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HISTORICAL
ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF
ILLINOIS
EDITED BY
Newton Bateman, LL. D.
Paul Selbv, A. M
AND HISTORY OF
OGLE COUNTY
EDITED B^'
Horace G. Kauffman
Rebecca H. Kai ffman
Vol ume 1 1
ILLUSTRATED
C]]]C.\(]n
M U X S E I. E 1' U K E I S II 1 N ( ; L U .\1 I' A N V
PUBLISHERS
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOI^, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
R . 1920 L
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Entered accoridng to act of Congress in the years
1894, 1899 and 1900 by,
WILLIAM \V. MUNSELL
In the oflSce of the I^ibrarian of Congress at Washington
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THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ARTO'R. LENQX
iND.>TIONS
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THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEf'^'^
PREFACE
The following chapters are concerned with the history of a single county of
Illinois, and collaterally with such portions of the history of the State as bear a
relation to the story of the county and are of interest in connection therewith.
The time and labor involved and expended to gather and sift the material here
presented, unlike the area covered, have not been small in extent. They have
been much greater than was anticipated when the work was undertaken. But if
those who read the pages which follow shall find the narrative interesting and
informing, shall have their respect and affection for the memory of those who
sowed that they might reap, quickened and, perhaps, broadened, and shall be im-
pressed anew with the healthfulness, richness and beauty of the region in which
it is their good fortune to dwell, then the writers will be repaid for the labor
spent upon the preparation.
The sources of information have been various. They include histories and
historical papers, treatises, addresses, official documents and reports, court records,
newspaper files, scrap books, individual and organization records, correspondence
and personal interviews. Among the histories and historical writings used are:
Boss's "History of Ogle County" (1850); Rett's "History of Ogle Countv"
(1878) ; "Portrait and Biographical Album of Ogle County" (1886) ; "The Bi-
ographical Record of Ogle County" (1899) ; Ford's "History of Illinois;" Stuve's
"History of Illinois ;" Moses' "History of Illinois ;"Parrish's "Historic Illinois" and
"When Wilderness was King;" Thwaites, "Historic Waterways;" Volumes VIII,
IX, and XI, State Historical Library; Alvord's "Illinois Historical Collection,"
Volume II; "Boundaries of Illinois and Early Rock Island," William A. Aleese ;
"Pioneer History of Illinois" and "My Own Life and Times," John Reynolds ;
"Chapters in Illinois History," Edward G. Alason ; "Western Wilds of America,"
John Regan ; "The lesuit Relations" and "Allied Documents and Earlv Western
Travels," Reuben Gold Thwaites ; "At Home and Abroad," Margaret Fuller ; ".Mar-
garet Fuller Ossoli," Thomas Wentworth Higginson ; Thwaites' "Boundaries of
Wisconsin ;" the files of the "Galena Advertiser" and "Chicago Weekly Democrat,"
in the archives of the Chicago Historical Society; "Mount Morris, Past and Pres-
ent," Kable Brothers ; Illinois Session Laws of 1853 ; "Evolution of the Counties
of Illinois," James A. Rose, Secretary of State ; "Early Bench and Bar of Illinois,"
John Dean Caton ; "Rock River Valley," Joseph Newton ; Manuscript Autobi-
ography of lohn Phelps ; "Inimitable Rock River ;" "George Catlin Indian Gal-
leVy," Smithsonian Report, 1885; "Water Resources of Illinois," Frank Leverett ;
Special Messages on Deep Waterway and Navigable Streams, Governor Charles
S. Deneen, 1907 ; "Blue Book of Illinois ;" Illinois Game and Fish Laws. 1907 ;
IlHnois Fish Commissioners' Report, 1904-1907; Hahn's "Mammals of the Kan-
kakee Valley ;" LTnitcd States and Illinois Geological Survey ; "Report on the White
Pine Woods of Ogle County," Forest Ser^'ice, R. S. Kellog, 1904 ; "Check List of
Trees of the United States," Forest Service; "Patriotism of Illinois," T. M. Eddy,
D. D., 1865; "Birds of the United States and Canada," Nuttall; "History of the
American People," Woodrow Wilson.
The authors acknowledge their indebtedness to the following named organ-
izations and individuals for material furnished, either by means of articles or
memoranda contributed, by letters, interviews, the loan of books, copperplates,
photographs, or other matter, or the use of archives or private libraries : Illinois
State Historical Society ; Chicago Historical Society ; Oregon Woman's Council ;
Major General Thomas W. Scott, Adjutant General of Illinois; James A. Rose,
Secretary of State : Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, Librarian Illinois State Historical
Society ; J. W. Clinton, Polo, Illinois ; William P. Landon, Rochelle, Illinois ; John
V. Farwell, Lake Forest, Illinois ; Jonathan Hiestand, Mount Morris, Illinois ; John
Sharp, Pasadena, California; Mrs. Mary I. Wood, Portsmouth, New Hampshire;
Rev. T. Lee Knotts, Middletown, Illinois; N. J. Miller, Denver, Colorado; W. L.
Eikenberr}^ St. Louis, Missouri ; E. L. Wells, Aurora, Illinois ; Frank E. Stevens,
Sycamore, Illinois; Mrs. Ada A. Mix, Redlands, California; Elijah Dresser, Rock-
ford. Illinois ; and the following named persons, all of Ogle County ; D. L. Miller,
John S. Rosier, Mr. Virgil A. Reed, Victor H. Bovey, Miss Anna B. Champ-
ion, Judge James H. Cartwright, Amo'S F. Moore, Miss Emily Cartwright, Wallace
Heckman, Lorado Taft, Mrs. Ralph Clarkson, Dr. and Mrs. A. W. Hoyt, Col.
and ^Irs. F. O. Lowden, Mrs. H. J. Farwell, Mrs. Barbara E. McNeill, J. E.
Miller, Judge J. D. Campbell, Charles T. King, Horace W. Sullivan, Mrs. Cath-
erine Nye, Charles H. Betebenner, F. R. Artz, Benjamin Chaney, Mrs. T. O. John-
ston, yirs. Anne Spoor, Mrs. Alice E. Light, Mrs. Mary L. Chamberlain, Mrs.
James T. Fosler, Mrs. James H. More, Mrs. Julia W. Peek, Mrs. Emma J. Her-
bert, Mrs. Ezra J. Kailer, Miss M. Gertrude Gilbert, Miss Jennie Dimon, Mrs,
R. F. Nye, Mrs. H. E. Wade, F. G. Taylor, T. A. Jewett, L. V. Rummery, Mrs.
J. A. Barden, Mrs. Emma L. Burroughs, Mrs. Emma Heller, Mr, and Mrs. H. W.
Gushing, Mrs. Florence Hawthorne Bailey, Miss Jane Chase, Miss Jessie G. Salz-
man, Mrs. Blanche Fearer Strong, Col. B. F. Sheets, Major Franc Bacon, Michael
Seyster, J. C. Seyster, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sears, Miss Effa B. Mitchell, L. F.
Thomas. Dr. B. B. Bemis, Mrs. Mary Hawthorne Rutledge, Mr. and Mrs.
Samuel McGuffin, Dr. W. C. Bunker, Samuel Mitchell, Asa Dimon, Z. A. Landers,
W. P. Fearer, William Stout, Mrs. Charles Newcomer, Clarence S. Haas, Wil-
liam C. Andrus, James Pankhurst, M. D., David H. Hayes, R. W. King, J. H.
Stevenson, D. D., John A. Atwood, Osmer Noble, Thomas H. Lines, F. A.
Eychaner, ]\Irs. H. H. Stinson, Charles M. Myers, George J. Burroughs, William
A. Hunt, William J. Fruin, William D. Mackay, P. E. Hastings, Robert F.
Adams, Rev. C. B. Schroeder, Frank Reeverts, B. F. Perry, Urias Brantner,
G. W. Dicus, A. D. Reed, Mrs. M. Allen, Mrs. Mary R. Washburn, Elmer C.
Thorpe, Rev. William Diekhofif, Mr. and Mrs. H. A.' Smith, Roy Householder,
Herman Erxleben.
Special acknowledgment is made to the Illinois State Historical Society for
the loan of the copperplate of Governor Ford in their possession, and also to
various operators in charge of telephone stations in different parts of the county
for their capable assistance in obtaining desired information.
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INDEX
INTRODUCTION 617
CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Natural • Vegetation — Forests — The "White Pine Woods of Ogle
County" — Projected Forest Reservation — Rock River Scenery —
Botany of Ogle County — State Tree and Flower Emblems — Some
Historic Boulders — A Lincoln Memorial — Site of the Driscoll
Tragedy Marked— The Black Hawk Boulder 618-628
CHAPTER II.
NATURAL HISTORY— FAUNA.
Birds and Animals — Insects — Fishes and Reptiles — The Mussel Shell
Industry 628-634
CHAPTER III.
THE ABORIGINES.
The Mound Builders — Indians — Tribes and Relics — Black Hawk's \'il-
lage 634-638
CHAPTER IV.
DISCOVERY, EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT.
County Organizations — The Evolution of Ogle County — Various
Counties of Which it Formed a Part — First and Present Area 638-641
• CHAPTER V.
THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY QUESTION.
The First Projected Northern Boundary of IlUnois — The Present
Boundary — Alleged Violation of the Compact of 1787 — The Agita-
tion for Returning to Wisconsin the Disputed Territory — The Meet-
ings in Ogle County 641-644
CHAPTER VI.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
Then and Now — The Early Settlers — Grove Settlements, Avoiding the
Prairie — Roads and Travel — Hardships and Dangers — Customs —
The Log Cabin — Prices and Wages — An Early Wedding — Pastimes
and Amusements 644-649
CHAPTER VII.
LAND SURVEYS, TITLES AND VALUES.
First Deed Covering a Land Transfer in Illinois — Surveys by Metes and
Bounds — The Government Rectangular System— Early and Present
Land Values 649-652
CHAPTER VIII.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS.
First County Building a Jail — First Court House Erected in 1839 —
Destroyed by an Incendiary Fire — Later County Buildings with Cost
— County Farm Established in 1878 652-653
CHAPTER IX.
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK RAISING.
Crops and Farming at Time of Settlement — Present Fanning — Farmers'
Institute — County Fair — Springvale Farm — Sinnissippi Farm 653-657
CHAPTER X.
POLITICS AND PUBLIC OFFICERS.
Presidential Campaigns — Representation in Congress ; for Governor ; in
the Constitutinal Conventions ; in the General Assembly ; in the Courts
and the County Offices — the Lincoln Speech of 1856— Local Option
Vote of 1908 658-664
CHAPTER XI.
WAR HISTORY.
Revolutionary War— War of 1812— Black Hawk War— Mexican War-
War of the Rebellion — Spanish-American War — Service Rendered
by Company M, Illinois National Guard 664-671
CHAPTER XII.
A BLACK HAWK WAR TRAGEDY.
Ogle County a Center of Activity in Black Hawk War Days — The
Durley and St. Vrain Murders — Details of the St. Wain Affair and
Sketch of His Life 671-673
CHAPTER XIII.
PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS.
Grand Army of the Republic — Its Organization at Decatur in 1866 —
Mrs. John A. Logan's Memorial Day Address — G. A. R. Organ-
izations in Ogle County — List of Commanders, and Charter Alembers
— Present Membership — Women's Relief Corps — Object of Organ-
ization, with Date and First and Present Officers — Sons of \'eterans
— The Patriotic Song, "Illinois" 673-678
CHAPTER XIV.
THE COURTS AND BAR.
The Courts of the French Settlers and the Civil Law — Introduction of
English Common Law — Dislike of Trial by Jury — The French
Custom Reinstated by the British Government — First Courts Under
State Law — Later Changes — County Commissioners' Court — Probate
Justices — County Courts — Anecdotes of Early Practice — Important
Trials — Members of the Bar ' 678-684
CHAPTER XV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
The Practitioner in Pioneer Days — Materia Medica Then and Now —
Names of Early Physicians — Surgery — Trained Nurses — Present
Physicians 685-685
CHAPTER XA^I.
RAILROADS AND TELEPHONES.
The Six Railroads of Ogle County— Early Railroad Enterprises in
Illinois — Litigation Over Railroad Aid Bonds — List of Stations on
Railroad Lines — The Bell and Local Telephone Companies 685-689
CHAPTER XVH.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
Masons and Eastern Star — Odd Fellows and Rebekahs — Modern Wood-
men and Royal Neighbors — Mystic Workers of the World — Court of
Honor — Knights of the Globe — Yeomen of America — Knights of
Columbus 689-694
CHAPTER XVIII.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Women's Clubs — Temperance Organizations — Business Men's Clubs —
Chautauqua — Old Settlers' Association 694-706
CHAPTER XIX.
MARGARET FULLER'S VISIT.
Weil-Known in the East — Traveled From Chicago to Dixon and Oregon
in Lumber \\'agon — W. W. Fuller of Oregon, a Relative — Impres-
sions of Rock River Valley — Wrote Poem and Named Spring — Her
Marriage to Count D'Ossoli and Their Sorrowful Fate — Margaret
Fuller Island Dedicated — Letter From Bronson Alcott 706-710
CHAPTER XX.
THE ARTISTS' COLONY.
Ganymede and Eagle's Nest — Histor}' of the Colony — Authors and
Artists Who Have Made it Their Summer Home — Other Noted
Visitors — Rock River Scenery — Interesting Events — Rent-Paying
Ceremony — Beauvoir — The Grange — ]\IcKenney's Island 710-713
CHAPTER XXI.
PIONEER LIFE IN OGLE COUNTY— PART I.
Life in Ogle County From 1838 to 1845 — Reminiscences of the Late
John V. Farwell — Oregon City in Embryo — Conditions and Methods
of Pioneer Life — Hunting and Game — Early Industries and Trades. . 714-719
CHAPTER XXII.
PIONEER LIFE IN OGLE COUNTY— PART II.
Some Additional Notes on Early History — Mrs. J. W. Peek on "Pioneer
Mothers" of Ogle County — Early Domestic Life, Methods and Con-
ditions — Col. B. F. Sheets' Reminiscences of Oregon City — Beginning
and Development — The Canada Settlement — An Outgrowth of the
Canadian Rebellion of 1837-38 — Some Principal Representatives of
the Canadian Colony 720-725
CHAPTER XXIII.
EDUCATIONAL.
Pioneer Schools of Ogle County — Lafayette Grove School — The Fair-
view School — Oregon Schools — The Canada Settlement School —
Mount Morris Schools — Methods and Conditions in Early Schools —
Rock River Seminary — Passes Into the Hands of the United Brethren
— Its Later History as Mount Morris College . 725-731
CHAPTER XXIV.
CRIMINAL HISTORY.
First Ogle County Jail and Treatment of Early Criminals — Court Con-
ditions and First Criminal Trial — Other Noted Court Contests — Trial
of Liquor Cases — Development of Criminal Organizations — The
Prairie Bandits and Murder of Captain Campbell of the Regu-
lators — The Driscoll Lynching and Acquittal of the Perpetrators —
Story of the Tragedy as Told by an Eye-Witness — Incident in the
Life of Gov. Ford — A Lynching Case of Civil War Days — Later
Incidents in Court and Criminal History 7Z-~72)7
CHAPTER XXV.
TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Individual Sketches of Ogle County Townships Arranged in Alpha-
betical Order — Date of Organization, Area and Population — List of
Early Settlers and Public Officials — Cities, Towns and Milages —
Incidents of Local History — Schools, Churches and Public Libraries.. 738-828
CHAPTER XXVI.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
The Part of Biography in General Histor}^ — Citizens of Ogle County 1/
and Outlines of Personal History — Personal Sketches Arranged in
Encyclopedic Order 829-1067
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Andrus Plow Manufactory 810
Castle Rock 793
College Campus 728
Company D, 92d Illinois 668
Court House (1848) 653
Court House (1892) 653
Deere Plow Factory 793
Eagle Xest Camp House 729
Entrance to Sinnissippi Farm 792
Ford Cabin 675
Hotel Hock 793
Inspiration Point 793
Kyte River 792
Lincoln Rock 674
Map of Ogle County 617
Map of the School Districts 617
Phelps Log Cabin '. 675
Public Library, Oregon 729
Public Library, Polo 729
Public School, Polo 728
Residence of Frank 0. Lowden 792
Residence of John W. Clinton ^ 729
Ruins of Mill on Pine Creek 793
Schiller Piano Factory 810
Soldiers' Monument, Daysville Cemetery ; 674
Stillman Valley Monument 674
Washington Grove Boulder 674
PORTRAITS.
Abbott, Emma 720
Allaben, James W 622
Anderson, John 626
Aplington, Zenas 632
Bain, Angus 715
Baker, David J 642
Baker, Mrs. David J 642
Baker, Elias 636
Baker, John W 642
Baker, Mrs. John W 642
Beers, Richard H 646
Beers, Mrs. Richard H 646
Blanchard, Alba G 656
Braiden, Miles J 662
Buck, Daniel 678
Buswell, Joel B 683
Buswell, Laura V 682
Campbell, John D 686
Clark, William M 692
Clark, Mrs. William M 692
Clinton, John W 696
Dicus, George W 702
Ettinger, Martin L 706
Farwell, H. J 720
Farwell, Mrs. H. J 720
Fish, Isaac A 710
Fish, Mrs. Isaac A 710
Ford, Thomas 721
Harrington, Chester C 724
Hayes, Charles F. (Family Group) 734
Hitt, Robert R 738
Hoffhine, David 715
Hoffmann, Catherine May McNeill 720
Joiner, Mary J 748
Joiner, William W 744
Jones, Frederick G 754
Kauffman, Horace G.. . .Following Title Page
Kauffman, Rebecca H. . .Following Title Page
King, William H 758
Knowlton, I, S 715
Korf, William H 764
Rosier, John S 768
Kridler, Burton D 774
Landon. William P 778
Lawrence, Johnson 782
Lowden, Frank 788
McCrea, Alfred B 796
McNeill, Barbara Wagner 720
Moore, Jonathan L 814
Moore, Mrs. Jonatlian L 818
More, James H 802
More, Mrs. James H 802
Myers, Charles M 822
Newcomer, Charles 826
Noble, Charles B. (Family Group) 830
Nye, Catherine 720
O'Brien, George D 836
O'Kane, Joseph 840
O'Kane, Jannett 844
Old Settlers (Group— 1894) 714
Old Settlers (Group— 1898) 714
Page, Edward C 720
Patterson, James J 850
Peek, Henry C 854
Perkins, George W 860
Reed, Virgil E 864
Riley, Edwin H 870
Riley, Harriet M 874
Row, William H 878
Schneider, Charles 882
Schry ver, Martin E 886
Sheets, Benjamin F 890
Shoemaker, Pearson 894
Shoemaker, Mrs. Pearson 894
Shumway, Eugenia M 898
Shumway, Romanzo G 898
Smith, Jonas C (Family Group) 902
Smith, Robert 906
Southworth, John 910
Southworth, Thomas G 914
Stewart, John 918
Stewart, Phidelia M 918
Stocking, William 922
Tice, John H 926
Tice, Mrs, John H 926
Tice, Otho 930
Tice, Mrs. Otho 930
Trine, Kalph Waldo 811
Txirkington. George E 934
Wamsley, Charles C 938
Wamsley, Rachel H 938
Warner,' DeWitt 943
Waterbury, David 946
Waterbiiry, Emeline 946
Waterbury, John ; 950
West, McFarlen J 954
West, Mrs. McFarlen J 954
Williams, C. K 715
Wood, Clarence 962
Wood, Elisha S 958
Wood, Mrs. Elisha S 958
Woolsey, Richard D 966
Zick, Fred 970
Zumdahl, Christian H 974
Zumdahl, Dorothy 974
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C O U N TV
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
INTRODUCTION.
The pioneer period of any region is one of
special interest to those who, coming after, reap
and enjoy the blessings which the pioneer's
sturdy battle with first conditions inaugurated.
The imagination pictures romance and adven-
ture in the beginnings of a new country. Blaz-
ing the way charms wath the delight of being
first on the scene. The "forest primeval" was
pathless and bestowed its beauty of vine, shrub
and tree in a pristine freshness never repeated.
The virgin prairie,
"Its unshorn fields, limitless and beautiful,"
was Nature's own flower garden.
The toils, makeshifts, vicissitudes and dan-
gers of pioneer life are trying experiences, but
they are full of the satisfaction of personal
achievement, of bending Nature to man's use
and benefit, unaided by many of the helpful
agencies of settled communities.
Another reason for our interest in pioneer
history is found in the characteristics of the
men and women who become pioneers and
make history. In the strenuous march of human
endeavor, the conservative citizen remains snugiy
at home. He leaves it to his more ardent and ven-
turesome neighbor, dreaming of fortune and de-
lighting in new scenes, to take his seat in the bow
of the boat and, with his eyes directed toward
the future, pilot- the craft to a distant shore.there
to begin with others the founding of a new stare.
This brings together a group of men and women
of vigorous minds and stout hearts, whose more
than common qualities of character are devel-
oped and strengthened by the demands of the
617
life which they have courageously chosen. They
find conditions more than usually difficult, but
meet and overcome them. They see others' needs
and give, not of money, but of themselves, whiih
is infinitely more. They exhibit the funda-
mental virtues in a way and to a degree not
always given to those of older communities to
do, and the fundamental virtues are suflicient
of themselves to give men and women a high
place in the estimation of mankind. To be ac-
counted worthy, and in the best sense success-
ful, men and women need not be prominent or
wealthy, or even educated. They nmst be hon-
est, generous, broad minded, good neighbors,
good friends and good citizens. "The vital ele-
ment in judging any man," says President Roose-
velt, "should be his character and deeds, and
neither his position, nor his pretensions, should
vary the rule." It cannot be said too often that
success in life consists in noble living, wbieli
men and women may achieve with or without
wealth or position, or even much education.
Men and women in humble circumstances and of
limited knowledge exemplify moral excellence,
sweet reasonableness and beautiful service in
their unpretentious lives, fully as often as do
the rich and the highly educated. And it is,
after all, beautiful service, sweet reasonable-
ness ;uid moral < xccllence that appeal to us
most forcibly, and which we place above every-
thing else in forming our estimate of the value
to his community or to his country, of any man's
career. It was not Lincoln's brilliant intellect
so much as his noble heart that made him ^o
beloved as President, and that now obtains for
his memory our increasing love and respect.
"Conduct." says Matthew Arnold, "is three-
fourths of life."
618
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
NATXJBAL VEGETATION FORESTS — THE "WHITE
PIjSTE woods of ogle county" PROJECTEaO
FOBEST EESEBVATION — ROCK RI^'EB SCENERY —
BOTANY OF OGLE COUNTY — STATE TREE AND
FLOWER EMBLEMS — SOME HISTORIC BOULDERS — A
LINCOLN MEilORIAI. — SITE OF THE DBISCOLL
TRAGEDY MARKED THE BLACK HAWK BOULDEB.
"Rhodora: if. the sages ask thee why
This charm is wasted on the marsh and sky,
Dear, tell them, that if eyes were made for
seeing,
Then beauty is its own excuse for being."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson.
In ''Western Wilds of America, or Backwoods
and Prairies, and Scenes in the Valley of the
Mississippi," John Regan, of Edinburgh, de-
scribes the prairie as it appeared to him at the
time the first settlements in Ogle County were
being made. He says :
"By and by the forests began to thin and we
emerged upon the prairie ; we ascended a vir-
gin ground to the right, to take a surv^ey of this
celebrated feature of the western landscape.
Before us, far, far to the east, lay one vast
jilain of verdure and flowers, without house or
home, or anything to break in upon the uni-
formity of the scene, except the shadow of a
passing cloud. To the right and left long points
of timber like capes and headlands stretched in
the blue distance; the light breeze brushing
along the young grass and blue and pink flowers ;
the strong sunlight pouring down everywhere,
and the singular silence which pervaded the
scene, produced a striking effect upon the mind.
The light breeze wafted perfumes ; the air was
balmy and Invigorating; the resplendent hues
of myriads of flowers spread effulgence far and
wide ; the shadows chased each other across the
plain; the butterfly flaunted; the bee hummed;
and it would have required but a slight effort of
the imagination to suppose ourselves looking
upon a world fresh from the hand of its Maker."
The early residents all agree with this in their
descriptions of the wondrous beauty of verdure
and bloom on these wide expanses. William
Cullen Bryant, who looked upon these prairies,
during a visit at Dixon, Illinois, while they
were yet almost in their undisturbed virgin state,
says of them,
"With flowers whose glory and whose multitude
Rival the constellations."
Mrs. John Rutledge (Mary S. Hawthorn),
who came with her father's family to live at
Washington Grove, in 1838, says there were
"Indian pinks, wild roses, star flower,— just a
bed of flowers in 1840 from Washington Grove
towards 'Old Chapel' — no timber there then,
only prairie." Mrs. H. J. Farwell, who came
to Mount Morris in 1846, tells of "a great mass
of bloom on prairies everywhere, — white, yel-
low, purple, red, blue." The rosin-weed, or
compass-plant, whose forked leaves incline to
point north and south, growing among the
flowers, was sometimes seen with delight by the
traveller across these "prairie-lands," for other
reasons than those of beauty ; and by the small
child of those days for the chewing-gum that
could be made out of the juice it exuded. In
its place the clover blooms, pink, red a:ud white ;
the purplish-green of the timothy spikes, the
brownish-gold of ripened barley, the green of the
waving rye and oats, and the clustered tassel of
the corn, \A-ith the glint of its broad blades in the
August sun, now charm the eye, where once the
wild growths so luxuriantly flourished.
But Nature cares for her own, and the seeds
have found root elsew^here. Along the high-
ways, in the fence corners, in the masses of
timber found everyw'here in the county, along
the banks of its many streams, covering rocky
slopes, on the bluffs or clinging in their crevices,
in hollows, dells and vales, on cleared timber
land, still thick with stumps, is a prodigal wealth
of plant, flower, shrub, vine and tree, — where-
ever man has kept away the scythe, the prun-
ing knife, the plow, the axe, the pasturing stock.
The very rainy season of 1907, following a
series of several wet years, produced a wonder-
ful and unusual profusion of wild growth and
bloom, and things not seen for a long time, spring-
ing into sight, recalled the memories of early
days. The clearings on Hickory Ridge, in Rock-
vale Township, were a sheet of robin's plantain,
early aster, brown-eyed Susan, and blue ver-
vain, edged with blazing star, sunflower and
liorse-mint, and the tall poison hemlock and
artichoke down in the hollow. The white
HISTOl^Y OF OGLE COUNTY.
619
fringed flowers of the starry campion were
found near another bit of timber ; Culver's root
disphiyed its showy spikes amid the tangle along
an overgrown roadside ; the striliing hedgehog
cone-flower lifted its rose-tinted head erect on
Wolf's Hill (Sinnissipi)i Farm), as if it. too.
were enjoying the far view of the smiling land-
scape. This cone-flower is the "mysterious
purple flower," which Margaret ITuller poetically
thought must have "sprang from the blood of the
Indians, as the hyacinth did from that of
Apollo's darling.'"
Some years ago the pupils of the Oregon High
School collected, pressed and mounted about
twelve hundred species of plants. In this col-
lection were many species from other parts of
the United States, and tv\'o hundred from Eng-
land. Many of the twelve hundred were ob-
tained chiefly from the regions contiguous to
Oregon, where a great variety of interesting
plant life is found. Along the sloping west wall
of "the Narrows," and in the rich, moist river
flats on the east edge, are the spring beauty,
the hepatica, the anemones, the crowfoots, the
bloodroot, the Dutchman's breeches, the dog-
tooth violet, the deep blue and "sand" violets,
and many others of the flowers so eagerly
sought as winter is ending his stem rule. Then
follows a procession of flowers, finishing with
the asters and golden rods of the late summer
and autumn. Here are found the moonseed
vine, the smilax, the honeysuckle, the wild grape,
the bladdernut, the wahoo. At Knox Spring
grows a prolusion of witch hazel ; and at the
Devil's Backbone is a shrub of this species
twenty feet high, as if to hide the severe face
of this huge vertebra. In the sunnier openings
in the timber to the south of Kuo.k Spring.
on Springvale Farm, the wild strawbeny has
its domicile, as many as ten quarts having been
patiently picked there at one time several years
ago, by a friend, to be served in a shortcake to
the guests invited to celebrate the birthday an-
niversary of the mistress of "The Bungalow."
A man who worked for some time in the tim-
ber of this farm, was in the habit, during the
"strawberry season," of taking in his lunch pail
a bottle of milk, and gathering strawberries for
his dessert. This is idyllic, truly I
The north and east slopes of Liberty Hill are fu]l
of all sorts of vegetable forms. There are many
varieties of ferns, the maidenhair in great beds.
In September, near the rock-steps, one may find
the ghostly Indian pipe and the closed-gentian,
with its bright blue color. A low huckleberry
grows at the edge of the north slope ; and the
Virginia creeper, the bedstraw, often used In
decorative festoons for a "home wedding" in
June and July, the bitter-sweet, with its orange-
red seed clusters gathered for winter's cheer,
all run riot on Liberty Hill. In the heart of
the timber of the "John I'help's farm" nods the
yellow violet ; along the roadway outside runs
the poison ivy. On the river bank, near the end
of Ford Street in Oregon, are found the cardinal
berries of the prickly ash and the purple-blue
bunches of the alternate-leaved dogwood, the
sumac, evening primrose, pale purple gentian,
"baby's breath," bluebell, bellwort, vetch; and
just above these is a large clump of wild-plum.
By the road to Daysville, near the Kyte Iliver
bridge, is a wide field of iris, or blue-flag, reeds,
tall wild-grasses, cat-tails, and violets. On the
northwest slope of Pine Rock, farther down the
river, one passes through "a sea of osmundas."
Between the Pine Creek Town Hall and the
Polo bridge over Pine Creek, is a wealth of grow-
ing things. There grow the panicled dogwood,
with its cluster of white berries m the autuum,
and on either side of the bridge, thrifty clumps
of the spinea. The "White Pine" region, located
here, is most full and complete in a great va-
riety of growths, Ix)th in the tract itself, and
along the railway and the adjacent highways,
having been less disturbed by cultivation than
many other spots. The white water lily grows
abundantly in the bayous of many of the sfronms.
The story is told in one of the towns of the
county of an evening wedding, for which these
white water-lilies were used in ornamenting the
rooms. When the nuptial hour arrived, to
the dismay of the famil.v, the flowers had closed
their petals and gone to sleep, and the beauti-
ful green, white and gold "color scheme" had
vanished. The ingenious Chinese, it is said,
know how "to cheat'' these blossoms. They put
them in a dark closet, then suddenly bring them,
when wanted, out under a strong electric light,
and. mistaking it for the sun. the buds open.
^frs. Rali)hson Clarkson, of the Artists' Col-
ony, has carried out the plan of having nothing
but native wild growths around their picture.sque
sunnner cottage. She has gleaned from both
sides of the river, with charming effect, the
wild rose, the elderberry, the sumac, the prickly
ash, the wahoo. the dogwoods, the witch Ii:izel,
620
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
the spiraea, Jacob's ladder, Virginia creeper,
grapevine, smilax, clematis, honeysuckle, ferns,
and much else. She has likewise made a study
of the mushrooms of the region, finding several
varieties, some of which are edible at some
stage of their growth to those who know them.
One variety is quite familiar to all lovers of
the mushroom who go out early to the woods
on a warm morning after a warm rain in spring-
time — that is, the one whose outside Is in crinkly
folds, with a pale grayish-brown color and vel-
vety appearance.
Miss Jane Chase, the capable teacher of Eng-
lish and of Botany in the Oregon High School,
has made up for the use of this history the fol-
lowing list of plants of the region studied in
her work during 1907 and 1908:
Hepatica, marsh marigold, blood-root, pasque
flower, anemone, common blue violet, arrow-
leaved violet, yellow violet, Dutchman's breeches,
white dog-tooth violet, white trillium, wake
robin, Solomon's seal, false Solomon's seal, blue-
eyed grass, star grass, columbine, meadow rue,
bird's bill, crane's bill, yellow lady-slipper, In-
dian pipe, shin-leaf, thimble-weed, clematis, Vir-
ginia cowslip, puccoon, dogwood, elder blossom,
ox-eye daisy, white daisy, robin's plaintain,
water lily, lupine, widow's tears, flax. Sweet
William, red phlox, Jacob's ladder, sweet clover.
Queen Anne's lace, violet, oxalis, harebell, eve-
ning primrose, wild rose, cinquefoil, everlasting,
everlasting pea, butter-and-eggs, boneset, golden
rod, wild aster, wild sunflower, blazing star,
downy false fox-glove, purple fox-glove, closed-
gentian, five-leaved gentian, blue lobelia, bitter-
sweet.
>Ir. Frank G. Taylor, Superintendent of the
Oregon Public Schools, who has enthusiastically
and intelligently collected and studied many
.species and varieties of ferns, by special re-
quest, has prepared for this history the follow-
ing epitome of bis studies of the fern-growth
of Ogle County:
" 'Enter this wildwood
And view the haunts of Nature, The calm shades
Shall bring a kindred calm and the sweet breeze,
That makes the ^rrocn leaves dance, shall waft
a balm
To thy sick heart. Thou wilt find nothing here
Of all that pained thee In the haunts of men
And made thee loathe tliy life.'
"It seems as if it must have been the ferns that
gave this call to Bryant. There is nothing in
the woods so remote from man as the ferns.
They seem to be of no practical use to man or
beast as a food, or even of medicinal value.
Let us believe that they are a special blessing
of the Almighty, to take mankind to Nature's
heart where he can see beauty, delicacy, and
perfection without a hint of the world.
"There is probably no section of the Middle
West so bountifully blessed with these Divine
gifts as is the Bock River Valley, as it extends
through Ogle County. On the bluffs and over-
hanging rocks, along the banks, may be seen
the hardy tufts of the Purple Cliff Brake;
nearer the water's edge, the Bulblet Bladder
Fern ; and in many places the happy coincidence
of Fragile Bladder Fern and Obtuse Woodsia,
growing side by side so as to make it easy for
the amateur to distinguish each. In sheltered
nooks of the limestone cliffs may be found the
Slender Cliff Brake and the always interesting
Walking Leaf. Polypod Is everywhere abundant
on sandstone. Along the roadway that follows
this 'Hudson of the West' are found, as one
lady expresses it, 'just stacks and stacks of
ferns.' Here are found extensive and luxuriant
beds of Interrupted and Cinnamon Ferns, and
on their outskirts and nearby ledges are found
an abundance of Brake, Maidenhair, Lady Fern,
Spinulose and Evergreen W^ood Ferns, as well
as occasional fronds of Rattlesnake Fern. From
a more extensive search into their favorite
haunts collectors have reported New York Fern,
Ostrich Fern, Royal Fern, Marsh Fern, Oak and
Beech Ferns, Ebony, Narrow Leaved, and Maid-
enhair Spleenworts, Rusty Woodsia. and Hay-
scented Fern. Undoubtedly there are many
more not reported and possibly yet undiscovered."
That part of the natural vegetation which is
the worry of the farmer and the annoyance of
the gardener (though often "a thing of beauty"'
to the nature lover), is still found growing in
pristine vigor, and must be overcome by cease-
less cultivation to-day, much the same as when
the first tiller of the fields bent over the plow
and hoe to eradicate them ; the wild rose still
crowds out tic clover and oats ; the thistle, with
the wild .-anary balanced on a swaying branch,
singing .ts summer lay, the smart-weed, jim-
6on-weed, burdock, yellow dock, velvet-weed,
knot-weed, nightshade, purslane, and many more,
still thrive; the wild Ivy and the morning glory
still entwine the stalks of corn ; the joint-grass,
the foxtail. ^^.3 squaw-grass, and the coarse wire
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
621
and wild grasses, still follow the rains. These
are pereuuial I It is the generations of human
life that vanish, and the records of them must
be preserved, in turn, by those who come after !
FORESTS.
"I spent some part of every year at the farm
until I was twelve or thirteen years old. The
life which I led there with my cousins was full
of charm, and so is the memory of it yet. I
can call back the solemn twilight and mystery
of the deep woods, the earthy smells, the faint
odors of the wild flowers, the sheen of rain
washed foliage, the rattling clatter of drops
when the rain shook the trees, the far-off ham-
mering of woodpeckers and the muffled drum-
ming of wood pheasants in the remoteness of
the forest, the snapshot glimpses of disturbed
wild creatures scurrying through the grass, —
I can call it all back and make it as real as
It ever was, and as blessed. I can call back
the prairie, and its loneliness and peace, and
a vast hawk hanging motionless in the sky,
with his wings spread wide and the blue of the
vault showing through the fringe of his end
feathers.
"I can see the woods in their autumn dress,
the oaks purple, the hickories washed with gold,
the maples and the sumacs luminous with crim-
son fires, and I can hear the rustle hiade by
the fallen leaves as we plowed through them.
I can see the blue clusters of wild grapes hang-
ing amongst the foliage of the saplings, and I
can remember the taste of them and the smell.
I know how the wild blackberries looked, and
how they tasted ; and the same with the paw-
paws, the hazelnuts, and the persimmons ; and
I can feel the thumping rain of hickorynuts and
walnuts upon my head when we were out In
the frosty dawn to scramble for them with the
pigs, and the gusts of wind loosed them and sent
them down. I know the stain of blackberries,
and how pretty it is ; and 1 know the stain of
walnut hulls, and how little it minds soap and
water ; also, what grudged exi)erience I had of
each. I know the taste of maple sap, and when
to gather it, and how to arrange the troughs and
delivery tubes, and how to boil down the juice,
and how to hook the sugar after it is made ;
also how much better hooked sugar tastes than
any that is honestly come by, let bigots say what
they will." — Autohtography of Mark Tuain.
"I see the noble forest ;
Leaves glisten in the sun ;
Up shaggy trunk and branches
The chattering squirrels run.
I think I'll go and chase tnem,
And climb those branches, too,
Just as in the days long vanished,
With joy I used to do."
The Days of Lony ago : — Kev. O. W. Crofts.
"Trees seem to come closer to our life. They
are often rooted in our richest feelings, and our
sweetest memories, like birds, build nests in
their branches." — Henry Van Dyke.
Seventy-five years have seen many changes in
the forest growth of the county. Most of the
trees standing at the present time are second-
growths, and so great is the need of to-day for
wood, that even the much younger growths must
shake like the aspen leaf for fear of destruc-
tion. Occasionally among the later forest-
growth yet stands "a brave old oak." a tall,
strong hickory, a straight sycamore by a stream,
or a large elm. The fringe of river timber now
owned by Mr. Wallace Heckman, is described
by a man who, as a boy, rambled many times
through these woods in the 'GOs, as consisting
then of trees mostly of the size of the few large
oaks still remaining there, now perhaps three
feet in diameter. Oak trees of this size are said
to have been common in Lafayette Grove In
Lafayette Township, and in Washington Grove
In Pine Rock Township. Here also were found
"walnut and butternut trees of large and stately
growth," as well as "a fine growth of hard
maples." From these maples the sap was ex-
tracted and a "sugar camp," with all its attend-
ing honeyed sweetness, was there established by
their owner, Mr. Henry Burton, soon after the
settlement of that region, and continued in op-
eration for many years, large quantities of sugar
being obtained from them. A large water elm
was found by the party of foresters of the Bu-
reau of Forestry (now Forest Service) who ex-
amined the "White Pine Tree Tract," along
Pine Creek, during August of 190i. This elm
stood by the water, on the east bank, some dis-
tance from the dell made by the Spring Valley
Branch, and measured fourteen and a half feet
in circumference, and 115 feet in height. It
was said by this party to be the largest tree
they had found in their examination of trees
in the State of Illinois, during the summer.
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
This tree has since died ; when cut down, it
was discovered to be hollow, and the owner
of it found it was the home of a thriving family
of young squirrels. An elm larger than this,
of this species and sound, apparently, is still
standing near the center of MeKenney's Island,
being about eighteen feet in circumference
breasthigh.
Mrs. Catherine Nye, who came to Mount
Morris, in her girlhood, from Hagerstown, Md.,
with her father. Mr. James Coffmau and family
in 1840, gives the following interesting account
of the forest area at that time:
"When we first came it was largely an open
country, with scrub timber growth, as prairie
fires had destroyed and kept down larger
growths. We could drive anywhere across the
country ; it was just underbrush and scattered
large trees, no solid growth, and the grass was
knee-high to a horse everywhere. In a few
years the trees grew up very rapidly, where
the fires were kept out, as the roots were strong
in the soil and sprouted up quickl}^ Prairie
fires ran through the whole country, twice after
we came, in 1842 and 1843, from the Mississippi
River to the Rock River. At the time of the
second fire we Avere living at 'the old mill.'
(This was the first grist-mill on Pine Creek,
at the place where a dam was afterwards con-
structed and kept in use for a long time, the mill
being built by the father of Mrs. Nye and Squire
Hitt. ) Our folks were out day and night for
three days fighting fire. We had to carry some-
thing out for them to eat. The men had to
'brush' around the cabins, plough furrows, and
fight the fire in every way possible to keep it
back. The 'Old Sandstone' could be seen from
Mount Carroll, at that time, twenty-five miles
distant."
Early accounts of this region speak of dif-
ferent groves located in different townships.
Lafayette and Washington Groves have been
mentioned. Then tbore were Brodie's Grove in
Dement Township; Buffalo Grove in Buffalo
Township; White Oak Grove in Forreston Town-
ship ; P.urr 0:ik Grove, Keilogg's Grove, in Brook-
ville Township ; Byron Township, "about equally
divided between timber and prairie;" at Eagle
Point, the west edge of Buffalo Grove, extending
into tbis township, and the eastern edge of Elk-
horn Grove into it from Carroll County; in
Flagg Township, Hickory Grove and a timber
tract along the Kyte, near the west line, called
Jefferson Grove ; West Grove in Lincoln Town-
ship ; Gees' Grove in Woosung Township ; Lynn-
ville and Monroe Townships, some timber along
Killbuck Creek; Scott, a little, being mostly
prairie land; White Rock, a good tract of tim-
ber, White Rock Grove ; Grand Detour, largely
timbered. All the rest of the townships in the
county, being along the river and its tribur
taries, were well supplied with forest areas,—
Rockvale and Pine Creek Townships, especially
— Hickory Ridge being in Rockvale, and Oak
Ridge and the "White Pine Woods" in Pine
Creek.
Prof. W. L. Eikenberry, who has closely
studied the trees and plants of the county. In
a paper on "The Forest Ecology of Ogle County,"
makes the following interesting statement re-
garding the distribution of certain species of
trees :
"It is in plac-e here to call attention to an ap-
parent exception to the general rule that the
better land is occupied by the white oak rather
than the black. In the formerly timbered areas
northwest of the village of Mount Morris the
reverse seems to the case. There is no richer
land in the county than much of this. It re-
sembles the prairie closely, excepting in the vi-
cinity of some of the watercourses. The soil
and topography make one feel that it was in-
tended for prairie, and missed its destiny ; but
the remaining timber is of the Xerophytic Oak
type — that is, black and burr oak — with some
shellbark hickory. The resemblancp to the
prairie is the explanation of the paradox. What-
ever may be the factors which exclude trees
from the fertile prairies, they are operative here
also, and only the more hardy oaks can make
any success of the struggle. The few facts
which can be gathered at this late date, tend
toward the conclusion that the timbered area
was being extended at the expense of the prairie
when the settlement of the country interrupted
nature's processes. If that be true, this area
marks the first considerable encroachment of the
forest in this vicinity.
"It is an interesting coincidence that, where-
ever there is even a small exposed limestone ledge
reasonably free from interference by man, there
will 1)P at least a few basswoods. This per-
sistence of the chief character tree of the cliffs
is often astonishing. On the other hand, upon
the porous sandstone cliffs stunted pines, cedars
and black oaks are almost the only trees present.
THE ^E'V^ ^C'^''
i PUBLIC LIBRA-
ASTOT^- Lf^''
HI8T0KY OF OGLE COUNTY.
623
A location of much interest in tliis respect, and
one wbich shows well the relation these trees
bear to the two rock formations, is found along
the low-er course of Pine Creek and the parts of
Rock River between the mouth of the creek and
the village of Grand Detour. Here the sand-
stone does not rise to the level of the country
back of the stream, and the bluffs are capped
with about twenty-five feet of Trenton limestone.
Basswood and white elm are here found at the
crest of a sandstone cliff rising vertically sev-
enty-five feet above the water, and in other un-
likely places. The part of the bluff above the
trees is composed of a very much broken and
thin bedded limestone, which is separated from
the underlying sandstone by an unconsolidated
clayey layer which seems to be quite imper-
meable to water. Springs occur at this level at
many places, and doubtless bring to the surface
along the bluffs a considerable quantity of per-
colating water, so that again the occurrence of
these trees seems to be related to an abundant
supply of water brought near the surface by the
peculiar character of the strata."
A township map of the county issued by
County Superintendent of Schools, Mr. J. M.
Piper, in 1900, shows the location of the for-
ests at that time, which are found all along the
water-courses, large and small, and reaching out
pretty well from their sides and into their basins.
This amount of woodland has since been more
or less decimated by the apparent necessity for
cutting, and consequent dying, of some of the
tree-covered areas, in consequence of a series
of dry seasons during the '90s, followed by
some extremely cold winters, wath little or no
snow, especially during the severe winter of
1808-99. The summer following found the foli-
age of many fine trees attacked by insects and
turning brovpn and withered, and in course of
time the trees were dead.
In 1903, upon the request of the late Hon. R.
R. Hitt, who then represented the county of
Ogle in Congress, an investigation was under-
taken by the United States Department of Ag-
riculture upon "The Diminished Flow of the
Rock River in Wisconsin and Illinois, and its
Relation to the Surrounding Forests." The im-
pression for some years had been that the river
was decreasing in volume or, at least, changing
in the regularity of its flow. This investigation
was in charge of G. Frederick Schwartz, of the
Bureau of Forestry, and included "a considera-
tion of the geology of the region, the recent
fluctuations in the rainfall, the effects of the
artificial drainage of swamps and fields, and the
manner in which forests influence the water
flow, and aimed not only to explain the decreased
water flow in the Rock River region, but also to
throw light on the relation of forests to water
supply in general." "The results of this study,"
says the Government Report, "may be sum-
marized as follows :
"The geological formation and topography of
the Rock River watershed are favorable to a
sustained water supply. Since the settlement
of the region the torests have been much re-
duced in area, while the conditions of growth in
those that remain have changed for the worse.
Cultivated land and woodlots have been largely
converted to pasturage, thus interfering with
the waterflow. In some districts the swamps
and fields have been artificially drained. . . .
Since 1885 the rainfall has decreased. This
loss has probably lessened slightly the volume
of the river flow. The fluctuations in the flow,
however, have been caused by artificial drainage
and by changes in the forest conditions of the
region. Of these the latter is probably the more
important cause."
This report ends with some valuable sugges-
tions to the owners of land as to having some
of it wooded and cared for, as the cultivated
fields are, thus making the timber tract, or wood-
lot, a regular paying investment like other crops.
A tract of forty acres, lying about four miles
southeast of Polo, owned by Mr. J. Leavltt
Moore, w'as thus set out by him, about fifty
years ago, with young larch trees, with a view
to using them for fence iwsts and railroad ties.
This place, now called "Larchwood Farm," is
in the possession of Mr. C. E. Bamborough.
The trees, having never been cut, are now grown
into a beautiful grove, the pride of the owner.
Soon after completion of the Illinois Central
Railroad through Ogle County, the company
offered to the farmers living near its line to
transport young larches for such planting, free •
of freight charges. The European larch has
been found especially durable, having lasted for
a hundred years in the docks at Liverpool, Eng-
land; but that planted on the rich prairie soil,
grew too rapidly, and was consequently too por-
ous for lasting long when in use as ties. As
these trees have grown older, it is found that
this objection is being removed, as a resinous
624
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
pitch has accumulated in the pores. Mr. Amos
F. Moore, the brother of Mr. J. Leavitt Moore,
set out a tract of these larches along the Seven-
Mile Branch, but it was destroyed by a hail-
storm, while a grove of yellow locust met with
a similar fate. Nothing daunted, and possess-
ing a large tract of land, Mr. Moore planted a
field with soft maple, and this has developed
into a dense grove, with many young elms, the
winged seed of which was blown there from a
white elm planted near by many years ago.
Another part of the maple grove is thick with
cherry trees, the result of seeds brought there
by robins and other birds.
Other artificial groves in the county include
a small tract of black walnut, and in the
same vicinity a grove of black locust, while
the hardy catalpa has been planted in several
localities. The force of the unchecked winds
over the open prairie has led to the raising of
"wind-brakes," consisting mainly of the willow
and the soft maple along the borders of some
of the farms. The white pine and red cedar,
procured from along Pine Creek, were planted
around the early homes of the settlers, both in
town and country, to protect them from the fierce
storms, and for their beauty, too. The groups
of these evergreens, as they surround the homes
and dot the landscape, are to-day an evidence
of the house in which once lived a pioneer family.
The story is told of a bright young Methodist
minister, now living in California, who, some
years ago, in Mount Morris, was trimming up
some of these pines that were set too close to
the parsonage, with its damp grout walls. A
friend passing, stopped to inquire what he was
doing. "Pining for light!" came the quick
response.
A pine grove set out upon the public school
ground at Mount Morris by Mr. H. ,T. Farwell,
many years the President of the School Board
at that place, is still an attractive feature of
that locality. A number of trees had been
planted by Mr. Farwell about his home in 1856
and 18.57. Having been placed too near to each
other, many of them, soon after the completion
of the new school building in 1808, were moved
by him to the grounds there. Men came out
from town to his home, one mile south, in the
winter with their bob-sleds to assist. They cut
the frozen ground around the trees ten feet
across, taking the tree up with the ground and
roots frozen together, loading it on the low sled
and moving it to its new place of setting, in
much the same manner as is done at the pres-
ent time with large trees by the nurseryman
with his modern methods. For the remainder
of the trees, including some of the white pines,
a trip was made by this indefatigable worker for
"a good school", to the first established nursery
in the Northwest. This was at Franklin Grove,
and was started by Col. Nathan Whitney, who
propagated the crab-apple tree which bears his
name, and which is found in every orchard in
Ogle County to-day.^
Hedges of osage-orange surrounding the farms
were, for many years towards the waning of
the nineteenth century, an attractive feature of
the landscape; but, as they became winter-
killed, they have nearly all been removed.
These hedges furnished fine shelter for the wild
creatures, particularly the brown thrush, the
quail and the prairie-chicken. Flocks of quail
were often seen hiding in the tangled grass
under them. This shrub is the "bois d'arc," or
bow-wood, used by the Indians in making their
bows, and is one of the native trees of the
former Indian Territory and the region contigu-
ous. It furnishes a useful fuel for consumption
in a grate.
"THE WHITE PINE WOODS OF OGLE COUNTY."
"The murmuring pines and the hemlocks.
Bearded with moss and in garments green, in-
distinct in the twilight,
Stand like Druidis of eld."
— Evangeline: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
"A brotherhood of venerable trees !" — Sonnet :
William Wordsworth.
The evergreen tree tract, for which Ogle
County has in recent years become well known
throughout the State of Illinois, is situated
along Pine Creek. A highway running from Ore-
gon to Polo by the Pine Creek Town Hall bounds
it on the south ; another highway runs by its
east side north to Mount Morris ; the St. Paul
line of the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Rail-
road goes by its northern edge; to the west and
the southwest, it reaches out irregularly to-
wards Stratford and over the charming Spring
Valley Branch. These boundaries would include
about six hundred acres. The tract is owned by
a number of individuals, many of whom pur-
chased their holdings years ago when the land
1 The writers of this history trimmed oflP the first whorl
of branches of the white pines thug planted, during their first
summer vacation after coming to the West to live.
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
625
was sold in small timber lots of from five to
sixty acres, being purchased for use in connec-
tion with the prairie farms in that region. This
forest is traversed by Pine Creek, which rises
farther to the north, flowing in a winding course,
and entering Rock River near Grand Detour.
Pine Creek is a most picturesque stream along
its course at other points besides that where it
cuts through this forest ; but in what is known
as the "White Pine Woods," it reaches the
height of its picturesque beauty and variety, as
it runs by the high, rocky, vine-and-flower-cov-
ered banks, mirroring them in its clear ripples
as it eddies by. The creek just before it en-
ters the tree tract, was deflected from its course
in 1885, by the railway company in extending
the road to St. Paul. The red cedar is also
found along this stream, chiefly on the west
side, and the American yew, or ground hemlock,
a third evergreen, creeps down long stretches of
its rocky walls on the east.
In 1903, the Oregon Woman's Council, of
which body of civic workers Mrs. Rebecca H.
Kauffman has been the President since its or-
ganization, took up the matter of saving the
"White Pine Woods" by having them purchased
by the State for a forest reserve, thus preserv-
ing them not for Ogle County alone, but for the
entire State. The Woman's Council was assisted
in this work by many interested friends, not
only in the county but elsewhere. A bill for
the purchase of not less than 300 acres, nor more
than 500 acres, and asking for an appropriation
of $30,000, was prepared by Attorney Horace
G. Kauffman, of Oregon, who, accompanied by
Mr. Charles Walkup. of Pine Creek Township,
called upon the owners of the land and secured
options on its sale for six months. The measure
was ably managed in the General Assembly of
that year, by the Hon. James P. Wilson, of
Polo, assisted by the Hon. Johnson Lawrence,
of Polo. In the House ; and by the Hon. Henry
Andrus, of Rockford, in the Senate. The bill
was passed by the both houses, but Gov. Yates
vetoed it on the mistaken ground of needed
economy in the finances of the State. A full
account of this movement, prepared by Mr. J. L.
Graff of Chicago, was published, with illustra-
tions. In "The Sunday Record-Herald" of May
17, 1903, which was the Sunday intervening be-
tween the passage of the bill and its veto by
the Gk)vernor. At each session of the General
Assembly since a similar measure has been pre-
sented by the Oregon Woman's Council, but ask-
ing for the purchase of not less than 500 acre«,
nor more than TOO. and coupling with it clauses
asking for a State Forester, a Forestry Commis-
sion, and a Department of Forestry at the Uni-
versity of Illinois. In 1903, the President of
the Oregon Woman's Council became a member
of the newly-organlzed Fore.stry Committee of
the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs, and
later its chairman, thus securing the interest of
Mrs. I'. S. Peterson, of Chicago, and all the
club women of the State In the preservation of
this white pine region. No bill, since the first,
has been successful, but the Oregon Woman's
Council will still continue the effort to have
pre.'^erved by the State this beautiful heritage
of nature to Ogle County. Meanwhile land has
risen In value, and timber is growing scarce.
The General Assembly at the same term
passed a resolution asking the U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture to make an examination of
the forests of the State, and to make a report
to the State government with recommendations
as to the preserving and propagating of them.
Mr. R. S. Kellogg, of the U. S. Bureau of For-
estry, now Forest Service, who had charge of
this examination, sent a party of young fores-
ters, under the direction of Mr. E. A. Ziegler, to
visit this region, which later he visited him-
self. The following extracts are quoted from
their reports :
"The piece of land should be made into a
State forest reserve, since it is the only White
Pine Grove in the State and shows excellent
prospects of enlarging itself by natural seeding
— in time, perhaps, overrunning the greater part
of the tract — if a little care is taken to cut out
a little oak, now and then, as the young pines
become larger and denser. The natural beauties
are exceptional.
"The tract contains about 500 acres. Natural
conditions are favorable to good tree growth.
The present forest is young and evidently very
few of the trees in it are over 75 years old. In
a rather hurried survey, the following species
w(>re noted :
Red Oak — Querent i-iihra.
White Oak — Quercus alha.
Bur Oak — Quercus mucrocarpa.
Scarlet Oak — Quercuft coccinra.
Chinquapin Oak — Quercus acuminata.
White Elm — Vlmus americana.
Slippery Elm — lUmus pu'bescens.
626
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Large Tooth Aspen — Populus grandidentata.
Quaking Asp — Populus tremulcides.
Sugar Maple — Acer saccharum.
Boxelder — Acer negundo.
Hornbeam — Carpinus caroliniana.
Hop Hornbeam — Ostrya virginiana.
Red Mulberry — Morus rubra.
Black Walnut — Juglan» nigra.
Butternut — Juglans cinerea.
Sbagbark Hickory — Bicoria ovata.
Pignut Hickory — Hicoria glabra.
Mocker Nut Hickory — Hicoria alba.
Sycamore — Platanus oocidentalis.
Hackberry — Celtis occidentalis.
White Ash — Fraximis americana.
Black Ash — Fraxinus nigra.
Choke Cherry — Prunue virginiana.
Black Cherry — Primus serotina.
Wild Plum — Prunus wmcricana.
Basswood — Tilia americana.
Hop Tree — Ptelea trifoliata.
Black Willow — Salix nigra.
Juneberry — A melanchier canadensis.
White Pine — Pinus strobus.
Red Cedar — Juniperus virginiana.
There are a number of other points of interest
in connection Avith the White Pine Woods of
Ogle County, which it would be desirable to in-
sert in this history, but which lack of space
will not permit.
Another most interesting woodland tract of
Ogle County is that contained in the 6,000 acres
of the Sinnissippi Farm, which reaches, in an
almost unbroken line, for five miles along the
east bank of Rock River. Through this fine for-
est area one may drive many miles over wind-
ing macadam roads, which have been constructed
from rock material found within the limits of
the varied and beautiful domain.
Through the interest and assistance of Mrs.
F. O. Lowden, the writer is enabled to give a
list of many of the trees, broadleaf and ever-
green, shrubs and ornamental plants, native and
planted, now found growing upon the many acres
of Sinnissippi Farm. They include:
Silver-leaved, Norway, purple-leaved, red, and
sugar maple; horsechestnut. European alder,
Juneberry ; white, river and cut-leaved birch ;
shell-bark and pig-nut hickory ; western catalpa,
hackberry, cherry, fringe-tree, thorn, cypress ;
white and green ash; black and white walnut;
larch, mulberry, box-elder, ornamental peach,
sycamore, poplar, choke-cherry, wild plum, orna-
mental crab-apple and wild crab-apple ; black,
burr, red, white and pin oak ; black locust,
maidenhair tree ; willow, ornamental and na-
tive variety of linden or basswood ; white and
red elm ; Norway spruce, balsam fir ; dwarf and
prostrate juniper ; red and white cedar ; Aus-
trian, dwarf mugho, Scotch, red and white pine.
Among the shrubs are : Hercules club, com-
mon, purple-leaved, Thunberg's barberry; sweet-
scented shrub; gray, red, yellow-twigged, red
Siberian dogwood ; native and English hazel ;
Japan quince, deutzia, weigelia, strawberry tree :
golden bell, snowdrop, or silver bell tree; witch-
hazel, althea, hydrangea, privet, syringa, japoni-
ca, hop-tree; fragrant, shining, staghorn, cut-
leaved sumach ; currant ; common and cut-leaved
elderberry; bladder-nut, native; snowberry, In-
dian currants ; lilacs, ten varieties ; high-bush
cranberry, snowball.
Among the hardy plants are : hollyhocks, co-
lumbine, buttei-fly-weed (wild), asters, plume
P^jppyj campanula, glove thistle, bleeding-heart,
coreopsis, lily-of-the-valley, larkspur, hibiscus,
iris, bee-balm, Boltonia (like asters), digitalis,
plantain lily, oriental poppies, peonies, phlox,
primrose, spiderwort, yucca.
STATE TREE AND FLOWEB.
The "Arbor and Bird Day Annual" for 1908,
issued by State Superintendent of Public In-
struction, Prof. F. G. Blair, published an ex-
tended account of a movement for securing by
act of the State Legislature the adoption of a
tree and a flower which might be accepted for use
as a floral emblem by the people of the State.
The movement originated with Mrs. James C.
Fesler, of Roehelle, 111., and as the result of a
suggestion made to Superintendent C. E. Joiner,
of the Roehelle public schools, in the month of
April, 1907, a circular was sent out to the pub-
lic schools inviting, through the teachers, a vote
of the pupils on the subject. This was fol-
lowed in November, 1907, by the circulation of
a blank for voting purposes, which resulted in
the casting of 52,107 votes, as follows: Trees —
Oak, 21,987; maple, 16,517; elm, 5,082. Flow-
ers—Violet, 16,583; wild rose, 12,628; golden
rod, 4,.315. The vote was canvassed by the
Mesdames M. D. Hathaway, Susan Casa and
Josephine Barker, and on its submission to the
Legislature the following act was adopted:
"Sec. 1. That the native oak tree be, and the
same is recognized and declared to be the native
JOHN ANDERSON
HISTOHY OF OGLE COUNTY.
627
State tree of the State of Illinois; and that the
native violet be, and same hereby is recognized
and declared to be the native Statu- ilower of
the State of Illinois."
Special credit is given to Representative John-
sou Lawrence, of Ogle County, and Senator An-
drew J. Anderson, of Winnebago, for securing
the passage of the act.
The only other State which has selected a na-
tive tree as a State symbol is New York, which
has adopted the maple. Otiier States which
adopted State flowers are as follows :
California — California poppy. Colorado — Co-
lumbine. Delaware — Peach blossom. Idaho —
Syringa. Indiana — Corn. Iowa — Wild rose.
Maine — Pine cone tassel. Michigan — Apple blos-
som. Minnesota — Moccasin flower. Montana —
Bitter root. Nebraska — Golden rod. Nevada —
Sunflower. New York — Rose. North Dakota —
Golden rod. Oklahoma — Mistletoe. Oregon —
Golden rod. Rhode Island — Violet. Utah — Sego
lily. Vermont — Red clover. Washington — Rho-
dodendron.
An appropriate song, "The Oak and the Vio-
let," for use in the celebration of the annual
Arbor Day, has been published, the words writ-
ten by C. C. Hassler, County Clerk of McLean
County, and the music by F, W. Westhoff, Su-
pervisor of Music in the Illinois State Normal
University.
SOME HISTORIC BOULDERS.
A few boulders are found here and there
within Ogle County, some reaching above the
surface level while others are almost entirely
imbedded in the earth. In Pine Rock Town-
ship some of the finest of these rock masses are
found. It was on the farm of Mr. George
Sturdevant, in this township, that the dark gray
granite boulder, weighing between 3,500 and
4,000 pounds, was excavated for the purpose of
marking the spot w'here Abraham Lincoln de-
livered his address in the courthouse grounds at
Dixon, 111., the day before his address at Ore-
gon, in 1856. A red granite boulder, about five
tons in w-eight, before the cutting away of the
softer portion, was taken about the same time
also from this same farm to mark another his-
toric spot at Dixon, but on the opposite side of
the river. From the farm adjoining Mr. Stur-
devant's and belonging to Dr. M. C. Roe, of
Ghana, lying almost even with the surface of
the ground, was taken the gray flinty granite
liouldcr wliicli has been placed in Oregon to
designate tlie place of Mr. Lincoln's speech
there the day following the Dixon address.
A b(mlder from this region is used also to mark
the spot of the Driscoll tragedy at Washington
Grove. This boulder weighed 3,000 pounds, and
is a dark pink granite. The weight of the Ore-
gon Lincoln boulder was about 3,100 pounds, and
of so hard a quality as to require no dressing.
It was with the invaluable assistance of Mr.
Virgil E. Rood that these boulders were se-
lected, procured and placed. Mr. Reed, whose
home is at the village of Watertowu, east of
Daysville. hasi made a si>ecial study of the
boulders of the county, and has at his home a
very unique collection of them, of various sizes,
colors, shapes, and kinds, set up as a fence
around his grounds, and in grottoes, with flow-
ers in summer bending brightly above their mys-
tic outlines. This collection includes rocks not
only from Ogle County, but from all over the
United States; in it are some fine specimens of
meteoric stones, ranging from 500 pounds to
7V> ounces; an English chap granite, probably
the only specimen ever found in the United
States, which was secured from the "railway
cut" west of Honey Creek ; a section of a petri-
fied tree, which was uncovered in a ravine on
the farm of Mr. John Gibson, in Pine Rock
Township ; fossiliferous forms from the lime-
stone rocks; "igneous rocks from the compact
felsitic rocks to the light scoriaceous rocks
which will float, and many specimens of min-
erals and rock crj-stals."
What is known as "the Black Hawk Boulder"
lay on the crest of a cliff along the west side
of Pine Creek, in Pine Creek Township, on the
farm of Mr. John Lampin. Standing upon this
granite boulder one could get a view across
Pine Creek down to Rock River. A man living
in that vicinity relates that years ago, when
a party of Indians were returning through this
region on a hunting and fishing trip, an old
woman of the number told some of the settlers
there, that as a little girl she had seen Black
Hawk stand upon this boulder and urge his
braves to be valiant ; and that it was his custom
to use this cliff and boulder as an outlook. Be-
ing himself concealed from a possible enemy, he
could see Mount Morris in the north ; east-
ward the country across Rock River Valley, and
beyond Nachusa in Lee County ; southwestward,
could look through the old deserted path of
HLSTOIIV OF OCiLK COUNTY
627
State tree of the State of Illinois; and that the
native violet be, and same hereby is recognized
and declared to be the native State flower of
the State of Illinois."
Special credit is given to Reiiresentative John-
son Lawrence, of Ogle County, and Senator An-
drew J. Anderson, of Winnebago, for securing
the passage of the act.
The only other State which has selected a na-
tive tree as a Stale symbol is New York, which
has adopted the maple. Other States which
adopted State flowers are as follows :
California — California poppy. Colorado — Co-
lumbine. Delaware — I'each blossom. Idaho —
Syringa. Indiana — Corn. Iowa — Wild rose.
Maine — Pine cone tassel. Michigan — Apple blos-
som. Minnesota — Moccasin flower. Montana —
Bitter root. Nebraska — Golden rod. Nevada —
Sunflower. New York — Rose. North Dakota —
Golden rod. Oklahoma — Mistletoe. Oregon —
Golden I'od. Rhode Island — Violet. Utah — Sego
lily. Vermont — Red clover. Washington — Rho-
dodendron.
An appropriate song, "The Oak and the Vio-
let," for use in the celebration of the annual
Arbor Day, has been published, the words writ-
ten by C. C. I-Iassler, County Clerk of McLean
County, and the music by F. W. Westhoff, Su-
pervisor of Music in the Illinois State Normal
University.
SOME HISTORIC BOULDERS.
A few boulders are found here and there
within Ogle County, some reaching above the
surface level while others are almost entirely
imbedded in the earth. In Pine Rock Town-
ship some of the finest of these rock masses are
found. It was on the farm of Mr. George
Sturdevant, in this township, that the dark gray
granite boulder, weighing between 3,500 and
4,000 pounds, was excavated for the purpose of
marking the spot where Abraham Lincoln de-
livered his address in the courthouse grounds at
Dixon, 111., the day before his address at Ore-
gon, in 1856. A red granite boulder, about five
tons in weight, before the cutting away of the
softer portion, was taken about the same time
also from this same farm to mark another his-
toric spot at Dixon, l)ut on the opposite sid(> of
the river. From the farm ad.loining Mr. Stur-
devant's and belonging to Dr. M. C. Roe, of
Ghana, lying almost even with the surface of
.the ground, was taken the gray flinty granite
liouliler whicli has been itlaced in Oregon to
designate the place of Mr. Lincoln's .-peech
there the day following the Dixon address.
A liouldcr from this region is used also to mark
the sjMjl of the Driscoll tragedy at Washington
Grove. This boulder weighed .'3,000 pounds, and
is a dark pink granite. The weight of the Ore-
gon Lincoln iKHilder was about 3,100 pounds, and
of so bard a quality as to require no dressing.
It was with the invaluable assistance of Mr.
Virgil E. Reed that these boulders were se-
lected, procured and placed. Mr. Reed, whose
home is at the village of Watertown, east of
Daysville. has- made a si>ecial study of the
boulders of the county, and has at his home a
very unique collection of them, of various sizes,
colors, shapes, and kinds, set up as a fence
around his grounds, and in grottoes, with flow-
ers in summer bending brightly above their mys-
tic outlines. This collection includes rocks not
only from Ogle County, but from all over the
United States; in it are some fine specimens of
meteoric stones, ranging from 500 pounds to
7^2 ounces; an English chap granite, probably
the only specimen ever found in the T'nited
States, which was secured from the "railway
cut" west of Honey Creek; a section of a petri-
fied tree, which was uncovered in a ravine on
the farm of Mr. John Gibson, in Pine Rock
Township; fossiliferous forms from the lime-
stone rocks; "igneous rocks from the compact
felsitic rocks to the light scoriaceous rocks
which will fioat, and many specimens of min-
erals and rock crystals."
What is known as "the Black Hawk Boulder"
lay on the crest of a cliff along the west side
of Pine Creek, in Pine Creek Township, on the
farm of Mr. John Lampin. Standing upon this
granite boulder one could get a view across
Pine Creek down to Rock River. A man living
in that vicinity relates that years ago, when
a party of Indians were returning through this
region on a hunting and fishing trip, an old
woman of the number told some of the settlers
there, that as ;i little girl she had seen Black
Hawk stand upon this boulder and urge his
braves to be valiant ; and that it was his custom
to use this cliff and boulder as an outlook. Be-
ing himself concealed from a possible enemy, he
could see Mount Morris in the north ; east-
ward the country across Rock River Valley, and
beyond Nachusa in Lee County ; southwestward,
could look through the old deserted path of
628
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Pine Creek and across the landscape beyond,
to the west, far into Whiteside County. In
1905, Mr. Victor H. Bovey moved this boulder,
to preserve it as an historic relic, to his pic-
turesque home, a little distance away on Pine
Creek, hospitably fitted up by him as a pleasure
resort and named "Bovey's Springs," on account
of several springs which find their way out of
the rocks at this place.
In 190G a boulder was placed in White Rock
Township, to mark the spot where John Camp-
bell, captain of the Regulators, was killed prior
to the arrest of the Driscolls. Messrs. D. H.
Hayes, R. M. King, with a number of others in
the vicinity, were instrumental in having this
boulder placed. (See Page 827.)
CHAPTER II.
NATURAL HISTORY— FAUNA.
BIBDS AND ANIMALS — INSECTS — FISHES AND REP-
TILES — THE MUSSEL SHELL INDUSTRY.
"And God said, Let the waters bring forth
abundantly the moving creature that hath life,
and fowl that may fly above the earth in the
open firmament of heaven."
"And God said, Let the earth bring forth the
living creature after his kind, cattle, and creep-
ing thing, and beast of the earth after his
kind : and it was so."
— Genesis — Chapter I.
BIRDS AND ANIMALS.
A record of one of the very earliest creatures
that must have lived in this region is found in
one of the first hi.stories of Ogle County. The
account relates to the mastodon, which is placed
by Darwin in the "Origin of Species" in "the
last geologic period," and says, that in 1858 a
tooth of this huge animal was found in a little
tributarj* of Stlllman Creek. This tooth weighed
seven and a half pounds, and was covered with
a black, shining enamel, being "a fine fossil in
a high state of preservation." In a history of
another oountv of Illinois, situated likewise in
the northern part of the State, along a river
much the same as Ogle County, and having
much the same surroundings and conditions, is
recounted the Indian tradition which the poet
Longfellow has told of the famine in "Hia-
watha,"
"O the long and dreary winter!
O the cold and cruel winter!
Ever thicker, thicker, thicker,
Froze the ice on lake and river.
Ever deeper, deeper, deeper.
Fell the snow o'er all the landscape.
Fell the covering snow, and drifted
Through the forest, round the village."
"O the famine and the fever!
O the wasting of the famine!
O the blasting of the fever!"
"All the earth was sick and famished;
Hungry was the air around them.
Hungry was the sky above them!"
From the period of the mastodon to the time
of the occupation of the region by the Indian
is "a far cry." The early settler rarely found
any of the larger animals, and their absence
may be explained by this traditional record of
the red man. Pere Marquette and other of the
early explorers mention the buffalo and elk in
their early reports of the country. In a report
of a meeting of the "Old Settlers' Association
of Ogle County, held at Mt. Morris, August 30,
1883, appears the following:
"The chairman (President W. J. Mix), hold-
ing in his hand a buffalo horn, said: 'I hold in
my hand a relic sent here by Fletcher Hitt, of
La Salle County — the youngest brother of Thom-
as and Samuel Hitt. The card accompanying
it says it was picked up by Mr. Hitt while sur-
veying in Mt. Morris, and shows that the white
man was not far behind the buffalo.' "
In the "History of Kane County, by Gen.
John S. Wilcox," issued under the direction of
the Munsell Publishing Company, and already
referred to in the beginning of this chapter, ap-
pears the following, which also applies to Ogle
County :
"Occasionally a bear, a panther or a timber
wolf was seen, but these were only individual
instances, and so rare as to give no trouble to
the pioneers. Prairie wolves were very numer-
ous, but they should not be confounded with the
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
629
coyotes of the western plains. They were much
larger and bolder than the latter. lu size they
were midway between the timber wolf and the
coyote. Many a good dog would hesitate to
give battle to a full-grown one, and a pair were
more than a match for any dog. They fouglit
with quick, rapid snaps, and their powerful jaw.s
made their sharp teeth cut like knives. They
were sneaking and cowardly enough ; yet they
were crafty and persistent, and. when hungry
and emboldened by numbers, or when cornered
and desperate, they were formidable lighters."
A story related by Judge Dean Caton, in his
"Early Bench and Bar of Illinois," illustrates
the prevalence of the deer in the Rock River
region. (The story, even if time, is not pleas-
ant, though it appears humorous to the nar-
rator.) The "English family, of the name of
Henshaw," which he refers to as having feasted
upon deer so frequently, spent much time in
hunting, and was the family with whom Mar-
garet Fuller and her friends made their stay
while in Oregon. Mr. Henry Elsey, writing in
the "Trl-County Press," on "Some Things the
Old Folks Saw in Pioneer Days," says :
"Deer could be seen grazing in herds of ten
or twenty, or skimming over the prairies and
passing out of sight into the dense woods. Then
there were in the springtime flocks of prairie
plovers, crooked-billed snipes, geese, ducks and
brants, almost constantly in sight; while upon
some rise of ground the sand-hill cranes were
dancing a cotilliou and the 'boom, boom' of
prairie chickens was heard in all directions.
Yes, and there were lots of snakes in the prairie
grass ; blue racers, five and six feet long. They
did no more harm than to give a man or team
a scare; but the little rattlesnake (Indian name
(Massafinuffa). or 'sauger,' was a source of ter-
ror, as its bite was deemed to be fatal."
At the present time it is reported that a herd
of deer, as many as fifty-eight in number, are
running about in the central and upper parts
of the county. Accounts of them have been re-
corded in two of the newspapers of the county
during the years 1005 and 1!X)7, showing their
location. A mountain lion is reported to have
been seen In and about the brush in one of the
river townships, in recent years. Possil>ly it was
the Canadian lynx, which was occasionally seen
in the early times. A considerable number of
wild cats were found. On account of these and
the wolves, many farniers at first hesitated to
raise sheep. Foxes were prevalent in the early
day, and still are sometimes seen and cap-
tured. The woodchuck still abounds to worry
the farmer with the unguarded entrance and
exit of earthworks to his underground dwelling
in tlie fields of succulent clover and grass. This
hibernating animal is still the "weather fore-
caster" of the spring, and "ground-hog day" is
quite as well known to the generations of the
present as it was when crops and seeds were
put in the ground according to the infallible
"Gruber." A bounty of twenty-five cents is at
present placed upon the ears of this indefatig-
able wild creature — as a hunter some time ago
found out, in presenting for bounty a number
of skins which lacked these appendages. In
spite of this bounty, however, the nninlu'r seems
not to diminish.
The raccoon and otter are once in awhile yet
found ; but the opossum, never numerous, ha-s
vanished. The mink, the weasel, the skunk,
thrive as of yore. Rabbits are still found, leav-
ing their tell-tale tracks in the nevp-fallen snow
to tempt the sportsman without a license. The
gophers, gray and little striped, were found liv-
ing in the region, as they still are, doing no
harm but trying the patience of the farmer a?
he goes over his field replanting the corn they
have dug for their food. Rats and mice are
still here to trouble house, barn, granary and
crib ; but these pests came along in the wake
of the settling up of the country — among the
ever-pursuing hordes that forage upon the flanks
of civilization. Moles, with their silky fur, and
field mice were here when the first settlers
came, and are here yet, the mole still making
its burrows and chambered hillocks under the
la^ms and pastures just the same; and, with
the precision of a skilled engineer, tunneling
under the moist earth, with here and there a
shaft to the surface for air and food. The gray
squirrel and cbipnmnk are now rarely seen, but
the red squirrel still runs over the trees for
hickory nuts, and sometimes feasts, as that very
observing and truthful nature-student, Mr. Johti'
Burroughs, charges, upon the eggs it finds in
the ne.sts of birds as it whisks about. The fl: -
Ing-squirrel, covered with the softest of fur, still
at night flits about in search of food. The
harmless bat, but connected with such deep-
seated superstition, and having such a fine, soft
covering, still darts, of evenings, into the lighted
house to the terror of the inmates.
630
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
The muskrat still builds along tlie water-
courses. During the winter of 1905-1906, many
muskrat houses were built along Margaret Ful-
ler Island, and in the bayou above the home of
Mr. E. A. Laughlin. At the latter place these
Interesting animals ("musquash," the Indians
called them), went on unconcernedly, during the
autumn, building their houses while golf was
being played near. The houses were high, broad
at the base, perhaps four feet each way from
the surface of the water, conical or rounded at
the top, made out of mud and a mass of lilies
that had grown in a net around the place. The
common belief that when the muskrat builds
high the winter will be severe, was contradicted
by the weather of that winter, which was very
mild, the river where the current was deepest
and strongest not being at any time wholly
frozen over. This fact, and the proximity of
the muskrats, nearly cost a young skater his
life one afternoon during this winter. Down
the river he came from Byron, when a muskrat
running about on the ice not far from its house,
caught his eye ; watching it, he skated on un-
aware of the opening he was approaching and
of a sudden went down in the open, cold water.
He would have drowned, in spite of some lads
near who were without skates and means of
rescue, had nor a companion skater suddenly
appeared around Arrowhead Island with a hock-
ey stick in his hand. Rock River could tell
many a tale of such disasters, summer and
winter. With all her fair, picturesque beauty,
she has her Scylla and Charybdis that bring
danger and death, year after year, to those who
skim along over her glistening ice or who find
pleasure in or upon her rippling waters.
The eagle, "proud liird of the mountain," has
found "a local habitation and a name" along
the Rock River, at Eagle's Nest Bluff. Here
was its eyrie, its favorite spot on the rocky
steep, where its young were nurtured among the
craggy cedars spreading out as a screen. It
was with this bird and this spot that the bril-
liant, but unfortunntc, Countess d'Ossoli linked
her name and hor fame as a writer in l.S4o.
Eagles have been found in Ogle County in recent
j'ears. About ten years ago a dark, blackish-
gray eagle, its wings measuring five feet from
tip to tip, was captured by a farmer in his corn-
field, three miles west of Mount Morris. Tiiis
eagle is now in the possession of Mr. \. W.
Brayton of Mnnnt Morris, its skin having been
stuffed and mounted at the time of its capture
by Mr. Brayton's son Louis.
The Avild turkey and its concomitant, the tur-
key-buzzard, were found in Ogle County. The
woodcock, which is a species of snipe ; the
pheasant, which is the partridge of New Eng-
land, or the ruffed grouse ; the quail, or the
"bob-white of everywhere," and the prairie
chicken, are still found, but no longer in large
numbers, as they were in the times of the
first settlement. The taking of them at all
seasons of the year, and the clearing away of so
much of the protecting undergrowth, have al-
most exterminated these game birds. Under
the progressive leadership and management of
Dr, John A. Wheeler, the State game commis-
sioner, Illinois now leads the States in the
propagation of game. Dr. Wheeler has been
instrumental in securing the adoption of much
important legislation for the protection of game,
and has systematized the workings of the game
department. Game Wardens now patrol every
county, and the license (which costs the hunter
one dollar per year) and the fines make the
State game department self-supporting. At the
State game farm, in Sangamon County, are prop-
agated these fast-dying game birds, besides
other varieties to take their places. Mr. C. H.
Whitman, of Mount Morris, the chief of the
game wardens of Ogle County, has received
during the past several seasons, shipments of
quail and pheasants from the State game pre-
serve, and has distributed them over the county
to individuals who wish to take care of them
till late spring, and then liberate them upon
their farms or land. A lover of birds who took
two pairs of these quail from one of these ship-
ments, in experimenting as to the kinds of
food they preferred, discovered them to be most
fond of apple seeds — and apples at that time
were selling at sixty cents a peck ! — and canned
black raspberries. It is not the native pheasant
that is sent out, but the English and Chinese
bird of this species that is being domesticated.
The turtle dove, with its mournful "coo !"
too humnn to he considered game, still builds
its rude twig-nest near the habitations of this
later day. The water-birds, the snowy and the
blue heron, the bittern, the horned grebe (with
the obnoxious name of hell-diver), the pelican,
the sandhill and the whooping crane, the her-
ring gull, commonly designated "sea gull," mak-
ing its long flight up from the Mississippi ; the
iiis'i'()i:v OF 0(;le couxtv
G31
loon, with its loug-drawn, uieUuiclioly uotes,
when approached, are all still found about the
streams. A party of youthful sportsmen, in
search of ducks on Rock River, were much
startled by the sighing cry of the loon, shoot-
ing one by mistake, with much dilliculty and
time spent in the effort — the shot seeming not
to penetrate the close, oily plumage, as the bird
would dive and swim under water, coming up
at a different place each time. The slhu little
snipe and the plover are still in the region.
Many kinds of duck, among them the bluebill,
the teal, the butterball, the mallard, are still
found making their semi-auuual visitations, as
well as large flocks of geese, and occasionally
the brant. In the days of the wilderness of
reeds and grasses and the undrained, unfilled
"sloo," great flocks of wild ducks and geese
went flying over, and it is said the sound of
their call could be heard at all hours of the
day and night, as they winged their way north
or south, or settled for rest and food upon
some prolific feeding ground. Early settlers tell
of great flocks of the wild passenger pigeon
which would fly north in the spring and return
in the autumn. One season, it is said, immense
numbers went north, but very few returned In
the autumn ; nor have they ever been numerous
since. It is said that crows were not numerous
when the country was first settled. It must be
that the rich fields of corn and grain have at-
tracted them. Easily five hundred in a flock
were seen not many winters ago going through
some council-like performances on the ice on
Rock River and constantly making a long black
line over a well-defined crack in the ice. The
crow, "stately" as the raven, which it so re-
sembles in this latter day, has a bounty upon
its poor, defenseless head, regardless of the use-
ful service it, too, performs.
A partial list taken from the writer's obser-
vation, of the song birds still more or less
abundant in the county, some of which remain
all the winter, is here given :
Hairy, downy, red-headed, golden-winged and
red-bellied woodpecker ; white-breasted nuthatch,
browTi creeper, bluejay, butcher-bird, robin,
junco, meadowlark, bronzed grackle. song spar-
row, bluebird, fox-sparrow, cowbird, belted king-
fisher, phoebe, chickadee, towhee, golden-crowned
kinglet, yellow-bellied sapsucker, tree sparrow,
hermit thrush, ruby-crowned kinglet, cardinal,
chipping sparrow, winter wren, field sparrow,
mirtle warbler, red-winged blackbird, cedar
waxwing, white-throated and white-crowned
sparrow, brown thrush, barn swallow, black-
throated green warbler, catbird, wood thrush,
chimney swift, American goldfinch, Baltimore
and orchard oriole, kingbird, oven-bird, red-eyed
vireo, scarlet tanager, yellow warbler, rose-
breasted grosbeak, bobolink, whip-poor-will, wood
pewee, yellow-billed cuckoo, blue-headed vireo,
bay-breasted warbler, nighthawk, indigo bunt-
ing, ruby-throated humming-bird, purple mar-
tin.
The evening grosbeak, in seasons when food
is Scarce in Minnesota and Manitoba, and re-
gions farther north w-here it winters, sometimes
comes south as far as this region. Several
years ago, a flock of forty or fifty evening gros-
beaks spent the mid-winter holidays on Rail-
road Island, flying up every two or three days
to the fringe of hackberry trees, which loaded
with their sweet berries edged the bank of the
river at "the Dr. Mix home." Some years ago
the chinmey swift was so numerous in the
region that hundreds of these swallow-like birds
darkened the way over the large chimney of the
new^ Oregon public school building ; and there
have been seasons when the bank swallow flew
in countless numbers over the river and made
their nests in the hollows of the hardened clay
of the river slope to the north of Eagle's Nest
Camp. Owing to the protective bird laws of
the State, it is said that the feathered song-
sters have doubled in number during the last
few years. Much of this sentiment of protec-
tion to the birds is due to the Illinois Audui)on
Society, which has this for its object, its eflicient
work being thoroughly carried on by its Presi-
dent. Mr. Ruthven Dean, of Chicago, and its
Secretary, Miss Marj' Drunnnond. of Lake For-
est. The work of the Audul)on Society is en-
tirely unselflsh, not done solely to protect game
that the shooting harvest may be increased, but
looking only lo the saving of the l)irds for the
general good of mankind, and to the preserva-
tion and care of the beautiful and holiiless wild
creatures.
During the summer of 1907, Rock River Val-
ley was visited l)y Mr. .John Ferry, grandson of
one of the early pioneers of Ogle County. Mr.
.John V, Farwell. Mr. Ferry, who is engaged
in the work of the Columbian Field Museum, of
Chicago, was sent out in the interests of that
Institution in order to investigate a theorv.
632
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
which was held by the bird department of the
museum, that, taking a strip of country up the
Rock River Valley north into Wisconsin, the
birds of the region were not quite the same as
to eolor and size as the same species in the
country contiguous, east and west. After a sur-
vey and examination of two weeks, this intelli-
gent and competent investigator decided that
there is no difference.
INSECTS.
Among the insects of this region what is com-
monly known as the "sand," or "river" fly is
interesting. This is the May fly, and is known
wherever the trout and salmon are found, and
in many waters where they are not. This fly,
and in its larvae and nymphse states, is eaten
by the smaller fish and by the larger ones in
the earlier stages of their growth. This fly
is a good bait for the angler. In some sea-
sons the banks of the river are literally black
with these flies hanging even to the tiniest
blade of grass. Sometimes they fly to the houses
along the bank and, clinging to their sides, in
a day or two cast off their wornout shell, just
as the spider and the cicada do, and doing no
harm in any way. Once a few years ago an
immense swarm of these May flies, looking like
a dark snowstorm, flew" from the river bank as
high up in the air as the eye could follow in
the dusk of the evening, and suddenly disap-
peared in the twilight towards the trees of
Liberty Hill.
That part of the Rock River Valley included
in Ogle County was, in the year 1905, visited by
the "seventeen-year locust." Properly speaking,
this is not a locust at all, but a cicada, like the
yearly harvest fly, or yearly cicada. The locust
itself is like the grasshopper, only it has three
joints to each foot, while the grasshopper has
four. The antenna! of the real locust are shorter
than those of the grasshopper, and it has a
greater power of flight. These "seventeen-year
locusts," or cicada?, began to rmwl out of boles
in the ground under trees, or wbore trees had
once been, towards evening on June 8, of tbe
year 1005, and fastening tbemselves upon the
limbs and trunks went up the trees where pretty
soon the browTi shell began to crack oiien in
the back, and in a few hours a soft white cicada
emerged, which in a little time began to turn
to the usual brown color of the insect. In a
day or two they were ready for flight nnd
song, living about six weeks. A part of them
has a grayish white fluted membrane, ridged
like an accordion, under each wing, which the
insect expands and contracts ; this makes the
song of the cicada, which always has sounded
to many people like "Phar-a-oh-oh," in lingering
remembrance of the plague so long ago in the
far-off land of Egypt. The under-body of the
remaining number of these cicadse is supplied
with a lance for cutting along the tender parts
of the branches of the trees, in making deposi-
tories of the egg out of which is to grow the
cicada of the next cycle of seventeen years.
These punctured twigs die and drop to the
ground as the egg develops and the little white
worm burrows into' the ground and fastens it-
self upon the tree roots, which nourish it dur-
ing its long underground stay. It is this which
injures the trees. It is a prevalent notion that
these cicadse do not eat anything during their
brief life above the earth. This is an error, as
it extracts vegetable juices, through a long tube
in the end of its proboscis. At their appearance
in 1888, there was a countless number of these
insects, and the trees were covered all over
with scored branches. In 1905 they came up
in numbers only here and there. Likely the
dry seasons referred to elsewhere as causing the
trees to die, may have had something to do witti
the decrease in numbers, and the great number
of cicada worms feeding upon their roots may
have helped to weaken the trees.
FISH.
At the time of the making of the first set-
tlements in the Rock River Valley the water of
the river was clear ; the rocky, pebbly bottom
could easily be seen, with many kinds and great
numbers of fish lying ujkju it, or darting hither
and thither nearer the surface. It was this
clearness, showing the nature of the river bed
as well as the clitf formation along its sides,
which caused the Indians to give to Rock River
its name of "Sinnissippi," or "rocliy water."
The "settler" nenr the river could go out with
spe:ir, as the red man had done before him
from time immemorial, and take out "a mess
of fish" for llic family meal — pike, catfish, mus-
kalonge, eels, bass, and other toothsome varie-
ties. But the iKJssession of the white man has
changed all that ! The surrounding soil, bared
of its protecthig forests with their natural
growth of herbs, moss, tree seedlings, shrubs.
N
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
633
and rich receptive mold, is carried by the heavy
raius into the once sparliling water, clouding it
most of the year and depriving it of its former
transparency ; and the fislierman, with his ex-
terminating nets and seines, has added his share
to the destruction of the finny dwellers of the
stream.
Protective laws enacted by the State, and
enforced by Fish Commissioners and wardens,
have in recent years brought about better con-
ditions in some of the streams of Illinois; but,
as yet, not much has been accomplished for
their protection and increase in tlie iiock River.
Illinois being large and almost surrounded by
water of diverse conditions, it Is difficult to
legislate and easily care for the fish in every
stream and body of water. The law in force
July 1, 1905, said that seining shall be "allowed
between the first day of July in each year and
the 15th day of April in the following year, with
seines, the meshes of which shall not be less
than 1% inches square, in such rivers and
streams as are used for navigation within the
jurisdiction of the State." Under acts of Con-
gress, Rock River is recognized as a navigable
stream, and consequently comes under the pro-
visions of this law.
The fishing law in force July 1, 1907, among
other provisions, imposes a license fee for use
of a hoop-net of 50 cents per year; for each
100 yards of seine or trammel net, $5 per year:
admits of fishing with hoop-net between June 1
and April 15 of the succeeding year, and with
seine between September 1 and April 15 of the
succeeding year ; limits the use of the trammel
net between June 1 and April 15 to the Illinois,
Ohio, Mississippi, Big Wabash and Calumet
rivers, and to the catching of carp, dogfish,
buffalo and catfish ; and prohibits the catching
of black bass, pike, pickerel or wall-eyed pike,
except by hook and line, and provides that fish
so caught shall not be offered for sale or for
shipment between the first day of September
and the 15th of April ; also prohibits the use
of seine or trammel net between sunset and
sunrise of the following day. Any violation of
the provisions of this act subjects the offender
to a fine of not less than $25 nor more than
$200.
VARIETIES OF FISH IN ROCK RIVER.
Prof. S. A. Forbes, of the University of Illi-
nois, is one of the best authorities on fish and
fish life in this country, and a list, taken from
some of his published bulletins, of the native
fish of Illinois, many of which are found in the
Rock River and its larger tributaries — Mill
Creek, Stillman Creek, Leaf River, Kyte River,
Pine Creek — will be of interest to the people of
Ogle County. This list is as follows:
"Basses — Large mouth black bass, small mouth
black bass, rock bass, striped bass, yellow bass,
dark crappie, calico bass ; pale crappie, pike-
pickerel, litlle pickerel, grass pike, wall-eyed
pike.
"Perch — Sauger, jack salmon, common ringed
perch, white perch, sheepshead, common sunfish,
red spotted sunfish, red eye, blue spotted sun-
fish ; Warmouth red eye bream.
"Suckers — Red horse, common sucker, native
carp, river carp, quill-back buffalo.
"Shad — Hickory shad, gizzard shad, shovel
fish, or paddle fish.
"Now and then an example of lake herring,
a few eel, dogfish and gar."
A part of the work undertaken, both by the
United States Fish Commission and the State
Commission, is the replenishing of the different
varieties of fish in the streams. In the distri-
bution during the season of 1904-05, black bass
to the number of GOO were placed in Rock
River at Rock Island, and 1.000 crappie in Rock
River in Lee County. During the season of
1905-06, native black bass were placed in the
river in Whiteside and Lee Counties. 500 in
each county; and several times during the last
few years, through the interest of Judge and
Mrs. James H. Cartwright, of Oregon, several
lots and kinds of fish have been added to the
stream at Oregon. In May, 1908, 2,000,000 eggs
of the wall-eyed pike were placed in the river
at the same locality, through this thoughtful in-
strumentality.
The foreign carp was introduced into the
streams of the United States about thirty years
ago. It is called the German carp, but is a
native of Asia, and cultivated for many cen-
turies in Europe, whence were brought to our
streams the improved varieties — the leather
carp, the blue carp, the mirror carp. This fish
is regarded by many with as much dislike as
is another of our importations — the English
sparrow. However, it is said to be highly prized
by fishermen for market purposes, and to find a
ready sale in the large cities ; it is also said
that there are no better waters in the country.
634
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
if in the world, to produce the carp, than those
of Illinois. Dr. Hugh M. Smith, Assistant U. S.
Fish Commissioner, says :
"The carp has been domesticated in Europe
from time immemorial, and represents among
the finny tribe the place occupied by poultry
among birds. It is a fish adapted to the far-
mer's ponds and to mill-dams, less so to clear,
gravelly rivers with a strong current. Where
there is quiet water with muddy bottom and
abundant vegetation, there is the home of the
carp ; there it will grow with great rapidity,
sometimes attaining a weight of three to four
pounds in as many years. It is a vegetable
feeder and not dependent upon man for its sus-
tenance. As an article of food, the better va-
rieties rank in Europe with the trout and bring
the same price per pound."
Marie Hansen Taylor, the widow of Bayard
Taylor, in her book of reminiscences, "On Two
Continents," relates an amusing incident in
which the German carp is the chief figure. It
was while Mr. Taylor was representing the
United States as Minister to Germany that the
incident occurred. He brought, unexpectedly, a
guest to dinner (as the good man of the house
often does, to the consternation of the "Haus-
frau!") and the cook served but one small carp
for them all — though Mrs. Taylor adds, that the
fish was delicious.
THE MUSSEL INDUSTRY.
Within a few years there has sprung up in
the State of Illinois a rapidly growing water
industry, which is the taking of the mussel, or
fresh water clam, from the rivers for the manu-
facture of buttons from its shell. In the Rock
River clam shells pearls are sometimes found,
which adds another motive for the industry. A
lady residing in Oregon, while visiting in New
York City during the winter of 1907, was told
by a young friend who had formerly resided in
this region, of his having been surprised not
long before by seeing in a jeweler's window in
that great metropolis a tray of these beautiful
translucent spheres, marked "Rock River
Pearls." Some years ago Mr. Edwin J. Allen,
of Mount Morris, fished especially along the
Rock River for pearls, meeting with considerable
succes.''. One of the pearls found in 1907 by
the Indefatigable and well-known fisherman, Mr.
Henry Twogood, of Oregon, was sold In the
neighborhood for $250. This same fisherman.
early in the spring of 1908, caught in his seine
a huge sturgeon weighing about seventy iwunds.
CHAPTER III.
THE ABORIGINES.
THE MOUND BUILDERS INDIANS TRIBES AND REL-
ICS — BLACK hawk's VILLAGE.
"Full many a legendary tale
Still holds aside oblivion's veil,
And speaks to men of other days,
Those ancient warriors' blame or praise,
Attested down the years unknown,
By pictograph and rough-hewn stone,
Whereon, in symbols rude, we read
The archives of a nation dead.
With boulders, mounds and mountain-rents,
And river bluffs for monuments."
— The Myth of Stone Idol: — William P. Jones.
The Mound Builders, very remotely, seem to
have been the first occupants of the Rock River
region. The evidence of their possession re-
mains in the tangible records which they con-
structed, for whatever reason, with so much
labor and persistence, and in such numbers.
The Indians appeared to have no knowledge of
these mounds or earthworks, found so widely
scattered over the territory from the Allegheny
to the Rocky Mountains, and their purpose,
whether for burial places, for religious rites, or
for war, cannot be entirely understood. In the
"Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois," Vol. I of
this work, pp. 388-391, it is said :
"The Rock River region seems to have been
a favorite field for the operation of the mound
builders, as shown by the number and variety
of these structures, extending from Sterling, In
Whiteside County, to the Wisconsin State line.
A large number of these were to be found In
the vicinity of the Kishwaukee River in the
southeastern part of Winnebago County. The
famous prehistoric fortification on Rock River,
Just beyond the Wisconsin boundary — which
seems to have been a sort of counterpart of the
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
635
ancient Fort Azatlan on the Indiana side of
the Wabash — appears to have had a close re-
lation to the works of the mound builders on
the same stream in Illinois."
From about the time of the Revolutionary
War until the first coming of the whites, the
Rocli River Valley was occupied by the Sacs,
I^oxes, Pottawatomies and Winnebagoes, tribes
of Indians. How long they had been in this
country is not known, but when Father Mar-
quette came down the Mississippi in 1673, he
turned up the Illinois River, and a few miles
from its mouth found a small Indian village.
When La Salle visited the country five years
later he found Indian settlements along the
larger rivers that he explored. The French
were the first white men to settle among the
Indians in Illinois.
The Sac tribe of Indians, at the close of the
French and Indian War, was driven out from
their village near Quebec by the united efforts
of the Indian tribes occupying that territory.
They settled at Montreal, and then at Mackinac,
being driven out of each place by their enemies.
Finally they settled at Green Bay, and there
first met the Fox Indians, with whom they
formed a national alliance. They soon be-
came as one tribe, and, thus strengthened, were
able to hold off their enemies without difficulty.
Hearing of the beautiful waters of the Rock
River and the richness of the surrounding coun-
try from an exploring party of their tribe, the
Sacs and Foxes gathered together their pos-
sessions and moved down from Wisconsin to
the Rock River Valley, driving out the Kaskas-
kias as they came.
This was their first settlement in what is
now Illinois, made after the whites came in.
With this settlement was Pyesa, father of Black
Hawk ; and here Black Hawk was born in 1767,
of Sac descent. The Sacs and Foxes increased
their territory in Illinois, until by 1795 they
claimed as far west as Council Bluffs and as far
north as Prairie du Chien. A portion of the tribe
under Black Hawk enlisted on the side of the
British in the War of 1812, their services hav-
ing been refused by the Americans. By the
treaty of Rock Island (or Fort Armstrong) at
the close of the Black Hawk War, the Sacs and
Foxes ceded large tracts of land to the United
States Government. In 1842 the tribe was di-
vided into two bands and moved to reservations
farther west.
The Sacs and Foxes have warred with the
Sioux, the Pawnees, Osages, Kaskaskias, and
other Indians, and their record shows that they
ranked among the fiercest and most warlike
tribes. Drake said of them : "The Sacs and
Foxes are a truly courageous people, shrewd,
politic, and enterprising, with not more of feroc-
ity and treachery of character than is common
among the tribes by whom they were sur-
rounded."
The Winnebagoes were a branch of the Da-
kota or Sioux family, having migrated eastward
to Wisconsin some time before 1070. and settled
in the region around Green Bay. Marquette
and the French were the first whites to be-
come acquainted with them. The Winnebagoes
were firm friends of the French until the Revo-
lution, when they joined the English ; made
peace with the colonists afterward, but sided
with the English again in 1812. In 1820^ the
tribe numbered about 4,.50O, living in five vil-
lages on Winnebago Lake and fourteen on Rock
River. The Winnebagoes were at most times
friendly to the whites, taking no part in the
Black Hawk War, although, in 1827, a brutal
assault by the whites on some of their de-
fenseless people caused the "Winnebago War."
By treaties in 1832 and 1837 they ceded all
their lands east of the Mississippi to the Gov-
ernment, and were themselves moved to Iowa.
They lived in several different places in Iowa
for a time, and were finally moved to Blue
Earth, Minnesota, where they had no more
than settled down when the Sioux War broke
out, again causing their removal, this time, in
1863, to lands near Omaha, where in 1885 they
numbered 1,600.
Early in 1000 the Pottawatomies were driven
by the Iroquois out of lower Michigan to the
country around Green Bay, Wis., where they
were first found by the French. The Pottawat-
omies joined Pontiac in his uprising in 1763,
and took sides with the British in both the
Revolution and the War of 1812. By treaties
in 1821 and after they ceded away nearly all
of their Illinois and Wisconsin lauds, until in
183S a reserve was allotted to them on the
Missouri, to which part of them were moved.
The whole tribe at that time numbered about
4,000. After this they became considerably
scattered, some of them wandering into Mexico,
while some of them settled down and became
citizens of the United States.
636
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Catlin says of the Pottawatomies : "They are
the remains of a tribe once very numerous and
warlike, but reduced by whisky and small-pox
to their present number (1SS4), which is not
more than twenty-seven hundred. This tribe
may be said to be semi-civilized, inasmuch as
they have so long lived in contiguity with white
people, with whom their blood is considerably
mixed, and whose modes and whose manners
they have in many respects copied."
In August, 1908, there died in Menominee
County. Mich.. David Krotch, the last of the
Pottawatomie chiefs of that part of the tribe
remaining on the eastern side of the Mississippi.
He was a young brave of twenty when the re-
moval of his people in 1838 to the West oc-
curred.
After the Indians had removed from this
region, it was their custom to make trips through
it on the way from their reservation to the
Indian Agency at Milwaukee, where they would
receive their annuities. These journeys were
made for some years after the settlement of the
valley by the whites, and many of the early
residents recall the passing of these Indian
bands through that region during the late 'thir-
ties and early 'forties. It is said these Indians
always went up the east side of the river and
clown the west, hunting and fishing on the way,
bringing canoes with theni, and ponies which
dragged the tents over the ground on bent
sticks. From fifty to a hundred are said to
have constituted these bands, made up of men,
women and children. A resident of Oregon,
Ogle County, remembers their once passing the
home of her father on Third street, and seeing
a little papoose drawn on a sort of sled, to
which it was bound, its head hanging over to
one side, and those by it showing no concern.
They usually remained two or three weeks,
camping sometimes at the mouth of Mud Creek,
on the flat where the cluster of black walnut
trees now is, and where then was a f1n<> spring,
which the building of the dam below has caused
the river to overflow. Sometimes they en-
camped upon the level space where now is sit-
uated the county farm, and near to Devil's Back-
bone ; somotinios by the mouth of Pine Creek.
No one. it is said, had any fear of them at this
time. One of the hoys of that time recalls his
father taking himself and his brothers to the
river to see them. Many of tlie residents would
sn to see them in their wiKwnnis, and to witness
their dances around their camp-fires. It is said
that they spoke English pretty well. Mr. Benja-
min Chaney, of Oregon, remembers some Indian
words which he heard when a small boy used
by a party of the Pottawatomies on one of
their pilgrimages through the valley. In their
language, the word Jwrse was nac-a-tok-o-she ;
deer was pl-sic'-o-sen; icMskey was scut'-o-op-po,
meaning "fire-water" ; steamboat was scuV-o-fu-
ze, meaning "fire-boat." The story of the Black
Hawk boulder would indicate that sometimes
these returning people were of the Sacs and
Foxes, too. The early historical accounts tell
of these returning Pottawatomies encamping at
Jefferson Grove, where they left their lodge
poles standing, "which could be seen as late as
1856-57."
The first white settlers in the county found
many evidences of the former occupation of
this region by the Indians, in the burial mounds
which were grouped along the river and near
the mouths of its tributaries, and in the im-
plements often found. These mounds have all
been excavated and their relics mostly taken
out, though occasionally some are still unearthed.
Mr. Arthur D. Reed, in digging for the founda-
tion of his summer home on the east bank of
the river below Daysville, a year or two ago,
came across a number of Indian relics. A cor-
ner field, by the river on Springvale Farm, when
covered by short grass, shows plainly the con-
tour of a number of mounds, the earth being
replaced after examining the original hillocks.
A writer in describing the region says of In-
dian Mound, two miles south of Oregon, that
it "is famous as being the place on the summit
of which the Indians sharpened their spears,
carving in so doing rough allegorical images of
human figures, animals, etc. A prominent chief
and friend of Black Hawk was also interred, by
the latter's direction, on its summit, placed in
a sitting position and covered with twigs and
rocks. The elements and relic hunters have de-
stroyed all traces of both carving and chieftain ;
but there are many old settlers still living in
Oregon (1880) who remember both perfectly
well." While at Oregon, Margaret Fuller re-
corded her observation of some of these mounds.
She says, "A little way down the river is the
site of an ancient Indian village, with its regu-
larly arranged mounds. As usual, they had
fhosen with the finest taste. . . . They may
blacken Indian life as they will, talk of its dirt,
F.MAS HAKHR
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
637
its brutality ; I will ever believe tliat the men
who chose that dvvelliug-place were able to feel
emotions of noble liappiuess as they returned to
it, and so were the women who received them.
Neither were the children sad or dull, who lived
so familiarly with the deer and the birds, and
swam that clear wave in the shadow of the
Seven Sisters."
Margaret further says of these tribes of peo-
ple found dwelling in this country at the coming
of the white man :
"The Indian is steady to that simple creed
which forms the basis of his mythology ; that
there is a God and a life beyond this ; a right
and wrong which each man can see, betwixt
which each man should choose ; that good brings
witll it its reward, and vice its punishment.
His moral code, if not so refined as that of
civilized nations, is clear and noble in the stress
laid upon truth and fidelity. And all unpreju-
diced observers bear testimony that the Indians,
until broken fi'om their old anchorage by inter-
course with the whites — who offer them, in-
stead, a religion of which they furnish neither
interpretation nor example — were singularly vir-
tuous, if virtue be allowed to consist in a man's
acting up to his own ideas of right."
In the "History of Illinois," by Davidson and
Stuve, a similar expression of commendation is
made regarding the "Constitution of the Indian
Family :" "The most important social feature of
the prairie and other tribes, and that which dis-
armed their barbarism of much of its repulsive-
ness, was the family tie. . . . Though in
many of the most endearing relations of life the
men, from immemorial custom, exhibited the
most stolid indifference, yet instances were not
wanting to show that, in their family attach-
ments, they frequently manifested the greatest
affection and sympathy."
Mr. Charles B. Farwell, on returning to Ogle
County for a visit several years before his
death, made an effort to find on Liberty Hill
what he described as "an Indian tower," which
he said he hird seen there many years before
when a young man assisting in surveying. One
of the early histories of the county speaks of a
"mound" there, which was probably the same
which Mr. Farwell was trying to find, and
which is supposed to have been removed to make
room for the reservoir In ccmnection with the
city water-works. On the river's edge of the
timber on the farm of Dr. A. W. Iloyt. to the
rear of Inspiration Point, runs an irregular low
bulge, which would appear to have been at some
time a line of earthworks, of which, however,
there does not seem to be any record or infor-
mation now extant. It would, indeed, seem to
be dilhcult, at any time, for even the le&rued
to know whether many of these mounds and
earthworks were of the era of the Indian or of
the mound builder. There was a tradition cur-
rent among the early settlers that, upon the
sumnut of Inspiration Point, the Indians were
accustomed to build signal fires, which could
be seen north as far as where Rockford now
is, and south to the region where now are lo-
cated the cities of Dixon and Sterling.
Apropos of this returning of the former mon-
archs of the country to the scenes of their for-
mer habitations and attachments, is the follow-
ing, taken from "Early Rock Island," by Will-
iam A. Meese:
"The chief Sac village was located on the
north bank of Rock River about three miles
from its mouth, and was built about 1730. It
was one of the largest Indian towns on the
continent and had a population often as high
as three thousand. It was the summer home of
the Sacs. Here was located the tribal burying
ground, a spot more revered by an Indian than
anything else on earth. Here reposed the bones
of a century of the Sac warriors, their wives
and children, and here each Sac came once each
year to commune with his friends and family
who had departed to the 'happy hunting ground.'
On these occasions all vegetation was removed
from the mound and the mourner addressed
words of endearment to the dead, inquiring how
they fared in the land of spirits, and placed
food upon the graves. The Sacs wei'e particular
in their demonstrations of grief. They darkened
their faces with charcoal, fasted and abstained
from the use of vermilion and ornaments of
dress.
"Black Hawk said : 'With us it is a custom to
visit the graves of our friends and keep them
in repair for many years. The mother will go
alone to weep over the grave of her child. After
he has been successful in war, the brave, with
pleasure, visits the grave of his father, and re-
pairs the post that marks where he lies. There
is no place like that where the l)ones of our
forefathers lie to go to when in grief. Here,
prostrate by the tombs of our forefathers, will
the Great Spirit take pity on us.' "
638
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Perhaps a similar sentiment helped to prompt
the visits of the Indian people to the Upper
Rock River Valley once again ! A warm heart
may beat under a red sliin as well as under a
white 1
CHAPTER IV.
DISCOVERY, EXPLORATION AND
SETTLEMENT.
COUNTT OKGANIZATIONS — THE EVOLUTION OF OGLE
COUNTY VABIOUS COUNTIES OF WHICH IT
FOBMED A PABT — FIRST AND PEESENT AREA.
"Little of American history had been made
when the making of history began in Illinois."
— Stephen L. Spear.
"Not without thy wondrous story, Illinois,
Can be writ the nation's glory, Illinois."
— C. H. Chartiberlain.
In 1634, but twenty-seven years after the
settlement at Jamestown, Lake Michigan was
discovered by Jean Nicolet, and named by him
"Lac des Illinois." While on the Fox River in
Wisconsin, Nicolet learned of the Illinois In-
dians. He visited some of their villages, ancl
was probably the first white man who saw the
prairies and rivers of Illinois. He made no
explorations in Illinois, however. The first
white men to do that were the enterprising
voyageur, Louis Joliet, and his companion, the
zealous missionary, Father Jacques Marquette.
The year was 1673. Before that time. French-
men from Montreal, a settlement after 1642, had
discovered and explored the Great Lakes, and
had returned with vague news of a "great
water" to the west of the lakes, according to
information gathered from the Indians. Count
Frontenac, the royal Governor at Montreal In
1672, under appointment by Louis XIV, deter-
mined to solve the problem, and commissioned
Louis Joliet, twenty-eight years of age, and a
fur-trader fond of exploration, to undertake the
quest, associating with hlin Father Jacques Mar-
quette, missionary at the mission of St. Ignace
near Mackinac. Thither Joliet went in the fall
of 1672 and wintered with Father Marquette.
Together they completed their plans, and on May
17, 1673, with two birch bark canoes and five
Indian guides, they set out on the most famous
voyage of inland exploration in America. They
ascended the Fox River from Green Bay to the
portage of the Wisconsin. Descending the lat-
ter to its mouth, they came upon the broad
surface of the great Father of Waters of which
they had been told. This they named the River
St. Louis. They were in the heart of the con-
tinent ; they would make their report to Fronte-
nac and henceforth the new region, the great
valley, should be known to the world. They
continued southward, passing near the sites of
the present cities of Prairie du Chien and Du-
buque. They slept at night anchored In mid-
stream, for fear of hostile natives, but for ten
days they saw no human being. The region was
one of absolute solitude. The loneliness be-
came oppressive. Finally, leaving their guides
to guard the canoes, Joliet and Marquette to-
gether started eastward over the prairies, in
that part of Illinois, probably where the site
of the present town of Carthage is, to ascer-
tain if the new country possessed any inhabi-
tants away from the river, since none were to
be seen along its banks. They came upon a
village in front of them, and to their right an-
other appeared.^ They hailed the former. At
first all was confusion in and about the wig-
wams. Presently four nren came to meet them.
iln a footnote attached to the translation by John
G. Shea of Marquette's diary of his trip down the
Mississippi In 1673, and published in the "Discovery
and Exploration of the Mississippi Valley" by the
former (1852), referring to the Incident of the visit
jf Marquette and Joliet to the villages of the Illinl
here alluded to, Mr. Shea says : "The villages are
laid down on the map" (prepared by Marquette) "on
the westerly side of the Mississippi, and the names
given as Peouarea and Moingwena, whence it Is
generally supposed that the river on which they lay
is that now called the Desmoines ;" and he adds that
"the upper part of that river still bears the name
Moingona, while the latitude of the mouth seems to
establish the identity." According to Marquette's
narrative the point where these villages were dis-
covered was about the 40th to the 41st parallel of
latitude, which would agree with the mouth of the
Des Moines, while the time (eight da.ys) which had
elapsed, and the distance traversed (60 French
leagues — or approximately 150 English miles), after
cntoring the Mississippi from the Wisconsin River,
would imply that the location of the villages may
liave been at least as far north as the mouth of the
Iowa Uiver. The distance which Marquette and
Joliet traveled to reach the first village, after leaving
their canoes on the Mississippi, the former estimates
at "about two (French) leagues" (five English
miles). Francis I'arkman also accepts the theory
tlint this event occurred on the western side of the
Misslssiiipi.
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY
639
To these Marquette spoke in the Algonquin
tongue, and was informed by them that they
were "the Ulinl." The Indians said, "Inlni.''
which, tor euphony, the French cluuiged to "11-
lini."
The explorers proceeded still farther down
the new stream, with which, later on, they saw
mingle the yellow current of the Missouri, passed
also the mouth of the Ohio, and when the
mouth of the Arkansas was reached, they were
satisfied that the "Great Water" flowed into
the Gulf of Mexico and not into the Pacific
Ocean. Not caring to meet the Spaniards at
the Gulf, and hearing, too, of hostile natives
ahead, they retraced their way on the Miss-
issippi until the mouth of the Illinois was
reached. They then ascended the latter stream,
and by way of the Des Plaiues River, the Chi-
cago portage and Lake Michigan, they returned
to Green Bay, after having traveled 2,500 miles
during an absence of four months.
While going up the Illinois, they saw no na-
tives until probably at, or near, the site of the
present city of Peoria. They made a stop just
below Ottawa, where they found a large In-
dian village, the largest and most important of
the "Illini." Marquette named it Kaskaskia.
Years afterward, w-hen the tribe removed, the
name was bestowed upon the new French vil-
lage on the banks of the Mississippi, which later
became the capital, first of the Territory, and
then of the State of Illinois. The voyagers were
now in the heart of Illinois. The time was
June. Vegetation was at its height, and the
since-then oft-told beauty of the virgin prairie
was theirs to see and enjoy, perhaps never be-
fore beheld there by the eyes of the white man.
Fish rippled the surface of the stream, and deer
and buffalo came to the river's edge. Strelc1i«*s
of woodland diversified the scene. Father Mar-
quette wrote, "We have seen nothing more
beautiful." (This iwrtion of early Illinois his-
tory will be found treated .somewhat in detail
in connection with tlie personal sketches of
Joliet. Marquette, La Salle and Tonti, and in the
General State History, in the "Historical En-
cyclopedia" division of this work.)
Lead was discovered at the site of the pres-
ent city of Galena in 1700 by Ix? Seur. Ore was
taken out by the Indians, Dubuque's men, and
others at various times, in the succeeding years,
without there being a permanent settlement
until 1820. when Bouthillier. an Indian trader.
ocaipled a cabin and built a ferry, having re-
moved, it is supposed, from Prairie du Chien, a
settlement after 1750, where he was known as
early as 1812 as an interpreter and guide of the
British soldiers. About the same time several
American families canu;. Interest in the mines
increased, and immigration followed rapidly.
Inside of three years there was a population of
150, and a fortnightly mail to and from Van
dalia. The place was first known as La Points,
but was soon called Galena, because of the qual-
ity of the ore discovered there. In 1821 all
Northern Illinois, north and west of the Kanka-
kee and Illinois Rivers, was constituted a county,
and thus Galena, like Chicago, in the words of
a writer of the time, was "a village of Pike
County," and the larger of the two. Thirty-seven
counties, in whole or part, have since been formeil
out of the territory originally embraced in Pike
County. The first was Fulton, in 1823; tin-
second, Putnam, in 1825, which included what is
now Ogle; also Henry, which embraced what
is now most of Henr>, part of Whiteside, part
of Carroll, and most of Jo Daviess. In 1826 a
voting precinct was established at Galena, by
the County Commissioner's Court of Henry
County, and called the Fever River Precinct.
This was the first election precinct in North-
western Illinois. The number of votes at the
first election was 202. Whatever else these
voters favored, it was not taxation. A deputy
collector failed to get a dollar because of a
unanimous refusal to pay, as appears by a tax-
list and collector's report now on file at P(>oria.
By 1827 the Galena settlement had sufficient
ixjpulation to warrant a petition to the General
Assembly praying for separate county organiza-
tion, with Galena as the county-seat. This was
granted by forming Jo Daviess County, bounded
as follows : "Beginning at the northwestern
corner of th(^ State, thence down the Mississippi
to the northern line of the Military Tract;
thence east to the Illinois River; thence north
to the Wisconsin State line ; thence west to the
place of beginning. Ten counties, in whole or
in ji.-irt, now comprise the territory thus in-
cluded, namely. Jo Daviess. Stephenson, Ogle,
Carroll, Lee, Whiteside. Bureau, Henry, Rock
Island, and a fraction of Winnebago. Four years
later. June 8. IS.'!!, the County Commissioners
of Jo Davioss County tonk action as follows:
"It is considered that the persons residing
within the following limits shall constitute
640
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
voters within Buffalo Grove Precinct, namely,
east of Lewlstown Road and south of a line to
include the dwelling of Crane and Hylliard,
running to the southern boundary of the county
inclusive.
"It is considered that John Dixon, Isaac
Chambers and John Ankeny be and they are
hereby appointed judges of election for the
Buffalo Grove Precinct.
"It is ordered that the house of John Ankeny
be the place of voting in and for the Buffalo
Grove Precinct."
The new voting precinct here laid off com-
prised what is now Ogle, Lee, and eastern Car-
roll and Whiteside Counties. It is believed that
the voters in this large precinct did not then
number, perhaps, over twenty-five, the only set-
tlers in what is now Ogle County being the
half-dozen families at Buffalo Grove. By 183G.
Oregon, then called Florence ; Dixon ; Polo, then
known as St. Marian ; Daysville ; Byron, then
called Fairview ; and Grand Detour had been
founded, and enough settlers in addition were
located on claims in what is now Dement Town-
ship, then known as Brodie's Grove, Flagg Town-
ship, and Lafayette Township, to justify the
people in thinking they w^ere entitled to a nearer
county-seat than Galena, distant seventy miles.
The immediate occasion of the organization of
Ogle County, after settlers had located at vari-
ous points in increasing numbers, was the desire
on the part of John Phelps, who had chosen a
farm and home of several hundred acres three
miles west of Rock River in the southern part
of Rockvale Township, and had also made a
claim and established a ferry where Oregon
now is, for a state road from Chicago to Galena
that should cross Rock River at his ferry, where
several houses had already been built, and the
town-to-be had been christened Florence, Instead
of crossing at Dixou'.>< Ferry. This he expected
would, sooner or later, make his town, not
Dixon's, a county seat.
Accord iiifrly. l)y an act of the Legislature ap-
proved January 10, ]8.'i0, the lx)undaries to^
a new county were defined as follows:
"North from the southwest corner of Town
10 North. 8 East of the iVurth Principal Me-
ridian, to the southwest corner of Town 20
North. 8 East; thence east to the Third Prin-
cipal Meridian ; thence south to the southwest
r-orner of Town 4.''. North, 1 East of the Third
Principal Meridian ; thence east to the southeast
corner of Town 43 North, 2 East ; thence south
to the southeast corner of Town 37 North, 2
East ; thence west to the Third Principal Me-
ridian ; thence south to the southeast corner of
Town 19 North, 11 East of the Fourth Principal
Meridian ; thence west to the beginning, shall
constitute a county to be called Ogle."
Governor Ford, then Judge Ford, presiding
Justice of the Circuit Court for the northern
part of the State and residing at Oregon, sug-
gested the name "Ogle" in honor of Captain
Joseph Ogle, a soldier in the War of the Revo-
lution, whose bravery was particularly shown
at Fort Henry, now Wheeling, and who after-
ward lived in Monroe County, 111., where Thomas
Ford's mother, with her family, also settled.
Nearly a year elapsed before the election for
county officers was held and, in the meantime,
the county-to-be remained a part of Jo Daviess
County. Its official existence began January 3,
1837, when the first meeting of the County Com-
missioners was held. The Legislature appointed
Charles Reed and James B. Campbell of Cook
County and James L. Kirkpatrick, of Jo Daviess
County, as Commissioners to select the county-
seat. They named it Oregon. Two years later
Lee County was set off from Ogle, since wnicn
time the latter, with its boundaries just as they
now are, has shared in the progress, development
and vicissitudes of the great State of which it
forms a part.
The organization and settlement of Ogle
County occurred during a time of important
changes in the industrial life of the people of
the whole country. In 1834 Cyrus H. McCor-
mick invented the reaper that was to aid so
much in successfully cultivating the extensive
grain areas of the West. The steamboat and
the steam-car had ' suddenly shown that they
were coming into general use as important fac-
tors in all transportation enterprises, and es-
pecially in the matter of settlement of the new
and distant States. In 1830 there were twenty-
three miles of railway, all operated by horses ;
in 1837, fourteen hundred miles, with steam as
the power over most of that distance, and Hi
1841, three thousand miles. In 1836 means
were found to use coal as fuel in the production
of steam. In 1838 the screw propeller was in-
vented, which brought ocean navigation in sight,
and in 1839 the steam hammer, which became
at once the strong right arm of the forge, whose
output of powerful machinery it soon so greatly
IIISTUKV OF OGLE COUNTY.
641
increased. Also in 1839 Charles Goodyear dis-
covered the process of vulcanizinj; riihlier, and
in 1S40 Samuel F. B. Morse obtained his first
patent on the telegraph. All these new me-
chanical devices, except Goodyear's, were of di-
rect interest and benefit to the pioneer. Their
immediate effect was to draw nearer to each
other the East and the West, and, by making
travel both easier and swifter, to accelei'ate
immigration and settlement, besides assuring
more rapid development of the new regions when
once the settlers were on the ground.
Seventy years, the Biblical three-score years
and ten allotted to human life, have come and
gone since the career of Ogle County began.
In the age of a community, that is but a brief
span. The oldest County of Illinois, St. Clair.
was formed one hundred and eighteen years
ago. while the oldest in the United States, Al-
bemarle in Virginia, dates back nearly three
hundred years. These are young compared with
the shires of England, or the provinces of
France or Germany. And yet the brief years
of Ogle County's existence have witnessed more
progress in mechanical invention, more additions
to the comforts of life, more advancement m
commerce, in government, in knowledge, than
ever before in a like period of time. The one
matter of transportation illustrates this. Since
the time when the word county itself came into
the English language, just after the Norman
Conquest, no invention, barring that of printing
alone, can compare in its beneficent influence
upon civilization with the transportation
methods of the modern world, whose blessings
to mankind, in the opinion of IVIacaulay. hav(>
not been equaled by any of the achievements
of genius since the Phoenicians invented the al-
phabet. Modern transirortation is co-extensive
in its rise and progress with the growth of Ogle
County, the steamboat coming into general use
a little before and the steam-car a little after
1837. The same is true of so many other in-
ventions and discoveries which have made for
man's advancement and happiness, that one feels
that, whereas, in the matter of location Ogle
County is included in one of the fertile and
beautiful spots of earth, in point of time her
career thus far happens to cover seventy of the
choice years of history.
Recapitulating, the evolution of Ogle County,
briefly stated, is as follows : From the time
when the memory of man runneth not to the
contrary to 1073, a part of the country of the
mini, or Illinois Indians; from 1G73 to 1763,
included in Xew France, being first attached to
Canada and later to Louisiana ; from 1763 to
1778, part of the Illinois Country of the British,
transferred to them by the Treaty of Paris, after
the defeat of Montcalm on the Plains of Abra-
ham ; from 1778 to 1784, an outpost of Virginia,
through conquest by George Rogers Clark, and
organized by the House of Burgesses as Illinois
County; from 1784 to 1801, part of the Territory
of the Northwest of the United States; from
1801 to 1809, part of St. Clair County of In-
diana Territory; from 1809 to 1812, part of St.
Clair County of Illinois Territory; from 1812 to
1815, part of Madison County of Illinois Terri-
tory ; from 1815 to 1816, part of Madison and
Edwards Counties of Illinois Territory ; from
ISIG to 1817, part of Madison and Craw-
ford Counties of Illinois Territory; from 1817
to 1818, part of Madison. Bond and Crawford
Counties of Illinois Territory; from 1818 io
1819, part of Madison, Bond and Crawford
Counties of the State of Illinois; from 1819 to
1821, part of Madison, Bond and Clark Counties ;
from 1821 to 1823, part of Pike County; from
1823 to 1825, part of Fulton County ; from 1825
to 1827, part of Putnam County ; from 1827 to
1831. part of Putnam and Jo Daviess Counties;
from 1831 to 183G, part of Jo Daviess and La
Salle Counties; in 1836 given separate organi-
zation, but made to include what is now Lee
County; and in 1839 allotted its present bound-
aries.
The census of 1900 gave the population of
Ogle County as then being 29,129 and of Illi-
nois. 4,821,550. The population of the county
now inunbers over 30.000, nnd of the State be-
tween 5,000,000 and 6,000,000.
CHAPTER V.
THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY QUESTION.
THE FIRST PRO.TFCTED NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF
ILLINOIS THE PRESENT BOUNDARY ALLEGED
VIOL.\TION OF THE COMPACT OF 1787 THE AGI-
€42
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
TATION FOR RETURNING TO WISCONSIN THE DIS-
PUTED TERRITORY THE MEETINGS IN OGLE
COUNTT.
In 1818 the Territorial Legislature in session
at Kasliaskia sent through Nathaniel Pope, then
Delegate from Illinois Territory, a petition ad-
dressed to Congress, praying for the admission
of Illinois into the Union as a State. A bill
was reported out of committee granting the
prayer of the petitioners, naming 60,000 as the
population required for admission and reciting
the northern boundary to be a line running east
and west through the southern extremity of
Lalie INIichigan, in accordance with a provision
of the Ordinance of 1787. Then, when the House
was in Committee of the Whole, Delegate Pope
moved two amendments, one reducing to 40,000
the required population, and the other locating
the northern boundary on latitude 42° 30' in-
stead of 41° 37'. Both were unanimously
adopted. The effect of the latter, it has been
claimed, was to move the northern boundary of
Illinois CI miles farther north and to take
away from Wisconsin and add to Illinois a strip
of land having an area of 8,500 square miles,
which has since been formed into the fourteen
counties of Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago,
Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, Du Page,
Kane, Cook, Whiteside, Lee, DeKalb, besides
furnishing a part of the northern portion of
Will, Kendall, La Salle, and Rock Island Coun-
ties.
Speaking to his amendment. Delegate Pope
advocated the change because it would "give
to the State territorial jurisdiction over the
southern shores of Lake Michigan," which would
"unite the incipient commonwealth to the States
of Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York
in a bond of common interest well nigh indis-
soluble." "By the adoption of such a line," said
he, "Illinois may become at some future time
the keystone to the perpetuity of the Union."
This was remarkable foresight. I'erhaps no
greater prophetic look into a nation's political
future is recorded in history, certainly not in
American history. Forty-three years later the
proi)hecy was fulfilled, and its fulfillniont was
of tremendous national import. Had Illinois
gone with the South, what of the Union?
Would the Decatur Convention have been callod?
Would Abraham Lincoln have been President?
Would there have been an Illinois-Micbigan
Canal? An Illinois Central Railway? Or where
would have been the city of Chicago? — or the
Sanitary Canal? — or the scheme for a deep
water-way from the Lakes to the Gulf?
Examined in the light of the Ordinance of
1787, which was "a solemn compact" between
Congress and the people of the Northwest Terri-
tory regarding all matters included in its pro-
visions, it is impossible for the writer to avoid
the conclusion that there was a palpable viola-
tion of the supreme law. The Ordinance makes
Canada the northern boundary of Illinois, In-
diana and Ohio Territories, as they were after-
wards created out of the "Territory Northwest
of the River Ohio," and then says: "Provided,
however, and it is further understood and de-
clared, that the boundaries of these three States
shall be subject so far to be altered, that if
Congress shall hereafter find it expedient, they
shall have authority to form one or two States
in that part of the said territory which lies
north of an east and west line drawn through
the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michi-
gan." That is to say, if Canada did not remain
the northern boundary of Illinois, then that
boundary should be a line running east and west
through the southern end of Lake Michigan ;
the same for Indiana ; in order that one or two
States might be organized out of the territory
left north of such a line. There might, or might
not, be a territory, and later a State, of Wis-
consin, according as Congress would deem it ex-
pedient to let such region remain a part of Illi-
nois, or to organize it separately ; but if there
were, its southern boundary should be a line
drawn through the southern end of Lake Michi-
gan, to-wit, parallel 41° 37'. To say, as does
Governor Ford in his "History of Illinois," that
the Ordinance declared that Congress might or-
ganize one or two states in the territory nortli
of parallel 41° 37', but not necessarily of it, is
to incorporate into a common English sentence
a precision of thought probably never dreamed
of by the franiers of it, and, doubtless, wholly
outside of their intention.
When, upon the admission of Ohio, the change
in its boundary was made, slight compared with
that of Illinois — Congress proposed to arbitrate
the matter with the people of Michigan Terri-
tory, from whom the six-mile wide strip was
taken, by offering them the upper peninsula,
upon which proposition the people voted, first
rejecting and afterward accepting it. In the
-\}h/^o^\l ^.
<^CL^trX.c() X
MRS. DAVID J. BAKER
! PUBLIC
ASTC
-r I - -\ IT ,->J r
ITT STORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
643
case of Illinois, Wisconsin's consent was not
asked, notwithstanding, that in section 14 of
the preamble of the Ordinance, it is solemnly de-
clared : "The following articles shall be con-
sidered as articles of compact between the
original States and the people and states in
said territory, and forever remain unalterable,
unless by common consent,"
It was to be expected, therefore, that the peo-
ple of Wisconsin, feeling dissatisfied at so con-
siderable a loss of territory in such a manner,
should be heard from. In 1838, the Legislature
of that Territory memorialized Congress to the
effect that the act of ISIS came "directly in
collision with and was repugnant to the compact
entered into by the original States with people
and States within this Northwestern Territory."
A year later, when a vote was called for upon
a question of forming a State Constitution, the
people of the district within Northern Illinois
claimed by Wisconsin were invited (by the au-
thorities of Wisconsin) also to cast their votes.
This caused widespread interest in the dis-
puted territory. There were public meetings
at Galena, Belvidere, Rockford and Dixon.
Later, a convention was held at Rockford, at
which were present delegates from Ogle, White-
side, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winne-
bago, Boone, Rock Island and McHenry Coun-
ties. Hamilton Norton, of Ogle County, was
secretary. The delegates formally declared that,
in their opinion, the fourteen counties belonged
of right to '"Wisconsin," and asked that repre-
sentatives be elected by the different counties
to attend the convention at Madison, there to
continue the effort "for an early adjustment of
the southern boundary." It happened that, in
Wisconsin, the matter was coupled with the
question of forming a State constitution, and as
public sentiment was against that, nothing was
done as to the boundary. But the question
would not down. On January 22, 1842, at a
meeting held at Oregon, by the citizens of Ogle
County, to consider "the expediency of advising
and effecting a separation of this section of the
Stale from the State of Illinois and annexing
the same to Wisconsin," the President was
Colonel Brown, the secretary, Joseph B. Hen-
shaw, and Committee on Resolutions, S. N.
Sample, W. W. Fuller. D. T. Moss, J. Swan,
and E. A. Hurd, while James V. Gale, E. S.
Lei and and Joseph B. Henshaw constituted a
'Central Committee. The resolutions committee
reported at length and, among other things, de-
clared, "That in the opinion of this meeting,
that part of the Northwestern Territory which
lies north of an 'east and west line through
the southerly bend, or extremity, of Lake Michi-
gan, belongs to, and of right aught to be, a part
of the State, or States, which have been, or may
be formed, north of said line." W. W. Fuller
Dauphin Brown, Joseph B. Ileushaw, Jehiel
Day, James Swan, Spooner Ruggles, Samuel
M. Hitt, Henry Hiestand and Augustus Austin
were appointed delegates to "proceed to Madi-
son, in the Territory of Wisconsin, with full
power to consult with the Governor and Legis-
lature, or either of them, and to take such
measures as, in their opinion, will most speedily
and effectually obtain the object of this meet-
ing." This committee reported at another meet-
ing at Oregon, February 2G, 1842, that they had
promises from Governor Doty and the Territorial
Legislature of Wisconsin of hearty assistance
in the common cause.
On March 5, 1842, an election was held, at
the call of Stephenson County, throughout the
fourteen counties, to gauge the sentiment of
the people upon the issue. Four hundred and
sixty-nine votes were cast in favor of the dis-
puted territory being a part of Wisconsin, while
only one vote was cast against the proposal.
But the voters of Wisconsin were by this time,
at least, themselves indifferent. They viewed
the agitation "with concern and regret."
Finally, when the convention was in session
framing the constitution for the new State of
Wisconsin, an effort was made to refer all
boundary disputes to the Federal Supreme
Court. That failed. The territory of Wiscon-
sin was admitted as a State with the northern
lioundary of Illinois and the southern boundary
of Wisconsin i-eniaining at itarnllel 42^ .'W.i
1 It may not be inaiJin-opriate in this connection
to state that, when tlie act enabling tlie people
of Illinois to form a State Constitution prepara-
tory to admission into the Union was passed by Con-
jrre'ss. the Territory of Wisconsin was not in exist-
ence : that tlie bill as reported by the committee
named ihe parallel of 41° .SO' (instead of 41° :^7'). as
the northern boundary of the proposed new State,
and that the distance between the parallel 41° 'M)'
and 42° '.W (which was finally adopted as the north-
ern boundary of the State) was ."il i;eou:raphical
minutes (or miles), etpiivalent approximately to (>0
l-^ni;iish miles. It is a fact of some siirnilicance that
similar modifications were made in the boundary
Hues between the Slates of Ohio and Indiana, on the
one side, and Michiuan on the other, althouu'h the
area of territory involved in the controversy In^tween
those States was much smaller than that in issue
between Illinois and Wisconsin. After the failure
to secure any action in the part of Consrress or the
Supreme Court, on the subject in controversy between
644
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
It was said that the explanation of the in-
difference of Wisconsin was, in part at least,
the jealousy of her politicians towards addi-
tional competitors. That is less surprising, per-
haps, than was the desire on the part of a ma-
jority of the citizens of the Illinois counties
to be set over to Wisconsin, for the reason, as
alleged, that the heavy indebtedness incurred by
Illinois when the wave of internal improvements
swept over the State would, sooner or later,
make taxes high.
CHAPTER VI.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
THEN AND NOW — THE EARLY SETTLERS GROVE
SETTLEMENTS, AVOIDING THE PRAIRIE — ROADS
AND TRAVEL — HARDSHIPS AND DANGERS — CUS-
TOMS THE LOG CABIN PRICES AND WAGES
AN EARLY WEDDING — PASTIMES AND AMUSE-
MENTS.
"I saw a dot upon the map, and a housefly's
filmy wing —
They said 'twas Dearborn's picket flag, when
Wilderness was King."
— Benjamin F. Taylor.
The pioneers who settled Ogle County had few
of the common conveniences of life of to-day,
and no luxuries, while some things enjoyed as
luxuries in the old eastern homes could not be
had at any price in the new West.
There were no railroads, no wagon roads,
only trails. There was the stage-coach, but
there were few carriages. A carriage brought
from Maryland J)y one of the pioneer families
was a curiosity. The usual means of private
conveyance, aside from horseback, was by the
farm wagon, which had wooden spindles. Some-
Illinnls nnfl WIsponsin. tlic nrtinn of llic ('(instihi-
tlonnl ronvpntlon of tho Inttf-r In 1H17-4H. in frnmhiK
Its flFHt rnnHtltiitlon. In vcci>irn\y.\T\K Hi'' pnnillol of 49.^
'W. nnmprl In the onnMlnir net of Illinois In 1S1.S. us
tho Hoiittiprn lionndnry of Wlsronsln, nnd tho ncccptnnfo
hy MIclilirnn of n slinllnr nioflllifntlf)n as In tlii' terri-
tory north of 11 llnf firnwn llironnh the so\illH'rn
hrnfl of I,nk(> Mlchltran nn<l parts of the Slates
of Ohio nnd Indinnn. nmoiintod to n practical solution
of the question "l)y commf)n consont."
times the wheels consisted of solid cross sections
of a big tree without tires, when the name ap-
plied was "the barefooted wagon." There were
no telegraphs and no telephones, no mowing ma-
chines, no reapers, no corn cultivators, no sew-
ing machines, no oil lamps, no coal stoves, no
steel pens, no lead pencils, no window or door
screens, no steel plows, no traction engines, no
threshing machines, no rubber boots or shoes,
no alarm clocks, no breech-loading guns, no can-
ned fruit, no laundry soap, no carpet-sweepers,
no yeast cakes, no baking powder, no laundry
starch, no clothespins, no friction matches, few
of the things deemed necessary to-day. Yet the
pioneers managed to live without them, and en-
joyed life. The wives of the pioneers "clothed
their families," like the women of the Proverbs,
"with the work of their hands."
The settlement of Ogle County, then a part of
Jo Daviess County, was brought about by the
lead-mining industry at Galena. The Galena
lead mines were known as early as 1700. From
1823 they developed rapidly and in 1827 county
organization was effected. Travel from the older
parts of the State, the central and southern,
with Vandalia as the capital, followed a trail
which crossed Rock River at Ogee's Ferry, after
1830 Dixon's Ferry, and led through the west-
ern portion of the present limits of Ogle County.
In 1829 John Ankeny staked a claim at Buffalo
Grove. Returning from Galena iu 1830, he
found Isaac Chambers located on a claim that
overlapped his of the year before. They ad-
justed their differences, and Isaac Chambers
continued to occupy his log cabin, the first built
in the county.
In 1833, John Phelps of Schuyler County and
formerly of Tennessee, after spending the sum-
mer at the lead mines at Galena, and having
been attracted in the fall of 1829 by the beauty
of Rock River Valley, decided to explore the
region with a view to making a permanent home
if he found a location to please him. He se-
lected, after many leagues of travel through
the well nigh pathless country, and upon the
advice of Col. William Hamilton, son of Alex-
ander Ilaniilton. who was leading a surveying
party along Rock River for the Federal Govern-
ment, a spot three miles west of the river, where
llicre was a spring. The place was known for
many years as the Phelps Farm, now the Major
Newcomer Farm, situated equally distant from
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
64o
Oregon and Monnl Moi'ris. and containing; now
300 acres.
In his later days, Mr. Phelps wrote an auto-
biography, the manuscript of which remains in
the family of his descendants. In this he tells
entertainingly of his trip, in company with a
Frenchman, and of his meeting Col. Hamilton,
mentioned above in the vicinity of where the
city of Oregon now stands.
In 1834, Leonard Andrus went up Rock River
from Dixon's Ferry in a canoe paddled by In-
dians. There were no settlers and Mr. Andrus
made claim to the land upon which the village
of Grand Detour now stands, influenced by the
fertility of the land and the water power.
The above were the three earliest settlements
in the county. In the cases of Phelps and An-
drus, the families were not on the claims until
a year or so later, at which time other pioneers
were coming in at various other places, over this
southern end of Jo Daviess County, and by the
time the years 1S.3G-10 passed, the smoke from
the cabins of the first families of the new Ogle
County could be seen in many directions. The
names of the households of those early days
included that of Kellog, Reed, Bush. Brooke,
Doty, Sanford. Stephenson, Shoemaker, Webster,
Hull, Merritt. Waterbury, Shaver. Walmsley,
Cushman, Beardsley, Worden, Nichols, Bogue,
Wilcoxen, Fellows, Hoffhine, Gannon, Donelson,
Good, Sanborn. Phelps. Moss, Mix, Shepard,
Campbell, Woodburn, Maynard, Juvenal, Spald-
ing, Norton. Hurd. Kimball. Carr, Patrick,
Smith, Wood. Knowlton, Bradbury. Brewster,
Mclntyre, Irvine, Brodie, Gi-ant, Crary, Noe,
Cochrane, Randall, Bartholomew. Flagg, Leon-
ard, Andrus. House, Weatherby, Green, Bos-
worth, Dana. Warren, Deere, Cushing, Hatha-
way, Henry, Day, Palmer, Chamberlain, Hubbell,
Bass, Gardener, Goodrich, Harrington, Anthony.
Crombie, Clark. White, Rosecrans, Jenkins,
Aiken, Royce, Hunter, Holden, Gaftin. Light,
Heaston, Kitzmiller, Piper, Trine, Ryder. Myers,
Turner, Mitchell, Andrews, Scott. Whittaker,
York, Bryan, Snow, Brown, Eyler, Blair, Mc-
Lain, Fossler, Oliver, Hitt. Swingley, Wagner,
Rice, McDannel, Stover, Finkboner, House-
holder, Crowell, Reynolds, Wertz, Wallace, Al-
len, Sprecher. Miller, Artz, Brantner. Sharer.
Coffman, Nally. McCoy. Hiestand. Roe. Will-
iamson, Peabody. Bemis, Farwell, Dort, Car-
penter, Hatch, Paddock, Hills. Richardson, Mc-
Kenney, Stiles, Jackson, Key, Wood, Moore, Gale,
Hill. Bond. Ford, Everett, Mudd. Spencer,
Fuller, Wooley, Roberts, Pickett, Harris, Ray,
Leland, Evarts, Griffith, Etuyre, Mumma',
Painter, Ruggles, .Toiner. Paul, Baker, Perriue,
Hagan, Seyster, Walkup, Alexander, Wilbur,
Haas, Bridge, Morgan, Stevenson, Paine, Her,
Stinson, Maxwell, Taylor, Trask, Russell, San-
dei-son, Friedly, Griswold, Knox, Read, Waite,
Marshall, James, Gitchell, Medford, Lucas.
Chaney, Hays, Young, Gaston. Wellington, Gees,
Peek.
The groves were first chosen by the pioneers
for several reasons. Timber was needed for
building and for fuel, the more rolling wood-
land contained springs, which in the days before
windmills, were preferred to wells, the prairie
seemed most like a meadow, useful for a pasture
rather than for crops, and finally, the pioneers
having come from wooded regions, it was but
natural that they should choose similar sur-
roundings.
The pioneers came here either overland by
wagon, on horseback, or by wagon to Pittsburg,
then down the Ohio River and up the Illinois
to Peru, thence by stage the remainder of the
way. At times and in places the prairie trail
was fairly good, and moderate progress could be
made, only to be checked by encountering a
slough, or by having to ford a stream, where
sometimes the strong current carried horses and
wagon far below the expected landing into
deeper water and softer mud. The resulting
delay would sometimes prevent the next stop-
ping place being reached that day, when the
night would have to be spent on the prairie,
sleeping in or under the wagon. William Cullen
Bryant, the noted editor and poet, made a visit
in 1840. to his mother and brothers at Prince-
ton, 111. Narrating his stage-coach experience
of Illinois roads in rainy weather, he says: "A
little before sunset, we were about to cross the
Illinois canal. High water had carried away
the bridge, and in attempting to ford, the coach
wheels on one side rose upon some stones, and
on the other side sank into the mud, and we
were overturned in an instant. We extricated
ourselves as well as we could. The men waded
out ; the women were carried; and nobody was
drowned or hurt. A passing farm wagon con-
veyed the female passengers to the next farm
house. To get out the baggage and set the
coach on its wheels, we all had to starad waist
deep in the mud. At nine we reached the hof?-
646
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
pitable farm house where we passed the night
in drying ourselves and getting our baggage
ready to proceed the next day."
HoTsebacIi riding was, perhaps, the most satis-
factory mode of travel. Better progress was
made that way with less interruption and vexa-
tion. For long distances two persons would some-
times use the same horse, not pillion fashion as
in the Eastern States, but by the method known
as "ride and tie," one riding ahead several miles,
then tying the horse for the other to use when
he would come up, and himself* walking on unti]
after being passed by his companion, he should
later find the horse tied for his own use again.
Supplies were obtained and a market found
at Ottawa or Chicago, each place a mere village
then, but even at that time a distributing point.
To take a load of wheat, or dressed pork, to
Chicago meant a journey of a week or more
whether bj' ox-team or horses. Wheat was
marketed usually in September, or October,
when the fall rains had so extended the area of
the wet land that to go around all the sloughs
was impossible. Sometimes each sack of grain
had to be taken from the wagon and carried
ahead to drier and firmer ground, and then the
lightened wagon drawn forward and the load
replaced. Sometimes a sort of improvised "cor-
duroy"' road was constructed by pulling up the
dried prairie grass, twisting it into ropes and
fastening it around the tires, thus preventing
the wheels from sinking into the mud as they
would have done without this protection.
There were stage routes over which the stage
coach made regular journeys. The roads were
laid out by commissioners appointed by the Gen-
eral Assembly, and hence became known as state
roads, over which the mail was carried. One
such route, starting at Chicago, went by way of
St. Charles to Sycamore, thence to Oregon,
crossing Rock River at Phelp's Ferry, thence,
via Liberty Hill to Mount Morris, to Polo, and
from there to Galena, the objective point
Another was from Peru to Dixon, 60 miles ; to
Polo, 13 miles; to Galena, 50 miles. This was
laid out in 1825 by an early settler, Kellog, and
was long known as Kellog's Trail. It crossed
Marshall, Bureau, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, and
Jo Daviess Counties, and was the first overland
route between Peoria and Galena. rx)ng after
the appearance of white settlers, the prairies
were criss-cro.«sed by Indian trails. The Indians
marched in single file, and thus made a well-
marked, narrow path, which by repeated use
became worn into the soil, and as the red men
knew the country well these trails avoided the
rivers as much as possible and crossed them at
easy fords. The white settlers adopted the In-
dian trails, and many of the State roads and
stage routes were the former Indian trails con-
verted into a track for wheels. Parts of some
of them are still in use, for instance the highway
via Liberty Hill from Mount Morris to Oregon^
which does not follow the lines of the Govern-
ment survey, but intersects them.
The stage coach in good weather and by re-
lays of horses made 60 to 75 miles a day, and
the travel, while slow, was in some respects de-
lightful. In times of mud, however, all pleasure
vanished and nearly all progress. "Stuck in
the mud" was a common occurrence, and the
passengers were then sometimes compelled to
alight when far out on the prairie, and assist
in the work of recovering the wheels from the
depths into which they had sunken. It is well-
nigh ^impossible to realize such unsatisfactory
travel to-day, when in a handsome well-ap-
pointed, and luxurious railway car we speed
over the prairie and across rivers in all seasons
of the year at the rate of 35 to 50 miles per
hour, and for no more cost per passenger than
was paid in the 'thirties and 'forties for the
slow, uncertain, and tiring travel by stage.
The slow mails were among the trials Avhich
the pioneers and their families were called upon
to endure. Perhaps nothing was harder after
leaving home and friends than the long weeks of
waiting to hear of loved ones left behind and
their life at the old familiar places. In these
days of 18-hour trains between New York and
Chicago, it is difficult to comprehend the slow-
ness of the mail service by boat and stage.
When to the lonelines of crude and isolated sur-
roundings in a strange land, there was added
the ordeal of no news from former scenes, it
is no wonder there was homesickness. Postage
was more of a consideration then than now. To
the East it was 25 cents ; to Dayton, Ohio, 18%
cents; to St. Louis, 6% cents. There were no
envelopes. The sheet was folded, fastened with
an individual seal, or a common wax wafer, and
then addressed.
The women of the pioneer households in Ogle
County followed a round of duties that in-
cluded much laborious work, long since given
over to outside agencies, by means of which
to
m
m
>
o
THE 15^
PUBLIC Ub^i^-^
TTISI^OKY OF OGLE COUNTY,
647
the wives and daughters of to-day are relieved
of a great deal of drudgery. The log house was
usually 16 by 18 or 20 feet in size, and con-
sisted of one room with a large open fire-place
at one end, with the crane and Dutch oven. The
latter was a covered pan, in the use of which
for baking, coals were placed above as well as
below. About 1840 the "teu-plate" stove came
into use, and later the c-ook-stove. Neither was
received with universal favor.
The second floor of the cabin was a low loft,
which was reached usually by means of a lad-
der ; sometimes by a narrow open stairway.
This was the sleeping room for all the family.
The ventilation was perfect, the air being ad-
mitted freely between the logs and clapboards.
The beds were often of rude construction, some-
times having but one post, the three other cor-
ners being made by inserting nails in holes
bored in the walls. The light was from a home-
made tallow candle. The settler's wife leached
lye, which, by the addition of fragments of
animal fat, she made into soap ; transformed
flour, or potatoes, into clear starch ; dried corn
and fruits for the long winter's needs ; ground
the coffee for daily use in a hand-mill ; spun
wool into yarn, which she knit into mittens and
stockings, and cut and fashioned most of the
garments of her household.
The prices of dry-goods and groceries are
shown by some of the old day-books : calico, 12
to 35 cents ; muslin, 15 cents ; tea, $1.12 ; nails,
12 cents ; tin cup, 20 cents ; tin bucket, $1.00 ;
coffee, 12 cents ; paper of pins, 18 cents ; whiskey,
50 cents per gallon. In 1826 in McLean County,
Robert Guthrie husked corn for Isaac Funk for
fifty cents per day. In 1844 in Rockvale Town-
ship, an account kept by William Artz shows
one day's ploughing at 87 cents ; one day's draw-
ing Avheat with team, $1.25; one day's thresh-
ing, 50 cents.
In the early 'forties Manassas Neikirk of
West Elkhorn Grove, erected what was then
deemed the largest and best barn in this part
of the State. The carpenters were Miles Z.
Landon and Justice Rogers. That barn is still
standing and, for good substantial workmanship,
but few if any modern barns surpass it. A
few years later Mr. Neikirk engaged Ellas Et-
nyre of Oregon, 111., to erect a house. There
were no machine-made sash, doors and mould-
ings then, but everything connected with the
building was hand-made, and much of that work
is as good to-day in appearance as it was sixty
years ago. The house has been enlarged and re-
modeled, but all the cornice, including crown
and bed moulding that had been used in the old
house was worked over into the new one, and
this made it necessary to make more mouldings
to match the old in order to complete the work.
The flooring in the Neikirk house was all
seasoned white-oak and ash, and it required
many days, with two men on the match planes,
to do the work. The shingles were made of
red-oak, split with a frow and shaved with a
drawing knife. The lath was made of half-inch
basswood boards split into narrow strips and
fastened to the studding with cut nails. The
plates of the house were 8x8 inches, and the
rafters were "bear-mouthed" into them in a
way that required no spikes to hold them in
place. The tenons were dove-tailed on one
side, while a wedge made to fit the mortise was
driven above the tenon and pinned in place with
an inch oak-pin completed the dove-tail. All
studding had to be mortised into sills, beams,
girts and plates, and then oftentimes fastened
by pins.
Fine white flour was made at the grist-mill on
Pine Creek, out of the winter wheat so produc-
tive at that time. The flour was so fine and
white, that crumbs of the bread made out of it
were sent In a letter to friends at Shepherdstown,
Va. The bread was baked in a Dutch oven and
in ten-plate stove; corn-cakes were baked on
top of the stove, while bricks were placed inside,
behind the firebox or shelf to bake on. The
Dutch oven had to be kept turned around be-
fore the hearth-fire, so as to bake the loaf on all
sides. In 1846 one of the first stovepipes used
In Ogle County was bought in Grand Detour
and was lost in driving home across the prairie
after dark. Daysville was a business center in
those days to which the people from Oregon then
came to do their shopping.
A settler in the west end of the county, who
was invited to attend the wedding of a friencS
soon after coming here in 1855. gives a graphic
account of the occasion, which shows the customs
of these events at tliat time: The bride-to-be
and attendants were waiting in the attic the time
for the ceremony when the guest arrived. With
his friend, he climbed the ladder to this
second floor to be introduced to the young man's
betrothed, as she was unknown to him at that
time. He found her to be most attractive, and
648
HISTOEY OY OGLE COUNTY.
knows her still as a bright, capable woman,
though no longer living in Ogle County. From
the windows of the attic the wedding party-
could watch the arrival of the guests, coming
from all around the neighborhood in great lum-
ber wagons, the boxes of which were luxuriously
cushioned with bunches of hay for seats. These
vehicles were drawn by sleek, well-trained oxen.
Sounds of merriment and shouts of laughter
floated out over the prairie as they approached
the house. When every one had been made wel-
come in the cheery room of the first floor, the
wedding partj' descended to this room and the
solemn ceremony was performed. Then fol-
lowed, as now, the congratulations and good-
wishes ; after that, the feast,^ — and such a
feast as had made the hungry Ichabod's mouth
water as he looked upon "the hearty abundance"
of the "thriving, contented, liberal-minded" Old
Baltus Van Tassel ! Here, too, on the table
were the delicious lamb and young pig roasted
whole, and all the accompanying "good things"
which the thrifty pioneer housewife knew so
well how to prepare ! When all was ended and
the young couple drove away to their own new
home, good-luck wishes and the proverbial "old
shoe" were sent after them, much as now-a-days,
so long do old customs remain.
The first Methodist Camp .Meeting was held
at Lighthouse in 1839, continuing over two Sun-
days. The ministers in those days, always hon-
ored with the best, were provided with board
tents made of oak slabs from the saw-mill at
Washington Grove. Afterward the Camp Meet-
ing at Franklin Grove, still in existence, was
established, and the one at Lighthouse was no
longer held. Quarterly Meeting was often held
at "Old Chapel," between Lafayette and Wash-
ington Groves, and people came from as far as
Rockford and Dixon to attend. People came
long distances and across the prairies in lum-
ber wagons, and often seated upon chairs.
Preachings were held at Phelps School House,
and singing school at Silver Creek School.
The Mottors and the Felkers owned barouches,
and they were the subject of much envy when
they paid visits to their friends.
Mr. Henry A. NefP, who has left some very
musical descendants now living in the county,
was a singing school teacher. The father of
Emma Abbott taught singing in different parts
of the county. Prizes were given in singing con-
tests, mufb like in the siK-Ilincr sr'liDols. ;nul hotli
the singing and the spelling contests were very
popular. Writing schools, of evenings, were also
among the recreations. A writing teacher, by
the name of Burton, is remembered as one of
these old-time teachers of penmanship at tlie
Lighthouse School.
Quilting parties afforded another amusement.
In warm weather, as there was but one room,
the meal was eaten out-of-doors; then, in the
evening there would be a merry dance, including
the Virginia Reel, Crooked "S," and other fig-
ures in which the dancers stand in long rows,
opposite and facing each other. There were no
round dances then; the "cotillion" (quadrille)
was in vogue in the towns. Moore's Hotel, at
Oregon, was a favorite place for dancing. The
hospitable home of Samuel Betebenner, between
Mount Morris and Polo, was likewise a gath-
ering center for the young folks. "Uncle Billy"
Swingley, "Will Cooper," "Billy" Bennett, J. D.
C. Artz were among those who fiddled for the
merry-makers. W. W. Bennett's tuneful muse
recalls some of these youthful gaieties in "Ogle
County Reminiscences" :
" 'Tis nearly forty years ago
Since we fiddled, I and Joe,
Way back in fifty-three.
"We'd sometimes play at dance or ball,
When we would get a man to call
At Daysville or at Byron.
The 'Opera Reel' or 'Monie Musk'
We used to play at some corn-husk.
When the fun began at early dusk
(There were Shanghais in the oven.)
"Ben Hammer used to swing the bow.
While spry George Avey tipped the toe,
In Betebenner's kitchen ;
While DaA^e, and Ben, and Nehemiah,
And all the girls that we'd admire
Sat around the rousing hickory fire.
And smiled bewitchin'.
"Then clear the tables and the chairs ;
Put some out doors and some upstairs.
For more room was needed
To balance partners ; now, first four,
Swing down the center to the door,
And turn your partners all once more.
Was how the fun proceeded.
HTSTOPiY OF OGLE OOTTNTY.
640
"And when the supper we could smell,
Its fragrance, more than I can tell,
Set us to thinking
We'd have a supper most divine.
None ever since so nice and tine
Can equal those of 'auld lang syne,'
When cups were clinking.
"And girls were there with eyes so bright.
No stars were brighter in the night.
That shone o'erhead.
Their cheeks with health were all aglow.
Their teeth as white as winter's snow,
Their eyes would haunt a fellow so,
I've heard it said."
CHAPTER VII.
LAND SURVEYS, TITLES AND VALUES.
FIRST DEED COVERING A LAND TRANSFER IN ILLINOIS
SURVEYS BY METES AND BOUNDS THE GOVERN-
MENT RECTANGULAR SYSTEM EARLY' AND PRES-
ENT lAND VALUES.
"When we've wood and prairie land
Won by our toil,
We'll reign like kings in fairy-land,
Lords of the soil."
Morris.
When the first deed to land in Illinois was
made no surveyor's nomenclature, or figures, en-
tered into the description. No surveyor had then
ever set up his tripod or stretched his chain
over a foot of Illinois soil. A deed founded on
a survey means a division of land to a mathe-
matical nicety. But what was an acre more or
less, or even a square mile, when the land con-
veyed was the whole of the Illinois Country at
a time when the value was approximatel.w four
cents a square mile. Those were opulent days
in land transfers — at least as to land area. The
time of the first Illinois deed was IGO."]. The
grantor was Francis De la Forest, the grantee.
Mickel Akau, the friend of Tonti. the Lieutenant
and partner of La Salle ; and the interest con-
veyed was the undivided one-quarter of Illinois,
while the consideration was 6,000 livres of
beaver, or $1,200 worth of beaver pelts. The
manuscript of this interesting document is in
the possession of the Chicago Historical Society,
to whose kindness the writer owes the oppor-
tunity of giving the following copy, the first, be
believes, to be published :
"The year one thousand six hundred ninety-
three, the nineteenth of April, I, Francois De
la Forest, captain on the retired list in the marine
service, seignior of part of all the country of
Louisiana, othervv^ise Illinois, granted to Mon-
sieur de Tonty and to me by the King to enjoy
in perpetuity, we, our heirs, successors and as-
signs, the same as it was recognized by the act
of the Sovereign Council of Quebec, in the month
of August, of the year, 1691, the said Council
assembled ; declare in the presence of the imder-
signed witnesses that I have ceded, sold and
transferred to Mr. Michel Acau, the half of my
part of the above described concession, to en-
joy the same like myself from the present time
to him, liis heirs, successors and assigns, with
the same rights, privileges, prerogatives and
benefits which have heretofore been accorded to
the late Monsieur de La Salle, as appear particu-
larly in the decree of the Council of the King ;
and in consideration of the sum of 6.000 livres
in current beaver, which the said Mr. Acau shall
pay me at Chicago, where I stay ; and uixni the
making of the payment down I caimot demand
from him any advantage, neither for the carriage
of the said beaver to Montreal, nor for the risk :
and as there is no notary here before whom to
pass an instrument of sale, I bind myseir at
the first occasion to send him one, as also a
copy compared before a notary of the above men-
tioned decree of which we have both signed the
said contract of sale, the one and the other,
the day and year as above; and in case that one
of us two would dispose of his part, the remain-
ing one shall be the first preferred, and this is
mutual between Monsieur de Tonty and me.
Made in duplicate the day and year aforesaid.
"DE LA FOREST.
"M. ACO.
"De IjA Descouvertes,
Witness.
NicHoi^s Laurens de la Chapelle,
Witness."
The above is endorsed : "Bill of Sale, between
Mr. Ako and me. conveying the land of the
Illinois."
650
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
In the Eastern States the system of land meas-
urements is that known as "Metes and Bounds."
The beginning or end of any distance is a natural
monument, as a tree "blazed," that is, given a
white mark by cutting away the bark, the better
to know it ; or an artificial monument, as a stone
planted at a point designated by the surveyor.
These measures, or metes and limits, or bounds,
when set out in surveying nomenclature, make
up the description of the particular tract of
land. Such descriptions are likely to be long,
involved and tedious. The writer recalls the
surveyor's description of his grandfather's farm
of 222 acres, the original letters patent being on
parchment, and bearing the signature of the sons
of William Penn, and, besides being archaic in
form and quaint in appearance, being as difficult
to follow as if it had been intended for a laby-
rinthine puzzle. It was found that in cities laid
out at right angles and according to the points
of the c-ompass, places were more easily located
and the way to them more readily followed than
when the plat was irregular. This may have sug-
gested the rectangular plan for the division of
the new lands of the West.
In 1TS5, the Continental Congress adopted for
the survey of the public lands of the Northwest
Territory, what became known as the "rectangu-
lar system," which was devised by Thomas
Hutchins, the first Government Surveyor, or
Geographer, as he was then called, who, in the
French and Indian War, served under Colonel
Bouquet as Assistant Engineer. During the
War of the Revolution his sympathies were with
the colonists and, while stationed at Fort Char-
tres, Illinois Territory, he resigned from the
English forces. In 1779, while in London, he
was accused of treasonable correspondence with
Franklin, and was imprisoned in the Tower, but
escaped and returned to America.
Congress modified the law of 1785 by the act
of 170G, which is still in force. Under it all
public lands are divided into townships six miles
.>;quare. Lines are drawn on true meridians and
true parallels of latitude. First, there is es-
tablished a principal meridian, and at right
angles thereto, a base line conforming to a
parallel of latitude. Twenty-four miles north
(or south) of the ba.'^e line a standard parallel
conforming to a true parallel of latitude is es-
tablished as a guide parallel ; also a guide me-
ridian twenty-four miles east (or west) of the
principal meridian, running due north and south.
and intersecting the standard parallel at right
angles. The rectangle thus formed is divided
into sixteen townships, wherein the tiers of town-
ships are numbered north and south of the base
line, and the rows of townships, east or west of
the principal meridian.
The First Principal Meridian coincides with
the boundary between Ohio and Indiana, the
Second passes through Indiana a little west of
the middle, and the Third, which controls the
surveys of the six easterly townships of Ogle
County, skirts the eastern edge of Stillman Val-
ley ; while the Fourth, which is the initial line
for the numbering of sections for the remainder
of the county, passes just this side of Galena.
The Base Line for the Third Principal Meridian
has its east end on the Wabash, a few miles
north of Mt. Carmel, and its west end on the
Mississippi, a little south of Belleville; that for
the Fourth Principal Meridian has its east end
on the boundary line between Illinois and In-
diana at a point five or six miles south of Dan-
ville, while its west portion passes through
Beardstown, and if extended would intersect the
Mississippi five or six miles north of Quincy.
Oregon Township is Number 23 North, Range
10 ; which should make it 138 miles north of the
Base Line and sixty miles east of the Fourth
Principal Meridian. Each township so surveyed,
known as a Government* or Congressional
Township, is divided into thirty-six sections,
each one mile square, containing 640 acres. The
sections are numbered from 1 to 36, beginning
at the northeast corner of the township and go-
ing to the left to 6, then dropping to the section
next underneath and counting to the right to 12,
and so on.
The rectangle from which the sixteen town-
ships are formed is 96 miles at its southern end,
but at its northern end is a little less, because,
since all meridians meet at the Pole, the prin-
cipal meridian and the guide meridian will con-
verge appreciably in the 25 miles ; on account of
which the township will fall short of the re-
quired 23,040 acres. This makes necessary a
correction line for the base line for the next
rectangle. It also counts for fractional sections,
which, when necessary to be made, are always
the eleven sections on the north and west of the
township, the other twenty-five sections being
made full.
The surveys of the townships of Ogle County
were made in 1833. Colonel William Hamilton,
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
651
son of Alexander Ilamilton, was in charge of a
township surveying party at work several miles
north of where Oregon now is, when John
Phelps was exploring the region in 1833 in
search of a suitable location for a home. The
sections were not surveyed until 1838 and later.
The land east of the Third I'rincipal Meridian
was offered for sale at Galena in 1839 ; that of
the rest of the county not until 1843, by which
time a land office was established at Dixon.
Until the sections were sold and a patent ob-
tained, the rights of the settler to the land he
had located on and made claim to were those
of a squatter. Such rights were nearly always
respected. To "jump a claim" was to become a
public enemy, especially after the formation of
claim societies. One such was organized at Ore-
gon with William J. Mix, president, and D. H.
Moss, secretary. For such disputes as arose, the
society offered settlement by arbitration.
The nomenclature of land transactions was
often expressively applied to other matters. If
a young man paid marked attention to a young
lady, he was said to have made a claim ; if it
was understood that they were engaged, he was
said to have made a pre-emption, and if another
cut him out, the successful party was said to
have "jumped his claim."
It was expected that a man would make claim
to no more land than he could use, or care for,
usually a quarter-section, sometimes 500 acres
and occasionally as many as 1,000 acres. Thomas
Ford, just before his appointment as Judge, made
claim to 1,000 acres three miles west of Flor-
ence, now Oregon, where he built a log cabin
and lived for a short time ; then sold his clain.^
to John Fridley for $1,000, who obtained a
patent for the tract by the payment of the gov-
ernment price of $1.25 per acre.
The government sj'stem of land survey has
several advantages over the old irregular method
of metes and bounds. By giving sciuare cornered
farms and fields, it lessens labor in the tillage
of the crops, at the same time that it adds sym-
metry to the divisions of the farm landscape ; by
having all highways conform to tlie points of the
compass and an e(iual distance ai)art. it facili-
tates travel ; and it conduces to brevity and ac-
curacy in the descrii)tions of title deeds. The
field notes of the first surve.vors, on file at Wash-
ington, form a complete history of the lines and
monuments of every township and section, even
if laps, deflcienoies and other variations were
sometimes merely recorded when it would seem
that they should have been actually corrected,
by means of which a surveyor going over the
ground to-day may locate any point and deter-
mine any distance. An error is sometimes made
in the description of a new deed, as by writing
"northeast quarter" for "northwest quarter," a
mistake easily made, so easily where the descip-
tion repeats the words several times that it may
be said to constitute a weakness of the svs-
tem. To correct such an error and perfect and
quiet title, it is necessary to institute chancery
proceedings and obtain a decree of court, usually
a imrely formal action, for the most part, but
entailing some expense.
In November, 1842, the Rock River Register in
an article setting forth the advantages of North-
ern Illinois, the statement is made that there
had been paid at the land office at Dixon, for
the seventeen months between June, 1841, and
November, 1S42, by the settlers hereabout, the
sum of $280,000. This was "laud office busi-
ness," for at $1.25 per acre 224,000 acres had
been purchased.
From the minimum government price, the land
gradually rose in value. From 1840 to 1850, prai-
rie land changed hands at from $1.25 to around
$5.00, without improvements, while timber land
sold for from $15 to $20 per acre. In 1852 the
owner (Charles Jack) of 5,000 acres of land in
Henry County, near Geneseo, offered the prairie
land at from $3 to $5 per acre, while for the
timber land he asked $50. The writer has been
told by men who were residents here at the time
that about 1855, perhaps, an offer of $75 per
acre was made and refused for the Sanderson
farm, two miles west of Oregon, on the Oregon
and .Mount Morris road, nearly all of which then
was jiarticularly well wooded. As lumber from
the pine forests of the North became plentiful
and cheap, the timber land here dropped in
price, while the jirairie sections advanced. Twen-
t.v years ago good farms, well impi'oved, sold for
from $G5 to $75 per acre. Ten years ago an
advance Ix-gan which has continued until the
]iresent time. Timber land now sells for from
$45 to $05. and i)rairie farms for from $100 1o
$175.
Tlu> property valuations for the basis of tax-
ation in the county for the year 1908 are sliown
bv tli(> Assessor's book>^ as follows :
652
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY,
Personal property $2,044,450
Farm lands 6,333,379
Town and city lots 1,189,738
Railroad property 1,226,524
Telephone property 15,855
Total $10,809,926
As tlie total returned by the Assessor is one-
fifth of a fair cash estimate, the value of all
the property of the county, real and personal, is
therefore $54,049,630.
CHAPTER VIII.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS.
FIEST COUNTY BUILDING A JAIL — FIRST COURT
HOUSE ERECTED IN 1839 DESTROYED BY AN IN-
CENDIARY FIRE — LATER COUNTY BUILDINGS WITH
COST COUNTY FARM ESTABLISHED IN 1878.
The first county building to be completed was
the jail of 1840, an order for the erection of
which was entered at a special term by the
County Commissioners Court in January, 1839.
The plans called for a building 18x18 feet, the
first story of stone, with walls three feet thick
without doors, and the second of wood. An out-
side stairway led to the second story ; the cells of
the lower story being reached by means of a
trapdoor and a ladder, the latter being then
pulled up. The cost of the building was
$1,822.5<J, paid to .Joseph Knox.
In January, 1839, a contract was also let for
the building of a courthouse to Wm. J. Mix,
Martin C. Hill and John C. Hulett, who, through
their representative, Jacob B. Crist, had the two-
story brick structure, 40x50 feet, sufficiently com-
pleted for use for the spring term of the Circuit
Court in March, 1841, when on the 21st, the
day before court convent'd, it was set on fire
during the night and burned to the ground.
This was the act of the bandits then infesting
the county who hoi)od to help their comrades,
six of whom wore prisoners in the jail, a fcAv
feet from the courthouse, the burning of which
they expected would iiiean also the destruction
of the jail and the liberation of their partners
in crime. In both matters they were disap-
pointed. The court records were at the private
house of the clerk, B. T. Phelps, and the flames
did not reach the jail.
For the destroyed courthouse $4,000 had been
expended. This and other money for public uses
was not raised by taxation alone, that source of
revenue being insufficient at that time, when the
county tax produced but $877.78, and a year
later, 1842, the total valuation of the personal
property of the county was only $167,348. The
proceeds from sales of lots from land secured to
the county, under act of Congress, of May 24,
1824, were added to the inadequate taxes made
under the direction of the County Commissioners
Court, whose first agent was Thomas Ford.
During the two years between March, 1841,
and March, 1843, and while the courts of the
county were first held in various private houses,
the idea of changing the county-seat arose and
was much agitated, Mount Morris, Byron, Grand
Detour and Daysville being candidates. The
matter was finally settled at a mass meeting held
at the Oregon schoolhouse, where speeches were
made and the question submitted to a vote, re-
sulting in favor of Oregon by a small majority,
Daysville giving up the contest before the vote
was taken, and voting with Mr. Phelps and his
friends for Oregon City.
The Commissioners Court authorized Philip R.
Bennett, W. W. Fuller, and D. H. L. Moss to
act as the court's agents in the matter, and the
county's second courthouse was built and finished
in the summer of 1848, being a one-story brick
structure costing $3,000.
In 1846 the second jail was built, the one of
1840, always poor, having been condemned. The
contract was secured at public auction by Thomas
A. Potwin, with Isaac S. Wooley as his bonds-
man, for $1,990. This continued to serve until
1874, when the present jail was built, including'
a residence for the Sheriff for $20,000. The
building committee of the Board of Supervisors
were Daniel Shottenkirk, Charles W. Sammis
and George W. Dwight.
The present courthouse was erected in 1892.
The old one was inadequate in every respect,
yet there was vigorous opposition and strong
effort was required to secure a new building.
One of the Supervisors who favored the im-
provement, happened to be ill when the measure
was voted for, tmt had himself brought from his
Q
?3
00
00
P
o
H
O
HlSTOin^ OF OGLE COUNTY.
653
home to Orejion and then carried on a chair to
the meeting to register his vote, without which
defeat seemed probable. This was Daniel Shot-
tenkirk of Lafayette Township, an expert ac-
countant, who, for several years prior to his
decease, assisted in clerical work at the court-
house. The building is of red pressed brick with
Xaperville and Ashton stone trinunings in rock
face design, erected at a cost of $100,000. The
building committee was composed of the fol-
lowing Supervisors: .J. D. White, W. G. Stevens,
F. B. Gale, W. Stocking, R. S. Marshall. The
architect was (i. O. Ganisey ; the builder, C. A.
Moses.
THE COUNTY FARM.
On February 20, 1878, the chairman of the
Board of Supervisors appointed the following
committee : M. J. Braden, C. W. Sammis, W. E.
Currj-, J. D. White, D. H. Talbot and J. W.
Hitt, to purchase a tract of land for an Ogle
County poor farm. The committee purchased of
Dr. H. A. Mix, 50 acres at $06.00 per acre, the
land being situated along the west bank of Rock
River a short distance south of the city of Ore-
gon. The Board, at the same meeting, had ap-
propriated $13,300 to pay for this land and for
the erection of a suitable building thereon. The
building proper cost $10,69.5, and was completed
for the admission of patients by October 1, 1878.
E. L. Edmonds was appointed superintendent, but
only continued until April 1, 1879, being suc-
ceeded by C. W. Sammis, who filled the posi-
tion until August 1, 1898, when C. H. Beteben-
ner, the present superintendent, was appointed.
On December 21, 1882, the county physician.
Dr. E. S. Potter, recommended the erection of
another building on the poor farm for insane
patients. The following year the Board of Su-
pervisors had an 18-room brick building erected
at a c-ost of about $9,500.
The farm land has been added to, until it
now comprises 207 acres of the most fertile land
in Ogle County. The last purchase, in 1906.
was that of 80 acres from Fred R. Mix for $10,-
000. George Runamel. W. D. Mackay, S. J.
Parker, J. E. Fisher and G. W. King were the
members of the Board comprising the county
farm committee making this purchase. The
present county farm committe<> is S. .7. Parker,
L. C. Sprecher, S. W. Powell, W. D. Mackay,
H. .7. Cleveland.
The buildings are heated with hot air fur-
naces with blast, and lighted by electricity.
Under the excellent management of the present
superintendent and his wife, who is the daugh-
ter of the former superintendent, thje Ogle
County Farm is one of the best institutions of
its kind in the State.
CHAPTER IX.
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK RAISING.
CROPS AND FARMING AT TIME OF SETTLEMENT
PRESENT FARMING — ■ FAR.MERS' INSTITUTE
COUNTY FAIR — SPRINGVALE FARM SINNISSIPPI
FARM.
"The hill that yesterday was gray
And barren in the sun.
Is good to look uix)n to-day —
Mark how the furrows run !"
— Denver Republican.
The farm work of the pioneers was done
largely by hand, and with crude implements.
The prairie sod was turned by a team of six to
eight yoke of oxen, with a plow that cut a lur-
row two or three feet wide. The plow beam,
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 upright.
The nice adjustment and fitting of the coulter
and broad share required a practiced hand. The
foregoing, long since out of use here and seldom
seen nowadays, was known as the breaking plow.
The ordinary plow had an iron share and land
slide and a cast-iron mold-board that might or
might not scour, depending upon the character
of the soil, unless it was so squarely set against
the furrow as to be a heavy draft to the team.
Later, when the present smooth, steel mold-board
began to be made it was an inii)rovement.
In Ogle County both right-handed and left-
handed plows were used and are still in use.
This difference is owing to the fact that some
of the settlers were from Northern I'ennsyl-
vania. New York and New England ; while others
were from Southern Pennsylvania. Maryland
654
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
and Virginia, the former turning the furrow-
to the right, the latter an equally good one to
the left.
Wheat was cut with the cradle, the more mod-
ern cradle, not long before the advent of the reap-
ing machine, having taken the place of the sickle,
over which it was as much of an advance as
was the McCormick reaper over the cradle. Each
cradle was followed by a man who raked the
wheat into bundles, and he by another who
bound the bundles into sheaves by means of
bands made of the stalks. Often a force of five
or more cradlers, each to the left and a little
back of the other, beginning with the leader,
might be seen at work in the same field, swing-
ing in unison as they slowly and rythmically
moved forward, each making a cut of five or
more feet, and leaving the wheat in an even
swath to the rear. This meant fifteen or more
persons at work together, though sometimes the
one who bound also raked.
If not flailed out by hand, or tramped out
by horses, passing in a circle over and over it,
the wheat was threshed by a rude machine con-
sisting merely of a spiked and encased cylinder,
which threw grain, chaff and straw all out to-
gether. Later, a "shaker" was added, whicli
separated the straw from the chaff and wheat.
and a fanning mill completed the work.
When first planted to wheat, the lands of the
county produced good yields of from thirty to
forty bushels per acre. Both winter and spring
wheat were then raised. After a few crops were
taken, the yield diminished perceptibly, and for
a number of years no wheat has been raised for
the market, except on newly-cleared timber land,
where a good crop may be expected. The re-
maining grains — rye, barley, oats and corn —
maintain their yields as at first, on well cared-
for land. Corn is producing more bushels per
acre, and of a finer quality, than ever before.
It is not uncommon now to hear of yields of
from 50 to 05 busliels per acre, and in some in-
stances as high as 75. The same may be said
of the yield of oats, especially since yellow oats
have been raised. This is owing, as regards
corn, chiefly to corn breeding and corn judging
with the view of improving the seed, inaugurated
and carried forward by the agricultural experi-
ment .'Station of the University of Illinois. In
order to derive all possible benefit from this.
the County Farmers' Institute has for several
years sent out to a number of boys throughout
the county a thousand kernels of selected and
approved seed corn to be planted, cultivated and
handled by them according to accompanying
directions, and has given a cash premium for
the best written report of their success. The
Institute has also conducted a class in corn
judging from the exhibit made at the Institute,
and to the two boys under 20 years of age who
stood first and second therein it has given, for
the past several years as premium, car fare and
expenses amounting to $25 for each, for a two
week's stay at the University of Illinois during
the time of special instruction in corn growing.
One of the legumes is attracting the attention
of many of the farmers at the present time ;
namely, alsyke clover. This hybrid is liked
for pasture, for hay, as a fertilizer, but most
of all for a crop of seed. Two years ago, Mr.
Harvey Griswold of Rockvale Township, cut
for seed a fine stand on 39 acres, which upon
being hulled, produced the astonishing yield of
303 bushels. Most of this was sold at $8 per
bushel. This year the yield w^as one bushel, or
less, per acre.
A few experiments have been made with al-
falfa. The results have varied so much that no
conclusion may as yet be drawn from the meager
data. Weeds growing faster than the alfalfa at
the start has made a good stand diSicult to ob-
tain ; while killing out from excess of moisture
and a tendency to revert to blue grass after a
season or two. have diminished a good stand
when secured; but it has permitted three cut-
tings during the season, with a yield each time
of one to one and a half tons per acre, and its
feeding qualities are satisfactory.
The Ogle County Farmers' Institute is an
acknowledged factor in advancing agriculture.
Its last meeting was held at Moimt Morris on
December 12-14, 1908. The topics discussed
were. Bridges and Highways, with special ref-
erence to improving Earth Roads by the use of
the Split Log Drag; Insects Injurious to corn;
Potatoes and their Culture ; Cement Construc-
tion on the Farm ; Insects Injurious to Clover ;
Forestry ; Domestic Science. Among the
speakers were five from the University of I-lli-
nois. There were exhibits of corn, oats, pota-
toes, bread, cake, etc., for which cash and other
premiums were given, aside from the special
T)romium referred to at the beginning of this
chnpter. There were morning, afternoon and
evening sessions, six in all, at which there w^as
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
655
au average attendance of 300. The Institute re-
ceived from the State $75 towards meeting its
exixnises, the County Board appropriated $100
and Col. Frank O. Lowden contributed $100 for
premiums in corn judging and domestic science,
to two boys and two girls, to be used for ex-
penses in attending the University of Illinois
at the time of the special instruction there in
January of each year. The total expenditure
was $317. The executive conmiittee were Col.
Frank O. Lowden, Frank D. Linn, James P.
Wilson, President Charles Walkup, Vice-Presi-
dent R. W. King and Secretary and Treasurer
Horace G. Kauffman.
In ISGo, :Mr. Amos F. Moore of Buffalo Town-
ship, purchased three Morgan horses of pure
blood and engaged in breeding that strain for
thirty-five years. The colts were handled at Mr.
Moore's large farm and sold when well broken.
Ml'. Moore, at 78, now lives retired in Polo, but
still shows his fondness for Morgan horses by
having his driving horse of that blood.
IMr. Henry Jackson Farwell, of Mount Morris,
went to Scotland in 1883 and purchased for the
X-I-T Ranch of Texas, a ranch of 1,000,000 acres
in which his brothers, John V. Farwell and
Charles B. Farwell, were investors, a large ship-
ment of Black Polled, or Aberdeen-Angus, cattle.
Some of these were brought to Mr. Farwell's
farm south of Mount Morris and were thus in-
troduced into the county.
Mr. James Carmichael, of Maple-Hurst Stock
Farm, near Rochelle, has been a breeder of
Shorthorn cattle since 1890. His herd at present
numbers G5 head. He disposes of his surplus
stock at private sale, his shipments extending
from Plainfield, Vermont, to Portland, Oregon,
and from Wisconsin to Texas. The largest an-
nual salfes amounted to over $3,900. Mr. Car-
michael has twice exhibited at the International
Fat Stock Show, at Chicago, and won prizes
both times.
Mr. Lyman J. Birdsall, of Rochelle, is also a
breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Abraham and
Isaiah Coffman, of Maryland Township, raised
them for a period of years. Mr. Stanley R.
Pierce of near Creston has the Aberdeen-Angus
cattle.
OGLE COUNTY FAIR.
The first county fair in Ogle County was held
in 1853, on the second Tuesday of October, in
Oregon, on the Court House Square. Premiums
were awarded to the amount of $50 and di-
plomas also given. In 1854 and 1855 the fair
was also at Oregon, but on the river bank below
the ferry, which was just south of where the
bridge now is; while in 185G the place was
Byron. It was there that a conuuittee of the
Ogle County Agricultural Society, which had
been organized in 1853, was appointed to pur-
chase 6 to 10 acres of land within one mile of
Oregon for permanent fair grounds. A year
later 10 acres of the present fair grounds were
secured. Additions have been made from time
to time, imtil with the last purchase in 1901
of six acres from Mrs. E. S. Potter, the grounds
now comprise 28 acres. Most of the gnoands
are covered with fine forest trees. A half-mile
irack, much improved during the present year,
is flanked by sheds for 70 head of horses. Now,
and for the past ten to twelve years, the three
days are largely given over to races and accom-
panying amusements, though formerly there had
been various exhibits, for which premiums were
awarded.
The Society was so much in debt after 1858,
that in 1872 there was a re-organization under
the general incorporation laws of the State.
Capital stock to the amount of $10,000 was is-
sued, divided into 2,000 shares at $5 each. Shares
were sold throughout the county, and for some
years the Society has had suflScient money.
The first officers were D. C. May, President;
J. L. Moore, Vicp-President : Daniel Etnyre,
Treasurer ; M. L. Ettinger, Secretary. The
present officers are Frank Gale, President ; E.
A. Ray, Vice-President ; W. J. Emerson, Treas-
urer; W. P. Fearer, Secretary.
The gi'ounds afford a fine place for athletic
games, the meetings of Old Settlers' Associa-
tion and for picnics. From July 3 to 12, 1908,
the Society furnished the grounds for the first
Ogle County Chautauqua Assembly.
Horses owned in Ogle Countj' that have
shown speed upon the fair grounds track are:
Margaret M, owned by J. C. Seyster, time, 2:19,
trot ; Jerry G. George Eychauer, 2 :13 pace ; Miss
Jarvis, Dr. G. M. McKeuney, 2:10, pace; Sea
King, Dr. McKenney, 2 :24, trot ; Retyzdan, Fred
Watts, 2:24, trot; Missouri Boy, H. L. Griflin,
2:15, pace; Calcoden, L. E. Prather, 2:13, trot.
The greatest speed made was during the fair of
August. 1908, in an exhibition mile trot, by
Exalted, owned by Judge James H. Cartwright.
The time was 2:09%. Citation, also owned by
656
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Judge Cartwriglit, whose racing time of 2:01%,
last fall at Columbus, Ohio, makes her the cham-
pion pacing mare of the world, was trained on
this track, where as a colt her time was 2 :19.
Springvale Farm. — Springvale Farm, adjoin-
ing Oregon on the north with a frontage of more
than a half mile on Rock River, takes its name
from a number of springs rising in a vale at
the foot of the hills and running to the river.
This attractive spot was one of the first pre-
empted, and was the scene of a claim fight,
when the settlers turned out and ejected an in-
truder and his friends by force. The farm as
now constituted contains 365 acres and is de-
voted to producing the highest class of light
harness horses. Here Kensett, a successful sire
and one of the few sons of Rysdyk's Hamble-
tonian in the West, was ownied and he was suc-
ceeded by Sidney, record 2:19%— sire of 110
horses with records ranging from 2 :05% to 2 :30
and he is grandsire of the world's champion
trotter, Lou Dillon; record 1 :5Si^. Citation,
record 2:01%, the unbeaten champion pacing
mare of 1907 and 1908, was bred and is still
owned at the farm. Exalted, the present head
of the stud, has a trotting record of 2:07^,
which is faster than that of any other trotting
horse in the State of Illinois.
Spring\'ale Farm is owned by Judge James
H. Cartwright of Oregon, who daily drives to
the farm to inspect and superintend raising the
light harness hor.ses.
The farm has a picturesque location and for
several years has been Judge Cartwright's sum-
mer residence. A commodious bungalow has been
built on the spot known in pioneer days as Knox
Spring.
Si.N.Nissii'Pi Far.\i.— Three miles south of Ore-
gon, in Nashua Township, on the left bank of
Rock River, is Sinnissippi Farm, the home and
extensive landed possessions of Col. Frank O.
Lowden and family. The nucleus of the farm,
knmvn as the "Hemenway Place," was purchased
by Col. Lowden in 1809, and additions have been
made, until now the united holdings, consisting
of field, meadow and woodland, comprise about
5,000 acres. Of this 1,000 acres make the home
farm and iiro Kivr-n to the breeding of pure-
bred live stock, while the remaining portion is
devoted to general fnrniing.
The live stock includes Percheron horses,
Shorthorn cattle, and Shropshire sheep. The
herd of Shorthorns is exceptionally fine, being
characterized by as pure strains as any in the
world, several of the number formerly belong-
ing to the famous herd owned by the late Queen
Victoria. For Ceremonious Archer, the head
of the herd, the price paid was $5,000. The an-
nual auction sales, first at the farm and of late
at the Stock Yards in Chicago, have brought
large returns.
Col. Lowden believes "agriculture is just be-
ginning to undergo the evolution which has com-
pletely changed every other great industry."
In a speech in Congress, April 1, 1908, speaking
to the proposition of an appropriation in the
Agricultural Appropriation Bill for studying the
condition of Farmers' Institutes in the different
States and in Europe in order to increase their
efficiency in the United States, he said:
"In every township in the section of country
where I live you can tell, almost to a certainty,
by the superior crops, by the superior methods,
by the general air of prosperity, those farmers
who read and understand and practice the les-
sons which the agricultural colleges, the experi-
ment stations, and the Department of Agricul-
ture teach.
"Our resources in agriculture surpass the
world. The problem is to conserve these re-
sources. Our very danger lay in what seemed,
even a score of years ago, the inexhaustible rich-
ness of our fields. But under the leadership of
our agricultm-al colleges, our experiment stations
our farmers' institutes, and our gi-eat Depart-
ment of Agriculture, we have finally learned that
there can be no permanent agriculture without
a scientific agriculture.
"We now know that you cannot everlastingly
subtract from the soil, returning nothing to it,
even upon our richest lands, without ultimate
impoverishment. I undertake to say that if the
methods which obtained a generation ago in the
Mississippi Valley, — richer agriculturally than
any like area anywhere in the world — had con-
tinued for a hundred years, that Valley would
have become as unproductive as those sections
of the East where farms are only the toy of the
well-to-do.
"One result of the new agriculture is of politi-
cal and far-reaching importance. Much as we
admire our great cities, we must all confess that
the security of the Republic in the future abides
{x^^, /^ ^i-^^-^^^^^^-d^^
PUBLIC
[TILDE-J
-^^z^ri^Jsr-rWi
IIISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
657
largely iii our rural populations, lu evory crisis,
whether of war or peace, we turn coutideutly
for safety to the sober, deliberate judgmeut of
those who dwell apart from the great metropo-
lises.
"Many thoughtful people have noted with re-
gret the trend from the country towards the
larger centers of population. The new agri-
culture is doing more to attach the farmers'
sons to the soil than all other causes combined.
With every advance of science in its relation to
agriculture the drudgery of the farm diminishes.
There has already begun to be substituted for it
a noble profession in which the soils, the crops,
and the improved breeds of domestic animals
become the servants of the farmers' brain."
These words of Col. Lovvdeu give an idea of
what he is doing at Sinnissippi Farm.
James Moore entered land from the Govern-
ment which is now the site of the Lowdeu home.
Luke Hemeuway, who made his start in life in a
drug-store in Brooklyn, N. Y., and who eventu-
ally became wealthy as a ship-owner in Jersey
City, N. J., came west in the early 'forties, and
in 1843 entered a large body of land. John Carr
was the first white man to settle on the section
Mr. Hemenway selected as his home place, and
the creek was named after him. He held the
land only under the squatter right, and having
no money, could not enter it. Mr. Hemenway
therefore secured his claim, entered the land,
at the same time entering 40 acres at one side,
which he gave to the dispossessed settler.
Mr. Hemenway owned a fine home on the
Hudson, in New York, where his family resided
during his lifetime, he only using his Rock River
place as a summer retreat where he could enjoy
hunting and fishing.
On August 23, 18S0, the farm was sold to Gen-
eral Franklin D. Callendar, a retired army offi-
cer, who lived on an adjoining estate but never
occupied the home. On May 10, 1885, the laud,
consisting of 576.41 acres, was sold by the Cal-
lendar estate to Emma O. Asay, the wife of
Edward G. Asay, of Chicago. Mr. Asay was a
prominent lawyer and was possessed of esthetic
tastes. He occupied the premises and filled the
house with a fine library and beautiful bric-a
brae, much of which was collected on his trips
abroad. On April IS, 1895, the farm was sold
to Lorenzo D. Kneeland, of Chicago, for a con-
sideration of $35,000. He lived upon the prop-
erty for a few years and, on May 20. 1899, sold
the place to Col. Lowden.
The house built by Mr. Hemenway was at first
remodeled by the present owner ; but, proving too
small for its occupants, in 1905 it was torn
down and a spacious and handsome dwelling,
designed by Messrs. Pond & Pond, of Chicago.
was built upon the site of the original house,
thus keeping the beautiful outlook upon the fine
sweep of landscape, of combined river, bluffs
and trees. By one owner the place had been
given the name of "The Oaks," on account of the
mass of these trees surrounding the liend and
forming the background. The old hou.^e had a
curious feature as a protection from possible
molestations by the Indians, who at the time of
its construction occasionally passed up and down
the river, — the windows having been constructed
with inside sliding shutters, which slipped back
on each side of the window into recesses in th»
wall, when not needed. The living-room of the
new home occupies very nearly the same place
In the plan of construction and location as did
the parlor of the former dwelling. In the demo-
lition of the old building the walnut woodwork
of the old parlor was carefully preserved : and
this age-darkened wood, in its simple, rich beauty,
is now the finish of this modern living-room.
The house is irregular in plan, being built of
cement, brick trimmed, with limestone, timbered
plaster and shingles to suit the varying parts
of the design. A unique and charming part of
the place is a walled garden, almost enclosed
by the wings of the house. In this garden a
dense foliage of vines, plants and shrubs, cluster-
ing about walks and seats, and the delightful
cooling drip of falling water from a fountain in
one of the enclosed walls, make n lovely and
restful spot.
In the library of tliis house is contained a
large and excellent collection of books, — works
on subjects o\' general liter.iture and history.
They include a very complete number and vari-
ety of volumes pertaining to the history of Illi-
nois, which have been consulted, by the courtesy
of the [possessor, in the writing of the narrative
portion of this History of Ogle County.
658
HISTORY OF OGLE COUIs^TY.
CHAPTER X.
POLITICS AND PUBLIC OFFICERS.
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS REPRESENTATION IN"
CONGRESS ; FOR GOVERNOR ; IN THE CONSTITU-
TIONAL CON\'ENTIONS ; IN THE GENERAL AS-
SEMBLY ; IN THE COURTS AND THE COUNTY OF-
FICES THE LINCOLN SPEECH OF 1S56 LOCAL OP-
TION" VOTE OF 1908.
The first presidential election after the or-
ganization of Ogle County, "was that of 1840.
Fifteen months before, a Whig convention, the
first of that party, met at Harrisburg, Pa., and
nominated Gen. William Henry Harrison for
President, and John Tyler for Vice-President,
but made no declaration of principles, relying
upon opposition to the policies which had pro-
duced the panic of 1837, and other alleged mis-
takes of General Jackson. Party lines were
more closely drawn than ever before. A Demo-
cratic editor happened to say, "If some one
would present Harrison with a barrel of cider,
he would sit down on a log, content the rest of
his days," and at once the log cabin and hard
cider became the campaign emblems. Gen Har-
rison had been given the sobriquet of "Tippe-
canoe," because of having routed the Indian
Chief, Tecumseh, in the battle of Tippecanoe, and
on every side were heard shouts of "Tippecanoe
and Tyler, too," with such jingles as,
"Hurrah for Tip.— Hurrah for Ty.
For them we go it — hip and thigh."
In Ogle County there were Harrison and Tyler
mass meetings, with speeches, songs and music.
The new community favored the new party. Ow-
ing to the "internal improvement" scheme, the
State debt had reached the surprising total of
.?14,000,or»0; the panic had caused bank suspen-
sion; Illinois bonds had depreciated to fourteen
cents on the dollar ; taxes were high and would
be higher; emigrants were avoiding the State —
all of which was ascribed to Democratic rule.
The vote in the county showed 451 ballots for
Harrison, and 200 for Van Buron.
Id 1842, the Democratic nominee for Governor
was Adam W. Snyder of St. Clair County. His
death occurred soon after the nomination and.
to fill the vacancy so made, his party selected
Judge Thomas Ford of Ogle County, whose place
of residence was Oregon and had been since
1836. When nominated. Judge Ford was an As-
sociate Judge of the Supreme Court, and as such
had been assigned to circuit duty in the Ninth
Judicial District, which included Ogle County,
the office of Circuit Judge having been abolished
by the Legislature in that tiody's experimental
policy with the judiciary in 1841, prior to which
the Legislature had twice elected Judge Ford to
the position of Circuit Judge, and also Judge of
Chicago. Ante-dating his service as Judge, he
had been Prosecuting Attorney of Northern Illi-
nois under appointment by Governor Edwards
in 1829, and under re-appointment by Governor
Reynolds.
His judicial duties took him as far north as
Galena, and as far east as Geneva. He was well
known, his former residence farther south in the
State contributing to that, and he had not been
connected with the obnoxious legislation in the
interests of the Mormons, for which the Demo-
cratic party was then being censured. He waa
holding court at Oregon when he received notice
of his nomination. He immediately resigned
this judgeship, entered upon the canvass, was
elected in August and inaugurated in December.
A curious thing happened in Judge Ford's home
county. The only Democratic paper in Ogle
County was the Rock River Register, which
upon Judge Ford's nomination turned' against
him and supported the Whigs. The northern
boundary matter was then being agitated by the
people of the fourteen northern counties, a ma-
jority of whom favored being set back to Wis-
consin. In Ogle County that sentiment had
found strong expression at a meeting held at
Oregon in January, 1842. Judge Ford was op-
posed to returning the disputed territory to Wis-
consin. He was therefore declared by the Rock
River Register to be a "northern man with
southern principles." Of course, the central and
southern portions of the State desired the coun-
ties retained on the score of lightening the taxes
needed to be levied to pay the hea-vy debt. Judge
Ford received 46,452 votes against 39,429 for
Duncan, the "^Tiig candidate. On general prin-
ciples. Ford was a man of upright character and
a trustworthy official — in nothing more so than
In favoring a just payment of the State's obH-
gatinns and setting himself against the policy of
repudiation, which was favored in certain quar-
ters. In his History he says: "It is my solemn
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
659
belief that, when I came into ofTice, I had the
power to malie Illinois a repudiating State.
It is true I was not the leader of any party ; but
my position as Governor would have given me
leadership enough to have carried the Demo-
cratic party, except in a few counties in the
north, in favor of repudiation. If I had merely
stood still and done nothing, the result would
have been the same. In that case a majority of
both parties would have led to either active or
passive repudiation. The politicians on either
side, without a bold lead to the contrary by
some one high in office, would never have dared
to risk their popularity by being the first to ad-
vocate an increase of taxes to be paid by a tax-
hating people."
The new county continued to hold to its po-
litical faith as first expressed in 1840. In 1844
it gave the Whig candidate, Henry Clay, 503
votes ; the Democratic standard-bearer, James K.
Polk, 361 votes, and cast 77 votes for James Cf.
Birney, nominated by the new Free Soil party.
In 1848 the coimty again showed its preference
for the Whig candidate by giving Zachary Taylor
682 votes, to 480 votes for Lewis Cass, Democrat,
and 413 votes for Martin Van Ruren, Free Soil.
The Whig party made another attempt in 1852,
when they nominated General Winfield Scott,
against Franklin Pierce, Democrat, and John P.
Hale, Free Soil. In Ogle County the vote stood
898, 725 and 294 respectively.
Various causes were in operation, particularly
the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill in 1854,
which repealed the Missouri Compromise, im-
pelling the organization of a new political party,
which should be opposed to the further exten-
sion of slavery into free territory and to the
admission into the Union of any more slave
States. In Illinois, following many mass meet-
ings in all parts of the State, but particularly
in the northern counties, a convention was called
to meet at Springfield during the week of the
State Fair. The delegates met under difficulties,
but organized and appointed a State Central
Committee. At the same time a series of de-
bates was going on in the State Capitol, in which
Senator Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, Lyman
Trumbull and others took part. Local candi-
dates had been previously nominated. In the
First Congressional District, which included
Ogle County, E. B. Washburne had received the
nomination for Congress, This was the begin-
ning in Illinois of the Republican party. Its
adherents included many Democrats, most
Whigs and all Free-Soilers. In 1S5G, the party
put forward as its candidate for the Presidency
Gen. John C. Fremont.
This campaign in Ogle County was made mem-
orable because of a mass meeting at Oregon,
where the afternoon's addresses included a
speech from Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln
came to Oregon from Dixon by way of Polo,
going to Polo over the then recently completed
Illinois Central Railway, and driving the rest
of the way, accompanied by Senator Zenas Ap-
plingtou, John D. Campbell, Esq., and J. W. Car-
penter, Esq., on the morning of August IG. The
speaking took place in the grove in North Ore-
gon, at or near the boulder now marking the
spot and commemorating the occurrence. A fel-
low speaker with Mr. Lincoln was John Went-
worth, of Chicago, a former Democrjit and Con-
gressman of the Second District, familiarly
known as "Long John." Mr. Lincoln had been
in the Illinois Legislature and one term in Con-
gress (1847-49), after which he had resumed
the practice of the law, and had not taken much
part in public affairs until called forward at
the organization of the Republican party by his
hatred of slavery. Judge Campbell recalls that
the posters gave Wentworth's name first, in let-
ters twice the size of those used for Lincoln's
name. The occasion was the opening of the cam-
paign in Ogle County. Wentworth spoke first, for
an hour or more. As Lincoln began his speech,
a branch of the oak tree under which had been
erected the platform on which the speaker stood,
touched his head and disturbed him. Taking
from his pocket a huge jack-knife he cut away a
portion of the limb, remarking as he did so.
"I don't see hOAV John got along with this."
"John" was himself over six feet in height.
Both speakers urged the election of the Republi-
can ticket. There were also present on the plat-
form ?*Iartin P. Sweet, of Freeport. and John
F. Farusworth, of St. Charles, the latter then
candidate for Congress in the Second District.
Following Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Sweet briefly ad-
dressed the audience. It is said that more than
half of the population of the county was present.
The four men were entertained at Moore's
Hotel, now the Rock River House, where after
dinner they shook hands with such of the citi-
zens as desired to meet them. After the speak-
ing the visitors were taken to the law office of
Henry A. Mix. Esq.. a two-story building that
660
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
stood on Third Street near the northwest cor-
ner of Third and Washington Streets, where a
crowd surrounded them and many others met
them. Later Mr. Mix invited them to his home
at the west end of Washington Street. Mr.
Lincoln was asked by Mr. Mix what he thought
were the chances of Fremont's election, and re-
plied, "Mr. Mix, as an attorney, what is your
opinion of the value of a tax-title in Illinois?"
As Fremont failed of election, Mr. Lincoln's
suggestion of the uncertainty that lay in his
own mind, was evidence of his political sagacity.
In the evening, Mr. Lincoln left Oregon, return-
ing to Polo.
John Sharp, then editor of the Ogle Coiontp
Reporter, now of Pasadena, Cal., with the late
Judge George P. Jacobs and the late Capt. Hor-
ace J. Smith, constituted the committee of ar-
rangements for the meeting. Mr. Sharp, in a
recent communication to the writer, in answer
to inquiries says : "I well remember the first
glimpse of the Great Emancipator. His tall
form, enveloped in an ample linen duster, cov-
ered with dust, as he arose in descending from
the carriage, presented a very striking appear-
ance. Perhaps the most notable feature of his
speech was the evident sincerity and candor
with which he approached the discussion. There
was no 'speaking to the galleries' to mystify his
hearers, but a straight forward argument in
which he presented the question in all its bear-
ings, although at times he enlivened the sub-
ject with some quaint remark which helped to
elucidate the point he sought to make clear.
One mannerism he had was to catch the eye of
some one in the audience and address his re-
marks to that particular person for a time. Not-
withstanding the late hour when he began, he
held his audience until after four o'clock when
many had to travel twenty miles or more to
reach their homes. His speeches in the Fremont
campaign did more to fuse and mold the diverg-
ent opinions of the West than any other agency,
particularly in Illinois. From that time he was
the dominant figure in the politics of that State."
Mr. E. L. Wells, then residing at Monroe, for
many years after a resident of Oregon, now of
Aurora, was one of those who had driven half
way across the county to attend the meeting.
Not long since he gave to the Anrara Beacon
his recollections of the day, from which the fol-
lowing is taken :
"In going to the platform, Mr. Lincoln passed
within a foot of me. I was standing by a tree
about a rod from the platform. My companion
said, 'Is this Mr. Lincoln?' 'Yes,' he replied
very pleasantly, 'I suppose you thought you
would see a good looking man, didn't you?' "
The following letter under date of Forreston,
111., relating to the big mass meeting, is from the
files of the Chicago Democrat (John Wentworth's
paper), issue of August 30, 1856:
"Dear Sir : The cause is progressing first rate
about these 'diggins' since our grand rally in
Oregon. The Buchanan men can't stand the fire.
We have but one pro-slavery man in our village,
and he is on the quiver."
Nevertheless, while Fremont had 899 votes in
the county, Buchanan received 755 ; and Fill-
more, the candidate of the American party, as
what was left of the Whig party was called, was
given 294. Their political faith was shown by
their motto, "No alien should be on guard." In
the country at large Fremont was defeated, as
Mr. Lincoln had indicated.
Mrs. Rebecca Hinkle, now a resident of Ore-
gon, but who was a neighbor of Mr. Lincoln's
in the city of Springfield, living on the opposite
side of the street in the years of 1848 and 1849,
recalls seeing him daily passing back and forth
from his office to his house — the plain frame
dwelling which later became so well known as
his Springfield home.
Four years later, Mr. Lincoln himself was the
presidential candidate of the Republicans, slave-
ry being the agitating question, and the cele-
brated Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 being the
chief factor in bringing about his nomination.
A split in the Democratic party resulted in two
nominees, Stephen A. Douglas by the northern
faction, and John C. Breckenridge by the south-
ern. The remnant of the distintegrated Ameri-
can party, calling itself the Union party, nomi-
nated John Bell. The total vote in Ogle County .
of 1848, four years before, now rose to 4,555 —
nearly two and one-half times as great, and
showing an astonishing increase in population,
as well as the intense interest in the campaign.
Of the total county vote, Lincoln received 3,184,
Douglas, 1,315. Breckenridge, 16, and Bell, 40.
In 1864, after conducting a great war for three
years with varying fortunes, but with the prom-
ise of ultimate success, Lincoln was renominated,
his party taking his view that it was "not wise
to swap horses while crossing a stream." Gen-
eral George B. McClellan was the candidate of
TTTSTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
661
the Democrats on a peace platform. The vote
stood (the absent soldiers voting in the field) :
Lincoln, 3,239; MoClellan, 1,142.
Ulysses S. Grant received 3,666 votes and Ho-
ratio Seymour, 1,507 in 1868. In 1872, opposi-
tion to some of the public acts of some of Grant's
appointees and councillors caused the rise of the
Liberal Republican party, which nominated Hor-
ace Greeley, while the Republicans renominated
Grant. The Democrats endorsed Horace Greeley,
and the platform of the Liberal Republicans,
except that a few who refused to follow that
lead supported Charles O'Connor. The county
gave Grant 3,094 votes, Greeley 1,248, and
O'Connor 27. It is evident that nearly one
thousand voters refrained from expressing
their will. In 1876 a new party was in the
field for recognition in the matter of the
presidency, with Peter Cooper, the New York
merchant and philanthropist, as their candidate
and demanding an extended issue of treasury
notes — "greenbacks" — hence the name Green-
back party. The Republicans put forward Ruth-
erford B. Hayes, after a strong effort to nomi-
nate James G. Blaine, while the Democrats put
forward Samuel J. Tilden, Governor of Nesv
York. The county divided its suffrage as fol-
lows: Hayes, 3,883; Tilden, 1,921; Cooper, 104.
A dispute over the accuracy of returns from one
of the States led to the appointment by Congress
of an Electoral Commission consisting of five
Senators, five Representatives, and five Judges
of the Supreme Court, this body by a vote of
8 to 7 awarding the disputed State to Hayes,
thus securing his election to the Presidency.
The vote of Ogle County for President at sub-
sequent periods has been as follows :
1880— Garfield (Rep.), 4,053; Hancock
(Dem.) 2,085; Weaver (Greenback), 249; Neal
Dow (Prohibitionist), 11.
1884— Blaine (Rep.), 3,909; Cleveland (Dem.),
2,285; Butler (Gr'b'k), 61; St. John (Prohi.),
138.
1888— Harrison (Rep.), 4,135; Cleveland.
(Dem.), 2,255; Fish (Prohi.), 330.
1892— Harrison (Rep.), 3,939; Cleveland
(Dem.), 2,244; Bidwell (Prohi.). 283.
1896— McKinloy (Rep.), -5.210; Bryan (Dem.).
2,134; Levering (Prohi.), 95; Palmer (Gold-
Dem.), 77.
1900— McKinley (Rep.), 5,255; Bryan (Dem.),
2.171; Woolley (Prohi.). 179.
1904— Roosevelt (Rep.), 5.109; Parker
(Dem.), 1,209; Swallow (Prohi.), 418.
liMKS— Taft (Rep.), 4,848; Bryan (Dem.),
1,761; Chafin (Prohi.), 388.
'i'he vote for Governor the latter year was : De-
neen (Rep.), 3,998; Stevenson (Dem.), 2,434.
The difference between the vote for the candi-
dates for President and Governor on the re-
spective tickets was due to the opposition on the
part of some of the Republicans to Mr. Deneen
as the party candidate, on account of certain
alleged mistakes in policy during his first term.
In 1892 and again in 1896, Hon. T. B. Reed.
Member of Congress from Maine and Speaker
of the House, visited this Congressional District
and delivered speeches at Rockford, Freeport,
INIount Morris and Oregon.
Speaker Reed in 1896, in addressing the citi-
zens of Oregon and visiting delegations from
over the county, made his speech in a wigwam
built on the lot at the southwest corner of
Fourth and Monroe Streets for the purposes of
the campaign.
Ogle County first voted for Congressman
in 1839. In 1842 it became a part of the Sixth
District, and was represented in the Twenty-
eighth and T^venty-ninth Congresses by Joseph
P. Hoge, of Galena ; while in the Thirtieth Con-
gress, Col. Thomas J. Turner, of Freeiwrt. was
the Representative, and Col. Edward D. Baker,
of Galena, in the Thirty-first Congress. Col.
Baker was a member of the Whig party, ex-
cepting whom all of the preceding were Demo-
crats. Col. Baker was succeeded by Thomas
Campbell, Democrat, of Galena, who in turn
was defeated by a Whig, Elihu B. Washburne.
of Galena, who remained the Representative
of the now again First District during the
Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-
sixth, and Thirty-seventh Congresses, 1853 to
1863. A re-apportioniueiit placed Ogle County in
the Third District. Congressman Washburne
was elected from the latter, and was Representa-
tive during, the ,Thirty-eight, Thirty-ninth, Forti-
eth, and until March ninth, 1869, of the Forty-
first Congress, when he resigned to become
Minister to France, and was succeeded De-
cember sixth, 1869, by Horatio C. Burchard.
Republican, of Freeiwrt. who represented the
Third District during the Forty-first and Forty-
second Congresses, 1869 to 1873. By a second
re-apportionment Ogle County became a pari
of the Fifth District, where it continued to be
662
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
represented by Mr. Burchard during the Forty-
third, Forty-fourth, and Forty-fifth Congresses,
from 1873 to 1879. In 1878 Major Robert M.
A. Hawk, Republican, of Mount Carroll, was
elected from the Fifth District, and was a mem-
ber of the Forty-sixth and part of the Forty-
seventh Congresses. Major Hawk died June 29.
1882, two days before the date set for the meet-
ing of the convention to nominate for the next
Congress, at which Major Hawk's re-nomination
was expected. The convention met to receive
the announcement of his death, and adjourned
for SO days. Upon re-convening, Robert R. Hitt,
of Mount Morris, was nominated, and was nomi-
nated also for the unexpired portion of Major
Hawk's term. He was elected and re-elected so
as to sit in Congress for the remainder of the
Forty-seventh Congress, and during the Forty-
eighth. Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-
second, Fifty-third, Fifty -fourth, Fifty-fifth,
Fifty-sixth, Fifty-seventh, Fifty-eighth and part
of the Fifty-ninth Congresses, 1882 to 1906, re-
signing in February, in 1906 ; Ogle County hav-
ing in the meantime, in 1883, become a part of
the Sixth District, in 1895 of the Ninth, and in
1903 of the Thirteenth District, which at this
time consists of .To Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll,
Whiteside, Lee and Ogle Counties. Col. B. F.
Sheets, of Oregon, was a candidate for the Re-
publican nomination in 1882. For the nomina-
tion of 1904, Mr. Hitt was opposed by Attorney
H. A. Smith, of Oregon, Master-in-Chancery for
Ogle Countj'. Col. F. O. Lowden, of Oregon,
Republican, was elected on November 6, 1906.
for the remaining portion of the Fifty-ninth, and
the full term of the Sixtieth Congress. Col.
Lowden was opposed for the nomination by At-
torney William P. Landon. of Rochelle. The
candidate on the Democratic ticket was also an
Ogle County man, James P. Wilson, of Woosung,
for a number of years minority uiember of the
General Assembly from this senatorial district.
On November 3, 1008, Col. Lowden was re-
elected for the Sixty-first Congress.
Congressman Hitt was a candidate before the
General Assembly in Jaiinnry. 1807, for election
to the United States Scnnto. He h.'id made
no canvass of the State, biit before the contest
ended his candidacy liad developed formidable
strength. Mr. Hitt's name was brought promi-
nently before the nation In June, 1904. prior
to the meeting in Chicago of the Repnl)lirMn
National Convention, in the matter of tlif Re-
publican nomination for the Vice-Presidency. His
sudden alarming illness on the eve of the as-
sembling of the convention precluded any fur-
ther consideration of a project that had been
favorably received throughout the country.
Ogle County was represented in the Legisla-
ture for the first time in December, 1839, when
the Eleventh General Assembly convened. Tt
is now joined with Winnebago County to fqrm
the Tenth Senatorial District, but at different
times it has been in various districts. The fol-
lowing are the members of the Senate and the
House from 1839 to the present time :
11th General Assembly : Senate, George W.
Harrison ; House, James Craig, Germanieus
Kent.
12th: Senate, George W. Harrison; House,
Thomas Drunimond, Hiram W. Thornton.
13th : Senate, Spooner Ruggles ; House, Leon-
ard Andrus.
14th : Senate, Spooner Ruggles ; House. Sam-
uel M. Hitt, Anson S. Miller.
15th : Senate, Anson S. Miller ; House, Will-
iam G. Dana.
16th: Senate, William B. Plato; House,
Dauphin Brown.
17th : Senate, William B. Plato ; House, Wil-
liam T. Miller.
18th: Senate, William B. Plato; House, E.
S. Potter.
19th: Senate, Waite Talcott; House, Daniel
J. Pinckney.
20th: Senate, Waite Talcott; House, Daniel
J. Pinckney.
21st : Senate, Zenas Aplington ; House,
Joshua Wliite.
22d : Senate, Zenas Aplington ; House, Fran-
cis A. McNeil.
23d : Senate, Daniel Richards ; House, James
V. Gale.
24th : Senate, Daniel Richards ; House, Dan-
iel ,T. Pinckney.
2."'ith : Senate, Daniel J. Pinckney ; House,
Thomas J. Hewett.
26th : Senate, Daniel J. Pinckney ; House,
Ogden P.. Youngs.
27th : Senate, James K. Edsall, Winfield S.
Wilkinson ; House, Mortimer W. Smith, Jeremiah
Davis.
28th : Senate, George P. Jacobs ; Hou.se, Isaac
Rire. Henry D. Dement, Frederick H. Marsh.
29th : Senate, George P. Jacobs ; House,
astob.
in STORY OF OOLE COT* XT Y
663
Isaac Rice, Ileury D. Dement, Frederick II.
Marsh.
30th : Senate, Henrj^ D. Dement ; House, Abi-
jab Powers, Franlv N. Tice, Bernard II. Trnes-
dale.
31st : Senate, Henry D. Dement ; House,
Frank N. Tice, Bernard H. Truesdale, Alexan-
der P. Dysart.
32d: Senate, Isaac Rice; House, .7. II. "White,
A. F. Brown, A. P. Dysart.
33d: Senate, Isaac Rice; House, E. B. Sum-
ner, A. F. Brown, J. C. Seyster.
34th: Senate, E. B. Sumner; House, A. F.
Brown, David Hunter, E. M. Winslow.
35th : Senate, E. B. Sumner ; House, Davfd
Hunter, James P. Wilson, James Laraont.
36th : Senate, Benjamin F. Sheets ; House,
David Hunter, William H. Cox, Robert Simp-
son.
3Ttb : Senate, Benjamm F. Sheets ; House,
James P. Wilson, David Hunter, Prescott H.
Talbott.
3Sth : Senate, David Hunter ; House, James
P. Wilson, Prescott H. Talbott, Lars M. Noling.
39th : Senate, David Hunter ; House, Lars M.
Noling, C. Harry Woolsey, Victor II. Bovey,
40th : Senate, Delos W. Baxter ; House, Lars
M. Noling, A'ictor H. Bovey, Henry Andrus.
41st: Senate, Delos W. Baxter; House, Lars
M. Xoling, Victor H. Bovey, Ileury Andrus.
41st : Senate, Delos W. Baxter ; House, Henry
Andrus, James A. Countrymau, Frank S. Re-
gan.
42d : Senate, Henry Andrus ; House, James
A. Countryman, David Hunter, James P, Wilson.
43d: Senate, Henry Andrus; House, Fred-
erick Haines, Johnson Lawrence, James P. Wil-
son.
44th: Senate, Andrew J. Anderson; House,
Wilbur B. McIIenry, Frederick Haines, Charles
Edward Martin.
45th; Senate, Andrew J. Anderson; House,
Johnson Lawrence, Earl D. Reynolds, James II.
Cochran.
46th: Senate, Henry Andrus; House, John-
son Lawrence, Earl D. Reynolds, James H. Coch-
ran.
Supreme Judge : 1895 — James H. Cartwright,
of Oregon.
Circuit Judges : 1838-1839, Dan Stone, of Ga-
lena ; 1839-42, Thomas Ford; 1842-47, John D.
Caton, of Chicago; 1847-48, T. Lyle Dickey, of
Ottawa; 184S-.-1, Benj. R. Sheldon, of Rock-
ford ; 1851-55, Ira O. Wilkinson, of Rock Island ;
lS5r)-.")7. J. Wilson Drury, (unknown) ; 1857-61,
John V. Eustace, of Dixon; 1861-77, Wm. W.
Ileaton, of Dixon. In 1877 the State was divided
l)y the General Assembly into thirteen judicial
circuits, with three judges in each circuit. Ogle
County helped to make the thirteenth circuit.
The judges who have served the thirteenth cir-
cuit, and later the fifteenth, w^here Ogle County
was placed in 1900, and where it is included
nov,', each of whom has presided over terms of
rx)urt in Ogle County, are Wm. W. Ileaton, Will-
iam Brown, of Rockford, Joseph M. Bailey, of
Freeport, John V. Eustace, James H. Cartwright,
John D. Crabtree, of Dixon, and James Shaw,
of Mount Carroll. The three judges now serving
the fifteenth circuit are James Baume, of Ga-
lena, R. S. Farrand, of Dixon, and Oscar E.
Heard, of Freeport.
Probate Justices: 1837-39, S. C. McClure ;
1839-43, William J. Mix; 1843-47, Philip R. Ben-
nett; 1847-49, J. B. Cheney.
County Judges: 1849-52, J. B. Cheney; 1852-
54, S. Ruggles; 1854-56, E. Wood; 1856-65, V.
A. Bogue; 186.5-69, J. M. Webb; 1869-72, A.
Barnum; 1872-77, F. G. Petrie (first appointed,
then elected); 1877-81, Albert Woodcock; 1881-
91, George P. Jacobs; 1891-98, John D. Camp-
bell; 1898, Frank E. Reed.
Recorders: 1837-47, James V. Gale; 1847-49,
John M. Hinkle.
Circuit Clerks and Recorders : ' 1&49-56, R. B.
Light; 1856-60, M. W. Smith; 1860-72, F. G.
Petrie; 1872-70, H. P. Lason ; 1877-84, E. K.
Light; 1884-88, R. J. Sensor; 1888-1904, C. M.
Gale ; 1904, Jerville F. Cox.
County Clerks: 1837-39, S. Galbraith ; 1839-
43, D. H. F. Moss ; 1843-47, H. A. Mix ; 1847-49,
R. Cheney; 1849-53, John M. Hinkle; 1853-57.
J. Sears; 1857-61, E. K. Light; 1801-67, Albert
Woodcock ; 1877-82, George N. Hormell ; 1882-90.
Henry P. Lason; 1890-1902. James C. Fesler :
1902, Robert F. Adams.
Sheriffs: 1837. W. W. Mudd ; 1838-40, H.
Wales; 1840-44, W. T. Ward; 1844-46, C. B.
Artz; 1846-50. E. W. Dutcher; 1850-52, A. Helm;
1852-54, E. Baker; 1854-56. Charles Newcomer;
1856-58. E. R. Tyler ; 1858-60, F. G. Petrie ; 1860,
J. A. Hughes; 1862, B. F. Sheets; 1862-64, C. R.
Potter: 1864-66. J O'Kane; 1866-68, W. W.
O'Kane; 1868-70. B. R. Wagner; 1870-74. J. R.
664
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Petrie; 1874-82, H. C. Peek; 1882-84, F. H.
Marsh; 1884-86, H. C. Peek; 1886-90, George
Bishop; 1890-94, Charles H. Betebenner; 1894-
98, Peter Good; 1898-02, George H. Andrew;
1902-06, Joseph L. Slifer ; 1906, Charles M.
Myers.
School Commissioners: 1843-46, S. St. John
Mix; 1847-50, N. W. Wadsworth ; 1851-54, D. J.
Pinckney.
County Superintendents of Schools: 1855-56,
J. W. Frisbee ; 1857-58, A. E. Hurd ; 1859-62, E.
W. Little ; 1863-64, J. M. Sanford ; 1865-1877, E.
L. Wells; 1878-82, John T Ray; 1882-86, Fer-
nando Sanford; 1886-87, Caroline R. Veasie ;
1887 to October, 1887, S. B. Wadsworth; 1887-
89, S. G. Mason; 1889-1903, Joseph M. Piper;
1903-07, Emery I. Neff ; 1907, Anna B. Champion.
Surveyors: 1837-39, Joseph Crawford; 1839-
43, L. Parsons; 1843-46, J. Rice; 1846, H.
Wheelock; 1847-51, R. B. Light; 1851-55, C. W.
Joiner ; 1855-57, F. Chase ; 1857-59, A. Q. Allen ;
1859-61, S. V. Pierce ; 1861-75, A. Q. Allen ; 1875-
1908, J. B. Bertolet.
At the session of the General Assembly of
1907, the Township Local Option Law was en-
acted. This declared the territory to vote upon
the question of license or no license for the
sale of intoxicating drinks should be the town-
ship, instead of the village, or city, as before.
The law gave new impetus to the temperance
cause. It was believed that, with the help of
the voters from the country, many towns which
had before granted license would now refuse it.
Besides, the feeling against drunkenness and
drink, and especially the saloon, had grown of
late years. Added to the moral issues involved,
there had come to be a commercial side to the
matter. Railroad companies and other corpo-
rations and employers had been making stringent
rules agiiiiist the drink habit on the part of their
workmen. Many saloons had become the prop-
erty of the brewers, who, as absentee owners,
defied the law with impunity, while they car-
ried away the profits of a disreputable but gain-
ful occupation.
Meetings were held and a campaign of edu-
cation entered upon, with speeches by men well
informed upon what had been accomplished else-
where, especially in the South, and by means of
convincing literature, with such success that
when the voice of the people becanie known after
the counting of the bnllots, only two townsliips
in tlie county favored the saloon — Maryland and
Forreston. The new municipal housekeeping be-
gan on May 1, 1908.
CHAPTER XI.
WAR HISTORY.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR — WAR OF 1812 — BLACK HAWK
WAR — MEXICAN WAR — WAR OF THE REBELLION —
SPANISH-AMEBICAN WAR SERVICE RENDERED BY
COMPANY M, ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR MEMORIALS. — On JUUe
27, 1908, the memorial stone marking the grave
of Rufus Phelps, a soldier of the Revolutionary
War, was dedicated. Mr. Phelps was born in
1767, was wounded in the struggle for American
Independence, and died at the home of his son,
John Benjamin Phelps, in White Rock, Ogle
County, 111., in 1859, at the advanced age of 92
years. He was buried in Lindenwood Cemetery,
where, in charge of the Rockford Chapter of
the Daughters of the American Revolution, the.
dedicatory services were held. Col. Frank O.
Lowden delivered the address and the W. C.
Baker Post G. A. R., of Stillman Valley, and the
Woman's Relief Corps, participated in the exer-
cises. About one thousand people were in at-
tendance. The following is -his official war rec-
ord: "Rufus Phelps alleges in his application
for bounty land that he enlisted for six months
in Dutchess County, N. Y., and in a few days
left for Green Bush, thence to Fort Herkimer,
and was stationed at the last named place until
he was wounded and in consequence of which
he was discharged by Col. Willet." Mr. Phelps
could not recall the name of his captain and the
date of his service is not given, but his land
claim was granted upon hearsay testimony. The
memorial in his honor was erected through the
patriotic efforts of Mrs. Joseph Sheaff, of Hol-
comb, Ogle County. Mrs. Sheaff is a member of
the Rockford Chapter of the Daughters of the
American Revolution.
Another Revolutionary soldier's name is re-
corded on the Soldiers' Monument placed a few
years ago in the Cemetery at Daysville, through
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
(i6n
the assiduous efforts of Virgil E. Roed and tlie
late Dr. H. A. Mix. This record reads : "Daniel
Day, in two years' service in Revolutionary
War ; the first buried in the Daysville Cemetery,
1838." Daniel Day was the father of Col. Jehlel
Day, a pioneer and the founder of Daysville.
The father came to Ogle County during 1837,
making his home with his son, but not living
long after arrival.
Veterans of the War of 1812. — John Phelps,
one of the earliest of the pioneers of Ogle County,
and a soldier in the War of 1812, who took part
in the campaign in the vicinity of New Orleans
In 1814-15. was born in Bedford County, Va.,
August 8, 1796, and died in Ogle County, 111.,
April 1, 1874. In January, 1864, he began writ-
ing an autobiography, the neat manuscript of
which is preserved in the family of the late T.
Oscar Johnson, son of the daughter of Mr.
Phelps, who gave to the city of Oregon its sec-
ond name. This Autobiography has several times
been published in the county ; in recent years
by the Ogle County Repiiblican, the Tri-Gounty
Press, and the Mount Morris Index. Just before
his decease, Mr. Phelps received a letter from
the Secretary of the State Historical Society of
Wisconsin, relative to securing it in book form,
for the archives of that State, but Mr. Phelps
died ere it was accomplished. In this Autobi-
ography he relates the stirring experiences of
his connection with this war.
On the Monument in the Daysville Cemetery
is this record: "Silas Hawthorne, served as
musician in War of 1812." Mrs. John Rutledge
and Mr. Joseph Hawthorne are surviving chil-
dren of this war veteran, now living in Oregon.
Col. Jehiel Day is also recorded on this monu-
ment as serving in the War of 1812. Col. Day
was also a Colonel of Militia while living in
New Hampshire. He came to Ogle County in
1836, purchasing a claim from Austin Williams,
returning the next year with his family to make
his home upon it.
The names of Major William J. Mix and Dr.
William J. Mix are recorded on the Daysville
Monument as serving in the War of 1812. Dr.
Mix was Assistant Surgeon at the time of the
Battle of Plattsburg in September, 1814, and his
father commanded a company in the same battle.
Later he was commissioned as Surgeon of the
One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Militia
in 1828, serving until 1835, about which time he
and his son came to the Rock River Valley.
He entered upon the practice of his profession
at Oregon, in 1836, and was one of the first estab-
lished physicians in the countj-. He was the
father of the late Dr. H. A. Mix, and grand-
father of Dr. George M. McKenney, Mrs. C. M.
Gale and Mrs. George H. Hopkins, of Oregon.
The name of Mathew Bailey is on the Days-
ville Monument as being in the War of 1812.
He was born in Ireland, and came from Ohio to
Illinois, settling with his family in Nashua
Township sometime during 1836.
The name of Lewis Hormell is placed on this
monument, too, though his burial place is else-
where.
Ellas Reed, who came to Buffalo Grove July 15,
1838, was also a soldier in the War of 1812.
John Ankney, who came to Buffalo Grove be-
fore the time of the Black Hawk War, originally
from Somerset County, had, in 1815, raised a
company there, was commissioned its Captain,
and ordered into camp. Soon after this the war
ended, and he saw no service.
On the Soldiers' Monument at Byron the
names of six soldiers of the War of 1812 are
inscribed, namely : J. Bull, A. Netrow, I. Norton,
A. Hewitt, L. Smith, I. N. Gaston.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
Grim-visaged War saw the front of battle first
lower on the prairies of Illinois before a regi-
ment of American soldiers when Col. George
Rogers Clark, in 1778, after a gallant march of
a thousand miles across the untrodden wilder-
ness, with fine strategy and the avoidance of
bloodshed, achieved the surrender of the British
and took possession of the Illinois Country for
Virginia ; and the last time when Gov. John
Reynolds, in 1832, raised an army to drive from
the borders of the State the remnant of a people
whose home the land had been from a period
when the memory of man runneth not to the
contrary. The history of the one is read with
satisfaction ; of the other with regret. The true
narrative of the Black Hawk War is searched
in vain for the necessity that impelled, the pa-
triotism that counseled, or the glory that ac-
companied it; unless, indeed, one is thinking
of the Red Men. The first act in that short,
but bloody, drama was performed upon the un-
scarred soil of Ogle County.
By their treaty of 1804, negotiated by William
Henry Harrison, then Governor of Indiana Ter-
666
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
rltory, which then included Illinois, whose north-
ern boundary was Canada, the Sacs and Fox
Indians ceded to the Federal Government all
the territory between the Wisconsin River on the
north, the Fox on the east and southeast, and
the Mississippi on the west as far south as Rock
Island, then Fort Armstrong. A stipulation dis-
tinctly stated, however, that so long as the land
remained the property of the United States —
that is, so long as it was not sold to private
owners — "the Indians belonging to said tribes
shall enjoy the privilege of living or hunting"
thereon. Before the Government had parted
with the land — even before it had been sur-
veyed — squatters violated the treaty by driving
off the Indian women and children, and destroy-
ing the property of the Indians, pasturing their
corn, killing their cattle and burning their lodges.
Then, no sooner had the Government sold a few
quarter sections at the mouth of Rock River,
and none elsewhere, than demand was made that
the Indians give up the country and remain
west of the Mississippi, as if that were in ac-
cordance with the treaty.
The new treaty of 1831 need not be consid-
ered, because when Black Hawk and the other
chiefs of the Sacs did not come to Fort Arm-
strong to sign it, as made out to suit the white
settlers, General Gaines sent word that if the
chiefs did not come he would go after them with
his army, whereupon Black Hawk and twenty-
eight of the tribe came and "touched the goose
quill" to the aocument. The treaty of 1804 was
the only one of any binding force, and even in
that tue extensive territory ceded (15,000,000
acres) was parted with for the mere pittance of
$2,500 in goods and $1,000 in money annually
in pe'-petuity, so that — if, as Black Hawk said,
the chiefs who signed it were held in duress,
were without orders from their tribes, and were
intoxicated from whisky furnished them by their
white brothers — even that treaty's legality dis-
appears in the fraud which surrounded its exe-
cution.
The fact of Black Hawk taking with him his
women, children and old men did not look like
going to war. But disquieting reports were
abroad. Governor Rx^vnolds was appealed to for
troops. He b*^fanic alarmed and responded ac-
cordingly. Eighteen hundred volunteers assem-
bled at Beardstown under the command of Gen-
fral Whiteside of the State militia, who marcher*
to Fort Armstrong, where he and General Atkin-
son of the regular army decided that General
Whiteside should continue by land to Prophet's
Town and there wait for Atkinson, who would
come by boat with the regulars and all the artil-
lery and provisions. Arriving at Prophet's Town,
Whiteside burned the deserted Indian village
and, instead of waiting as agreed, continued on
up the State to Dixon's Ferry, where he halted
to form a junction with General Atkinson. Here
he found 275 more volunteers from McLean,
Tazewell, Peoria and Fulton Counties, under the
command of Majors Stiiiman and Bailey. Gov-
ernor Ford says : "The officers of this force
begged to be put forward upon some dangerous
service in which they could distinguish them-
selves. To gratify them they were ordered up
Rock River to spy out the Indians "
Major Stiiiman began the reconnoissance on
May 13th and proceeded twenty-six miles up the
east bank of Rock River without discovering
the foe. They were at Old Man's Creek and
were about to go into camp for the night, when
three unarmed Indians bearing a white flag ap-
peared. They came from Black Hawk, who, with
forty of his warriors, was encamped on Syca-
more Creek, three miles farther on, while the
remainder of his band, together with the Potta-
watomies and the women and children, were
encamped on the Kishwaukee, seven miles dis-
tant. Black Hawk, supposing that the whole of
General Atkinson's command had overtaken him,
and being unable to make allies of the Potta-
watomies, had decided, as he claimed, to return
west of the Mississippi, and sent the trio under
the white flag to arrange a parley, with fi':_'
(?thers to watch at a distance and report the re-
sult, the latter being mounted.
The truce bearers were made prisoners ; then
Stillmen's men saw the five riders appear
Mounting their horses, a number of them rusheci
forward, without orders, to "kill Injuns," the
fun some of the volunteers had enlisted for.
The Indians retreated, followed in hot pursuit
by the white soldiers, who fired upon them, and,
with better horses, were overtaking them, when
from ambush behind trees and bushes. Black
Hawk and his band opened fire. Several of the
pursuers fell, mortally wounded. Their ad-
vance was cheeked, then turned into a retreat,
which presently became a rout. Majors Still-
man, Bailey and other officers endeavored to
rally the now panic-stricken men, but to no
purpose. They continued on in their mad flight.
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
067
nor stopped until they reached Dixon's Ferry,
twenty-six miles distant, or their homes many
more miles away.
Gov. Ford, in his History of Illinois, tells a
readable story of this event — largely imagina-
tive but bombastic in style — as told by a Ken-
tuckian and Colonel of militia who was serving
as a private with Stillman, but claimed to be
the sole survivor of a fierce battle waged against
overwhelming numbers of Indians. The hero
of this story is also described as "a lawyer, just
returning from the circuit with a slight ward-
robe and Chitty's Pleadings packed in his sad-
dle bags, all of which were captured by the
Indians," and it is added, "he afterwards re-
lated with much vexation, that Black Hawk had
decked himself out in his finery, appearing in
the wild woods among his savage companions,
dressed in one of the Colonel's ruffled shirts
drawn over his deer-skin leggings, "with a volume
of Chitty's Pleadings under each arm."
But to return to the true history : When those
who had not joined in the attack realized that
a battle was on, they killed one of the bearers
of the white flag; the oth'fer two escaped. To
make prisoners of the tn'o envoys of peace and
then to massacre one of their number, was con-
duct as atrocious as rushing to battle without
orders was unmilitary. It disgraced the bat-
talion to which the perpetrators belonged, and
was the first of a series of atrocities that chiefly
made up the war, but which occurred outside of
Ogle County, and need not be narrated here.
It is said that Stillman's men had with them
a barrel of whisky and that many of them
were drunk. In that case no further explana-
tion need be sought. The panic is not a matter
of surprise. The men were volunteers without
training or experience, and it takes a well dis-
ciplined army to withstand an Indian ambus-
cade. But, of course. Major Stillman's men did
not escape ridicule. The next day General At-
kinson went fon\-ard and buried the dead, of
whom there were eleven, while the Indian loss
was two. Old Man's Creek has since that time
been known as Stillman's Run.
The perfidy of the volunteer soldiery aroused
Black Hawk to the fiercest indignation, and,
tearing the white flag to pieces, he vowed ven-
geance. Soon after occurred the Indian Creek
massacre in La Salle County. On May 19th,
Sergeant Fred Stahl. of Galena, accompanied by
privates William Durley, Redding Bennett, Vin-
cent Smith and James Smith, left Galena for
Dixon's Ferry with despatches for General At-
kinson. They fell into an Indian ambuscade
at Buffalo Grove, immediately north of where
Polo now is. Durley was killed, and Stahl and
.lames Smith had their clothes pierced by bullets,
but were uninjured. The four returned to
Galena.
On June 25th, the vanguard of General Po-
sey's brigade, commanded by Major John De-
ment, of Galena, afterward of Dixon, encoun-
tered a party of Indians at Kellogg's Grove, in
the neighborhood of where Brookville now is.
There was a sharp engagement. Major Dement
lost four men and twenty horses, and the In-
dians nine of their warriors. General Posey,
from his camp at Buffalo Grove, hastened to
Dement's relief, but the Indians had retreated.
The brigade continued on to their objective point.
Fort Hamilton, north of Galena. Some years
ago. Colonel Dement, in an address before the
old settlers of Ogle County, recounted the above
battle. A. C. Bardwell, of Dixon, in his history
of Lee Coiuity, speaking of this event, says:
"From Dixon the battalion moved on to Kel-
logg's Grove, where a desiierate battle was
fought with a band of mounted Indians, stripped
to the skin and in their war paint, under the
command of Black Hawk in person. ... In
the annals of Indian warfare, few engage-
ments of small numbers will be found more des-
perate and bloody."
Nothing else of interest occurred within the
limits of Ogle County. At that time Dixon's
Ferry, Old Man's Creek, Buffalo and Kellogg's
Groves were all in the s.-uue' comity — .To Daviess.
Among the militiamen who assembled at Dixon's
Ferry was Abraham Lincoln, first as Captain
of one of the companies and afterwards as pri-
vate in another; while among the soldiers of
the regular army were Lieutenant Robert An-
derson (Commander of Fort Sumter at the out-
break of the Civil War, 1861), Colonel Zachary
Taylor (President of the United States in
1849-50). to wlioiii Lieutenant .Jefferson Davis
(President of the Southern Confederacy. 1861-
65) was acting as aid, and General Winfield
Scott, who had come from Fortress Monroe to
Fort Ai-iiistroug. with nine companies of infantry,
in the unprecedented time of eighteen days, be-
side fighting the cholera enroute.
The war ended with the battle of Bad Axe,
in Wisconsin, and the practical extermination
668
HISTOEY OP OGLE COUNTY.
of the Sac tribe of Indians. It was the old
story over. The Indians had endeavored to re-
sist the encroachment of the white ' man, and
had lost. Black Hawk was captured. He was
then sixty-five years old. William A. Meese,
Esq., of Moline, 111., an enthusiastic student of
Illinois histoiy and interesting writer thereof,
portraying Black Hawk in his volume, "Early
Rock Island," says : "After losing his village and
lands, after defeat in war, when but few of his
people had escaped the white man's bullet, after
being held as prisoner for some months, upon his
release and restoration to freedom, this savage
who fought for his country said to one of his con-
querors : 'Rock River was a beautiful country.
I like my towns, my corn fields and the home of
my people. I fought for it ; it is now yours. It
will produce you good crops.' What white man
could say more? Black Hawk was truly the last
defender of Illinois."
MEXICAN WAR.
The State of Illinois sent* six regiments to assist
in this conflict. Ogle County, then so recently
settled, furnished but few volunteers, though pro-
bably more than are here rec-orded. Two young
men from Daysville were among the number who
enlisted — Frank Keyes and Aaron Baldwin. A
nephew of the first-named is now living in Ore-
gon. Young Baldwin, who was a clerk in the
store of William J. Mix, at Daysville, at the time,
is said to have enlisted on account of an unfor-
tunate love affair, and never came back. On the
Daysville Monument appears the record, "Ben-
jamin F. Keyes. in Mexican War."
Lewis Hormell, of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany,
in later life a resident of Oregon, 111., was a Cap-
tain in this war, commanding Company C, First
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served thirteen
months, participating in the capture of Monterey.
In 1852, he came to Illinois from Ohio and located
at Oregon, where he was engaged in mercantile
business from 1852 to 1873. He died in 1891,
leaving .surviving him three sons and three
daughters, of whom those now residing In Ore-
gon are Cornelius, Mrs. B. F. Shoots, .uid Miss
Matilda Hormell. The two daughters have in
their possession the dress uniform which their
father wore during his service in the army, and
which has been worn a number of times, fur-
nishing an attractive feature of festive gather-
ings and jniblic occasions in Oregon.
Simon Rigle, who for some time resided with
his widowed daughter, Mrs. Sarah Ellis, in Ore-
gon, was a veteran of the Mexican War enlisting
from Pennsylvania, and also served in the Civil
War. He died in May, 1908, at the Soldiers'
Home, Danville, 111.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Illinois has nobly remembered her soldiers of
this war. In "Patriotism of Illinois," published
in 1865 (two volumes), by Rev. T. M. Eddy, D.
D., then editor of the Northwestern Christian
Advocate, in Chapter XXXV., Vol. I., appears the
following :
"In the dingy capitol at Springfield, is the Ad-
jutant-General's office, where are documents
which will be searched in days to come by the
historian, the annalist, the lawyer.
"Entering a room about forty feet square, you
see double rows of desks, and peering above each
is a head variously colored. The clerks are hard
at work preserving the facts of our Illinois regi-
ments. In those pigeon holes are documents
which, in court official style, tell of many a deed
of daring, and many a weary march. In the cas-
ualty reports are enshrined the names of those
who have received wounds or died the soldier's
death in the field ! These 'Descriptive Rolls' tell
you the place and date of birth, place and date
of enlistment, height in feet and inches, color of
hair and eyes of each soldier. They state when
enlisted, when discharged ; and, when completed,
will tell the story of wounds and death. We
doubt if any office is more exact in the arrange-
ment of these details. The best models — Ameri-
can, English and Continental — ^were consulted,
and a combined system adopted, covering all the
details."
Ogle County has well and loyally preserved
the records of her "soldier boys!" When the
new Court House at Oregbn was built in 1892,
the third floor was set apart as a Memorial Hall,
and on its walls are inscribed in compact monu-
mental form, the names and places of belonging
of all in the Union Army from Ogle County who,
both on land and sea, served the Nation in its
hour of need. The county owes the placing of
this military record to the patriotic suggestion
of Mr. John Franklin Spalding, at that time the
Supervisor from Byron Township who had gen-
eral charge of this memorial work. This mural
remembrance has been characterized by a dis-
tinguished American sculptor as one of the finest
and most original of its kind ever executed. The
>
7.
w
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, L-E^^^
ITILDEN FOUND
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY,
669
Board of Supervisors have been considering a
plan for placing n corrected and more complete
list of Ogle County soldiers on bronze tablets
set in the walls of Memorial Hall, but the prep-
aration of this list has not yet been so far com-
pleted as to make it available for this work.
The Hall is placed in charge of the G. A. R.
of Oregon, and in it are held the meetings of this
organization and of the Woman's Relief Corps,
and it is the headquarters of gatherings of the
sqldiers and sailors of the county. It was here
that was held the Twentieth Annual Reunion
of the Soldiers and Sailors of Northwestern Ill-
inois, taking place at Oregon, September 7 and 8,
1904. Among the veterans present and taking
part in the exercises was Gen. O. O. Howard, at
different times of the Army of the Potomac and
of the Tennessee, who gave "the boys" and as-
sembled citizens a glowing, reminiscent talk
about "war-times." His signature upon the reg-
ister of that reunion is preserved with pride by
the Oregon Post, G. A. R. A speech was also
made by the Hon. Frederick Landis, Congress-
man from Indiana. It was during this reunion,
and with tlie assistance of the veterans, that the
Lincoln boulder, set by the Oregon Woman's
Council, was dedicated.
Was Statistics of Ogle County. — The Report
of the Adjutant-General of Illinois for 1SG5 fur-
nishes a complete roster of the officers and pri-
vate soldiers who served in the various regi-
ments, and other military organizations, from the
several counties of the State during the Civil
War." Among the most noted names was that
of Gen. U. S. Grant who, coming from the neigh-
boring county of Jo Daviess, occupied success-
ively the positions of Colonel, Brigadier-General,
Ma.ior-General and Lientenant-General. and fin-
ally as I'resident, while eleven other Illiiioisans
held the rank of Major-Generals, twenty-four
that of Brigadier-Generals, and scores retired
from the service with the rank of Major-Gen-
erals and Brigadier-Generals by brevet, including
among the latter Gen. Benjamin F. Sheets, of
Oregon.
Quotas and Credits. — According to the census
of 1860, the population of Ogle County was 22,-
863, while the enrollment, quotas and credits
of the county for military service during the
war period, according to the Adjutant-General's
Rei>ort. were as follows:
First and Second Class Enrollment— (1863).
3,709; (1864), 3,815; Revised enrollment (1865),
3,676.
Quotas and Credits. — The to till quotas for
service under the various calls for troops prior
to December 31, 1864, amounted to 2,509, while
the credits for enlistments during the same
period were 2,445, leaving a deficit for the county
of 65. The net quota of 480 for 1865 increased
the total for the entire war i^eriod to 2,989, the
credits during the latter year being increased
by 508, making a total credit of 2,953, and leav-
ing a net deficit for the sanie i>eriod of .36.
The number of i^ersons subject to military
duly (i.e. between the ages of 18 and 45), ac-
cording to the census of 1865, was 3,222, from
wi;ich it will be seen that the county had fur-
nished enlistments during the war period with-
in 269 of the whole number subject to military
duty during th;^ last year of the war.
T''o exiienditures of the county during the
same period, in connection with cost of the war.
were as follows: Bounties, $385,491,33; for Sol-
diers' Families, $35,827.13.— Total, .$421,318.46.
Mr. John Sharp's Recollections. — Mr. John
Sharp, who is quoted elsewhere in this history,
has, by siiecial ri(|uest of the editors, contributed
his personal recollections of these bounty mat-
ters, which are as follows :
"In the country's war history it may be noted
that a large sum of money was appropriated by
the Supervisors, and also by some of the various
townships in the county, as an additional bounty
to encourage enlistment in the army. In a for-
mer history of the county the total of such ap-
propriations was given at $223,.306, but this was
manifestly an underestimate. In this was in-
cluded $120,070 by the county and $43,2.36 from
five townships, viz : Flagg, Nashua. Buffalo.
Scott, White Rock, an estimate of .$60,000 from
the balance of the townships. To my own knowl-
edge there were several other townships that
made appropriations, .Among these were: Rock-
vale, Maryland, Pine Creek, Leaf River and. I
think, Pine Rock and Forreston.
"As the war neared its end, a supreme effort
was made by the President to increase the army,
and this ultimately resulted in a draft l>eing
made. At no time during the war was Ogle
County l^ehind in furnishing its full quota of
soldiers, but, in fixing the draft districts, town-
ship linec* were ignored and three districts were
670
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
made, running from north to south, the divis-
ion lines, I think, being the boundaries between
the townships of Maryland, Mt. Morris, Pine
Creek, Grand Detour and Taylor, Nashua, Ore-
;gon, Rockvale and Leaf River, and those of
Byron, Pine Rock, Lafayette, Flagg, White Rock
and Scott. The westerly and easterly of these
•districts were fortunate in having more than
their quota already in the army. The center
district was two short and a draft was ordered.
The cause of this was that the town of Mary-
land was two behind, and a peculiar result was
that one of these was drawn from Grand De-
tour, which was largely ahead, and the other,
I think, from Mount Morris, which had also fur-
nished its full quota.
"When it was found that there was to be a
draft, but before the number was announced,
there was much scurrying about to prevent a
draft, some wanting to bond the county for the
money needed, but this failed, and what bond-
ing was done was borne by the towns. I think
that, by counting the total sums raised by the
county and townships, and adding to these the
large amount contributed by individuals in
bonuses, equipments, etc., the total amount would
reach fully $450,000.
"During the time intervening between the
announcement for a draft until it actually oc-
curred, the Boax'd of Supervisors was convened
and a proposition was made that the county be
bonded for money sufficient to pay bounties to
procure the necessary men to fill the quota fixed.
This project failed because the announcement
was made that the draft would be confined to
the center district, and what bounties were
raised were by townships.
"Not all of the money raised for bounties was
for the purpose of escaping the draft. Several
towns voluntarily raised money to aid in filling
the quotas required long before a draft was
ordered. In fact, most of the large sums raised
for these purposes were contributed by patriotic
men whose only purpose was to aid in the prose-
cution of the war."
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
Always noted for their patriotism in times of
the Nation's need, Ogle County's sons, in the
spring of 1898, were quick to offer their ser-
vices and lives, if need he. to uphold the Nation's
honor. When the call to arms came, there was
organized and recruited to its full capacity.
Company M, Third Infantry, at Rochelle, under
the leadership of Captain Edward A. Ward
(now deceased) and Lieutenants George W.
Dicus and William F. Hackett. The call came
near the hour of midnight, April 26th, Captain
Ward receiving a telegram from Adjutant Gen-
eral Reece, which read: "Assemble your Com-
pany at once and proceed by rail to the rendez-
vous at Springfield, prepared for war." The
Company was composed mainly of young men
from Rochelle and Oregon, but numbered among
its members a score of the flower of De Kalb's
young manhood. A number of Ogle's men served
in other companies and regiments, and each
added to the honorable record made by her sons
in the War with Mexico and that great conflict
of 1861 to 1865.
Company M, Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
was sworn into the United States service in the
ExjDOSition Building at the State Fair Grounds,
at Springfield, III., at 8 :30 o'clock on the even-
mg of May 7, 1898, being the first full regiment
taking the oath in the Spanish-American War,
and departed with the regiment on the evening
of May 14th, for the general rendezvous at
Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, Ga. The regiment
was assigned to the First Brigade,- First Divis-
ion, First Army Corps, commanded by General
John R. Brooke, and was the first regiment
chosen to accompany Gen. Brooke on the Porto
Rican campaign. After a thorough training at
Camp Thomas, the First Division departed for
Newport News en July 22d, and five days later
embarked for the Island of Porto Rico, the Third
Infantry being conveyed to the front by the
cruiser St. Louis, as the personal escort of Gen-
eral Brooke. The expedition arrived at Ponce
harbor on the evening of August 1st, and during
the night, convoyed by the Battleship Massachu-
setts, the Cruisers Columbia and Cincinnati, and
the little Gloucester, departed for Arroyo, forty
miles distant, which point was reached at an
early hour. The port of Arroyo, which was de-
fended by a garrison of infantry, cavalry, and a
number of field guns, was bombarded by the
ships named, aided by the cruisers St. Louis and
St. Paul, and under the fire of these ginis, the
regiment, in command of Col. Fred Bennett, was
landed by means of small boats, after a brief
resistance by the Spanish forces, with the loss
of but one man of Company K, who was killed a
few moments after landing. On August 5th
the Spanish were pushed into and through the
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
671
city of Guayatiiii. nine milds distant, and from
thence into the adjacent nu)untains, after a
spirited engagement, the Third Infantry support-
ing the Fourth Ohio. Later, on August 8th,
several companies of the Fourth Ohio were am-
bushed in the Cayey Mountains and were sup-
ported l\v the Tliird Illinois, the Fourth Ohio
losing 21 men wounded. On August 13th, the
First Division departed on a campaign for a
general move toward San Juan, and were as-
signed to positions before the works of the
enemy, who were strongly intrenched on the top
of Cayey Mountain, when, just as the word was
given by the Commanding General for the open-
ing of the engagement, a courier arrived with
word that a protocol had been signed, and the
war was at an end. The iwst of honor, the
making of the initial assault, had been assigned
to the Third Illinois, but the opportunity to
show their mettle was denied them.
During this short but decisive conflict the
sons of Ogle played such part as was assigned
them with honor and credit, and, without doubt,
if they had been called upon to do so, would
have added to the glory of the State and their
county, as did their predecessors in the conflict
of ISGl-G").
A number of the sons of Ogle held iwsts of
responsibility and honor during the Spanish
War, among them being Lieut. George W. Dicus,
who was appointed Oi'duauce Officer of the
Third Illinois, May 11th, and, besides equipping
the regiment for its term of service, handled the
ordnance for the Porto Rican campaign, and to-
gether with Private Martin Lindaas, while in
command of the outposts, was commended in
General Orders by Gen. Brooke for services
rendered in tlie capture of a spy uear the
enemy's lines. Lieut. Dicus was also given the
honor, by Gen. Peter C. Haines, of placing the
flag of truce opposite the enemy's works on
Cayey Mountain.
The regiment embarked for lioiiie on tlie good
s^hip Roumania on the evening of November 2d.
reaching New York ten days later after a stormy
voyage. During the forenoon of November 14th,
tliey arrived in Chicago and were there given a
banquet at the Great Northern Hotel by Col.
John Lambert of De Kalb, the barb-wire magnate
and a close friend of Col. Bennett. Upon their
arrival home tliey were given a warm wel-
come and a banquet at the Presbyterian church.
Col. B. F. Sheets delivering the address of wel-
come, followed by Rev. R. H. Nye. Attorney
Horace G. Kauffnian. Attorney Franc Bacon,
Rev. F. L, Baldwin, Corporal R. F. Nye. Rev.
J. K. Reed and Judge J. H. Cartwright, the ad-
dresses being interspersed by jiatriotic music.
Following is a list of the soldiers who com-
posed Company M. Tliird Regiment :
E. A. Ward, G. W. Dicus, W. F. Hackett. J. F.
linger, II. S. Bain, J. M. Bearmore, J. IT. Carroll.
R. B. Longwell, A. G. Baker, A. M. Lind, II. J.
O'Brien, C. E. Hakes, R. F. Nye, H. Beader-
stadt, C. C. Currier, A. Esheim, A. Forsemen,
M. Holland, O. J. Johnson, E. W. Jordan, A. W.
Keane, N. C. Korber. M. Lindaas, F. Mallory.
F. E. xMcDermott, W. J. McElroy, J. W. Me-
Mahon, Y. S. Mead. H. Miller, A. O. Moore, II.
Woodrick, F. Tilton, O. D. Talbot. C. M. Hays.
J. W. Kendall, C. Eyster, F. D. Mon-ison, R. J.
Allen, B. F, Bentley, H. J. Brien, F. L. Beaman.
G. Brown, R. Carrenduff, TI. G. Crandall, A. E.
Darling, B. H. Newcomer, J. Oleson, M. J. Pat-
terson, B. M. Pool, E. S. Rae. T. L. Schade, C.
W. Sanford, J. E. Smith, E. Southwood, C. W.
Sweeney, L. B. Tilton, R. S. Vetos, C. J. Orner,
F. A. Newcomer. A. .1. Elmer. E. Mvers.
CHAPTER XII.
A BLACK HAWK WAR TRAGEDY.
OGLE COUNTY A CENTER OF ACTIVITY IN BLACK
HAWK WAR DAYS — THE DURLEY AND ST. VRAIN
MX'RDERS DETAILS OF THE ST. VRAIN AFFAIR AND
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
While it is not found practicable in this volume
to enter into :i more detailed history of the
PUack Hawk War. than is presented in the pre-
ceding chapter, it is appropriate that some space
should be given to some events of that period
connected with Ogle County territory. This is
especially true of two tragic incidents, one of
them occurring on Ogle County soil and the
other near its lKird«>r — then in Jo Daviess
County, of which Ogle County at that time
formed a part — and both closely connected
with each other and almost marking the begin-
ning of the Indian struggle of 1832.
672
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
The first of these events was the murdei* on the
19th of May, 1832— just five days after the Still-
man defeat — of William Durley, who had been
sent from Galena by Col. James M. Strode, with
a party of three other men under command of
Sergeant Fred Stahl — making five in all — to com-
municate with Gen. Atkinson, then in command
of the regular troops, in reference to the situa-
tion. While Stahl's party was passing Buffalo
Grove about where the city of Polo now stands,
on the way to Dixon for the puriwse of meeting
Atkinson, it was fired upon by a band of am-
buscaded Indians and Durley instantly killed, the
rest of the party escaping and returning to Ga-
lena. Durley was a miner and lived between
Galena and Apple River.
The second incident of this series of tragedies
occurred five days after the killing of Durley,
when Felix St. Vrain, then Indian Agent of the
Sacs and Foxes, was attacked and treacherously
murdered by a band of Sac Indians, a few miles
from the spot where Durley fell, and the day
after he had buried Durley's body. A party con
sisting of Aaron Hawley, .John Fowler, Thomas
Kenney, William Hale, Aquilla Floyd and Alex-
ander Higginbotham, who had been in Sangamon
County for the purpose of buying cattle, left
Dixon on the morning of May 22d on their way
to Galena, but finding Durley's body on the trail,
returned to Dixon with intelligence of their dis-
covery. Gen. Atkinson, who had just arrived at
Dixon, at once detailed St. Vrain to proceed to
Galena with the party, and thence to carry dis-
patches down the river to Fort Armstrong (Rock
Island). Besides being Indian Agent, St. Vrain,
who was a native, of St. Louis and of French
extraction, was hold in high esteem by the In-
dians and had been called a "brother" by "Little
Bear," who afterward led the band which became
Ills murderer.s. The St. Vrain party left Dixon's
Ferry on the 2od, and proceeding to Buffalo
Grove, found the remains of Durley, which they
buried about a rod from the spot where he fell.
Then, after pnjceeding about ten miles on their
way toward Fort Hamilton, tlio liomo of William
S. Hamilton, who was a son of tlio illustrious
Alexander Hamilton (see sketch in the "Histori-
cal Encyclopedia" jiart of this work), the party
encamped for the night. Early next morning they
mnrchcd some llirec miles toward tlirlr destina-
tion, when they stoppcil im- lireakfast. Then
starting again, after proceeding about a mile,
they were met by a band of thirty Sacs under
command of "Little Bear." At first St. Vrain
regarded the meeting as fortunate, but on ap-
proaching the Indians, his offers of peace were
spurned in spite of "Little Bear's" professed
friendship. It is claimed that Black Hawk had
plotted St. Vrain's death and that this band had
been sent out to execute his purpose.
It being evident from the temper shown by the
Indians and their superior number's, that the only
hope of safety for St. Vrain and his party depend-
ed upon escape by the aid of their horses, this
was attempted, but firing by the Indians at once
began. Fowler was the first to fall, St. Vrain a
little later and Hale about three-quarters of a
mile from the place of meeting. After scalping
their victims, the savage marauders cut off the
hands and feet of St. Vrain, and took out his
heart, which they cut in pieces and distributed
among the "braves" in order that they might
boast that they had eaten the heart of a brave
white man. Then renewing the pursuit, Hawley
was killed, making three victims of the original
party besides St. Vrain. While Hawley's body was
never found, the evidence of his fate was furnish-
ed by the finding of his coat in the ix»ssession of
Black Hawk. The three survivors, though en-
countering other bands of Indians, and being
closely pursued, after hiding in forests and other-
wise evading their pursuers, finally reached Ga-
lena on the morning of the third day. The kill-
ing of St. Vrain and his companions occurred on
the morning of May 24th, but their bodies were
not recovered until the 8th of June when they
were buried about four miles south of Kellogg's
Grove, now known as Timmis Grove, in Kent
Township, Stephenson County, and near the
northwest c-orner of Ogle County. It was through
letters from St. Vrain addressed to Gen. William
Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs at St.
Louis, in May, 1831. that the first official infor-
mation was received of the return of Black Hawk
and his band to their old village near the mouth
of Rock River, which led to the disturbances of
that year, and it was probably through the
prompt action of Gen. Gaines in sending a body
of regular troops to that region, that the Indians
were induced to return west of the Mississippi
and further trouble was prevented. Possibly some
knowledge of this fact may have furnished the
ground of Black Hawk's personal hostility to St.
Vrain and the plot for his assassination, which
was accomplished a year later.
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
673
St. Vrain — whoso full nnnio was "FcII.k de
Iliiult di' Liissus de St. X'raiii - is descTibiHl as a
man of tino appearanc'C, tall and slender in
stature, "with black eyes and black curlinj; hair,
worn rather long," born in St. rx)uis, .Mo., March
2;>. 17!)5), and the grandson of Pierre Charles de
Manlt de Lassus et de Luzierre, who was of noble
French ancestry, but was compelled to leave his
n.-itive country durinij the "RcMsn of Terror,"
cominfj: to the Sjianish possessions on tlu' Missis-
sip])i, where his oldest son became Governor of
Upper Louisiana. Felix St. Vrain's father.
.Ta(|ues. was an oMicer in the French navy, and
after conung to America, nicmlx'rs of the family
held many offices of trust under the Government.
Felix was a brother-in-law of George Wallace
.Tones. Ilawley of the St. Vrain party,
who fell later, iirobably at the hand of another
band of Indi.-ins, was also a brother-in-law of
Jones, wiiile the latter was a son of John Rice
.Tones, the first English lawyer in Illinois. Be-
sides being an Aid of Gen. Dodge in the Black
Hawk War, George W. Jones held a number of
prominent positions in connection with Michigan.
Wisconsin and Iowa Territorial affairs, including
that of Delegate in Congress fi'om the latter, and
later United States Senator from Iowa after it
became a State. (For sketch of the Joni-s f;unily.
see "Historical Encyclopedia.") The tr.igic death
of St. Vrain was widely deplored throughout the
country, on account of his high reputation and
his extended acquaintance with, and influence in
Indian .affairs, and a bill for the relief of his
widow and other heirs was passed by Congress
on January 0, 1834.
The substance of this story of the Durley and
St. Vrain tragedies is taken from the manuscript
furnished by Mr. J. W. Clinton, of I'olo. and Mr.
Frank E. Stevens' comprehensive history of "The
Black Hawk War." pnbli;-lied in 1908.
CHAPTER XIII.
PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC ITS ORGANIZATION
AT DECATUR IN 1866 MRS. JOHN A. LOGAN'S
MEMORIAL DAY ADDRESS — G, A. R. ORGANIZATIONS
IN OGLE COUNTY — LIST OF COMMANDERS. AND
CHARTER MEMBERS — PRESENT MEMBERSHIP —
women's RELIEF CORPS OBJECT OF ORGANIZA-
TION, WITH DATE AND FIRST AND PRESENT OFFI-
CERS — SONS OF VETERANS — THE PATROITIC SONG,
"n.LINOIS."
A valued keepsake of the Oregon Post G. A.
R. is the Memorial Day Address of Mrs. John
A. Logan, prepared by her for the exercises at
Oregon, on I)(>coration D.iy. IIMK!. On account of
illness, Mrs. Logan was not able to be present,
but at her request the address was read by
Mrs. Lowden, wife of Congressman Frank O.
Lowdeii. In this address Mrs. Logan makes
mention of the organization at Decatur, 111., in
ISGO, by Dr. B. F. Stephenson, of Springfield,
and a few other veterans of Central Illinois, of
the first Post of the "Grand Army of the Repub-
lic" with the adoption of a ritual, by-laws and
articles of incorporation. (For a concise history of
this event, with names of charter members and
active participants in the organization, see
''Grand Army of the Rrpi(blic" on pp. 20.5-206
of the "Historical Encyclopedia" portion of this
work.)
In this connection reference is also made by
Mrs. Logan to the adoption of a system of Decora-
tion Day exercises, which was due to the in-
ception of the plan by Gen. Logan, who, as first
Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the
Republic, on the Sth of May, 1868, issued an
order suggesting the observance of the 30th
day of May for the floral decoration of the graves
of Union soldiers as a fitting "tribute to the
memories of the departed heroes." It is due to
tlie memory of General Logan to say this day has
since been recognized as a "National Memorial
Day," and has thus been annually observed by
the members of the Grand Army and patriotic
citizens throughout the Nation.
G. A. R. POSTS IN OGLE COUNTY.
The following is a list of Grand Army Posts
in Ogle County, with date of organization, taken
directly from Rei.>ort of Illinois Department Pro-
ceedings at Forty-second Annual Encampment
held at Quincy. 111., May 20-21, 1008. A list of
Post Commanders, charter members and number
of present members will be found in connection
with each :
Poix) Post. No. 84, Polo, chartered September
14, ISSO. Post Commanders: F. J. Crawford,
O. R. ITibarger. H. S. Waterbury. G. Wood, Peter
674
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
R. Ck)ver, Peter McKerral, Johnson Lrawrence,
Harry Coursey, John Bogardus and C. Petti-
bone. Charter members : R. D. Woolsey, J. L.
Spear, F. J. Cra^-ford, O. W. F. Snyder, Gusta-
vus Chaffee, E. S. Waterbury, Jas. Peltz, C. L.
Holbrook, Peter McKerral, Cyrus Nicodemus,
Russell Barnes, James Scott, Romanzo Fisher,
Joel Tobias, Warren P. Schryver, Ira A. Lowell,
David E. Stevens, Peter R. Cover, Jas. F. Savage,
Louis Shuber, D. H, Waterbiu'y- Present mem-
bership, 39.
Obegon Post. No. 116. Oregon, chartered Dec-
ember 1, 1881. Post Commanders: John Mat-
miller, W. A. Washburn, J. F. Hawthorn, B. F.
Sheets, Chester Nash, J. E. Gantz, George Petrie,
Daniel Stout, J. G. Waldie, A. L. Kemp, Daniel
Farrill, and T. A. Jewett. Charter members :
B. F. Sheets, Daniel Farrill, R. T. Prentice,
A. W. Spoor, W. A. Washburn, H. P. Sargent,
H. A. Mix, Albany Matmiller, A. M. Castle, An-
tone Beck, J. Vanzile, O. H. Swingly, Joseph
Matmiller, J. M. Hitt, John Matmiller, H. B.
Mitchaels, William Phillips, S. Marvin, Jolin G.
Waldie, J. F. Hawthorn, H. C. Peek, S. H. Roat,
F. H. Marsh, J. T. Gantz, L. Currier, E. F.
Newcomer. Present membership, 56.
Cooling Post, No. 316, Byron, 111., chartered
July, 25, 1883. Post Commanders : J. H. Helm,
T. B. Gill, S. M. Huston, J. M. Norton, H. Stone,
S. H. Shuart, L. C. Spoor, T. B. Gill, E. Burd
and John F. Spalding. The charter members
were: .Tohn Hogan, H. S. Strong, E. P. Bab-
cock. Morris Osborne, William A. Grove, Joseph
H. Hunt, John S. Spalding, William J. Haw-
thorn, Edwin A. Irvin, John H. Helm, I. J.
Housevert, Edward W. Swan, Patrick Kelly, H.
H. Good. H. A. Smith, G. F. Foss, T. B, Gill,
Robert Temple, S. C. Sanders, S. B. Strang.
There are 11 members at present.
RociiELLE Post, No. ,546, Rochelle, chartered
January 13. 1886. Post Commanders: W. E. Hem-
enway, I. E. Thorp, R, L. Walters, O. R. Randall,
W. H. Tihblf>s, B. F. Pulver, J. O. McConoughy,
J. J. Paterson, J. P. Minnis, R. M. King. H. H.
Glenn, G. E. Turlington and J. G. Gannon.
Charter members: Jonathan T. Miller, Henry
H. Glenn, Daniel Ringle, Richard L. Walters,
Wallace Brown, Harvey O. Perry. D. W. Parker,
John Carmicheal, Gideon Williams. Reuben Lilly,
James J. Patterson, Charles W. Jaquey, Alonzo
Hakes, F. P. Shuman, Frank Barker, Isaac E.
Thorp, Newman P. Bullis, Cornelius Kahler, Geo.
E. Turkington, J. B. Monley, Albert S. Radley,
Wm. B. Bailey, George Harr, David H. Talbot,
Prescott H. Talbot, Myron C. Nichols, Edward
H. Reynolds, Merritt Miller, Henry Henze, John
W. Trenholm, John W. Phillips, James P. Minnis,
Geo. H. Sanders, Gilbert Lane, Andrew Lind,
Ira Allen, Wm. Gibson. Present membership, 42.
W. C. Baker Post, No. 551, Stillman Valley,
chartered January 19, 1886. Post Commanders :
J. D. White, W. H. Harris, W. Revell, H. H.
Hurd and L. Dickerman. Charter members :
George F. Trumbull, Wallace Revell, William
M. Bly, George R. Dewey, Thomas Johnston,
Lucius C. Runyion ; Luke Dickerman, Calvin
Baker, Henry Wells, Reuben Banks, William
Agnew, William H. Harris, Thomas Fletcher, H.
H. Hurd, John McNaughton, E. P. Allen, J. D.
White. Present membership, 11.
Heney Miller Post, No. 658, Forreston,
chartered April 10, 1888. Post Commanders: J.
N. Myers, Fred S. Spahley, William Billig, F. M.
Nikirk, A. C. Miller and Isaac J. Vogelgesang.
Charter members : .Joseph M. Myers, William
H. Robins, Isaac J. Vogelgesang, David Over-
dorf, Benjamin F. McCutchen, Frank P. Lam-
pert, Thomas Winston, Francis M. Nikirk, Robert
Cronkleton, William Kroener, James W, Potter,
Andrew Conrad, William Eyrick, Jacob A. Boer-
ner, Frederick Stahley, George Detwiler, George
B. Harrington, Samuel E. Brown, Joseph S.
Meyers, Samuel W. McClure. Present member-
ship, 17.
J. M. Smith Post, No. 720, Mt. Morris, chart-
ered August 22, 1891. Post Commanders : Peter
Householder, H. C. Clark, Edward Slater, W.
E. McCready, F. D. Fouke, John E. Withers, B.
F. Robinson and J. H. Alexander. Charter mem-
bers: Peter Householder, Joseph M. Hoskins,
David Newcomer, Wm. E. McCready, Robert D.
McClure, Holly C. Clai-k, Dorsey Fouke, Alfred
M. Doward, Benjamin Rine, Alfred R. Binkly,
Samuel R. Blair, Rigdon McCoy, Samuel Nei-
man, Robert Crosby, Benj. F. Tracy, G. W. Davis,
Charles Rubsamen. Charles H. Unger, John E.
Withers. Uriah Brantner. Present member-
ship, 17.
STILLMAN VALLFA' iMOXlMENT
WASHINGTON GROVE BOI'LDER
^^^f^m^^0^w^
LINCOLN ROCK
SOLDIER'S MONI"MENT,
DAVSVILLE CEMETERY
PHELPS LOG CABIN
FORD CABIN
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
675
Patriotic Song, "1li-inois."
Mrs. John A. IX)Kan, in her Memorial Day
addres.-* at Orou^on in I'.mk;. allnded to in tlie open-
ini? paragraph of this diapter. says: '"I'he in-
vincible courage ol" the men and the intrepid
leaders of Illinois, won tlie admiration of the
whole world." This is expressed in the match-
less song, "Illincis," written by Mr. C. H. Cham-
berlain, which furnishes a fitting conclusion o
this portion of the chapter :
By thy rivers ;j;ently flowing. Illinois. Illinois,
O'er thy prairies verdant growing. Illinois,
Illinois,
Comes an echo on the breeze.
Rustling thro" the leafy trees.
And its mellow tones are these, Illinois, Illinois,
And its mellow tones are these. Illinois.
When yon heard your country calling, Illinois,
Illinois,
When the shot and shell were falling. Illinois,
Illinois,
When the Southern host withdrew.
Pitting Gray against the Blue,
There were none more brave than you. Illinois,
niinois.
There were none more brave than you, Illinois.
Not without thy wondrous story. Illinois. Illinois,
Can be writ the nation's glory, Illinois, Illinois,
On the record of thy years,
Abram Lincoln's name appears.
Grant and Logan, and our tears. Illinois. Illinois,
Grant and Logan, and our tears, Illinois.
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
The following paragraph, published as a "Pref-
atory Note" in the late Dr. T. M. Eddy's "Pat-
riotism of Illinois," furnishes an appropriate in-
troduction to the pages of this chapter, devoted
to the history of the Woman's Relief Corps of
Ogle County, organized as an Auxiliary of the
Grand Army of the Republic for the purpose of
aiding that organization in caring for the sick
and needy of the veteran soldiers of the Union
and their families :
"It were ungrateful for rendered service, and
untrue to facts, were not mention made of the
devoted patriotism of the women of the State.
They have not their record in the organization
and marching of regiments, but theirs was never-
theless real and noble work. They inspired the
love of country by their own spirit. They would
hear nothing of cowardice, or wordly prudence.
They threw the halo of love of country over all
social life. They gave their best beloved to the
altar of the State. They organized sewing circles,
aid societies, etc., in every neighborhood; they
organized and managed fairs; they opened and
sustained Homes of Rest for the weary and
wounded soldier. This record is a meager one,
and does scanty justice to the devoted women
of Illinois. Many a .soldier has said, 'God bless
them !' "
In the spring of 1883, Commander-in-Chief
Vandervoort, of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, when issuing his call for the Denver En-
campment, invited the auxiliaries which had
already been formed in the different States, to
meet at Denver July 25-26 of that year, and
form a National Association. About fifty wo-
men were present besides the Denver Society.
The National Association was there formed, E.
Florence Barker, of Maiden, Mass., being made
its first President. In 1008 the National Presi-
dent was also from the Bay State, City of Bos-
ton, Mrs. Mary L. Oilman.
On January 30, 1884, the delegates from five
corps in Illinois — Rockford, Elgin, Decatur,
Henry and Palestine, — met in Decatur, 111., for
the purpose of forming a State department. The
Department officers elected by this convention
were : President, Julia G. Sine, Rockford ; Senior
Vice-Pres., Sarah Freeman, Palestine ; Junior
Yice-Pres., Sylvia M. Diehl, Henry ; Secretary,
Miss Minnie Orren, Rockford ; Treasurer, Mary
Sanders, Rockford; Chaplain, Emma Sneick,
Decatur; Conductor. Sallie J. Steele, Decatur;
Guard, R. O. Olmstead, Henry ; Inspector, Agnes
Bush, Henry.
The Department officers in 1908 were as fol-
lows : President, Elizabeth A. ilorse, Chicago;
Senior Vice-Pros., Blanche Calhoun, Decatur ;
Junior Vice-Pres., Ella F. Rue, Jerseyville; Sec-
retary, Elizabeth Shelhainer, Chicago; Treasurer,
Louise S. Scovill, Rockford ; Chaplain, Mary
Burtch, Chicago Heights ; Inspector, Dr. Kath-
I'yn Swartz. Chicago; Councillor. Mae G. Lincoln,
Auror.i : I. and I. Officer, Margaret E. Thomas,
Belleville; Patriotic Instructor, Ella V. Work.
Chicago ; Press Corresixindent, Helen L. Middle-
kauff, Lanark; Chief of Staff, Georgia B.
Worker, Chicago.
U. S. Grant Circle No. 20, Rochelle. 111., was
organized August 7, ISJM, with the following
676
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
officers : President, Mrs. Isabella Turkington ;
Senior Vice President, Mrs. Wallace Brown;
Junior Vice President, Mrs. R. L. Walters ;
Treasurer, Mrs. Maggie Sutpheu ; Secretary, Mrs.
Mattie Patterson ; Chaplain, Mrs. O. R. Randall ;
Conductor. Miss Blanche Howard ; Guard, Mrs.
E. H. Reynolds.
Officers for 1908 were as follows : President,
Mrs. Van Patten ; Senior Vice President, Miss
Mattie Patterson ; Junior Vice President, Mrs.
Bert Trenholm ; Treasurer, Miss Anna B. Turk-
ington ; Secretary, Mrs. J. W. Southworth ;
Chaplain, Mrs. I. E. Thorp ; Conductor, Mrs. R.
L. Walters ; Guard, Mrs. William Tilton.
The object of the organization is described as
follows : '"To assist the Grand Army of the Re-
public in its high and holy mission, and encourage
and sympathize with them in the noble work of
charity ; to extend needful aid to members in
sickness and distress ; to aid sick soldiers, sail-
ors and marines ; and especially to look after
soldiers' homes, soldiers' widows' homes and sol-
diers' orphans' homes, to see that the children
obtain proper situations when they leave the
homes; to watch the schools and see to it that
the children obtain proper education in the his-
tory of our country and in patriotism.
The organization has contributed to the Sol-
diers' Widows' Home of Wilmington ; Soldiers'
Orphans' home in Normal, 111. ; Memorial fund
which is used to decorate soldiers' graves in the
South ; also school for soldiers' sons in Mason
City, Iowa. They are planning to erect a sol-
diers' monument in Lawn Ridge Cemetery, Roch-
elle. 111., and have about $500 on hand for that
purpose.
Cooling Woman's Relief Corps, No. 61, of
Byron, 111., was organized February 4, 1887, by
Minnie M. Kyle. The following is a list of the
officers elected and installed:
President — Mrs. Emily Spaulding.
Sen. Vice President — Mrs. Emeline Sensor.
Jun. Vice President — Mrs. Agnes Gill.
Secretary — Miss Grace Dodds.
Treasurer — Mrs. Eydia Catnaugb.
Chaplain — Mrs. Sarah Jones.
Conductor — Mrs. Orpha Strang.
Guard — Mrs. Flora San ford.
Assistant Conductor — Miss Nellie Spalding.
Assistant Guard — Miss Eva Mix.
The officers for 1908 were:
President — Mrs. Emily Spalding (19th year).
Sen. Vice President — Mrs. Eliza StifEa.
Jun. Vice President — Mrs. Lizzie Kline.
Secretary — Mrs. L. Addie Mix.
Treasurer — ^Mrs. Rachel Rush.
Chaplain— Mrs. Marinda Wilder.
Conductor — Mrs. Mina Houston.
Guard — Mrs. Mary Lentz.
Assistant Conductor — Mrs. Orpha Hawthorn.
Assistant Guard — Mrs. Martha Moore.
Patriotic Instructor — Mrs. Cynthia Shuart.
Press Corres]pondent — Mrs. Lydia Artz.
Musician — Mrs. Sada Millis.
Color Bearers — No. 1, Mrs. Carrie Johnston ;
No. 2, Mrs. Ella Ames ; No. 3, Mrs. Tressa Artz ;
No. 4, Mrs. Martha Champion.
Polo Woman's Relief Corps, No. 104, was or-
ganized April 17, 1888, by Mrs. Jennie Harrison
of Sterling Corps, of Sterling, 111. The following
is a list of officers elected and installed:
President — Mrs. Mary Griffin.
Sen. Vice President — Mrs. Agnes Crawford.
Jun. Vice President — Miss Ada Fisher.
Secretary — Mrs. Verd Holmes.
Treasurer — Mrs. Mary Woolsey.
Chaplain — Mrs. Ellen Wood.
Conductor — Mrs. Louise Dicus.
Guard — ^Miss Jennie Wood.
Assistant Conductor — Miss Etta Hazleton.
Assistant Guard: — Miss Emma Nazerine.
The officers for 1908 were:
President-^Mrs. Mae Smith.
Sen. Vice President — Mrs. Elsie Johnson.
Jun. Vice President — Mrs. Mary Griffin.
Secretary — Mrs. Eva Lawsoii.
Treasurer — Mrs. Jennie Bracken.
Chaplain — Mrs. Emma Waterman.
Conductor — Miss Ella Holly.
Guard — Mrs. Adeline Boyd.
Assistant Conductor — Mrs. Josephine Keagy.
Assistant Guard — Mrs. Clara Willet.
Musician — Mrs. Ada Stevenson.
Patriotic Instructor — Mrs. Bertha Rinert.
Press Correspondent — Mrs. Lizzie Newton.
Color Bearers — -No. 1 , Mrs. Nettie Kramer ;
No. 2, Mrs. Bessie Householder ; No. 3, Mrs.
Ella Senneff; No. 4, Mrs. Libby Miller,
Oregon Woman's Relief Corps, No. 132, of
Oregon. 111., was organized April 16, 1889, by
Julia G. Sine, of Rockford, assisted by Mrs. E.
C. Follansbee, of Quincy. The following is a
list of officers elected and installed:
President — Mrs. Chloe J. Cartwright.
TTISTOIJY OF OCLK ('Ol'XTY
I i i
Seu. Vice President — Mrs. Aone Spoor.
Jun. Vice President — Mrs. Lucy Waldie.
Secretary — Mr?. Maude Lason.
Treasurer — Mrs. Lodvisiia V. Nash.
Cliaplaiu — Mrs. .Toscpliine Matmiller.
Conductor — Mrs. lAuy Kutledge.
Guard — Miss Frank McDaid.
Assistant Conductor — Mrs. Ilattie Cartwright.
Assistant Guard — Miss Ida Matmiller.
The officers for 1908 were:
President — Mrs. Sarah Newton.
Sen. Vice President — Mrs. Agnes Zeigler.
Jun. Vice President — Mrs. Ida Gale.
Secretary — Mrs. Lodvisha Nash.
Treasurer — Mrs. Adelia Kelly.
Chaplain — Mrs. Minerva Allen.
Conductor — Mrs. Lucy Waldie.
Guard — Mrs. Lottie Flemming.
Assistant Conductor — Mrs. Susan Boyce.
Assistant Guard — Mrs. Alice Waggoner.
Patriotic Instructor — Mrs. Margarette Robbins.
Press Correspondent — Mrs. Kate Little.
Musician — Mrs. Mary Reed.
Color Beai-ers — No. 1, Mrs. Alice Perry ; No. 2,
Mrs. Nors Waldie ; No. 3, Miss Elsie Kelly ; No.
4, Mrs. Alzina Abbott.
W. C. Baker Woman's Relief Corps, No. 277,
of Stillmau Valley, 111., was organized May 20,
1905, by Mrs. Kelly of Earlville, assisted by Mrs.
Ida Palmer and Miss Edgeworth of Chicago,
Mrs. Nash, Mrs. Waldie, Mrs. Zeigler and Mrs.
Andrews of Oregon. The following officers were
elected and installed :
President— Mrs. Addie Revell.
Sen. Vice President— Mrs. Josephine Roberts.
Jun. Vice President — Mrs. Ellen Brown.
Secretary — Mrs. Clara Trumbull.
Treasurer — Mrs. Libbie Thorpe.
Chaplain — Mrs. Martha Hurd.
Conductor — Mrs. Arvilla Atwood.
Guard — Mrs. Myrtle Atchinson.
Assistant Conductor — Mrs. Laura Hurd.
Assistant Guard — Mrs. Gertrude Graham.
Patriotic Instructor — Mrs. Charlotte McNaugh-
ton.
Press Correspondent — Mrs. Lucy Taggart.
Color Bearers — No. 1, Mrs. Carrie Sovereign:
No. 2, Mrs. Florence Ilageman ; No. 3, Mrs. Julia
Dickerman ; No. 4, Mrs. Anna Gould.
The officers for 1908 were:
President — Mrs. Ellen Brown.
Sen. Vice President — Mrs. Sarah Hatch.
Jun. Vice President— Mrs. Clara Trumbull.
Secretary— Mrs. Martha Hurd.
Treasurer — Mrs. Florence Hagaman.
Chaplain — Mrs. Anna Gould.
Conductor — Mrs. Arvilla Atwood.
Guard — Mrs. Fannie Bly.
Assistant Conductor — Mrs. Emma Latham.
Assistant Guard — Mrs. Gertrude Graham.
Patriotic Instructor — Mrs. Charlotte McNaugh-
ton.
Press Correspondent — Mrs. Addie Revell.
Musician- :Mrs. Mabel Aguew.
Color Bearers — No. 1, Mrs. Mamie Scott; No.
2, Mrs. Laura Hurd; No. 3, Mrs. Carrie Green;
No. 4. Mrs. Addie Rovoll.
J. W. Smith Woman's Relief Corps, No. 287,
of Mt. Morris, 111., was organized February 14,
1007, by :\Irs. Mabel Clark, of Aurora Corps, No.
10, assisted by Mrs. Anne Spoor, of Oregon.
Tlie following officers-were elected and installed:
President— Mrs. ]\Iary McCoy.
Sen. Vice President— Mrs. Julia Baker.
Jun. Vice President — Mrs. Josephine Clark.
Secretary — Mrs. Ivy Buser.
Treasurer — Mrs. Julia Slater.
Chaplain — Mrs. Catherine Guffin.
Conductor — Miss Emily Smith.
Guard — Mrs. Mary Stine.
Assistant Conductor — Mrs. Etta Bruner.
Assistant Guard — Mrs. Augusta Stevens.
Patriotic Instructor — Mrs. Carrie Smith.
Press Correspondent — Mrs. Nellie Baker.
^Musician — Mrs. Malissa McPherson.
Color Bearers — No. 1. Miss Eva Withers; No.
2, Miss Abbie Fouke ; No. 3, Miss Annie House-
holder ; No. 4, Miss Minnie Muller.
The officers for 190S were:
President — Mrs. Mary McCoy.
Sen. Vice President--Mrs. Julia Baker.
Jun. Vice President — Mrs. Josephine Clark.
Secretarj- — Mrs. Ivy Buser.
Treasurer — Mrs. Julia Slater.
Chaplain — Mrs. Sarah Coggins.
Conductor — Miss Emily Smith.
Guard— :\Irs. Mary Stine.
Assistant Conductor — Mrs. Etta Bruner.
Assistant Guard — Mrs. Augusta Stevens.
Patriotic Instructor — Mrs. Carrie Smith.
Press Correspondent— Mrs. Nellie Baker.
Musician — Mrs. Malissa McPherson.
Color Bearers— No. 1. Miss Ruth Wylie; No.
2. Mrs. Abbie Fouke; No. 3, Mrs. Clara Merri-
man : No. 4. Mrs. Elva Miller.
678
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
RocHEULE Daughters of American Revolu-
tion. — The Rochelle Chapter of the Daughters
of the American Revolution was organized May
19, 1900, with 22 charter members. The objects
of the society are : To perpetuate the memory
of the spirit of the men and women who achieved
American independence, by the acquisition and
protection of historical spots and the erection of
monuments ; by the encouragement of historical
research in relation to the Revolution and the
publication of its results ; by the preservation
of documents and relies, and of the records of
the individual services of revolutionary soldiers
and patriots, and by the promotion of celebra-
tions of all patriotic anniversaries. First offi-
cers : Regent, Mrs. Josephine Barker ; Vice-
Regent, Mrs. J. M. May; Recording Secretary,
Mrs. Fred W. Craft; Corresponding Secretary,
Miss Josephine Hoadley ; Registrar, Mrs. W. P.
Landon ; Treasurer, Mrs. W. W. Gould. Com-
mittee of Safety — Miss Mary E. Vaile, Mrs. Han-
nah Randall, Mrs. Harvey Countryman, Miss
Bertha I. Steward, Mrs. Mary E. Elliott.
This is said to be the only organization of its
kind in the county, and has contributed largely
to Continental Memorial Hall in Washington,
D. C, and to the preservation of Fort Massac.
Officers 1908: Regent, Miss Anna Turkington ;
Vice-Regent, Mrs. Geo. E. Stocking; Recording
Secretary, Mrs. S. V. Wirick.; Corresponding
Secretary, Miss Josephine -Hoadley ; Treasurer,
Mrs. James C. Fesler ; Registrar, Mrs. Josephine
Barker ; Librarian and Historian, Mrs. A. Ward ;
Chaplain, Mrs. E. N. Lazier. Committee of Safe-
tj- — Mrs. Clara V. Braiden, Mrs. B. J. Knight,
Mrs. W. P. Graham, Mrs. J. M. May, Miss Nellie
Bird.
Sons of Veterans.
Albert Woodcock Camp, Byron — Albert Wood-
<x)ck Camp No. 4.5, Sons of Veterans, was organ-
ized at Byron, 111., in December, 1894, and was
the first Sons of Veterans Camp organized in
Ogle County. On January 9, 1895, the camp
was regularly mustered in with eighteen mem-
bers. The first officers were : L. R. Spalding,
Captain; .John Gill, First Sergeant; Lee Drake,
Quartermaster's Sergeant. In 1897 the officers
were: Captain, Carl Spalding; First Lieuten-
ant, W. T. Artz ; Second Lieutenant, Frank Van
Valsa ; First Sergeant, F. A. Mealio; Quarter-
master's Sergeant, L. E. Spalding, and the mem-
bership of the Camp had increased to 30.^ T&e
Camp then numbered among its members. Father
John McCann, the son of a veteran, and the
only Priest at that time in the United States
regularly mustered into the ranks of the Sons
of Veterans. U. S. Vil _ served this Camp one
year as Chaplain.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE COURTS AND BAR.
THE courts of THE FRENCH SETTLERS AND THE
CIVIL LAW INTRODUCTION OF ENGLISH COMMON"
LAW DISLIKE OF TRIAL BY JURY THE FRENCH
CUSTOM REINSTATED BY THE BRITISH GOVERN-
MENT — FIRST COURTS UNDER STATE LAW
LATER CHANGES — COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'
COURT PROBATE JUSTICES COUNTY COURTS
ANECDOTES OF EARLY PRACTICE — IMPORTANT
TRIALS MEMBERS OF THE BAR.
"The laws of a country form the most in-
structive part of its history." — G-ihhon.
The law first administered in Illinois was the
Roman, or Civil Law, as modified and adopted
by France. The first court was established in
1726, and was called "The Court, or Audience,
of the Royal Jurisdiction of the Illinois." Its
first sessions were held at Fort Chartres ; later
it convened at Kaskaskia. It was before a
single judge, and there was no jury. After 1732,.
the system of law promulgated by royal edict
for New France was the "Custom of Paris."
The Court of Audience continued until 1764,
or nearly one hundred years. On October tenth
of that year the Treaty of Paris, signed the
year before by France and England, went into
effect in the Illinois Country, but it was not
until 1768, that a court of British law was in-
augurated, the people living for four years with-
out litigation or court decrees, though the royal
notary of France, unlike our own notary public,
was to some extent a judicial officer.
The new court consisted of seven judges ap-
pointed by the military commandant, and met
DANIEL KICK
TTISTOKV OF OliLK COUNTY,
679
once each month. The conmion law displaced
the civil law, and trial by jury was introduced.
The change was received with nuu-h disfavor,
especially trial by jury instead of trial by judge.
As Frenchmen, the citizens of Fort Chartres,
Kaskaskia and Cahokia, had been accustomed
all their lives to having their legal differences
determined by men learned in the law, and now
to submit their disputes to a temixtrary, unlet-
tered, and irresponsible tribunal of shop-keepers
and farmers, seemed the height of judicial ab-
surdity, and they rejected with contempt the
English system. So intense became the feeling
against the new courts, and their procedure, that
Parliament restored to these French communi-
ties the legal system of their La Belle France,
and peace and quiet again settled over this out-
post of civilization, but not before a number of
the people of wealth and prominence, rather
than live under British rule, had taken them-
selves and their portable possessions acx'oss to
Saint Louis, or south to Mobile or New Orleans.
Under the Ordinance of 1787 the Governor
and Judges ix)ssessed legislative powers. In
1788 Governor St. Clair, and in 1801, General
William Henry Harrison, his successor, met with
the Judges and adopted such laws as to them
seemed suited to the Territory, which on account
of its large area was divided in 1800 and again
in 1809, in the last division the western portion
becoming the Territox'y of Illinois. In 1812 the
Governor, Ninian Edwards, knowing the desire
of the people for a Territorial Legislature, order-
ed an election and later convened the first Legis-
lative Assembly, which proceeded to form a code
of laws. The laws were copied and adapted
from the statutes of Pennsylvania, Massachu-
setts, and Virginia, four-fifths of them being
from the first named c-ommonwealth. Jails were
few and insecure, in consequence of which the
punishments were summary : for burglary, or
robbery, thirty-nine stripevS and standing in the
pillory ; for horse stealing, fifty to one hundred
lashes, for the first offense ; altering or defacing
marks, or brands on domestic animals at large,
forty lashes, "well laid on," and fines and im-
prisonment in addition, or in lieu thereof.
Before organization into a separate county, the
territory within the present limits of Ogle
County was included in Jo Daviess and La Salle
Counties, mainly in the former, which was or-
ganized in 1827 and was then bounded as fol-
lows : Beginning on the Mississippi River at the
nortlnvestern corner of the state; thence down
the Mississippi to the north line of the Military
Tract ; thence east to the Illinois River ; thence
north to the northern boundary of the state ;
thence west to the place of beginning. As the
north line of the Military Tract was nearly as
far south as Galesburg, Jo Daviess County origin-
ally extended over an area that is now approxi-
mately embraced in nine counties. It was or-
ganized from Peoria County, which was carved
from Fulton, and that from Pike County, whose
organization was effected in 1821 for all the
region west and north of the Illinois and Kan-
kakee Rivers. In 1820, the General Assembly
created the fifth judicial circuit, which was co-
extensive with Pike County. Quincy, Peoria,
Chicago and Galena were the principal towns,
Galena being the largest.
To transact business before the courts from
the region now making Ogle County, and which
in 1829 was beginning to be settled, it was nec-
essary to travel to Galena. The Circuit Judge
from lc29 to 18.35 was Richard M. Young, who
in the performance of his duties traveled on
horseback from Quincy to Peoria, 130 miles;
Peoria to Chicago, 170 miles ; Chicago to Galena,
150 miles ; and then back to Quincy, 190 miles,
where he lived, until he moved to Galena.
Thomas Ford was Prosecuting Attorney in 1830,
and was re-appointed in 1831.
By 1831, there were enough settlers in the
portion of Jo Daviess County, now included in
Ogle and Lee Counties, to cause the County
Commissioner's court to form a voting precinct
thereof, which was given the name of Buffalo
Grove Precinct, and elections were ordered
held at the liouse (tavern) of John Ankeny
and he and Judge Dixon and Isaac Chambers
were ajipolnted judges of election. By 1836,
when the first steps Avere taken for sep-
arate county organization, for what is now
Ogle and Lee counties, under the name of Ogle
County, the territory was in the Sixth Judicial
Circuit, with the Hon. Dan Stone as Circuit
Judge, to whom the petition was presented at
Galena, and by whom an election of countj' offi-
cers was ordered to be held December 24, 1836.
At this time the County Commissioner's Court,
made up of three Countj' Commissioners, was the
governing body for county affairs, and began its
duties in the new county of Ogle, on January 3,
1837, at Oregon in the house of John Phelps, In
the persons of S. St. John Mix and V. A. Bogue,
680
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
the third Commissioner elect, Cyrus Chamber-
lain, not qualifying until the second meeting, in
March. This court appointed the County Clerk,
County Treasurer, School Commissioner, granted
license to sell liquor, to keep tavern, and to sell
goods, wares and merchandise, — the last two
occupations usually including the first, — estab-
lished election precincts, etc. Before the court
adjourned June 7, 1837, after having held three
meetings, they passed upon their ovm claims
against the county for services, that of each Com-
missioner being for the modest sum of six dol-
lars.
The last session of the County Commissioner's
Court was held November 30, 1S49. Its place
was taken by the new County Court, provided
for by the new Constitution of 1848, and subse-
quent legislation, and whose first term was held
in December, 1849, with Spooner Ruggles as
County Judge, and William C. Salisbury, and
Joshua "White, as associate justices. One year
later the county system of management was
superseded by township organization, whereupon
the Board of Supervisors succeeded the county
court in the transaction of all county business
not probate or judicial in character. The change
was made by popular vote, and it is interesting
to note that Grand Detour precinct, made up
of settlers from New England, the home of the
town meeting and township system, cast 78 votes
for, and 25 votes against adopting township
organization ; while Maryland precinct, whose
people had been accustomed in their eastern
hnnies to County Commissioners and county gov-
ernment, cast 158 votes for and none against
the proiwsed change.
The county was divided into civil townships
by Daniel J. Pinckney, Henry Hill, and William
Walmsley, commissioners appointed by the
County Commissioner's Court, the appointment
being the last order made by the court before
giving way to its successor, the Board of Super-
visors.
Contemporaneous with the act of the General
Assembly, organizing Ogle County, was one
creating the office of Probate .Justice of the
Peace, and vesting the Probate Justice with ex-
clusive jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to
estates, and concurrent jurisdiction with other
Justices of the Peace in civil cases. The first
Probate Justice was S. C. McClure,
When the County Court was formed in 1S49,
all probatf business was entrusted to it. as well
as the management of all county affairs thereto-
fore transacted by the County Commissioner's
Court. When the latter, a year later, was taken
over by the Board of Supervisors, the County
Court continued as a Court of Probate. In 1872
its powers were enlarged, it was given concurrent
jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in all civil
cases, involving not to exceed $500 in contro-
versy, and in criminal cases where imprisonment
in the county jail was the penalty. By a later
change the amount in controversy was increased
to $1,000, which is the present limit. The first
County Judge was J. B. Chaney.
The General Assembly placed Ogle County in
the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The first term of
Circuit Court was held at Dixon, beginning Oct-
ober 7, 1837, and continuing, not three weeks as
now, but three days. Benjamin T. Phelps was
Clerk, William W. Mudd, Sheriff, and Hon. Dan
Stone, Circuit Judge. The year previous Mr.
Stone was a co-Representative in the General
Assembly from the county of Sangamon with
Abraham Lincoln, with whom he signed the
famous Lincoln resolutions introduced in the
Tenth General Assembly, protesting against a
series of pro-slavery resolutions adopted by the
Assembly. The salary of the Circuit Judge at
that time was $600 per annum.
In 1841, the General Assembly made further
changes in the matter of the judiciary, dis-
pensing with the Circuit Judges, and assigning
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and eight
Associate Justices to circuit duties. The Consti-
tution of 1848 made the change back to the for-
mer system by re-establishing the office of Cir-
cuit Judge, making it elective by popular vote,
and as such it has come down to the present
time. Five counties make up the present
Fifteenth Circuit, — viz : Jo Daviess, Stephenson,
Carroll, Ogle and Lee, — and three Judges, presid-
ing in rotation, hold court three times annually
— in January, April and October. The law as-
signing three judges to each circuit was passed
in 1873. Until recently the salary was $3,500,
but is now $5,000,
The terms of court were looked forward to in
pioneer days for their social and entertaining
features. The Judges and the attorneys who
traveled the circuit added life to the county-seat
during their periodical visits. The sessions were
attended by the men of the county in sufficient
numbers to make a well-filled court room ; con-
sequently the examinations of witnesses and the
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
681
addresses of the attorneys to the juries were
made before good sized audiences, whose presence
stimulated the questioning and added fervor to
the oratory.
From 1842 to 1844, the Prosecuting Attorney
of the Ninth .Judicial Circuit, whicli included
Ogle County, was Benjamin F. Fridley of Au-
rora. Of limited education l>ut much mental
abilitj-, many anecdotes are told illustrating Mr.
Fridley's methods at the bar.
Charles Wheaton, an able and honored mem-
ber of the Kane County Bar, related to the writer
some years ago at Batavia, that upon one occa-
sion he and Mr. Fridley were in a civil suit to-
gether. As the case proceeded and the two at-
torneys were in a dilemma as to what to do
next, Mr. Fridley suggested, ''Let's demur,'' when
Mr. Wheaton asked, "But on what grounds?"
"Oh," replied Mr. Fridley, "I don't know. But
we'll enter a general demurrer, and maybe the
Court will find something." The demurrer was
filed and later when the case was called the
Court remarked, "A demurrer has been entered
here, presumably upon the ground that, etc.,
etc.," stating ground not thought of by the at-
torneys and which was of value to their side
of the cause.
One of the most amusing cases tried in court
held at Oregon, occurred some years ago, during
the lifetime of Mr. William Swingley, of Oregon.
"Uncle Billy Swingley," as he was commonly
known, was a witness on the opposing side; his
testimony involved the conversation with him
of a German "from the other side of the river,"
who was the plaintiff. Not knowing Uncle Billy,
and his capacity for inimitable mimicry and
drollery, the .Judge presiding told him to rt^peat
exactly what had been said to him. "What!"
said Uncle Billy, "shall I tell just what he said?"
"Yes," was the answer, ''exactly what was said."
With a merry twinkle in his eye, he began, and
told word for word, in broken English and per-
fect German tone and accent, accompanied with
the characteristic nervous German gesticulations,
the entire matter, which was funny enough in
itself. It is said that the jury and bar were
convulsed with laughter, and tliai tlie .Judge
leaned back in his chair and shook with mirth.
\Mien the court rec()vered its gravity, the wit-
ness was told that that would do.
In 1841, perhaps the most unique case in the
history of the courts of Ogle County was tried;
that of Jonathan W. Jenkins and 111 others
indicted for the murder of John Driscoll and
William Driscoll, members of a band of horse
thieves. Detailed narratives of the trial and of
the occurrences that led to it by Attorney Franc
Bacon and Attorney J. C. Seyster of the Oregon
Bar. are Included in Chapter XXIV of this vol-
ume. Judge Ford. Ilic Circnit Judge who presided,
was ;i citizen of tJic county and resided at Ore-
gon. Jolni I), ("atoii. witli three other attorneys
of the Ninth Circuit, defended tlie 111. Wisliin-
to have them by themselves in order the better
to question and counsel them, the lawyers and
their clients, the Sheriff and his deputies ac-
companying, "marched out to a little isolated
peak in the prairie," as stated in "Early Bench
and Bar of Illinois." The peak is the one known
as "Sugar Loaf," on the grounds of the Hor-
mell home, on North Sixth Street.
The most important early criminal trial of this
portion of the State was that of the People of
the State of Illinois versus William Bebb, oc-
curring in 1854. William Bebb, former Gover-
nor of Ohio, purchased Mexican War land war-
rants which were i)laced on government land in
Leaf River Township of Ogle County and in the
adjoining Township of Seward of Winnebago
County, until the ownership so acquired ex-
tended over 5,000 acres. About 1S50, Governor
Bebb built himself a house, locating it just across
the line in Winnebago County, and soon after
removed from Ohio there with his family and
took up a i)ermanent residence. He placed fine
stock upon his land, especially Durham cattle.
Several years thereafter, following the mar-
riage of his son, Michael Bebb, a party, of a
hundred of the young fellows of the neighbor-
hood congregated at the Bebb home and began
a charivari of the usual boisterous sort The
demonstration was displeasing to Governor Bebb,
who resented it and ordered the participants to
desist and to leave the premises. No attention
being i);ii(; to his command, he became angered
and taking up a gun, fired into the crowd, fatally
wounding a young man named Niles, who lived
just across the line in Ogle County, and who
had been a follower of the crowd rather than a
l)artaker in the orgy.
(Jovernor Bebb was indicted for murder. At
the trial in Rockford, he was defended by Thos.
Corwin, law.yer, I'nited States Senator from
(^Uio and S(H'retary of the Treasury in the Cabl-
vot ol President Fillmore, which office he had
just resigned. Corwin was a special friend of
683
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Bebb and had come from his home in Ohio, to
Rocliford, to act as his attorney. It is said that
he spent several weeks in the vicinity before the
trial, incognito, preparing for his part in the
defense by seeing and talking with the people of
the locality and making himself acquainted with
their knowledge and sentiments in the matter.
Others had fired guns and proof was not made
that the shot which cost the life of the victim
of the unfortunate affair came from the hand
of the indicted man. The verdict was an acquit-
tal. A good deal of ill feeling towards Governor
Bebb was developed and for a time he lived out
of the State, but finally made his home in Rock-
ford, where he died in 1873.
While Oregon was still known by its former
name of Florence and before it was a county-
seat, its first two attorneys came,— E. S. Leland
and Thomas Ford. The former took part in the
trial of the Driscolls, being active in behalf of
the people. He remained some years in Oregon
and then removed to Ottawa, where he was
elected to a judgeship. The first deeds to lots
in Oregon show Thomas Ford as the agent of
the County Commissioners in the sale of town
lots. Before that time he had been Prosecuting
Attorney for the judicial circuit including north-
ern Illinois, and when Galena was the county-
seat for this northwestern part of the State.
From 18.35 to 1837, he was Judge of the Sixth
Judicial District, and was again commissioned
Circuit Judge in 1839. In 1841, he was elevated
to the Supreme Bench, and from there was
elected Democratic Governor in 1842. He con-
tinued to reside at Oregon until his nomination
for Governor.
W. W. Fuller located in Oregon in 1838. He
had practiced law in Massachusetts after grad-
uating from the Harvard Law School in 1817,
but visited the West in 1838 and, upon the advice
of Thomas Ford, decided to open a law office in
Oregon, continuing practice here until his death
in 1840.
Henry A. Mix came to Oregon in 1841 from
Vermont, being a graduate of the Harvard Law
School. He practiced his profession and was
identified with various business enterprises until
his accidental death in 1807. He joined the
newly-organized Republican party.
In 184.5, John B. Chaney came to Oregon from
Maryland, read law with W. W. Fuller, and was
elected Probate Justice in 1846, serving until
1851, when he departed for California and the
gold fields, dying en route.
Edward F. Dutcher began to practice law in
1843, came to Oregon in 1846 from the State of
New York, but was born in the State of Con-
necticut. He made Oregon his home for the re-
mainder of his life, during all of which he was
active as an attorney, except for an absence of
several years as a soldier in the War of the
Rebellion, from which he returned with the
rank of Major. He reached the advanced age
of more than eighty years, his death taking place
only several years ago.
J. W. Carpenter came to Polo in 1856 from
Peekskill, N. Y., where he had been admitted
to practice law a short time before. Students
together in law in the East, he and John D.
Campbell formed a law partnership in Polo,
which continued until Mr. Carpenter's death in
1862.
In 1845, Joseph Sears passed through Oregon
on his way to Prophet's Town, where he engaged
in teaching. He had begun the study of law
before leaving his native State of Vermont, com-
pleting it in the office of Judge Wilkerson of
Rock Island, and being admitted to the Bar, but
soon afterward returned to Oregon and settled
here in 1852. The following year he was ap-
pointed County Clerk and acted in that capacity
from 1854 to 1857. Resuming his profession, he
continued in the practice of the law in Oregon
during the remainder of his life, receiving the
appointment of Master in Chancery in 1888 and
performing the duties of that office up to the
time of his death, which occurred on June 5,
1892. During the nearly forty years of his prac-
tice here no member of the Bar enjoyed a wider
acquaintance or in a larger degree the respect of
the community.
George P. Jacobs read law in the office of H.
A. Mix after removing to Oregon with his par-
ents from Galena in 1852, and graduating at
Beloit College in 1857. He was admitted to the
Bar in 1860, from which time until 1881 he
practiced his profession, excepting during an
absence of two years in the Commissary Depart-
ment during the Civil War. From 1881 to 1891
he served as County Judge. His death occurred
in 1891.
M. D. Hathaway was long a member of the
Ogle County Bar from Rochelle. He came from
Yates County, New York, to Rockford in 1854,
where he was admitted to the Bar in 1856 and
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX
TILDEN F01--K D T^
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
(583
lu 18G1 moved to Roclielle, where he continued
to reside for more than forty years, his death
occurring in 1896.
M. D. Swift came to Polo from Herkimer
County, New York, In 185G, was admitted to the
Bar in 1860 after having studied law with Car-
penter and Campbell of Polo, and continued in
practice until 1893, except during an absence
of three years, first as a Captain in the Fifteenth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry and afterward as
Lieutenant-Colonel of the One Hundred and
Forty-second Illinois, in the War of the Rebel-
lion.
George E. Johnson came with his parents from
New York City to Lightsville at sixteen years
of age, read law in Chicago in the office of for-
mer Governor Altgeld, and in 1882 was ad-
mitted to the Bar and opened an oflice in Leaf
River, where he continued in practice until 1899,
when he removed to Carthage, 111., dying there
in November of the same year.
In 1873 in the office of Col. Swift, James W.
Allabeu began the study of the law and was ad-
mitted to the Bar of Ogle County in 1878. He
came to Polo with his parents in 1855 from
Delaware County, New York. He continued
in the practice of his profession at Polo the re-
mainder of his life, or until 1901.
William Sears read law with his father, Joseph
Sears, and after admission to the Bar at Ottawa
in 1889, began practice in his father's office, as-
sisting his father and also doing business on his
OAvn account. This was only for a brief period,
however, his career being cut short by his
early death in January, 1893.
Francis E. Dresser, of Lynnville, attended the
Cbicago College of Law and spent a year in the
law office of Charles A. Works, of Rockford.
He was admitted to the Bar in 1897. Making
Rochelle his home, he practiced law there for
several years, meantime assisting in the First
National Bank of Rochelle and also for a time
filling a clerical position in a department of the
State Government at Springfield, until his death
in 1906.
George O'Brien came to Amboy, 111., from
Franklin Countj', and became a law student in
the office of Attorney Wooster of Anilxjy. Later,
he went to Dixon, where he continmHl his law
reading in the office of his brother, David
O'Brien, and was admitted to the Bar in 1884.
After practicing for a short time in Dixon, he
removed to Rochelle in 1885. He built up a prac-
tice and continued his office in Rochelle for
twenty-two years, until his death on July 17,
1907.
The oldest member of the Bar of Ogle County
at the present time is Judge John D. Campbell
of Polo. Judge Campbell came to Polo in 1855
from Delaware County, N. Y., having been ad-
mitted to practice a few months before at Peeks-
kill. For a tin)e he was a member of the law
firm of Carpenter and Campbell, after which he
practiced alone. In 1872, be was elected State's
Attorney and re-elected in 1876. From 1891 to
1898 he served as County Judge. He is 78 years
of age and is still at his office and before tht
courts. In addition to being the oldest attorney,
his years of practice exceed those of any other
member of the local Bar.
Judge James II. Cartwright was a member of
the Bar of Ogle County, in active practice from
1867 until his election as Circuit Judge in 1888,
and his subsequent service on the Apixillate
Bench was followed by his elevation to the Su-
preme Bench in 1805, to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of the Hon. Joseph M. Bailey, his
re-election in 1897 and again in 1906. He came
of Illinois from Iowa, was graduated from the
Ann Arbor Law School in 1867 and soon after
opened an office in Oregon, where he still resides.
He was attornej' for the Chicago and Iowa Rail
load Company during its eventful first years.
His service in the Supreme Court is of a high
order.
The present Bar of Ogle County is made up
of the following attorneys :
At Oregon — J. C. Seyster, Franc Bacon, H. A.
Smith, E. A. Ray, F. E, Reed, Guilford McDaid,
Joseph Sears, Horace G. Kauffman. William P.
Fearer, S. W. Crowell, W. J. Emerson, F. W.
Burchell, Bert Duzan, Orville R. Ely.
At Rochelle— D. W. Baxter, W. P. Landon,
C. E. Gardner, William J. Healy, T. Frank
Ilealy, E. J. McConaughy, W. B. McHeury, Floyd
Tilton, S. V. Wirick.
At Polo— J. D. Campbell. Fred Zick, R. M.
Brand, George E. Read, Harry Typer, Robert
L. Bracken.
At Byron — J. C. Woodburn, Lyman Dexter.
At Forreston — Frank Wertz, M. H. Eakle.
Other attorneys who practiced in Ogle County,
but either for a short time, then removing to
other fields, or to an inconsiderable degree, giv-
ing of their time to other interests as well, have
been the followimr: Samuel N. Samples, who
684
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY,
delivered the address at tlie dedication of Rock
River Seminary ; Henry Roberts, F. Oliver Baird,
James C. Lucky, Tliomas J. Hewitt, N. W. Hal-
sey, W. W. Levitt, R. C. Burchell, H. P. Lason,
William B Liteh, E. A. Ward, H. O. Rogers.
CHAPTER XV
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
THE PSACTITIONEE IN PIONEEE DAYS — MATEBIA
MEDICA THEN AND NOW — NAMES OF EAELY PHY-
SICIANS SUBGEBY TBAINED NUBSES PBESENT
PHYSICIANS.
At the time of settlement and for some years
thereafter, the practice of medicine in Ogle
County was materially different from the same
vocation to-day. This was true because of con-
ditions extraneous to the profession itself. An-
swering calls was a matter of horseback and
saddle-bags, of crossing sloughs and fording
streams. A night ride to a distant farm meant
a loneliness impossible now to the rider, mak-
ing his way slowly along the boggy trail by the
aid of "the lantern dimly burning." Even a night
call in the village, where there were few or no
sidewalks and no street lamps, necessitated car-
rying a lantern, which then burned a tallow can-
dle that emitted its faint and uncertain light.
The most prevalent ailment was chills and
fever, or ague, for which quinine was the sov-
ereign remedy and was given in liberal doses,
not as now, in capsules, but in the powder it-
self. There were few prepared medicines then.
The physician from his own supply of drugs
rolled the pills and compounded the tinctures.
If the medicines were simple, they were none
the less powerful. The remedies were largely
the well known calomel, quinine, ipecac, opium,
jalap and aconite. "Bleeding" was a popular
remedy for various ills, especially those of
an inflammatory character. When the lancet
opened a vein in the arm and the blood flowed
freely, improvement was looked for in spite of
the fact that loss of blood meant loss of strength.
There were no anfestbetics. Sulphuric ether
was first used in 1846 and shortly thereafter
the value of chloroform for producing insensi-
bility to pain was discovered and hailed as a
blessing by the profession the world over, but
neither came into general use at once. Neither i
were there any antiseptics, other than the ever
present small bags of asafcetida and sulphur,
which were worn in times of contagion. Sur-
gery was limited to a few simple operations per-
formed under difficulties, no less to patient than
physician. The latter was also the dentist of
his time, but going only so far as to extract a
troublesome tooth when an application of clove
oil did not relieve the pain. That was the whole
of dentistry. The mothers of that time, accus-
tomed to depend upon themselves, were always
prepared to make and give any of a number of
simple home remedies, which were resorted to
first, and if they proved unavailing, then the
doctor was sent for. These were salves, poul-
tices, mustard plasters, herb teas, hot foot baths,
"sweats" and the like. Frequently they were
all that were needed, a considerable part of their
efiicacy being found, without doubt, in the rest
and quiet that ensued and in the sympathy and
care, the "mothering," bestowed by the good
angels of the household.
In the winter of 18S5, Dr. John Roe settled
in the county at what is now Light House. He
had started from Sangamon County for Ogle
County in 1834, but the latter not being yet
free of Indians, he and his family remained a
year in Putnam County. He followed his pro-
fession at Lighthouse for many years and was
well known and highly esteemed. His practice
extended over a wide area, at times as far east
as Sycamore and as far west as Buffalo Grove.
Dr. Roe was a Pennsylvanian by birth, but
came to Illinois from Kentucky, where his medi-
cal education was obtained. His custom of keep-
ing a lamp burning all night in the window of
his house, upon an elevation from which the
light was seen for many miles across the prairie,
gave the name "Lighthouse" to the village that
grew up around him. Dr. Malcolm C. Roe, of
Chana, who has practiced medicine there for
thirty years, is a son, and Dr. J. Benjamin Roe,
of Oregon, a grandson of Dr. John Roe, making
three generations of physicians in that pioneer
family.
Dr. William J. Mix obtained his medical edu-
cation in Montreal, Canada, but after a residence
of several years and the practice of medicine In
illSTOKY OF oriLK ('OrXTV
685
Pennsylvania, came to Oregon Township in 1835.
He acted as Assistant Surgeon at the battle of
riattsburg during the War of 1S12. He followed
his profession in Oregon until his death in 1850,
also being engaged in mercantile business for a
time in Daysville. He was well known over a
wide area of country.
Dr. Burns, Dr. Beatty, Dr. Ilurd. and Dr.
Heed were the first physicians of Polo, Mount
Morris, Byron and Kochelle, respectively. Dr.
McNiel, Dr. Stephens and Dr. McCosh, of Mount
Morris ; Dr. Snyder, of Polo ; Dr. Potter, of Ore-
gon ; Dr. Gould, of Rochelle, and Dr. Russell
and Dr. Helni, of Byron, were among the early
practitioners of the county.
In later years, and until his death in 1901,
Dr. H. A. Mix, of Oregon, and a son of Dr. Wil-
liam .7. Mix, was well known thi'oughout the
county as a capable physician and surgeon. He
was graduated from Rush Medical College,
where he did post-graduate work after his re-
turn from the War of the Rebellion, in which
he was Assistant Surgeon and later Surgeon of
the Sixty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry from
February, 18*J4. until the close of the war. Dr.
George M. McKenney, who had been associated
with him, and is now a practicing physician of
Oregon, is a grandson of Dr. William J. Mix,
another instance of three generations of physi-
cians in a pioneer family of this county.
Dr. David Newcomer was well regarded by
the people of Mount Morris and the surrounding
region, where he followed his profession from
1SG7 until his death in 1901. He was a graduate
of .Tefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and
an Army Surgeon during the Civil War.
In surgery the progress has been no less mark-
ed than in materia medica. With ether and chlo-
roform for general and cocaine for local anses-
thesia, with antisei)tic bandages and solutions
and with finely made instruments designed for
particular uses according to anatomical knowl-
edge, the most exact and profound, the surgeon
of to-day performs marvelous operations for the
health and life of his patients. At this time
Dr. Helm and Dr. Allaben, of Rockford, and
Dr. Staley, of Freeport, are called to Ogle
County for difficult surgical cases. The trained
nurse is a most valuable adjunct of the medical
profession of the present time. A number of
young women of the county have taken the in-
struction and attended niwn the geiu^ral hos-
pital practice in Chicago, Rockford, or elsewhere.
necessary to entitle them to certificates to act
as trained nurses. Those whose services are
now being given in that capacity and whose
names have been available are the following:
Misses Esther Waterbury, Grace Judson, Helena
Hackett, Bertha Hanes, Alice Holland, Neila
Maynard. Edna Knight, Pearl linger, Lillian
Reynolds, Lydia Hicks, Rosabell King.
The physicians of the c»ounty at the present
time and in the different towns are the follow-
ing:
At Rochelle — William ,J. Gould, G. E. Bush-
nell, F. G. Crowell, E. C. File. J. L. Gardner,
,T. C. Kennedy, B. G. Stevens.
At Oregon — G. M. McKenney, .J. A. Beveridge,
B. A. Cottlow, J. Benjamin Roe, Leo E. Schnei-
der, Horace H. Sheets, E. .7. Wolcott.
At Polo— L. A. Beard, W. B. Donaldson, S. D.
Huston, J. H. Judson, George Maxwell, C. W.
McPherson, C. E. Powell.
At Mount Morris — George B. McCosh, W, W.
Hanes, C. J. Price, J. G. Brubaker.
At Forreston— J. C. Aikens, F. S. Overfield, R.
O. Brown.
At Byron— A. J. Woodcock, W. E. Coquittelle,
.7. A. Johnson, S. E. Thomixeon.
Creston— A. G. Blanchard, H. C. Robbing, J.
F. Vanvoorhis.
Leaf River — S. B. Bowerman. J. T. Kretzinger,
Dr. Replogle.
Holcomb — 'G. S. Henderson. John Murray.
Stillman Valley — A. II. Beebe. .loseph Rep-
logle.
Grand Detour — James Pankhurst, J. B. Wer-
rens.
Monroe— J. F. Snyder, H. G. Davis.
Ghana— Malcolm C. Roe.
Brookville — C. R. Brigham. Harriet E. Gam-
mon.
Kings — E. B. Johnson.
CHAPTER XVI.
RAILROADS AND TELEPHONES.
THE SIX RAILROADS OF OGLE COUNTY — EARLY RAIL-
ROAD ENTERPRISES IN ILLINOIS — LITIGATION OVEB
686
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
EAILROAD AID BONDS LIST OF STATIONS ON RAIL-
ROAD LINES — THE BELL AND LOCAL TELEPHONE
COMPANIES.
"Transportation is the vital fact in tlie com-
mercial growth and prosperity of the country."
— President Roosevelt.
Ogle County is traversed by the following rail-
roads : the Illinois Central ; the Chicago &
Northwestern; the Burlington; the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul; the Chicago & Great
Western ; the Illinois, Iowa & Minnesota ;
built in the order named.
As eai-ly as 1S32 the project of a railway from
the mouth of the Ohio River northward to the
Illinois and Michigan Canal was advanced and
discussed. In 1836 the General Assembly
granted a charter and in 1837 the scheme was
pushed, but beyond the construction of a line
between Meredosia and Springfield as a part
of the Xorthern Cross Railroad, nothing was
completed and the matter dropped. Finally in
1850, Senator Douglas obtained from Congress
a grant to the State of Illinois of alternate
sections of laud from Cairo to the northwest-
ern corner of the State, and extending sis miles
on either side, foi a line of railway to be char-
tered by the General Assembly and built by
private capital, the company so organized to
be made the beneficiary of the granted land.
This resulted in the building of the Illinois
Central Railway. When land within the six-
mile limit was not vacant, substitutes for the
alternate sections were taken east and west
of the road to a distance of fifteen miles. A
branch was to extend from LaSalle, the south-
ern end of the Illinois and Michigan Canal,
to Chicago. The charter exempted the com-
pany from taxation, but required that it pay
into the treasury of the State seven per cent.
of its gross earnings. The total amount so
received up to 1004 was .$22,722,890. The road
was completed through Ogle County in 1853.
The stations on this line in the county are Woo-
sung. Polo, Haldane, Forreston, and Baileyville.
At Polo a fine new brick station has recently
been erected.
The next railway was a branch of the Galena
& Chicago Union Railroad, known as the Dixon
Air Line. This left the main line at Turner
Junction, now West Chicago. It was built in
1854, was afterward purchased by the Chicago
& Northwestern Company, and is now a part
of that road's main line from Chicago to Omaha.
The stations in the county are Creston, Ro-
chelle and Flagg.
While engaged in supervising the construc-
tion of the bridge across Rock River at Oregon
in 1867, Francis E. Hinckley, of the firm of
Canda and Hinckley, Chicago, learned of the
efforts of the people of Ogle and Carroll Coun-
ties to secure a railway, and of the existence
of the Ogle and Carroll County Railroad Com-
pany, by which, however, nothing tangible had
been accomplished, but whose purpose was to
run a railway from Roehelle to Mount Carroll,
its charter having been obtained from the Legis-
lature as early as 1857. Mr. Hinckley deter-
mined to take up the matter and bring it to a
conclusion. The result was the act of March 3,
1869, authorizing the incorporation of the Chi-
cago & Iowa Railroad Company, and directing
the building of a railroad from Roehelle to Sa-
vanna. The company organized by the election
of F, E. Hinckley, James Y. Gale, F. G. Petrie,
E. S. Potter, and D. B. Stiles as directors, and
the board elected F. E. Hinckley, President,
and James V, Gale, Vice-President.
It was expected that the Chicago & North-
western Company would aid the project. This
failed and, instead, arrangements were made
wath the Burlington Company for connecting
with its line at Aurora. Under the then exist-
ing law an Illinois township might by a majority
vote donate money in aid of a proposed railway
within its borders. Accordingly, aid was voted
the new road ; in Ogle County, Flagg Township
donating $50,000; Oregon, $50,000; Pine Rock,
$10,000 ; Nashua, $5,000 ; Mount Morris, $75,000 ;
Forreston, $75,000.
The work was pushed vigorously. By the be-
ginning of winter of 1869, the new road had
been surveyed from Roehelle to Oregon, and the
work of grading nearly completed. New York
capital to the amount of $1,000,000 was ad-
vanced on a first mortgage, and the work went
on. In the fall of 1870, grading began at Au-
rora, and the construction train of the new road
appeared in Roehelle on December 31st, having
run through from Aurora. By April 1, 1871,
the road was completed to Oregon at a point
where the four highw-ays cross east of the wagon
bridge, which was then expected to be the per-
manent route for entering Oregon, but this was
afterward changed to the present route one
THE NEW YORK ]
PUBLIC LIBRA"RYJ
ASTOK, lf:
TILDEN FOT-r
HISTORY OF OGLE COUXTY.
687
luile farther south. The old roadbed may yet
be seen in the outline through the land running
southeast from the crossing of the highways
just mentioned, and now the farm of S. H.
Reints. Freight and passengers bi'gan to be car-
ried. The building of the bridge began in
July and was completed by October 20th. The
first train ran into Mount Morris on November
12th, and on the 2Sth, into Forreston, the west-
ern terminus of the road, where connection was
made with the Illinois Central Railroad. By
arrangements with the Illinois Central and Bur-
lington companies, through trains were run over
the three lines from Chicago to Dubuque.
This gave a much needed railroad across the
county from east to west, but one factor in the
financing of the enterprise had its disadvan-
tages — the railroad aid bonds. The minority
opposed to their issue watched every opportunity
for technical grounds of objection by which to
defeat the obligation and avoid the debt.
In the town of Flagg, by the terms of the
contract under which tlie donation was made,
the new road was to be completed "in and
through the town of Flagg" by January 1, 1871.
On December 31, 1870, when the first train ran
into Rochelle and therefore into, but not through,
the town of Flagg, the minority found cause of
complaint, and later obtained an injunction re-
straining the officials from issuing bonds to pay
the promised aid, claiming that the town was
released from any obligation. The Supreme
Court sustained the injunction, though on other
grounds, holding that, whereas the bonds were
voted at a town meeting under a moderator,
there should have been an election with judges
and clerks to make the bonds legal and binding.
The same anti-payment step was taken by Ore-
gon, and for substantially the same reason — ina-
bility on the part of the company to complete
the road to Oregon until a little later than it
had agreed to do so. After continuances in the
Circuit Court from October, 1871, to October,
1873, by a sort of compromise, the Supervisor
of the town of Oregon having defaulted in ap-
pearance before the court, a decree was granted
allowing the complainants .$40,000 and for the
defendants $10,000 of bonds of the $50,000 origi-
nally voted. For the past thirty-five years this
bonded debt of $40,000, after having been refund-
ed at various times, with no provision for the
payment of anything lint the interest, is about to
be paid at the rate of $4,000 each year.
Forreston Township refused to fulfill its obli-
gation to issue bonds for the aid voted. Litiga-
tion ensued and her Supervisor, F. H. Tice,
being in c-ontempt of court for refusal to exe-
cute an order thereof, was imprisoned. The mat-
ter was compromised by the issue of bonds for
$50,000 of the $75,000 voted.
Mount Morris Township also had a minority
unwilling to submit to the vote of the majority.
When the new railroad was approaching the
townsliip as fast as its engineers could build it,
an injunction was obtained praying that the offi-
cials be restrained from issuing bonds, or levy-
ing a tax, in payment of the donation of $75,000,
Before the court decree was obtained, the rail-
road company and the town reached a settle-
ment, whereby it was agreed in terms more
than usually amicable, that the aid extended
siiould be .$50,000 instead of $75,000, the disaf-
fected petitioners becoming parties thereto after
themselves receiving a donation from the public
funds of $1,600 to defray their expenses for
"lawyers' fees, travelling expenses and court
charges." Bonds were issued accordingly, pay-
able in ten years. Seven years later, when the
time for payment was drawing near, other disaf-
fected citizens filed their bill in the Circuit
Court, "on the chancery side thereof," for a sec-
ond injunction, the prayer of which was that
the township be restrained from levying a tax
to pay the bonds of the compromise when the
ten years should be up. The new ground of ob-
jection to payment lay in the report that Super-
visor Getzandaner had interviewed the German
Insurance Company of Freeport, the holder of
most of the bonds, for the purpose of getting
from its officers a reduction in the rate of inter-
est, and that he had secured a promise from
them to thereafter accept eight per cent, instead
of ten, whereas, when the next interest fell due,
the Insurance Company demanded the rate "nom-
inated in the bond," declaring that they never
agreed to be satisfied with less. There was evi-
dently a misunderstanding, but the minority,
now grown to nearly, if not fully, a majority,
became incensed at the bondholders for an al-
leged breach of faith, and so found, as they be-
lieved, a new weapon with which to fight the
debt.
The Circuit Court dissolved the injunction
and I he case was then taken by appeal to the
Supreme Court, where, after six years of litiga-
tion, the decision of the lower court was flf-
688
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
firmed. Then for a number of years tlie enforce-
ment of the decision of the court was obstructed
by the refusal of the Town Cleric to qualify or to
execute the law. Meantime interest at the rate
of ten per cent, had gone unpaid for nine years
and the original bonded sum of $50,000 now
amounted to over $104,000. Of this amount,
$47,000 was paid the following year in a tax
fourfold larger than any which the people of
the township had ever before been called on
to pay. The remaining $57,929.25 of the in-
debtedness was refunded at four per cent, in
bonds of varying denominations In such manner
that $3,600 became due each year until all should
be paid. The fight put up against paying the
obligation had injured the town's credit. The
new bonds were oflrered to N. W. Harris & Co., of
Chicago and New York, whose New York repre-
sentative on Wall Street was N. W. Halsey,
formerly of Forreston, who had special knowl-
edge of the whole matter, and it was through
his recommendation that his firm took the bonds
at par. All but two of them have since been
cancelled, the two remaining unpaid not matur-
ing until in .June of 1909 and of 1910.
The Constitutional Convention of 1870 in fram-
ing the present Constitution of Illinois adopted
a provision declaring that "no county, city, town,
township or other municipality, shall ever be-
come subscriber to the capital stock of any rail-
road or private corporation, or make donation
to or loan its credit in aid of such corporation,"
but without interfering with the carrying out
of any such subscription already made, thus put-
ting an end to this class of litigation.
The Chicago and Iowa Railroad continued to
be oi^rated as built for seventeen years, except
that its headquarters were removed to Rochelle,
but eventually it came under the control and,
after passing through the hands of a receiver,
under the ownership of the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad Company. In 1885 a new
orgnnizafion, the Burlington & Northern Rail-
road Company, leased the Chicago & Iowa Rail-
road and, beginning at Oregon, built a new line
west to Savanna, and north to La Crosse, where,
by fiirlhor loasing, through trains were run from
Chif ago to SI. I'aul and Minneapolis. Since then
both the Chicago & Iowa and the Burlington &
Northern Railroad Companies have been merged
into the Burlington Company, whose through
trains, with their chair, Pullman, huffot and din-
ing cars, run to St. Paul and Minneapolis.
In 1874, F. E. Hinckley of the Chicago & Iowa
Railroad Company, together with capitalists of
Roekford, organized the Chicago, Rockford &
Northern Railroad Company. The road extends
from Flagg Centi-e to Rockford, and upon its
completion in 1875, was leased to the Chicago &
Iowa Railroad Company for thirty years for
twenty-five percent, of its gross earnings. Its
stations in the county are Flagg Centre, Kings,
Holccrmb and Davis Junction. That portion of
the road north of Davis Junction was taken
forcible possession of by the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul Railroad Company in an attempt to
seize the entire road because of the latter com-
pany having purchased considerable Chicago,
Rockford & Northern stock, the two roads cross-
ing at Davis Junction. The courts restored the
captured property, which since then has been
used by both roads upon an amicable basis, to
enter Rockford. The Chicago, Rockford & North-
ern Railroad is now owned by the Burlington
Company, which leases the whole of it and also
that portion of the old Chicago & Iowa Railroad
from Flagg Centre to Stewart Junction, to its
former enemy for the latter's trains over the
new branch to Mendota. The two companies
owii jointly a fine new station recently built
by them at Davis Junction.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company
built into Ogle County from Chicago, via Elgin
as far as Byron, in 1875. In 1880 the road was
continued through the county as far west as
Savanna. The stations are Montoe, Davis Junc-
tion, Stillman Valley, Byron, Leaf River, Ade-
line, Forreston and Harper. The company paid
liberally for its right of way and gives the
territory it traverses the best of railroad facili-
ties.
The next line of railway to enter Ogle County
was the Chicago and Great Western, which
passes through Lindenwood, Stillman Valley,
Byron, Myrtle and Egan City. It was built in
1880 and is a through line from Chicago to points
in Illinois and Iowa.
In 1905, the American Steel Company built a
railroad from Momence, 111., through Joliet, Au-
rora, De Kalb and Rockford, to points in Iowa
and Minnesota, known as the Illinois. Iowa &
Minnesota Railroad, or Outer Belt Line. This
road crosses the northeastern corner of Ogle
County, but there is no station on it within the
short distance it traverses in Ogle County. Built
for freight purposes chiefly, it affords an oppor-
IIISTOKV OF (KiLK (orXTY
G89
tuiiity to the people livinj; witbiu reach of it
to ship manufactured products and other mer-
chandise to points east of Chicago without the
delay encountered by switching through that
city.
Efforts have been made at different times to
construct an electric railway for freight and
passenger traffic along Kock River l)etween
Dixon and Kockford, passing, in Ogle County,
through Grand Detour, Oregon and Byron. In
1903, after several surveys had awakened inter-
est in the project, grading was begun a short
distance this side of Grand Detour, and poles
were set in Oregon and elsewhere, but only for
the purpose of prolonging the life of the fran-
chise. Nothing further was done.
Telephones
In 1885. the Central Union Telephone Com-
pany establisbcd its lines in Ogle County. This
was the first company to install a service. The
stations Avere then only the principal towns, with
but one central phone in each place, for the use,
not of subscribers, as now, but of those who
came to the station and paid so much toll for
each call. Telephoning could then be done as far
as Chicago and St. Louis. It was not until
1893 that long distance telephony, as we now
have it, was accomplished. In that year mes-
sages were first sent between New York and
Chicago, and a few months later between Bos-
ton and Chicago.
The Central Union Telephone Company was
a sub-licensed comi)any of tlie Bell Telephone
Company, which enjoyed a monopoly of the tele-
phone business from its introduction by Alex-
ander Graham Bell for nearly twenty years. In-
dependent telephone companies did not thrive
because of the relucttince of capital to invest in
a law-suit. But about 1900, when the Berliner
patent was declared invalid, independent tele-
phone business increased, especially in tlie rural
parts of the United States, which had been neg-
lected by the Bell Company.
In 1901. the Ogle County Telephone Company
was organized with a capital of $100,000. Its
headquarters are at Rochelle. It has extended
its lines throughout the county, giving both rural
and town service, until now the phones which
its subscribers use number between 2,.';00 and
2,400. By its connection with the Inter-State
Telephone Company, communication is held with
all the surrounding counties. The service is
good and at a reasonable cost. The present offi-
cers are: II. Wales, President; G. W. Hamlin.
Vice-President; A. B. Sheadle, Secretary and
Treasurer.
i^everal years ago tlu' Oregon Mutual Tele-
phone Comi)any, the Polo .Mutual Telephone Com-
pany and the Grand Detour Mutual Telephone
Cunipaiiy were organized. The object primarily
in each instance was to furnish telephone com-
munication to the farmers. That has in large
measure been accomplished, but not in the man-
ner that was anticipated. Each one of the three
local, independent companies has formed busi-
ness affiliations with the Bell Telephone Com-
pany and Is now a sub-licensed company of the
latter. At the time of the organization of the
above-mentioned mutual companies, the follow-
ing named i)er.-;ons were the respective Presidents
and Secretaries: At Oregon — John Harris and
B. B. Bemis; at Polo— William Powell and C.
C. Price ; at Grand Detour — Victor H. Bovey and
Charles W. Johnston.
Creston has a mutual telei)hone company — the
Tri-Couuty Mutual — that has continued its in-
dependent organization and business since its
beginning seven or eight years ago. Its capital
is $0,000 and the number of its phones 120. W.
H. Dickinson is Secretary and E. C. Oakland.
President.
CIIAl'lKU X\1I.
FK.VTERNAL SOCIETIES.
MASONS AND EASTERN STAR ODD FEIXOWS AND
REBEKAHS MODERN WOOD.MEN AND ROYAL
NEIGHBORS MYSTIC WORKERS OF THE WORLD —
COURT OF HONOR — KNIGHTS OF THE GLOBE —
YEOMEN OF AMERICA KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.
Ogle County comprises a jiart of the Eleventh
Masonic District of Illinois, and is under the
jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State.
There is assigned to each district, by the Grand
IjOdge. one District Depnly Grand ]\Iaster.
William J. Emerson, of Oregon, is the present
District Deputy and Grand Master of the Elev-
690
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
enth District. At the present time two Grand
Lecturers of the Grand Lodge of Illinois are
residents of Oregon, viz.: C. M. Babbitt and
Dr. B. A. Cottlow.
MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS.
The Masonic bodies throughout the county are
in a very flourishing condition, many of the
Lodges owning fine properties on which they
have erected Masonic Temples, which are not
only a credit to the Order but to the towns in
which they are located.
Oeeqon.
The first Masonic Lodge in Ogle County was
organized in 1S4S at Oregon, and on October 3d
of that year it received its charter from the
Grand Lodge A. F. & A, M. of Illinois, as Jeru-
salem Lodge No. 62, with William Little as Wor-
shipful Master. Being unable to maintain its
organization, the charter was revoked by the
Grand Lodge October 4, 1853. From that time
Oregon was without a Masonic Lodge until
1863, when Oregon Lodge No. 420, A. F. & A. M.,
was organized, receiving a charter from the
Grand Lodge on October 5th, 1864, with Ruel
Thorp as Worshipful Master. Oregon Lodge,
No. 420, now has a membership of 145. The
principal officers are, H. B. Wade, W. M., John
D. Mead, Sec'y. Meetings are held the first
Wednesday on or before full moon.
Rock River Chapter, No. 151, Royal Arch
Masons, of Oregon, 111., was organized and re-
ceived a charter from the Grand Chapter of
Illinois, October 6, 1871, with W. E. Thorp as
E. High Priest. The Chiapter has a present
membership of 101. The oflicers are, J. Sears,
E. II. P., John C. Mattison, Sec'y. Meetings are
held on the third Tuesday of each month.
Sinnissippi Chapter, No. 324, Order Eastern
Star, was organized at Oregon, 111., January 24,
1806, and received its charter from the Grand
Chapter O. E. S. of Illinois, October 15, 1896,
with Anna Spoor, Worthy Matron, Asa Dimon,
Worthy Patron. W. L. Middleknuff, Sec'y. The
Chapter has a membership of about 125. Offi-
cer.s, Bessie Hopkins, W. Matron ; J. Sears, W.
Patron ; E. F. Davis, Sec'y. Meetings first and
third Tuesdays of each month.
Mount Morrls.
The second Masonic Lodge organized in Ogle
County was located at Mt. Morris, Samuel H.
Davis Lodge, No. 90. receiving a charter from
the Grand Lodge of Illinois, October 6, 1851,
with Isaiah Wilcoxon, W. Master. On October
5, 1864, Forreston Lodge, No, 413, was organized
and received a charter from the Grand Lodge,
but in 1876 it was consolidated, by and with the
consent of the Grand Lodge, with Samuel H.
Davis Lodge, No. 96, with O. H. Swingley, W.
Master. The Lodge has a present membership
of 50, with S. E. Avey, W. Master, and J. G.
Miller, Sec'y. Meetings held first and third
Mondays of each month.
POLO.
Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 187, A. F. & A. M.. Polo.
111., was organized November 13, 1855, and re-
ceived a charter from the Grand Lodge of Illi-
nois, October 6, 1855, with James C. Luckey as
W. Master. The Lodge has a present member-
ship of 83. The officers are, William T. Schell,
W. Master, and Samuel Goldsmith, Sec'y. Meet-
ings first and third Thursdays of each month.
Tyrian Chapter, No. 61, R. A. M., Polo, 111.,
was the first chapter organized in Ogle County,
receiving a charter from the Grand Chapter of
Illinois, September 27, 1861, with James 0.
Luckey, E. H. Priest. The Chapter has a pres-
ent membership of 48. Officers: Scott Donald-
son, E. H. P., and Samuel Goldsmith, Sec'y.
Meetings every Monday evening.
Corinthian Chapter, No. 412, O. E. S., Polo,
111., has a membership of 71. Its officers are,
Flora Hammer, W. Matron; Albert Foster, W.
Patron ; Ella Brand, Sec'y. Meetings on second
and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
ROCHELLE.
Horicon Lodge, No. 244, A. F. & A. M., of
Rochelle, 111., was organized and received a
charter from the Grand Lodge of Illinois, Octo-
ber 7, 1857, with D. A. Baxter as W. Master.
Its present membership is 116. The officers are,
George Moore, W. Master, and W. B. McHenry,
Sec'y. Meetings first and third Tuesdays of
each month.
Rochelle Chapter, No. 158, R. A. M., received
its charter from the Grand Chapter of Illinois,
October 30, 1873. It has a present membership
of 102, with W. B. McHenry, E. H. P. Meetings
are hold second and fourth Fridays of each
month.
Salome Chapter, No. 372, O. E. S., was organ-
ized and received its charter from the Grand
Chapter O. E. S. of Illinois, April 16, 1807, with
Mrs. Emma Brundage, W. Matron ; E. A, Ward,
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY
G91
W. Patron, and Julia Morris, Sec'y- Salome
Chapter has a membership of 150. Its officers
are, Laura Patterson, W. Matron ; Fred W.
Craft, W. Patron ; Maiulo E. Vailo, Sec'y. Meet-
ings first and third Tliiirsdays of each mouth.
Byron.
Byron Lodge, No. 274, A. F. & A. M., of Byron.
111., received its charter from the Grand Lodge
of Illinois is 1S5S, with Charles F. Wertz as
W. Master, and Eleazer Lockwood. Sec'y. Byron
Lodge has a membership of 58. Its officers are,
Jesse M. Heald, W. Master ; Lyman Dexter,
Sec'y. Meetings on third Thursday of each
month.
Byron Chapter, No. 394, O. E. S., was organ-
ized at Byron, 111., February 8, 1898, with Ada
Woodburn, W. Matron ; S. B. Shuart, W. Patron,
and Helen Woodcock, Sec'y. The Chapter has a
present membership of 50. Officers : Ida D.
Smith, W. Matron; G. E. Smith, W. Patron;
Emma Kosier, Sec'y. Meetings are held third
Tuesday of each month.
Cbeston.
Creston Lodge, No. 320, A. F. & A. M.. of
Creston, 111., received its charter from the Grand
Lodge of Illinois, October, 1859, with Asa Dimon,
W. Master. The Lodge has a present member-
ship of 50. Officers : Thomas W. Powder, W.
Master ; H. V. Linn, Sec'y. Meetings on first
Monday of each month.
HOLCOMB.
Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 505, A. F. & A. M.,
of Holcomb, III., received its charter from the
Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1865. The Lodge has
a membership, of 91. Its officers are, E. F.
Gates, W. Master; F. E. Sheaff, Sec'y. Meet-
ings Saturday on or before full moon.
Holcomb Chapter, No. 455, O. E, S., of Hol-
comb, 111., was instituted March 21, 1900, under
dispensation from the Grand Chapter O. E. 6.
of Illinois, with Mrs. E. E. Stanbury, W. Ma-
tron ; Calvin Oaks, W. Patron ; R. L. Heydeeker,
Sec'y. The Chapter has a membership of 63.
The officers are, Mrs. H. Willoughby, W. Ma-
tron ; Walter Smart, W. Patron; Edna Archi-
bald. Sec'y. Meetings first Tuesday on or before
full moon.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OP ODD FELLOWS.
The following embraces a list of the principal
Odd Fellows and auxiliary organizations in Ogle
C'ouiily. with dale of organization, rlKirtcr iiiein-
hers and present officers :
ROCHELLE.
Hall of Hickory Grove Lodge I. O. O. F., No.
230, instituted at Rochelle, May 12, 1857. Char-
ter members, Miles TenEycke, David M. Smiley,
J. B. Barber, J. P. Nettleton, and J. M. Hunter.
Present othcers, D. C. Russell, N. G. ; Albert
Fogle, V. G. ; A. M. Peck, Sec'y; J. O. McCon-
aughy, Treas.
Mt. Morris.
Elysian Lodge, No. 56, I. O. O. F., instituted
at Mt. Morris, 111., December 22, 1874, by Past
Grand blaster James S. Tieknor of Rockford.
The first officers were : Noble Grand, J. M.
Smith; Vice Grand, A. E. King; Sec'y, Elija
Lott ; Treas., Benj. G. Stevens. The present offi-
cers are : W, G. Freeman, N. G. ; W, E. Mc-
Cready, V. G. ; Fred Fredrickson, Sec'y; W. H.
Miller, Per. Sec'y ; A. M. Newcomer, Treas.
Leaf River.
Leaf River Ivodge. No. 107. I. O. O. P., was
instituted March 1, 1901. First officers: Noble
Grand, Herman Johnson ; Vice Grand, H. E.
Bowerman ; Rec. Sec., W. S. Mitchell ; Treas.,
S. M. Graves. Present officers : Noble Grand,
A. Malone; Vice Grand, W. M. Smith; Rec. Sec,
H. P. Miller; Treas.. J. W. Foster.
Polo.
Polo Lodge, I. O. O. P., No. 197, was insti-
tuted March 13, 1856, with 60 charter members.
The first officers were : Robert Fisher, N. G. ;
Ira Demander, V. G. ; Benj. Walkey, Sec'y ; John
H. Jay, Treas. The present membership is 142.
Present officers : Harry Miller, N. G. ; Maynard
Waterbury, V. G. ; Glen Stevenson, Sec'y ; Chas.
H. Johnson. Per. Sec'y ; Henry Wolf, Treas.
Trustees: E. G. Randall, L. P. Thomas, W. T.
Smith, J. C. Smith, William Strickler.
FORRESTON.
White Oak Lodge, No. 667. I. O. O. P., Forres-
ton, 111., was instituted December 23, 1879, with
seven charter members. First officers: Nol)Ie
Grand. A. Omelia ; Vice Grand, J. J. Mann ; Sec,
D. G. Allen ; Treas.. P. P. Nicodemus. Present
officers: P. M. Billig. N. G. ; John R. Link, V.
G. ; D. G. Allen, Sec. ; P. P. Nicodemus, Treas.
692
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
LiNDENWOOD.
Linden Lodge No. 829, was instituted, Jan. 4,
1895, by the subordinate Lodge of Rocbelle, with
13 charter members, viz. : D. C. Stocking, Frank
Bird, Peter C. Arends, Samuel Wright, Frank-
lin J. Bailey, Alexander Hill, William J. Bell,
Ai'thur Arends, Cassius E. Perry, Benjamin F.
Hess, William J. Button, George Jones, James
Walker. The first officers were: D. C. Stocking,
X. G. ; Sam'l Wright, V. G. ; Frank F. Bird,
Secy. ; Peter C. Arends, Treas. ; Franklin J. Bai-
ley, Conductor ; Beuj. F. Hess, Warden. In 1898
the Lodge built a fine lodge room with store un-
derneath. There are now 67 members in good
standing. The present officers are : W. H. Perry,
N. G. ; Richard Peters, V. G. ; Chas. Spring,
Secy. ; John B. Struble, Treas. ; Philip Powers,
Conductor ; Willis Talbot, Warden ; Harry Stew-
ard, Chaplain.
I. O. O. F. ENCAMPMENT.
Rock River Encampment, No. 154, I. O. O. F.,
instituted Dec. 3, 1888. Charter members, 230.
First officers : T. M. Bacon, C. Post ; J. S. San-
ders, H. Priesc; .Jos. Webb, S. Warden; F. S.
Burchell, Scribe ; H. P. Lasou, Treas. ; A. M.
Newcomer. J. Warden. Present officers : N. F.
Carpenter, C. P. ; Victor Olson. H. Priest ; Chas.
Reed. S. Warden ; H. Lebowich, J. Warden ; L.
V. Rumery. Treas.; F. C. Potter, Scribe.
ORDER OF REBEKAHS.
The Order of Rebekahs was organized under
the auspices of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, as the outcome of resolutions adopted at
the meeting of the Grand Lodge of the latter or-
der held in 1850, Schuyler Colfax of Indiana,
afterward Vice President of the United States,
being a principal factor in securing that result,
the object of the order as an auxiliary of the Odd
Fellows organization being to visit the sick, re-
lieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate
the orphan. Mr. Colfax prepared the lectures
and charges of tlie new order, which wore adopted
at Ihe UH'eting of the (irand Lodge held in Sep-
tember. 185L The first Rebokah T^dge of Illi-
nois was instituted at Ottawa. January 14, 1870.
FORKK.STON.
Mizpali Lodgi', .N'o. Kii', tin- first Lodge of the
Order in Ogle County, was instituted at For-
reston. June IS, 1880. tlic first officers being: C.
E. Nicodemus, N. G. ; Kate Omelia, V. G. ; Nellie
Mumma, Sec. ; E. C. Miller, Treas. The char-
ter members were: Mr. John Miller, Mrs. E. C.
Miller, Mr. S. W. Mumma, C. E. Nicodemus, A.
Omelia, M. D. Stover, I. J. Vogelgesang, H. H.
Miller, A. P. Seas, S. Seas, Mr. Fickenger, N.
Mumma, S. Nicodemus, Kate Omelia, C. Miller,
Amanda Seas, Kate Seas, Annie Muhring, Kate
Pyfer.
Oregon.
Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 140, of Oregon,
was instituted March 2, 1893. First officers: C.
Olsen, N. G. ; Maud A. Lason, V. G. ; Etta Olson,
Rec. Sec. ; Mrs. Webb, Fin. Sec, and Irene
Thayer, Treas. The 35 charter members were:
Brothers — L. V. Rumery, F. E. Thayer, F. M.
Gilbert, C. H. Chamberlin, C. Olson, F. S. Bur-
chell, F. E. Reynolds, O. H. Wade, H. P; Larson,
F. A. Jewett, D. Stout, F. Webb, F. S. Saunders,
W, F. Carpenter. D. J. Hawn, Z. Snyder. A. Tice.
Sisters — Alice Rumery, Irene Thayer, Nancy
Jewett, Orissa Hawn, Mary L. Chamberlin,
Louisa Burchell, Mary Stout, Electa Reynolds,
Addie Welty, H, Elizabeth Wade, Alice Carpen-
ter, Alice Waggoner, Elizabeth A. Gilbert,
Frances Snyder, Linnie Webb. Etta Olson. Maud
A. Lasou. Jennie Tice.
ROCHELLE.
Rochelle Rebekah Lodge No. 471, of Rochelle,
was instituted November 6, 1896, with .52 char-
ter members. First officers : Amelia A. McCon-
aughy, N. G. ; Lucy Furlong, V. G. ; Agnes H.
O'Brien, Sec. ; Flora Baker, Fin. Sec. ; Alletta L.
Parker. Treas. The Charter members were :
Brothers— J. L. Spath, Jas. P. O'Brien, Stew-
art J. Baker, Thomas Baker, Wm. Baker, Her-
bert Smart. Julius Howard, Duahe C. Stocking,
Edw. L. Cooper, Joseph Parker, George Luxton,
John S. Neil, Robert E. Rae, Chas. M. Hayes,
R. L. Walters. J. T. Lynn, W. J. Furlong, M. P.
Crossette. J. O. McConaughy, S. M. Boyle, Fred
Larsen, Alex Forrest, Daniel Ringle, Euclid
Beech, S. J. Pai'ker, Geo. W. Unger, Ellis Kirk,
Chas. Dunham, Wm. Burgess, F. W. Clark.
Sisters — Rhetta Howard, Laura Baker, Flora
Baker, Mary T. Baker, Ella O'Brien, Lucy Fwr-
long, Anna Forrest, Marth Kirk, Armilda Cooper,
Minnie Luxton, Elizabeth Nuge, Alma C. Lynn.
Lucretia Ringle. Agnes H. O'Brien. Eva M. Wal-
ters, Delia M. Lynn. Rhoda Walters, Filda Lar-
sen. Aletta L. Parker, Anna Spath, Amelia A.
McConaugh.v, Florence Parker.
i
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEN •: I'
TILDEN FQUNO. _ _^_ _J
HISTOID Y OF OGLE COLWTY.
693
Mt. Mohris.
Sandstone Rebekah Lodge. No. 5:iS, Mt. Morris.
was instituted Feb. 14, ISDt). First officers:
Julia Slater, N. G. ; Laura Lizer, V. G. ; H. G.
Newcomer, Sec; Maude Rowe, F. Sec; Edua
Newcomer, Treas. The charter nienihers were:
Brothers — L. E. Lizer, IL G. Newcomer, Harry
Knodle, Edward Slater, W, H. Miller, Fred
Fredrickson. A. M. Newcomer, W. E. MeCready,
Samuel Rowe.
Sisters — Edua Newconier, Maude Kowe. Lizzie
Lizer, Alice Nail, Julia Slater, Elizabeth Me-
Cready, Anna Rowe, Nora Knodle, Laura Lizer,
Ella Miller, Laura J. Newcomer, Fannie Fred-
rickson.
Polo.
Marco Polo Rebekah Lodge, No, 334. of Polo,
was instituted March 29, 1901. First officers:
Belle Wilson, \. G. ; Elsie Johnson, V. G. ; Mar-
tha Summers, Sec. ; Delia Miller, Treas. The
<:-harter members were :
Brothers — Alex Anderson, Samuel Croft, H.
Becker, John Dick, C, J. Schryver, G. B, Tfeat,
L C. Smith. C. A. Dlngley, L. E. Prather, R. B.
Anderson, W. P. Schryver, George Cross, C. W.
Wilson, F. W. Wilson, Charlie Johnson.
Sisters — Emma Croft, Jennie Wilson, Laura
Smith, Minnie Bope, Elizabeth Barnes, Nettie
Kidder, Grace FreLsenberger, Lizzie Prather, Sa-
rah Kline, Agnes Ander.son, Martha Dick, Delia
Miller, Maud Bamborough, Nettie Schryver,
Katherine Schryver, Nellie O'Kane, Carrie Lan-
■don, Elsie Johnson, Anna Dingley, Martha Schry-
ver, Jessie Wilson, Belle Wilson, Martha Sum-
mers.
LiNDENWOOD.
Lindenwood Lodge, No. 197, was instituted
June 1, 1900, by Mrs. Amelia McConaughy, as-
sisted by the Degree Staff of Roehelle Lodge.
First officers : Ida M. Spring. N. G. ; Florence
H. Bailey, V. G. ; Mary A. Slattery, Rec. Sec;
Sara E. Stocking, Fin. Sec. ; Alma Stocking,
Treas. The charter members were :
Sisters — Ida M. Spring, Florence II. Bailey,
Mary A. Slattery, Sara E. Stocking, Alma Stock-
ing, Elizabetli Batty. Sadie L. Cook. Kathryn U.
Hess, Mary A. Stocking, Jennie M. Staiibury,
Georgia Davis, Lizzie Nash, Anna Steward, So-
phia Wright, Annie Greenway, Zillali Holmes,
Helen Spring.
Brothers — C. E. Perry, Horace Stocking, Henry
Batty. Milton Stocking, D. M. Slattery, Chas.
Nash, O, L. Treadwell, E. E. Stanbury, B. F,
Hess, O. D. Talbot, Samuel Wright, Elmer Stock-
ing, Joseph T. Luff, Harry Steward, Willis Tal-
bot, C. P.. Spring. Wni. Hills.
M0DJ:1{X WUUDMEN— ROYAL NKKHIIiORS.
At this time (1908) Camps of .Modern Wood-
men of America are nourishing at the following
named places in Ogle County: Adeline, Byron,
Chana, Creston, Davis Junction, Forreston, Flagg
Station. Grand Detour, Kings, Leaf River, Mon-
roe Center, Mount Morris, Oregon, Paines Point,
Polo, Roehelle, Stillman Valley, Woosung. In
some of the places named are also Camps of the
sister organization, the Royal Neighbors,
Economy Camp, i:n. M. \V. A.. Oregon, was re-
organized Jan. 31, 1895. by Deputy J. S. (irim
with 15 charter members. Since that time the
camp has grown to 155 members at the present
time. Eleven members' beneficiaries have been
paid $15..500 since the reorganization. Tlie reg-
ular meetings occur on the first and third Thurs-
days of each month in Woodman Hall. Neigh-
bor J. A. Heinert has acted as presiding officer
or Council since the reorganization, excepting the
first year term, when F. E. Grow acted as Coun-
cil. The present officers are: J. A. Heinert,
Council ; Glenn Heinert, Clerk ; Chas. Eyster,
Banker ; Archa Campbell, Escort ; Geo. Hettiger,
Clyde Myers, Dr. B, B. Bemirs, Managers.
Rock River Camp, Royal Neighbors of Amer-
ica. No. 3023, was organized April 24. 1902, at
Oregon, 111., with 15 charter members. Meetings
are held in Woodman Hall on the second and
fourth Thursday evenings each month. The first
officers were : Oracle, Alice Perry ; Vice Oracle,
Loretta Gale ; Recorder, Hattie P. Bemis ; Man-
agers — Mary Barden. William Stout, Susie Eys-
ter. Present membership, 40 ; present officers :
Gertrude Eeten, Oracle; Ella Caspers, Vice Or-
acle ; Nettle Heinert, Recorder. Managers — J.
A. Heinert. Sasie Eyster, Mae Tice.
Mystic Workers of the World.
Robert S. Cowan Lodge, No. 118. Oregon, 111.,
a sul)ordinate lodge of the Mystic Workers of
the World, a fraternal beneficiary society char-
tered in 189(5, wa.s organized March. 19()4, with a
charter membershij) of 100. The first officers
were: L. II. Valentine, Prefect; Miss Jessie
Salzman, Monitor ; I^awrence Fischer, Secretary ;
11. C. Jewett, Banker ; Mrs. Lulu Rees, Marshal ;
694:
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
A. P. Campbell, Warder; Clark I. Bettis, Senti-
nel; E. E. Bemis, E. B. Jones and Robert F.
Adams, Supervisors; T. K. Farley and H. H.
Sheets, physicians. The lodge was instituted by
J. R. Adams of Piano, and enjoys the distinction
of being the largest charter member lodge of the
order ever organized. The presiding officer at
the organization was Fred Zick, of Polo, and the
respective chairs were filled by members of the
Polo lodge. The first meetings were held in
Woodman Hall over the F. G. Jones Co. store,
and the lodge has been prosperous, having a
membership of over 200.
Forreston, Leaf River, Mount Morris, Polo and
Rochelle, each has a thriving lodge of this order.
OTHER FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.
CHAPTER XVIII.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.
CoTJBT OF Honor. — This organization flourished
twenty years ago, but the only organization now
in Ogle County is at Leaf River.
KxiGHTS OF THE Globe. — A garrisou of this
societj' vv-as organized at Mount Morris in 1891,
the charter being granted under name of Dick
Yates Garrison, No. 31, August 28, 1900. Pine
Creek Township and Byron also have each a
garrison.
The Yeomen of America, Oregon Lodge was
organized by Fred B. Silsbee, formerly of Ore-
gon. At present Charles H. Sauer is President
and Frank C. Potter Secretary.
Knights of Columbus. — Oregon Council, No.
1092, K. of C, have the following officers for
1909 : Grand Knight, John :\Iertel ; Deputy Grand
Knight, Thomas Meade; Financial Secretary,
Norman J. Heckman ; Recording Secretary, Nich-
olas Sauer ; Treasurer, Patric Hoar ; Warden,
John .M. Connors; Chaplain, Rev. Andrew J.
Burns ; Chancellor, Bert S. Schneider ; Advocate,
.Joseph Holland ; Inside Guard, Earl Meade ; Out-
side Guard, William McGuire ; Trustee, Charles
J. Schneider ; Delegate to State Convention,
Charles Schneider, Sr, ; Alternate to Grand
Knight, Thomas E. Colloton ; Alternate to Past
Grand Knight. Patric Hoar; Guard to Grand
Knight, William Bursing; Guard to Deputy
Grand Knlgbt, A. H. Miller.
women's clubs — temperance organizations
BUSINESS men's CLUBS CHAUTAUQUA OLD SET-
TLERS' association.
Mrs. Mary I. Wood, Chairman of the Bureau
of Information of the General Federation of Wo-
men's Clubs, in "Madame," says, "Speaking to an
audience of intelligent and thoughtful people,
an eminent educator recently said : 'When the his-
tory of this period comes to be written, it will
be recognized that from 1870 to 1900 was a
period of greater significance than any former
two hundred years, and out of that whole time
of thirty years, that which will be recognized as
the most significant, the most far-reaching, will
be the movement that is represented by women's
clubs.' "
This movement now has passed its initial stage,
and it is difficult to trace its origin. It seems
to have been Topsy-like, and "jest grow'd." It
is unquestionably true, however, that Miss
Frances Willard and the great body of the Wo-
man's Christian Temperance Union workers.
Miss Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Elizabeth Cady
Stanton, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Mrs. Mary A.
Livermore and the Equal Suffragists, and; per-
haps, the evolution of the old-time, helpful sew-
ing societies of the churches, and the Chautau-
qua plan for home study, had much to do with
arousing the interest of women and turning their
energies into newer and broader channels, as
well as the changing of conditions in the indus-
trial life which have taken away from the home
so much of the work formerly done in it — such
as the spinning, the weaving of cloth, the knit-
ting, and the making of the garments for the
entire family.
From the forming of individual clubs, followed
logically, in the course of time, the union of these
separate clubs into federated organizations, and
so to-day each Congressional District in the State
has its District Federation ; the State, its State
Federation, and the United States, including
Alnslca. ll:i\vaiian Islands and the Canal Zone.
JTISTOKV OF (XiLK COIA'TV
695
its General Foderatiou of \Voiiu>n"s ( 'hilts. Start-
ing with the individual chili, (his iiinkrs a syiii-
metrically organized and simple-working system
of federations, or union, the worlc heing carried
on through various committees. The General Fed-
eration was formed in 1890, Mrs. J. C. Croly
("Jennie June"), of New York, and Mrs. Julia
Ward Howe, of Massachusetts, being active in
its formation; Mrs. Charlotte Emerson Brown,
of New Jersey, AA'as its first President. Mrs.
Sarah. S. Piatt Decker, of Denver, has just com-
pleted four years of admirable w'ork as Presi-
dent, succeeded at the Ninth Biennial Meeting in
Boston, in June, 1908, by Mrs. Philip N. Moore,
of St. Louis. Mrs. Moore was, before her mar-
riage. Miss Eva Perry, of Rockford, 111., and a
graduate of Vassar College. The Illinois Federa-
tion of Women's Clubs was organized in 1889.
The State Presidents have been, Mi^s. H. H. Can-
dee, Cairo; Mrs. Robert Hall Wiles, Freeport
and Chicago; Mrs. Robert Bruce Farsou, Chi-
cago; Mrs. Thaddeus P. Stanwood, Evanston ;
Mrs. George Robert Bacon, Decatur ; Mrs. James
Frake, Chicago; Mrs. George Watkins, Chicago;
each sen-iug two years. Mrs. Francis D. Everett.
of Highland Park, is now the President. The
District Federation, of the Thirteenth Congi:es-
sional District, was formed at Freeport, April
22, 1899. Mrs. L. K. Wynn. of Sterling, is the
present District Vice-President. In December,
1908, the numlier of individual members in the
federated clubs was about 800,000, Many in-
dividual clubs, though doing valuable work, have
not joined any of the federations. It is estimat-
ed that the entire number of club women, there-
fore, greatly exceeds this number.
Ogle County has shared in the development of
this club movement, and the fair sex of the coun-
ty has contributed a full quota of study, work
and influence. As far as possible a record of
this is given in the following accounts prepared
with the assistance of several club women active
in the work in the county :
Golden Glow Girl's Club, Ghana. — The first
picnic w-as held is 1905, but no real organization
was made till the time of the second picnic, Aug-
ust 10, 1900, when the following officers were
elected: President, Bessie Andrew; Vice-Presi-
dent, Nellie Hershberger ; Treasurer, Mate Bur-
right; Secretary, Effa Mitchell. In 1908. the
annual picnic was held August 14th. and the
following officers were elected : President, Jes-
sie Emerson ; First Vice-President, Edith Grant ;
Second Vice-President, Bessie Hardesty ; Treas-
urer, Emma Canfield; Seci-etary, Maude Aznor;
Assistant Secretary, Effa Mitchell. The member-
ship, in 1908. numbered 27 residents of Pine
Rock Township. Six of the girls having married,
are no longer members. To the girls who marry
is given "a shower," and they must pay a fine
upon that event, which goes towards "a treat"
for the next picnic.
The Jolly Sewing Club, Haldane. — Organ-
ized April. 1907, with twelve members, its first
oflicers were: Pi-esident, Mrs. Ralph Kitzmiller;
Vice-President, Mrs. Dale Rae ; Secretary, Mrs.
Howard Harmon. Officers 1908 : President, Mrs.
Ralph Kitzmiller; Vice-President, Mrs. Henry
Bass ; Secretary, Mrs. Dale Rae. Object, social
enjoyment.
The Fleur-de-Lis Chautauqua Club, Hol-
coMB. — ^This Club was organized is October, 1902,
with twelve members. The officers elected were:
President, Mrs. Endora Sheaff ; Vice-President,
Miss Donna Henderson ; Secretary and Treas-
urer, Mrs. Ella Shealf. These officers have been
re-elected each succeeding year. Nine of the
members completed the course in 1906 and receiv-
ed their diplomas at Rockford. The club at pres-
ent consists of nine members, all graduates who
continue the Chautauqua course readings.
Current Events Club. Mount Morris. — The
first club in Mount Morris, now known as the
Current Events Club, was organized January,
1890. First oflicers : President. Mrs. R. C. Mc-
Credie ; Vice-President, Mrs. George B. McCosh ;
Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Ira W. Wingert.
Present officers : President, Min. George B.
McCosh; Vice-President, Mrs. W. H. Miller;
Secretary and Treasurer. Mrs. A. W. NeCf. Its
work has been along literary lines, the study of
English and AincM-ican literature, and. latterly,
current events. Some work for public improve-
ment has been done. ,
Fortnightly Club. ;\Iount INIorris. — Literary
club, organized in 1904, with Mrs. J. F. Canode
as President and only officer. Officers in 1908 :
President. Mrs. J. F. Canode; Vice-President,
■Mrs. Frank Coffmnn ; Secretary. Miss Minnie
Rohrer ; Treasurer. Mrs. George V. Fanvell.
Woman's Social Cll^b. between Mount Mor-
ris AND Polo. — Organized in the country between
696
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Mount Morris and Polo, April, 1902. First offi-
cers : President, Miss Eva Hammer; Secretary
and Treasurer, Miss Olive Dierdorff. Officers
1908: President, Mrs. Olive Betebenner ; Secre-
tary, Mrs. George Getzeudanuer. Object, social
entertainment, particularly in winter.
Thimble Club, Mount Morris. — Organized
1902, Mrs. Lucy Hormell Spalding, President.
Present officers: President, Mrs. Emory Cutts ;
Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Cliarles Wishard.
Ladies' Philanthropic SEvsaNG Society, of
Oregon.— On June 29, 1850, tbe "Ladies' Phil-
anthropic Sewing Societj-" of Oregon was organ-
ized with Mrs. Anna M. Edminster, President,
its object being "to encourage a more extended
spirit of public enterprise and benevolence, and
of promoting a warmer sympathy of thought and
good feeling." The membership was 36 with 12
honorary members (gentlemen). The records
show that the ladies did a variety of sewing —
such as making shirts, coats, vests, ladies' dresses
and trinuning bonnets. At their first meeting —
on .July 5, 1850 — they voted to appropriate the
first surplus money to furnishing the pulpit of
the Lutheran Church, then being built. On
October 10, 1850, they held a Fair — of fancy ar-
ticles, and also served refreshments.
They realized $53.00 and at their next meet-
ing voted to loan $50.00 to Mr. .John Etnyre at
10 per c-ent interest and a bonus of .$2.50 per
annum.
Their next object was to purchase a bell, and
on August 26, 1851, and the same old bell still
hangs in the belfry of the new Lutheran Church
and was rung for many years on all public oc-
casions, such as town and political meetings,
sessions of court, etc. The only living members
of the society are Mrs. Amanda Peck and Mrs.
Dr. Potter, of Oregon.
The New Atlantis. Oregon. — Organized Octo-
ber 25, 1893, by women who had belonged to a
history club consisting of men and women, the
latter members being the nucleus of the new
organization. The piont^r <'lub consisted entirely
of women and was the first club to meet after-
noons. Mrs. .Julia W. Peek was leader for the
first year ; was permanently organized July 27,
1S9I, with Mrs. Peek President; Mrs. Alice E.
I/ight, Vice President ; Miss Ida K. Boyd, Secre-
tary and Treasurer. A constitution was adopted
June, 1895. ITie club has studied English and
American history and literature, ancient, medie-
val and modern art, current history and litera-
ture. Present officers : Mrs. Peek, President ;
Mrs. Elizabeth B. Hastings, Vice-President ; Mrs.
Eva G. Etnyre, Secretary and Treasurer.
Chautauqua Circle, Oregon. — The Chautau-
qua Circle of Oregon was organized is 1894, Rev.
J. K. Reed, leader. Some of the members were
Mrs. James H. Cartwright, Mrs. John Sheaff,
Mrs. H. E. Wade, JMi-s. Lucy Rutledge, Miss
I^atie Fischer, Mrs. Grace Gantz Fischer. The
course was continued for several years ; the study
of birds was a part of the work undertaken.
The Victoria Club, Oregon. — This club was
first organized as "The Clionia," and re-organ-
ized in 1905 under its present name, "The Vic-
toria ;" object, the study of literature and social
enjoyment. The first officers were : President,
Mrs. E. D. Etnyre; Secretary and Treasurer,
Mrs. James C. Fesler. Officers for 1908: Presi-
dent, Mrs. E. H. Wade ; Vice-President, Miss Eliz-
abeth Crowell ; Mrs. Jerome F. Cox ; Secretary,
Mrs. Matilda J. Stroh. At one time it belonged
to the District Federation.
Delphian Club, Oregon. — The Delphian Club
was first organized as a Chapter of the Univer-
sity Association in 1896, for the study of uni-
versal history, for some time thereafter both
men and women being included as members.
Among the charter members were Miss Adalaide
M. Steele, Mrs. J. A. Barden, Misses Mary Mix.
Lida Mix, Emma J. Campbell, and Ruby E. Nash ;
Messrs. Ernest Van Patten, W. M. Forkel, W. J.
Emer.son. and Evan L. Reed. The officers for
1903 were : President, Mrs. J. A. Barden ; Vice-
President, Mrs. S. W. Crowell ; Secretary and
Treasurer, Miss Grace E. Smith.
The Umzoowes, Oregon. — This club, originally
"the Doves" was organized under the Indian
name, "Umzoowe" (Pleasure Seekers), in 1897,
with Ida Marshall (Mrs. J. T. Fredinnick),
President; I^aura Sanderson (Mrs. Packard).
Vice-President: Alice Sears (Mrs. A. G. Baker),
Secretary and Tren surer. Its purpose was that
the .voung ladies belonging hold an .innual picnic
the last Wednesday of July. Of the 235 members
whose signatures appenr on the Secretary's book,
the majority liave paid the "fine of ninety-nine
cents after entering upon the bonds of matri-
mony." which forfeits membership. Every year
after the daj^'s festivities, the deserving poor are
Mr.UJa^^
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR,
TILDEN FO
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
69^
reniemberetl with boxes and baskets of the good
things reuiainhig. The officers elected for 1908
were: President, Elizal)etli Hastings; First
Vice-President. Selma Wan)erg; Second Vice-
President, Florence Gale; Third Vice-President,
Alice Maynard ; Secretary and Treasurer,
Blanche Babbitt.
Home Culture Clug, Oregon. — ^The Home Cul-
ture Club was organized in September, 1898, with
three members. Its object was mutual improve-
ment along literary lines. The only officer
was the President, Mrs. L. V, Nash. At present
there are fourteen active members, with Mrs.
T. A. .Jewett as President, and Mrs. M. Allen,
Secretary.
The New Century Club, Oregon. — Organized
in 1900 as a greeting of the incoming century.
The first officers were: President, Miss Lillie
Ray ; Vice-President, Miss Evelyn Nye ; Secre-
tary and Treasurer, Miss Lillie Seibert. The
object is literary study. Oflicers for 1908 : Presi-
dent. Mrs. R. F. Nye ; Vice-President, Mrs. F. R.
Robinson; Secretary and Treasui'er, Miss Mary
Ray.
Two-Penny Club, Oregon. — A Thimble Club,
organized January 26, 1905, and meeting once a
week, each member bringing with her to the
meeting two pennies to go into the club treas-
ury, and to be used in making and providing
clothing and provisions for the poor. First offi-
cers : President, Mrs. Emma J. Herbert ; Secre-
tary, Mrs. W. A. Waldie ; Treasurer, Mrs. Frank
Potter. Officers 1908: President, Mrs. Emma J.
Herbert; Secretary, Mrs. Kate Brown; Treas-
urer, Mrs. Addie Welty. This club celebrated
the third anniversary of its organization by open-
ing a Rest Room for the comfort and entertain-
ment of the farmers' wives and families of the
near neighborhood and the county. An apart-
ment for this puriwse was supplied by the Board
of Supervisors, situated in the southeast comer
of the basement of the Court House. This rest
room is comfortably furnished, is provided with
an attendant, and is kept hospitably open every
day.
Oregon Woman's Council. — In November,
1901, a call signed by Mrs. J. C. Fesler, Mrs.
H. C. Peek, Mrs. E. D. Etnyre, was issued to the
members of The Victoria, The Delphian. The
New Atlantis. The Order of Eastern Star, the
Rebekahs, The Woman's Relief Corps, The La-
dies' Aid Societies, The Philanthropic Society,
requesting its members to meet in the County
Clerk's Office, Tuesday evening, November 12,
to take steps toward forming an organization
for the puritose of furthering the welfare of the
city. The result of this meeting was the forma-
tion of the Oregon Woman's Council, which has
from that time to the present enrolled among
its members sixty-seven women interested in im-
proving the place of their residence, both in re-
gard to its civic beauty and its moral elevation.
With commendable promptitude the movement
was approved by the City Council in the adop-
tion of a series of resolutions offered by Alder-
man Joseph Sears.
The first officers were : President, Mrs. Rebec-
ca H. Kauffman; First Vice-President, Mrs.
Julia W. Peek ; Second Vice-President, Mrs. Har-
riet M. Etnyre; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Eva
G. Etnyre; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Ada-
laide M. Steele; Treasurer, Mrs. Laura M. Fes-
ler ; Directors. Mrs. Alice M. Rumery. Mrs. Ilat-
tie P. Bemis. Mrs. Verna M. Fearer. Mrs. Li-
vonia Steffa, Mrs. Lillian Sears. These officers
constitute a Board of Directors, who together
with the aid of Committees carry on the work
of the Council. The Standing Committees for
Outdoor Work have been on Streets; River
Banks; Business Rears; School Grounds; Plant-
ing of Shade and Fruit Trees, Shrubbery, Vines,
and Fruits ; Parks for Playgrounds for Chil-
dren : Vacant Lots ; and Pine Woods Librarj-.
During the first years two departments were
organized, viz. : the Departments on Home and
School Art Decoration. The Home Department es-
tablished a Kindergarten and carried on that
work successfully for a time. The School Art
Deiiartment, assisted by the entire Council, im-
mediately set about holding an art exhibit in the
Public School Building for the purpose of plac-
ing pictures and statuaiy in all the rooms. Ow-
ing to this effort the schoolrooms are enriched
by numerous artistic adornments of real and
lasting worth, the money value of which is now
over five hundred dollars ; the educational value
is beyond calculation, and in addition to that,
there has been started the custom of making
gifts to the school.
The motto of the Oregon Woman's Council is
Carlyle's. "Do the duty which lies nearest thee,
which thou knowest to be a duty ! Thy second
duty will already have become clearer:" and this
guiding injunction is followed in the work un-
698
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
dertaken. The Bill for the Purchase of the
White Pine Woods of Ogle County, as a State
Forest Reserve, with au appropriation of $30,-
000, which was passed by the General Assembly
of the State of Illinois in its session of 1903, and
was vetoed by the Governor, was the next work
"nearest" to the Woman's Council. (See portions
of Chapter I on "The White Pine Woods of
Ogle County" and "Boulders.")
In October, 1903, the Council joined the Illi-
nois Federation of Woman's Clubs, since which
time two of its members have served as repre-
sentatives in State club work, viz. : Mrs. Peek,
on the Library Committee, and Mrs. Kauffman,
as Chairman of the Forestry Committee. This
chairmanship gives a place on the Board of Di-
rectors of the State Federation, and also a
membership in the Forestry Committee of the
General Federation, and from this resulted the
stopping at Oregon, May 29, 1906, of the special
official train on the Burlington Line taking the
club women of Illinois to the biennial meeting
of the General Federation at St. Paul, besides
other favors in recognition of the work of the
Oregon Council. The Council also helped to
secure the donation for the new Carnegie Li-
brary, and has a small sum now on interest in
bank with which to add something to the in-
terior of the completed building.
The membership now numbers 31. Of the for-
mer members some have moved to other places,
some have dropped out of the work, one has been
lost by death, and one has been married. There
are fourteen honoraiy members from among
summer residents : Mrs. Charles Francis Browne,
Mrs. Ra'nh Clarkson, Mrs. John B. Coulter, Mrs.
Horace Spencer Fiske, Mrs. Oliver Dennett Gro-
ver, Mrs. Hamlin Garland, Mrs. Wallace Heck-
man, Mrs. Alfred Wright Hoyt, Miss Margaret
Kinnear, Mrs. Frank O. Lowden, Mrs. B. H.
Laughlin, Miss Hester B. Laughlin (now Mrs.
C. E. Pfister), Mrs. E. A, Laughlin, Mrs. Lorado
Taft. Mrs. .Tames Spencer Dickerson, wlio was
one of the honorary members, went on the long,
long journey in Novt'iiil»er, ITtOT. Tlie j)rcsent ofti-
cers are : President, Rebecca H. Kauffman ;
First Vice-President. .Tulla W. Peek ; Second
Vice-Presidont, Lnura C. March ; Corresponding
Secretary, Emma ,T. Burroughs; Recording Sec-
retary, .Tessie G. Salzman (Miss) ; Treasurer,
Hattie P. Bemls ; Directors — Alice M. Rumery,
Eva G. Etnyre, Lillian Sears, Kate E. Little,
Elizabeth B. Hastings.
The Shakspeabe Club, of Polo, was organ-
ized some time in 1884 or 1885, its first President
being Mrs. Burton. Its present officers are : Mrs.
Mary Barber, President ; Miss Anne More, Vice-
President; Miss Olive Nichols, Secretary and
Treasurer. Literature and Art are the subjects
studied, especially Shakespeare's works. Archi-
tecture, house decorations, pictures and authors
have been included.
Halcyon Club, Polo. — This club was organ-
ized in 1886, its purpose being to do Chautau-
qua work. Its first officers were : President,
Mrs. Clendenning; Secretary, Mrs. Geo. M. Per-
kins. Present officers: Mrs. S. D. Houston,
President; Mrs. Johnson Lawrence, Vice-Presi-
dent ; Mrs. Russell Nichols, Secretary.
Wednesday Club, Polo. — Organized in 1890;
object, "To become more conversant with noted
places of interest in different countries." First
officers: Miss Clara Shumway, President; Miss
Minnie Waterbury, Secretary and Treasurer.
Present officers: Mrs. Davis McCoy, President;
Mrs. C. A. Dingley, Vice-President ; Mrs. John
Strock, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Twentieth Century Club, Polo, whose
object is the study of history, originated with the
Lutheran Chautauqua of 1894, as a Chautauqua
Circle, including both men and women. The first
leader was Mr. Henry Schell. The present offi-
cers are : Mrs. Oliver Stroch, President ; Miss
Loulou Thomas, Vice-President; Mrs. Frank
Hammer, Secretary and Treasurer. The club is
composed of fifteen active and five honorary
members.
The Would-be Tourist Club, Polo, organized
September 16, 1907, with twenty members; ob-
ject, educational. Present officers: Mrs. Lizzie
M. Spaulding, President; Mrs. Pearle Read, Vice-
President ; Mrs. Frances Beard, Secretary and
Treasurer.
The Utopian Circle, of Polo, was organized
April 11, 1900, at the home of Mrs. Albert Miller,
and is a country club. The first officers were:
President, Mrs. John Jones ; Vice-President,
Mrs. Johnson Lawrence ; Secretary, Mrs. Wil-
liam Poole; Treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Sanborn; Or-
ganist, Mrs. Benj. Duffy. Its object is to pro-
mote the social and intellectual interests of its
members. Present officers : President, Mrs. W.
H. Hoover; Vice-President, Mrs. J. W. Scott;
HISTORY OF OGLE (T)UXTY.
699
Secretary. Mrs. B. W. Good ; Assistant Secretary,
Mrs. S. P. Good ; Treasurer, Miss Clara Gibbs ;
Organist, Mrs. Beuj. Dufify.
Chautauqua Literary Society, Rochelle. —
The Chautauqua Literary Society was organized
November 4, 1890, with Rev. J. B. Fleming, Pres-
ident. Officers, 1908: President, Mrs. T. G.
Southworth ; Vice-President, Mrs. Ed. Lazier,
Sr. ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. J. W. South-
worth.
Rochelle Woman's Club. — This club was or-
ganized October 2G. 1897. It has a Shakespearean,
a Philanthropic and a Civic Department. The
object of the association is "the improvement of
its members, and the practical consideration of
the important questions that flow out of the
relations of the individual to society." It is in-
dependent of sect and party, the "basis of mem-
bership being earnestness of purpose, love of
truth and a desire to promote the best interests
of humanity." First officers: Mrs. Edith B.
Otjen, President; Mrs. Ida C. Craft, First Vice-
President; Mrs. M. J. Braiden, Second Vice-
President ; Mrs. Sarah M. Loomis, Recording
Secretary ; Miss Dilla H. Tibbies, Corresponding
Secretary ; Mrs. Alice Atwater, Treasurer. Di-
rectors — Mrs. Lucy E. Furlong, Mrs. Blanche
Gardner, Mrs. Anna M. Culver, Mrs. Willmina
Golditz, Mrs. Elvese V. Freeman.
In 1900 the club contributed magazines and
clothing to the soldiers in the Philippines. The
sum of $20 was sent through the "Tribune" Relief
Fund to the San Francisco sufferers during the
earthquake. This club belongs to the District
and the State Federations ; at one time, also,
belonged to the General Federation.
Officers 1908: President, Mrs. E. L. Vaile ;
First Vice-President, Mrs. A. M. Peck; Second
Vice-President, Miss Mary S. Hunter; Record-
ing Secretary, Mrs. J. W. Gilmore; Correspond-
ing Secretary, Miss Josephine Iloadley ; Treas-
urer, Miss Delia Lynn. Directors — Mre. Eman-
uel Hilb, Mrs. Ed. Lazier, Mrs. Elmer C. File,
Mrs.. Garrett P. Cooper, Miss Dilla Tibbies.
Nineteenth Century Club. Rochelle. — The
Nineteenth Centuiy Club of Rochelle was organ-
ized in February, 1897, and the members have
devoted their time to the study of history, art
and literature. First officers: President. Mrs.
Georgia E. Bennett ; Vice-President, Mrs. D. W.
Baxter : Secrotarv. Miss Addie Lewis ; Treasurer.
Mrs. W. Carleton. Officers 1908 : President. Miss
Nellie Bird; Vice-President, Mrs. W. P. Graham;
Secretary, Miss Mary Hunter ; Treasurer, Mrs.
W. P. Landon.
Chautauqua Society of the Hall-in-the-
Grove. — This Society of the Hall-in-the-Grove,
was organized at the Hotel Delos, May 8, 1898,
by Mrs. Emanuel Hilb. First officers : President,
Mr. C. F. Philbrook ; Vice-President, Mrs. Deb-
orah A. Bain; Secretary, Mrs. A. B. Sheadle;
Treasurer, Mrs. Emanuel Hilb. Its object is
"to unite all C. L. S. S. graduates in a perma-
nent organization, which shall take a general
oversight of all of the Chautauqua work in the
community, encouraging graduates to continue
habits of systematic study, aiding in the estab-
lishment of new circles, and whenever practical,
extending its influence into outlining commit-
tees." It has always been customarj' to hold
an annual reception. Present officers : Presi-
dent, Mrs. Clara Braiden ; Vice-Pre.sident, Mrs.
W. P. Landon ; Secretary, Mrs. E. L. Cole ;
Treasurer. Mrs. A. Hilb.
The Hickory Grove Society Children of
American Revolution. — The Hickorj' Grove So-
ciety Children of the American Revolution was
organized at Rochelle, 111., April 18. 1906, with
Mrs. Geo. E. Stocking as President.
The object of this society is the acquisition
of knowledge of American history ; to help pre-
serve the places made sacred by the men and
women who forwarded American independence ;
to ascertain the deeds and honor the memories
of children and youth who rendered service dur-
ing the American Revolution ; to promote the
celebration of all patriotic anniversaries ; to hold
our American Flag sacred al)Ove evei-y other flag
on earth, and to love, uphold, and extend the
institutions of American liberty and patriotism,
and the principles that made and saved our
country. Officers 1908 : President, Mrs. James
C. Fesler ; Secretary, Harvey Phelps ; Treasurer,
;\Iiss Jennie Lazier.
The Wednesday Study Club, Stillman Val-
ley. — Org.-mized November 1, 1899. with a mem-
bership of twelve. This club meets once in two
weeks, and is now studying the "Bay View
Course." It joined the State Federation five
years ago. The officers for 1907 were : Presi-
dent. Mrs. H. C. Brown ; Corresiwndiug Secre-
tary, ^frs. Mary Lee Trumbull. Present offi-
700
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
cers : President, Mrs. Charles R. Stroh ; Vice-
President, Miss H. Brown ; Secretary and Treas-
urer, Mrs. Annie E. Gould.
The Commercial Association of Oregon, III.,
was organized May 25, 1906, having as its object,
■"to secure the active aid and co-operation of all
classes of citizens (bankers, contractors, mer-
chants, manufacturers, mechanics, propei'ty own-
ers, laborers, employes, professional men, and
agents) in advancing, promoting and fostering
Oregon's material interests ; to bring all classes
of citizens together on a common plane of asoo-
ciation, with a view to developing a profitable
exchange of ideas, and ... to use all reasona-
ble means and agencies ... to promote com-
mercial prosperity of the city." The ofiicers : Clar-
ence S. Haas, President ; E. F. Davis, Vice-Presi-
dent; A. F, Herbert, Secretary; and P. E. Hast-
ings, Treasurer. The general direction of its
business is vested in a Board of Directors of
nine members, of which Mayor Henry A. Smith
is chairman. In 1906 a number of the members,
having organized what is known as "The Land
Syndicate," purchased a farm adjoining the City
of Oregon, a ix)rtion of which was platted as
the Commercial Addition, and a large number of
the lots sold at public sale, the remainder now
being improved, the object being to create a
substantial fnud to l)e used for the benefit of the
Commercial Association in carrying out its work.
It was through this body and this enterprise that
the Commercial Association located the manufac-
turing plant of E. D. Etnyre & Co. on its present
site.
Temperance Organizations. — During the ear-
ly 'TOs a strong interest In matters of temper-
ance was felt throughout the entire country. It
was about this time that the lodges of Good
Templars, which included men and women as
members, were formed, both in the East and
the West. Organizations of the Woman's Chris-
tian Temperance Union were also becoming num-
erous at alx»ut this period.
' As the time drew near lor the election in the
spring of 1908, at which the new Township Local
Option Law was to be voted on in many town-
ships in Ogle County, many loading men in the
different cities and villages of the county organ-
ized into civic leagues, the better to bring about
a majority temperance vote. Women also formed
themselves into teinpornnce leagues to assist the
nion, holding public meetings, prayer meetings at
their homes, and providing hot c-offee and other
refreshments on the day of election at some place
near the polls. In Oregon, the women's league
was led by Miss Florence Bissell, Mrs. Julia W.
Peek, Mrs. Laura C. March, Mrs. F. R. Artz,
the men's by Mr. C. M. Babbitt, Mr. Frank W.
March, Mr. H. C. Peek, Dr. R. A. Harlan. In
Rochelle this work was done by the Rochelle
Woman's Club. Polo a^d Mount Morris were
not particularly concerned in this election, as
Polo has been a temperance town for a long time,
and Mount Morris has always, with but a brief
exception.
Another means of awakening interest in tem-
perance, especially among the boys and girls,
was the plan of awarding medals for proficiency
in oratory, the selections rendered to be on the
subject of the prohibition of the liquor traffic, as
devised by Mr. W. Jennings Demorest, of New
York, in 1886. The Woman's Christian Temper-
ance Union soon recognized the educational
value of these contests, and in December, 1897,
two years after the death of Mr. Demorest, and
who had himself, in connection with Mrs. Demor-
est, given away 34,000 medals at a cost of $75,-
000, the W. C. T. U. took up the work and has
carried it on ever since. Contests for boys,
for girls, and for matrons, are now held. The
prizes are cumulative, and a contestant must
win the first in the progression before compet-
ing for the next, and so on to the highest. The
medals bestowed are the silver, the gold, the
grand-gold, the diamond. A large number of
these contests have been held in Ogle County
under the direction and management of the
local W. C. T. U. organizations in the churches
of the towns ; sometimes in churches and school-
houses of the country districts, including Ore-
gon, Lighthouse, Ghana, United Brethren
church in Pine Creek Township, Davis Junction,
Stillman Valley, Polo, Creston, Forreston, Chris-
tian Church in Lafayette Township, Haldane.
Miss Winnie Heller, of Oregon (now Mrs. Frank
Hills, of Rockford), in 1892, won a silver medal;
Grover R. Stroh, of Oregon, in 1903, won a sil-
ver, also; Mrs. Kate E. Little, Mrs. Charles
Walkup, Mrs. Albertus Tice, Mrs. Lillian Stat-
ion wore contestants in 1906 at Oregon, Davis
Junction and the U. B. Church, each winning
a silver medal. In 1905, Miss Nelia B. Sears,
of Oregon, won the gold medal at Forreston.
Miss Edith Walkup (now Mrs. Harvey J. Kable,
of ilonnt Morris), possesses the grand-gold
]11,ST01JY OF OGLE COUNTY
701
medal, and a Polo lad, Lloyd Wasser, in 1907,
at the Dixon Chautauqua Assembly, won the
diamond.
The W. C. T. U. Superintendents for Ogle
County are: L. T. L. Branch, Mi-s. V. P. Mau-
nincr. Creston ; Anti-Narcotics, Mrs. Enuna L.
Burroughs, Oregon; Evangelistic, Sunday School
Work, Mrs. N. C. Robertson, Forreston ; Flower
Mission, Miss Elsie Kuowlton, Byron ; Franchise.
Legislative Work, Mrs. Frances 0. File, Davis
Junction ; .Medal Contest, Mrs. M. C. Hedrick,
Polo; Press, Literature, Mrs. Emma Heller, Ore-
gon; Railroad Employes, Miss M. Wuterbui-y,
Polo ; Scicntitie Temperance Instruction. ;Mrs.
Sarah Pittnian, Leaf River; Soldiers and Sailors,
Mrs. .7. D. Buzzwell, Polo. At the present time
the W. C. T. TT. organizations in Ogle County
engaged in active work are those at Polo, Ore-
gon, Davis .Junction, Byron, Forreston, Creston
and Leaf River, Polo having the large.st mem-
bership, and Oregon the next.
The W. C. T. U., of Oregon. — This union was
organized September 8, 1900, some of the mem-
bers of the former organization becoming mem-
bers of the new one. There were eight charter
members, with the following officers : Emma L.
Burroughs, President ; Laura C. March, Vice-
President and Treasurer ; Winnie Hills, Secre-
tary. The membership has steadily increased, at
present amounting to 24. The officers for 1908
are: Emma L. Burroughs, President; Daisy
Harshmau, Vice-President ; Sarah Servis. Sec-
retary ; Laura C. March, Treasurer.
The W. C. T. U., Polo.— The Polo Woman's
Christian Temperance Union was organized in
April, 1878. under the name of The White Rib-
bon Club. The first officers were : Mrs. J. H.
More, I'resident ; Miss Capitola Cooper, Secre-
tary ; Miss Kittle McNeil, Treasurer. In Sep-
tember of the same year Mrs. Calvin Waterbury
was made President ; Miss Julia fe. Read, Sec-
retary ; and Miss Minnie Hannner, Treasurer.
Tn November the club reorganized under the
name of the Woman's Protective T^nion. Its
officers were Mrs. E. A. Herrick, President;
Mrs. C. Waterbury, Vice-I»resident ; Mrs. C. D.
Reed, Secretary and Treasurer. In 1882 the
name was changed to the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union and has continued until the
present time an active, efficient society. Mrs.
Herrick was President for fifteen years. Its
present officers are: Mrs. M. C. Talbott. Presi-
dent ; Mrs. R. G. Shumway, First Vice-President ;
-Mrs. Laura Buswell, Recording Secretary; Mrs.
Flora Antrim, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. E.
A. Herrick, Treasurer. .Mrs. Shumway, who
was a very excellent helper, has since passed
away.
Youth's Temperance Alliance of Polo. — ^At
a meeting held in the Lutheran Church on Sun-
day. I^ecember 1, 1878, a society was formed to
be known as "The Youth's Temperance Alliance
of Polo, Illinois." The officers were to be chosen
quarterly, and regular public meetings to be held
the third Sunday of each month. Each member
signed a pledge promising never to use intoxi-
cating drinks, and to do all in his power to in-
duce others to sign and keep this pledge. The
following officers were chosen : Superintendent,
Rev. O. F. Mattison; Deputy Superintendent, J.
II. Freeman ; Secretary and Treasurer, Ennna R.
Pearson ; Musical Director, W. T. Schell ; Or-
ganist, Willie Wagner; Executive Committee —
Rev. J. S. Detweiler, Arthur Pear.son, .Mrs. B.
-McNeil.
Mr. Matti.son not accepting the office of Su-
perintendent, J. H. Freeman was made Superin-
tendent and C. W. Sammis was chosen Deputy
Superintendent. The present officers are: Mr.
Oscar Schell, President ; Miss Emma R. Pearson,
Secretary and Treasurer.
Music in Ogle County. — Forty years ago.
Singing Schools and Musical Conventions (four
days' meeting) were popular and were both
helpful and enjoyable to the singers of Ogle
County. The first convention was held in Cres-
ton in the winter of 18G8, under the leadership
of Dr. II. R. Palmer, and W. S. B. Matthews
(l)ianist), both of Chicago. The second one was
held in 1870, in Roclielle, by Dr. L. O. Emerson,
of Boston. The first one at the county seat was
in December, 1871. presided over by P. P. Bliss,
of Chicago, who also held one in Mount Morris in
1874. Dr. H. R. Palmer also held them in Ore-
gon and Byron, and L. O. Emerson had charge of
one in Stillman N'alley. These were followed
in July. ISSO. by a four weeks' Institute in Ore-
gon, students attending from Iowa, Indiana,
Wisconsin, Michigan. Pennsylvania and Texas,
and from several counties in Illinois. The teach-
ing corps was composed of S. W. Straub and T.
Martin Towne, of Chicago, with assistants, W.
F. Werschkul. Win. Bearv and Arthur M. Straub.
703
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Besides vocal, piano, and liarmony classes, many
of tlie students took private lessons. Several
concerts were given, and noted musicians from
Chicago took part on the programs, which were
greatly enjoyed by the citizens of Oregon. A
few years later, through the efforts of the late
IV. A. Washburn, of the School Board, music
"was inti-oduced into the Oregon public schools,
and J. H. Ketchum was the first Supervisor of
Music in the Oregon, Polo, Rochelle and Mount
Morris schools. He has been succeeded by Pro-
fessors George Krinbill, C. F. Dunham and F. E.
Chaffee, the present Supervisor.
Ogle County Woman's Exposition Club. —
The Ogle County Woman's Exposition Club was
organized in Oregon, 111., April 25, 1892, by Mrs.
Alice Bradford Wiles, of Chicago, with a mem-
bership of thirty, and held meetings once a
month. Its object was to secure full representa-
tion of the industries and interests of the women
of Ogle County at the Columbian Exposition held
in Chicago in 1893. The officers were : President,
Mrs. M. A. Lason; Recording Secretary, Mrs.
J. C. Seyster; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. A.
H. Wagoner ; Treasurer, Mrs. J. C. Fesler. The
following list of Vice-Presidents was also ap-
pointed to assist in the work: Oregon, Mrs.
Anne Spoor; Rochelle, Mrs. Frank Barker;
Polo, Mrs. James Allaben; Mount Morris, Mrs.
Chas. Newcomer; Byron, Mrs. Frank Spaulding;
Stillman Valley, Mrs. John Atwood; Forreston,
Mrs. Dr. Winston ; Grand Detour, Miss lone
Harrington ; Davis Junction, Mrs. Eugene Moore ;
Ghana, Miss Minnie Burright; Monroe Center,
Mrs. Chas. Bennett; Creston, Mrs. Upton Swing-
ley.
At the various meetings articles were read and
discussed pertaining to the life and discoveries
of Christopher Columbus, Illinois history and wo-
man's work at the Exposition. A supper and
social was held on Mrs. J. C. Seyster's lawn, the
proceeds to go towards a view fund, which waa
a photographic exhibit of Rock River scenery
in the county to bo placed in the Woman's Build-
ing of the Exposition. The stipulation required
that the work should be exclusively that of wo-
men. During the month of December an art
union was held in Memorial Hall which lasted a
week, an exhibit of pictures, curios and fancy
work being displayed. More than twenty-five
paintings, the work of professional men, who
earned their bread liy thfir brush, decorated the
walls, and three times as many the work of loca^
artists. A musical program and recitals, botl?
by home and out of town talent, were rendered
each evening during the week of the exhibit. Dr
H. A. Mix managed Mrs. Jarley's wax-works and
magic mirror and statuary, much to the delight
of all. The proceeds of the entertainments went
toward purchasing a revolving show-case to dis-
play views. One could not but be impressed with
the beautiful views, one hundred in number,
each representing some delightful spot in Ogle
County, and being a credit to the artist, Mrs.
O. H. Wheat, of Rockford, 111. At the close of
the Exposition the case was returned to the club
members and placed in temporary quarters in
Memorial Hall, with the understanding that the
Oregon Public Library should be its permanent
home when built.
Ogle County Humane Society. — -The Ogle
County Humane Society, a branch of the Illinois
Humane Society located in Chicago, w^as organ-
ized in Memorial Hall, Oregon, 111., July 13, 1899.
by Mrs. James C. Fesler, now of Rochelle, HI,
The object of the society is "to enforce nil laws
which are now, or may be hereafter, enacted for
the prevention of cruelty, especially to djiidren
and animals, and to secure by lawful mea.us, the
arrest, conviction and punishment of any i.ersoD
or persons violating such laws; also to pi'omote
a humane public sentiment."
Officers: President, Prof. W. J. Sutherland ;
Vice-President, Mrs. James C. Fesler; Secretary
Mrs. Joseph Artz ; Treasui*er, Dr. J. B. Da'VifS :
Superintendent, Chas. W. Sammis; Agent, Beiij.
F. Chaney. Directors — Mayor Chas. Schneider,
Attorney Jos. Sears, Attorney Horace G. Kaufl*
man. Dr. B. E. Fahrney, Mrs. Anne Spoor, Mrs
F. G. Jones, Mrs. J. C. Fesler.
Many cases of cruelty and neglect, both to
children and animals, have been investigated and
conditions remedied. In 1901, the society pur-
chased a "humane drinking fountain" which was
placed on the corner of the Court House Square.
In 1902, the ladies organized a school of domes-
tic science which was carried on in connection
with the Oregon Public School.
Oregon Bachelors' Club: The Owls. — This
organization long ago reached its majoi-ity, hav-
ing on August 14, 1908, celebrated its twenty-
ninth annual picnic, this festive occasion being
the yearly flowering time of the historic society.
"Tho Owls" is the pseudonym of wisdom by
THE r
PUBLIC
ASTO'= I
TILDiTiN F ■"- I
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
703
which the club is commonly designated now-a-
days, and the procession of its members in the
morning sunlight (for it is said to be a fact
that it has never rained on the just heads of
these bachelors), gay with yellow sunflowei's and
the sheltering umbrella of the same golden hue,
from under which the doughty holder may not
glance at the fair onlookers along the way to
"Island No. 1," is one of the much-heralded
events of midsummer in the region about Ore-
gon. Loud sounds of hooting awake the rever-
berations along the Rock River Valley some
weeks before the great event, and many whis-
perings of fried chicken, and other appetizing
viands for the day's feast, are faintly heard.
As nearly as can be ascertained the charter
members of this club were the following: J. H.
Cartwright, George P. Jacobs, J. W. Bardwell,
F. R. Artz, J. D. C. Artz, George F. Snyder,
J. W. Etnyre. L. C. Hormell, J. S. Sanders, C.
W. A. Reynolds, John Rutledge, James N. Davis,
C. I-I. Hormell, Benj. Swartz, S. Munn, A. L. Et-
tiuger, E. Brown, S. D. Wallace — eighteen in all.
It is interesting to note the prevalence of the
tell-tale "M" after so large a number of the
signers of the constitution, from the charter
members down to those of the present time. The
Constitution of the club was prepared by J. H.
Cartwright, George P. Jacobs, F. R. Ai-tz, John
Rutledge, James N. Davis, John Rutledge being
the scribe. From the Record-Book, Vol. II, of
the club, the following parts of the transcribed
document are copied :
Preamble.
"Whereas, It has become necessary to resist
the encroachments of a common enemy by band-
ing ourselves together for mutual protection and
defense against the wiles of the fair sex and the
blandishments of anxious mammas ; and Whereas,
The fair sex have repeatedly, and against our
earnest protestations and entreaties, endeavored
to draw us from the path of rectitude by picnics
and croquet, which action demands from every
lover of freedom prompt and energetic measures :
''Therefore, Rcsolred That we associate our-
selves together for the promotion of the objects
aforesaid under the following Constitution:
Article I.
"Sec. 1. This association shall be styled the
Oregon Bachelors' Club.
"Sec. 2. This Club shall consist of the present
members of the same and such other single gen-
tlemen as shall be admitted at any regular meet-
ing of the Club by a niajority rote of the mem-
bers thereof.
"Sec. 3. The officers of this club shall consist
of a Senior Grand Tycoon, Junior Grand Ty-
coon, a Grand Knight of the Quill, a Grand
Keeper of the Stamps, Three Deacons and Grand
Custodian of the Hatchet.
Article IV.
"Sec. 1. The members of this Club are strictly
forbidden from entering into any matrimonial al-
liances, except the permission of the Grand
Deacons being first had and obtained therefor
and permission shall not be granted except upon
the withdrawal of the member from the Club and
the payment of such sum as will provide re-
freshments for the Club at their next meeting."
The Annual Meeting — such is the irony of
fate — is set to occur at the island in Rock River,
since that time named for a woman, and one
who ^^•as unmarried at the time of her visit to it !
At first an annual ball was given to which ladies
were invited, but after a time even this conces-
sion was dropped. The pioneer Bachelors carried
a black sunshade, but this proved too somber for
a merry spirit.
The membership of this club increased as the
years wore away, and its list lias included a
large number of members, not only from Oregon,
but from all over Ogle County, and even over
the United States, there being no l)oundary limit
as to that. In 190;"), "on the first Friday after
the second Monday in August, at 10 o'clock A. M.,
at which meeting the officers of the Club are
elected," the "Ex-Owls" Avere invited by the
"Owls" to join in the "OavI Picnic." About 150
partook tliat day of the feast at Margaret Ful-
ler Island, and it is recorded that tlie "outs" and
the "ins" were in about equal numbers. At the
Annual Picnic at the present day a chromo is
awarded to that member who, it has been as-
certained in some occult manner, is the nearest
to leaving the state of single-blessedness. The
growth in size of the organization has. of course,
in a measure nullified the provision in the Fourth
Article for the use of the fine of the daring
Benedict.
For 190S the officers were: A. E. HaxAni. W. T.
Ray. F. E. Maynard, Oscar Rutledge, Claude L.
Reber. F. A. Newcomer, C. S. Jones, Phil O'Con-
nell, II. L. Mover. On the committees were: E. D.
704
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Landers, Glenn Andrew, H. R. Sears, E. W.
Jones, W. L. Etuyre, H. R. Renisberg, John C.
Reed, F. W. Posselts, Charles Grow, Clarence
Ray, Charles Eshbaugh, Fred Knodle, John
Kaiser, Fred Sonutag, D. S. Lippert, C. G. Gil-
bert, E. R. Fry, Carl Reynolds, C. M. McKenney,
J. W. Charters, J. A. Waite.
Note. — It is not certain as to the origin of the
later name of this bachelor organization, but it
probably came from the design of an owl being
used as a heading on one of the first annual pro-
grams. Those attending to the printing, desir-
ing a decoration, Samuel Wilson suggested the
owl, a cut of which he had in his newspaper
stock of the "Oregon Guard."
The Ogle Counts Chautauqua. — With the
view of combining wholesome entertainment with
improvement, enjoyment with interesting instruc-
tion, there was organized at Oregon, in February,
1908, the Ogle County Chautauqua, the first or-
ganization of the kind in the county. The ses-
sion was held during the ten days from July 3
to 12, inclusive, on the Fair Grounds in a tent
with a seating capacity of one thousand people.
The c-ost of the talent, which included sermons,
lectures, impersonations, music, etc., was $1,800.
Among those who appeared were Rev. William A.
Sunday, Col. George W. Bain, Lorado Taft, Fath-
er P. J. MacCorry, Dr. Gabriel R. Maguire, Ross
Crane, Chicago Ladies' Lyceum Quartette, Senor
Lala, Ralph Parlette.
The program proved an excellent one. The
audiences were entertained and edified. There
was enjoyment and there were also educational
and elevating influences that were of much value
to the community, which as a whole was "broad-
ened, brightened, bettered." The chief benefit
arose from bringing good music, high class en-
tertainment and uplifting talks to the people
generally in the midst of surroundings that were
conducive to social pleasures and healthful recre-
ation.
Tlie attendance in the main was good, though
several rains and tlnindfr-stornis caused a ma-
terial lessening of the receipts, there being a de-
ficit of $143 from a total expenditure of nearly
$2,200. This was made good by a number of the
citizens who had signed as guarantors.
The officers were Horace G. Kauffman, Presi-
dent ; Z. A. Landers, Secretary ; Charles M. Gale,
Treasurer. The chairman of the committee on
program was Joseph L. Rice ; on advertising.
Rev. J. H. Rheingans ; on grounds and conces-
sions. Rev. J. W. Funston ; on tents, Jerome F.
Cox.
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Old Settlers' Association, which holds a
meeting each year, usually in August, at some
one of the towns of the county, began its exist-
ence nearly forty years ago. It met for the
first time on February 10, 1869, at the house of
Hiram Read, in Rockvale Township, where its
organization was effected by the election of John
Phelps as President, James V. Gale as Secretary,
and William J. Mix as Treasurer, after a con-
stitution had been submitted and adopted. The
first annual meeting was held May 27, 1869, at
Oregon in the Court House. It was then known
as the Old Settlers' Society. The first executive
committee consisted of William P. Flagg, Hiram
Read, Albert Brown, Virgil A. Bogue and Isaac
Trask. A talk was given by William Artz of
Oregon, and it was voted by those present that
all who came into the county prior to 1842 be
invited to sign the constitution. The following
signed :
Members Arrival Place of Birth Age
John Phelps 1834, Bedford Co., Va...72
James V. Gale 1835, Concord, N. H 62
A. O. Campbell 1836, Bradford Co., Pa..
Hiram Read 1835, Cornish, N. H
William Carpenter. .. 1835, Massachusetts ....
John Russell. .^ 1834, Ohio 77
J. W. Jenkins 1835, Ohio
Lewis Williams 1835, Ohio
Augustus Austin 1839, Canada
Phineas Chaney 1836, Virginia 54
A. I. Allen 18-38, Lancaster Co., Pa.. 54
F. A. Smith 1837, Massachusetts 52
Clinton Helm 1837, New York 40
F. G. Petrie 1838, Canada 50
Andrew Schecter 1841, Maryland 49
Robert Davis .1836, Virginia 58
William Artz 1839, Maryland 58
Wm. J. Fletcher 1837, Maryland 48
B. Y. Phelps 1834, Bedford Co., Va...59
G. W. Phelps 1834, Wilson Co., Tenn..57
S. T. Betebenner 1841, Maryland 53
Joshua Thomas 1840, Maryland 58
Benjamin Boyce 1837, New York 72
Jacob Dietrich 1838, Maryland 77
John V. Gale 1836, Concord. N. H. . . .55
John James 1841, Connecticut 64
John Sharp born 1838, Ogle Co., Ill 31
lllS'riJKV OF OGLK COUN'l'V.
iOb
Then' was another meeting in 1869, on Octo-
ber 12th, and again at Oregon, but at the Fair
Grounds instead of in tlio Court House. For a
time there was not sufflcient interest to keep up
the annual reunion, which is surprising, though
it should be remembered that some of the pio-
neers most active in the organization of the so-
ciety had died, and that the years immediately
following 1S60 were not sufficiently removed
from the period of settlement to form an his-
toric bacligi'ound which would attract the people
generally. In 18S2 there was re-organization at
Oregon. A new constitution and by-laws, pre-
pared by a committee consisting of George D.
Read, John V. Gale, John W. Hitt, F. G. Petrie.
and J. R. Smith, was adopted. The new officers
were George D. Read, President ; Wm. J. Mix,
Secretary; F. G. Petrie, Treasurer; Hugh Ray,
Corresponding Secretary, with a Vice-President
for each township.
The first meeting under the re-organization
was held at Oregon, August 31, 1882; the second
at Mount Morris, August 30, 1883, with Wm.
J. Mix, President, and Col. B. F. Sheets as prin-
cipal speaker. The latter said, "These old set-
tlers have left their impress upon all the sur-
roundings. Under their hands these boundless
prairies have been transformed into gardens.
They came into the wilderness and the wilder-
ness and the solitary places were made glad.
But, one by one the men and women who laid
the foundations of the civilization we are to-day
enjoying are passing on to that country that lies
beyond the bounds of time." A number of those
present being called upon for short addresses,
the following named eaiMy residents of the coun-
ty resjwnded: John V. Gale, Timothy Perkins,
Wm. H. King, David Iloffhine. Daniel O'Kane.
Elias Reed, Bradford McKinney, Dr. U. C. Roe,
Simeon S. Garwell, C. D. Sawyer, D. Harry
Hammer, F. G. Petrie. A report of the meeting
says, "Invitations were extended to all old set-
tlers to partake of a good dinner prepared by
the ladies of Mount Morris and served in the
dining room of the College, where tables were
spread for one hundred and ten persons ; and
were filled two or three limes before the guests
were all supplied. All about on the College
Campus were gathered groups of friends, who
with cloths spread on the green grass and capa-
cious baskets filled with dainties, were partak-
ing of a picnic dinner. Probably not less than
two thousand were thus enjoying themselves at
one time."
The third meeting was held at Rochelle on
August 2S, 1884, at Bain's Opera House, when
David B. Stiles was President and the chief ad-
dress w^as made by Rev. J. B. Stoughton. The
fourth reunion was at Polo. August 27, 1885,
Elias Baker being President. The place of as-
sembling was Buffalo Grove, where the ladies
of I'olo served coffee to all. Several thousand
liersons were present. Speeches were made by
Rev. Barton Cartwright, Dr. Isaac Rice, Elias
Baker, Robert R. Hitt, Pearson Shoemaker. Dr.
John Roe.
Since then the Association has held a reunion
in August of each year at either Mount Morris,
Oregon, Rochelle, Polo, Forrestou, or Byron.
The last two years have seen it at Mount Mor-
ris, where it is again to be held next year, with
Amos F. Moore as President and A. W. Bray-
ton as Chairman of the committee on program.
The princ-ipal addresses of the day have been
made at one town and another bj' the following
persons who have been a part of the life of the
CH)unty in either its earlier or later years : Sen-
ator Charles B. Farwell, Robert R. Hitt, Dr.
J. L. More, Judge Edmund W. Burke, John V.
Farwell, Judge James H. Cartwright, Rev. Olin
F. Mattison, Col. F. O. Lowden. F. M. Hicks.
Victor H. Bovey. John A. Atwood. Among those
from outside the countj' who have been invited
to be the speaker of the day may be named Judge
James Sliaw of Mount Carroll, Charles Fuller
of Belvidere. IMajor X. C. Warner of Rockford,
Wm. A. Meese of Moline and E. D. Shurtleff of
Marengo. At two of the more recent meetings
papers have been read by ladies as follows :
"Pionet'r Mothers," liy Mrs. Julia W. Peek, and
"Governor Thomas Ford in Ogle County," by
Mrs. Rebecca H. Kauffman. As the result of tha
paper on Governor Ford, the Association is ar-
ranging for the removal and preservation of the
Ford cabin.
For these many years the reunions have been
characterized by reminiscences given by those
who parti(i]iated in the settlement of tlie count.v
and exiierlenced tlie hardships, jileasures and
many vicissitudes of pioneer life, which per-
sonal recollections being the central idea of the
organization, have always been a feature of the
meetings. Always a matter of Interest, they have
also been one of value, since
706
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
"The best of prophets of the Future is the Past."
But this characteristic of the reunions is uo^y
become less marked than formerly. The pio-
neers that continue to dwell in Ogle County are
but a handful to those that slumber in its bosom.
Sturdy men and women, though they were, for
them and their day also has it been true,
"That Time flieth and never claps her wings."
CHAPTER XIX.
MARGARET FULLER'S VISIT.
WELL-KNOWN IN THE EAST — TRAVELLED FROM
CHICAGO TO DIXON AND OREGON IN LUMBER
WAGON W. W. FULLER OF OREGON, A RELATIVE —
IMPRESSIONS OF ROCK RIVER VALLEY WROTE
POEM AND NAMED SPRING HER MARRIAGE TO
COUNT D'OSSOLI AND THEIR SORROWFUL FATE —
MARGARET FULLER ISLAND DEDICATED — LETTER
FROM BRONSON ALCOTT.
In 1843 Oregon was honored by the visit of a
distinguished American woman — Margaret Ful-
ler. This brilliant daughter of the East was
then at the height of her literary eminence. She
had translated Goethe's "Faust," edited "The
Dial," the highly intellectual newspaper expo-
nent of New England Transcendentalism, and
for several years had given in Boston the cele-
brated "conversations" which she delighted in,
and which drew to her many cultivated and
scholarly r>eople, who, with her as their leader,
discu.ssed informally literature, philosophy and
social and economic reforms. It was not until
a year later that, upon the invitation of its
editor, Horace Greeley, she became literary
critic of the New York Tribune, a position she
filled with signal ability, and was the first wo-
man in this country to be honored with such an
important place. Six years more and her fine
career tragically ond(!d.
Margaret Fuller was the contemporary of
Emerson, Hawthorne, Channing, Alcott, Ripley,
Longfellow, Lowell, Bayard Taylor and other
well known authors, divines and reformers who.
from about 1830 onward, so enriched American
letters and so profoundly influenced the na-
tional thought. Not only was she their con-
temporary, but she personally knew them and
included them in her list of personal friends —
in the case of Lowell, at least, until in the
columns of 2'he Tribune she had reviewed some
of his poems and criticised them adversely, even
denying to him the poetic raculty, whereupon
Lowell retaliated in his "Fable for Critics,"
in which Miranda, "the tiring woman to the
Muses," is Margaret Fuller.
The summer of 1843 Miss Fuller spent in
travel, mainly on the lakes and in Illinois and
Wisconsin, the only long journey she ever took
in her own country. She went by boat from
Buffalo to Chicago. From there the ti-aveling
party was made up, besides herself, of James
Freeman Clarke and his sister Sarah, of the
East," and a brother, William H. Clarke, of Chi-
cago, under whose guidance the four proceeded.
Her account of the journey in her first book,
"Summer on the Lakes," was a timely volume.
It gave information at first hand of what was
then the "Far West," a region in which the peo-
ple of the East were at that time — the end of
the decade following the Black Hawk War — man-
ifesting their greatest interest, but concerning
which accurate information had been meager,
and genuine ai^preciation even less. Margaret
Fuller's pages had both, conveyed in lucid Eng-
lish, often becoming elegant through an ample
vocabulary, apt similes and historical allusions
that were the fruit of wide reading and varied
research.
In certain of its aspects the volume reads as
if, instead of having been written sixty-five years
ago, it were the narrative of a much earlier date,
because of the primitive life it depicts. The mode
of travel from Chicago was by lumber wagon,
"loaded," says the author, "with everything we
might waiit, in case nobody would give it to us —
for buying and selling were no longer to be
counted on." The first evening found them at
Geneva, where they remained Saturday and Sun-
day, and where they heard, "with his attentive
and affectionate congregation, the Unitarian
clergyman," a form of church services common
in New England, but which it surprises one to
learn was found anywhere in Illinois at the
time; then proceeding by Ross's Grove to Paw
Paw Grove, consuming several days, and spend-
ing one afternoon and night at the house of an
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC -LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEN'^1^-
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HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY
70 r
Englishman, where "the young hidies were mus-
ical and spoke French llueutly, having been edu-
cated in a convent." At the latter grove they
"put up" at the tavern. Their exi)erience is re-
counted thus : "That night we rested, or rather
tarried, at I*aw Paw Grove, and there partook
of the miseries, so often jocosely iwrtrayed, of
bedchambers for twelve, a milk dish for univer-
sal hand basin, and expectations that you would
use and lend your 'hankorcher' for a towel. But
this was the only night, thanks to the hospital-
ity of private families, that we passed thus. . .
We ladies were to sleep in the bar-room, from
w^hich its drinking visitors could be ejected only
at a late hour. . . . We had also rather hard
couches (mine was the supper table) ; but we
were altogether too much fatigued to stand uix)n
trifles, and slept as sweetly as we would in the
'bigly bower' of any baroness."
The narrative then continues as follows : "In
the afternoon we reached the Rock River, in
whose neighborhod we proiX)sed to make some
stay, and crossed at Dixon's Ferry.
"The first place where we stopped was one of
singular beauty, a beauty of soft, luxuriant
wildness. It was on the bend of the river, a
place chosen by an Irish gentleman, whose ab-
senteeship seems of the wisest kind, since, for a
sum which would have been but a drop of water
to the thirsty fever of his native land, he com-
mands a residence that has all that is desirable,
in its independence, its beautiful retii'ement, and
means of benefit to others."
This was Hazelwood, better known as the
"Governor Charters Place," situated several
miles north of Dixon. In her ix>em, "The West-
ern Eden," indited while there, Margaret Ful-
ler says,
"Blest be the kindly genius of the scene ;
The river, bending in unbroken grace.
The stately thickets, with their pathways green,
Fair, lonely trees, each in its fittest place."
Hazelwood remained nmch as Margaret Fuller
describes it for many years after. Latterly it
came into the possession of the late Charles
Hughes of Dixon, and now belongs to his estate.
The party tarried here three days, and then
moved on to Oregon, their principal objective
7>oint in Illinois, because there then lived in Ore-
gon an uncle of Margaret Fuller. This was
William W. Fuller, a practicing attorney of the
Ogle County Bar. After being graduated from
Hai-vard. and then having read law. he followed
his profession in tlie East for a time, and upon
the advice of Governor Ford, came west to Ore-
gon. At the date of his niece's visit lie was un-
married; hence the fact of Miss Fuller staying
at the house of his friends, the Henshaws. These
were people from the north of Ireland, given
to hospitality, fond of outdoor life and of gay
times, who lived on the east bank of Rock River,
north of Oregon and opposite the present Fair
Grounds, where a clump of fine elms still marks
the location of the "double log cabin" that to the
eye of the distinguished guest was "the model
of a Western villa." They built a "sod fence,"
after the manner of those common in the north
of Ireland, consisting of an earth embankment
with a ditch on the inner side, and which can
still be traced along the east side of tiie high-
way leading north from the location of their
house, at and beyond the turn of the road from
the river, as one enters the woods in driving to
Mr. Wallace Heckman's suuuner home. The
Henshaw family and "Governor" Charters were
intimate friends and visited back and forth fre-
(luently.
"Leaving Hazelwood, we proceeded a day's
journey along the beautiful stream, to a little
town named Oregon." . . .
"At Oregon, the beauty of the scene was of
even a more sumptuous character than at our
former 'stopping-place.' Here swelled the river
in its boldest course, interspersed by halcyon
isles on which Nature had lavished all her prod-
igality in tree, vine, and flower, banked by noble
bluffs, three Imndred feet high, their sharp
ridges as exquisitely definite as the edge of a
shell ; their summits adorned with those same
beautiful trees, and with buttresses of rich
rock, crested with old hemlocks, which wore a
touching and antique grace amid the softer and
more luxuriant vegetation." . . .
"The aspect of this country was to me enchant-
ing beyond any I have ever seen, from its full-
ness of expression, its bold and impassioned
sweetness. Here the flood of emotion has passed
over and marked everywhere its course by a
smile. The fragments of rock touch it with a
wildness and lilH>ralit.v which give just the need-
ed relief. I should never be tired here, though
I have elsewhere seen country of more secret
and alluring charms. l)etter calculated to stim-
ulate and suggest. Here the eye and the heart
are fllled."
"This beautiful stream flows full and wide
708
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
over a bed of rocks, traversing a distance of
near two hundred miles to reacli the Mississippi.
Great part of the country along its banks is the
finest region of Illinois, and the scene of some
of the latest romance of Indian warfare. To
these beautiful regions Black Hawk returned
with his band 'to pass the summer,' when he
drew upon himself the warfare in which he was
finally vanquished. No wonder he could not
resist the longing, unwise though its indulgence
might be, to return in summer to this home of
beauty."
"Of Illinois, in general, it has often been re-
marked, that it bears the character of country
which has been inhabited by a nation skilled like
the English in all the ornamental arts of life,
especially in landscape-gardening. The villas
and castles seem to have been burned, the enclo-
sures taken down, but the velvet lawns, the flow-
er gardens, stately parks, scattered at graceful
intervals by the decorous hand of art, the fre-
quent deer, and the peaceful herd of cattle that
make the picture of the plain, all suggest more
of the masterly mind of man, than the prodigal,
but careless, motherly love of Nature. Especial-
ly is this true of the Hock River country. The
river flows through these parks and lawns, then
betwixt high bluflis, whose grassy ridges are cov-
ered with fine trees, or broken with crumbling
stone, that easily assumes the forms of buttress,
arch, and clustered columns. Along the face of
such crumbling rocks, swallows' nests are clus-
tered thick as cities, and eagles and deer do not
disdain their summits. One morning, ont in the
boat along the base of these rocks, it was amus-
ing, and affecting too, to see these swallows put
their heads out to look at us. There was some-
thing very hospitable about it, as if man had
never shown himself a tyrant near there. What
a morning that was ! Every sight is worth
twice as much liy the early morning light. We
borrow something of the spirit of the hour to
look upon them.
"Two of the Ix»ldest bluffs are called the
Deer's Walk (not because deer do not walk
there) and the Eagle's Nest. The latter I visit-
ed one glorious morning; it was that of the fourth
of July, and certainly I think I had never felt so
happy that I was born in America. Woe to all
country folks that never saw this spot, never
s^\'ept an enrnptured gaze over the prospect
that stretched beneath. I do believe Rome and
Florence are suburbs compared to this capital
of Nature's art."
Margaret Fuller's poem, "Ganymede to His
Eagle," was "composed on the height called the
Eagle's Nest," and, it is said, under the old
gnarled (and now dead) cedar still to be seen
there. In Grecian mythology Ganymede suc-
ceeded Hebe as cup-bearer to Zeus, and by him
was at times directed to minister to his eagle,
whose strength and power of flight Zeus employ-
ed to carry off the beautiful boy from earth to
heaven. The Greeks placed Ganymede among
the stars as Aquarius, or "water-bearer." The
following lines are taken from the poem :
"A hundred times, at least, from the clear spring.
Since the full moon o'er hill and valley glowed,
I've filled the vase which our Olympian king
Upon my care for thy sole use bestowed ;
That, at the moment when thou shouldst descend,
A pure refreshment might thy thirst attend."
Miss Fuller's friends "had prepared a little
fleet to pass over to the Fourth of July celehra-
tion, which some queer drumming and fifing
from, the opposite bank had announced to be 'on
hand.' "
"We found the free and independent citizens
there collected beneath the trees, among whom
many a round Irish visage dimpled at the usual
puffs of 'Ameriky.' "
"The orator was a New-Englander, and the
speech smacked loudly of Boston, hut was receiv-
ed with much applause and followed by a plenti-
ful dinner, provided by and for the Sovereign
People, to which Hail Columbia served as grace.
"Returning, the gay flotilla cheered the little
flag which the children had raised from a log-
cabin, prettier than any President ever saw, and
drank the health of our country and all man-
kind, with a clear conscience."
Mrs. Amanda Woolley Peck, daughter of Isaac
S. AVoolley, respected pioneer settler of Oregon
Township, is, perhaps, the only person still resid-
ing in Oregon who saw and remembers Miss Ful-
ler. As a little girl, she was present at the
Fourth of July celebration and picnic of 184.3,
which, she says, was held on the river bank, near
the ferry, about where the bridge now crosses,
nnd she saw Miss Fuller with her friends "come
down the river in skiffs." They remained for the
picnic dinner.
The week's stay at Oregon and in the Henshaw
home was one of enjoyment to Miss Fuller in
IIISTOUV OF OGLE COUNTY,
i09
every way. Concerning the latter she exclaims :
"In thi>; clianning abode wiiat lauglitor, what
sweet thoughts, what pleasing fancies, did we not
enjoy ! May such never desert those who reared
it, and made us so kindly welcome to all its
pleasures 1"
But the time for her departure arrived, and
she says : "The 0th of July we left this beautiful
place. It was one of those rich days of bright
sunlight, varied by the purple shadows of large,
sAveeping clouds. Many a backward look we cast,
and left the heart behind."
"Farewell, ye soft and sumptuous solitudes!
Ye fairy distances, ye lordly woods,
I go, — and if I never more may steep
An eager heart in your enchantments deep.
Yet ever to itself that heart may say.
Be not exacting; thou hast lived one day."
Returning to her eastern home, Miss Fuller
spent several months in preparing for the press
the narrative of her journey, "Summer on the
Lakes," before mentioned, spending many hours
of study in the Harvard College Library. "The
book," says her latest biographer, "yielded noth-
ing to the author save copies to give away."
Nevertheless it has lived longer than most books
of travel, and is read with interest today, be-
cause Instead of being merely statistical, its
pages abound in observations and reflections that
"picture the new scenes for the mind's eye."
In December. 1S44, Miss Fuller became the lit-
erary critic of the New Yorli Tribune and a mem-
ber of Mr. Greeley's household. She contributed
besides book reviews, numerous original articles,
and the variety and depth of her knowledge, the
range of her sympathies, and her keen, penetra-
ting and profound comments uiwn life have not
been surpassed in similar "work since her day, not
forgetting the excellence of the work done by her
successor, George Ripley.
A year and a half later she went with friends
to travel in Europe, the while writing letters to
the Tribune. The first twelve months were spent
in England. Scotland, and France, with a short
stay in Rome. She met Thomas Carlyle, Eliza-
beth Barrett. Robert Browning, James Martineau.
Beranger. George Sand, and, most of all, Mazzini.
then in exile for his liberal political principles,
but unalterably devoted to the freedom of his
native Italy, who inspired Miss Fuller with the
hope of an Italian republic, and whom she was
to meet so soon in his own land and capital city.
In the year 1S47, .after si>ending the summer in
Switzerland, Miss Fuller established herself in
Rome. The causes which led to the Italian Rev-
olution of 1848 were then at work, and appealed
to the young American woman's love of liberty.
To throw off Papal rule and establish a republic
at once enlisted her sympathy. It chanced that
she now made the acquaintance of Marquis Os-
soli, youngest son of an old Italian family of rank.
all of whom, excepting himself, were adherents
of the Pope, while he was a revolutionist and
Captain of the Civic Guard of Rome. The ac-
quaintance ripened into friendship and love, and
in D>-cember, 1847. Margaret Fuller l>ecame Mar-
chioness Ossoli. Iler husband remained at his
post. lie was stationed during the sharpest of
the hostilities on the Pincian Hill. With the
entry into Rome of the French, who had es-
poused the Papal claim, the revolution terminat-
ed in defeat, and it became necessary for Ossoli.
and none the less his wife, whose pen had aided
the patriot cause, to leave Rome. They went to
Rieti and later to Florence. At the former place
in Se])tember, 1848, when Ossoli had returned to
Rome, a son -was born to them, and named Ange-
lo Phillip Eugene Ossoli.
^Margaret Fuller Ossoli employed her pen in
writing a history of the Italian Revolution, which
it was decided should be published in America,
upon a visit there soon to be made. Ossoli had
to forego such patrimony as would have been his
had not his country's cause taken the turn it did.
and as his wife had but little means, their plans
for the voyage to the I'nited States led them, in
order to save expense, to embark. May 19. 1850,
on the merchant vessel, the Elizabeth, bound for
Philadeljihia from Leghorn. The voyage was a
long and trying one. "The world seemed to go
strangely wrong." The captain sickened and died
of smalli)ox. Baby Ossoli took the disease but
was nursed back to health. At Gibraltar they
were detained in quarantine. Finally when laud
and home were in sight, in the early morning of
July lOth, during a terrific gale that had begun
twenty-four hours before; and which, unknown
to the second mate, had carried them sixty miles
out of their course, the ship ran upon the rocks
off Fire Island, just below New York. By after-
I'oon. after waiting in vain for the storm to sub-
side, or the life-saving crew on the nearby coast
to come to their assistance, and when about to
conuuit themselves, as a last hope, to such safety
as clinging to a plank might give among the
'10
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
tossing waves, the devoted three, along vs^ith the
steward and several others of the crew, were
swept from the forecastle by the heavy seas, and
perished.
The shipwreck, with its attendant agony and
despair, that cost the lives of a loving family,
from one of whom the promise to American liter-
ature was sure to add valuable achievements to
excellent work already accomplished, makes as
sad reading as any of which the writer knows.
Years after Margaret Fuller Ossoli's sojourn
among them, the people of Oregon took steps
that have specially aided in perpetuating her
memory. They walled up with substantial and
attractive masonry the beautiful spring at the
foot of Eagle's Nest Bluff, named by her "Gany-
mede's Spring," and placed above it the marble
tablet on which are inscribed the fact of her
visit and the naming of the spring. The large
island on Rock River just below the spring was
at the same time fitted up for summer pleasures
and named Margaret Fuller Island. Among the
men most active in these memorial matters were
the late Dr. H. A. Mix and Col. B. F. Sheets.
A day, September 17, 1880, having been set
apart for dedicating the spring and the island to
Oregon's literary patroness, many people assem-
bled at the pavilion erected on the island, and,
after listening to a program of addresses, poems
and music, spent the remainder of the day in a
general picnic. Among several letters read as
having been received in answer to an invitation
to be present, was the following :
"CoNCOED, Mass., September 7, 1880.
"Dear Sir: — You honor me by your note of in-
vitation to attend the dedication of Margaret
Fuller Island, at your Oregon, in the distant Illi-
nois. In this celebration of a noble representa-
tive American woman and author of wide repute,
your townsfolk confer a lasting honor on them-
selves and on the spot they dedicate to her ge-
nius. Should it happen that I find myself in your
near neighborhood during the coming autumn or
winter, I should not willingly pass by without
paying my res-pects to yourself and neighbors.
"With my acknowledgments for your kind invi-
tation, I am,
"Very truly yours,
"A, Bbonson Alcott."
The following is a copy of the inscription cut
upon the mnrlilo tablet placed at Ganymede
Spring at this time during the summer of the
year 1880 :
GANYMEDE'S SPRING,
named by
Maegabet Fuller (Countess D'Ossoli),
who named this bluff
EAGLE'S NEST,
and, beneath the cedars on its crest, wrote
"Ganymede to His Eagle,"
July 4, 1843.
CHAPTER XX.
THE ARTISTS' COLONY.
GANYMEDE AND EAGLE'S NEST — HISTORY OF THE
COLONY — ^AUTHORS AND ARTISTS WHO HAVE
MADE IT THEIR SUMMER HOME OTHER NOTED
VISITORS ROCK RIVER SCENERY INTERESTING
EVENTS — RENT-PAYING CEREMONY — ■ BEAUV6IR —
THE GRANGE MC KENNEY'S ISLAND.
Mr. Wallace Heckman, of Chicago and "Gany-
mede," may truly be considered one of the pio-
neers of Ogle County, though of a later time,
day, and purpose. Like another .33neas, it was
he,
"Troiae qui primus ab oris
Italiam fato profugus Laviniaque venit
Litora,"
with family and friends, to make a home amid
the sweetness and glory of the outdoor frag-
rance and bloom, and to enjoy the picturesque
richness of "the beauty of Rock River."
It was in the year of 1892 that the attention
of Mr. Heckman was directed by a friend to the
tract of fine, wooded land, a natural forest,
which he afterward purchased, and upon a bold
bluff of which, commanding a sweeping view of
a wide and magnificent stretch of river and
region, he built a home to live in when the
voice of the country calls the dweller of the
city thence.
The house constructed for this first summer
home was built of Naperville cut-stone. A good
quality of stone for other purposes, however, is
MR. AND MRS. ISAAC A. 1-ISII
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fASTOP ' ■
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HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
711
obtained from a quarry aloug the roadway -with-
in the confines of the tract. Thon?:h not in the
mind of the owner at the time of purchase, the
tract forms an ideal place for an artist-colony.
The ridse included within its boundaries is the
famous "Eagle's Nest Bluff," holding near its
crest above the steep river-side, the craggy
rocks where is the gnarled and aged group of
cedars, once the home of the eagle. In the tract,
too, is contained the spring which bears the name
of the' beauteous youth who. was cup-bearer to
the Great Jove, King of the Gods, according to
the classic myths of the Greeks and Romans —
once a part of their religious belief. It includes,
too, the island named for the gifted writer, of
ti'agic fate, whose name and fame are indis-
• solubly linked with nest, bluff and spring. It is
especially fitting that the region, so early asso-
ciated with literary genius, should become the
later home of artists and authors, and that sixty
years after her historic visit, in setting apart
with ceremonious rites "Ganymede Spring" in
memoiy of Margaret Fiiller, her name and fame
should thus be preserved in this connection.
Writing, in answer to some questions regard-
ing the settlement of himself and the Artists'
Colony by the side of Rock River, Mr. Heck-
man, modestly omitting that it was owing to
his wise thought and generosity that they chose
this spot, so suitable for a summer home, says :
"The artists' colony came in 1898 from a site
on the shores of a pleasant lake in Indiana
which turned out to be malarial. They had
under consideration a location at the Dells in
Wisconsin, but finally, after canvassing the mat-
ter, selected Oregon. The following gentlemen
took the somewhat permanent lease of the site:
Ix)rado Taft, Ralph Clarkson, Oliver Dennett
Grover, Charles Francis Browne, Henry D. Ful-
ler, Hamlin Garland, Horace Spencer Fiske,
James Spencer Dlckerson, Allen B. Pond, Irving
K. Pond, Clarence Dickinson.
"Their enjoyment of their summer home there,
the charming company of friends — writers, sculp-
tors, painters, musical men and women, archi-
tects, naturalists, scientists, and others engaged
in kindred interesting occupations who constant-
ly come and go— and the extent to which they
have made the sti-iking features of the Rock
River Country known, are now matters of com-
mon knowledge, as well as the fact that they
no longer regard themselves as visitors, Imt as
a permanent part of our community." That
they have not been idle is shown by the fact
that it was there, as Mr. Ileckman .states, tliat
"Mr. Garland wrote 'Her Mountain Lover' and
the greater part of the 'Eagle's Heart' ; Mr.
Taft produced a large part of his 'Solitude of the
Soul,' 'The Blind" and other picH.-es of sculpture
and wrote the 'History of American Sculpture,'
while Prof. George S. Goodspeed, of the Univer-
sity of Chicago, wrote a considerable part of his
'History of Ancient Civilization.' Mrs. Peattie,
^ ]\Iiss Monroe, Miss Wallace, Mrs. Summers, Mr.
Fuller and H. S. Fiske have each done consid-
erable writing on the bluff, while Mr. Clarkson
has occupied his time very largely for recrea-
tive purposes. Mr. Charles Francis Browne and
Oliver Dennett Grover, on the other hand, have
made Oregon quite famous with their biiishes."
The terms of the "somewhat permanent lease"
alluded to by Mr. Heckman, api)ear to be chiefly
for the benefit of residents of Oregon and Ogle
County, as they include two lectures each year
on art subjects, to be given by the lessees, to
the people who live in the region. These lec-
ture courses are presented at the Court House,
under the management of the Public Library
Board of Oregon, and almost all the members
of the colony have, at one time and another,
taken part in them, besides some of their tal-
ented friends, the result being not only enter-
taining but beneficial, extending the intellectual
and artistic horizon of the hearers.
One of the residents of the colony, whose Eng-
lish is always charming for its ft city of ex-
pression, has this to say about theii location :
"Our territory — just aliove Ganymede Spring
and northwestward, completing the iwint of the
plateau, -with a bit of the ravine beyond — is said
to contain thirteen acres ; but the whole land-
scape is ours to enjoy, particularly the great
panorama of the Rock River ^'alley, extending
for miles np and down stream. The view from
our heights, so exceptional in Illinois, is a con-
stant source of inspiration to our painters. There
is no Important exhibition in Chicago which does
not contain from one to a score of paintings of
this picturesque region."
Many resid(>nts will rcMuember the tepee on
the ])row of the bluff, in which Mr. Garland \ATOte
the stories referred to in the summer of 1899,
just after the return from his Alaskan trip. It
was during the same summer that the brilliant
and realistic story-writer and a charming young
sculptor of the colony found a romance of their
712
HI ST OK Y OF OGLE COUNTY.
own, aud the merrj' wedding bells pealed, later,
their "grand, sweet song."
In the seclusion of the "outlook" library of
Ganymede, Mr. Taft prepared the manuscript
for his work on the history of American sculp-
ture. In this attic outlook, too, are the "extra
quarters" for the entertainment of the overflow
guests attracted by the genial hospitality of the
owner and his wife and daughter. Manj' inter-
esting visitors from afar have been entertained
at Ganymede aud Eagle's Nest Camp, among
them Dauiel H. Burnham, Charles L. Hutchin-
son. Martin Ryersou, Robert Herrick, Ernest
Thompson-Seton, Leonard Ochtman, Hermon
MacNeil, Cyrus Dallin, Madeline Yale Wynne,
Elizabeth Wallace, Harriet Monroe, Lucy Fitch
Perkins. Judge C. C. Kohlsaat, Fannie Bloom-
field-Zeisler, George Barr McCutcheon, Ella W.
Peattie, the late Dr. William R. Harper and
his family. Dr. and Mrs. Harry Pratt Judson,
and Prof. Michelson, to whom was awarded in
1907 the Nobel Prize for physical research.
Mr. Taft's group, "The Blind," is the outcome
of a play, by Maurice Maeterlinck, "Les Aven-
gles," given by the colony, in the original French,
at the dusk of evening among the trees sloping
down to the north from the studio of the sculp-
tor. Mr. Taft is now at work upon a colossal
statue of George Washington, which, when fin-
ished, is to be placed upon the campus of the
University of Washington at Seattle. This work
has been carried on at his studio upon the bluff
now for two summers, being transferred during
the winter to his studio on the Midway. It is
considered by competent judges that, since the
death of Augustus St. Gaudens, Lorado Taft oc-
cupies the foremost place among American sculp-
tors, and it is expected that this figure of Wash-
ington will rank equally with the great repre-
sentation of Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln Park,
executed by St. Gaudens. Mr. Taft is also at
work upon a statue of Black Hawk, to be placed
above Eagle's Nest, overlooking the valley.
In this connection may be mentioned a num-
ber of paintings which have been on exhibition
in the Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, repre-
senting scenes on Rock River. These include
paintings to be seen a few years ago in the ex-
hibit of Mr. Charles Francis Browne, and later
some art works by Mr. Oliver Bennett GroATor, all
of which tend to prove the beauty of Rock River
scenery. At the time of the preparation of mat-
ter for this chapter, Mr. Ralph Clarkson, a suc-
cessful and popular portrait painter, is build-
ing a studio at the bluff and in the rear of the
camp, where he contemplates doing summer
work. Others who have been frequent visitors
at the colony are Mr. Horace Spencer Fiske.
Professor of English Literature in the Univer-
sity of Chicago and author of a volume of poems ;
Mr. Wallace Heckmau, Counsellor and Business
^Manager of the University of Chicago; Mr.
James Spencer Dickerson, for a number of years
editor of "The Baptist Standard," Chicago, and
the Pond Brothers — Allen B. and Irving K. —
architects and designers of the Lowden home and
the Oregon Public Library building. Of the house
of Col. Lowden, William Herbert, in the "Archi-
tectural Record" for October, 1897, thus writes:
"The place of Col. Frank O. Lowden, at Ore-
gon, 111., belongs to a class of country estates
which are numerous in the East, but which are
as yet comparatively rare in the West. It is an
estate of large acreage, situated in a fine, well-
wooded and well-watered country, which the
owner uses, not merely as a residence, but as a
combination of dwelling and farm. Altogether
it is one of the most convenient and compact
plans which w^e have ever seen, and equally in-
teresting is the sturdy simplicity of the treat-
ment."
The Oregon Library building is characterized
by the same "sturdy simplicity" and will increase
in architectural effect as time darkens its color-
ing. It is not probable, however, that a similar
satisfaction will be derived from the place of the
location of the structure. An art room is a
special feature of the library building. This ad-
dition is due to the suggestion of the architects
and artists of the colony. In October, 1908, oc-
curred the initial exhibit in this art room, con-
sisting of paintings by Mr. Leon A. Makielski, of
Rock River scenery. From this exhibit the Ore-
gon Woman's Council has placed the first picture
in the art room.
In the "Sunday Magazine" of the "Chicago
Record-Herald," during the winter of 1908, ap-
peared a wholesome story from the pen of Mrs.
Penttie. This was entitled "The Girl from Grand
Detour." and attracted the interest of many
renders. The story was the result of a sum-
mer's stay by Mr. and Mrs. Peattie at the camp
in the vacant cottage of Mr. Grover. In "The
House Beautiful" for August, 1904, may be
found an article by Miss Harriet Monroe, de-
scriptive of the artistic homes and surroundings
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
713
of the residents at Eagle's Nest IMuff. The large
Caiup-House, designed by the Messrs. l*oud lor
living-room and dining hall, is the central fea-
ture of the house, and is a cheery gathering place
with its generous fireplace and hospitable air.
One of the events of the Camp is the observance
of Labor Day. Much time and thought are given
by the memlxn-s of the colony to the preparation
of costumes, banners, mottoes and transparencies,
in true parade style. At the sunset hour, with
the sound of trumpet, drum and bugle, the pro-
cession sets forth, their objective point being the
home of their "over-lord," and the climax of all
this ceremony is their paying to him their an-
nual rent-money, Which is the sum of one dollar
"in hand jiaid." One of their transparencies, one
year of financial dei)ression over the country, read.
"Work for the unemployed!" Among the other
sunnner residents along Rock River are Dr. and
Mrs. A. W. Hoyt. of Chicago. Their home in-
cludes the well-known "Trask farm," beyond the
"Second Narrows," and the fine stretch of wood-
land extending south to Mud Creek. These new
owners have made upon this tract a very attrac-
tive Slimmer home, which they have named
"Beanvoir." often remaining in it over Thanks-
giving and returning at Christmas-time to en-
joy the winter pleasures of the region.
"The Grange" is the river home of Mr. E. A.
Laugh] in. having been built by himself and his
sister. Miss Hester B. Laughlin, now Mrs. C. E.
Pfister, formerly of St. Louis. In this capacious
and hospitable home both their old and their new
friends have been entertained by them with gen-
uine Southern cordiality and hospitality, and the
river has been at times nnich enlivened by their
canoes and boats, and river-side sports. This
property adjoins Springvale Farm, and "The
Bungalow" of .Judge James II. Cartwright, and
hasupon it a large spring of fine water similar to
Knox Spring, .-.nd just .above it. Near the
Orange on the hillside to tlie northwest also is
the summer home of the Van Tnwegon family.
For a number of years, the "Dr. Mix Home"
attracted many visitors each season to Oregon
during the sunnner, where some of tliem have
Miice made iiennaneiit liome^. Among these is
Mr. L. Warniolts, who has replaced, with a sui>-
stantial cement dwelling, the home on the east
bank of the river, near tlie Three Sisters, which
was burned some time ago. Mr. C. M. Babbitt,
of Chicago, has also built a residence in which
to live all the year round, and takes an active
part in the affairs of the region.
McKenney's Island, now also called Elm Ishv
a little distance south of Oregon, has latterly
been the home of suinmer residents. Some years
ago, the lower half of the island was purchased
from Dr. George M. McKeiuiey and Mr. Charles
-M. (iale, by a number of Moiuit Morris i)eople and
their friends, who added several cottages to the
buildings already there, and formed the "Mount
Morris Camp," having a commodious structure
for a connnon living-room and dining room. To
this camp, since its formation, have belonged the
following: From Mount Morris, Mr. H. W.
Gushing and family, Mr. R. C. MeCredie and
family, Mr. C. E. Price and family. Mr. George
V. Farwell ; from Rock Island, Mr. A. D. Welch
and family, and Mr. G. B. Canode; from Rock-
ford, Mr. A. E. Elmore and family ; from Ef-
fingham, Mr. F. W. Hazelton ; from Tiskilwa.
^Ir. C. N. Pettigrew. Upon the upper half of the
island the following have made a summer home :
from Oregon, Mr. J. C. Seyster and family. Judge
Frank E. Reed and family. Mr. W. II. Guilford.
Mr. C. M. Gale and family. Mr. (xeorge Hopkins
and family, Dr. George McKenney, Miss Jennie
Dimon ; from Kewanee, Mr. R. H. Lamb and
family; fi-om Rochelle, Mr. J. L. Spath and fam-
ily. The summer residents on McKenney's Is-
land have "kept house" with old-time generous
hospitality-, and tlie many visitors there have
been given a cordial welcome.
The latest summer home is that of the artist,
.Mi-, a. D. ReiHl, on the east bank of the river,
just above McKenney's Island. Mr. Reed for-
merly lived in this vicinity, but his jlrtistic work
of illustrator has taken him to New- York for a
jvart of tlie year. In his present picturesque sur-
roundings he finds abundant material for his
sketches. Tlie pen and ink sketch of the Wash-
ington Grov(» Boulder, signed "\. D. T.." was
made by Mr. R(hm1. and contributed by him. pur-
IM)sely l"or the use of this history.
714
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXI.
PIONEER LIFE IN OGLE COUNTY.— PART I.
LIFE IN OGLE COUNTY FROM 1S38 TO 1S45 REMI-
NISCENCES OF THE LATE JOHN V. FAEWELL —
OREGON CITY IN EMBRYO CONDITIONS AND METH-
ODS OF PIONEER LIFE HUNTING AND GAME
EARLY' INDUSTRIES AND TRADES.
(By the Late John V. Farwell.)
The Farwell family moved from New York to
this couutj^ in 1838, when "Oregon City" was the
county seat, and was thus described by one who
then saw it : ''The great city of Oregon City,
three houses and a smoke house." A most vivid
recollection of Illinois is drawn from a "prairie
schooner" containing the Farwell family, July,
1838, bound for Rock River. Old Fort Dearborn,
erected to fight Indians, was then one of Chica-
go's notable structures. The rest were mostly
one and tw^o-story wood buildings. There was a
population of about 2,000.
The journey to Rock River was over wild prai-
ries, with here and there a stopping place for
travellers at small groves of timber, of which
there were very few ; so that it became a common
saying, when no timber was in sight, that we
were "out of sight of land." Arriving at our
destination, the 20-foot square log house, in-
stead of being prepared for our reception, was
filled with garden truck, and our moving "prai-
rie schooner" had still to do duty as our habita-
tion until the house was cleaned and renovated.
Tlie next vivid picture upon the canvas of my
memory is composed of two families in our log
house, fourteen in number, all but my mother
and the baby sick with chills and fever, and the
doctor sitting on a trunk in the center dealing out
medicine. Father was completely overcome with
this dismal picture, and proix)sed to mother to go
back to our old home in New York State as soon
as we were wtrll enougli. Mother replied, "We
have come here to make a home for our.selves and
our children, and God helping us, we will stay
and accomplish our purpose."
This settled it, and Father said to the doctor:
"All these depend on me for support, and you
must cure me at once for that purpose." The
necessitj^ of the situation opened the way for the
doctor and Providence to effect his cure, and
only one of the 14 found a grave before a new
commodious log house was finished, so that each
family had a roof of its own. In the meantime
some of us were real shakers, for the fever and
ague did not leave us for months. To see us
shake with the chills was a moving picture not
to be produced in any other way. [Mr. Farwell
here alludes to the episode of the war between
the "Prairie Bandits" and the "Regulars," which
resulted in the lynching of the Driscolls, but as
this is told in another chapter, it is not neces-
sary to repeat it here.]
In the winter of 1838-39 Indians, moving out
of Illinois into Iowa, cami)ed near our home.
They got some whisky, instead of the gospel,
from some of these frontier human fiends, and
tw'O were killed in a drunken brawl. I visited
their camp and, for the first time, saw the In-
dians who once populated all North America.
They had caught some muskrats and I saw them
cook and eat those animals. They dug a hole in
the ground, put in it a raw skin of some kind,
filled it with water, then heated some stones red
hot and put -them in the water with the muskrats,
whole, making it boil until they were cooked.
Then the Indians ate them, entrails and all, with
an appetite that proved that "the survival of the
fittest" had made them competent to feed on
such diet.
Sports. — -It is not to be supposed that the early
settlers of Illinois were without sports or recre-
ation. The vast prairies were so full of prairie
chickens that, in the breeding season, their mu-
sic was heard on every breeze. The scanty for-
ests were crowded with squirrels, raccoons and
deer. Beautiful Rock River swarmed with
enough fish to feed a continent. Black bass, as
game as speckled ti'out, and catfish weighing
from one to 70 pounds, were always obtainable
in their season.
There were no $20 rods to be had, and there
was no money to buy them with if there had
been such rods ; but a spear for night work, and
a hook and line and iwle that did the business in
the daylight, were imiwrted from Chicago. Sup-
pose we accompany the farmers' boys on a night
fra.y. They are in a boat provided with an iron
grate in front to hold a torch made of hickory
bark. Proceeding slowly up stream, it is not long
■-^T ''
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OLD SETTLERS, BARBER'S PARK, 1S98
OLD SETTLERS, MT. MORRIS, W)\
DAVID HOFFHINE
C. K. WILLIAMS
T. S. KNOWLTnx
ANGT^S BAIN
llLSTOliY OF OGLE COUNTY.
715
before they strike a 20-pound pickerel, wliich
struggles for freedom witli sucli force as to
break tbe spear bundle. However, enough of the
hber remains intact to land tbe fisb on tbe bot-
tom of tbe boat. Numei'ous smaller fish are ob-
Uiiued after that ; then a 2()-pound cattish is
caught on tbe spear. When landed inside the
boat, its strength was suthcient to make havoc of
our seat with its swinging tail, reminding its cai>
tors that it must be thrust under the gunwale in
front or it would soon unload the boat of all tbe
smaller hsb. That ends tbe nigbfs sport, which
has resulted in the capture of two fish weighing
forty pounds, and enough smaller ones to bring
up the total catch to 100 pounds.
Black bass were caught from a high rock rising
50 to 75 feet out of the river. The eddying cur-
rent below made it ideal fishing ground. Bass
weighing from two to five pounds could always
be had in season for the effort of catching them,
and no finer fish swam than those taken from the
clear, cold water of Rock River. Catfish were
also caught with hook and line. One hallelujah
Methodist, with less common sense than noise,
hooked a 70-pounder, and drawing it ashore, be-
came very religious, making the welkin ring with
his "Glory Hallelujah !" It is the only instance
I know in which a catfish was the means of a
religious inspiration.
Prairie chickens, raccoons and deer supplied
meat for the early settlers, at the same time
giving the hardy frontiersmen plenty of exercise
as well as sport. Suppose we go out with the
same party with "coon" dogs for a night's bunt.
Soon we bear the barking of the dogs, informing
us that the unwary raccoons are, by invitation
of the dogs, up a tree, waiting for us to take care
of them. That is done in the following fashion :
The most handy climber mounts the tree and
with a club, knocks tbe raccoons insensible, so
that they let go their hold and drop to the
ground, where tlie dogs form a receirtion com-
mittee as noisy as a l)rass band. To this uproar
the "coon'' adds his unavailing protest against a
personal attack.
Incidents of this sort are repeateil several
times and then the journey home begins, which Is
interrupted by an extraordinary incident. A d(H>r
that has been sleeping among tbe top branches of
a fallen tree attempts to rise and run just as the
dogs are passing. It gets entangled in the tree
limbs and so becomes an easy prey to tbe dogs.
Never befor.' have tbe "coon" dogs captured a
deer. Thus fresh meat is supplied to the house
for a mouth without drawing ou the farmyard.
Not infre<iuently, when snow was on the
ground, tbe deer traveled in droves of from '6 to
20, going from one grove to another. I remem-
ber seeing a di'ove of 20 deer passing iu front of
a farmer's house. A boy named Charlie Farwell,
with a shotgun loaded with three bullets large
enough to lill the i)ariel, started for them up a
steep bill after they had passed the brow. Ar-
riving at that i;x)int, he raised his gun aud fired,
whereuix>n he suddenly turned several somer-
saults backwards down the hill. His gun weut
oft' at both ends ett'ectually. The muzzle of it
hatl taken iu two inches of snow iu the ascent
and was blown oft' at that point when he tired.
Nothing daunted by his mishap, he hurried back
to his shooting position aud ou to where the deer
had been when he shot at them. There he found
a great deal of blood ou the snow. He followed
the trail into a hazel thicket, but there it was
lost. Consequently he concluded that he had
merely drawn blood by a slight wound. But the
following night was made hideous by the howling
aud quarrelling of a pack of wolves that was
holding high caruival over the carcass of the
deer. Another search by daylight revealed the
bones that were tbe only relics of the wolves' re-
past.
I'rairie chickens hardly ever graced the tables
of the early settlers. Without hunting dogs, prai-
rie chickens were hard to get. They could al-
ways hide in the grass during the summer and
fall, and during the winter they took to the
trees iu great flocks, where they could spy the
hunter before he could get within gunshot. When
hunting dogs took in tbe situation a few years
later, there was plenty of magnificent tun and
there were also feasts that kings might have
been i)roud of, whenevt'r tinu' could be spared
from the farm work to make a raid ou the
chickens.
"Si>ort," the dog already referred to, was a
wateh dog. When wolves howled around the
house that he had to guard, he howled back at
them, the information that he was on duty.
Such scenes, intermingled with raising coru
for fuel and food, making brick, and a wagon to
transport them, together with constructing log
cabin furniture and sinnlar employments, made
lii'e as picturesciue as any modern city could
maki' it. At the same time were produced brain
.•ind bi-awn which, with our boundh^ss prairies of
716
HISTORY OF OOLE COUNTY.
exceptional fertility, commingled to give us such
men as Lincoln and Grant, and such a wealth of
agricultural products as served very soon to make
Chicago the center of the Northwest. Judging
by the past, this city will one day be the center
of the world, by the force of natural wealth,
utilized for general distribution.
Sixty-seven years in Illinois has witnessed
more of progress than a like i)eriod in any other
country the world has ever seen ; and a look over
one's shoulder at the Indian camp, and at old
Fort Dearborn- when in Chicago, built as a de-
fense against the Indians from the standpoint of
today, makes one feel that his memories must
certainly be only the wild creations of a dis-
eased imagination instead of sober facts.
We came in time to see the Indians leave this
marvelous country, and now over 3,000,000 white
people have taken their place. The new log
mansion was hardly finished before Rev. Mr. Mit-
chell, a Presiding Elder of the M. E. Church, made
a meeting house of it, and the whole country for
miles around came together for religious services.
Rock River Seminary, at Mt. Morris, the protege
of the M. E. Church, soon sprang into being, and
in it Henry Farwell, my father, took a deep in-
terest ; and here I spent several winters before
going to Chicago, keeping "bachelor's hall" in a
little brick cabin built for that purpose, and ac-
quired such an education as that institution could
give. This, with the robust constitution acquired
in work on the farm, was splendid capital with
whicTi to start business in after years in Chicago.
Let us take a look into one log cabin. First,
chairs, tables and bedsteads are needed, with
only an axe, several augers, a saw and a draw-
shave for tools, and green timber for material.
The comers of the cabin are taken for the loca-
tion of beds and only one post is required for two
side pieces, the other two sides being fixed to
the logs of the cabin, which made a very firm
foundation for one or more occupants, according
to size, and Avith room underneath for a lower
story of beds. Chairs and tables are also in due
time evolved from the same materials, with the
same tools, and a well-funiished frontiersman's
home stands before you.
One singular fact is that we had a labor union
in those early days. Whenever a man had his
logs flrauTi for a house the neighbors all came
together and rolled them into a house, without
charge, except a good dinner which always meant
enough. LalKtr imions now seem to think that
no one but a member has any right to work for
a living, saying nothing al)Out building a neigh-
bor's house for a dihner only.
The Farwell family lived some distance from
the brickyard, and how to get the brick to the
chosen location was a puzzle, as it would not do
to use the lumber wagon, which was the only "go-
to-meeting" conveyance in the country. So en-
terprising home-made mechanics evolved wheels
from a tree three feet in diameter, sawing them
off to make them two feet wide and working holes
through them for an axle made of a small
hickory tree. Thus a wagon grew from a mental
evolution of all its parts subjected to the same
tools that furnished the log cabin. A look at this
wagon with 1,000 bricks on it, greased with
home-made soft soap, and drawn by three yoke
of oxen, was another moving picture that would
capture any cosmopolitan assembly, if It could
only be reproduced in Burton Holmes' lectures.
But what about farm work and farm products
to support such luxurious homes and churches?
Imagine a prairie plow drawn by four yoke of
oxen, attended by two men, getting two acres a
day ready for a crop of sod cox*n, that would pro-
duce 10 to .30 bushels to the acre, and when the
crop was ready for use, finding it the cheapest
fuel you could get, both for your fireplace and
for your stomach. It is not hard work to imag-
ine also that diamonds, silks, satins and broad-
cloths would never be dreamed of as any part of
the luxuries of that day. Calico dresses and
sheep's gray clothing were the luxuries most ap-
preciated.
And yet there were royal society functions in
those days, when the young men could take their
sweethearts to social gatherings on horseback —
the girls riding behind and being compelled to
make of their lovers an anchor for safety, by
hanging on with arms of strength if not of af-
fection.
The young man who could steal a march on all
his comrades by engaging the only side-saddle in
town for his female companion's iise, was not
envied as much as he might have been, as the
one-horse vehicle afforded much the better chance
for a lively conversation, just as private as a
wide prairie could make it.
Wlien the old people were in search of social
enjoyment, the "prairie schoner," with sails all
furled and laid away, was seated with boards
across the box and as many families as could be
mustered on the same road to make a full cargo
H1ST()1?Y OF OGLE COUXTY.
717
were gathered up on the way to the rendezvous.
and no oliarge was made by the captain of the
''schooner." It was a free pass, and there was no
hiw against it, either. Another thing : there was
more real pleasure extracted from an evening's
entertainment at a farmer's home, than in the
millionaire showdowns of our great cities of
today.
Industrial combinations and labor unions in
Illinois began not alone with the rolling of logs
into a house by men of a ct)nnuunity without cost
In the owner, except a good dinner. One family
of boys started a basket factory with the primi-
tive tools of the settlers and a few young white
oak trees, to supply the farmers' demand for im-
I)lements for handling corn, which was the main
product of the farm. Those boys had learned the
trade in New York State in helping an old man
in his work, and now, out on the frontier, what
they sowed in kindness they reaped in stock in
trade, representing an income very much appre-
ciated by the family, while the baskets were a
benefaction to farmers in handling crops, thus
making the factory very popular.
Imagine white oak saplings, through the ne-
cromancy of brains, muscle and a little early
training, turned into transportation facilities that
n)ade an income for the boys and a joy forever
to the farmer, who needed just such an addition
to his implements for the production and disposi-
tion of his crops. This was the modus oi>erandl :
A sapling was cut and split into lengths for ribs
and splints and formed into regulation shape and
lengths. These were then ri\'en into thicknesses
suitable for weaving the baskets of the sizes de-
sired, and soon an assortment of all sizes was
ready for the market. There was never a strike
in that basket factory, and the division of pro-
ceeds was on the most liberal scale. The whole
family shared in them, except the proceeds of one
baslcet (full size) which the junior member of
the firm took to town on a trading excursion to
obtain a jackknife for his individual use. The
basket was cheap at $1.50, and the merchant de-
manded it for the knife, which probably cost him
not over 15 cents. Here is where capital in that
early day took advantage of labor, and yet there
was no strike and no mob as a result. The l)oy
pocketed the knife instead of revenge, and went
home to whittle out the loss into a great gain
in an improved instrument for doing the fine
work in basket-making.
No tariff was needed in those early days to pro-
tect home industries, but it was absolutely nec-
essary occasionally to imi)ort from Chicago a few
luxuries like tea, coffee, sugar and calico, which
home iiulustries could not produce, and to sell
enough farm products to provide the purchase
money. The first exiwrt was several sleigh-loads
of dressed ix)rk, in a bitter cold winter, the
drivers of the sleighs going together for mutual
protection. The reader will imagine himself one
of the drivers, in the middle of a prairie, twenty
miles across, and his ears assailed by the clamor
of a howling, hungry pack of wolves which have
surrounded the caravan, having scented fresh
meat as a most desirable repast.
If they had been the big gray wolves, there
might have been a tragedy. There was a hotel
and a good fire more hospitable than the grove
where that wolf-beleaguered party arrived on the
hither edge of that twenty mile prairie.
After three more days of good sleighing, the
IX)rk was sold at $1.50 a hundred i)ouuds, $:!0 for
a ton. But $o() was a big sum in those days
even with tea $1 a pound, coffee 50 cents, sugar
25 cents and calico 25 cents a yard, and the
whole proceeds of the sale in purchases could be
put into the smallest baslvct produced by the home
factory.
This picture would not be complete without a
look at a summer trip to market to sell wheat and
get trimmings and finishing lumber for a brick
cottage mentioned on a previous page. There were
no bridges in those days and the numberless
sloughs were more troublesome than live streams.
To cope with these it was necessary to land one
load of wheat at a time on the Chicago side of
the slough with several teams.
On arriving in Chicago the wheat was sold for
45 cents a bushel, or $18 for the load, with six
good hard days to make it. The wheat was
hoisted into the second story of a store at the
corner of State and South Water streets with a
rope elevator, and carried back 40 feet to a bin
prepared to receive it. The merchant who bought
the wheat pulled at the rope with the farmer boys
wlu) sold it. Armour's elevator is somewhat
more effi'ctive, handling a few more bushels a
day. Kailroads, with 00 cars in a train and car-
rying SO.OOO bushels from Rock River in five
hours, now afford a somewhat improved method of
transj)ortation. Capital and labor combined may
be credited with the transformation. Befort^ rail-
roads were built by capital the great ix)ssibilities
of lalior in making the Northwest a great empire
18
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
were among the mysteries of God's law of unde-
veloped evolution.
My recollection is that the first brick house in
Ogle countj' was the product of home mauufac-
tiu-e, from the brick to the wagon that trans-
IX)rted them. We were quite proud of this out-
growth of au enforced tariff. We had no visions
of "free" trade in those days, for we had no
cash to meet balances of trade, and so had to
work out our own salvation from every want that
stared us in the face.
Illinois was the pioneer State of the great
Northwest in transforming into farms wild prai-
rie lauds covered with grass and flowers. As the
prairies were boundless, this was not the work
of a year, but of many years. If these fertile
plains had been covered with forests instead of
grass and flowei's, like Ohio and other States in
the East, this transformation would have requir-
ed a century of time and an expenditure of labor
and capital sufficient to span the continent with a
first-class, thoroughly equipped railroad.
But the farmers had to wait many years be-
fore these farms meant anything to them more
than a home, not because they did not raise good
crops of all kinds, but because it cost as much to
market in Chicago all that could not be eaten at
home, as it brought if the labors of team and
driver were counted for anything.
Let us picture, if we can, the amount of labor
necessary to produce 40 bushels of wheat, or one
wagon load, and market it:
Plowing two acres, man and team one day,
say ' $2.00
Seed, sowing and harrowing 1.00
Harvesting, two men, one day 2.00
Threshing, horses and men, by treading
out on the ground and winnowing in the
wind 4.00
Team and man, six days, to market in
Chicago 12.00
Feed for man and team, six days 3.00
Total $24.00
Sold in Chicago for $18.00
The njen wlio did the plowing and harvesting
with the implements of that day were exhausted
at the cud of a day's work by holding a plow and
walking behind it, or swinging a cradle to cut the
grain. Now the plow holds itself, and gives the
man a spring seat to ride on, and the wheat is
sown and cut with machinery on which one man
rides, drives a team and sows 15 or 20 acres.
When the grain is ripe one man and team with a
reaper cuts and binds 15 acres in a day.
Accidents w'ill happen in the use of the com-
monest utensils, as well as of complicated ma-
chinery. I remember an ambitious farmer's boy
who imagined he could cradle. In his first swing
of that harvesting machine, he slashed a three-
inch cut in the calf of his leg. This kind of har-
vest required a surgeon, and his older brother
hurried to the house for thread and needle, and
sewed up the cut in the same fashion that he
sewed on the buckskin cover of a baseball, with-
out any anaesthetics, either.
The only possible way to harvest crops with
cradle and rake was by means of an excellent
labor union among farmers and their boys, to
gather the fields that were first ripe. Such an
aggregation of labor thus employed made the
work comparatively easy, as there were wide-
awake ones that were weeks ahead of their neigh-
bors in plowing and sowing; then others graded
down to the "slow coach," always behind his fel-
lows. So a little army of laborers, going from
one farm to another as the crops were ripe, made
it one of the most successful labor unions I ever
saw. There was no walking delegate, to be sure,
warning all hands to quit because some one was
at work who did not belong to the union. The
only ones that had any right to complain were
the farmers' wives, who had to feed this little
army ; but even here installments in the cooking
line from the neighbors' reserve forces were al-
ways ready to help feed their own families at an-
other man's table, as it would soon be their turn
to be the principal providers for that army when
their wheat was ready for harvest.
The McCormick and Deerings were the natural
products of these western prairies. They saw
that it was not possible to harvest by hand, these
vast regions of grain, and so they set their brains
to work to produce reapers. They are the bene-
factors of not only the farmer but everybody who
consumes farm products, giving one an easy time
in raising endless quantities of w^heat, and the
other a much cheaper price for his daily bread.
The reaper has now surrounded the globe with
its cheap food music, and enabled the husband-
man to educate and clothe his family like a
prince, while the man who, in the long ago, had
no reaper and had to sell wheat for less than
labor cost, had to get his children educated with
as many difficulties as he encountered in farming.
One farmer's boy worked in a brick-yard to
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
719
earn brick enough to build a oue-story house 16
li'et .S(iu;UH>, in which to hoard hiiiisoll' aud obtain
a seminai-y educatiou utter having been gradu-
ated in the common school near home. The sem-
inary, the first one in the northern part of Illi-
nois, giiA'e to the State one Governor, several
Congressmen, one Senator, a General in the army
under Lincoln aud Grant, aud ministjers ad
libitum.
Our first church service was in our doctor's
cabin. The furniture was two double beds and
some wooden benches, and the organ was a live
one, the doctor's wife. The minister was Luke
Hitchcock, who drove 21 miles, and preached 15
minutes, with a class meeting to follow. The au-
dience was unique, more children than adults,
but the music filled the room with a symphony of
real worship that no hired choir can begin to
equal, for it was a heart, as well as a vocal or-
chestra, when "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," was
sung as only my mother could sing it, and re-
minded me of that voiceless music of the fog
turned into a crown of silver aud gold clouds, to
ci'own the mountains, on my way to market in
New York State.
The next year, 1840, there was a camp-meeting
in the grove near a fine spring, coming up from
the ground, as if to remind them in answer to
their request, like the woman at Jacob's well,
"Give me of this water, that I thirst not, neither
come hither to draw." A large number drank of
that living water, among whom were the Farwell
boys, two of whom liave gone where they "thirst
no more." My own father led me to the altar
the next day after I had heard my sainted
mother praying for me before retiring for the
night.
Another meeting that had important results
was held near Mount Morris, at the time the
corner stone of the seminary was laid. A Bishop
and many ministers of high rank were present
to celebrate that event. There was another in-
teresting person present — an Indian minister of
very fine appearance, who could sing to perfec-
tion, making the forest x'ing with his music.
Robert Hitt, then a very small boy, was one of
the early students, his father being a prominent
minister and an able supporter of the seminary.
The problem of the young man of that day was
to find opportunity to invest the capital of labor
and ability for capital in cash, which was much
more scarce than labor, and yet needed such
partnership, as it always does and always will.
In due time one of those boys concluded such a
liartnership at $S a month and his board, with
the promise of more if he earned it at the end of
the year. Working from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and
sleeping in the store as watchman were the con-
ditions of the partnership. It was the second
largest retail dry-goods and grocery store in
town, selling about $25,000 worth of goods a
year. The work was selling goods and keeping
books.
It did not take a seminary gi-aduate long to
learn the ins and outs of this trade in a town of,
say, 10,000 people, and when the year was up and
no addition to the $8 a month salary was allowed,
that labor partner in trade shook the dust of that
store from his feet as he bade good morning to
the capital partner. Within an hour he quadru-
pled the $S a month salary at another store. The
cash capital partners in both, as well as the la-
bor partner, were members of the same Methodist
Church, but the labor partner readily discovered
a wide difference in the practical Christianity of
the cash partner, in their business enterprises.
"S\'Tien we had advanced so far in our farming
business as to need a hired man, a very pious one
was found, if noise is any evidence of that vir-
tue. His "glory hallelujahs" in the class room,
would nearly lift the roof, but when he took to
the woods for prayer early in the morning and
waked up "Sport'^ with his hallelujahs, so that
Mother was wakened by Sport's answers, same
as he gave to the wolves in the evening, Mother
said to him at the breakfast table, "Mr. H., my
opinion is that God is not deaf. He can hear a
whisper, and, if religion is noise, Sport has more
than you have. He waked me up this morning,
when he answered your noisy prayers, the same
as he does the wolves when they howl. Kindly
try a whisper after this, and let me sleep, and
you will get just as much from God and a much
better breakfast from me, when I am not dis-
turlied and wakened, when I ought to be sleep-
ing."
720
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXII.
PIONEER LIFE IN OGLE COUNTY— PART II
SOME ADDITIONAL NOTES ON EARLY HISTOEY MRS.
J. W. PEEK ON "pioneer MOTHERS" OF OGLE
COUNTY EARLY DOMESTIC LIFE, METHODS AND
CONDITIONS COL. B. F. SHEETS' REMINISCENCES
OF OREGON CITY — BEGINNING AND DEVELOPMENT
THE CANADA SETTLEMENT — AN OUTGROWTH OF
THE CxVNADIAN REBELLION OF 1837-38 SOME
PRINCIPAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CANADIAN
COLONY.
A series of "Local History Lectures," given iu
the High School Assembly Room, at Oregon,
during the winter of 1904-05, under the auspices
of the Oregon Woman's Council, constituted an
Interesting feature of entertainments of that
period. One of these under the title, "Pioneer
Mothers," by Mrs. Julia W. Peek, was delivered
at the Old Settlers' Picnic at Mt. Morris, August
2.5, 1904 ; then in the series above referred to,
on October 14, 1904, and again before the His-
torical Society at Polo, October 12, 1905. This
lecture would furnish interesting reading to a
large class of readers, not only in Ogle County,
but elsewhere, and it is only lack of space which
prevents its publication in full in this volume.
In this i)aper Mrs. Peek draws a vivid and ex-
ceedingly entertaining picture of the life and
work of the Pioneer Mothers, as the following
extracts will .show :
"We are too far from the actors of the past,
now fifty to seventy years away, to attempt more
than a general statement, leaving you to fill in
the names th:!t must come thronging to your
memories, as the hom<'ly details j)ass in review.
It seems to lie :i law of nature that only a few
names of those v.iio have achieved great results
shall be known, while the great mass of men
and women, whose skill and patience have
brought events to pass, shall remain forever.
. . . The stories I would like to tell have been
told. n(jt liy those modest motbei-s who obeyed,
too literally, St. Paul's in.iu)ictioii to keep silent,
but by loving husbands and grateful sons. They
could not tell tlic story of their own achieve-
ments without doing so, for close beside them in
danger, diflicurcy, discouragement and hard work,
always stood a faithful woman, and sometimes
the woman led, and always hers was the heavier
burden, for to slightly change a familiar say-
ing, 'The pioneer mothers endured all the pio-
neer fathers did, and the pioneer fathers, too.'
"The nineteenth centui-y was a period of great
improvement In all departments of life, and in
none was it more rapid than in the manner of
living. We can understand this only by recalling
how our ancestors carried on their avocations in
contrast to the way in which we do today. . .
When the pioneer of today goes away out west
to Dakota, or Montana, or Idaho, or Oklahoma,
. . . they charter a car, put into it all their
household goods, their stock and implements,
and arriving at their destination, build a house
which, save for smaller enclosing walls, is quite
like the house they left behind. ...
"Our pioneer mothers did their own work.
Now-a-days we live in furnace-heated houses,
with hot and cold water coming with a twist of
the fingers ; another twist, and the electric lights
flash out ; a "phone to call the butcher, the baker
and the grocery man to do our errands. We
hire our washing and ironing done, have a woman
come to sweep and wash windows, a man to beat
rugs, a seamstress to make what we cannot buy
ready-made, and say we do our own work. . .
Mr. Peek says, one of his most vivid recollections
of his childhood is waking in the night and hear-
ing his mother's wheel going. These processes
sound short in the telling, but were long and ard-
uous. I have seen cards — a sort of curry-comb
for making the wool into rolls ready to be spun.
Spinning on a large wheel must be done standing,
and when we realize that for every yard of yarn
spun, the spinner must walk two yards, we can
realize the miles of tramping required to spin
enough to make a suit of clothes." (Mrs. Peek then
describes the tedious process of reeling the yarn
in skeins, the suitplying of the wai-p, the coloring
and Aveaving the yarn into cloth and the manu-
facture of the cloth into clothing for the boys and
older members of the family by the mothers in
the home, or with the aid of a tailoress who used
the needle instead of the sewing machine of to-
day.) "The mothers knit all the stockings, made
the bread and butter, rendered the lard and tal-
low after the butchering season, and from the
remnants, with lye leached from ashes, manufac-
tured the soap for laundry and toilet purposes ;
II, I. i".\k\\i';M.
]\1RS. II. I. FAKWI-.IJ,
MRS. CATHERINE NYE
I'.DWWRI) C. I'.\(;i{
i:.MM.\ Ar.r.oTT
MRS. i:ari'.ar.\
\\a(;xi-;r :\IcXi-:ii.l
kathi:rixi-; may
MoNIvIIJ, IIOI'FMANN
---f .^if-s,: . '.^^-x M^-'-
JllSTOl^Y OF OGLE COUNTY.
721
uiade starch from corn or potatoes, ami candles
by nioldinjj or dipping, and furnished four or five
meals per day during the harvesting and haying
season.
"They (the mothers) wore good neighbors, al-
ways ready to help in time of trouble, and
after a heavy day's worl^, went willingly to watch
with the sick and 'lay out' the dead. . . .
"Perhaps the greatest privation, because the
most far-reaching in its results, was the lack of
schools. The brothers and sisters who remained
in the old home sent their sons, and sometimes
thoir daughters, to college, but in this new coun-
try the struggle for bare existence was so des-
perate that every hand that could help was
pressed into service. . . Coming as they did
from the strongly religious connnunities of New
York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New England.
our mothers felt keenly the lack of church privi-
leges ; l)ut whatever was left behind, the Bible
ca'me, and there were not wanting those who
could lead in prayer, so that services could be
held whenever those who desired them gathered
together. Almost every building erected for a
school was used for a church until regxilar
houses of worship were established. . . Ev-
erybody was in the same boat, and there was
nothing remarkable in the homely details I have
instanced, for tliere was nothing different to
compare them with. . . Goodfellowship and
hospitality prevailed, and there was always the
hope of better times in the future, which is the
pioneers sti'ongest characteristic."
The closing paiagraph is especially worthy of
reproduction in this connection. Referring to the
changes which have been wrought in economic
life by the progi-ess of the last fifty years. Mrs.
Peek sa.vs :
"The railroad came, making transportation
to market easy. The spinning wheel and the
loom were laid aside; sewing machines made the
family sewing eas.v : knitting machines made
'boughten' stockings cheaper than home-made;
mowei-s, i-eapers, corn planters and threshing-
machines made out-door labor easier ; while the
wind-mill, pumping water from deep wells, made
the prairies habitable for the cattle and swine
that were the farmer's gold-mine.
"All too soon the last of the spinners will have
passed away, and the hum of the wheel exist,
only as a memory, in the hearts of men and
women who fondly cherish the recollections of
pioneer mothers. The knack of swinging the
scythe and cradle is a lost art, and fine hand-
st'wing is called 'fancy work.' Before we part
let us twine a wreath to the memory of the pio-
neer mot hers, brave, strong, unselfish, deei)ly
devout, given to hospitality, out-spoken for what
they believed to be the right, merry in the midst
of trials that would have crazed women of less
I)oise — they acted their part well, and their diil-
dren do rise np and call tbeni blessed."
PIONEER HISTORY OF OREGON CITY.
The following portion of this chapter, dealing
with the local history of Oregon City, is takeu
from a lecture delivered by Col. B. F. Sheets,
on "Early Oregon and The Pioneers." before tiie
Woman's Council of Oregon, in 1904 :
"The.se pioneers were a sturd.v, industrious and
intelligent class of men and women, who have
left the impre.ss of their characters upon all the
heritage they have bequeathed to us. Their im-
press is upon the laws, the public school system
and all the charitable institutions of our great
State.
"The man that can challenge the most rigid
scrutiny of his life and can ajipeal to all the
world for a verdict of his integrity, has a prouder
honor than ofiice or place can bestow upon him.
He leaves a richer legacy to his children than the
.spoils of otfice can give. Such a man is a public
benefactor. The pioneer men and women were
largely of this character. No higher tribute can
be paid to their memory. They could have left
no better or more enduring monument. They
made a little go a long way and it is perfectly
wonderful how economical they could be. The
pioneers were frugal. They lived within their
means and their surroundings were in harmony
with their circumstances. They were industri-
ous, and the rich soil soon placed most of them
be.vond the reach of want.
So far as I am able to learn, the first visit of
a white man to this locality was made by John
Phelps in 1829, who was horn in Bedford Coun-
ty, Va., August 8. 1790. He was a man of reso-
lute will, warm in his friendships and bitter in
his enmities. On his first trip, he visited with
the Indians, who treated him with the greatest
kindness. In the fall of 1833 he hired a French-
man who had lived with the Indians, and the two
visited this locality again. About a mile atK)ve
the present city of Oregon, they discovered a
tent on the banks of the River, and supposing it
to be :ui Indian wig\vam. the Frenchman was
?22
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
sent to get something to eat. He found it occu-
pied by Col. W. S. Hamilton, son of Alexander
Hamilton, who had been sent by the United
States Government to survey the Rock River
country in towmships. On the recommendation
of Col. Hamilton, Mr. Phelps located a farm
claim about half way bet^veen Oregon and Mt.
Morris, now constituting a part of the estate
of the late Major Charles Newcomer. He also
made a claim now included in part of Oregon.
This was surveyed in 1S35 and in 1836 was
platted in town lots, the new town being
given the name of Florence. In 1836 Miss Sarah
Phelps, daughter of John Phelps, and later the
wife of Mr. Wesley Johnson, renamed the town
Oregon City. At that time the Rock River coun-
try was a part of Jo Daviess County, of w'hich
Galena was the county-seat, from 1827 to Decem-
ber, 1836.
In 1836, Ogle County was established by act of
the Legislature, and was named by Gov. Thomas
Ford, who was one of the early settlers in Ore-
gon. The name Ogle was intended to perpetuate
the memory of Captain Ogle, an army officer of
great courage and daring who was conspicuous in
the siege of Fort Henry. In 1836 it embraced all
of Lee County, which was set off from Ogle in
February, 1839. During the time the two coun-
ties were one there was constant strife between
Dixon and Oregon for the county-seat, these ri-
val interests leading to the final division and
separation. During this rivalry the courts were
migratory and were held at Dixon, Buffalo Grove
and Oregon. The first effort to elect County
Commissioners before the division of the county
resulted in a victory for Dixon. John V. Gale,
formerly an Oregon pioneer, wrote in his diary
concerning that election: "There was great ex-
citement at this election. All the towns were
against Oregon. A large quantity of whisky was
drunk and several fights occurred. Dixon, Grand
Detour, Buffalo Grove and Bloomingville, now
Byron, all combined against Oregon. It was the
noisiest, roughest, most exciting election ever
held in the county." The commissioners ap-
pointed for the purpose by the State Legislature.
June 30, 18:30, selected Oregon as the county-
seat, and named the soutfieast quarter of section
4, Town 23 North, Range 10 East of the Fourth
Meridian, as a place for the futui'o court house.
A stake was set by them on Sand Hill, just north
and west of the old schoolhouse. now Hu^ honii"
of C. W. Sanimis. A coijtract was let in Jan-
uary, 1839, for grading down Sand Hill and for
building a court house and jail. The court house
contract was awarded to Dr. William J. Mix,
Martin C. Hill and John C. Plulett. The contract
for the jail was first awarded to John Acker, but
the conditions not being complied with, it was
later awarded to Joseph Knox. The contract for
leveling down the sand hill was awarded to the
same person. On July 3, 1839, Knox having com-
pleted the work, was paid $326.12. The spring on
Judge Oartwright's farm w^as named for him and
was loiowTi for many years as Knox Spring. The
foundations for the first court house were built
on the sand hill, but before work was begun on
the main building, it was discovered that the
commissioners had made a mistake in the loca-
tion. Joseph Crawford, Surveyor of Ogle County,
was called to survey the ground and certified to
the error on October 2, 1839, and the Commis-
sioners, on the strength of this certificate reset the
stake at the place where the court house now
stands. A bitter controversy grew out of the
change in location. Lots had been sold, expect-
ing the court house to be on the sand hill. The
strife continued and was carried to the authori-
ties at Washington, D. C, and finally the Land
Commissioner of the United States settled it in
favor of the present location. The contract for
the removal of the foundations from the sand
hill was awarded to John D. Grist in 1840. Dur-
ing that year the first court house in Oregon and
for Ogle County was built, and was completed in
March, 1841. The first court to be held was set
for March 22, 1841. On Sunday night, March
26, the building was fired by a gang of thieves
and burned to the ground. An account of this is
given elsewhere in this volume.
After the burning of the first court house a
great effort was made to remove the county-seat
from Oregon. Mt. Morris, Daysville, Grand De-
tour and Byron were the aspiring towns. At
that time and for a number of years, Daysville
seemed more active and progressive than Oregon,
and without doubt, Mt. Morris and Grand De-
tour were far in advance. In April, 1843, a
meeting was called to settle the county-seat ques-
tion, assembling at the school-house, a part of
w4iich is still standing as the present home of
Jonas Seyster. Before the vote was taken, Days-
ville witlidrew its claim and by its help Oregon
won the county seat. Immediately following the
Commissioners planned for a new court house,
.THd this was built in 1848 and was used for many
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
723
years for all public occasions until replaced by
the i)resent elegant structure in 18!>2.
Tlie first house on the to\\ni plat of (Oregon
was built by Jonathan W. Jenkins. He was one
of the 112 men indicted for the shooting and kill-
ing of John and William Drisi-oll, two of the no-
torious ontla^^•s who infested the comity in 1841.
This was of logs and was located near the old
"Reporter" building. At that time there was no
saw-mill in tlie county, boards, siding, flooring
and shingles had not made their appearance in
this section. This first liouse was used for many
puriK)ses — a residence, n hotel, a Iwarding house,
a court house and a church. It is said that the
first sermon ever preaciied in Oregon was in that
house, by John I'aker. a Baptist minister.
At that time and until 18.")2, the river was
crossed by means of a ferry-boat, the first ferry
helng put in by John Phelps, in 1835. The first
bridge over the river at Oregon was built in 1852
and I crossed it in December of that year. It was
built on piles and without any side railings.
None of the islands above or below the bridge,
except the large one, existed then, there being but
the wide expanse of water from bank to bank.
These sand and gravel islands around the bridge
have been formed by numerous breaks in the
dam, the sand and gravel being dug out by the
ice, often to the dejith of ten, twenty or thirty
feet and deposited below the dam, forming these
islands. These holes have been filled with trees
and stone until there are hundreds and himdreds
of trees, and thousands of cords of stone, that lie
buried under the present dam. Owing to the
washing of the river banks the stream has been
Avidened below the dam. When Mr. Petrie and I
built the mill on the east side of the river in 1861-
G2, the mill was set into the east bank of the
river, and the water passing through the wheels
was carried west in a tail race to the channel of
the river, showing that th(^ river is at least 2(iO
feet farther to the east now than then. These
breaks in the dam and the consequent damage to
the mill are forcibly impressed on my mind, be-
cause in these deep hgles lie buried the earnings
and savings of my young manhood. We have at
least $30,000 safely buried and covered by fath-
oms of water.
The first physician in Oregon was Dr. William
J. Mix, who commenced his practice here in 1836.
The first male child born here was Lamon T. Jen-
kins, sou of Jonathan W. Jenlvins. One of this
family. Mrs. Elijah Glasgow, still lives here. The
first female child box'u in Oregon Township, was
Martha E. Mix, mother of Dr. McKenney and of
Mrs. Charles Gale. The first postmaster was
Harry Moss, a relative of Mr.s. Judge Petrie.
The office was established in 1837 and mail re-
ceived once a week. The first church organiza-
tion was tliat of the Lutherans, in 1848, and two
years later they built the first church in Oregon.
In 1848 the iwpulation of Oregon was made up
of 44 families with 225 men, women and children.
The Sinnissippi Hotel is one of the old landmarks,
built fifty-six years ago, and it is a place where
all kinds of scenes have been enacted.
My first view of Oregon City was from the
sununit of Woolley's Hill, on the east side of the
river, tlie old road rumung soutli of the present
one. It was a cold December day in 1852. At
that time my home was out on one of the level
prairies of Blackberry Township in Kane Coun-
ty. Witli a comrade I was on my way to enter
school at the Rock River Seminary, Mt. Morris.
The ambition to go to the Seminary was inspired
in me by the entreaties of my sister Carrie, two
years older than myself. The day on which I
had that first view of Oregon will always be re-
membered. A wonderful panorama stretched out
to my view, and the sight was one of wonder and
magnificence to the prairie lad. At that time I
had not been down into the Grand Canon of
Arizona and. from the banks of the Coloratio.
looked up 7,000 feet to the rim above; I had not
at that time walked the floor of the Yosemite
Valley, and felt the strange and bewildering sen-
sations that come over one as he loolvs up to the
summit of El Capitau or Sentinel Point, South
Dome of Glacial Point or other peaks all towering
from 3,000 to 5,000 feet above, or where the
water of the Yosemite falls into the Merced River
from a point 2,600 feet in the air.
This view of fair Oregon from Woolley's Hill,
to a boy reared on the prairie, was grand and in-
spiring, even if the thermometer was at zero. I
had read and heard of Oregon City and expected
to see something large and fine. As we crossed
the bridge and looked at the few ugly, scattered
houses, I could hardly believe that we were be-
holding Oregon Citj\ The town had gained some
notoriety, being the county-seat of a large agri-
cultural section, and as the home of GJovernor
Ford, and more as the place where .lonathan W.
Jenkins, with 111 others had been tri«>d and ac-
quitted of the killing of the outlaws, as previous-
ly mentioned. However, at that time. Oregon
724
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
was a small place, no better appearing than the
present city of Daysville. The people had not
yet learned the value and beauty of paint, the
greater part of the residences being without this
covering. It has been reported that one of the
early founders of Oregon said: "If I can keep
God and the Yankees out, I will build a city
here." At that time it looked to me that he had
been in part successful, for it was one of the
most discouraging looking places I had ever seen.
Nine years after the ti'ip I have described, I
came to Oregon to live, on the first of January,
1861. At that time, twenty-six years after the
town was laid out, the population was only about
350. There was not a sidewalk in the town. I
bought a small house on the lots, where I after-
ward built the house now owned by Mrs. Rhen-
ius Stroh. That year we laid a single plank
walk from Washington Street north to my house.
If I have counted correctly, there were only
seventy-one houses in Oregon at the beginning of
1861. For ten years afterward we had no rail-
road. We made frequent efforts, and succeeded
every winter in building on paper, one east and
one up and down the river. All freight had to
go and come from Franklin Grove, and we had a
daily stage line. At present we regard a rail-
road as an important factor in building up a place,
and it undoubtedix is : but I am reminded that I
sold more goods in 1869 and 1870 than in any two
years since that time, and the goods were all
handled by the Dewitt Sears' mule express.
Of the future of Oregon I must speak briefly.
Nature has done so much for this section that on
every hand lie opportunities to make this city
one of the most beautiful in the State. Much
public spirit has been shown but much more is
demanded. With public utilities installed and
public parks opened up to the people, a great
change will fomo about, and in a single decade
Oregon will be completely transformed. (Goi.
Sheet's lecture closes \Aith an appeal for local
improvements and beautlfieation which have since
befn. in iiart at least, accomplished.)
CANADA SF/rTLEMENT.
Tlic Rel.clli'.n of 1.s.!7 mid 18.38 in Canada, re-
snltfil iti tlic scti Iciiiiiil (if iiKiiiy emigrants from
that country in Ogle County, among the first of
those being Joliii liawrence and Schuyler Lamb,
who arrived in Buffalo Grove in August. 1838,
locating near Rock Spring where the Chicago,
Burlington »& <iuiii(y R.iilroad now crosses Buf-
falo Creek. Thej were early reinforced by set-
tlers from the Eastern States, some of the latter
coming even before the arrival of the Canadian
settlers, but it is believed that few entries of
land were made before the establishment of the
Government Land Office at Dixon in 1840. Can-
ada Settlement lies in about equal parts in the
corners of the four townships of Buffalo, Eagle
Point, Brookville and Lincoln. The groves of
timber were drained by streams fed by numei'-
ous springs and these streams were early util-
ized for milling purposes. The schoolhouse, soon
located, was the center of the original Canada
Settlement.
In the spring of 1839, the families of John
Sanborn, James Mosher, David Huie and Wil-
liam Poole, came to Ogle County, via Buffalo
and the lakes, and settled in Canada Settlement.
That same year, John Lawrence, who had re-
turned to Canada the preceding year, came back
to Ogle County with his son-in-law, Alfred Chess-
man, William Donaldson and their families.
About this time "land-grabbers" were making
extensive claims, sometimes amounting to thou-
sands of acres, for speculative purposes, and
some of these sold their claims to these new-
comers at exorbitant prices. Mr. Johnson Law-
rence, a descendant of one of these families, and
now a resident of Polo, has been a Representa-
tive in the General Assembly for three terms,
besides filling other local offices. In the summer
of 1840, James Brand, with his five sons came
to Canada Settlement ; and the same year John
Lawson also came with his two sons and one
daughter. About 1842 or 1843, John Rae and
John Donaldson arrived in the settlement ; in
1843, Isaac Slater, Frank G. Jones, James A.
Bassit, with their families, also located here.
James and Joseph Sanborn, sous of John
Sanborn, one of the early members of this
colony, each served three years as soldiers of
Illinois regiments during the Civil War. In
1844, the additions to the settlement included
James Lyle, Joseph Allison and their families,
and in 1849, William Rae took up his residence
here. Following this, there were many from
Canada who sought homes here, brought by the
tidings sent to the old home by those who had
already arrived, but it is imiwssible in this con-
nection to give a complete history of all who
came during the period referi'ed to.
Schools and Library. — The first school in the
settlement was held in a bedroom of John Law-
CHESTER C.HARRINGTON
THE :
PUBLIC LIB
. -nt.
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
725
rciice's house, and tauslit by Ami Bmdwell, in
the summer of 1842. Ii> the fall of 1S4:^. the
first schoolhouse was built nearly on the site
of the present one. in the southeast corner of
F.rookville Township, of sun-dried brick, weath-
erboarded. ISxlM feet, and served its purpose
luitil 18."i7. I>aura Willx-r was its first teacher,
opening school in the fall of 1S4:^., and she was
followed by many others.
Desiring to secure a library, tlie jx-ople of the
Canada Settlement ])erfected an organization
known as the Washington Library Association.
and each member, by payment of one dollar an-
nually, was entitled to the benefit of the asso-
ciation. With what funds they could secure, the
association bought books and a bookcase and for
a time the library was k(>pt in different private
homes. When there were about 100 volumes in
the library, interest decreased, so that in Decem-
ber, 1858, the organization was dissolved, and
the books divided among the meml)ers.
The present school edifice was erected in 189(>,
at a cost of .$1,200, and with recent improve-
ments, is one of the finest rural school edifices
in the county.
Some other schools in Canada Settlement were
taught in jirivate residenees. In the winter of
1840-50, Agues Huie taught school in a log
building on the farm of William Poole. Charles
Thurber taught school in his own home in the
winters of 1850 and 1851, and his wife taught
during the summers, just a little south of the
present Burr Oak School. During 1852 and 18.5.'>
school was held in a very small log house a little
west of the Burr Oak School ; and the first school-
house in this district was put up on the eoruer of
a farm owned by Ambrose Sanborn, which was
replaced by another. -Tames Brand. Sr.. taught
some inipils in addition to his own children, for
a short time in the early "forties. This is a
brief review of the pioniM'r teachers of Canada
Settlement.
The literary, educational and religious activ-
ity of its members exerted a wide influence upon
the surrounding comnnmity. and the Settlement
stood second to no other in point of enterprise
and intelligence in the count v.
CHAPTER XXTT.
EDUCATIONAL.
PIONEER SCHOOLS OF OGLE COUNTY LAFAYETTE
GROVE SCHOOL — THE FAIRVIEW SCHOOL — OUEGON
SCHOOLS THE CA.\AOA SETTLEMENT SCHOOL
MOUNT MORRIS SCHOOLS — METHODS AND CONDI-
TIONS IN EARLY SCHOOLS ROCK RIVER SEMINARY
PASSES INTO THE HANDS OF THE UNITED
BRETHREN — ITS LATER HISTORY" AS MOUNT
MORRIS COLLKCn-..
The settlers of Ogle County from 1835 to 1855,
after building dwellings that their families might
be sheltered, proceeded to construct school-
houses.
LaFayette Grove School. — One of the first
schools of the county, and without doubt the first
in a house erected for that puriwse, was estab-
lished in the winter of 18:i(i. at I-aFayette drove,
and the teacher was Miss Chloe .J. Benedict, who
continued to teach there during 1837 and 1838.
One morning the building, which was of logs and
without a wooden floor, was found burned to the
ground, evidently by a group of bandits, because
a Methodist class meeting was to be held there
on the following Sunday. But a curious thing
happened. The bandits entered the building and,
gathering up the Ixjoks, papers, slates and even
pens and pencils of the pupils, carefully deposited
them on the outside out of the w^ay of the fire.
showing that, while they objected to religion, they
did not see in education any danger ahead to
them and their wickedness. If they did not be-
lieve in the saying, "every knave is a fool," they
l)roved the truth of it in their own case later on.
Miss Benedict later married Rev. Barton H.
CartwTight, then beginning a long career as a
pionei'r preacher of the Methodist Episcopal
Cliurch. Riding from Washington Grove over
to ]Monnt Morris. Mr. Cartwright asked Rev.
Thomas S. Hitt to accompany him back in order
to settle a question of claims. Mr. Hitt at first
declined, saying that he did not consider himself
competent in that line of business, but upon being
informed that the matter to be settled was one
of hearts and not of lands, he proceeded with his
726
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
friend to Washington Grove and performed the
marriage ceremony.
It was in 18B6 that the first school house was
built at Byron, in the summer of 1837 the first
teacher being Miss Lydia A. Weldon. In 1853 an
academy was started there under the control of
a stocli company, with William B. Christopher as
teacher in charge. It was never successful finan-
cially, but those who attended testify to the ex-
cellence of the instruction received, and it was
sold to the district, becoming the old part of the
building in use tor a number of years and recent-
ly destroyed by fire.
Also in 1836 the first building used for school,
church and general public purposes was built at
Buffalo Grove by subscription. Among early
teachers there were Simon Fellows, afterward
Prof. Fellows of Rock River Seminary and Cor-
nell College, Iowa; Virgil A. Bogue, afterward
Judge Bogue of the Probate Court of Ogle Coun-
ty : C. R. Barber, Rufus K. Frisbee, John W.
Frisbee, afterward founder of Rocli River Nor-
mal College at Polo and County Commissioner of
Schools, when he held the first institute in Ore-
gon ; Mrs. Rozella Pearson, Sarah H. Stevenson,
late Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson of Chicago;
and John Burroughs, now of Esopus, N. Y., the
eminent naturalist-author, known on two conti-
nents for his interesting books on Nature. Mr.
Burroughs had relatives living at Buffalo Grove,
which was the occasion of his coming there.
The Fairview School.
One ot" the earliest schools in Ogle County was
that established in 1838, by Jacob Rice, Sr., in
:^Iouut Morris Township. The building was of
logs and located in a hollow north of what was
then Mr. Rice's residence. The slabs of which
the benches and desks were made were sawed at
the mill near Grand Detour. For a numl^er of
years this rude etiuipnient was endured, when it
was supphuited by pine desks surrounding the
sides of the room. Among other furnishings was
a rough blackboard. The first teacher was
Joshua Rice, a son of Jacob Rice, and a graduate
of Transylvania College. Kentucky. After teach-
ing for many years, lie died en route to Califor-
nia, via Panama, in 1849. At the age of eighteen
his brother Isaac Rice took charge of the school,
receiving as salary $18 per month. Among later
teachers were Robert Debenham, D. Harry Ham-
mer, later an attorney in Chicago, but lately de-
ceased. During this period teachers "boarded
around," about two weeks with each patron. Or-
thography was a prominent feature of education
in those days, and spelling schools were frequent,
both as a method of education and social enter-
tainment.
Oregon Schools.
It was in the winter of 1837 that the first school
was taught in Oregon in a small building erected
by the side of the dwelling of Jonathan W, Jen-
kins, the first house built on the town plat, one
year before, on Third Street where the Jones
shoe-store now is. Dr. Adams being the teacher.
This was a subscription school, as was also the
next, held in a log house on Fourth Street on the
lot opposite the Mix livery barn in 1838, by
a Mr. White of New York. This had an enroll-
ment of about 40, the population then being from
200 to 250.
The first school house, intended as such when
built, was erected in the summer and fall of 1839,
and is still standing, being now the dwelling of
Jonas Seyster on Fifth Street, just off Washing-
ton Street. The sills were hewn from trees cut
on the farm of Mr. Seyster's father, west of Ore-
gon. The boards were from the Phelps sawmill
on Pine Creek. Each desk accommodated four
pupils and faced the front of the room, which
was an innovation in those days. This was a pub-
lic school in later years, but whether or not it
was at the beginning it has not been possible to
ascertain. Isaac B. Woolley was connected with
the establishment of the first school under the
State law. The first teacher on Fifth Street was
Alfred Marks, who seems to have taught there
again at a later date. In 1842 the teacher was
a Mr. Doe.
Norman B. Wadsworth was the teacher about
1844 and for several years after, followed about
1847 or 3848 by Caroline Wheelock, who, it is
believed, taught for a longer time than any one
else. Private schools continued, Mrs. King and
Mrs. Woodbury being teachers, the latter in a
wing of the old court house ; also Mary Mix and
several of the Lutheran preachers, two of whom
were Mr. Trimper and Mr. Koontz.
E. li. Wells was an Oregon teacher in 1859,
working in the Etnyre Building next to the Ma-
sonic Temple, the school house on Fifth Street
then not being large enough to accommodate all.
In a letter Mr. Wells says, "instead of boarding
around. I boarded at the homes of Robert Light,
Jolin M. Hinkle, and Mrs. Stone. They mshed
me to help their children evenings and boarded
lilSTOlJY OF C'GLK I'OIWTY.
(27
mo without char.iii'. the first two were school di-
rectors." The enrollment was probalily al)OUt
sixtj-, aufi the branches taught were mostly read-
ing, writing, si)elling, arithmetic, grammar, geog-
raphy and U. S. History. The text-lx)oks were
numerous, sometimes two or three in one branch
of study. Some of them were the Elementary
Spelling Book, English Reader, Rhetorical
Reader, Kirkliam's Grammar, Thompson's Arith-
metics, and Mitcliell's Geogi'aphies ; also Cobb's
Spelling Book.
At a later date Mr. Wells was County Super-
intendent of Schools for three consecutive terms,
when he founded the Wells' Teachers' Training
School of Oregon, where he laboi-ed until his re-
moval to Aurora a few years ago.
De Witt Sears taught on Fifth Street in 1857
and 1858. In 185!) the second new school house
was erected for Oregon, a good sized brick build-
ing now the dwelling of Charles W. Sammis, dur»
ing the construction of which use was made of
the Court House, the teacher being Mr. Brown of
Galena.
At this time the teacher who was conducting
school in the Etnyre Building was Albert Wood-
cock, afterward Major Woodcock, from his ser-
vice in the Civil War. He made Oregon his home
for many years, serving as Countj- Judge for two
terms, and acting for several years as United
States Consul at Catania, Italy, under appoint-
ment of President Arthur.
The CaiVada Settlement School.
In Buffalo Township six miles from Polo, along
the old stage road from Dixon to Galena, was the
Canada Settlement of pioneer days, a colony that
came in the early 'forties from near Toronto,
being originally from Scotland. Their first school
house was built in 1841, of sun-dried clay In-ick.
There was si single room with small windows, a
door at one end and teacher's desk at the other,
while on each side was a long desk the length of
the room and facing the wall, provided with slab
benches without backs for seals, for the use of
the older pupils, with similar benches, without
desks, about the room for the smaller children,
and in the center of the room a large box-stove.
The Canada Settlement School was knoAvn for
its excellent teachers, its library and the study
it induced.
Mount Morris Schools.
The first school at Mount Morris w^as taught in
a log cabin a half mile west of the site of the
village, in the grove on the farm then owned by
Sanmel M. Hilt, and later by Prof. D. J. Pinck-
uey. The teacher was A. Q. Allen, who came with
the Maryland Colony, the founders of Mount
Morris, with the understanding that he would
inaugurate an educational home in the Far West,
Samuel M, Hitt and Nathaniel Swingley having
engaged him for that purpose. The school was
opened with twenty-six pupils soon after the
arrival of the colony and was called "The Pine
Creek Grammar School." On the 4th of July,
ISMO, when the cornerstone of Rock River Semi-
nary was laid, Mr. Allen's pupils attended the
ceremony in a body, many of them later becoming
pupils in that institution. Later this school was
conducted as the primary department of the
Seminary, and was then in charge of Miss Fannie
Russell, but was discontinued in 1843 and pri-
vate schools maintained for the children of the
village. In 1851 a new public school building, a
long, two room, one-story frame structure, was
erected in the east part of to\^ni where the dwell-
ing houses of William H. Miller and Dr. J. B.
Canode now stand. Here Mr. Allen again taught
and at various times Mr. Streeter, John Page,
with IMiss Hannah Cheney, and Miss Sybil Sam-
mis.
The branches taught in our pioneer schools
were reading, often from the New Testament;
writing, the teacher setting the copies ; arithmetic
through Fractions and Proportion — called then
the "Rule of Three;" spelling to the end of the
book, a great deal of it. Including woi'ds of five
and six syllables not often met with afterward,,
and geography in a limited way. In the case of
the United States there was considerably less
geography than now. because then the settlement
of the country extended scarcely beyond the Mis-
sissi])pi River, and all that remained from there
to the Pacific the maps and the text briefly dis-
posed of under the inclusive name and descrip-
tion, "(ireat An;erican Desert," "good only for
grazing." which was a view expressed even by
Daniel Webster in the Senate in 1850 in a speech
against the admission of California as a State.
United States History was taught now and then.
While the buildings and a])pointments were rude
and the equipment was meager, it can neverthe-
less be said that the teaching was often good, be-
cause then, as now, the jx^rsonality of the teacher
counted for so nuxch, after predicating, of course,
a reasonable education.
728
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Another of the early schools of the county was
that located on the Phelps farm northwest of
Oregon. A story is told of a spelling match be-
tween this and a neighboring school, in which it
was agi-eed that no word should be given the
spellers not found in McGuffey's spelling book,
notwithstanding which the teacher of the Phelps
school interpolated a word in pencil in his copy
of McGuffey, and acquainted the best speller of his
school with it and its correct orthography. At
the match he reserved the word until but two
competitors remained on the floor, when he gave
it to the pupil of the opposing school, who failed
to spell it, and then to his own coached cham-
pion, who, of course, spelled it and won out.
Rock Rivek Seminary. — The initial school at
Mount Morris was called "The Pine Creek Gram-
mar School." It was given this particular name
because its founders meant that it should develop
into a school of higher education. With that end
in view Rev. Thomas S. Hitt, while attending the
Illinois Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in session at Jacksonville, proposed that
that body take the institution under its care and
make of it a conference school. What the con-
ference did was to appoint a committee to locate
a seminary in Northern Illinois. Kishwaukee,
Roscoe, Joliet, Chicago aud the Maryland Colony
came forward with offers, the most liberal of
which was from the Maryland Colony, pledging
.$8,000 in money aud 480 acres of land, aud thus
securing the seminary. Messrs. Samuel M. Hitt,
Nathaniel Swiiigley, aud C. Burr x\rtz were ap-
pointed a building committee and on July 4, lS3vj,
the corner-stone of a building to cost $18,000 was
' laid, and in the fall of the following year Rock
River Seminary oiK'ued its doors.
The animal commencement, or Mount Morris
Exhibition, constituted a great occasion for hvm-
dreds who came from the surrounding country to
listen to tlic day's exercises. For forty years, or
until ]87!>. Rock River Seminary exerted a
marked influence upon education, not only in
Nortliern Illinois l)Ut throughrmt the State, and
Iteyond, luiving in the meantime been Alma Mater
of a nmnber of men who became prominent in
Illinois history. A foncise history of its later life
after it passed into the hands of the United
Brethren, will be found in the following section
of this chapter.
Mount Morris College.
Rock River Seminary had an eventful eareer,
but having been practically abandoned by the
Methodist Church, which had been its patron for
many years, it Anally became flnancially involved,
and when it became necessary that the property
be sold, the Hon. Robert R. Hitt came to the res-
cue and purchased the property. Through him It
came into the hands of the Church of the Breth-
ren.
Three names stand out prominently in the
movement that led to the present ownership of
the school. The first is that of Elder Melchor S.
Newcomer, then a farmer of only ordinary learn-
ing, but a successful business man who felt keen-
ly the need of a school where men of limited
means might send their children. The second was
Elder John W. Stein, a man well educated and a
school man of no mean ability, whose school
training and practical experience eminently fitted
him to become the first President of the institu-
tion under the Brethren, and the success of the
school during its first -years showed vpTiat he
might have done had it not been for a moral
weakness that led to his early and disastrous
fall. The third man was Elder Daniel L. Miller,
a successful business man from Polo. To these
men who saw what was needed and were willing
to assume all responsibility, a debt of gratitude
is due from their own denomination. After con-
sultation with each other and Mr. Hitt, aud sev-
eral public meetings at Mount Morris, suflacient
interest was aroused and means secured to pur*
chase the property and plan for the future.
The buildings were in a dilapidated condition,
and it soon became apparent that considerable
money must be spent to put things in shape for
the opening of school, August 20, 1879. The build-
ings were repaired, the grounds were put into
shape, courses were arranged and teachers en-
gaged. Three courses, namely. Academy, College
and Business, were offered. The first term saw
sixty student^ In attendance. The first Board of
Directors was: J. W. Stein, President; D. L.
Miller, Secretary; M. S. Newcomer, Treasurer;
and S. A. Stein. The first faculty was : J. W.
Stein, President; W. E. Lockard, Professor of
Mathematics and Teacher of Elocution; J. W.
.Tenks, Professor of Languages and Literature;
Fernando Sanford, Professor of Natural and Phy-
sical Sciences; M. G. Rorbaugh, Principal of
Commercial Department; Mattie A. Lear, As-
sistant Teacher in English Branches; A. McClure,
Teacher of Vocal Music ; and Margaretta Lauver,
Teacher of Primary School.
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HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
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Of this faculty two members, Pi'ofs. Jenks and
Sanford, have since won an internatioijal repu-
tation. It is further to be noted tliat ever since
tliat date the University of Michigan has been
furnishing teachers for Mount Morris College
and has, in turn, been receiving students from
her. President Stein was a wise manager and
the school grew in {wpularity and increased rap-
idly in numbers. After his connection with the
scliool was severed it fell to the lot of D. L. Mil-
ler to perform the duties of the President as well
as those of Business Manager. President Miller
was not a college-bred nor a college-trained man,
but his keen business instinct made his manage-
ment of the school especially successful.
In the fall of 1884, Prof. John G. Royer, Prin-
cipal of the Monticello (Ind.) schools, came to
Mount Morris and assumed the charge of the
school. He had had an extensive experience in
school work. The school was rechartered, a
stock company was formed to assume financial
control, and Prof. Royer, selecting his faculty,
virtually became President of Mount Morris Col-
lege, though at that time he was not styled more
than Principal. Later he was formally elected to
the office of President, continuing until 1004.
when he completed his fiftieth year as teacher.
ITnder his management the patronage of the
school grew, and a very large number of young
men and women went out from under his in-
struction. The Bible Department and the De-
partment of Music and Oratory were added, un-
der his administration.
When the school was first purchased by the
partment of Music and Oratory were added uu-
there have been some changes. The old methods
of heating have been discarded, and all the build-
ings are heated by steam. New buildings have
been erected and old ones remodeled or toim
down.
In 1800. College Hall was erected, being 72x120,
the greater part being three stories high. Here
are the ofiices, library, chai)e] recitation rooms
and the two society halls. It is a brick-veneered
building.
The original "Old Sandstone." the old land-
mark so dear to Rock River Seminary students,
was razed to the ground in 180.S. .Just west of it
the new "Ladies Hall" was erected, larger, and
better adapted to present needs. This is a red
brick- veneer building, 80x80 feet, the three floors
furnishing homes for the girls w^hile the basement
serves a.' a dining room for all.
After the girls were given a new building the
trustees built over "Old Sandstone" number two.
This is a large stone building, 40x120 feet and i.s
the home for the young men. Besides this, it has
a chapel and three laboratories on the first floor
and commercial hall on the second floor.
This covers the building till 1008. For a long
time the need of more room has been felt. The
school has never been over-enthusiastic on athle-
tics and physical training and will not be so in
the future, but felt the need of a Gymnasium
where proper physical training could be given.
This need has now been filled by the erection
during the summer of irtf)8 of an Auditorium-
(Jyumasium. This building stands 80 feet, with
;i iiasement of ten feet and a main floor with
twenty-foot posts.
The basement wall is monolithic and the rest
is solid brick. The basement will be fitted with
furnace, baths, lockers and a laboratory, with a
straight track for running and jumping. The
main floor will be seated with movable chairs
which can be removed and the room used for phy-
sical exercises. It is capable of seating 700 peo-
ple, while above is a gallery on three sides that
will seat 300 more.
The money for these buildings, as well as for
a library, has been raised by subscription, it
being the aim of the Trustees to keep down ex-
penses, so that even those of limited means may
find here a school home. Originally $5000 was
invested in boobs, and each year substantial ad-
ditions are made, so that students and teachers
find a good working library at hand, while there
are four well furnished laboratories.
The present endowment is $20,000, but sut>stan-
tial additions are being made. There are seven
scholarships for worthy students and, at the clos»
of the last year. $155.00 was distributed in prizes,
of which Elder D. L. Miller contributed $25 and
Col. Frank O. Lowden $100. For a number of
years President Royer was the chief agent in
raising funds, and the two heaviest donors have
been Mr. John Lahman, of Franklin Grove, and
Elder D. L. Miller of Mount Morris, but besides
these there have been other liberal contributors.
At present the school is ow^ned by the Church
of the Brethren of the Northern District of Illi-
nois and Wisconsin, but it is arranged that at
any time the general church wishes to assume
control she may have the proi)erty without any
expense. By a wise arrangement it is managed
90 that no debt can be contracted. On the reslg-
730
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
nation of President Royer in 1904, he was suc-
ceeded by J. Ezra Miller, who is still in charge.
The courses of instruction Include Liberal Arts,
Academy, Teachers', Agricultural, Bible, Music
and Elocution.
The present Board of Trustees consists of D.
L. Miller, President ; Clarence Lahman, Secre-
tary-Treasurer ; John Hickman, Davis Rowland
and William Lampon, and the faculty of fifteen
instructors, of whom six (including President
Miller) constitute the Board of Managers. The
number of pupils in attendance in recent years
amounts to an average of about 250.
Sketch of the Brethren (Dunker) Church.
— The German word "Tunken" (to dip) from
which came the term "Tunker" — and later "Duia-
ker" — was first applied to the Brethren in Switz-
erland soon after one of their number, Wolf-
gang Uhlman, was burned at the stake in the
Tyrol, Austria-Hungary, in 1528. It was given
as a nickname and grew out of their form of
baptism. The Brethren always protested against
the name, claiming to be Brethren in Christ.
When in the early years of the eighteentii
century, the mother church was heartlessly and
ruthlessly driven from the "Vaterland," by per-
secution, which took not only the form of im-
prisonment and confiscation of property, but also
of martyrdom at the stake, the Brethren settled
on land secured from William Perm at German-
town, Pennsylvania. They then numbered bare-
ly 200 souls, but were earnest, honest, pious,
spiritually-minded men and women, who sought
the religious liberty which had been denied them
in Germany. In the New World they found the
boon for which they sought, and under divine
guidance, builded better than they knew.
At Germantown, in 172.3, the Brethren organ-
ized their first church in America, and began
colonizing in different parts of Pennsylvania, but
soon passed into New Jersey, Maryland and Vir-
ginia, and before many years, small colonies of
these people were to be found in a number of
localities in these different divisions of new
world.
The time is easily within the memory of those
living today, when the start was made from the
old home in the East, in the first half of the last
century, for the new Illinois country. In those
days Chicago had reached the dignity of a re-
spectable trading post without a dream of the
future greatness in store for the "Queen of the
Lakes." The hardy pioneers sold most of their
belongings, but the "prairie schooners," as the
large covered wagons, drawn by four and six-
horse teams, were called, were packed to the full
with household goods and farming utensils.
Spring wagons, covered with canvas and oil-
cloth, afforded comfortable passage for the wo-
men and children. Usually a number of colo-
nists started together, forming a great caravan,
moving slowly toward the setting sun. They
camped by the wayside at night, cooked and ate
their frugal meals, and each camping place be-
came, for the time being, a Bethel where the
Scriptures were read by the fathers, and God's
blessings invoked on the pilgrims and on those
at the old home from wliom they had so re-
cently parted in tears.
Washington County, Maryland, sent the pio-
neer Brethren to the "Rock River," or "Mary-
land Settlement," as it was called at the first.
Among the first, with some others, to come in
1836-38, were Samuel M. Hitt, whose wife Bar-
bara, was a member of the Brethren church,
John Friedly, who purchased the Governor
Ford cabin and claim for one thousand dollars,
Daniel Wolf, Solomon Nalley. Early in the
'forties came Benjamin Swingley, William Young,
Daniel, Samuel, Jacob and John Price, Jacob
Buck, Isaac Hershey, Daniel Zellers, Daniel
Moats, Daniel Long, John Stover and Jacob
Long. Nearly all of these were heads of fam-
ilies and brought their children with them. They
settled in the vicinities of Mount Morris, Mary-
land and what is now known as the Pine Creek
Church.
In 1845-47 several families of the Brethren
located at Franklin Grove, Lee County, Illinois.
Prominent among these were Joseph Emmert,
Christian Lahman, Daniel and Joshua Wingert,
Levi Riddlesparger, Levi Trostle, the Dierdorfs
and others. In 1845 they organized the Rock
River Church with a membership of thirteen.
The newly organized church embraced all the
territory in Lee and Ogle Counties. Joseph Em-
mert was chosen as Bishop and the little band
prospered and grew. The Rock River Church
now numbers over 250 and has sent out hun-
dreds of members to help populate the great
West. Bishop Emmert at once started the pro-
ject of building a house of worship. Solicitors
were apix)iuted, an effort to raise the money was
made and $140 secured. When the solicitors re-
ported to the Bishop he said, "Give me the sub-
iliSTOPtY OF OGLE COUNTY.
731
scription paper." It was handed to hiui and
putting it into his iK)cket said, "The liouse shall
he built." He at once let the contract for the
building and when it was completed at a cost of
$100, promptly paid the bill. Much of the labor
for the building was donated. The house has
always been known as the "Emraert Meeting
House." It is located four miles west of Frank-
lin Grove. In 1868 the National Annual Con-
ference of the Brethren church was held at the
"Emmert Meeting House."
In 184G the Brethren in Ogle County deter-
mined to oi'ganize a church and erect a house
of worship. Jacob Long was Bishop in charge
and the meeting house was built near what is
now known as Maryland station. Samuel Gax-
ber succeeded Jacob Long in the bishopric. Ho
was accustomed to visit the Brethren churches
in Tennessee, and on one of these visits spoke in
a guarded manner against human slavery. He
was arrested, thrown into prison and heavily
fined for thus attacking what was then held to
be a divine institution in the South. The Breth-
ren of Ogle and Lee helped pay the fine. From
their first organization in America the Brethren
opposed every form of slavery and no slave own-
er could be recognized as a member of the de-
nomination without manumitting his slaves.
In 1857 the Pine Creek Church was organized
followed in 18G8 by Silver Creek, Mount Morris,
and. in 1905, by the church in Polo. At the
present time the five organizations named have
the following membership: Rock River, 260;
West Branch, 100 ; Pine Creek, 125 ; Mount Mor-
ris. 350; Polo, 70, making a total of 905.
Of course these figures do not include all those
received into church fellowship. Several thou-
sand have gone out to swell the number who
have taken an active and prominent part in
settling the territory west of the Mississippi
River. If a reunion of all these could be held
in Ogle County now, there would be a great mul-
titude assembled to recount their strugtrlos. tem-
porarily and spiritually, in building up the West-
ern Empire.
The Brethren Publishing House. — In 1880
M, M. Eshleman, who had been publishing "The
Brethren at Work," a religious paper of the
Dunker denomination at Lanark, Illinois, moved
the plant to Mount Morris. This, in 1884, was
purchased by Elders D. L. Miller and Joseph
Amick, of that denomination, who consolidated
it with "The Primitive Christian," of Hunting-
don, Pa., and changed the name to the "Gospel
Messenger." A large and thriving business was
established, and a number of church papers,
books and tracts were published. In 1896 the
business was taken over by the Brethren Church
and it has since been known as the Brethren
Publishing House. In September, 1899, the plant
was moved to Elgin, Illinois. At that time the
circulation of the "Gospel Messenger" was about
twenty thousand, and the sum of the year's busi-
ness approximated $125,000. Among those con-
nected with the success of the work in Mount
Morris were Galen B. Royer, Elder J. H. Moore,
Elder D. L. Miller, Elder Joseph Amick, L. A.
Plate, S. M. Eshleman. A prosperous business
has continued to be carried on by the Publish-
ing House in its present location.
The Old People's Home. — The Old People's
Home of the Brethren Church is supported by
the District of Northern Illinois. Elders Joseph
Amick. Edmund Foniey and Melchior Newcomer
were appointed by this division of the church,
a committee to incorporate and found a home
for aged members of the church and orphans.
Mount Morris was selected for the location of
this home, and a tract of land containing about
thirteen acres, in the southwestern part of the
village, was purchased for this purpose. Upon
this ground a brick building was at once erected
at a cost of $10,000. to which an addition has since
been built costing $1,500. The funds for the in-
stitution were donated by the different churches
in the district. An endowment fund for its
maintenance w'as created by Jacob Petrie, of
Polo, who bequeathed his estsite to the Church
for this purpose. Other bequests and sums have
been added to this original amount of $18,000.
till at the present time the endowment fund
amounts to $22,900, and the addition of a valua-
hle farm of 250 acres near Pontiac, 111., recently
bequeathed for this purpose. The building is so
arranged that about thirty people can be com-
fortably taken care of in the home. Ornamental
trees and shrubs have been planted around the
dwelling, flowers are cultivated during the grow-
ing time of the year, and the land has been set
out largely with fruit-bearing trees and small
fruits, making a very attractive and restful place
in which to spend the declining years of life.
Mr. Levi Kerns first had charge of this institu-
tion, and was succeeded by the present Superin-
tendent. Mr. Lewis Miller.
732
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CRIMINAL HISTORY.
FIRST OGLE COUNTY JAIL AND TREATMENT OF EARLY
CRIMINALS COURT CONDITIONS AND FIRST CRIMI-
NAL TRIAL OTHER NOTED COURT CONTESTS —
TRL\L OF LIQUOR CASES DEVELOPMENT OF CRIMI-
NAL ORGANIZATIONS THE PRAIRIE BANDITS AND
MURDER OF CAPTAIN CAilPBELL OF THE REGU-
LATORS THE DRISCOLL LYNCHING AND ACQUIT-
TAL OF THE PERPETRATORS STORY OF THE
TRAGEDY AS TOLD BY AN EYE-WITNESS INCIDENT
IN THE LIFE OF GOV. FORD A LYNCHING CASE
OF CIVIL WAR DAYS LATER INCIDENTS IN
COURT AND CRIMINAL HISTORY.
The followiug record of Crimiual History in
Ogle Couuty is talveu from a lecture on that sub-
ject, delivered before the Oregon Woman's Coun-
cil during the wmter of 1904-05 by Major Franc
Bacon, an attorney of tlie city of Oregon. On ac-
count of lack of space, it has been found neces-
sary to condense some portions of Mr. Bacon's
address :
For the first year or two after the establish-
ment of Ogle County, it had a floating seat of
justice, and court was held in Dixon and in
Oregon.
In 1840 the first jail was completed, by .Joseph
Knox, at a c-ost of $1,822.-50 — a small structure,
stauding a little west of the present court house.
There were no doors or windows in the jail
proper. The criminal, upon being arrested and
brought to prison, was taken upstairs, a trap-
door in the ceiling or roof of the jail proper was
raised, a short ladder 10 or 12 feet in length was
lowered through this, and down it the offender
backed into his coll. when the ladder was re-
moved, the trap-door lowered, and the jailer de-
jiarted feeling that his bird was secure. The
walls were supposed to be of stone three feet in
thickness, yet so faulty in construftion, that his-
tory says that one prisoner, with the aid of an
old jack-knife, dug his way to liberty in the short
space of three hours. This jail was used until
the brick one, which stood south of the present
Temple of .Tustice. was erected in 1840. This
second jail was used until 1874, when the present
building was erected at a cost of $20,000.
The first court house built in Ogle County was
completed in 1840, at a cost of $4,000, but was
burned on the evening before the opening of any
court therein, presumably to either destroy the
indictments on file against certain members of
the banditti, or to afford an opportunity for the
escape of some of the clan who were then eon-
fined in jail. Whatever the purpose, it failed, as
neither were the indictments burned nor pris-
oners released.
The first term of Circuit Court of Ogle County
was held at Dixon in October, 1837, and was pre-
sided over by Judge Dan Stone, who had but
shortly before been appointed a Circuit Judge,
and assigned to duty in the northern part of
Illinois. At the time of his appointment, he was a
member of the Legislature from Sangamon Coun-
ty. In 1838 Judge Stone made a decision con-
cerning an alien's right to vote which was dis-
tasteful to his party, and very shortly afterward,
upon the reorganization of our courts, he was
legislated out of office. "Father" John Dixon was
the foreman of this first Grand Jury, which body
returned seven true bills of indictment, among
the number being one against the then Sheriff,
W. W. Mudd, for a palpable omission of duty,
also another against Nelson Shortall, for a like
offense.
The records show that the first criminal trial
in our circuit courts was that of Shortall, at the
May term, 1838, when he was acquitted. Major
Chamberlain, .John Roe, William M. Mason and
Jonathan W. Jenkins, were members of the trial
juiy on that occasion. At the same term there
were two other acquittals, no convictions, and
one indictment dismissed, and a little later the
one against Mudd was also stricken from the
docket, thus disposing, without a single convic-
tion, of all the indictments found by this first
Grand Jury. The first conviction secured was
in June, 1839, when John Porter was found
guilty of counterfeiting, and given two years in
the penitentiary. At this same term was found
the first true bill of indictment for a violation
of the dueling act. This was against one Bar-
clay, but he was never brought to trial. At the
September term, 1839, the Prosecuting Attorney
for this Circuit failing to api^ear, the Court ap-
pointed another member of the bar as Prosecut-
ing Attorney pro-tem. It seems he was there for
a pur])ose, for on his motion practically all the
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
733
indictments theretofore found, upon which there
had been no trial, wore stricken off. At the .Tune
term, 1840, the tirst indictments for sellinj: li(iuor
without license were returned, and from that date
to the present, this form of violation of the public
laws has been more or less fretiuent, and a notice-
able feature of the Grand .Juries' work. We have
experienced frequent crusades, and there have
been times when the entire attention of our Cir-
cuit Court has been taken up witli liquor eases.
The largest number on the docket at any one
time seems to have been in 3S74, when out of 94
criminal cases on the docket, 43 were for viola-
tion of the dram shop Act, of which the venue
in eleven cases was changed to Lee County.
Also at the October term. 1874, were returned
two indictments for murder, growing directly out
of, and in fact committed in places where in-
toxicants had been illegally sold. The first was
against Edward O'Brien, who was charged witli
killing McCoy. The scene of the murder was
near Polo. O'Brien was convicted, and being
under eighteen years of age, could not lawfully
be confined in the penitentiary, and at that time
there being no institutions known ;is reform
seliools. the prisoner was, by order of the court,
conmiitted to the county jail for one year. The
other murder case at that October term was the
one against Koefer, a saloon keeper at Creston.
Tliere never was any real merit in this ease, and
the jury rightfully acquitted him. The first
term of court held in our present court build-
ing was that of August, 1891, when the entire
term was given over to the business of indit-t-
iug and trying offenders for violations of the
liquor law. So strenuous was the work that we
had all three of the Circuit Judges tlicn upon the
bench here holding court and hearing the num-
erous cases.
At that August term, 18!)1. every male per-
.■^on who had l)een in Oregon after May 1st and
up to the beginning of court, was invited to come
in and interview the grand and trial juries, but
there was such an astonishing amount of absent-
mindedness, and such woeful failure of the sense
of taste to perform its customary work, that it
was the exception, and not the rule, when one
was able to di'aw tlic line between beer and
coffee, or tea and whisky.
One of the first criminal charges made against
a woman in our courts was for violation of the
dram-shop act. and the last conviction against
a woman was at the last term of court (1904-05)
on a similar charge. An inspection of the crim-
inal records of our courts has di-sclosed but few
charges of a criminal nature against tlie fair sex.
'i"o return to the .June term, 1840, I notice that
in one of the ii(pior cases, the court quashed
the indictment, and in the other, the jury, com-
I)osed in part of well-known men, such as Iluel
r<'aii()(ly. William Carpenter, and W. .V. House,
acquitted the defendant. In speaking of this
class of offenders, I am rennnded tliat on one
occasion a keen, brilliant and polished member
of tile I)ar. in defending "Peggy" Wertz for sell-
ing intoxicants illegally, took occasion to read
to tlie jury iK)rtions of the Bible, and it is said
louud authority therein to justify his client's
acts. Probably this was the only occasion in
history, however, where this law book was read
to a jury in a whisky case. But this member of
the bar disjilayed more familiarity witli the
Good Book than another of our local bar, who,
in making an impassioned plea in the Philip Tice
arson case said : "Gentlemen of the jury, my
client is just as innocent of this crime as the
infant Jesus in the bull-rushes."
In 1841, the criminal class of this county had
perfected an organization extending not only
throughout all i)ortions of the c-ounty, but also
in the neighboring counties of Lee, Whiteside
and Winnebago, and into adjoining States and
Territories. It had its passwords, grips and
signs of recognition, and its membership was
closely banded together for the common purpose
of plunder and rapine. It was so strong as to
set at defiance pul)lic justice, and was ahle to
and did control trial juries and public officials.
To meet tlris organization of the lawless, the
law-abiding citizens of our county met organiza-
tion by organization, and as a result, throughout
our county were organized societies known by
various names. For instance, at Inlet, then part
of Ogle County, there was formed "An Associa-
tion for the Furtherance of the Cause of Jus-
tice." It had a cast-iron constitution and, among
other things, provision was made for a com-
nuttee of Vigilants. Another organization was
that which had its headquarters about White
Kock. wliere a Mr. rx)ng was elected Captain,
in isn. Shortly after his election his mill was
linnied. and this seemed to intimidate him so
that he res-igned and was succeeded by John
Canipbeli. This organization was at that time '
comjiosed of oidy lil'ti'en men, and their fii'st
business in dealing with the criminal classes, was
734
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
to serve notice on several of the undesirable
citizens of the county to depart at once, with
the admonition that if they failed to heed this
request, the lash would be used. Their first
victim was a man named Hurl, and history says,
after taking the whipping administered, he at
once joined the organization and, after that, his
life was one of irreproachable honesty. The or-
ganization rapidly grew until its membei-ship
embraced practically all of the honest, law-abid-
ing citizens of the countj'.
The Dbiscoll Tragedy. — Among the number
notified by the committee to leave the county,
was a family of the name of DriscoU, then re-
siding in the eastern part of the county. Shortly
after they were so notified, and in fact after
they had promised to leave the county, the out-
law element met at the home of William K.
Bridge, then living near Washington Grove. The
house of this meeting was a log affair, and was
near the frame house now on the public road,
being the first house- on the right-hand side after
passing the residence of James Cummings going
toward the Grove. At this meeting of the out-
laws, it is claimed that the death of Captain
Campbell was planned, and David and Taylor
Driscoll were selected to perform the murder.
On Sunday, June 27, 1841, Taylor and David
Driscoll went to Campbell's house at White Rock
Grove, secreting themselves in some hazel brush,
and when Campbell appeared at the door, he was
shot to death. The Driscolls were recognized by
Campbell, and also by his wife, the former living
long enough to walk several paces before he fell
dead. His son, Martin Campbell, who died in
Ogle County a few years since, also saw the
Driscolls, and but for a failure of his shot-gun to
explode the caps, it is likely that one or both of
the murderers would have paid the penalty of
the crime then and there. That Sunday night
messengers were dispatched to various parts of
tlie county, and the Regulator were called to-
gether. John Driscoll, father of the murderers,
and two sons were first taken in custody, the
conncctiiig link showing the old man's participa-
tion in this murder being furnished by the track
of his horse, by some peculiarity of the shoe, thus
enabling the searchers to follow It from Camp-
bell's to Driscoil's house. Sheriff Ward first had
custody of Joliii Driscoll, ;iii(l lie was taken to
the jail at Oregon. Three of the Regulators
gained possession of John Driscoll, and he was
taken by them on Tuesday, the 2f)th, to Steven-
son's Mill, which was located on property now
owned by F. R. Artz. At Stevenson's Mill the
other Regulators brought down William and
Pierce Driscoll, when the entire party moved
across the road to a large oak tree, where the
trial and executions were had. This place was
about ten rods east of the present residence of
Harry Wilson, and about five rods north of the
present course of the public road. A court was
organized and a jury of 120 persons was sug-
gested. Counsel was appointed for the prisoners,
as well as for the prosecution, and a presiding
officer chosen. As a result of challenges, nine
of the 120 proiwsed jurymen were struck off, and
a jury composed of 111 persons entered upon the
trial of this famous case, which consumed the
greater portion of the day. During the trial, it
is said, both John and William Driscoll made
damaging statements showing complicity in other
crimes. The verdict of this, the largest jury
known in the criminal history of the world, was
"guilty" as to John and William Driscoll, and
"not guilty" as to Pierce Driscoll, and the sen-
tence of the court was that the two guilty should
be hanged, but afterward on their request it
was changed to death by shooting. Fifty-six men
were detailed by this jury to execute one de-
fendant, and fifty-five the other, one gun placed
in the hands of each of the two sets of execu-
tioners, it is said, not being loaded. The guns
were handled by the committee and passed out
to the executioners, so that no one might know
who held the emptj^ pieces. This afforded an
opportunity for each and everj' one of them to
feel and believe that it was not his rifle that
contributed to the death of either of the victims.
Afterward, at the September term, 1841, of our
Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Thomas
Ford, then an Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court of the State, a Grand Jury was empan-
elled, evidence heard, and two indictments re-
turned against 112 persons, one charging the
murder of William Driscoll, and the other of
John Driscoll. Part of the men indicted were
members of this Grand Jury, and in a way con-
tributed to present true bills of indictment
against themselves. It is apparent, however,
from an inspection of the record, that it was the
desire of the Regulators to have indictments re-
turned, so tliat there could be a trial and ac-
(]uittal of those accused when the surroundings
wore favorable to that end. It is said that, as
.1 matter of fact, Jonathan W. Jenkins, the per-
c. I'. iiAVi-:s Axi) i'a:\iii.v
' THE NEW YOBK j
PUBLIC LIBRARY
AS-"
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
735
son first named in each of tliose indictments, had
nothing to do with the exee-ntion of tlie DriscoUs,
t)ut was regarded as friendly to tliem, and it
was feared that perhaps he might furnish some
damaging evidence. Under the hiw, as it then
existed, a person indicted for a crime could not
testify, and liis mouth was closed by the return-
ing of this indictment against him.
The indictments, framed in the peculiar phrase-
ology of the time, were returned on Friday, Sep-
tember 24, 1841, and on the same day all but ten
of the defendants were placed uix>n trial. Under
the law then existing, each of the defendants
had a right to tiie peremptory challenge of twen-
ty men, and this would have disposed of 2,040
jurors, a much large number of men than there
were then in the county ; but. as I take it, no
challenges were used by the defense. When the
first case was called, an attorney named Knowl-
ton asked leave to assist the People in the prose-
cution of the case, but his rerpiest was denied, at
the suggestion of the Prosecuting Attorney. It
is said that the jury did not leave the:ir seats
before retnrning a verdict of not guilty. The
same jurors were then accepted upon the trial
of the other indictment, and the same verdict
was rendered. On the following day, the State's
Attorney. Seth Farwell, dismissed the indict-
ments as to .Jonathan W. .Jenkins, Seth W. Hills,
George D. Johnson. Commodore Bridge, Moses
Nettleton, William Keyes, Wilson Dailey, Abel
Smith, .Jefferson .Jewell and James Harpen, the
ten who did not receive the benefit of an ac-
quittal. Thus was ended a criminal litigation
that was not o'nly remarkable for the number of
the accused, but unique in the finding of the
indictments — the personnel of the Grand Jury
composed of some of the accused ; the speedy re-
turn of the true bills and instant arraignment ;
the vast number of challenges allowed by the
law and the significant use of none : the fact
that the same jurors were accepted in the trial
of the second indictment, to try a case upon the
same facts as the one they had just heard, and
having heard it, must have naturally formed and
expressed an opinion of the merits of the case,
yet were taken on the second case, when ordi-
naril.v this question would hav(> been asked, the
sealing of the month of one dangerous party by
making him a co-defendant, then not putting him
on trial with the others ; the rendition of the
speedy verdict given on those occasions, and,
above all, that all things done and said seemed
to have met the aiyjiroval, not only of the court,
but of all law-abiding people.
We have often heard it sal<l, that the scene
of a nmrder has some fascinating drawing iK)wer
which impels a nnirderer to return, even at the
peril of his life and liberty, to the scene of his
crime. However that may be, it is true that
Taylor Driscoll, who either fired the fatal shot at
Cau)i)bell or was with Dave when he did. after
making his escape at the time the liegulatoi-s
were aft<'r him, and after remaining away for
some years, again returned to the county, when
h(> was at once arrested. He secured a change
of venue to McHenry County, where the first
jury disagreed, and on the second trial, by aid.
as is claimed of friendly members of the old con-
federacy upon the jury, he was acquitted. This
miscarriage of justice in the case of this mur-
derer only moi'e fully justifies the acts of the
one hundred and eleven so-called jurors in in-
voking the aid of a court where it was impossibU'
to get confederates upon the jury.
Judge Ford, the presiding Judge at the hear-
ing of the lynchers cases in 1841. was then a
resident of Oregon, and afterwards was elected
Governor of the State. It is said of him that
he publicly from the bench admonished the ban-
ditti that he was about to leave his home, and
that, if they dared to disturb his family or prop-
erty, he would gather a posse and take sununary
measures against them. It is also said of him
that, during the time when so many guilty men
were escaping by verdicts of acquittal, a law.ver
defending on a crinunal charge when sjx^aking of
the ix)licy of the law-, that it was better that
ninety and nine guilty men escape than that oue
innocent man !)e convicted. Judge Ford took a shot
at him by remarking: "That is the maxim of
the law all right, but the trouble here is that
the ninety-nine guilty have already escaped."
Story of a Witness of the Evknt. — The fol-
lowing account of this tragical event as related
by Mr. .Michael Seyster. has been furnisheti by
his son. .Vttorney J. C. Seyster, for this work:
"I was sixteen years old when the Driscolls
w<M<' executed. I was sent to Oregon on an
eri-and ; the Regulators wanted a horse and took
mine. I went with them to look after my horse
and to bring it back. We went to the west bank
of the river where tlu^re was a number of the
Regulators who had in their custody .John Dris-
coll. One liorsi', foi- some reason, had betMi taken
from their wagon and mine was put in its place.
736
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
I got in the wagon preparatory to starting across
the river to Daysville, when the Sheriff came on
a run, hatless and coatless, and seized Driscoll,
declaring that he was his prisoner and in his
custody, and he intended to Iceep him. He tooli
him from tlie wagon and started baclv with him.
The suddenness with which this was done,
seemed to have dazed those who had Driscoll iu
charge. It appeared that they had no leader,
and, for a few moments, nothing was done ; when
John Phelps sprang from the wagon and ex-
claimed. 'If we are going to be men, let us act
like men. and not like a lot of boys." and started
for the Sheriff. He was followed by the others,
and they took Driscoll from the Sheriff, who
said he had done his duty.
"Driscoll was then put in the wagon, and we
crossed the river on the ferry, and went to Days-
ville, where there were many more of the Regu-
lators with William and Pierce Drisc-oll. They
all went from there to Washington Grove, where
the trial took place. Evidence was introduced
and a vote taken by the Regulators, and John
and William Driscoll were condemned to death.
They were given time to prepare for death. .John
was sullen and unrepentant, but William spent
the time from his sentence to his death in
prayer. One-half of those having guns were
drawn up iu line, and John Driscoll first led out
and blindfolded and placed on his knees to be
executed. I did not want to see it and retired,
with some others to a ravine out of sight. When
the guns were discharged we returned and found
that they had only executed the father, who had
fallen forward on his face and was still breath-
ing faintly ; they were leading William out to be
shot. We had not time to retire, but witnessed
his execution. He was blindfolded and placed
on his knees, and shot by the other half of the
Regulators, and died instantly. The victims lay
on their faces as they fell forwards, and a num-
ber of places showed on their backs where the
bullets had gone through. Graves were then dug
where they had fallen, and they were hastily
buried.
"One item of evidence I remember against the
father was that on the night Campbell (Captain
of the Regulators) was shot, he, the elder Dris-
coll, went to a neighbor's and asked permission
to stay all night with him, saying that .something
might happen that night and he wanted to be
with an honest man. so he could prove himself
innocent. The item of evidence I remember
against William was, that after the Regulators
were organized he was heard to say that they
would have to do as they had done at another
place, where he had lived when a similar organi-
zation was formed. They killed their Captain,
which was the end of them. It was a pathetic
and affecting scene, some were opposed to exe-
cution. Many strong men wept like children.
"It was said that William, in his prayers, con-
fessed that his hands had been stained by the
blood of six men. It was generally thought that
a mistake had been made in executing the father
first ; that he did not think they would take his
life, but were trying to intimidate him into mak-
ing^ a confession. If the son Iiad been first put
to death, he then would have known that the
men were in earnest, and he would have con-
fessed. The son was wild with despair and
terror at the sight of his father's execution, and
pleaded and begged for mercy when taken to be
executed.
"The son Pierce was warned to leave the coun-
try, which he promised to do. He said that his
brother should not have been executed as he was
as he had been brought up, but had nothing to
say as to the justice of his father's punishment."
The story of "The Prairie Bandits," as they
were widely known, has furnished the basis of
much literature in the newspaper press and other-
wise, including a volume under the title, "The
Banditti of the Prairies : or The Murderer's'
Doom," which had a wide circulation among
pioneer families.
Continuing, Mr. Bacon closes his history of the
"Prairie Bandit" incident as follows :
It is not often that we can approve of lynch
law, but the circumstances then existing de-
manded a resort to this law, and the results fol-
lowing wei-e all for the best interests of society.
It virtually was the beginning of the end of the
reign of lawlessness in Ogle County.
Another Lynching Case. — The only other
case of lynching in Ogle County was that of
Burke at Rochelle. He was being tried on a
charge of arson before a Justice of the Peace,
when it was suggested that he was a rebel sym-
pathizer, and was guilty of committing the dif-
ferent acts of incendiarism charged for the pur-
pose of aiding the South, and, thereupon, some
of the hot-headed members of that community
placed a noose alwut his neck and hanged him
from a window of the court room. Several jirom-
inent citizens of that locality were indicted at
IllSTOUV OF OGLE C'Ol N'I'V.
737
I he Juiio teriu of court iu ISCC. and a trial had
at the same term, resulting in an ac(iuittal. It
was this incident that led to tlu> chaniic of the
name of the villaj;e of Lane to UochelU-.
The only occasion in late years wlien any con-
siderahle number of men have set the peace
officers of the county at dehance was in April.
ISSl. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Tanl Kail-
way Company started out to seize or take foni-
hly from the Chicago & lt)\va (now a i)art of the
Chicago & Northwestern) the line of road fixjui
Kochelle to Hockford. It gathered up about 1.0(M)
thugs, moved them out to Davis Junction, and
there began the struggle for the road in (|ues-
tion. ,Th<' Milwaukee jieople claimed the legal
right to the roa<l. based on some i)roceedings had
before Judge Brown of this circuit, while the
Chicago & Iowa was acting in conformity with
the orders issued by Jndge Eustace, also one of
our Circuit Judges. After several days of tur-
moil, the matter was settled by calling in the
third Judge of our Court, Judge Bailey, and his
decision, sustaining Judge Eustace, was accepted
by all parties. Several of the Milwauk(>e officials
were indicted here for riot, and a mild flue was
imposed in one or two cases. One of the leaders
of that gathering was Edward Walker, an emi-
nent attorney of Chicago, and the same one who
was selected by the United States Attorney-Gen-
eral as special counsel to aid the District Attor-
ney during the great railroad riot of 1804. at
which time the aid of the Federal Courts was
invoked, and writs of injunction issued to sup-
press the rioting, from which sprang the cam-
paign charge of conducting government by in-
junction.
Tlie criminal historj' of the county shows but
few occasions when the public has suffered by
defalcations of public officials or banks. Na-
tional, State or private, there being upon the
records of our county indictments against only
one banker and against one public official, a
School Treasurer, and in neither case was there
any trial, but as we understand it. the losses
were made goo<I and the cases dismissed. We
have had the usual munber of minor felonies and
nnsdemeanors, ranging in numbers less than in
our sister connties. It has been said that crime
is nioi-e iirevalent when a country is practically
new. but the facts and figures show this to be a
false assertion. It is said that at present there
are four and one-half times as many murders
and lioinicides for each iiiillion iu the United
States, as there were in 1.S81. This county has
had few felonious homicides. The court records
show but thirteen indictments for murder, of
wliicii \\f have noticed the case of the two Dris-
i-olls. the r.urke. O'Brien and Koefer cases, in
(iidy one of which was there a conviction. In
the Dildine case (here was no arrest made, and
ill the Livingston cas<> the defendant, after a mis-
trial, was pcrniitlcd to eiilisl in the ;irniy. and
till' ca^e was dropi)ed. In the Slater and Paul
ca.x's. \erdicts oj ac(inittal were rendered. In
tliat of John and Meiino Arends, and in the one
against .John Teuiiile. verdicts of guilty were
I'cndcred and penitentiary sentences imix>sed.
11 is claimed by some that the reservoir hill
near our city received its name of Liberty Hill,
because Judge Ford ad.jourued the court at the
lime of the trial of the Regulators from the
hous(> when' that Sei)tember term of 1S41 was
being held, the site of which was between the
old Catholic church and the old red building
<alled •"the skating I'ink.'" to the hill in question,
and at that place received the verdict of acquittal
and there restored to liberty the 102 then on
trial. I have failed, however, to substantiate
tliis and nuist regard it as pleasant fiction.
I am rather of the opinion that it got its name
from another criminal case in our courts, when
a i)risoner being without counsel or means to
employ one. the c<iurt performed its duty by
appointing an attorney to defend. This attorney
re(iuested the privilege of consulting his client
and taking him to an ad.joining room, it is said.
l)ointed out this enunence. remarking, on top of
that hill you will find liberty, and he legged out
and did get his liberty.
A candid review and inspection of the history
of Ogle County will develop nothing to bring a
blush of shame, a word of aix>logy or aught of
condemnation, when taken and considered as a
whole.
The records .ire open to the world, the acts of
the departed pioneers who made the most of the
stern history of the county, when weighed in the
light of the circumstances surrounding the men.
is to be commended; there is little to censure,
but little to gloss over, and nuich. indeed, that
oudit to be gratefully remembered by their sons
;ind daughters, .and later comers into this garden
spot of the world, which they won from the
dominion of the Prairie Banditti.
738
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXV.
TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
INDIVIDUAL SKETCHES OF OGLE COUNTY TOWN-
SHIPS ARRANGED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER DATE
OF ORGANIZATION, AREA AND POPULATION LIST
OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS
CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES INCIDENTS OF
LOCAL HISTORY SCHOOLS. CHURCHES AND PUB-
LIC LIBRARIES.
At the general election held in Ogle County, in
November, 1849, the citizens decided in favor of
the adoption of the system of township organi-
zation, authorized by Act of the General Assembly
of the same year in accordance with the Consti-
tution of 1848. At the same election a County
Judge and two Associate Judges were elected and
continued in office until the election of the first
Board of Township Sui3ervisors. Previous to
1849 county affairs had been under control of a
Board of County Commissioners, and at the last
meeting of this Board held in 1849, Messrs. Will-
iam Wamsley, Henry Hill and Daniel Pinckney
were appointed a committee to divide the County
in Townships, and in accordance with their re-
port made to the County Board, on February 5,
1850, twenty townships were created with area
as follows :
Monroe— Comprising all of T. 42 N.. R. 2 E.
Third P. M.
Scott— All of T. 42 N., R. 1 E. Third P. M.
White Rock— All of T. 41 N., R. 1 E. Third
P. M.
Lynnville— All of T. 41 N., R. 2 E. Third P. M.
Fhigg- All of Towns 40 N., R. 1 and 2 E. Third
P. M.
Lafayette— North 1/2 of T. 22 N., R. 11 E.
Fourth P. M.
Eagle— All of T. 23 N., R. 11 E. Fourth P. M.
Taylor— All portions T. 22 N., R. 9 E. Fourth
P. M., in Ogle County, comprising nearly north
half of governmental township.
Nashua— The part of T. 23 N., R. 10 E. Fourth
P. M., on east side of line drawn along middle
of Rock River, and all soutli of line running east
and west through middle of sections 10, 11 and 12,
same township (23-10) ; also Islands No. 7, 8 and
10 in Rock River.
Oregon— The part of T. 23 N., R. 10 E. Fourth
P. M., on west side of Rock River, and the part
of same township on east side of Rock River and
north of half-section line running east and west
through sections 10, 11 and 12 of same town-
ship ; also islands in Rock River within boun-
daries of same congressional township not placed
within Nashua Township.
Brooklyn— All of T. 24 N., R. 10 E. Fourth
P. M.
Marion— All of T. 24 N., R. 11 E. Fourth P. M.
and part of T. 25 N., R. 11 E. Fourth P. M. lying
south of Rock River.
Byron— All of T. 25 N., R. 11 E. Fourth P. M.,
which lies north and west of Rock River, and all
of east half of T. 25 N., R. 10 E. Fourth P. M.
Grand de Tour— All of that portion of T. 22
N., R. 9 and 10 E. Fourth P. M. in Ogle County
and west of middle of Rock River — amounting
to about one-third of a congressional township.
Pine Creek— All of T. 23 N., R. 9 E. Fourth
P. M.
Mt. Morris— All of T. 24 N., R. 9 E,
M., and east half of T. 24 N., R. 8 E.
M.
Leaf River— West half of T. 25 N
and east half of T. 25 N., R. 9 E. Fourth P. M.
Harrison— West half of T. 25 N., R. 9 E., and
east half of T. 25 N., R. 8 E., Fourth P. M.
Brookville — West half of T. 24, and west half
of T. 25 N., R. S E. Fourth P. M., and all of
fractional Towns 24 and 25 N., R. 7 E. Fourth
P. M.
Buffalo— All of T. 23 N., R. 8 E. and fractional
Towns 22 N., R. 8 E., and 23 N., R. 7 E. Fourth
P. M. lying in Ogle County.
The first Board of Supervisors for the several
townships in Ogle County, chosen at the election
in April, 1850, was as follows: Oregon— J. B.
Cheney; Buffalo — Zenas Applington ; Brookville
—David Hoffman ; Pine Creek— Spooner Bug-
gies ; Mt. Morris— James B. McCoy; Brooklyn—
N. W. Wadsworth ; Harrison — Samuel Mitchell ;
Leaf River— William C. Salisbury ; Byron— A. C.
Campbell ; Marion— E. Payson Snow ; Scott-
George Young; Monroe — Austin Sines; Lynn-
ville— C. C. Burroughs; Flagg— Ira Overacker ;
Eagle — Jeriel Robinson
iams ; Taylor — Hiram
Thomas Paddock.
Fourth f.
Fourth P.
, R. 10 E.,
Nashua — Joseph Will-
Sanford ; Lafayette—
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
739
The following changes have been made in
names and creation of new townships :
November 12, 1850, the names of Harrison
changed to Maryland : Brooklyn to Rockvillo, and
Eagle to Pine Rock.
September 11, 18()i), Ilaldane Township created
out of west part of Alt. Morris and east part of
Brookville; September 11. 1872. name of Ilal-
dome changed to Lincoln.
September 11, 18")."). Dement Township created
out of east half of Flagg Township and endn-ac-
ing all of T. 40 N.. R. 2 E. Third P. M.
March 5, 18r)7, Forreston Township taken off
from west part of Maryland Township and north
part of Brookville, its area being equal to one
complete congressional township, but made up
of the west half of Towns 2") X., Ranges 7 and 8
E. Fourth P. M.
September 15, 1869, Eagle Point Township
set apart from Buffalo Township and eml)racing
the east half of T. 24 N., R. 7 E. Fourth P. M.
September 15, 1880, Woosung Township set
apart from Buffalo Township embracing an area
of one-third congressional townshij), made up of
the two northern tier of sections in T. 22 X., R.
8 E. of Fourth P. M.
Ogle County, embracing au area, according to
estimate of Census Bureau, of 773 square miles,
is thus divided at the present time, into twenty-
five townships, with a total population, according
to the last decemiial census, of 29,129. In the
following pages the history of individual town-
ships is given in alphabetical order, with inci-
dents of earl.y settlements, sketches of cities,
towns and villages and other facts connected
with local history.
BROOKVILLE TOWNSHIP.
^Ry .T. W. Clinton.)
In 1850 a portion of the town of Buffalo was
set aside as a new township to be known as
Brookville. It is bounded by the township of
Forreston on the north, Lincoln (originally Ilal-
dane) on the east, and Eagle Point on the south,
and the county of Carroll on tlie west, consisting
of .iust one-half of a governmental township,
being three miles wide from east to west and
six miles in length from north to south. It is
a strictly agricultural district, with Brookville
as its principal village. Bur Oak (irove is a
beautiful cluster of trees nearly in the center of
the lownshii). Elkhorn Creek flows through it,
and the soil is veiy fertile.
While Brookville was a jiart of Buffalo Towu-
shij) about 1842, Isaac Ch:ini])ers built the first
tlouring mill at Brookville. It was a small affair,
.ind stood further up the creek than its successors
built by Sanuiel and Isaac Herb.
Schools and Churches. — In .January, Feb-
i-uary and March, 1847, James L. Franks, a
brother of Charles Franks, the pioneer who plat-
ted Brookville village, engaged to teach a school
in a house on the land of George Bingaman, and
he was paid $18 per month. Among his early
jnipils were Haiuiah Fraidcs. Charles, .John, Jo-
seph, William and Jeremiah I'ranks ; I.,ewis and
Phoebe Iteynolds ; Hem\v, Ellas, George and
Jo.seph Bingaman ; Henry, Riley and Mary
Lower ; Emanuel, Samuel and Washington Sar-
l)er. This earliest school only continued two
months. I^ater w'hen a schoolhouse was built,
Charles Franks contributed the land.
In 1851, the first church was built. The Walkey
family came in this same year. also, as probably
did J. G. P]sher, to be followed by these others :
Jacob Ivemerling, 1852 ; William Strasberg, 1853 ;
.John Sindlinger and .John Schneider, 1854; John
Sindlinger and Augiist Iluelster, 1855 : George
Fleisher and R. Dubs, 18.10-57 ; H. Rohland and
D. B. Byers, 1857-58; H. Rohland and William
Goessele. 1858-59; J. Gibbens and A. Gackley,
18.59-00; J. Reigel and E. Von Freeden. 1800-61;
J. Reigel, 1861-02; Henry Shoemaker, 1802-03;
John Schneider. 1803-(U; J. G. Ivleindeneicht,
1804-05. After this those who sought a home in
the fertile valley of the Rock River can scarcely
be called early settlers.
The Evangelical Church at Brookville was or- ■
ganized soon after the arrival of the colony '
which came with the Herbs. The first preacher
was Christian Leintner. who was followed by
Jacob Kemerling.
.\ laitlieran Church was organized at Brook-
ville at an early day, and a church edifice erected.
but no data is at hand for a sketch.
Early Bisiness Enterprises. — One of the im-
lK)rtant families of Brookville is that of Herb.
Mr. Herb brought with him not oidy his house-
hold goods, but also a stock of dry-goods. He
was a nnller by trade, and he and his son built
a mill about 1840, and this was re-built in 1870
at a cost of $10.(XX). In 1883, Isaac Herb, son oi
740
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Samuel Herb, tlie pioneer, repaired it at a cost
of about $3,000. Tbe mill was burned in 1887
and was not re-built. The first mill was kept
running day and night from Monday to Saturday,
but never on Sunday. When Samuel Herb's mill
and store were running, this was quite a business
center, and Charles Franks laid out the village.
In 1849, Jacob Walkey came from Pennsylvania
and for a few years carried on blacksmithing and
fai-ming. About this time, the brick store was
built in Brookville. and it was continued until it
was moved to Polo. John Hamilton, about 1850,
built a pottery for his son-in-law, Hiram Winter-
steeu, where earthenware crocks, jugs, etc., were
manufactured, but it burned sometime in the
'sixties. It was rebuilt, but passed into the hands
of Daniel Yeager, who conducted it until it was
again burned a few years later. The building of
the railroad to Polo checked the growth of the
village. It is still a good point for a store and
smithy.
The Brookville postoffice was established May
31, 1848, and Samuel Herb was the first Post-
master. The present Postmaster is Joseph Die-
belbeis. The office receives a daily mail by rural
route carrier from Polo.
Township Officers. — The following have been
Supervisors of Brookville Township since date
of organization : David Hoffhine, 1850 ; John
Garinan, 1Sol-52; Walter Donaldson. 1852-62;
Benjamin Good, 1863 ; Ambrose Sanborn, 1864-
68; William Brand, 1869; Walter Donaldson,
1870-78; Ambrose Sanborn, 1879-80; Levi S.
Bowers, 1881; John Bowers, 1882-83; Walter
Donaldson, 1884; Jeremiah E. Bowers, 1885-89;
Elias G. Bowers, 1890-93; Jeremiah E. Bowers,
1894-97; Edwin J. Frey, 1898-99; Henry Ruben-
dall, 1900-01 ; Henry H. Kahl, 1902-03 ; Edwin J.
Frey, 1904-07 ; George Paul, 1908.
Other officers of the township for the year 1908
are : Town Clerk, Rufus II. Kahl ; Assessor,
Joseph D. Herb ; Tax Collector, E. L. Shipman ;
Justices of the Peace, William Kroener, Benja-
min J. Rubendall ; Constable, David Peat ; High-
way Commissioners, Jacob Mellnay, William
Paul. Benjamin Buisker ; School Treasurer,
Joseph D. Herb.
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP.
(By J. W. Clinton.)
The early history of the region comprised with-
in the four townships of Brookville, Eagle Point,
Woosung and Buffalo, in the southwestern part of
Ogle County, is given in connection with that of
the last, for during pioneer days this territory
was all known as Buffalo Township, until the
increasing population justified the several sub-
divisions.
One of the factors which contributed largely
to the opening up and settlement of the Rock
River Valley was the discovery and working of
the lead mines at Galena. Many of the emi-
grants from Eastern States, traveling to Galena,
passed through the beautiful and fertile valley,
and either abandoned their original destination
in order to locate in what afterwards became
Ogle County, or returned to secure homes in that
locality. This, without doubt, was the case with
Isaac Chambers, probably the first settler of
Buffalo Township. With his wife. Ann (Lee)
Chambers, he had passed through this region
about 1827 on the way to Galena, but in 1830 he
returned and took up a claim on the eastern
edge of Buffalo Grove. It was his intention to
build and keep a tavern for travelers, who would
pass on the way to Galena, as it was just off the
Galena Road on the south bank of Bui3falo Creek.
The cabin Chambers erected was, without doubt,
the first white man's dwelling in Buffalo Grove.
Following Chambers by only a few days came
John Ankney, who had intended to locate upon
the same site as that chosen by Chambers, and
some controversy ensued between them in which
Chambers was successful, Ankney finally choos-
ing land on the north side of Buffalo Creek,
about one-half mile northwest from Chambers,
where he put up a rival roadhouse.
The third settler at Buffalo Grove was John
Allinger, whose claim covered Rock Spring, but
in 1831 he sold out to Samuel Reed, who prob-
ably was the fourth settler, and an hour after
his arrival, came Oliver W. Kellogg. In June,
1831, Elkanah P. Bush and John Brooky arrived
from Kentucky, but they sold out their claims
to Captain Stephen Hull who came in 1835. They
are remembered because they brought with them
some fine Kentucky thoroughbred horses, the
fir«t to be introduced in Ogle County. Elkanah
I*. Bush was made the first Postmaster. February
12, 1833, but was soon succeeded by O. W. Kel-
'\ncrcr
The early trails through Buffalo Township
supplied the place of roads, of which there were
then practically none. Probably O. W, Kellogg
was the first white man to pass over what be-
illSTOlfV OF (Xil.K COL'.XTY
74J.
came kiuiwii as "Kellogs'-^ 'I'rail." in isil.".. This
crossed Kock Kivcr hetwivn Mount Morris and
I'olo. touched thi' \vest(>rn part of West (Jrovc
and contimicd north to (Jalcna. In the spijny;
of 1S2(). Jolni I'olcs (i])('ncd up another trail,
which was not quite so roundabout, crossing tlie
river at Dixon, and ])assing through the country
about a mile east of Polo, north to White Oak
Grove, lialf-a-nnle west of Foi-restoii. and I hence
through Crane's Grov<' on to Giilena, whicii was
the great objective point in those da.vs. In lionor
of him, tliis second trail was given his name. In
Maicli, 1827. Kllsli;i Doty, who became a settler
of Buffalo Grove in ISH.'!. at Dixou's Ferry saw
200 teams on the way to Galena, gathered at the
ferry waiting for the ice to go out. The old
(lalena or State Itoad from Peoria to (Jalena,
surveyed in May, 1833. by Levi Warner, very
nearly corresjjonds with the trail laid out by
John Aukney and two other counnissioners In
December, ls2'.». They reached Buffalo Grove on
Christmas Day, aud then it w;is that Mr. Ank-
ney decided to locate on the site afterwards
selected by Isaac Chambers. Portions of this
road still remain in use. It begins a quarter of
n mile south of Buffalo village and runs north
to Br<x>kville village. The "Lewistown Trail,"
oi)ened about the time of Kellogg's, passed some
distance west of Ogle County and crossed Rock
River a little above Prophetstown. Another old
trail was known as the Army Trail from Dixon
Ferry to Crane's Grove, and perhaps on to
Galena, which may have corresponded with or
l)eeu the same as the "Boles Trail.'' ^Uiother
trail, almost p.irallel with this, bore the name of
"Indian Trail," which could easily l)o traced as
late as 1850. These trails Avere not nuicli more
than footpaths, but the frontiersmen knew how
to follow them, and when the emigrants began
to come over them in lai'ge mnnbers. they soon
became widened into rough roads.
One of the distinguishing features of BufTalo
Township was its beautiful groves, aud the pio-
neers never tired of telling of them after the
axe of the white man had marred their original
beauty. These groves were almost alive with.
honey bees, and the wild honey proved v(»ry
grateful to the first settlers. I'nfortiniately the
Buffalo Grove of to-day is scarcely a skeleton
of what it was originally. In th(> 'thirties its
boundaries were much wider, and its oaks, wal-
nuts, elms and maples were the result of cen-
turies of growth. Their wide, spreading
brani-lies afforded anqiN- sliclt<'i- •■ind room for
the i)ioneer's cabin, while its springs furnished
the necessary water supply. For the first ten
or lifteen .vears after tlie first settlements made
in P.nlfalii, the grove furnished material for near-
ly all the lumber for the settlers' homes, for
enclosing their farms and for their fuel. The
e.irly frame houses of the settlers of Buffalo,
li'om 183() to 184<;. wei'e largely built from the
lumber sawed from timber obtained from Buf-
falo Grove or Pin<' Creek. The first saw-mill
in the townshij). owned by Sanniel Reed, was
laiilt on or near the site of the second house of
Isaac Chambers, .iml its owner was kept busy
for an entire ye.-ir s.awing railroad ties, all of
whicli wcri' taken from the groves.
Buffalo played its part in the great tragedy
known to history as the Black Mawk War, but
as this is taken up in both the Military History
of Ogle County and in the Historical Encyclo-
pedia, as well as in the biographical depart-
ment, no further reference to it is deemed avail-
able here.
During 1832-:;.'i onigratiou to Buffalo was
stopped by this war. but some of those who were
brought into this region b,v the conflict, were so
[lU'ased by it that they came back a few years
later to make it their permanent home. Elisha
Dot.v located a claim at Buffalo Gi'ove, and Levi
Warner at Klkhorn (Jrove during 1S:>:'>, but
neither occupied them. The Latter was married
in ISoo, and his daughter, now Mrs. Lewis Rey-
nolds of Polo, was the first white child born in
Elkhorn (Irove. He built a schoolhouse, and wa<
active in promoting religious worship. Levi
Warner was the first Town Clerk of Elkhorn.
and was active in that cit.v until 185U. living to
be (>ighty-l'()ur years of age.
Elisha Doty probably brought his faniil.v in
1834. and in 18.12 or 18r)3 he ojK'rated a small
grocery in the American House in P.uff.alo Grove.
When Polo began to grow, he went to tlie new
town, built the Polo wind-mill on the site now
occupied by the Polo Water Stand-pipe, in con-
junction with sever.-il l>usin(>ss associates. Iii
18r)8. he .and S. V. Pruse were running a general
store at Polo, but losing all through reverses, he
finally moved to Oxford, Iowa, where he be.gan
life anew, later visiting his old friends in Buf-
f.nlo from tinii- to time. lie lived to be .aliout
ninety years old.
The oldest settler still a resident of Ogle Coun-
ty is uiuloubtedly Isaiah Rucker, of Buffalo
742
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Township, son of Joshua Carter Rucker who died
when eighty-eight. In 1833, Isaiah Ruclier came
to Buffalo Grove, and in the spring of 1834, he
began to drive a stage on John D. Winter's line
between Peoria and Galena, and thus continued
until the fall of 1837. He is still very active and
is held in high respect.
The first death in Ogle County was that of
Samuel Reed of Buffalo Grove, father of Samuel
Reed the settler, who had come on a visit from
Peorui. He was taken sick and died August 17,
1833, and was buried on his son's claim, where
later was established the Rock Spring or Reed
Cemetery.
Prospectors were more numerous in 1834, the
postoffice established the preceding year, and the
stage line, as well as the Black Hawk War, had
advertised Buffalo Grove. In this year may be
mentioned Cyrenus Sanford, then sixty years old,
w^ho with most of his large family, located south
of Buffalo Grove, and built a saw-mill on Buffalo
Creek. His sons were Amos, Warren W., Joel,
Albion, Harrison, Vernon and Bennett Sanford.
When Cyrenus Sanford died on May 28, 1858,
he was one of the oldest men in the township,
being ther eighty-three. Other settlers during
1834 were Pearson Shoemaker, George W. Knox,
William Brooke, Garret Deyo, Hamilton Norton,
Leyman Preston, Hiram Fender, a Mr. Sackett,
Ste])iien Fellows, and his son, Simon Fellows,
who took charge when nineteen years old of the
first school ever taught in Ogle County, in the
cabin of Samuel Reed, in the winter of 1834.
It is interesting to note that in the fall of 1834
Samuel Reed harvested corn, pumpkins and pota-
toes, although not for the first time, and that in
the sununor he h;;i-vested the first winter wheat.
In 1835 Buffalo village was surveyed by Levi
Warner, and was called St. Marion lor the wife
of Henry Stevenson, who, with O. W. Kellogg,
hii-ed Warner to do the work. This name was
abandoned some years later on account of the
refusal of the Government to change the name
of the ])osto{hce, vJiich was known as Buffalo
Grove. At the time of the survey, there was not
a house on the town site, but the tide of emigra-
tion set in strong daring 1835. James Talbott,
Joseph M. Wilson, Rev. James McKean, Jack
Phelps, Ivconard Aiidi-ns. David Hoffhaine, Wash-
ington Knox. Hiram McNainer, John Clark, Sol-
omon Landis, George R. Webster, Peter Hull,
Captain Hull, Benjamin Dean, George D. H.
Wilf'oxnii. Mfitfhcw S. Schryner, Stephen Smith.
John M. Smith, William Illingworth, Charles
Kitchen, Hugh and John D. Stevenson, all set-
tled during this year about Buffalo or Elkhorn
Groves, while David Worden settled on Pine
Creek. It was in 1835, that James Talbott and
Joseph Wilson began building the first flouring
mill, and they began grinding corn in June, 1836,
before the roof was on.
John D. Stevenson brought the first stock of
goods to Ogle County, and was Postmaster at
Buffalo Grove from April 11, 1839, to March,
1840. His store and cabin were built in 1835,
but were not occupied until New Year's Day,
1836. In 1851 he was elected Town Clerk of
Buffalo Township, and held the oflice for six
years. Mr. Stevenson took an active part in the
formation of the Republican party in his local-
ity, and lived until 1890, when he died in his
eighty-sixth year. An interesting feature of his
funeral, which was held at Polo, was the fact
that there were present more than one hundred
old settlers over fifty years of age.
David Hoffhine settled at Chambers Grove in
1835 and is associated with the securing of thor-
oughbred stock, and the history of Brookville-
village.
The history of the selection of a county-seat
when Buffalo was one of the aspirants for the
honor, is gone into fully in another chapter.
In 1836 there was another wave of immigra-
tion, and among those who came here this year
were : Virgil A. Bogue, Frederick Cushman,
Jonathan Bellows, Horatio Wales, Vernon San-
ford, Daniel O'Kane, John M. Smith (the first
blacksmith), as well as many others. Hunn &
Co. arrived during this year with the second
stock of goods brought to the township. It was
also during this year that Wilson's mill began
to grind wheat, Kellogg built his saw-mill in
Buffalo Grove, and Phelps built his saw-mill on-
Pine Creek, while Phelps, Hitt and Swingley
built their flouring mill on Pine Creek in 1838.
William Merritt built the first frame house in
Buffalo Grove in this year, and it was during
1836 that the schoolhouse was begun. Then,
too. Stevenson's log store was succeeded by a
frame building.
By 1840 the first settlements had all been made.
In this year many settlers arrived who after-
wards became prominent in county history.
While the exact number of settlers then in Buf-
falo is not known, it is probable that it held its
own. There has been some discussion as to who-
IllS'l'OIfV OF OGLE COUNTY.
743
was the first physician, some eoiitoiuling tliat the
honor helongs to Dr. Benton, and otliers that
Dr. Fells was the first to locate here, but neither
remained long. Before that, Dr. Everett of
Dixou. or J. D. Stevenson, as well as Mrs.
Stephen Hull, were called upon to visit paticTits.
The latter became widely known for her minis-
trations to the sick, and by many was always
preferred to a regular physician.
It was in .Alarch, 1840, tliat George D. Read
settled at Buffalo (Jrove, although for two years
he had been in different parts of the county. By
trade he was a tailor, and perhaps the first of
that calling in the county, but he did not follow
his trade after coming to Buffalo Grove. In
1841, he was appointed Postmaster, served In
the Mexican War and, in 185P., was again ap-
pointed Postmaster and held that otttce until
1801. He was Justice of the Peace and Police
Magistrate at Polo, led the Democratic party in
his locality, and in ISfiO became the editor of
the "Ogle County Banner." which was published
at Polo, so that he was one of the most promi-
nent men of liis time, dying in 1882. aged about
seventy.
Deacon Timothy Perkins and .Tolin Broadwell
both came with their families, as did Rufus Per-
kins, in the fall of 1840, and located at Buffalo
Grove and in the village of Buffalo. Deacon
Perkins had been a deacon in the Congregational
Church of Buffalo Grove before his removal to
Polo, when he joined the Independent IM-esby-
terian Church. When he came to Buffalo Grove,
he brought with him between 2.50 and 8.50 yards
of what was called "broad or fulled" cloth, and
this was eagerly bought by the settlers, although
they paid principally in liarter, for they had
very little money. He also took a very active
part in the "Underground Railroad." Ilis house
was the stopping place for the preachers of all
denominations. Others to settle in Buffalo about
this time were: Isaac Higley, John Lawson,
Joseph Kellogg, John H. Woodruff, Alexander
and Robert Lawson. Ira Z. Roberts. William
Tucker, Thomas Woodruff, Isaac Sheldon Wood-
ruff, William G. ^^'oodruff, Newton Woodruff.
John W. Stewart. John II. Ilawes. Fisher Alli-
son, Alfred Steffins, Daniel Fager, Jacob Petrie
and Edmund Coffman.
From the records accessible, it would seem that
comparatively few settlers were added to Buf-
falo Grove iu 1841, but the following did locate
here : Daniel Bascom, Rev. Lucius Foot, Michael
O'Kane, Edward Helm, a blacksmith, and Dr.
J. B. Curtis.
The winter of 1S42 and 1843 is remembennl
as the Cold Winter. The first snow fell on
November 8th, and by January, 184.*5, it was
thirty degrees below zero. On May 1, 1843, the
ground was too deeply frozen to plow ; Rock
River did not open until April 8th, and there was
siHiw in the fence corners as late as May.
In August, 184."?, L. N. Barber visited Buffalo
Grove, and decided upon locating there with a
stock of goods. Returning to Vermont, he en-
listed the interest of his brother, C. R. Barl^er,
and in October of the same year, they opened
a store iu the oflice of Moses Hetfleld's tavern.
This was the beginning of the first real store In
Buffalo Grove, and during the next twelve years
it developed wonderfully. In 1855, the partner-
shi]) was dissolved, and Newton Barl)er took
charge of the store and his brother devoted him-
self to farming and banking. Eventually he
built a brick store on the corner of Mason and
Division Streets in Buffalo, and continued to
conduct his business until his death, July 28,
1859. He was Supervisor of the township and
Polo. He was also active in the establishment
of the Presbyterian Church. '
Mr. C. R. Barber's name became connected,
as second President of the Board of Trustees,
with the history of the township through asso-
ciation with his brother Newton in the mercan-
tile business, and also from the fact that he
taught school in the winter of 1843-44 in Buffalo
Grove. On May 10. 1847. he was apix)inted
Postmaster of Buffalo Grove, and held the oflice
until July, 1840. He also opened a bank in 1856,
in the west room on the first floor of Sanford's
Hotel. In those early days the tavern (or hotel)
was used for many purposes. Soon he put uii a
brick structure for his bank, near the present
site of the Lutheran Church, corner of Locust
and Division Streets, Polo. This banking busi-
ness was afterwards disixtsed of, but in 1874 he
founded the present banking house of Barber
Brothers & Company, now conducted by his son.
Bryant Harvey Barb(>r, one of the strong finan-
cial institutions of Polo.
In 1840, the following arrivals are recorded:
RdlMTi Ilnic. Sr., Aaron H. Johnson, Isaac
(Jrush. John A. Dixon. Hawks and Moore and
their families. Anthony Wilber, Sr., Alexander
Henderson. Arnold T. Anderson, Lewis F.
riKinias, Elias B. Waterbur.v, Daniel Ebersol,
744
HISTOl^Y OF OGLE COUNTY
Captain Hiram Cutts, Thomas B. Cutts, John B.
Wilber. Rev. George Frisbee, Anthony Wilber,
Jr.. Nicholas W. Harrington, Isaac Kimble,
John Emrick. Benjamin Rubendall, Warner Mil-
ler. Tillinghast Wilber, Lucius S. Thorp, Archi-
bald Gennell and Samuel Herb. The majority
were married men with families. Rev. Leman
Gilbert arrived about this time. A letter writ-
ten about this period gives a little idea of the
prevailing prices in Buffalo. The wages earned
were a dollar per day in summer and a dollar
per one hundred for making rails. Four bushels
of corn were paid for a day's work on the staclv.
Pork sold for $2 and $2.50 per 100 pounds.
Wheat sold from 35 to 37 1/2 cents per bushel,
and corn for from ten to twelve and one-half
cents per bushel. The best of beef sold for two
to three cents per pound. Potatoes and apples
were practically unsalable. In this letter men-
tion is made of the prime hunting and fishing.
War Record. — While the records of soldier.^
who served in the Mexican (as well as the Black
Hawk) War. as preserved at Springfield, are de-
fective, there is evidence that of those who en-
listed from Buffalo Township were Charles H.
Osterhoudt. George D. Read, Elias Reed, and
John A. Dickson. Some soldiers of the Revolu-
tion and of 1812 settled in Buffalo. Of the
former was Rufus Perkins, and of the latter.
Timothy Perkins, George D. H. Wilcoxon, John
Ankney, Samuel Reed, Sr., and Peter Hull.
PosTOFFicEs AND POSTMASTERS. — The records
of the Postoffice Department show that an ad-
vertisement issued from the department, June
IS. 1827. contained a call for proposals for a
route from Peoria to Galena once in two weeks,
but there is ho evidence that a contract was
made. The first department record of a route
that would pass through Buffalo Township, is
for services from 1830 to 1834. Such a route
was continued through several successive con-
tracts. Isaiah Rucker, as has been elsewhere
mentioned, was a driver on one of these routes,
and from him have been obtained some facts in
this connection.
The government records also show that Buf-
falo Grove Postoffice was established February
12. 1833. with Elkanah P. Bush as Postmaster.
January 30. 1850, the name was changed to
Polo, and the office was moved one; night from
P.uffalo Grove to Polo, and George D. Read was
re-ajipointed Postmaster for the new town, as he
h:ul b<'en for the old. June 30. isnc. Tlic iircscnt
incumbent of the office is Harry E. Spear, who
was appointed October 21, 1899, and re-appointed
in 1903 and 1907. The first Rural Free Delivery
Routes from Polo were established August 15.
1900, with Willard H. Atkins and W. E. Grim
as carriers. In 1907 there were eight rural
routes, extending out and serving all the neigh-
Ijoring territory.
In addition to these eight routes, operating
from the Polo Postoffice, there are the following
lx)stoffices, W'hich w-ere in the original town of
Buffalo: Brookville, Eagle Point, Hazelhurst.
Hitt, Elkhorn Grove, Woosung, Stratford, Pine
Creek and Barclay.
Polo was entered as a second class office July
1, 1907. and for some years it has been a foreign
as well as domestic Money Order Office.
Schools. — Buffalo Grove teachers are headed
by the name of Simon Fellows, who undoubtedly
was the first teacher in this locality. He taught
a little group of pupils in the winter of 1834 in
the house of Samuel Reed, following this by an-
other term during the winter of 1835. The next
winter, he taught in the house of Oliver W. Kel-
logg. There appears to be no definite data re-
garding the teachers during 1836-38, but in 1839,
Miss Percis Williams, a sister of C. K. Williams,
taught at Buffalo in the summer.
About the time of the founding of the village
of Polo, John W. Frisbee began the erection of a
school building on a ten-acre tract just south of
the village of Buffalo, to which was given the
name of Rock River Normal School. :Mr. Fris-
bee was born in Delaware Countj', N. Y., in 1828.
graduated from the State Normal School at Al-
bany In 1847, and joining his parents at Buffalo
Grove, during the winter of 1849-50 taught a
select school in the sec-ond stor^^ of Isaiah Wll-
coxou's house, the first floor being occupied as a
postoffice, stage station, and for other purposes.
Despite many disadvantages, his school was a
success, and after teaching two or three terms
under better conditions, he opened his school in
August. 1853, in his new quarters. He was a
zealous student, had written some text-books,
and had the capacity of imparting his enthusiasm
to his pupils, besides Avinning the confidence of ;i
large class of patrons. In 1854 he married Miss
Phrocine Whiteside, in the same year was elected
County Superintendent of Schools, but in Novem-
ber, 18.55. soon after the passing away of his
iMtlu'r, his promising <-areer was cut short liy his
dentil at Ihe ag(» of twenty-seven years. A ])0st-
WILLIAM W. JOINKR
Died in Maj^lc- I'uinl Township in 1864, age 3i \-ear.s
^PUbLiCLi£
\f:
/='
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
745
Iminous daughter, and his only child, is the wile
of Congressman William B. Mdvinley of Cham-
paign. 111.
In 1851 or 1852, a schooner was built at Kish-
waukee and run down Rock River, cutting all
the ferry ropes. The master was prosecuted at
Hyron. Oregon. (Irand Detour and Dixon, hut he
defeated all the suits on the ground that Roclc
River was a navigable stream. Some of the
arrivals at Buffalo (Jrove about this time were
Sanuiel Waterbury. Amos Maltl)y, Daniel Hunt-
ley. (Jeorge and Charles Huntley.
As Polo grew into prominence, the history of
Buffalo Township became merged in that of the
larger interests, and can best be followed l)y
taking uji the accKvuut of the rise and progress
of this most beautiful of Illinois towns. From
time to time several townships have been separ-
ated froH) the original Bulfalo, and their history
is presented in nlplial)eticnl order in this chap-
ter.
Public Officers. — The Supervisors of Buffalo
Township, since organization have been : Zenas
Aplington, 1850; C. G. Holbrook, 1851; L. N.
Barber, 18.52-54; Zenas Aplington, 1855; C. H.
Williams. 18.5G-57: L, N. Barber, 18.58-59; L. W.
Warren. 1860; D. B. Moffatt. 18G1-G2 ; C. H.
AVilliams, 18G.3 ; David B. Moffatt, 1864-65;
Charles F. Barber, 1SGG-G7; Martin F. Bassett,
J. W. Stewart, 1868 : Charles W. Sammis, .7. W.
Stewart. 186!); Amos F. Moore, Daniel Bovey.
1870 ; William L. Fearer. Jerome B. Snyder,
1871 ; Lyman Preston. 1872; Luther Morse, 1873;
C. W. Sammis, 1874-76 : William L. Fearer, 1877 ;
Charles W. Sammis. 1878; William L. Fearer,
1870-80 ; Walter W. Pierce, 1881-8:3 ; William L.
Fearer, 1884; J. L. Moore, 1885; William L.
Fearer. 1886-87; William H. Barkman, 1888;
A. ,7. Sanborn, 1880-0:3; Samuel W, I'owell.
1804-05; R. D. Woolsey, lS06-'.t7; Samuel W.
Powell, 1808-1007; Albert H. Johnson, 1008.
Other township officers in 1008 were: Town
Clerk. Ilai-ry Pypcr; Assessor, II. W. Coursey :
Collector. Tunis R. Swart; Highway Commis-
sioner. Samuel S. Landis ; Library Trustees, li.
F. Thomas. James Donaldson.
Tlie vote on the question of licensing saloons
under the local option law in 1008, stood: For
license. 155; Against. 422.
CITY OF POIX).
The town of Polo was incorporated by Act of
the General Assembly of the State, February Ki,
1857. a little more than two years after the
Illinois Central Railroad was built. This char-
ter was amended, February 18, 1850, and a city
c-harter was granted by the legislature, Feb-
i-uary r.». hSfiit, and adopted by vote of the people,
February 27, 1860. On June 25, 1877, the ques-
tion of dropping the special charter, and re-
organizing under the Gem-ral Law, was voted
on by a majority of more than thi-ee to one
being cast in favor of remaining under the old
charter. The first President of the Board of
Trustees was Zenas Applington, and the Mayor
in 1008 was Horatio Wakes.
The first schools in Polo antedate the organi-
zation of the Polo District by almost two years.
In the winter of 1854-.55, Miss Lucy Bassett con-
ducted a school in the Williams building on
.Ma.son Street, the site of which is now occupied
by the Becker Block. This s<-hool was continued
by Miss Bassett during the sunnner of 1855, and
was undoubtedly the first within the present
limits of the Polo District.
It is said that during th«' winter of 1855-.j6.
.7ohn C. Savage taught a public school in Wil-
liams hall. If he did it was as a part of the
Buffalo Grove District, from which he drew pay
for his services. On April 21, 18.56, Polo School
District was formed, and called District No. 2.
As at lirst organized, it reached nearly to the
town line, and south a mile or more be.vond the
corporation limits. It was barely organized,
when the district was divided, the division line
niiiiiing on M;ison Street, the iwrtion north being
District No. 1, and that south. District No. 0.
From April. 1857. until the creation of Polo
School District l)y Act of the Legislature, in
February, 1867, tlicre were continuous changes
or elTo:is for changes. In tlu' spniig of 1864,
the two Polo Districts and Buffalo Districts were
united. In December, 1866, Buffalo District
NO. 4 was again set off by itself. In February.
18(;7, by special Act of tli<> Legislature, the i)res-
ent Polo District was established, with abont
its [)resent territory.
•Vlter the building of the schoolhouse, in ]8(!7,
there followed a period of ten years, during
which th<> pt^ople were satisfied with the new
structure. In time, however, the teachers and
I)upils discovered its imperfections and, as early
as 1884, dissatisfaction became so pronounced
that calls were mad*- for an enlargement of the
old or the building of a new structure. The
ventilation was unsatisfactory: there were no
class rooms; the ImiMiiig was heated by stoves.
As early as 1875, the building was overcrowded.
746
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
and children were sent to the basement, or to the
basement of the Presbyterian church. From
1890, the need of a new huilding was apparent
to all who investigated. After much discussion.
it was decided to remove the old building and
erect a new and up-to-date structure. In 1898,
the School Board levied a tax of $7,000 for the
beginning of a building fund preparatory to
building, and on Februai-y 22, 1899, the School
Board voted unanimously to erect the new build-
ing, and also to issue twenty-four bonds of $500
each, to bear interest at four i)er cent, payable
semi-annually, to bear date of March 1, 1899.
These bonds were sold March 2, 1899, at a
premium of $193.20. J. L. Silsbee was the archi-
tect •^m])loyed at a cost of $1,036.52, and the
rec-ords show that the contract was let to T. P.
Ruth for $19,000. This contract was modified
until, at the completion of the building, the
Board reported a total cost, not including heat-
ing plant, furniture, blinds, etc., of $29,902.87.
The furnishings were supplied and owned by cer-
tain public-spirited citizens, but subject to pur-
chase by the Board, and valued at $8,375, making
a total expenditure, as the building then stood,
of $38,277. The grading of the grounds, laying
of the walks two years later, cost about $1,680.
If cost of lots and subsequent additional expen-
ditures to make it what it is to-day were added,
the entire property could not be replaced for
$50,000.
Ground was broken April 25, 1899, the work
of demolishing the old building begun May 1,
and the new structure completed and opened for
public inspection on November 18 and. 19. and in
those two days 2,151 persons visited and passed
through the building. On Monday, November
20, 1899, the public schools occupied it for the
first time. Friday, December 23, 1899, the dedi-
cator?^ exercises were held, and were very Im-
pressive.
Polo cherishes the names of those who were
its first teachers. According to best information.
Miss Lucy Bassett, the first teacher, was suc-
ceeded in 18.5.5-67 by .Tohn C. Savage, Helen
Bogue and Alfred M. Webster; and in 1857-58
by Sarah Hackett Stevenson. Matthew Van Bus-
kirk and Lucy Todd. The teachers who fol-
lowed cannot be justly counted among the pio-
neers in pedagogy. The total number of pupils
who have completed the four year high school
course siuce 1872, is 485. The Polo High School
is now on the accredited list of the leading col-
leges of the Middle West.
The school district was first governed by the
Township Trustees, but the first Board of Direc-
tors was chosen in 1856 under the Free School
Law of the previous year.
Newspapers — Political. — In the spring of
1857, Zenas Appliugton, Drs. Burns and Warren,
L. N. Barber and S. E. Freat purchased material
for a newspaper and employed Charles Meigs, Jr.,
to edit and publish the "Polo Transcript." the
first copy of the "Transcript" being issued in
June of that year. The editor was a man of
some abilitj", but he belonged to the class of
printers, all too common, who loved their cups,
and, before the year had passed, the stockholders
and he had differences, the paper was suspended
and Mr. Meigs drifted to Chicago.
On May 6, 1858, Henry R. Boss issued the
first number of the "Polo Advertiser," having
purchased the plant of the stockholders of the
defunct "Transcript." He continued the publica-
tion of the "Advertiser" until December, 1860.
when he sold out and moved to Chicago, and for
a number of years was in the employ of the
"Tribune." The "Advertiser" under Mr. Boss
was one of the best local pai^ers in Northern
Illinois, and gave much more of its space to local
affairs than was then customary. It was a vigor-
ous advocate of the principles of the Republican
party. In July, 1858, it proclaimed Lincoln's
name as its candidate for the Senate, and in
November was enthusiastic in its advocacy of
Lincoln for the presidency. In Polo, the politi-
cal enthu.siasm awakened in 1856, educated in
1858, and wrought to a white heat in the campaign
of 1860, was powerfully aided by such men as
Applington, Helm. Bogue and the early Aboli-
tionists, who by 1858 had affiliated with the
Republican party. Boss's paper was a vigorous
advocate of liberty and the exclusion of slavery
from all the Territories.
When the Lincoln-Douglas debates were ar-
ranged for, some of the Buffalo Republicans at-
tended several of these debates, and probably
there were several hundred from Polo at the one
held at Freeport, on August 27, 1858. The rail-
road fare was placed at one dollar for the round
trip, and many, both Republicans and Democrats,
took advantage of this opportunity.
Another impulse to political activity at Polo,
was the nomination at Rockford, on September
IIKS'L'UIIY 01' OGLE COINTY.
747
22u{l, of Zenas Appliugton for tbe State Senate,
for he was a man who had been prominent from
the beginning of Polo, ami also in Buffalo Town-
ship. On January (J, 1S5!), Mr. Boss began in the
"Advertiser" the publication of his history of
Ogle County, afterward issued as a pamphlet
of about ninety pages, without index. He sold
his cloth-bound copies of this history for tweuty-
five cents. In 1!)0:!, a cloth-bound copy of this
valuable work was sold at auction in Chicago
for ifl). Mr. Boss was a pi-omineut figure in
Polo history for some years, and lived to be
seventy-two, dying in Chicago, 1!)0T.
On the liquor question Polo has always been
strongly in favor of Prohibition, and it is the
boast of the people that not one cent of license
monej- has gone into their improvements. This
is a remarkable record, and one worthy of enni-
latiou by other municipalities.
Some Civil War Reminiscences. — During Ihe
war, recruiting and bounty-raising meetings
-were held nearly every week, from the time of
Lincoln's last call in December until the middle
of March, 1865, when the deficit in the Buffalo
quota was wiped out by the enlistment of men
who received a combined bounty of $700 each
from the town, county and the general govern-
ment. The public sentiment in Polo towards the
soldiers and the war is indicated by the vote at
a six^cial town meeting, held February 10, l.St)5.
for or against a town bounty of ^-lOO, which stood
365 for the bounty, and 107 against. In May, the
boys of the various regiments. Avho had enlisted
from Poio. began to come home, and from then
until September, they continued to arrive.
The only lynching Polo was seriously threat-
ened with, was on that April day when the wires
flashed the terrilde news of the assassination of
President Lincoln, and, as it was then feared,
of members of his cabinet also. Early that morn-
ing it was report(Hl that Peter Dawson, an
elderly lumberman, had expressed his joy at the
news. In their excited state, the pcH)ple could
not let such remarks pass unheeded. Cooler
heads appointed a c-ommittee of fifte<m to go to
Dawson and give him one hour to leave town,
and he, appreciating his danger, took advantage
of the warning.
Wednesday, April 19, 1865. is a day tiiat will
always be remembered in Polo, as it was the one
set apart for observing the funeral obsequies of
the dead President. All business houses were
closed. At twelve o'clock, religious services were
held in all the churches of a solemn and impres-
sive character. At two o'clock the church serv-
ices being concluded, the congregations formed
a procession and marched to the vacant lots south
and west of the Presbyterian church, where they
united and took up a line of march, all Avearing
badges of mourning. Returning to the lots, mili-
lai-y salutes were fii'cd. tlie benediction was pro-
nounced, and the services were over.
Polo was visited in 1878 by a terrible scourge
ill the form of diphtheria, between twenty and
thirty deaths oc<'urring. the victims generally
])eing children, but many more suffered from the
dread disease. It was finally discovered that the
trcnibh' r(>sulted from impure well water.
In 1856 it is probable that Rev. Todd built
his brick house on the corner of Congress and
Dix(jn Streets, which now forms a part of the
house of A. W. Schell. In that year, or the one
following. Phelps & .Johnson built a large frame
building on the i)i'esent site of Campbell's law
office.
As the years passed, many changes were ef-
fected. In .June, 1870, the Odd Fellows left the
old Porter or Woodruff building on Franklin
Street, and fitted up a lodge room in I'owell's
l)uil(ling that had been re-built after a fire in
.January. In August, 1879, Black Brothers took
down their steam flouring mill on east Mason
Street and removed it to Beatrice. Xeb. In
December. 1879, the press and the people began
to agitate for lighting the streets by electricity.
Church History. — No true history of Polo
can be given without devoting considerable space
to that of its churi'hes, for the pioneer preacher
ever follows close on the footsteps of the first
settler. The first religious services in Buffalo
Townshi]) were held in the new house of Captain
Stephen Hull, before the roof was on. Probably
these services were conducted by Rev. Aratus
Kent, an early Presbyterian minister of Galena.
1,. .V. Cregg pri>bai)ly visited the district in
ls:;4-.".5. .James McKean was sent to the Buft'alo
(Jrove mission in 18:U or 18:?5. Mr. McKean or-
ganized the I^uffalo Grove and Polo Methodist
Church. March ."?. 18;i". which was the first or-
giinized church within the jtre.^ent limits of Ogle
County. (i(>org(> I). II. Wilcoxon. Stephen Snuth.
Mary Oliver. W. Kellogg and Oleitha Hughs were
among the first mendiers. The same day a Sab-
batli school was organized of which G. D. H.
Wilcoxon was Superintendent, and Emeline Hub-
748
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
bard and Isaiah Wilcoxon teachers. In 1836, the
Buffalo Grove school house was built and in this
edifice services were held. In this little build-
ing, afterwards enlarged to double its original
size, the first quarterly meeting of the church was
held, and people came long distances to attend.
Then, as for years afterwards, people opened
their homes to entertain those from abroad over-
night or as long as the meetings continued. The
present church was erected in 1898 at a total
cost of $15,000, and dedicated on January 29,
1899. When the services commenced there was
a deficit of $3,675 to be raised, but before the
conclusion of the evening services, the amount
was in the hands of the Board of Trustees. The
present commodious parsonage was bnilt in 1900
at a cost of $3,800. In October, 1901, Rev. U. K.
Carpenter succeeded Rev. Thornton and was pas-
tor for lour years, and he was followed in 1905
by Rev. Perley Powers, who gave place to the
present pastor, Rev. C. K. Saunders, in October,
1907. The membership of the church is now
over 350, and the Sunday school is in a flourish-
ing condition.
The Independent Presbyterian Church was or-
ganized in the old first schoolhouse of Buffalo
village, ilay 5, 1848, the same day the Congre-
gational Church disbanded. It is the heir, if not
the child, of the older church. The Rev. Calvin
Gray was the presiding ofiicer of the meeting,
and Revs. Mills and Pearson participated in the
deliberations. Rev. Robert Proctor became pas-
tor of the church in October, 1868, and served
about three years. During his pastorate many
extensive repairs were made on the church and
Sunday School room. Rev. James Vincent suc-
ceeded him, and he in turn was succeeded by
Rev. Granger. Alexander Allison was the next
pastor, and from ]883 until 1889, Archibald
McDougall was in charge. J. G. Cbwden fol-
lowed, and remained with the church until 1901.
In January, 1902, Kirby J. Miller took charge,
and he was followed by various pastors from dif-
ferent churches and professors from the Chicago
University, from McCormick University, and the
Chicago Theological Seminary, until July 1, 1907,
when the present pastor. Rev. C. O. Shirey was
called by the church. The total membership of
tiic church is al)out 180. In May, 1898, the
church celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its
organization, and in August, 1907, the fiftieth
anniversary of the dedication of the church
edifice.
As early as 1854 or 1855, Father Thomas Ken-
nedy of Dixon, began holding occasional serv-
ices in private homes in Polo. About the same
time, in 1855, St. Mary's Catholic Church of
Buffalo (Jrove began work to erect a church
in the new town of Polo. The parish then com-
prised about forty families, located in Polo and
its vicinity. This first chui'ch was very small,
but was later enlarged to about double its orig-
inal size. It was located on North Franklin
Street, the lot being donated to the church by
Zenas Applington. The chapel was completed
and occupied in the winter of 1856, and was the
first church to be built in Polo. The priests who
have been in charge are as follows: Fathers
J. H. Kennedy, M. McDermot, Michael Ford, Dr.
Louis Lightner, Morris Stack, Thomas Mangan
and possibly others. Up to 1887, the church was
served by priests from Dixon or Freeport. In
that year, Father D. B. Toomey was given
charge of all the churches in Ogle County, ex-
cept that at Rochelle, and made Polo his home.
He began work for a new church edifice. In
the fall of 1894, he was succeeded by L. X.
Du Four, who the same year was succeeded by
Father John J. McCann, and during his pastor-
ate, the present beautiful brick church was built
at a cost of about $10,000. December 24, 1899,
Father McCann held the first service in the new
church, and his last in Polo, having been ap-
pointed to the rectorship of St. Mary's Church
of Elgin. His successor, Father Jeremiah J.
Crowley, held his first service in the new church.
New Year's Day, 1900, and the following Sunday,
the church was dedicated. The present incum-
bent. Father S. J. O'Hara, took charge in No-
vember, 1906. The society has recently bought
the property adjoining the church on the south,
removed tlie old structure, and is building on
the site a parsonage which will probably cost
$6,000. The church communicants number about
200.
The United Brethren Church of Polo held
services in the Buffalo Methodist Church and in
the old schoolhouse, as early as 1858. About
1859, they repaired and furnished the old school-
house with seats, and held regular services there
until their own church was built about 1863.
John Mowery, Sr., was one of their first preach-
ers. In 18.58, Rev. M. Roe was stationed at Pine
Creek and probably conducted services for this
organization. In the fall of 1860, T. B. Bur-
roughs was the pastor, but Rev. Bacon was prob-
MARY J. jOIXlvR
TME rViLV
PUBLIC LIBKA^^
ASTC
HISTOKY OF ()c;i.K COT NT V
74.9
ably pastor wlion steps were taken for building
at Polo. On October 5, 18G5. tbe Kook River
Conference of the U. B. Church was held in the
new Polo church, although it was still a part of
the Pine Creek circuit. In 1895 and ISlXi, under
J. K. Barr, the church was repaired, and im-
proved at a cost of several hundred dollars, 'i'he
present membership is about seventy, and V. W.
Overton is the present pastor.
The Emanuel United Evangelical Church of
Polo can be said to have conuueuced in ISO!),
when a nuuih(>r of Germans used to meet at the
homes of the members and hold pi'ayer meet-
ings. In the fall of that year. Rev. Daniel Krae-
mer. pastor of the Brook ville Evangelical
charge, hearing of these meetings, offered to
l)reach for them once in two weeks, on Sunday
afternoons. They secured the use of the United
Brethren church for the meetings, and in the
spring of 1870, Rev. J. G. Kleinknecht succeeded
Mr. Kraemer, and he organized a class. From
1872 to 1877, no record of the church has been
I)reserved, but in the latter year, thoy had a
flourishing Sunday School. By the fall of 1S7S,
the congregation built the church on the south-
east corner of Locust and Congress Streets, at
a cost of $3,500. While Rev. E. K. Yeakel was
pastor in 1890, or 1891, the split in the denomi-
nation occurred, and the bulk of the members
went with th<^ new organization, and conse-
quently lost their church building in 189.3. They
rented until they bought property in 1900, re-
l)aired it, and had it dedicated in November, 1900.
It is a comfortable church, and there is a jiar-
sonage connected ^^^th it on South Division
Street. The membership is 140, and the present
pastor is E. Y. Knapp.
The Evangelical Church of Polo has the same
history from 1809 to 1890 as the Emanuel United
Evangelical Church, which separated from it in
the latter year. Since then the minority have
formed the Evangelical Church, and the organi-
zation has been maintained, with regular serv-
ices. The present pastor is Rev. W. A. Schultz.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church was organ-
ized in August, 1870, in the Methodist church
building, with thirty-six members by Rev. P. G.
Bell. In 1872. they built a church at a cost of
.$17,000, and in 1876 put uj) a parsonage costing
$1,400. In 1897. the present parsonage was built
at a cost of $4,500 ; th(> church has been remod-
eled, and on January Ml, 1!K)7. a fine pipe organ
was installed. The church buildings arc tlic
largest and most costly in Ogle County. The
membership is al)out 275. and the present pastor
is Rev. F. M. Keller.
The Christian Church of Polo was organized
ill 1!I04 by Elder Harold Monscr, who lield a
short meeting in the Baptist Church, and ap-
pointed a committee to look after the new church.
In 1900, the church was fully organized and the
present pastor is Elder F. A. Sword.
On April 21, 1857, the Polo Cemetery Asso-
ciation was organized, with Rev. William Todd,
pastor of the Presbyterian Church as President.
The original cemetery has been enlarged to
double its size, and it now ccmtains about sixteen
acres, and is known as Fairmount CtMuetery. The
Catholic Cemetery joins it on the south, and lx)th
are carefully cared for, and reflect credit n\)on
the management.
Literary Society — Public Library. — A power-
ful influence for good among the young iteople
of I'oJo lias been the Literary Society, the first
mention of which was made publicly in the
"Press" of April 1, 1870, when it was declared
that, at tlie first meeting, a membership of
twenty-nine had been secured, and suggested that
the society discuss the matter of securing a
liiirary. After much agitation, a committee was
appointed, a laililic me(4ing was held and $845
pledged towards a library. Eventually a build-
ing and lot were secured, man.v of the leading
business houses of Polo contributing, and finally,
on December 21, 1871. the building was fur-
iiished, well supplied with books, and opened to
the public with Miss E. F. Barber as librarian.
The library was to be open two evenings and
Saturday aftei'noons of each week, but one of
thf> original by-laws provided that the library
should never be open on Sunday. A small charge
was made to those who were not stockholdei-s
for t]u> use of books, I)ut none was made to
those who read in the rooms. From the first,
until the library was turned over to the town-
ship, its history is a succession of struggles for
existence. A lecture course one year, donations
from the literary society, the Young Men's Chris-
tian Temperance Union, and from private citi-
zens, helped to meet its meager expenses, fur-
nish periodicals and new books. For more than
twcMity ,vears, its librarian stood by it faithfully,
serving almost without pay. On February 15.
1890, the board voted in favor of turning the
property over to the town of Buffalo for a free
750
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
public library, provided the electors of the town
would vote a one-mill tax for its support. At
the tawu meeting the electors voted for the tax,
a meeting of all stockholders was held Februar3'
3, 1891. and a majority- voted in favor of the
transfer, which was effected April 21, 1891. Janu-
.ary- 2. 1893. the C. K. Williams bequest of .$500
was reported as received. In June, 1893, the
Dewey system of cataloguing -was adoirted.
. Early in 1901, Mayor George W. Perkins and
some of the citizens wrote to Andrew Carnegie,
soliciting a donation of funds for a library build-
ing. April 1, 1901. the Board of Trustees sent
a similar request to Mr. Carnegie, and April 20.
1903, word was received as to the conditions
under which he would give $10,000 for a library
building at Polo. The board accepted his terms
and May 11th, it Avas notified that the money
would be provided as needed for the construction
of the building. November 6. 1903, the corner-
stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies, and
on September 29, 1904, the building was opened
to the public. The total cost of the building,
including grading of the lot. cement walks and
steps, and other improvements, was about
$15,000. Miss E. F. Barber is still the accommo-
dating librarian. The annual expenses are about
$900, which are met by the one-mill tax levy, tlie
interest on the Williams bequest, etc.
Public Utilities — Municipal Conditions—
The population of Polo in 1909 is about 2,000.
The city is situated on the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy. and the Illinois Central Railroads,
has a sewer system, and a purifying plant which
cost $40,000, and including the outlet, 7.19 miles
of sewers. )'"s water system, which is free from
debt and su jplies nearly all parts of the city,
cost over ■' ',000. It has a school property that
could not 'e duplicated for .$50,000. and the
value of its church property must be equal to
$100,000. The streets are lighted by electricity,
and there are miles of cement sidewalks. The
township owns the town hall, or Opera House,
which is a very handsome building. It is the
boast of this beautiful city that not one cent of
liquor license money has gone into its improve-
ments, and there are to be seen very few of
the tumbledown houses which mar the beauty
of so many municipalities. The streets and lawns
are kept in excellent order, and the people natur-
ally are proud of what they have accomplished.
The effort made in the past to build up manu-
facturing interests, was not successful, for this
is essentially an agricultural community. The
Polo Mutual Telephone Company and the Ogle
County Telephone Company have each a large
exchange and give the city good service. Polo
has a National and a private bank, its business
houses are much above the average, the absence
of licensed saloons for forty-four years has
added greatly to the prosperity of the city.
BYRON TOWNSHIP.
In 1835, Jared W. Sanford of Connecticut was
on his way up Rock River from Dixon's Ferry
to Midway (then Rockford), a place of "two
families and eight or ten young men," where he
had a brother in the employ of Germanicus Kent.
As he passed a point a mile west of where Byron
now is, attracted by its beauty and by the op-
portunity the river showed for water povp'er,
he stopped and staked a claim. Then going on to
Midway he returned next day, bringing with him
his brother, Joseph Sanford, and Perry Norton,
the latter lately arrived from New York. The
three staked claims until they had included
about two sections, tliis proving the beginning
of what is now Byron Township.
PioNiiER Conditions and Development. — Soon
after. Tared W. Sanford and Perry Norton, in
order to establish their claims, returning with a
horse and a yoke of oxen, plowed a strip of
ground and laid the foundations of two cabins,
In order to procure oxen, Mr. Norton traveled
as far as Indian Creek, near Ottawa, before he
found any for sale, there purchasing three yoke,
for which he paid $150.50. Then returning he
brought with his cattle a cart and plow, and
with M. M. York, who bought an interest in the
claim, P. T. Kimball from Vermont, and a Mr.
Rogers, began splitting rails for fencing the
claim. For twenty-three days they lived in the
wagon-box and a rail shanty. This was in
October. They obtained a canoe made by Potta-
watomie Indians, who passed up and down the
river at intervals. Their name for the stream
for generations had been "Sini-sepo," which be-
came for us "Sinnissippi."
After spending the winter at Midway, Mr.
Norton returned in the spring and found a log
cabin already built and occupied by M. M. York,
P. T. Kimball, Sebra Phillips and Joseph San-
ford. The cabin, 10x14 feet, was the first house
in the township, being located across the river
HI STORY OF OCLR COUNTY.
751
.111(1 opi)Osite the village which grew up later.
During the year other settlers came, the first
being Asa Spaulding and Silas St. John Mix,
from Bradford County, Pa., and L. O. Bryan.
'I'hese were followed by Erastus Norton of New
York, Lucius Reed of Vermont, and A. O. Gamp-
bell, Andrew Shepherd, Allen Woodburn, J. L.
Spauldlng, Simon S. Spaulding, Hiram R. May-
nard, and Rev. Chester Campbell of Bradford
Countj', Pa., and Samuel Carr. Those who came
in 1837 and 1838 included Alexander Irvine,
Deacon Morley and John Sabens, Daniel Simms
of Bradford County, Pa. ; Col. Dauphin Brown
and John M. Clayton and I. S. Knowlton, of
Massachusetts ; A. T, Johnson of Ohio ; Joshua,
Samuel and Dudley Wood of Schoharie County,
N. Y. ; Mr. Mclntyre and Isaac Norton, the lat-
ter bringing with him four daughters, while Col.
Brown brought four daughters and three sons.
There was also Deacon Brewster with seven
daughters and two sons. The names of others
who came to Byron Township in the forties and
in the fifties, are John S. Kosier and Daniel Bar-
rick from Perry County, Pa.. Charles Fisher and
J. P. Smith from Massachusetts, John C. Davis
from England, Charles L. Hall from Canada,
William Lockwood from Ohio and F. A. Whee-
lock from Vermont.
Daniel Simms was the oldest resident of
Byron Township at the time of his death, De-
cember 2, 1908, having then attained the age
of ninety-one. From 1838 to 1908 he had re-
mained on 160 acies of land in Section 12, which
he had entered from the Government. A. G.
Spaulding and Brothers, the well known Chicago
merchants, extensive dealers in athletic goods,
are sons of J. L. Spaulding. Edwin Brush, the
magician, who appeared before the Ogle County
Chautauqua Assembly at Oregon in 1908, be-
longs to a family whose home for some years
was Byron, now Rockford.
A village was promptly started on the claim
of Jared W. Sanford and Perry Norton, the first
house being erected by S. St. John Mix in the
fall of 1836, which was used as a dwelling and
general store. The second house was built by
P. T. Kimball and occupied by Lucius Reed as
a tavern. Mr. Bradley built a dwelling and a
blacksmith shop, these four making up the build-
ings on the village site for the first year. The
name given it was Fairview, after the Connecti-
cut home of Jared W. Sanford. Under order of
the Countv Commissioners' Court at Galena, the
first election at Fairview was held in August.
1836, at which a constable and Justice of the
Peace were elected, and votes were also cast
for county and State officers, the number of
votes polled being thirteen.
In 1837, Sanford Brothers and Brown built the
first sawmill on the small stream north of the
village. The houses put up in 1836 were pro-
vided with hewn lumber only, or sawed lumber
obtained from Elkhorn Grove or Pine Creek,
whore a sawmill had .iust Ix^en completed by
•John Phelps. Other supplies were equally diffi-
cult to obtain. Galena and Chicago, then towns
of about the same size, and with a combined
population not to exceed 5,000, and Ottawa and
Peru were the nearest trading points. Even the
nearest gristmill was at Elkhorn Grove, twenty
miles away, or, a little later, on the Kishwaukee.
But in 1838 the settlers had a grist mill of their
own. built by William Wilkinson of Buffalo,
N. Y.
The nearest ix>st-ofHce was Dixon, twenty-six
miles downi the river, and mail was obtained
uiuM) some one drove for it, usually once a week.
This continued only a short time, and when the
stage line of Frink and Walker was established
between Dixon and Rockford, the village was
given a ixtst-office. In the meantime the name
had been changed from Fairview to Blooming-
ville, and as there were then a Bloomington and
a Bloomingdale in the State, another change was
advisable. It is said that a lover of the poems
of Lord Byron made the suggestion of honoring
his memory, which was adopted. The new town
grew apace. It had the general store of Wilbur
& Norton, the two-story brick hotel built by the
Woods, the wagon-shop of Mix anl Messenger
and later of William Lockwood, avd. the foun-
dry of Wood and Byington. Plows.yrere made
by the Woods and William Lockwoov., and after
1S54 by Solomon Dwight. It is claimed the first
corn cultivator to plow a row of com at a time
was made at Solomon Dwight's shop.
Advknt of thk Railhoad. — Byron was without
a railroad for many years, its nearest station
then being Rochelle and later Oregon. In 1874
the Chicago & Pacific Railroad was projected
from Chicago to Elgin as a narrow-gauge road,
but the plan was changed to broad-gauge from
Chicago to Byron. Citizens of Byron subscribed
$24,500 of the stock, among the subscribers being
A. O. Campbell. .To.seph Blount, M. D.. I. S.
Knowlton, Hiram Gitchell, W. S. Ercanbrack,
753
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Junius Rogers, E. H. Evans and John Rosier.
The road was completed to the river on March
19, 1875, but to get into Byron it was necessary
to have $5,000 additional for a bridge. This was
advanced by the citizens and trains ran into
Byron in the fall of 1875. Five yeai's later the
road was extended to the Mississippi at Savanna
and came under control of the Chicago, Milwau-
kee & St. Paul Company. In 1886 the Chicago
and Great Western Railway was built through
Byron.
Schools. — One of the early schools of the
county was that taught in Byron by Lydia Wel-
don. The house stood where the Masonic Hall
now is, and was built by St. John Mix in the
fore part of 1837. School began the following
summer. This was a private, or subscription
school, which was the kind in vogue until after
the enactment of the public school law of 1855,
the first school law (that of 1825) proving
a failure while several later ones were little
better. In 1851 the Byron Academy was started,
a building being provided by a stock company.
This proved a good school, but was a financial
loss and was later sold to the village for its
public school. The first principal was William
B. Christopher. Other pioneer teachers of Byron
were Mrs. Dr. Bradley, Miss Clark, Professor
and Mrs. Turner. The academy building re-
mained the home of the public school until 1903,
when it was destroyed by a fire occurring during
the school session, but without loss of life or
injury to any of the pupils. A pretty new brick
building was at once erected on the same loca-
tion, the grounds of which cover a block, at a
cost of .$10,000, which with the value of the
grounds represents .$20,000. The number of
pupils enrolled is 2.50. A four years' high school
course is maintained. The present Superin-
tendent is Miss Laura Hahn. The Board of
Education consists of the following: L. D. Mar-
shall, President; E. Burd. S. S. Piper, F. R.
Kendall, F. R. Detwilder, J. A. Johnson.
Churches. — The first religious denomination
to be represented by a society in Byron was the
Congregational, in 1837, when Rev. Morrell of
Rockford effected an organization. The first
members were Col. Dauphin Brown, L. O. Bryan,
P. T. Kimball. David Holt, Mrs. Eleanor Mix,
Luke Parsc)ns and Lucius and Mrs. Reed, at
whose house the meetings were held. The first
pastor was Rev. E. Brown, who came from North
Hadley, Mass., in 1838. In 1846, the brick church
— ^still standing but no longer used by the congre-
gation — was built and was dedicated the fol-
lowing year, the dedicatory sermon being
preached by Rev. Jonathan Blanchard of Knox
College, Galesburg. In 1905, the present new
edifice was erected at a cost of $9,000. The
membership numbers 195. The pastor is the
Rev. S. A. Long.
The few settlers of the Methodist faith held
their first meeting at the house of Perry Norton
in 1835, when Rev. Abbott, who was passing
through the region, preached for them, which
next was done by Alexander Irvine, a local Meth-
odist preacher and farmer of Rockvale Town-
ship. Organization was accomplished in 1837
under the direction of Rev. McKean, with six-
teen members. Eighteen years later their first
church was built, during the third period of
service there as pastor by Rev. Barton Cart-
wright, who hauled all the stone for the foun-
dation and walls himself, and worked on the
building as it was being constructed. In 1884,
the present frame church was erected at a cost
of about $3,500, the stone building forming the
rear of the new plan. In 1908, alterations and
improvements costing $4,000 were made, among
them being two handsome memorial windows — ■
one the gift of Judge Edmond Burke of Chicago,
formerly of Byron, in memory of his father and
mother, Patrick Burke and Elizabeth Whitney
Burke, old settlers of Byron Township, and the
other presented by Mrs. Emily Rosier of Byron,
in memory of her mother, Julia Whitaker Stuart,
long a resident of Byron and daughter of John
Whitaker, the first settler of Marion Township.
The present membership of the church is 100.
The pastor is Rev. W. H. Locke.
There is also a strong Catholic congregation,
having a church of their own built about twelve
years ago at a cost of $3,000, in which mass is
said and a sermon preached every alternate Sun-
day by the priest stationed at Oregon, at this
time Rev. Andrew J. Burns. The membership
is 150. This church, like those of Oregon and
Polo, is now in the new diocese of Rockford, at
the head of which is Bishop P. J. Muldoon. The
first priest to ofliciate at Byron was Rev. J. J.
McCann.
There originated in this county, not many
years ago, a religious belief as extraordinary as
any recorded in American annals. In 1877, the
pastor of the Congregational Church of Byron
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
753
was Rev. L. C. Beekmau. His wife, Dora Beek-
mau, was fond of taking the part of Bible reader
and exhorter in connection witli tlie Sunday and
mid-week services of tlie cliurcli. Her friends
declared that she had ability as a speaker;
others asserted that her discourse was rambling.
After a year or more of such ministration, dur-
ing which she extended her field of endeavor to
Alpena, Mich., and St. Charles, Minn., she
startled the community by the relation of an
alleged suiK^rnatural visitation. Sbe stated that
she awoke at midnight at her home witli an irre-
sistible desire to pray. She arose and, leaving
her sleeping husband, went into an adjoining
room, where she knelt in prayer. In the midst
of her supplication and adoration, she saw the
room become bright, as if an angel with trailing
robes of light were passing through, and heard
a voice which said, "Dora ! Dora !" Awed, but
inspired by the beautiful solemnity of the scene,
she replied in the words which she had so often
read from her Bible, "Abba ! Father !" when the
voice answered and said. "Thou art the beloved
of tbe Lord." Meantime Mr. Beekman had been
awakened and he, too, saw the light and heard
the voice. Here was an utterance iiertaining to
religion which demanded all the credulity that
ever Delphian oracle did.
From the time of her divine recognition on-
ward, Dora Beekman called on all Christians to
believe that she was the manifestation of the
second coming of Christ, and immediately she
had followers. Some who had listened to her
Bible readings and her exhortations now saw in
her "the first born of the re-appearance of Christ
upon earth." They took the name of "The
Church of the First Born." They believed Dora's
radiant baptism had made her perfect ; hence
came the name, "Perfectionists." Mrs. Beekman
went to Alpena. Mich., and there made some con-
verts among the former attendants upon her
readings and exhortations. One of these was
George Jacob Schweinfurth, a Methodist minis-
ter who was to be an Important figure in the
affairs of the new sect. A church was estab-
lished at Alpena ; also at Chicago and Paw Paw,
111. ; St. Charles, Minn. ; Kansas City. Mo., and
Buena Vista, Colo., with the one at Byron mak-
ing seven. In the language of scriptural allegory
these were called "The Seven Churches of Asia,"
alluded to in Revelations.
In 1882, Mrs. Beekman died at Buena Vista,
Colo. Those of the new faith believed she would
rise from the dead on the third day. When that
did not happen, her body was brought to Byron
for burial, but this was not accomplished without
some conrtict with the authorities, because of a
refusal at first to open the coffin. Her followers
then looked forward to her resurrection at the
end of forty days. When that failed, "many were
surely perplexed." The mini.stry of the lost
leader was taken up by her early convert and
enthusiastic adherent, George Jacob Schwein-
furth. upon whom her mantle was regarded as
having fallen, and in whom her spirit was seen
guiding their affairs. This disciple, who. it was
said, possessed some education and was an im-
pressive speaker, established himself and a band
of his believers on the Weldon farm, four miles
from Byron, where he built a conunodious man-
sion out of money given and the income of land.s
deeded to him by the heads of several well-ro-
do families of Byron Township, where all lived
on the community plan. This continued for ten
years, or more, and until Byron people who were
not Perfectionists said so much about evident
irregular conduct at Schweinfurth's community
home as to cause some of the more prominent
and substantial members to withdraw their sup-
port. This resulted in a lack of sufficient funds
for its maintenance and the home was broken up
and abandoned. In 1894, Schweinfurth reported
to the Xew York Tribune Almanac, for use under
the head of "Religious Societies of America," the
name of his denomination as "The Church Tri-
umphant," having twelve societies, of 1.35 mem-
bers, and proijerty of the value of .$15,000. The
nun)her of adherents at Byron was. perhaps,
forty. No organization is maintained there now,
nor are there any "Beekmanites," the name by
which the Church of the B^irst Bom was most
commonly known, to be found anywhere else as
an organized church . society, at least in this
country; but the "Agajn'monites" of Somer-
setshire, England, whose affairs have just re-
cently gotten into the courts there, possess a
cult, the ethics of which contain the following
statement: "Having the spirit of God, we are
lifted al)ove the ordinary code of morals and
cannot sin," which is substantially the same sort
of curious theological propaganda that used to
he heard among the Perfectionists of Byron.
Undkbground Railroad Reminiscences. — By-
ron was a station on the Underground Railroad
in slavery days, ;ind in successful operation from
754
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
the time of the enactment of the Fugitive Slave
Law in ISoO, until and after the beginning of the
War of the Rebellion in 1S61. When the Mason
and Dixon Line, or the Ohio River, was reached
and crossed, hope increased and steps quickened
in the knowledge of the shelter and aid sure to
be found at the hospitable stations of the Under-
ground Railway. The escaped slaves sometimes
came into Ogle County at Polo from Sugar Grove
in Lee County, and were protected and sent for-
ward by station agents — Virgil A. Bogue, Tim-
othy Perkins, Solomon Shaver, John Waterbury
and others — across the county to Byron, where
they had the good offices of Rev. George Gam-
mell, Jared W. Sanford and Lucius Reed, who
conducted them to Lynnville, to be piloted from
there over into DeKalb County, nearer to Chi-
cago and Detroit, by Elijah Dresser. It also
hajjpeiied that the fleeing bondmen came up the
east side of Rock River to the station at the
farm of Ruel Peabody in Nashua Township, and
were by him safely delivered at Paine's Point,
to be taken thence to the Lynnville station.
Elijah Dresser, still living at the advanced age
of eighty-seven years, in the city of Rockford,
has furnished the following recollections of his
experiences in this line for use in this history:
"The fugitive slaves seldom came singly, but
by twos and threes and sometimes more. One
night a load of six was brought to me — one man,
three women and two boys. It was largely the
practice after crossing the border for them to
be secreted by Free State men for a time, and
then got together and brought on by law break-
ers, like myself, under cover of night. How-
ever. I always went by daylight. The last fugi-
tive that came my way was a mulatto woman
about thirty years of age, together with her
baby, eighteen months old. She staid at my
house a number of days and we learned some-
thing of her life and history. She was raised at
Paducah. Ky., was taken to Missouri at the out-
break of the Civil War to be sold South, which
led her to make desperate efforts to escape. She
Avas helped by Free State men, liaving been
driven all one night in a covered carriage, with
two men on horseback, revolvers in hand, to pro-
tect her. She was intelligent, could read, had
her husband's Bible and hyinn-lwok with her,
her husband, wlio had died of consumption, hav-
ing been a deacon in the African Baptist Church.
.MI runaway slaves had a !,'rc;il horror of being
captured; if captured, they were invariably
doomed to be sold in the far South."
Byron Township sent many brave men to aid
the nation in the struggle of the War for the
Union. The strong sympathy for the cause led
to the agitation of the erection of a monument
early in the summer of 1864, and the formation
of the Byron Monument Association later was
the result of this feeling. As a permanent as-
sociation its first meeting was held on Septem-
ber 27, 1865, I. W. Norton being chosen Presi-
dent ; M. L. Seymour, Secretary ; James John-
ston, Treasurer ; a constitution and by-laws
adopted and a committee, consisting of F. A.
Smith. Silas Kidder, Wright C. Hall, Aquilla
Spencer, A. T. Johnston, J. P. Smith, Dr. J.
Blount, John S. Kosier, M. L. Seymour, appoint-
ed with power to carry on and complete the work
pertaining to the erection of a suitable monu-
ment in honor of the soldiers of Byron. This
monument, the first erected in Illinois in mem-
ory of the recently fallen soldiers, was completed
and dedicated October 18, 1866, the people of the
village and of the surrounding country partici-
pating in the exercises, the address being deliv-
ered by former Adjutant General Allen O. Ful-
ler, of Belvidere. The monument stands in the
center of the crossing of Second and Chestnut
Streets, and can be seen from a long distance
off to the south and west. The shaft is of beau-
tiful Rutland marble, surmounted by an eagle
poised for flight. The stone base of the monu-
ment rests on a grassy mound four feet in height
and is surrounded by an octagonal wire fence
set on stone coping. On the northeast side of
the plinth is engraved the following : "In mem-
ory of the patriotic boys of Byron, who fell in
subduing the Great Rebellion— 1861-1865." On
the southeast and northwest sides are inscribed
the names of the soldiers. On the southwest side
is the coat of arms of the State of Illinois deeply
carved. In May, 1887, another plinth of the
same kind of marble, was placed under the one
first included, thus making the monument nine-
teen feet six inches high, and the entire cost
$1,700, raised by subscription.
On May 30, 1900, an accident befell the be-
loved monument. The cement used in its con-
struction gradually working loose, a sudden,
strong gust of wind struck the monument, decked
in its memorial emblems, overturning and shat-
tering all but the chiseled figure on the top of
the shaft. Which lay. still triumphant, at the foot
IliSTUKY OF OGLE COLWTY
755
of the mouiul. Thv ubiquitous reporter, hap-
pening' to be ou liaucl, ascribed tlie atvident to
a strolce of lightning.
The mouumeut was immediately rebuilt, a new
Shaft replacing the brolcen one, the deposed, yet
victorious eagle again surmounting it, and the
names of all soldiei's residing iu the township,
and of all who enlisted from it in any one of
the wars of our country, were carved on the
base.
In 1897. through the interest of the All)ert
Woodcock Camp of Sons of Veterans, and main-
ly through that of Captain Carl Spalding, of the
Camp, two cannon, weighing 4.r)00 pounds each,
and twelve feet iu length, wore obtained and
placed inside the monument enclosure. These
are abandoned guns from the United States Ar-
senal at Governor's Island, New York harbor.
The Press. — The newsixiper now published in
Byron is "The Byron Express-Record." It was
started in 1878 by Erviu and Hewitt and by
them called "The Bjtou Express." Later it was
removed to Shannon. 111., by 'Slv. Ervin, who had
bought out his partner, and then brought back
to Byron. In 1884, Shiley and Humbert became
its owners, followed at different periods by Ed-
ward Eliot, D. W. Hartman and O. C. Cole. The
last named sold in 1898 to the present owners
and publishers — Lydia R. Artz and Son. The
people of Byron look to the "Express-Record's"
weekly appearance for a chronicle of the local
happenings of the community.
A Disastrous Fire. — Ou November 13, 1877,
Byron sustained a great loss through a disas-
ti'ous fire. wliicJi started in the rear of the drug-
store of Thompson and Kennedy and. extending
to the adjoining buildings before anything could
be done to check it, it swept on iu its path of
destruction until most of the business portion of
the village had been destroyed. The loss was
$40,000, with insurance of only .$G,000. but re-
building was begun at once and. with new places
of business and new stocks of good, the mer-
chants and others soon re-established their vari-
ous lines of trade and again prospered.
Business Enterprises. — Byron now has gen-
eral stores and shops, two hotels, two livery
bams, and two banks — the Farmers and Mer-
chants Bank, of which Thomas Roberts is Presi-
dent ; A. W. Buun. Vice-President ; George F.
Bunn, Cashier; and Frank Detwilder, Assistant
Cashier ; and the Byron Bank, with W. A. Smith,
President. .1. C. Stires, Vice-President ; Ray Bar-
rick, Casliier, and A. R. Mize, Assistant Cashier.
A canning factory, representing an investment
of $10,000 and managed by a stock company, was
established several years ago. but is not now iu
operation. The village possesses a municipal
water supply plant, an artesian well of a depth
of 2,004 feet, furnishing an abundant supply of
pure water. That and the rest of the equipment
represents an outlay of $20,000. A private elec-
tric light and power plant, o\\T]ed and operated
by Daniel Gouglmer, gives the village excellent
ligliting service. The present officials are John
Whitaker, Mayor; W. A. Hunter, Clerk; C. F.
Bunn, Treasurer; Henry Myers. Philip Cooi>er,
.Tames C. Woodburn, W. D. Hunter and .John
Gill. Aldermen ; and Lyman Dexter, City Attor-
ney.
Township Officers. — B>Ton Township was
one of the first townships organized in the coun-
ty. Since its organization the following have
served as members of the Board of Supervisors :
A. O. Campbell. 1S.50-.51 ; Isaac W. Norton. 1852-
53; A. G. Spaulding. 18.54; .T. P. Smith, 1855;
Jesse Reed. 18.5G-.59; Solomon Dwight. 18(50-63;
Augustus T. Johnston, 1864-65; Isaac W. Nor-
ton, 1866-71 ; Levi B. Burch. 1872-78 ; Han^ey
Thompson. 1870: Levi B. Burch. 1880; Harvey
Thompson. 1881-83; James Campbell, 1884-87;
John F. Spaulding, 1888-97 ; John C. Stires, 1898-
1907; D. D. Emery, 1908.
The other officers for the township for 1908
are : Town Clerk. T. L. Hanger ; Assessor. Hen-
ry Hamaker ; Tax Collector, William Dillon ;
.Justices of the Peace, Lyman Dexter, F. A.
Wheelock ; Police Magistrate, Jacob E. Sherman ;
Constables. Charles J. Reese, Garret Stires ;
Highwa.y Commissioners, James Dillon, William
D. Barry, T. E. Collotan ; School Treasurer,
Wile.v S. Johnson.
DEMENT TOWNSHIP.
Colonel John Dement, of Dixon, entered the
north half of Sietion 23. T]!. 40 X.. R. 2 E., and
a village named for him was afterwards estab-
lished upon the northwest quarter of this sec-
tion. The territory now forming Dement Town-
ship was at first included in Flagg Township ;
in 1856 it was set off as a separate township
and at that time given the name of the village
756
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
situated within its limits. The region had been
known unfavorably among the very early set-
tlers, who were loath to take up the land and
make their homes upon it. This was on account
of the first settlement made, which was in 1836
by John Brodie, who w^as a native of Ohio and a
relative of the dreaded Driscoll family, and for
whom the Grove near which he lived was named.
WTiether or not he actually assisted these ma-
rauders of the early pioneer days, to have them
frequent his house and be a kin to them placed
a ban upon him and a fear of his connection with
them.
Perhaps for this reason the first resident did
not find his location to his liking, and sold his
claim to David Worden. In 1840 the claim again
changed owners, being purchased by Elias Snive-
ly, Henry Sharer and Captain Nathaniel Swing-
ley, who had come to the county with the colo-
nists from Maryland, and had remained awhile
with that group of people about Mount Morris.
Captain Swingley lived long enough in the Mount
Morris region to leave as a memento, a fine row
of hard maples along the old stage road in front
of the place now the property of Mr. Charles V.
Stonebraker.
HE^'EY Sharer's Story of Early Settlement.
— At the time of the preparation of the Ogle
County History of 1886, Mr. Henry Sharer, then
of Mount Morris, furnished to the writers of
that work some of the following facts which are
incorporated in this chapter :
"Snively and I bought the claim of David Wor-
den, and his brother, Benjamin Worden, occu-
pied the claim as a tenant up to the time of our
taking possession in 1841. Benjamin Worden, if
living, is at South Grove, DeKalb County. Baltz
Xiehoff and family were employed by Snively
and myself, as we were both unmarried at the
time. He remained with us about two years,
and then moved to Carroll County. We then
employed Frederick Finkboner and family, who
lived with us up to my marriage in 1845. From
1841 to 1849 we had no neighbors short of South
Grove, which was seven and a half miles, and we
were the only family in the present township of
Dement. In 1840 avo rented our claim to Rod-
ney Burnett and Mr. Stevenson, his brother-in-
law. Part of the time while living there, Frink
& Walker ran a line of stages from Chicago to
Galena, good four-horse coaches, and on that
thoroughfare our cabin was the only house in
24 miles. From Huntley's, now Dekalb City, to
our place was 12 miles, and the next house was
at Paine's Point, which was 12 miles. I can't
tell anything about marriages or births ; but the
first death in the township was that of a son of
Brodie, who died in 1839 and was buried at the
Gi'ove. I presume there is no mark of his grave
left. You can put as the first settlers the Bro-
dies ; next, Benjamin Worden ; then Elias Snive-
ly and Henry Sharer, with Niehoff as tenant ;
then Frederick Finkboner, then Burnett and
Stevenson, and next Wm. Youngs, and follow-
ing him Samuel Brock.
"In 1850, Thomas Smith came from Canada
and occupied the farm of Nathaniel Swingley
during his absence in California. He soon after-
ward entered land for himself and was recog-
nized as one of the leading citizens of the tovm-
ship. When the postoffice was established at the
Grove, he was made Postmaster and was the first
in the village; was also the first station agent.
Mr. Smith died some years ago. In 1854, when
Barzilla Knapp located in the region, the fol-
lowing named comprised the actual settlers, so ,
far as I can remember : at and around Brodie's
Grove were Josiah Snively, Nathaniel Swing-
ley, Thomas Smith, Josiah Hurd, Levi and Hor-
ace Howard, Robert P. Benson. In the south-
west corner of the tovpnship, near the present
city of Rochelle, were E. G. Vaile, Thomas S.
Smith, James E. Rice. During this year Norman
Paine and William Knapp came in, locating in
the Grove where two years previously they had
entered land.
"The completion of the railroad in 1854 caused
a large immigration to this section the follow-
ing year. The prairie land, which had so long
been vacant, was rapidly taken up and in a
short time the whole face of the country was
changed. The settlement was made so rapidly
that it is impo.ssible to mention the names of
those who located in the township in 1855 and
1856. Dwelling houses, school-houses, churches
and other buildings went up as if by magic.
Eighteen years had passed away since the first
settlement made in the tOAATiship before any
great improvement had been made, and now
what a change!
"A postoffice was established at Brodie's Grove
about 1852, with Thomas Smith as Postmaster.
When the village of Dement was laid out Mr.
S'mith moved the office to the village and con-
tinued to serve as Postmaster until 1856 or 1857,
when Anson Barnum was appointed. Mr. Bar-
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
757
num did not serve long and was succeeded by
H. H. Clark, and he by G. W. Place. In 18(i'J
Charles E. Adams was appointed and served un-
til the summer of LSSf), when Charles E. Conn-
trynian was appointed.
"The first religious services were held at the
house of Josiah Snively by Rev. Miller, a Bap-
tist minister, and also by Rev. Chester, a min-
ister of the Congregational Church. About the
time the railroad was completed the Rev. Todd,
an Episcopalian, held services at the house of
Thomas Smith. Mr. Todd located at Dement,
now Creston village.
"The first school, it is said, was taught by
George Swingley at the house of Nathaniel
Swingley. The first school house was erected at
Brodie's Grove in 1855, Miss Cnmmins teaching
the first term. About this time the township
was divided into two school districts, No. 1 com-
prising all north, and No. 2 all south of the
railroad. Other districts were subsequently or-
ganized from these, school houses were built,
and in every respect Dement Township will com-
pare favorably with all others in the county in
respect to educational matters."
One of the early teachers in the Dement school
furnishes the following interesting reminiscent
sketch regarding some of the first instructors :
• "The first school-house in the little town was
built in 1857, a frame building, 26 by 32 feet in
size, where cburcli services were held for about
nine years. The first teacher in the new building
was William Wallace Washburn, who, in 1856,
at the age of nineteen, had come west from his
home in Woodstock, Vt. Mr. Washburn after-
wards graduated at Ann Arbor and became Pres-
dent of the State University of Minnesota, but
gave up the position and went back to join the
Detroit Conference. To-day, at the age of sev-
enty, he is one of the leading Methodist Episco-
pal preachers in Detroit.
"During the years of 1856-60 many families
from the East settled in the little village, among
whom were Alexander Parmele and Waltm* I\ick(\v
from Lima-, N. Y., in the spring of 1858. A yoxnig
daughter, Maiy L. Rickey, aged fourteen, began
in 1859 to assist Mr. Washburn l»y having some
of the pupils recite in the back part of the
school-room. As a result of her services, at the
end of the year, a present of a ten-dollar gold
piece was sent to her. the most precious piece
of money she ever possessed before or since that
time I Before very lone a room was built on
the south side of the school-house and she was
installed the fii^st and only assistant, receiving
good wages for a period of eight years. She wass
not a college graduate, her only means of ad-
vancement being her studying outside of school
hours and reciting to her teacher after the day's
work was done ; and probably, if she had been re-
quired to pass an examination, she would never
have received the two 'certificates' which are in
her possession, and are precious keepsakes. The
first one (a second grade) was given by Eldridge
W. Little, then Superintendent of Ogle County
Schools, when he visited her school in 1862 ; and
in 1865, when II. B. Norton, of Stillman Valley,
was the 'School Commissioner,' his assistant,
W. T. Payzant, on visiting the school, filled out
a first-grade certificate, valid for two years, at
the end of which time her place was filled by her
worthy successor." ("The little elf. Love him-
self," having intertwined his lessons among the
others "after the day's work was done," this
young teacher became the "assistant," for life, of
her teacher's brother, Warren A. Washburn.)
"A new school building was erected in 1869."
continues the sketch, "after which three or more
teachers were employed, and to-day the town of
Creston (formerly Dement) feels justly proud of
her public school, which is one of the best in
Ogle Connty. P. R. Walker (now of Rockford),
E. L. Wells and J. T. Greenman (both now in
Aurora), are among the many excellent teachers
who have assisted in the Creston School in past
years."
The present senior editor of the "Ogle County
Republican" wrote not long ago, in the follow-
ing reminiscent and humorous vein, of one of
the former schools of Dement Township : "A
news item from the 'Rochelle Register" carries
the 'Republican' editor back several years, to
1864, when Mrs. Urilla Clark, a daughter of the
late Captain Nathaniel Swingley, one of the
earliest pioneers of Ogle Countj-, was teaching
the school at Brodie's Grove, and had among her
pupils many who have since become famous for
one thing and another — principally the latter —
the editor of this religious journal being one of
the bright lights of that generation, having just
prior to that date landed over on the prairie two
miles east of the grove . . . following the long,
tedious journey from southwestern Missouri to
Ogle County with an ox-team as the only means
of ti'ansportation : and we recollect with satis-
faction our pleasant relations in the Brodie's
r58
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Grove School, presided over at that time by Mrs.
Clark. The school has since been abandoned,
school-house sold and the district added to the
Creston school district."
The teachers of the Creston School at the pres-
ent time are H. V. Dynn, Principal ; Miss Eva
N. Perkins and Miss Cora A. Reese, assistants,
with an extra teacher usually during the winter
months.
Some Later Settleks. — Among the settlers in
this and Lynnville To^Yuships about the year
1858, were the CountrjTaan brothers, of whom
Nox-mau, Harvey and Alvin are now living re-
tired in Rochelle. The creamery on the north
line, once operated by them, is no longer in busi-
ness. Upton Swingley, sou of Nathaniel Swing-
ley, lives in Rockf ord ; and many others of the
old settlers are gone — some moved away and
some not living. Their places have, in many in-
stances, been taken by the Norwegians w'ho first
began to settle to the south in Lee County, about
1857, where they established a Lutheran church
as their place of worship. These later settlers
have made good citizens, being like the Germans,
industrious, saving and thrifty, and now possess-
ing many of the rich prairie farms that have
proved so productive and valuable; these lands,
once looked upon as worth so much less than the
coveted timber land, now bringing from $100 to
$150 an acre with their improvements. The
names of these Norwegian settlers may ;be seen
likewise among the business people of the village
of Creston, showing that they have taken a per-
manent place iu this part of the life of the
township, also. Among those well-known among
the early settlers still residing in the township
are Dr. H. C. Robins, A. B. McCrea, and Charles
E. Adams, each one of whom has a member of
his family residing in the city of Oregon, two of
them being the present County Clerk and his
wife, and another the wife of the recent States
Attorney.
Brodie's Grove, once the designation of the
rosion, and a fine tract containing walnut and
hickory, exists mostly but in name, the trees
having been cut down to supply the needs of the
people, with the same disregard of the future as
has been shown everywhere else all over the
broad domains of our country, until in very re-
cent years. Soft maples and willows, usually
for hedges and wind-brakes, are the inferior
present-day substitutes for the stately trees of
that forest grove.
A Land Speculation. — Messrs. Truman &
Hewitt, a firm of lawyers of Owego, N. Y., were
closely connected with the early development of
the town^ip. They bought up many tracts of
land in this part of Ogle County, as well as in
Lee and Dekalb Counties, ahead of the coming
of the railroad, at $1.25 per acre. This land was
then sold by them on time to the various pur-
chasers wishing to make homes upon it. This
firm had their office with "Uncle Tommy" Smith,
who had general charge of their affairs. Twice
a year the members of the Owego firm would
come to settle up, take their interest, give deeds,
etc. It is said by one who remembers these oc-
casions that people would come from all around
the region in their wagons, till it appeared like
a camp meeting assembly. The "absentee land-
lords." of course, got rich and were dubbed by
the disaffected as "land grabbers," though there
were not many persons who Avere not accommo-
dated in some manner ; and when the panic of
1873 came, this firm kept right on as before and
was really of much valuable assistance to the
farmer.
Dement Changed to Creston. — The postoSice
was at first called Dement, but there being a
Bement in Piatt County, much trouble with the
mail ensued, so the name was changed to Cres-
ton. This was at the suggestion of Mr. E. L.
Wells, on account of the site being held to be the
highest point on the latitudinal line between
Chicago and the Mississippi. Mr. Wells pre-
pared the petition to the General Assembly for
the change of name, which occurred in 1869.
Business Enterprises. — One of the most thriv-
ing industries of Creston is a tile factory, where
an excellent quality of drain tile is manufac-
tur: d, which is shipped in addition to nearby
points, as far from the plant as West Chicago
and Morris. A good red brick is also m nde. The
factory was established in 1882, the company
owning a tract of 28 acres, at the edge of Cres-
ton, where the clay for the process is obtained.
Asa Dimon. now of Oregon, but formerly of
Creston, and who for two terms filled the ofl5ce
of County Treasurer, is President of the Creston
Tile Company, and W. H. Dickinson is the Sec-
retary and Treasurer. As the wet fields of the
county, and the original "swamp lands" have
been, and continue to be tiled, there is a con-
stant demand at home for such factory products.
Another flourishing industry is the ci-eamery
p,
IIISTOIJV OK orjLT- corxTV.
759
built about twelve years ago by (.luller Brotbers
of Dekalb, and operated by tbem iu connection
with a uuuiber of others iu different localities.
This is now ownod by Peter Nelson, and fine
butter is made, the region roundabout being a
good dairying country, and milk being brought
to the creamery from twelve miles away.
The "creamery on the north line," previously
alluded to, was a busy industry while it wa^ in
operation. It was called the "(Countryman &
Co. Creamery,'" and was organized about 1870
as a stock company by Alvin, Norman, and Har-
vey Countryman, and R. P. Benson, and made at
first Liniberger cheese. In 18H'. it was changed
to a creamery alone, and produced from 30,000
to 40,000 pounds of butter yearly, which was
shipped mostly to New York City.
There are two elevators along the line of rail-
way, one operated by Dickinson & Lewis, the
other, by Martin Kennedy. A fine grain busi-
ness is done by tlie Creston elevators, consider-
able corn and oats being shipped.
Among the business houses of the village are
the dry-goods stores of Eman Oakland and R. E.
Bowles, The post-office is in charge of Dr. H.
C. Robins, who looks after its duties in connec-
tion with his drug store.
Creston has quite a satisfactory Opera House,
which might do credit to a larger place. It was
built about 1875 by a stock company at a cost
of about .$0,000, and is a paying investment. It
IS a two-story brick building, the upper floor
being used as the Woodmen Hall. The first floor
is fitted with a well-appointed stage, and the
room has a seating capacity of between three
and four hundred.
"The Creston Times," w^hich was founded In
1S72 by Isaac B. Bickford, is now published in
Malta by the "Malta Record," the publishers of
wliich issue "a CTeston edition," which is called
the "Creston Observer." The paper since its
first issue has had a number of different editors
and publishers, among them have been Dr. H. C.
Robins, D. C. Needham, G. W. Morris & Son.
A'liJ.AGF Okfu tRS. — In 18(17 the village w.-is in-
corporated under a si)ecial (barter, ;iih1 Tiionias
Smith was elected President; .Joseph White, G.
W. Place. A. B. McCrea. Daniel Dinion. Trustees;
G. W. Allen. Clerk. In 1870 it was voted to in-
corporate under the General .Vrt. In 188(5 the
officers were R. G. Swan. President ; .1. P. Lord.
A. H. Tavlor. WMliani ,T. Mettler, Z. A. L;in(lers
(now editor of the "Ogle County Republican"),
(Jcorge Thonipsoii, Trustees; Charles Sheffer,
Clerk. At present A. B. McCrea is President.
;ind George Edwinson is Clerk.
I.ocAi. CiirucHKs. — There are three religious
(Icuoniinations iu Creston. The Congregational
< 'Imrch, organized in 18i5G. by the Rev. Flavel
l'.;iscoiii. Agent of the Illinois Missionary Associa-
tion, with fourteen mtMulicrs; i-dirtce erected in
ISt'.C), and ;i parsonage later. The Rev. (i. L.
McDougal is now the pastor. The Methodist
Kpiscojial Chiircli was organized at Brodie's
(Jrove in 1S.")7 b.\ the Rev. .lohn Nait. with nine
members; hous'.> ol' worsliiii en'cted at the village
in ISCCi. The iirescnt ])astor is the Rev. .J. W.
Parks. The Norwegian Lutheran Church was
organized about 1870, the house of woi-ship l)e-
ing erected in 1871, at a cost of .$3,000. The Rev.
]{. O. Hill was the first pastor; the present i)as-
tor is the Rev. K. O. Ettreim and the church has
a congregation of about 4."')0.
The population of Creston numbers between
400 and 500. The village is lighted by kerosene
street lamps set uix»n the old-time posts. From
a well 400 feet in depth, under village manage-
ment, is pumped by gasoline engine the public
water supply.
Township ()fi-I(i:i!S. — Since the organization
of the township llic following have been Super-
visors: N.-ithan Swinglcy. 18-")<i: Anson Barnum,
lS."'»7-(;0; Barzilla Kna]>p, 18(;i ; Anson Barnum,
1802-04 : Edward L. Wells. lS(i5 ; Albert Lewis.
ISOC; Robert .1. Rickey. 18(>7: Anson Barnum,
18(i8; .\lfi-(-d B. McCr(>a. 18r.;)-7(i; .Vsa Dinion.
1871-72; rpton SAvingley, 1873-74; .John A. Mc-
Crea. 187.J-7G; .Joseph White, 1877-8(! ; Frank P..
Gale. 1887-89; Daniel Dinion. 1800; R. E.
Bowles, 1808-00: William .1. ?^Ieiitor. 1000-03; II.
.1. Cleveland. 1!K)4-0N.
The other officers of the township for 1908 are :
Town Clerk, George Edwinson ; Assessor, Wil-
liam .J. Somers; Tax Collector, Daniel Dimon ;
.Justices of the Peace, W. C. Kempsou. .John M.
Aska ; Constable, John Vanstone ; Highway Com-
missioners, Tliomas Perkins, Boyd Ritchie, Ed-
ward Ilaniieman; School Treasurer. S. O. Swain.
EAGLE POINT TOWNSHIP.
(By J. W. Clinton.)
Eagle Point Townshiii. situated in the .south-
west corner of Ogle County, originally consti-
760
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
tuted a part of Buffalo Township, from which
it was set apart by act of the Board of Super-
visors in September, 1869, afterward approved
by the legal voters and the first Board of town
-officers elected in April, 1870. It is bounded on
the north by Brookville Township, on the east
by Buffalo, by Whiteside County on the south
and Carroll County on the west. Like Brook-
ville Township immediately north, it consists of
eighteen sections — three in width from east to
west, and six in length from north to south.
Eagle Point, on the western border, is the only
village in the township, though Hazelhurst. a
station on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad, just west of the Carroll County line,
•'s a hamlet in what is known as Elkhorn Grove,
.'ocated in part in Eagle Point Township.
At an early date Eagle Point was quite a
business center. Michael Ayers made chairs,
spinning wheels, reels and swifts and other fur-
niture and hand-rakes and probably grain cradles.
"ITiere was probably a blacksmith shop there as
early as 1840 or even earlier. Mason Crary set-
tled here in 1840, and established a store later,
which he conducted as late as 1865 or 1866. In
1845, John Anderson had a wagon shop at Eagle
Point. In the early 'forties. Mason & Beech
Crary had quite a business, buying, curing and
selling pork on the market. Later, Mason Crary
runned leather and manufactured sheepskin over-
coats and gloves. In the 'fifties, John Horner
had a two-story shop in which he manufactured
sash, doors and furniture. In 1851 Henry Elsey
came here.
In its early history Naaman Spencer had a
cooper siiop where he manufactured flour and
iiOVK. barrels, some of which were used at Wil
aOn's mill and at Fulton. As early as 1855^
Xaaman Spencer. .Jr., ran a threshing machine
iiith a Gate's steam-engine for power, probably
the first so used in the United States. He was
the inventor and builder of several kinds of
agricultural machines, among them being the
long straw carrier, the side elevator for thresh-
ii!g machines, and the Spencer gang-plows. Of
the latter, he manufactured a lai'ge number
wlilch w(!re sold over a wide extent of territory.
In 1870, the deniand for this plow exce<Hled the
supply. The region is a strictly agricultural one.
Churches. — .\liout 1852. Rev. .Terciniah Ken-
oyer, a Ignited Brethren Evangelical in-caclier.
neld a protrncled meeting in the old schoolliouse
:;>t Eagle Point. Under liis prcafbiiig many were
led to join the church, which he organized at the
close of his meetings. Among the members were
these old pioneers, Pearson Shoemaker and his
wife. For tjie next five years, services were
held in the schoolhouse at Eagle Point, or at
Mr. Shoemaker's house and in his big barn. In
1856, when Rev. W. T. Bunton was in charge,
Mr. Shoemaker was the leading man in building
the brick church, as it was then known, although
now the brick is not visible, as it is sided over.
Mr. Shoemaker hauled most of the brick for the
building himself, and to carry the enterprise to
completion, he assumed a considerable part of
the expense, for which he was never re-imbursed.
The church was not completed until the autumn
of 1857, when it was dedicated by Bishop Davis.
The task of raising the money to pay for the
building fell to the lot of Rev. Bunton, who war-
more than successful. This church is now a part
of the Coleta charge, and services are held there
once in two weeks. A Sunday school is main-
tained at the church. The cemetery adjoining
this church, where many of the early pioneers
are resting, was established years before the
church was built.
The Rev-. Silas Jessup came to Eagle Point
as a farmer and pastor of the newly formed
church of the Presbyterian faith at Elkhorn
(xrove, at an early date, was an active preacher
from 1846 to 1855, and the Presbyterian church
at Eagle Point was built under his charge.
During all of his pastorate, his salary was prob-
ably not more than $400 per year, and this was
partly paid by the Home Mission Board of the
Church, and the balance by the local church.
The first camp meeting in Ogle County was
undoubtedly held in Elkhorji Grove in the fall
of 1836. The preachers were Rev. Alfred Bron-
son, P. E. W. Wigley of Galena, C. D- James, M.
Shunk and James McKean.
Without doul)t Samuel M. I'ellows taught in
the family of John Ankney in Elkhorn Grove, in
the winter of 1834-35, and was the lirst teacher
of this locality.
On July 7, 1873, the Eagle Point Mutual Fire
Insurance Company was organized, with Abram
Hisley as President, and. Henry Elsey as Secre-
tary, and the latter still holds that office.
Postoffices formerly existed at Eagle Point and
Elkhorn Grove, the former established July 31,
]S48, with Mason Crary as Postmaster, and the
latter December 31, 1848, with .Joseph Gorgas as
Postmaster, but both were discontinued in 1900,
IT I STORY OF OGLE COUNTY
761
the territory now being supplied by tlie Rural
Free Delivery System. Htmry Elsey was the
list Postmaster at Eagle Point and Fi-ed Berge-
man at Klkhorn Grove.
Township Officers. — The following i)ersons
have served as members of the Board of Super-
visors for Eagle Point Township : Wm. Donald-
son. 1871-72; John Nichols. 1873; Wm. Donald-
son, 1874; Daniel W. Newcomer. 1875-81; George
Poole, 1882-92; .Johnson Lawrence, 1S9.3 to De-
cember, 1902 ; Russell S. Nichols. December.
1902, to April, 1903; James D. Ander, 1903-08.
The other officers for the township in 1908
were : Town Clerk, Allen S. Elsey ; Assessor,
John Eckerd ; Collector, Adelbert Bellows ; Com-
missioner of Highways. Andy P. Shoemaker.
FLAGG TOWNSHIP.
(By WJlliam P. Landon. Esq.)
The first settlement in Flagg Township was
made three years after the Black Hawk War,
in 183.5. Previous to that time the only inhab-
itants had been roving bands of Indians between
the Illinois River and the Kishwaukee. As these
tribes passed over the prairies, they camped in
the groves on the same spots year after year and
they left their lodge poles standing. As late as
1845 traces of the Ottawas could thus be seen,
and of the Pottawatomies in Jefferson Grove in
1857.
' First Settlers. — Jephtha Noe was the first
permanent settler in March, 183G, in Flagg Town-
ship, at Jefferson Grove, on what is now
the Ed. Leonard farm, a little to the
north and west of the road going out to "Klon-
dike," the summer picnic grounds, on the Os-
borne Randall farm, of a small club of Rochelle
men, and there built a log cabin one and one-
half stories high with roof of "shakes," "pun
cheon" floor and chimney of split sticks. Wil-
liam Cochrane came next and settled near Mr.
Noe in September, 1830, bringing later in the
fall his family, consisting of his wife, his son
Homer, afterward a doctor; his daughter, Mrs.
Lucy Lake, a widow, who afterward married
W. P. Flagg, her son Oscar M. Lake, who is still
living in Rochelle, being the oldest settler in
this region ; his second daughter, Julia Anne,
who married A. S. Hoadley. Mr. Cochrane's
cabin was large enough for religious worship
and was often so used after the settlers became
more numerous. Amos Hubbard, an old man,
and John Hayes, a young man, worked for Mr.
Cochrane at this time, Hayes chopping wood and
cutting rails at $8 a month. Mr. Hayes was the
father of David II. and Emery C. Hayes, and be-
came a prosperous farmer in the north part of
the Township. In 1837, John Randall, with his
sons, George, John and James P., William P.,
Ira and Wesley, and three daughters, Sarah,
Margaret and Mahala, built a log cabin on Main
Street on the north side of the creek a little
southeast of the Henzie house. This was the
first house in Hickory Grove. The next year,
18.38, came Sheldon Bartholomew and Willard P.
Flagg and bought Randall's claim for $1,500, and
Randall moved to Jefferson Grove, purchasing
the claim of a Mr. Jarvis. Bartholomew and
Flagg lived together in the Randall cabin until
1839, when ' Flagg built a cabin north of the
Riley lot in the middle of the present Avenue
C, near South Main Street. These two men di-
vided the Randall claim, which extended indef-
initely on both sides of the creek. Flagg taking
all on the south side, while Bartholomew took
that on the north.
In July, 1839, Mr. Flagg and Mrs. Lucy Lake
were married and she and her son Oscar, who
was then about seven years old, lived in the new
home of Mr. Flagg. In 1838 Hiram Leonard
came to Jefferson Grove and married Sarah, a
daughter of John Randall, and settled on the
farm which Edward Leonard now owns. Mr.
Leonard had come to Washington Grove in Feb-
ruary, 1835, where Charles, Richard and Thomas
Aikens and David Maxwell settled the same
spring. W^illiam Howe also settled at Jefferson
Grove and married Margaret Randall. In the
year 1840 there were alwut a dozen or fifteen
more settlers in Flagg Township. At this time
the settlement near Jefferson (irove contained
several more people than that at Hickory Grove
and the former was called "Skunk Town." not
bei-auso of the people. l)ut because of the large
number of skunks killed there at one time.
Among these early settlers were: Mr. Pembrock.
who settled first on a swamp farm near Brush
Grove, and soon moved just north of Rochelle on
the old Lane farm and built a log-cabin just east
of Morris Clark's present residence ; Josiah
Steele, near Kyte River on the north road ; Cum-
mings Noe, Job Rathbun, Bradley Wright, and
his father on the west side of Jefferson Grove ;
762
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Samuel Huntley and his son Asa, and another
son, Francis Huntley, near them; Benjamin
Rathbun, west of Jefferson Grove; Paul Taylor
and Nelson Hill, near the Randalls, all settled
near Jefferson Grove about 1840. Simeon Ches-
ter and :Mills Steward came in 1843, Hiram T.
Minkler and Richard H. Beers took claims in
1845 south of the Flagg farm. Mr. Minkler
built the first frame dwelling in the Township.
Mr. Beers married Miss Dollie Rathbun, and
both are living on their original claim south of
Rochelle. Constant N. Reynolds, his father,
Searl, and brothers, Davis, Tupper and Simeon
all settled northwest of the present town in 1840.
The first grave in the Township was that of Lu-
ra Reynolds, the little daughter of Constant Rey-
nolds, and the next was that of Sheldon Bar-
tholomew, who died December 9, 1846. Neces-
sary brevity forbids further mention of the other
early settlers.
The early settlers had no extra hardships to
endure. The supplies were at first purchased at
Hennepin in Putnam County. There were also
small stores at Daysville, Grand Detour and
Oregon before a store was started at Hickory
Grove, but the principal trading point was of
course Chicago, and here the farmers sold their
grain. Constant Reynolds and Harmon Minkler
first introduced sheep-raising and many sheep
were killed by wolves and other wild animals.
Indian Visitors. — Until 1850 this region was
regularly visited by a band of Indians who
camped at Jefferson Grove. They traded from
beyond the Mississippi River to the Govern-
ment Station at Milwaukee. They numbered
from twelve to seventy-five. They were peace-
able and friendly to the whites, with whom
they had some dealings in provisions. The
wellknown Indian Chief Shabbona, who lived
at Shabbona Grove, came to these parts fre-
quently. This region was very little molested
by the notorious Driscoll family who lived north
of Flagg ToAATiship.
The Rathbun Bridge was one of the first to be
built across Kyte River. A stage line ran from
Chicago through Flagg Centre and then south to
Dixon. Other stage lines along Rock River
touched at Daysville. The health of the pioneers
was excellent. Dr. John H. Roe, of Lighthouse
Point, and Dr. I>yman King, west of .Jefferson
Grove, practised medicine throughout these
parts.
Rochelle History. — The first settlement of
Rochelle was called Hickory Grove from the
large number or hickory trees in the grove —
and possibly some pine trees, as it was
early called "Loblolly Grove' — the location being
on the south side of Kyte Creek, near the cor-
ner of South Main Street and Avenue C, and near
the present residence of John Riley, Jr. This
hamlet was the only collection of houses in this
locality' and consisted of three or four log cabins,
a store and a blacksmith shop, up to 1853 when
the Northwestern Railroad was built. In this
year, some capitalists from Rockford, R. P. Lane,
T. D. Robertson and Gilbert Palmer, bought a
large tract of land from "Aunt" Charlotte Bar-
tholomew, widow of Sheldon Bartholomew, and
platted that portion now known as the original
town of Lane, after one of the owners. During
the building of the railroad, some stores located
in the region of the present business district and
the hamlet of Lane started. The Village of Lane
was incorporated by act of the General Assembly,
February 22, 1861. In 1865-66 a bill was passed
changing the name of the Village to Rochelle.
and on April 10, 1872, by election the Village was
changed to the City of Rochelle.
Coming of the First Railroad. — The great
event of the time was the building of the
"Dixon Air-Line." a branch of the Galena
& Chicago Union Railroad. Great rivalry existed
as to the route it should take. The name "Air-
Line Railroad" was jeered at by the residents
of the county-seat as the "Gas-Line Railroad."
Work was prosecuted with vigor and on January
14, 1854, the last rail was laid. Upon the com-
pletion of the railroad a banquet was held at the
Lane Hotel, run by Horace Coon. An original
song composed by William Cochrane and his
daug'hter, Mrs. A. S. Hoadley, and W. P. and
Lucius Flagg, was given by the then well-known
singers: Constance Reynolds, Sidney and A. S.
Hoadley, and W. P. and Lucius Flagg. A train
of excursionists from Chicago had been expected
to take part in the festivities, but in the evening
word came that their engine had broken down,
and so baskets of provisions were sent them by
means of a wagon. Lane was the terminus of
the railroad until the following year and John
R. Hotaling ran a stage from Lane to Dixon,
At this time Lane had a boom and stores and
dwellings multiplied rapidly.
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
703
Business Dkvelopment. — 'I'lie Hrst store wus
iu a littk' lof? oabiu. which had been a
part of Mr. Cochrane's house at Jefferson
Grove, and was hauled over and phu-ed
near the river opposite Mr. Flagg's house on the
Southworth land. Bruin Walker was the first
store-keeper. Lucius Flagg rau a blacksmith
shop in a shant>' a little west of the south end
of the present bridge. During the summer of
1858, M. J. Woodward kept a general store in
the house which Lucius Flagg vacated. Cus-
tomers liad to find Mr. Woodward and then he
would unlock the store and serve them. After
the railroad was built business moved rapidly in-
to tlie iiresent district. The first house was
erected in Lane in August, 1853, by Isaac Ross,
on Second Street, between Main and Washington,
A shanty witli a car-roof was the second build-
ing but first store, built in 1853 and located
about on the southeast corner of the Neola Ele-
vator Company's lumher yard and owned by
.Johnson Brothers. The groceries were mixed,
wet goods predominating, and the resort was
called "The Shades." The Lane Hotel, the fore-
runner of the Hotel Delos, and the third build-
ing, was built in 1853 by Horace Coon and con-
ducted by him for several years. Mr. Kendal]
next was "mine host" till 1858 or 1859, when he
was succeeded by Col D. C. May from Roekford.
David B. Stiles in 1853 built the fourth building
and conducted a general store in the vicinity of
John Rae's. Henry Burlingim in 1854 began
business in a small building with a car-roof
called the "ark," on Washington Street .iust north
of Evans & Barber's seed-store. In 1856 he built
a store on the site of Bert Baxter's furniture
store and conducted the first real grocery store
with Miles J. Braiden as a partner. The same
year. J. B. Barber built just east of the present
People's Bank a rival store and did a rushing
business, with Oscar M. Lake and J. S. Patchin
as clerks. Barber formed a ])artnership with
John R. Hotaling at the end of the year, and
in 1856 the "Republican Block." or the corner
brick," was erected by them on the site of the
People's Bank. Before the building was finished
the firm was dissolved and Major Hotaling took
the l)uilding and Barber moved into a new store
on the west side of Washington Street, one of
"Lovejoy's Row," which was destroyed by the
first large fire of 1860. "Jerry" Barber also
dealt in coal, furniture, bought grains and be-
can-.e the leading mer^'hant of Lane, enjoying th»»
confidence of the community and Ixnng a very
popular man. He failed in business later and
died in 1872, having lost both his money and his
friends. The "corner brick." called the "Repub-
lican Bloclv," is an old land mark and was first oc-
cupied by Frank and Milo Cass as a general store,
they being succeeded by Barber & Co. Brownell
Brothers. Lawrence and Will, opened a general
store in the building in 1861 and did a large bus-
iness. After 1871 it was successively occupied by
Francis Glenn & Co., Shinkle & Co., Aaron Cass,
Edward Brownell, Morgan & Ileintz. In 1904 it
was rebuilt into a modei-n banking house by
Baxter & Hathaway for the People's Loan &
Trust Company. Other business men from 1857
to 1869, were Hughes & Frisbee, drygoods;
Thornton Beatty, A. H. Fields & Judson F. Bur-
roughs, John F. Nettleton, and I. M. Mallory,
luniber ; James S. Patchin, general merchant ;
George E. Turkington & Thomas Padgett, and M.
T Ellinwood. hardware; Knight & Bennett, Clark
& Dana and J. L. Putnam, druggists ; R. W. Por-
ter, furniture.
Delos A. Baxter was the pioneer harnessmaker,
starting his shop on the present site of the New
Rochelle Hotel. He also ran a hotel in connec-
tion with his harness business. Mr. S. J. Par-
ker started a harness shop in 1860 and continued
until recently, anfl now has retired but is com-
jileling his eighteenth year as Supervisor. Jo-
sejih Parker, who was a delegate from Ogle Coun-
ty to the State Constitutional Conventions of 1869-
70, conducted a book and stationery business in
Rochelle up to his death in December, 1908. Dr.
D. W. C. Vaile came to Lane to practise at about
the time of the opening of the railroad. Dr.
Reed came in 1857, and Dr. W. W. Gould opened
an office in 1860 and is still in active practice.
Grain Trauk — Elevators. — The grain trade
at Lane was ini])ortant on account of the
fertile farming region surrounding the vil-
lage. Tlie first elevator was erected by
James Smith, and was situated on the lot south
of A. Phelps' hardware store. Boyce & Bum])
operated this elevator until it was destroyed in
the second large fire in May, 1861. A large ele-
vator w;is built by Spaulding and Hotaling on
the lot just west and was occupied by Lake <&
P>lackman when it was destroyed by the same
fire while filled with grain, O. .M. Lake, the
head of the firm, being in Chicago attending the
r\incral services of Stephen A. Douglas. The old
76^
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
«evaror east of the present Sullivan livery was
built by Mallory & McConaughy, and the stone
elevator bj' M. J. Braiden & Henry Burlingim
about 1860. In 1863 the elevator north of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railway on Washington
Street, was built by a company and Shockley &
Phelps placed in charge. The elevator north of
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway on
Washington Street, was built in 1872 by Shock-
ley & Company.
PosTOFFiCE History. — Prior to 1854 the Post-
office was called Story and was located south of
the river in Hickoi'y Grove. It was next moved
a mile north at the Birdsell corners and kept by
Alba O. Hall. In 1854 this was abandoned and
Lane became the postoffice, and D. B. Stiles first
Posthiaster. Others who have served as Post-
masters, with date of appointment, are: 1857, J.
B. Barber ; 1861. C. B. Boyce ; 1869, Major Hotal-
ing ; 1884. H. H. Glenn. George W. Dicus is the
present Postmaster.
The old store of Joseph Parker has given place
to the fine new Stocking building, the first floor
of which is used as the postoffice, the second
floor as offices, and the third floor as the Masonic
Hall and ante-rooms. Four rural mail routes
run out from Rochelle and free delivery of mail
In the city has just been established.
Fires — A Lynching Episode. — ^There have
been three destructive fires in Rochelle. The
first two occurred so clo>sely together on Decem-
ber 22, 1860, and June 7, 1861, as to cause sus-
picion that an incendiary was trying to destroy
the town. Nearly all the business buildings on
the west side of Washington Street were con-
sumed in the first, and in the second the row of
grain houses and elevators between the north
side of the track and the alley, from the comer
brick to the stone elevator. This was just after
the war and excitement ran high, a public meet-
ing was held, a committee of investigation ap-*
pointed and a detective employed. A man by
the name of Thomas D. Burke, a suspicious char-
acter in sympathy with the South and of ec-
centric habits, was at once suspected. The de-
tective, by pretending to be a Southerner, a bit-
ter secessionist, an agent of .Tefferson Davis,
and even a robber, obtained Burke's confidence
and claimed that he extracted a confession from
Burke that he started both of the fires and de-
signed to burn up tbo town entirely. Burke was
arrested and a preliminary examination was held
and the detective was the first witness, who re-
lated in a dramatic manner, the alleged confes-
sion of Burke of his incendiary acts and other
fiendish deeds. After the case was closed the
crowd called for the reading of the narrative of
the testimony. While the Justices were making
out the order of commitment, the prisoner was
seized by the excited citizens, a roi>e placed about
his neck and he was violently thrown feet fore-
most from the northwest window in the third
story of the '"corner brick." After a few brief
struggles he was dead. The alleged confession
was that he was a murderer, a robber, an in-
cendiary, and was then premeditating the mur-
der of a youth who had incurred his hatred.
After the lynching, grave doubts arose in the
minds of many as to the guilt of Burke, and the
citizens felt deeply the disgrace of the affair,
and this proved one of the reasons for the change
of name of the village from Lane to Rochelle.
Some of the leading parties in this lynching
were indicted and tried but cleared by the jury.
The third great fire, on December 10, 1870, swept
all the buildings from Lake's shoe-store north to
the corner of Stocking's Bank. The total loss
was estimated at $55,000. The following sum-
mer and autumn the row was entirely rebuilt
with brick stores of unusual excellence for that
time.
Railway Enterprises. — Flagg Station was es-
tablished four miles west of Rochelle in 1866,
and Flagg Center, on the Burlington Road, be-
came a station in 1875. The Chicago & Iowa rail-
road was completed from Aurora to Rochelle
December 31, 1870, and from Rochelle to the east
bank of. Rock River opposite Oregon, April 1,
1871. After a hot contest Flagg Township voted
$50,000 for this road, the proposition being car-
ried by a majority of nine. By the terms upon
which the donation was voted, the Company was
requii-ed to complete its road into and through
the Town of Flagg by the first day of January.
1871 ; but the first train ran only to Rochelle on
the night before, and consequently an injunction
was served by Isaac M. Mallory, Daniel Shock-
ley and S. L. Bailey, to prevent the issue of
bonds. The Northwestern Railway furnished its
general counsel to assist these citizens, and the
Supreme Court decided that the town meeting
was not held according to law and, therefore, the
bonds should not be issued. The train used to
run one Avay and back the other, and went daily
WM. II. KORF
«
1
asto-
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
765
— "if the suow permitted." The wheezy old en-
gine "Advance" was the butt of many a joke.
The auditor's office and the general freight office
of this railroad were located in llochello for a
number of years. The Chicago, Rockford &
Northwestern Railroad was completed between
Rockford and Flagg Centre in 1870.
The Rathbuu Bridge was the first to be built
over Kyte Creek in this township. When Flagg
built his log cabin he laid out the present road
and attempted to build a bridge, but only the
stringers were placed in ixtsition and foot pas-
sengers could cross on them. Later David Stiles
built a bridge scarcely above the water's edge
and it was swept away by a flood. Shortly be-
fore the railroad was built a permanent bridge
was constructed. Mills Stewart, down by the
stone quarry, Flagg and Bartholomew occupied
the three houses in Hickory Grove, until the
hamlet boomed because of the building of the
new railroad. Mr. A. Harlow was the first to
enclose a town lot for residence purposes. Mr.
A. S. Hoadley built a house in 1854, east of the
Brackott House. The old J. M. May House was
built by J. B. Barber. In the year 1855 a house
was erected by J. M. McConaughy, now occu-
pied by Dr. J. L. Gardner.
Schools. — The first school in the township was
at Jefferson Grove and was taught by Mary
Rathbuu, havi)ig ten scholars, one-half of whom
were Rathbun children. It began sometime in
the first decade of settlement. The first school
at Hickory Grove began several years later and
Miranda Weeks was the first teacher. The first
school-house was built on the south side of the
creek near the residence of W. P. Flagg. Miss
Lucy Miller taught here just before the railroad
was built. In 18.54 a large building was erected
just south of the Presbyterian church. The first
teacher was INIat. Andrews and the next Miss
Mary J. Miller, who afterwards njarried O. M.
Lake. In the summer of 1858 a large school was
built on the present school grounds. School was
hold in both houses for one year; later the old
building was used for a grist mill. The newer
building was burned April 7, ISGD. At that time
the school had increased so that six teachers
were employed. Prof. A. J. Blancliard was at
that time principal and continued for four years.
The new school building reflects great credit
uix»n the public spirit of the citizens. It is a
large brick structure, three stories high besides
basement, and contains eight rooms for the
grades, a study hall and three recitation rooms
for the High School, costing about $40,000. Prof.
IJlanchard was followed by I'rof. P. It. Walker.
I'rof. Greenman, Prof. Philbrook, and Prof. C. E.
.loiner, wliu now presides with much ability. The
High School has a four years' course and its
graduates are admitted to our leading colleges
without further examinations. The first class
was graduated in 1874, and since that time 397
pupils have graduated. There are at present
four tea(,'hers in the High School and ten teach-
ers in the grades, besides drawing and music
teachers. A new school building has now been
decided upon by election, but erection has been
delayed by litigation concerning the site. There
are at present 122 pupils in the High School and
about 430 in the grades. The Alunnii Associa-
tion of the High School is a live one and num-
bers 372, besides 25 who have died.
Cin'RCHES. — The first religious services in the
township were held in the log cabin of William
Cochrane at .Jefferson Grove by .Tephtha Xoe.
The first religious services in Lane were held
in a passenger car in 18.54, Thornton Beatty
conducting the services. Tlie Presbyterian
church was organized September 1, 1854, with
ten members and the first meetings were held
in the old school-house, just south of the present
Presbyterian church. Rev. A. C. Miller was
temporary supply the first year. Rev. S. N. Evans
the first pastor and under his charge the first
church edifice was built, costing about $3,000.
Mr. Evans was killed by lightning Septeml)er
30, 1858. Rev. James McRae was pastor from
1800 til! isr)2. Rev. Sanuiel H. Weller from
18G2 till 1870. and under his ministration there
was a great increase in membership. Rev. T. M.
Wilson was next pastor for a brief period, and
then Israel Brundage served from 1874 till 1S86.
Under his i)astorate the present building was
erected at a cost of ,$10,000. The next succeed-
ing pastors were the Revs. Edgar S. Williams,
J. B. Flemming, William P. Landon and Harvey
S. Crouse. Rev. J. S. Martin has been the pas-
tor since May 1, 1902. During his pastorate the
parsonage was built and the church is in a flour-
ishing condition with a membership of about
200. a Sunday School of over 200, an active
Christian Endeavor Society and other organiza-
tions.
The Methodist Episoojial Society erected its
first clnirch about 1858. but meetings were held
and a church organization jx'rfected soon after
766
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
the completion of the railroad. Numerous pas-
tors have served this church, of whom Revs. Mr.
Bales, Dr. Horn, Mr. Legear and Rev. W. H.
Otjen have been noteworthy. Rev. Mr. Perry
is the present pastor. The Sunday School num-
bers about 175 and the Epworth League is
active.
The* Baptist church was organized in 1868
and has been small in numbers but sustained by
members of peculiar loyalty and devotion. The
present pastor is Rev. Mr. Porter and the church
is making progress.
The origin of the St. Patrick's Catholic church
grew out of mass first held in 1853 by a travel-
ing priest. In 1856 Rochelle was attached to
St. Patrick's Church at Dixon as an out-mission.
Rev. Father Kennedy held the first regular serv-
ice in 1856 and built a church in 1857. The resi-
dent pastors have been Fathers Duhig, Gormley,
Luby, Dr. Gavin, Frolich, Tracy, Quigley, O'Cal-
laghan, D. D., Green, Carr, and Thomas Finn,
who took charge in 1893 and continued to 1907.
The fine brick church was built in 1890 and the
rectory about 1900. Rev. Father D. J. Conway
is the present pastor and is very popular. About
two hundred families are communicants. A
parish school is now being started in the old
Southworth residence.
The German Lutherans have a prosperous or-
ganization and own the building formerly used
by the Presbyterian church. Their present pas-
tor is Rev. ilr. Schoembeck. The Swedish Luth-
erans also have an organization but do not own
a building. The Episcopalians have a church
organization and the Christian Science church
has an association. The Universalists had an
organization here about 1870, which continued
for four years.
Fraternal and Social Organizations. — The
secret societies of Rochelle are the Masons, Odd
Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen,
Modern Woodmen and Knights of Columbus.
Horicon Lodge, No. 242, A. F. & A. M., was or-
ganized under dispensation June 3, 1857, and
received its charter October 7, 1857, with D. W.
Baxter. W. M. ; H. H. Frisbee, S. W. ; Henry
Burlingim, .7. W. Meetings were held in Repub-
lican Hall and then in the Odd Fellows' Hall.
Later they mft in the Opera House Block, then
in tlif rooms ocr-upi(Hl by the Knights oF Colum-
bus. Their present rooms arc on the third story
of the Stocking Post-office building, and are very
handsome and convenient. The r>odgp iniinl)ers
119, with George E, Moore, W. M. ; Fred W.
Craft, S. W. ; and William F. Hackett, J. W.
The Rochelle Chapter, No. 158, R. A. M., is an
active organization with W. B. McHenry, E. H.
P. ; J. R. Patterson, King ; David Kelly, Scribe ;
Adolph Hilb, Treasurer ; G. H. Moore, Secretary.
The Mystic Workers of the World have 89
members with James Brundage, Jr., Prefect ; Eva
Weeks, Monitor ; Anna Caspers, Banker ; Alec.
Hodge, Marshal.
The officers of other organizations are as
follows :
Royal Neighbors of America. — Mrs. K South-
worth, Oracle; Mrs. Nellie Tigan, Vice-Oracle;
Mrs. Hattie Caspers, Recorder ; Mrs. R. Unger,
Banker.
Daughters American Revolution. — Miss Anna
Turkington, Regent ; Mrs. G. E. Stocking, Vice-
Regent ; Mrs. Mary Elliott, Treasurer; Mrs.
S. V. ^Vlrick, Secretary.
Catholic Order of Foresters.— T. M. Keegan,
Deputy C. R. ; James DeCourcey, P. C. R. ; Theo.
Shade, C. R. ; A. E. Ludwig, Secretary.
Grand Army of the Republic. — Major Gammon,
Commander ; Cash Perry, Senior Commander ;
J. O. McConaughy, Q. M. ; I. E. Thorp, Adjutant,
The Ladies' G. A. R. is an active organization
with Mrs. Van Patten as President.
The Modern Woodmen of America has 119
members, with the following oflicers : A. A. Cas-
pers, V. C. ; W. H. Williams, Clerk.
The Order of Eastern Star has about 180 mem-
bers with Mrs. J. R. Patterson, W. M. ; Mrs.
B. L. Vaile, Secretary.
Hickory Grove Lodge, No. 230, I. O. O. F., was
organized May 21, 1857, with J. B. Barber,
Noble Grand. Their meetings have been held
first in Republican Hall, next in the Hall over
McHenry's present shoe-store, which was de-
stroyed by fire, then rebuilt and reoccupled by
them. In 1870 the lodge room was again de-
stroyed by fire. They now have permanent
quarters over the rear of the Stocking Bank.
The present membership is 117, with George
Kramer as N. G. ; D. C. Russell as V. G. ; and
A. M. Peck as Secretary.
Tlie Flagg Lodge, No. 115, A. O. U. W., began
May 20, 1878. It has been a prosperous Lodge
Init nt present does not hold meetings. The in-
surance feature is attended to by J. F. Bird,
Recorder.
The Knights of Columbus started in 1905 and
li;is about 90 members, with D. J. Sullivan as
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
767
Grancl Knight, and occupies the former Masonic
rooms in the Bain Bloclc.
Tlie Woman's Club of Rochellc, a wide-awake
oriianization with 100 members, was organized
in 1897 and lias for its present officers, Mrs.
Arthur M. Pock, I»resident ; Mrs. Fred W. Craft,
Vice-President; Miss Josephine Iloadley, Sec-
retary.
A Chautauqua Circle has been active here for
twenty years, many members have graduated
and the organization is prosperous.
The NMneteenth Century Club is another
Ladies' literary club which has stimulated the
intellectual life of Rochelle.
Manufacturing Enterprises. — The Agricul-
tural and Mechanical Association of Rochelle
was organized July 31, 1873, the first officers
being M. J. Braiden, President ; E. L. Otis, Sec-
retary ; M. T. Ellinwood. Treasurer ; D. C. May,
Superintendent. Agricultural fairs and horse
races were held annually until about 1904, when
the organization was dissolved and the grounds
sold to Morris Kennedy and re-sold by him to
a committee to obtain the location at Rochelle of
the Vassar Swiss Knitting FactoiT- This com-
mittee subdivided the tract into lots and sold the
lots for about $15,000, which was used as a bonus
to secure the factory.
A little over five years ago, a number of prom-
inent and enterprising citizens exerted them-
selves to secure some factories for Rochelle. The
first one obtained was the Vassar Swiss Under-
wear Company, for which a bonus of about $15,-
000 was raised and factory buildings erected.
The corporation is composed chiefly of Chicago
I^eople and George Rutledge is the resident man-
ager and inventor of the knitting machines.
About 75 people are employed.
The P. Hohenadel. Jr.. Canning Company was
established in 1903 and is engaged in the can-
ning of corn, peas, sauer kraut and jiickles.
Connected with this industry is the Ilohenadel-
Stocking Farming Company, which uses about
2,000 acres in raising vegetables for canning.
The citizens donated the site to the factory at
a cost of alxnit $5,000. About 100 men are em-
ployed in the busy season.
The Billmire Bridge and Iron Woi'ks occupy
the old foundry jilant in the east part of town
and came here in 1905. It employs about 30
•men.
The George D. \Miitcomb Company occupies
the building southeast of the city limits, which
was built by a company of citizens for the Ro-
chelle Novelty Manufacturing Company. The
only novel thing about this latter company was
its experience with the manager, who was in-
dicted for stealing the intricate parts of their
machines, but was acquitted ou the ground that
as manager, he had a right to the possession of
them. The Whitcomb Company came to Rochelle
in 1907 ; has employed about 75 men and is en-
gaged in the manufacture of machinery, princi-
pally for mining.
The Rochelle Clock and Watch Manufacturing
Company came here in 1900, receiving as a bonus
from our citizens about $15,000, which was the
cost of buildings. About 100 people are employed.
The Rochelle Wire Manufacturing Company is
engaged in the manufacturing of barbed wire
fence. The officers are V. Hohenadel, Jr., Presi-
dent, and George E. Stocking, Vice-President and
Treasurer.
The Dust Proof Furniture Company was or-
ganized in 1906 and manufactures principally
office cases for filing papers, etc.
The financial prosperity of Rochelle has been
greatly improved by the extensive drainage of
the lands in the vicinity. In 1893 the Brush
Grove Drainage District was formed for the pur-
ix)se of draining lauds west and south of Ro-
chelle in Ogle and Lee counties, and a large
amount of low land was drained. Other smaller
drainage districts have been formed and also
much private drainage has been done. As a
result these low lands are the best and are
worth from $125 to $150 per acre, and the in-
creased crops have made the comnmnity much
more pro.sporous.
Banking Institutions. — Enoch Hinckley and
Son w'ere the first bankers, beginning in 1860.
E. T. Hunt and Company started a second bank
altont 18()1 and sold out the next year to I. M.
.Mallory. who organized the business into the
Rochelle National Bank in 1872 and became its
President, with J. T. Miller, Cashier. The pres-
ent ofiicers of the Rochelle National Bank are
Emanuel Hilb, President; Daniel Cary. Vice-
President; A. B. Sheadle, Cashier. Its paid in
caiiital is $50,000 with $25,000 surplus. Its
offices have recently been handsomely rebuilt
1111(1 b(>antifully furnished.
In 1S72. also, the first National Bank was
organized with M. T. Ellinwood as President and
John C. Phelps, Cashier. Peter Smith was its
(68
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
next President and J. T. Miller its Cashier. Later
this bank was purchased by William Stocking
and Company and conducted as a private bank.
Albert Bird was for many years its Cashier. In
1906 it was re-organized as the Stocking Ti'ust
and Savings Bank. Its present officers are,
George E. Stocking, President ; Horace Stocking,
Viee-Pi*esident ; Otto Wedler, Cashier. Its paid
in capital stock is $150,000 with $15,000 surplus.
A handsome gray stone building on the corner of
Washington and Fourth Street is its elegant
home.
In 1904 the People's Loan and Trust Company
was organized as a Bank with its present offi-
cers, D. W. Baxter, President ; M. D. Hathaway,
Vice-President; J. C, Fesler, Cashier. Its paid
in capital stock is $50,000 with $25,000 surplus.
It occupies the old "corner brick," now rebuilt
into a fine banking and office building. The com-
bined deposits of these several banks average
$1,000,000.
RocHELLE Bab. — Rochelle has had a gifted
Bar ; among some of the past lawyers of promi-
nence were H. O. Rogers, M. D. Hathaway, Sr.,
who was probably the most widely known of the
older members of the bar and accumulated a
large fortune in his practice, banking and gen-
eral business intei-ests ; David O'Brien, who is
said to have been the most brilliant lav\-yer that
ever practiced in this part of the country; his
brother, George D. O'Brien, who was a pains-
taking student of the law and a wise counsellor,
who died in July, 1907. The present members of
the Bar are, D. W. Baxter, C. E. Gardner, W. B.
McHenry, W. P. Landon, Floyd Tilton, William
Healy. Frank Healy, Edward MeConaughy, S. V.
Wirick and Fred A. Wirick.
Newspapers. — The first newspaper, the "Lane
Leader," was established by John R. Howlett in
Lane, October, 1858. His style was so full of
vim that his paper was not a financial success,
but he struggled along until the summer of 1861
when he sold out to Prof. James A. Butterfield,
who issued the "Lane Patriot" in the fall of
1861 and suspended publication in the spring of
1862. Prof. Butterfield was a musical genius
who afterwards became the leader of the Chi-
cago Delegation of Gilmore's Peace Jubilee and
wrote several popnlar songs, including, "When
You and I were Young. Maggie."
The first issue of "The Lane Register" was
July 25. 1863, by Mr. E. L. Otis, its founder.
who moved from Rockford to Rochelle. Mr.
Otis became known as one of the most vigorous
and able editors in this part of the country.
There was not a neutral hair on his head and
he built up a strong paper. In 1865 the name
was changed to "The Rochelle Register," when
the name of the village was changed. Mr. Otis
continued as the editor and publisher of the
paper until he sold it in 1887 to J. C. Neff, who
had been the station agent of the Northwestern
Railroad at Rochelle, and who published the
paper for one year. Mr. H. C. Paddock bought
the paper in 1888 and published it until No-
vember 20, 1891. George W. Dicus then became
its owner and editor, having published the "Mil-
ledgeville Free Press" for two years prior to
1890. Mr. Dicus was an active and able editor
and materially increased the influence and cir-
culation of the paper until it occupied a promi-
nent position in this county. On May 13, 1907,
Emery I. Neff, who had been Superintendent of
Schools in Ogle County, became the publisher
and is now conducting it with abilitj'. It has
always been Republican in iwlitics except under
Mr. Paddock, when it was eclectic.
On August 18, 1881, G. W. Morris and his
son, Howard A. Morris, as partner, founded "The
Rochelle Herald." They had previously pub-
lished "The Malta Mail" and "The Creston
Times" at Malta, and in 1882 they merged them
all in "The Herald." This paper has been suc-
cessful and has always been Republican in its
politics. In March, 1893, G. W. Morris died and
his sou Howard continued as the owner and
editor. Howard Morris has had the longest
period of continuous service of any of the pres-
ent editors in the county.
December 16, 1897, "The Rochelle Independ-
ent" was founded by the Lux Brothers, Chas. A.
and Fred E. Lux, and has been successful and
enterprising. It is Republican in politics and
en.ioys a large circulation.
Several other papers have had a brief exist-
ence in Rochelle, one published by John M. King
in 1881, and a Free Silver paper, published by
Norman Rappalee in 1896, had a brief existence.
City Officers. — ^The present officers of the
City of Rochelle are : W. B. McHenry, Mayor ;
Dr. T. E. Fousor, Clinton Myers, W. J. Vaughn,
Morris Kennedy, William Kahler and A. B.
Sheadle, Aldermen ; W. P. Landon, City Attor-
ney ; Thomas M. Keegan, City Clerk, and O. M.
Lake, Police Magistrate.
IllSTOlfV OF OGLE COUNTY.
;G9
Litigation Over Real Estate. — For a number
of years residents were jjreatly exercised over a
litifiation tliat tlneak'nod to affect tlie title to
most of tlie town-silo. Tliis was called the Ross
Heirs' litigation. Charlotte A. Powell, the widow
of old Sheldon Bartholomew, who came here in
18.'}S, had a dauj^hter, Maria, who married Isaac-
Ross and these three made a deed to R. 1*. Lane
of the northeast and southwest quarters and
the southwest quarter of Section 24, wliich is
in the original iowu uf Lane. This deed was
invalid because it did not state that Maria Ross
was the wife of Isaac Ross, nor did the certifi-
cate of acknowledgment stale that Maria Ross
was examined separate and apart from her hus-
band, or that (lit contents and meaning of the
deed were made known and explained to her.
The deed, failing to conform to the requirements
of the statute, was declared invalid.
In the '.seventies there was considerable
talk about the validity of the title and, in the
'eighties, the M(>ttlers (Ira, Iliff and William)
and Porter Chamberlain, were interested by Wil-
liam T. Agnew to buy the interests of five of the
children of Maria Ross, who had since died.
Agnew Avas the husband of Carrie Agnew, one
of the six children of Maria Ross. In the
'eighties a good deal of litigation was brought
by Agnew and the Mettlers against citizens to
to eject them from their property. Cases are
found in 15 Illinois Appellate Reports (pages
6GS and 070), also in 120 Illinois Reports (page
065). These cases were unsuccessful for vari-
ous reasons that did not go to the merits of the
situation. Finally in 1S!)1, David O'Brien be-
came the attorney for the Mettlers and, in the
case of Ira Mettler vs. Joseph Craft (39 111.
App. 103). it waf. decided that Mr. Craft must
lose his home and receive nothing for the im-
provements. Consternation fell upon the pi"op-
erty holders. They had formed an organization
to defend their titles. Ex-mayor M. L. Ettinger
was then employed to make research, but Judge
Frank E. Reed of Oregon made the vital dis-
covery. He was then employed as a clerk in
the abstract office and was making an abstract
for some property in Rochelle. It had l)(K'n the
custom of the abstractors to make a copy of the
record u]) to tlie time of I>an<'"s Plat; Init Mr.
Reed was not satisfied with the meagerness of
the abstract of a certain suit, and examined the
records to obtain fuller details. While thus en-
gaged he ran across the record of another suit.
which turned out to be the assignment of dower
to Charlotte Powell, in which the seven and one-
half acres west of the old Rockford road were
set off as her absolute property. Hence the deed
to that part did not require Maria Ross and hus-
band to unite in it. 'i'his seven and one-half
acres was the part that was most dubious, and
this discovery was a great victory to the people.
The citizens bad employed Messrs. Cohrs and
(Jreen of Chicago as their lawyers, and while the
suit was still pending in l.S'.)4. Mr. Ettinge**
bought for the citizens the one-sixth interest oi
(Jeorge Ross for $750 on his twenty-first birtn-
day. although he had as a minor made a previous
deed to the Mettlers. This stopped the proceed-
ings of ejectment as it gave to the citizens a
right of occupancy. In 1895 all of the other
interests were purchased for .$1,500, and a deed
was given to Albert Bird as trusti-e for the
owners. The expenses for this contest were
$0,000. Other parts of the town-site were af-
fected, but not to tlu> extent of this forty-acre
tract. This litigation retarded the improvement
of the city, but as soon as it was closed, a new
period of prosperity l)egan.
Ri'XENT Development. — There has been an
active building boom in recent years. Besides
the buildings mentioned elsewhere, fine business
l)uil(lings have betni erected by A. Binz, C. E.
Valentine,. A. Hizer. Edward Reynolds, the Lux
Brothers and J. J. John.son. The latter has just
completed building a large Coliseum for public
amusement, 00x120 feet. The old Chockley Block
on the corner of Washington Street and Cherry
Avenue, which has been a land-mark, is at pres-
ent being handsomely remodeled.
Roclielle is a prosperous city of three thou-
sand iidiabitants. An unusually large number
of pleasant homes, costing from $5,000 to $12,000
each, nlak(^ the town deliglitful. and a public
water system, with a large supply of the purest
water from a deep well, a fine sewer system in-
stalled in 1007, a municipal elec-tric plant, built
in 10(17, a modern gas plant and a complete tele-
phone system furnish the city with modern con-
veniences. Three large railroad s.vstems, the
(Chicago & Northwestern, Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul,
give excelh'iit shipping facilities.
A spirit of enterprise* jwssesses tlie people and
vigorous efforts have been made to interst fac-
tories to loi-ate here. Business is in I lie hands of
770
HISTOEY OP OGLE COUNTY.
middle-aged men, who are active and aggressive.
Public enterprises enlist great interest and the
social life of the town is delightful.
The Supervisors for the township of Flagg
since its organization are as follows : Ira Over-
acker, 1850-51; Peter Mills, 1852-53; Ira Over-
acker, 1854-55; Henry Burlingim, 1856-58; Wil-
lard P. Flagg, 1859-60; Joseph Parker, 1861-62
W. P. Flagg, 3863-64; Joseph Parker, 1865-68
Denard Shockley, 1869; Caleb B. Boyce, 1870-74
Miles J. Braiden, 1875-80; James Rae, 1881
Elijah Taylor, 1882-84; William Stocking, 1885-
89; Elijah Taylor, 1890; Samuel J. Parker,
1891-1908. The other officers for the township,
in addition to the Supervisors for 1908, are:
Town Clerk, Ira T. Lougwell ; Assessor, Oscar
M. Lake ; Tax Collector, Robert Wiley ; Justices
of the Peace, M. L. Ettinger, Fred A. Wirick ;
Constables, C. A. Hizer, W. R. Seehler ; High-
way Commissioners, T. J. Dailey, James Tilton,
Robert E. Banning ; School Treasurer, O. A.
Wedler.
FORRESTOX TOWNSHIP.
This township lying in the northwestern cor-
ner of Ogle Countj", consists mainly of the now
valuable prairie land. What was early known
as White Oak Grove was the only timber of
any account in it; and here, i" ""831, Isaac
Chambers at first considered settling, but de-
cided the timber was uoc sufficient for a per-
manent settlement and located farther to the
south where the grove, on the line between
Brookville Tov,-nship and Carroll County, bears
his name, this being related in the history of
the four townships of that region which were so
closely connected in their early settlement.
Early Settlers. — In 1838 Jacob Hilsinger
was living in White Oak Grove, but left for an-
other region, unknown, leaving his log cabin in
the grove for many years as a reminder of his
short tenure, and as a shelter for the indefatig-
able hunter. In 1852 Orville Sanmel and Ran-
.som Bailey located in the north part of the
township, their land lying npon the county line
and a part of it aftf-rwards becoming the site
of the village of Baileyville. The surveying for
the building of the Illinois Central Railroad at-
tracted other settlers, but it was not till after
the completion of the railway and its operation
was established, that families began to come in
greater numbers to stay permanently. Then the
villages of Baileyville and Forreston were laid
out, business places were started in them, and
additional farms were taken up. The town-
ship growth from that time to this has been
steady, and other villages have sprung up. North
Forreston at the junction of the Illinois Cen-
tral and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
ways, and Harper on the line of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul. Many of the earliest
residents moved into this township from neigh-
boring regions after the tide of settlement set
this way.
Among earlier and later residents of the town-
ship have been Matthew Blair from Pennsyl-
vania ; Samuel Mitchell from Maryland ; Gyrus
Billig, who was born in Ogle County in 1840,
his father being among the earliest of the pio-
neers ; Samuel and Aaron Billig, Cornelius Bow-
man, P. P. Aykens, B. K. Shryock, Aaron Bowers
(1871 from Pennsylvania), H. P. Brookmeier,
Robert B. Brown (1858, Pennsylvania), John W.
Oahill (1860, Maryland), N. J. Clark (1875,
Canada), Bernard Coyle (18.55, Ireland), Jacob
and Gelt Deitsman, Meinert Dewall, John H.
Diehl (1852, Worms, Germany), and Emma
Schuell Diehl, Christian Dovenberger (1859,
Maryland), Henry Dovenberger, M. P. Eakle,
John and Geske Menders Frei (1869, Hanover,
Germany), J. C. Galbraith, George Geeting,
George T. Gibbs, Frederick and Ettie Poppen
Greenfield (Hanover, Germany), Simon and
Mary Hartman Gross (Pennsylvania), Seton and
Frances Dean Halsey (New York) — the parents
of the senior member of the firm of Wall Street
Brokers, New York City, N. W. Halsey & Co.;
William and Clara Hackett, Charles M. Haller,
George W., Theodore, John J., and T. D. Hewitt,
J. N. Knodle, Evert Ltidwig, Jonathan, Peter S.,
Abram and J. M. Myers ; Edwin H. Riley, Lewis
F. Rowland, Dr. Thomas Winston (Wales, 1849),
who, in 1861, married Carrie E. Mumford, one
of the preceptresses of Rock River Seminary ;
J. L. Wright, Principal of Schools in Adeline in
1873 and in Forreston in 1876 ; Jan Boekholder,
John Zollinger, Benjamin and Christian Yordy,
Jacob Reigard, Frederick Veitmeyer, Lewis
Fosha, N. D. Meacham, Philo J. Hewitt, J. A.
Fisher, Onnie DeWall and Frank Wertz, son of
Lewis Wertz, an early settler in Rockvale Town-
ship.
Township Organization. — In the fall of 1856
a meeting was held in Brookville, the territory
now comprising Forreston Township then being
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY
771
included in Brookville, for tlio purpose of or-
g-dni'/Aivj; the townstiip. The ort,'aiiiz:itlou was cou-
summated, siuce which time the following have
been the Supervisors of Forreston Township:
Matthew Blair, 1857-GO; Isaac B. Alien, ISGl ;
F. N. Tiee, ]8G2-(!S; Isaac B. Allen, 1S()9; E. II.
Middlekauff, 1S7U; Andrew Etahley, 1871-72;
F. N. Tice, 1873-70; Cornelius Bowman, 1877-
78; William Reintz, 1870-84; Matthew Blair,
1886; Lenuiel I. Ilackett, 1886-88; Jacob F.
Swank, 1889-1905; Jacob E. Fisher, 1906-07;
Jacob F. Swank, 1908. The other township offi-
cers for 1908 are: Town Clerk, Otto Garard;
Assessor, C. K. Nicodemus ; Tax Collector, John
Wilholms; Justice of the Peace, Cyrus Billis;;
Constable, J. R. Myers; Highway Commissioners
— Simon Klock, Lewis Otto, William Duitsnian ;
School Treasurer, E. E. Haller.
Forreston Village. — The original plat for the
village of Forreston Avas made in the fall of
1854, by George W. Hewitt, the land having been
purchased by him from the original owner, Col.
John Dement, of Dixon. To this he later added
three other adjoining districts; Xeal's Addition
and two by the Illinois Central Railroad have
also since increased the area of the village. The
main tracks and sidings of the former Chicago
& Iowa, now a branch of the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad, and of the Illinois Central
are located on and through the last-named Ad-
ditions. Here also is the round house, this
being the end of the Burlington branch. Its
trains no longer go farther, but start from here
and return here, the one in the middle of the
morning, and the return train at noon, making
the trip to and from Chicago, as foi-merly, while
the others travel back and forth and connect at
Oregon. The township is well provided with
railway facilities, as connection with the Illinois
Central can be made at Forreston and from that
with the Chicago, .Alilwaukee & St. Faul at North
Forreston. a mile or two to the northwest.
The first buildings erected in Forreston were
a depot and a house for boarding the pcojile
working on the railroad, early in 1854. These
were followed by a small warehouse for pur-
chasing and shipping grain, built by .Tohn J.
Hewitt. Previous to this an enterprising Ger-
man named Shuey had jmt up a building for a
stable, in which he was living with his family
until he could erect his dwelling, and this he
turned into a temporary inn for the acconnnoda-
tion of arriving future residents. During 1855
Aaron Middlekauff and Martin Heller built the
second warehouse near the railroad, and I. B.
Allen erected another in 1857. This being a
favorable i)oint for shij)ping grain on the Illinois
Central, an elevator — the first regiilar onc^ — was
built by Jacob Rodern:el, and still another by
Mr. Hewitt. The present large structure, with
a capacity of about 25,000 bushels, was con-
structed by William Hewitt, in 1875, steam-
power being used in conveying the grain to the
top of the building. This was purchased by Wil-
liam Poole In 1882, and is now owned by Calvin
A. Beebe, who conducts the business.
During the spring of 1855 another building was
(T<'cted by William F. Daniels, who placed in it
a small stock of groceries and kept the post-office
there for a short time. Following this a house
was set up by Theodore Hewitt, he having pro-
cured the material, framed, in Chicago. This
building was used for a hotel. Mr. Hewatt died
the same summer of typhoid fever, his l)eing the
first death in the village and, so far as known,
in the township. This house was long used for
the accommodation of travelers. In 1857 the
Forreston House was erected, and soon after the
Sherman House, later known as the Central
House, these hostelries for many years since
making comfortable and hospitable stopping
places for the traveler and "dweller within their
gates." The proprietor of the Forreston House
is at present Henry Trumbauer, while of the
Central House, Frank J. Acker is the proprie-
torial host. Henry Hiller built the next house
for a store and dwelling, the store being sold
later to Mr. Woodruff, who disposed of it to
David Reinhardt in 18,58. Samuel Mitchell and
Matlhow lilair, who came the spring of 1855.
erected dwelling houses and a store building, in
which they ojxMied a stock of groceries. The
first iri-ick hous(> was built in 1855 by George W.
Hewitt, who used it as a dwelling. Mr. HeAvitt
died in 1871. This house is still standing, and is
being used as a dwelling at the present time.
The first drug-store was started I\v Frank Bar-
ker, afterwards of Rochelle ; the first hardware,
by Abraham Sager about 1857, and another; by
John W. Cahill. The first shm^making was done
by Frederick Meyer, and he was followed in this
industry by Jolm Lang. A year or two later
.John J. Hewitt and B. F. Emrick opened a gen-
eral merchandise business, which, in 18.59, was
purchased by C. M. Haller, who continued it for
772
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
a number of year's, afterward eugagiug iu the
drug business.
A blacksmith shop started by Thomas Botdorf
soon after his arrival iu 1855, later developed
into a wagon shop and then into a Avagon and
caiTiage manufactory, which for many years
carried on a thriving business. This was pur-
chased in 1868 by Salter & Hunter, and was
managed by them till 1873, when the firm became
Salter & Blair. William Flora now owns the
premises and runs a blacksmith shop iu the
building.
The present Sheriff of Ogle Countj^, Charles
M. Myers, before his election to that oflQce, in
addition to his duties on the Burlington Road,
conducted an ice business iu Forreston, which
was his place of residence at that time, the ice
being obtained from near the line of the railway
between Mount Morris and Forreston from bodies
of enclosed water, known as "Myers' Ponds" by
the frolicsome young people of the nearby region,
allowed to skate uix)n their well-cleared and
smooth surfaces by their genial and generous
owners, the parents of the present efficient and
courteous county official.
Mr. Daniels was succeeded as Postmaster by
Samuel Mitchell, avIio served till 1861, when
Matthew Blair was appointed and continued in
office four years. Following Mr. Blair were
Samuel Rockwood. .John C. Galbraith, Dr.
Thomas Winston, Dr. ,T. D. Covell, and several
others ; at the present time Riley M. Garman
being Postmaster.
Banks. — The Bank of Forreston, a private
bank, was started by J, B. Kimball and B. O.
Whitlock in 1867. A few months after it had
started the ownership changed to Kimball &
Hewitt, a year later to J. J. Hewitt. In 1872
Reuben AVagner, of Polo, became the owner,
but later the firm became Wagner & :\IcClure
for a time, after which iMr. Wagner continued
the business alone until its close in 1885.
The Farmers & 'I'raders Bank was organized
in ISSO by .1. .7. Hewitt, who erected the present
bank building in 1882. Charles McCullough was
the first cashier, followed by T. D. Hewitt, son
of the owner. At the 7)resent time this business
organization is called the Forreston State Bank.
Its officers are J. T. Campbell, President ; S. E.
Campbell. Vice-President; C. L. Robertson,
Cashier. The founder of the Farmers & Traders
Bank in 1SS1. on account of ill-bealtb, nuide ;i
trip to California, where at Riverside, he was
attracted by its fine orange-growing, and became
the owner of a valuable orange ranch. After
spending his winters in Riverside for a time he
finally made it his permanent home, and there
his death occurred several years ago.
Schools. — ^^The first school house in the vil-
lage was built in 1856. It was a frame build-
ing, which is still standing, opposite it in 1878
being the residence of Philo J. Hewitt. It is
now occupied as a dwelling by Otto Garard. Miss
Maria Blair was the first teacher. She was
followed by Thomas J. Hewitt and A. Q. Allen,
the latter the first teacher in Mount Morris. In
1867 a substantial three-story brick school-house
was erected, including grounds and furnishings,
at a cost of $16,000. Among those serving as
Principals of the public school are J. L. Spear
and J. W. Clinton, afterwards editor of the
"Polo Press," and now writer of the history of
the four associated townships of this History of
Ogle County; G. M. Glenn, M. L. Seymour,
George Blount, ,J. L. Wright, O. S. Davidson, and
Mr. Winslow, who took an active and commend-
able interest in High School athletics, particu-
larly in the Annual Track Meet. The present
Principal is S. H. Hetrick, and the Assistant
Principal Miss Jane Parmalee, of Rochelle. In-
cluding the Principal, six teachers are employed
in the Forreston public school. The course in
the High School includes four years' work.
About 200 pupils are in attendance in all the
departments during the school year. A year ago
the High School was made a pi'esent, by the
Board of Education, of a fine Schiller piano.
The members of the present School Board are :
Fred J. Deuth, President ; Lewas DeGraff, Frank
Wertz, .T. C. Akins. J. E. Fisher. Calvin A.
Beebe, M. A. Trei.
Churches. — The Methodist Episcopal Church
was the first religious organization in the vil-
lage, a class being formed in 1856, of which
Samuel and Hannah Mitchell and Mr. and Mrs.
H. G. Starr were members. The first sermon
was preached in the railroad depot during this
year b.v the Rev. William Underwood. Services
were later held in the school-house and in the
church of the United Brethren till 1864, wdien
a frame building for church puriwses was com-
pleted and dedicated by the Rev. Dr. Eddy. A
parsonage was added to the church property in
1S~?>. Quarterly Confei-ence was first held in
Forreston March 21, 1857. On account of many
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
773
removals and tlir largo (Jt'niiaii i)ui)ulatutii, the
membership decreased, and services are no more
lield in it. The sparrows have pre-empted a
dwelling iilaeo under its eaves, and tlieir homely,
cheerful, busy notes arc the only songs now peal-
ing forth a hynni of ])rayer and worship.
The United Brethren in Christ erected the fir.st
house of worshii) in the village, soon after their
organization in IN.'iS. The class formed consisted
of a number of members. The first minister was
the Rev. S. S. Osterhoudt. A Sunday School was
formed about ISTS. This denomination showed
inunediately a broad-minded spirit, and the new
church building was at times used by the other
denominations till they had edifices of their
own. There are no services held in the church
at the present time.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church was organ-
ized and a constitution adopted October 21. 18.59.
The Rev. Ephraim Miller was Chairman, and
the Rev. J. K. Bloom, secretary of the conven-
tion and pastor. Mission work had been pre-
viously carried on by the Rev. J. G. Donmeyer,
the pioneer minister of this iiart of the county.
Charles M. Haller was elected elder, and Thomas
Botdorf and Benjamin F. Emrich deacons. The
church building, of brick, was completed in
1S64, and about the same time the parsonage was
purchased, it being the home of the Rev. Mr.
Bloom, who was leaving the charge. The Sab-
bath School was originally oi-ganized in 1858
and was a Union school ; by withdrawals of
others forming the T'nion, at length, in 1871,
it became the Evangelical Lutheran Sabbath
School. The Rev. S. H. Yerian is the present
pastor.
Zion Reformed Church was estal)lished about
1857. by the Rev. George Weber, nussion work
having been carried on by the Rev. John A. Leis.
A brick church edifice vv'as erected on the cor-
ner of B and Third Streets in 1870. This cost
$7,000; a parsonage had been built in 1S()7 for
the sum of .$2,000. and a Sabbath School organ-
ized in 1874. At present the Rev. .T. A. Xoble
looks after the s])iritual welfare of this congre-
gation.
Bishop's Church of the Evangelical As.socia-
tion was organized in 1860, services being lield
in the school-house until 1809, when a connnodi-
ous frame edifice was erected at a cost of .$7,000.
This church was named "Bishop's Church"
through the esteem and affection which was
held for Bishop .7. Long, who was residing in
Forreston at the time of its erection, and who
died about the time of its completion. The Rev.
Mr. Freeden was the first pastor, Rev. E. E.
Keis<>r being jiastor at the present time.
The German Reformed Church was organized
first as the "Reformed I'rote.stant Dutch Church,"
but took its present name in 1867. The Rev.
.7. II. Karston was the first settled pastor in
1865. Servic<'s were at first conducted in the
Holland language and the record kept in that
language, the German afterwards being adopted.
The church was built in 1S66, and dedicated by
the Rev. .7. Mull(>r. TIh' first oliicers were .7. R.
Heeren, B. Daneks. .lacob Smith, M. Reintsema.
A Sabbath School was formed in 1869. The
Rev. ri. Potgeter is the present pastor. The
services are still conducted in the language
familiar to its people, the German.
The Memorial Evangelical Church was organ-
izv'd some years ago, the original members hav-
ing been a part of Bishop's Evangelical Church.
The church building, a frame structure, was
erected at a cost of about .$2,000. A Young
People's Missionary Society, which meets month-
ly, takes an active interest in carrying on the
helpful work of the church. Rev. 11. Messner
is the i)astor at the present time.
Newspapers. — The "Forreston .lournal" began
its publication April 6, 1807, under Saltzman «&
Mathews, l^ater Mr. Mathews retired and C. F.
Dore became the ]>artner. In 1872 J. W. Clin-
ton, of Polo, purchased the entire interest, and
continued the publication for a year or two, when
he sold to Cj. L. Bennett. In 1874 I. B. Bick-
ford purchased the paper and removed it to
Byron. M. V. Saltzman, one of the first editors,
died, much respected, in 1878.
The "Forreston Herald" was started in 1878.
F. X. Tice. editor, C. W. Slocnm followed him
as editor and pi'oprietor, and he was succeeded
by L. G. Burrows: in 1882 N. \Y. Ilalsey leased
the office and continued the paper for one year.
In 1884 C. M. Ken.yon became editor, :Mr. Bur-
rows retaining the ownership. 7jater Theodore
F. Haller became editor and proprietor and con-
ducted the paj)er for a number of years. In 1902
it was united with "The Hustler" and the "Ogle
County Review," and published by the Kable
Brothers Compan.v, being edited and managed
by Ethel M. Griswold. under the style of "Ogle
County Review-Herald," which name it now
bear.s. Its editor and publisher now is G. W.
Graves.
774
HJSTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Municipal Histoky. — The population of For-
reston is now about 1,100. The village was in-
corporated by special charter in 1868, and under
the General Law in 1888. The present officers
are S. W. Muuima, President; John Boekholder,
Treasurer ; Martin Brant, William Duitsman,
John McKinstra, M. A. Trei, Henry Timmer,
Charles Nicodemus, Trustees. The village is
siipplied with water pumped by gasoline engine
from an artesian well. This well was drilled
about 1890, and is 302 feet in depth. The elec-
tric lighting is obtained through a private plant
owned by George Orombie, who also furnishes
electric light from his plant at Forreston to the
residents of Adeline.
Business Firms. — Among the business firms
in Forreston are John Boekholder, general store;
Martin A. Trei, shoe-store ; Edward Haller and
Harry Lebo, drug-stores; DeGraff Brothers, fur-
niture and undertaking ; J. E. Nampel, harness ;
Joseph Abels, implement; Fred J. Deuth, Duits-
man & Aykens and Ulfers, hardwai'e; W. F,
Derby and Mrs. Peter Aykens, groceries ; Otto
Garard, variety store; Samuel BroAvn, Andrew
Onielia and Henry Schell, restaurants. Tlie
creamery is owned by John Newman, of Elgin,
Illinois.
North Forreston was started in 1881, now
having about ten people. Its elevator is owmed
by Calvin A. Beebe, of Forreston. The district
school is situated about a quarter of a mile dis-
tant.
Baileyville. — This village was laid out in
1855 and named for the men upon whose land
the site was located. The station agent of the
newly-completed railway was a Mr. Philbrick,
who also kept a store in which the post-office was
located, its interest being looked after by Orville
Bailey. The village prospered and after some
years numbered about 200 inhabitants. Being
on the line between Ogle and Stephenson coun-
ties some of its places of business came to be
located across the boundary. One of the first
general stores -was owned by Miller & Company,
and in charge of Charles Boadman. William J.
Reitzell succeeded this firm in 1878. Other early
business firms wrrc Samuel Druck. and Aykens
«& Brother foiiductcd a general retail store; J. F.
Rinders. ('. W. Bergaer, groceries; Frederick
Kobo, blac;ksniitli and agricultural implements;
George Conrad, blacksmith ; C. W. Prine. car-
penter and builder; I'eter Brand, shoemaker;
P. Lyman, painter ; Christian Dovenberger, coal-
dealer ; Charles Arms, agent for J. B. Smith,
grain buyer; J. Roscom, shoe-store; Dr. D. H.
Carpenter, early physician.
Some of the business firms at the present time
are William Geiger, lumber and coal ; Albert
Geiger, general store; Henry Biggers, general
store; an elevator owned by E. P. Hill of Free-
lX)rt. Henry Biggers is the present Postmaster.
A creamery was established about twenty years
ago, which is now operated by John Bechtold.
School is taught now in one room of the brick
building:, by Miss Lillian Clark.
There are two churches, viz. : German Re-
formed and German Baptist. The membership
in the German Reformed Church numbers about
fifty, and Rev. E. H. Thormann is pastor. The
German Baptist Church has a membership roll
of about eighty. The Rev. Mr. Willis was one
of its early pastors. The services, which were
conducted at first in German, are now in both
German and English. Tbe pastor is the Rev.
E. Huber.
Harper. — ^This village was started along the
line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
road in 1881, and it now has about fifty i>eople.
The post-office is in charge of Dennis Sullivan;
the elevator is owned by Isaac Bowler; the
creamery, by John Newman. There are two
stores, a general store conducted by Jacob Buss,
and a hardware by Miller Brothers. The lum-
ber and coal yard is owned by William Geiger of
Baileyville. Tbe district school in the neigh-
borhood is taught by Miss Mary Morgan.
GRAND DETOUR TOWNSHIP.
On Blanchard's Historical Map of Illinois is
found the name "La Sallier's Trading Post,"
marking a point in the Rock River Valley near
where Grand Detour now is, and intended to
locate a camp, or trading post, of the French
fur traders who traversed the Rock River Val-
ley in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
"Pierre La Porte, a Frenchman born at what
was old Fort Frontenac, in Canada, worked for
the old American Fur Company for a great many
years. Beginning with the nineteenth century,
and for a period before that time, he had as his
territory Rock River, running from a point just
alx)ve where Janesville is now located. The
great doulile Iiend about half way up the Ouis-
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, L:
TILDEiM FOPNO. T'ONft.
HISTOT^Y OF OGLE COUNTY
775
cousin line was one of his camping spots, or
trading stations. The mouth of Rock River was
his down stream terminal."
So writes Frank E. Stevens, of Syciunore, 111.,
author of a late History of the Black Hawk
War, in a letter to the writer. Pierre La Porte
was the great-grandfather of Mr. Stevens, who
has the information from his mother, .still living.
Mr. Stevens continues :
"My mother distinctly remembers the home-
coming trips of the old gentleman, and also the
amount of baggage he was compelled to carry —
87 i>ounds. When he had a season'.s purchase,
he pushed through to what is now Chicago,
skirted the Lakes and delivered the load at some
point on the Saint Lawrence, I believe, though
upon that point I am not certain."
Pierre La Porte was possibly the last of the
French fur traders of the Valley, as "the latter
part of his service was out in the Rocky Moun-
tains." The fur trader's press receded before
the pioneer's cabin. While one reads of the
trader. Bouthillier, at La Pointe (Galena), and
of his operations there ami at Prairie du Ohien
for a number of years l^efore 1825, no mention
appears after that date, the suppo.sitiou being
that he had removed to newer fields as soon as
1 settlement began to be made. But while the
French traders themselves kept moving west-
ward with the line of the frontier, as dem;inded
by their occupation, their language, in at least
one instance in the Rock River Valley, remained,
and became fixed to the scene of their former
operations. They made their camp and estab-
lished a fur press where Rock River makes its
grande dc tour, and when later the place be-
came a settlement of eastern people from a State
and region where French names remained from
an earlier time, as Vermont, Montpelier, Orleans.
Vcrgennes, it was both natural and appropriate
that the name chosen for the new village should
be Orande de Tour, now become Grand Detour.
Here came Stephen Mack, former student of
Dartmouth College, and lived several years, be-
ginning, perhaps, in 1827. He traded with the
Indians, probably in furs as in other things, and
used, it may be, the abandoned fur press of the
French fur traders. Having lost the friendship
of the Indians after a time, because he would
not include whisky among the things which he
sold to them, he and his Indian wife, a Potta-
watomie woman, left the "big bend," and going
northward to where the Pecatonica River emp-
ties into Rock River, at their junction founded
Macktown. He was the first permanent settler
of the Rock River Valh'y, and traces of the
embryo village remained for a number of years.
Thk Anubus Claim on Gkand Dktovr. — In
18.34, when the Rock River country was being
much talked of, the last Indian hostilities of the
Black Hawk War having ended in tlie dcftat
and almost extermination of Black Hawk's band
at th(> Battle of Bad Axe in Wisconsin, Dixon's
Ferry was the crossing place over Rock River
on Kellog's Trail from Peoria to Galena. To
this point came Leonard Andrus, of New York
and Vermont, looking for location for a home
in the "Far West." He employed two Indians
to take liim along Nature's highway northward
in a canoe. After paddling for ten miles against
the current, th(\v came to a great Ix-nd, where the
river turned back and flowed in the opposite
direction for a mile oi' more, as if loath to leave
the enchanted region of varied beauty that
marked its course. Added to the charm of the
landscape, was the fertility of the Valley, and
evident to the eye accustomed to see the streams
of the Green Mountain State, was the great
possibility of developed water-power. The canoe
was stopped and Mr. Andrus proceeded to make
claim to what afterwards became the site of
the present village of (irand Detour.
Part, at least, of the following autumn and
winter was spent by Mr. Andrus at Constantine,
Mich., as is shown by old letters written to liim
on December 22, 1834, from Dixon's Ferry, and
on .January 27. 183.^). from Chicago, ]»y David
Andrews, who was surveying the water-ix)wer and
seeing to splitting rails on the claim and protect-
ing it from other settlers coming in. Three
time-stained connnunications were mailed with-
out enveloix^s, by placing the address on the
blank side of the folded sheet and sealing with
a wafer. The postage is marked on the upjier
riglit hand corner of the first of the.se letters,
there being no 2."i-cent stami> in those days, and
on the second twelve and one-half cents. They
are now in the possession of the son, William C.
Andrus, of Grand Detour, to whose courtesy the
writer Is indebted for consulting them and for
the copy of the interesting bill of lading here-
inafter given. When Lcduai-d .Vndrus returned
to liis claim, he came again from New York,
whither he had gone from Constantine, Mich.,
bringing with him from the latter place, W. A.
House, the latter's wife, Sarah T. House, and her
776
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUXTY.
sister, Sopbrouia Wetherby. A log-cabin was
built and tbeir residence at Grand Detour began
in tbe summer of 1835. The names of other pio-
neers who settled there in the j'ears from 1835
to 1840 are : Amos Bosworth, William G. Dana,
Marcus and Dennis Warren, Mrs. E. G. Sawyer,
Cyrus Aiken. Russell Green, Solon Cummins,
Charles Throop, C. C. Colburn, John Deere, E. H.
Shaw, Joseph Cunningham, Edward Wright.
Reminiscences of Pioneer Life. — Through his
interest in the pioneer life of the county, Victor
H. Bovey, of Pine Creek Township, sent for this
history the following account of the settlement
of Grand Detour, taken from an old volume in
his library :
"The Fourth of July, 1836, was celebrated in
Grand Detour by digging the town well. Mr.
Ruel Peabody related that, on that day, there
sat down to dinner seventeen men and three
women. It was then he first tasted potatoes in
Illinois. The three women were Mrs. Hill, Mrs.
House, and Miss Wetherby. The last named was
the first teacher of her sex in Grand Detour.
One Mr. Goodrich taught the winter preceding
her summer term in a slab shanty of two rooms,
in one of which he lived with his family. Among
the recruits in 1837 was a newly-wedded couple,
Cyrus Aiken and his bride, formerly Eliza Ath-
erton, from New England. Mr. Aiken's uncle
had settled on Rock River and wrote such glow-
ing accounts of the country, including the offer
of SO acres of land to the young people if they
would come and occupy it, that they decided to
try their fortunes and were soon en route to
the land of their hopes. When they arrived
after incredible hardships and weary delays,
what was their surprise to see so small a vil-
lage, only two or three log houses and one in
process of erection for themselves. They began
their western life in the uncle's home with
sometimes as many as twenty-five in the family,
crowded together in two rooms. When after a
few weeks their own house was completed, they
found the fir.st night that they were not the
only Inmates, Too weary to put up beds, they
slept on carpets and comfortables laid on the
floor of split logs. Waking up in the morning,
Mrs. Aikin saw something gliding along the side
of the floor in the early sunshine. Examining.
she found to her horror that it was a large
rattlesnake. The first act of housekeeping was
to kill the unwelcome guest. This done, she set
about putting her house in order, but it was
housekeeping under difficulties. They remained
in Grand Detour about two years and then
moved to the east side of the river.
"Of religious associations in Grand Detour,
the Congregationalists were the first to organize,
which was done July 8, 1837. Rev. Colvin W.
Babbitt became the first pastor. The Society
consisted of twelve members, of whom Mrs.
Esther Sawyer is believed to have been the last
survivor. The church building was dedicated
November 12, 1848. The lumber was purchased
in Chicago find hauled out by Ruel Peabody,
who was one of the first trustees. The society
is now disorganized and the building no longer
exists.
"The first Episcopal service was at the resi-
dence of E. H. Shaw, on an evening in June,
1838, Bishop Chase oflaciating. The pulpit was a
three-legged stool set upon a table and covered
with a towel. Tallow candles were used for
lights. The church building was commenced in
1849 and completed the following year. The
ladies' sewing society paid the first one hundred
dollars for lumber, which was bought in Chicago
by E. W. Dutcher, who hauled the first load.
The house was consecrated by the name of St.
Peter's Church by Bishop Whitehouse on October
22, 1852. Its first rector was Andrew J. War-
ner.
"A Methodist Class was formed by O. F. Ayres
in 1839. Its church edifice was built by Cyrus
Chamberlain in 1857, at a cost of $2,500. This
was dedicated by Revs. T. M. Eddy, Luke Hitch-
cock and Henry L. Martin in January, 1858.
"The first Temperance Society was organized
in February. 1839, with a total of seventy-one
members. Chester Harrington was its first sec-
retary. The first school-house was built in 1839
and the present one was completed in 1858,
which at that time was the best in the county.
It is a brick building of two rooms and cost
$4,800. A mail stage line was established from
Dixon to Grand Detour in 1838 by Leonard
Andrus. W. A. House was the first Postmaster,
receiving his commission from President Van
Buren. He and Robert McKenny kept a store
for several years, afterward selling out to
Charles Throop, who continued in business for
nearly fifty years. Of the merchants of the
e.arly days Solon Cummins was the principal
one. Mr. Throop once spoke of their amuse-
ments and related the first picnic in Grand De-
tour as follows : 'We rigged up a team, found
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
777
one old worn-out harness in one place and an-
other in another, got one horse here and another
there and the wagon somewhere else, and went
to Oak Ridge and had a day of real enjoyment.
Once on a very cold night Miss Sophronia Weth-
erby and Mr. Throop were returning from an
evening party. When two or throe miles from
home, they become so cold Mr. Throop alighted,
threw the wraps over the lady, seized the horse
by the bridle and walked the rest of the way.
Miss Wetherby afterward became Mrs. Stephen
Hathaway. In those days the Indians some-
times annoyed the housewife by watching such
culinary operations as might be going on outside
the cabin, or by walking in uninvited, their
moccasins wet and muddy. To defend herself
she would take the broom, point to the door
and say, 'Marchee!' They would obey without
offence."
Miss Sarah Bosworth of Vermont, who had
spent the summer of 1837 at Green Bay, Wis.,
started for Iier home in the autunm of that
year and stopped off for a visit at Grand Detour,
where she found such good society and life so
gay she remained for the winter. In the spring
she went on to Vermont, but only to return the
ensuing sumnuT. having become the wife of
Leonard Andrus, their marriage taking place at
her home in June, 1838.
For the purpose of developing the water power,
the very first settlers organized an Hydraulic
Company, which in 1837 began to build a dam,
race and sawmill. A gristmill was completed in
183J). It should be remembered that the first
plow made by John Deere in his Grand Detour
blacksmith shon, was the first plow ever made
with a steel mold-board. It was a great improve-
ment, especially in a loam soil like that of Illi-
nois, in turning which the cast-iron mold-board
would not scour, as in the case of the clay soil
of the East, unless it was set so squarely
against the furrow as to he a he;ivy draft to the
team. Mr. Deere would forge the steel into
.sthape, and the rough mold-board would then be
taken by Mr. Andrus across the river to where
there was the one grindstone of the locality,
where it would be ground smooth. Two years
later Andrus and Deere started the fJrand De-
tour Plow Factory (sec cut). Afterward Deere
moved to Moline, wh(M-e the John Deere Plow
Company was organized and has been doing an
extensive business ever since. The manufacture
was continued in Grand Detour for a time by
Andrus and Bosworth, who were succeeded by
Solon Cuinmings, who moved the plant to Dixon,
where a large trade was built up.
During the fifteen years from 1840 to 1855,
more mercantile business and more manufactur-
ing were done in Grand Detour than in any
other town in the county. The firm of Dana and
Throop disiKJsed annually of merchandise to the
value of .$40,000. Besides plows, flour, wagons
and tinware, grain cradles were made in large
iiumhers — in 18.55 as many as 5.000 — by J. A. D.
and D. S. Cusliing. The shops and stores drew
trade for many miles. It was a common occur-
rence for teams to the number of thirty or more
to be at the ferry in the early hours of the
morning waiting to be ferried across, some ar-
riving there long before daylight in order to be
among the first to get over. When it was found
that a railroad was liable to come that way, the
merchants opposed it, saying their trade would
be decreased by being divided with that of other
small towns which the railroad would cause to
spring up. The reasoning was, of course, falla-
cious. Two roads passed the village by and then
it was that the trade was soon divided with
other towns, which by the aid of the railways
soon outgrew Grand Detour, captured all of its
manufacturing and most of its other business.
During the .vears of its prosperity Grand De-
tour was a stopping place for steamboats from
St. Louis. At that time boats doing a carrying
trade came north as far as Rockford, and even
Janesville, surprising as that seems to-day. There
is documentary evidence of goods ordered at St
Louis being delivered at Grand Detour l)y steam-
boat in a bill of lading still preserved by Wil-
liam C. Andrus. among one of many of his
father's pa])ers and i-ecords of the time:
This bill of lading, bearing date July 27, 1844
— the year of the great flood in the Mississippi
River — makes mention of a number of packages
of iron and steel used in the manufacture of
ploughs, as "sliijiijod in good order and well con-
ditioned, by Lyon. Short & Co. ... on board the
steamboat Lightner Keel . . . now lying at the
Port of St. Louis and bound for Grand de Tour
... to be delivered without delay in like good
order at the Port of (irand de Tour . . . unto
.Mr. Leonard Andrus, or his assigns; he or they
l>a.ving the freight at the rate 50 cts. per 100
[lounds." and is signed by "C. .\. Fairchild," as
".Master or Clerk of said boat."
Port of Grand De Tour ! How fanciful the
778
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
designation to ns to-day, wlien tlie only boats
seen on Rock River wittiin tlie limits of Ogle
County are rowboats or gasoline launches of
light draft! But if the Deep Water Way pro-
ject now engaging attention shall be brought to
a successful consummation. Rock River may
again be navigable, in fact as well as in law, and
boats that weigh anchor and slip their cables
may repeat their calls at the "Port of Grand
Detoui-."
An Early Abolition Society. — ^An interesting
indication of the political complexion of the vil-
lage is found in the fact that an Abolition So-
ciety was formed in 1839. As it was only six
years before that there was organized in Phila-
delphia the first of such societies in America,
the citizens of the little settlement in the "Far
West" were in the vanguard of what later be-
came a mighty onward movement in civic right-
eousness, reflecting credit on every one who es-
poused it. especially in its infancy. There were
fifty-two members, twenty-nine men and twenty-
three women. The officers were : Hugh Moore,
President; Joseph Cunningham, Vice-President;
Chester Harrington, Recording Secretary ; S. N.
Anthony, Corresponding Secretary ; A. B. At-
wood. Treasurer.
Seth Abbott, the father of Emma Abbott, the
noted prima donna, lived for a time, when Miss
Abbott was a young girl, on the James Warner
farm, on the north line of Grand Detour Town-
ship where it joins Pine Creek Township.
Grand Detour had a telegraph station for a
time. A telegraph line was built along Rock
River from Rockford to Dixon in connection with
the establishing of Frink & Walker's Stage Line.
'J^K•re was a pole on the top of Castle Rock. As
the railroads came and the telegraph lines were
made to follow them, the river line was aban-
doned. The war news of 1861 to 1865 was read
from the long white riblx)n of dots and dashes
of that day.
From the time in the 'thirties, when W. A.
House constr-c-ted the first ferry, it was the
moans of cro^^ing Rock River at Grand Detour
until irKJI, when a fine iron bridge was built,
at a point vhere the stream is the dividing
l>oundary lii ^ between Ogle and Lee Counties.
It has four >;panK and a length of 808 feet. Its
cost, together with that of the long approach
on the Ogle County side, was $80,000, which was
shared by the two counties. There had been
two ferries, the upper and lower, made necessary,
or at least convenient, by the river's detour of
several miles in extent. These were in demand
and did a thriving business in the days when
Grand Detour was the town of most importance
In the county.
Grand Detour in Decadence. — ^The writers
first knew Grand Detour in 1878. It was then
"the deserted village,"
"Its glades forlorn confessed the tyrant's
power,"
in this instance, the railroad. But if every-vary-
ing trade passed it by, Nature has been a more
constant friend. Because of the charm of its
setting in the midst of unusual beauty of river,
forest and glade, people delight to go there
from surrounding towns and from the City of
Chicago for a day, a week, or a month during
the spring, summer and fall, either choosing a
site and camping, or staying at the Sheffield
House or the Colonial Inn. The drives from
Oregon and Dixon to Grand Detour are unex-
celled, and are taken by many persons of a sum-
mer's Sunday afternoon with Grand Detour as
the objective point for a stay of several hours
and supper. And Art has discovered what the
place holds for the pencil and the brush, and
thither for several seasons the landscape painter,
Charles Francis Browne, has taken a class from
the Art Institute of Chicago to spend a fortnight
or more sketching and painting. Several years
ago, the iX)st-ofRce was discontinued and Grand
Detour now receives its mail by rural delivery
from Oregon.
Township Organization. — The township of
Grand Detour was organized in 1850, its boun-
daries being determined by the Commissioners
appointed to divide the county into civil town-
ships. The following have been members of the
County Board of Supervisors since that time :
S. C. Cotton, 1850-55; Cyrus Chamberlain, 1856;
Solon Cummins, 1857-61 ; Leonard Andrus, 1862-
66; Charles Throop, 1867-68; Francis Hemen-
way, 1869; Willis T. House, 1870; Chester Har-
rington, 1871-73; Samuel Young, 1874-77; Wil-
liam H. Cox, 1878-83 ; Charles W. Johnson, 1884-
85; William H. Cox, 1886; George W. Palmer,
1887-91; William E. Sheffield, 1892-93; Charles
W. .Johnson, 1891-1903; Dr. James Pankhurst,
1904-07; W. I. Palmer, 1908. In other offices
of the township for ]908 the following are the
incumbents : Town Clerk, C. W. Johnson ; As-
sessor, John Cool ; Tax Collector, Charles T.
^pOBi
TIL
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
779
Lambert ; Justice of the Peace, John F. Bovey ;
Clonstable, W. H. Winebrenner ; Highway Com-
missioners — Cliarles T. Lambert, M. B. Davis,
John W. Myers ; School Treasurer, E. B. Ray-
mond. •
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
I-afayette Township is on the southern border
line of townships, Lee County lying across the
line; IMne Rock on the north, Flagg Towushi[»
on the east and Taylor Township on Ihe west,
are the other boundary limits. It consists of a
fractional congressional township embracing 18
sections. Two small streams flow from this
region in a northwesterly direction through Pine
Rock into Kyte River — Prairie Creek and the
one flowing through Lafayette Grove. This
grove and the one to the north received their
designations from patriotic settlers who wished
to associate with their new and distant home
the names of these two foremost Generals and
patriots so often linked in mind and history,
Lafayette and Washington.
First Settlement. — One of the Ogle County
Histories contains the following account of the
early settlement of this immediate region.
"The first settlement was made in the spring
of 1835 by James Clark, David White, Isaac
Rosecrans, Jonathan W. Jenkins, Richard and
Thomas Aiken s. They were soon followed by
Dorson Rosecrans, Charles C. Royce, and others.
The settlement was made in and around the
grove. Dorson Rosecrans and Royce purchased
the claim of White.
"Among the settlers of Lafayette and Wash-
ington Groves were men of strong religious con-
victions, members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. It was not long before their presence
was known to the circuit rider, and Rev. James
McKean came and organized a class, probably
the first in the county. This was the fall of
1835. A log house Avas at once erected to be
used for Church and school purposes. Miss Bene-
dict, a step-daughter of James Clark, and now
the wife of Rev. Barton H. Cartwright, taught
this house the first term of school in the town-
ship."
Mrs. Cartwright's Story of the First
School. — This school taught by Miss Cliloe Jane
Benedict, afterward Mrs. Barton II. Cartwright.
was the first school t;uight in Ogle County, in
a house erected for school purposes, as stated
in Chapter XXIII, on "Pioneer Schools of Ogh;
County." There was teaching done prior to this
in Buffalo Grove, but the instruction was given
in a room of a dwelling house. The following
statement made by Mrs. Barton H. Cartwright
some time before her death, and kindly sent to
the writer for the use of this history by Mr.
William A. Hunt, Supervisor for Lafayette
Township, relates to this matter :
"We left Ohio and came to Lafaj^ette Grove,
111., in the fall of 1835. We travelled by wagons
and most of the way I rode on horseback, fre-
quently carrying my youngest sister on the horse
with me. There were three cabins along the
Grove. We lived in a log cabin of one room.
We had no floor for about a month ; fmally
father made us a puncheon floor. A stick and
luud-cliinmey was built from the groiuid on the
outside of the house. Our nearest market was
Chicago, where father had to take all his grain
and produce by wagon. I spun and wove the
clothing, as well as the bed-spreads and other
necessary articles used by the family, and made
by hand, fine thread lace for trimming.
"In the spring of 1S30 I taught the first school
ever taught in Ogle County. [That is. in w-hat
afterwards became Ogle Countj% as its territory,
and that of adjacent regions, were then included
in Jo Daviess County.] I taught school every
summer until I was married in 1830. After
that time my lot was that of a pioneer minister's
wife. I went \Aith my husband as a missionary
to Iowa, before it was admitted as a State, and
shared with him the dangers, toil and privations
iif the t'arly days."
J..\TKi{ Teachers and Pupils — The school house
in which Miss Benedict was the teacher was
built and maintained by subscription, as, of
course, all the schools were then. It was located
in Section 4, in the center of the extreme south
side. It w.-is afterwards torn down and another
built one mile west. Mr. Hunt, who has thor-
oughly investigated the matter of the site of this
school house, is considering plans for permanently
marking the historic s[)ot. The school house, used
also as a church, services being conducted by the
Rev. Jephtha Xoe. and which was burned by the
bandits as related in Chapter XX I \'. was not this
one, but was situated near where now is the
("iiapel Hill Cemetery, on the east bank of the
creek opposite the location of the present Chris-
tian ("Imrdi. It w.is rebuilt after the incendi-
780
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
arism and came to be known as "Old Chapel ;"
it was also used as a school. It was built of oak
lumber worked out at the saw-mill in Wash-
ington Grove. After many years it was torn
do\^Ti and what was still good was used in build-
ing the Methodist Church stone structure at
Mount Pleasant Hill, two miles north of Ashton,
which now, too, has gone into decadence. Pratt
Beebe was one of the early teachers at the "Old
Chapel," and Mary Weatherlngton (now Mrs.
Walker, of Ashton), and Mary S. Hawthorn
(Mrs. John Rutledge, now of Oregon), are among
those who attended the school. Oscar M. Lake,
now of Rochelle, Gilbert Reed, now of Ashton,
were pupils of Miss Benedict during the period
of her teaching in the Lafayette Grove school.
Some years later, after the return of his parents
to Lafayette Tovsmship to live-, Judge Cartwright
"learned his letters" in the school house in which
his mother had taught. Josephus Moats, now
living in Ashton, also went to school in this build-
ing under a later teacher.
A sketch of Mrs. Barton H. Cartwright is in-
cluded in Chapter XXIII. Her step-father built
and managed an inn at Mount Morris, returning
to his farm after remaining there for a short
time, and going to California at the time of the
discovery of gold on the Pacific Coast. His son
Henry, who was drowned in the West, was also
an "Argonaut of '49," as was likewise Daniel G.
Shottenkirk, of Lafayette Township. "Uncle Dan
Shottenkirk," as he was familiary known to the
people of Ogle County, died April 16, 1907, at the
Sinnissippi House in Oregon, having attained
almost the Biblical "if by reason of strength they
be fourscore," but still possessing his remarkably
accurate memory and ability In figures. He had
been for many years prominent in the business
and public affairs of the county ; being an ex-
ceptionally skillful accountant, he was often
called upon to straighten out mathematical dif-
ficulties occurring among the county records, and
on the books of business firms and citizens. His
character as a man was quite as reliable as his
equipment of mind. Among other earlier and
later residents, have been John R. Chapman, .John
Cross, A. J. and Levi Drummond, (the death of
the latter occurring in 1907, at the ago of seventy-
five), James Quick. T. W. Hunt, D. S. Huston,
Justice Davis, Daniel and J. M. Hardesty, I. B.
Kested, 11. IT. Luckey. Charles Dugdale, .John and
Mary S. Payne. Paul Pfetzing, William and
Nancy Hardesty Tilton. Elijah and Rachel Til-
ton, John Weeks, G. W. Weatherlngton, C. H.
Cyrus and Peter Yorty, William A. Hunt, G. W.
Myers.
There are two church organizations in Lafay-
ette Township, The Christian Church, which is
across the creek west of the Chapel Hill Cem-
etery and near the northern boundary, was or-
ganized about 1840. The first minister was the
Rev. John Walworth. The church is a frame
structure. The Rev. G. A. Brown, now living in
Oregon but still preaching occasionally, was in
charge of this congregation from 1880 to 1883.
The Rev. Adelbert Welch has been the last res-
ident minister. One of the first Sunday Schools
of the county was organized in this church. The
Church of Gk)d, which is known by a familiar
New Testament name, Antioch, was established
over fortj' years ago, the Rev. J. M. Stevenson
and the Rev. Henry Cullom being among its first
ministers, and the denomination being organized
under the direction of the Lanark Church. The
Rev. Eldred G. Marsh, recently from the State of
Iowa, has charge of the Antioch Church in con-
nection with the "Stone Church" at Oregon, in
which place he has his residence.
There are three school districts in the town-
ship ; the Yorty School, District No. 108, east of
the center ; District No. 109, Prairie Star School,
in the northwestern part; and District No. 110,
Antioch School, not far from the church of the
same name.
The township was organized in 1850, since
which time the following have been the Super-
visors : 1850— Thomas Paddock ; 1851— Hiram D.
Woods; 18.52-53— Milliken Hunt: 1854— C. C.
Royce; 1855 — A. J. Drummond; 1856 — Aaron
Weeks; 1857-59— D. G. Shottenkirk; 1860-62—
Aaron Weeks ; 1863— J. G. Gibson ; 1864— Aaron
Weeks; 1865-66— D. G. Shottenkii-k ; 1867-
Thomas Paddock; 1868— J. Lyman Frost. 1869-74
—Daniel G. Shottenkirk; 1875-80 — S. D. Clark;
1881-8.5— William A. Hunt; 1SS6-S9— Daniel G.
Shottenkirk; 1890-08— William A. Hunt. Other
officers at present are: Town Clerk, W. A. Dun-
ston; Assessor, Y. W. Wood; Tax Collector,
Edward Reed; Justice of the Peace, A. C. Dug-
dale: Highway Commissioners — Herman Mall,
William Leahy, Charles Payne; School Treas-
lu'er, N. A. Petrie.
One of the present institutions of Lafayette
Township is a musical organization which fre-
quently is called upon to add life and gaiety to
outdoor festivities and public celebrations. Mr.
iiis'1'()i:y of ()(;lk coi.n'I'v
781
George Orner, leader of the Lafayette Band, was
recently presented with a $35 baton in recogni-
tion of his service as a teacher and leader in
music.
LEAF RIVEK TOWNSHIP.
(By Jonathan Iliestand.)
Leaf River, one of the northern tier of Ogle
County Townships, is bounded on the east by
Byron, south by Rockvale and Mount :Morris
Townships, west by Mjii'yljind Township, and
north by Stephenson and Winneba.u'o Conntit's. It
was organized as a township in IS.Kt. The Surface
is undulating. Originally it was well timbered,
the western half being kni)wn as North Grove.
At present there is but little of the primitive
timber left, the greater portion of the soil being
under cultivation. The stream of Leaf River
traverses the entire township, its principal trib-
utary being Mud Creek, which joins the larger
stream near the village of Leaf River.
The Early Settlers were principally from
the State of Maryland, with a few New Yorkers
and Germans, the first of the pioneers coming
about the year 1837. Among •^^he earliest were a
Mr. Snyder, David Hunter and .Toseph Myers,
followed soon after by W. C. Saulsbury, long a
Justice of the Peace; Allen Beebe, Reuben Odell,
Jacob Myers, Jacob Piper, John Light, Alvali
Gaffin, Elias Thomas, Samuel McCreary, John
Wright. Leroy Highbarger, Noah Speaker, Jacob
Strouse, William Kuodle, Benjamin Holdeu
(from Kentucky), Englehardt Fosler, Benjamin
Hiestand, Henry Wagner, Jacob Zeigler, Amazon
Ryder and sons (John and Seth), Henry Ililler,
Henry Hess, Nathan and Fleuung Welch, William
and James McDaniel, John Kitzmiller, John
Heller, Henry Schrader, John L. Smith, Chris-
tian Trine and John Her.
Schools and Churches. — The first school, as
far as positively known, was kept by Sarah Car-
penter in 1844, the building being a log house
about two and one-half miles northwest of the
village of Leaf River. It is said by some that
an earlier school was taught in Section 15, and
that Mr. Davis and Mr. Stone were the first
teachers, in a log house built there for school
purposes.
.Vmong the earlicM- itinerant preachers were
Nathan Jewett, Elijah Itansom and Aaron Cross
of ilie .\rethodist persuasion, and who held ser-
vice at the school houses and at private dwellings.
One of the first deaths was that of Mrs.
I'rances Hiestand Hayes, the interment behig at
the Rice cemetery in the adjoining township of
Mount Morris.
A Notahle Crime. — In October, 18.53, occurred
the only homicide in the history of th<' town-
sliip, the victim being Horace CJaflin. The latter
got into an angry altercation with Mr. Bailey,
his brother-in-law, when Nathan Bailey, a son.
took part, striking and killing Mr. Gaflin with
the seat-board of the wagon. Mr. Bailey left
the country, and on accoiint of the nature of
the affray and the close relationship of the
parties, no attempt was made to capture him.
The interment of Mr. Gaffin was also at the
Rice cemetery.
LioHTvn.LE Village. — The village of Lightville
was laid out in 1848 by John Light, the owner of
that as well as the adjoining land. A iwstoffice
called Wales was established in 18.50. Fleming
Welch being I'ostmaster. Subsequently the post-
ofiice and store were conducted by John Light,
Samuel McCleary and J. B. Bertolet.
Railroads. — The township is traversed by two
railroads, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, a
double-tracked road running across the township,
and the Great Western crossing the northeastern
part of the township. Upon the latter road are
situated the villages of Myrtle and Egan, both
i)eing stations from Avhich there are large ship-
ments of grain and stock.
Leaf River Village, — The village of I^eaf
River is located on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad at the junction of Mud Creek, the
upper stream of this name, with Leaf River.
It was laid out in the winter of 1880 and 1881
by J. M. West and C. E. (Jatfin, and at present
has about 600 inhabitants. The village is incor-
porated and its ofiicials are G. W. Flnkboner,
President ; S. P. Allen. E. S. Pypher, W. A. Schel-
ling, J. D. Palmer, II. L. Eyrick, B. H. Gaffin.
Trustees; P. T. Allen, Clerk, and William T.
Hanger, Police Magistrate. It has a large, well
lighted and ventilated school building, situated in
the south i)art of the village. There are about
150 pupils, the present inMncipal being II. E.
Truax. There are three churches, the Methodist
Episcoi)al in chai'ge of Rev. J. 0. Jones; the
Christian, whose pastor is Rev. R. W. Pitman;
782
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
and the United Brethren (Radical), presided
over by Rev. T. O. Loomis.
The village boasts of five fraternal orders,
viz.: The Modern Woodmen, Mystic Workers,
Odd Fellows, Knights of the Globe and the
Court of Honor. J. F. Harrison is the present
Postmaster, having acted in that capacity for
sixteen years.
It has one bank, established in 1888, reor-
ganized in 1907 as the I^eaf River State Bank,
the President being F. L. Ayres ; Directors, J. H.
Newcomer. M. J. W>st, F. L, Ayres and H. S.
West. The first President was J. H. Newcomer ;
first Cashier. F. E. Stitley.
The "Leaf River Mirror," newspaper,, published
weekly, is owned and edited by J. W. Allen.
Business Enteepkises and Professions. — The
village has two grain elevators and a well-
patronized creamery. The hotel is conducted
by Eli Icely and has a fair patronage. Two
blacksmith shops are conducted, severally, by
Bert Embick and James Powers; two livery
barns operated by John Myers and P. T. Allen ;
a drug store by, S. C. Butterfield; dry-goods
stores by D. M. Myers, J. B. Palmer and John
Sprecker & Co.
Leaf River has three physicians. Doctors J.
T. Kretsinger, H. E. Bowerman, and W. H. Rep-
logle ; one veterinary surgeon, Dr. W. A. Ham-
mond, and one dentist, Dr. W. E. Pruner.
Township Officials. — The present township
oHIcials are : Supervisor, C. G. Pyper ; Assessor,
Melvin Strickland ; Clerk, J. F. Harrison ; Col-
lector, E. H. Heiter ; Justices of the Peace, Joseph
S. Myers and F. E. Hoverland; Constables,
James Wilier, John Myers. Highway Commis-
sioners, Daniel C. Hoover, David S. Forrest,
Alfred Malone; School Treasurer, J. B. Bertelot.
The Supervisors for the township have
been : William C. Saulsbury, 1850; Elias Thomas,
18.51; Nathan Welch. 18.52; William C. Sauls-
bury, 18.5:5; Elias Thomas, 18.54-59; Samuel J.
Beeler. 1860 ; Samuel McCreary, 1861 ; Enos
Butts, 1862; Hiram S. Marks, 186.3-64; John W.
Mack. 1S';5-f;6; Levi Kretzinger, 1867-69; John
W. Mack. 1S70-72; J. B. Bertelot, 187.3-77; S.
W. Bowerman, 1878-70; Joseph H. Newcomer,
1880-85: Martin Light, 1886-88; Alfred Malone,
1889-96; Joseph H. Newcomer, 1897-1 9f)0. Martin
Light, 1901-m; Chester G. Pyper, 1905-08.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
(By Jonathan Hiestand.)
This township comprises all of Congressional
Township No. 24, Range 8. It was organized in
1870, the east half then belonging to Mount
Morris, and the west half to Brookville. In its
primitive condition it was almost entirely prairie,
a small portion of West Grove extending into
the northeast corner. The quite early settlers,
here, as elsewhere, shunned the prairie, and
chose the timber as the most congenial location.
Here settled those pioneers, Jacob and Jonathan
Meyers in 1837. Absalom and John Harmon,
and Samuel Mitchell came in 1838; Michael
Brantner in 1839; Robert Lawson, Aaron and
James Billig, Martin Rodermal, Daniel and
Emanuel Stover in 1840 ; Jacob Price and George
Avey in 1845. Others, before and after, were
Michael Garman, Sr., Daniel Arnold, Benj. T.
Hedrick, Lyman and Joel R. Carll, Jacob and
William Phillips, David Butterbaugh, John Ham-
mer, Jonas Shafstall, Isaac Kimbel, Jacob Long,
Joshua Slifer, Peter Fager, Henry Kitzmiller,
Jacob Mase and Simon Geeting. These sturdy
and industrious pioneers came mainly from
Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Railroads. — The township has two railroads,
the Illinois Central, and the Chicago and Iowa.
After the advent of the former road the settle-
ment took rapid strides. Within its borders are
two small villages, Haldane (originally Campus)
and Maryland. Though scant in population,
these stations ship annually vast quantities of
grain and livestock. Haldane took its name
from Alexander Haldane, who came in 1856, from
Edinburgh, Scotland. He engaged in business,
and became its first Postmaster. The present
post-office official is R. R. Hedrick.
The village of Maryland was laid out in 1873
when the Chicago & Iowa Railroad was built.
The first Postmaster was Mr. Bull, the present
official being Lester Sollenberger.
Mr. Fundeburg is thought to have been the
first teacher. The township is now well supplied
with schools and churches, among the latter
being the United Brethren at Haldane, two Ger-
man Baptist churches — the Old Order, west of
Maryland, and the other about two miles east
of that place. One of these Brethren churches
was the first in the township, the first preacher
being Elder Jacob Long; the present Elder is
Sniiiuel Plumb. There is also a church north of
i^^^^^'^'^"^^'^'^ ^^U4J^UUt>CC_
! THE ^^^^ ^^^'^
PUBLIC LIBRARY
^STOR, LENOX
A&^^— -.._ ,T,oNSl
niSTOl.'V OF OC.IA'] COU.XTY.,
783
the same village. Besides, there are two Ger-
man churches, a school house, and a beautiful
cemetery situated in the southwest corner of
section nunilior 1, in the northeast (turner of the
township. It has, perhaps, as little waste land
as any other of its sister townships, and is almost
entirely under cultivation. There being no
large towns, the people are devoted almost ex-
clusively to agricultural pursuits, and as a con-
sequence, they are more than ordinarily thrifty
and prosperous. A pauper is rarely seen within
the borders of its precincts.
Official Roster. — The present roster of town-
ship officials Is : Supervisor, Urias Brantuer ;
Town Clerk, H. H, Harmon ; Assessor, R. R.
Hedrick ; Collector, I. L. Leek ; Justices of the
Peace, J. W, Scott and R. R. Hedrick; Consta-
ble, Levi Diehl ; Highway Commissioners, Henry
H. Newcomer, John Ver Teen, Grant Harmon.
Since the organization of the township the
following have l)een the Supervisors: Isaiah
Speaker^ 1870-71 ; William T. Curry, 1872; James
Pettigrew, 1873; Benjamin T. Hedrick, 1874;
R. D. McClure, 1875-76; Warren Curry, 1877-
79. Michael Garman, 1880; Peter McKerral,
1881-83; Levi Hanshaw, 1884; L, F. Rowland,
1885-80; Jasper W. Scott, 1890-94; Urias Brant-
ner, 1895-1908.
Schools. — The following statement regarding
the schools of Lincoln Township has been ob-
tained from the office of the Superintendent of
Ogle County Schools :
In 1907 there were 370 persons under twenty-
one years of age, 253 of whom were of school
age. Of the latter number 163 were enrolled in
the schools. The township was divided into nine
school districts, and one male and nine females
were employed as teachers, receiving salaries
ranging from $32,50 to $50 per month. There
were nine frame school houses valued at $8,400.
The amount of tax levy was $3,125.
LYNNVILLE TOWNSHIP.
This township — in the middle of the eastern
tier of townships in Ogle County — took its name
from an early settler, whose name was first be-
stowed upon the settlement in the northwestern
part of the township before its organization.
The first settlements were made about the same
time as were those in other parts of eastern
Ogle County, some time in 1837 and '38, near
rampbell's Grove, which also took its name
from an early settler.
Among the early settlers were Dr. Andrews,
Louis P. Piper, David Edrington, David Potter,
Calvin R. Hoadley, William Campbell. Michael
Cheshire, John Jenks. Calvin Hamlin, Elijah
Dresser ; Ellas, Susan and Daniel Champion ;
Charles Burroughs, Lewis and William Stock-
ing. Isaac Pullen, John Dresser, David Fletcher,
.Tohn C. Roberts ; Corydou, Gleason and Louis
liurroughs; Richard McCray, Wm. Somers.
Among later residents were William and Eliza-
beth Ford Bird, Milo II. Blood, .John Brown.
James Carmichael ; Daniel, James A. and Calvin
Countryman, Harvey and Alvin Countryman ;
Joseph Dailey, Lyman Dewey, George Drexler,
.Joshua A. Knight, John Olsen, William F. and
William T. Perry, Levi Price, Hiram F. Priteh-
ard, Robert Pullen, Prescott H. Talbot, Joshua
Whitcomb: M. L., Lewis and Horace Stocking,
Patrick Murphy, George Only, Samuel Lamont,
B. F. Perry, James Elliott. Of these William
Stocking removed to Rochelle, where he became
connected with the banking business ; Prescott
H. Talbot represented the county in the Lower
House of the State Legislature, but now lives
at Rockford ; Elijah Dresser, who was con-
nected with the "Underground Railroad" before
and during war time, then at Lynnville, now
lives at the age of eighty-seven at Rockford;
B, F. Perry, the present Supervisor for Lynn-
ville Township, now lives on the farm upon
which his father. William T. Perry, who came
from Connecticut, located in 18.55.
Some Early History. — The following valuable
and original record of Lynnville Township his-
tory has been prepared by Mrs. Florence Haw-
thorne Bailey, granddaughter of a pioneer fam-
ily, the older history having been given to her
by Mr. Elijah Dresser, who, with Mrs. Mary Bur-
roughs Stocking, constitute the only ones left of
the earliest residents of this region :
"Though in a mixed, unsettled state of society,
the people wirly established religious worship
on the Sabbath, meetings being held in Calvin R.
Hamlin's log house, a local preacher by the name
of Sovereign coming over from Kishwaukee. One
Sabbath after service, a meml>er of the congre-
gation started in to talve up a collection for the
minister. He at once stopped him, saying he
would not take anything, and that no one should
say that he preached the gospel for money.
784
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
"On the 25th day of March, 1839, the first
white child was born in the town of Lynnville,
in a log cabin on Section 191. The baby was
given the name of Angeline Campbell, and be-
came the wife of N. C. Burroughs, now of Rock-
ford.
"The first man known to die here was Will-
iam Campbell, who died March 11, 1841, aged
fifty-one years, and was buried in the grove
about 100 rods north of where his daughter
Angeline was born. The land has been cleared
of timber and the grave cannot now be located.
"Dr. Andrews, living in a double log-house
east of the creek, was the first Postmaster, ap-
pointed in 1845, and died the next year. The
first school was taught during the summer of
1846 by Mrs. Dr. Andrews in her own house.
The next smnmer (1847) Lucina Ross was
teacher for $1.50 per week, she boarding round
in the district. The following winter, the school
was taught by Chas. C. Burroughs west of the
creek in the front room of Calvin R. Hoadley's
house, for $15 per month, he boarding in his
own house. About all the recreation the young
people had during the long winter evenings was
the spelling school, many married people joining
in the sport.
"The first public celebration of the Fourth of
July was held in the town in 1848. A spacious
bower was built at the intersection of the Ore-
gon and Byron roads, people coming in from all
around with well-filled lunch baskets. Elder
Tomas from Monroe Avas chaplain of the day,
and a young man from Rockford named McCary
was orator. The prayer had been said and the
oration was well under way, when suddenly a
four-horse team, hitched to a lumber wagon, was
seen approaching on the Byron road at a fast
gait. Driving up in front of the stand if was
found to be loaded with a consignment of fngi-
tive slaves from Missouri — five in number, three
men and two women. All was confusion for a
time, hut being about noon, the lunch baskets
were brouccbt out and all fed liberally. They
then drove on to the next station and the cele-
bration went on.
"The driver of the team was a man named
Shafer, from the west part of the county near
North Grove. This incident marked the open-
ing of the 'underground railroad' on this route,
Lynnville becoming a relay station from that
time until the outbreak of the Civil War. It is
said that Elijah Dresser, now living in Rockford,
fearless of the law, acted as station agent, and
frequently as conductor over the underground
railroad.
"The neighbors were aware of the fact that
Mr. Dresser's house was a station on the line,
but such was the respect in which he was held
and so great the sympathy with his work, that
the fact was scarcely ever mentioned, even among
themselves.
"At an early date in the settlement of the
town C. R. Hoadley built a saw mill on the
creek just east of the Lynnville Union Church.
It was a slow-running concern and some wag
christened it the 'Tri-weekly Sawmill.' This
same year the first school house was built on the
east side of the creek near the northwest point
of Perry's Grove. It was built of native hard-
wood, cut in the grove, and sawed in the 'Tri-
weekly Sawmill.' Being the only school in a
wide extent of country for some years, some chil-
dren attended it from the towns of Monroe and
White Rock.
"Up to this time Lynnville and Monroe had
been included in one precinct. The towns now
separated and organized by electing town offi-
cers. Chas. Burroughs was elected the town's
first Supervisor ; Louis P. Piper, Justice ; E.
Dresser, Assessor, and Gleason Burroughs, Con-
stable and Collector. The first assessment of the
town was made on two sheets of fool's-cap, the
fee for going over the township and doing the
work being $5.00."
[An incident of this period was the mysterious
killing of a man named Miner, who had come to
that locality with another named Slater, from
the vicinity of Chicago the year previous. The
two men had become bitter enemies and Miner
was found dead in his cornfield early one Sep-
tember morning in 1850. Slater was arrested
on suspicion and, after being held in jail at Ore-
gon for a year and undergoing a sensational trial,
was acquitted. The lawyers for the defense
were H. A. Mix of Oregon, and a Mr. Marsh of
Rockford, while the prosecution was conducted
by a Mr. Stillman (son of Gen. Stillman of Still-
man Valley), but who was removed by the Judge
on account of intoxication during the trial, an-
other attorney being appointed to take his place,
who was assisted by Attorney Holland of Rock-
ford. By the end of the trial Slater's hair had
become prematurely gray. After being liber-
ated, he disposed of his property and left the
neighborhood.]
ms^rOKY OF OGLE COUNTY
785
"In its early settlement, the town of Lynnville
was served with a tri-weekly mall, carried from
Sycamore to Oregon on horseback or by road-
cart. Later the Fi-ink & Walker Stage-coach
Company secured the contract and ran a four-
horse coach tri-weekly from Chicago to Galena.
Still later the mail was brought by stage from
Holcomb until the building of the Chicago Great
Western Railroad in 1887.
"As late as 1851 there was no public burying
place in the town, friends burying their dead
usually on their owoi premises. This same year
John Dresser made a donation to the town of
two acres for a public cemetery, located in the
northwest corner of Section 8. The cemetery
now has a fund of $1,000, which is to be perpet-
uated.
"At an early date the Wesleyan Methodist
Church was organized. As the population in-
creased, a Christian Church was formed, and
a little later, an Episcopal Methodist, these three
organizations for a number of years holding
services in the one school house on alternate Sab-
baths. This proving unsatisfactory, a subscrip-
tion was started and funds obtained, resulting
in the erection of the present 'Union Church of
Lyiuiville,' which has been in use for the past
forty years. The Holy Scriptures are accepted
as the only rule of faith and practice, and
Christian character as the best ground of fellow-
ship. The Rev. Mr. Ti-ueblood is now the pastor.
"One of the lamentable events connected with
the early history of Lynnville Township was the
hanging by a mob of the Uriscolls (father and
son). They wei-e executed at Washington Grove,
their bodies being brought home and buried on
their own land. Some of their descendants are
living in the neighborhood greatly respected by
their friends and neighbors. (The main facts in
connection with this event are told in the county
history part of this volume.)
"The Chicago Great Western Railroad was
built through the town in 1887, after which a
new village sprang ui). The new town spread
toward the old until now both villages are called
Lindenwood. In 1890 two large sheep sheds
were built by the Railway Company for housing
and feeding sheep; and 10,000 sheep can be fed
at once. They are now managed by R. F. Quick
& Son. In 1905 other sheds were added and at
present the capacity is .30,000. They also cou-
trol grazing for the same number. A large ele-
vator has been built for the storage of gi-ain
■ 111(1 feed, llic yearly consumption of grain being
about 4,(X)0 tons and 1,500 tons of hay.
"Th(> .'jchool building becoming inadequate a
new one was built in 1895, a hue two-story struc-
ture with two school rooms on the lower floor
and a large hall above. A fine small library
and a good piano are owned by the school. The
present teachers are Miss Margaret Wray, Prin-
cipal, and Miss Ruth Marget, primary teacher.
The following constitute the present School
Board: M. U. Stocking, President; R. L. Dres-
ser, and J. F. Bailey, Clerk.
"In 1903 a cozy parsonage was built. The
Ladie.s' Aid Society of the Union Church main-
tains a fine lecture course every year.
"An elevator built in 1890 is now owned and
run by H. Stocking & Son. They also run the
lumber and coal yards.
"In the town is the largest and best equipi)ed
blacksmith shop in the county, owned and oper-
ated by Strang Bros., and drawing trade from a
radius of ten miles.
"The town has two stores : J. F. Luff's and
O. D. Talbot & Co.'s, the latter containing the
post-office. O. D. Talbot is a veteran of the
Spanish-American War."
An attractive writer, now a resident of Oregon,
but a teacher in Lynnville Township, in the
early '70s, closes a contribution to this chapter
with the following reference to the northeastern
part of Lynnville Township, which was settled
by a colony from England, "all related by birth
or marriage" :
"Thirty-five years have brought clianges to
country and people. The writer drove through
this district early in the present summer (1908),
and. lol this region is no longer romantic, rural
England, but practical, progressive America I
The hedge-rows have been cleared away, the
lanes have disappeared, with one or two excej)-
tioiis, and the new commodious farm houses are
located on the highway. The very surface of
the country is changed, for swamp lands have
been tiled, and where were sloughs in which
grew only pickerel weed, blue flags and cat-tail,
novr are fields of growing corn and rich meadows ;
not so picturesque, but more profitable.
"Most of these iiioneers are now dead, but the
names of Holmes and Greeuway and Batty and
Wadey and Moon and GrcH^nowe and Clark still
live in their descendants, and in the memorj- of
friends in adjoining districts. Their toil and
tlirift and sturdy integrity have had their part
786
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
in the development of Lynnville Township."
Rev. C. B. Schroeder, present pastor of the
Lincleuwood German Evangelical Lutheran
Church, furnishes the following facts in refer-
ence to the history of that religious organiza-
tion :
"As near as I can find out the Germans came
here as early as 1862. In that year Karl Broitz-
mau came and worked around Lindenwood sev-
eral years, and then bought a farm one mile north
of Holcomb, where he still resides. He came
from Pomerania, a province of Prussia. After
1802 the Germans came in quick succession. In
1865 Louis Schumacher, from the Duchy of
^Mecklenburg, Germany, and in 1868 his brother
Fred Schumacher ; both are living yet, Louis in
Esmond and Fred one mile north of Lindenwood.
Others came in the sixties, who have died or
moved away."
From the church record of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Lindenwood, which com-
mences 1872, Mr. Schroeder gives a long list of
citizens from different parts of Germany who
settled in Lynnville Township, but a number of
whom removed to Iowa in the 'seventies. The
Lindenwood church now has about 55 male mem-
bers over twenty-one years of age.
The first physician in Lynnville, and the first
in that part of the county, was Dr. Daniel Gif-
ford, who came there from the State of New
York. When, later, the village of Monroe was
incorporated, Dr. Gifford removed to that place,
his being the fourth house in the new location,
though he did not live many years after to
occupy it.
In the Lindenwood Cemetery is the monument
erected recently in memory of a soldier of the
Revolutionary War. which is told about in Chap-
ter XI. At the time of the dedication of the
monument the stone was unveiled by Harry Wil-
loughby, a great-great-grandson of Rufus Phelps.
The Lynnville and Monroe Mutual Fire In-
surance Company was organized in Lynnville
Township early in the '70s. It is a farmer's
company and its business as conducted has been
very satisfactory. The present officers are:
President, H. T. Knight ; Secretary, O. D. Tal-
bot; Treasurer, Horace Stocking; Directors —
B. F. Perrj', James Carmichael, H. T. Knight,
Joseph Holmes. Jr., Horace Stocking, J. T. Tal-
bot.
Ill 1884 a Town Hall was erected in a some-
what fontral location in Section 17.
The following have served as Supervisors since
the township was organized in 1850 : C. C. Bur-
roughs, 1850 ; C. R. Hoadley, 1851 ; David Fletch-
er, 1852; L. P. Piper, 1853; John Dresser, 1854-
.55; David Fletcher, 1856-57; John Cook, 1858-
59; William F. Perry, 1860-65; Elijah Dresser,
1866-67 ; William F. Perry, 1868 ; David Fletcher,
1869; Alvin Countryman, 1869-71; William F.
Pen*y, 1872 ; John Brown, 1873 ; Alvin Country-
man, 1874 ; Alonzo Countryman, 1875-76 ; P. H.
Talbot, 1877 ; John Brown, 1878-79 ; Joshua A.
Knight, 1880-82; James A. Countryman, 1883-
86 ; Prescott H. Talbot, 1887-89 ; James A. Coun-
tryman, 1890-1900 ; Daniel Sullivan, 1901-02 ;
Horace Stocking, 1903-05 ; B. F. Perry, 1906-1908.
The township officers for 1908-1909 are : Super-
visor, B. F. Perry ; Town Clerk, Oscar D. Tal-
bot ; Assessor, George M. Yeo ; Tax Collector,
Ottis Bump ; Justices of the Peace, Herbert T.
Knight and Edgar Confer ; Highway Commis-
sioners — James H. Sharp, Joseph Wadey, Robert
L. Dresser ; School Treasurer, O. D. Talbot.
MARION TOWNSHIP.
The first permanent settler of Marion Town-
ship was John Whitaker, who came from Putnam
County in 1836, after moving eleven years earlier
to Illinois from Virginia via Kentucky, having
tarried a short time in the latter State, where
he wxis married. He located his claim in -1835
on Sections 4, 5 and 8, and erected a rude cabin ;
after which he returned to Putnam County and
brought his family north the following year,
traveling by ox-team. He was accompanied by
Aaron Paine, for whose family another cabin
was built, but later the latter settled at the
place which afterward became known as Paine's
Point.
In March of the same year, Seth Noble left
Northern Ohio, near Elyria, whither he had
gone three years before from New York, and
.iourneying across Michigan and around the
Lakes to Chicago, there to purchase certain
supplies, and then continuing westward, on
July 15th his four yoke of oxen had brought
him, his family and their possessions to their
destination, on Section 22 of Marion Township,
Ogle County, as now known, but then Black
Walnut Grove of Jo Daviess County. Until their
cabin was built, the family lived for a short time
in n en liin which had been vacant at the mouth
II|S'1M)1,'V OF ()(iLK COUNTY
^ Q '•rf
of the Kishwaukop. Mr. Xoldc liad been to the
land the year before and liad lirokcn a slrij) of
frrouTid one rod wide and fiflccn rods lonji. as
was the eustoni to mark his elaini, and liad also
hiid up four rows of logs as a foundation for a
cabin, the better to liold the claim. r>atcr lie
owned land also in Sections 2:5, 25 and 27. At
first neighbors were distant two miles.
Harry Spaulding came in 183G and pre-erapted
a claim on Section 24, bringing his family in the
fall of the following year, the journey from
Bradford County, Pa., occupying forty days. In
lSo7 John Eyster came from Berks County, Pa.,
and settled on Section 21. In 1838 Joshua White
came from Loudoun Count.v. Va., and located on
Section 2, and Thomas A. Youngs from near
Cleveland, Ohio, bought claims to several hun-
dred acres in Marion and Scott Townships. The
last named crossed the Chicago River on a ferry,
that village, then of 3,0()0, still having no bridge.
Other settlers who came to Marion Township
from 1886 to 1850 were L. O. Bryan, David
Juvenal. E. Payson Snow, Daniel Currier, the
names of wliose eastern homes were not obtain-
able: Deacon David Lewis. John Carr and Pres-
t(m S. Gardner, from Arassaehusetts ; Dr. A. E.
Hurd, Charles Wilbur. Smith Hall. Timothy
Brown, and .Joseph B. Hagaman, from New York ;
Asa Spaulding, George Spaulding and Eli M.
Chaney, from Virginia ; John D. Frane, George
Northup and .Toshua D. Harleman, from Penn-
sylvania ; Daniel Weld and F. W. Wilcox, from
\'ermont: John Gwynn and William Blecker,
from Maryland ; Solon S. Crowell. from New
Hampshire ; lUileph Bird, from New Jersey ;
A. M. Trumbull, from Connecticut ; and Freeman
Woodcock. John Atwood, Peter Traxler and Isaac
Sovereign, from Canada ; also Samuel Shelley
fx'om Pennsylvania. Dr. A. E. Hurd was the
second County Superintendent of Schools, in
J 857 and 1858; Joshua White represented the
county in the Twenty-First General Assembly as
a member of the House ; Thomas A. Youngs' son,
Ogden B. Youngs, was Representative in the
Twenty-Sixth (General Assemlily. 18G8 to 1870.
Black Walnut (irove was the point of attrac-
tii>n for the earl.v settlers, then other groves,
and lastly, as always, the prairie. The nearest
postofiice was Dixon, until Frink & Walk<>r's
Express brought the postofiice to Byron, previous
to which the mail was obtained from Dixon once
a week by taking turns in driving the twenty-
five miles for it. To have milling done, it was
necessary to go to Ottawa, or Beloit. The first
mill in Marion Townshi[) was Nettleton's, at the
mouth of Stillman Creek, then called Old Man's
Creek. Tiiis mill was afterward owned by Free-
man Woodcock, who "ran it till after the War."
Daniel Weld also had a mill, and there were
several others. Now the mills of those early
times are gone from their well-adapted sites,
and the mills which proviih- the bulk of the
tiour used to-day are situated much farther away
than Beloit, or Ottawa, the nearest jilace. per-
haps, being Minneaiiolis.
Coming of Forkign I.m m ihkaxts. — To the
western jiart of the townslup eaiiie a number of
(ilt'rman farmers at a later date. Perhaps the
fii-st was Andrew Schaeffer. about 18.50. He soon
imrchased a (piarter-sei-tion of land for wiiicb
be paid $800. Half was paid down, and the
seller remarked that Mr. Schaeffer would never
own the land. P>ut good land, good fanning and
German thrift were equal to that and more, and
the balance of the money was paid over in due
time. Mr. Scliaeffer became well-to-do and was
highly respected. Two of his sons were educated
for the ministry and are now preaching in Iowa.
Others who came alwut the same time and later
were Frederick S. Erxleben, from Magdeburg,
Germany, Geerd Reeverts. from near Hanover,
Prussia ; Henr.v Nuppenau, Andreas Roos, Meint
Telenga, Jacob Telenga. Hans Roos. Peter Hy-
enga, Meine Baumgardner. Albert Ehnieii and
Arend Esman. These citizens still cling to the
German language in their religious services,
singing h.vmns and listening to sermons m the
.sjieech of the Fatherland in their churches in
Rockvale Township and at Paine's Point.
Swedish people began coming to Marion Toaati-
sliip years ago. and iiave continued moving in
until now there are. perhaps. 250. fifty of them
being voters. About one hundred are in Still-
man Valley, where two stores are conducted by
them. Some ujum renouncing their allegiance
to King Oscar and their native Northland, came
direct to Stillman A'alley. l)ut most are from
oilier portions of Illinois. The first of the
Swedish-Ameri{;ans to engage in business in Still-
man Valley was Peter N. Alfors. who opened a
tailor shop in 1895, and having .joined with him,
as a i)artner, Andrew Johnsoh, in 1902, the firm
of Alfors and Johnson is doing business now in
merchant tailoring and in men's furnishing goods.
STiLorAN Valley. — The site of the first trag-
edv of the Black Hawk War. Stillman's Defeat.
788
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
has become the location of the pretty village of
Stillman Valley, named from the depression
caused by Stillman Creek and readily observed
as one looks from the historic spot of the battle.
The village was platted in October, 1874, on land
of Joshua White. The Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul Railroad Company was then building
through the township, so that the village started
with railroad facilities, and twelve years later
had a second railroad, the Chicago and Great
Western. Instead of one mail in seven days, as
in pioneer times, there are now seven mails in
one day. There are five general stores, two of
which are owned by men of Swedish birth. A
gi'ain elevator, doing an extensive business at
the tracks of the Chicago & Great Western Rail-
road, is owned by F. H. Griggs. The Armour
Company have one at the tracks of the other
road. A bank is conducted by Charles H. Wil-
bur, Albert C. Brown, James H. King and Fred
C. Baker, the first and second being President
and Cashier. T. C. Johnson does an extensive
business in the making and shipping of cider and
vinegar. As many as one hundred carloads of
apples have been shipped in to feed his press,
besides using the apples of the surrounding
region. The product is marketed all over the
Northwest.
Churches. — There was an organization effect-
ed for church services in the township as early
as 1854 by the Baptists and in 1858 by the Con-
gregationalists. The former meet for worship in
a neat wooden building erected a number of
years ago. The membership numbers fifty. At
the present time there is no regular pastor. The
latter possess an attractive brick church of
Elizabethan architecture, costing when built in
1895, about $9,000. There are 200 members. The
pastor is Rev. Charles Bruner. There are also
two Swedish congregations, each of which has
its own place of worship. The one is known as
the Free Mission Church, of which the present
pastor is Rev. E. O. Carlson. The other is
called the Christian Mission, at the head of
wl)ifh is Rev. Carl A. Malme.
Schools. — One of the first schools, perhaps the
first, wns taught in one end of the log house of
Seth Nohle on Section 22, in 18.S7 and 1838, by
a Mr. Sheldon. There are now ten school dis-
tricts in the township, including that of Still-
man Valley where the building, erected a number
of years ago and added to since then, represents
a cost of about $6,000, and where the enroll-
ment is 115, with five teachers. There is a four
years' high school course. Miss Margaret
Skaggs is Principal. The directors are Lovejoy
Johnson, E. L. Osgood, and D. C. Robbins.
The ground forming the half-acre around the
spot where had occurred the burial of nine of
the twelve militiamen killed in the outbreak of
the Black Hawk War, when Black Hawk made
his famous sally against Major Stillman's volun-
teers, was never allowed to be plowed over by
its owner, Joshua White, who entered the quar-
ter-section, including this historic spot, fourteen
years after the battle and remained in possession
of it until his death in 1890. Later the half
acre, with land adjacent, was platted and be-
came a part of the village of Stillman Valley. In
1899, when the lots comprising it were offered
for sale at public auction, the citizens of Still-
man Valley, with patriotic forethought, organ-
ized the Battle Ground Memorial Association,
and incorporated the same under the laws of
Illinois, with Lovejoy Johnson, President ; John
A. Atwood, Secretary; and J. J. White, Treas-
urer. The Association then obtained by subscrip-
tion $1,000 and purchased the lots, which were
soon beautified by planting trees, laying cement
walks and terracing. The Forty-Second General
Assembly was asked for an appropriation of
$5,000 for a monument, which was obtained,
chiefly through the efforts of Henry Andrus in
the Senate and James P. Wilson in the House,,
and there now rises from the spot a shaft of
Barre-granite with convex corners, giving the
appearance of four columns, resting upon a stone
base bearing suitable inscriptions, and surmount-
ed by the figure of heroic size of a citizen sol-
dier, the whole fifty feet in height. Dedicatory
exercises were held on July 11, 1902, when an
address was made by Judge Lawrence Y. Sher-
man. A survivor of the battle was present in
the person of William Copes of Atlanta, 111., then
ninety-one years of age. The names of the
militiamen who perished in the onslaught of
Black Hawk's forty warriors are Captain John
G. Adams, Sergeant John Walters, Corporal
James Milton and Privates Isaac Parkins, David
Kreeps, Zadoc Mendinhall, Tyrus M. Childs,
Joseph B. Farris, Bird W. Ellis, Joseph Draper,
James Doty, and a scout named Gideon Munson.
The graves of Bird W. Ellis and .Joseph Draper
are not by the monument, but at distant ix>ints,
while the grave of James Doty is unknown.
PUB,
TTLi.
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
789
Local Press. — The village newspaper, the
"Stillman Valley Graphic," is owned, publi^ied
iiiid edited liy .Tolui A. Atwood. It was started
L>eceniber i, 18UL>, by Clara M. Waylaud, who
sold out in 1891 to Anna M. Atwood, who after
two years of ownership and management, dis-
ix>sed of the proin-rty to its present owner. The
local news is carefully given and the '"(iraphic's''
influence is a factor in the comnmnity's welfare.
In 1!XH, before the Old Settlers' Association, Mr.
Atwood read a paiwr giving the story of Still-
man's Defeat and the newly erected monument
referred to above, which account was afterward
printed in p.iinphlet form, and was used as a
source of infonuation by the writer liei-eof.
Township OFKicEits. — The members of the
Board of Supervisors for the township of ^Marion
since its organization have been as follows : E.
Payson Snow, 1850-51 ; Dauphin Brown, 1852-
53; Joshua White, 1854-70; A. M. Trumbull,
1871; Joshua White, 1872; O. B. Youngs. 1873-
74; A. F. Brown, 1875-80; James H. King, 1881-
82 ; James D. White, 1883-85 ; Ogdeu B. Youngs,
1886-87; James D. White, 1888-94; George H.
Brown, 1895-1900; Samuel H. Agnew. 1901-08.
The other officers for the year 1908, for Marion
To^\Tiship, are the following: Town Clerk, Cal-
vin Baker ; Assessor, G. H. Brown ; Tax Col-
lector, Joseph H. Rock ; Justices of the Peace.
John A. Atwood and W. H. Sovereign ; Consta-
bles, Thomas Carmichael and J. E. Stowell :
Highway Commissioners, G. J. Garuhart, Sam-
uel A. White, Oliver C. Fish ; School Treasurer,
Fred C. Baker.
MARYLAND TOWNSHIP.
(By .Jonathan Iliestand. )
Maryland Township, in the northern tier of
Ogle County townships, is bounded on the north
by Stephenson County, on the east by Leaf River
Township, on the south by Mount Morris and
Lincoln, and on the west by Forreston Township.
In area it comprises 36 sections, equaling a con-
gressional township, embracing the east half of
Township 25, Range 8, and the west half of
TowTiship 25, Range 9 east, of the Fourth Prin-
cipal Meridian. Originally a great part of the
town was well timbered, but at i)roseut the
greater portion is under cultivation. The prairie
land was in the western and northern part of
the town. The surface is undulating, and the
district well watered. Leaf River, its principal
stream, running the entire area from west to
east. Commencing at or near North Forreston
is a range of gravel banks extending nearly to the
Village of Adeline, called by geologists moraine
terraces. The township has one double-track rail-
road, known as the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
I'aul. The station is about three-quarters of a
mile south of the Village of Adeline, which name
it bears. The date of settlement was in the
year 1837, the early settlers being chiefly from
the State of Maryland and Germany, the latter
coming direct from the Fatherland.
Pioneer Settlers. — Among the pioneers were
David J. Baker, and William C. Baker, the lat-
ter, now well advanced in years, but still hale
and hearty, residing in Adeline. Others were
Henry Etnyre, Samuel Blair (father of J. F.
Blair) ; Samuel W.. Abraham and Nathaniel
Coffman ; Samuel McFarland, Isaiah and Jere-
miah Miller; Euos, Dr. Samuel I., and Ilezekiah
Jacobs ; Joseph and Daniel Newc-omer, .John C.
Foster, Henry Omholtz, Henry Byerly, Emanuel
Morrison. E. M. Sheller, John A. Ettinger ; Allen,
William and Nathaniel W. Boebe ; Henry, Jacob
and Christian Dovenberger ; John B. Cooley.
Daniel Erdman, Samuel Rlnehart, Andrew Row-
land, Jonathan Wagner, Daniel W. Stouffer and
Frederick Timmer, Louis Fosha, the Veitmeyers
and Brock meyers — the latter consisting of four
families from Germany^
The township is extremely fertile, well adapted
to stock raising, and with exception of the land
bordering on Leaf River, is mostly under culti-
vation.
Village of Adeline. — The Village of Adeline
was laid out in 1845 by John Rnmmel. the owner
of tlu> surrounding land. Hon. T. J. Turner of
Freeport purchased a lot. and the town was
named Adeline for Mrs. Turner. The village was
incorporated in 1882 and has about 2.50 inhab-
itants. Mr. Runimel kept the first store as well
as the postollic. The first postoffice of the town-
ship was about three miles north of the village.
Following Mr. Runnnel, stores were kept by
Julius P. Smith, late of Byron. .M. II. Philbrick.
George W. Mitchell. Christian Fosler. I. A. Fosler
and G. R. Rummel. and A. J. Mitchell.
There are three churches, a Methodist, Lutb-
eran and United Brethren.
Among its Postmasters were .John Rummel.
Nathaniel Lnndis. Stephen Hicks. G. W. Mitchell.
790
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY,
Dr. Reichenbacb, Emanuel Morrison, John Mum-
ma, W. S. Graham, I. A. Fosler, Freeland Little,
the present Postmaster being John Milhaven.
The village has a fine school building, of two
rooms, erected in 1868. The first principal was
Miner L. Seymour, followed by such prominent
educators as J. W. Gibson, George Blount, Frank
Cooper, S. M. Grimes and H. P. White. The
present Principal is H. Mclntyre.
On May 18, 1898, the village suffered a serious
injury, being swept by a branch of the terrible
cyclone which devastated a portion of Ogle
County. A number of buildings and the bridge
over Leaf River were wrecked and two of its
citizens killed.
Township Officials. — The township officers
at present writing are : Supervisor, J. F. Shaf er ;
Clerk, F. H. Stukenberg; Assessor, J. S. Ettin-
ger ; Collector, Henry Omholtz ; Justices of the
Peace, J. E. Seibert and J. H. Eakle ; Constables,
J. F. Shafer and U. S. Cain; Highway Com-
missioners — H. T. Miller, C. F. Long, and Elias
Timmer. The Supervisors for the township have
been the following: Samuel Mitchell, 1850;
John A. Ettinger, 1^51-52 ; Elias Rowland, 1853-
.54; X. W. Beebe, 18.55; John A. Ettinger, 1856-
59; Elias Rowland, 1860-65; Jeremiah Miller,
1866-67; George W. Mitchell, 1868-78; William
Sloggett, 1879-80 ; Joseph S. Myers, 1881-85 ; Wil-
liam Sloggett, Jr.; 1886; George Rummel, 1887-
98 ; C. W. Downey, 1899-1900 ; George Rummel,
1901-05; J. F. Shafer, 1906-08. .
Valuable Mineral Discovery. — The following
interesting matter pertaining to Maryland Town-
ship is taken from the "Ogle County Reporter,"
November 25, 1908:
"Men prospecting for mineral deposits on the
William Hamilton farm near Adeline, Ogle
County, were rewarded a few days ago, after
digging a considerable distance, by coming across
a vein or ore. The deposit is known as kaolin
and is quite valuable. The sample taken out
has been assayed and is found to be sixty-five
per cent pure kaolin, which retails in drug
stores at twenty-five to thirty-five cents a pound,
and in large quantities is worth from $45 to
.$125 per ton. A company will be incorporated
with a capital sufficient to place the company
on an easy work basis. The mine is so situated
that no trouble will be met with removing and
shipping the ore. From the small excavation
made with pick and shovel about five tons of the
material have been secured, this, too, before strik-
ing the vein proper. The material is susceptible
of many bi-products. as firebrick, chinaware, and
paint pigment, etc. The company will pay most
attention to the medical qualities, as they are
very valuable and in demand."
MONROE TOWNSHIP.
This township is situated in the northeast
corner of the county, and consists mostly of rich
prairie soil, which, in these later days and closer
proximity to market, is of considerable value,
farming lands well improved selling in the neigh-
borhood of Monroe Centre as high as $150 per
acre. Some timber is still found skirting the
waters of Killbuck Creek, which flows through
the township on the western side, meandering
across the line, in a neighborly manner, into
Scott Township and back again before it empties
into the Kishwaukee after leaving the County of
Ogle. This stream takes its rise in the township
of Dement and flows through Lynnville Town-
ship before reaching Monroe. It received its
name in Dement, as John Brodie. who must have
had some redeeming trait among his sinister
qualities, named this creek for a stream near his
former home in Ohio. One of the histories also
ascribes the naming of the stream to the Dris-
colls, for like reason. One of the very valuable
publications of the Illinois Historical .Society
contains literal copies of some letters in the
Canadian Archives at Ottawa. Among these is
a letter from Cooshocking, January 18, 1779, to
Mr. John Montour, which is signed "Galalemend."
This signature was the name of a Tuscarawas
Chief (a Delaware Chief) who was an Ameri-
can partisan. In English he was known as
Captain John Killbuck, and it is this name of
this friendly, trusted, noble Indian Chief, which
the stream in Ohio bore, and which is perpet-
uated in the "Killbuck Creek" of the Rock River
Valley. The Creek is about the size of Leaf
River and affords the residents of the township,
who are fond of outdoor sports, a pleasant out-
ing in suitable parts of the j'ear.
Early Settlers. — Among the early settlers in
this township were Henry and Betsy Brooks
Crill, Asa and Fanny Tupper Tyler, W. W. and
Amanda Covey Bennett, Austin and Ruth Lord
Lines, John P. Earl, Joseph W. Hall. Thomas
and Nancy Vandawalker Miller, Peter J. Shaule.
IIISToifV OF OGLE COT' XT V
791
George Bresslor, Joseph Sweeney, Ahi-aliam Hess.
Henry Crill settled in the townshii) in 184:5.
coming from the State of Pennsylvania, and
locating npon a tract of land conii)rising abont
1,500 acres. Thomas, John J. and William Crill
were his sons. The Rev. Austin Lines came in
184"), and was ordained a minister in the same
year, living till September 13, 18SG, when he
passed away at the age of 83 years, the life of
Mrs. Lines closing soon afterwards at about the
same age. In 1880, some time before Mr. Lines'
death, it was said of him "there is no individual
who has been in the conference in this district
as long as he I" Thomas II. Lines is a son of
this pioneer divin(\ and lives on the same tract
purchased by his father in 1845. Joseph W.
Hall came in 1850; John P. Earl in 1849;
Thomas Miller in 1848 ; Peter J, Shaule in 1854 ;
George Bressler in 1848; Abraham Hess in 1849;
Jesse J. Cook in 1848; David A. Cipperly in
1803.
Among other settlers and residents are Justus
H. Cain, Austin and Warreu Walker, Willard
Woodworth, Herman Wright, L. M. Tale, Alfred
Yager, William A. Clark, C. C. Chandler, P. A.
Goonradt, James E. Corbet ; Harvey, I. J..
Michael and Orlando F. Crill ; August Drager,
Willard W. Earl, Dr. Alonzo J. Edson, John and
Clarinda King Eychaner, Fraulv Eychaner,
George W. Farber, Albert Field, Joshua File,
Mrs. Barbara Ann Fullerton, Dr. Daniel Gifford
(his only daughter, Lillian, now Mrs. Joseph
Sears of Oregon), Frederick, Henry and Lewis
Ilildebrand, Norman Hitchcock. Gottlieb Horn,
Jared W. and De Forrest Knapp, James McCul-
lough, Fi-ederick Nashold, John and Thomas
Reed, John Schaad, Riley Sweet, James and
Anna Blackman Tiirley, Horace C. and Silas D.
Tj-ler, sons of Asa Tyler, who lived to be almost
a centenarian. It was upon his farm that the
village of Monroe was located in 1875, being laid
out in 1875 by his son Silas D. Tyler, wlio now
lives in Rockford, whei'e also is living his son.
Charles C. Tyler, several years ago Circuit Clerk
of Ogle County. The son Horace C. Tyler was
the first to be buried in the new cemetery by
the young village. This cemetery was laid out
upon a beautiful plan, an oi>pn space being left
in front for the planting of shade trees.
Monroe Center. — Imnu'diately after the found-
ing of the village of Monroe the old post-ofiice of
Monroe Center was moved to the new location,
but the mails of Uncle Sam still keep the old
l)()stal nanu^. The comjiletion of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway thi'ough the
tiiwnshiji. was the immediate cause of tlie
starting of the village of Monroe, and this rail-
way now has a double line of tracks passing
from Chicago to the Mississippi River. The site
of the village is an attractive one, being on
somewhat of an elevation. Many of its resi-
d(>nts at the present time are farmers who have
reaped well where they have sown, and now are
enjoying retirenit-nt from activ(> toil in comfort-
able and handsome modern homes. A desirable
feature of the village is that it has always been
a temperance town, with the licensed saloon un-
known. Tile village is furnished with electric
ligbting, and some private gas plants have been
added more recently. Several town pumps pro-
vide the water supply, in the still old-time
niannei-.
The first houses in INFouroe were built by
Horace C. Tyler. Jesse J. Cook, DeForrest Knapp
and Dr. Gifford. The first store building was
erected by Charles Fisher, who placed in it the
first stock of goods for sale : following him was
.John Roberts, and after him his son, T. S. Rob-
erts, who continued the business. A drug store
was soon opened by Dr. Knowles of Cherry Val-
le.v, and a hardware store by Hiram Wilson.
Ilildebrand & Chandler were his succi'ssors in
1877, after which tlie firm became Ilildebrand
& Eychaner. The second general store was
owned by Skeels & Snow, who began business in
187(). Sidwell & Company of Chicago completed
a warehouse soon after the railroad was finished,
and an elevator was then built by a .ioint stock
company comiiosed of citizens of the place. This
was iHirchased from tlie company in 1882 by
Sipl(\v & Jones. A livery stable was opened at
once by Horace C. Tyler, which, after his death
in 1S79. was for some time owned by John Earl.
Ilildebrand & Chandler, in 1882. and after them,
(^ipperly & Crill. were engaged in the furniture
trade. Andrew Main started a blacksmith shop
in 1875; a shoe shop was added to the list of
businesses in 1877. which was owned by .Joseph
Freidbauer in 18S5. Thomas .Martin began the
manufacture and sale of harness in 1879, con-
tinuing in business for some years. A hay-press
was built in 1SS5 by Smith & McAllister. The
first hotel was built in 187(i by James Sturgeon,
who was its proprietor till 188u. when he was
succeedcMl by Frederick Storz. A meat market
was opened in 1877 by William Earl, who also
793
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
managed the first restaurant, afterward con-
ducted by William Krist. John E. Thompson
afterwards carried on the meat business. C. C.
Chandler, of Hildebrand & Chandler, owned a fine
fruit farm near the village for some time after
changing his residence to Evanston, 111. Dr.
Lewis Hormell, son of the Mexican War veteran
of the same name, who once practiced medicine
in Monroe Center, now is settled in the ''Land
of the Dakotas." Doctor J. F. Snyder and Dr.
Harry G. Davis, son of the well-known pioneer,
Jeremiah Davis, were practicing physicians in
the village soon after its start. Dr. Davis and
Dr. Snyder still continue in practice at Monroe
Center.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected
in 1876. and the building remodeled a year ago.
The congregations of Monroe Center and Fair-
dale, the latter across the county line in DeKalb
County, are united now under one pastorate, a
parsonage being connected with the church in
Fairdale. The present minister is the Rev. E. W.
Ward.
A two-story public school building was erected
here aboiit 1881, to which an addition w^as made
a short time ago. It is prettily located at the
top of a slope, and the school has always had
good teachers and a reputation for progressive-
ness. The present primary teacher is the daugh-
ter of a highly respected early settler and has
taught hero close to twenty years. The first
school w^as a very successful private one, taught
by Miss Anna Wright, who studied at the Wells'
School. ^Ir. Wells once lived near Monroe Cen-
ter, being engaged in teaching. The teachers in
the Public School at present are G. W. Jamieson,
Principal ; Assistants, Miss Ella Hogan and Miss
Mary Clark, Primary Department.
About 1890 and for a period after that, a
newspaper, the "Monroe Mirror," was published
by Edward Elliott.
The Monroe Center State Bank was estab-
li.shed July 17, IW.S. The first officers were F. A.
Eychaner, President ; C. A. Crosby, Vice-Presi-
dent ; F. A. Hildebrand, Cashier. The same
reliable officers are still in charge of its sub-
stantial l)usiness. The Bank is owner of the
building it occupies and has a capital of .$2.5,000.
There are at the present time two elevators,
one owne<l by C. A. Crosby and the other by
Wellington Nashold. A general store is con-
•ducted by Tyler & Raup, one of the partners
being a son of Silas D. Tyler, An implement
store and harness-shop are owned by the present
Supervisor of Monroe Township, W. H. Crill.
Other thriving businesses are being carried on —
hardware, furniture, grocery, drug stores, livery
barn and restaurant being among the number.
Excellent bakery supplies come daily by rail
from Rockford and Chicago, with no trouble to
the dealer but to receive them, and no labor to
the consumer but to purchase them.
Monroe Center possesses a fine Opera Hall, a
frame building of two stories owned by an in-
corporated stock company, and which is used for
public purposes on the first floor, and for lodge
rooms on the second.
Monroe Center has about three hundred in-
habitants, but is not incorporated. Since 1877
the Town Hall has been located at the village,
it having been moved there from its former
location after considerable opposition.
The "Lynnville and Monroe Mutual Fire In-
surance Company of Ogle County, 111.," was or-
ganized September 13, 1873. The first officers
were : President, William F. Perry ; Secretary,
Daniel Gifford ; Treasurer, A. H. Warren ; Direc-
tors, Elijah Dresser, Wm. F. Perry, Harvey
Countrj-mau, Albert Field, Austin Clark, Horace
Tyler, A. H. Warren, John Brown, Daniel Gif-
ford ; Surveyors, Joshua Knight, Horatio Graves,
Joseph Holmes, Norman Hitchcock, Joseph Hall,
Thomas Lines.
Township Ofj'Icers. — Monroe Township was
organized in 1850, and since that time the follow-
ing have been the Supervisors. Austin Lines,
1850-54; Allen Light, 1855; Austin Lines, 1856-
57; James Wells, 1858-62; R. M. Thomas, 1863-
64: William A. Clark, 1865; Albert Field. Jr..
1866-68; Herman Wright, 1869-70; Albert Field,
Jr., 1871-75; Herman Wright, 1876-77; S. S.
File. 1878; Albert Field, 1879-83; Thomas S.
Roberts. 1884-86 ; Walter M. Smith. 1887 ; T. H.
Lines, 1888-89 ; Cyrus C. Conant, 1890-91 ; Frank
A. Eychaner. 1892-96; W. B. Tyler, 1897-1901;
Frank A. Howe, 1902-07; W. H. Crill, 1908.
The other officers for the to^mship in 1908 are :
Town Clerk, W. A. Fisk ; Assessor, C. G. Ben-
nett ; Tax Collector, Frank A. Drager; Justices
of the Peace, George Higgins and C. A. Crosby;
Constable, Albert Snani ; Highway Commission-
er.'* — A. W. Drager. George Higgins, Charles W.
Butler; School Treasurer, J. F. Snyder.
SINNISSIPPI FARM, REvSIDENCE OF FRANK O. LOWDKN
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TTISTOnV OF OGLE COUNTY.
793
MOUNT MORRIS TOWNSHIP.
The sturdy pioneer, John I'helps, settled with
his fiiiuily on a large tract of laud, now partly in
Mount Morris and partly in Rockvale Townships,
when the tirst men came to locate in Mount
Morris Township, having brought his family
here in 183i5. During the sunuuer of 18iM> Sam-
uel M. Hitt and Nathaniel Swingley came, and
having spied out the land, returned to Maryland,
whence they had come, to bring others to occupy
the land with them. When they came back they
found Larkin Baker occupying a cabin and claim
about four miles southeast of the present site
of the village of Mount Morris, which land was
later owned by Daniel Price. Daniel Worden
had located a mile and a half southwest and one
or two other settlers had settled in the edge of
the timber. Squire Hitt and Captain Swingley,
however, located their claims on the prairie, the
former taking up 1,000 acres, and later building
upon it the large stone house now occupied by
Christian Zumdahl. who with his brother owns
the Phelps tract. Captain Swingley took up the
claim, a part of which is now owned and occu-
pied by William Koontz.
In the spring of 1837 Hitt and Swingley re-
turned, bringing with them Michael Bovey
(whose death has recently occurred at the ad-
vanced age of ninety-two years), Adam, Daniel
and John Stover, Balka Niehoff, Samuel Grove,
Eli Householder, William McDannel, Abram and
Jonathan Myers, Frederick Finkbonar, and
otliers. Of this number Householder, McDannel
and Daniel Stover were accompanied by their
wives ; with the Householders was their son
Peter, then a child of two years, and now still
residing in Mount Morris. Mrs. Elizabeth Ank-
ney, with her little son Albertus and daughter
Anna Amelia, who became Mrs. William Watts
of Pine Creek, was with this party. This was
the first group of what came to be called the
"Maryland Colony," after their eastern home.
This party came by wagon to Wheeling, W. Va.';
by boat on the Ohio. Mississippi and Illinois
Rivers to Peru, and by wagon the rest of the
way. Upon their arrival thoy livetl for two
weeks in the cabin built by Governor Ford,
which was then vacant. Their cooking was done
on a stove brought from the east by Mrs. Ankney,
and for a while this was the only one of its
kind in the neighborhood, many making use of
it for baking their bread. As quickly as possible
cabins were erected for the newcomers. The
first one built in the township was a double log
cabin on the claim of Mrs. Ankney, alx)ut three-
quarters of a mile southwest of the present vil-
lage of Mount Morris, In the two small rooms
of this dwelling lived four families ; that of
.Mrs. Ankney, who afterwards married the build-
(;r of the original "Old Sandstone," James B.
McCoy, and the Householders in one ; and that
of the Stovers and McDannels in the other.
Solon Crowell, father of the recent State's At-
torney for Ogle County, who occupied a claim a
mile north of the village; Martin Reynolds, who
had located where was afterwards the home of
Professor Pinckney ; and David and Benjamin
Wertz, located on Pine Creek, liad arrived in
tlie vicinity about this time.
During the year of 1837 other families came,
among thera John Rice, Sr., John Wagner, and
the Rev. Thomas S. Hitt. Mr. Rice and family
left Washington County. Md., in September, 183G,
intending to settle in Illinois. The brother-in-
law of Mr. Rice, John Wagner. Sr., had stopped
temporarily in Ohio, en >-oiitr for the same desti-
nation, and Mr. Rice with his family remained
in Ohio over winter. In the spring of 1837 these
two men came on horseback to Ogle County to
take up claims, in July, being followed by their
families with twelve children each. These
men lived the rest of their lives upon the farms
the.v obtained from the Government. The origi-
nal claim of Mr. Rice is yet in the family, being
owned by a grandson, Mr. J. L. Rice, whose
father was Dr. Isaac Rice. "Timothy Bunker,
Esq.," the facetious editor of the "Cross Roads
News" of the "Mount Morris Index." is also a
grandson. Until recently, two daughters, Mrs.
Daniel Etnyre, of Oregon, and Mrs. Susan
Thomas, of Leaf River, were still living. Many
descendants of this pioneer family are still resi-
dents of Ogle Couiit>'. "Aunt Kitty Rice." whd
died in Mount Morris, December 26. 1900, at the
extreme old age of over 103 years, was the step-
mother of this family of twelve children.
The claim taken up by John Wagner, Sr., is
the farm three miles northeast of the village,
now owned by Mr. George W. Carr. Here this
family grew to manhood and womanhood, an
nnlu-oken family circle till 1891. when .Toscpb
died. This family held many enjoyable re-
unions, the last notable one being in 1896 at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Knodle. when
raan.v relatives and friends assembled in an old-
794.
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
time, out-of-door gathering. Mrs. Hannati
Knodle, Mrs. Barbara E. McNeill, Mrs. Catherine
GrifBn, of Mount Morris ; Nehemiah, of Chicago ;
and Mrs. Henry Wertz, of Falls City, Neb., still
survive. Captain Benjamin Wagner died in
1898 ; John, in 1897 ; Mrs. John Timmerman, in
1898; Reuben, in 1903; Mrs. Sarah Good, in
1907; Captain David C. Wagner, in Chicago in
1908.
Among the later arrivals of the year 1837 was
the family of Rev. Thomas S. and Emily Hitt,
who came by carriage from Ohio, Mr. Hitt being
attracted by the favorable reports of his brother
Samuel, and expecting to continue his ministry
in the Methodist Church. There were eight chil-
'drcn in this family, some of them born in Ogle
County : Robert R. Hitt, who represented this
district in Congress with distinction for many
years ; Mrs. Margaret Newcomer ; Mrs. Maria
(Hitt) Newcomer, wife of the late Major Charles
Newcomer ; John, present Deputy Collector of
Customs in Chicago ; Martin Emery, Thomas
Morris, who was engaged in government work
in Washington ; Henry P. Hitt, and Mrs. Eliza-
beth Wagner, wife of the late Captain Benja-
min Wagner ; these four having now for a num-
ber of years lived near Tyndall, S. D. In 1905,
Robert sent some "historical data" to Messrs.
Kable Brothers for their "Seventieth Anniver-
sary of the Settlement of Mount Morris Town-
ship, Souvenir Edition, Mount Morris Index,"
which included some notes written in a day book
by his father. The following is quoted from
these data :
"My father with his family had arrived Sep-
tember 22, 1837, and at first for a few days
stopped with his brother-in-law, Mr. Martin
Reynolds, who lived where is now the Lohafer
residence one mile west of where the Seminary
and village were afterwards erected. In the
woods, a quarter of a mile west of Mr. Reynolds'
place, a little log school house was built in 1838,
the school taught by Mr. Quimby Allen. That
school was the seed from which grew the Semi-
nary, and then the College of to-day. On Sep-
tember 24, 1837, is the entry : "Preached at
Oregon, Psalms 58:11." On the 28th of Septem-
ber, 1888, he took up his residence on what is
now the Baker place, two miles south of where
the village was afterwards built. It was a large
farm, a thousand acres, bought for .$2,500 from a
Mr. Painter, and was only a neighborhood 'claim,'
and .$1.25 per acre had still to be paid to the
government for 'entry.' The deed is in the hand-
writing of Governor Thomas Ford, then at Ore-
gon. The next year that farm was sold to Mr.
John Price, who lived there many years.
"Meantime Thomas S. Hitt had in 1838 built a
home on his own chosen 'claim,' 960 acres, lying
just north of where Mount Morris is, and into
that log house he moved January 18, 1839, and
it has always remained the family homestead.
It was of two stories, 16 by 24 feet, and was con-
sidered a large house. In it during the early
years church services and marriage ceremonies
were often held. It has stood 68 years."
A part of this "claim" is now the Railroad
Addition to Mount Morris ; and upon one corner
stands a handsome group of four modern homes
belonging to descendants of these pioneers of 1837.
Martin Reynolds and John Wallace, Sr., who had
married sisters of the Hitt brothers, also set-
tled in this region, the one in 1837, the other in
18.38, the former having already completed a
house on the site of the later residence of Prof.
Daniel J. Pinckney, by the early autumn of that
year. Caleb Marshall and family also arrived in
1837. His son, Reuben S., then ten years of age
but recently deceased, lived for many years prior
to his death, in the brick country home on the
pioneer estate. A sister, Mrs. John V. Gale, also
attained a fine old age, living in Oregon till 1902
surrounded by several sons and their families.
John Fridley also came in 1837.
In the spring of 1838, 'Squire Hitt and Cap-
tain Swingley returned East for their families,
and with them came a number of families, many
of whom remained in this vicinity. From this
time on the settlement grew to be known as
the "Maryland Colony." The first teacher in the
township, A. Quimby Allen, was brought by
these two pioneers. Others who came in 1838
and 1839 were Philip Sprecher. John S. Miller,
John Smith, John Coffman and family, Henry
Hiestand and family, Henry Artz and Michael
Brantner. Mr. Brantner reached the good old
age of ninety-one, dying in the autumn of 1907,
at the home of his son Charles, near Maryland
in Lincoln Township. Henry Sharer, another
pioneer of this period — "Deacon" Sharer, as he
was familiarly called — also lived to an advanced
age, ending his days among his children and
grandchildren in 1905. Four of his descendants
still reside in the community, and talie an in-
terest in its affairs — two daughters and two sons,
Mrs. John Swingley, Mrs. W. W. Wheeler, Mr.
IT I STORY OF o(;le rOT'X'l'V.
795
John Sharer, who for uiany yoars has been con-
nected with newspaper work in the county, and
Mr. Charles Sharer, wlio has established in
Mount Morris Colle,s;e the yearly "Charles Sharer
Oratorical I'rize Contest." Anotlier old resident
belonging to this family was Mrs. Priscilla
Sharer, known as "Aunt Prissy," and then as
•'Grandma Sharer," who survived into the
nineties.
In 1840, on July 4tli. James Coffman set^ out
with his family from Ilagerstown, Md., with a
party to settle in this township. They came by
team, and William C. Baker ("Uncle Billy
Baker"), now living in Adeline, is proud to have
driven one of the "big teams" (four-horse) in the
Coffman party. They reached their destination
August 16th. James Hayes Avas with this party,
being a millwright, brought by Mr. Coffman,
who had been a miller in the East, to set the
machinery in the grist-mill built by him, on Pine
Creek. Squire Hitt furnishing money to join in
the enterprise. This mill was burned and Mr.
Coffman died before the second one was com-
pleted. It, too, met with disaster, being struck
by lightning in a storm one Sunday morning.
A third one was aftei"A\-ards built, the one which
is in ruins now; and the dam once supplying the
water, after being many times washed away in
the years of high floods, is also gone.
A saw-mill was established near this creek
also very early, in Pine Creek Township. The
mill near Pine Creek was operated for a number
of years by John Stewart ; then was leased in
1853 by Messrs. Brayton, Baker and I'etrie, who
fitted it up for an oil-mill. Later they erected
a large two-story frame structure with stone
basement, near the southwest corner of the vil-
lage, running it by steam, and adding a saw-
mill. This was in charge, for several years, of
.Jacob Hilger. who came from Germany in 1851,
and who still lives with his son on a farm in
the vicinity. This mill was later purchased by
Messrs. Petrie and Sheets and removed to the
east side of the river at Oregon, where for
eighteen years Mr. William Schott. still living
in Oregon, was the miller. Several years ago.
this building, having been refitted for the use
of the Rock River Silver Plating Works, took
fire in a high gale, and all but the stones of its
base was burned, leaving a picturesque ruin,
which the artist, Mr. Leon A. Makielski, of the
Artists' Colony, has painted in the moonlight.
Before its removal from Mount Morris, tlio mill
was the scene of two disasters, the oldest sou of
Frederick H. and Charlotte W. Brayton having
lost his life among the machinery, and Mr. Pet-
rie I)eing dejirived of one liand. In his ])ai)er on
"Early Oregon and the Pioneers," Col. B. F.
Sheets tells of other losses with this mill.
The "forties brought many who were eager
to make their homes in the new country.
Among the familiar names connected with this
period are the following : Jacob Turney, Michael
Swingley, David Munnna, William Printz, Jonas
Shafstall, Moses Crowell, Jacob Buck, Daniel
Wolfe. Joseph Rowe, Jacob Detrick, Samuel S.
Fonts, Benjamin Myers, Silas Snyder, Adam
Patterson, Otho Wallace, Solomon Nalley, Flcnrj-
A. Neff, Bartholomew. Benjamin McXett (father
of John H. McNett), Jacob and Henry Hiestand.
William Watts, Daniel and F. B. Brayton ; Peter,
Emanuel, Jonathan, Jacob and .Joseph Knodle ;
Benjamin Swingley. Frank Hamilton,- Samuel
Newcomer and his sons Charles and Albert,
George Avey, father of Josiah Avey ; Emanuel,
Henry and Andrew Newcomer, Joseph and Fris-
bee Watts, Michael E. Miller.
The "Rock River Register." puhlislu'il January
1. 1S42, by .Jonathan Knodle, at M(mnt Morris,
li.id this item :
"Mt. Morris was well founded in the spring
of 1841, and Is now already found, when not
yet ten months old, to hold 282 souls, inclusive
of the students and teachers at Rock River
Seminary, which dignifies the center of the vil-
lage. This day, January 1. 1842, the citizens
number 137, and the town consists of twenty-
one houses. Mt. Morris is five miles w^est of
Oregon City, in the same county, and eighty
miles west of Chicago. It is handsomely sit-
uated on one of the most beautiful and extraor-
dinarily fertile prairies which distinguish Illi-
nois, and especially the Rock River region, for
abundance and excellence of agricultural produc-
tions. It is named in honor of Bishop Morris,
of the M. E. Church."
Most of the old settlers are of the opinion
that the name of the village is to be accredited
to the good Bishop, but Mr.. Horace G. Miller,
now living in retirement at Hinsdale, 111., with
his son, of the firm of Patton & Miller, Chicago
Architects, who was then living at Kishwaukee
and active in his efforts to secure the location
of the Seminary at that place, and served as one
of its first trustees, says he bestowed the name
n]H)n the town in memory of his own native
796
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
place, Mount Morris, New York. The chroniclers
of many important facts pertaining to Mount
Morris history, say in one of their publications :
"It may be that he (Mr. Miller) suggested the
name of his old town, and that the Methodist
elders adopted it at once because of its being
in honor of Bishop Morris as well." A happy
solution of the conti'oversy !i
Rock River Seminary. — A further quotation
from the "Historical Data" of the late Hon,
R. R. Hitt, refers to the founding of this attrac-
tive village of Mount Morris and its famous old
institution of learning, as follows :
"In the day book kept by my father, Rev.
Thomas S. Hitt, and in his handwriting, is this
entry : 'May 8, 1839, stake stuck on Rock River
Seminary site.' At that time, as I well remem-
ber, the high, green swelling prairie, where now
stretches out Mount Morris, was for miles per-
fectly clear, smooth ground, as seen from our
house three-quarters of a mile to the northwest
where it still stands. The beginning of the vil-
lage was at that spot, and at that date, for
the Seminary was the first house and was long
the most important one. In 1852 the larger
Seminary building, 'Old Sandstone,' a noble struc-
ture yet, was constructed."
As no steps were taken to incorporate the
village of Mount Morris till the year 1848, and
as the rise and progress of Rock River Seminary
were the heart and life of the community, it is
proper that the history of this institution should
be given a prominent place in this volume.
After the policy of founding an institution in
Northern Illinois had been approved by the
Methodist Annual Conference held at Jackson-
ville in 18.38, and a committee appointed for the
purpose of choosing its location had selected
Blount Morris for the same, a fund of some
$8-000 and a tract of 480 acres of land having
Ve" donated, a building committee, composed of
Samuel M. Hitt, Nathaniel Swingley and C. Burr
Artz, was appointed, plans adopted and the con-
^A note or mpmorandiim Iwok now in possession of
Mrs. Sarah niiestand) .Kice, contains some facts re-
lating to the history of one of the first debatins;
r^'-ieties In OrIp County, organized on September 2.5.
1S42. at the olfl Rice log-schoolhouse, about three
miles north of Mount Morris nnrler the name of the
West Wave Lyceum. .Toshna Rice was the learlinp
spirit in the movement anr] (he society conlinnert in
-existence until 184.". The memoranrlum contains a
list of the principal pMrticlpants In the rlehates anrt
of the Directoi's in School DistricI No. 2 In 184.'? and
In 1844. with a list of some seventy volumes con-
stituting the private library of Mr. .Toshna Uice. in-
cliirlins text-boolts covering historical, scientific and
tlicoloeical topics.
tract for the erection of a building was awarded
to James B. McCoy, for the sum of $18,000. By
July 4, 1839, sufficient progress had been made
to lay the cornerstone. So great was the inter-
est in the undertaking, that people came from a
distance as far as forty miles, to witness the
ceremony. The exercises were conducted by the
Rev. Thomas S. Hitt, who later was appointed
agent of the institution, and managed its affairs
for many years ; and it was his son, the late
Robert R. Hitt, who, when the seminary had run
its course of usefulness and encountered finan-
cial obstacles, took upon himself the ownership
of the place with which several branches of his
family liad been associated from its beginning.
(For a concise history of the Seminary during
the forty years of its existence ending in the
year 1879, and what afterward became Mount
Morris College, now being conducted under the
auspices of the United Brethren denomination,
see Chapter XXIII of this volume, under the title
"Educational.")
The first Principal of the Seminary was Prof.
Joseph N. Waggoner, next Rev. Daniel J. Pinck-
ney. Others who later acted in the same capac-
ity include Prof. S. R. Thorpe, Dr. J. C. Finley,
Prof. S. M. Fellows, Rev. Carmi C. Olds, Profs.
George L. Little, Spencer S. Matteson, W. T.
Harlow, John Williamson, O. F. Matteson, Rev.
J. M. Caldwell, Rev. R. H. Wilkinson, and Dr.
Sarah Hackett Stevenson.
Among the preceptresses were Cornelia NT.
Russell, Ruth R. Carr, Electa V. Mitchell, Al-
mira M. Robertson (who in 1847 married Wil-
liam Williams Fuller, a lawyer of Oregon, and
uncle of Margaret Fuller), Eunice A. Hurd,
Rosalie D. Blanchard, Sarah A. Steele, Mary B.
Hoverland, Harriet Fowler, Carrie E. M'umford,
Clarinda Olin, Mrs. M. C. Catlin, Stella Chap-
pelle, Florence Farnsworth, and Charlotte E.
Smith, afterwards Mrs. O. L. Fisher.
Among well-known students and graduates of
the Seminary have been the following: Albert
Deere, S. M. Fellows, James C. T. Phelps, Wil-
liam J. Mix, Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, Gen. M. R.
M. Wallace, Capt. John F. Wallace, Margaret C.
Hitt, Helen M. Jud.son Beveridge, Elizabeth Rey-
nolds Sanger, Robert R. Hitt, John W. Hitt, Dr.
Benjamin G. Stephens, Anne E. (Swingley)
Phelps, John Hitt, Maria (Hitt) Newcomer, Gen.
John A. Rawlins, Gov. .John L. Beveridge, Sena-
tor Shelby M. Cullora, Daniel H. Wheeler, G. L.
Fort. James II. Beveridge. Henry L. Magoon,
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PIISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
797
Moses Hallett. Rev. Dr. Fowler, the Farwell
bi'Otliers — II. J.. John V., and Charles !'>.. — (ieorge
W. Curtis, Judge James II. Cartwright, Judge
John P. Hand, Judge Theodore D. Murphy, Judge
Edmund W. Burke, Judge Lucien C. Bhuichard,
Gen. Smith D. Atldns, Fernando Sanford, Col. B.
F. Sheets (who was the valedictorian of his
class), J. C. Seyster, Ella Vinacke Seyster, Al-
phonso G. Newcomer, Henry C. Newcomer, Ralph
Waldo Trine, Katherine McNeill Hoffman, E. A,
Ray, John T. Ray, Charles H. Sharer, Judge
Merritt W. Pinekney, Judge Reuben C. Basset,
Edward Carlton Page, Dr. Augustus 11. Ankney.
T. C. Ankney, Rev. John Emory Clark, John B.
Cheney, John Sharp, Minnie Petrie Satterfield,
Florence and Lsabel Bosworth, A. W. Brayton,
Hale P. Judson, Dr. Isaac Rice, Jonathan Hles-
tand. Dr. Thomas Winston, Robert M. Cheshire,
William A. Meese, Lillian Farwell Cushiug, Dr.
Anna Gloss (Medical Missionary in China at time
of Boxer rising). Rev. George W. Crofts, Wil-
liam P. Jones.
Township Organized. — Under the Township
Organization Law, enacted in February, 1849, the
township of Mount Morris was organized, a
year later the first town meeting being held in
the chapel of the Seminary, April 2, 1850, and
town officers chosen. D. J. Pinekney was mod-
erator of the meeting, and BenJ. G. Stephens
clerk. The election was by liallot (107 voting)
and the following were elected the first officers :
Supervisor, James B. McCoy ; Town Clerk, A. Q.
Allen ; Assessor, IVI. Garman ; Collector, Jonathan
Knodle, Sr. ; Highway Commissioners, Abram
Thomas, Jacob ISIyers, Henry Hiestand ; Consta-
bles. Peter Knodle, Henry I. Little; Justices of
the Peace, James M. Webb, Henry I. Little;
Overseer of the Poor, Benj. G. Stephens. The
following have been the Supervisors from that
date to the year 1908 : 1850, James B. McCoy ;
1851, Benjamin T. Hedrick ; 1852, Andrew New-
comer ; 1853, Joel R. Carll ; 1854, Samuel Garber ;
1855-58, Ellas Baker; 1858, Daniel Sprecher ;
1859-61, Francis A. McNeill ; 1801, John W. Ilitt ;
1862-69, B. T. Hedrick; 1869, John W. Hitt ;
1870-73, Charles Newcomer; 1873-79, John W.
Hitt; 1879-89, M. E. Getzendaner ; 1889, Reuben
S. Marshall: 1890-93, H. H. Clevidence ;1893-97.
William Stahlhut ; 1897-1905, George V. Farwell ;
1905-08, Lewis C. Sprecher.
Of the important offices \vhieb men from Mount
Morris To\A-nship have filled are the following:
Member of Congress (House), Hon. R. R. Hitt;
State Senators, Prof. Daniel J. Pinekney, Dr.
Isaac Rice; Illinois Representatives in General
Assembly, Samuel M. Hitt, Prof. D. J. Pinekney,
Dr. Francis A. McNeill, Dr. Isaac Rice, Franklin
N. Tice; Sheriffs of Ogle County, Ellas Baker,
Charles Newcomer, Frederick G. Petrie, Ben-
jamin R. Wagner ; County Judge, James M.
Webb: County Surveyors, .To.shua Rice, A.
Quiniby Allen ; County Superintendent of Schools,
Eldridge W. Little, Joseph M. Piper; CJounty
Coroner, Dr. W. W. Hanes ; County Commis-
sioner, Henry Hiestand ; Members of Constitu-
tional Conventions, Daniel J. Pinekney, Charles
Newcomer ; State Game Warden for Ogle County,
C. H, Whitman.
A'lLi^GE Incorporated. — A mass meeting was
held in the chapel of the Seminary January 8,
1848, at which it was voted to incorporate the
village of Mount Morris. At a meeting held on
January 15, 1848. the first trustees were elected:
A. C. Marston, Andrew Newcomer, James J.
Beatty, .Jonathan Knodle, Sr., William McCune.
At the first meeting of trustees held a week later,
of the eight ordinances passed was one forbidding
the sale of intoxicating liquor. President of the
Village Board of Trustees, have been: I). A.
Potter, Elias Baker, Andrew Newcomer. James
Clark, James B. McCoy, F. B. Brayton, Samuel
Knodle, Henry Sharer, Martin T. Rohrer. Samuel
Lookabaugh, Henry I. Little. B. G. Stephens.
H. H. Clevidence, John W. Hitt, Charles New-
comer, Isaac Rice, David Newcomer, W. H. Jack-
son, W. W. Hanes. A. W. Brayton, J. E. McCoy,
William D. Davis.
The first postoffice was established in Mount
Morris in 1841, with Rev. John Sharp as Post-
master. The mails were brought by stage until
the building of the railways, and for a long time
the postoffice was ke|)t in a store, the Postmaster
usually being the store-keeper, including, Fred-
erick G. Petrie, F. B. Brayton. O. II. Swingley.
Following Mr. Swingley the Postmasters up to
the present time have been : Henry Sharer.
Franklin N. Tice, John E. McCoy, Holly C. Clark.
T'rion the completion of the Seibert Block, the
postofiice was lo<*ated there, where it has since
remained, Mr. McCoy jiurchasing the modern
fixtures which are now a part of it.
Public Schools. — After the Pine Creek Gram-
mar School became the primary department of
Rock River Seminary, private schools were con-
798
HISTORY or OGLE COUNTY.
ducted in some of the homes of the village.
About 1845, perhaps, a building for public school
purposes was erected where the residence of Wil-
liam H. Miller now is located. A list of the many
boys and girls of Mount Morris who attended
this school includes many familiar names,
Thomas C. Williams, Gussie Williams (now Mrs.
Charles Y. Stonebraker). Samuel Rohrer, Frank
Baker, Merrit Pinckney, Harley Hedges, Frank
Knodle, Edward Sharp, Ella Funk (now Mrs. H.
J. Grlswold), Lottie Rohrer (Mrs. William A.
Newcomer), Libbie Allen (Mrs. R. D. McClure),
Florence Brayton (Mrs. W. M. Gilbert), Lillie
Brayton (Mrs. W. H. Miller), Lizzie Guy, Charles
H. Allen, are a very few of the pupils of that
time. Among the teachers were John Page,
Hannah M. Cheney, Holly Allen, Sibyl Sammis,
Helen Coffman, Enoch Coffman, Hattie Little.
The present substantial stone building was
erected in 1868, largely through the untiring
efforts and broad-mindedness of Mr. H. J. Far-
well, who served as President of the School Board
Itom 1865 to the time oi his death in 1890. The
cost of the building was $10,000. During the
summer of 1908 i stone addition, costing $6,200,
was completed, the first structure having been
pui-posely planned to allow of this enlargement.
Among the Principals who have had charge
of the Mount Morris Public School are Miss
Frances E. Hover land (now Mrs. Charles Craw-
ford), Joseph M. Piper, Horace G. Kauffman,
Virginia Brown, B. E. Berry, Rebecca H. Kauff-
man, (teacher, also), Alphonso G. Newcomer, C.
W. Egner, S. A. Long, Mary McClure. Among
the teachers have been Florence Hoverland (af-
terwards the wife of Dr. Benjamin G. Stephens),
Holly C. Clark, Lottie Waggoner, Lillian Far-
well^Mrs. H. W. Gushing), Elsie West, Emery 1.
Neff, Fannie Stephens, Antoinette Shryock, Lil-
lian Mess, Lulu Kable, Anita Metzger, Charles R.
Holsinger. The first class to complete the pre-
scribeC. course, as laid out by Professors Piper
and Kauffman, graduated in 1878. To this num-
ber belonged Susie McCosh (now Mrs. Charles H.
Sharer), Eva Davis (Mrs. Jonas Petrie), Fred
Knodle, Harry Little, Charles Davis. Since the
time when tliis first class held their commence-
ment, many other graduates of this school have
been made happy by having its diploma bestowed
upon them for diligent and thorough work, and,
while the writers of this liistory know so many
of them "by heart", it is not r>ossil)le within the
limits of this vf)lumo to refer to iiny others, cither
graduates, pupils or teachers. The President of
the Board of Education at the present time is
Mr. J. L. Rice.
Newspapers.— The "Rock River Register" has
already been referred to. A veteran newspaper
man of Ogle County, Mr. John Sharp, now of
Pasadena, Cal., referred to elsewhere in this his-
tory, furnishes the following regarding early
newspaper publications :
'Tn the spring of 1850, the old 'Mt. Morris
Gazette' issued its first edition. This was the '
genesis of the continuous publication of news-
papers in Ogle County. Prior to that date sev-
eral attempts had been made to establish papers,
first in Mt. Morris, then in Grand Detour, and
again in Mt. Morris, these all proving failures
after a few numbers had been issued, but at no
time since the 'Gazette' appeared, in 1850, has
the county been vsathout a weekly newspaper.
The event of its birth is well remembered by the
writer. The oflice was in the basement of the
old brick store building which then stood on one
of the corners east of the Rock River Seminary
campus, the building having been built by Rev.
John Sharp, father of the writer. It was the
most imiwrtant event of the town, and most of
the few people living there were present at its
accouchement. The papers, as they came from the
old Smith elbow-joint hand-press, were largely
taken as souvenirs, and it" was considered that
the town had now acquired an institution which,
together Avith the Rock River Seminary, entitled
it to be considered the literary center of North-
western Illinois."
Mr. Samuel Knodle and Mr. John Sharer, both
active in newspaper work, have their names as-
sociated with the papers that have been published
in ilount Morris, Mr. Sharer being at the present
time on the staff of the "Mount Morris Index".
Mr. Knodle ended his very useful life but recently
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Walker,
of Oregon, reaching beyond the four score years,
with his bright mental capacity' unimpaired. The
papers following those alluded to by Mr. Sharp,
were variously called the "Northwestern Repub-
lican", "Independent Watchman", "Ogle County
Press" (afterwards developed into the present
"Tri-County Press" of Polo), "Mount Mon-is In-
dependent", "Ogle County Democrat" and the
"Mount Morris Index".
CiiuKCHKS.— The church denominations of
Mount Morris are the Methodist, the Lutheran.
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
799
the Christian, the Brethren. Tlic Rev. Tliomas
S. Hitt and Rev. Barton II. Cartwriglit arc
anions the early Methodist niiiiisters who were
assijined to tiie cliarLie here, the first regular
services hciiiLC licld in tho new stMiiinary, and
later continued in the sennnary chapel until just
l)efore the erection of the present church editice
in 1877. The church was huilt, at a cost of about
$8,000, duriuf,' tlic pastorate of the Rev. K. W.
Adams, llie Rev. N. R. Hinds is the pastor at
the jiresent time.
The first Lutheran minister was tli(> Rev. N.
J. Stroll, wild came from Pennsylvania in 1845
and settled in Orejion.
Father Stroh's Ions term of Christian uselul-
ness ended in 18!t7, being then over ninety-nine
years of age, the oldest minister of the Lutheran
Church, and one of the two oldest residents of
Ogle County. During the year lSr)<), at the time
of the ministry of Rev. George A. Bowers, the
brick edifice, now used for worship by the Chris-
tian Church, was erected. One of the pastors,
from 1858 to 1859, was the Rev. Cornelius Rem-
mensnyder. The present church edifice in the
west end of the village was dedicated November
10. 1S7S. Rev. L. Ford is the present pastor.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
was organized in March, 1880, the brick structure
of the Lutheran denomination being purchased
and remodeled. Jacob Keedy, W. S. Blake and
Jose]ih Waggoaei- were chosen the first trustees :
Dr. Mershou and C. G. Blakeslee, eldeis ; W. S.
Blake and Scott Kennedy, deacons. Rev ii. W.
Ross was the first pastor ; the present pastor is
the Rev. L. F. DePoister. The membershiii of
the church is about 100. It has a fiourishing
Sabl)ath School, a Christian Endeavor Society,
and a Ladies' Aid Society.
Mount Morris is said to have had the first
band in Ogle County, which was formed in the
spring of 1845. To-day Mount Morris has still
a fine musical coiiiiiany in the Mount Morris Con-
cert Band, frequently instructed by Prof. David
S. ]\IcGosh. comptjser and teacher.
There are four burying grounds in the town-
.«hip of Mount Morris, the "Old Cemetery", within
tlie village limits; Oakwood Cemetery, west of
town ; Silver Creek Cemetery, several miles
northeast of town; and the old Rice Cemetery.
about three miles north of town, no longer used
for l)urials.
.Vn artesian well was drilled in the year 18n5.
and a system of water-supply was installed in
the village. An electric light plant was estab-
lished by iirivate enterpri.se during the year 11)00.
The i)oi»ulation of the village in 1008 in about
1200.
In 1904 an arrangement was made between the
N'illage of Mount Morris and tlie Mount Morris
College, by whicli a part of the College Camjius
lias been fitted up as a park under the shade of
the tret>s. with a fountain. These grounds make
a center around which the business places and
homes of the village cluster.
Inns and hotels are among the re([uisites of a
community from the beginning. The first regular
lodging-iilace was the large red brick house on
the present site of Frank Keedy's livery I)arn.
The red brick house was built by James Clark,
and conducted by him under the name of the
"New York House," until he. after a litth' time,
rented to Daniel Rrayton, and returned to his
farm. In 1851 W. S. Blair opened Blair's Hotel
in the brick house which is now the residence of
Dr. George B. McCosh, whose wife is Mr. Blair's
(lau-ht(>r. In 1854, Jonathan .Mumina built the
Eldorado House on the present site of Hotel
Rohrer, and students, mostly, were its boarders.
In 1858, it was purchased by J. M. Webb, and
tor many ye.ars the "Webb House" was the home
of large number of boarders, and frequent "tran-
sients". After the death of Judge Webb the
hotel was conducted by Mrs. Webb, who was
the (l;i lighter of the sincere, ingenuous minister
of the Methodist Church of the pioneer days, the
Rev. W, P. Jones. This hotel was afterwards
conducted by Mrs. Benjamin Rine, Mrs. Mary
McCoy. Andrew^ J. Long and Charles Rohrer. The
Webb House was torn down, and the present
"Hotel Rohrer" erected upon the site in 1894,
.Mr. Rohrer dying soon thereafter. The hotel
is owned at the present time by a stock company
of Mount Morris business men. under the man-
agement of A. T. Olson.
From the beginning Mount Morris prospered.
Settlers were attracted to the neighborhood in
order to educate their children, the fertile soil
of th(> land roundabout affording them a sub-
stantial living. More inhabitants brought trade
and soon places of business began to flourish.
The first store, later owned by .\. W. Brayton,
("P.rayton's Old Reliable.") was started in Octo-
lier. 1S41. by Rev. Daniel lir.iytou and son, Fred-
erick B. Brayton. A one-story brick machine-
sho]) was built in 1844 by B;iker. Pitzer & McCoy,
and was torn down in 187(5 to make room for the
800
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
present Methodist Church. In this shop were
manufactured "travelling" threshing machine,
and "Fountain" reapers. Among business firms
of Mount Morris from that time to this have been
those of Samuel Bents, Hltt & Petrie, Wood &
Petrle, H. J. Farwell, Coffman Brothers, William
Little & Son, George Braytou, John Ankuey, T.
C. Ankney, William Hedges, S. N. Beaubein,
Jonathan Mumma, Potter & Webb. Atchison »&
Clems, Edward Davis, Sprecher & Clevidenee, L.
C. Stanley, A. H. Kuodle & Co., F. K. Spalding,
E. S. Cripe, D. S. Cripe, G. W. Deppen, Looka-
baugh & Middour, B. K. Shryock, Wheeler &
Watts, Gilbert & King, Wiugert & Swingley, O.
H. Swingley, O. E. Marshall, J. M. Ho.skiug, ,J. A.
Kable, Alfred R. Binkley, Upton Miller, E. O.
Startzman, A. W. Neff, Calvin A. Potter, Joseph
Knodle, H. H. Newcomer. Sr.. H. L. Smith,
George W. Fouke, Peyton Skinner, M. F. Noel,
Mrs. Mary McNeill, Mrs. C. Startzman, MeCosh
& Mishler, Levi Bear, Mrs. Robert Crosby,
Brubaker & Sharer, R. E. Arnold & Co..
Jonathan Kuodle, S. G. Trine, Peter House-
holder, Willis Mumma, H. E. Newcomer, Samuel
Knodle, Gregor Thompson, Roy Householder, L.
J. Brogunier, A. M. & W. A. Newcomer, Joseph
S. Nye, C. E. Price & Co., Baker & Coffman, J.
T. Stewart, Joseph Patterson, Clark & Wingert.
Samuel P. Mumma, Peter Funk, Wishard tS:
Powell, Price Stouffer, Frank Coffman, Mr. &
Mrs. R. C. Clark.
The first bank was established August 1, 1877,
by Major Charles Newcomer and Dr. Isaac Rice.
After Dr. Rice withdrew from the business, it
was continued by Major Newcohier until January
1, 1809, when it was included with the business
of the Citizen's Bank of Mount Morris, founded
in 1893 by Joseph L. Rice and John H. Rice,
now making but one banking firm in the village.
The first carload of grain marketed from
.Mount Morris to Chicago after the construction
of the Chicago and Iowa Railroad, was raised
and sent by Major Newcomer, who erected the
middle elevator in 1874. The north elevator was
built in 187.5 by Daniel Sprecher. This was af-
terward purchased by H. H. Clevidenee, who was
engaged in the grain-buying business for nearly
thirty years. Since his death a son, Arthur E.
Clevidenee, conducts the trade. The south eleva-
tor was built in 1882, and is now owned by the
Neola Elevator Co.
In 1878 .Tolm W. liitt and Thomas Mumma
(now of California) erected and established a
creamery, for the manufacture of butter and
cheese, which has had several owners : Michael
E. Miller, William Jackson (now of California),
Campbell & MacMaster, Robert C. McCredie
(now of Sunnyside, Washington), at present be-
longing to George C. Hopkins, of Oregon. During
the occupancy of Mr. McCredie the frame butter-
making building was burned down, and the
structure now standing was built by him.
The Buser Concrete Company of Mount Morris
represents a new industry of the present time.
Its head is N. E. Buser, an architect and builder
of Ogle County. The firm deals in coal and lum-
ber, in connection with the building contracts,
and with the making of the blocks and like
forms out of the concrete substance.
One of the important business concerns
of Mount Morris is the printing and publishing
firm of Kable Brothers Company, first organized
in 1898 by Harvey J. and Harry G. Kable, twin
brothers, who purchased the weekly "Mount Mor-
ris Index," since developed into a large printing
establishment. The company was first incorpor-
ated in 1904 with a capital stock of $15,(X)0, in-
creased in 1906 to $35,000. It now occupies its
own building, a modern two-story structure, fur-
nished with electric light, power and heating
plant, and equipped with modern machinery.
A score or more of periodicals are being issued,
the larger number being fraternal, beneficiary and
society imblications, besides book, catalogue and
commercial work. The total circulation of the
dozen or more such publications printed by the
company aggregates over 200,000 monthly. These
contracts have all been secured from out-of-town
points, including Chicago, Rockford, Oak Park.
111., Milwaukee, Stoughton, Wis., Williamsport,
Pittsburg, Pa., Detroit, Mich., etc. Sixty-five
persons are employed by this company.
In recent years in the rich soil about Mount
Morris has been developed a thriving and in-
creasing industry in fruit-growing and market-
gardening, especially in the raising of straw-
berries, onions, sweet and Irish potatoes and
ginseng. Among the growers of these products
are A. W. Brayton, Charles V. Stonebraker. Wil-
liam W. Peacock, John II. McNett. John H.
French, John Wakenight, Emanuel Holsinger.
NASHUA TOWNSHIP.
A sketch of the early settlement of Nashua
Township has been prepared by Mr. William J.
illSTOIJV OF OCT.E COINTV.
801
Fruin, a rcsi'li'iit of tlH> township, wiio cuiiit'
I'roni Enjihuid wilh his fiunily. sonio years ago.
It is said that soiiu' t'rieuds of Mr. Fruin and liis
family arrived at Honey Croelc on the nijjht
train one of these later years, during the "break-
ing u])" of winter, and in tlie morning' they
h)oked out over a great «'xi)anso of slnsli and
mud, and lie.ird no eathedrul hells. This was
dilTerent from the old university town, i)ut they
would scarcely he willing to exchange their
present honx* in this fertile region even for one
in "merrie old lOngland."
"The township was first permanently settled
about 183(5, by Dr. John Roe, who moved to
Lighthouse Point and lived there many years.
He died in Nebraska. A son, Dr. M. C. Roe, of
Ghana, and a grandson, Dr. J. B, Roe, of Oregon,
are now practicing medicine in this immediate
neighborhood. The exact order in which the
settlers came from that time to 1838 is uncertain.
It is said that Austin Williams, who had made
claim to the site of the present village of Days-
ville, selling his claim to Colonel Jehlel Day
and some others, but not remaining, had come in
1835 ; and likewise John Carr, who died on his
homestead some years ago. Silas Hawthorn,
father of Joseph T. Hawthorn and Mrs. John
Rutledge. now of Oregon, came in 1838. Ruel
Pealxidy, who settled on Section 28, was one of
the well-known first comers, and Major Chamber-
lain, wlio settled on Section 13 ; Stephen Bemis,
who settled on Section 2.5, and whose son,
Stephen A. Bemis, now resides in St. Louis, Mo.,
and his son, Henry Bemis, in Oregon ; Levi D(trt
and Henry and Nancy Farwell and family. The
Fanvell farm is now owned by Col. F. O. Low-
den ; the senior Farwells dying at the home of
their daughter, Mrs. E. W. Edson, then of Ster-
ling. John Carpenter settled where the village
of Watertown afterwards sprang up, part of the
farm being still owned by his son, Willis R.
Carpenter. James Hatch, .John Martin. Alanson.
William and Noah L. Bishop, Joseph Williams.
Riley Paddock, .John Edmonds. Seth H. Hills,
Daniel, Richard and John McKenney, with their
families, and William J. Keyes were among the
early settlers.
"The man who had first made claim to the
land on which Daysville is situated, and built
there a log house, had sold to Colonel Day (for
whom the village was named I. Jonathan Rawson,
and James Moore, and they laid out the village
in 1837. The wife of Jehiel Day was Cynthia
Hemenway, sister of the lir.st owner of Hemeu-
way Place. A descendant, their daughter Rosa,
now .Mrs. John Bain, now resides in Rochelle.
Soon after came John Taylor and family, Henry
Stiles. William Jackson, Lymau Reed (father of
Virgil E. Reed), and Daniel Day. Lyman Reed
lived here till the time of his death, as did also
the Colonel and Mr.s. Day, James Moore whose
wife was also a sister of Luke Hemenway, was
residing at Dixon at the time of his decease. The
only store now in Daysville is that of George M.
Re(?d, which is a continuation of the store estab-
lished by his father, Lyman Reed. The present
Probate Judge of Ogle County, Frank E. Reed, of
Oregon, is a son of this merchant, George M.
Reed. Henry Stiles ran a pole ferry across
Rock River near the village in 1837. Aaron
lialdwin. William J. Mix. and others continued
it. ending with that of Simon Wilson about ISGO,
since which time none has been operated.
"As Daysville was one of the earliest of Ogle
County villages, it was made one of the stations
of the Methodist Circuit soon after it was laid
out. Leauder S. Walker was among the first to
hold regular service and Bai'ton H. Cartwright
was the last to preach regularly. For many
years the Rev. Erastus Woodsworth preached
every fourth Sabbath. The present minister in
the township is the Rev. Alfred Simester. ap-
pointed l).v the Rock River Conference in liX)7,
living in the parsonage by the Methodist Church
at Lighthouse, where religious services are held
regularly. The prospects for Daysville were
quite flattering, and an active trade was carried
on by four stores; but, when the railroad came
through, and passed it by, its prosperity was
ended. In the northeast corner of the townshii)
Honey Creek station was established on the Chi-
cago & Iowa Railroad, and a village plat was
laid out by Ma.jor (baiifismal name, not military
title) Chamberlain in 1S73. W. T. Wilson was
the first iKJstniaster at Honey Creek. He was
followed by Alonzo Wood in 1877, who oi>ened
up a stock of groceries at this point."
Other Hamlets. — Honey Creek has in 1908
alx>ut thirty-four inhabitants. An elevator is
located there under the operation of the Neola
Elevator Company, and vegetable gardening is
carried on by Theodore Cole.
Watertown is now a place of several dwelling
houses, some of them standing upon the abutting
farms, and here is located the interesting and
rare collection of boulders of Mr. V. E. Reed,
802
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
who lives upon a part of the original John Car-
penter farm, the wife of Mr. Reed being a daugh-
ter of this pioneer. This village is located upon
Kyte River, where once were carried on several
milling industries.
Lighthouse, or "Lighthouse Point", as the old
settlers call it, carries an interesting memory
with it among the early residents still living who
saw the beacon light in Dr. Roe's window, shining
clear "across the night" for many miles away,
this light guiding them from afar to the assist-
ance they so needed for some sick member of the
household. A few years prior to her death, Mrs.
Roe, who was then living with her son in Ghana,
published an interesting volume of Reminiscences
of the early experiences, in this region, of herself
and family.
To Mr. V. E. Reed the writer is indebted for
the following recollections of Daysville: "In
the early 'forties Daysville was one of the prom-
ising little villages of the State of Illinois, being
situated on the banks of Rock River near the
mouth of the Kyte, some three miles southeast
of Oregon, the county seat. It retains a place
on the map. but prosperity for many years has
c-eased to smile upon it. Many of the streets are
closed to the public, and most of the buildings
have tumbled down, never to resume the business
of the past, Avhich was varied and had good pat-
ronage. Two couuDodious hotels were managed by
different landlords at different times : A. J. Gil-
bert occupied the old Daniel Day house for
several years, and was prosi)erous, while Richard
Hardesty did equally well at the old James Moore
House. These are both gone. The mail was con-
veyed to the town thrice weekly by the (Frink
& Walker Stage Line), running between Rock-
ford and Dixon.
"There was a flourishing trade carried on by
the merchants of the place. William J. Mix
was proprietor of a large assortment of dry
goods, groceries, etc. ; also Joseph Williams
(known as Squire) owned the Buckeye Store.
David McITonry was one of the moneyed men,
;ind dealt in all kinds of goods, sending out a
peddler's wagon throughout the country for many
years. layman Reed, for twenty years or more,
carried an assortment of dry-goods, groceries,
clothing, boots and shoes, hardware and medi-
cines. C. II. Jackson, for a time, dealt in a
variety of goods, John M. Ilinkle conducted a
gr-neral store. George WilliMins worked at his
ir;ido. that of shoe-making, his son Joliii dealt in
confectionery. Welcome McNames did general
blacksmithing and gun-repairing. Joseph Parker
for many years did the tailoring and later Will-
iam Cloud. William Cox and Harvey Hitchcock
each worked at the wheelwright business for.
years. Thomas Frakes supplied the place with
cooperage and ran a turning-lathe. Peter Fitch,
who was blind, was an expert tanner and maker
of hand-made whips, gloves, etc. Philip Young
turned out pottery goods. William Jackson, Jus-
tice of the Peace, Postmaster and general merch-
ant, manipulated a set of carpenter's tools at
times. Dr. Aden C. D. Pratt had a good practice,
and later Dr. Addison Newton practiced medicine
in the place. So promising was Daysville at one
time that David McHenry erected a large ware-
house near the river, in anticipation of river
traffic.
"One store still exists as managed the past
forty-odd years by George M. Reed. He also held
the office of Town Clerk for over thirty-one years.
The Rural Free Delivery has displaced the post-
office.
"The district school is still running, but its
early house, erected sixty years, ago by Lyman
Reed, has long since been rebuilt by his son,
George M. Reed. One of the early teachers, and
who was much liked by her scholars, was Mrs.
Dewitt Sears, of Oregon, whose husband was for
a number of years teacher in the district schools
of the c-ounty, and whose son and granddaughter
are engaged in the same profession, in Ogle
County in 1908.
"A weaver's loom is now in operation and
turns out a good quality of rag carpet. The
latest industry of Daysville now in progress is
that of 'clam catching'. A camp of fishermen is
located at the river and hundreds of tons of the
shells are piled there. A fish wagon makes
weekly trips through the countiy selling fresh
fish."
Among other settlers of the region were Lor-
enzo Bissell, who came from Canada in 1846, and
who still resides with his wife and a son and
daughter upon his farm near Lighthouse; Moses
Bissell, his brother, who came in 1847, and who
died recently at his home in Oi'egon, where his
wife and daughter Florence are now living;
Thomas Stewart, a stanch Presbyterian, who
with his brothers, John and William Stewart.
(;aine to this region from County Tyrone, Ireland.
Mr. Thomas Stewart died in 190(3 in Sacramento,
Cal., where his widow, Margaret Snyder Stewart,
^
THE NEW YOKK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
HISTORY OF OGLP: COUNTY.
803
is now living. David H. Wilson, who resides a
part of tbo year upon bis land near Lighthouse,
and a part of the year at Cleveland, Ohio, where
he at one tin)e filled a position in connection with
the Internal Revenue Deitartnient, and is one of
the stockholders of the Ogle County lianl^, at
Oregon, is the only remaining descendant of a
family of early settlers in this region. For some
time during the life of Mr. Ileineuway, .Mr. Wil-
son was in charge of the Hemenway Place, which
is situated in Naslma Township, and is now the
heart of the Siimissippi Farm. Daniel and Will-
iam T. Williams are enterprising farmers living
in the vicinity of Daysville, and are members of
a family well-known among the early residents of
the townshii), the head of the family. George
Williams, having come to this region from
County Cork, Ireland. Near here also, is the
summer home of the artist A. D. Reed. ( See pen
and ink sketch of the Dri.scoll Boulder).
In this neighborhood is the farm long owned
by Thomas Morse, who now lives in Chicago.
The property has been purchased by Louis Kiefer,
stock-broker and exporter at the Union Stock
Yards. Chicago, who uses this farm, and some
others in other localities, for the raising and
feeding of cattle,
A Margaret Fuller Word Picture. — The fol-
lowing attractive picture of a church in this
region was written by :\Iargaret Fuller in lS4:i :
"Passing through one of the fine, park-like woods,
almost clear from underbrush and carpeted with
thick grass and flowers, we met (for it was
Sunday) a little congregation just returning from
their service, which had been performed in a rude
house in its midst. It had a sweet and peaceful
air, as if such words and thoughts were very
dear to them. The parents had with them all
their little children; but we saw no old people;
that charm was wanting which exists in such
scenes in older settlements, of seeing the silver
bent in reverence beside the flaxen bead."
In the Cemetery at Daysville is the Soldiers*
Monument which was erected in 1900. (See illus-
trations.) The erection of this monument is due
to the patriotic efforts of the late Dr. II. .V.
Mix of Oregon, and Mr. Virgil K. Reed, they
both having served in the War of the Rebellion.
This memorial is of Bedford granite, being form-
ed of a series of tapering blocks, surmounted Ivy
the figure of a soldier with his gun at n'st. Fpon
file fairs (if the basic blocks are inscribed the
names of 379 soldiers. These names include all
the soldiers of Nashua and Oregon Townships
who had served in any of the wars of our coun-
try, and of those who had come from other
localities and were living in the two townshii)s
at the time of the placing of the monument. All
soldiers buried in the Daysville Cemetery are
now interred in the memorial lot. The cost of
the monument, about $1,U0U, was paid by contri-
butions from the old soldiers and their friends.
Township Officers. — The following have been
Supervisors of Nashua Township: .loseph Will-
iams, 1850-51 ; Riley Paddock, 1852 ; Enoch Wood,
1853; William J. Mix, 1854; Jehiel Day, 1855;
Enoch Wood 185G-57 ; Philo B. Wood, 1858-59;
Major Chamberlain, 18U0 ; Riley Paddock, 18G1-
02 ; John M. Ilinkle, 1803 ; John Carpenter, 1804-
73 ; Lorenzo Bissell, 1874-75 ; James Bailey, 1870-
81 ; Frank W. March, 1882 ; Webster C. Smith,
1883 ; Frank W. March, 1884 ; James Malarkey,
1885-88; William G. Stevens, 1889-90; Frank W.
March, 1891-94; Clinton Bemis, 1895-90; Fred-
erick Bissell, 1897-98; Clinton Bemis, 1899-1902;
Willis F. Carpenter, 1903-04; Clinton Bemis,
1905; William J. Fruin, 1900-08. The other
olhcers of the township for 1908 are : Town Clerk,
Edward Smith; Assessor, Leon A. Reed; Tax
Collector, George J. Fruin ; Justices of the Peace,
Leon A. Reed, Henry E. Arnold ; Highway Com-
missioners, Frank Althouse, George Carson,
George J. Fruin ; School Treasurer, Charles E.
Cross.
OREGON TOWNSHIP.
I'ioneer names of Oregon Township as contra-
distinguished from the names of settlers of the
village, flrst of Florence and later of Oregon,
the places of their nativity and tlie years of their
arrival, are as follows: George W. Hill, N'ermont.
1837 ; Joseph lleushaw, and Hugh Ray, Ireland,
1837 ; Michael Seyster, Sr., Maryland, 1838 ;
James Rae, Ireland, 1838; Daniel Etnyre, Mary-
land, 1839 ; Joseph F. Hawthorne, New York,
1840; Lt'nuiel Wood, New York. 1844; Rev.
Erastus Wadsworth, New York, 1845 ; Solomon
J. Eschbach and Rebecca Ilinkle, I'ennsylvania,
IS.'O; Frank A. Sauer and Michael Sauer, Baden,
(Jcnuany, 1851; Eva Sauer, Luxemboiu'g, Germ-
any, 1857; Edward D. Murray, Ireland, 1858.
Names of the settlers of Oregon and a narrative
of the early years of the new county seat will be
804
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
found in chapter XXII, in a paper prepared by
Col. B, F. Sheets.
The first newspaper of Ogle County, the "Rock
River Register", published at Mount Morris, in
its issue of October 28, 1842, ten mouths after the
first number was printed, contained an article
relating to Oregon, in which the new town's
business statistics are given as follows: "One
clock and watchmaker, one saddler and harness-
maker, three cabinet makers, two painters and
glaziers, one turner, one wheelwright, two masons
and plasterers, two shoemakers, one blacksmith,
one chair maker, three tailors, two barbers, two
stores, one grocery, two taverns, and six attor-
neys-at-law."
Reminiscences of Rock River Valley. — In
1851, the "Mount Morris Gazette," the successor
of the "Register", which withstood the vicissi-
tudes of pioneer journalism only two or three
years, published a series of articles entitled,
"Reminiscences of Rock River Valley", supposed
to be from the pen of Samuel Fellows, then a
professor in Rock River Seminary, wherein is
found the following :
"Hon. Thomas Ford, late Governor of this
State, settled in Oregon in 1836. . . . W. W. Ful-
ler. Esq., S. N. Sample and J. V. Gale were also
among the most influential men in the early his-
tory of Oregon. The whole country around
Oregon, I might add the whole Rock River Val-
ley, was settled by a very intelligent and enter-
prising class of inhabitants. Most of them were
from (he middle class of society, both in regard
to intelligence and wealth. They had been ac-
customed in their native States to habits of in-
dustry, and they did not leave those habits
behind them. They endured the hardships in-
cident to a new country with patience, and
entered upon the labor of opening farms and
gathering around them the comforts of life with
a zeal and dotermination which could not fail
of success. Nor, while tliey were thus engaged
in securing their own interest, did they neglect
the public weal. As soon as a sufficient number
of families settled in a town or neighborhood, a
schooolhouse was built and a school opened."
Ferries and Bridges. — Rock River at Oregon
was first crossed by ferry. Soon after John
Phelps made his second clnini where Oregon is
now situated, he built and operated a ferry. lie
was instrumental in having a now State road
from Chicago to Galena cross Rock River at this
point over his ferry, which he continued to own
for many years. Mr. Phelps was a Southerner
with the South's sectional prejudices of that day,
Gov. Ford, in his "History of Illinois," while
recognizing the mutual prejudice then existing
between natives of the North and South, in dis-
cussing the social conditions of that day, takes
note of the Southerner's hospitality, which was
illustrated in the case of John Phelps, as shown
by the recollections of Mr. John Hitt, present
deputy collector of customs in Chicago, but form-
erly of Mount Morris, in an address prepared for
delivery before a meeting of old settlers in 1907,
and later printed in the "Mount Morris Index."
Mr. Hitt says :
"My father and mother moved to this beauti-
ful country in the 'thirties, with their family of
three little boys. We were ferried across Rock
River at Oregon, and spent our first night in
Ogle County at the house of Mr. and Mrs. John
Phelps. Do any of you remember your first ar-
rival here on the prairies? Do you recall the
hearty welcome given you by the neighbors who
had lately moved to the Rock River Country?
Well, that was the welcome we received from Mr.
John Phelps and his family, which then included
his daughter, Miss Sarah Phelps, afterwards
Mrs. Johnson. Their kind tone of voice and their
words of solicitude to make us comfortable
after a long and weary trip overland, ring in my
ears to-day. In memory's glass I see their
friendly faces as they bade us welcome to our
new home in Ogle County. Long years since,
after lives of honorable usefulness, they passed
away here in Ogle County, but I can not fail
to pay a tribute of appreciative words to the first
Ogle County family I met in Oregon."
The ferry was a matter of legislative franchise,
and the rates were fixed by law : For a footman,
I2V2 cents ; for man and horse, 2.5 cents ; for
two horses, or yoke of oxen, and wagon, 75 cents;
for two-horse pleasure carriage, $1. The ferry
continued to be used until 1852, when the first
bridge was built. This was a toll bridge, provid-
ed by private capital. The Board of Supervisors
undertook to make a donation of $1,000. but was
enjoined by the Circuit Court from paying over
the money. Wooden piles formed the foundation
and the life of the bridge was short, being carried
away by ice in 1857.
In 1858 the County Board appropriated .$8,000
for a free bridge, the remainder of the total cost
of $25,000 to be raised by the Town of Oregon.
HISTUIJY UF OULE CULWTY.
805
Of tbis remjiliKlcr ($17,000), $10,000 was sub-
scribiMl by pt'ople of the oounty, the residue being
raifjed by a-ssossiuciit on the town. Tlic contract
was let for $24,01."), but contractor Pierce dyins
soon after takiiiLr tlie cdntract, liis surety. II. A.
Mix. undertooiv and coniph'ted liie work. The
bridge wa.s acce]ited l)y tlie Su])ervisors in IS.jO.
Bridge Xo. 2. after being in use eiglit years,
fell on .Tune ~k 1807 — or two sjians did— after
having undcrgon(> "thorougli" rei)airlng. and lieing
"considered entirely safe" a inontli Itefore. A
fen-y was then re-established. The Board of
Supervisors voted an aiiprupriation this lime of
$1."..0<)0. provided, tliat the Town of Oregon "pay
tlie sum of $.").()(K) for said purpose." Tlie con-
tract went to Canada and Hinckley for .i;2ti.(MKi
and the old bridgt-. The bridge was turned ovci-
to the autliorities on November 4, 1807.
By 1S70, Bridge No. ". was showiiig the need
of substantial and extensive repairs. These came
in 1SS2, when the roof was removed, new braces
placed underneath, and the entire structure given
a gener.il over-hauling, and the "Hinckley
Bridge", as it was called, lasted fifteen years
until 1807. By that time is was unsafe, and in
the spring of thai ye.ir. work was begun on tlic
present iron-bridge by the Lafayette Bridg(^
Company of Lafayette, Ind. It was ordered by
the Board of Supervisors that the cost should
not exceed $20,000. of which $12,000 should be
paid by the 'ounlv. and tlie remaining $8,000 by
the Town of Oregon. The contract was awarded
for $19,500 and completed that year. During
the interim trallic was kept moving by means
of a pontoon bridge. pLuined and erected by Col.
B. F, Sheers, after tlK^ manner of those used in
the Civil War.
Kf.mgious SociETiKS.— Tile tirst denomination
to organize for religious activity in Oregon was
the Methodist, when in IS-'iO Rev. G. (i. Worth-
ington established a class of eleven persons, two
of whom were men. Oregon was then on the
Buffalo Grove Circuit, established four years
earlier, extending from Rochelle to the Missis-
sii)pi River and Irom Prophetstown an equal dis-
tance north. James McKean was the first pastor
to travel this district: but the best known circuit-
rider in Oregon was the Rev. Barton Cartwright.
who later made his liome at Mount Morris, and.
after that again in Oregon, where he died.
Becomiui; the head of an Oregon Circuit in
1852. and in 18(i0 a station, requiring a pastor's
wholi^ lime, the Oregon charge had increast'd
sullicienlly in memlK'rship to accomplish the
building of a first cliurch (1857) and a parson-
age (18(!!n. at a cost respectively of $:?.000 and
$2,800. In 1S7;! the present brick edifice was
erected at a cost of $15,000, the interior of which
has recently been remodeled, refurnished and
redecorated. Among the apiK)ihtments made by
the Rock River Conference for the Oregon pulpit
was that, in 1884. of Rev. F. II. Sheets, who
had grown up in Oregon and in the Methodist
Church, the son of Col. li. F. Slu>ets.
Keeping pace with the progress of the church
is a nourishing Sunday School, which for many
years was under the .able superintendence of
Col. P.. F. Sheets. The church has a present mem-
bership of 2.50. The present pastor is Rev. .1. W.
Funston ; members of the Board of Trustees are
B. F. Sheets, F. (J. Jones, Z. A. Landers, George
Hiestand. J. E. Powell. S. H. Burns, Albert Bis-
sell, John Purves.
The Lutheran denomination was the fir.st in
Oregon to erect a church building, which stood
for many years at the north edge of the Court
House grounds and was the church home for a
long time, not only for the Lutherans, but of the
M(»thodists and Presbyterians as well. The cor-
ner-stone was laid in 1850. two years after the
organization of the society, during which interim
meetings were held at the "Phelps School House."
'nie (>rg:niiz;itioii was effected by the Rev. N. J.
Stroll, the first Lutheran pastor in the county,
the pioneer of his church, who was on the ground
as early as 1840. Father Stroh continued a
resident of the county for the remiiind<'r of his
life, living until 1897, which brought him within
one year of being a centenarian, meaning in his
case ninety ye.irs in the faith. In 1892, the first
church, which had be<^n remodeled, enlarged
and much imi)roved in 1875, was torn down, the
lot sold and the pre.seut edifice built at the cor-
ner of Fifth and Jefferson Streets. The latter
is of R()manes(iue archit<'cture. built of red
pressed brick with Bedford stone trimmings, and
is valued at $10,000. A parsonage has been built
on the lot adjoining on the north.
.V quaint deed of gift pertaining to the I)ell
that used to ring out from the cupola of the old
Lutheran church of 1850 on public occasions
and for municiiial purix)ses, as well as for re-
ligious uses, has been preserved among the
records of the Ladles' Philanthropic Sewing So-
ciety of Oregon, and is now in the possession
806
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
of Mrs. Alice E. Light of Oregon, Tlie follow-
ing is a copy :
"The Ladies' Philanthropic Society of Oregon,
wishing to secure as far as in their iXJwer the
greatest good to the public, hereby agree to make
the following disposition of the Bell which they
purchased and fulfill the expectation of the com-
munity as promised : The Society donate the
bell in trust to the Lutheran Church of Oregon,
to be put up in the belfry of their house of wor-
ship, to remain there for use so long as the
building shall be used as a house of worship, re-
serving the right to the citizens of Oregon to use
the bell in said church on all public and suitable
occasions as a Town Bell. This agreement may
be terminated by consent of the Trustees of said
Church and the citizens of the Town at any
time, but not by one party so long as these terms
are complied with ; and if, at any time, there
shall be a failure on the part of said Lutheran
Church, or its Trustees, the Bell with its fixtures
shall be at the disposal of the citizens of Ore-
gon ; this instrument to take effect as soon as
approved by the Society and accepted by the
Trustees of said Church.
"Signed by us, a Committee hereunto duly
empowered by said Society.
Mary H. Cbowell,
Malvina S. Potwin.
"Accepted this Twenty-sixth Day of August, in
the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hun-
dred and Fifty-one (1851).
George Lilly, Sen.,
Daniel Etnyre,
Ernst J. Reiman,
"Trustees ot the Lutheran Church."
When the old church, after standing for near-
ly fifty years, was superseded by the present
church on a different site, the bell was trans-
ferred to the belfry of the latter, where, in its
new surroundings and to another generation of
worshippers, it still proclaims religion's "Sweet
hour of prayer."
Two of the earliest active settlers of Oregon.
John M. Schneider and Michael Nohe, being of
the Catholic faith, soon exerted themselves to
have a service of their church conducted in Ore-
gon, and by subscription raised $1,600, with
which the stone church at the corner of Third
and .Monroe Streets was built in 1802. That
continued to be their hou.se of worship until
ISnO. when the present large and beautiful St.
Mary's church was erected on the corner of
Fourth and Monroe Streets at a cost of $17,000..
The architect was F. Herr of Dubuque, and the
contractor and builder was N. E. Buser of
Mount Morris. During the fall of 1908 the in-
terior has been frescoed, all the work being^
freehand.
For some years mass was said and the other
services of the church were conducted at irreg-
ular intervals by visiting priests, the first to
officiate by appointment being Rev. Lightner,
who came from Dixon each alternate Sunday.
The first to be stationed at Oregon, though hold-
ing service also at Polo and Byron, was Rev.
Otto Greenbaum. The present priest is Rev.
Andrew J. Burns. The membership numbers
225.
A recent bull of the Pope, dated at Rome, Sep-
tember 23, 1908, provided for erecting the dio-
cese of Rockfoi'd. and later, Pius X, named
Bishop P. J. Muldoon, of Chicago, as the first
Bishop of the new diocese. His authority ex-
tends over twelve counties, the Oregon church
being included in the new See.
The organization of the Presbyterian Society
of Oregon was accomplished in 1873, with twen-
ty-three members. Prior to that time, as already
stated, those of that faith made a part of the
Lutheran congregation. The first elders were
E. L, Wells, Anson Barnum, and Harvey Jew-
ett ; the first pastor was Rev. Robert Proctor.
In 1874 a church edifice was erected and dedi-
cated at the corner of Fifth and Jefferson
Streets, which for thirty-five years has served
its purpose. To its first cost of $14,000, $1,200
was added several years ago for interior changes.
Rev. Arthur S. Hoyt. who was pastor from 1878
to 1887, but is now of the Theological Seminary
at Auburn, N. Y.. returned in May. 1908, to preach
the funeral sermon of a member of his former
congregation, and one of the original twenty-
three who constituted the first membership in
Oregon — Miss Agnes J. McMollan. Among sev-
eral other bequests for religious uses Miss
McMollan gave $500 to the Oregon church. The
work of the church is continually and exten-
sively furthered by the Ladies' Aid Society.
The membership at this time numbers 110.
The members of the Board of Trustees are : P. E.
Hastings. C. D. Etnyre, F. R. Artz, J. H, Cart-
wright, and H. G. Kauffman. The pastor is the
Rev. John Henry Rheingans.
Education. — A desire to be abreast of the
times in education has always prevailed in Ore-
lllSTOin' OF OCLE COlJxXTY.
807
gou, the school sentiment being common (o most
of the towns of Northern Illinois. The several
grounds and buildings of the iniblic school have
been the outcome of hearty interest and liberal
expenditure. The teacher has been highly re-
spected and esteemed. The character of a people,
their worth as a connniniity, is. perhajis, never
better illustrated than in their attitude towards
the school and teacher. (The pioneer schools of
Oregon are referred to quite fully in Chapter
XXV of this history.)
In 1873 the Oregon school was for the first
time systematically graded. The division was
made into ten grades, after the system of that
tune, by Superintendent Emanuel Brown. Two
years later Air. Brown, whose i»lace as Superin-
tendent had been filled dui-ing tlie intervening
year by John R. Leslie, added a two-years' high
school course. The first class was graduated in
1S77, numbering two members, who were Mary
J. Mix (Mrs. Henry D. Barber) and Helen A.
Mix (Mrs. George Hormell). In 1870 S. B.
Wadsworth became Superintendent, continuing
until 18S(J. He added a year to the high school
course, and changed the grading by adopting the
plan of eight grades instead of ten, which re-
mains to-day the plan in wmmon use the
country over. Succeeding Superintendents were :
William Bellis, J. R. Gibson, and Lincoln E.
Harris during the years from 188G to 1895. In
1S04 the present commodious Iniilding was erect-
ed upon the gently sloping elevation covering
an entire block and occupying a particularly
handsome site, the cost being $20,000. It was
occupied in January, 1895, AV. J. Sutherland
being then Superintendent and continuing until
1901. Under his administration the high school
course was extended to four years, which had
come to be the rule in most schools, and which
so remains to-day. The eight grades were re-
duced to seven. This proved to be an injury to
efficient grade instruction, and, in 1904, under
the administration of E. S. Ilady, Ph. D.. who
became Superintendent in 1901. the former sys-
tem of eight gi'ades was restored. From 190.") to
1907 the Sui:>erintendent was George C. Griswold,
A. B. By this time a special teacher of drawing
had been employed, who with the special teach-
er of music, the four teachers in the high school
and those of the grades, made a corps of four-
teen teachers in all, which is the present mnn-
ber. The Superintendent during the past and
the present year is F. G. Taylor. Up to the
iireseiit lime approximately 230 graduates have
taken the courses of study and received the
school dijiloma.
During the past year the Lowdeu oratorical
contest has been established for the senior class
of the High School. Under its conditions the
>\m\ of ^2'^. the gift of Col. F. O. Lowden, is
exi)ended for two gold medals, one to be given to
the boy who writes and delivers the best oration
in a competitive test wdth the other boys of the
senior class, and the other to the girl who writes
and delivers the best essay among the girls in
the senior class. The first contest was held at
the Methodist church on the evening of May 8,
1908, and the medals were awarded to Edna
Becker, who chose for her subjet-t "Chivalry."
and Harlan G. Kauffman. whose subject was
'•The Spanish Armada." The event created nuich
interest.
The Wells Training School. — T!he Wells
School was established April 14, 1879. by Mr.
E. L. Wells, who had been Superintendent of
the Ogle County Schools for twelve years. He
found many earnest and faithful young teachers
who wished to improve in their work, but could
not go away to a normal school. For several
years Mr. Wells had planned a school whicJi
students might attend for any length of time
and take such studies as they chose. After
visiting schools in Europe, he established this
school. For a considerable time it was known
as the Teachers' Training School, abbreviated
Ity the students to "T. T. S." The opportunity
for taking chosen studies brought students who
desired county. State, and Chicago certificates,
some of them being Principals of High Schools,
Superintendents of City Schools, and County
Sui)erintendents, at one time including eight
graduates of the Illinois State Normal Univer-
sity.
State Superintendent Richard Edwards, in a
biennial rejjort. gave the names of thirty-five
persons to whom he had granted Life State
Certificates, seventeen of whom were students
of tins school. This advanced work resulted in
nearly 100 students obtaining state certificates,
and as many more obtaining Chicago certificates
iind teaching in that city. The total number of
Mr. Wells' students has been 1,412, represent-
ing sixty-one counties in Illinois and twenty-two
ditlerent States, the largest total attendance in
:iny one year being 168.
808
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Mr. Wells, feeling that a younger man must
take his place, in 1895 selected Horac-e W. Sulli-
van for Associate Principal. Mr. Sullivan had
been a student in the school and had proved
himself thorough in his work. He was granted
a five-year State certificate in August, 1895,
and, in 1897, as a result of more extended work,
a State certificate of life-grade was awarded
him and, in ]9(>1. he became sole owner and man-
ager of the school. The school affords oppor-
tunity for regular courses of instruction in thir-
ty branches of study, the topics assigned em-
bracing collectively the entire work of any given
branch of study.
Public Library. — In March, 1872, the Gen-
eral Assembly enacted a law authorizing cities,
villages and townships to establish and main-
tain public libraries by the levy of a tax, not to
exceed one mill (since extended to two mills)
per .$100 upon all assessable property. In De-
cember of the same year the City Council of
Oregon passed an ordinance carrying out the
provisions of the law by providing a library and
reading room for the general public. The fol-
lowing constituted the first Board of Directors :
Albert Woodcock, E. L. Wells, G. C. T. Phelps,
G. W. Hormell, J. E. Hitt, John Matmiller, John
Rutledge and William W. Bennett, and at their
first meeting Albert Woodcock was elected Presi-
dent and E. L. Wells, Secretary. At the next
meeting. January 16, 1873, Albert Woodcock
and W. W. Bennett were appointed a committee
for the selection of books. The first place for
keeping the liooks was the drug-store of R. C.
Burchell, but in December, 1874, a permanent
location was found, two rooms being leased of
J. B. Mix on the second floor of his building
on Washington Street (now the First National
Bank Building) at a rental of $30 per annum,
and these have continued to be the home of the
library to the present time.
For a number of years the members of the
Lib"rary Board took turns in acting as Librarian,
during the two or three evenings of each week
v.iien ihe librar.v was oijcii. In 190.3 Mrs.
.\ddie Welty. the first salaried Librarian, was
appointed, after a service of two years being
succeeded by Miss Ethel Herbert, and the same
two years ago, l)y the present Lilvrarian. Miss
Emily Cartwright.
In 1904. through an inquiry and request made
bv the writers hon-of. it was icariicd tliat Mr.
Andrew Carnegie would donate $10,000 for a
public library building in Oregon. In order to
meet his condition of a maintenance fund of
ten per cent, the people voted to change from a
city to a township library. They were also in-
vited by the Library Board to vote upon the
selection of a site, the location chosen being
at the corner of Third and Jefferson Streets.
The following citizens constituted the Library
Board at this time: W. H. Guilford, Presi-
dent ; C. D. Etnyre, Secretary ; J. C. Seyster,
Michael Farrell, F. E. Reed and Horace G.
Kauffman. In the spring of 1907 W. H. Guil-
ford and J. C. Seyster refused to stand for re-
election, and on account of the vacancies thus
created, Franc Bacon and D. A. Bellis were
elected.
Plans for the library building were drawn by
Messrs. Pond and Pond, architects of Chicago
and members of the summer colony of artists at
Eagle's Nest Bluff, and the contract was let in
the summer of 1907, to M. D. Smith, of Dixon,
111. The building is now finished, and about to
he occupied. It is of white brick, of Elizabethan-
Gothic architecture and severely plain. The
interior is commodious and pleasing. At the
suggestion of the artists' colony an art room
was provided by making a portion of the build-
ing two stories in height, and to meet the addi-
tional expense of $2,000, Col. and Mrs. F. O.
Lowdeu contributed $1,000 and Mr. Wallace
Heckman. $100. Mrs. Malvina F. Potwin. a
long time resident of Oregon, her family being
among the earliest settlers, included among the
bequests of her last will and testament, pro-
bated in 1905, a gift to the library of $500. The
books number upwards of 2.500 volumes, not
including encyclopedias and other works of
reference, numbering about 100 volumes. In its
new home the library will be much more con-
veniently housed, and, with the two fine new
reading rooms, its efficiency and usefulness will
be greatly increased.
The first use of the new art room, which was
also the first use made of the library building,
was an exhibit of paintings in October, 1908,
by Leon A. Makielski, of the Artists' Camp at
Eagle's Nest. The paintings numbered over 100
and were Mr. Makielski's work done at Eagle's
Nest, all the different canvases representing
scenes along and near Rock River at Oregon.
The exhibit continued each afternoon for a week,
wirli a reception on Saturday afternoon to Mr.
IIISTOIJY OF OGLE COUNTY.
809
Makielski uuder the diivLliun of the Oregon
Woman's Council, by whom a painting was pur-
chased for placing in one of the reading rooms
of the library. Other purchases were also
made.
Newspapers. — Two weekly newspapers ai-e
published in Oregon— the "Ogle County Re-
porter" and the "Ogle County Republican." Tlie
lormer, the older of the two, has been published
under its present caption since the fall of 1851,
prior to which, for a few mouths, it was known
as the "Ogle County Gazette," founded l)y R. C.
Burchell, who continued as publisher until 1853,
when he sold to Mortimer W. Smith. Between
that date and 1872, it changed proprietors sev-
eral times, the different owners being Edward
II. Leggitt (1857), John Sharp (1861), M. W.
Smith (1808), Charles L. Miller and E. L. Otis
(1871), Charles L. Miller and J. P. Miller
(1871). W. 11. Gardner (1871), W. H. Gardner
and Timoleon O. Johnston (1872), T. O. John-
ston (1872). Mr. Johnston remained publisher
and editor until his death in 1899. Meantime
he built for an office and print-shop the brick
building on the east side of Third Street about
120 feet south of the Schiller Piano Factory.
Later in the same year the paper was sold by
the administratrix of Mr. Johnston's estate to
F. G. Schatzle, who came to Oregon from Free-
port, and a partner whose interest Mr. Schatzle
bought out soon afterward, the latter continuing
to conduct the enterprise until 1900, when he
disposed of the property to the present owner
and editor, Frank R. Robinson, formerly of
Chicago.
The "Reporter" was at first neutral in politics,
but in 1850 it espoused the cause of the newly
organized Republican party by giving its sup-
port in the Presidential election of that year
to Fremont and Uaytou, and since then has
always been a stalwart Republican sheet. For
more than half a century it has chronicled the
local life of Oregon and vicinity and has re-
I)orted the important county and state news to
the satisfaction of a large list of subscribers.
The present proprietor of the "Reiwrter" is
improving its columns in the matter of news
presented in a clear, court(X)US and attractive
manner, and. particularly, is conducting an edi-
torial page which shows nuich more than com-
mon ability on his part as a ready and pleasing
writer. Mr. Robinson is the author of a num-
ber of short stories, dealing chiefly with rail-
road life, which have been published by the
leading magazines, especially "The Cosmopoli-
tain" and "McClure's."
The newspaper out of which has grown the
"Ogle County R('iiul)li<-an," In-gan under the own-
ership and direction of B. B. Bemis, by whom it
was christened the "Ogle County Local," and
was printed in a small building where the
Knodle Brothers laundry now is, its first issue
being on May 4, 1888. In 1890, then having a
circulation of 1,000 copies, it was sold to J. D.
Seibert and S. G. Ma.son, who continued as its
publishers for four years, when they disposed
of it to a stock company, whose shareholders
were F. G. Jones, Rev. Caldwell, and E. L. Reed,
the last named acting as manager. The name
was changed to the "Local Advocate." Shortly
afterward a fire occurred at its place of publi-
cation, which then was the rooms over the store
of F. (}. Jones, and a little later sale was made
to E. L. Reed, and the name w'as changed to
"Ogle County Republican," which has continued
to the present time. In 1895 Mr. Reed asso-
ciated with him Z. A. Landers of Creston, who
had formerly been engaged in the newspaper
business. They continued as partners until
1898, wlien Mr. Reed, uix)n leaving Oregon,
leased his interest to Frank E. Sorrells, and in
September, 1900, sold out to his junior partner,
since which time Mr. Landers has remained
editor and publisher, but in 190G took his son,
Ernest D. Landers, into the business with him.
the firm becoming Landers and Son. The paper
was i)rinted for several years in the building
now occupied by the "Ogle County Reporter,"
but in 1900 the plant was removed to its present
quarters in the Kauffman-Bemis Building, where
room bad been designed and provided for it
when the building was ertx-ted. In ix)litics, the
"Republican" advocates the principles of the
]):irty indicated liy its name, and has from the
time it came under the management of E. L.
Reed. It has been said of the present editor
that he "has energy, ability and a brilliant
method of e.xpression," and under his manage-
ment the circulation of the paper has greatly
increa.sed. and it has won a [wsition near the
front rank of the weekly papers of the State.
A third paper, the "Independent-Democrat"
was conducted for some years by A. H. Wag-
goner, who. in 189(i. .sold out to Reed & Landers,
who disix)sed of the presses, etc., to purchasers
810
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
in various parts of the county and it went out of
existence. Before the paper's o^vnership by Wag-
goner, it had been published under varying
titles by William E. Ray, Henry P. Lason,
Charles R. Hawes, G. L, Bennett, J. J. Buser,
E. T. Ritchie and Samuel Wilson, originating
under the direction of the last named editor, in
1866, under the name of the "Oregon National
Guard," as an organ of the local democracy.
Banking Institutions. — The First National
Bank of Oregon was organized in 1872, being
formed from the private bank of Lott and Baird,
which began as Baird & Miller, in 1870. The
first President was Daniel Etnyre, and James
D. Lott was the first Cashier. The capital is
$50,000 with a surplus at this time of $30,000.
The Bank owns its well appointed office build-
ing. It has within the past year opened a sav-
ings account department, as well as added to its
equipment a special vault of safety deposit
boxes. Its resources, as shown by its last state-
ment, February 11, 1909, were $376,895.04. The
directors at this time are J. L. Rice, Charles
Schneider, W. H. Guilford, George H. Mix, and
Charles D. Etnyre, the two first named being
President and Cashier, respectively, with John
D. Mead, Assistant Cashier, who succeeded
Stephen H. Pankhurst, the latter having been
identified with the bank for many years.
The Ogle County Bank was established in
1SS4 upon a re-organization of the Exchange
Bank of Oregon, which was founded in 1878 by
John B. Seibert and William Artz, the latter
retiring in 1884, and P. E. Hastings, Simon and
Joseph Sheaff coming in as new partners. John
B. Seibert was the first President and P. E.
Hastings the first Cashier. It began business
with a capital of $30,000, and soon after erected
the fine brick building where its business has
since been carried on. In 1884, .John B. Seibert
retired and John Sheaff entered as Assistant
Cashier. In 1907 the Bank was incorporated as
a state bank with a capital of $50,000. It opened
a savings account department and provided a
special vault of safety deposit boxes. Its re-
sources according to its last statement, February
11. 1909, were $308,990.40. Its directors are
P. E. Hastings. John Sheaff, H. C. Peek, P. C.
Malarkey, and Glyndon Haas, the first two and
last named being President, Cashier, and As-
sistant Cashier, respectively.
In 1900 Oregon's third bank, the Oregon State
Savings Bank, was organized. The first Board
of Directors was made up of J. C. Seyster,
George M. McKenney, W. W. Crowell, Jacob
Zeigler, and C. M. Gale, who chose the first and
last named President and Cashier, respectively.
Miss Martha Gale is Assistant Cashier. The
stockholders have provided a permanent home
for the bank by the erection of a handsome new
brick building, with front of Bedford stone, on
Washington Street, which was completed and
first occupied in March, 1908. The bank has a
savings account department, and part of the
double vault is devoted to safety deiK>sit boxes.
Each of the three Oregon banks is paying
three per cent interest on savings accounts, three
per cent on certificates of deposit if left six
months, and four per cent if left one year.
Manufactures.— The Schiller Piano Company
is Ogle County's largest industrial enterprise
It was started in a small way in 1893, with local
capital, most of w^hich was furnished by F. G.
Jones, who was elected President. Mr. Jones
took no active part in the management of the
Company until 1895, when placing his large gen-
eral mercantile business in the hands of old and
trusted employes, he left the store he had suc-
cessfully guided for twenty-eight years and
became general manager, as well as President
of the Schiller Factory. The business had just
fairly got started under the new management
when the disastrous panic of 1896 began. For
six months of that year it required skillful
financial steering to keep the Company from
going into the hands of receivers, but in the fall
of that year, after McKinley's election, there was
a demand for the Company's bills receivable and
also its product ; and from that time to the pres-
ent, the Company has gone on building additions
to its plant and increasing the list of its cus-
tomers, until they now extend to all parts of
the United States, Canada, Hawaii and Italy.
As the business of the Company has increased,
Mr. Jones has placed the management of differ-
ent departments of the enterprise in the hands
of his three sons, each of whom has had careful
training in the factory for the department it has
devolved upon him to handle.
During the fifteen years of the Company's his-
tory a pay-day has never been missed, neither
has there been a strike or a shut down, but all
has gone on smoothly and of late years steady
employment has been given to upwards of 300
J- i
* »«mi,jl}
PLOUGH MANUrACTORT
oolcCollliuois.
y/.-fz /? ^
'15
SCHIIJ.KR riANO I'ACTDRV, SHOW IXG WATHR TOWER
Qu^^/^^>?*£^4- ^*^
HISTOEY OF OGLK COUNTY.
811
men. About 40,000 pianos have been made
and sold and arc fjivinj^ satisfaction to their
owners. This number of pianos going into so
many different parts of the world has done
much to advertise Oregon and Ogle County.
The Company has built up its large business, not
by extensive advertising, or by a large force of
traveling salesmen (of the latter it employs but
one), but by making its i)roduct relialtlc and
dealing honestly with its patrons. The factory
occupies six full lots adjoining the water power,
and has a floor space of 122,500 square feet, all
of which is utilized in making pianos and piano
players. The present ofhcers of the company
are : F. G. Jones, President ; George II. Jones,
Secretary ; Edgar B. Jones, Treasurer ; Benj.
F. Shelley. Assistant Treasurer ; Cyrus F. Jones,
Superintendent of Player Department.
The I'urves Piano Company is the manufac-
turer of the Purves Piano and the Purves Player
Piano. This is a new enterprise recently estab-
lished by Jolm Purves, who has had extensive
experience in the piano business, acquired by
actual service from his earliest youth. Asso^
ciated with him are his brother, James Purves
and Arthur Jjocke, in charge of the mechanical
and finishing departments respectively. The in-
terior player made by this Company, like most
of the recent musical inventions of the kind, is
adapted for the use of those who love piano
music, but are unable to play the piano, and who
by simply working the pedals can have the
highest class of music at will. The Purves
piano is a high grade instrument that is finding
a market and promises to make a name for itself
in the musical world. The cai)acity of the fac-
tory is 1.000 pianos annually.
Another nianufa£-turing concern in Oregon
which makes i)iano players is the National Piano
Player Company, organized scarcely more than
eighteen months ago. The player of this Com-
])any is jilaced within the piano along with a
small electric motor, by means of which power
is supplied I)y attaching to the socket of an
electric lamj) for the operation of the player.
At the present time twenty-five skilled workmen
are emjiloyed. The officers are F. W. Farwell,
President and Treasurer ; C. E. Merrill, Vice-
President ; and W. E. Cleveland, Secretary.
The Oregon Foundry and Machine Company.
organized eight years ago, is engaged in the
manufacture of piano ])lates and foundry mold-
ing machines, the latter an invention for facili-
tating and cheapening the molding of castings,
the work being done by machinery instead of by
iiand. The Company employs from twenty-five
to thirty men and boys. The otiicers are F. G.
Jones, President ; H. E. Wude, Vice-President ;
E. P>. Jones. Secretary and Treasurer; and M. J.
Stanton, Superintendent.
The E. D. Etuyre Sprinkler-Wagon Factory,
which began in a small way twelve years ago,
has steadily increased its business and now
sends its product to all parts of the United
States, last year's output being 500 sprinklers,
besides steel tanks for the farm and elsewhere.
The sprinkler-wagon is giving excellent satis-
faction wherever used. The plant has been re-
cently enlarged, consisting of a brick structure
one-story in height covering an area of between
12,000 and 13,000 square feet. To the original
business is being added that of the manufacture
of automobiles, both the auto-buggy and the
touring car, the first of each having been com-
pleted and being already in use.
The Rock River Broom Company has for some
years been engaged in the manufacture of the
ordinary house broom, and has established and
maintains a good business. L. L. Woodville is
the proprietor and manager.
Chester Nash has for many years carried on
the business of millwork and general jobbing.
Dedication of the Lincoln Boulder. — An
event of deep interest in connection with the
liistory of Oregon is the dedication of what is
called the "Lincoln Boulder" on occasion of the
Twentieth Annual Reunion of the Soldiers and
Sailors of Northwestern Illinois, held at Oregon
Sejitember 7-S, 1004. and in conmiemoration of
an address delivered in that place by Abraham
Lincoln in 1S50. The exercises were held on the
afternoon of September 8th under the auspices
of the Oregon Woman's Council, the program
including a parade of Veterans, with Company
M of the Third Regiment Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry as e.scort, Captain Franc Bacon acting as
Chief Marshal and Judge J. II. Cartwright de-
livering the principal address, followed by Hon.
Frederick Landis. of Indiana, in a glowing trib-
ute to the mart>-red President. Tlie program
also included band and vocal nuisic with invoca-
tion and benediction. The officers of the reunion
were: .Mr. T. .\. Jewett, President; Capt. J. M.
Myers. Vice-President, and George Petrie. Sec-
rct;\ry.
The boulder bad been jilaced, with the con-
812
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
sent of the owners, upon the grounds of Mr.
and Mrs. Lcager — but now owned by Mr. George
H. Jones and occupied by himself and family —
as near the place of the speaking in 1856 as it
was possible to ascertain from a number of per-
sons who heard the speech. These grounds are
on the east side of North Fourth Street. Mrs.
Rebecca H. Kauffman, Mrs. Julia W, Peek and
Mrs. Lilian Sears were members of Committee
of the Oregon Woman's Council who had charge
of the securing, placing and preparing of the
boulder. Mrs. Kauffman presiding during the
dedicatory exercises. After the dedication the
Woman's Council placed the boulder in charge
of. the Women's Relief Corps of Oregon, to be
fittingly remembered by them on Decoration
Day in connection with their other observances
of that memorial occasion.
There has been some uncertainty as to the
actual date of the delivering of Mr. Lincoln's
speech, intended to be commemorated. At first
September 9, 1856, was accepted as the date and
this was placed upon the boulder, but through
an entry made in the diary of the late Daniel
G. Shottenkirk, which has been corroborated by
.an item found iu the files of the "Chicago Demo-
crat." the true date of the event is found to
have been August 16, 1856, and the Oregon
Woman's Council contemplate changing the in-
scription on the boulder in accordance therewith.
Township Officers. — The following have been
the Supervisors for Oregon Township since its
organization : J. B. Chaney, 1850 ; E. F. Dutch-
er, 1851 ; P. R. Bennett, 1852 ; James V. Gale,
185.3-54; T. H. Potwin, 1855-58; James V. Gale,
1859-68; George P. Jacobs, 1869; Mortimer W.
Smith, 1870; George M. Dwight, 1871-74; John
V. Gale, 1875-84; William J. Mix, 1885-86;
Henry C. Peek, 1887-89; George M. Dwight,
1890-94; Henry C. I'eek, 1895-98; Arthur F.
Herbert. 1899-1908.
The other officers for the township for 1908
are: Town Clerk, O. R. Ely; Assessor, John
C. Mattison ; Tax Collector, Edgar Eychaner ;
Justices of the Peace, E. A. Ray and W. P.
Fearer ; Constables, L. C. Wilson and Daniel
Stout; Highway Commissioners, William Kessel-
ring, S. H. Reintz, George W. Fisher; School
Treasurer, L. V. Rumery.
PINE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
For the following comprehensive sketch of the
early settJement of Pine Creek Township the
writers of this history are indebted to Mr. Vic-
tor H. Bovey, whose home is iu that region :
"Larkin Baker, a hunter and trapper on the
Illinois River, came to Dixon in the spring of
18.33. He then traveled on north on the west
side of Rock River ; after crossing Pine Creek
near its mouth he reached high ground in Sec-
tion 10, Grand Detour Township, where he
pitched his tent for a short time. From that
spot, known as Fourth Rock, Mr. Baker dis-
covered that the river, after making the great
bend, turned northward. He then traveled up
Oak Ridge, until he came to the south line of
Section 13, where the Rock River Valley opened
before him again on the east, with a fine view
of the Mount Morris country on the north, and
nearly the whole of Pine Creek Township on
the west. He located near what is known as
the 'John Price Corners,' hard by a beautiful
spring; he had timber on ihe east, where game
was abundant, and rolling prairie on the west.
Here he resided temporarily for one year ; then
in the spring of 1834 he erected a log house,
about eighty rods west of where Luther Hanes
now lives, and commenced tilling the soil. This,
without doubt, was the first permanent settle-
ment in Pine Creek ToTvnship. Mr. Baker's son
James afterwards located on the 'Hiram Motter
farm,' now owned by Jerome Burroughs ; and
another son, John Baker, located in Section 35.
Dewitt Warner, Supervisor of Pine Creek Town-
ship, now owns the farm.
Later Comers and Events. — "The second per-
manent shelter was constructed by James Bab-
bitt, in the spring of 1835, in Section 10, on a
hill by a beautiful spring, for which the town-
ship in noted. During the summer of 1835 David
Demmen built a log cabin near where the Co-
lumbia School House now stands. The cabin
is gone, but the place is known yet as the
'Demmen Spring.' Gottfried Wiesel now owns
the place. In 1836 Spooner Ruggles built a log
cabin on Section 35. Mr. Ruggles was very pub-
lic-spirited and benevolent, and his advice was
sought by settlers far and wide. In 1844, Mr.
Ruggles was elected to the Fourteenth General
Assembly and was afterwards elected Judge of
the Ogle County Court. Wilbur Brooke now
owns the Ruggles homestead. Charles Walkup
is a grandson of this capable pioneer, his mother
being a daughter of Spooner Ruggles.
"John Phelps, who was the founder of Oregon,
HISTOT^Y OF OCLE rorXTV.
.913
IMiu' Creek in Section 27. It is siiid be traded
built a saw-iiiill operated by water jKuwer on
the Indians tlour for helping in its eonstruetion.
At that mill the Iniuber was sawed for the first
frame Iniiklinss in that part of the founty. Vic-
tor H. Bovey now owns the property. A mile
up the creek from the saw-mill, Thaddeus and
Isaac Bordnian. in 1841, built a flourins-mill.
which did an immense business, farmers coming
from fifty miles distant to have their wheat
ground into flour. Samuel Funk, brother of
'Aunt Kitty Kice.' was the first miller.
"The first death in the township was that of
John Peirce, who died in 1838. All attending
the funeral came on foot. He was buried near
the southeast corner of the northeast <iuarter of
Section 20, and so far as is known his grave is
unmarked to this day. Wesley Hampton settled
on the northeast quarter of Section 12. He
afterwards sold it to .John Tice, Sr., and it is
now occupied by his son Otho. One of the
Hampton children died in 1838 — the first child's
death in the township, so far as is known.
"During the summers of 1837. '38 and '30.
came the Brooke, Tice, Coddington, Price. Mot-
ter, Samuel Funk and Abraham Wetmer fami-
lies seeking homes; and, with some cash, they
readily found sellers among the Baker colonists,
.lohn Baker being the last to sell, they not being
used to the bleak northwest winds and severities
of climate.
"A history of Pine Creek Township would not
be complete without mention of 'Grandma
Palmer,' now living at Oak Ridge! She was
born in the State of Vermont in 1811. Her
father, Henry Ilayden, went to the war of 1812,
where he was slain, leaving a widow and ten
children, of which Mrs. Palmer was the young-
est. Seventy-four years ago she was united in
marriage with Irvin Palmer, and they came west
and settled at Oak Ridge, where she has since
resided. Mr. Palmer died about ten years ago.
They had three sons and a son-in-law who
fought in the war for the Union. Grandmother
Palmer relates that she wove cloth in partner-
ship for John Deere, when Mr. Deere was a
resident of Grand Detour. She relates many
anecdotes of the early settlement, how the wild
deer used to come and feed by their cabin door,
and says their first team was a yoke of blind
oxen, which she afterwards fattened for market
with potatoes. Mr. Palmer's sister, Elmyra
(Angeline). married Seth Ablx)tt, and their
(laughter was the famous singer, Emma Abbott.
They resided at Oak Ridge on the farm now
owned l)y James \V. Warner. Mr. Ablxjtt was
considerable of a nmsician, and on one occasion
was to sujjply the nmsic at an entertaimnent at
Franklin (Jrove. One might in those days w'alk
from Grand Detour to Franklin Grove, and from
Franklin (irove to JelTersou Grove, without see-
ing a fence, or scarcely a dwelling. Mr. Abbott
started on foot, with his violin for a companion,
but found on entering a tract of timber that he
was closely pursued by a wolf. He .sought safety
in a tree, which his weight bore almost to the
ground, and in this uncomfortable i)osition
played all night on his instrument to keep the
wolf ;it bav. At davlight his unwelcome com-
panion departed. While living at Oak Ridge,
his daughter Emma, twelve or fourteen years of
age th(>n, hearing that Clara Loui.se Kellogg, a
vocalist of note at that time, was to sing in
Chicago, persuaded her father to go with her
on foot to Chicago to hear her. While on the
way they gave short concerts in school houses
to defray their expenses. By the aid of inter-
ested friends Emma Abbott obtained an intro-
duction to Miss Kellogg ; and, by her friendly
influence, the way was opened for the cultivation
and development of Miss Abbott's musical gift.
"In the early 'forties Aunt Kitty Rice came
from Maryland, with John Bovey and settled
on Section 28 with her brother. Sanuiel Funk,
where she lived a number of years,
"Out of the jiatriotism iwssessed by Spooner
Ruggles, Irvin Palmer, Peter Newcomer, Dr.
John Perrine and others, grew that great loyalty
which caused twenty-six boys to go from one
school district in Pine Creek Township to de-
fend their country, three families furnishing
ten soldiers !
"In the industrial progress of Pine Creek
Townsiiip it ;'aii be said, that the first threshing
machine to separate the grain from the straw
was oi)erated by Joseph Glidden, of barb-wire
fame, in 184t). The first reaper owned in the
township was the property of Benjamin Bru-
baker.
Schools and Churches. — "The first school
was taught in a private house, known as the
'Ilass residence,' where Benjamin Ringer now
lives. The school was taught by Alfred Helm,
brother of the noted physician, Clinton Helm, of
Rockford. The teacher was afterwards Terri-
814
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
torial Governor of Nevada. The first house
built entirely for school purposes was constructed
on Section 35, in 1839, Spooner Ruggles and his
sons bearing nearly all the expense of its con-
struction
"The first house of public worship was built
by the Free-Will Baptists in 1853, Spooner Rug-
gles and E. T. Gates donating one-half the cost
of the building. .
"Pennsylvania Corners was so called on ac-
count of the large number of Pennsylvanians
who settled, near there. Benjamin Cummins was
perhaps the first, coming in 1843. Then came
Robert Wilson, Lewis Foote, George Yates, Ben-
jamin Brubaker, John and Samuel Bovey. In
1851, Samuel Finfrock started a store at the
Corners and continued in business for many
years. His successors in the store were Arthur
Freet, John Ambrose, A. L. Palmer, Andrew
Sanberg, and Jacob Kalebaugh, who now owns
the 'Corners' store. From 1847 to 1850 Benja-
min Brubaker kept the Government postoflice
one mile east of Pennsylvania Corners, at what
is now known as 'Trump Corners.' The school
house at Pennsylvania Corners was built in
1852. and the church in 1857. This hamlet now
consists of the First Christian Church of Pine
Creek, the dwelling house and store combined,
a dwelling house owned by S. Beard and occu-
pied by Thomas Sheean, William M. Clark's farm
residence, the old school house used by the
Knights of the Globe of Pine Creek as quarters,
and a blacksmith shop.
"Pine Creek Town Hall, used for election and
kindred township purposes, was built in 1897.
It is conveniently situated on the road running
east and west to the south of the well-known
'White Pine Tree Tract.' Near the Town Hall
is the Columbia School House, built in 1892, and
named to commemorate the great event in the
history of the New World, which that year
reached its 400th anniversary. This new school
building took the place of the old brick school
house that was built in the later 'forties."
Township Schools. — From Miss Anna B.
Champion, the jiresent efficient Superintendent
of Ogle County Schools, has been obtained for
use in this history some statements in regard to
the schools of several townships. The follow-
ing is the statement for Pine Creek Schools for
the year 1007 :
"There weiv 380 persons under twenty-one
years of age, 240 of whom were of school age.
Of the latter number 187 were enrolled in the
schools. The township was divided into nine
school districts, four male and eight female
teachers being employed, receiving salaries rang-
ing from $30 to $50 per month. There were nine
frame school houses valued at $8,890. The
amount of tax levy for the support of the schools
was $3,475."
The following paragraph is taken from the
sketch of Pine Creek Township in the "History
of Ogle County" published in 1886:
"From the report of the County Superintend-
ent of Public Schools for the year ending June
30, 1885, the following items are taken : 'There
were 553 persons under twenty-one, of which
number 363 were of school ages. The township
was divided into ten school districts, and en-
rolled in its schools were 349 pupils. Eight
male and twelve female teachers were employed
during the year, receiving as wages from $18
to $46 per month. There was one stone, one
brick and eight frame school houses, valued at
$2,530. The tax levy for school purposes was
$2,350."
Later Churches. — One of the later churches
in the township is the Mount Zion United
Brethren church, situated in the eastern part.
The house of worship is a frame structure, and
tlie building, the first erected ; it was built in
the early 'seventies. Near it on the south is the
parsonage, the entire church property being
worth at the present time about $2,500. The
present minister in charge is Rev. E. P. Spur-
lock, who also looks after the interests of the
Oak Ridge Church and Providence Chapel in
Pine Creek Township. The membership of the
Mount Zion Church numbers about sixty. Thomas
J. Fearer, who formerly lived near this church,
was for long a Trustee and prominent and
active member. The Oak Ridge Church was
erected in 1853 by the Free-Will Baptists, and
now used as a Union church, in which the resi-
dents of that neighborhood attend service.
A Unique Insurance System. — One of the
most valuable helps to the farmer, the Pine
Creek Mutual Fire Insurance Company, has long
been in existence in this township. David F.
Miller, who owned considerable land in the
township, and whose son, George W, Miller, still
possesses a portion of his father's estate, was for
many year the Secretary and Treasurer of this
Company and devoted much of his time to the
XJi
>
O
o
w
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
81")
advancements of its interests. Thomas J. Fearer,
now living at Oregon, in pleasant retirement at
the age of eighty-five, succeeded Mr. Miller in
this office and successfully carried on the work
for a long time. Victor H. Bovey holds this
office at the present time. This is a unique
lorni of farm insurance: no policies are Issued;
no premiums are paid ; the book of the Secretary
and Treasurer contains the only records kept.
In this book, after visiting the applicant for
insurance and looking carefully over his prem-
ises, the SecretaTy enters the name of the assured
and amount of protection guaranteed in case of
los? along with the description of the property,
this making him a member of the company. In
case of fire, three adjusters are appointed from
among the assured to reckon the amount of loss
and the sum to be assessed pro rata upon the
members of the company ; and, so prompt and
ready have been the responses to this, that the
Company has never had any need to enforce the
payment of its assessments. At the present time
the company assures against loss by cyclone,
which at first was not included; and during its
earlier term of existence, no one could be insured
who used a steam engine for threshing, horse-
power having to be employed for such purposes.
Usually insurance in a Farmers' Township
Mutual costs the individual members t)elonging
to the company less than a policy taken in one of
the regularly organized large concerns.
Under "Mount Morris Township" Mr. Hitt is
quoted in telling about the early settlement of
that region, and refers to the tract of land of
1,000 acres in this township first purchased by
his father of "a Mr. Painter, and being now the
Baker place." A large part of this tract was the
property of .James A. Baker, and it is interesting
to record that three of his sons, Albert M.
Baker, Edward F. Baker, and Amos N. Baker,
now own this land and make their homes upon
it. This is in Section 3, in the vicinity of the
"White Pine Woods of Ogle County."
These woods, for which this region is now
famous, are told about in Chapter I of this his-
tory. The "White Pine Tree Tract" has a num-
ber of owners, who possess six acres and up-
wards. Among them are David Baruhiver, J. A.
Powell, J. H. Davis, A. M. Johnson, Gottfried
Wiesel, William Hammer, Samuel Hays, Fletcher
Burke, Samuel Powell.
Village op Stratford. — Stratford is located a
little to the west of this evergreen forest region.
being laid out and platted in 188G just after the
coniiiletlon of the Chicago. Burlington «& Northern
liailroad, which intersects Pine Creek Town-
ship. Its name was l)estowed by a reader of the
great drama list, the place of whose birth it sug-
gests to all lovers of Sliakes])eare's verse. Near
this station Messrs. Egner & Ryder, then of
Mount Morris, built a creamery in 1893, and
butter was made by them for a while. The plant
was later purchased by R. C. McCredie, who
operated it as a milk receiving deix)t till remov-
ing it to Mount Morris in connection with his
business there. The village of Stratford con-
tains about twenty inhabitants. It includes an
elevator owned by F. E. Bomberger, a grocery
store and a postofhce. Fred O'Kane in the
.station agent. Considerable livestock is shipped
from tliis neighborhood.
Township Officers. — The first town meeting
was held in a log school house on Section 29, in
Ai)ril, 1850. The chairman of the meeting was
.John Perrine. The Sui>ervisors have been as
follows: Spooner Ruggles, 1850-56; H. J. Mot-
ter, 1857-59; Simon Seyster, 1860; William .Join-
er, 1861 ; George Yates, 1862-65 ; James A. Baker,
1866; Ellas Malone, 1867-70; Martin Heller,
1871 ; Elias Malone, 1872-73 ; John Perrine, 1874 ;
Elias Malone, 1875; George Yates, 1876-77;
Charles W. Baker, 1878; Lyman C. Wilson,
1879; Simon Hildebrand, 1880-83; Victor II.
Bovey, 1884-91; John H. Davis, 1892-95; Henry
Coffman, 1896-99 ; John Betebenner. 1900-01 ;
Charles Walkup, 1902-07; Dewitt Warner, 1908.
The other officers for 1908 are: ToAvn Clerk,
Roy A. Nettz ; Assessor, W. B. Dusing ; Tax
Collector, Henry B. Maysilles ; Justices of the
Peace. .Jacob Cox, and O. W. Crumbling: Con-
stable, Daniel Myers ; Highway Commissioners,
Irvin Trump. Henry Seyster, Henry Stabler;
School Treasurer. J. H. Hoshaw.
PINE ROOK TOWNSHIP.
When the 275 militiamen from McLean, Taze-
well and adjacent counties were placed under
the command of Major Stillman at Dixon's
Ferry, in May, 1832, with orders to spy out the
Indians by proceeding northward along the east
bank of Rock River, and were surprised and
routed b.v Black Hawk and forty of his war-
riors, at least one of the militiamen was not so
pre<:'ipitate in his retreat but that he observed
816
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
and remembered the pleasing appearance of the
wooded country and the richness of the prairie
in and about what later came to be known as
Washington Grove. This soldier was David
Maxwell of McLean County, who, with hisi
brother-in-law, Samuel Aikens, made claim to
land and settled in Washington Grove three
years later. The latter was from Franklin
County, Ohio, whence he removed his family in
1837. Public opinion connected the names of
three of Aikens' sons with the Driscolls and
their crimes, but Aikens himself and the young-
est son, Samuel, "were respected as good citi-
zens."
A Reminiscence of Bandit Days. — To Wash-
ington Grove, in 183.5, also came William K.
Bridges. He was well regarded until his neigh-
bors were forced to believe him an associate of
the Driscolls. Upon their trial and summary
execution, Bridges disappeared. Returning, he
was later arrested for participation in the Mul-
ford robbery. The Mulfords, who lived a few
miles east of Rockford, were visited by armed
men, who searched the house and obtained $484
in gold from a bureau. Bridges was tried, con-
victed and sentenced to eight years in the peni-
tentiary. Land which he owned was sold and
from the proceeds the Mulfords were paid the
amount of their loss.
Settlers in the 'Thirties. — In 1836, Aaron
Paine, who had come with .John Whitaker from
Putnam County to Marion Township, took up
land and settled with his family where later
the location came to be known as Paine's Point.
Another settler near by was Benjamin Boyce,
who soon sold his claim to George Taylor of
New York, who lived there the remainder of his
life. The farm descended to his son. Mason
Taylor, and is now owned by Scott Gale, of
Oregon, who until his removal to Oregon to live,
occupied it.
A litllo south of whore Chana now is, at what
was given the name of White Oak Grove, Homer
Morgan took up a claim in 1836. He was from
Pennsylvaiii.i, IiiiMiad been a Baptist preacher in
Ohio. A grist mill was built on Kyte Creek,
near by, l)y his eldest son, Lyman Morgan, who
later in Wisconsin, whither he had removed, be-
came known as the inventor of the Morgan water
wheel. Xaiiies of otlier pioneers in the settle-
ment of what is i;ow Pine Rock Townshi)), with
States from whicli tlicy came, are: Thomas
Stinson, New Hampshire; Isaac Trask, Massa-
chusetts ; Milton Burright, Milo Haselton, Allen
Eychaner, Benjamin F. CanQeld, New York;
John Roe, Merit Dailey, John L. Grant, Penn-
sylvania ; David Welty, Christian Eakle, Mary-
land; Frank Tilton, Ohio; Hiram Sanford,
Vermont ; Augustus Austin, Canada ; Riley
Paddock, Thomas Paddock, John H. Steph-
enson, John Bailey, Franklin Andrew, also
William Rice, New York, 1837: John C.
Ober, New Hampshire, 1854 ; John Ray, County
Derry, Ireland, and Matilda Huttou Ray, settled
on Section 5, in 1843 ; H. H. Stinson and J. L.
Stinson, New Hampshire, 1854 ; Jonathan Sea-
worth, Germany, born on Atlantic Ocean, set-
tled on Section 14, 1843 ; Silas Walls and Fanny
Pelton Walls, Ohio, 1854; James Mitchell and
Nancy Brown Mitchell, Ireland, settled on Sec-
tion 21, 1854; William Ray, Ohio, settled on
Section 5, 1838.
Religious Organizations.— Methodist classes
were organized very early by the settlers of
what are now Pine Rock and Lafayette Town-
ships. The first was known as the Washington
Grove Class and the second as the Lafayette
Grove Class. Service was held at first near
Lafayette Grove in the school house that was
soon burned by incendiaries, supposed to belong
to the Driscoll banditti ; later, at the "Chapel,"
as it was called, which replaced the burned
school house and w'as used for both school and
religious purposes ; then at the Canfield school
house, and finally, and now, in Ghana, in the
church building erected there in 1875. Among
those belonging to these classes in their begin-
ning were James Clark and Mrs. Clark. Chloe
J. Benedict, Isaac Rosecranz and Mrs. Rose-
cranz, Jeptha Noe, Thomas Aikens and Mrs.
Aikens, Richard Hardesty, Samuel Aikens. Brook-
ings and Mrs. Aikens, Orson Rosecranz and Mrs.
Rosecranz, Rebecca Rosecranz, Martha Aikens
and Margaret Aikens. Rev. Barton Cartwright
was one of the early preachers. Later the Can-
fields were especially active in the church work,
as they are now. At the present time the same
minister preaches at both Lighthouse and Ghana,
residing in the parsonage at the former village,
Rev. Alfred Simester.
The Methodist church at Paine's Point was
built in 1853. The first members were Jonathan
Buttorfleld, Daniel Potter, Erastus Wadsworth.
Augustus Austiti and IT. TIayes, and the first
pastor Rev. Henry Miller. The present minister
nisTOiJY OF nr.LK cor'NTY.
8ir
is Rev. George A. Griswold, who resides at Kiugs
and supplies both churches. The building stands
on land taken up from the Govornmont by
Augustus Austin, who gave the sites for l)()tli
church and school. The tract of land of which
it is a jtart now lu'longs to Jesse Allen.
A Lutheran Church was built at Paine's Point
about 1S52. In 1874 the present wooden build-
ing replaced the earlier one of stone. The con-
gregation does not maintain a pastor of its own,
but depends upon the Oregon charge. Across
the street from the Lutlieran Church is the
Evangelical Lutheran Immauuel Church, organ-
izi'd in 189L The name of tlie first minister
was Rev. L. Brenner. The present pastor is
Rev. J. T. Hassfeld, who resides in the par-
sonage by the church. The congregation is made
up of the families of German farmers who in
recent years settled in and around Paine's Point.
It is a flourisliing church. The German citizens,
from being renters, have become the owners of
many of the farms of the early settlers, espe-
cially northward from Paine's Point.
Soon after the building of the Chicago & Iowa
Railroad, in 1S71. Phineas Clianey, of White
Rock Townshi}), luucliased the 80 acres forming
the west half of the southwest quarter of Sec-
tion 15 of Pine Rock Townsliip. through wh'.ch
the railroad passed, and laid the land out in
town lots for a new village. The intention was
to make the name of the station the same as
that of the founder, but a mistake was made in
the plat by writing "Chana" for "Chaney."
The first building was a gi'aiu warehouse built
iiy Phineas Chaney and managed by Benjamin
Chaney, his son, who was also station agent.
Later the Andrew Brothers (Frank and David)
put up the first elevator. They sold to David
Welty and he to James Miller, who leased to
West and Andrew, with Sanuiel Mitchell in
charge, and afterward, in 1884, to George H.
Sidwell, who enlarged the elevator to its present
capacity — 100,000 bushels. It is now the prop-
erty of the Xeola Elevator Company. As ji
grain buying and shipping point, Chana ranks
well. Ghana's principal store is owned and con-
ducted by William, Hoopes. who came to Chana
from Ashton in 1001, when his first year's sales
amounted to $10,000. while this year they will
total .$40,000. Chana has had a bank since
mO.'i, known as the Southworth Banking Com-
pany, with Thomas G. Southworth of Rochelle,
President, and J. W. Hoffman. Cashier.
Two miles south of Chana on the Charles
Bailey farm, in lOOf), ui)on the belief of George
E. Canfield of near Chana, who had made a
study of the location of petroleum, Ellsworth
King, Waller King, John Babcock and Fanny
Snyder King provided .an oil-drilling outfit and
sank a well, drilling to a depth of 1,017 feet, but
without success. On his own farm Mr. Canfield
drilled 500 feet, but found no oil there.
In Pine Rock Townsliip is located the houldei"
which marks the spot where occurred the trial
and execution of the DriscoUs. a tragic event
which lingers in the memory of the early resi-
dents of Ogle County, and the account of which
is yet n'peated with awesome feelings by even
their youngest descendants. The place of this
occurrence, and where^ the boulder now stands,
is just off the highway on the left side, as it
cuts across the southwest corner of the farm in
Section 10, of James Cunnnins, formerly owned
by his father. William Cunnnins, the highway
running from Daysville tow-ards the southeast,
following the meandering outskirts of the Wash-
ington and Lafayette Groves, as they formerly
were.
Some years ago a disastrous wind storm
swe])t over the heart of Pine Rock Township,
coming up from Lee County and proceeding on
in its course northward into White Rock Town-
ship. This was the tornado which destroyed
the school-house, formerly called for the owners
of the nearby farms, the "Canfield School House."
but which since its rebuilding has been named
the "Cyclone School." No lives wei'e lost in this
cyclone, init some property was injured, includ-
ing the liouses on the farm of John C. Ober.
Township Officers. — The first election in
Pine Rock Township was held in April, 18o0. at
which time the usual town officers were elected.
The Sujiervisors since that time have been :
Jeriel Robinson, 1850-52; Thomas Stinson. 185^?-
54; Samuel Aikens, 1855; Mason Taylor, 1856-
57: Isaac Trask. 18.58-50; Txirenzo W. Page. 1860-
61 : John R. Steel, 1862; John Acker. 180:^; S. J.
Eshbach. 1864-67; John Slaughter. 1Sr>8: W. H.
Ferguson. 18<>0; Thomas Stinson, 1870; .John
Cunnnins. 1871; Jacob P. Lilly. 1872-7.''.; Israel
Tra.sk. 1874-77; Lewis Drunnnond, 1878-83;
Gwrge E. Canfield. 1884; Dr. Malcolm C. Roe,
188.5-86; John B. Bailey, 1887-01; Samuel
Mitchell. 1802-05; :\ralcolm C. Roe, 1800-07;
Samuel Mitchell. 180,8-00; Malcolm C. Roe, 1000-
818
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY.
01 ; George J. Burroughs, 1902-07 ; Henry Lums-
den, 1908. The other officers for the township
for the year 1908 are: Town Clerk, E. A. K.
Sargent ; Assessor, Willis S. Grant ; Tax Col-
lector, E. D. Buker ; Justices of the Peace, Jacob
W. Hoffmaster and Samuel W. Wren ; Constable,
Henxy C. Anils; Highway Commissioners, Henry
Rice, John B. Canfield, and J. D. Drummond;
School Ti'easurer, Charles E. Cross.
ROCKVALE TOWNSHIP.
This township is rich in picturesque features.
The "Riviere a la Roche" — the name which the
French early gave to the "Sinnissippi" of the
Indian, and the later Rock River of the Anglo-
Saxon — flows through the heart of this region
called Rockvale. In this township lie two fair
isles — Swan's and Margaret Fuller — and two
tributary streams-^Leaf River and Silver Creek
— the Upper and Lower Narrows, Inspiration
Point, Old Baldy, Sinnissippi Heights, Eagle's
Nest Bluff, Ganymede Spring, Knox Spring, and
the Old Flood Plain of Mud Creek. Here, too,
attracted by this charm of landscape, are the
homes of many of the summer residents, flitting
back and forth like the birds of migration —
Beauvoir, Van Inwegen's Hill, The Bungalow
at Springvale Farm, The Grange, Eagle's Nest
Camp and Ganymede. It is in this township
that the Muse of Poetry first spread her wings
in the Rock River Valley, and bequeathed to its
denizens the inspiration, "Ganymede to His
Eagle," and by its edge was the author housed
near the tall elms by the wayside home. In this
home of the Heushaws the Angel of Death was
first to lay his touch upon a boy of the then servile
race. It is in this township, too, that the "Ford
Cabin" stands on the land once the "claim" of
Judge (and afterward Governor) Thomas Ford.
And here was the home of Thomas Medford,
who helped to guard the great Napoleon on the
prison Island of St. Helena. Rockvale Town-
ship will also posse.ss the gift of Lorado Taft
to the Rock River Valley — his heroic figure of
Black Hawk, looking down from Eagle's Nest,
with resignation and dignity, upon what once
were the possessions of himself and his people.
The Ogle County History of 1886 contains the
following statement regarding Rockvale Town-
ship : ".\bont two-thirds of tlio township is
timber and the remainder a rolling prairie. On
the west side of the river the soil is good to
the river bank, but on the east side there is sand
for nearly a mile back from the bluffs which line
the river." So much of this timber was of the
hickory type that the elevation, running laterally
through the township, was designated Hickory
Ridge. Much of this has been either thinned out
or cleared away. During the winter in which
this statement was v»'ritten, 600 cord's of hickory
wood were cut on Hickory Ridge and near it,
under the supervision of Major Charles New-
comer from the land in his charge for W. H.
Holcomb, and shipped to him for use in his work
to Portland, Oregon, where Mr. Holcomb was
then engaged as Superintendent of the Oregon
Short Line and Transportation Company.
The inclusion of Rock River within the bor-
ders of the township makes the problem of hard-
road making a difficult one. Each side of the
stream must necessarily have a driveway fol-
lowing its course, in addition to the customary
number of the rectangular public roads.
Early Settlers. — The territory covered by
Rockvale was one of those first settled. When
Michael Seystcr, Sr., came in 1838, with his
wife and children, they found, for a short time,
a hospitable stopping place with a family al-
ready snugly domiciled on the bottom land a
little northwest of the mouth of Mud Creek ;
and here a later comer, though house and all
other trace of habitation were gone, was sur-
prised to find asparagus growing, its vigorous
vitality having survived all other evidence of
human occupation. Among the early settlers
were John, George W. and Benjamin F. Phelps
— three brothers, who came to stay in the spring
of 1835. John Phelps is referred to elsewhere in
this History. The double log cabin built by him
is still standing. George W. Phelps removed to
the city of Oregon, where he died some years
ago, one of the streets in the north end of the
city being named for him, having been platted
on land at that time owned by him. After a
few years' stay in Ogle County the other brother
removed to Missouri. John Wagner and family
came in 1837, locating on land in Sections 19
and 30, the farm with the home-site being now
owned l)y George W. Carr. Being a part of the
"Maryland Colony" the Wagner family is re-
ferred to in connection with Mount Morris
Township. Seth H. Hills came in 1835 and
made a claim on Section 3.^, which was pur-
chased from him by .Joseph Knox in 18?19. Hiram
Read settled on Section 10, where he lived until
HIS'rORV OF OGLE ('OT^XTY.
819
the oud o( his life many years a'^o. William
Sanderson, a native of Scotland, settled in Kock-
vale in lSI!r>. John Fridley eame with his family
Au.iiust !."•, 1S;>!S, havinj? visited the region dur-
ing the previous year, and having then Ixjught
from Judge Ford his ciaiui of l.ooo acres, where
now the historic- cabin stands. John Fridley, Jr.,
was born in this cabin. William Artz came
from Maryland in ISo!) and located on Sections
20 and -0. and his son, F. K. Artz, is said to
have been the first person born in the township.
George Griswold, who came fi*om England, was
one of the very early settlers. On his land was
found an excellent quality of limestone, and for
many years a lime-kiln was operated upon his
place. Joseph Knox, for whom Kiiox Spring
was named, was the contractor to whom was
allotted the building of the first county jail at
Oregon. After a few years he went to Iowa to
live and there died. Clark G. Waite located on
the west side of the river in lSo8. afterward
residing in Oregon. C. S. Marshall was a set-
tler of 1838. Benjamin Boyoe located on the
east side of the river. John James, Hiram
Gitchell. Silas Lyman. Exra Bond, Andrew Hart.
I.inus Morgan. .John Farrell, Robert E. Page and
Tlioraas Medford, were all early residents. The
Waite brothers furnished another instance of
three men of the same family becoming early
settlers in the township. In addition to the one
mentioned, there were E. J. Waite, who removed
to Oregon, where he died several years ago;
Mrs. J. A. Barden, referred to under Lynnville
Township; Mrs. Josephine Barker, of Rochelle;
Merton B. Waite, who is engaged in the Depart-
ment of Agriculture at Washington. D. C, and
A. J. Waite. wiiose son. J. A. Waite, still resides
on the home farm by the river's west side — the
first house built still remaining as the north end
of the present dwelling — were all members of
this pioneer family. Daniel B. W'agner. one of
the early farmers of Rockvale, came from Wash-
ington County, Md.. with his parents in 1S.SS.
His death occurred but recently at the age of
eighty-five; while two sisters, Mrs. Martha J.
Knodle and Mrs. Mary E. Swiugley, for many
years of Rockvale Towniship, survive him. Mar-
tin Beard, another pioneer, came from the same
county and State in 1007.
Among earlier and later residents of Rockvale
are: Theodore Austin, John Allen, George J.
Betz (from Wurtemburg. Germany), F. T,
Binckley. Thomas E. Coverly (from Canada),
David Crockett (Scotland), Henry Ehman,
L. W. Davis, John C. Folsom (New Hampshire),
David L. Foote (New York), Mahlon Forrest,
Arvey Frost (Ohio), Mahlon T. Fuller (born
in Washington Grove, Ogle County, in 1840),
Jacob Good (Pennsylvania), Patricic Ilaney
(Belfast, Ireland, 184.')), Arthur and Ann Farley
Holland (Ireland, 1S70), Amos C. James (New
York, 1842), Charles Jones, William Knapply
(Wimpfen, Geruiany, 1858), Enoch Eshbaugh
(I'eunsylvania. iscs). Edward and John Call-
ban, Nelson J(jhnson, .John Kelley ; David,
Josiah and William H. Knodle; Charles and
.Mary G. Clancy Lewis (New York, 1849), Isaac
Listeberger (I'ennsylvania, 1808), and Catherine
(Patterson) Listeberger; Samuel McGufhn (Can-
ada, 1843), Jind Frances Griswold McGufhn,
Samuel Sutton, A. Joesten, Charles ErxLeben,
C. K. Mattison, Henry F. Meyer (Prussia),
John and Catharine (INIiddour) Newcomer
(Pennsylvania), Hiram Row. Andrew Schecter
(^Maryland, 1845) ; David, Jacob and William
A. Steffa ; Joseph Matmiller and family from
Erie, Pa., via the Lakes on first trip of the ill-
fated "Lady Elgin,"' 185.3; George W. Swan,
William Swingley (Maryland, 1845) ; Joshua
Stoner, William Camling, Henry L. and Joshua
Thomas, Michael Zeller, John Gallagher, John
Brooke, Andrew Sverkersson, John Tinnner-
man (Oldenburg, Germany. 1853), Edward O.
Trask, Henry Thompson (Canada), Emanuel
G. and Elizabeth Fridley Wagner, David Wertz
(Pennsylvania, 18.50), who, with his brother
Lewis, built the first flouring-mill in the town-
ship, in 1850, and ran it in connection with a
saw-mill built by Lewis W^ertz some time before
1842. David Wertz and wife died some years
ago in Nebraska, where they and their family
had become pioneers again. Thomas and Mar-
garet Lynch (County Kerry, Ireland), were for
many years residents on the east side of the
river in Rockvale, Mrs. Lynch dying about the
end of the year 1008.
Churches. — Rev. Alexander Irvine came in
18^50, and was the first minister to locate in the
township. He died in 1840 and his "Last Will
and Testament"' was the first one probated in
the county. The marriage of a daughter, Marg-
ery Irvine, and Miner M. I'ork, in 18.37. is said
to have been the first of a long line of nuptial
knots tied in the township. An earlier history
says that, at the time of its writing, there were
no church buildings in the township. At that
820
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
time, however, there was a German Reformed
church, which still stands ou the Rockvale side
of the east line between Rockvale and Marion
townships. It is known as the "Etoenezer
Kirche" and was built in 1875, the first pastor
being Rev. Mr. Watermiller. Rev. William
Diekhoff is the present pastor. The services are
conducted in German, but the minister is Amer-
ican-born and educated. The congregation con-
sists mainly of German settlers living in the
townships of Rockvale and Marion, and num-
bers between four and five hundred, there being
eighty communicants, and about one hundred ten
families who are attendants. Sabbath School
and divine services are held each Sunday morn-
ing, and catechetical lessons every Tuesday. This
is the white frame church, with the spire seen
so conspicuously many miles off through the
trees and across the river from the highway near
the "half-way house" on the "old State Road"
between Mount Morris and the countj'-seat, and
it is the bell from this church-tower that is
heard ringing sometimes dovra the valley. The
bell cost $1,800, and the church has a pipe organ
which cost about .$1,000. Abraham S. Shelley,
of Rockvale, is organist, and the present church
ofiicers are : Peter Hayenga, Poppe Maas and
Behrend Behrends, elders ; and Frank Reeverts.
John Ulferts and John A. Roos, deacons. There
is a frame parsonage near the church, and a
cemetery is located in the neighborhood.
Schools. — Benjamin Boyce located on the
east side of the river, taught the first term of
school in 1841, in a log school-house near his
residence. The second school house was built
some time later in the Phelps neighborhood, and
was known as the "Phelps School." This stood
in the timber west of the cross-road running on
the east side of the John Phelps farm. It was
a log house consisting of one large room, heated
by a wood stove and furnished with benches.
This was superseded by a later structure which
stood in the hollow at the north end of the same
cross-roads until a few years ago, when the
present school building, known as "Rockvale
Heights," was erected.
From the office of tlie Sujierintendent of Ogle
County Schools lias been obtained the following
statistics: "Rockvale, 1907. There were 318
persons under 21 years of age, 216 of whom
were of school age. of this latter number 177
being enrolled in the schools. The township was
divided into eight school districts. One male and
seven females \^ere employed as teachers, re-
ceiving salaries ranging from $30 to $45 per
month. There were eight frame school houses
valued at $4,500. The amount of tax levy
$2,500."
The following is quoted from the Ogle County
History qf 1886 for the purpose of comparison :
"For the year ending June 30, 1885, in the town-
ship there were 410 persons under twenty-one
years of age, of whom 294 were of school age.
Of that number 241 were enrolled in the public
schools. The township was divided into eight
school districts, each of which had school reg-
ularly during the year. All the schools were un-
graded. There were four males anad eleven
female teachers employed, receiving salaries
ranging from $25 to $45 per month. There were
two stone and six frame school houses, valued at
$4,900. The amount of tax levy was $2,250."
Some years ago a creamery conducted by Otto
Timmerman did a flourishing business on Silver
Creek, but like many establishments of its kind,
in more recent years its business has proved
unsuccessful. As early as 1843, one of the many
saw-mills of the county w'as established and
operated by Benjamin Boyce, while Hiram Read
kept a small grocery store on the east side of
the river, both near the Brooklyn School.
Township Officers. — The following have been
Supervisors of Rockvale Township since 18-50:
N. W. Wadsw^orth, 1850-51 ; William Artz. 1852 ;
James W. Johnston, 1853 ; A. C. Richardson,
1854-55 ; Benjamin Boyce, 1856-57 ; William Artz,
1858-61; Hiram Read. 1862; William Artz, 1863;
Adoniram J. Waite, 1864-65 : Henry Thompson,
1866; William Artz, 1867-68; Jacob Good, 1869-
71 ; Andrew Schecter, 1872-73 ; James C. T.
Phelps, 1874; .Jacob Good, 1875-79; E. A. Irvine,
1880-82; George Petrie, 1883-85; Otto Timmer-
man, 1886-91; Judson A. Waite. 1892-1908.
The officers for 1908, in addition to Super-
visors, are : Tow-n Clerk, William H. Smith ;
Assessor, Henry F. Tice ; Tax Collector, Arend
DeVries : Justice of the Peace, Albert C. Wilde ;
Highway Commissioners, William M. Camling,
A. W. Blanchard, Scott Wissinger ; School Treas-
urer, A. S. Shelley.
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
In 1838. Thomas O. Youngs, of New .Jersey
and Canada, who for nineteen years had lived
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY
821
near Cleveland, Ohio, decided to make a liome
In the "Far West," and taking six iiorses, two
waguns and a carriage, started lor Illinois.
Otlier Oliio people, acquaintances of his, had set-
tled in Ogle Cotnity, and thither he journeyed,
via Chicago, then a town of .'5,000 iK)pulation.
After fourteen days, he arrived with his family
and ijossessions at White Rock Grove, and there
purchased of Henry James, a Kentuckian, a
claim of several hundred acres. The land lay
partly in what is now White Rock and partly
jn Scott Township. There was a log cahin on
the portion in the latter township, now Section
'M, with twelve acres broken. This became the
home of Mr. Youngs and was the first .settlement
in Scott Township. B"'or some time Mr. Youngs
went to Beloit, thirty-five miles distant, for
milling purposes, and to Chicago for general
marketing, while among his experiences were
carrying a revolver in his belt as he plowed his
fields and while sleeping in his barn to protect
his stock at night.
Some Pioneer Experiences. — In 1839, Albert
Wilbur, of New York, who had gone to Joliet
in 1835, removed to Ogle County and settled on
Section 1!) in Scott Township. His travel was
by canal to Buffalo (from Oneida County), to
Detroit by Lake steamer, and thence to Chicago
by stage, the journey occupying eleven days. The
hotel in which he stopped in Chicago was a two-
story log house, which stood where afterwards
the well-known Tremont House accommodated
the public for many years, and where now the
Northwestern Law School is located. The mud
on Randolph Street was so deep that planks had
to be laid from the stage for the passengers to
walk on to the hotel door.
Roster of Early Settlers. — -Other early set-
tlers of the township, with the States from which
they came and the sections upon which they
located, are as follows : Beuoni L. Beach, New
York, 1842. Section 20; F. H. Baker, New York.
1849, Section 21 ; Richard McDonuough, Ireland,
1850, Section 3; Simon Sheaff, New York, 1851,
Section 31 — fed the first stock raised for market
in the township ; William W. Wade, Massachu-
setts, 1854,. Section 28; Elijah R. Morse, Ver-
mont. 1854, Section 10; A. A. Walker, Illinois,
1855, Section 24; Lemuel Colwell, Maryland.
185n, Section 1 ; O. W. Norton. New York, 1855,
Section 19 — found but five houses in the town-
ship ; Joseph SheaCf. Ohio, 1855, Section 34 —
was the first settler in that immediate region,
the nearest house being one and one-half miles
away, and is a surviving resident of the town-
ship to-day. with his home in Ilolcomb ; I'eter
Sheaff, New York, Sections 31 and 32 — came to
Ogle County in 1852, but lived for six or seven
years in Rockvale and Oregon Townships ; Pat-
rick Carmichael, Ireland, 1859, Section 7 ; John
Corcoran, Ireland, about 1800, Section 2; Joiiii
R. Rice, New York, 18<J0, Section 15; L. W.
Blackman, New York, 18G1, Section 13; Michael
MonahaiL Ireland, 18(>1, Section 13; Alfred
Nash, New York, 1802, Section 25 ; John Murray.
Scotland, 1803 ; Marcus Wortman, Pennsylvania,
1808, Section 11; Robert Richardson, England,
1871, Section 14; R. II. Woodworth, New York,
1872; John J. Nashold, New York, 1874, Sec-
tion 12 ; John Wilson, Canada, 1875, Davis Junc-
tion ; Emery J. Burdick, New York, 1875, Davis
Junction ; P. Brace, New York, 1875, Davis Junc-
tion.
In 1877, Israel Boies, who in 1870 built the
first creamery in the county at Byron, settled on
Section 23, and became a director of the Rock
River Butter Factory at Davis Junction, which
from August 1 to February 1, 1878, made and
shipped 20,000 pounds of butter.
When Jeremiah Davis, in 1858, purchased 320
acres of the land in this township on Section
23. and moved iliere with his family from Milton.
Wis., "there was not a house to be seen from any
portion of his land." Later Mr. Davis added
880 acres to his original purchase. The writer
drove across that portion of Scott Township in
1878 and remembers the long distances between
neighbors at that time, as well as the noticeable
contrast between that part of the county and
those jMirtions around Oregon ami Mount .Morris,
because of the absence of timber and the level
land around Davis Junction. In 1855 this
prairie, which the settlers left to the last to be
converted into farms, sold at .$2.50 ]»i'r acre, while
in 1878 Mr. Davis's farm of 1,100 acres, which
he Avas then handling, was valued at $07.0(X),
showing the rapid increase in value when once
the occupation of the land for farming purjKJses
began.
Village of Davis Junction. — In 187.5, Jere-
miah Davis platted the village of Davis Junc-
tion. The first dwelling was erected by Robert
H. Woodworth and the first store by John K.
Dentler, whose son, O. S. Dentler, occupied the
new building with a stock of general merchan-
823 ■
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
dise. Ellenwood and Scrantou provided a build-
ing for Mr. Bruce's stock of hardware, and there
were two other stores conducted by Joseph Ken-
dall and Mr. Scale. At the present time there
are four stores in Davis Junction — two general
stores and two hardware stores. One of the
former is owned and managed by Frank Dent-
ler, grandson of the early settler, J. K. Dentler.
The lumber business was begun during the first
year by Moody and Freeman, blacksmithing by
R. H. Woodworth and wagon-making by Bur-
dick and Wilson, while Peter Tilton built and
conducted the first hotel. In 1877, the first vil-
lage school house was built, a two-story, two-
room frame building, which still meets the edu-
cational needs. A two years' high school course
is maintained, from which the pupils pass to the
third year of the course in the Rockford High
School. Walter Richardson is Principal.
In 1883, a Methodist Episcopal church was
built and dedicated the following year, this being
the only church edifice now in Davis Junction.
The present pastor is the Rev. Collins, who re-
sides at New Milford and has both charges under
his care. The membership numbers fifty.
The two railway companies (the Burlington
& Milwaukee) whose lines intersect at the south
side of the village, have built there a joint sta-
tion at a cost of $9,000. It is a timber and
cement building, with waiting rooms, smoking
room and lunch room, well constructed, pleasing
in appearance, commodious and comfortable.
The lunch room in its appointments and supplies
is the equal of places of many times the size.
The grounds surrounding the station have been
artistically laid out, set in grass and planted
with shrubbery. The walks are of vitrified
brick, long and wide, following the tracks for
some distance where the passengers take and
leave the trains.
Village of Holcomb. — In 187(5, Joseph Sheaff,
at the southern edge of the township, on Sec-
tion 34, the place of his farm residence, laid
out a new village and named it Holcomb in
honor fil' "W. II. Holcomb, then and for some time
a citizen of the county, residing at Rochelle;
first an employe and afterwards an officer of the
Chicago & Iowa Railroad Company, later con-
nected with the Oregon Short IJne and Trans-
portation Company of flic Pacific Coast, and in
1Si)^> Superintendent of 1 ransportation at the
Columbian Exposition at Chicago. Mr. Holcomb
died in .March. 11)08. at Hinsdale, 111. The first
house was a dwelling occupied by T. P. Frantz,
a mason by trade. This was followed by an
elevator built and operated by Joseph Sheaff,
who in a short time rented and later sold out to
West & Andrews, who in turn rented and then
sold to George Stanbury, whose son, Edgar Stan-
bury, is now the owner and operator. This
elevator did all the grain business until 1S86.
when the Great Western Railway being com-
pleted through Holcomb, Armour & Company
established an elevator on that line. The second
dwelling was erected by Dr. John Murray, who
was an early settler of the region, and who con-
tinued in the successful practice of the homeo-
pathic school of medicine at Holcomb during all
the years up almost to the present time. In
December, 1908, Dr. Murray and his wife re-
moved to Southern Illinois. A store building
was built by David Sheaff about the same time
as the first dwelling and was occupied by Peter
E. Hastings, with a stock of general merchandise.
This was sold in 1879 to R. F. Oakes, and is
now owned and conducted by Phillips & Sheaff.
A second general store was started in 1878 by
O. S. Dentler, son of John K. Dentler, who pro-
vided the building. There is now but one gen-
eral store, the other being a hardware store.
In 1879, a church was built at a cost of $2,800.
by the German citizens residing in and around
Holcomb, chief among whom were the Knotts,
a numerous family active in the religious life
of the community. At the present time the con-
gregation is small.
In 1892, a bank was established by David
Sheaff, Joseph Sheaff. W. D. Oakes, Walter
Sheadle. and Charles Eyster, all of whom, ex-
cepting Walter Sheadle, who soon sold his in-
terest, are its owners now. Charles Eyster is
cashier.
Township Officeks. — Since the organization
of the township of Scott in 1850. the following
have been the Supervisors : George Youngs,
1850-51; Gould G. Norton, 1852-G3 ; Jeremiah
Davis, 1864-67; Orlo H. Norton, 1868; Jeremiah
Davis, 1869-70 ; George S. Youngs, 1871-72 ; Jere-
miah Davis, 1873-74; James D. White, 1875-79;
E. E. Moore, 1880-81 ; Charles H. Wilbur, 1882-
83; .Tosei)h G. Woodman, 1884; T. II. Baker,
1885-86; Sidney S. File, 1887-88; O. W. Norton,
1889; D. C. Pepper, 1890-93; D. A. Hatch, 1894-
95; Isaac N. Barden, 1896-99; H. L. Barber.
1900-03 ; Charles E. Davis, 1904-08.
.p^
THE NP"-v V
ASTOR, LENOX
OATIONS
HISTORY OF OGLE CorNTY.
823
The other officers of the townshij) for the
year 1008 are: Town Clerk, Charles J. Rich-
ardsou ; Assessor, S. K. Jackson ; Tax Collector,
Ernest Kreitsburg ; Justices of the Peace, Menzo
Nashokl, D. II. Laniont ; Constables, S. B. Canii)-
hell, John McCormick ; Highway Connnissloners,
F. A. Knott, G. C. Zimmerman, Fred Ward ;
School Treasurer, Charles Eyster.
TAYLOR TOWXSIIIl'.
Taylor is a border townshij), touching Rock
River on its west side and Lee County on tlie
south. It is not the size of the usual townsliiji.
being tlie north part of what was surveyed as
Township 22 North, Ranges !) and 10 East of
the Fourth Principal ^Meridian "in Ogle County
and east of the middle of Rock River." The
northwestern section of Taylor Township was
originally quite well timbered, and the land-
scape partakes of the attractiveness and beauty
whicli characterize the region of its neighbor
"across the water," Grand Detour Township.
Clear Creeli flows in a northwesterly direction,
nearly crossing the township, and empties into
the river.
Settlement History. — Among the early set-
tlers in this locality were Elisha Arnold (1844).
Albert P.issell, who now resides in retirement
in the city of Oregon; Joseph Earl (1848), who
made the trip to California in '49 with the
Gold-Seekers ; John Mackay, L. L. Scott, Row-
land Thomas, Elias and Manley Teall, John
Worthington, Joseph Cunningham, Isaac Bly.
Oliver Edwards ; B. F. March, whose son, F. W.
March, resides in Oregon, and is an active tem-
perance worker in the county ; Jacob Hanger,
Hiram and Faxton Sanford, Parker Stepens,
William Richardson (1845) ; Henry Ling (ISti-j)
settling on a farm in Section 12, and living con-
tinuously in the same Section to the present
time; Washington Paddoclc, Jacob Wingate, Ruel
Thorp. F(>rnando Sanford is a son of one of
these old settlers. Levi Trostle, one of the
pioneers of the Brethren people in Ogle and Lee
counties, and who helped to establish the church
of that denomination at Franklin Grove, owned
several tracts of land in Taylor Township.
A village settlement was soon formed by those
choosing the farm land of this neighborhood for
permanent homes. To this was given the name
of Carthage, perhaps by some student of Roman
history, who remembered the famous Carthage
of ancient history. The jKjstoffice was named
Taylor, as another settlement in Illinois had
already appropriated the historic appellation.
The progressive changes of time have made a
postal station no longer necessary, and T'nde
Sam obligingly delivers the mail daily at the
homes along the roadside by a rural mail route
from Oregon and from Dixon. Formerly there
was a store at this ])lace kept by .Joseph
Stephens, an old and esteemed resident ; also a
blacksmith shop, but these are no longer in
operation. There is now at Carthage a group
of homes, about a half dozen, two or three of
them having their farm-lands adjacent. About
twenty persons live in this comnumity.
The residents of this township are engaged
chietly in farnnng and stock-raising. Farms
with buildings .sell at the present time for about
.$100 per acre, corn and oats being the crops
usually i-aised upon tlu' land. One of the large
farming tracts. lOG acres, once owned by Wil-
liam Stewart, an old resident, is now in the
posssession of Dr. Huston, of Joliet. 111. An-
other large tract belonging to John Stewart is
now owned by his widow, who resides in Ore-
gon. Ogle Count.v. Among more recent owners
of farms are Maria Sanford and Isabella Teall,
the names still representative of the early set-
tlers. At one time two creameries flourished —
Clear Creek Creamery on the east side near the
Lafayette Township line, and another at the
eastern edge of the once timberinl tract ; but
the butter is now made by the landowners them-
selves and sold by them direct to customers.
The church-going people of the township at-
tend service usually at the Methodist Episcopal
Church at Lighthouse, in Nashua Township,
there being no house of worshiji within the
limits of Taylor Township.
Thei-e ai"e four school districts in the town-
ship, viz. : Iloosier State, No. 79, near the east
border, which name would suggest some set-
tlers from Indiana in that vicinity; Tealls' Cor-
ners School, No. 81, named for an old settler;
Carthage. No. SO. and Riverside, No. 207. sit-
uated near the bordering river.
Among the leading farmers of the township
at the present time are C. S. Businga. Frederick
W. Rolph. son of Rev. F. B. Rolph. who many
years ago was pastor of the Christian Church
at Washington Grove^the son still liviuii on
the old home-place; Joseph B. Cleaver, William
824
HISTOEY OF OGLE COUNTY,
D. Mackay, son of the early Scotch Irish settler,
John Mackay, and living also upon the home
farm: John Shierer, Charles Fruit; R. M. John-
son and his son, Frederick Johnson ; William
Lane, D. C. Edmonds; John S. Richardson, son
of William and Eliza Stewart Richardson, and
John W. Groenwald.
Township Officers. — The township was or-
ganized in 1850, and named for Zachary Taylor,
who died July 9th. of that year. The Super-
visors of Taylor Township have been as follows :
Hiram Sanford, 1850-51; Ruel Thorp, 1852;
William Paddock, 1853-58; Washington L. San-
ford, 1859-60; Ruel Thorp, 1861; David San-
ford, 1862; Elisha Arnold, 1863-64; M. D, Mar-
tin, 1865-67; Jacob S. Stanger, 1868-70; Faxton
Sanford, 1871-73; F. B. Rolph, 1874-79; J. Z.
Taylor. 1880-82; Albert Bissell, 1883-84; J. Z.
Taylor, 1885-86 ; Floyd Thompson, 1887-90 ; A. J.
Stewart, 1891-92 ; Jerome C. Thompson, 1893-94 ;
John F. Vance, 1895-1902; C. S. Businga, 1903-
04; William D. Mackay, 1905-08.
The other township officers at the present
time are : Robert Boyles, Town Clerk ; C. J.
Hepfer, Assessor ; Gilbert Spratt, Tax Collector ;
E. A. Clover, Justice of the Peace; Taylor Stultz,
William Hart, J. B. Cleaver, Highway Commis-
.sioners ; C. D. Hussey, School Treasurer.
WHITE ROCK TOWNSHIP.
At the date of settlement of Ogle County as
well as at the present time, the Township of
White Rock — or what became such in 1852 —
possessed but little timber land. For this reason
there were but few early pioneers, and those
were the settlers in and around White Rock
Grove. The adjoining wide expanse of prairie
was not much ventured upon as a place for
farms until the latter part of the 'forties. As
late as 1850 Michael Cheshire entered 180 acres
in Section 1.
First Settlement. — The first log house built
in White Rock Township was erected by Amos
Rice in 18^57, when he removed with his family
from New York and settled on Section 7, where
he purchased 300 acres of \inbroken land. The
same year came Annis Lucas from Massachu-
setts and entered one mile square of the un-
cultivated jirairie, part of which he afterward
■s()\<]. Timothy Searles and fumily, including
two step-sons, Eli M. and William D. Chaney.
who had removed from Virginia to Ohio in
1829, came to Illinois in 1834, first locating in
Putnam County, whence they removed to Ogle
County and settled in White Rock Township.
In 1838, laud to the number of 307 acres in
Section 8 was claimed and settled upon b^ John
Campbell of Canada. In the same year Phineas
Chaney from Virginia, John F. Benner from
Europe, and Peter Smith from New Jersey, made
their claims and built their cabins ; also Cyrus
Wellington. In 1839, Michael Cheshire, who had
gone from Virginia to Ohio, where he tarried
two years, joined the few pioneers of White
Rock Township, and there entered 80 acres In
Section 35. In the same year, after having lived
thirteen years in Ohio, where he had gone from
New Jersey, came Richard Hayes, of the North
of Ireland, and purchased 480 acres of raw
prairie land in Section 6.
FiEST Government Land Sale. — The first
land offered for sale by the Government was
that lying east of the Third Principal Meridian,
and the first sale was made on October 29,
1839, when the first tract purchased was the
east-half of the northeast quarter of Section 1,
Township 41 North, Range 1 East of the Third
Principal Meridian, now the northeastern cor-
ner of White Rock Township. Away from the
grove, entry of the land and the settlement of
it in this township progressed slowly because
of lack of faith in the prairie for the purposes
of agriculture beyond that of grazing, and also
because of insecurity of life and property on
account of the robberies by brigands who in-
fested four counties, the headquarters of some
of whom were in the near-by sheltering timber
land of Washington Grove, Brodie's Grove and
Lafayette Grove. It was in White Rock Town-
ship that the organized movement to rid the
region of the desperadoes originated, and here
that the hero of it, John Campbell, gave his
life, in 1841.
Other early settlers of the township, the
States from which they came, the years of their
settlement, and the Sections upon which they
located, are as follows: John Hayes, New Jer-
sey. 1841, Sections 4, 5 and 6; James Lewis,
Wales, 1842, Section 16; H. L. Grant, Canada,
1845, Section 19; Ezekiel Thayer, New Hamp-
shire, 1847. Section 34; Richard Haselton, New
York, 1848, Section .30; H. C. Preston, New
TITSTOnY OF OGLE COUNTY.
825
York, 1849, Sections 7 and 18 ; John Savid;^t>,
Peunsylvauia, 1850, Soctioii 9 ; Samuel Doctor,
Pennsylvania, 1851, Section 8; F. Blackmail,
Pennsylvania, 1852, Section 'W; David Sdieaff.
Xew York, 185:^, Section 2 ; Edward Gardhous<',
England, 1854, Section :M\ ; .John K. Dentler.
Pennsylvania, 1854, Section It!; .lolm, Abraham.
and William Sechler, Pennsylvania. 1S54. Sec-
tions, 15, 10 and 27 ; R. W. Sheadle, I'ennsyl-
vania, 1854, Section 27 ; George Stanbury. Eng-
land. 1855, Section 11; Adam Benner, Pennsyl-
vania, 1855. Section 10; Miram Mayes, Illinois.
185G, Section 2:> ; Henry Doebler. Pennsylvania,
1857, Sections ;! and 15; William II. King, Illi-
nois. 1858, Section 27; Albert Lovell, New Y'ork.
1858, Section 13; James Nicholas, Pennsylvania,
1858, Section 81 ; R. W. Steuben, New York,
1859, Section 25. Others who came later were:
Abner J. Bilsborough, Pennsylvania, 18()0, Sec-
tion 28; Samuel Gibson, Scotland, 1800, Sec-
tion 20 ; W. D. Oakes, Pennsylvania, Section
22; William Boom, New I'ork, 1801, Section 4;
David H. Weeks, New York, 1801, Section 24;
Carl Miller. Germany. 1803, Section 15; Lyman
Gilbert New York, 1804, Section 13; R. F. Oakes,
Pennsylvania, 1808, Section 21 ; Thomas Schoon-
hoven. New York, 1808, Sections 30 and 31 ;
Andrew Diehl, Pennsylvania, 1809, Section 7.
Hamlets and Villages. — A number of years
ago, in the center of White Rock Township was
started a handet. Here in 1880 were situated a
school, a church and a cemetery. The church,
which was of the Methodist Episcopal denomina-
tion, has since been removed to Kings. The
cemetery and the school still remain in the same
location. The settlement was known as White
Rock Center.
The village of White Rock Burg had its origin
very early in the settlement of the region after-
wards forming the township. The Methodist
Episcopal Church was built sometime after the
establishment of the village, about 1800. This
church continues to hold religious services at
the present time.
In 1878 there were situated at White Rock
Burg a school house, a wagon and blacksmith
shop. ;i general store conducted by Hathaway
Brothers, and a postoffice called White Rock.
There is no i)ostofti('e there now. the only dis-
tributing point for the TTnited States mail in
White Rock Township in 1908 being located at
the village of Kings. Benjamin Eyster was the
first postmaster in the township. The village
iMcludes about fortj" inhabitants at present, and
li.is one store operated l)y J. S. Dentler.
Tbi' most thriving village of th(» township,
at the present time, is the comparatively late
one of Kings, which was laid out in 1875 by
W. II. King. The tiien new line of the Chicago,
Rockt'ord & Northern R;iilroad was that year
completed and the village was located along the
right of way in the north part of Section 27.
Tlic first iiuilding. an elevator, was built liy
Harry King. There are now two elev.-itors, one
owned l)y Armour & Company, and the other,
known as the "Farmers" Elevator." is the prop-
erty of a local stock comi)any of which Ricbanl
King of Rockford, is President. The first store
was conducted by R. W. Sheadle and the first
blacksmith shop by (Jeorge Pettingill, for whom
the .shop was ])rovided by W. II. King. There
are now several blacksmith and wagon-shops and
several stores, besides a bank, two churches
and a school. The i)ank was organized twenty
years ago by W. H. King, Charles T. King, and
W. D. Oakes. It is now owned by Charles T.
King. Frank J. King, Richard M. King, and
Emeline King, and known as The Fiirmers"
Bank of Kings, with a capital of .$10,(X)0 and
deposits of between ,$30,000 and $40,000. It
has been twice entered by burglars. The first
time about $1,500 was taken, but the second
time the safe stood the test and nothing was
secured. The bank was not affected by the
panic of 1893, nor by that of 1907.
Cpu'rches. — In 18(>3, the people of the Meth-
odist faith in the surrounding country region
built a church in the southern part of Section
23 and called it Bethel Methodist Church. It
was then an out apjmintment belonging to the
Rochelle charge, but in 1808 it was cut off from
Rochelle and G. W. Elwood was the first pastor.
In 1887. the chiirch building and the parsonage
were moved to the new^ village of Kings, one
mile to the west, leaving only the cemetery to
mark the initial place of church worship in the
township. The membership now is about fifty
with Rev. C. H. Beale pastor.
The Presbyterian Church of Kings is the
liiieal successor of the first Presbyterian Church
organized in Ogle County. According to the
statement of Mrs. Emory C. Hayes of Kings,
who was present on the occasion, the church
was organized in October, 1S47. by Rev.
George W. Stebbins, in an upper room in the
826
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
unfinished house of Mrs. Alexander Bain,
three or four miles south of White Rock Burg.
Daniel Taylor and Richard Mayberry were elect-
ed elders, and Mr. Stebbins was their first minis-
ter, visiting them once a month. At first the
services were held in the unfinished "upper room"
where the church was organized, later in school
houses, finally locating at "the Burg" (White
Rock) which gave the church its name. In June,
1858, sixteen members of the "Church of White
Rock," including Richard Mayberry and his wife
Elizabeth, were by a committee of the Presby-
tery of Chicago organized into "the Presbyterian
Church of Centre." Samuel Mayberry and James
H. Brown were elected elders, and Joseph Cham-
bers, Hastings C. Preston, Alfred F. Konkle, Dan-
iel F. Cooper, James C. Mayberry Trustees. In
January, 1868, the two churches known as "White
Rock" and "Centre" agreed to unite under the
name of "The First Presbyterian Church of Ogle
County," which action as ratified by the Presby-
tery of Rock River, this arrangement continuing
till 1875, when another change took place. This
change was revolutionary, and for twelve years
the society was known as "The First Congre-
gational Church of White Rock," hut since the
names of the elders of the old church appear
among the officers of the new society, and the
same house of worship is occupied, it would
seem that it was the same old church and people
under a new name. In 1887 occurred the last,
and most important change. The house of wor-
ship was removed about a mile and a half to the
village which had sprung up at King's station
and on the new railroad and, under jurisdiction
of the Presbytery of Ottawa, the church was re-
organized on August 20, 1887, as a Presbyterian
Church. Two elders were elected, Hasting C.
Preston and Alfred F. Konkle, who are still
serving (lfK)0). Since their names first appear-
ed among the Trustees elected at the organiza-
tion of Centre church in 1858, they have never
been absent from tlie list of officers of the church
through all the changes of name, location and
govenunent. With Elmer J. Preston, son of
H. C. and Rodney Wilder King, they consti-
tute the present Session of the church. Since
SeptenilK-r. ino:^. R(w. J. II. Stevenson, D. D., has
been the pastor. The present membership of the
church is about GO, the largest in its history.
Elder R. W. King is the efficient Superinten-
dent of tli(? Siililiath School, which now has the
largest enrollment in its history. The congre-
gation owns a small but comfortable manse,
which, with the house of worship, is in good re-
pair. The church has had the remarkable ex-
perience of having been under the jurisdiction
of three separate presbyteries — ^Chicago, Rock
River and Ottawa — while occupying practically
the same territory, its families living upon the
same farms. It has also been known by five dif-
ferent names. But through all its changes the
church has stood for the Bible as the Word of
God and the rule of life, faith in Jesus Christ as
the only way of justification, and honestj' and
morality as the essential evidences of christian
character.
Schools, — The following record of White Rock
Township Schools is taken from the history of
1886:
"In 18-39 a school house was erected on Sec-
tion 5, the first in the township. Amanda Rice
held therein the first term of school. This house
was used for religious as well as school pur-
poses. In 1847 there were but thirty-eight white
children of school age, and in 1855 the highest
wages paid male teachers in winter were .$20 per
month ; to females, $10 per month. In the sum-
mer time the highest wages paid were $10 per
month. As a contrast, from the report of the
County Superintendent of Public Schools, for the
year ending June 30, 1885, the following interest-
ing items are gleaned : There were 423 persons
under 21 years of age, of whom 217 were enrolled
in the public schools. The township was
divided into ten school districts, all the
schools held therein being of an ungraded char-
acter. Two male and 23 female teachers were
employed during the year. The highest salary
paid was $45 per month, and the lowest $25.
There were one brick and nine frame school
houses in the tov^oiship, valued at $8,280. The
amount of tax levy for school purposes was
$3,420."
The following statement prepared by the
County Superintendent of Schools of Ogle
County, brings the statistics to the end of the
year 1907 : "There were 323 persons under 21
years of age, 245 of whom were of school age.
Of the latter number 188 were enrolled in the
schools, several being in nearby high schools.
The township was divided into ten school dis-
tricts presided over by ten female teachers re-
ceiving salarit^s ranging from $30 to $65
per month. There were nine frame and one
QuJvx^
U\^
put
A-TOH, !-
TILt
HISTOKY OF OGLE COUNTY.
82:
brick school houses valued at $!),r»00. The
amount of tax levy for the support of the schools
was .fti.OOO."
Thk Campbell Boulder. — The following accu-
rate record of the placing of the houlder to mark
the spot where John Cami)bell, the fearless
Scotch Captain of the Regulators, was shot in
the (luiet Sabbath evening sundown, while going
to his barn, was preitared for this History by Mr.
D. II. Hayes, still ardent and active at seventy-
eight, who drove eight miles from his home in
White Rock Townshi]i. iiuriK)sely to make a per-
fect transcript of the inscription on the Camp-
bell boulder :
"During the sununer of l'.)0»; the matter of
placing a boulder monument to mark the place
where John Campbell was shot by the Prairie
bandits .Tune 28th. 1841, was suggested by R., M.
King and D. H. Hayes. Other old settlers were
six)ken to concerning the subject and all favored
the plan, notably among these were C. T. King,
A. B. Eyster, E. S. Doctor, Geo. H. Hayes, C. F.
Heltness and Geo. H. Oakes. Accordingly a
boulder was found on the farm of D. H. Hayes
in White Rock Township, of suitable size and
shape, and was taken to Rochelle by R. M. King
;ind the following inscription placed thereon by
an engraver :
'J. CAMPBELL. CAPTAIN OF REGULATORS.
Shot Here by Prairie Bandits.
June 23, 1841.'
"When the stone was in readiness it was taken
by D. H. Hayes to the place where it now stands
on the old Campbell farm twelve miles north-
west of Rochelle, in Section 8. White Rock Town-
ship, afterwards owned by Martin S. Campbell,
son of John Campbell. The boulder is placed
within ten feet of where John Campbell fell and
rests on a concrete base about 18 inches in thick-
ness and three feet square, is egg-shaped, three
and one'-half feet high, and weighs 1,500 pounds,
'ilie dedication of this stone to the memory of
Mr. Campbell was on the sixty-fifth anniversary
of his death.
"On the day that the boulder was to be erected
a dedicatory service had been announced and old
settlers flocked in from a distance of 12 miles.
C. T. King was chosen chairman of the meeting.
D. W. Baxter of Rochelle was the principal
speaker. Revs. Tibbies of Rochelle and Simester
and Stevenson of Kings, also E. C. Hayes and
R. M. King made short addresses suitable to the
occasion. The grand children of John Campbell
residing in the vicinity assisted in making the
necessary arrangements and contributed well
towai'd the iie(<'ss;iry expenses."
TowNSHii' Officers. — White Rock Township
was formed in 1852. and since that time the fol-
lowing h.ive served as members of the County
Board of Supervisors : William Stocking, 1852 ;
Samuel Doctor, 1852-57; Edwin Rice, 1858-00;
Osborne Chaney, 18(51; Franklin Blackman, 1802;
Edwin Rice, 180.3; B. Eyster, 1804; Sanuiel Doe-
tor, 1805; Edwin Rice, 1800; Martin S. Cam])-
bell. 1807; Edwin Rice, 1808; William Stocking.
1800; Thomas G. Getty. 1870-72; Samuel Doctor,
1873-74; William II. King, 187.5-70; George Stan-
luiry. 1H77; William II. King, 1878-84; I>:ivid
Sheaff, 1885; William H, King, 1880; D, H.
Hayes, 1887 ; Charles T. King, 1888 ; Edwin Rice,
1SS!»; William II. King, 1890-95; J. E.King. 1890-
19(11; J. F. Harleman, 1902-05; G. W. King,
1900-07 ; E. E. Stansbiiry, 1908.
The following are the other officers for the
township for the year 1908: Towu Clerk, E. L.
Hayes ; Assessor, A. B. Eyster ; Tax Collector,
True Ilazelton; Justice of the Peace F. T. Bab-
bitt; Constable, Charles Sechler ; Highway Com- 
