved a tract of land for his use at Shabona’s
Grove, in what is now De Kalb County, and gave
him a pension of $200.
114 History of La Satte County.
80th, 1864, aged eighty-six years. She was born
where Chicago now is, about 1778.
The persistent friendship of the old Indian for
the whites, under injustice from the Government,
shows strongly the firmness of the Indian character;
while their hates are bitter, vindictive, and eruel,
their love and gratitude are equally lasting.
The story of Shabona is a severe commentary on
the barbarism of civilixed man, who would sweep
the red man from existence, and who say there are
no friendly Indians but dead ones, That vindictive
cruelty which characterizes the savage under real or
fancied provocation, still actuates, with increased
intensity, those pretended sharers of our boasted
Christian civilization who would strike with re-
morseless effect a fallen race, and extinguish at a
blow the sad and melancholy remnant of a once
powerful people, brought to the verge of extine-
tion by the diseases, vices and wrongs of a pre-
tended Christian people.
William Hickling, one of the early settlers of
Ottawa, now of Chicago, has shown the writer a
certificate of character given to Shabona in 1818, by
Billy Caldwell, a half-breed chief of the Pottawato-
mies. Shabona had carried it many years carefully
enclosed in a piece of buckskin, which exhibited
unmistakable signs of long use, About a year before
his death he gave it to his friend, Mr. Hickling, that
it might be preserved. A verbatim copy is here
inserted. Billy Caldwell was liberally educated by
the Jesuits at Detroit. Mr. Hickling thinks the
autograph attached to the certificate in his posses-
sion, the only one of Caldwell's in existence.
né History of La Salle County.
‘A smal! number of the young braves did actually join Black Hawk
‘These were eupposed to have been related by blood and
with the Sauks. Two of them, young men, brothers, were accused
‘of having been engaged with the band of Sauks in their murderous
foray upon the sottiemonts of the Fox and Rock River valleys, and
atthe close of the war, Mr. Walker, before mentioned, who was
then sheriff of La Salle County, went alone to Black Hawk's camp
io Towa, and arrested the two young braves on a charge of mur
dor, and brought them to Ottawa for trint. Not having any coust-
house building at that time in La Salle County, the court was held
io the open alr, underthe shady branches of alarge tree, at that the
sanding on the south bank of the Illinois river at Ottawa The
Court appointed the late Gen, James Turney to defend the Indians,
For the want of suffictent evidence they were acquitted, and thex
‘was the first sheritf of La Salle County saved from the dissgreonble
duty of an execution, It is said that upon their release from cus
tody, the Indinns started quickly on a bee line for thelr homes, and
in a few moments wore lost to the sight of thoas who were watching
their exit.
‘The smal! body of Pottawatomle Indios who were raised in
1888, to operate against Black Hawk, included Robingon and Sha-
bona as chiefs, and were commanded by Geo. E. Walker, with the
title of Captain. 1 do not believe that the force ever acted as an
independent command. Their employment was to carry expresses
and act as scouts, und ut different times they were ander the onder
‘of Generala Atkinson, Henry, Scott, and probably other ¢ome
manders,
INDIAN CHARACTER AND CUSTOMS.
Accounts of Tadian warfare, trade and treaties do
not give an inside view of Indian character. Mr.
David Grove, who lived here many years in daily
intercourse with them, related to the writer many
incidents of that experience, elucidating the every-
day life of a people now no more. He says they
were fond of athletic sports, and of contests with the
118 History of La Salle County.
a few bundles, but always came back dissatisfied,
saying, ‘‘ big straw little wheat.’ They were seldom
satisfied with a trade, but would come back wanting
something more. There is no proof that this was
innate, but doubtless resulted from their being gen-
erally overreached in the bargains they made with
the whites,
They were usually fast friends, and never forgot
akindness. They were on the best of terms withthe
settlers ; would sometimes come into the settler’s
houses in the night and Ne down by the fire, where
they would be found in the morning.
Esquire Allen, of Freedom, states, that the first
winter he was on Indian creek, he was engaged in
cutting and hewing timber for building purposes.
The Indians would be around nearly every day,
watching the process with apparently the deepest
interest. They would speculate on the direction the
tree would fall, while being cut, and when it fell
would seem to enjoy it hugely; they would then
go to the stump and appear to admire the nice
smooth cutting of the white man’s axe, so different
from their rude instruments; they would imitate
with the hands the motion made with the axe, and
the throwing of the chips by its action, which their
instruments never did. They seemed to appreciatea
fact, which from habit we fail to notice, that the Yan-
kee axe is one of the most efficient instruments ever
invented by man. In the hands of experts it has
cleared a continent and prepared it for civilized oe-
cupancy, and that with a speed and facility that no
other agency could effect. The rapidand nice work
120 History of La Satie County.
and more interesting. To know the intelligence,
opinions, tastes, amusements, method and means of
living, routine of every day life, the hopes and fears,
which swayed and controlled a people, would be far
more interesting than the life of a prince, socially
far removed from, and having no feelings in common
with the masses,
So, in recording the history of the pioneer settle-
ments, we can not give a proper idea of the toils,
privations, hopes, fears, anticipationa, and misgiv-
ings, simply by recording the founding and growth
of towns, cities and counties, progress of agricultare
and commerce, but we must accompany the emi-
grant along his weary way, witness his parting with
friends, difficulties of travel through unfrequented
ways after reaching the frontier, beyond the pale of
society, his exposures and his patient industry, the
impression made upon his imagination by the
scenery, so new and startling, the wild animals so
rare, and the notes of strange birds which alone
break the midday silence of his lonely home.
‘To endeavor to convey to the reader a correct idea
of the sensation produced in the mind of the new
comer as he first became acquainted with the strange
land he had come to ocoupy, several short narratives
of the journey and first experience here, are inserted,
not because they contain any startling facts of hair
breadth escapes from fire and flood, or Indian
barbarity, but to give a correct idea of the settler as
he first oceupied the unique and peculiar prairie
region, as the circumstances that produced these
have ceased to exist, and they can be known only by
the recital of those who speak from experience,
zx
122 History of La Salle County.
ao Irishman and his wife, the only house for twelve or fifteen miles
eaat of the St. Josepli river, They had no forage, or provision for
man or beast. Tho horses were tied fasting ton tree, eight of us
drank two quarts of milk just from the cow, for our supper. ley om
ile puncheon floor with our carpet bags for pillows, and slept
soundly ill morning, when we discharged our team, and our heat
owho also kept the ferry, took us over fo the little settlement at the
mouth of the river, where he procured some provistans fur himself.
After wuiting two daya fur a little schooner to load with fumber,
‘with fifty to sixty others we took passage on her deck, a8 her little
cabin was more than ful) with the doxen Indy passengers,
Aftor shivering through the night, withnut rest, a plensant May
sup made the Lemperature quite comfurtable, but eating accommo
ations, after on ineffectual attempt to set a table in the cabin,
consisted of a cupply of hard or sea biscuit, a pot for bolting
mackerel, and » pan for frying bucou, with one coffee pot. Tt wai
nearly night before all were served, and the boldest and meet un-
scrupulous fared the best, but hunger finally forced the modest
and timid to a desperate effort to sppease their appetites, and they
might be seen with n hard b-scuit in one hand, nud a half boiled
sackerel held by the tail in the other, like «pig with an ear of
corn, ee king a quietportion of the deck to take their broskfaste,
at three o'clock in the afternoon.
Avout sunset our little craft anchored off Chicago, as no vessel
‘could then puss over the bar into Chicago river, ‘The passengers
reached the pler by means of a small boat, and the cargo was taken
over the bar in « fat boat or lighter.
Chicago was then . respect) table village, and Fort Dearborn, «
United States palisade fort, stood near beth Michigan and Wabash
avenues intersect Lake street, and was garrisoned by Tasted States
troops. The marzin of Chicago tiver was marehy and covered with
tall slough grass To reach the river for water the people drove sunall
pileain the nmd ; on these, planks were placed on which they walked
beyond the grass, and the water whon obtained way clear and pure
as compared with that which runs in the same channel to-day.
‘The senantion in Chicuge, then, was the presence af several
bundred Pottawatomic Indiana recviving their annuities, and
paring to remnve onto a reservation weet of the Mississippl.
To us these people were a suljoct of deep interest. They were
quartered on the west side near the contluence of the North and
|
124 History of La. Salle County.
by the Brighter prospects which shone so propitiously on the future
of the inooming race , in fact, all the old settlers soem to have been
{mpressed with the ultimate high deatlny of the tand of thelr
adoption,
A But to resume our narrative, After an ineffectual effort for two
days to obtain a seat {n the stage that ran from Chicago to Ottawa,
‘we left Chicago on foot, about one o'clock ». uw of a very Warm
afternoon, Thero hud been heavy showers for sovernl days, and
the low prairie around Chicago was more lke # lake Uhan dry fand.
For seven milos before reaching Berry's Polat the water was from
three to fifteen inches deep, through which we worked our wowy
way, When within about two miles of dry land, one of our come
panions gave out, and two of us, one on each side, placed our arm
around and under bis opposite arm, while he placed luis on our
shoulders, and thas we bore him through. With this introduction
to Illinois, L presume, if at tho time we threw ourselves on the Grek
dry land we reached, we hai been placed buck in old Counectlent,
‘wo should have stayed there.
Tho next day we walkod about forty milesto Plainfield. Tt gare
us our fist view of u rolling, Tillnols prairie. We had pictured ta
Imagination the far famed prairie, but In common with others from
the Enst, we hnd no adequate conception of its character.
We strained our eyes to take In its extent, till the effort became
painful. We doacanted again and egain upon ite beauty, and rick.
ness, and wondered why such a country had remalnsi ie aera]
hands of the savage. It was a wonderful country. was new.
‘Strango sounds grected our cara, piping note of the prairie
squirrel 98 be dropped from his erect position, and sought the pro
tection of his hole close by our path; the shrift notes of the plover,
senttered In countless numbers, fltfully starting and mneing over
the prairie ; the constant roaring of the prairie cock ; the mad
scream of the crooked-bill curlew, as we appoached its mest; the
distant whoop of the crane ; the pump sounding note of the bitterm;
the lithe and graceful forma of the deer, in companies of three to
five, lightly bounding over the swells of the prairie; the rude
eablos of the settlers, with thelr rader cribs, stables and yans—all
were now and strange: it seemed « new creation that we hed
entered.
A virgin soil, clean and sich, inviting the plow; boundless
meadows wailing for the scy!he, the summer paradise of the flocks
126 History of La Salle County.
story, of logs. ‘The weather got so cold that we could build our
ehimacy bat little higher than where the mantel piece ought to
‘be, aad when the wind camo from the south we bed to open the
oor to Tet the smoke out
‘The bottom land around us was covered with rer tall grass, and
ours the oaly howe on the bottom between Ottawa and Juliet, and
Dnt two or three in Ovawn. David Shaver lived about one mle
north of us, and Wm. Parr lived one and a quarter miles porthenat.
We got through the wiater rory well, ax the weather was quite
mild, To the early spring, while 1 was at Mr. Long's, wbo bed
settled half a mile abore us, ond my husband was aloe, two Tod!
ans called and took dinner with him. ‘They told him that the Cho
Mokeman would come soon and kill all the pale faces, So we took
the nlarm, packed up our things and went to Pusey County, tn
Indiana, This was in the spring of 1832, and we thus eacaped the
angers of the Indian war,
We returned to our cabin in the spring of 1838, whieh we found
a8 wo left it. After putting in our crops Mr. Keves started for the
East, and [ stayed alone about two months. About « week after
he left 1 was taken with the ague, and had it every other day. ‘The
days I lind tho chills, Mrs. Parr woukl come oni help mo, Mr,
Keyes went to Connecticut and Vermont, He wished me to goto
some of the neighbor's, but Tthought T would stay und teke care of
what we lind.
‘The winter of 1833-4 was very cold, so the mill at Dayton was
frozen up, and we pounded com for our broad, We moved en the
place in 1891 ancl 1833, and I have lived here ever since—and [ have
seen the wild region which looked so forbidding on that Christmas
eve, in 1831, transformod into one of the most thriving and bual-
neet-like places in the West,
There is peculiar and Indescribable inflacnre exerted over the
mind hy the plein, unadorned candor and simplicity of the early
pionvers, When they professed o friendship for you it meant
something; it came from the bottom of tha heart, Style and
fashion had no place on tho frontier,
This narrative of Mrs. Walbridge is somewhat
abridged, but enongh is given in her own Jangaage
to convey & true picture of the feelings that actu-
123 History of La Satte County.
‘were piloted down by Mr. Stadden and Aaron Daniels ‘The bont
was 0 loaded that it dipped water poveral timos; however, we all
Tanded safe. The balance of the Dayton folks walked down on the
hank of the river to Oitawa, where we slayed some four weeks,
when my mother and myself went to Sanguihon, on the Sangamon:
river, six milvs north of Springfleld, whore we stayed till the war
‘was over, My mother, Anns Pitzor, was a widow, and it was not
deemed safe for her to remain, for provisions were scarce and
supplies very uncertain. 1 was sixteen at the time, but the
recollection of thove scenes i# as vivid as if they occurred but
yesterday.
THOMAS PARKS STATEMENT.
L came to Minois in 1834, arriving about the 20th day of April.
‘Theo Elinois was a wild country. I went to Chicago to the land
sales in 1835, when Chlengo was avery small town. Great num-
tere of the settlers came in every day to enter theirlands You
coulil sew them coming with their prairie schooners, dwn by
about three yoke of oxcts, through tho high grass, from knee-high
© the top of a tall man’s head, with a cload of mosquitoes follow=
ing, about the size of an ordinary swarm of bees. Chicago then
rescmbled about as good « awamp as E ever saw. From Berry's
Point to Chicago, ten miles, we waded through water nll the way
abont knoe deep. ‘The buildings in Chicago were 4 kind of cabin
suck in the mud.
We got our Innd and camo home. Pretty wild times=chasing
prairie wolves, scaring droves of deer, flocks of anad-bill cranes,
geese and ducks There wore a good many Indians in the country
then, and we were but Ilitle better, in appearance, ourselves.
‘There were no proud folks in the country thes, although the girls
were as pretty ax ever saw. I setiied on the right bank of the
Fox river, eight or nine miles from Ottawa, whore 1 have lived
eror since, We had the whole country to pasture, and 16 cut hay
{n, and although we could raise good crops, we could get no money
te give for building railroads, and hardly enough to pay the
Methodist preacher for hearing him, although wo always managed
to pay bim for marrying os 1 had George Dunnavan and John
Hoxie for neighbors ; the rest of the country north and west was
an unbroken wilderness, The seltlers hud a good many slow
notions : three or fur yoke of oxen to turn the prairie: and going
130 History of La Salle County.
to which they had been accustomed, and with what
resignation they dispensed with such as could not
be had.
If correctly told, it would bea tale of intense inter-
est; but it would require a master-hand to drawa
picture that wonld show the scene in all of its de-
tails—personal experience alone could fally unfold
the tale. When a new comer arrived, he first se-
lected a location where he could make his future
home} and the question natur:
did he get permission to occupy
might be given in the language usually used when
defining political, or civil rights—every one was free
to do as he pleased, so he did not interfere with his
When the Government had extinguished
the Indian title, the land was subject to settlement,
either before, or after, survey. The settler hud
no paper title, but simply the right of possession,
which he got by moving on to and oceupying it;
this gave him the right to hold it against all others,
till some one came with a better title, which better
title could only be got by purchasing the fee of the
Government, when surveyed and brought into mar
ket, The right of possession thus obtained consti-
tuted what was called a claim. These were re-
garded as valid titles by the settlers, and were often
sold, in some instances, for large amounts. Pre-
emption huws were passed at different times, by Con-
gress, giv to ¢ ants who had made certain
ed improvements, the exclusive right to pur
ase the premises, at the minimum price of $1.25
provided, they would prove their pres
182 History of Lea Salle County.
made their homes, cultivating and reclaiming these
wild lands, and preparing the way for advancing
civilization, and that they had a sacred right to
the improvements, and the right to purchase the
fee of the land, as the land and improvements must
go together—and they were right.
The fault lay in the Government ever selling the
land in any way except by pre-emption, and to
actual settlers. The Government got nothing by
offering it at public sale, as the average price ob-
tained, during a long term of years, was only $1.27
per acre, only two cents over the minimum price
which would have been paid by actual settlers, not
enough to pay the additional cost—and the purchase
hy speculators enhanced the price, and retarded the
settlement of the , forcing the settler to live
isolated, without society, schools, and churches;
and.it made the honest emigrant pay from $300
to #1,000 more for each eighty acres than the Govy-
ernment price, and this went to the man who did
i for the country, but sat in his Eastern
home and pocketed the amount.
The claim question had a morality of its own, and
while at a distance, and from a certain standpoint,
it had the appearance of mob law, and was 80 stig-
matized, here where it could be properly understood
and appreciated, it was sustained by the purest and
best of men; not only so, but an actual settler was
never known to oppose it. If ever an eqnitable
and just right existed, it was that of the claimant
pioneer to the land he ocenpied.
The nomenclature was peculiar, and expressive;
14 rea of La Salle County. .
cabin, for the raising of which, help was needed_
When help was not available, his cabin must be
built of such logs or poles as, with the aid of his
family, could be handled. In raising a log cabin
considerable skill is required. What were termed
corner bands—one at each corner, or where hands
were scarce, one for two corners—should have some
experience, The bottom log must be saddled or eut
toa sloping edge, or angle, to receive the cross log,
which must be notched to fit the saddle—a failure,
requiring the log to be removed to be refitted, was
sure to bring come pleasant raillery on the culprit.
If well done, a door or window can be ent, and the
parts of the logs will remain firm in their place, but
if not a perfect fit, when a space is cut for the door,
the accumulated weight from above will bring the
logs to « fit at the corner, and throw the ends at the
cutting wide from their place. When the walls
were completed, or about ten feet high, the gables
were carried up by laying on logs, each shortened in
snecession, to give the proper slope for the roof, and
held by straight logs, or large poles, placed about
three feet from, and parallel with, the plate, rising
upward to receive the shingles, resting on and
holding the short logs at the gables, and termi-
nating with a ridge pole at the centre of the baild-
ing and top of theroof. On these were placed long
shingles or clapboards, four feot long, laid double,
so the top course broke joints with the first, on
which was Jaid another log, or pole, held by a pin
at each end; this pole held the shingles in place
without nailing, and each succeeding course was
186 History of La Salle County.
greatest men were born and raised in such a
dwelling.
A shelter provided, the next thing was to pre-
pare to raise whereon to subsist.
The prairie region offered advantages for an occu-
pant far superior to a timbered country; In the
latter an immense amount of labor had to be done
to remove the timber, and for years after, the stumps
prevented free cultivation; while on the prairie
the sod only had to be turned, und the crop put im
At an early day the sod was turned by an ox
team of six to ten yoke, with a plow that cut a fur-
row from two to three feet wide. The plow
beam, which was from eight to twelve feet long, was
framed into an axle, on each end of which was a
wheel sawed from an oak log; this held the plow
npright. It was a heavy, unwieldly-looking appar-
abtus, but it did good work: and the broad black
furrow, as it rolled from the plow, was a sight
worth seeing.
The nice adjustment and filing of the coulter
and broad share required a practiced hand, as a
slight deviation in the tip of the share, or even
filing the conlter, would throw the plow on » twist,
strong man to hold it in place, but if
nicely », the plow would run a long distance
without support.
‘This was the primitive plow, but Yankee ingenu-
ity soon found that a smaller plow and less team
did cheaper and better work.
It was found that the best time to break the sod
was when the grasa w rapidly growing, a8 if
138 History of La Salle County.
prairies to feed during the night ; in the morning the
calves were tarned in and the cows turned out for
their day's pasture; this was necessary to induce the
cows to come up at night, for if the calves were
weaned the cows would fail to come. And the stock
all needed some protection from the fierce wintry blast,
though sometimes they got but little. Add to this,
the fencing of the farm, the out-buildings, hunting
the oxen and cows on the limitless prairies through
the heavy dews of late evening and early morning,
going long distances to market and to mill, aiding «
new vomer to build his cab fighting the prairie
fires which swept over the country yearly, and
with his family encountering that pest of a new
country, the fever and ague, and other malarious
diseases, and the toil and endurance of a settler in
ountry may be partially, but not fally
fated,
A visitor from the Eastern States has often taunted
the toiling pioncers with such remarks as these:
‘Why do you stack out your hay and grain?”
“Why don’t you have barns, comfortable houses,
stables for your cattle, and other conveniences as
we hav He should have been answered, * You
are enjoying the fruits of the labor of generations
of your ancestors, while we have to create all we
have. We have made necessarily rude and cheap
shelters for ourselves and s, have fenced
our farms, dug our wells, have to make our roads,
bridge our streams, build onr school-honses,
churches, court-honses and jails, and when one im-
provement is complete, another want stares us in
140 History of La Salle County.
stern resolve, Traveling unworked roads, and cross-
ing streams without bridges, was often a perilous
adventure. Many were the hair-breadth escapes
which most of the early settlers can recall, and
which, in later years, were never referred to without
a thrill of emotion. Up to the time of building the
first bridge over the Vermillion, the writer had a
record of twenty-five persons drowned in that treach-
erons stream, within a distance of ten miles each
way from that locality—all drowned in attempting
to ford the stream, It was a common remark, that
when a man left home in the morning, it was very
uncertain whether his wi ext dress would be a
Diack one, or of some other color.
Crossing the wide prairie at night. with not even
the wind or stars for guides, was a very nncertain
adventure, and often the wayfarer traveled till ex-
hausted, and encamped till the morning light should
guide him on his way. In warm weather, although
an unpleasant exposure, this was not a dangerous
one; and althongh the sensation of being Lost is more
irksome, and the lone! in the middle ofa |
prairie, broken only by the howl of the wolves, is
more unpleasant than one inexperienced would
imagine, and the gnawing of a stomach innocent of |
supper, adds much to the discomfort. it all passes
with the night, and a brighter view and happier
feelings dawn with the breaking morn. But eros
ing the trackless prairie when covered with a dreary
expanse of snow, with the fi unbroken wintry
blasts sweeping over its glistening surface, penetrat-
ing to the very marrow, was sometimes a fearful and
142 History of La Satie County.
MIRAGE, AND TRAVELING AT NIGHT.
Mirage, or looming, in peculiar states of the at-
mosphere, is or was very common on the prairie, as
is usual in any country with a flat, or nearly level
surface. A groveorimprovement, which isordinarily
hid by an intervening ridge of high*land, will oeca-
sionally ba apparently elevated, so it can be seen as
fully and perfectly as if the observer were standing
on the highest point of the intervening ridge. The
writer was traveling in a partially cloudy day, from
Porn to Palestine Grove, in Lee County, and when
on the level prairie, two or three miles south of the
ridge which constitutes the divide separating the
waters of Bureau creek from those that flow to the
Tilinois, he suddenly beheld the country lying north
of the divide, rise into sight, with every feature as
distinctly marked, as if seen from a position directly
over it. Perkins, Knox, and Palestine groves, with
Bureau creek, and the scattering timber that skirts
its banks, and the farm houses, were all distinctly
recognized, as they had many times been seen from
different points of the ridge, south and east of the Bu-
rein. The view isa fine one, and conld not be mis-
taken. Gradually, in ten or fifteen minntes, the
vision faded from sight, and when, half an hourlater,
the same view was seen from the dividing ridge, with-
out # change in appearance, it was evident it must
have been elevated several hundred feet to havemet
the view. Mirage is more common in a still, slightly
hay atmosphere, and no doubt has bewildered and
led many a traveler astray. Jefferson. in his Notes
ide History of La Saiie County.
~
same track each time. A young man left Farm
Ridge on foot, for Utica, about ten o’elock in the
evening ; a light snow several Inches in depth, had
just fallen, and there was no track. He traveled
till he supposed he saw the Mlinois timber, and in
beating about trying to see through the darkness, he
tramped 2 broad place in the snow; he traveled
rapidly all night, most of the time, as he thought,
insight of the timber, and when morning dawned
found himself at the place where he had tramped
the snow in the centre of a four-mile prairie,
A gentleman, fresh from New England, who was
viewing the conntry on the Vermillion, proposed
to take a bee line for Ottawa neross the prairie on
foot. He was advised to take the road, as being
easier traveling and decidedly safer; that without
any track he might get benighted on the prairie, for
although the day was clear he would for part of the
distance be out of sight of timber, and he might
mistake bis course and be lost. He indignantly
replie Do you think Tam a fool, that T can not
cross a six-mile prairie in broad daylight? if itwere
three times that T could do it;” and about noon
started on foot, after ascertaining the direction.
About twelve o'clock that night he got to the settle
ment on the Vermillion, five miles farther from
Ottawa than when he started, nearly famished and
exhausted. After a good night's rest, and supply-
ing the inner uian, next morning he took the
traveled road for Ottawa.
146 History of La Salle County.
oats, and fodder for stock, and has his premises
surrounded by a sea of standing grass, dry as
tinder, stretching away for miles in every direction,
over which the wild prairie wind howls a dismal
requiem, and knowing that a spark or matel ap-
plied in all that distance will send a sea of fire
wherever the wind may waft it; and conscious of
the fact that there are men who would embrace the
first opportunity to send the fire from ontside their
own fields, regardless as to whom it might consume,
only so it protected their own
Various means were resorted to for protection;
common one was to plow with a prairie plow several
forrows around a strip, several rods wide, outside
the improvements, and then burn out the strip; or
wait till the prairie was on fire and then set fire
outside, reserving the strip for a late barn, that
is, till the following summer, and in July burn both
old grass and new. The grass would start imme-
diately, and the cattle wonld feed it close in prefer-
ence to the older grass, so that the fire would not
pass over it the following This process
run ont the
prairie grass, and in time it ome stocked
with blue grass which will never burn to any extent,
Bat all this took time and labor, and the crowd of
bnsiness on the hands of a new settler, of which #
novice has no conception, would prevent him doing
what would now seem a small matter; and all such
effort was often futile, a prairie fire driven by a high
wind would often leap all such barriers and seem
to put human effort atdeliunee. A prairie fire whom
repeated would soon
1s History of La Salle Covnty.—
strip that will not be ieapaal by the head fire as it
comes in. This is called back- firing ; great care is
necessary to prevent the fire getting over the furrow,
path, or whatever is used as a base of operations.
If it geta over and once under way, there is no rem-
edy but to fall back to a more defensible position, if
such an one exists,
If the head of the fire is successfully checked,
then the forces are divided, half going to the right,
and half to the left, and the back-firing continued,
to meet the side fires as they come up; this must
be continued rill the fire is cheeked along the entire
front of the premises endangered, and the sides
secured.
Various Implements were used to put outa side
or back fire, or even the head of « fire in a moderate
wind. A fence bourd, about four to six feet long,
with one end shaved down for a handle, is very
effective, if struck flat upon the narrow strip of fire.
A bundle of hazel-brush does very well, and a spade
or shovel is often used. The women often lent their
aid, in cases of danger; their weapon was usually
the kitchen mop, which, when thoroughly wet, was
pe extinguishing a fence on
fire, When the fire overcame all opposition, and
seemed bound to swesp over the settlement, a fear
of personal loss would paralyze, for the moment,
every faculty, and as soon as that fact seemed immi-
nent, united effort ceased, and each one hastened to
defend his own as best he could. Tt is due to his-
torieal truth to say that the actual losses were much
less than might have been expected, thongh fre-
=i
150 History of La Salle County.
camp, to their serious injury. But with ordinary
intelligence and caution, a traveler on the prairie
need have no fear of a fatal catastrophe, or even of
any seriousdanger. Ifthe head of a fire is approuch-
ing, it is usually an easy matter to get to one side
of it, and when it has passed, pass over the side fire
on to the burnt prairie, which can easily be done, by
getting on toa spot of dry, rolling prairie, where the
grass is seldom more than eight to twelve inches
high. Or, if the head fire is too wide, and its speed
too great to allow getting around it, then at once
set a fire to leeward, and when it has burnt a short
distance, put out the fire on the windward side of
the place of setting, and pass on to the burnt prairie
and follow the fire till far enough from the dry grase
to be out of danger. There are places on low, moist
prairie bottoms, or sloughs, where the gniss and
weeds were much heavier than on dryer land, and
their burning was terrific and dangerous; but these
places could be avoided, as an approaching fire
could be seen a long distance, giving time to prepare
for its coming.
The early settlers will ever have a vivid reeollec-
tion of the grand illuminations nightly exhibited in
dry weather, from early fall to late spring, by num-
berless prairie fires. The whole horizon would be
lighted up around ifs entire circuit. A heavy fire,
six or seven miles away, would afford snffieient Hght
ona dark night to enable one to read fine print,
When a fire had passed through the prairie, leaving
the long lines of side fires, like two armies facing
each other, at night, the sight was grand; and if
a
182 History of La Salle County.
fuller inspiration ; have a brighter vision; drink in
with a keener relish the beauties of nature; feast
on the creations of a more vivid imagination, and
have a conciousness of a noble existence, closer in
contact with the Author of all that existe, than one
of the jostled crowd that breathes the smoke and
offensive odors of the populous city or town. Then
the few pleasures possessed were highly enjoyed.
Too oft repeated, any enjoyment loses its zest.
A visit to a brother settler, after weeks or months of
absence, was highly enjoyed. Experiences were re-
lated, family history given, news from distant friends
and other settlers recounted, crop prospects and mar
kets, new comers, and future prospects of the settle
ment were all discussed and listened to with an inter
est unequaled by that of men on the stock exchange
in New York or London. These visits were regularly
made at an early day, and are recurred to now, as
an oasis in a desert of solitude. The same cordial,
friendly feeling does not exist to-day, and probably
never will again.
The abundance of game made hunting and fish-
ing a very delightful reereation, and the snecesses in
those pastimes then, if truthfully recounted now,
would be regarded as an old man’s hunting story,
to be believed or not, ab pleasure.
Log-cabin raisings, elections, political meetings,
(for the Wr custom of stump speaking came
with the pioneers) were all enjoyable occasions, as
they bronght together the widely-seattered neigh-
bors. But the camp meeting was looked for
ward toas, par excellence, a social, enjoyable time,
Bit History of La Salle County.
to make a complete circle as they approached the
centre-pole, where the game was shot or killed by
dogs. Tin horns, cow bells, and all instruments that
could be used to make a noise, were carried by the
company to arouse the game. It was exciting sport,
but generally the discipline and leading were bad,
an open space was left for the wolves to escape, and
the result was more noise and sport, than game.
Tt will be observed that all the amusements or
recreations were masculine and formen alone, except
visiting and camp meetings, in which the women par-
ticipated, And it was a common remark that Tili-
nois furnished an easy berth for men and oxen buta
hard one for women and horses; and if was trae in
its reference to women ; there were more homesick
women than men, and if any class of the early set-
tlers was deserving more sympathy than another
it was the matrons, the wives of the ploneers, whose
domestic cares confined them at home with the duties
and responsibilities of maternity, where nurses and
help could not be procured, with no amusements
and little social intercourse.
Custom permitted them to earry their babies to
church and other public places, or they could not
have left home atall. Such confinement, anrelieved
by seasons of relaxation, weare upon the faculties
and brings premature old age. Amusement and
relaxation for both young and old, are as essential
to health and longevity as proper food and clothing,
and, wher separated from intemperance and rowdy-
ism, should be encouraged by the best classes of
society. Wantof them shortehed the livesof many
of the pioneers.
156 History of La Salle County.
and gloomy seen through bilious eyes, with a
throbbing head and aching back, now assumes the
brighter hues of the land of promise. The suffer-
ings of the past are forgotten, and the plow is
again cheerily followed. It was well understood
that the first attack of ague was the worst; and
after the first seasoning, as it was called, there was
notso much tofear ; it was found too, thatthere were
but few deaths compared with the amount of sick-
ness, and it was a common remark by the sick,
homesick, and disconraged invalid that that was the
worst feature in the case, that death would be a
relief,
Seasons have occurred when whole neighborhoods
were prostrated at once, and nurses and help were ont
of the question; at such times one or two individuals
more fortunate than the others, would daily visit
each house, administer medicine, place water by the
side ofeach bed, carry a pail of gruel, leave a little
for each patient, and then return to watch by their
own suffering families. Itis traesuch were extreme
eases, but it is equally true that they did oceur and
were repeated.
Sneh sickness was confined to the last of summer —
and fall. There was but little sickness in winter
except a few lingering fall cases that had become
chronic ; there were but few new cases after severe
frosts, and the spring and early summer were per-
fectly healthy. It wasa common remark that when
the bloom of the resin weed and other yellow flowers
appeared it was time to look for the ague. The first
spring flowers on the prairie were mostly pink and
158 History of La Salle County.
pigs and chickens; but the cows often played
truant, and were useless until another spring, The
doctor, the mill and the store, were distant.
‘They had kind friends that would gladly sympa-
thize with their sufferings, care for their business,
and bathe their fevered brows, but they were
far away. Hundreds of weary miles intervened
between them and their kindred, and alone they lay
listening to the howling of the wolves, and refleet-
ing on the wasting crops and their hapless situa-
tion. Buta kind neighbor with a healthful, cheer
fal countenance, would look in, attend to the most
pressing necessities, tell them his tale of deeper
snffering and how he surmounted it all, and was
now prosperous, and they would soon experience
the same, and for a time their pains were for
gotten. One who has never been in that situation
can not begin to appreciate the cheering influence of
asympathizing human countenance, after days of
lonely despondency and heart-sick forebodings for
the future. Tt is then that one can realize the value
of human sympathy and the kindness of his brother
man. Tnsome way that can hardly be explained,
the sick soon rallied from their disease, and
recuperated not only their bodies but their business,
and learned to laugh at the gloomy forebodings =
and in after years they would recount the desperate
determinations they then formed, and their recital
would be a source of much merriment. One old
lady, weak and petulant from a long siege of ague,
looking out on the prairie after a heavy rain,
exclaimed, ‘This is the most God-foreaken country
160 History of La Salle County,
to have the agne, the tilled soil readily absorbed the
rainfall, and no doubt the deleterious gases of the
atmosphere ; but whatever the cause, the annual
sickness so annoying for many years gradually
disappeared as the country became improved.
Malarious disease has nearly ceased, and the county
is one of the most healthful locations in this or any
other country
Although sickness is the greatest evil, yet there
were many deprivations and annoyances that put
the endurance of the most patient and uncomplain-
ing to a severe test, and yet the evil was many times
more imaginary than 1, from the fact that a
luxury once enjoyed, in imagination becomes a
necessity ; our real wants are few and easily sup-
plied, while Inxurious habits engender tastes and
wants the world can hardly anpply.
The winter of 1838 wag very cold, and haying
been preceded by a very dry summer, and conse-
quently low water, the supply of water for milling
purposes soon became exhausted, and as there was
no commercial communication with the outside
world but by the river, and that frozen nearly
solid, the supply of flour and meal soon became
exhausted, and some substitute had to be found.
Boiled wheat, hulled corn, hominy, and what was
called pound cake, made of corn pounded in a
mortar, were all used. A common practice was to
grind corn in a coffee mill, first popping or burning
the corn over the fire, so as to make it brittle and
more easily ground. The meal thus produced was
quite palatable, and was made into hoe or johnny
102 History of La Salle County.
County, Ohio, They were a temperate, moral
people, physically strong and vigorous, and raised
large families, and the mortality among them has
been remarkably small. Licking County may well
be proud of her colony, who, with their descend-
ants, will doubtless long cherish the memory of
the land of their fathers.
Serena has a large representation from near
Plattsburg, New York ; while Vermont, Massachu-
setts, Connecticut, and other Eastern States, are
well represented, and later, a considerable French
colony came in.
Karl, and vicinity, received her first settlers mostly
from Boston, while others from the banks of the St.
Lawrence, Vermont, and other Eastern localities,
mated well with those from the hub.
The first settlers of Northville, and Adams, were
mostly from New York, while Vermont, Ohio,
Nor Germany, Treland, and even Russia, were
ented.
The pioneers of Freedom were largely from New
York, but were a mixture from different localities,
both South and East.
Bruce, and Eagle, on the Vermillion, werelargely
settled from Fayette County, Pennsylvania, with a
few from Ohio, and Virginia.
Vermillion, and Deer Park, were settled by per-
gons from New York, Pennsylvania, and New EB
land, with a few from Ohio, Indiana, and Virgini:
The first in Farm Ridge, were from Fayette
County, Pennsylvania, but most of the early set-
flere were from Connecticut.
164 History of La Salle County.
the company divided, twenty-eight going with Cling
Pearson, who got a free passage for them to Orleans
County, New York, where they purchased land, and
formed a settlement, the first Norwegian settlement
in America, Bat Cling Pearson was a restless spirit ;
he again rambled west, and explored Illinois, and
fixed onalocation in LaSalle County. Cling stated
that when exploring the country afterward occupied
by his countrymen, becoming weary, he lay down
under a tree, slept, and dreamed, and in his dream
he saw the wild prairie changed to a cultivated re-
gion, teeming with all kinds of grain and frnits,
most beautiful to behold ; that splendid houses and
barns stood all over the land, occupied by a rich,
prosperous and happy people, He awoke refreshed,
and, nerved anew by his dream, went back to his
countrymen in New York, and persuaded them to
emigrate to Illinois. Cling's dream ‘may have been
dreamed awake, but it hus been fally realized, The
early days of the Norwegian settlement were days
of poverty and toil, and they repeatedly suffered
terribly by Asiatic cholera; but they have sur-
mounted their trials, and are now, as seen in Cling’s
dream, a wealthy, prosperous, and happy people.
Oling Pearson afterward went to Texas, and died
there.
The first Norwegian colony from New York came
to La Salle County in 1834, being a part of the fifty-
three who came over from Norway in 1826. Since
that, others have followed from Norway, and the first
fifty-three emigrants have welcomed many of their
old neighbors to the land of their adoption. Tt
166 History of La Salle County.
his neighbor. Under such circumstances human
nature might be expected to be clannish, exclusive,
and hostile, and unfriendly feelings be engendered ;
but such was not the case touny extent, Thesparse
population, removed from the comforts and convent-
enees to which they had been accustomed, were im-
pressed with a feeling of mutual dependence; and
a neighbor was truly a friend and neighbor,
whether he came from the Green Mountains of Ver-
mont, the low country of Virginia or Carolina, or
the dark and bloody ground of Kentucky ; and the
great diversity of origin, instead of being an evil,
has thus far, and will in the future, be a most de-
cided benefit,
Amore successful result achieved by my neigh-
bor’s method will not be lost on me. Traditional
ayatems, though fondly cherished, must ever yield
to a practical demonstration of greuter success from
other systems, although new to us; and the
methods of procedure found most successful will
in the end be adopted by all. Having so large a
variety of customs to select from, embraciug the
usages of all the States of the Union and all the
nations of Europe, the lv mast be the adoption
of the excellences of each, the rejection of the less
successful, and the formation of the most perfect
ayatem known to man.
In matters of ficld culture, of gardening, of raral
economy, and rural taste, social customs and amuse-
ments, this is equally true. The log cabin, situated
in the centre of a two-acre lot, where the children,
cattle, hogs, horses, sheep, and poultry, mingle
16s History of La Salle County.
eustoms and tastes become homogeneous, and all
improve by contact with each other.
In the rural districts of every country the language
is liable to become corrapted by provineialisms,
and words and phrases common in one district are
not known in another.
As our edneational system becomes perfected, and
intercourse between different sections more free,
this will cease, These provincialisms were quite”
common among our early settlers, each class or
locality furnishing something toward the general
stock. While the Yankee *“* guessed.” the Sucker
“rockoned.’? One called ita ‘‘ homely * face; the
other, an ‘“ugly’’ one, In answer to the universal
question, one said he was ‘‘ quite well ;’’ the other,
that he had “nothing to complain of,” or that he
was quite perf, the last word pronounced with a
long ¢.
The early settlers at the West made thelr own
common clothing, and any purchased was called
boughten, or “store clothes;’ a young man was
supposed to be on special business when he had on
his store clothes. An extra meal got up for com-
pany was called “chicken fixings,” while an ordi-
nary meal was ‘‘ common doing:
The Yankee finished cultivating his corn, while
the Western man “laid it by
Household goods, traveling baggage, or other per-
sonal effects, were called * truck,’’ and “*plander.”?
“Tote the horse to water,” and “hang him up
to hay,” was a common order to the boy who cared
for that animal,
170 History of Ia Salle County.
tramped the surface co the consistency of mortar to
the depth of from eight to twelve inches. The old
gentleman was standing in the door, and the follow-
ing conversation took place :
Said I, ‘*Can I get to stay all night f* a common
way of putting the question then.
He said, “I reckon.” I prepared to dismount,
when he shouted, ‘*Hold on, stranger, the gal will
open the bars, and save your getting in the mad.”
I had some curiosity to see how the girl was to get
through the sea of mud between the house and
the bars; but she proved equal to the emergeney ;
she quickly doffed her foot gear, and holding her
dress well up came promptly through the mud
with her bare feet. I rode to the door, gave the
horse to the girl who eared for him, and found
inside, hospitable and comfortable arecommoda-
tions, notwithstanding the forbidding appearance
outside ; sleeping in the same room with the host, his
and several grown-up danghters—a practice
born of necessity, and not considered indelicate ab
that time.
A young man of very reputable appearance, and
riding a fine horse, stopped in the early spring
with the writer, over night; the front yard eon-
tained some flower beds just planted, and some
young shubbery just bursting the buds. Before
breakfast T found the stranger's horse In the front
yard, and removed him, but had hardly returned
to the house when the horse was again among the
flower beds, and I had just removed him the second
time, when the owner came in in « hoff, saying some
12 History of La Salle County.
but as this was selected for hay, and the stock fed
constantly on it, it was rapidly exterminated, so
that in a few years that portion of the ground where
it grew became almost bare of vegetation, after which
theupland grass, or that growing on the dey prairie,
was selected for both hay and pasture. that is,
within the range of the stock; but by going back
on the unoccupied prairie, as was frequently done,
for some miles, as the settlements thickened, the
bent and pea vine were found in rich abundance.
And the older and more experienced oxen, and
other members of the herd, learned to seek these
rich pastures, 80 far out that days were sometimes
spent in recovering them.
The upland grass, whieh for many years formed
the staple feed for stock, was a very good article,
but immensely inferior to the choice virgin pastures
which greeted the herds of the tinst comers.
On all the prairie pastures neat cattle were ree
markably thrifty, and free from disease, and in
some respects horses were peculiarly so. Tt was a
singular fact, that a horse reared on the prairie
never had the heaves, and horses from other Joeali-
ties, badly afflicted with that complaint, on being
turned on the prairie pasture, or fed with prairie
hay for a few weeks, v invariably fally cured.
It was attributed to the medicinal qualities of the
resin weed, of which there were numerous varieties,
and of which horses were very fond. Some aseribed
it to the climate; but this idea is refuted, by the
fact that since horses are fed on timothy hay, the
heaves are quite common. Horses feeding on the
at
174 History of La Salle County.
prosperity, and which no financial skill or states-
manship has been able to foresee or prevent, was
then in full blast.
When the Government offered the lands in the
centre of the county for sale, in 1835, the settlers
took but a small proportion, and the balance was
taken by speculators, and at once held at from five
to ten dollars per acre, and in some central localities
at many times that, Although prices were high,
anticipated prices were still higher; every oné @x-
pected a fortune, or supposed themselves already
rich. Corner lots, claims, pre-emptions, and floats,
were in everybody’s mouth. A lodgeratany of the
rickety hotels at that day, would have to sleep ina
room containing four or tive beds, and from the bar-
gains and contracts made by che lodgers before going
to sleep, might well imagine himselfon Change, or in
Wall street, in New York, and his companions all
million = The writer called at a log cabin toward
evening of a rainy day, where some half dozen fare
mers were assembled, who had evidently engaged
in high speculation during the day.’ One of the
number, addressing himself tome, said, as heslapped
his hand very complacently on his thigh, “1 have
made ten thousand dollars to-day, and I will make
twice that to-morrow ;"’ and I learned from farther
tion with his companions, that he had been
agt successful one in the company, Towns
every ¢ross-
road, and some where there bad never been any
road, I set ont some small apple trees on my fart,
the only ones to be procured, and stnek » stake by
liages were laid out at almos
176 History of La Salle County.
the only articles that would bring cash. The utter
breaking down of all business relations, the disap-
pearance of a circulating medium, and impossibility
of selling produce for cash, necessitated an economy
which few elsewhere have practiced, and which those
accustomed to the lavish practices and expenditures
of the present day, will scarcely believe.
There was no danger of starving; there was
plenty of breadstuff, beef, pork, venison, prairie
chickens, and any vegetables they chose to raise,
OF fruit there was none, except wild plums, goose-
berries and crab apples, which would now be eon-
sidered a poor substitute. Groceries could be
ed by barter; bat it took a load of grain to
alittle, and these were used very sparingly.
Some boys now spend more for cigars in a day,
than our best farmers would then handle in #
month ; and letters from Eastern friends would lie
for days in the post office, for the reason that money
could not be procured to pay the postage, then
twenty-five cents on each letter,
Of clothing but little was purchased. Tt was &
common and trite saying, that we came to Mlinois
aur out our old clothes, which was done most
A cheap garment then worn was
l called hard fimes, eom-
made of a
posed of cotton and the coarsest wool, made like #
frock, gathered at the neck, hanging loose to the
hips, held by a belt at the waist, with loose sleeves.
It was warm and comfortably, and, made at home,
cost. about 31.50, It was worn at all times—at
chureh, to town, or to Chicago.
8
school house are to be included in these luxuries,
the remark may be true; but the education and in-
telligence which the pioneer settlers brought with
them, and which employed their first and beat
efforta here to transmit to their children, has in ite
results sufficiently refuted that opinion.
It has long been a mooted queation whether it is
possible to possess the intelligence, refinement, and
polish of good society, divested of the Iuxury that
enervates, and the slavish deference to the demands
of fashion, which impoverishes and corrupts There
would seem to be no necessary connection between
the dissemination of knowledge, and improvement
of the esthetic nature of man, and the gormandizing
of the glutton and drunkard, the painted face of
the savage, the turkey qnills in his hair, the bauble
hanging to his ears or or the equally absurd
folly of dragging a trailing skirt through the filthy
street, hampering and defiling the feet and ankles,
and wickedly wasting moans needed for other and
better objects.
‘The apparent hallucination which leads otherwise
sensible people, in violation of every principle of
or common sense, to pander ton senseless:
enugtom, and destroy health and usefulness, simply
to obey the foolish behests of fashion, is one of the
darkest blots on human character. Those who were
actors in these scenes when stern necessity forced
fashion and all its follies into the background, have
ned «lesson the world would do well to heed—
were none the less happy or intelligent; im
fact, all the kindlier feelings of hnman nature came
F
1e0 _ Bisley of La Snile Cornty.
which enabled them to adapt themselves to such
altered circumstances, and to build up a State whieh
has no superior, in the fror of obstacles that would
seem insurmountable. The question arises, would
this have been accomplished if luxurious habits had
wasted the avails of the settler’s toil instead of con-
yerting his labor into lasting improvements, as was
done!
Determined perseverance will surmount almost
any obstacle, but without economy it will avail but
little in building upa country. “Many an estate
is spent in the gutting.” The same perseverante,
industry and economy which was practiced by the
early settlers, and which built up the country with
2 rapidity unknown to other times, if practiced
under more favorable cireamstances would resalt in
proportionably greater benefits. Better leulth,
longer life, sure pendence, social happiness,
affluence to the individual and to the State, with
all the blessings that cluster aronnd life, would be
the result.
‘These blessings are now nearly all sucrificed to
the Moloch of appetite, pride and fashion.
A community obeying hygienic laws; temperate
in all things; practicing patient industry and rigid
economy: taking common sense, comfort and health
for a guide in dress and equipage; cultivating the
mind and all the elements of esthetic taste; would
as 2 community be a prodigy such as the world
never saw, but which, inthe good time coming, may
be hoped for.
182 History of Ia Salle County.
pleted ; not one yielded a dollar to the coffers of
the State, There was no money in the treasury,
and very litle taxes were collected ; there was no
farm produce could not be sold for
money, and consequently the people could nob pay
taxes or debts, and stay laws were passed. The
fountain was dried up at its source, and all business
ata stand-still. The State paid no interest
on her indebtedness. Auditors’ warrants were
issued for current expenses, but were worth only a
small per centage of their face. Repudiation was
openly adyocated and practically adopted. The
State was a byword, and all right-thinking men
blushed at her dishonor. Emigrants avoided her
borders as they would a pestilence, and many of
those who had the means left the State.
The combination of causes which reduced the
settlers to the necessity of living upon their own
resources, and nearly shut them from the outside
world, restricted them to the original settlements
near or in the timber, and to the old system of farm-
ing, building, and fencing. Tt was soon seen that
the supply of timber was entirely inadequate to
meet the demands of the growing settlements, and
that it would be entirely imprac “upy
all the prairie, The idea of importing Inmber from
the pineries of Michigan was not entertained for
ral reasons. It could not be transported, there
was no money to buy it, and in the absenoe of #
market there was little manufactured.
The desirable timber here was all taken up and
held at high prices, with a prospect that still higher
184 History of La Salle County.
changer there ready to give him two to five percent.
premium for his Eastern currency, while the depre-
ciated stuff was just as current among the poor
Suekers ; in fact, they never saw any other. One
Smith, a Scotchman, had a bank of issue nominally
. in Milwaukee, called the Wisconsin Fire and Marine
Tasnrance Company, He had an office in Chicago
where he gave his bills for Eastern fands, paying a
premium of one to two per cent., and for a time
this was the only money in circulation, If the
holder wanted to remit Kast, (and all the currency
received had to go East through the merchants,
money-loaners, or some one else), the money had to
go to Chicago, and Smith would give Eastern funds
for it at two to three per cent. discount on his own
paper, thus making from one to two per cent. on
nearly all the money that passed Chicago. ‘There
were times when (he exchange on Eastern or? par
funds was as high as five to ten per cent. Tt is but
justice to the Scotchman Smith, to say, that while
he did a wholesale shaving business, he redeemed
all his issnes and closed up his bank honorably, and
went back to Scotland with a large fortune, made
in his little shaving office in Chicago: while the
other ‘' Wild Cat"’ and “* Red Dog,” as it was called,
from Missouri, Indiana and Michigan, after cirealat
ing for months at & heavy discount, failed entirely —
and many of the old settlers have bundles of it
stored sway in some corner of an old chest, but
badly faded, as its makers did not even furnish
decent paper and ink in its manufacture.
The experience of the Illinois settlements, from
186 History of La Salle County.
not add to the sum of human happiness, or are
expended for such when they have been camed
and used, the community is no richer than before,
buat a portion of time and labor which might have
produced something permanently usefal has been
lost.
It always takes the greater portion of the earnings
of any people to support them, orgive them a living,
and only as those earnings are in excess of that
expense or support, are that people acquiring wealth,
and all of those earnings expended for articles not
necessary for comfort are literally wasted.
This principle applied to the circumstances of our
early settlers from 1836 to 1844, will prove concln-
sively that they w lly aceamulating wealth,
faster than at any su ding time. They were
placed in circumstances where as they had really no
income to be converted into money and expended for
luxuries which their prideand vanity would induce
them to indulge in, they were forced to forego that
indulgence, and as they were really none the less
happy, they suffered no loss in consequence. Bat
their time and energies were applied in making per-
manent improvements, breaking the prairie, fencing,
building bridges and roads, rearing orchards, frnit
trees and shrubs, and by all this making the farms
more valuable ; and as these could not beexpended,
it was all wealth acquired and stored up for fature
use ; here is the true secret of the unparalleled growth
of our State. Tf the labor of the settlers had all
been directed to hunting deer, and trapping muskrat,
and all the pelts sold for silks and laces and other
188 History of La Salle Connty-
ration of the world, and that their sweet and pelln-
cid waters, percolating through all the hidden erev-
ices of geologic secrecy, might be ever ready to
slake the thirst of a continent. Lake Superior is
£30 feet above the sea level. Lake Michigan is 578
feet above the sea, and about 100 feet above the
canal basin at La Salle. Thus the lakes hang as it
were in a setting above us, and with the excep-
tion of the slight elevation enclosing Lake Miohi-
gan, our State lies lower than that lake, with its
water shed inclining away from it. The geological
rock strata ascend and crop ont going north, and
consequently the lake waters rest upon the edge of
all the strata, penetrate the porous portion, and
become the source of our artesian fountains.
From their commanding position, the Inkes send
their waters by different rontes to the sea. Qnee
they found their principal outlet by the valley of
the Illinois, and a stream of gigantic dimensions
then passed through what is now our county;
but at a time long past, (how long we can only judge
by appearances), the lakes were depressed, and the
low and marshy plains around the sonth end of
lake Michigan were left bare, and the waters
sought the sea by leaping the falls of Niagara,
threading the passes among the islands and rapids
of the St. Lawrence, and were greeted by the boreal
blasts and icebergs from Greenland and Labrador,
instead of the soft und spice-laden breezes of the
Gulf.
‘The idea of a canal or water communication from
the lakes to the Mississippi by the way of the THi-
190 History of La Salle County.
The work was successfully prosecuted for two or
three years, when the money loaned becoming #x-
hausted, and the financial crash of 1637 intervening,
dried up all sources from which money might be
expected to come, The State was unable to borrow,
and consequently unable to pay her contractors.
Several issues of scrip were made, and the work
temporarily sustained, but the scrip rapidly depre-
ciated, some as low us fifteen or twenty cents on the
dollar, and would have been worthless, but that it
was received in payment for canal land sold by the
State; the work was finally entirely suspended.
The serip was redeemed and the contractors paid.
but it was several years after, and many failed, or
sold their scrip or claims for a trifle, while those
who bought, or held, did well. The suspension of
work on the canal intensified the hard times and
general poverty and embarrassment of the settlers,
it stopped emigration, and many left the conntry.
In 1845-6, the State made an arrangement with
the persons of whom money had been borrowed for
canal purposes (who had received no interest on the
loans for some years, as the State was utterly nnable
to pay it,) by which the bondholders were to tke
possession of the canal and canal lands, to advange
the money, about $1,600,000, and finish the eanal ;
sell the canal lands not below the appraised value,
and receive the tolls of theeanal ; and when they had
received their full pay, the canal was to heeome the
property of the St Under this arrangement
work was resnmed,and the canal was completed
in 1848.
192 History of La Salle County.
dam was removed, to the great satisfuction of the
people of Indiana.
BANDITS, ETC.
About the year 1887, the settlements in Northera
Illinois became infested with a band of desperadoes
familiarly known as the “ Bandits of the Prairies.”
Their favorite pursuit was horse stealing. The seat-
tered population beingconfined mostly to the edie of
the timber, while the broad prairie was unoceupled,
gave them an opportunity to travel with their ill-
gotten steeds unmolested to Missouri, Kentucky,
and Towa, which they did very successfully, seldom
zcanght, Their sucoess in the horse line soon
nboldened them to try other branches, and bargin
ry, robbery and murder were not unfrequent. If a
settler had money in his house, it would in some
way become known to the gang, and they would
frequently get it. In one instance a settler had seven
hundred dollars in a trunk under his bed, the robber
entered the house and took out the trnuk, while the
man and his wife were awake and conversing; the
robber afterward told the conversation as proof that
he heard it. It was done during a violent thander
Storm, and when the thunder rolled heavily they
would draw the trunk, and when it ceased, hold on
till another thunder crash, and thus they got their
prey without being noticed. They became @ terror
to the settler: lly to the female portion. Tt
isa part of the religion of a new country never to
194 History of La Salle County.
all his valuables, while an accomplice held @ pistol
to Strawn’s head, to keep him quiet. Bireh was
bronght to Ottawa as a witness, but not used. He
shrewdly pretended to be willing to expose the gang,
and his trial was put off for several months, to get ,
his teatimony. He subsequently broke Jail, stole the
jailer’s horse, rode him about a hundred miles, and
lefthim ruined. He wrote back to the sheriff, apolo-
gizing for his rudeness in not taking formal leave,
after so much kindness shown him while an inmate
of his family ; said he only borrowed the horse,
but believed he had ruined him, and hoped he
would be excused for both offenses, as his business
was very urgent.
That was the last e heard of Birch. Exasper-
ated beyond measure, smarting under the loss of
property, and living in continual fear, the people
came to the conclusion that self-preservation was
the first law in nature; that they had aright to pro-
tection from the law, but if that could not be had,
then it must come in some other way.
igilant societies were formed, for arresting erimi-
nals and bringing them to panishment, and deep
mutterings were heard, indicating a feeling that was
destined to reform the state of society. One of these
socleties was formed in the north part of the State,
and a man by the name of Campbell was chosen
captain, Campbell was a Canadian, a man of great
energy and decision of charaeter. The gang were
alarmed, and resolved to dispose of him. One Sun-
day afternoon, two.men by the name of Driscoll,
called at.Campbell’s front gate, and inquired of
196 History of La Satle Conty.
day without regard to roads, and it was almost as
dificult to follow the trail of a thief, as the flight
of a bird. A horse thief would travel across the
prairie all night at a speed that would place him far
away inthe morning, then lie in some thicket, miles
from the settlements, all day, and nothing but the
stars or wind could tell you where to find him.
An impression prevailed at one time, that a large
proportion of the settlers, who were strangers to
each other, were connected with the gang, and the
utter impossibility of tracking the thieves increased
that suspicion. The bandits tried tw create such a
belief.
When Birch was at Ottawa, under surveillance,
he stated that there were about 400 in La Salle
County in league with the bandits, but refused to
giveany name, though he said he might some time
do s0.
This suspicion and want of confidence at that
time was a serious trouble, and well calculated to
disorganize and disband society. But it soon be-
came apparent that Birch’s story was concocted in
his own interest, and subsequent developments
measurably removed the suspicions, and im the
end proved them substantially false.
Among a population derived from all sections
of the world, suspicton that there might be some
Judases among the number was not unnatural or
unreasonable, When we consider the restrainiug:
influences of society upon individual conduet, and
the {tered and isolated situation of the first set-
tlers, it is surprising that so few showed the clover
foot
188, History of La Salle County.
transformations such characters underwent as soct
ety with its restraining influence formed around
them and forced them to put on the artificial cover-
ing that much improved, but could never conceal,
the real one. Tt would have been very singular if
such persons, without principle, and weak, morally
and mentally, had not fallen in with thedesperadoes
that preyed upon the public in the infancy of the
forming society, and that such was the case, to some
extent, was known to be true, but when incoming
population drove out this gang, it reformed their
sympathizers; and asa whole, no community Bast
or Weat, since the population has occupied the whole
county, has been freer from crime and purer in
morals than La Salle County.
The settlers were not adventurers on the frontier
seeking for something to turn up, but came to find
homes for themselves and families, to found such
institutions as they would wish to leave in the pos-
session of their children, Educated and intelligent,
they impressed upon thelr children their own appre-
on of education and correct principles; and
rience with adver ments had the
effect to confirm them in their former convictions,
A close study of the antecedents, character and
history of the early settlers has convinced the
writer that there never was a new settlement formed
of better material, a more moral, intelligent, ener-
getic, and enterprising people.
200 History of La Salle County,
Buffalo Rock, pursued by the footmen, and part
toward the North Bluff, pursued by the citizens on
horse back. Some swam the river, and were fired
on when in the water. The reports as to the effect
of the fire were very contradictory, some claiming
fourteen or fifteen killed, and a large number
wounded, some denying the killing of any ; but
the general impression was that several were killed,
and many wounded; about sixty were arrested,
held awhile, and admitwd to bail on their own re-
cognizance, as the county had neither the means nor
accommodations to hold them, The rebellion was
effectually quelled, and was not repeated. The
Fardowns, smarting under their wrongs, felt dis-
posed to take revenge on their conquered foes, but
were informed that they must submit to the law,
and did so.
CRIMINAL RECORD.
Notwithstanding the panic created by the events
above related, and the apprehensions of the timid,
no further trouble of a serious character oceurred
during the building of the canal. The record of
crime committed in the county is not a lange one,
when we take into consideration the amount of
public works constructed and the large number of
transient population employed.
A fewof the most noted offenses are related,
Two residents of Earlville, Philips and Morse,quar-
reled about aclaim on Government land, at that time
Criminal Record. 201
@very common canse of contention, Morse was shot
by Philips ; no one witnessed the trancaction; both
had threatened and were quarreling at the time, and
the particulars of the affair will probably never be
known ; neither were regarded as badmen. Philips
was convicted of manslaughter, butescaped panish-
ment by arepesl of the law fixing the penalty forthe
offense. He is still living in the town of Earl and
as a quiet, inoffensive citizen.
While hauling timber at Troy Grove, Quigby and
Edgecomb quarreled, Quigby strack Edgecomb over
the head with a large club with fatal effect. He
Was tried and convicted of murder, but the verdict
was setaside on the ground that the provocation
was great, Edgecomb having seized Quigby by the
beard, he having a very long and heavy one,
‘Quigby is still living in the west part of the county.
‘The honse of a Mr, Swift living near Troy Grove,
was entered in the night by two men, and while
one held the pistol at the heads of Swift and his
wife, the other collected the valuables, including a
considerable sum of money.
‘At the trial, at Ottawa, of a man for robbing a
peddler, in the same neighborhood, which was
Pretty fully proved, as the man was found in the
possession of the peddler’s goods, two men from
Lee County, Dewey and Bliss, appeared and awore,
that at the time the peddler was robbed, the accused
was playing cards with them ata place forty miles
distant, Mr, Swift and his wife being present,
$dentified these witnesses as the men that robbed
their house. Dewey and Bliss were arrested, con-
ae History of Ta. Salle Connty.
victed and sent to the penitentiary. Subsequently,
when the notorious Birch was at Ottawa under
arrest, he stated that he and another leading member
of the gang by the name of Fox, robbed Swift; that
Dewey had a stiff hip, and Bliss a crooked knee ;
that when they committed the robbery they affected
these infirmities to avoid detection, and these were
the peculiarities by which the Swifts recognized
Dewey and Bliss when they testified against them
at their trial, The proseenting attorney conferred
with the Governor, and while they considered
Dewey and Bliss innocent of the crime for which
they were convicted, they were proved to be mem-
bers of the gang, and they decided to let them take
the punishment on general principles.
An Englishman by the name of Liley, was mur-
dered and his body found near the Danville road,
just in the edge of Livingston County. The clothing
was all removed, and the face mutilated to prevent
identification. The day before Liley's disappear-
ance, he had been in Ottawa and purchased a soythe
and snath, and.left on foot for his home in Livingston
County. Abont a week after, a man by the name
of George Gates was arrested for passing counterfeit
money, and lodged in jailin Ottawa. He was iden
tified as having been seen traveling with Liley just
at evening on the day of his disappearance, and
carrying Liley’s scythe; the wounds upon Liley
e two cuts across the face and a triangular cut
ss the top of the head cutting through the skull»
A scythe was found near the body, bent so as to
fit the triangular cut in the head.
acl
204 History of La Salle County.
Tiinois Central road on their line, and abandoned
when the financial crash came. During the year
operations commenced, and a bank of issue, pre-
tending to be authorized by the charter, was estab-
lished. This, for the time, infused new life into the
buainese of that locality, but the new state of things
was hardly inaugurated, when the whole concern,
including the bank, exploded. The prime actor in
this enterprise was A. H. Bangs, a man of smooth
and fair exterior, but who proved to be a mere ad-
venturer, without character, capital, or credit. Not
a hundred dollars in money or relinble paper had
been used in the whole transaction of establishing
and running a bank, and partially constructing forty
miles of railroad. All the money used was the
worthless issues of the bank. The laborers, and the
farmers who supplied them with provisions, were
never paid. The former tried to get satisfaction by
wreaking their vengeance on the person of Bangs,
He was dragged through the muddy streets, but was
finally rescued by the citizens, placed in a skiff, and
nt down the river,
The hopes of the community thus blighted openéd
an old sore, and seemed worse than the first experi-
ence. An over-anxiety for a resumption of busi-
ness, and desire to welcome an outlay of money,
made Bangs’ opportunity, and if he had had one or
yo thousand dollars in good money, he might haye
completed and run his forty miles of railroad.
208 History of Loa Salle County.
them when struggling with the toils, privations, and
inevitable poverty of anew settlement. By the side
of older communities and States, they were like
infants by the side of giants, Yet they were equal
to the emergency, and proved to the world their
honesty, their indomitable energy and determination,
and the wonderful resources of their adopted State.
Sobered, and made wiser by the severe ordeal they
had paased through, they were the better prepared
to improve and utilize all the advantages offered by
returning prosperity.
On the 2ist of February, 1843, the Legislatare
passed an act to provide for the completion of the Nli-
nois and Michigan Canal, and payment of the canal
debt. The act was a wise and judicious one, inasmuch
as it honestly placed the canal and canal lands in the
hands of the bondholders, to be held as security for
the payment of their debt, and at the same time
guarded the interest of the State. The bondholders
were to finish the canal, and out of the income and
sale of the lands, to pay themselves. ‘Lhe proposi-
tion was accepted by the bondholders, and under
their direction, work which had been suspended for
several years, was resumed, and this great state and
national work completed in 1848. This arrangement
relieved the State of six and a half millions of in-
debtedness, and was the first step upward on the
road to solvency.
There was one item of business, that, during the
years of stagnation, infused a little life into certain
portions of the county; this was the line of travel be-
and Chicago which passed through
tween St, Low
Recovery From Hard Times, 207
the county. A steamer from St. Lonis arrived at
Pern daily, connecting with Frink & Walker's line
of stages, that ran to Chicago, and during the sum-
mer season the ronte became an important thorough-
fare, from four to eight four-horse coaches leaving
Pern daily. The building of the Chicago, St. Louis
& Alton Railroad, making a direct, railroad commu-
nieation between Chicago and St. Louis, effectually
tlosed this thoroughfare, and Frink & Walker's
sages sought other fields of enterprise.
Tn the Mexican war the county responded with
her proportion of troops called for. Champlin R.
Potter raised a part of » company of volunteers,
and, when organized, T. Lyle Dickey was com-
missioned Captain, and EB, & Holbrook, Lien-
tenant. Potter presented Captain Dickey with his
sword, which he accepted with a promise not to dis-
lionor it. W. H. L. Wallace served in this company
as orderly sergeant, and distinguished himself at
Buena Vista, laying the foundation of his future
Military reputation. The La Salle County company
did good service during the war.
Astrennous effort was made by Pern, and vicinity,
to effect a division of the county. It commenced at
40 early day, and continued for several years. Peru
had from the first aspired to be a county seat, which
Ottawa, and the east part of the county, had as
tently opposed. Ottawa consented to a cur-
it of the territory of the county on the east
and north, but held with a firm grip to the western
jewel, Pera and La Salle. The matter created much
bad feeling, and nearly all elections were more or
we History of La Salle County.
less affected by it, Tho completion of the canal and
railroads, facilitating communication with thecounty
seat, for the time quieted the agitation.
During these years the State paid no interest on
her internal improvement bonds; the bondholders
were impatient and clamored for some recognition
of their claims. The county was also in debt for its
court house, and had paid no interest on her bonds
for years.
The provision made for the canal indebtedness,
and the partial revival of business, created a desire
of all thinking men for some provision being made
to redeem the State and county from the taint of
repudiation.
In 1848, the Constitutional Convention, with the
design of making it permanent, and preventing
repeal, inserted an article in the constitution pro-
viding for levying a tax of two mills on the dollar,
which was | eably pledged to the payment of
the interest and principal of the outstanding State
bonds. The people ratified this by a decided ma-
jority. Although the amount raised by this tax was
entirely inadequate to meet the amount due, yet it
showed a disposition to do what could be done, and
was hailed with great satisfaction by the creditors
of the State. It was known that the avails of the
tax would be constantly and rapidly increasing, and
would, in time, liquidate the debt. It gave great
confidence, It lifted the dark shadow of dishonor
from the reputation of the State and people. This
important constitutional provision was the turning
point in the history and progress of the State, The
i
Recovery from Hard Times. 209
amount realized was soon suflicient to pay the
interest, and to create a sinking fund for payment
of the bonds at maturity. The provision was con-
tinned in force till a new constitution was made, and
{il a large amount accumulated in the treasury over
and above that needed to pay the bonds. The Stave
is now practically out of debt. The county soon
followed the example set by the State, and the first,
Board of Supervisors, at the first session in 1851, had
the satisfaction of providing for the payment of the
last outstanding court house bond.
‘The first court house and jail was built in 1834,
The amount paid, as allowed by the commissioners,
was $402.20 for the court house, and $235.54 for
the jail. The present court house was builtin 1841,
and accepted as complete in 1842. The contract
Was taken by William F’. Flagg for $25,000, but he
fafled to build it for that, and «suit was commenced
by the county, but was compromised, and the court
house and the apology for « jail in the basement,
cost $40,000, and county bonds were issued for the
amount.
The State and county nobly redeemed themselves
by paying their debts as svon as they had the means;
Was never any considerable number of her
people in favor of repudiation; but they failed to
pay, simply because they could not. Their honest
intentions were shown by securing the canal debt,
i the enactment of the provision for the two-mill
‘Tn the winter of 1851-2, the Legislature chartered
& company to build the Illinois Central Railroad,
210 History of La Saile County.
giving them the donation of lands granted by the
United States to aid in its construction. The com-
pany, by the terms of the contract, in consideration
of the privileges granted and the donation of land,
are to pay the Stute seven per cent. of the gross
earnings of the road perpetually. That now
amounts to abont 3420,000 annually, Work was
commenced in 1852, and most of the portion in La
Salle County was in operation in the fall of 1853.
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Chicago
& Rock Island roads were built about the same
time. These roads, with the canal, have revoln-
tionized the business of the county, and, with the
telegraph, brought us into communication with all
the world. The seclusion and distant removal from
the homes of our youth, so irksome to the pioneer,
is now practically abolished. We can communi-
eate with distant friends in a few minutes, and
transport ourselves there in a day or two of time.
The cheap transportation of lumber has enabled
the settler to build and fence away from the timber,
and independent of the groves and timber belts so
sought for in the early settlements. The
towns on the outskirts of the connty have
rapidly settled, and experience has proved that
there is no valid objection to the settlement of the
largest prairies when lumber can be obtained for
building and fencing, and coal for fuel; and, with
orchards and groves, a residence there is about as
pleasant as along the timber, and more healthfal
then in the timber, The soil is found to be as good,
and, with groves of timber, which are easily raised,
212 History of La Satle County.
tongue, a wooden mold-board, with a fiat strip of
iron for a share, was abont as good as any. Some
brought with them the New England cast-iron plow
—a good one there, but useless here. Any plow
then in nse would load with the fine unctuous soil
to the depth of six or eight inches, when it would
only drag upon the surface, barely making « mark.
A paddle was carried in the hand, and the earth
removed every few rods. But the work was poorly
done at best; a good harrow or drag would do
better work than any plow then in ase.
The first plow that was made to scour was the
diamond, as it was ca from the shape of the
mold-board or share. Tt was a single piece of iron
made dishing, highly polished and brought nearly
Square to the front, and the pressure would make it
clear itself. The farmer who first saw this done felt
much as Morse did when he first sent a message by
telegraph. Suecessive improvements have been
made, till the polished cast-steel plow of to-day is a
beantifal, as well as a perfect working instrument.
The harvester, the mower, the thresher, the loader,
the pitcher and binder, and numerous other imple-
ments, | Ll come into use within last thirty
an prairie soil offers facilities for thelr
use that can not be found elsewhere.
Those who in their youth used the flail, the sickle,
the cradle, and the scythe, and whohad their wives
or daughters drop the corn while they covered it
with the hoe, will soon have passed away, and the
practiced skill which onee nsed those implements
will be among the lost arte,
The tide of prosperity that followed the provision
24 History of La Salle County.
followed by the contraction and failures of 1873,
from which long depression we are apparently just
recovering.
The county soon paid the $600,000 of war debt,
and, at the annual meeting of the Board of Super-
visors in September, 1877, was reported by the
Treasurer as entirely free from debt, without an
outstanding order, and with $28,000 in the treasury,
Several lines of railroad have been built within
the last ten years, all centering in Streator: the road
from Streator to Winona, now extended to Lacon ;
the Paducah, running southeast from Streator; the
Chicago, Pekin & Southwestern; and the Fox River
road, now leased and operated by the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Company. ‘The latter tra-
verses nearly the extent of the county, and is doing
a large and profitable business, principally in the
shipment of coal.
The following table of elevations on the Fox
River Railroad has been furnished by Mr. Wilson,
who was chief engineer during its constraction :
rere
Taking low water on the Illinois river aa 00, 0
Highest polut between Ottawa and Covell creck is ~ + = 185
Grand Ridge station, — - - 208
Streator at shaft side-track, avs 181
Vermillion river, - oo. -
Going north from Ilinois river
Ottawa station, - « ae
Iilinols and Michigan Canal, surface of water, - + = 40
Dayton, 93
Tadian creek, surface of water, 5 + 84
Highest point in Serena, - - 195
Pox river at Sheridan, surface of water, : + 8
Sheridan stmion, Sq <i - M4
County Commissioners. 215
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Op Ls Satie County—Frem 1832 to 1849, when & County Judge
anid two Aaspoiates traanieted the County business for one year,
fo 1850, when the first Board of Superoiaors wore elected,
1891. Jobn Green, James B, Campbell, Abram Trambo,
Dee, 1882. Martin Reynolds, vice Jas. B. Campbell.
1852. Danlet Kellogg, Simon Crosiar, Martin Reynolds.
1834 Isane Dimmick, Goo Huvenhill, Robert P. Wood-
worth,
1885. Benjamin Thurston, vice R. P, Woodworth.
1836, Devid Reader, Thomas Burnham, Wm, Barbour,
1888. Isaac Dimmick, Ralph Woodruff, Wm. Barbour.
Mirch, 1889, Henry Green, vico Wm. Barbour, resigned,
Avg, 1889, Hiram P. Woodworth, vice Ralph Woodruif,
* 1840. Alson Woodruff, vice Henry Grecn.
* 18k. Patrick Hanley, vice Isaac Dimmick.
* 1549, Harvey Loonard, vico Hiram P, Woodworth.
* 1843. Samuel Muckey, rice Alson Woodrutt.
* 1864. Robert Rowe, vico P. Hanley.
* 186% Chas, EH. Gilman, rice Harvey Leonard
© 4, 1548, Chas, ©. Elliott, vice Samuel Mackey.
¥ in Kennedy, vice Robert Rowe.
* 1848, Chas. H. Gilman, vice ©. HL. Gilman.
* 1549. Henry G. Cotton, County Judge ; Chas, H. Gilman
and Patrick M. Kilduf!, Associates
County divided into Townships by Champlin R. Potter, Levi
‘and Lsrael G. Cooper.
Report filed February 28th, 1850.
Pirst Board of Supervisors met May 7th, 1850, in special
fesion,
216
1881
1539,
1833,
1884
1838.
1836,
1836,
1887.
1888.
1839,
1840.
1841
1849.
1842,
1843.
1844,
1846.
1846,
1847.
1848.
1849
1850
1891
1852.
1853.
History of La Salle County.
LIST OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
Aveerene cond Trecmarer.
Wm. Richey.
Anthony Pitzer.
+ (une ad).
James M. Sowell,
Henry Maiiten,
(resigned Jy 26)
Lorenzo Leland (Jal,
Conrad Debaugh.
Jabex Fiteh,
Samuel R. Lewis,
Geo. 8. Stebbins
Comnty Obert:
David Watker.
Joseph Cloud
Sherif.
Geo. B. Walker.
W. Stadiden (Oct,
Alvon Woodruff,
Wim. Reddick.
Maurice Murphy (May 2). *
(lee Cloud, deceased}.
Wm. &. McClay (Aug.) “
Manrice Murphy (Ang) *
& W. Raymond.
Philo Lindley.
5, W. Raymond
Hoary Hurlburt
Eaton Goodell.
Richard Thors.
Francis Warner.
BL, Waterman.
Prancis Warner.
FE, L. Waterman,
Wim. R. Milligan.
County Court.
217
1831,
1832.
1833,
1834,
1835,
1836.
1837,
1883,
1839.
1840,
1841.
1842,
1843.
1844.
1845.
1846.
COUNTY OFFICERS—Costixvep.
Assessor and Treasurer.
Wm. E. Beck.
Thos. Bowen.
John Shepherd.
S. W. Raymond.
COUNTY
Probate Judge.
Jos. Cloud (July).
av.
Thomas Larkin.
16
County Clerk.
8. W. Raymond.
A.B, Moore.
Hilon Mead.
H. A. McCaleb.
Recoriter
David Walker.
Anthony Pitzer,
A. Hoes (Oet.)
JW. Armstrong.
Henry Hurlburt,
COURT.
Sheriff.
Wm. R. Milligan.
Wm. Cullen.
H. A. McCaleb.
Walter Good.
Daniel Blake.
A. C. Melntyre.
Rufus C. Stevens.
Antesany
John Palmer.
Rulph Woodruff.
J. Fiteh, (ex nficioy
History of La Salle County.
COUNTY COURT—Cowrixenn,
Probate Sedge Ieveor her
Sam'l W. Raymond
Philo Lindley,
Comnty Clerk andl sx agicko Recwriter
John €. Champlin, John P. Nash, (ez offteio)
(fui at. whee Votton, eet,
Eiscial Aug, 185-)
$61. P. K. Leland, (Aug.) A. B. Moore, (er offies
1908, ‘ Herman Silver, (ex officio)
1869, Chas. H. Gilman Chas. H. Hook, (ex @fleio)
1872, " Chas, W. Denhard,
1878. Charles Miller :
CIRCL
ITY COURT,
ney Coren Court
Richard Young. Jina M. Stmde L. O. Slrsdor
Thomas Ferd. "
° Joseph Cloud.
May, 1835. Sidney Breese. James Grant
Sept Steph T. 1 s
May, 1886. Thomas For: "
Sept . .
May, 1827. Joho Peurson. : :
Sopt Jesse B. Thomas. A. Huntingdon,
Apr, 1888 Jobn Pearson, Seth B. Furwel
A. Huntingdon :
May, 1899, Thoans Fore N. H, Purple
Nor., 1640. : -
Apr., IS41 Seth B. Farwell a
Nor ‘ Lorenzo Leland,
Apr., 1842. Jos. 8. Holt ;
Nov John D. Caton. Seth B. Farwell *
Mar, 1843. J.M, Robinson. Benj. B. Fridley ‘
Nov John D, Caton
Mar., 1844 b
Circuit Court. 219
CIRCUIT COURT—Contivep.
"Gout! — iron Judge, PRseg? corel Sut,
Nov., 1844. John D. Caton. Benj. F. Fridley. Lorenzo Leland.
i B. C. Cook. “
“ Philo Lindley.
June, “ — Isanc G. Wilson. “ “
§, Leland, W.H.L.Wallace. =“
. Hollister.
“ W. Bushnell, John F. Nash.
Feb., 1858. . 0.C. Gray, (Substitute.
Nov.“ B W. Bushnell.
Feb., 1859. “ a
Nov. * “ “ a8
Feb., 1860. . a G
June, “ i *
220 History of La Salle County.
CIRCUIT COURT—Continvep.
Teor’ reutt Judge, Paine? cxreult Court
Nov., 1860. M.E. Hollister. W. Bushnell. John F. Nash.
Feb., 1861. “ D.P. Jones. —A. B. Moore.
June, “ “ “
Nov, “ “ “ “
Feb., 1862. “ a #
June, “* “ “ a
Nov, “ “ “
Feb., 1863. if « Be
June, “ “ ‘
Nov, “ “ “
Feb., 1864. “ “ 2
June, “ “ “
Nov. * “
Feb,, 1865. “ Chas. Blanchard. Herman Silver.
Nov, “ “« “ “
Feb., 1866. ‘“ “ “
Nov., “ “ “
Feb., 1867, Edwin 8, Leland. “ “
Nov," “« “ “
Feb., 1868. “ “ “
Nov, “ “ “ “
Feb., 1869. “ “ Charles H. Hook.
Feb., 1870. & 8 “
Nov., . ” “
Feb., 1871. “ “ “
Feb, 1872. s » “
Nov, “ PY “
Feb., 1878. i Henry Mayo.
Rov, * “ “ “
Feb., 1874, G " “
Nov, “ “ “
Feb., 1875. “ “ “
Nov. “ “ " “
Fob., 1876 “ 4 Roswell Holmes.
Nov, “ o ” “
222
History of La Salle County.
1867.
1869.
1871.
Franklin Corwin. 1878.
William Strawn,
Elmer Baldwin.
William Strawn. 1875.
Franklin Corwin.
Samuel Wiley.
Geo. W. Armstrong. 1877.
Benj. Edgecomb.
Jas. Clark.
H. M. Gallagher.
REPRESENTATIVES—Contincep.
Lewis Soule.
Joseph Hart.
Geo. W. Armstrong.
Charles L. Hoffman.
Geo. W. Armstrong.
Elijah H. Spicer.
L. B. Crooker.
S. M. Heslet.
Geo. W. Armstrong.
224 History of Tax Salle County.
city, together forming 1 picture which, viewed from
either bluff, makes an impression on the beholder
not easily effaced—rendered it natural that the emi-
grant should be attracted to this locality first, and
that many, as was the case, should stop here tem-
porarily, who eventually settled in other parts of
the county and other parts of the West.
Ottawa was early, and almost from its first incep-
tion, designated as a county seat, and its growth
and importance were somewhat dependent on the
size of the county of which it was to be the centre.
The territory embraced in the first organization of
the county, which was equal in extent to some of
the Eastern States, had to be divided and set off
into counties, as the population extended and their
wants required. ‘To watch this process, and see that
it was judiciously done, and to preserve Intact a large
and intluential county, of which Ottawa was to be,
in size, business, and wealth, the fit representative,
was for years the self-imposed duty and labor of
the principal citizens of the place. Many were the
caucuses held and pilgrimages made to confer with
other localities within the connty limits, to arrange
for the common interest, and to out off just enongh
to leave a large county, but not enough to be again
divided. These efforts were successful, and the
result has been the largest, most populous, and
wealthy county in the State, except Cook, and that
gains precedence only by having the city of Chicago
within it, Ottawa has never had a mushroom
growth, like some towns; its progress has been
slow but steady, and the business has not been
al
220 History of La Salle County.
ened his parched lips; he died alone, leaving no
kindred to mourn his departure. Such is the short
but sad story of the first pioneer where so numerons
and busy a population now live. Dr. Davidson was
a well educated physician; he left a large amount
of manngeript which was not preserved.
Jesee Walker, a Methodist preacher and mission-
ary, came to Ottawa in the fall of 1825. He was.
bom in Rockingham County, Virginia ; his educa-
tion was very limited, having, it is sald, attended
school but twenty days in all. In company with
Presiding Elder, afterward Bishop, MeKendree, he
emigrated to Southern Illinois, in 1806. As an itin-
erant preacher, he labored on the frontier, going
north as the population extended in that direction,
till he reached Peoria, in 1824, and Ottawa the fol-
lowing year. In the spring of 1826 he established
a mission among the Pottawatomie Indians, at
what is now called Mission Point, in the town of
Miesion, the name of both being derived from this
circumstance. He labored faithfully here, preach-
ing to the Indians, and keeping a school for some
twenty-five or thirty Indian children (but with very
indifferent success, so far as christianizing and elvil-
izing the Indians was concerned), till the spring of
1832, when he was appointed to the Chicago station,
and abandoned thetission. The Pottawatomies of
the prairies never embraced ianity, nor became
in any considerable degree civilized ; they remained
pagan to the last, resisting effectually both Catholie
and Protestant missionaries. Mr, Walkerremained
two years in Chicago, when he retired to a small
il
28 History of La Salle County.
George Brown came in 1824; was here three or
four years, and moved to Galena,
Joseph Brown came in 1824; was here four or five
years, and then moved to Wisconsin. His son,
Ford, said to have been raised by the Indians, came
to Ottawa in 1888; he lived by hunting and trap-
ping, and went West,
Wilbur F. Walker, from Virginia, 1825, son of
Dr. David Walker, brought up the first keel-boat
on the Illinois river: resided in Ottawa, till 1857;
then removed to Union County, Illinois. He mar
ried Eliza Bradford, of St, Louis,
Edmund Weed, from Virginia, 1825, married
Keziah Walker, daughter of David Walker; re-
moved to Holderman’s Grove in 1628, then to Cal-
ifornia in 1849, and died there in 1857, His widow
is still living.
Dr, David Walker and wife, Phebe Finley, came
from Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1826, a prae-
tleing physician ; was the first County Clerk of La
Salle County. Dr. Walker and his numerous
family was a large element in the settlement and
business of Ottawa during its early history. He
died in 1835. Of his children, Keziah married Bae
mund Weed, and went to California, THuldah mar-
ried Vitall Vermit, and lived at Vermit's Point for
many years. Elizabeth married Daniel Newton, a
hardware merchant, and Methodist preacher. Ade
line married Wm. Hickling, Jane N. married Joe
Cloud.
Geo. E. Walker, son of Dr, David Walker, from
samy plaice, came to Ottuwa in 1827, and married Mar
=
230 History of La Sule County.
Colonel Sayers, came from Alton in 1826; was
here three or four years, and removed to Galena.
Joseph Cloud came from Kentucky in the fall of
1882; married Jane N., daughter of Dr. David
Walker; in 1834 was appointed County Clerk; held
the offices of County and Circuit Clerk, Justice of
the Peace, Postmaster, and Probate Jndge. He dicd
in 1841, An excellent and very popular clerk and
magistrate.
William Hickling came from England to Ottawa
in 1834; married Adeline, daughter of Dr. David
Walker; for about twenty years was a partner of
George E. Walker, under the firm name of Walker &
Hickling, a popular house, which probably sold more
goods to the old settlers than any other firm. Mrs
Hickling died in 1848; Mr. Hickling now lives in
Chicago with his second wife.
Jumes B, Campbell came from West Tennessee to
the sonth part of Ilinois in the fall of 1820; was
State Agent for sale of canal lands, and one of the
first County Commissioners; went to Galena Ip
1836.
Col. Daniel F. Hitt, from, Champaign County,
Ohio, in 1830 ; cameas one of the corps of engineers
locating the Illinois and Michigan Canal; lived with
his brother-in-law, Martin Reynolds, of Deer Park.
He served through the Black Hawk war: a surveyor
and engineer ; he was for several years County Sur
veyor of La Salle County; was Lieut.-Col. of the
58rd Tinois Reg’t Volunteers in the war of the
rebellion. He married Phoebe Smith, of Maryland,
and has lived mostly in Ottawa; has four ebildren ;
232 History of La Salle County.
fornia, and was there elected judge; he died on his
way from Kansas to California,
Adam Y. Smith, from New York, 1835, was here
three or four years, was law partner of S. B. Far-
well; went South, and died there. He acted for the
State Bank as loan agent. The loans were generally
abad investment from the depreciation of values.
W. T. S. Lavinia, from Pennsylvania, in 1998.
Lawyer, preacher, plow inventor and manufacturer,
and pawn broker; died in Chicago about 1870. A
man of talent, but of peculiar temperament; when
poor, an excellent preacher, but with money in his
pocket better suited tor a lawyer or pawn broker.
Loring Delano, a native of Vermont, and wife,
Sarah Hardaway, from Utica, New York, in 1533,
kept a hotel, and is well remembered as the host of
the old “Fox River House,” at that time the erack
hotel of Ottawa; he was very fond of hunting, and
kept his larder well supplied with game. He died
in 1849, His widow married Oranzo Leayens, His
children are: Charles, now in Florida; James, in
California ; Edward, somewhere West,
Lucien Bonaparte Delano, brother of Loring,
from Utica, New York, 1836, a stone mason by
trade, and an active Democratic politician; witty,
and qnick at repartee, his burlesque stories and
bon mots will be long remembered. He died in
1870; his widow, Mary Ives, lives in Ottawa. He
left four children; Lucien is in Ottawa ; Cornelia at
home; Benton is in Marseilles; Elizabeth married
George Porter.
Dr. Allen H. Howland, and wife, Katharine Reed,
Sketch of Settlers — Ottawa. 283
| Saratogn, New York, 1833, a prominent pliy-
sician in Ottawa for nearly a third of a century ; he
died in 1866, his wife died in 1564, leaving two chil-
@ren: Henry, who married Miss Clark, and lives
near Ottawa, and Elizabeth, who married Dr. Mor-
vison, and lives in Michigan.
Alson Woodraff, from Onondaga County, New
York, 1834, was County Commissioner, and for sev-
eral years, Sheriff of the county; died in 1856,
First wife, Maria Goodell; second, Miss Burgett.
Children: Maria; Nathan; Rathbun; Elizabeth, in
Ohio; Minnie, in Springfield.
Woodruff, brother of Alson, from Onon-
daga County, New York, in 1824, was County
Commissioner one term, an active Democratic poli-
tician. His wife, Delia Gurley, is now in Chicago.
died in 1850; had two danghters, married, and
in Ohicago.
Charles Hayward, from Lebanon, Connecticut, to
Cleveland, in 1818; from Ohio here, 1825 or 1836;
‘was School Commissioner of the county. Died July
20, 1849, His widow married Henry J, Reid, Mr,
Hayward left two children: George, married Nettie
Strickland ; Estella J., at home.
Henry J. Reid, from Pennsylvania, 1894, car-
penter by trade, married Charles Hayward’s widow,
is living on the bluff, north of Ottawa.
Nathaniel Perley, from Massachusetts, 1836, with
Haskell, built a mill on Indian creek, and lived in
Ottawa several years; has now gone West.
William Haskell, from Boston, Massachusetts,
1838, 4 merchant ; died recently in Streator.
7 By. az
234 History of Ea Salle County.
Daniel Newton, from Ohio, 1835. Married Eliza-
beth, daughter of Dr. David Walker, a hardware
merchant, and a Methodist preacher. He moved to
Ohio.
Oranzo Leayens, from Vermont, last from Canada,
in 1886, Was deputy under Sheriff Woodraff, and
magistrate for the last eighteen years, since April,
1858. He married the widow of Loring Delano. One
daughter,
Downey Buchanan, from Dauphin County, Penn-
sylvanin, to St. Louis, 1827; came to South Ottawa,
October, 1834; a tailor, by trade; kept a,boarding-
house and shop; removed to North Ottawa, 1836.
Mr. Buchanan was fond of hunting, and kepta pack of
greyhounds. Many of theearly settlers haveshared
the rare, exhilarating sport of coursing over the
wild, unoccupied prairie, with Buchanan on his
white horse, following his pack, led by his pet
hound, Speed. A good mechanic, and a worthy
man, he was as diligent in business as in chasing
the wolf or deer. He died in 1890. His widow sur-
vives him, and one son, Ralph, a well-known eltizen
of Ottawa,
Isaac H. Fredenburg, born in Ulster County, New
York, came from Owego, Tioga County, New York,
to Ottawa, June 14th, 1834, Married in 1835, to
Priscilla Platt, of Plattsburg, New York, A tailor,
by trade; has followed that business in Ottawa till
the three years, during which time he has kept a
hotel in Utica. His son Augustus lives in Syracuse,
New York. Henry was killed when thirty-two
years of age, by the blowing down of the sidewalk,
Sketch of Seltlers —Ottawa. 35
east of Fox river bridge, in Ottawa. Elizabeth is
the widow of Napoleon Beaubian. Platt died when
twenty-one years of age. Mary married Charles
‘Moss, and lives in Utica. Charles is in Kansas, and
Ellaathome. |
George W. Forsyth, from Burlington County,
‘New Jersey, in 1834, was the first lawyer that set-
tled in Ottawa; went Sonth. Lorenzo Leland was
the second, Smith & Farwell next, and Edwin 8.
Leland next.
_ Edwin S. Leland from Massachusetts, in the
all of 1835. He was born in the State of Maine, and
when gnite young, his father, Judge Sherman Le-
land, removed to Roxbury, Massachusetts. Edwin
§. read law in his father’s office, and was admitted
tothe bar in 1834. A year later he located in Otta-
wa, and in 1839 removed to Oregon, Ogle County.
Tn 1840 he was married to Margaret B. Miles, of
Boston. He returned to Ottawa in 1843, and in
1802 he was chosen Judge of the Ninth Judicial
Circuit, composed of six counties, to fill the unex-
pired term of Judge Dickey, who had resigned. In
1866 he was appointed by the Governor to fill the
unexpired term of Judge Hollister, and in 1867 was
elected by the people to the same bench, for the full
term of six years; in 1873 he was re-elected for
the Sixth Judicial Cirenit, composed of the counties
of Bureau and La Salle, which position he still
holds, Judge Leland has been President of the
Board of Education of Ottawa, and identified with
the educational interests of the place, and has been
Mayor of the city. He was one of the principal
~~ ay
sl
236 History of Le Salle County.
actors, if not the prime mover, in the formation of
the Republican party. A mass meeting was held
at Ottawa on the Ist of Angust, 1854, a large and
very distinguished one, which organized a new po-
litical party, and christened it Republican. Judge
Leland presided at that meeting, and drew up the
platform of principles then adopted, as well as the
original call for the meeting, The principles enun-
ciated in that platform were soon affirmed through-
ont the Northern States,
Jndge Leland has three children. George M.
married Frances ©. Cross, is a lawyer; Sherman E.,
married Louise Foote; and Georgiana J., married
Hi. F. Gilbert, all in Ottawa.
Roswell Goodell, from Connecticut, in 1884, set
tled near Buffalo Rock, and died there in 1837,
His daughter, Emma, married Aleon Woodruff,
Eaton was Deputy Sheriff, under Woodraff, and
Sheriff from 1851 to 1853. He married a daughter
of Gov. Matteson, removed to Joliet, then to Spring-
field, and is now in Chicago. Edward, Andrew,
Adaline, Henry, and Maria, all died single. Althea
married Col. Irwin.
Dr. Harmon Hurlburt and wife, from Vergennes,
Vermont, in 1834; was a physician of large practice,
in Ottawa, for several years ; he died June Sth, 1845.
His widow is living at Montpelier, Vermont.
Henry Hurlburt, brother of Dr. Harmon, came
from Vermont at the same time; married Olive
Tichener; was Sheriff of this county from 1846 te
1850; is now living in Joliet,
Philip R. Bennett, from Fall River, Massachu-
Bketch of Settlers — Ottawa, 237
setts, here, in 1848; partner with Jacobs & Brush ;
‘went to Ogle County, 1840, and died in 1873.
Lorenzo Leland, from Grafton, Mass., to Peoria,
November, 1834, and to Ottawa, July, 1838; a law-
yer by profession. Ho served as Clerk of La Salle
Cirenit Court from 1842 to 1849, and ax Clerk of the
Northern Division of the Minois Supreme Court
from 1848 to 1867, an able and popular officer. Mr.
Leland’s present wife is Flora Prescott, the widow
Thompéon when he married her. The children
are Oyrus A., who married Nellie Thomson, and
Lorenzo, Jr., who constitute a law firm in Eldorado,
Kansas. Marcia is at home.
Milton H. Swift, from New Preston, Connecticnt,
came to Ottawa in 1838. By professiona lawyer, but
hhas devoted-his life mostly to financial pursuits;
thas for several years been President of the First Na-
tional Bank of Ottawa; has been Mayor of the city
of Ottawa. He married Susan W. Miles; has had
three children; two accomplished daughters, Sarah
and Helen, died at the opening of life; one son,
Edward, survives.
Dr. Peter Schermerhorn, from Schodac Landing,
on the Hudson, New York, and wife, Sarah Ryder,
from Sing Sing, New York, came to Illinois in 1832,
Jocated at Chanahan, Will County, in 1834, and
Drought his family in 1837. Was a practicing phy-
Sician and leading man in that thriving settlement ;
he removed to Ottawa in 1841, where he practiced
his profession successfully till his death in 1848.
His widow survives him, living with their daughter
Anna, the wife of Charles Hook. They have one
son, Edward.
Me = az
233 History of La Salle County.
Christopher Champlin, a native of Connecticut,
moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1820; came
to Ottawa in 1885; moved his wife, Betsey Lee,
and family, in 1836, He was a deacon of the
Baptist Church, a radical abolitionist, and most
worthy man. He died in 1862; his widow died
in 1875. Their children were; John ©., who
married Miss Kennedy, practiced law in Ottawa,
was County Judge, and was killed by the cars when
crossing the track in 1873; Elizabeth, married
Isaiah Strawn, and lives in Ottawa; Caroline, mar-
ried Howard Chester, second, Chester Morton, third,
RB. W. Griswold ; Sarah, married Thomas Bassnett;
Cordelia, married Joel W. Armstrong, of Deer
Park; Mary C., married Cyrus B. Lewis, of Mar-
seilles; Bertha A., married William Glover; Fanny,
married Alvin Ford, of Chicago.
Otis O. Wakefield, from Jefferson County, New
York, September, 1830; first at Marseilles, then on
8. E. } S. 20, town of Fall River, now living in
Ottawa. First wife, Maria Caummings; second, Jane
Cone. One daughter, Adda.
Henry Green and wife, from Cheshire County,
New Hampshire, 1833; first to South Ottawa, then
to East Ottawa in the spring of 1834. The firet
settler in East Ottawa, and built the first house on
the east side of Fox river. He patented a mowing
machine, the first in this locality. He was County
Commissioner in 1839-40 ; died in June, 1860. His
children are: Charles Henry, who married Jane
Loyd, and settled on 8. 3 in Farm Ridge; William,
now in Kansas; Mary P.; Martha E. and her
mother are in Kansas.
Sketch of Selilers —Ollaica. 230
Benjamin Thompson and wife, Margaret Lindley,
from Massachusetts, came in 1834; @ merchant, and
yartner of W. H. W. Cushman; he died in Massa-
| ehnsetts in 1846, His widow and two children went
{ to California; she married there, and returned and
ied in Mlinols.
‘William HL W. Cushman, from Middleborongh,
‘Massachusetts, 1834; merchant, miller, banker, capi-
; talist, and manufacturer. Wielding a large capitul,
he has filled a prominent place in the business of
‘Ottawa and the county at large. He was twice
elected a member of the Legislature. He raised the
Fifty-third Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, and was
commissioned its Colonel. His first wife was
( Athalia A. Leonard; she died in 1835. In 1887 he
married Harriet Gridley, of Ottawa, daughter of
Rey. Ralph Gridley; she died in 1841. In 1843 he
‘mirried Anna ©. Rodney, daughter of Cesar A.
{ Rodney, of Delaware. His children are: Wm. H.,
| who married Miss Douglass (they are now living in
| Golorado); George is in California; and several
children at home.
Rey. Ralph W. Gridley, from Middleborough,
Massachusetts, in 1884; died Febrnary 24, 1840;
‘his wife died January 19th, 184). His children
were: Harriet, married W. H.W. Cushman; Samuel
B,, of Ottawa.
Samuel B. Gridley, son of the Rev. Ralph Grid-
ley, was 2 merchant for many years, a partner of
W. H.W. Cashman, and for the last few years of
his life superintendent of the Ottawa Gas Works;
he died in 1576. He married Miss Stone, daughter
ee 2s
240 History of La Satle County.
of Dr. Stone, from Vermont, and left one son,
Ralph, now in Chicago,
Madison E. Hollister, from Cayuga County, New
York, came to Tilinois in 1834, and settled perma-
nently in Ottawa, with his wife, Delian A. Tichener,
in 1886. His youth was spent on a farm, He hada
taste for military life, and held a Colonel's commis-
sion in the New York Militia. But his life has been
mostly devoted to the profession of law. He was
Postmaster at Ottawa under Van Buren’s adminis-
tration, resigning after the election of Harrison. He
was Justice of the Peace for two terms, and Presi-
dential Elector in 1848, voting for Lewis Cass, but
left the Democratic party in 1854, and has since
acted with the Republican party. In 1855 he was
elected Judge of the Ninth Judicial Cirentt for a
term of six years, was re-elected in 1861, and re
signed in 1866 to accept the office of Consul at
Buenos Ayres. Was recalled in 1869, and returned
to the practice of law in Ottawa, with Messrs,
Glover and Cook. In 1871 accepted the appoint
ment of Associate Justice of the Territory of Idaho,
Ashort time before the term expired, he received
the appointment of Chief Justice of the Territory,
which position he still holds, Judge Hollister has
only one living child, Edward, who js unmarried,
and iives with his parents
Judge Hollister has furnished some reminiscences
of the early times in Ottawa, from which one or two
extracts are inserted, showing the state of society
and public feeling at that time. ‘The Democracy
of the early time, and particularly during the con-
Sketch of Settlers —Otlawa. 241
struction of the canal, were of a peculiar type, and
during seasons of political strife, were apt to become
somewhat fiery and fierce. It happened that while
I held the office of Justice of the Peace, a con-
vention of the party was held in the court house,
and the etruggle became intensely bitter between the
friends of the several candidates, for at that time a
Democratic nomination was equivalent toan election.
Charles Hayward, a bold, uncompromising, but
honest partisan, was the champion on one side, and
Simon P. Shope, a hot headed, passionate man, took
sides against him. After exhausting their arguments
they came to blows. I was an earnest sympathizer
with Hayward, while others of the poorer, if not
the baser sort, were equally zealous for Shope, and
the partisans of each, as many as could, were
mounted on a table and vociferously cheering on
their champions. When it came to blows, however,
I thonght it time to magnify my office, and accord-
omered the belligerents to keep the peace,
No sooner had I done this, than I was dealt a blow
on the back of the neck by some one behind me,
when I found myself on the floor, some feet from the
table, a conquered and meek official, and convinced
that a Democratic convention was not a proper field
in which to exercise official authority.
* When 1 was holding the office of Postmaster,
it was considered as rank treason to the party, to
harbor or countenance in any way, an abolitionist.
‘As was well known in those days, my house was
understood to be a minister's tavern. I always
opened my doors to men of the cloth. It happened
_— ey
42 History of La Salle County.
that the Rev. Mr, Cross, a noted abolition lecturer,
put up at my house one night, whieh fact became
known throngh the town, a crime not to be tolerated
ina Democratic official. A meeting was called at
the old Mansion House, and I was invited to attend;
a series of questions had been prepared which I was
Tequired to answer, but the chairman, Ward B,
Burnett, finding they very seriously interfered with
the rights of hospitality, very adroitly managed to
give them the go-by, and the meeting adjourned
‘The next morning I met Dodge, who had represented
us in the Legislatare, and who had taken an active
part in the proceedings, when I qnietly told him
that had they attempted, as they had proposed, to
eject Mr. Cross from my house by force, they would
have had to settle a little preliminary matter with
me before they reached my guest. He apologized,
and the matter dropped.”
Of his personal habits, Judge Hollister says:
“T have not used tobacco in any form, or indulged
in strong drink for more than forty years, and was
never addicted to the latter. In 1889, myself and
wife became members of the Congregational Church
and still retain our connection with it. I believe
there are but three of the original members remain-
ing, viz., Deacon H. W. Gridley, myself and wife.”
‘Thomas Basnett, from England, came herein 1835 ;
kept a drug store; his first wife was Matilda Bu-
chanan ; his second was Sarah Champlin. He now
lives in Florida; has one daughter, Elizabeth, now
living in Michigan. Mary, sister of Thomas, mar-
ried James Lafferty.
Sketch of Settlers — Ottawa. 243
Benjamin Thurston, from Boston to Pottsville
Pennsylvania, and from there here, in 1834; settled
near Buffalo Rock. He died about 1839. His widow,
Sarah Robinson, married Martin Reynolds. They
had four children. Mary married 2 Mr. Howard ;
Susan married Bradford Eels; William married
Miss Young, now of Champaign, Tlinois; Priscilla
married D, Snediker, of Yankton.
Eri L. Waterman, from Oneida County, New
York, came to Ottawa in 1836. He married Jane
Burgott; was Sheriff of La Salle County from 1858
to 1860, and from 1860 to 1862, and United States
Assessor in 1862. Hehastenchildren. Emily mar-
tied Lathrop Perkins, of Ottawa; Geonge is in the
employ of the Chicago, Pekin & Southwestern Rail-
road ; Fred. is in Streator; Rebecea, James, Mary,
Adda, and Tda (twin sisters), Effie and Fanny, are
at home.
Isaac Burgeti and wife, Lydia Fellows, from New
York, settled near Buffalo Rock, in 1835; resided
here a few years; had three sons; Mandeville went
to Missouri; Rodolphus and Orville went to Wis-
consin. 5
‘Three sisters, Misses Burgett, nieces of Isaac, came
sbout the came time. Rebecca married Lorenzo
Teland; Betsey was Alson Woodrufl’s second
wife; Jane married E, L. Waterman.
Joel Strawn, from Perry County to Sandusky,
Ohio, and to Minis on an exploring tour in 1822,
and settled on 8.18, T. 33, R. 3, in 1834. His first
wife was Sarah Tannihill. Her children were:
Tsaiah, who married Jane Nice, and for his second
he aS
24s History of La Salle County.
wife, Elizabeth Champlin; he livesin Ottawa; Jemi-
ma is in Ohio; she never came to Illinois; James
married Hopy Eels, and is in Missouri; Sarah Ann
married William E, Armstrong; they are both de-
ceased. Joel Strawn’s second wife was Lydia Chal-
fant ; she has two sons; Robert married Elizabeth
Ann Rhoades, in Ottawa; Abner married Eliza
Hardy, daughter of Nathan Hardy, from Vermont,
in 1850, Abner liveson the old homestead—a large
farmer, and breeder of improved stock.
Nathan Eels, from Pranklin County, Massachn-
setts, came to Beardstown in 1892. Mr. Eels died
soonafter. The widow, Hopy Peterson, and family,
came to La Salle County in 1884, and made a claim
on the Lllinois Bottom, below Buffalo Rock, and
bought their land at the sale in 1835, Of their ohil-
dren, Nathan died single, in 1849; Hopy married
James Strawn, and is living in Ottawa; Bradford V.
married Susan Thurston, and died in 1847; Varanas
married Elizabeth Dresser, and died in California,
in 1874; Hubbard married Harriet Uhler; his second
wife was Lucy Bennett; they are living in Colorado;
Adoniram J. married Fanny Bridges; Jonathan died
; Lydia married J. G. Stone, for many years
a resident of Ottawa, now in Chicago; Franklin
married Jane Buckley, and was killed at the battle
of Perryeville, Kentucky.
John A. Shaler and wife, Eliza Sides, came from
Dauphin County, Pennsylyania, in 1836; tailor by
trade, carried on a large business in Ottawa for
about thirty years; now retired. His children are:
John N., who married Mary Bener, lives in Ottawa ;
Sketch of Settlers — Oitaica. mS
Henry A., married Anna Mitchell, in Ottawa ; Mary
E., married John A. Snelling, of Nebraska ; Rebecca
J., married John N. Brady, in Chicago; Josephine
married John V. Snack, of Chicago.
Abner 8. Fisher, born in Vermont, came from
Rochester, New York, to Ottawa in 1840, with his
wife, Lovina Smith, Mr. Fisher has been a promi-
nent citizen and politician, and has been a magis-
trate for many consecutive years. Hoe has five child-
ren: George S., who married Martha Mann, was a
banker in Ottawa, and Consul to Japan, now in
Washington City; Junet, the wife of G. L. Thomson,
of Ottawa; Susan, married Perry H. Smith ; Charles,
married S. Porter, of Michigan ; Helen is the wifeof
Dr. Hobart, of Ottawa,
Chester B. Hall came from Canada in 1682, settled
in Ottawa in 1834. He married Jemima Hess ; his
second wife was Mary Foster ; he wasacarpenter by
trade ; he lived in Ottawa twenty-two years ; is now
in the town of Adame.
Joceph O. Glover, from Oswego, New York, in
1835; held the office of Justice of the Peace and was
admitted to the bar in 1840, and with B. 0. Cook,
under the firm name of Glover & Cook, constituted
one of the leading law firms of the county for
five years; in 1809 he was appointed U. 8.
Attorney for the Northern District of Iinois and
removed to Chicago, where he now resides. He
_ married Janette Hart, and has three children: Julia,
wife of George C. Campbell; Henry &. and Otis R.
at home.
Burton ©. Cook, from Monroe County, New York,
| a «
248 History of La Salle County.
arrived in Ottawa, July 21, 1835; waa absent one
year completing his education, and came back in
1837 ; was admitted to the bar in 1840. There was
aclass of four admitted at that time: B. ©. Cook,
Joseph O. Glover, Joseph True who died soon
after, and John M. Carothers, afterward a partner
of T. L. Dickey and for many years Clerk of the
Circuit Court of Kendall County; he died abont
1860. Mr Cook was elected States’ Attorney for
the 9th Judicial Circuit in 1846; the circuit em-
braced the counties of La Salle, Grundy, Kendall,
Kane, De Kalb, Ogle, Bureau, Putnam, Stark,
Peoria, and Marshall ; after two years’ service he
was again elected for four years; in 1852, he
was elected to the State Senate and re-elected in
1850; he wasa member of the peace conference in
1861, and was elected to Congress in 1864-66-03
and 1870, and resigned in 1871, since which time he
has been Solicitor for the Chicago & North-Western
Railway Company, and has resided in Chicago,
Mr. Cook married Elizabeth Hart, daughterof Hon.
Onis Hart, of Oswego, N. ¥.; he has one daughter,
Nellie, who married C. H. Lawrence.
Jerry and Frank Church, brothers, came from
New York about 1831 or 32; they made a claim
near Ottawa, and after a brief absence finding it
floated, they left in disgust. Jerry was an eccentric
genius, and published an autobiography,
Jeremial Strawn came from Perry County, Ohio,
in 1828, brought ont his family in 1830, and settled
in Putnam County. In 1858 removed to Ottawa,
where he still resides. He served as Quartermaster
Sketch of Selllers— Ottawa. 247
in the Black Hawk war. On January 7th, 1845,
his house was robbed by the noted Birch and others,
a part of the gang called the “Bandits of the
Prairies." His wife, Hannah Beancher, died 18—.
His children are ; Eli (see below); David (see South
Ottawa); Isaiah, at home; Eliza, married Thomas
Loyd, she died 1859; Matilda, married Walter
Cowen, both are dead; Phebe, married 8. W.
Cheever, now deceased ; Mary, died single; Henry
., married Mary E. Powell, and lives in Ottawa;
Zilpa,married Moses Osman, and is living in Ottawa ;
Sosan, married Thomas Dent, and resides in Chi-
cago.
Eli Strawn, son of Jeremiah, came from Ohio with
| 8 family in 1830; he married Eleanor
Broadus, of Putnam (now Marshall) County, a na-
tive of Virginia, He located, July, 1838, on a farm
on 8. 5, three miles northwest of Ottawa. His wife
died January, 1861. In March, 1864, Mr. Strawn
married Mrs. Mary H. Dean, of La Salle, whose
maiden name was Hartshorn. In 1869 he sold his
farm and removed to Buckley, in Iroquois County,
where he now resides. Mr. Strawn is noted for his
integrity ond active business habits. He held the
ollice of Town Supervisor for five consecutive years.
‘Mr. Strawn has seven children. His eldest son,
Christopher ©., completed his education at the
Northwestern University and Albany Law School,
was admitted to the bar, served as a volunteer in
the war, and, after several trials, is successfully
proticing his profession at Pontiac, Illinols, He
married Clarie F. Bouvarier, of Chicago. Franklin
—
a
218 History of La Salle County.
resides in Massachusetts; Martha married George
D. Cook, and is now the wife of W. A. Barry, of
Chicago; Nancy married Samuel H. Thompson, of
Lacon ; Henry L, married Clara Ball, and lives at
Buckley ; Douglass is at home.
John Loyd and wife came from Ohio to Putnam
County in 1831, and to Ottawa in 1856; they both
died several years since. Their children are:
Thomas, married Louisa Strawn, and lives ia Kan-
sas; Mary Ann, married a Mr. Horham, and died in
Colorado; Sarah, is the widow of David Strawn;
Jane, is the wife of Charles H. Green, of Farm
Ridge; Abram, lives near Morris; Marion, is in
Michigan ; Washington, married Miss Kichelberger,
and lives at Wenona.
T. Lyle Dickey was born in Kentucky October
nisi, predeated aera University in 1891,
taught school three years, came to Illinois in the
fall of 1834 (first to Macomb County), read law with
Cyrus Walker, was licensed to practice in 1835,
located at Rushville in 1886, and in the fall of 1899
came to Ottawa, and, till 1648, followed a cironit
practice, going to each county in the cireuit. In
1846 he raised a company of infantry, which was
part of Colonel Hardin’s regiment in the Mexican
war. After six months’ service, he resigned on
account of sickness. He was elected Circuit Judge
in 1848, the circuit being composed of twelve coun-
ties, which office he resigned in 1852. Tn 1864 he
opened a law office in Chicago. Judge Dickey
states that in the speculation previous to 1837, and.
in the revulsion then, he became bankrupt for sev-
Shelch of Seltlere — Ottawa. 249
eral thousand dollars, and remained so for twenty-
one years; that he opened the law office in
to enable him to pay off his old debts, in which
he succeeded, paying both principal and interest,
some of it ab twelve per cent. for the twenty-one
years. In 1841 he inherited one-third of an estate
of negro slaves worth $15,000, which he refused to
use or sell, but gave the slaves their freedom. He
‘opened an office in Ottawa in connection with Gen-
eral Wallace and his con Cyrus E. Dickey, where ha
prioticed till 1861, when he raised and commanded
the Fourth Regiment of Cavalry, Was one year
Chief of Cavalry on General Grant's staff, He was
in the army two years: from 1861 to 1863, In 1867,
with General Horlbut and the Governor, he was a
commissioner to urge upon Congress the building of
the Tilinois and Michigan Ship Canal. Tn 1866 was
the Democratic candidate for Congressman at lunge,
and ran against John A, Logan, the latter being
tlected. From 1868 to 1870 he was United States
Assistant Adjutant General; practiced law for
three years; then moved to Chicago, and waa Cor-
poration Counsel till elected Judge of the Supreme
Court in December, 1875.
Bi Di has been twice ried. His first
aus; his second Mrs. B.C. Hirst,
of Maryland. He has four children living, all by
his first wife: Martha, widow of Gen, W, H. L.
Wallace, is living in Ottawa; John Jf. married
Carrie Honey, of Wisconsin: he is telegraph sup-
erintendent at Omaha; Charles H. married Anna
Alexander, of the Sandwich Islands, daughter
260 History of La Salle County.
of an early missionary: he is merchant at
Maui Island, Huiku, Sandwich Islands; V. Belle
married ©. H. Wallace, brother of General Wal-
lace: he is also a merchant in the island of Huiko.
Judge Dickey’s oldest son, Cyrus E., was killed at
the battle of Cross Roads, Red river, at the time
of Banks’ defeat. He was Assistant Adjutant
General, with the rank of Captain.
George H. Norris, from Orange County, New
York, arrived in Ottawa May 20th, 1885; firat in
South Ottawa, then to Ottawa in the fall of the
same year. His wife was Lydia M. Hoxie; his
children are: Fanny E., wife of Dwight R. Cameron,
of Chicago; George F,, in Montana; Hart A, and
Frederick E., Spring Garden, Florida; Isabella M.,
with her parents in Chicago and Florida. He en-
wged first in surveying, and owned the ferry a
short time, Was County Surveyor for about ten
years; Justice of the Peace ; admitted to the bar
in 1889 ; established the Bank of Ottawa, in com-
pany with George S, Fisher, and sold to Fisher;
while surveyor, laid out 10,000 lote in La Salle
County; dealt in real estate; helped to baild the
etarch factory, and lost heavily by it; was attorney
for the Rock Island Railroad, getting the right of
way ; served one term as representative in the Leg-
islature of Colorado ; and is now raising oranges at
Spring Ganden, Florida,
Charles Campbell, from New York, about the
year 1835. His children are: C. C. Campbell, of Ot
tawa; George C., tor some time a member of the
law firm of Glover, Cook & Campbell, married
Sketch of Setilers —Oltavoa. 251
Julia, daughter of J. O. Glover, and is now a prom-
inent lawyer in Chicago; Elizabeth, is the wife of
Dr. H. B. Fellows, of Chicago.
David Sanger, from Massachusetts to Ohio, to
near Lockport, Mlinois, in 1886, and to Ottawa in
1k. He was contractor for building the canal
acqueduct across the Fox river at Ottawa, under the
firm of D. Sanger & Sons. He died in 1851; his
widow died in 1854. His children were: Lorenzo
P.; Dr. W. A.; J. Y.; Lucien P., who has resided
at Ottawa and Joliet, ie now in Utah; and two
daughters: Louisa ; Harriet, married Dr, Henriks,
of Indiana, both deceased.
William H. L. Wall: of
r moved with his father from Deer Park
to Ogle County, in 1838, attended school at the
Rock River Seminary, studied and practiced law in
Ottawa, served throngh the Mexican war, was Prose-
outing Attorney from 1852 to 1856. In 1861, he
raised the 11th regiment of infantry for three
months, and also for three years. He was made
Brigadier General, and mortally wounded at the
tiead of his command at the battle of Shiloh,
and died two days after, on the 8th of April, 1862,
with the rank of Major General. His widow, is
Martha, oldest daughter of JudgeT. L. Dickey, and
lives on the north bluff at Ottawa.
Lyman D. Cavarly, from New York, lived in
Ottawa twenty years, and returned to Connecticut.
His son William married Julianna, a daughter of
Jndge A. W.Cavarly. He died several years since.
Mrs. Cayarly died in 1874, leaving one daughter,
_ i. ms
252 History of La Salle County,
Fanny, now living with the widow of Judge
Cavarly.
Alfred W. Cavarly, a native of East Lyme, Con-
nectiout, came to Illinois in 1822, first settled in
Edwardsville, and sabsequently at Carrollton, Green
County; was a member of both branches of the
Legislature several terms, and County Judge one
term, also one of the Commissioners to revise the
statutes in 1845; in 1853 he moved to Ottawa, and
practiced law for several years. He died in 1876,
aged 88. Only one luwyer in practice when he came
to the State survives him.
Judge Cavarly had two sons, Alfred and Henry,
beside his daughter, Mrs, Wm, Oavarly. Alfred
died young.
His widow, Sarah Ann Whiteraft, of Annapolis,
Maryland, is still living in Ottawa,
Stephen Bushnell, and wife, Vincy Tattle, from
Saybrook, Connecticut, to Madison County, New
York. and from there to Kendall County, Dlinois,
in 1837. They mised ten children. He died in 1869,
aged 91. His wife died in 1854, aged 78,
Washington Bushnell, son of the foregoing, came
to Hlinois with his father in 1837, graduated at the
State and National Law School in Poughkeepsie,
New York, and was admitted to the bar in New
York in 1853, and came to Ottawa the same year.
Practiced law two years, and was a member of the
firm of Bushnell & Gray two yeara, and has since
had a large law practice in addition to his official
service,
He was elected to the State Senate in 1860, and
Sketch of Selflers — Ollawa. 253
re-elected In 1864; was elected Attorney General of
the State in 1808 for four years ; was City Attorney
three years, and Prosecuting Attorney four years.
Mr. Bushnell married Phebe M. Charles, and has
fivechildren. YVincy,athome; Theron D. Brewster,
at the military school in Chicago; Julietta, Susan,
and Sylvis, at home.
Wm. True, from Salisbury, Mass., and wife,
Rebecea Mariner, from Cape Elizabeth, Maina, came
to Ottawa in 1885; was a merchant, and for many
Years one of the pillars of the Methodist Chureh. He
died April 6th, 1860. Mrs, True died March 11th,
1864. Their children were: Joseph. who died in
1840 ; Angeline, died young ; Wm. M., who married
Mary Matteson, was banker and insurance officer,
now dead, Geo, M., married Eliza Stevenson, and
moved to the town of Waltham, in 1858; has been
School Treasurer since 1868, and Supervisor five
and is a sueceesful farmer.
G, L. Thompson, came to Peoria in 1837, and to
Ottawa in 1840. He married Janet Fisher ; kept a
drug store for several years. He has seven children:
Edward; Abner F.; Lovina, married Chas. Vane;
Tonise, Mary, Ella, and Matty, are at home.
Wm. Osman, from Dauphin Connty, Pennsyl-
yania; his wife was Mary Hine, of Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania ; has three children, Eaton Goodell,
Mary B., Wm. HL, wll at home. He has been con-
nected with the Ottawa Free Trader since 1840, and
its principal editor and manager ; is now the oldest
editor in the county.
John 8. Mitchel, born in Penn Yan, New York,
‘
li a.
24 History of La Salle County.
came to Indiana in 1814, and vo La Salle County in
1882; he married Inger Nelson, in 1836. Keeps a
livery stable. He has five children. Amanda,
Warren N., Lonisa, Arthur J., and Harly B.
John Hise, from Pennsylvania, to Ottawa, in 1839.
He married Lucy 8, Cotton ; he was connected with
the Free Trader as editor and publisher, and followed
farming for several years, and is now living in
Chicago, He was Supervisor and member of the
Legislature from both La Salle and Cook Counties.
John Dean Caton, from Monroe, Orange County,
New York, came to Chicago in 1888, and t6 La Salle
County in 1842. His wife was Laura Adelaide
Sherrell, of Utica, New York. They have three
children; Carrie, now Mrs, Norman Williams, of
Chicago; Arthur; and Lanra.
Judge Caton was nearly the first lawyer in
Chicago. He was Judge of the Circuit Court forthe
cirenit embracing La Salle County, and subse-
quently one of the Supreme Judges and Chief
Justice of the State. He has been largely connected
with the telegraph interests, and has accumulated a
large fortune.
Wn. E. Bell, from Virginia to Ohio, and from
Ohio to Ottawa in 1836, worked for Lovell Kimball
illes. Married Elmira Headly; has three
Armina,is now the wife of James Hossaek ;
Frank E., at home. Mr, Bell
is the author of a standard work on Carpentry.
Wm. E. Armstrong, son of Elsa Armetrong, came
from Ohio with his mother in 1881. He married
Sarah Ann Strawn, daughter of Joel Strawn, He
hse.
Skeich of Seltlers—South Olawa, 955
was for some time captain of a steamboat ranning
from the head of navigation on the TMinois river to
St. Louis. He and his wifedied several years since.
SOUTH OTTAWA.
The town of South Ottawa embraces that part of
T. 88, R. 3, which lies sonth of the Dlinois river,
being about half the township. Except a narrow
strip of bottom-land along the Illinois river, it is
on the bluff, and the village which constitutes one
ward of the city of Ottawa, looks down upon
that part of the city which lies in the valley.
The view isa very fine and commanding one, It
was settled before North Ottawa, and the fort built
for protection in the Black Hawk war, was just
east of where the road going south cuts the
binff. The timber land which skirts the bluff of
the Tilinois river and along Covell creek, which
runs northwesterly through the town, covers a
large proportion of its surface,
A peculiar feature, is the existence of a fountain
of water which lies a few feet below the surface
between the linois river and Covell creek ;
a bed of conrse gravel several feet in thickness,
Which contains a fountain of pure water. It sup-
plies North Ottawa by pipes running under the
river, and the fountain is inexhaustible. The town
is favorably located. and will be as valuable as any
portion of the county.
Enos Pembroke, from New York, eame to Alton
els
250 History of La Satle County.
in 1818, and from there to Ottawa, May Ist, 1895,
and settled on 8. 15, T. 33, R. 3; he died in 1982,
his widow surviving him. She kept a hotel at the
foot of the bluff; was a Methodist, and Stephen R.
Begg says, a leading sister in the church. Shedied
in 1862.
Their children were; David, married Mary
Reynolds, lived in Fall River from 1844 to 1870,
now lives in Macoupin County, has 11 children;
Ursula, married Wm. Kessler, lived in South
Ottawa; Richard, died one year ago; Enos, mar-
vied Miss Chew; Calvin, married Mary Gorbit,
lived at Tiskilwa; Jeremiah, married Rachel
Sprague, second wife Rosa Densmore; Mary Ann,
married Horace Spragne, and died soon after.
Josiah E. Shaw, from Whitestown, N: Y., came
here in 1827. He married Rosanna Test ; he was a
step-son of Enos Pembroke ; he died In 1875. Hix
children are one son and two daughters.
Reuben Ri from Monroe County, N. Y., in
1822 ; stopped in Kentucky two years, thenremored
to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his wife died, leaving ix
child He married a Miss Hibbard, and soon
after with the Hibbard family, fifteen persons in all,
moved to Tilinois in 1897, stayed in Chicago two
months, then moved to Ottawa, and wintered in the
cabin with Col. Sayers in South Ottawa. Leased
the widow Pembroke's farm in 1828, and made «
claim on 8. 17, 1 . R. 4, where Wm. Moore now
lives. A Mr. Hib , brother of Mrs. Reed, came
from St. Lonis, wh med to be the evil genins of
the family. He caused the
Sketch of Selllers — South Oltawa. 257
and his wife, and broke up the family. His son
Darins was bound ont to James Galloway ; his son
Ansel, to Moses Booth, and his daughter Emeline,
then a mere child, to Lewis Bayley. Reuben Reed
abandoned his claim and it was taken by a Mr.
Town. Darius Reed, who served an apprenticeship
with Jas, Galloway, when he arrived at man’s estate
made a farm on §. 31, T. 34, R. 5, on which he has
resided for many years, a wealthy and respected
citizen, now temporarily residing in Kansas.
Henry Hibbard made a claim on §, 5, T. 38, R. 4,
‘anil cold to Disner, and he to McKernans in 1831,
and they sold to Ebersol in 1834.
Eleazar Hibbard, who married a daughter of
Renben Reed, made a claim on 8, 32, T, 33, R. 4,
where B. B. Reynolds now lives. He also separated
from his wife, and the Hibbard family moved to
Sand Prairie, near Hennepin. All the Hibbard
men separated from their wives, and all the Hibbard
women from their husbands, it is claimed from the
influence of the brother from St. Lonis; in the
words of Darius Reed, * they were always in com-
motion and trouble, casting up mire and dirt, and
never found rest but in the grave.”’ All the Hib-
bards but one died soon after they left the county.
Charles Brown and wife, Abigail Hogaboom, came
from Ulster County, New York, and arrived here
November 30th, 1830; bought a claim of James Me-
Kernan, on 8. 32, T. 83, R, 5, where he spent the
remainder of his life, a good citizen and honest man;
he died in May, 1874; his wife died in November,
1874. Their children were: William, who married
. —l fi
258 History of La Salle County.
Betsey Ellsworth, died in 1869, aged forty-nine,
leaving six children: Louisa, married_Calvin Eells,
now deceased; Clarinda, married a Mr, Millis now a
widow, in California; Russel, married Susan Hopple,
and lives on S, 33, T. 38, R. 3; Ann, married P. C.
Watts; Jane, married Frank Libbey, and is now 2
widow, with three daughters and two sons; Edward,
lives on the old homestead; Oordelia, married Lyman
Cadwell, and lives in Vermillion County.
John Hogaboom married Miss Hopkins, and came
from Ulster County, New York, here, in the fall of
1830 ; settled on 8.33, T.38, R.3, After his wife died
he married widow Brooks ; had fourteen children.
Of those living, Adelia married Nathan T. Carr, lives
in Brookfield, and ha§ seven children; Emily mar-
ried Morgan Marion, in Towa; Mary married Prank
Ocean, and lives in Towa; George and Loring live
on the old farm ; Edgar married Miss Wade, and
lives inOttawa; Charlotte married a Mr. Robins, and
lives in Nebraska; Frances married Henry Gilbert,
and lives in Iroquois County.
Richard Hogaboom, brother of the above, from the
same place, in 1880, married Phebe Farnsworth, and
settled on S. removed to Green Bay, in 1837, and
now lives in Nebraska, Has four children: Eliza,
married D. C. Mills, and lives in Farm Ridge; Cor-
nelia, married Joseph D, Lewis; Harriet, married a
Mr. Robinson, both in Nebraska; William, lives
with his parents.
Abel Hogaboom, brother of John and Richard,
came from the same place, and settled on 8. 6, T.
32, R.3. He married Charlotte Jones, and after her
Sketch of Settlers — South Ottawa. 258
death, he married the widow Horn, daughter of
Jacob Gruber; is now living in Nebraska, and has.
seven children, one son, Frank, living on the old
homestead. Mary, married to Robert Crane, in
‘South Ottawa; Hannah, Eliza, Susan, and Luella at
the old home; Abbey and Lucy with their parents.
_ Richard mand wife, Hannah, parents of
the foregoing brothers, came from Ulster County,
New York, in 1830. He died in 1845, aged-83; his
widow died in 1857, aged 84.
John McKernan, from Kentucky, settled on Covell
Creek, in the fall of 1828 ; lived there one year, and
then went to Brown's Point, and made a claim on
§, 32, T, 83, R.3; in 1831 sold the claim to Charles
Brown, and boughta claim of Disney, on S. 5, T. 33,
‘R.4. In 1839, Mr. McKernan was drowned in the
Tilinois river. In 1834 the widow sold the claim to
Ebersol, and with the family, removed to
S. 22. T. 31, R. 4, at the head of Otter creek, where
she died, in 1872. Twosons, Hugh and Patrick, died
ly.
i James Edgecomb came from New Providence,
West Indies, in 1835, and settled on Covell creek,
wost of Ottawa, and died soon after.
David Strawn, son of Jeremiah Strawn, came with
his father's family from Perry County, Ohio, in
1830; bought land on S. 36, in South Ottawa, at the
sale in 1885. He married Sarah Loyd, of Ohio, and
eecupied his land soon after. He wasa large farmer,
and extensive raiser and desler in stock, and one of
the owners and builders of the Paducah Railroad.
He died in 1873, leaving seven children. Theodosia
—— es
260 History of La Salle County.
married J. W. Ebersol, and lives at Strawn, Living-
ston County; Susan married a Mr. Porter, and is
now deceased; Bertha married Thomas Morgan:
they live inChicago; Walter married Florence Parr,
‘and lives at Strawn ; Clara married Mahlon B. Lin-
ton; Ella, Harian L., and Cora Belle, are at home.
John Rockwood, and wife, Sally Green, a sister of
Henry Green, of Ottawa, came from Cheshire County,
New Hampshire, in fall of 1934, and settled on Sec-
tion 26, where he made his home till his death, about
1840. They had seven children: Loring Otis, lives
with his mother, now 86 years of age, on the old
farm; John, married Sarah Jane Lewis, and is living
in Gibson; William, married Maria Doolittle, and
lives on Section 10, Farm Ridge, a large farmer;
Elisha, married Deborah Cox, and lives in Indiana;
Levi, died young; Mary, married J. R, Dann.
Judge James Glover, father of J. O, Glover, came
from Oswego, N. ¥., in 1833, and settled in South
Ottawa ; he had held the positon of County Judge
in New York for a considerable time. He died
about 1849,
James Day, mother and sister, came from the city
of New York in 1882; the sister died, the mother
returned to New York, and James became insane, and
left. Mr. Day laid out the original town of South
Ottawa. Their family history is a sad one; they were
educated, refined and intelligent people; Miss Day
died of calomel salivation, the result of the murder-
ong medical practice of that day.
Henry Gorbett, from Clermont County, Ohio, in
1837, with his wife, Sally Robinson, settled on S. 31,
Sketch of Setilers — South Ollawa. 201
‘7.38, R.8. Hissecond wife was the widow Holland ;
he had fifteen children; Mary, married Calvin
Pembroke; Jolin, is in Texas; Debby Ann, mar-
tied David Clark; Francis Asbury; Mary Ann,
married John Quimby ; George, is dead ; Margaret,
married James Wilson; Peter, isin Pontiac; Sarah,
married & Mr, Fisk; Joseph, is in Pontiac; Ange-
dine, married Edward Smith ; Henry and Samuel are
at Rooks Creek.
William Thompson, from New York City in 1833 ;
settled on 8. 82, T. 83, R. 3; was here seven or eight
years ; sold to William Richardson and went to St,
Louis.
Solon Knapp, from New York in 1835; died of
cholera.
Jaber Fitch, from Plattsburg, N. Y., in 1835; he
was a merchant, and County Treasurer several years;
he died in New York.
Ebenezer Tracy, trom New York in 1831 or 23;
went back to New York.
Thomas Tracy, brother of the above, from same
place, had a wife and several children; died in
Michigan ; his family have all left thecounty,
Silas Tracy, brother of Thomas, came herein 1831
or "82; he settled on Covell creek, where he died
years since ; his widow married Jease A. Clark
and went to Madison, Wis.
Dr. Roberts, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in
1832; died of cholera.
Dr, Constant Abbot, from New York, in 1836; a
physician; went to Cincinnati.
Henry Matson, from Owego, New York, in 1834;
ete texas; died in Central America.
— =. —'
262 History of La Salle County.
Bilas Matson, and wife, Lydia Stanton, from
Owego, New York, in 1839; settled in South Ot
tawa. Has four children: Charles Henry, now in
Livingston County ; David, Jerome and Mary, at
home.
Calvin Eells, from Oneida County, New York,
«ame to La Salle County in 1831, went West for a
year or two, then returned to New York, and in
1836 removed with his widowed mother to South
Ottawa, and settled on Section 98. He married
Louisa Brown, who died about 1850. He aft
ward married S. A. Tacker, His first wi
children are: Frederick, who married Ernestine
Maines, lives in South Ottawa; Charles B., married
Eliza Maines in Vermillion County ; Nathaniel is on
the old farm, and Lucien in Kansas; Susan O. married
George H. Maines, on the old farm; Marons is in
Farm Ridge ; Isabella, married Samuel Ponndstone,
of Farm Ridge. The second wife has two sonst
Douglass A, is in Odell ; Horace is with his mother,
near the old place.
Russel] Kimball came at an early day from New
York. He married Mercy Hogaboom, and settled on
jon 28, sold to Calvin Hells, kept a hotel in
Sonth Ottawa, afterward moved to Sheboygan.
Sheldon Bartholomew came from New York with
Brown and Hogaboom, married Charlotte Hogaboom,
and settled on Section 28; he sold to Thomas
Hodgson; died in Ogle County; his widow came
back to La Salle County, and died a few years after,
Mr, Beers came from New York at same time with
Bartholomew ; he married Pradence Hogaboom, and
who moved to Kane County ; they are now living at
George B. Macy, from Connecticut, first to Peoria,
and to Ottawa, 1836; he married Mary Jennings,
who died in 1854. He died abont 1864. They left
five children: Charles, Eliza, Mary, Anna and Clara.
Bartlett Dennison, and wife, Jane Lindley, came
abont 1884. He sold goods, and owned a saw mill
on Indian creek ; went to California, and died there.
Erastus Allen, from Plattsburg, New York, came
in 1834; sold goods with Crook ; went to Galena.
Robert Fowler, and wife, Polly Platt, from Platts-
burg, New York, kept a boarding honse; died here.
Burnett Miller, from Clinton County, New York,
‘went to Wisconsin.
Daniel Farnsworth, from Clinton County, N. ¥.,
- in 1832; he died in 1870, His widow was fatally
‘burned by her clothes taking fire. Children: Albert,
died in California ; William, married Miss Dix, he
died in South Ottawa; Robert was killed, his widow
is in Texas; Elizabeth, married S. Crook; Electa ;
Pliebe, married Richard Hogaboom, and was fatally
burned by a like accident as that which befel her
mother.
Samuel Tyler, the first wagon maker in Ottawa,
came in 1833; moved to Wisconsin.
Platt Thorn and wife, Betsey Platt, from Clinton
pont, Wew York, a glove maker by trade; went
returned, and died here. His widow
and children wet to California,
Sylvanus Crook, from Clinton County, New York,
= ill
204 History of Le Saile County.
in 1822, a merchant and farmer ; he was a Jastice of
the Peace for several years, and died July 9, 1871
He married Elizabeth Farnsworth, whosurvives him,
Lacy married Albert Pool, now in Towa; Minnie
and Charles are at home.
John Parish, from Glasgow, Kentucky, and
brother, came in 1888¢ one died, the other went to
Rock River.
Moses Booth, brother in-law to Christopher Long,
came here in 1827 or 1828, and lived with Long, on
Covell creek. His wife died, and he married Miss
Alvord. He went to Kendall County, lost a log,
and died soon after.
Christopher .Pavier came here about 1834, from
Yorkshire, England. He had fourchildren: George,
died in Cincinnati; Charles, married Miss Cuntiff.
lived for several years in South Ottawa, and died in
East Ottawa; two sisters live in Cincinnati.
Mrs, Pavier was the widow Nancy Arnold, and
had a son and adangliter by her first husband. Her
son George Arnold married Sarah Russell. He ran
the ferry at Ottawa for several years, and is well
remembered by the people from the south side. He
is now in Iowa, near Dubuque. Jane Arnold mar-
ried Samuel W. Rogers ; after his death, she married
a Mr. Kelley, and went West
Samuel W, Rogers, from Vermont, cameto Ottawa
in 1893 or 1834. He kept a grocery, and owned the
ferry for several years, He died in South Ottawa,
James Ball. from Owego, New York, in 1885; he
married Cepha Ball, and lives on Section 26, Tas
one daughter.
266 History of La Salle County.
DAYTON,
Dayton embraces that part of 'T. 34, R. 4, which lies
west of the Fox river, about fourteen sections, and a
strip one and a half sections wide, from the eastside
of T. #4, R.3, being abont twenty-three sections of the
who! It formerly included the whole of T. 34, 8.3,
but the town of Wallace was taken from its western
side, reducing it to its present siz Indian creek
passes across the northeast corner of the town, and
Crooked Log creek and Buck creek across the north-
ern part, furnishing considerable timber to that see.
tion, These creeks, with the repid descent of the
iver, give good drainage to the whole town.
had the first flouring mill in the county,
and the first woolen mill ran water, in the State,
At one time, about 1834 and 1835, it was in advanee
of OF ithad a flouring mill, doing a heavy busi-
ness, a saw mill, wagon shop, ta y, and chair
shop, and stores doing a lange business.
‘The dam across the Fox river is maintained by the
State, It was built to turn water into the feeder for
the canal, und the Messrs, Green, who were the own-
ers of the land, have what water they want, withont
any expense for dam or rice.
The Fox river branch of the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad passes through Dayton. The
flouring mill and woolen mill are both in use, and @
paper mill has recently gone into operation; and
r for many more.
Dayton and Rutland were settled
simultaneously, and their early settlement go con.
268 History of La Salle County.
on to Bailey's Point, where they found Lewis Bailey
and William Seeley. They explored the country
as far south as Vandalia, then the capital of the
State, when he purchased eighty acres for his mill
site, at Dayton, and returned to Ohio, arriving on
the 15th of October, and immediately prepared to
emigrate to Tiinois.
NARRATIVE BY JESSE AND DAVID GREEN.
On the $d af November, 1829, the following named persons left
Newark, Licking County, Ohio, for what is now Ta Salle County,
Ilinols : John Greon, David Grove, Hours Brumbnck, and Reason
Debolt, with their families, and the following named young mun:
Samuel Grove, Joseph Grove, Jacoh Kite, Alexander MoKee, and
Harvey Shaver. Their outfit was one fouryoke ox toam, thres
two-horse wagons, and one carriage. Found the roads passable
Ul we got into Indiana, where we lay by three days for bed
weather. Thostreams were high, but we were bound for the Wess,
and pressed forward. Found about forly texms wentlherbound
at Boxby’s, on the Whitewater, where we were told it would Be
impossible to proceod unloas we traveled on the top of wagons and
teams already swamped. From there we cut our way through
honvy timber for sixty miles, avernging about ten miles per Gay.
One of the party, with a child in his arma, was thrown from: the
carriage, breaking three of his rit, and the carriage wheel pasced
‘over tho child without injuring it. ‘The wounded mam pursued the
Journey, never complaining ; ao readily did those handy plomecns
adapt themselves to ciroumstances, and heroically fnee the im
evitable, ‘The atreama were so high we had to head them, or, ax
tho suying is, go around them,
We traveled five days by the compass, when we arrived at
Parish's Grove, Iroquois County, Illinois, From there wefollowed
an Indian trail to Hubbard's trading post, on the Troqsols river.
Here wo bought all the corn we could get—abont eight base
and a perogue, or canoe Londing {t with about thirty hundred
weight af our goods, we put Jacob Kite, Joseph Grome, and
Samael Grove, on for a erew, with dirrctions to work Gowm the
Troguoia to the Kankakee, and through that to the TMiinols, where
ail
Sketch of Seitlers — Dayton. 209
‘they were to mect the teams, ‘Thie was necessary, as our teams
‘Were worn, feed scarce, und roads very bad, or, rather, none at all,
On the trip, Jexeph Grove became so chilled that be contracted a
isease from which he never fully recovered.
‘Our wame crossed & prairie which had no bottom—at least, we
@id not find any, The second day, found s stream too deep tw
‘cross; felled trees from clther xide till they formed » temporary
Bridge, over which we conveyed our goods und poople, which was
barely sccomplished when the sccumulated waters swept our
bridge away. The teams were made to swim, one horse barely
exaping One of the women became nervous, und
coukd not be induced to walk the bridge John Green took her on
Dis book, nnd made his way over on his hands and kneos, Tho
‘exact position In which the lady rode ts not recorded.
‘A beavy taiu came on, and we encamped in a small grove, and
‘were obliged to cut up some of our boxes to make a fire, ‘That
‘ight we shall nover forget ; most of us saf up all night Mother
‘aid down tn the wagon, and tried to sleep, and was frozen fast
‘#0 she could not rise in the morning. It took us over three days to
‘reech the mouth of the Kankakee, a distance of thirty miles, while
‘the perogue hai to go seventy miles by water, The crew had about
‘gives Gp in despair of meeting us, when they fortunately hoard «
‘well-known voice calling toa favorite horse, by which they were
direcied to our camp. We ferried most of our goods over the
on the perogue, when friendly Indian showod us « ford
we took our teams over without diMlculty, Our corn being
‘exhausted, our teams had nothing to est but browse, or dry prairie
(greet, and very littlo of that, as the prairie had nearly all been
Burned over, In the afternoon of the 6th of December, we came
‘fp aight of « grove of timber, and John Green, believing it to be
‘“Hawley's (now Holdorman’s) Grovo, started on horseback to ascer-
tala. His expectations were realized, and he found Messrs. Haw:
‘Mey 4nd Baresford butchering a beef. He harnessed Baresfonl's
‘horse, a largo gray one, 10 a light wagon of Baresford’s, and taking
8 quarter of the beef, and filling the wagon with corn, started for
‘Westie creek timber, where ho supposed the party would stop.
‘The company had ordered « halt and prepared to encamp, but
With the expectation of going supperless to bed as their provisions
“were exhausted, when Mr. Groen drove up, to the grest joy of the
“whole party, both man wad beast. From the time the corn gaye
i
om History of La Salle Connty,
‘out and tho provisions wore running short, one young man refused to
eat, contending thnt as they were bound to starve, the provislous
should bo reserved for the women and children.
The noxt day, being the Oth of Decomber, 1520, about four ebook
Fo, we reached our destination—except the three young men in
charge of the perogue, whom we expected would reach here before
ua; and when night came on we were all cast down with fearful
forebodings, as we thought they must have met with same serkuus
accident. But our anxiety was soon relieved. On the ame day they
bad made the perogue fast at the grand rapids of the Illinois, now
Marseilles, and crossing the prairie without any knowledge of Oye
country, became benighted, but seving the light froin our cabir,
Jolned us about elght o'clock, and we had a great tne of rejoicleg.
the lost having been found. ‘The self-sacrificing brother joined
us ina hearty meal, und bit appetite never failed him afvarwerd.
Our next object was to secure some provisions, as we bind a large
family and go xd appetites. We bought twenty-four hogs of Btarkiy,
‘on the Desplaines; then went south to Tuzewell county, bought
thirty bushels wheat st four shillings, elghty bushels corm at two
shillings, und took It toa horse mill where Washington now ts; spent
several days in putting the mill in order, having to dross the boulder
mil? stones, and furnish the motive power. Provisions were scare
before we had produced a crop; we frequently lived on bewf, potatoes
and pound cake, 80 called, being made of corm pounded in & mortar,
‘We went to work improving in the spring. and by Inly 4th we
hod 240 acres fenced, and nearly alt broken, and had built = saw
mill, dam and race, and bad a ran of boulder mill stoues in one
corner of the saw mill grinding wheat, the first ground om Fox
river. The stones were made frei boulders or hard heads, found
here, by Christopher Payne, brother of the Dunkard prescher who
was killed by Indianson the prairie between Holderman’s Growe and
Marscitlcs, in 1882,
Of the company of twenty-four that came out in
the fall of 1820, two returned to Ohio; of the twenty-
two who remained, only seven died in forty-one
years.
John Green, and wife, Barbara Grove, came from
Licking County, Ohio, in the fall of 1828 He
m2 History of La Salle County.
on §. 33,'T. 34, R.4; sold to Jonathan Daniels, and
moved to Dayton in 1831; built a flouring mill;
was twice elected Sheriff of La Salle County, and
twice to the State Senate. He was a prominent and
usefal citizen, and died in 1848. Children: Jona-
than, married Elizabeth Long, in Rutland; Mary,
married David Green; William ; Elizabeth, married
Horace B, George; Richard, married Sallie Sevant,
James McFadden, from Ohio, in the fall of 1831.
Kept store in Dayton, where the woolen mill gow
is; it was swept off by high water in the following
spring. He was captain of a company of Home
Guards, raised in the county during the Black
Hawk war; was shot through the ankle by Indians
on Indian creek in 1882; he went to Galena,
George M. Dannavan, from Licking County, Ohio,
in 1830, with David Letts, who settled on Section 3
in town of Eden. Mr. Dunnavan remained at Cedar
Point, as it was then called, till 1835, when he
settled on 8. 7, 'T. 84, R. 4, on Buck creek timber,
He married Catharine Gree ughter of John
Green. There are ten children: Silas Li, is in Mon-
tana; Louisa Jane, married D, S. Green, and resides
at Central City, Colorado; Emma, married Andrew
ind lives in Ottawa; Luelen G., is at Con-
, Colorado; Frank W., Mary B., Charles,
Belle, Cora, and Edward, are at home.
Thomas Parr, from Licking County, Ohio, in
1834; he married h Ann Pitzer, and settled on
8.1, T.34,R, 8. They have six children: Jesse N.,
married Anna Cain, and lives in Kansas; Amanda
K., married Noah Brunk, and lives in Dayton;
o74 History of La Salle County.
Rapids of the Tlinois on the south, Marseilles in its
southeast corner, Ottawa at its southwest. The
Tilinois and Michigan Canal, and Rock Island &
Pacific R. R. pass throngh its southern border,
while its western and northern line is washed by
the Fox, with its rapids and heavy water power—
a combination of natural resources that must
insure a future of which we can form no con-
ception. It is useless to speculate as to the time,
This region of country is only just in its infaney,
and the womb of time is pregnant with startling
events to be developed in the distant futnre, When
the Lowells and Birminghams of the East shall be
duplicated along the banks of the Tllinois and the
Fox, the towns of Rutland, Manlius, Fall River,
Dayton and Ottawa, will constitute one grand me-
tropolitan city of busy industry and commerce.
Tt is true, the sanguine anticipations of the early
settlers have not been realized in this direction; but
the development of such resources requires time and
capital. Thealmost unlimited amount of power now
running to waste, the cheap and inexhaustible
amount of fuel close at hand, the exhaustless supply
of rich ores, which the world elsewhere can not rival,
ready to be floated over the bosom of the lakes, and
through our ship canal, without transhipment, with
the mountains of ores in Missouri, all in regions
destitute of fuel, and which must seek the locality
where that element exists—-are facts that no sophistry
can belittle, or argument gainsay, bub that stand in
bold rel inexorable as fate. Add to this the
capacity of the richest agricultural region in the
Sketch of Seltlers — Rutland. 277
world, for the production of cheap and abundant
food, and the picture needs no further embellish-
ment.
But the farmers of Rutland have no cause to re-
pine at their lot as tillers of the soil. Their soil has
no superior among their sister towns. The town is
well supplied with timber, and they have a market
close at hand; and the old denizens who have spent
fifty years in improving and embellishing their
homes, would doubtless hesitate to exchange their
fruit orchards, waving fields of grain, and sleek herds
and flocks, for the smoke of the furnace and the
clack of the mill.
Rutland was one of the earliest settled towns in
the county.
‘The first settler in Rutland was Wm. A. Clark,
from Sonth Carolina; he settled on the N. E. 4 S. 22,
T. 34, R. 4, in thespring of 1829 ; sold to John Green,
and moved to near Naperville.
David Grove, and wife, Anna Howser, from Lick-
ing County, Ohio, in 1829; one of Green's party ;
aided John Green fora year or more, and then settled
on §. 22, T. 34, R.4; nowliving, aged 73. Children
of first wife: Samuel, who married Mary Parr, lives
at Utica, and isnow Supervisor of that town ; George,
at home; John died. Mrs. Grove, died in 1849
Second wife, Mary W. Robinson, Her children were:
Katharine, athome; Anna, married a Mr. Hong, now
ead; Elizabeth, married David Connard, and lives
im Miller; Isabella, married Daniel Wickwire, and
lives in Rutland; Eliza, married W. H. Chapman,
and lives at Freedom.
=
278 History of La Satie County.
Reason Debolt, and wife, Emma Grove, from Liek-
ing County, Ohio, in 1829; one of Green's purty +
settled on 8, 11, T. 34, R. 4; in 1838 sold to Loring
Delano, and moved to the N. E. } of 8.16, where he
now lives, Mrs, Debolt died in 1848, Children:
Elma, married a Mr. Hupp, and lives in Troqnois
County ; Barbara, married David Connard, and died
in 1851; Lovina, is living in Ohio; George, married
Miss Sutton, and livesin Dayton; Jesse, died in the
army; Cyrus, married Elizabeth Dunnavan.
Henry Brumback, and wife, Elizabeth Pitzer, from
Licking County, Ohio, in 1829; settled on the N. EB}
8.13. Children: Lizzie, born in 1830—first birth
in town, married Frank Broner, now a widew; and
Rachel.
Samuel Grove, from Licking County, Obio, was
one of Green's party. He returned to Ohio, and
came back to Ta Salle County in 1856.
seph Grove, from Licking County, Ohio, in
; one of Green's Company. He married Elma
Jackson, and settled on 8. 22, Hediedin 1658. His
widow died in 1872. Their children were: Seman-
tha, who married a Mr. Wakefield; John, is in
Iroquois County; Jeremiah, died in the army;
isat home; Lewis, married Melinda Pitzer,
now of Miller; Elma, married George Pitzer, of
Troqnois County; David, isat Dayton; Mary, and
Clara, are at home.
William L. Dannavan, from Licking County,
Ohio, in 1830, made a claim southwest of Pern;
sold to Tsh, and settled on Section 22 im 1881,
He was married in the fall of that year to Elie,
280 History of La Salle County.
Green, of Dayton; Elias, married Catharine Long,
the first child born in the county; Eliza, married
William Gibson, and lives on the old farm; Barbara,
married Joseph Jackson, of Millington ; Elizabeth,
married Jacob Strawn, of Utica; Anna, married
Lewis Robinson,
David Shaver, and wife, Nancy Grove, came from
Licking County, Ohio, in the fall of 1830 ; settled
onS, 2, T. 33, R. 4; was Overseer of the Poor and
Justice of the Peace several terms ; he died Jan. 2,
1848. He had nine children: Cyrus, married Betsey
Hackett, and settled on the S. B.}8 4. Has four
children: Harvey, married Sarah Johnson, now in
Missouri; David R., married Margaret Kleiber, live
on Section 3; Joseph, married Janet Neff, live
in Rutland ; Harrison, died in 1583, the first natnral
death in the town ; Rebecca,married John Snelling,
of Freedom; Barbara, married Joseph Miller, of
Ottawa; Nancy,married William S. Allen, In Gales-
burg; Catharine,married John K. Spencer.
William Parr, and wife, Sally Trambo, from Lick-
ing County, Ohio, came in the fall of 1830; hesettled
on the 8. BE. 48. 3, 7. 33, R. 4 He had five
children: Henry R., married Elsa Armstrong, live in
Serena; Samuel, married Josephine Armstrong, in
Rutland; Isabella, married Orson Potter; John,
married Lucy Milliken; Mary, married Samuel
Grove, of Utica.
Sam) Milliken, and wife, Rebecen Williams,
from Licking County, Ohio, came to South Ottawa
in 1890, and in the spring of 1882 settled on the
S E48. 5, T. 33, R.4: sold to M E. Hollister in
282 History of La Satle County.
live in Kansas; Jesse, died in California; Benja-
min, died in the army; Jacob, married Sarah Kite,
live in Kansas; Sarah Ann, married Thomas Parr,
of Dayton; Rachel, married Thomas Bayley, live
in Kansas; Elizabeth, married Henry Brumback, of
Rutland ; Margaret, is dead ; Catharine, married H.
Haman; Alvah, is dead,
Edward Sanders, from Licking County, Ohio, in
1831, settled on N. E. 4, S, 11,7, 34, R.4. He served
five years inthe United Statesarmy ; while stationed
at Fort Dearborn, he went as a scout to the Illinois
and Fox rivers in 1816,and what hesaw of the country
then, induced him to make it his home. He wasa
carpenter by trade; his wife was Margaret Wamsley.
Jacob Anderson, from Norway, to New York,
1825; here, 1834; settled on S. W. $ S. 18, TL 34,
R. 4; went to California and died there, one of the
first colony.
Andrew Dall, from Norway, to New York, 1825,
in the sloop; here, 1834; settled on S. W, $8. 1, T
34, R. 4; died at Salt Lake.
Vital Vermit, from Canada, 1834, settled on N. B.
$51, T. 34, R. 4 He married Huldah Walker,
daughter of Dr. David Walker, of Ottawa, Kept
hotel for several years, at Vermit’s or Vermit’s
Point; went toIndiana, They had four children.
Jas. M. Philips, and wife, Ann Gillespie, from
Pennsylvania, 1834, settled on 8. E, $8, 10, T. 33,
BR. 4; moved to Indian Creek 1835.
John C. Philips, from Pennsylvania, 1834, settled
on 8. W.48. 10, T. $3, R. 4; moved to Newark 1835
John Weitsell, from Germany, on N. E. ¢ §. 13,
T. 34, R. 4.
wee History of La Salle County.
from Ohio. Their children are: Semantha, married
Geo. Bennett, of Waltham ; Mary Lovina, married a
Mr. Ross, her second husband Mr. Turple, they live
in Chicago; Margaret, married Henry Mandeville, of
Kansas; Belle, married Henry Bennett, of Deer
Park; Dora, married Wm. Mungon, Jr., of Adams;
Geo, W., married widow Wade; Dolcina, Emma,
and Peter, are at home.
Thomas Tuttle, from Tndiana, in 1836, settled on
§. 11, T. 88, R. 4; sold to Garver Gunderson in 1830
Timothy Oorbit, from Pennsylvania, in 1887,
settled adjoining J. D. Butterfield.
Walter D. Rood, from Saratoga County, New
York, in July, 1885, to Marseilles; moved on to the
Long farm. Went with Green’s company in 1549
to California, lived in Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
and Montana, and returned to La Salle County in
1870. Married Amelia Robinson, and settled on
8. 16, T. 33, R. 5, in 1872. Has one child, Olive,
Jolin Gibson, from Ohio, came here in 1840. He
was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, from Pennsyl-
vania ; he died in 1869; his wife died in 1860. Left
six children: Martha,married 0. McKinley ; Maria,
married Jas. N. Frenary, of Rutland; Capt. Wm.
L., married Eliza Trambo, of Rutland ; Geo. W.,
married Cynthia Robinson, of Rutland; John F.,
married Mary J. Anderson, of Rutland; Capt.
Theodore C., married Sagan S. Sample, of Ottawa.
Jonathan Daniels, and wife, Mary Channel, from
Licking County, Ohio, in the fallof 1881, bonght a
claim of Wm. Stadden, on S. 33 T. 84, R 4
They had two children: Elizabeth, married Joseph
Kleiber: Judith, married Wm. Stadden.
293 History of La Salle County.
that induced the settlement, for here, as elsewhere,
the first settlements were all along the edge of the
best timber,
Lewis Bailey, the first settler in the town of Ver-
* millio: ne from Oh first to Tndiann, and then
to Illinois in 1825. He first came to Ottawa, but
located on Section 19, at the head of Bailey's Grove,
which was called Bailey’s Point. His son Augustus
is claimed to have been the first male white child
born in the county, while a danghter of Christopher
Long was the first. George Galloway, son of James
Galloway, of Fall River, has claimed the honor of
being born before Bailey, The fact seems to be
that Bailey's son was a few days the oldest, but he
was born at Peoria, where his parents had gone in
a canoe, in anticipation of the event, and soon after
returned, having been absent from home eighteen
days.
The location selected by Bailey was a romantic
one, and he said it was a favorite resort of the In-
dians, who ever evinced a keen appreciation of the
beautiful, Mr. Bailey's neighbors at first were
only Indians. He always expressed a high opinion
of his swarthy friends, and persistently claimed that
they were more honest, friendly and trustworthy
than the whites. He was doubtless somewhat mis-
anthropic. He with his family left the county in
1844, and died in Oregon. He had two sons: An-
gustus and Timothy.
William Seeley, a native of Seneca County, New
York, came to Madison County, Llinois, in 1818,
and bronght his family in 1520, He came to Bailey's
200 History of Lia Salle County.
Eddy, and made a claim on §.19, 'T. 32, R. 2
where he lived and raised a large family. He died of
cholera in 1848 ; his first wife died in 1832; his sec-
ond wife, Mary Warnock, is now living with Alfred.
He left seven children : Henry, married Lydia Gal-
loway, he died of cholerain 1848 ; Harriet, married
Jacob Barr, they live at Lowell; Sally, is single;
Olive, married Charles Clark, and lives in Missouri ;
Jerusha, married J, W. Wells, she is now a widow,
living in Streator; B. F., married Lonisa Dart, are
now living at Farm Ridge, have six children; Alfred,
married Mary Jane Kirkpatrick, and livesat Metrop-
olis, Ill.
John Bailey, and wife, Sally Benjamin, came from
Windsor, Vermont, in 1831, to Putnam County, and
in 1882 bonght the claim of Warren's estateon S, 17,
T. 32, R. 2, where he lived till his death in 1842.
A good citizen, he always cheerfully bore his portion
of the public burden of a new settlement, His widow
died in 1854. He left seven children: Sarah Ann,
married Nelson Alvord, a Baptist preacher ; Mary,
married William Laughlin, now a widow; Rhoda,
married Samuel Bullock; Annis, married Bailey
Barrass; Maria, married Seth Eaton; Emily, mar
ried Frank Wood, they live in Eden; William,
married Janet Potter, adopted daughter of John
Rider, and lives on the old farm—is now Town
Supervisor.
Leslie Kent, and wife, Huldah Harman, from
Conway, Mass., in 1893; settled on S. 18, T. $3, Ry 2
Mrs. Kent died in August, 184); he died in Septem-
ber, 1846, leaving two daughters: Huldah, married
=|
202 History of La Salle County.
widow married Dea. Leonard. left four children
Daniel and Raymond; Mary, married Daniel Little
Snean, is in Galesburg.
Jacob Elliott, and wife, Mehitable Cook, from
New Hampshire, in 1839, resided at Lowell. He
died in 1841, leaving four children. His son Charles
married Lucy Bach ; second wife, Harriet Hunting-
ton. He was a partner of William Seeley in the
town of Lowell and water-power adjoining. They
built the stone mill, and anticipated building up a
manufacturing town that would not disgrace its
namesake in Massachusetts, It was not a success
proportioned to the enterprise of its founders, and
the early death of its proprietors put a stop to its
further progress. Charles Elliott was for several
years a Justice of the Peace and County Commis-
sioner: he died about 1855 or '56, and left one son
by his first wife, Jacob, who married a daughter
of Sargeant Cummings, and lives in Towa; Sarah,
the danghter of his second wife, married Uriah
Painter, and lives at Streator.
Jacob Elliott's other children were: Cook, who
married Jane Wiswall, and died soon after; Mary,
married Emery Stanford, now dead; Sarah, mar
vied a Mr. Weber, both are dead.
Emery Stanford, from Waterloo, N. Y., came in
1837, astone mason by trade; he built the stone
mill at Lowell for Seeley & Elliott, an enduring mon-
‘ument to the skill and fidelity of its builders. He
married Mary Elliott, and moved on toa farm on
8. 27, T. 32, R. 2, where he still resides. Has been
‘Town Supervisor and held other positions of trast.
24 History of La Salte County,
ary, Mr. Hamar went to Dixon on foot to enter land,
and was gone tendays. In thespring he was joined
by his family and found quarters at the hospitable
house of Lewis Bailey. He settled on S. 32, where
he built a log cabin the following summer, the first
in that locality that ventured to settle away from
timber on the open prairie, Mr. and Mrs, Hamar,
in common with their neighbors from New England,
brought with them a high regard for the charch
and school-house, which they learned among their
native hills. Mr. Hamar died Aug., 1846, aged 51.
Mrs. Hamar died May, 1876, aged 78, leaving seven
children: Elizabeth, now the widow of Samuel
Wanchope, of Farm Ridge; Mary Ann, widow of
George Kingsbury, living near Tonica; Minerva O.,
wife of Nathan L. Eaton, living three miles east of
Tonica; Joseph E., living in Santa Barbara, Cal. ;
Geo, E., is in Dodge County, Nebraska; Therestal,
died in 1846 ; Eugene lives in Tonica,
Benjamin Washburn, and wife, from Plymouth
County, Massachusetts, in 1835; settled on & 15.
Had four sons: Benjamin, lives in Lowell; Salmon
B., is in Colorado; Gustavus and Stillman are
dead.
Henry Angell, from Rhode Island; left there in
the fall of 1835. While on the way was frozen in
on the Erie Canal, and wintered in Utica, New
York; arrived here in the spring of 1836, and settled
at Vermillionville, where his wife died. He married
Miss Washburn, and settled on 8. 85; he died abont
1850; his widow died in 1874. His children by his
first wife are: Abbey, who married John Fry, her
208 History of La Salle County.
(sons of Joel), Jacob Barr, William Groom, and
Madison Goslin, left Albany County, New York, in
wagons, the 15th day of May, 1833, for the West.
In Chicago, they met Judge Isaac Dimmick, then
returning from a tour of exploration, who directed
them to this locality. They arrived here July 18th.
A journey by land for hundreds of miles at that
day through acountry, most of it unsettled, without
roads or bridges, can hardly be appreciated now.
They were compelled to adopt camp life; stopping
at night on the bank of some stream, where wood
and water could be procured, and sleeping in their
wagons, or on the ground, and in some instances
were compelled to build bridges to cross the streams.
Madison Goslin died in the fall of 1883,
Joel Alvord, and wife, in 1883, bought a claim of
Jacob Moon, on S. 18, where he spent the remainder
of his life a substantial farmer, and good citizen.
He died, March, 1856, aged 76, leaving five children =:
Betsey, married Reuben Moffat; Edward, married
Elizabeth Cleveland; Alison; Nelson, a Baptist
clergyman, married Sarah Bailey, and lives in
Kansas ; Joel, married Lydia Hall, died of a wound,
Jacob Barr married Harriet, danghter of John
Slater, and is now living at Lowell; has five
children: Henry, married Harriet Alydo ; Sybil,
married Eugene Miller; Imogene, married Samuel
Underhill, of Tonica; Ellen, married Benton Cram-
rin, now in California ; Arthur, is in California
The author is indebted to Mr. Barr for the history
of the colony, of which he was one.
Ev Hawley, and wile, Rhoda M. Buck, came
208 History of La Salle County.
Anna Fleming; Onslow, married Margaret A. Mosier,
of Tonica: Julia, at home.
Josiah Seybold, from Southern Illinois, a native
of the State, came in 1883. He built a flouring
mill on the Vermillion, which was completed in 1836 ;
he sold the mill to the Messrs. Todd, and moved on
a farm in the town of Eden. While descending the
Mississippi in a flat boat, he died at Natchez, sns-
pected of poison. He left three children: Thad-
dens, married. Lizzie Denton, lives in Washington,
D. C.; Jerome, is in Chicago; Mary, is the wife of
Willis Stewart, of Putnam County. Mrs, Seybold,
Nancy Scanlan, from Virginia, now lives with Mrs.
Stewart.
Chester Dryer, from Seneca County, N-Y., in Dee.
1836, his family came in Jone, 1836. A sad fatality
attended his family ; his second son, Calvin, died in
1840; his oldest son, William, died in 1841, and his
wife, Sarah Hobro, died in 1842. Of seven children
by his first wife, one only survives, Keziah, wife
of Sanford Harwood, living in Iowa. Mr. Dryer's
second wife is Mary Little; they have one danghter.
He brought in the first threshing machino—s fonr-
horse power that delivered the grain on the ground
from the eylinder to be cleaned by the hand mill
—an imperfect implement, but far better than
tramping ont the grain on the ground with horses
or eattle.
Mr. Dryer has held the office of Justice of the
Peace for several years.
George Brown, from New Hampshire, came in
1830; was part owner, with William Seeley, of the
a0 History of La Satie County.
Northing afforded him more exquisite pleasure than
to get the advantage of an opponent at law or to
circumvent and outwit the simple men he employed .
towork his farm. The tile of his sharp transactions
would fill a volume. His practice was, to make a
written contract with the men he hired, so worded
that the contract was sure to be broken, when the
laborer got no pay.
A few are inserted as a curiosity in their way.
He sold a pair of steers for $65 worth $35, and
took a note as follows: “One day after date, I
promise to make for Peter Schoonover 32,000 oak
shingles at 82.40 per M., Schoonover to furnish
timber.” The cattle were placed at double their
value, and so was the work—but as the shingles
could not be made in one day, the giver of the note
was called on for the money at the advanced price,
He arrested a German for burning some wheat
stacks, 45 he claimed, by carelesenvss ; the frightened
German who had not been near the stack, settled
and gave a note for $100; this by advice, he refused
to pay; an arbitration followed, and Schoonover
recovered $28. Anxious to pay it and be clear of
the trouble, he traded a rifle worth $25 and a heifer
worth $16—all the property he had, with Schoon-
over, and got an old rifle worth 50 cents and « credit
on his note for 313. Now, says Schoonover, you
can not read English, and will not comprehend an
endorsement, you had better give me a new note for
the 815 balance and take up the old note, He did
so, but found he had received the $100 note that was
Killed by the arbitration—Schoonover retaining the
E
302 History of La Saile County.
lion in 1838 His reputation is so world-wide that
among the old settlers he deserves more than a pass-
ing notice. His ancestors were from England and
Wiles, and both his parents belonged to the Society
of Friends. He was born at Hardwich, Snasex
County, New Jersey, January 4, 1789. His educa-
tional advantages were a few months only at a
common school. He learned the trade of a sadder
at Wheeling, Virginia, and as that place was thena
great slave mart, he became strongly impressed with
the enormity of slavery. H+ here formed the ac-
quaintance of William Lewis, and sisters, one of
whom he afterwards married, and set up his busi-
ness of saddler, at St. Clairville, on the Ohio. Al-
though successfal in business, he soon left it for the
more congenial employment of working for the free-
dom of the slave. Lecturing, forming anti-slavery
associations, and editing an abolition paper, was
the commencement of a work to which he devoted
his life. When he entered the field he promised
never to leave it till he ceased to breathe or the
object was accomplished ; he kept his word and died
in the harness. Like Howard, the philanthropist, he
made it a life-work, regardless of the sacrifices, pri-
vations and personal dangers that beset his path.
His was such a character as the world seldom pro-
duces, It crosses the plodding, selfish track of
common humanity like a laminons meteor passing
athwart the sombre darkness of the midnight sky.
Men pause while the evils and wrongs of society are
exposed : and those who are ever prone to travel
thoughtlessly and without inquiry, in the ruts their
| Skeloh of Settlers —Vermillion. 308
fathers made, even though they may be stained with
the blood of suffering innocence, have their dor-
mant and sleeping consciences aronsed.
Lundy was the first anti-slavery apostle, whose
whole life was an offering on the altar of human
fights; his efforts aroused and enlisted Tappan,
Goodell, Garrison, and others, who became his co-
j workers, and who carried on the work after Landy
bad gone to his rest.
( ‘He started an anti-slavery paper at Mount Pleasant,
Ohio, in 1821, called the “Genius of Universal
Emancipation.” This paper he published some-
| times a8 a weekly, but generally as a monthly,
with slight interruption, till his death, a period of
After issuing eight monthly num-
bers he removed his paper to Tennessee where he
continued till his removal to Baltimore in 1824. ‘The
clreulation of his paper was quite satisfactory, es-
pecially so in most of the slave-holding States, His
treatment of the subject, thongh firm and decided,
was mild and conciliatory, yet it soon aroused the
demon of slavery, and often exposed him to per-
sonal danger. On one occasion in Tennessee, two
Taffians entered his office, shut and locked the door,
and demanded the recantation of an article pab-
lished in the ‘*Genius,”’ but he coolly faced and
held them at bay till help arrived,
‘The circulation of his paper had become so general
over the whole country, that he thought its publi-
cation in one of the Atlantic cities would increase
its efficiency ; he selected Baltimore as being central,
and within the shadow of the dark pall of human
Ele
304 History of La Salle County.
slavery, and located therein 1824. In 1828, he made
a tour through New England, lecturing and forming
his favorite anti-slavery societies, and increasing the
cirenlation of his paper. On this trip he first made
the acquaintance of Arthur Tappan, in New York;
of William Goodell, in Providence, and of William
Lloyd Garrison, in Boston. Previous to this time,
neither of those gentlemen had been very active in
the anti-slavery eanse.
Tn November, 1898, he again traveled over New
England and New York, and delivered forty-three
lectures while on the trip, The following winter he
was assaulted and nearly killed in the streets of
Baltimore by Austin Woolfolk, a slave-trader, for
commenting on hisconduct, The judge, before whom
Woolfolk was tried, told the Jury that Landy got
no more than he deserved, and when the jury ren-
dered a verdict of guilty, the Judge fined him one
dollar, and gave the offensive article to the grand
jury, Informing them that it was libelous, but the
jury thought otherwise, and found no bill, The
same winter Lundy went to Hayti in the interest of
some manumitted slaves who were settled therein a
state of freedom. While in Hayti his excellent and
amiable wife and co-worker died, leaving him with
a family of five children. Though keenly sensitive
to his loss, his efforts in his life work were sooa re-
newed with his usual vigor.
In the spring of 1829, he went again to Hayti on @
similar mission. That spring Wm. Lloyd Garrison
joined him at Baltimore in editing the *Genias.”
Garrison was more severe in his language than
306 History of La Salle County.
where slavery was involved. With the co-operation
of John Q. Adams, he fought the enterprise of the
Texan invaders, as he had before in 1823 and "24,
taking a leading part in opposition to the attempt to
introduce slavery into Minois. It is singular, in the
light of the subsequent history of the anti-slavery
contest, that the movement inangarated by Landy
should have made such headway in the slave States.
His paper for Angust, 1825, states that he had more
subscribers in North Carolina than in any other
State. At an election in Baltimore, in 1826, Ray-
mond, the anti-slavery candidate, received one-
seventh of the votes cast; this and other indivations
show that there was a healthy anti-slavery senti-
ment at the South, but the aristocratle slaveholders
then, as since, when aroused, crushed it ont and
silenced its voice. A very unfortunate occurrence
took place on the 8d of August, 1831, in the insur-
rection of about fifty slaves in Southampton Co.,
Va., under a fanatical preacher by the name of Nat
Turner, They procured arms and commenced an
indiscriminate massacre of all they met, without dis-
tinction of sex or age, to the number in all of sixty-
three, when they were dispersed, At the same time
a plot for an insurrection of the slaves of several
counties of North Carolina was discovered, and
rumors of plots elsewhere were rife.
The nataral effect of all this was to prejudice the
public mind against all anti-slavery efforts, and to
embitter the contest between the pro’s and anti's,
There is no probability that the anti-slavery
movement had any influence in the Nat Turner in-
Sketch of Settlers — Vermillion. 2OT
surrection ; Turner was 4 fanatic, and probably in-
sane; he claimed to have been commanded from
heaven to do what he did.
In August, 1838, Lundy commenced in Philadel-
phia the publication of a weekly paper devoted to-
Peek aed ealled the National Inquirer, and in
1888 relinquished its publication, and was succeeded
by John G. Whittier. The “Genius,” asa monthly,
was published during this time at Philadelphia,
where it had been removed from Washington.
A large hall, costing 30,000, built by abolitionists.
and others, was opened on the 14th of May, 1838,
and several abolition meetings and discussions held
therein. On the evening of the 17th, a mob aszault-
ed and burned the hall, with little opposition from
the police; the firemen protected the adjoining
building, but did nothing to save the hall. This
was done in staid Quaker Philadelphia, and shows
the bitter contest then being waged on the slavery
question.. Lundy's books, papers, clothing and other
personal effects were al] burned in the building.
He had for sometime contemplated moving his
paper to the then opening Northwest. He left
Philadelphia in Jnly, and arrived in Ilinois in Sep-
tember. Disappointed in an attempt to start his-
paper at Hennepin, he accepted a proposition from
the citizens of Lowell, La Salle Co., and moved there
tn the winter of 1838-9, built a house and printing
office, and purchased a tract of land four miles dis-
fant. Here his paper was published rather irrega-
larly, for the want of funds, haying at first no help
‘but his two sons, one of whom attended to the farm.
Bos History of Le Salle County.
In Angust he was attacked with bilious fever, then
prevalent in that locality, and died on the 224 of
Angust, 1839, in the Sist year of his age. His re-
mains were buried in the Friend's burying ground
con Clear creek, in Patnam County, TH.
‘The foregoing gives but a faint idea of the self-
sacrifice, indomitable perseverance, and whole-
souled philanthropy of Benjamin Lundy, for what-
ever may be the views of any one on the
“question, it can not be denied that he deserves the
nam of # philanthropist in the broadest sense. He
was not a fanatic; his views were broad and catho-
lie, as is shown by the toleration of his efforte at the
South, where his paper was as well received as at
‘the North. His efforts at colonization were broad
and comprehensive, showing a cool head as well as
a warm heart ; always conciliatory, bat never yield-
ing an jota of the rights of our common hamanity,
his was just the organization to lay broad and deep
the foundations of universal emancipation. With
an open and pleasing countenance, genial, and win-
ning manners, he made friends of all his associates,
while his convietions of trath and right were as firm
as the granite hills; neither poverty, sickness, afflic-
tion, toll and privation, mob violenee, or the heel of
the beastly Woolfolk, could swerve him from his
purpose.
His weapons were argument, reason, justice, and
right, clothed in the garb of plain Quaker simplicity
and sincerity; and when the contest became intensely
embittered, and insane passion put reason and right
at defiance, it was, perhaps, well that he should
B10 History of La Salle County.
and Elizabeth. Mrs. Hatch died about 1845; the
Doctor died about 1850.
MANLIUS.
The town of Manlius embraces that portion of T.
83, R.0, lying north of the Iltinois river. It formerly
embraced the south half of T.34,R.5, which now con-
stitutes part of the town of Miller. It has consider
able bottom Jand along the Tilinois, much of it valu-
able, considerable bluff and broken land, and about
one-third of the town is covered with bluff timber.
Probably half the town is prairie of excellent qua!
ity. The Illinois & Michigan Canal and C., R. L &
P. R. R. pass through the bottom between the bluff
and the river, bringing a choice of transportation
facilities to the doors of all its people. The town
of Marseilles is about equally divided between the
towns of Rutland and Manlius, and is destined to
be an important place. The Grand Rapids of the
Tilinols furnish a water power equal to any de-
mand that will be made upon it, and the earliest
as well as all subsequent settlers have marked it as
destined for a brilliant future.
In some respects it has been unfortunate, thus far,
suffering severely from fire in several instances; but
it has surmounted these and is now doing a success:
ful manufacturing business, aggregating nearly half
a million of dollars annually, which is nearly all
labor. This is buta trifle of what the fnture will
develop here. How soon it will realize that pros
=
Sketch of Settlers —Manlius. 31
‘perity which its resourves indicate, will depend upon
national and local conditions which time alone will
develop.
Wm. Richey was born in Pennsylvania, emigrated
to Huron County, Ohio, where he heard the cannon-
ading at the time of Perry’s victory on Lake Erie.
Lest his first wife and marricd Dolly Wilson, a
Kentucky woman, near Indianapolis, in 1828,
Moved to Wisconsin, and engaged in lead mining.
Tn October, 1829, came to La Salle County, and made
‘a claim on 8. 17, T. 33, R. 4, where William Moore
now lives. He was accompanied by his son William
W., the only child of his first wife that came West.
‘The son stayed on the claim while the father went
to the Blne Mounds for the family. They came
by the way of Dixon, in a ‘prairie schooner,”’ with
@ span of horses, and an ox and cow yoked to-
gether; arrived on the claim in January, 1830, The
Only neighbor was James Galloway. In February,
1820, Mrs. Galloway died. Mr. Richey and son cut
down a black walnut tree the Indians had girdled,
and split ont some puncheon boards and made a
coffin, in which Mrs. Galloway was buried. In the
‘spring of 1830 Mr. Richey sold his claim to Abra-
ham Trumbo. They then made a claim near Gallo-
way's, but sold to Galloway soon after and made a
claim on the S. E.3S. 18, I. 33, R. 6, and in the
winter of 1831 built a cabin in the ravine near the
Dr. Ward place, the first cabin built in Marseilles,
and where James Richey was born, the first birth in
what is now Marseilles, William W. sowed a
email patch of wheat where the sod had been killed
;-_
ai2 History of La Salle County.
by Indian cultivation ; he got some what, but, what
was more valuable, unwittingly got # pre-emption,
and as he and his father were on the same quarter
section, they were each entitled to a float on eighty
acreselsewhere. They sold their floats to John Green,
for which he entered their quarter section; they
thus secured their quarter section without money
and without price. After the massacre at Indian
Creek, in 1832, William W. went to Seneca to notify
Abel Sprague, who had a claim there, and then
moved the family to Ottawa, The father was a
teamster for the army, and the son enlisted as a
soldier, They were discharged on the banks of the
Wisconsin river. In the fall they helped Ephraim
Sprague, Charles Brown, and Richard Hogaboom
build a dam and dig a race fora eaw-mill at Mar-
seilles. William Richey died about 1842; his wife
died in 1839. William W narried Widow Green,
and lives in the town of Brookfield.
Abner Stebbins came from New York in 1884;
settled on S. 4, 7.98, R.5. George W. Bramback
says he was the best axe man he ever Knew, the
best worker and most honest man; he went to
Towa.
Abdolonymus Stebbins, brother of Abner, and
wile, Julia Webber, came from New York in 183,
and settled on 8. 8, T. 33, R. 5. Had ten children.
Bromback says he was not 20 good a worker but a
better talker than Abner; that he was a staunch
Whig, in favor of internal improvements, of devel-
oping manufactures, arts and sciences, and delighted
in talking on these subjects by the hour; that there
Sketch of Settlers — Manlius. 313
have been bigger fools in the United States Senate
than Abdolonymus; that the good seed sown by
him is still bearing frait; but that his Democratic
held himand his political heresies in utter
contempt, His children were; Henry, married Mary
Ann Pope, his second wife was Miss Bignal, is
now in Iowa; Lonana, married Jacob Reser, of Pon-
tise ; Lorinda, married Volney Wood, both are de-
ceased; Mary, died single; Louisa, married Gale
Waterman, of Seneca; Emery, married Laura Lam-
my, of Iowa; Edgar, is in Missouri; Austin, mar.
tied Miss Wiley, now in Florida. There are two
younger sons.
Lovell Kimball, from Watertown, Jefferson Co.,
New York, camein 1833. Broumbacksays there has
never been & man of greater abilities in Marseilles,
except Daniel Webster, and he stayed only one
night. Kimball was an active business man, ener-
getic, venturesome and unscrapnions ; he built a
saw-mill, and in 1840 was a member and agent of a
company that erected the best flouring mill, probably
then in the State; it had eight ran of stone, was
forty feet high above the foundation, and every way
When Kimball commenced his improvement he
found Ephraim Sprague in possession of w part of
the water privilege, owning and ranning a saw-mill,
Kimball so made his dam as to flood ont the privi-
lege of Sprague, and as Sprague had no title but a
claim on Government land, he found himself dis-
‘possessed of his little property with no redress but
Kimball's generosity, and aa that did not serve, he
& >. ae
+
814 History of La Salle County.
left in despair, and as he did so, he raised his hands
and prayed that water might wash away, and fire
burn all in Marseilles, a3 long aa the memory of
Kimball should Inst. This is related by the old
settlers of Marseilles, and is called ‘Sprague’s
curse.” Kimball's eaw-mill and the flouring mill
were burned on the night of the 18th of May, 1842;
he rebuilt the saw-mill, but never recovered from the
logs, as, by some quibble, the Insurance Company
evaded payment, and the flonring mill was never
rebuilt. The members of the Marseilles company
that built the mill were: Gurdon S. Hubbard. of
Chicago; Robert P. Woodworth, James A. Wood-
worth, Lovell Kimball, Augustus Butterfield, Wm.
Whipple, and James Brown. Kimball died in
1848 or 9; after Kimball’s death, his widow married
Orville Cone, of Morris ; she died in 1875.
L. 8. P. Moore, from Vermont, came in 1888; a
wagon maker by trade, He married Jemima Reser,
and is still living in Marseilles.
Vivaldi Morey, came from NewYork to Tlinois, in
1837, with his wife, Emily Brown, and settled on 8.
$2, T. 34, R. went to Kendall County for five
years; now living in Marseilles. His children are =
Sarah, who married Melvin Prescott, of Marseilles ;
Wm. A., married H. C. Belknap, his seeond wife was
A. P. Skinner—he is a lawyer, Justice of the Peace
and Town and City Clerk ; Frances, married EL G,
Peister; Emily A., married F. W. Simpson, and
Nettie, married R. W. Kilbourn, all of Marseilles,
Hanson Morey, came from New York in 1885, and
settled on 8, 8,'T, 88, R. 6; left in abont two years.
Sketch of Settlers — Mantius. 315
Nelson Morey, brother of the above, came about
the same time and went to Texas.
John Harrington, from England to New York in
1836; bachelor; grain dealer in Marseilles.
‘Thos. Harrington, brother of above, was drowned
at the time of the flood in 1888. The ice gorged
on theisland below Marseilles, and flooded nearly the
whole town.
Joseph Brumback, from Licking Co,, Ohio, ar-
rived here Aug. 8, 1832, built a cabin on S. 6, T. 83,
6 ae and lived in it nineteen years. His neighbors
called him the Patriarch Joseph,
i FS had nineteen children and eight step-children.
His first wife was Mary Parr, who died, leaving four
children; George W., lives in Manlius, is County
Surveyor of La Salle ‘County ; ; Elizabeth and Mary,
are dead; Samuel. lives at Odell. His second wife
was Margaret Oatman ; she died in 1842; had one
child, Margaret, now dead. His third wife was
Comfort Young, who died in 1858 ; had eight child-
ren: Newton W., Jervis J., both in Bates County,
Mo, ; Ada Perkins, Grandy County ; Joseph Jeiter-
son, Livingston County ; John Howey, Merritt M.,
and Oby David, all in Odell; Nite E. died. His
fourth wife was Margaret Hart ; had six children :
Ella, Viola, Mirza, Ira E., Ezra H., and Oliver C.,
who are all at home,
yher Massey, and wife, Sarah Bennett,
from New England to Dlinois in 1838. He died in
1877; his widow isliving. He left three children :
Ann, married Jas. Mossman, her second husband
was Mr. Jacobs; Susan, married George Turner, of
Indiana; Charles, is in Grundy County.
a. @
816 History of La Salle County.
Jonathan Massey, brother of Christopher, came at
the same time. His wife was Nancy Dow. He died
in 1866, and his widow died in 1876, He left five
children: Adeline, married Mr. Houghton, of Michi-
gan; Stillman E., married Mise McEwen, and lives
in Morris; Myra, married Mr. Pettis, of Morris;
Horace and Lizzie, are single.
Israel Massey, brother of the foregoing, eame at
the same time, with his wife, Phebe Gardner. Has
five children: Warren, married Caroline Barbour,
and lives in Nebraska; Mary A., married Mr. Young
of the City of Washington ; Gordon, is in Chicago;
Sylvanus, is dead; Frank, is in Nebraska,
Dr. Robert P. Woodworth, from New York, 1837,
one of the firm that built the Marseilles Mill,
went to Ottawa, was postmaster and merehant ;
moved to Peru; was killed by an accidental gun-
shot wound while hunting.
Jas. H. Woodworth, brother of the above, from
New York, 1837, also one ‘of the Marseilles mill
firm; after the burning of the mill moved to Chicago;
was a member of Congress one term, and died at
Evanston.
David Olmstead, and wife, Mary Linderman,
from ‘Tioga County, New York, 1883; settled on 5.
10, T. 33, R. 5; died 1846. They had eleven
children: Dea, Hiram, settled on a farm in Free-
dom, now in Ottawa, married the widow of Rey.
Chas. Harding, had four children; Allen, married
Mercy Baker, live in Marseilles; Lewis, married
Lydia Ackley at Marseilles ; Edward A., in Grundy
County; Sally Ann, married Lewis Linderman in
Sketch of Settlers —Maniins. 317
Boone County; Anson, married Phebe M. Jameson ;
eon is a Methodist Episcopal preacher in Min-
nesota ; Ann, Mary and William, with their mother,
moved ‘to Minnesota ; Curtis, is in McLean County.
Ephraim came first to Ottawa, and to
Marseilles in the spring of 1833; built a dam and
saw-mill, completed in the fall of 1833. A dam built
below him ruining his mill power, he moved to
Grundy County.
Abel Sprague made a claim near where Seneca
now is, on the Crotty place, sold the claim to two
young men by the name of Stocking, and they
sold to one Carter, who afterwards abandoned
it. In 1841, when work was resumed on the canal,
Jeremiah Crotty occupied it.
Dolphus Clark, and wife, Sally Loring, from
Ontario County, N. Y., in the fall of 1836 settled on
§. 5, T. 83, R. 5; first a farmer; present residence
in Marseilles. Children: Carlos, married Clarissa
Dyke, live in Nebraska ; Adaline, married Samuel
Parr, now a widow in Marseilles; Mercy, married
Sylvester Renfrew, live in Nebraska; Sally Ann,
married D. A. Nicholson in Marseilles ; Caroline,
married H. W. Morey, died from the bite of a
Tattlesnake ; John, married Mary Jane Kerns, lives
in Troquois County ; Mary, married Ebenezer Bar-
bour in Marseilles; Richard, married Mary Parr in
Nebraska; Clara M., married F. E. Titus in Morris,
Grandy County.
Wm. R. Loring, from New York, came here in
1838, married Jane Micca, and settled on 8. 82, T. 34,
R. 5; now in Benton County, Towa.
(on at
318 History of La Salle County.
Jacob Reser, from New York, came here in 1838 ;
died thirty years since, leaving five children, two
now living: Jacob, Jr., married Lonuana Stebbins,
and settled on 8. 2, T. 33, R. 6, now in Livingston
County; Jemima, married L. 8. P. Moore, and
resides in Marseilles.
Nathaniel Neece, and wife, Miss Lewis, came
here in 1836; now in Iowa.
James Dyke, and wife, Mary Sabin, from Connec-
tient, came here in 1837, settling on 8. 5, T. 33, R.
5; was killed by the fall of a tree, February, 1844,
leaving a widow and six children, all now dead but
one, Eunice, who married Perry Baker, and lives in
Missouri.
Seth Otis, father in-law to A, D. Butterfield, from
Watertown, N. Y., resided here a short time. Geo,
W. Bromback, now County Surveyer of La Salle
County, says that Otis’ family were well educated
and intelligent ; that Mr. Otis came to his father's,
and finding their stock of book knowledge was con-
tained in one Bible, one Methodist hymn book, one
Pike's arithmetic, an old work on chemistry and
Cobb's speller, very generously, and unsolicited,
loaned them a portion of his library, of whieh they
made good use. The next season the neighbors put
up a small log school house, and Otis’ daughter
Mary, now Mrs. Mancell Talcott, of Chicago, kept
school for them. Bramback thinks that without
Otis’ books, and Mary's teaching, some other person
than Geo. W. Brumback would be County Surveyor
of La Salle County to-day. Otis soon after moved
to Chicago, and died there several years since.
Sketch of Selllere — Manlius. B19
— ae
John Loring, and wife, Louisa Mioca, from Bloons-
field, Ontario County, New York, came here in
1835, and settled on S. 31, T. 34, R.5, where he
still resides. They have tive children: Eliza Jane,
married Milton Peister, of Rutland ; Hulbert, mar-
ried Mary Bosworth—his wife is deceased, and he
lives with his father; George, and Alzina, are at
home.
David Loring, brother of John, from the same
place to Ohio ; came here in 1836. Married Bliza-
beth Nichols, and settled on 8. 6, T. 33, R. 6;
removed to Nebraska.
Richard Ives, from Tompkins Connty, New York,
came here in 1835 ; resided here about eight years,
then went to Will Coanty, and thence w Grandy
County.
Horace Sabin came from Connecticut in 1836, and
died in 1887. His widow and son are living in
Minnesota.
David Meacham died soon after his settlement,
leaving three or four children ; one is in California,
and one in Grundy County.
Reuben Simmons, and wife, Susan Kinney, came
from New York in 1834, and settled on 8. 4, T. 33,
BR. 5. Moved to Iowa in 1855. His children are:
Joshua, Lois, Melinda, Eliza, Emily, and Frank.
Giles W. Jackson, came from New York in 1836,
He married Hannah Jennings, and settled on 8. 20,
T. 38, R5. Tn 1854 he removed to Ottawa, and for
several years was the senior member of the firm of
Jackson & Lockwood, hardware merchants. He is
now retired. Mr. Jackson was the first Supervisor
—_ ee
$20 History of La Salle County.
of the town of Manlius, has been Agent of the
county for the care of the poor and poor farm for
several years, and Alderman of the city. His
children are: Henry A., in Kansas; Elizabeth, is
Mrs. Morgan, of St. Louis; Harriet, married Chas.
Catlin, of Ottawa.
Samuel Bullock, from Boston, came here in 1834,
He married Rhoda Bailey, daughter of John Bailey,
of Vermillion, He left his family in 1850 and went
to California, and did not return, Mrs. Bullock
died in 1873. Of their children, Elisha married
Brintha Hall, in Rutland; Samuel and William are
in Tndiana; Martha married George Jacobs, in
Nebraska,
DEER PARK.
Deer Park, called after the romantic grotto of
that name, which lies within its borders, is eom-
posed of that part of T. 33, R. 2, lying south of the
Illinois river, and that portion of T. 92, R. 2 lying
north of the Vermillion. It oceupies the point
between the two rivers, and is nearly in the shape
ofa triangle, A considerable portion of ite territory
is covered by the bottom and bluff timber along the
streams, and much mineral wealth will be extracted
from those bluffs; coal, fireclay, and stone, for lime
and for building purposes, exist in large quantities,
The high ridge of prairie extending through Farm
Ridge, extends through this town, but is broaden,
giving the whole town a high rolling fage, with wx.
Sketch of Seiflers — Deer Park, 23
cellent drainage; and a more beautiful section of
tand can hardly be found in the State,
Martin Reynolds, and wife, Elizabeth Hitt, came
from Champaign County, Ohio; removed to Jack-
sonville [11., in 1827, and in 1829 located on S. 29,
T. 33, R. 2, in present town of Deer Park; the first
settler in the town. For the purpose of securing
educational advantages for his children, in 1838 he
removed to Ogle County and assisted in establish-
ing and sustaining the Mt. Morris Academy. He
returned to his farm in Deer Park in 1844, where he
resided until his death. His wife died in 1849, leav-
ing six children, (Mr. Reynolds subsequently mar-
ried the widow Thurston): Joseph, married, and
lived near the old homestead, where he died in
1870; James C., married Caroline Clayton, and re-
sides on 8. 28, T. 33, R. 2, a large farmer and stock
dealer, has been Supervisor of the town several
terms, the first Anglo-Saxon born in Deer Park ;
Robert, occupies the old homestead; Margaret,
married B. T. Phelps, and lives in Ottawa; Caro-
line, married Joseph Gum; Elizabeth, married L
P. Sanger, formerly of Ottawa and Joliet, now in
Utah.
Joseph Reynolds, brother of the foregoing, from
Champaign County, Ohio, came to Deer Park in
the spring of 1830, where his three sons, Smith,
Newton, and Milton, had located the previons fall,
on what is now the Clayton farm; they sold the
elaim to Vroman, and located at Troy Grove, the
first settlers in that locality.
John Wallace came from Urbana, Ohio, with his
B24 History of La Salle County.
family, and made a farm on the point of prairie just
above the junction of the Vermillion and Dlinois
and between the two rivers, in the summer of 1834.
In 1888 he removed to Ogle County, in company
with Martin Reynolds, to obtain « better opportu-
nity for educating their children. He remained
there until his death in 1854, leaving thirteen chil-
dren; Eliza, married Caleb Hitt, brother to her step-
mother, Wallace’s second wife, and Mrs. Martin
Reynolds; Mary Berry, died single; Josiah, was a
merchant, and died in Chicago unmarried; William
H. L., was killed at the battle of Shiloh (see
Ottawa); Sarah Ann, is the wife of Dr. R. Shackle-
ford, of Ohio; Thomas, died at La Salle on his
way home from Wisconsin; Margaret, died single;
Martin R. M., was Major and promoted to Lieut.
Colonel and Colonel of 4th Cavalry, and breveted
Brigadier-General—was assessor of interna] revenue
for First District, Ilinois, and in November, 1809,
was elected County Judge in Chicago—his wife is
Emma, daughter of George W. Gilson—he has a
large family ; Barbara, married William T. Gooper,
of Polo, Ogle County; John Fletcher, died of yel-
low fever, in Texas, in 1867; Elisha Berry, was the
first of the family born in La Salle County, went
South in 1856, and has not been heard from since
1869; Matthew HL W., enlisted in the 4th cavalry
and was drowned at Cairo; Caleb Hitt, married V_
Belle, youngest daughter of Judge T. Ik Dickey,
and is living in the Sandwich Islands.
Mrs. Elsa Strawn Armstrong, from Licking County,
Ohio, leaving her husband in Ohio, settled on Seo-
Sketch of Seitlers—Deer Park. 25
tions 38 und 36, T. 33, R. 2, in town of Deer
Park, In 1831, with a family of seven children. A
woman of great energy and business capacity. She
died in 1871, aged 82 years. Her children were:
John &., living in town of Mission; George W. in
Brookfield; William E. died in Ottawa; Joel W.,
{sce below); Jeremiah died in California ; Perry lives
in Morris, Grundy County, lawyer and member of
the legistature ; and one son, who lives in California.
Joel W. Armstrong came from Ohio with his moth-
ers family in 1831, married Cordelia Champlin, and
settled on Sections 33 and 86, T. 33, R. 2; was a large
farmer and stock dealer; he was # teamster with
the army in the Black Hawk war when a mere lad ;
hw held the office of County Recorder; was several
terms Justice of the Peace and Town Supervisor; a
good business man and prominent citizen. He died
in 1871, leaving five children. Malford, his oldest
son, died before his father, just after graduating at
the Chicago University with the first honors—much
3 Was a young man of great promise,
Nellie married EB. C. Lewis, and lives on the old
homestead ; Julia married Isaac Smead, and lives at
Normal; Cora, Walter and. Hart are at home.
Judge Isaac Dimmick, and wife, Clarissa Norton,
from Wayne County, Pa., came West in the spring
of 1838; he returned and brought out his family in
the fall, and located at Vermillionville. He laid out
‘and was the owner of the town of Vermillionville,
which promised well for a time, but like many other
towns of that day, refused to grow faster than the
surrounding country, and was forced, with them,
ns
826 History of La Salle County.
eventually to yield the palm to the railroad centres.
Mr. Dimmick held the office of Judge in Pennsyl-
vania, and was County Commissioner for several
terms here. He removed to Ottawa, where he died,
aged 91, His children were: Lawrence W., who
came with his father in 1833, married Cynthia Jenks,
was Deputy Surveyor, and settled on T. 82, R. 2,
where he died in 1852; Esther, married Dea.
Wood, she died in 1856; Dr. L, N., a physician,
married and practiced at Freedom, then at Ottawa,
where he kept a drug store, and is now living at
Santa Barbara, California; Philo C., married Sarah
Yost, and for his second wife, Miss Stewart—occupied
the old farm, then joined his brother in the drug
store In Ottawa, now at Santa Barbara, California;
Ann, with her mother, lives in Ottawa; Olive, is
now the widow of James Van Doren, and lives in
Ottawa,
Dr. James T. Bullock, from Rehoboth, Mass.
He left there for Ilinois in 1885, by the way of
Providence, New York, Albany, Cleveland, Ports-
mouth, Ohio, and the Ohio,- Mississippi and Ilinois
rivers, and reached La Salle County on January
2d, 1836. He settled at Vermillionville, and at once
commenced practice as @ physician, which he fol-
lowed snecessfully for forty years. His Iterary
education was completed at Brown University,
Rhode Island, and he took his medical course at
Boston. He died October, 1875, highly respected as
aman and physician. He married Nancy Barrows
of Massachusetts, who survives him. His children
are: Sarah, who married Rev. Mr. Dickinson, and
Sketch of Settlers — Deer Park, 327
lives in Massachusetts; Ella married Robt.Galloway,
who died in 1809, she is now the wife of Mr. Hay,
and is living at Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory ;
Prank W. married Agnes Baird, is a physician, and
succeeds to his father’s practice; Lena lives with
her mother,
John Hollinger, from Champaign County, Ohio, in
1833; settled on Section 4, T. 82, R, 2; died Jan.
4th, 1836, His widow married Thomas J. Potter in
1838, and died September 24, 1840, The Hollinger
children are: John D., who married, and lives at
Granville, Putnam County; Martin H., married,
and lives in Page County, [owa; Maria H. is dead;
Harry ©., married, a physician at Salt Lake City;
Wr §., married, living in De Witt County, Towa ;
Blizabeth, deceased ; Caroline 8., wife of James
Holman, of Deer Park ; Mary A. Barbary, married,
and moved to Iowa, both herself and husband were
killed by lightning.
Jason Wiswal), from Susquehanna County, Pa.,
spring of 1833, by way of Ohio, Mississippi and
Tilinois rivers, and by Chicago home. In 1835, in
company with Enos Thatcher, came through from
Pennsylvania by «wagon, with his wife, Sally
Stanley, and family, and settled on S. 12, T. 2, R. 2
He died in 1875, aged 92, « quiet, honest, worthy
man. His wife died 1852. His children were: Jason
P. and William; Emily, wife of Matthew R. Coon;
Jane, wife of Cook Elliott and afterwards of Harvey
Kingsley.
Jason P, Wiswall, son of above, and wife, Julia
Dimmick, came from Susquehanna County, Pa., by
328 History of La Salle County.
way of Chicago, fall of 1833, made a farm onS. 10,
and in 1835 sold claim to E. and R. B. Williams and
located on Secs. 12 and 13, T. 82, R. 2, where he is
now living; has been Justice of the Peace for several
years, and Town Supervisor, His children are:
Adaline, who married Jacob Cadwell, and lives in
California; Hannah, married Alfred Symonds, and
lives in California; Caroline, married M. McMillan,
now in Iowa; Harriet, married Alexander Cadwell,
now in California ; Julia, married O. Paine, lives in
La Salle County; Jerusha, married James Garri-
son, at Grand Ridge, UL ; Edwin, at home.
William Wiswall, brother of Jason P., and wife,
Louisa Case, from same place, came by the rivers
in the fall of 1834; settled on 8. 12, T. 32, R, 2.
His wife died in 1856. With his two sons, Bruce
and Ferris, and danghter Sarah, moved to Colorado.
Jedediah Beckwith, and wife, from Wayne Coun-
ty, Pa,, in 1833 came to Hennepin, Patnam County,
and to Deer Park in 1834; made a farm on 8. 13,
'T. 32, R, 2; died, 1838; leaving two children:
Horace, married Miss Collins, and moved to Iowa;
Emily, is a seamstress, and lives at Wenona, this
county.
Bradish Cummings, and wife, Sophia Sergeant,
from Ware, Massachusetts, in 1834, settled on S. 11,
T. 82, R.2. His wife died in April, 1885. He mar-
ried Betsey Hatch, from Connecticnt, in 1886. Sold
his farm to Nathan Applebee, and moved to Brook-
lyn, Iowa. His children are: Sergeant, who mar
ried Mary Hi Henry, married Mary Peck;
William, married Susan Crasen ; and Charlee—haye
Sketch of Setilers — Deer Park. 329
all four settled in Iowa , Sophia, ee Samuel J.
Hayes, and lives in Farm Ridge; Frances, married
Moreland Francis, and lives in Iowa; Almira and
Maria, children of the second wile, went with their
parents to Towa.
Camp Hateh, and wife, Miss Ambler, from New
Preston. Ct., in the spring of 1834. settled on S. 9,
T. 52,R.2. He died in the fall of 1835. His widow
married Jabez Whiting.
Jabez Whiting, from England, came to Vermil-
Hionville in 1886; married the widow of Camp Hatch,
and in 1869 or '70 moved to Iowa. Held the office
of Justice of the Peace one term. Had two sons:
Adolphus and Jobn—all in Iowa.
Matthew R. Coon, and wife, Emily Wiswall, from
Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1884, with William
Wiswall, came by the rivers, and settled on 8. 12,
T. 82, R. 2; moved to Iowa about 1845, and from
there to California, where he died, leaving four
children.
Enos Thatcher, and wife, A. Case, came from
Pennsylvania in wagons, with Jason Wiswall, in
1836, and settled on S. 12, T 82. R.2; served as
Constable for several years ; a teacher and leader of
sacred music. His wife died in 1838; hisson Henry,
and daughter Elizabeth, who married Godfrey Lin
eoln, are both in Oregon. My. Thatcher married a
second wife, who with their children, George and
Celia, reside in Livingston Coumy. Mr. Thatcher
is now with his children In Oregon,
raim Dimmick, brother of Isaac Dimmick.
and ue, Jerusha Dunham, from Wayne County,
ie a.
330 History of La Salle County.
Pa., in the fall of 1838, and settled on 8. 33, T. 82,
R. 2; his wife died in 1848; he is still living with
his son-in-law, J. P. Wiswall, at the ripe age of 90,
His children were one son and the daughters:
Franklin, who married. Harriet Hubbard, and set-
tled on 8. 26, T. 38, R.2—was a joiner by trade,
and a successful farmer—he died in 1866, leaving
eight children; Julia, married J. P. Wiswall;
Sophia, married Lewis Rugg, and resides in Pontiac ;
Minerva, married James M. Leonard—died in 1875.
Harvey Hatch (deaf and dumb), came from New
Preston, Cona., a brother of Dr, Jethro Hateh and
of Mre. Bradish Cummings, settled on S. 10; mar-
ried, and removed to Galesburg, where he is now
living.
Rev, Thomas Powell, a Baptist clergyman, and
his wife, Elizabeth Day, came from Saratoga, N_Y.,
in June. 1836, and located on 8, 14, T. 32, R. 2, but
resided and preached at Vermillionville ; was pastor
of the church at that place nine years ; he was the
pioneer Baptist of this region, and formed a large
number of vburches in La Salle and adjoining
counties , he was a faithiul and earnest worker, and
the denomination owes him a debt of gratitude for
the work le has accomplished ; he is living in OF
tawa in good health at a ripe old age, His elildren
are: Euphemia, widow of Mr. Foote, living with ler
daughter in Urtawa; Barbara Ann, marred Mr
Jacoby, she is now deceased ; William 'T., is now in
Mary B., married H. 0. Strawn, and lives
in Ottawa ; Sarah P., is deceased ; Benjamin R., is
in Dubuque, Iowa ; Jobn D,, isin Chicago; Truman
Sketch of Settlers — Decr Park. S81
S., is in College in Missouri ; Isaac W., is in Pella
University.
Livingston Jenks, and wife, came from Bradford
County, Ps., in 1838; settled at Vermillionville ;
served as Justice of the Peace for several years; he
died at Tontea in 1870 ; his widow died in 1872. His
children are: Oliver, a physician in Marengo, IL,
Chancellor, a lawyer in Chicago; Charles, is in Cali-
fornia ; Morgan and John, are in Chicago; Cynthia,
is the widow of L. W. Dimmick; Nancy, is mar-
tied; Sarah, married Mr. Shed ; Abbey, is in Cali-
fornia; Olive, married Dr, Jennings, and they are
also in California.
Charles Jenks, brother of Livingston, a bachelor;
lived with his brother, He died in Chicago in 1877.
Tra L, Peck, came from Saratoga, N. Y., and
settled in Vermillionville. In 1835, he married Miss
Allen, and subsequently a second wife; he is de-
erased ; his family are in Towa, His children were :
Mary, who married Henry Cammings ; Ira, is mar-
ried ; Jane, Wayland, and Jolia, are at home.
David Olark, and his wife, Debby Ann Gorbet,
eame from Clermont County, Ohio, in 1896, and
Settled at Vermillion, where he worked at his trade
for several years, then removed to Utica, and is now
living in Waltham; a good blacksmith, and an
honest man,
Andrew Kirkpatrick, and his wife, Ann Lefevre,
came from Champaign County, Ohio, in the fall of
‘1897, and settled on S. 8, T. 32, R. 2; is a potter by
trade; and for several years carried on the mann-
facture of stone ware ; he died in the spring of 1866,
932 History of La Salle County.
and left five sons, and two danghters: John, married
Rebecca Brant, 2d wife, Mary Mays, now in Texas;
Nathaniel, is in Southern Illinois ; Sarah Ann, mar-
ried Lloyd C. Knapp, and died Jan. 6, 1857; Corn-
well, and Wallace, manufacture stone ware, at
Anna, Union County; Andrew, married Anna
Woodward, and died in 1853; Murray, married
Diantha Baldwin, and lives in Lowell; Mary Jane,
married Alfred Slater, and lives at Metropolis, Til.
James M. Leonard, came from Middleborough,
Plymouth County, Mass., in the spring of 1834, and
settled at Vermillionville. He married, second wife,
Minerva Dimmick. In company with Seth Baton,
he erected a dam and saw-mill on the Vermillion,
in April, 1835, and completed a flouring mill in
1836; the company kept a store, and for several
years did a heavy business in the flouring mill, but
were unfortunate in losing their dam several times.
Mr, Leonard died in 1852, leaving one son and two
daughters by his first wife, and one son and one
daughter by his last wife, who died in 1874. Man-
ning Leonard, son of above, married Miss Sumner,
and died at Tonica, in 1870; Eliza Ann, married
Charles Todd, who died of cholera at La Salle in
1852; Fanny, died in 1852,
Seth Eaton, came from Middleborough, Plymonth
County, Maseachusetts, in September, 1834, and
settled at Vermillionville; was partner with James
M. Leonard, in a store, saw, and flonring mill, and
is now residing in the wwn of Vermillion; his
wife, Miss Allen, died, and he afterward married
Maria Bailey. His son, Frank, was killed in the
Sketch of Sultiers —Deer Park. 333
battle at Fort Donaldson. The children of his last
a Clarence, Sarah, Belle, and Anna—all at
2.
John Beeson, and his wife, came from England to
New York, and to Illinois in 1835, and settled on 8.
6, 7. 32, R.2. He was a radical abolitionist, and
lectured upon anti-slavery, temperance, and other
reforms; removed to Oregon, and espoused the cause
of the red man, and is now on a miasion to the In-
dian reservations, laboring to get justice done tothe
Indian; an honest, true, but overzealous friend
of humanity, and will doubtless find wrongs enough
to be righted, to occupy the remainder of his life.
He had one son, Welburn, who is residing with his
mother, In Oregon.
William Wheatland, and his wife, came from
England, to Urbana, Ohio, and from there here in
1835, and settled on S. 3, T. 32, R. 2; he wasa local
Methodist preacher; he filled a humble place asa
‘among the few early settlers, which without
would have been vacant ; both he and his wife
Shave long since gone the way of all the earth. He
‘bad one son, Isaac, of Farm Ridge.
Edward R. Williams, came from New Milford,
Connecticut, in the summer of 1885. He was edu-
eated asa cadet, at West Point, and served asa
Veutenant in the United States army, for five years,
whien he resigned, and came to Hlinois. He settled
on S. 84, T. 33, R. 2, where he still resides. He
‘married Huldah Kent, and has four children.
Robert B. Williams, brother to Edward R., from
the same place, and came at the same time, and
lc kl
884 History of La Salle County.
settled on S, 10, T. 82, R. 2, He married Miss
Allen ; after her death, he married Sarah Herring-
ton, who lived but a short time; his third wife was
the widow Beach, from Connecticut, who also died
in 1872. He hastwo children: Jebiel, whe married
Inecy White, and lives in Deer Park; and Henri-
etta, who married a Mr. Holeman, and lives with her
father.
William Clayton, and his wife, Elizabeth Pant-
ney, came from near Wellsburg, Virginia, and
settled on 8. 28, T. 88, R. 2, in 1834. He bought
the claim of Esdell, who bought of Vroman. Vro-
man bought his claim of Reynolds, and sold to
Esdell, who got badly frozen on the prairie, and
died at Martin Reynolds’. His administrator, Jo-
siah Seybold, sold the claim to William Clayton.
Mr. Clayton has held the office of Justice of the
Peace, and Town Supervisor, but bas little taste for
office, preferring the quiet of his farming operations,
in which he has been very successful, accumulating
a handsome property. His wife died in 1876. His
children are: James, who married Sarah Clayton,
and settled on 8. 21—removed to Colorado, and was
murdered when out prospecting; Caroline, married
James ©. Reynolds; Sarah, married David Dick,
who lives on S. 22; William married Miss Ostrander,
and lives on 8. 92; John, married Jnlia Suydam,
and lives adjoining William—both are successful
and prosperous farmers; George, went to Colorado,
and while taking a drove of cattle and horses from
New Mexico to Colorado was murdered, probably by
his Mexican assistants—his body was found unburied
B36 History of La Salle County.
ebildren: Mary B., married William Gray, and
have resided in Deer Park; Emma, married a Mr,
Davis—her second husband was Mr. Haines ; Rob-
ert, died of cholera.
William Gray came from Rhode Island, in 1837;
a carpenter by trade; married Mary Brown, and
settled and still lives on 8. 2, T. 88, R.2. They have
two children: Arthur, who married Belle Bane;
his present wife is Candace Fuller—he lives in
Streator; Fanny, married James Chase, now at her
father’s.
Job G. Lincoln came from Middleborough, Mass,
with William Gray, in 1837; 2 carpenter by trade,
Married Elizabeth Thatcher, and settled on S. 2, T.
$2, R. 2; removed to Oregon.
John Clark, and wife, Sarah Cooky from Grafton,
N. H., came in 1839, and settled on S. 10, T, $2, R,
2. Mrs. Clark died in 1845; he died in September,
1872, leaving five children: Charles, married Olive
Slater, and lives in Missouri; Moody, died single;
John, married Rachel Merritt, and lives in Barean
County; Lydia, married William Ellsworth, and
lives on the old farm; Sarah, married John Elliott,
and lives in Vermillion.
Ebenezer Little, and wife, Phebe Palmer, from
New Hampshire, in 1838, and settled on 8. 9, T, 88,
R. 2. Hedied in September, 1839; his widow died
in February, 1864. They left seven children;
George, is married, and lives in Southern Tiinois;
Charles, a graduate of Hamilton College, came
West, in 1840, and died soon after; Moses, married
Miss Cook, died in Lowa; Fernal, lives in South-
998 History of La Salle County.
Dr. Thomas W. Hennesey, of La Salle, now living in
Dimmick; Alexander, married Harriet Wiswall,
they are living in California; Sheldon, is a Baptist
clergyman, married Martha Adams, and lives in
Deer Park; Jacob, married Adeline Wiswall, they
are in California ; Lyman, married Cordelia Brown,
now in Iroquois County; George, married Mary Eliza-
beth King, and occupies the old homestead.
Michael O'Connor and wife, Sarah Lane, from
Treland to New York, from there to La Salle, and
on to 8, 36, T. 33, R. 2, in 1838, Four sons, John,
‘Thomas, Michael and Martin, were born in Ireland;
Elizabeth, married; Elias, May and Edward, at
home. Mr. O'Connor is deceased. He gave each
child eighty acres of land; to William, who is in-
sane, 160; to the widow and two youngest children,
160. He died about 1866.
Obadiah Brown, from Vermont in 1837 or *8,
Settled on 8. 26, T. $3, R. 2. Moved West about
1840.
Peter Trout, and wife, Leah Brady, from Ohio in
1840. Was here about five years; went to Wiscon-
sin, and died there.
Jacob Roan, from Ohio in the fall of 1840. Mar-
ried Phebe M. Trout, and is now living in Tonica.
Hiram Trout, from Ohio in 1839. Now living at
Vermilionville.
William Turner, from Kentucky in 1889, Settled
on Section 35. He married Nancy Argabright.
They both died of milk sickness near the same time,
leaving nine children: Fletcher, Arthur, Elizabeth,
Jane, Melissa, James, John, Martha, and George.
=
Sketch of Settlers — Bruce. 341
Alva Lee, from Pennsylvania. Settled near Low-
‘ell, and ran the Lowell saw-mill. He went to Utica,
and then down the river.
Mr. Argubright, from Ohio. Settled in the west
part of Deer Park about i837 or’8. He died soon,
leaving several children; Andrew, married Cath-
arine Trout, and died in 1847; Jacob; Nancy, mar-
vied William Turner; and James.
Micah Pratt, from Massachusetts about 1838.
Manufactured brick near Lowell, and then settled
‘on Section 20, where he died in 1870. One danghter,
married Abner Gray, now in Livingston County ;
‘one son, Delbert, died in the army.
Mr, Fay made a claim on Section 10 in 1833, and
in 1834 sold to Camp Hatch.
Mr, Ellis, from Canada, made a claim on Section
1 in 1833, and sold to Norris. Norris made a
small improvement, sold, and left. Ellis died soon
after, and his widow became insane,
Mr. McCoy came to Vermillionville in 1834, and
then settled on S $1, T. 89, R.3. He sold his claim
and went to Livingston County.
=
s
BRUCE.
town of Bruce embraces that part of T. 31,
? which lies northeast of the Vermillion river.
‘More than one-half of the town is timber land, bor-
the Vermillion, and Otter, Wolf and Prairie
creeks, Much of the timber was of superior quality,
and the attraction which made this locality one of
e yo
342 History of La Salle County.
the early settlements, Tho'prairie is level, and the
whole town is underlaid by a rich deposit of coal,
‘The settlement commenced in 1831.
George Basore, a native of Virginis, made a farm
in the foresis of Alabama, another in the heary
timber of Indiana, and from there moved to the
prairie, and settled on 8. 24, T. 51, R. 3, in 1831.
Mr. Basore had a physical organization and powers
of endurance that admirably fitted him for frontier
life, and a genius and business capacity that did
him good service when living isolated from society
on.the frontier. He was a snecessful farmer; his
family manufactured all thelr clothing from cotton
and wool, when at the South, and of flax and wool
at the North, all of their own raising; he made his
sngar and molasses from the maples on his farm,
and with honey from his apiary, supplied all his
wants in that direction; he tanned the hides of his
own raising, and from the leather thas produced,
made his harness, boots and shoes; he owned a
blacksmith shop and tools, did his own blacksmith-
ing, and much for his neighbors. He was more
independent of the rest of the world than civilized
man often is. This capacity for all kinds of busi-
ness was, from necessity, to some extent, sequired
by all the pioneers. Mr. Basore married, for his
second wife, the widow of John Wood; he died in
1860,
Calloway Basore, son of the foregoing, married
Sotter’s sister, and died of cholera, just after return-
ing from the land sale, in 1835, His widow married
William Rainey, and after his death, she married
Isaac Painter.
—_— |
B44 History of La Salle County.
paper only, the blocks, lots and streets are all obliter-
ated by the farmer's plow.
In company with Samuel Mackey, he built a saw-
mill on Otter creek, He is one of the few residing
where he first made his claim, on Government Jand.
He married Elizabeth McCormick ; has six children =
Libbeus, married Elizabeth Law, is living near theold
farm; Charles, married Sarah Morgan, lives at
Fairbury; Norton, Jr., married Jane Barnhart;
Mary, married Thomas Simykins; Jane, married
Samuel Barnhart; Winfield, married Sarah Law.
Rush Mackey, brother of Norton, came from
Pennsylvania at the same time; he married Ann
Morgan, and has lived on the farm owned by Wm.
Morgan, his father-in-law. He has five children:
Burton; William; Howard; Rush, Jr. ; Norval,
married Christina Morse,
Benjamin Mackey, brother of Rush, from Fayerte
County, Pa., came in 1838, and settled on See. 9
He married Mary Shepherd, and still lives where he
first settled. He has eight children: Joseph, mar-
ried Harriet Trout; George, married Mary Morse;
James, Rebecca, Jane, Mariette, William, and Bila.
William Donnell, born in Ireland, came to New
York in 1835, and to La Salle County in 1837, and
settled on Section 4; married Miss T. Mackey,
Their childrenare: Agnes, Porter, Margaret, Alice,
Mary, and Ross—all at home.
Widow Agnes Mackey, mother of Norton, Sam-
uel, Benjamin and Rush, came from Pennsylvania
with her sons in 1888, and lived with them until her
death, Deo. 15, 1866.
Shetch of Setllers — Bruce, B45
Norton Gam, from Rockingham County, Va.,
in 18384; died in the summer of 1835.
Reuben Hackett, from Indiana, came in 1836, and
settled on Section 9; sold to Samuel D. Wanchope,
and removed to Ottawa and then West; served one
term as Justice of the Peace.
Sar’! D. Wauchope, from Ireland, bought Esquire
Haokett's farm, in 1887; sold his farm, and located
on Section 2; soon after, he married Elizabeth Ha-
mar, of Vermillion ; died about 1860, leaving eight
children: Sarah, married Winley Stasen, of Farm
Ridge; Samuel, married Mary Wilson; William
John, married Jane Wilson; Thomas; Joseph,
married Olive McCormick ; Arabella, married Mr,
Sexton; Jane, married Ward King; Andrew, mar-
ried Martha Ward.
William Reddick, and wife, Eliza Collins, from
Fayette County, Pa., came in 1835, and settled on
Section 11. He was elected Sheriff of the county in
1838, and served as Sheriff eight years, since w
he has resided in Ottawa. A leading politician—
he has been a member of both houses of the State
legislature, a successful merchant and farmer. He
is wealthy, but hag no children to inherit his estate,
Gaylord Hayes, and wife, came from Barkham-
Stead, Litchfield County, Ct., to Hennepin in 1833,
and moved on to 8, 4, T. 31, R. 8, in the spring of
1834. He died in 1837; his widow died several years
after. He left fire children; Humphrey, married
Miss Etisworth and removed to California,now dead;
Mary, married Sargeant Commings, they live in
Towa; Samuel J., married Sophia Cummings, live
846 History of La Satle County.
in Farm Ridge ; Philip C,, married Miss Johnson,
of Ohio, they live in Morris; he is now Con;
man elect from the Seventh Mlinois District; BE.
‘Timothy, lives in Marseilles; James H., of Cornell,
Livingston County.
William Bronson came from New Preston, Ct, in
1837 ; he settled on Section 25, where he still lives.
He married Eliza Falwilder, has been Justice of the
Peace, and has had five children: William, married
Miss Walworth, and lives in Streator; Mary, died ;
George, is teaching in Streator; Frank and Ida, are
at home.
John Fulwilder came from Richland County, Ohio,
in 1833, and made a farm on Section 26, He died in
1807, leaving three children: Jackson, married Jane
Benedict, of Livingston County; Eliza, married
William Bronson; John, deceased.
Geo, L. Densmore, and wife, Maria Bronson, came
from Woodbury, Ct., in 1840, lived in Ottawa one
year, and then went on to Section 25; he served one
term as Justice of the Peace, and died in 1872, His
widow oceupies the old farm, with Marius, her only
son,
Tsaac Painter came from Columbus, Ohio, in 1887;
he murried Nancy Springer; his second wife was
Wm. Rainey’s widow. He wasa Justice of the Peace
for several years, and died about 1870, leaving six
children: Andrew, married Miss Quigley ; Sara A.,
married Adelbert Osbor Uriah, married Sarah
Elliott; Jane, married Willis Baldwin; Isaac, mar-
ried T. L. Freer; Joseph H.
Sketch of Settlers — Eden. S47
EDEN.
The town of Eden embraces Township 32, of
Range 1. It joins the Illinois timber on the north,
and Builey’s Grove on the cast. It is drained by
Bailey's and Cedar creeks, which ran to the Illinois
and Vermillion rivers, The southwest part of the
town is high land, forming the divide separating the
‘waters that run north to the Tinos and those that
run to Sandy creek, and southwest to the same
stream. Tt is a fine farming region, and its beauty
and fertility suggested the name it so well bears.
Tt was settled at an early day along the north and
east sides, adjoining the timber, then considered
indispensable. The Dlinois Central Railroad passed
through it, near its eastern boundary, in 1853, and
the prairie portion of the town was soon converted
into farms, Tonics station, on the Central Railroad,
sprang up immediately after the road was built, and
has hada steady and healthful growth, and does
a large business.
Nathaniel Richey, and his wife, Susanna Kirk-
patrick, came from Muskingum County, Ohio, in
1890; came through the wilderness, by wagon, and
Settled on Secs. $ and 4, T. 32, R.1. Mr. Richey
‘sympathized with the slave, and had the reputation
‘of kindly entertaining the sable sons of Africa when
traveling toward the North star, and freedom. He
was a Justice of the Peace for several years; he
raised a large family, and his descendants are nu-
merous, His children are: Sophias, who married
James Robinson, now deceased, leaving eleven chil-
ee
34s History of Det Salle County.
dren; Mary, married Joseph Robinson, has six
children, on the old place ; David, married Margaret
E. Evans, they live in the town of Eden—he isa
farmer, and prominent politician, has three chil-
dren; Sarah, married John Hopkins, lives in
Towa, and has seven children; Margaret, married
George B. Holmes, lives in Kansas, has fire chil-
dren; James, married Anna Hamilton, is a farmer in
the town of Eden, and has three children ; Susanna,
married J. F. Evans, lives in Towa, and has three
children ; John married Nancy Hall, lives in Towa,
and has seven children; Esther Ann, died young;
Elizabeth, married A, P. Landers, lives in Mis-
souri, has five children; Nathaniel, married Bertha
E. Wilson, and lives in Tonica, has one child,
Dr. David Richey, brother of the above, came
from the same place, at the same time; was here
three or four years, then removed to Patnam County,
and resided for several years in Livingston County.
He died August, 1877.
David Letts, and wife, widow Dunnavan, from
Licking County, Ohio, in 1830; made a farm on 8.
4, T. 32, R. 1; kept a store at Dayton, and at Or
tawa, He was School Commissioner of the county ;
removed to Louisa County, Iowa, and died there,
in 1852.
N. M., Letts, son of David, married Miss Grove;
his second wife was Mrs. Holderman; resided on
the old farm, at Cedar Point, till 1854, when he sold
to Franklin Corwin, from Ohio, and moyed to Tows,
and is living at Lettsville; a large dealer in cattle,
James R., and Noah H., also sons of David, moved
to Iowa, the first in 1855, the last in 1861,
Sketch of Setilers — Eden, 49
Nathaniel Manville came from Pennsylvania in
1835; he Inid out the town of Manville, which, like
many of its cotemporaries, failed to bea town. He
died in the south part of the State, leaving two
daughters: Clarissa, married H. L. Owen; Susan,
married E. D. Lockwood, and lives on the old place.
John Myers came from Tennessee, in 1840. He
married a danghter of John Hays, of Peru, and
settled on Cedar Creek timber; he bought the mill
that Simon Crosiar built, on Cedar creek, and ran
it some years; an eccentric character, such as is
often seen on the frontier. Kind and generous at
home, he was wild and loquacious when he viaited
the town, calling himself the stallion panther. He
became restive when surrounded by civilization, said
the Yankees had overrun the country, and he left
for Missouri, and freedom, but came back, and died
here, in 1846, or 1847.
John Hendricks, from Virginia, to Indiana, and
eame here in 1831. His mother was a daughter of a
respectable Virginia planter, who eloped with and
married her father’s coachman, one of his African
chattels. Under the laws of Ilinois then, he could
neither yote nor testify against a white man; yet he
was an honest man and a good citizen. He bought
the Peru ferry of Hays in 1840, and run it several
years: he removed to West Missouri or Kansas, and
died there.
William Kelly, from England, came to Ohio, and
from there here in 1835 ; he died in Towa.
Thomas Wakeham, from Ohio, came here in 1836 ;
son-in-law of Kelly ; died in Iowa.
850 History of La Salle County.
Resolved H. Potter was born in New Bedford,
Mass., and settled in Green County, New York, in
1828; removed to Onondaga and then to Tioga
County, New Yorl, and from there to Illinois in
1834; settled on S. 12, T. 32, R.1; deceased in
1842, aged 60 years, leaving two sons, Champlin R.
and Adam. Adam came to Illinois with his father,
and returned to New York about one year after.
Champlin R. Potter, sonof Resolved HL, with his
wife, Mary Jane Richards, came from NewYork with
his father in 1834, and resided on the same farm,
He was a surveyor; held the office of Justice of the
Peace several years, and was a member of the Legis-
lature one term; he died Sept, 27, 1860, aged 56,
leaving two daughters ; Catharine, who married D.
Darby of Wenona—died 1873 ; Helen, who married
Fred Ambrose, and lives with her mother on the old
farm; a son, Adam, died about 1854.
Joseph T. Bullock came from Rehoboth, Mass..
in 1897, and settled on 8 36, T. 4, R.1; he marri
Catharine Galloway, and with his brother, Leonard,
engaged largely in farming and stock-raising ; since
his brother's death he has continued the same on a
large scale, He has two children; Ransom, mar-
ried Ada Ellsworth, and lives nean Tonica; Susan,
married Henry Foss, now in Colorado,
Asa Holdridge, from New York in Jnne, 1833,
and settled on S. 25, T. 32, R. 1, near Bailey's
Point ; he married Polly Warren ; was a snecessfal
farmer, and died in 1866, leaving five children:
fayette, married Hannah Simmons, and Hives in
Livingston County ; W. H. E., married Mary Swift,
Sketch of Settlers — Eden. 802
live in Eden; Volney, married Lizzie Simmons, and
lives in Ancona; Clarinda, married D. Willey; Ar-
minda, murried Capt. L. Howe, and lived near
Toniea.
Nathaniel Bddy, from Virginia, in 1833, bought a
claim of John Slater, west of Bailey's Point; he kept
astore. Eddy, Holdridge and Bailey built a saw-
mill on Bailey’s creek nearits mouth ; Eddy moved
West, —
William Groom, and wife, Miss Burhans, from
Albany County, N.Y., came with Alvord’s company
ih 1883; was a farmer, and Methodist preacher;
he died in 1852. His children were: Delia, married
aMr. Wells; Betsey, married John Harkins; Alida,
married Anstin B. Carleton, of Vermillion ; Peter,
married Miss Martin, now in Nebraska ; Abram,
married L. T. Naramoor; Joseph, married Eunice
Harrington, in California ; William, married Miss
Thomas, in Tonica.
Tra S. Moshier, from Saratoga County, N.Y., came
in 1834, and settled on 8. 12, T. 32. R.1; a farmer,
Methodist preacher, and Jawyer. He died in 1874,
Teaving nine children: Edgar W., at Sandwich ;
Henry C., married Elizabeth Baker, and lives at
Gilman ; George, married Delana Schermerhorn, and
dives at Gilman; Charles W., married Celia Wilson,
of Sandwich ; Maria A., married Thomas Foster; M.
Charlotte, married Hugh Miller; Sheridan L. ; Mar-
garet, married Onslow Barrass, of Tonica; Clara J.,
married A. G. Gray.
Amos A. Newton, and wife, L. P. Bunnell, from
Lexington, Green County, N. Y., in the spring of
352 History of La Satle County.
1826, and settled on Section 26, where he lived until
his death in 1844, aged 66; his widow still survives,
at the age of 90 years. He had nine children: A.
Judson, died in 1842, aged 23; Barnum, is in
Guthrie County, Iowa; Wallace, is also in Towa;
Esther L,, married Moody Little—her second lns-
band is Andrew J. West, of Tonica; Charlotte,
married Henry Kingsley, from Connectiout—ashe is
deceased ; Harriet L., married Henry Kingsley—his
second wife; Eunice, married Joel B, Miller; Abi,
married Angus McMillan.
Geo. M. Newton,son of Amos A. ,and from the same
*s Point in 1835, He moved his
uuny Loomis, and family in 1886; and settled
ion 2. Mr. Newton has been Postmaster, Jus-
of the Peace and Supervisor. His wife died in
1863, He is now living with his second wife, the
widow Sarah Maflis.
Joel B. Miller, came from Greene County, N. Y.,
in 1887. He married Eunice Newton; he died in
1862; his widow died in 1875. Has three children :
Horace, lives at Minonk ; a daughter married a Mr,
Swift; another married George Beardsley_
Angus McMillan, from Pennsylvania, eame in
1888. He married Abi Newton, and lived here five
or six years, and then removed to Grandy County.
His wifi and he went to Iowa.
James Little, and wife, Polly Cook, came from
New Hampshire, in 1889, and bought the farm of
Nathaniel Eddy on 4, Hodied in 1842, and left
four children: Daniel, married Mary Jones, and
removed to Geneseo; Lucy, married Isaac Gage, of
Sketch of Settlers — Eden. Bas
Brooktield ; Moody, married Esther Newton, lived
at Tonica, and died in 1848; John, married Frank
Bassford, now in Southern Mlinois.
Harvey MecFerson, from Brown County, Ohio,
| rame to Putnam County, in 1840, and to Eden on 8.
22, in 1836. His present wife is Martha King—have
six children.
Willis Moffat, and wife, Olive Simmon, from
Greene County, New York, in 1835, and settled
on the west side of Bailey's Grove, and is now
living in Tonica, His first wife died and left two
children: Walter 8., married Elizabeth Defenbangh ;
Sarah E., married James B, Flulin, both are living
in Livingston County. Mr. Moffit’s second wife
is Lonisa Harwood, the widow Jenkins, when she
married him; she has one daughter, Mary L., av
home.
Rev. Reuben H. Moffat, brother of Willis, came
from the same place in 1834—a Methodist preacher.
His wife was Catherine 0. Yale. He died in 1863,
aged 66. His children are: Reuben, marricd Miss
Defenbangh—he died in the army; Sarah, married
the Rev, Mr. Young, a Methodist preacher.
Sanford Harwood, from Saratoga County, New
York, came in 1837; married Keziah Dryer, and
moved to Towa.
Heman Harwood, brother of Sanford, from the
| same place; married Melissa Ide, and settled on 8.
| 4. Died in 1857, in Deer Park. Tis widow married
@ Mr. Lathrop, and moved to Iowa. He had three
clildren: Sarah, married, and is living in Iowa;
Charles was killed by the accidental dischange of a
gun; the younger daughter is with her mother.
=
204 History of La Salle County.
UTICA.
Utica embraces that part of T. 93, R. 2, which
lies north of the Illinois river, being about half a
township; the river, which is the southern boun-
dary, running about due west, near the centre line
of the town. There isa wide strip of bottom Iand
between the bluff and the river, most of it very
valuable for agriculture, but more so for the rich
mineral wealth it contains. The beds of hydraulic
lime which here lie near the surface, and are easily
accessible, are the only ones found in the State, and
the source of a large and valuable business.
This bottom land was the favorite resort of the
Tilinois Indians, who occupied it in great numbers,
and both savage and civilized men have ever re-
garded it as a point of attraction, for its beautiful
scenery, its rich soil, and mineral wealth. Old Utica
was a town on the river first occupied by Simon
Crosiar, and when the business was all done by
river boats, was 2 commercial point of some impor-
tance, the boats arriving and departing with ¢on-
siderable regularity. It was regarded as the head
of navigation, except at very high water when the
boats ascended to Ottawa. ‘But the building of the
canal and the Rock Island Railroad, both along the
foot of the bluff, on the opposite side of the valley,
a mile distant, and the river boats all discharging at
the basin at La Salle, dried up its sources of busi-
ness, and it now stands like Goldsmith's deserted
village. Instead of the panting of the river boat,
its shrill note of arrival and departure, and the
Sketch of Setllers —Utica, 855
busy hum of the cheerful denizens of the embryo
town on shore,
Mong Its glades a solitary guest,
‘The hollow sounding bittern guards its nest ;
Sunk are its bowers in shapeless ruin all,
And the rank woods o’ertop the crumbling wall.”
But New Utica, a mile north, has taken its place,
With the railroad and canal for transportation ; its
large manofactare of hydraulic lime, and sewer and
drain tile, and export of St, Peter's sand for the
manufacture of glass, with the large shipment of
grain from Utica township, Waltham, and other
towns on both sides of the river, the young town
may well anticipate a successful future. But while
it exults in its own prosperity it should remember
the changes and mutations which attend towns and
cities, as well as men, and heave a sigh for the dis-
appointed anticipations which once clustered around
its older rival.
Should the contemplated ship canal become a
reality—a not improbable occurrence—and the busi-
hess return to the river, Old Utica might arise from
its ashes, and drop a tear for the blasted hopes of
the New.
The town of Utica, with ite wooded bluffs running
nearly through its centre,with the Percomsoggin,
crossing its western portion, with Clark’s Run and
other points of timber piercing the prairie, was so
well supplied with timber that it commenced set-
tling at an early day.
Simon Crosiar was born near Pittsburgh, Pa.;
his wife, Sarah Owen, was from Clermont County,
856 History of La Salle County.
Ohio. He left Pennsylvania In 1815, and went to
Ohio, and was married in 1817 ; removed to Tlinois
and settled at Cap au Gray, in 1819, and removed
to Calhoun Oounty, where he remained until 1824,
then to Peoria, and to Ottawa in 1826, where he put
up a log cabin on the ravine near where 8S. W.
Cheever now lives ; resided there one year and then
removed to the south side near the Bassrocks, where
heremained about two years ; removed to Shipping-
port in the fall of 1829; built a mill on Cedar
creek, and removed there in 1831. He was Post-
master, and carried the mail to and from Peoria
once a month. Sold the mill to Mr. Myers; built
a saw-mill and carding machine on the Pereomsog-
gin; started the saw-mill in the spring of 1888 and
the carding machine in the fall after. Removed to Old
Utica, on the north bank of the [linols in 1834, kept
a store and warehouse for storage and commission
business, and for a time was Captain of a steamboat
ontheriver. He died in November, 1846; his widow
died in 1871.
Both Mr. and Mrs, Crosiar were bold, hardy and
nte, and well calculated for frontier life. Mrs.
old the writer many dents of her pio-
d she was not afraid of the Indians
, unless they were drank, but they
were like white men when intoxicated, unreasonable
and dangerous. On one occasion, during her hus
band’s absence, they came and wanted whisky; she
had covered up the whisky barrel and told them elie
had no whisky ; they told her she had, and went to
uncover the cask; she then seized a hatehetand told
Sketch of Settlers — Utica. S57
them they should not have it if she had; they told
her she was a brave squaw,-but raised their toma-
hawks, and she was compelled to yield to numbers;
they got the whisky and had a big drank, but did
not molest her.
‘Mr. Crosiar was an active participant in the Black
Hawk war, and was one of the party that buried
the victims of the Indian Creek massacre.
Tn his numerous removals he followed the rivers,
transferring his family and effects in a keel boat,
and frequently served as a pilot on the river. The
Tateh string of the Grosiar cabin was always out,
and many an early emigrant gratefully remembers
their kindness and hospitality.
‘They had a large family of children, but they have
all left except one. Amzi Croziar, the only child
remaining here, married Miss Brown, and is an ex-
tensive farmerand prominent citizen of Utica.
Amazi Crosiar, brother to Simon, came from Pitta-
burgh, and settled on Sec. 36, near Shippingport,
in 1626; came to Utica in 1833, and settled at the
foot of the bluff on the south side of the river. He
was killed by a runaway team in 1848.
James Clark, and wife, Charlotte Sargent, came
from England, to Ohio, and from there here in 1883,
and settled on 8.17. He was a contractor on the
Milinois and Michigan Canal, and was the first to
develop and manufacture hydraulic lime for the
market from the Silurian strata of that neighbor-
hood, conferring a great benefit upon the locality
‘and the whole Northwest, and enriching himeelf.
‘Mr. Clark has been Town Supervisor and member
i ees
368 History of La Salle County.
of the Legislature, and is now General Agent of the
Consolidated Cement or Hydraulic Lime manufac-
ture of the Weat.
His children are: John, who married Jniia,
daughter of Truman Hardy ; is living in Utica and
is partner with his father, doing a large busi-
ness; Charlotte, who married James B. Peckham,
and lives in Utica.
Mr. Hudson, from Virginia, lived at Old Utica,
abont two years, and went back to Virginia in 1838,
Hiram Higby, from New Hartford, Ot., and wife,
Frances M, Tamer, from Middlesex County, Ct., in
1836. Mr. Higby was the first Supervisor of the
town of Utica. He died in 1864, Mrs. Highy died
in 1864. Their children were: Arthur, deceased;
William, deceased ; Frances, the widow of Charles
Powers; Thomas Frederick, served in the 634 Reg-
iment Mlinois Volunteers, and died soon after hig
return; Helen M., married C. M, Buel; EL W., isa
ruggist in Utica ; Julia, is deceased.
William Simmons came from Kentucky to Qhio,
and to Ottawa in 1834; bought land in Utica at the
sale in 1885, and made a farm on which he resided
till his death, leaving one son and one daughter,
Edward Holland came from Clermont County,
n 1840; his wife was Eva Hess, He died in
1846, leaving eleven children. His widow married
Henry Gorbet, who had fifteen children.
Zenas Dickinson, with his wife, Mabel Olark,
ne from Grant fass., in 1836, and settled on
ion 10. Mrs. inson died in August, 1846,
Mr. Dickinson died in November, 1857.
Sketch of Setflers — Utica, 3ho
Samuel Dickinson, son of Zenas, came from New
York to Utiea in 1835. He was a partner with Jas.
Clark in a large contract on the Ilinois & Michigan
Canal, at Utica, and subsequently, for several years
suecessively, captain of the steamboats Dial, La
Salle, and Belle, ranning from the head of naviga-
tion of the Illinois to St. Louis. He went to Cali-
fornia in 1850, and died there in 1851. He never
married.
Zenas Clark Dickinson, also son of Zenas, came
from Massachusetts with his father in 1836; settled
on Section 10, where he still resides. His wife was
Harriet Donaldson ; they have six children—all at
home.
Six sisters of Clark and Samuel came with the
parents: Caroline, married Mr, Johnson, she is
deceased; Cemantha, married Robert Shepherd,
new a widow in Chicago; Amelia, married Mr.
Wood, she is now deceased; Susan, married and
lives in Chicago ; Olive r, in
Montana ; Margaret, married Mr. Fairchild, now in
Indianapolis.
Tra Hartshorn, and wife, Joanna Burnham, came
from Lisbon, Ct., to Madison County, ¥., and
from there here in 1836; moved his family in 1837,
and settled on Section 6, He died in September,
1859; his widow dicd in 1875. Joshua P., married
Jane Simon, now in Iowa; Erasmus D., married
Marietta Meserve; Alfred I.,married Terrena Culver,
now in La Salle; Pliny, married Sarah Simonton,
seoond wife, Amelia Dean—lives in Waltham;
Calvert, married Anna Niles; Mary, married Frank
— |
300 History of La Salle County.
Dean—her second husband, Eli Strawn, now of
Buckley ; Lucy, married Mosely Niles, of Buek-
ley; Lydia, married Robert V. Dunnary, of Liv-
ingston County ; Charles B., died in the army, at
Pittsburg Landing.
Benjamin Hess, and wife, Barbara Ann Simeon,
came to Illinois in 1833, and settled on the bluff
north of Utica village, Mrs, Hess died in 1848,
aged 73; Mr, Hess died in August, 1850, aged 77,
Jeremiah, married Laura Sevins, and lives on the
old farm; Benjamin, died in 1846; Susan, married
Mr. Mulford, she is now deceased; Abram, married
Mary BE, Wallrod, and lives at Utica; Eva, married
Edward Holland, and had eleven children—second
husband, Henry Gorbet; Elizabeth, married Mr.
Wallace, and lives at Bureau Junction; Jemima,
married Chester Hall, then of Ottawa—she is now
deceased.
PERU.
Pern embraces the west half of Township 33,
Range 1, and lies on both sides of the [linois river,
while the east half of the township constitutes its
sister town of La Salle. The city of Peru is on the
north side of the river at the foot and on the bluff,
Its commercial advantages are scarcely inferior to
those of its rival—La Salle. The Chicago & Rock
Island Railroad passes through it from east to west,
and the river trade passes its levee and warehouses
as it goes to und from the busin ab La Salle, The
Sketoh of Settlers —Perit, 361
long and bitter contest to secure the termination of
the Canal was decided in favor of La Salle, not be-
cause it offered euperior advantages, but because it
was located on canal land belonging to the State,
The two cities are practically one, and will eventu-
ally be included in one municipal government.
The location is commanding and important, not
only in reference to the County, but to the State
and Nation. The rich and heavy deposit of coal,
and facilities for transportation, will make it one of
the largest manufacturing cities in the West. Its
thus far in that direction is an earnest of
the high position that awaits it in the future.
John Hays, and wife, came from Tennessee in
1830; bnilt a cabin on the Llinois bottom, just
above the present location of the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railroad depot; kept the Ferry
across the Illinois river till 1840; sold to Hendricks;
went to Hennepin, and died there. Hays was from
the clase at the South that was crushed and kept in
ignorance by the institution of slavery. He was a
rough and fearless frontiersman. His children
were: one daughter, married Mr. Davis, and with
her husband, was killed at Indian Creek, in 1882;
Harrison, isin Bureau County; James, und two other
sons.
Lyman D. Brewster came from Nashville, Tenn.
Th 1892, he traveled on horseback from Nashville,
throngh Ottawa and Chicago, to Salisbury, Ct.; he
returned and settled at Peru in 1834, and died at
Hennepin in the fall of 1835,
William Paul, from Scotland, settled just below
382 History of La Salle County.
where Peru now is, in 1884; sold his claim to
Kinney & Spaulding, and went to Hennepin, where
he married the daughter of Dr. Pulsifer; came back
to Pern in 1843, and kept a store ti 1867 or *69,
then moved to Vineland, New Jersey, where he now
resides.
Ulysses Spaulding came from Tennessee in 1834;
engaged in selling goods with Kinney; died in 1836 ;
was Justice of the Peace, and kept a grocery store,
Left two sons and two daughters—one married Mr.
Coffling, of Peru. Widow died in 1860.
‘Honry S. Kinney, from Pennsylvania, came in
34, and bought a claim of William Paul, and in
y with Ulysses Spaulding, engaged in mer-
chandising until 1836, and after Spaulding’s death,
in partnership with Daniel J. Townsend until 1888 ;
he then took a heavy contract on the canal basin,
and a few months after quietly left, leaving his work-
men unpaid and his affairs unsettled. He afterward
figured conspicuously in the military affairs of Texas,
under Walker in the fillibustering
tral America, A man of some
ty and of great energy and activity, but was
lacking in some more yaluable qualities.
heron D, Brewster, came from Salisbury, Ot, in
he first engaged as clerk in the store of Kinney
pianldiig In 1836 he laid out the Ninawa
Addition to Peru, embracing all the business portion
of the place. Tn 1843 he engaged in merchandising
and selling town lots. In 1845, built a warehouse
and engaged in the n and shipping business, In
company with H. S. Beebe; in 1853 in banking,
Sketoh of Settlers — Peru. 363
and in 1858 in mannfacturing plows and other agri-
cultural implements ;"in this last he is still largely
engaged.
In all these pursnits, Mr. Brewster has been suc-
cessful, and while he bas accumulated wealth, has
always been an enterprising, public-spirited citizen,
and Pert owes much of its prosperity to his efforts.
When Peru was made a city in 1851, he was its first
Mayor.
Mr. Brewster has been twice married ; his first
wife was Adeline Mann, who died in January, 1849,
leaving two children: Sylvia A., and Frank, both
living at home. Mr. Brewster's second wife was
Martha Jones, who has four children : Jesse, Mar-
garet, Benjamin L., and Theron D., Jr—all at
home.
Calvin and Peletiah Brewster, two young men from
Baltimore, came to Peru in 1835; Calvin died the
same season; Peletiah went South in 1887, and
died in Texas.
Isaac Abrams, and wife, Ellen Rittenhouse Evans,
grand niece of David B. Rittenhouse,the astronomer,
came from near Philadelphia in 1838, In company
with his brother, Natl’) J., was engaged in selling
goods for five years, and for the next five years fol
lowed the same business alone, and since has been
agent for the sale of real estate. One of the sub-
stantial business men of Peru, and closely identified
with all its history and growth. His children -
William FL, Land Commissioner of the Texas &
Pacifie Railroad—resides at Marshall, Texas—he
married Anna Harris, daughter of Hon. William
364 History of La Satle County.
A. Harris, of Virginia, M. C., and Minister to the
Argentine Republic; Louisa, at home; Edwin
Evans, a clerk, in Chicago.
Nathaniel J. Abrams, brother of Isaac, and wife,
Eliza A. Evans, came from the same place at the
same time; was five years with his brother, mer-
chandising ; since which, he has followed far:
on Sec. 7, T. 88, R.1. His children are; Mary E.,
married Lavega G. Kinnie; Charles H., George W.,
and Eugene, are at home.
George W. Holly came from Salisbury, Ot, in
1887; his wife was Miss Church, daughter of Judge
Church, of same place; he was editor of the Ninawa
Gazette, published by Ford & Holly, the first news-
paper in Peru; a genial man and good writer. In
1839 he removed to Niagara Falls. Mr. Holly was
educated at West Point, but left there on account of
partial deatness.
Churchill Coffing, and wife, Asenath Brewster,
from Salisbury, © 1 1889; a thoroughly
educated and able lawyer, but lacked energy of
ch 1 was not successful in business; he
died in Chicago in 1872, leaving one son, John, now
living with his mother in Chicago; one Gaughter,
Catharine, married Mr, Colliday, now in Philadel-
phia,
William Chumasero, from New York, in 1888; a
lawyer of good ability ; married Elizabeth Brown:
and removed to Helena, Montana, about ten years
. A. D, Brown, fom NewYork, in 1838; settled
on a farm back of town; married Cornelia Leonard,
Shetoh of Settlers — Pern. 306
who died in October, 1877, His children are ; Eliz
abeth, married William Chumaszero, now of Helena,
Montana; Henry W.,married Emily Gibbs, and lives
in Chicago; William, married Lucy Rattan, on the
old farm; Harvey, married Lydin Tompkins;
Charles, died from disease contracted while in the
army.
John P. Tilden, from Marblehead, Essex County,
‘Mass., came in the fall of 1887; a farmer, and set-
fled on 8. 8, T. 83, R.1. His first wife was Mary
Rogers, who died, and left th: children: William
P., lives in Pern: Mary, married James Batcheler ;
Banice, married Geo. Van Dycke. His second wife
was Naney 8S. Gordon—has one child, Flora.
Mr. Leonard, from Rochester, N.Y., came in 1839.
His children were; Harvey, a bachelor, was a Jns.
tice of the Peace for several! yenrs,went to La Salle,
and died there; Cornelia, married A. D. Brown,
of Pern; Greaty, married Mr. Robins, of Peru;
Mary Ann, died single, in Chicago; Julia Ann,
married Lucius Rumrill, of Pern; Caroline, mar-
ried Charles Noble.
Henry 8. Beebe, and wife, a Wileox, from
Great Barrington, Massachuset He kept
a livery, was a commission merchant with T. D.
Brewster, ran a foundry under the firm of Fitz-
simmons & Beebe: he removed to Chicago about
1861. His children are: George, deceased four
years since; Lucy, married a Mr. Weber, in Chicago ;
Nelly, married; Jennie, and Mary, at home;
dames, is married, in Chicago.
Elijah Merritt, from Putnam County, New York,
na History of La Salle County.
in 1834, lived here four or five years ; was killed by
the fall of a tree near Tiskilwa, abont 1885.
Daniel Merritt, brother of the above, from Put-
2 County, New York, in 1834; settled on S. 7,
R. 1. He died in 1870. Harriet Hopkins,
his widow, and one daughter, Martha, live on the
old place.
Stephen Merritt, from Putnam County, New York,
settled near Peru, in 1834, afterward removed to
Henry County, and now lives in Bloomington, Til.
Dr. Samuel G, Smith, from Berkshire County,
Massachusetts, in 1840; his first wife was Mary
Deland—second, Mary Ann Pomeroy; has one
child, Sybil E., at home ; has followed the business
of a druggist ; is now Postmaster at Peru,
John Hoffman, from Tioga Co., Pa, in 1838; mar-
ried Mary Ann Mann; kept a hotel, and did a ware-
house and commission business in company with €.
C. Charles, and afterward with John I. Coates ; has
been Supervisor, and Chairman of the Board; is
now farming in Mendota. Has eight children: Asa,
married Frances Raymond, of Ottawa; Phebe ~
Adeline, married O. Beardsley, she is now dead;
Maria L., married L. Stoddard, of Englewood ;
John B,, married Mary ‘Thomas, and lives in Men-
dota; Julietta ©. married Charles Wolf, of St
Maria R., Charles C., and Andrew J., at
J.P. Judson, from New York, in 1836; was land
agent; left soon,
8. Lisle Smith, from Philadelphia, a talented Taw-
yer; here a short time, and went to Chicago,
SMetch of Sellers —Peru, 367
John Smith, brother of S. Lisle, kept a drug
store ; went back to Philadelphia.
Fletcher Webster, son of the renowned Daniel
Webster, from Marshfield, Massachusetts, in 1837 ;
practiced law here three years; was Assistant Sec-
retary of State at Washington, for a short time ;
was appointed to an office in the Boston Custom
Hous, by President Harrison ; was killed in Vir-
ginia, in the war of the Rebellion.
Daniel Townsend, from New York, 1887; was a
partner of Henry 8. Kinney, in selling goods; left
in 1840; now at Niagara falls.
Philip Hall, from New York, in 1838; here five
years, clerk to Kinney & Townsend ; went to Aurora,
and was Superintendent of Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroad ; since dead,
James Mulford, from Chicago, here in 1836, with
Kinney ; was partner with Daniel Townsend in com-
mission business ; went South in the Mexican war ;
did @ commission business in New Orleans.
James Myers, from Pennsylvania, brother of Mrs.
William Richardson, here several years ; went to
Corpus Christi, Texas ; died on a sea voyage, and
was buried in the Atlantic ocean.
William and Charles Dr
County, Pennsy
went to California in 1849.
Harvey Wood, from Canada, in 1 died about
1872, He had four children; William died here;
John went to Tennessee, is now in Illinois; Marga-
fet, married Frank Casort, of La Salle; Grace,
married D. W. Mattock
from Bradford
; tailors by trade ;
08 History of La Salle County.
N. B. Bullock, from Cleveland, Ohio, carpenter
by trade, came here in 1837, He and his wife both
died of cholera in 1852.
Jesse Pugsley came from Eastern New York in
the fall of 1888; married Miss Wood, and second
wife Miss Wood, sisters of Harvey Wood; still
living in Peru on a farm.
Ezra McKinzie came from New York in 1887;
carpenter by trade; married Miss Kerr, now living
in Peru. Two daughters at home.
J.P. Thompson came from Pennsylvania in fall
of 1836; went South fifteen years since, and died in
Pennsylvania two years ago.
C, H. Charles, and wife, Juliet Mann, came from
Tioga County, Pa., in 1837; was a merchant in part-
nership with John Hoffman; died in 1840. His
daughter, Susan, married Wm. Gilman, of Mendota;
Phebe, married Hon. Washington Bushnell, of Or
; one son, C. 0. Charles. married, and lives in
Lacius Ramrill came from Utiea, N. Y., in 1889;
watch maker and jewe married Julia A. Leonard,
sister of Harvey Leonard, Esq., of La Salle: moved
to Chicago, and died there; widow lives near Ohi-
cago. One daughter, Emily, now widow of Charles
us Cahill came from Pennsylvania in the
a merchant, and Justice of the Peace;
in Corpus Christi, Texas,
s Cokeley came from Pennsflvania, with
, in 1885; died in Peru, about 1850;
widow lives in Peru, Had one son, John, and five
Sketch of Setllers — Pern. 369
daughters: Mary, married Mr. Miller: Maggie,
married Wm. O'Neil ; Theresa, married Nie,
Patrick M. Killduff came from Harper's Ferry,
Va., in 1898; married Christiana Mann, daughter of
Asa Mann; was Mayor of Peru, Magistrate, and
County Commissioner; died in Peru, June 11th,
1874,
David Dana came from Vermont in 1836; black-
smith by trade; was a farmer in Burean County,
now in Chicago.
Timothy Cokeby came from Pennsylvania in 1837;
now on a farm,
Daniel McGinn came from Ireland in 1840;
tailor; went to California in 1849.
Zimri Lewis, and wife, Hannah Brown, came from
Dryden, Tompkins County. Y., in 1885; kept a
hotel in Peru for several years; spent the last year
of his life with his son-in-1: 8. W. Raymond, i
Ottawa, where he died in 1867. Had three children:
Lorilla, married 8. W. Raymond, now in Ottawa;
Zimri, Jr., in California; William, died of cholera
in 1849.
Samuel W. Raymond came from Woodstock,
Vt., in 1837; lived in Peru ten , and kept the
ferry part of the time. In 1817 he was elected
County Recorder, and removed to Ottaw:
held the offices of Recorder, County Clefk, and
County Treasurer for many years ; an excellent and
popularofficer. He married Lorilla Lewis, daughter
of Zimri Lewis, of Peru. He has ten children:
Frances, married Asa Hoffman married
John A. Corton, of Towa; Mary H,, Charles, Eme-
370 History of La Salle Connty.
line, Floretta, Samuel, Jr., Corrin, and Walter, at
home.
Hiram P. Woodworth came from Vermont in
1837; was engineer on the INinois Central Railroad,
then a merchant. Died of cholera, at Hennepin, in
1882. His widow lives in Chicago.
Silas Woodworth, brother of Hiram, was assistant
engineer; went to Oregon.
George B. Martin, kept warehouse; went to the
Au Sable,
William H. Davis, clerk for Kinney ; went to the
An Sable.
Dr. Seeley came from New York in 1887; a physi-
cian here till 1848; went to the AuSable. Died
recently.
George Low came from New York in 1888; shoe
and harness maker, then merchant; went to Iowa;
Kept hotel ; then to New York; died there, and was
buried in Peru.
M. Mott came from New York in 1838; kept the
hotel at the Sulphur Springs, between Peru and Otta-
wn; died there.
F. Le Beau came from St. Louis, lived here five
years, then went South.
Hyatt, and wife, sister of Jesse Pagsley,
came from New York in 1837; merchant with Mott,
and Postmaster ; left in 1840, and is living East.
Ward B. Burnett came from New York; resided
here from 1837 to 1841; was engineer on the canal
when building; now living in New York.
O. C. Motley came trom Hennepin in 1887; he
built the Motley Hotel on the bottom, near the old
Sketch of Settlers — Pern. 371
ferry ; the hotel was carried away by an ice flood,
and Motley left.
Lewis Waldo, from New London County, Ct., and
wife, Alice T. Baldwin, from Canterbury, Ct., in
1834, settled on the bluff south of Peru, where they
still reside. They have three children; Ella 8.,
married Wm. H. Bryan, of Pern; Sarah H., and
Herbert L., are at home.
George W. Gilson, of Connecticut, graduated at
the Norwich University in 1837, came to Peru in
Spring of 1838; was an engineer on the original
Central Railroad, built under State authority, under
T. B. Ransom, resident engineer; he married Miss
E, ©. Greenfield, of Middletown, Ct., a sisterof Mrs.
Ransom ; he removed to Lost Grove, but returned
to Peru, and was elected Mayor in 1855. He re-
moved to Chicago, and became a member of the
real estate firm of A. J. Galloway & Co. ; he died
Sept. 29, 1886, leaving four children: George T.,
lives in Chicago—he married the danghter of Prot.
D. J. Pinckney, of Ogle County; the widow and
Frances are living with Emma, the wife of Judge
M. R. M, Wallace, in Chicago; Ella, is the wife of
Wa. J. Russell, of New York City.
William Richardson, and wife, Mary Myers, came
from Cataraugus Connty, N. Y., in 18387; kept
hotel in Pern several years; bought a farm of
Thomson, in the Brown settlement, South Ottawa,
and dealt largely in cattle. He died July 13, 18i4,
of cholera, in Ottawa, aged 56. His widow is now
the wife of Dr. Coles, of Ottawa. His children
were: Wm. Capron, married A. Palmer, his second
372 History of La Salle County.
wife was Anna Hossack—he died May 9, 1888;
Henry, married Sarah Benedict, died soon after ;
Susan, died single.
William Rouse came from New Orleans, in 1897;
grocer; died in 1874.
John Aaron came from New Orleans; grocer;
died in 1875,
LA SALLE.
La Salle embraces the E. ¢ of T, 33, R. 1, except
a small point between the Tinols and Vermillion
rivers which belongs to Deer Park. Tt is crossed
from north to south by the Iinois Central Railroads
and from east to west by the Chicago, Roel Tsland
& Pacific Railroad, and the Tlinois and Michigan
Canal terminates in an artificial basin within its
limits.
In this basin the river steamboats from St, Lonis
meet thecanal boats from Chicago, and the locality
seems destined and fitted both by nature and art to
be one of the most important commercial points in
the West. The progress and development of the
town and its business has not equaled the anticipa-
tions of its early settlers, but its growth has been
constant and healthful.
A manufacturing industry ean never flourish until
agriculture is developed, the population becomes
dense, and capital has accumulated sufficient for its
prosecution. The coal production, and the zine and
glass manufacture, have assumed large proportions,
| Sketch of Selflers — La Salle. a7
and with the produce and shipping interest, aggre-
gates an amount of business that must be quite
gratifying to the citizens of La Salle, and of which
older places might be proud. The future of the
Jocality can have bot one resalt, that of a great
success,
Samuel Lapsley, from Pennsylvania to St. Louis,
and from St. Lonis to La Salle, in 1990; made a
farm on the present site of La Salle, where the old
Catholic church stood, extending as far north as
Fifth street, and as far east as Joliet street. He
bnilt a saw-mill on the Little Vermillion; his
claim proved to be on canal land, belonging to the
ox and he lost his improvements ; he died in
rer spree, and wife, Orilla Langworthy, from
Ohio, came to La Salle in 1890, and settled on S. 14;
a blacksmith and farmer. His shop was at the foot
of the bluff, near the Little Vermillion; he died in
1870. He had six children: James, is married, and
lives in [roqnois County ; Myron D. is also in
Troqnois ; Elizabeth, is married, and lives in
Towa; Franklin, is in Kansas; Warren, is single,
and lives in Princeton ; Charlotte, is married, and
in Kansas,
Mrs. Swanson, a widow, with a family—and a
sister of John Myers, from Ohio, settled near the
mouth of the Little Vermillion, in 1831. She moved
near the Hardy farm, and in 1840 removed to Peca-
tonies, then came back to La Salle, and finally
moved to California, where she died. She had two
sons, John and Edward, and two daughters.
—— ea,
874 Tfistory of Le Salle County.
Aaron Gunn, from Montague, Massachusetts, was
one of a colony formed in 1830, in Northampton,
Massachusetts. Agents sent out to find « Joeation,
fixed upon La Salle. The colony came ont in 1831.
Gunn, and seven other young men bought two pe-
rogues, or canoes, at Mottville, Michigan, and
floated down the St. Joseph to South Bend, then
hauled their canoes across the portage to the Kan-
kakee (the same route taken by La Salle 150 years
before), they then floated down the Kankakee and
Illinois to Hennepin, In nine days. The season was
wet, and the colony, dissatisfied with the location,
scattered over the country, mostly going to Bureau
County. Mr, Gunn went to where Lamoille now is,
bought a claim of Mr. Hall, who was killed by In-
dians, at Indian Creck, the following summer,
The next summer he left on account of the war,
and remained two years at Magnolia, Tn 1835, sold
his claim and bought 400 acres north of and now
adjoining the town of LaSalle. In common with
most of the settlers in 1896, he supposed his fortune
made, being told that his 400 acres were worth
$40,000, and that he need work no more, bat
not realizing that sam he went one year on the
Ottawa mission as a Methodist exhorter, and in 1837
was married to Nancy Winters, of Mt. Palatine,
and went to farmi nding his 400 neres worth
what its production of farm erops would Indicate.
He is still living on a part of the $40,000 farm, at
a ripe old age, probably as comfortable as he would
have been had he realized his anticipated fortune
His experience and disappointment in that respect,
Sketch of Seltlers — La Salle, 875
might be written as a partof the history of many of
the emigrants who came in 1836-7. His ol
: Nettie
of LaSalle; Moses
W., Pastor Baptist Church, Normal, Ill.; Luey G.,
married Herman B. Chapman, of LaSalle ; Eliza-
beth S., married Prank L, Ayres, of Kansas; Aaron
E., a farmer, of LaSalle; Bella E., at home.
Dixwell Lathrop, from Norw ., came in
1885; was employed by a company in Norwich to
select and purchase land. He arranged to enter
land at Rockwell, adjoining LaSalle, returned and
brought out his family in 1836.
As the agent of Charles and John Rockwell, of
Norwich, he laid out the town of Rockwell, and in
1838 was reinforced by a colony from Norwich and
vicinity, called the Rockwell Colony. The town of
Rockwell was at this time at the height of Its pros-
perity, and the arrival of the colony was supposed to
insure its ultimate success ; but the summer and fall
of 1838 were seasons of unexampled sickness through-
out the West ; malarious diseaseexisted to an extent
unknown before orsince. Itwaspa iy
along the wide and low bottom lands of the Illinois.
The Rockwell colonists were all sick, many died,
the survivors scattered through the country, and
the town never recovered.
La Salle being selected as the termination of the
Canal made that the centre of business, and Rockwell
Will doubtless be a pleasant suburb of its successful
neighbor. Notwithstanding the failure of the town,
Mr. Lathrop retained the confidence of the Rockwell
376 History of La Salle County.
Company; is residing in La Salle; he has been a
succeseful amateur farmer and bee culturist, and is
highly respected. His first wife was from Norwich,
Ct., his second wife was Miss Foster, He had one
danghter, who died aged 17.
Daniel Baird came from Westborough, Mass..
in the spring of 1836; kept a boarding-honse at
Rockwell: his wife, Charlotte B. Field, and her
sister, Adeline O. Field, came ont in the fall of
1836. Miss Field was married to Elmer Baldwin,
of Farm Ridge, in 1888. Mr. Baird and family
were all prostrated by the sickness of #833, and his
business broken up. In the spring of 1830 he
moved on toa farm near Palestine Grove, in Lee
County, where he resided till his death, in 1866,
He had three children; Marianne, married Henry
©, Chapman; Seth, married Amanda Thompson,
second wife, Martha Reese: Carrie, married Newton
Pumphrey. hey all, with the widow, live on or
near the old homestead.
Hackaliah Merritt, and wife, Sarah Smith, came
from Putnam County, N. Y., in the fall of 1886.
He made a furm on 8. 3, T. 33, R. 1; his wife died
in 1847; his second wife was Lydia Robinson, who
is still living, aged 83, Mr. Merritt died in February,
1877, aged 84. He left four children: Faller, mar-
ried Julia Ide, they live in La Salle; Cordelia,
married Philo Lindley, she lives in Ottawa, and is
now a widow; Martha, married Frank Hunt, she is
now deceased ; Nathan, died in Arkansas,
Norman McFarrand came from Whitehall, N.Y.
to Baltimore, in 1880; he married Mary Ann For
i
Sketch of Settlers — La Salle, 377
rest, of Ellicott’s Mills, Md., and settled in La Salle
Sept. 18, 1837. His wife is deceased, leaving seven
obildren = Jobin Forrest, Isaac Hubert, Wm. Henry,
Mary Ann, Cyrene Sophia, Norman Nash, John
Tsanc,
John H. MoFarrand, brother of Norman, came
from Tioga County, N. ¥., in 1837; he married
Julia A. Clark ; he was ongaged on several railroads
before he came to La Salle; he was a contractor on
the Minois & Michigan Canal, and on the Illinois
Central Railroad: was Postmaster at La Salle for
several years, He is now living in Chicago.
Nahum Gould was born in Warwick, Franklin
County, Mass. in 1798; crippled by an aceldent
and unable to labor, he attended an academy at
New Salem, and taught school alternately, till he
entered Amherst College and graduated in 1828.
He studied theology with Dr. John Woodbridge, of
Hadley. He married Rebecca B. Leonard. Was
ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church,
and appointed a missionary in the State of New
York.
May Sth, 1834, with his wife, three children and
lite sister, Semira (who afterward married Thomas
Hartsell, of: Hennepin), started for Illinois in a light
wagon ; they generally found accommodations for
the night at the houses along the route, but were
Sometimes compelled to sleep in their wagon. He
arrived at his wife's brother's, De: pha Leonard,at
Bailey's Grove,on June 12th, He was first settled
at Union Grove, and preached occasionally at Hen-
nepin and Vermillionville.
378 History of La Salle County. fi
He organized or assisted in organizing a Presby-
terian Church at Hennepin, Deo, 29th, 1834; one at
Union Grove, Dec. 3rd, 1834; at Vermillionville
or Lowell, August, 1834; one at Plainfield; one at
Rockwell, January, 1837. That year he built a
house and settled at Rockwell.
Tn 1888 his wife, Rebecca Blake Leonard, died,
leaving four daughters. The sickness of 1888 swept
away more than balf of the church. He preached
at Troy Grove, and organized a church there. In
1838, being, in common with the majority of the pop-
ulation, taken sick, he turned his horse on the prairie
to care for himself, and was taken to his sister, Mrs. _
Hartsel! at Hennepin, where his children were, Mr.
Hartsell was also sick, and his only child died.
‘Thos. Hartsell died at Waukegan about twelve years
since, and his wife, Semira Gould, died at Hennepin,
thirty years since, or in 1846. Mr. Hartsell’s only
surviving child and son lives at Aurora,
Mr. Gould returned to Rockwell late in the fall,
and in the spring of 1889 married Sarah Dewey,
danghter of Roswell Dewey. He left for his health
and lived at Princeton one year, then settled at Troy
Grove; preached and taught the district school and
kept a station on the Underground Railroad, and
claimed that the passengers went safely through,
While at Homer he was a sort of an itinerant on a
missionary cireuit to Indian Creek, where he organ-
ch in 1843; one in Paw Paw in 1844;
Harding and Serena ; suffered many
hardships and encountered many dangers and nar
row escapes in fording streams and other new
country experiences.
Sketch of Setllers — La Salle. 879
Th 1846 he mmoved to Gouldtown, in the town of
Freedom, where he resided fonr years, then to
Northville, and to Somonauk in 1850.
Tn November, 1850, his wife, Sarah Dewey, died,
and in 1858 he married Lois Jane, widow of Rev.
Francis Leonard, of Galesburg. His family lived
with or near him till 1571, when one daughter went
to Nebraska, one died, one went to Towa, and one to
Minnesota.
In October, 1871, he removed to Nebraska, and
Settled at Kearney Junction. He secured the organ-
ization of a church at Kearney. aided efficiently in
organizing the presbytery of Kearney: and synod
of Nebraska, and presided at the first meeting of
each.
He died at his home in 1872, aged 74, and bis
grave overlooks the city which had but one house
when he went there. But few men have had more
varied experiences—seen more of new country life,
or labored more zealously in their chosen field, or
accomplished more for which his church should be
grateful.
Barney Martin, from Ireland, in 1838,
William Riley, from Ireland, in 1838,
Bartlett Thompson, in 1839.
Dr. Thomas W. Hennesey, from Ireland, 1887,
wits a practicing physician in La Salle for twenty
years, then moved on to « farm, in the town of
Dimmick, where he now lives ; he married Charlotte
Cadwell, danghter of Sheldon Cadwell, of Deer
Daniel Burdick, and’ wife, Sally Adams, from
&p,|
380 History of La Salle County.
Norwich, Ot., in 1837, settled ona farm. Heenlisted
in the army, and died in 1864, soon after his return.
John Higgins, from Detroit, to Chicago. in the
spring of 1836, und to La Salle, November Ish, sium
year. Ts now in the grocery trade, which he has
followed since he came to La Salle. Married the
widow O'Conner, daughter of William Burns—has
a second wife.
Mr. Vaughan, and wife, from Connecticut, 1838,
one of the Rockwell colony. Both soon died.
Giles Lindley, from Connecticut to St. Lonis,
from there here in 1840 ; married Jane Knight, from
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, who is living in La Salle.
Mr. Lindley died, leaving nine children
Philo Lindley, from Seymour, Connectient, came
in 1886; married Cordelia seven years
Clerk of the Circuit Court of La Salle Connty, and
Conaty Clerk one term; was Quartermaster of the
Fifty-third Regiment Tlinois Volunteers, and was
killed near Altoona, Mississippi, 1808; his widow
resides in Ottawa, with three children—Philo,
George, and Laura M,
Myron D. Downs, from Connecticut, in 1887; he
married Elizabeth Allen ; he sold goodsin Rockwell
and went to Chicago in 1838, or 1889, where he is
now living.
William Baldwin came in 1837; merchant in
Rockwell ; went to Chicago in 1888 or 0,
James O'Neal, from Treland, in 1836; laborer,
William Burns, and wife, Sarah Harris, from Ire
land to Pittsburg, Pa, in 1812, came to La Salle in
1887; was the contractor for building the canal
Sketch of Settlers — Farin Ridge. asl
aqneduet over the Little Vermillion, and the lower
locks on the canal; a good mechanic, and physically
and mentally a superior man. He died in the Sis-
ters’ Hospital, in Chicago, in 1873, aged 101 years.
His children were: Eliza, who married David L.
Gregg; John ©., died in the State of Maryland;
Sarah, married Mr. O'Conner, of La Salle, and, after
his death, married John Higgins. of La Salle—she
is now deeeased; Joseph, died at St, Louis; two
grandehildren only living.
Daniel Cosgrove came from Ireland in 1887; was
Justice of the Peace for several years; died in
1872. His wife wa fiss Garrity. His children
were: Annie, Daniel, mince, Cronise, and Luke.
John Cody, from and, came to La Salle in
June, 183’ he married Miss Turney; he is still
Hiving; his wife died in 1870. Has three children:
James, married Mary Whalen, is now a grocer in
Ia Salle; Bridget, married James Duncan, the
present Mayor of La Salle; Ellen, is unmarried,
James and William Crosiar, brothers of Simon
Crosiar, from Pittsburg, Pa., settled on Section 36,
near Shippingport, in 1831; they both left in 1833.
FARM RIDGE
Farm Ridge embraces all of Township 32, Range
%, except Sections 31 and 32, which lie on the south
west side of the Vermillion, and are attached to and
form part of the town of Vermillion. It is all
Prairie except the extreme southwestern portion,
382 History of La Salle County.
which borders the Vermillion. The most striking
topographical feature is a high ridge or swell ex-
tending northwest and sontheast, parallel with the
general course of the river, from which the town
derived its name.
The ridge is from two and o half to four miles
from the Vermillion, and forms the divide which
separates the waters which flow into that river from
those that run to Covell ereek and the Dinos.
The substratum of the ridge, to a considerable
depth, and coming within six to eight feet of the
surface, in the western part of the town, is com-
posed of pure washed sand, from which issue
several large, never-failing springs of water. The
descent from the summit or divide to the Vermillion
river is quite abrupt, while to the northeast it is
more gradual. A similar ridge, though not as high,
runs nearly east and west across the north part of
the town, while the central part is more level, but,
asa whole, has a most excellent and well-drained
soil.
The first settlement here, as elsewhere, was con-
fined to the vicinity of the timber, and consequently
to the southwestern part of the town,
William McCormick, Samuel Mackey, and Rees
Morgan, came from Fayette County, Pa., and were
the first settlers in the town of Farm Ridge
William McCormick settled on 8. 18, In 1833, and
in 1834 broke the first prairie broke in the town ; in
1835, sold his claim, crops and improvements, and
located on 8. 3, town of Broce. He married Mary
Morgan, and has had eleven children; Sanders, in
Sketch of Settlers —Farm Ridge. 283
Troqnois County; Hampton, in Strawn: Bruce, in
Champaign ; William, in Strawn; Ann Eliza, mar-
ried Mr. Bodine, now in lowa; Mary, inChampaign
Connty ; Rees, Worth, and Morgan, in Ford Co,
Sammel Mackey settled on §. 83, in 1833; sold to
Charles McCormick, and removed to 8.1, town of
Bruce. In company with his brother, Norton
Mackey, built a saw-mill on Otter Creek. In 1830,
in company with Rees Morgan, built a saw-mill on
the Vermillion, in the centre of a heavy timbered
region, which did a large business for several years;
he died in 1854 ; he was the first Supervisor of the
town of Brace. His widow, Sarah Morgan, is living
in Streator. He left children: Malvina, married
Mat. Morrison: Stephen, married Emma Holly;
Minerva, married William Cadwell; George and
Jaber, are single ; Agnes, married Methuel Bronson.
Rees Morgan, son of William Morgan, of Bruce,
settled on S. 33, He marricd Rebecon, daughter of
David Reader; in 1888 sold to Marvin W. Dimock,
and moved on to S. 8,7. 31, R. 3; after running
the saw-mill on the Vermillion for several years, he
served one term as County Treasurer, then removed
to Dayton, and is now living at Strawn, Ford Co.,
Tilinois. He has several children.
Elmer Baldwin, Beebe Clark, James B. Beardsley,
and Noble W_ Morwin, came from New Milford,
Connecticut, in the spring of 183% ght the
élaim, improvements and crops of Wi
Gormick, and the claim of Alfred McCormick—pur-
chased the land at public sale, at Galena, in June,
and settled on Sees. 18 and 19, T. 32, R. 3,
= oa |
B84 History of La Salle County.
Noble W. Merwin sold bis land to Solomon Brown
and Kirjeth A. Hunt, in the spring of 1836, and
moved to Ohio.
James B, Beardsley brought out his wife, Laura
M. Platt, and settled on his purchase in the spring
of 1836. His wife died in July, 1887. The same
year he married Prudence Barrass, from Saratoga
County, New York. In 180 he sold his farm to
Rey. Daniel Baldwin, from Connecticut, and re-
moved to the town of Vermillion, where he now
lives, an active member, and Deacon of the Baptist
Church, His son, George, and daughter, Harriet,
wife of Angustus Hall, live near him. Sidney P.,
the son of his first wife, died at the age of 19.
Beebe Olark settled on his farm as soon as pur-
chased. In 1887 he married Susan Bishop, of Con-
nectient, and cultivated his firm till 1860, when he
sold, and moved to Joliet, to live with his daughter
Henrietta, an only child, the wife of the Rev. Chas,
A. Gilbert ; he died Peb., 1870, and his widow died
two years after.
Elmer Baldwin brought his family, consisting of
his wife, Adeline Benson, and an infant daughter,
Mary, now the wife of Rinaldo Williams, in the
spring of 1836 ; his wife died in January, 1887. He
married Adeline O. Field, of Worcester County,
Massachusetts, fay, 1838, and still resides on the
land purchased of the United States in 1885, @ far
mer and nurseryman. He held the office of Justice
of the Peace fourteen consecutive years; Supervi-
sor of the town five years; Postmaster twenty
years ; School Treasurer of the town from its firat
Sketch of Settlers— Farm Ridge. 385
settlement, till 1874; twice a Representative in the
Lexislature, and once in the State Senate; and a
member and President of the Board of State Chari-
ties five years. His son, Noble Orlando, married
Maggie Jackson, and lives adjoining the old farm.
Susan Orvilla is at home.
Harvey Benson, and wife, Fanny Northrop, came
from New Milford, Connecticut, in 1886; he settled
on S. 20, where he died in 1841 ; his widow occupied
the same premises ll her death, in 1871. Their
only child, Adeline, was the first wife of Elmer
Baldwin.
Solomon Brown, from New Milford, Connecticut,
in 1896; he settled on S. 18: he sold to Moses G.
Hallock, in 184%, und moved to S, 13, T, 32, R, 2,
where he died, in 1846 ; his widow, Armida Waller,
divd 1856. His daughter, Jane, married Marvin W.
Dimoek, now a widow, living with her brother,
Henry. His son, Henry, is a minister of the Prot
stant Episcopal Church, and lives in the State of
New York.
Rirjeth A. Hunt, from New
five ‘children, came from Co
eettled on S$. 19, on the premi’
W. Merwin; remained on
Connecticut, He cold his
Hatch.
Marvin W. Dimock, from Washington, Ct., came
im 1838. He bought the farm of Rees Morgan, and
married Jane, daughter of Solomon Brown. In
1850 he sold to Hiram Jackson, from Pennsylvania,
And removed to Ottawa. Tn 1865, while showing a
rd, Ct,, wifeand
ut in 1836 and
bought of Noble
year, and returned to
farm to Dr, Johnson
386 History of La Sallis County.
friend the animals in the park of Judge Caton, he
was killed by a vicious elk.
The foregoing eight families conatitated what was
called the Yankee settlement. Fiveof thesecamein
company from Connecticut by the way of New
York and Philadelphia, by railroad from Philadel-
phia to Columbia on the Susquehanna, then by
canal and slack water on the romantic Juniata to
Holidaysburg, by the Portage Railroad over the
crest of the mountains to Johnstown, thenee by
canal to Pittsburg and by steamer to St. Louis,
and from there by a stern-wheel Tlinois river boat
to Utica, La Salle Connty—being five weeks on the
trip.
Dea. Henry W. Gridley, and wife, Lucy Diekin:
son, came from Deerfield, Mass., in June, 1885, and
settled on 8. 1, where he resided until 1848, when he
sold to Thomas Dunnaway and removed to Ottawa,
where he now resides. His children are: Caroling
E., married Henry L. Brash; Chas. H., is deceased ;
Laura W., married Dr. D. Hopkins; Luey S., at
home,
Wm. Moore, and wife, Miss Wauchope, came from
Treland in 1885, and settled on 8. 35, where he raised #
large family. He sold his farm to Mr. Bossermans:
abont 1854, and moved to Pall River. The practiceof
persistent industry and rigid economy has prodneed
in the history of Mr. Moore what it always has done,
the possession of abundant wealth.
John McCormick, brother of William, came from
Fayette Co., Pa., settled on Sees, 38 and $4, in 1885, —
He married Miss Morgan, daughter of Wm. Mor
Sketch of Settlers — Farm Ridge, 387
He raiseda family of seven children, In 1875
he sold his farm, and is now in Missouri. His
children are: Charlot: ; Ralph; Charivs, married
Limie Hays; Nelson; Zachery, deceased; Olive,
married Joseph Wanchope ; Dow,
Charles McCormick, and wife, from Fayette Co.,
Ps., parents of William, John and Alfred, came
from Fayette Co., Pa., in 1836; bought the farm of
Samuel Mackey on Section 93, where they died a
few years after,
Alfred McCormick, son of Charles, came from
Pennsylvania in 1885; made a claim on Section 19;
#old and located on Sec. 33, and lived there until
| 1866, then sold to Mr. Hampson, and removed to
Streator.
James G. Patten, and wife, daughter of Charles
MeCormick, came from Fayette County, Pa., in
the fall of 1836, and settled on Section 33. In 1839
he removed to Wisconsin.
John Tront, from Brown County, Ohio, came in the
fall of 1838, and settled on 8.6. In1842 went to Ohio
on a visit, and died there. He left six children:
Jolin M., married Abby Angell Fry, now living in
Kansas; William C., married Mary Morehead, live
in Vermillion ; Susan, married John Morehead, now
widow ; Sarah M., married Hiram Cole, and lives in
Kansas; Harriet, married Salathiel Snell, in Deer
Park.
Dea. John T. Ross, from Clermont Connty, Ohio,
fame in 1836, and settled on Sec. 6, and died in
1837, aged about $0, leaving three children: Archi-
bald Tweed, went to Missouri and died there; Henry,
he _ 5
38s History of La Salle County.
also went to Missouri; the danghter married John
Black, and went to Towa.
George Gleim, and wife, Katharine Weitzel, came
from Germany to Baltimore, in 1884, and settled on
S. 36, T. 32, R. 3, in 1840. His wife died in 1858,
leaving two children; Frederick, who occupies the
homestead, and is a successful farmer; Anna, isnow
living in Texas. Mr. Gleim married a second wife,
by whom he had six children, all living in the town
of Brace.
Isaac Wheatland, and wife, came from England
to Ohio, and from Ohio here; made a claim on
Section 33, in 1836, where he lived till his death.
His wife died about 1843, and he again married.
About the year 1846 he was drowned while crossing
the Illinois river at Ottawa. He left six children:
Elizabeth, married William Wedgebury, now living
in Iroquois County; Mary Ann, who married and
went to Livingston County; one son died single;
William, married Miss Casey, lives in Farm Ridge;
Georg: a Ellen
Amos Clark, brother to Beebe, came from Gon-
necticut in 1887; purchased a farm on Sections 20
and 29, and in 1839 sold to Myron B. Bennett, and
returned to Connecticut,
Myron B. Bennett came from Connecticut in 1889;
in 1842 he married Mary Stuart; he was an ener
getic and successful farmer; he died in 1856, leaving
a widow and two children; his widow died in 1858.
His son, Jasper, married Maggie Ackley, of New
Milford, Ct., and lives in Evanston, Ti; Ella, at
present, resides with them,
adil
Sketch of Setilers — Farm Ridge. 389
Dr. Johnson Hatch, and wife, came from New
Preston, Ot., in 1837, and bonght the farm of Kirjeth
A. Hont. An old experienced physician, his ser-
vices were in demand during the sickly seasons of
1838 and ‘39, and the release from labor which he
songht by coming West was hardly found ; “he re-
turned to Connecticut in 1841.
dJolm W. Calkins, and wife, Miss Page, came from
Salisbury, (t., in 1838, and settled on Sec. 19. Mrs.
Calkins died in 1888. He married Miss Beards!
of Connecticut, who died soon after. He then mar-
ried Oynthia Bishop, of Conneoticnt, Mr. Calkins
removed to Deer Park in 1842, and subsequently
Ottawa, where he died, leaving four children:
James, who married, was engaged in the lomber
frade in Ottawa, subsequently in Chicago, and is
now manufacturing lumber at Manistee, Mich. ;
Helen, married Edgar Baldwin, from Connecticut,
and lives near Vermillion Mary, married Henry
M. Baldwin, from Connecticut, and settled In D.
Park—Mr. Baldwin died, y is now the wife
of Henry Page. in Cs William W., married
Louise Hossack, and li og
Charles H. Green, son of Henry Green, of Ottawa,
tame to Illinois with his father, and settled on S
fion 3; he married Jane Loyd, and has thre
danghters. Mr. Green cultivates a large farm and
has a fine herd of short-horn stock.
800 History of Le Salle County.
FALL RIVER.
Fall River embraces that part of Township 33,
Range 4, lying south of the Tilinois river, Tt de-
rives its name from the grand rapids of the Mlinois,
which lie along its northern boundary. Until 1863
it formed a part of the town of Grand Rapids, which
was also named from the same natural feature, It
embraces considerable fertile bottom lands along the
river, The south bluff of the river, extending along
its entire northern boundary, is a marked object in
its topography; covered with timber, with points
extending back into the prairie, and having the
Covell Creek timber on the southwest; all its peo-
ple have easy access to that important article. The
prairie is rolling, and as fertile as that of its sister
towns.
‘The first settler in the limits of the present town
was James Galloway; he came from Pennsylvania
to Ohio, near Sandusk, d remained there three
years ; he visited the Illinois river in the fall of 1824,
and is said to have spent some months in hunting,
trapping, and exploring the country; moved his
family to Chicago in 1826, and wintered there; in
1826 he bought a claim on 8. 24, T. 3, R. 4, which
wus first made by a man by the name of Rawson,
who sold to Ephraim Sprague, and Sprague sold to
Galloway, where he made a home and spent his
days. His first wife died in 1830; her children are:
George, claimed to be the first white mule child
born in the county, now living near the old farm ;
John, died in Missouri; Susan, married Joel Ellis,
Sketch of Seltlers— Fall | ine 301
lives in Chicago; Jane, married Mr. maar ;
Mary, married Mr. Clyburne, and lives in Chicago.
Mr. Galloway's second wife was Matilda Stipes;
her children are: Archibald, married Mary Dicker-
man, and lives near the old farm; Marshall, whois
a@ conductor on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railroad; Samuel, lives in Michigan; Sarah, mar-
ried Mr, Pearson, and is liying on the old farm;
James, is living in the vicinity. Mr. Galloway died
in 1883, aged 73 years. His widow died in 1864.
Abraham Trambo was born in Pendleton County,
Va., and resided in Licking County, Ohio, eighteen
years; left there for Illinois in November, 1829,
with the Greene Colony. That company crossed
White river, in Indiana, in the morning, and Mr.
Trambo arrived on its banks the evening of the same
day : it had become swollen during the day so that
he was detained four weeks before he could eross.
He went to Sangamon County, where he wintered,
and reached La Salle Connty in the spring of 1880;
he first bought a claim of William Richey on S. 17,
and afterwards purchased on Secs. 14 and 22. He
was the first Supervisor of the town. He died Oct.
7th, 1866, aged 73 years, and his wife, Esther Dyer,
died in April, 1865, His children were; Jane, who
died in 1848 ; Ambrose, married Cashia Gentleman, is
@ wealthy farmer on the old farm ; Margaret, married
John 8. Armstrong, is living in Mission; Rebeoca,
married Samuel Parr, and lives in Rutland; Jack-
son, died of cholera in 1848.
Jolin Brown, from Missouri, came in 1829; settled
at the ford of the Iinois river, two miles above
he
302 History of La Saile County,
Ottawa, which bears his name. He was drowned in
sight of his house while erossing the Illinois in re-
turning from the land sale in 1835. The family lefe
in 1841.
Join Powers, trom Bridgewater, Mass., came to
Southern Mlinois, and from there here in 1834, and
settled on Section 26, He was the first Justice of
the Peace inthe town. He died in 1862; his widow,
Nancy Ford, from Litehfield, Ct., still survives. He
left six children: Charles R. Powers, lived near the
old homestead, bas removed West; Aaron P., is in
Grundy County ; John H.; Mary, married; Lucy,
married Andrew Greenless ; Lura, married Samnel
Hammond. The family have all left the county.
‘Reeder Galloway, brother of James, married
Rachel Stipes; died long ago, leaving on son,
dolin R., of Marseilles,
Samnel R. Lewis is of Quaker parentage; his
parents, Jehu Lewis, and Rachel Mills, from Penn..
settled in Putnam County, in 1833. Samnel R.. with
his wife, Ann Harley, removed to Seetion 21 in Fall
River, in 1843. He held the office of County Treas-
urer two successive terms; has been Supervisor of
the town several terms, and is now chairman of the
County Board. His children are: William, who
married Ellen Eichelberger, lives in Grand Rapids;
Edward C., educated for and admitted to the bar
—he married Nellie Armstrong, and took charge of
the large farm and stock business left by his wife's
father, J. W. Armstrong; Charles, has just grad-
uated from Oberlin College, and is now in the law
office of Lawrence, Campbell & Lawrence, of Chicago;
Sketch of Settlers — Fall River. Bas
S. Morris is in Chicago University. Mra. Lewis.
mother of Sammel R., died in 1874 ; her son buried
her beside her husband in the Quaker burying-
ground at Clear Creek, Potnam County.
William Gentleman, from Vermont, settled in the
town on Section 18, in 1834, and is still on the old
farm ; has buried two wives, and has four children :
Eliza; William, has recently graduated at Cornell
University ; James; and one younger daughter.
Patrick Harrigan, from Ireland to Boston, and
came here In 1836; died 1872; widow, and oldest
ter, live in South Ottawa.
A.M. Ebersol, son of Joseph Ebersol, came with
his father’s family in 1854. THe was married to Miss
G. ©. Whittlesey, by the Rev. Owen Lovejoy, the
renowned abolitionist, in 1844, having made a jour-
ney to Princeton to have the ceremony performed by
that distinguished man. Mr. Ebersol has been an
active citizen; he hag been Superintendent of a
Sunday School twenty-three years; Justice of the
Peace: Elder in the Presbyterian Church; Town
Olerk twelve years, and Secretary of the Old Set-
Hers Association. He has six children: Calistine
and Elizabeth, are at home: Lelia, married Lewis
m, went West; James, married Miss Tryon,
and lives in Ford Connty; EB. Corinne, wife of Mr.
Coleman, lives near home; Alice, married Charles
T. Ferrel.
8o4 History of La Saile County.
FREEDOM.
The town of Freedom embraces the surveyed
Township 35 .N., of R. 3 Kast, and is mostly prairie,
Indian creek passes, in a southeast direction, across
the northeast corner of the town. On the banks of
the creek are about two and one-half sections of
timber, which was originally of excellent quality,
and was the attraction that induced the settlement.
The settlement commenced in 1880, and was broken
up by the Indians, in the Black Hawk war of 1832.
After the war, the surviving settlers returned, and
others came in, and, as a part of, Indian Precinof,
and later, as the town of Freedom, it has been a
prominent and prosperous section of the county,
The sad story of the massacre of three families of
its pioneers, gives a melancholy {nterest to tts his-
tory, and to the locality where it occurred. Each
succeeding generation, with bated breath, will listen
to the recital, till the banks of Indian creek will
become historic ground through all the future.
William Munson has recently erected a fine marble
monument at the grave, where the fifteen victims
were buried, Tt is in view of the pablic road, lead-
ing from Freedom to Earl, on the northeast side of
the creek, and as the white column meets the view,
the traveler will instinctively heave a sigh of sym-
pathy for the tragic fate of the firat pioneers. The
inscriptions are as follows:
Wo. Harz, aged as, | We, Pevzannw, Davi, Wife and
Mane oe tart, | Wito, wad two five Children,
Children.
Buzase
agod 8
Exray Gronan
Killed May 20th, 185%
Sketch of Settlers — Freedom.
William Hall, born in Georgia, was married to
Mary J. R. Wilburs, in Kentucky ; moved to Illinois ;
from there to near Springfield, Mlinois, in 1825;
made a farm at Mackinaw, and then went to the
lead mines, near Galena; followed mining three
years, then moved to Bureau Creek, and to near
Lamoille, Bureau County. In the spring of 1832,
sold his claim to Aaron Gunn, and moved to Indian
Greek, where he, with his wife, and one child, were
killed by Indians, May 20, 1832. His eldest daugh-
ter, Temperance, married Peter Cartwright, nephew
of Dr. Cartwright. For the others, see narrative of
the massacre.
Mr. Davis, from Kentucky; settled on Indian
creek, S. W. } S. 2, in 1830—the first in that region.
His wife was danghterof Jolin Hays, the first settler
at Peru—they, with five children, were kitled at the
massacre. Their thrve oldest sons escaped,
William Petigrew, from Kentucky, wife and two
children, were stopping with Davis at the time of
the massacre, and all were killed. Mr. Petigrew
came to Bailey's Grove at an early day, and was then
Single ; he is said to have married a widow, with
two children, and these constituted his family when
he went to Holderman’s Grove, and from there to
Indian Creek, in 1882, where he proposed to settle,
John H. Henderson, and wife, Elizabeth Powell,
came from Tennessee in 1830, he located on Section
11. He was in the field on the south side of Indian
éreek, planting corn, when the massacre took place
by the Sauk Indians, May 20, 183: , With others,
escaped to Ottawa. He was an active, enterprising
306 History of La Salle County.
en, and a leading abolitionist. He died Jone 17,
1848, much regretted, His widow still survives,
living with her children. Her children are: Mary,
married A. P. Deverean, of Freedom; George, in
Iowa; Frances, married Richard Seott, in Califor-
nia; Martha, married James Clark, of Sycamore ;
Sarah, married George Martin; Erastus 'T., married
Miss Norton; Annetta, married Charles Martin, of
Vermont.
William Munson came from Indiana to Putnam
County, and from there here in 1838 ; he purchased
the farm, owned by William Hall at the time he was
killed by the Indians, on Section 1. He married
Rachel Hall, who was taken away prisoner by the
Sank Indians, May 20, 1832. In 1837 he Inid ont
the town of Munson, which has hardly realized the
expectations o| founder. His wife died May 1,
1870, Mr, Munson still occupies the farm where he
has spent the most.of his life. He has four
ighters and three sons; Trena, married Dr. Geo,
Vance; Miranda, married Samnel Dunnavan, of
idelia, married George Shaver, of Rut
land; Phebe, married John Reed, of Ottawa; Wil-
liam, married Delia Shaver; Lewis and Elliott, at
home,
David B. Martin, with his wife and one son,
came from Ohio in 1833, and purchased the claim
owned by Davis, where the massacre took place,
Mrs n returned to Ohio, and died there, Mr.
Martin married the widow of Wm. Seabry; moved
to Wisconsin, joined the Fonrierites, then to Sanga-
mon County, where he died
Sketch of Settlers — Freedom, 397
John W. Lyman, and wife, Jernsha Neweomb,
came from Charlotte, Vt.. in 1883; he settled on
Section 24. He has one child: John, married
Emma Ford, second wife, Miss Williams.
Jonathan Root. and family, came from Ohio to
the ereek in the spring of 1834, He raised a family
of eight children. His wife and two daughters died
long since; one son, Rasina, was killed in the late
war; the others are widely scattered; one only,
Oscar, remains here. Mr. Root died in 1840.
William Barbour came from Evansville, Ind.; in
1884; he married Miss Hinkley; was an active
Gemoeratle politician; held the office of County
Commissioner, and was a member of the Legislature.
He died in 1876.
Ethan Z. Allen, and wife, Lydia Marsh, came from
Tinmouth, Rutland County, Vt., in 1834; he settled
on Section 13. He held the office of Ju » of the
Peace for t five years, when he resigned in 1875.
He has six children: Eliza Ann, married Edward €.
Hall, she died in 1867; George, married Martha
Larkin, in Towa; Milo, at home; Minerva, ma d
Richard Martin, of Freedom; Lncetta, married
Newton Davis, in Harding.
Samuel King, and wife, came in 18386; nativity
not known. Mrs. King died at John Henderson's
S00n after—the first natural death in town,
Benjamin Seabring, and wife, came from Pennsyl
vania, in 1834, und settled on Section 3; moved to
Wisconsin, and died there.
Thomas Seabring, and wife, came from Pennsyl
vania, in 1834, and settled on Section 3; moved to
California in 1882.
308 History of La Salle County.
William Seabring, and wife, came from Pennsyl-
vania, in 1834, and settled on Section3; died in
Ottawa in 1850, His widow married David Martin.
Volney Beckwith, and wife, Mary A. Piper, came
from Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1885; moved to
Ottawa. He died in 1861, leaving three children:
Edwin B., married Lizzie Hanfelt, live in Seneca
Daniel, married Josephine B. Ford, live at Ottawa;
Mary P. married John Hoag, at Marysville, Cal.
Hiram Munson, came in March, 1833, and died in
July, 1836, at the house of his brother, William
Munson—the second natural death in the town.
Alanson Munson came in the fall of 1836,
and settled on Section 11, In 1840, removed to
Bureau County, where he and his wife died soon
after.
Milton B. Ruperts, came in 1835, and settled on
Section 1; he was the first Justice of the Peace in
Indian Precinct. His wife died ; he married a Miss
Terry, and moved to McDonough County.
John Hubbard, and wife, from Homer, Cortland
County, N. ¥., settled on See. 14, in 1835. An
ii i worthy man; an excellent teacher of
. He lived several years with an
adopted daughter who married the Hon. M. B.
Castle, of Sandwich, but returned to his farm a few
years before his death in 1875,
John H. Hosford, and wife, Margaret Myers,
came from Orange aunty, Vermont, toOhio, in 1833,
and from Ohio here in 1887. His family came in
the spring of 1838, and settled on S. 23; removed
to Ottawa in 1875, Has six children: Fear R,, mar
Sketch of Seitlers — Freedom. 899
red Robert Rowe, on the old farm ; Mary, married
Hugh MeCiure ; Arabella, married W.G. Brown ;
Sarah P., married Frank Condon; Joxephine C.,
married George Lamb; Charles, married Sarah 8.
Brandon.
Rev, Wesley Batcheller, a Methodist clergyman
from Brimfield, Hampton County, Mass., was for
several years a resident of Homer, Cortland Co.,
N.¥., and member of the Oneida Conference.
With his wife, Martha Hail, and nine children, he
eame by wagon from New York to Illinois in 1836,
and settled on Sec. 11. They encamped with sach
shelter as conld be made while building a house.
Mr. Batcheller is endowed with a powerful, health-
fal physical organization and commanding voice,
whieh has enabled him to perform an amount of
labor in his chosen field which few could endure.
He commenced preaching in Indian Precinet in 18:
and labored in Washington Precinct two yea in
Ottawa in 1889; Hickory Creek in 1840; Princeton
in 1842; Newark in 1843; and was Bible Agent for
the county for two years. He is now on the super-
t healthful and vigorous at the age
Batcheller, his second gon, died
in April, 1852 ; Angeline, died Nov. 4, 1854, and
Mrs. Batcheller died Feb, 17, 1868. The children
now living are: Noah S., who married Lucy Hitch
cock, now at home; Charles, isin Dacotah; Martha,
married William Haskell; Klijah, married Elizabeth
Lawry, now dead; Mary, married John Stockton,
in Kansas: Watson, married Elizabeth Baldwin, near
home ; Joseph B., married Louisa Wright, in Cali,
400 History of La Salle County.
fornia. Mr. Batcheller is now living with his sec-
ond wife, Ruhama Sampson.
Bemus Hall, Mrs. Batcheller’s father, arrived
here a few days before his daughter's family, and
died soon after.
John Miller, from Cumberland County, Pennayl-
vania, to Dayton, in 1887. Married Rosanna Brad-
shaw; made a farm in town of Freedom, where he
still resides ; has been town Supervisor, and served
one term in the Legislature. Rebecca, married
Martin Domini; Alice, married Tra Weaver; Jesse,
Henry, and Dolly, at home.
Reuben Miller, brother of John, from same place,
to Dayton, in 1834; married a daughter of David
Letts; he is now a Mormon Elder in Salt Lake.
Charles Miller, also brother to the above, came to
Ottawa, in 1836; was Magistrate in Ottawa several
years; now lives in Chicago.
Urial Miller, from Pennsylvania, 1887; married
Rachel St. Clair; settled in Freedom; has three
children.
Benjamin Beem, and wife, Sarah Hoffman, from
Licking County, Ohio; came to La Salle County
in 1837, and settled on S. 12, on the right bank of
Indian creek. My, Beem died, 1871, aged 87. Mrs.
Beem died, July, 1977, aged 83. Their surviving
children are: Mary, who married Levi Tacker, and
live in Freedom; Elizabeth, married John Hoxie, of
Serena; Phebe, married Jacob Tne! of Sheridan ;
ijuh Knight, of Adams; Rachel,
married Charles Brown, and are on the old farm;
Daniel, and Jackson, are in California,
Sarah, married El
= of Selilers — Freedoin. 401
Stephen SS from Wyoming, Poanajivans
died of cholera, in 1835, or 1839,
James M. Parker, and Powell, relative of Hen-
derson’s wife, came from Tennessee, in 1838, but
soon returned,
Dr. Josiah Hall, and wife, Elizabeth Arnold;
blacksmith by trade; came from New York, 1840;
resided liere ten years; he died in Ottawa, 1874; his
widow is now living in Ottawa.
Hugh M. Gregg, from New York; settled on 8.
8; died, 1838.
Earn Gregg, son of Hugh ; studied law, and went
to Ottawa,
Philip Wagy, from Newark, Ohio; father-in-law
to Anthony Pitzer. Died in Ottawa, very aged.
Ann, married Joel Fitch. The other daughter mar
ried a Mr. Randall.
Tsauc Farwell, brother of S. B. Farwell, from New
York io Ohio, and here 1835; moved to Winnebago
County.
Jamés Skelton; tailor, by trade; went to Ford
County.
Enos Griggs, married Lovina Hall; killed by
lightning.
George Scofield, from New York, in 1834; came
throngh with an ox team ;
went back with the same ved in New
York a year, then returned to the creek, as it was
then termed ; found the land all claimed, and went
West.
Solomon Holdwn, from Plattsburg, N. Y., came to
Buffalo; a brickmaker by trade; was sometime in
ad one y
402 History of La Salle County.
mploy of the noted builder and contractor, and
y forger, Rathbun. He came to Ilinois and
settled in Mnnsontown in 1896 ; his wife was Susan
Allen, sister fo Esquire Ethan Allen, of Freedom ;
he removed to Ottawa in 1889, and died there, leaving
four daughters: Sarah, married John Batoheller ;
Cornelia, married William Wiley ; Mary Blizabeth,
married Stephen Jennings, of Ottawa; Salome,
married Henry King.
June Baxter came trom New York in 1835 ; moved
West.
Minter Baxter came from New York in 1835;
died in 1840.
Samuel L. Cody, from Vernon, N. Y., settled on
Section 13 in 1835, and married Miss Baxter, second
wife widow Kenyon, sister of his first. Children:
Harriet, married George Frisbin Busnell ; Louisa,
married Walter Colton ; Ford ©.; Joy, died in the
army ; Frederick, at home.
Alonzo Wilson, from Ohio, came in 1888; a stone
mason. He was School Treasurer here; went to
Iowa, and there elected Judge.
Hiram Harding, and wife, from Wyoming, Pa.,
came in 1888, and settled on Sec. 14. He and his
wife are both dead, His children are; Mary, who
married Mr. Rice, is now dead ; Charles, died single ;
Ruth, married H. Worcester ; Park, died ; John,
lives at Paw Paw; Christine, married Mr. Goble,
and was killed by the fall of the Dixon bridge.
William Williams, from Wales, came to New
York, then to Licking County, Ohio, and here im
1840, He married Rachel Davis. He was a ship
ketch of Settlers — Troy Grove. 408
carpenter by trade; settled on Section 8. Mrs.
Williams died in 1870. Ellen, married John Ly-
mer; John, at home; Evan, in Dacotah; several
children at home.
Charles Wiley, and wife, Seraphena Greenleaf,
came from Maine, and settled on Section 10. He
died in 1875; his widow and three children are
living: Samuel, married Mary Thompson, at Earl ;
Henry, married Rosa Thompson ; Martha, married
David Davis, of Freedom.
Patrick Ferguson, came from Ireland, and settled
on Section 9, He died in 1872. His children are
Charles A., who married Eliza Wiley, and his sec-
ond wife, was Kate Conden: Mary, married James
Leonard.
Rev. Charles Harding, from Lucas County, Pa.,
came in 1840. He was a Baptist clergyman, and
organized the church at Harding, and preached,
alternately, there and at Paw Paw. He died in
1843, His widow married Hiram Olmstead. He left
one child, Almira, who married Ashbel Faller.
TROY GROVE
The town of Troy Gr es Township 35,
Range 1, and derives m the fine tract of
timber called by that name, which lies mostly within
its limi The grove was named by Warren Root,
one of the first settlers, from Troy, N, ¥., the place
from whence he came, The Little Vermillion passes
across the town from north to south, near its eastern
ove embi
a _
404 History of La Salle County.
side, and through the centre of the grove, and
furnishes a tolerable mill power. The grove em-
braces about three sections of land in this town;
the remainder of the town is prairie of good
quality.
The Trenton limestone crops out along the banks
of the Little Vermillion, on Sections 25 and 35,
furnishing a very good building stone, which is ex-
tensively quarried and of great value to the sur-
rounding country. The Trenton limestone, at this
point, is remarkably rich in fossils, making it a
point of much interest to the geologist and the
curious admirer of nature.
Hiram Thornton came from Virginia to Ohio, and
to Troy Grove in 1831; was the first settler in this
town; he settled on S. 14, 'T. 35, R. 1. He died in
1867. His wife was Robina Smith.
Warren Root, from Otis, Mass., and wife, Rosanna
Goddard, of Granby, Ct., came from Troy, N. ¥.,
to Troy Grove in the spring of 1883. Mr. Root
came in the fall of 1882 and made a location, and
returned for his family, He located on Section 11.
Selden, the eldest son, preceded the family a few
days, to prepare for their reception, and died just
before their arrival. Mr. Root died about 1848.
Mrs. Root died in 1875, aged 95 years.
Nathan Wixom, brother to Justin D., from Taze-
well County, came here in 1893, and settled on See-
tion 35; went to Califor in 1848.
Reuben Wixom, from Erie County, N. ¥., and
wife, Clarissa Atwater, from New Haven, Ot, came
to Sangamon County, TL, in 1827, to Tazewell
Sketch of Settlers — Troy Grove. 405,
County in 1829, and to Troy Grove in 1836, and set-
tled on Sec. 10. He was the father of the Wixom
brothers who came with him, except the two eldest,
Justin and Nathan, who preceded him. He died
in ISi7. Hischildren were: Justin D. and Nathan,
above named ; Chauncy, who came with his father,
married Miss Hawks, settled on Section 10;
married Miss Scott; Henry W., married 3
nor, second wife Miss Eckert; Urbin, married, and
all the family settled in the vicinity of Troy Grove.
Justin Dewey came from Ohio in the fall of 1833,
and settled on Section 13. He died in 1849, aged 70
years.
Thomas Welch, und wife, from Pennsylvania to
Ohio, and from there here in 1834; settled on Section
25. He died in 1862. He had a large family widely
scattered, but noted for ability and prominence in
their respective localities: Thomas, Jr., came with
his father, he married Bethiah Laughlin, and is
now inlowa; John, has been Chief Justice of Ohio;
Belinda—then the widow Pairchild—came with the
family, went to Rock River, then to Iowa, now in
Oregon ; one daughter, married Wm. Winterton.
Jesse F, Wixom, brother of Reuben, came from
the same place, in 1835, and settled on Section 24.
A local Methodist preacher; goon removed to Min-
nesota, and died there.
George S. Ransberger, and wife, came from Iowa
in 1835, and settled on Section 25. His son, David
§., married Rebecca Evans, and settled on Section 36;
Catharine, married John S. Simpson.
William Winterton, from Virginia to Ohio, and
——
406. History of La Salle poe
here in 1834; married a danghter of Thomas Welch ;
he died 1865; his wife died before him, leaving three
children, who have all left this county.
Welch, Rensberger, Simpson, Winterton, and
Kelsey, all came from Sandy, now in Patnam €o.,
to Troy Grove, haying stopped there temporarily.
Zophar Holcomb, and wife, Luey Goddard, from
Maine, with Gillett, in 1833. Had five children:
Harlan, married Miranda Brook; Warren, died;
Flora, married Asahel Baldwin, her second hus-
band was a Mr. Dutton, she is now in Towa ; Sophia,
married Mr. Axtel, they live in Kansas; Harriet,
is deceased,
Riverins Goddard, and wife, Miss Buttles, from
New York, in 1837; a blacksmith by trade ; moved
to Michigan, The widow Arsenith Bellamy, (who
came in 1837 and died in 1848), Mrs Root, Gillett,
and Holeomb, were all sisters.
John Taylor, and wite, Rebecca Hopkinson, from
England, came in 1887; settled on 8S. 35; died
1860 ; his wife died 1870. Two of the children are in
Iowa, One in Ford County, Dlinois,
Charles Stevens, a brother of Mrs. Levi Kelsey,
from Berlin, Connecticut, in 1887 ; his wife was Ann
Hopkinson, the widow Melville, when she married
him; they moved to Oregon in 1852; are now at
Astoria
Roswell Dewey, from Great Barrington, Berk-
shire County, M chusetts ; settled here in 1838;
died in fall of the same year. Had children:
Sarah, married the Rev, Nehum Gould; William
R., married Paulina Pratt, now in Mendota,
Sketch of Seillers — Troy Grove. 407
Richard Malony, from Ireland, in 1835; married
Miss Gardner ; settled on 5. 33.
Hartly Setchel, from Bugland, in 1887; be mar-
ried Amanda Goddard, and settled on 8. 2.
John Ferguson came in 1838; had two sons:
dames, married Miss Brown, lives in Mendota;
John, is a bachelor, has been Supervisor of Troy
Grove.
Thomas Orr, from Scotland.
David McLaughlin, and wife, Mary Winslow, came
from New York to Troy Grove in 1834. Mrs, Me-
in died in 1867, and Mr. McLaughlin died in
1869. Their children were: David, who married
Fanny Davis; Edward, married Phebe Masterman,
live in Minnesota ; William, married Miss Edwards,
and lives at home; Augustus, marrie® Amanda
Stevenson, live in Dimmick; Mary Jane, married
0. J. Gibbs, both are dead ; Bethiah, married Thos,
Welch, now living in lowa; Sarah, married Samnel
Wilson, of Rock Falls; Charles, married Melissa
Wixom, daughter of Justin D. Wixom, live in
Dimmick,
William Dunlap, from New York, came to Troy
Grove in 1836, and remained here two or three years.
He had three sons and two daughters: Nathaniel,
Minzo,and M.L. The last was a prominent horti
culturist, and was for many years distinguished
as the agricultural correspondent of the Chicago
‘Tribune over the signature of ** Rural.”
Jason Gurley came from East Hartford, Ct., to
Ottawa in 1884, and to Troy Grove in 1835. His
children were: Jason, Jr., who came to Calumet
408 History of La Salle Gotraty:
in 1830, and to Troy Grove in 1835, and ponpbe a
claim of Welch; Talins, was killed at Ottawa by
a fall from the bluff; Joel, died*in 1848; John
A., of Cincinnati, was a noted Universalist preacher,
and editor—was appointed Governor of Montana,
but died before assuming the office; Delia, mar-
ried Ralph Woodrnff, of Ottawa; Sarah, married
Joseph Hall.
Wm. A, Hickok, from Grand Isle Co., Vt., te Union
Grove, Putnam Co., in 1823; June 16, 1834, to Bai-
Jey’s Point with Rev, N, Gould and Isaac Freden-
burgh, then to Granville and Troy Grove in Novy.,
1836; was Deacon of the Presbyterian Church ;
opened the first store kept at Homer; a worthy
man. He died May 5, 1852; his widow resides
with her Qunghter at Homer, much respected, aged
74. Had three sons: Lorenzo B,, who is Supervisor
of Troy Gro: Hiram, married Martha Edwards,
and holds the office of Justice of the Peace at Troy
Grove; James B., born and raised at Troy Grove
became notorious on the western frontier and earned
the sobriquet of ‘Wild Bill” ; aman of superior
physical form, over six feettall, lithe and active,
he was more than a match for the roughs he met on
the debatable : ground bebe civilized and area
killed four in sixty secteaies
on bis track seeking his life. He served
with Jim Lane in the Kansas troubles. He was
elected Constable while a minor in Kansas; was
for two years U.S. Marshall at Abilene, and was
regarded as 2 very efficient and reliable officer. He
Sketch of Settlers —Troy Grove. 400
was killed at Deadwood, Dakota, Aug. 2, 1870.
While playing cards his assailant came silently be-
hind him and shot him through the head. His
murderer was tried by a mob jury and acquitted,
bnt subsequently arrested under forms of law, con-
victed and hung.
William G. Shed, and wife, Lucy R. Noyes, from
Massachusetts, came in 1885; died in 1851 or 52;
his widow is now living. His children are: Harriet,
who married James Hastings—she is dead ; Clinton,
married Emily Reed, in Mendota.
Joshua Brown, from Chester County, Pa., to Brie
Connty, N. Y., came here in 1835, and settled on
Section 10, at the head of the grove. He died in
1842. His widow kept a tavern, which all the old
settlers will remember. She is now living at Rocky
Falls; bad a large family, none of whom are
maining here: Hannah, married Sylvester Warren ;
Lydia, married Martin South ; Thomag, is in Burean
County; Sarah, is in California.
Levi Kelsey, and wife, Emma Stevens, came from
Hartford, Ct., in 1883, first stopped on Sandy creek,
in the spring, and then went to Paw Paw Grove,
where he built the first house in that locality. He
settled in Troy Grove in the spring of 1834; his
family came in September of the same year. For the
first three or four years he sold clocks and notions,
and traded with the Indians: had a store on Sandy
creek ; here he cultivated a farm and loaned money;
was a Justice of the Peace and Notary for twenty
years; one of the oldest in the County, and Com-
missioner to divide the county ander the Township
410 History of La Salle County.
Organization Act. In 1856 he moved to Mendota,
and soon after engaged in banking; now retired.
He has two daughters: Lydia A., married James QO.
Cram, a Methodist preacher; Myra, married Geo,
M. Price, now a retired banker, and lives in Men-
dota.
Charles B. Foster came from Massachusetts, in
1885, married Nancy Wixom, and settled on Section
34. Family of seven danghters.
Roufas Shed, brother of Willism G., came from
Massachusetts in 1886; married Martha Weleh.
Has one son, Zaccheus, at Fremont, Nebraska, and
one daughter.
OPHIR.
The town of Ophir is identical with Township 35,
Range 2, and_js prairie region, with the exeeption
of abont one section of timber on Sections 18 and 19,
being a part of Troy Grove, which was originally
as fine a tract of timber land as there was in the
county. It lies mostly in the town of Troy Grove,
and at an early day was surrounded by pioneer
settlers,
The first one here was Joseph Reynolds, and with
Elias Carey and Hiram Thornton, were the only
families at this point at the breaking out of the
Black Hawk war. They all left, and Reynolds did
not return, After the war, settlers came in quite
rapidly and were about equally divided between the
towns of Ophir and Troy Grove, the grove of heavy
timber being the centre of the settlements.
i
Sketch of Settlers — Ophir. pill
Soxeph Reynolis, brother of Martin Reynolds, of
Deer Park, came from Champaign County, Ohio, to
Morgan County, TL, then to Tazewell County, and
next to Deer Park, and to Troy Grove in the spring
of 1880; was the first settler here. He settled on
8. 19, T, 35, R. 2; left at the breaking ont of the
Indian war in the spring of 1832, and in the follow.
ing fall sold his claim to Asahel Baldwin; went to
the Big Woods, and from there to Hickory Oreek,
now New Lenox, Will County, where he died, and
where his three sons, Smith, Newton, and Milton,
now reside,
Elias Carey, and wife, Margaret Collins, from
Ohio, on to the Wabash, In 1829, or 1830, and to
Troy Grove, in 1831. Settled on S. 24, T. 35, R. 1.
He left during the Black Hawk war, but returned
at its close, and made 4 farm in Ophir. He died in
Mendots, in 1888. Hix children are: Nancy, now
dead ; Sally, married William Thompson, now in
Towa; Minerva, married W. Pollins, in Mendo!
Abijah, and John, went to Oregon ; Calvin, to Cali-
fornia; Washington, is now here: Absalom, in
Towa.
Justin D. Wixom, from Erie County, New York,
to Ohio, and, with his father’s family, from Ohio to
Sangamon County, Ilinois, in 1827; from there to
Tazewell County in 1820, and to Troy Grovein 1883,
and eettled on S. 18, He married Wealthy Ann
Johnston. He diced in 1860, aged 58,
Acshel Baldwin, from Colebrook, Connecticut, in
the fall of 1832; bought the claim of Reynolds, on
§.19. Married Flora Holcomb, and in 1884 moved
412 History of La Salle County.
to Indian ereek ; returned for a short time, and went
to Towa.
John Jobnston, and wife, Delila McCarty, from
Ohio, in the fall of 1882; he died in 1843. His
children were: James; Cynthia, married James
Hall, of Marshal! County ; Aurelia, married James
N. Reader;, Wealthy Ann, married Justin D.
Wixom; George, married Mary Ann Beaver, set-
tled on S. 25, ‘T. 35, R. 1—he died 1876.
Gideon Gillett, and wife, Ruth Goddard, from
Granby, Connecticut, came in September, 1893.
He died in 1866. His children were: Emeline,
died single; Almon, died—his widow married Levi
Carter; Luna, married Pliny Dewey ; Ruth, mar-
ried Simon Cooley; Dennis T., married Mary
Smith, in Iowa; Daniel S., married Susan Worsley,
inTowa ; Samuel N., married J, Weisman; Simeon
B., married Eliza Baker.
Leonard Towner, from New Jersey to Ohio, and
from there to Ophir in 1883; he married Sniia,
daughter of Justin Dewey ; settled on S. 18, T. 35,
R. 2. Has fourteen children; Ezra, in Washington
Territory ; Jane, married Joseph Billings, of Men-
dota; Nathaniel, married C. Ormsby, in Missouri;
Lorenzo, is dead ; Matilda, married Eakin Smith, is
in lowa; Hiram is in Washington Territory; Letitia,
married Mr. McKim; Justin D., married Miss Gor-
don, second wife Miss Bugg, live in Vieksbung;
Daniel, married Flora Hoffman, live in Mendota ;
John H., is in Kansas; James, married, lives in
Mendota; Katharine, is in Towa; Mary, marned
Mr. Tobias, in El Paso; Horace E., is in Texas,
=
Sholch of Settlers — Ophir. 413
Stephen R. Beggs, and wife, Elizabeth Heath; a
Methodist preacher of note on the frontier. He
came in 1884; Inid off a town where Triamph now
is, and named it La Fayette. It failed to make a
town. Beggs moved to Plaintield, and to Chicago.
He published ‘*The Early History of the West and
Northwest,” a sort of autobiography of himself
» and brother preachers of the Methodist persuasion.
Joseph Worsley, born in England, came from
Ohio here in 1834, married Margaret Weltzell, and
settled on S. 30, He died 1870, aged 87. His chil-
dren are: John, who married Matilda Morehouse ;
Frederick W., married Caroline Dewey ; William
Y., married Lovina Cooper, lives on S$. 10, T. 85,
R. thas been Justice of the Peace, and Town
Supervisor; Ann, married Charles Webster; Mar-
garet, married William D. McDonald; Joseph F.,
married Esther Orandall; Henry, married Miss
Eastman.
Edwant Y. Waldo, from Suflield, Connecticut,
in I8S4; settled on S. 18, T. 35, R. 2. His father
Was Chaplain to Congress when over ninety years of
age; died at the age of 101, He had three wires.
Hannah Merritt, Phebe Rice, and Mary Johnson.
Had two children: Anna, married a Mr, Torry, of
Indiana; Charles, married Miss Geer, of Bureau
County.
Abner D. Westgate, from New York, 1836. His
wife was Caroline Watern His children were:
David, who married Miss Waterman, of Ophir;
Thomas, is single ; Joseph, married Miss Fleming ;
George, is in Missouri; Emily, in Ophir.
414 History of La Salle County.
Joseph B. Westgate, and wife, Emily Bradwin,
from New York, in 1886, He died in 1848. His
widow died 1874. They had three children : Joseph,
James, and Mary. They have all left the county.
Gurdon Searls, from Connecticut, in 1836. He
married a sister of Dixwell Lathrop, of La Salle.
His daughter, Ann, married Elisha Merritt,
Robert Carr, and wife, from Connecticut, in 1837,
settled on S. 20. Mra. Carr died in 1875. Mr. Carr
is still living, at the full age of 80 years. His son,
Daniel, married Bridget Gardner, and lives on S.
29. He, with Mrs, Scranton, are his only children,
William H, McDonald, from Erie County, N. ¥.,
shua Brown in 1835, and settled on
, R. 2, where he still resides. He married
Margaret Worsley.
Simon Cooley, from New York, came in 1896;
married Ruth Gillett. He wasacarpenter by trade;
went to Iowa,
Hiram Barnhart, and wife, Lacy Swarts, came
here in 1887, and left in 183%—removed to the
Wabash.
MISSION,
The town of Mission embraces that portion of
T. 35, R. 4, lying east of the Fox river, and that
portion of T. 36, R5, which lies south of the Fox,
about thirty-tw: ions. The Fox forms its north-
ern and western boundary, and Mission creek rams
westwardly across the town near its centre. There
Sketch of Settlers — Mission, 416
wassome heavy timber on both the creek and the Fox.
The face of the country is rolling, and the soil dry .
and fertile.
The first white occupant of what is now the town
of Mission, was Jesse Walker, who established a
mission in 1826, by appointment and under the
‘ision of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at
the head of Mission creek, on Section 15, for the
conversion of the Pottawatomie Indians, and a
school for the education of Indian children. The
Indians in considerable numbers were occupying an
island in the Fox, near the mouth of Somonauk
creek where they had cultivated corn and vegetables
and made the vicinity their head-quarters. After
the white settlers came in, the Indians relinquished
the cultivation of the ground, preferring to buy of
the whites, paying with skins or with money received
48 annuities from the Government. They were con-
stitutionally lazy, and like some with whiter com-
plexions, thought honest toil lowered their dignity,
and to carry out the resemblance stil) farther
for fear their women would overstep their sphere,
the squaws were made to perform all the labor for
the community.
The mission was barren of results, and was aban-
doned early in 1832, and the buildings were burnt
by the Sauks the following summer.
Walker sold forty acres of improvements to
Washington Bulbona, a half-breed French and
Indian, who also had a reservation of a Section when
the Indians sold to the Government, which became
Section 15 when surveyed.
416 History of La Salle County.
Mr. Schermerhorn, and his son-in-law, Hazelton,
were the first settlers after the Mission, and made
claims on 8,10, where John Armstrong now lives, in
1831. Their tragic history is given elsewhere.
Peter Miller, a native of Ross County, Ohio, and
wife, Harriet Holderman, from Maine, came to Ob
tawa in 1830; went to Pekin during the Black
Hawk war, and to Holderman’s Grove in the spring
of 1833; madea claim and settled where Sheridan
now is in the fall of the same year, the first settler
inthe town of Mission, excepting thoze connected
with Jesse Walker's mission among the Indians,
and Schermerhorn and Hazleton. He now lives in the
town of Sheridan, the town having come to him.
He has oneson, Dyson, who married Harriet Beards-
ley, and has eight children.
John Armstrong, then a minor, came from Licking
County, Ohio, in company with his uncle, John
Strawn, in the fall of 1829, and hired ont by the
month near Hennepin, stopping for sometime with
James Wallace in the Brown settlement, South
Ottawa, He returned to Ohio in 1881; the same
year his mother, Mrs. Elea Armstrong, moved to
Iilinois with her family. He again came to Mlinois
in 1883. He married Margaret Truambo, daughter of
Abraham Trambo, and settled on See. 10, town of
Mi . in June, 1834, where he still lives—a gue.
cessful farmer and stock dealer. He was an ardent
supporter of the Grange movement, and ix now
Treasurerof the State Grange. He has six children:
Abram, married Charlotte Grant, and lives at Se-
rena: Elsa, married Henry Parr: Joseph, married
Sketch of Settlers — Mission. AT
Mary Havenhill, in Mission; Josephine, married
Samuel Parr; Benjamin, a lawyer, is in Kansas;
Fanny, at home.
Samuel D. Barbour, from Indiana, came in 1834;
settled on S. 17, where he still resides. He married
Betsey Neff, and has eight children: Susanna,
who married Jobn Abel, of Mission; Eleanor, is
single ; Ebenezer, married Mary Clark, live in Mar-
seilles ; Moses, married Augusta Freeland, of Mis-
sion ; Eliphalet, married Emma Blake: Samuel D.,
r., martied Fmma Corning ; Marion, married Mar-
garet Mason: Henry. at home.
Beach Fellows, from Pennsylvania, settled on
Section 6, town of Mission, May 1, 1835, On the
farm seven years. In 1855 he was elected County
‘Treasurer. Has lived in Ottawa since. He married
Martha Nelson, and has six children: Joseph, is
in Missouri; Jane, in Livingston County; William,
Mand, and Delia, at home.
Ebenezer Nett, from New York, and wife, Margu-
ret Douglass, from Pennsylvania to Indiana, from
there to Holderman's Grove in 1835, and to Mission
in 1887. He was a Justice of the Peace for several
terms. He died in May, 1867.
He had nineteen children, twelve of whom are liv-
ing. Betsey, married Samuel Barbour, live in Mis-
sion; Daniel, married Maria Thomas, deceased ;
Olive, married Joseph Fast, they live in Indiana :
Almira, married William Bogwell, | n Town; Ts-
abel, married Joseph Mason, live in Mission ; Henry
B,, married Mary Freeland, in Ottawa; Wm.
D., married Anna N. Peterson, live in Ottawa ; Ra-
418 History of La Salle County.
chel, married Newell Blodget, live in Towa; Sarah-
belle, married Wellington Mason, live in Kendall
County ; Janette, married Josiah Shaver, livein Rut,
land ; George, married Thirza Whitney, live in Ot-
tawa; Margaret, married Sanford Whitney.
Joseph Mason, from Indiana in 1885; married Is-
abel Neff; a blacksmith by trade; settled on S, 28
T. 35, R. 5; still living on a good farm. Has nine
children : George is in Kendall Connty ; Daniel is in
Serena; W. W., married Lovina Peister, live in
Miller; Ellen, married Milton Reed, at Sheridan;
Sarah Ann, married James Knickerbocker; Althea,
married Abel Misner ; Lewis, married Ellen Hamon ;
Pamelis and Joseph, at home.
Robert Trimble, from Tazewell County, in 1834,
sold his claim to Robert Rowe, and went to Mis-
sour
Robert Rowe, « native of Scotland, with his wife
Mary McMath, came from Indiana here in 1835 ; has
held the office of County Commissioner, and is a prac-
tical surveyor and mathematician ; still resides on the
farm he first ocoupied. His wife died in 1 66. He
has eight children ; James, married, and lives in Mis-
sion ; Samuel, married Celuste Robinson, lives on the
homestead ; Alfred, isin Colorado ; Mary Ann, mar-
ried Cyrus Delameter; Isabel, married John North ;
Jane M., married Peter Cunningham ; Amelia, mar-
ried Levi Spradling; Emeline, married Delos Rob-
inson.
Jesse Pearson, half brother to Wm. Barbour's
wife, from Indiana; removed, and died near Bloom-
ington, 1)
Sketch of Settlers — Mission. ag
Thomas Dart, from Virginia to Indiana, came
herein 1884; settled on S. 15, resided here a few
years, removed to Missouri, and died there. One
daughter, Sarah, married Enoch Spradling ; another,
Lina, lives at Shabona’s Grove, widow of James
Price.
Enoch Spradling, and wife, Sarah Dart, came from
Indiana, in 1840. He has five children: Rachel,
married Alva Pitzer ; James, married, lives near the
old farm ; Elizabeth, at home ; Frances, married Mr.
Snelling, in Mission; Josephine, married Levi
Rood.
George A. Sonthworth, and wife, Miss Bowen,
came from New York, in 1836; settled on 8. 11;
died about ten years since. He had two children :
Mary, married Mr. Southworth ; Marcus, a lawyer,
in Aurora.
Anthony Haman came in 1835, and moved to De
Kalb County.
Conway Rhodes came in 1885, married Miss Ha-
man, and moved to Iowa in 1836,
Mr. Poplin came in 1835, married Miss Haman,
and moved to De Kalb County.
James Rood, and wife, Miss Babcock, a native of
Massachusetts, first to Connecticut, then to New
York, and came to Dlinois in 1836. Died about
1850; his widow died several years after.
Tanneelot Rood, son of the foregoing, was # mer-
chant in Georgia; came to Illinois in 1886; went to
Towa about 1850.
Levi H. Rood, son of James Rood, from Litch-
field County, Ct., went to Georgia; taught school
—
420 History of Loa Salte Connty.
there, and came to Illinois in 1838; was a Justice of
the Peace several terms. He died in 1875. His first
wife was L. A. Philips; she had four children;
Mary H., married Dr. Pierce, of Minooka: James
P.and Joseph B., in Will Connty; Rufus B., in
Sandwich. His second wife was Mary BE. Wyman,
of Massachusetts, who had six children; Levi W-.
married Josephine Spradling, and lives with his
mother; Grace W.; Benjamin B,; Julia E.; Ellen,
and Charles, are deceased.
Henry Verbeck, from New York, married Jane
Southworth. He died in 1867, Had three children :
James, in Missouri; Eddy, in Colorado; Eva, mar-
ried Frank Bowen: Mabel, lives in Millington with
her mother,
Ever Waller came from Norway in 1835, and
bought claim of Jesse Pearson.
Jesse Pearson came from Indiana in 1885; sold to
Waller, and went to Bloomington.
J, Q Eastwood came in 1886; died about 1847.
His widow married Nathaniel Hibbard, from New
ied some two years since.
yers Foster came from Pennsylvania in 1834;
returned in 1537 or °38,
Charles Colton came from New Hampshire, and
settled on Section 15; moved West.
George Havenhill came from Nelson County, Ky..
to Tazewell County in 1830; in L832 raised a crop
near Holderman's Grove, which was destroyed by the
Indians; was County Commissioner in 1835; died
about 1842,
Marshall Havenhill, son of George, came with his
Steteh of Settlers — Northville. 421
father, and settled on S. 12, T. 84, R. 5, in 1834;
married Jane Collins.
Fielding Havenhill, son of George, came with his
father, and settled on Section 12, in 1934; was mar-
ried in Kentucky.
Alexander Rowe, and wife, Ann Eliza Philips,
came from Connecticut in 1835, and settled on Sec-
tion 26, where he still lives, aged 72 years. His wife
died in 1857. His children are: Robert, married
Fear R. Hosford, and lives in Freedom; Aun, mar-
ried Hamilton Rawlin; John H., married Mary
Austin; Jane M., at home; Isabel, married Free-
born Rawlin; Edward, married Jennie Angevine ;
Henrietta, married Morris Law, lives in Sheridan;
Bbenezer M., was accidentally shot while hunting,
12 years old.
Steward Liston, and wife, came from New York
in 1837. He died abont 1850, He had three child
ren: Lemuel, married Lois Townsend ; Lucy, mar-
ried Henry Newton; Maria, married John Warren.
NORTHVILLE.
Northville embraces*the most of Township 36,
R.5. The Fox river forms its southern boundary,
and ronning southwestwardly euts off from that
township about as much territory as it takes from
fhe town south of it
The town lies between the main line and branch of
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and
has several railroad stations and market towns near
its borders, but none within its limits, conseqaently
its market places, social institutions and churches
are mostly in the adjoining towns, giving them the
benefit of the wealth and population ereated in part
by the business from Northville. The townoceupies
the northeast corner of the county.
It is watered, in addition to the Pox river, by
Somonauk creek, which runs southerly a little west
of the centre through the entire length of the town;
the timber along its banks relieved the monotony
of the otherwise unbroken prairie and prompted the
settlement which commenced in 1834, most of the
early settlers coming in the next three orfour years.
Letsome, Dubois, and Armstrong, were frontier
men who came in at an early day and settled near
the Fox, where they made claims and sold to Messrs.
Carr, Heath and Lewis.
Join T. Carr, from Onondage County, New York,
came in the fall of 1886, and settled on Section 36,
He was thrown from 2 wagon in crossing Fox river,
and broke his neck.
Charles Carr, son of John T., settle don See, 36 ;
is now in Somonauk.
Barney 8, Carr, brother to Charles, married Susan
Williams ; lives in Somonmuk.
R. D. Carr, brother to Charles, removed to Cali-
fornia,
Lindsey Carr, brother to the above, was a soldier
in the Mexican war—Capt. Co. H., 10th Regiment
Illinois Volunteers for three months; also of the
same for three years. He was killed on the picker
line near New Madrid.
Sketch of Sellers — Northville. 423
Isaac Potter, from Onondaga County, New York.
came in 1834—said to have been the first settler in
town. HesettledonSec.4. Had two sons: Nelson,
died ; Jolin, left the county.
Darius Potter came here in 1837, and left the
county in a few years. One daughter, Fanny, mar-
ried M.H. West; another married Hugh Adams.
Lyman Potter settled on Section 36; Lydia Ann,
married Frank Bliss.
Eli M. Kinne, from Onondaga County, N. ¥..
came in October, 1835, and settled at the mouth of
Somonauk creek ; removed to Leland in 1850; has
been a merchant in Leland since that time. His firet
wile was Maria Heath: his second, Laura Fisk. He
had two sons, W. C. and P. F.—both in Iowa,
Lewis Supus came trom Germany in 185, and
Settled on Section 7.
Henry Hull, from Stamford, Duchess Co,, N. Y¥.,
eame in 1888, and remained here two and a half
years.
Joseph Stockham came here in 1886; one of the
first Justices of the Peace in Mission Precinct; re-
moved to Iowa.
David Crawford from Ireland in 1838; came here
in 1838 with William Sly ; removed to Towa in
1861,
Abijah Haman, and wife, Bonght claim of Du-
bois in 1836, and sold to Bernard ; removed to New-
ark. and died there. Had two sons: John, removed
t Kendall County in 1845 ; Clark.
William Sly, born in Lrelahd, came from Huron
County, Ohio, to De Kalb County, in 1883; here in
44 History of La Salle County.
the fall of 1854; settled on S. 28, 1.36, R. 6. He
held the office of Justice of the Peace twenty-five
years; died in September, 1876, His children are :
Joseph; Frederick, in Somonauk; Jackson, in
Whiteside County ; Anne, married W. Griswold,
live in Kane County; Eliza, married Christian El-
derding : Joanna, married John Jones; Alice, mar-
ried Mr, Gray ; Jane, married George Shipman.
Samuel Lewis, and wife, Delia Ward, (who died
in 1865), came from Tonypkins County, New York,
in the fall of 1835, Tn 1844 wentback for one year.
Settled on His children are: Edward W-:
Charles F., in Somonauk.
Peter Newton, from Broome County, N.Y., came
in 1836, and died in Newark.
N. Newton, son of Peter, came with his father
and settled on Sec, 4; removed to Mission in the fall
of 1850.
Levi Wright, trom New York, came in 1899; was
Supervisor one term.
Conrad Smith, from Germany, first to Ottawa,
here 1886 ; settled on 8. 4.
Frederick Smith, from Germany ; settled on 8.
5, in 1835.
Horace Williams, and wife, from Onondaga Co.,
came here 1836 ; settled on Secs. 20 and 21, T.
36, R. 5; had two children: Donglass, married
Elizabeth Gould; settled on 8. 19, T. 36, R. 5.
Helen married Charles Merwin, lives at Somonauk.
Dr. Heath came here 1834; resided here several
then moved to Wisconsin. One danghter
Frederick Weatherspoon. Maria married
f. Kinne, now of Leland.
Shetek oll Settlers — Northville. 425
Orange Potter, froma New York, 1835,
Frederick Myers, from Germany, 1838.
Moses H. West, and wife, Fanny Potter, from
Berkshire County, Mass.; came here 1837 ; lived some
time in New York and Michigan. Settled on S. 19,
T. 36, R. 5; millwright by trade; Justice of the
Peace twelve years. Children: Charles, editor So-
monauk Gazette ; Clara F., married A. D. Charles,
live in Somonauk ; Cora M. and Alma J., at home.
James Whitmore, with his wife, Rachel Hyat, sec.
ond wife Polly Poster, from Cayaga County, N. ¥
March, 1835. Settled here ; now lives in Sandoval
His children are, Albert, Catharine, William and
Abner,
Harvey Whitmore. on Secs. 5 and 6, 1856: died
years ago.
Murray Whitmore, came in 1836.
David Whitmore, from Cayuga County. N. Y., te
Ohio 1836, and here 1839, His wife was Mary Ann
Mitchell, Has two children, Harriet and John.
Joseph Whitmore, came in 1836; died 1851.
Tracy Whitmore, from Caynga County
came in 1836. Wife, Sarah Vanderhoof.
1862.
1886; died at 23 years of ag
Jonathan Cooley, came in 1885. Had one daugh-
fer, who married Ephraim Scott.
John Potter, came in 1835 ; died 1836
James Roberts, came in 1835.
William ©. Whitmore, from Monroe County, N.Y.,
1836; first wife, Phebe Foster; second, M
Schofield.
I
426 History of La Satle County.
Henry G. Murray, from Cayuga County, N. Y.,
1836.
Benjamin Daniels, from N. Y.; living with James
Whitmore.
Harrison W, Sweetland and wife, Harriet Brain-
ard, from Tompkins County, N. Y., 1830; bought a
claim of Letsome and settled on Sees. 34 and 27 ; has
held the offices of Town Supervisor and Justice of
the Peace for several terms. His children are:
Charles, married Helen LaMar, lives near; Martha,
married Emil Culver, lives in Indiana; Reuben,
died in the arm Henry, married Miss Underwood,
lives at News Horatio, Amanda anf Hattie, at
home.
James Whitmore, with his wife, Ann Brigham,
from Cayuga County, N. Y., to Ohio in 1829, and
from Ohio to, Illinois in 1832; has two ehildren,
ily and Martha
min W
itmore, and wife, Susin Emerson,
from the same place and at the same time with
James W hitmo: iis brother. Has one child, Susan
Nathaniel Seaman, and wife, Mary Lane, from
the city of New York, came to Illinois in 1836, and
settled on 8.31, In 1864 he went Sonth, as agent
of the Sanitary Commission, and died near New
Madrid. Of his children; Fanny, married Edward
Lewis, of Kansas; Anna Mary, married ©. HL
Hall, of Chicago; Henry, was killed at Lookout
Mountain; M. Adelaide, married Charles Gifford,
of Somonauk ; Julia, Charles, and Lucien, athome.
Jacob Seaman, and wife, Jane Kidney, from
Duchess County, New York, settled here in 1837,
Sketch of Settlers — Northvitle. 427
and died in 1884. Of his children: Henrietta, mar-
ried Edward Keenan, of Leland ; Martha Ann, mar.
ried John Keenan; Byron, and Emma, are de- ‘
evased ; Delilah, married George Selwin, of North-
ville; Walter, married Maria White—second wife
is Ella Stoughtonbury,
Richard Seaman, and wife, Betsey Searls, from
Dachess County, New York, in 1887. He died in
1540, leaving five children: James, died in 1847;
Sarah, married James Jackson, of Northville;
Ellen, married Thomas Blanchard, of Kansas;
Caroline, married Wallace Hathron; and Edgar,
married Martha Bennet, of Northyille.
Thomas Gransden, from England to Ulster Co.,
New York, in 1824, and settled on 8. 30, T. 36, R. 5,
in 1837. He married Eliza Powell, and has two
#ons, Thomas, and Albert, and three daughters,
Anna, Alice and Martha; all at home, except Mar
tha, who married Edward Armstrong, of Northville
W.L. F. Jones was born in Rutland County, Vt.,
and raised in Crawford County, Pa. th his wife,
Betsy Minor, came to Milford, now Millington, Ken
dall County, in 1897; is now living on 8. 18, T. 36,
R, 5, a blacksmith, and farmer; he was the first
Supervisor from the town of Northville. He has
five children: Benton, at home ; Misner, in Kansas ;
Elma, married Ira Armstrong, and live in Somo-
nauk; Charles, is a medical student, in Chicago;
Alfred W., is in Sandwich.
Hugh Allen came to Northville in 1887; moved to
Dayton 1845,
Levi Wright, and wife, Esther Whitmore, came
428 History of La Salle County.
from New York in 1889. Has been Supervisor one
term,
Handy Snples, from Germany, with Conrad Smith;
died soon after, leaving two sons, Hugh and Lewis.
Lewis settled on 8. 8,
Thomas Lemar, and wife, Mary Hawes, to Ottawa
1896, and to Northville 1840. Has three children:
Otis K., Helen A., and Luther J,
Henry Curtis, and wife, Mary E. McNett, from
Connectiont, in 1836,
John Whitmore, and wife, came from Ohio in 1834,
and settled on Section 16; removed to Waukegan,
and died in 1851. Children: Lorenzo, killed by
lightning; Alonzo. married Miss Skinner, died in
Kansas: John and Addison, went to California, and
Lucien, to Sheridan; the three are now in Leland.
Samuel Graff came from Germany in 1834: tailor
by trade ; settled on Section 8; moved to Section 5 ;
died in 1874.
John Sherman came from Russia in 1885, and
settled on Section 4; now deceased.
Henry Sherman came from Ru
settled on Section 9; still living.
Jeremiah Hough came from Oswego, N. ¥.. in
0. Died in 1845. Had five sons.
William Powell came from Boston in 1838, and
bought the claim of David Crawford. He married
Elizabeth Warner; second wife, Miss McNett.
Samuel Wa from Boston to New Orleans, by
boat bo Pec d by land to Somonauk; pur-
sed a claim of Hugh Allen; pnt in crops, went
k to Boston, and bronght ont his father and
family in August, 1888.
1s
Sketch of Settlers — Karl. 420
George Warner, and wife, Mary Salisbury, came
from Boston in August, 1838, and bought a claim
of Foster. He died in 1845, aged 60; his widow
died in 1871, aged 88. He had six sons and one
daughter: Samuel, mar Mary Ann Powell,
had two sons, Alfred and George, now in Ford
County; John; Alfred, married Almira Richard-
son. of Maine, moved to Michigan, and has eight
children, all in Michigan; Thomas, lived single, and
died in California; Elizabeth, married Wm. Powell;
Francis, married Julia P. Back, and has four child-
ren—he was Sheriff of La Salle County for two
terms, from 1859 to 1861, and from 1863 to 1965—he
fs now Superintendent of Pinkerton’s detectives,
and lives in Ch
Daniel McNett. and wife, Mary Boomer, came
from New York in 1838. He died in 1876. He had
fifteen children: Charles, married Lydia Baker, in
Iowa ; Sophronia ed William Powell ; Mary,
died; Michael, married Florence Jackson, of
Whiteside County; Martha, married George Ed-
wards, of Mendota; Lucina, married Asher Gib-
son, of Missouri; Eliza, married Albert Powell;
William, married Lovina Havenhill ; Polly, nor,
John, Henry, Clara, Sherman, and Abbey, are
single.
EARL.
The town of Earl embraces the Congressional
Township 36 North, of Range 3. It is the centre
town on the north line of the county. Indian creek
430 History of La Salle County.
enters the town near the middle on the north, rans
southwest to Section 19, and then southeast, having
afine growth of timber along most of its course.
It was settled quite sparsely along its banks com-
mencing in 1834, until, in 1853, the Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincey Railroad was built through the town,
after which the influx of population was rapid.
Charles H. Sutphen was the pioneer settler in the
town of Earl, in company with John R. Dow.
They came from Boston, made claims and located
atthe head of the grove in April, 1884. They found
two families just arrived from Indiana, J. Ross,
anda Mr. Johnson, who located on the south side
» and made some improvement that sam-
sold their claitn to McUlasky & Philips,
and left in 1835.
Mr. Sutphen brought his family in the month of
October, and built adonble log house on the site of the
village, The land came in market in 1839, when Mr.
Sutphen purchased one thousand acres where Earl-
ville now stands, and has occupied it as a stock farm
for about twenty years.
He was one of the first Justices for Indian
Precinct, and held the office continuously for fifteen
years, being the oldest Justice in the county when
he resigned.
He had a family of six sons and three daughters ;
Charles T, Sutphen was the first white male born in
the township, he and George are in California ;
Albert, is in Aurora ; Ford, in Missouri; Gilbert
and Weller, in Iowa; Sarah, married S. Cook,
now deceased; Carrie T., was the first white ehild
Sketch of Settlers — Bari. 431
born in the town—married William H. Graham, of
St. Lonis; Mary, married O. C. Gray, of Ottawa,
and her second husband was Dr. Canfield, of Ottawa
—she is now decensed.
Mrs. Sutphen, Elizabeth H. Dow, died in 1870 ;
Mr. Sutphen removed to Joliet in 1871, and married
the widow of H. D. Higginbotham.
John R. Dow returned to Boston in the fall of
1884, and his two brothers occupied his claim. He
is now living in New York.
D. A. Ballard came from Boston, in the fall of
1834; hie wife was a sister of Mrs. Sutphen; he
returned to Boston in 1842, Two sons remain—one
died at Earl two years since ; the other is at Anrora.
Albert Dow came from Boston in 1835. He mar-
ried Miss Frances Johnson, of Boston, and settled
on the claim left by John R. Dow; his wife died
soon, and he married Martha Miles, and had one
son and two daughters ; he is now living in Chicago.
He resided in Ottawa several years.
Warren Dow, from Boston, came in 1834. He
married Miss Alice B, Champney, of Boston ; has
one son and three daughters ; he now lives in Wis-
consin. He resided in Ottawa several years, and in
Marseilles,
Amos Foster, from Massachusetts, came in 1834 ;
married in Ottawa ; removed to Wisconsin.
Corrin Doane, from Boston, came in 1834; mar-
vied Harriet Johnson—his second wife was Hannah
Stileon, sister to S. T. Stilson. He died in May,
1836, He had two sons; Hazen, married and lives
in Earl; Samuel J., died in the army.
432 History of La Salle County.
John T. Cook, brother-indaw to Sutphen, came in
1834; went to Galena, then to Chicago in the lam-
ber trade ; his wife died in Chicago of cholera.
Jobn Thornton, and wife, Hannah Benedict, from
St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1835; he died in
1866. He had three daughters: Lurania, married
Samuel O, Carter; Roby, married Wm. Imil ; Sarah,
married O. J. Wilson.
Samuel O, Curter, from St, Lawrence County, N, ¥,,
in 1835; stopped near Chicago three months in De-
cember; settled on S. 17. Wife, Lurania Thornton ;
has three gone: Adolphus married widow Doane ;
Heman H. married Malvina Philips; Joel at home.
Alonzo Carter, from St. Lawrence County, N. ¥..
: now 4 Methodist preacher in Ohio.
i Carter, from same place in 1896; marveled
ewett; now in Sandoval, Marion County,
widow
THinois,
Ferdinand Carter, from the same place in 1896; lke
died 1854. His widow, Deborah Breese, died 1887.
Benjamin Carter, from same place in 1880; went
to Green County 1860; now thet
sylvester Carter ¢ in 1836 ; he died of cholera
n 1849; first wife, Miss Christy; second, Mary
Breese, widow ; third, Lucy Pine, Of his children,
James Carter is in Livingston County ; Joseph is
hing in Normal; Lucien in Livingston County.
Urial Carter, married Eliza Rogerson; now in Ar-
kansas ; has seven or eight children ; left herein 1855.
Joel Carter, father of the foregoing seven sons,
came from the bank of the St. Tawrence river if
St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1836; died in 1858,
uged 75
Sketch of Settlers — Bart. 433
John Carrier came from Vermont to Cincinnati,
and here in 1838; wife, Eliza Wallace ; ten children.
Frank Ransted, from Vermont to Cincinnati and
from there here in 1836; his wife died 1855; he has
several children.
Alexander Brown, from Cheshire, Mass. July
1888 ; a bachelor; died 1867.
Andrew Brown came in 1838.
Allen Brown, and wife, Miss Best, in 1838 ; has one
son and three daughters.
The above three brothers came from Berkshire
County, Mass.
. J. Wilson, from St. Lawrence County, N. Y..
1885; left there Nov. 16th, when 17 years of age,
and came by steamer to Hamilton Bay, then on foot
to near Chieago in company with Uri Carter ; stopped
with Samuel and Levi Carter a few days, then went
to Indiana and spent the winter, and in December,
1836, reached Big Indian creek in LaSalle County;
bought a claim on 8, 21, which came in marker in
1839.
Mr. Wilson’s history is a striking example of the
result of industry and economy. From the poor
boy trudging on foot through the weary distance to
feach the West, le has become the possessor of
wealth. being a large land owner, farmer and banker.
He married Sarah Thornton; his children
Thomas, who married Mary Wood, lives ne -
liam, who married Nettie Doane, lives in Earlville,
& banker; Edwin, in California; Abram, married
Frances Pope, lives in Earlville ; Richard, Caroline,
John T., Charlotte Ann, and Osman John, are at
home
a4 History of Le Salle County.
Major D. Wallace, from Orange County, Vt., in
1837 ; the only physician here for ten years ; left two
sons, Charles married the widow Scott at Barl, owns
the Wallace House : George married Miss White,
James Wood, from New York in 1840; he died
1853; settled on 8. 6; four children: Peter: David:
Lovina married James Wallace ; Elisha.
David Smith, from South Adams, Mass,, 1840 ;
died 1864.
Daniel Smith, son of foregoing, came in 1838 ; mar-
ried Harriet Bart.
Miles Ronse, came from New York, in 1834; died
in 1860 ; widow still living here ; Ellen, married Mr.
Lynn; Eliza, married ; Martha, married Allen Me-
Gregor.
George Rogerson came from Brockville, Canada,
in 1838 ; George is in Ford County ; Eliza, married
Urial Carter, in Arkansas. Mr. R, died in 1840,
Edward Cook came in 1835; died in California, 20
years ago; left a widow and son. All have left.
Russel Bliss, came from North Adams to Ohio,
and from there here, in 1837.
James M. Philips, came from Pennsylvania, in
1836 ; he had a difficulty regarding a disputed elaim
with his neighbor, Moss, and unfortunately killed
im ; he was tried for murder und convicted of man-
Fi but was discharged, from a defect in the
law. It is due to Mr. Philips to state, that his
neighbors all agree t he has led a blameless life
since ; has a large family of children who are mach
respected. He sent five sons to the war,
Mr. Moss, who was killed by Philips, was from
Sketch of Seltlers — Serena. 4385
Vermont: he wae making a farm preparatory to
moving his family, when he met his fate.
Abram Foster, and wife, Millie White, came from
Bradford County, Pennsylvania, in 1836 ; settled
one mile north of Barlville, on the creek ; he died
many years since, leaving seven children: Betsey
married Conrad Smith,of Northville; Millie, married
Frederick Smith, of Northville: Elisha, is deceased ;
Alfred, went to California ; William, died here, his
widow is still living; Willard, went West; Abram
settled on the creek, now in Colorado.
Amzi Foster, grandeon of Abram, came from
Bradford Co., Pennsylvania, in 1837; he married
Mary J. App; has three children. He has resided
in Ottawa for many yea
Samuel T. Stilson, bor
Chatauqua County, N.¥., 1839; has been a farmer,
merchant, grain de d banker: and
now retired. His first wife was Ellen Wood, who
died in 1852: his second wife was Sarah Lukins.
Has had five children ; two are living,
in Connecticut, from
successful,
SERENA.
The town of Serena embraces Township 35,
Range 4, and abont three additional sections of
T. 85, R. 5, which lie on the west side of Fox river.
Indian creek runs nearly across the township and is
intersected by its principal branch, the Little Indian,
on Section 16, There was much good timber along
those streams, and consequently settlements com-
436 History of La Salle County.
menced at an early date, The plentiful supply of
timber, with rolling, rich prairie, made it a desira-
ble location. There were several saw-mills on the
creck at an early day, and two or three flonring
mills have been added since,
Settlements commenced in 1831, and settlers came
in rapidly after the close of the Indian troubles, in
1838. Robert Baresford was the finst, in 1831, and
the Warrens, Alva O. Smith, Daniel Blake and others
in 1832.
The Fox River Railroad runs through the east
part of the town, with a depot nearly central, which
brings a market to the doors of the people who set-
tled in an inland town,
Robert Baresford, a native of Derry, Ireland, came
to America, and with his wife, Mary Desert, and
family, came first to Peoria, and, with Jesse Walker,
to Ottawa in 1825; assisted Walker in establishing
ssion at Mission Point, and in 1820 settled at
Holderman’s Grove. He removed t Indian Oreek
in 1881; he built a saw-mill on the creek, and
resided in that locality till his death in 1851, Mrs.
Baresford died in 1843. He left three children:
married, and is now living at Fremont, Ne-
Mary Ann, married William Callen, of
—Mr, Cullen has been Sheriff, and for many
years editor of the Ottawa Republican; Lovina,
married Mr. Wykoff; James, was killed by Indians
while seonting in 1832
Daniel Warren, Jr., came from Madison County,
N. Y., in 1830, and settled on Indian creek in 1892.
His wife was Lucy Skeels, from Putnam County
Sketch of Settlers —Serena. 487
He died in April, 1867. His widow married Peter
Dick, and lives on Section 17. He left six children:
Elizabeth, married Anthony Hoar, in Missouri;
Ardilla, married Henry Hoar. deceased; Luther.
married Catharine Cristler, at Streator; Huron, is in
Nebraska; Ruden, married Charlotte Wright, of
Serena; Louis $., married Eliza MeClnre, of Serena,
Nathan Warren came from Madison County,
N.Y., in 1830, and settled on Section §; is now liv-
ing on Seetion 5. His first wife was Lydia Baxter;
second wife, Maria Lester. He hag seven children:
William, is in Serena; Fanny, married Mr. Wariner,
of Paw Paw; Lucien, isin Amboy. Second wife's
children are: Mary, married George Bristol, near
Amboy, now deceased ; Emma; Florence.
Evekiel Warren married Susan Sargent and settled
on Section 17. He and Daniel Warren built a saw-
mill on Section 8, and moved to Morris, and died
there in 1847.
Samuel Warren, from Madison County, N. Y¥.,
came on the creek with his brothers; died single.
The four Warren brothers were children of Danicl
Warren, and came with their father from Madison
County, N. Y., in 1830, by wagon to Bailey's Point,
now Vermillion. The father died near Ottawa in
1832, His widow married the father of Horace and
George Sprague; she died in 1836.
Jolin Happ, from Licking County, Ohio, came
through by wagon, and settled on Section 23; went
to California in 1830. His children are: Sedgwick,
Serena; Wilson, was drowned in Colum-
; Havilah, resides in Serena ; Jane, married
438 History of La Salle County.
James Moore; Cemantha, married Ira Bayley, of
Grundy County: Stephen, in Iowa; George, at
Northville; Riley, in Serena; Loulsa, married
Joseph McKim.
Kinne Newcomb came from Plattsbung, NOY., in
1833; married Jerusha Lyman. He died in 1840.
Hiram Brown, and wife, Olive Niles, came from
Shaftsbary, Vt., in 1883; now in Kane County.
Alva O. Smith, from North Haven, Ot. in 1838;
arrived in Ottawa in 1834. He married Olive War-
ren and settled on Section 18, T, 35, R. 4, in Dee,,
1835, In company with James Day, bought the
saw-mill of Ezekiel Warren. Mr. Smith died in
1870, leaving eight children: James, married Mar
garet Barker; Levi ©,; Lois L., married William
M. Curyea, of Ottawa; Mary, married Isaae Pool,
of Serena; Sarah E., married William T, Jones, of
Serena ; Alva O.; Olive, married Geo, W. Curyea,
of Dayton; Sidney, at home; Eunice 0.
John Hoxie, from Williamstown, Berkshire Co..
Mass., came in 1836, and settled on Sec. 25, where he
still resides. He married Elizabeth Beem. His
children are: Henrietta, Fremont, Lineoln, and
Fanny. Henry was killed at the battle of Mission
Ric
Daniel Blake, born in Maine, removed to Ohio,
and from there here in 1838 ; lived a short time under
the hospitable roof of Robert Baresford, and settled
tion 34; removed to Ottawa in 1868; served
as Sheriff from 1871 to 1873. His children are =
Joshua M., in Livingston County ; James A,, on the
old farm: George, a lawyer, in Ottawa; Mary
Sketch of Settlers — Serena, 439
J,, married Havilah Hupp, in Serena; Hattie M., is
the wife of Irvin Niles, of Livingston County, and
Susie A., is at home.
Ezra Dominy was born at East Hampton, L, L, ~
1876—with his wife, Rhoda Smith, and family, came
from Plattsburg, New York, in 1835, with a wagon,
by the Lake shore, to Illinois, being six weeks on
the road; settled on S, 28, The Dominy family,
descendants of Ezra, with their wives and husbands,
held a reunion in September, 1873; there were 100
present, including children, grand children, and
great grand children. His children are: Rebecea,
who married Robert Greenless, of Dayton; Na-
thantel, married Philinda Finch, in Grand Ridge;
Jolin, in Towa ; Belinda, married Martin Lewis, now
dead ; Sally, died single; Lorenzo, in Serena; Ezra
A., married Ann Eliza Pool, in Serena; Gilbert,
married Mary EB. Pool; Betsey, married Jacob
Peterson,in Serena ; Anna, married Matthias Pool, in
Serena. Mr. Dominy is living with the last named,
at the ripe age of 91. Mrs. Dominy died in 1873,
aged 87.
Amos St, Clair, from Kentucky to Jacksonville,
in 1830, and here 13% he settled on S, 32; he died
1899, aged 49—his widow, Elizabeth Watkins, died
in 1868.
Watson St. Clair, son of Amos, came at the same
time and settled on Section 82, is now on Section 36,
His wife wasLaura J. Beckwith. His children are :
Martha B., and Laura E., bothat hom
William St. Clair, also son of Amos, came at the
same time and is living on the old farm on Sec. 82.
4a0 History of La Salle County.
His wife was Snsan Miller, His children are :
Eugene and Lucretia, at home,
St, Clair sisters, daughters of Amos, were: Mary
Ann,who married H. P. Harvey,ot Freedom; Rachel,
married Urial Miller, of Freedom; Eliza Jane, mar-
ried Samuel B. Flint, of California ; Sarah E.,
married L. Clifford, of Serena.
John St. Clair, also son of Amos, came from the
same place and settled on Section 32 in 1834,
Rey, John St, Clair, brother of Amos, came from
Kentneky in 1884: a Methodist preacher and Pre-
siding Elder; he was prominent in his denomina-
tion, an able, enterprising and useful man, He died
in Evanston in 1861. Settled in Rutland.
William Beardsley, from Williamstown, Mass,,
came in 1887. and settled on See. 27; Julia, died,
in the fall of 1888; Lyman, insane ; Harriet, married
Dyson Miller.
Henry Beardsley, half-brother of William, from
Williamstown, Mass., came inthe fall of 1837. His
children are: Lovina Blake, now in Adams; one
son, William, in Mendota; Chester, married Miss
Wheeler.
Nathaniel Perley, and wife, Eliza Stevens, from
Massachusetts to Ottawa, and from there to the
creek in 1839. Mrs. Perley met her death by her
clothes taking fire. Mr. Perley has gone West.
William Haskell, and wife, Martha Batcheller, first
came to Ottawa in 1837, and tothe creck in 1899,
Perley & Haskell built Caryea’s mill and distillery
in 1839. He died recently in Streator,
John R, Hobbs, came from New York, in 1835;
Sketch of Setllers— Kagle, 441
settled on 8. 26. Darnria, died; Alfred, married,
and lives in Serena.
Phineas Perley.came from Massachusetts, in 1833 ;
married Wm. Beardsly's widow: one danghter,
Almira, Te died about 1857.
Joseph T. Roy, bachelor; rana mill on the creek,
Died in 1871.
Aaron Grinnell, bachelor, came from New York,
in 1837, in the poor house, familiarly called “Old
Chub.”
Martin Lewis, came from Plausburg, N. Y., in
1884; settled on S. 28, and died in 1837.
BEAGLE f ae
Eagle embraces that portion of T! 31, Ri 3, that
lies south of the Vermillion river, and the east one-
third of T. 31, R. 2. That portion lying along the
Vermillion was settled at an early day.
John Coleman, came from Richland Oo., Ohio, in
the fall of 1831 ; he settled on S, 22, lived there till
1847, and went to Missouri for two years, and then
returned to the old farm ; he is now living in Strea-
tor. His wives were : 1st, Anna Cramer; 2d, Rox-
ena Cowgill ; 3d, Hester Kelley ; 4th, Lutitia Grif-
fith, Alldead. Of his children: Julia Ann, mar-
ried Mr, Ploger, of Ottawa ; Hester Ann, married
Josiah Roberts, of Streator ; James, William, Lilla,
are single.
Henry Cramer, came from Richland Co., Ohio, in
1831 ; he died in 1832. His daughters married John
be
442 History of La Salle County.
Coleman, James MeKernan, Geo. McKee, and Dan-
iel Barrackman.
John Holderman, and wife, Hannah Young,
came from Richland Co., Ohio, in the spring of
1881; the first settler in the town; he settled on S.
27. He died about 1842. He had five children :
Jacob, married Rachel Gannet, of Streator ; Allen, is
now living in Streator; Sarah, married Elisha Nar-
amoor; Martha, married Barney O'Neill ; Eliza,
married George Tillsbury.
John Wood came from Richland Co,, Ohio, in
June, 1833 ; settled on S. 22; he died in 1840. His
widow married George Basore. His son Peter, only
remains.
Dan’! Barrackman, came from Licking Co., Ohio,
in 1831; his wife was Rachel Cramer. He had
three sons : Charles and Daniel are on the old farm ;
Bonjamin, went to Towa,
David Reader, and wife, Sarah Whitaker, from
Hamilton County, Ohio, to Tazewell County, 1829,
and settled on 8. 16, T. 31, R. 3, in the spring of
1835; a good farmer, and useful citizen. He held
the office of County Commissioner; he died April,
1863, leaving five children: James Newton, married
in Tazewell County, settled near his father in 1836,
moved to Troy Grove in 183%, is now living in Liy-
ingston County ; Mitehell, married Malvina Gum,
is in Kansas; Joseph, married Miss Johnson, in
Livingston County ; Rebecea, married Rees Mongan ;
Jacob, married Elizabeth Jane Lord, and lives
adjoining the old homestead.
Jacob Goff, and wife, from Pennsylvania to Taze-
=
Sketch of Settlers — Bagle. 445
well County, in fall of 1835, and soon after settled
on S17. Mr. Goff died in 1840. His children,
Alif, Samael, Janet, and William, all moved to
Kansas about 18/0.
Thomas, John, Elza, and James Downey, four
brothers from Painesville, Ohio, in1834; settled on
Sees. 15 and 16; Thomas served as Justice of the
Peace; he died about 1850. John and Elza re-
moved to Magnolia, Putnam County ; James left,
after a sliort residence here.
George Tillsbury, from Pennsylvania in 1839;
married Eliza Holderman; taught school a few
months, and left the county and his family, soon
after.
Daniel McCain, from Michigan, married Sarah
Shay; died 1840; the widow married William
Perygo; after his death she went to Michigan.
Stephen Shay died in Michigan.
Charles Clifford, from Treland to Michi
1834, and settled on 8. 13, T. 31, R. 2, in 15
living in Ottawa, Has children.
Samuel Galloway, and wife, Catharine McOlure,
of Scoteh descent, from near Londonderry, in the
north of Lreland ; emigrated to America, and set-
tled in Lexington, Green County, New York, about
1806—his wife died in 1815; his second wife was
Lydia Moore, who died 1833. He removed to
Ia Salle County, Illinois, June, 1837, with all his
children; he first located near where Tonica now is,
and in 1840 moved on to S. 6, 'T. 31, R. 3—known
as the Galloway farm, and the location of the Gal-
loway postoflice. He died July 24, 1840. His
444 History of La Salle County.
children by his first wife were: Catharine, who mar-
ried Joseph T. Bullock, and lives near Tonlea ;
Samuel C., died single, August 24, 1840; Francis,
married Elizabeth J. A. Galloway, and settled on
$.1, T. 31, R. 2—he died July 24, 1889; Mary,
married John Briley, and lived on 8. 1, T. 31, R.
2. She died Dec. 25, 1876. The children of the
seoond wife are: Elijah M., who married Elizabeth
Halcott, daughter of Colonel Thomas Halcott, from
Green County, New York, Elijah was Postmaster
and Justice of the Peace for several years; he now
lives near Monroe City, Missouri; Lydia M., mar
vied Henry Slater; her second husband was W.
Holly. who died in California. She {s now living
with her third husband, Jefferson Smith, in Mich.
Jacob Dice, from New York, about 1887; settled
on 8. 6; he sold to Hoffman. He married the widow
Hays, and soon returned to New York,
Stephen Faro, and wife, Sally Dakin, from Scho:
harie County, N. Y., came in 1887 or 8; & cooper
and farmer ; he settled on 8. 5, and died abont 1841.
His widow married Ard Button.
Isaac Thorp, and wife, Lydia Dakin, came from
New York, with Faro; the two married sisters ; set-
tled in 1888 on S.7, near the Vermillion timber,
They both, with three children, died of milk sick-
ness; one child survived, and was sent to its friends
at the East.
Campbell settled on S. 31 in 1836; he sold to
Myers, and left.
Hiram Divine, and wife, Betsey Torrey, came from
Green County, Pa., in 1889; settled in the town of
Sketch of Seltlers — Brookfteld. 445
Eagle, on Section 12; was a farmer and nursery-
man ; he died in 1871; his wife died in 1847. Emma,
lives in Champaign County; Luther, is in Towa ;
Charlotte, is Mrs, E. B. Darling, of Streator; Mary,
is insane ; Alvin, Celia and Elma, are the remaining
children. Second wife's children, Clemens and
Lacien. d
Chester Naramoor, from Goshen, Vt, and wife,
Lonisa Dickinson, from Goshen, Ct., came from New
York to Michigan in 1832 and to LaSalle County in
1839, stopping at Bailey's Grove, where Mra, Nara-
moor died; Mr. Naramoor died in 1847, They had
One son and four danghters, three of the daughters
died. Louisa T. married Abram Groom; Elisha
imarried Sarah B. Holderman and settled on 8. 1,
T. 31, R. 3, where he still resides,
Jacob Moon, and wife, Leal Reese, came from
Ohio, first to Bailey's Point, and in 1833 settled at
Moon's Point, on the edge of Livingston County,
where he spent the remainder of his life. Of his
children, Albert married Elizabeth Boyle of Ox Bow
Prairie: Jane married Solomon Brock; Thomas
married Mary Barrackman; Rees married Miss
Baker; Ellen married James Barrackman, both
are dead.
BROOKFIELD,
Brookfield embraces 'T. $2, R. 5, and that part of
‘T. 88, R.5, which lies south of the Ilinois river,
‘The first township is nearly all prairie, while the
440 History of La Salle County.
fraction is all timber or bottom land. The first set-
tlement commenced in 1833 and was confined to the
skirts of the timber adjoining the prairie, or to the
bottom along the Iinois, while the settlements have
gradually extended south over the prairie region
during the forty years that have intervened. ~
Tt is all now occupied by a thrifty and prosper-
ous people. although an old pioneer will recognize
in the sonthern part the prairie grass and wild flow-
ersof the early day, reminders of the olden time,
and that the civilized occnpancy is comparatively
recent.
Geo. W. Armatrong, the first settler in Broolsfield,
came from Licking County, Ohio, with his mother,
Mrs, Elsa Strawn Armstrong, in 1831; he made a
claim on 8. 28, T. 38, R. 3; but John Hogaboom
jumped it and finally bought it for $28. Armstrong
made a claim on S, 1, T. 32, R. 5, and moved on it
in the fall of 1833; was encamped there when the
stars fell, Nov. 13th, of that year; made ® farm
and has resided there since, except when a eon-
tractor on the Tlinois’& Michigan Canal. Mr. Arm-
strong has been prominent as a politielan ; has been
Town Supervisor, and Chairman of the Board
several years, and has served five terms and still is
a member of the Legislature. He married Anna,
Green, of Jacksonville, IL, and has nine children?
Jolin G., married Nellie McCann, lives in Ottawa:
William, is in Colorado; Julius C., married Hattie
Goodrich, and is a Congregational minister in Cook
‘liza M., married William Crotty, now of
Joseph, at home; Marshall, is in Chicago
Sketch of Settlers —Brookfeld. 447
University; Susan, married Robert Laughlin, and
lives on the line of Grandy County; James E., at
Champaign at school; Charles G., at home.
John Drain came from Licking County, Ohio, in
1833. He died at Abralam Trambo's in 1835.
Dr. Frederick Graham, from Westchester County,
WN. Y,, first to Ottawa, and then settled on Section
8, in 1836; a practicing physician for many years.
He and his wife are both dead.
Levi Jennings, and wife, from Fairfield County,
Ct, to Oneida County, Y., and from there to
Tilinois, with a large family, in 1834; he made a
farm on the Illinois bottom, on Sec. 19, just east
of James Galloway. His wife died. He spent the
last fow years of his life with his son-in-law, G. W.
Jackson, in Ottawa.
Levi Jennings, Jr., a native of Connecticut, when
47 years old, went to Beaver County, Pa., and while
there his father moved to Tilinoi He married
Emily Allis, and moved to Illinois in 1845, and
first settled near his father, then on 8. 8, T. 32, R. 5.
He died in 1852, aged 60. His widow survives,
aged 69. His children are: Matthew, married Clara
Ferguson, lives in Brookfield ; Mary, married Rioh-
ard Gage, of the same place; Henry, the first child
born in Brookfield, lives in Allon; Frederick, mar-
Med Lucy Bishop, lives in Allen; Lucy Ann, is
im Marseilles: Catharine Louisa, married Reuben
Smalion, of Allen; Julia, married John J. Ford, of
Brookfield ; Emily Jane, married Geo. 8. Beach, a
Congregational minister, in Ohio,
David Jennings, brother of Lavi, Jr., died single.
448 History of La Salle County.
Stephen Jennings, brother of Levi, Jr., married
Mary Elizabeth Holden, and lives in Ottawa,
Hbenezer Jennings, youngest son and half brother
of the foregoing, died in California.
Daughters of Levi Jennings, by his first wife:
Hannah, married G. W. Jackson, of Ottawa; Mary,
married George Macy, of Ottawa; another daughter
marriod a Mr. Goodell; and one married Eldridge
G. Clark.
Daughters of Levi Jennings, by his second wife:
Julia, married Daniel Ward; Aphelia, married
Gershom Burr; another daughter married a Mr.
Goodell
Eldridge Gerry Clark came with the Jennings
family from N. Y.; died here soon after.
William H. Goddard came from Boston in 1836 >
disgusted with farming after four yenrs’ trial, went
to Louisville, Ky., and pursued his profession of a
dentist. His wife was a sister of the somewhat noted
ames Ross Brown.
chard Edgecomb, from New Providence, West
came in 1835; moved to Ottawa.
Jeorge Marsh was born in Norfolk County,
Massachuse when five years old removed to Sut
ton, Worcester County ; when twenty years of age,
removed to State of New York ; lived there antil
thirty-eight years of age—the last ten years in the
city. Came to Illinois with his wife in 1835, bought
a part of Section 4, and subsequently settled on See-
tion 16, where he now lives,at the age of 81, He
officiated as a Presbyterian clergyman for a thind of
acentury, and although his field of labor was a
P|
Sketch of Settlers — Brookfield. 449
ihmnble one in the sparsely settled outskirts of the
county, he led a pure life, and his influence will be
felt long after he shall have passed away, He has
a family of three children: the oldest, George G., is
a Government clerk at Washington; John James,
and Mary E. A., are at home.
George S. Maxon came from New York in 1837,
and settled on Sec. 2, T. 32, R.5; a substantial
farmer and worthy man. Sibel. his wife, died in
ASG, aged 63 years, and he died in 1867, aged 73.
‘The history of his family is peculiar and sad. His
son, George S., Jr., died at the age of 39; his wife
died before him, and two of his children are de-
ceased and two are living; Panl, another son, died
at the age of 26, he was injured while raising a
building, and died « year or two after from the
effect of the injury; Lewis, another son, while
chopping in the timber cut his foot with an axe and
died in a few hours from loss of blood. His daugh-
ter, Julia, married « Methodist preacher, was di-
yorced, came home and died. Another daughter,
Roxy, married an Englishman, who started for
England and was never heard from after. David,
the only remaining child, lives adjoining the old
farm.
Asa Lewis, from Troy, N. Y., came in 1887, re-
mained four or five years, and went to Wisconsin.
His son, Cyrus B., married Mary C., daughter of
Christopher Champlin, and lives at Marseilles.
Tsaue Gage, from New Hampshire, came in 1837,
and settled on Section 8. He married Lucy Little,
danghter of James Little, of Eden, Mr, Gage is a
450 History of La Salle County.
wealthy farmer. He has four children: Louisa,
married §. T. Osgood, and lives at Marseilles ;
Harriet E., Ida A., and Benjamin Frank, are at
home.
Gershom Burr, from Fall River, Mass., and wife,
Mary E. Norris, from Bristol, R. L, came in 1836.
Married Ophelia Jennings—his second wife—and
settled on Section 20, afterwards called Burr's Grove,
He removed bo Ottawa, in 1844, and engaged in mer-
chandising until his death. His children are: Sel-
lick, married Miss Newton, and lives in Ohio; Ger-
shom, lives in Ottawa, unmarried; Mary, is in
Rhode Island ; Ophelia, married Dr. Parley ; Charles,
married, and lives in Michigan.
Reese Ridgeway, from Licking County, Ky. ay
1834, and settled on S. 4, T. 88, R. 5.
Stephen G. Hicks settled on 8, 80, T. 83, R. 5,
opposite Marseilles.
A Mr. Stevens bought the place of Dayid Jen-
nings, sold to Levi in 1834, and was supposed to
have been killed in Chicago in 1835, for hismoney.
Peter Consols and John Wilcox settled on 8, 30,
'T. 88, R. 5, in 1884,
Guy Dudley settled on Section 25, in 1833.
Capt. Tylee settled here in 1838; is now Mving in
Vermillion. One daughter married William Seeley,
and another married Samuel Seeley,
Oliver H. Sigler settled in the town about 1840—
ats several children.
Silas Austin came in 1836,
|
‘Statch of Settlers —Grand Rapids. 461
GRAND RAPIDS.
Grand Rapids and Fall River, till 1863, were one
town, named Grand Rapids, from the Grand Rap-
ids of the Tilinols, which washed its northern bor-
der. It now embraces the Township 22 N., R. 4
There ix a grove of timber along the crovk on Secs. 6
and 7, called Ebersol’s Grove; the remainder of the
town is prairie. Covell creek rises near the south-
east corner, and, running northwest, passes out on *
§. 6. The high land or divides on the east and west
sides of the town are qnite elevated, and have con-
siderable descent to the creek and its branches, in
the centre of the town, giving good drainage, a di-
versified surface, and a more than ordinarily pictur-
esque view to a prairie Jandscape.
The early settlements were nearly all on the only
grove in the town, on Sees. 6 and 7.
Henry Hibbard came front Cincinnati, Ohio, in
1627, and made a claim on §, 5, in 1829, on what has
been called the Hbersol farm. John McKernan
bought the claim of Disney, in 1831, who must
have purchased of Hibbard. McKernan settled
there in 1831, and sold to Ebersol in 1834.
Joseph Ebersol, with Elizabeth Shuey, his wife,
and family, came from Harrisburg, Pa., and in
August,1834, purchased of Mrs. McKernan, her claim
on §. 5, and made that his home, till he died in 1873.
His wife died in 1870. He was a blacksmith by
trade, though a farmer most of his life ; he brought
his anvil and other tools to Llinois. Improvement
was made on his farm in 1828 ; orchard set in 1830.
452 History of La Satle Cownty.
He left seven children: A. M., (see Fall River); Dan-
iel, (see Ottawa); Albert, in Grand Rapids ; Catha-
rine. married Michael Budd ; Louisa, married Geo.
H. Rugg, now of Ottawa; Helen, married Edward
Reed, of Grand Rapids ; Samuel was thrown from
a horse, and killed, when 3% years old.
Eleazar Hibbard, came from Cincinnati, married
asister of Darius Reed, and settled on 8, 6. He
separated from his wife, and either abandoned or
sold his claim and wept to Putnam County.
Benjamin B. Reynolds, and wife, Elma Seofield,
from Mifflin County, Penn, in 1835 ; settled on 8. 6.
His father, Judge David Reynolds, came with him
and assisted in opening his farm, and then returned
to Pennsylvania, He still occupies his old farm on
Sees. 5 aud 6, part being the claim of Hibbard. His
children are, Mary A., David, Pascalena, Eleanora,
John P., Sarah E., James C., Benjamin B.. Jr. and
Washington.
Luke Rugg, with his wife, Salome Pateh, and fam-
ily, from Laneaster, Worcester County, Mass., set
tled on 8. 23, in 1899. He wasoneof the Worcester
colony, started by Geo. W. Lee, John D. Thurston,
Pyam Jacobs, aud others. Mr, Rugg, at the time of
settlement, was four miles from timber and three
miles from neighbors, and after a residence of ten
years neither timber nor neighbors had approashed
any nearer, except a grove of locust abont his place,
known over the county as Rugg's Grove.
: of seclusion from society and despairing of
the settlement of that region, Mr. Rugg moved te
Ottawa in 1849, where he died. His children are:
Sketch of Setllers —Grand Rapids. 453
Lewis, who came with his father’s family in 1839;
married Sophia Dimmick ; lived a few years in Ot-
tawa, und is now in Pontiac. George H., lived with
his father, he moved to Ottawa, in 1849. He in-
vented and mannfactured Rugg’s Harvester, for sev-
eral years a popular and snecessfal machine. He ix
now manufacturing furniture in Ottawa. Charles
went to Towa.
John Anderson, a native of Ireland, came from
Clinton County, N, Y., here in 1837; settled, with
a family, on S. 6. In 1849 he mysterionsly disap-
peared, and was never heard from afterward.
The prairie region of Grand Rapids, after 1850,
rapidly settled, and the region so long occupied by
Mr. Rugg, and him alone, was, soon after he left it,
teeming with an active and well-to-do population.
It is related that the settlement of that town com
menced at the north end and progressed south, The
town was soon made a school district, and a sehool-
house built inthe northwest corner. Soonafter, that
district was limited to four sections, named No, 1,
and the remainder made district No. 2, and a good
house built; that district was then limited to four
sections in the northeast ner, and the balance of
the town made district No. 3, which at once voted a
tax to build a school-house. This process was con-
tinued till the last four sections in the southeast
corner of the town, having helped build all the
School-honses in the other eight districts, had
to build their own without outside help, The
houses were all very fine ones. They were bnilt by
@ tax on the real estate in the district, and by a vor
_ =, 2 =|
454 History of La. Sale County,
of the people whio lived in all those instances mostly
in the four sections, which in the end composed the
district, and as the remainder of the territory taxed
was nearly all owned by speculators, with no one
residing on it, the voters were very generous in vot-
ing a tax, or as séme called it, ‘salting the specu
lators.””
One of those speculators who owned thee sec-
tions in the last district, complained of being legally
fleeced. He said, * I have paid aliberal tax to build
nine different school-houses, better ones than are
usually seen in older sections of the country, and now
three men settled on the one section I do not own,
vote a tax of ten or twelve hundred dollars, three-
fourths of which I have to pay. These Western
men are ardent supporters of education.’ ‘This
last statement of the building of school-houses may
have beenan exaggeration in this instance, but simi-
lar cases did occur, and forcibly show the nature
of the contest waged between the settlers and those
called land speculators. And where the settlens
made the laws and executed them, they frequently
had the advantage.
ADAMS,
Adams embraces T. 36, R.5. Itlieson the north
line of the county, and is drained by Little Indian —
creek, which runs southwardly near the centre
of the town, and furnished a fair supply of timber
for the early settlers, The Chicago, Burlington &
Sketch of Settlers — Adams. 455
Quincy Railroad passes northeastwardly across the
north side of the town, and Leland Station is a
thriving village. The first settlement was in 1836,
but the settlements were few, and scattered, till the
advent of the railroad, atter which the town rapidly
filled up.
Mordecai Disney, and son-in-law, Sprague, set-
fled on S. 27, in 1836, on the east side of Little
Tndian creek, and were the first in the town; they
claimed all the country, and sold claims to all that
came ; they left in a year or two, probably to re-
peat the same speculation elsewhere.
Nathan Townsend, from Sullivan County, New
York, in 1836; came through by wagon, stopped ab
‘Ottawa for the winter, and settled on S. 27, in the
spring of 1837. He died in 1857. Hischildren are:
Charles, now living near Streator; John, and Alva,
rein Kansas; Mary Ann, married John Nichols,
she died 1841; Olive, married Charlton Hall, she
died 1853—(Elder Batcheller married them, and at-
tended both the funerals); Margaret, married Ed-
win Beardsley ; Deborah, married Reuben Bronson ;
Phebe, married James Stoutenbury ; George, and
James, are at Kankakee; Perry, was murdered at
Pike's Peak.
Aaron Beardsley, with his family, came from
Massachusetts to La Salle County, in 1835, and first
lived in the town of Serena, and moved into Adams
in 1836, buying a claim of Disney, on S. 23—some
gay it was in 1838.
Henry G. Beardsley came in 1838; married La-
vinia Blake ; lives on S. 22; has seven children,
456 History of La Salle County.
William Sargeant came from Indiana in 1838;
settled on 8. 27; died in Indiana. Had three sons:
James, Newton, and Jackson,
Reuben Bronson came from Green County, New
York, in 1838; lived a few months at Holderman's
Grove; settled in Adams in the fall; married
Deborah Townsend ; bought the claim of Thove
Kettleson on 8, 22; has served as Justice of the
Peace four years. They have five children: Ra-
hana, married Theron J. Baresford, and lives in
Amboy; Albert, lives near Amboy; Jay, is at
school ; Alice, and Arthur, at home.
Joshua Richardson, from Indiana in 1837 ; settled
on 8. 35; sold to Wilcox, and went back to Indiana.
Riverius Wileox came in 1837, bonght claim of
Joshua Richardson ; died years ago.
Allen Wilcox, son of Riverius Wilcox, came the
same year; now at Amboy.
Nathaniel S. Pierce, and wife, Mary E. Simmons,
from Middleborough, Massachusetts, im 1838 ; set-
ted on S. 28, in 1840; he raised a lange family, and
became wealthy; he died in 1876, aged 74. His
children are: Deborah §., Mary B., Robert Richey,
Samuel N., Nathaniel, Lney 8 Hannah Yi, Susan,
Levi, Ebenezer.
Andrew Anderson, Ole T. Oleson, Halyar Nelson,
and some others, emigrated from Norway in the
spring of 1836, and came to LaSalle County in the
summer of the same year, and settled in the town
of Adams in the spring of 1837, on Sees, 21 and 22.
Mr. Anderson is quite wealthy. Ole T. Olezon died
long since: his widow lived until January, 1877,
-|
Sketch of Settlers — Adams. 457
when she died—over 9) years of age. Their gon,
Nels Oleson, lives on the old place. Halvar Nelson
settled on Section 15, in 1837, and died soon sfter.
John Kallum located there about the same time,
and died soon after. His sons, Jacob and Mark,
lived on the old place until recently ; they removed
West.
Thove Tillotson, from Norway, settled on Sec. 22
in 1887, and sold to Reuben Bronson in 1839.
Panl Iverson, from Norway, came in 1887, and
Ineated on Section 14, where his two sons, Thomas
and Nels, lived until recently.
Halvar K. Halvarson and family, came from Nor-
way in 1888, lived in Rutland first, and removed to
Adams in 1840.
Hans O. Hanson and family, came from Norway
in 1839 and settled on Section 15 in 1840; the father
and mother are both dead. he oldest son, Ole H.,
lives on the old place; another son, Alexander,
lives near, on Section 20; the oldest daughter, Ber.
tha, married Thomas Mosey, and lives in Freedom ;
Lovina, married P. H. Peterson; Helen, is married
and lives in Towa,
Tn 1837, a number of Norwegians came from
Stavinger, (the place from which the first colonists
came to America), and settled mostly in Mission.
One family, that of Osman Thomason, settled in
Adams in 1839; he died in 1876, aged 92.
Ansel Dewey, and wife, Philancy Alvord, from
Lenox, Mass., settled near Troy Grove, and removed
to the town of Adame in 1849, where he still resides,
He has eight children: Mary E., marricd Samuel
458 History of La Salle County.
Dewey; Milton E,, married Rebecea J, Brown
Maria L., and Frances C., are at home 5 Chauncey B.,
married Mias Blodget in Vermilion County ; Wm.
A., at home ; Henrietta, married Charles 8. Brown
in Vermillion County ; Charles O., in Ottawa.
MILLER.
The town of Miller embraces Township 34, Range
5; itis nearly all prairie, and is settled mostly by
emigrants from Norway. The settlements commenced
in 1884, It has no railroad, but the town is populons
and wealthy.
Cling Pierson, a native of Norway, eameé to the
United States in 1822; in 1824 he returned to his
native place and gave a glowing account of the
Western world, and through his representations and
efforts, the first Norwegian colony emigrated and
settled in Orleans County, New York, in 1825, Tn
1834, Pierson again led a portion of his countrymen
from New York to La Salle County, who settled
in what is now the towns of Miller and Mission.
Cling seems to have been a restless, roving spirit, and
might onder favorable circumstances have achieved
fame as an explorer. He led the way in the settle
ment of his countrymen on American soil, and
thousands of the natives of Norway and their de-
seendants now occupying happy and Iuxurions
homes in this Western valley, owe their present
status in part, at least, to the lead and efforts of
Cling Pierson.
Sketch of Sellers — Miller, 459
Tt seems he could not rest while there were other
lands to explore; he removed to Texas, and died
there.
Oliver Canuteson. one of the first company from
Norway to New York, in 1825. Came to Illinois
in 1834—died in 1850, He left two sons and one
daughter. One son died in the army in 1843.
Mila Thompson came from Norway to NewYork
in 1825 ; came here in 1834—died about 1856.
Yerk Hoveland came from Norway to New York
in 1825, and to Illinois in 1834; died at Ottawa in
1870.
Oliver Knuteson came from Norway to New York
in 1825, and to Mlinoie in 1834; died in 1848, leaving
four children.
Christian Oleson, from Norway, in 1825, and came
to Hlinois in 1834; diced In 1888, leaving three chil-
dren.
Torson Oleson, from Norway, in 1825, and came
to Illinois in 1834; went to Wisconsin.
Ova Rostal, and wife, Miss Jacobs, from Norway
in 1826, and came to Tilinois in 1835 ; now in Towa.
Daniel Rostal, brother to Ova, and wife, came
Bt the same time; died in 1860,
John Rostal, brother of above, came at the
time from Norway and New York ; here now; mar-
ried Miss Pierson, and settled on Section 3; has five
children.
The first colony of Norwegians, who came in
1824, settled mostly in what is now the northwest
part of Miller, and the southwest part of Mission,
and was fora long time known as the Norwegian
settlement,
460 History of La Salle County.
George Jonson, one of the first from Norway,
came here in 1834; died in 1846; had four children.
Tortal H. Erickson, from Norway to Ottawa in
1837, to Rutland in 1840, then to Californis and
Australia, and back to Miller in 1866; married
Helen Pierson ; has eight children.
Nels Nelson, from Norway to New York in 1825,
and came to Tilinois in 1836; has seven children.
Austin Baker came in 1880; died in Minnesota.
Canute Williamson came from Norway to Tlinois
in 1838 ; living here now.
Nels Frewlin came from Norway to Mlinois in
1889; now here.
Ole Oleson, one of the fifty-two that embarked in
the little sloop, in 1825, came to Illinois in 1884.
All who came from Norway in 1825, were pnssen-
gers in the famous sloop.
Canute Olson came from Norway to Tlinois in
1836; died in 1846,
Lars Brenson came from Norway to Illinois in
1836.
Nels Nelson, the older, from Norway in 1825, in
the sloop, came to Tinols in 1835, purchased a farm,
and moved his family in 1846.
Andrew Anderson, from Norway to New York fin
1836, und came to Mlinois in 1888, with his wife,
Olena Nelson; he died of cholera in 1849. His
widow died in 1875. The children were two sons
and two daughters.
Ener Anderson came with his father; he married
Margaret Gunnison, and settled on 8. 16, T. $4, BR. 5;
has had eleven children; eight are still living.
Sketch of Settlers — Otter Oreck. 461
Andrew, Jr., aleo came with his father; has several
children now living in Ottawa; Susan, married John
Hill; Elizabeth, married Henry Doggett.
Lars Nelson came from Norway to Illinois in 1838;
died in 1847.
Henry Sibley came from Norway in 1838 ; went to
Salt Lake
Lars B. Olson came from New York in 1837,
Michael Olson came from Norway to Illinois in
1830; died in 1877.
David W. Conard settled on Section 80. His first
wife was Miss Debolt ; second wife, Miss Grove,
OTTER CREEK.
Otter Creek township, embracing T. 31, R. 4, orig-
inally a part of the town of Bruce, was detached
and made a town in 1871, and named from the creek
of that name which runs from east to west across
the town near its centre, and with its principal
branch, Wolf creek, furnishes a small area of good
timber.
The few early settlements in the town were, like
all others at that day. confined to this belt of timber,
the remainder of the town being all prairie—which
settled much less rapidly, but is now full of people.
Solomon Brock, born in Kentucky, and came
from near Dayton, Ohio, in 1830, to Bailey's Point,
and to 8. 21 in 1833, He married Jane Moon,
danghter of Jacob Moon, and raised a family where
hefiretecttled. He died in 1860, Hischildren were:
462 History of La Salle Oounty.
Henry, who is married ; Evans B., married Sarah
Birtwell, and oceupies the old farm ; Rees B., mar-
ried Mary Cooper, he was killed at the battle of
Harteville; Philander B., married Ellen Spencer, he
is now insane; Calvin B., married Sarah Hart, and
moved to lowa; Ellen, married Christian Wagoner;
Mary, married Jerry Hopple; Orilla Jane, married
Wn. H. Gochanour ; Lilly married Daniel Barrack-
man, she is dead; Anna, married J.C, Campbell.
Hiram Brock, twin brother of Solomon, came
from Ohio in 1835. Went to Iowa.
James McKernan, son of John McKernan, of South
Ottawa, with his mother, settled on 8. 22, at the head
of the creek timber in 1834, where he still resides ;
his mother died there in 1872, Mr. McKernan has
held the office of Justice of the Peace for several
years, and was Captain of Volunteers in the late
wir. He married Miss Cramer, and has eight child-
ren: Rosanna married Aaron Kleiber in Allen; Gearge
married Miss Little, now in Towa ; Samuel married,
and resides near his father ; Candace married Henry
Ackerman in Iowa ; Solanda married M. Lockwood,
and lives near the old place; Ann Eliza married
Matthias Cavanaugh. Two younger eliildren at
home.
Hugh and Patrick McKernan, brothers of James,
died single.
Benjamin Craig, from Ohio, settled on S.16, in 1887.
Sold to Pickens,
Martin Dukes, from Kentueky, in 1885, settled
near McKernan, and after two or three years moved
to Iowa.
Sketoh of Settlers — Waltham. 463
Henry Pickens, from Middlebury, ras, came to
Otter Creek in 1839 with his wife, Mercy Pierce.
Mr. Pickens died in 1844. His widow is still living
with her son James, aged 89 years.
James Pickens and wife, Eliza Ohase, from Mas-
sachusetts, in 1838, came in a wagon the whole dis-
tance with his family and aged grandmother, Mrs.
Abia Hathaway, who died a few years after, aged
98. He settled on the creek, and in 1848 moved to
Ottawa, where he now resides. His son Henry re-
sides in South Ottawa,’ and is the Supervisor of
that town.
Robert Wade, from Lancashire, England, in 1530,
eame to Taunton, Mass., and here, in 1840; he mar-
ried a Miss Wilson from England. He has two
daughters: Rebecea, married Henry Simmons ;
Elizabeth, married and lives on the old place.
James Spencer, from Lancashire, England, came
with Mr. Wade in 1830, and reached Mlinois in 1840.
He married Mary Bulsbury, an English lady from
Michigan. He has held oflice of Justice of the
Peace for many years. His son James was killed in
thearmy. Ellen married Philander Brock; is now
living with her father. One younger daughter.
WALTHAM.
Township 34, Range 2, and the town of Waltham
are in territory and boundaries identical. With
the exception of asmall grove on the Percomsoggin
in the southwest part of the town, it is all prairie.
464 History of La Salle County.
Thomas Burnham settled in the extreme sonthwest
corner in 1834, Some others came in that locality in
1834, but the firston Waltham Ridge was Joncsand
others, in 1838, and it peopled slowly till after 1850,
when it filled up rapidly in common with all the
prairie towns, The principal part of the town is
high, rolling and desirable land, and is mostly coy-
ered with first class improvements. The town has no
railroad, but it has 2 good and convenient market
at Utica and La Salle, sending its products to
market by cheap canal transportation. There is a
French settlement of considerable numbers in the
northeast part of the town, and anumber of Scotch
in the northwest. Several of the early settlers on
Waltham Ridge were from Waltham, Mass, hence
thename.
Thomas Burnham, and wife, Olimena Clark, of
Granby, Mass., came from Lisbon, Ct, and settled
on the Illinois bottom, opposite Rockwell, in July,
1833. The family were all sick. David Letts moved
them to Cedar Point, where they made a claim. In
September, 1834, he sold to Lewis Waldoand moved
on to 8. 30, T. 34, R. 2, now the town of Waltham.
He filled the offices of Justice of the Peace und
County Commissioner for several years. He died in
May, 1845. He and his wife and aged father were
buried on the farm, but have been removed to Oak-
wood Cemetery, La Salle, and a sister has placed a
stone to their memory. Mr. Burnham was the first
settler ; erected the first dwelling, broke the first
prairie, and raised the first crop in the town of Wal-
tham. He left two sons: John, the first male child,
Sketch of Settlers —Walthain. 405
born in Waltham, married Sarah Lathrop, and lives
at Buckley, Di. Thomas was killed at the battle of
Peach Tree creek,
Hannah Burnham, sister of Thomas, now the old-
est settler in the town, lives with Alfred I. Harts-
horn, aged 70. She came with her brother. in 1833.
Stephen A. Jones, from Waltham, Mass, in 1837;
settled on S. 8, T. 34, R. 2; is still living where he
first settled. He married Catharine Brewster, of
Pawlet, Vt., in 1852; has two cons and one daugh-
ter, Willie, Fanny and Charles, all at home.
Zacchens Farrell came with Jones from Waltham,
Massachusetts; settled on 8. 4, in 1838. He went
East to be married in 1840, and was accidentally
shot.
George Nye, from Plaintield, Connecticut, one of
the Rockwell colony; settled on 8. 4, in 1840 ; died
1865. His widow now lives in Homer. One son in
Towa, and one daughter, the wife of William Dana,
is in Waltham.
John Hill, and wife, from Plainfield, Connectient,
in 1840, now at Troy Grove,
Joseph Fallerton, from Waltham, Massachnsetis,
in the spring of 1838, Settled on 8. 5, T. R. 2;
a@ bachelor; he died at Troy Grove in 1839,
Barzillai Bishop came from Connecticut ; his wife
was Elizabeth Allen, from Lisbon, Connecticut;
settled on S, 20 in 1836 ; died soon after.
Tsaac H. Lamb came in 1838, and settled on 8. 32.
Joseph Megerve, and wife, Betsey Wood, from
Maine to New York, and from New York here in
1840. His children are: Henry, who married
406 History of La Salle County.
Amelia Harkness, lives at Buckley, IL ; Willis, in
Nebraska ; Manning, married Elizabeth Coll, now
of Nebraska ; Marietta, married Mr. Hartshorn.
DIMMIOK,
The town of Dimmick embraces Township 34,
Rangel. The Little Vermillion passes from north to
south through it, east of the centre, and the Toma-
hawk, its principal branch, comes from the northeast
and joins it on Section 84. There is considerable
light bluff timber along these streams, but little bot-
tom of heavy timber growth like that of Troy Grove.
The early settlements were correspondingly slow.
Along the Tomahawk the St. Peters sandstone comes
to the surface of the creek bottom, and the Trenton
limestone shows slightly in the western part. The
Tiinois Central Railroad rans north near the centre
of the town, and like all railroad towns, Dimmick
has become populous and wealthy.
The first settler in the town was Daniel Dimmick,
who came from Mansfield, Ct., in 1824, to Washing-
ton, Richland County, Ohio, and from Ohio to Peoria
in 1828, to near Princeton, in Bureau County, in the
spring of 1829, and in 1830 to near Lamoille, and
went to Hennepin during the Indian war, In 1838
he settled on Sec. 26, in the present town of Dim-
mick. Mr. Dimmick had much new country expert
ence the chain to lay off the town of
Zanesville, in Ohio, ina wind-fall,and he lived many
years in his final home, almost secluded from neigh-
Sketch of Settlers — Dimmick. 407
bors and society. He held the office of Justice of
the Peace. He died at the home of his son, Elijah,
in 1861, Mr. Dimmick had six sons and two
daughters. Elijah is the only one remaining here;
he married Mary E. Philips, second wife, Caroline
Foot, and has seven children. He says that in the
Spring of 1833, while in Hennepin, his father sent
him to Dixon to inquire of Mr. John Dixon if it
was safe to come back, and Mr. Dixon assured him
that it was, and they then went on their claim in the
town of Dimmick.
Jarvis Swift came from Cayuga County, N. Y.
1888 ; married Jerusha Kellogg.
Piijah, married Lydia Tibballs, now in California.
Richard H., married Melissa A. Tibballs, came
in 1835, was a prominent capitalist, and loaned
money till 1840, then went to Chicago, engaged
heavily in banking, and failed in September, 1857; is
now in Colorado, in reduced circumstances.
Henry Swift married Mary Simpson, and died in
Colorado.
Lyman Swift is in Chicago.
Albert is in Michigan.
Mary married Mr. Anderson, is in Kansas.
Garret Fitzgerald was an early settler in the west
part of the town.
Tare! Kingman came in 1835, and settled on Sec-
tion 1. He lost three sons in the army in the war
of the rebellion.
a.
468 History of La Salle County.
GROVELAND.
Township 20, Range 2, constitutes the town of
Groveland. It is the southernmost town in the
county, and the last settled. With the town of
Osage, it lies between the counties of Marshall and
Livingston, and when those counties were onganized
from territory taken partly from La Salle, both of
them refused to take the territory included in those
towns. So La Salle from necessity had to keep it.
With the present population and wealth they con-
stitute no insignificant portion of the county, The
west side of the town is the most elevated. Prairie
creek rises near New Rutland and runs to and
along the north line. Long Point creek rises néar
Minonk, and crosses the town from southwest to
northeast, while the southeast portion is drained by
Diamond creek. All these ran northeastwardly
to the Vermillion, and make effectnal drainage. In
1855 the town was an unbroken prairie, without an
inhabitant. The first house in the town was moved
on to the present site of New Rutland, and made a
section-house on the Illinois Central Railroad. Tt
was made a liquor saloon, and destroyed by a mob
in 1865. The railroad was built through the town
before it was settled, und doubtless was the agency
that developed its resources. Abner Shinn built the
first house and Oscar Jacobson occupied it in March,
1855, being the first resident in the town. He left
i The second resident was Elias Prink, and
imily Whitman, from Onondaga County, N.
Hisonly child, W. E., mar-
in 1s
wife,
Y.; he settled on §.
Sketch of Settlers —Croveland. 460
ried Orvilla Kenyon, and has seven children. He
was a good soldier, and is Police Magistrate in the
village of Dana, The third was Lewis W. Martin,
from Indiana ; he made an improvement on Sec. 10;
sold to Alva Winans and went to Nebraska, Geo.
W. Gray located and lives on &. 11 in 1856, and raised
a large family, The fifth settler was William Mar-
tin; he pre-empted the northeast quarter Section
25th. An Englishman by birth, he enlisted in the 334
Regiment, and died on his way home from the army;
2 bachelor, he left no relatives but a sister, Mrs.
Avna Swift of Bloomington. Nelson Cooper, from
Maryland, a carpenter by trade, settled on 8. 17.
He enlisted in the 104th Regiment. His wife was
Sarah M. Jacobson, daughter of John Jacobson.
He is the present Supervisor of the town. John
Jacobson, from Germany to Ohio, was a magistrate
there; was Supervisor here for several years, and
moved to Nebraska in 1869.
An emigration association was formed in January,
1855, of about two hundred members, residing in
the vicinity of Rutland, Vermont, Each member
paid ten dollars, and was to have a lotin an embryo
city to be located somewhere in the far West. Dr.
Allen and W. B. Burns were the locating commit-
tee, The present site of New Rutland was selected,
being the northwest 40 acres on 8. 18, and southwest
400n 8.7. The railroad gave the members a prefer-
ence in the selection of thelr lands at 20 per cent.
discount. W. B. Burns came on the ground in
Augast, 1855 ; built a house and occupied itin 1856;
he was the master spirit of the enterprise and in-
4
470 History of La Salle County.
snred its snecess; bad health induced him to re-
move to California, whore he died in 1875. Willard
Proctor and Rufus Weston were the first to select
lands under the arrangement with the railroad.
John Wadleigh came to the town in the fall of 1855;
- settled in the village in 1856; was Capt. Co. I, 10éth
Regiment, and had the care of the regiment for
awhile; now Postmaster at New Rutland. Daniel
Wadleigh came about the same time as his brother
John.
Daniel Arnold came in the spring of 1856. Has
been Justice of the Peace and Supervisor, and held
other town offices,
8. L, Bangs came in 1856; he was agent for Mark
Bangs, a younger brother, in building five dwellings,
and purchasing about $100,000 worth of railroad
lands, and bresking 800 acres of prairie, The spec-
ulation failed of success in the revulsion of 1857.
John T. Govecame in 1856; was called the village
blacksmith ; was afterwards a merchant. His son,
E. Gove, was a suecessful teacher; 2 Lieutenant in
the Thirty-third Regiment, and breveted a Major.
Charles Lamb, Andrew Moffatt and Reuben Tay-
lor came in the spring of 1856.
John Grove and son, J. M. Grove, came and set
tled on the west half of Section 15, in the spring of
1856. John Grove was the oldest man in the town.
J. M. taught school from his eighteenth year;
studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Ohio.
He held the offices of Asseasor and Justice of the
Peace and Supervisor.
John H. Martin, born in Wayne County, Tilinois,
Sketch of Settlers — Groveland. 471
was raised in Marshall County, having lived there
since 1829; removed on to Section 25 in March,
1856,
Alexander Olegg, from West Virginia, settled on
Sec. 25. His daughter, Florence, was the first child
born inthe town.
Marshall Smiley,on Sec. 36; Thomas Reeder and
Joseph H. Brown settled near the south line of the
town ; A. Mullen and R. Ballinger settled on 8S. 6—
all in the spring of 1830.
The first religious meetings were held in the
hotel stable ; and afterwards in the hotel. Esquire
Barney O'Neal on the Vermillion, twenty miles
away, was the nearest Justice of the Peace:
there was no Jaw, yet all was orderly. At the
Presidential election in 1856, the political exeite-
ment reached the infant settlement, and all went
twenty miles to the honse of Alif Goff, near the
Vermilion, to vote—all but one voting for Fremont.
Groveland was made a town in the fall of 1856.
First election was held in April, 1857; W. B. Burns,
Supervisor ; John Wadleigh, Clerk ; andJ.M.Grove,
Assessor.
Groveland has two villages and railroad stations
within its limits : New Rutland on theIlinois Central
Railroad, and Dana on the Chicago, Pekin & South-
western—both of which roads pass through the town.
New Rutland has five churches, a graded school, ten
stores, a grain elevator, mill, and 800 population.
Dana, in the southeastern part of the town, has two
grain elevators, one church, six stores, a mill, and
250 population. Like all settlers in a prairie town,
2. _
472 History of La Salle County.
the people know the importance of timber-planting,
and belts and groves of timber are scattered over its
surface on nearly every farm.
RICHLAND.
The town of Richland embraces the west two-
thirds of T. 31, of R. 2. It constituted a part of
Eagle Township till 1867. Itis an elevated prairie
district, with no considerable stream, and no timber
land within its limits. When the county was diyid-
ed into townships, under the Township Organiza-
tion Act, the Commissioners decided to make the
navigable rivers, or such as were so declared by law,
township lines, and consequently all towns eut by
the Tlinois, Fox, and Vermillion rivers, were divid-
ed by the stream.
The town of Eagle embraced T, 31, R. 2, and half
of the town east of it, and south of the river. This
policy was adopted for the reason that there were
no bridges, and the streams were impassable at high
water. Where the streams have been bridged, the
tendency has t to so alter the town lines as fo
have the boundaries correspond with the surveyed
township. This is a great convenience in electing
school officers, and doing the business relating to
schools—and that size is doubtless the most con-
venient. If Brace had claimed the part of her town-
ship south of the river, and Eagle or Richland taken
the balance, or the whole of T. 31, R. 2, it would
have been a better arrangement. Bruce would have
been forced to build a bridge over the Vermillion,
which ought to huve been done long since. Rich-
Jand, being a prairie town, remained unoceupied
till the building of the canal and railroad made its
settlement practicable, In 1840 William Linder set-
tled on 8.8. Peter Eschback, in 1851, settled on
the same section, Conrad Eschback, in the same
year, settled on S. 10, all from Germany, and com-
menced what is now the prosperous German settle.
ment in the northeast part of the town,
E. A. Chase, from New England in 1838, settled
first in Deer Park, and subsequently in Richland,
onS, 7. He is now in Florida.
Reuben Hall, from Ohio in 1851, or 1882, settled
on 8. 7.
Asa Dunham, abont 1848, settled on 8. 8, and J.
L. Dunham, in 1854, on 8. 7—both from Ohio.
Robert B. McGrew, and sons, from Ohio in 1854,
settled on S. 5.
Cutting, and Dana B. Clark, from Maine, in 1854,
settled on S. 18,
Elwood Grist, about 1850, settled on S. 20; he
died in 1856.
Israel Jones, from Maine ; W. Keller, from Ohio ;
Tsaae Vale, from Pennsylvania ; William Copeland,
Andrew Foss, and Alfred Lathrop, from Maine.
The foregoing were those who first occupied and
improved farms and participated in the experiences
incident to the opening of anew country. Richland
is now a well settled and populous town, the Ger-
man element largely predominating.
a.
474 History of La Salle County.
OS8AGE.
The town of Osage includes the Congressional
‘Township 30 North, of Range 2 Bast, the south line
of Groveland or Township 29 being at first the south
line of La Salle County, along all its southern
border,
Osage ie a prairie region exclusively, Snrronnded
by prairie and distant from the county seat, it was
unoccupied until after the older portions of the
county had become comparatively an old country,
and yet the early settlers have a lively recollection
of the loneliness and privations of a new region.
The first entry of Government land was in November,
1820. The N. W. + Sec. 17 was entered by Johu
O. Dent; at the same time he entered for R. B. Dent,
now of California, the N. W. + of same Section,
In 1850, Daniel Grimes entered the N. W. } of
Sec. 6, and John and Amos Scott entered the N.
+of Sec. 4. The pioneer practice of making claims
on Government land had about become obsolete,
and a legal title was considered the only valuable
one.
The first settlers were—Daniel Grimes who settled
in 1850; R. E. Dent, April, 1851; John O. Dent,
1851; James M, Collen, May, 1892; James Honer,
1852.
The town was named from the Osage hedge plant.
William H. Mann grew ninety acres of plants, and
Dent & Verner grew forty acres of plants the year
the town was organized.
The town was organized in 1857—John O. Dent,
Sketch of Settlers — Allen. 475
Supervisor ; James B. Work, T. Clark, G. M. Good-
ale, A. Ledore and John York, Commissioners;
John Elliot and John N. York, Justices of the Peace;
RB. E. Dent, Collector; Pleasant York, Assessor.
‘The town is well fenced with Osage hedge, and
nmumerous thrifty groves of timber exist. It is
doubtless true that a prairie region will, in the fa-
ture, be better supplied with timber than one witha
heavy primitive growth, and « town entirely desti-
tute will feel the necessity and make more provision
| for the fature supply than one partially or fully
supplied.
Such seems to be the case in La Salle County.
John O. Dent has taken the lead in this direction,
having forty acres of timber planted on his premises,
and groves of maple, black walnut, ash, etc., are
eonspienons objects on most of the farms in the
| town. In this respect it is said to be in advance of
| any other town in the county, and the bleak and
| nuked face of the native prairie is thus transformed
| into a beautiful variegated landscape, now a thing
of beauty and comfort.
ALLEN.
The town of Allen is composed of the Congres-
sional Township 31 North, of R. 6 East, and is the
southeastern town in the county. Tt is entirely
prairie, having no natural growth of timber within
its limits or near its border. The soil is good, and
the surface mostly rolling. From its location at a
. ue
6 History of La Salle County.
distance from timber and at the extreme limit of
the county, it remained unoccupied until twenty
years after the organization of the county, and
twenty-five years after settlements commenced with-
in the county limits.
The first permanent resident in the town was
Robert Miller, from New England—a Quaker. He
settled on Section 12, in the fall of 180; after a
few years residence he removed to Iowa.
The next was Michael Kepner from Perry County,
Pa., in the spring of 1851; he made a claim on 8.
16, where he romained five orsix years, and removed
to Minnesota,
James McIntyre made a claim on 8. 15, in 1851,
but resided in Pern one year, then occupied his
claim two years, and in 183 moved on 8. 14, where
he now resides.
Two brothers, John and Inglehart Wormley came
from Pennsylvania in 1852, and settled on Sees, 21
and 22, where John still resides, Inglehart was the
first Supervisor of the town. In 1862 or 63, he re
moved to Southern Illinois.
Adam Fry, from Ohio, came to Du Page County
in 1835, and in the fall of 1852 settled on Seetion 6,
where he died in Sept., 1874; his widow still occupies
the same place.
Elias ©. Lane, from Ohio to Putnam County in
1845, then to Hickory Point in 1853, and to Sec. 8 in
1865, where he still resides, at the age of about 90
years, with his son, W. H. Lane,
William Flint bought Iand on Section 9 in 1851,
and occupied it in 1858; he spent ten years in im-
Sketch of Selilers — Allen. 417
proving and developing the town, and then removed
to Tonica.
M. C. Lane, son of Flias C., from Brown Coanty,
Ohio, entered land on Section 9 in 1851, and occu-
pied it in 1856.
John Cochran, from Adams County, Ohio, entered
Jand on Section 3 in 1851, and has occupied It since
1856.
John Higgins, a native of Prince Edward’s Island,
and from Putnam County here; made an improve-
Ment on Section $ in 1855, and has occupied it with
his family since 1856.
John L, Summers, from Adams County, Ohio,
bonght land on Section 10 in 1854, moved on and
improved it in 1855; returned to Ohio in December,
1856, and came back to his first love in Jan., 1876. .
David Griffith came from Washington County, Pa.,
in 18957, and settled on Section 25—then three to four
miles from neighbors ; he died Aug. 14, 1877.
Mrs. Sarah Hamilton, from Ohio to Putnam
County in 1846, and here in 1856.
Allen Stevens, from Canada to Du Page County,
and thence here in 1857; is now living on the south-
east quarter of Section 5.
Since 1857 the town of Allen has rapidly filled up
with an enterprising population, so that there is no
vacant land in the town, and the improvements of
Most of her citizens are not behind those of her
sister towns. The dwellings, barns, and other im-
Provements of Nathaniel and James McIntyre, M.
©. Tane, Thomas Sullivan, Henry Smith, and some
others, are scarcely excelled in the older States.
478 History of La Salle County.
The extension of the Chicago, Pekin & Sonth-
western Railroad was built through the town of
Allen in 1875, giving a direct communication with
Chicago. The station was located near the centre of
Section 16, which, fortunately for the town, had not
been sold previous to the location of the road. The
town of Ransom was laid out by the School Trustees,
and lots sold to the amount of 85,000 ab the first sale.
If judiciously managed, the town will realize a very
efficient fund for the support of her schools through
all the future.
Thus this town, in the centre of a prairie region,
far from timber, distant from market, and long
neglected, is destined to be a successful rival of the
older settled portions of the county.
MENDOTA.
T. 36, R. 1, constitutes the town of Mendota, It
lies in the reme northwest corner of the connty ;
has no natural growth of timber, and was entirely
ignored by the early settlers, The settlements
around the head of Troy Grove timber had
extended just over the line into T. 80, in 1840.
O'Brian came in 1840, Taylor, in 1841; Ward, in
1842; Meath, in 1 Charles Foster settled
on S. W. 4 S. 34, in 1848. Bela and William
Bowen, from New York in 1849.
But the building of the Ilinois Central and Ohi-
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads inaugurated
the germs of the city of Mendota—and soon filled
Sketch of Sellers — Mendota. 479
the town with » busy population. It was known as
early as the spring of 1853 where the junction of the
two roads would be, and D. D. Giles erected a store,
and others followed in quick succession. T. B.
Blackstone, resident engineer on the railroad, laid off
the original town of Mendota. The place was fa-
miliarly called the Junction, but as the railroad
stations located on new territory that were nameless
were given Indian names, this name was changed to
Mendota, which is the Indian name for junction—
meaning meeting, orcoming together. O.N. Adams
the name, perhaps from his being the
owner of the Mendota Furnace, near Galena. The
Central road was completed to this place in the sum-
mer of 1853, and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
in November following. The latter road was built
in sections ; first, the Military Tract and Galesburg,
Galesburg to Mendota, and then the Aurora Exten-
sion, connecting with the Northwestern at Turner
Junction.
The increase of population and building up of the
town wns very mpid, so that in 1855, less than two
years from the completion of the railroad, Town
Trustees were chosen and a municipal government
Organized. The village limits were the lines of S. 33.
There have been several additions since. March 4,
1867, a city government was organized, and city
Officers chosen on the 9th of April following. The
growth of Mendota has been constant and rapid, and
it is destined to be a city of no mean proportions,
The enterprise and intelligence of the people is
shown by their admirable schools and institutions of
«
480 History of La Salle County.
learning, churches, manufactures and trade shown
elsewhere.
HOPE.
‘The town of Hope is Township 31, Rangel. Tt is
the southwestern town in the body of the county—
is all prairie, and was entirely neglected by the early
settlers, Its northern portion forms part of the
divide which separates the waters which flow north-
erly tothe Vermillion and Illinois and those that
flow west and southwest to the Illinois,
The head of Bailey's creek drains the northeast-
ern portion of its surface, which rans to the Ver-
million, but the larger portion is drained by the
north branch of Sandy creek and its affluents,
called Little Sandy, which runs west and sonthwest
and empties into the Illinois near Henry.
Samuel D. MeCaleb, from Rockbridge County,
Virginia, and his wife, Catharine Wood, from Ma-
son County, Kentucky, settled on Ox Bow Prairie,
Putnam County, in August, 1832, where Samuel D.
died in September, 1839. His widow moved to 8. $
8. 9, town of Hope, with her family of five boys and
one girl, in April, 1850. She is now living in
Lostant. Her children are; Albert G., in Lostant;
Gilbe B., Lostant; Herbert C., Wenona ; Ethel
red Missouri; and Hubert A., in Ottawa; the
sister is now dead.
Hubert A. McCaleb held the following positions
inthe army: Sergeant Company I, Eleventh Tl
Sketch of Seitlers — Meriden. 481
Infantry, Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant
same company, Lieutenant Colonel Sixth U. 8. C.
Artillery, Colonel same regiment, Sheriff LaSalle
County from 1866 to 1868, and County Clerk from
1873 to 1877.
John M. Richey, from Muskingum County, Ohio,
came to Putnam County in 1887, He entered S. 24
in Hope, in 1849, on which he resided till his death
in 1875. The village of Lostant was laid out on Mr.
Richey’s farm in 1861. He married Clara 0, Col-
ster, and left three living children: Mary C., Can-
dace M., and John C.
Horace Graves, and William H. Graves, came to
Putnam County in 1829 and 1830, and were early
settlers in Hope.
John Morrison, a native of Scotland, came to
Hope in 1850; has been Supervisor eight terms.
The Rey, A. Osgood, and family, were early set-
tlers, and aided efficiently in building up the town.
William Lancaster settled at an early day on the
Magnolia road, that runs through the town; he
served as Town Supervisor.
Thomas Patterson, from Kentucky, owned a farm,
and built a house, called the Prospect House, at an
early day, abont the first in the town.
MERIDEN.
Township 36, Range 2, constitutes the town of
Meriden. It is bounded on the north by the north
line of the county, and is a prairie region, sur-
482 History of Ta Salle County.
rounded by prairie on all sides except a small grove
on Sees. Sand 6, called Fonr-Mile Grove. Afew fam-
ilies pitched their tents around the little oasis in the
middle of the wide prairie, in the year 1896, and
these were all the early settlers.
John Haight settled on Webster's farm near Pern,
first, and came to Meriden in 1896.
David Peck, from Albany County, N.Y., settled
on See, 6, in 1836; sold to Cunningham,
Lyman Alger, from the same place, in 1836; sold
to McIntyre,
O. W. Bryant came from Maine to Pern, in 1837,
and to Meriden in 1842,
Benjamin Furman came from Tioga County, Pa. ;
settled on 8. 6, in 1838.
George Wilkinson, from the same place, settled on
the same Section at the same time.
Benjamin Birdsall came from New York, in 1889.
E. R. Wicks settled on 8. 18, in 1848,
David Holden settled on the same Section in 1848.
Tra Bailey came in 1848.
John Rose, from Scotland, James Cunningham,
Hiram Cristler, John Weisner, Thomas Eager and a
few others constituted the pioneer force that com-
menced the task of transforming the wild prairie
town into productive farms and the quiet pleasant
abode of a numerous, wealthy and prosperous
people—a task that with the aid of succeeding
emigrants has been most successfully accomplished.
Sketch of Setllers — Wallace. 483
WALLACE.
Wallace embraces the west part of Township $4,
Range 3, being four and one-half miles in width
from east to west. Until a few years since it was a
part of Dayton, and being nearly all prairie it
remained unoccupied excepting a few settlers on its
sonthern border until the impetus given by the
completion of the canal and railroads sent the pop-
ulation over all the prairie. Its proximity to
Ottawa and Dayton made its settlement a mild
experience compared with the more secluded
sections,
Thomas Robinson came in 1888; Mr. Cavanaugh
and E. W. Curtis, in 1847 or 48; A. P. Hosford, Seth
Sage, R. 0. Black and a few others, were the earliest
residents.
484 History of La Sate County.
ADDENDA— OTTAWA.
John Manley, from Clinton County, N. Y., settled
in Ottawa in 1887; has kept a hardware store either
alone or with a partner, for nearly forty years,
probably the oldest honse in tewn. A daughter,
who had just completed her education, was drowned +
in the Hudson river. A younger daughter is the
wife of Richard C. Jordan, cashier of the City Na-
tional Bank of Ottawa. Carrie is at home.
Peter Ruseel, from Ireland, came to Ottawa in
1838; a cabinet-maker; his has been the leading
house in that branch in Ottawa for many years. His
son is now a partner in the firm of P, Russell & Son.
William Palmer came from New York in 1836; a
wagon maker by trade; he has followed the busi-
ness since he came till 1875; he has left the county.
John Palmer, brother to William, came at the
same time ; settled on 2 farm ; afterwards moved to
Ottawa; was County Assessor, and the first that
assessed the land sold by the Government, being five
years after the sale; he died in Ottawa, John and
George Armour from Ayreshire, Scotland, came to
Ottawa in 1834. After a few years residence in Ot-
tawa, George went to Chicago, where he still resides,
John was a prominent warehouse owner and grain
dealer till his death, several years since; he never
married. James and Archie, brothers of the above.
came er, James died in La Salle; Archie is still
living in Ottawa.
Martin Murray, from Ireland, came abont 1888 or
9; he was familiarly known as Janitor of the eourt
Addenda — Ollawa. 435
honse for many years. His son John is well known
in Ottawa.
Dick Daily came from Cork County, Ireland, to
La Salle County in 1839; married Sarah Ann Mo-
Cormick ; has served as Constable many years.
Jacob C. Van Doren, from Montgomery County,
N. Y., came in 1888; settled on §. 28, T. 92, R. 3;
about 1855 he removed to Ottawa, where he and his
wife died some years after. His eldest son, C. M.,
came before the family ; he also removed to Ottawa
andis now in Washington Territory. James married
Olive Dimmick, and died in Ottawa about 1874, The
only daughter is the wife of Jesse Dickey in Ottawa;
Lansing and Lucas have left the county.
Albert H. Ebersol came from Dauphin Gounty,Pa.,
to Grand Rapids, with his father, Joseph Ebersol ;
married Miss Celia Pearre ; has one son, Joseph P.;
he is now the oldest settler in Grand Rapids.
CATALOGUE OF THE PHAENOGAMIA OF FLOW-
ERING PLANTS OF LA SALLE COUNTY.
BYR. WILLIAM,
In » botanical point of view, the surface of the county may be
conveniently divided into four habitats or districts, ench baving a
flora peculiar, io part, to itself: 1; the prairie or trockeas district,
the soil n deep black loam; 2, the belts of wooded upland, horder-
ing the river valleys, having for the most part a clay soll; 3, the
alluvial bottoms and lalands of the Tiinols and Vermillion rivers;
4, that part of the Tilinols River Valley characterized by the up:
hoaval of the Silurian formation, and lying principally between
the cities of Ottawa and LaSalle, A glance at this varied surface,
ranging in the quality of {ts sol! from a deep alluvium to a barren
sund, will prepare the botanist to look for @ rich flora, and be will
not be dissppointed.
Of one hundred and thirty-two onlers found native in the
Northern United States, one hundred and eleven are represented
in Illinois by one thousand and fifty-two different species; sumber
of Graminew or true grasses, one hundred and fifty-two ; of forest
trocs there are over seventy specics, including thirtecn species of
oak; there are one hundred and sixty-six apecies of Composite or
compound flowers, including twenty-three species of Aster, twenty:
of Solidago or golden rod, and fourteen of the Helianthus or sun-
flowe
‘The following list embraces but fow species that hare mot been
personally identified by the writer of this article, during « residence
of twenty years in the county, Much Inbor has been bestowed to
make it ns completo and accurate us possible. Correspondence is
regard to omissions or doubtful points in nomenclature fs invited.
‘The time is not distant when many of the species here exum.
486
Catalogue of Flowering Piants. 487
erated will not be found in the county. ‘The fringed gentian, for
exomple, is becoming every yoar lees common in our pastures,
‘The herbariums prepared by W. W. Calkins, of Chiongo, and W.
‘W. Johnron, of Marsetiles, bave afforded much valuable assistance
in the preparation of this list.
Rawoxcetacs.e — Crowfools,
Clemutis Virginiann, Virgin's Bower.
Anemone nemoroea, Wind Flower,
“” Pensylvanion.
thualietroid
sp eylindrica,
lols, Liverwort,
“acutiloba.
‘Phalictrum dloicum, Meadow Rue.
reptane, Buttorcupe.
noris
Parshit
oatilis.
tls.
cicularis,
Ponnsylvanious
Ae, hue.
Caltha palustris, Marsh Marigold.
rum Diternatim, Rue Anemone
inst iges Canesten lumblne.
Gimtcifugs racemosa, Black, Sonkeroot,
cts oe janeborry.
Axsoracr.n — Anonads.
Asimina triloba, Papaw.
Mexrerenact.: - Menispermads.
Menlapermum Canadense, Moon-seed.
Buxoxkmackas — Berberids.
Rerberis Vulgsris (Europe), Berberry.
Canlophylium thalictroides, Cohosh.
phylum peltaium,
Wild Mandrake.
Newrikack.c — Water Lilies,
N odoreta,
fuphar advena,
Water Lily.
Yellow Pond Lily,
Paravenace.at — Poppy-worts,
ia Canadensis,
Chelidonium majus (Europe),
Blood-rvot,
Celanding,
488 History of La Salle County.
Fomanacksc — Fumeworts.
Dicentra cucuilaria, Datchman's Breeches,
Corydalis miren, Golden Corydalix.
“glauca,
Adlumia cirrhosa (Canada), Mountain Fringe,
Cxvorrmna,
Dentaria laciniatn, Pepper-root,
Cardamine hireuia, Bitter Cress
Arubis Canadensis, Bickle Pod.
“ Tevigata,
Seaymbrium officinale, Hedge Mustard.
Sinapis nigra (Europe), Binck Mustard,
*arvensia Field Mustard
“alta White Mustard.
Drabe verm, Whitlow Grass.
“ Osroliniana.
Armorncis rusticana (Europe), Horse Radish,
Camelina sativa Fualno Flax,
Capselia Bursa-pastoris, Shepherd's Parse,
Lepidiurn Virginieum, ‘Tongue Grass.
Raphanus sativus (Europe), Radish.
Carranmpacr.s — Capparids.
Polanisia graveolens.
Vionaces: — Violets,
Viola cucullata,
sagittata,
Innceolata,
“ delphinifolla.
pedata,
tricolor (Europe), Pansy.
Hyrenicack.® — St. John’s worts.
Hyporjcum perfoliatam (Europe)
() inadenae,
Canrormvnnacea: — Pinkworts,
Saponaria officinalis (Europe), Bouncin,
Silone stellata, Stallate Campion.
+ niven.
Agrostomma Githago, Corn Cockle.
Cerastinm valgatum, Chickweed.
“nuns,
“ — oblongifolium,
Stellaria media, Star Chickweed,
longifolia
Arenaria lateritlora, Sandwort.
Mollugo verticilinta. Carpet Weed,
Catalogue of Flowering Plants. 4su
Powrviacacs: — Purslanes.
Claytonia Virginica, Epring Beauty:
Talinum teretifoliuin
Portulaca oleracea, Purslane.
" granditiora (§. America), Portulaes.
Manvact.s — Mallows.
Althea rosen (Earope), Hollyhock
Malva sylvestris (Europe), High Mallow,
“crisp.
“rotundifolia.
tranguleta
Abutilon Aviceunw, Indiap Mallow.
Hibisens Moscheutos, Marsh Hibisens
Lrxact.m — Plaxworts,
Linum ustatisdmum (introduced), Flax,
“rigidum.
“ Virginianom.
TILLAck& — Basswoods
‘Tila Americana.
Gxmamtact.e — Geranin,
Geranium maculatum, Spotted Gerantum.
“ Robertianum, Herb Robert
4 Carolinianum,
Oxatiack® — Sorrels.
Oxalia Acotosella, Wood Borrul
BArsaurgack® — Jewel Weeds.
Impations pallids, Touch-me-not.
“a fulra.
Rurack:— Rueworta,
Xanthoxylum Americanum, Prickly Aah.
Pielen trifoliata, Shrub Trefoil,
Awacantpac.1c— Sumachs.
Rhus Toxicodendron, Poison Oak
“ radicans
AcEnAcEa: — Maples,
Acer dasyearpum, White Maple,
“ rabrum, Swamp Maple.
* saccharinum, Sugar Maple
“ Pseudo: Platanus, Sycamore,
Negunde ucorvides, Box Elder.
490 History of La Salle County.
Sarpypacr.e — Indian Sospworts.
Beoulve glabra, Ohia Buckeye,
Cardiospermum 'Haliacabam, Balloon Vine,
Staphylea trifolln, Bladder Nut.
CELAWniice.a: — Stall Trees
Celastrus scandens, Stall Tree.
Euonymus atropurpureus, Rarning Bua
Ruaserack.c—Buckthorns
Ceanothus Americanus, Jersey Tea.
Veracea: — Vines
Vitis mstivalis, Summer Grape.
“" yulpina (introduced), Fox Grape,
Ampelopais quinguefolin, Virginia Creeper.
Potycatact.: — Milkworts,
P Seneca Sanke-root,
polycama,
sanguinea,
“ vorticiilats.
Leotsnxosa —Leguminons Plants.
Desmanthus brachylobua.
Gleditschia triscanthias, Honey Locust.
Cassia Chammorista, Sensitive Pes.
< Marilancica, American Senna.
Cercis Canadensis, Red Bud
Baptisia leacophuea, Wild Indigo.
Teucantha
Lathyrus palustris,
* venowte,
Vicin Americana, Vetch.
“ Carolinians.
* sativa,
Desmodium soumtnatam, Bush Trefoll.
Dellenll.
cuspidatum.
rigidum.
= nadense,
Lupinus perennis Lupine.
Gymnocladus Canadensis, Coffee Tree.
Trifollum procumbens, Yellow Clover.
repens, Whit Clover,
pratonse, Red Clover,
stoloniferam, Butfalo Clayer.
Melilotus alba (Kurops}, Sweot-scented Clover,
Psoralea florivunda.
Amorpha fruticoss, Lend Plant.
canescens, Shoestring.”
Dales alopecaroldes.
Petalowemon canilidum,
: violuceum:
Astragalus Canadensis,
* Plattensls
Phaca nstragalina.
Tephrosia Virginlana,
Robinia Psoudacscia,
Apios tuberosa.
Phaseolus peronnts,
Ceorasus serotina,
* Virgininna,
Pennsy!!
“vulgaris (
Pranus Americana,
Asselaochier Cauadeusls,
Cratmegus coccinwa,
+" tomentosa,
Pras coronaria,
Ross setigers.
* blanda.
lucida,
Carolina,
© rabiginoss (introduced),
Agrimonia Eupatoria,
“ parriflora,
Geam vernum,
Virginiannm
Rubus villosus,
Canadensis,
occidentalis,
Fragaria Virginians,
Potentilla Norvegion,
ope),
“+ Canadensis,
fruticosa
+ arguta
Spires lobaia,
salicifolia,
GUlenia stipulacea,
Lymmace.® — Loosostr
Lythrum alatum,
Catalogue of Flowering Plants.
‘nimble Weed.
Mitk Vetch.
Goat's Rue.
Locust,
Wild Bean Vine,
Black Cherry.
Choke Cherry,
Red Cherry.
Morello Cherry
Red Plum.
Shad Plower.
Thorn.
Wild Crab Apple.
Wild Rowe.
Shining Rose.
Eglantine.
Agrimony.
Avens.
High Blackberry.
Dewberry.
Black Raspberry.
Strabo
Cinguetoi
Five Finger.
Queen of the Prairie.
Meadow Sweet
Bowman's Root.
Lousestrife.
Osaonicum — Onagrads.
(others
Gaura bie
“Slips
Ledwigis palusttis
Olreas Li jana,
Evening Primrose
Bastard Loosestrifo
401
Enchnnter's Nightshade,
492
Cactack: — Indinn Figs.
Opuntia vulgaris, Prickly Pear.
Cnassctacna:,
Sedum Telophinm, Orpine.
“ temnatum.
Peathoram sedoides, Virginia Stone-erop.
Cecunmracea
Steyos angulatas, Single Seed Cucumber
GuossuLacka: — Currants,
Ribes rotundifolive, Swamp Gooseberry
“~~ floridum, Wild Black Currant
Saxtmag act. — Saxifrages,
Saxifraga Ponnaylvanica
ce cppostifolta,
Henchera Amoricanu, Alnm Root.
' Richardsouil.
Mitella diphytia, Mitrewort.
Hydrangea arborescens, Wild Hydrangea.
Chrysospleniuin Americanum, Water Carpet.
HAMAMELACE®,
Hamamelis Virginians, Witch Hazel.
Usunttrranss — Umbelwarts,
Banleula Marllandica, Sunicle.
Eryngium yuccefoliam, Rattlesnake Maste
Pastinaca sativa, Parsnip,
Thaspium anreum, Goldon Alexander,
Zizia integerrima, E x
Cicuta maculata, Water Hemlock.
Cryptotwnia Canadensis, Honewort
Siam Iatifolium, Water Parsnip
Exlgenia bulboza, Popper and Salt
Amattacnas— Aralinds.
Arulin nudicaulis, Wild Sarssparitia,
racemosa, Spikenard.
Panax trifolium, Dwarl Ginseng.
Consacese
Cornus paniculata Dogwood.
‘geri
"florida
CarniroLiacna
‘Triosetum perfoliatum, Feverwort.
Lonicera flava, Wild Honeysuckle.
parviflora
Catalogue of Flowering Plants. 498
Lonicors sempervirens (introduced)
Sambucus Canadensis. ‘ Elder,
ena,
+ Vibornem Opies (Iatrodvoed High Cranberry.
Soar ae — Black Hav,
“* fosguta (introduced), Snow Ball.
Rentace.® — Madderwarts
Gatto . Cleavers.
> dum.
=: tris
Diodia Virginians,
Ceplalanthus Seles, Button Bush,
Houstoala cceruley Bluets.
“VALBNIANACE.
Volerinna ciliata,
‘Valerianella umbitleata, Lamb's Lettuce,
Composit. — Asterworts,
‘Versonla fasciculata, Iron Weed.
Lintris eylindracoa,
squarross, Blazing Star.
ae
“ fachya.
Bupatotfom purpireamn
neem perfoliatum, Boneset,
ae serotiqum.
i ratoides, White Souke Root.
nt altissimum.
Achillea Milefolium, Yarrow,
mbosus, Aster.
iifollus.
agittifoliua.
Qoen : ‘Anglie.
sericous.
tonulfolios,
undulatus.
opus nai ae tifolius.
beat Flos Baup
A Fauadetphican.
Selligitollur, Robin's Plantain,
heterophyllum
annuum, White Weed,
dago Lenuifolio, Goldenrod.
latifolia, ".
404 History of La
Salle County.
Solidago lanceolnta
Missourlonsis
Canadensis,
altissina,
rigid,
Inula Heleninm, (introduced),
Polymnia Canndensis,
Silphiam Iaciniatum,
rebinthinaceam,
grifolium
perfotlatum,
Parthen\um integrifolum.
Ambrosia artemisiofolia,
“ trifida,
Xanthfum Stranariutn,
Hellopsis luvis
Echiaucea purpuren
angustifolia
Rudbeckia hirta,
‘«” gubtomentosa,
Lepachys pinnat
Hellanthus, annuus (8. America)
; rigidus
tomentosns
angustifollus
tuberosus
mollis,
occidentalis,
Coreopsis tinctoria (introduced)
“ discoiden
wipteris
trichosperma
Bidens bipinnata,
“ frondoan
connnta
chrysanthomoliles
Senecio aureus,
vulgaris,
Tymenopappus seabivexus,
Cnealia striplicifolia
int
tuberoan
Helenium nutumaale,
Artemisia bionnis,
vulgaris
Maruta cotul:
anacetutn vulgare (introduced),
Gaapbalium ullginosus
decurren
polycephalum
Antennaria plantaginifolia
margariticea
Elocatmpane
Leaf Cap.
Polar Piant
Prairie Bu
dock,
Cup-plaat
Hog-woed
Horse weed.
Clot-weed,
Oxeye
Purple Coue-Sower
Cone-slower
Senecio
Groundse
Mayweed.
Tansy.
Cudweed
Everlasting.
Eroehtites hieraclfollas,
Cirsiara lanceolatum,
ad renee,
* — altissimum,
Lappa major,
Gichorium intybus (Burepe),
Krigia Virginica,
Gyethle Virginkca,
leracsam Casadenso,
Gronovii
“ — Jongipilum.
Nabalus altrus,
“ gacemosus.
orepidingus
asper.
‘Paraxacum Dens-Leonis (Rurope),
Lactuce elongate,
Sonchus olerareus (introduced),
Catalogue of Flowering Plants. 495
Pire-weed.
Common Thistle.
Canada Thistle
Burdock
Succory
Dwarf Dandelion
Hawkweod
Drop Flower
Dandelion.
‘Trumpet Milkweed
Sow Thistle.
Loguiace — Lobeliads
Lobelia cardinalis,
- inflata,
syiphiliticn,
spicata,
Cardinal Flower,
Indian Tobacco,
Biue Cardinal Flower
CamparuLack.e — Bellworts
Campanula rotundifolls,
™ aparinoides,
Americana,
Speeularin perfoliata.
Hare Bell,
Bell-fower,
ERICACER.
Gaslussacia resinoss
Monotrope unifiors,
Huckleberry
Indian Pipe
Aquirotiack® — Hollyworts.
Prinos verticiliatus,
Black Alder.
Ononaxcnack® — Broomrapes
Aphylion uniflora,
Preaveack: — Primworts.
Androsace occidentalis,
Dodecatheon Medin,
Lysimachia stricta,
thyraifolia,
“ longifolio
“ oflinta
Centunculus minimus,
American Cowslip.
Loose-sttite.
F
#0 Pimpernel,
PLaxtactxacea: — Ribworts
lontago major (Europe),
Ianceolata
Plantain.
496 History of La Satie County.
Plantago cordate,
sc rintata.
Laxriucnacn.x.
Urticularia vulgaris, Bladderwort
“minor:
Broroxact.x — Trampet Flowers
oma radicans.
ScnormpLantace.ts — Pigworts
Verbascum thapsus (Europe), Malleln.
Linaria ralgaris “ Toud Plax,
Scrophalarin nodosa, Figwort
Chelone giabra, ‘Turtle Head.
Pentsiemon gracilis, Beard Tongue,
* digitalis
Collinsls verua, Innocence.
Mimulua ringens, Monkey Flower,
ss alatus.
Conoben multitida.
Veronica Virginica, Spoodwell
sontellata.
Dasystoma {
Gerardia purp
Yellow Foxglove.
Gernrdia,
“ ‘teauifolia,
“ — gotacea,
Castilleja coccinea, Painted Cap,
Pedicularis Canadensis, Lousewort
“ Yanceolata.
Melampyruim partense, Cow Wheat,
Acanruace.s — Acanthads,
Dipterncanthus strepens
VERRENACRA— Vervains
Verbena angustifolia
hastate Common Verrain.
«stricta,
“ — bractions.
Lippia nodislora, Fog Fruit,
Phryme loptostachya, Lop-sced.
Lancatas —Labiate Plants
acr Canadouse, Gormander.
Isanthus caraleus, Palse Pennyroyal
Mentha Canaden Horaomint
viridie (Europe).
Lycopus Europaeus, Water Hoarhound.
Hedeoma pulegiotdes, American Pennyroyal
Pycnanthemum linifolinm Wild Basil
Catalogue of Flowering Plants. 47
Pycaanthemum pilosum.
ifonarda fetuloes, Wild Bergamot
Le punctata, ba
Lophanthus serophnlarifaline, Hedge Hyssop.
‘ nopetaides.
Nepeta entarla (Europe), Catnip.
Brunella vulgaris, Biue Curls
Scutellaria versicolor, Skal-eap.
“ can) econe.
“ parvula
* galerieulsta,
a Tateriflara.
Physostegia Virginiana, Lion's Heart
Synandea grandiflora,
Goleopais tetrahit, Hemp Nettle.
Stachys hyasopifolin, Hedge Nettle.
palustris.
Leonarus Cardinca (Europe), Motherwort
Marrublum vulgare Hearhound.
Bornasts ack — Borrageworts
Onosmodium Carolinianum:
Lithospermum canescens, Paccoon,
hirtan,
Mertensia Virginica, Smooth Lungwort
Myosotia stricta, Porget-me-not
+ cmapitose.
Lycopsis arvensis (Europe), Wild Baglors
Echivospermum Lappula, Barr-seed.
Cynogloxsum officinalis (Europe) Ho
Virginicum
Hronormritack: — Bydrophylis
Hydrophytinm appendicalatum Water-leaf
Virginicum
macrophyllum.
nd’s Tongue
Ellisla Nycteles
PoreMontsck — Phloxworts
Phlox acuminats, Phlox
glaherrima.
* divaricata
* pilosa
“bifida.
Polemoaiaiw reptans, Greek Valerian
CosvoLytLace.®: Bindweeds
Convolvulus arvensis Bindweed,
Pharbit * purpurea Morning Glory
Bil
Tpoma paniuratus, ild Poratoe
* Yacunose, False Bindweed
408 History of
’ La Salle County.
Calystegia epithsmeus
“ Seplum,
Cascuta glomerats,
tenuiflora
Rutiand Beanty.
Dodder.
Soraxscea — Nightshades.
‘olanum Dulcamara,
“ nigeum (Europe),
Physalis viseoss,
Atropa Belladonna (Europe)
Hyoscyamus niger
Datura stramovinim (Cent Ax
Biteraweet,
Binck Nightshade
Ground Cherry.
Deadly Nightauate.
Henbane
Thorn Apple
merica),
Gextraxact.c — Gentlanworts.
Gentlana quinquetior.
crinita
pounria,
detonsa.
Androwsii
alba.
Erythroa Gentauriam,
Avocywac
pum androsemifoliam.
cannabinum
Apocs
AsOLRPLAD
Asolopias cornuti
“ phytolnccatdes,
plas purpurs
acaraate,
tuberosa
verticillnts
Acorates viridifiors,
A
Ourat
Fraxinns Americana,
quudmngolata,
mbuctfolin,
Astronoc
Asarum Canadense,
Ryerturx
Oxybephut nyctaginen
Pouvoona\
Rheum Rhaponticum, (Siberk
Rumex erispus
altiasimus,
Acotosella
Verticillatus,
obtusifollus
Blue Fringed Gentian
Closed Bine Gentian,
8 — Dog-banes
ack — Asolepiads
Milkweed.
Poke Silkwoed.
Butterfly Weed
re — Olives
White Ash.
Blae Aeh.
Black Ash
— Binthworts
Wild Ginger.
1A0
ack. — Marvelworts.
Wild Four-o
— Sorrelworts.
Rhubarb,
Yellow Dock,
cA
a.)
Wat
Dook,
Catalogue of Flawering Plants. an
Polygonum aviculare, Birds Knot Grass,
+ Peansylvanicum, Knot Gress,
convolvulus, ¥ <
“orientale (Enrope), Prince's Feather.
* -Hydropiper, Water Pepper
“ — amphiblum.
“ — Persicarla,
Payronaccac
Phytolncea decandra,
Cuexovonracn — Goose-foote
Chenopodium bybridum,
" album, Pigweed.
antheliminticom, Wormse
Amananrack.® — Amaranths.
Amaranthus hypocondriacns (Mexico)
= Tetroflexus (introduced).
“albus ‘
Lavmacuae
Sassafras ofcinsle
SANTALACKAn,
Comandra umbellais, Bastard Toad Flax
Tranceack.s
Dirca palustris, Leatherwood.
ErPRORBIACEA
Euphorbia Cyparissias (Europe), Cypress Spurg
* corollata, Flowering Sparge
" prostrat
* — commutate
rovundifolia,
hypericifotin.
mercurialinn.
maculata,
Acalypha Virginica ‘Three-seeded Meroury
Ricinus communis (Bast Indies), Castor Oil Plant,
Uratace: — Elmworts.
Ulmus Americans,
“ falva,
Arrocanpack® — Artocarps.
Morus rubra, Red Mulberry
alba (China), White Mulberry.
Maclura aurantiaca’ (Arkansas), Osage Orange
600 History of La Salle County.
Unrcacnn — Nettloworts.
Bringing Netile,
procera.
Humulus lupalus, Common Hop.
Cannabis suttva (India}, Hemp,
Pilea pamiin, Richweed.
PraxtaNack.s —Sycamores.
Pintanus occidentalis, Buttonwood.
Jeouaxpsck.s: — Walnut,
Tuglans cinerea, Butternut.
o Black Walnut,
Carya Pigaut
e Shagbark.
CaPcniven — Mastworts,
Quercus imbricaria, Laurel Oak,
" iiieifolia, Scrub Oak.
“obra, Red Oak
palustris, Pin Oak.
alba, White Oak.
* mucrocarpa, Burr Oak.
« castanea, Chestnut Oak.
Corylus Americano, Hazel Nut.
Ostrya Virginica, Hop Hombeam,
Carpinas Americana, Horn beam.
BRTULACE® — Birchworts.
Alnus sorralata, Alder
Sauicackae — Willows,
Salix tristls, Sage Willow.
Mules berghiana.
etiocephala,
vitellina, Yellow Willow.
‘« Babylonica (Europe), Weeping Willow.
longifolia.
* gericen, Gray Willow,
Populus tremuloides, American Aspen.
1 grandiden tata,
* — candians (introduced), Baim of Gilead
» — dilatata, Lombardy Poplar.
alba, Sflverleat Poplar
Connmxis.1¢ — Conifer
Pinus Strobus, White Pine.
‘Abies alba, White Sprace,
* excelsn (Europe) Norway Spruce.
Thuja occidentalis, Arbor Vitm
Juniperus Virginians, Red Cedar.
Calalogue of Flowering Plants. 501
Anaczm — Aroiils
Arisema tripbyllam, Jack-in-the pulpit
“~ Dracomtium,
Calla palustris,
Symplocarpus fastidus, Shunk Cabbage,
Laexacn — Duckmeats.
Lemna minor,
‘Tuxrnace.s: — Typhade.
‘Typha latifolia, ‘Cat-tall
Nranacrat — Nainds
Potamogeton oatans, Pond: Weed.
" hybrids
Atssc.cesc — Water Plantaing
Alisma plantajo.
iggittaria vurinbilis, Arrow Head.
Scheuchzeris pa‘ustris-
Hyproomanmasce.n — Frogbita
Anscharis Canadensia
Onourpac.s — Orchids,
Cypripedium pubescens, Ladies Slipper
parviflorum, Yellow Slippe
“ — spectabile, Moccasin Flower,
“—— candidum, White Ladies Slipper
Orebis spectabilis.
Spiranthes gracilis, Ladies’ Tresses
Awanyia.macea — Amaryilids.
Star-geass.
Tutpactian,
Iria versicolor, Bine Flag
Sisyrinchium inucronatum. Blue eyed Grass
Sarnacn.te
Smilax rotundifolia, Green Brier
quadrangalaris
TurnttAcea: — Trillinds.
‘Trillium rocurvatum, Wake-robin.
‘ grandiflorum, White Trillium.
Liutace.e — Lilyworts
Erythronium Amoriciaum
“ albidum, Whito Erythroniom,
Lilium Canadense, Yellow Lily.
Philadelphieum, Tiger Lily.
Scilla esculenia Quamual
502 History of La Salle Cons
Allium tricoccum,
“ cerneram.
* stelatum.
Polygonatum multiforam,
Smilacina racemosa,
“stellata.
Majanthemum bifolinm,
Urularin per folinta,
* grandifiors,
Mrnantiacn.s— Melanth
Zigadenus glaucus,
Melanthiaom Virginioum
©
Tradescantia Virginion
Xyrls Carolintana,
Garlic.
‘True Solomon's Seal.
Clustered Solomon's Seal.
‘Two-lesved Solomon's Seal,
Mealy Bellwort,
Zigadene.
OMMBL NA CEA.
Xvnmacnat.
Yellow-eyed Grase
Powtxpnnracn.®.
ntederia Cordata,
Pickerel Weed.
THE GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS OF LA SALLE
OOUNTY, AND THEIR ORGANIC REMAINS.
BY WILLIAM WIRT CALKENE,
Of the ten great systems at present recognized by goologista, five
are wantlug in this State, Theve are: The Cretaccous, Jurassic,
Triassic, Huroninn, Laurentian, Of the otber five, we have in this
county, the Quaternary or Post-Tertiary, the Carboniferous, and
the Lower Silurian Formations. 1 thus appears that we have in
the county no Tertiary or Devonian deposits. These are developed
further weat and south.
We will consider each of our three great divisions serlatim
THE QUATERNARY SySTHOL
This embraces the soils, sands, gravels, clays, und other deposits
forming the surface of the county, and varying in depth from a few
feet to perhaps one hundred feet in certain localities on the
prairies, "This Formation nowhere attains a thickness of one hun-
dred and fifty fect, as estimated by Freeman.
‘The *“Byulders” form a peculiar feature of this system, and
have giren to it the name of the “ Boulder" or ‘* Drift” epoch,
referring to the manner of its deposition. These boulders are
familiar to all and found throughout the entire county, though
more pomerous in somo localities than othere, Col, D, F, Hitt, of
South Ottawa, has on elegant collection of them on exhibition,
showing the usefal, scientific and ornamental purposes to which
they may be put. £ have at different thmes secured from the
Colonel's “fence” more than twenty varieties of the primitive
rocks containing mincrals of mica, feldspar, garnets, copper, ete.
Large deposits of boulders occur in the Ilinols Valley, lying in
some places directly upon the 3t. Peters Sandstone, and so dimer
ous and closely packed ns to exclude everything else. A good
example may be found in West Ottawa, near D. 8. Ebersol's rest
504 History of La Salle County,
ence, which shows their deposition to be conformable to the
course of the valley und the direction nssumed by the agencies
that brought them from thelr origiual to thelr present location.
Lake Superior is the neurest point from whicl these gmnite rocks
could have been derived ; and the formation there which outcrops
at the surface, is here hurled many hundred feet below and beyond
our rach, feo and icebergs moving through the floc of waters
coming from the the North, brought to us our boulder deposits,
‘The scratchings and groovings found on many of them are sufficlene
evidence without examiaing localities whero the formations tu
place during the Drift epoch, as on the west shores of Lake Michi+
gun, show the same crosions, only to m greater extent. ‘The ares
eceupted by boulders shows that the great lakes once covered an
immense country, and gives us some idea of the Toe period when
these boulders were distributed. During the changes
that followed, the lakes were contracted, but the Ilinois river was
for a time an immense stream, serving as an outlet for vast bodies
of wator that afterwards were diverted cleewhere, We can safely
assume that the Tilinols river once dowed from bluff to blail, con-
fined in ite course go far north as Jolict, probably becoming at that
point undistinguishable from the vast lnkes above, ‘The fossil re-
mains found in the Drift are of course accidental anil derived from
other formations. Some of these are as follows: a Lithoatrotion,
spocies undetermined, found near Caton's spring in South Ottawa.
‘This is nn Interesting coral and belongs to the Carboniferous For-
mation, Of Crvstacea, several Trilobites hare heen found by Mr.
U, Ellsworth, in Clurk's Run at Vermiliiouritic. ‘The species &
common to the Trenton Group, which is nearly denuded and
approaches the #arface where the Drift lies immediately upon it at
this point. Fousilized wood is frequently found in digging wells.
In the more recent deposits romaine of the Mastodom have been
found ; lao species of land and fresh water shells identical with
those now living in the county. The banks of ourrrivers will affiand
examples. Of valuablo minerale—copper, lead and trom, occur tn
the drift, sometimes in quite large masses, but all these ame here
with the boulders und by the same agencies,
THE CARNONIFEROUS FORMATION,
‘This is represented by the Coal measures and of variable thick-
ness, The great nxls of upheaval crossing the Minois Walley at
Geological Formations, ate. 505
Split Rock, running thence in the direction of Deer Park, Big Bend,
and Lowell, hos a direction nearly parallel with the Big Vermll-
Hoo river, and the Coal measures on elther side present distinctly
marked fentares caused by the commotions of the period when
they ocourred. The thickness of the Ooal measures west of the
exis at La Salle, approximates six hundred feet, from the most
rellable figures I ean obtain, In this locality they rest upon the
‘Silarkan rocks ‘Their beds of coal are known as the upper, mid-
die nnd lower, and some claim that there is a fourth bed. East
of the great axis the Coal measures thin out, ouly one bed of coal
‘appearing in a large ares of the district, But there are two veins
in Deer Park back of the Fisuburn place, only one, however, of
sufficient thickness to work, which is done mainly by stripping,
though the main one was once worked by driving a shaft into the
Ailiside, ‘This was dono by my father somo years ago. On a recent
‘examination by Col, Hitt and myself on the O'Connor place, we
exrefatly traced the deposits from the edge of the timber down the
ravines leading to tho Illinois bottoms where these deposit rost upon
the &. Peters, and found very interesting outcrops, We could
Rave loaded a wagon in o short time with fossil Lepidodendrons
which wore then Jying exposed in the ravines, ‘These Coal plants
‘were most numeryus at the head of the suvines and near the
marface.
Proeman remarks (8 Ila Repta), that with one exception, only
one bed of coal appears east of the anticlinal axis, which he sys
4 the “lower LaSallo bod.” Such, however, is not the case, ax
recent developments show. Neither do belicvo that all the beds
referred to are equiralents of the LaSalle lower bed. On page 207,
{8 its. Repta) Frecman says: “Fossils aro rare in this county,
smociated with this coal, so far as my observations extend.” He
tefers tothe “lower bed.” And the fact of there being immense
quantities of feaai! coal plants as well as other fossils, found east of
the axis as slated above, would warrant the conclusion that neither
the beds of the Ottawa and Deer Park districts, or those east of the
Big Vermillion, are in reality the third or “lower La Salle bed."
For additional evidence, I may say that f have myself taken out at
Mifferent times a full wagon lond of fossils from the so-called
“lower beds,” east of the Vermillion, in the vicinity of Lowell and
above, eo far ns Kirkpatrick's Mines. These latter are undoubtedly
supper beds, and the same is true of those at Clark's Run, which ae
0a
_
506 History of La Salle County.
cording to Freeman are “lower beds.” Much confusion has been
caused by the diversity of ideas about our coal strata, and the un-
satisfactory conclusions of the State Report, We ean determine
certainly that where the coal rests upon St. Poters, as at Ottawa,
its alower bed and the lowest in the State,
‘The immense coal mining operations now carried on all oFer the
district will afford excellent opportunities for studying our coal
‘rata, which should be improved. The Canuel coals on the Vermi:
lion also deserve attention, Only the Coal Measures Group of the
Carboniferous System is developed in the county.
‘The Subcarbouiferous does not appear at all, hence the absence
of crinoidal forme in the abundance represented elsewhere. The
Group Is however prolificin numerous organic remains, both animal
and vegetable. A lst of these appears elsewhere. The coal beds,
shales, clays, sandstones and limestones, of this Group, show good
outcrops, and I know of no section where better opportunities are
afforded for investigation, The Blutls of the Big and Little Ver
million are good localities for obtaining fossil ehells, while the coal
mines swarm with various types of past vegetable life.
From the city of Streator to the mouth of the Big Vermillion, all
on the Ine of the great axis, there will be found a greater represen
tation of foss!) species than elsewhere, awing to the upheaval, In
the banks and bed of the Vermillion ooour muny fine septarie or
turilestones. These assume various fantastic forma, and sometimes
contain shelle Mr. Hurd, of Lowall, exhibited one tome before
the war, in which was a perfect Veutitus They are, of comrse,
referable to the Carboniferous cra. A good story is told of = cer
tain reverend gentleman, (who was also a lover of science,}and bis
studies of (urtlestones. Having resolved to investigate, he exhumed
a large one after much labor and expense, from the bluil at Lowell.
‘This was carefully transferred to bis home in ‘Tonica and seiemtifi-
cally set up in the front yard. The gentleman labelled it Cefacea
or Whale.foaril. It wasn big ane, though not of the species he sup.
posed. 1 traveled on foot six miles to sce the wonderful whale, and
still had my doubts.
THE SILURIAN FORMATION,
The divisions proper are *' Upper" and “Lower.” Only the
latter outcrops In La Salle County, The Groups or Subdivisions
exposed are: the Trenton, the Caicifereus, aud the St. Peters,
Geological Formations, ete. 507
The first contains numerous fossils of great interest, and is well ex-
‘posed in various parts of the county. ‘The Homer beds are Zrenton
‘ad regarded by Frocman as local, being left aftor the denudation
ofthe drift movement, 1 do not, however, concur in this view, but
‘regard the deposit as extensive, extending south, cast, and north-
west, though only slightly exposed on the Little Vermillion at
other points The Trenton also appears nenr the railroad tunnel
below Utica, and within the city limits of Ottawa, where it is .
‘quarried for Building purposes The McPherson and Reddick
Quarries, weet of town, are Trenton, as shown by the fossils; and
resting upon 5t. Peters at this point in more than usually heavy
masses, IC seeme 10 fll a depression or gap left in the underlying
‘rook, It eppears on the Fox river at different pointe, but generally
thin bedded, silictous to character, and the fossils hard to obtain
perfect. South of the Tilinois good outerops are seen on Covet
ereck resting on St. Peters sandstonc, These finally disappear
| Beneath the Coal measures in the blaffs. The thickness is frem
| twanty fo forty feet. Some very fine fossils have been obtained
here,
Of the Big Vermillion the Trenton appears at Deer Park abrupt-
Jy upheaved against the St. Peters, affording a fine opportunity to
| study the two groups, Thickuess, ninety fect. Above Deer Park
‘there are exposures at xoveral points: at Big Bend, Clark's Ford,
Lowell, and Eaton's Mill. At the latter points the development i
oe ‘The thickness here {x one hundred snd seventy
| feet,‘according to the boring at the petroleum well, It forms tho
‘bed of the river, and contains many fossils. Above the dam at
Eatoo’s, when the river is low, there is shown a regular coral reef
} ‘of the Silurian era, Pieces of this coral are circulated locally as
| petrified honeycomb. The Caleiferous Group of the Potsdam
period is developed at Uticr, and known as the cament rock. This
the only outcrop in the State, and covers sn area of a few square
miles north of the Iilinois river, but on the south side disappears
Deneath the St. Peters. So far as know no fossils have boen
found in this rook,
‘The St. Peters Sandstone Group ts familiar to all. Tt outcrops
at Ottawa, Buffalo Rock, Split Rock, Deor Park, Starved Rock, ete,
corer one-third of the county, and is of great thickness—from
161 fect at Ottawa to 600 on the Vermillion, as determined by
be Be aa
508 History of Tn Salle Cnunty.
borings. North of the Tilinois river it thins out towards the west,
nesr Utles, where its junction with the Calelferous may be seen.
Thhave now given n sketeh of ali the geoligical formations de-
veloped in La Salle County, without enlarging upon the pecutiar
tenturcs of any, which would be desirable if space permitted, 1
can oot, however, leave the subject without referring to eset of two
points of particular interest. Near the railroad tunnel { the Eilt-
nols Valley, and west of Utica, may be seon within a short distance,
outcrops of four different formations : the Coal Mensures, Trenton
Group, St. Poters, and the Caleiferous. Here vill also be notions
immense detached masts of rock scattered around in the valley.
‘This ts opposite Little Rock, and all on the line of upheaval. The
ovidence protnted shows that along the great axis powerful
conrulsions occurred at some former period, resulting to the juxte-
position of the formutions mentioned above. Portions of the
Carboniferous and Trenton enst of the axis were swept away. The
strata on the west suffored a sinking process, and a strong dip tothe
southwest, in some places fifty degrees. At the mame time a cor
responding dip oceurrod enst of the axia. ‘The coal shafts at Lintle
Rock also show a displacement of the strata there. To a person
familiar with geology the question wil) arise, as he looks ower the
ground and the facts presented, whether or not, there once extaed
here wn linmense wall of rock, extending from Little Rock to Split
Rock, on the opposite side, and forming & cataract far excelling
‘Niagara in sizeand grandeur. I have no doubtof it myself, though
positive proof is wanting .
THE ORGANIC REMAINS OF LA SALLE COUNTY. ©
Theso have boon referred to in a general way, A Hst of apectes
will now be given. Asis known to some, I have made a study of
these for twenty years: und prior to the great“ Chicago Fire” of
18T1, had collected representatives of all the specios knows. 1
lost in that “Fire” more than two thourand species, among them
the La sounty collection, but fortunately bad preserved a Bat
of thove from this county, which is now embodied in this papers
The greatest care has been taken to verify species and localities,
and though tho specimens were destroyed, every one ls even now,
after the lapse of six years, as familiar to mo as though they were
still in my hands. Touly regret that figures und descriptions ex
not, for obvious reasons, be given in thisbook. Forthessthe lover
Geological Formations, ete, 509.
and atudent of geology must refer to the State Reports and the
variona other scientific publications of the thme—a labor requiring
a vast amount of pationce and researols, but one that will not intimi
date the zealous explorer after knowledge.
POSEILA OF THR co
MRARURER
CARDONIPEROUS FORMATION,
Brachiopoda, Mollusca
Martinga (Spirifer,) plano-convewa, Shum. Abundant at La Salle
and elsewhere,
Terebratuda bovidens, Morton, Abundant, tame localities as the
preceding.
Athyris wudtilita, Holl, Has 4 wide distribution in the Conl
Measures.
Chonetes millepunctata, M. and W. Yn ihe upper Gon! Measures
st La Salle.
Chonetes mosoloba, Hal. Very plentiful everywhere in the Coal
ures.
Chonetes Plemingii, Hall. Found at La Salle in same location.
Ghonetes granulifera, Hall, Sato as the preceding.
Diseina nitide, Phit, Pound at La Salle.
Discina aubtrigonatis, MoCheaney, Same locality as preceding.
Diweina capulifermis, McChesney, Found at La Salle.
Productus Nebrosconsis, Owen. Abundantat LaSallein the upper
Hisnestones, Also found on the Vermillion—eguals P. Rogersil, WV.
ond P.
Productus nymmetrious, Me Ch. Abundant at La Salle.
Productus punctatus, Martin, Very tine and large. Loc. At
La Salle and on the Vermill
Productus injlatvs, McCh. Extremely abundant at La Salle and
Other localities, Resembles P. semircticulatus, of Sub Curd,
Produotus beagispinus, Sy. From the La Salle limestones.
Also found by me onthe Vermillion, Equals the P. Wabushenats
WY. and P.
Productua cortatus, S'by. Abundany at La Salle in the upper
Umestones
Profuctus La Sallensis, Worthen, & variety of the preceding
species.
M
|
510 History of La Saite County.
Productua Wilberanus, MoCh, From La Salle, Ts larger than
P. Nebrascensis, which it resembles.
Orthis La Stllenns, MoCh. (Hemipronites,) Found at La Galle
wod weet of the Big Vermillion.
Orthin crassus, Meek and W. (Hemipronites.) Found at La Salle,
(equals H, erenintria, ur.)
Orthis carbonaris, Swaine. Abundant tn the upper Goal Meas-
urvs, at [4 Salle and elsewhere.
Retsia punctuifera, Shum, Same as last.
Spirifor Kentuckena’s, Shem. Same locality as ast.
Spirifer cameratus, Morton, Abundant everywhere in tho upper
Coal Messures,
Bhynchonetta Osagensis, Swallow, Foundon the Yormiliion wear
Big Bend.
Ehynchonelia Wortheni, Hatt. Found ut La Salle.
Meekella viriate-costata, W.and St J. Same ag last.
Lingula mytiloides, S’by. From the Big Vermillion Coal Mow
ures
Lamellibranchiata, Solenomya soleniformis, Coe, Fowad near
Kirkpatrick's and at La Salle.
Solanomya radiata, Mand W. Same as last.
Aviculopecten Conanue, Halt (?), Two miles below Kirkpatrick's,
in black shales,
Avicutopecten negletus, Gein, From shales on the Big Ver.
million,
Aviculopecten intertineatus, M. and W. Upper Coal Mexsares at
La Salle, very fine,
Nucla ventricwa, Hal, Tower Clay shules at Le Salle amd
Ottawa.
Nueula parea, MeVh, Lower Coa] shales, Big Vermillion.
Cardiomorpha Mitsourtensls, Shum, Coal shales at La Salle,
Myatina Swallow, MeCh. Coal Measure shales at La Salle.
AMyalina reoureirostris, M, and W. Same as last,
Admondia perodionga, Mand W. LaSalle Upper Coal Measures.
Lima retifer, Shum, Lowor Coal Measures.
Gasteropoda
Naticopsts Shumardi, McC. Found in the blue limestones of the
Coul Mensures along the Little Vermillion at La Satle.
Naticypaia Mtonensis, MeC, Same ns last,
Geological Formations, ete. ou
Matleopris nodosa, var. Holliday’, M.and W. Coal Measures at
La Salle,
Wisticopsis subonatus, Worthen, M.S. La Balle Conl Measures
Buomphatus eubquadratus, M.and W. Upper Coal Moosures,
Euomphaius pernodosus, M.and W, Lowor Coal Measures
Busmphalue subrugoms, M, and W. Shales of the lower Coal
Measures on the Vermillion.
Balerophon earbonaria, Cox. Samae as last
Baterophon Blaneyanus, McC. Same os Inst,
Pleurolomaria Grayriltensis, MoO. La Salle and elsewhere kn
Coal shales,
Pleurctomaria Shumardi, An elegant species from Wild Cat
Polat.
Murchisonia archimides, McC. Limevtonor at Ln Salle and on
the Big Vermiltiou. Found by A. C. Baldwia.
Cephalopoda,
Gontatiter Hathawayanus, MeC, La Salle
Nautibus £2 Sallensis, M.ond W. Same.
Orthoveras Vermittionensis, Calkins, M. 8, From the Cost strata
ales.
Lente tricarinata, M. and W. Lower Coal Measures, Big Ver
million.
Vertebrata,
Otniodus mortifer, N. and W. From the Coal shales at La Salle
Pétatodus dertructor, N. und W. Lamestones at La Salle
Petrvdus oscidentatis, N.aad W. Conl shales.
Aguesdiocus cariabitis, N. and W. Upper Coal Measures at La
Salle.
Agassicodiea witutus, W. and Si. J, Lower Coal Measures Ver-
million and La Salle.
Lophodus vuriobilis, V. and W. Ln Salle
Pellodus unguiformis, N. and W. Un Salle.
Cymatodus oblengus, Nand W. La Salle,
POEAIL COAL PLANTS.
The species from this county have been studied but tittle, From
Streator I have \dentified the following
Preopteris units, 499. Neuropuris hirsuta, I
wpteris cidlosn, Brong.
m2 History of La Salle County.
From Little Vermililon river, Jcecpteris Buckland, Brong. ns
boon found
Sigillaria Massiliensis, (Sp. nov.) In the Marveilles and Deer
Park sandstones.
Sigitlarta cori ugata, (N.S) Found at Marseilben
Biigmarias. Severnl species, unit,
Lepidodendron rugosum, Brong. Frou whe Lite Vermillion.
‘There are stitl a lnrge number of unidentified and sudeveribed
forms from Deor Park and Streator.
MADIATA. “CONALS
Lophophyldum proliferum, Mev, Very abundant on the Big
Vermillion, La Salle, ove. in the limestones,
Scaphioorinus hemispherievs, Shum, Ln Salle.
The Radiata do not appear wo be gumerous in species, A, C.
Baldwin found near Wild Cat Point « species which T recognized
as Chactotes lycoperdon, Lay. ts position and oceurreace here still
puzzles me, ‘Thé strata there and at Balley’s Falls neod further
study, While the majority of the foesile are Curtoniferons, there
are forms which appear to belong to the Cineunati Growp, In Sile
rian. All along the Big Vermillion, at Clark's Ford, will be
found namerous Huainite tome (Crénoiden,) ooourting separately
and in large masses, which in places are deposited in regular strata,
as near Clark's Fonl, high up in the Carboniferous, ‘These are
called by tho local geologints petrified butions, und other curious but
expressive names, None have been found suiliclently perfect to
identify, They are very beautiful and very abundant
vos!
5 OV THR TRENTON GROUP.
Lower Silurian Formation,
Articulita, Crustacea
Culymene Mumenbachi. Beong. (Tritobite.) Supposed to equal
©. cenaria, Con. Locality, Clark's Run. Also on the Vermillion
ani st Ottawa. This suggests the close proximity of the Clacin-
nati Group—or its destruction in the general denudation,
GASTEROPODA.
Trochonena umbilicata, Hall, At Door Park
aphistoma tentievlaris, Con. Big Bend.
Cyriolites trentonensis, Con. Loe, The Big Vermililon
Geological Formations, eto, 61s
[have identified from the Tronton at Homer the following species:
Litwites undates, Con. Goniocerus anceps, Hull, Very fine, Orme
ceras Backs, Stokes Orthoceras fusiforme, Hulk Knidoceras anwu-
totum, Hall, Endocerae protiforme, Hall Several varietios
Cyrtecsras dartanua, Halt. Vanweemia(?) Ceenotonta (ty Lap
tarna sericea, Halt. Strephomena atternata, Con. Asaphus(t) Pe
tamerus(?) Very fino,
From the Trenton of the Big Vermillion and Gavel creek we have
Onthoceras anellum, Gon, Orthocras Junecum, Hall, Orthoceras
verteiralé, Hall, Cyrtoceras macrostomum, Halt. Oyrtoveras con-
sirietostriatum, Halt. Maclurea‘?). Orthoceras Titan, Held This
is our largest species. All Cephalopoda. Otherspecies are: Conw:
dsria frentonensis, Miller, Found near Lowell by A. ©, Baldwin,
Very rare. Sireptelasma cornicutum, Hall, Leptaena sericea, Hale
Abundant, Orthis—Rhynchonella—Strophomena, Lust throe species
not positively identified. The Pucvider aro represenied by several
species. The observer will see at Lowell—Juthotrephis #eceulens,
Hall, and Buthotrephis gracitis, Hatt,
Of Corals we have two species of Malysiter not named, and
Favistella riutiata, Halt, at Eatons— before referred to ax Honey-
com Coral, which ull will recognize. A fow ood specimens of
the screw-coral, Archimides reverse, Worthen, were found near Wid
Cot Point by A. C. Baldwin, and are the only ones that I have seen
from this county,
Thie completes the list of identitied species coming under my
potice. There are many others still undiscovered, whieh’ farure
research will reveal
FAUNA OF LA SALLE COU,
TY.
BEASTS.
The Fauna of this locality, from the open and exposed character
of the country, did not embrace those animals which delight fn the
seclusion of the dense forest—the bear, the panther, was not
known; or, if known, only as trosient visltors. But those
adapted to the country appear, from the testimony of the Franeh
explorers and other sources, to have existed in immenes numbent
11 was a country prolific of animal life—but limited tn species.
Seventy-five years ago, the buffalo, in immense herds, swarmed
ever the broad plains of Illinois, and fattened on the rich prairie
pasture, ‘Their bones were scattered profusely over the prairie
when the settlements first commenced,
There was sald to be a tradition that they were nearly extermin-
ated by a bard winter with an immense depth of snow. But it te
well known that the buffalo retreats south on the spprosch of win-
ter, and the situation of the bones would not ladiente any whole
sale slaughter from any cause, Each skeleton was by itself, and
they wore apparently of different ages, as indicated by the different
stages of decay, and no great number existed In the same decaying
stage. And tho natural mortality from old age oF accident among
such immense herds would account for all the bones then existing.
‘They must have existed here in immense numbers, as the pasture
would have sustained millions, ‘I'he country now inhabited by the
buftalo is comparatively bares, and yet thoy are found tm herds
that ean not be numbered or computed, but like thelr Indian ecm
panions, on this theatre of what wns doubtless the scene of their
highest development, they are fast fading out before the cruel but
resistless advance of civilized mon. Like the Indian, they have
gone toward the setting sun, and the place that now knows them
will soon know them no more
ou
Fauna of La Salle County — Beasts. 515
And the deor have followed the buffalo, The first sottlors, and
even those who came in twenty-five years agu, will testify to the
immense number of deer that tempted tho skill of the hunter,
‘They could be started from almost every thicket or point of timber.
‘Thay could dafly be seen in droves of four or five to twenty-five,
and even 85 fo 40 have beon ween together, They were somotimes
serious nulsance—they would cat tho limbs of young fruit trees to
the great disgust of the owner, who was Imputlently walting for the
growth of the firet apple, And they were nearly as destructive as
@ many bogs (n the ripened com. A farmer would frequently have
three or four acres of unpicked corn caught In the first deep snow,
and when the soow melied, four to aix weeks afler, would find it
all harvested by the deer. They were a pretty feature in the land-
seape—excessively timid—their lithe and sleck forms ever alert and
apprehensive of danger, were continually in motion; when feeding
they would hastily take a bite or two, then throw up their heads
and look suspiciously in all directions, and if startled by any in-
troder, would holst thelr white flags and leap over the ground with
a fleetness and grace unmatched by any other animal. Their flesh
wus choice ating, und their skios were valuable ; many of theearly
settlers could dress them nicely, and make them into mitten:
giores, and frequently into coats, hunting frocks, pants, and m
easins, They wore easily killed, and their fleeh was » common
article of dict. Experienced huoters often made it a profitable
‘business Killing therm for the market. They gradually diminished
before the advancing settlements, and had nearly nll left the
country in 1800, The Inst one killed in the county known to the
author was killed on the Vermillion, in 1806, since which time
none have been seco. The young fawns easily domesticated
if caught when quite young and carried in the arms for half a mile,
they would then follow readily and remain if properly fed and pro-
tected. They were quite interesting pets, but soon became destruc-
tive to young trees and shrubbery, and an ordinary fence was nevor
in the way of adeor. Theso characteristics wore usually fatal to
the young pets, nud by the tme they were half. grown their flesh
was consigned to the cook and their skins to the glover. The
buffalo and the deer and other game are being preserved in both
public wod private collections, and will not entirely be Lost to the
world, but the deor confined will never rival in beauty and agility
his wild congener in his native haunts, any more than the caged
516 History of La Salle Cownty.
Mon equals his ancestor when free om the borders of the desert, be-
neath an African sun,
The buoter and his game bave yielded to their destiny, while the
farmer, and the flocks and herda that go and come athis onl und feed
at his hand, ocoupy their heritage. The flocks and herds that fret
replaced the buffalo and deer have, in turn, given place to these of
more perfect form, and they, too, must yield to a better and more
perfect raco, whon that better one claims the right, The survival
of the filtest is a law as imperative when applied to animals, as
when applied to nations and individuals,
Of beasts of proy, the number was very limited.
Fruaxzs—The Canada lynx was occasionally met. It lives
on rabbits and birds, sometimes on young pigs and poultry, but
othorwite is harmlons ; it is a stupid animal, easily shot or caught im
traps. ‘The wild eat, or bay lynx, was more plenty but not sumer
ous; were destructive in the hew roost, Hott of the lorygoing have
disappeared.
Canis Lurua—The large gray wolf was anly occasionally seen.
‘They sought more seclusion and » better hiding place than this
rogion afforded. But the prairie wolf here found their natural
habitat, and existed by thousands. ‘They are a bold, (impudent, and
mischievous animal, living on rabbits, binds, lambs, pigs, poultry,
green coru, watermelons, berries, and almost every thing that
comes in tuelr way. They burrow in the ground, usually on some
high ridge of the prairie, to reor their young, having from six to ten
ata liter. They would come around the cabins of the enrly sot-
Uere at night and pick up the crumbs and bonos thrown out daring
the day. They were cunning and not cusily killed or caught in
traps; atleast, it required experience and skill to tmp them sac
comfully, Hunting them on horseback, with dogs and grayhounds
to lead, was exhilarating sport. Well mounted, preceded by the
dogs, and they by the wolf, bounding at full spoed over the swells
‘of the prairie, was very exciting to the participant, or to the
observer, and if the wolf did vot reach the covert of a thicket or
timbor, was protty sure to yield op bis skin, A single horseman,
well out from timber, could ride over and eventually tire owt anil
Kill a wolf, if lis steed did not tire first; one or two good dogs
would shorten the process aod much relieve the horse, The wolves
would frequently make n bed on a bog, of ant hillock, by crawling
under the grass, which, when killed by frost, Was nearly the Color
Fauna of Le Salle County — Beasts. 517
of the wolf, and excavating 0 as to bring his body about even with
the surface with a perfect fit, his head on the side of the hillock in
= good position for observation, and then walt for bis prey. The
‘writer pateed within three feet of one in that position, when per-
ceiving # pair of eyes among the grass, retarned to about the same
distance, and for a minute er two looked steadily at the eyns, which
returned the gaze witbout winking, and then giving a loud scream
and jumping toward the.eyes, devel very large wolf, which
leaped nearly ten feet at the first bound One caught in «heavy
trap, on being approached made desperate efforts to get free, then,
with the hate on his back erect, Le barked flercely like a dog, but
percelviag his enemy not frightenod, instantly foll as if shot, and
lay as dead while being dragged some distance by the trap, A
severe blow on the hed, designed to kill him, made him very
lively. Thoy were very noiey, expecially at night, barking, yelping
and howling, frequently a combluation of all three—four or five
would make as much noiso as twenty might be supposed capable of
doing, Their concerts wore often repeated during the night and
frequently in the daytime, and were the lullaby that put our
children to sleep—at least their concerts wore usually in progress
when they wont to sleep.
‘Two good dogs could muster a prairie wolf, but one alone would
seldom attempt St, unless anextra one for size and spunk, Gener-
ally when the nightly concert commonced, the old dog, which would
turk violently at other thmes, would seek his kennel or get nader
the bed.
‘The prairie wolves are not yet exterminated. For a number of
Years they Were not seen or heard, having retreated to the large un
settled prairies, but they were probably as much surprised as the
early settlers to Gnd those, then solitides, filed with an eaterpris-
ing, dense popolation, and now disturbed in their favorite haunts,
they have soattored over tho State, not very numerous, but enough
to prove a decided auisance, They are one of thy retiring races,
And boing without one redeeming trait of character, their final exit
will be hailed with satisfaction.
The opossum, the only American marsopial, are found in quite
MUmited numbers, It is said they were not here before the settlo~
ment and fer some years after, Their temporary advent was not
to them m success, and being easily caught they wil! soon disuppear.
‘The raccoon is an inhabitant of the woods, living in hollow trees
yen
018 History of La Salle County.
‘in heavy timber : they visit the settlements in pursuit of grees corn
and chickens. Our open country is not their favorite home, yet
they are found in limited numbers in the vicinity of the streams
‘and timber belts.
‘The ground hog, or woodchuck, though occasionally eeen, sre #0
few a» Wo be hardly an item ia the fauna of the county.
‘Tho skunk wax seldom seen at an early day, but have rapidly in
ererecd in the Inst few years. Though, cometimes destructive to
young poultry, they are doubtless, on the whole, a benefit, iring
almost entirely on beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects
and larew, Their good acts far overbalance their evil ones, yet
they could not be recommended for pets.
‘Tho badger was baroly known to bem resident here. A few were
cought ot an carly day, but are not known here now,
‘The gray rabbits are very numerous both on timber and prairie.
‘They incroased rapidly after the settlement of the county. ‘Ther
are sometimes very destructive to nurseries, young fruit trees and
shrubbery, gnawing the bark and girdlingthe trees. Immense mum
hers are killed without seeming to dimintsh thelr numbers, as Ukey
breed like rabbits.
Of the true, or tree, squirrel we have but one variety, ae the
aquirrel ia distinctively an inhabitant of the woods, ‘The fox squir-
rel is of a red or fox color, ond one of the largest of the squirrel
family. Much larger than the black or gray squirrel of the Middle
States. They have gradually increased with the settlements, there
having been but fow found here at frst.
‘The chipmunk, or ground squirrel, was not found here for several
years after the settlements commenced ; they are now quite com-
mon, When they first appeared, their peculiar chirrup was at ence
recognized by emigrants from the Eastern States, and they were
greeted aa old acquaintances. The chipmunk Jy regarded as inter~
mediate between the tree aquirrel and the spermipholes, laying wp
his winter store like the first and burrowing in the ground Tike the
Jatter. He bas not yet acquired the bad reputation of bis eastern
congener, of digging up the newly planted com,
‘The flying squirrol diffors from all the squirrel family im its
appendage for sailing from one tree to another, although not
properly flying. 11 also differs in being nocturnal in ite habite, and
consequently is not often seen even when quite numerous,
Of the spermipholes, or pratrie squirrel, we have, or did have,
Fauna of La Salle County — Beasts. 519
two vasictics—the striped ond gray. The gray variety is more
than twice the size of the striped ; thelr habits are the same. The
gray were never aa numerous ss the striped, ond have now nearly
or quite disappeared, The striped varicty are yet quite numerous,
Dut when the country was new they were much more go, and &
great enemy to the farmer's corn at the planting senson, In North-
em iinols and Wisconsin they are erroneously culkd gophers,
‘The spermipholes all hibernate, or sleep through tho winter with-
out food. They select some bank or sand ridge that will not be
flooded, and at the bottom of thelr holo exeavate a space that will
held frem & third to half » peck, which they 61 with leaves and
ry grass. ‘The hole |s clored from the inside, and obedient 10 the
instinete 1bar guide him, the little fellow crawls tothe centre of the
nest, rolls himeelf into a ball, and sleeps till pring, unconscious of
the cold snow wreaths piled above him.
‘The gopher, like the mole, lives beneath the surface. Is about
the size of a large rat, of dark color, with fine fur like the mole.
‘Their burrows, or run-ways, are ten to twelve inches below the
surface, avd extend indefinitely, While excavating their burrows,
at intervals of few feet they come to the surface and deposit the
earth from the excavation ; these piles of earth contain half
abuslelormore. For this work, nature has provided them with a
pouch, or pocket, on each side of the neck, which they fi and
then come to the surface, ond by a contraction of the muscles
‘emply tho pockets with a force that ejects the earth to a distance of
six to twelve inches, The gopher lives mostly on roots, und is
vory destructive to young trees and vines, and especially #0 to
Orage hedge. It is claimed they are not found north of the IIiinols
river, but they are very plenty south of it ‘To kill them, put a
grain of strychnine jn a small potato and drop in the ran-way,
Outer were found along all the principal streams, and frequently
exnght. They sre very seldom seen now. ‘The Americen otter
welghs about twenty-five pourds, and its fur is valuable. It has a
singular habit of sliding down a wet clay bank into the water,
apparently for sport. It will climb the bank, slide down, and
repeat the process for a great length of time with as much appar-
ent pleasure as the boy courses with his sled. - A trap set under the
water nt the proper point is very apt to spoil the sport, and is a
common way of taking them.
620 History of La Salle County.
Beaver were numerous at the time of the Prench explorations,
but disappeared before the American re(tlement.
Mushrat were, and still are, numerous, frequently tullding their
winter homes in the ponds on the middle of the largest prairies.
Mink are quite plenty over all the country. Their fur te more
valunblé than any other animal we have of thelr size, and of course
they draw the principal efforia of the trapper, Butthey are very
prolifie, and wre fikely to hold thelr own. They mre about the
‘worst enemy that preys on the poultry yard.
‘The small brown weasel, thovgh not numerous, are Yelm great
pest among the poultry, ‘The cruel, bloodthirsty Titike raseal has
no fevr, and very Witle discretion, but more pluck thas cam be
found elsewhere enclored in so small askin; bis reckless daring:
often leads him to his death.
The Norway rat soon followed the emigrants, and in a few years
became immensely numerous. All snimals increase in proportion
to immunity from molestation by enemies nnd easy acces to thelr
natural food ; the profusion of the cereal grains all exposed made
this the paradise of rats. Yards fitled with corn cribs, standing for
three or four years, became infested with numbers innumerable.
‘They xo and come, sometimes swarming like the locusts of Byps,
and then leaving for several years. The Black rat, so commen
seventy yeurs ago, diswppoared immediately after the introduetion
of the Norway species, which {s a larger and much more powerful
and gagacious animal. ‘The country has gained nothing by the ex-
change. Some succeeding race may ¢xtorminate the Norway, but
that may resuli, as before, only in a change of evile The good
things of the world were not made for man alone Imperious
man say:
Seo all things tor my ne."
"See mun for mine, replies the pampeéreil goose” Perm.
The common mouse was a native of the pratric, and no sooner
wax « house completed und occupied than the mice asserted their
right to m place therein, and they held it, as no buildings then
erected would exclude them, Now they are no more annoying
here than elsewhere.
‘The long-tailed, or jumping mice, are found in the timber occa
sionally, but they are not numerous,
‘The short-tailed, or meadow mice, are very numerous, and hawe
increased with the settlements; they are often very destractive to
Fauna of La Salle County — Birds. 521
orchards and shrubbery, Any treo or shrub left in the fall, with
grass or other mulching about the root, Is lable to be girdled by
these rodents This is prevented by removing everything down to
the waked ear}h from the tree, aod tramping heavy snows solid
about it.
Bar. There are two groups of this singular little animal, the fru
givorous, of fruit-eating, and {nsectivorous, or Insect-enting. We
Have only two or three closely allied varieties of the Insect-eating
kinds they fly In the dark in pursuit of prey, which they take like
the swallow and other insectivorous birds, The bat differs in its
organs of sight from all other nocturnal animals. The owl and the
cat have Farge cyes, with » pupil that dilates to the size of the
eye; while the bat has extremely small eyes and evidently of Uttle
jase, a6 it avoids all obstructions when on the wing equally well
whon its eyos havo been destroyed—hence the adage, “blind as n
bat” Cuvier discovered that the extreme dellente sensibility of
the lurge wings answers the purpose of sight; the reaction of the
air upon these ecnsitive surfaces enables them to judge of the dis.
tance as well as size of all surrounding objects, and there is no
doubt the minutest ray of light affects them as really as it doos the
retina of the best formed eye. Does not this explain how tomnam-
Dulistic clairvoyants see to rend from the top of the head 2
BTRDS.
Tho prairie region could not boast of us full a list of the feath-
ered tribes as a timbered country. In fact, the more common sing
fag birds wore at first almost entirely wanting, and one of the
causes of discontent and homesickness was the absence of the
well-remombered bird music, which made the groves and orchards
‘af the olfer States vocal with song. This was more marked away
from mh timber, but even along the edge of the Umber, where the
first settlements were made, it needed groves, orchurds, and gar
dens, aud especially the fruits they bore, to muke an acceptable
home for the birds of song. The constant roar of the prairie cook,
the distant whoop of the crano, the bittern’s solitary note, and the
yelping of the prairie wolf, wus to a homesick eur « poor exchange
for the cheerful song of the robin, the thrush, the cat bird, and the
oriole of the orchards, and the vircos and warblers of the groves
Srxuexo Banwe, Fawity Tenprpa.—The robin was not gener
ally seen here for sever! years after settlements commenced, At
a4
522 History of La Salle County.
Jength a solitary, pair might be seen in the timber, but the orebard
and garden, their favorite home, did not exist, but when they did,
the robia quickly occupied them in plentifel numbers The robin
is so close & Companion of civilized man, and #0 nearly connected
with the rural population and all the recollections of childhood,
thar, during its absence for the tirst few years af ploneer fife, it
was sadly missed, and its advent grooted with sincere ¢atixfaction,
It is w sweet tingor, and confides in man, building its nest in
the favorite apple or cherry tree. It is true, the robin is fond
of chorrics and small fruits, but it is boticr to plant as extra tree or
two for their use than to dispense with their pleasant company.
‘The cat bird, like the robin, came in gradnally as the comntry
improved. It is a sweet «inger as well as inveterate scold, o fami-
iar inhabitant of our thickets, groves, and hedgerows, frequently
rearing it young in the garden or hedge, and becomes quite fami-
lint ; if kindly treated, will come to the steps and even imto the
house for the crumbs daily thrown for its use,
‘The brown thrash—thrashor—sandy mocking bird, i a delightful
singer. It came a little earlier than the robin, but at first only
few in number; they are now numerous, Tos preity pet, and
sings finely in confinement. In the Eastern States it was asid
whea the thrush appeared in the spring it was time to plant corn.
Faniy Saxtcouma.—The bluebind j< usually the first arrival of
‘our migratory binds at the close of winter, and the sound of bis
pleasant note is balled as the harbinger of spring The note of the
bluebird, though aot musical, but ins half plaintive, half cheerful
tone, heard on the first warm days of February or March, is to
most ears peculiarly grateful,
Faun Panta—Tinnice, or chicadees, area bardy bird, eo-
during tho rigors of the severest winters, and, as © consequence,
none of them are migratory. ‘They are musteal after their fasbiow,
chirping a quaiat ditty, which, heard on a cold winter's day when
all sounds of suimal life are hushed, is pleasant to hear. They
are active, restiews, and heediess of man’s presence, and live om
‘insects, seeds, and almost anything that comes to hand, We bare
several species, :
Noernarcn—The nuthatches sre among the most mimbie amd
octive creepers, running up or down the tree with equal facility—
they hang in o conceivable position, head dowa ss often na amy
other way; this distingoishes them from other creepers,
Fauna of La Salle County — Birds. 23
Paity Trostopyitpe—Tho wrens aro a numerous family, of
which the house wren may be taken ws atype. It is an lmpudent
Tittle creature, very pugnacious and apt to show bad temper, ara
particularly spiteful toward swallows and martins, sometimes
‘taking possession of their nests ‘They sing chcerily, and when
disturbed while singing, scold vociferously. There are two or
thyes species only with us; they are not numerous, but increasing.
‘Tie Faminy Srivracourom, on Watnrens, are a family of
mall birds embracing an immense number of apocies. They
moztly inhabit the thick woods, nestling among the dense foliage,
‘ving om insects, nnd cheering the solitude with thelr cheerful
‘musical notes, being mostly good singers. In a heavy timbered
region they are found in {mimense numbers, but we have but a few
‘species, of which tho summer yellow bird is one.
Panty Taxsontps.—Of the tanagers we have a s'ngle species,
‘the scarlet tanager, n brilliant flery red, except the wings and tall,
which are black; a very showy bird, becoming quite common.
Fasiy Hroxorsrp.®.—Of swallows we have the barn swallow,
‘building in barns or other out-buildings.
‘Pho cliff or carve swallow, unknown here till within the lost
twelve or fifteen years, naturally congregate In lurge numbers und
‘Poild their ballshaped nests on high overhanging cliffs, but
recently have takon to building under the cavos of barns, nearly
covering the sides of the bullding. They are flycatchers, and are
said to use up the mosquitoes in the loculity where they stop.
Bank swallow, sand marten, like the foregoing, are gregarious,
sind collect in the breeding season in Inrge numbers, and make
oles for their neste in ome back or river bluff.
‘The blue uiarten—marten—usually build in boxes prepared for
‘them by those who enjoy their social, cheerful ways.
‘Tho swallows arc all migratory, and leave soon after the close of
the butiding season. Their sudden departure and return, and thelr
abit of flying close to the surface of the water for insects, has
given rite to a fiction that thoy winter in a torpid state at the bot-
toms of Inkes and streams
‘Of the waxwings, we have the Carolinn waxwing, cedarbird,
cherrybird. ‘They are not residents bere, but visit us occasionally.
‘Thay are very destructive to oherries: «Nook of them will clenn a
-cherry-trec of \ta frait in n fow minutes, without saying by your leave.
‘Tux Guxxxxers, on Vineos, are like the warblers in thelr
O24 History of La Salle County.
habits Our open prairies tempt bat few of them to stop with ax
‘The vireo appeals to the ear rathor than to the eyo, having # plain
dress that harmonizes with the verdure, and being seldom seen, as
their home is among the densest follage of the forest. ‘There they
warble their lays unseen, while the foliage iiself seems stirred to
music. Standing on a still summer day In the solliude of the forest,
that heart must be callous to emotion that does not, while listeniag
to the wild notes of the little songster, echo thoughts hé cam never
expect to clothe in words.
Of the shrikes we have the great porthora shrike, or butcher
bird—s bold and quarrelsome bird. They are carnivorous, feeding
on insects and such small birits and animals as they ean overcome,
‘They have a curious habit of impaling thelr prey on thorns, or
sharp twigs, and leaving It there—for what object has never bees
ascertained.
Tne Pawriy Paexonatoa embraces the sparrows, and allied
birds, finches, buntings, linnets, etc They are very cumerous
both in species and individuals, in fact, the two families fringillide
and sylvincolidw, or warblers, compose about one-fourth of all our
species of birds, ‘The sparrows, finches, ete., live mostly om seeds,
and consequeatly are not 0 strictly migratory like the purely
Insectlyorous birds, which go south with the frst cold to secare
their food,
Wehave several varioties of the sparrow. ‘Tho chirping sparrow,
or chipplug bird of New Englund, is either not here, or varies from
tecnstern type, which it is said to do, and still more further west,
‘The song sparvow, field sparrow, and other varieties, are plenty,
some of them fine singers. The snowDind, the lark, bunting, oF
white-winged blackbird, the indigo-bird, cardinal or red-bird, not
native here but kept in confluement for its song ; towhes, or che-
wink, a well known (nhabitant of woodlands and thickets; may
he scen solitary soratching among the leaves, occaslonally emitting «
vingle note or cry, are all well Known here, and arcof the same family.
Tae Faciy Toren, or American Starlings, embraces bobo
link of the North, or rice-blird of the South, yellow headed black-
bird, grackle, or crow blackbird, Geld, or meadow tark—this bind
iv a protty singer, partially gregarious, and not migratory, The
above were hero when the settlements commenced. The orchard
oriole, of an orange color, with black wings and tail, and the Balth-
more oriole, golden robin, firebird, or hangnest—of 9 flery red
Kauna of La Salle County — Birds. 825,
color, black wings and tail; bork of them are fine singers, ani
hang their nests (which are round suck with an opening at the
top,) to the end of a pendant bough. ‘They only come nmong tes
after the country has become well sottlod,
Famtiy Convipx embraces the crows, Jays, eto, The ravens
‘were about s¢ numerous as the crows before the settlement by the
whites,
‘The raven ts only distinguished from the crow by Its much
larger size and ite croaking note, A bamesick woman said every
thing here was change ; even the crows were so hoarse they could
only croak.
Tho crows bare increased with the settlements, They have»
better reputation here than thelr castern congeners, where they
pall the young corn ; here they are not accused of that us yet.
‘They live mostly on insects, and do much more good than harm.
‘They take an egg oceastonally, tut are far less erlminal In that
respect than the ravens, which wore oxperts at hunting eggs.
Tux Bucesar.—Every one knows the Jay, with ite blue dress
and harsh, discordant note. Ho is n lively, cheerful fellow, and
though he sometimes oats tho early applo, (who would not?) and It
fe esid ho base bad habit of disturbing the young of other birds,
Fel he may be slandered, and all have thelr faillogs; he could not
well be spared from the fall and winter landscape, and he may well
‘be tolerated about the cattle yards on a winter morning, where be
picks up occasionally a stray kernel of corn.
Paty Trnaximss—Fly-catcher—Kingbird—Bee Martin —A
pagnacions, quarrelsome bird and noted tyrant among his fellows,
and, like all quarrelsome individuals, bas fow friends ; hola accused
of enting bees, but, like all bad characters, Is very likely to be ac-
cused unjustly. He is « habitual Hy-catcher, und probably destroys
® thousand noxious insects to one boc, but on the theological
dogma, that » good act performed by n sinner ts yet asin, 80 T
suppose the poor kingbird will not be allowed credit for any good
‘mt, however ureful
Pawns, Pawrr, Prone —A small bird, of brown color ; itesong
resembles the word " phobe” quickly and sharply spoken, henee ite
common name, phoobe-bird. It builds under bridges, caves of out-
Duildings or house-porch ; it appears when spring hns fairly opened
Fasniy Carnmccor.,, Goateeckena—The whippoorwill is
the most noted of the family; the night song of this bird is
526 History of La Saile County.
known to all, and t* a great addition to ihe songs of the summer
night, sod a cheorfal sound floating through the dampness, when
ouly the sad moan of the owl Is heard.
‘Niowr Hawk.—This bint belongs 10 the same family asthe whip-
poorwill, bat not to the same genus; while that bird is nocturnal,
the night hawk files by day, or more generally toward evening,
flying in companies, foraging for insects. In the breeding semson
it performs curious evolutions, falling through the air with a load,
booming ery.
Fawr Crranuapm, Swrere, Comey SWALLOWS, —These birds
closely resemble the swallow in form and habits, but are really
widely different. They are noted for the grent development of the
aallvary glands, which secrete largs quantities of a kind of mucta,
with which they glue the sticks together which compose thelr
nests. ‘They build in chimneys.
Famtuy Trooutnrpa:, Howacsontnps —There are said to be ive
hundred species of this beautifnl creature, all American. Most
numerous in the tropies. The ruby-throated hummingbird is the
moat common in this latitude, disseminated from the Atlantic to
the Rocky Mountains. Its tloy form; beautiful colors rivaling the
rainbow ; its activity and celerity of motion, standing balanced om
its pinions while it sips the nectur from nature's fountain, changing
its position tn any direction with the quickness of thought—
altogether it scoma a being of « more perfect organization than
pertains to carth, ax if nilled to the fabled sylphs of the kigher
air, and too delicate for the rough storms that bent on a# here,
Famtiy Axcieinas, Kixormiea.—The belied kingfisher t
found plentiful along our streams. ‘They are adroit fishers, diving
beneath the water to seize their prey, They burrow in the banks
of streams, where they tear their young:
Fastny Cvovrips, Cockoo—The yellow-billed cuckoo i the
only one with us, Iv isseldom seen except when on the wing from
one covert to another, being a shy and solliury bint, yet frequent
ing orchard and thickets in the viclaity of dwellings, where its
note, sounding like “cow, cow,” may be heanl. Tt builds ita own
host and reareits own young, whilé most of the enckoos deposit
thelr eggs in the nests of other birds, which wawittiagly become
foster mothers in place of the unnatural parent, and the young
cuckoo, ay soon as nble, ejects the rightful Hedgtings from (ho nest,
taking sole possession; hence the saying, “as ungrateful ss 8 euckoo.”
Fauna of La Salle County— Birds. 627
Fasicy Prctoe:, Woonrnexens.—We have the red-headed wood
pecker, whoee gay color and loud harsh screams are well known.
‘Tho golden-winged woodpecker, highholder, flicker, or yellow
ie nlsocommon. There ure severnt other varieties found
in the timber, and they are all useful, living on the larvoof beetles,
which they extract from trees, being provided with an apparatus
for that purpose. ‘The tongue of the woodpecker is sharp and hard
‘ashorn, with numerous barbs projecting backward on the sides,
‘and he has the power of extending bis tongue several inches be-
youd his bill, this he thrusts into the hole made by 1hé larva, or
borer, as he is frequently called, plerces, and the barbs hold him
securely while the bird draws out and swallows the precious mor-
sel. How curious and wonderful is this arrangement, and how well
adapted to its purpose ; design is stainped on al) that exists,
‘There is a variety called aphyrapions, or sap-sucker, whose tongue
is not sharp or extenailo, but is broad nnd covered with fine sharp
‘ani hard papilla: with this, afver removing the outer bark with
his bill, he rasps off the cambium, or new and soft wood and inner
‘vark,on which be sabsists, ‘They make a horizontal row of round
holes sometimes entirely around the tree, repeating the process sev-
‘eral times, so us to remove all the inner bark, and girdle the tree.
‘They peey mostly upon evergreens, doing great Injury.
Faany Sreicm®, Ow1s.—The owls are mostly nocturnal, and
all carnivorous. Their solema appearance, coupled with their
‘Mmnge and lugubrious notes, has caused traditional superstition
to class these dismal night birds ux illomened. ‘Tho little screech
‘owl, one of the smallest of the family, is quite common. Its shrill
seream in the stillness of the night, uoul familiarized, is really
startling. The long-eared ow! is of medium size, and
‘variety tint breeds here except the above. Tho great gray owl and
the snowy or white owl, the Inrgnst of the owls, are natives of the
Doreal regions, but travel south during the winter and are fre-
quonily scen at tbat season.
Famatx Farcoxtpm, Hawka —The hawks hold the same relation
to the feativered tribes that the beasts of prey do to the mammals,
Tn round numbers, there are 1,000 species and 200 genera in all
Paris of the world, Of this large number, we have but three or four.
‘The red-tailed buzzard, or hen hawk, is quite common and well
known.
‘The sharp-shinned hawk is of mediumn size, of great couragy, and
528 History of La Salle County.
very active, Will pick up s chickeo in presence of the mistress of
the poultry yard, and do it so adroitly as scarcely to be noticed.
'The rusty crowned falcon, sparrow hawk, is one of the enzaillest,
and preys upon small birds, ‘This, with the cooper, or chicken,
hawk, includes about all that are now common in this locality,
A medium sized, reddish colored hawk, called prairie hawk, were
‘Vory Dumerons st an early day. They were constantly on the wing,
hovering near the ground, und living on mice nnd insects mostly.
‘They have now entirely disappeared.
‘Osprey, Fiat HAWK —Are quile common along ovr principal
streams, subsisting exclusively on fish.
Bato Exsia—This emblem af the Republic lives mostly oo tith,
and is 6 pinatica} parasite of the oxprey. It will sitfor hours watch-
ing the osprey, and when that bird rises from the water with its
prey, the eagle at once pounces apon it, compels it to drop ite hard+
earned prize, which the eagle sexes and carries to ite eyrie, where
it feasts on its Ml)gotten treasure.
‘The traditional nobility of the eagle, like that of the red man,
fades out on close acquaintance, and @ more fitting emblem might
take its place ns the (nsignia of the great Republic,
Mankind makes |ndigcriminate warfare on the hawk family, for
the reason that they sometimes (ake & chicken, but they destroy
immense numbers of insects, mice, moles, rabbits, and reptiles, and
with few exceptions aro our benefactors.
Faminy Carnantios, Vouronks—The well-kaows turkey bux
zard Js the only specimen of this fa It fee Glthy, gluttonous
bird, yet entirely harmless and useful asa scavenger.
Fa Conus, Piokons,—The wild pigeon ate only vis~
tora here, their breeding places are in the dense forest. "They
come and go as food serves; like all wild birds aod mammals, they
congregate where food is most plentiful and most to thelr taste,
‘The turtle-dove, or mouraing-dove, are oumerous, anit
with us through the year, Their plai
though not musical, ie not unplensin
missed from the usual sounds of the summer day.
‘The numerous varieties of the tame pigeon
doecended from some of the wild varieties, By |
the parent stock, furnish the strongest proof
theory of development.
Pony Mecesenm®, Ton
Fauna of Le Salle County— Birds, 529
bere by the first settlers, and still holds its own, or Is probably in-
ereasing, owing to the better protection furnished by the increase of
timber,
Paine Ternaoni.s, Gxovsic—The plnnated grouse, or prairie
hem, Was once very sumcrous, congregating in tloeks in the fall to
the number of two or three thousand, and when the flock rose on
‘the wing the nolse resembled distant thunder. ‘They were shot and
taken in traps in any amount wanted. The attempt to protect
these birds by game laws has reealied in their rapid extinction;
bunting is profibited till the chicks are nearly grown, consequently
the birds are tame, and with trained dogs, when a covey is started,
the Inst bird is killed, the slaughter is literally murderous,
‘The rusted grouse, oF partridge of New Engiand, are not com-
‘mon bere, a stray one is occasionally seen, and the pecullar drum-
aming sound for which this bird is noted. is heard from the thick
‘timber but seldom.
Quait—Partridge of Virginia, Bob White.—These protty and
useful birds hare largely decreased since the settlement of the
country. ‘The practice of every boy that can carry a gun for mere
sport sheoting the litike Innocents should be discountenanced, The
amount of food obtained ix» amnalt eqaivalent for a ife taken, and
iw it not barbaroas to live on the life blood of innocent beings Ts
man 8 benst of prey? be is—but should he ber
Pasty Cuaxanmr.x, Proven —A numerous family, containing
nearly s hundred species. The prairie was formerly the fayorite
haunt ofa numberof species, but they now give us but a passing call
‘as they go and return from the-brooding grounds farther north.
Pasay Sconsroctox—Sanre, Woovcock, xTo.—Amerioan
woodvock, « favorite bird fur sportsmen, plenty in some localities,
‘Long-billed curlew, once numerous on the prairie, called pralrio
#uipa, now gone to a newer and wilder region. The eandpiper,
Bodarts, tattlers, are sometimes soon; these Inst are all shore tin
“Axprins, Henoxe—The bine heron is common. ‘The
ite numerous at certain seasons, and a conspicu-
midway In the stream, perfectly motionless,
Pomren—Once num
iponds of water on the prairie.
thas been injured by a volar name
Ringracefal
530 History of La Salle County.
Pasty Grew, Cnaxts.—Tho brown, or sand-hill crave bas «
body as lange wild turkey, while theirvery Jong legs, neck and
Dill give them a majestic and commanding appearance. ‘Their
extreme height is four to five fect. They foed mostly om grains
and insvets, frequenting the high and dry prairie, but building thelr
nests on the margin of ponds or streams. The young in colorand
Appearance resemble young goslin. They are * social, playful
bird, collecting in groupa on. the prnirie, where they were fre
quently seen dancing cotillions, Some ten or adexen would forms
a circle, lock their heads together, cirele right and left, let go and
each turn by a succemion of hops and agaia lock’ their heads and
repent, occasionally stopping to utter their loud and shrill screama
or whoop, which could be heard » long distance. Whether this
indalence is approved by the more staid and olier cranes, or are
the wild orgles of the young mad-eaps, is not known; or whether
they learned from unfeathered bipeds, or the unfenthered learned
of the cranes, bas not been fully settled, They were once numer
ous here, and a conspicuous object on the prairie, and thelr shrill
whoop one of the frequent and conspicuous sounds that greoted the
early pioneer, But they seldom stop bere now; their scream is
heard high in air, in spring and fall, as they gound return to and
from their breediug places in the far North, away from civilization.
Famity Banus, Kars, Coors, ete.—These are a sural class of
birds that frequent swamps and marshes, and from the absence
here of their favorite haunts, they are but seldom seen.
Fasiny ANxatipa, Geesn, Docks, #10.—The Canada, or wild
goose, brant and ducks, once to some extent reared their broods
and summered here, but with the exception of a few species of
dueks, they all pass by for their summer haunts { wer region,
but they are plentiful in spring and fall, as supply of food tempts
them to tarry.
Gulls, pelicans, loons, swans, and other water fowl, are seen,
some of them froqucatly in largo flocks, along the Minois river
and other large streams, as ocessional visitors, bat none of them
make this loonlity their home.
REPTILES.
The reptiles common to this latitude are not plenty, mei-
withstanding the wide circulation of the Illinois snake stories
Tonries.—The soft turtle is common about the large streams
Fauna of La Salle County — Reptiles, 531
‘The snapping turtle and speckled turtle are about all fn that lime.
A fow small lizards are seon, but very rire.
Sxaxxs—Were once numerous but ore fast disappearing. ‘Tho
yellow?ianded rattlesnake, “Crotalus durissus,” are occasionally
met with, but have 20 far diminished us to coase to be u tortor to
the timid,
‘The prairie rattlesnake, Massassuger,"* Crotalophous tergeminus,”*
ence so numerous, are only occasionally found. ‘Theve two are the
only Yenomous reptiles we have. The copper head is sald to be
found farther south, but it is not found here,
Of harmless snakes, we hare tho water snake, tho blowing viper
of sissing adder, the Dull snake, a very large and beautiful repiile,
Dlack enuke, striped enake, and green enake. These are not only
harmless, but useful. ‘They destroy immense numbers of field mice
and other vermin. One good sized bull snake is worth more than
1 dozen cata to destroy rate and mice, and yet noarly every one
Kills a snake, and in doing so the farmer kills his best friends.
‘The immense increase of the flekl mice, “Arvicoln riparia,” so
destructive to young trees, is mostly daw to this senseless war on
the snakes, The devad of a snake is not natural, but acquired and
{raditional. ‘There is room enough in the world for these harmless
reptiles and us too,and by relentlessly destroying them we broak
the harmony of nature’s balance and do irretrievable injury. ‘The
dangerous poisonous reptiles should be destroyed, but the barm-
Jess ones have a right to protection, and our best interest demands
that asenseless superstition should no longer mar the wisdom of
nature's laws.
Baruacusa.—The warted tond is quite commen. The tree frog
may be heard from his perch whenever the iocreasing moisture in
the atmosphere calls forth histhankfol song, ‘i
The bull frog is not common, und his deep bass ls missed from
the summer evening concerts of animated life.
‘The green frog is found where the moisture and other surround-
Inge suit his taste, but Less abundant than in the Enatern States.
"The poeping frog is found whore water existe for apy length of
time, and it is singular how soon a pond formed on dry ground
will develop this nolsy ‘ittle batrachian, Its famtllar note in
early spring shows that tho icy chains of winter bave broken and
released him from his cozy bed at the bottom of the marsh, where
in unconscious silence he as slept the winter away.
THE COMMON
Seroor Coammeatoxmns Axn
La Sarue County.
Charles Hayward, 1881 to 1638; David Letts, 1838 to 1836,
William Siadden, 1585 to 1841; W, H, WV. Cushman, 1861 to 1543;
Lorenzo Leland, 1843 to 1849: Lucien B. Deluno, 1849 to 1851;
Wells Walt, 1851 to 1853; D. P. Jones, 1858 to 1857; Wells Walt,
1897 to 1868; J. M. Day, 1864 to 1869; Geo. §. Wedgwood,
1872; R, Williams, 1872 to 18
Number males in County under 21 years...
Number females in County under 21 youre
‘Total number pérsons under 21 yours
Number males between © and 31 years...
Nomber females between 6 and 21 yeurs .
Total number between 6 and 21 yoars-
Number of male pupils eurolled .
Number of female pupils eurolled.
Total number of pupils enrolled .
jusmber school districts
Sumber districts having school & months or more
Number districts having school tess than 6 months 7
‘Total number Pablic Schools sustained uy
‘Total number of months schools sustained. - 2,948.68
Average number months schools sustained 7.58
Grand tous! number days attendance....,..--. 15,868.08
Number Graded Schools . aecareaeniee 18
Number months taught in Graded Schools - 4
Number Ungrade Schools 63
Number months taught in Ungraded Schools 1,201.90
Numbor Public High Schools -.....- e
Number Male Teachers ____ 2 —f 4 16
Number Female Teachers. on
‘Total aumber Teachers is $10
Numbor months taught by Male Toachei 1,019.65
Number months taaght hy Female Tene 2,021 75
Total number monthy taught SO41,83
Number Private Schools... : 16
Number male pupils ia Private Schools... 22S eel
Number female puplls in Private Schools: 38
Total number pupils in Private Schouls -...- iu
182
Churches. 533
Number of applicants examined for Teaching
Number of males rejected
‘umber of females rejected... --
maber Districts having Libraries
ber Vols. bought during year for District Lil
Total number Vols in District Libraries
Number acres School Lands sold during year...
Number acres School Lands remaining unsold.
Number School Houses built daring year...
Number Stone School Houses - ‘
Number Brick Schoo! Houses.
Number Frame School Houses ..--...
‘Total number in County.
Estimated ynlue of School Property
5
Bs
“272,835.00
Amount of Receipts daring year. <. 968,191.72
‘Amount paid Teachers... a 135, 084.54
Total Expenditures forthe year -........ .... 989418
CHURCHES.
ont of
Omganized. 9608 Church
Adams— sina. serider Faince
Lutheran... 1347
1858
1860
1817
1862
‘Allen Chapel, M. B.
Protestant German. -
Brooktield—
Preatiyterian, of OLtawa
‘Transferred to Brookti
Bruve—
Streator Catholic Mission... > ee
Presbyterian, asthe Galloway Church. i888
‘Transferred to Sireator.... ~ iso
Cumberland Presbyterian ons
Protestant Epiecopal.. i878 44
Methodist Episcopal. cane) 908:
: isi3 74
Tod ¥ Brethren waceact 2333 Ns
German Evangelical ° SE) ==
na History of La Salle County.
Deer Park—
Baptist...
Methodist.
Eagle
Catholic
Bart—
Methodist Episcopal
Congregational
Presbyterian...
Universalist.
Baptiat.
Edon—
‘Tonica Congregational... "
Baptist, onpinized at Vermiliionviile -
Remoeod to Tonles..
Methouist Eplscopul.... -
German Evangelical... -
Gedarport M, E.
Pall River—
Hickory Point M. EB. ...--2-ee000-->
Farm Ridge—
Protestant Episcopal, St.
Lutheran, = . .
Methodist, built by the Lutherans.
Presbyterian, at Grand Ridge......--
Freedom:
‘Mothodist Episcopal
German Methodist
Baptist
Prestyterian, at Gouldiowa.
Grand To
Cath arch...
Gorman Protstant Methodist,
Yale M
Comberland Pi
eland—
Congregational (Rattand) ..-.
{ Methodist Episcopal -
New Rutland ~ Adventists
Christian
Hope—
f Catholic
Baptist
Eostant + Methodist.
[ Catholic...
La Salle
Catholico—St. Patriek’ Cuneta -
Protestant Evangelical. on
Congregational
Methodist Episcopal
184 44,800
1867
1852
1867
1857 408.300.
18386 a= wane
1856 763,000
155570 8,000
1870-100
188-1, 00
0 8,009
1851 331,200
1839 48 -3)003
195... 2,509
1856 103 1,860
1535 5G 4,000
50 3}000
1842 out of use.
1346 1,200
800 4,000
50 8,000
80 2,800
ist =" 9,500
184 = 83-800
1864 2 2000
1365 40.000
1866070 B.S
1875 100 9,808
130840.
180940
1868140
1838 4,000
1868 "200
1852 80
Maniitus— Members. Baie.
Congregational. -
Baptlet..... =
Protestant Episcopal.
Universntiat.
Methodist Episcopal 80
Mendota—
Methodist Episcopal...
i
Catholic...
Presbyterian 1855 «1694/80
Congrogational...- 1855 438,000
German Catholic 1836 -110—9,000
German Lutheraa ee 1858 «886.000
Evangelical Association 1987 838,000
United Brethren.
Miller
Lutheran, at Norway...
1875 $2 2,000
IHOC'ng 100 4,000
Marmon 1844 40 ‘Hoo
Mission Lotherap.._._ - Isd0C'ng 600 7,000
Protestant Methodist 1845 |
Chucch built 1885, removedto Sheridan 1870; 4” ‘1,900
Universalist... 20-2 ee-vencsase ws 1a
Methodist Episcopal being organized.
Northville:
Methodist Episcopal at Asbury. a 1,200
Ouswa—
A Mission in 189, Cathotle, St. Colum ye44 3,000 6,000
Achurch costing $15,000 was burned.
‘Tho First Congregational + 1880)
The Plymouth Church 1858+ 274 85,000
The two united... 1870 |
Baptist 2 z 18H
Protestant Episcopal = 1838
Presbyterian SAS 1869
Methodist Episcopal... 1830
Germon Evangelical Associ: 1865
Bt Francis, German Catholic. 1858 i
German Lutheran... 1885 35 families
Otter Creek
Hopewell Chapel, United Brethren 1806 18 1,300
Pera—
tholic and German Cathollc. 1849 2,000 15,000
thodist Eptscopal 2 14h 40 8,300
Presbyterian, organized at Rockwell 1887 then 6!
Removed to Pera 1889, made Congre-
gutlonal....(Pursonage, $8,200).... 1868 70 10,000
oa6 History of La Salle County.
Seneo1—
Catholic, St. Patrick's
Methodist Episcopal
Baptist
Serena—
Seventh Day Adventists 1874 @ 1,200
Freach Protestants: aas »
Unlon Charch. a
United Brethren. -.°---.....
South Oltawa—
‘Gorman Catholic 500 12.900
Lutheran eae = 5
Presbyterinn.....--.- :
Bethe) encensce mores ste
Utica
Catholic
Baptist,
Vermilion—
Congregational = 2 1587 2,000
Prov’at Methodist occupy the Chureb.
Waltharn—
Presbytorian :
Baptiat (noar Utien),
WEALTH AND RESOURCES OF LA SALLE
COUNTY.
The following statemont of the asseusment of real and personal
estate of La Salle county for 1876, and of the taxes for ali purposes
assessed for that your, is the anaual statement made by Hl. A- Me
b, County Olerk, and is correct, but in one particular gives =
'Y erroneous impression of the value of the property of the
county, ‘The law roquires the ausesiors to asses all property at
its evel value, but the tendency has over beem tq yearly rus the
price down, till for the year here given it is acarcely 60 per cent. of
The assessed price of land for 1877 Is, for in
per acre; for unimproved, $14,738; average,
$24.71); while the actual value ia twice that, Horses svemge $18.53,
mules $46.69, cattle $15.82, sheep 82.09, hogs $5.14, planes 895,55,
parlor organs $4 A glance at this list will make It apparent
that the aggregato of the axsessed valuation should be doubled at
least to show the true amount
the real value
proved land
ee a for the year 1876,
teh
: era a ne
Bue
Ef fegtaaie
by |RBERSSESRSEERE
jaan Hanes
3 i acini re |
Recapitulation of Tazes. 539
RECAPITULATION OF TAXES FOR THE YEAR 1876.
.| esprit |e aao7t|# amec| ¢taiean
4103.08 syaum.sa | tener | arto
WoiThss | siete] wotwese| sararean
Rallroad Taser...
Genora} Taxes
¥ $43.99 | got | $185,768.00
Continned,
District Rood and Specta! }
mic | Mgadae’ | etl | cy.
8 616.00 | Bannon |B res.40 | sant se
acveeeee] 160,88] 8007.00 so) awit
esoe.si | 49,519.00) 4,800.00 79700
f,
1.77 | $eaT-0S | $8,r7.a8 | GLinsen.aS
Continued,
High School Interest Bond. | Tee
<=
ean #0079 ory
Mallrosd Taxoe —.
— Cy eee 9.908
General Taxon aa90.15 | wg0.a8 HOS 2
an | §.us.0 pon
540 History of La Salle County.
LODGES AND SOCIETIES,
MABONIC,
Orrawa— Set ane
Ouse Commandery, No. eee
Shabona Chapter, 1876
‘Occidental Lodge, ri e & ACM, No. 40 ~
Hambolidt Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 555.
), No. 13.
St John's Gommandary..
Mansntuiacs—
Marseilles Lodge, No. 417
Tomica—
‘Tonlea Lodge, No. 804
Sregaron—
Bine Lodge, No, BOT...
Chapter Ke A M,, No. 188
SHERITDAN—
Sheridan Lodge, No. 85
Tnor Gnove—
Losraxt—
Lostant Lodge, No. 597
AL
in Lodge, No. 67...
Coment Lodge, No. 304
Coment Chapter, R. A.
Leraxp—
Leland Lodge, No, 558.
Saxeca—
Seneca Lodge, No, 682
Eanuyie—
Meridian Lodge, No. 183.
RorLaxp—
Ratland Lodge, No. 477
Ratland Chapter, R. A. M., No, (1%.
Now Rutland Connell, No. 82..-.-...
Mexpora—
Mendota Lodge, No. 176..
Mendota Chapter, No. 79.---
Mendota Council, No. 82-
Bethany Commandery, No. 28.
685 #12 885 8h 84a 8 SE 4 8 Basa ess
1.0.0. F
Orrawa
‘Ottawa Lodge, No. 41...
Libriry, $00 vols
a
5
Lodges and Societies. O4b
eat aah
Ottawa Encampment, No. 88. 185645
No. J26 38
if mpanent, x 3B
ont Lodge, No. 399, a
60
68
3
16
—
Junietia, No, 201. 18690
ilés Encampment, No. 156. 18
"ONTOAm=
‘Tonics, No. 208... 8
Srmnvron—
Edina Lodge, No. 391 98
Streator Lodo, No, 6as o
Bethoren Lo
80
Shiloh Lodge.......-- as - 1858 85
TANT —
LA SaLe—
La Salle Lodge, No. 101 8
Arndt Lodge, No. 525. ¥ “0
IC.
Ution Lodge, No, 402. 1889 49
Guaxp Rincr—
Victor Lodge, No. 578, sins
Lataxn—
Leland Lodge, No. 352... »
Saxnci—
Manlive Lodge, No, 491 0
Btar of Hope Encampment, 1878 0
Eautyatx:
Shabona Lodge, No. 294 wey 1861 6
Rornano-
New Rutland Lodge, No, 007 pence 16
Mexnora—
Mendota Lodge, No. 998 48
Allemanin Lodge, No. 411. 5
MISCRLLANEOUS SOCIETIES.
Orraw
St Kimo Lodge, K. of Py No. Geeseeceseesese 17640
Humboldt Lodge, 1. 8. #., No. 180. 40
642 History of La Saile County.
ij
B sSeesce an © sgees SakSSE88 uP
Prao—
Gorman Benevolent Society.
Port Turnverein.
St. Mary's Total Abstinence Society
BL Patrick Benevolent Soulety.
La Sauce—
Pather Matthew T. A.
Boys St. Patrick Cadet
Brothers’ Parochial School
Academy by the same...
School by the Sisters of Charity
Hibernian Benevolent Society.
K. 0. P,
40. UW.
Srukaton—
N, Streator Lodge, No. 429, 1.0. @,
Centennial Temple, No. 1,'U.
Rose of Eden
Father Masthew ,
Centennial Lod, 14, ALO. of W ;
N. Streator Lodge, A-0. of U. W.
Father Matthew T. A. 8. .
Unies
Father Matthew T. A. 8
Starved Rock Lodge, I. 0. of GT _....-.--- 1877
Mexpora—
4.0. U. Wi... 1977
Mendota Benevolent Society.
Mendota Turner = .
Independent Order G. T., No. 416
Star Temple, No. 2, UO. A. 'T.
Ted Ribbon Club..! ee
Mendota Cassino...
Mendota Library Assoclation, 1,600 Vola, ‘en
dowed by Wm. Graves. ==
MANUFACTURES IN LA SALLE COUNTY.
LaSallo—
The Phoenix Glass Co. manufacture 34,000 50 feet
boxes of window glass annually, averaging $3
per bax...
Mathelson d& ie gle
bs. spelter annually
The ore is brought from Wiseontin ani
Men employed, 400. ‘The con! is obtained from a
114,000
Works mau
Manufactures. 3
shaft on the premises. They consume 100 tons
ve noun
day. They rolling nl for exanaf
ahest zine of jual to the manufneture.
‘Tho La Salle Zine ncturo 8,000,000 Ibe, spoler
seas bail $225,000
7
Robare Lan Langan & Co.'s Zine Works n make 6,000 Tha. of
RE ae eae ES 110,000
and consuie 25 tans of coal per dia
‘Themanofecture of cigars, sash, doors, Blinds, and
will amount to many thousands,
Marseilles —
iL
Western Cottage Organ Oo, turns out. .
000
Donssas & Meddes, wagons, foundry, cle 5,000
Hastings & Co., wagons and carriages. > "7,500
Hennery’s Brewery 000
Mendota Linseod Ol W ‘orks, capacity Ww, 00 but. of aoed.
Ottaws—
Ginss works manufacture, in value...
peteuum., They coniume $,090 {ons of con), 260.
Tons soda ash, 16,000tons of sand, 3 tons of arsenic,
employ 150 hands. 4,000 bbls. of lime, nud 800,000
foct of lumber for boxes.
Ouawa Starch Factory consume from 100,000 to
250,000 bu. of corn per nnnum, und-turn out 1,000
Ibe starch daily wheo running.
King & Hamilton manufacture cora cultivators and
corn shellers to the amount of...
Geo. W. Rugg, manufacturer of furniture.
Mayerbofer, plows and cultivators. .
‘The manofactare of cutlery, ssh, eal and bina,
pumps, efe., wil amount to Fi
Peru—
‘The Illinois Zine Co, manafacture 4,000,000 Ths. of
apelicr annusliy, and consume 60 tons of coal dally 260,000
The firm of Brewelur, Huse ce Co, manufacture plows,
cultivators, ete, to the amount of... -2 200,000
‘The business of the Peru Foundry, Brenner & Snow,
AMOUMES 0. owes : 000
Ths manufacture ‘of beer amounts to over 100 barrels
laily.
Utica:
nme
co iasereaned of hydraulic lime is 75,000 bbls, worth. ene
pipe, 190,000 feet, warth. - '$8°000
Drain t ule, 250, 000" feet, worth, 22,000
a4 History of La Salle County,
Axounr or Cony, Oats, ano Live Stock, Tax Propvertor or
La Satax Courtr, Sitrrko ren Axwuot
Bushes
8 Ones,
o
Peru, Day's Warehouse ....-. 50,000,
“ "Young's Warehouse - 50,008
© — Stockdale's Warehouse 0,000
‘Ottawa, average shipment, .
Ottawa Coro Starch Co. consume
Seneca .. ~ 200,000
Ransom 20,000
Mareoill 100,000
Ward 80,000
Mendel 75,000,
Ton 35,000
Lostant. =; FR: 92,008
inona, $ supposed to be the)
Pte portion fem Lasali...-= be
Yew Rutland, } supposed to he} 40,000
the propertion from Lugaile. ¢ 225
EE aE 880 15,000.
nena x 20 20,
edron -_.. 15 ry
Grund Ridge 107 20,000
Streator . < a 40,000
Leland .2--- : 170 50,000
Earl Soe 200 40,000
Meriden ... Gt eI 44,000
Mendota .. - 27 70,000
Sandwich (one-half 24,000
Somonauk 15,000
Garfield, Munster, Dayton. 25,000
Totals. au 1,885,200
Grass Sced grown in County, 100,000 bushels
aunt of Conl raised at LaSatle
shipped from Str
ad Poru. 300,000 tome anneanlly,
Oto OG,000
Arrival of Boats at Ottawa. ba
Tce Traps ov Peru ax> La Satie,
Tee, rosie apps
Huse & Loom
~ Other houses
43 Vicksts
- At LaSatle. 3000 ~
Total at Pers and LaSalle... -+---125,000 tons.
POPULATION OF STATE AND COUNTY.
fans a0. 15:30. ato, x0, 3960,
le......55,182 107,445 470,183 851, 1,711,051 a.532,801
County of Latatle, 9S 17/816 48s 0,792
SALE OF TOWN LOTS IN OTTAWA IN 1832 AND
1833,
Block 4, Lot 7 $29 | Block 16, Lov 16, 818
Block 11, S,$Lot8 2 | Block 5, Lot 3 M4
Block 12, Lot 6 20 | Block 17, Lot 3 20
Block 12, Lot 2 12 | Block il, $4 Lota, »
Block 13, Lots4,5,6 100 | Block 12) Low & 7
Lot 2, Block 11, embraces the N. $4 of the B. slide of the Square.
Lot 8, Blok 2, embraces the 8 1¢ of the W-side of the Square.
The price for Lot $ was $12 cash und $15 County orders.
ARRIVAL OF BOATS AT OTTAWA.
To show the amount of river trade in the olden tme the follow
ing arrival of river boats at Ottawa isinserted :
DatE. nOAT. CAPTAIN,
1881, October 16. ‘The Traveler ...
1882) April 4. ‘The Caroline -
1828, January 14. Exchange
Tuly 8. Exchange
Taly 13, Exchange ........ --2- ss.
46 History of La Salle County.
NOAT,
hee rexe =
Lapere ~
Alvarado -
Rovolution
Prairle Bird
Lightfoot.
Uncle Tobey.
Avalan
‘Timolion.
Revolution -
Prairie Bird.
Alvarado,
‘Acadia...
Lightfoot.
Ocoan Ware.
Eureka...
Timolion .
Prairie Bir:
Alvarado
Avalanche
Ocean Wave
Dan'! 6ullman
Eureka.
Timolion
Avalanche _
Prairie Stato
Ocean Ware...
Revolation
Bureka.
molion
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
No of No.of
GRANGE, Membre GRANGE, Mowh'rs
Dayton 27 ory ..... Sse 20
Deer Park... 26 Pomona (Rutland) 2
Diamond Creek, Dons 20 Ratland oi 16
Eagle = :. 14 Serena 20
Freodom 46 Sheridan . 92
Grand Rapids 18 Tonica..- 60
Groveland... a5 Utlen ee <5 ae
Mission S 23 Union (Prairie Center). 55
Northrilie.- 2 30 Wallace. 36
Cities and Villages. OAT
CITIES AND VILLAGES.
‘There are five cities in LaSalle county, flve incorporated villages,
and ten other considerable towns and railroad stailons.
Ottawa was platted by State authority and recorded at
Peoria, then the county seat, December 5, 1830, In 1889 it became
a village, with limited municipal power, and made a city hy special
wet of the Legislature in 185%, Wm. Hickling was the first mayor.
In 1876 Ottawa polled 1,490 votes, and must contain nearly 10,000
people, The population of Ottawa at the last census was mbout
8,000,
LaSalle became an smportant place, in addition to ite natural
location and resourees, by the decision of the trustees of the Illinois
and Michigan Canal, placing the tenmination of the canal, or its
Junction with the Diinols river, within jts limits, in 1886, Tn 1887
the town was laid out, and incorporated # city in 1852. In 1876
LaSalle polled 1,124 votes; this would indicate from 6,000 to 7,000
population.
Peru was firet surveyed and platted by the school commission:
ers in 1834. The Ninawa addition was platted and recorded by T.
D. Brewster in 1836, embracing moat of the business part of the
town. Pera was incorporated acity in Mareh, 1861, T.D, Brows
ter wus the first mayor Vote polled im 1876, 862, and the popula.
tion must be about 5,000.
Mendota was made an incorporated town in 1891, with J. H.
Adama sa president of the Board of Trustees It was made a city
in March, 1867. Boyd Lowe was the first mayor. Vote in 1876,
978; indicating over 5,000 population.
Earlville was made an important commercial point immediately
after the completion of the railroad in 185%, a corporation, with
municipal power, in 1868, and a city In 3877. J, J. Pool ts mayor.
Leland was surveyed and the town plat reconied in 185%, and
called Whitefield, and the station named Waverly, but Leland
eventually became the only nume, tt was incorporated a village sn
1859.
Lostant was laid out in 1961, and incorporated m village in 1307.
New Rutland was surveyed and the plat recorded in 1858.
Bencca was for a time called Crotty, from Jeremiah Crotty who
Taid owt We town. Tt wes incorporated as » village in 1863.
-
Ollawa Academy of Natural Sciences. 549
‘The Academy has «large and valuable collection of specimens in
the several departments of natural science, mostly donations from
its mombersandothors. Exchanges and donations sre solicited, ‘The
museum ia open to the public, and most valuable results will spring
from this effort of the energetioand able men who have It 1a charge.
A taste for naturnl science has been fostered by this institution, and
the subject has recelyed more attention in La Salle County, and
there are more private cabinets probably than In any other section
of the country,
Conclusion. 551
days of our youth, far away among the hills of the
East,and South. The prairie grass, and wild yet
beautiful flowers, have been succeeded by cultivated
farms, waving fields of grain and grass; orchards,
yearly laden with Inscious fruit, have sprang up on
every farm, rivaling or excelling those the emigrant
left in the land of his birth. Belts and groves of
timber, break and temper the prairie wind, and give
variety and beauty to the landscape. Herds and
flocks fatten where the Indian pursued his game, and
the scream of the eagle, the whoop of the crane,
and croak of the raven, have ceased, and the crow-
ing and gabble of the poultry yard have taken their
place. The blogm of the yellow wild flowers of
August, are no longer dreaded as the harbinger of
the annual return of prostrating and painful ague,
and other sickness. The sallow and bilious cheeks
of the early settlers are now represented by fresher,
blooming countenances, and rosy health. Qom-
fortable, and even luxurious dwellings, scattered
over all the prairie, replace the humble cabin that
nestled in the edge of the groves. Capacious barns,
filled with the rich products of an éxhaustless soil,
stand for the log stable, rail crib, and stack yard,
that held the hard-earned wealth of the pioneer.
The traveler meets at a corner of every section, a
neat and commodious school-house, where all the
youth can drink at the fountain of knowledge
without money or price; and over the entire county
he can scarcely get beyond. the view of the church
spire, where forty years ago he might have lost him-
self on the trackless prairie, with no building or
poe History of La Salle County.
landmark toguide him on his way. Where the toil of
* theearly settlers barcly supplied food for the incom-
ing immigrants, or the ox wagon wended its slow
and weary way over the lonely prairie, to a market
a hundred miles away, with the surplus products
of the county, the long railroad trains follow each
other in rapid succession, freighted with the annual
product of the labor of seventy thousand people!
more than doubled by the improved farm imple-
ments, which our clean soil and level surface has
called into existence. Millions of bushels of grain,
and thousands of fattened swine and cattle, yearly
seek the Eastern or Southern markets, where, forty
years since, the East and the South sent food to our
people. The contrast is startling, and most grati-
fying to those who have lived to see it, and they can
only wish that those of the pioneers who haye
passed away, and like the great leader of Israel
were not permitted to see the full fruition of their
hopes, might have been spared to rejoice in the rich
result of their toil.
Tf in less than half a century, under all the dis-
advantages thidt have attended the opening of a
new country, all of these results have been
duced, what may be anticipated in the future?
What will La Salle County be, fifty or a hundred
years hence, or in the more distant fature? How
many intelligent, virtuous and patriotie people
will live for a high and noble destiny within her
borders? Those who have made the connty what it
is, will soon have passed away; thoy leave a rich
inheritance to those who will follow, and it remains
for posterity to solve the problem of the fature.
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